she said. “There are 28 students beginning foundation at Balnarring Primary School in 2025 and they will start the year learning about school routines, getting to know their teachers as well as visiting the Balbirooroo Wetlands and Bimblemeer animal shed and garden.” Brendan Rees
Preps are excited to start their first day of school Balnarring Primary School.
Picture: Yanni
Brendan Rees brendan@mpnews.com.au
COUNCILLORS voted to kill off paid parking for good at last week’s Mornington Peninsula Shire council meeting, putting an end to the contentious trial that faced widespread backlash from residents, business, and various groups.
The shire had tested paid visitor parking at Sunnyside Beach, Mt Eliza, Schnapper Point (near the pier), Mornington and near Flinders pier in the trial that was halted on 14 September last year.
The trial was initially intended for 12 months after starting in December 2023 but lasted only nine months after community concerns prompted the shire to
suspend it for further review.
Issues included beachgoers using shopping centres and church car parks to avoid paying for parking, leading to a drop in trade for businesses and stopping church congregations from meeting; an issue raised by Cr Bruce Ranken at council’s 17 December meeting.
Residents also expressed frustration at the requirement to provide “extensive documentation” to receive a free parking ePermit, among other issues.
But the scheme was ultimately scrapped by councillors at their 28 January meeting after council officers presented a report to consider abandoning a visitor paid parking policy.
Those supporting its dumping were Crs Bruce Ranken, Cam Williams,
and Stephen Batty.
Crs Kate Roper, Michael Stephens, and Patrick Binyon however voted not to ditch it.
Crs Paul Pingiaro and Max Patton declared conflicts of interest and took no part on the discussions or vote.
Councillors then voted in favour of creating a shire-wide parking management policy that would “provide a clear framework for managing parking across the shire and address growing demands from increasing population and visitation”.
According to a council report, the shire is the only bayside council between the peninsula and the city that does not currently have a parking management policy.
In developing a parking management policy, the shire would use its in-house team, and not outsource the task to consultants, The News understands, saving hundreds of thousands of dollars.
“As we’re abandoning this visitor paid parking policy, it will address the immediate community feedback that halted the controversial pilot project,” Ranken said at the meeting.
“It’ll help with the longer-term planning, developing a parking management policy [that] will provide a structured approach to address future parking challenges in the area and obviously there will be some cost savings there from budget reallocation.”
He said some of the key issues had been raised by businesses, particularly with loss of trade, adding some reported
up to a 30 per cent drop in revenue. Ranken said there was also a need to address the “immediate needs of the dissatisfaction from residents”. “We’re going to work with the community here... to be able to rebuild that trust.”
Roper, who voted against removing paid parking, said the council spent millions of dollars each year on various foreshore projects “that need to be funded by ratepayers, and this [paid parking scheme] was a way of getting the visitors to help pay for some of that infrastructure”.
She said big projects currently included reinstating the Birdrock Beach stairs in Mt Martha and repairing the Beleura Cliff path.
Continued Page 5
Journalists: Brodie Cowburn, Brendan Rees
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DEADLINE FOR NEXT ISSUE: 1PM ON THURS 6 FEBRUARY 2025 NEXT ISSUE PUBLICATION DATE: WED 12 FEBRUARY 2025
INDEPENDENT candidate for Flin-
ders Ben Smith has launched a petition demanding that the federal and state governments commit to saving and upgrading Rosebud Hospital.
“The Rosebud Hospital is the only public hospital serving the entire peninsula, and it’s literally falling apart while both major parties have failed to secure the funding we desperately need,” Smith said.
“For our growing community of young families and seniors, having a properly funded local hospital isn’t just about convenience – it’s about saving lives when every minute counts.
“This is just another example of
how the residents of the peninsula are overlooked. We may be in sight of Melbourne, but we are out of sight as far as the major parties are concerned.”
Local GP Dr Jack Knobel has echoed the urgent need for investment, stating: “Rosebud Hospital was built in 1961 and, among other things, requires refurbishing.
“Funding is needed to improve the emergency department and provide more consultants, nursing staff, and beds. Patients often need to be transferred to Frankston Hospital due to a lack of these services and facilities.”
The petition declares that: “Rosebud Hospital is in crisis.
Without urgent investment, this vital lifeline for the Mornington Peninsula could close, leaving our community stranded without nearby emergency care.”
The petition calls for urgent investment to ensure the hospital remains operational, investment in the emergency department to ensure it’s available to locals and extending the Frankston Medical Research and Education Precinct to Rosebud to provide local access to cutting edge medical research, education and specialised care.
The petition can be accessed at www.smithforflinders.com.au/save_ rosebud_hospital
Monday to Thursday: 9:00am - 5:30pm Friday: 9:00am - 8:00pm Saturday: 9:00am - 4:00pm NOW OPEN SUNDAY: 9:30am - 3:00pm
Brendan Rees brendan@mpnews.com.au
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire has postponed any decision on the future of a controversial hand beach cleaning trial at all Port Phillip beaches due to “further work” being needed.
The matter was set to be considered by councillors at their 28 January meeting after deputy mayor Cr Paul Pingiaro moved an urgent business motion last December calling for the hand cleaning trial to end “with immediate effect” and to reinstate a mechanical rake method.
But a report prepared by council officers was withdrawn just hours before the meeting was to be held. It will instead be presented to councillors no later than 11 March after mayor Cr Anthony Marsh noted that “further work” was required by council officers before any conclusions were to be made.
The shire is currently undertaking a 12-month trial that involves cleaning all Port Phillip beaches solely by hand on a fortnightly basis instead of a mechanical rake, which was reportedly found to have only removed about 40 per cent of litter, according to the shire.
While mechanical raking creates an aesthetically pleasing groomed look, it has become contentious due to being known to leave behind broken bottles, shredded plastic and even hypodermic needles.
The withdrawn report was published online in the meeting’s agenda, which, had it been considered, recommended that council receive a “workshop style” briefing in February to “discuss options for recommendation towards the future service delivery model”.
The report noted that if the hand beach cleaning was to be ended immediately, a minimum of 90 days was needed between hand beach cleaning and transitioning to an alternate methodology, which is “required as
per the terms of the contract”.
“Ending the hand beach cleaning trial immediately would result in beaches not being cleaned after the 90 days period until an alternate arrangement can be implemented,” it said.
“There is no immediate reduction in cost for the service as council are required to continue to pay the contracted costs until a contract variation is agreed. Therefore, it is recommended that during the 90-day period, officers present alternative methods for discussion with councillors in a workshop style briefing.”
The cancelled report had also recommended that the shire continued the existing beach cleaning methods until a council decision is made for the implementation of a future service delivery model.
It is not known whether these recommendations would be made in future, only that it was published in the withdrawn report.
Speaking at the December meeting Pingiaro expressed a firm stance on ceasing the hand cleaning trail on all beaches because it failed to meet the “community’s expectations”, with reports of litter and seaweed having increased (Tide turns for beach cleaning, The News 14/1/25).
“This dissatisfaction, coupled with increasing complaints, indicates that the trial is failing to meet the community’s expectations for a clean, safe, and enjoyable beaches,” he said.
But proponents such as award-winning beach cleaning campaigner Josie Jones OAM, who had initially pushed the shire for a hand cleaning trial, said, it was an “incredible opportunity” for “low impact solutions for our coastlines”.
Before 1 July last year, the beaches were cleaned by a combination of mechanical and hand cleaning with areas where a mechanical rake could not access cleaned by hand.
A CAPEL Sound house has gone up in flames in a blaze suspected to have been sparked by an e-scooter battery.
Country Fire Authority and Fire Rescue Victoria crews responded to the incident at Wynne St after a caller to triple-0 reported the fire just after 3am on 29 January.
“Firefighters arrived at the Wynne St scene within seven minutes, finding the property well alight,” an FRV spokesperson said.
Those inside the home at the time managed to evacuate safely.
“Crews conducted an aggressive external attack on the fire, bringing it under control at 3.26am,” the spokesperson said.
Firefighters also contended with a bus on the property, which is understood to have been carrying more than 250 litres of fuel.
Victoria Police confirmed it was not investigating as it had been deemed not suspicious. FRV’s specialist fire investigators attended the scene in the morning.
Council building surveyors were also notified due to the risk of the building collapsing. The News understands police initially believed the fire was caused by an e-scooter battery, but FRV said the cause was still being investigated. Brendan Rees
Brendan Rees brendan@mpnews.com.au
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire
councillors have united in imploring the state government to immediately ban all donations from property developers, gambling businesses, and politicians to candidates running for local councils.
Councillors voted unanimously in favour of the move at their 28 January meeting after Cr David Gill led a motion to end the three streams of financial contributions for candidates, as well as set a cap of $500 for all other donations ensuring the process is “transparent and it is accountable”.
“The state government has the power to make these changes,” said Gill, who has made similar pushes in previous years.
“It’s not about individuals. People who have accepted donations in the recent election have done so legally, and I’m not arguing with that.
“What I’m saying is the process needs to improve and asking the state government who are the only ones that can make the improvement to act.
“And it needs to come from lots of councils and from the Municipal Association [of Victoria] so we get to the stage where it is transparent, and it is accountable.”
In supporting the motion, councillors also voted that disclosures of donations are to be made “in real time” up until election day, which Gill believed was only in “fairness to the voter” so “people know about it
when they’re voting”.
This included the period up to “councillors being sworn in and that all donations to councillors be banned from the time of being sworn in”.
Additionally, the shire will also call on the state government to set up a statewide donor register so all donations are tracked by name “and not just by company or any other mechanism that may conceal knowledge about the donor”.
The Victorian Electoral Commission has a campaign donation register, which lists donations made to political parties, candidates and members of parliament for state elections.
But there is currently no statewide register for local government elections, which Gill said was needed.
“What we’re asking for is a level
playing field for local government also”.
Cr Kate Roper said transparency was critical, noting Operation Sandon, which held public examinations in 2019 and 2020 into allegations of serious corrupt conduct in relation to planning and property development decisions at the City of Casey, had “really caused a lot of mistrust to the public about councils and what goes on in the background and how people can influence them”.
Deputy mayor Cr Paul Pingiario said he “wholeheartedly” supported the motion to improve transparency and “to make sure that everyone is playing with the same rules”.
“We need to make sure that when we do put these things forward and we do lobby for policies that they are integral to our integrity and they play a massive part in how we move forward as a democracy,” he said.
The shire will now write to the state government calling for all measures to be acted on in the motion.
The move comes as just over $30,000 was donated to four Mornington Peninsula Shire candidates, including two who were elected, by a private organisation called the Friends of the Peninsula, which is run by a property developer Ari Lakman, ac-
cording to records from the Australian Securities and Investment Commission.
As reported by The News last month, Friends of the Peninsula gave donations to newly elected councillors Cam Williams ($5055.16) and Bruce Ranken ($7136.12) while unsuccessful candidates Peter Clarke and Susan Bissinger received $14,065.72 and $8873.31 respectively.
Under the Local Government Act council candidates have 40 days after election day to complete a campaign donation return including a record of donations and gifts for the Local Government Inspectorate.
Failure to submit a return or providing false or misleading information can result in prosecution and fines exceeding $11,090.
Council Watch president Dean Hurlston welcomed the push by the shire, saying the “key is getting to the source of donations, not the web of companies or associations that they are hidden through”.
“As far as we’re concerned, all donations should be real time so that voters, when they vote, know who’s funding candidates,” he told The News Hurlston added donations of more than $500 from political parties should also be banned “because a political party is the ultimate hidden funding source; you don’t know who’s donated to that political party and what those funds are made-up of”.
Continued from Page 1
“I believe in that user pays principle, so that’s why I’ve supported paid parking in the past. Unfortunately, we did have a lot of problems,” she said.
“We’re one of the few councils that doesn’t have parking on our foreshore, on our beaches. It was a very clunky system, and I think our officers will all agree that it was problematic, but we did learn a lot.
“We do have to be sustainable, this is becoming more and more difficult in this climate, and this was an idea to help pay for that really important coastal infrastructure.”
According to the Mornington Peninsula Shire, the visitor paid parking pilot was planned to help pay the costs of the shire’s foreshore and tourism-related infrastructure, which is about $8 million per year.
The estimated revenue of the pilot if it continued over 12 months was $805,000 in parking fees and $1.2 million in fines.
But the report noted, “It is clear through the evaluation of the pilot, that there are key issues that need to be addressed before future implementation of visitor paid parking”.
Speaking of a shire-wide parking management policy, Cr Allen said it “would be great in a perfect world, I would prefer to see that funding go towards tangible solutions such as the one proposed for Sorrento [paid parking] or other wards that have already been adopted but not yet implemented”.
A FATHER whose life was narrowly spared after a tree fell on his moving car last August in Tuerong says he’s “overwhelmed with gratitude” towards his rescuers.
Mark Stockwell was driving home on Coolart Rd when a freak storm caused a large tree to crash directly on top of his car.
He was trapped for 90 minutes as CFA crews from Hastings, Langwarrin and Dromana, as well as SES, Ambulance Victoria, and Victoria Police tried to free him from the wreckage.
“I don’t really remember much about it. I just recall thinking, ‘I think I’ve been in an accident,’ and I was
coming in and out of consciousness,” Stockwell recalled.
Remarkably, the Bittern man survived the ordeal after suffering serious injuries.
In an emotional meeting with his first responders on 20 January at Hastings fire station, Stockwell, who was with his wife and soon, took the opportunity to personally thank them for saving his life.
“Words can’t express how grateful I am. Every time I’m at home, I think about all these guys, and I tear up,” he said.
“I get to be a dad, and I get to be a husband because of them.”
Stockwell is currently on crutches months after the terrifying ordeal and still needs regular physiotherapy and hydrotherapy sessions and won’t be able to drive a car for some months.
But after his reunion with emergency responders, he said, “I’m overwhelmed with gratitude for what they’ve done and what they continue to do”.
“They have families and could be at home, but instead, they’re out there rescuing people like me. It’s incredible.”
The 54-year-old recalled the first responders trying to keep him awake.
“I remember one moment of pain,
like waking from a dream, and thinking, ‘I can’t feel my leg, my back is sore, my neck hurts’,” he said.
“I saw the airbag and thought, ‘Why’s my airbag out? I must have been in an accident’. That’s pretty much all I remember.”
Hastings CFA member and incident controller Georgia Densley said it was a special moment to witness Stockwell’s recovery.
“Everyone on scene played their part, including Mark, who stayed calm under immense pressure, which made our job that much easier,” she said.
“Rescues like this one really
highlight the strength of teamwork between CFA and our emergency service partners.”
Hastings SES unit controller Dutchy Holland said it was an “extremely rewarding experience” to meet with community members who they have supported in time of need.
MICA Paramedic Angus Bowden said, “Being able to reconnect with a patient and see him thrive after such a serious incident is a powerful reminder of why we do what we do. Mark was not only trapped, but appeared to have sustained multiple traumatic injuries.”
Brendan Rees
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Brendan Rees brendan@mpnews.com.au
A MOTHER is speaking out about the dangers of unsecured beach shelters after strong winds sent a gazebo flying at Rye beach, injuring her and her young niece.
The incident occurred about midday on 27 January over the Australia Day long weekend as Luisa and her two children and her sister’s family were enjoying a beach day near the Rye Yacht Club.
Luisa, who asked not to use her surname, said the wind picked up, sending the nearby gazebo airborne, which crashed into her leg as well as striking her niece on the leg too.
“About ten people rushed over and kind of grabbed it and put it down, including the people that owned the shelter,” she said.
Luisa said the incident left her with a painful 20cm bruise on her left thigh while her niece was lucky to escape with a minor injury after not being struck with the same force.
“It was quite a terrifying incident given the small children that were around,” she said, adding her three-year-old son narrowly avoided being hit in the chest, which “would have knocked him back with that force”.
She also noted the group that were using the shelter had set it up before leaving and returning later but were present when the incident occurred.
Luisa confirmed the shelter was a gazebo and not a popular “cabana” that has a canvas covering that was less dangerous if it flew off. She said the gazebo that struck her family had four metal poles that could only be secured by pegs –
which she believed was not safe for beach use.
“I think people just need to be mindful that if they’re going to use that style of tent, which really isn’t designed for the beach, they’re designed to be placed on grass where the ground is firmer.”
But she said if people are to use such shelters at the beach, then “they need to be properly sandbagged and ensured that the posts are well deep within the sand”.
Luisa said while she wasn’t too concerned about her injury, she wanted to share her experience as a warning to others.
“It’s a warning that it can injure people … the beach is flooded with small children,” she said.
“There’s nowhere to hide on the beach. It’s all open, and tents can fly into people from any angle.”
She said if people don’t change their behaviour, “further enquiry needs to be made, and council should step in”.
“It’s only a matter of time if people aren’t taking responsibility that they could seriously injure someone or, heaven forbid, if the pole is going in the wrong direction … it could cause a devastating impact to young children or anyone.”
Luisa said she also experienced strong winds at the beach around Christmas, which caused several beach shelters to go flying.
Mt Martha Lifesaving Club president John Harvey said while their patrols did not include Rye, he wasn’t aware of any specific instances where beach shelters had become airborne, but did encourage beachgoers to be “mindful of securing them properly by using sand weights to prevent potential injury”.
Brodie Cowburn brodie@mpnews.com.au
principal Richard Barren has been charged with possessing child abuse material.
On 31 January the Victorian Department of Education sent a letter to parents at Langwarrin Park Primary School informing them that Barren had been charged. The letter stated that no students from the school had been identified as victims of the alleged offence.
“I am sorry to be sending such concerning news at the start of a new school year, but I need to inform you that principal, Richard Barren, has this week been charged with a criminal offence relating to possession of child abuse material. I wanted to inform you as soon as possible and to let you know of supports available for anyone impacted by this news,” the depart-
ment’s letter read.
“It is important that you know that at this stage there is no information to suggest that any student at the school has been impacted by the alleged offending.
“As there is an ongoing police investigation, we are unable to provide any further information but will update you when we are able. In the meantime, we will continue to work closely with the school and other parts of the Department of Education to ensure all appropriate steps are taken with child safety and wellbeing our paramount concern.”
Barren is not currently working at the school. Deb Haddow has been named acting principal of Langwarrin Park Primary School.
It is understood that Barren was charged after Australian Border Force officers allegedly found child abuse material on his phone during a random search at Melbourne Airport on 26 January.
The AFP searched the 49-year-old after he returned from the USA. Later that day they raided his Mornington Peninsula home, and the the Victorian Joint Anti Child Exploitation Team charged him with one count of possessing child abuse material accessed or obtained using a carriage service.
A Department of Education spokesperson said “we are concerned about the serious nature of these charges.”
“As this is a matter before the courts, we are unable to comment further.”
SUNDAY 26 January saw participants from the “Our Survival Day 2025” event at the Briars, Mt Martha, pack into a “yarning space” to hear from Uluru Statement from the Heart campaigner, Thomas Mayo who spoke of his vision for a way forward post-referendum.
Mayo, an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander author and activist, was a guest speaker at the Our Songlines organised event which bought both Indigenous and non-Indigenous people together to celebrate the survival of First Nations Australians through music, yarns, song, dance, art, meditation and living culture knowledge.
Supporting the yarning sessions were Elders from local Aboriginal Gathering Place, Nairm Marr Djambana including living survivors of child removal, inter-generational trauma and the Stolen Generation.
“The session reinforced my belief that despite the impression created by opponents of change, most people are in favour of a fairer Australia that would improve life for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people,” said Maureen Donelly from Southern Peninsula Allies for First Nations Justice, a new Reconciliation Victoria affiliated Reconciliation Action Group.
MORE than $2.1 million will be spent by Frankston ratepayers to redevelop the Frankston Arts Centre forecourt.
Last week, Frankston Council awarded a $2.106 million contract to Maw Civil Pty Ltd to redevelop the forecourt. It will also commit $7500 annually from the 2026/2027 budget onwards towards its maintenance.
A report prepared by Frankston Council officers read that the works will improve accessibility. “The final design reflects community consultation conducted in 2022, which highlighted several key priorities: Improved acces-
sibility through additional parking and a more functional drop-off zone, enhanced digital signage, maintaining its prominent corner placement for greater visibility and promotional impact, integration of Indigenous artwork and stronger cultural connections, increased native planting to enrich the precinct’s natural appeal, and expanded seating options to improve comfort and usability for visitors,” the report read. “The core objective of the precinct enhancements is to attract more visitors, increase visit frequency, and encourage longer stays.”
Brodie Cowburn
MT MARTHA resident and MacKillop Family Services CEO
Robyn Miller has been made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for her outstanding contribution to children, young people and families.
Miller’s appointment recognises her exceptional leadership for the not-for-profit organisation, which advocates for and improves the welfare of vulnerable children and families across Australia.
Under her guidance, MacKillop’s service delivery has grown across five states and territories, employing more than 2200 people.
This included the organisation helping in family support, family violence, out of home care, homelessness, disability and education support programs to thousands of children, young people and families.
“I am deeply humbled to be recognised with an Order of Australia, although the people who really deserve an award are the brave children and families I am privileged to work with every day,” she said.
“They are the real heroes, and I consider myself fortunate that I have had the opportunity to work with them throughout my career.”
The award also honoured Miller’s 40 years of tireless commitment to transforming the lives of children and families in need of support.
She began community service as a volunteer for St Vincent de Paul and the Brotherhood of St Laurence, while studying Social Work at RMIT University.
She completed her Clinical Masters in Family Therapy and later worked at the Bouverie Family Therapy Centre for 14 years, before
becoming the chief practitioner at the Department of Human Services in Victoria, where she was responsible for professional leadership of Victoria’s out-of-home care, family support and family violence services.
A further achievement saw her take on a role as a consultant to the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, before accepting her current role at MacKillop Family Services in 2016.
Miller’s AM was announced in the Australia Day honours list, which recognises individuals who demonstrate outstanding achievement and service to the nation.
PEARCEDALE’S Dr Colin Walker has been racing pigeons for more than 50 years after being introduced to the sport by his neighbour.
He was only a schoolboy in the late 1960s when he became captivated, sparking a life-long passion for birds and an illustrious career in veterinary science.
“I’ve always been fascinated by birds, and particularly racing pigeons,” Walker, who has about 500 pigeons on his 80-acre property, said.
The respected veterinarian was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the 2025 Australia Day Honours List in recognition of his lifetime dedication to both avian veterinarian science and pigeon racing.
After completing his veterinary science degree at the University of Melbourne, Walker undertook postgraduate specialist qualifications in avian medicine and surgery before working as an avian vet for 35 years.
Among his achievements was being the founder and manager of the Australian Pigeon Company since 1994, which he continues to run, developing, manufacturing and distributing avian pharmaceutical products nationally and internationally.
He was also the founder of the Melbourne Bird Veterinary Clinic in 1994 and was the practice principal for 25 years until his retirement in 2013.
“In all of that time, except for when the odd year at work was just too busy, I raced pigeons as well, and I still do that.”
His decorated career saw him made an honorary veterinarian for the Victorian Racing Pigeon Board and the Victorian Homing Association, the latter of which he was inducted into the Hall of Fame.
In racing, he was twice named the federation champion (best flyer of the year) and has twice been runner-up.
“The average member of the public may not realise is just how far the pigeons travel and how quickly they come back, and also they may not
realise how big the sport is and how professional it is,” Walker said, noting one of the annual races he competes in attracts a winning prize of $100,000.
“Most distances are about 700km with a normal cruising speed for a racing pigeon being about 60kph to 80kph,” he said.
Walker spoke of one race about two months ago on the Queensland border where the pigeons started flying at 6.15am and began arriving in Melbourne by 8pm; a feat recorded by microchips on the birds.
“They’re very quick and our longest race is 1200km.”
Speaking of his OAM, Walker said he was “very honoured”.
But he noted he was a “little bit surprised” because “I just regarded what I’ve been doing as living my life as a veterinarian”.
“I’m surprised that people have thought that what I’ve done, living that life, has been enough to warrant that sort of award”.
THE Mornington Lifesaving Club is celebrating after securing seven new premium nipper boards thanks to a South East Water community grant.
“The new nipper boards mean that more kids can get involved, learn vital water safety skills, and have fun in the surf,” the club’s nipper captain Jeremy Warner said.
“It’s wonderful to see smiles on their faces as they grow in confidence.”
The new boards will allow kids of all heights and abilities to dive into surf programs and most importantly to promote beach safety.
South East Water’s community grants program is designed to support groups adversely impacted by incidents such as sewer spills.
“The grant awarded to Mornington Lifesaving, Swimming, Social and Youth Club reflects this focus, acknowledging the difficulties faced by the community and reinforcing South East Water’s commitment to giving back to those affected,” South East Water said in a statement.
It noted it was also a proud supporter of the
club which was “contributing to the next generation of lifesavers who safeguard beaches and inspire a culture of respect for the ocean and its ecosystems”.
“We’re proud to support communities across our service region area by making important local community projects possible,” South East Water’s strategy and stakeholder acting general manager Caroline Patrick said.
“Mornington Lifesaving Club is a cornerstone of the local community and a well-deserving recipient of a community grant. Helping equip young surf lifesavers with tools to develop their skills and confidence is one way we can give back and create a lasting impact.”
The community grants program helps make grassroots community projects possible, supporting the community in the areas of affordability, health and liveability, environment and water security and knowledge. Applications open for the 2025 program on 17 February 2025.
SATURDAY
FRIDAY
ABC TV, 7.35pm
Globetrotting gardener Monty Don (pictured) turns his attention to sunny Spain for this three-part docuseries that profiles the country’s many horticultural highlights. Visiting private plots, city parks and community projects during his epic 4000km journey. In tonight’s premiere episode, he begins his trip in El Escorial, a vast imposing palace located an hour northwest of Madrid, that’s the biggest Renaissance building in the world. He wraps up this part of his eye-opening trek in Valencia.
SANDI TOKSVIG’S WOODLAND RESTORATION
SBS, 7.30pm
QI host Sandi Toksvig (pictured) might strike viewers as a green thumb, but she’s the first to confess she knows nothing about gardening. All that’s about to change though, as Toksvig and her wife Debbie have just fulfilled their lifelong dream of buying an ancient woodland in southern England. With wit, determination and a little help, the pair begin the process of restoring their patch of nature tonight.
SUNDAY
MUSTER DOGS: COLLIES AND KELPIES
ABC TV, 7.30pm
The spotlight is once again on rural Australia in this gorgeous homegrown series showcasing the bonds shared by graziers and their working dogs on farms across the country. There’s an exciting twist this time around: while the first season followed five kelpie puppies and the second a litter of adorable border collies, the third instalment puts both to the test – comparing their strengths and weaknesses and highlighting the work each breed is best suited to.
MONDAY ST. DENIS MEDICAL SEVEN, 9.10pm
This medical mockumentary from Superstore’s Justin Spitzer and Eric Ledgin is a riotous comedy that takes the best of Scrubs and The Office, then turns the volume up to 11. Set in a chronically underfunded hospital in Oregon, it’s chaos as the beleaguered staff try their best to treat patients and maintain their own sanity. Aussie Josh pictured) plays trauma surgeon Bruce, ’ Wendi McLendon-Covey is hospital director Joyce and Why Women standout Allison Tolman is supervising nurse Alex. Tonight, Bruce tries to demonstrate his work’s value, while emergency doc Ron (David Alan Grier) thinks a patient has a crush
ABC TV (2)
SBS (3)
SEVEN (7)
NINE (9) 6.00 News. 9.00 News. 10.00 Eat The Invaders. (PG, R) 10.30 Back Roads. (PG, R) 11.00 Antiques Roadshow. (R) 12.00 ABC News At Noon. 1.00 The Newsreader. (Ml, R) 2.00 Parliament Question Time. 3.00 Forever Summer With Nigella. (Final, R) 3.25 Grand Designs. (PG, R) 4.15 Long Lost Family: What Happened Next. (PG, R) 5.00 A Bite To Eat With Alice. (R) 5.30 Antiques Roadshow. (R)
6.25 Hard Quiz. (PG, R) 7.00 ABC News.
7.30 7.30.
8.00 Back Roads: Outback Way, NT Pt 1. Presented by Lisa Millar.
8.30 Long Lost Family. (Final, PG) Hosted by Davina McCall and Nicky Campbell.
9.20 Grand Designs: Derbyshire. (R) Hosted by Kevin McCloud.
10.05 Dr Karl’s How Things Work. (R) 10.35 ABC Late News.
10.50 The Business. (R) 11.10 Miriam Margolyes Almost Australian. (Ml, R) 12.10 Grand Designs. (PG, R) 1.00 Parliament Question Time. 2.00 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv)
3.25 Parkinson In Australia. (PG, R) 4.30 Gardening Australia. (R) 5.30 7.30. (R)
6.00 WorldWatch. 9.15 Confucius Was A Foodie. (R) 10.05 Great Lighthouses Of Ireland. (PGa, R) 11.05 Great Canal Journeys. (PGa, R) 12.00 WorldWatch. 2.05 History Of Britain. (PGav, R) 2.55 Railway Journeys UK. (R) 3.30 Plat Du Tour. (R) 3.40 The Cook Up. (R) 4.10 Secrets Of The Imperial War Museum. (PGa, R) 5.05 Jeopardy! (R) 5.30 Letters And Numbers. (R) 6.00 Sunrise. 9.00 The Morning Show. (PG) 12.00 Seven Noon News. 1.00 MOVIE: Farmer Seeking Love. (2022, PGa) Donna Benedicto, Tanya Clarke. 3.00 Sri Lanka Vs Australia: Pre-Game Show. 3.30 Cricket. Second Test. Sri Lanka v Australia. Day 1. Morning session. From Galle International Stadium, Sri Lanka. 4.00 Seven News At 4. 5.00 The Chase Australia.
6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R)
6.30 SBS World News.
7.30 Finding Your Roots: Forever Young. Hosted by Henry Louis Gates Jr.
8.30 Scotland’s Poshest Train: Alan Cumming. (Premiere, PG) Alan Cumming steps aboard the RoyalScotsman for a train adventure through the heart of Scotland.
9.30 The Darkness. (Malsv) Lukas and Hulda’s investigation progresses.
10.20 SBS World News Late.
10.50 Divided We Stand. (Ml)
12.40 Blanca. (Malv, R) 2.40 Barkley Manor. (PG, R) 3.05 Inside The Modelling Agency. (Ml, R) 4.05 Peer To Peer. (a, R) 4.35 Bamay. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
6.00 Seven News.
7.00 Home And Away. (PGav) Harper puts on a brave face.
8.30 MOVIE: Bridget Jones’s Diary. (2001, Mlv, R) A British woman, struggling with various romantic entanglements, documents a year of her life through her diary. Renée Zellweger, Colin Firth, Hugh Grant.
10.45 St. Denis Medical. (PGals, R) Matt’s first day as a nurse is not going as planned. 11.45 The Hunting Party. (Mav, R) 12.45 Damnation. (Premiere, MA15+asv) 2.00 Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 NBC Today. 5.00 Sunrise Early News. 5.30 Sunrise.
The Long Drive For Drought. (PG, R)
6.00 9News.
7.00 A Current Affair.
7.30 RBT. (Return, Mdl) Follows the activities of police units.
8.30 Emergency. (Return, Mlm) Dr James Williams fears for a young cheerleader who has landed on her head during training.
9.30 A+E After Dark. (Return, Mlm) An aggressive patient must be restrained.
10.30 9News Late.
11.00 Resident Alien. (Malv) 11.50 Tipping Point. (PG, R)
12.40 Pointless. (PG, R) 1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 2.30 Global Shop. (R) 3.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 Believer’s Voice Of Victory. (PGa) 4.30 A Current Affair. (R) 5.00 Today Early News. 5.30 Today.
TEN (10)
6.00 Deal Or No Deal. Hosted by Grant
ABC (2) SBS (3) SEVEN (7) TEN (10) NINE (9)
6.00 News Breakfast. 9.00 ABC News Mornings. 10.00 Planet America. (R) 10.30
Take 5 With Zan Rowe. (PG, R) 11.00 Antiques Roadshow. (R) 12.00 ABC News At Noon.
1.00 Silent Witness. (Masv, R) 3.00 Nigella Bites. (R) 3.25 Grand Designs. (R) 4.15 Long Lost Family: What Happened Next. (PG, R) 5.00 A Bite To Eat With Alice. (R) 5.30 Antiques Roadshow. (R)
6.30 Hard Quiz. (PG, R)
7.00 ABC News. A look at the top stories of the day.
7.35 Monty Don’s Spanish Gardens. (Premiere) Monty Don visits Spain.
8.35 Silent Witness. (Mav) The team investigates a body discocered in a flat after being dead for a year.
10.20 Optics. (Ml, R) Meredith stumbles upon a clue to Fritz’s secrets.
10.50 Hard Quiz. (PG, R)
11.20 ABC Late News.
11.40 Guy Montgomery’s Guy Mont Spelling Bee (NZ) (PG, R)
12.25 Grand Designs. (R)
1.10 Rage New Music. (MA15+adhlnsv)
5.00 Rage. (PG)
ABC FAMILY (22)
6.00 WorldWatch. 9.15 For The Love Of Dogs. (PGa, R) 10.10 Great Lighthouses Of Ireland. (R) 11.05 Great Canal Journeys. (R) 12.00 WorldWatch. 2.00 Such Was Life. (PGa, R) 2.10 History Of Britain. (PGa, R) 3.00 Nula. 3.30 Plat Du Tour. (R) 3.40 The Cook Up. (R) 4.10 Secrets Of The Imperial War Museum. (PGa, R) 5.05 Jeopardy! (R) 5.30 Letters And Numbers. (R)
6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R)
6.30 SBS World News.
7.35 Costa Concordia: Why She Sank. (Mal, R) A look at the sinking of the Costa Concordia
8.30 Ray Martin: Mysteries Of The Outback. (Ml, R) Ray Martin embarks on a quest to find a mysterious outback rock formation.
10.20 SBS World News Late.
10.50 Bonn. (MA15+s)
11.45 Sisi. (MA15+av, R) 2.50 Barkley Manor. (R) 3.20 Inside The Modelling Agency. (Ml, R) 4.15 Peer To Peer. (a, R) 4.45 Destination Flavour: Singapore Bitesize. (PGa, R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
SBS VICELAND (31) 6am Children’s Programs. 6.20pm Bluey. 6.25 Octonauts. 6.35 Kiri And Lou. 6.45 Ben And Holly. 7.00 Supertato. 7.05 Gardening Australia Junior. 7.20 Bluey. 7.30 Shaun The Sheep. 7.35 Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures. 7.50 Teen Titans Go! 8.00 Scooby-Doo And Guess Who? 8.25 BTN Newsbreak. 8.30 Mythbusters “There’s Your Problem!”. 8.55 Robot Wars. 9.55 Merlin. 10.40 Late Programs.
6.00 Sunrise. 9.00 The Morning Show. (PG) 12.00 Seven Noon News. 1.00 MOVIE: No Good Deed. (2020, Mav) 3.00 Sri Lanka Vs Australia: Pre-Game Show. 3.30 Cricket. Second Test. Sri Lanka v Australia. Day 2. Morning session. 4.00 Seven News At 4. 5.00 The Chase Australia.
6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Better Homes And Gardens Summer. Johanna Griggs learns recycling secrets with Lottie Dalziel. Colin Fassnidge bakes spiced stone fruit.
8.30 Australian Idol. (PGl, R) A nationwide search for Australia’s next singing superstar returns with big voices, surprises and star talent. Hosted by Ricki-Lee and Scott Tweedie, with judges Amy Shark, Kyle Sandilands and Marcia Hines. 2.00 Home Shopping. (R)
4.00 Million Dollar Minute. (R) Hosted by Grant Denyer. 5.00 NBC Today. News and current affairs.
Today. 9.00 Today Extra. (PG)
6.00 9News. 7.00 A Current Affair.
7.30 Taronga: Who’s Who In The Zoo: Savannah Elephants. (PG) Elephants and their enclosure are cleaned.
8.30 MOVIE: The Equalizer. (2014, MA15+lv, R) A former black-ops agent, who faked his death, comes out of retirement to rescue a girl. Denzel Washington, Chloë Grace Moretz.
11.10 MOVIE: The Founder. (2016, Ml, R) Michael Keaton. 1.15 Innovation Nation. 1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 Skippy The Bush Kangaroo. (R) 4.30 Global Shop. (R)
5.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 5.30 Postcards. (PG, R)
6.00 Deal Or No Deal. (R) Hosted by Grant Denyer. 6.30 The Project. A look at the day’s news. 7.30 AACTA Awards 2025. The AACTA Awards honour Australian television creatives and performers for their achievements over the past year. 10.00 10’s Late News. Coverage of news, sport and weather. 10.25 The Graham Norton Show. (PGal, R) Guests include Dame Judi Dench. 11.25 The Project. (R) A look at the day’s news. 12.30 The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. (PG) 1.30 Home Shopping. (R) 6am Morning
Programs. 1.20pm Question Team. 2.15 Fanatics: The Deep End. 2.40 Blaktrax. 3.40 WorldWatch. 5.40 Alone: The Skills Challenge. 6.05 Kylie Minogue’s Secret Night. 7.05 Jeopardy! 7.30 NITV News Update. 7.35 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown. 8.30 Saucy: Secrets Of The British Sex Comedy. 10.15 Homeland. 1.20am Hells Angels: Kingdom Come. 2.15 Late Programs.
6am The Movie Show. 6.15 Whina. (2022, PG, Maori) 8.20 Skating To New York. (2013, PG) 10.00 The Sitting Duck. (2022, M, Hungarian) 12.15pm Rob The Mob. (2014, M) 2.10 Arthur And The Two Worlds War. (2010, PG) 4.05 Whisky Galore. (2016, PG) 5.55 Goddess. (2013, PG) 7.50 Maigret. (2022, M, French) 9.30 Mr Blake At Your Service! (2023, French) 11.35 Late Programs. SBS WORLD MOVIES (32) 6am
(PG, R) 2.45 Mozart: Rise Of A Genius. (Ml, R) 4.00 Eat The Invaders. (PG, R) 4.30 Muster Dogs: Collies And Kelpies. (PG, R) 5.30 Dr Karl’s How Things Work. (R)
6.00 Australian Story: Unfiltered – Celeste Barber. (R) Celeste Barber shares her story.
6.30 Back Roads: Outback Way, NT Pt 1. (R) Presented by Lisa Millar.
7.00 ABC News. A look at the top stories of the day.
7.30 Beyond Paradise. (Final, PG) Humphrey investigates an inexplicable crime.
8.30 Vera. (PGadlv, R) DCI Vera Stanhope investigates after the body of a woman is washed up on the banks of the River Tyne. 10.05 The Newsreader. (Ml, R) Helen and Dale are forced into competition. 11.00 Unforgotten. (Madl, R) 11.45 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv)
6.00 WorldWatch. 9.00 Britain’s Great Outdoors. (R) 10.00 BBC News At Ten. 10.30 ABC World News Tonight With David Muir. 11.00 PBS NewsHour. 12.00 Cycling. ProVelo Super League. Round 2. Melbourne To Warrnambool Men’s race. 3.00 Sailing. SailGP Sydney. Day 1. 4.30 Cycling. AlUla Tour. Highlights. 5.30 Auschwitz: The Inside Man. (PGav, R)
6.30 SBS World News. 7.30 Sandi Toksvig’s Woodland Restoration. (Premiere, Ml) 8.25 Scotland The New Wild: Highlands. (PG) Explores Scotland’s Highlands. 9.25 Great Australian Walks With Julia Zemiro. (PGa, R) 10.25 Beautiful Lakes Of Northern Italy. (R) 11.15 Home Jacking. (Premiere, Mlv) 12.35 The Man Who Died. (MA15+as, R) 2.25 Love Your Garden. (R) 3.20 Inside The Modelling Agency. (Ml, R) 4.15 Peer To Peer. (a, R) 4.45 Destination Flavour China Bitesize. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.15 France 24 Feature. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
VICELAND (31) 6am Children’s Programs.
6.00 NBC Today. 7.00 Weekend Sunrise. 10.00 The Morning Show: Weekend. (PG) 12.00 Horse Racing. Inglis Millennium Day and Caulfield Family Day. 3.00 Sri Lanka Vs Australia: Pre-Game Show. 3.30 Cricket. Second Test. Sri Lanka v Australia. Day 3. Morning session. 5.00 Seven News At 5. 5.30 Border Security: Australia’s Front Line. (PG, R)
6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Border Security: Australia’s Front Line. (PG, R) Narrated by Grant Bowler.
7.30 MOVIE: The Bourne Identity. (2002, Mlv, R) A man sets out to discover his identity after being hauled from the ocean with amnesia. Matt Damon, Franka Potente. 10.00 MOVIE: Taken. (2008, MA15+av, R) A former spy’s daughter is kidnapped. Liam Neeson, Maggie Grace. 12.00 Dr Harry’s Animal Encounters. (PGa, R) 2.00 Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 It’s Academic. (R) 5.00 My Greek Odyssey. (PG, R)
6.00 The Garden Gurus. (R) 6.30 A Current Affair. (R) 7.00 Weekend Today. 10.00 Today Extra: Saturday. (PG) 12.00 Destination WA. (Return, PG) 12.30 My Way. (R) 1.00 Let’s Eat With George. (Premiere) 1.30 MOVIE: Buckley’s Chance. (2021, PGal, R) Bill Nighy. 3.30 Taronga: Who’s Who In The Zoo. (PG, R) 4.30 Explore TV. 5.00 9News First At Five. 5.30 Country House Hunters Australia. (R) 6am
6.00 9News Saturday.
7.00 A Current Affair.
7.30 Space Invaders. (Return, PGa) Experts help people declutter their lives.
8.30 MOVIE: The Blind Side. (2009, PGdlv, R) A homeless teenager realises his dream of becoming a gridiron player, thanks to the aid of a kind family. Sandra Bullock, Tim McGraw.
11.10 MOVIE: Stronger. (2017, MA15+l, R) Jake Gyllenhaal.
1.20 Destination WA. (PG, R) 1.50 Garden Gurus Moments. (R) 2.00 The Incredible Journey Presents. (PG) 2.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 4.30 Global Shop. (R) 5.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 5.30 Helping Hands. (PG, R)
6.30 The Dog House Australia. (PGa, R) Narrated by Mark Coles Smith. 7.30 Love It Or List It Australia. (Premiere) Hosted by Neale Whitaker and Andrew Winter.
8.30 The Dog House Australia. (PGa, R) Follows the staff at the Animal Welfare League as it tries to find the right fit for a man with dog-attack trauma. 9.30 Ambulance Australia. (Ma, R) NSW Ambulance delivers a baby and saves a four-year-old with a critical heart condition. 10.30 Ambulance UK. (Mal, R) A patient has fallen from a tree. 1.00 Home Shopping. (R) 5.00 Hour Of Power. 6am Morning Programs.
Sunday, February 9
6.00 Rage. (PG) 7.00 Wknd Brekky. 9.00 Insiders. 10.00 Offsiders. 10.30 World This Week. (R) 11.00 Compass. (PGa, R) 11.30 Praise. (R) 12.00 News. 12.30 Landline. (R) 1.00 New Leash On Life. (Final, PG, R) 1.30 Gardening Aust. (R) 2.25 Monty Don’s Spanish Gardens. (R) 3.25 Long Lost Family. (Final, PG, R) 4.15 Extraordinary Escapes. (PG, R) 5.00 Maggie Beer’s Big Mission. (R)
6.00 Antiques Roadshow. (R)
7.00 ABC News.
7.30 Muster Dogs: Collies And Kelpies. The puppies settle into their new homes.
8.30 The Newsreader. (Ml) When news of an oil spill breaks on the day of Public Eye’s launch, Helen is pressured to rethink her show format.
9.20 Love Me. (Mls) Peter and Clara have his ex over for dinner.
10.10 MOVIE: BMX Bandits. (1983, PG, R) Nicole Kidman.
11.40 You Can’t Ask That. (R)
12.05 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv)
3.00 Australia Remastered. (PG, R) 4.00 Gardening Australia. (R) 5.00 Insiders. (R)
6.00 WorldWatch. 9.00 Britain’s Great Outdoors. (R) 10.00 FIFA World Cup Classic Matches. 11.30 WorldWatch. 12.00 Cycling. ProVelo Super League. Round 2. Melbourne To Warrnambool Women’s Race. 3.00 SailGP Sydney. Day 2. 4.30 PBS Washington Week. 5.00 Dylan Alcott: Peter Bol And Joseph Deng. (PG, R) 5.25 Rommel: The Soldier, The Son And Hitler. (PGav, R)
6.30 SBS World News.
7.30 Mysteries Of Loch Ness. (PG)
A look at the Loch Ness Monster legend.
9.20 Legends Of The Pharaohs: Hatshepsut, The Pharaoh Queen. (Mas, R) Takes a look at Hatshepsut, the fifth Pharaoh of ancient Egypt’s 18th Dynasty.
10.25 Great British Landmark Fixers: Edinburgh North Bridge. (R) A team works on North Bridge in Edinburgh.
11.15 Miniseries: The Boleyns: A Scandalous Family. (Mas, R)
2.40 Love Your Garden. (PGa, R)
3.35 Inside The Modelling Agency. (PGl, R) 4.30 Peer To Peer. (PGa, R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.15 France 24 Feature. 5.30 Al Jazeera News.
SBS VICELAND (31) 6am Children’s
Programs. 5.35pm Fireman Sam. 5.45 Hey Duggee. 5.55 Paddington. 6.05 Kiya And The Kimoja Heroes. 6.20 Bluey. 6.25 Octonauts: Above And Beyond. 6.35 Kiri And Lou. 6.45 Ben And Holly. 7.00 Supertato. 7.05 Riley Rocket. 7.20 Bluey. 7.30 Shaun The Sheep. 7.35 Moominvalley. 8.00 Horrible Histories. 8.30 Fresh Off The Boat. 9.10 Speechless. 9.55 Merlin. 10.40 Late Programs.
ABC FAMILY (22) 6am
6am Morning Programs. 1.50pm Jeopardy! 3.55 ABC World News Tonight. 4.25 PBS Washington Week. 4.50 Queer Sports. 5.45 Domino Masters. 6.40 Abandoned Engineering. 8.30 The UnXplained With William Shatner. 10.10 WWE Legends. (Return) 11.45 Hoarders. 12.40am The X-Files. 4.20 NHK World English News. 5.00 Al Jazeera Newshour.
Morning Programs. 7.00 Goddess. (2013, PG) 8.55 Mr Blake At Your Service! (2023, French) 11.00 Maigret. (2022, M, French) 12.40pm A Mermaid In Paris. (2020, M, French) 2.40 Viceroy’s House. (2017, PG) 4.40 The Lunchbox. (2013, PG, Hindi) 6.40 Clue. (1985, PG) 8.30 Reservoir Dogs. (1992, MA15+) 10.20 A Thousand Lines. (2022, M, German) 12.05am Late Programs. SBS WORLD MOVIES (32) 6am Morning Programs. 2pm Rugby League. 2019 Koori Knockout. Men’s. Bunjalung Baygal Warriors v Bourke Warriors. Replay. 3.00 Rugby League. 2019 Koori Knockout. Men’s. Googars v Castlereigh All Blacks. Replay. 4.00 Araatika! Rise Up. 5.40 Dizzy Gillespie In Studio 104. 6.20 News. 6.30 Queer Sports. 7.00 Great Lakes Wild. 7.30 Our Law. 8.40 MOVIE: The Evers. (2020, M) 10.15 Late Programs. NITV (34)
ABC TV (2) SBS (3)
6.00 News Breakfast. 9.00 ABC News Mornings. 10.00 McCartney 3, 2, 1. (R) 10.30 Vera. (PG, R) 12.00 ABC News At Noon. 1.00 The Human Revolution. (Final, PG, R) 2.00 Parliament Question Time. 3.00 Nigella Bites. (R) 3.25 Grand Designs. (R) 4.10 Long Lost Family: What Happened Next. (PG, R) 5.00 A Bite To Eat With Alice. (PG, R) 5.25 Antiques Roadshow. (R)
6.25 Hard Quiz. (PG, R)
7.00 ABC News.
7.30 7.30.
8.00 Australian Story.
8.30 Four Corners. Investigative journalism program.
9.15 Media Watch. Presented by Linton Besser.
9.35 Mozart: Rise Of A Genius. (Ml) Mozart moves to Vienna.
10.35 ABC Late News. 10.50 The Business. (R) 11.05 Planet America. (R) 11.40 Julia Zemiro’s Home Delivery. (R) 12.10 Grand Designs. (R) 1.00 Parliament Question Time. 2.00 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv) 3.40 Parkinson In Australia. (PGa, R) 4.30 Gardening Australia. (R) 5.30
7.30. (R)
6.00 WorldWatch. 9.25 For The Love Of Dogs. (PGa, R) 10.20 Great Lighthouses Of Ireland. (PGa, R) 11.15 Great Canal Journeys. (R) 12.10 WorldWatch. 2.05 History Of Britain. (PGa, R) 2.55 Railway Journeys UK. (PG, R) 3.30 Plat Du Tour. (R) 3.40 The Cook Up. (R) 4.10 Secrets Of The Imperial War Museum. (PG, R) 5.05 Jeopardy! (R) 5.30 Letters And Numbers. (R)
6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R) 6.30 SBS World News.
7.35 Madrid With Michael Portillo.
8.25 Wilderness With Simon Reeve: Patagonia. Simon Reeve travels through Patagonia. 9.35 Inside Sydney Airport: Interrupted Journeys. (PGal, R) Friday is a busy day at the airport. 10.35 SBS World News Late. 11.05 Wisting. (Return, Mal)
12.50 You Shall Not Lie. (MA15+als, R) 3.00 Barkley Manor. (R) 3.30 Inside The Modelling Agency. (PGln, R) 4.25 Peer To Peer. (PG, R) 4.55 Destination Flavour China Bitesize. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
6.00 NBC Today. 7.00 Weekend Sunrise. 10.00 Morning Show. (PG) 12.00 Air Crash Inv: Accident Files. (PGa, R) 1.00 TBA. 3.00 Pre-Game Show. 3.30 Cricket. Second Test. Sri Lanka v Australia. Day 4. Morning session. (Please note: alternative schedule may be shown due to changes to cricket coverage).
5.00 Seven News At 5. 5.30 Border Security: Australia’s Front Line. (PG, R)
6.00 Seven News.
7.00 Australian Idol. (PGs) Hosted by Ricki-Lee and Scott Tweedie.
8.50 Queen: In Their Own Words. (Mal) The four founding members of the rock band Queen, tell the story of their lives and careers in music.
9.50 Lee Kernaghan: Boy From The Bush. Part concert film and part road movie.
11.55 Autopsy USA: Debbie Reynolds. (Ma, R)
12.55 Friday Night Lights. (Madsv, R)
2.00 Home Shopping. (R)
3.30 Million Dollar Minute. (R)
4.00 NBC Today. 5.00 Sunrise Early News. 5.30 Sunrise.
7TWO (72)
6am Morning Programs.
10.30 DVine Living. 11.00 I Escaped To The Country. Noon Escape To The Country. 1.00 My Greek Odyssey. 2.00 South Aussie With Cosi. 2.30 Better Homes. 3.30 Cities Of The Underworld. 4.30 Steam Train Journeys. 5.30 I Escaped To The Country. 6.30 Escape To The Country. 7.30 Rosemary & Thyme. 8.30 Vera. 10.30 Extreme Railways. 11.30 Late Programs.
6am Morning Programs. 2pm Merv Hughes Fishing. 2.30 Portland Charter Boat Wars. 3.00 Fishing Addiction. 4.00 Hustle & Tow. 5.00 Cricket. Second Test. Sri Lanka v Aust. Morning. (Alt schedule may be shown). 5.30 The Lunch Break. 6.10 Cricket. Second Test. Sri Lanka v Aust. Afternoon. 8.10 Sri Lanka Vs Australia: Tea Break.
6.00 Hello SA. (PG, R) 6.30 A Current Affair. (R) 7.00 Weekend Today. 10.00 Golf. Jack Newton Celebrity Classic. 11.00 For The Love Of Pets. (PGm, R) 12.00 Fishing Australia. 12.30 The Pet Rescuers. (PGm, R) 1.00 MOVIE: The Cutting Edge. (1992, PGl, R) D.B. Sweeney. 3.00 Space Invaders. (PGa, R) 4.00 David Attenborough’s Green Planet. (R) 5.00
6.00 9News Sunday.
7.00 Married At First Sight. (PGls) It is time for the commitment ceremony.
8.30 60 Minutes. Current affairs program, investigating, analysing and uncovering the issues affecting all Australians.
9.30 9News Late.
10.00 See No Evil: The Big Guy. (Mav) A look at two murders.
11.00 The First 48: The Code. (Mal)
11.50 Iconic Australia: The Pub. (Mav, R)
12.50 Destination WA. (R)
1.20 Talking Honey. (PG, R)
1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)
4.00 Believer’s Voice Of Victory. (PGa) 4.30 Fishing Australia. (R) 5.00 Today Early News. 5.30 Today.
9GEM (92)
6am Skippy. 6.30 Amazing Facts With Doug Batchelor. 7.00 Invictus Games: Preview. 8.00 Invictus Games: Opening Ceremony. 10.30 MOVIE: Daleks’ Invasion Earth 2150 A.D. (1966, PG) 12.20pm MOVIE: Quiet Weekend. (1946) 2.15 MOVIE: Pacific Destiny. (1956) 4.15 MOVIE: Sabata. (1969, PG) 6.30 M*A*S*H. 8.30 MOVIE: Rambo: First Blood. (1982, M) 10.25 The Closer. 11.25 Late Programs.
6am Children’s Programs. 12.30pm Basketball. WNBL. Southside Flyers v Adelaide. 2.30 Surfing Aust. 3.00 Young Sheldon. 4.00 MOVIE: Bean. (1997, PG) 5.45 MOVIE: Johnny English. (2003, PG) 7.30 MOVIE: Sherlock Holmes. (2009, M) 10.05 MOVIE: The Fast And The Furious. (2001, M) 12.10am Gotham. 1.10 Arrow. 3.00 Teen Titans Go! 3.30 Beyblade X. 4.00 Bakugan. 4.30 Late Programs.
6.00 The Sunday Project. A look at the day’s news. 7.00 I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! (PGals) Hosted by Julia Morris and Robert Irwin. 8.30 MOVIE: Rocketman. (2019, Madls, R) Follows the life of Elton John, from his years as a prodigy to his musical partnership with Bernie Taupin. Taron Egerton, Jamie Bell, Richard Madden. 11.00 FBI. (Mv, R) A local club owner is found dead. 11.50 The Sunday Project. (R) 1.00 Home Shopping. (R) 4.30 CBS Mornings.
(7)
6.00 Sunrise. News, sport and weather. 10.00 NFL. Super Bowl LIX. Kansas City Chiefs v Philadelphia Eagles.
3.00 The Chase. (R) Contestants race to answer quiz questions correctly to avoid being caught by The Chaser. Hosted by Bradley Walsh. 4.00 Seven News At 4. 5.00 To Be Advised.
6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Home And Away. (PGas) Justin fears that Lyrik is over. 7.30 Australian Idol. (PGal) Hosted by Ricki-Lee and Scott Tweedie.
9.10 St. Denis Medical. (PGals) After Ron hexes the day to prove superstitions are not real, things at the hospital start getting weird.
10.10 First Dates UK. (PG) Singles experience the thrills of dating. 11.15 Lopez Vs. Lopez. (PGadls)
12.15 Friday Night Lights. (Madsv, R) 1.15 Travel Oz. (PG, R) 2.00 Home Shopping. (R)
4.00 NBC Today. 5.00 Sunrise Early News. 5.30 Sunrise.
6.00 Today. 9.00 Today Extra. (PG) 11.30 9News Morning.
Married At First Sight. (PGls, R)
Destination WA. (PG, R)
Pointless. (PG, R)
Tipping Point. (PG, R) 4.00 9News Afternoon. 5.00 Tipping Point Australia. (PG)
6.00 9News.
6.00 Deal Or No Deal. Hosted by Grant Denyer. 6.30 The Project. A look at the day’s news. 7.30 I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! (PGals) Hosted by Julia Morris and Robert Irwin. 9.00 NCIS: Sydney. (Mv, R) The team investigates when a US petty officer’s body is found in Sydney’s historic Rocks area. 10.00 10’s Late News. Coverage of news, sport and weather. 10.25 NCIS. (Mv, R) Knight goes viral. 11.25 The Project. (R) 12.30 The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. (PG) 1.30 Home Shopping. (R) 4.30 CBS Mornings. 6am Morning Programs. 1.30pm The Inside Story. 2.00 Blind Love. 3.05 Wine Lovers’ Guide. 3.35 WorldWatch. 5.50 Alone: The Skills Challenge. 6.15 The Machines That Built America. 7.05 Jeopardy! 7.30 NITV News Update. 7.35 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown. 8.30 Forged In Fire. 10.10 The Weekly Football Wrap. 10.40 Four Years Later. 11.45 The Rope. 12.45am Bad Education. 1.55 Late Programs. SBS VICELAND (31) 6am Children’s Programs. 5.55pm Paddington. 6.05 Kiya And The Kimoja Heroes. 6.20 Bluey. 6.25 Octonauts: Above And Beyond. 6.35 Kiri And Lou. 6.45 Ben And Holly. 7.00 The Deep. 7.20 Bluey. 7.30 Shaun The Sheep. 7.35 Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures. 7.50 The Inbestigators. 8.05 Dr Karl’s How Things Work. 8.35 BTN Newsbreak. 8.40 The Crystal Maze. 9.25 Street Science. 9.50 Merlin. 10.35 Late Programs. ABC FAMILY (22) 6am The Movie Show. 6.35 Clue. (1985,
7.00 A Current Affair.
7.30 Married At First Sight. (Mls) Intimacy week gets underway.
9.00 Australian Crime Stories: The Investigators: Strike Force Kindra. (Mdv) A look at Strike Force Kindra. 10.00 9News Late.
10.30 Forensics: Murder Scene. (MA15+alv)
11.30 First On Scene. (Man)
12.00 Tipping Point. (PG, R) 1.00 Hello SA. (PG) 1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 2.30 Global Shop. (R) 3.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 Believer’s Voice Of Victory. (PGa) 4.30 A Current Affair. (R) 5.00 Today Early News. 5.30 Today.
ABC (2)
SBS (3) SEVEN (7)
6.00 News Breakfast. 9.00 ABC News Mornings. 10.00 Australian Story. (R) 10.30 Optics. (Ml, R) 11.00 Muster Dogs: Collies And Kelpies. (R) 12.00 ABC News At Noon. 1.00 Call The Midwife. (Ma, R) 2.00 Parliament Question Time. 3.00 Nigella Bites. (R) 3.25 Grand Designs. (R) 4.15 Long Lost Family. (PG, R) 5.00 A Bite To Eat With Alice. (R) 5.30 Antiques Roadshow. (R) 6.00 WorldWatch. 9.15 For The Love Of Dogs. (PG, R) 10.05 Great Lighthouses Of Ireland. (PGa, R) 11.05 Great Canal Journeys. (PGa, R) 12.00 WorldWatch. 2.00 Such Was Life. (R) 2.10 History Of Britain. (PGal, R) 3.00 The Weekly Football Wrap. (R) 3.30 Plat Du Tour. (R) 3.40 The Cook Up. (R) 4.10 Britain’s Secret Islands. (PGav, R) 5.05 Jeopardy! (R) 5.30 Letters And Numbers. (R) 6.00 Sunrise. 9.00 The Morning Show. (PG) 12.00 Seven’s National News At Noon. 1.00 To Be Advised. 3.00 The Chase. (R) Hosted by Bradley Walsh. 4.00 Seven News At 4. 5.00 To Be Advised.
6.30 Hard Quiz. (PG, R) 7.00 ABC News.
7.30 7.30.
8.00 Dr Karl’s How Things Work: Cheese. (Final)
8.30 Eat The Invaders: Deer. (Final, PG) Hosted by Tony Armstrong. 9.00 Hippo Watch With Steve Backshall. (Final, PG, R) Presented by Steve Backshall. 9.45 Ningaloo Nyinggulu: Choices. (Final, R)
10.45 ABC Late News. 11.00 The Business. (R)
11.15 Four Corners. (R) 12.00 Media Watch. (R) 12.20 Parliament Question Time. 1.20 Grand Designs. (R) 2.10 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv) 3.25 Parkinson In Australia. (PG, R) 4.30 Gardening Australia. (R) 5.30 7.30. (R)
6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R)
6.30 SBS World News.
7.30 Who Do You Think You Are? Melissa Doyle. (PG, R)
8.30 Pretty Baby: Brooke Shields. (Malv) Charts Brooke Shields’ life. 9.45 The Artist’s View: Van Halen. (Ml, R) Profiles American rock band Van Halen.
10.15 SBS World News Late.
10.45 Beyond Signs. (Final, MA15+av) 11.45 Fargo. (MA15+v, R) 1.30 Barkley Manor. (PG, R) 2.00 Inside The Modelling Agency. (PG, R) 3.50 Bamay. (R) 4.50 Destination Flavour China Bitesize. (PG, R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
6.00 Seven News.
7.00 Home And Away. (PG) Dana enlists help for her next scheme.
7.30 Australian Idol. (PG) As the auditions continue, more hopefuls strive to prove they have what it takes.
9.20 The Hunting Party. (M) The team tracks Clayton Jessup, a deranged killer who targets happy families.
10.20 The Irrational. (Mav)
A Wall Street rising star dies.
12.20 Friday Night Lights. (Madsv, R) Taylor tries to keep Matt and Julie apart.
2.30 Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 NBC Today.
5.00 Sunrise Early News. 5.30 Sunrise.
NINE (9)
TEN (10)
6.00 Deal Or No Deal.
6.00 9News.
7.00 A Current Affair.
6.30 The Project. A look at the day’s news. 7.30 I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! (PGals) Hosted by Julia Morris and Robert Irwin. 9.00 The Ex-Wife. (Final, Mlsv) Tasha’s mission to be reunited with her daughter leads to tragedy when an accident leaves some battling for survival. 10.00 10’s Late News. Coverage of news, sport and weather. 10.25 FBI: Most Wanted. (Masv) 11.25 The Project. (R) 12.30 The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. (PG) 1.30 Home Shopping. (R) 4.30 CBS Mornings. 6am Morning Programs. 1.25pm VICE. 2.00 Dark Side Of The ‘90s. 2.55 Queer Sports. 3.50 WorldWatch. 5.50 Alone: The Skills Challenge. 6.15 The Machines That Built America. 7.05 Jeopardy! 7.30 NITV News Update. 7.35 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown. 8.30 The Great Wall With Ash Dykes. 10.30 Black Comedy In America. 12.20am Devilsdorp. 2.40 NHK World English News. 5.00 Al Jazeera. SBS VICELAND (31) 6am Children’s Programs. 5.55pm Paddington. 6.05 Kiya And The Kimoja Heroes. 6.20 Bluey. 6.25 Octonauts. 6.35 Kiri And Lou. 6.45 Ben And Holly. 7.00 The Deep. 7.20 Bluey. 7.30 Shaun The Sheep. 7.35 Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures. 7.50 The Inbestigators. 8.05 Operation Ouch! 8.35 BTN Newsbreak. 8.40 Deadly Predators. (Final) 9.10 Secrets Of The Zoo. 9.55 Merlin. 10.40 Late Programs.
7.30 Married At First Sight. (Mls) The husbands’ intimacy workshop gets derailed.
9.00 Madam. (MA15+ls) With a farmer convention in town, The Sweethearts are ready for business.
10.20 9News Late.
10.50 My Feet Are Killing Me. (Mm)
11.40 The Equalizer. (Mv, R)
12.30 Tipping Point. (PG, R)
1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)
2.30 Our State On A Plate. (PG, R) 3.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 Believer’s Voice Of Victory. (PGa) 4.30 A Current Affair. (R) 5.00 Today Early News. 5.30 Today.
ABC FAMILY (22) 6am
6am TBA. 6.30 Escape To The Country. 7.30
NITV (34)
1.30pm Spirit Talker. 2.00 Unsettled. 2.30 The Cook Up. 3.00 Jarjums. 4.05 Cities Of Gold. 4.35 Motown Magic. 5.00 Our Stories. 5.30 Indian Country Today News. 6.00 Bamay. 6.30 News. 6.40 Wildlife Rescue New Zealand. (Final) 7.30 The Real Stories Of Basketball. 8.30 Ice Vikings. 9.20 Hunting Aotearoa. 10.20 MOVIE: The Dark Horse. (2014, M) 12.30am Late Programs.
Viceroy’s House. Continued. (2017, PG) 7.00 Without A Clue. (1988, PG) 9.00 The Lunchbox. (2013, PG, Hindi) 11.00 A Thousand Lines. (2022, M, German) 12.40pm Ladies Of Steel. (2020, M, Finnish) 2.25 Clue. (1985, PG) 4.15 The Falcons. (2018, PG, Icelandic) 6.10 The Adventures Of Baron Munchausen. (1988, PG) 8.30 Jackie Brown. (1997, MA15+) 11.20 Late Programs. SBS WORLD MOVIES (32) 6am Morning Programs.
ABC TV (2)
6.00 News Breakfast. 9.00 ABC News Mornings. 10.00 Four Corners. (R) 11.00 Antiques Roadshow. (R) 12.00 ABC News At Noon. 12.30 National Press Club Address. 1.35 Media Watch. (R) 2.00 Parliament Question Time. 3.00 Nigella Bites. (R) 3.25 Grand Designs. (R) 4.10 Long Lost Family. (PG, R) 5.00 A Bite To Eat With Alice. (R) 5.30 Antiques Roadshow. (R)
(PG)
(Ml) Greta and Nicole
Guy Montgomery’s Guy Mont Spelling Bee (NZ) (PG, R) Presented by Guy Montgomery.
9.45 Planet America.
10.20 Spicks And Specks. (PG, R)
10.50 ABC Late News. 11.05 The Business. (R) 11.20 Aftertaste. (Mls, R) 12.20 Grand Designs. (R) 1.10 Parliament Question Time. 2.10 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv) 3.40 Parkinson In Australia. (PG, R) 4.30 Gardening Australia. (R) 5.30 7.30. (R)
(3)
6.00 WorldWatch. 9.05 Paul O’Grady For The Love Of Dogs: India. (PGa, R) 10.05 Great Lighthouses Of Ireland. (PGa, R) 11.05 Great Canal Journeys. (PGa, R) 12.00 WorldWatch. 2.00 Such Was Life. (R) 2.10 History Of Britain. (PGav, R) 3.00 Railway Journeys UK. (PG, R) 3.35 Plat Du Tour. (R) 3.40 The Cook Up. (R) 4.10 Britain’s Secret Islands. (R) 5.05 Jeopardy! (R) 5.30 Letters And Numbers. (R)
6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R)
6.30 SBS World News.
7.35 Lord Lucan: The Evidence. (Premiere, M) 8.30 Wonders Of The Sun With Dara Ó Briain. (PG) Dara Ó Briain learns about the Sun. 9.25 Miniseries: Playing Nice. (Mal) Pete is questioned by the police. 10.20 SBS World News Late. 10.50 Pagan Peak. (MA15+av) 11.50 Rogue Heroes. (MA15+al, R) 12.55 Agent Hamilton. (MA15+v, R) 2.40 Barkley Manor. (R) 3.10 Inside The Modelling Agency. (PGl, R) 4.05 Peer To Peer. (R) 4.35 Bamay. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
6.00 Sunrise. 9.00 The Morning Show. (PG) 12.00 Seven’s National News At Noon. 1.00 To Be Advised. 3.00 The Chase. (R) Hosted by Bradley Walsh. 4.00 Seven News At 4. 5.00 To Be Advised.
6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Home And Away. (PG) Leah digs her heels in.
7.30 The 1% Club UK. (PG) Hosted by Lee Mack.
8.30 Ludwig. (Mav) A new case takes Ludwig on a walking tour of Cambridge where he is faced with an impossible question.
9.45 Breathtaking. (Premiere, Ma) Follows NHS staff during the COVID-19 pandemic.
10.45 The Suspects: True Australian Thrillers. (Mlv, R)
11.45 Autopsy USA. (Ma, R)
12.45 Damnation. (MA15+asv)
2.00 Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 NBC Today. 5.00 Sunrise Early News. 5.30 Sunrise.
6.00 Today. 9.00 Today Extra. (PG) 11.30 9News Morning. 12.00 Married At First Sight. (Mls, R) 1.30 My Way. 2.00 Pointless. (PG, R) 3.00 Tipping Point. (PG, R) 4.00 9News Afternoon.
Tipping Point Australia. (PG)
6.00 9News.
7.00 A Current Affair.
7.30 Married At First Sight. (Mls) It is time for the second dinner party.
9.00 Big Miracles. (Mam) Scientists help Alicia and Chris to overcome Alicia’s history of miscarriages.
10.00 9News Late.
10.30 Casualty 24/7. (MA15+m, R)
11.30 The Equalizer. (Mav, R)
12.15 Tipping Point. (PG, R)
1.05 Explore TV. (R) 1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)
2.30 Global Shop. (R) 3.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 Believer’s Voice Of Victory. (PGa) 4.30 A Current Affair. (R) 5.00 Today Early News. 5.30 Today.
6.00 Deal Or No Deal. 6.30 The Project. A look at the day’s news. 7.30 I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! (PGals) Hosted by Julia Morris and Robert Irwin. 9.00 Elsbeth. (Msv) An elite matchmaker goes to extreme lengths to keep her socialite client from finding out the truth about her perfect new husband. 10.00 10’s Late News. Coverage of news, sport and weather. 10.25 NCIS: Hawai’i. (Mdsv) 11.20 The Project. (R) 12.25 The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. (PG) 1.30 Home Shopping. (R) 4.30
6am Morning Programs. 2.15pm Unknown Amazon. 3.10 Fashionista. 3.20 The Weekly Football Wrap. 3.50 WorldWatch. 5.50 The Fast History Of. 6.15 The Machines That Built America. 7.05 Jeopardy! 7.30 News. 7.35 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown. 8.30 MOVIE: The Last Samurai. (2003, MA15+) 11.15 MOVIE: The Kid Detective. (2020, MA15+) 1am Late Programs.
SBS VICELAND (31) 6am Children’s Programs. 5.45pm Hey Duggee. 5.55 Paddington. 6.05 Kiya And The Kimoja Heroes. 6.20 Bluey. 6.25 Octonauts: Above And Beyond. 6.35 Kiri And Lou. 6.45 Ben And Holly. 7.00 The Deep. 7.20 Bluey. 7.30 Shaun The Sheep. 7.35 Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures. 7.50 The Inbestigators. 8.05 Operation Ouch! 8.35 BTN Newsbreak. 8.40 Doctor Who. 10.25 Merlin. 11.10 Late Programs. ABC FAMILY (22) 6am The Adventures Of Baron Munchausen. (1988, PG) 8.20 Diana. (2013, PG) 10.25 Murder By Decree. (1979, M) 12.40pm Aline. (2020, M, French) 3.00 Without A Clue. (1988, PG) 5.00 The Producers. (1967, PG) 6.40 Finding Graceland. (1998, PG) 8.30 Kill Bill: Vol. 1. (2003, MA15+)
The catastrophic landslide at McCrae on 14 January has receded from the front pages and the TV news reports but that is of little comfort to the 19 owners evicted from their homes.
In the meantime, South East Water has been active in examining their areas of responsibility but the shire is strangely silent.
To any long time resident of the area the shire, over many years, is the body clearly at fault. It is the one responsible for drainage, issuing building permits and tree removals.
The hillside at McCrae has had natural springs emerge for over 100 years. It is not a new phenomenon. What is new is the removal of the big gum trees that once grew prolifically in the area. These were natures pumps and root systems which held the soil together but none of the alleged experts has raised this as a major contributing factor to the landslides.
Permits to remove these trees have been issued like tram tickets with no regard given to their long-term benefit. Those removed illegally attract token fines and in the context of the construction cost of a new house are no deterrent and represent less than petty cash.
The underground water movement from Arthur’s Seat will continue. Nature is perpetual and there is nothing that the shire can do about it other than apply more knowledge to the issuing of building and tree removal permits.
Talk of a class action is in the wind. The costs and consequences of this will be devastating to the shire and the best course of action they could take is to buy back the 19 affected properties now and save ratepayers millions in legal costs.
The shire is clearly at fault but not just the current office holders.
Barry Rumpf, McCrae
As noted in last weeks letters page (Times are changing, Letters 28/1/25), all four clocks on the tower in the Main/Barkly Streets roundabout show different times, so a word of caution to anyone meeting a friend at an agreed time at that junction. When you get there make sure that you check the time on your watch, and not the time on any of the tower clocks.
However, since then workers have attended to the four clocks, and as of 30 January they are all stopped at 12 o’clock. Is that an indication that all clocks are going to be adjusted to the correct time or all just put on hold? Only time will tell. A few weeks ago the spelling mistakes on signs at the Barkly/Gordon Street junction were noted, and now not far from there the times on the clocks mistakes at Barkly/Main Street junction were listed, so is Barkly Street the unlucky Street?
Lance Rickard, Mt Martha
Congratulations to Damien McLindon and Ben Smith on their excellent documentary covering an extraordinary local project that has supported those sleeping rough (Homelessness film wins best documentary at festival, The News 28/1/25).
Providing basic needs to those who are unhoused is a vital societal act. It was also refreshing to learn from your article that Ben Smith, the CEO of Mornington Community Support Centre and the driving force behind this project, is running as an independent candidate for Flinders in the upcoming election. His deep commitment to local communities offers a different type of leadership. Many people I speak with are frustrated by the major parties’ vested interests and their inability to address the pressing issues facing everyday Australians.
Representatives of Smith’s calibre, who prioritise the needs of local communities, are needed to move us past the current political challenges. Amy Hiller, Kew
I hear many times that independents are funded by Simon Holmes à Court. Simon does not typically directly finance political candidates in his personal capacity. Instead, his primary involvement is through Climate 200, an organization he
founded and helps lead.
Climate 200 is a crowdfunding initiative that raises money from thousands of donors to support independent candidates who advocate, unlike the donors to the political duopoly, for stronger action on climate change, political transparency, and social equity.
On the other hand we never hear about the multi-millions funnelled to Labor and Coalition from special interest groups, notably the fossil fuel industry and billionaires, who then get a seat at the table when developing policies.
What makes this political funding disparity more glaring is how media coverage amplifies the idea of independents being “bankrolled” by Climate 200 or Simon while, at the same time, sidestepping the immense financial influence of corporate donors, billionaires, and other special interest groups on major parties.
It’s a stark reminder of how entrenched interests use funding not only to influence policy but also to control the narrative around political legitimacy.
The “bankrolling” by Climate 200 is minuscule compared to the bankrolling of the political duopoly.
A footnote: there is no “Teals” party as so many would like you to believe. Teal was the umbrella colour many independents used to identify their campaign. They are independents that vote for the people who elected them not for the party they are a member of. Every vote is a conscious vote. They use their political power to influence policy changes and outcomes that the political duopoly would rather leave buried or ignored. Independents keep the government of the day honest to some extent which is a full time job in itself.
Hilda McLeod, Dromana
Like so many Mt Eliza residents I was bitterly disappointed that there was not an Australia Day celebration in Mt Eliza.
As your local councillor, I have already had discussions with the Mt Eliza Chamber, local Lions and Rotary Clubs and guarantee that the Mt Eliza Australia Day 2026 will be bigger and better than ever before.
I did celebrate Australia Day by attended the Australian Citizenship Ceremony in Flinders.
I will be holding a community forum on Thursday 6 March in the Community Centre for residents, businesses and associated clubs to attend.
Cr Stephen Batty, Kackeraboite Ward
Congratulations to the members of the Mornington Football Netball Club for the many Australian flags displayed in Main St Mornington on Australia Day. So many visitors to our shops, beaches and parks and these flags sent a positive, welcoming message to all, on what is a very special National Day.
Ila Howard, Mornington
The desecration of war memorials is a kick in the head for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders who served in the Boer War, First World War and the Second World War and sacrificed their lives for Australia to be a free democracy and end racial discrimination.
Native Australian’s service has been disrespected in the past with a shocking example by Bruce Ruxton who refused the Aboriginal returned soldiers the right to march as a group in the 1985 ANZAC march.
War memorials should be “hands off” as they commemorate all the service men and women, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, who served in the armed services for Australia.
Russell Morse, Karingal
I’d like to clarify some points raised in Russell Morse’s letter on gas bans (Gas bans, Letters 28/1/25).
Let’s be clear. In existing homes, the Victo-
rian government is not banning gas.
Gas for cooking will always be a choice available, using bottles if needed. However, mains gas, in particular, will become increasingly expensive. The network connection charge will spiral sharply upwards over the next few years.
It’s wise to start planning your transition away from gas now. Switching to electric heating is a smart move for your wallet, your health, and the environment.
Struggling with energy bills? Call Anglicare Victoria’s Energy Assistance Program at 1800 531 741.
John Godfrey, Cape Paterson
I was shocked by a letter that left me wondering what the writer hoped to achieve (Good riddance, Letters 28/1/25). That achievement showed a lack of consideration and respect for others.
Name-calling , as demonstrated in the letter, generally lacks judgement. It is not acceptable to demean anyone’s work. Such rhetoric is inciteful, rude, crass, and frankly absurd.
To the person who wrote such a hateful letter, if you cannot write a coherent letter without resorting to disgraceful language, it may be better if you choose not to express your opinions in writing.
Anne Kruger, Rye
The Sustainable Future Association apparently does not have a clue about Net immigration, their 40,000 goal is naive and absurd (Unsustainable future, Letters 28/1/25).
First the bone: 24.9% (110,954) are permanent visas, 13.6% (59,840) are returning Australians and New Zealanders 444(c) visas (guess we could block Australians from returning home), 2.9% (12,922) are permanent family visas (some of these take 27 years to process), 1.8% (8020) are permanent humanitarian (no comment), 4.7% (20,943) are permanent skilled workers (which we need more of) and 1.9% (8,466) are other permanent visas.
Now for the meat: 75.1% (334,645) are temporary visas who will, at some point, have to return home. 38.3% (170,664) are students who contribute $36.4 billion to our economy, 9.4% (41886) are these pesky working holiday backpackers who contribute around $3 billion a year (could cut to zero but then what indentured servants would we have to pick our fruit and vegetables?), 20.7% (92,239) are tourists and other temporary visas. In 2025 tourists are poised to make an economic contribution of $265.5b, representing 10% of the Australian economy and jobs in Australia’s travel and tourism sector hit 1.42m, representing a tenth of the national workforce.
Migration is insignificant of the many factors influencing housing demand, and is not the root cause of housing shortages. Addressing the real drivers, such as restrictive housing policies, speculative investment, and inadequate construction (need more skilled labour) is essential for creating sustainable and equitable housing markets.
Blaming migration oversimplifies a complex issue and detracts from the systemic solutions needed to resolve it. I challenge The Sustainable Future Association to reply to the data with a clear and concise proposal to reach their 40,000 goal.
Joe Lenzo, Safety Beach
In the early 2000s when the big four banks started closing branches, the NAB decided to shut down Mt Martha branch leaving us without banking facilities particularly for our older community members, so a group of residents contacted the Bendigo Bank with a view to starting a community bank branch.
With assistance from Bendigo Bank it was decided to progress with the idea and after much work in getting shareholders signed up to establish the funding amount required to start proceedings. Then with almost two years work a branch was opened on 7 April 2011.
For those who are not familiar with a Bendigo Community Bank model, the Bendigo Bank runs the banking side of things with very strict rules applied by the government to run a bank and the community company (shareholders) run the actual premises etc.
The community model requires up 80% + of the profits to be put back into local not for profit community groups for ongoing expenses (such as building works , or other running expenses).
Now we now come to the good news. To all the locals who bank with the Mt Martha Community Bank, you can take pride in the knowledge that your support has meant that local groups have (up to December 2024) been given grants totalling $1.5 million. So if you want to make a change to the Mt Martha Community (if you bank with another bank) look at changing the bank you use now or apply for a home loan/business loan/etc and make a difference .
If you are a community group looking for assistance contact Gary Sanford through the branch in Mt Martha.
There are other Community Banks throughout the peninsula that help their communities in the same way, so support them to see the results you can help achieve.
Barry Kirkpatrick, Mt Martha
Recently in my street the gutter had been half full of water for about five days. On investigation I discovered the source of the problem was five houses away from me.
I would have thought that of all the people in that vicinity (mostly units) someone would have used their nous and reported it to the authorities. No, not one of them! What a waste of water!
It seems that we are all so wrapped in ourselves these days that neighbourliness has gone out the window and nobody cares about what is happening around them. Shame. Shame. Shame.
Maria Fiumara, Bonbeach
As a Melbourne returnee, I am shocked at the signs of pollution in our precious bay. During recent rains, the bay’s water quality was considered too poor for swimming and was bright green when seen from Seaford pier. Even in calm weather there remained a carpet of green on the sand along the stretch of beach.
Are we heading blindly into the pollution catastrophe being experienced in the UK from dumping of waste water, including sewage and runoff, into beaches, rivers and lakes rendering them unusable?
Imagine Melbourne without our beloved bay.
If not pollution, please tell me what is happening!
Susan Chapman, Bonbeach
We enjoy Frankston beach almost every day, and are grateful that such a safe and attractive site is freely available to older citizens such as ourselves, as well as to other members of the general public.
We were therefore recently surprised to find that a substantial portion of the beach right next to the pier, a favourite position for families, had been taken over by a beer garden. Not only does it diminish the space available for other beach-goers, but parents and children will be exposed to drunken behaviour and language, and the sand is likely to be littered with rubbish, including dangerous broken glass.
Given that an intersection with a pub on each corner is situated just a couple of minutes walk away, there was little danger of anyone dying of thirst in the absence of this latest eyesore.
Bill and Fran James, Frankston
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YOU’VE just started putting in the extra miles, walking or running to get fit, and suddenly putting weight on the base of the foot, near the heel makes it ache, and makes more training a painful prospect.
That sharp pain in your heel can be a symptom of plantar fasciitis, a condition of the connective plantar fascia tissue in your foot, and traditionally very difficult to treat.
Physiotherapist Paul Rowson says Plantar Fasciitis is an overuse injury that can feel as though you have a pebble in your shoe.
At Back In Motion Balnarring, we have several solutions for this condition. Firstly, it is important to look at your whole lower limb biomechanics. As a result, we can work on your strength and flexibility in your leg and foot, prescribe orthotics, tape and teach taping, and use massage and ultrasound to reduce inflammation. We have a unique way of mobilizing your foot and teaching “foot core stability” to reduce pressure on the plantar fascia.
Apart from the above solutions, there is a newer healing technology that is making a profound difference to Plantar fasciitis sufferers.
Practice owner and physiotherapist, Paul Rowson says shockwave therapy is often useful, because the Plantar fascia is a connective tissue, not a muscle. “It puts a significant shockwave through the tissues you apply it to,” Mr Rowson says. “It is a pressure wave which brings blood flow to the area. Tendons and connective tissue do not have much blood supply and can take a long time to heal. Shockwave artificially stimulates the healing of the tendon”.
Shockwave therapy can also be used on Achilles tendonitis, tennis and golfer’s elbow, and rotator cuff tendon problems, and is usually most effective on long term chronic problems, rather than acute injuries.
Both physios say that Shockwave is not the first line of treatment for injured patients. Physiotherapy and graded exercise are more likely in the first instance. For more stubborn conditions, shockwave has shown good results in other Back In Motion clinics. “The evidence at the moment suggests between three to five treatments are required, but most people should see an improvement within three sessions. It has a 90% success rate,”Mr Rowson says.
The Shockwave therapy is administered for a three-minute period to the affected area during consecutive weekly appointments. “It is a bit of an uncomfortable sensation,”Mr Rowson says, “like most physio hands-on treatments with a little discomfort during the treatment.”
Mr Rowson says,” After each session, most people get a significant reduction of pain and symptoms. Long term it stimulates healing, short term it reduces pain.”
“Probably the best thing is, the effects are long lasting. It stops a lot of people having more invasive things like surgery or injections. The treatment is considered safe, but can produce skin reddening or bruising, short term pain, and cannot be used on people taking blood thinning medications or with bleeding disorders.”
“It is important to know that shock wave has a long-term effect. Most of the time you have good outcomes without having to do further treatment.” says Mr Rowson.
Back in Motion is at 6/2-8 Russell Street, Balnarring. www.backinmotion.com.au/ balnarring
• Heel pain (plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendinopathy)
• Tennis & golfers elbow
• Patella tendinopathy
Frozen shoulder
Compiled by Cameron McCullough
THE enthusiastic members of the Frankston branch of the R.S.S.I.L.A. are justly proud men today, for on Saturday last, at 3.30pm, the ceremony in connection with the laying of the foundation stone of the Soldiers’ Memorial Hall, in Thompson Street, was impressively performed by the Prime Minister of Australia (Mr. Bruce) in the presence of a large and representative attendance.
The weather was ideal for the auspicious occasion. It is true that for a considerable space of time a somewhat belated atmosphere had been created by reason of a certain section of the Memorial Committee electing to override a majority decision of the local members of the League in respect of the chosen site for the muchdelayed building, but the clouds of despair were, eventually, cleared away, due to direct action taken by the president (Cr. J. L. Pratt) of the Frankston branch, supported by a virile and determined muster of deputants to the aforesaid Memorial Committee, with the satisfactory result that the “Diggers” wishes to adequately perpetuate the memory of their fallen comrades is now on the high road to consummation.
In short, Saturday’s ceremony was an epoch-making event.
***
A HORSE, attached to a jinker, bolted through the streets of Frankston this morning. After traversing the main thoroughfares, the runaway made its final run along the footpath in Playne Street. The vehicle crashed into a telegraph post and came to a standstill near Mr. Gamble’s black-
smith’s shop.
The jinker was completely wrecked.
Mr. A. Gamble took charge of the horse, which was uninjured, and restored it to its owner, Mr. E. Brown.
***
AT the Mornington Court of Petty Sessions, before Messrs. Barrett and Sanders, J.’sP., a man named Wench was charged with the larceny of a rug, valued at £2, from his employer, R. Egilton, of “Hadlow.”
The accused elected to be dealt with by the Court, pleaded guilty, and was fined £1 or seven days imprisonment, with an order of the restitution of the rug.
The fine was paid.
***
THE report of the sad demise of Mr. Tom McMurtrie, only son of Mr. and Mrs. T. J. McMurtrie, of Frankston, which appeared in last Friday’s issue of “The Standard” was substantially correct.
Mr. Victor Henderson, and the deceased, had been in partnership as electrical engineers, at 45 Madeline Street, Carlton, and on the day that was to be fraught with so tragic an ending, were both working in separate houses, adjacent to each other.
Early on the evening of Thursday, the now deceased left on his bicycle, having previously notified Mr. Henderson that he would be home before him. As he did not, however, appear on the scene, as expected, Mr. Henderson naturally became anxious and alarmed at the absence of his late partner. Then came, like a bolt from the blue, the news of the tragedy.
The late Mr. Tom McMurtrie acci-
dentally collided with a motor bus at the corner of Victoria and Nicholson streets.
He was conveyed to St. Vincent’s Hospital by a passing motorist, in a badly injured condition, and as previously announced in our columns, died shortly after admittance to that institution, without regaining consciousness.
It had been the first occasion upon which he had ridden his bicycle through a busy and traffic-congested thoroughfare. His purpose in going was prompted by the intention of having a trial spin with Hedspath, the champion track rider from Africa.
Again, we extend to his bereaved parents our heartfelt and deepest sympathy in the terrible loss they have sustained.
The funeral, which took place in the Frankston cemetery on Sunday afternoon last, was the largest ever seen in the Shire, and indicated the high esteem in which the deceased had been held.
***
Somerville
Residents of the district will be sorry to hear that our old friend exCr. McLean is confined to his bed with a bad throat and severe chill.
We wish him a speedy recovery.
The Somerville tennis courts are now looking at their best, having just been top-dressed. The Tennis Club is a very live concern, and is keeping their end of the park very much up to date. At present the club has not done too well in the competition, but expects to improve, as a lot of young players are now practicing.
The local cool stores are expected
ACCLAIMED guitarists Slava and Leonard Grigoryan are set to bring their groundbreaking show, This Is Us: A Musical Reflection of Australia, to Frankston Arts Centre as part of the 2025 Season. This extraordinary performance weaves music and history into an evocative journey through Australia’s rich and complex heritage.
In This Is Us: A Musical Reflection of Australia, the Grigoryan Brothers present a suite of 18 original compositions inspired by objects from the National Museum of Australia’s vast collection. Each piece responds to a specific artefact, ranging from a 65,000-year-old ochre from the Madjebebe rock shelter to a cricket bat belonging to Sir Donald Bradman. These items trace Australia’s story from its Indigenous roots to contemporary society. Accompanying the music are high-definition 3D projections of the objects, creating a powerful and immersive experience for audiences.
Known for their mastery across classical, jazz, and contemporary genres, the brothers perform on a range of guitars, including electric, 8-string tenor ukulele, 12-string, and classical guitars. This performance marks a new direction for Slava and Leonard, featuring an entire program of original compositions written during lockdown while they lived in separate states. “We chose objects that try to represent some of our First Nations’ history as well as colonisation, migration, innovation, and stories of love and loss. We were deeply moved by all of them,” they share.
Audiences can expect a deeply moving celebration of Australia’s history, where music and storytelling intertwine, offering a fresh perspective on the nation’s past and present.
This Is Us: A Musical Reflection of Australia tours to Frankston Arts Centre on Saturday 1 March. Tickets available at thefac.com.au or on 03 9784 1060.
to open about February 9. At present the overhauling and renovations are not completed.
Prices are still slow for fruit.
W.B.C. pears, 6/- to 7/- in Sydney and Brisbane, and apples (eating) up to 10/-; cooking, to 8/-.
The Cricket Club is still maintaining its position near the head of the list. They are thankful to see plenty of young players coming on. We hear that a dinner is the stake for a match between one prominent family and the rest of Australia—no, we mean Somerville!
The new Church of England Vicarage is now beginning to take shape properly, and should look a fine building when finished. ***
WE are in a position to officially announce that as the outcome of the timely petition presented to Cr. Charles Gray, one of the virile representatives of the Mt. Eliza Riding, and who at a memorable sitting of the Council, moreover, with a degree of consistency which reflected credit on his probity of mind, tendered his resignation in view of the previous mandate of the ratepayers, when they unanimously passed a resolution of “No Confidence” in the Council, he will favourably reconsider his decision, and will accede to the request contained in the aforesaid petition.
In fact, it is a foregone conclusion that at the monthly meeting in March next, Cr. Gray will resume his seat at the Council table, and we venture to assert, although the attributes of the party machine clique may not altogether relish the prospect of once more being subjected to cross-exam-
ination in the guise of logically-propounded and constructive criticism, at all events, many of the ratepayers will welcome sincerely the reasons which have persuaded and prompted Cr. Gray to indicate, at this stage, his intentions of retaining the seat in the Mt. Eliza Riding, which in the past, he filled so capably and conscientiously.
Let it not be forgotten, in retrospective review, that in the initial instance, Cr. Gray, true to his colours, his sense of judgment and obeying the mandate of “John Citizen,” irrevocably resigned.
He will come back with honour, and this, because the mandate of the ratepayers is the same to-day as of yore, namely: “We want you there; we cannot do without your valued services during the serious crisis through which the Shire is passing; we trust you implicitly, and hence our mandate is: Come back!”
***
THE State School in Mornington has arrived at the dignity of having its own bell, by which the dallying scholars can be reminded of the fact that time flies, and that their presence at a given place is demanded.
The cost of this bell was subscribed by the old scholars of the school, and previously it did service at the Mornington Methodist Church for nearly forty years, and was, in the first instance, a gift to the Methodist Church here, by the late Mr. Harkness, of Bendigo.
***
From the pages of the Frankston and Somerville Standard, 4 & 6 Feb 1925
GET ready, Frankston—The Joe Cocker Express is rolling into town with the unmistakable sound and soul of Joe Cocker back to life on stage.
Fronted by the electrifying Chev Wilson, a powerhouse vocalist with years of experience, this critically acclaimed tribute show goes beyond imitation. It’s a heartfelt celebration of one of the most iconic performers of all time. “Joe’s music was about connecting with people on a deeply emotional level. Every night, we aim to capture that magic and remind audiences why his legacy endures,” says Chev.
The band behind Chev is a tight-knit 8 piece ensemble of seasoned musicians who deliver a world-class performance. From the raw power of With a Little Help from My Friends to
the soul-stirring You Are So Beautiful, every note is crafted with passion and precision. Fans will also be treated to classics like Unchain My Heart and The Letter, creating a nostalgic journey that brings Joe Cocker’s greatest hits to life.
As Talking Music host Joseph Brown put it: "The Joe Cocker Experience is transcending the idea of a tribute—it’s becoming its own thing, with its own DNA. It’s the talk of the town". But this isn’t just a show—it’s an emotional experience. “We see people laugh, cry, and dance at every performance,” Chev shares.
Don’t miss your chance to be part of this unforgettable night of music and memories. Book your tickets now via thejoecockerexpress.com
1. Profession
5. Minuscule amount
7. Seep out
8. Tomb inscriptions 9. Gives speech 12. Teach 15. Wardrobe assistant
19. Extreme
Brought upon oneself
Starched neck frill
Solitary
Tennis court marking
See page 23 for solutions.
By Stuart McCullough
THIS is how it works now. You buy something, you blithely surrender your email address to facilitate the sending of an eco-friendly e-receipt and, low and behold, you start receiving emails from the company with a fervour and frequency that would embarrass Baby Reindeer. I appreciate that I could block these missives and otherwise treat them as the spam they most certainly are, but they invariably dangle the promise that some astounding offer is just around the corner… if only you keep receiving their emails.
If I were to describe these correspondences in a word, that word would be ‘needy’. They never ask how I am or how my day was. They only want to talk about themselves. It’s incredibly narcissistic and shallow. Granted, they may say the same for me, given that all I wanted was to buy something and then move on with my life unencumbered, but I prefer to think of myself as a traditionalist rather than selfish.
The one thing these emails are not is humble. In fact, these communiques go out of their way to be memorable. Grandiose, even. If Mohammed Ali wrote marketing emails, they would be nothing compared to some of the messages I receive in my inbox.
Some time ago, we bought a musical instrument from overseas. In December, I received an email from the retailer that saw fit to describe a CD featuring the Irish tin whistle as "the hottest item this Christmas".
This struck me as unlikely. I, for one, cannot imagine a world in which kids toss aside their Playstations and electric scooters because someone just gifted them a compact disc chock full of tin whistle. The idea of little tykes everywhere running up to their parents and breathlessly begging for
a tin whistle CD is some considerable distance beyond ludicrous.
For starters, upon hearing the news of an Irish tin whistle CD, most kids would begin saying "what’s a CD?".
After this was explained to them, and having broken to them the somewhat discomforting news that, once upon
a time, people paid for music, they’d invariably follow up with: "what’s a tin whistle?" And while there’s nothing wrong with these questions, as such, and they may well denote a curious mind, they weigh against the possibility that such an artefact would ever be "the hottest thing this Christmas".
The email went on, with a list of testimonials that proclaimed in glorious prose the power of the recording. Two things were striking – the sheer breathlessness of their praise as fawning words of adulation vaulted over their tongues (or, as the case may be, through their fingers to the keyboard below). I very much doubt that penicillin provoked reviews that raved as much as these did. These were the kind of testimonials that were so glowing in nature as to render lightbulbs redundant.
Part of me was sceptical. The other part was disappointed that I was unable to muster up this level of enthusiasm for anything, much less a compact disc of tin whistle. What was wrong with me? Had I become so deadened to the majesty of God’s creation that I was condemned to stumble through life with barely a pulse and a dead-eyed stare? Probably. But that doesn’t mean I ought to accept these cult-like devotionals as being anything close to reliable. Before I knew it, I was writing back. Responding to a marketing email is the one thing you should never do. But beyond incredulous, I was also insulted. As it happens, on the same day the greatest Irish tin whistle album ever to be unveiled to
humanity had been unleashed to an adoring public, we had put a record out. Frankly, I was jealous that the tin whistle guy was soaking up all the attention.
I couldn’t say our record (Country & Western Suburbs, if you’re asking) was "the hottest thing this Christmas" as all the children in my life would rather mow the back lawn with nothing but a pair of nail clippers before listening to anything I might produce, but I’d like to think that it was well regarded on, at least, the less consequential holidays like AFL Grand Final Eve. It’s on Bank Holidays and Arbour Day that I feel we can really make our mark.
Here's the irony. After being pummelled with messages on a daily basis, I finally write back and am greeted with nothing but stone-cold silence. Well, mostly stone-cold silence with the sound of an Irish tin whistle way off in the distance. Maybe I hurt their feelings. Most likely I confused them by replying to a marketing email. Or perhaps I failed to notice the tiny disclaimer that so often resides at the bottom of so many such emails: this inbox is unattended. I won’t tell you what I got for Christmas. What I will tell you, though, is that I didn’t get a CD featuring the Irish tin whistle. I did, however, nominate all its tracks for Triple J’s hottest 100 and was disappointed beyond words to see that it not only failed to take out top spot, but missed the countdown entirely. Still, there’s always next Christmas to look forward to.
stuart@stuartmccullough.com
By Brodie Cowburn
LANGWARRIN put 185 runs on the board on day one of their clash with ladder leaders Pines on Saturday.
After winning the toss, Langwarrin chose to bat first at Lloyd Park. They struggled early, losing opener Jack Marget for four, skipper Ricky Damiano for five, and Brodie Matthews for four.
Taylor Smith and Trav Campbell dug in at the end of the day to help Langwarrin put a decent total on the board. Smith scored 43 runs, and Campbell scored an impressive unbeaten 54.
Billy Humphrey was pick of the bowlers for Pines. He took 3/28.
Dromana had a good day against Baden Powell last weekend, putting 212 runs on the board.
Dale Irving top-scored for Dromana with a dynamic 50 from 77 balls. Dromana was bowled out for 212 with five overs left to play in the day.
Baden Powell avoided losing a wicket before stumps, and will start day two at 0/11.
Red Hill took two late wickets last weekend to deal a blow to Heatherhill. This Saturday Heatherhill will begin at 2/10, chasing 181 to win.
Old Peninsula scored 205 runs against Sorrento last weekend. The Sharks scored 1/36 in reply.
MORNINGTON have wrapped up a win over Moorooduc after less than a day of play at Alexandra Park.
Moorooduc batted first last Saturday on day one of the two-day match. Just
39 overs later they were all out for 97.
Mornington chased down their target before the day was through. They batted for 40 overs before stumps, and scored 5/111.
Shane Hockey bowled dangerously for Mornington. He finished with three wickets and conceded just eight runs.
Seaford Tigers were dominated by Seaford at Belvedere Reserve on Saturday.
Seaford batted first and were bowled out for 158. Seaford Tigers came in to bat for 23 overs, which ended in disaster.
Seaford Tigers finished the day at 9/26. Five of their batters were dismissed for ducks.
Matthew Herbert and Luke McGennisken each took four wickets.
Somerville put 213 on the board against Mt Eliza on Saturday. Long Is-
land was bowled out for 152 by Rosebud, who scored 0/18 before stumps.
BONEO has a huge mountain to climb to get a result against Carrum Downs this weekend.
Carrum Downs dominated proceedings on day one at Boneo Recreation Reserve last Saturday. They smashed 363 runs - Robert Johnston top-scored with 94, and Gordon Waterfall and Jake Bradshaw each scored half-centuries.
Crib Point set Balnarring a target of 140 to chase down to win at home last weekend. Balnarring scored 0/17 before stumps was called on day one. Flinders scored 222 against Carrum, and Baxter scored 207 against Main Ridge to close out the round.
RYE are in pole position to beat Tyabb after a strong performance on day one.
Rye scored 321 runs at RM Hooper Oval on Saturday. Jordan Blades, Calder McKenzie, and Sashika Sushantha Gunathunga each scored half-centuries.
Lachlan Hose was a workhorse for Tyabb. He bowled 36 overs, and took 6/101.
Ballam Park are in grave danger of a defeat against Delacombe Park.
Ballam Park was bowled out for 115 on day one of their two day match. Delacombe Park finished the day at 3/64 with victory in their sights.
Skye scored 177 runs against Tootgarook at Truemans Road Reserve on Saturday. Frankston YCW was bowled out for 119 by Mt Martha,
who scored 1/24 in reply before the umpires stopped play for the day.
DELACOMBE Park battled hard in the heat to grab a win over Carrum Downs on Sunday.
Carrum Downs batted first on Delacombe Park’s home deck. Opener Shannon Hornibrook was in fine form, scoring an unbeaten 47 to help Carrum Downs reach a final total of 4/111. After a shaky start, Delacombe Park’s middle order guided them to victory. Melissa Newham top scored with 35 from 49 deliveries.
Delacombe Park reached their target with five wickets to spare and two overs left to play.
Tooradin had a great day at home last weekend, securing a thumping win over Seaford Tigers.
The Tigers were sent in to bat first, and worked hard. They survived 30 overs in the hot weather, finishing with a final total of 8/97.
Sally O’Meara led from the front with an unbeaten 45.
After taking a couple of wickets, Aimee Mellford opened the batting for Tooradin and dominated. She smashed 60 runs from 40 deliveries.
Helped by a handy 22 from Lorna Monk, Tooradin went on to win by ten wickets after just nine overs.
By Brendan Rees
THE iconic Mt Martha Annual Diamond (MMAD) Swim proved to be a resounding success on 26 January, attracting 914 competitors.
The annual event, which is among the biggest Australia Day celebrations in Mt Martha, saw competitors from all ages and abilities participate including life-long swimmer Colleen Kelly, an 88-year-old grandmother
who dived into her first ocean swim.
There was also Elise Richards, a 22-year-old paraplegic, competing in her first-ever ocean swim, with MMAD Swim race director and Mt Martha Life Saving Club member David Flanagan noting her journey to this milestone was “a testament to courage and determination, as she aims to inspire others to overcome adversity”.
Another group that competed was
The Sea Wolves of Mt Martha, a group of local swimmers who formed during COVID to stay active and connected.
They began as a small pod has grown into a close-knit community united by their love of the ocean. For some, it was their first competitive ocean swim.
Flanagan said they were thrilled with the turnout and atmosphere with the event celebrating resilience, deter-
mination, and community spirit.
“The MMAD Swim offers not just a competitive race but a platform to share inspiring stories of personal triumph and community connection,” he said.
“We were lucky to have ideal weather and low wind this year, after being forced to cancel last year’s event due to dangerous conditions.”
He added there was plenty of community support and local sponsors,
including Ritchies IGA. Overall, swimmers came from Qld, ACT, NSW, and Victoria with 70 lifeguards and 60 volunteers lending a hand.
Flynn Phillips came third in the 5km swim which he backed up to win the 18–29-year-old male category. There were 185 competitors in the 5km race, 605 in the 1.2km race, 82 in the novice 400m race, and 42 in the nipper 200m swim.
We have been fighting for the residents of the Mornington Peninsula for the last 17 years. We aim to bring the best coverage possible to inform and connect your community.
We ask for your support to continue producing weekly newspapers to keep quality local news alive! mpnews.com.au
By Craig MacKenzie
LANGWARRIN gets its 2025 VPL1 season underway in Saturday’s Lawton Park clash with Caroline Springs George Cross at 7pm.
Last season Langwarrin finished ninth and a season review identified concerns that head coach Jamie Skelly believes have been addressed.
“We started well last season but once winter came and we lost a few players through injury or players moving on the depth of the squad was tested,” he said.
“We felt for us to improve we had to bring in different types of players and improve right across the squad and we feel that we’ve done that.
“We’ve improved at the back by bringing in Andrew Mullett, in the midfield with Muhamed (Huseinovski), Tosan (Popo) and Kosta (Apostolopoulos) and then in our forward line with Cooper (Legrand).”
Last season Langy had two number one keepers which maintained a highly competitive edge to that pivotal position but one of them, Griffin Bambach, has since left.
The two keepers in the current senior squad are James Burgess and Branten Kindler.
“Ideally we’d love to have two really strong VPL1 keepers but we’re comfortable having Branten there to support and challenge James,” Skelly said.
“Branten is 20 and he’s going to be a really good goalkeeper.
“I think he’ll play at this level for a long time but he’s still developing and we’re really confident that he’ll get there.”
Skelly and his staff felt a need to tweak the team’s playing style during the off-season as they believed it was too open at times allowing opponents to trouble Langy on the break.
“We were very attack-minded and while that worked well early on as the season progressed we started conceding more goals.
“We’ve worked on recovery positions and understanding areas on the pitch where we want to commit men forward but also areas where we want support behind the ball so we don’t get broken down as easily as we did.
“We still want to play an attacking style and we want to be aggressive and have ball control but without over possessing just for possession’s sake.
“The players we’ve brought in really complement that style – they’re quick, dynamic and technically very strong and we’ve brought in players in the attacking half who can score goals as well.”
This year the target for progressive clubs in VPL1 is larger than usual given that two promotion spots and four play-offs spots are up for grabs in what promises to be a hyper-competitive season.
There’s no doubt that Langy wants a piece of that action but if it succeeds it will be in a measured manner.
“The club is in a position where we want to progress but we won’t overextend ourselves to do that – we’ll do it in our own way without jeopardising the club to do it.
“Our aim is to progress as a group and progress as a club and if that means we are pushing for promotion with four games to go we’d be really happy with that.”
Here is Langwarrin’s senior squad with previous club of newcomers in brackets:
GOALKEEPERS: James Burgess, Branten Kindler. DEFENDERS: Ryo Takahashi, Luke Goulding, Kameel Khan, Charlie Fry, Lucas Portelli, Jeremy Min Fa, Luke Adams, Andrew Mullett (Nunawading City). MIDFIELDERS: Mark Deacon (from U23s), Dante Avian, Kosta Apostolopoulos (Kingston City), Muhamed Huseinovski (Bentleigh Greens), Tosan Popo (Nunawading City), Rogan McGeorge, Cal Goulding, Barath Suresh, Arjuna Surya-Peddell (from U23s). FORWARDS: Brad Blumenthal, Archie Macphee, Tom Youngs, Cooper Legrand (Kingston City).
In State 2 news Skye United has signed forwards Shameit Sharma and Tapiwa Kufakurowa. Sharma was signed from Frankston Pines and is a former Peninsula Strikers player while Kufakurowa joined from Hampton East Brighton
Top trio: Three of Langwarrin’s major signings in the off-season, from left, Cooper Legrand, Tosan Popo and Kosta Apostolopoulos. Pictures: Darryl Kennedy
where he made nine appearances last season.
“They both like to attack the full-backs – an area in which we've struggled in the past – so
I’m delighted they’re on board and really looking forward to what they can do this year,” Skye head coach Phil McGuinness said.
In State 4 news Jack Elliott’s football career is at the crossroads and the in-demand striker may stop playing to concentrate on his new fitness passion – interval running and half-marathons.
Elliott is part of the Miles4Smiles charity group that promotes mental wellbeing by cultivating a community that embraces physical activity to nurture mental wellness.
Although he’s recently spoken of the likelihood of leaving Baxter and joining State 4 rival Rosebud both clubs may be disappointed should he decide to quit football after competing in an interval running competition in March.
Hampton Park United Sparrows also made a determined bid to sign Elliott last season.
The 26-year-old hails from Derby in England and when his family moved to Melbourne he joined Mornington juniors in 2013.
“I played in the juniors then the reserves but it wasn’t until joining Baxter for the 2022 season that I made my senior debut,” Elliott said.
“To be honest my first season wasn’t too flash – I was overweight and quite unfit – but I did a lot of fitness work the following pre-season.
“I took up boxing and did a lot of strength and conditioning work under Kosta Drak (747 Fitness) and the difference was pretty amazing.”
Elliott believes that he’s now the fittest he’s ever been and “a lot mentally stronger too” but we won’t know for some time yet whether this new version of Baxter’s top scorer will be back on the local football scene this year.
Last week Frankston Pines announced that registrations are open for the Pines Cup to be held on 12 and 13 April at Monterey Reserve.
The tournament covers the under-7 to under-11 age groups for both boys and girls and teams can register at https://pinescup.cups.nu.
Pines’ senior men’s program which faced a player exodus at the end of last season is being rebuilt under senior coach Alex Halikias.
“For me this is about putting Pines in a good light,” he said.
“I know that in the past promises were made to players and not always kept but I want to reassure everyone that that won’t happen on my watch an under our new committee.
“This club has a very rich history and it’s important to the sport that this rebuild works.
“We have outstanding facilities and I’m offering players the opportunity to play senior football at a very competitive and challenging level.”
Halikias can be contacted on 0439 850 840 and training is held at Monterey Reserve on Tuesday and Thursday from 7pm sharp.
Off the pitch Pines confirmed last week that
it had cleared its Football Victoria debt which is a remarkable effort and a positive sign of the financial management now in place.
In State 5 news Mount Martha has made three new signings.
Charlie Platt’s side has welcomed back Howie Anderson, Heath Salter and Daniel Bennett. Anderson, 23, was one of six senior squad players to leave Mount Martha and join Somerville Eagles last season.
Primarily a midfielder he can play in a variety of positions and was a member of Mount Martha’s first senior squad.
“Howie brings with him not only quality but now more experience to pass on to our younger players,” head coach Charlie Platt said.
Salter, 19, is a wide player and Bennett, 19, is a defensive midfielder.
Both are junior foundation members of the club and have played with Mornington reserves and Casey Comets.
“Heath and Daniel are very talented and exciting players,” Platt added.
“With the opening of our new clubrooms and a very talented squad forming both myself and Des (Derren Elliott) are very excited about the coming season.”
Last week’s local friendlies:
Peninsula Strikers 3 (Matt Harrington, Kyle Eichenberger, Campbell Steedman) Langwarrin U23s 1 (Jaylen Faithfull); Baxter 1 (Brody Taylor) Skye Utd 2 (Sean Murphy, Zameer Noor); Langwarrin 3 (own goal, Archie Macphee, Tom Youngs) North Geelong 3; Langwarrin U23s 1 (Cain Vickery) Casey Comets 2 (Kam Ismail, Theo Fry); Werribee City 2 Mornington 2 (own goal, Halil Reki); Peninsula Strikers 3 (Cooper
Chelsea 5 (James Stinson 3, Daniel Vella 2) Barton Utd 0.
This week’s VPL1 season opener: Saturday 8 February
Langwarrin v Caroline Springs George Cross, Lawton Park 7pm (U19s 2.15pm, U23s 4.30pm)
This week’s local friendlies (check social media to confirm kick-off times):
Friday 7 February
Heatherton Utd v Skye Utd, Bosnia and Herzegovina Centre, 6.30pm & 8.30pm Saturday 8 February
Peninsula Strikers v Old Scotch, Centenary Park, 1pm & 3pm
Chelsea v Monash Villareal, Edithvale Recreation Reserve, 1pm & 3pm Baxter v Craigieburn City, Baxter Park, 12 noon & 2pm Rosebud v Moonee Ponds Utd, Olympic Park, 4pm & 6pm
Aspendale v East Bentleigh, Monash University playing fields, 3pm
Seaford Utd v Ringwood City, North Seaford Reserve, 1pm & 3pm
Mount Martha v Somerville Eagles, Civic Reserve, 1pm & 3pm
