AAs the cool air sweeps in, the leaves turn golden, and iced lattes are swapped for hot coffees, we embrace the season of change. And with it comes loads of local news from our community. In this edition, we enjoyed a chat with Charlie Pickering for our cover story. Between hosting The Weekly and Thank God It’s Friday, this Brightonraised comedian shares how his Bayside upbringing shaped the person he is today.
This edition, we dive into the fascinating history of Vegemite, exploring its Port Phillip roots and wartime significance for ANZAC Day. We also talk to an animator from Memoir of a Snail, a Melbourneset, Oscar-nominated animated film, and hear from the talented head chef at Donovans in St Kilda. And of course, don’t miss our curated pages of local events, packed with everything happening around town. So sip something warm and settle in - there’s plenty to keep you connected to your local community this autumn.
All the best,
Steph, James and the Melbourne Bay Courier team.
WHAT WE’RE LOVING
HOLLOW CHOCOLATE EASTER EGGS
Especially the Cadbury ones. One of the best parts of Easter is when these irresistible treats make their annual return to grocery store shelves.
FEEL-GOOD AFL FASHION
Wear your team’s colours in style with this collab between HoMie and the AFL. HoMie donates 100% of profits to support youth facing homelessness and hardship.
Publisher Stephanie Williams hello@melbournebaycourier.com.au
Advertising hello@melbournebaycourier.com.au
Cover image: Ruby Boland.
Publisher information: While all care has been taken, some information may have changed since publication. The Melbourne Bay Courier regrets it can’t accept liabilities from errors or omissions contained in this magazine. The publisher reserves the right to refuse, withdraw or amend all advertisements without explanation. Reproduction in whole or part without permission is prohibited. The views expressed in articles and advertisements are not endorsed by the editor or publishers. We welcome any questions, feedback or submissions, email hello@melbournebaycourier.com.au.
Melbourne Bay Courier proudly acknowledges the Bunurong People of the Kulin Nation as the Traditional Owners and Custodians of this land. We pay our respects to their Elders, past, present and emerging.
MAKING PASTA FROM SCRATCH
Sure, there’s nothing wrong with dried pasta, but making pasta from scratch, by hand is a fun, messy, fulfilling time. Especially with a glass of wine.
MARTIN GRANT EXHIBITION
The Martin Grant exhibition opens at NGV this month. See his impeccably made pieces, many of which have been worn by A-list celebrities and chic Melburnians.
Photos: HoMie, NGV
CHRIS VOCE
The proud owner of Guitars Plus in Sandringham, which has been open since 1982, Chris Voce is an expert in all things to do with guitars and will happily share his wisdom with anyone who walks into his shop.
Where did you grow up and where do you live now? I was born in Liverpool, England, moved to London in 1965 at the age of nine and moved to Melbourne in 1978 at the age of 21. My wife and I now live in Sandringham, after moving from Beaumaris where we raised our two children, nearly six years ago.
Tell us about your shop, Guitars Plus. We are a very focused specialty shop, buying, selling, repairing and teaching guitars and related fretted
instruments such as the banjo, mandolin, ukulele and bass.
Guitars Plus has been around since 1982. How does it feel to have the business last this long? I love finding and selling old instruments and having them brought back to life. We’ve sold guitars to many different countries, some extremely well known personalities and all States and Territories. I also love meeting new people almost everyday. We met two great blues guitarists the other day who have just moved across from Perth, for example.
for 101 years. It’s misunderstood by all and sundry.
How did guitars become your passion? From an early age when I started playing, I was fascinated with the history and construction of all things fretted. I was already trained as a retail manager in England and decided to work in a guitar shop in London, where I resided.
What’s a guitar fact you wish more people knew? The operation of the truss rod system is a misunderstood bit of technology that’s been around
Tell us about a highlight from your career. Watching my son, Joshua, develop as a highly skilled player, and becoming a valued part of our business in all capacities. He’s become an extremely highly regarded guitar teacher too.
First job? I was a paper boy as a child, then a retail relief manager for an English chain store after I left school. Favourite team? St Kilda Saints in the AFL, Liverpool in the English Premier League (EPL), and Ferrari in Formula One.
Last great thing you watched? The Spurs beating Brentford in the EPL. Their manager, Ange Postecoglou, is a Melbournian and they’re my ‘London club’.
Favourite hidden gem? It has to be Wilson’s Promontory.
Your favourite place for… Breakfast: Home.
Lunch: DZert in Sandringham. Dinner: Baia di Vino and Y14 are totally world class in our village. Coffee: Limoncello, Sandringham. Drinks: Hobsons Stores.
The shopfront
Chris at work
Chris Voce
Sandringham Yacht Club stands apart from other funeral venues in Melbourne, o ering a distinctive and memorable setting for a funeral, memorial or wake, catering for 80 to 400 guests. Located in the heart of Bayside, Sandringham Yacht Club is a serene and respectful environment for families to come together, o ering both comfort and solace.
Performing as Synthotronics
ANIA REYNOLDS
Known for her lively street performances around Bayside, musician Ania Reynolds has worked for over 20 years in the arts industry
Where did you grow up and where do you live now? I grew up in Sunshine and lived in Elwood for many years. I’m now a member of the City of Port Phillip diaspora.
Tell us about what you do and your alter-ego, Synthotronica. Synthotronica combines fat beats with fatter synths and live baritone sax and percussion with one thing in mind: to make you dance! I’m a composer and multiinstrumentalist. I’ve worked professionally for over twenty years scoring over 60 works for Australian live performance and screen, and performing with artists including Femi Kuti, Pat Thomas and Toni Childs. These days I work principally as a solo artist, with Synthotronica and also as a solo pianist, performing all original music. As well as playing concerts in venues, I have two solo piano projects that I perform: Cinémusique, which is an audiovisual concert of solo piano with a bespoke visual score
of animated projections by myself and video artist Sean Healy; and Allegro Non Oppo, which is a series of free solo concert piano concerts in suburban op shops. The most recent performance was a month of Saturdays at Sacred Heart Mission Op Shop St Kilda, and we had a ball .
Tell us about your Bayside street performances. Are they as tiring as they look? For me, the only time they’re tiring is when there’s little rapport with audiences - when you’re performing and not sensing a response. But, as soon as there’s a moment of connection with the public - a smile, a child dancing, someone giving you a thumbs upthat gives you all the energy you need. One of my biggest joys is to be playing and dancing and looking out at a street dance party of young children with their parents and grandparents. I love the street because it’s spontaneous, organic and real - a non-manufactured environment. Each street performance is totally unpredictable, you never know what’s going to happen and I love feeling how the energy of different performance locations can change so significantly from day to day and moment to moment. On the street you get to
observe the wonderful natural theatre and drama of everyday life.
When making songs for the piano, where do you pull inspiration from? My last album Além was inspired by my travels in Cuba and Brazil. The concept arose during the pandemic, when I had planned to return to Rio de Janeiro but couldn’t due to travel restrictions. So I decided to use the memories of my previous visits there as inspiration to write an album - if I couldn’t go there physically, I would go there musically. Inspiration for the songs came from people, places, moments, vegetables. I am currently working on my next solo piano album which will be called Tractor Factor This one is similarly inspired by my travels to the south of France over the past two years - the Tractor Factor is something you have to take into account when driving on country roads during grape harvest time.
What do you have coming up? I have just returned from a magical three weeks touring in Japan, and I’ll be heading to Vietnam and France later in the year for performances and artist residencies. Back in Melbourne I’m performing Allegro Non Oppo out West at four Salvos Stores in the City of Brimbank over April, May, October and November. I also hope to release new albums for both of my solo projects.
First job? I was a service station attendant and ice-cream scooper. Favourite team? The Bombers. Last great thing you watched? Tokyo Vice.
Favourite hidden gem? The glade at Gasworks Arts Park.
Your favourite place for… Breakfast: Grey and Bliss Café, Port Melbourne.
Lunch: Elwood Bathers.
Dinner: Portone Pizza, Balaclava. Coffee: Truffles, Balaclava. Drinks: Side Bar, Sandringham.
Photo: Darren Clarke
Melbourne Mar Market
Local news from your community BAYSIDE BULLETIN
ST KILDA GATEHOUSE HOSTS JOY-FILLED FUNDRAISING FASHION PARADE
On the final day of February, the community came together to support St Kilda Gatehouse, an organisation dedicated to helping some of the most vulnerable girls and women.
St Kilda Gatehouse provides spaces of belonging and safety for women reliant on street-based sex work in St Kilda, and for young people affected by sexual exploitation. Many of those they support are tackling complex issues such as addiction, homelessness, mental illness, poverty, domestic violence, abuse and social isolation.
The atmosphere at the St Kilda Town Hall on the day was filled with joy and hope as 500 supporters gathered for a major fundraising runway event, Fashion and Fauxtails.
As part of the PayPal Melbourne Fashion Festival Independent Programme, Fashion and Fauxtails was a fashion parade that celebrated inclusivity and sustainable fashion. The event featured a stunning collection of vintage and designer looks, all sourced from St Kilda Gatehouse’s Greeves St. Op Shop. Volunteer models and a talented creative team brought the event to life, which showcased around 50 looks. “Fashion and Fauxtails was the most fun way to support our community’s most vulnerable,”
St Kilda Gatehouse CEO Nickie Gyomber said. This year also marks the tenth anniversary of St Kilda Gatehouse’s Young Women’s Program (YWP), a milestone they will celebrate in August. To learn more about the important work St Kilda Gatehouse is doing, visit www. stkildagatehouse.org.au.
CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTING KIDS SPORT
A long list of elite sports people and prominent Australians, including a few who are Bayside and Port Phillip residents, have signed a letter in support of former professional rugby union player, and now independent Senator, David Pocock’s Climate Duty of Care bill, which recently stalled in the Senate. The focus of the letter is the impact that climate change will have on our sporting scene at all levels in the future. The letter states: “In the past few years, we’ve seen bushfire smoke stop play in the Big Bash League, and players struck down with heat exhaustion at the Australian Open. Then there’s the grassroots impacts: Nippers seasons washed out up and down the coast. Training moved indoors because of heat, and telling our kids yet another game is cancelled because of a soggy pitch or a day too hot to spend standing in the sun on the court.” Read the letter and the full list of signatories at www.dutyofcare.org.au.
BAYSIDE BELIEVES OLD IS BEAUTIFUL
#OldisBeautiful is a national campaign tackling ageism and building respect for older people. The project offers workshops to explore the meaning of beauty as we age and what it means to participants. A two-hour session was recently held in Bayside with eight older local community members, where they learned strategies to combat ageism and developed skills to challenge their own internalised ageism. They also had their portraits taken by a professional photographer. There will be a second free workshop and photoshoot in May. Bayside residents of all genders, abilities and interests will be invited to join, with more details set to be released. For more information email healthyageing@ bayside.vic.gov.au.
St Kilda Gatehouse Fashion and Fauxtails event
TREES REPLANTED FOLLOWING VANDALISM, REWARD UP FOR GRABS
Four new drooping sheoaks were recently planted along the Black Rock foreshore, replacing two mature sheoaks that were deliberately cut down in an act of vandalism in January. Tree vandalism in Bayside is illegal and impacts habitat. Drooping sheoaks are shade trees that grow in coastal environments. Bayside City Council is offering a reward of up to $40,000 for information leading to a successful prosecution for major damage to public trees. If you have any information about this incident, you can report it using the online tree vandalism form at www. bayside.vic.gov.au.
MEASLES ALERT
The Department of Health is urging Victorians to protect themselves and their families from measles, particularly with outbreaks overseas posing a risk to those traveling to South-East Asia. The call comes after two measles cases were recently identified in Victoria following overseas travel. Anyone planning overseas travel who may not be vaccinated is strongly advised to get the measles vaccine before departing.
FREE E-LEARNING WITH THE NGV IN 2025
Keen to up your art knowledge this year? The National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) recently launched a self-paced online course exploring the career of Yayoi Kusama, one of the world’s most celebrated living artists, and who currently has an exhibition at NGV. Across five modules, the self-guided online course will provide participants with rich insights into Kusama’s life, art practice, and themes. The course is available until 25 April. Also debuting in 2025 is the online course 10 Artists You Should Know, which introduces learners to a selection of ten artists from the NGV Collection that have left their mark on the art world and shaped the world around them. This one is available for eight weeks from 9 May. Australian Art Histories is an in-person course held over four evenings from 12 June, offering a fascinating overview of art and creativity on the Australian continent, up until the late-twentieth century. Finally, Twentieth Century Design is a oneday in-person course on 12 April that will have participants learning about some of the world’s most influential designers of the twentieth century.
LIAM NEESON BACK IN MELBOURNE FOR NEW ACTION MOVIE
Renowned actor Liam Neeson has started production around Melbourne on a new action-thriller film, The Mongoose, which is his third film in Victoria in four years. He can’t get enough of us, apparently. The film is shooting in Bacchus Marsh, Castlemaine and Bangholme as well as the Melbourne CBD, North Melbourne, Kensington and Moorabbin. Neeson stars as Ryan “Fang” Flanagan, a war hero accused of a crime he didn’t commit and with nothing to lose, leads police on an epic televised cross-country car chase. The cast also includes Marisa Tomei, Ving Rhames and Michael Chiklis.
CHARGING AHEAD
In partnership with JOLT Australia, Bayside City Council are installing nine public electric vehicle (EV) charging stations across Bayside’s shopping precincts. The first charger was installed at 588 Balcombe Road in mid-December 2024. And it has proven to be popular. In the first two months of operation, the charger was used more than 450 times by over 160 EV drivers. A second charger is currently being installed at Highett Station. In 2024, EVs accounted for almost 10% of new car sales across Australia.
Liam Neeson has filmed around Melbourne many times
The felled sheoaks at Black Rock foreshore
Yayoi Kusama at NGV
TAKING MACHETES OFF THE STREETS
Victoria has introduced Australia’s first-ever machete ban. Under an amendment to the Control of Weapons Act, machetes will be classified as prohibited weapons starting on 1 September this year. Anyone wishing to acquire a machete for a legitimate purpose, such as agriculture or hunting, will need to apply for an exemption. To safely remove machetes from the streets, an amnesty will take place from 1 September to 30 November. During this period, people can dispose of their machetes without facing legal consequences, using secure disposal bins located in safe areas, such as select police stations. These bins will be available starting 1 September. Machetes are generally described as knives with blades longer than 20 centimetres. The state government will consult with industry stakeholders on the exact definition before the ban takes effect, with kitchen knives expected to be excluded. Anyone found in possession of a banned weapon will face penalties of up to two years in prison or a fine over $47,000.
SAFE, JUDGEMENT-FREE JUSTICE OF THE PEACE SERVICES NOW IN ST KILDA
The Victorian Pride Centre (VPC) in St Kilda has launched a groundbreaking service for Melbourne's LGBTQIA+ community: a Justice of the Peace (JP) document signing centre (DSC) that provides easy access to document witnessing and certification. The DSC@VPC is the only community-based centre within 10 kilometres of Melbourne's CBD, offering a safe, inclusive environment that stands apart from the police station or law court options. After a successful three-month trial, the DSC@VPC officially opened its doors in February. The service has already made a big impact, with over 200 clients served and more than 1000 documents signed. In recognition of their work, DSC@VPC coordinators Kathy Cooney JP and Dean Beck JP were awarded the Royal Victorian Association of Honorary Justices Meritorious Service Award in March.The centre is open every Saturday from 12pm to 4pm (except public holidays), with a team of 15 trained JPs providing free, essential services without the need for an appointment. All have undergone specialised training in documents specific to the LGBTIQA+ communities. Located at 7981 Fitzroy Street, the Victorian Pride Centre is offering this service to anyone who needs the trusted support of a JP in a safe and non-judgmental space.
NEW OPENINGS
Family run cafe Two Little Monkeys (38 East Concourse, Beaumaris) is now open Friday and Saturday nights for dinner, following kitchen upgrades and menu updates. Up until now they’ve been a breakfast and lunch joint. Are you looking for a place to drop off your preloved high-quality fashion and accessories and contribute to the circular economy? Collective Closet (9 Railway Crescent, Hampton) is a new space where you can do just that. Sell your clothes to a new home and refresh your wardrobe all in one spot. Celebration of Life Events (35 Charles Street, Brighton East) aims to change how we say goodbye to loved ones, offering living wakes that allow you to celebrate with family and friends while you’re still present, as well as postpassing Celebration of Life events. Owners of highend, high-performance, and exotic sports cars can get their vehicles serviced or stored at the new workshop,
Garage Ninety-Nine (40 Lamana Road, Mordialloc). You can also check out their collection of Italian and German classics.
Photo: Dean Beck JP
Collective Closet in Hampton
From left to right: Paul Horwell, CEO Victorian Pride Centre, Kathy Cooney JP, Dean Beck JP, and presenting the awards RVAHJ President, Rodney Lavin JP FRVAHJ
FAIRER RENTING AHEAD
Good news for renters: new rental protection laws have passed the Victorian Parliament. These changes include banning all types of rental bidding to ensure renters get a fair price and extending the notice period for rent increases or notices to vacate from 60 to 90 days. The laws also introduce a ban on no-fault evictions, meaning renters can no longer be forced out of their homes without a valid reason. Additionally, it will now be illegal for renters to be charged fees by rent tech platforms when applying for a rental or paying their rent. Other reforms in the Bill include mandatory annual smoke alarm safety checks for all rental properties and ensuring properties meet minimum standards when advertised for rent, not just when tenants move in. These new laws will take effect in November 2025.
BAYSIDE DOG LOVERS UNITE
On 16 March, the Rotary Club of Beaumaris ran their first Bayside Dog Lovers Day, which is hoped to become an annual tradition. Held at the Royal Avenue Reserve in Sandringham, it turned out to be a rainy day, but that didn’t stop the Baysiders and their dogs from getting together for a fun-filled day. There were presentations by RSPCA, Guide Dogs Victoria, Racing 2 Rehome and Therapy Dogs Australia, and fun competitions for dogs. There was also a sausage sizzle, which would have been hard to wrestle the doggies away from! More than one in three Bayside households has a furry family member, with over 12,000 registered dogs.
STREET SIDE MEDICS FOR PORT PHILLIP
In a great get for the community, Street Side Medics will now operate in City of Port Phillip. Street Side Medics is a free mobile medical clinic providing primary healthcare to vulnerable people and those experiencing homelessness. No appointments, Medicare card, or ID are needed. Their GP-led St Kilda clinic operates every Wednesday from 5:30pm to 7:30pm at Cleve Gardens (corner of Acland and Fitzroy Streets).
ABORIGINAL WOMEN’S HEALTH CLINICS LAUNCHING IN MELBOURNE
Aboriginal women across Melbourne will soon have access to a new service offering free, comprehensive, and culturally safe care through dedicated Aboriginal women’s health clinics. First Peoples' Health and Wellbeing (FPHW) will open the new clinic in Thomastown and Frankston in mid-2025. The clinic will provide a variety of services, including screening, diagnosis, and management of health conditions like pelvic pain, endometriosis, menopause, long-acting reversible contraception, and termination of pregnancy. Along with the services available at those clinics, FPHW will collaborate with other services across the state to ensure that care, referral pathways, and education are accessible, no matter where women are located.
Street Side Medics
Good boys at Bayside Dog Lovers Day
UPDATE: SUBURBAN RAIL LOOP OPEN FOR SUBMISSIONS
The Suburban Rail Loop (SRL) is a state government project designed to improve transport as Melbourne's population continues to grow. Specifically, the project will create a 90 kilometre rail line encircling Melbourne's middle suburbs, connecting every major rail line from the Frankston line to the Werribee line, via the airport. The SRL will be divided into four key sections: SRL East, SRL North, SRL Airport, and SRL West. Locally the focus is on S RL East.
SRL East will link Melbourne’s southeastern precincts, running from Cheltenham to Box Hill along a 26 kilometre corridor. This will be a standalone, twintunnel line that integrates into the existing public transport network. The underground stations for SRL East will include Cheltenham, Clayton, Monash, Glen Waverley, Burwood, and Box Hill. In conjunction with SRL are plans to develop high-rise living
PIER TIME: ST KILDA TICKED, NEXT STOP HAMPTON
The $53 million redevelopment of St Kilda Pier has been a huge success with both locals and tourists since its opening. The improvements don’t stop there as work on the Hampton Pier is set to begin soon. Since the St Kilda Pier reopened in December, it has attracted more than 350,000 visitors according to the state government. Meanwhile, the Hampton Pier redevelopment will kick off this autumn, with completion expected later this year.
The project will include a low landing and floating pontoon, allowing access to the deeper waters of Sandringham Harbour. Timber decking will be added to maintain the pier’s aesthetic charm, while new features such as ladders for tender storage and a safety ladder on the pontoon will improve water access. Member for the Southern Metropolitan Region Ryan Batchelor said, “The new Hampton Pier will be a great asset for the community – attracting locals and tourists to this beautiful part of Victoria.”
along key SRL neighborhoods to provide more housing options, sparking debate in local communities, including Bayside, where Cheltenham is one of the targeted suburbs.
Recently, the state government unveiled draft plans for the six SRL East stations, offering further details on what’s in store for Cheltenham. The project is expected to create 70,000 additional homes across the six SRL East sites, along with new schools, hospitals, and green spaces. According to the draft plan, building height limits would gradually decrease as you move away from Cheltenham railway station. For example, residential streets like Stuart and Olympic Avenues would have a maximum height of four storeys, while Bay Road would see a maximum of eight storeys. Some areas along the Nepean Highway could be up to 18 storeys.
This announcement follows months of speculation about the potential height of high-rise
buildings and their locations. The Bayside City Council welcomed the additional details but expressed ongoing concerns about the project. Bayside Mayor, Councillor Hanna El Mouallem, stated, “Whilst we are pleased to see a reduction in height in some areas, we remain deeply concerned about the impact of increased heights on the ability to ensure liveable communities for our residents.”
“We are particularly concerned with the lack of detail on any increases in open space, transport infrastructure, community services and facilities to service the additional population,” he continued. “There are also significant concerns that population growth will increase traffic chaos along Bay Road, an important east-west route through Bayside.”
Until 22 April, residents, traders, councils and other local organisations can make submissions at www.engage.vic. gov.au/suburban-rail-loop.
HOW TO REPORT AND REQUEST GRAFFITI REMOVAL IN YOUR AREA
Following an increase in graffiti, especially offensive graffiti, it’s good to know the ways to report it. If you live in the Bayside municipality, you can report graffiti on the Bayside City Council website, where you can also provide a photo. If you witness graffiti currently happening, you can call the police on 000. If you spot offensive graffiti on public property, you can call the Council on 9599 4613. If you live in Port Phillip, there is an online reporting form on the City of Port Phillip website. Alternatively, you can send pictures and the location via www.snapsendsolve.com/ report/vandalism-and-graffiti, or phone 03 9209 677. Residents can collect free graffiti removal kits from St Kilda Town Hall and Port Melbourne Town Hall.
JUST ADD COLOUR
Brighton’s narrow Allard Street bridge has received colourful updates to enhance pedestrian safety. Local artist Julia Gorman has painted a striking design across the bridge, clearly marking the shared-use zone. Studies show that decorative road designs help slow traffic, and to further encourage safer speeds, speed bumps have been added on both sides. The bridge also has improved lighting, offering better visibility for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers at night.
PRESERVING BAYSIDE HISTORY
The Middle Brighton Baths, a piece of Bayside’s history, are receiving an upgrade to ensure their longevity. Originally built in 1881 and rebuilt in 1936 after suffering storm damage, the Baths remain one of Bayside’s significant historical assets. To maintain the facility's safety and integrity for future generations, the underwater barrier is being upgraded due to the ongoing effects of saltwater corrosion. There will be minimal disruption to business operations for tenants, and beach access should remain unaffected. The works are expected to be completed by mid-2025.
COUNCIL STATEMENTS ON COMMUNITY SAFETY RELEASED
The Mayors of Bayside and Port Phillip both made statements on community safety recently. Bayside Mayor Cr Hanna El Mouallem said he shared concerns with the Bayside community around the increase in aggravated burglaries and car theft within the municipality, and understood the desire of residents to protect themselves and their families. He implored the Victorian Government to focus more resources and attention to addressing the issue. “Ultimately it is the Victorian Government’s responsibility to combat this growing crisis and they are failing to do so,” he said. “Council will continue to work closely with local police, Neighbourhood Watch and community organisations to address this issue.” He continued, saying that this would include facilitating a Community Safety Committee and a Youth Safety SubCommittee. Meanwhile, City of Port
Phillip Mayor Louise Crawford said, “Port Phillip Council will continue to make every effort as we work to solve the concerns expressed by many residents and traders around community safety.” She listed the several contributions Council has made towards safety. This included collaboration with and support for local police, involving weekly meetings, an $800k upgrade to CCTV, a mobile CCTV, and seasonal alcohol bans. Local laws patrols are being utilised, such as the City Amenity team who undertake daily patrols around hot spots, the Rapid Response crew, and increased overnight street sweeping and pressure washing. There are also service agreements with local housing and health outreach services to support people experiencing homelessness. “Ensuring community safety requires a collaborative approach that we are striving to foster via the actions outlined above. But if there’s more we can be doing, we want our community to tell us,” she finished.
Historic Middle Brighton Baths
Colourful art on Allard Street bridge
FISHY BUSINESS: TASSIE SALMON LOSES RATING AMID MASS DEATHS
Did you know that of the three foreign-owned salmon producers in Tasmania (Tassal, Huon Aquaculture and Petuna), none of them hold an RSPCA rating? Salmon in Tasmania are currently being affected by a bacteria that has resulted in a mass mortality event, with oily globules and carcasses washing up on beaches local to the fish farming leases.
In response to the release of a video depicting the “inhumane handling of live fish”, in early March the RSPCA implemented a 14-day suspension of Huon Aquaculture’s certification. In late March, RSPCA Australia withdrew Huon Aquaculture’s RSPCA Approved certification of farmed Atlantic salmon following an investigation.
RSPCA Australia CEO Richard Mussell said, “RSPCA Approved is
the leading farm animal welfare certification program in the country and is underpinned by standards that go well above the minimum legal requirements,” Mr Mussell said. “Fish, including those farmed for human consumption, are sentient beings and, like other animals, can experience pain and suffering. When they’re farmed for food, the welfare of fish must be front of mind.”
“While this decision means that there are now currently no producers certified to the RSPCA Approved Standard for salmon, the Standard still exists because salmon are one of the most intensively farmed animals and it’s important that we can demonstrate the measures needed to ensure their welfare is considered,” Mr Mussell said. There will be a short period while the RSPCA Approved logo remains on some products due to practical constraints.
TRAILBLAZING ABORIGINAL LEADER TO BE HONOURED WITH STATUE
Please note this section includes the story of a deceased First Nations woman. Funding has been confirmed for a new sculpture honouring the life and legacy of Boonwurrung nurse, midwife and activist Louisa Briggs. Set to be built on the St Kilda foreshore, the sculpture is one of the five new public artworks to be funded through the Victorian Women’s Public Art Program. The community voted for the Louisa Briggs statue among a shortlist of 13, with over 10,000 submissions received. Louisa advocated for the rights of displaced First Nations people taken to government reserves and stations in the late 1800s. She was a nurse and midwife and later became the first Aboriginal woman to be paid as a midwife. She is recognised as one of the five ancestors from whom Boonwurrung heritage can be traced.
MORE OUTDOOR PLAY FOR BAYSIDE KIDS
The Hanby Street Reserve playground in Brighton is closed until June as it undergoes exciting upgrades. New equipment will be installed, including slides, swings, climbing ropes, spinners, and rockers. Improvements will also be made to pathways, seating, drinking fountains, and landscaping. But that’s not the only playground getting a facelift this autumn, as the FG Tricks Reserve playground in Black Rock has also closed for upgrades. This one will see a new triple swing, and multi-level play structure with monkey bars, cubby, climbing equipment, and slides. Landscaping and pathways will also be improved, plus new seating and bike parking. It’s expected to be ready for families in May.
EARN MONEY AND GET OUT AND ABOUT
Want to help us deliver the Melbourne Bay Courier? If you’d like to get paid to distribute the paper, please get in touch via hello@ melbournebaycourier. com.au today to find out more.
VICTORIA POLICE ISSUES WARNING TO CAR OWNERS
Victoria Police recently issued a warning to vehicle owners, as their intelligence revealed tech savvy thieves are behind a surge in car thefts across the state. They stated an increasing number of cars are being stolen (more than 70% from residential areas) with no associated burglary, robbery, or carjacking. This trend has coincided with third party electronic devices, which are capable of programming or mimicking keys, becoming increasingly available for purchase. Once inside a vehicle, a device like this can be plugged into the cars on
board diagnostic port to override the security system and start the engine. Police intelligence suggests certain makes and models with electronic push start technology are being targeted. They urge vehicle owners to look at a range of preventative measures to help deter thieves, including an onboard diagnostic port lock which prevents an offender connecting a reprogramming device to your vehicle. Here’s some general tips to stop thieves: lock your vehicle, even when parked at home; park your vehicle off the street if possible; remove items such as keys and garage fobs; keep valuables out of sight or out of the vehicle entirely.
BARKING CHANGES
You can currently have your say on proposed changes to dog on- and off-leash restrictions in some areas in Port Phillip and Bayside. The proposed changes include:
• Change SS Anderson (Pitch 1) at JL Murphy Reserve, Community Synthetic Ground (Pitch 3) at JL Murphy Reserve and North Port Oval to dog prohibited areas.
• Change Robinson Reserve in Elwood, Fennell Reserve in Port Melbourne and Howe Crescent Reserve West in South Melbourne to fenced dog offleash areas.
• Update the summer restrictions on the beach between Station Pier and Bay Street in Port Melbourne to 7:30pm-10am
• Update the summer restrictions on the northern section of Elwood Beach between Point Ormond to the rock groyne in front of Elwood Angling Club to 7.30pm–10am.
Share your thoughts until 11 April at www.haveyoursay.portphillip. vic.gov.au.
Nestled in Hampton, Victoria, Tombolo Academy is pioneering a transformative approach to education for highly capable neurodiverse students—those who possess exceptional talents while also navigating learning challenges. Established in 2021, the academy has quickly become a sanctuary for these learners, offering a tailored educational experience that nurtures their unique strengths while providing essential support. Recognised for its innovative approach, Tombolo Academy was awarded a 5-Star Innovative School accolade by The Educator in 2024.
A School That Truly Understands Highly Capable Neurodiverse Learners
Many neurodiverse students struggle in traditional school settings, where their abilities are either overlooked or misunderstood. Tombolo Academy provides an environment where these students can thrive, balancing an enriched academic curriculum with individualised strategies to support executive functioning, sensory sensitivities, and social-emotional development.
With small class sizes capped at around ten students, the school ensures personalised attention, allowing educators to delve deep into each child’s potential. “Our students need to know the ‘why’ when they are learning, and we find that the Solo Taxonomy framework helps them see the bigger picture,” says Barrett, the Principal of the school. This structured yet flexible approach enhances comprehension, instills a sense of purpose, and fosters curiosity.
Innovative Teaching for Extraordinary Minds
Tombolo Academy is committed to rethinking how education is delivered for highly capable neurodiverse students. Creative use and embedding of technology play a central role in learning, with game-based approaches and trauma-informed strategies ensuring students remain engaged and supported. The school also collaborates closely with experts in psychology, occupational therapy, and gifted education, creating a truly holistic learning environment.
The academy measures success beyond traditional academic metrics, focusing on personal growth, increased confidence, and a newfound love for learning. Many students arrive having struggled in mainstream education, but the transformations seen at Tombolo are profound. One parent shared, “For the first time, my child feels understood. He’s not just coping—he’s thriving.”
A Growing Movement in Education
Tombolo Academy’s pioneering model has drawn interest from across Australia and internationally. With increasing demand, discussions are underway about expanding access to more neurodiverse students in the future. As the academy continues to refine its approach, it stands as a shining example of what’s possible when education is designed to fit the student—not the other way around.
For families seeking a school that truly understands highly capable neurodiverse learners, Tombolo Academy is lighting the way forward.
School for highly capable neurodiverse learners.
Tombolo Academy Year 3 - Year 10.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
Plan your months ahead with the top events to attend in Bayside, Port Phillip and beyond
APRIL
02Accept the invitation to ‘Be Our Guest’ at Disney’s production of Beauty and the Beast, a musical playing at Her Majesty’s Theatre.
03Get the most from your home produce with workshop Garden to Table Eating. Learn how to plan your veggie harvest and reduce food waste at Sandringham Library, 6pm.
06As part of Autumn Fest, gather the chocolatehungry family for an Easter Eggstravaganza at Basterfield Park, Hampton East. 10am to 3pm.
07Cartoon Camps are coming to Brighton Grammar School for the school holidays, aimed at kids aged four to 15, who’ll learn to draw, make friends, and create amazing art. Until 11 April.
11Curious about tattoos? Keen to finish your sleeve? The Inked Expo returns to Melbourne Convention Exhibition Centre until 13 April, hosting over 280 tattoo artists under one roof.
12Kiwi comedian, podcaster and improviser Guy Montgomery brings his new stand-up show to St Kilda’s Palais Theatre tonight.
25Keep an eye out for the many services happening around the bay for ANZAC Day, including the RSLs and the Shrine of Remembrance in St Kilda.
04Join cover guy Charlie Pickering and a huge line-up of comedians at Melbourne Town Hall, for laughs recapping the news, in this in-person version of Thank God It’s Friday, 4:45pm.
05Slow art is about looking at art longer to see more. At the Slow Art Pavilion in Brighton, join an origami boat workshop and explore the art.
08If you never find the time to write, head to the Bum Glue Club in St Kilda from 6:45pm-10pm for a group writing session without any distractions. Glue your bum to the seat and write!
09Martin Grant, a leading figure in the global fashion industry who has dressed many a stylish Melburnian, gets his own exhibition until 26 Jan 2026 at The Ian Potter Centre.
16Get your cat’s health checked and vaccinated at the RSPCA Cat Vaccination Event in, perhaps ironically, the Bayside Companion Dog Training School. Book ahead.
19Send the kids hunting for over 30,000 Easter Eggs at Luna Park for the Great Easter Egg Hunt, today and tomorrow. The hunts are organised by age group in designated zones.
26MODELS and Boom Crash Opera team up for the Double A Side Tour so you can catch both bands together, at Prince Bandroom in St Kilda. 6:30pm start.
20We wish you all a happy Easter Sunday. If you’re still up for fun after all that chocolate, head to Marvel Stadium to see St Kilda face off against the Western Bulldogs
29Join the Wild In Bayside talk tonight at Beaumaris Senior Citizens Centre to learn about local wildlife and how we can improve habitat for them. 7:30pm9:30pm.
30Enjoy a comedic, fast-paced, overthe-top Aussie musical with The Beep Test at Theatre Works in St Kilda. Showing until 10 May.
Photo:
Happy Easter!
ANZAC Day at Shrine of Remembrance
Details subject to change. Check in with individual events for further details. Got an event coming up? Email us at hello@melbournebaycourier.com.au
01The YIRRAMBOI Festival hosts over 400 First Nations creatives across 180 performances in dozens of venues all over Melbourne, 1-11 May.
03Learn practical tips to reduce waste at Sandy Eco Expo in Sandybeach Centre, Sandringham, 11am3pm. There’ll be a share & swap shop, activities, workshops and more.
04Buckle up for an action-packed Sunday of Monster Truck Mania Live at Rod Laver Arena. Between 1pm4pm, witness an army of massive machines pull tricks and stunts.
06Dive into Primal, a thrilling, sexy, and hilarious circus experience for adults at the Gasworks Arts Park until 10 May.
15Australia’s largest design festival, Melbourne Design Week, starts today across Melbourne until 25 May. Events held at NGV, studios, retail spaces, galleries, gardens and more.
17Get your nostalgia fix at Hampton RSL when The Retro Stars come to play, covering hits from The Kinks, The Who, The Rolling Stones, The Monkees, and more. 8pm11:30pm.
18Indulge your snow passion at the Snow Travel Expo in Melbourne Convention Exhibition Centre, a free one-day event for travel advice and ideas, with activities for the kids.
09Knife Edge, a new play from Beaumaris Theatre Inc, opens tonight until 24 May. It explores how pivotal moments in life help its characters understand themselves and each other.
10Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter
Gracie Abrams brings her tour to Rod Laver Arena tonight and tomorrow.
19Gather your golfing friends for The Bayside Charity Golf Day at The Royal Melbourne Golf Club, including club house dining, open to all. Register online.
21Much-lauded Icelandic post-rock band Sigur Rós bring their ethereal music to Palais Theatre tonight.
24Enjoy a South American-themed night at the Rio Carnivale Big Night Out with Beaumaris Motor Yacht Squadron. Expect authentic cuisine, fire and dance shows, and DJ. 6:30pm-11pm.
25It’s the last day to catch The Outsiders, the largest street-art collection in Australia, including a room of Banksys, on the corner of Hosier Lane and Flinders Lane.
05Catch the magic behind Adam Elliot’s Claymation style with a display of handmade sets, props and characters from Melbourne-made film, Memoir of a Snail, at ACMI for the rest of the year.
11It’s Mother’s Day! Mum might enjoy a walking tour of Rippon Lea Estate, or join the Mothers Day Classic fun run/walk at Alexandra Gardens to raise money for breast and ovarian cancer research.
Gracie Abrams
Sigur Ros
Banksy at The Outsiders Melbourne
LOCAL
CHARLIE PICKERING ON MAKING NEWS FUNNY
Charlie Pickering grew up in Bayside and is now one of Australia’s most recognised comedians and TV presenters. He hosts The Weekly and more recently Thank God It’s Friday for the ABC.
What was it like growing up here in Bayside? It was genuinely magical. I knew every inch of Bayside like the back of my hand - I played cricket at Whyte St oval, basketball at the Brighton Recreation Centre, all my friends lived within a ten minute bike ride from each other and even when I was in my final years of high school I could walk home from parties late at night without a care in the world. Looking back on it, I appreciate just how lucky I was to grow up there.
How did your parents react when you told them you wanted to be a comedian? They were very supportive but, given that to be a comedian I had to quit my new job in a big law firm, it took them a while to truly be excited about it! They let me move back in with them until I started making a living and they have been very helpful over the years, even appearing on a few of my TV shows along the way. I know that deep down a big reason I’m a comedian is because of my upbringing – they both have wonderful senses of humour and my father was a prolific practical joker all around the neighbourhood. I even wrote a book about him called Impractical Jokes.
Why do so many comedians have a background in law? There are a lot of us, aren’t there? One thing lawyers and comedians have in common is the ability to look at a situation from a number of different angles trying to find the one that works for them.
In a lawyer’s case it’s to benefit their client; in a comedian’s case it is to make people laugh.
What is it that keeps you interested in TV work? I have always adored TV. Many of my heroes – Clive James, John Clarke, Jon Stewart – I discovered via what Clive James would call ‘The Crystal Bucket’. It is still, in my opinion, the best place to tell a joke to as many people as possible at the same time and it genuinely still feels magical every time I walk into the studio. Also, I don’t know what the hell else I’d do?
What draws you to political and news satire? I’ve always felt that comedy can be useful – whether it’s making the chaos of the world a little less scary, or using comedy to trick people into thinking about important things in a different way. The most powerful in the world often live just beyond accountability, but nobody is beyond ridicule. And the right punchline can go a long way.
How do you stay on top of the news? I miss just being able to read the newspapers in the morning. Now I have to be across social media, about ten news websites and have a bunch of TVs going in the office.
What are your plans for Thank God It ’s Friday? We’re only a couple of months in but it is such a fun way to end the week. I’d love to turn it into a TV show one day, but for now I’m very happy with one hour of radio a week!
What’s one thing about your job you wish more people knew? How many great, talented people it takes to make a show. My team at the Weekly are the best in the business and have spent
over a decade making me look like I know what I’m doing.
What do you enjoy doing on weekends? My life is largely about kids’ sport now and I love it! It’s only fair given all the Saturdays my parents watched me play cricket and hockey over the years. Once the kids are tired out, date night usually involves dinner and a movie – often at the Brighton Bay or Dendy cinemas.
First job? Stacking shelves at Oxley’s supermarket on Were St. Favourite team? Tie. Essendon Bombers and the Buffalo Bills. Last great thing you watched? Mickey 17 (not everyone’s cup of tea, but I loved it).
Favourite hidden gem? Brighton Seafood on Hampton St.
Your favourite place for… Breakfast: The European. Lunch: Betty’s Burgers. Dinner: Siriphen Thai Restaurant . Coffee: The Beanery. Drinks: Brighton Yacht Club.
Photo: Rebecca Michael
TOP MELB TIKTOKERS STREAM FOR A CAUSE
Social media influencers Taz Zammit and Alessia Allfree (@ tazandalessia) have built a community through live streams and content centered around their everyday life.
Where did you both grow up and where do you live now? Alessia grew up in Darwin and I grew up in Melbourne. Alessia has been living in Melbourne for close to ten years now and this place feels like home for the both of us so we aren’t going anywhere!
How did you get started in content creation? From high school onwards, like most kids, we were on our phones a lot and back then. We grew up with social media and therefore have been posting on it for over a decade, but we never thought it would lead to anything. However that changed when we met each other in early 2020. We started posting content online together and were shocked as we grew from zero followers to 100,000 in about six months. Over time we have built up our couples account @tazandalessia and are now close to 1M followers on TikTok!
What has been the key to your success in growing a loyal audience? We have built a community of nearly one million people through people who follow us or support us as ‘fans’, we see people more as friends or teammates! We call everyone (including ourselves) “Team TANDA” or “Team” for short.
Congratulations on recently winning the Live Creator of the Year category at the 2024 TikTok Awards. What does the award mean to you? Thank you so much! Winning Live Creator of the Year means a lot to us and we feel like it shows how strong the Team TANDA community really is. The fact that two lesbian women can be themselves online and be supported by so many people marks an incredible time in history.
Tell us about your 24 hour fundraiser livestreams. How do you prepare for them? Our 24 hour livestreams are always the highlight of our year because we get to spend a full day with our online community and make a positive impact towards a social cause we all care about.
Spending 24 hours on camera and fundraising is no easy task, it’s like a 24 hour performance with no breaks or re-takes. During the live we rest when we need to and lean on each other or our guests to lift the energy when we need a second to recharge or jump off camera. After the stream, we allow for 3-4 days to rest our minds, body clock, voice box and immune system.
You both use your platforms to support mental health causes. What has driven that? Unfortunately, mental health
struggles are something that is experienced in one way or another by everyone. Thankfully, through strong support systems and different modalities, both of our mental health journeys continue to become more of a positive experience over time. This has given us the motivation and strength to open up the conversation around mental health struggles on our platform. We hope to help normalise the conversation around mental health whilst also giving our community the tools to work through a mental health crisis.
What advice would you give to people trying to be their true selves? To seek out safe spaces where you don’t have to pretend to be someone else. The more safe spaces and allies you can find the more you will lean into the parts of yourself you have denied or hid for so long.
(Taz) At school when I first came out, I was not accepted, but luckily my local sporting groups were super supportive. If there is nowhere locally that you can find, you can always look to social media! This is the power of social media and community, there is always a space that will accept you for who you are.
What’s next for you both? We believe the livestreaming world is such an untapped space and we want to keep innovating and upskilling in this arena. You can catch us live every Monday night on TikTok, feel free to join in!
Photo: Jess Gleeson
Taz (left) and Alessia (right)
Taz & Alessia won Live Creator of the Year category at the 2024 TikTok Awards
Local is the New Luxe
Smitten Merino, a Tasmanian merino clothing brand was co-founded by Nicola and Carl Mason in 2007. The brand made from Australian sheep, hand sewn in Tasmania. Nic, who designs all the pieces, draws inspiration from her past, her grandmother’s style, and current fashion trends. Her daughter, Holly, also contributes creatively, while Carl handles marketing and operations.
Smitten Merino emphasises family involvement, and a small retail and customer care team, fostering a close-knit business culture. The Masons prioritise ethical practices, choosing a Victorian factory to knit their lightweight merino fabric that aligns with their environmental values. Smitten is then carefully hand cut and sewn in a northern Tasmanian factory.
Phone: 03 6212 0197 | Free Shipping Australia W ide Flagship Boutique | 47 Sandy Bay Rd | Battery Point www.smittenmerino.com
ACTION DELIVERED
ACTION ON TAX – DELIVERED Made Stage 3 tax cuts fairer for all especially young people, lower-paid workers, first home-buyers and women
ACTION ON CLIMATE – DELIVERED Locked-in emissions targets for business certainty and to stop future governments backsliding
ACTION ON HEALTH - DELIVERED
More local bulk billing, MRI licence for Sandringham Hospital, in-home eating disorder treatment and extra funding for home-based Aged Care
ACTION ON EQUALITY – DELIVERED
Funding support for single parents, supported more affordable and accessible childcare, changed the Fair Work Act, boosted family violence support
ACTION ON INTEGRITY – DELIVERED
Supported the establishment of the National Anti-Corruption Commission
ACTION ON STUDENT DEBT – DELIVERED
Saved $3 billion for 21,000 Goldstein residents with a HECS debt, boosted mortgage eligibility
ACTION ON SOCIAL COHESION –DELIVERED
Fast-tracked security funding for religious organisations, resources to combat antisemitism and doxxing banned
ACTION ON COMMUNITY – DELIVERED
$200 million in grant funding for Goldstein since the last election
Holly wears 100% merino cinnamon potter coat with oatmeal logo scarf
DONOVANS HEAD CHEF ON RUNNING A SUCCESSFUL KITCHEN
Ash Bradshaw has been head chef at Donovans since 2022. Donovans is an iconic venue on the beach in St Kilda with a special relaxed atmosphere that has kept diners satiated for almost thirty years.
How did you get into cheffing? I fell into it to be honest. I got a part time job when I left high school washing dishes at a steakhouse near home whilst trying to play cricket at the highest level possible. Turns out I had a bit more ability with a knife than a bat, so my focus turned to restaurants.
How does it feel to be holding the reins of a beloved restaurant? It’s a privilege to be a part of this iconic venue. The culture and the product are fantastic. It makes it easy to come to work each and every day. It truly is my home by the sea.
What is one thing you wish more people knew about being a head chef? Relationships, and being able to build them, is the important skillset you need in your toolbag. Being able to communicate and get through to my brigade, find out what makes them tick, what inspires them and getting the best out of them on a daily basis is by far the most valuable skillset that I can possess. The cooking is super important and
Lobster Rolls
3
Satisfying and indulgent, lobster rolls are a favourite treat for seafood lovers everywhere. Here are three spots to enjoy a lovely lobster roll.
fantastic, and we are judged by this, however without great relationships with my team, with the front of house staff, managers and suppliers, you will end up doing it all yourself and that is not sustainable.
How does it feel when your team earns a chef’s hat or accolade? It’s a complete team effort from the front of house, the office team and
our crew in the kitchen to create a fantastic experience for the diner. As chefs and hospitality workers, we don’t get in this industry for awards, we do it for the product that we produce and the team that we are a part of. However when an award such as this is given I can’t help but be extremely happy for all the staff. They should all be proud of all the products they consistently produce.
1
2
3
BAIA DI VINO
LOBSTER CAVE
Ash Bradshaw demonstrating with a kingfish
Are you seeing any particular food trends happening right now, and do they translate to your menu? Diners are going back to a simpler style of dining. They are aware of sustainable practices in the industry and they are very mindful of what they are putting into their bodies. At Donovans, that’s making sure the quality of each ingredient or protein is to the highest standard and it’s produced by us with great technique to bring the best of that product out. There is always room for surprise on a plate, however we want our product to be relatable to our diners and bring all the comforts of that product to their experience.
What’s your favourite local ingredient to use? We are using some amazing goats currently from Meredith Dairy. They are delicious, milder than lamb and without the gamey aftertaste that lamb can produce. We braise it down whole in white wine, anchovies and kipfler potatoes in one pot. It ’s my favourite thing to work with right now.
Where do you like to eat right now? I enjoy eating out at a little Italian place in South Yarra, Cucinetta. Small 20-seater serving high quality pasta and charcuterie. A bottle of chianti with my wife and we are super happy. I also love what they are doing at O.MY in Beaconsfield. Fantastic dining experience.
What do you like to eat on your day off? I’ll get up and go for a walk to the Hamptons Bakery, get a coffee and buy some of their bread. I love nothing more than having some Mr Cannubi Capocollo and a nice wedge of dauphinoise slashed on that with some good butter, pickles and guindillas. That’s my perfect snack on my day off. However I do have two young children so I find myself doing that a lot less than I would like!
WINE
LUXE
Eldridge 2023 Gamay Noir ($60)
The Mornington Peninsula, with a sunny coastline and salty air, is the birthplace of this limited-edition Gamay. This is a wine with an attitude. Gravelly tannins on the tongue, and a scent like rain-soaked pavement. This is a classically French Gamay, with a bit more grit than its kin. But it ain’t no beach bum, it’s a chainsmoking 1920s Paris detective.
Set the vibe:
Music: Deceiver by M83
Food: Mushroom tart
LUXE & LESS
When: A moody autumn afternoon
LESS
Ravensworth Tumbarumba Gamay 2023 ($34)
From high-country NSW, Ravensworth makes wines with little intervention. Their Gamay smells intensely of strawberries and redcurrants, which carries over into its taste. It’s the kind of drink you keep pouring because the conversation’s too good to stop, even though you know you probably should. But who’s stopping? Not you, not this wine.
Set the vibe:
Music: Mad World by Tears for Fears
Food: Roast duck
When: As you’re reading this
DON’T MISS
Good Food & Wine Show
Head to the Melbourne Convention Exhibition Centre from 30 May to 1 June for three days of good food, wine, and fun! Taste the best of Australian food and wine from over 300 exhibitors, watch top chefs live on stage, and explore the Good Food Village to nab hard-to-find ingredients. Enjoy the Cheese Corner, learn about chocolate with Kirsten Tiddballs, become a wine taster, and master the perfect martini.
Miguel Maestre and Kirsten Tibballs
Ash plating up
ANIMATED MELBOURNE
AMelbourne-based stop-motion animator, Lucy Davidson recently got to work on the Oscar-nominated film Memoir of a Snail, directed by Adam Elliot, which is set in the city and St Kilda.
What made you want to work in stop-motion animation? It felt like the perfect mix of art and filmmaking, bringing together two creative mediums that I love into one. I initially went to art school and basically got the feedback that my drawings and sculptures were too silly and not abstract enough. So after a gap year working at Disney World (Florida) and rewatching old Monty P ython sketches (particularly the work of Terry Gilliam); this led me into animation. At film school
animate a handful of shots on the film. I feel so lucky to have worked on a Melbourne stop-motion feature film with an amazing crew.
I got obsessed with stop-motion icon Jan Svankmajer and loved the playful, tactile approach to storytelling in his work.
How did you get to work on Memoir of a Snail ? I was lucky enough to be supported by VICSCREEN for a three month directors attachment on the film. I was brought in with the intention of shadowing Adam Elliott and learning from him, but after a week of being there they realised my creative skillset was much bigger. Those first three months, my role was in the art department, sculpting props, building cars, helicopters, painting sets, everything that needed to be built before filming could start. Following this role, they couldn’t let me go, so I transitioned into set dressing, a role I really came to love. It was my job to set up the scene, puppets, props and collaborate with the director and camera team to have the world look its best. It’s much like doing a puzzle that’s missing a few pieces and you need to make a few more pieces to make it work. Being on set everyday also gave me the opportunity to
Tell us about your new short, Baggage. What is it about and how did you make it? Baggage is a short film about female friendship and the emotional weight true friends will help you haul through life. I made the short in 6 months at Aardman Animation Studios in Bristol, England (the creators of Wallace & Gromit). With the support of teachers and mentors, I developed my story, built the puppets and animated the film. My whole process was incredibly chaotic and I barely made it to the finish line, quite literally animating my final shot on the day of our film’s screening at Aardman’s cinema for friends and family. Making this film was a huge challenge and keeping myself motivated to finish it was incredibly hard at times. I had my first screening for family and friends late last year, and at the end of my film as the house lights came up all my girlfriends were in tears. That moment for me kind of made it worth it (not to see them cry haha) but to know I’d made something inspired by them and they felt the love I have for them so deeply.
What’s next for you? Baggage is off for its international premiere at SXSW in Austin Texas! I’m incredibly excited to share my work with a bigger audience and have the opportunity to network overseas. I’ve got a few small projects bubbling away, hopefully they come to life. It often feels like a battle to convince people to fund stop-motion projects even though audiences really love them.
The Two Ronnies
Lucy building Luna Park
Lucy with her Baggage characters
Whirlwind Weekend: Islands off the Island
With a sense of adventure, you can transform any weekend into an unforgettable getaway. Did you know that in just an hour of flying, you can trade the urban jungle of the city for the pristine wilderness of stunning islands?
We’re talking King Island and Flinders Island, sitting in between us and Tasmania, in the wild seas of Bass Strait. These islands are remote, unspoiled, and yes, just an hour away. Take advantage of a whirlwind weekend away and fly to one of these unique destinations for a true escape.
King Island
Known for pristine beaches, rugged landscapes, and world-class seafood, you can’t ask for much more when it comes to King Island. King Island Airlines provides daily flights between Moorabbin Airport and Currie, which is the island’s main town. Another option is Regional Express, who run return flights between Tullamarine Airport and King island seven days a week, and Sharp Airlines, who offer occasional return flights from Essendon Airport.
If you’re a nature lover, you’ll find plenty to marvel at here, from the island’s dramatic cliffs and sweeping coastlines to its thriving wildlife. Explore with a rental car, walk along the beach, play golf at the world class courses and let the island’s relaxed atmosphere help you unwind. There’s plenty for the
foodies, from the legendary King Island crayfish pie at King Island Bakehouse, to locally crafted beer at the King Island Brewhouse and the recently saved King Island Dairy. If you’re a fan of history, the island’s many lighthouses and shipwrecks paint a fascinating picture of its maritime past.
Flinders Island
It’s amazing that Flinders Island is also just an hour’s flight from Melbourne, because it feels a million kilometres away. Sharp Airlines will get you there with direct flights from Essendon, landing close to the island’s main town of Whitemark. Flinders is possibly even wilder than King. Much of the island is mountainous and covered in shrub, dunes, and lagoons. There are heaps of walking trails on the island that fit all different levels of fitness and experience, including a geotrail which shows off the island’s rocks and landscapes. One of the highlights is the challenging-but-rewarding climb to the summit of Mount Strzelecki. If water’s more your thing, you can snorkel the clear cold-water reefs and paddle the shores in a kayak. While on the island, you’ll likely spot all sorts of furry critters, and with over 200 bird species visiting or living on the island’s shores, this is a birdwatcher’s paradise. End the day with a sunset meal at The Flinders Wharf, a stylish restaurant-distillery-apiarist.
FURTHER AFIELD
Events and adventures a little further out…
Frida Kahlo at Bendigo Art Gallery (Until 13 July)
This exhibition, Frida Kahlo: In her own image, features Kahlo’s personal belongings, clothing, make-up, accessories, and medical items, on loan from the Museo Frida Kahlo in Mexico for the first time in Australia.
Bright Autumn Festival (25 April - 4 May)
This ten-day festival in Bright celebrates the wonderful autumn colours and produce of Victoria’s Alpine High Country. The highlight of the festival is Gala Day on Saturday 3 May, with a market, music in the streets and a grand parade.
Tastes of the Goulburn (26 April)
This ANZAC Day long weekend, head to the picturesque town of Seymour in the Goulburn Valley to experience a line-up of music, chef demonstrations, wine and beer tastings, regional produce, food trucks, stalls and kids activities.
Port Phillip Ferries
This ferry service takes you from Melbourne Docklands to Geelong and the beautiful Bellarine Peninsula. Set sail across the bay to enjoy the great food, wine, and stunning beaches.
Currie, King Island
Bright Autumn Festival
WINTER’S COMING: HOW TO TAKE CARE OF INDOOR PLANTS
Having a few indoor plants around the house is never a bad idea. Not only do they improve your mood, but they also look great, add personality to your space, and give you something to care for.
If you’re new to the world of indoor plants, the first question is: what types are best for beginners? Plants that thrive in pots, are easy to care for, and fit homes with a temperature of around 20°C are ideal. Old fashioned favourites include Peace Lillies, Rex Begonias, Rubber Plants and Prayer Plants. Classic foliage plants like Monsteras, Fiddle Leaf Figs, Banana Palms, Alocasias, and many varieties of Philodendrons are also well-suited.
For smaller apartments, air purifier plants can improve the air quality, such as Spider Plants, Snake Plants, and Boston Ferns. Cyclamens add a splash of colour to a cool space. For low light areas, we recommend Cast Iron Plants, Dragon Tail Plants and Ferns.
Air plants are particularly easy to take care of for newbies. These are plants that need no soil to develop, just air. They grow off of surfaces
other than soil, like tree limbs. And if you don’t mind the horrifying idea of a meat-eating plant, Carnivorous Plants are a good shout.
Caring for the plant is important. It’s probably obvious, but like any living thing, if left unattended they will not survive. Newbies, did you know that plants need food? Feeding indoor plants once a month with a liquid fertiliser will help them flourish and maintain their dark green leaves. It’s important to maintain their feeding regime from spring to autumn.
But what about pests and diseases? One misstep and suddenly your plant could be covered. The best thing to do is simply keep the plant happy and healthy. Sufficient water, light, good quality potting mix and fertiliser will help keep them at their finest. You could also apply a seaweed solution to your indoor plants monthly.
Now that autumn is here and winter is on the horizon, the temperature and amount of sunlight can change dramatically, so plants will need a bit of extra care. Ensure plants aren’t overwatered, and don’t
8 Hammond Street, Brighton
Indicative price: $7.5m - $7.9m
Agent: Stephen Smith and Dahli Munro, Marshall White
Property Lens
56 Scott Street, Beaumaris
Indicative price: $1.695m - $1.795m
Agent: Angus Graham and Jack Rayner, Hodges
get too cold overnight. Be mindful of heat pumps drying out plants if they are close by.
By picking the right plants and taking good care of them, you can make your space more relaxing, uplifting, and peaceful. With these tips, even if you’re new to plants, you can enjoy the benefits of having greenery indoors and keep your plants healthy and happy all year long.
Penthouse/181 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda
Indicative price: $1.8m - $1.98m
Agent: Mark Wridgway and Lachie Gleeson, RT Edgar
Precious babies
281 Centre Road, Bentleigh VIC 3204 9557 1500 ryan.batchelor@parliament.vic.gov.au ryanbatchelor.com.au @ryanbatchelormp I represent Melbourne’s inner south and inner south east in Victoria’s state parliament. If I can help you, please get in touch with my office. Scan the QR code to sign up to my newsletter updates!
Authorised by R Batchelor, 281 Centre Rd, Bentleigh.
LEONARD STUDIO GALLERY 9 Spring Rd Highett Open Wed-Fri 9-5 Sat 9-2 Sun -Tues call Tina 0422940015
At Ambrosial Yoga, we teach the Ghatastha Yoga Method, a structured, progressive system focused on strength, mobility, and injury recovery. Private and small group sessions ensure personalised and traditional instruction.
HOW WAR HELPED VEGEMITE SPREAD FROM ALBERT PARK TO THE NATION
Vegemite. That word evokes many things: Australian pride, warm memories of childhood breakfasts, and videos of Americans getting the Vegemite-to-butter ratio on toast all wrong. You probably already knew this iconic spread hailed from Melbourne, but did you know it was invented right on the bay in Albert Park?
The building at 76-82 Kerferd Road, Albert Park, was once home to the South Melbourne College. After the college closed in 1916, the Fred Walker Company (which would later become Kraft Food Company) used the building to produce food products.
In 1922, it was here that young food technologist Dr. Cyril P. Callister developed a spread from one of the richest known natural sources in the Vitamin B group, brewer’s yeast. Today, a plaque at the former site tells this story.
The name “Vegemite” was chosen from hundreds of entries in a national competition held by The Fred Walker Company, with a prize pool of 50 pounds. Although the winner’s name was not recorded, it was Fred Walker’s daughter who selected the winning entry. In 1923, Vegemite was first sold in stores across Australia.
its name was changed to Parwill in 1928. This was a bit of fun word play designed to emulate the success of Marmite. Because if Marmite, then Parwill… eh?
Needless to say, Parwill didn’t stick and by the early 1940s it went back to Vegemite. It wasn’t until the Second World War that Vegemite became a household name.
With shipping routes to Australia disrupted once again, all sorts of foods became scarce, including Marmite.
With ANZAC Day around the corner, we’d be remiss not to mention Vegemite’s wartime significance. In fact, Vegemite owes its existence to the First World War.
Before the war, Australians were fond of the British yeast spread Marmite, but when German U-boats began disrupting British supply ships to Australia, Marmite disappeared from the shelves.
Since Marmite’s patent restricted its manufacturing to Britain, a gap in the market emerged for a yeast-based spread. That’s why Cyril P. Callister was hired to develop a homegrown yeast spread. At first, Vegemite did not sell well, and as a result
With shipping routes to Australia disrupted once again, all sorts of foods became scarce, including Marmite. With its long shelf life and high level of B-vitamins, Vegemite was marketed as a good replacement for many foods. And it worked.
The Australian Army started buying Vegemite in bulk to be included in the rations for Australian troops. This helped to cement Vegemite’s place as a symbol of Australian identity and patriotism. To meet the demand, the Fred Walker Company even had to start rationing Vegemite on a per capita basis across the country.
Today, roughly 22 million jars of Vegemite are manufactured in Melbourne every year. According to the Vegemite website, around 80% of Australian households have a jar.
From its invention in Albert Park to becoming a true Aussie icon, Vegemite has earned its place in homes across the country. So next time you spread some on your toast, take a moment to appreciate its storied history and be a true happy little Vegemite, as bright as bright can be.
Photo: Port Phillip City Collection
Mmm. Vegemite
Above: Parwill Jar. South Melbourne College, 1907
COMMUNITY SPORT REPORT GAME TIME
NEW SEASON, NEW LOOK FOR BEAUMARIS SOCCER CLUB
This year, the Beaumaris Soccer Club is celebrating its 50th season, and to mark the occasion, they’ve unveiled new playing strips for 2025. This launch comes through a partnership with sportswear brand Umbro, who will supply the match kits, training wear, and off-field gear for all the Club’s teams and supporters. The Beaumaris Soccer Club’s 50th season kicks off on 5 April.
SCHOOL HOLIDAY NETBALL CAMPS
Looking for something active to keep your child busy over the Easter School Holidays? Australian Sports Camps are running a three-day School Holiday Netball Camp at Firbank Grammar in Brighton from 14-16 April.
LOCAL BASEBALL CLUB PRESIDENT WINS AWARD
Port Melbourne Mariners Baseball Club President Daniella Cumiskey Garofolo was recently recognised and awarded the Victorian Summer Baseball League 2024/25 Volunteer of the Year. The Port Mariners said in a Facebook post, “A well deserved reward for Daniella’s extraordinary efforts over the past three years, especially the past 12 months.
The club is so appreciative of what Daniella does for the club and are all so proud of her winning this award.” The Port Mariners are a community baseball club that have been representing Port Melbourne since 1929.
GREEN BANDS TO PROTECT YOUNG NETBALL UMPIRES
No umpire should cop abuse, especially the young ones. Netball Victoria has introduced the statewide Green Band initiative, where umpires under 18 years old will wear a green band on their wrist to indicate their age. This initiative aims to foster a safe, supportive, and respectful environment for all members of the netball community, particularly young umpires. By clearly identifying these umpires, we can better protect them from negative sideline behaviour and support their development.
BEAUMARIS CRICKET CLUB TEAM CELEBRATES GRAND FINAL VICTORY
The Beaumaris Cricket Club’s sixth XI men’s team capped off the season with a Grand Final win. “Well done to the boys on a massive team effort and a well-deserved flag!” The Club said on social media. The weekend after, on 29 March, the Club held their Senior Presentation Night at Banksia Reserve, which celebrated the season that was.
SOUTH MELBOURNE FC WOMEN UNDEFEATED
The South Melbourne Football Club (Spurs coach Ange Postocoglou’s old club) put on a dominant show on 15-16 March against the Bentleigh Greens with an undefeated weekend across their female program, from the under 13s to the seniors.
PIASTRI CLAIMS FIRST RACE WIN OF 2025
Brighton-raised racing superstar Oscar Piastri has secured his first win of the 2025 season at the Chinese Grand Prix, which was also his first career pole position in F1. With two rounds completed out of 24, Piastri currently sits fourth in the driver standings. The next round will take place in Japan on 6 April.
BAYSIDE TENNIS GRAND FINALS
On 15 March, the Bayside Regional Tennis Association held its grand final presentations at Black Rock Sports Club, with clubs from across Victoria in attendance. Luke, Jack, Manol, Oliver, and Joseph from Black Rock Sports Club claimed the grand final prize in the Summer Men’s Section 11 Premiership. The Elwood Park Tennis Club also celebrated a victory, winning the Men’s Doubles Team Section 1.
Oscar Piastri in the winners circle
Port Melbourne Mariners Baseball Club President Daniella Cumiskey
The winning young tennis players of the Black Rock Sports Club.
