The Local Paper. Mitchell-Strathbogie Edition. Wed., Feb. 26, 2025

UNANIMOUS VOTE FOR MAYOR TO QUIT

Former boss Overland at meeting

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● Whittlesea Mayor Cr Aidan McLindon with CEO Craig Lloyd at last week’s Council meeting ■ Whittlesea Councillors voted unanimously last Tuesday night (Feb. 18), calling on Mayor Cr Aidan McLindon to immediately resign.

This follows allegations that Cr McLindon has committed multiple breaches of the Councillor Model Code of Conduct. The subject was raised after a petition from the public was presented to the Council meeting calling for Cr McLindon to resign. Cr Lawrie Cox said that the petition contained 1335 signatures.

Cr McLindon vacated the chair as discussion commenced on the motion. He returned to the Council Chambers after the vote, quipping: “It feels like a wake.”

The petition came after Cr McLindon, only weeks after being appointed as Mayor, stood as a candidate for the Werribee by-election. In a shaky performance at the Council meeting, Cr Christine Stow noted that it was anyone’s right to stand for election.

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● ● ● ● Just when you thought politics couldn’t get any crazier at Whittlesea Council … Guess who was spotted in the public gallery at last week’s Council meeting? Pictured is Simon Overland, former CEO of Whittlesea Council (2017-2019) and former Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police. Mr Overland was removed from the municipal CEO position following a Whittlesea City Council meeting on December 10, 2019, a week before his scheduled appearance at the Royal Commission into the Management of Police Informants. It is not clear why Mr Overland was in attendance at South Morang on Tuesday night. He retired as General Manager of Burnie City Council (Tas.) last November. If he had have wanted to have remained low profile, he could have viewed the meeting on live streaming in the privacy of his own home. Perhaps he wanted to see some of the recycled Councillors who themselves were sacked in March 2020 by the Victorian State Government? Or maybe he is eyeing Craig Lloyd’s $390,000-a-year Whittlesea Council CEO position? At Whittlesea, stranger things have happened.

Deputy Mayor Cr Daniela Zinni took the chair for discussion. One person loudly interjected on several occasions, with Cr Zinni reading warning statements, and then calling for that person to be removed.

Cr Cox said that the Council needed to learn from the mistakes of 2020, when it was dismissed by the State Government.

Cr Martin Taylor, of South Morang Ward, who moved the original motion, said that residents had lost faith in Cr McLindon’s ability to carry out of his duties.

Public confidence had been undermined. Matters of integrity and accountability were at stake, and the position of Mayor was not just a title.

“People need a Mayor who they can trust.”

The final motion voted upon by Councillors was that Council:

■ Pursuant to the provisions of the Local Government Act 2020 (Victoria) resolves to pass a vote of no confidence in the Mayor, Cr Aidan McLindon, citing of (a) the Councillor Model Code of Conduct; and (b) public confidence in both the position of Mayor and the broader Whittlesea City Council

■ Calls for the immediate resignation of Cr Aidan McLindon from the office of Mayor, and

■ Directs that the Deputy Mayor, Cr Daniela Zinni, send the Petition and a copy of this resolution to the Minister for Local Government in Victoria for the Minister’s information.

■ Note the petiton.

The Local Paper

MELBA HWY RE-OPENS

Rural News

Third farm hit by Avian Flu

■ A strain of avian influenza has been detected at a third poultry farm at Euroa Agriculture Victoria said the H7N8 strain had been detected near two other infected properties.

The ABC reported that the property belongs to Kinross Farms, which is the same business that found the virus on two of its other sites.

About 260,000 birds affected by the third detection, bringing the total impacted birds to about 500,000.

Victoria's Acting Chief Veterinary Officer Cameron Bell said given the close proximity of the infected farms, the new detection was not unexpected.

"It is possible we could have other positive or infected properties," Dr Bell said.

"There are known connections between those three properties, so that is a positive," he said.

In a statement, Kinross Farms managing director Philip Szepe said the farms had been closely monitored since the start of the outbreak.

"We thank Agriculture Victoria for its ongoing efforts on the affected sites, and at our other sites where we continue to manage egg production and supply to customers while maintaining strict biosecurity protocols.

Hundreds of thousands of chickens have already been euthanased after the first two properties were declared infection zones last week.

Dr Bell said there would now be about half a million birds euthanased across the three properties.

"It's a smaller number compared to the 2024 outbreak in Victoria, and containment activities are underway," he said.

Agriculture Victoria urged anyone to report unexplained poultry deaths and suspected disease.

A five-kilometre exclusion zone remains in place around the infected farms, as well as a control area in the Strathbogie Shire, east of the Goulburn Valley Freeway - ABC

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● ● Dangerous road incidents occurred on a number of raods near the Mleba Highway during its short closure. Photo: ABC and trucks stuck as they were too large to navigate the tight bends, cars actually run off the roads, too many near misses and horses falling in floats.

Works may resume in September

■ The Melba Hwy roadworks between Yarra Glen and Toolangi Junction were halted, and the road re-opened last Saturday (Feb. 22).

The Department of Transport will now reconsider the works program, and it is likely they will be rescheduled for September.

This follows pressure on the State Government by Eildon MLA Cindy McLeish who raised the problems in State Parliament.

“ Traffic chaos has unfolded following the government’s decision to fully close the Melba Highway for landslip repairs on Monday,” Ms McLeish said last week.

“Vehicles are being detoured to local roads, which are unsuitable for the volume of traffic and the sizes and types of vehicles.

“Roads are too narrow and steep and have too many tight bends for trucks, caravans, some trailers and horse floats.

“Within hours of the closure the situation became greatly concerning, and the fears and predictions of locals were realised.

“Reports backed up by photos showed vehicles almost being run off the roads, caravans

“B-doubles should not be on the detour roads, but instead they are and are going too fast past the Chum Creek Primary School on the Healesville-Kinglake Rd, posing great safety concerns.

“Everyone said it was only a matter of time before someone was killed, and yesterday, a day and a half later, there was a fatality on the treacherous Heidelberg-Kinglake Rd

“The government needs to improve urgently the traffic management or find a better solution or these problems will continue,” Ms McLeish said.

SDCA results

A-GRADE

One Day. Saturday, February 22

Pyalong A Grade 4/184 v Seymour A Grade 2/188. Pyalong Recreation Reserve. Alexandra A Grade 10/125 v Tallarook A Grade 10/85. At Leckie Park

Puckapunyal Senior Mixed 10/97 v Yea Tigers A Grade 8/123. At Puckapunyal Cricket Ground - Oval #1.

B-GRADE

One Day. Saturday, February 22

Tallarook B Grade v Seymour B Grade. At Tallarook Recreation Reserve

Avenel Senior Men v Pyalong B Grade. At Avenel Recreation Reserve

Alexandra B Grade v Yea Tigers B Grade Forfeit. At Alexandra Showgrounds and Recreation Reserve.

Life memberships

■ Peter Weekes and Ian Hewitt have been awarded life memberships of UGFM Community Radio. on the night surprised him with life membership too.

Peter has held the position of President for more than 20 years.

Wallan works

■ Works are progressing on the Wellington St upgrade between Watson and Duke Sts, with several key elements now completed and more improvements on the way.

The Local Paper

In association with the Established September 14, 1969

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

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

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Ash on Wednesday Never been tougher

■ Euora MLA Annabelle Cleeland has thanked local businesses that continue to invest in her electorate.

“Their commitment drives our economy, creates jobs and keeps our towns thriving,” Ms Cleeland said.

“Last week I sat down with some of these businesses to hear what it is like to operate in Victoria at the moment and understand the challenges they are facing.

“I attended the opening of Western AG in Seymour, an incredible business providing agronomic advice across regional Victoria who chose Seymour and Benalla as key locations for growth.

“In Benalla I caught up with Ian at ForestOne, Greg and Joyleen at Ryan and McNulty and the team at Benalla Bus and Coach Lines , businesses that are the backbone of our local manufacturing, timber and transport industries.

“In Broadford I toured the Allen’s lollies factory, which employs 240 people, including the impressive Emily Bradbury, who gave me a tour of the delicious production lines and even sent me home with some lollies to barter with my children.

“Altogether these businesses employ more than 500 people.

“Five hundred families rely on these jobs to put food on the table during a cost-ofliving crisis.

“That is 500 reasons to fight for businesses in regional Victoria

“But doing busi-

Long Shots

ness in Victoria has ever been tougher.

“Right now our state ranks dead last in the country for business conditions.

“WorkCover premiums are through the roof, Labor’s taxes are crippling and rising crime is making it nearly impossible for businesses to keep up.

“These problems must be fixed, because the longer they wait, the more it costs our businesses, and our towns and our futures suffer.

“Business owners feel ignored by this government. On this side we stand with businesses that drive our economy, support communities and create opportunity,” Ms Cleeland said.

Public toilet call

■ A joint letter has been sent by members of the EppingWollert Nepalese Community and signed by 113 residents requesting Whittlesea Council address the need for public toilets in parks and improved public transport in Epping and Wollert.

The Council acknowledged that the existing bus services within our growing suburbs are insufficient and note that Council has been, and will continue, advocating to the Department of Transport and Planning for increased bus services, with a particular focus on services to and from Epping Station.

Officers will write to the Epping-Wollert Nepalese Community Council.

Local Photo Flashback

The keys to Badger Creek were presented to local historian and longtime volunteer Kevin Mason by Eildon MLA Cindy McLeish at the centenary of the Badger Creek Hall.

The Local Paper

In association with the Established September 14, 1969

Online weekly. Print copies fortnightly. Published in localised editions in 40 areas across Melbourne, Mornington Peninsula and some country areas.

MANSFIELD

Mansfield readership is in the township of Mansfield. The Mansfield Shire comprises Ancona, Barjarg, Barwite, Bonnie Doon, Boorolite, Bridge Creek, Delatite, Gaffneys Creek, Goughs Bay, Howes Creek, Howqua, Howqua Hills, Howqua Inlet, Jamieson, Kevington, Lake Eildon, Nillahcootie, Piries, Sawmill Settlement, Tolmie, Woodfield and Woods Point. Mansfield Shire is home to 10,546 people, living in approximately 6612 homes.

MITCHELL

Incorporating the traditions of the Seymour Express (Est. 1872) Mitchell Shire comprises Beveridge, Broadford, Kilmore, Puckapunyal, Seymour, Tallarook, Tooborac, Trawool, Wallan, Wandong and Heathcote Junction. Mitchell Shire is home to more than 49,216 people, living in approximately 16,321 homes.

MURRINDINDI

Incorporating the traditions of the Yea Advertiser (Est. 1995). Murrindindi comprises Acheron, Alexandra, Buxton, Cathkin, Castella, Caveat, Devils River, Dropmore, Eildon, Fawcett, Flowerdale, Ghin Ghin, Glenburn, Gobur, Granton, Highlands, Homewood, Kanumbra, Kerrisdale, Killingworth, Kinglake, Kinglake Central, Kinglake West, Koriella, Limestone, Maintongoon, Marysville, Molesworth, Murrindindi, Narbethong, Pheasant Creek, Rubicon, Strath Creek, Taggerty, Taylor Bay, Terip Terip, Thornton, Toolangi, Whanregarwen, Yarck, Yea. Murrindindi Shire is home to more than 14,478 people, living in approximately 6293 homes.

NILLUMBIK (RURAL)

Incorporating the traditions of the Diamond Valley Advertiser (Est. 1995) and The Advertiser (earlier Evelyn Observer) (Est. Oct. 31, 1873) Nillumbik Shire (rural) comprises Arthurs Creek, Bend of Islands, Christmas Hills, Cottles Bridge, Diamond Creek, Doreen, Eltham, Eltham North, Hurstbridge, Kangaroo Ground, Kinglake, Kinglake Central, Kinglake West, Nutfield, Panton Hill, Plenty, Research, Smiths Gully, St Andrews, Strathewen, Warrandyte North, Watsons Creek. Nillumbik Shire is home to more than 64,659 people, living in approximately 21,753 homes.

STRATHBOGIE (PART)

Starthbogie readership area comprises Avenel, Euroa, Nagambie, Violet Town. Strathbogie Shire is home to more than 11,578 people, living in approximately 5768 homes.

WHITTLESEA (RURAL)

Incorporating the traditions of the Whittlesea Advertiser (Est. 1995) Whittlesea Post (Est. 1924), and The Advertiser (earlier Evelyn Observer) (Est. Oct. 31, 1873) Whittlesea Post readership area comprises Arthurs Creek, Beveridge, Donnybrook, Doreen, Eden Park, Hazel Glen, Humevale, Kinglake West, Mernda, South Morang, Whittlesea, Wollert, Woodstock, Yan Yean. The City of Whittlesea is home to more than 197,491 people, living in approximately 71,014 homes.

YARRA RANGES

Incorporating the traditions of the Lilydale and Yarra valley Express (Est. June 30, 1886) Yarra Ranges readership area comprises Badger Creek, Chirnside Park, Chum Creek, Coldstream, Dixons Creek, Don Valley, East Warburton, Fernshaw, Gilderoy, Gladysdale, Gruyere, Healesville, Hoddles Creek, Launching Place, Lilydale, Millgrove, Mooroolbark, Mount Evelyn, Powelltown, Seville, Seville East, Steels Creek, Wandin East, Wandin North, Warburton, Wesburn, Wonga Park (part), Woori Yallock, Yarra Glen, Yarra Junction, Yellingbo and Yering. Yarra Ranges Shire is home to more than 158,831 people, living in approximately 58,509 homes.

Annabelle Cleeland MLA

Cheryl Threadgold, Local Theatre Julie Houghton, The Arts Kevin Trask, Entertainment Aaron Rourke, Film

Ted Ryan, Horse Racing Len Baker, Harness Racing

Statewide

TOOLAMBA

Eauipment theft

■ Shepparton Police are investigating after farm equipment worth around $135,000 was stolen from a property in Toolamba

It is believed unknown offenders broke into the residential property on Pyke Rd overnight between February 4-5.

Police were told the thieves stole equipment including two planting machines, an irrigation machine unit, a navigation system and a 300L water tank.

Detectives have released photos of some of the items stolen in the hope that someone may recognise the equipment.

Anyone who witnessed the theft, has footage or information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppers vic.com.au

ELLIMINYT

Driver killed

■ Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding a fatal crash in Elliminyt near Colac on Saturday night (Feb. 22).

Emergency services were called to reports a vehicle had lost control and flipped into a paddock off Irrewillipe Rd about 8.20pm.

The 31-year-old male driver died at the scene. A primary school aged child, who was the only passenger in the vehicle, was taken to hospital for observation.

The investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash remain ongoing.

BONANG

Bike leaves road

■ Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding a fatal crash in Bonang on Saturday morning (Feb. 22).

It is understood a motorcycle left the roadway and crashed into a tree on Bonang and Pretty Gully Rds about 10.30am.

SPEEDSTERS NABBED IN VIC. CHAMPAGNE TOWN

■ Police have been left dismayed after 10 drivers were caught travelling at dangerously high speeds across Horsham and the Wimmera region.

Stawell Uniform officers intercepted several drivers, with the majority caught exceeding the speed limit by more than 25-kmh.

Six drivers had their licences suspended on the spot, including a probationary driver who was allegedly clocked 49kmh over the speed limit – just 11 days after obtaining his licence.

This comes amid an alarming rise in road fatalities across Western Victoria. Eighteen lives have been lost on local roads this year – double the number recorded at the same time last year.

Those caught were:

■ A 18-year-old Ararat man was detected allegedly travelling 109-kmh in a 60-kmh zone on Main St in Great Western He had his licence suspended for 12 months after only obtaining his probationary licence 11 days prior. He received a $988 fine for speeding and $198 for failing to display probationary plates.

■ A 42-year-old Roxburgh Park man was detected allegedly travelling 96-kmh in a 60kmh zone on Main St in Great Western. He had his licence suspended for three months and received a $642 fine.

Statewide

■ A 29-year-old Acacia Ridge (Qld) man was detected allegedly travelling 94-kmh in a heavy vehicle in a 60-kmh zone on Main St in Great Western. He received a $1383 fine.

■ A 79-year-old Horsham man was detected allegedly travelling 93-kmh in a 60-kmh zone on Main St in Great Western. He had his licence suspended for three months and received a $642 fine.

■ A 60-year-old Melton South woman was detected allegedly travelling 127-kmh in a 100-kmh zone on Western Highway in Great Western She had her licence suspended for three months and received a $543 fine.

■ A 41-year-old Hughesdale man was detected allegedly travelling 87-kmh in a 60-kmh zone on Main St in Great West-

ern. He had his licence suspended for three months and also received a $543 fine.

■ A 33-year-old Windsor Gardens man was detected allegedly travelling 87-kmh in a 60-kmh zone while unlicenced on Main St in Great Western He had his licence suspended for three months and received a $543 fine for speeding and $988 for unlicenced driving.

■ A 28-year-old Tarneit man was detected allegedly travelling 83-kmh in a heavy vehicle in a 60-kmh zone on Main St in Great Western. He received a $790 fine.

■ A 65-year-old Sunshine West man was detected allegedly travelling 86-kmh in a heavy vehicle in a 60-kmh zone on Main St in Great Western. He received a $790 fine.

BRIGHTON

Apartment fire

■ Fire Rescue Victoria responded to a fire at an apartment complex in Brighton at 3.44pm on Saturday (Feb. 22).

Crews arrived at the Male St scene within five minutes to find a fence and bushes on fire, with the fire spreading to a three-storey apartment building. Firefighters escalated the response.

FRV crews donned breathing apparatus and began attacking the fire. Three units were affected by fire and smoke.

All occupants evacuated safely and were assessed by Ambulance Victoria paramedics.

The fire was deemed under control at 4.30pm.

Cause of the fire is not yet known and will be investigated by FRV specialists.

ELTHAM

Lunar New Year

■ Eltham MLA Vicki Ward celebrated Lunar New Year with the Nillumbik Chinese Senior Citizens Association and the Eltham Lions Club

“We had a fantastic day of welcome to the Year of the Snake. These are two wonderful local community groups who know how to bring community together and have fun,” Ms Ward said.

“We saw many fantastic cultural performances, including ba duan jin exercises, a fan dancing performance, the singing of Lunar New Year songs and great ukulele playing.

“We had marquees for brush calligraphy, face painting and Chinese zodiac symbol artwork. I thank everyone for their hard work in creating such a fantastic day, with extra thanks to Veronica Lee, Hong and Peter Talbot for all the work they put into making the day such a success. I am very grateful to live in a community where we can come together to celebrate and appreciate the diverse cultures that make Victoria such a vibrant, inclusive and fun place to live,” Ms Ward said.

Statewide

HORSHAM

New office for MP

■ Member for Mallee, Dr Anne Webster, says she is hopeful of in the future opening an office in Horsham, but with the satellite office budget as it stands she is unable to do so currently.

- Horsham Times

WANGARATTA

Concern over levy

■ The forecast doubling of the existing Fire Services Property Levy is in the crosshairs of Rural City of Wangaratta councillors who will advocate against it.

From July 1, the levy will be renamed the Emergency Services Volunteers Fund and it will rise from 8.7 cents to 17.3 cents per $1000 capital improved value.

- Wangaratta Chronicle

PHILLIP ISLAND

Chop for fisheries

■ The Government has decided to close the Fisheries Victoria office in Cowes, with four local staff being told their roles will be terminated. Five offices will be closed and 27 officers made redundant.

- Phillip Island Advertiser

MANSFIELD

Spate of thefts

■ When a boat was stolen from a Bonnie Doon property between February 2 and 6 it became the latest in a spate of thefts to have occurred in Mansfield Shire

The owner of the boat, who was away with work at the time of the theft, took to community pages to appeal for help in retrieving the 429 Stacer Proline which he described as his ‘pride and joy.’

Along with the boat, a collection of fishing gear was taken.

- Mansfield Courier

PUTTING THE HEAT ON CROP RESEARCH

■ A world first facility researching the impact of extreme hot and cold weather on crops is expanding.

Ros Spence, Minister for Agriculture Ros Spence, announced the completion of the $1.18 million Free Air Temperature Extreme facility expansion at the Horsham SmartFarm, doubling the size to cover about 2.5 hectares.

The FATE facility measures the impact of heat waves, drought and frost on cereal, pulse and oilseed crops, testing conditions on them at various stages to understand the impact on grain quality.

The upgraded facility is jointly funded with $386,000 from the Government and $800,000 from Grains Research and Development Corporation.

This expansion will enable more crop rotations and experiments, accelerating the development of new heat tolerant crop varieties for farmers.

The equipment can be used for future research on other crops, including different grazing pasture species.

Western Victoria MLC Jacinta Ermacora said: “The research at this world class facility will help our farmers to learn and prepare for future heat waves and drought impacts on crops, using new technologies to adapt to climate change.”

Statewide

Across Victoria

RIOCHESTER

Operatic sounds

■ The Rotary Club of Rochester has announced a night of free musical entertainment at the town’s painted silos next month. Songs at the Silos will feature four Opera Australia singers, along with a local talent, from 6pm to 8.30pm on Saturday, March 8.The performers are Michael Lapina, Karen Van Spall, Adam Miller and Eleanor Blythman

- Bendigo Times

TUNGAMAH

150th anniversary

■ The 150th birthday celebrations of Tungamah was a great success with the street parade being a massive hit with the Carnsdale Park Clydesdales leading the procession of horses, tractors and classic cars down the Main Street

- Yarrawonga Chronicle

OCEAN GROVE

Sculpting sand

■ It was a day of creativity, community, climate action and sandy masterpieces at Ocean Grove Main Beach. The ‘Protect What You Love’ Sand Sculpting Competition celebrated its second year on February 16.

Parents for Climate Geelong, Bellarine and the Surf Coast volunteer organiser

Laura Billings said the day was fun and “sparked some great conversations between everyone”.

- Geelong Indpendent

MILDURA

Man knocked out

■ A manwas knocked unconscious on Friday night after being allegedly assaulted by two men outside a popular bar in Mildura - Sunraysia Daily

● ● ● ● Jacinta Ermacora, Western Victoria MLC

Council News

Mitchell extra library hours

■ Mitchell Shire Council is introducing a range of new activities on Saturday mornings at our libraries, starting in March.

“These programs are designed to bring the community together, offering creative workshops, family activities, wellness sessions, and more,” said a Council representative.

“Each Saturday, one of our Customer and Library Service Centres will be open from 10am to 3pm, with a rotating schedule of engaging activities.

“Residents can join in programs such as Sip and Paint, Chess Club, Writing Club, Family Storytime, Lego Challenges, Gardening workshops, Tech Help sessions.

“The Saturday morning programs will rotate through library locations:

■ First Saturday of the month – Broadford

■ Second Saturday of the month – Wallan

■ Third Saturday of the month – Kilmore

■ Fourth Saturday of the month – Seymour Kicking off on Saturday, March 8, Wallan Library will host acclaimed cellist Adi Sappir from 11am to 1pm and Interactive Glow Stick Concert from 1pm to 2pm.

New operating hours appoly for Customer and Library Service Centres, effective from Monday (March 3):

■ Broadford Customer and Library Service Centre: Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5pm

■ Kilmore Customer and Library Service Centre: Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm

■ Seymour Customer and Library Service Centre: Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm

■ Wallan Customer and Library Service Centre: Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm

■ Beveridge Micro Library: Mondays, Wednesday and Thursday 8.30am to 11.30am. Customers will be able to borrow library items outside these hours through the self serve checkout.

The new hours will be reviewed after six months.

Upgrade at Lords Reserve

● ● Lords Reserve at Mansfield unique character of the area and fits in really well with the picket fence and other buildings,” said Cr Rabie.

■ Lords Reserve in Mansfield is set to get a majestic upgrade with Mansfield Shire Council completing significant infrastructure improvements.

In addition to the drainage and car parking upgrade works completed at the reserve last year, the next stages of upgrades will include a new pavilion building on the south-western side of the oval, an upgrade to the public toilets and an upgrade to the existing clubrooms.

Mansfield Mayor Cr Steve Rabie said he was pleased to see the completion of the drainage and carparking upgrades.

“In the past, we’ve had delays in getting the grounds ready for play because the grounds were too wet for prep, such as getting the roller on the ground for the pitch.

“For this cricket season, there wasn’t the same delay in getting on the ground as there has been in the past.

“This is just one of the many improvements for the reserve. We’ll be going ‘around the grounds’ to upgrade not just the existing clubroom building and toilet block, but we’ll be constructing a brand new pavilion.

“We’ve been consulting with all the groups who use the reserve and getting their input into the design and layout of the new pavilion. And it’s looking fantastic. The design draws on the

“The pavilion and the other works at Lords Reserve will set up our local sporting clubs for years to come.”

The new pavilion, toilet and clubroom upgrade is a $2.12 million project which is funded with a $1.41 million grant from the Australian Government’s ‘Growing Regions Program’ and a co-contribution from Council of $710,000.

In 2024, Mansfield Council completed drainage and carparking upgrade works at the reserve, with thanks to both a Council contribution of $134,000 and a State Government grant from the 2022-23 Victorian Country Football and Netball Program of $222,000, in time for the 2024/25 cricket season.

“Our efforts will not stop there – we have also put in an application to the 2024-25 Country Football Netball Program to ‘ Light up Lords’, with a funding application submitted to install lighting on the oval with a budget of $375,000 for the project,” said Cr Rabie

“We are investing in the future of our local sporting clubs and asking other levels of government to help with providing funds to support this important work. If we don’t get funding to install the lighting, we’ll keep working toward being able to get it done”.

Council Briefs

Dropmore Rd closes

■ Murrindindi Council’s contractors will be conducting flood recovery works on Molesworth-Dropmore Rd, Molesworth, to reconstruct collapsed culverts and damaged roadway sustained in the October 2022 Floods.

Works will commence today (Wed., Feb. 26) and are expected to be completed by Wednesday March 12, weather permitting, according to a Council representative.

“These works will require the closure of Molesworth-Dropmore Rd to all through traffic between Goulburn Valley Highway and Highlands Road

“Access will be provided for local traffic only to properties and residences to the north and south of the work site, which is situated approximately 10 km from Goulburn Valley Highway.”

Motorists are asked to seek alternate routes via Highlands Rd, Goulburn Valley Hwy and Caveat-Dropmore Rd.

Rates SMS scam

■ Murrindindi Council says it is aware of a SMS Phishing scam targeting Murrindindi Shire residents.

“The message states that their rates are now overdue and demand payment through a link,” said a Council representative.

“Do not click on this link. Council will never send a SMS message demanding payment for overdue rates.

“If you are unsure of whether a text or phone call is legitimate, we encourage you to contact our customer service team on 5772 0333.”

TFB arrangements

■ Murrindindi Council’s Resource Recovery Centres in Alexandra, Eildon, Kinglake, Marysville and Yea were all closed on Saturday (Feb. 22) because of the Total Fire Ban.

The Mobile Library did not visit Eildon as scheduled.

Regional Round-Up

‘Open up land’

■ Peri Urban Councils Victoria has taken to Canberra its push to secure government funding to open up land for housing developments and provide community infrastructure in Victoria’s high-growth zones.

Led by new Deputy Chair Cr Brett Tessari, the delegation met with federal ministers and shadow ministers responsible for regional development, local government, infrastructure and housing.

Cr Tessari said the delegation welcomed the opportunity to discuss its policy proposal in person with decision makers.

“Our municipalities are the gateway to regional Victoria and we are on the frontline of rapid population growth, but our low rate base limits our ability to fund the critical infrastructure we need,” Cr Tessari said.

“We want to support growth and be part of the solution to the housing crisis, but we do need government to partner and invest in essential infrastructure for new housing developments, such as roads, water and power.

“We also need government investment in public facilities, such as libraries, pools and sports venues, to ensure areas of new growth are vibrant and connected communities,” Cr Tessari said.

In its pre-budget submission to both the state and federal governments, PUCV has recommended two funds be set up to support infrastructure planning and development in high-growth peri urban areas. They are: ■ a federally-administered Capital Investment Fund that provides grants to peri urban councils for community infrastructure (such as sports facilities, libraries and community centres); and ■ a State Government-administered Development Contributions Plan Future Fund that allows peri urban municipalities to borrow against DCP agreements to fund earlystage infrastructure projects such as water, sewerage and drainage.

The combined population of Victoria’s eight peri urban municipalities is well over 300,000.

Wild dog attacks increase

■ Wild dog attacks in the Upper Yarra are on the rise, according to Eildon MLA Cindy McLeish.

The Allan Labor Government has failed to help locals manage the threat.

Speaking in Parliament, Ms McLeish questioned Ros Spenec, Minister for Agriculture, as to what action is being taken to work with landowners and residents living in the Upper Yarra to tackle their ongoing wild dog issue.

“Constituents have reported to me horrific attacks on ewes, lambs and calves on farming properties from Hoddles Creek to Gladysdale, Dixons Creek, Wesburn and McMahons Creek.

“Locals need assistance and solutions in managing these attacks. Landowners are losing their livestock in a really awful way.”

Agriculture Victoria is conducting face-toface community workshops in March to be held across Hume and Gippsland regions, including sessions at Merrijig and Taggerty, to discuss the proposed wild dog management plans.

Currently, there are no sessions scheduled for the Yarra Ranges

“The Upper Yarra falls within the wild dog management zone, and yet residents have been left out. I implore the minister to make sure that they do not miss out and arrange for workshops to be in the Upper Yarra,” Ms McLeish said.

Under Parliamentary guidelines the Minister has 30 days to respond to Ms McLeish’s request.

New Chair needed

■ The State Government must appoint a new Chair to the board of Remembrance Parks Central Victoria Trust when the current Chair’s term ends, says Northern Victoria MLC Wendy Lovell

The RPCVT looks after a number of cemeteries including Donnybrook.

The current chair of Remembrance Parks Central Victoria was appointed in September 2020, and her term ends on 28 February 2025.

“This presents an opportunity for new leadership and a fresh start for the trouble-plagued cemetery trust,” said Ms Lovell.

“During her tenure, the chair has presided over a series of governance failures at the cemetery trust.

“The trust has failed to meet the general meeting and annual reporting requirements for a public entity, during an ongoing series of operational scandals.

“It is a statutory obligation, set down in the Cemeteries and Crematoria Act 2003, that a Class A cemetery trust must “hold an annual meeting before December 30 in each calendar year” and must “make the cemetery trust's most recent annual report available”.

But RPCV has repeatedly failed in these two basic obligations, Ms Lovell said.

“The last annual report lodged by the trust was 2021-22, and no annual report for the trust has been released for 2022-23, or for 2023-24.

“During this time the trust also failed to hold annual general meetings on time, or at all.

“This means the board has completely avoided public scrutiny and accountability at the very time that its cemeteries have been involved in a series of operational scandals,” Ms Lovell said.

Montrosre update

■

“Montrose is a fantastic community, and residents and small businesses are hopeful that the disruption as a result of the major roadworks and intersection upgrade in Montrose will be completed soon so that life can get back on track,” Evelyn MLA Bridget Vallence said last week.

“Sadly for all the local shop traders, life has been very hard as the government’s Department of Transport and Planning has failed to provide them any financial compensation, despite these businesses demonstrating significant financial loss as a result of more than 12 months of disruption from the roadworks.

“Unfortunately, a number of much-loved local shops made the hard decision to close altogether, which has impacted local jobs.

“It is why I would like to see the government now commit to supporting Montrose shop traders to financially recover once the works are fully completed, the machinery has moved on and the construction works are all gone.

“I am appealing to the transport department: do not just move on, make good and help Montrose recover.

“At a recent Montrose i ntersection upgrade stakeholder reference group meeting, on behalf of the community I did ask the transport department if they could add a new final phase of the project, that being an advertising and marketing campaign, including store vouchers to help entice people back to shopping in Montrose and help Montrose shop traders to recover and rebuild their businesses and employ more staff again.

“The action I seek is for the Minister for Roads and Road Safety to outline a detailed plan that includes funding for a marketing and advertising campaign and a voucher program to support Montrose shop traders to recover and rebuild once the Montrose intersection project works are fully completed. It would provide the much-needed economic boost that these small businesses need,” Ms Vallence said.

● ● ● ● Ros Spence

Court Lists

Seymour Magistrates’ Court Criminal Case Listings

Wednesday, February 26

Local Briefs

MPs visit school

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■ ALEXANDRA. Alexandra Newsagency. 82-84 Grant St.

■ ■ ALEXANDRA. Corner Hotel. 65 Grant St.

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■ ALEXANDRA. Endeavour Alexandra (BP). 10 Downey St.

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■ ALEXANDRA. Foodworks. 102 Grant St.

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■ ALEXANDRA. Mount Pleasant Hotel. 90 Grant St.

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■ ALEXANDRA. Nutrien Harcourts. 56 Grant St.

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■ ALEXANDRA. Shamrock Hotel. 80 Grant St.

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■ ■ ■ ALEXANDRA. Simpson’s Fuel (Caltex). 25 Aitken St.

■ ■ ALEXANDRA. Totally Trout. 42 Downey St.

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■ ■ BUXTON. Blue Igloo Roadhouse. 2200 Maroondah Hwy.

■ ■ BUXTON. Buxton Hotel. 2192 Maroondah Hwy.

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■ ■ THORNTON. Thornton General Store. 1365 TaggertyThornton Rd.

■ ■ WATTLE GLEN. Peppers

Paddock General Store. 13 Kangaroo Ground-Wattle Glen Rd.

■ ■ WHITTLESEA. Champions IGA Supermarket. 2/16 Church St.

■ ■ WARRANDYTE. Warrandyte Newsagency/Post Office. 100 Melbourne Hill Rd.

■ WESBURN. Hotel. 2882 Warburton Hwy.

■ WONGA PARK. IGA Xpress.

70 Jumping Creek Rd.

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■ ■ WHITTLESEA. El Azar Milk Bar. 13 Church St.

■ ■ WHITTLESEA. Royal Mail Hotel. 29 Beech St.

■ ■ WHITTLESEA. Whittlesea Bowls Club. 101 Church St.

■ ■ WHITTLESEA. Whittlesea Court House. 74 Church St.

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■ ■ ■ ■ WHITTLESEA. Whittlesea NewsXpress. 45 Church St.

■ ■ WOLLERT. Wollert General Store. 491 Epping Rd.

■ WOORI YALLOCK. Hillcrest Little Store. 1745 Warburton Hwy.

■ ■ ■ WOORI YALLOCK. Woori Yallock Newsagency. Shop 4,1585 Warburton Hwy.

■ YARRA GLEN. IGA Supermarket. 1/38 Bell St.

■ YARRA GLEN. Yarra Glen Newsagency. 32 Bell St.

■ ■ ■ YARRA JUNCTION. Yarra Junction Newsagency. 2454 Warburton Hwy.

Binks-Brown, Nick Joshua Brazier, Luke Challis, Scott Doyle, Nathan William Edwards, Dylan Fitzgerald Nesbitt, Tianna Storm Gammage, Georgia Ilbury, Nikki Marchesani, Anthony Mason, Lee Michael Newton, Sean Jeffrey O'neill, Chrisopher Patrick Rudd, Neale Douglas Simeoni, John Tadic, Daniel Turner, Lane Underhill, Martin James Walsh, Mathew

Thursday, February 27

■ Wirrigirri Primary School in Wollert received a visit from Mill Park MLA Lily D’Ambrosio with the Deputy Premier Ben Carroll and Sonja Terpstra to officially open the school.

“This vibrant new school is a fantastic addition to our Wollert community, which has been flourishing and expanding with time,” Ms D’Ambrosio said.

“The school was made possible by the Allan Labor Government’s investment, and construction has been carried out in stages.

“This modern facility currently features a learning neighbourhood with a presentation space, classrooms, a quiet area, student toilets and a staff planning area as well as a playground with a grassed area and play equipment.

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■ ■ BUXTON. Shell Buxton. 2093 Maroondah Hwy.

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■ DIAMOND CREEK. Diamond Creek Newsagency. Shop 62a Main Rd, Diamond Creek Plaza.

■ ■ DOREEN. Doreen General Store. 920 Yan Yean Rd.

■ ■ YARCK. Buck’s Country Bakehouse. 6585 Maroondah Hwy.

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■ ■ ■ ■ YARCK. Giddy Goat Cafe. 6606 Maroondah Hwy.

■ ■ YARCK. Yarck Hotel. Maroondah Hwy.

■ ■ YEA. Amble Inn Cafe. 24 High St.

Mitchell Shire Edition

■ BEVERIDGE. Beveridge Post Office. Lot 1 Old Hume Hwy.

■ BROADFORD. Broadford Corner Store. 89 High St.

■ ■ BROADFORD. Broadford Hotel. 100 High St.

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■ EILDON. Foodworks. 18 Main

St.

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■ ■ ELTHAM. Eltham Newsagency. 2/963 Main Rd.

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■ EPPING. APCO Service Station. Cnr McDonalds Rd and High St.

■ ■ EPPING. Epping RSL. Harvest Home Rd.

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■ FLOWERDALE. Flowerdale Community House. 36 Silver Creek Rd.

■ ■ FLOWERDALE. Flowerdale Hotel. 3325 Whittlesea-Yea Rd.

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■ ■ ■ FLOWERDALE. Hazeldene

General Store. 6 Curlings Rd.

■ ■ GLENBURN. Glenburn Roadhouse. 3883 Melba Hwy.

■ ■ HURSTBRIDGE. Hurstbridge Newsagency. 900 Main Hustbridge Rd.

■ ■ KANGAROO GROUND. Kangaroo Ground General Store. 280 Eltham-Yarra Glen Rd.

■ ■ KINGLAKE. Cafe. WhittleseaKinglake Rd.

■ ■ KINGLAKE. Foodworks. 12 Whittlesea-Kinglake Rd.

■ ■ KINGLAKE. Kinglake Pub. 28 Whittlesea-Kinglake Rd.

■ ■ KINGLAKE. United Service Station. 2 Glenburn-Kinglake Rd.

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■ ■ ■ LAURIMAR. Laurimar Newsagency. 95 Hazel Glen Dr.

■ ■ MANSFIELD. Foodworks. 119 High St.

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■ ■ MARYSVILLE. Foodworks. 40A Darwin St.

■ ■ MERNDA. Mernda Villages Post Office. 50 Mernda Village Dr.

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■ ■ ■ MOLESWORTH. Molesworth Store. 4353 Goulburn Valley Hwy.

■ ■ NARBETHONG. Black Spur Inn. 436 Maroondah Hwy.

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■

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■ ■ NARBETHONG. Black Spur Roadhouse. 264 Maroondah Hwy.

■ ■ PANTON HILL. Panton Hill General Store. 586 Kangaroo Ground-St Andrews Rd.

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■ PANTON HILL. Panton Hill Hotel. 633 Kangaroo Ground-St Andrews Rd.

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■ PHEASANT CREEK. Flying Tarts Cafe. 888 WhittleseaKinglake Rd.

■ ■ PHEASANT CREEK. Pheasant Creek Store. 884 Whittlesea-Kinglake Rd.

■ ■ RESEARCH. Research Post Office. 1546 Main Rd.

■ ■ SMITHS GULLY. Smiths Gully General Store. 914 Kangaroo Ground-St Andrews Rd.

■ ■ SOUTH MORANG. Milk Bar.

15 Gorge Rd.

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■ ■ ST ANDREWS. St Andrews General Store. 10 Caledonia St.

■ ■ ST ANDREWS. St Andrews Hotel. 79 Burns St.

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■ ■ STRATH CREEK. Strath Creek Post Office. 8 Glover Rd.

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■ ■ ■ TAGGERTY. Taggerty General Store. 26 Taggerty-Thornton Rd.

■ ■ THORNTON. 4 Ways Diner.

1369 Taggerty-Thornton Rd.

■ ■ ■ ■ THORNTON. Rubicon Hotel. 1362 Taggerty-Thornton Rd.

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■ ■ YEA. Country Club Hotel. 18 High St.

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■ ■ ■ YEA. Endeavour Petroleum (BP). 31 High St.

■ ■ YEA. Foodworks. 10 High St.

■ ■ YEA. Giddy Coat Cafe. 94 High St.

■ BROADFORD. Broadford Newsagency. 67 High St.

■ BROADFORD. Broadford Post Office. 123 High St.

■ BROADFORD. Broadford Service Station. 165 High St.

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■ YEA. Grand Central Hotel. 64

High St.

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■ ■ ■ ■ YEA. Marmalades. 20 High St.

■ ■ YEA. Mint and Jam. 46 High St.

■ ■ YEA. Nutrien Harcourts. 52

High St.

■ ■ BROADFORD. Commercial Hotel. 31 High St.

■ BROADFORD. High Street Bakery. 67A High St.

■ BROADFORD. IGA Supermarket. 65 High St.

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■ BROADFORD. Stuty’s Bakehouse. 91-93 High St.

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■ ■ YEA. Peppercorn Hotel. 21 Station St.

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■ ■ ■ YEA. Provender Bakery. 56 High St.

■ ■ YEA. Rendezvous In Yea. 10

High St.

■ ■ YEA. Royal Mail Hotel. 88

High St.

■ ■ DONNYBROOK. Donnybrook Hotel. 825 Donnybrook Rd.

■ DONNYBROOK. Donnybrook Post Office. 810 Donnybrook Rd.

■ KILMORE. BP. 102 Sydney St.

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■ KILMORE. Kemp’s Bakery. 65 Sydney St.

“Once fully completed, because works are continuing throughout this year, the school will include an administration and library building, three learning neighbourhoods, a community hub, hard courts, a car park, a sports field and a commercial kitchen.

“I was also pleased to meet with the interim president of the school council Amanda and interim school council member Eleni

“They are very excited parents who are really committed to this school providing the best education for their families.

“We are also building a kindergarten which will be co-located with the school. That is expected to be completed this year and will take enrolments for next year.

“This is all about us making sure that our kids, no matter what their age, have the best start in life through a wonderful education,” Ms D’Ambrosio said.

Strathewen boost

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■ ■ YEA. Yea Bakery. 44 High St.

■ KILMORE. Kilmore Bakery. 54 Sydney St.

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■ ■ ■ YEA. Yea Newsagency. 74

High St.

■ ■ YEA. Yea Take-Away. 68 High St.

Lilydale and Yarra Valley Express Edition

■ ■ COLDSTREAM. Coldstream Post Office/Newsagency. The Lodge Shopping Centre. 670-672 Maroondah Hwy.

■ ■ CROYDON NORTH. Croydon North Newsagency. 5 Exeter Rd.

■ KILMORE. Kilmore Newsagency. 41 Sydney St.

■ KILMORE. Red Lion Hotel. 29-31 Sydney St.

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■ KILMORE. Royal Oak Hotel. 29-31 Sydney St.

■ KILMORE. United Service Station. 127-145 Powlett St.

■ SEYMOUR. IGA O’Keefe’s. 10/115 Anzac Ave.

■ ■ SEYMOUR. Liberty Seymour. 37-39 Emily St.

■ ■ SEYMOUR. Seymour NewsXpress. 66 Station St.

■ SEYMOUR. Seymour South Post and Lotto. 75 Anzac Ave.

Al Qattan, Okba Armstrong, Brock Michael Binks-Brown, Nick Joshua Brooksbank, Callum Churchill, Brett Michael Colombini, Tommy Corskell, Lachlan Dennison, Jayde Lee Djuric, Miroslav Foster, William Foster Garlick, Frances Horsbrugh, Reed Johnston, David Keamy-Quirk, Caleb Kumar, Raj Lapworth, Brock Lewis, Melanie Lusted, Joshua Magowan, Robert Mancino, Carl Manton, Michael Mcfarlane, Craig Meldrum, Christopher Micallef, James Muller, Zerlinda Janelle Murphy, Latham Mutimer, Clinton Ronald Oosterlaak, Christopher Lee Oosterlaak, Skye Elizabeth Orourke, Shaun Osborne, Dean Mitchell O'toole, Nicholas Oyeniyi, Mufan Ayinde Paine, Kayd Perosevic, Sussan Petronio, Jaimie Dean Phelan, Rachelle Porter, Sally Sanderson, Mathew Sharp, Jake Sharpe, Andrew William Sharpe, Jake Sheh Shuhaimi, Sheikh Anmar Singh, Angrej Threlfall, Bree Villella, Anthony Whalan, Jack Thomas Workman, Hayden Zuzek, Anton James Friday, February 28 Mocenigo, Adam Monday, March 3

■ The Strathewen community has used a 2024 Nillumbik Community Fund grant as well as funding from the Strathewen Bushfire Relief Company to improve access to critical emergency information on high fire danger days.

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■ ■ ■ HEALESVILLE. BP. 66 Maroondah Hwy.

■

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■ ■ HEALESVILLE. Coles Express. 123 Maroondah Hwy.

■ ■ HEALESVILLE. Grand Hotel. 270 Maroondah Hwy.

■ ■ HEALESVILLE. Healesville Newsagency. 195 Maroondah Hwy.

■ ■ HEALESVILLE. Tobacco Station/Tatts. Shop 11, Healesville Walk.

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■ ■ ■ LAUNCHING PLACE. Launching Place General Store. 2200 Warburton Hwy.

■ ■ LAUNCHING PLACE. Home Hotel. 2170 Warburton Hwy.

■ ■ LILYDALE. Lilydale Newsagency. 237 Main St.

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■ ■ ■ MILLGROVE. Licensed Grocery. 3043 Warburton Hwy.

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■ ■ ■ MOUNT EVELYN. Mount Evelyn Newsagency. 1A Wray Cres.

■ ■ RINGWOOD. Burnt Bridge Newsagency. 434 Maroondah Hwy.

■ ■ SEVILLE. Wooworths Seville. 568 Warburton Hwy.

■ ■ WANDIN. Wandin Newsagency. 18/2 Union Rd.

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■ ■ WARBURTON. Bakery. 3415 Warburton Hwy.

■ SEYMOUR. Prince of Wales Hotel. 48 Emily St.

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■ ■ SEYMOUR. Royal Hotel. 26 Emily St.

■ SEYMOUR. Terminus Hotel. 26 Station St.

■ SEYMOUR. Top Shop. Cnr Anzac Ave and Delatite Rd.

■ TALLAROOK. Tallarook General Store. 36 Main Rd.

■ ■ TALLAROOK. Tallarook Hotel. 15 Main Rd.

■ TRAWOOL. Trawool Estate/ Hotel. 8150 Goulburn Valley Hwy.

■ WALLAN. United Service Station. 11-14 High St.

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■ WALLAN. Wallan News and Lotto. Shop 6, 55 High St.

■ WALLAN EAST. New Rattlers Inn. Station St.

■ WANDONG. Caltex Star Mart. 3272 Epping-Kilmore Rd.

■ WANDONG. Dundee’s Fish and Cips. 3272 Epping-Kilmore Rd.

■ WANDONG. IGA Supermarket. 3272 Epping-Kilmore Rd.

■ WANDONG. Wandong Post News and Tatts. 3272 EppingKilmore Rd.

■

■ ■ ■ ■ WARRANDYTE. Grand Hotel.

140 Yarra St.

■ ■ WARRANDYTE. Quinton’s Supa IGA Supermarket. 1/402 Warrandyte Rd.

■ WANDONG. Kemp’s Wandong Bakery. 372 EppingKilmore Rd.

■ WANDONG. Magpie and Stump Hotel. 3313 EppingKilmore Rd.

Duong, Michael Mansfield Magistrates’ Court Criminal Case Listings Wednesday, February 26 Adam, Stuart James Adams, Dean Stewart Aliu, Erjan Anstee, Riley Babai, Vahid Barden, Jacob Barron, Ariena Bennett, Lucy Bishop, Corrie John Bradley, Paul Gregory Bushby, Michael Clark, Daniel Clarke, Duane Coffey, Samuel James Dietrich, Daniel John Fitzgerald, Lana Maree Goschnick, Dean Gregory Hollingdale, Taine Koala Cherries Pty Ltd Legge, Simon Lia, Lynda Mcleod, Benjamin James Meadows, Roger Nicholls, Richard David Pitt, Andrew Pritchett, Tanner Reid, Brody James Rowan, Scott Santori, Robert Seamer, Courtney Shakes, Olivia Matilda Strongman, Matthew Sundbloom, Elle Syme, Angus Ian Tatham, Jarrod Tunidau, Anasa White, Brian Gibson Williams, Matthew Young, Steven Zerbe, Andrew

Local residents have been able to purchase subsidised digital listening sets—giving them direct access to real-time fire-fighting radio communications.

The listening sets play a crucial role in keeping communities informed, providing immediate and localised updates from fire crews on the ground.

Before the Black Saturday fires in 2009, many Strathewen and Arthurs Creek residents relied on the analogue versions of these devices, often sharing information with neighbours via phone trees.

However, the analogue system has been closed down, leaving the community without a reliable alternative during dangerous fire seasons.

Lisal O’Brien, a Strathewen local who led the project, and the recipient of the 2023 Volunteer of the Year award at the Nillumbik Community Awards, highlighted the importance of these devices in local bushfire safety efforts.

“Grants from Nillumbik Council and Strathewen Bushfire Relief Trust enabled us to provide affordable listening sets to our community and give both schools a unit.

“The listening sets provide real-time radio traffic from the local brigade at an incident allowing listeners to gather information needed to keep themselves safe,” she said.

Rose McKimmie whose family goes back generations in the area, said she had had an analogue listening set for years. “It was really handy during Black Saturday, but it doesn’t work anymore.”

●

● Photo clockwise from top left: Lisal O'Brien, Rode, McKimmie, Darren Bradshaw, Marley, Kayden and Quinn from Strathewen Primary School.

● ● Indi MHR Helen Haines with controversial MHR Bob Katter

?Local Federal politician Helen Haines has been photographed with controversial Queensland MHR Bob Katter. Dr Haines explains: “When I was first elected to Parliament, Bob Katter offered me some advice. He said "be optimistic and smile a lot. People hate to see a miserable politician". This was one of the reflections I shared at the Rural Press Club last Friday in conversation with Bob and author Gabrielle Chan. I will use the upcoming election to keep the unique challenges faced by regional, rural and remote areas to be front and centre, including health and childcare access, housing supply and infrastructure and push for solutions. While Bob and I disagree on some issues, we are both staunch in our focus on regional issues, and our conversation brought national attention to this.”

✖Criminal incidents in the City of Whittlesea have increased by 28 per cent in 2024 compared to the previous year, Parliament was told last week.

✔A number of sporting presentatiuons were due to be made at the Nillumbik Shire Council meeting last night (Tue., Feb. 25):

■ Zander Botha (Wingrove Ward) receives $250 as a contribution for being selected to represent Australia at the Colgate Games Athletics in New Zealand.

■ Talise Botha (Wingrove Ward) receives $250 as a contribution for being selected to represent Australia at the Colgate Games Athletics in New Zealand.

■ Mayra Pacioni (Swipers Gully Ward) receives $200 as a contribution for being selected to the Squad for the 2025 Beach Volleyball program in Queensland.

■ Renae Lister (Edendale Ward) receives $200 as a contribution for being selected to represent Victoria in swimming at the Australian 2025 Australian Age Championships in Queensland.

■ Aria Mitchell (Ellis Ward) receives $250 as a contribution for being selected to represent Australia at the 2025 Australlian Futsal Team tour in Barcelona..

■ Lola Juric (Wingrove Ward) receives $200 as a contribution for being selected to play at the Australian Volleyballl School Cup in Queensland.

✖Euroa MLAAnnabelle Cleeland has asked why hasn’t the State Government fully supported the majority of recommendations from the 2022 flood inquiry? “Thousands of regional Victorians lost everything. Hundreds made submissions to the inquiry and pleaded for real change, yet this government has ignored them. Of the 73 recommendations, only 16 have been fully supported – that is just 16 out of 73 recommendations. Even fewer will deliver immediate improvements for flood-affected communities like mine. Seymour, Euroa, Murchison and Benalla deserve better. Recommendation 23, helping high-risk households become flood-resilient – rejected. Recommendation 27, funding analyses of levee breaches – refused. Recommendation 29, building ring levees after a successful pilot – ignored. Recommendation 39, urgent mitigation measures – rejected. Please explain why. We deserve answers.”

Crash closes Church St

A red hatchback

DONNYBROOK CRIME CRISIS

Northern Victoria MLC Wendy Lovell has called for increased police patrols in Donnybrook as a “crime crisis” sweeps the northern suburb.

Ms Lovell spoke in Parliament last week to share harrowing stories of her constituents from Olivine and other housing estates in Donnybrook, who are living in fear as break-ins, car thefts, and burglaries continue to rise.

Two women were terrified when an attacker tried to smash through the front door with a hammer while the women fought to hold the door shut.

Homes have been broken into while the owners are on holiday or overseas, and criminals are even cutting the electricity to homes, in order to disable the security cameras and prevent themselves being recorded and identified.

The local neighbourhood watch group regularly sees suspicious cars lurking in the streets of the isolated suburb, and spots thieves with torches peering inside utes and trucks searching for tools to snatch.

Ms Lovell called on the Minister for Police to act urgently to secure the safety of Donnybrook residents by instructing police to increase patrols in the suburb at night, and liaise with the local neighbourhood watch group on crime prevention initiatives.

Ms Lovell is encouraging oncerned residents from Donnybrook and surrounding suburbs to attend and share their experiences at the Victoria Police Neighbourhood Policing Forum to be held in South Morang tonight (Wed., Feb. 26) at 5.30pm.

“Police patrols need to be stepped up in Donnybrook,” Ms Lovell said.

■ Emergency services were quickly on the scene when a vehicle crashed into commercial premises on Church St, Whittlesea on Thursday morning (Feb. 20).

The driver of the red hatchback lost control of their vehicle, and it crashed through the front entrance to the Whittlesea Workwear and Outdoors business, which will now be closed for an uncertain time. Staff member ‘Alby ’ was reported to be safe.

The commercial area between Lime St and Walnut St was closed as emergency crews attened the premises on the east side of Church St

Business in the Whittlesea business area was disrupted for a considerable time whilst emergency service personnel secured the scene, and checked on adjoining premises.

- lots 1-16 and lot 43) and creation of access for a road adjoining the Transport Zone 2, vegetation removal and creation of easement (drainage) has been lodged with Murrindindi Shire Council at 13 Yarck Rd, Yarck

The Local Paper is bound by the Standards of Practice of the Australian Press Council. If you believe the Standards may have been breached, you may approach The Local Paper or make a complaint to the Australian Press Council in writing at: www.presscouncil.org.au The Council may also be contacted on 1800 025 712.

Local People

Congrats to locals

■ Yarra Ranges local people have been congratulated by Evelyn MLA Bridget Vallence on receiving local community awards.

“Harry Moyle and Sue Thompson were jointly awarded the Mayor’s Lifetime Achievement Award – two people who have had a great impact in our local community,” Ms Vallence said.

“Harry dedicated almost three decades to volunteering his financial expertise to Caladenia Dementia Care in Mooroolbark and was instrumental in developing Caladenia’s organisational direction and financial governance.

“Sue Thompson is a keen historian and local advocate, instrumental in forming the Lilydale Museum – now the Yarra Ranges Regional Museum – ensuring local artefacts and photographs can be preserved for future generations.

“The community leadership award was presented to Eddie Tichelaar for his tireless and much-valued efforts supporting the Montrose community in a variety of ways, including through the township group and as a liaison for the road infrastructure upgrades, as a 45-year CFA volunteer firefighter and as an historian at the Montrose Community Cottage.

“Community Group of the Year Award was awarded to Holy Fools, with Neal Taylor and his dedicated team of volunteers hosting weekly community lunches and providing support packages to people experiencing homelessness.

“Environmental Achiever of the Year Debbie Shaw and Young Citizen of the Year Jarvis Lewis-James were recognised for their tremendous work in turning around the fortunes of Candlebark Community Nursery in Mooroolbark, with Debbie transforming the organisation by growing volunteer numbers and propagating indigenous plant species and Jarvis supporting bushland planting days along the Warburton trail, amongst other things. Congratulations all,” Ms Vallence said.

Abuse of power

■ Indi MHR Helen Haines wants the next Parliament to deliver strong powers to the ACCC to rein in corporations that abuse their market power.

Dr Haines committed to push for broad divestiture powers and a Supermarket Ombudsman to protect consumers and primary producers.

Dr Haines said current laws can’t break up big operators that are abusing their power and Australia needs to catch up to other countries.

“We are all feeling the squeeze of rising costs, especially at the supermarket,” Dr Haines said.

“Coles and Woolworths collectively control two-thirds of the grocery sector and made more than $1 billion in after-tax profits last financial year.

“The ACCC is already taking Coles and Woolworths to court allegedly misleading customers, but we need a Supermarket Ombudsman to help re-set the power imbalance between the major supermarkets, suppliers and consumers.”

Dr Haines said a Supermarket Ombudsman is necessary to regulate the operation of the Food and Grocery Code of Conduct, with powers to create binding determinations, issue infringement notices and refer investigations to the ACCC for court action.

“A new mandatory code of conduct is coming into effect for the grocery sector, but there is no independent figure in place to uphold the code and proactively address breaches,” Dr Haines said.

“The current model still largely enables the supermarkets to select their own umpire.

“It’s akin to marking your own homework and I think will end up being ineffective and exploited. Ultimately, it will be consumers and suppliers who are still short changed.

“An independent Supermarket Ombudsman would hear complaints directly from consumers and suppliers and have tools to take quick and effective action when necessary,” Dr Haines said.

YHS 1964 reunion planned

■ A class reunion for the Yea High School students from Form 2 in 1964 is being organised for Saturday, April 12, at the residence of Ian Sichlay, 17 Sichlau’sd Rd, Yea.

The reunion is being organised by Ian Sichlau, Rob McGregor and Terry Cooper.

The class photograph, taken at the Racecourse Rd campus in its earelier years, shows 43 students in attendance on the day that the historic shot was taken.

Enquiries about to reunion can be made with Ian Sichlau, phone 0419 311 039.

Elite centre for Beveridge?

■ Beveridge could be home to the next generation of Socceroos and Matildas with Melbourne Victory and Mitchell Shire Council proposing to establish a high-performance elite facility in the suburb.

Future stars of tomorrow could start their journey in Mitchell with an in-principle agreement reached for the development and operation of Council-owned land, at the corner of Lithgow St and Patterson Rd, Beveridge

This proposed project will see both elite and community football played from Beveridge and one of Australia’s strongest football clubs create a home on our doorstep.

The project could also deliver a dynamic multi-sport hub, including:

■ Three full-sized football pitches (which will include community access)

■ Four synthetic small-sided football pitches

■ A vibrant open space area with playgrounds and picnic facilities for families and visitors

■ A state-of-the-art facility/ pavilion including access for the community to amenities such as a cafe, function spaces, changerooms, classrooms and more

■ An elite gymnasium, change rooms, and dedicated recovery facilities for

Melbourne Victory

■ The formation of new community clubs (in football, futsal and other sports), providing Council with a hub to welcome players of all skill levels and backgrounds

The $35 plus million development is proposed to be delivered in two stages, with construction of stage one scheduled to begin in early 2026.

Both Melbourne Victory and Mitchell Shire Council are proposing to contribute resources

McLeish hits at Symes

■ Eildon MLA Cindy McLeish has slammed the Allan Labor Government’s law to put a 7.5 per cent tax on those fleeing family violence who stay in short stay accommodation, including Airbnb’s

“The organisations working with family violence victims, and the police, are often looking for temporary accommodation immediately available and Airbnb is one of those options,”

Ms McLeish said.

“These services are doing their best to help the growing number of domestic violence victims, and they can’t afford to be paying an extra tax. The victims fleeing by themselves often have very little and need all the help they can get getting back on their feet.”

“Victims of family violence are certainly not having a holiday, they are looking to find somewhere safe.”

“The Attorney-General at the time, Jaclyn Symes , made damning comments during the parliamentary debate, stating the proposed changes, “are not able to be implemented in a workable way because anyone could claim that they meet one of the exemption criteria and it would be therefore impossible to verify that,” Ms McLeish said.

In Parliament

Police reaction

■ Eildon MLA Cindy McLeish commented in State Parliament last week after the leadership problems at Victoria Police.

“I am always surprised at the level of disconnect between Labor police ministers and even their MPs and the actual police force and those working on the ground – and in fact what people on the ground are saying,” Ms McLeish said.

“I think that the matter of public importance that was put forward today could not be more apt, because we have heard time and time again about the failures in crime and the crisis in police.

“That crisis in police is being driven time and time again by the policies that the government introduced, and equally by the legislation that they failed to introduce.

“It undermines the police, and it undermines their intent. Certainly, as we have seen more recently, they have thrown the Chief Commissioner of Police Shane Patton under a bus.

“They have hung him out to dry for their failures. I think that is a very sad state for Victorians to find themselves in when you have somebody like him who is trying to do the right thing and put suggestions forward and the government are just not interested.

“That reflects through not only the senior leadership of the police but the police on the beat. What do you think their morale is like at the minute? Their morale is shot.

“They are leaving in droves. The vacancy rate is enormous. The people on leave and sick leave and those looking to go to Queensland because they have got brighter promises up there – it is extraordinary.

“The morale in Victoria Police is woeful, and that is such a sad thing, because there are so many great people working in the police force who want to do the right thing but are just disenchanted by the policies, decisions and legislation put forward by this government. I speak to police in my area all of the time, and I know how deflated they feel.

“Looking at what happened with the police commissioner just the other day, it shows several things.

“Firstly, the government does not know what the right hand and left hand are doing; they are not coordinated within the government. I think it was on Wednesday that the Minister for Police said, ‘Yes, the chief commissioner’s term will be just rolled over – another five years, no review; you’re rolled over.’

“It took the press on Friday night to ask a different question, and then the next thing you know, things are changing – he does not support him. His department have said no, he is actually not going to be renewed, and we get the statement put out at about 10 pm on a Sunday night.

“You know if things are not going well in a government, putting something out at 10 o’clock on a Sunday night is what they are going to do. You are going to try and sneak under the radar. I mean, this was never going to be under the radar, but you try to reduce the fallout.

“This government is in absolute panic mode. The way that they have responded to and treated the chief commissioner and the police force generally is appalling.

“The minister puts up legislation, and the police know that the bail laws are not right. We see offenders reoffending constantly.

“We see recidivism is just enormous and the community is consistently endangered. We heard it on the streets of Prahran and we heard it on the streets of Werribee, and goodness, I have heard it on the streets of Healesville in the Yarra Valley as well.

“We had a terrible example in early January when three young girls went into a supermarket, into the bottle shop area, and attacked a worker, a young woman in her 30s. They got in a scrap over a bottle of vodka – seriously. The whole of Healesville are completely alarmed by this. We have been a little bit removed from it because it had not crept out there, but those people caught the train and the bus to Healesville and created havoc in the main street. But this is happening in other communities all over the place – in the growth suburbs in the north, in the south-east and in the west.”

● ● ● The Yea High School Form 2 class photo from 1964. ● ● ● ● Victory on the way to Beveridge?

Local Briefs

Fire at Kilsyth

■ Fire Rescue Victoria crews responded to a house fire in Mt Dandenong Rd, Kilsyth on Friday morning (Feb. 21) after multiple calls to Triple Zero (000) around 2.08am.

Crews arrived on scene within seven minutes to find smoke and flames issuing from the roof of the single storey brick house, so the response was escalated.

FRV crews donned breathing apparatus and began attacking the fire as well as preventing any fire spread to adjoining properties, which were quite close.

All occupants evacuated safely and were assessed by Ambulance Victoria

The fire was deemed under control by 2.59am.

In total 10 appliances and 30 firefighters responded.

The cause of the fire is not yet known but it is being investigated by FRV specialists.

Firefighters were to remain on scene for some time, to ensure the fire was fully extinguished.

Blaze at M’dindi

■ The Cassinia Camp fire at Murrindindi Scenic Reserve was described as “contained” by Vic Emergency at 8.57pm on Saturday (Feb. 22).

Three units attended the fire which affrected 0.1 fectares.

Saturday fires

■ Saturday’s grass fires at Donnyrbook and Kilmore, on a day of Total Fire Ban, saw contingents of volunteer fire fighters turn out. Vic Emergency rated the fires with a ‘Stay Informed’ ranking.

The Donnybrook fire was around Langley Park Drive. Warnings for the Kilmore district fire took in Willowmavin, Forbes, Springfield, Bylands, Kilmore East and Moranding

On Saturday evening (Feb. 22), a small grass fire was reported in the ViewbankLower Plenty area around Martins Lane.

A bushfire was reported at Taylor Bay, Right Arm Rd, Lake Eildon.

Earlier, a high angle rescue took place at Taggerty

First in Victoria

■ Yarra Ranges Council has begun utilising myLot, an AI-powered self-service planning enquiry tool, to help residents find out if they need a planning permit for their upcoming project.

“Designed specifically for homeowners, myLot assists users by providing information about the residential planning controls on their property to assist in the early stages of the planning process and reduce delays in assessment,” a Council representative said.

“The new tool uses artificial intelligence to explore residential development, including what the project is and what planning permit triggers there may be under Council’s planning scheme.”

Yarra Ranges Mayor, Cr Jim Child, said that the tool was designed to save residents time and money, while helping address the housing supply issue in the municipality.

“This has been a huge effort from our Planning and Building and Information Services teams, doing a power of work with myLot to get the platform up and running,” Cr Child said.

“We are always looking to innovate and find new ways to improve the experience for community when engaging with us and our services, and we’re excited to be the first Council in the state to undertake this type of project.

“We know that in the past, the planning process has been met with some frustration by our community, so this technology will help guide them through those initial phases of the process a lot more quickly and smoothly.

“It’s important to note that there will continue to be human oversight with the planning process, this is merely a tool to help quickly answer those first few questions our residents may have when planning to build or renovate,” Cr Child said in a written media statement.

Paramedic Guy retires

■ Highly respected Hume Clinical Support Officer Guy Zuccala ASM has retired from Ambulance Victoria after more than three decades on the road.

Salvatore Guido Zuccala, better known as Guy, wanted to be a paramedic from a young age and spent some of his youth providing first aid through St John Ambulance

Never did he think this would lead him to be one of the first paramedics in Victoria to deliver revolutionary thrombolysis treatment to dissolve blood clots in heart attack and stroke patients.

“In 2014, Seymour and the Hume 1 area were picked for the pilot of the treatment, so we got to use it before it was broadly implemented,” Guy said. “It was a big feat.”

“They used that case as part of the learning package for thrombolysis treatment, so it was a very memorable job.”

Guy Zuccala reflects on his more than three decades on-road.

Guy joined the Metropolitan Ambulance Service in 1989, starting out at South Melbourne branch, before moving to Preston, Broadmeadows and Epping

“It was the northernmost branch in Melbourne at the time and the closest Mobile Intensive Care Ambulance (MICA) crew was miles away,” Guy said.

“It was a different kettle of fish to what that area is today – you can’t even compare it.”

In 2004, Guy completed training to become a MICA paramedic himself before first stepping into the CSO role when seconded to the Alexandra and District Ambulance Service.

Soon after, the Metropolitan Ambulance Service, Rural Ambulance Victoria and ADAS amalgamated into the current AV

“They wanted to appoint a CSO to the new Hume 1 region, so I applied for the position, and I got it – and I ended up in that role for more than 15 years,” Guy said.

The CSO role, among other things, involves travelling to provide clinical support to paramedics and first responders, and particularly, graduate paramedics and MICA students.

Guy’s career highlights include his involvement in the medical advancement of paramedic practice in Victoria, and being recognised in the 2016 Australian Honours with an Ambulance Service Medal (ASM).

“I was absolutely stoked to know my colleagues put me forward for the ASM,” Guy said.

“That in itself is one of the biggest highlights of my career.

“I couldn’t believe it when I received a letter from the Governor General telling me I’d been nominated for an ASM – wow.”

Guy said he left school at 17 to join a regional ambulance service as a cadet but lasted just six months after experiencing racism.

He was encouraged back to the profession he loves by a colleague at a major Melbourne hospital.

“I did a few different jobs and ended up working at PANCH, which was one of the major hospitals in Melbourne back in the day.

“One of the surgeons there was on the ambulance service’s board of management and he encouraged me to come back to the ambulance service.

“By this point, the culture within the ambulance service had changed and there were a lot of Italian and Greek people working the job –when I had started, there were none.”

Guy saw ambulance officer roles advertised a year or so later and applied – and the rest is history.

Guy finished up with AV in early February, saying he’ll be taking some time to focus on his health before travelling.

He thanked his family and colleagues for their support throughout his career.

“I want to thank my wife and my children for supporting me and standing by me through it all,” Guy said.

“The number of times I had to leave them at dinner and rush out of a restaurant to go to work or miss going to their sport games or events – I often wasn’t around when I should have been.

“The other people I’d like to particularly thank are the other MICA paramedics at Seymour – we really had each other’s backs.”

Guy said he’s loved living and working in country Victoria

“I lived in Seymour for a long time, and I basically knew everybody,” he said.

“Working in the country, you’re part of a community – you walk down the street and everybody knows you, knows your kids, knows where you live.”

Hume 4 CSO Paul Stefaniak said it was an honour and privilege to work alongside Guy for two decades.

“Guy was a passionate advocate for all his paramedic colleagues and for the improvement of resourcing in his area,” Paul said.

“Guy trained and mentored all levels of staff from Ambulance Community Officers to Advanced Life Support and MICA paramedics.

“Guy was a consummate professional and an absolute gentleman who was highly respected and loved by all his colleagues.”

Virus found at GV piggery

■ Agriculture Victoria has confirmed Japanese encephalitis virus has been detected in a Goulburn Valley pig herd.

JE virus is considered established in mainland Australia and therefore there will be no quarantine or movement restrictions put in place.

Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer Sally Salmon stressed that the detection, which is the first in a pig since April 2022, is not unexpected.

“We are actively monitoring the situation and continue to investigate and test pigs and other livestock that exhibit clinical signs consistent with JE virus infection.

“You can help your pigs avoid infection by reducing nearby mosquito habitats and limiting their exposure to mosquitoes,’ she said.

Japanese encephalitis is a mosquitoborne viral disease that can cause reproductive losses and encephalitis in susceptible animal species. It is caused by the JE virus which is a member of the Flavivirus genus.

JE is spread by mosquitoes in a complex cycle that can involve birds, pigs and spillover hosts like horses, humans and various other animals. This transmission cycle means it is not possible to eradicate JE in Victoria

The Department of Health confirmed a human case of JE in a resident of northern Victoria in January. There is no specific treatment available for Japanese encephalitis.

The best prevention is to protect against mosquito bites.

●

■ Playing individual matches on the last round of Gender Challenge on Wednesday the Men finished up winners over the nine rounds by just by 25 points.

Twelve matches saw Caroline Webber, Margie Wright, Miranda Gill, Jan Wealands and Cindy Armstrong have wins for the Ladies, whilst for the Men, Bob Glenister, Peter Johnston, Russ Wealands, Brendan Chenhall and Chris Keogh had wins.

There were two tied matches. Di Holdsworth was NTP on the 14th and Stuart Jarvis won the Club Award.

Miranda Gill (18) with 40 points was the daily winner. She also won the inaugural Mary Walker Trophy donated by the Quinlan family.

Second was Brian Priestley(29) with 39 points but due to handicap his score did not register with the Gender Challenge.

Next was Cindy Armstrong (27) on CB from Peter Johnston (16) and Russ Wealands (25) all on 35 points.

Fifth in the Gender Challenge was Margie Wright on CB from Phil Armstrong (21) and Allan Coates (9) all on 34 points.

The team average went to the Ladies 30.9 to 29.3. The individual matches saw 60 points going to both teams. The girls won 60 of the 85 points available on the daily results, just finishing short overall with 435 to the boys 460.

- Alan Pell

●

●

●

● There was no golf at Yea at the weekend because of the Sunday race meeting.

Zuccala

● Miranda Gill

● Alan Pell at trophy time.

by

Local people in the picture

● ● ● ● Anthony McCarthy

● ● ● Jan Joyce

Bob Lawrance

● Elsie Murphy

● ● ● Glen Jones

● Jean Scott

● ● David Aldous

● Jan Beer

● Brendan Sier

Joan Byrne

Bob Lockhart

Helen Godfrey

Photos

Ash Long

AFGHAN BAZAAR TRADERS CALL FOR RE-NAMING

■ A group of more than 170 traders in Thomas St, Dandenong, want the Afghan Bazaar precinct re-named as ‘Little Bamyan’

The area is a vibrant hub of Hazaragi culture.

A group, plus around 20 community organisation ,is petitioning the Greater Dandenong City Council to rename the area.

They say there are historical traumas associated with existing name.

Bamyan, a central province in Afghanistan , is celebrated for its historical significance and cultural richness.

It was home to the monumental Buddhas of Bamyan, ancient statues that symbolized peace and resilience before their destruction in 2001 by the Afghan Taliban said to be associated with the Pakistan ISI for many centuries.

“The Taliban claimed the statues were symbols of idolatry, leading to their demolition.

“Renaming the precinct to 'Little Bamyan ' seeks to reflect these values and provide a sense of belonging for the Hazara community in Dandenong

“It also serves as a gesture of sympathy and remembrance for the loss of these significant cultural monuments, said a group representative.

“The Hazara community has been instrumental in revitalizing Dandenong's economy. Beyond the 172 businesses on Thomas St , they operate over 300 warehouses, auto workshops, and construction wholesale outlets throughout the region.”

● ● ● ● Margaret Hickey has penned Rural Dreams, which is reviewed by Julie Houghton (inside).

● ● Traders want the precinct known as ‘Little Bamyan’

Other People’s Gossip

IBAC interest?

■ Is a report about matters in the Whittlesea area being made to the Independent Broadbased Anti-corruption Commission? OPG has been told that allegations have already been made to northern suburbs police.

Katy returns

● ● ● ● Katy Perry

■ A fourth Melbourne concert on Saturday, June 7, has been added by Katy Perry to her calendar of three other sell-out concerts at the Rod Laver Arena (Jun. 12-14). The Lifetimes Tour is being presented by Paul Dainty.

Gossip Bites

■ Action series NCIS: Sydney has been renewed for a third season for Paramount+ / 10.

■ The Federal Government has announced one-year suspension of the Commercial Broadcasting Tax will take effect from June 9.

■ former Children’s TV presenter and actress Marilyn Mayo, best known for 1970s breakfast show The Super Flying Fun Show, has died, aged 81.

Manners please

■ We are not sure why Neil Mitchell is still appearing on 3AW after he retired more than a year ago. He should gracefully retire and let the newer generation of broadcasters do their things their way.

Neil was a guest last week on Tony Moclair’s afternoon program ... yet it was Neil trying to be boss-cocky, giving out the phone number for talkback callers to dial. Manners please, Mr Mitchell.

AWGIE winners

■ Winners have been announced in the Australian Writers’ Guild Awards 2025.

■ Feature Film – Original: Inside – Charles Williams

■ Documentary – Public Broadcast (Including VOD) Or Exhibition: Renee Gracie: Fireproof – Frances Elliott and Samantha Marlowe

■ Television – Serial: EastEnders: Episode 6705 – Peter Mattessi

■ Television – Series: Erotic Stories: Season 1, Episode 5 ‘Walking Gambit’ – Adrian Chiarella

■ Television – Limited Series: Fake – Anya Beyersdorf and Jessica Tuckwell with Hyun Lee

■ Animation: Memoir of a Snail – Adam Elliot

PASSING OF 3XY’s LESTER PARSONS Observer National

■ Melbourne journalist Graham Simpson (also known as Lester Parsons) has died.

Graham was many things. He was the Editor of the short-lived National Tattler magazine, p;roduced by Maxwell Newton Publications, where Simpson’s wife Jacqui Johnson worked on the Sunday Observer

Graham Simpson was author of The Judith Durham Story, a sketch-writer for Fast Forward, and a corporate speechwriter for Mark Mitchell.

He was program writer for MCM Entertainment for 19 years, and wrote for syndicated radio programs such as My Generation and Take 40 Australia

At 3XY he performed as ‘Lester Parsons’ for seven years, later working alongside XY’s Kevin Hillier Graham was aged 69.

Edgar is Chair

■ Company Director and Investment Manager Edgar Myer has assumed the role of MSO Chair, following the retirement of Director and Chairman Dr David Li after a 12-year tenure.

Mr Myer joined the MSO board in March 2023.

“The MSO is an iconic organisation brimming with talented musicians and artistic teams, led by a professional management team under new CEO Richard Wigley,” said Mr Myer.

“I am humbled by the privilege of leading the MSO Board and am committed to working with them to strengthen the MSO, grow audiences and achieve the organisation’s strategic vision.”

Mr Myer will be supported by Co-Deputy Chairs, former MP Martin Foley and Founder of Wingate Financial Services, Farrel Meltzer.

Born and raised in Melbourne, Mr Myer brings a broad range of skills and experiences

VERITAS VERITAS

Victoria’s most feared and admired columnist ... first with the latest Victoria’s most feared and admired columnist ... first with the latest ●

to the role of MSO Chair. As Investment Director at Yulgilbar Group of Companies, a family office that invests across various asset classes and operating businesses, Mr Myer manages a range of investment and legal related matters.

Before moving into the world of private investment management, Mr Myer qualified as a solicitor and practiced at Gilbert + Tobin in Sydney , which included a secondment to Cravath, Swaine & Moore in New York City, where he worked on a variety of transactions, investigations, and disputes over several years.

Mr Myer serves as a director of The Aranday Foundation, as a member of the Asialink Advisory Council, and as a member of The Myer Foundation’s Kenneth Myer Innovation Fellowships Committee

Channel 9 Dancers

Jane on her way

■ Jane Fonda will appear at The Plenary, Melbourne, on Thursday, June 12. She is aged 87.

Neighbours axed

■ After two years in reprieve, media reports last week have Neighbours being axed.

According to the London Sun, Fremantle and Amazon failed to come to an agreement to continue the series that made household names out of Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan.

Episodes are expected to continue unti;l the end of 2025.

Luke signs off

■ Luke Bona, who ran the Triple M overnight program, signed off last Friday morningt (Feb. 21). Southern Cross Australia had a number of cutbacks, which included giving the axe to the midnight-dawn show.

TV stars to gather

■ Expect a full line-up of Melbourne’s TV royalty at 11am tomorrow (Thu.) at Sacred Heart Church, Cotham Rd, Kew, for the funeral service for Philip Brady.

Sign off at 7

■ Abbey Gelmi has left the Seven newsroom in Melbourne, following maternity leave late last year. She had headed the weekend sports report.

Domain takeover

■ American real estate giant Costar has bought up 16.9 per cent of Domain and is mounting a takeover bid for the Australian listings company.

Idol out of idle

■ Is it true that ratings went up last week for Australian Idol on the night that co-host Kyle Sandilands was unavailable, and his position was taken by Rikkie-Lee Coulter.

Plans for Regent

■ Melbourne Lord Mayor Nick Reece has abandoned plabs to sell the City’s 50 per cent stake in the Regent Theatre: “I admit, I got it wrong.”

6.57pm News

■ Mark Humphries and the Friday night 6.57pm alleged comedy segment have been axed from Seven News.

“No one saw the funny side,” said News. com.au As well the comedy spot, Seven also ditched its nightlt astrology segment.

● Graham Simpson

Jane Fonda

Patti Newton's 80th birthday. From left: Donna Reed, Carolyn Pearce, Barbara Warren-Smith, Patti Newton, Laurel McTernan, Fayette Corlass and Camille Edwards (Channel 9 Dancers).

The Whip

Inside Information from State and Federal Parliaments

Westernport limit

■ Speed limits from Somerville-Flinders should be reduced to a maximum of 80-kmh, according to a petition from residents, presented to Parliament last week by Hastings

MLA Paul Mercurio.

There would be a slower limit of 60-kmh aroiund the “at the dangerous intersections with the roads to Merricks Beach (Merricks Beach Rd), Mornington (Merricks Rd) and to Red Hill (Shoreham Rd).

“This action would result in improvements to road safety and in particular significantly reduce the risk of serious accidents

“The C777 not only takes a high level of vehicular traffic but is also used, and crossed, by cyclists and pedestrians. It is also seeing significant ro”ad kill of native wildlife, including koalas.”

Need to listen

■ Evelyn MLA Bridget Vallence says Jacinta Allan’s State Government needs to listen more.

“Over the last couple of weeks I have had the privilege of speaking with many people in the Prahran electorate and in St Kilda, Wyndham and Werribee,” Ms Vallence said.

“The common issue that we keep hearing on this side of the house is that, in terms of this Labor Government, the people in Werribee, in Wyndham, in Prahran, in St Kilda and in Windsor are no longer listening to this government.

“They are sick and tired of this government, and it was known further from the results.

“The vote in those two by-elections should be telling for this government: that we have listened loud and clear to those people, that they want more consultation on the legislation that this government is introducing and that these people in these electorates, and in fact people right across Victoria, deserve to be listened to.

“They do not want to be taken for granted by this Labor Government anymore,” Ms Vallence said.

Passover issue

■ Suggestions that Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will call a Federal Election date of April 12 have attracted criticism that the date is also that of Jewish Passover.

Many Jewish voters cast their votes early anyway, because Saturday election dates do not allow them to observe the Sabbath.

All aboard

■ Laverton MLA Sarah Connolly has referred in Parliament to the condition of Southern Cross Railway Station.

She presented a 79-signature petition of Skybus drivers, customer service officers and staff, referring to “the unacceptably dangerous environment which exists at Southern Cross Bus Terminal”.

“Such behaviours have led to a number of our drivers and workers being physically and verbally abused by individuals expressing threatening, violent, aggressive anti social behaviour towards our drivers, staff and customers.”

The petition requests that the the Minister for Police to ensure that the Victorian Police Force, provides hourly patrols of the Bus Terminal to deter anti social behaviour.

People IT’S CURTAINS FOR FAMILY BUSINESS

■ The doors will shut this weekend at Curtain City – a landmark in Waterdale Rd, Heidelberg Heights.

Curtain City’s leader Linda Jenkins is still working at 81.

Linda reflects back to Melbourne in 1965, when new homes, with bigger windows, were being built.

The previously popular venetian blinds were lacking in insulation and aesthetics. Lined drapes were necessary for a comfortable home.

As a new mother, Linda made her own drapes, then some for her brother-in-law and, one evening, the professional business, Richinda, was devised.

“I used to cut fabric on my knees on the floor with my eight-month- old on my back,” says Linda.

“The Yellow Pages used to be the Pink Pages and there was only one other curtain maker listed.

“It wasn’t long before industrial machines and machinists were needed - as the wholesale curtain making business grew in reputation and demand.”

The family also grew with the arrivals of daughters Sandra and Lauretta

Linda, an experienced comptometrist, had an old manual comptometer. Her husband, Richard, wrote a formula for sewing pinch pleats and Linda was easily able to calculate perfect pleats and spacings for their custom made drapes.

There were no calculators back then, let alone computers – which Richard later wrote his formula into.

The business moved to Market Court , a small shopping strip in Reservoir, circa1969. It expanded to offer retail haberdashery and a dry cleaning agency – Linards

“We did many men’s zippers and other repairs. We still did wholesale curtains and added made-to-measure curtain tracks.”

It was thanks to Richard’s ingenuity and foresight that ground-breaking methods were created and led the business to great success and brought about industry standards.

His career in education and sky-writing was no match for his enthusiasm for a quality product.

The business grew further and moved to 633 Waterdale Rd, West Heidelberg, in 1972 becoming Curtain City. It was here the full retail service was offered.

“I worked many nights and weekends as the business continued to grow,” Linda recalls.

Frustrated with available curtain tracks Richard designed and developed his own – Artrak A versatile, durable, Australian made track that was produced and wholesaled around Australia.

In 1977, with the growing success of Artrak, more space was needed so Artrak was operated from across the road at 620.

Communication between both sites was done with walkie talkies as phone calls were expensive.

“We got our first computer soon after – a major investment.”

Early 1980s saw Curtain City and Artrak both settled and operating from 620 Waterdale Rd. The quality of manufacturing and machinist’s wellbeing were improved due to Richard designing innovative workroom machinery and methods.

It has been a real family affair with children, grandchildren and friends, as well as local students, earning pocket money assembling brackets after school.

Son Rick and local girl, Leanne, stayed on and became valuable long term employees. Many adult staff stayed on for over 20 years.

Customers have known, trusted and loved Curtain City and Artrak for decades. Return customers and third or fourth generation orders are not unusual.

Linda still works five days a week in sales, admin and overseeing: “I never imagined that we would still be going after 60 years. I wouldn’t have started without Richard’s support and managed to keep going so long without my daughter Sandra’s help and support over the last few decades. It’s time for me to retire”.

Pair charged

■ Homicide Squad detectives have charged two people with murder following the death of a man in Wyndham Vale on Wednesday (Feb. 19).

Emergency services were called to a bus stop near Haines Drive following an altercation about 8pm.

On police arrival, the man was located with wounds consistent with a stabbing.

Medical treatment was provided to the 23year-old from Hoppers Crossing, but he died at the scene.

Detectives arrested a 17-year-old boy and a 22-year-old man, who have since been charged with murder.

The teenage boy from the Wyndham area and the man from Ascot Vale were held over to appear before court on Saturday.

Music Festival

■ The Seymour River and Ranges Music Festival will be held at kings Park from 2pm10pm on Saturday, March 15.

Acts performing includer Black Sorrows, Taylor Sheridan, Kingswood, Carter and Carter, Navy Band, and a DJ. There will be food trucks.

There are limited tickets. Bookings are essential. No tickets will be available at the gate. Free entry. mitchellshire.vic.gov.au

Health petition

■ Euroa MLA Annabelle Cleeland has presented a 169-signature regarding “the amalgamation of Seymour Health with Northern Health, Epping”.

“There are concerns that the Health Services Plan developed on advice from an Expert Advisory Committee will result in the forced amalgamation of health services like Seymour Health,” Ms Cleeland said.

Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas denies there will be forced amalgmations. See her letter (next page).

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Jenkins

Pages From The Past

●

● The Argus February 22, 1955

Chaotic mess

■ Hundreds of wealthy American business men have cancelled their 1956 Olympic Games trips because even now they can't book accommodation in Melbourne

Mr. S. N. Mercer, executive director of the world-famous Pacific Area Travel Agency, said this yesterday.

Melbourne's accommodation was in a horrible, chaotic mess, he declared, and Games visitors would be forced to sleep in the streets.

Probably thousands of would-be visitors would be forced to stay away.

"It is a disgrace," Mr. Mercer said. "Australia has a wonderful opportunity to build up the tourist trade.

Baby ‘abducted’

■ Six-year-old Dennis Martin "abducted" a nine-months-old baby for 3½ hours last night, and returned the baby to his Coburg home at 9.30 p.m., while a police patrol and teams of civilians were searching frantically. Dennis, who is staying with Mrs. Evelyn Newitt, of Gordon-st., toddled away from the house at 6 p.m. to give her baby, Garry, a glimpse of the world beyond his front gate. Wheeling thé pram and happily watching "the big cars go by," he vanished in a maze of nearby streets.

Mrs. Newitt soon missed the children, and rang D24. A wireless patrol searched the area, but could not find them.

Neighbors joined the search and police were about to call for reinforcements when the wanderers straggled home — tired and hungry but unharmed.

Japs test navy

■ Tokyo, Monday - Japan displayed her newly reborn naval strength today in her first sea manoeuvres since she was defeated in 1945.

About 6,000 men aboard 41 ships stood at battle stations as the five-day exercise started at dawn in waters round Shikoku Island, off Hiroshima.

Two United States submarines, and seven planes are taking part..

They'will "attack" a Japanese convoy preceded by minesweepers and escorted by 16 frigates and three helicopters.

What is Whittlesea Mayor really like?

Sir,

What is Whittlesea Mayor Aidan McLindon really like?

There has been a lot of adverse publicity raised against our new Mayor of Whittlesea City Council , Aidan McLindon.

I met Aidan several months before the local elections when we both ran as candidates for Whittlesea Council last year. We both held similar values and what we wanted our city to become.

Aidan believes that we all should be able to live and prosper in a democracy where freedom of speech is encouraged.

He is a local school teacher and is passionate that children in kindergartens and schools should not be sexualised which we can see happening in broad daylight.

He says independent schools of faith should be free to teach their students without encumbrance and has courageously advocated to ‘let kids be kids’.

Prior to the recent Council election Aidan put in a huge effort by personally door knocking most of the homes in his Ward on the commitment to advocate for a freeze on rates for two years and to support family friendly policies at Council, amongst other things.

This produced him a huge primary vote of 54 per cent in the Kirrip Ward in which he ran. It was by far the highest vote in the municipality and was the only ward in the city that was declared on the evening of the counting of votes.

The rest of the candidates had to wait weeks as no in had a clear majority.

Then he was voted in as Mayor by the majority of his peers. They must have see leadership qualities in him and a passion to get things done inside the council machine.

There were some obvious constraints and skulduggery going on from the very first council meeting where McLindon’s motion to reign in rates without compromising basic services was lost - 6 votes to 5.

Some nine weeks later he decided to run as an independent candidate for the Werribee byelection. His democratic right in the holiday period where most of council was in shutdown mode.

He told me this was to enable him to raise the city’s issues about his opposition to a large commercial incinerator planned for the north and others in Labor controlled suburbs and to review the Local Government Act which is very restrictive.

He wanted to see local government freed up so that Councils could function without those unnecessary restrictions.

At the same time he wanted to support the overturning of the Labor control in Werribee which had been held by them for 48 years. (He never expected to win that by-election of course it was a chance to assist a bigger picture).

There was a massive swing against Labor and no doubt Aidan’s involvement played a role in that to the point that Labor just won by a few hundred votes after the Greens

Although Aidan’s action was unconventional I believe his motivation was honourable. Councillors are permitted to run for office in other realms if they take leave. This is not uncommon.

However, opposition forces in and out of Council have used this as an excuse to discredit him - unjustly I believe, and at the recent Council meeting at the last minute a Councillor turned a petition report into an attack motion against Aidan which was passed when this should not have been allowed according to Council meeting rules.

The CEO should have advised that this was out of order. The recent council meeting held on Tuesday descended into a kangaroo court to trial a person for enacting his democratic right.

A brave resident protested from the public gallery “I’d rather be one person of integrity than to go with the flow” I agree, Aidan McLindon is that one person. - Ross Lee, Doreen

● ● Ross Lee gives his assessment of the Whittlesea Mayor

Observer Mailbag

Shortletters(nomorethan200words) onlocalsubjectsareinvitedfromreaders.

Emailto: editor@MelbourneObserver.com.au

Letters must be short and may be edited. All letters to be considered for publication must have a name, street address and phone number so their authenticity can be checked. An email address is not sufficient.

Health Minister writes to us

Sir,

I want to be frank with readers in your community.

Our government will not force the merger of any health service in Victoria, and we will not make cuts to frontline staff.

We are getting on with expanding access to the frontline care that all Victorians deserve.

The time has come to call out Brad Battin and his Liberal Nationals Coalition Cuts Squad for who they really are. Fearmongers.

Their modus operandi is simple – scare their community and lie to make it happen. It is disappointing to see that their purposely inaccurate claims we are rolling out “mergers by stealth” has caused distress for many Victorians

Regional Victorians deserve to know they cannot trust the Liberal National Party.

Under their watch, regional hospitals in every corner of Victoria were closed, including Eildon, Koroit, Mortlake, Murtoa, Red Cliffs, Macarthur, Clunes, Beeac, Birregurra, Lismore, Elmore and Wangaratta. They also privatised hospitals in Traralgon and Mildura

In stark contrast, we are working hard to expand access to healthcare, particularly for regional and rural Victoria through our Local Health Service Networks.

Being linked through a network will help to ensure stronger referral pathways between all our health services – freeing up beds in our busier hospitals and ensuring Victorians can get care sooner and closer to home, while also taking

pressure off our dedicated workforce.

For example, if a patient has surgery in a larger regional hospital, but there’s room for them to recover at a smaller rural service closer to their home and loved ones, being linked through a network will help achieve this.

It is that simple.

The Allan Labor Government is putting patients first, delivering Victorians the highest quality, connected health system – one that ensures patients get the care they need, sooner, and in their own communities.

This does not involve forced amalgamations.

Sir,

- Mary-Anne Thomas, Minister

for Health

Accuracy over speed

The Victorian Electoral Commission emphasises the importance of accuracy and integrity in counting votes for the Prahran and Werribee district by-elections.

Electoral Commissioner Sven Bluemmel acknowledged that emotions may be heightened during close elections, as is the case in Werribee District.

“We understand the desire for an immediate result, however, counting takes time and we prioritise accuracy over speed during counting processes. This is crucial to ensure electoral integrity and a result that stands up to scrutiny.

“What matters most is making sure that every vote is counted accurately, and this takes time. Our systems are working as intended, with each vote scrutinised by candidate-appointed representatives monitoring the count at each step of the process.

“We also saw growing numbers of early and postal votes at these by-elections. This can contribute to an outcome not being known on election night, especially in close seats.”

Mr Bluemmel noted that all early votes, election day votes, and postal votes received up to close of voting on Saturday were fully counted on election night. All counting venues finished their primary and two-candidate preferred counts on the night as planned.

“We know election nights are high-pressured environments, but it is vital that we follow protocols and maintain our independence. We are ensuring that due process continues with the rechecking of votes, which is a standard process for all Victorian state elections.

“We are actively monitoring the rate of postal returns and at this stage primary results.” - Victorian Electoral Commission

Warren Dawson

Box Hill Secondary College

Box Hill Senior Secondary College is a Years 9-12 Senior Secondary College offering a full VCE program, Vocational VCE, Industry certified VET courses, School based apprenticeships, Arts program and we were the first “Sports Academy” school in Australia.

Warren Dawson is the Executive Principal and in his five years at BHSSC, he and his talented group of staff and students have led a “change” agenda, which now means our academic performance has been

Fact File

NAME: Box Hill Secondary College

ADDRESS: Dunloe Ave, Mont Albert North, Vic 3129

PHONE: 9890 0571

EMAIL: box.hill.senior.sc@ education.vic.gov.au

transformed.

VCE performance is now at State Average or above in a range of VCE subject areas, along with eight industry based training courses being offered on-site for students to access from Year 9 onwards.

As an experienced Principal, my philosophy is simple when considering education, “ all students are talented and capable, our role is to challenge and support everyone to be the best version of themselves each and every day”.

In my 30 years of education, along with another lifetime of involvement in elite level sport both nationally and internationally, I am constantly amazed at what students can achieve when given the opportunity to excel.

As a growing school, who are currently taking enrolments, we encourage all families to consider us when looking at secondary school education within the Inner East of Melbourne.

Weekly tours can be booked via our website https:// www.bhssc.vic.edu.au/enrolments/ enrolment-enquiry/

Madeleine Witter Glen Iris Primary School

As the principal of Glen Iris Primary School (GIPS), I am proud to lead a community committed to our vision: Growth through belonging; community where every child thrives. With over 20 years of experience as a school leader, I’ve seen how fostering belonging helps every child reach their full potential.

At GIPS, we strive to create an environment where children feel valued and supported, inspiring them to aim high.

Meet The Principals Great Schools

across Victoria

Fiona McAuliffe

Fact File

NAME: Glen Iris Primary School

ADDRESS: 170 Glen Iris Rd, Glen Iris, Vic 3146

PHONE: 9885 3624

WEBSITE: www.gips.vic.edu

EMAIL: glen.iris.ps@ education.vic.gov.au

differentiated, and supportive, focusing on deep thinking, collaboration, and academic growth.

We aim to nurture resilient students who the skills needed to thrive in high school.

My work as the author of Reading Without Limits and co-author of the Berry Street Education Model has influenced our approach to both student wellbeing and learning, ensuring we prioritise academic and emotional growth.

Wellbeing is at the core of what we do, with programs like the Resilience Project, the Berry Street Education Model, an onsite school psychologist, and Respectful Relationships woven into daily practice.

These initiatives support students’ mental health, ensuring they are ready to learn.

Our families are integral to our success, and together we ensure that GIPS remains a place where every child thrives.

I warmly invite you to book a tour, where students and I will share our students’ learning and wellbeing growth in action.

Good News Lutheran College

With a background in Mathematics education and extensive experience in curriculum leadership, particularly within the International Baccalaureate (IB) framework, she has played a pivotal role in shaping the College’s academic direction.

Good News Lutheran College continues to provide a strong academic framework, offering the IB in Prep to Year 9 and the VCE in Years 10 to 12.

With a focus on 'Creating Success Together,' the College strives to foster an environment where every stu-

Fact File

NAME: Good News Lutheran College

ADDRESS: Tarneit Cam,pus - 580 Tarneit Rd, Tarneit, Vic 3029 Mamourin Campus - 44 Barrabool Blvd, Manourin, 3024

PHONE: 8742 9000

WEBSITE: www.goodnews.vic. edu.au

EMAIL: frontdesk@goodnews. vic.edu.au

dent is supported in achieving their best academically and personally.

Founded in 1997 with just 24 students, Good News Lutheran College now serves over 1900 students from Prep to Year 12.

In response to increasing demand, the College expanded with a second campus in Mambourin, which starts on-site this year.

This development ensures that more families in Melbourne’s west can access a Christ-centred, holistic education.

"As a values-based College, we are pleased to offer a supportive environment where students can take responsibility for their own decisions and form their own attitudes and opinions.

“Our curriculum, pastoral care, and behaviour expectations ensure an environment where our students have every opportunity to thrive and realise their potential." – Fiona McAuliffe

● ● Warren Dawson

● ● ● Madeleine Witter

Fiona McAuliffe has led Good News Lutheran College through a period of remarkable growth.

● Fiona McAuliffe

Paid Editorial-Style Advertisements written and contributed by Schools

Julie David Holy Family School, Mt Waverley

In Faith, we believe, we belong, we learn, we grow As Principal of Holy Family Primary School, I encourage our community to live out our School Vision in every interaction.

One of the most rewarding aspects of being a Catholic Primary School Principal is the connections you develop with students, families and staff. The wellbeing of my staff and students is a priority for me as Principal. We have a calm, welcoming, in-

Fact File

NAME: Holy Family School, Mount Waverley

ADDRESS: 250 Stephensons Rd, Mount Waverley, Vic 3149

PHONE: 9807 3300

WEBSITE: wwww.hfmw.catholic. edu.au

EMAIL: principal@hfmw.catholic. edu.au

clusive and orderly school where everyone feels safe. This is supported by our Behaviour Curriculum.

I value the relationship our school has with our Parish Priest and parishioners.

Our Mini Vinnies students support St Vincent de Paul by fundraising throughout the year. Social Justice at our school is more than bringing a ‘gold coin’ donation.

Our Year 6 students give their time to help the younger students in our school by running clubs at lunchtimes.

At Holy Family School we have made changes to our class structure and pedagogy in the last 18 months.

Science of Learning and Reading

Explicit Direct Instruction

Synthetic Phonics Program (PrepYear 2)

PhOrMeS (word reading, spelling and learning) Year 3-6

Wellbeing Program (Resilience Project)

I invite you to book in a school tour via our website.

Jess Davis, Mother Teresa Catholic Primary School. Mt Ridley

Have you meet our new school Principal?

Mrs Jess Davis joins Mother Teresa Catholic Primary school bringing a wealth of experience in her 21+ years in Catholic Education.

Jess is passionate about her new role as Principal at mOther Teresa and is looking forward to working alongside the Mt Ridley communit to ensure that every child at Mother Teresa s equipped for success, both academically and personally.

Under Mrs. Davis' leadership, the school thrives on a values-driven approach that prioritizes respect, kindness, and community spirit. Her focus on individual growth and development helps foster a learning environment where students feel valued and supported.

Mrs. Davis is deeply committed to the spiritual, social, and emotional well-being of each student, reinforcing the school’s strong Catholic ethos. With a forward-thinking vision for the school’s future, Mrs. Davis embraces innovative teaching practices and a curriculum that caters to a wide range of learning needs. Her approach will ensure that students

George Danson, Le Page Primary Schoolm Cheltenham

A Leader Inspiring Greatness at Le Page Primary School

Principal George Danson is the dynamic and visionary leader of Le Page Primary School, a proud 7 Habits School committed to empowering students to achieve their full potential.

With a deep passion for fostering academic excellence and personal growth, Mr. Danson has played a pivotal role in transforming Le Page into a thriving community of confident, capable, and compassionate learners.

Fact File

NAME: Mother Teresa Catholic Primary School

ADDRESS: 5-15 Windrock Ave, Mt Ridley, Vic 3064

PHONE: 7303 1200

EMAIL: jessica.davis@mother teresa.catholic.edu.au

not only achieve excellence in academics but also develop the confidence and skills to become compassionate, responsible citizens.

If you're looking for a school where your child can flourish in a supportive and environment, Mrs. Davis invites you to discover the hospitably of the community at Mother Teresa Catholic Primary School, where each student is truly at the heart of everything.

Mother Teresa Catholic Primary School in Mount Ridley, Craigieburn, offers a nurturing and inclusive learning environment for children from Prep to Year 6.

The school proudly incorporates the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program, where students engage in hands-on learning about gardening, food preparation, and healthy eating. This program teaches valuable life skills and fosters a sense of responsibility while encouraging environmental sustainability.

Mother Teresa Catholic Primary School is a place where every child is valued, respected, and encouraged to reach their full potential.

Fact File

NAME: Le Page Primary School

ADDRESS: 77 Argus St, Cheltenham, Vic 3192

PHONE: 9583 8342

EMAIL: le.page.ps@ education.vic.gov.au

Under Mr. Danson’s leadership, the school has embraced Stephen Covey’s 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, weaving these principles into every aspect of school life.

Students are taught to be proactive, set meaningful goals, and work collaboratively toward success. Through programs like The Leader in Me, he has created a culture where students are not just learners but leaders, equipped with the skills to navigate life with integrity, resilience, and purpose.

Mr. Danson’s commitment to excellence is reflected in the outstanding academic growth of students at Le Page.

He has championed innovative teaching practices, scaffolded learning pathways, and provided targeted support through the school’s threetiered framework.

Beyond academics, his focus on wellbeing, inclusion, and respectful relationships ensures that every student feels valued and supported.

Principal George Danson is not just a leader but a role model, inspiring the entire Le Page community to strive for greatness.

Joanne Rock Santa Maria College

Discover what makes Santa Maria College a unique and innovative Learning Community: Santa Maria College is a welcoming school that has a dynamic, determined, cohesive and innovative leadership team led by Principal Joanne Rock, and a committed staff.

It is increasingly highly regarded in the community as a school that cares deeply for its students: one that seeks to promote student life that enables girls to become strong, compassionate and independent women who are critical thinkers and who seek to live out Gospel values with integrity, hope and joy.

In recognising the importance of working in partnership with parents, the College endeavours to provide a holistic education to the young women it serves. In doing so, it is wholeheartedly embracing the challenges of the rapidly changing educational, social and spiritual landscape.

The College successfully gained authorisation from the International Baccalaureate as a global school in 2014 and as such is an official provider of the Middle Years Program (MYP: Years 7-10).

This recognition has placed the College on an international platform as a global school for innovative learning, and only 1 of 3 Catholic secondary schools in Victoria to offer this learning approach to our Year 7-10 students.

The College has a true multicultural

NAME: Santa Maria College

ADDRESS: 50 Separation St, Northcote, Vic 3070

PHONE: 9488 1613

EMAIL: info@santamaria. vic.edu.au

profile with no nationality dominating the ethnic mix with many students representing third and fourth generation migrant families.

Santa Maria College has the strongest and most successful Duke of Edinburgh program in Victoria.

This program builds emotional resilience, physical and mental strength and the capacity to work in and serve the wider community. It consists of adventure experiences, recreation, skills development and community service.

The DoE program has 3 developmental stages. The Bronze award is fully integrated into the Year 9 curriculum.

The Silver and Gold awards are electives in Years 10 and 11. The completion of the Gold DoE award enables students to apply for Early Entry Access schemes at University level.

We would love you to come and see us in action and learn more about who we are and what we do from our wonderful student ambassadors who love to take families on tour and tell them all about what it is like being a Santa girl.

● Julie David

● ● George Danson

● ● Jessica Davis

Sue Hartley Scoresby Primary School

I am Sue Hartley, the proud principal of Scoresby Primary School.

At Scoresby Primary School we pride ourselves on having a vibrant

Fact File

NAME: Scoresby Primary School

ADDRESS: 11Ingrid St, Scoresby, Vic. 3179

PHONE: 9763 7484

EMAIL: scoresby.ps@ education.vic.gov.au

school community.

We make strong connections with our families, students and the wider community, and we know that children perform at their best when they feel safe and happy.

Our students are at the centre of all decision-making in our school.

At Scoresby Primary School we offer an exciting educational program for all year levels Foundation to Year 6, within a supportive and inclusive environment.

We aim to grow students socially, emotionally and academically, and we are very proud of our excellent academic results.

The individual needs of students are met with our rigorous teaching practices, while providing authentic and engaging learning for all.

We have a strong set of core values at Scoresby Primary School, our HEART values. Honesty, Excellence, Acceptance, Respect and Trust are our H.E.A.R.T. values, and they are an embedded part of our daily learning environment, helping us to guide our students to become good citizens, ready for their bright futures.

We are the HEART of Scoresby!

Michael Watt, St Clement of Rome School, Bulleen

A Warm Welcome from Michael Watt

As a father of three, I deeply understand what parents want for their children—a nurturing environment where they feel safe, happy, and supported in both their academic and personal growth.

More than anything, I want my own children to develop a strong faith, build meaningful friendships, and carry with them values that will guide them through life.

These same aspirations drive me every day as the Principal of St Clement of Rome, because I want the very best for your children too.

My journey in education began in 1998 as a Learning Support Officer at St Anne’s in Park Orchards, and my passion for teaching quickly grew.

I began my teaching career at St Brigid’s in Healesville in 2000, before moving on to St James in Vermont. I later served as both a teacher and Deputy Principal at St Jude’s in Scoresby and St Luke’s in Wantirna.

After eight wonderful years as Prin- cipal of St Paul’s in Monbulk, I now feel incredibly fortunate to lead the St Clement of Rome community.

I have also completed two Masters Degrees—one in Educational Lead- ership through Australian Catholic Uni- versity and another in Student Wellbeing at the University of Melbourne—both of which have shaped my approach to leading a school where every child is valued and empowered to thrive.

At St Clement of Rome, we believe in high expectations and fostering a lifelong love of learning. Our school is blessed with outstanding facilities and a dynamic curriculum that engages and challenges students.

We offer a rich array of specialist programs, including Music, Visual

Martin McKenna, St Cecilia’s Primary School, Glen Iris

My name is Mr. Marty McKenna, and as the Principal of St. Cecilia’s, I want to personally welcome you to our school community.

Fact File

NAME: St Clement of Rome School

ADDRESS: Unit 9, 21 Egan Drive, Bulleen, Vic 3105

PHONE: 9850 1216

EMAIL: principal@clement bulleenb.catholic.edu.au

Arts, Science, Italian, and Physical Education. Through innovative teaching practices, including the use of Google Apps for Education (G.A.F.E.) and an Inquiry-based learning approach, we prepare students to be confident, critical thinkers in an everchanging world.

Above all, our children are at the heart of everything we do. St Clement of Rome is a place where respect, kindness, and strong community connections flourish. We work in close partnership with students, parents, staff, and the wider community to create a supportive and harmonious environment where every child feels seen, heard, and valued.

Our school motto, ‘Love One Another,’ is more than just words—it is a way of life here. We foster a culture of care, cooperation, and success, ensuring that each child is nurtured academically, socially, and spiritually. I warmly invite you to visit St Clement of Rome and experience our wonderful school firsthand. Tours are available every Monday and Thursday at 10:00 am. To book, visit our website at www.clementbulleen.catholic.edu.au or call our office on (03) 9850 1216. I look forward to welcoming you to our school community!

Fact File

NAME: St Cecilia’s Primary School

ADDRESS: 4 Van Ness Ave, Glen Iris, Vic 3146

PHONE: 9809 2142

EMAIL: mmckenna@scgleniris. catholic.edu.au

At St. Cecilia’s, we believe that excellence isn’t just about big achievements—it’s also found in the small moments that shape a child’s journey.

A warm greeting at the gate, a student helping a friend, a teacher who takes the time to listen—these are the moments that create a strong and caring school.

Our school is a place where students feel known, valued, and inspired to reach their full potential.

With a rich and engaging curriculum, dedicated teachers, and a strong focus on faith and values, we provide a learning environment where children grow academically, spiritually, and socially.

Whether it’s in the classroom, on the sporting field, in the arts, or through leadership opportunities, we support each student in finding their strengths and passions.

I invite you to visit us, take a tour, and experience the spirit of St. Cecilia’s for yourself. Come and see what makes our school special—I’d love to personally welcome you and your family.

Natalie Kenny, St Dominic’s Primary School, Camberwell East

www.sdcamberwell east.catholic.edu.au

EMAIL: principal@sdcamberwell east.catholic.edu.au

Enrolling your child is a significant decision, so it is important that you visit prospective schools and encounter their learning culture and community, and ask key questions to support your decision.

Our St Dominic’s school community is welcoming, dynamic, inclusive and highly-engaged and our children are at the heart of all we do.

Wellbeing is foundational to successful learning and our students are happy, confident, and well-supported to build meaningful connections and achieve positive learning outcomes. This is at the core of our work.

Our Dominican Charism is based on the foundations of Prayer, Learning, Service and Community; this is real, lived and celebrated each day at St Dominic’s.

We provide diverse and engaging learning programs, excellent contemporary learning spaces, we value and egage student voice, target learning support and we are proud of our caring and professional staff.

I warmly invite you and your family to “Discover the St Dom’s Difference” for yourself!

● ● Martin McKenna

Jason Micallef, St Kevin’s Primary School, Hampton Park

As Principal of St. Kevin’s Primary School in Hampton Park, Jason Micallef leads with a deep commitment to faith, learning, and community.

With over 25 years of experience in Catholic education, Jason fosters an inclusive environment where every child is known, valued, and sup-

Fact File

NAME: St Kevin’s Primary School

ADDRESS: 120 Hallam Rd, Hampton Park, Vic 3976

PHONE: 9709 8600

EMAIL: jmicallef@ skhamptonpark.catholic.edu.au

ported to reach their full potential.

At St. Kevin’s, a vibrant multicultural and multifaith school, Jason champions high-quality teaching and learning, ensuring students develop strong literacy and numeracy foundations through evidence-based, explicit instruction.

He believes that education is an act of love, strengthened by the science of learning, and works closely with teachers to build their capacity for excellence.

Under his leadership, St. Kevin’s has become a place where student wellbeing is prioritised alongside academic achievement. The school’s strong support network wraps around every child and their family, ensuring that students flourish socially, emotionally, and academically.

Jason is passionate about building strong partnerships between families, school, and parish, ensuring St. Kevin’s remains a welcoming faith community where children thrive.

He invites families to experience The St. Kevin’s Effect—where every child belongs, every child grows, and every child succeeds.

Marisa Matthys, St Mary’s Primary School, Greensborough

It is an absolute privilege to be the Principal of St Mary’s Greensborough.

We are a dynamic community of empowered learners engaging justly in the world.

Our philosophy is to be a welcoming, inclusive community by following Jesus’ teaching and genuinely caring for others.

Angela Lacey St Martin of Tours, Rosanna

Welcome to St Martin of Tours School! I am the new Principal here, having commenced in Term Two 2024.

I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the students and their families, and our parish.

I have always worked in education, firstly as a teacher, then a leader and as a Principal in two previous schools. It is a privilege to be an educator and to share the development of the students in our school.

The key aspect of my role is to ensure that the students are engaged in their learning, and in all other areas of their development.

Students learn when they feel safe and happy, and that’s the environment we create for them as a staff at St Martin’s School. Our staff care about each student's wellbeing and are dedicated to the growth of every child.

About Our School

At St Martin’s, we teach and encourage the students to discuss, think and apply their learning across the curriculum.

Fact File

NAME: St Mary’s Primary School

ADDRESS: 210 Grimshaw St, Greensborough, Vic 3088

PHONE: 9433 4000

WEBSITE: www.smgreensborough. catholic. edu.au

EMAIL: jbaker@smgreensborough. catholic.edu.au

St Mary’s is a place where students and their families truly have a sense of belonging.

As an innovative school which values excellence, all decisions are based upon what is best for our students, deeply underpinned by research.

Our ‘cognitive sciences’ approach caters for all students and increases student engagement and participation. Explicit teaching, daily review and consistent practice supports our students to flourish.

We are extremely proud of our colearner functional language approach to teaching Italian. Our aim is for students to be able to speak fluently in Italian.

We are a Positive Behaviour for Learning school aligning behaviour and academics.

St Mary’s committed, highly expert teachers, explicitly teach the knowledge and behaviours we expect to see.Students are respectful and responsible, letting ‘learners learn and teachers teach’.

I look forward to meeting with you, supporting your child and building in them a love for learning.

Fact File

NAME: St Martin of Tours School

ADDRESS: 2-12 Silk Street, Rosanna 3084

PHONE: 8458 7500

WEBSITE: www.smrosanna. catholic.edu.au

EMAIL: principal@ smrosanna.catholic.edu.au

Following the Vision for Instruction model (MACS), we implement an evidence based direct instruction approach to learning across the curriculum, including a structured phonics approach to the teaching of reading in the P-2 area. Whenever possible, we link Religious Education and Inquiry Learning, so that the students see faith as intertwined in life.

Our Specialist areas are enjoyed by the students and include PE, Visual Arts, Performing Arts, STEM and our LOTE is Italian.

Some of the highlights of our school include: Preparation of the students for the sacraments at Years 3, 4 and 6; a whole school Performance and a Visual Arts Show (Biennial); a fabulous Buddies program; Camps and excursions; Sports Days and Swimming, lunchtime activities and opportunities for Leadership roles.

I look forward to meeting you at a tour to share our educational approach and the range of opportunities we offer at St Martin of Tours School.

Wayne Smith

St Mary’s College, Seymour

Year 12 has returned to St Mary’s for local and regional families. 2025 celebrates 125 years since the Sisters of Mercy arrived in Seymour. Our College Values are the siters of Mercy Values: justice, compassion, respect, hospitality, service and courage.

St Mary’s students are educated and cared for by professional and pastoral educators who are committed to the holistic growth of our students.

Learning, student wellbeing and faith formation empower students to grow from curious Foundation stu-

NAME: St Mary’s College ADDRESS: 90 High St, Seymour, Vic.

accounmts@smseymour. catholic.edu.au

dents into responsible, respectful and capable young adults who have the confidence to believe in their abilities to succeed.

I have had a long career in Catholic education leadership and feel very privileged and proud to be a member of the St Mary’s staff.

St Mary’s has a wraparound wellbeing approach that includes clear expectations of behaviour. The Positive Behaviour Pillars (Respect Excellence and Integrity), along with the pastoral, emotional and mental health education programs of support all nurture and develop the social and emotional growth of our students.

To plan for a growing College population, St Mary’s is building a VCE Senior Learning Centre and enlarging the Monsignor Toms Science Centre, adding two more Science/ STEM laboratories. Both projects will complete two stages of the College’s Four Stage Masterplan.

The explicit (Vision For Instruction) teaching pedagogy is very successful, and data analysis provides the evidence of academic growth.

St Mary’s College Seymour – supports, challenges and inspires!

● ● Jason Micallef

● ● ● ● Marisa Matthys

● ● Wayne Smith

Rachael Spooner, St Matthew’s Primary School, Fawkner North

Rachael Spooner

Hello! My name is Rachael Spooner and I have the great pleasure of being the Principal at St. Matthew’s Catholic Primary School in Fawkner North.

St. Matthew’s is a very proud Catho-

Fact File

NAME: St Matthew’s Primary School

ADDRESS: 95 William St, Fawkner North, Vic 3060

PHONE: 9359 5423

WEBSITE: www.smfawknernth. catholic.edu.au

EMAIL: principal@ smfawknernth.catholic.edu.au

lic school established in 1961.

I am very proud of the warm, inviting and accepting community that we have at St. Matthew’s, where the development of all students’ faith is paramount.

I value relationships very highly and as such aim to develop strong relationships with all staff, students and parents built on respect and trust. Our school vision is:

At St. Matthew’s we seek truth and hope through the teachings of Jesus Christ. In partnership with our wider community, we aspire to be deeply engaged learners and active global citizens.

Our vision statement drives us to provide an education program that is progressive and continually meets the needs of all learners.

We provide a broad specialist program that includes; Visual Arts, Music, LOTE: Italian, Physical Education and Library lessons.

Please feel free to contact us for a tour and an opportunity to see first hand what we have to offer your child at St. Matthew’s.

Trish Vandervolk, St Thomas The Apostle Primary School, Greensborough

At St. Thomas the Apostle School, Greensborough North, we are committed to fostering a love of learning, nurturing spiritual growth, and prioritising student well-being.

As a welcoming and vibrant community, we provide a supportive environment for students from Prep to Year 6, ensuring each child is encouraged to flourish.

Under the leadership of our principal, Trish Vandekolk, we continue to strengthen our commitment to excellence in education.

With a passion for collaboration and inclusivity, Trish fosters a school

Angela Tonkin, St Peter’s Primary School, Epping

As a parent, choosing the right school for your child is one of the most important decisions you will make.

As principal, I am deeply committed to ensuring that every child experiences a fulfilling and enriching education.

At St Peter’s, we are committed to providing an exceptional learning environment where every child is in-

Fact File

NAME: St Peter’s Primary School

ADDRESS: 32 Wedge St, Epping, Vic. 3076

PHONE: 9401 1157

EMAIL: atonkin@stprepp. catholic.edu.au

spired to grow and become the best version of themselves.

We believe that every child is capable of experiencing success. Tailored assessment and teaching strategies ensure that each student is met where they are in their learning journey.

Through personalised instruction and engaging activities, we make sure each child is challenged at their level and supported every step of the way.

We focus on nurturing the whole child—emotionally, spiritually and academically. We believe that a balanced approach to education allows our students to thrive in all areas of their lives.

Over the past four years, our school has seen significant improvements in literacy and numeracy outcomes.

Our dedicated teachers and strategic teaching practices have contributed to this growth, ensuring that students receive the support they need to flourish.

We strive for academic excellence, and our results reflect our commitment to helping every child reach their full potential.

NAME: Sf Thomas The Apostle Primary School

ADDRESS: 251 Diamond Creek Rd, Greensborough North, 3088

PHONE: 9434 4565

PHONE: 9434 4565

WEBSITE: www.stgreensboroughnth. catholic.edu.au

EMAIL: principal@stgreensborough. catholic.edu.au

culture where every student is supported, challenged, and inspired to reach their full potential.

Grounded in a strong faith-based tradition, we embrace evidence-informed teaching practices that enable each child to develop a deep sense of the world around them.

Our dedicated educators create engaging and enriching experiences that build a rich vocabulary, foster curiosity, and ignite students’ passions.

With exceptional facilities—including a Bush School, Vegetable Garden, Science Block, Food Technology Building, Basketball Stadium, and Athletics Track—students benefit from hands-on learning experiences that encourage exploration and discovery.

Our small class sizes ensure every child is known, valued, and supported in a nurturing environment.

Join us at St. Thomas the Apostle School, where learning is an adventure, curiosity is celebrated, and every child is inspired to thrive.

Schools can showcase themselves in their local communities with coverage in their local edition of ‘The Local Paper’. To advertise school activities such as Open Days or special events, an advertising campaign in The Local Paper can be a cost effective way of promotion.

Boost enrolments, congratulate students on their achievements, and keep the community in touch with a school’s latest news, by organising advertising in The Local Paper. Your message will appear in print and online. Contact the team at The Local Paper on phone 1800 231 311.

Angela Tonkin

● ● ● ● Trish Vandekolk

Kagami

■ Japanese composer Ryuichi Sakamoto passed away in 2023 but, with the aid of mixed reality pioneers, Tin Drum, he performs again in the world of virtual reality. This installation is part of the Asia Topa festival showcasing artists from the Asia-Pacific

The audience wears VR goggles. They can walk around the image of Sakamoto as he plays and see every detail of his performance; the keys of the piano moving, the hammers hitting the strings and the expression on Sakamoto’s face.

We are conscious of others viewing the virtual image but can see through them meaning we are in a world of our own. At the same time, Tin Drum creates an elaborate world where leaves fly, rain falls and where an entire solar system emerges around the viewer. There is scope, perhaps, for a consistent narrative to be built around Sakamoto’s music rather than have individual pieces each with their own visuals.

It is also an uncanny feeling being isolated in a performance with the technology cutting one off from the immediate but, at the same time, immersing you in a whole other world. This is a unique sensory experience and the technological domain of VR will develop with sharper edges making reality and the virtual almost indiscernible from each other.

The question remains as to how theatre and the virtual world can combine or if they will ever want to.

Until March 16

Venue: Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (Door 17)

Bookings: artscentremelbourne.com.au

- Review by David McLean

Our Monster’s Name is Jerry

■ In Our Monster's Name is Jerry, queer couple Maude (Laura Jane Turner) and Lou (Em Jevons) are desperate to conceive, enduring rounds of IVF without success.

An unexpected turn of events occurs when Maude inherits a house from a distant relative.

Eccentric next-door neighbour Barb (Amanda LaBonté) soon comes nosing around to welcome Maude and Lou to their new neighbourhood.

Lou’s reservations about the house and the weird noises she keeps hearing are initially dismissed by Maude as paranoia.

Soon enough, the house weaves a spell of psychological terror on both women, menaced by a malevolent force that seems intent on imposing suffering and destruction.

Grisly, supernatural events force Maude and Lou to confront their fears and the lingering ghosts of their past, which they have suppressed.

The hallmark of a gothic horror is the conflict between forces of evil and human protagonists inside a desolate, oppressive environment, such as a haunted house.

Savanna Wegman’s wonderfully macabre set with blood-stained, peeling wallpaper and giant, ominous swinging pendulum, cements the production within the gothic.

Sound designer Robbie Devine and composer Charlie Bowmaker’s atmospheric inclusions flesh out the creepy motif.

Thomas Roach’s lighting design works well to sharpen the eerie ambience.

There are some genuine jump scares for the audience and visual surprises throughout.

LaBonté adds excellent comic moments as Barb, generating well-timed laughs as the tension builds.

However, Amy May Nunn's script occasionally loses its momentum.

Monster Jerry’s (Tomas Parrish) dialogue is puffed out with an extended soliloquy, slowing down the action.

Aunt Wendy (Amanda LaBonté) also seems to present too much exposition, slowing the pace as the story lifts towards its climax.

Eliminating these breaks will surely improve the sense of dread for this horror tale.

Presented at Theatre Works

- Review by Kathryn Keeble

Talkischeap,gossipispriceless

MSO AT MUSIC BOWL

■ Whilst the wind brought the rain undercover nothing could dampen the spirit of the audience at the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra’s summer concert at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl

Presenter Megan Burslem set the scene for a fun, entertaining night of classical music. Dressed to impress she was relatable, down to earth, friendly.

Burslem’s warm manner plus the music choices alleviated my apprehension that I would not be engaged. The second act presented two well known pieces George Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue , followed by Maurice Ravel’s Boléro

The music of the first act was somewhat more of a mystery to me Antonin Dvorák’s Third Symphony. My companion, a Ravel enthusiast, was not impressed with this choice, having his favourite piece overlooked. I who knew no better came to enjoy Ravel’s music by the third act as it became more vibrant.

Following a rainy interval was Rhapsody In Blue with wonderful Australian pianist Andrea Lam. Lam is an accomplished musician who played with energy, smiling whilst playing with her whole body.

It was a joy to watch, wonderful to hear the whole orchestra alive. There were times when the piano was difficult to hear, yet this was an acoustic piano against a full orchestra. Lam’s solos were mesmerising, not a murmur in the audience.

Before the final piece, Burslem invited MSO chief conductor Jaime Martin to the stage to speak to the audience. He even allowed us to sing with him, giving us a great introduction into Bolero.

The music was outstanding to my novice ears, various instruments had their moment to shine, all to the continuous drum beat - wow what stamina for this percussionist. The slow build up led to a fabulous crescendo.

We were also treated to a surprise encore. The audience was silenced as we felt the impulse to clap along - fair enough.

In the words of my companion: "Thankyou Mr Myer for the ‘Bowl’." In both our words: "Thank you MSO, and Andrea Lam along with conductor Jaime Martin for a memorable night of music.

- Review by Elizabeth Semmel

Speakeasy

■ Darebin Arts Speakeasy presents the new trans thriller Djuna from March 12-23 at the Northcote Town Hall Arts Centre.

Produced by the Bullet Heart Club, written by Australian playwright Eva Rees and performed by Jay Gold and Dion Mills, the physiological thriller has been directed by Bullet Heart Club’s Kitan Petkovski, and explores identity, power, and the complexities of human connection.

Set within the charged intimacy of a hotel room, Djuna follows the two-year affair between a young trans woman Djuna (Jay Gold) and Marcus (Dion Mills), an older and purportedly heterosexual man.

Both characters in this play are queer in their own ways, from different generations, brought together in this hotel room to explore themselves in ways they can't anywhere else.

Their initial encounter, driven by mutual fantasy, evolves into a fraught and transformative connection, marked by power dynamics, vulnerability, and the characters' attempts to navigate their identities. She's lying about her age, and he's in denial about who he is and what he wants.

The play’s tension is heightened with themes of body horror, exploring the corporeality of medically transitioning. By literalising societal taboos around body modification, Djuna reclaims and confronts notions of trans identity, creating a bold narrative space that is both unsettling and compelling. Djuna offers a scintillating perspective on queer exploration, from a ground-breaking local company.

Performance Dates: March 12 - 23. Wed.Sat. 7.30pm. Sun. 5pm (90 minutes duration, no Venue: Northcote Town Hall Arts Centre, 189 High St., Northcote For details of special performance times and bookings, visit: bulletheartclub.com/djuna

Truth

● ● ● ● Emily Havea, Thomas Kantor, James O'Connell, Eva Seymour and Eva Rees in Truth.

Photo: Pia Johnson

■ The digital world of intrigue and subterfuge, the political machinations of those wanting to control the discourse and the geeks hacking the system resonate through Patricia Cornelius’ s play, Truth, about the life of Julian Assange

There are five Assanges on stage, (Emily Havea, Thomas Kantor, James O’Connell, Eva Seymour, Eva Rees) all of whom can play other characters when required.

This conceit might have had more impact were they representative of different times in Assange’s life or manifestations of his mental state during those times.

As it is, the play is more a didactic biopic of his life, an apologia of his actions. The drama might have had more effect were it more cognisant of the contradictions and complexity where Assange’s actions are concerned.

The energy of the actors and the timing of their delivery compel the play forward. Their lines intertwine requiring precision. They work together well coordinating the movement of desks and chairs to form the scenes. Not a moment is wasted.

The staging by Susie Dee is what brings to life the malevolence of the digital world we now inhabit.

There are hidden cameras providing different perspectives of the actors. They are seen from a multiplicity of angles.

In this way, the audience becomes both spectator and voyeur. The technical wizardry becomes an integral part of the storytelling; the lighting (Paul Jackson), the video (Meri Blazevski) and sound (Kelly Ryall).

The arc of Cornelius’s narrative does lurch at times as it segues into the life of Edward Snowden and Chelsea Manning.

Whilst their lives are intertwined with Wikileaks, their stories are worthy of independent analysis. So complex is Assange’s life, it would have been difficult for Cornelius to choose what to include.

However, the injustice, dangers and moral cost of the digital world in which we now live are worthy of examination.

Performance Season: Until March 8

Venue: Malthouse Theatre

Bookings: malthouse.com.au

- Review by David Mclean

■

An impressively moustachioed Terence MacManus welcomed the audience (who were peering anxiously at the foreboding skies), switching to a resonant Russian accent for his character Prince Orlovsky. Mac Manus was a marvellous, merry Orlovsky Exuberant and charming, the tale of infidelity, temptation and revenge, was comically conveyed.

At a ball hosted by Prince Orlovsky, Dr Fritz Falke – alias Dr Bat (a lovely tenor, Michael Zuccala), plots revenge on Gabriel von Eisenstein.

Years ago, Eisenstein left him inebriated in a public square in Vienna, dressed as a bat. Eisenstein is also due to serve an eight-day prison sentence for insulting a policeman, but Alfredo (in love with Rosalinda) goes in his place – it’s complicated.

Rosalinda attends the ball disguised as a Hungarian Countess and Adele, her maid (Bridgette Kelsey singing beautifully) also wangles an invitation.

Christelise de Graaf was Rosalinda , a wealthy Viennese matron and her husband, Gabriel von Eisenstein, was played by John Parncutt.

De Graaf’s voice and acting were impeccable. She inhabited her role with grace and beauty. Parncutt splendidly imbued Eisenstein with lanky elegance and wicked charm - a ‘toff’ from top hat to tails.

Ryan Jacobs as Alfredo and Ian Lowe as the Prison Warder, Frank , were terrific. James Douglas as Frosch provided a hilarious cameo and others performed their parts with aplomb.

The four-piece orchestra led by Musical Director Geoffrey Urquhart on piano, Peter Sheridan on flute, Rosalind Burns on violin and Dr Karen Heath on clarinet, was located in an adjacent gazebo, from whence Johan Strauss II’s glorious waltzes emanated.

The women’s gowns by costumer Helen Ebsworthy were exquisite.

Finally, the sun burst through the leaves of the ancient oak tree framing the stage, bathing the actors in a golden glow. A stunning finish to a delightful afternoon.

Performances: The Knowe, Sassafras: March 1-2 at 2 pm; The Round Studio, Nunawading: March 8-9 at 2 pm or 8 pm; Moe Plaza: April 25 at 5 pm

Bookings: gsov.org.au

- Review by Juliet Charles

● ● The cast of Fledermaus toast the show's success.

Photo: Robin Halls

The stunning Edna Walling designed gardens of Knowe Cottage (circa 1919) hosted the new production of Fledermaus by Director Robert Ray for Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Victoria.

● ● Dion Mills in Djuna. Photo: Meagan Harding

Local Theatre Observations

Shows

■ Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Victoria: Fledermaus! March 1, 2 at The Knowe, 4 Clarkmont Rd., Sassafras. March 8, 9 at The Round Studio, Nunawading. April 12 at Moe Plaza. Director: Robert Ray; Musical Director: Geoffrey Urquhart. Bookings: gsov.org.au

■ Williamstown Little Theatre: Wicked Sisters (by Alma de Groen) Until March 3 at Williamstown Little Theatre, 2 Albert St., Williamstown. Director: Ellis Ebell. Bookings: wlt.org.au/

■ Lilydale Athenaeum Theatre Company: Moon Over Buffalo (a comedy by Ken Ludwig) Until March 1 at the Lilydale Mechanics’ Institute, Castella St., Lilydale. Director: Ian Frost. Bookings: lilydaleatc.com

■ Heidelberg Theatre Company: Jeeves and Wooster in Perfect Nonsence (by The Goodale Brothers) Until March 1 at Heidelberg Theatre, 36 Turnham Ave., Rosanna. Director: Morgan Thomas-Connor. Bookings: htc.org.au

■ Malvern Theatre: The Appleton Ladies’ Potato Race (by Melanie Tait) Until March 1 at Malvern Theatre, 29 Burke Rd., Malvern. Director: Helen Ellis. Bookings: malverntheatre.com.au

■ The Basin Theatre Company: Home, I’m Darling (by Laura Wade) Until March 2 at The Basin Theatre, Doongalla Rd., The Basin. Director: Bob Bramble. Bookings: thebasintheatre.org.au

■ The 1812 Theatre: Spider’s Web (by Agatha Christie) February 20 – March 14 at The 1812 Theatre, Rose St., Upper Ferntree Gully. Director: John Mills. Bookings: 1812theatre.com.au

■ Eltham Little Theatre: The Diary of Anne Frank (by Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett) February 21 – March 8 at the Eltham Performing Arts Centre, 1603 Main Rd., Research. Director: Steve Saul. Elthamlittletheatre.org.au

■ Peridot Theatre: The Architect (by Aiden Fennessy) Until March 2 at the Clayton Theatrette, Cooke St., Clayton. Director: Jen Bite. Bookings: peridot.com.au

■ The Mount Players: The Importance of Being Earnest (by Oscar Wilde) Until March 9 at The Mountview Theatre, 63 Smith St., Macedon. Director: Vicki Smith. Bookings: themountplayers.com

■ Mordialloc Theatre Company: Holmes and Watson (by Jeffrey Hatcher) February 27 – March 8 at the Shirley Burke Theatre, 64 Parkers Rd., Mordialloc. Director: Amy Calvert. Bookings: mordialloctheatre.com.au

■ Phoenix Theatre Company: Head Over Heels - the Musical (adapted by James MacGruder) February 28 – March 8 at the Doncaster Playhouse. Bookings: phoenixtheatre.org

■ GAB Theatre: Charlotte’s Web (adapted from the book by E.B. White by Joseph Robinette) March 1 at 2pm, 7.30pm; March 2 at 2pm at the Lancefield Mechanics Institute. Director: George Benca. Table seating. BYO nibbles and a drink. Bookings: www.trybooking.com/CVYOS

■ Beaumaris Theatre: Ladies in Black

(Book by Carolyn Burns Music and Lyrics by Tim Finn Based on the novel “The Women in Black” by Madeline St John) March 7 – 22 at Beaumaris Theatre, 82 Wells Rd., Beaumaris. Director: Debbie Keyt. Musical Director: Rhonda Vaughan; Choreographer: Camilla Klesman. Bookings: beaumaristheatre.com.au

■ CentreStage: Come from Away. March 7

– 22 at The Playhouse, Geelong Performing Arts Centre, 50 Malop St., Geelong. Bookings: centrestage.org.au/event

■ Strathmore Theatrical Arts Group: Sex Please, We’re Sixty (by Michael Parker and Susan Parker) March 13 – 22 at the Strathmore Community Theatre, Loeman St., Strathmore. Director: Luisa Romeo. Bookings: stagtheatre.org

■ Essendon Theatre Company: Love, Love, Love (by Mike Bartlett) March 20 – 29 at the Bradshaw Street Hall, Bradshaw St., West Essendon. Director: Casey Bohan. Bookings: 0406448368 or trybooking.

■ NOVA Music Theatre: The Music Man. March 21 – 30 at The Round, 379 Whitehorse Rd., Nunawading. Bookings: theround. com.au/whats-on/nova-themusicman - Cheryl Threadgold

PERFECT NONSENSE

■ Heidelberg Theatre Company opens 2025 with the farcical comedy Jeeves and Wooster in Perfect Nonsense, running until March 1 at Heidelberg Theatre, Rosanna Inspired by P.G. Wodehouse’s The Code of the Woosters (1938) and written by Robert and David Goodale, this fast-paced, witty show set in the 1930s was winner of the 2014 Olivier Award for Best New Comedy.

Perfect Nonsense tells of English gentleman Bertie Wooster (Daniel Trenkovski) deciding to stage his own play to recount the peculiar events of a country house weekend.

He recruits his personal butler Jeeves (Sam Howard) and Aunt Dahlia’s butler Seppings (Gavin Baker) to help present the play and portray the characters.

Mayhem ensues with Bertie as the narrator espousing light-hearted nonsense in his storytelling, along with slick and sometimes entertaining set changes, skilfully contrived quick costume changes and some excellent multi-role playing by Jeeves and Seppings

Director/Set Designer Morgan ThomasConnor ensures a well-staged show from the beginning, establishing the vaudeville era with the onstage closed, rich red velvet curtain, atmospheric shell footlights and 1930s music.

Daniel Trenkovski’s confident portrayal of Bertie Wooster includes good physicality, charm and a natural rapport with the audience. Clearer enunciation of dialogue would top off an enjoyable performance.

Jeeves (Sam Howard) plays Sir Watkyn Bassett, Gussie Fink Nottle and Stiffy Byng as well as himself, while Seppings (Gavin Baker) portrays Aunt Dahlia, Roderick Spode, Butterfield, Madeline Bassett, Constable Oates, an Antique Shop Proprietor and himself.

These contrasting roles showcase Sam Howard and Gavin Baker’s impressive acting talents and comedy timing.

Lighting design is by Tamsin Mackie and sound by Tamsin Mackie and Jerome Pollard. Cathy Christensen and Wendy Drowley designed the costumes.

The lively little vaudeville routine end-ofshow is terrific - the perfect finish.

Possibly this 1930s madcap English comedy style will not appeal to all contemporary theatregoers, but many will enjoy it.

Bravo to Heidelberg Theatre Company for including Perfect Nonsense in their 2025 season.

Performance Season: Until March 1

Venue: Heidelberg Theatre, 36 Turnham Ave., Rosanna Bookings: htc.org.au

- Review by Cheryl Threadgold

Three Sisters

■ Theatre Works presents Three Sisters, reimagined for a contemporary audience, from March 7-22 at Theatre Works, 14 Acland St, St Kilda

Directed by Greg Carroll, this first season in the 2025 by Theatre Works programming is brought to the stage by a dynamic ensemble of local creatives, working together to breathe fresh life into this iconic tale of ambition, love, and longing.

First performed in 1901, Three Sisters is one of Anton Chekhov’s most celebrated plays. Taking place over three and a half years, this epic tale follows the lives of four siblings after the death of their father.

The youngest sister, Irina, is hopeful and idealistic, but Masha, the middle sister, struggles in an unhappy marriage. The eldest, Olga, has accepted a life of responsibility and duty, while their brother Andrei’s poor decisions lead to the family’s financial ruin.

Performed by Mia Landgren, Joanna Halliday, Stella Carroll, Belle Hansen, Rosemary Johns, Gabriel Partington, Laurence Young, Ty McKenzie, Syd Brisbane, River Stevens, Chris Connelly and Simon Chandler.

Performance Season: March 7 - 22 Tues –Sat 7.30pm, Wed – Fri 11.30am Previews: Thurs 7 and Fri 8 March 7.30pm; Opening Night: Tues 11 March 7.30pm

Bookings: theatreworks.org.au/2025/threesisters Enquiries: 9534 3388

Venue: Theatre Works, 14 Acland Street, St Kilda www.theatreworks.org.au

Duration: 2 hours including interval Suitable for ages: 12+

Warnings: Depictions of grief, financial hardship, mental health, sexism and on-stage smoking

Accessibility: Theatre Works is a wheelchair accessible venue. A full access guide will be available closer to the date

- Cheryl Threadgold

Cancer Card

■ Comedian Becky Steepe will perform her show Cancer Card at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival as part of her 2025 tour, from March 26 - April 6 (excluding Monday) at The Grace Darling Hotel, Downstairs Theatre in Collingwood

The show is said to combine "side-splitting humor with crucial health information in a hilarious, yet poignant, comedy storytelling show about Becky’s experience of being dealt the cancer card."

After initially being told she was too young to have bowel cancer, Becky was diagnosed with stage four (the worst stage) bowel cancer in 2021 and underwent multiple treatments.

Since recovering, she’s turned her personal experience and comedic talents into a powerful tool for raising awareness of early onset cancer and the failings in the health system.

Using her unique perspective and comedic style, Becky says she has upped the ante, transforming the bad hand she was dealt, into a powerful tool for awareness.

Despite one in 10 bowel cancer cases being found in people under 50, research shows that diagnosis can take 60 per cent longer for younger people.

In this raw and riveting performance, Becky Steepe will turn the deeply personal experience into a night of laughter and resilience, highlighting the importance of advocating for one's health and seeking second opinions.

Cancer Card aims to break the stigma surrounding bowel cancer discussions while empowering audiences with life-saving knowledge

Rated M.

Dates: March 26 - April 6 (excluding Monday)

Times: 6.15 pm

Venue: The Grace Darling Hotel - Downstairs Theatre, Collingwood.

Tickets: comedyfestival.com.au/browseshows/cancer-card/ - Cheryl Threadgold

Rural Dreams

■ Award-winning rural crime writer Margaret Hickey has decided that a change is as good as a holiday.

The author of best sellers The Creeoer, Stone Toen and Broken Bay has just renewed a collection of short stories called Rural Dreams, celebrating the Australian countryside.

Hickey is based in north east Victoria and enjoys setting her stories in rural locations.

The stories in Rural Dreams are interesting and varied, ranging from a football coach pondering the concept of obsession, to schoolyard politics caused by a mouse plague, to a young woman returning to her fire ravaged home town, and many other topics in between.

What all the stories have in common is that they feature character in everyday rural life, as Hickey experiences it herself. She aims to showcase the beauty of life lived outside major Australian cities.

The stories are lively and the characters well sketched, making this a collection of stories that should please a wide range of readers.

Published by Penguin Random House, Rural Dreams is out now and available online or at your favourite bookshop. www.penguin.com.au

- Julie Houghton

Shows

■ Fab Nobs Theatre: Come From Away. March 21 – April 5 at Fab Nobs Theatre, Factory 33, 1-45 Industry Place, Bayswater. Director: Sarah Tierney; Musical Director: Sally McKenzie; Ass’t. Director/Choreographer: Aimee John; Ass’t. Director/Ass’t. Choreographer: Amy Miles. Bookings: fabnobstheatre.com.au

■ Brighton Theatre Company: Glimpses (a collection of monologues and short oneact plays) March 26 – 28 at the Brighton Town Hall, Wilson St., Brighton. Director: Alison Knight. Bookings: www.brightontheatre. com.au

■ Warrandyte Theatre Company: When the Wind Blows (by Raymond Briggs) March 28- April 12 at the Warrandyte Mechanics’ Institute, 180 Yarra St., Warrandyte. Director: David Tynan. Bookings: trybooking.com/ cyjqt - Cheryl Threadgold

Auditions

■ Mordialloc Theatre Company: The Children (by Lucy Kirkwood) March 2 at 2pm, March 3 at 8pm at Unit 8, 417-419 Warrigal Rd Cheltenham. Director: Peter Newling. Audition enquiries: 0419 205 200 or e-mail: peter.newling@gmail.com. Audition bookings: mordialloctheatre.com.au/auditions-thechildren/

■ Beaumaris Theatre: Knife Edge (by Alison Campbell Rate) February 26 and March 1 at Beaumaris Theatre 82 Wells Rd., Beaumaris. Director: Deborah Fabbro. Further details: beaumaristheatre.com.au/auditions

■ Malvern Theatre Company: Macbeth (by William Shakespeare) March 9 at 6pm, March 10 at 7pm at Malvern Theatre, 29 Burke Rd., Malvern. Director: David McLean. Audition enquiries: davidwilliam17@bigpond.com

■ Gem Players Community Theatre: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: Information Evening: May 29 at 7pm; Auditions June 6 and 7 at the GEM,19 Kilvington Dr., Emerald. Director: Annette O’Shea; Choreographer: Payge O’Shea; Musical Director: Margie Gemmell\. Enquiries: gemcoplayers.org

■ Warrandyte Theatre Company: The Importance of Being Earnest (by Oscar Wilde) March 12 at 7pm, March 15 at 1pm at Warrandyte Mechanics’ Institute, 180-186 Yarra St., Warrandyte. Director: James Banger. Audition enquiries: james.banger@outlook.com

■ Heidelberg Theatre Company: Love, Love, Love (by Mike Bartlett) March 16, 18 at 7pm at Heidelberg Theatre, 36 Turnham Ave., Rosanna. Director: George Werther. Audition enquiries: werther110@gmail.com; Phone: 0402 222 090 - Cheryl Threadgold

● ● ● David Belton

Becky Steepe presents Cancer Card.

★Lee Kernaghan has announced the final chapter of The Boys From The Bush concert tour. Victorian venues are Warragul (June 12), Bendigo (June 13), Ballarat (June 14), and The Palms at Crown (June 20 and 21).

★Nominations are open for the Inclusive Volunteering Awards to be held at the Knox Community Arts Centre from 8.30am-2.30pm on Tuesday, April 29.

★Woolworths is expanding its low-sensory Quiet Hour to five days a week, Monday to Friday between 10.30am and 11.30am.

★The Rural Press Club of Victoria is holding Independents' Day with panellists including Alana Johnson, Claire Ferres Miles, Ben Smith, Deb Leonard and Alex Dyson

★The Olympic gold medal awarded during the 1956 Melbourne Summer Olympics to Anthony ‘Tippy’ Marchant in the 2000m Tandem Cycling Final, sold for $84,000 including the buyer's premium, almost three times its pre-sale estimate. The Sporting Memorabilia auction was conducted by Leski Auctions on February 13.

★The National Centre for Photography will open in Ballarat’s creative precinct this October.

★Academy Award star Hayley Mills has endorsed a new novel by relatively unknown Aussie author Tony Matthews. The new novel is Café Puccini

★Spellbound: A Night of Magic and Grand Illusion will be staged at 7pm on Wednesday, March 19, at at Clocktower, 750 Mt Alexander Road, Moonee Ponds , featuring Anthony Street

★The Australian Brandenburg Orchestra will perform all four of Johann Sebastian Bach’s Orchestral Suites in one performance at the Melbourne Recital Centre from April 3-6.

★Comedian Jimeoin, fresh from the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, will perform at 7.30pm on Friday, March 28, at Clocktower, 750 Mt Alexander Road, Moonee Ponds.

★Meredith Stricker has been named the overall winner of the Peter Porter Poetry Prize at a ceremony in Melbourne for her poem ‘The Vastness of What Poetry Can Do’.

★Two new books in The Artists of the National Library of Australia series are being published this month. The series began with two volumes in last year and highlights artists represented in the National Library’s collections.

★Network Ten has breached broadcasting gambling advertising rules during a broadcast of the Formula 1 Grand Prix

Melbourne Observer Melbourne Observer

Cicero

Rourke’s Reviews Entertainment

Marc Cicero

★Four short plays by Alex Broun, Encounters, will be staged at The MC Showroom, Prahran, from March 19-22.

★The funeral service for 3AW’s Philip Brady will be held at 11am tomorrow (Thu., Feb. 27) at Sacred Heart Church, Cotham Rd, Kew.

★News Corp Australia has launched a new health section. Ashleigh Gleeson will lead the team as National Health Editor. She was previously Chief of Staff at the Herald Sun

★Emily Holgate has joined the Good Food team at The Age

★Laura Placella has returned as a Court Reporter at the Herald Sun

★Asia TOPA (Asia-Pacific Triennial of Performing Arts) is welcoming410 artists and collectives from 17 countries across the Asia-Pacific to showcase more than 1000 individual performances and activations across 62 events. It runs until March 10.

★The Australian Youth Orchestra and the National Institute of Dramatic Art have announced a pioneering partnership, Momentum Leaders, an immersive interdisciplinary training program, where emerging creatives from both organisations will collaborate, develop their artistic voice, and gain the essential skills to navigate the evolving cultural landscape.

★Beetlejuice The Musical opens in Melbourne at the Regent Theatre this May. The show features Eddie Perfect as Beetlejuice, and Karis Oka as Lydia Deetz. Also appearing are Elise McCann, Rob Johnson, Erin Clare and Tom Wren.

★Savanna Young is now the Deputy Showbusiness Editor at the Daily Mail Australia

★New Zealand artist and film maker Juliet Carpenter will be in discussion with MUMA Senior Curator Melanie Oliver at 6.30pm on Thursday, March 27 at ACMI.

★A new Australian music show As It Drops has launched on the ACE Radio Network. it is to be hosted by music enthusiast Kayla Wilson.

Spit

■ A sequel to the successful 2003 movie Gettin’ Square, the film Spit is a “criminal-with-a-heart-of-gold” story which, while sympathetically portraying the plight of refugees in Australia , suffers from a cliched script and plodding pace.

The central character, Johnny (Spit) Spitieri (played by David Wenham), is a small-time criminal who returns from overseas only to find himself locked up in an immigration detention centre.

To add to his woes his old enemies are out to settle scores and his beloved sister is in failing health.

The screenplay is by Christopher Nyst who also wrote Gettin’ Square. Unfortunately, it suffers from several basic flaws including a cliched storyline and, apart from one or two exceptions, crass caricatures instead of characters.

There is little subtlety in the writing, with nothing left to the imagination. There is too much exposition while the emotional life of the characters is overly sentimental.

Given such a difficult screenplay Wenham, one of Australia’s finest actors, makes a fist of making Spit a believable and likeable larrikin.

He is supported in this by a strong supporting cast, many of whom are reprising roles from the original film.

Nevertheless, there is way too much ham acting going on. Ostensibly done for comic effect, it fails to deliver much in the way of laughs and consequently detracts from the story.

Jonathan Teplitzky directs the film and must shoulder some of the blame for this.

He also is responsible for the camera lingering far too often in several scenes; at one hour and 45 minutes long the film could do with some judicious editing to pick up the pace.

In addition, the mix of realistic scenes with others of a cartoon-like quality does not come off.

Admirable for its compassionate portrayal of refugees, sadly Spit is a lowest common denominator type of film that goes for cheap laughs and is peopled with hackneyed ocker-type characters telling a tired story.

In Australian cinemas from March 6.

Duration: 1h 45m

- Review by Peter Murphy

Longlegs

■ (MA). 101 minutes. Now available on Blu-ray and DVD.

With The Monkey now showing in cinemas, it is a good time to revisit the film-maker’s previous hit. Osgood Perkins (son of Anthony, of Psycho fame) returned after a four-year break with his fourth film as director, and like his previous efforts, is an imaginatively crafted mood piece.

After a wintery opening sequence where a young girl, alone at home, is visited by a mysterious stranger (Nicolas Cage), we cut to years later (the 90’s), where FBI agent Carter (Blair Underwood) brings in gifted operative Lee Harker (Maika Monroe) , who seems to have an uncanny ability of sensing where a offender may be.

This is shown when Harker is able pinpoint a murderer in a cookiecutter neighbourhood, but is unfortunately unable to prevent a father from slaughtering his family.

This latest event ties in with other cases, where the father has killed his wife and children, then themselves.

Harker feels there is more to these murders than meets the eye, and believes that, no matter how unlikely it seems, someone else is behind the killings.

Left at each crime scene is what appears to be indecipherable messages, signed Longlegs, but Harker successfully decodes them, proving there is a greater power influencing the violent acts.

Emotionally disconnected, and dealing with a troubled relationship with her mother Ruth (Alicia Witt), Harker slowly enters a world of darkness from which she may not return.

Longlegs is deliberately oppressive in its atmosphere, with Perkins wanting to use a slow pace and eerie mood to get under the audience’s skin, and with terrific help from cinematographer Andres Arochi, making his feature film debut), and expert editing, effective music score, strong production and sound design, succeeds.

I do wish that Perkins kept certain plot elements hidden or unknown, instead of explaining a little too much towards the end.

A gallery of impressive performances also elevate the material (which admittedly, is reminiscent of The Silence Of The Lambs, and due to Perkins’ precise direction, Manhunter), with Monroe (It Follows, The Guest), Underwood (Murder In Mississippi, Deep Impact), Witt (Fun, Dune) and Kiernan Shipka (The Chilling Adventures Of Sabrina, Totally Killer) all delivering the goods.

Of course, special mention has to go to Cage, who as the title char-

acter, gives a totally unhinged performance, and it is one that may divide viewers.

I found it appropriate and unsettling, but others may find his turn jars with the overall tone of the film.

Longlegs is a horror/thriller that will test the patience of those who want something more visceral and fast-paced, but this is a creepy nightmare made by a very talented filmmaker, and should deservedly find a strong following.

If you do like Longlegs, please check out Perkins’ other films; The Blackcoat’s Daughter (2015) (known here as February), I Am The Pretty Thing That Lives In The House (2016) and Gretel & Hansel (2020), all of which shows he has a very distinctive style.

RATING - ****

Civil War

■ (MA). 109 minutes. Now available on Blu-ray and DVD.

The follow-up film, Warfare, will be hitting cinemas soon, so now is a great time to see the first entry.

A movie that became intensely divisive even before its release, Civil War defies expectations by walking down a different path audiences might have been anticipating, resulting in a much more satisfying experience.

The film is set in the near future, where the US has fractured into civil unrest, and a number of military groups want to separate themselves from, and bring down, the current government, which is headed by a more extreme President (Nick Offerman). Beginning in New York City, the story focuses on four characters; renowned photo journalist Lee (Kirsten Dunst) , reporter Joel (Wagner Moura), veteran writer Sammy (Stephen McKinley Henderson), and junior photographer Jessie (Cailee Spaeny).

After a particularly violent protest, Lee and Joel, who want to drive to Washington D.C. to interview the President before he is deposed, agree to take on Sammy and Jessie as passengers.

As the quartet make their way through various states and war zones, they encounter a number of different people, whether they be patriots, dissenters, soldiers or citizens caught in the middle, and the closer the group get to the front line, the more they put their lives at risk. reminds audiences of past generations of war, the mistakes made and lives taken, then condenses it all into a chilling conflict that is blowing up on home soil.

The cast are all excellent (it’s great to see Dunst getting decent roles once more), and production values are first-rate.

RATING - **** - Aaron Rourke

● ● ● ● ● David Wenham in ‘Spit’

■ I was watching The Stratton Story with James Stewart and June Allyson on cable television last week and I was fascinated to see Frank Morgan give a brilliant supporting actor performance.

We all know him as the ‘Wizard’ and Professor Marvel in the film the Wizard Of Oz but Frank Morgan had a wonderful career as a character actor in his lifetime.

Francis Phillip Wuppermann was born in New York City in 1890.

His father grew up in Germany and his mother was born in the US.

Frank came from a large family of 11 children. His father was a wealthy businessman who distributed Angostura bitters and all of the children were sent to university.

When his brother Ralph became a professional actor Frank was inspired and decided that he would also become an actor.

Ralph used the stage name of Morgan and Frank also adopted the name.

As Frank Morgan he debuted at the Lyceum Theatre in New York in a play titled A Woman Killed With Kindness in 1914.

His first Broadway play was Mr Wu and he played the lead. He married Alma Muller and their son George was born in 1916.

Frank signed a contract with Paramount Studios and made many silent films.

In 1931 he appeared with Fred Astaire in the Broadway musical Bandwagon

Melbourne Observer Melbourne Observer

Whatever Happened To ... Frank Morgan

By Kevin Trask of 3AW and 96.5 Inner FM

In 1933 he signed a contract with MGM Studios and his films included Naughty Marietta, The Great Ziegfeld and Sweethearts

In Hallelujah, I'm a Bum he co-starred with the legendary Al Jolson and in Dimples he played opposite Shirley Temple

But the most famous role of his career came when he was cast as the Wizard in the classic film The Wizard Of Oz starring with Judy Garland, Ray Bolger, Bert Lahr and Jack Haley

In fact Frank played five different roles in The Wizard Of Oz. In the Emerald City, he was the cabby who drove the Horse-of-a-DifferentColor, a guard at the entrance to the Wizard's palace, the doorkeeper at the Wizard's palace and the Great and Powerful Oz himself; in the

Kansas sequences he played disreputable fortune-telling Professor Marvel.

Margaret Hamilton who played the ‘Wicked Witch’ described him as a very generous man. Frank Morgan was nominated for two Academy Awards during his career.

His best films included Saratoga, The Shop Around the Corner, Boom Town, The Human Comedy, Tortilla fFat, White Cargo and Ah,

Wilderness. He had his own radio show and co-starred with Fanny Brice. He also appeared on The Kraft Music Hall, The Bikersons and the Old Gold Show

Frank loved sailing and won a yacht race between Los Angeles and Honolulu

He enjoyed the outdoors and owned a huge cattle ranch in California. He recorded a number of children's stories including the popular Gossamer Wump which was a story about a young boy who learns to play the triangle.

On September 18, 1949 Frank Morgan suffered a heart attack and died in his sleep at his home in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles

He was filming Annie Get Your Gun with Betty Hutton and Howard Keel at the time and his character of Col. Buffalo Bill Cody was recast with Louis Calhern in the role.

Frank Morgan is buried in the Greenwood Cemetery in Brooklyn and his headstone bears the family name of Wuppermann

His wife Alma died in 1970 and his son George passed away in 2003.

Kevin Trask Kevin can be heard on 3AWThe Time Tunnel - Remember WhenSundays at 10.10pm with Simon Owens and Andrew McLaren And on 96.5 FM That's Entertainment - Sundays at 12 Noon. www.innerfm.org.au

IMAGE ECONOMICS AT CAULFIELD CAMPUS

Image Economics.

In a visual landscape where images proliferate and morph in virtual growth capable of swaying elections, mobilising mass movements and influencing identities and social norms, Image Economics offers a timely reappraisal of how the digital, networked world permeates our offline lives.

The digital tools and systems that generate, store or process data - along with the mechanisms for image production and trade – have transformed how we interact, consume media and tell stories.

These processes also contribute to the way we think about value of an image.

The artists presented in Image Economics examine how images reflect and shape our perception of the world in an increasingly mediated reality. Featuring new commissions and existing works by 17 artists and collectives from across Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific region, including works drawn from the Monash University Collection, the exhibition examines materiality, identity, data sovereignty, authenticity and the circulation of digital assets.

Exhibition closes April 17.

MUMA 50, Building F Caulfield Campus Princes Hwy, Caulfield

At Upwey

On the Wing – Jessie Yvette Journoud-Ryan

Step into a world of intricate sculptures and freestanding pieces that celebrate the vibrant birdlife of the Dandenong Ranges.

On the Wing is a stunning tribute to the charm beauty, and quirks of our beloved backyard birds.

Crafted from a rich tapestry of European, Japanese and Australian antique ware. Alongside hand-sculpted and painted ceramics. Each bird portrait captures their unique personalities, striking plumage and lively sprit.

Here's to their bold colours, curious ways, the rhythms of their wings, and elegance of their strut. Exhibition closes Sunday March 23.

Free Exhibition Wednesday to Sunday. 10am-4pm.

Burrinja Gallery 351 Glenfern Rd, Upwey

The Arts

Hawthorn

Seasonal Shifts

Tracing the rhythms of life, memory, identity, and human influence on the environment, Seasonal Shifts is a group exhibition presenting artists whose works unveil our multifaced relationship with the passage of time and our natural surroundings.

As observes of nature we bear witness to moments of seasonal change and the beauty and unpredictability of our environment.

We feel the impact of natural forces on our minds and bodies, and actions.

A favourite flower, the smell of rain, or a familiar rock formation can become markers of experience, a record of our personal histories told through objects and places.

As time unfolds, we see the traces we leave behind and the ways human presence alters the landscape, both subtle and drastic, temporary and permanent.

Exhibition closes Saturday April 26.

★

Healing Garden – Hiromi Tanga

Experience the transformative power of art and community with Healing Gardens by Hiromi Tanga.

As part of the Seasonal Shifts exhibition, you are invited to create beautiful flowers and compare them to artwork displayed on the walls of the

Town Hall Gallery.

Renowned for exploring the connection between art and wellbeing, Hiromi Tanga invites gallery visitors to create intricate, nature-inspired blooms from upcycled textiles and materials.

Participate in guided sessions or enjoy crafting your own pace, adding to an evolving, immersive garden installation.

This project embodies the therapeutic potential of art, fostering mindfulness through tactile activities like wrapping, binding and knotting.

Exhibition closes Saturday April 26.

Town Hall Gallery

360 Burwood Rd, Hawthorn - Peter Kemp

At Tolarno

■ Ben Quilty is exhibiting his latest paintings and drawings at Tolarno Galleries until March 15.

In this new body of work, Quilty focuses almost exclusively on the human figure – especially heads, eyes and mouths – as he wrestles into existence urgently expressive, even grotesque, embodiments of the way many of us are feeling right now, the artist included.

“The older I grow, the more awkward I feel about being part of the human condition,” Quilty says. “The world is in turmoil. Nothing seems straightforward anymore. We lead these complex lives overlaid with solastalgia, a massive and realistic fear of what’s happening to the planet. It makes for an odd existence.”

Quilty’s protean subjects enact complex emotional states. They’re bodies in extremis, dismembered and remixed in hellish proportions.

Some heads have two faces. The head dominating On Top Of The Hill 2024 has a pair of arms with flapping hands sprouting from it, recalling an apocalyptic creature by Hieronymus Bosch. And the screaming head in The Price of Bread 2024 has been cut up and recomposed as an avatar of pure rage.

Level 5, 104 Exhibition Street, Melbourne.

Elon, the House guest

■ The world's wealthiest man, Elon Musk, has been sleeping on the floor of a US Government flat situated within a short stroll to meet the President in the White House. Elon uses the shower in the House Gym and is also known to have a kip on the floor in any one of his many factories.

No laughing matter

■ Mark Humphries is a satirical comedian who has tried his luck with several TV broadcasters. His latest venture on Seven News has come to an end and no longer will his Friday night gig be seen. Despite the axing we understand Mark has been retained to appear on 7's national Election Night, whenever that maybe.

Only in Hollywood

■ Nothing traditional for newly engaged couple, actress Selena Gomez and her fellow Benny Blanco. For Valentines Day, Benny filled his bathtub full of liquid queso cheese and told Selena to follow the trail of tortilla chips scattered through the house leading to the bathroom. You guessed it, Selena has an insatiable appetite for tortilla chips dipped in cheese. The story invokes enough curiosity to keep this power couple in the gossip headlines.

Clever wordsmith

■ Graham Simpson first shot to fame as presenter of 3XY's Morning Show for seven years. He then wrote the words for others to get the audience laughing, one perfect example being Mark Mitchell as Con, the Fruiterer, and boy did Graham make Mark hilarious on The Comedy Company. Graham was script consultant on stage shows - Georgy GirlThe Seekers Musical. Graham passed away, aged 69, a sad loss to the entertainment industry.

From near obscurity

■ Jarra Davis is a footy fanatic from Gippsland, in between completing a Law degree. After years of talking AFL on Tik Tok he entered a cattle call to join Fox Footy and after six auditions got the gig. Jarra is one to watch as fresh faces keep TV entertaining and challenging.

withPeterKemp

● ● ● ●

Frank Morgan

● ● ● ● Elon Musk

Tapas Bar Home-Made Desserts

Great Range of Cocktails and Mocktails Available.

Teas and Coffees

Don’t

Melbourne Observer Melbourne Observer

Across Observer Melbourne Lovatts Crossword No 26

1. Hair-stylist

6. Straight-line racing car

11. Famous Indian mausoleum (3,5)

15. Nightclub dancer

20. ... kwon do

21. Labyrinths

22. Aegean or Caspian

23. Lahore is there

24. Mad Russian monk

25. NE Scottish seaport

27. Jumbo animal

28. Watering tube

29. Fixed gaze

31. World fair

32. Cruel person

36. Pins & ...

37. Prolong (4,3)

38. Checks (text) for errors

41. Renovate (ship)

44. Metal bar

45. Unfortunately

48. Sneeze noise (1-6)

49. Oddball

52. Rectangular

56. Addressing crowd

57. Anxious (2,4)

58. Perfumed burning stick

61. Goat's wool

62. Economises, ... & saves

63. Fibbing

64. Naomi Campbell is one

65. Imperial ruler

66. Collided with (3,4)

67. Disincentive

71. Absurd comedy

73. Of the ear

75. Windbag

80. Clarify, ... light on

82. Hone

83. Disobey

85. Gauges

86. Befuddles

88. Labourer's tools, pick & ...

90. Welcomes

91. British coin

93. Taking sides

94. Climbing plants

95. Female voices

96. Wither

97. Tingle

99. Mark as correct

100. Holy places

104. Rubbish

105. School maxim

106. Track down

107. Sent via Internet

111. The other way around, vice ...

113. Observe

114. The masses, ... polloi

115. Disorderly

117. Smear

118. Affirmative replies

121. Russian spirit

122. Mustard & ...

125. Canine disease

126. Shaving cut

127. Roman dress

129. Pulpy, soft food

131. Yoga master

132. Apprehension

135. Feng ...

136. Unplaced competitor (4-3)

139. Wild party

140. Representatives

144. Strangely

145. Scandinavian

146. Wall painting

147. Underwriters

148. Glared

AcrossDownDown

149. Gallows rope

150. Group of eight

152. Hang loosely

154. Flog

157. Fluid unit

158. Minutest

162. Iran's neighbour

163. Exhausts supply of (4,2)

166. Porridge cereal

167. Pour with rain

169. Slow down!

171. Car pioneer, Karl ...

172. Tobacco user

173. Leers

175. Lever (off)

176. Single

179. Swiss banking centre

180. Come to rest (3,2)

182. Liqueur, ... Maria

183. Towards stern

184. Blackboard stand

186. Negative

189. Harness-racing horse

190. Return (of symptoms)

191. Epic movie-maker, Cecil B De ...

192. Big Apple city (3,4)

196. 60s pop dance (2-2)

197. Dad

198. Heedful

199. Spend extravagantly

201. Not fit for consumption

202. Gloomier

203. Performing

204. Car-top luggage frame (4,4)

205. Worked hard

208. Guidance

210. Up to this time

211. Aquatic bird

212. Pragmatism

213. Vein of ore

215. Vending machine

219. Nimble

221. Small & efficient

223. Striped brown gem (5'1,3)

227. Biology or physics

228. Mummifies (corpse)

230. Donations

231. Scorch

232. Charts (course) (4,3)

233. Villain

234. Arrogant newcomer

238. Power outlet

239. Knit with hooked needle

240. Scratch

243. Eagle nests

246. Ancestry

247. Lease again

250. Naming words

251. Greek philosopher

253. Muddles (up)

256. Frequent visitor

257. Mischievous

258. Character

262. Manufacture

263. Florida's Key ...

266. Is in debt to

268. Citrus fruit

269. Surgical removal

270. Not enclosed (of land)

271. Ruling (monarch)

272. Decimal unit

273. Opinion surveys

274. Corroded, ... away at

275. Slyer

276. Supervised

277. Perseveres

278. Least

1. Manages

2. Annoyed

3. Abstains from food

4. Salt Lake City state

5. Absconded (3,3)

7. Severely simple

8. Seedy conditions

9. Discharge

10. Talk wildly

11. Muscle rupture

12. Fire-resistant material

13. Of war

14. Country dance

15. Leaked slowly

16. Aura

17. Windscreen cleaner

18. Rocky Mountains state

19. Early guitars

24. Tenant's fee

26. Fish traps

30. Quarrel

33. Document bag, ... case

34. Evoke

35. Cavalryman

38. Triangular-sided building

39. Constantly busy (2,3,2)

40. Learn (4,3)

42. Great ages

43. Charges with crime

46. Furiously

47. Beliefs

49. Properly nourished (4-3)

50. Frostier

51. Stray

53. Bewails

54. More mature

55. Biblical sea

59. Oil paintings

60. Skittles

67. Lowers (oneself)

68. Fishing boat

69. Ex-pupils' get-together

70. Invigorate

72. Residential locations

74. Score after deuce

76. Exposed

77. French N-Test region, ... Atoll

78. Rude

79. Pestered

81. Cargo door

84. Unnerves

87. Strong coffee

89. Nonconformists

91. Primitive

92. Japan's second largest city

98. Recording room

101. Restrict (3,2)

102. Asian cricketing nation

103. Flattened

108. Countless number

109. Saturate (with colour)

110. Turn inside-out

112. Remembered

116. Carpenters

119. Brightening up

120. Proper behaviour

123. Now Zimbabwean 124. Set apart

128. News-sheet 130. Ill-bred

132. Unfulfilled

133. Inaccuracy

134. Songs for one

137. Actress, ... Sarandon

138. Scoundrel

141. Heredity units

142. Cosy corners

143. Clean with broom

151. Household jobs

153. Riddle

155. Hot & moist

156. Lower leg joint

159. Revealed (knowledge)

160. Foolishness

161. Inducting, ... in

164. Too soon

165. Open wound

168. Alienate

170. Unfashionable

173. Reverse

174. Giving university talk

177. Soundly constructed (4-5)

178. Worsened (of crisis)

181. Leaves uncared-for

185. Permitting

186. Liked

187. Retailers

188. Football umpire

193. Sun or rain

194. Acorn bearer (3,4)

195. Sing-along entertainment

200. Prayer beads

201. Official emblems

206. ... & lemons

207. Wear best clothes (5,2)

208. Human rights group, ... International

209. Modesty

211. Large pedal

214. Moral

216. Dip in liquid

217. Capers

218. Numerals

220. Conclude

222. Toadstools

224. Great joy

225. Questionable

226. Junior

229. Fully satisfy

232. Liquefy

235. Actress, ... Cruz

236. Straighter

237. Reaction

241. Changing booth

242. Picasso & Monet

244. Library patrons

245. Belongings, personal ...

248. More meagre

249. You

251. Walk with heavy steps

252. Turns away

253. Imitate

254. Father Christmas

255. Praise highly

259. Divine messenger

260. Combine

261. Roman VIII

262. Small tick

264. Unknown writer

265. Swallow noisily

267. Appear

By Rob Foenander info@robfomusic.com.au

Vinyl Project

■ Covering a set list of the best hits from the 50s and 60s with a new modern flair, The Vinyl Project is a fresh three-piece R &R outfit thatis set to take the Australian music scene by storm.

Lead guitarist and band spokesman Alex Mignone along with his son AJ (bass guitar) and drummer vocalist Kelly say they’re bringing their passion for this music to life.

More info: Facebook The Vinyl Project.

Gilbert is in town

■ Singer-songwriter Gilbert O’Sullivan will enchant Melbourne fans on Thursday, May 1, at the Palms On Crown.

His timeless hits,Get Down, Claire, Alone Again, What’s In A Kiss, and others are sure to take his audience on a memorable trip back in time. Tickets at Ticketmaster.

Bush dance

■ The Newport Folk and Fiddle Club is back for another year of events for both members and guests.

Their annual Newport Lakes Bush Dance will be held on Sunday, March 16, from 3pm6pm and includes dance music from the Newport Bush Orchestra

Additional entertainment from local musicians will fill the breaks.

The free event is happening in the beautiful Newport Lakes Park.

- Rob Foenander

Melbourne Observer Melbourne Observer

DON’T LET ME EAT MY BABIES

Crossword Solution No 26

■ Holly Bohmer presents her debut solo show Don't Let Me Eat my Babies as part of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival from March 24 - April 6 at the Motley Bauhaus, Carlton at 7.15pm.

Bohmer will bring to life loners, weirdos, the perpetually dull, and the woefully misunderstood. These characters, described as “her babies,” reflect the complexities of the human (or in some cases pseudo human) condition.

In a way, she has birthed them, raised them, let them suckle at her teat, and - like a mother hamstershe may soon devour them.

“This show was born from a lifetime of creating and collecting weird characters,” says Holly Bohmer.

“I love the challenge of playing characters that are odd but finding something to make the audience empathise with. A lot of these characters mean well, but they’re so totally un-self-aware that they push everyone away.”

Written and performed by Holly Bohmer and directed by Melbourne alternative comedian Matt Jenner, audiences are reassured there are no real babies in this show.

Performance Details: March 24 - April 6 at 7.15pm. Venue: Motley Bauhaus, Carlton. Bookings: 1800 710 499 or

melbourne/carlton

Observations with Matt Bissett-Johnson

Observations with Matt Bissett-Johnson

Holly Bohmer. Photo: Max Paton

WEEKEND’S LOCAL CRICKET MATCH RESULTS

Amateurs

■ Premier Firsts. Two-Day. Sat. Feb. 22 and Sat. Mar. 1. Casey South Melbourne 1st XI v Carlton 1st XI 10/276. Prahran 1st XI v Ringwood 1st XI 6/280. Geelong 1st XI 10/ 141 v St Kilda 1st XI 4/118. Northcote 1st XI 4/58 v Fitzroy Doncaster 1st XI 10/153. Richmond 1st XI 10/161 v Melbourne 1st XI 2/68. Footscray 1st XI v Dandenong 1st XI 5/363. Greenvale Kangaroos 1st XI 7/225 v Melbourne University 1st XI. Camberwell Magpies 1st XI 10/63 v Kingston Hawthorn 1st XI 7/129. Essendon 1st XI 2/10 v Frankston Peninsula 1st XI 10/224.

■ Premier Seconds. Two-Day. Sat. Feb. 22 and Sat. Mar. 1. Carlton 2nd XI v Casey South Melbourne 2nd XI 8/255. Ringwood 2nd XI v Prahran 2nd XI 9/265. St Kilda 2nd XI 9/ 243 v Geelong 2nd XI. Fitzroy Doncaster 2nd XI 2/11 v Northcote 2nd XI 10/186. Melbourne 2nd XI v Richmond 2nd XI 6/373. Dandenong 2nd XI 8/269 v Footscray 2nd XI. Melbourne University 2nd XI 8-d/284 v Greenvale Kangaroos 2nd XI 2/31. Kingston Hawthorn 2nd XI 0/ 17 v Camberwell Magpies 2nd XI 6-d/349. Frankston Peninsula 2nd XI 7/337 v Essendon 2nd XI.

■ Premier Thirds. Two-Day. Sat. Feb. 22 and Sat. Mar. 1. Casey South Melbourne 3rd XI 1/22 v Carlton 3rd XI 10/295. Prahran 3rd XI 10/221 v Ringwood 3rd XI. Geelong 3rd XI 4/287 v St Kilda 3rd XI. Northcote 3rd XI 10/ 245 v Fitzroy Doncaster 3rd XI. Richmond 3rd XI 1/5 v Melbourne 3rd XI 6-d/328. Footscray 3rd XI 10/173 v Dandenong 3rd XI 1/98. Greenvale Kangaroos 3rd XI 10/165 v Melbourne University 3rd XI 0/30. Essendon 3rd XI v Frankston Peninsula 3rd XI 8/244. Sunday, February 23: Camberwell Magpies 3rd XI 10/ 245 v Kingston Hawthorn 3rd XI.

■ Premier Fourths. Two-Day. Sat. Feb. 22 and Sat. Mar. 1. Carlton 4th XI 5/294 v Casey South Melbourne 4th XI. Ringwood 4th XI 1/8 v Prahran 4th XI 3-d/326. St Kilda 4th XI 5/255 v Geelong 4th XI. Fitzroy Doncaster 4th XI v Northcote 4th XI 10/259. Melbourne 4th XI 1/32 v Richmond 4th XI 10/247. Dandenong 4th XI v Footscray 4th XI 10/240. Melbourne University 4th XI 0/8 v Greenvale Kangaroos 4th XI 10/176. Kingston Hawthorn 4th XI 10/184 v Camberwell Magpies 4th XI 0/ 37. Frankston Peninsula 4th XI 10/169 v Essendon 4th XI 2/79.

Sub-District

■ North-East First XI. Two-Day. Sat. Feb. 22 and Sat. Mar. 1. St Bernard's OC 1st XI 3/100 v Donvale 1st XI 10/130. Endeavour Hills 1st XI 10/155 v Kew 1st XI 3/82. Croydon 1st XI 10/159 v Plenty Valley 1st XI 0/1. Strathmore 1st XI 0/9 v Brunswick 1st XI 10/ 183. Noble Park 1st XI 7/337 v Balwyn 1st XI. Bayswater 1st XI v Mt Waverley 1st XI 10/351. Ivanhoe 1st XI 10/192 v Box Hill 1st XI 3/87. Preston 1st XI v Coburg 1st XI 10/232.

■ North-East Second XI. Two-Day. Sat. Feb. 22 and Sat. Mar. 1. Donvale 2nd XI v St Bernard's OC 2nd XI 6/291. Kew 2nd XI 0-d/ 143 v Endeavour Hills 2nd XI 10/51 & 4/35. Plenty Valley 2nd XI 0/19 v Croydon 2nd XI 10/ 176. Brunswick 2nd XI v Strathmore 2nd XI 10/209. Balwyn 2nd XI 10/200 v Noble Park 2nd XI. Mt Waverley 2nd XI v Bayswater 2nd XI 10/195. Box Hill 2nd XI 10/141 v Ivanhoe 2nd XI 0/9. Coburg 2nd XI 10/178 v Preston 2nd XI.

■ North-West Third XI Division 1. TwoDay. Sat. Feb. 22 and Sat. Mar. 1. Preston 3rd XI 3/59 v Hoppers Crossing 3rd XI 10/173. Werribee 3rd XI 9/201 v Plenty Valley 3rd XI. Melton 3rd XI v Brunswick 3rd XI. Sunday, February 23: Kew 3rd XI v St Bernard's OC 3rd XI 8/204.

■ North-West Third XI Division 2. TwoDay. Sat. Feb. 22 and Sat. Mar. 1. Ivanhoe 3rd XI 3/150 v Spotswood 3rd XI 10/148. Taylors Lakes 3rd XI 10/241 v Williamstown 3rd XI. Altona 3rd XI 10/206 v Coburg 3rd XI. Yarraville 3rd XI 9/377 v Strathmore 3rd XI.

■ North-West Fourth XI Division 1. TwoDay. Sat. Feb. 22 and Sat. Mar. 1. Hoppers Crossing 4th XI 0/10 v Preston 4th XI

10/179. Plenty Valley 4th XI v Werribee 4th XI 8/270. Brunswick 4th XI 8/487 v Melton 4th XI. St Bernard's OC 4th XI 10/176 v Kew 4th XI 0/5.

■ North-West Fourth XI Division 2. TwoDay. Sat. Feb. 22 and Sat. Mar. 1. Spotswood 4th XI 10/78 v Ivanhoe 4th XI 3/ 98. Williamstown 4th XI v Taylors Lakes 4th XI 5/394. Coburg 4th XI 10/178 v Altona 4th XI. Strathmore 4th XI v Yarraville 4th XI 10/283.

■ South-East Third XI Division 1. TwoDay. Sat. Feb. 22 and Sat. Mar. 1. Croydon 3rd XI 10/162 v Balwyn 3rd XI 4/74. Oakleigh 3rd XI 0/12 v Malvern 3rd XI 10/110. Caulfield 3rd XI 10/189 v Bayswater 3rd XI. Sunday, February 23: Mt Waverley 3rd XI v Brighton 3rd XI 1/45.

■ South-East Third XI Division 2. TwoDay. Sat. Feb. 22 and Sat. Mar. 1. Elsternwick 3rd XI 10/228 v Port Melbourne 3rd XI 3/19. Noble Park 3rd XI 5/61 v Donvale 3rd XI 10/116. Endeavour Hills 3rd XI 10/122 v Ormond 3rd XI 3/35. Moorabbin 3rd XI 10/ 218 v Box Hill 3rd XI 3/47.

■ South-East Fourth XI Division 1. TwoDay. Sat. Feb. 22 and Sat. Mar. 1. Balwyn 4th XI v Croydon 4th XI 7/228. Malvern 4th XI v Oakleigh 4th XI 10/228. Bayswater 4th XI 10/167 v Caulfield 4th XI. Brighton 4th XI v Mt Waverley 4th XI 6/367.

■ South-East Fourth XI Division 2. TwoDay. Sat. Feb. 22 and Sat. Mar. 1. Port Melbourne 4th XI 10/106 v Elsternwick 4th XI 1/14. Donvale 4th XI 10/111 v Noble Park 4th XI 4/194. Ormond 4th XI v Endeavour Hills 4th XI 10/267. Box Hill 4th XI 10/238 v Moorabbin 4th XI.

■ South-West First XI. Two-Day. Sat. Feb. 22 and Sat. Mar. 1. Yarraville 1st XI 3/47 v Melton 1st XI 10/172. Taylors Lakes 1st XI 3/79 v Moorabbin 1st XI 10/99. Caulfield 1st XI 6/152 v Ormond 1st XI 10/97. Port Melbourne 1st XI 10/157 v Altona 1st XI 5/70. Oakleigh 1st XI 0/24 v Elsternwick 1st XI 10/ 161. Spotswood 1st XI 5/326 v Hoppers Crossing 1st XI. Malvern 1st XI v Brighton 1st XI 7/ 208. Williamstown 1st XI 8/232 v Werribee 1st XI.

■ South-West Second XI. Two-Day. Sat. Feb. 22 and Sat. Mar. 1. Melton 2nd XI 10/168 v Yarraville 2nd XI 1/8. Moorabbin 2nd XI v Taylors Lakes 2nd XI 8/277. Ormond 2nd XI 10/203 v Caulfield 2nd XI 1/7. Altona 2nd XI 1/35 v Port Melbourne 2nd XI 10/126. Elsternwick 2nd XI v Oakleigh 2nd XI 9/200. Hoppers Crossing 2nd XI 10/197 v Spotswood 2nd XI 2/10. Brighton 2nd XI v Malvern 2nd XI 10/306. Werribee 2nd XI v Williamstown 2nd XI 7/232.

Diamond Valley

■ Barclay Shield. Two-Day. Sat. Feb. 15 and Sat. Feb. 22. Research Eltham Collegians 1st XI 7/209 v Rosanna 1st XI 3/214. North Eltham Wanderers 1st XI 5/222 v Macleod 1st XI 8-d/218. Diamond Creek 1st XI 10/160 v Epping 1st XI 4/65. Riverside 1st XI v Bundoora United 1st XI. Bundoora 1st XI v Heidelberg 1st XI.

■ Money Shield. Two-Day. Sat. Feb. 15 and Sat. Feb. 22. Lower Eltham 1st XI 10/ 212 v Banyule 1st XI 3/97. Montmorency 1st XI 10/203 v Rosebank 1st XI 4/41. Eltham 1st XI 7-d/254 v Lower Plenty 1st XI 5/257. Bundoora Park 1st XI 4/120 v Greensborough 1st XI 10/117. Plenty 1st XI v Lalor Stars 1st XI.

■ Mash Shield. Two-Day. Sat. Feb. 15 and Sat. Feb. 22. Rivergum 1st XI 3/161 v Panton Hill 1st XI 10/160. South Morang 1st XI 8-d/212 v Thomastown 1st XI Forfeit. Thomastown United 1st XI 1/166 v Mill Park 1st XI 10/161. Dennis 1st XI 10/159 v Hurstbridge 1st XI 6-d/239. Laurimar 1st XI 3d/141 v Mernda 1st XI 10/138.

■ B-Grade. Two-Day. Sat. Feb. 15 and Sat. Feb. 22. Banyule 2nd XI 6/152 v Riverside 2nd XI 10/150. Epping 2nd XI 10/65 v Diamond Creek 2nd XI 1-d/132. Heidelberg 2nd XI 9/66 & 0/6 v Montmorency 2nd XI 9/ 210. Mernda 2nd XI 10/156 v North Eltham Wanderers 2nd XI 6-d/235. Rosanna 2nd XI 10/178 v Plenty 2nd XI 10/138.

■ C-Grade. Two-Day. Sat. Feb. 15 and Sat. Feb. 22. Macleod 2nd XI 3-d/147 v Bundoora Park 2nd XI 10/117 & 6/157. Lower Plenty 2nd XI 3/78 v Eltham 2nd XI 10/70. Greensborough 2nd XI 10/92 v Bundoora United 2nd XI 5/178. Riverside 3rd XI v Rivergum 2nd XI. Lalor Stars 2nd XI 9/52 v Research Eltham Collegians 2nd XI 2/53. ■ D-Grade. Two-Day. Sat. Feb. 15 and Sat. Feb. 22. Laurimar 2nd XI 7-d/300 v Dennis 2nd XI 9/111 & 3/74. Hurstbridge 2nd XI 4-d/219 v Diamond Creek 3rd XI 10/60 & 5/100. One Day. North Eltham Wanderers 3rd XI v South Morang 2nd XI. Rosebank 2nd XI 7/174 v Bundoora 2nd XI 6/178. Bye: Mill Park 2nd XI, Montmorency 3rd XI.

■ E-Grade. Two-Day. Sat. Feb. 15 and Sat. Feb. 22. Thomastown 2nd XI 9/351 v Greensborough 3rd XI 10/158 & 5/56. Heidelberg 3rd XI 10/302 v Thomastown United 2nd XI 10/207. One-Day: Lower Plenty 3rd XI v Riverside 4th XI. Panton Hill 2nd XI v Banyule 3rd XI. Bundoora 3rd XI v Mernda 3rd XI. ■ F1-Grade. Two-Day. Sat. Feb. 15 and Sat. Feb. 22. Banyule 4th XI 10/225 v Macleod 3rd XI 7/226. Research Eltham Collegians 3rd XI 6/198 v Greensborough 4th XI 10/195. Rivergum 3rd XI 9-d/316 v Laurimar 3rd XI 10/151. One Day. Bundoora United 3rd XI v Plenty 3rd XI.

■ F2-Grade. Two-Day. Sat. Feb. 15 and Sat. Feb. 22. Research Eltham Collegians 4th XI 8/99 v Whittlesea 1st XI 10/165. South Morang 3rd XI 10/192 v Dennis 3rd XI 9/102. One Day. Montmorency 4th XI 10/130 v North Eltham Wanderers 4th XI 7/132. Bye: Eltham 3rd XI

■ F3-Grade. Two-Day. Sat. Feb. 15 and Sat. Feb. 22. Banyule 5th XI 8/216 v Riverside 5th XI 5/221. Hurstbridge 3rd XI v Bundoora Park 3rd XI Forfeit. One Day. Greensborough 5th XI v South Morang 4th XI. Lower Plenty 4th XI v Laurimar 4th XI.

■ G1 East-Grade. One-Day. Plenty 4th XI 2/170 v Diamond Creek 4th XI 4/171. Rosanna 3rd XI 3/148 v Heidelberg 4th XI 9/147. Riverside 6th XI 5/147 v Lower Eltham 3rd XI 2/ 148. Montmorency 5th XI 9/169 v Panton Hill 3rd XI 2/173.

■ G1 West-Grade. One-Day. Bundoora Park 4th XI 6/193 v Bundoora United 4th XI 8/ 125. Bundoora 4th XI 8/166 v Lalor Stars 3rd XI 4/239. Laurimar 5th XI 9/149 v Rosebank 3rd XI 6/150. Dennis 4th XI 10/72 v Thomastown United 3rd XI 9/267. ■ G2-Grade. One-Day. Macleod 4th XI 8/ 152 v Rivergum 4th XI 4/155. Diamond Creek 5th XI 7/168 v Eltham 4th XI 8/174. Research Eltham Collegians 5th XI 7/147 v South Morang 5th XI 8/217. Riverside 7th XI 4/192 v North Eltham Wanderers 5th XI 4/193.

■ G3-Grade. One-Day. Whittlesea 2nd XI 9/137 v Diamond Creek 6th XI 9/186. Mernda 4th XI 10/148 v Eltham 5th XI 5/149. Thomastown United 4th XI 7/189 v Lower Plenty 5th XI 5/221. South Morang 6th XI 7/155 v Montmorency 6th XI 7/170. Thomastown 3rd XI 4/88 v Dennis 5th XI 2/87. Greensborough 6th XI 9/89 v Hurstbridge 4th XI 9/157. Bye: North Eltham Wanderers 6th XI

Eastern

■ Dunstan Shield. Two-Day. Sat. Feb. 22 and Sat. Mar. 1. Glen Iris 1st XI v Bulleen 1st XI 5/266. Edinburgh 1st XI 10/62 v East Doncaster 1st XI 10/61,. Mont Albert 1st XI v Old Carey 1st XI 10/201. Canterbury 1st XI 1/ 11 v North Balwyn Bulls 1st XI 7-d/283. ■ Wright Shield. Two-Day. Sat. Feb. 22 and Sat. Mar. 1. Marcellin OC 1st XI 10/ 143 v Ashburton Willows 1st XI 4/31. Heathmont 1st XI 10/270 v East Malvern Tooronga 1st XI 0/10. Richmond City 1st XI 8/ 294 v Mazenod OCCC 1st XI. Deepdene Bears 1st XI 10/190 v Mulgrave 1st XI 0/15. ■ A Turf. Two-Day. Sat. Feb. 22 and Sat. Mar. 1. Boronia Hawks 1st XI 0/4 v Deepdene Bears 2nd XI 10/191. Burwood 1st XI 0/0 v Surrey Hills 1st XI 10/262. Hawthorn Boroondara 1st XI 10/204 v Mont Albert 2nd XI 3/19. Old Carey 2nd XI 10/176 v Ashwood 1st XI 0/16

■ B Turf. Two-Day. Sat. Feb. 22 and

Sat. Mar. 1. East Doncaster 2nd XI 10/130 v Canterbury 2nd XI 6/94. North Balwyn Bulls 2nd XI 4/33 v Glen Iris 2nd XI 10/162. Balwyn Saints & Blasters Senior Men 1st XI v Heathmont 2nd XI 10/228. Richmond Union 1st XI 10/212 v SKOBs 1st XI 4/48.

■ C Turf. Two-Day. Sat. Feb. 22 and Sat. Mar. 1. Burwood 2nd XI 10/210 v Marcellin OC 2nd XI 0/0. East Malvern Tooronga 2nd XI v Boronia Hawks 2nd XI 10/251. Mulgrave 2nd XI v La Trobe University 1st XI 8/300. Bulleen 2nd XI 8/223 v Hawthorn Boroondara 2nd XI.ark

Sportsfield

■ D Turf. Two-Day. Sat. Feb. 22 and Sat. Mar. 1. Surrey Hills 2nd XI 10/136 v Old Carey 3rd XI 2/50. Ashwood 2nd XI 1/154 v East Malvern Tooronga 3rd XI 10/125. Mazenod OCCC 2nd XI 9/128 v Edinburgh 2nd XI 5/81. Ashburton Willows 2nd XI 2/34 v Richmond City 2nd XI 10/218.

■ E Turf. Two-Day. Sat. Feb. 22 and Sat. Mar. 1. Hawthorn Boroondara 3rd XI 9/268 v Deepdene Bears 3rd XI. La Trobe University 2nd XI 3/33 v Balwyn Saints & Blasters Senior Men 2nd XI 5-d/290. Marcellin OC 3rd XI 8/240 v Heathmont 3rd XI. SKOBs 2nd XI 2/90 v Edinburgh 3rd XI. Bye: Mont Albert 3rd XI

■ Jim MacGibbon Shield. Two-Day. Sat. Feb. 22 and Sat. Mar. 1. Clifton Hill 1st XI 9/293 v St. Pauls Oakleigh Districts 1st XI. STC South Camberwell Senior Men- 1st XI 10/ 103 v Burwood Unt. Canterbury Senior Men 1st XI 6/88. Glen Waverley 1st XI 10/271 v Deepdene Uniting 1st XI 1/3. Trinity Willison CC 1st XI 0/48 v Holy Trinity 1st XI 10/170.

■ Kevin Burt Shield. Two-Day. Sat. Feb. 22 and Sat. Mar. 1. West Ivanhoe United 1st XI 6/200 v Clifton Hill 2nd XI 10/93. Burwood Unt. Canterbury Senior Men 2nd XI 10/211 v STC South Camberwell Senior Men2nd XI 2/66. Mount Waverley Catholics 1st XI 10/234 v Toorak-Prahran 1st XI 0/2. Holy Trinity 2nd XI 10/123. Trinity Willison CC 2nd XI 2/ 64.

■ John Menzies and Keith Mackay Shield. Two-Day. Sat. Feb. 22 and Sat. Mar. 1. Blackburn North United 1st XI 0/11 v Holy Trinity 3rd XI 9-d/208. Toorak-Prahran 2nd XI 1/8 v North Alphington 10/200. Trinity Willison CC 3rd XI 10/297 v Glen Waverley 2nd XI 0/11.

■ A Synthetic. Two-Day. Sat. Feb. 22 and Sat. Mar. 1. Clifton Hill 3rd XI v Burwood 3rd XI 7/338. Mount Waverley Uniting 1st XI 10/222 v Mulgrave 3rd XI 0/30. Holy Trinity 4th XI 10/132 v West Ivanhoe United 2nd XI 1/ 151.

■ B Synthetic. Two-Day. Sat. Feb. 22 and Sat. Mar. 1. Glen Waverley 3rd XI 7/195 v St. Pauls Oakleigh Districts 2nd XI, abandoned. Edinburgh 4th XI 1/34 v Trinity Willison CC 4th XI. Mazenod OCCC 3rd XI 1/61 v Toorak-Prahran 3rd XI 10/144.

■ LOC1. One-Day. Knox Churches 1st XI 10/ 191 v Eagles 1st XI 0/194. Deepdene Uniting 2nd XI v Hartley 1st XI Forfeit. Manningham 1st XI 10/129 v Northcote United 1st XI 7/ 222. Bye: Malvern Valley 1st XI

■ LOC2. One-Day. Eagles 4th XI 10/191 v AYC Harlequins 1st XI 9/186. Eagles 2nd XI 10/105 v Balwyn Saints 3rd XI 2/109. Glen Iris 3rd XI 4/88 v East Doncaster 4th XI 10/86. Mulgrave 4th XI 10/176 v Monash University 1st XI 8/261.

■ LOC3. One-Day. Manningham 2nd XI 5/ 236 v East Doncaster 5th XI 10/230. Eagles 3rd XI 10/178 v Salesian 1st XI 9/166. North Balwyn 3rd XI 10/161 v St Stephens Greythorn 1st XI 5/179. Burwood United Canterbury 3rd XI 10/104 v Melbourne Sixers 1st X1 5/106.

■ LOC4. One-Day. St. Pauls Oakleigh Districts 3rd XI 9/171 v North Balwyn 4th XI 4/ 225. STC South Camberwell 3rd XI 6/252 v Malvern Valley 2nd XI 10/154. Ashwood 3rd XI 3/117 v Mulgrave 5th XI 10/115. Burwood 4th XI 10/123 v Salvation Army Waverley 1st XI 1/ 125. AYC Harlequins 2nd XI 6/195 v Mount Waverley Catholics 2nd XI 6/196.

■ LOC5. One-Day. Heathmont 5th XI 6/176 v St Andrews Gardiner 1st XI 4/178. Hawthorn Boroondara 5th XI 3/181. Blackburn North United 2nd XI 10/143. Deepdene Uniting 3rd Continued Next Page

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XI 8/130 v Glen Iris 4th X1 10/129. ToorakPrahran 4th XI 10/94 v Mount Waverley Uniting 2nd XI 1/96. Northcote United 2nd XI 5/ 186 v Clifton Hill 4th XI 7/184.

■ LOC6. One-Day. STC South Camberwell 4th XI 5/227 v Mount Waverley Uniting 3rd XI 7/226. Burwood Unt. Canterbury 4th XI 7/180 v Glen Waverley 4th XI 4/181. Manningham 3rd XI 6/164 v Knox Churches 2nd XI 2/245. Ashburton Willows 3rd XI 6/148 v Abbotsford Anglers 1st XI 10/140. Salesian 2nd XI 5/202 v Ashwood 4th XI 9/131.

■ LOC7. One-Day. Edinburgh 5th XI 8/208 v Hawthorn Boroondara 6th XI 9/199. Richmond Union 3rd XI 6/151 v East Doncaster 6th XI 7/147. STC South Camberwell 5th XI Saturday Synthetic 10/98 v Mont Albert 5th XI 10/112. Glen Waverley 5th XI - Sunday v Bulleen 4th XI, abandoned. Bye: Mount Waverley Catholics 3rd XI

■ LOC8. One-Day. Burwood Unt. Canterbury 5th XI Forfeit v Heathmont 6th XI. Monash University 2nd XI 6/216 v Glen Waverley 6th XISunday 9/99. Ashwood 5th XI 5/234 v STC South Camberwell - 4th XI Saturday Synthetic 8/197. Malvern Valley CC 3rd XI 5/74 v Mazenod OCCC 4th XI 9/70. Bye: Ashburton Willows 4th XI

■ LOC9. One-Day. Balwyn Saints 4th XI 7/ 191 v Holy Trinity 5th XI 9/157. Edinburgh 6th XI 10/176 v Monash University 3rd XI 10/110. East Doncaster 7th XI 7/200 v Clifton Hill 5th XI 5/203. West Ivanhoe United 3rd XI 6/196 v Richmond City 4th XI 10/165. Burnley CYMS 3rd XI 5/193 v Richmond Union 4th XI 9/123.

Morn. Peninsula

■ Provincial Firsts. Two-Day. Sat. Feb. 15 and Sat. Feb. 22. Langwarrin 1sts 9-d/263 v Baden Powell 1sts 10/182. Pines 1sts 10/184 v Red Hill 1sts 10/120. Sorrento 1sts 7/206 v Dromana 1sts 10/179. Old Peninsula 1st XI 10/254 v Heatherhill 1sts 7/255.

■ Peninsula Firsts. Two-Day. Sat. Feb. 15 and Sat. Feb. 22. Seaford Tigers 1sts 10/60 & 3/145 v Mt Eliza Senior Men 1st X1 1-d/87. Rosebud Senior Men 1sts 7/154 v Seaford 1sts 10/153. Somerville Senior Men 1sts 10/225 v Moorooduc 1sts 10/ 244. Long Island 1sts 10/130 v Mornington 1sts 3/132.

■ District Firsts. Two-Day. Sat. Feb. 15 and Sat. Feb. 22. Carrum 1sts 10/259 v Carrum Downs 1sts 10/270. Flinders 1sts 10/ 123 v Balnarring 1sts 5/143. Baxter 1sts 5/ 249 v Boneo 1sts 9/253. Crib Point 1sts 10/ 135 v Main Ridge 1sts 7/139.

■ Sub-District Firsts. Two-Day. Sat. Feb. 15 and Sat. Feb. 22. Ballam Park 1sts 10/ 155 v Frankston YCW 1sts 10/204. Delacombe Park 1sts 10/190 v Skye 1sts 10/95. Mt Martha 1sts 6/146 v Rye 1sts 4/147. Tootgarook 1sts 10/84 v Tyabb 1sts 2/85.

■ Provincial Seconds. Two-Day. Sat. Feb. 15 and Sat. Feb. 22. Baden Powell 2nds 10/169 v Langwarrin 2nds 5/170. Red Hill 2nds 9/156 v Pines 2nds 4/229. Dromana 2nds 10/ 56 & 10/99 v Sorrento 2nds 8/229. Heatherhill 2nds 6/181 v Old Peninsula 2nd XI 5/182.

■ Peninsula Seconds. Two-Day. Sat. Feb. 15 and Sat. Feb. 22. Mt Eliza Senior Men 2nd X1 9/174 v Seaford Tigers 2nds 10/148. Seaford 2nds 10/151 & 2/49 v Rosebud Senior Men 2nds 7-d/246. Moorooduc 2nds 10/ 103 v Somerville Senior Men 2nds 8-d/265. Mornington 2nds 10/120 v Long Island 2nds 10/204.

■ District Seconds. Two-Day. Sat. Feb. 15 and Sat. Feb. 22. Carrum Downs 2nds 10/188 v Carrum 2nds 10/122. Balnarring 2nds 4/101 v Flinders 2nds 10/99. Boneo 2nds 10/ 203 v Baxter 2nds 8/236. Main Ridge 2nds 10/185 v Crib Point 2nds 6/186.

■ Sub-District Seconds. Two-Day. Sat. Feb. 15 and Sat. Feb. 22. Frankston YCW 2nds 10/199 v Ballam Park 2nds 10/178. Skye 2nds 8/64 & 10/119 v Delacombe Park 2nds 5-d/220. Rye 2nds 10/64 & 10/42 v Mt Martha 2nds 9-d/157. Tyabb 2nds 7/205 v Tootgarook 2nds 8/204.

North Metro

■ Jika Shield. Two-Day. Sat. Feb. 22 and Sat. Mar. 1. Donath CC 1st XI 1/16 v Reservoir Cobras CC 1st XI 10/202. Keon Park CC 1st XI v Camrea CC 1st XI 7/336. Old Ivanhoe Grammarians CC 1st XI 4/50 v Preston Baseballers CC 1st XI 10/188.

■ Jack Quick Shield. Two-Day. Sat. Feb. 22 and Sat. Mar. 1. Cameron CC 1st XI 9/ 106 v Olympic Colts CC 1st XI 10/150. Fairfield CC 1st XI 6/177 v Bellfield Bulls CC 1st XI 10/ 131. Strathewen Cougars CC 1st XI Forfeit v Fiji Victorian CC 1st XI.

■ Jack Kelly Shield. Two-Day. Sat. Feb. 22 and Sat. Mar. 1. Ivanhoe Mavericks CC 1st XI v Keon Park CC 2nd XI 6/354. West Preston CC 1st XI v Northern Socials CC 1st XI 4/362. Fiji Victorian CC 2nd XI 4/110 v Old Ivanhoe Grammarians CC 2nd XI 10/106.

■ B-Grade.Two-Day. Sat. Feb. 22 and Sat. Mar. 1. Camrea CC 2nd XI 5-d/374 v Bellfield Bulls CC 2nd XI 3/72. Preston YCW District CC 1st XI v Strathewen Cougars CC 2nd XI Forfeit. Preston Baseballers CC 2nd XI 10/229 v West Preston CC 2nd XI 0/17. Royal Park Reds 3rd XI 10/169 v Victorian Nepalese CA CC 1/15.

■ C-Grade. Two-Day. Sat. Feb. 22 and Sat. Mar. 1. Bellfield Bulls CC 3rd XI 6-d/ 254 v Royal Park Reds 4th XI 2/38. Reservoir Cobras CC 2nd XI 9/96 v West Preston CC 3rd XI 2/98. Fiji Victorian CC 3rd XI 8/247 v Fairfield CC 2nd XI. Old Ivanhoe Grammarians CC 3rd XI 2/56 v Donath CC 2nd XI 8/105.

■ Robert Young DODC. Cameron CC OD 3/97 v Bellfield Rocketz CC OD Forfeit. Preston YCW District CC OD 7/155 v Keon Park CC OD 6/43. Preston Baseballers CC OD 7/157 v Fiji Victorian CC OD 10/86. Kinglake CC OD 10/62 v Northern Socials CC OD 9/63. Camrea CC OD 8/177 v Olympic Colts CC OD 7/179.

Ringwood District

■ Lindsay Trollope Shield. Two-Day. Sat. Feb. 22 and Sat. Mar. 1. South Croydon 1XI v Croydon Ranges 1XI. Ainslie Park 1XI v Montrose 1XI. Kilsyth 1XI v Lilydale 1XI. North Ringwood 1XI v Norwood 1XI.

■ Bill Wilkins Cup. Two-Day. Sat. Feb. 22 and Sat. Mar. 1. Warranwood 1XI v St Andrews 1XI. East Ringwood 1XI v Wonga Park 1XI. Mooroolbark 1XI v Templeton 1XI. Bayswater Park 1XI v Wantirna South 1XI. Heatherdale 1XI v Vermont 1XI.

■ Stuart Newey Plate. Two-Day. Sat. Feb. 22 and Sat. Mar. 1. Heathwood 1XI v Croydon North 1XI. Seville Burras 1XI v Chirnside Park 1XI. Montrose 2XI v Warrandyte 1st XI. South Warrandyte 1XI v Mt Evelyn 1XI.

■ Steve Pascoe Shield. Two-Day. Sat. Feb. 22 and Sat. Mar. 1. Norwood 2XI v North Ringwood 2XI. Warrandyte 2nd XI v Kilsyth 2XI. Yarra Junction 1XI v Ainslie Park 2XI. Croydon Ranges 2XI v South Croydon 2XI

■ Pat Meehan Shield. Two-Day. Sat. Feb. 22 and Sat. Mar. 1. Wonga Park 2XI v Eastfield 1XI. Lilydale 2XI v Healesville 1XI. Wantirna South 2XI v East Ringwood 2XI. Templeton 2XI v Lusatia Park 1XI.

■ Ian Spencer Shield. Two-Day. Sat. Feb. 22 and Sat. Mar. 1. North Ringwood 3XI v Coldstream 1XI. St Andrews 2XI v Warranwood 2XI. Chirnside Park 2XI v South Warrandyte 2XI. Montrose 3XI v Mooroolbark 2XI. Vermont 2XI v Heatherdale 2XI.

■ David Beatty Shield. Two-Day. Sat. Feb. 22 and Sat. Mar. 1. Mt Evelyn 2XI v Bayswater Park 2XI. Croydon Ranges 3XI v Yarra Glen 1XI. Norwood 3XI v Seville Burras 2XI. East Ringwood 3XI v Heathwood 2XI.

■ Don Smith Shield. Two-Day. Sat. Feb. 22 and Sat. Mar. 1. Wandin 1XI v Montrose 4XI. St Andrews 3XI v Warrandyte 3rd XI. Hoddles Creek 1XI v Wonga Park 3XI. Warranwood 3XI v Ainslie Park 3XI.

■ John Springett Shield. Two-Day. Sat. Feb. 22 and Sat. Mar. 1. Lusatia Park 2XI v Lilydale 3XI. Kilsyth 3XI v Yarra Junction 2XI. Healesville 2XI v Wantirna South 3XI. Eastfield 2XI v Chirnside Park 3XI.

■ A-Grade. Two-Day. Sat. Feb. 22 and

Sat. Mar. 1. Templeton 3XI v South Croydon 3XI. Wonga Park 4XI v Norwood 4XI. Seville Burras 3XI v St Andrews 4XI. Croydon North 2XI v Powelltown 1XI.

■ B-Grade. Two-Day. Sat. Feb. 22 and Sat. Mar. 1. Heathwood 3XI v Mt Evelyn 3XI. Coldstream 2XI v Mooroolbark 3XI. Warrandyte 4th XI v Croydon Ranges 4XI. South Warrandyte 3XI v Heatherdale 3XI.

■ C-Grade. Two-Day. Sat. Feb. 22 and Sat. Mar. 1. Chirnside Park 4XI v Warranwood 4XI. Healesville 3XI v Warrandyte 5th XI. St Andrews 5XI v Kilsyth 4XI. Wantirna 1XI v North Ringwood 4XI.

■ D-Grade. Two-Day. Sat. Feb. 22 and Sat. Mar. 1. Heatherdale 4XI v East Ringwood 4XI. Wonga Park 5XI v Croydon Ranges 5XI. Mooroolbark 4XI v Yarra Junction 3XI. Lilydale 4XI v Norwood 5XI.

■ E-Grade. Two-Day. Sat. Feb. 22 and Sat. Mar. 1. Warrandyte 6th XI v Wandin 2XI. Boronia Hawks 4XI v St Andrews 6XI. Yarra Glen 2XI v Wonga Park 6XI.

■ F-Grade. One Day. Ainslie Park 4XI v Wantirna South 4XI. Montrose 5XI: Bye. Bayswater Park 3XI v Mt Evelyn 4XI. South Croydon 4XI v Vermont 3XI, abandoned.

■ G-Grade. One Day. Kilsyth 5XI v Seville 4XI. Mt Evelyn 5XI v Hoddles Creek 2XI. Chirnside Park 5XI v Montrose 6XI, abandoned. Heathwood 4XI v Templeton 4XI, abandoned.

■ H-Grade. One Day. North Ringwood 5XI v Norwood 6XI. Mooroolbark 5XI v Heatherdale 5XI, abandoned. Lusatia Park 3XI v Healesville 4XI. Warranwood 5XI v Mt Evelyn 6XI, abandoned.

■ I-Grade. One Day. Croydon North 3XI v Wantirna 2XI. Warranwood 6XI v St Andrews 7XI. Croydon Ranges 6XI: Bye. Eastfield 3XI v Warrandyte 7th XI.

■ J-Grade. One Day. Wonga Park 7XI v Bayswater Park 4XI, abandoned. St Andrews 8XI v Warranwood 7XI, abandoned. Wantirna 3XI v South Croydon 5XI, abandoned. Bye: Ainslie Park 5XI

■ K-Grade. One Day. Powelltown 2XI v Wandin 3XI.

Yarra Junction 4XI v Chirnside Park 6XI. Yarra Glen 3XI v Croydon North 4XI.

■ L-Grade. One Day. Healesville 5th XI v Vermont 4XI. Lusatia Park 4th XI v Yarra Junction 5X1. Bye: East Ringwood 5XI

South East

■ Longmuir Shield. Two-Day. Sat. Feb. 15 and Sat. Feb. 22. Bentleigh Uniting 1 10/182 v East Sandringham 1 6/185. Le Page Park 1 7/268 v Kingston Heath 1 10/69. Brighton Union 1 8/203 v West Bentleigh 1 8/ 200. CHAG 1 9/173 v Bentleigh ANA 1 9/ 252.

■ Woolnough Shield. Two-Day. Sat. Feb. 15 and Sat. Feb. 22. Elwood 1 7/252 v Mackie 1 10/238. Omega 1 10/118 v Washington Park 1 10/158. Cluden 1 6/201 v Hampton United 1 3/205. Cheltenham Park 1 10/ 203 v Hampton Central 1 10/129.

■ Quiney Shield. Two-Day. Sat. Feb. 15 and Sat. Feb. 22. Carnegie South 1 3/186 v Elwood 2 10/131. CUCC Kings 3 10/141 & 3-d/144. Bentleigh Uniting 2 10/78 & 2/119. Kingston Heath 2 10/121 v Le Page Park 2 3/ 158. Washington Park 2 10/138 v Omega 2 6/180.

■ Pullen Shield. Two-Day. Sat. Feb. 15 and Sat. Feb. 22. Mackie 2 7/242 v Highett West 1 7/240. West Bentleigh 2 10/77 v Brighton Union 2 10/356. East Sandringham 2 1-d/448 v Cheltenham Park 2 9/63 & 10/ Hampton United 2 3-d/86 v Melbourne Wanderers 1 10/84 & 10/288.

Western Suburbs

■ A-Grade. Two-Day. Sat. Feb. 15 and Sat. Feb. 22. Werribee CC A 6th XI v Wyndham Vale A Grade 3rd XI. Point Cook CC A Grade 5th XI v Altona Sports A 1st XI - Two Day, abandoned. Seabrook A Grade 3rd XI 5/ 246 v Western Utd SC A Grade 2nd XI, abandoned.

■ A-Grade. One Day. Williams Landing SC D01 1st XI v 5ABI Caroline Springs D01, abandoned. Truganina Strikers D01 Yellow v Manor Lakes D01 1st XI, abandoned. West Point Titans D01 1st XI v Utd Tarneit SC D01 1st XI, abandoned. Tarneit Central D01 Blue v Truganina CC D01, abandoned.

ARIES: (March 21- April 20)

Lucky Colour: Orange

Lucky Day: Wednesday

Racing Numbers: 2-9-1-7

Lotto Numbers: 2-11-12-23-27-31

This period holds much promise for those ready to keep their wits. So, knock off the wishful thinking and be more positive. Your chances of earning while you learn are within reach.

TAURUS: (April 21- May 20)

Lucky Colour: Brown

Lucky Day: Friday

Racing Numbers: 3-2-7-6

Lotto Numbers: 3-12-13-28-36-42

Be careful with what you say or sign during this period. An unguarded moment could make you feel sorry. This is a time to collect money or favours due to you; you are not a charitable organisation.

GEMINI: (May 21- June 21)

Lucky Colour: Pink

Lucky Day: Monday

Racing Numbers: 1-6-2-7

Lotto Numbers: 1-10-29-34-39-42

New and better ideas take precedence over old, impractical ones, so direct your attention to this area and don’t be just a bystander. Use your Gemini versatility and ingenuity to make work adjustments to your advantage.

CANCER: (June 22- July 22)

Lucky Colour: Purple

Lucky Day: Tuesday Racing Numbers: 2-7-5-9

Lotto Numbers: 2-19-20-35-39-44

You could have to face up to past misdemeanours now, and any shady deals you make could backfire, so keep everything above board or face the consequences. Legal problems could be trying and very expensive now.

LEO: (July 23- August 22)

Lucky Colour: Yellow

Lucky Day: Wednesday

Racing Numbers: 1-10-3-5

Lotto Numbers: 1-10-19-28-35-44

Your finances are draining faster than a runny nose, which could have a nasty effect on your moods. Try to find the reason for this leak and have it plugged in immediately; it's no use trying to blame someone for it.

VIRGO: (August 23- September 23)

Lucky Colour: Blue

Lucky Day: Friday

Racing Numbers: 3-5-7-9

Lotto Numbers: 3-12-30-33-41-43

Be prepared for some mind-boggling interruptions from nosy neighbours or partners. Bets to set them straight from the start. If not, you could get very frustrated later on.

LIBRA: (September 24- October 23)

Lucky Colour: Blue

Lucky Day: Tuesday

Racing Numbers: 3-2-2-7

Lotto Numbers: 3-22-29-34-39-43

You will have to make some crucial decisions now. Avoid anyone with lousy advice and follow your intuition. It might be best to go away for a quiet weekend and think things over very carefully.

SCORPIO: (October 24- November 22)

Lucky Colour: Orange

Lucky Day: Thursday

Racing Numbers: 3-6-6-8

Lotto Numbers: 3-30-33-38-42-45

Your finances are still pretty low; an unexpected expense could drop your bank balance. Try to be positive and think of ways to come up with the goodies, even if it means getting a temporary job.

SAGITTARIUS: (November 23- December 20)

Lucky Colour: Brown

Lucky Day: Monday

Racing Numbers: 5-9-8-8

Lotto Numbers: 5-14-15-27-31-38

Pressures near home can be a real pain in the neck now. You may even have to eat some humble pie. Keep a clear mind to sort things out and find the right solutions.

CAPRICORN: (December 21- January 19)

Lucky Colour: Red

Lucky Day: Thursday

Racing Numbers: 3-4-7-8

Lotto Numbers: 3-12-13-20-35-42

Don’t hang on to past memories; it's not good to think about what could have been. Also, start thinking about your own welfare. You have been thinking and worrying too much about other people’s troubles lately.

AQUARIUS: (January 20- February 19)

Lucky Colour: Green

Lucky Day: Tuesday

Racing Numbers: 3-7-9-9

Lotto Numbers: 3-12-14-17-27-30

Turn on the charm, and you’ll soon have them eating from your hand. You will be the flavour of the month. This could be very beneficial at work when bonuses are given out. Go ahead with extended-range plans.

PISCES: (February 20- March 20)

Lucky Colour: Rose

Lucky Day: Friday

Racing Numbers: 1-6-5-3

Lotto Numbers: 6-17-19-37-42-44

It is time to stop a long-standing feud and let bygones be bygones. Everyone deserves a second chance. Exercise some caution when buying articles. Do you really need them? Beware also of sad stories; they are only trying to see if you are a soft touch.

Stars with Kerry Kulkens

Presented by Sarah Kulkens, Australia’s Trusted Psychic Family

COUNTDOWN TO AUSTRALIAN GUINEAS

■ At nomination time for the Australian Guineas comes around, some of those top three-yearolds possibly competin look like making it a top event for the youngsters.

The latest market has the New Zealander, Savaglee, on top.

Prepared by leading New Zealander, Paul Gerard, he is a Guineas winner in New Zealand, having won seven of his 13 starts, and is one of the best going around there.

The Enzedders have a good reputation of winning races like the Australian Guineas

On the second line is the smart Sydneysider, Linebacker, prepared by one of Sydney’s best, John O’Shea; he is very consistent.

Since his career started off, he has competed against the very best and shown up each time.

He contested the million-dollar Golden Rose in Sydney back in September, and finished just behind some smart ones on the day.

On the day he competed against some smart youngsters in Broadsiding, Traffic Warden and Storm Boy

He is by Super Seth, a Blue Diamond Stakes winner in Super Seth, when in the care of the Freedman team in Melbourne

Broadsiding, the top three-year-old, has an imposing record specially his classy run finishing third in Group One company in the Cox Plate back in October.

Prepared by leading trainer James Cummings, he is all class.

They raced him in the VRC Champions Mile on the last day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival, but he had enough at that stage, finishing well behind yet another top-class field, and he is only three.

He will be right in this, he’s right up there with them.

Another that impressed me with its win last start was Royal Insignia, with leading hoop Jamie Mott in the saddle.

It was a good win the Manfred Stakes at Sandown and he impressed greatly with a strong finish.

I feel he will be right in this although going out to 1600 metres.

Another that has talent is the Ciaron Maher trained filly, Another Prophet, who won the One Thousand Guineas at Caulfield in good style. The distance in the Manfred might have been too short and you can’t leave her out here.

Captured By Love, a New Zealander, could make it interesting if it starts.

Prepared by Mark Walker and Graeme Rogerson, it is smart having won five races from 11 starts and in all in good company.

Ready for action

■ Top galloper Alligator Blood, who was orginally retired due to leg problems, is continuing a surprise recovery and is getting ready for action again.

It appeared that the champion was destined for theretirement paddock, but pulled out a great recovery.

However, there is a change in the return, he will now be trained by Chris Waller leaving the comfort of Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott

Ted Ryan

Nod to apprentices

■ Four up-and-coming jockeys were acknowledged at the 2025 Apprentice Celebration Evening with Sheridan Clarke claiming two of the five awards given on the big night.

Clarke took out the RV Elite Apprentice Jockey and the Mikaela Claridge Sportsmanship Award among the class graduating from Racing Victoria’s Apprentice Jockey Training Program.

The Mikaela Claridge Award Sportsmanship is the only peer-voted prize and signifies that in the eyes of Clarke’s fellow apprentices, she demonstrated sportsmanship and offered encouragement, guidance and approachability through her words and deeds both on and off the track.

Hannah Edgley, Jaylah Kennedy and Jor-

dan Weatherly were the other award winners on the night.

Edgely received the Victorian Jockeys’ Association’s Outstanding Jockey in Training Award, which recognises excellence in all aspects of an apprenticeship, including on-track performance, dedication to personal development and industry ambassador qualities.

Kennedy was awarded the Victorian Wakeful Club Scholarship.

This scholarship recognises excellence in all aspects of an appnticeship, including on-trackperformance, dedication to personal development and industry ambassador qualities.

This scholarship recognises a female apprentice jockey’s excellence in her studies and professionalism both in and out of the saddle.

The Ballarat Cup-winning apprentice also received a $1000 grant to complete further study or to assist with her career development.

Weatherley was awarded the Andrew Gilbert Sports Science Award.

The Award, named in honour of an Victorian apprentice jockey who suffered fatal fall in 2001, reccognises the achievements of an apprentice in the fields of health and fitness.

Edgley and Clarke are also joined by their fellow apprentices, Matthew Chadwick, Maddi Kiss and Lahlan Overall, to be congratulated for completing four years graduating from the Apprentice Jockey Training Program.

The graduates were lauded for their hard work and determination in front of their families and friends.

The ceremony at Moonee Valley also saw 12 new members formally welcomed into Victoria’s New Apprentice Jockey Squad.

They are Ashley Ford, Alice Kennedy, Bree Temple, BrydieBlackshaw, Cassidy Hill, Chelsea Thompson, Dylan Dean, Hayley Norman, Jade Smith, Liana Wood, Tayle Cameron and Zac Moore.

- Ted Ryan

● ● Broadsiding. Racing Photos.

THREE WIDE ON THE HOME TURN

■ The regular Tuesday night Shepparton fixture was held on February 18 and recently relocated Kialla owner/trainer/driver Charlene (Charley) Gusman was successful with Captaintreacherous-Shes Norma Jean colt Im Hank in the 1690 metre Your Sold Real Estate 3Y0 Maiden Pace.

Safely retaining the inside running from the pole, Im Hank having start number seven defied all challengers to run out a 2 metre victor over King Saint one/one – three wide home turn and Roxella which raced exposed a half neck back returning a mile mile rate of 1-58.6.

The winner is a half brother to eleven race winner Hes Charlies Angel (Sweet Lou).

■ Marong co-owner/trainers Terry and JacintaAllan Gange were winners when 3Y0 McWicked-Mizzi M Hanover filly Wicked Mitzi defeated her older rivals in the Cottrell Electrical Pace over 1690 metres.

Beginning brilliantly from gate six to lead, Wicked Mitzi driven by Alby Ashwood couldn’t be caught, reaching the wire 3 metres in advance of Majors Creek from the tail. Alamo after trailing from the pole was third 4.1 metres away. The mile rate 1-58. Wicked Mitzi had won at Echuca last September.

■ Usually reliable 8Y0 Auckland ReactorMadam Altissimo mare Madam Reactor raced and bred by Elmore’s Frank Barac chalked up her 12th success in 128 race appearances which include 30 placings when greeting the judge in the Central Tyre Service Pace over 1690 metres.

Driven by Murchison based Ryan Sanderson, Madam Reactor was given a sweet passage on the back of the pacemaker Sunstar after leading out from the pole and used the sprint lane to record a 2.5 metre margin over Sunstar in a mile rate of 1-56.7. Owen The Saints (six wide home turn from a long way back) was third a half neck away.

■ Another week and another winner to Allendale owner/trainer Adam Stephens after 8Y0 Somebeachsomwhere-Blue Seelster gelding Icanmotor chalked up his 14th victory in 144 outings by taking the 2190 metre Avenel Equine Hospital Pace with Jordan Leedham in the sulky. In what was a good effort, Icanmotor was taken back at the start from outside the front line to settle at the rear after the well supported Marako Shark galloped away from gate five. Going forward four wide in the last lap, Icanmotor made ground swiftly to join a deathseating Northern Terror (gate three) on the final bend and in a two horse battle all the way up the running, did best to prevail by a head in a rate of 2-01.9. Iamawingate a stablemate of the winner was badly held up three pegs approaching the final bend before using the sprint lane for third 9.4 metres away.

Two meetings

■ Two meetings were held on Wednesday –Stawell in the afternoon and Bendigo at night.

zAt Stawell Cudgee owner/breeders John and Mary Meade’s 6Y0 Quaker Jet-Diamond Insitu gelding Mattyo was victorious in the 2180 metre Stawell Gift Hall Of Fame Trotters Mobile. Despite racing exposed from gate five as hot favourite Baarlinee zoomed across the face of the field from outside the front line to lead, Mattyo joined her approaching the final bend and when Baarlinee after pulling hard galloped, Mattyo dashed clear to score by 4.9 metres from Anikitos (three pegs from inside the second line – three wide home turn) which ran home nicely. Surprise To Me (gate four) came three wide from the rear at the bell to be one/one for the last lap when third 12.2 metres away. The mile rate 2-04.5.

■ Local trainer/driver Jason Ainsworth’s 6Y0 Racing Hill-Floweronthewall mare Alfnalma chalked up her 7th success in 64 outings when taking the Thomas Foods International Pace over 1785 metres.

Given a cosy trip three back in the moving line from gate five, Alfnalma suited by the slick tempo of the race finished her race off well out wide to record a 1.7 metre margin over the leader Nosweetsforyou (gate seven) who had been kept honest by the raging hot favourite Neatntidy which raced outside her. The Sportz Star (one/ one from gate four) was third a head away. The mile rate 1-58.2.

Harness Racing

len-baker@ bigpond.com

with Len Baker

■ Horsham trainer Aaron Dunn presently campaigning in NSW landed the Perrys Footwear Pace over 2180 metres with smart 4Y0 American Ideal-Wild Radish mare Wild Ideal in a 200.9 rate.

Raced by Aaron in partnership with breeder Helen Friend, Wild Ideal with Kerryn Manning aboard was able to cross Major Assassin (gate five) early in the piece and was unextended to greet the judge by 2 metres from Major Assassin using the sprint lane to no avail. Startin To Gogh (gate six) after racing exposed was third 3.5 metres back.

■ Veteran Hamilton trainer Jim Barker’s 8Y0 Four Starzzz Shark-Cheria McTago gelding Alook to Like ($17.00) was an upset winner of the 1785 metre Gateway Security Pace.

Driven by granddaughter Jackie, Alook To Like despite racing in the open from gate four got the better the leader Dallas Charlie on turning and held on to score by a head from One Off along the sprint lane off the back of Dallas Charlie. The Democrat (one/one) ran his usual honest race for third 2.8 metres away. The mile rate 2-00.5.

Stable double

■ What a night it was at Bendigo for Ross Creek trainer Jennifer Douglas who snared a stable double with a pair of 5Y0 geldings – Muselet (Sweet Lou-Glenferrie Alexis) taking the Yorkshire Park Standardbreds Pace over 2150 metres and Mitchell Wrap (Danny Bouchea-Trotn On The Casba) the Oxley Feed Mill Trotters Handicap over 2150 metres, both driven by Long Forest based Jordan Leedham.

Muselet was given a sweet passage one/one from gate two as the favourite Celestial Daybreak led from the pole.

When Atomic Glory and Sean O’Sullivan went forward from well back with a three wide trail in the last lap and four wide prior to the home turn to rush by the pacemaker on straightening looking all over a winner, Muselet was able to extricate into the clear and sprouted wings to blouse him by a neck in a rate of 2-00.1.

Shezabluechip despite racing exposed battled on gamely for third 3 metres back. Mitchell Wrap starting from an equal 20 metre handicap was a trifle slow to begin as the tapes released settling at the tail as polemarker Tedesco after winning at Shepparton the night before led before handing over to Antinov (barrier three).

Racing for the bell Jakarta (10m) which had been racing fierce outside the leader crossed to the front leaving Champagne Charley exposed for the final circuit.

Angling three wide in the last lap, Mitchell Wrap was pushed four wide by Midnight Eagle coming out ahead of him with the pair charging forward to challenge.

In a dual all the way up the running, Mitchell Wrap was too solid at the finish, scoring by 3.9 metres over Midnight Eagle, with Jakarta holding down third a head away in an exciting finale. The mile rate 2-01.2. Jennifer’s late father Keith’s estate is listed in the ownership.

■ What a night it was at Bendigo for Ross Creek trainer Jennifer Douglas who snared a stable double with a pair of 5Y0 geldings – Muselet (Sweet Lou-Glenferrie Alexis) taking the Yorkshire Park Standardbreds Pace over 2150 metres and Mitchell Wrap (Danny Bouchea-Trotn On

The Casba) the Oxley Feed Mill Trotters Handicap over 2150 metres, both driven by Long Forest based Jordan Leedham. Muselet was given a sweet passage one/one from gate two as the favourite Celestial Daybreak led from the pole.

When Atomic Glory and Sean O’Sullivan went forward from well back with a three wide trail in the last lap and four wide prior to the home turn to rush by the pacemaker on straightening looking all over a winner, Muselet was able to extricate into the clear and sprouted wings to blouse him by a neck in a rate of 2-00.1.

Shezabluechip despite racing exposed battled on gamely for third 3 metres back. Mitchell Wrap starting from an equal 20 metre handicap was a trifle slow to begin as the tapes released settling at the tail as polemarker Tedesco after winning at Shepparton the night before led before handing over to Antinov (barrier three).

Racing for the bell Jakarta (10m) which had been racing fierce outside the leader crossed to the front leaving Champagne Charley exposed for the final circuit.

Angling three wide in the last lap, Mitchell Wrap was pushed four wide by Midnight Eagle coming out ahead of him with the pair charging forward to challenge.

In a dual all the way up the running, Mitchell Wrap was too solid at the finish, scoring by 3.9 metres over Midnight Eagle, with Jakarta holding down third a head away in an exciting finale. The mile rate 2-01.2. Jennifer’s late father Keith’s estate is listed in the ownership. ■ Harston breeder/part-owner/trainer/driver

Dennis Paton’s 5Y0 Majestic Son-Sheza Comment gelding Lizzies Son was on his best behavior to land the Petersen Westbrook Cameron Lawyers Trotters Mobile over 1650 metres.

Starting from the extreme draw, Lizzies Son travelling smoothly settled three back in the moving line as favourite Zesta La Go Go led from gate two before being crossed by Massive Central (gate three).

Using a retake, Zesta La Go Go again took over with Gunsen Rosie (gate five) exposed, Whats TheTea (gate six one/one) and Lizzies Son on his back. Going forward three wide in the back straight to join the leader on the home turn, Zesta La Go Go galloped allowing Lizzies Son to race clear and score by 5.1 metres over Whats The Tea and Massive Central who was a head away third. The mile rate 2-01.5.

Harston breeder/part-owner/trainer/driver

Dennis Paton’s 5Y0 Majestic Son-Sheza Comment gelding Lizzies Son was on his best behavior to land the Petersen Westbrook Cameron Lawyers Trotters Mobile over 1650 metres.

Starting from the extreme draw, Lizzies Son travelling smoothly settled three back in the moving line as favourite Zesta La Go Go led from gate two before being crossed by Massive Central (gate three). Using a retake, Zesta La Go Go again took over with Gunsen Rosie (gate five) exposed, Whats TheTea (gate six one/one) and Lizzies Son on his back. Going forward three wide in the back straight to join the leader on the home turn, Zesta La Go Go galloped allowing Lizzies Son to race clear and score by 5.1 metres over Whats The Tea and Massive Central who was a head away third. The mile rate 2-01.5.

Ballarat’ best

■ On Thursday at Ballarat Smythes Creek trainer Nathan Cahir combined with Dunnstown’s Brent Murphy to snare the ballarattrottingclub.com.au Pace over 1710 metres with 6Y0 Rock N Roll Heaven-Illawong Bella gelding Plains In Heaven. Raced by long time participant Terry Cahill, Plains In Heaven disappointing when third at Melton the previous Saturday settled at the tail from the extreme draw as Major Drama and David Murphy led from gate four.

Trailing up Remi Lou ahead of him three wide in the last lap and four wide on the home turn, Plains In Heaven finished at a great rate out wide to gain the day by a three metre margin over a death-seating Kwik Sand (gate three) and Major Drame which held third a further three metres back. The mile rate 1-54.9.

■ Sutton Grange trainer Ross Graham combined with James Herbertson aboard lightly raced 6Y0 Majestic Son-Four Lillies gelding Ox

Sulky Snippets Sulky Snippets

This Week

■ Wednesday – Charlton/Mildura, Thursday – Kilmore, Friday – Ararat (Cup), Saturday –Melton, Sunday – Boort (Cup), Monday –Mildura, Tuesday – Shepparton.

Knox to land the 2200 metre Woodlands Stud Trotters Mobile. Bred by Barbara Sedgwick, Vicky Cohen, Linda Ellen and Jennifer Lawrence, Ox Knox raced by Jack and Jenny Clough enjoyed a beaut trip from the pole trailing the leader Kota Bharu (gate four) with La Volonte from the extreme draw going forward to race outside the leader at the bell.

When La Volonte galloped in the back straight on the final occasion Ox Knox immediately came away from the markers to join Kota Bharu approaching the final bend, gaining the upper hand in the straight to register a 3.5 metre victory. Volsteads Delight (three pegs from gate six) was third 3.8 metres away. The mile rate 202.

■ Ararat trainer/driver Michael Bellman’s 6Y0 Tennotrump-Gloriadon gelding Blackrange Glory produced a gigantic performance to capture the 7+ Trotters Mobile over 2200 metres.

Slow to score up, Blackrange Glory followed through to be one/one on settling as old timer Fling It Rainbow flew away from gate six to lead on the first turn.

Galloping wildly shortly after Blackrange Glory went back to the rear facing an unenviable task. Gradually making ground, Mick Bellman set him alight racing for the bell and with a brilliant turn of speed circled the field to lead for the final circuit.

Trotting boldly, Blackrange Glory showed no signs of stopping and cruised to the wire 4.4 metres in advance of Allwatfunjingles (gate two second line - four pegs – one/one at bell) which was left exposed when Fling It Rainbow galloped. Charlie Walker (one/two from outside the front line after being trapped three wide early) ran on late for third a half head away. The mile rate 2-01.8.

■ Rockbank duo Vic Pace and William Pace combined to snare the 2200 metre Alfredton Laundry Pace with former Kiwi 5Y0 Rock N Roll Heaven-Dyed Blonde mare Platinum Jive.

Trapped four wide from gate five, William had no option but to ease to the rear as Forgone Conclusion (gate two) crossed stablemate Monsieur Flamel (gate three).

Gaining a three wide double trail in the last lap following Yankee Gambler and Martha Lavinia, Platinum Jive was extricated four wide on the final bend and six wide in the straight as those inside her made their moves.

Finishing with a wet sail, Platinum Jive finished full of running to register a 1.7 metre margin in a mile rate of 1-59.1 from a death seating Jilliby Typhoon with Forgone Conclusion fighting on doggedly for third a head away.

- Len Baker

Missing man Ronald

■ Police are appealing for public assistance to help locate missing Doveton man Ronald. The 54-year-old was last seen at the corner of Bourke St and Swanston St in the Melbourne CBD about 1.15pm on Saturday (Feb. 22).

Police and family have concerns for Ronald’s welfare as he has a number of serious medical conditions including autism. Ronald is also non-verbal and has recently undergone abdominal surgery.

Ronald is Caucasian, about 165cm tall with light brown/grey hair, blue eyes, has a mark on his chin and walks with a lean to his left side.

He was last seen wearing a grey polo shirt with white around the collar.

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• POST: Mail the form (available in this newspaper) to PO Box 1278, Research, Vic 3095. Free Ads will not be accepted by phone.

BOOKS. Health, well-being, spirituality. CDs, DVDs. Doreen Virtue, Louise Hay, Denise Linn, many others. 31 CDs, 12 books. Will send photo if interested. 4 DVDs. VGC. $250 ONO. Bittern. 0459 558 055. F-M

CATTLE

Charolais cross cows, beefbred, with Speckle Park calves at foot. In calf again. Can deliver. $1750 each. Yarra Valley. 0418 342 848.F-I

COT. Fisher Price portable cot with extra mattress, sheets, mobile and pockets. Portable change table included. Also 3 wheel children’s bike. EC. Free. Whiteheads Creek, near Seymour. SMS to 0407 200 118.F-M

FREE PHOTO ADS AdvertiseFree.com.au

FORD AU II SEDAN. Much money spent. No rust. All Fairmont options. Very clean. V8. Near new tyres. 2AN3XE. Original cond. $8000. Seymour. 0419 881 573.F-M

GARDEN: Two concrete vintage statues, one Greek lady 66cm, one bashful child 59cm. Also one Buddha 43cm. Also baby deer and four plaques, assorted designs. Can send photos. VGC. $350. 0459 558 055. F-M

KEYBOARD STAND.

Roland. As new. $50. Cheltenham. 0438 533 123.F-M

LAURA ASHLEY cotton coverlet set. Size: 220cm x 240cm. Plus 2 pillow cases. Pale blue with thin white stripes. Never used. EC. $40. Ashburton. 9885 F-M

MOBILITY SCOOTER

One Pride Go. Mobility Chair. Joystick driven. Only months old. Paid $3700. Will sell $1800 ONO. Like brand new. Phone John, 0418 583 120. F-G

PUBLIC NOTICES

Public Notice of Praecipe Tacit Acceptance and Reconveyance

Marian Snary© i n c a r e of Ferntree Gully, Victoria State, is not a voluntary transactor in commerce, and is the irrefutable Holder in Due Course of my properties and all associated copyright protected Trade Names (MARIAN VAN RYSWYK, EMPATHIC CONNECTIONS) since unrebutted lawful Reconveyance to the Land and Soil jurisdiction of Terra Australis also known as the Commonwealth of Australia Public Recording Number RPP44 63900 05100 17985 22604, Proclamation Date (1st Day of April in the year 2024). Thus severing usufruct subjugation ties with the occupying corporate government of Australia in its entirety. Immediately cease and desist any further infringement upon these copyright protected financial instruments and cease and desist misaddressing Marian Snary© in fraudulent debased Dog-Latin, GLOSSA.

PRIVATE SELLERS can have a free 40-word ‘For Sale’ ad - plus a single colour photo - in The Local Paper Classifieds to sell their items. Your free ad will appear in all editions of The Local Paper, covering all suburbs of Melbourne, the Mornington Peninsula, and selected Victorian country areas. Your free ad will appear in up to 4 issues. There are no charges, no commissions. T&Cs apply. Lodge your ad at: www.AdvertiseFree.com.au

MEMOIR by Owen Douglas. From early life to times as a Psychiatric Nurse. (‘An outstanding book’ North Central Review’, Oct 2024) paperback and ebook. I grew up in Dundas St. Preston. Attended Preston South Primary and went to Northcote High School. At Amazon.com.au F-M

NEWSPAPERS. Herald; end of First World War; start of the Second World War. Original papers, worn. Offers. Seymour. 0419 881 573.

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OLD STAMPS, tools, tobacco bins, Telephone, pocket knifes, cigarette lighters, LP records, first covers and more. Australia decimal and pre-decimal bank notes. Used. Prices negot. Thomastown. 0425 733 890.

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PORTABLE SAUNA. Top condition. $150. Alphington. 0401 226 114. F-M

SAWS. 5 vintage saws for woodwork. FC. $20. Also frame for manual sharpening, GC. $8. Ashburton. 9885 2203. F-M

SUBARU Rego Plates. B/ W Slimline: MISUBI. VGC. $1500 or offer. Frankston. 9789 9634. F-M

TELESCOPE. 76/700EG. Premium. 76 mirror diameter. 700mm focal length. 28x-233x magnification. Equatoirial mount. As new. $60 ONO. Cheltenham. 0438 533 123. F-M

WELLNESS Circulation Stimulator. $20 or offer. VGC. Frankston. 9789 9634. F-M

WHEELCHAIR. Electric. Hubang HBLD2-B. Lightweight, easy to manoeuver, strong battery life. Perfect for everyday use. Sellng due to owner passing away. GC. $1000. Thomastown. 0421 819 286. F-M

WORLD BOOK ENCYCLOPEDIA. Complete set encyclopedia, $90. Plus Science Books and Dictionary. GC. $90. Frankston. 9789 9634. F-M

FREE ADS ARE NOT ACCEPTED BY PHONE Free ‘For Sale’ and ‘What’s On ads are available in The Local Paper to private parties and community organisations. There are no charges, no fees and no commissions. All Free Ads are published at the entire discretion of the Editor.

BOOKS

As new c ond. Fiction by J. Archer, W. Smith, F. Forsyth, J. Graham, D. Brown, C. Cussler, T. Clancy, etc. Some complete sets. Most hard covers. $4 some, $3 some. Mt Eliza. 0412 830 241. H-O

CANE CHAIRS. Cane Table. GC. $20. Keon Park. 9469 4558. H-O

CRIME FICTION BOOKS. Various authors. Harlen Coben, James Patterson plus others. GC. $2, or 3 for $5. Mill Park. 052 665 276. H-O

ERGONOMIC Swivel Chair. Red. Best Cond. $40. Keon Park. 9469 4558. H-O

FOOTWEAR. Navy woven leather. Diana Ferrari Sandal. Size 9. Worn once. Paid $130. Will sell $60. Ferntree Gully. 0407 533 560. H-O

OLD Bike Australasia 11, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21, 22, 23, 37, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46,. 47, 48, 49, 51, 52. GC. $3. Mill Park. 0452 665 276. H-O

COMMUNITY GROUPS can advertise their upcoming events in The Local Paper, without advertising charges. Go to the What’s On - Free Ad Form section at the www.Local Paper.com.au website

Sat., Mar. 22. 10am2pm. Watsonia Primary School Open Day and Fair. Join us for a special day of celebration at our School Open Day and Fair, marking an incredible milestone—our 65th Birthday. Explore our vibrant school community with guided tours, showcasing our facilities and curriculum for prospective families. Enjoy a variety of fun rides, delicious food trucks, live music, stalls, and a historical display highlighting our 65year legacy of excellence. The day will be filled excitement, discovery, and a chance to connect with our past and present. Don’t miss this memorable event as we celebrate 65 years of learning, growth, and achievement. Free entry. Meagher St, Watsonia. Phone: 0407 885 580. Web: https://www. facebook.com/share/ 1DRdcx3Wch/ F-L

UNIT. One bedroom, kitchen, bathroom, laundry and living area. Private entrance. Price includes utilities (power/gas/water). VGC. $300 per week. Diamond Creek. 0404 433 572. H-O TO RENT

TENT. Wild Country. Hardly ever used. EC. $80. Mill Park. 0452 665 276 H-O