Western Port News 19th June 2024

Runway works OK to take off

PENINSULA Aero Club has been given the go ahead to resurface the one kilometre long northsouth runway at Tyabb Airport.

The work approved by the Victorian Civil Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) includes resealing the 10 metre wide “deteriorating” runway and reconstructing and sealing its two weed infested three metre wide crushed rock shoulders.

The VCAT decision was made after the aero club sought a review of Mornington Peninsula Shire Council’s failure to grant a permit within a specified time.

The council told VCAT it would have granted a permit with conditions.

The club asked the council for a permit for the runway works in January 2023 and then amended its application in July, including stating that the correct cost would be $350,000.

Council received 50 objections from surrounding residents.

VCAT found that some of the language used in the permit application was “not precise” and “not helpful” but disagreed that sealing the runway would “significantly increase” its use.

“Mere assertions in submissions are not sufficient,” the finding by VCAT deputy president Teresa Bisucci and senior member Rachel Naylor stated.

Investigations into wind terminal effects

Keith Platt keith@mpnews.com.au

REACTION has been mixed to news that studies will resume into the environmental effects on Western Port of a terminal to assemble offshore wind turbines near Hastings.

Business lobby group the Committee for Frankston and Mornington Peninsula “welcomes the news” while the Save Westernport group has said the Port of Hastings Corporation will need to prove “that all environmental impacts can be managed”.

Plans for the terminal to assemble and ship wind terminals offshore to Gippsland were put on hold in January when federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek’s rejected the project for having “unacceptable and unmiti-

gable risks to the Ramsar Wetlands of Western Port” (Federal veto a blow to terminal plans, The News 10/1/24).

However, the Port of Hastings Corporation has announced that work on the Environment Effects Statement (EES) process for the Victorian Renewable Energy Terminal is “progressing” and that it “will develop the terminal project in consultation with Traditional Owners, local communities and industry”.

The port authority said the “comprehensive assessments … [would] recognise the important environmental, heritage and community values of Western Port”.

The resumption of the environmental studies has been confirmed by the state Ports Minister Melissa Horne and the Energy and Resources Minister Lily D’Ambrosio.

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The Committee for Frankston and Mornington Peninsula issued a news release saying the state budget included $17 million to continue planning and designing the renewable energy terminal at Hastings.

It sees the assembly terminal as a “crucial part” of Victoria’s offshore wind industry and in May called for the EES process to continue following the awarding of feasibility licenses by the federal government off Gippsland. Mornington Peninsula Shire Council, which will also decide on the wind terminal application, is a community partner of the committee but does not have a representative on its board.

The proposed terminal is earmarked for 25-hectares on what is known as the Old Tyabb Reclamation Area between Esso’s Long Island Point jetty and the BlueScope Steel wharves.

“The Port of Hastings has many attributes which make it an ideal location for an offshore wind assembly port, including large areas of appropriately zoned land close to deep water channels and proximity to proposed offshore wind farms off the Gippsland and southern ocean region coasts,” the Hastings port corporation said.

Save Westernport says while the project is central to the state government achieving its emissions reduction targets (75-80 per cent by 2035 and net-zero by 2050) they must not come at the expense of Western Port’s “critical biodiversity and precious internationally recognised Ramsar wetlands”.

“Like many people, we assumed the federal decision would override the state’s plans for Western Port, but in this case it seems the Victorian government is free to take a second bite of

the cherry,” the group’s president Jane Carnegie said.

“We have made it clear to the port that as they prepare their EES, we’ll be watching every step of the way ... the bar will be very, very high.” Carnegie said the project would have to be “substantially revised … including the large areas of capital dredging and land reclamation initially proposed in the application”.

“And this must be the only project under consideration in the Port of Hastings. Without doubt, Western Port has no capacity for the enormous, environmentally disastrous ‘zombie’ HESC coal to hydrogen project: ... [and] we call on the Victorian government to reject that exploitative carbonintensive project once and for all” (MPs under pressure over hydrogen, The News 13/11/23).

A WINJEEL takes off from Tyabb Airport in February. Designed and manufactured in Australia, the three-seat training aircraft was used by the Royal Australian Air Force from 1955 until 1975. Picture: Gary Sissons

Update on managing ‘forever chemicals’ at Cerberus

By Keith Platt and Liz Bell

THE movement of suspected carcinogenic chemicals known as forever chemicals continues to be tracked at HMAS Cerberus, Crib Point.

The Health Department says there is no “consistent evidence” that exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) causes adverse human health effects but warns that their release into the environment “is an emerging concern” as they can accumulate in animals and people.

The Australian Defence Force says that while monitoring at HMAS Cerberus had found “no significant changes to how PFAS is moving in the management area”, remedial works were expected to reduce PFAS from leaving the base.

The remediation of soil and the building of an engineered containment cell at the naval base’s fire training area began in 2021 and was completed last year.

The chemicals, which are also used in household items including clothing, sunscreen and cosmetics, have been found in tap water and even sea spray.

The Mornington Peninsula-based Clean Ocean Foundation says the presence of PFAS in sea water has led scientists in Europe to warn about the dangers of “marine recreation and coastal agriculture”.

As a result, the European Union plans to upgrade all ocean outfalls to “zero pollution … [while] Australia has no such plans to upgrade its outfalls”.

Clean Ocean defines zero pollution as no PFAS (forever chemicals); no microplastics; no other micropollutants; no nutrients; and no pathogens.

A community information session is being held this week (Wednesday 19 June) to provide an update on the remediation, management and ongoing monitoring of PFAS on and around HMAS Cerberus.

The session will give people a chance to hear

the latest on PFAS remediation and management by the defence department, ongoing monitoring and future steps for the program at HMAS Cerberus.

PFAS, a group of more than 4000 chemicals known for resisting heat, stains, grease and water, has been used in manufacturing and fire fighting foams around the world, including at some ADF and CFA training sites.

In October 2018, detailed investigations of PFAS contamination on and around HMAS Cerberus found that they were mostly concentrated

in areas where firefighting foams had been used, stored or disposed, with the contamination found in soil and water.

Data available on the ADF website states that the investigations found the PFAS contamination from HMAS Cerberus had a “low exposure” risk to human health. However, the department was tracking how and where the chemicals were moving on and from the base to determine whether more remediation action is required.

In Queensland in 2019 it was revealed that more than 60 Defence sites were believed to be

contaminated by PFAS, prompting American activist Brockovich to urge “all levels of government in Australia” to act swiftly to prevent the spread of PFAS chemical contamination.

Brockovich said at the time that Australia was “behind” in dealing with the PFAS issue. She assisted Australian lawyers launch a class action against the federal government, which in May 2023 was ordered to pay a $132 million settlement to 30,000 landowners exposed to PFAS chemicals that had leaked from seven Australian military bases.

Apart from fire fighting foam, PFAS has been used for decades in the aerospace, automotive, construction, and electronics industries.

When people or animals are exposed to some PFAS chemicals through eating or using contaminated products, the levels can build up in the blood, however, there is ongoing debate over its effects.

While products containing PFAS are being phased out around the world, a federal government fact sheet states that “most people living in Australia will have detectable levels of PFAS in their blood” from exposure from sources such as food packaging, non-stick cookware and stain protection applications for fabrics and carpets.

“While we know these chemicals can persist in humans, animals and the environment, there is currently limited understanding of the human health effects of long-term PFAS exposure,” the fact sheet states.

“Therefore, as a precaution, governments in Australia recommend that exposure be reduced wherever possible while research into any potential health effects continues.”

The federal government has banned the import, use and manufacture of some of the more prominent types of PFAS from 1 July 2025.

To register for the HMAS Cerberus information session at Hastings Community Hub, 1973 Frankston Flinders Road, from 5.30pm to 7.30pm, go to pfas.enquiry@defence.gov.au

A DEMONSTRATION of extinguishing a fire on board a ship during this year’s Navy Week at HMAS Cerberus, Crib Point. Picture: Gary Sissons

Journalists: Keith Platt, Liz Bell, Brodie Cowburn

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Connecting work over coffee

A TRAINING program at Rye Community House is training dozens of people to work in the hospitality industry and creating a network of employment paths for those seeking work.

The Coffee Connection program is an example of community groups and businesses working together to strengthen employment prospects for young people through targeted training.

Dale Newman heads the program which started as a three-month trial last year supported by a grant from Mornington Peninsula Shire Council. Since April last year the program has trained 30 people of all ages and backgrounds.

“We are so pleased with the way it’s evolved and is helping with social connection in the community, as well as employment and helping businesses,” Newman said.

Participants get free training that leads to certification on the understanding that they then volunteer some time at the community house.

“We have participants manning our coffee cart which was made for us by the men at Seawinds Rosebud Men’s Shed and has become the real social hub of the centre,” Newman said.

“But we also have volunteers working in admin here, and that skills them up in other ways.”

Newman has also created a Friends of Rye Coffee Cart networking group

to build connections between employers, training providers and job seekers.

Coffee Connection has paired up with Advance College to provide the Hospitality Essentials course, and works closely with socially responsible cafe Commonfolk Cafe in Mornington, as well as several community services.

“What I am really proud of is that the quality of everything we do is high, from the coffee we serve from our coffee cart, to the training, and the great feedback we get confirms that,” Newman said.

The hospitality course runs over four days, with the next one starting on Tuesday 30 July.

BARISTAS Danielle Barbuto and Madi Worrell with customer Tegan at Rye Community House. Picture: Supplied

Hospital sees no adverse outcomes from ICU closure

Liz Bell liz@mpnews.com.au

MORNINGTON’S not-for-profit hos-

pital The Bays is closing its intensive care unit, prompting fears by some staff of job losses and a reduction in patient care.

Whistleblowers believe the change in status from intensive care to “high dependency” was a decision made by the executive team and the board due to cost blowouts and will result in jobs losses, reduced patient care and moving some patients to other hospitals. It is believed the change in status means there will be no requirement to employ an intensive care unit doctor on site, with emergencies run by the critical care nurse working that shift.

One staff member said the change was “concerning” as nursing staff could not prescribe medication, even in emergencies.

“The staff will be relying on calling the patient’s doctor - hoping they answer the phone) for advice, hoping they answer the phone - for advice,” the staff member said.

“In a major emergency staff will be required at call 000 and a bed found in an ICU from another hospital.”

The hospital’s CEO Jane Phelan said “the health care environment” was experiencing significant challenges and all hospitals were required to review their services and make

decisions based on demand.

She said the decision to reclassify the ICU to a HDU (high dependency unit) followed “very low demand” for intensive care services at The Bays Hospital over the past five years.

“More than 95 per cent of the patients we care for in the unit require HDU-level services, and those services will continue to be provided,” she said.

“All of our ICU nursing staff will be retained, with a team of appropriately skilled and qualified doctors providing a high level of care under the HDU model.

“As a community owned not-forprofit hospital, the reclassification will allow us to reinvest in theatre equipment and expand our services in areas where the community needs us the most, particularly cancer services. Our new cancer care centre is on track for completion in August and will bring much-needed cancer services to the peninsula.”

The Bays is now building a cancer centre which will include radiation oncology, research facilities for clinical trials, a wellness and education centre, courtyard garden, consulting suites and a wig library.

The hospital received some federal government money for the cancer care centre but has been appealing for community and philanthropic support to complete the project.

Currently, there are no radiation

oncology services and only limited chemotherapy and cancer support services on the Mornington Peninsula.

The whistleblower said they believed the broader peninsula community “should be made aware” of the hospital’s decision.

The 100-bed hospital has been in operation for more than 90 years, starting in 1937 as the King George Memorial Bush Nursing Hospital.

It has two sites, the main hospital in Main Street, Mornington, and a dialysis services and aged care centre in Victoria Street, Hastings.

It opened its ICU – originally staffed by senior doctors, ICU nurses and consultants - in May 2019 to provide acute care to post operative patients.

However, staff have told The News the unit has seen a decline in patients requiring intensive care and has been offering more of a high dependency style of nursing. Those patients, while still requiring more support than in the wards, do not need to be monitored as acutely as those in intensive care.

“Over the past 12mths, the executive management team have been monitoring the unit’s patient days closely and closing the ICU during periods of low occupancy, with 13 weeks of closure during school holidays,” a staff members said.

Mornington MP Chris Crewther offered to provide advocacy to the state government to allow The Bays to retain its ICU services.

A MAN uses a hammer to break into one of the shops targeted near Point Nepean Road in Dromana, Rosebud, Capel Sound and Rye.

Picture: Supplied

MORNINGTON Peninsula Crime Investigation Unit detectives are appealing for public help following a spate of burglaries in Dromana, Rosebud, Capel Sound and Rye.

Businesses were targeted in 15 incidents between 15 May and 8 June, when two unknown offenders forced entry, usually by smashing a glass door.

The offenders appear to have been focused on stealing cash, usually going directly to the register before fleeing the scene.

Each of the businesses targeted was located on or in vicinity of Point Nepean Road.

Detectives have released CCTV footage of a man they believe could

assist with their investigations. Anyone who recognises the man or has information on any of the incidents is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at crimestoppersvic.com.au

Money found

POLICE are looking for the rightful owners of a large sum of money found on a footpath between Poppies Florist and Red Hill Chemist on Thursday 6 June. Call Hastings police on 5970 7800 and speak to the property clerk and provide PALM reference 202406-S0378-0001.

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Ensuring survival of bushland species

PROPERTY owners have been connected with native vegetation on their properties through the 2023-24 Meet Your Bushland pilot program led by the Mornington Peninsula Landcare network and the Western Port Biosphere Foundation.

The program, which included a walk-and-talk with a bushland restoration specialist, also provided the 26 landholders with a comprehensive report detailing the conservation values of their property and outlined the support mechanisms such as grants to aid in conservation efforts.

The program finished on 2 June with a community event held at Carranya in Main Ridge, a property that has been undertaking successful restoration over several years.

Biosphere spokesperson Jess Brady said visitors were able to see the benefits of weed control, fencing and revegetation.

The program also facilitated information sharing and collaboration by fostering relationships among Landcare groups, neighbouring landholders, and authorities like the Mornington Peninsula Shire Council.

Brady said the selection criteria for participation in the program emphasised the quality and size of existing bush on the property, connectivity with existing or planned bioinks, and links with public bushland reserves.

“By engaging with landholders, the program aimed to enhance conservation efforts and foster a deeper

sense of connection with the natural environment,” she said.

“The overarching aim of Meet Your Bushland was to empower landholders to take proactive steps in conservation. By building awareness of local

environmental values and promoting community engagement, the program sought to encourage actions such as weed control, fencing, and revegetation. Additionally, it facilitated engagement with local Landcare groups,

creating a robust network of information sharing and collaboration.

“Through collective action and shared expertise, we can ensure the preservation of the Mornington Peninsula’s bushland for generations to come.”

For details visit biosphere.org.au or follow its Facebook and Instagram pages. Email Meet Your Bushland program manager at info@biosphere. org.au

Land lessons: Learning about native bushland and how to restore it has been a focus for landholders involved in the ‘Meet Your Bushland’ pilot program. Picture: Supplied

Trees for habitat and food

A TREE planting day on private property in Somers last week involving Mornington Peninsula Koala Conservation volunteers, sponsors Fifteen Trees and 35 staff from Pana-Organic saw 600 trees go in the ground.

Volunteer and MPKC spokesperson Christin Webb said the property owner had previously planted many trees provided by the conservation

group and “was thrilled” to have an understory and gums added to enhance the diversity of wildlife habitat.

“It was such an uplifting day and Fifteen Trees provided morning tea while Pana-Organic spoilt us with lunch,” she said.

For more information of MPKC go to mpkoalas.org.au

MORNINGTON Peninsula Koala Conservation members Sonia Rowley (left), Chris Webb and Sarah Meachem (right) with Colleen Filippa, of Fifteen Trees at the tree planting day at Somers. Picture: Supplied

Nosing around:

Picture: Gary Sissons

Bonding over behaviour

DOG ownership in Australia is at an all‐time high, with more than two million households getting a pooch since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

But with the increase in dogs comes the inevitable increase in dog‐related issues, such as lost dogs, barking dogs, naughty dogs, roaming dogs and bored dogs.

Animal trainers say dog training has never been more important for both the enjoyment of the owner and the happiness and security of the dog.

Mornington Obedience Dog Club secretary Irene Scott is one of the many volunteers from dog clubs around the Mornington Peninsula and Frankston who help to run puppy classes, and

obedience and “rally” sessions for dogs and owners.

The club, which has been running for more than 30 years, helps train up to 30 to 40 dogs every weekend and is also a trialling club. Scott says positive reinforcement methodsfood or toys and praise - to help build a strong relationship between owners and their dogs and, essentially, promote security and comfort for both.

“Good dog behaviour takes an investment of time, but is a great way to socialise your dog, build their confidence and avoid bad behaviours, plus it can be fun for owners,” she said.

Scott says the Saturday classes run by volunteers are very hands on, with a focus on “training the people who own dogs, who in turn train their dogs”.

Estimate yours with the tax

She says the more time an owner invests in training a dog to live in the human world, the more likely that any problems can be avoided.

Like all volunteers at the club, Scott is involved in community dog training because she is passionate about dogs and seeing them live their best lives within the community. Her personal experience of dog training was a life saver for her pooch Harley, who was reactive with other dogs.

“It was suggested to me by my vet to try him on scent work, which helps dogs by calming them and satisfying their need for smelling,” she said.

“With the nose being the strongest sense in a dog, scent work is suitable for all dogs, not just certain breeds. And it certainly makes for a happier dog and owner.”

Obedience trials are another extension of training that demonstrates the dog and their handler’s ability to work together with precision and publicly show the training they have done. The classes are progressive and allow dogs and handlers to improve their skills and experience as the dogs earn titles and satisfy their need to please and work under direction.

All fully vaccinated dogs are welcome at most community‐based obedience clubs (puppies must have had two vaccinations), but dogs with such behavioural problems as anxiety or reactivity, usually wear a coloured band to alert other dog owners to give them space.

Mornington Obedience Dog Club is looking for more volunteer dog trainers and general helpers, and also a permanent venue. The club now uses the grounds of the George Vowell Centre corner Cobb Road and Nepean Highway, Mount Eliza.

New members are also welcome to join on any Saturday. Bookings are not necessary. Puppy and beginner classes run from 1pm to 1.45 pm, and new and returning members are asked to come to the registration desk no later than 12.45pm.

For details contact the club at modc.membership@gmail.com Liz Bell

Volunteers sought

VOLUNTEERS are being asked to roll up their sleeves for a three-day working bee for this year’s mayoral charity event to raise money for Fusion Mornington Peninsula.

Dozens of volunteers are needed for a range of events and working bees from 21 to 23 June to raise money for Fusion programs and help to improve the Fusion centre at the former army barracks in Cumberland Drive, Mount Martha. Fusion supports youth at risk or experiencing homelessness on the peninsula. It is run by youth and community workers, supported by businesses, Mornington Peninsula Shire Council, community groups and individuals. Mornington Peninsula Shire mayor Cr Simon Brooks said homelessness among youth was a pressing issue that demanded collective attention.

“By supporting Fusion Mornington Peninsula, we're investing in the future of our community and ensuring those facing adversity have access to the resources they need to thrive,” he said.

“I invite everyone to join me at the working bee from 21 to 23 June. Funds raised will go towards helping create a community where every young person has a place to call home on the peninsula.”

To register go to: mornpen.vic.gov.au/mayoralworkingbee

Biddy McPhee-Lam going on the hunt with her border collie Wren when Mornington Obedience Dog Club held its scent trials at the Frankston Dog Obedience Club grounds in Langwarrin.

Club calls for support to survive and prosper

By David Gibbs AFSM, chair The Hastings Community and Sports Club

THE Hastings Community and Sports Club is at a crossroad and we are asking the community of Hastings and surrounding areas for help.

As has been well reported, we faced the impossible situation of gaming machines that were no longer viable and made the difficult decision to place the Hastings Cricket and Football Sports Club into liquidation in April this year. Out of the liquidation, a new club was formed: The Hastings Community

Lifesaver’s award

GUNNAMATTA Surf Life Saving Club

member Joseph Watt, above, has received the Emergency Services Medal as part of King’s Birthday Honours for his service to the lifesaving movement.

Watt has been a patrol member at Gunnamatta for more than 32 years and has held many volunteer and professional positions at club, regional and state levels including regional lifeguard, inflatable rescue boat (IRB) instructor and lifesaving patrol service assessor.

He was among a team of lifesavers that rescued eight people who were swept out to sea at Gunnamatta in 1998. Following the incident, which resulted in three deaths, he played an integral role in educating the community and raising awareness of the importance of water safety. Watt’s long-standing dedication to improving lifesaving services has also seen the introduction of safety equipment and the new service delivery methods.

The Emergency Services Medal was created in 1999 to recognise those who have served with distinction within an Australian emergency service, professionally and voluntarily. The medal also recognises those who have made a significant contribution to emergency management, training and education.

and Sports Club.

The new entity was tasked with returning to the “grass roots” community club that started in March 1967 when 120 people from Baxter through to Point Leo established the Hastings Cricket and Football Co-operative.

The co-operative was established for the express purpose of building a clubhouse at Hastings Park for the cricket and football clubs. It was groundbreaking and a testament to not only the financial support, but the blood, sweat and tears of locals who banded together to make something

truly great.

The Hastings Cricket and Football Social Club went from strength to strength over the years, and thrived and grew with the support of locals.

The income from the gaming machines was the mainstay of the club until a combination of COVID closures in 2020 and the impact of a revised cost structure for the “purchase” of the gaming machine entitlements in 2018.

Those new financial arrangements commenced in 2022 immediately after COVID.

With the increased costs of the

entitlements and a different gaming tax structure introduced by the state government at the same time, the gaming machines were no longer financially viable and this led to the liquidation.

The Hastings Community and Sports Club has been incorporated to maintain the clubhouse and continue to provide the same services to the community.

For this club to be financially viable it needs the continued ongoing support of the entire community.

This support can come in a number of ways:

n By becoming a member and ob-

Peace offer to at-risk youth

DOZENS of at-risk young people are attending a drop-in centre in Frankston for support and connection each week.

Street Peace is a Frankston-based not-for-profit which runs outreach programs for young people in the Frankston, Mornington Peninsula, and Gippsland regions. It runs a drop-in centre called The Nest where visitors share meals and play games.

Street Peace has conducted a survey of 42 visitors to The Nest - it found that 70 per cent of respondents remain hopeful for the future, 40 per cent had enjoyed improvements in their relationships with friends and family, and 16 per cent had become more engaged with their education since attending the centre.

Street Peace founder Jay Shelling said supporting people at a young age is key to securing their long-term health, security, and safety. “Healthy teenagers produce healthy adults. This is a delicate age where communities impact thriving future generations most,” he said.

“The results of The Nest youth survey highlight the deep, positive impact that Street Peace has on the lives of at-risk youth. Our goal has always been to create a supportive, family-like environ-

ment where these young individuals can find hope, love, and the strength to make positive changes in their lives. Seeing the tangible improvements in their well-being, relationships, and outlook on life is incredibly rewarding and drives us to continue our mission with even greater passion.”

So far this year 200 new young people have visited The Nest, and around 60 attend regularly.

Youth crime has been in the spotlight throughout this year across the media. After the release of 2023’s Victorian crime statistics, which showed that crime had dramatically increased in Frankston, Victoria Police deputy commissioner of regional operations Neil Paterson highlighted the efforts police were taking to reduce youth crime.

“Child offending remains a real challenge for police and significant driver of serious and violent crime in Victoria. Police continue to hold these people accountable, with youth gang members targeted as part of Operation Alliance and young burglars and car thieves continually arrested and put before the courts under Operation Trinity,” he said.

Street Peace is run by Frankston Life Community, a not-for-profit linked to the Frankston Life church. Details: streetpeace.com.au

taining the benefits of membership.

n By visiting and dining at the bistro with its well-priced offerings.

n By coming to the football home matches and supporting the Blues. The Blues are at home on Saturday, 29 June, 13 July, 20 July and 3 August.

n Offering support via a direct donation which will help the start-up cash flow issues. If you want to donate call the club on 5979 1740 for the bank account details.

This community and sports club can only continue to operate with the support of the entire community.

Volunteers sought to help

Fusion

MORNINGTON Peninsula communities are being asked to roll up their sleeves for a three-day working bee for this year’s mayoral charity event to raise money for Fusion Mornington Peninsula.

Dozens of volunteers are needed for a range of events and working bees from 21 to 23 June to raise money for Fusion programs and help to improve the Fusion centre at the former army barracks in Cumberland Drive, Mount Martha.

Fusion Mornington Peninsula supports youth at risk or experiencing homelessness on the peninsula. It is run by youth and community workers, supported by businesses, Mornington Peninsula Shire Council, community groups and individuals.

Mornington Peninsula Shire mayor Cr Simon Brooks said homelessness among youth was a pressing issue that demanded collective attention.

“By supporting Fusion Mornington Peninsula, we're investing in the future of our community and ensuring those facing adversity have access to the resources they need to thrive,” he said.

“I invite everyone to join me at the working bee from 21 to 23 June. Funds raised will go towards helping create a community where every young person has a place to call home on the peninsula.”

Fusion's Mount Martha program provides eight on-site beds with live-in support and care, enabling vulnerable families to live in a safe and therapeutic home. Live-in staff provide round the clock support, role modelling healthy family dynamics and building relationships.

Working bee participants will have the chance to tackle indoor and outdoor tasks, from painting, gardening, cleaning and odd jobs to larger work like removing old heaters and deconstructing a playground. To register go to: mornpen.vic.gov.au/ mayoralworkingbee

GUNNAMATTA lifesaver Joseph Watt has been awarded the Emergency Services Medal. Picture: Supplied

STREET Peace outreach workers in Frankston. Picture: Supplied

Father, daughter walk to aid diabetes research

TWELVE-year-old Zoe Whitbourne and her father Craig will be walking more than 80 kilometres to raise money and awareness for the type 1 diabetes research being carried out at St Vincent’s Institute of Medical Research (SVI) in Fitzroy.

Craig Whitbourne was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes 25 years ago when he was 15 and was devastated when Zoe received her diagnosis in 2022 at the age of nine.

“Type 1 diabetes can be unpredictable and timeconsuming. Despite my experience living with this disease, watching Zoe navigate the grief, anger and sadness of this diagnosis is very difficult,” Mr Whitbourne said.

Type 1 diabetes is a life-changing disease that is newly diagnosed in about 3000 Australians each year. It is a chronic autoimmune disease in which the body's immune system destroys its own insulinproducing beta cells. The 134,000 Australians living with the condition are unable to produce insulin, the hormone that regulates blood sugar levels, and require daily insulin injections or the use of an insulin pump, as well as constant blood glucose monitoring.

SVI director, Professor Tom Kay and Professor Helen Thomas are leading the research into revolutionising type 1 diabetes treatment and recently published the results from their BANDIT clinical trial, which demonstrated that a commonly prescribed rheumatoid arthritis drug called baricitinib can suppress the progression of type 1 diabetes.

“Synthesised insulin has been the treatment for type 1 diabetes for hundreds of years, but it is completely inadequate when compared to the body’s natural insulin. Through our research, we are finding ways to stop the destruction of the insulin producing cells,” Kay said.

The Whitbournes will begin their walk at Dromana pier on Wednesday 10 July and finish at Heidelberg Football Club on Saturday 13 July. For details about their walk, visit their donation page. To find out more about SVI visit svi.edu.au

ZOE Whitbourne celebrating her birthday and (inset) with her father Craig. Together the pair plan to walk more than 80 kilometres to help raise money for diabetes research.

Pictures: Supplied

The Guide

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THURSDAY GUILLAUME’S FRENCH ATLANTIC SBS, 7.30pm

Guillaume Brahimi (pictured) now calls Sydney home, but for this Paris-born TV personality, nothing beats the beauty of the French Atlantic coastline. Premiering tonight, this five-part sojourn follows the charming Frenchman on a gastronomic and historical journey, beginning in Normandy and concluding on the Spanish border. Chateaus (aka castles) and wine star in this travel show where a sliver of cheese is like a slice of heaven and the humble viewer learns how to whip up French donuts.

Screenwriter Richard Curtis (Four Weddings and a Funeral Bridget Jones’s Diary) helps director Roger Mitchell craft another superb romantic comedy that contains all the right ingredients. Chemistry between the two leads, Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant (pictured), helps a little, too. Grant plays a humble but klutzy travel bookstore owner who literally bumps into acting megastar Anna Scott (Roberts), and from there, a relationship grows. It is a delightful feel-good time-filler.

CRIB POINT/FLINDERS RSL

SATURDAY

FATHER BROWN

ABC TV, 7.30pm

Unabashedly twee and wholesome, with some particularly melodramatic characters thrown in for good measure recently, this British crime procedural staple following a savvy priest sits cosily in an afternoon slot in its homeland. It’s an entertaining, 1960s-set distraction that leaves witty crumbs and clues for its loyal viewers to nibble on. Tonight marks the end of its 10th season, with a finale that shakes things up.

MONDAY DO YOU WANT TO LIVE FOREVER

NINE, 7.30pm

Eminent journalist Tracy Grimshaw returns to our screens alongside medical expert Dr Nick Coatsworth (pictured with Grimshaw) for this docuseries that explores the limits of human health and longevity. It sees eight participants embark on a 12-week journey looking at health and ageing, seeking the secret biological age as they undergo medical tests

Tonight’s second episode sees Dr Nick lead ’s Liberty and Eliza through experience of

Thursday, June 20

ABC TV (2)

SBS (3)

SEVEN (7)

NINE (9) 6.00 Morning Programs. 11.00 Antiques Roadshow. (R) 12.00 News. 1.00 Secret Science. (R) 1.30 The Greek Islands With Julia Bradbury. (PG, R) 1.55 Brush With Fame. (PG, R) 2.30 Back Roads. (PG, R) 3.00 Tony Armstrong’s Extra-Ordinary Things. (PG, R) 4.00 Long Lost Family: What Happened Next. (PG, R) 4.45 Grand Designs NZ. (R) 5.30 Antiques Roadshow. (R)

6.00 WorldWatch. 9.15 Paul O’Grady: For The Love Of Dogs. (PGa, R) 10.10 Great Canal Journeys. (R) 11.05 Icons. (PGav, R) 12.00 WorldWatch. 2.00 Inside Aldi. (PG, R) 2.50 Mastermind Aust. (R) 3.20 The Point: Road To Referendum History Bites. (R) 3.25 The Cook Up. (R) 3.55 Scotland: Rome’s Final Frontier. (R) 5.05 Jeopardy! (R) 5.30 Letters And Numbers. (R) 6.00 Sunrise. 9.00 The Morning Show. (PG) 11.30 Seven Morning News. 12.00 MOVIE: Girl In The Bunker. (2018, Mav, R) Julia Lalonde, Henry Thomas, Moira Kelly. 2.00 Kochie’s Business Builders. 2.30 Border Security: America’s Front Line. (PG, R) 3.00 The Chase. (R) 4.00 Seven News At 4. 5.00 The Chase Australia. 6.00 Today. 9.00 Today Extra. (PG) 11.30 9News Morning. 12.00 Ski Rescue Down Under. (PGl, R) 1.00 Paramedics. (Mam, R) 2.00 Pointless. (PG, R)

6.00 Mastermind Australia. 6.30 SBS World News. 7.30 Guillaume’s French Atlantic. (PG) 8.30 The Hospital: In The Deep End: The Future. (Ma) Part 3 of 3. 9.35 The Responder. (Mlv) Franny hunts Chris through the city. 10.30 SBS World News Late. 11.00 Son Of. (MA15+v)

12.40 War Of The Worlds. (MA15+av, R)

(R) 1.20 Long Lost Family: What Happened Next. (PG, R) 2.10 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv) 3.20 Parkinson In Australia. (PGs, R) 4.30 Landline. (R) 5.00 Art Works. (PG, R) 5.30 7.30. (R)

2.25 Bin Laden: The Road To 9/11. (Mav, R) 3.20 9/11: The Pentagon. (Mav, R) 4.10 Peer To Peer. (R) 4.40 Bamay. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Home And Away. (PG) Irene walks further into Bronte’s trap. 8.30 Britain’s Got Talent. (PGl) Auditions continue as weird, wacky and wonderful acts compete in front of celebrity judges Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon, Bruno Tonioli and Simon Cowell. Hosted by Ant and Dec.

11.10 HMP Styal: Women Behind Bars. (MA15+av, R) Takes a look at HMP Styal. 12.25 The Goldbergs. (PGl, R) Pops surprises the family with a winter cruise. 2.00 Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 NBC Today. 5.00 Sunrise 5am News. 5.30 Sunrise.

6.00 9News.

7.00 A Current Affair.

7.30 Taronga: Who’s Who In The Zoo: Emergency. A pregnant lemur gets into a fight.

8.30 Gaze The First Family Of Australian Basketball. (PG) Takes a look at the Gaze family, one of Australia’s greatest sporting families.

10.30 9News Late.

11.00 The First 48: Deadly Rap. (Ma, R) 11.50 Tipping Point. (PG, R) 12.40 Pointless. (PG, R) 1.35 World’s Greatest Islands. (PG, R) 2.30 Global Shop. (R) 3.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 Believer’s Voice Of Victory. (PGa) 4.30 A Current Affair. (R) 5.00 Today

TEN (10)

Mark Williams has a nose for solving crime in Father Brown

Friday, June 21

6.30 Hard Quiz. (PG, R)

7.00 ABC News.

7.30 Gardening Australia. Millie Ross grows flowers under gum trees.

8.30 Silent Witness. (MA15+a) The team helps a police officer accused of murder in a coastal community.

9.30 Gruen. (R) Presented by Wil Anderson.

10.10 Hard Quiz. (PG, R) Presented by Tom Gleeson.

10.40 Austin. (PG, R)

11.05 ABC Late News.

11.25 Grand Designs New Zealand. (R)

12.10 Love Your Garden. (R) 1.50 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv)

ABC FAMILY (22)

6.00 Mastermind Australia.

6.30 SBS World News.

7.35 Abandoned Railways From Above: Scotland. (PG)

8.30 Secrets Of The Lost Liners: Empress Of Britain. (PGa) Explores the EmpressofBritain

9.20 Bermuda Triangle: Into Cursed Waters: Alien Abyss. (PGa, R) The team searches for two air force planes.

10.05 SBS World News Late.

10.35 World On Fire. (Malv)

11.35 Cargo. (MA15+v, R) 3.20 Peer To Peer. (PG, R) 4.20 Bamay. (R) 4.55 Destination Flavour Down Under Bitesize. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Better Homes And Gardens. Hosted by Johanna Griggs. 7.20 Football. AFL. Round 15. Carlton v Geelong. 10.30 AFL Post-Game Show. Post-game discussion and interviews.

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

12.00 Australia’s Amazing Homes: Coastal Paradise. (PG, R) Experts try to find Australia’s best homes. 1.00 Travel Oz. (PG, R)

2.00 Home Shopping. (R)

4.00 Million Dollar Minute. (R) 5.00 NBC Today.

6.00 9News. 7.00 A Current Affair. 7.30 Rugby League. NRL. Round 16. Dolphins v Melbourne Storm. 9.55 Golden Point. A wrap-up of the Dolphins versus Melbourne Storm with NRL news and analysis. 10.40 MOVIE: Ronin. (1998, Mlv, R) Freelancers steal a mysterious package. Robert De Niro, Jean Reno. 1.00 Tipping Point. (PG, R)

2.00 Pointless. (PG, R)

3.00 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)

6.00 Deal Or No Deal. (R)

6.30 The Project. 7.30 Have You Been Paying Attention? (Malns, R) Hosted by Tom Gleisner. 8.30 The Graham Norton Show. (Ms, R) Graham Norton is joined by Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Saunders, Daisy Haggard and Take That. 9.30 The Cheap Seats. (Mal, R) Presenters Melanie Bracewell and Tim McDonald take a look at the week that was.

(PG)

(R) 6am WorldWatch. 10.00 Over The Black Dot. 10.50 Lee Lin Chin’s Fashionista. 11.00 The Story Of. 11.30 Bowls. Austn Open C’ships. 4.30pm WorldWatch. 6.20 Forged In Fire. 7.05 Jeopardy! 7.35 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown. 8.30 Travel Man’s Greatest Trips. 9.25 Sex Before The Internet. 10.20 Sex Unlimited. 11.15 Ten Year Old Tom. 12.15am Bad Education. 12.50 Dark Side Of Comedy. 1.45 Late Programs. SBS VICELAND (31) 6am Children’s Programs. 7.20pm Bluey. 7.30 Shaun The Sheep. 7.35 Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures. 7.50 The Strange Chores. 8.00 Hard Quiz Kids. 8.30 BTN Newsbreak. 8.35 Operation Ouch! 9.05 Officially Amazing. 9.35 Dragon Ball Super. 9.55 Supernatural Academy. 10.20 The PM’s Daughter. 10.40 Phoenix Rise. 11.40 Good Game Spawn Point. 12.30am Rage. 1.30 TMNT. 1.55 Late Programs.

6am The Movie Show. 6.30 A River Runs Through It. (1992, PG) 8.45 Alone In Space. (2018, PG, Swedish) 10.15 A Taste Of Hunger. (2021, M, Danish) 12.10pm The Glorias. (2020, M) 2.50 Fried Green Tomatoes. (1991, PG) 5.10 The Movie Show. 5.40 Nights In Rodanthe. (2008, PG) 7.30 St Elmo’s Fire. (1985, M) 9.30 The Emigrants. (2021, M, Swedish) 12.15am All The King’s Men. (2006, M) 2.30 Late Programs. SBS WORLD MOVIES (32) 6am Morning Programs. 1.30pm Going Places. 2.00 Shortland St. 2.30

CRIB POINT/FLINDERS RSL

Specks. (PG, R)

(PG, R)

Restoration Australia. (PG, R)

Landline. (R)

6.00 Stuff The British Stole: Parthenon Sculptures. (PG, R) Presented by Marc Fennell.

6.30 Back Roads: Katherine, NT. (R) Presented by Albert Wiggan.

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

7.30 Father Brown. (Final, Mv) Sullivan gets arrested.

8.15 Midsomer Murders. (Mv, R) A real estate agent is murdered in front of a crowd at the unveiling of a new doll’s house collection.

9.45 Ladies In Black. (Ms, R) Women work at a department store.

10.35 Shetland. (Mal, R)

11.35 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv)

Morning Programs. 11.05 My Unique B&B. 12.00 WorldWatch. 2.00 Motorcycle Racing. Superbike World C’ship. Round 4. H’lights. 3.00 Motor Racing. World Rally-Raid C’ship. Round 4. Desafío Ruta 40. H’lights. 3.30 No More Spectators. (R) 3.45 Portillo’s Greatest Railway Journeys. (PG, R) 4.40 Black Panthers Of WW2. (PGav, R) 5.30 Forgotten Heroes. (PGav, R)

6.30 SBS World News. 7.30 Jersey And Guernsey. A couple operate a charter boat. 8.25 Portillo In The Pyrenees: An Emotional Journey. (PGa, R) Part 4 of 4. 9.20 Scotland: Escape To The Wilderness. (PGadl, R) Part 4 of 4. 10.15 Jamie Lee Curtis: Hollywood Call Of Freedom. (Mdhlv, R) 11.15 Paris Paris. (PGa)

12.15 Face To Face. (Mals, R)

2.05 The Witnesses. (Ma, R) 4.05 Peer To Peer. (R) 4.35 Bamay. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.15 France 24 Feature. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

2.05pm

3.00 Our Stories: Connecting With

6.00 NBC Today. 7.00 Weekend Sunrise. 10.00 The Morning Show: Weekend. (PG) 12.00 Horse Racing. Civic Stakes Day, Ipswich Race Day and VRC Country Race Day. 5.00 Seven News At 5. 5.30 Border Security: Australia’s Front Line. (PG, R)

6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Football. AFL. Round 15. Melbourne v North Melbourne. From the MCG. 10.30 AFL Post-Game Show. Post-game discussion and interviews taking a look back at all the action from the game.

11.00 To Be Advised.

12.45 Australia’s Amazing Homes: Inspired By Nature. (PG, R) Follows three renowned home experts on their quest to find Australia’s most stylish and breathtaking homes.

2.00 Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 Tales Of Aluna. A group of people lands on a magical island.

5.00 House Of Wellness. (PGa, R) A look at locations that highlight living well.

6.00 Getaway. (PG, R) 6.30 A Current Affair. (R) 7.00 Weekend Today. 10.00 Today Extra: Saturday. (PG) 12.00 Destination WA. (PG, R) 12.30 Business Drive. 1.00 Great Australian Detour. 1.30 MOVIE: Buckley’s Chance. (2021, PGal, R) Bill Nighy, Victoria Hill, Martin Sacks. 3.30 The Lap. 4.30 Dogs 4 Life.

5.00 9News

6.00 9News Saturday. 7.00 A Current Affair.

7.30 MOVIE: Pitch Perfect. (2012, Mls, R) A freshman joins an all-girl a cappella group. Anna Kendrick, Brittany Snow.

9.40 MOVIE: The Spy Who Dumped Me. (2018, MA15+lnv, R) Two friends become entangled in a conspiracy. Mila Kunis, Kate McKinnon.

11.45 MOVIE: A Fish Called Wanda. (1988, Mls, R)

1.45 My Way. (PG)

2.00 The Incredible Journey Presents. (PGa)

2.30 Getaway. (PG, R) 3.00 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 The Brighter Side: Save. Grow. Dream. Australians share bright ideas and tips. 6.30 The Dog House Australia. (PGa, R) Narrated by Dr Chris Brown. 7.30 The Dog House. (PG, R) Christmas might have come early for a pug. 8.30 Ambulance UK. (Mlm) An advanced paramedic responds to reports of a man found lying facedown in the road. 11.00 The Cheap Seats. (Mal, R) Presented by Melanie Bracewell and Tim McDonald. 12.00 Home Shopping. (R) 5.00 Hour Of Power.

All-Round Champion. 9.35 MOVIE: Scoob! (2020, PG) 11.10 Good Game Spawn Point. Midnight BTN High. 12.05 Rage. 1.35 TMNT. 2.20 The Legend Of Korra. 2.45 Shasha And Milo. 3.05 Hanazuki: Full Of Treasures. 3.15 The Next Step. 3.40 Odd Squad. 3.55 Close. 4.00 Late Programs. ABC FAMILY (22) 6am Morning Programs. 6.30 The Producers. (1967, PG) 8.10 Black Narcissus.

WorldWatch. 5.30 Tattoo Age. 5.55 The Food That Built The World. 7.35 Impossible Engineering. 8.30 Icons Unearthed: The Lord Of The Rings. 10.20 Biography: KISStory. 11.55 Better Things. 1.25am The X-Files. 3.15 NHK

Sunday, June 23

6.00 Rage. (PG) 7.00 Weekend Breakfast. 9.00 Insiders. 10.00 Offsiders. 10.30 World This Week. (R) 11.00 Compass. (PG, R) 11.30 Praise. (R) 12.00 News. 12.30 Landline. 1.30 Gardening Aust. (R) 2.25 The Secret History Of The British Garden. 3.25 Simply Nigella. (R) 3.55 Secrets Of The Museum. (R) 4.45 Julia Zemiro’s Home Delivery. (PG, R) 5.15 Grand Designs. (Final, PG, R)

6.00 Antiques Roadshow.

7.00 ABC News.

7.30 Spicks And Specks. (PG)

Hosted by Adam Hills.

8.00 Austin. (PG) Julian goes on a tour with Austin.

8.30 Ladies In Black. (Ml) Angela must cover for divided loyalties after scamming her way into Goodes.

9.20 The Split. (Ml, R) Rose struggles to cope with her grief.

10.20 Shetland. (Mal, R)

11.20 Annika. (Ma, R)

12.10 The Trouble With Maggie Cole. (PG, R) 12.55 Rage Vault. (MA15+adhlnsv) 3.00 Classic Countdown. (R) 4.00 Landline. (R) 4.30 Art Works. (PG, R) 5.00 Insiders. (R)

6.00 Morning Programs. 11.05 My Unique B&B. 12.00 WorldWatch. 12.30 PBS Washington Week With The Atlantic. 12.55 Powerchair Football. (R) 1.00 Sports Woman. 1.30 Motorcycle Racing. ProMX Championship. Round 5. 4.30 Such Was Life. (PGa) 4.40 Portillo’s Greatest Railway Journeys. (PG, R) 5.35 Hitler’s Olympics. (PGa, R)

6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 Eiffel Tower: Building The Impossible. A look at the Eiffel Tower.

9.15 Royal Autopsy: Anne – The Forgotten Queen. (Ma) Part 4 of 4. Professor Alice Roberts explores the final days and cause of death of Queen Anne. 10.10 Lost City Of Gaul: Unearthing Bibracte. (R) A look at the Gallic settlement of Bibracte. 11.10 Dambusters With Dan Snow. (PGa, R)

1.55 How To Get Fit Fast. (PG, R) 2.50 Fergal Keane: Living With PTSD. (MA15+avw, R) 3.50 Peer To Peer. (R) 4.20 Bamay. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.15 France 24 Feature. 5.30 Al Jazeera News.

6.00 To Be Advised. 7.00 Weekend Sunrise. 10.00 The Morning Show: Weekend. (PG) 12.00 House Of Wellness. (PG, R) 1.00 Jabba’s School Holiday Movie Special. (PGv, R) 1.30 Border Security: International. (PGad, R) 2.00 Football. VFL. Round 13. Port Melbourne v Geelong. From ETU Stadium, Melbourne. 5.00 Seven News At 5. 5.30 Melbourne Weekender. (PG) 6.00 Hello SA. (PG, R) 6.30 A Current Affair. (R) 7.00 Weekend Today. 10.00 AFL Sunday Footy Show. (PG) 12.00 Wide World Of Sports. (PG)

6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Dream Home. (PG) Hosted by Dr Chris Brown. 8.45 7NEWS Spotlight. An exclusive special investigation. 9.45 The Latest: Seven News. 10.15 Code 1: Minute By Minute: Horror On The Harbour. (Ma, R) A look at a boat collision. 11.15 Born To Kill? John Duffy And David Mulcahy. (MA15+av, R)

12.15 Lipstick Jungle. (Ms, R)

1.15 Travel Oz. (PG, R)

2.00 Home Shopping. (R)

3.30 Million Dollar Minute. (R) 4.00 NBC Today. 5.00 Sunrise 5am News. 5.30 Sunrise.

7TWO (72)

6am Morning Programs.

9.00 Our Town. 9.30 Industry Leaders. 10.00 House Of Wellness. 11.00 Escape To The Country. 1pm The Yorkshire Vet. 2.00 Australia’s Best Backyards. 2.45 The Highland Vet. 3.45 Bondi Vet. 4.45 Escape To The Country. 5.45 Escape To The Perfect Town. 6.45 Escape To The Country. 7.45 Mrs Brown’s Boys.

6.00 9News Sunday.

6.30 The Sunday Project. A look at the day’s news. 7.30 MasterChef Australia. (PGl) A fresh batch of talented and passionate amateur cooks competes to impress the judges. 8.55 Tulsa King. (MA15+v) Dwight returns to New York, but his reunion with family does not go quite as expected. 9.45 FBI. (Masv, R) The team investigates a series of assaults on women, while OA withholds information about his own attack. 11.35 The Sunday Project. (R) A look at the day’s news. 12.30 Home Shopping. (R) 4.30 CBS Mornings. 6am WorldWatch. 9.30 Small Business Secrets. 10.00 VICE Sports. Noon Hudson & Rex. 1.40 Most Expensivest. 2.40 Bamay. 3.00 Untold Australia. 4.05 Blaktrax. 4.35 WorldWatch. 5.00 PBS Washington Week With The Atlantic. 5.25 Alone Denmark. 6.35 Great Australian Walks With Julia Zemiro. 7.35 Abandoned Engineering. 8.30 MH370: The Lost Flight. 9.30 WWE Legends. 11.05 Late Programs. SBS VICELAND (31) 6am Children’s Programs. 7.05pm Karma’s World. 7.20 Bluey. 7.30 MOVIE: Fantastic Mr. Fox. (2009, PG) 8.50 Fresh Off The Boat. 9.55 Doctor Who. 10.40 Merlin. 11.25 BTN High. 11.30 Matthew Bourne’s The Red Shoes. 1.10am Critters TV. 1.20 Operation Ouch! 1.50 Holly Hobbie. 2.10 Hank Zipzer. 2.35 The Next Step. 3.40 Odd Squad. 3.55 Close. 4.00 Moon And Me. 4.20 Teletubbies. 4.35 Late Programs. ABC FAMILY (22)

NITV (34)

6am Morning Programs. Noon Kickin’ Back With Gilbert McAdam. 12.30 Boxing Night To Remember V. 1.30 Rugby League. Koori Knockout. Replay. 2.30 MOVIE: Masters Of The Universe. (1987, PG) 4.25 MOVIE: The Wrecking Crew! (2008, PG) 6.10 News. 6.20 Animal Babies. 7.30 Homesteads. 8.30 Senses Of Cinema. 10.05 MOVIE: I’m Not There. (2007, M) 12.25am Late Programs.

6am The World’s Fastest Indian. (2005, PG) 8.20 Nights In Rodanthe. (2008, PG) 10.05 The Goddess Of Fortune. (2019, M, Italian) 12.15pm St Elmo’s Fire. (1985, M) 2.15 Black Narcissus. (1947, PG) 4.10 The Producers. (1967, PG) 5.50 Mr Holland’s Opus. (1995, PG) 8.30 Mass. (2021, M) 10.35 Any Day Now. (2020, M, Finnish) 12.05am The Pianist. (2002, MA15+) 2.50 Late Programs. SBS WORLD MOVIES (32)

Monday, June 24

ABC TV (2) SBS (3)

7.00 Travel Guides. (PGl)

8.00 60 Minutes. Current affairs program.

9.00 The Murder Of Lyn Dawson: Everything That Glitters. (MA15+al, R) Part 2 of 4. Almost everyone at Cromer High School knew Mr Dawson was having sex with his teenage student.

10.00 Footy Furnace. (Mlv) A look at the latest round of football.

11.00 9News Late.

11.25 Transplant. (MA15+m)

12.15 The Brokenwood Mysteries. (Mamv, R) 2.10 The Lap. (R) 3.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 Believer’s Voice Of Victory. (PGa) 4.30 Drive TV. (R) 5.00 Today Early News. 5.30 Today.

9GEM (92)

My Favorite Martian. 10.30 Getaway. 11.00 NRL Sunday Footy Show. 1pm MOVIE: Last Holiday. (1950) 3.00 Rugby League. NRL. Round 16. Wests Tigers v Canberra Raiders. 6.00 Customs. 6.30 M*A*S*H. 8.30 MOVIE: Runaway Jury. (2003, M) 11.00 Late Programs.

6am Children’s Programs.

2.30pm MOVIE: Barbie Skipper And The Big Babysitting Adventure. (2023) 3.45 MOVIE: Dora And The Lost City Of Gold. (2019, PG) 5.45 MOVIE: The Secret Life Of Pets. (2016) 7.30 MOVIE: Divergent. (2014, M) 10.15 MOVIE: RoboCop. (1987, MA15+) 12.15am Love Island USA. 1.10 Life After Lockup. 2.35 Aussie Snake Wranglers. 3.00 Teen Titans Go! 3.30 Late Programs. 6am Morning Programs. 8.45 Surveillance Oz: Dashcam. 9.00 America’s

6.00 News. 9.00 News. 10.00 Landline. (R) 11.00 Antiques Roadshow. (R) 12.00 ABC News At Noon. 1.00 Australia Remastered. (R) 2.00 Parliament Question Time. 3.00 Tony Armstrong’s Extra-Ordinary Things. (Final, PGl, R) 4.00 Long Lost Family: What Happened Next. (Final, PG, R) 4.45 Grand Designs New Zealand. (R) 5.30 Antiques Roadshow. (R) 6.00 WorldWatch. 9.00 Destination Flavour China Bitesize. (R) 9.15 Paul O’Grady For The Love Of Dogs: What Happened Next. (PG, R) 10.10 Great Canal Journeys. (PG, R) 11.05 Icons. (Man, R) 12.00 Such Was Life. (R) 12.10 WorldWatch. 2.00 Fragile Black Heart. (Ml) 2.40 The Cook Up. (R) 3.10 Such Was Life. 3.20 Oleg: The Oleg Vidov Story. 5.05 Jeopardy! (R) 5.30 Letters And Numbers. (R) 6.00 Sunrise. 9.00 The Morning Show. (PG) 11.30 Seven Morning News. 12.00 To Be Advised. 1.45 Surveillance Oz. (PG, R) 2.15 Catch Phrase. (PG) 3.00 The Chase. 4.00 Seven News At 4. 5.00 The Chase Australia.

8.00 Stuff The British Stole: Australia’s Mummy. (PG) 8.30 Four Corners. Investigative journalism program. 9.15 Media Watch. (PG) Hosted by Paul Barry. 9.35 Monday’s Experts. 10.05 Gruen. (R) 10.40

Question Time.

2.00 Rage New Music. (MA15+adhlnsv) 2.30 Miniseries: The Suspect. (Mal, R) 5.00 Art Works. (PG, R) 5.30 7.30. (R)

6.00 Mastermind Australia.

6.30 SBS World News. 7.35 Amazing Railway Adventures With Nick Knowles: Vietnam. (PGav, R)

8.30 Secrets Of The Tower Of London. (PGa, R) The Tower is struck by tragedy.

9.20 24 Hours In Emergency: Tales Of The Unexpected. (Mal, R) A 45-year-old dislocates her ankle.

10.15 SBS World News Late. 10.45 Of Money And Blood. (MA15+l) 12.40 Sisi. (Mav, R) 2.30 Marry Me, Marry My Family. (PG, R) 4.30 Peer To Peer. (PG, R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

1.50 Late Programs. ABC FAMILY (22) 6am Black Narcissus. Continued. (1947, PG) 6.50 Last Chance Harvey. (2008, PG) 8.35 Young Girls Of Rochefort. (1967, PG, French) 10.55 Black Box.

6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Home And Away. (PGav)

7.30 Dream Home. (PGal) Hosted by Dr Chris Brown.

9.10 Alert: Missing Persons Unit. (Premiere, Mav) Members of Philadelphia PD’s Missing Persons Unit investigate the abduction of a child.

10.10 S.W.A.T. (Mv) The team races to thwart a terror attack.

11.10 The Latest: Seven News. 11.40 Evil By Design: Roots Of Evil. (Malv, R) 12.40 The Event. (Mav, R) 1.35 Kochie’s Business Builders. (R)

2.30 Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 NBC Today.

5.00 Sunrise 5am News. 5.30 Sunrise.

(72)

6.00 Today. 9.00 Today Extra. (PG) 11.30 9News Morning. 12.00 MOVIE: A Bridesmaid In Love. (2022, G, R) 2.00 Pointless. (PG, R) 3.00 Tipping Point. (PG) 4.00 9News Afternoon. 5.00 Tipping Point Australia. (PG)

6.00 9News.

7.00 A Current Affair.

7.30 Do You Want To Live Forever. (PGam)

8.40 Limitless With Chris Hemsworth: Shock. (PGa) Chris Hemsworth heads to the icy Arctic.

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

10.40 9News Late.

11.10 La Brea. (Mav)

12.00 Tipping Point. (PG, R) 1.00 Pointless. (PG, R) 2.00 Hello SA. (PG) 2.30 Global Shop. (R) 3.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 Believer’s Voice Of Victory. (PGa) 4.30 A Current Affair. (R) 5.00 Today Early News. 5.30 Today.

6.00 Deal Or No Deal. 6.30 The Project. A look at the day’s news. 7.30 MasterChef Australia. (PGl) A fresh batch of amateur cooks competes. 8.40 Have You Been Paying Attention? (Malns) Celebrity panellists compete to see who can remember the most about events of the week. 9.40 Aaron Chen Comedy Special.

Tuesday, June 25

Brush With Fame. (PG, R)

10.20 ABC Late News. 10.35 The Business. (R) 10.55 Four Corners. (R) 11.40 Monday’s Experts. (R) 12.10 Media Watch. (PG, R) 12.25 Parliament Question Time. 1.25 Grand Designs New Zealand. (R) 2.10 Miriam & Alan: Lost In Scotland. (Ml, R) 2.55 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv) 3.25 Miniseries: The Suspect. (Ma, R) 5.00 Art Works. (PG, R) 5.30 7.30. (R)

6.00 Mastermind Australia.

6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 Who Do You Think You Are? Heather Ewart. (PGa)

8.30 Insight. Presented by Kumi Taguchi.

9.30 Dateline: Sleuths Of Seoul. A look at South Korea’s obsession with true crime.

10.00 SBS World News Late.

10.30 Living Black. (R)

11.00 Unbroken. (Malv)

12.40 Miniseries: The Night Logan Woke Up. (MA15+dv, R) 3.00 Rosemary’s Way. (PGavw, R) 4.25 Peer To Peer. (PG, R) 4.55 Destination Flavour: Singapore Bitesize. (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 Shaun The Sheep. 7.35 The Inbestigators. 7.50 Little Lunch. 8.05 Fresh Off The Boat. 8.25 Matilda And The Ramsay Bunch. 8.45 BTN Newsbreak. 8.50 Deadly Mission: Shark. 9.20 Planet Expedition. 10.10 Doctor Who. 10.55 Merlin. 11.40 Good Game Spawn Point. 12.30am Rage. 1.35 Critters TV. 1.45 Operation Ouch! 2.15 Holly Hobbie. 2.35 Late Programs.

NITV (34)

6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Home And Away. (PGav)

7.30 Dream Home. (PG) Hosted by Dr Chris Brown.

9.05 The Good Doctor. (Masv) Asher’s views on marriage complicate his future with Jerome.

10.05 Ambulance: Code Red. (Mamv) A boy is injured in a traffic collision.

11.05 The Latest: Seven News.

11.35 The Real Manhunter: The Disappearance Of Maureen Hale. (Mav, R)

12.35 The Disappearance. (Mav, R)

1.35 Harry’s Practice. (R) 2.00 Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 NBC Today. 5.00 Sunrise 5am News. 5.30 Sunrise.

6.00 9News.

7.00 A Current Affair.

7.30 Paramedics. (Mam)

8.30 Under Investigation: Death Of A Model. (Mlv) Presented by Liz Hayes. 9.30 The Murder Of Lynette White. (Mlv) Part 2 of 2. 10.30 9News Late.

11.00 Outback Opal Hunters. (PGl, R) 11.50 Chicago Med. (MA15+am)

12.40 Tipping Point. (PG, R)

1.35 Pointless. (PG, R) 2.30 Business Drive. (R) 3.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 Believer’s Voice Of Victory. (PGa) 4.30 A Current Affair. (R) 5.00 Today Early News. 5.30 Today.

6.00 Deal Or No Deal. Hosted by Grant Denyer. 6.30 The Project. A look at the day’s news. 7.30 MasterChef Australia. A fresh batch of amateur cooks competes. 8.40 The Cheap Seats. (Mal) Presenters Melanie Bracewell and Tim McDonald take a look at the week that was. 9.40 NCIS. (Mav, R) Jimmy and Kasie are exposed to a deadly bio-toxin while investigating the death of an intruder at Quantico. 10.40 10’s Late News. 11.05 The Project. (R) 12.05 The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. (PG) 1.00 Home Shopping. (R) 4.30 CBS Mornings. 6am WorldWatch. 10.00 Most Expensivest. Noon WorldWatch. 12.30 UFOs. 1.10 Lee Lin Chin’s Fashionista. 1.20 Curious Australia. 1.50 The Bee Whisperer. 2.50 Kickin’ Back With Gilbert McAdam. 3.25 WorldWatch. 5.20 Underground Worlds. 6.15 Forged In Fire. 7.05 Jeopardy! 7.40 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown. 8.30 Alone. 9.40 Dark Side Of The Ring. 11.30 Late Programs.

SBS WORLD MOVIES (32) 6am Morning Programs. 2pm Shortland St. 2.30 The Cook Up. 3.00 Jarjums. 4.35 Motown Magic. 5.00 Our Stories. 5.30 Indian Country Today News. 6.00 Bamay. 6.30 News. 6.40 Arabian Inferno. 7.30 The Kings. 8.30 The Rap Game UK. 9.25 Black As. 9.30 Over The Black Dot. 10.20 Rugby League. English Super League. Hull FC v Warrington Wolves. Replay. 12.20am Late Programs.

ABC FAMILY (22) 6am Footy Legends. Continued. (2006, PG) 7.35 Mr Holland’s Opus. (1995, PG) 10.10 Any Day Now. (2020, M, Finnish) 11.40 Mass. (2021, M) 1.45pm Bye Bye Birdie. (1963, PG) 3.50 Young Girls Of Rochefort. (1967, PG, French) 6.15 All At Sea. (2010, PG) 7.50 Drunken Tai Chi. (1984, M, Cantonese) 9.30 Operation Napoleon. (2023, M) 11.40 Late Programs.

Wednesday, June 26

ABC TV (2) SBS (3)

6.00 News Breakfast. 9.00 ABC News Mornings. 10.00 Four Corners. (R) 11.00 Antiques Roadshow. (R) 12.00 ABC News At Noon. 12.30 National Press Club Address. 1.35 Media Watch. (PG, R) 2.00 Parliament Question Time. 3.00 A Dog’s World With Tony Armstrong. (R) 3.55 Miriam & Alan: Lost In Scotland. (PG, R) 4.40 Grand Designs New Zealand. (R) 5.30 Antiques Roadshow. (R)

6.30 Hard Quiz. (PG, R)

7.00 ABC News.

7.30 7.30.

8.00 Hard Quiz. (PG)

8.30 Gruen. Presented by Wil Anderson. 9.05 Austin. (PG, R) Julian goes on a tour with Austin.

9.35 Spicks And Specks. (PG, R) Hosted by Adam Hills.

10.05 Planet America. (Final)

10.40 ABC Late News. 10.55 The Business. (R) 11.10 Wreck. (MA15+v, R) 12.45 Parliament Question Time. 1.50 Grand Designs New Zealand. (R) 2.35 Miriam & Alan: Lost In Scotland. (Mls, R) 3.25 Parkinson In Australia. (PG, R) 4.30 Landline. (R) 5.00 Art Works. (PG, R) 5.30 7.30. (R)

6am Morning Programs. 9.00 Harry’s Practice. 9.30 NBC Today. Noon Better Homes. 1.00 Escape To The Country. 2.00 Creek To Coast. 2.30 Auction Squad. 3.30 Harry’s Practice. 4.00 Medical Emergency. 4.30 Better Homes. 5.30 Escape To The Country. 6.30 Bargain Hunt. 7.30 Call The Midwife. 8.45 A Touch Of Frost. 10.20 The Yorkshire Steam Railway: All Aboard. 11.20 Late Programs.

7TWO (72) 6am Children’s Programs. Noon Resto My Ride Australia. 1.00

6am Morning Programs. 7.30 Skippy. 8.00 TV Shop. 9.30 Newstyle Direct. 10.00 TV Shop. 10.30 Pointless. 11.30 My Favorite Martian. Noon Days Of Our Lives. 12.55 The Young And The Restless. 1.50 Saved & Remade. 2.50 Antiques Roadshow. 3.20 MOVIE: Kind Hearts And Coronets. (1949, PG) 5.30 Yorkshire Auction House. 6.30 Antiques Roadshow. 7.30 New Tricks. 8.40 Agatha Christie’s Marple. 10.40 Late Programs. 9GEM (92)

(34)

PG) 9.30

6.00 WorldWatch. 9.15 Paul O’Grady For The Love Of Dogs Xmas. (PG, R) 10.10 Great Canal Journeys. (PG, R) 11.05 Icons. (PG, R) 12.00 WorldWatch. 2.00 Dateline. (R) 2.30 Insight. (R) 3.30 The Point: Road To Referendum History Bites. (R) 3.35 Such Was Life. (PG, R) 3.40 The Cook Up. (R) 4.10 Scenic Coastal Walks With Kate Humble. (R) 5.05 Jeopardy! (R) 5.30 Letters And Numbers. (R)

6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R)

6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 Concorde: The Race For Supersonic. (PGa, R) Part 1 of 2. 9.20 This Town. (Final, MA15+sv) The pressures that formed the band threaten to destroy it before it even gets on stage.

10.25 SBS World News Late. 11.00 Don’t Leave Me. (Malv) 12.55 UFOs. (PGa, R) 3.05 Diversity Theatre Project:Transformation. (PGa, R) 3.45 Peer To Peer. (R) 4.45 Destination Flavour: Singapore Bitesize. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

(7)

6.00 Sunrise. 9.00 The Morning Show. (PG) 11.30 Seven Morning News. 12.00 To Be Advised. 1.30 Border Security: International. (PG, R) 2.00 Motorbike Cops. (PGl, R) 2.15 Catch Phrase. (PG) 3.00 The Chase. 4.00 Seven News At 4. 5.00 The Chase Australia.

6.00 Seven News.

7.00 Home And Away. (PGa)

7.30 The 1% Club UK. (PG) Hosted by Lee Mack.

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

9.30 Talking Footy. A look at the week’s AFL news, hosted by Trent Cotchin, Joel Selwood and Mitch Cleary.

10.30 The Latest: Seven News. 11.00 Unbelievable Moments Caught On Camera. (PGa, R)

12.00 Dracula. (MA15+hv)

1.00 Travel Oz. (PG, R)

2.00 Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 NBC Today.

5.00 Sunrise 5am News. 5.30 Sunrise.

6.00 Today. 9.00 Today Extra. (PG) 11.30 9News Morning. 12.00 MOVIE: Benny & Joon. (1993, PGal, R) 2.00 Pointless. (PG, R) 3.00 Tipping Point. (PG, R) 4.00 9News Afternoon. 5.00 Tipping Point Australia. (PG)

6.00 9News.

7.00 Rugby League. State of Origin. Game 2. New South Wales v Queensland.

10.00 State Of Origin Post-Match. A wrap-up of the State of Origin clash.

11.00 The Big Break. A look at Australia’s Olympic breakers.

12.00 The Equalizer. (MA15+av, R)

1.00 Tipping Point. (PG, R)

2.00 Drive TV. (R)

2.30 Global Shop. (R)

3.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)

4.00 Believer’s Voice Of Victory. (PGa)

4.30 Fishing Australia. (R) 5.00 Today Early News. 5.30 Today.

6.00 Deal Or No Deal. Hosted by Grant Denyer. 6.30 The Project. A look at the day’s news. 7.30 MasterChef Australia. A fresh batch of amateur cooks competes. 8.40 NCIS: Sydney. (Mv) A glitzy tech launch turns into a disaster, leaving half of the NCIS team trapped underground. 9.40 FBI: International. (Mv) The FBI fly team heads to Monaco. 10.40 10’s Late News. 11.05 The Project. (R) 12.05 The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. (PG) 1.00 Home Shopping. (R) 4.30 CBS Mornings. 6am WorldWatch. 10.00 Most Expensivest. Noon WorldWatch. 12.30 Gaycation. 1.25 See What You Made Me Do Forum. 2.25 The Inside Story. 2.55 Where Are You Really From? 3.25 WorldWatch. 5.25 Underground Worlds. 6.20 Forged In Fire. 7.05 Jeopardy! 7.35 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown. 8.30 MOVIE: In The Line Of Fire. (1993, MA15+) 10.50 Loch Ness: They Created A Monster. 12.35am Late Programs. SBS VICELAND (31) 6am Children’s Programs. 7.20pm Bluey. 7.30 Shaun The Sheep. 7.35 The Inbestigators. 7.50 Little Lunch. 8.05 Fresh Off The Boat. 8.25 Matilda And The Ramsay Bunch. 8.45 BTN Newsbreak. 8.50 Mythbusters “There’s Your Problem!”. 9.15 Robot Wars. 10.15 Doctor Who. 11.00 Merlin. 11.45 Good Game Spawn Point. 12.35am Rage. 1.35 Critters TV. 1.45 Operation Ouch! 2.15 Late Programs. ABC FAMILY (22) 6am The Movie Show. 6.15 All At Sea. (2010, PG) 7.55 Shaolin Soccer. (2001, PG, Cantonese) 10.00 North Sea. (2021, M, Norwegian) Noon Undine. (2020, M, German) 1.40 Footy Legends. (2006, PG) 3.20 My Best Friend’s Wedding. (2016, PG, Mandarin) 5.00 Time Bandits. (1981, PG) 7.10 The Fifth Element. (1997, PG) 9.30 The Outpost. (2019, MA15+) 11.45 Late Programs. SBS WORLD MOVIES (32) 6am Morning Programs. 1.50pm Kutcha’s Carpool Koorioke. 2.00 Shortland

American History X. (1998, MA15+) 11.35 Late Programs.

Don’t

WESTERN PORT WRITES

Western Port Writes is coming: 6–8 September 2024

THERE’S a new festival in town. Over three days from Friday 6 to Sunday 8 September, the inaugural Western Port Writes Literary Festival is bringing readers and writers together for a weekend of author conversations, writer panels, book readings and signings, and community events, with a theme of Celebrating Stories.

The community-based, volunteer-led festival aims to increase arts access in the Western Port region – to showcase local writing talent and share stories connected to this part of the Mornington Peninsula.

Designed to be ‘local’ it will be an accessible festival held in special places that the community knows and loves. It invites readers to meet writers and hear their stories, many with a link to the history of the Peninsula and Western Port.

Who’s appearing?

A talented lineup of established and emerging writers is taking part, including local authors Vikki Petraitis, Wendy Orr, Christian White, Megan Rogers, Coral Vass, Jaclyn Crupi, Amy Minichiello, Fiona Hammond, Christine Balint, Danielle Binks, Jac Semmler and William McInnes.

Writers from beyond the Peninsula include Sophie Cunningham, Kate Mildenhall, Jon Faine, Trish Bolton, Imbi Neeme and Harry Saddler.

Festival happenings

Festival events will take place in Bittern, Balnarring and Somers, including a Welcome to Country at Coolart Wetlands and Homestead; Community Storytime evening at Balnarring Hall (get your story started now – write a Letter to Western Port); children’s sessions with muchloved authors; a Crime Night dinner at Somers Yacht Club; and a special Wine and Words closing event.

Bittern Hall, Friday 6 September: The first day of the festival is dedicated to publishing –it’s for writers with a story to tell the world or maybe just their close circle.

Balnarring Hall, Friday Night 6 September: Community Storytime is a night of live readings and music. We’re inviting locals to write a Letter to Western Port – and perhaps to read it live on stage.

Coolart Wetlands and Homestead, Saturday 7 September: The second day is a magical exploration of storytelling, history, nature and environment, cooking and gardening, and delights for children.

Somers Yacht Club, Sunday 8 September: The final day is for lit lovers – delving into themes of character, climate, the places that grew us, and the complications of writing other lives.

The Festival Program, all artists and events will be revealed in early July, when tickets go on sale.

Schools Program

Primary schools in the region are invited to join a Schools Program, with children writing a story on life in Western Port. The brief is wide! From nature and the environment, birds, sea life and the beach, to their town and the things they love to do. We’re looking for stories that capture a child’s view of life in Western Port.

Be part of the festival

Like to volunteer? It’s a great way to enjoy the festival behind the scenes. If you’re interested REGISTER at the festival website.

Program

and Tickets

Don’t miss the inaugural Western Port Writes Literary Festival. The Festival Program will be released in early July when tickets go on sale. Subscribe to receive festival updates and early bird tickets. Visit the festival website for latest news and author reveals.

To find out more, visit our website: www.westernportwrites.com.au Contact us: hello@westernportwrites.com.au

Landowners can help meet shire’s tree target

Mornington Peninsula Shire council is to be commended on the quality of its draft Urban Forest Strategy (Bid to avoid tree ‘recession’, The News, 4/6/24). The strategy reports that tree canopy cover in the shire ranges from 14 per cent at Safety Beach to 50 per cent at Arthurs Seat; that areas with more canopy cover are cooler and have higher levels of community health; and that properties in tree-lined streets are valued up to 30 per cent higher than those without.

The goal to raise average tree canopy cover from 37 per cent to 45 per cent by 2034 is ambitious but worth the effort given the last 12 months have been the hottest global average monthly temperatures on record.

But because only 20 per cent of the shire is public land, a significant improvement in tree canopy can be made by private landowners. Visiting mornpen.gov.au/urbanforest, completing the short online survey, downloading the strategy, and participating in a chat session or webinar are good ways to get involved and help turn around the peninsula’s past canopy decline (1.5 per cent between 2014 and 2018).

Save the trees

Ray Peck, Hawthorn

Well done to Mornington Peninsula Shire Council for the draft plan for reducing the loss of trees on the Mornington Peninsula (Bid to avoid tree ‘recession’, The News, 4/6/24).

A great place to start would be the better enforcement of fines for the reckless residents who are removing native trees at a rapid rate. Every day full blocks are cleared of the protected coastal moonah and tea tree, fence line to fence line in Blairgowrie, Sorrento and Rye. Fines are so low, and the council seems reluctant or under-resourced to enforce them

The beauty of our peninsula is at risk of being lost to the suburban dream.

Mary Mey, Blairgowrie

Courtesy missing

I write as a resident of Hastings for the past 58 years, chair of the committee of the former

Southern Cross Aged Care Hostel, out of interest and concern for the lack of public consultation or announcement of the sale of The Bays Aged Care in Hastings.

Added to that concern is the fact that I have been made aware that no invitation was extended to a recent volunteer’s morning tea to Janice Danaher OAM a life member recognised for her numerous years of service as a Pink Lady at Hastings Bush Nursing Hospital aged care.

I make particular reference to the former Hastings Bush Nursing Hospital founded in the 1930s by the late Dr Haywood and over the ensuing years, up until amalgamation with The Bays, was extensively funded and supported by the local Hastings and district community.

The descendants of those pioneer families still retain a great interest in their hospital and in my humble opinion are more than rightfully deserving of the courtesy of being kept abreast of the future changes which the board of The Bays Healthcare Group have sanctioned to occur with the transfer of responsibility for aged care services to Apollo Care.

While I understand the demands and complexity of supply of aged care and the need of The Bays to direct funding to acute hospital needs and development of the new cancer care centre, I strongly believe the community of Hastings and the Western Port district are owed an apology for the fact that to date no formal public announcement was made.

Brian L Stahl OAM JP, Hastings

Tale of two captains

Captain Francesco Schettino (Costa Concordia) deserted his ship when it was in dire straits. On his watch: 32 people died, many others had their lives changed forever. Several investigations were undertaken, and Schettino is serving 16 years’ jail time.

The way I see it, former Victorian premier Daniel Andrews deserted the good ship Victoria when it was in dire straits.

There has been no in-depth review of the critical decisions made and their consequences, State debt reached record levels, projects are over budget and overdue and Andrews is given

Don’t

A

Dear Reader,

When Covid hit in 2020, community newspapers across the country faced an existential threat. Businesses were curtailed or forced to close due to lockdowns, advertising revenue dried up and hundreds of community newspapers across the country closed. Many forever.

At the beginning of the pandemic, I made a promise to our readers. We would keep publishing. No matter what. And that is what we did. We kept our promise and saw the pandemic through, never missing a single weekly edition.

About 18 months ago, a new, even greater threat emerged. Newsprint, the paper we print on, began to quickly rise in price. It has now risen to be 80% higher than it was before and during Covid. Community newspapers across the country are again in crisis and papers are again closing on a weekly basis.

My team and I are dedicated to providing the best local news we can to the Mornington Peninsula. But it is time to ask for your help.

Readers! We need you to do one thing for us. We need you to

the country’s highest honour. Schettino must be wondering whether he would have earned a medal for navigation if his “accident” had happened coming through the Port Phillip Heads.

Jack Wheeler, Mornington

Award undeserved

Over the Kings Birthday weekend [former Victorian premier] Dan Andrews received Australia’s most prestigious award. What were the people thinking when they recommended his award?

This award goes to a man who I regard as being unable run a bath, turned one cent into a billion dollars and made $20 million disappear into thin air.

Was this award for his magic or coupled with other issues for inept and poor management of projects during his time in office, or for the person who I see as being the most incompetent in Australia’s pollical history to date?

The Kings Birthday awards and honours are presented to the country’s citizens from all walks of life for saving a life, improving our lives and working towards a better life for all Australians. Indeed, recent newspaper polls show the majority of Victorian’s were disgusted with this situation.

It was and still is the talk of the town and a petition was started on social media, quite rightly, asking for his award to be rescinded.

Bruce White, Safety Beach

Waiting for history

While in Hastings I took the opportunity to visit the Hastings and Westernport Museum.

I found the museum very interesting and learnt a lot about the area in bygone days.However, I was disappointed that the cottage was not open to view.

When I asked the attendant, he explained that the cottage was not structurally safe and as the buildings were owned by Mornington Peninsula Shire Council, the society was waiting for them to fix the building so it could be opened again to the public.

It would have been of interest to me. I am sure other people would be interested in seeing the cottage. We do not realise how people lived in the 19th and early 20th centuries, and it would be an education to see how different our living conditions today are from that period.

I imagine school children and holidaymakers would visit the museum and would also be interested in seeing the cottage and learning about

our past history and actually see how our living standards have altered.

I do hope the council will soon fix the cottage. It may be some time before I can visit the region again, but I will try and make it to the museum again and hopefully look over the cottage and fulfill my vision of early Western Port family living. Heather Mackay, Heidelburg

Banking on Post

The closure of the Australia Post Office in Wells Street, Frankston has come about as the regional banking senate inquiry has made it recommendations which include a postal bank being established which would give Australia Post revenue to keep open post offices and have the postal service continue.

Frankston Council did not make a submission to the inquiry.

The postal bank would give the banks competition and thus would drive down interest rates and keep bank branches open.

Post offices would be the branches of the postal bank.

While banks are deliberately removing cash from our economy without a vote of the Australian people if they want this to happen or not and closing bank branches.

There is very little competition in the banking industry and with only four major banks you can be assured that interest rates will remain high for some time. Russell Morse, Karingal

Drones don’t smoke

The extraordinary popularity of the Vivid light shows in Sydney has exploded this year, but quietly, thanks to the Love is in the Air drone presentations. Beautiful, colourful figures light up the sky, without the detonations of fireworks that cause such distress to so many companion animals (and many humans).

The success of the drones has shown us an obvious truth – celebrations like New Year and Australia Day could be so much better without the sudden explosions that horrify dogs and cats and cause terrified birds to abandon their nests and fly into buildings, and other animals to flee their burrows or run into traffic. Not to mention the smoke that hangs over the city afterwards and pollutes our lungs.

Fireworks are so last century. Let’s get into the modern era, dump the bangers for celebratory events, and replace them with clean, quiet drones.

Dr Desmond Bellamy, PETA Australia

support those businesses that support us. Those businesses support local news in your community!

Businesses! We need you to do one thing for us. Support Western Port News with your advertising. It is a great way to support your local community, and build your business while doing it. Call our sales representative, Ricky Thompson, on 0425 867 578 or email ricky@ mpnews.com.au

Without a local newspaper, there are no efficient means to check the decisions of the powerful and create accountability. Without a local newspaper, the fabric that holds a community together suffers. Without a local newspaper, the individual identity of the area is diminished.

The Western Port News needs your support to thrive and grow through unprecedented challenges. Let’s work together and make it happen!

Thank you for your support, Cameron McCullough - Publisher

Western Port

Care to remaining independent living at home

LIVING independently at home

is a priority for many Australians, especially during challenging times. Home Care Packages offer valuable support to achieve this, by providing a variety of services which are funded by the Government.

The thing is, because they are such a great help, they are popular, and you have to wait your turn in a queue to receive a Government Home Care Package. On the flip side, some people feel that by getting “help” they’re going to relinquish their independence.

That’s understandable since most of us are private and like to do things our own way. The reality is that being pragmatic, and getting help with the things you may be finding more

difficult to do, allows you to focus on your health and wellbeing, helping you stay at home. Besides, if you find a nice carer, you could make a great friend for life. A terrific shopping or coffee buddy!

Recently, the Government announced that there would be 24,100 new Home Care Packages released next financial year. This is wonderful news and means that you’re more likely to receive a package sooner. You’ll be lined up in a shorter queue! However, as we know, the population is ageing, and getting a Home Care Package is bound to be an increasingly popular and important thing to do. That’s why it’s time to get involved and make sure you can get

the help you need, before it’s too late. There’s one more tip to optimising your home care experience; it’s crucial to connect your carers with your medical clinic for the best outcomes. This is the secret sauce! By having everyone talking together and working together, you’re most likely to get to the best outcome for your life. One way to do this is by learning about how to use telehealth. I’m not talking about just a phone call. I’m talking about connecting from home with your medical team using video on an iPad or other device for example. If you need any help to use telehealth at home, ask your carers to get involved. They can be a great resource this way and, by support-

Your house

Mark & Sylvie's Home Care understands how important home is. That's why we offer personalised support, allowing you or your loved ones to live independently at home in familiar surroundings.

Our friendly caregivers go beyond daily living assistance. We provide an integrated approach by coordinating with your GP and medical providers.

Contact us today to find out how we can help you achieve healthy independence.

ing you in consultations with your GP, your carer can advocate for you. So if ever you’re not quite right, by connecting with your GP (perhaps using telehealth!), your carer may be able to help you get treated and get better, in a timely way. That may just be what it takes to avoid ending up in hospital! Which is a good outcome for everyone.

Keep in mind also, if you’re finding it more difficult to get to medical appointments, your carer can drive you there. This can be much easier than getting a taxi.

As a GP myself, I understand the importance of ageing well at home. Helping support my patients as they age to live independently at home has

become my driving passion. Heck, I love my home, and I know for most of us, that’s where we want to live for as long as possible. Naturally! Indeed, that’s why I established our own home care service, Mark & Sylvie’s Home Care. With our background in health, we know the importance of connecting your home care and health care, helping you reach healthy independence.

Remember, with more Home Care Packages just released, the best time to apply is now.

Call us on 1300 888 256 or visit our website at www.mshomecare.com.au to learn more and get started. We’re here to help and would love to hear from you.

Councillors sack shire engineer

Compiled by Cameron McCullough

AT a late hour on Friday night last during the sitting of the council, Cr. Oates moved his famous resolution, that the services of the Shire Engineer be dispensed with, giving him one month’s notice, and, if carried, applications for a consulting engineer be invited. In speaking to his motion, Cr. Oates said he regretted the leading article which had appeared in the local paper (“The Standard”).

He did not think it should have been printed, especially as that paper was the official organ of the council.

His reason for moving in such a direction was that, today, the very first tender called for, Cr. Alden had asked where they were going to get the money to carry it out.

“We have got to stop works and pull right up,” contended Cr. Oates.

“We had a job to get £40 to spend in our own riding. As business men,” he went on, “representing the ratepayers, how can we keep going paying for the services of an engineer when we have, practically, no works to do”.

It is not a pleasure to me to move this, or take part in a discussion, but we are put here by the ratepayers to see that their interests are looked after, and if we have got no money for our engineer to spend, how can we ask the ratepayers to pay this money away?” further queried Cr. Gates.

On these grounds he had moved the resolution.

Cr. Oates resumed his seat, after which a painful silence ensued, broken only by the crackling embers of the fire in the gra(ea)te object of resolve –the economic brain-wave.

Possibly mental telepathy began to

play havoc in the minds of the other councillors around the table, and wireless thoughts reverted to the times, without number, when an astute and fully-qualified engineer’s advice had saved them from many pitfalls.

Then the President asked: Any seconder to that motion?

Cr. Longmuir: I will second it. On account of the financial position at the present time, he averred, we have got to keep expenses down. He also referred to overhead charges.

Cr. Alden: In duty bound, I must support this motion. There is no doubt but that our overhead charges are all out of reason.

Cr. Wells asked Cr. Gates what salary he suggested should be paid a consulting engineer, and what commission ?

Cr. Oates: I believe that we can employ one at £3 a day. Some other councils are doing this with no commission at all. On what work w have to do in the course of the next two years there will be very little money spent.

He expressed the opinion that the services of the consulting engineer two or three days a month would suffice. (Sensation).

***

MR. PULLEN, manager of the quarry, run under the auspices of the Shire Council, appears to be a most capable man, actuated by a keen conception of what is required to make a success of the job over which he supervises responsible control, and what is more, he is a person of few words.

What he bluntly told the councillors at their monthly meeting last Friday night convincingly proved the assertion.

“The quarry is alright,” he said, “but the plant is not. Unless something is done it will come to an end.”

Such was his opinion, and it conveyed a lot.

“If the council could do the whole plant up,” he suggested, it would prove to be a paying proposition.”

The wiseacres of the Local Government body listened to the brief and concise ultimatum of the manager.

He, at their request, had appeared among them that auspicious evening, he knew, moreover, what he was talking about; for once they understood, and Mr. Pullen conquered.

Cr. Mason (ever on the alert): What is the present output?

Mr. Pullen (succinctly): Eighty a day.

Cr. Mason: And if the proposed alterations were made, what then?

Mr. Pullen: Nearly a hundred and fifty.

The Shire Engineer (Lieut.-Colonel Lazarus) supplemented further invaluable information on the matter.

Cr. McCulloch referred to an inspection made at the quarry, and gave forth the dictum that the belt and the winch were done. Another thing, there was only one crusher. However, there remained a point to remember, namely, “shifting of the quarry,” as he termed it.

The present winch would not be required. He knew of a winch that could be “got for a song.” Last month, he stated, the quarry, showed a profit, which it had never done before.

Finally, it was resolved that a new crusher and belt be secured.

The matter of the winch was left in the hands of Cr. McCulloch to try and

GALLERY TALK

This month the gallery will be a hive of activity, as we open our winter exhibitions to the public on Saturday 22 June. We also celebrate the completion of a significant new sculpture in the gallery grounds.

News From Nowhere: Lisa Walker & Brendan Huntley is a delightful offering of objects, paintings and works on paper that invites you to connect with the playful side of art and contemplate our relationship with it.

Works from the MPRG collection have been curated by Leah Ferguson in Both Body & Not. Through the lens of Hundertwasser’s theory of the five ‘skins’, Both Body & Not is an introspective approach to examining the spaces we inhabit and our relationships with the objects and environments around us. In our foyer gallery we present the work of Merricks-based artist Marion Harper in Restless Encounter

We are also excited to unveil a new site-responsive permanent sculpture by leading Australian artist Cameron Robbins. A monolithic, wind-powered kinetic sculpture, Aeolian Beacon is anchored within a landscape designed by local ecologist Gidja Walker OAM,

featuring indigenous flora and large rocks as markers for the alignment of seasonal solstice and equinox events. This commission has been supported by the Victorian Government through Creative Victoria.

For public programs, we have artist talks, jewellery-making and hand-building clay workshops and school holiday programs. Check the events page on our website for dates and details.

We look forward to welcoming you to the gallery over winter.

Julia Young MPRG Acting Director

obtain same for £20.

In short, Mr. Pullen had come, he had perceived, and he conquered! ***

Express Train Strikes Jinker - Occupants Escape Injury

Crossing over the Frankston Road open level crossing at Dandenong, about midday on Saturday, the South Eastern Gippsland Express crashed into a jinker containing two men that was being driven over the crossing.

The occupants of the jinker, Messrs. W. Thomas and J Thompson, of Somerville, were thrown from the jinker clear of the path of the train and escaped injury.

The jinker was completely destroyed.

***

WE are pleased to report that Mr. John Hay has sufficiently, recovered from the operation which he underwent in Melbourne, and is able to return to his home in Frankston. ***

WE understand that Mr. A. B. Morris, who underwent a very severe operation in Melbourne last week, is making good progress. We wish him a speedy recovery.

***

WE are pleased to state that Master Ian Evans, who sustained a cut in one of his legs last week, and had several stiches inserted by Dr. Hilliard Johnson, is progressing favorably, in as much, that on Sunday Dr. Johnson was able to remove one of the stitches.

***

LAST Friday, subsequent to the luncheon adjournment, some of the councillors paid a visit of inspection to Oliver’s Hill, in connection with the

water problem, which has become a vexed question.

In order to rectify matters, and cover the work necessary on a proper basis, it was estimated that the outlay would involve an expenditure of between £200 and £300.

Later in the day, Cr. Bradbury moved at the council table, that the matter be placed before the Country Roads Board to have it attended to.

It was stated that the Board had promised to send an engineer along for the purpose of inspection of the work required, but, so far, had not done so.

***

Frankston Football Club – Committee Meeting

The committee of the Frankston Football Club held its usual weekly meeting on Thursday evening at the Frankston House, there being present – Messrs. E. McComb (in the chair), Baxter, Willox, Wykes, Golds, Watkins, Gamble, Oates, Shannon, Young and Coxall (hon. sec.).

At the request of the committee, Mr Jack May was in attendance and the matter of the dispute between that gentleman and the club was fully discussed, and it was evident that no slight had been intended by the selection committee to Mr. May.

The matter was amicably settled, and Mr. May’s resignation withdrawn. It was agreed to write to Norm Dess, asking if he would be available for selection in the team during the season. Other routine business was gone through and the meeting terminated.

***

From the pages of the Frankston and Somerville Standard, 18 & 20 Jun 1924

Artist Lisa Walker is hosting a jewellerymaking workshop at MPRG on Monday 24 June

PUZZLE ZONE

scoreboard

Big result for Bulldogs, Hastings snatch a win

MPNFL

By Brodie Cowburn

MEN'S DIV ONE

MORNINGTON scored a vital win over Pines last weekend.

The Bulldogs looked refreshed on Saturday after a week off. They raced out to a four goal lead by half-time.

A five-goals-to-zero third term put Pines back in the hunt. The Pythons trailed by just one point heading into the final quarter.

Mornington held their nerve to secure the win. They scored the first three goals of the term, and went on to grab a 12.15 (87) to 9.16 (70) victory.

Matthew Caine scored four important goals for the Bulldogs. Mitchell Bluhn and Ryan Falvo were also named among the best.

The win puts Mornington on 10 points for the 2024 season. They still sit last, but are now just two points behind Langwarrin and four behind Pines.

Mt Eliza tightened their grip on second place with a comfortable win over Frankston YCW on Saturday.

Mt Eliza went into the first break at John Coburn Oval ahead by seven points. The Redlegs stretched their lead out to three goals by half-time.

In the second half Mt Eliza continued to pile on the pressure. They went on to beat Frankston YCW by 30 points - 7.6 (48) to 11.12 (78).

Christopher Carey, Justin Davies, and Thomas Freeman were named Mt Eliza’s best.

Langwarrin had a good day at Baxter Park on Saturday. They beat Frankston Bombers by 59 points 4.12 (36) to 14.11 (95).

MEN'S DIV TWO

HASTINGS came from behind to upset Bonbeach and claim their first win of the season last weekend.

Hastings has been plagued by off-field issues in 2024, which has affected their on-field performance. They travelled to Bonbeach on Saturday looking to score their first victory of the year.

Bonbeach looked comfortable in the first quarter, and raced out to a four goal lead. Hastings battled hard for the rest of the match to stay in the hunt, but still trailed by 16 points heading into the final term.

Hastings made their move in the final quarter. They booted the last six goals of the game to snatch a thrilling seven point

win - 9.14 (68) to 11.9 (75).

Luke Clark was awesome for Hastings, booting four goals. Bradley Kovac, Jake Hewitt, Patrick Wilson, and Luca Hagai also starred in the comeback victory.

Crib Point defeated Devon Meadows in a thriller last weekend.

The Magpies and Panthers are both enjoying strong seasons, and are in contention for finals. They faced off at Glover Reserve on Saturday.

The two sides were equally matched all day long - scores were level at the quarter time and half time breaks, and Crib Point led by five heading into the final term.

Devon Meadows went a point ahead in the final quarter, but didn’t hold onto the lead for long. With the game on the line, Crib Point stood tall.

The Magpies booted two late goals to claim a 9.12 (66) to 11.11 (77) win. Liam Tyrell was named best on ground for his four-goal effort.

Chelsea and Edithvale-Aspendale both continued their winning ways on Saturday. Chelsea pumped Seaford by 68 points, and Edi-Asp smashed Tyabb by 59.

Pearcedale defeated Karingal by 40 points at Kinetic Stadium in Frankston last weekend. The first clash between those teams earlier this season was marred by a racism scandal, which Pearcedale was swiftly punished for.

Somerville beat Rye by 66 points to close out the round.

WOMEN'S DIV ONE

FRANKSTON gave the undefeated Warragul Industries a scare on Sunday, but ended up falling short.

Frankston shocked the home side in the first half. They held Warragul scoreless in the first term, and ended up taking a fivepoint lead into the main break.

Warragul Industries were a better side in the second half. They showed the ability that has put them on top of the ladder this season, and held Frankston scoreless for the rest of the game.

Warragul Industries ran away with a 5.9 (39) to 3.5 (23) win. Lily Van Berkel, Abbie Hoiberg-Cox, Kelly O'Neill, Nikia Webber, and Ahlee Penry were their best - Webber booted four of her side’s five goals.

Karingal picked up a comfortable win over Pearcedale on Saturday. The Bulls won 11.8 (74) to 4.4 (28).

Seaford dispatched Mornington White 4.7 (31) to 12.5 (77) last weekend. Mornington Blue had a bye.

Flying high: Mornington grabbed a much-needed win over Pines. Picture: Alan Dillon

WESTERN PORT scoreboard

Langy stalemate, Skye moves up

SOCCER

By Craig MacKenzie

A POINT for Langwarrin and three precious points for Skye United – these were the outcomes for the only two local teams in action last week.

VPL1 outfit Langwarrin had to rely on a James Kelly penalty conversion to share the spoils with visitors Melbourne City at Lawton Park on Saturday.

Early on Arion Soulemani and Ben Dunbar were the main threats to the Langy defence but on the stroke of half-time a stunning piece of close control from Kavian Rahmani broke the deadlock.

The lanky winger motored down the left then cut inside jinking his way past a series of opponents before sliding a short cutback into the path of Soulemani who had the simple task of tapping the ball into goal at the near post.

Langy hit back 20 minutes into the second half through beanpole central defender Lucas Portelli who headed home following a Luke Goulding corner.

Langwarrin should have led in the 70th minute after City keeper Lachie Charles brought down Tom Youngs inside the area but Charles saved Youngs’ conversion attempt.

In the 78th minute Charles brought down Youngs inside the area again but this time James Kelly took charge of proceedings and his spot kick made it 2-1.

But the visitors hit back just three minutes later.

City substitute Lawrence Wong surged forward in midfield and from distance let fly with a low bouncing left-foot shot that evaded the dive of Langy keeper Griffin Bambach and snuck inside the far post.

Meanwhile Skye United’s 3-2 home win on Thursday night against Greater Dandenong allowed the local side to leapfrog its relegation rival into 10th spot on the State 2 South-East ladder. Skye head coach Phil McGuinness was unavailable so recently appointed senior assistant Alex Rojas took the reins along with Travis Mitchell.

The best chance of a cagey first half came from a corner which Skye captain Marcus Collier headed just wide.

The second half was a different affair and three goals in 10 minutes transformed this contest.

In the 57th minute the visitors countered well with Muhammad Ali on hand to steer home the opener.

Five minutes later it was 1-1 after Collier wriggled free following a corner and managed to stab home a loose ball.

A few minutes after the restart Mahdi Khanmohammadi who was playing against his former club won possession and struck a shot from distance which Greater Dandenong keeper Andrew Mensah failed to deal with.

The final half-hour was frantic as Skye attempted to keep its opponent at bay and although the visitors hit the bar and had numerous chances to level Skye held on for a much-needed win.

Last week was a fixtured catch-up round throughout State Leagues and with most of our community clubs inactive it presented an opportunity to conduct a mid-season assessment of all 13 State League locals.

Each club has been graded with C being a minimum grade for a pass.

An A grading is excellent, B is good, C satisfactory and D a failure.

Clubs are listed in order of league status starting with the Seagulls in State 1.

MORNINGTON

Grade: C–

No-one of sound mind could have predicted that Mornington would be in

Goal

the bottom half of the table at this stage of the season and closer to relegation than promotion.

There was much pre-season talk about the club finally realising its NPL ambition and the recruiting drive backed up the hype.

New faces included Kostas Droutsas, Kyle Johnson, Blake Pearson, Carlos Abboud, Ryan Paczkowski, Sam Orritt, Luke Varga and Ryan Ramsden.

Dallas Brooks Park was buzzing but by the time the season started Droutsas had suffered a season-ending ACL injury and key first teamer David Stirton was sidelined with a serious calf injury.

Since then Shaun Kenny and Orritt have also been hampered by injury.

The recent departures of Josh Heaton and Japanese defender Toshi Kurosawa only add to a bleak picture of underachievement from a group of players who promised so much.

And star import Rory Currie returned to Scotland on Sunday to further deplete the senior squad.

Mornington’s first State League season was in 2010 when it finished third in State 3 South-East and it has never finished any subsequent season in the bottom half of the table.

In coming weeks we will discover if there is enough pride and commitment in the current playing group to ensure that they aren’t remembered as one of Mornington’s worst teams this century.

PENINSULA STRIKERS

Grade: B

No doubt Scott Morrison’s senior squad has the quality to win promotion despite being outgunned financially by its major rivals Hampton East Brighton and cashed-up Bayside Argonauts.

Morrison has assembled a squad with a measured mix of experience and youth.

In defence, midfield and attack Strikers have NPL and State 1 experience in abundance and convincing Jaiden Madafferi to come out of premature retirement could prove a Morrison masterstroke.

Squad depth could play a crucial role in the back half of the season and that isn’t a problem at Strikers.

Two of the current top three in the league are likely to find themselves in State 1 next season and Strikers should enter the run home brimful of confidence.

SKYE UTD

Grade: C–

Jonathan Crook, Jason Nowakowski, Billy Painting, Dusko Erkalovic, Lewis Gibson, Leo McLeod, Brett Heskins, Michael Rovinson, Harrison Michaelis, Mitch Blake and Delfin Mosibe all left the senior squad during pre-season with only Heskins and Blake returning recently.

Alex Rojas has stopped playing and

Macleod would love to sign another couple of players to add both quality and depth to the squad and if he does then Chelsea fans are going to have a lot of fun in the back half of the season.

BAXTER

Grade: B–

Touted as a title challenger this year before the first ball was kicked in anger

Baxter has reached the halfway mark 10 points behind table-topping Hampton Park United, the only unbeaten side in the league.

Last season Baxter outscored champion White Star Dandenong and was State 4’s highest scoring outfit but much of its attacking threat has been blunted.

Top scorer Jack Elliott had an abbreviated pre-season as did 2023 best and fairest Noah Green while ace striker Liam Baxter, Fijian international Sava Baledrokadroka and Aaran Currie all have left.

now is a senior assistant coach.

Add those player losses to Alex Van Heerwarden’s availability problems as he is assistant coach of Langwarrin’s under-23s and limited appearances from Mark O’Connor and Mo El Hassan due to injury and it’s little wonder the side is flirting with relegation.

Then there is the issue of Skye’s playing budget.

Undoubtedly Skye punches well above its weight given that most State 3 and many State 4 clubs spend more on players so operating in State 2 on a shoestring is a tall order indeed.

Skye might hover around the relegation zone for the remainder of the season and its fate could go right down to the wire.

FRANKSTON PINES

Grade: D

Pines has the unenviable record of being the only local side to reach the halfway mark of the season without a win earning just a solitary point from 10 games in an 11-team league.

The worst performing Pines side this century was the 2008 version which played in a 14-team Premier League and lost 17 games that season.

Fast forward to 2024 and head coach Donn Delaney faces a daunting task in his first season at Monterey Reserve given the extent of the club’s debt and the need to slash its playing budget.

That forced a major squad makeover in the off-season and right now the quality of the players Delaney brought in is in question.

He wasn’t helped when star striker Ardi Ahmeti walked out after the opening game of the league season and shortly after Deniz Karabadzak and Josh Botha followed suit.

Pines needs a minor miracle to avoid the drop and whether that comes in the form of a remarkable onfield turnaround or through a rumoured league restructure remains to be seen.

CHELSEA

Grade: B

Chelsea could be on target for its highest State 4 finish since winning the State 5 South championship in 2018.

It finished fourth under Carlo Melino in 2022 and is chasing down that side’s 39-point season tally with 22 points so far.

The club’s ambition was clear when it appointed Gus Macleod as senior coach and Stuart Munro as technical director at the end of last season.

Macleod readily identified a need to score more and concede less and already Chelsea has outscored last season’s tally.

James Stinson and Jake Ross have been the club’s most important signings this year and an injury-free Dylan Scott has played a big part in the side’s seven wins so far.

’Buds fans can expect more joy in the back half of the season as they cheer on a worthy promotion favourite.

SEAFORD UTD

Grade: B

Seaford started the season in stunning fashion with a 10-0 win over Cleeland United.

Since then head coach Paul Williams has struggled to field the same starting line-up in consecutive games and key players have been injured or unavailable for a variety of reasons.

Williams has been plagued with goalkeeping issues with both firstchoice keepers quitting the senior squad throughout the season.

Alfonso Cardinale returned and is the current number one but Hayden Hicks remains in limbo while Bayleigh Caulfield’s injury problems have seen him miss a large chunk of the season.

Head coach Kevin “Squizzy” Taylor believes that his side is poised to make a charge up the table but just to emulate last season’s points tally Baxter needs to take 28 points from the 33 still on offer.

And that still might not be enough to get it into State 3.

MENTONE

Grade: C+ Jason Grieve and his players deserve plaudits given that the club’s main aim was to consolidate its State 4 status after winning promotion last season.

With just a handful of additions to his squad Grieve has produced a competitive unit that should ensure more State 4 football next season.

Mentone has done well to retain star hitman Marcus Spivey as he has attracted plenty of interest from other clubs but remains loyal to the Mentone cause.

SOMERVILLE EAGLES

Grade: C–

No-one likes playing Somerville and that’s a measure of how much the team’s competitive edge has been honed in recent seasons.

But emulating last year’s fifth-placed finish is a big ask and one that seems out of the reach of this current group.

Mark Larner’s side has only won three games to date and would need to win eight of its 11 remaining games to match the win record of the 2023 outfit

coached by Adam Steele.

Larner was appointed head coach of the Eagles last October and relied heavily on a recruitment drive from his previous club Mount Martha but the improvement needed to mount a concerted promotion campaign isn’t evident.

And the club’s talismanic striker Marcus Anastasiou could be out for an extended period after rupturing an MCL in the round 8 clash with Brighton and straining his ACL. It could be a tough run home for the Eagles.

ROSEBUD

Grade: A

Our highest graded club and the only unbeaten local side Rosebud sits on top of the State 5 South ladder with a squad that boasts talent and depth.

Head coach Stuart Johnston has combined top-flight veterans with quality younger players and it shows.

If there are doubts about Rosebud’s depth and its ability to maintain a serious title challenge they could be dispelled shortly as defender Jack Wyer and striker Ethan Sanderson are training with Johnston’s squad and are tipped to sign.

Wyer has been on the local scene for a few seasons now while Sanderson is a proven scorer at this level and returning to the sport following long-term injury.

Seaford has only lost once this season but has dropped nine points in its last four games and now sits fourth in the league nine points adrift of leader Rosebud.

Everything has to go Seaford’s way for the cherished goal of promotion to be realised.

ASPENDALE

Grade: B

Like Seaford third-placed Aspendale has to go on an extended winning run while hoping that Rosebud and second-placed FC Noble Hurricanes drop points.

Coach Gregor Macnab has produced a well-drilled attacking outfit that is the highest scoring side in the league.

In Matthew Bruce it boasts one of the best attacking midfielders in State 5 and the close skills of wide player Dom Paul and his ability to run at defenders are crucial to Aspendale’s fortunes.

MOUNT ELIZA

Grade: C+

In just its second State League season Mount Eliza has established itself as a competitive unit with high expectations of finishing in the top half of the table.

Although it has lost to all top-four opponents it only went down 2-1 to both Rosebud and Aspendale while Seaford had a tough time at Emil Madsen Reserve in its 1-0 success.

Setting aside the politics of the sacking of Alex Halikias as senior coach there’s no denying the impact he has had on the squad.

And luring last year’s Doveton gaffer Gerry McDonagh as his replacement is the coaching coup of the season. There’s every reason to believe that McDonagh and his players can maintain the momentum built this year.

MOUNT MARTHA

Grade: D

Mount Martha had its most successful State League season in 2023 with a record tally of 29 points and an 8thplaced finish.

It won nine games last year following a four-win haul in 2022. Those results clearly indicate an upward trajectory which could have give the senior side a genuine shot at a tophalf finish this year.

Instead Mount Martha has won one game in the first half of the season and only goal difference separates it from the outclassed bottom outfit Cleeland United.

The coaching staff rightly point to a number of games this season where the side extended the opposition even a top-ranked opponent such as Seaford United but based on results Mount Martha’s senior program has gone backwards.

One of the few shining lights in a disappointing season has been Daniel Bancroft up front.

getters: James Kelly (left) converted a penalty to earn Langwarrin a draw on Saturday while Skye United’s Mahdi Khanmohammadi scored the winner for Skye United last Thursday night. Pictures: Darryl Kennedy and Jordan Martin

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