The Local Paper. North-West Edition. Wed., Feb. 12, 2025
■ As Werribee by-election vote counting resumed on Monday (Feb. 10), the neck-and-neck race between Labor’s John Lister and the Liberal’s Steve Murphy continued.
Progress voting, with 75.22 per cent of the nallots total enrolled voters counted, the primary votes were:
■ Raheem A. Rifai, Australian Greens, 2977, 7.47 per cent
■ Steve Murphy, Liberal, 11,578, 29.04%
■ Matthew Emerson, Family First Victoria, 1738, 4.36%
It is understood a man was travelling north on Sydney Rd in a black Volkswagen Golf sedan when a group of motorcyclists drove erratically in front of him about 10.30pm.
There was an altercation between the driver and the riders at the intersection of Somerton Rd
Police were told the riders assaulted the 46year-old Donnybrook man, who was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
The riders then caused significant damage to the car, smashing the windows before fleeing the scene on their bikes towards Pascoe Vale Rd.
They remain outstanding at this stage. Anyone who witnessed the incident, has dashcam/CCTV
Ticks and Crosses Local News
● ● ● ● Katie Hall, Footscray MLA ✔Footscray MLA Katie Hall has congratulated congratulate the students who were awarded the Dr Moss Cass award. They are: Mia Bastianon from Maribyrnong College, Leena O’Brien from Footscray High School, Ethan Constantino from St Margaret’s Primary, Marko Tudorovic from St Monica’s, Francesca Miller from Corpus Christi School, Bella D’Rozario from Yarraville West Primary School, Pearl Grass from St Augustine’s Primary School, Yuna Dao from Footscray West Primary School, Victoria Truong from Footscray Primary School, Alice Courtel from Footscray North Primary School, Sophie Luong from Kingsville Primary School, Vincent Tran from Yarraville Special Developmental School and Sage McCrabb from Footscray City Primary School. “The Dr Moss Cass award acknowledges students who demonstrate leadership through kindness, acknowledging the work of Dr Cass, a great environmentalist, heart surgeon, community leader and the former federal member for Maribyrnong,” Ms Hall said.
?Brunswick MLA Dr Tim Read last week presented presented a 285-signature petition pointing out the threeyear delay in the rectification, protection and safety works required at the historic Chimney at the Hoffman Brickworks at Brickworks Drive, Brunswick. “The works were ordered by Heritage Victoria over three years ago. Temporary scaffolding and fencing were erected around the historic chimney in 2022, but the rectification works have not occurred and the temporary scaffolding and fencing have remained in place ever since. The absence of progress and existence of temporary work site has a negative impact on local residents, the neighbourhood amenity and poses an ongoing safety risk with unauthorized visitors regularly scaling the scaffolding”. The petitioners say that the three-year delay is unacceptable and that all steps be taken to ensure that the works are undertaken and that the amenity of the neighbourhood is restored and the safety risk is removed as soon as possible.
Driver blew .326 at Hoppers Crossing
■ Police have caught an alleged drink driver who got behind the wheel almost seven times over the legal limit, before being involved in a collision in Hoppers Crossing
It is understood a silver Mazda and a utility collided on the Princess Fwy about 11.20pm on Saturday (Feb. 8). The Mazda then crashed into a pole.
There were no serious injuries and the vehicle sustained extensive damage.
The driver of the Mazda , a 29-year-old Weir Views man, underwent a preliminary breath test at the scene where he allegedly returned a positive result.
He was taken to a police station for an evidentiary breath test, returning an alleged reading of .326.
The man is expected to be charged on summons with drink driving offences and driving whilst disqualified.
7 arrested after pursuit
■ Police arrested seven teenagers after a pursuit in Melbourne’s West.
Officers spotted an allegedly stolen white Skoda SUV driving at high speeds on Greens Rd in Wyndham Vale just after 11pm Tuesday (Feb. 4).
The car was followed by Air Wing and police units on the ground through Werribee, Tarneit and Point Cook, then over the Westgate Bridge towards Melbourne before it returned to the western suburbs.
The Skoda came to a stop on Featherbrook Drive in Point Cook, where the occupants got out of the car and into a white Volvo
The Volvo allegedly sped off along the Princes Freeway, outbound towards Little River, before returning to the Werribee area.
The Volvo crashed into a tree on Wisdom Avenue in Truganina.
There were no injuries and five of the occupants were swiftly arrested at the scene.
Two teens fled on foot, were located with assistance from the Air Wing, and were arrested a short time later.
A 15-year-old boy, five 16-year-old boys and a 17-year-old boy, all from the Wyndham area, were to be be interviewed by police.
Officers allegedly located several weapons in both vehicles.
The Skoda is believed to be stolen during an aggravated burglary at a property on Arkins Court in Tarneit on February 2.
The Volvo is believed to be stolen from an aggravated burglary on Kalorama St in Tarneit on February 4.
Melton intersections safer: McGhie, MP
■ Three intersections along in Melton are now safer for pedestrians, drivers and cyclists, according to local MLA, Steve McGhie.
The intersections of High St with Coburns Rd, Norton Drive and Holland Drive have been upgraded. Crews installed new traffic lights, traffic islands and signalised pedestrian crossings at the intersections with Coburns Rd and Norton Drive
At both the intersections, street lighting and line marking has been upgraded as well as road resurfacing and tree and vegetation trimming and removal.
At the Coburns Rd intersection, new dedicated turning lanes and a raised safety platform have been installed.
The road has been widened at the intersection of High St and Holland Drive to cater for heavy vehicles turning left from High St.
A safer speed limit of 60-kmh has been introduced on High St in both directions between Melton Valley Drive and the Melton Hwy
“This major project has made travel safer and easier for everyone moving through Melton – particularly the growing population who live locally,” Mr McGhie said.
Architects named
■ Sunbury MLA Josh Bull said that the State Government has appointed Spowers Architects to design the new $25 million Sunbury TAFE in partnership with Kangan Batman
“This is outstanding news and very warmly welcomed by the community, and locals cannot wait to see this new facility delivered by the Allan Labor government.
“Of course this stands in stark contrast to gutting TAFE. We on this side have invested heavily in TAFE, and our local community is very excited about what is to come.
“2025, like 2024, will be a huge year for the electorate. This government will open new facilities at Goonawarra Primary School, open new facilities at Diggers Rest, remove two level crossings in Diggers Rest and start construction our brand new senior citizens centre,” Mr Bull said.
Vale Bob Sercombe
■ State Parliament last week noted the passing of former Niddrie MP Bob Sercombe.
“I advise the house of the death of Robert Charles Sercombe, member of the Legislative Assembly for the district of Niddrie from 1988 to 1996,” said the Speaker Maree Edwards.
“I ask members to rise in their places as a mark of respect to the memory of the deceased.”Members stood in their places.
311. 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.
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40 YEARS AS NEWSMAN
IN MELBOURNE’S NORTH-WEST
In 1983, Ash Long was Editor of the Bacchus Marsh-Melton Express newspaper.
In earlier years, he had been Manager of a number of local newspapers including the Brunswick Sentinel and Coburg Courier.
Later, he was approached to be Editor of the Western News, and he also was in charge of the Advertiser and News-Pix Weekender titles.
Ash Long has wide knowledge of the people in the North-West.
Some 40 years on, in 2024, Ash Long continues his lifetime of community service, as Publisher of The Local Paper group, which has localised newspapers across 40 local government areas covering all Melbourne suburbs, the Mornington Peninsula and beyond.
He was involved with the Australian Suburban Newspapers’ Association, later becoming a National Judge.
In 1983, he branched out on his own, developing newspapers across Victoria.
In the intervening years, there have been successes (and a few stumbles!)
In 2002, Long reinvograted the
Barry Browne and Ash Long at the Bacchus Marsh-Melton Express in 1983. Melbourne Observer newspaper. It continues today as a free section within all editions of The Local Paper. There have been other involvements with TV, radio and online projects. Decades on, Ash Long and his Local Paper team remain committed to providing the best possible service to readers and clients.
● ● Police Air Wing. File Photo.
● ● ● Steve McGhie, Melton MLA
Tapas Bar Home-Made Desserts
Great Range of Cocktails and Mocktails Available.
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Statewide
VICTORIA Papers go weekly
■ Australian Community Media has foreshadowed plans for the Bendigo Advertiser and Border Mail (Albury-Wodonga) newspapers to move from daily publication to oncea-week. The emphasis will be on journalists to file for online issues.
ACROSS THE STRAIT Paper mill purchase
■ Melbourne businessman David Marriner, whose family operates a number of prominent theatres (Princess, Comedy, Forum, Regent) is purchasing Australia’s last remaining paper mail in Tasmania for $27 million.
GREATER GEELONG Compliance time
■ Police have seized various quantities of drugs of dependence following a four-day operation targeting Firearm Prohibition Orde r (FPO) compliance across greater Geelong.
The joint operation between the VIPER Taskforce and local Geelong police saw the execution of 14 FPO compliance searches in North Shore, Corio, Leopold, Boonah, Lara (2), Armstrong Creek, Ocean Grove, Norlane, Waurn Ponds, Queenscliff, Hamlyn Heights, Charlemont and Curlewis.
Investigators seized various quantities of what appear to be cannabis, cocaine, MDMA, steroids and ketamine.
An 18-year-old Leopold man was issued with a cannabis caution, a 42-year-old Armstrong Creek man was issued with a drug diversion and a 36-year-old Hamlyn Heights man was interviewed in relation to the offence of possess drug of dependence and is expected to be charged on summons. Since they were introduced in May 2018, Victoria Police has issued over 2300 FPOs across the state.
- Victoria Police
PARAGLIDER PLUCKED TO SAFETY AT CORRYONG
■ A paraglider was winched to safety after becoming stuck in a tree at Corryong.
Emergency services were called after reports the paraglider conducted an emergency landing at Mount Mittamatite about 3pm on Monday, February 3.
The woman became stuck in a 10 metre tree and was unable to free herself due to the height and strong wind.
Local police notified the Victoria Police Search and Rescue Squad – which specialises in vertical rescues – and members were subsequently flown in from Melbourne by the Air Wing
Four SAR members were winched to a nearby location and hiked approximately 300 metres in rugged terrain before reaching the site.
A SAR member climbed the tree and set up a roping system before safely lowering the paraglider to the ground.
The woman was winched onboard the helicopter about 8.40pm and did not require any medical treatment.
Inspector James Dalton, Water Police and Search and Rescue Squads, said: “This rescue was complex – we had a paraglider stuck at height, in rugged terrain and on top of that strong wind made it challengingfortheaircrew.“
Statewide
Across Victoria
CRAIGIEBURN
Arson charges
■ Detectives from Taskforce Lunar have charged a man following an arson attack at a Craigieburn tobacco store in December.
A 32-year-old Epping man was arrested on Spencer St in Docklands shortly before 11am Thursday (Feb. 6).
He was interviewed by police and charged with arson and theft of motor vehicle.
The man was to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court.
With the assistance of the VIPER Taskforce, search warrants were subsequently executed at residential addresses in Glenroy, Reservoir and Epping
A 25-year-old Reservoir man was interviewed by police and is expected to be charged on summons.
The charges follow an incident where emergency services were called to a blaze at the Craigieburn Rd centre about 3.30am on Tuesday, December 10.
A number of men were seen exiting a black Holden Commodore which parked directly outside the store, before throwing an accelerant into the store and setting it alight.
The shop sustained significant damage during the fire.
The same vehicle was stolen from an address in Bundoora around 1.20am that morning.
It is then captured on CCTV at a petrol station in Bundoora at 1.26am.
The investigation remains ongoing.
NIRRANDA SOUTH
Hit by tractor
■ Police will prepare a report for the coroner following the death of a man on in Nirranda South on Thursday (Feb. 6).
It is believed the man was struck by a tractor near a property on the Great Ocean Road about 12.15pm. The driver of the tractor, a 42-year-old Nirranda South man, stopped and rendered assistance.
● ● A female paraglider was rescued. Nine News.
Statewide
HOPPERS CROSSING
Blew .326
■ Police have caught an alleged drink driver who got behind the wheel almost seven times over the legal limit, before being involved in
It is understood a silver Mazda and a utility collided on the Princes Fwy about 11.20pm on Saturday (Feb. 8). The Mazda then crashed into a pole.
There were no serious injuries and the vehicle sustained extensive damage.
The driver of the Mazda , a 29-year-old Weir Views man, underwent a preliminary breath test at the scene where he allegedly returned a positive result.
He was taken to a police station for an evidentiary breath test, returning an alleged reading of .326.
The man is expected to be charged on summons with drink driving offences and driving whilst disqualified.
MOE
Fire at shops
■ Firefighters have battled a blaze which engulfed a shopping strip in Moe on Saturday afternoon (feb. 8).
Crews were called to Market St at 3.40pm following numerous Triple Zero (000) calls reporting smoke and flames at a group of shops.
Firefighters arrived on scene within four minutes to find that the fire had spread from one premises through the roof space to multiple adjacent businesses.
At the height of the incident approximately 80 firefighters from FRV supported by CFA worked together to extinguish the flames and make the scene safe.
The blaze was brought under control about 5.15pm.
There are no reports of any injuries.
FRV Fire Investigators were to attend the scene to investigate the cause of the incident.
WONTHAGGI
Across Victoria MAN’S SERIOUS INJURIES IN FOREST HILL STABBING
■ Whitehorse Crime Investigation Unit detectives are appealing for witnesses and dashcam vision after a man was left with serious injuries following a stabbing in Forest Hill last week.
It is understood the victim was walking home from work on Mahoneys Rd when a car pulled alongside him on Thursday (Feb. 6) about 10.10pm.
The offender called the victim a ‘dog’ and a ‘rat’, then demanded his phone before he got out of his vehicle armed with a knife and made further demands for the victim’s phone and wallet.
When he refused, the man stabbed the victim and fled the scene in the vehicle.
The 32-year-old Burwood East man, who was able to raise the alarm with a family member, sustained serious injuries.“ He was taken to hospital where he remains.
Investigators have released CCTV of the vehicle involved and of a man they believe may be able to assist with their enquiries.
Detectives are appealing for motorists in the area at the time with dashcam in their vehicles to make contact with police as they may have inadvertently captured the offending vehicle.
Investigators are also appealing for local residents to check their CCTV footage .
Statewide
Have you spotted Linda?
■ Police are appealing for public assistance to help locate missing Brunswick West woman Linda.
The 34-year-old was last seen at a medical facility on Victoria Parade in Fitzroy about 4pm on Saturday (Feb. 8).
Police and family have concerns for Linda’s welfare due to her medical condition and her disappearance being out of character.
Investigators have released an image of Linda in the hope someone can provide information as to her whereabouts.
Linda is Caucasian, of thin build with long brown hair.
Anyone who sights Linda or has information on her whereabouts is urged to call Broadmeadows Police Station on 9302 8222.
Further charges
■ Detectives from the Armed Crime Squad have laid further charges following a nonfatal shooting in Wonthaggi last month.
A 24-year-old Leongatha man was arrested by investigators on January 14 after attempting to evade police.
In relation to a separate incident, he was charged at the time with unlicensed driving, negligently deal with proceeds of crime, two counts of traffick drug of dependence, two counts of possess prohibited weapon, possess ammunition without licence, possess cannabis, prohibited person possess firearm and prohibited person possess imitation firearm in relation to a series of separate matters.
He has now been further charged with intentionally cause serious injury, intentionally cause injury, conduct endangering life, prohibited person use firearm and possess explosive substance.
He remains in custody and will appear at Korumburra Magistrates’ Court on February 13.
A 28-year-old Wonthaggi man was also charged on January 14 with conduct endanger life, recklessly cause serious injury, intentionally cause injury, reckless cause injury, prohibited person possess firearm, criminal damage, possess ammunition round, possess cannabis, possess firework and drive whilst disqualified.
He was remanded to appear at Latrobe Valley Magistrates’ Court on April 4.
The charges follow an incident where emergency services were called to reports a man had been shot in the upper body following an altercation on Fahey St around 2am on Sunday, January 12.
The 42-year-old man was conveyed to hospital to be treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
Police believe the parties involved were known to each other.
Muddy Creek: home to Taungurung people
■ Prior to the arrival of Europeans the Yea area was home to the Waring Illum Balluk group of the Taungurung First Nation people.
The first Europeans in the area were the party of explorers William Hovell and Hamilton Hume who crossed the Yea River near the site of Yea in 1824.
Their favourable report of the grazing land led to the settlement of Victoria.
First settlers in the district were overlanders from New South Wales who arrived in 1837. Peter Snodgrass licensed the Murrindindi Run in that year.
Most of the good land on the Goulburn River had been taken up by 1839. Yea was developed on the Murrindindi run.
John Cotton established the Doongallook Run west of Yea in 1843.
The first town was known as Muddy Creek. It was established by 1855.
The first sale of town lots occurred in 1856.
The Yea River was called Muddy Creek until 1878.
The town was surveyed and laid out by Thomas Pinniger, a government surveyor, in 1855 with town lots going on sale at Kilmore in 1856.
Gold was discovered in the area in 1859 and a number of smaller mining settlements came into existence at this time, including Molesworth. Yea grew as a service centre to the diggers. Continued Next Page
This photo of Muddy Creek (Yea), looking east, colourised by The Local Paper, is said to have been taken in 1855.
● ● From previous page
A school was established by the Anglican and Presbyterian churches in 1859.
A road board was established in 1869.
An Anglican church was erected in 1868 and Yea became a shire in 1873, at which time the population was about 250.
The floods of 1870 washed away roads and bridges in the district.
When the gold ran out, the town survived on the back of farming and timbergetting.
The railway from Tallarook arrived in 1883. It required over 20 bridges.
Yea was promoted as something of a tourist centre in the 1890s with trout being released into King Par- rot Creek to attract recreational anglers.
A butter factory was built in 1891.
There was a proposal in 1908 to submerge the town under the Trawool Water Scheme but it never
went ahead. By 1911 the town's population was 1126.
Electricity was connected to the town in 1922.
The Yea Fountain was officially opened in 1928. That year saw the town win the Victorian Tidy Town award.
★
The name ‘Yea’ first came to local prominence in 1855, when Lacy Walter Giles Yea (May 20, 1808June 18, 1855), a British Army colonel, known for his role in the Crimean War, was killed in action.
Earlier that year (January 17),
The Age reported on Colonel Yea in an account of the ‘Battle of Alma’:
“One villain with a red coat on his back, I regrct to say, I saw go up to a wounded Russian who was rolling on the earth in the rear of the 7th Regiment, and before we could say a word, he discharged his rifle right through the wretched creature's brains.
Yea regarded as military hero
■ The Yea district was named after Colonel Yea, soon after he was killed in battle. The Geelong Advertiser (September 27, 1855) reported of the military battle:
“Poor Colonel Yea saw the consequences too clearly. Having in vain tried to obviate the evil caused by the broken formation and confusion of his men, who were failing fast around him, he exclaimed, "This will never do! Where's the bugler to call them back ?"
“But, alas! At that critical moment no bugler was to be found, The gallant old soldier, by voice and gesture, tried to form and compose his men, but the thunder of the enemy's guns close at hand and the gloom of early dawn frustrated his efforts; and as lie rushed along the troubled mrass of troops which were herding together under the rush of grape, and endeavoring to get them into order for a rush of the batteries, which was better than standing still or retreating in panic, a charge of the deadly missile passed, and the noble soldier fell dead in advance of his men, struck at once in head and stomach by grape shot.”
The Mount Alexander Mail (October 26, 1855) has a correspondent’s report: “I saw in one place two of our men, apart from the rest, with melancholy faces. “What are you waiting here for?'' said I. "To go out for the Colonel, Sir," was the reply. 'What Colonel?' "Why, Colonel Yea, to be sure, Sir," said the good ' fellow, who was evi dently surprised at my thinking there conld be any other Colonel in the world.”
Local History
“Colonel Yea rode at him to cut him down, but the fellow excused himself by declaring the Russian was going to shoot him.
“This was the single act of inhumanity I saw perpetrated by this army hushed with victory and animated by angry passions, although the wounded enemy had unquestionably endangered their lives by acts of ferocious folly.
“Many of the Russians had small crosses and chains fastened round their necks. Several were found with Korans in their knapsacks; most probably recruits from the Kasan Tartars.”
On September 27, 1855, The Age reported on Colonel Yea’s death in the asttack on the Redan:
“ Major-General Sir John Campbell, who led the left attack; and Colonel Shadforth, of the 57th Regiment, who commanded the storming party under his direction, were both killed.
“There were also killed Colonel Yea, of the Royal Fusiliers, who led the right column.
“Speaking of the attack, Lord Raglan says: ‘The superiority of our fire on the day we opened, led both General Pelissier and myself, and the officers of the Artillery and Engineers of the two services, and the armies in general, to conclude that the Russian artillery fire was in agreat measure subdued, and that the operations we projected, could be undertaken with every prospect of success’.
Colonel Yea was described as having occasional brusqueness of manner “which concealed a most kind heart, and a more thorough soldier, one more devoted to his men, to the service, and to his country, never fell in battle than Lacy Yea. I have reason to know that he felt his great services and his arduous exer tions had not been rewarded as he had a right to expect.”
Reputation as a martinet
■ Lacy Walter Giles Yea (May 20, 1808–June 18, 1855) was born in Park Row, Bristol, on May 20, 1808, he was eldest son of Sir William Walter Yea, second baronet, of Pyrland, near Taunton, Somerset, who married, on June 24, 1805, Anne Heckstetter (d. 1846), youngest daughter of Colonel David Michel of Dulish House, Dorset Lacy Yea was educated at Eton College. He was commissioned as ensign in the 37th foot on October 6, 1825, obtained an unattached lieutenancy on December 19, 1826, was appointed to the 5th Foot on March 13, 1827, and exchanged to the 7th (Royal Fusiliers) on March 13, 1828. He served with it in the Mediterranean and America, becoming captain December 30, 1836, major on June 3, 1842, and lieutenantcolonel on August 9. 1850.
In 1854 he went out in command of the Royal Fusiliers to Turkey and the Crimea , with a reputation as martinet. At the battle of Alma his regiment was on the right of the Light Division, and became engaged with the left wing of the Kazan Regiment, a deep column of 1500 men.
The Fusiliers held their own against this column when the rest of Sir William Codrington's brigade had fallen back, and at length forced it to give way. The regiment lost twelve officers and more than 200 men. Yea received a letter of congratulation from Sir Edward Blakeney, who had led the regiment at Albuera, and was now its colonel.
Yea was praised by Lord Raglan, in his despatch of June 19; and by Sir William Codrington, then commanding the Light Division, to Yea's sisters. His eldest sister put up a marble monument to him in his parish church of Taunton St. James's, Somerset. A headstone marked his grave in the cemetery at Sevastopol Yea was unmarried. His father survived him, dying on May 20, 1862, when the baronetcy passed to Lacy's younger brother, Sir Henry Lacy Yea (d. 1864), third and last baronet.
● ● Colonel Lacy Walter Giles Yea
The Local Paper
Fake plates racket busted
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■ Some 26 stolen cars have been recovered and more than 130 false number plates seized as part of a regular car theft operation in Melbourne’s inner northern suburbs.
Uniform police have been running Operation Boston in Merri-bek since August last year, utilising Automatic Number Plate Recognition Technology to rapidly scan vehicles and identify if they are stolen.
Nearly 120,000 vehicles have been scanned since the operation’s inception.
The technology instantly provides police with registration details which means they can easily detect suspended, unlicenced and unregistered drivers.
In addition to patrolling main roads such as Sydney Rd , Lygon and Bell Sts, officers have also set their sights on quieter residential streets where stolen cars are often parked overnight.
Due to the operation running during the Protected Industrial Action in place at this time, a large portion of the statistical data is unavailable.
At least nine people have been arrested since the beginning of the operation.
Key arrests include:
■ A white BMW SUV was observed on North Widford St in Broadmeadows driving erratically at about 3.15am on January 15. Subsequent ANPR scanning found the car to be allegedly bearing a false number plate. With Air Wing assistance, the vehicle was tracked to North
Long Shots
Melbourne where the driver and a passenger allegedly fled on foot. The two alleged offenders were arrested by police nearby. The vehicle was allegedly found to have been stolen from the Glen Waverley earlier in the month.
■ A 24-year-old Hadfield driver who allegedly failed to stop during an attempted intercept on Pentridge Boulevard in Coburg about 3am on September 13. Police will allege he sped off in a blue Ford Mustang before reaching speeds of 180-kmh. With Air Wing assistance, police tracked the vehicle to Hadfield and observed the driver, along with two passengers, allegedly enter another car and take off. They allegedly drove to a nearby street, where they boarded a third car, however police quickly attended and arrested them without incident.
■ A 28-year-old South Melbourne woman and 24-yearold Bayswater North man who allegedly fled from a stolen Mercedes sedan on Gillies St in Fairfield about 3.45am on August 12. Police will allege the driver of the stolen vehicle failed to stop for police during an earlier intercept attempt near High St. Merri-bek Local Area Commander Inspector Andrew Markarkis said: “Using ANPR technology means we can scan vehicles at a rapid rate.
“We can identify a stolen car or unlicensed driver in a matter of seconds,” Insp. Markarkis said.
Published in localised editions in 40 areas across Melbourne, Mornington Peninsula and some country areas.
BRIMBANK
Incorporating the traditions of the Brimbank Messenger (Est. 1956). Brimbank comprises Albanvale, Albion, Ardeer, Brooklyn (part), Cairnlea, Calder Park, Deer Park, Delahey, Derrimut, Hillside (part), Kealba, Keilor (part), Keilor Downs, Keilor East (part), Keilor Lodge, Keilor North, Keilor Park, Kings Park, St Albans, Sunshine, Sunshine North, Sunshine West, Sydenham, Taylors Lakes and Tullamarine (part). Brimbank is home to more than 194,319 people, living in approximately 69,275 homes.
HOBSONS BAY
Hobsons Bay comprises Altona, Altona Meadows, Altona North, Brooklyn, Laverton, Newport, Seabrook, Seaholme, South Kingsville, Spotswood, Williamstown and Williamstown North. Hobsons Bay is home to more than 88,788 people, living in approximately 37,183 homes.
HUME
Incorporating the traditions of the Hume Observer (Est. 1956). Hume comprises Attwood, Broadmeadows, Bulla, Campbellfield, Clarkefield (part), Coolaroo, Craigieburn, Dallas, Diggers Rest (part), Fawkner (part), Gladstone Park, Greenvale, Jacana, Kalkallo, Keilor (part), Meadow Heights, Melbourne Airport, Mickleham, Oaklands Junction, Roxburgh Park, Somerton, Sunbury, Tullamarine (part), Westmeadows, Wildwood and Yuroke. Hume is home to more than 197,376 people, living in approximately 67,399 homes.
MARIBYRNONG
Maribyrnong comprises Braybrook, Footscray, Kingsville, Maidstone, Maribyrnong, Seddon, Tottenham, West Footscray and Yarraville. Maribyrnong is home to more than 82,288 people, living in approximately 35,757 homes.
MELTON
Melton comprises Aintree, Bonnie Brook, Brookfield, Burnside, Burnside Heights, Caroline Springs, Cobblebank, Deanside, Diggers Rest, Exford, Eynesbury, Fieldstone, Fraser Rise, Grangefields, Harkness, Hillside, Kurunjang, Melton, Melton South, Melton West, Mount Cottrell, Parwan, Plumpton, Ravenhall, Rockbank, Strathtulloh, Taylors Hill, Thornhill Park, Toolern Vale, Truganina, Weir Views. Melton is home to more than 193,1557 people, living in approximately 60,363 homes.
MERRI-BEK
Incorporating the traditions of the Brunswick Sentinel (Est. 1936) and Coburg Courier (Est,. 1932) Merri-bek comprises Brunswick, Brunswick East, Brunswick West, Coburg, Coburg North, Fawkner, Glenroy, Gowanbrae, Hadfield, Oak Park, Pascoe Vale, and Pascoe Vale South. Merri-bek is home to more than 184,707 people, living in approximately 70,709 homes.
MOONEE VALLEY
Incorporating the traditions of the Moonee Valley Gazette (Est. 1888) Moonee Valley comprises Aberfeldie, Airport West, Avondale Heights, Ascot Vale, Essendon, Essendon Fields, Essendon North, Essendon West, Flemington, Keilor East, Moonee Ponds, Niddrie, Strathmore, Strathmore Heights and Travancore. Moonee Valley is home to more than 129,739 people, living in approximately 48,000 homes.
MOORABOOL
Moorabool comprises Bacchus Marsh, Ballan, Balliang, Balliang East, Barkstead, Blackwood, Bungaree, Clarendon, Dales Creek, Dunnstown, Elaine, Gordon, Greendale, Korweinguboora, Lal Lal, Mount Egerton, Myrniong, Wallace and Yendon.. Moorabool is home to more than 38,506 people, living in approximately 15,469 homes.
WYNDHAM
Incorporating the traditions of the Werribee Express (Est. 1896) Wyndham comprises Cocoroc, Eynesbury (part), Hoppers Crossing, Laverton (part), Laverton North, Little River (part), Mambourin, Mount Cottrell (part), Point Cook, Quandong, Tarneit, Truganina (part), Werribee, Werribee South, Williams Landing and Wyndham Vale. Wyndham is home to more than 309,125 people, living in approximately 100,366 homes.
● Inspector Andrew Markarkis
Photo: Neos Kosmos
Cheryl Threadgold, Local Theatre
Julie Houghton, The Arts
Trask, Entertainment
Rourke, Film
Baker, Harness Racing
Music
Victoria Pictorial
● ● ‘Coolart’, Balnarring
● ● ● ● Balnarring Store
● ● ● ● Point Leo beach, 1910
● ● Shoreham Beach
● ● ● ● Flinders. Circa 1870s.
● ● ● ● The pier, Stony Point.
Main Road, Crib Point
● The Foreshore, Balnarring Beach
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2025
Living In His Seventies Living In His Seventies
● ● ● ● Skyhooks member Bob ‘Bongo’ Starkie had to cancel his ‘Living In My Seventies’ tour after being diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia which is an aggressive cancer/ He is pictured with visitors Wilbur Wilde and Red Symons.
TOM PLAYS FRANKSTON
■ Entertainer Tiom Burlinson will be joined by a big band at Frankston Arts Centre at 4pm-5.30pm on Sunday, March 9.
The 90-minute show presents a montage of swing classics made famous by the great superstars Tony Bennett, Sammy Davis Jr, Nat ‘King' Cole, Dean Martin, Bobby Darin and Frank Sinatra, through to the hits of the hugely successful modern favorite’s - Harry Connick Jr and Michael Bublé
Tom created the acclaimed theatrical production ‘Frank – A Life in Song’, a celebration of the music and career of the legendary Frank Sinatra, which played phenomenally successful seasons at premier venues around Australia and overseas.
Now he has explored the renowned achievements of other stars of the genre and chosen their best songs to perform, as well as some Sinatra classics and timeless “standards.”
● ● ● Tom Burlinson will appear at Frankston on March 9.
Other People’s Gossip
Nat comes out
CURTAIN CALL FOR PHILIP BRADY Observer National OPG
● ● Pip Loth and Natalie Bassingthwaighte, as pictured in Womans Day (Getty Images)
■ Womans Day magazine has used Natalie Bassingthwaighte’s debut as Shirley Valentine (Athenaeum Theatre, Melbourne) is an opportunity to feature the actress’s ‘coming out’ in a same-sex relationship with Pip Loth. WD features that ‘NatBass,’ 49, broke up from her 12-year marriage with drummer Cameron McGlinchey.
“I’m in a beautiful relationship with a woman who makes my heart smile and makes me really happy.”
Patti’s 80 candles
● ● ● ● Patti Newton, 80, with daughter Lauren, and three grandchildren
■ Where did Patti Newton spend her 80th birthday last week? On television, of course. Patti was a guest on Seven, telling her social media friends: “Started my 80th birthday yesterday with a bang on Sunrise and the Morning Show. Thank you to everyone for the birthday love. I’m so thrilled to be at this stage of life and have so much love around me.”
Buffy to return?
■ A reboot of the cult classic TV series Buffy the Vampire Slayer is reportedly in the works, with Sarah Michelle Gellar set to reprise her iconic role as Buffy Summers.
QE II guest gig
■ The Observer’s own Julie Houghton has been on a tour of the South Pacific aboard Queen Elizabeth II, with her 96-year-old father Neville. A surprise came when Julie, an accomplished singer, sang with the cabaret pianist in the Commodore Bar. She sang Elvis Presley’s Wooden Heart, just like her Dad used to get me to sing it to him when she was very small.
For Melbourne?
■ Ugly Phil O’Neill has been wooed to 3AW’s sister station in Sydney, 2GB, to host the overnight program. Is there a longer-term plan for O’Neill to helm a national midnightdawn show, displacing Tony McManus?
Philip Brady with
■ Melbourne radio legend Philip Brady has hung up his radio microphone, at age 85.
Brady recorded a farewell message to his listeners when co-host Simon Owens visited the veteran in his home suburb of Kew.
“Well it has come to this, after 67 years in the business I am quitting and I am very sad to be leaving you, but, well, I have been around forever and I have been at 3AW since time began,” Brady said.
“But it is time to move over and give the younger guys a go like Andrew (McLaren), for example.
“Don’t think I will ever forget you, I love you, each and every one of you.
“I treasure our friendship, but it is time to move on for the younger guys.
“I’ll be looking out for you. Goodbye now.”
Brady’s announcement was met with tributes from fellow radio presenters and listeners.
3AW morning presenter Tom Elliott said: “ I do regard him as a very close friend. I've loved working with him over a number of years, our audience will miss not having him on air here.”
Current on-air partner Simon Owens said: “For more than half my life I’ve worked alongside Philip Brady
“Just over 20 years as his producer and just under 10 years as his sidekick. And this was after he and the late Bruce Mansfield got me the job by going in to bat for me back in 1995, convincing management to give me a job at 3AW
“How do you thank someone who gave you a start in your desired career, then taught you how to do the job, and was beyond generous all the way through? Words just don’t do it but they are all I have.
“Thanks Phil. Thanks so much.”
Philip Brady started his 65-year media career in 1958, leaving Xavier College and joining the announcing staff at GTV-9. He stayed for 13 years in his first chapter with Nine.
He would farewell the station’s viewing when nightly transmissions closed before midnight. Graham Kennedy quickly brought him into the In Melbourne Tonight fold. Brady also worked on the Ernie Sigley and Don Lane shows, as well as chapters with Steve Vizard, and as producer for Bert Newton’s morning radio show on 3UZ.
He later appeared in other Graham Kennedy TV shows, as well as regular spots with Bert Newton on Good Morning Australia.
He became a quiz and panel show host and helmed seven shows for Reg Grundy including The Moneymakers, Casino Ten, Password, Get The Message, Concentration and Everybody’s Talking
In his only year of not working in the media, Brady worked in a travel agency. Over his life, he visited many countries around the globe.
Supplementing his TV work, Brady was 3AWs weekend music shift host during the summer from 1971 to 1979.
He had been hosting a daily radio program from Murwillumbah, but returned to Melbourne in 1990 and teamed up with Bruce Mansfield to create an enduring radio partnership at 3AW Mansfield died in 2016 at age 71. Brady then presented Nightline with v arious on-air partners including Paul Cronin and Simon Owens.
The final Nightline program was presented in September 2019. In the previous year, Brady was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for services to the broadcasting industry. Editor Ash Long said that he had first met Philip Brady at Nine in the 1970s, and that they had enjoyed an enduring friendship over that half-century.
Whenever we put Philip Brady in the front cover of the , we could be assured of a sell-out edition, such is his popularity with the public. We wish Phil well for his retirement,” Long said.
VERITAS VERITAS
Victoria’s most feared and admired columnist ... first with the latest
Victoria’s most feared and admired columnist ... first with the latest
The McGuire Touch
■ Channel 7 has been heavily promoting that it has a McGuire in its 2025 coverage of AFL matches ... not Eddie McGuire, but one of his sons Xander.
Xander McGuire, 22, has worked as reporter for three years at Nine, but will now joining Seven's sports team for 2025.
Eddie McGuire’s production company JAM TV will produce two new shows for Seven and will continue to host Footy Classified on Nine. That show will air on Tuesday not Wednesday nights in 2025.
■ KIIS morning co-host Kyle Sandilands, also seen on Australian Idol (Seven), has been told that he needs urgent surgery for a brain aneurysm.
“I was told by my medical team – which sounds like I’m already very sick, to have a medical team – that I have a brain aneurysm, and it requires immediate attention, brain surgery,” Sandilands said.
“So if you just tuned in to us after all these years, lap it up. And if you’re in Melbourne, you’re coming to the party too late. You may get your wish. I may be dead. It is possible, it is highly possible.”
He showed staff in the studio his brain scan, pointing at the aneurysm and saying: “If that bursts, I die instantly.”
Newsreader pull
■ Congratulations to the ABC for its third and final series of The Newsreader, posted on the iView streaming platform allowing viewers to binge on the final six episodes.
Stellar performances by Anna Torv (as Helen Norville ) and Sam Reid (as Dale Jennings) with special mentions for Marg Downey (as Evelyn Walters), Stephen Peacocke (as Rob Rickards), Michelle Lim Davidson (as Noelene), and Caroline Lee (as Jean Pascoe).
Veritas particularly enjoyed Queenie van der Zandt as reporter Donna Gillies, exHome and Away cast member Phillippa Northeast as Kay Walters, and the cameo appearance of Andrew McFarlane as the station boss.
For us, the highlight was William McInnes as 1980s News Director Lindsay Cunningham. Stunning similarities to the late Mebourne Channel 9 news boss John Sorell, with maybe a bit of Peter Meakin thrown in.
● ●
Observer Editor Ash Long
●
● ● ● Kyle Sandilands
● ● ● ● William McInnes as Lindsay Cunningham
The Whip
■ Anthony Albanese’s Federal Labor Government is in for defeat if bookmakers are to be believed.
TAB os offering a payout of $2.50 for Labor, and $1.50 for the Liberal-Coalition, in the Federal Election due to be held by May.
Fraud Inquiry
■ The Public Accounts and Estimates Committee is seeking public submissions to an inquiry into fraud and corruption controls in local government.
The inquiry is a follow-up on two Auditor-General reports tabled in 2019 and 2022.
The Committee will also inquire into the actions taken by Victorian integrity and government agencies to address the issues raised in the findings and recommendations of the two audits.
Ten councils were audited across both audits, however, the Auditor-General also made 20 recommendations to all Victorian councils.
Submissions close on March 7.
Libs on landslide
■ The Allan Labor State Government’s announcement of a Board of Inquiry into the McCrae landslide is a critical step in understanding the causes of the devastating landslide, according to Deputy Liberal Leader Sam Groth.
The Nepean MLA said the focus must now be on delivering urgent relief and recovery efforts for those impacted.
$600,000 blowout
■ Shadow Education Minister Jess Wilson says that the troubled Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority has suffered a $600,000 cost blowout on a new website.
“New documents have revealed the proposed VCAA student portal, a new digital channel designed to give senior students access to enrolment details, exam timetables and academic records has had its delivery cost blowout from $2.41 million to $3.03 million,” Ms Wilson said.
Power to people
■ The Whip is left wondering what power company the Victorian ALP is using. At The Whip’s office, electricity bills are annually on the rise, yet the Labor Facebook page claims that “Victoria’s power prices are at a record low”. Victoria has multiple distribution networks, including AusNet Services, Citipower, Jemena, Powercor and United Energy. Average electricity rates range from 26.7c/kWh to 35.8c/kWh.
$50,000 AWARD FOR BOLD IDEAS What’s On
■ The National Institute of Dramatic Art is launching the $50,000 Jim Sharman Future Award. The Award is for a bold idea or project with the potential to transform the arts for generations to come.
Open to artists and dreamers aged 16-30 from Australia and the Asia-Pacific region, this new triennial Award offers substantial funding alongside tailored NIDA support to help turn a radical idea or project into reality.
Legendary director and NIDA alum Jim Sharman (Hair, Jesus Christ Superstar and The Rocky Horror Show) has established the Award to encourage bold new talent with big ideas.
“Whether the concept or project is an uncharted performance style, groundbreaking technology, or a bold new artistic movement, applications will be judged on genuinely game-changing ideas,” said a NIDA representative.
NIDA is globally recognised for its excellence in dramatic arts education and has trained some of the world’s most innovative creatives.
Alumni include celebrated film Director Baz Luhrmann (Elvis, Moulin Rouge, The Great Gatsby), four time Academy Award winning Production and Costume Designer Catherine Martin (Elvis, Moulin Rouge, The Great Gatsby), theatre Director Kip Williams whose revolutionary ‘cine-theatre; production of The Picture of Dorian Gray has become a global smash with fellow NIDA Acting alum Sarah Snook (Succession)
NIDA’s youngest-ever Directing graduate Yaron Lifschitz, the Artistic Director and CEO of internationally renowned contemporary circus company Circa, recently received the 2025 International Society for the Performing Arts Distinguished Artist Award in New York
“In 1925, the revolutionary artforms of photography, cinema, surrealism et al, progressed the arts of the 20th century,” said Jim Sharman.
“My aim in establishing the triennial award is to uncover new artforms, ideas or projects with the potential to inspire, energise and enlighten us in the 21st Century.”.
Beth Shulman, Head of the NIDA Future Centre, said: “Jim’s support has been instrumental in establishing the NIDA Future Centre, an initiative to bring industry and education together with new technologies and future thinking to create the storytelling of tomorrow.
“We are thrilled to launch the inaugural Jim Sharman Future Award to champion and support radical thinking from the next generation of storytellers.”
The application for the Award can be in any form – a video of up to five minutes, a written pitch of up to 1500 words, or any form of engagement that best suits the idea or project.
Finalists will be invited to a live pitch presentation event at NIDA in front of a judging panel on April 29-30.
Jim Sharman has created over 80 productions, many of which had a transformative effect in Australia and internationally.
His groundbreaking work has traversed stage and screen, including opera and musicals. His productions include three era-defining musicals
– Hair (Sydney, Tokyo, Boston), Jesus Christ Superstar (Australia , and nine years in London’s West End) and The Rocky Horror Show (UK, USA, Australia) – as well as countless premieres and radical interpretations of classics, including works by Shakespeare, Mozart, Strindberg and Brecht.
Jim was Artistic Director of the influential Lighthouse (State Theatre of South Australia) and the 1982 Adelaide Festival, bringing Pina Bausch to Australia.
Jim revived and premiered plays by Patrick White and directed the premiere of Richard Meale’s opera Voss, based on White’s novel.
Among his film work, The Rocky Horror Picture Show is the longest running film in the history of cinema. He is the recipient of the JC Williamson Centenary Lifetime Achievement Award and the Sydney Theatre Awards Lifetime Achievement Award. His memoir, Blood and Tinsel, was published in 2008.
Wenham Q&A
■ Actor David Wenham will participate in a Q&A at the preview of the new film Spit at 5.30pm on Friday February 28 at Hoyts District Docklands.
His character is a small-time ex-criminal Johnny Spitieri (Spit) who after 20 years on the run overseas, slips back into Australia on a false passport only to find himself locked up in an Immigration Detention Centre with a massive target on his back.
Ray Chen on tour
■ Renowned Taiwanese-Australian violinist Ray Chen will tour Australia this September. Joined by Julio Elizalde on piano, the virtuosic violinist will perform recitals at Arts Centre Melbourne’s Hamer Hall on September 8.
Gill steps down
■ Bell Shakespeare has announced that Gill Perkins, the Company’s Executive Director, will be stepping down in July, after 10 years in the role and more than 25 years of service to Bell Shakespeare.
During her tenure as Executive Director, Gill has steered the Company through a period of significant change, starting with the transition of artistic leadership in 2015 from Founding Artistic Director John Bell to current Artistic Director Peter Evans
Hugh promoted
■ Hugh Nailon has been promoted to National TV News Director at Nine, overseeing state TV news directors. He will also continue as Melbourne TV News Director.
Kendall Bora has been named the US Bureau Chief, leading Nine's US coverage from Los Angeles. Previously, she served as the Executive Producer of the Today show.
Michael Best has been appointed to TV News Director in Sydney
Since 1969, the Melbourne Observer has been a trusted news source for Victorians.
These days the Melbourne Observer is available free, tucked inside all editions of The Local Paper, covering all Melbourne suburbs, the Mornington Peninsula and selected country areas.
As well as general news coverage, there is plenty of latest showbiz news, favourite columnists, and the mighty mega crossword.
The Melbourne Observer is available free weekly online, February-December. Free print copies are available fortnightly through a network of hundreds of outlets.
You can have the Melbourne Observer delivered free every week to your in-box. To arrange your free subscription, simply fill in the details at the form at www.FreePaper.com.au
Melbourne Observer
Established 1969 EDITORIAL COMMENT
Poll warnings for everyone
As we go to press, the definitive results for the Prahran and Werribee by-elections are still unknown.
The Sunday papers were full of the usual cliches: ‘it’s down to the wire’ and ‘too close to call’.
What is known is that Jacinta Allan’s Labor State Government were whacked with an anti-swing of about 8 per cent.
It is possible that the Liberals may claim the seat for the first time in 46 years.
We also know that the Liberals put in a decent show in the Prahran byelection, possibly unseating the Greens.
Vote-couting resumed on Monday morning (Feb. 10) with pre-poll votes - which are generally kinder to the Libs - to be taken into account.
The lessons for Labor, Ms Allan and her team are to ‘do better ... much better’.
In tight times especially, the community wants its funds managed better.
To date, Ms Allan has buried her head in the sand, insisting that the Suburban Rail Loop must proceed. Her Melbourne housing strategy relies on public transport around those rail hubs.
The fact is that much of the SRL is unlikely to become a reality until 2050 or 2060, way beyond the lifetimes of mature voters.
Perhaps rather than backing down coimpletely from the project, an answer for Ms Allan might be to reduce the project to half-pace, and use many of those billions to balance the budget, and boost the spending on ‘today’ issues such as hospitals, ambulance and police.
The lesson for the Liberals, under new leader Brad Battin, is that the community is considering them as an alternative government, but that they have much more work to do, before they gain a majority vote.
The next State Election is due to be held in November 2026. Those 21 months will go quickly for the Libs, and they will need every week to make themselves electable.
There are also lessons for the bit players. Whittlesea Mayor Cr Aidan McLindon stood for election in Werribee, more than 50 kms away.
He scored a few hundred votes only. He is paid more than $100,000 annually to be Mayor. He needs to concentrate of the main game - serving his existing constituents.
‘Greens spin rhetoric’
Sir,
As a country person I get frustrated and dismayed at uneducated city influence which is adversely impacting not only our rural lifestyle, but also the cost of living for everyone.
Greens policies are reducing the ability of our farmers to grow food. This affects not only the farmers, but also the regional towns that rely on their economic input. There is no better example than water policy.
The Greens claim they want water “managed in an ecologically sustainable way to meet environmental, cultural, social and economic needs”.
That sounds great, but it doesn’t match their actions. They continue to insist on buying more water from farmers to store in dams, supposedly for ‘environmental flows’.
In reality, these flows increase flood risks, damage river banks and provide ideal breeding conditions for European carp which are the real environmental destroyers.
But ‘environmental flows’ sounds warm and fuzzy, and it’s easy for the Greens to spin their rhetoric because very few of their supporters have any idea of the true consequences of this policy.
Additionally, farmers are an easy target who generally don’t have the means to defend themselves.
So this year, whether you are voting in a state government by-election or the upcoming federal election, may I urge some caution.
If you want policies that continue to reduce food production in Australia by the best and most sustainable farmers in the world, vote Greens … and suffer the ongoing increases in food prices at your supermarket.
If that is not what you want, think twice.
- Sue Braybon Tocumwal, NSW
Farmers for climate action
Sir,
Some 500 regional Victorians have already signed an open letter asking for upgrades to local energy infrastructure, put forward by Farmers for Climate Action - and FCA is asking more people to add their voice.
The open letter is addressed to the Australian Energy Regulator, which must sign off on regional energy infrastructure upgrades such as poles and wires.
Farmers for Climate Action is asking those who live on the Powercor Network in Western Victoria, to help fight for a better local network by signing the open letter.
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.
advisory services
■ $4.8M for community-led renewable energy projects
■ $5.9M for vulnerable customer assistance to support electrification
Powercor has said these investments would increase bills by only $4 per year.
The open letter follows the Rural and Regional Energy Summit in Bendigo in October hosted by FCA in partnership with Powercor.
The Summit brought together Powercor customers from across Western Victoria to discuss the 2026-31 Regulatory Reset.
FCA CEO Natalie Collard said these upgrades were “a nobrainer”.
“Rural and regional Victorians pay the most for electricity yet suffer from the most blackouts,” Ms Collard said.
“Rural and regional Victoria produces the electricity our cities use, and rural and regional Victoria deserves the same quality of energy service that cities receive - FCA calls on the Australian Energy Regulator to back these investments to give regional Victorians fair access to a more reliable energy supply.
Ms Collard said upgrading Single Wire Earth Return lines was a clear priority from the summit, with a huge push to improve the lines for more than 3000 customers.
ity,” Ms Collard said.
“Storms and bushfires made worse and more frequent by climate change are really hard on rural electricity networks. We need governments to invest in local electricity upgrades to keep the network running properly.”
VFF (Victorian Farmers Federation) President, FCA board member and Quambatook farmer Brett Hosking said, rural Victorians are already making a significant contribution to the renewable energy shift by hosting transmission lines, wind turbines and solar farms, yet we don’t have the infrastructure in our communities to ensure reliable energy to our own homes and businesses.”
“As farmers and stewards of the land we are already focused on how we can continue to produce food and fibre while reducing our emissions, but with the current poles and wires we can’t even charge an electric car.”
“Poll after poll has shown rural and regional people support the energy shift, and we need governments to realise that upgrading our local energy network is part of that energy shift.”
- Les White, Farmers for Climate Action
Become
Library Fellow
Sir,
Amazing things happen when you bring your ideas to the State Library of Victoria and use the State Collection to imagine new possibilities.
Whether you're an artist, writer, storyteller, educator, researcher, or creative, a fellowship can help your ideas soar.
As a Library fellow, you can delve into the collection, explore the Library as a unique place for creation and do something incredible with what you find here.
The collection spans more than five million items, including books, manuscripts, maps, music, artwork, newspapers and objects.
Immerse yourself, unearth hidden gems and create bold and imaginative work that expands our collective understanding of the nature of libraries. The possibilities are endless.
Fellowships are for everyone – you don't need any particular experience or credentials.
We provide funding, a desk at the Library and a dedicated librarian to help you find what you need.
Give your ideas a flying start with a Library Fellowship. Applications for 2025 are open now. Submissions close at 5pm on Friday, March 21.
- State Library Victoria, 328 Swanston St, Melbourne
Cain quits Govt.
● ● The Argus front-page, February 12, 1955
■ The Victorian Labor Party last night split in two when Mr. Cain, Premier, and seven other members resigned from the State central executive
The eight men resigned after a hectic 3½ hours debate ending at 11.10. In a dramatic vote after nearly seven hours of debate the 25-member executive voted to maintain its boycott on the Federal-sponsored "fresh election" conference on February 26.
Fined £35
■ Up at Russell St. they’re telling the story of the driver of an ancient jalopy who wos stopped for a roadworthy check-up.
Police found various things wrong with it, and as a result he ended up in Court and was fined a total of £35.
Which, the motorist said sadly later, was even worse thon it sounded. He'd only paid £30 for the car.
Diggers to Malaya
■ Australia will have a fully-trained jungle fighting battalion ready for Malaya by the middle of August.
Mr. Francis, Army Minister, tonight announced that jungle training of the 2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, had been speeded up. It would be fully, trained by mid August.
He gave no reason for stepping up training, but Canberra observers are certain that the speedup is to prepare the battalion for Malaya service.
"Every effort is being made to ensure that the training is most realistic," said Mr. Francis
Duke to visit
■ $2.1M for expert energy
“We hear stories of farmers paying out of their own pocket to fix powerlines because they aren’t getting reliable electric-
■ The Duke of Edinburgh finally has agreed, in talks with Mr. Menzies, Prime Minister, to visit Australia for the Olympic Games next year. Mr. Menzies also is understood to have dis cussed the possibility of a later visit by the Queen Mother and Princess Margaret. He told the Palace Australia would always give a warm welcome to the Royal Family any time a Royal Tour was practicable and convenient. Mr. Menzies will make his second visit to Buckingham Palace this afternoon.
■ I have been doing publicity for a long time, and I get to meet some fantastic people.
Tom Burlinson would have to be among my top five people I have worked with, always gentlemanly, kind and so talented.
And, like me, he loves what he does.
Tom is bringing a new show, Tom Burlinson , Still Swingin’, to the Frankston Arts Centre and I cannot recommend him highly enough.
The Australian star of stage and screen, Tom presents a sensational salute to the masters of vocal Swing. Tom will perform with his big band.
This dazzling, energetic show presents a montage of swing classics made famous by the great superstars Tony Bennett, Sammy Davis Jr, Nat ‘King' Cole, Dean Martin, Bobby Darin and Frank Sinatra, through to the hits of the hugely successful modern favourites - Harry Connick Jr and Michael Bublé.
Tom’s illustrious career stretches from acting and singing to television host and theatrical producer.
He first shot to stardom in the early 80s when he was cast in the title role in the movie
The Man from Snowy River, which became one of the most successful Australian films ever made. This led to a string of starring roles in Australian and international films.
In the 90s, Tom revealed that as well as being a talented actor, he also had an amazing singing voice.
He was cast by Frank Sinatra’s daughter, Tina in his first professional singing engagement as the voice of young Frank in the Warner Brothers mini-series‘Sinatra’.
Later Tom created and starred in the acclaimed theatrical production ‘Frank – A Life in Song’, a celebration of the life and career of the legendary Sinatra , which played highly successful seasons at premier venues around Australia and overseas.
Now he has explored the renowned achievements of other stars of the genre and chosen their best songs to perform, as well as some Sinatra classics and timeless standards in Still Swingin’. This show truly has one great song after another!
He has included classics from the great Tony Bennett, who was Sinatra’s favourite singer; the smooth and jazzy Nat ‘King’ Cole, the multi-talented, highly energised Sammy Davis Jr, the ‘King of Cool’ Dean Martin, and the sensational Bobby Darin Tom says his show would not be complete without a selection of Sinatra songs. “Many people who come to see the show will be expecting to hear some Sinatra. For me, he was the greatest of them all, but that’s not to say they weren’t all great.”
Throughout the show Tom has included all-time favourites such as I’ve Got the World on a String, Fly Me to the Moon, I’ve Got You Under My Skin, and, of course, New York, New York
And there will be a surprise. After the show members of the audience will be invited to purchase some albums of Tom’s and get a chance for a photo and to meet him.
Accompanying Tom on stage as always will be a fabulous big band including some of Australia’s best musicians.
Tom Burlinson S till Swingin’ . Frankston Arts Centre, Sunday, March9. 4pm-5.30pm
Bookings: www.frankstonartscentre I promise you will be singing all the way home. - Di Rolle
FLEDERMAUS
● ● Gilbert and Sullivan’s Fledermaus showtunes. There’s no set list, no stage, no microphone and no 'shooshing'.
■ Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Victoria presents a newly orchestrated, staged and choreographed version of Fledermaus from Robert Ray and Geoffrey Urquhart, for its opening season at the historic cottage and gardens of The Knowe, Sassafras, from February 15.
Two hundred years after the birth of Johann Strauss Junior , this GSOV production of Fledermaus is a story of revenge, infidelity, disguises, and false imprisonment decorated by Strauss's splendid waltzes.
Described as having 'glorious music, wonderful singing, and a charming and witty libretto,' there are two opportunities to see this joyful work in Melbourne
The first is in the shady garden setting of The Knowe, an historic cottage in Sassafras (February 15, 16 and 22, 23, March 1-2).
The second is the recently refurbished and modern, The Round Studio (Nunawading) with two matinees and a Saturday evening show between March 8 and 9.
Fledermaus will also be presented in Moe with the assistance of Henkell Wines
For tickets and details go to gsov.org.au/ fledermaus
Performance Venues and Dates:
■ The Knowe, Sassafras: Feb 15-16, 22-23 March 1-2 at 2pm.
■ The Round Studio, Nunawading: March 89 at 2pm or 8pm.
■ Moe Plaza: April 12 at 5pm.
Revenge, Infidelity, Deceit and Laughter from Strauss - Master Composer of Viennese Waltzes.
Details and Tickets: gsov.org.au - Cheryl Threadgold
Marie’s Crisis
■ For six nights only, Marie's Crisis and its top pianists from New York's West Village iconic basement piano bar are visiting Melbourne's Fringe Common Rooms in Carlton from February 20 - March 2.
It’s just the crowd, the piano and the
Everyone’s welcome to sing their heart outor just stand and enjoy the musical mavens who know all the lyrics. All are welcome.
This communal sing-along night features songs from musicals ranging from popular classics, such as Les Mis, Wicked, My Fair Lady, The Sound of Music and Grease, to the cult show tunes from the musicals of Stephen Sondheim - and everything in between.
Marie’s Crisis performers include: actor/director/singer and educator teaching musical theatre performance at The American Musical & Dramatic Academy (NY) Kenney GreenTilford ; composer, performer and educator based in New York City, Adam Michael Tilford; and Brandon James Gwinn, a Drama League nominated and Richard Rodgers Award and Bistro Award winning composer-lyricist, performer, pianist and producer, and two-time winner of the Broadway World Award for Best Piano Bar Entertainer.
Marie's Crisis Cafe is a West Village NYC fixture dating back to the late 1800s. Originally owned by Marie Dumont, the location is also the site of the death of Thomas Paine who authored the crisis papers sparking the American Revolution.
Throughout its history Marie's has always prided itself on being a safe space for all, but particularly the gay community long before they were accepted members of society.
Today Marie's welcomes people from all walks of life and from all over the world seven days a week.
Performances: February 20, 21, 22, 28, March 1 at 7.30pm; March 2 at 6.30pm
Duration: 270 minutes
Venue: Fringe Common Rooms - Cnr Victoria and Lygon St, Carlton, Victoria
■ The full program has been announced of events for the inaugural Rokar Fest Celebrating Women in Music taking place across St Kilda on the Labour Day long weekend – March 8-9.
Coinciding with global celebrations of International Women’s Day, Roar Fest will shine a spotlight on women in the Australian music industry, on and off the stage, and is led by Roar Ambassadors: Kate Ceberano, Tania Doko and Ella Hooper.
They are to be included in an exclusive IWD In Conversation Panel (Sunday, March) 9 where they will share their personal journeys as trailblazers in their fields, insights into the global challenges women face.
There will be a headline concert at the historic National Theatre on Sunday, March 9.
Auction postponed
■ Three Brownlow Medals awarded to VFL/ AFL legend, Ian Stewart, have been withdrawn from the sale by Leski Auctions promoted in last week’s Melbourne Observer. The medals were awarded in 1965, 1966 and 1971. The first two were awarded when Stewart was contracted to St Kilda. The second medal coincided with the Club winning its first and only premiership. The third medal was awarded when he played for Richmond
The Sporting Memorabilia auction will still go ahead without the medals on February 12 and 13 from 12 Noon.
Writers Fest
■ The inaugural Footscray West Writers Fest will transform West Footscray into a celebration of stories, people and community from March 28 to March 30.
Showcasing the rich diversity of the west through storytelling, performance and creative exchange, the festival will bring writers and community together to experience the vibrant voices of Melbourne’s West in a series of intimate and interactive experiences.
Supported by Maribyrnong City Council and presented by West Footscray Arts, a nonprofit organisation dedicated to enriching Melbourne’s West with arts and cultural events, FWWF offers a dynamic program of free and ticketed events across some of Footscray’s most beloved spaces.
From site-specific storytelling that explores the suburb’s iconic landmarks to thought-provoking discussions and hands-on workshops, the festival fosters deep connections between writers, readers and the neighbourhood they call home.
Jess Lilley and Donita Richards, Footscray West Writers Fest co-curators, said: “We’re thrilled to launch a festival that is truly for the west, by the west.
“This is about amplifying the voices of local writers and celebrating the distinct character of our communities.
“It also gives the community an opportunity to engage with familiar places in new ways, whether that’s hearing a writer read their work in a pizza restaurant or sit down at a typewriter and write their own story at a local art studio.”
Highlights of the festival include:
Stories from the West — Friday, March 28. To launch the festival, Ernest Price, André Dao and Maxine Beneba Clarke will discuss what it means to be a writer in the west, alongside Footscray High School students sharing their stories of living in the west.
In Conversation: Helen Garner and Bob Murphy on The Season — Sunday, March 30. Helen Garner will be joined in conversation by Bob Murphy at Whitten Oval to discuss sport, belonging and community. Moderated by Mel Fulton.
Stories From the Belly of the West Sunday, March 30. To close the festival, local writers will present original, site-specific stories inspired by Footscray’s iconic places, including the Westgate Bridge, Cheaper by Miles and Savers. Authors include Alice Pung, Jinghua Qian, Emilie Collyer, Sam Elkin, Tina Cartwright and Rijn Collins.
With more names to be announced, participating writers and storytellers include: Alice Pung, Jinghua Qian, Sam Elkin, Thuy On, Dr Vicki Couzens, André Dao, Deborah Frenkel, Shu-Ling Chua, Najma Sambul, Benjamin Millar, Emilie Collyer, Saanjana Kapoor, Rijn Collins, Tina Cartwright, Rochelle Siemienowicz, Fiona Scott-Norman and Charlie Lewis
The Footscray West Writers Fest is supported by the Maribyrnong City Council.
The Festival has support from Community Bank Seddon, Victoria University, Tradewind Australia, The Westsider, Chestnut Tree Bookshop, Bad Writers Club, The Open Arms, Athletes of Wine, Harley & Rose and West Footscray Wines.
West Footscray Arts is a non-profit organisation dedicated to enriching Melbourne’s West with arts and cultural events.
It is co-founded by local writers and storytellers, West Footscray Arts sprung out of the Chestnut Tree Bookshop in West Footscray - Contributed
Adam Michael Tilford and Kenney Green-Tilford from Marie's Crisis.
with Di Rolle
● Tom Burlinson
Local Theatre Observations
Shows
■ PEP Productions: The Toxic Avenger (musical) February 14 – 22 at the Doncaster Playhouse, 679 Doncaster Rd., Doncaster. Director/choreographer: Natasha Harvey; Co-Musical Directors: Daniel Kim and Kristie Thai; Ass’t. Choreographer: Xi Gui Griffi. Bookings:
■ Geelong Repertory Theatre Company: Bondi Legal (by Tony Laumberg) Until February 22 at the Woodbin Theatre, 15 Coronation St., Geelong West. Director: Scott Beaton. Bookings: Geelong Arts Centre 1300 251 200 geelongartscentre.org.au
■ Williamstown Little Theatre: Wicked Sisters (by Alma de Groen) February 12 –March 3 at Williamstown Little Theatre, 2 Albert St., Williamstown. Director: Ellis Ebell. Bookings: wlt.org.au/
■ Lilydale Athenaeum Theatre Company: Moon Over Buffalo (a comedy by Ken Ludwig) February 13 – March 1 at the Lilydale Mechanics’ Institute, Castella St., Lilydale. Director: Ian Frost. Bookings: lilydaleatc.com
■ Heidelberg Theatre Company: Jeeves and Wooster in Perfect Nonsence (by The Goodale Brothers) February 14 – March 1 at Heidelberg Theatre, 36 Turnham Ave., Rosanna. Director: Morgan Thomas-Connor. Bookings: htc.org.au
■ Malvern Theatre: The Appleton Ladies’ Potato Race (by Melanie Tait) February 14 –March 1 at Malvern Theatre, 29 Burke Rd., Malvern. Director: Helen Ellis. Bookings: malverntheatre.com.au
■ The Basin Theatre Company: Home, I’m Darling (by Laura Wade) February 20 –March 2 at The Basin Theatre, Doongalla Rd., The Basin. Director: Bob Bramble. Bookings: thebasintheatre.org.au
■ The 1812 Theatre: Spider’s Web (by Agatha Christie) February 20 – March 14 at The 1812 Theatre, Rose St., Upper Ferntree Gully. Director: John Mills. Bookings: 1812theatre.com.au
■ Eltham Little Theatre: The Diary of Anne Frank (by Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett) February 21 – March 8 at the Eltham Performing Arts Centre, 1603 Main Rd., Research. Director: Steve Saul. Elthamlittletheatre.org.au
■ Peridot Theatre: The Architect (by Aiden Fennessy) February 21 – March 2 at the Clayton Theatrette, Cooke St., Clayton. Director: Jen Bite. Bookings: peridot.com.au
■ The Mount Players: The Importance of Being Earnest (by Oscar Wilde) February 21
– March 9 at The Mountview Theatre, 63 Smith St., Macedon. Director: Vicki Smith. Bookings: themountplayers.com
■ Mordialloc Theatre Company: Holmes and Watson (by Jeffrey Hatcher) February 27 – March 8 at the Shirley Burke Theatre, 64 Parkers Rd., Mordialloc. Director: Amy Calvert. Bookings: mordialloctheatre.com.au
■ Phoenix Theatre Company: Head Over Heels - the Musical (adapted by James MacGruder) February 28 – March 8 at the Doncaster Playhouse. Bookings: phoenixtheatre.org
■ 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.
- Cheryl Threadgold
CRIME EVERY MOUNTAIN
■ Sisters in Crime present Crime Every Mountain at 8pm on Friday, February 28 at the Rising Sun Hotel, 2 Raglan St, South Melbourne
Women’s crime writing has risen to new heights. It’s left the dry, dusty plains behind and headed for the hills or rather the mountains –with thrilling and chilling consequences.
Claire Sutherland (The Crag), Bronwyn Hall (The Chasm) and Erina Reddan (Deep in the Forest) will talk to Leslie Falkiner-Rose, convenor and keen skier, about the challenges they have faced trying to get to the top.
Event Date: Friday, February 28 at 8pm, Dinner from 6.30pm
Venue: The Rising Sun Hotel, 2 Raglan St, South Melbourne.
■ The Substation launched its Season One program which, due to an unfortunate bout of ill health, had to be presented in digital format rather than at its Newport premises as originally planned.
Nevertheless, going digital did not lessen the impact of what promises to be an exciting first half of 2025.
Staying true to its stated aim of being multidisciplinary, experimental and contemporary in its approach, a range of different artists make up the program.
Drawn from the Asia Pacific region, the United States a nd urban as well as regional local and interstate places, ten creators will have work exhibited or performed during the season.
In addition, another six will take up residences based at Newport while a further seven will be in the Substation’s development program. All will be able to avail themselves of the large scale gallery, performance space and dance studio that make the Substation so unique.
All in all then, after some excellent shows over the last couple of post-COVID years, Season One 2025 promises to build on the momentum created and deliver exciting new works.
The Substation, 1 Market St., Newport.
Further details: thesubstation.org.au
- Peter Murphy
Shadows In Twin Cities
■ The City of Melbourne and the Jeonju Cultural Foundation have collaborated to create a new intercultural playful exchange that connects children from Melbourne and Jeonju in Korea, from February 20 to March 10.
Shadows in Twin Cities is an interactive experience where children from each city connect with each other via a life-sized, live-video screen that is 1.8 metres tall.
Melbourne’s ArtPlay and Jeonju’s Palbok Art Factory are creative spaces that offer engaging and innovative art-based experiences for children and families.
For over four years, ArtPlay artist Jessica Wilson teamed up with Palbok Art Factory artist Gijong Yoo to develop Shadows in Twin Cities, a project where children engage with each other through play and conversation across hemispheres.
Through an unusual one-on-one exchange with movement and gestures, Shadows in Twin Cities encourages children to learn about each other and the city landscapes where they live.
As part of Arts Centre Melbourne’s Asia TOPA festival, Shadows in Twin Cities will feature three events for children aged between 5 to 11 years at ArtPlay and Fed Square in Melbourne as well as Palbok Art Factory in Jeonju.
Meet Me is a workshop where Melbourne children will meet new friends from Jeonju. They will trace a life-sized silhouette of each other using translucent hand-crafted Hanji paper and fly them outside in the wind.
Find My Shadow features 16 life-sized Hanji shadows made by Melbourne children of their new Korean friends. The shadows are pasted in unexpected locations throughout Fed Square for
children and their families to find.
Watch Me Fly is a large-scale video installation that is broadcast simultaneously on the Fed Square Big Screen and at Palbok Art Factory. The footage shows children flying each other’s shadow in their urban environment.
City of Melbourne Lord Mayor Nicholas Reece says: "The City of Melbourne is proud to collaborate with our international partner at the Jeonju Cultural Foundation to create Shadows in Twin Cities which offers an engaging and creative exchange between children in Australia and Korea.”
Meet Me. Feb. 22 – 23, Mar. 1 – 2. 11am, 12pm, 2.30pm and 3.30pm. ArtPlay. 60 mins. $20
Find My Shadow. Feb. 20 – Mar .10. 10am – 5pm. Fed Square. 45 mins. Free.
Watch Me Fly. Feb. 20 – Mar. 10. 10am –2pm Fed Square. Big Screen. 15 mins on loop. Free.
Shadows in Twin Cities is a collaboration between the City of Melbourne and the Jeonju Cultural Foundation. It is supported by ArtPlay, Palbok Art Factory, Fed Square, Art Centre Melbourne Asia TOPA, the Australian International Cultural Diplomacy Arts Fund, the Playking Foundation, the Korean Consulate in Melbourne and the Australia Korea Foundation
- Ben Starick
Cats
■ Andrew Lloyd Webber’s record-breaking musical Cats is returning to Australia to celebrate its 40th anniversary.
Producer John Frost for Crossroads Live announced that Cats will be stage at Hamer Hall, Arts Centre Melbourne from December.
“Cats is a legendary show that I’ve admired for over 40 years. A sparkling fusion of music, dance and verse, it was revolutionary when it first opened and enticed new audiences into the world of musical theatre,” said John Frost
A waitlist has been established to buy tickets in Melbourne at www.catsthemusical.com.au
Based on T. S. Eliot’s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats and set to music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, Cats has been captivating audiences around the globe since it opened at the New London Theatre (now known as the Gillian Lynne) in 1981, where it played for 21 recordbreaking years and almost 9,000 performances, winning both the Olivier and Evening Standard Awards for Best Musical
Since then, Cats has been presented in over 50 countries, translated into 23 languages and has been seen by over 81 million people worldwide. On Broadway, Cats played for 18 years and won seven Tony Awards including Best Musical.
The musical tells the story of the Jellicle cat tribe. On just one special night of the year, all Jellicle cats meet at the Jellicle Ball where Old Deuteronomy, their wise and benevolent leader, makes the Jellicle choice and announces which of them will go up to ‘The Heaviside Layer’ and be reborn into a whole new Jellicle life.
The timeless musical score includes the hit song Memory, which has been recorded by more than 150 artists including Celine Dion, Barbra Streisand, Nicole Scherzinger, Johnny Mathis, Liberace and Barry Manilow.
With “timeless music, spectacular sets and a superb cast”, breathtaking choreography and of course the unforgettable Memory, Cats is a magical musical like no other.
Tickets now at catsthemusical.com.au
Bad Bridesmaid
Rachael Jones
■ What do you do when you don’t approve of your mother marrying for the sixth time?
In Rachael Johns’s new novel The Bad Bridesmaid , anti-romantic serial dater Winifred (Fred) joins forces with the groom’s son Leo to execute Operation Breakup
That certainly qualifies her for the title of bad bridesmaid.
Author Johns describes her plot as a reverse Parent Trap, referencing the Disney movie where two twins who were separated when their parents divorced.
They discover each other at summer camp and plot to bring their estranged parents together.
Set on picturesque Norfolk Island, The Bad Bridesmaid is a madcap romp following these two naughty adult children and their anti-wedding machinations.
Happily married for more than 20 years, Johns says she is a cursed bride as all of her own bridesmaids are now divorced.
In conjunction with the book, publisher Penguin Random House is running a competition for the best bridesmaid with a $500 travel voucher as the prize. To enter, visit penguinrandomhouse.com.au
The Bad Bridesmaid is an ideal fun novel to while away the rest of summer.
- Julie Houghton
Auditions
■ Strathmore Theatrical Arts Group: The Winter’s Tale (by William Shakespeare) February 15 at 11am, February 17 at 7pm at Strathmore Community Theatre, Loeman St., Strathmore. Director: Drew Mason. Enquiries: drew.mason@optusnet.com.au or call 93826284.
■ Peridot Theatre Company: Proof (by David Auburn) February 23 at 6pm, February 24 at 7.30pm at Fleigner Hall, 31-39 Highland Ave, Oakleigh East. Director: Damian Jones. Audition bookings: peridot.com.au
■ 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/
■ 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 - Cheryl Threadgold
To your In-Box
● ● ● ● The Melbourne Observer is published weekly, February-December. It appears inside all editions of The Local Paper. Have weekly copies emailed free. www.FreePaper.com.au
● ● ● ● Claire Sutherland
Local History
Daniel McLeish faces Police Court
■ Senior-constable Alexander, Inspector of Nuisances, charged Daniel McLeish with not having, on the Ilth January, kept his slaughter-yard and premises at Boundary Creek in a state of cleanliness, it was reported in 1891:
Mr. Graham appeared for defendant.
Complainant stated that on the 11th inst. he went to defendant's slaughter yard, on the Boundary Creek. A couple of minutes after he got there he was joined by Mr. Webster , and they inspected the slaughter-yard, piggery, and the land.
About 12 yards from the slaughter-yard, he found a bullock's or cow's lead and a calf's head.
About 2 yards front the killingyards there were five heads of cattle and several heads of sheep, which were in a most offensive state, at a sand-pit.
Outside the piggery there -was a quantity of offensive water, and at the end of the piggery there was a lot of offal buried, but only covered over by two inches of earth, and it emitted a very offensive smell.
To Mr. Graham : Met Mr. Webster accidentally. Had not visited the slaughter-yard on account of a complaint. Found the slaughteryard in a clean condition.
Mr. Webster lived 500 or 600 yards front the slaughter yard, which was 300 to 400 yards away front the public road. In his opinion, some of the heads were there over a week.
Had occasion to find fault with defendant before; but since defendant and his brother had been summoned, he had kept his place very clean, except on one occasion, when witness went to see him, hut as he did not find him he said nothing more about it, witness expecting theslaughter yard to be removed by the end of the year.
The nuisance was removed 24 hours after witness's visit. The sand pit was about 10 feet deep.
James Daniel Webster stated that he heard some one was looking at the nuisance at the back of his place, and he thought it was in consequence of a complaint made by witness to the head office.
Coniplainant had not exaggerated the case in any way. The place was in a filthy condition.
Defendant laughed at the Shire Council, because he had a clique at his back.
Mr. Graham: You're like the eleventh juryman.
Witness: I'm not like'you, any way. This thing has been going on for years, and has depreciated the value of my property.
Mr. Graham: We have the secret of it now.
Witness: I was asked to come here to give evidence. The place is a regular Gethsemane. But the defendant has a strong family clique at his back, and does as he likes. The gravel-pit is only 100 yards from the public road.
To the Bench: It is quite possible to keep the yards clean, but not by such a man as the defendatit, who does not understand what cleanliness means.
Mr. Graham said that three convictions would me mean forfeiture of defendant's licence, and he would therefore ask the Bench to deal leniently with the case.
He then called Richard Craig, a drover, but now a woodsplitter, who stated that he saw smoke last Sunday week, where he was told the slaughter-yards were.
Defendant called at his place and asked him if he felt anyoffensive smell.
He replied that he did not. Defendant then asked him if he did not feel an offensive smell from the slaughter-yards.
He replied that he did not, and that was the first occasion he knew of
Drover prosecution
■ Senior constable Alexander charged James Liverty, drover, with cruelty to animals; and permitting a nuisance to arise by leaving a dead animal, which caused an ofensive smell.
Mr. Smart, who appeared for defendant, asked for an adjournment, as his client was travelling with sheep, and was then at Yarra Flats
Mr. Graham, who appeared for the prosecution, objected, as there were two witnesses present. Mr. Smart having offered to pay costs, the case was adjourned for 21 days; defendant to pay £2 1s costs.
Larking in a bar
■ Constable Polmear charged John McKenzie with unlawfully assaulting James Sherriff, at the Royal Mail Hotel on tle 3rd inst.
Mr. Graham prosecuted, and Mr. Smart defended. James Sherriff, harman at tIhe Royal Mail Hotel, stated that lie remembered defendant being at the hotel on the 3rd inst. Defendant hit witness across the mouth, but did not hurt him: he hurt another young fellow more than he did witness. Defendant went inside the bar, and when witness told him to go out, lie lifted his hand to him, and afterwards, on telling him a second time to get out, defendant pulled him by the nose. Turner, who was also assaulted, went for the police. Senior-constable Alexander, in reply to the Bench, said the defendant had never been before the Court previously. The Bench, in consideration of that fact, let him off with a nominal fine of 5s. and 21s. costs. - February 26,
● ● Yea Magistrates’ Court the slaughter-yards being there. He lived about 80 yards from the fence where he saw the smoke.
To the Bench: Lived there since the 17th December.
Matthew McLeish , son of the defendant, stated that the bullock's head had been there since the Friday night. It had been placed against the fence, but the dogs dragged it away.
Sharp, the bone man, generally took them away once a week.
Mr. Keogh: If left for a week, they would be pretty "high" in this weather.
Witness said hisfather told him to go and burn the heads on the. Monday morning. They did it frequently, if they were not carted away.
To Complainant: You.spoke to me, and told me to clean up the yards.
Sharp sometimes removed the heads with the meat on them. There were several cart-loadsnow dryingon Simon Cannon's land.
John Robinson , printer, stated that he was at the slaughter-yards on Sun day, the 11th of January.
Did not smell anything, nor see the state of affairs stated by Mr. Webster. There was not an abominable stench, nor anything to speak of, considering it was a slaughteryard.
To the Bench: Could not say complainant's evidence was exaggerated.
Was only there two or three minutes, and did not see either the pit or the piggery.
Mr. Keogh: There are no costs incurred in this case?
Complainant: No, your Worship.
Mr. Keogh: Such .a state of affairs as has been disclosed here cannot he allowed to continues . But it is evi dent that the nuisance, as soon as complained of, had been abated, and..on that account the penalty will be lighter than would otherwise be the case, and my brother magistrate has prevailed on me to make the penalty lighter than I intended to impose. I also understand that the yards are going to be removed. Is that so?
Complainant: I' asked that the license should not he again issued, but the Shire Council granted it.
Defendant: I have been trying to get away for the past six months.
Mr. Keogh: If the case comes on again, I shall deal with it much more severely, and inflict a penalty of £20. Fined £3 and costs.
Mr. Webster: I intend, before the rising of the Court, to ask for an injunction, as defendant is illegally there. I have offered him a site, and there is not a word of truth in what he says.
Mr. Keogh: We have nothing to do with that now.
The Inspector then proceeded against defendant, on a second charge of permitting swine, of which he was the owner, to feed on offal, contrary to the Health Act, 1890, on the 11th January.
Mr. Graham said that his client pleaded guilty, but with extenuating circumstances, the act being at tributable to his man, and not to defendant, who always gave instructions that the offal should be boiled.
Mr. Keogh: That.is not an excuse.
The defendant is liable for the actions of his servants. This is a much graver offence than the first. There is no telling what pigs get into their systems, and those who consume their flesh take in the diseases into their.systems.
Mr. Graham: This is the first time it has occurred
Mr. Webster: It's going on continually.
Mr. Keogh: That's a very large word. Have you frequently brought it under tlhe notice of the Inspector?
Mr. Webster: Yes.
Mr. Keogh: Have you brought the Inspector's neglect of duty under the notice of the Shire Council?
Mr. Webster: Yes, but they have taken no notice.
M r. Keogh: If tie Inspector allows this sort of thing to go on, he is worse than the man who does it. This.is the first case of this kind that has been brought before me, and I am disposed to deal with it leniently.
Mr. Webster: I would like to say a few words, your Worship. There are about a dozen families living along the creek, and the boys bathe there.
Mr. Keogh: What have we got to do with that?We are not dealing with drainage just now.
Mr. Webster: It is very hard, after trying to bring it to an issue so long. Mr. Keogh: Defendant is fined £5 and costs. This sort of thing must be
put down.
Mr. Webster: Shall I be allowed to say a few words, your Worship? As I stated before, I wish to apply for an injunction to restrain defendant from being illegally there. I do not wish to lay all the blame on Senior-constable Alexander.
Mr. Keogh: Have you brought the Inspector's neglect of duty under the notice of the Shire Council?
Mr. Webster: Yes, but they have taken no notice. It is the fault of thd Sbire Council for allowing it to go on so long, but they are a most corrupt lot.
Mr. Keogh: It is no good haranguing the Bench on the short comings of the Shire Council. We all know. that eating pork fed on offal is fraught with great danger to the public health. You can avoid it by not eating the pork, but those who consume it cannot avoid the danger. .The case has been dealt with.
Dead horse left partly in the Yea River, partly on the Common
■ Senior-constable Alexander, Inspector of Nuisances, charged Edward Ryan with leaving a dead horse partly in the Yea River, and partly on the Common Thos. Cumerford stated that he saw defendant (who did not appear) looking after the horse a couple of months ago.
Witness found the horse in the river, and told defendant, who identitied the horse as his, but made no attempt to remove it.
Complainant stated that he found the horse last month, partly lying in the river, and ordered it to be buried, at a cost of £1.
The Bench. fined defandant £2 and £3 costs, stating that he was liable to a penalty of £20 and £2 for each day he failed to remove the animal.
- January 22, 1891
Local History
How Alexandra was named
■ “The statute of Queen Alexandra was unrveiled on Friday afternoon last, in the presence of a large gathering of residents and the child ren attending the school,” noted a local press report on August 4, 1939.
“The statue has been erected in the small park created by the C.W.A. on portion of the Library block.
“Cr. W. A. Murray, Shire Presi dent, opened the proceedings, and said the statue had been received on permanent loan from the Trustees of the National Gallery Mr. Elliott was instrumental in having it sent to Alexandra.
“Thanks were due to the committee of the local Library for permission to place the statue on their land, and he would also like to mention the assistance given by the local branch of the C.W.A
“Later on the C.W.A. hoped to erect a building to serve as a baby health centre.
“Cr. Murray then asked Mr. Elliott to unveil the statue.
“Mr. R. D. Elliott said be was very pleased to be present. He thought the action of the Trustees indicated a wider outlook, and showed that the National Gallery was a national institution - not a Melbourne one.
“There was no fitter site for the statue than Alexandra. It was "lent" to Alexandra, and would never be returned.
“The statue, the work of Charles Summers, was a permanent monument" of that artist's work.
“He was born in 1825, and as a boy received 1/ a week for scaring crows fiom the field.
“Later on be attended the Royal Academy School . He arrived in Melbourne in 1853.
“When at Tarnagulla goldfields he saw an advertisement for modellers at Parliament House, and disposed of his claim (the purchasers of which afterwards struck a patch that netted £20,000.)
“He modelled figures in the Legislative Council Chamber, and was responsibte for the statue of Burke and Wills . He went to Rome , and died in 1878.
“Continuing his remarks, Mr. Elliott said: The life of an English King (or Queen) is one of complete devotion to duty and personal sacrifice.
“More than a man in position and less than a man in human liberty. Monarch and servant in one. Trustee of the rich heritage of the past and guarantor of the immeasurable future.
“Above the law, yet the assurance
sculpture of Princess Alexandra was unveiled in 1939
that. justice will be done. The ruler of the people, the slave of the people, and the embodiment of the people's immortality.
“One holiday time when the royal family were all at Sandringham, the late King George V (son of the Queen) was checking up on church attendance and found that his three elder sons were missing.
“Sending for Sir Louis Greig, the King banged the table with his fist and roared, "I'll take no excuses as long as I am the King and their father, these young rascals have damned well got to go to church every Sunday morning."
“Fear can do much mischief. It is an active force for harm. Have no fear of war in the Far East. Have no fear of war in Europe. The war that can be lost is the one of nerves which has for its battle cry the oolish bleating of "it's coming in September."
“Kill the bogey; don't believe it ; develop our own industries - develop Australia
“Mr. Elliott then unveiled the statue, which had been covered with the National flag. He also intimated that he would pay for the cutting in of the lettering on the base of the statue.
“The Hon. E. J. Mackrell said he was delighted to be present at the unveiling of the monument by Mr Elliott, whom he hoped would be a Senator again.
“He was not so optimistic as Mr. Elliott in regard to the war rumblings, but sincerely hoped there would be no war.
“They must, however, buckle on the armour, and endeavour to be prepared.
“Mr. Mackrell then spoke of the various forms of government in the world, and the great freedom enjoyed under the British flag.
“Mr. C. R. Long was the next speaker. He said: I esteem it a great privilege to be present and to speak at this ceremony to-day. I should be thankful; it is a unique experience.
“Just think of it. To be on this spot
where we are standing before there were any houses in sight, and to be so circumstanced as to be able to return and find around me a prosperous community and a thriving town.
“I was driven in a waggonette with my father, mother, and a sister along a bullock dray track, which led from the Josephine cutting to the Recreation Reserve, crossed the creek, came down this side of it, turned into Grant Street, and then went In the direction of Thornton, at a time when there was not a house to be seen from the vehicle.
“That was in the sumnmer of 1865 - 74 years ago. Gold was discovered in the neighborhood in une of the next year - '66, and a township speedily came into being.
“Most of the houses were placed along the bullock-dray track. Gold was being got in plenty, both from quartz and from alluvial.
“The Government decided, therefore, to have a town and parish surveyed.
“John Downey, surveying in the district, was given the work to do. Most of the town was laid out in January, 1867, commencing from about where we are now.
“The Shire Hall is on Allotment 1 of Section 1.
● Continued Next Page
In honour of Danish princess
■ Reference to certain documents and plans in the Land Office, Melbourne, has brought to light some facts concerning the naming of Alexandra, which have more than ordinary interest at this time, when a statue of Queen Alexandra is about to be unveiled in Perkins Street,” said a 1939 press report.
“A. McGregor and S. Don discovered gold in quartz, on the bullock dray track from Thornton to Yea, not far from McKenzie's homestead, in June, 1866.
“As they were first discoveries of a goldfield (there being no mining between their find and Yea at that time), they received a reward-to each £75.
“In regard to the international situation to-day lt must be remembered that Britain is strong, and Germany knows it,” said the August 4, 1939, newspaper report. [War was declared on September 3, 1939.
“Therefore, in spite of all the massing of troops, the fiery speeches and the rattling of the sabre, and because of the strength of Britain, there will be no war.
“But there is one very great danger - the war of nerves. The campaign is become intense all the time.
“It is being conducted from Berlin , with Goebbels in command. Tientsin is part of the campaign. Goebbels' army extends beyond the frontiers of Germany to international financiers who spread rumours to the stock markets of the world, so that confidence is de stroyed. Nor does it stop there.
“There are the unpaid, unwitting agents here in Australia, Melbourne (even Alexandra ) who spread the news to their fellow townspeople that the war is coming in September.
“Goebells and Hitler believe that by rumours, alarms and excursions they can create such a state of nerves that to end the intolerable strain we shall give the Nazis what they want.
“Denounce the prophets of war! Criticise the people who go about saying war is inevitable. They are enemies of the public.
“They spread unemployment, driving many out ofwork. They breed in every classof the community anxiety and fear.
“They named their claim "Eglinton," which was that of a run and homestead (occupied by Henry Johnson, on the Yea side of McKenzie's Mount Pleasant run), and also of a creek (now Johnson's Creek.)
“Other claims were soon being worked from McGregor's and Don's claim in the direction of the U.T. Creek and there were alluvial diggings along that creek forseveral miles.
THE NAMING
“The track ran along what is now Grant Street till it came within a few yards of the U.T. Creek, where it turned up the stream and led to a crossing place near the junction of the present Webster and Perkins Streets
“There was a chock-and-log fence (the boundary at one time between the Mount Pleasant and the Eglinton runs) along the bank of the creek.
“In this fence stood a gateway (painted red), through which the track passed not many yards from the turn. The track became, after crossing the creek, almost a straight line to the neighbourhood of the present Josephine cutting (so named after Henry Johnson's sister).
“There was a rush in the second half of 1866 to the Red Gate diggings (that name, contracted to ‘Redgate' for the field, appearing for the first time in "Bradshaw's Guide" in May, 1867.)
“Richard Vining erected a small building in the vicinity of the turn of the track from Grant Street up the creek, and other buildings rapidly followed.
“There upon John Downey was instructed to survey a town and a parish. The Shire Hall at the junction of the present Grant and Perkins Streets is on allotment I of section 1.
“The title-page of Downey's Field Book, No. 1, runs thus: "John Downey's Field Notes. Survey of the Township of Eglinton on the U.T. Creek, Upper Goulburn River, Surveyed by John Downey, Government Contract Surveyor, Jan.,1867.'
“His finished plan, with the title, "Township of Eglinton, Upper Goulburn River, County of Anglesey,'' was dated February,1867.
“A proclamation in the Government Gazette in the following month (March) begins : "Sale of Crown Lands in fee simple at Alexandra, on the 5th April, 1867.'"
“This shows that the name had been changed. Downey's plan has now a slip with the word "Alexandra'' on it gummed over "Eglinton."
“The new name was that of a Danish princess, the "Rose of Denmark," who, about four years earlier (the exact date being March 7, 1863), had married the Prince of Wales (afterwards Edward VII).” - July 28, 1939
★Tickets have sold out for the VicRoads Heritage plate auction on Tuesday February 18. Some 500 tickets were claimed. The auction can be viewed online at heritageonly.com.au
★Melbourne Opera presents Richard Wagner’s comedy Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg at 3pm on February 16 and 22, and 5pm on February 18 and 20. The performances will be at the Royal Exhibition Building, Carlton.
★The 48th Historic Winton to be held on May 24-25 at Winton Motor Raceway, will run without motorcycles for the first time.
★Labyrinth-Forest Collective, an immersive dance-opera-piano concerto exploring the ancient Greek myth of the Minotaur, is at the Abbotsford Convent Magdalen Laundry until February 8.
★ Old Scotch Collegians Football Club is mouring the passing of former club coach Dale Tapping who died from myeloma on February 4, two years after being diagnosed with the blood cancer.
★Elizabeth Anderson has been appointed as Assistant Artistic Director of the Australian Chamber Choir.
★MSO Cybec Assistant Conduc tor Leonard Weiss has been selected for prestigious Boston Symphony Orchestra Tanglewood Fellowship.
★ Sullivan+Strumpf an nounces its first Melbourne group exhibition, bringing together key voices working in contemporary abstraction. Open 10am –5pm Tuesday to Saturday. Entry is free. Until March 8. 107 - 109 Rupert St, Collingwood
★Sundays With Wit is presenting an Intro To Intimacy with Rebecca Fortuna. Learn the art of staging intimacy with creativity, clarity, and consent. 10.30am-12 Noon, Sunday, February 23. At Bluestone Church Arts Space , 8A Hyde St, Footscray.
★ Yacht Rock Revival , d smooth sounds of '70s and 80’s light rock, funk and pop classics, is being geld 6pm on Saturday, February 22, at Packer Park, Carnegie. Free.
★Jude Perl and her jazz trio will perform from the American Songbook, as well as original tunes, from 7.30pm on Friday, February 14 (Valentines Day) at Caulfield Park Lake, Corner Hawthorn and Balaclava Rds, Caulfield North. Free.
★Mark Robinson, Herald Sun's Chief Football Writer, has retired after more than four decades in journalism.
★Laura Tingle has also writ ten her final column for The Australian Financial Review . She joined the paper in 1981. She continues at the ABC website.
Melbourne Observer Melbourne Observer
Cicero
Rourke’s Reviews Entertainment
Marc Circero
★Professor Anna Peeters will become the new Chief Executive Officer of the Victorian Health Promotion Foundation (VicHealth).
★Tina The Musical will close at the Princess Theatre on March 2.
★The 2025 UniSport National 3x3 Basketball Championships will be hosted at Monash University in May. 3x3 basketball's popularity is exploding. The brightest university athletes will be attracted to Victoria.
★The Big Issue is celebrating magazine vendors all around the country with a special edition of the fortnightly magazine on sale.
★
Bill's Secrets , a book by Belinda Probert, was launched last week by Don Watson at Readings Carlton.
★ Joanna Murray-Smith’s Berlin returns to Melbourne this month following its sell-out run in 2023. Directed by Erica Chestnut and starring Georgia Latchford and Lachlan Hamill, the romantic thriller will play a strictly limited season from February 27.
★Caroline Lee, who played Jean Pascoe in ABC-TV’s The Newsreader is Deputy Chair at La Mama Theatre.
★PJ Lane, famous son of the TV star, is looking to bring his Don Lane Story floor show to Melbourne. Perhaps The Palms At Crown?
★
Follies enjoyed a short sixnight season at the Palais, St Kilda. Theatre royalty united for an unmissable production in Australian musical theatre history: Marina Prior, Antoinette Halloran, Adam Murphy, Alexander Lewis, Colette Mann, Geraldene Morrow, Evelyn Krape, Merlyn Quaife, Rhonda Burchmore and Geraldine Turner
★The Australian Children's Music Foundation has welcome Beth Appleton to its Board of Directors.
★Dementia Australia’s largest annual fundraising event, Memory Walk & Jog, will set off on Sunday May 18 at Princes Park, Carlton North, to raise money and awareness.
Arts House Season 1
■ Arts House launches Season 1 2025 with two Australian premieres presented in partnership with Asia TOPA: Goldfish by Terrapin in association with Aichi Prefectural Theatre ; and Fire Drill Scenario by Geumhyung Jeong.
Goldfish asks: what role should humanity, and the theatre, play in times of increasing disaster?
Developed by Tasmanian puppetry company Terrapin and Japan’s Aichi Prefectural Art Theatre, Goldfish is a dynamic work for children and their families where reality and fantasy collide.
A solo puppeteer spins a fable for children using everyday items. But fiction turns to fact as a flood arrives, devastating the land and two disaster recovery workers burst in, interrupting the performance.
As the theatre turns to an evacuation centre, familiar items illustrate the story – a tarpaulin becomes a surging ocean, pallets of tinned food become battlements and bags of rice become sandbags to hold back the tide.
For each season of Goldfish , a new set is made using disaster recovery materials specific to each location.
Terrapin Artistic Director Sam Routledge says: “To stay true to the intention of the work, we have set ourselves the challenge of telling the story using only the materials of the theatres we play in and items that will be useful to disaster recovery organisations at the season’s end.”
Fire Drill Scenario is an emergency evacuation contingency like no other. It is a wry and unexpected performance that challenges the safety zones of art and life.
Created by South Korean choreographer and artist Geumhyung Jeong, Fire Drill Scenario scrutinises the risks that audiences and artists are exposed to when they gather in confined spaces.
In a work that is both ridiculous and useful, Jeong will choreograph and coordinate Arts House’s safety instructions with meticulous detail and dry wit.
■ Goldfish – Terrapin in association with Aichi Prefectural Art Theatre. Feb. 26 – March 2. 7.30pm Wed. – Fri., 1pm and 7.30pm Sat. and 5pm Sun. Duration 60 minutes, no interval School shows: 11am Thu and Fri Relaxed performance: 1pm Sat
Post-show artist talk: 7.30pm Thu
■ Fire Drill Scenario – Geumhyung Jeong
March 6 – 9 . 7.30pm Thu. – Sat. and 5pm Sun. Duration 90 minutes, no interval
Venue: Arts House – North Melbourne Town Hall, 521 Queensberry Street, North Melbourne
Tickets + transaction fee
$40 Standard ticket
$25 Reduced ticket
$15 Blaktix
Bookings: artshouse.com.au 9322 3720.
– Ben Starick
Night Call
■ (MA). 97 minutes. Available to rent or buy on selected digital platforms.
Similar to films such as Sleepless Night, REC and MADs, Night Call is a taut French/Belgian thriller that, like a couple of the films mentioned, will most likely go down the Hollywood remake route.
Beginning quietly, the story, set in Brussels , centres on Mady (Jonathan Feltre), a young black man who works long, unusual hours as a locksmith.
One evening, Mady receives a phone call from Claire (Natacha Krief), who has accidentally locked herself out of her flat.
Helping Claire out, Mady waits for his client to get the money to pay him, but things go down a very different path, which will have the terrified locksmith trying to stay one step ahead of other parties to survive.
The premise is simple, but cowriter/director Michiel Blanchart (making his directorial debut) uses the basic, even familiar, set-up to send his main character on a dark journey, surrounded by a huge Black Lives Matter protest that he feels doesn’t have anything to do with him at first, but by the end, will have a much more personal connection to him.
Like a number of visceral thrillers, this requires a certain level of suspension of belief for everything to work, but Blanchart shows incredible confidence in making sure these implausibilities can be overlooked, drawing us in to Mady’s precarious situation skilfully and with a lot of energy.
Special praise must also go to cinematographer Sylvestre Vannoorenbergh e and editor Matthieu Jamet-Louis, who help make everything vivid and immediate.
Feltre is perfect as Mady, who allows the viewer to engage with what’s going on, and care about his character’s outcome.
Krief is fine as Claire, as is Jonas Bloquet as Theo, and Romain Duris (who played Aramis in the excellent, two-part Three Musketeers films) as the intimidating Yannick.
Night Call is very entertaining stuff, made by a film-maker who cleverly threads his messages into the scenario, rather than bogging everything down by hitting you over the head with them.
Like I said, keep an eye out for the inevitable remake, but make sure you watch the original first. and escalates in expert fashion.
RATING - ****
Companion
■ (MA). 97 minutes. Now showing in selected cinemas. With recent films like Afraid and Subservience failing to effectively explore the dangers of ever-evolving technology, Companion comes as a nice surprise, successfully getting its messages across while also entertaining, particularly through a smart sense of humour and good performances.
Sophie Thatcher (who costarred in the recent, excellent thriller Heretic) plays Iris, an oldfashioned young woman who is totally devoted to her boyfriend Josh (Jack Quaid, son of Meg Ryan and Dennis Quaid), who seems to appreciate her commitment to their relationship.
The two drive to a remote, luxury house for a relaxing getaway with friends; Kat (Megan Suri), Eli (Harvey Guillen) , his partner Patrick (Lukas Gage), and Kat’s Russian (and married) boyfriend Sergey (Rupert Friend), who owns the house they are staying at.
Once settled in, the group enjoy their surroundings, but things turn sour after a sudden, unexpected confrontation, one that will affect Iris in particular.
The less an audience knows going in, the better, even though the advertising has spoiled some of its twists.
Even if you know what the main twist is (the opening scene certainly references a 70s favourite), it shouldn’t dampen the film’s entertainment value.
Despite its themes being largely told instead of shown, debutant writer/director Drew Hancock establishes his premise well enough to build on, and by using comedy more than horror, does tap into a mindset that is increasing in uncomfortable fashion, in regards to how men view women, with an ingrained sense of control that has lead to worrying levels of misogyny.
Performances range from good to strong, with Thatcher the standout, giving her character a depth and humanity that allows us to fully engage in her plight.
Quaid does well with his role, while Guillen, Suri and Gage all approach the material with suitable conviction.
Technically the film is wellcrafted, belying its very modest budget.
While it never really reaches its full potential, Companion is a welcome addition to a sub-genre that has proven mostly disappointing in recent years, and will hopefully find a following, which it does deserve. You could see it as the genre alternative to Barbie.
RATING - **** - Aaron Rourke
Melbourne Observer Melbourne Observer
Observer
Lovatts Crossword No 38
AcrossAcrossDownDown
1. Supporting structure
6. Discreetly
11. Discontent
15. Enlisting (7,2)
20. Verve
21. Circle (planet)
22. Aria-nominated singer, ... Murray
23. Soiled
25. Reflector
26. Nastier
27. Of kidneys
29. Debar (4,3)
32. Close
34. Go berserk, run ...
36. Self-centredness
39. Acute remorse
41. Tree, copper ...
43. Merits
46. Fatigued
48. Blunder
49. Swerve
51. Stone god
52. Revenge
55. June 6, 1944 (1-3)
56. Louts
59. Confuse
61. Whisky & ...
62. Tennis ace, Steffi ...
63. Condition
64. Verb modifiers
67. Many-sided figure
68. Pacify
70. Earth's environment, Mother ...
71. Stern
72. Cricket side
73. Anxious (2,4)
74. Polite form of address
75. Italian rice dish
77. Lead-in
78. Radiate
79. Measly
82. German war vessels (1-5)
86. Madden
87. Russian leader
89. Alpine flower
92. Truck's unloaded weight
94. Country, Sri ...
96. Catch sight of
98. Negative votes
100. Cure (fish)
101. Feel the loss of
103. Old Testament son of Isaac
105. French cap
106. Murder (2,2)
108. In charge, at the ...
111. Domestic servant
112. Bread grillers
114. Light classical musical
116. Early guitar
119. Authentic
120. Hasten
121. Typist's ailment (1,1,1)
123. Arguable
124. Engrave
125. Wipe out
126. Revenge
127. Constantly busy (2,3,2)
130. City's chief mail centre (1,1,1)
131. Thin-petalled flowers
135. Tartan skirts
138. Leonardo da Vinci's ... Lisa
139. Genuine thing, the ... McCoy
141. Barbie toys
144. Chew like rat
146. Sergeant or corporal (1,1,1)
147. At that time
148. Hawaiian garland
149. Female horse
150. Nautical yes
151. Cut (timber)
152. Amounted to (4,2)
153. Wine, ... spumante
155. Happily ... after
157. Garden tool
158. Volleyball court dividers
160. Requirements
161. Elevate
162. Progress chart
163. Mirth
165. Light purple
166. Uncle Sam (1,1,1)
167. Anger
168. Official decree
169. Europe/US defence pact
171. Pale beer
172. Board
175. Jottings
176. Per, for ...
179. Swelled
180. Lessen
182. Tennis great, Arthur ...
184. Prompting (actor)
185. Uprising
186. Achieve
188. Drag with effort
189. Drilling platform
190. Soviet Union (1,1,1,1)
191. Utilise
193. Perfumed powder
194. Community spirit
196. Father
197. Covers
198. Overfills
200. Furtiveness
205. Definite article
207. Climbs
210. Intoxicate
211. Chatty
212. Suffer pain
213. Saint's ring
214. Mayday signal (1,1,1)
216. Zodiac crustacean
218. Wickedness
219. Eastern European
220. Dining table protector (5,3)
224. Dreamer
227. Pint-size
229. Jeans maker, ... Strauss
230. Black soft drink
231. Bounders
232. Front of leg
233. Concept
235. Durable fabric
237. Performs
239. Hitler's ... Kampf
241. The Devil
244. Dancer, ... Pavlova
246. Coiffure
249. Eye lustfully
252. Gives birth to pups
254. Make untidy (4,2)
256. Charmingly unusual
258. Pill
259. Hostile frown
260. Primped
263. Cowardly informer
264. Minor details
265. Interfere
267. Sand granules
270. Threat
271. Imperial ruler
272. Marine mollusc
273. Ancient Arabic tribesman
274. Partners
277. Yuletide
279. Sudden invasion
281. Fires (from job)
284. Famed lioness
286. High temperature
288. Died before
292. Additional
294. Encounter
295. Half-diameters
298. Cook in oven
300. Come up
301. Screened (film) again
303. Marten fur
306. Racing car's protective frame
308. Single thing
309. Embraces
311. Paltry sum of money
314. Internet message
315. Cease operating (3,3)
316. Gradually implant (ideas)
317. Dinners or lunches
318. Meadows (poetic)
319. Supplementary
320. Fiddling emperor
321. Tough circumstances
322. Nipped with beak
323. Sat lazily
324. Freedom fighter
1. Load completely
2. Actor, ... Baldwin
3. Encourage (3,2)
4. Skips
5. Lock openers
6. Movie star, ... L Jackson
7. Join
8. Set fire to
9. Big Apple resident, New ...
10. Engross
11. Maximum
12. Estate agent
13. Lance
14. Expressed as 15. Yank
16. Personal
17. Eskimo shelter
18. Mongolian desert
19. Rhyme
24. Picnic blankets
28. Taj Mahal city
30. Had to repay
31. Philosopher, ... Marx
33. Atomic devices (1-5)
35. Most likely to win (4-2)
37. Brisk pace
38. Filter
40. Natives of Lhasa
42. Hag
44. Church corridors
45. Gold ore lump
47. Foolish
48. Cosmetic pencil
49. Most conceited
50. Opinion column
53. Narrowed
54. Volcanic (rock)
57. African anteaters
58. Dissolved (ties)
60. Tag for future use
63. Similar-meaning word
65. ... Sea Scrolls
66. Golfer, ... Ballesteros
68. Edible flesh
69. Front
76. Forth
79. Woman's title
80. Yawning gulf
81. Satirical play
83. Pop song's flip (1-4)
84. Sharpshooter, ... Oakley
85. Pig's home
88. Of beauty
90. Wanes
91. Interested in 93. Sheepishly
95. Amongst
97. Medieval farm labourer
99. Actor, ... Banderas
100. Indecent material
102. US Rockies state
104. Loft
107. Request from menu
109. Composer, Andrew ... Webber
110. Broad smile
111. Engage (with)
113. Thinks logically
115. Author's alias (3,4)
117. Snake-like fish
118. Point of perfection
121. Splendid clothes
122. Play piano, tinkle the ...
127. Liver or spleen
128. Stretch (of land)
129. Family-tree specialist
132. Varieties
133. Altogether (2,3)
134. Burn (hair)
135. Enlightenment
136. Gandhi's garment
137. ... & weaknesses
138. Fulfil expectations (7,2)
140. Bulkiness
141. Crystal brandy bottles
142. Verbally attacks (6,3)
143. Items of stage scenery (3,6)
145. Rinse (4,3)
151. Section
154. Snares
156. Yashmaks
159. Historical period
164. And so on
169. Standards
170. Steak cut (1-4)
173. Makes fizzy
174. Young eagles
177. Anew
178. Pawns
181. US cotton state
183. Crowded together
187. From Addis Ababa
192. Picking
195. Be melodramatic
199. Idiotic
201. Mite
202. Primates
203. Pull strenuously
204. Brutal
206. Prince Andrew's ex
207. Diminish
208. Covet
209. Quacking bird
213. ... & hearty
215. Supervise
217. Bigotry
221. Fees
222. Ruined Inca city, ... Picchu
223. Siamese
224. Child's guessing game (1,3)
225. East England county
226. Restrict
228. Vagrants
234. Frivolous time-wasting
236. Caravan nomads
238. Wheel-shaft projection
240. Olympic Games body (1,1,1)
242. Rouses
243. Be unfaithful to (3-4)
245. India's capital (3,5)
247. Satisfy
248. Accounts books
250. Connections
251. Non-believer
253. Swindle
255. Jug
257. Charged atoms
258. Docile
261. Rubber
262. Gallows loops
265. Composer, Wolfgang Amadeus ..
266. Gets rid of
268. Stage whisper
269. Malay garment
275. Singing pitch
276. Tea, ... Grey
278. Paintings & drawings
280. Spray can
282. Prayer ending
283. Conserved
285. Cricketer, ... Gilchrist
287. Shoe reinforcement
289. Moved swiftly
290. Musky cats
291. TV reception pole
292. Manhandled
293. Explorer, ... Tasman
296. Aids in crime
297. Baghdad native
299. Tickle
302. White wine, ... Riesling
304. Quickly
305. High-quality printer type
306. Hurry
307. Suggestive look
308. Troubles
310. Urban haze
312. Russia's ... Mountains
313. Two-seater lounge
Rob Foenander
Chasing The Girls
■ Singer songwriter Brendan McMahon has released his new single Chasing The Girls. He says the song is about the fun growing up in a small country town. We rode our bikes everywhere, went fishing down at the river, played every sport we could and then when we turned 12 or 13 years old, we started noticing girls and that changed a lot of things. More info at www.brendanmcm.com/
Sing
■ Jackie and Susie have been a dynamic duo headlining the iconic Melbourne Abba tribute band Babba since the early 2000s til present day. Over these two decades they have brewed their special chemistry of fun and honed their love of singing together in perfect harmony to a level that is a joy to behold. They’ll perform their show Sing at Birds Basement on Friday, Match 7, with a repertoire of Olivia Newton John and Karen Carpenter songs.
Nothing better
■ Triple Golden Guitar winner and soonto-be dad Andrew Swift has dropped his first single for the year.
Ahead of a massive national headline tour, the country music trailblazer celebrates new beginnings with the release of ‘Nothing Better’. The song was penned alongside co-writers Lindsay Rimes and Tyler James Bellinger , while attending the APRA Melbourne - Nashville Song Hubs sessions in Nashville.
- Rob Foenander
Melbourne Observer Melbourne Observer
Major exhibition at Heide Museum
■ Heide Museum of Modern Art has announced a major exhibition developed in partnership with The Torch
Presented from April 5 to July 20, the exhibition Blak In-Justice: Incarceration and Resilience calls attention to the pressing issue of Indigenous incarceration in Australia through a compelling selection of artworks by leading First Nations artists alongside participants of The Torch program.
The Torch provides art, cultural, and arts industry support to First Nations people who are currently incarcerated or have recently been released from prisons in Victoria
Curated by Kent Morris, Barkindji artist, curator and Creative Director of The Torch, Blak In-Justice presents works by acclaimed First Nations artists that address the overrepresentation of Indigenous Australians in the criminal justice system and the crisis of deaths in custody.
Their powerful responses are shown alongside the remarkable creative achievements of former and current prison inmates, many of whom have connected with their culture and Country through The Torch program.
Generating powerful political commentary, the exhibition includes work by the internationally renowned Birri Gubba and Darumbal artist Gordon Bennett, whose visceral triptych Bloodlines
Crossword Solution No 38
confronts colonial violence; provocative and darkly comic photographs by the trailblazing Kuku and Erub/Mer artist Destiny Deacon; Kamilaroi, Kooma, Jiman, and Gurang Gurang artist and activist Richard Bell’s painting Walk On (Bell’s Theorem) that reworks words from the Old Testament to engage with the complex history of race relations in Australia; the major painting Brush with the Lore by Ngarrindjeri artist Trevor Nickolls, offering sharp social commentary on contemporary Aboriginal life; and emotive portraits by Badimaya artist Julie Dowling that draw from a range of artistic traditions, including icon painting and Renaissance portraiture, to individualise and elevate real-life stories about the incarceration of First Nations people.
A selection of works in diverse media by Walmajarri man and artist Jimmy Pike will also be on display, reflecting stories of his Country. Pike’s unique style was developed while he served time in Fremantle Prison, before rising to prominence as one of Australia’s most significant national and international artists. Never before seen garments from his early Desert Designs range are also included in the exhibition.
First Nations Australians make up 3 per cent of the Australian population yet represent 32 per cent of the national adult prison population.
- Isabel Wright
Observations with Matt Bissett-Johnson
Observations with Matt Bissett-Johnson
● ● Kent Morris. Photo colourised.
WEEKEND’S LOCAL CRICKET MATCH RESULTS
Amateurs
■ Premier Firsts. Round 19. Two-Day. Saturdays., Feb. 8 and 15. St Kilda 1st XI 10/234 v Casey South Melbourne 1st XI 0/16. Prahran 1st XI 0/25 v Melbourne 1st XI 7-d/ 295. Carlton 1st XI 10/205 v Ringwood 1st XI 0/7. Melbourne University 1st XI v Northcote 1st XI 10/284. Geelong 1st XI 10/145 v Footscray 1st XI 3/85 (34). Dandenong 1st XI 0/6 v Richmond 1st XI 6-d/326. Fitzroy Doncaster 1st XI v Camberwell Magpies 1st XI 5/297. Frankston Peninsula 1st XI v Kingston Hawthorn 1st XI 10/231. Essendon 1st XI v Greenvale Kangaroos 1st XI 7/309.
■ Premier Seconds. Round 19. Two-Day. Saturdays., Feb. 8 and 15. Casey South Melbourne 2nd XI v St Kilda 2nd XI 8/286. Melbourne 2nd XI 10/239 v Prahran 2nd XI. Ringwood 2nd XI v Carlton 2nd XI 10/299. Northcote 2nd XI 4/121 v Melbourne University 2nd XI 10/147. Footscray 2nd XI v Geelong 2nd XI 8/310. Richmond 2nd XI 7/92 v Dandenong 2nd XI 10/129. Camberwell Magpies 2nd XI v Fitzroy Doncaster 2nd XI 7/278. Kingston Hawthorn 2nd XI 0/5 v Frankston Peninsula 2nd XI 9-d/317. Greenvale Kangaroos 2nd XI 10/122 v Essendon 2nd XI 3/125.
■ Premier Thirds. Round 19. Two-Day. Saturdays., Feb. 8 and 15. St Kilda 3rd XI 0/8 v Casey South Melbourne 3rd XI 10/179. Prahran 3rd XI 10/209 v Melbourne 3rd XI 0/ 16. Carlton 3rd XI 8/224 v Ringwood 3rd XI. Melbourne University 3rd XI 10/87 v Northcote 3rd XI 6/61. Geelong 3rd XI v Footscray 3rd XI 10/391. Dandenong 3rd XI v Richmond 3rd XI 10/233. Fitzroy Doncaster 3rd XI 10/193 v Camberwell Magpies 3rd XI 3/53. Frankston Peninsula 3rd XI 10/181 v Kingston Hawthorn 3rd XI 1/40. Essendon 3rd XI 3/16 v Greenvale Kangaroos 3rd XI 10/286.
■ Premier Fourths. Round 19. Two-Day. Saturdays., Feb. 8 and 15. Casey South Melbourne 4th XI 10/143 v St Kilda 4th XI 1/ 35. Melbourne 4th XI 7/119 v Prahran 4th XI 10/94. Ringwood 4th XI v Carlton 4th XI 8/ 282. Northcote 4th XI v Melbourne University 4th XI. Footscray 4th XI v Geelong 4th XI 10/ 307. Kingston Hawthorn 4th XI 9-d/259 v Frankston Peninsula 4th XI 2/4. Greenvale Kangaroos 4th XI 4/50 v Essendon 4th XI 10/148. Sunday, February 9: Richmond 4th XI v Dandenong 4th XI. Camberwell Magpies 4th XI v Fitzroy Doncaster 4th XI.
Sub-District
■ North-East First XI. Round 12. TwoDay. Saturdays , Feb. 1 and 8. Endeavour Hills 1st XI 10/ 141 & 10/72 v Donvale 1st XI 10/123 & 6/92. St Bernard's OC 1st XI 10/ 212 v Croydon 1st XI 10/182. Kew 1st XI 10/ 148 v Strathmore 1st XI 8/243. Plenty Valley 1st XI 10/140 v Noble Park 1st XI 10/237. Brunswick 1st XI 10/170 v Mt Waverley 1st XI 10/157. Ivanhoe 1st XI 10/302 v Balwyn 1st XI 10/57 & 10/91. Bayswater 1st XI 10/167 v Preston 1st XI 6/168. Box Hill 1st XI 10/124 & 2/56 v Coburg 1st XI 8/416.
■ North-East Second XI. Round 12. TwoDay. Saturdays, Feb. 1 and 8. Donvale 2nd XI 10/160 v Endeavour Hills 2nd XI 10/102. Croydon 2nd XI 2/170 v St Bernard's OC 2nd XI 10/151. Strathmore 2nd XI 10/198 v Kew 2nd XI 10/156. Noble Park 2nd XI 10/167 v Plenty Valley 2nd XI 8/170. Mt Waverley 2nd XI 10/ 118 v Brunswick 2nd XI 2/44. Balwyn 2nd XI 8/218 v Ivanhoe 2nd XI 8/215. Preston 2nd XI 10/178 v Bayswater 2nd XI 10/166. Coburg 2nd XI 10/115 v Box Hill 2nd XI 6/203. ■ North-West Third XI Division 1. Round 12. Two-Day. Saturdays, Feb. 1 and 8. Melton 3rd XI 10/163 v Hoppers Crossing 3rd XI 10/107. St Bernard's OC 3rd XI 10/165 v Preston 3rd XI 10/179 & 2/74. Brunswick 3rd XI 10/324 v Plenty Valley 3rd XI 10/147 & 10/ 69. Kew 3rd XI 10/150 v Werribee 3rd XI 0/ ■ North-West Third XI Division 2. Round 12. Two-Day. Saturdays, Feb. 1 and 8. Williamstown 3rd XI 10/153 v Ivanhoe 3rd XI 7/169. Coburg 3rd XI 10/128 & 9-d/109. Spotswood 3rd XI 10/80 & 8/150. Strathmore
4/131. Yarraville 3rd XI 10/57 & 7/116 v Altona 3rd XI 10/143 & 3-d/163.
■ North-West Fourth XI Division 1. Round 12. Two-Day. Saturdays, Feb. 1 and 8. Hoppers Crossing 4th XI 8-d/267 v Melton 4th XI 10/161 & 8/81. Plenty Valley 4th XI 10/116 v Brunswick 4th XI 10/204. Preston 4th XI v St Bernard's OC 4th XI 10/ 188. Werribee 4th XI 7-d/259 v Kew 4th XI 9/ 106 & 9/114.
■ North-West Fourth XI Division 2. Round 12. Two-Day. Saturdays, Feb. 1 and 8. Ivanhoe 4th XI 10/132 v Williamstown 4th XI 10/159. Spotswood 4th XI 10/80 & 5/ 97 v Coburg 4th XI 9-d/321. Taylors Lakes 4th XI 10/102 v Strathmore 4th XI 6/210. Altona 4th XI 10/149 v Yarraville 4th XI 10/170.
■ South-East Third XI Division 1. Round 12. Two-Day. Saturdays, Feb. 1 and 8. Brighton 3rd XI 10/73 & 10/92 v Caulfield 3rd XI 9-d/175. Bayswater 3rd XI 10/214 v Oakleigh 3rd XI 10/122. Malvern 3rd XI 9-d/ 207 v Croydon 3rd XI 10/122 & 4/85. Mt Waverley 3rd XI 8/162 v Balwyn 3rd XI.
■ South-East Third XI Division 2. Round 12. Two-Day. Saturdays, Feb. 1 and 8. Box Hill 3rd XI 10/226 v Elsternwick 3rd XI 7/ 227. Moorabbin 3rd XI 1 8-d/264. Endeavour Hills 3rd XI 10/266 v Noble Park 3rd XI 10/ 229. Donvale 3rd XI 10/165 v Port Melbourne 3rd XI 9-d/250.
■ South-East Fourth XI Division 1. Round 12. Two-Day. Saturdays, Feb. 1 and 8. Caulfield 4th XI 10/134 v Brighton 4th XI 9/164. Croydon 4th XI 10/116 & 3/76. Malvern 4th XI 9/145. Balwyn 4th XI 10/119 v Mt Waverley 4th XI 10/123. Oakleigh 4th XI 2/141 v Bayswater 4th XI 10/140.
■ South-East Fourth XI Division 2. Round 12. Two-Day. Saturdays, Feb. 1 and 8. Elsternwick 4th XI 10/156 v Box Hill 4th XI 10/74 & 9/63. Ormond 4th XI 9-d/377 v Moorabbin 4th XI 9/171 & 6/278. Noble Park 4th XI 7-d/229 v Endeavour Hills 4th XI 10/80 & 8/154. Port Melbourne 4th XI 10/146 & 6d/90. Donvale 4th XI 9/110 & 7/77.
■ South-West First XI. Two-Day. Saturdays, Feb. 1 and 8. Ormond 1st XI 8-d/ 175 & 7/82 v Melton 1st XI 10/123 & 10/ 139. Moorabbin 1st XI 10/135 v Altona 1st XI 10/231. Yarraville 1st XI 6/258 v Elsternwick 1st XI 10/255. Taylors Lakes 1st XI 10/89 v Hoppers Crossing 1st XI 10/172. Caulfield 1st XI 10/153 v Brighton 1st XI 10/135. Port Melbourne 1st XI 10/170 v Werribee 1st XI 9/ 265. Oakleigh 1st XI 10/188 v Williamstown 1st XI 10/87. Spotswood 1st XI 9/270 v Malvern 1st XI 10/150.
■ South-West Second XI. Two-Day. Saturdays, Feb. 1 and 8. Melton 2nd XI 10/ 196 v Ormond 2nd XI 10/225. Altona 2nd XI 5-d/196 v Moorabbin 2nd XI 10/194. Elsternwick 2nd XI 8/278 v Yarraville 2nd XI 10/199. Hoppers Crossing 2nd XI 9-d/217 v Taylors Lakes 2nd XI 10/133 & 0/111. Brighton 2nd XI 8/192 v Caulfield 2nd XI 10/191. Werribee 2nd XI 7/126 v Port Melbourne 2nd XI 10/123. Williamstown 2nd XI 10/153 v Oakleigh 2nd XI 8/222. Malvern 2nd XI 10/ 135 & 4/77 v Spotswood 2nd XI 8-d/176.
Diamond Valley
■ Barclay Shield. Two-Day. Saturdays, Feb. 1 and 8. Diamond Creek 1st XI 10/207 v North Eltham Wanderers 1st XI 10/242. Heidelberg 1st XI 10/86 v Macleod 1st XI 10/ 90. Rosanna 1st XI 7/141 v Epping 1st XI 10/ 139. Research Eltham Collegians 1st XI 10/ 149 v Riverside 1st XI 2/382. Bundoora 1st XI 6/137 v Bundoora United 1st XI 10/134.
■ Money Shield. Two-Day. Saturdays, Feb. 1 and 8. Montmorency 1st XI 5/234 v Banyule 1st XI 10/142. Lalor Stars 1st XI v Lower Plenty 1st XI. Rosebank 1st XI 9/225 v Greensborough 1st XI 10/79. Eltham 1st XI 10/220 v Bundoora Park 1st XI 9/166. Plenty 1st XI 3-d/163 v Lower Eltham 1st XI 10/126 & 2/53
■ Mash Shield. Two-Day. Saturdays, Feb. 1 and 8. Rivergum 1st XI 4/307 v Hurstbridge 1st XI 10/122. Panton Hill 1st XI 5/321 v Mernda 1st XI 10/343. Thomastown United 1st XI 10/281 v Dennis 1st XI 9/209.
South Morang 1st XI 10/114 v Laurimar 1st XI 7/238. Mill Park 1st XI 9/273 v Thomastown 1st XI 9/234.
■ B-Grade. Two-Day. Saturdays, Feb. 1 and 8. Banyule 2nd XI 10/159 v Rosanna 2nd XI 10/254. Epping 2nd XI 10/98 & 9/114 v Heidelberg 2nd XI 2-d/203 & 0/13. Mernda 2nd XI 10/168 v Plenty 2nd XI 10/118. North Eltham Wanderers 2nd XI 7/228 v Montmorency 2nd XI 10/76. Riverside 2nd XI 9/ 200 v Diamond Creek 2nd XI 10/72 & 3/23. ■ C-Grade. Two-Day. Saturdays, Feb. 1 and 8. Greensborough 2nd XI 10/85 v Eltham 2nd XI 10/144. Bundoora United 2nd XI v Lalor Stars 2nd XI 4/51. Bundoora Park 2nd XI 10/ 85 v Rivergum 2nd XI 6/104. Macleod 2nd XI 10/96 v Research Eltham Collegians 2nd XI 9/ 249. Lower Plenty 2nd XI 9/252 v Riverside 3rd XI 10/223. ■ D-Grade. Two-Day. Saturdays, Feb. 1 and 8. Dennis 2nd XI 10/308 v Montmorency 3rd XI 10/163. North Eltham Wanderers 3rd XI 10/229 v Rosebank 2nd XI 10/ 131. Hurstbridge 2nd XI 4-d/299 v Mill Park 2nd XI 10/119 & 10/158. Laurimar 2nd XI 10/ 148 v Bundoora 2nd XI 10/195. Diamond Creek 3rd XI 8/211 v South Morang 2nd XI 8/454 ■ E-Grade. Two-Day. Saturdays, Feb. 1 and 8. Thomastown United 2nd XI 10/301 v Greensborough 3rd XI 10/236. Lower Plenty 3rd XI 2/204 v Mernda 3rd XI 9/201. Riverside 4th XI 10/229 v Banyule 3rd XI 9/297. Heidelberg 3rd XI 10/299 v Bundoora 3rd XI 10/292. Thomastown 2nd XI 10/245 v Panton Hill 2nd XI 10/179.
■ F1-Grade. Two-Day. Saturdays, Feb. 1 and 8. Banyule 4th XI 10/246 v Research Eltham Collegians 3rd XI 10/147. Greensborough 4th XI 3/132 v Bundoora United 3rd XI 10/131. Laurimar 3rd XI 9/207 v Macleod 3rd XI 6/209. Plenty 3rd XI 7/281 v Rivergum 3rd XI 10/175.
■ F2-Grade. Two-Day. Saturdays, Feb. 1 and 8. Eltham 3rd XI 10/292 v Whittlesea 1st XI 10/175. Montmorency 4th XI 10/186 v South Morang 3rd XI 10/271. Research Eltham Collegians 4th XI 10/215 v Dennis 3rd XI 7/ 217. Bye: North Eltham Wanderers 4th XI ■ F3-Grade. Two-Day. Saturdays, Feb. 1 and 8. Bundoora Park 3rd XI 8-d/273 v Greensborough 5th XI 7/149. Riverside 5th XI 9/453 v Laurimar 4th XI. Hurstbridge 3rd XI 6/ 194 v Lower Plenty 4th XI 7/196. South Morang 4th XI 9/131 v Banyule 5th XI 9/125.
■ G1 East-Grade. One-Day. Diamond Creek 4th XI 0/59 v Montmorency 5th XI 10/ 55. Lower Eltham 3rd XI 5/102 v Heidelberg 4th XI 10/101. Panton Hill 3rd XI 7/215 v Riverside 6th XI 10/193. Rosanna 3rd XI 9/ 182 v Plenty 4th XI 10/110.
■ G1 West-Grade. One-Day. Bundoora 4th XI 6/26 v Rosebank 3rd XI 10/182. Bundoora United 4th XI 8/149 v Laurimar 5th XI 10/158. Dennis 4th XI 10/183 v Bundoora Park 4th XI 10/67. Lalor Stars 3rd XI 9/150 v Thomastown United 3rd XI 8/273.
■ G2-Grade. One-Day. Research Eltham Collegians 5th XI 6/175 v North Eltham Wanderers 5th XI 9/155. Rivergum 4th XI 9/230 v Diamond Creek 5th XI 8/216. Eltham 4th XI 6/147 v Riverside 7th XI 0/149. Macleod 4th XI 5/129 v South Morang 5th XI 6/128. ■ G3-Grade. One-Day. Montmorency 6th XI 10/198 v Hurstbridge 4th XI 8/168. Greensborough 6th XI 6/165 v Lower Plenty 5th XI 3/187. Thomastown 3rd XI 10/62 v Eltham 5th XI 10/148. South Morang 6th XI 9/179 v Diamond Creek 6th XI 10/94. North Eltham Wanderers 6th XI 0/65 v Thomastown United 4th XI 7/63. Mernda 4th XI 7/128 v Whittlesea 2nd XI 3/129. Bye: Dennis 5th XI
Eastern
■ Dunstan Shield. Two-Day. Saturdays, Feb. 8 and 15. Glen Iris 1st XI 2/106 v Edinburgh 1st XI 10/180. North Balwyn Bulls 1st XI 10/172 v Old Carey 1st XI 0/2. Mont Albert 1st XI 5-d/296 v Bulleen 1st XI 2/4. East Doncaster 1st XI 7/47 v Canterbury 1st XI 10/151.
■ Wright Shield. Two-Day. Saturdays, Feb. 8 and 15. Heathmont 1st XI 1/81 v Marcellin OC 1st XI 10/118. Richmond City
1st XI 2/17 v Mulgrave 1st XI 10/174. Mazenod OCCC 1st XI 0/22 v Ashburton Willows 1st XI 10/213. East Malvern Tooronga 1st XI 0/20 v Deepdene Bears 1st XI 10/217.
■ A Turf. Two-Day. Saturdays, Feb. 8 and 15. Surrey Hills 1st XI 10/101 v Boronia Hawks 1st XI 2/69. Ashwood 1st XI 4/23 v Hawthorn Boroondara 1st XI 10/177. Deepdene Bears 2nd XI 2/26 v Mont Albert 2nd XI 10/177. Old Carey 2nd XI 1/14 v Burwood 1st XI 10/224.
■ B Turf. Two-Day. Saturdays, Feb. 8 and 15. Canterbury 2nd XI 10/142 v North Balwyn Bulls 2nd XI 3/30. SKOBs 1st XI v Heathmont 2nd XI. Balwyn Saints & Blasters Senior Men 1st XI 2/24 v East Doncaster 2nd XI 10/300. Richmond Union 1st XI 7/249 v Glen Iris 2nd XI.
■ C Turf. Two-Day. Saturdays, Feb. 8 and 15. Marcellin OC 2nd XI v East Malvern Tooronga 2nd XI 10/202. Mulgrave 2nd XI 8/ 306 v Bulleen 2nd XI. Burwood 2nd XI 10/139 v La Trobe University 1st XI 4/62. Boronia Hawks 2nd XI 6/205 v Hawthorn Boroondara 2nd XI.
■ D Turf. Two-Day. Saturdays, Feb. 8 and 15. Surrey Hills 2nd XI v Ashwood 2nd XI 10/225. Ashburton Willows 2nd XI 1/6 v Edinburgh 2nd XI 10/270. Old Carey 3rd XI 10/ 189 v Mazenod OCCC 2nd XI 4/43. Richmond City 2nd XI 2/54 v East Malvern Tooronga 3rd XI 10/113.
■ E Turf. Two-Day. Saturdays, Feb. 8 and 15. Balwyn Saints & Blasters Senior Men 2nd XI v Marcellin OC 3rd XI 8/195. Hawthorn Boroondara 3rd XI 10/216 v Mont Albert 3rd XI 0/4. Deepdene Bears 3rd XI v SKOBs 2nd XI 7/81. Edinburgh 3rd XI 0/28 v Heathmont 3rd XI 10/131. Bye: La Trobe University 2nd XI ■ Jim MacGibbon Shield. Two-Day. Saturdays, Feb. 8 and 15. St. Pauls Oakleigh Districts 1st XI 1/5 v STC South Camberwell Senior Men- 1st XI 10/232. Holy Trinity 1st XI 10/208 v Deepdene Uniting 1st XI 0/86. Glen Waverley 1st XI 0/7 v Clifton Hill 1st XI 10/ 203. Burwood Unt. Canterbury Senior Men 1st XI 8/276 v Trinity Willison CC 1st XI. ■ Kevin Burt Shield. Two-Day. Saturdays, Feb. 8 and 15. STC South Camberwell Senior Men- 2nd XI 9/74 v West Ivanhoe United 1st XI 5/211. Toorak-Prahran 1st XI 1-d/91 v Holy Trinity 2nd XI 10/85 & 1/21. Clifton Hill 2nd XI 2/6 v Mount Waverley Catholics 1st XI 8-d/369. Trinity Willison CC 2nd XI 5/356 v Burwood Unt. Canterbury Senior Men 2nd XI. ■ John Menzies and Keith Mackay Shield. Two-Day. Saturdays, Feb. 8 and 15. North Alphington 0/2 v Glen Waverley 2nd XI 10/155. Holy Trinity 3rd XI 0/1 v ToorakPrahran 2nd XI 10/274. Blackburn North United 1st XI v Trinity Willison CC 3rd XI 8/209. ■ A Synthetic. Two-Day. Saturdays, Feb. 8 and 15. Clifton Hill 3rd XI 9/229 v Mount Waverley Uniting 1st XI. Mulgrave 3rd XI 0/62 v Holy Trinity 4th XI 10/171. West Ivanhoe United 2nd XI 3/67 v Burwood 3rd XI 10/119. ■ B Synthetic. Two-Day. Saturdays, Feb. 8 and 15. Trinity Willison CC 4th XI 9/255 v Glen Waverley 3rd XI. Toorak-Prahran 3rd XI 8/ 154 v Edinburgh 4th XI. St. Pauls Oakleigh Districts 2nd XI 8/253 v Mazenod OCCC 3rd XI.
■ LOC1. One Day. Deepdene Uniting 2nd XI 3/141 v Malvern Valley 1st XI 10/139. Knox Churches 1st XI 7/253 v Northcote United 1st XI 6/252. Hartley 1st XI 7/201 v Manningham 1st XI 6/196. Bye: Eagles 1st XI
■ LOC2. One Day. Eagles 4th XI 10/135 v Monash University 1st XI 7/137. Eagles 2nd XI 7/308 v East Doncaster 4th XI 8/243. Glen Iris 3rd XI 2/155 v Mulgrave 4th XI 9/154. Balwyn Saints 3rd XI 9/144 v AYC Harlequins 1st XI 10/126.
■ LOC3. One Day. Manningham 2nd XI 10/ 166 v Melbourne Sixers 1st X1 8/170. North Balwyn 3rd XI 4/208 v Eagles 3rd XI 10/103. Burwood United Canterbury 3rd XI 4/174 v St Stephens Greythorn 1st XI 10/173. East Doncaster 5th XI 10/202 v Salesian 1st XI 10/ 200.
■ LOC4. One Day. STC South Camberwell 3rd XI 8/194 v Ashwood 3rd XI 2/197. Salvation Army Waverley 1st XI 9/175 v Mount Waverley Catholics 2nd XI 10/149. AYC HarleContinued on Next Page
SCORES FROM WEEKEND MATCHES
Continued From Previous Page quins 2nd XI 10/165 v Burwood 4th XI 6/219. Malvern Valley 2nd XI 9/261 v St. Pauls Oakleigh Districts 3rd XI 9/151. North Balwyn 4th XI 8/224 v Mulgrave 5th XI 9/211.
■ LOC5. One Day. Hawthorn Boroondara 5th XI 4/98 v Glen Iris 4th X1 10/97. Northcote United 2nd XI 3/255 v Toorak-Prahran 4th XI 10/56. Mount Waverley Uniting 2nd XI 5/152 v Clifton Hill 4th XI 10/150. Heathmont 5th XI 4/215 v Blackburn North United 2nd XI 8/213. Deepdene Uniting 3rd XI 8/227 v St Andrews Gardiner 1st XI 9/239.
■ LOC6. One Day. Glen Waverley 4th XI 4/ 168 v Manningham 3rd XI 7/167. Salesian 2nd XI 4/169 v Abbotsford Anglers 1st XI 10/168. Ashwood 4th XI 4/65 v Ashburton Willows 3rd XI 10/64. Mount Waverley Uniting 3rd XI 6/ 221 v Burwood Unt. Canterbury 4th XI 10/120. STC South Camberwell 4th XI 9/204 v Knox Churches 2nd XI 10/200.
■ LOC7. One Day. Mount Waverley Catholics 3rd XI 8/211 v Richmond Union 3rd XI 9/ 160. Mont Albert 5th XI 4/176 v Glen Waverley 5th XI - Sunday 8/175. Bulleen 4th XI 8/164 v STC South Camberwell 5th XI Saturday Synthetic 7/166. East Doncaster 6th XI 9/225 v Hawthorn Boroondara 6th XI 9/188. Bye: Edinburgh 5th XI.
■ LOC8. One Day. Mazenod OCCC 4th XI 10/148 v Heathmont 6th XI 9/210. Ashburton Willows 4th XI 3/139 v Ashwood 5th XI 8/135. Burwood Unt. Canterbury 5th XI 9/103 v Monash University 2nd XI 2/105. Sunday, February 9: Glen Waverley 6th XI - Sunday v Malvern Valley CC 3rd XI. Bye: STC South Camberwell - 4th XI Saturday Synthetic
■ LOC9. One Day. Monash University 3rd XI 10/118 v East Doncaster 7th XI 1/119. Burnley CYMS 3rd XI 7/134 v West Ivanhoe United 3rd XI 9/135. Richmond Union 4th XI 8/93 v Richmond City 4th XI 4/99. Edinburgh 6th XI 10/128 v Balwyn Saints 4th XI 7/178. Clifton Hill 5th XI 1/194 v Holy Trinity 5th XI 9/ 193.
Morn. Peninsula
■ Provincial Firsts. Two-Day. Saturdays, Feb. 1 and 8. Dromana 1sts 10/212 v Baden Powell 1sts 10/207. Heatherhill 1sts 10/40 & 7/136 v Red Hill 1sts 10/181. Old Peninsula 1st XI 10/205 v Sorrento 1sts 10/125. Langwarrin 1sts 9/185 v Pines 1sts 10/171.
■ Peninsula Firsts. Two-Day. Saturdays, Feb. 1 and 8. Somerville Senior Men 1sts 10/213 v Mt Eliza Senior Men 1st X1 4/217. Long Island 1sts 10/152 v Rosebud Senior Men 1sts 5/153. Mornington 1sts 9-d/145 & 3/60 v Moorooduc 1sts 10/97 & 10/107. Seaford Tigers 1sts 10/35 & 10/96 v Seaford 1sts 10/ 158.
■ District Firsts. Two-Day. Saturdays, Feb. 1 and 8. Boneo 1sts 10/237 v Carrum Downs 1sts 6/363. Crib Point 1sts 10/140 v Balnarring 1sts 5/142. Main Ridge 1sts 6/211 v Baxter 1sts 10/207. Carrum 1sts 10/153 v Flinders 1sts 10/222.
■ Provincial Seconds. Two-Day. Saturdays, Feb. 1 and 8. Baden Powell 2nds v Dromana 2nds. Red Hill 2nds 9/212 v Heatherhill 2nds 7/228. Sorrento 2nds 4/227 v Old Peninsula 2nd XI 10/226. Pines 2nds 9/ 228 v Langwarrin 2nds 9/227.
■ Peninsula Seconds. Two-Day. Saturdays, Feb. 1 and 8. Mt Eliza Senior Men 2nd X1 10/70 v Somerville Senior Men 2nds 7/280. Rosebud Senior Men 2nds 10/72 & 1/ 51 v Long Island 2nds 4-d/173. Moorooduc 2nds 9/84 & 4/120 v Mornington 2nds 3-d/ 342. Seaford 2nds 10/174 v Seaford Tigers 2nds 10/136.
■ District Seconds. Two-Day. Saturdays, Feb. 1 and 8. Carrum Downs 2nds 10/224 v Boneo 2nds 10/210. Balnarring 2nds 1/148 v Crib Point 2nds 10/142. Baxter 2nds 7/318 v Main Ridge 2nds 10/194. Flinders 2nds 7/325 v Carrum 2nds 10/183
■ Sub-District Seconds. Two-Day. Saturdays, Feb. 1 and 8. Rye 2nds 10/109 & 2/102 v Tyabb 2nds 8-d/126. Skye 2nds 9/51 & 9/99 v Tootgarook 2nds 8-d/155. Frankston YCW 2nds 10/144 v Mt Martha 2nds 6/150. Delacombe Park 2nds 9/172 v Ballam Park 2nds 10/171.
North Metro
■ Jika Shield. Two-Day. Saturdays, Feb. 8 and 15. Camrea CC 1st XI 9-d/280 v Donath CC 1st XI 5/46. Keon Park CC 1st XI 10/222
v Preston Baseballers CC 1st XI 3/32. Old Ivanhoe Grammarians CC 1st XI 0/4 v Reservoir Cobras CC 1st XI 10/167.
■ Jack Quick Shield. Saturdays, Feb. 8 and 15. Bellfield Bulls CC 1st XI 3/63 v Cameron CC 1st XI 10/136. Fairfield CC 1st XI 4/63 v Fiji Victorian CC 1st XI 10/248. Strathewen Cougars CC 1st XI 9/74 & 1/49 vOlympic Colts CC 1st XI 7-d/252.
■ Jack Kelly Shield. Saturdays, Feb. 8 and 15. Northern Socials CC 1st XI 7-d/359 v Ivanhoe Mavericks CC 1st XI 7/47. West Preston CC 1st XI 0/43 v Old Ivanhoe Grammarians CC 2nd XI 10/199. Fiji Victorian CC 2nd XI 1/31 v Keon Park CC 2nd XI 10/177.
■ B-Grade. Saturdays, Feb. 8 and 15. Victorian Nepalese CA CC 10/182 v West Preston CC 2nd XI 0/21. Preston YCW District CC 1st XI 1-d/111 vCamrea CC 2nd XI 9/37 & 8/64. Preston Baseballers CC 2nd XI 7/272 v Bellfield Bulls CC 2nd XI 9/37. Royal Park Reds 3rd XI v Strathewen Cougars CC 2nd XI.
■ C-Grade. Saturdays, Feb. 8 and 15. Donath CC 2nd XI 7-d/244 v Fairfield CC 2nd XI 0/13. Reservoir Cobras CC 2nd XI 8/214 v Bellfield Bulls CC 3rd XI. Fiji Victorian CC 3rd XI 8-d/256 v Royal Park Reds 4th XI 4/38. Old Ivanhoe Grammarians CC 3rd XI 9/246 v West Preston CC 3rd XI.
■ Robert Young DODC. Cameron CC OD 8/186 v Camrea CC OD 4/187. Olympic Colts CC OD v Bellfield Rocketz CC OD. Preston Baseballers CC OD 10/124 v Preston YCW District CC OD 7/132. Kinglake CC OD 8/115 v Fiji Victorian CC OD 10/113. Keon Park CC OD 8/153 v Northern Socials CC OD 9/192.
Ringwood District
■ Lindsay Trollope Shield. Two Days. Saturdays, Feb. 8 and 15. Norwood 1XI v Ainslie Park 1XI 7/215. Lilydale 1XI v South Croydon 1XI 5/310. Montrose 1XI v North Ringwood 1XI 7/286. Croydon Ranges 1XI 10/ 191 v Kilsyth 1XI 1/12.
■ Bill Wilkins Cup. Two Days. Saturdays, Feb. 8 and 15. Wonga Park 1XI 8/254 v Bayswater Park 1XI. St Andrews 1XI 10/150 v Heatherdale 1XI. Wantirna South 1XI 1-d/95 v Mooroolbark 1XI 10/83 & 2/35. Templeton 1XI 10/87 & 0/22. Warranwood 1XI 6-d/102. Vermont 1XI 9/292 v East Ringwood 1XI.
■ Stuart Newey Plate. Two Days. Saturdays, Feb. 8 and 15. Croydon North 1XI 4/319 v Montrose 2XI. Mt Evelyn 1XI 10/259 v Seville Burras 1XI 3/36. Warrandyte 1st XI 10/280 v Heathwood 1XI. Chirnside Park 1XI 10/281 v South Warrandyte 1XI.
■ Steve Pascoe Shield. Two Days. Saturdays, Feb. 8 and 15. South Croydon 2XI 10/113 v Warrandyte 2nd XI 4/129. Ainslie Park 2XI v Norwood 2XI 10/207. Kilsyth 2XI 10/263 v Croydon Ranges 2XI. North Ringwood 2XI 10/239 v Yarra Junction 1XI.
■ Pat Meehan Shield. Two Days. Saturdays, Feb. 8 and 15. Lusatia Park 1XI v Lilydale 2XI 8/229. East Ringwood 2XI v Wonga Park 2XI 10/194. Healesville 1XI v Templeton 2XI 10/171. Eastfield 1XI v Wantirna South 2XI 10/172.
■ Ian Spencer Shield. Two Days. Saturdays, Feb. 8 and 15. Warranwood 2XI 4/45 v Montrose 3XI 10/214. Coldstream 1XI 10/ 120 v Vermont 2XI 0/48. Mooroolbark 2XI 10/ 192 v Chirnside Park 2XI. South Warrandyte 2XI 10/229 v North Ringwood 3XI 2/18. Heatherdale 2XI 3/42 v St Andrews 2XI 10/ 109.
■ David Beatty Shield. Two Days. Saturdays, Feb. 8 and 15. Heathwood 2XI 4-d/ 96 v Croydon Ranges 3XI 10/83 & 0/10. Seville Burras 2XI v Mt Evelyn 2XI 9/241. Yarra Glen 1XI v East Ringwood 3XI. Bayswater Park 2XI 3/13 v Norwood 3XI 10/111.
■ Don Smith Shield. Two Days. Saturdays, Feb. 8 and 15. Ainslie Park 3XI 8/
351 v St Andrews 3XI. Wonga Park 3XI 0/21 v Wandin 1XI 10/183. Warrandyte 3rd XI vWarranwood 3XI 10/279. Montrose 4XI 10/ 206 v Hoddles Creek 1XI 1/15.
■ John Springett Shield. Two Days. Saturdays, Feb. 8 and 15. Chirnside Park 3XI 0/9 v Kilsyth 3XI 10/218. Wantirna South 3XI 3/27 v Lusatia Park 2XI 5-d/345. Yarra Junction 2XI 10/235 v Eastfield 2XI 2/10. Lilydale 3XI 10/171 v Healesville 2XI 0/75.
■ A-Grade. Two Days. Saturdays, Feb. 8 and 15. Norwood 4XI 3/84 v Croydon North 2XI 2/155. Powelltown 1XI v Wonga Park 4XI. St Andrews 4XI 6/114 v Templeton 3XI 5/158. South Croydon 3XI v Seville Burras 3XI.
■ B-Grade. Two Days. Saturdays, Feb. 8 and 15. Heatherdale 3XI v Coldstream 2XI. Croydon Ranges 4XI 3/120 v Heathwood 3XI 4/142. Mooroolbark 3XI 2/134 v South Warrandyte 3XI 7/114. Mt Evelyn 3XI 1/164 v Warrandyte 4th XI 2/139.
■ C-Grade. Two Days. Saturdays, Feb. 8 and 15. North Ringwood 4XI 2/188 v Healesville 3XI 2/112. Kilsyth 4XI 3/102 v Chirnside Park 4XI 3/134. Warrandyte 5th XI 1/145 v Wantirna 1XI 4/88. Warranwood 4XI 0/136 v St Andrews 5XI 3/105.
■ D-Grade. Two Days. Saturdays, Feb. 8 and 15. Norwood 5XI 3/85 v Wonga Park 5XI 4/51. Yarra Junction 3XI 8/139 v Heatherdale 4XI 4/178. Croydon Ranges 5XI 7/139 v Lilydale 4XI 7/101. East Ringwood 4XI v Mooroolbark 4XI.
■ E-Grade. Two Days. Saturdays, Feb. 8 and 15. Wandin 2XI 7/149 v Boronia Hawks 4XI 4/148. Wonga Park 6XI 1/98 v Warrandyte 6th XI 4/176. St Andrews 6XI 0/119 v Yarra Glen 2XI 8/158.
South East
■ Longmuir Shield. Two-Day. Saturdays, Feb. 1 and 8. CHAG 1 8/295 v Kingston Heath 1 10/215. Brighton Union 1 10/161. East Sandringham 1 6/301. Bentleigh Uniting 1 10/ 235 v West Bentleigh 1 10/310. Le Page Park 1 10/74 v Bentleigh ANA 1 8/158.
■ Woolnough Shield. Two-Day. Saturdays, Feb. 1 and 8. Elwood 1 10/355 v Hampton United 1 10/264. Omega 1 5-d/178 & 0/9 v Hampton Central 1 10/84 & 10/102. Cheltenham Park 1 10/227 v Washington Park 1 10/214. Cluden 1 10/130 v Mackie 1 10/ 192.
■ Quiney Shield. Two-Day. Saturdays, Feb. 1 and 8. Carnegie South 1 5/165 v Le Page Park 2 10/160. Washington Park 2 10/ 137 v Bentleigh Uniting 2 1/139. CUCC Kings 3 10/157. Omega 2 6/292. Kingston Heath 2 10/209 v Elwood 2 10/120.
■ Pullen Shield. Two-Day. Saturdays, Feb. 1 and 8. Mackie 2 10/182 v Melbourne Wanderers 1 8/183. West Bentleigh 2 10/290 v Cheltenham Park 2 10/181. East Sandringham 2 10/373 v Brighton Union 2 10/ 216. Hampton United 2 10/175 v Highett West 1 10/198.
Western Suburbs
■ A-Grade. Two-Day. Saturdays, Feb. 1 and 8. Wyndham Vale A Grade 3rd XI 10/229 v Point Cook CC A Grade 5th XI 2/63. Western Utd SC A Grade 2nd XI 10/176 v Werribee CC A 6th XI 10/161. Altona Sports A 1st XI - Two Day v Seabrook A Grade 3rd XI Forfeit.
■ Division 1. Truganina Strikers D01 Yellow 6/300 v Tarneit Central D01 Blue 10/168. 5ABI Caroline Springs D01 10/101 v West Point Titans D01 1st XI 8/103. Williams Landing SC D01 1st XI 5/239 v Utd Tarneit SC D01 1st XI 10/111. Truganina CC D01 3/109 v Manor Lakes D01 1st XI 10/106.
■ Division 2. Edgar CC D02 - Stallions 10/ 165 v Melb District D02 1st XI 9/71. Brimbank Strikers D02 9/136. Williams Landing SC D02 2nd XI 9/137. Manor Lakes D02 2nd XI 9/175 v West Point Titans D02 2nd XI 10/117. Truganina Utd CC D02 1st XI 8/182 v Utd Tarneit SC D02 2nd XI 6/184.
■ Division 3. Brimbank Strikers D03 8/190 v Edgar CC D03 - Eagles 10/145. Tarneit Central D03 Green 10/170 v Truganina Strikers D03 Blue 7/177. Seabrook D03 4th XI 10/ 140 v Western Lions CC D03 1st XI 8/144. AA Tarneit CC D03 7/225 v Williams Landing SC D03 3rd XI 8/190.
ARIES: (March 21- April 20)
Lucky Colour: White
Lucky Day: Friday Racing Numbers: 3.3.2.1. Lotto Numbers: 1.12.15.26.30.33. Financially, it was a very progressive period, and some luck in money matters also. People whom you already know could be of help. Some exciting surprises in your romantic life are coming up.
TAURUS: (April 21- May 20)
Lucky Colour: Peach
Lucky Day: Tuesday Racing Numbers: 3.2.6.5. Lotto Numbers: 2.13.25.40.44.45. Some travel plans could go astray, but wherever you go or whatever you do, you will be very successful. Someone you have not been sure about will show their value.
GEMINI: (May 21- June 21)
Lucky Colour: Green
Lucky Day: Wednesday Racing Numbers: 2.3.5.6. Lotto Numbers: 2.13.25.36.39.3. It's a good period for your romantic interludes and new friendships but do keep out of the way of irritating people to keep peace and harmony at your place. Keep your eye open for business deals.
CANCER: (June 22- July 22)
Lucky Colour: Blue Lucky Day: Monday Racing Numbers: 2.3.2.1. Lotto Numbers: 1.12.15.45.8.33. Because of some sudden travel arrangements, your love life could suffer a bit. But business and finances should benefit and add to your extra buying power. There are also some bargains about.
LEO: (July 23- August 22)
Lucky Colour: Mauve
Lucky Day: Tuesday Racing Numbers: 2.3.2.3. Lotto Numbers: 2.13.3.36.39.5. Tact and diplomacy will get you a long way now, so avoid trouble with loved ones by not getting involved with things that do not concern you. Money should be a little easier to come by.
VIRGO: (August 23- September 23)
Lucky Colour: White
Lucky Day: Friday Racing Numbers: 2.1.3.5. Lotto Numbers: 1.12.15.45.40.22. People in a position to help you could do so now if approached the right way. Try not to be too critical of loved ones; it will only lead to conflict within the family members.
LIBRA: (September 24- October 23)
Lucky Colour: Peach
Lucky Day: Thursday Racing Numbers: 2.6.9.8. Lotto Numbers: 8.12.5.16.20.33. There are big changes coming up, and many of them are because of some new friendships. Keep a tight eye on your possessions, as it is not a good period for lending or borrowing, and something might not comeback.
SCORPIO: (October 24- November 22)
Lucky Colour: Green
Lucky Day: Thursday
Racing Numbers: 2.1.3.6. Lotto Numbers: 1.12.15.45.40.33. There should be much happier times ahead and more interest in you personally. The romance department looks good but keep your cool. If a new romance is developing, it might take time to adjust.
SAGITTARIUS: (November 23- December 20)
Lucky Colour: Pink
Lucky Day: Monday Racing Numbers: 1.5.9.6. Lotto Numbers: 1.12.15.4.20.29. People might not be too keen on sharing your ideas, and you might have to make up your own mind about whether or not to tell them about your ideas in the first place. Meeting new people could help you get ahead in your endeavours.
CAPRICORN: (December 21- January 19)
Lucky Colour: Yellow
Lucky Day: Saturday Racing Numbers: 1.3.9.5. Lotto Numbers: 1.12.15.45.40.33. If you are planning a new business or starting something ahead of time, you could benefit from expert advice. If you have not had the chance to say your piece, do it now.
AQUARIUS: (January 20- February 19)
Lucky Colour: Orange
Lucky Day: Friday Racing Numbers: 1.3.6.9. Lotto Numbers: 1.15.26.29.8.7. Try not to worry about things that might not even happen. A positive outlook will achieve much more. It could be a reasonable period for love and new interests in this field.
PISCES: (February 20- March 20)
Lucky Colour: Green
Lucky Day: Wednesday Racing Numbers: 1.3.6.5. Lotto Numbers: 1.12.15.45.40.22. You could get a surprise in your love life, but it will be pleasant. You will have lots of new ideas, and many of them will become very profitable for you. Good luck with someone born in September.
Your Stars with Kerry Kulkens
Presented by Sarah Kulkens, Australia’s Trusted Psychic Family
Where to pick up your free copy of The Local Paper
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Heidelberg Magistrates’ Court Criminal Case Listings Wednesday, February 12 Albarri, Joumana Alefelder, Aaron Jakob Ali, Suliman Allawi, Jason Anderson, John Arceri, Joe Ardesi, Larissa Arico, Sebastian Assi, Dania Atkinson, Izaia Atkinson, Kirralah Aziz, Jasmine Barbour, Ricky Beirouti, Daniel Boloki-Yazdi, Ali Bryant, Leonard Butler, Christopher Carter-Bryant, Leonard Casabene, Frank Chahal, Arvin Chandler, Jay Ciccone, Matthew Connell, Jason Richard Cook, Jeffrey Costa, Fleur Cousins, Christopher Cravaritis, Victoria Cray-Robinson, Christopher Daou, Jade Deniz, Tayfun Dhaliwal, Manjit Singh Dines, Royce Duggan, Robert Elhajja, George El-Kotob, Ayman Folau, Sarah Francis, Garry Fraser, Bradley George Frigo, Darren John Galati, Jacob Galea, Charles Giantsopoulos, Lewis Halprin, Rebekah Rachel Hamann, Tiara Hano, Yousif Harrell, Damien Harris, Daniel Harrison, Donna Maree Harrison, Emily Hoblos, Hasan Hoskins, Liam Huang, Laval Hughes, Andrew Hussainnejad, Masoud Ismail, Idrees Jackson, Lucas Jeanes, Michelle Elizabeth Johnston, Tyson Kandis, Bill Kitanovski, Shaun Klement, Russell Kotsifakis, Apostolos Kouklis, Anthony Kroschel, Aaron Damian Laurie, Darcy Major, Major Makhoul, Shadi Mann, Melissa Manolakis, Michael Marshall, Jake Martin, Chris James Mcevoy, Ian Mcleod, Alexander Raymond Mollasi, Christina Moore, Jacinta Morrison, Sean Mueller-Groves, Madison Muladawilah, Muhammad Mullenger, Tanya Lee Muzzicato, Joshua Natsis, Michael Nguyen, Thanh Oconnell, James O'neil, Patrick O'reilly, Martin John Ozcan, Oguzhan Ozimek, Aaron Anthony Parker, Samuel Patterson, Ryan Perry, Luke Charles Petalas, Jayde Ploughman, Reannon Power, Crystal Maree Prazenik, Jonathon Quattrocchi, Crystal Radojcic, Julie Rosemary Roberts, Michael John Robinson, Sandra Roditis, Amos Agapitos Rose, Aaron Saavedra, Damien Salmond, Alexander Sands, Christian Ronald Sidhu, Andrew Steet, Shannon Stilsby, Christopher Subramanaim, Siva Subramaniam, Sivackumaar Sullivan, Jade Taleb, Ali Taliaoa Oliva, Tua Taupin, Phillip Taylor, David John Taylor, Sandra Louise
Thomas, Jazmine Mae Tigafua, Noah Toatoa, Adam Trajcevski, Daniel Tsimiklis, Anastasios Tuckerman, Gary Vithoulkas, Dimitri Wallace, Jayne Wallace, Tyrone Wallis, Colin George Ware, Sean Wortley, Mark Yiah, Emmanuel Broadmeadows Magistrates’ Court Criminal Case Listings Wednesday, February 12 Abdullah, Yasser Ahmed, Omar Ahmed, Yuunus Aktypis, Peter Albayrak, Sedat Alderman, Timothy Ali, Roda Aden Aljawhari, Ibtisam Yousef Amin, Anas Amin, Bayan Attard, Michael Austin, Erica Bahamdun, Haithum Bakshi, Dhruvdeep Banyameen, Waseem Bigj Corp Pty Ltd Black, Brett Anthony Bottomley, Bailey Brandi, Jason Brar, Maninder Singh Capo, Alex Clayton, Blake Cording, Sarah Corso, Carlo Damaskopoulos, Andrew El Atayk, Abdullatif El Etter, Jalal El Haouli, Zaynab El-Halwani, Mahmoud Fardell, John Floresca, Clarence Foley, Nicholas Mark Formosa, Melissa Gardiner, Tamiah Goss, Matthew Guclukol, Kemal Hanna, Maryna Hartel, Alan Harvey, Paul Hasan, Khalid Herath, Jude Hogbin, Paul Hughes, Barry Hussein, Mustafa Irgat, Arkin Jean-Pierre, Darren Kalkan, Ridvan Khalaf, Majeed Khan, Akram King, Tiffany Kpusta, Franjo Laporta, Casey Louise Lauago, Christy Letico, Carlo Lowe, Jordan Maharsky, Peter Martin, Matthew Mastropietro, Marco Mccheyne, Daniel Miles, Damien Mohamed, Khadija Mohammed, Mehmuda Murtada Naeem, Ali Muzzicato, Joshua Nabil, Saleh Nasra, Rojer Newbold, Peter Johm Nunez, Richard Ozzimo, Louise Patto, James Peters, Lui Purchase, Karen Purwaningsih Badcock, Tanisia Quinones, Andres Sebastian Rajab, Shady Randhawa Property Pty Ltd Riley, Benajmin Samaraweera, Gunawathie Scerri Lowe, Jordan Jake Shammary, Mohamad Sheridan, Rebecca Shields, Robert Shmail, Christian Singh, Jaswinder Solomona, Callum Sultana, Garry Taylor, Karly Thompson, Barabara Tiba, Bassam Tony Globex Pty Ltd Toro, Victor Vaivao, Jermaine Vang, Va Walsh, William Watson, Lester Cyril Watts, Belinda Wilson, Mathew John Yacoub, Johnny Behnan Yerlikaya, Kerem Zafar, Salman
2 more charged
■ Homicide Squad detectives have charged two more people as part of their investigation into the death of a man in Kurunjang last year.
A 21-year-old man of no fixed place of address and a 17-year-old boy from the Melton area were arrested and interviewed by police.
Both have subsequently been charged with murder.
The 21-year-old man was to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court and the boy will appear at a children’s court at a later date.
The charges follow an incident in Kurunjang on Friday, 20 December 2024 where a man was fatally injured.
Emergency services were called shortly after 7pm to reports of an alleged brawl between a group of people on McBurnie Drive.
An 18-year-old Kurunjang man was treated at the scene however passed away a short time later.
A 22-year-old Harkness man and a 15year-old Harkness boy were both previously charged with murder in relation to the incident.
Police will allege the incident was targeted and the people involved were known to each other. The investigation remains ongoing.
New at Point Cook
■ The Point Cook community is one step closer to receiving a new state-of-the-art police station.
Anthony Carbines, Minister for Police, visited the Point Cook Homestead Rd site to mark the beginning of construction for the police station.
The $25 million investment will deliver a station with modern facilities for Victoria Police – giving them the best law enforcement infrastructure so our hardworking police can continue to keep the community safe.
The new station – built by contractor Harris HMC – is expected to be completed by the middle of next year.
Key works include constructing the singlestory building, creating new car parking and landscaping, road widening, and upgrading essential services.
“As the community grows, so does the need for police resources – this new station is another investment in community safety in the west,” Mr Carbines said.
“We’re delivering modern police stations equipped with advanced design features, so our police have the facilities they need now and into the future.”
Point Cook MLA Mathew Hilakari said: “The new police station will provide better resources for our officers— giving them everything they need to do their critical work in keeping our community safe.”
Fire at Braybrook
■ Police are investigating a house fire in Braybrook on Saturday morning (Feb. 8).
Emergency services were called to reports of a fire at a residential property on Crothers St just after 5.30am
The unoccupied single-storey residence was completely destroyed.
A crime scene has been established and an arson chemist will attend the scene this morning.
Police are treating the blaze as suspicious and the investigation remains ongoing.
Melton projects
■ Melton MLA Steve McGhie says that he had the opportunity to visit the Melton Hospital site, Cobblebank Secondary School , Melton TAFE college, all the level crossings that are being removed and the Melton Station to witness firsthand the progress being made.
“Aalongside Minister Horne, I visited the new Melton Hospital site where Lendlease provided an update on key milestones.
“The land is being excavated and groundwork is underway and once it is completed major construction will begin. When finished, the Melton hospital will have the capacity to treat 130,000 patients each year.”
BIG RACES FOR TWO-YEAR-OLDS
■ The first two bi events for our top two- yearolds are fast approaching.
First of these is the Blue Diamond Stakes to be run at Caulfield late this month.
The big one in Sydney, the Golden Slipper, will get underway a month later.
Over the years these two particular races have produced many a champion.
For the Blue Diamond there were something like nearly 250 nominations this year, which has always proved been popular with owners, trainers and breeders.
The big meeting swings into action on Fenruary 223, with some very smart gallopers going around.
The previews of the Blue Diamond were run at Sandown due to Caulfield being out of business because of a fire that destroyed the old Norman Robinson Stand.
On January 25 we saw a smart colt by the name of Shining Smile in the Hayes brothers camp. He won in great style and they have a high opinion of him, having won two of his four starts.
Another stood out winning the fillies preview over 1000 metres. A nice type of filly named Miss Gladiola, which her trainer John McCardle purchased for connections costing $550,000 and she proved she was all worth it.
Her rider, leading jockey, Jamie Mott, said she has great potential and why not, she is by one of the best stallions in the land in I Am Invincible, out of the very good mare, Villa Verde
She has hit the top shelf in the betting alongside, the Ciaron Maher trained Cherish Me, who won brilliantly at her last start.
There were a few unlucky runs especially Palm Angel who struck trouble in the run.
On top of this, if the smart Sydney youngster Wodeton runs in the Blue Diamond, he would be hard to beat.
He’s in the strong Chris Waller camp, and they are confident they have the goods in him.
Inglis sales
■ Inglis looks at the coming year for their Yearling Sales after a big year in 2024.
Last season featured any number of extraordinary moments in breeding and racing for Inglis
Who will forget the unprecedented spectacle of the Pierro Yearling out the champion mare Winx selling for a world record price of $10 million for a yearling filly. Truly it was incredible theatre.
So too was the day at Randwick when Inglis Classic Yearling Sale graduate, Pride of Jenni, announced herself to the world with a performance in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes that had to be seen to be believed.
It’s amazing to think a mare that held the mantle of being the highest rated female horse in the world in 2024 was sourced in Sydney for just $100,000.
Year and after year, we see people realising their dreams through Inglis, be they in the sale ring or on the racecourse.
The 2025 Inglis Sales will again present countless opportunities for you to buy the horse you dream about to achieve the results of which you
Ted Ryan
you dream. The $12.55 million Inglis Race Series brings participants to famed Australian tracks like Flemington, Royal Randwick, and Scone to race for huge prizemoney in races that have consistently showcased top-class horses.
The world’s leading female ownership incentive, the one million-dollar Inglis Pink Bonus Series, has proven exceptionally popular since it was introduced three years ago, and has already resulted in many fantastic experiences for their clients.
The new $5 million Inglis Xtra Bonus Series which creates an opportunity for more of our clients to win more prizemoney more often, has been a revelation since its commencement in August.
It gives us all great joy being able to see those who support our sales-both live and digital, being rewarded so regularly, be it at Country, Provincial, or Metropolitan level.
Inglis continues toprove to be the best auction house for buyers to engage with to maximise their chance of success.
Put simply, Inglis offers more successful
horses though its series of sales than anyone else in the Southern Hemisphere
The figures are World Class. Since 2018, their sales produced 102 individual Group One winners, 27 Group One winning colts, 39 Group One winning Fillies, and 43 Group winning three-year-olds. All equal or more than their nearest competitor.
And with a fabulous crop of current threeyear-olds like Switzerland, Autumn Glow, Glowing Empire, and Lady Shenandoah, etc. that record looks set to continue.
Epsom Golf Day
■ The Woodlands Golf Club welcomes all, and new teams, for their 9th Annual Epsom Golf Day, to beheld on Monday March 17.
All proceeds raised on the day will be shared between the National Jockeys Trust and the Woodlands Foundation Trust.
To date this event has raised $250,000.
This year’s event will include:
■ The Brighton Mazda Hole in One (to the value of $35,000).
■ $10,000 Hole in One (can be won twice).
■ The Longest Drive: and Nearest the Pins. Registration from 10.30am. In interviews from 11am will this year feature well-known ex-jockey and now leading trainer, Robbie Laing, and John Allen, honouring both families.
It’s always a great day on the picturesque course. Be in it to win it, give the top man, John Sweeney, a call on mobile 0425 796 318. Email: Jmsween@ bigpond.net.au
- Ted Ryan
● ● ● ● Shining Smile. Racing Photos.
Swayzee brilliant in Hunter Cup victory Harness
■ It was Sportsbet A.G. Hunter Cup night at Melton Entertainment Park on Saturday February 1 and Victoria’s major feature race meeting attracted more stars than what you would see on the American flag.
Attracting a tremendous field in what was possibly the best race ever seen on the Melton circuit which included the best horse in the Southern Hemisphere Queenslander Leap To Fame, giant killer Swayzee from NSW a duel NZ Cup winner and half brother (by Bettors Delight) who had brilliantly won the Victoria Cup in October last year, Kiwi’s Republican Party, Tact McLeod and Don’t Stop Dreaming, plus Inter Dominion winner Don Hugo along with Shepparton Gold Cup victor Kanena Provlema and a host of other open class winners, the race was set to be the highlight of the season so far and it was.
Gaining a great run through the field from gate four on the second line although trapped wide as Tact McLeod led from gate two in the 2760 metre feature with Republican Party trailing from the pole, Swayzee was off and running in the straight with two laps to travel.
Don Hugo (gate four) had been trapped in the open momentarily being trailed by Leap To Fame which was able to come away from four pegs to possie one/one on his back, with outsider Hector now four pegs.
Leaving the prime spot prior to the bell to race exposed to the roar of the crowd, the two fancied runners were set to fight out the finish with Leap To Fame joining the leader on the final bend.
In a thrilling two horse battle all the way up the running, Swayzee (Cameron Hart for trainer Jason Grimson) renowned for his staying prowess kept on giving under hard driving to gain the day by a head in a thriller over Leap To Fame, with Republican Party using the sprint lane inside Tact Command for third a half neck away a head in advance of Tact Command which also used the sprint lane.
In quarters of 28.2, 28.1, 27 and 27.6 after a lead time of 80.9 seconds, Swayzee a 7Y0 gelded son of Rock N Roll Heaven and Lettucereason returned a new scintillating track record mile rate of 1-51.9 taking 1.3 seconds of Tiger Tara’s 1-53.2 set in 2019.
The $250,000 Great Southern Star over 1720 metres was a blowout with Andy and Kate Gath’s Majestic Son-Watts Up Rainbow 5Y0 gelding Watts Up Partytime bred and raced by Bradley Watts winning both the heat and final at given odds of 100/1 in both races, returning a mile rate of 1-53 in the final.
Average - really!
■ I read with interest and disappointment at Adam Hamilton’s comments in both the Herald Sun and HRA web page on Tuesday February 4 concerning the classification of some of our sports past ‘champions’.
To say horses such as Paleface Adios who without doubt was everybody’s favourite standardbred, Gammalite (duel Inter Dominion winner 1983/84), Koala King (1980 Inter Dominion), Golden Reign (1995 Inter Dominion), Im The Mighty Quinn (three time ID winner 2011/ 12/13) and Mr Feelgood (2009 I-D) were not stars of our sport is a distinct understatement. Many of these horses had a cult following (none greater than Paleface Adios) who would draw crowds whenever they were gracing the race track.
Considering these horses had won dozens of major races in every state of Australia and New Zealand between them, they were well worthy of ‘champion’ classification’ and I’m sure many of the connections and relatives of those who raced them would be offended (if you could read between the lines) by the comments made. Sure each decade bring new heroes to the fore, but please don’t neglect those in the past who had a huge status when they were racing. Adam, I can honestly say is and has been a close friend of mine for a long period of time and his knowledge of the sport is exceptional, but in some case you can be a little forgetful and what was written is an example of this.
Racing
len-baker@ bigpond.com
with Len Baker
At Shepparton
■ Shepparton’s usual Tuesday meeting commenced the week on Tuesday February 4 with a eight race program and local trainer Stephen O’Donoghue was victorious with 7Y0 Changeover-Lombo Mini Lamouch gelding Frugal Farein the 1690 metre Cottrell electrical Pace to open the night’s racing.
Driven by Ryan Sanderson, Frugal Fare starting from the extreme draw settled near last as Community Art (Liam Older) led from gate four. Following Hez Harrywho ahead of him home in the last lap which joined the leader running into the final bend as Frugal Fare was able to drop into a one/one trail momentarily, Frugal Fare after getting on terms halfway up the running, finished best to prevail by 2.8 metres over Hes Harrywho, with Spirit Of Sahara (four pegs) running home late after being extricated wide on straightening for third 1.3 metres back. The mile rate 1-56.2.
■ Young (Monteagle) trainer David Micallef who has over 315 wins to date combined with prolific winning son Blake (341 wins around the Riverina) to bring off a profitable plunge after Downbytheseaside-Light In Ever Day gelding Seaside Delight backed from an $18 opening quote to run a $1.80 favourite led throughout from gate three to run his rivals ragged in a mile rate of 1-56.7 to take the 1690 metre Neatline Homes 3Y0 Maiden Pace. First up since October last year, Seaside Delight was allowed to run and that’s what he did, greeting the judge by five metres ahead of Fifty Seven Chevy (gate two) which trailed not shirking the effort. Mid Summer after racing exposed from outside the front line was third 23.4 metres back. The mile rate 1-56.7.
■ Ardmona duo Donna Castles and husband Doc Wilson brought up two wins in succession with 5Y0 Fly Like An Eagle-Our Dream Girl gelding Eagle Major in the 2190 metre $100 Members Draw Every Tuesday Pace. Driven once again by Doc, Eagle Major (one/ two) from gate two vacated the cosy trip approaching the bell to park outside the pacemaker Scrittore before striding clear in the last lap. Giving plenty as the winning post loomed, Eagle Major defied all challengers to score by a nose only in 2-01.8 from Epic Orion (one/three – one/ one home turn) in a strong performance proving that his win at Wedderburn on Cup Day was no fluke. Sophies Scooter (three pegs) was third 6.3 metres away.
■ Melton trainer Ken Tippet’s recent run of success continued when 10Y0 Four Starzzz Shark-Ebilix gelding Alpha Crucis at start 86 led throughout in the 2190 metre Central Tyre Service Pace with talented 22 year old reinswoman Ewa Justice in the sulky. Rated to perfection from gate three, Alpha Crucis ran out an easy 5.1 metre victor much to the delight of the family syndicate which race him, accounting for Well Well which trailed from the pole. Marako Shark ran home late from a mile back for third 5.1 metres away. The mile rate 2-02.3.
Double Day
■ It was double day on Wednesday with Maryborough racing in the afternoon and Bendigo at night. Seven year old Majestic Son-Lady
MacKendon gelding Mielicki chalked up his ninth success (25 placings) in 88 outings when taking the 2190 metre Redpath Tyre and Battery Service Trotters Mobile for Daylesford trainer Anne-Maree Conroy and reinsman brother Glenn no doubt exciting the new owners.
Settling three pegs from gate three as Boutika (gate five) was driven with urgency to cross the leader Christmas Babe, Mielicki was able to extricate into the clear prior to the home turn to follow Astrid (four pegs) which had raced exposed from the bell before taking over on the final bend.
In a head and head dual all the way up the running, Mielicki did best to gain the day by a head returning a mile rate of 2-01.9. With Aplomb (one/one at bell) was third for AnneMaree 11 metres away.
■ Ross Creek trainer Stephen Clarke has had a phenomenal run of late with his team and recent stable addition Love Who. a 7Y0 gelded son of Love You and Total Affirmation driven by daughter Reagan led throughout to land the 2190 metre AB Paint Concession Drivers Trotters Mobile.
Allowed to bowl, Love Who a maiden after 33 starts in NSW and Queensland ran his rivals ragged in defeating Champagnes (three wide last lap from the tail) after starting solo on the second line and Touchandgo (one/two from outside the front line).
The margins 3.4 by 15.3 metres in a mile rate of 2-03.1.The winner is raced by Stephen’s father Jim always on hand to assist.
The pair were again victorious in the McPhersons Printing Group Concession Drivers Pace over 2190 metres when 6Y0 Somebeachsomewhere-Lucky Ha Ha mare Lollipop returning from NSW outstayed her rivals after racing exposed from gate three, accounting for One Off (one/two) by 1.4 metres in a rate of 2-01.2. Polemarker Summerhill after trailing the pacemaker Northern Terror which had circled the field from the extreme draw to lead was third 1.4 metres away.
■ Stawell trainer Jason Ainsworth combined with Kerryn Manning aboard 6Y0 Racing HillFloweronthewall mare Alfnalma to snare the Bartlett Manufacturing Pace over 1690 metres.
Taken back to the rear from outside the front line, Alfnalma made ground in the last lap to be four back along the markers before surging home along the sprint lane on turning to register a 2.6 metre margin from the pacemaker Asmileandawinx (gate three) and Black Cameo which came away from the peg line on turning for third 1.7 metres away. The mile rate a slick 1-55.2.
■ At Bendigo Long Forest trainer Andy Gath’s 7Y0 Bettors Delight-Coppagoodone gelding Yambuckian looked ideally placed in the 1650 metre Haeuslers Echuca Pace and had no trouble in winning.
Driven by wife Kate, Yambuckian who has run some mighty races at times settled well back from the extreme draw before making a swift three wide move racing for the bell to cross the well supported leader Repelling (gate two).
With no challengers in sight approaching the final bend, Yambuckian was never extended to greet the judge by 3.2 metres over Repelling which tried to make a race of it, with Harrywho (one/one) third 11.2 metres away. The mile rate a brilliant 1-50.9
■ Arcadia part-owner/trainer Jamie Egan’s 6Y0 Badlands Hanover-Clearwater Blue mare Harley Blue brought up her 8th success in 92 outings when successful in the Impact-A Fasteners & Construction Supplies Mares Pace over 1650 metres.
With Michael Bellman in the sulky, Harley Blue enjoyed a sweet passage trailing the leader Amber Alert (gate two) after having an unsuccessful bid for the front running from gate five. Using the sprint lane on straightening, Harley Blue finished best to register a neck margin over the pacemaker, with Kimcando third 1.4 metres away from mid-field in the running line. The mile rate 1-56.7.
■ You have to hand it to Carisbrook part-owner/ trainer Brett Shipway after ‘iron’ 8Y0 Ships SpurEarls Gold mare Black And Gold home bred by partner Carol Batson after racing at Melton on February 1 in the Great Southern Star, backed up in the 2150 metre Aldebaran Park Trotters
Mobile when having start number 190. Beginning best to lead from gate two, Black And Gold defied all challengers to record an easy 6.3 metre victory in 2-01.1 over Majestic Ga Ga from last after being trapped wide from gate five. At The Distance after going forward from mid-field to race uncovered at the bell was third 3.6 metres away.
Ballarat bulletin
■ Ballarat held a seven event card on Thursday and local part-owner/trainer/driver Ryan Duffy landed the ballarattrottingclub.com.au Trotters Mobile over 2200 metres with well supported 5Y0 Pegasus Spur- Goodtime Truscott gelding Rileys Pegasus.
Raced by Gordon’s Tim McGuigan in partnership, Rileys Pegasus first up since last November settled one/one from gate three as polemarker Maoris Return led.
Easing three wide racing for the bell, Rileys Pegasus showing a great turn of speed to lead for the final circuit to easily account for No Telling Heather (one/one last lap) by 3.7 metres, with Maoris Return holding down third 2.5 metres away. The mile rate 2-02.1.
■ Gisborne part-owner/trainer Don Lock’s honest 8Y0 Caribbean Blaster-Need A Boyfriend mare Calypso Mistress snared the 1710 metre Woodlands Stud Pace in a rate of 1-56.1.
With Long Forest based Jordan Leedham in the sulky, Calypso Mistress (gate five) was trapped three wide before going forward to park outside the pacemaker Blue Miki (gate four) before the favourite Reign Em In went forward to park in the open giving her one/one cover and Archaa sprinting brilliantly from mid-field to lead.
Angling three wide on turning, as Reign Em In despite racing exposed took over, Calypso Mistress issued a strong challenge with Royal Saxon coming from the tail and making the final bend four wide looking likely to score, however Calypso Mistress rallied in grand style to gain the day by a nose over Blue Miki along the inside, with Royal Saxon weakening on his run to be third a half neck way. The mile rate 1-56.1.
■ Fourteen year old Kiwi bred Live Or DieLady Petrol gelding River Patrol a winner of sixteen from 274 outings with 85 placings was victorious in the 7+ Pace over 1710 metres.
With Chris Alford driving, River Patrol (gate six) began with his customary speed to lead before handing over to Goodtime Stryker (outside front line). Angling away from the markers on turning, River Patrol defied his age to race clear and score by 4.1 metres in 1-59.1 from Blissfull Lilly (three pegs) along the inside with Goodtime Stryker third a head back.
Massive plunge
■ Geelong raced on Friday and a massive plunge was landed in the Hoyts Foods Pace over 1609 metres when beautifully bred 5Y0 Captain Treacherous-Golden Flyin gelding Admiralofthefleet backed from a morning quote of $18 to start a short priced $2.50 favourite scored narrowly. Trained at Glen Park (Ballarat) by Wayne Ronan and driven by son Connor who also holds a share, Admiralofthefleet first up since October last year settled three back in the moving line from gate two as the speed was on with Tinsel Tiara retaining the lead from the pole being pressured by Iamawingate (gate five) three wide to race exposed entering the straight on the first occasion with Micton Mouse three widefromoutsidethefrontline.
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SOMEADVERTISINGRULES
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FREE non-commercial classified advertising is available for individual readers, selling iitems. Your ad can be up to 40 words. This service is available at the sole discretion of the Editor. Ads will appear for up to 4 weeks. Free ads are not available to businesses or organisations. Deadline: 4pm Fridays prior to Print Edition. You can lodge your Free Ad by:
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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
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.
F-M
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.
F-M
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
Genesis 1.29 SELL TO ORDER microgreens, Peashoots, Sunflower, Broccoli and Cabbage etc. Tasty nutritious microgreens. $5. Wallan. 0419 545 806 F-M
SUBARU Rego Plates. B/ W Slimline: MISUBI. VGC. $1500 or offer. Frankston. 9789 9634. F-M
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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 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
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Land Acquisition and Compensation Regulations 2021 FORM 7 Regulation 16
Land Acquisition and Compensation Act 1986 NOTICE OF ACQUISITION COMPULSORY ACQUISITION OF INTEREST IN LAND
The South Gippsland Region Water Corporation (ABN 40 349 066 713) (South Gippsland Water) declares that by this notice it acquires the following interests in the land described as 820 Lower Road, Middle Tarwin, Victoria 3956, being part of the land described as Crown Allotments 72C and 72D Parish of Drumdlemara and contained in respective Certificates of Title Volume 8541 Folio 538 and Volume 5107 Folio 358:
Easements for water supply and sewerage purposes over that part of the land shown as “E-1” on the plans for creation of easement (Surveyor’s File Ref: 3201sCE4 Ver B for Crown Allotment 72C and Surveyor’s File Ref: 3201sCE3 Ver B for Crown Allotment 72D) depicted below in accordance with the rights and obligations set out in Memorandum of Common Provisions number AA3127. Interests Acquired: That of Alan Russell Launder and Cheryl Elizabeth Launder and all other interests. The acquisition is made pursuant to section 130 of the Water Act 1989 for the purpose of the Middle Tarwin Pipeline Renewal – 2024/ 2025.
A notice of intention to acquire the interest in the land was served on 5 July 2024. Published with the authority of South Gippsland Water.
For and on behalf of South Gippsland Water:
PROPOSAL TO UPGRADE MOBILE PHONE BASE STATION AT BOX HILL INCLUDING 5G
Optus and Vodafone plan to upgrade the telecommunications facilities at the below mentioned address with the addition of new 5G equipment:
Box Hill Hospital, Nelson Road, Box Hill VIC 3128 (RFNSA: 3128017)
The proposed 5G upgrade will consist of:
• Replacement of three (3) existing Optus panel antennas with three (3) new Optus panel antennas (each not more than 2.8m in length);
• Replacement of three (3) existing Vodafone panel antennas with three (3) new Vodafone panel antennas (each not more than 2.8m in length);
• Installation of six (6) new Optus 5G panel antennas (each not more than 2.8m in length);
• Installation of three (3) new Vodafone 5G panel antennas (each not more than 2.8m in length);
• Replacement of twenty-four (24) existing Remote Radio Units (RRUs) with eighteen (18) new RRUs;
• Installation, relocation and removal of ancillary equipment, including GPS antennas, mounts, feeders, cabling, combiners, and other associated equipment; and
• Internal works within existing equipment outdoor unit.
Optus and Vodafone regard the proposed installation as a Low-impact Facility under the Telecommunications (Low-impact Facilities) Determination 2018 based on the description above.
In accordance with Section 7 of C564:2020 Mobile Phone Base Station Deployment Code 2020, we invite you to provide feedback about the proposal. Further information and/or comments should be directed to: Vanessa Wan at Service Stream Limited, 0447 240 015, Optus.Submissions@servicestream.com.au or Zenith Tower B, Level 3, 821 Pacific Hwy, Chatswood NSW 2067 by 5pm, Thursday 20 February 2025.
If you would like to know more about this site, further information can be obtained from www.rfnsa.com.au/3128017
Land Acquisition and Compensation Regulations 2021 FORM 7 Regulation 16
Land Acquisition and Compensation Act 1986 NOTICE OF ACQUISITION COMPULSORY ACQUISITION OF INTEREST IN LAND
The South Gippsland Region Water Corporation (ABN 40 349 066 713) (South Gippsland Water) declares that by this notice it acquires the following interest in the land described as 40 Thomas Road, Middle Tarwin, Victoria 3956, being part of the land described as Crown Allotment 72E Parish of Drumdlemara and contained in Certificate of Title Volume 9737 Folio 676: An easement for water supply and sewerage purposes over that part of the land shown as “E-1” on the plan for creation of easement (Surveyor’s File Ref: 3201sCE5 Ver B) depicted below in accordance with the rights and obligations set out in Memorandum of Common Provisions number AA3127. Interests Acquired: That of Adam Harvey Schreurs and Donna Chandelle Schreurs and all other interests. The acquisition is made pursuant to section 130 of the Water Act 1989 for the purpose of the Middle Tarwin Pipeline Renewal – 2024/ 2025.
A notice of intention to acquire the interest in the land was served on 5 July 2024. Published with the authority of South Gippsland Water.
For and on behalf of South Gippsland Water:
Signed: MARK LYNCH
Name:Mark Lynch
General Manager Infrastructure and Planning
South Gippsland Water
Date:28 November 2024
NOTICE OF AN APPLICATION FOR A PLANNING PERMIT APPLICATION DETAILS
Application reference number: P24/2046
Applicant name: SQUAREBACK PLANNING PTY LTD
The Land affected by this application is located at: 8 HIGHFIELD WAY TYABB LOT 42 LP 214329 VOL 9875 FOL 877
The application is for a permit to: DEVELOPMENT OF A SHED AND AMENDMENT TO COVENANT MATTER FOR WHICH A PERMIT IS REQUIRED PLANNING SCHEME CLAUSE
CLAUSE: 43.02-2 (DDO6) To construct a building or construct or carry out works.
CLAUSE: 52.02 (Easements, Restrictions and Reserves)
Under Section 23 of the Subdivision Act 1988 to create, vary or remove an easement or restriction or vary or remove a condition in the nature of an easement in a Crown grant.
The Responsible Authority will not decide on the application before: 19 FEBRUARY 2024
How can I find out more?You may look at the application and any documents that support the application free of charge at: www.mornpen.vic.gov.au
You may also call (03) 5950 1010 to arrange a time to look at the application and any documents that support the application at the office of the responsible authority, Mornington Peninsula Shire Council. This can be done during office hours and is free of charge.
Privacy Notification: The personal information provided in an objection is collected for planning purposes in accordance with the Planning & Environment Act 1987 (the Act). The public may view an objection in accordance with Section 57 of the Act whilst the planning application is current
Land Acquisition and Compensation Regulations 2021 FORM 7
Regulation 16
Land Acquisition and Compensation Act 1986 NOTICE OF ACQUISITION
COMPULSORY ACQUISITION OF INTEREST IN LAND
The South Gippsland Region Water Corporation (ABN 40 349 066 713) (South Gippsland Water) declares that by this notice it acquires the following interest in the land described as 22A Brownes Road, Tarwin, Victoria 3956, being part of the land described as Crown Allotment 69C Parish of Drumdlemara and contained in Certificate of Title Volume 10747 Folio 568:
An easement for water supply and sewerage purposes over that part of the land shown as “E-2” on the plan for creation of easement (Surveyor’s File Ref: 3201sCE1 Ver B) depicted below in accordance with the rights and obligations set out in Memorandum of Common Provisions number AA3127.
Interests Acquired: That of Nicholas Terence Browne and all other interests.
The acquisition is made pursuant to section 130 of the Water Act 1989 for the purpose of the Middle Tarwin Pipeline Renewal – 2024/ 2025.
A notice of intention to acquire the interest in the land was served on 5 July 2024. Published with the authority of South Gippsland Water.
For and on behalf of South Gippsland Water:
Signed: MARK LYNCH
Name: Mark Lynch
General Manager Infrastructure and Planning South Gippsland Water
Date:28 November 2024
The Local Paper
Email: editor@LocalPaper.com.au
Postal: PO Box 1278, Research, 3095
Land Acquisition and Compensation Regulations 2021 FORM 7
Regulation 16
Land Acquisition and Compensation Act 1986 NOTICE OF ACQUISITION
COMPULSORY ACQUISITION OF INTEREST IN LAND
The South Gippsland Region Water Corporation (ABN 40 349 066 713) (South Gippsland Water) declares that by this notice it acquires the following interest in the land described as 65 Haws Road, Middle Tarwin, Victoria 3956, being part of the land described as Lot 1 on Plan of Subdivision PS817348D and contained in Certificate of Title Volume 11983 Folio 908:
An easement for water supply and sewerage purposes over that part of the land shown as “E-2” on the plan for creation of easement (Surveyor’s File Ref: 3201sCE2 Ver B) depicted below in accordance with the rights and obligations set out in Memorandum of Common Provisions number AA3127.
Interests Acquired: That of Thomas William Browne and Raelene Catherine Browne and all other interests.
The acquisition is made pursuant to section 130 of the Water Act 1989 for the purpose of the Middle Tarwin Pipeline Renewal – 2024/ 2025.
A notice of intention to acquire the interest in the land was served on 5 July 2024. Published with the authority of South Gippsland Water.
For and on behalf of South Gippsland Water: Signed: MARK LYNCH
Name: Mark Lynch
General Manager Infrastructure and Planning South Gippsland Water
■ Leo G. Carroll was one of those wonderful character actors in Hollywood films. He played many dignified characters in some of the classic films of the 20th century.
As a young boy I often wondered what the G’ stood for. Leo G. Carroll was an outstanding stage screen and television actor during his career.
Leo Gratten Carroll was born in Weedon Bec in the UK county of Northamptonshire in 1886.
He came from a wealthy Catholic family and he was named after Pope Leo XIII
Leo made his stage debut at the age of 26. He served in the British Infantry during World War I and fought in France, Greece and Palestine where he was wounded and hospitalised for two years.
In 1923 he took up residence in the US. He made his Broadway debut in 1924 in the play Havoc and the following year appeared in Noel Coward's The Vortex (recently re-staged by Malvern Theatre Company).
In 1926 he married Edith de Silva who was born in Lancashire and they had a son together.
Leo loved the theatre and during his lifetime he appeared in more than 300 plays.
His first film role was in 1934 when he played a butler in Sadie McKee and worked with some of the Hollywood greats Joan Crawford, Gene Raymond and Franchot Tone.
Leo made a big impression and appeared in
Melbourne Observer Melbourne Observer
Whatever Happened To ... Leo G. Carroll
By Kevin Trask of 3AW and 96.5 Inner FM
five films in his first year in Hollywood . He changed his name to Leo G. Carroll and during the 1930s appeared in some classic films which included The Barretts of Wimpole Street, Wuthering Heights, A Christmas Carol and Captains Courageous
During the 1940s Leo began working with director Alfred Hitchcock and they went on to make six films together: Rebecca, Suspicion, Spellbound, The Paradine Case, Strangers On A Train and North by Northwest
In 1953 Leo starred in the television series Topper and I was fortunate to interview his costar Anne Jeffreys several years ago who said that Leo was a joy to work with. He is mentioned in the lyrics of the song Sci-
ence Fiction/Double Feature from the stage musical The Rocky Horror Picture Show because of his role in the 1955 horror film Tarantula
In 1962 Leo played Fr Fitzgibbon opposite Gene Kelly in the television series Going My Way which was based on the Bing Crosby film.
But his biggest success came in 1964 when he was cast as Alexander Waverly in the hit series The Man From Uncle starring opposite Robert Vaughn and David McCallum
He reprised his character in the spin-off series The Girl From Uncle with co-star Stefanie Powers
He sent himself up with an appearance on the comedy series Laugh In. My favourite of his films is North By Northwest where he has some great scenes with Cary Grant
One of his final acting roles was in an episode of the television series Ironside
Leo G. Carroll passed away from pneumonia as a complication of cancer in 1972 at the age of 86.
His wife Edith died 13 days later. They were survived by their son William and three grandchildren.
Kevin Trask Kevin can be heard on 3AWThe Time Tunnel - Remember WhenSundays at 10.10pm. And on 96.5 FM
That's Entertainment - Sundays at 12 Noon.
www.innerfm.org.au
ART TEXTILES AT BENDIGO GALLERY EXHIBITION
Material cause: art textiles in Bendigo Art Gallery’s collection
The notion of a hierarchy of materials in art – with the fine arts of painting and sculpture elevated above the applied or decorative or decorative arts – is challenges by innovative artistic collaborations between fashion designers and visual artists, reflective of a broader tendency to multi-disciplinary practices pursued by many contemporary artists today.
Historically associated with ‘women’s work’ and embraced by diverse counter-cultural movements and communities over time, textiles are a competing medium for political and social messaging, and conversations around gender and sexuality, status, power and perceptions of value.
Bendigo Art Gallery 42 View St, Bendigo
Ecologies
Project
How Climate Changes Culture
The Ecologies Project looks at the effects of climate change has had on deep time of human culture. With First Nations voices and continuing calls for the importance of sustainability, this show asks: how does a changing ecology change our culture.
Thousands of years ago the Mornington Peninsula did not exist,
The Banuong/BoonWurrung people were People of the River not People of the sea and heir traditional and extended to what is now the top of the north-west central Tasmania. Climate changes culture. The current climate calamity differs from previous mega-changes in that it has come from us, our colonial, extractionist and capitalist culture has changed the climate.
The exhibition looks at generational conversations about climate, what the changes might look and feel like and what we are creating now that will make it into a wider cultural milieu. With over 600 works, including photographs, painting, prints, installation, video and sound work.
Exhibition closes March 16.
MPRG – Mornington Peninsula
The Arts
On The Wing
Jesse Yvette Journoud-Ryan
Step into a world of intricate wall sculptures and freestanding pieces that celebrate the vibrant centre 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 history of European, Japanese and Australian antique ware alongside hand-sculpted and painted ceramics.
Each bird portrait captures their unique personalities, striking plumage and lively spirit.
Exhibition close Sunday March 23. Open Wednesday to Sunday 10am –4pm.
Burrinja Gallery 351 Glenfern Rd, Upwey
Closure
■ From Monday March 3 until Friday March 7, the Geelong Gallery will be closed for repairs to the roof
If good weather permits the job will be completed on schedule, the Gallery will reopen Saturday March 8.
Geelong Gallery
60 Little Malop St. Geelong
Croydon Urban Tour
Croydon Urban Art Tour
Launching for the first time this autumn the 60-minute Croydon Urban Art Tour showcases some of the diverse and ground-breaking public art int the vicinity of Main Street, Croydon, including work at Croydon station, Devon Street car park and along the laneways off Main St.
The tours highlight the ways in which local, nationally and internationally recognised by artists have responded to public spaces in the heart of Croydon.
Meeting point; outside the subway, 147 Main St, Croydon
Tour Dates: Saturday, February 22. 11am – 12 Noon. Saturday, March 22. 11am – 12 Noon Friday, March 28. 11am – 12pm. - Peter Kemp
Spellbound
A Night of Magic and Grand Illusion
Get ready for a spectacular night of magic and grand illusion with one of Australia’s leading illusionists, Anthony Street.
Witness levitations, impossible vanishes, mentalism and a deathdefying escape as Anthony pushes the boundaries of reality and distorts your senses.
With his unique and edgy style performing one of the oldest of art forms, Anthony will enthral and astonish you and keep you on the edge of your seat.
At Clocktower , 750 Mt Alexander Rd, Moonee Ponds Wednesday, March 19 at 7pm.
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Bill Cherry presents Forever Elvis at 7.45pm tonight (Wed., Feb. 12) at Clocktower.
Experience the magic of Elvis Presley through the incredible talent of Bill Cherry, hailed as one of the most authentic Elvis artists in the world. Cherry is the winner of the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest held by Graceland
■ Remember Russian tennis player Anna Kournikova? She is he statuesque blonde who reached No. 8 in world rankings including winning the Australian Doubles title in 2002 ? Now 44, Anna has three young kids, is married to singer Enrique Iglesias, and is a naturalised American citizen living in Florida. Anna retired early from tennis due to serious back injury. She still looks very chic being the celebrity Mum far away from the tennis circuit, and occasional film appearances.
Station attracts Premier
■ Soon after the bounce of the ball for the New Year , the Premier of Victoria, Jacinta Allan, officially opened Studio One at Phoenix FM, Bendigo. It broadcasts on 106.7FM. New broadcasting decks, new sounds make Phoenix the station for all genres of music.
Ads for Super Bowl
■ The audience who watched this year's string of commercials during Super Bowl is estimated at 123 million. Cost per 30 second spot was $8 million.
From the Sick Bay
■ The health of media personalities has taken a hit of recent weeks. Nova breakfast member Kate Ritchie has taken compassionate leave on the grounds of mental health . Another radio casualty is Karl Sandilands who may have to have an operation because of a diagnosed brain aneurysm. On recovery is Channel Nine newsreader Peter Overton who is back on light duties following a polyp being removed from his vocal chords. Good luck, get well.
Bedtime stories
■ Former President, Joe Biden, has re-appointed Creative Arts Agency to organise
