The Local Paper - Regional Print Edition. Wed., May 20, 2020

ACTIVE VIRUS CASE IN MURRINDINI REGION

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Phone: 5797 2656 or 1800 231 311.

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WEDNESDAY, MAY 20, 2020

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Page 2 - Wednesday, May 20, 2020

Local Briefs Thornton crash

■ Kinglake Police are investigating after they found a man with critical injures in a car crashed into a tree in Thornton ton Thursday morning (May 14).

The officers were out on patrol when they caught a glimpse of what they believed to be a dumped car just off Taggerty-Thornton Rd, about 3km from the Goulburn Valley Hwy about 1.45am.

When they went to investigate, they found a critically injured man in the car and rendered first aid.

In another stroke of luck an ambulance, which was transporting another patient nearby, was also able to respond providing immediate assistance.

It is believed the crash, which was in “the middle of nowhere”, occurred not long before police arrived.

The 37-year-old man, who was the sole occupant of the vehicle, was taken to hospital in a life-threatening condition.

Benalla Sgt Gavin Duncan said if it wasn’t for the members, they may have come across a very different outcome.

“It was two degrees out there this morning and there is no doubt that the man, even though he is extremely unwell and fighting for his life, has been given a chance,” Sgt Duncan said.

“It really is so lucky that they have seen the car out of the corner of their eye and then to have an ambulance also available in close proximity has given this man a fighting chance.”

Anyone who witnessed the incident or who may have information about the crash is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au

Black Spur works ■ VicRoads has provided an update re works on and around the Black Spur this week.

Works continue until Thursday (May 21).

Crews will be working between Eagles Nest Luxury Mountain Retreatand Telford Road in Narbethong to remove 25 trees.

Lanes will be closed around the work areas and traffic management will be in place so that vehicles can move in both directions.

It is recommended that you allow extra time, as there may be minor delays.

This is in addition to the planned closures of the Black Spur between Healesville and Dom Dom Saddle, but during the same times of 9.30am and 3.30pm.

For more information you can go to the VicRoads website and search ‘Black Spur’ or call 13 11 71.

Found at Warby ■ Missing man Daniel Portelli was found last week after a three-day search in dense bushland in Warburton.

Hundreds searched bushland in East Warburton for the popular “people person” after he disappeared on Tuesday,” said the Herald Sun. The father of three, a myotherapist, had become unemployed during the Coronavirus pandemic.

His family said he was under “quite a bit of strain” and he may have gone to the area to “clear his mind”.

“It is understood he was working through a rough patch with his wife Miho and was living alone at the time of his disappearance,” the Herald Sun said.

Police said he was last seen walking along Warburton-Woods Point Rd in East Warburton about 1pm on Tuesday, May 12.

His vehicle was located nearby.

Grand Final replay ■ AFL Outer East broadcast a replay of the 2009 Grand Final between Kinglake and Olinda-Ferny Creek last Saturday (May 16) on social media.

Tarcombe results ■ Tarcombe Herefords and Charolais 12 bulls sold to a top of $42,000 - averaging $10,833.

www.LocalPaper.com.au

East Central District Rifles resume ■ Yes, following the required social exclusion requirements the East Central District Rifle Association were able to open the range on Saturday (May 16).

Those who were well and armed with the required medical solutions to ensure that no bugs were passed onto others, it was a different day.

The usual cluster around the monitors and gathering to help a fellow marksman could not take place.

On the other hand Captain Neal Hambridge led the push to get his precision target rifle going as best he could while a group led by Assistant Captain Graeme Kerr focused on zeroing and readying their hunting rifles.

All was fine as the shoot started in calm and bright conditions. It was not to last as the shooters saw the wind flags start to move and ‘That Wind’ was back with a vengeance.

The scores tell their own stories as to where the shots landed, however the day was measured as a great success as the shooters caught up with each other and they found that the allocation of tasks and sticking to the rules was not difficult and in no time at all the shooting questions were dealt with and plans laid out for future shoots.

One key message to all ECDRA members is

if you are not well or you are concerned at all about the possibility of catching something Stay Home.

2021 and 2022 will be different year sand no one should feel obliged to turn up to competition matches.

The scores from Saturday with two 15 shot shoots, Distance ?500yds, F-Standard Geoff James 75.1, 86.4 =161.5 and F-Open Class Neal Hambridge 89.6, 86.4 = 175.10, Hunting class 10 shots over 500yds Graeme Kerr 47.

The results show a strong influence from the wind, with Graeme’s shots most likely to land about 150mm from dead centre, not bad for a hunting rifle that is most accurate at one-tenth of this distance.

While both Geoff’s and Neal’s are most likely to land less than 60mm from the dead centre or within most of the maximum scoring zone.

A great effort after an unprecedented start to the 2020 season. Please go the the www. ecdra.com.au web site and the calendar for the latest information about shoots.

It is critical that everyone follow the emergency requirements in particular the social exclusion rules and any directional statements so that we protect our community from this virus.

If in doubt stay home.

- Robert Chaffe

Tourism decision welcomed ■ The Victoria Tourism Industry Council welcomes Sunday’s announcement by Premier Daniel Andrews on the reopening of the state’s hospitality industry.

"As a result of the low number of cases identified from the recent testing blitz, from June 1, Victoria’s cafes, restaurants and the dining areas of pubs will be able to welcome 20 patrons back to their establishments," said Felicia Mariani, Victoria Tourism Industry Council Chief Executive.

"From June 22, that will increase to 50 patrons, and from mid-July, up to 100 patrons will

● Felicia Mariani

be allowed at these venues.

"While last week our state was behind the easing of restrictions planned in other states and territories, this [week] we have moved to one of the most progressive states in this regard,” Ms Mariani said.

“VTIC has engaged extensively with Government over the past week on these issues and we’re thrilled that the Andrews Government has seen a pathway to respond so positively.

“This is wonderful news for our hospitality industry and one that VTIC is thrilled the Premier has reconsidered.”

Golf: play resumes at Yea WEDNESDAY It was a superb day at Yea, the course was excellent and showed the efforts of so many who prepared the course over the lockdown.

The Club had 23 men and six ladies on the course, which was fantastic since some members were put off by the predicted rain.

Playing 15 minutes apart, in pairs, certainly avoided any large groups on the course.

For the men, 20 players played the blue and three the white course.

Results from both courses are combined, with white course players having lower handicaps than what they would have had on the blue course. Results overall show a lack of practice by many.

The men’s winner with 33 Stableford Points was Michael Spagnolo (6) from second Neil Peterson (12) with 31. Third on CB was JeffAurisch (16) from fourth David Ngo (22) with 30 points. Fifth, also on CB, was Brian Simmons (10) from Carl Maffei (23) on 29 points.

There was no NTP on the 11th and the Club Award was won on a CB by Neil Ross from John Anstey. All players will be debited $10 payable at the end of the month.

Ladies Winner was Miranda Gill with 32 points from Adrianne Anglin with 30points.

SATURDAY There were 20 men and six Ladies on Yea on Saturday. The men’s competition, the first round of the N.J. Murray Trophy, was won by Rob O’Halloran (18) with 35 Stableford Points.

The next four had 30 points and on CB Brian Simmons (10) was second, Phil Armstrong (24) third and Kevin Coghlan (19) was fourth from Jeff Aurisch (16).

There was no NTP on the 14th and the Club

Local Politics Bold steps needed

● Robert O’Halloran. File Photo.

Award was won by Neil Peterson. So Rob O’Halloran has a five-point lead going into the final round next Saturday.

Players do not need to send results to Pelly after golf but if you want your card to be recorded for the eclectic competition then also send to Brian Simmons.

- Alan Pell

● Cindy McLeish, Eildon MLA ■ Bold steps needed to be taken in the Eildon electorate to kickstart the tourism economy, says Cindy McLeish, MLA for Eildon.

“Our local communities have been hit hard by drought, bushfire and now the coronavirus pandemic leaving many families and businesses in very challenging circumstances,” said a spokeswoman for McMcLeish.

“Travel bans put in place to stop the spread of COVID-19 meant visitation to country Victoria was smashed overnight.

“If we do not take bold steps now to restore our local tourism sector, our regional tourism businesses - which employ an estimated 86,000 Victorians - will never recover.

“Together with the Liberal Nationals, I am calling for a dedicated $200 million Regional Tourism Fund to be immediately established by the Andrews LaborGovernment to support our country communities and bring visitors back to regional Victoria.

“With an aim to return the tourism sector to June 2019 bed night accommodation levels by June 2021, this Fund should provide targeted support to tourism in different regions to: ■ assist operators to get back on their feet, ■ promote Victorian tourism destinations, and ■ upgrade tourism related infrastructure.

“The call is part of the Liberal Nationals' plan to get Victorians back to work and back in business.

“Last year the Andrews Government spent more than $100 million on self-promotional advertising, such as its multi-million dollar 'Big Build' campaign.

“All Andrews Government self-promotional advertising must be immediately scrapped and redirected into promoting regional Victorian tourism.

“The Andrews Government should also fast-track the completion of local tourism projects and upgrade nature-based facilities to get people back to bushfire-impacted northeast Victoria and Gippsland.”

Ms McLeish said: "With restrictions being eased, now is the time to take bold action to restore confidence and jobs to regional economies like ours here in the Eildon electorate.

"Together with the Liberal Nationals, I am proposing a $200 million Regional Tourism Fund to encourage visitors to come to country Victorian communities and help businesses get back on their feet.

"The many people in our community who rely on tourism to pay the bills and put food on the table are counting on the Andrews Government to get them back to work and back in business," Ms McLeish said.

www.LocalPaper.com.au

Ticks & Crosses

✔

To support the Labor Government’s goal of gender equality on Councils by 2025 an additional $50,000 is being invested to encourage women to run for council at the 2020 election. Five of the seven current Murrindindi Shire councillors are women.

Wednesday, May 20, 2020 - Page 3

Dindi Sessions

■ Check out some homegrown local talent by lining the Murrindindi Shire Youth Facebook page.

Original music from talented young artists across the Murrindindi Shire is being relased.

'The Dindi Sessions' is an initiative by Murrindindi Shire Council and aims to build the music profiles of talented young artists who participated in the recent songwriting workshops, and more recent recording sessions with Montville Lane Sessions.

'The Dindi Sessions' present ssinger and songwriter Cherri Anderson with an original tracked called Red Flags this Saturday (May 23).

This program is supported

by Creative Victoria and the Victorian Government's FReeZA youth development program.

Our return to print

● Cherri Anderson

Local News ● Local politician Danielle Green (Labor, Yan Yean) rarely needs an excuse to put on a funny hat or similar gear for a media photo. Danielle was pictured in waders to celebrate the fact that Victorians are permitted to go fishing under revised CIVID-19 rules.

Whittlesea Council is keeping a close eye on the Independent Broadbased Anti-Corruption hearing into Casey Council. Administrators were last week appointed to Casey.

Murrindindi Shire Council says that it will be a while before people will be able to travel too far, so regional travel within Victoria is set to increase as people look for alternatives to their regular overseas holiday. The Council wants to know how businesses are planning to take advantage of this opportunity and how they can help. Tourism is Murrindindi’s second largest industry sector. It employs 586 people and is worth $115 million to the local economy, says Cr Jackie Ashe.

Yea and Alexandra residents are upset at the lack of social distancing shown by visitors to both towns on Saturday and Sunday. At Yea, a group of motor-cyclists parked their machines on the footpaths, and ignored the rules introduced to protect people from the Coronavirus.

Police seek Flavio MISSING PERSON

✔ ✔ ✖

✔

The election of an Auditor Panel for Mitchell Shire landfill sites was due to be held on Monday night (May 18) at the Council meeting scheduled to be held at the Broadford chambers. The result was not known, as we went to press.

✖ ✔

Householders in Kinglake West and Kinglake Central lost electricity supply early on Monday morning (May 18) in an unplanned outage.

An active Coronavirus case in Murrindindi Shire came to the no tice of Shire officials at the weekend. The Department of Health does not reveal more specific details of the Virus patients, other than to say that the home address of the affected person is listed as being within the ‘Dindi municipality.

Readers’ contributions to the ‘Ticks & Crosses’ column are welcomed.

Send your contribution to: editor@LocalPaper.com.au Contributions will be published at the sole discretion of the Editor.

● Flavio Ciano

■ Police are appealing for public assistance to help locate missing Craigieburn man Flavio Ciano.

The 45-year-old was last heard from by family on Saturday (May 16) Investigators believed Flavio may be travelling in a brown Mitsubishi Triton with registration FLY WHL and may be in the Kilmore area.

Police and family hold concerns for Flavio’s welfare due to a medical condition.

Police have released images of Flavio and his car in the hope someone may recognise him and provide information regarding his current whereabouts.

Anyone who sights Flavio or the Triton is urged to contact Craigieburn Police Station on 9303 4433.

260 jobs at Whittlesea Cl. ■ The City of Whittlesea has partnered with the State Government on its $500 million Working for Victoria initiative to connect people to jobs.

Whittlesea Council has registered around 260 jobs, open to anyone who has lost their job because of COVID-19 impacts. This includes people who have been stood down by their employer.

People registered on the Working For Victoria database can be matched to suitable jobs.

The City of Whittlesea is looking for roles such as outdoor workers, cleaners, social workers, counsellors, digital technicians, delivered meals drivers and more.

These roles will be based at Council or within a partner community organisation.

Administrator Lydia Wilson said Council was proud to support the State Government’s Working For Victoria initiative, which could see thousands of Victorians back at work sooner. munity partner organisations. https://www.vic.gov.au/workingforvictoria

■ The Local Paper returns to print this week after a hiatus since March 18 because of the Coronavirus pandemic.

The Local Paper is returning to print inb several stages. The first stage is in the form of smaller-than-usual ‘austerity’ editions, which include local news and magazine coverage.

As commercial conditions return to normal, the regular advertising will begin to re-appear in several phases.

The Local Paper has continued to print weekly editions online, and has maintained an up-to-date local news coverage at its website and on Facebook pages.

Local advertisers with discounted annual online packages have been receiving their advertisements during this time.

They will continue to receive their online advertising without charge, as the print editions are resumed in several stages.

Local Media Pty Ltd, publishers of The Local Paper, is expanding its operations with the start of several new titles.

The mastheads being introduced this week include editions of The Local Paper sub-titled the Northcote Budget, Preston Post, Reservoir Times, Whittlesea Post, Diamond Valley News and Heidelberger.

Another title will be the Yarra Valley Express in areas including Lilydale, Yarra Glen, Healesville and Warburton.

“It will take some time for publication of free local newspapers to return to full pace.

We ask for the patience of our readers and advertisers as we navigate our way through tight economic conditions,” said Ash Long, Publisher.

“We look forward to continue being of service in the local community.”

Local Briefs At Spring Street

■ State Parliamentarians are on duty in the Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council on Tuesday-Thursday (May 19-21) this week. They are due to return to Spring St from June 2-4.

Postal votes in ‘20 ■ The State Labor Government is ensuring Victorian communities can have their say on their local government representatives with council elections to go ahead on Saturday, October 24.

Adem Somyurek, Minister for Local Government, announced that safe and secure postal votes will be used for the elections.

This will be the first time postal voting has been used across all Victorian councils, following changes introduced to the Local Government Act 2020 that requires a state-wide and uniform approach to voting.

Epping death

● Lydia Wilson, Whitt. Adminstrator

■ Investigations are ongoing after the death of a man in Epping on Saturday night.

Emergency services were called to an address on Nolan Drive where a 37-year-old Epping man was located with critical injuries about 8.45pm.He died at the scene.

A 33-year-old Epping man was also seriously injured in the incident and taken to hospital in a critical condition.

Homicide Squad detectives are appealing for anyone who witnessed anything suspicious in and around the vicinity of Nolan Drive and Park Street between 8pm and 9pm to come forward.

Anyone with information that could assist police with their enquiries is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppers.com.au

Page 4 - Wednesday, May 20, 2020

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Vale Spiro Politis, 86, patriot Contact Us Phone: 1800 231 311 Reg. Office: 30 Glen Gully Rd, Eltham, Vic 3095 (same address for 25 years) Mail: PO Box 1278, Research, Vic 3095 Web: w w w.L ocalMedia. c om.au .LocalMedia. ocalMedia.c E-Mail: Editor@LocalMediacom.au

The Local Paper

incorporating Murrindindi Citizen, The New Free Press and The Phoenix Vol. 5. No No.. 190 Wednesda y, Ma y 20 20 ednesday May 20,, 20 2020 Published W ednesda y s Wednesda A ddr es s: 74 High S t, Y ea, V ic 3 71 7 ddres ess: St, Yea, Vic Local Phone: 5797 2656 ocalP aper Web: ww w.L .LocalP aper..c om.au E-Mail: Edit or@L ocalP aper ditor@L or@LocalP ocalPaper aper..com.au L ocal P os t: PO Bo x 14, Y ea, V ic 3 71 7 Po Box Yea, 37

Melbourne

Observer

inc orpor a ting Melbourne A dv ertiser orpora dvertiser ertiser,, Melbourne Seniors News, Melbourne Trader and Victorian Rural News Vol. 5 2. No 80 52.

No.. 17 1780 Wednesda y, Ma y 20 ednesday May 20,, 20 20 Published W ednesda ys ednesday Phone: 9439 9927 e rr..com.au Web: ww w.MelbourneObserv .MelbourneObserve E-Mail: Edit or@MelbourneObserv e rr.. ditor@MelbourneObserv or@MelbourneObserve com.au Post: PO Box 1278, Research, Vic 3095

■ The Local Paper expresses its sincere condolences to the Politis family on the death this month of its patriarch, Spiro, at the age of 86.

Mr Politis was the Managing Director of Streamline Press Pty Ltd, of Fitzroy, which is the contract printer of this and other newspapers published by Local Media Pty Ltd. Mr Politis built a substantial printing business over the past 35 years, specialising in the production of a number of leading publications in Victoria.

Local Paper Editor Ash Long said Mr Politis was a self-made businessman. The Local Media group was his first printing customer at premises in Bedford St, Collingwood, in 1985.

“Spiro was a devoted family man, a determined businessman, eager for job cre-

ation, and serving the community. He was a proud Greek patriot, and would happily share his experiences as a youth.

“He had studied accountancy, migrated toAustralia, established a number of businesses in retailing and manufacturing. He was early user of television to promote his retail products.

“Spiro was a partner in a Greek community magazine in the 1980s. He took an active interest in the progress of dozens of proprietors of community publications,” said Mr Long.

John (Yiannis) Politis describede his father as “an honourable man”. Our sympathies to wife Mary, and the family.

A funeral service, observing Spiro Politis’s Greek heritage, will be held at a later date.

Ash OnWednesday

‘To Miss, with love’

Distribution The L ocal P aper: A vailable a e than Local Paper: att mor more 70 outlets in these municipalities: Murrindindi, Mansfield Mitchell, Nillumbik, Whittlesea, Y arr a Ranges.

Yarr Melbourne Observ er: A vailable a t Observer: hundreds of Victorian newsagencies, including the Melbourne metropolitan area, Mornington Peninsula, Geelong, Bellarine Peninsula, Surf Coast, and Victorian regional centres.

Deadlines Trades Advertising Advertising:: 5pm Fridays Display Advertising Advertising:: 6pm Mondays News News:: 10am Mondays Sports News News:: 10am Mondays Paid Classified Ads Ads:: 6pm Mondays E-Mail or@L ocalP aper aper..com.au, E-Mail:: edit editor@L or@LocalP ocalPaper edit or@MelbourneObserv e rr..com.au editor@MelbourneObserv

Online www.L ocalPaper. com.au www.MelbourneObserv er. com.au You can rread ead our paper fr ee on the free internet. Our online news service is egularly or our upda updatted rregularly egularly.. Details ffor advertisers - and how to contact them are also available at our website.

F ac ebook: L ocal P aper acebook: Paper aper,, Melbourne Observer Group

Independently Owned and Operated Printed under contract by Streamline PressPty Ltd, 155 Johns t, Fitzr oy, ffor or the publisher ocal Johnstton S St, Fitzro publisher,, L Local Media Pty Ltd. ABN 67 096 680 063, of the registered office, 30 Glen Gully Rd, Eltham, Vic 3095. Responsibility for election and referendum comment is accepted by Ash Long.

Copyright © 2019, Local Media Pty Ltd. ACN 096 680 063.

We acknowledge the traditional owners of the land on which we live and work.

Editor Ash Long first started newspaper work in 1969. He began writing for local newspapers in 1973. Over those 47 years he has kept extensive diaries and local photo files.

From Our Files - 30 Years Ago May 1990

Garry was favourite

■ Mernda-raised Garry Cecil was favourite to be appoinbted as Yea Shire Secretary, 30 years ago, to replace Peter Mangan.

Grace’s classes ■ Kinglake artist Grace Paleg was conducting children’s art classes at her Pheasant Creek home. Dianne Firth wrote that some of Grace’s works were on display at the thennewly opened Studio Roest.

Whittlesea dives ■ The Whittlesea Northern Eagles Second Division Seniors 10.16 (76) went down to Gisborne 16.15 (111) in the Riddell District Football League. The Eagles were eighth on the 10-team ladder.

Retirement dinner ■ A retirement dinner for country policeman, Graeme Broadbent, was held at the Molesworth Hotel, 30 years ago. Tickets, at $25 each, were on sale at the Yea Police Station.

Our Team Editor: Ash Long Features Editor: Peter Mac Columnis ts: L en Bak e rr,, Ma tt Bis settolumnists: Bake Matt BissettJohnson, Da v d Ellis, R ob F oenander Dav Rob Foenander oenander,, Mike McColl Jones, Peter Kemp, Aaron Rourke, John Rozentals, Jim Sherlock, an, Cheryl T hr eadgold, K evin Ted Ry Ryan, Thr hreadgold, Ke Tr ask, G a vin W ood Ga Wood Honorary Reviewers: Juliet Charles, Martin Curtis, Sherryn Danaher e tte er Danaher,, P Pe Gr een, L yn Hurs t, K athryn K eeble , Beth Green, Lyn Hurst, Ka Keeble Klein, Ai Diem Le, Deborah Marinaro, David McLean, Graeme McCoubrie, Maggie Morrison, Jill Page Elizabeth Semmel Distribution (Observer): Sam Fiorini, All Day Distribution Logistics: John Parry (Whittlesea) Credit Manager: Michael Conway OAM, Fas ction Debt R ov ery astt A Action Ree cco ery,, 040 04022 142 866

Editor’s Diary

Trip to Powelltown

● Reservoir East State School Grade 1B, 1963. Back row, from left: Philip Cohen, Alan Bliss, Rob Clark, Terry Wight, Ted Patterson, Rob Hindle, Bradley Allan, Mark Spittal, Len Gallace, Ash Long. Next row: Wendy Batterham, Debra Plunkett, Glenda Cromie, Jean Searle, Nola Davis, Maureen Pattison, Irene Spittal, Debbie Andrews, Louise Rogerson, Karen Alexander, Christine Pritchard, Harold Grimwood. Next Row: Robert Rogers, Lynne McCarthy, Nola Hitchins, Julie Chatfield, Diane Wilcox, Sharon Hobbs, Suzzane Hart, Elizabeth Mortison, Margaret Pandon, Bill Paterson. Front row: Chris Jones, Colin Beavis, Richard Butler, Shane Sattler, Michael Bartlett, Noel Weavers, David Earle, Neil Hyams, Colin Watt. Absent: Richard Godfrey.

■ It has been 57 years since your corresponJenny Crawshaw/Morgan was the teacher dent was in the Grade 1B classroom at Reser- who lit the fuse to a love of words, all those voir East State School. years ago at Reservoir East. This week was my On Friday (May 15, 2020), the boy in the top chance to say ‘thank you’. I hope that opporturight-hand corner of the photo (me) and the then- nity can now be repeated many times over.

21-year-old teacher alongside, Jenny Crawshaw, caught up for a 2½-hour chat.

Jenny Morgan now lives in North Fitzroy, and keeps busy with walking, cycling, reading, working for La Trobe University (supervising examinations), and keeping in touch with her four children - Stuart, Matthew (Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, UK), Rachel and Ben - and six grandchildren.

Jenny was schooled at PLC Ballarat, and lived with an aunt and uncle at Beechworth after the untimely death of her mother, a teacher.

The relatives, the Laidlaws, ran the Ovens and Murray Advertiser newspaper.

Jenny lived in East Albury, went to the Melbourne Teachers’ College, and her first assignments were at Fawkner, Reservoir East and ReservoirWest.

At Reservoir East, she lived in a teachers’ flat at the nearby Reservoir High School.

Later family addresses included Lalor North, Ivanhoe and Macleod, where she worked at the local high school. The family had a service station business at Thomastown for a while. with Ash Long, Editor These days, Jenny has been travelling anPrevious winner, Victoria’s best local reporter nually to England, with one of the highlights Now in his 51st year of local newspapers. being a visit to the Bishop’s Cleve area in the Tewkesbury area of the Cotswolds.

“For the cause that lacks assistance, One of the attractions is to visit grandson ‘Gainst the wrongs that need resistance Ryan. Jenny has especially liked touring France For the future in the distance, and Germany, so she has embarked upon studAnd the good that we can do” ies in both languages.

Jenny collects friends. Her bright personalPhone: 1800 231 311 ity is a magnet for dozens of pals who thorPersonal Web: www.Long. com.au oughly enjoy her personality.

Long Shots

■ Kinglake players made the long journey to Powelltown to take on the 1989 premiers.

The Lakers 8.5 (53) went down to Powelly 2 9.22 (196). Kinglake goalkickers were Craig Wolfenden (2), Matt Lucas (2), Daryl Robinson, Adam Wolfenden, Wayne Campbell, Bruce Jarvie. Best players were Chris Boyle, Matt Lucas, Wayne Campbell, Craig Wolfenden, Scott Campbell, Peter Molenkamp and Noel King.

Eagles ads

■ Supporting Whittlesea district businesses advertising on the Northern Eagles football page were Ray Watson, butcher; Whittlesea Taxi; Whittlesea Pharmacy (W. & H. Scott); R. & M. Luscombe and Sons; John Murphy at Duncan McIntyre Real Estate; BASICS (Beautician and Sports Injury Clinic); Whittlesea Printing Co.; Royal Mail Hotel; Phil’s Discount Shoes and Jeans; Marion’s Flowers and Whittlesea Nursery; Tolleys Treasure House at Mernda; Court House Take-Away; and K.L. Modular Systems.

PANCH stall ■ The Preston and Northcote Community Hospital (PANCH) Whittlesea Aixiliary conducted a street stall which raised $226 from the sale of homemade cakes and jams.

Brownies gather ■ Bundoora, South Morang and Whittlesea Brownies joined with their Kinglake colleagues to celebrate Environment Day at Claire Mott’s Whittlesea farm.

Katy Howard, Doris Johnston and Katrina Moore were welcomed as ‘Tweenies’.

KLW auction ■ The ‘Murray Grange’ 48-acre property at Kinglake West was set for auction inb 1990. Robert Hildebrand of L.J. Hooker, Whittlesea, managed the sale.

RIP James Balfour ■ Pat McNamara MLA co ntributed a column in which he paid tribute to the life of Jim Balfour, MLC for Morwell 1955-67, and Narracan 1967-77.

www.LocalPaper.com.au

Your Stars with Kerry Kulkens Aries: March 21-April 20.

Lucky Colour Green Lucky day Friday Racing numbers 9.6.5.4.

Lotto numbers 13.16.25.24.40.1.

Your life is changing for the better. More responsibility is likely. You should be able to handle any situation and get over most obstacles. New ventures should prove profitable.

Wednesday, May 20, 2020 - Page 13

Local News

Sports clubs must move for NE Link

Taurus:April 21- May 20.

Lucky Colour Red Lucky day .

Friday Racing numbers 9.7.5.1.

Lotto numbers 2.5.12.21.14.41.

It is a very busy period in which you can expect the unexpected; a VIP can enter your life and be very helpful.

However, don't take sides in friend's arguments or disagreements.

Gemini: May 21- June 21.

Lucky Colour Peach Lucky day Thursday Racing numbers 8.5.2.4.

Lotto numbers 13.14.25.22.18.45 Support is indicated from those you need to impress.

Happier vibes around the working scene and luck can come in unexpected ways.

Cancer: June 22- July 22.

Lucky Colour Navy Blue Lucky day.

Tuesday Racing numbers 9.7.5.4.

Lotto numbers 13.16.14.41.40.11.

A new beginning in a career venture is indicated and should bring success. Money should be easier to obtain on turn up unexpectedly. Benefits through family support.

Leo : July 23- August 22.

Lucky Colour Lilac Lucky day Wednesday Racing numbers 8.6.5.6.

Lotto numbers 3.5.12.21.10.45.

A rather high energy level could have you trying to do everything at once. This is a great period to entertain or be entertained by friends. Most will be more interested in health and fitness.

Virgo.August 23- September 23.

Lucky Colour Brown Lucky day Monday Racing numbers 8.7.8.6.

Lotto numbers 6.4.15.18.25.22.

A more positive mood should prevail. Health improvements and more opportunities to travel. A trip to a different place could work wonders for your love life.

Libra: September 24- October 23.

Lucky Colour Mauve Lucky day Tuesday.

Racing numbers 1.6.5.2.

Lotto numbers .

13.16.25.24.40.44.

There are going to be answers to mysteries and tying up of loose ends. It will be a much happier period. Many will be getting married or having babies. Just avoid trying to run the whole show by yourself.

Scorpio: October 24- November 22.

Lucky Colour Yellow Lucky day Tuesday Racing numbers 6.3.5.1.

Lotto numbers 13.15.24.40.11.2.

Now is a very exciting period. There will be more invitations to social gatherings. Many could mingle with the rich or famous. The wiser keep some time to themselves.

Sagittarius: November 23- December 20 Lucky colour Mauve Lucky day.

Monday Racing numbers 5.6.8.4.

Lotto numbers 13.15.24.28.45.40.

It could be the time to ask people to return favours and possessions. It is also a wonderful period for starting new relationships or rekindling up old flames.

Capricorn’ December 21- January 19.

Lucky Colour Green Lucky day Thursday Racing numbers 8.6.4.7.

Lotto numbers 15.14.17.11.10.2.

Many could change jobs or get a good financial boost.

There appears to be a lot going for you with more excitement in your love life.

Aquarius : January 20- February 19.

Lucky colour Brown Lucky day Tuesday Racing numbers 8.7.1.2.

Lotto numbers 2.12.15.24.42.32.

A misunderstanding could create an unusual course of events. This could be a social period full of surprises. A holiday could bring a reason to celebrate.

Pisces: February 20- March 20.

Lucky Colour Purple Lucky day.

Saturday Racing numbers 8.9.4.2.

Lotto numbers 13.15.24.42.40.11.

It is a much busier social period with finances being a lot easier. Some good news concerning family matters. Gains should be made without too much effort and misunderstandings cleared up.

Kerry Kulkens Psychic line 1300 246 244 Visit Kerry Kulkens Magic Shop at 1693 Burwood Hwy Belgrave ph./fax (03) 9754 4587 www.kerrykulkens.com.au Like us on Facebook

● Artist’s impression of the Watsonia works. Photo: North-East Link ■ Eighteen local sports clubs will have to move will deliver better local sporting facilities and because of works associated with the North East more green open space for people to get out, get Link. active and play the game they love.”

Seven News, in their evening bulletin, last “Sport is the backbone of local communities week featured the problems of Watsonia-based and these upgrades will benefit thousands of Vicand Yarra Junior League clubs. torians – keeping them playing while we build The State Labor Government is set to de- the North East Link,” said Ros Spence, Minisliver a boost to local sporting facilities so clubs ter for Transport Infrastructure. can keep playing during the construction and “Whilst community sport isn’t taking place operation of the project. in Victoria at the moment – these new upgrades The North East Link project will build six will be a welcome addition to the local communew pavilions and deliver upgrades at 19 sports nity over the coming years.” grounds to support football, cricket, soccer in the northern and eastern suburbs.

The project will lay 13 MCGs worth of new synthetic and natural turf – doubling the usage to 60 hours a week at some grounds – and provide better lighting, new pavilions, better security and ■ Murrindindi Council is holding an online female-friendly change rooms. workshop for business owners at 7pm on Works on the sports club improvement proThursday (May 21), to discuss opportunities gram will start later this year, giving clubs time to help businesses recover from the impacts to settle into their new facilities and avoid project of the COVID-19 pandemic. construction impact at their current grounds.

Council's Tourism and Events Portfolio Currently competitive community sport is not Councillor, Jackie Ashe said it has been fantaking place across Victoria due to the current tastic to see such great collaboration between coronavirus restrictions. business owners and Council over the past The Government says that the $68 million few months. investment will ensure the more than 20,000 play“Many business owners across our Shire ers from 31 sporting groups and associations that took part in our online survey, which provided use the grounds have high-quality facilities.

Council with valuable information about how The North East Link Project team has been their business is going and the impacts working closely with sports clubs, councils, COVID-19 is having on their operations. schools and landowners for over two years to “A number of businesses have also find the best places to deliver these massive jumped onboard Council's new Dindi Direcupgrades. tory platform - a great way to connect busiAn interactive map will keep clubs informed nesses and customers. However, now is the about individual site updates and where sports time to think about what opportunities - and club relocations will be happening in the area. challenges - lie ahead for businesses.

It comes as works ramp up on the North East “The results from the online survey, comLink project, including the first of at least 30,000 pleted by over 260 businesses (95 per cent of trees being planted this week. which are small to medium enterprises), Belle Vue Primary School is the first location show that over 30 per centof businesses in to receive more than 2000 indigenous and naour Shire have lost all of their income due to tive trees and shrubs in one of Victoria’s largest COVID-19, and over 65 per cent of businesses have lost more than half their income. These ever tree planting programs. are shocking results. We need to come toAs works ramp up in the north, a site comgether to begin to plan a way forward for our pound is being set-up at Borlase Reserve in local businesses and community.

Yallambie, to support key works including mov“Our Business Workshop will be held ing more than 34 kilometres of pipe and drain online and will be interactive. We'll kick things and over 95 other utilities to make way for way off with an update from our CEO Craig for major construction to start in 2021.

Lloyd, and then we'll use online technology “This investment will give 20,000 local playto gather information in a Q&A style format. ers better grounds, clubrooms and facilities as “The more information and ideas we major construction ramps up on this project,” gather, the better we will be able to support said Jacinta Allan, Minister for Transport Infraour business community to come out of this structure. pandemic in good shape.

“Not only will the North East Link create “As restrictions ease, there will be chal10,000 jobs and get trucks off local streets – it lenges for some in resuming their operations.

For others, there will be opportunities.

Everyone's experience will be different.

“And don't forget, if you or those you care ■ Whittlesea Council will Seek authorisation about are doing it tough right now, and could from the Minister for Planning to prepare use some more personalised support, please and exhibit an amendment to the Whittlesea get in touch with us,” Cr Ashe said.

Planning Scheme that seeks to apply the For more information, and to register for Heritage Overlay to 90 Bindts Rd, Wollert. the workshop, visit our website at The municipality is sekking permanent murrindindi.vic.gov.au/businessworkshop protection for the property by applying the or give Council a call on 5772 0333.

Heritage Overlay.

Local News Business workshop

Heritage concerns

Murrindindi Matters Items provided by Murrindindi Shire Council. The Local Paper makes no charge for this space.

Protect native species with responsible ways

■ With winter arriving early this year, it's understandable that the backyard firewood stockpile is on many people's minds.

For hose thinking about roadside firewood collection, Murrindindi Shire Council is urging local people to act responsibly - both when it comes to the firewood collected, and in maintaining social distancing requirements.

Murrindindi Council's Environment Portfolio Councillor Bec Bowles said it was important to remember that a permit is required for all roadside firewood collection and it is not permitted to collect firewood at all from roadsides of high conservation status.

“Roadsides that are of 'high conservation status' provide a place of refuge for many of our local flora and fauna,” Cr Bowles said.

“These areas are clearly signed and are also listed on your firewood collection permit, so it is really clear where you can and can't collect firewood.

“The Australian landscape has changed a lot since European settlement.

“Patches of remaining native vegetation are found dotted throughout the countryside and in many cases are linked only by roadside vegetation, which plays a vital role in ensuring landscape connectivity and healthy ecosystems.

“Roadside vegetation provides critical habitat for native fauna moving around our Shire.

“Council often collaborates with the Upper Goulburn Landcare Network which undertakes fauna surveys of our roadsides.

“We've found that our roadside reserves are home to an incredible variety of species, including the lyrebird, swamp wallaby, agile antechinus, echidna, and the brush tailed phascogale.

“If you'd like to learn more about roadside conservation, you can visit our website and you can also check out the UGLN website where they have information about the 'Ribbons of Remnant Roadside' program, which aims to showcase our roadsides for their biodiversity and conservation significance.

“It's a great project and it's been fantastic to work in collaboration with UGLN. “In order to balance the needs of all our residents, including our little native critters, it's important that everyone follows the rules.

“Residents must not cut down branches or trees on any roadside.

“If granted, a permit allows collection of fallen wood from locations that aren't of high conservation value'.” Cr Bowles said.

“Forest Fire Management Victoria also designates a number of sites where firewood collection is allowed on Crown land within our Shire.

“Residents can find out where they can collect firewood at www.ffm.vic.gov.au There is a fantastic interactive map that shows specific locations and some handy information about what you can collect and how much you can collect.

“Residents who are self-isolating, experiencing financial hardship or require assistance to meet their needs for firewood this winter can contact Council's 'DindiLink' service on 5772 0333.

“We're here to help and we understand this this is a difficult time for many people the last thing we want you to worry about is keeping your home warm,” Cr Bowles said.

■ For more information about firewood collection and to apply for a permit, visit murrindindi.vic.gov.au and search 'firewood' or give Council a phone call on 5772 0333.

- Contributed

Page 6 - Wednesday, May 20, 2020

www.LocalPaper.com.au

Local History

What is that peculiar building?

■ The foundation stone for the Ivalda Masonic Temple was laid on December 8, 1923.

On April 5, 1923, representatives of the Ivanhoe, Alphington and Darebin Lodges met and discussed the advisability of erecting a central temple in the district of Ivanhoe worthy of Freemasonry, and as a result, a magnificent temple was built and officially opened by Sir Herbert H. Olney, the first Chairman of the Ivalda Masonic Temple Trust, on July 29, 1924.

The name ‘IVALDA’has been derived by taking the first two letters of the names of the Ivanhoe, Alphington and Darebin Lodges which, by coincidence, were consecrated in that order.

A visit to this fine addition to the many splendid temples in Victoria reveals something different from the others.

It is wonderfully fine, and a fitting house to portray the sacred mysteries of the Craft.

A ceremony in such a temple is considered enhanced. Within the sacred walls, one is immediately struck with the wide dome which is of considerable beauty, moulded in pale blue and illuminated with invisible globes to depict the Heavens and universality of Freemasonry.

There is an imposing Canopy for the Master, set out in beautifully figured blackwood. The same timber is used in the lovely Tracing Boards and Warrant Cases, Pedestals and Pillars.

The Tesselated Pavement and black and white rubber is indeed delightful and is correctly placed with squares. The revolving case for the Working Tools, the handsome Secretary’s Table, Wardens’ Chairs and the carpets are furnishings of further admiration.

The Supper Room is on the ground floor and is both spacious and richly decorated. Also on the ground floor at the front of the building are a nicely furnished room for Trustees’ meetings and a Robing Room for officers of Grand Lodge. Adequate kitchen space and generous locker facilities have also been provided.

Sir Herbert H. Olney donated the beautiful Canopy and the three chairs in the East of the Lodge Room which had been set out of the one log of Australian blackwood, all the leather upholstery, and in addition, a number of other blackwood additions including the frames for the Tracing Boards and the Charters.

Lady Olney presented the Temple with its first piano.

The Senior Warden’s Chair was the gift of the Ivanhoe Lodge, the Junior Warden’s Chair was the gift of the Darebin Lodge and the revolving pedestal for the Working Tools on the dais was the gift of the Alphington Lodge.

The Organ was donated by T. Ward, and the pipes on the Organ were the gift of G.T. Martin. J.A. Terdich donated the handsome Secretary’s Table as a memorial to his father, and with Sir Herbert Olney also providing most of the furnishings for the kitchen.

The beautiful windows in the East were the gift of E.A. Knell. The whole of the furnishings in the Trust Room were donated by the original members of the Trust. The clock in the Lodge Room was presented by lady friends of the Officers of the Ivanhoe Lodge, and the clock in the Supper Room by E.E. Smith.

● Laying of the Foundation Stone, 1923. An electric train can be seen in the background.

Darebin Railway Station opened on May 8, 1922.

The Emblems were the gift of J. that order to the Pro GM and E.T. declared the stone to be “plumb, level Ludbrooke and the Casket was do- Stone then presented him with a and square”. He was then presented nated by Bro. Taylor. heavy Setting Maul. Taking the Maul with a silver replica of the front view G.F. Cussons contributed the very he struck the Stone with the mea- of the Temple mounted in blackwood beautiful work in the painting and sured knocks of an Entered Appren- as a souvenir of the occasion.

The Grand Chaplain delivered an making of the Tracing Boards. J.F. tice. and invoked the Great ArchiMorris made a very valuable contri- tect of the Universe to look down address. The Ivalda Choir then sang bution in his splendid organising with favour on upon the undertaking the anthem The Chapel effectively, work which resulted in securing over and bless it with abundant success. after which Bro. Reynolds, the ar£300 in cash donations from memIn the course of his address, the chitect, presented the plans and the bers for chairs in the Festive Board Pro GM said that during the last few Pro GM handed them to the builder room. years the world had been pulling Wor. Bro. Bailey with appropriate adEach contributing brother, by pay- down memorials and destroying the dress.

The Temple was dedicated with ing £1 for a chair, had his name on a ingenuity of mankind. Now the time plate fixed thereto. Other Brethren had come to build up again and to much solemnity on May 29, 1925, by who rendered outstanding assistance reconstruct society. Men and women F.T. Hickford, Pro GM, in the presprior to and during the building of the must make individual sacrifices for ence of a very large attendance of Temple were: W.C. Joy, first Sec- the benefit of the whole community Brethren.

The ceremony was conducted in retary of the Trust; M.L. Sullivan, and that was what Masons’ Lodges the First Degree, and after solemn Assistant Secretary of the Trust; stood for.

W.H.J. Bailey, the builder of the No man was fit or suitable to be a prayer F.B. Sandwell, the Master of Temple, and his father, W.A.H. Freemason unless he was willing to the Ivanhoe Lodge No 230, preBailey; B.D. Reynolds, the honorary sacrifice his individual aspirations sented the Volume of the Sacred Law architect; and T. McIntosh. for the good and betterment of the and Square and Compasses to the Pro The turning of the first sod in con- institution. It was a fine inspiration to GM. Then G.W.P. Rice who acted as nection with the building of the recognise the sacrifices made by the Temple was performed by Sir H.H. three Lodges combining in this co- Deputy Grand Master, requested the Olney, Chairman of the Trust, on operative way in the erection of an Pro GM to dedicate the Temple in accordance with the wishes of the October 16, 1923, and the Founda- appropriate edifice. tion Stone was laid on December 8, Freemasonry was still an opera- Brethren; this after B.D. Reynolds, 1923. tive process and the only happiness the architect, had presented plans and F.T. Hickford conducted the bril- to be obtained in this world was by orking ToolsWT’s which the Pro GM liant Ceremony of laying of the Foun- working co-operatively together to accepted.

The Sanctus was sung by the dation Stone, and at 2.30pm the Choir bring about the finest results for their opened the proceedings by singing a particular locality, and humanity in Combined Choir under the baton of John Jenkin. hymn. general.

The Invocation was faithfully reT.F. Reed then offered a prayer.

Bro. Hickford touched on the F.T. Hickford delivered an address work of the institution in raising cited by Bro. Hickford, after, which appropriate to the occasion. Then the £22,000 for the relief of Brethren who the Lodge Board was convened and Chairman of Trustees addressed the returned from the ‘Front’ and spoke the Sacred Vessels of the Sanctuary Pro. GM and W.C. Joy read the of the Freemasons’ Homes. The very presented with much impressiveness inscription on the Stone, which also cornerstone of the edifice, he said, under the supervision of H.D. Hirst.

Those who presented the Vessels bore the names of B.D. Reynolds as was charity in every sense of the architect and W.H.J. Bailey as term; charity not so much in giving were G.W.P. Rice, J.Adcock, C.T. builder. money, but in recognising the alter- Martin and H.G. Swindells, whilst A. Morrison assisted as Grand HerM.L. Sullivan then stepped for- nating changes in human affairs. ward and presented a trowel to the Freemasonry endeavoured to ald, Bro. Millard and V. Heath acted Pro Grand Master. G.F. Pitcher pre- build up reliable character which as Grand Deacons and R.G. Bell sented records and treasures which would stand firm against poverty or acted as Sword Bearer.

Bro. Tregear perambulated the the Pro GM deposited in the cavity. success and show itself sane in all The Pro GM spread the cement circumstances. By combining righ- Lodge Room three times and Bro. in really workmanlike fashion, and teous principles and putting into op- Hickford dedicated the Temple at the Choir had rendered another eration high moral ideals, Freema- 8.50pm with trumpet fanfare.

The Proclamation was made in hymn, Bro. Hickford addressed the sonry fulfilled a most beautiful purmasters of the Darebin, Alphington pose in every well-organised soci- the East by H.D. Hirst. The Oration was delivered by C. Tregear who and Ivanhoe Lodges, who, in turn, ety. applied the Plumb Rule, Level and He trusted the Temple would be congratulated the Brethren on their Square and replied in beautiful ritual the radiating centre of all that was enterprise in conjunction with the vision and generosity of the Brethren as to the symbolic uses of these tools. good in the community.

T. Trevena then presented the After the interesting ceremonials who had contributed to the building Plumb Rule, Level and Square in had been gone through, the Pro GM of such a unique and appropriate edi-

fice. He traced man’s attempt at building with boughs of trees for a shelter to the present advancement in architecture and its present-day style for each ideal.

The House of Parliament should symbolise an impression of law and government, the Church with an atmosphere of worship to God, the theatre as a house of enjoyment and recreation; and the hospital, that palace of pain, to represent Brotherliness and sympathy.

Masonic Temples were to be found in all parts of the habitable Globe to speak of the ideals of the hearts of men banded together in fraternity where all difference of sect or variation of politics were unknown.

It was the House to learn the teachings of Freemasonry that might make us known outside by its expressions. This beautiful building was the idea in the brain of the architect and it was hallowed because it expressed our ritualistic ideals.

The Operative Mason had raised the edifice from thatidea in the architect’s plans and we, as speculative Masons were now to be responsible for the building of character as symbolising our labours in building a spiritual Temple.

It was impossible to do this without a plan, good foundations and the very best materials. The VSL, that Great Light in Freemasonry, was the Trestle Board of life and was the plan for the work of the speculative Mason.

Masons were endeavouring to create something beautiful in life, but one day a workman called Death would come along and clear the scaffolding away and there reveal our work. The Benediction followed and then the Lodge was closed.

Over the intervening years, Freemasonry was expanded tremendously in this district, so many new lodges having been formed and Consecrated that accommodation reached saturation point.

When the Temple was erected there were three Craft Lodges and one Mark lodge; but by 1953 there were 11 Craft Lodges and one Mark Lodge, two Royal Arch Chapters, one Royal Ark Mariner Lodge, one Preceptory of Knights Templar and one Princes Rose Croix Sovereign Chapter.

In order to provide improved facilities for these Lodges and make possible the admittance of any additional Lodges which might require accommodation,, it was decided in 1953 to erect a separate Rehearsal Room and enlarge other sections of the building by extending onto vacant land acquired by the Trustees alongside the existing structure.

This work was completed in 1958 to a standard well in keeping with the appointments of the original building. For this work the architect was A.K. Lines, a member of the Sherwood Royal Arch Chapter and the builder by Rupert F. Anderson , a member of the Eaglemont Lodge and several other Lodges meeting in the Temple.

Members of the Trust paid special tribute to the outstanding work of the undermentioned Sir Herbert H. Olney, who in addition to the practical assistance already recorded occupied the office of Chairman of Trustees from 1923 to 1939 and provided himself a tower of strength and inspiration in the designing and decorating of the original building.

www.LocalPaper.com.au

Local Politics Economy flattened

■ Wendy Lovell, Northern Victoria LC, has joined with State Opposition Leader Michael O’Brien to call for a boost to the Victorian economy. ““While we’ve flattened the curve, we’ve also flattened the economy. Jobs have gone and businesses have closed. ‘Business as usual’ just won’t cut it,” Mr O’Brien said.

Ms Lovell said: “I am proud that the Liberal Party has a strong plan to respond to the economic damage caused by COVID-19 to Victorian jobs, businesses and households.

“Victorians are resilient. We’ve come back from fires, floods and drought.

“Our plan will kick-start our state’s economy and get Victorians back to work and back in business. It will help individuals, families and communities across Victoria, but especially here in the Yan Yean electorate.

“The Andrews Labor Government has a history of slugging Victorian households and businesses to make up for its poor and reckless financial management.

“The many communities throughout the Northern Victoria Region are doing it tough through no fault of their own.

“The Andrews Government has a closing window of opportunity to adopt our strong plan to help out Victorian household budgets, create jobs and grow businesses,” Ms Lovell said.

Country Cuppas ■ Northern Victoria MLC Tania Maxwell has called on regional women to support the Virtual Country Cuppa program next week.

“The Coronavirus pandemic has changed the way we socialise and communicate,” Ms Maxwell said. ] “It has been challenging for our mental health and wellbeing, particularly for those who live in isolated and rural areas.

“As a means to support social connection during these times, the Victorian Rural Women’s Network is co-ordinating Virtual Country Cuppas from May 23-31 to encourage rural women to stay connected during the pandemic.

“The Victorian Rural Women’s Network annual Country Cuppas are usually face-toface across Victoria, so this year they’ll be a little bit different but just as important to remain connected.

“Anyone who wishes to host a Virtual Country Cuppas will receive a hosting pack from the VRWN. “If you are interested in hosting, additional information or to register, please visit the website https://extensionaus.com.au/ VRWNetwork/home “The resilience of rural women is demonstrated time-and-again, most recently in the face of bushfires and now the Coronavirus.

“I hope that Virtual Country Cuppas is a time for rural women to reconnect during these difficult times and help ease feelings of isolation,” Ms Maxwell said.

Services ‘closed’ ■ Tania Maxwell MLC has questioned the suspension of ConsumerAffairs Victoria’s phone services, following enquiries in relation to changes to rental rules during the coronavirus pandemic.

Consumer Affairs Victoria’s website notes its phone services as ‘closed’ and directs consumers to an online enquiry form and does not guarantee a reply.

Ms Maxwell said that the changes to rental rules had resulted in questions from tenants and landlords and that delays in being able to clarify information could compound distress for individuals, who may already be in stressful circumstances.

The Consumer Affairs Victoria website states that “If we consider your matter is not urgent, you will not receive a response.”

Ms Maxwell said that, while she appreciated that Consumer Affairs Victoria may be receiving a high number of inquiries, that resources should pivot from other areas to ensure consumers could access information.

Ms Maxwell has written to the Minister for Consumer Affairs seeking clarification on phone services and when they will reopen.

In the meantime, she is encouraging people

Wednesday, May 20, 2020 - Page 7

Council News

Corruption inquiry prompts questions at Whittlesea Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission ■ The IBAC inquiry into alleged corruption at Casey Council has led Whittlesea Council to review any dealings it may have had with controversial figures.

Lydia Wilson, Administrator at Whittlesea Council, this month received a report after the the Audit and Risk Committee requested due diligence be undertaken through preliminary investigations.

There was a review of certain practices where parties listed within the IBAC investigation (Operation Sandon) have had interactions with the City of Whittlesea.

The Council, last December, asked for a probity audit and review incorporating the following points: ■ Any developments incorporating more than 5 dwellings and any commercial/retail developments in the past five years in the City of Whittlesea with which the following planners and lobbyists, named in the current IBAC proceedings and by various media outlets, have been involved, if any: ■ John Woodman, planner and developer ■ Watsons Pty Ltd ■ Phil Staindl, lobbyist ■ Megan Schutz, planner ■ Lorraine Wreford, lobbyist ■ Heath Woodman; and ■ Wolfdene Development Company in Donnybrook “The Audit and Risk Committee raised concerns that the outcomes from the proposed review might not meet the expectations of Council and would likely be limited, dealing only with internal controls and processes within Council,” said the report.

The Council asked that the list include details including the date of the application and approval, what rezoning or planning permit application was involved and the names of any other lobbyists, planners, developers, landowners or individuals who made representations on their behalf associated with such applications or approvals.

It was stipulated early that no Councillor member of the Audit and Risk Committee was to be involved in the shaping or agreement on the terms of reference and associated process.

All Councillors at Whittlesea City Council were replaced with an Administrator by the State Government in March.

“A preliminary desktop assessment was undertaken in December 2019 and January 2020 in relation to understanding whether Council has had any dealings (if any), with the organisations that are currently subject of the IBAC proceedings in relation to the City of Casey,” said the report.

“Preliminary enquiries were made with senior staff of the relevant departments ofCoun-

100 Years Ago From Our 1920 Files

Alexandra v Weir

■ Alexandra played the Weir. Alexandra won by 9 poiints. Thornton, who were defeated by Alexandra on the previous Saturday, had a bye.

Second wave

■ With the advent of the second wave of the influenza epidemic, the Victorian Government has renewed the efforts which proved so successful in mitigating the effects of the first visitation. Guided by experience gained earlier in the year, the authorities have. provided a special organization to take charge of the various activities connected with checking the outbreak.

Saturday games

● John Woodman. Photo: abc.net.au cil as well as a more detailed ■ 755 Yan Yean Road, review of the current IBAC in- Doreen (permits issued for vestigation (Operation sales information centre 9/12/ Sandon) involving the City of 2003 and display village April 26, 2004).

Casey.

Watsons were also the En“The preliminary enquiries were made with Managers, gineering company for: Unit Leaders and Team Lead- ■ The Summerhill Developers from Building and Plan- ment, Wollert; and ning, Strategic Planning and ■ Mernda Villages, Mernda Economic Development as (both of which are complete).

“Given that Watsons are a well as City Design and Transplanning and engineering comport (Engineering).

“The enquiries did not ex- pany representing a number of tend to councillors and any developers as either the permit meetings or discussions that applicant or contractor deliverthey may or may not have had ing the construction works, would have been numerwith any of the people named there ous meetings held over the in Operation Sandon. years as either pre-application “No current officers have general meetings to ever met, spoken to or had any meetings, work through issues as part of interactions with M r the application process and Woodman,” the report said. multiple post permit interac“No comment can be made tions, phone calls and meetings at this stage on previous em- as part of construction superviployees as there have been sion and resolution of engineernumerous staff through those ing matters such as civil plan departments over the years. approval,” the report said.

“Some current officers “This report has been prehave had limited dealings with pared to provide an update to Megan Schultz/Shultz Plan- Council on the investigations ning and Wolfdene, primarily undertaken to date as well as in relation to an application for provide a copy of the draft the more recent Platform Es- Terms of Reference developed tate (805 Donnybrook Road by Council’s Internal Auditors. and 55 Springs Road, Donny“The Internal Auditors have brook), although recently staff advised that there are limitafrom Schultz Planning advised tions of the review in that it is that they were no longer part not possible to review processes and controls external to of the project.

“Watsons (as a Council in responding to consultancy company) are a Council’s request for the promedium to large Planning and posed review.

“TheAudit and Risk ComEngineering consultancy representing a number of devel- mittee have advised that any review undertaken should not opers. until IBAC has “Council records indicate proceed finalised its investigations and that they have been the appli- the outcomes are known. cant at the following sites: “This has therefore formed ■ 870 Donnybrook Road, a recommendation that any Donnybrook (two lot Subdivi- further review be placed on hold sion lodged October 23, 2019); until such time as the investi■ 805 Donnybrook Road & gation at the City of Casey has 55 Springs Road, Donnybrook concluded,” the report said.

(Platform Estate in Lockerbie Ms Wilson noted that no PSP - approx. 400 lots - permit decision has been provided to issued October 25, 2018). This date by IBAC in relation to site also involves Wolfdene as Operation Sandon which the developers with Schultz would likely provide further Consulting having had in- guidance to all Councils want-

■ Next Saturday Yea play the Weir in the Yea Recreation Reserve, when a charge of 1s for gentlemen and 6d for ladies and children will be made for admission, which includes the tax.

A good game is expected. The Yea club hold a meeting on Monday night Yarck playThornton, at Yarck. Alexandra a bye.

The Mansfield District Football Association premiership will be worth winning this year. Three donors have each promised £5 (£15 in all) to the winning team, and one of the donors (Mrs R. Rennie, late of Alexandra) has also promised ,a dinner to the winners,

Murder, suicide

■ On the 12th instant a terrible tragedy was enacted within about a mile of the peaceful hamlet of Pyalong which steeped in poignant grief many relatives and friends of the victims - Miss Mary Ethel Rainey, aged 21 years, being shot dead by a young man named Daniel Smith, jun. The young lady named was the only daughter of Mr Alexander Rainey, an old and respected resident, and for some time the man had been paying her attention, evidently not reciprocated, her declining to marry him leading to the dire tragedy of her murder by his firing two shots from a double. barrelled gun at her at close range.

Farewell Dr Mannix

■ Arrangements had been made by Archbishop. Mannix to leave by the Sydney express train at 5 o'clock on Saturday afternoon en route for Europe, but though the train was held back by the traffic authorities for 12 minutes, he was unable to reach the station in time, owing to the large crowd that assembled in Collins street, and in and near the sta tion. Dr Mannix left the palace in the Cathedral grounds at half-past 4 o'clock.

With him in the motor-car were Bishop Phelan (Sale), Bishop Foley (Ballarat), the Very Rev J. Barry, and the Very Rev Dean Rooney (Bendigo). Ten thousand children from 63 Catholic schools in the metropolitan area lined Collins street from Spring street to the station, and at Swanston street, Elizabeth street, and outside the station thousands of people gathered. Many wore green favours, and hundreds waved Irish flags. Ten bands were stationed along the route to the station. As Dr Mannix's car entered Collins street, followed by other cars, the school children commenced singing Come Back to Australia, written by Mr John Wren, and dedicated to Dr Mannix.

Prince visits

■ An extra train will run Yea to Melbourne at 5.50am Wednesday next (26th) in connexion with the Prince of Wales' visit

Concrete bridge

■ A large crowd gathered on Wednesday of last week to witness the offioial opening of the ,concrete bridge erected by the Shire Council over the Yea River on the main Yea to Alexandra road. The work has occupied a very much longer period than was pnticipated when the contract was let.

Page 8 - Wednesday, May 20, 2020

Crossroads

By Rob Foenander info@countrycrossroads com.au

Aussie anthology ■ Aussie music legends Vika and Linda Bull have announced their first best-of album, Akilotoa, an anthology of 28 songs and double CD including The Black Sorrows classic Never Let Me Go, plus a new recording.

The anthology takes its title Akilotoa, a song about love, from a track on the sisters’ second album Princess Tabu, says their Mushroom Group media release.Good Friday

Coco’s Lunch ■ Melbourne multi award-winning vocal quintet Coco's Lunch have released a vibrant new single Tha thin Tha (pron. 'taadin-taa') The piece uses both traditional intoned konnakkol recitation alongside soaring konnakkol melodies, riffs and polyrhythmic lines, creating a distinct contemporary vocal expression that is unique to Coco's Lunch.

The style is based around the vocalised rhythmic syllables of South Indian classical music and dance.

- Rob Foenander

Podcast ranker

■ The Australian Podcast Ranker for April shows downloads of the top 100 podcasts hit a new average weekly high of 5.5 million in the month, up 14 per cent on the previous result, while the All-Australian Top 100 list reached 3.9 million average weekly downloads, up 10 per cent.

www.LocalPaper.com.au

Magazine

Big overhaul for St John’s Road ■ One of the Barossa Valley wine producers, St John's Road, has undergone a significant overhaul, simplifying its range down to four quality wines as well as a dramatic face-lift that sees a bold and colourful new patterned design for each label.

Established in 2001, St John's Road has always celebrated the diversity and rich history of the Barossa region, receiving significant awards and accolades for its wine quality along the journey.

The new more concise range aims to sharpen this focus with the former premium wines being absorbed into the four new blends.

The intention is to deliver higher-grade wine quality and even greater value for money than ever before.

Each wine in the range has been produced with minimal-intervention techniques and is named to reflect a characteristic of the wine and the region itself.

The 2019 Peace of Eden is a riesling that comes from the coolerclimate Eden Valley, which is ideally suited to the clean, pure flavours of the riesling grape.

The 2018 vintage of The Resilient Grenache is named in honour of the Barossa's grenache vines which are some of the oldest in the world, having survived the vine pull scheme of the 1980s as well as a life almost permanently on the wrong side of fashionable wine trends.

● A splendid Barossa vista: the St John's Road Resurrection Vineyard.

The 2017 Motley Bunch is a and some of the country's top ex- try most of the time. Look fo blend of grenache, mataro and amples of dry white made from the flavours of spice. shiraz - three of the great red grape variety hail from here. The wine is WINE OF THE WEEK varieties that are a cornerstone to fresh and crisp, and goes a treat St John's Road 2018 Blood & the Barossa's red winemaking pedi- with lighter seafood and salads.

Courage: This shiraz is a deep red gree, while the 2018 Blood & CourSt John's Road 2017 Motley and loaded with berry flavours. It' age is St John's Road's interpreta- Bunch: This dry red is a blend of a real Barossa Valley red with tion of the quintessential Barossa grenache, mataro (also known as plenty of ripe tannin and vanilla oak Valley shiraz - powerful, yet el- mourvedre) and shiraz, a blend well It will match well with roast beef o egant. known in the south of France. a really good char-grilled rare steak WINE REVIEWS And there's good reason for its It has, as the makers claim, powe St John's Road 2019 Peace of acceptance here - it's a delicious and elegance. - John Rozentals Eden: Riesling is right at home combination that goes very nicely NOTE: Potential travellers shoul the status of individual event growing in the coolish hills on the with the bistro-style food so often check and establishments with regard to th edge of the Barossa Valley proper consumed across most of the coun- coronavirus outbreak.

Crossword Solution No 21 P ROME N A D E POC K E T M TW I NGE CH I R P I E S T R W M N NOUN R RHODE N NAME N A U W I E CAGE D L I V E L Y N MA DRA S NE A RS R O MA DDE NS SO L O M O R P I T I N T NA T I ONS R DE N T E P E NA L UBOA T A I S L E ME T A L I MA T A O ME E T D I S T RE S S I NG Y A L E A L A CE OB E Y S A N MON K A H GA L A T L I S L E S R E MA T I NE E P UN I CORN O RE A L TOR S T MA N I A C L RE N T A L S R I SOB A R O MA DAME O A REM I T L K E E NE S T I AWA I T T E N I GH T S N E S CA P E E E A S E L S E T E D I UM S E E AGE S O E DE LWE I S S N K I DS L A S P RA NK S P AM A M S N C TW I N H Y E NA S ODDS S E A L URB A N OV E R N I NE S P M I NE E L I T I S T S O S A T I R I S E OA T H L T A CO G L E N N M I G YM N N T R A I D EWE S I O T T A I L E NDE R E COS Y S T EM S R S K R I S HNA I N D I I OC M L E O E A RB A S H H T E NA K E D P E L E CRAG GNA S H B L E L E A R S T Y R F L A Y MUCH G A L A U FOS V I A E H I T L E R T N S T Y E NA Y S A T A CA C I A E RA Y S I R H I GHS A DHOC T UDOR C C T HOR L T GROOM A EON I RA I OU I J A T U N I NO E W A I RE S K NE E D T I E I N N D I B I S N A T RA I NS O U ORA NGE N E SOSO A S T I T S A D E V E N MUG HOO T UGH B G I L D ROS Y S E L T RUS S DE L I L OA N S A T E S R D A E N DWA Y S C C B T NE E W C B N MA I DE NS U H C H A RMON I C A T H I GHBONE I A I E MMA MA C E I N M L A S N I U ROA D MOB Y B ME A L NOBOD I E S V EGOMA N I A MA NN S G ME T E EM I T ME A NS NE RD TO I L A U L T RA MUS E E O R A S OS SO E A UDE O A O BOY S N MAGN I T UDE M P RAM N U P C O T T AWA M K NO L L S F AMOU S P A S S I S I R E N EWA L A S P RE E A Y F O NA P P Y W P A ROD Y O MA S S E D U I P RA V DA U E XO T I C I US I NGUP P RUDO L P H R S CU T T L E I H E E M A L SO I L I NCA C A DRONE A E SOP K I E V A NA B S I MP A S S I ONE D MU T T D E N I D R UNCU T L A T T E S T E E D P E A RS E A R L S L S E RMON S WE I R L I A E H CHE F S A L T I E R P E R E U S E N A I L E D M SWE A T Y AM I GO N A T I E N M R NU T S E E X AMS W ODE S A Y

Observations

with Matt Bissett-Johnson

Mike McColl Jones

Top 5

THE T OP 5 C OMMENT S FROM TOP COMMENT OMMENTS INSIDE BUCKINGHAM P ALA CE PALA ALACE DURING THE LA ST MONTH OR SO LAS SO..

5.“Phillip, we’re not at war with the Irish – it’s VIRUS!” 4.“Did I see Camilla this morning going to the Vet for a test?”

3.“Would someone tell Andrew ‘Lock-down’ continues for the next 10 years.”

2. ”The PM’s hair has been declared a toxic area.”

1.“Would someone please tell President Trump that Nurofen doesn’t work!”

www.LocalPaper.com.au

Melbourne Arts Confined

■ Adapting to COVID-19 restrictions, Confined, The Torch’s annual exhibition of works from indigenous artists currently in or recently released from prison, will, for the first time in its 11-year history be presented within a virtual gallery until June 7.

From experienced artists to first time painters premiering their works, the Confined 11 exhibition presents 300 works from 286 artists depicting Indigenous perspectives on identity, art, connection to culture and Country.

The virtual gallery offers visitors an authentic, full gallery experience including a walk-through of the customised space and 3D visuals of each of the artworks across a range of mediums and styles.

Art lovers will have the opportunity to view and buy the works, which range from $80 $7500 with most in the $500 - $900 range.

With 100 per cent of the sale price of each Confined artwork going directly to individual artists, the sales are providing significant support for the artists and investing in the philosophy of The Torch’s Indigenous Arts in Prisons and Community Program.

“During these unprecedented times, which are impacting severely on the arts, Indigenous offenders and ex-offenders exhibiting in Confined 11 are more isolated and vulnerable than ever before,” said The Torch CEO Kent Morris.

“The economic and social capital gained from sharing their culture and stories goes a long way to maintaining wellbeing, connectedness and the ability to focus on the path ahead,” Founded in 2011, the program provides an important role in supporting Indigenous offenders and ex-offenders to connect with the community through their culture, develop arts networks and reintegrate back into society through new found pathways.

Since its inception over $1,000,000 worth of artworks have been sold and licensed. Purchasers include the National Gallery of Victoria, Museum Victoria, Shepparton Art Museum, the Victorian Ombudsman and a range of government, corporate and private buyers in Australia and overseas.

The Torch has worked extensively with German company Kunstmatrix, who have significantly increased the capacity of their premium gallery platform to accommodate the large-scale exhibition which serves as the major event of The Torch’s program each year.

Event Details: Until June 7 Website: https://thetorch.org.au/exhibition/confined-11/ - Cheryl Threadgold

Media Flashes

■ BuzzFeed has confirmed that it is no longer planning to cover local news in the Australian and United Kingdom arms of its international operation, due to economic and strategic reasons. The website will now move to focus more on US-based news.

■ Emma Norris has finished her role as Deputy Editor at Girlfriend after almost a year in the role. She will continue her role as Editor of A Girl In Progress, an online destination for women working on themselves, for themselves.

■ Alan Jones will step back from 2GB and 4BC's Breakfast show, and a 35-year-long career in radio broadcasting, at the end of May. Alan has hosted 2GB's Breakfast programme since 2001. Ben Fordham will be taking over Breakfast, with a new Drive host to be appointed at a later date. There will be a new Breakfast program launched on 4BC. ■ News Corp’s Peter Blunden will step into a new role as National Executive Editor. He will be responsible for leading a national sports operation, the reporting network and the upcoming internal newswire, NCA Newswire.

- Telum Australia

Observer

Wednesday, May 20, 2020 - Page 9

Books Origin of Me

Published statewide weekly in the Melbourne Observer and all editions of The Local Paper.

Phone: 1800 231 311. Email: editor@MelbourneObserver.com.au

WEDNESDAY, MAY 20, 2020

MOUNTAIN GOAT MOUNTAIN

● Seven-year-old Henri enjoys an audio-led theatre experience.

■ Families across Australia have the opportu- grow. When theatres started shutting down, we nity to participate in an adventurous new audio- realised that we had a unique offering.” led theatre experience, Mountain Goat MounCo-creator Tahli Corin says as artists who tain, developed during isolation for families to live regionally and are raising small children they enjoy at home. had been thinking about how to bring theatres The work has been created by Threshold into homes for some time. and takes families with young children (5+) who “Threshold launched in June last year, so are missing going to the theatre on an interac- we were already interested in how we could tive storytelling journey. work to create theatre in people's homes before Through a series of activities that help fami- the pandemic hit and made it a necessity,’’ says lies set up and step into their own magical imagi- Corin. native world, Mountain Goat Mountain is a “There's a lot of commentary right now about theatre experience that that will see participants what the world will be like post coronavirus, and crawling through tunnels, crossing lava pits and Mountain Goat Mountain is an opportunity to swimming through underwater caves without imagine and explore a new world together.” leaving home.

Arts Centre Melbourne announced on Guided by a narrative soundscape, families March 15 the cancellation of all scheduled perwill embark on this 45-minute theatrical experi- formances and events and temporary closure of ence using only a charged audio device (com- its buildings to the public due to COVID-19. Now puter, phone of tablet), a bed sheet (the bigger Arts Centre Melbourne is focussed on finding the better), a piece of blank paper (A4 will do) new ways to engage with audiences, including and favourite pencils, pens or textas. the digital online hub Together With You. The unique theatre experience created for Audiences can access Mountain Goat children and grown-ups to share together was Mountain via Together with You on Arts Cencreated in isolation by artists Zoë Barry, Liz tre Melbourne's website https://www.arts Francis, Nikita Hederics, Tahli Corin and Sa- centremelbourne.com.au/community/contentrah Lockwood for Threshold. hub/together-with-you/families/mountainThreshold is a new Australian company that goat-mountain uses theatrical tools to create experiences that Tickets: $12.95 for a 30 days access family bring people together. pass with all funds going to Threshold and the Co-creator Sarah Lockwood says Mountain artists who created the work.

Goat Mountain is for families with young chilAge range: Suitable for ages 5+ dren (5+) who enjoy adventure and are missing How many can play? Created for family going to the theatre, or to their special magical units of any size. Minimum - a grown up and a place. small person.

It's for families needing a break from moHow long does it take? Around 45 minutes, notony and who are looking for a sense of occa- about as long as a show at the theatre! sion and a way to celebrate each other and this What do you need for this journey? A time together,’’ says Lockwood. charged audio device (computer, phone of tab“Over many years I've been working with let), a bed sheet (the bigger the better), a piece members of this creative team to create invita- of blank paper (A4 will do) and your favourite tional spaces that encourage relationships to pencils, pens or textas.

● Bernard Gallate ■ Adolescents are often obsessed with who they are and where they came from.

Bernard Gallate's new novel The Origin of Me explores this fertile ground, as it tells the story of teenager Lincoln Locke as he searches for his story of origin and his destiny.

Described as a funny and tender coming of age story, The Origin of Me also introduces us to a cast of eccentrics and fellow headstrong teens on a journey across contemporary and historical Sydney.

Life as a teacher gave Gallate plenty of raw information to draw on, although that's just one of the careers Gallate has enjoyed thus far.

He also worked in the animation industry for Hanna-Barbera and Walt Disney, studied acting, and ran climbing tours of Sydney Harbour Bridge while developing his career as a writer and illustrator of children's books.

So what spurred his first novel for a wider audience?

"After writing four books for children, I wanted to take on the challenge of creating something with a bit more bite, so the idea of creating a world that was strangely familiar, yet plausibly absurd, appealed to me as a way of reigniting my creativity," Gallate said.

Gallate said that the mix of humour, myth and social commentary in his novel would appeal to readers who appreciate a story with multiple layers.

"The right audience for this book is anybody who's ever felt socially isolated or constrained by circumstances beyond their control - which pretty much covers everybody."

The Origin of Me by Bernard Gallate is published by Penguin Random House.

- Julie Houghton

Shows Big Night In

■ PopularAustralian actor and singer Lucy Durack, much-loved songstress Silvie Paladino and the cast of American Psycho – The Musical will entertain viewers of Episode 4 of live variety digital show, Arts Centre Melbourne’s Big Night In with John Foreman toght (Wed., May 20) at 7pm.

Arts Centre Melbourne’s Big Night In has recorded more than 26,000 views on the first three episodes, plus more than 150,000 views of the three Aussie Pops Orchestra finale songs across social media.

Singer Ricki-Lee’s performance of What the World Needs Now with the orchestra on this week’s episode has had more than 16,000 Facebook views.

- Suzanne Robson

Page 10 - Wednesday, May 20, 2020

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Page 12 - Wednesday, May 20, 2020

Melbourne Arts Heide Museum

■ Heide Museum of Modern Art and leading landscape architecture studio Openwork has revealed design details for the new Heide Garden.

Inspired by Heide founder Sunday Reed's profound love for her garden, the Healing Garden draws on the curative properties of plants and the ever-growing body of knowledge that positions gardens as a powerful tool for connecting communities, reducing social isolation and providing positive, lifeaffirming experiences.

Stated to open in late 2020, the Garden has been designed to facilitate healing and restoration for vulnerable communities and will now be a vital space for the broader community in the wake of COVID-19.

Circular in design, the garden draws on the concept of proximities which consider the boundary between personal and public space and the amount of space that people feel it necessary to set between themselves and others.

The new healing garden is situated between Sunday Reed's original heritage listed kitchen garden and the brick wall of the Heide cottage, which is the wheelchair accessible garden on site.

Incorporating six different clusters of different planting styles that each facilitate a variety of sensory activities, the design is sensitive to Sunday Reed's original paths and trees. Throughout these clusters will be a series of nooks t6hat have developed existing spaces into social areas, including seating made from leftover limestone from Heide Modern.

The garden features six clusters of different plant styles that each facilitate a variety of sensory activities.

As visitors enter the garden, they encounter Scented Entries that use strongly fragrant plants, including Sunday Reed's original roses, to mark the transition into the space using the sense of smell as well as visual markers.

The Sensory Kitchen Garden shares a boundary with Heide's current kitchen garden and will include edible plants that activate the sense ef taste.

The Haptic Play Garden focuses on younger visitors who may be on the autism spectrum and includes a tactile water play that can be touched and heard.

The Bush Tucker Garden builds on the indigenous plants currently In the garden by incorporating a ;large piece of stone that acts as a proxy table where Bush Tucker can be ground, touched, and smelt.

The Meadow, the largest of the clusters, draws on the New Perennial and herbaceous gardens movement pioneered by Gertrude Jekyll, who was an influence on the Reeds.

The Meadow will be defined by a seemingly wild, rambunctious but curated planting style that emphasis seasonal change and immersive experience.

The Wild Garden is a response to the climbing roses that characterise the wall and arbors of the original gardens and creates a space that is carefully maintained to appear wild.

About Heide: Set on16 acres of parkland with Yarra River frontage, Heide Museum of Modern Art, or Heide as it is affectionately known is one of Australia's most important cultural institutions. Once a significant Wurundjeri gathering place, the property was later a dairy farm before becoming known as a hub for Australian modernist art and writing after it was purchased by art patrons John and Sunday Reed n 1934.

The Reeds opened their home to the most progressive artists of their era, including Sidney Nolan, Albert Tucker, Joy Hester, John Perceval, Charles Blackmanand Danila Vassilieff.

Nolan's famous Ned Kelly series (194647) was painted in the dining room of Heide farmhouse.

Continuing this legacy, today Heide works to inspire creative talent, collaborating with emerging and mid-carer artists as well as celebrating those who have made major contributions to Australian and international art..

Heide Museum of Modern Art 7 Templestowe Rd, Bulleen - Peter Kemp

www.LocalPaper.com.au

Melbourne

Confidential Talk is cheap, gossip is priceless

● Local actors enjoying an online play-reading from top left: Dru Bartlett, Trish Carr, Tony, Hazel and Richard Green, Trish, Alannah Guthrie-Jones, Lyn Alexander, George Boyd, and Colleen. Melbourne thespians have been keeping active enjoying their craft in various ways, including Zoom online play-reading sessions, hosted by director Trish Carr. These sessions are becoming so popular that Trish has no trouble casting all roles in the selected plays. Trish can be contacted at 9720 1177.

Lockdown Monologues ■ Malthouse Theatre has announced that it has commissioned playwrights Jean Tong, Jane Harrison and Tom Holloway to create a series of monologues based around life in the current pandemic.

Made possible by a grant from the Malcolm Robertson Foundation, the three writers will research and interview Melburnians from all walks of life who have uncanny, humorous, strange, personal and political stories to share—creating a time capsule of these six months in Melbourne.

Malthouse Theatre’s Director in Residence, Bridget Balodis, will direct the project, with Mark Pritchard as dramaturg.

Observations Refuge 2020

■ Flood. Heatwave. Pandemics. Mass displacement.

Every year since 2016 Arts House in North Melbourne has brought together artists, experts and emergency services to explore the biggest climate 'What ifs?' of our time.

Now the unimaginable is our daily reality, and a few people say they saw it coming.

From practical survival skills to tips from pandemic and medical experts, this three part series explores beyond the headlines and into the worlds (and living rooms) of those who know what counts most in a time of crisis.

Hosted by antidisciplinary artist and Refuge alumni Lee Shang Lun, each instalment will feature a different panel of guests, performances of new work, live music and demos from artists' homes.

The first instalment of Refuge 2020 at 12 Noon on Thursday (May 21), dives into the minds of thinkers who knew this was coming.

From the insights gleaned during the fictional pandemic of Refuge 2018 to the fascinating things disease experts get up to behind closed doors, this session will help viewers feel prepared during the catastrophe, separating the knowledge from the noise.

Artist Latai Taumoepeau, hyealth informatics specialist Priyanka Pillai and Beth Eggleston of Humanitarian Advisory Group will take viewers on a compelling voyage through the connections between art, science, data and politics.

Interspersed with new live music by Allara Briggs-Pattison, sonic artwork by Ellen van Neervan and demos from Jen Rae’s Future Proof Survival Guide, this instalment will equip viewers with a whole new kit of ideas to prepare for tomorrow.

All sessions are live captioned, with Auslan interpretation available on request.

To register and guarantee a place, head to artshouse.com.au - Cheryl Threadgold

CLOC Theatre

Once each playwright has written three 5-minute monologues, Malthouse Theatre will begin casting local actors to perform in the nine monologues.

The performances, staged as three monologues per epi-

sode, will be live streamed on June 3 and 17, and July 3.

The monologues will be free to watch, but audiences will need to register via malthousetheatre.com.au to receive the streaming link to watch.

Red Stitch’s appeal ■ Red Stitch Actors Theatre in St Kilda was established in 2001, and since its first play presented in 2002 has presented more than 100 contemporary plays and quality entertainment for many patrons.

The coronavirus pandemic has now had a serious financial impact on Red Stitch. To ensure the company's future, the following appeal has been made to supporters of the theatre: "Dear Friends of Red Stitch, “In the last few weeks, our world has been turned upside down by the coronavirus. As a community, we still don’t fully understand exactly how this will end. This is especially true for the arts industry in Australia, and companies like Red Stitch.

“Yet, we do know that this time will pass, and Red Stitch will return to the stage.

“While everybody at Red Stitch has done everything we can to guarantee that the show will go on in the years to come, we want to make sure that the work we present in the future is as good as it was before the pandemic changed our world. If not better.

“Over the past almost two decades, and with your help, Red Stitch has built its program from very little. Each year gaining more ground, giving everything we have to bring exceptional plays to our audiences and nurture artists.

“While we intend to resume producing the most challenging and exciting contemporary theatre for you when health authorities say it's safe, the coronavirus pandemic has had a seri-

ous financial impact on Red Stitch. Our ability to invest in new productions will be enhanced by your continued support.

“Please give a tax-deductable contribution to help us continue into the future. We welcome gifts of all sizes.

“Thank you for your support. We look forward to sharing the magic of our big little theatre with you again as soon as we can.

“Warm regards, Red Stitch Actors Theatre" Website: www.redstich.net - Cheryl Threadgold

Cowboy Junkies

■ David Roy Williams Present is pleased to advise that the May 2020 Australian tour of Cowboy Junkies, postponed due to the global COVID-19 pandemic has been rescheduled to February, 2021.

Whilst refunds are available for any ticket holders who are not able to attend the new dates, they recommend that if at all possible, ticketholders show their support for Cowboy Junkies by attempting to reschedule rather than cancelling tickets.

Refunds can be requested from the ticketholder’s point of sale, providing transaction number, before Wednesday, May 6.

Performance dates in 2021 are at the Recital Centre on Thursday, February 4 and at theAthenaeum Theatre on Saturday, February 6.

■ CLOC Musical Theatre had scheduled their spectacular opening night of Priscilla Queen of the Desert, the Musical for early May, but due to the Coronavirus pandemic the production has been postponed.

Like casts and crews in all postponed or cancelled theatre shows, CLOC's cast and crew were disappointed, but came together for a Zoom session on what would have been the show's opening night at the National Theatre, St Kilda.

CLOCPublicity OfficerKaren Greenwood says the Zoom catch-up was complete with chicken and champagne as would have been enjoyed on opening night.

Stage Manager Sandra even did her preshow calls: (warm up, mic check, pre-stage set up, "the house is open", "Five minutes everyone', "orchestra to the pit", etc).

They also conducted a Priscilla trivia quiz.

Karen says "It was fun and sad at the same time - but we will be back, whenever that may be.And it will be worth the wait".

For further details re CLOC Musical Theatre, visit www.cloc.org.au - Cheryl Threadgold

W

■ St Kilda’s iconic Memo Music Hall continues its successful run of Live Stream concerts supporting Australian musicians financially and delighting music lovers of all genres with two different shows in late May. On Saturday May 30, Melbourne’s Horns of Leroy will be joined by soul songstress Thando performing a range of tunes from their new album Big Night as well as fun party covers and classic New Orleans material.

On Sunday May 31 Bowie Golden Years celebrates the breadth of Bowie’s musical styles featuring Boom, Crash Opera’sDale Ryder, Taxiride's Jason Sing and Tim Watson and Electric Mary's Rusty Brown in a musical extravaganza paying homage to the iconic music of rock and roll legend,David Bowie.

The show sold out in its 2019 debut at Memo.

www.LocalPaper.com.au

Magazine

Wednesday, May 20, 2020 - Page 13

Stateside with Gavin Wood in West Hollywood

Famed WeHo rock venue closes ■ Hi everyone, from my suite at the Ramada Plaza Hotel and Suites comes this week's news.

Out and About

Last drinks for Troubadour

■ Famed West Hollywood concert venue, the Troubadour, just up the road from the Ramada Hotel, is facing the reality that it may close forever amid ongoing Coronavirus lockdowns.

The 500-seat venue hosted its final show on March 11 and has been closed since then due to government mandate and by all appearances, may not be allowed to re-open until 2021, based on the plan laid out by California Governor Gavin Newsome.

According to a report in the Los Angeles Times, that long hiatus may well prove fatal for the club. It has launched, a crowdfunding campaign which raised just $28,731 of its $50,000 goal.

The club, which was inspired by a famed cafe in London with the same name, was first opened by Doug Weston as a coffee house on La Cienega Boulevard in 1957 before relocating to its current location on Santa Monica Boulevard.

Since then, the club has become a key performance space in the market, hosting concerts by the likes of Tom Waits, Elton John, The Eagles, James Taylor, Joni Mitchell, Carole King, Jackson Browne, and numerous others.

In the 1980s, the club became a nexus for the new wave and glam metal scenes, and played a significant role in the early careers of artists such as Guns N' Roses, who were discovered

by David Geffen while performing at the Troubadour, and the Melvins, who have performed at the club dozens of times. Today, the club is popular with major touring artists who want to scale down shows for intimate audience experiences or for high profile launches such as Stone Temple Pilots who debuted their new singer Jeff Gutt at the Troubadourin 2017.

Travel after the virus

● Out front of this iconic rock and roll venue, Gavin Wood with Alan Johnson, Ramada Managing Director

Horrible food waste ■ The nation's fresh-food purveyors are dealing with a huge challenge. They've got mountains of produce and oceans of milk and nowhere for them to go dairy farmers are dumping over 3.7 million gallons of milk every day, smashing an estimated 10 million eggs a day and tens of millions of tons of fruit and vegetables are being destroyed.

In 2018, USDA data showed Americans actually spent more on restaurant food ($678B) than they spent at groceries and warehouse clubs ($627B). But restaurant demand has collapsed. That's led to a tsunami of demand shift from foodservice to food retail.

Non-profit groups that run food pantries are taking huge donations of produce, but the extra vegetables may overwhelm that system, too. Restaurants are pivoting to delivery. Some eateries have reinvented themselves as full-on grocers.

If all else fails, nothing beats free food: An oyster house in Philadelphia gave away its un-shucked oysters before it was forced to close.

Over-excited people ■ Life in quarantine means a cataclysmic sexual drought. But Instagram's racy cousin only fans is enjoying a 75 per cent jump in new signups.

For a monthly fee, subscribers get access to a performer's personal feed, featuring photos and videos that are too hot even for Instagram.

Across the board, these are boom times for the sexual wellness biz: Sex toy sales are going through the roof, and online shops like Unbound Babes are up 100 per cent.

Pornhub has an 18 per cent traffic bump in the last three weeks.

But the biggest innovations are in the performance space. All of the escorts are videoing now.

Cam Soda performer signups shot up 37 per cent in March compared to last year. Manyvids reported a 69 per centincrease.

Some online strip clubs have amassed as many as 60k viewers and enormous tips for dancers. One performer has made $18k from Instagram Live during the past three weeks.

● The Ramada Plaza Hotel and Suites, known as Ramada WeHo, is located in the middle of West Hollywood. It works hard to provide the best value, best location, and best overall choice for your visit to Southern California.

GavinWood

From my Suite at the Ramada Plaza Complex on Santa Monica Blvd

No 1 pop star ■ Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio (Bad Bunny) was bagging groceries at a supermarket four years ago. and two years later, he appeared on Cardi B's I Like It, and two years after that, he was performing with Shakira and Jennifer Lopez at the Super Bowl.

Now he is the clear number one on Bloomberg's Pop Star Power Rankings.

The number one popstars in the world, as determined by six criteria: ticket sales, concert grosses, album sales, Spotify streams, Instagram interactions and YouTube views.

He beat out Justin Bieber, Elton John, The Weekend, Lil Uzi Vert, The Lumineers and Billie Eilish in the top seven.

A few surprises, Post Malone at #10, Celine Dion at #14, BTS at #18 and Lady Gaga didn't make the list.

Bad Bunny's popularity speaks to the growing power of Latin music.

In November 2018, Spotify named Mexico City the new music capital of the world because it has more users there than any other city. His appeal stretches beyond Latin America.

He had eight different songs in the top 50 on Spotify's US charts the week ending March 5.

www.gavinwood.us

■ The rapid spread of coronavirus around the world has had an unprecedented impact on the travel industry.

Most airline carriers have essentially shut down for the time being. Hotels have laid off employees by the hundreds of thousands.

Several cruise ships were isolated at sea leading to many cruise lines postponing cruises. Travelers are desperately trying to cancel bookings and get refunds. The travel industry is facing panic, change, and disruption.

The pandemic will likely force consumers to factor health concerns into their travel choices. We will need to take proper precautions before travelling to a new destination.

We should avoid hot zones, because if it flares up you may be subject to extended lockdown. Many countries, and even some US states, have mandatory requirements for visitors to isolate for two weeks. If a coronavirus vaccine becomes available, depending on your safety profile, you should have the vaccination.

The travel industry, much like the rest of the economy, will rebound in a staggered fashion as various cities, states, and regions confront different challenges.

Airlines will begin with flights out of their most important hubs and cities where public health conditions are best and demand is strongest. That may mean less choices for passengers as the number of airlines shrink and the number of flights reduce. Many low frequency flights will likely be dropped altogether.

In the immediate term, with social distancing and travel restrictions, hoteliers will focus on the needs of their local community with a focus on the frontline workers.

The recovery will come in stages, starting with leisure travelers, followed by business and then group bookings. In 12 months there will be fewer hotels in operation and in development.

Hotels may open only a fraction of the rooms and be looking for technology to replace staff and save on cash.

During economic downturns, it normally takes hotel rates twice as long to recover to pre-downturn levels as it took them to fall to their lowest point so look for deals for several months.

Hotels will be touting their cleaning standards and the dedication of their staff to ensuring guest safety and security.

It will be much more difficult for Airbnb to establish and enforce standards across thousands of independent hosts.

Hotels will welcome back travellers the moment they are allowed to do so, and probably priced better than people have seen in years.

Cruising is an industry where things happen, recession, wars, hurricanes and they have always bounced back but this will be a multiyear bounce back.

The already stringent hygienic standards aboard cruise ships will become more rigorous and visible.

People have always gotten sick on cruise ships and planes, too, for that matter but they are usually allowed to disembark.

Cruise lines will have to develop a system where they can immediately get a person off the ship.

More people will likely turn to agents for trip-planning purposes, simply to have an advocate in their corner if and when things go wrong.

In a post-COVID world, people will value advisors for their connections and guidance that go beyond destination and product expertise, people that have your back.

Travel will eventually resume and be as rewarding as ever.

We just hope that it begins to happen again sooner rather than later.

Come and visit us

■ If you are considering a move to Los Angeles or just coming over 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 and you will receive the 'Special Rate of the Day'.

Please contact: Jennifer at info@ramadaweho.com Happy Holidays, Gavin Wood

Page 14 - Wednesday, May 20, 2020

■ I remember asking Frankie Laine in a radio interview, who was his favourite singer and without hesitation he said, “Nat King Cole”.

Nat was not only the favourite singer of many people but he was also highly regarded in the music industry - what a voice.

Nathaniel Adams Coles was born in Montgomery, Alabama, on St Patrick's Day in 1919.

His father was a Baptist minister. Nat had three brothers and a half sister.

I did have the pleasure of meeting and interviewing his brother Freddy in 2000.

He was taught to play the organ as a child and by the age of 12 was taking piano lessons.

He began playing professionally in his teenage years and adopted the stage name of Nat King Cole - it was said to have come from the nursery rhyme Old King Cole.

Nat went to Los Angeles and formed the very successful Nat King Cole Trio with guitarist Oscar Moore and bass player Wesley Prince.

In 1937 he married Nadine Robinson who was a dancer. In 1943, Nat had his first hit song for Capitol Records, Straighten Up and Fly Right.

Many hit songs followed and it is said that the revenue from his hit songs helped to finance the construction of the circular Capitol Records building near Hollywood and Vine in LA. In 1948 he divorced Nadine and married Maria Ellington. His hit songs such as The Christmas Song, Nature Boy, Mona Lisa and

www.LocalPaper.com.au

Magazine Whatever Happened To ...

Nat King Cole

By Kevin Trask of 3AW and 96.5 Inner FM Unforgettable made him one of the highest selling recording artists in the US and throughout the world.

In 1955 Nat King Cole made his first trip to Australia for a national tour which was a tremendous success.

Rowan and Martin, who were later to become famous in the television series Laugh In, were the support act for his show.

Lee Gordon had booked Nat for the tour and brought him back again the following year.

Alan Heffernan, who was Lee Gordon's accountant, told me that during the tour there was a mix up with flight arrangements.

Nat and Maria had no sleeping berth andAlan was in a panic. As the weary Nat stepped off the

● Nat King Cole plane he put his arm around Alan's shoulder and said, “Alan, I know it would have been set up, but sometimes these things go wrong. Don't worry about it.”

This was typical of Nat's nature and everyand everybody loved him. His hit songs included Get Your Kicks On Route 66, Sweet Lorraine, For Sentimental Reasons, Too Young, Answer Me, Walkin' My Baby Back Home, When I Fal

In Love, Ramblin' Rose and Those Lazy, Hazy Crazy Days of Summer.

In 1956 he began his television series, The Nat King Cole Show, on NBC and was the firs AfroAmerican to host his own variety program Nat suffered from racism for most of his life and was attacked by a group of thugs whils singing onstage in his home state of Alabama His film roles included The Blue Gardenia, St Louis Blues and Cat Ballou, where he performed the title song with Stubby Kaye.

After years of heavy smoking Nat King Cole died in 1965 of lung cancer. At the time of his death he was estranged from Maria and lef behind five children from his two marriages His daughter Natalie has become a famous singer and in 1990 recorded the duet Unforgettable singing to a recording of her father's voice An official United States postage stamp featuring Nat King Cole was issued in 1994.

The life of Nat King Cole would make a great film - he was one of the great singers of the Twentieth Century.

Kevin Trask Kevin can be heard on 3AW The Time Tunnel - Remember When Sundays 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

Check Victoria’s High Country at Home

■ A virtual escape to one of Victoria's most spectacular regions is a click away though the website High Country at Home, which showcases a range of fun, tasty, informative and interactive bookable experiences.

Sample the region's famous food, wine, craft beer, cycling and naturebased offerings with High Country chefs, winemakers, brewers and adventurers leading classes and sharing their insights, expert knowledge, and tips and tricks.

It's as easy as booking a date, checking the mailbox for all the High Country goodies you'll need for the class then getting the crew together (a maximum of eight per class) to zoom into: ■ Making delicious hand-crafted gnocchi, followed by a guided wine tasting and lunch with the King Valley's legendary Katrina and Fredo Pizzini of Pizzini Wines.

■ The Spa at Beechworth, offering calming, immersive, sensory foot reflexology classes, and demonstrating therapeutic self-foot massage techniques using their own range of luxe artisanal scrubs, soaks and oils.

■ Bright Brewery's Barrel Series experiences - two interactive sessions each week hosted byowner/founder, Scott Brandon - tasting the range of exclusive Barrel Series ales with the expert guidance of head brewer Reid Stratton.

■ Renowned chef and distiller Hamish Nugent, of Bright's Reed & Co/Remedy Gin fame, is offering bookable cocktail-making classes and guided gin tastings as part of a suite of new intimate interactive classes with eight High Country businesses now available on the site.

High Country at Home is also an online marketplace showcasing products from around the region, including wine, beer, gin, honey, luxe granola, sauces, olives, locally roasted coffee and boutique wares from nearly 100 High Country businesses.

And for Melbourne shoppers, there's also a current list of metro stockists of a range of High Country products.

After a tough year for tourism businesses feeling the twin impacts of the summer 2020 bushfires and now covid-19, High Country at Home of-

The Arts

From the comfort of the couch: viewers can learn winemaking with the Willy Wonka of viticulture, Chester Osborn, and purchase their wines; cook alongside one of Adelaide's best chefs, Africola's Duncan Welgemoed, as he tackles everyday pantry ingredients to make a restaurant quality dish and order takeaway from Africola for the first time in the restaurant's history; or simply unwind to a picturesque backdrop of South Australia.

Visit www.southaustralia.com

Art online

with John Rozentals fers a great way for visitors to take a virtual journey to this beautiful region this autumn, at a time when travel may not be an option.

Visit www.victoriashighcountry. com.au Note: Potential travellers should check the status of individual events and establishments with regard to the coronavirus outbreak.

SA TV

■ As borders and movement are restricted around the world and people's lives are confined to virtual spaces, the South Australian Tourism Commission is bringing South Australia into living rooms across the country via a new online platform, SATV. SATV features local tourism operators and businesses that have adapted how they operate during COVID-19 restrictions to offer new innovative ways to still purchase, experience and enjoy their product or service from the confines of home.

The platform will also act as a livecontent hub, showcasing some of South Australia's most iconic regions and charismatic operators, keeping couped-up travellers and the community inspired while in self-isolation or adhering to social distancing rules.

SATV will showcase content from South Australia's wide range of businesses that champion the destination's best qualities.

■ TheArt Gallery of Queensland: part of a virtual exploration of the state.

Amid the global COVID-19 crisis, travellers around the world are staying home, staying safe and eagerly waiting for life to return to normal.

And while traditional travel may be out of the question for now, Queensland is inviting travellers to explore virtually today to help plan their next unforgettable holiday.

To inspire their next holiday, travellers are invited to a sensory journey of Queensland that will bring the Sunshine State into their home through sight, sound, smell and taste.

Visit www.queensland.com

Walking in Memphis

■ The city of Memphis has a raft of new virtual experiences for people to enjoy until they can make their way to the city in person.

With something for everyone, from kids to hardcore Elvis fans, the list of virtual experiences includes: a Graceland-live cam, narrated zoolympics from Memphis Zoo, a Museum-to-Go including activities for kids to do at home, a streamed production of Story Time in Neverland, and a virtual commemoration from the National Civil Rights Museum of Dr Martin Luther King's death.

Visit www.memphistravel.com Note: Potential travellers should check the status of individual events and establishments with regard to the coronavirus outbreak.

- John Rozentals

OK. With John O’Keefe Star salaries slashed ■ Right around the world many of the big names inTV have suffered pay cuts due to COVID-19. Australia is no exception. We understand salaries have been savaged by up to 20 per cent.

Lisa Wilkinson on Ten gets a lazy $2.3 million. Nine’s new kid on the block Hamish Blake pockets $2 million. Then there’s a drop to $1.3 million for Sonia Kruger, now at Seven on $1.3 million. David Koch is on $1 million ... and the list goes on..

Costly comments

■ News Corporation must pay almost half a million dollars following publication of an article in the Sydney Sunday Telegraph about Silver Chair lead singer Daniel Johns.

Johns receives $170,000 plus legal costs of $300,000. Fact checking appears the problem behind the story and is another case of chasing a headline without cross checking the facts.

Ten plans changes

■ Next year could see changes to I’m A Celebrity – Get Me Out Of Here – overseas locations for filming are a no-no, so a location will most likely be a dense bush block somewhere within Australia.

Ten has confirmed they will be producing another series of The Masked Singer.

Bert’s back

■ Logie winner and everyone’s favourite, Bert Newton, will appear on SBS ‘s Who Do You Think You Are? in prime time on Tuesday (May 26).

It should be an entertaining show. Wife Patti has previously had her time on the same show discovering lots of previously unknown family members . In a flashback during a radio interview Patti told how a section of Bert’s wig was auctioned and raised $30,000 for a local charity.

Star scores in LA

■ Nicky Whelan was one of the bright, young, bubbly personalities in Neighbours. She sought fame and fortune in Tinsel Town and found it with parts in sit coms, lavish commercials and is due to feature in a film The Binge with Vince Vaughn. Nicky maintains contact with most of her pals from Neighbours including Steph McIntosh, who is the daughter of former ABC News presenter Sue McIntosh.

New disc for Denis

■ In a conversation with Denis Walter he let it slip he will be releasing some new material later this year, most likely targeted for Christmas gift giving. Check Sony Music for the release date

Cost of COVID-19

■ We are all aware of the horrendous problems caused by COVID -19 – the live event industry has been all but wiped out, and media is surviving day-by-day. To give you an idea of how serious the cuts are at Nine Network theirchief Tom Malone is tasked with slashing $ 200 million before the close of this year.

- John O’Keefe

www.LocalPaper.com.au

Wednesday, May 20, 2020 - Page 15

Magazine

Movies, DVDs with Jim Sherlock, Aaron Rourke What’s Hot and What’s Not in Blu-Rays and DVDs FILM: A HIDDEN LIFE: Genre: Biography/Drama/Romance.

Cast: August Diehl, Valerie Pachner, Bruno Ganz, Matthias Schoenaerts, Michael Nyqvist, Maria Simon.

Year: 2019.

Rating: M. Length: 174 Minutes.

Stars: **** Verdict: Based on the true story of Austrian farmer Franz Jägerstätter, a conscientious objector, who refused to fight for the Nazis in World War II. A sombre and spiritually philosophical WWII epic unlike anything seen on screens before, an epic, atmospheric, slow burning journey that relies more on sweeping mountainous vistas and claustrophobic visuals than excessive dialogue to draw on its deeply multilayered emotion for its 174 minute running time, and not a frame is wasted with awe-inspiring results.

Written and directed by Terrence Malick, whose previous credits include the powerful "Badlands" (1973), the haunting "Days of Heaven" (1978) and the powerfully surrealistic and haunting "The Thin Red Line" (1998), to name a few, draws uniquely realistic performances from August Diehl as the conscientious objector, F ranz Jagerstatter, and Valerie Pachner as his wife, along with screen great Bruno Ganz in his final big screen performance.

Filmed by breathtaking beauty in natural lighting in and around where the events actually took place, "A Hidden Story" is a little known story from the pages of WWII, an original, intelligent, powerful and thought provoking cinematic experience, a uniquely large tapestry on an canvas from a master filmmaker who knows the power of the camera and what makes its heart beat, resulting in an epic that is to WWII what Stanley Kubrick's "2001: A Space Odyssey" (1968) is to science fiction.

FILM: THE PEANUT BUTTER FALCON: Genre: Adventure/Comedy/Drama.

Cast: Zack Gottsagen, Shia LaBeouf, Dakota Johnson, Bruce Dern.

Year: 2019.

Rating: PG. Length: 97 Minutes.

Stars: ***½ Verdict: Through circumstances beyond their control, a small-time outlaw on the run, becomes an unlikely coach and ally to a young man with Down syndrome, who has run away from the nursing home to chase his dream of becoming a wrestler .... and together they wind through back woods, across rivers, drink whisky, find God and catch fish, all to elude capture and convince a kind nursing home employee with a story of her own, to join them on their journey.

Bittersweet, funny and engaging journey succeeds due to the high spirited performance by Zack Gottsagen as young Zak, the young runaway with a mission, and a deeply effective soul searching performance by Shia LaBeouf as Tyler, the fugitive on the run, along with a sensitive performance by Dakota Johnson as the nursing home employee in search of her missing patient, and two delightfully outrageous laugh-out-loud performances by veterans Bruce Dern as a nursing home patient and Thomas Hayden Church as an over the top wrestling instructor.

Filmed with haunting effect in and around Savannah, Georgia, by cinematographer Nigel Bluck, big screen debut writer-directors Tyler Nilson and Michael Schwartz have created a 21st century "Huckleberry Finn" adventure void of cliché and over-sentimentality, a delightfully rich, heartfelt, refreshing and unique experience filled with depth and intelligence, and what it may lack in originality, it certainly makes up for it in heart and charm.

FILM: THE GREAT WALDO PEPPER: Genre: Adventure/Drama.

Cast: Robert Redford, Susan Sarandon, Edward Herrmann, Margot Kidder.

Year: 1975.

Rating: PG. Length: 107 Minutes.

Stars: **** Hugely underrated and overlooked on its release 40 years ago, this is the bittersweet and thrilling tale set in the early days of flying of a pilot who just missed out of flying in WWI and takes up barnstorming, then later a movie career as a stunt pilot in silent films, all in the search for his quest and the glory he had missed.

Following the huge success of both "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" and "The Sting," Oscar winning director George Roy Hill decided to indulge in his passion on the pioneering days of flying with "The Great Waldo Pepper," and along with star Robert Redford and a screenplay by Oscar winning screenwriter William Goldman, they took to the skies, much to the eventual shock and dismay of the studio.

Continued in right-hand column

Rourke’s Reviews Hearts and Bones ■ (M). 110 minutes. Available to buy now on digital platforms; then DVD on June 3.

Though it lacks an overall punch and grit, Hearts And Bones does deliver gentle humanism, aided by some excellent performances.

Hugo Weaving stars as Daniel Fisher, a war photographer who has been covering numerous war zones for over two decades.

The constant immersion in human misery and death has left a lasting effect on Daniel, who is showing increasing signs of PTSD. When his work is going to headline a major exhibition, Daniel is visited by taxi driver Sebastian Ahmed (Andrew Luri), a South Sudanese refugee now living in Australia with his wife Anishka (Bolude Watson), who pleads for the photographer not to display photos taken at his village, where his entire family were massacred.

Initially puzzled by the request, Daniel is invited to meet and photograph a group of friends, also survivors of war and persecution (from countries such as Syria, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia and SouthAfrica), who along with Sebastian, are trying to cope with PTSD via singing.

Unable to deal with the unexpected pregnancy of his partner Josie (Hayley McElhinney), and flashback nightmares taking moreand-more of a hold, Daniel starts spending more time with his new friends, but begins to uncover a hidden aspect of Sebastian's past that may put their entire relationship at risk.

Hearts And Bones works best when it focuses on the growing friendship between Daniel and Sebastian, and the positive connection it presents within sectors of the Australian community, no matter what their race, creed, ethnicity or colour may be, and thankfully refuses to wallow in one-dimensional stereotypes and simplistic speechifying.

Director Ben Lawrence (son of Ray, who helmed Bliss, Lantana and Jindabyne) creates some poignant, powerful moments through the art of silence, rather than falling back on heavy-handed bombast.

Less successful is when the story concentrates on the conflicts Sebastian and his friends have fled, which are surprisingly kept at arm's length, with a hesitancy to confront becoming increasingly noticeable.

Daniel's own experiences are also kept to a minimum, so his professional backstory suffers when compared to first-rate correspondent films such as The Year Of Living Dangerously (1982), Under Fire (1983), The Killing Fields

(1984), and Salvador (1986). While one sees what Lawrence wants to achieve, by pulling his punches, he strips the story of genuine gut-punch impact at crucial junctures.

Weaving is superb as Fisher, while both Luri and Watson are wonderfully natural as Sebastian and Anishka. Technically the film is outstanding, with cinematographer Hugh Miller (Sherpa, 2040) deserving special praise.

While it may not have the provocative power of the recent Luce (starring Naomi Watts, Kelvin Harrison Jr. and Octavia Spencer), and despite a flawed second-half, Hearts And Bones is a film that deserves to be seen, most importantly for wanting to show a world where unity, humanity and hope is possible.

RATING - ***

Smoking

■ (R) (2018). 12 episodes. Now streaming on Netflix.

Enjoyable if ultimately shallow series that could have either been a biting examination of societal ills, or an outrageous genre outing, but unfortunately settles somewhere in the middle.

Four assassins, living among the homeless, are hired by assorted clients to kill members of various yakuza gangs, and prove that the contract has been successfully carried out by flaying and presenting the target's distinctive back tattoo.

Headed by Uncle Sabe (Roy Ishibashi, who starred in Takashi Miike's highly acclaimed Audition), the rest of the group is made up of hothead Haccho (Nobuaki Kaneko, fromFollowers andDiner), ex-cage fighter Goro (Tomomi Maruyama), and mute Hifumin (Kaito Yoshimura), who see themselves as a tight-knit family eliminating evil from the world.

Each episode contains a set assignment, along with clues to who these people are, and given their living conditions and professional rules, I was expecting, underneath all the carnage, a look at how corruption and amoral behaviour affects society as a whole, but it eventually becomes clear that the creators are more interested in delivering traditional crime-world thrills, laced with dark humour and occasional graphic violence. Elements reminded me of Ichi The Killer (2001), Prophecy (2015), and even Magnum Force (1973), but the two directors never take the material to the stylishly delirious heights required for the show to truly fire.

Performances seem deliberately theatrical, but the main cast work well together. Smoking, while not the classic it could have been, is compelling and unusual enough to warrant a look, and with each episode running only 24 minutes, is entertainingly compact viewing.

RATING - *** - Aaron Rourke

Continued from left column The great models for aerial pictures are William A. Wellman's 1927 classic "Wings" and Howard Hughes' 1930 epic "Hell's Angels," both filled with jaw-dropping flying sequences that have rarely been equaled. as actors, pilots, cameramen and stuntmen faced actual life threatening danger mostly without the aid special effects, Here with "The Great Waldo Pepper," there are also no studio bound green-screen takes, trick shots of actors in planes, as director George Roy Hill, a former Marine pilot himself, took to the air himself while directing, and yes, that's actually Robert Redford climbing out on a wing at 6000 feet without any safety harness or parachute, and co-star Edward Hermann strapped in the plane during an outside loop.

Also starring Susan Sarandon and Margot Kidder, along with a cast of spectacular flying machines, the end result is a tremendously exciting, poignant exciting and ultimately haunting valentine to not only a special breed of person, but to a filmmaking process that no longer exists, a classic film from an all too neglected filmmaker that has finally found a firm and respected place out of the diminishing graveyard of too many classics.

- James Sherlock

Top 10 Lists

MAY 17-23 THE DVD AND BLU-RAY TOP RENTALS & SALES: 1. BIRDS OF PREY [Action/Crime/ Adventure/Margot Robbie, Mary Elizabeth Winstead].

2. BAD BOYS FOR LIFE [Action/Comedy/ Will Smith, Martin Lawrence].

3. UNDERWATER [Sci-Fi/Action/Horror/ Kristen Stewart, Vincent Cassel].

4. THE WAY BACK [Drama/Ben Affleck, Hayes MacArthur].

5. MISS FISHER AND THE CRYPT OF TEARS [Mystery/Drama/Essie Davis].

6. A HIDDEN LIFE [War/Drama/Biography/ Romance/August Diehl, Maria Simon].

7. LIKE A BOSS [Comedy/Salma Hayek, Rose Byrne, Lisa Judrow].

8. JUST MERCY [Biography/Crime/Drama/ Michael B. Jordan, Jamie Foxx].

9. RICHARD JEWELL [Biography/Crime/ Drama/Sam Rockwell, Kathy Bates, Jon Hamm].

NEW HOME ENTERTAINMENT RELEASE HIGHLIGHTS THIS WEEK: LIZZIE [Crime/Drama/Biography/Kristen Stewart, Chloe Sevigny, Fiona Shaw].

THE GOLEM [Horror/Hani Furstenberg, Ishai Golan].

BLOODLINE [2018/Crime/Horror/Seann Willam Scott, Dale Dickey].

ABIGAIL [Action/Adventure/Fantasy/Eddie Marsan, Tinatin Dalakishvili].

DVD AND/OR BLU-RAY NEW & RE-RELEASE CLASSIC MOVIES HIGHLIGHTS: THE PUMPKIN EATER [Drama/Anne Bancroft, Peter Finch, James Mason].

THE UNINVITED [Mystery/Horror/Ray Milland, Ruth Hussey, Donald Crisp].

NEW RELEASE TELEVISION, DOCUMENTARY AND MUSIC HIGHLIGHTS: CASTLE ROCK: Season 2.

FLEABAG: Season 2.

SHAMELESS: Season 10.

LUCIFER: Season 4.

OCCUPIED: Series 3.

GIRLFRIENDS: Series 1.

DVD COLLECTION: Specialising in Classic and Hard to Find Movies, and Latest Releases Classics, Comedy, TV, Drama, Thriller, Action, Music, Adventure, Cult Classics, Horror, Documentary. All Genres for All Tastes - Box Sets and Limited Editions Collections SHOP 43, THE WALK ARCADE, BOURKE STREET, MELBOURNE. PH: 9654 3825.

HOURS: Mon-Thurs 10am to 6pm. Friday: 10am to 7m.

Saturday and Sunday: 10am to 5pm.

Page 16 - Wednesday, May 20, 2020

Melbourne

Observer

Magazine

www.LocalPaper.com.au

Lovatts Crossword No 21 Across

1. Seaside walkway 6. Pouch 11. Brief sharp pain 15. Most cheerful 20. Naming word 21. Chicken breed, ... Island Red 22. Nominate 23. Behind bars 25. Active 26. Indian port, now Chennai 27. Moves closer to 29. Infuriates 32. Unaccompanied 34. Hair dye 36. The N of UN 39. Firmly cooked (of pasta), al ...

41. Of punishment 43. WWII German sub (1-4) 46. Church passage 48. Tin or lead 49. Spy, ... Hari 51. Fulfil (demand) 52. Upsetting 55. US university 56. Shoe cord 59. Follows orders 61. Friar 62. Sports day 63. Britain's Scilly ...

64. Afternoon performance 67. Mythical horned horse 68. US property agent 70. Lunatic 71. Landlord's income 72. Weather map line 73. Lady's title 74. Send (cash) 75. Most avid 77. Anticipate 78. Days & ...

79. Flee 82. Painters' stands 86. Boredom 87. Long time 89. Austrian alpine flower 92. Children 94. Escapade 96. Luncheon meat 98. Identical sibling 100. Laughing scavenger 101. ... & evens 103. Fasten (envelope) 105. Civic 106. Finished 108. Number of cat's lives 111. Dig for minerals 112. Exclusive group members 114. Lampoon 116. Vow 119. Filled tortilla 120. Scottish valley 121. Exercise club 123. Incursion 124. Lambs' mothers 125. Straggler (4-5) 126. Self-sustaining environment 127. Sect, Hare ...

130. Olympic Games body (1,1,1) 131. Talk at incessantly 135. Nude 138. Brazilian soccer hero 139. Rugged peak 141. Grind (teeth) 144. A great deal of 146. In the manner of (1,2) 147. Flying saucers (1,1,2) 148. Through 149. Executive jet 150. Swine enclosure 151. Flog 152. Dictator, Adolf ...

153. Eyelid swelling 155. Ayes & ...

157. Wattle tree 158. Shafts of light 160. ... & lows 161. For a specific purpose (2,3) 162. Henry VIII royal house 163. Kon-Tiki's captain, ... Heyerdahl 165. Bride's partner 166. Immense period 167. Irish organisation (1,1,1)

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Wednesday, May 20, 2020 - Page 17

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Page 18 - Wednesday, May 20, 2020

www.LocalPaper.com.au

Sport

Doubles were the go at Kilmore ■ Another interesting night’s racing was held at Kilmore on Wednesday, with Monegeetta trainer/driver David Miles, Bolinda reinsman Chris Alford and Bolinda trainer Brent Lilley all posting doubles during the evening.

David Miles who has been having a ball due to regional area racing landed the Jet Roofing 2Y0 & 3Y0 Pace over 1690 metres with Holi Starzzz and the 1690 metre Fiberprotect From Hygain Pace with Enchanted Stride.

Holi Starzzz a daughter of Four Starzzz Shark and Paintball led throughout from the pole, easily accounting for stablemate Quick Dan (one/ one) by 15.4 metres, with Constantina third 2 metres away after trailing the winner. The mile rate 2-00.2.

■ Four year old Bettors Delight-Lenola Stride mare Enchanted Stride made a meal of her rivals by doing the same thing. Scorching away from outside the front line to lead on her ear, Enchanted Stride ran her rivals ragged to register a 7.6 metre margin in advance of Rocking Bugatti which trailed in a rate of 1-56.5. Blissful Mind was third a neck back after following the pair.

■ Chris Alford partnered What A Pleasure for Seymour’s John Green in the MC Labour Pace over 2180 metres and Brent Lilley’s Son Of A Whiz in the 2150 metre Momemtum Gaming Trotters Handicap.

What a Pleasure a 4Y0 All Speed HanoverDebutante mare began brilliantly from outside the front line to lead throughout, defeating Little Safari (three wide last lap from the tail) by a half neck in 2-03.4. Greshar was third 3.8 metres back after trailing the winner.

■ Three year old Son Of A Whiz, a gelded son of Majestic Son and Minnie Wisdom was given a sweet passage one/one from 20 metres and after easing three wide prior to the home turn, finished strongly to score by 3.9 metres from Kyvalley Shaunie from last, with Tam Oshanter weaving in-between runners on turning from the tail for third. The mile rate 2-05.8.

■ Lilley’s other winner was 7Y0 Bacardi LindyCloud Chaser gelding Cruisin Around in the O.K.R – 98.3 FM Trotters Mobile over 2180 metres.

Driven by Ross Payne, Cruisin Around was trapped three wide from gate six before easing back to possie one/one and receive the run of the race.

In what was the “drive of the night” Cruisin Around switched down to the sprint lane on turning and finished well to blouse the pacemaker Anywhere Hugo by 1.4 metres. Paul Males’ Royal Charlotte was third 4.8 metres away after giving ground on the back of the leader approaching the final bend before rallying in the straight. The mile rate 2-03.6. It was Cruisin Around’s 18th victory at start number 67.

■ Pipers Creek (Kyneton) trainer Tony Xiriha combined with Lancefields Rod Petroff aboard 6Y0 Art Major-Awesome Powers mare Major Powers to land the Kilmore Trackside Pace over 2180 metres in a mile rate of 2-04.8, leading all of the way from the pole to score by a nose in a tricky finish from Shesalwaysdreaming along the sprint lane after trailing, with Fiesty Phoebe rushing home from last along the sprint lane for third 2.7 metres away.

■ A Rocknroll Dance-Narree Rose filly Dancing With Flo trained at Cranbourne by part-owner Rick Cashman was an impressive victor of the 1690 metre TAB Long Way We Play 3Y0 Pace.

With Bolinda’s Lisa Miles taking the reins, Dancing With Flo was quickly away from an inside second line draw to settle with most of the field ahead of her as local hope Alte led from gate three.

Going forward three wide solo in the final circuit, Dancing With Flo sustained a long run to greet the judge by 4.1 metres in advance of Alte which battled on well in a rate of 1-58.4.

Atlantas was third 6.1 metres away after racing exposed.

■ Riddell trainer/driver Chris Lang is making a habit of winning at most Kilmore meetings and 9Y0 Sundon-Annesmenan gelding Redwood Invasion brought up two wins in succession by taking the North Central Review Trotters Handicap over 2150 metres.

Beginning swiftly from 10 metres to trail the poleline leader Michaels Mename, Redwood Invasion moved into the moving line three back

Harness Racing

len-baker@ bigpond.com

with Len Baker hitting the back straight on the final occasion and coasted to the wire on straightening 9.2 metres clear of Shadow Justice (one/one at bell) returning a mile rate of 2-06.6.

Michaels Mename after being crossed mid race by Van Sank, was third 28.2 metres back after avoiding several gallopers on turning.

Saturday trots ■ Many were sceptical when HRV announced that during COVID-19 an experimental three week program of early morning trots at Tabcorp Park Melton would be held during the month of May. This was to assist many participants, while at the same time, the races would be beamed to the USA allowing betting in the Northern Hemisphere commencing around 6-30pm on a Friday night to take place for which we would receive a product fee and a possibly a percentage of investments.

As it turns out, by all reports this has become quite popular and after receiving a message showing the promotion that took place over there, a great deal of interest was created. It has also been well received by Australians and while the pools havn't been great, they have been respectable.

Racing commenced at the usual time of 830am with the running of the DNR Logistics 2Y0 Pace over 1720 metres and the state's leading trainer Emma Stewart provided the quinella with Bettors Delight-Bollinger Baby filly Platinum Sparkle defeating the more favoured stablemate Act Now in a mile rate of 1-54.8.

Driven by Jodi Quinlan, Platinum Sparkle led throughout from gate five, just lasting by a half head from Act Now which trailed before moving off her back in the straight.

Somomentsomwhere was third 9 metres away after a one/one trip.

Popular Rockbank trainer Freddy Spiteri combined with Kate Gath aboard impressive last start winner Electrojet to bring up two wins in a row by taking the 1720 metre Aldebaran Park 3Y0 Trotters Mobile in a rate of 1-59.3.

Beginning speedily from gate five, Electrojet a daughter of Quaker Jet and Sassy Pinevale bred

by Yabby Dam Farms, led throughout to register an easy 1.3 metre victory over Kraze which battled on gamely after trailing. First starter Mariachi a stablemate of the winner ran home nicely from back in the field for an eye catching third 16.6 metres back.

Speedy 6Y0 Bettors Delight-Karamea Amour mare Joy Mac bred by John (Blue) McHugh well known for his role as a track attendant at Melton was successful in the Garrards Pace over 1720 metres.

Trained and driven by Darby McQuigan who is based at Gordon, Joy Mac was caught three wide out of gate five before going forward to arrest the lead away from Warpie entering the front straight for the final circuit. Coasting at the head of affairs, Joy Mac bounded away approaching the home turn to record a huge 18.8 metre margin over Mended from near last, returning a mile rate of 1-57.8. Warpie held down third 7 metres away.

The Woodlands Stud 3Y0 Pace over 2240 metres saw the Jess Tubbs trained and John Caldow driven Bona Khan victorious in a mile rate of 1-59.7. Given a perfect passage from

inside the second line trailing the poleline pacemaker Monsieur Delacour, Bona Khan a gelded son of Bonavista Bay and Rosie Khan used the sprint lane to prevail by 2.7 metres from Lizzadro off a three wide double trail from the tail, with Monsieur Delacour fighting on strongly for third a head away.

Local trainer/driver Justin Campbell brought up two wins in succession with 4Y0 ArtesianReally Rona gelding Really Campbell by taking the 1720 metre Benstud Standardbreds Pace.

Starting from the extreme draw, Really Campbell went forward shortly after the start to take over from polemarker The Defiant and after bowling along at his leisure, scored by 5.9 metres from The Defiant and Queen Of Diamonds (three wide last lap - four wide home turn) who was 8.8 metres back. The mile rate 1-58.2.

Emma Stewart dominated the meeting, snaring the last two races with almost unbackable favourite Abouttime and Firerockfireroll.

Abouttime (Greg Sugars) led all of the way from the pole in the TAB Long May We Play Pace over 1720 metres to register a huge 21.4 metre margin from Juliustigres (one/one) and Plan C which dropped to the back of the leader in the final circuit, finishing 3.5 metres back. AA 4Y0 Art Major-Limerick Star gelding, Abouttime returned a 1-52.9 mile rate, while Firerockfireroll a 3Y0 Courage Under Fire-Rocknrolla colt driven by youthful Connor Clarke also led throughout, accounting for Pur Dan (four back

Sulky Snippets This Week

■ Wednesday - Stawell/Shepparton, Thursday - Mildura/Bendigo, Friday - Kilmore/ Shepparton, Saturday - Melton (morning & night), Sunday - Terang, Monday - Bendigo, Tuesday - Ballarat.

Horses to follow

■ WOnecrowdedhour, Just Oscar, A Good Knight, Ona Safari, The Girls Got Flair, Shark Luck, Little Safari, Sixty. the markers - one/one home turn) by a half neck with Village Voice third 11.7 metres back afte following the winner most of the way. The mile rate 2-00.6.

This was something that occurred maybe 20 30 years back for those who can remember, with meetings held in the vicinity of Central Victoria The third and final fixture will be held next Sat urday.

Travel Extra access pass and premium in-track hospitality Kentucy Derby area to include a gourmet food buffet and pre-

■ Nothing beats the unmistakable feeling of Americana than the derby hats, old-fashioned cocktails, authentic steamboats and horse racing of the Kentucky Derby - and, for a limited time, the American Queen Steamboat Company is offering Australians savings of up to US$800 per couple and a free beverage package on a nine-day 'Kentucky Derby Cruise' in 2021. The deal is valid for bookings made before June 30 this year. Early bookings are recommended to secure tickets to the popular Derby in 2021.

Step aboard the historic, all-suite paddle wheeler, American Duchess, for an American experience like no other. Starting on April 25, 2021, the eight-night journey begins with a hotel stay in Cincinnati, Ohio, before boarding the Duchess and winding south-west to Madison, Indiana and into Kentucky, stopping at Brandenburg, Owensboro and Louisville. Along the way, visitors will stop off at various ports along the Ohio River and experience the excitement that spills out of the river towns as Derby Day approaches.

Before Derby Day however, guests will have the rare opportunity of competing in a prized race of their own. The Great American Steamboat Race runs prior to the Kentucky Derby and the American Duchess will not only be participating, it will be looking to regain the Silver Antlers from its 2018 victory.

The highlight of the cruise is, of course, the Kentucky Derby held annually on the first Saturday of May since 1875. There is perhaps no single sporting event in America more recognised worldwide than the Kentucky Derby. Included in the package are tickets to the race where guests can get dressed up and revel in one of America's greatest events. Witness the sights, sounds, colours and tradition of the Derby such as singing along to 'My Old Kentucky Home' and trying a mint julep - the famous bourbon-based cocktail associated with the race.

There is also plenty to do on board the paddle wheeler, with a jazz, blues and six-piece orchestra to entertain guests in the evenings, daily lectures by American Queen's history and culture expert - called a 'riverlorian' - and a bar, lounge, fitness centre and spa also available. Plus, guests receive free onboard internet and complimentary 24-hour room service.

The eight-night package includes one night's accommodation pre-cruise, the sevennight river cruise, guided, hop-on-hop-off shore excursions, a ticket to the 2021 Kentucky Derby on May 1, 2021, undercover seating, VIP fast-

mium open bar. Onboard gratuities and port taxes are also included. The stay and cruise package begins on April 25, 2021, and prices start from US$4597 per person, twin-share, for an interior stateroom, a saving of US$400 per person. The discount plus a free, unlimited beverage package onboard is valid for bookings made by June, 30, 2020.

American Queen Steamboat Company is an award-winning, authentic and opulent river cruise line in North America, offering the most inclusive cruises with guided shore excursions, nightly Broadway-calibre entertainment and regionally inspired fine dining included in the fare.

To book, consumers or travel agents can call the Australian representative for the American Queen Steamboat Company, Cruise Traveller, on 1300 680 374 or visit www.cruisetraveller.com.au.

River tales told

■ What is it about rivers and stories of adventure and intrigue? From The African Queen to Fitzcarraldo and The Long Good Friday, every river has a tale to tell.

There is one river, however, that speaks of the past like no other. The Nile.

This October, film-goers will be whisked to Egypt for the remake of Death on the Nile, starring Kenneth Branagh as Hercule Poirot.

But the real star will be the river itself.

Indeed, with the long-awaited Grand Egyptian Museum scheduled to open this year, enticing new itineraries, plus plenty of new and refurbished ships, later this year is looking like a serendipitous time for Egypt to find its feet again.

"Egypt is the world's fastest-growing travel destination according to the World Tourism Organisation," said Pieter van der Schee, Global Director of Sales and Marketing for travel company, Sanctuary Retreats, which has been operating luxury river cruises on the Nile River for almost two decades.

At the luxury end, Sanctuary Retreats offers a choice of four vessels: Sanctuary Sun Boat IV and Sanctuary Nile Adventurer, both of which have enjoyed extensive makeovers over the past two years; Sanctuary Sun Boat III, currently undergoing a multi-million dollar refurbishment and relaunching later this year; and the bespoke, exclusive-use dahabiya,Sanctuary Zein Nile Chateau, accommodating just 12 guests.

- John Rozentals

www.LocalPaper.com.au

Wednesday, May 20, 2020 - Page 19

Page 20 - Wednesday, y May y 20, 2020

www.LocalPaper.com.au

Alexandra

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On Top of The World:Large family home situated on just under 5Acres of land comprising of Master bedroom with walk through robe and ensuite with spa, 3 double bedrooms with built in robes, 3 bathrooms with showers and toilets. Study / Office with storage or 5th bedroom. Open plan living with great rural views from the large double glazed windows. Large modern Kitchen with walk in pantry and dishwasher. Down stairs comprises of Games/rumpus room, Theatre room and study/ office or 5th bedroom. Enjoy the views from the wrap around merbau deck and spacious outdoor entertaining arears. Large 4 car carport plus a Huge lockup colourbond Garage measuring 7.5m W x 16m L x 2.7m H with concrete floor

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