Western Port News 2nd August 2023

Councils fear state planning takeover

Keith Platt keith@mpnews.com.au

COUNCILLORS have warned that the planning powers of all Victorian municipalities are threatened following the release of a report by the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC) and the influence of former Mornington businessman John Woodman on several planning decisions by Casey Council.

Mornington Peninsula mayor Cr Steve Holland says the state government will use IBAC’s Sandon report to “further centralise power. The worst possible response”.

The Premier Daniel Andrews said he would follow the IBAC report’s recommendation of setting up an inter-departmental taskforce to coordinate the implementation of 34 “recommendations to promote transparency in planning decisions; enhance donation and lobbying regulation; improve the accountability of ministerial advisers and electorate officers; and strengthen council governance”.

Operation Sandon - which in part led to the sacking of Casey Council in 2020 - found “clear evidence of two councillors accepting personal benefits from making or influencing council decisions related to planning or land use” as well as revealing hundreds of thousands of dollars being donated to the Labor and Liberal parties as well as state and council candidates.

been told to keep it quiet.

“You can’t trust state governments with planning. They have allowed developers to get away with it and now are blaming local government.

“They’re not interested in what happens in a local area except in taking away appeal rights.”

Holland told The News it was “early days” to gauge the government’s reaction to the IBAC findings , predicting “more will be said in coming months”.

The Sandon report made some good recommendations but he was concerned that it would be used “to further disenfranchise local communities by centralising planning controls and power at a state level with unelected bureaucrats”.

“I maintain … that the best decisions for local communities are made at the local community level. Our shire has seen some significant decisions overturned by VCAT [the Victorian Civil Administrative Tribunal] contrary to the wishes of the community.

“VCAT is a state-controlled … it seems odd to lay the blame at the feet of the local government sector. We saw that with the Ryman [aged care centre proposal in Mount Eliza] case and more recently with the illuminated billboard in [Nepean Highway] Mornington.

MADDY and Jayden aiming to win during the maths Olympics at Hastings Primary School.

Picture: Gary Sissons

Competing, a fun way to learn maths

THERE’S lots of good learning at Hastings Primary School, but fun is also on the agenda.

On Friday (28 July) the school held a maths Olympics to get students engaged and help them see the fun side of improving their numeracy skills.

School council president Hannah Mendelson

said the Olympic event ran all day and was one example of the education-focussed fun events being run at the school.

“We are doing many exciting things this term, and we love to share some of the great things about our school with the wider community,” she said.

“The investigation demonstrated how ministers, members of parliament, councillors, ministerial advisers, and electorate officers may be targeted by lobbyists, and how limitations in the current regulation of lobbyists present corruption vulnerabilities,” IBAC acting commissioner Stephen Farrow said.

Cr David Gill compared the state government taking over planning to “putting the fox in charge of the hen house”.

He said the Liberal and Labor parties who “take donations from developers” would consider taking over planning because the IBAC report found that two councillors from one council had been paid.

Gill said it was “well known” that the government had been hiring planners from councils “to set this up … they have been planning this for years”.

“Everyone knows and [council] CEOs have

"The local government sector will need some time to absorb the full report and any reforms will ultimately be up to the state government as they have complete statutory control over local government.”

Holland and Gill’s concerns about the state government taking over planning decisions are echoed by Municipal Association of Victoria president Cr David Clark who said “it would be a travesty for the Andrews government to use the findings to centralise planning powers within the backrooms of Spring Street”.

“The behaviour described in the [Sandon] report is unacceptable and reflects poorly on all involved,” he said.

“All Victorians will want to know what consequences await the other key participants in this saga, including past and current members of parliament, lobbyists, and individuals and entities within the development sector.”

Related articles at mpnews.com.au: Ethics drive new rules for council; Empty office victim to IBAC inquiry; Permit probe goes further than IBAC; Shire probe into permits.

Journalists: Keith Platt, Liz Bell, Brodie Cowburn Ph: 5974 9000. Email: team@mpnews.com.au

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for local people

Legal service to the rescue as eviction threats increase

Liz Bell liz@mpnews.com.au

NEW data from the Peninsula Community Legal Centre indicates that 42 per cent of renters seeking assistance from the organisation had received a notice to vacate their homes from their landlord, representing a six per cent increase in the last six months.

This increase occurred against a backdrop of a national rental crisis fuelled by record-low vacancies, a critical lack of affordable and social housing, and a cost of living crisis.

As well as Frankston and the Mornington Peninsula, the legal service covers residents in Melbourne’s south eastern suburbs.

CEO Jackie Galloway said the situation for renters was worse now than it had been for several generations.

“While it is encouraging that housing is high on the political agenda, the situation on the ground for our clients is becoming increasingly desperate. Our latest data confirms that the number of people facing eviction and homelessness continues to increase in our community,” she said.

In the past six months, PCLC’s tenancy and advocacy assistance program helped 960 renters, representing a 37 per cent increase, with 96 per cent experiencing financial hardship. The figures are consistent with recent

research that reveals four out of five Australian tenants are experiencing rental stress.

“Our data illustrates that more landlords are wanting to remove renters at a time when it is almost impossible to find a new place that they can afford,” Galloway said.

“We have assisted many people who made between 50 to 100 unsuccessful rental applications after receiving a notice to vacate and who were facing the prospect of homelessness.”

Reasons behind the increase in notices to vacate vary but are often because owners want to renovate or sell, in others they may wish to move into the property themselves, while in others it may be due to rental arrears or allegations that the tenant has breached the lease.

Of the 42 per cent of renters approaching the organisation who have received notices to vacate, PCLC has been able to prevent 40 per cent of evictions.

“We have been able to help many renters with significant wins,” Galloway said.

“In many of these cases the renters had done nothing wrong. In others they were struggling to cope with massive rental hikes during a global cost of living crisis. There are a number of ways that we have been able to help them avoid eviction such as negotiating payment plans with their

rental provider or by going to VCAT.”

PCLC recently represented a single mother with three children at VCAT, after she was given a notice to vacate by her landlord in order to renovate the property. The tenant had unsuccessfully applied for 55 properties and had nowhere to go.

In weighing up the competing interests of the rental provider and the tenants and the impact of a possession order on each of them, VCAT found that it was not reasonable and proportionate in the circumstances to make the family homeless and the eviction application was dismissed. In other cases, the tribunal has also blocked rent increases.

“It is a very tough situation at the moment and there simply isn’t enough affordable rental housing to go around,” Galloway said.

“But if you are given a notice to vacate your rental property this does not automatically mean that you will be evicted. People who find themselves in this situation or who have other tenancy problems should contact PCLC to see if we can help.

“We are also calling on the government to invest in more support for programs such as our tenancy advice and assistance program to support renters to understand their rights and ensure that their tenancies can be sustained.”

Rental secured, the key to family’s security

Liz Bell liz@mpnews.com.au

WHEN Hastings housing advocate and rental agency manager Karen Taylor says it was a tearful moment when she handed over the keys to a rental property to a family of four who had been homeless for nearly a year.

“I always look forward to handing over house keys. It’s such an exciting time for all involved, especially for the people moving in. But that day was extra special,” she said.

The family she was giving the keys to was trying to find a home in the midst of a rental crisis but, to make matters harder, 27-year-old mother Caitlin Scown had suffered a stroke just over one year ago and was living with a disability that affected her mobility.

In the middle of last year, Scown and her partner – who have two children aged six and four - were issued with a notice to vacate after the owner decided to renovate the property.

The family promptly vacated without protest because they didn’t know what else to do in the middle of dealing with a lot of other stress and grief and have been without a permanent residence since then.

Victims of the housing shortage, the family has spent much of that time couch surfing and finding a roof where it could.

Taylor, who is on the Triple A Housing Committee with Mornington Peninsula Shire, said the family’s plight was a side to the homelessness crisis people might not be familiar with, but she and others in the housing sector were seeing more

and more.

“I worked with local community services who managed to get them on the social housing register, but we all know how long and depressing that list is,”

Taylor said.

“But not long after, the same family became victim to a cyber crime, losing the equivalent of a first month’s rent and bond, saved because Owen works multiple jobs to support his family, to what they thought was a genuine ad for a private rental.

“They were so excited to let me know that they had finally secured a home, and forgot to seek advice before signing documents and transferring money.

“When I saw the documents they signed, I sent them to the police immediately, but it was too late.”

A happy ending finally came for the family when Taylor found a property owner who wanted to lease his property at an affordable level to help a local family stay within their community.

“I have a great network of local community support professionals and relationships with the local community centres and in this case, our local housing support officer in Hastings,” she said.

“We all worked together to support this family and get them access to the services they needed to help them secure this property. It took a tiny bit longer. It was a bit more work.”

Taylor said it was worth “every frantic late night message and multiple back and forth emails and phone calls keeping everybody informed”.

“A great example of what can be achieved with collaboration,” she said.

Caitlin, who drives a mobility scooter,

said it was shattering to lose her home after five and a half years and suddenly have no stability and nowhere to go.

“We applied for so many properties, but ended up in the lounge of my in-laws, which was pretty stressful for everyone as you can imagine,” she said.

“If it wasn’t for the help of the community and Karen, I don’t know where we would be”.

Caitlin said the experience had been overwhelming for the family, but that the children were much happier now and settling in.

“To see their faces light up when they first saw the house, it was incredible,” she said.

Taylor is encouraging property owners who have an Airbnb, holiday home or short stay property on the peninsula to think about their options with the long term housing market.

According to the 2021 Census there are 93,600 dwellings recorded across the peninsula with 68,977 noted as occupied. That means that there were 24,623 unoccupied homes, representing 26 per cent of all housing stock. The shire has about 3200 active short stay properties registered.

The 2021 Census shows 421 people who were homeless on the peninsula, which had increased from 298 from the previous census.

Taylor said local agencies and services estimate that the actual number of people who are homeless across the peninsula is closer to 1000.

“This figure does not take into consideration those who are couch surfing, sleeping in caravans and backyards. So, we know the figure is higher still.”

Settling in: Caitlin Scown and her four-year-old son Jasper in their rental home at Hastings. Picture: Gary Sissons

Last push for businesses to unlock new opportunities through awards

BUSINESSES have just two weeks left to nominate themselves in the 2023 Mornington Peninsula Business Excellence Awards, opening the door to many new and exciting opportunities.

While finalists and winners will have access to several marketing and advertising prizes on offer, all businesses who enter will no doubt benefit greatly from the process itself. Not only does it present an opportunity to pause and reflect on your successes, it also allows you to reassess certain areas of your business and gain a fresh perspective on where you’re heading.

Tas Dunton, Director of the 2022 winning team in the Trade, Building and Construction category shares that for this reason, businesses should consider putting themselves forward regardless of the outcome. “It’s really nice to get some recognition and the accolades that come with it, but at the end of the day, it’s great just to sit back and reflect. For anyone that’s thinking of entering, definitely do it because it’s free and it’s easy and it’s really important as a business owner to look back and see where you’ve come from”.

For the businesses that do go on to take home a win, the validation of their hard work and confirmation that they’re heading in the right direction can help to build credibility, strengthen team motivation and instil a new sense of trust in your brand on behalf of customers, staff, partners and suppliers.

“It’s a message to the customer that says this business is committed to doing everything they say they do. It’s not just a pitch, it’s not just a marketing spiel and a label. It certainly gave us amazing recognition in Victoria and helped secure our position with our wholesale accounts.”

– Katie Binder, Founder of the Peel Thing. This third-party validation can even help in giving your business a competitive edge and attracting prospective employees. “I must say when you go to employ staff, they do refer to it.

It has actually made a difference in employing staff” – Floyd Gomes, Director and Founder of Atticus Regional Medicentre. Businesses can submit a nomination in one of nine different industry categories and the business with the highest scoring individual application will also be awarded the title of Business of the Year. The shortlisted businesses, announced on August 29th, will go on to receive an on-site visit from the judges so they can validate the submission answers and gain more insight into

the business.

The inaugural awards night in 2022 saw over 200 local businesspeople and their supporters come together at the sold-out event in October at the Mornington Racecourse. This year, finalists and winners will be announced at the gala ceremony and dinner on November 15th at the stunning RACV Cape Schanck. It is expected to be a very exciting night full of inspiration, celebration and team camaraderie.

So, what are you waiting for? There is no time

like the present. Give your business the boost it deserves by submitting a nomination before 11:59pm on August 14. For more information on categories, prizes and how to enter, visit: mpbusiness.com.au/businessawards. The 2023 Mornington Peninsula Business Excellence Awards are supported by MP News Group, MP Magazine, 3MP, Chisholm Institute and Mornington Peninsula Regional Tourism Board.

Praise for bid to protect kangaroos

THE international animal welfare group that exposed the horrors of live sheep export and animal baiting in the greyhound industry has praised Mornington Peninsula Shire Council for taking a stand against the state government’s kangaroo harvesting program.

Animals Australia, known for its hard-hitting campaigns to end animal cruelty, said the councillors’ “courageous” public opposition to the slaughter of kangaroos was a good example of a council taking the lead to reflect its community’s values.

The council recently passed a motion to request the shire be excluded from the commercial kangaroo shooting industry – a move that would protect kangaroos and their joeys from being killed for profit.

Animals Australia’s director of development and global grants, Louise Bonomi, said that although local governments cannot change state-based wildlife policy and regulation, they can influence it by doing what the shire’s councillors have done – “taking a strong stand against activities that harm and kill wildlife in their shire, like the commercial kangaroo industry”.

Bonomi said the council had taken a “courageous” stand that some in the community were likely to be displeased with “as is the case when we do what is right rather than what is profitable”.

Beyond calling for kangaroos on the peninsula to be protected from the “kangaroo harvesting management plan”, the council also sought more accurate population counts rather than estimates, and regular competency tests for non-commercial shooters.

“My heartfelt thanks go to the councillors who made this admirable move, for advocating for – and celebrating – much needed change for kangaroos,” Bonomi said.

Local experts believe that there are around 2500 kangaroos left on the peninsula, confirmed by a citizen

science count conducted in 2021. The state government and the Conservation Regulator issued lethal control permits for more than 300 eastern grey kangaroos in both 2020 and 2021.

Apart from being harvested for pet food and skins, the peninsula’s remaining kangaroo population is facing other major threats, including loss of protective habitat and increasing traffic.

Kangaroo advocate Mary Waterman said there were too many animals killed on the peninsula’s roads, while solar operated signs were needed

Dog saved after night on cliff

THERE were smiles and tail wagging all round on Sunday morning after emergency services saved a pet dog that had fallen over a cliff at Cape Schanck.

in traffic such hot spots as Purves, Browns, Baldrys, Arthurs Seat and Cape Schanck roads (near Bushrangers Bay car park).

She said a kangaroo recently killed at Arthurs Seat and covered with camellia petals by a passer-by was a tragic sight, but one that proved there was strong community concern about local wildlife.

“It shows just how much people care and are upset by the sight of the many dead kangaroos on the side of the roads caused by cars hitting them here around Arthur’s Seat,” she said.

In a rescue operation that involved multiple services, including Boneo and Rosebud CFAs, FRV Rosebud with support from Dandenong, and Sorrento SES, Lola the dog was successfully retrieved from a cliff ledge 15 metres from where she fell.

The dog’s owners said they had been visiting the area on Saturday afternoon when their pet broke from its leash and went over the cliff edge.

It was a tense night for the family, as they had to wait until morning for help to arrive, but the saga ended well when Lola was car up the cliff wagging her tail.

Dogs are not allowed in any part of the Mornington Peninsula National Park. Liz Bell

Road kill: Flower petals were scattered on the body of a kangaroo lying on the side of a road at Arthurs Seat. Picture: Supplied

Club job serves up new lease on life

Liz Bell liz@mpnews.com.au

HASTING’S resident Melissa Stevens’ life could have had a vastly different outcome if not for the openness of her employer, The Hastings Club, to employ someone with a recognised disability.

The 46-year-old has low lung capacity, a side effect of the autoimmune disorders she lives with and struggles with shortness of breath and fatigue. But that doesn’t mean she doesn’t want to work.

The opportunity to get back into the workforce has given the hospitality worker a new lease on life, new friends, new energy and best of all, new-found confidence.

Stevens had previously worked in the cleaning industry for 13 years, but working with chemicals began to cause ongoing health issues.

Through employment service AMP, Stevens was able to secure a job at The Hastings Club, where she is now considered a part of the team.

“A year ago I was struggling, financially and at home, not getting anywhere, now I feel the opposite,” she said.

“I have a bigger social network, I’m working, and they’ve (The Hastings Club) seen me as me, not someone with a disability.

“I was relying on Centrelink before, and now I’m not, it’s the best feeling out.”

Cameron Griffiths from the club said he had no regrets employing Stevens.

“You've just got to be flexible,” he said of his decision to hire a person with chronic health issues.

“You can sit there and say it's the too hard basket, but some of your best employees were probably the most challenging at the start.

“If you adapt to that, then they can continue and it sort of builds the foundations for a really good culture within your employment.

“And we’re a community club, so it’s also about being involved in that rehabilitation of the community.”

To find out more about the disability employment scheme visit jobaccess.gov.au/

MELISSA Stevens has found that disability does not mean an end to working and being part of the community. Picture: Supplied

Help for Aboriginals affected by domestic violence

THE state government is working with Aboriginal communities to establish a new, Aboriginalled service to support Aboriginal people affected by family violence on the Mornington Peninsula and in Frankston.

The new service, Bayside Aboriginal Access Point, will be staffed by members of an Aboriginal workforce known as Journey Walkers who will provide culturally safe support for Aboriginal families.

“This innovative new approach to walking alongside our people in their journey towards healing will mean those impacted by family violence get the support and response that is right for them when they need it most,” the CEO of the Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency Muriel Bamblett said.

The Minister for Prevention of Family Violence Ros Spence last week announced that the service would be a first point of contact, offering counselling, accommodation referrals, behaviour change programs and financial support services.

“It’s crucial that we support access to Aboriginal-led family violence support to ensure that Aboriginal families can get the culturally safe and effective help they need to live free from family violence,” Spence said.

Services would be provided face-to-face, by phone, email and walk-ins and include outreach support to Aboriginal communities and groups.

The service is one of three Aboriginal-designed and led family violence services financed with $2.6 million from the state government and run by the Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency.

A news release from Spence said the services were a product of the Dhelk Dja: Safe Our Way strategy, the Aboriginal-led Victorian agreement that committed community, services and government to strengthening the lives of Aboriginal people, families and communities and ensuring Aboriginal people lived free from family violence.

The government says it has provided more than $50 million since 2021 to support culturally safe services to prevent and respond to family violence and advance Aboriginal self-determination and to strengthen Aboriginal-led family and sexual violence service delivery.

The offices of Bayside Aboriginal Access Point (AAP) are in Nepean Highway, Frankston, phone 8796 0700. Details: vacca.org/page/services/family-violence/bayside-aboriginal-accesspoint

Keith Platt

Two peninsula towns tops in tourism

RED Hill South and Sorrento have won silver and gold medals in their respective categories at this year’s Victorian Top Tourism Town Awards.

Sorrento will represent Victoria in the Top Small Tourism Town category at the national awards.

The wins confirm that Sorrento and Red Hill are popular for such things as their natural

beauty, dining and accommodation, outdoor activities and art.

Red Hill South’s entry in the Top Tiny Tourism Town was submitted by Mornington Peninsula Shire, while Sorrento’s entry in the Small Tourism Town category was submitted by Sorrento Beachside Tourism.

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Protection needed from harm caused by poker machines

The issue of poker machines and their impact on society has been neglected for far too long by authorities (“New rules aimed at cutting pokies losses” The News 25/7/23).

There is a growing demand to address the issue of addiction and financial ruin caused by this form of gambling. Recognising that those struggling with addiction are not lesser individuals and require support to overcome their struggles is essential. The machines are designed to entice players with the possibility of winning, which is not fair or kind.

Taking action to prevent further harm caused by poker machines is crucial. While venues may resist change, it is necessary for society’s wellbeing.

Watching people lose money to these machines is disheartening, especially when the chance of winning is minimal. This habit is destructive and can cause immense suffering for families.

It is time for stricter laws to be implemented, regardless of the financial benefits to the community. It is time to address this social difficulty and take action to protect individuals and families from the harm caused by poker machines.

Anne Kruger, Rye

Decision and discussion

Good things are happening on the Mornington Peninsula. Firstly, [Planning Minister and Carrum MP] Sonya Kilkenny placed an interim order on the planning application for what has been termed the Great Wall of Frankston. A planning issue that has implications for the whole Mornington Peninsula.

Secondly, there were two very successful and informative discussions on the Voice to Parliament at Flinders on Saturday 29 July and Sunday 30 July. Marcia Langton, Rachelle Perkins and Tony Nutt in discussion with Corrie Perkin spoke truthfully and factually about the implications of this very serious issue (“Two Yes Voice events at Flinders” The News 3/7/23).

As with Teela Reid, who spoke at the Swan Forum in Mount Eliza the previous week, they stressed that before you vote take the time to inform yourself with the truthful facts.

Marilyn Hoban, Mornington

Ovals for homeless

Maybe each community on the Mornington Peninsula that has a sports oval could make the ovals available, say around 5pm, setting up tents that are provided by others, making use for the homeless the toilet and wash facilities that are already there (“Nightly search to find shelter” The News 25/7/23). The facilities would be cleaned every day and also provide large waste bins and having food vans that sell hot food and soups come on site each evening.

I am sure there are groups in the community that could set all this up.

Anne Robinson, Mornington

Stage clarification

I write to clarify comments made in your article regarding the Hastings Soundshell project, particularly “Assurance was given by Cr Kate Roper that the project would be included in the 2021/22 shire budget … or subsequent budgets” (“Disappointment and dismay’ at sound shell’s shelving” The News 26/7/23). I was not a councillor after October 2020 and had no input in final budgets for 2021/22 or 2022/23. My assurance was true and correct as at the last meeting I attended regarding the project in 2020.

My interest in progressing this project as a member of Western Port Festival committee in 2012 and 2013, was the cost and difficulty of getting temporary stages. I had previously heard of the project and in late 2016 met with Brian Stahl to discuss reviving this project.

We weren’t trying to build the Opera House. Large concerts like Jimmy Barnes bring their own stage. This was for a stage something larger than the Balnarring Civic Reserve platform, which could be used for markets, bands, outdoor cinema and presentations at sports and other events on the foreshore.

It is a brilliant space for such activities. Throughout 2017 regular meetings were held.

By 2019 numbers of interested community members attending meetings had grown to 10 to 15. We had consultants give design ideas sympathetic to the foreshore.

I found shire officers always supportive of this project to activate the foreshore. I especially commend the two senior officers that were enthusiastic and worked hard to try and bring this project to fruition. Officers make recommendations, not decisions.

It’s disappointing I agree that the time and effort from all parties has not led to a successful conclusion due to various circumstances, but I’d like to thank those who tried and gave their time over many years.

Kate Roper, councillor Mornington Peninsula Shire Council

Defining politicians

Judging by what I saw as an arrogant defensive rant from our esteemed mayor, Cr Steve Holland at the expense of the intelligence of those who he is supposed to be humbly representing, perhaps it is time he left the job. He is obviously not enjoying it (“Councils carry the load” Letters 18/7/23).

I note too with some bewilderment and amusement that he considers himself “a politician”. Of course, councils are regarded as the “third level of government”, but I recall a time not too long ago when councillors took on the role for the public good, paid only a paltry stipend for their services to the community. They would not have seen themselves as “politicians”.

The Mirriam Webster dictionary defines politician as: 1) a person experienced in the art or science of government; and 2) a person engaged in party politics as a profession or (often disparaging) a person primarily interested in political office for selfish or other narrow usually shortsighted reasons.

we’re putting our best foot forward. The shire will have the awards proudly on display soon.

Now we need the money to follow.

For too long our region hasn’t received the funding we deserve. Great things are being achieved and too often, as a council and community, we’re going it alone.

A report last year found that Greater Geelong has $6.2 billion worth of infrastructure projects in the pipeline compared to just $0.72 billion for Frankston and the peninsula. It’s raining cash and we’re not getting wet.

Despite a dearth in external funding, the shire continues to kick goals.

Residents can be proud that their shire is one of the most efficient in Victoria compared to similar municipalities. They can also be pleased that the shire has the eighth lowest rates in Victoria out of 79 councils, debt is low, and a balanced budget is delivered every year.

We’re all fortunate to be able to call this special part of the world home. It’s the envy of many and millions flock to the peninsula every year.

It’s time for our state and federal governments to step up and unlock the potential of this region.

Steve Holland, mayor

Mornington Peninsula Shire

Council congratulated

I was pleased to learn today that Mornington Peninsula Shire councillors have passed a motion to request the entire shire be excluded from the commercial kangaroo shooting industry.

This is wonderful news, and the councillors should be congratulated on taking this stance.

Karen Gelley, Rye

Need council view

The survey also shows the increase in crime in Frankston and did not discuss drugs issues and the use of vapes in the City of Frankston (“Survey show satisfaction with city’s overall performance” Letters 25/7/23).

Frankston Council has just released delivering its Frankston News in the areas around the CBD, not in libraries or Karingal and other parts of the city.

the total to 34. These included the desert bettong, broad-cheeked hopping mouse and Nullarbor barred bandicoot.

Incredibly, Australia has more than 1900 threatened species with over 1300 at risk of extinction.

On the Mornington Peninsula, for example, more than 50 animals and plants are threatened, including the endangered southern brown bandicoot and the vulnerable long-nosed potoroo. But why? The main causes of extinction are predation by feral animals and habitat destruction through land clearing, and climate change is catching up.

Last year, Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek, launched the Threatened Species Action Plan pledging no new extinctions and conservation of at least 30 per cent of Australia’s land mass. Her Nature Repair Market Bill has been delayed because of concerns that tradeable biodiversity certificates used to offset habitat destruction elsewhere still allow environmental decline to continue.

In 2020, Professor Graeme Samuel said the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act was “ineffective and not fit to address current or future environmental challenges”. He went on to make 38 recommendations which are still under consideration by the minister.

Like climate change, Australia is dragging the chain on biodiversity protection. It’s time we got our act together. Ray Peck, Hawthorn

Revealing headlines

Headline: Claims consumers may be paying ‘too much’ for power after big falls in wholesale prices. Headline: The final Victorian default offer electric prices have been announced, representing an annual increase of 25 per cent. Headline: Energy Australia confirmed prices for gas customers in Victoria on variable market contracts will rise by an average of 26.7 per cent.

My electric increase: daily charge plus 47 per cent, usage plus 36 per cent, solar feed in less 10 per cent. My gas increase: daily supply plus 31 per cent, usage plus 94 per cent to plus 100 per cent. And all after the industry continues to reap super price gouging profits.

Perhaps when we vote for councillors in future we should first ascertain which of these definitions apply?

Paula Polson, Dromana

Unlock the potential

Congratulations to Sorrento for its first prize win in the Small Town category at the TAC Victorian Top Tourism Town Awards on Wednesday.

Congratulations also to Red Hill South for winning second prize in the Tiny Town category.

The Mornington Peninsula continues to receive well-deserved recognition, recently attaining the Founder’s Award at the National Australian Road Safety Awards and announced as the overall winner.

The awards are a testament to our community, its people and businesses. I’d also like to acknowledge the work of Mornington Peninsula Shire staff, most of whom are residents. They work tirelessly for our community and ensure

Musicians in tune

MUSICIANS, promoters, venue owners and music lovers are invited to a second public forum to discuss the future of live music on the Mornington Peninsula.

The meeting, on Wednesday 9 August, follows one held in March where more than 150 people heard from industry experts and shared ideas on how to revive the peninsula’s live music scene. Musician and businessman Steve Myles said artists and audiences wanted to revive the live music scene on the peninsula after the COVID-related downturn.

Attendees will hear about the council’s music plan, and there will be representatives from the MP Music Network, MP Tourism and radio station RPP FM.

For details about the forum at the Peninsula Beer Garden, 215 Browns Road, Boneo, from 6pm to 9pm, call Stephen Myles on 0418 599 636.

With the state government policy to take away planning powers from Victorian councils, which may be the first step in dissolving councils altogether, we need to know what the present council’s position on the government’s moves is.

The council has failed to approve high-rise apartment blocks which are needed to increase population, especially around Frankston station where 500 car parks have begun to be built.

Councillors electioneering should not be paid for by ratepayers but by councillors themselves.

Russell Morse, Karingal

Facing extinction

Australians are proud of their unique wildlife and would be shocked that we have the world’s worst record for mammal extinction.

As recently as two years ago, then environment minister Sussan Ley announced a further 12 Australian mammals were extinct, bringing

The ACCC’s most recent report on the electricity market states that “not even governmentrun energy comparison websites reflected the true cost of bills”. In essence the retailers all have basically the same rates.

Headline: Getting off gas: What you need to know before going electric. Answer: you are screwed either way.

Interesting that the headline on the ESC website is: Essential Services Commission, we promote the long-term interests of Victorian consumers with respect to the price, quality and reliability of essential services.

We will need at least another two interest rate increases to cut inflation after this and another four increases to cut inflation after the rich and greedy get their stage three tax cuts.

Tell the Essential Services Commission and the Premier Daniel Andrews that enough is enough. Joe Lenzo, Safety Beach

Band’s gallery show

THE Westernport Regional Band became the first big band to perform inside the Victorian Artists Centre’s historic East Melbourne Hammond Gallery on Saturday 22 July.

The band played against the backdrop of the 2023 VAS Winter Select Exhibition.

The all ages Westernport Regional Band is a community big band with woodwind, brass and rhythm instruments. Its repertoire encompasses a variety of musical styles, from jazz, swing, Latin to modern compositions. Rehearsals under the direction of Ian Oldstein and Alistair Neil are held 7.30pm to 9.30pm on Thursdays at Mt Erin Secondary College Music Centre, Robinsons Road Frankston (Melway 102 J10). Beginners are catered for during the first hour, then the music becomes more complex.

The band plays 10 concerts each year. Details: info@westernportregionalband.org.au or email Jan Barbieri at janbarb2@gmail.com or call 0458 776 000.

The Guide

TOP PICKS OF THE WEEK

THURSDAY INSIDE SYDNEY AIRPORT

SBS, 7.35pm

Airports aren’t the sort of place anyone really wants to hang around in. Even in Steven Spielberg’s feel-good film The Terminal, where Tom Hanks’ character is forced to live at JFK Airport for months, there’s relief when the more than two-hour story wraps up. But in this local series narrated by Brooke Satchwell, the logistics of running Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport is a fascinating distraction. In tonight’s season finale, the terminals are at their busiest during the mad rush of Christmas time.

SATURDAY GETAWAY

NINE, 5.30pm

If tuning into the box is your favoured way to block out life’s noise, you’re in the right place for some new wellness inspiration. Tonight, Charli Robinson (pictured) is in Singapore on the trail of ways to unwind – and it doesn’t include the standard spa retreat. Charli explores sound healing, where tonal instruments work their mysterious magic to calm the mind and relax the physical form. She also checks out the city’s green, regenerated rail corridor.

SATURDAY WEIRD: THE AL YANKOVIC STORY

TEN, 8pm

This biographical parody film tells the outrageously untrue story of Weird Al Yankovic, a “misfit kid” who twisted popular lyrics to become a top-selling artist in his own right. In the titular role, Daniel Radcliffe (pictured) shows off some impressive comedic chops, while Evan Rachel Wood amuses as a madcap version of Madonna. It’s wildly silly in parts, but its stellar take on the biopic genre is nothing less than we’d expect from a comic genius like Yankovic. Very weird, but very watchable.

SUNDAY THE BLOCK

NINE, 7pm

For the 19th season of this much-loved reno show, we’re harking back to a golden age of housing. In Melbourne’s aptly named Charming Street, the five 1950s post-war, brick homes evoke a sense of nostalgia for simpler times. After 13 years of following the ambitious couples’ renovating efforts, host Scott Cam is arguably one of the most familiar faces on TV. This season though, there’s a new expert in the mix: real estate guru Marty Fox, who is occasionally filling in for judge Neale Whitaker (pictured). The 12-week building slog kicks off tonight, with the five teams’ mammoth task including the construction of a granny flat.

Thursday, August 3

6.00 Nine News.

6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R) 6.30 SBS World News.

7.35 Inside Sydney Airport: Holiday Surge. (Final, PGal) Christmas brings extra challenges.

6.00 Seven News.

7.00 Home And Away. (PGa) Mali needs to make up ground with his mum.

6.30 The Project.

Fitzgerald. (Final, PG) A look at Ella Fitzgerald’s life through pictures.

9.25 Grand Designs New Zealand. (R) Hosted by Chris Moller.

10.10 Art Works. (PG, R)

10.40 ABC Late News. 10.55 The Business. (R) 11.10 War On Waste. (PG, R) 12.10 Q+A. (R)

1.15 Parliament Question Time. 2.15 Scottish Vets Down Under. (Final, PG, R) 2.45 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv) 3.30 Antiques Roadshow. (R)

4.30 The Drum. (R) 5.30 7.30. (R)

8.30 Stanley Tucci: Searching For Italy: Milan. (PGa) Stanley Tucci heads to Milan.

9.20 Kin. (MA15+) Frank tries to avoid an all-out war.

10.20 SBS World News Late.

10.50 Max Anger: With One Eye Open. (Mal)

11.40 Outlander. (MA15+sv, R) 3.55 Mastermind Australia. (R) 4.25 Bamay. (R)

5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

8.30 The Front Bar. (Ml) Hosts Mick Molloy, Sam Pang and Andy Maher take a lighter look at all things AFL.

9.30 What The Killer Did Next: Nadine Aburas. (Mav, R) Examines the behaviour of killers after a murder, including the case of 28-year-old Nadine Aburas.

10.30 The Latest: Seven News.

11.00 Air Crash Investigations: Stealth Bomber Down. (PGa, R) 12.00 The Resident. (Ma, R)

Shopping. (R)

7.00 A Current Affair.

7.30 RBT. (Mdl, R) A look at police random breath-test patrols.

8.30 Emergency. (Mm, R) Doctors fear a motorbike rider might lose his foot after a shocking crash.

9.30 Casualty 24/7. (Mm) A 76-year-old is in agony after an accident.

10.30 A+E After Dark. (Mmv, R)

11.25 Nine News Late.

11.50 The First 48. (MA15+av, R) 12.40 Tipping Point. (PG, R)

7.30 Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly Australia. (PGa) Follows dog trainer Graeme Hall.

8.30 Law & Order: SVU. (Mav, R) The detectives are called in to help investigate a wave of hate crimes on Christmas Eve.

9.30 The Cheap Seats. (Mal, R) Presenters Melanie Bracewell and Tim McDonald take a look at the week that was.

The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. (PG)

Neale Whitaker judges The Block

Friday, August 4

6.00 The Drum. Analysis of the day’s news.

7.00 ABC News. A look at the top stories of the day.

7.30 First Weapons: Long Spear. (PG) Hosted by Phil Breslin.

8.00 Death In Paradise. (PG, R)

A young woman is murdered.

9.00 Midsomer Murders. (Mv, R)

New detective Charlie Nelson arrives in Midsomer and is thrown straight into a murder investigation.

10.30 Gold Diggers. (Mdls, R)

11.00 ABC Late News.

11.15 Miniseries: Roadkill. (Mdlv, R)

12.15 Harrow. (Mav, R)

1.10 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv)

6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R)

6.30 SBS World News.

7.35 World’s Most Scenic River Journeys: The St Lawrence. (PGav, R) Narrated by Bill Nighy.

8.30 Legends Of The Pharaohs: Amenhotep III, The Great Builder. (M) Takes a look at Amenhotep III.

9.30 Iceland With Alexander Armstrong. (PGl, R) Part 2 of 3.

10.25 SBS World News Late.

10.55 Vise Le Coeur. (Premiere, MA15+a)

11.50 Stella Blomkvist. (MA15+s, R) 1.40 Beforeigners. (MA15+alv, R)

3.30 Mastermind Australia. (R) 4.30 Bamay. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

Saturday, August 5

6.30 New Leash On Life. (R)

Hosted by Joel Creasey.

7.00 ABC News. A look at the top stories of the day.

7.30 Grantchester. (Return, PG)

After a fun-filled charity motorcycle race, a young biker is found dead.

8.20 Vera. (Mv, R) After a surgeon is shot dead and his daughters abducted, DCI Stanhope and her team pursue the killer.

9.45 Bay Of Fires. (Malv, R) A public servant is sent to investigate suspicious government payouts to people in town.

10.45 Last Tango In Halifax. (Ml, R) Alan and Celia have been married for seven years.

11.45 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv)

Music video clips.

6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 Going Places With Ernie Dingo. (PG)

8.30 Amazing Railway Adventures With Nick Knowles: Malaysia. (PGa) Nick Knowles heads to Malaysia.

9.25 World’s Most Scenic Railway

Journeys: Genoa, Italy. (R) Chronicles a train journey through Genoa.

10.15 Tony Robinson’s History Of Britain. (PGan, R) 11.05 Rex In Rome. (Mv, R) 12.00

The Family Law. (Mls, R) 3.00 UFOs. (PGa, R)

4.20 Mastermind Australia. (R) 4.50

Destination Flavour Scandinavia Bitesize. (R)

5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.15

France 24 Feature. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

6.00 Seven News.

7.00 Better Homes And Gardens. Ed Halmagyi makes an apple, chocolate and hazelnut pie.

7.30 Football. AFL. Round 21. Western Bulldogs v Richmond.

10.30 AFL Post-Game Show. Post-game discussion and interviews.

11.00 Armchair Experts. (M) A panel discusses all things AFL.

12.00 Reverie. (Mav, R) Mara deals with side effects of Reverie.

1.00 Harry’s Practice. (R)

1.30 Travel Oz. (PG, R)

2.00 Home Shopping. (R)

4.00 Million Dollar Minute. (R)

5.00 NBC Today.

6.00 Nine News.

7.00 A Current Affair.

7.30 Rugby League. NRL. Round 23. Penrith Panthers v Melbourne Storm.

9.55 Golden Point. A wrap-up of the Penrith Panthers versus Melbourne Storm match, with news and analysis.

10.40 MOVIE: Criminal. (2016, MA15+lv, R)

A CIA operative’s consciousness is transferred. Kevin Costner, Ryan Reynolds.

12.40 Tipping Point. (PG, R) Hosted by Ben Shephard.

1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)

4.00 Postcards. (PG, R)

4.30 Global Shop. (R)

5.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)

5.30 Skippy The Bush Kangaroo. (R)

6.30 The Project. A look at the day’s news and events.

7.30 Location, Location, Location Australia. Property experts search for homes.

8.30 Have You Been Paying Attention? (Malns, R) Celebrity panellists compete to see who can remember the most about events of the week.

9.30 The Graham Norton Show. (Ms, R) Graham Norton chats with George Takai, Jamie Oliver and Claudia Winkleman.

11.30 The Project. (R)

12.30 The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. (PG) 1.30 Home Shopping. (R)

6.00 Seven News.

7.00 Football. AFL. Round 21. Geelong v Port Adelaide.

10.30 AFL Post-Game Show. A wrap-up of the game, including panel discussion and interviews, with access to players, coaches and staff.

11.00 MOVIE: Cold Pursuit. (2019, MA15+av, R) A man seeks revenge for his son’s murder. Liam Neeson, Laura Dern.

1.20 Reverie. (Mav, R) Mara’s de-realisations put her life in danger.

2.30 Home Shopping. (R)

4.00 Get Arty. (R) A showcase of art projects.

5.00 Million Dollar Minute. (R)

6.00 Nine News Saturday.

7.00 A Current Affair.

7.30 MOVIE: The Shawshank Redemption. (1994, Mlv, R)

Two prisoners develop a friendship. Tim Robbins, Morgan Freeman.

10.25 MOVIE: The Kitchen.

(2019, MA15+lv, R) The gangsters wives take over their businesses. Melissa McCarthy.

12.25 Straight Forward. (MA15+lv, R)

1.20 It’s All Greek To Me. (PG, R)

1.50 9Honey Hacks. (PG)

2.00 The Incredible Journey Presents. (PGa)

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)

6.00 To Be Advised.

8.00 MOVIE: Weird: The Al Yankovic Story. (2022, Madv) The story of Weird Al Yankovic’s life, from his meteoric rise to fame with early hits like Eat It and Like a Surgeon to his torrid celebrity love affairs and famously depraved lifestyle. Daniel Radcliffe, Rainn Wilson, Julianne Nicholson.

10.00 The Cheap Seats. (Mal, R) Presenters Melanie Bracewell and Tim McDonald take a look at the week that was.

11.00 Just For Laughs Australia. (MA15+ls, R) Hosted by Nath Valvo.

12.00 Home Shopping. (R)

4.30 Authentic. (PG)

5.00 Hour Of Power.

Movin’ To The Country. (R) 2.30 Grantchester. (PG, R) 3.20

A Life In Ten Pictures. (PG, R) 4.10 Grand Designs New Zealand. (R) 5.00 Art Works.

5.30 Fake Or Fortune? (R)

6.30 Compass: Indira’s Tree. (PG, R)

7.00 ABC News.

7.30 Restoration Australia: Miner’s Cottage. (PG) Hosted by Anthony Burke.

8.30 Bay Of Fires. (Madl) Jeremiah agrees to help Stella dispose of a body in the Tasmanian wilderness.

9.25 Miniseries: The Beast Must Die. (Mal) Part 4 of 5. As Frances becomes more embedded in the home, she makes progress with her plan.

10.10 The Newsreader. (Mal, R) Helen and Dale report on a comet.

11.10 Talking Heads. (Ml, R)

11.45 Rage Vault. (MA15+adhlnsv)

2.05 Escape From The City. (R) 5.00 Insiders. (R)

6.00 WorldWatch. 9.00 Garma Festival 2023 Day 2. 12.00 APAC Weekly. 12.30 ABC World News Tonight With David Muir. 1.00

Speedweek. 3.00 Motorcycle Racing. FIM

Superbike World Championship. Round 7. Highlights.

6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 Colosseum: The Gladiators. (Premiere) The rise and fall of the Roman Empire.

9.15 Amazon: The Lost World: Lost Jungle Civilisation. (PG) Part 1 of 3.

10.10 Hemingway: A Writer (1899-1929) (Ma, R)

12.15 Dan Snow: The Tutankhamun Mystery. (PGa, R)

1.55

Hours In

6.00 Seven News.

7.00 The Voice. (Return, PGl) Hosted by Sonia Kruger.

8.55 7NEWS Spotlight. An exclusive, special investigation.

9.55 The Latest: Seven News.

10.25 Born To Kill? David Carpenter. (MA15+av) A look at the case of David Carpenter.

11.25 Autopsy USA: Jeffrey Epstein. (Mad) A look at the death of Jeffrey Epstein.

12.25 All Together Now – The 100. (PG, R)

2.00 Home Shopping. (R) 3.30 Million Dollar Minute. (R)

6.00 Nine News Sunday.

7.00 The Block. (Return, PGl)

8.50 60 Minutes. Current affairs program, investigating, analysing and uncovering the issues affecting all Australians.

9.50 Nine News Late. A look at the latest news and events.

10.20 Australian Crime Stories: Justice For Lucille. (Ma, R)

11.15 The First 48: Unspeakable Pt 2. (MA15+alv)

12.10 Law & Order: Organized Crime. (Mav, R)

1.00 Fishing Australia. (R) 1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 Believer’s Voice Of Victory. (PGa) 4.30 Take Two. (R) 5.00 News Early Edition. 5.30 Today.

6.30 The Sunday Project. A look at the day’s news.

7.30 Hunted. In a real-life game of cat and mouse, ordinary Aussies go on the run from a team of experts.

9.00 FBI. (Mv) When a deadly truck heist arms the killers with enough ammonium nitrate to construct a massive bomb, the team discovers a link to a terrorist group Maggie is working to infiltrate.

10.00 NCIS: Hawai’i. (Mv, R)

VICELAND (31) 6am Children’s Programs. 10.00 MOVIE: Thomas And Friends: Big World! Big Adventures! The Movie. (2018) 11.20 Children’s Programs. 7.20pm Bluey. 7.30 Spicks And Specks. 8.00 You Can’t Ask That. 8.30 Louis Theroux: Miami Mega Jail. 9.30 Louis Theroux’s LA Stories. 10.30 Vera. Midnight David Attenborough’s Global Adventure. 12.55 George Clarke’s Amazing Spaces. 1.40 Late Programs.

World Championships. Men’s Elite Road Race. 1.30am Alien Weaponry: Thrash Metal And Te Reo. 2.00 Netball. World Cup. Final. 3.30 Late Programs.

ABC TV PLUS (22) 6am Philadelphia. (1993, PG) 8.20 Five Flights Up. (2014, PG) 10.00 Foxcatcher. (2014, M) 12.35pm Hearts And Bones. (2019, M) 2.40 The Importance Of Being Earnest. (1952) 4.30 Babette’s Feast.

Monday, August

World News.

7.30 Robson Green’s Weekend Escapes. (PG)

8.40 Britain’s Most Expensive Houses. (PGl) Part 1 of 5.

9.35 24 Hours In Emergency: I’ll Be There. (M) A car crash victim is rushed to emergency.

10.30 SBS World News Late.

11.00 Garma Festival 2023 Wrap. (R)

12.00 My Brilliant Friend. (Mlv) 12.55 Gomorrah. (MA15+v, R) 3.40 Mastermind Australia. (R) 4.45 Destination Flavour

Scandinavia Bitesize. (R) 5.00 NHK World

English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines

The World Tonight.

6.00 Seven News.

7.00 Home And Away. (PGa)

7.30 The Voice. (PG) As the blind auditions continue, contestants set out to prove they have what it takes to be a singing sensation.

8.45 9-1-1: Lone Star. (Mav) Owen is conflicted when his brother Robert asks him for help. Judd and Grace face a family crisis.

10.45 The Latest: Seven News.

11.15 The Blacklist. (MA15+av) Red visits friends.

12.15 The Village. (Mas, R) Ava returns.

1.15 Harry’s Practice. (R)

2.00 Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 NBC Today. 5.00 Seven Early News. 5.30 Sunrise.

6.00 Nine News.

7.00 A Current Affair.

7.30 The Block. (PGl) Hosted by Scott Cam.

8.45 Missing Persons Investigation Unit. (Premiere, PGa) A man goes missing during a storm in Melbourne.

9.45 Footy Classified. (M) Footy experts tackle the AFL’s big issues.

10.45 Nine News Late.

11.15 Mr Mayor. (PG)

11.40 Family Law. (Ma, R)

12.40 Tipping Point. (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)

The Project. A look at the day’s news and events.

7.30 Hunted. Australians go on the run.

Have You Been Paying Attention? (Malns) Celebrity panellists compete to see who can remember the most about events of the week.

9.40 Tom Gleeson: Lighten Up. (Mls, R) Stand-up comedy performance from Gold Logie-winner and Hard Quiz host Tom Gleeson.

FBI: Most Wanted. (MA15+v, R)

The Project. (R)

The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. (PG)

Tuesday, August 8

6.00 Mastermind Australia. (PG, R)

6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 The Point: Referendum Road Trip. A look at First Nations perspectives.

8.30 Insight. Takes a look at whether nimbyism is protecting communities or holding us back and locking others out.

9.30 Dateline: Russia’s Rainbow Exiles. How LGBTQI+ are fleeing Russia.

10.00 SBS World News Late.

10.30 Living Black: Jacinta Price

– Coalitions Rising Star. (R)

11.00 Pandore. (Mals)

11.55 Bloodlands. (Malv, R)

6.00 Seven News.

7.00 Home And Away. (PGa)

7.30 The Voice. (PGa) Hosted by Sonia Kruger.

9.15 The Rookie. (Mdv) In the midst of a heatwave and blackout, Nolan and Aaron discover criminals hiding at the station.

10.15 The Rookie: Feds. (Mv) Brendon and

7.30

8.40

(Return, PGls) Andy Lee is joined by a panel of comedians and 100 Aussies to explore the fun behind the facts.

9.40 Botched. (MA15+amn) A man comes to the doctors for help.

6.30 The Project. A look at the day’s news and events.

7.30 Hunted. (Final) Australians go on the run.

8.40 The Cheap Seats. (Mal) Presenters Melanie Bracewell and Tim McDonald take a look at the week that was.

9.40 NCIS. (Mv, R) NCIS investigates a ring of teenage partygoers who are believed to be responsible for a string of break-ins.

(R)

4.00 Mastermind Australia. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

Wednesday, August 9

The Drum.

7.00 ABC News.

7.30 7.30.

8.00 Hard Quiz. (PGls)

Hosted by Tom Gleeson.

8.30 Gruen. Presented by Wil Anderson.

9.10 Gold Diggers. (Mls) Gert and Marigold’s mother rolls into town.

9.35 Would I Lie To You? (R)

Hosted by Rob Brydon.

10.05 Adam Hills: The Last Leg.

10.50 ABC Late News.

11.05 The Business. (R) 11.20 Greta Thunberg: A Year To Change The World. (PG, R) 12.20

Parliament Question Time. 1.20 Rage.

(MA15+adhlnsv) 3.40 Tenable. (PG, R) 4.30

The Drum. (R) 5.30 7.30. (R)

6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R)

6.30 SBS World News.

7.35 Michael Mosley Secrets Of The Superagers: Brain. (Premiere) Dr Michael Mosley explores ageing.

8.30 The Rise And Fall Of Boris Becker. (M) Part 2 of 2.

9.30 Miniseries: Anne Boleyn. (Masv) Part 3 of 3.

10.30 SBS World News Late.

11.00 Dark Woods. (MA15+av)

11.55 Manayek. (MA15+dv, R) 4.15 Mastermind Australia. (R) 4.45 Destination Flavour Scandinavia Bitesize. (R) 5.00 NHK World

English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines

The World Tonight.

6am WorldWatch.

Counter Space. 11.30 The UnXplained.

6.00 Seven News.

7.00 Home And Away. (PGa)

7.30 Border Security: Australia’s Front Line. (PG) A French party-goer is lying to officers.

8.30 Granny Killer: The Unsolved Murders. (Mav, R) Takes a look at John Wayne Glover, a notorious serial killer who was convicted of murdering six elderly women.

10.10 The Latest: Seven News.

10.40 Death Row: Countdown To Execution. (MA15+av, R)

11.40 Autopsy USA. (MA15+adv, R)

12.40 The Enemy Within. (Mav, R)

2.00 Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 NBC Today.

5.00 Seven Early News. 5.30 Sunrise.

6.00 Nine News.

7.00 A Current Affair.

7.30 The Block. (PGl) Hosted by Scott Cam.

8.40 The Weakest Link. (PG, R) Quiz show featuring eight contestants who answer general knowledge questions. Hosted by Magda Szubanski.

9.40 Footy Classified. (M) Footy experts tackle the AFL’s big issues.

10.40 To Be Advised.

11.35 Nine News Late.

12.00 The Equalizer. (Mv)

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 News Early Edition. 5.30 Today.

10.30 NCIS: Hawai’i. (Mv, R) A US Navy seaman is involved in a murder. 11.30 The Project. (R) 12.30 The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. (PG)

Home Shopping. (R)

6.30 The Project.

7.30 Thank God You’re Here.

Hosted by Celia Pacquola.

8.30 Inspired Unemployed (Impractical) Jokers. (Premiere, Ms) Four Aussie mates set out to embarrass each other in a public setting.

9.00 Five Bedrooms. (Mal) Liz returns from her UK studies.

10.00 So Help Me Todd. (PGv) 11.00 FBI. (Mv, R)

12.00 The Project. (R) 1.00 The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. (PG) 2.00 Home Shopping. (R) 4.30 CBS Mornings.

Do you have

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 Sienna Wills 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,”Ms Wills 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,”Ms Wills 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

Physiotherapist, Sienna Wills.

Photo: Yanni

Your denture questions answered

DENTURE technology has come a long way over the years and DenturePoint always makes an extra special effort to explore all the different options to find the right products for the discerning customer.

Maggie Murch, from DenturePoint has answered some frequently asked questions below to help you on your denture journey.

What is DenturePoint?

At DenturePoint we make all types of dentures, you don’t need a dental referral, just call or book online for an appointment. We also offer nightguards, mouthguards and express denture repairs.

Can all the dentures be repaired? How long does it take?

Most of the time we can repair your denture and have it done on the same day. Sometimes we might need to take an impression.

What are digital dentures?

The digital dentures are made by scanning your mouth with an oral scanner rather than by taking standard impressions. The dentures are designed based on these scans.

Scanning eliminates human error in production; the quality and fit is much better than conventional dentures. Also, with scanning, there are no gagging issues!

What is Denture Bank?

Denture Bank provides you with peace of mind. We can digitally scan your existing denture and store it in our database. If you happen to lose or break your dentures, a new copy can be printed in a few days’ time. There is no need to be without your smile for

a prolonged period or having to spend time attending multiple appointments. The dentures can be collected from our clinic or express posted.

How long have you been making dentures?

Maggie at DenturePoint started her career at Eastman Dental Institute and Hospital of London in 1999. She then underwent further study at Cardiff University and finally graduated from Griffith University in Queensland with a Masters’ in Dental Prosthetics.

What are flexible dentures and why are they so popular?

They are very popular as they are aesthetically pleasing.

Flexible dentures feature a nylon chemistry and can be made much thinner than a conventional denture. These properties make them almost become invisible. They work very well in small spaces and are ideal for replacing single teeth.

Is it hard to wear a denture?

Yes, it’s not easy. However, at DenturePoint we offer very thorough aftercare and provide lots of support.

We explain what the process involves and are always happy to answer all your questions and provide follow-up appointments. Maggie is very passionate and dedicated to her job. She is also the founder of Denture Support Group: Australia & Worldwide, on Facebook, which offers help to anyone with denture-related concerns or questions.

DenturePoint is located at 2/20 Bruce St, Mornington, phone 0400 919 513 or visit the website www.denturepoint.com.au

Dental Prosthetist, Maggie Murch. Photo Yanni

Wells Road under construction

Compiled by Cameron McCullough CONTRACTOR Davey is making rapid progress with the construction of the 20 chains of Wells road, for which he was the successful tenderer.

Mr. Davey has a reputation as a capable contractor.

Wells road is undoubtedly destined to become the natural relief channel for the ever-increasing motor traffic to the popular bayside, and it is realised that in the near future it will become necessary to complete the construction of this road right through to Frankston.

The Dandenong council is at present constructing its unmade portion of Wells road to its boundary at Eel-race road, Contractor Jim Finch having been the successful tenderer.

Mr. Finch is another contractor who puts his very best work into his contracts, and he carries the best wishes of a large circle of Seaford friends.

With these two contracts finished there will be but about 2¼ miles of this road to construct, and it is a very wide opinion that the Royal Automobile Club were made acquainted with the value of this road, as a relief for the congested Pt. Nepean road, it is quite possible that very strong and influential representations would be made to the Government to complete the construction of Wells road.

That Pt. Nepean road is now overtaxed and quite incapable of safely dealing with the traffic is becoming more apparent every year, and if the motor traffic continues to increase in the same proportions each year a very short time must elapse before the congestion becomes a positive source of danger.

Every wise Government makes pro-

vision for future requirements, and no doubt it was thought Pt. Nepean road would meet traffic for some years after its construction, but that it has reached its carrying capacity for present day needs is a fact.

Wells road now comes into place as the most practical road to take the surplus traffic.

Motor traffic is increasing at the enormous rate of 65 per cent each year, and if we want it we must provide for it.

***

OWING to the sagging of the overhead gear between Seaford and Frankston, the electric trains were delayed for some time on Friday morning last.

The trouble was located early in the morning and engineers were hastened to the scene and wires put in order.

The trouble affected the sub-station at Seaford to some degree and special men conducted tests after the wires were repaired, and at about 9 a.m. everything was found to be O.K.

***

THE residents of Mornington consider the railway service to the Mornington Peninsula inadequate, and suggest that the line should be electrified.

The Railway Commissioners have considered the question of increasing the existing service, and are of the opinion that the traffic offering does not warrant such a step.

When the line was inspected last week, the Commissioners promised the local people that arrangements would be made in the summer time table for the 8.10am down train to be run express to Frankston with the exception of one stop at Caulfield,

IN THE specialists HANDS

thereby saving about 25 minutes on that portion of the journey.

Arrangements are also being made for a conference of railway officers and representatives of the various districts concerned to be held to further discuss the train service problem, and if it be found practicable to effect any improvement in the Mornington service, the connecting services will correspondingly benefit.

The Commissioners are not prepared at the present juncture to give any definite information as regards the electrification of the line, beyond saying that this is one of the lines listed to be considered for conversion to electric traction when the proper time arrives, although at this stage it is not known when that will be.

Commenting on the allegation that £300 a year is being incurred in expenses for the train crews while camping at Red Hill on two nights a week, the Commissioners say the amount involved is little more than £100 per annum, and the present method is regarded as the most economical possible.

***

CORPORAL C. W. R. Wilson (Siege Battery Ammunition Column) who enlisted at Baxter and afterwards lived at Frankston, has been awarded the Medaille de Sauvetage and Diploma. The decoration is the second highest in France, and there has only been two awarded in Victoria.

***

Police Court. FRANKSTON POLICE COURT. Monday, 30th July.

Before Messrs. C. W. Grant (chairman) and J. Brown, J.’sP. EDUCATION ACT.

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Senior-Constable Culhane proceeded against Mrs. Sandays for neglecting to send her child, Kenneth, to school the required number of days. No appearance of defendant. Fined 2/-.

VACCINATION ACT.

Senior-Constable Culhane v. Albert Edward Ritchie, J. B. Jolly, and A. H. Johnson for failing to comply with Vaccination Act.

Senior-Constable Culhane stated that all the parties held conscientious scruples.

The chairman remarked that if they gave proper notice under the Act they could secure exemption.

Senior-Constable Culhane: The majority of people don’t know that.

They must give notice to the registrar.

A fine of 10/- in each case was imposed.

DRUNK AT FRANKSTON.

Arthur Grant, who was spending a weekend visit in Frankston, pleaded guilty to being drunk on Sunday last.

Constable Graham said he arrested defendant in Pt. Nepean road on the night in question. He was very drunk and was locked up for his own safety.

A fine of 10/- was imposed.

NEW ESTATE AGENT.

The application of Wm. Armstrong to be licensed as a real estate agent, was granted.

ADJOURNED.

R. Pearce v. Ethel Hines. No appearance of either party. Adjourned for four weeks.

***

THE most important topic in Chelsea at present is the proposal to remove the Chelsea road crossing to Thames

Promenade, with no gates, and to provide a sub-way for pedestrians in the centre of Chelsea station, also closing the foot crossing at the south end of the station, which runs out opposite Mr. Fricke’s.

Feeling is running high and many lengthy arguments are the order of the day; in fact, business is often held up whilst the question is debated.

The three Centre Ward councillors are in an unenviable position, as they are constantly being approached by the different sides to support them.

They will certainly have to display more than the reputed wisdom of Solomon to settle the question amicably.

On Thursday events took a new turn.

Word was received that one of the officers of the Railway Department, who is an expert on crossings, would attend the meeting of the Chelsea Progress Association at the Beachway hall on Wednesday next at 8 p.m., in order that he might get an expression of public opinion on the vexed question.

It is understood that the attitude of this meeting will settle the question for good and all. Whatever decision is registered by the meeting will very probably be at once given effect to by the Commissioners, in order to save further trouble.

This paper strongly advises the citizens of Chelsea to attend in force and settle the question, not on any narrow or selfish basis, but in the best interests of all, let your motto be: “The greatest good for the greatest number.”

Human life is the first consideration.

***

From the pages of the Frankston and Somerville Standard, 1 & 3 Aug 1923

PUZZLE ZONE

20. Mistake

THE MEANING OF EXISTENCE... AND OTHER SHORT STORIES

13. Make last, ... out

15. Cavalry weapon

16. Usually

18. Climb down rope

19. Space film genre (3-2)

21. Chessman

22. Tired sigh

The Riddle of a Paradiddle in a Middle Life Crisis

By Stuart McCullough

THANK you! Let me say with all sincerity how much I appreciate your cards, letters and gifts. To those who went the extra mile and sent me a telegram, well done for knowing that telegrams still exist. In the interests of honesty, I’ll simply say that I was mildly disappointed that these didn’t arrive in ‘gorilla-gram’ format, but I’ve learned not to be too fussy. The thing is that you noticed.

I am grateful for all the ‘congratulations’ and best wishes that you have seen fit to shower upon me.

After all, it’s not everyday that you get to celebrate the start of a mid-life crisis.

Before you start, I’m here to say that a midlife crisis is as legitimate a life milestone to celebrate as anything else, and I think it should be embraced. Forget the shame and stigma that so often accompanies the slide into temporary insanity that, in cricket terms, would probably be described as a middle-order collapse. Eighteenths and twenty firsts are wasted on the young; those kids barely know what to do with themselves. But a midlife crisis is fueled both by a sense of urgency and, possibly, higher quality liquor.

I bought a drum kit. I’ve always wanted one and after months of dithering, I finally lashed out and got one. Granted, it’s not exactly a sports car or a hair transplant, but it is, nevertheless, a desperate and futile attempt to remake a life that – if we’re being entirely honest – has largely slipped me by.

But buying a drum kit is one thing. Assembling it is another thing entirely, especially as it arrived in numerous boxes with zero in the way of instructions. Perhaps that’s a good thing. After all, my relationship with instructions is strained at best, if not entirely subsumed by hostility. Forget weird drawings that don’t mean anything. No instructions may well be the way of the future. I have no intuition for putting things together. I feel that the Alan key might be my natural adversary, right alongside the key of e-flat. I dragged all the boxes up to my attic and began unpacking. I considered making one of those ‘unbox-

ing’ videos that are so popular on YouTube, but then decided that the world didn’t need to see me opening cardboard boxes and looking a little bit confused. Perhaps it was the additional altitude, but once I finished hauling everything upstairs and was surrounded by a million hoops, nuts and assorted ephemera, I felt a little overwhelmed. The solution was obvious. The answers to most of life’s problems can be found in one place –the Internet. Without a moment to lose, I quickly

started googling until I could google no more. After eight hours, I was no closer to assembling my drum kit but had a newfound respect for cats, especially when they’re using a typewriter. (Who knew? About seventy million other people, apparently.)

After a few days, I found some videos relevant to assembling a drum kit, including some hosted by humans rather than cats. In a short period of time, I had made progress. The kick drum start-

Puzzles supplied by Lovatts Publications Pty Ltd

www.lovattspuzzles.com

See page 19 for solutions.

ed to look a lot like a kick drum. The tom was mounted and hi-hats in place. I even managed to assemble the wonderfully named ‘drum throne’.

I stood back and marveled at what can only be described as the kind of achievement that deserves a plaque or, possibly, a statue. I immediately took a photo and emailed it to IKEA to rebut their continued claim that my inability to assemble their furniture is more my problem than theirs.

Then I sat down. My right hand reached across for the hi-hats while my left was perched over the snare drum, ready to strike. I had my right foot on the kick pedal and the left controlling the hihats. I was ready. And then I started to play. Or, at least, I tried to play. The rhythm tripped and stuttered. It sounded less like a beat than a mild telling off. I tried to do a drum fill but missed and it went unfilled as a result. In short, my attempt to hold something resembling a beat failed miserably. Granted, I could claim I was engaging in some highfalutin jazz chicanery, but who was I fooling? I was hopeless.

I read once that Keith Moon from The Who would forget how to be Keith Moon of The Who and it would take him a while to remember whenever the band came back from a break. In my case, the break lasted a couple decades and, if I’m honest, I was never Keith Moon to begin with. Maybe I’ll get better. My neighbours are certainly hoping that I do.

I’m not sure what it is that draws us back to the things we loved in our youth. Whether it’s having either the time or the resources to get things we’ve long coveted or trying to find something of ourselves we may have lost along the way, I really don’t know. But I find that I’m often drawn back to the past and the people who built it. As for the drum kit, I’m determined to figure it out, but for now it definitely has the upper hand. I feel that if I keep on trying, eventually, perhaps inevitably, things will fall into place. stuart@stuartmccullough.com

ACROSS

1. Posts

7. At heart

8. Inhabitant

10. Nailcare specialist

12. Flat buns

14. Soviet region (1,1,1,1)

16. Animal flesh

17. Skin tumour

23. Scent, ... Cologne (3,2)

24. Children’s jumping game

25. Join up

DOWN

1. Wooden hammer

2. Irish actor, ... Neeson

3. Against

4. Unclear

5. Guilty plea

6. Pearl-bearer

9. Tibetan monks

11. Indian prince

Hillmen fight back, Edi-Asp win big

MPNFL

By Brodie Cowburn

DIVISION ONE

RED Hill picked up a thrilling upset win over Frankston YCW on Saturday.

The Hillmen hosted the secondplaced Stonecats at Red Hill Recreation Reserve. They desperately needed a win to remain in finals contention.

The Stonecats were in control throughout most of the day. After a dominant third term Frankston YCW looked on track to win, leading by six goals at the final break of play.

A six-goals-to-zero final term sealed the Stonecats’ fate. The Hillmen bravely surged home, and ended up getting the win by a point.

Red Hill claimed the narrowest of come-from-behind victories 9.7 (61) to 8.12 (60).

Daniel Frampton, Misi Faimalo, Kalen Bird, Charlie Robinson-Cay, and Jonah Siversen were Red Hill’s best. Bird booted three goals.

Sorrento remain two games clear inside the top five after a good win against Langwarrin.

After a tight opening half, Sorrento put their foot down. The Sharks booted six goals to two in the final term to claim an 8.6 (54) to 14.6 (90) win.

Undefeated Dromana stretched their unbeaten run to 15 with a 28-point win over Frankston Bombers on Saturday. At the other end of the ladder, last-place Bonbeach were defeated by Mt Eliza 5.3 (33) to 12.11 (83).

Pines moved within striking distance of second place with a hard-fought seven point win over Rosebud last weekend. The Pythons are one game behind the Stonecats, but are at a significant percentage disadvantage.

Three rounds remain before finals.

DIVISION TWO

EDITHVALE-ASPENDALE has finals in their sights after a huge win against Somerville.

The battle for fifth place has been hotly contested this season. EdithvaleAspendale have been in the mix, and made a huge step towards finals on Saturday.

In front of their home crowd, Edithvale-Aspendale were at their best. They smashed Somerville by nearly 100 points 26.13 (169) to 11.10 (76).

Nick Carlon was electric up front. He booted eight goals to help his side

claim an important percentage boosting win.

Edi-Asp finished the round in fifth place. They are equal on points with Chelsea and Pearecdale, but boast the best percentage in the league.

Chelsea slipped up on Saturday against Devon Meadows. They fought back from a four-goals-to-zero start to get back in the lead, but a poor final quarter cost them the game.

Devon Meadows beat Chelsea 11.11 (77) to 14.13 (97). Joel Hillis was the Panthers’ best - he kicked five goals. Pearcedale fell to second-placed Karingal last weekend. The Bulls have struggled for form lately, but showed up at home on Saturday to beat Pearcedale 12.13 (85) to 11.4 (70).

Ladder leaders Mornington kept hold of their spot with a huge 20.20 (140) to 11.6 (72) win over Seaford last weekend.

Hastings and Tyabb rounded out the winner’s list with victories over Rye and Crib Point respectively.

NEXT WEEK’S GAMES

Division One

Frankston YCW v Bonbeach, 2pm, Sat 5 Aug, John Coburn

Langwarrin v Dromana, 2pm, Sat 5 Aug, Lloyd Park

Frankston Bombers v Rosebud, 2pm, Sat 5 Aug, Baxter Park

Sorrento v Eliza, 2pm, Sat 5 Aug, David Macfarlane Reserve

Pines v Red Hill, 2pm, Sat 5 Aug, Eric Bell Reserve

Division Two

Chelsea v Mornington, 2pm, Sat 5 Aug, Chelsea Recreation Reserve

Devon Meadows v Crib Point, 2pm, Sat 5 Aug, Glover Reserve

Edithvale-Aspendale v Hastings, 2pm, Sat 5 Aug, Edi-Asp Regents Park

Karingal v Tyabb, 2pm, Sat 5 Aug, Karingal Football Club

Pearcedale v Rye, 2pm, Sat 5 Aug, Pearcedale Recreation Reserve

Somerville v Seaford, 2pm, Sat 5 Aug, Somerville Football Club

PRIZE, GREAT SOCIAL

Wallace to quit Langy role

SOCCER

By Craig MacKenzie

LANGWARRIN will have a new president at October’s AGM after Tanya Wallace steps down.

Wallace became the club’s first ever female president and the youngest in the club’s history when first elected in 2014.

She served for two years before handing the reins to John Heskins in 2016 then returned to the helm at the 2018 AGM.

“I’m tired and it’s time to hand over to someone with a fresh perspective to see what they can achieve,” Wallace said.

“I’ve achieved most of what I wanted to achieve but I don’t know what’s next so I need to step back and have some personal time and re-align my goals.”

Wallace sees the carpark and Barrett’s Road developments as major successes of her presidency but would have liked to increase the amount of pitch space and redevelop the clubrooms.

She also takes pride in her stewardship of the club throughout the COVID pandemic.

“We tried to ensure that we kept our membership base by doing the right thing by them and keeping the doors open to do what we could financially to remain stable when we came out of COVID.”

Wallace won’t be drawn on a possible successor other than to say she has a person she believes would do well as her replacement “but that’s for the members to decide not me.”

That person takes over a club in a strong position.

“I think we have the structure to support the club’s longevity but at the moment we are close to the point where we have to limit the amount of teams due to space,” Wallace added.

“We’ve superseded the opportunities we offered young players 10 years ago and we should be proud of that.

“Scott Miller was my biggest motivator for getting the infrastructure projects started.

“He wanted better facilities for players and demanded – in a good way –the best platform for his team and for that I really do owe him.”

Going into last weekend’s NPL2 round Langwarrin was just three points ahead of second-bottom Brunswick Juventus with three games remaining.

But despite recent on-field hiccups Wallace’s confidence in the players was unwavering.

keeper Michael Napolitano. It took something special to beat him and Tom Simmons delivered in the 72nd minute.

A free-kick was sent into the box and with his back to goal Simmons executed a miraculous bicycle kick which stunned both sets of fans.

Somerville searched for a third but was ultimately punished in the 84th minute when a miscommunication in the box led to a goalmouth scramble from which Lyndale substitute Max Khalaf equalised.

Stepping down: Outgoing Langwarrin president Tanya Wallace (left) with her nephew Cooper and his parents

Stephanie Marsh and Alistair

Wallace.

Adam Bartosy scored for Chelsea in its 3-1 away loss to Springvale City on Saturday while FC Noble Hurricanes forfeited its away clash with Baxter claiming it couldn’t field a team.

In State 5 Rosebud and Aspendale drew 0-0, Seaford United won 2-1 away to Mount Martha, Mentone had a 7-0 away win over Pakenham United while Mount Eliza lost 5-1 at home to Casey Panthers.

“We have a fantastic group of young men at our club and some of them have grown personally and as footballers so much in the past year,” she said.

“I’m very grateful to have these players at our club and I can’t fault their effort so I’m hopeful that we’ll get the points we need in the next few weeks.”

Her words rang true last weekend as Langwarrin almost certainly secured its NPL2 status with a stunning 5-1 away win over Melbourne City.

Melbourne was reduced to 10 men after nine minutes when Ryan Kalms was shown a straight red for a lastman challenge on Tom Podaridis and goals from Archie Macphee (2) and Cal Goulding sent Langy in at the break leading 3-1.

A second-half brace to substitute Jacob Brito rounded off a dominant display.

Melbourne’s dismal day was compounded when Emile Peios was shown a second caution late in the contest and joined Kalms on the sidelines.

In State 1 Mornington responded to the challenge of promotion rival Eltham Redbacks with one of its best displays of the season in Saturday’s resounding 6-2 win at Dallas Brooks Park.

The Seagulls were switched on from the outset and led 2-0 after 12 minutes with precision finishes from Rory Currie and David Stirton after the visitors’ defence was pressured into mistakes.

Billy Romas hit back for Eltham in the 32nd minute but just before halftime the goal of the match restored Mornington’s momentum.

Ziggy Razuki’s left foot delivered a free-kick played at pace and curled in behind the Eltham defence for Stirton to power home a header that left Eltham keeper Abdulkerim Koc helpless.

Eltham was back in the contest in the 67th minute courtesy of a fine leftfoot volley from just outside the area by substitute David Antequera.

Three minutes later Stirton won back the ball on the right and whipped in a superb cross for Shaun Kenny to sidefoot home first time to restore Mornington’s two-goal cushion.

Luke Burgess put Eltham out of the contest in the 79th minute capitalising on its inability to clear from a long throw-in and slamming the ball in from close range.

In the 89th minute Currie motored down the left then delivered an inchperfect cross for substitute Kane Bentley to head past Koc to complete the Seagulls’ powerful performance.

In State 2 Peninsula Strikers did Skye United and Frankston Pines a huge favour by winning 2-1 away to Berwick City last weekend.

Both Strikers’ goals came from Riley Anderton.

His first was a header in the 39th minute following a Campbell Steedman cross from the left.

His second in the 63rd minute saw him pounce on the rebound after Berwick keeper Nick Caccamo saved a Cooper Andrews’ shot.

Berwick’s sole reply came three minutes into injury time.

A feature of the match was the display by 17-year-old Billy Rae who was making his full senior debut.

“He started in the middle of the park and was superb. Didn’t look at out of place at all,” Strikers’ head coach Scott Morrison said.

Skye lost 2-1 at home to Heatherton United on Saturday while Pines lost 3-2 at home to Doncaster Rovers on Friday night – results that keep Skye and Pines in ninth and tenth spots respectively as Berwick remains second bottom with Heatherton last.

Berwick faces away games against Pines and Skye in the next two rounds.

In State 4 third-placed Somerville Eagles had to settle for a point when they drew 2-2 at home to struggling Lyndale United on Saturday.

Lyndale went 1-0 up after two minutes when a soft foul from Josh Simmons saw the referee point to the penalty spot and Lucas Whiteside converted.

The home side hit back in the 28th minute when a Jake Meggs cross from the left found Marcus Anastasiou free at the back post and he headed home.

The second half was much like the first with Somerville dominating but struggling to find a way past Lyndale

Picture: Darryl Kennedy Sudoku

Harry McCartney reports that a Josh Vega strike into the top corner from just inside the area gave Seaford the lead after 22 minutes at Civic Reserve on Saturday.

Ten minutes into the second half Mount Martha hit back when James Price ran onto a long ball over the top and his mistimed shot wrong-footed Seaford keeper Hayden Hicks.

The winner came three minutes later.

Vega scuffed his shot which fell to Sam Luxford and he calmly slotted the ball past home-team keeper Derren Elliott.

On Friday night Mentone enjoyed a goalfest at IYU Reserve.

Marcus Spivey helped himself to four goals with the pick of the bunch a first-time strike from outside the area while Frankie Varsamis notched a hattrick with two of his goals coming in the opening 10 minutes.

The only negatives for Mentone were a missed penalty by Spivey and a red card for Fraser Inglis.

This weekend is a catch-up round and the only local clubs in action are Somerville Eagles and Baxter who clash at Tyabb in a much anticipated derby.

NEXT WEEK’S GAMES

Saturday 5 August, 3pm: Somerville Eagles v Baxter, Tyabb Central Reserve

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