Western Port News 12th July 2023

Call to retain free parking at Flinders

FLINDERS pier is a drawcard. A place to stop and admire the view for people making a tour of the Mornington Peninsula; a place of work for commercial fishing and pilots who guide ships into Western Port; and a base for going on beach walks or from where to catch fish or go scuba diving and snorkelling.

Parking is free, for now. However, Mornington Peninsula Shire has included the car park near Flinders Pier in a paid parking trial. The other two car parks included in the trial are at Schnapper Point, Mornington, and Sunnyside North Beach, Mount Eliza.

Peninsula residents will be able to apply for ePermits but must obey parking time limits.

Members of the successful Save Flinders Pier campaign have asked the shire to reverse its decision and drop Flinders from the paid parking trial due to start in summer.

“Call to ditch paid parking at Flinders pier” Page 3

‘Satisfaction’ surveys start this week

Keith Platt keith@mpnews.com.au

THE first of the four surveys to gauge public satisfaction with the performance of Mornington Peninsula Shire Council starts this week and will be completed by the end of the month. The mayor Cr Steve Holland said quarterly surveys would provide the shire with “more timely feedback”. Results of the four surveys commissioned by the shire will form the basis for the annual review of municipalities made on behalf of the Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions.

A “review of methodologies” has seen the shire hire Metropolis Research to conduct the four “community satisfaction surveys”.

The decision by shire directors and CEO John Baker follows two consecutive annual surveys which rated the shire at an “all time low” when it came to how its performance was perceived by residents.

The quarterly surveys of 400 interviews with a “representative sample of residents” will cost $119,350 (“Shire hires ‘satisfaction’ survey team” The News 4/7/23).

Holland was critical of the article which reported that the shire was

being criticised online that week for clearing fruit trees growing outside a Mount Eliza cafe; a large overhead neon sign in Mornington; the revamping and reduction in parking spaces at several foreshore car parks; and the trial of paid parking at three foreshore car parks.

“By repeating the criticisms without qualification, you are further propagating the view that the criticism was warranted and appropriately directed at the shire. To do so in an article about community satisfaction only serves to further damage the shire’s reputation and standing in the community,” Holland said.

“Why would you say the above without providing the facts? The fruit trees were planted on public land without a permit and the shire worked with the owner to rectify the issue. The council objected to the billboard in Mornington but was overruled by VCAT … [and] the reduction of car parks at the foreshore in Blairgowrie is being proposed by the Whitecliffs Committee of Management, not the council.” Holland did not mention the paid parking trial.

The annual surveys which have shown dissatisfaction with the shire’s performance were based on 800 interviews and rated the shire alongside 67

or the state’s 79 municipalities.

“There are two providers in Victoria for this survey, and following a review of methodologies, we decided to switch our provider from JWS Research to Metropolis Research,” Holland said.

He said the quarterly surveys “also gives us a larger sample size and allows for more open-ended questions to give us a deeper understanding of the key issues impacting community satisfaction”.

“The questions are determined by the company in alignment with the state government’s requirements.”

Continued Page 13

Picture: Charles Reis

Vegas comes to Mornington

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

Photographers: Gary Sissons, Yanni

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Production/Graphic design: Marcus Pettifer, Danielle Espagne

Group Editor: Keith Platt

Publisher: Cameron McCullough

REGULAR CONTRIBUTORS: Peter McCullough, Stuart McCullough, Andrew Hurst, Craig MacKenzie.

ADDRESS: Mornington Peninsula News Group PO Box 588 Hastings 3915

Email: team@mpnews.com.au Web: www.mpnews.com.au

DEADLINE FOR NEXT ISSUE: 1PM ON THURS 13 JULY 2023

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Local

for local people

Attention grabbing: The brightly lit sign in Nepean Highway Mornington has led to complaints it brings a “Vegas” feel to the peninsula and is another example of council powers being whittled away.

THE overturning of a permit refusal for a large, illuminated sign at the gateway to Mornington has angered residents and Mornington Peninsula Shire Council.

VicRoads gave the go ahead to a planning permit for the double-sided billboard, it was opposed by council but approved by the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal in 2020.

Before the appeal hearing VCAT members visited the site and the applicant Drive By Developments agreed to reduce the height of the 18.5 metre sign by five metres and the display

area of 15 metres to 12 metres.

VCAT member Michael Deidun found the commercial site was appropriate for the sign and met guidelines of the peninsula’s planning scheme.

However, that permit lapsed, prompting another permit application to be recently submitted to council which was left little choice but to advertise the application and approve it in line with the VCAT decision.

No objections were received.

Former council candidate Louise Page, of Tyabb, described the sign as “Vegas coming to Mornington” and

We’re removing level crossings on the Frankston Line

Tram and train disruptions: Buses replace trams and trains in both directions

Tram Route 67 Until mid-July Stop 53 Glenhuntly Tram Depot to Stop 68 Carnegie Terminus

Frankston and Stony Point lines

Until early August On sections of the lines

Road disruptions: Closed roads

Glen Huntly Road, Glen Huntly

Until mid-July

McDonald Street, Mordialloc 9.30am to 2.30pm, 25 to 28 July

said it was “tacky” and had attracted many negative comments on social media.

“How on earth is this appropriate signage for Mornington?” she said.

The mayor Cr Steve Holland described the granting of the permit as “yet another example of the wishes of council and the community being ignored by VCAT”.

“Local planning issues are best decided by locals and ther elected representatives, but increasingly the state government is overriding local communities.”

Liz Bell

Between Booran and Grange roads

At the level crossing

As part of Victoria’s Big Build, we’re removing 110 dangerous and congested level crossings, with 70 already gone.

Picture: Gary Sissons

Call to ditch paid parking at Flinders pier

Keith Platt keith@mpnews.com.au

MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire Council has been asked to reconsider its plans for a paid parking trial at Flinders pier.

“There are no pristine sandy beaches, walking trails, bike paths or cafes to justify the charge in the same way as other seaside locations where parking fees have been introduced,” chairperson of the Save Flinders Pier campaign Charles Reis said.

Reis, named by the shire as its 2023 Local Champion, said that council’s plan for charged parking at Flinders was problematic and parking should remain free.

Parking areas at Flinders, Sunnyside North Beach, Mount Eliza and Schnapper Point, Mornington are included in the parking charge trial (“Permanent paid parking to depend on trial results” The News 15/6/23).

While the trial will begin in summer and run for at least six months, the shire says it will use feedback and results to decide whether to make it permanent.

The shire has allocated $1.16 million over two budgets to pay for the six-month paid parking trial over summer.

Peninsula residents can apply for ePermits (maximum five a household) while visitors will have to pay to park.

Cr David Gill has warned his colleagues and council officers that paid parking will not work.

“If I had been consulted about in-

cluding the Flinders pier area I could have explained why this location is dead in the water as a proposition with foreseeable conflicts on site and with nearby businesses,” Gill said in an email on Wednesday 28 June.

“The awkward perceptions at Sunnyside should have ruled it out and Schnapper Point may prove to be the biggest nightmare of the three with business, yacht club and other user group reactions forthcoming.

“Paid parking should not be allowed to detrimentally affect local businesses.”

Gill’s prediction was made five days after a member of council’s “peninsula parking management team” told a resident that council had not made any “permanent decisions” about paid parking at Flinders.

The unsigned email said the parking trial “offers a chance to test the technology and impacts in each on

the three respective paid parking locations”.

“We have been in touch with Parks Victoria, Victorian Fisheries Authority and Better Boating Victoria and are looking into ways to assist where we can. Flinders does have a range of stakeholders and some previous parking issues. We will do our best to accommodate businesses as best we can and we are currently considering a business parking permit that eligible

businesses would be able to apply for, however this is still being discussed.”

Reis said many visitors to Flinders pier supported the historic display shed, operated by volunteers all year round.

“Visitors also support our local aquaculture operators such as Harry the Mussel Man and the small businesses in the Flinders village,” he said.

“Flinders pier is a local economic drawcard and the adjoining foreshore is used mostly for passive purposes by beachgoers, picnickers and people who want to enjoy the unique history of the precinct.”

Reis said Victoria’s Better Boating had decided in 2019 to provide free access to every Victorian public boat ramp.

“If the pilot goes ahead, we could have a situation where owners of speed boats and jet skis will pay nothing to launch and retrieve their vessels that have an environmental impact on our coastal waters; while passive users such as people having a family picnic will be charged $6.20 an hour.

“While I understand the pressure on council’s budget, we need to also consider the inequity of the new charge, and how it will disproportionately affect those people who can least afford it.”

Reis said fines for non-compliance would range from about $90 up to court-imposed fines of $385, according to VicRoads.

“No part of this decision by council feels right for Flinders and I am urging council to reconsider.”

THE parking area near Flinders pier is one of three included in a paid parking trial over the coming summer by Mornington Peninsula Shire. Pictures: Keith Platt (main) and (inset) Charles Reis, supplied.

No end in sight, but shire steps up trail planning

Keith Platt keith@mpnews.com.au

MORNINGTON Peninsula residents are being asked what special features, amenities or themes they would like to see on the Peninsula Trail, despite the project being at least $35 million behind in costs and no completion date in sight.

The ambitious plan being promoted by Mornington Peninsula Shire links 130 kilometres of trails throughout the peninsula to create one of “the great walking and cycling trails of the world”.

The shire last week issued a news release stating that for many years “our community has been telling us they dream of a connected trail network … we are ready to turn that dream into reality by connecting the missing links and build the Peninsula Trail”.

With the shire urging residents to lobby political candidates, parts of the trail were used as backdrops for candidates in last year’s state and federal elections, but objections to the trail have already been raised on environmental grounds (“Trail will ‘damage’ environment” The News 31/10/22).

The missing pieces total 41.5km of the proposed 130km trail and, on estimates listed on the shire’s website, will cost $47.5m.

The shire has committed $10m to the project, the state government $4m (earmarked for the $7m Somerville to Baxter “missing link”) and $3m from the federal government.

The council’s promotional material for the trail claims it “has the potential to attract off-peak and mid-week tourists and more evenly disperse them across the peninsula” by creating new opportunities for guided walking and cycling tours of the region’s food, wine and art scene.

The council estimates the completed trail will generate an economic output of $48 million ($23 million direct and $25 million indirect), and support 129 full-time equivalent jobs (51 direct and 78 indirect) during its construction phase. The operational phase is estimated to deliver $3.3 million direct-visitor expenditure and $5.6

million in health cost saving benefits to peninsula residents each year and support 35 full-time equivalent local jobs.

Without mentioning cost or time estimates, the shire’s latest news release lists the “missing links” needed to be built to complete the Peninsula Trail: “To help us understand our community's aspirations for the trail, we would like to know what is important to you. Would you like to see special features, amenities or themes along the trail?”

“This is our most ambitious trail infrastructure project to date. We want to hear from you to ensure the trails are the best they can be,” the mayor

Cr Steve Holland said.

“A fully connected trail will provide people with improved access to connect with nature and enjoy the social, mental and physical health benefits that come from time spent in the outdoors.

“A complete trail network will position the peninsula as a premier cycling and walking destination.”

The shire’s unattributed statement says: “A trail without missing links will bring benefits that go beyond active living. While much of the proposed 130 kilometre Peninsula Trail network exists, joining the gaps will connect townships and provide

economic and tourism opportunities for local communities and the wider region.”

The council’s promotional material for the trail claims it “has the potential to attract off-peak and mid-week tourists and more evenly disperse them across the peninsula” by creating new opportunities for guided walking and cycling tours of the region’s food, wine and art scene.

The council estimates the completed trail will generate an economic output of $48 million ($23 million direct and $25 million indirect), and support 129 full-time equivalent jobs (51 direct and 78 indirect) during its construction phase. The operational phase is estimated to deliver $3.3 million direct-visitor expenditure and $5.6 million in health cost saving benefits to peninsula residents each year and support 35 full-time equivalent local jobs.

The missing links are:

• Mornington to Moorooduc (4.9km $8.5m).

• Somerville to Baxter (4.64km $7m).

• Anthony’s Nose (750m $3m).

• Whitecliffs, Rye (175m $1.5m).

• Blairgowrie Yacht Club (760m $2m).

• Hughes Road (200m $1m).

• Merricks to Balnarring (4.15km $6m).

• Balnarring to Bittern (5.7km $5m).

• Safety Beach to Mount Martha (7.8km $7m).

• Red Hill to Arthurs Seat (4.5km $5.5m).

• Arthurs Seat to Point Nepean Road (8km $1m).

A MAP produced by Mornington Peninsula Shire shows the missing links in the planned Peninsula Trail.

Tracking a dolphin’s family ties

IS V-Nick a babysitter or a mother? A photograph of the dolphin known as V-Nick to the Dolphin Research Institute with a new calf has raised the two possibilities.

Jeff Weir, the Hastings-based institute’s executive director, said last week that “future surveys with more images” would help determine VNick’s role in the calf’s upbringing.

“The success of mothers like V-Nick is crucial to the survival of her community of dolphins. This is special because V-Nick is common dolphin number one in our catalogue,” he said. Weir has also announced that the institute’s

Future Generations Appeal raised “a fantastic” $52,637, exceeding the fundraising target.

The Island Whale Festival (30 June - 2 July) saw many people attend spot-the-whale sessions at Cape Woolamai Life Saving Club, Phillip Island, with institute researchers giving tips on how to look for whales and advising on marine science careers.

The researchers also ran holiday programs for about 600 children.

“It is great to see the future generation of whale scientists scanning the horizon for telltale indicators of whales,” Weir said. Keith

Platt

Recruitment drive for firefighters

FOREST Fire Management is looking for people who are keen to work outdoors, learn new skills, and help protect the community and the environment.

Applications are now open for project firefighter roles at nine locations in Melbourne’s north, east and the Mornington Peninsula, including Rosebud, Knoxfield, Olinda, Greenvale, and Powelltown.

"These fixed-term positions are a fantastic opportunity for people from all walks of life, who are physically fit, to get out in the bush, protect our region from bushfires and help manage public land,” Forest Fire Management’s deputy chief fire officer Tamara Beckett said.

New recruits would be involved in conducting planned burns, looking after recreation areas, pest and weed control, maintaining access to fire trails and roads, and supporting other emergency work to help protect the community and environment.

“They can also be called on to support other emergencies like last year’s Victorian floods. Many of the forest firefighters deployed to the current Canadian bushfires started their careers as project firefighters,” Beckett said.

Seasonal project firefighters are recruited each year, with their roles including general firefighters, fire support officers and rappel crew firefighters.

They are employed full-time from October until April. There are also positions designated for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people.

"Successful recruits will be fully trained and get the opportunity to work with experienced staff from a range of fire management agencies across the state," she said. Applications close on 30 July. Details: jobs.careers.vic.gov.au/pff or call 136 186.

Call for more pruning after cars hit fallen tree

AN accident involving at least three cars crashing into a fallen tree near Tuerong has strengthened calls for more stringent pruning of roadside trees.

But the call has been questioned, with some residents believing that driver behaviour and speed is at fault.

The issue has highlighted the great divide between Mornington Peninsula residents who want to retain its “green credentials” and moderate driver behaviour, and people who want a more urban-like environment where they can drive at speed.

In the latest incident, several cars are believed to have hit the fallen tree in Balnarring Road during wet conditions, around 6pm Wednesday, with emergency services responding and clearing the road.

Nobody was seriously injured.

One driver who crashed into the tree said they were constantly worried about the “angles” of the trees overhanging the roads in the area.

Several people contacted The News to say they had previously complained about the overhanging trees to the Department of Transport (formerly VicRoads).

The department, which is responsible for Balnarring Road, was contacted for comment.

If you have something to say on dangerous trees and driver behaviour email team@mpnews.com.au

Liz Bell

Battery start in 2024

CONSTRUCTION on the planned community battery in Carrum Downs is expected to begin next year and be operating by early 2025.

The battery will be installed by United Energy, which received a $500,000 grant from the federal government for the the 120kW/360kWh installation.

United Energy electricity networks general manager Mark Clarke said the battery would produce enough power to supply 23 average Australian homes for 12 months.

“The battery will help keep locally generated solar power local,” he said. “It will allow more homes and businesses to connect and export excess solar from their systems back into the grid, where it can be stored and used at peak times when it’s needed most. The additional solar export capacity created by this battery can displace electricity from the wider grid and reduce carbon emissions by 101 tonnes each year, which is about the same as taking 23 cars off the road.

“Traditionally, we would upgrade or replace power infrastructure to support higher growth, now we are also using batteries as another option to help to reduce costs for customers.”

Water on the rise

SOUTH East Water has announced changes to its billing system, which are expected to increase the average cost of a household bill by nearly three per cent.

SEW is incorporating its fixed sewage disposal charge into a new water usage tariff. as from 1 July.

South East Water managing director Lara Olsen said the change would make billing “simpler” for customers, “making it easier for them to budget, and continuing our digital metering rollout across the south-east”.

“Our digital metering rollout is one of the largest in Australia and provides customers with the ability to securely monitor water use and identify potential leaks.”

Plans for action sports centre in green wedge

Liz Bell liz@mpnews.com.au

AN application for a $48 million dollar “action sports” centre on 80 hectares of green wedge land in Boneo has been submitted to Mornington Peninsula Council.

The proposal is to amend the permit for a camping and horse-riding business, previously known as Ace-Hi, then The Ranch, which has been operating for the past 40 years.

Talk about the homeless

THE Southern Women’s Action Network (SWAN) meeting on Sunday (16 July) will feature speakers on the topic Homelessness on the Peninsula; the hidden epidemic.

All women are invited to attend and there is no need to book. SWAN meets at Mount Martha House starting with morning tea at 9.30am with the meeting starting at 10am.

Speakers will be Belinda Rodman and Kara Van der Heyde from Southern Peninsula Community Support, are at the coalface of this issue. Mornington Peninsula Shire was this week set to consider asking the state government to amend planning laws so councils can approve secondary dwellings.

A notice of motion from Cr Sarah Race for consideration at Tuesday’s (11 July) public meeting suggested including provisions to make

sure secondary dwellings could not be used for short stay accommodation.

Concerns about housing shortages have seen Mount Alexander Shire allow residents to camp or park a caravan or tiny home on wheels on certain properties without a permit.

The property must have an existing house already on it, and the arrangement can only be temporary.

Mount Alexander shire, like Mornington Peninsula, has seen an increase in homelessness and rough sleeping.

Around 1000 people are estimated to be homeless every night on the peninsula, largely due to the increase in cost of living, high rents and the large number of properties only available for short-term rental.

Community Grants and Sponsorships

impacts, a detrimental impact on the environment and impacts on traffic,” he said.

Stuart said that despite the cost, physical size and environmental footprint of the development will be one of the largest on the peninsula, there has been “no community consultation whatsoever”.

“The first and only notification was sent to neighbours last week. An inquiry to the council yielded the response that ‘nothing proposed is prohibited by the zoning of the land’,” he said.

It is believed the revamped facility at 810 Boneo Road will accommodate up to 700 people at a time – close to double what is currently permitted - with plans for a wake boarding dam, artificial snow, a skateboard park, convention centre, seven-day liquor licence (until 9pm) and 105 dwellings.

While some peninsula residents say it will be the “Gumbuya World of the peninsula”, bringing in money for local businesses, others are not happy with it being built in the green wedge.

Community group Friends of Cape Schanck say the development is “at odds with the spirit of the green wedge zoning in which the property lies, surrounded by broad acre grazing farm land and market gardens”.

FOCS is currently seeking councillors’ opinions on the application.

Neighbour Simon Stuart believes the development will change the character of the area and weaken green wedge protections.

“The development in this green wedge location will cause unreasonable visual impacts on public and private land, off-site amenity

“The fact that the application was lodged during winter school holidays, when many neighbours are away, has not been lost upon us.

“The green wedge is unparalleled in its beauty, with the zoning designed to preserve this beauty in perpetuity for current and future generations. Should this development proceed, an irreversible precedent will be set.”

While The Ranch owners could not be contacted, they have posted on social media that they are “providing a safe, nurturing and inspiring” facility for the community, and a pathway for progression for “our budding athletes who currently have nowhere to train”.

They also hope to provide year-round employment and “environmental, social and economic benefits”.

Details: mornpen.vic.gov.au/AdvertisedPlanning-Applications/P040289.03-810-Boneo-Road Submissions close on Thursday (13 July).

Keith Platt

BELINDA Rodman and Kara Van der Heyde. Picture: Supplied

Home and travel make for a novel plot

Keith Platt keith@mpnews.com.au

IF travel does broaden the mind it can probably also help narrow and sharpen the focus of memory.

At least that seems to be the case for Richard Andrews who has written an “adventure-travel” novel which covers much of the world, but along the way borrows on the writer’s clear memories of growing up in Frankston and on the Mornington Peninsula.

Some of early scenes in Key to the Highway are centred on Frankston’s Kananook Creek - which formed the rear boundary of the Nepean Highway house in which Andrews spent much of his early life.

The novel follows mouth organ (harp) playing Chris Hunter on an “erotic motorbike fantasy” and the discovery of a magical blues harp through the Australian outback to Indonesia, India, Bangkok, Borneo and Rio.

Andrews, a journalist who lives on a former vineyard in Quebec, Canada with his “muse and wife” Marie Cordeau, has worked for the ABC and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, now freelances for newspapers, travel magazines, foundations, industry journals and IT companies while teaching part time at McGill University, Montreal.

Revisited and fictionalised in Key to the Highway are memories of a Trojan War with slingshots that happened when Andrews was 12 and led to “a smashed sleepout window and a few enemy injuries”.

Keeping with the historical references Andrews says “the Helen of Troy insult refers to the common amorous adventures at the Skye Road drive in”.

“The Classics Illustrated comics I read at the time influenced my interest in epics and mythology,” Andrews said.

Andrews says Frankston High School “was a bit rougher” when he went there, and Frankston teenagers were divided into “warring cliques of jazzers and rockers”.

He is quick to set the record straight that students from his matriculation year also “ended up as eminent lawyers, a St Kilda Club footballer and manager”.

There was also a dope smuggler - “now a genteel academic” - who offered some writing tips “following

his time in a Moroccan prison” and also his experiences appearing as one of the dystopian crazies in the Mad Max movie with Mel Gibson and Tina Turner.

Time spent snorkelling and spearfishing and experimenting with hyperventilation to stay longer underwater among the rocks at the bottom of Olivers Hill, near Canadian

Bay, are reflected the book’s mystical rock pool.

“The real venue of the disastrous biker’s buck’s night was a paddock in Baxter. The groom was not crippled but missed his step walking through a big fire. Luckily, his wife was a nurse who changed his bandages on their honeymoon,” Andrews said.

“The Argonauts’ disreputable van in the book was based on my multiscarred FB Holden panel van, from where we descended on parties armed with guitars and half-gallon flagons of Wynvale claret.”

Key to the Highway is peppered with this blending and fictionalising of locations and anecdotes from many geographic locations.

“Other incidents and characters [in the book] are based on my experiences and people I met as a journalist

NOVELIST Richard Andrews in India in January, left and centre, and travelling the Nullarbor with his mate Foz in 1967. “As the skinniest, his job was to crawl under the van and check the leaky diff. Tragically, he died in an unexplained fire some years later.” Pictures: Supplied

and traveller across the outback and Asia: working at a Northern Territory copper mine, evading gas explosions at sea, blowguns in Borneo, an amoral Australian business executive who dealt with Chile’s Pinochet regime, a mate's attempted jail break, two friends who escaped murder by Charles Sobhraj, the Charles Manson of the hippie trail,” Andrews said. “The book itself started as an MA thesis for Newcastle University. I structured it around the works of mythologist Joseph Campbell and his influence on the Star Wars and Mad Max movies. The thesis gathered dust for about 20 years until the pandemic, when we moved to the countryside. During the lockdown, my wife suggested I rewrite it as a novel.”

In January, Andrews took his fantasies another step during a trip to India by trying to “take the harp into the Taj Mahal, as in the book, but a suspicious security guard took it off me”. That ban was a lesson that while turning real life into fiction may come easy, external forces enter the scene when it comes to turning fiction into fact.

Key to the Highway Richard Andrews, Untimely Books amazon.com.au $27.99; $11.99 Kindle

The Guide

TOP PICKS OF THE WEEK

THURSDAY STANLEY TUCCI: SEARCHING FOR ITALY

SBS, 8.30pm

Stylishly shot and brimming with humour, actor Stanley Tucci (pictured) lets the food and scenery do most of the talking as the presenter of this chic travelogue. In this sixpart series, kicking off tonight, The Devil Wears Prada star is on a mission to devour the country’s delicious regional cuisines. In a lip-smacking jaunt that takes in Rome, Bologna, Milan, Tuscany and Sicily, the gastronomic delights begin in Naples, where it’s all about pizza.

FRIDAY FIRST WEAPONS

ABC TV, 7.30pm

If presenter Phil Breslin (pictured) looks familiar, it may be from his stint as the “Aussie Bear Grylls” on Wild Survivor, or as host of Built to Survive. In this series, the science and craft of Australia’s ancient weapons is explored and celebrated, but it’s perhaps Breslin that’s the real weapon: he’s equipped with dangerous levels of charm. In tonight’s second episode, he visits Alyawarr Country to explore a spear thrower that was once the fastest weapon on Earth:

Thursday, July 13

6.00 The Drum.

7.00 ABC News.

7.30 7.30.

8.00 A Life In Ten Pictures: Robin Williams. (PGln) A look at Robin Williams’ life through 10 pictures.

8.55 Grand Designs New Zealand.

(R) Hosted by Chris Moller.

9.40 One Plus One: The Elders. Dan Bourchier speaks with Rodney Gibbins.

10.10 Art Works. (R)

10.40 ABC Late News. 10.55 The Business.

(R) 11.10 The Black Hand. (MA15+v, R) 12.10

Beyond The Towers. (MA15+a, R) 1.05

SUNDAY MASTERCHEF AUSTRALIA

TEN, 7.30pm

SUNDAY

BAY OF FIRES

ABC TV, 8.30pm

With icy-blue cinematography and a simmering tension throughout, the exquisite wintry locations in this Aussie mystery evoke the Scandi noir genre from the first frame. The ever-brilliant Marta Dusseldorp (pictured) anchors the crime drama as Stella, a CEO targeted by ruthless killers who must abandon her established life and relocate with her two kids to a remote Tasmanian town called Mystery Bay. But her arrival brings with it a whole new set of problems and intrigue. A superb supporting cast in Stephen Curry, Pamela Rabe, Matt Nable, and Yael Stone set Bay of Fires up to be a roaring success.

This season finale marks the end of an era for MasterChef fans, who have been able to delay their inevitable farewell to the series’ late judge Jack Zonfrillo by some two months – we’ve been watching the cheeky Scot in his element, mentoring a new cohort of home cooks and gleefully tasting the tantalising results of their hard work. Zonfrillo will certainly be missed around these parts, not the least for his fashionable flair – always clad in a resplendent kilt come finale time. He and fellow judges Melissa Leong and Andy Allen welcome a new face into the pantheon of MasterChef winners tonight.

6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R)

6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 Inside Sydney Airport: Interrupted Journeys. (PG) Friday is a busy day at the airport.

8.30 Stanley Tucci: Searching For Italy: Naples And The Amalfi Coast. (Premiere) Actor Stanley Tucci sets out to explore the culture and cuisine of Italy, beginning with Naples.

9.20 Cycling. Tour de France. Stage 12. Roanne to Belleville-en-Beaujolais. 169km hilly stage. From France.

2.05 Dignity. (MA15+v, R)

6.00 Seven News.

7.00 Football. AFL. Round 18. Sydney v Western Bulldogs.

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 The Latest: Seven News.

11.30 Fantasy Island. (Ma) Roarke is worried about Ruby.

12.30 MOVIE: Rites Of Passage. (1999, Mv, R) Criminals terrorise a family. Dean Stockwell, Jason Behr.

2.30 Home Shopping. (R)

6.00 Nine News.

7.00 A Current Affair.

7.30 RBT. (Mdl, R) Follows the activities of police units.

8.30 Paramedics. (Mam, R)

A suburban shooting has paramedics battling to save a young man’s life.

9.30 To Be Advised.

10.00 Wimbledon Tennis Pre-Show. Pre-game coverage of Wimbledon.

10.30 Tennis. Wimbledon. Day 11.

3.00 Hello SA. (PG)

3.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)

4.00 Believer’s Voice Of Victory. (PGa)

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

7.30 MasterChef Australia. (PGal) The top three compete.

9.00 Law & Order: SVU. (M, R) The team searches for a serial rapist who preys on mothers with young children.

10.00 The Cheap Seats. (Mal, R) Presented by Melanie Bracewell and Tim McDonald.

11.00 Law & Order: SVU. (M, R)

The team arrests two influencers.

12.00 The Project. (R)

3.30 Antiques Roadshow. (R)

Scottish Vets Down Under. (PG, R) 2.05 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv)

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

4.05 Italian Food Safari. (R) 4.35 Bamay. (R)

5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30

ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

4.00 NBC Today. News and current affairs.

5.00 Seven Early News.

5.30 Sunrise.

4.30 A Current Affair. (R)

5.00 News Early Edition.

5.30 Today.

1.00 The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. (PG)

2.00 Home Shopping. (R)

4.30 CBS Mornings.

Melissa Leong co-hosts MasterChef Australia.

Friday, July 14

6.00 The Drum.

7.00 ABC News.

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

8.00 Death In Paradise. (PG, R) An artist is poisoned in her studio.

9.00 Utopia. (PG, R) Jim and Rhonda force Tony to fast track a long-term regional rail project.

9.30 Gold Diggers. (Mls, R) Gert and Marigold reinvent themselves.

9.55 ABC Late News. Coverage of the day’s events.

10.10 The Split. (Ml, R)

11.10 Miniseries: Why Didn’t They Ask Evans? (Ma, R)

12.10 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv)

6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R) Presented by Marc Fennell.

6.30 SBS World News.

7.35 World’s Most Scenic River Journeys: Guadalquivir. (PGa, R) Narrated by Bill Nighy.

8.30 Paris: Mystery Of The Lost Palace. Takes a look at a lost Parisian palace with a history spanning 2000 years.

9.30 Cycling. Tour de France.

Stage 13. Chatillon-sur-Chalaronne to Grand Colombier. 138km mountain stage. From France.

1.50 Nine Perfect Strangers. (Mals, R)

3.40 Italian Food Safari. (R)

4.40 Bamay. (R)

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

6am WorldWatch.

10.00 MOVIE: Hunt For The Wilderpeople. (2016, PG) 11.50

6.00 Seven News.

7.00 Better Homes And Gardens. Karen Martini cooks a roasted tomato passata.

7.30 Football. AFL. Round 18. Melbourne v Brisbane Lions.

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

11.00 Armchair Experts. (M)

A panel discusses all things AFL.

12.00 MOVIE: The Birth Of A Nation. (2016, MA15+av, R) A literate slave uses his voice to empower his people. Nate Parker.

2.30 To Be Advised.

3.00 Home Shopping. (R)

4.00 Million Dollar Minute. (R)

5.00 NBC Today.

Saturday, July 15

6.30 New Leash On Life. (R) A dog faces being euthanised.

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

7.30 Sister Boniface Mysteries. (PG) Sister Boniface investigates when a contestant drops dead during a TV baking competition.

8.15 Vera. (Mv, R) DCI Vera Stanhope investigates the case of a murdered social worker.

9.45 MOVIE: Limbo. (2023, MA15+d, R)

A former undercover drug cop writes a case review of an unsolved murder in a small opal-mining town. Simon Baker, Rob Collins.

11.25 Miniseries: Marriage. (Ml, R) Part 2 of 4.

12.25 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv)

6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 Going Places With Ernie Dingo. (PG) Rae Johnston traverses Tasmania’s Bay of Fires.

8.30 Amazing Railway Adventures With Nick Knowles: Mexico. (Premiere) Nick Knowles embarks on a railway adventure across Mexico from Sinaloa to Creel.

9.30 Cycling. Tour de France. Stage 14. Annemasse to Morzine Les Portes du Soleil. 151.8km. From France.

2.05 Witch Hunt. (Madl, R)

3.55 Italian Food Safari. (R)

4.55 Destination

6.00 Seven News.

7.00 Football. AFL. Round 18. Geelong v Essendon.

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 To Be Advised.

12.30 Celebrity Obsessed: Steven Spielberg. (MA15+av, R) Examines the case of Jonathan Norman.

1.30 Harry’s Practice. (R) Information about pet care.

2.00 Home Shopping. (R)

6.00 Nine News.

7.00 A Current Affair.

7.30 Country House Hunters Australia. Catriona Rowntree heads to Gladstone.

8.30 MOVIE: My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2. (2016, PGs, R)

A Greek-American woman tries to help organise an impromptu wedding for her family. Nia Vardalos, John Corbett, Michael Constantine.

10.30 Tennis. Wimbledon. Day 12.

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. (Mlv, R) Graham Norton chats with Keanu Reeves, Olivia Colman, Cynthia Erivo and Jack Whitehall.

11.30 The Project. (R)

12.30 The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. (PG)

1.30 Home Shopping. (R)

6.00 Nine News Saturday.

7.00 A Current Affair.

7.30 Rugby Union. Rugby Championship. Round 2. Australia v Argentina.

9.50 Rugby Championship PostMatch. A post-match wrap-up of the match between Australia and Argentina from Sydney’s CommBank Stadium.

10.30 Wimbledon Tennis Pre-Show. Pre-game coverage of Wimbledon.

11.00 Tennis. Wimbledon. Day 13. Women’s final.

2.00 Surfing Australia TV. (R)

2.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)

6.00 To Be Advised.

7.00 The Dog House Australia. (PGa, R) Follows the staff at the Animal Welfare League as it tries to find a home for Betty the Staffordshire bull terrier.

8.00 NCIS: Los Angeles. (Mv) The NCIS team must identify a mystery woman who attacked the founder of an AI company, before the next major global conflict ensues. Kilbride’s ex-wife asks him to consider reconnecting with their son.

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

Flavour: Japan Bitesize. (R)

5.00 NHK World English News Morning.

5.15 France 24 Feature.

5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

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

5.00 House Of Wellness. (PGa, R)

4.30 Global Shop. (R)

5.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)

5.30 Helping Hands. (PG, R)

12.00 Home Shopping. (R)

5.00 Hour Of Power. Religious program.

6.30 Compass: Psychedelics

– Healing The Spirit?

7.00 ABC News.

7.30 Restoration Australia: Castlecrag. (Return) Hosted by Anthony Burke.

8.30 Bay Of Fires. (Premiere, MA15+v)

After being targeted by hitmen, a corporate CEO and her two kids are sent to a remote Tasmanian town.

9.25 Miniseries: The Beast

Must Die. (Mal) Part 1 of 5.

10.10 Miniseries: Why Didn’t They Ask Evans? (Mav, R) Part 2 of 3.

11.10 Miniseries: Small Axe. (MA15+l, R)

12.20 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv)

3.05 The Heights. (PG, R) 5.00 Insiders. (R)

6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 Hindenburg: The Cover Up: The Titanic Of The Skies. Part 1 of 2. A look at the Hindenburg disaster and how airships went from war machines to luxury transports.

9.20 Cycling. Tour de France. Stage 15. Les Gets Les Portes Du Soleil to Saint-Gervais Mont-Blanc. 179km mountain stage. From France.

2.50 Exit. (MA15+adv, R)

3.45 Italian Food Safari. (R)

4.45 Bamay. (R)

5.00 NHK World English News Morning.

5.15 France 24 Feature.

5.30 Al Jazeera News.

6.00 Seven News.

7.00 Dancing With The Stars. (PG) It is time for the first semi-final.

8.55 7NEWS Spotlight. An exclusive, special investigation.

9.55 The Latest: Seven News.

10.25 Born To Kill? Bobby Joe Long. (MA15+av) A look at the case of Bobby Joe Long.

11.30 Autopsy USA: Lisa Lopes. (Mad)

12.30 All Together Now

– The 100. (PG, R)

2.00 Home Shopping. (R)

3.30 Million Dollar Minute. (R)

4.00 NBC Today.

5.00 Seven Early News.

5.30 Sunrise.

6.00 Nine News Sunday.

7.00 60 Minutes. Current affairs program.

8.00 The Murder Of Lyn Dawson: Unlikely Heroes. (Mal) Part 3 of 4. In the years after her disappearance, Lynette’s loved ones push for the matter to be properly investigated.

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

10.30 Wimbledon Tennis Pre-Show. Pre-game coverage of Wimbledon.

11.00 Tennis. Wimbledon. Day 14. Men’s final.

3.00 Great Australian Detour. (R)

3.30 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 MasterChef Australia. (Final, PGal) It is Grand Finale Day, and whichever cook scores the most points across two rounds will claim the title and prize.

9.30 FBI. (Mv) Scola suspects the mother of a five-year-old kidnapping victim is hiding something.

10.30 NCIS: Hawai’i. (Mv, R) Kai goes undercover as a chef.

11.30 The Sunday Project. (R) A look at the day’s

Amazing Spaces. 1.40

ABC News Update. 1.45 Close. 5.00 Kiddets. 5.10

Andy’s Baby Animals. 5.25 Late Programs.

ABC TV PLUS (22) 6am The Well-Digger’s Daughter. (2011, PG, French) 8.00 Viceroy’s House. (2017, PG) 10.00 The Two Faces Of January. (2014, M) 11.50 Nebraska. (2013, M) 1.55pm Cutthroat Island. (1995, PG) 4.10 Courted. (2015,

Monday, July 17

6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R) 6.30 SBS World News. 7.30 Robson Green’s Weekend Escapes. (PG)

8.40 The Great House Revival: Drum, Co Monaghan. (PG)

Hosted by Hugh Wallace.

9.40 24 Hours In Emergency: The Unforeseen. (M) A woman is knocked unconscious.

10.35 SBS World News Late.

11.05 My Brilliant Friend. (Mav)

12.05 Nadia: A Stolen Life. (Malv, R) 1.40 Gomorrah. (MA15+v, R)

4.10 Italian Food Safari. (R) 4.40 Bamay. (R)

5.00 NHK World

English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines

The World Tonight.

SBS VICELAND (31) 6am Children’s Programs. 7.20pm Bluey. 7.30 Spicks And Specks. 8.00 David Attenborough’s Kingdom Of Plants.

8.50 George Clarke’s Amazing Spaces. 9.40 Julia Zemiro’s Home Delivery. 10.10 Escape From The City. 11.10 The Making Of David Attenborough’s Kingdom Of Plants. Midnight Adam Hills: The Last Leg. 12.45 Ghosts. 1.10 Louis Theroux: Gambling In Las Vegas. 2.10

Late Programs.

6.00 Seven News.

7.00 Home And Away. (PGa)

7.30 Dancing With The Stars. (PGl) Celebrities show off their dance skills.

9.25 9-1-1: Lone Star. (Ma) Owen enlists Paul’s help in proving Kendra Harrington’s innocence after she is accused of being a black widow.

10.30 The Latest: Seven News.

11.00 The Blacklist. (MA15+) Ressler helps a friend make amends.

12.00 MOVIE: Total Stranger. (1999, Msv, R) Lindsay Crouse.

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 Rush. (PGl) Hosted by David Genat.

8.55 Police Rescue Australia. (PG) Follows police rescue and bomb disposal teams.

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

10.55 Nine News Late.

11.25 Mr Mayor. (PGs)

11.50 Black Widow: The Murder Of David Jackson. (Mav) 12.40 Tipping Point. (PG, R) 1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)

Global Shop. (R)

TV Shop: Home

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

7.30 Hunted. (Return, PGal)

Twenty fugitives go on the run.

9.15 Have You Been Paying

Attention? (Malns) Celebrity panellists include Ed Kavalee, Bron Lewis, Emma Holland, Peter Helliar and Sam Pang.

10.15 Just For Laughs Australia. (Mls) Hosted by Nath Valvo.

10.45 FBI: Most Wanted. (Mv, R)

The team hunts a dangerous incel.

11.35 The Project. (R)

12.30 The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. (PG)

1.30 Home Shopping. (R)

4.30 CBS Mornings.

Tuesday, July 18

ABC (2) SBS (3) SEVEN (7)

6.00 News. 9.00 News. 10.00 Poh’s Kitchen.

(R) 10.30 Outback Ringer. (PG, R) 11.00 Fight For Planet A: Our Climate Challenge. (PG, R)

12.00 ABC News At Noon. 1.00 Grantchester. (Final, Mv, R) 1.55 Nigella’s Cook, Eat, Repeat. (R) 2.25 Julia Zemiro’s Home Delivery. (PG, R)

2.55 Gardening Australia. (R) 3.55 Antiques Roadshow. (R) 4.55 Australian Story. (R) 5.30 Hard Quiz. (PG, R)

by Joel Creasey.

8.30 The Dark Emu Story. (PG) Explores the impact of Dark Emu

9.55 Louis Theroux Interviews... Yungblud. (Maln, R)

10.40 ABC Late News.

10.55 The Business. (R)

11.10 Four Corners. (R)

12.00 Media Watch. (PG, R) 12.15 Miniseries: Marriage. (Ml, R) 1.15 Jonestown: Terror In The Jungle. (Ma, R) 1.55 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv)

3.30 Antiques Roadshow. (R) 4.30 The Drum. (R) 5.30 7.30. (R)

6.00 WorldWatch. 9.05 Paul O’Grady For The Love Of Dogs: India. (PGa, R) 10.05 Paul O’Grady: For The Love Of Dogs. (PGa, R) 11.05 Paul O’Grady For The Love Of Animals. (PGa, R)

WorldWatch. 2.00 Beautiful. (PGa, R) 2.20 French Voyages: Discovery To Australia. (PG, R) 3.10 Mastermind Aust. (R) 3.40 The Cook Up. (PG, R)

6.00 Mastermind Australia.

(R) Presented by Marc Fennell.

6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 Great Coastal Railway Journeys: Whitby To Robin Hood’s Bay.

(PG) Hosted by Michael Portillo.

8.30 Insight. Kumi Taguchi continues to explore how justice looks for different people and how it can change over time.

9.30 Cycling. Tour de France.

Stage 16. Passy to Combloux. 22.4km individual time trial. From France.

2.05 No Man’s Land. (MA15+av, R)

4.00 Italian Food Safari. (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 Million Dollar Island. (PGa) Hosted by Ant Middleton.

9.00 The Rookie. (Mv) Detective Nyla Harper and James find themselves in the middle of a bank robbery.

10.00 The Rookie: Feds. (Mv) A mysterious caller threatens the FBI.

11.00 The Latest: Seven News.

11.30 The Blacklist. (Ma)

12.30 S.W.A.T. (Madv, R)

1.30 Travel Oz. (PG, 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 Rush. (PGl)

Wednesday, July 19

6.00 The Drum.

7.00 ABC News.

7.30 7.30.

8.00 Utopia. A security consultant creates stress.

8.30 Gruen. Presented by Wil Anderson.

9.10 Gold Diggers. (Mls) Bushrangers arrive in town.

9.40 Queen Of Oz. (Ml) Georgie tries to drum up business.

10.05 Adam Hills: The Last Leg.

10.50 ABC Late News.

11.05 The Business. (R) 11.20 The School

That Tried To End Racism. (PG, R) 12.20

Miniseries: Small Axe. (MA15+l, R) 1.30 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv) 3.30 Antiques Roadshow. (R)

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

Children’s Programs. 6.55pm Shaun The Sheep. 7.05 Andy’s Wild Adventures. 7.20 Bluey. 7.30 Spicks And Specks. 8.00 Vera. 9.30 We Hunt Together. (Return) 10.20 Killing Eve. 11.00 Miniseries: The Cry.

6.00 Mastermind Australia. (PG, R) Presented by Marc Fennell.

6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 Who The Bloody Hell Are We? (PGa) Part 1 of 3.

8.30 Rainbow Warrior: Murder In The Pacific. (M) Part 3 of 3. An exploration of the bombing of Greenpeace’s Rainbow Warrior concludes.

9.25 Cycling. Tour de France. Stage 17. SaintGervais Mont-Blanc to Courchevel. 166km mountain stage. From France.

1.55 Cheyenne & Lola. (MA15+lv, R)

4.10 Italian Food Safari. (R)

4.40 Bamay. (R)

5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30

ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

SBS VICELAND (31)

6.00 Seven News.

7.00 Home And Away. (PGa)

7.30 Animals Aboard With Dr Harry. (PG) Twelve camels go on a road trip.

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

9.30 Ambulance: Code Red. (Ma, R) Follows the work of an ambulance service.

10.30 The Latest: Seven News.

11.00 Death Row: Countdown To Execution. (MA15+a, R)

12.00 MOVIE: The Operator. (2000, Msv, R)

2.30 Home Shopping. (R)

5.00 Seven Early News.

4.00 NBC Today.

5.30 Sunrise.

6.00 Nine News.

7.00 A Current Affair.

7.30 Cricket. The Ashes. Fourth Test. England v Australia. Day 1. Morning session. From Old Trafford, Manchester, England.

10.40 Cricket. The Ashes. Fourth Test. England v Australia. Day 1. Afternoon session. From Old Trafford, Manchester, England.

3.30 Hello SA. (PG) Laura DeCesare cooks dinner.

4.00 Believer’s Voice Of Victory. (PGa) Religious program.

4.30 A Current Affair. (R)

5.00 News Early Edition.

5.30 Today. The latest in news and current affairs.

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

7.30 Hunted. (PGal) The teams try to shake their pursuers.

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

9.45 NCIS. (Mav, R) The team is summoned to Philadelphia to investigate the death of a US Navy petty officer.

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

7.30 Hunted. Australians go on the run.

8.45 Miniseries: Riptide. (Mlv) Part 4 of 4. Dan suggests to Alison that they could move away to start a new life together.

9.45 So Help Me Todd. (PGa) Todd tries to convince his brother, Lawrence, to come home to attend the family’s Thanksgiving dinner.

10.35 The Project. (R) A look at the day’s news and events.

11.30 The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. (PG)

12.30 Home Shopping. (R)

4.30 CBS Mornings.

‘Ramping’ leads to waste of paramedics’ time

Having recently attended a large public hospital with my husband, an elderly man who had fallen at home, I observed the practice of [ambulance] “ramping” firsthand.

On arrival, he had to wait three to four hours in a corridor of the emergency department. While he did, our two very nice and caring paramedics looked after him (and me), but there were 20 to 30 paramedics crowded in the corridor for hours doing the same for their patients. We were waiting for triage or something.

None of the patients seemed to require close attention, hence the ambulance workers were often chatting to one another, understandably.

It just seemed like a terrible waste of their precious time as they could have been attending other people in need who were not at the hospital.

All we needed were two to four nurses to walk up and down the long line, checking anybody in need of care - approximately 10 to 15 people. Instead, there were 20 to 30 paramedics standing around most of the time.

The rail line will connect to the Metro loop and airport rail when completed, which will mean that tourists will visit Frankston.

The minister has made her decision based on the self-interest of residents near Frankston beach and not what is the best interest of the broader Frankston revitalisation plans.

A planning minister should not have the power to make an application to VCAT (Victorian Civil Administrative Tribunal) after an appeal has commenced. Russell Morse, Karingal

Yes, nothing to fear

If the Voice becomes a reality, we as a nation lose nothing. We took First Nations peoples land and poisoned their lives with alcohol. They die years before us; their children die before they are five. Just ask yourselves: what do we have to lose if we listen and do things better the way they know will help their people thrive and, more importantly, survive?

are incapable of being taught how to work. If active employment from ‘early morn to dewy eve’ is not work … and if fencing, grubbing, splitting, clearing, ploughing, and the general duties of farm life on the part of the males; and household and dairy work, on the part of the females is work, then the sable residents of Coranderrk have worked and do work, and that right nobly.

“Although all are under the occasional personal supervision of Mr Green, yet no overseer is required, they have the sagacity to pursue their daily avocations in the spirit of harmony and devotedness.

“Vices which mar the peace and happiness of our communities are little known among them. Drinking, lying, swearing and other degrading evils are not only prohibited, but scarcely ever heard of. Any isolated cases of such offences are punished by a fine of their own imposition … Their laws were at first suggested by Mr Green, and then approved and confirmed themselves.

“Friday and Saturday [are for] fishing and hunting.”

Executive decisions without a voice: First Tasmanians exiled to Flinders Island to die brokenhearted; own language banned; Mordialloc mission closed; full-blooded ancestors removed to Lake Tyers; culture (and behavioural discipline) destroyed.

Ray Gibb, Rosebud

How much will it cost to build the facility on the grounds previously allocated to the Russian embassy to house the third level of government?

Will the Voice be able to regulate the amount of toe jam that whitefellas can have?

Will the voice force whitefellas to move to failed communities with poor social networks and housing?

Will the voice force the war memorial to close because it honors white war criminals?

Why do we need a voice when we can just listen like we have in the past?

Will the prime minister allow [Liberal leader] Peter “Doctor No” Dutton and “anti-white racism” proponent Senator Pauline Hanson to write the Yes and No campaign information to be put out by the government?

Will the voice facilitate easing restrictions on How cocaine gets into Australia from Colombia?

How many number two lead pencils will the voice use in the first year?

There’s nothing surprising about the No campaign’s success. The Albanese government has underestimated the force of a long lineage of racist and divisive politics.

Joe Lenzo, Safety Beach

No’ to cows’ milk

Talking to them they spoke of 14-15 hour shifts they frequently worked. This seemed annoying for them and unproductive when considering what I had observed for several hours and, after APOT (Ambulance Patient Offload Time), a program introduced to improve patient transfer times has already been established, the funding for this program has just been officially axed. What is going on? It is all beyond my understanding.

We must admit what happened in the past, that we invaded and destroyed them, then tried - with the stolen generations - to breed them out.

There is nothing to be confused about. We have not admitted to the wrongs. But we continue to deny them. It’s just advice they want to give the government, not an insurrection.

Reparations to descendants of the stolen generations has begun in most states.

Time to catch up

The incessant scare mongering in matters of constitutional change is getting a bit tiresome. It feels like Alabama in the 1960s when American Blacks asked for equality.

Mary Lane, Mornington

‘Prodding’ council

Rocked by findings of community dissatisfaction in government surveys, our Mornington Peninsula Shire Council is changing the way the annual survey is conducted (“Shire hires ‘satisfaction’ survey team” The News 4/7/23).

It is well known that politicians never hold an inquiry unless the results are already established. It is also known that it is pointless putting lipstick on a pig.

They should know what we need but it seems they have to be constantly prodded in the right direction and have a light shone upon them, Councils sometimes get out of control and have to be dismissed and a state government administrator appointed.

We don’t need the world’s best, most highly paid executives to run the show, just common competent ones will do nicely.

We are not high density, high rise, enclosed suburbia, we are the Mornington Peninsula. We don’t need aspiring politicians, people on an ego trip, or single agenda agents elected as councillors. All they need is a bit of down to earth common sense and ethics to fill this very well remunerated part time job which should be undertaken as community service.

Brian A Mitchelson, Mornington

Survey wasteful

What a waste of our money with a survey to find out what ratepayers think of their representatives (“Shire hires ‘satisfaction’ survey team” The News 4/7/23).

It is the beginning of a settlement from an era of race-based policies. What do we have to lose?

Let’s give it a go. At least try to right that wrong.

Anne Kruger, Rye

A fair Australia

So we’re having another referendum

And they’re giving us the choice

Do we really want a fair Australia?

They’re calling it The Voice.

It’s just like in 1999

We all know what we oughta

But there’s heaps of misinformation

So they’re muddying the water.

So if you’re in a quandry

But you wish to take your part

See to your own education

And read The Statement from the Heart James Carr, McCrae

No achieves nothing

If, after the Voice referendum has been run, and if the vote is No, what will [Liberal leader] Peter Dutton do the next morning? Will he look into the mirror with a self-satisfied expression and ask himself: “what have I achieved?” The deafening silence from the mirror will more than accurately match the scale of achievement.

Ross Hudson, Mount Martha

MP declines

People who live on the Mornington Peninsula deserve to be informed about both sides of the debate about an Indigenous Voice to Parliament. This will ensure we make an informed decision before we vote in the referendum.

It’s not the 60s and high time for Australia to catch up with so many other nations that have made treaties with their First Nations people. Are the conservatives here on the Mornington Peninsula so misguided by their masters in the federal sphere, that they just follow them blindly? Or are they really as heartless as they come across in their rants?

I will vote Yes in the upcoming referendum and hope a majority of peninsula residents will also do so, because that’s the least we can do for our First Nations brothers and sisters.

Rupert Steiner. Balnarring Beach

Questions on notice

Keeping in mind that doubt is the great divider: does not have to be true or accurate just outrageous questions to sow the seeds of doubt is enough to counteract the truth and doubt – or its energised cousin, fear – always has a head start, I feel empathy for [Flinders MP] Zoe McKenzie having to continue to ask the tired old Qanoninspired questions during Question Time relative to the Voice, so I thought I might help her out with some original questions to ask.

Crossbench MP Sophie Scamps is hoping to introduce a Healthy Kids Advertising Bill into federal parliament aimed at combating childhood obesity by banning advertising to kids of “unhealthy foods”. Dr Scamps, a former GP and emergency room doctor, says childhood obesity costs the healthcare system around $11.8 billion a year.

The AMA has identified obesity as “the biggest public health challenge facing Australia”. According to the latest figures from the Australian Institute for Health and Welfare, a quarter of Australian children and almost two-thirds of Australian adults are obese or overweight.

This is an important initiative and needs to be extended to one of the most dangerous foods given to kids – milk from cows.

Internationally recognised teacher and speaker on diet and health Dr Michael Klaper warns that the purpose of cow’s milk is to turn a 30kg calf into a 300kg cow as rapidly as possible. “Cow’s milk is baby calf growth fluid.”

Feeding dairy to our kids is like putting rocket fuel in your car – it cannot end well. And to get that milk, cows suffer a wretched life of continual artificial insemination, followed by the agony of seeing their baby torn away every year of their short lives, until they are so worn out that they are slaughtered and turned into dog food. Just so dairy companies can sell the milk she made for her calf.

Desmond Bellamy, PETA Australia

‘Satisfaction’ surveys start

Continued from Page 1

He said the decision to switch survey companies and timing was “made by the organisation and signed off by our CEO, John Baker. Councillors were informed about this change”.

“This is simply a new provider using a slightly different methodology to do the same annual survey,” he said.

Yarra Ranges.

JWS Research recommended that over the next 12 months the shire should focus on improving its performance in the areas that had the most influence on “perceptions of overall performance”.

Hodgson, Balnarring

It is a clear indication [that Mornington Peninsula Shire] councillors are there for “the ride”. When will it stop? John

High rise needed

With the shortage of housing crisis, we have the Minister for Planning Sonya Kilkenny limiting height to three storeys after the Frankston Council approved a development in Nepean Highway and after an appeal at VCAT had commenced by residents.

The Andrews government will introduce new planning laws so that high-rise developments will only occur in the inner and middle suburbs and not in outer suburbs such as Frankston, which will mean more traffic congestion in these suburbs and pollution.

Frankston needs a larger population to create more business and local employment and investment.

The 500 space car park at Frankston station has now commenced, which can cater for the bigger population.

According to [former senator and High Commissioner to the UK] George Brandis: “If this is to be an authentic national debate, both sides must be heard.” I agree. So, I invited Flinders MP Zoe McKenzie to a respectful public discussion about the forthcoming referendum.

Unfortunately, Ms McKenzie declined my invitation. Sarah Russell, Mount Martha

‘Understanding’ needed

I invite [Flinders MP] Zoe McKenzie to refute the following statements about the need for the First Australians to have a voice to the executive arm of government enshrined in the Constitution (“A risk to executive government” The News 30/5/23).

The Rev John Green showed at Coranderrk in 1866 that the gap that desperately needs to be closed could have been prevented by understanding, rather than dictating.

Extracts from The Australian News 23/6/1866: “My visit ... convinced me of the utter absurdity of the prevailing notion that the aborigines

“The senior leadership team, which includes directors and the CEO, made the decision because it is an operational decision and falls within their sphere of responsibility. Councillors were consulted before the decision was made.

“Although the state government co-ordinates the survey and compels our participation, it does not provide funding to cover the costs. This is another example of cost shifting.”

The two latest annual surveys by JWS Research showed the shire’s overall performance declining two years in a row after eight years of “stability” (“Shire again misses survey satisfaction” The News 21/6/23).

While perceptions of performance by councils had dropped throughout Victoria, Mornington Peninsula was statistically “significantly lower” than the state average.

The latest survey found the shire’s top performing areas were art centres and libraries; waste management; and recreational facilities. Its lowest performing areas were unsealed roads; planning and building permits; and sealed local roads.

Customer service was “on par” with other “interface” municipalities: Casey, Whittlesea and

“Improved communication and transparency with residents about decisions made in the community’s interest, particularly on its approach to town planning and the condition of streets and sealed roads, are warranted,” the JWS Research report stated.

“This, in conjunction with consulting with residents and keeping them well-informed on key local issues, [will] help shore up perceptions of council’s overall performance.

“When it comes to making decisions in the community’s interest, and sealed local roads, council performs significantly below the group average. Council performs below the state-wide average on more individual service areas than those it is in line with.”

The report said perceptions of the shire’s performance had “largely deteriorated” over the previous 12 months.

“This is primarily driven by significant declines among women and those living in the Briars, Seawinds and Cerberus wards. In many service areas, performance ratings among these residents are the lowest to date.

“Restoring positive perceptions among these cohorts, and a continued focus on customer service, will be key.”

The Council approves bowling greens and tennis courts

Compiled by Cameron McCullough

MR. J. D. Jennings (president of the Frankston Progress Association), and Mr. J. Bradbury, jun., waited on the Council last Friday in support of the proposal of the Progress Association to place bowling greens and tennis courts on the road reserve alongside Mornington road on the town side of The Fernery.

Mr. Jennings said the scheme, if given effect to would supply a longfelt want.

The site chosen was a good one, and the bowling greens would be a great asset to the town.

Mr. Bradbury said the plans, drawn by an architect, were before the council and conveyed an idea of the scheme proposed.

The Progress Association proposed to carry out the work.

If the council decided to run the scheme as a municipal concern it would be for the council to say how the money should be found.

Seeing that the council was short of money, they would no doubt prefer the Progress Association to carry the financial responsibility.

The Progress Association would construct the greens and courts, but it was necessary to obtain the consent of the Country Roads Board to the use of the ground.

They would like to go to the Board supported by the council. The greens and courts would be run for the benefit of residents and visitors.

Cr. Gray asked if it was proposed to fence in the greens and tennis courts.

Mr. Bradbury: I advise a ti-tree hedge as a protection from dust.

Cr. Alden: Would the greens and

courts be open to the public?

Mr. Bradbury: Yes.

Cr. Jones: It is for the benefit of Frankston. The council’s consent should be given to the Progress Association, who would run it as a club.

Cr. Longmuir: There is no scheme. We don’t know how they are going to run it.

Mr. Bradbury: It will be run on the same lines at the greens at St. Kilda and other places. The greens and courts will be open to the public who will pay a certain charge per game.

Cr. Alden: I move that this council offers no objection.

Cr. Oates seconded. He said he advocated this spot for a bowling green when the other agitation was on.

Cr. Mason said the site was not suitable. The scheme should be carried out on the reserve occupied by the Pier Tea House.

Cr. Walker spoke in favor of the motion. The site proposed was most suitable and the hill at the back could be beautified and transformed into an ideal place.

The foreshore reserve opposite should be put down in lawns, as was done in other famous seaside resorts.

Cr. Gray favored the motion. He asked if people would have access to the hill without payment.

Mr. Jennings said the hill would be terraced and provided with seating accommodation.

The public would have free access to same, also to the lawns and courts. They would only pay when they played games, the same as people did in a billiard room.

Cr. Gray wanted to make certain that the pathway from William street would not be blocked.

Mr. Bradbury: The plan shows that a zig-zag path will be taken down from William street for the use of the public.

Cr. Gerrand congratulated the Progress Association on being game enough to tackle such a big job without the assistance of the council.

It was a citizens job designed for the benefit of citizens. He wished the Progress Association every success.

Cr. Wells also spoke in support.

Cr. Jones: It is the best thing that ever happened to Frankston.

It was decided that a deputation from the Council and Progress Association wait on the Country Roads Board on Thursday next, 12th Inst., at 2.30 p.m.

Cr. Mason said that one point had been overlooked, and that was the possibility of the reserve in question being required for other purposes.

There was a strong movement on foot to secure an electric tramway between Frankston and Mornington. It would be an accomplished fact before many more years, and when it came the road reserve would be required for the tram line. It would be well to provide for such a contingency. The motion was carried, and the president congratulated the Progress Association on the forward move it was making for the benefit of the town. ***

MISS Ethel O’Grady is at present the guest of Mr. and Mrs. L. N. R. Utber, of Frankston.

***

MISS O’Grady, who has just concluded a tour of Japan, China and India, has many friends in Frankston. ***

MR. W. Stott, who recently underwent an operation in Dr. Maxwell’s private

hospital, is progressing favorably. ***

MR. J. Martin, of Seaford, who was thrown from his vehicle while driving to church last Sunday week, fortunately suffered no ill effects beyond a severe shaking. He was able to attend church as usual last Sunday, but this time he came in a motor car. ***

A MEETING of the Frankston High School committee was held on Wednesday night last when concern was expressed concerning the rumors that were abroad concerning the likelihood of Frankston losing the High School after all.

Dr. Maxwell, who occupied the chair, emphasised the need for continued activity on the part of the committee. “If we don’t ask we won’t get.” His remarks were applauded.

There was a large attendance, including Mr. A. Bailey, vice-president; Mesdames Rogerson, James, Amor, Morris, Lewis, Cr. Wells, Cr. Gray, Messrs. Wheeler (treasurer), Legge, Bartlett, A. B. Morris, James, Jennings, Wright, Lind, and W. C. Young (acting secretary).

Apology was received from Mr. L. J. Ward. A visitor to the meeting was Cr. Oates.

Great enthusiasm characterised the proceedings, and it was evident that the good old fighting spirit evinced in the past is still burning brightly.

It was as the result of the meeting that Crs. Wells and Gray took an early train to Melbourne yesterday morning with a determination to secure an interview With Sir Alexander Peacock.

They succeeded. Cr. Gray is an old friend of Sir Alex., and it was a case

of “Charlie” this, and “Charlie” that when they met.

The outcome was that Crs. Gray and Wells were able to arrange with Sir Alex. to receive a deputation from Frankston later in the day.

Hon. A. Downward was unable to be present owing to a prior engagement.

At 3.30 yesterday afternoon the following deputation was received by the Minister: Crs. Gray, Wells, Oates, Longmuir, Alden, Messrs. Bradbury and W. C. Young.

The Minister: Well, what is it you want; the site question, I suppose?

Cr. Gray: No, Sir Alex.; not the site; we understand that is settled.

We want to know when you are going to start building the High School at Frankston?

The Minister: Oh; that’s it. Well, let us see where we are.

The outcome was that the Minister stated emphatically that the question of site was definitely settled. The school would be built on three acres. He had agreed on that point with the Minister of Lands. There was some talk of a committee being appointed to govern the remaining 10 acres.

Sir Alex. did not know much about that, but it was a detail that could be settled later.

Cr. Gray: We can then take it that we have your definite assurance that the school will be built at Frankston?

Sir Alex. replied in the affirmative –the only thing that might block it was in the event of the Government being turned out of office. (Laughter).

The deputation retired well pleased with their interview.

***

From the pages of the Frankston and Somerville Standard, 11 & 13 Jul 1922

A FRESH NEW LOOK AT MPRG

THE penisula’s iconic Mornington Peninsula Regional Gallery has a fresh new look. The main foyer space has recently been revamped with a new visitor desk and polished concrete floors and they’ve launched a new gallery store.

The MPRG store sells a range of local artisan jewellery, ceramics and art as well as books, cards and other gifts. Each year they support a local artist by commissioning a limited edition print. So far, they’ve got prints available by artists Mike Green and Rosie Weiss.

Tickets are now on sale for the highly anticipated Archibald Prize 2023 at Mornington Peninsula Regional Gallery (MPRG), the exclusive Victorian destination for the popular event. Timed entry, flexible entry or open late Friday night tickets are now available. The gallery precinct will be buzzing with food and beverages from peninsula culinary icons, live music, exhibition tours, artist talks and more.

The Archibald Prize 2023 will bring tens of thousands of visitors to the Mornington

Peninsula to enjoy the works on display and the immersive program of events and art experiences. The exhibition will be on display at MPRG 15 September – 5 November.

Currently, MPRG is showcasing three fantastic winter exhibitions. Celebrated local artist Vera Möller’s sea.liquid.sensation.flux.space is a large-scale solo exhibition that brings together new small and large-scale works, including drawings and watercolours, collages, objects and paintings.

MPRG presents Michael Cook’s Invasion series, that were donated by the artist in 2021. Invasion places an imaginative eye on Australian colonial history and turns around the dominant view, taking alien creatures into iconic London-based cityscapes, with white urban residents their victims.

Mornington Peninsula Regional Gallery Civic Reserve, Dunns Road, Mornington, 59501580

PUZZLE ZONE

17.

DOWN

1. Breadwinner

13. Demented

14. Tavern wench

16. World’s largest desert

18. Egg cell

19. Hole up

20. Curved hook

Puzzles supplied by Lovatts Publications Pty Ltd

www.lovattspuzzles.com

See page 18 for solutions.

Octagon Nerdfest! When Elon Fought the Zuckerberg

By Stuart McCullough

I GUESS I don’t understand technol-

ogy. By which, I don’t mean I struggle with the buttons on the microwave or routinely slather white-out across my computer monitor; I mean I don’t really get big tech. And when I say ‘big tech’, I’m not referring to my refrigerator (despite its ample dimensions) but organisations that are so large and powerful that they generate an embarrassing level of revenue, the quantum of which is more readily associated with a sovereign state than a company.

But as puzzling as these gargantuan organisations may be, more bewildering still are the strange and curious individuals who run these corporate behemoths. I speak, of course, of Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg.

Elon Musk is a busy guy with lots of jobs. One of those jobs is running ‘Tesla’ – which, for those of you who may be unfamiliar, is the thinking person’s Toyota Corolla. His objective in that job is to create something you can drive. He also runs ‘Twitter’, which is something that he also drives, albeit into the ground in some kind of bizarre and inexplicable death-wish.

When Elon’s not busy running Tesla and Twitter, he runs ‘Space X’, which is possibly the only private space service fuelled by a Queensland beer. Apparently, Space XXXX (as it was originally known) runs on lager because it’s cheaper than lithium and preferable to anyone having to drink the stuff.

Mark Zuckerberg used to run ‘Facebook’ before it was rebranded as ‘meta’ in what I can only assume was internally described as something of a ‘Facebook-lift’. Meta also runs Instagram and WhatsApp so Mark knows

everywhere you’ve been, every restaurant meal you’ve ever eaten and what you’re thinking. In the ultimate act of irony, Mark is also really into virtual reality, perhaps unaware that the real thing is already freely available.

These two men are enormously wealthy. And yet, for reasons that are

unknown to most of us, these two strange dudes have decided to cage fight each other.

I don’t know much about big technology, except that it’s threatening existence as we know it. I know even less about cage fighting. Mixed martial arts has always been a mystery to me, but

I assume there are exponents who are very good at it. In contrast, I strongly suspect that Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg are coming to the octagon with high hopes rather than anything in the way of actual expertise.

It's madness. While it’s not nice to remark on anyone’s physical appearance, I feel it’s necessary in circumstances as extreme as these. Firstly to Elon – you have the physique of a bowl of porridge. However it is you’ve been spending your time, it’s safe to say that it hasn’t been spent getting into shape, unless the shape in question is an oblong. Granted, your custard guts may well absorb all the kicks, karate chops and nookies your adversary might see fit to dispense, but I fear you’ll have the endurance of a wet rice cracker.

As for Mark, I can only reiterate that reality and virtual reality are not the same thing. The former has real physical consequences. It’ll be obvious if he’s confused the two – it’s rare that someone steps into the octagon wearing a giant VR headset. ‘Oculus’ and ‘octagon’ are not interchangeable terms. I appreciate that you’ve taken up Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (the finer details of which are best left to the imagination). I even respect that you’ve been training with Mikey Musumeci – a man who (like myself) has been described as a world champion in ‘submission grappling’.

But, Mark, the fact is that you look like a pencil with an eraser on top. To be clear, that’s not a good thing. You can’t go around challenging people to a bout in the octagon if you look like a human cotton bud. Besides, what would happen in the unlikely event that Elon Musk caught you and you

were injured? For starters, Beaker from The Muppets would suddenly be without his stunt double. The world simply can’t afford to take that kind of risk. Not that anyone would know. Even if you lose horribly because you tripped over and Elon got his sausage fingers on your slender frame, you have access to a platform that excels at misinformation that could easily cover it up. But that’s hardly the point. The whole billionaire cage match idea is so passé; ever since Warren Buffet gave Jeffrey Bezos what has been described as the ‘greatest atomic wedgie of the twentieth century’ during the famous mudwrestling slap-down of ’97.

If this thing does go ahead, there’ll need to be an undercard, other billionaires lining up to do battle before the main event. The night would open with Bill Gates versus Charles Koch, each armed only with a ruler and a compass, doing battle in a pit of jelly. That would be followed up by Richard Branson against Kylie Jenner in a jousting contest. Eventually, Elon and Mark would emerge before stepping into the octagon.

Ultimately, it’s hard not to think that they should each have something better to do. Something more (I’m looking for the right word) …..useful. Maybe they plan to donate the proceeds to charity. But while they’re busy ‘submission grappling’ or subjecting each other to the firmest of squirrel grips, the world that they’ve helped create longs for a day where they use their abundant talents for good instead of evil. stuart@stuartmccullough.com

CHILDREN’S

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Bulldogs win battle of the ladder leaders

By Brodie Cowburn

on the back foot early. They weren’t able to recover from their poor start. Mornington led by 13 at halftime, then stretched their lead to 31 by the final break. Karingal made a late charge in the final term, but they

With just five games left to play before finals, Karingal finds itself in the middle of a form slump. Their game on Saturday at Devon Meadows looms as an important one. Edithvale-Aspendale hosted Chel-

ale made their run in the last quarter.

Edi-Asp held Chelsea goalless in the final term. They piled on four goals of their own, but just couldn’t get over the line.

They got close, but Edi-Asp ended

are two of three teams who finished the round with 28 points. Pearcedale finished the week seventh on the ladder, behind their finals rivals on percentage, after a good win over Devon

Malgioglio, Pines create history

By Craig MacKenzie

HAYLEY Malgioglio became the first woman in local football to coach a senior men’s club in a league match last weekend when she took over the reins at Frankston Pines.

The 24-year-old former Young Matilda took on the role of player-coach of Pines’ women’s team last October and in March was also appointed assistant to Trevor Johnston in the senior men’s program.

She remained in that role after Johnston resigned and was replaced by Kevin “Squizzy” Taylor in early May.

Taylor is recovering from back surgery so Malgioglio will remain at the helm for the next few weeks.

“It’s not the first time I’ve taken the first team as I was the coach in an FA Cup match against St Albans,” she said.

Malgioglio has a degree in physical education and sport science.

She trains with the senior squad and organises the warm-ups and shooting and passing drills.

When she’s not involved with the men’s squad she trains and plays for the women’s team which already has established itself in State 4 in its inaugural season.

She had high hopes of getting her caretaker men’s role off to a flyer but things didn’t go to script and Pines went down 2-1 to Mooroolbark at Esther Park.

American import Nic Santhiago scored for Pines with a superb freekick.

In another State 2 match last weekend Skye United can count itself unlucky not to have taken a prized scalp when having to settle for a 2-2 draw with title aspirant Mazenod at Brandon Park Reserve.

Mazenod took the lead in the second half but Skye veteran Mark O’Connor levelled in the 69th minute when the ball fell to him just inside the box.

Leo McLeod was causing problems for Mazenod and his good work was finished off by Jason Nowakowski to give the visitors a 2-1 lead in the 78th minute.

A stunning strike from outside the box three minutes later tied scores again and with both sides pushing for the winner O’Connor came closest with a free-kick that hit the post in the dying minutes.

On Sunday Peninsula Strikers lost 4-3 to North Caulfield at Caulfield Park after giving up a 3-1 lead.

Michail Schneider was the star of the show for the home team with a hattrick while Cooper Andrews, Campbell

Wonder woman: Hayley Malgioglio (front row, second from right) combines her role as player-coach of the women’s team with senior men’s caretaker coach. Picture: Darryl Kennedy

Steedman and Callum Bradbury scored for Strikers.

In NPL2 Langwarrin gave up a two-goal lead to go down 3-2 at home against Dandenong City in a frenetic finale to Saturday’s contest.

A brilliant turn and a pinpoint strike curled inside the far post by Archie Macphee had home fans up and about after 12 minutes.

Macphee doubled the advantage from the penalty spot in the 33rd minute after a Tom Youngs free-kick was handled.

But the visitors exposed Langy’s Achilles heel in the second half scoring three times from balls played in the air into the home side’s penalty box.

Damien Iaconis hammered home a rebound after Langy couldn’t clear a near post corner a few minutes after the break and scores were level in the 83rd minute when former Langy favourite John Kuol headed a ball back into the goalmouth for Riley Bidois to head home.

Three minutes into injury time Langwarrin keeper James Burgess inexplicably flapped at Jacob Alexander’s free-kick and the ball ended up in the back of his net sending visiting fans into raptures.

In State 1 Mornington easily accounted for Springvale White Eagles 3-0 on Saturday in a match switched from Dallas Brooks Park to Centenary Park.

In a scrappy affair the pivotal moment came just before half-time when

White Eagles had a strong appeal for a penalty turned down only for Mornington to hit back immediately with Rory Currie expertly tucking the ball away.

The second half saw Adam Jamieson’s men take over and deservedly ran out 3-0 winners with Adam Hester and substitute Kane Bentley scoring from well-worked moves.

In State 4 Somerville Eagles suffered a shock 3-1 loss away to relegationthreatened Keysborough on Saturday evening.

Keysborough striker Felipe Ulloa stole the show with a hat-trick while Somerville’s sole reply came from Tom Simmons.

Meanwhile Baxter got back to winning ways with a comprehensive 5-2 win over Endeavour United at Reema Reserve last weekend.

Baxter’s goals came from Dylan Murchie, Jack Elliott, Aleks Dukic, Daniel Taylor and an own goal.

“It was a good performance against a tough opponent and the boys dug deep and got stuck in,” Baxter boss Stephen Fisher said.

“We defended well, looked dangerous going forward and scored some great goals from set pieces.”

On Friday night Chelsea broke through for its first win in nine weeks when it defeated visitors FC Noble Hurricanes 2-1.

Two goals in two minutes from Lachlan Davies – an 11th minute header

GREAT JACKPOTS!!

FLYERS GAME WEEKLY HAMPER RAFFLE

from an Adrian Pace cross then breaking through onto a long kick downfield from keeper Rhys Davies – had the home side in control.

The Hurricanes reduced the deficit just before half-time when Hadis Masinovic was at the back post to finish off a low cross from the right.

Chelsea could have been in cruise control in the second half but Adam Bartosy and Piers Brelsford missed great chances to put the result beyond doubt.

In State 5 Mount Martha claimed bragging rights over neighbour Mount Eliza with a 2-1 win at Emil Madsen Reserve last weekend.

Two second-half goals in three minutes from Peter Price put the visitors in the driver’s seat.

His first came when he took advantage of indecision in midfield and at the back and his second was set up by Ethan Sanderson who broke on the right then pulled the ball back for Price to hammer home.

Mount Eliza’s replay came from Riley Van Zanden in the 76th minute but player-coach Bryce Ruthven thought his side should have won.

“We played them off the park for 85 minutes and should have put away two clear chances in the first half and about four or five in the second half,” Ruthven said.

Harry McCartney reports that Hampton Park United showed why it

deserved to be top of the league with a convincing 4-0 win over Seaford United at North Seaford Reserve last weekend.

The visitors took an early lead through a Connor McAndrews strike that gave Seaford keeper Hayden Hicks no chance.

They went further ahead in the 25th minute when Ali Hussaini took advantage of an injured Seaford defender to beat the offside trap and convert from a one-on-one with Hicks.

Second-half goals to Aaron Edwards and Josh Caruana put the game to bed.

The win came at a cost though as Shahab Fayazi was shown a straight red for violent conduct in the 75th minute. Mentone enjoyed a 2-1 win against Bunyip at Keysborough Playing Fields with all goals coming in the last 10 minutes.

Bunyip that went ahead in the 80th minute through Liam Lenders following slack play by the Mentone defence. However, the home side equalised two minutes later when a Frankie Varsamis’ shot from the edge of the box found the net.

Mentone pushed for the winner and it came in the 87th minute when James Hilton was rewarded for pressing the Bunyip defence into a mistake then finishing with a right-foot strike.

NEXT WEEK’S GAMES

Saturday 15 July, 3pm:

Richmond v Mornington, Fotheringham Reserve

Peninsula Strikers v Heatherton Utd, Centenary Park

Skye Utd v Mooroolbark, Skye Recreation Reserve

Baxter v Lyndale Utd, Baxter Park

Endeavour Utd v Somerville Eagles, Reema Reserve

Noble Park v Chelsea, Norman Luth Reserve

Mount Martha v Rosebud, Civic Reserve

Mount Eliza v Pakenham Utd, Emil Madsen Reserve

Barton Utd v Seaford Utd, Barton Recreation Reserve

Saturday, 8.30pm

Frankston Pines v North Caulfield, Monterey Reserve

Sunday 16 July, 3pm: Western Utd v Langwarrin, City Vista Sports Precinct Mentone BYE

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