The Local Paper. Regional Edition. Wed., Mar. 15, 2023

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The Local Paper

WEDNESDAY,

Guests welcomed at RSL

■ Barry Galvin from Shepparton RSL and Bill Perry from the Girgarre RSL and gave Yea Kinglake RSL members a talk on the WWI Battle of Beersheba.

This battle is where the Australian Light Horse made their famous charge on October 31, 1917.

There was a local connection. Bill's uncle, Alfred Ernest Perry of LimestoneMolesworth, was with the 8th Australian Light Horse, winning the Military Medal at Damascus in 1918.

After Bill's talk, Barry presented the YeaKinglake RSL with a framed photograph of the statue of the famous Waler horse, 'Bill the Bastard'.

'The Bastard', as he was known because few riders could stay mounted, became famous at Gallipoli

As the despatch rider's horse, he regularly galloped the length of the beach carrying rider and despatches under heavy rifle fire.

'The Bastard' won further fame at the Battle of Romani. His size and strength enabled him to carry several wounded light horsemen to safety at the same time, while under heavy fire himself.

As an unexpected bonus, Barry displayed the actual Blue Cross Medallion awarded to 'Bill the Bastard'.

The Yea Kinglake Sub-Branch also assisted Paul Hildebrand of 'Fallsview', Glenburn, to obtain his father Con's unclaimed WWII medal.

Con served during WWII with the local Volunteer Defence Corp but never claimed the medal to which he was entitled.

Cindy McLeish, Eildon MLA, on Friday, March 3, presented the Sub-Branch with new national and state flags.

Sub-Branch meetings will resume at 11.30am on Friday, March 31 at the RSL Hall, Yea.

ODD BEHAVIOUR AT SEYMOUR BREATH TEST SITE

■ Police were left shaking their heads after a driver was seen causing a large plume of smoke metres away from a Preliminary Breath Test site in Seymour on Saturday night (Mar. 11).

Seymour Highway Patrol officers were setting up a drug and alcohol testing site on Anzac Avenue when the vehicle came to their attention about 5.30pm.

Officers heard a loud engine revving and saw a large amount of blue smoke coming from a Ford Ute.

The driver of the vehicle, a 55-year-old Broadford man and his 85-year-old passenger were intercepted and spoken to by police.

The driver made admission to the poor driving behaviour and his vehicle was impounded for 30 days at a cost of $906.

He is expected to be charged on summons with driving offences.

A 52-year-old woman from Seymour drove into the site a short time later and returned an alleged reading of 0.055.

She had her licence immediately suspended for six months and is expected to be charged on summons for drink driving offences.

These intercepts were part of Operation Arid, the state-wide road policing operation aiming to reduce road trauma and lives lost on our roads over the Labour Day long weekend.

BUSINESS EXPO AT SKYHIGH MT DANDENONG

■ Residents are invited to attend Yarra Ranges Council’s first Small Business Expo which will facilitate networking opportunities for local small business operators, as well as showcase local products and services to the community.

The expo will be held at Skyhigh Mt Dandenong, on Wednmesday, March 29,and visitors will be able to explore a wide range of small businesses, from retail shops to service providers, and get to know the entrepreneurs behind them, like SoapShakinSisters

Yarra Ranges Council Mayor, Cr Jim Child, said small businesses have always been well represented in Yarra Ranges

He ncouraged residents to attend the expo and learn about what opportunities and services exist in our own backyard.

“Attending the Small Business Expo provides a wonderful opportunity for residents to discover the diverse small businesses within our community that may not have a physical storefront or be well-known in the area.

“I encourage you to bring your friends and family, meet some fantastic local businesses you may not see on the main street, and support local business.”

Local Briefs

Tech thieves

■ Police are appealing for information after two men stole computer monitors valued over $650 from a busy supermarket in Bundoora

It is understood the men walked into a store in a shopping centre on Grimshaw St. Investigators were told the men pushed the boxed monitors under the entry gates to the store and left them unoccupied. The men walked past the check out and each collected a monitor from the floor and left the store.

Plan for Mansfield

■ An Infrastructure Plan will be created for the Mansfield township following Mansfield Shire Council’s successful grant funding of $350,000 from the Victorian Government’s Streamlining for Growth program. The program aims to facilitate faster and more cost-effective permit-ready delivery of employment and residential land across Victoria in areas experiencing population growth pressures or land, housing, and job shortages.

Population growth has had a major impact on land availability and affordability in Mansfield. Council has recognised that community and development infrastructure is needed to support the ongoing liveability and productivity of the Mansfield township to 2040.

Mayor Cr James Tehan said in 2018 Mansfield township was predicted to grown 1.6 per cent and to reach a population of 4098 by 2031. But in 2020 the Australian Bureau of Statistics found that Mansfield township grew by 3.3 per cent and already had a population of 5421.

Mt Piper works begin

■ Work has begun on a $2 million expansion of the Mt Piper Family and Children’s Centre in Broadford to cater for Mitchell’s growing community and the introduction of free kindergarten for 3-and 4-year-olds. This project will see the addition of a new 33 place kindergarten room, and expanded Maternal and Child Health Services.

● ● From left: Ed Davies, Yea-Kinglake RSL President; Barry Galvin, Shepparton RSL, holding the Blue Cross Medallion; Stan Stewart, Yea-Kinglake RSL holding the framed photo of the statue to ‘Bill the Bastard’; Bill Perry, Girgarre RSL.

- Jeffrey Swain

Paul and Helen Hildebrand. ● ● ● ● Blue Cross Medal.

● ● Ed Davies, Cindy McLeish and Mick Wearne.

CONTACT

Praise for strong women

■

Eildon MLA

Cindy McLeish explained some of her own fam,ily background in an International Women’s Day talk in State Parliament.

“I come from a very strong line of independent women on my mother’s side.,” Ms McLeish said.

“My mother and my grandmother ran their own businesses, had their own bank accounts.

“My parents never had joint bank accounts. I do not have a joint bank account. I am in control of my own finances because I think it is exceptionally important.

Wetlands re-open

■ John Cummins Reserve is now open, as part of the staged reopening of the Yea Wetlands.

Racing

OUR TEAM

“And when I look at my maternal grandmother, who really paved the way I think for so many people in our family to look up to and to see that this is what you can do, she was in the business of diamonds and buying and selling pubs – I believe she was engaged several times, which I have.

“She also was involved in hotels for a very long time, and they were traditionally male-dominated.

“But I grew up with having the farm, and on the weekends we would all go into the hotel for the weekend, where Mum and her brother ran that business and her mother had previously – and they had pubs all over country Victoria . I saw how hard they worked.

“I saw how much they respected other women for what they had done and the work that they were achieving, and they did it with just a grain of salt.

“So I have cer-

Long Shots

tainly picked up these traits, as has my daughter, to make sure that we are absolutely independent.

“I believe financial independence is so important because I see so many times when women end up in a situation of divorce and they have not had their own money.

“More often than not now these are people who are older than me, who often did not ever work and would only have had joint bank accounts.

“We see for this reason homelessness in this sector, people who are really struggling who have not struggled before but they find themselves in absolute hardship.

“I just cannot stress enough the need for people to make sure as best they can that they have their own money, whether that means squirrelling money aside along the way or not.

“There have been some extraordinary contributions in all areas of the workforce and women have forged their way in typically male-dominated environments, and although changes have been made there is still a long way to go.

“Now, we have had some battles and we have had the suffrage movement to get women to have the vote, and we know today it is 100 years this year since women were able to stand for Parliament.

“We had he situation – it seems not that long ago – that when women got married they had to leave their jobs, Ms McLeish told State Parliament.

The Yea Wetlands were significantly impacted by the October flood event, with a number of fallen trees and damage to infrastructure including paths and boardwalks. Following recent impact assessments, which identified a number of hazardous trees, Murrindindi Council engaged contractors to remove these trees from the wetlands, allowing public access to the Reserve.

“The wetlands are still inaccessible from the Yea Wetlands Discovery Centre entrance, and other areas remain closed until infrastructure is repaired. Works are continuing so we can reopen the rest of the Wetlands for visitors and locals to enjoy,” said a Council representative.

SDCA results

■ A-Grade. Tallarook 4/212(cc) L Watts 76

K Duncan 40 L Irving 29* JJ Rudge 26 JP Bradshaw 2/43 v Broadford 112 J Nolan 31*

K Winnell 3/20 L Irving 3/32 B Tarran 2/29. Tallarook Recreation Reserve.

■ B-Grade. Pyalong 118 J Pryor 30 S Delaney 25 C Ball 4/20 M Mirabella 2/14 A Altham 2/24 def Broadford 83 MT Pratt 4/13

DJ Zoch 4/18. Chittick Park. Tallarook 7/125 S Korosec 52 L Marshall 33 M Coggan 4/23 T Peacock 2/23 def Eastern Hill 9/123(cc) M Brown 32 H Hager 26 L Marshall 3/28 T Dundon 2/20. Harley Hammond Reserve.

■ C-Grade. Avenel 143 A Loweke 38 J Byers 27 J Atwal 27 B Crispin 4/8 I Davis 2/ 35 def Eastern Hill 24 J Kanters 8/15 J Atwal 2/8. Avenel Recreation Reserv. Yea Tigers

83 M Fairweather 4/32 AJ Hiscock 3/12 M

Wittig 2/11 drew Pyalong 83 G Harding 5/9

T White 2/13. Yea Recreation Reserve.

■ Under 15. Alexandra 2/133 L Wal 51* MW Waixel 40* def by Yea Tigers 2/137. Alexandra Showgrounds.

■ Under 13. Broadford Red 4/128(cc) B Jones 27* def Yea Tigers 7/84(cc) E Waghorn 37* C Barry 2/2 K Singla 2/4. Harley Hammond Reserve

Whitt’sea burn-offs

■ The Country Fir Authority and Forest Fire Management Victoria are conducting planned burns across the municipality and neighbouring suburbs.

Smoke and flames may be visible, and some roads and tracks may be closed. Firefighting vehicles, aircraft and crews will be in the area.

Burn offs this week are:

■ Latrobe Rd, Yarrambat

■ Harmony Hill, Mernda

■ Glenburnie Rd, Whittlesea

Reconciliation Plan

■ Nillumbik Shire Council is develop our first Reconciliation Action Plan, known as a Reflect RAP.

Matt Bissett-Johnson, Cartoonist Peter Kemp, Art Rob Foenander, Music

Editor: Ash Long

Features Editor: Peter Mac

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

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

Logistics: Graeme Hawke, Susan Karolyi, Gary McQuade, Cheryl Venn

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

All Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, reconciliation partners and the broader Nillumbik community are invited to get involved and provide input into the Plan’s development throughout March and April.

The RAP will be Nillumbik Council’s formal commitment to support First Nations peoples’ rights, culture, heritage, needs and aspirations.

It will outline the approach Council will take to progress reconciliation and work alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in all Council services.

Mayor Cr Ben Ramcharan said developing the RAP was a positive step for Council in its reconciliation journey.

Attend one of three community sessions, either online or in person -

■ Wednesday, March 22, 6pm-7.30pm. Online.

■ Tuesday, March 28. 10am-12 Noon. Eltham Community Reception Centre

■ Saturday, April 1, 9am-11am. Hurstbridge Community Hub Consultation closes at 11.59pm, Friday, April 28, and feedback will be used to prepare a draft Reconciliation Action Plan, which will be released for further community engagement later in the

Trask,

Sherlock,

Rourke, Film Mike McColl Jones, Comedy

Ted Ryan, Horse

Len Baker, Harness Racing Gavin Wood, Stateside

Your Stars with Kerry Kulkens

ARIES: (March 21- April 20)

Lucky Colour: White

Lucky Day: Friday

Racing Numbers: 2.9.6.5.

Lotto Numbers: 1.12.15.26.35.40.

Sometimes the best advice comes from people who do not know you that well. Trust your instincts and you should make it. Some good luck in games of chance or a bonus of some sort.

TAURUS: (April 21- May 20)

Lucky Colour: Yellow

Lucky Day: Tuesday

Racing Numbers: 1.3.2.5

Lotto Numbers: 1.3.15.29.34.45.

This could be a good period for improving your relationships with loved ones or making new friends who can make a difference to your future, be very assertive in career matters.

GEMINI: (May 21- June 21)

Lucky Colour: Green

Lucky Day: Monday

Racing Numbers: 5.6.2.3.

Lotto Numbers: 5.12.23.36.30.11.

During this period family and loved ones are the most important people in your life. Keep eyes and ears open for you could learn something to your advantage. A bit of luck in a game of chance.

CANCER: (June 22- July 22)

Lucky Colour: Peach

Lucky Day: Thursday

Racing Numbers: 4.6.2.3.

Lotto Numbers: 4.12.25.29.8.33.

It is most important to stay cool in all situations, you will gain most this way. Business and career matters should improve a lot and a chance to mix business with pleasure.

LEO: (July 23- August 22)

Lucky Colour: Blue

Lucky Day: Wednesday

Racing Numbers: 2.3.6.5.

Lotto Numbers: 1.12.15.26.34.40.

A very good time for finding bargains if you are interested in objects of value. Your present situation could do with some improvement and you will find a way soon.

VIRGO: (August 23- September 23)

Lucky Colour: Lilac

Lucky Day: Saturday

Racing Numbers: 6.5.3.2.

Lotto Numbers: 6.12.25.9.33.34.

You could be worrying about nothing and in the process make life miserable for others, keep calm and most things will work out all right. During this period it is best to be very diplomatic.

LIBRA: (September 24- October 23)

Lucky Colour: White

Lucky Day: Sunday

Racing Numbers: 5.6.2.3.

Lotto Numbers: 5.12.26.39.7.11.

Very good chance to get what you want during this period. Busy social life might not give you enough time to do things right for someone special and this could be a problem.

SCORPIO: (October 24- November 22)

Lucky Colour: Blue

Lucky Day: Thursday

Racing Numbers: 5.9.4.2.

Lotto Numbers: 5.12.4.19.6.3.

You might not be the right person to say what is good for you. In anything that worries you, you should see a specialist or a professional person. Loved ones will stand by you.

SAGITTARIUS: (November 23- December 20)

Lucky Colour: violet

Lucky Day: Monday

Racing Numbers: 6.1.3.2.

Lotto Numbers: 6.12.25.40.45.33.

You might have to rethink some of your decisions after meeting someone special. There could be something you have forgotten to do now is the time to solve all the outstanding jobs.

CAPRICORN: (December 21- January 19)

Lucky Colour: Yellow

Lucky Day: Wednesday

Racing Numbers: 6.9.7.2.

Lotto Numbers: 4.15.45.20.33.3.

You have to make an effort to sort out your domestic problems now so that you will be free to go when an offer comes too good to refuse. Some travel possible and communications from a distance.

AQUARIUS: (January 20- February 19)

Lucky Colour: Blue

Lucky Day: Monday

Racing Numbers: 2.3.6.2.

Lotto Numbers: 2.13.26.24.40.5.

You might not know what you really want so keep your opinions open for now. Make sure you are not neglecting your loved ones in a hurry to succeed in your career matters.

PISCES: (February 20- March 20)

Lucky Colour: Pink

Lucky Day: Thursday

Racing Numbers: 9.6.4.2.

Lotto Numbers: 4.12.15.16.20.33.

Thee could be big plans in your holiday schedule and special people could add some lustre into your life now. Make sure your bookings are confirmed and everything is above board.

Upgrades at Diam. Creek

■ A new electric scoreboard at Marngrook Oval, and an irrigation upgrade at Diamond Creek Bowling Club, have been officially opened.

Nillumbik Mayor Cr Ben Ramcharan and Councillors joined Eltham MLA Vicki Ward and members of the Diamond Creek Bowling Club for the launch.

Cr Ramcharan said the upgrade to the irrigation system at the Club replaced a manual watering process with a user-friendly automatic system to support the club’s operation and keep the greens in tip-top condition.

“The upgrade to the irrigation system at the Diamond Creek Bowling Club replaces a manual watering process with a user-friendly automatic system to support the club’s operation and keep the greens in tip-top condition,” Cr Ramcharan said.

Cr Ramcharan said the new electric scoreboard was a much-needed improvement to the Marngrook Oval, and complemented the new sports pavilion completed in 2020.

“The new board improves visibility, game conditions and experience for everyone. It also helps the clubs attract more members and potential sponsors,” Cr Ramcharan said.

Bike ride honours David

■ The catchcry ‘Guts It Out’ will be ringing in the ears of many participants taking part in the inaugural David Turnbull Memorial Bike Ride later this month.

The three-word motto was a staple in the vocabulary of the late former City of Whittlesea and Mitchell Shire CEO David Turnbull, who passed away from cancer aged 61 in March 2020.

The event comes just weeks after Mr Turnbull was honoured on Australia Day with a posthumous Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for service to local government administration.

Riders will set off from the Whittlesea Community Centre at 10am on Sunday, March 26 with the option of completing either a 20km or 40km circuit. he 40km route traverses both the Whittlesea and Mitchell municipalities.

Bank workers condemn NAB

■ As National Australia Bank continues its move to close its Alexandra presence, the Finance Sector Union has condemed the Bank for its failure to join its major competitors and ‘pause’ the continuing closure of regional bank branches while the Senate Rural and Regional Affairs Committee inquires into bank branch closures.

NAB Executive for Retail Krissie Jones told the Committee hearing in Sale, Victoria that NAB would not pause its branch closure program with five branches announced for closure and more closures likely.

Asked if NAB would commit to not closing any further branches while the Senate Inquiry proceeded, Ms Jones replied: “We will continue to invest in regional Australia and some of that will also mean we will close some locations.”

FSU National Secretary Julia Angrisano said NAB’s determination to continue closing banks was out of step with its major competitors.

“This is a pig-headed approach from NAB to refuse to understand that the big banks are on the nose with customers and businesses who want branch closures stopped,” Ms Angrisano said.

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Euroa nominated

● ● David Turnbull

● ● ● ● Cr Ben Ramcharan, Nillumbik Mayor ●

● ● National Australia Bank in Grant St, Alexandra.

■ After being crowned the Keep Australia Beautiful Victorian Sustainable Community Tidy Town of 2022, Euroa has been named as a national finalist. KAB Victoria CEO Olivia Lynch said Euroa was a model town, leading the way when it comes to sustainability.

PALUMBO: N.Y. Judge Has Financial Stake in Case Against Anti-CCP Dissident

Among other oddities, Barry Ostrager seems to have defeated the vig—and has racked up over $3.3 million from bets placed on horse racing ...

(Matthew Palumbo, Headline USA contributor) From day one, acting New York Supreme Court Justice Barry Ostrager—the Democrat handling the case between Miles Guo and Pacific Alliance Asia Opportunity Fund (PAX)— was a gift to the Chinese Communist Party.

The timing of the lawsuit couldn’t have been any more suspect, coming just one day before Mr. Guo made an appearance on Voice of America that was infamously shut down on air right before he was about to expose Wang Qishan, then vice president of China, and Wang’s connection with HNA Group, a state-owned-enterprise that he exposed as a money-laundering front for Wang and CCP kleptocrats.

Voice of America is paid by the U.S. taxpayer, and this was the first time in its history it had ever cut off a live program. Five journalists were put on leave after—one of whom said it was because someone “caved to the Chinese government’s demand.”

This VOA interview was Mr. Guo’s first time speaking out publicly against the CCP—and they wanted it to be his last. Despite their best efforts, Guo has continued fighting the CCP ever since, and he later founded the New Federal State of China organization to further expose them.

The day the lawsuit was filed, China announced that interpol had issued a notice for Mr. Guo’s arrest, leaving no doubt that these events were being orchestrated by the CCP

PAX is a subsidiary of Pacific Alliance Group, which is one of the largest private investment firms based in Hong Kong. The firm is headed by Shan Weijian, who has extensive ties to the CCP .

Shan’s public writings regularly espouse CCP propaganda. Shan praised China’s widely protested “National Security Law” in Hong Kong that enabled extradition to the mainland, claiming that it restored “social stability” and freedoms that he claims were “suppressed by violent protesters.” In reality, peaceful protesters were protesting the removal of their freedoms from an authoritarian state.

He claimed that Hong Kong “remains an open and free society under the rule of law”—but in the two years following the passage of the law, Hong Kong’s freedom in Freedom House’s annual Freedom in the World rankings dropped by 12 points, from 55 to 42 (on a scale where 100 is the highest).

Shan has defended the persecution and cultural genocide of the Uyghurs in an article criticizing U.S. and European Union sanctions on China for their well-documented human rights violations.

Shan has also financed the publication of articles in U.S. media attacking Mr. Guo.

The case between Mr. Guo and Pacific Alliance Group made headlines for its conclusion with Ostrager ordering Mr. Guo to pay $134 million within five days or face arrest, claiming that the yacht was moved to the Bahamas after being ordered to keep it in the U.S.

The fine equaled $500,000 per day. Ostrager says the boat (the “Lady May”) remained out of U.S. jurisdiction.

The Lady May isn’t even owned by Miles, but to his daughter, Mei Guo. Both the ownership and financing for the purchase of the boat belong to Mei Guo. Despite that, Ostrager issued an

order stating that Mr. Guo is the ultimate owner of the ship—the only evidence for which is hearsay.

The purpose of the judgment was simple: so that Ostrager could deprive Miles Guo of the right to go to trial, and thus force him into bankruptcy—and thus the arms of the Department of Justice’s U.S. Trustee Office.

This was merely the latest in a series of biased rulings from Ostrager throughout the case. Ostrager denied Mr. Guo the ability to provide evidence in his favor.

Ostrager himself made note of how egregious his fine was, as it exceeded “PAX’s outstanding judgment of $120 million” and was a “multiple” of the £28 million purchase price of the Lady May. The fine was unfair—Ostrager openly came short of saying just that—and then implemented it anyway.

Mr. Guo did declare bankruptcy— and the DOJ manipulated the trustee appointment process to install Luc Despins as the trustee for his case.

Despins has been linked to the CCP through him being a partner in Paul Hastings, LLC, a law firm that has done business in China and Hong Kong; and he has represented many state-owned (i.e. CCP owned) Chinese companies. As one writer noted in Newsmax, the CCP’s influence is direct here:

Not only is the Chinese Communist Party a client of Paul Hastings, but they also control the licenses to keep their law offices open in both China and Hong Kong. Effectively, the CCP controls the purse strings to hundreds of millions of dollars for Paul Hastings and Mr. Despins as a partner in Paul Hastings.

To better understand the motivations behind Ostrager’s rulings in the case, it’s essentially to understand his many conflicts of interests pertaining to China.

Justice Ostrager is a 1973 graduate from the New York University School of Law who was appointed to the New York Court of Claims by disgraced Gov. Andrew Cuomo in June 2015. He served as an acting New York Supreme Court justice and was assigned to the Commercial division. He was appointed to the New York State Supreme Court in June 2017, and remains assigned to that same division.

Previously, Ostrager spent the entirety of his career at Simpson Thacher & Bartlett, where he was a partner since 1980. He was also chair of the firm’s litigation department, and as a litigator he tried and won numerous multi-billion-dollar cases.

Simpson–Thatcher’s business presence in China is extensive, with them having been active there for roughly three decades with offices in Beijing and Hong Kong.

They have, according to their own corporate documents, represented

“China state-owned” and non-state owned companies (over which the CCP still maintains extensive control).

In the past, they’ve represented (among dozens and dozens of CCPbacked clients) state-owned companies such as:

•Shanghai Electric Group Corporation, when they purchased a U.S.-based supplier •China’s leading mobile television advertiser, VisionChina Media Inc.

•Focus Media Holding Ltd, which operates the largest out-of-home advertising network in China and dozens and dozens more.

Simpson–Thacher represented private equity giant Blackstone in their first ever investment in China—a $600 million investment for 20% of China’s National Bluestar Corporation.

They also represented Blackstone in an agreement with Great Eagle Holdings Limited, and represented them in connection to their 95% purchase of Changshou Commercial Plaza in Shanghai.

Simpson–Thatcher also lists “A chinese company in an investigation by the DOJ into potential theft of trade secrets” among their clients—an odd thing to boast about.

Thacher is a leading player in bringing Chinese companies public through America’s stock exchanges—despite Chinese companies having notably weaker accounting requirements than U.S.-based companies, making them more susceptible to fraud. In 2010 for example, of the 34 IPOs of Chinese companies on U.S. markets, 18 had involvement from Simpson–Thacher.

Judges with conflicts of interest ruling America’s courts are surprisingly common. A 2021 Wall Street Journal investigation found that at least 131 federal judges had overseen court cases in which they or their family members owned stock between 2010-2020.

Their verdicts leave no question as to why rules against conflicts of interest exist: Judges ruled in favor of their own financial interests in two-thirds of cases (a far cry from the half you’d expect by random chance). That’s the same for the likes of Ostrager.

Pacific Alliance Group is one of the largest independent alternative asset firms in Asia, and has over $20 billion under capital under management. In March 2018, Blackstone announced a $400 million in PAG for 17.6% of its equity, giving a direct link between Blackstone and the CCP-linked PAG.

This was hardly the first time Blackstone had been tied to the CCP— and hardly is the most direct connection. As early as May 2007, the CCP-controlled China Investment Corporations spent $3 billion for 8% of Blackstone. This stake was raised to 12.5% in 2008.

In one case, Ostrager recused him

self because of his own personal investment ownership in Blackstone—but not in Mr. Guo’s case. Ostrager began overseeing a lawsuit brought b y Stuyvesant Town tenants agains t Blackstone in 2020, but recused himself in 2021 because Simpson Thatcher & Bartlett had performed work fo r Blackstone, and that his pension is “derived at least in part from the substantial revenue the firm receives fro m Blackstone.” Yet there were no such concerns when it came to their investment in PAG.

And this isn’t the first time Ostrager questionably refused to recuse himself

A shareholder of up to $250k i n Exxon Mobil stock, Ostrager didn’t voluntarily recuse himself from a case involving them, leading to calls for his recusal that went ignored.

Ostrager would rule that New York “failed to establish” that Exxon violated the Martin Act and any other laws in their public disclosures related to socalled climate change risks—a major win for Exxon.

“The Office of the Attorney General failed to prove, by a preponderance of the evidence, that ExxonMobil made any material misstatements or omissions about its practices and procedures that misled any reasonable investor,” Ostrager wrote in his ruling that protected his own financial interest.

Regardless of what one thinks about the validity of New York’s lawsuit, and even if one believes that this was the correct verdict, it remains the case that Ostrager was the wrong person t o make it, and didn’t recuse himself when he clearly should’ve.

Ostrager has had other controversies throughout his career. On Oct. 26 2018, as Mr. Guo’s case was still ongoing, Justice Ostrager allegedly made anti-Greek comments while handling a different case that involved Greek real-estate managers John Pappas and Peter Skeadas, who accuse d steakhouse owner Alan Stillman o f mismanaging a restaurant they owned called Maloney and Porcelli.

According to Pappas and Skaedas’s lawyer, Michael Camarinos, Ostage r told him and a colleague about their client, “You have a couple of old pigheaded Greek clients that don’t know what they are doing.”

Among other oddities, Barr y Ostrager seems to have defeated the vig—and has racked up over $3.3 million from bets placed on horse racing Given the relatively high house edge on horse racing, these kinds of winnings certainly are suspect, but they offer enough plausible deniability to be attributed to an extreme statistica l uncertainty.

If the CCP were to have handpicked a judge in this case, they couldn’t have done any better than Ostrager. The obvious flaws in his character aside, his firm’s and his personal ties to the CCP’s created a situation where the case of Mr. Guo was destined to be a show trial from day one.

While Ostrager has recused himself in cases in the past, as you saw in the case of Exxon, he’s far less likely to do so when he decides he has enough skin in the game to make it worthwhile. And in this case, he was doing the bidding of his most valuable ally out there.

Matt Palumbo is the author of The Man Behind the Curtain: Inside the Secret Network of George Soros (2021) Dumb and Dumber: How Cuomo and de Blasio Ruined New York (2020), Debunk This!: Shattering Liberal Lie s (2019) and Spygate (2018).

Barry Ostrager / IMAGE: NYS Courts via YouTube

COMEDY FESTIVAL FUN

■ The Melbourne International Comedy Festival is set to commence on Wednesday, March 29, and is said to be the second-largest such festival in the world.

The Melbourne Observer’s team of reviewers, led by Cheryl Threadgold, present a guide to the best shows, being presented at a variety of venues in the City as well as metropolitan and country locations across Victoria.

■ Australia’s Circus Oz is back in the Melbourne International Comedy Festival after 30 years an all-new show at The Forum from April 7-23.

The show features "a collision of comedy, clowning, acrobatics, skipping, bows and arrows, beauty, cranking live music, muscles, flying trapeze, juggling, slapstick, crazy antics and daredevilry by the hand of an eclectic ensemble spanning six decades."

The all-new show, designed for a multigenerational audience, brings together multiskilled artists committed to making every single performance surprising, beautiful, and dangerous.

Directed by Nicci Wilks, an award-winning performer and creator known for her comedy whose credits include work with Circus Oz, Melbourne Theatre Company, Malthouse Theatre, KAGE, CIRCA, Melbourne Workers Theatre, Monoxide Circus, Flying Fruit Fly Circus, and Hothouse Theatre.

“It’s a short, fast and furious show reflecting an eclectic mob celebrating the human body in all its ages, with all its awkwardness and all its strengths and what makes us laugh: trouble,” said director and Circus Oz Co-Artistic Coordinator Nicci Wilks.

Celebrating 45 years this year, Circus Oz has struck an acrobatic chord with audiences from Hobart to Arnhem Land , from Fremantle to the Sydney Opera House and all points in between. They’ve toured to over 30 countries across five continents, where in each place, inevitably, audiences have never seen anything quite like their spectacle of hilarity before.

Performance Dates and Times: April 723, 2.30pm, 6pm and 8.45pm

Venue: The Forum Downstairs, 154 Flinders St., Melbourne

Tickets from $27

For tickets and further information visit www.circusoz.com or follow @CircusOz on facebook and @circusoz_nonstop on Instagram

- Cheryl Threadgold

A Certain Mumble

■ Darebin Arts Speakeasy presents A Certain Mumble by Amelia Jean O'Leary as part of Frame: A Biennial of Dance, from March 15-9 at the Northcote Town Hall.

Amelia is a First Nations Gamilaroi dancer and choreographer. Janelle Tan is a Chinese Malaysian dance artist with a rich understanding of the diverse culture that surrounded her growing up.

In A Certain Mumble, they step through the sticky terrain of conviction and confusion, voice and incomprehensibility, sisterhood and lineage, being watched and being understood.

In this intimate new dance work, these two young choreographers explore the murky realm between the certainty they hold in themselves, the perils of being misunderstood, and the subterranean rumblings that try to convince you you don’t belong here.

Performance Dates: March 15-19. Wed .Fri. 7.30pm, Sat. 2pm and 7.30pm, Sun. 5pm

Preview performance: March 15 , 7.30pm;

Post-show talk: Saturday March 18, 2pm

Venue: Northcote Town Hall Arts Centre

Approx. running time: 50mins, no interval

For wheelchair and accessible bookings please contact: ticketing@darebin.vic.gov.au

Cheryl Threadgold

HAMLET, PRINCE OF SKIDMARK

■ Kidult comedy team The Listies return to Arts Centre Melbourne with their latest show for the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, an irreverent Hamlet, Prince of Skidmark, being presented from April 11-15.

The Listies have pulled apart Shakespeare's classic and glued it back together with fun costumes, loads of silliness and plenty of interactivity with the young people in their audiences.

According to The Listies, the time is right for Hamlet's return:

"Shakespeare is on the way up at the moment. In 2020 no-one knew who he was. He was super niche and indie, like only hipsters 'got' him.

“But then he went on The Bachelor, did Celebrity Big Brother UK and now he is massive on TikTok. We've heard something about a Stan special, Lego Masters and a Kombucha endorsement but his agent is being super cagey."

The duo said Hamlet was already full of things kids love in a good story: ghosts, castles, sword fights, body fluids and fun spooky stuff.

"Add to the mix supersonic gags and expertly timed stage magic and you have a brilliantly disguised Shakespearean tragedy for everyone aged five and over."

The production will be presented as part of Arts Centre Melbourne’s year-round Families and Children Program.

Launched in August 2009 and it has grown in reputation to become a highly respected program nationally and internationally.

Featuring intimate and large-scale theatre from some of the world’s most respected companies and a diverse range of interactive workshops, the program is robust and growing in size, scale and scope.

Performance Dates: April 11-15

Venue: Arts Centre Melbourne, Playhouse

Recommended for children aged 5+ years

Book: artscentremelbourne.com.au or 1300 182 183

- Cheryl Threadgold

Made In China 2.0

■ This certainly looked intriguing, particularly their media quote “get off your phones, you won’t see this online”.

A suggestion perhaps of unwanted change without notice, should outside forces decree?

This one man show features celebrated Chinese Wang Chong’s experiences as provocateur and artist abroad, and also in his homeland, where all works are subject to censorship.

It is powerful, brave, confronting, even amusing at times, and should not be missed. It is brain food, complemented by clever artistry .

A visual of a white, many times folded paper stares down at us as we await Chong’s entrance.

Now, staring straight at us he begins pulling a long, folded paper out of his mouth - later drawing a similar endless list from under a table – a list of repressions Chinese people have suffered and are suffering. Yet Chong always finds a lightness of hope and strength through family learnings.

From his innocent five year old days under Mao’s rule, he takes us on a journey unravelling the iconic man against tanks image of 1989.

He discloses the clever use of code emojis and blank white posters as protests begin to appear and activists question what they are being told.

Written by Chong and co-directed with Emma Valente, clever filming allows us to see closely the stoic pain in Chong’s eyes and chest as the dying doctor who blew the whistle on the Corona Virus outbreak.

And through mists he presents the terror of those fleeing in Chinese street uprisings during hideous lock downs.

Quietly chilling is when Chong faces straight forward and speaks to “the driver of the tank“ telling him he has a choice.

Returning to this iconic image, he is asking the “everyman” audience to listen to the truth and not to report him but to join the march to a

Performance Details: Until March 19

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

- Review by Maggie Morrison

Bearded

■ Bearded as advertised is ‘new’, ‘Aussie’, ’queer’. This show is a fun, vibrant, entertaining piece of musical theatre where notions of what constitutes a healthy relationship are explored from various viewpoints.

Sean Donehue (lyricist, composer, lead) is very talented. He wrote the music, the concept and starred in this ensemble. With co-writer Nick Waxman they have produced a show that has tears , laughter, clichés, originality.

There is a large cast with a great deal of movement in a very small space. This show needs room to fully appreciate the music. The band was great, yet tucked in the corner. The actors' large performances were too much so for this space.

There were times when the vocals were amazing, at other times requiring more practice or fine tuning to hit the right notes.

Most of the cast are young, everyone playing their role with conviction. The standouts in this production were Donehue (Ace) along with Michael Lindner playing Ace’s dad, David.

The moments these two shared brought tears. Lindner, a veteran of theatre, brought his wealth of knowledge and experience to use the intimate space by creating smaller moments. Both shined in their dramatic roles, creating real characters to empathise with.

With a larger venue this show would hit a high.

I would recommend it to anyone open minded as it does challenge the views of certain church groups in a sarcastic manner.

Well done to the entire cast, crew and creative team for putting together a show that celebrates all variety of love and friendship, with a feel good dancing in the aisle finale.

- Review by Elizabeth Semmel

Media Flashes

■ Rob Mills is guest speaker at the Marquee Entertainment Luncheon Club to be held at South Melbourne on Tuesday (Mar. 21). The club is convened by Jeff Joseph.

■ Claudia Long has been appointed the ABC’s first Digital and Social Politics Reporter, based in the Federal Parliament House Bureau. She will focus on political investigations and policies that have a particular impact on women and young people.

■ Ellen Leabeater has joined Southern Cross Austereo as Executive Producer (Audio Documentaries). She was previously Supervising Producer for Guardian Australia’s daily news podcast.

■ Mahmood Fazal has commenced a new role backfilling as a Reporter on Four Corners for the next six months. In this role, he will cover crime, policing, and the criminal justice system.

● ● ● ● Bill Nighy and Aimee Lou Wood in Living.

■ Anchored by a tour-de-force performance by Bill Nighy, Living is a wonderfully uplifting film about redemption and renewed hope.

A reimagining of the 1952 Akira Kurosawa film Ikaru, the film is set in 1953 London, a city still recovering from WWII

The central character of Mr Williams (Bill Nighy) is, at the beginning of the film, a cold straight-laced Whitehall bureaucrat seemingly in total control of his life and little office fiefdom.

Unfortunately, his world is turned upside down by a medical diagnosis that sees him re-evaluate his life and its purpose.

Working from the original Ikaru screenplay, prize-winning author Kazuo Ishiguro has crafted a beautiful script, one which enriches and enhances the original screenplay written by Kurasawa, along with Shinobu Hashimoto and Hideo Oguni (a screenplay which itself was partly inspired by Tolstoy’s novella The Death of Ivan Ilyich).

The action of the film is quite limited, as is the world it depicts, with the main emphasis being on character and character development.

Front and centre is the character of Mr Williams, played by Bill Nighy in a wonderful performance.

Nuanced and subtle in his portrayal of a man set in his ways suddenly finding himself struggling to make sense of life, the journey we are taken on is emotionally challenging but, ultimately, rewarding.

Nighy is more than ably supported by a great cast of character actors, with Aimee Lou Wood and Alex Sharp leading the way.

Oliver Hermanus directs with great sensitivity, steering clear of producing an overly sentimental weepie full of stereotypes and, instead, creating a film with great emotional depth and beautifully realised characters.

The world of 1953 London, and Whitehall in particular, is authentically recreated while the composer, Emilie Levienaise-Farrouch, has written a magnificent score.

A classic “small film with a big heart”, Living is a delightful life-affirming tale of one man’s attempt to leave a legacy behind him and, in so doing, finding significance and meaning in his life.

Duration: 102 minutes

Opens in Cinemas March 16.

- Review by Peter Murphy

One Song

■ The MSO, under the baton of Chief Conductor Jaime Martín, co-presents One Song: The Music of Archie Roach, featuring a stellar line-up of artists who draw on their connections to the Australian legend to bring new life to his iconic songs.

An evening of powerful song and sublime storytelling, One Song will celebrate the enormous legacy of Gunditjamara (Kirrae Whurrong/Djab Wurrung), Bundjalung Senior Elder, song man and storyteller, Archie Roach, as part of the MSO’s NAIDOC Week program.

Rachael Maza, Artistic Director of Ilbijerri Theatre Company, directs the live concert featuring Dan Sultan, Emma Donovan, William Barton, Jess Hitchcock, and more, while Deborah Cheetham Fraillon will conduct the Dhungala Children’s Choir.

One Song: The Music of Archie Roach Wednesday, July 5 - 7.30pm, Thursday July 6 - 7.30pm

Hamer Hall, Arts Centre Melbourne

● ● Register for a free digital edition of this newspaper: www.FreePaper.com.au

is cheap, gossip is priceless

● ● ● ● The Listies present Hamlet Prince of Skidmark. Photo: Daniel Boud happier, consultative China where art is used for good, not for propaganda.

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● ● ● ● Circus Oz

Shows

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

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

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

■ Torquay Theatre Troupe Inc: The Other Place (by Sharr White) March 16 – 25 at the Shoestring Playhouse @ The MAC, 77 Beach Rd., Torquay. Director: John Bishop. Bookings: trybooking.com

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

■ Warrandyte Theatre Company: Under the Table (by Sean Guy) March 17 – April 1 at 180 Yarra St., Warrandyte. Director: Louise Phelan.Bookings: www.trybooking.com/ CFMEX

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

■ Essendon Theatre Company: Puffs, or Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic (by Matt Cox) March 23 – April 1 at the Bradshaw St. Community Hall, Bradshaw St., Essendon. Director: Alexander Gibbs. Bookings: 0400 448 368

■ The 1812 Theatre: Shoehorn Sonata (by John Mistro) March 23 – April 22 at 3 Rose St., Upper Ferntree Gully. Director: Andrew Ferguson. Bookings: 9758 3964 www.1812theatre.com.au

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

■ Frankston Theatre Group: Things I Know to be True (by Andrew Bovell) March 24 – April 2 at 90-100 Canadian Bay Rd., Mt Eiza. Director: David Dodd. Bookings: frankstontheatregroup.org.au

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

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

Auditions

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

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

■ Malvern Theatre Company: The Whales of August (by David Berry) March 26 at 2.00pm, March 27 at 7.00pm at Malvern Theatre, 29 Burke Rd., Malvern. Director: Loretta Bishop. Audition enquiries: ljbishop@ iinet.net.au

CALLUM’S COMEDY

■ Comedian Callum Straford presents his new Melbourne International Comedy Festival show Callum Straford Nails Everything from April 3-9 at 5.30pm at The Butterfly Club.

In this 55 minute show, perfectionist Callum says he is ready transcend his flaws.

After reading one chapter of Eckhart Tolle’s The Power of Now, Callum is ready to present and enter the “doorway into enlightenment” in front of our very eyes.

Through sketch, song and stand-up, Nails Everything is said to be a show for those ready to embrace The Power of Now and "live a perfect life."

Teaming with Dramaturg Charlie Lewin (Best Newcomer Winner at MICF 2021), Callum Straford Nails Everything will take the audience through relatable situations.

Expect songs on the piano and ukulele, "razor-sharp crowd work, mesmerising and thought-provoking performance art and bewildering sketch comedy."

Straford says: “My goal in life has always been to be perfect at everything. Even though I can only cook tuna and rice and my Mum still does my clothes shopping, this seems like a reasonably achievable task.”

Performance Dates: April 3 - 9 at 5.30pm

Venue: The Butterfly Club, 5 Carson Place, Melbourne

Bookings: https://www.comedyfestival.com. au/2023/shows/callum-straford-nails-everything

- Cheryl Threadgold

Wolf Play

■ There are primal forces that transcend even family in Hansol Jung’s, Wolf Play. Sold on the internet by his former adoptive father, Peter (Charlie Cousin), to a lesbian couple, Robin (Jing-Xuan Chan) and Ash (Brooke Lee), a six year old’s inner self is given voice by Wolf (Yuchen Wang).

Robin’s brother, Ryan (Kevin Hofbauer) who is actually training Ash for her first professional boxing bout, also attempts to impose his sense of masculinity on the child.

Theatrically, Wolf breaks down the fourth wall engaging with and marvelling at how an audience accepts dramatic contrivances and emotionally commits to a story.

This is accentuated by a puppet substituting for the actual child’s presence. There are also parallel scenes with overlaying dialogue where Peter remonstrates with his wife about their decision, Ryan talks with his mother on the phone and Wolf provides us with facts about wolf packs.

In attempting to find a sense of belonging we often resort to instinctive desires that supersede ties with siblings and parents and even between individuals seeking a relationship.

Ash and Robin find their union tested by Wolf’s arrival, Ryan’s bravado comes unstuck and Peter’s guilt builds as he loses connection after what he has done.

The wolf trope is further added to by the boxing metaphor – Ash’s stylised bout on the kitchen table equally puppet life confirming the relevance of both.

Isabella Vadiveloo’s direction in making these forms coalesce works well. Daniel Nixon’s soundscape to harness different environments like the boxing arena works well and Harrie Hogan’s lighting deftly crafts necessary spaces all of which is essential given the limited stage

Go As A River

■ If you are a fan of the recent hit movie Where the Crawdads Sing, then you are going to be interested in Colorado author Shelley Read’s new novel Go As A River.

Set on a cool autumn day in 1948, Victoria Nash delivers late-season peaches from her family's farm set amid the wild beauty of Colorado, then heads into the village.

On the way, a dishevelled stranger stops to ask her directions. How she chooses to answer will unknowingly alter the course of both their young lives.

space. Sam Diamond’s plain blue set with white trim is simple, providing just enough presence to allow the actors their moment.

This is an actor’s play. We feel Peter’s remorse, Ryan’s uncertainty and follow how Ash and Robin negotiate the changing demands of their relationship now they have a child.

The evolution of them all is what convinces us of the primitive forces at play. The lynchpin is, of course, Wolf who is everyone’s focus but who still has to find his place in the pack.

Make the effort to see Red Stitch’s latest production. The concept, the performances and the theatricality should not be missed.

Red Stitch Actors Theatre. Until April 2

- Review by David McLean

Seussical Jr.

■ Seussical Jr. will be presented as a Diamond Valley Singers Youth production for eight performances from March 24-April 1 at the Warrandyte High School Theatre.

This family musical presented by performers aged eight to eighteen takes us into the world of Dr Seuss where familiar characters are revisited, including The Cat in the Hat, Horton the Elephant, Gertrude McFuzz, Lazy Mayzie, and JoJo

The Cat in the Hat guides us into the Jungle of Nool where we see Horton, the kind-hearted elephant, who discovers a speck of dust containing Whoville. He meets JoJo, a Who child reprimanded for thinking too many 'thinks' ... and the rest of the story can be seen on the stage of Warrandyte High School.

Co-director, Lexi Patman says: “I am excited to be co directing with Tommy Murphy, Seussical Jr with DVS. I have previously performed in Youth productions with DVS and have now come full circle.”

The motto of the Diamond Valley Singers is 'Acting locally and thinking globally', and proceeds from these performances will be donated to International Needs Australia and Open House in Macleod

Performance Venue: Warrandyte High School Theatre, Alexander Rd., Warrandyte. Dates and times: March 24, 31 at 7pm; March 25, 26, April 1 at 2pm and 6pm;

Bookings: www.trybooking.com/CDTLK

- Cheryl Threadgold

And that’s just the beginning of an intriguing story of split-second choices and courageous acts that propel Victoria away from the only home she has ever known and towards a reckoning with loss, hope and her own untapped strength.

Go As A River is the story of a young woman's journey to becoming, of love and loss, home and resilience, against the background of a deep connection to nature.

As Victoria gathers all the pieces of her small and extraordinary existence, and survives desire, heartbreak and betrayal, she will arrive at a single rocky decision that will change her life forever.

Described as a coming-of-age story and a drama of enthralling power, Go As a River combines beautifully drawn characters and a picturesque natural setting.

It’s a story of survival and becoming, touching on the deepest mysteries of love, truth and fate.

With our Easter break looming shortly, Go As A River would be a great way to spend the Easter weekend with your nose in a book that will transport you to another world.

Go As a River by Shelley Read is published by Penguin Random House and available online or at your favourite bookstore.

- Julie Houghton

Auditions

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

■ Warrandyte Theatre Company: The Glass Menagerie (by Tennessee Williams) March 19 at 4pm, March 21 at 8pm at the Warrandyte Mechanics’ Institute. Director: Grant Purdy. Audition bookings: www.warrandytehallarts.asn.au/theatre

■ Encore Theatre : The Popular Mechanicals (by Keith Robinson, Tony Taylor and William Shakespeare) April 2 at 3.30pm and April 3 at 7.30pm at Fleigner Hall, 31-39 Highland Ave., Oakleigh East. Director: Andrew Ferguson. Audition enquiries and bookings: afconsulting@bigpond.com

■ The 1812 Theatre: Of Mice and Men (by John Steinbeck) April 2 at 7.00pm at 3 Rose St., Upper Ferntree Gully. Director: Malcolm Sussman. Audition enquiries: 0417 141 803 fatters@bigpond.com

■ Malvern Theatre:The Third Act (by Emma Wood) April 2 at 2.30pm, April 3 at 7.30pm at Malvern Theatre, 29 Burke Rd., East Malvern. Director: Susan Rundle. Enquiries: theatre@psrundle.com, or 0416 298 136

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

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

Comedian Callum Straford

- Cheryl Threadgold

Shelley Read

● ● Kevin Hofbauer, Jing-Xuan Chan, Charlie Cousins and Yuchen Wang in Wolf Play.

FUN AND FIESTY JULIET

■ This play-within-a-play reworks Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare’s age-old tale of star-crossed lovers, into a cracking, all-singing, all-dancing jukebox rom-com.

Rob Mills as Shakespeare and Amy Lehpamer as his wife Anne Hathaway spark onstage, with Anne suggesting the reframe.

“Maybe she doesn’t kill herself just because he killed himself?”

After all, she argues, Juliet (Lorinda May Merrypor) has only known Romeo (Blake Appelqvist) for three days.

With her bestie May (Jesse Dutlow), her nurse Angelique (Casey Donovan), and Anne tagging along in disguise, the no longer lovestruck Juliet heads off on a road trip to Paris.

There the unlikely team crash a party and meet the shy Francois (Yashith Fernando) and his father Lance (Hayden Tee), and crash headlong into a love triangle, a resurrection, and a sweet boy-meets-boy romance.

The whole unrequited love shebang is peppered with Swedish ubersongwriter Max Martin’s effervescent pop tunes.

A live orchestra belt out earworm hits such as Katy Perry's Teenage Dream, Bon Jovi's It's My Life, Kelly Clarkson's Since U Been Gone, Britney’s Oops I Did It Again, and Back Street Boys I Want It That Way , revving the audience up throughout.

The cast give their all with energetic, spirited and infectious performances.

Lehpamer and Merrypor are standouts with well-deserved standing ovations for girl-power solos.

A great set by Soutra Gilmour, fabulous lighting by Howard Hudson, and first-rate costuming, including a fleur-de-lys codpiece by Paloma Young, add to the wacky, rollercoaster feel.

Fun and feisty, it pays not to overthink the story.

Instead, just sit back and enjoy the spectacle.

- Review by Kathryn Keeble

Community heritage grants

■ Aplications are now open for the 2023 Community Heritage Grants program.

The CHG program offers cash grants of up to $20,000 to community organisations. The grants support organisations to preserve and manage collections that have Australian cultural and historical significance.

“We continually see the benefits of the CHG grant program, as small, volunteer-run organisations work with professional assessors to better understand their collection and are then well placed to implement practical measures to care for the collections they

Pearl

■ (MA). 102 minutes. Opens in selected cinemas March 16.

Yet another film that received no love from the Academy Board, this opulent, beautifully realised horror/drama features one of the year’s best performances, one that deserved Oscar attention.

Mia Goth is outstanding as Pearl, a young woman struggling to find herself in Texas, circa 1918.

Kept under strict control on their isolated farm by her domineering mother, a German immigrant who has been totally twisted and psychologically deformed by WWI, and has to help care for her invalid father, who is mute and wheelchair bound due to a major stroke.

Pearl’s one love is the movies, which is able to transport her to other worlds.

● ● ● ● Juliet and Angelique: Lorinda Merrypor and Casey Donovan look after,’ said Fiona Clarke, Assistant Director, Collaboration Branch.

Since 1994, the CHG program has provided over $8.4 million in funding to more than 1600 projects nationally.

Last year, $420,097 was shared between 57 regional and community groups, including Tranby Aboriginal Co-operative Limited, Trafalgar Holden Museum, Queensland Braille Writing Association, Flinders Palaeontology, Mawson's Huts Foundation, Australian Academy of Science and the Ngurratjuta/Pmara Ntjarra Aboriginal Corporation and many others.

Historical societies, regional museums, archives and galleries are invited to apply, including Indigenous and multicultural organisations.

The grants enable groups to work with consultants to undertake significance assessments and preservation needs assessments and based on these reports, deliver preservation and conservation, collection management, and digitisation activities. Funding is also available for training workshops.

“Our message to new applicants –the most competitive applications are those that are well planned and convey the strengths of their collection and commitment of their organisation. We encourage applicants to read the guidelines and then speak to our CHG team at an early stage about their proposal,” Ms Clarke said.

General applications close midnight on Monday, May 8. Previous CHG program recipients have an extended deadline, with applications closing on Thursday, June 1.

To find out more and apply visit nla.gov.au/chg

CHG is funded by the Australian Government through the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communica-

tions and the Arts; National Library of Australia; the National Archives of Australia; the National Film and Sound Archive and the National Museum of Australia.

Media Flashes

■ Darren Ally has started as a Senior Producer at 7News Spotlight. He joins the program after working as a Producer for Warner Bros. Discovery and prior to that, as a Producer with 60 Minutes.

■ Nine’s talk radio stations have commenced the first of three internship rounds for 2023, focusing on content producers, social media and podcasting. Successful applicants will work alongside the Digital Audio teams, learning how to drive audiences through engaging social media content and work with the 9Podcasts team, creating content for listeners. The six-week internships are paid and will be offered at each metro station: Sydney’s 2GB, Melbourne’s 3AW, Brisbane’s 4BC and 6PR in Perth.

■ Marina Freri has made the switch from radio to television and joined the ABC's 7.30 program as an Interview Producer. She was most recently Journalism Manager for ABC Radio National.

■ Shelby Garlick has commenced at The Age as Digital Producer. Her role will also include homepage editing duties. Shelby joins from the Herald Sun where she was Night Homepage Editor.

■ Seven Network has confirmed Sydney will be the new home of the 63rd TV Week Logie Awards, with the event to be broadcast exclusively on Channel 7 on Sunday, July 30.

- Telum Australia

This growingly fractured mental state sees Pearl carrying out disturbing acts of violence against some of the farm animals, plus developing an odd bond with a large alligator that lives in the nearby river.

When she meets the town’s temporary projectionist, things take a dark turn indeed.

A prequel to X, which saw Pearl as an old woman wanting love and affection while tormenting a visiting adult film crew, was a great homage to 70’s exploitation cinema.

Pearl is presented as a lavish, Douglas Sirk type 1950’s melodrama, and the effect is both exhilarating and discomforting.

Gorgeously photographed and designed, director Ti West (who cowrote the script with star Goth), cleverly uses the lovely surface (a la David Lynch’s Blue Velvet) to explore the horrors hiding underneath.

The whole cast are good, but Goth (who also co-stars in Brandon Cronenberg’s upcoming Infinity Pool) is extraordinary, and thanks to both her and West, provide one of the most memorable final shots in cinema history.

I cannot wait for the concluding chapter, the 80’s set MaXXXine, which is due out this year.

RATING - ****½

History Of The World Part II

■ (M). Eight episodes. Now streaming on Disney+.

Having worked in many video rental stores (remember those?) over the decades, I repeatedly had to tell many customers from the Jewish community that History Of The World Part II didn’t exist, it was just a gag that finished off Mel Brooks’ 1981 comedy History Of The World Part I, a film that had

built up a strong cult following on VHS after a financially disappointing run in cinemas.

So it feels weird that after 42 years, Brooks (who returns as executive producer, co-writer and narrator) has finally been coaxed into doing an official follow-up, but the results are not pretty.

Segments (or brief moments) lampoon everything from The Civil War to Sigmund Freud, Harriet Tubman to the Russian Revolution, from Shirley Chisolm to Jesus and his disciples.

Some skits barely last a minute, while others are broken up into several chapters, even when the material isn’t working from the very beginning.

Sloppy in the extreme, this sketch series throws numerous ideas and historical situations at the viewer in lazy, machine gun fashion, but even given the hit-and-miss nature of the format, it is incredible how nothing comes close to hitting the bullseye.

Dispiriting and oppressively unfunny, this is like someone took the worst SNL skits and packaged them into one show.

Lots of familiar faces, but nothing works. Brooks’ original movie (***½) may not have been perfect, but it did provide plenty of decent laughs, with a cast (Brooks and his regulars, Spike Milligan, Pamela Stephenson, and a charming Gregory Hines in his feature film debut) that delivered the comedic goods.

RATING - *

- Aaron Rourke

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■ I vaguely remember watching the Our Gang short films at my local cinema in the late 1940s and I used to read the Our Gang comics.

It was a strong influence on young children and we formed gangs of our own so that we could play together, have fun and imitate the characters in the film series.

My favourite was Carl ‘Alfalfa’ Switzer because he had a funny strand of hair sticking up on top of his head.

The series was originally titled The Little Rascals but it was changed to Our Gang in 1938 over a copyright issue.

Carl Dean Switzer was born in Paris, Illinois, in 1927. As a child Carl and his older brother Harold sang in local shows.

In 1935 the boys were visiting their grandparents in California and wanted to see the studios where the famous Little Rascals series was filmed.

They did an impromptu performance of hillbilly songs and comedy at the studio cafeteria where they were spotted by the producer Hal Roach.

Roach was so impressed with the boys that he cast them in one of the short films.

Carl was given the name of ‘Alfalfa’ and Harold became ‘Deadpan’ or ‘Slim’.

Carl became a very popular character along with George ‘Spanky’ McFarlane, Billy ‘Buckwheat’ Thomas and Daria Wood.

It was the first time filmgoers saw children

Whatever Happened To ... Carl Switzer

By Kevin Trask of 3AW and 96.5 Inner FM

playing together without racial overtones. Although Carl was a fine singer Alfalfa would always sing “off key” to get a laugh.

Carl acted in 61 short films and was known throughout the world.

In 1941 Carl Switzer left the series at the age of 14.

Comedy, It’s a Wonderful Life, Going My Way, The Track of the Cat, White Christmas and The High and the Mighty.

Carl married Dian Collingwood in 1954 they had one child but the marriage only lasted for two years.

By 1956 he was reduced to playing an uncredited slave in The Ten Commandments.

Carl dreamed of making a big comeback but it

never happened. His friend Roy Rogers gave him a small role in his television series.

Carl’s last film role was in 1958 in The Defiant Ones which starred Tony Curtis and Sidney Poitier. He did earn a reasonable living working as a dog breeder and hunting guide with some notable clients such as Roy Rogers and James Stewart.

On the night of January 21, 1959, Carl had been drinking heavily at a bungalow home in the San Fernando Valley and got involved in an argument with a man over a payment of $50.

The argument turned into a fight and when Carl allegedly charged at the man with a knife he was shot in the stomach and died on arrival at the hospital.

The trial resulted in a verdict of “justifiable homicide” but there are some who think Carl was murdered and he only held an unopened pen knife. But after all this time who knows the real truth?

Carl Switzer was buried at Hollywood Memorial Park. He was only 31 – and like many famous child actors, Hollywood turned its back on him when he grew up. Kevin Trask Kevin can be heard on 3AWThe Time Tunnel - Remember WhenSundays at 10.10pm with Philip Brady and Simon Owens. And on 96.5 FM That's Entertainment - Sundays at 12 Noon. www.innerfm.org.au

EUROPEAN AUSTRALIAN CONNECTION

■ Buda Historic Home and Garden and Castlemaine State Festival are pleased to announce A European Australian Connection including prints inspired by the house and gardens of Busay itself.

Exhibition closes April 19.

The ContemporaryArt Society of Victoria is pleased to present an exhibition at the 2023 Melbourne International flower and Garden Show.

Exhibition hours: Wednesday March 29 and Thursday March 30 –9am-5pm.

Friday, March 31. – 9am – 9.30pm.

Saturday, April 1 – Sunday April 2. - 9am 5pm.

Venue: Royal Exhibition Building Carlton.

BUDA – A European Australian Connection

42 Hunter St, Castlemaine

At Ballarat

Pre-Raphaelites Drawings and Watercolours

from The Ashmolean Museum.

TheArt Gallery of Ballarat is about to present a special exhibition featuring works never before seenAustralia, from The Ashmolean Museum, Oxford, England, Pre- Raphaelite Drawings and Watercolours

Alongside, in a special double feature is an exhibition of historical and contemporary Australian artworks drawing from the influence of the PreRaphaelites, In the Company of Morris.

Few people have ever examined the large number of Pre-Raphaelite works on paper held in the Western Art Print Room at The Ashmolean. Even enthusiasts and scholars have rarely looked at more than a selection.

The Ashmolean has generously lent the Art Gallery of Ballarat artworks from their permanent collection and the exhibition makes it possible to see a wide range f these fragile works together for the first time in Australia in this exhibition which is exclusive to Ballarat.

Exhibition opens May 20 and closes August 6.

Art Gallery of Ballarat

40 Lydiard St. N., Ballarat Central

The Arts

Exhibition closes Saturday April 15. Boroondara Arts

360 Burwood Rd, Hawthorn

Woven Together

Contemporary Tapestried from the Australian Tapestry Workshop. Bunjil Place and the Australian Tapestry Workshop are opening an exhibition celebrating the outstanding contribution the ATW has made in the contemporary tapestry in Australia over the past four decades.

Delve deeper into the world of contemporary tapestry through a range of hands-on and conversation programs, adult and family weaving workshops. Exhibition closes April 23.

Bunjil Place

Harry’s fashions are contagious

with Peter Kemp

Art After Hours

Enjoy a Friday night feast for the senses at Art After Hours.

Pairing fantastic music with exquisite exhibitions and an after-hours vibe, this Friday night event provides a new way to experience art at Hawthorn Arts Centre.

Entry is free and gives you afterhours access to the Town Gallery exhibitions, live music and the Arts Bar.

The exhibition curators will also be close at hand to answer any questions so if you’ve been waiting for an opportunity to check out Hawthorn Arts Centre this is it!

Everyone is welcome after Art After Hours.

Exhibition opens Friday March 24 6.30pm – 7.30pm. Friday June 23. 5.30pm – 7.30pm.

Bookings unnecessary ★

Romancing the Streetscape is a group exhibition celebrating streetscapes and buildings of Melbourne and surrounds.

With the mastery of paint, the featured artists slip between direct observation and imagination, revealing their unique perspectives of urban existence and our shared experiences of places within this community.

Highly realistic and evocative images of inner city scenes reflect the romanticism often associated with traditional landscape painting.

2 Patrick Northeast Drive Narre Warren

- Peter Kemp

NIDA donation

■ Zareh Nalbandian , CEO of Animal Logic Entertainment, has made a personal donation of scholarship support to NIDA

The Animal Logic Entertainment Scholarships will help support students from under-represented backgrounds in the arts and entertainment industries with the cost of living and study expenses.

Zareh recently visited NIDA to meet the 2023 scholarship recipients and take a campus tour.

The scholarship recipients are Siann Lau, who began their 3-year Bachelor of Fine Arts Course Costume and Mehhma Malhi who is studying their 15-month Master of Fine Arts Directing course.

Future ALE scholarships will be available to the Master of Fine Arts Directing or Master of Fine Arts Writing for Performance for the 2024 and 2025 student intake.

Animal Logic Entertainment was established in Sydney by Animal Logic Founder and CEO Zareh Nalbandian. The Company is now completely independent with offices in Sydney and Los Angeles.

■ The whirlwind visit of the pop phenomenon, Harry Styles, had an amazing effect on some of the fashions he wore on stage. Major Melbourne retailers sold out of feather boas ,cowboy hats, even face glitter. Rumour is his cowboy hat was purchased from style icon, Bunnings.

Rockstar of the Seventies

■ Cast your mind back to the late seventies, there's a good chance you will recall Alby Mangels. Alby was the man of the moment, an untrained cine photographer who roamed the world filming wild animals in dangerous places, always in the company of leggy, bikini models. Then he disappeared for decades only to reappear early this year to arrange conversion of his epic adventure films to digital. Mission complete. Alby, now 75, plans to screen the 'World Life' series in outback theatres, but no sign of those iconic leggy ladies.

Familiar face on TV

■ You might do a double take when you see a TV commercial for Xero Online Platform. The surprise element is the presenter, you'll know the face, it's none other than Lee Lin Chin, presenter of SBS Weekend News from 1992 to retirement in 2018. During her time on TV she was nominated for several Logies.

Harold makes his return

■ The beloved Harold Bishop, played by Ian Smith, will be returning to the re-born cast when the new Neighbours soapie gets underway later this year. Harold will make guest appearances in the new episodes to be seen in Australia , UK and other countries.

Catriona takes to the air

■ TV travel reporter Catriona Rowntree ('Getaway' on Channel 9 ) has achieved a lifelong desire to become a non-commercial pilot. Catriona got her license through training with RAAUST.

Catriona, now 51, started her media career as a cub reporter on Simon Townsend's (remember Simon and his dog Woodrow) on WonderWorld ? Catriona currently appears in 'Getaway' and 'Country House Hunting' . - John O’Keefe

OK. With John O’Keefe

● ● Carl Switzer

● ● Harry Styles

Crossword No 7

Across Across Down Down

Ticket remnant

Happen 174. Periodic 177. Socially excluded 180. Anglican parish priest 183. In an unspecified way

Leaps over

Pencil rubber

Book publicity hype196. Ever

Of the sun

Musical pace

Peace offering, ... branch

Male sibling

Root vegetable

Sport, Rugby ...

Willingly

Powered bike

Portable light

Circuit-breaker 237. Leather strap 239. Golf club

Raise

perceptive

Crossroads

By Rob Foenander info@countrycrossroads com.au

Troy joins list

■ Aussie country music star Troy CassarDaley joins a star studded line up for the Gippsland Country Music Festival at Lardner Park Gippsland on Saturday, April 22.

Other A-listers will include Lee Kernaghan, Adam Brand, Beccy Cole, Sara Storerand others.

Food trucks, carnival rides and a boot tossing competition will add to the family friendly event.

More info and tickets at gippslandcountrymusicfestival.com

Richard at Palais

■ Popular French pianist Richard Clayderman will perform at St Kilda’s Palais Theatre on April 19.

Regarded as one of the world’s most successful piano players, his catalogue includes 290 Gold and 90 Platinum albums plus concerts in excess of 2500 around the world.

Peninsula Folk

■ Green Fieldz with Sally Carter and Keith Rea will be the guest performers at the Peninsula Folk Club on April 2 at Frankston Bowls Club, commencing 6.30pm.

Blazing fiddle, ukulele and wild guitar along with soaring vocals and harmonies is what’s being promised.

The popular Jam Sessions kick off at 5.30pm.

- Rob Foenander

YVONNE LAWRENCE DIES AT 85

■ One of the popular Melbourne Observer columnists of years past, Yvonne Lawrence, has died at age 85.

Yvonne was best known for her work as a broadcaster, mostly on talk station 3AW.

Yvonne’s early years were in the Mildura region, where she was raised by her grandmother.

She was involved in the retail shopping centre sector, as a manager for outlets such as Eastland, Whitehorse Plaza (Box Hill) and Greensborough.

Yvonne had worked as a copywriter at 3AW, but was encouraged by manager Bob Quinn to go on air as one of the after-midnight girls.

Her overnight colleagues included Caryl Browne and Cecile Blackman.

Yvonne took on weekend evening shifts at 3AW, and pioneered with the Matchmaker and Sexually Speaking programs.

Her 3AW days came to an end in the late 1990s when Program Director Steve Price re-organised the host line-up.

Yvonne went on to work at 3AK led by Mal Garvin for a short while. Like many of the other presenters on the station, she went unpaid for much of her work.

Yvonne then presented her Life and Style program on community station 3WBC-FM at Box Hill.

One of her favourite past-times was running monthly luncheons at Glencoe Restaurant, with celeb-

Crossword Solution No 7

rity guests including Greg Evans, Baby John Burgess, Keith McGowan, Simon Owens, Muriel Cooper and John-Michael Howson.

Her weekly columns in the Melbourne Observer were a favourite amongst readers.

She was fearless in covering all subjects, often taboo topics.

Yvonne and partner Peter Bedwell held a lifetime interest in antiques and collectables.

Listener Damian O’Brien said:

“So sad to hear that Yvonne passed away, I can remember having met her many years ago at the Glencoe and also I remember her columns that she used to write in the Melbourne Observer and her having mentioned me in one of her editorials from a letter I sent in to her column in the Melbourne Observer many years ago.

“I also fondly remember listening to Yvonne on 3AW all those years ago and reading her editorials in the Melbourne Observer.

“A lovely lady who bought a smile to many of her 3AW listeners of a Saturday night. RIP Yvonne, you will be sadly missed.”

Retired newspaper executive Robert Bradley swaid: “he certainly called a spade a spade and expected perfection. If there was an error in an ad she certainly let you know about it and then moved on to the ad for next week. A great shopping centre manager sadly gone.”

● ● Yvonne L awrence

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Stateside with Gavin Wood in West Hollywood

AFL ABOUT TO BOUNCE THE BALL FOR 2023

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

Welcome home Alastair

■ Alastair Thomas Clarkson is an Australian Rules football coach and former player, who is currently the head coach of the North Melbourne Football Club

He was previously the head coach of the Hawthorn Football Club in the Australian Football League from 2005 to 2021 where he won four premierships.

Hailing from the small Victorian town of Kaniva, Clarkson played 11 seasons of AFL football, nine for North Melbourne (1987–1995) followed by two for Melbourne (1996–1997). He played 134 games in total, playing either in the midfield or on the half-forward flanks.

He was appointed his first senior AFL coaching role at the Hawthorn Football Club for the 2005 season, when the Hawks appointed Clarkson to lead their rebuilding phase.

While his side could only manage five wins in his debut season, finishing 14th, 2006 saw the side improve, winning their last four games in a row and taking them to 11th spot on the ladder.

The Hawks continued to improve in 2007, winning 13 games and finishing fifth on the premiership table. This took them into the finals, where they eliminated Adelaide in the Elimination Final, before being eliminated themselves in the Semi Final against North Melbourne.

On May 13, 2008, the Hawthorn Football Club announced that Clarkson had signed a contract until the end of 2011. In 2008 Clarkson took the Hawks to second place on the ladder in the home and away season, behind Geelong, a team who lost only a single game during that period.

After defeating the Western Bulldogs and then St Kilda to qualify for the Grand Final, he then coached the Hawks to what many believed was impossible: a Grand Final win over the dominant 2008 Geelong Cats

The 2008 premiership is the pinnacle of his career, completing a meteoric rise in his tenure as coach at Hawthorn, and in doing so, Clarkson became the only coach to ever lead his sides to a premiership in both the AFL/VFLand the SANFL, in the well over 100 years existence of both leagues

Southwest troubles

■ The most immediate question: How far will Southwest go to do right by passengers seeking reimbursement and other compensation for their travel trouble?

It has repeatedly pledged to cover all reasonable expenses, including flights, hotels, car rentals and other costs incurred by those whose travel plans were messed up, some repeatedly.

Southwest has refused to publicly define reasonable, arguing that individual circumstances vary widely. That leaves a lot of room for interpretation and potential for stinginess and bureaucracy.

Anyone who has ever submitted receipts for a lost or delayed bag on any airline knows resolving it can be as painful as an IRS audit.

Brazen thieves

■ Manhattan’s trendiest tourist-packed neighbourhoods have become increasingly terrorized by brazen thieves who are leaving shop workers stymied and scared.

Grand larcenies, or thefts of $1000 or more, have soared up to over 60 per cent in Gotham precincts in the past year, according to the latest NYPD stats and some business owners blame the state’s lax bail laws for dumping suspects back on the streets to strike again.

“There’s a true belief out there among criminals that they’re going to get away with it,” said Jim Giddon, whose Rothmans men’s clothing store in Gramercy was once robbed twice in about a week by the same gang. The grand-larceny crisis is so bad that Mayor Eric Adams held a “summit’’ with business leaders at Gracie Mansion earlier this month to deal with the spike in retail thefts, although sources said he left the two-hour powwow after about 20 minutes.

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

Out and About Fitness

study

■ Many gyms and health clubs seem to be filling up again with people eager to return to their old routines and communities or just to get in shape, at the same time that new Omicron variants are pushing COVID infections up. So, how safe is it to go back to the gym? Put another way, how many microscopic aerosol particles are the other cyclists in your spin class breathing out into the room? How many is the runner on the nearby treadmill spewing forth? A small study about respiration and exercise published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences provides some rather startling answers. The study looked at the number of aerosol particles 16 people exhaled at rest and during workouts. These tiny bits of airborne matter measuring barely a few hundred micro meters in diameter, or about the width of a strand of hair, and suspended in mist from our lungs can transmit coronavirus if someone is infected, ferrying the virus lightly through the air from one pair of lungs to another. The study found that, at rest, the men and women breathed out about 500 particles per minute. But when they exercised, that total soared 132-fold, topping out above 76,000 particles per minute, on average, during the most strenuous exertion.

Celebrity bail reform

Gavin Wood

■ A California bail reform group backed by A-list celebrities has shut down after being sued for releasing a serial criminal who less than a week later tried to murder a waiter in Las Vegas The Bail Project , whose supporters include Danny Glover, John Legend and Richard Branson announced it discontinued its operations due to restructuring in early December. Its closure comes after it posted a $3000 bond for burglary suspect Rashawn Gaston-Anderson in December 2021. Six days later, Gaston-Anderson shot Chengyan Wang 11 times in Chinatown. In a plea deal, the 24-year-old was convicted of attempted robbery and mayhem, both with deadly weapon enhancements.

Prison phone calls

■ US Congress recently passed the Martha Wright-Reed Just and Reasonable Communications Act of 2022. The act, which now just needs President Biden’s signature, will allow the Federal Communications Commission to regulate the rates of prison phone calls. Here’s why that’s a big deal. The prison phone call industry generates $1.4B each year. The Prison Policy Initiative pins the average cost of a 15-minute phone call from jail at $3. That doesn’t include all the other fees associated with these calls, including setting up and adding funds to required prepaid accounts. In 63 per cent of cases, inmates’family members shoulder these bills. Among them, 83 per centare women. According to the Ella Baker Centre, over a third of paying families go into debt over the calls. Historically, the FCC has limited the cost of cross-state phone calls to 21 cents per minute for prepaid calls. Problem is, 80 per centof these calls are made in-state. With the passing of this bill, the FCC will be able to cap in-state prices. “Today, the FCC will be granted the authority to close this glaring, painful, and detrimental loophole in our phones rate rules for incarcerated people,” FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel said.

Eggs becoming expensive

■ Eggs are outta control, with prices up a whopping 49 per cent this year. In perspective: Bureau of Labour Statistics data shows the average US price of a dozen large, Grade A eggs were $3.59 in November. Last November, you would’ve paid $1.72. Why? There are a few compounding factors scrambling up prices, but the biggest is bird flu. You can eat an egg laid by a hen with bird flu, but most chickens will die if infected. This year, 57.7m+ poultry birds have been infected, the worst outbreak in US history. Additionally: The cost of chicken feed is up. People still eat eggs when prices rise, driving the prices even higher, Daniel Sumner, a professor of agricultural economics at the University of California, Davis, told Marketplace. Egg prices also spiked in 2015. Why? Again, bird flu. It’s not just the US. For example: In Britain, egg prices are up due to bird flu, plus the war in Ukraine driving up energy and chicken feed prices.

● ● ● ● Pictured at the “Welcome Home to North Melbourne Football Club” function are former NMFC Director Alan Johnson with coach AlAstair Clarkson.

● ● Ramada Hotel and Suites, West Hollywood.

■ Top middle-distance star Alligator Blood is the one to beat, come the All-Star Mile to be run at Moonee Valley this Saturday (Mar. 18).

A winner of over $6 million in stakemoney, he has really hit his straps since joining the Gai Waterhouse-Andrew Bott combination.

At his last outing he defeated the Hayes runner, Mr Brightside, in good style in the Futurity Stakes over 1400 metres at Sandown on February 25.

Top rider, Blake Shinn, has stuck with the six-year old by former top contender, All Too Hard.

In his races he has the ability to lead, or sit off the pace, but the 1600 metres at the Valley, will suit his front running style.

In second spot in the market are I’m Thunderstruck and Mr Brightside, both at good each way quotes.

I thought I’m Thunderstruck was a bit disappointing in the Futurity , and looks like he wants further, maybe around the 2000-metre mark.

However, who is complaining, as he has accumulated over $8 million is stakemoney, winning seven of his 22 starts, with eight minor placings, but hasn’t won for a while.

He wasn’t suited by the 1400 metres of the Futurity, and will be hard to beat here.

TOP FIELD TO CONTEST ALL-STAR MILE Ted Ryan

Mr Brightside, I feel is a little behind in class behind the top two, although he tries hard.

Prepared by the Hayes team of Ben and J.D. Hayes, he has already won over $3 million in earnings, a figure that warrants his consistency.

He will be in it for a long way, but I feel the others like those mentioned before him seem to have the wood on him.

The up and coming star, I Wish I Win, a four-year-old, with leading trainer Peter Moody, is a star on the horizon, having shown his class especially at his last start.

He tackled the 1000 metres of the Black Caviar Lightning Stakes up the straight 1000 metres at Flemington in a good field.

The flying filly. Coolangatta, won the Lightning in good style, but the run of the race was that of I Wish I Win.

He came from second last of the 11 runners, to flash home, and go down by about a neck.

He finished in front of top sprinters like the world’s top rated Nature Strip, Bella Nipotina, and Marabi.

He is now moving up to 1600 metres, and a bigger task here with the likes as previously spoken about.

Moody is confident the son of former Cox Plate winner, Savabeel, is all class, and will show it come All Star Mile day.

Then there is Gentleman Roy, a consistent performer, and was hard at It, as they came at him passing the 300 metres mark from home.

The class also told a bit, with the outsider, Nonconformist, getting up to run second at good odds.

Gentleman Roy will have his work cut out in the All-Star Mile, with the quality of the field that will contest the classic.

Next is the ex-France galloper, Alenquer , who is now with leading Flemington trainer, Mike Moroney.

Golfers-Jockeys Day

■ Just a reminder of the big Golf Day at Woodlands Golf Club in Mordialloc this coming Monday (Mar. 20), with tee-off time at just after 12 noon.

Proceeds go to the National Jockeys Trust and the Woodlands Golf Club Trust.

A number of leading jockeys including Damien Oliver will be playing.

There are a number of top racing people playing along with various players from all over town.

Players can strike it rich with a hole in one on the 17th, a chance to win a new Mazda Six , courtesy of Brighton Mazda, through the Executive-Principal, A ndrew Stott, and Peter Finch.

Players can also win a further $10,000, on two occasions, on the fifth hole of the picturesque course.

The winners on the day will be guests of the Moonee Valley Racing Club at their Feehan Stakes, plus the winner’s names will be engraved on the masterpiece.

One that is smart on his day is the James Cummings trained good galloper, Cascadian, who won the Doncaster over this distance in 2021.

He has challenged the best and done well, he recently finished fifth behind Artorious in the Canterbury Stakes over 1300 metres at Randwick.

Others who made the field include Nugget, Tuvalu, and The Inevitable.

Then you have Law of Indices, who goes all right, Aegon goes well on his day.

My Oberon at odds could run well.

One that is racing well is Pounding, from the Peter Moody camp, and will run a big race.

Overall, I am sticking with Alligator Blood, I’m Thunderstruck, I Wish I Win and Alenquer.

I will have the pleasure of interviewing two special guests on the day.

First up will be the grandson of former toptrainer, Ray Hutchins, who was one of the pioneer trainers in the early days at Mordialloc Darren Hutchins will join me for a chat about the top trainer in his racing days.

Then I will be joined by leading writer, journalist and accountant, John Macnaughtan, who has studied the history of the Epsom Race Track and the start of the Woodlands Golf Club. He is in the throes of a new book, after his best seller about the Leviathan Punter of yesteryear, Eric Connolly.

I am looking forward to having a good chat with both gentlemen.

- Ted Ryan

He had good form in France, but it is hard to have him first up, over the straight over 1200 metres.

But Moroney has proved again and again, that he can have them cherry ripe first up.

at Ladbrokes Park Lakeside Racecourse on February 25.

Photo by Scott Barbour/Racing Photos.

Makybe Diva Stakes at Flemington Racecourse on September 10.

Photo by Reg Ryan/Racing Photos.

SMALL FIELDS AT STAWELL MEETING

■ Stawell started the week off on March 6 with an eight event card which attracted unusually small fields throughout the day.

Local trainer/driver/part-owner Jason Ainsworth’s 4Y0 Danny Bouchea-Bellerina Spur mare Daisy Bouchea opened the program by taking the 2180 metre Buy Tickets For Powercor Stawell Gift Trotters Mobile.

Restrained from gate five to settle five pegs as the favourite Carnera led Willdomxav (gate two) after a tussle, Daisy Bouchea after easing away from the inside to race exposed for the final circuit raced past the leader prior to the home turn, holding off a determined challenge on turning by Willdomxav which was momentarily held up when Carnera gave ground, Daisy Bouchea scored easily at the finish by 8.7 metres in a mile rate of 2-04.5 from Willdomxav, with The Sergent (four pegs – one/one at bell) third 3.4 metres away.

■ Ten year old Bettors Delight-Romador gelding Kempseys Delight (Denbeigh Wade) having start number 201 after racing at Boort the day before, led all of the way from the pole to defy all challengers and win comfortably by 5.6 metres in the 1785 metre McIvride Family Pace, accounting for Summerhill (three pegs from gate three) and Aerodyne Guy (gate four – one/two –three wide last lap) which was a nose away. The mile rate 2-03.3. It was Kempseys Delight’s 11th success.

■ Burrumbeet trainer David Barbetti combined with Michael Bellman to land the Carey Covers Pace over 1785 metres with Littleblabbermouth, a 4Y0 daughter of Tell All and Turbo Elly.

Restrained from outside the front line to settle three back along the markers, Littleblabbermouth after receiving a late split as the winning post came into view, sprouted wings to blouse Straight Up (one/two) which looked all over a winner coming with a timely finish. Iamawingate which led on turning after racing uncovered from outside the front line was third. The margins 1.9 metres by a half neck in a mile rate of 2-01.1.

Trotting features

■ Shepparton was Tuesday’s venue with a massive twelve race program including two interesting trotting races.

Elmore breeder/owner/trainer Jenny Johnson’s 4Y0 Creatine-Singing Creek gelding Its Diamond Creek returned to the winners list for the first time since May last year when victorious in the Your Sold Real Estate Trotters Mobile over 2190 metres.

Driven by Lisa Miles, Its Diamond Creek (gate three) enjoyed a sweet passage trailing the leader Lucky Speed (gate four) before being checked in the last lap when Sunny Spider after racing exposed ran to the front, but was a sitting target after doing it tough.

Extricated four wide in the straight, Its Diamond Creek ran on best to prevail by 3.6 metres over Little Tedey (one/one) which nearly caused a complete blow out at odds of $151. Calders Day Out after a slow beginning from gate three on the second line switched down to the sprint lane from mid-field to finish third 4 metres away. The mile rate 2-02.8.

■ Local trainer Clive Dalton landed the Cottrells Electrical Trotters Handicap over 2190 metres with 7Y0 Imperial Count-Bacardi Jade mare Imperial Countess with Nathan Jack in the sulky.

Quickly away from barrier four to settle three pegs after Hateitwhenyourrite crossed Aldebaran Jaytee (barrier three) following a battle, Imperial Countess ($14.00) was given a cosy trip and after gaining a split halfway up the running, scored by 6.4 metes from Aldebaran Jaytee, with Yankee Lover (one/one at bell) third 1.1 metres away third.

Twenty metre backmarker Easy Pickings appeared to have the race in his keeping when surging clear in the straight, but went off stride shortly after. The mile rate 2-04.9. It was Imperial Countess’ first victory since September 2021. ■ Four year old Betting Line-My Major Rocket mare Younggiftedandblack was a deserved winner after some excellent runs of late in the Jims Diggers Pace over 2190 metres for Melton duo Sonya Smith and Anthony Butt.

Going forward mid-race to race in the open from the bell, Younggiftedandblack kept on giving all the way up the running to prevail by a half

Harness Racing

Beaumont Tiles 3Y0 Maiden Pace over 1750 metres. Going forward from gate five, Miki Pins was able to cross Renegade Outlaw (gate three) running into the first turn and proceeded to run her rivals ragged, greeting the judge by 8 metres over Renegade Outlaw which battled on well. Eye See Philtra which broke shortly after the start before settling three pegs raced exposed for the last lap when finishing third 1.5 metres away. The mile rate 1-58.7.

10 races at Bendigo

len-baker@ bigpond.com

head over Shaq (one/two) returning a mile rate of 1-59.7. Bettor Sport (one/one) was third 4.4 metres away.

Night of nights

■ It was presentation night at Swan Hill on Wednesday March 8 as part of an even eight race program which included the annual Keil Tiling 2023 Blue Pearl Classic restricted to female reinspersons over a distance of 2240 metres and it was Codi Rauchenberger, part of the Greg Fleming (Moorilim) training operation taking the honours on what was a ‘night of nights’ for her finishing with three winners. Greg himself originally being from the area.

■ Three year old Rock N Roll Heaven-Shes Magnetic gelding Viking being the victor for trainer David Moran who is stable foreman.

Burning away from gate six to lead, Viking toyed with his rivals to record a 6.9 metre margin in 1-56.9 over Coco Beach (three wide last lap) from the rear, with Yapper (three pegs – three wide home turn) third a half neck away. By winning, Codi received a pearl bracelet valued at $1000.

■ Greg Fleming also trained a double on the night – Machs Last and Mauries Bonus as did Woorinen’s Joe Costa – Bella Abby and Star Shine. Machs Last, a 4Y0 daughter of Mach Three and Samantha Chloe led throughout from gate three in the Holt’s Mitsubishi Battlers In The Bush Maiden Pace over 2240 metres to account for first starter Starzinhereyes trained at Concongella by Owen Martin which ran home late (four wide on the final bend) from the tail, with Epic Orion third 1.9 metres back after trailing the winner from the pole. The mile rate 203.1.

Five year old Pet Rock-Perfect Bonus gelding Mauries Bonus named after Greg’s late father was strong in winning the Noah And Wren Keil Pace over 1750 metres.

Despite racing uncovered throughout, Mauries Bonus (gate four) surged past the leader Lady Lani on turning to gain the day by 4.3 metres from Im Shadow Boxer (four wide home turn) from the tail returning a slick mile rate of 1-54.4. All Da Rage was third 9.6 metres away after following the winner.

■ Joe Costa’s 4Y0 Betterthancheddar-Live In Abby mare Bella Abby after racing exposed from outside the front line in the 2200 metre RLA Battlers In The Bush Maiden Pace dropped down to trail the pacemaker Royal Edard (gate five) in the last lap before striding past him to take over on turning and score by 3.1 metres over Im Stuck Man (one/one – three wide home turn) in a rate of 2-00.1.

Sky Full Of Stars (four wide last lap from the trail) was third 3.9 metres away. Five year old Sunshine Beach-Divine Lady mare Star Shine (gate four) eased three wide off a one/one trip approaching the home turn to blouse Ruth Arthur’s death-seating Maxy Wants To Play by a half head in the 1750 metre Kiel Family Pace returning a mile rate of 1-57.5. Caribbean Magic was third 1.6 metres back after trailing the weakening leader Shaded. Both winners were driven by Ararat’s Michael Bellman.

■ Narrandera duo Ellen Bartley (trainer) and Blake Jones (driver) made the approximate eight hour round trip with Always B Miki-Pretty Pins gelding Miki Pins who was an easy winner of the

■ Bendigo also held a ten race card on Thursday including five trotting races. Longlea’s Paul and Rebecca Morrissey were successful with home bred Centurion Alm-Canadian Dream filly Centurian Dream trained by Rebecca in the 1650 metre Forty Winks 2Y0 Maiden Trot from the standing start with all runners making their race debut.

Driven by Michael Bellman, Centurian Dream stepped cleanly from barrier three to trail the leader and favourite Star Of Patrick (barrier two) only to go off stride running into the first turn losing valuable ground to settle three back along the markers with the rest of the field all galloping.

Gradually making up the leeway to tack on three pegs, Centurion Dream came away from the inside to follow Hestuffenough which had moved off the back of the leader in the last lap.

Giving chase to the pair approaching the final bend when Hestuffenough galloped under pressure, Centurion Dream ran home stylishly to record a 4.3 metre margin over Star Of Patrick returning a mile rate of 2-08.4. Magic Law was third 70.5 metres away. It was Mick Bellman’s 5th winner for the week.

■ The 1650 metre Aldebaran Park Trotters Mobile went the way of 6Y0 Andover Hall-Access To Success gelding Itsallandover in a rate of 2-00.4 for local father and son combination of Justin and Jayden Brewin.

Enjoying a beaut trip from gate six following the leader Kyvalley Surfrider (gate three), Itsallandover after moving away from the back of the pacemaker on the home turn, dashed away to score by 20.1 metres in advance of Tension Seeker (three pegs), with Jessies Son third 9.3 metres away after racing exposed.

■ Ardmona owner/trainer/driver Donna Castles snared the Haeuslers Echuca Trotters Mobile over 1650 metres with ever reliable Bacardi Lindy-Im Tina Turner 7Y0 mare Dances.

Spearing away from gate six to lead, Dances bowled along at her leisure, giving her rivals the slip on the home turn to record an easy 14.2 metre victory (her 9th in 83 outings) from a deathseating Rioterra in a rate of 2-01. Supplanter (four pegs – four wide last lap) was third 3.5 metres away.

■ Another all the way winner was Stawell partowner/trainer Ray Harvey of The Penny Drops fame who landed the Smartline Mortgage Advisers Maiden Trotters Mobile over 2150 metres.

Driven by ‘Herbie’ Herbertson, Lady Be Lucky at start number ten led most of the way from gate six, accounting for Hurricane Jane (one/one) by 6.5 metres in a rate of 2-05.3. Shez Majestic (three wide from the rear to race parked) battled on gamely for third a head away.

■ The 1650 metre TLC Carpentry Trotters Mobile saw Merrigum trainer/driver Luke Bryant successful aboard 7Y0 Andover Hall-Shez Allrighty mare Violetta Gift.

Given the run of the race from gate three trailing the poleline leader Aldebaran Maverick, Violetta Gift after moving outside the leader on the top turn raced clear in the straight to greet the judge by 6.6 metres from Black And Gold (one/two – three wide last lap), with Speedy Lover making up plenty of ground for third 2.6 metres back after galloping shortly after the start. The mile rate 1-59.6.

■ Twenty one year old Tasmyn Potter the daughter of Wayne would have been ‘over the moon’ after driving her first winner at her fourth attempt aboard the Connor Crook (Kialla) trained Shadow Play-Sassy Seelster 4Y0 mare All So Classy in the Simonds Homes Bendigo Pace over 2150 metres, leading throughout from gate five to run out a 4.9 metre victor from

Sulky Snippets Sulky Snippets

This Week

■ Wednesday – Yarra Valley/Bendigo, Thursday – Geelong, Friday – Shepparton, Saturday – Melton, Sunday – Ouyen (Cup)/ Cranbourne, Monday – Maryborough, Tuesday – Kilmore.

Keayang Alex (one/three) and Follow The Eclipse who was 9 metres away third. The mile rate 1-59.2.

Geelong winners

■ The feature race at Geelong on Friday was the $24,000 Hoyts Foods Geelong Rocket over the true 1609 metre journey taken out by the Jess & Greg Sugars team with much travelled 9Y0 Rock N Roll Heaven-Atomic Gold gelding

A GS White Socks which qualified for the 2019 Auckland Inter Dominion Grand Final.

Driven by Greg, A GS White Socks was eased at the start from gate five to settle momentarily three back in the moving line as the raging hot favourite Curly James led from the pole.

Going forward racing for the bell to race outside the hot pot for the final circuit, A GS White Socks raced clear over the concluding stages to score by 1.9 metres in a mile rate of 1-55 from Curly James who was most disappointing, with Tangoingwithsierra third 3.3 metres away after using the sprint lane. It was A GS White Socks’ 14th success in 92 outings.

■ Teesdale trainer Geoff Smith combined with Jayden Barker who has only r ecently severed ties with the David Miles stable to lead all of the way from the pole aboard 5Y0 Auckland Reactor-Baji Bromac gelding Sir Floyd in the 1st Heat of the Southern Cross Feeds Sprint Series over 1609 metres.

Allowed to set the tempo, Sir Floyd making his 7th race appearance was never headed, greeting the judge by 3.1 metres over Machavelli which trailed, with Go Accused third a half neck away after trailing the pair. The mile rate 159.3.

■ It was a Sunraysia trifecta to the $18,800 Rocky Baker Memorial Broken Hill Pacing Cup over 2500 metres at Broken Hill on Friday, with Irymple trainer/driver Boris Devcic’s 4Y0 For A Reason-Lara Croft gelding Buster Reason after trailing the pacemaker Yoursnmine blousing him by a half head.

Colerne was third 12.1 metres away after a one/one passage. Red Cliffs trainer Reece Moore trained second and third. The mile rate 2-05.2.

- Len Baker

News Extra

Emergency lane driver charged

■ Police arrested and charged an unlicensed driver in Sunshine on Friday (Mar. 10) after they were spotted speeding and dangerously overtaking cars in an emergency lane. Police Airwing spotted a red hatchback travelling eastbound on the Western Freeway in Deanside about 1.45pm.

The hatchback was allegedly driving at speeds of up to 180kmh, dangerously overtaking vehicles in the emergency lane.

Numerous triple zero (000) calls were received from concerned members of the public as Air Wing continued to follow the vehicle to Ballarat Rd at speeds of up to 130kmh.

The vehicle, driven by a 41-year-old man from Melton South, was intercepted at the intersection of Duke St and Ballarat Rd in Sunshine.

with Len Baker

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Land Acquisition and Compensation Act 1986

AMENDMENT TO NOTICE OF ACQUISITION COMPULSORY ACQUISITION OF INTEREST IN LAND

In accordance with the Land Acquisition and Compensation Act 1986 (Vic), the Minister for Environment amends the Notice of Acquisition dated 27 January 2023 and published in the Victoria Government Gazette on 27 January 2023 (No. S 19), by deleting the words “The Minister for Climate Action” and substituting the words “The Minister for Environment” so that the first paragraph of the notice reads:

“The Minister for Environment (formerly the Minister for Environment and Climate Action) (Minister) declares that by this notice it acquires the following interests in the part of the land described as Lot 8 on Plan of Subdivision LP79325 and contained in Certificate of Title Volume 8705 Folio 258, which is shown as Reserve 1 on proposed Plan of Subdivision PS906422X (6.539 ha) and depicted below.”

Published with the authority of the Minister. For and on behalf of the Minister

Signed: SARAH CRUTE

Name:Sarah Crute Director, Suburban Parks Program Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action

Date:20 February 2023

Postal: PO Box 1278, Research, 3095

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