The Local Paper. Eastern Edition. Wed., Dec. 8, 2021

EASTERN EDITION BOROONDARA • MAROONDAH • MONASH • WHITEHORSE

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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2021

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● Leah Phillips and Suzanne Shakespeare were part of the cast when The Local Paper’s columnist Julie Houghton staged a ‘Tis The Season For Christmas Joy’ concert last Saturday afternoon at St Paul’s Anglican Church, Canterbury.

After the concert, the Rev. Rachel McDougall invited attendees to the Parish Centre for afternoon tea. There were also a number of stalls held in a market atmosphere.

Artists included Christian Smith, Christopher Cox, Karen van Spall and Trevor Jones. See Page 8 for more photos.

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Page 2 - The Local Paper - Wednesday, December 8, 2021

Where to pick up your free copy of The Local Paper ■ ASHBURTON. Ashburton Newsagency. 168 High St. ■ BALWYN. Balwyn Newsagency.

413 Whitehorse Rd. ■ BALWYN. Coles Express. 449 Whitehorse Rd (Cnr Imaroo St).

■ BALWYN. United Petroleum. 99 Balwyn Rd. ■ BAYSWATER. 7-Eleven. Cnr Scoresby Rd and High St. ■ BAYSWATER. Cellarbrations. 717 Mountain Hwy. ■ BAYSWATER. Coles Express. 768 Mountain Hwy. ■ BORONIA. Metro Boronia Cinemas. Dorset Square.

■ BORONIA. Tatts/Cignall. Shop 5, 123 Boronia Rd. ■ BOX HILL. 7-Eleven. Cnr Elgar Rd and Whitehorse Rd. ■ BLACKBURN. BP. Cnr Whitehorse Rd and Goodwin St ■ BLACKBURN. Tatts/Newsagency.

116 South Pde. ■ BLACKBURN SOUTH. 7-Eleven.

Cnr Canterbury Rd and Middleborough Rd. ■ BLACKBURN SOUTH. Duncan’s Licensed Grocers. Blackburn Rd. ■ BOX HILL NORTH. Box Hill Licensed Grocery. Middleborough Rd. ■ BOX HILL NORTH. Hyper Star Convenience Store. 941 Station St. ■ BOX HILL NORTH. Kerrimuir Post Office. 527 Middleborough Rd. ■ BOX HILL NORTH. Milk Bar/ Newsagency. 515 Middleborough Rd. ■ BOX HILL NORTH. United Petroleum. 604 Elgar Rd. ■ BOX HILL SOUTH. Box Hill South Newsagency. 870 Canterbury Rd. ■ BOX HILL SOUTH. BP. Cnr Canterbury Rd and Station St. ■ BRANDON PARK. 7-Eleven.

602-606 Ferntree Gully Rd. ■ BULLEEN. Duncan’s Bulleen Cellars. 190 Bulleen Rd. ■ BULLEEN. Thompsons Road News and Lotto. 123a Thompsons Rd. ■ BURWOOD. Burwood Authorised Newsagency. 1394 Toorak Rd ■ CANTERBURY. Buckley’s Licensed Supermarket. 92 Maling Rd. ■ CANTERBURY. Canterbury Newsagency/Tatts/Post Office. 104 Maling Rd. ■ CANTERBURY. Coles Express.

Cnr 260 Canterbury Rd and Redvers St. ■ CLAYTON. Clayton Newsagency.

345 Clayton Rd. ■ CROYDON. Coles Express. 168172 Mt Dandenong Rd. ■ CROYDON. Croydon Lotto. 118 Main St. ■ CROYDON. Milk Bar. Cnr Old Lilydale Rd and Everard Rd. ■ CROYDON. Newsagency. 166 Main St. ■ CROYDON SOUTH. Eastfield Milk Bar. 11 The Mall. Eastfield Rd ■ CROYDON SOUTH. Eastfield Newsagency. 7 The Mall. Eastfield Rd ■ CROYDON SOUTH. IGA Supermarket. 13 The Mall. Eastfield Rd. ■ DONCASTER. Budget-Rite Licensed Supermarket. Cnr High St and Village Ave. ■ DONCASTER. Coles Express.

551-557 Doncaster Rd. ■ EAST BURWOOD. BP. Cnr Burwood Hwy and Blackburn Rd ■ EAST DONCASTER. BP Service Station. 880-882 Doncaster Rd. ■ EAST DONCASTER. Caltex. 987 Doncaster Rd. ■ EAST DONCASTER. Dunburn Deli/Milk Bar. 262 Blackburn Rd. ■ EAST DONCASTER. Jackson Court News and Lotto. 74 Jackson Ct. ■ EAST OAKLEIGH. East Oakleigh Newsagency. 190 Huntingdale Rd. ■ FERNTREE GULLY. 7-Eleven. Cnr Station St and Burwood Hwy. ■ FERNTREE GULLY. Ferntree Gully Newsagency. 69 Station St. ■ FERNTREE GULLY. Ferntree Gully Supermarket. 9-13 Alpine St. ■ DONVALE. 7-Eleven. 95 Mitcham Rd. ■ DONVALE. Lucky Corner (Fish and Chips). Cnr Springvale Rd and Doncaster Rd. ■ GLEN WAVERLEY. BP. Cnr Blackburn Rd and Highbury Rd. ■ GLEN WAVERLEY. Coles Express.

Cnr Springvale Rd and Ferntree Gully Rd (north-west corner) ■ GLEN WAVERLEY. Glen Waverley Newsagency/The Loott. 4/39 Kingsway ■ HEATHMONT. Heathmont News/ Tatts. 150 Canterbury Rd. ■ HEATHMONT. IGA Supermarket.

116-120 Canterbury Rd. ■ HEATHMONT. Sunrise Convenience Store. 30 Canterbury Rd.

■ HOLMESGLEN. The Lott/Holmesglen Newsagency. 637 Warrigal Rd. ■ HUNTINGDALE. Huntingdale Newsagency. 290 Huntingdale Rd. ■ KEW. Cotham Road Newsagency.

97 Cotham Rd. ■ KEW. Kew Newsagency. 175 High St. ■ KEW EAST. Kew East Supermarket. 653 High St (near Westbrook St).

■ MITCHAM. Mitcham Newsagency.

503 Whitehorse Rd. ■ MITCHAM. United Petroleum. Cnr Whitehorse Rd and Alexander St. ■ MONT ALBERT. 42 Hamilton St. ■ MONT ALBERT. Post Office. 1a Hamilton St. ■ MOUNT WAVERLEY. Newsagency.

63 Blackburn Rd. ■ MOUNT WAVERLEY. NexsXpress.

71 Hamilton Place.

■ MOUNT WAVERLEY. Tally Ho Cellars. 65 Blackburn Rd. ■ MOUNTAIN GATE. 7-Eleven. 844 Burwood Hwy. ■ MOUNTAIN GATE. Mountain Gate Newsagency and Lotto. Shop 3, 1880 Burwood Hwy. ■ MULGRAVE. BP. Cnr 682-688 Wellington Rd and Springvale Rd. ■ MURRUMBEENA. Murrumbeena Newsagency. 456 Nerrim Rd. ■ NORTH BALWYN. Bellevue Milk Bar. 113 Bulleen Rd - Service Road.

■ NORTH BALWYN. The Lott/ Newsagency. 77 Doncaster Rd. ■ NORTH BLACKBURN. 7-Eleven.

Cnr Springfield Rd and Williams Rd. ■ NORTH BLACKBURN. Coles Express. Cnr Springfield Rd and Middleborough Rd. ■ NORTH MITCHAM. BP. Mitcham Rd (near cnr Andover Ave) ■ NORTH MITCHAM. Licensed Post Office. 228 Mitcham Rd. ■ NORTH MITCHAM. United Petroleum. 208 Mitcham Rd. ■ NUNAWADING. Mountain View Newsagency. 293 Springfield Rd. ■ OAKLEIGH. The Lott. 28 Atherton Rd. ■ OAKLEIGH. Oakleigh Central Lotto. 48 Portman St. ■ OAKLEIGH EAST. BP. 229 Ferntree Gully Rd (Cnr Stephensons Rd) ■ RINGWOOD. 7-Eleven. Cnr Loughnans Rd and Warrandyte Rd. ■ RINGWOOD. BP. Cnr Carcoola Rd/ Old Lilydale Rd and Maroondah Hwy. ■ RINGWOOD. Coles Express. Cnr Oban Rd and Maroondah Hwy. ■ RINGWOOD. Loughnans Rd Milk Bar. 83 Loughnans Rd. ■ RINGWOOD NORTH. 7-Eleven.

Cnr Warrandyte Rd and Oban Rd. ■ RINGWOOD NORTH. North Ringwood Newsagency. 182 Warrandyte Rd. ■ ROWVILLE. Caltex. 940 Stud Rd. ■ ROWVILLE. Stud Park Lotto. K03 Stud rd and Fulham Rd ■ SCORESBY. Coles Express. Cnr Stud Rd and Ferntree Guilly Rd. ■ SURREY HILLS. Post Office. 100 Union Rd. ■ SYNDAL. Syndal Newsagency. Cnr Blackburn Rd and Matthew St. ■ TEMPLESTOWE. 7-Eleven. Cnr Anderson St and Wood St. ■ TEMPLESTOWE. Macedon Square Newsagency. 25 Macedon Rd. ■ TEMPLESTOWE. Templestowe Newsagncy. 122 James St. ■ TUNSTALL SQUARE. Caltex. Cnr Tunstall Square and Doncaster Rd. ■ TUNSTALL SQUARE. Tunstall Square Bottle Mart. 17 Tunstall Square.

■ TUNSTALL SQUARE. Tunstall Square Newsagency. 4 Tunstall Square.

■ VERMONT SOUTH. Coles Express. 602-604 Burwood Hwy. ■ WANTIRNA. IGA Supermarket.

Wantirna Mall.

■ WANTIRNA. Tatts/Manfre’s Hairdressing. Wantirna Mall.

■ WANTIRNA. Wantirna Newsagency. Wantirna Mall.

■ WANTIRNA SOUTH. Cellarbrations. 4/249 Stud Rd. ■ WANTIRNA SOUTH. Coles Express. 435 Stud Rd (cnr High St Rd) ■ WANTIRNA SOUTH. Foodmax. 1/ 249 Stud Rd. ■ WANTIRNA SOUTH. Studfield IGA. 191-195 Stud Rd. ■ WANTIRNA SOUTH. Studfield Newsagency. 1/223 Stud Rd. ■ WATTLE PARK. Wattle Park Licensed Post Office. 190 Elgar Rd ■ WHEELERS HILL. Wheelers Hill Hotel. Cnr Ferntree Guilly Rd and Jells Rd.

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Local News

Improving Erica Ave ■ Knox Council - with the assistance of the State Government - is planning to revitalise Erica Avenue in Boronia, to upgrade the street to better suit the needs and use of current and future local businesses and the community.

A draft concept design has been developed to explore how these improvements can be made and the Council is seeking feedback.

Key aspects of the design include: ■ Improved and safer pedestrian environment including pavement graphics and new crossings ■ New shade trees and planting to create a cooler, green and leafy environment and provide a parkland

character for the street ■ Large trees for shade ■ A separated bi-directional bike lane for safe bicycle connections ■ Wayfinding and totem marker points that define the street as a precinct ■ Locally sourced materials such as timber and stone for public social spaces ■ Areas for businesses to create outdoor dining or shopping experiences ■ On street parking Construction is planned for in early-mid 2022.

Submissions close December 17.

Court Lists Ringwood Magistrates’ Court Plaintiff / Informant / Applicant vs Defendant / Accused / Respondent. Information Division.

Criminal Case Listings Wednesday, December 8 Aliyan, Mohammad Almond, Elizabeth Laura Antoniou, Kon Asto, Andre Ath, Rotha Ballard, Jacob Barnes, Clive Bennett, Darren James Berkley, Beverley Booth, Sebastian Bouy, Collin Brown, Morgan Wesley Butler, Scott Carter, Sam Chin, Francis Kim Hon Cilia, Lorraine Colangelo, David Collins, Peter Benjamin Connell, Bernard John Connors, Amanda Jane Cowley, Kale Culibrk, Danica Currie, Aaron Danforth, Mosea Dagan Davies, Lucy Davis, Peter Destounis, Dimitrios Donnelly, Carly Draper, Ben Drummond, Tom Dyer, Emah Forza, Abigail Frazer, Luke Freeman, Zachary David Friendship, Damon C Gatwech-Chol, Nyayang Gillieron, Joel Gitsis, Lynne Grabowski, Cezary Grbac, Julian Green, Daniel Hassall, Emilee Rose Hawkey, Jonathan Hicks, Timothy Lee Hine, Roy Hortle, Juliene Hunt, Coco Jenkins, Jayden Matthew Jenkins, Wayne Kevin Jones, Jessica Keogh, Bronwyn King, Ashley Ronald Kouvas, Rebecca Krause, Cathryn Lacey, Christopher Larkin, Jack Lister-Best, Jeffrey Lugg, Christopher Maffescioni, Cara Maher, Paul Malik, Anuj Mariolis, Nicholas Maxfield, Ben May, Joshua Mcallister, Peter Mcbride, Meagan Mccutcheon, Jayme

Contents of Court Lists are intended for information purposes only. The lists are extracted from Court Lists, as supplied to the public, by the Magistrates’ Court of Victoria, often one week prior to publication date; for current Court lists, please contact the Court. Further details of cases are available at www.magistratescourt.vic.gov.au The Local Paper shall in no event accept any liability for loss or damage suffered by any person or body due to information provided. The information is provided on the basis that persons accessing it undertake responsibility for assessing the relevance and accuracy of its content. No inference of a party’s guilt, innocence or liability should be made by publication of their name as a defendant. Court schedules may be changed at any time for any reason, including withdrawal of the action by the Plaintiff/Applicant. E&OE.

Medson, Jack Melksham, Michael Minton-Green, Dylan Mitchell, Jeremy Leigh Moldrich, Bruce James Moore, Lucas Murphy, Troy Ng Youne, Jamie Lee Ni, Feng Sheng O'halloran, Jaimie O'shae, Alan Parsons, Molly Peric, Jayde Perrin, Brittney Precht, Stuart Ratcliffe, Matthew John Richards, Billy Rye, Scott Alan Sahil, Sahil Savage, Matthew Robert Seif-Zadeh, Farzad Sharifi, Amir Shokaty, Shervin Simmonds, Tracey Singh, Akash Spencer Gardner, Howard Spiteri, Mary Anne Stead, Steven Paul Steegstra, Chantelle Stewart, Rhiannon Tan, Amanda Jane Teixeira, Jesse Tha, James Tillack, Dale Toebelman, Tyson Trompa, Peter Viola, Michael Walles, Shimon Ward, Alana Ward, Zander Waugh, John Herbert Welch, Jackson Welis, Moshe Wheeler, Aisling Mary White, Micah White, Paul Anthony Wilson, Michael Wittenberg, Dean Woods, Jacob Yap, Joseph Youne, Jamie Lee Zeng, Lingli Zwagerman, Liam

The Whip Our Spy in Parliament

Garrett signs off

● Jane Garrett ■ Following in the steps of John Eren (Lara), Danielle Green (Yan Yean), Jill Hennessy (Altona) and Daniel Halse (Ringwood) ... Jane Garrett told Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews that she won’t be on his team at the November 2022 State Election.

Ms Garrett, Eastern Victoria MLC, was badly treated by her ALP colleagues. Yet, Mr Andrews’s statement on Friday (Dec. 3) provided a spectacular ‘eulogy’ “Across Jane’s long political career, she has served the Australian Labor Party and Labor Governments as a staffer, a local member, a party officer, a parliamentary secretary and a minister.

“Delivering secure jobs and a quality education for working people has always been at the heart of Jane’s commitment to her work.

“I thank Jane for her long service to the parliament and the party. She can be rightly proud of her contribution to our movement and to our state.

“I wish Jane and her family all the very best for the future.”

Gepp goes too

■ By comparison, Premier Andrews put out an effusive 12-paragraph media statement about Mark Gepp, Northern Victorian MLC, who has announced that he too won’t be on board when Dan seeks to win another poll in 11 months’ time.

Urban Myth Dept.

■ The Whip receives many State Politics news tips. Many are urban myths.

For the record, despite wide circulation of rumours to the contrary, no cases - civil or criminal - against Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews are listed on the Magistrates’ Court of Victoria database.

It pays to “fact check”. Spreading bogus claims about court cases that do not exist could prove expensive for the gossipers.

Family first

■ Flinders MHR Greg Hunt reckons it is family that has led to his decision not to recontest the seat. He told Federal Parliament last week: “My amazing wife, Paula, who is in the gallery today, is a nurse, carer, counsellor and confidante. But perhaps above all else she's raised two beautiful children largely as a single mother.

“I am so immensely proud of Poppy, who is going into year 11, and of James, who is about to go into senior school. They're both getting awards this week, and, again, I'm not there. On Sunday they looked at me and said: 'Dad, this is your last chance to be a proper dad. It's time to come home, Dad.'

Death threats

■ Rod Barton, Eastern Metro MLC, says that he has received death threats after giving his vote to Daniel Andrews’s pandemic laws. His vote wiped out maverick MP Adem Somyurek’s temporary power spike.

www.LocalPaper.com.au

Ticks & Crosses

The Local Paper - Wednesday, December 8, 2021 - Page 3

Local News

Carols at Ruffey Lake Park

● Geoffrey Davey (centre), flanked

by Barry Reaper (left) and Grand Master Richard Elkington.

A special presentation was made to Geoffrey Davey of Deepdene at Ivanhoe Grammarians Masonic Lodge in his 75th year of membership. Freemasons Victoria Past Grand Secretary Barry Reaper of Diamond Creek made the presentation, and was supported by Victorian Grand Master Richard Elkington.

✔

✔

Boroondara Mayor Jane Addis has congratulated winners of the 23rd Annual Literary Awards. Sophie Matthie-sson was selected as the winner of the Open Short Story Competition for her tale, Dead Heifers. Other winners included Linda Judge, Annalisa Chen, Rosa Toon, Angelina Liu, Joel Hu, Hazel Angel-ucci and Marcus Peeters-Williams. Judges were Chloe Hooper, Nam Le and Leanne Hall. Cr Addis thanked the Rotary Club of Balwyn, along with the local schools and writers who participated.

✔ ✔

Manningham Council staged the official launch of the upgraded shop ping Ayr St strip in Doncaster last Saturday (Dec. 4).

Whitehorse Council’s Festivals team is rolling out treasure hunt over 24 days in December, with presents to find. OSecond chance prize is a Nintendo Switch. The Council is hosting a Movie Night on Friday (Dec. 10) to gather with friend.

● Peter Grant For 20 years, Peter Grant has been the creative driver behind the Knox Carols by Candlelight event. From co-ordinating performers to transposing musical arrangements, Peter has served as the Program Director for the annual celebration that provides quality entertainment and festive memories for the whole family The first Knox Carols by Candlelight had humble beginnings.

“There was no professional band and the stage was fairly basic,” Peter says. “Not all that many people came and we didn’t get the crowds we do now. We’ve been able to build the show into something professional which of course entices good crowds out.” Carols by Candlelight will be streamed on Saturday (Dec. 11) at 7.15pm.

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Support Metro Boronia Cinemas - who did it tough during the COVID lockdowns - by booking a ticket to the special event screening of Ghostbusters Afterlife at 6.45pm this Saturday (Dec. 11). Phone 9762 8744 or go to www.metroboronia.com.au

■ Santa Claus is coming to town … and he’s bringing Australia’s leading lady, Rhonda Burchmore, with him.

Following last year’s cancellation, Manningham Carols by Candlelight will return to Ruffey Lake Park on Friday (Dec. 10) with Rhonda Burchmore as MC, a string of international and local performers and a selection of Melbourne’s best food trucks.

Manningham Mayor Cr Michelle Kleinert said this year’s event marked 40 years of Carols

by Candlelight in Manningham.

“Carols is such a magical event where we’re surrounded by family and friends among a sea of glow sticks, singing some of our favourite songs together,” Cr Kleinert said.

“Often people tell us it doesn’t feel like Christmas until they’ve been to Carols, so we’re looking forward to welcoming our community back and celebrating together.”

This year’s event will kick off with pre-show entertainment from popular children’s entertainers Bethany Fisher and local favourites, The Veneto Club Choir. The main concert will feature legendary entertainer Rhonda Burchmore, some of our best up and coming local entertainers and Santa.

This year’s Carols will go ahead under strict

● Rhonda Burchmore.

COVID safe conditions with the area fenced and capacity limits. All attendees need to preregister their attendance before the event.

All attendees over the age of 12 years and two months will need to provide proof of full vaccination and check in via QR code upon entry.

Fireworks are scheduled around 10pm. Please ensure all pets are secured in a safe and comfortable location to avoid any distress.

Road closure and parking restrictions will be in place in streets surrounding Ruffey Lake Park.

Focus on East Doncaster WARRANT ISSUED ■ Police are appealing for public assistance to locate Katie Goodwin.

The 19-year-old is wanted on warrant for attempted car theft.

Goodwin is known to frequent the Hampton East, Doncaster East and Burwood areas.

She is described as about 170cm tall with a thin build, blonde hair, blue/grey eyes with a fair complexion.

Investigators have released an image of Goodwin in the hope that someone may be able to provide information on his current whereabouts.

■ Anyone who has information about her whereabouts is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au

■ A woman has died in police custody after she was found unresponsive at Knox Police Station on Thursday evening (Dec. 2).

The 40-year-old Ringwood woman was taken into custody and was awaiting a remand hearing.

She was found unresponsive when police custody officers conducted routine checks just before 8pm.

Officers commenced CPR and paramedics were immediately called.

The woman was transported to hospital and later passed away.

Detectives from the Homicide Squad will investigate the death, with oversight from Professional Standards Command.

This is standard protocol when a person has died in Police custody.

For Puffing Billy

■ A $24.8 million Visitor Centre alongside the Puffing Billy Railway officially opened on Friday (Dec. 3).

Tourism Minister Martin Pakula joined Monbulk MLA James Merlino and community representatives to unveil the state-of-theart Centre, which will service thousands of visitors each week at Lakeside Station in the heart of the Dandenong Ranges.

Hit-run arrest

■ Yarra Crime Investigation Unit detectives have charged a man after a pedestrian was hit by a car in Collingwood on Tuesday last week (Nov. 30).

The incident occurred at a COVID-19 testing site on the corner of Easey St and Hoddle St about 9.25am.

It is alleged a man driving a stolen car was driving erratically before hitting a pedestrian who was monitoring the line at the site before driving away from the scene.

Police arrested the man in Leicester St in Carlton a short time later.

The male pedestrian was taken to hospital where he remains with non-life-threatening injuries.

A 32-year-old man, of no fixed address, has been charged with theft of motor vehicle, reckless conduct endangering serious injury, intentionally cause injury, drive in manner dangerous, fail to render assistance after an accident, possess a drug of dependence and other drug related offences.

He was remanded to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on December 15.

Disability Day

● Katie Goodwin.

Better mental health in Boronia ■ Knox residents can receive direct, individualised mental health and wellbeing support through a new pop-up service in Boronia.

The Mental Health and Wellbeing Hub, delivered by EACH and supported by Knox City Council, offers a supportive and local place to get assistance and be connected with relevant services, for those who may be unsure of where to start in getting help.

The Hub is walk-in friendly to allow more people access to the support and resources they need when facing mental health challenges.

Knox City Council Mayor, Cr Susan Laukens, said supporting the community’s mental health and wellbeing is more important now than ever before.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has created challenges for so many in our community and continues to put pressure on our relationships, families, work life, finances and more,” she said.

“Our mental health and wellbeing affects so many aspects of our lives and our ability to participate and contribute to our community, so Council is focused on helping the people of Knox to find the support they need to live fulfilling lives here.”

The Hub can be accessed at 93 Boronia Rd, Boronia – entry via Dorset Square.

Local Briefs Police custody death

■ CrTony Dib, a representative on the Maroondah Disability Advisory Committee, said Maroondah Council was committed to reducing key issues faced by people with disabilities.

Cr Dib said those with a disability should enjoy all the opportunities the municipality afforded, as well as be able to participate in community life.

“Council has a role to play in advocating for and implementing change for people with disabilities, including addressing negative attitudes, providing social inclusion opportunities and ensuring accessibility of local infrastructure, as well as sharing information and services,” Cr Dib said.

Snakes alive!

● Cr Susan Laukens, Knox Mayor

■ Snakes can be out sunning themselves along shared pathways, bush trails, parks and even your backyard, if you live close to bush, a creek or waterway.

The two main types of snakes in Knox are the Lowland Copperhead and Tiger snake.

Both will try to seek shelter if disturbed but are venomous so it is best to take care as you are walking and seek medical advice if you do get bitten, said a Council representative.

“During the summer months avoid staking timber or building material too close to your home as they make good shelter for snakes.

“And take care when out walking your dog, consider keeping them on the lead especially near creeks, waterways and bushland areas,” said the Council representative.

www.LocalPaper.com.au

Page 4 - The Local Paper - Wednesday, December 8, 2021

Ash on Wednesday published in association with the

Melbourne

Observer

First published September 14, 1969 Contact Us

Rodeo finals at Alex.

Short Shots Heidi moves on

Phone: 1800 231 311, 9489 2222, 9439 9927, 5797 2656, 0450 399 932 Reg. Office: 30 Glen Gully Rd, Eltham, Vic 3095 (same address for 27 years) Mail: PO Box 1278, Research, Vic 3095 Web: www.LocalPaper.com.au E-Mail: Editor@LocalPaper.com.au

Easy Contacts 24/7 Read Online: www.LocalPaper.com.au Free Ads: www.AdvertiseFree.com.au Subscribe Free: www.FreePaper.com,au

● Heidi Murphy ■ Radio man Neil Mitchell’s senior producer Heidi Murphy signed off on Friday (Dec. 2). She will still be heard on 3AW over summer, including her Sunday Morning stints with Darren James and Nick McCallum.

Heidi is known in media circles as a fair and ethical operator. She has aspirations for a TV career in 2022, and is expected to grow her profile with Nine News.

Our Team Editor: Ash Long Features Editor: Peter Mac Columnists: Len Baker, Matt Bissett-Johnson, Rob Foenander, Mike McColl Jones, Peter Kemp, Aaron Rourke, John Rozentals, Jim Sherlock, Ted Ryan, Cheryl Threadgold, Julie Houghton, Kevin Trask, Gavin Wood, John O’Keefe Honorary Reviewers: Juliet Charles, Sherryn Danaher, Mary Downie, Peter Green, Lyn Hurst, Kathryn Keeble, Beth Klein, Deborah Marinaro, David McLean, Graeme McCoubrie, Maggie Morrison, Jill Page, Elizabeth Semmel Logistics: Sam Fiorini (All Day Distribution), The Gregson Family, Graeme Hawke, Maurice Golden, John Parry Credit Manager: Michael Conway OAM, Fast Action Debt Recovery, 0402 142 866

In 37 Local Areas Incorporating editions and traditions for these local areas: • Banyule: Heidelberger • Bayside: Southern Cross Weekly, Bayside Times, Bayside Advertiser, Brighton Advertiser, Sandringham Advertiser • Boroondara (Northern): Boroondara Weekly, Progress News • Boroondara (Southern):Southern Cross Weekly, Boroondara Weekly • Brimbank: Brimbank Messenger, Keilor Messenger • Cardinia: Cardinia Edition • Casey: Casey Edition, Cranbourne Sun • Darebin (Northern): Preston Post-Reservoir Times • Darebin (Southern): Northcote Budget • Frankston: Frankston Edition • Glen Eira: Southern Cross Weekly, Glen Eira Standard • Greater Dandenong: Dandenong Advertiser • Hobsons Bay: Hobsons Bay Edition • Hume: Hume Obserrver, Broadmeadows Observer • Kingston: Southern Cross Weekly, Kingston Standard, Moorabbin Standard, Moorabbin News • Knox: Knox-Sherbrooke News • Manningham: Manningham News, DoncasterTemplestowe News • Mansfield: Regional Edition • Maribyrnong: Maribyrnong Edition • Maroondah: Maroondah Mail, Croydon Mail, Ringwood Mail • Melbourne: Melbourne Observer, Nation Review, Southern Cross Weekly • Mitchell: Mitchell Shire Edition • Monash: Monash Gazette, Waverley Gazette, Oakleigh Times • Moonee Valley: Moonee Valley Gazette, Essendon Gazette • Moreland: Moreland Courier, Brunswick Sentinel, Coburg Courier • Mornington Peninsula: Mornington Peninsula Post, Hastings Sun, Southern Peninsula Gazette, Western Port Sun • Murrindindi: Dindi Local, Murrindindi Citizen, The Phoenix • Nillumbik (Urban): Diamond Valley News • Nillumbik (Regional): Regional Edition • Port Phillip: Southern Cross Weekly, Port Phillip Times, Emerald Hill Times, Sandridge Times, St Kilda Times • Stonnington: Southern Cross Weekly, Stonnington Weekly • Strathbogie: Regional Edition • Whitehorse: Whitehorse Gazette, Box Hill Gazette, Box Hill Reporter, Nunawading Gazette • Whittlesea (Regional): Regional Edition • Whittlesea (Urban): Whittlesea Post • Yarra: Southern Cross Weekly, Yarra Times, Collingwood Fitzroy Carlton Courier, Richmond Times • Yarra Ranges: Lilydale and Yarra Valley Express, The New Free Press Also incorporating Melbourne Press Network, Victorian Press Network, Victorian Press, Melbourne Trader Newspaper, Melbourne Advertiser, Melbourne Seniors News, Victorian Rural News, Melbournewide

● Jarrod McKane in the Open Bareback Bronc. Photo: Dave Ethell. and Recreation Re■ Victorian cowboy serve from 7pm on Jarrod McKane will January 21-22. be one of the favourThen rounds 3-4 ites for the bareback will be on January 28bronc ride at Alex29 from 7pm at the andra on January 8 Alexandra Dame and then at the Ariat Pattie Menzies Centre.

National Finals Rodeo Alexandra rodeo rounds at Alexandra. spokesman Andrew on January 28-29.

Embling said there Alexandra will host were finals held in three massive days of Victoria in the 1980s rodeo in January as but this was the first the best riders in the finals in the state in the nation go head-tointervening years. head in the battle for “It is fantastic to be titles in the Australian able to host the finals,” Professional Rodeo Mr Embling said.

Association.

As well as the There were no nachampionship events tional finals last year in the APRA, the due to COVID-19 so Alexandra Rodeo will the 2021 finals in Januhave extra entertainary will be the first with Ash Long, Editor ment with trick riders since Warwick hosted and musical entertainthe 2019 finals just Celebrating 52 years in local media ment before and after more than two years Winner, Best Local Reporting Award each night of the roago.

Victoria-wide Westpac Award deo.

The Ariat NationDirect: 0450 399 932 One of the Victoals Finals are the best E: editor@LocalPaper.com.au rian riders to watch will of the best in the APRA Web: www.LocalPaper.com.au be Chiltern bareback with the top 15 in seven Personal: www.AshLong.com.au bronc rider Jarrod events to compete at McKane.

Chiltern and Alex“For the cause that lacks assistance, All the action from andra in late January.

‘Gainst the wrongs that need resistance the two nights of finals Rounds 1-2 of the For the future in the distance, will be livestreamed finals will be held at And the good that we can do” across the world.

Chiltern Racecourse

Long Shots

Radio pair celebrate Christmas

COVID count

■ The 11 local government areas with the highest number of new cases are Hume, Whittlesea, Moreland, Moonee Valley, Casey, Brimbank, Maribyrnong, Mornington Peninsula, Melton, Bayside and Darebin.

One more issue

■ There will be one more issue of The Local Paper and Melbourne Observer for 2022. It will have a cover date of Wednesday, December 15.

Deadline for content and advertising bookings is 5pm this Friday (Dec. 10). Our office will re-open at 9am on Thursday, January 27.

Smiths’ revenge?

● Tim Smith, Kew MLA ■ Thirsty Kew MLA Tim Smith is possibly seeking revenge against Liberal State Parliamentary Leader Matthew Guy and the political party, according to Shannon Deery reporting in the Herald Sun. Apparently Mr Smith thinks that Mr Guy should have stood by him, after Mr Smith allegedly blew .131, and crashed his Jaguar into a Hawthorn home.

Mr Smith wants to force a by-election, says the Herald Sun. It would need a 4.5 per cent swing for Labor to take the seat.

To Federal arena

Imprint

■ Strong whisper is more than one Liberal State MP might try to swap across to safe Federal seats. These type of moves can often be accompanied by a bit of backlash from local voters who feel a little bit of betrayal.

Printed under contract by Streamline PressPty Ltd, 155 Johnston St, Fitzroy, for the publisher, Local Media Pty Ltd. ABN 67 096 680 063, of the registered office, 30 Glen Gully Rd, Eltham, Vic 3095. Responsibility for election and referendum comment is accepted by Ash Long.

• Copyright © 2021, Local Media Pty Ltd.

■ You can have a free digital edition of this newspaper emailed to you weekly. Go to www.FreePaper.com.au

Free newspaper

● 3MBS Fine Music Melbourne radio colleagues Julie Houghton and Stephen Clark were pictured at the ‘Tis The Season For Christmas Joy’ performance at St Paul’s. Canterbury, on Saturday afternoon.

www.LocalPaper.com.au

Your Stars

with Kerry Kulkens Aries : March 21- April 20.

Colour red Lucky day Monday Racing numbers 1.2.4.1.

Lotto numbers 1.5.12.24.40.33.

Accepting invitations to socialize more often could bring an excellent opportunity across your path. More will be in the public gaze. Problems in your love life should sort out.

Taurus: April 21- May 20.

Colour grey Lucky day. Wednesday Racing numbers 1.5.3.2.

Lotto numbers 13.15.26.24.40.44.

Surprises are in store, and many could receive a career offer that could create friction with your emotional relationships. You’ll need to be extra lovely to loved ones.

Gemini: May 21- June 21.

Colour green Lucky day Tuesday Racing numbers 2.5.4.2.

Lotto numbers 1.6.23.25.24.40.

Good fortune can come through social connections.

However, don’t let success go to your head and forget old friends or values. Romance can bring surprises.

Cancer: June 22- July 22.

Colour silver Lucky day. Monday Racing numbers 2.5.6.4.

Lotto numbers 13.15.24.29.27.10.

Loved ones will play a significant part in your decision making. It would help if you were successful in your career interests. If something is troubling, you Colour silver should discuss things with your nearest and dearest.

Leo: July 23- August 22.

Colour fawn Lucky day Friday Racing numbers 1.5.4.1.

Lotto numbers 1.15.14.40.22.3.

Take more care with travel and don’t overdo the social scene. Stay out of fights and arguments. You’ll lose even if you win. Apart from that, an auspicious time ahead.

Virgo: August 23- September 23.

Colour blue Lucky day Friday Racing numbers 1.5.2.3.

Lotto numbers 1.5.15.14.40.22.

Most should be able to relax more and get down to the serious business of having fun. Finances should improve, and most of your worries find solutions.

Libra: September 224- October 23.

Colour white Lucky day Monday Racing numbers 2.5.3.1.

Lotto numbers. 13.15.26.24.40.22.

Improved health and opportunities and perhaps some recent rift could be patched up without losing your dignity. Exciting opportunities will be offered to you— travel, love, and generally having fun.

Scorpio: October 24- November 22.

Colour red Lucky day Friday Racing 1.5.2.3.

Lotto numbers 13.15.24.40.22.10.

Dealing with authority should be more accessible. Business pleasure and travel should mix successfully. Some exciting news from a distance could improve your financial picture.

Sagittarius: November 23- December 20 Lucky colour blue Lucky day. Friday Racing numbers 1.5.2.4 Lotto numbers 1.5.19.17.7.13.

Misunderstandings in your love life and work scene, wiser to keep them apart if you can. Your secrets have a way of being revealed, although something extraordinary is about to happen to your luck.

Capricorn: December 21- January 19.

Colour red Lucky day Saturday Racing 4.5.6.4.

Lotto numbers 13.15.26.24.40.33.

Travel could come as a surprise, opportunities to improve your love life. For many, lives will head in a highly new direction and improve your health.

Aquarius: January 20- February 19.

Lucky colour green Lucky day Wednesday Racing numbers 1.2.1.2.

Lotto numbers 1.2.12.15.14.7.

Opportunities are now on offer with the possibility that new people will change plans and a new lifestyle. A social invitation could have strings attached.

Pisces: February 20- March 20.

Colour white Lucky day. Thursday Racing 1.6.5.5.

Lotto numbers 1.6.15.24.40.33.

Career prospects are better, so push ahead with plans stick to your intuitions with any financial undertakings. Unexpected visitors’ good news should make this a happier period.

VISIT KERRY KULKENS MAGIC SHOP AT 1693 BURWOOD HWY BELGRAVE PH/FAX 9754 4587 WWW.KERRYKULKENS.COM.AU Like us on Facebook

The Local Paper - Wednesday, December 8, 2021 - Page 5

Local News

Sharing Joy in FTGully ■ Joyce Crathern is a local amputee, who realised greater independence and happiness with the help of Community Housing Limited.

Due to the challenges of mobility, Joyce was confined to her upstairs bedroom in a cosy apartment with her daughter.

Lacking freedom and heavily reliant on those around her, Joyce realised there was a much better way to live life after visiting a friend in a CHL unit.

Joyce was accepted into a disability unit where she could live independently with space to swing her wheelchair around, easy access to tend to her garden and access to community activities.

In a post pandemic era, Joyce urges the nation to consider how political representatives, advocates, supporters, and every individual can push for more meaningful investments into socioeconomic building blocks that reduce the barrier faced by people with disabilities and those living below the poverty line.

“At a time where many were impacted by the challenges of a pandemic, it begs the question … without ongoing social housing support, where does it leave individuals who haven’t found help?”

● Joyce Crather.

Zero goal at Brentwood ■ Mount Waverley MLA Matt Fregon has spoken in State Parliament to congratulate Brentwood Secondary College, which was named the 2021 Community Champion award winners in the Premier’s Sustainability Awards Climate Action category.

“This is a school leading the way in their efforts to inspire sustainability action within our Mount Waverley district community, reducing campus environmental impacts, minimising waste and promoting solar energy initiatives.

“Back in 2020, Brentwood Secondary College launched their now award-winning— thank you very much—Towards Zero Bremissions initiative, aimed at reducing their greenhouse gas emissions from 540 tonnes to zero.

“Since then the school has managed to offset emissions

● Matt Fregon, Mount Waverley MLA by installing an impressive 68- principal John Ballagh and Mr kilowatt solar photovoltaic sys- Venkata Kalva. The work that tem on their roof, a project these guys do for our environwhich was entirely student ment from such a young age is driven by the green team, who amazing and can only be comhave done excellent work with mended,” Mr Fregon said.

Malv. East man at knifepoint ■ Frankston Crime Investigation Unit detectives are investigating a carjacking in Carrum Downs.

A 45-year-old man entered the car park of Carrum Downs Shopping Centre on Hall Rd about 9.30pm on Saturday, November 6.

As he approached his car, he noticed two men standing near his Nissan Pulsar.

One of the men produced a knife and demanded the victim hand over his keys.

The Malvern East man gave the keys to the offenders, who drove off in his car.

The vehicle located dumped a short distance away on Broderick Rd, Carrum Downs approximately 15 minutes later.

The victim was not physically injured during the incident.

Investigators have released images and CCTV of two men they believe may be able to assist with their enquiries.

The first man is perceived to be Caucasian in appearance and about 172cm tall.

The second man is perceived to be Caucasian in appearance, with light-coloured hair and a muscular build.

■ Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

● Police want to speak with this man

Local Sport SECA results Longmuir Shield. Kingston Heath 18/ 159(cc) HS Alles 27 O Gribben 25 J Whelan 3/28 B Jansz 2/17 J McKay 2/34 def by Bentleigh ANA 19/160 J White 45 TK Scott 43 KW Biggs 36* A Reid 3/36 HS Alles 2/29 A Birt 2/33. Brighton Union 16/203(cc) D Kuzma 87 DK Pulukkuttiarachchi 62 Z Fuleky 2/42 def East Sandringham 1200 C Diggle 66 B Pryor 45 S Gara 5/42 JS Sidhu 2/28 VS Thind 2/36. West Bentleigh 1111 BL Poll 35 TR Gramaconi 4/18 NJ Huttley 3/19 OL De Silva 2/12 def by Le Page Park 15/ 113 PL Mentiplay 53* R Perera 25 J Morgan 2/28 B Bloomfield 2/31. Elwood 12/155 A Howard 101* v Bentleigh Uniting 1153 T Backman 59 L Russell 27 D Headland 3/21 M Clarke 2/23 A Howard 2/25Kingston Heath 18/159(cc) HS Alles 27 O Gribben 25 J Whelan 3/28 B Jansz 2/17 J McKay 2/34 def

by Bentleigh ANA 19/160 J White 45 TK Scott 43 KW Biggs 36* A Reid 3/36 HS Alles 2/29 A Birt 2/33. Brighton Union 16/203(cc) D Kuzma 87 DK Pulukkuttiarachchi 62 Z Fuleky 2/42 def East Sandringham 1200 C Diggle 66 B Pryor 45 S Gara 5/42 JS Sidhu 2/ 28 VS Thind 2/36. West Bentleigh 1111 BL Poll 35 TR Gramaconi 4/18 NJ Huttley 3/19 OL De Silva 2/12 def by Le Page Park 15/ 113 PL Mentiplay 53* R Perera 25 J Morgan 2/28 B Bloomfield 2/31. Elwood 12/155 A Howard 101* v Bentleigh Uniting 1153 T Backman 59 L Russell 27 D Headland 3/21 M Clarke 2/23 A Howard 2/25.

Woolnough Shield. Carnegie South 1168 T Cameron 38 NJ Brazil 25 S Jadhav 4/18 CD Pearson 2/35 def by Mackie 15/244(cc) M Withers 125 J Simon 46 S Jadhav 36* GA Gallagher 3/41. Omega 17/201(cc) KA O'Toole 74 JE Fletcher 45 A Williams 2/37 N Bancroft 2/52 def Cluden 18/93(cc) F Bongiorno 28 J Wilson 2/12 A Mada 2/12 NE Bridges 2/15. Hampton Central 13/165(cc) C Amoore 43* J Campion 37* D O'Brien 33 AJ Goncalves 29 def Kingston Heath 29/164(cc) T de Munk 56 A Swain 26 L Geleit 4/26 D O'Brien 3/29 A Devola 2/32. Washington Park 13/212 CG Williamson 78 SM De Bolfo 48* TE Bishop 32 RM Heywood 25* def CHAG 15/211(cc) C Charity 68 D Dervan 59 S Kat 35* CG Williamson 2/39.

Quiney Shield. East Sandringham 299 BB Geleit 4/19 D Karamoshos 3/24 def by Cheltenham Park 19/235(cc) JL Evans 68 A Weiss 34 T Malan 3/52 VR Bhendigiri 2/44.

Bentleigh Uniting 2195 M D'Rozario 43 P Dessent 36 A Zaia 26 def by Elwood 26/ 202(cc). Le Page Park 29/177(cc) G Czosnek 94 MJ Harris 34 L Wescombe 5/31 J Ho 3/ 30 def byOmega 26/228(cc) S Lay 90 B O'Toole 43 B Hibbert 28* M Fletcher 25 M Knight 2/39 T Murphy 2/51. Melbourne Hellenic 19/128(cc) S Gupta 30 M Freeman 2/ 11 A Woolston 2/21 def by Hampton United 14/187(cc) M Murray 52 NJ Freeman 36 G Fry 34* M James 25.

D-Grade. Cluden 26/139 L McCluskey 46 M Balmer 28 L Massey 2/25 J Sasson 2/33 def West Bentleigh 2137 L Massey 42 MT Healy 32 L McCluskey 3/26 CW Blaskett 2/ 14 J Gibson 2/23 M Balmer 2/30. Bentleigh ANA 2194 M Banducci 41 J Smith 3/36 M Jukes 2/36 J Jasani 2/39 def by Washington Park 28/197(cc) B Middleton 44 G Ritchie 34 T Oaten 33 L Smith 28 M Whelan 2/34 MJ Lloyd 2/43. Melbourne Wanderers 12/132 L Hesketh 59* U Ghuliani 57* def Brighton Union 2. Mackie 28/169(cc) V Arya 49 B Higgins 44 V Rangaraju 3/32 M Ponnaganti 2/31 def CUCC Kings 1124 F Qamar 34 S Kumar 27* J Blenkinsop 2/14 B Higgins 2/ 15 S Ho 2/19 V Arya 2/25.

E-Grade. St. Andrews Gardiner 1 v Omega 3. Cheltenham Park 24/138 A Martin 76* def Highett West 19/136(cc) CJ Hall 3/ 34 C Reid 2/22 S Mathew 2/29. East Sandringham 38/124(cc) P Mellas 28* KS Gleeson 3/13 M DeBono 2/15 def by Bentleigh Uniting 31/127 P Manakis 58* k Fuller 37* C Elkins 27. Southside East Caulfield 1 v Hampton Central 2 F-Grade. Keysborough Park 17/135 JD Robinson 2/17 def Kingston Heath 3133 C Birt 31*. CHAG 2127 T Mitchem 37 P Jacobsen 26 J Richards 25 def Oakleigh District Footballers 1124 T Mitchem 3/21 M Nicholls 3/21 W Fountain 3/23. Washington Park 32/85 C Gorrie 37* D Meaklim 28* def East Oakleigh 182 O Sparrow-Cooper 4/10 C Gorrie 3/2 A O'Donnell 2/16. Melbourne Dazzlers 1 v Emmanuel Sth Oakleigh 1

Page 6 - The Local Paper - Wednesday, December 8, 2021

Local Sport Premier Cricket Men’s Premier Firsts. Footscray0/194 DJ Brasher 101* DJ Sartori 88* def CaseySouth Melbourne193 HA Kannan 59 LJ Shelton 31 C Benedek 27 AJ Armstrong 2/14 BJ Roosenboom 2/31 MC Birthisel 2/35 J Reed 2/41. Frankston Peninsula216 RM Hammel 90 T Gandhi 30 AG Kodoth 28 MN Wilson 5/34 SM Wetering 4/42 def by Dandenong5/235(cc) J Slater 80 T Donnell 66 SP Newell 29 BS Forsyth 27 BJ Symons 2/55. Geelong7/210(cc) JC Riding 51 JB Larkin 46* HW Butterworth 43 NJ Selman 27 DJ Tibballs 2/43 def by Richmond6/214 AJ Humphries 63* Y Pednekar 62 JB Larkin 2/18. Kingston Hawthorn245 A Jain 53 S Chopra 37 T Attanayake 33 LP Bowe 3/44 M Hussain 3/46 J O'Donnell 2/47 def Essendon138 I Willett 37 NJ Shoesmith 35 RJ Stingel 30 P Patil 3/47 M Vorbach 2/24.

Melbourne9/237(cc) CJ Kellaway 130 JW Harper 45 TR Murphy 3/40 WR Lovell 3/42 def by St Kilda6/256(cc) MF De Iacovo 91 EJ Newman 64 TV Russ 39 DE Munro 2/55.

Greenvale Kangaroos5/209(cc) JP Trembearth 74 TN Cullen 44* MM Harrison 31 def byMelbourne University3/210 N Croes 107 A Yaksender 37* HS Emms 34.

Northcote5/225 MC Phelan 86* J Lalor 40 M O'Sullivan 32 T Rennie 26 v Fitzroy Doncaster 7/224(cc) L Smith 89* N Korkolis 70 J Rudd 33 A Crispe 2/44 R Lane 2/44. Prahran4/ 167 JC Hancock 66* ND Blaich 28 DT Egan 27 def Camberwell Magpies9/163(cc) LD Fitzpatrick 67* S Garber 4/30 M Wilcox 2/ 30. Ringwood193 A Amin 57 TF Rogers 38 TJ Smyth 3/26 XA Crone 2/25 C Rutland 2/ 32 EC O'Sullivan 2/33 def by Carlton6/ 286(cc) NJ Ross 88* HJ Smyth 70 B Stepien 57 TF Rogers 2/57.

Men’s Premier Seconds. Camberwell Magpies6/187 JW Wiseman 53 JT Di Stefano 46 A Pawha 28 N Munasinghe 2/63 def Prahran6/186(cc) J Agar 69 TA Jackson 48 A Pawha 2/25 A Vidajic 2/36. Carlton9/ 191(cc) A Poppa 55 D Sullivan 37* T Simpson 32 CP Henderson 4/23 TL Webb 3/ 34 def Ringwood115 ZW Grech 31 EP Walker 28 N Pottabathini 3/13 NE Hurley 3/ 32 MJ Culvenor 2/25. Dandenong9/190(cc) MN Marinic 71 DI Malik 54 LJ Gandy 2/24 def Frankston Peninsula10/172 V Mohotty 49 KW Peries 33 B Bhatia 6/18 J Cameron 2/27 J Murray 2/33. Essendon145 C Poulton 42 J Huddart 29 RA Majoka 3/9 S Sathyajith 3/30 def by Kingston Hawthorn9/203(cc) V Wickramasinghe 66 S Ivetic 42 S Sathyajith 26 L Stagg 4/47 L Busk 2/26 B Mulheran 2/ 27. Fitzroy Doncaster and 9/222(cc) A Johnston 47 I Dhanoa 42 CJ McIlveen 37 JM Kett 28 J Conlin 3/38 N Biscontin 2/20 v Northcote0/0 and 8/222(cc) T Gleeson 121 J Conlin 26* CJ McIlveen 2/40. Melbourne University4/205 I Borgas 108 H Bienvenu 68* A Mohammed 3/42 def Greenvale Kangaroos201 S Sharma 83 C Burton 35 J Peacock 3/28 L Bienvenu 3/31. Richmond9/179(cc) J Dekel 45 JJ Carroll 26* LG Field 2/22 KJ Helwig 2/31 N McGuane 2/43 def by Geelong2/180 LG Field 66 O Peake 58* D Mehta 25*. Casey-South Melbourne 8/ 181(cc) CG Diston 41 D Gamage 36 F Hay 4/43 def by Footscray6/183 S MihelakosJames 48 D Raniolo 40 MT Jamieson 31 IC Jassal 2/30. t Kilda5/188 JA Manning 54* DT Meddings 39 BS Davies 31 TR Morris 29* DP Daly 2/21 HM Pearson 2/30 def Melbourne9/183(cc) CJ Lill 58 AD de Lange 39 SG O'Brien 4/35 ML Sellenger 2/35 SM Powell 2/38 Men’s Premier Thirds. Frankston Peninsula v Dandenong J Coburn Oval.

Footscray4/204 N Markovski 59 R Nand 53* J Clements 35 K Bollu 27* LE O'Connor 2/ 38 S Halangode 2/39 v Casey-South Melbourne5/203(cc) L Grady 96 J Long 30 A Sehrawat 2/31. Geelong160 H Melville 42 J Mallett 38 KW Rice 4/25 TM Keast 2/25 D Parikh 2/34 def by Richmond9/162 H Gell 37* PM Pancholi 30 T Neate 4/37 M Potter 2/27 JJ Mastin 2/33. Kingston Hawthorn7/ 202(cc) PR Paramesh 94 BJ Toseland 4/18 def Essendon9/199 M Lawson 56 V Malhotra 40 SN Phillips-Williams 30 O Hanrahan 4/ 32 PR Paramesh 3/21. Melbourne161 RC Edwards 49 AM Cesarios 43 KA Parrott 25 def by St Kilda6/188(cc). Greenvale Kangaroos6/178(cc) GS Hundal 60 AO Webb 40 M Welsh 25* R Rakes 3/33 def by Melbourne University5/289(cc) HJ Barnes 133* J Kennedy 77 S Skinner 30 TJ Winchester 2/ 54. Northcote10/117 W Brennan 51 R Fernando 29 SF Morris 5/17 MC Sheridan 3/ 17 def byFitzroy Doncaster6/233(cc) LD Ingram 103 M Jephcott 46 V Vasan 2/37.

Ringwood8/214 JJ Roberts 79* ZE Flintoff 59 JB Pettitt 2/29 T Marchant 2/31 def Carlton9/212(cc) SJ Connop 55* BL Tracey 36 JJ Roberts 4/28 LR Saultry 2/31. Prahran3/ 137 WG Pike 65 MO Delaney 46* def Camberwell Magpies135 M Anson 36 S Challa 28 B Dhulipala 4/33 WG Pike 2/9 EP Wright 2/22.

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Local News

Christmas at Monash

■ It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in Monash, with festive decorations adorning major activity centres and a line-up of fun performances and events kicking off across the city over the coming weeks.

Launch of the Christmas period was celebrated on Friday, November 26m at Eaton Mall Oakleigh, with the lighting of Oakleigh’s wellknown and much-loved seven-metre-tall tree.

From December 13-24, the 12 Days of Christmas in Monash program will feature free daily activations with roving performers, acoustic duos, neon lighting activations and the opportunity for children to win a visit from Santa.

Monash Mayor Cr Stuart James said that while Council was unfortunately unable to hold its Monash Carols by Candlelight event at Jells Park this year, the Christmas series would offer something for everyone to enjoy.

“This has been a tough year for our community and as we come out the other side of restrictions, we’re excited to come together safely and celebrate the festive season with a familyfriendly series of events,” Cr James said.

The Monash Summer Series of cultural performances will be held in local parks and areas across the City on weekends in January and will feature a mix of high-quality engaging performers.

● Cr Stuart James, Monash Mayor

Back to Gooligulch ■ Children can once again ride kangaroos, befriend wombats, emus and other characters under the watchful eye of Grandma at the refurbished Gooligulch Playspace in Wonga Park.

Manningham’s refurbishment of the much loved playspace, based on Graeme Base’s book, My Grandma Lived in Gooligulch, is now complete with an official opening scheduled for 4pm to 5.30pm, Wednesday, December 15.

Manningham Mayor Cr Michelle Kleinert said the refurbishment was a successful collaboration between Council, author Graeme Base and the original Gooligulch creative team, featuring artists, fabricators and suppliers.

“We listened to the community and worked together to pre ment Program.

● Cr Michelle Kleinert, Manningham Mayor

serve the park’s distinctly Australian theme, inspired by the book,” she said.

“The refurbished park will ensure new generations of children can experience this unique story and iconic playspace for years to come.”

The refurbishment include a renovated house for Grandma, refurbished play units for children, and reinstated art panels, improved seating, landscaping, picnic areas and signage for everyone.

The official opening will include storytelling, hearing from the original creative team and Christmas decoration for Grandma’s house.

The upgrade is part of Manningham’s Parks Improvement Program.

Cr Kleinert thanked the community for its patience for ver the past few months.

Monitor appointed to Yarra ■ A municipal monitor will be appointed to the Yarra City Council to help guide good governance .

Shaun Leane, Minister for Local Government made the announcement last week to ensure the council has the guidance it needs to perform its role successfully.

The municipal monitor will be finalised in coming weeks. The municipal monitor will provide regular reports to the Minister on the council’s progress and recommend any further actions.

The council last week elected ew Mayor Cr Sophie Wade, onbly after three previous meetings during which it was unable to do so in accordance with the Local Government Act. The Act requires an absolute majority to ensure Mayors have the support to perform their role.

Yarra Council officers have raised broader concerns about governance. There are concerns about widespread media coverage.

“I look forward to seeing Yarra City Council shift its focus to the priorities and challenges facing the local community, led by its newly elected Mayor and with the support of the monitor,” Mr Leane said.

● Shaun Leane

Local Sport Ringwood District Dunstan Shield. Mont Albert 5/196 JA Joslin 97* MG Simpson 35 JA Guley 31 def East Doncaster 195 MJ Bremner 92 AR Padbury 3/43. Heathmont 8/180(cc) D Howard 48* R Ekanayake 43 L Tie 31 A Stolzenburg 3/40 N Jamieson 2/11 def by Glen Iris 5/183 L Skelton 62* U Ravindu 52 L Ferguson 25 D Howard 2/18 G Van Eeden 2/21. North Balwyn 7/215(cc) X Bateman 83 K Maheshwaran 44* H Gairns 40 N Valentine 2/49 C Still 2/62 def Old Carey 124 J Binney 3/12. Marcellin OC 119 DJ Kiely 34 A Massarotti 28 H Short 3/28 SP Seymour 2/ 16 SJ Townsend 2/23 def by Canterbury 3/ 120 W Steventon 45* LJ Streat 39* J Sassella 2/27.

Wright Shield. Ashburton Willows 9/176 D Patel 32* O Wilhelm 29 L Watt 3/32 H Salathiel 2/17 MA Perera 2/32 def by Deepdene Bears 6/188(cc) L Gunasinhage 79* MA Perera 48 J Lindsay 31 SP Karunanayake 2/30 C Barr 2/47. Hawthorn 7/226(cc) S Shearer 110 DJ Wilkinson 34 MG Berryman 2/31 def by Bulleen 6/228 SF Guruge 92 MG Berryman 39 PV Martinich 36 TM Barel 2/47. St Kevins OC 3/151 J MacKinnon 67 N Trapani 53* NB White 2/ 49 drew Edinburgh 173 J Viola 55 R McDonald 3/30 P Turnbull 3/31 TS Vanderslik 2/32. Surrey Hills 10/120 TJ Cundall 31 O Wilmore 26 S Dushantha 4/16 B Madhushanka 2/20 def by Mulgrave 6/ 195(cc) DC Berman 53 S Dushantha 43 S Rodrigo 41 A Napier 2/43.

A Turf (Burgess Shield). Burwood 141 M Ferne 46 DR Mabogodage 31 H Wallis 2/28 K Pumpa 2/33 def Richmond City 86 H Chipperfield 25 T Sheehan 5/17 VM Weerakoon 4/13. East Malvern Tooronga 5/ 171(cc) G Waring 74 WA Giles 28 def by Boronia 9/172 D Carman 38 PS Jayasinghe 29 D Jones 3/29 L Egan 2/11. Mont Albert 168 JE Guley 71 def by Mazenod OC 4/ 208(cc) T Burton 104 B Wales 77* CS Thorn 3/30. La Trobe University 6/233(cc) PS Jandu 100 A Rasheed 28 AAhmed 27 R Alam 25 M Danaher 4/18 J Tyquin 2/52 def Ashwood 140 D Bourke 29 D Gallacher 25 M Khaliq 3/21 lk palencha 2/18 A Rasheed 2/ 28.

B Turf (Armstrong Shield). Canterbury 8/182(cc) M Shuttleworth 46 O Lloyd 38* def Marcellin OC 125 R Shetye 50* D Coloe 32 K Krolikowski 25 AE Hume 5/10 A Hansen 2/25. Richmond Union 4/130 DJ Nicholls 66 M Want 50* def North Balwyn 128 J Syslo 49 DJ Nicholls 4/31. Balwyn Saints 8/153(cc) W Khan 31 JD Wessels 28* OM Watts 26 A Muralidharan 3/20 S Perera 2/20 def by Burwood 7/157 S Puri 30 TI Jayatillaka 28* S Moussi 3/21 J Collopy 3/ 25. Deepdene Bears 102 J Beach 30 D Barker 2/14 S Cosham 2/19 M van Koll 2/26 d e f

by Heathmont 9/185(cc) E Wynne 58 S Batten 54 P Slingo 2/12 J Lawler 2/36.

C Turf (Thomson Shield). Old Carey Cricket Club 128 J Ciuro 38 R Jones 4/9 P Boyce 2/23 def Surrey Hills 8/126(cc) G Adams 42 R Jones 28* DJ Smith 2/22 T Jones 2/28. Bulleen 6/175(cc) K Tsonis 59 C Jolly 48* J Duhig 2/19 PR Dower 2/25 def Hawthorn 159 S Patel 48 GS Gill 33 D Bisinella 4/24 C Ferrarese 2/31 C Jolly 2/32.

Boronia 4/198(cc) N Sopariwala 60 J Smith 54 E Ward 35 A Imrose 2/41 def East Malvern Tooronga 6/189(cc) T Fidock 67* IO Gunawardena 55 T Ribbands 2/9 E Ward 2/ 25. East Doncaster 5/223(cc) TM Carpenter 61 PJ Carroll 57 JR Oakley 43 P Summerton 26* JA Dean 3/45 def Mont Albert 8/148 RJ Barker 74* J Bourke 3/22 D England 2/27 J Pittendrigh-Smith 2/31.

D Turf (Mair Shield). Glen Iris 5/162 V Buckley 49 J Buck 35 M Ciardulli 27 def Ashburton Willows 8/158(cc) W Trewella 3/35 S Rojko 2/17. Ashwood 9/114(cc) JL Irish 27* B Subramanyam 4/11 J Dhir 2/9 def by La Trobe University 6/116(cc) N Palta 30 M Clayton 3/12 OL Watt 3/27. Mulgrave 8/190(cc) M Maiolo 61 D Hettimulla 37 F Cassar 31 N Jago 3/46 def by Mazenod OC 2/208(cc) M Hancock 106* LA Byrnes 59 T Driscoll 26*. Edinburgh 9/123(cc) CJ French 51* J Zaccardi 44 P Saluja 3/6 JW Alexander 2/23 def Old Carey 97 OM Yorston 44 R Hexter 25 CJ French 5/31 T Delahunt 3/22

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Local Theatre Shows

■ Heidelberg Theatre Company: Three Little Words (by Joanna Murray-Smith) Until December 9 at 36 Turnham Ave., Rosanna.

Director: Tim Scott. www.htc.org.au ■ Essendon Theatre Company: Death of a Salesman (by Arthur Miller) Until December 4 at 9 Bradshaw Street, Essendon (Entry off Buckley St). Directors: Directed by Michele Haywood and Nicola Taylor. Bookings: www.essendontheatrecompany.com.au ■ Melbourne French Theatre: La Candidate December 7 – 11 at The Meeting (‘Meating’) Room, Meat Market, 3 Blackwood St., North Melbourne. Director: Donald McManus; Producer: Michael Bula.

Bookings: melbournefrenchtheatre.org.au ■ Eltham Little Theatre: Playbill Launch, Trivia Night and Music Night December 11 from 7.00pm at the Eltham Performing Arts Centre, 1603 Main Rd., Research. Tickets: $10, BYO nibbles, drinks and conversation. 6 per table. Bookings: https:// www.trybooking.com/BVITT ■ Peridot Theatre: Hypnosis (by David Tristram) January 28 – February 12 at the Unicorn Theatre, Mt Waverley Secondary College, Lechte Rd., Mt Waverley. Director: Pip LeBlond. Bookings: www.peridot.com.au ■ Adelphi Theatre Players: The Christian Brothers (by Ron Blair) January 28 – 30 at GEALC Centre, 260 Booran Rd., Ormond.

Evening and Matinee performances. Director: Michael Mace. Admission $10. Information and bookings on 9690 1593 or 9578 0952.

Bookings are essential.

■ Playhouse Players Inc: Around the World in 80 Days (by Jules Verne, adapted for stage

by Mark Brown) February 1 – 5 at 7.30pm and 3pm matinee at Clayton Theatre, Cooke St., Clayton. Tickets: $25/29. Bookings: www.trybooking.com/BQIMV ■ Mordialloc Theatre Company: The Kitchen Sink (by Tom Wells) February 18 – March 5 at the Shirley Burke Theatre, 64 Parkers Rd., Parkdale. Director: Rod Hulme.

Bookings: www.mordialloctheatre.com ■ Monash One Act Play Festival: February 25 – 27 at the Unicorn Theatre, Mt Waverley Secondary College, Lechte Rd., Mt Waverley.

Auditions

■ Playhouse Players: Director required for a one-act play to be presented in the delayed 20th National Playwright Competition. Please contact Graeme McCoubrie for further details. playhouseplayersinc@gmail.com ■ Playhouse Players Inc: The Crucible (by Arthur Miller) December 12 at 9.30am and December 14 at 7.30pm at Monash Community Inn, 72 Clayton Rd., Clayton. Director: Emma R Newport. Audition bookings/enquiries: 0450 279774 or emmarnewport@ hotmail.com ■ Mordialloc Theatre Company: 4000 Miles (by Amy Herzog) December 12 at 2.00pm, December 14 at 7.00pm at 417-419 Warrigal Rd., Cheltenham. Director: George Werther. Audition bookings and enquiries: george.werther@rch.org.au or 0402 222 090.

■ Peridot Theatre: A Season of One Act Plays January 30 at 6.00pm, February 13 at 2.00pm/5.00pm and February 19 at 2.00pm at the Unicorn Theatre, Mt Waverley Secondary College, Lechte Rd., Mt. Waverley.

Audition bookings: Line-Up directed by Joe Dias joe.dias. actor@gmail.com Love is a Dish directed by Audrey Farthing 0421 600 441 or treasurer@peridot.com.au Embers directed by Colin Morley 0420 947 373 morcolin@gmail.com Just a Straight Man directed by Bob Bramble 0418 586 273 or bobbramble2013@gmail.com - Cheryl Threadgold

4-Peace Band

■ The 4 Peace Band returns after lockdown to celebrate Christmas on Friday, December 17 at 7.30pm at the Mentone RSL, 9 Palermo Street, Mentone.

Featuring Paul O'Gorman, Peter Grant, Gary Hammond and Peter Shilton, the band will play a mix of hits from the 50s through to the 80s, with dancing and special guests.

Event date: Friday, December 17 at 7.30pm. Venue: Mentone RSL, 9 Palermo St., Mentone. Bookings recommended: 9583 2841. Free entry. - Cheryl Threadgold

Observer

The Local Paper - Wednesday, December 8, 2021 - Page 7

Melbourne

Published statewide weekly in the Melbourne Observer and all editions of The Local Paper.

Phone: 1800 231 311. Email: editor@MelbourneObserver.com.au

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2021

Christian Brothers

■ The Adelphi PlayersTheatre Company will stage Ron Blair's classic play The Christian Brothers from January 28 - 30 at the GEALC Centre, 260 Booran Rd, Ormond.

Set in the 1950s, the play centres on Brother John as his lesson rushes around the intellectual arena from history to the French language to science to theology, as the audience glimpse another side of the man - his insecurities and fears, and his not so quiet desperation.

Under the direction of Michael Mace, The Christian Brothers will feature Melbourne actor Matthias Kootz as Brother John.

Performance Details: January 28 - 30, 2022, with evening and matinee performances Venue: GEALC Centre, 260 Booran Rd., Ormond Admission: $10 Information and Bookings on 9690 1593 or 9578 0952 Bookings are essential.

- Cheryl Threadgold

● Matthias Kootz as Brother John in The Christian Brothers.

Lifetime Performance

■ The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra reunites with artists and audiences in Performance of a Lifetime: Live at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl on December 13 and 14 at 7.30pm (gates open at 6pm).

Melbourne's Dannii Minogue will join an all-star line-up of popular artists celebrating the return of live music, theatre and dance to Melbourne this summer.

Minogue says she is excited to be making her MSO debut as part of this celebratory performance: “It is an honour to be joining the MSO at the iconic Bowl.

“What a way to kick off summer in Melbourne alongside the incredible line-up. We are ready to celebrate the return of live music and it will be beautiful to sing with a home crowd.

“I can’t reveal what I will be singing but I am ready to get on stage with the MSO.” Hosted by Double J radio presenter, Zan Rowe, and conducted by MSO’s Benjamin Northey, Performance of a Lifetime: Live offers an evening of show tunes, soul tunes and rock-n-roll that will feature the stars of MSO’s industry leading Performance of a Lifetime vaccination campaign, alongside a diverse program of guest performers.

Performers include Tim Rogers, Kate Ceberano, Kaiit, Mo’Ju, Liz Stringer, Emma Donovan, The Bamboos, Rhonda Burchmore, Deborah Cheetham , Paul Grabowsky, Lior, Felix Riebl, Lucy Durack, Josh Piterman ,Alinta Chidzey and Des Flanagan, Jemma Rix and Courtney Monsma and Gillian Cosgriff .

Also represented in the industry-wide lineup are performers from across Melbourne’s major arts companies such as The Australian Ballet, Melbourne Theatre Company, Opera Australia, Orchestra Victoria andVictorian Opera.

Performance details: Dates: Monday December 13 and Tuesday December 14 at 7.30pm (gates at 6pm) Venue: Sidney Myer Music Bowl Bookings: Ticketek All ticket holders must show proof of vaccination upon entry, with attendance in line with any other government restrictions.

- Cheryl Threadgold

● Dannii Minogue is a guest artist in Performance of a Lifetime: Live at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl Photo: Nicholas Wilson

Free Weekly in ‘The Local Paper’

Observations Chime at Rosanna

● Chime ■ It is definitely the season for Christmas spirit, and popular choir Chime is bringing just that to Arden Crescent Uniting Church in Rosanna at 3pm on Sunday (Dec. 12).

Promising that they are all ‘vaxxed to the max’, the singers of Chime are champing at the bit to sing to audiences in person again.

The concert will be a festive cornucopia of old favourites and new music, with a healthy dollop of Christmas cheer amongst other material Chime Choir was founded in 1984 and has blossomed into a renowned Melbourne choir, which has toured America, England, Italy and Austria and competed in several international choral competitions.

In 2018 the choristers had a once in a lifetime opportunity to sing at Carnegie Hall in New York singing compositions by Norwegian composer Ola Gjeilo.

The choir’s diverse membership is united by the desire to sing choral music that speaks to the heart and mind, exploring the worldpast, present and emerging.

Under the baton of conductor Jenny Mathers, Chime will send you out smiling and humming melodies after this popular concert.

Audience members must prove their vaccination status upon entry, and a light afternoon tea will be served following the concert.

Tickets are $30 adult, $25 concession, $10 (student) and can be booked by calling 9457 2595. www.chime.org.au Julie Houghton

At the Malthouse

■ The MalthouseTheatre starts 2022 with three new plays premiering indoors, plus comedy, theatre, circus and music lighting up the outdoor space Dave Hughes, Lior and Domini, and Circus Oz will perform at Malthouse Outdoor Stage, alongside a new adaptation of the classic book, Looking For Alibrandi, Carly Sheppard’s creation Chase and new Australian play Stay Woke in Malthouse’s indoor theatres.

Stay Woke, a new play written by Aran Thangaratnam and developed by Malthouse, sees two brothers head to a cabin in the mountains for the weekend, hoping to bury the hatchet on a lifelong rivalry. Directed by Bridget Balodis, it stars RoseAdams, Brooke Lee, Dushan Phillips, Kaivu Suvarna and opens at the Beckett on February 25.

Writer and performer Carly Sheppard brings Chase to the Beckett, directed by Kamarra Bell-Wykes.Chase is living her best life. Hailing from the streets of Frankston, Chase is a macro metaphor of our colonial shame, equally offensive to theatregoers from every walk of life. But therein lies her power.

Chase is a mirror back to Australia, in the Tower from March 8.

The premiere of Looking ForAlibrandi, written by Vidya Rajan and based on a modern classic novel by Melina Marchetta and a ground-breaking film, is a theatrical experience examining the Italian-Australian experience through the lives of three generations of women. Directed by Stephan Nicolazzo, it plays at the Merlyn in July.

Malthouse Outdoor Stage returns for the second time off the back of a sell-out season in the summer of 2021. Beneath twinkling stars on balmy evenings, MOS welcomes a summer lineup of comedy, talks, theatre, music and circus with comedy superstars Dave Hughes, Geraldine Hickey, and Sam Simmons, plus music performances by Lior and Domini and Parvyn from The Bombay Royale.

Midsumma Festival also returns to the stage in February and in collaboration with Rawcus will stage AResourceful Hero Struggling Against Incredible Odds, while Circus Oz will take to the highwire with the awardwinning Wunderage in March. malthousetheatre.com.au - Cheryl Threadgold

Page 8 - The Local Paper - Wednesday, December 8, 2021

Local Theatre Sweeping Saga

■ Melbourne author Cenarth Fox wasted no time during lockdown to pen his latest novel A Sweeping Saga and new stage play, Corgi Queen.

This multi-generation sweeping saga from the slums of 1800 London to the bush of Van Diemen's Land includes crime, injustice and cultural genocide.

Cenarth jokingly says this is "50 per cent bigger than my average novel and doubles as a door-stop."

Cenarth explains that Jonathon Sweeping became Oliver Twist before Dickens was born.

In a London slum, his young parents battled poverty, disease and heartache. Forget schooling. Shove the child up a chimney.

Make young Sweeping a sweep. Threaten him, injure him but under no circumstances pay him.

No wonder death and stealing dominated society when even children fronted the Old Bailey. What hope for the boy?

Jonathon moved from prison hulk to convict ship to the other side of the world where Van Diemen’s Land with its stunning natural beauty became a war zone. It was kill or be killed as genocide exploded. The boy became a man fighting injustice, cruelty and bushfires.

He started a family and together they lived, loved and built a new nation in what became Tasmania. This is Jonathon Sweeping’s sweeping saga.

A Sweeping Saga is available as paperback and eBook from Amazon US, UK or Australia, or for paperbacks give the bookseller the book title and author's name. Ingram Spark the international distributor will supply the bookshop. ★ Cenarth's new play Corgi Queen tells of Queen Elizabeth II, born in 1926 and crowned in 1953, who has led an amazing life and is the longest-reigning UK monarch.

Her passion for corgi dogs prompts the play’s title. The play tells much of Her Majesty's life, including a link to an Eton education, driving and fixing trucks in WWII, falling in love as a young girl, winning a BAFTA and having a fascinating family tree.

Set in a Buckingham Palace kitchen, the cook is Peter Pan-like and never ages as the decades roll by. She is visited by the butler, maid, gardener, guard, nanny, lady-in-waiting, equerry, secretary and cleaner.

Cenarth's new play is timely considering the Queen's Platinum Jubilee special celebration is in 2022.

The whole play can be read online on www.foxplays.com/two-act-plays For enquiries about Cenarth Fox's new novel and stage play, email cen@cenfoxbooks.com - Cheryl Threadgold

Confidential Melbourne

What’s On Stiletto winner

Talk is cheap, gossip is priceless

Tis The Season

● Barbara and Roy Alderton at ‘Tis The Season for Christmas Joy’

● Leah Phillips and Julie Houghton at St Paul’s, Canterbury.

● Suzanne Shakespeare.

● Sharon Murphy and Laura Dean.

● Hayley Young ■ Canberra pharmacist, Hayley Young, has won Sisters in Crime’s 27th Scarlet Stiletto Short StoryAwards, compered by Professor Sue Turnbull and presented by multiaward-winning actor Catherine McClements.

Young, a first-time crime writer, was awarded the Swinburne University of Technology First Prize ($1500) and the coveted trophy, a scarlet stiletto shoe with a steel stiletto heel plunging into a mount. Her outback police procedural, Monster Hunters also took out the ScriptWorks’s Great Film Idea Award, this year worth $500. She is the first pharmacist to win an award in the history of the Scarlet Stiletto Awards.

Young, 32, has only been writing fiction for a year, though she did a bit of writing when younger. In that short time, she has been shortlisted in five competitions – the 2020 Hammond House International Literary Prize, a UK flash fiction competition and in three anthologies by Stringybark Publishing Australia. Monster Hunters is her first stab at crime writing and her first win.

“I think I’ll be writing more crime. It’s such fun,” she said. “I am taking my inspiration from Jane Harper and Kyle Perry. I write every day. Now that I’ve started, I can’t stop.”

This year 241 short stories – equal to last year’s record – competed for a record $11,910 in prize money and benefits. Over the lifetime of the awards, 4137 stories have been entered with 30 Scarlet Stiletto trophy and category winners going on to have books published.

Entries for next year's Scarlet Stiletto Awards close on August 31, 2022.

- Carmel Shute and Cheryl Threadgold

Jewel for Roger

● Bernie and Wendy Smith.

Circus Oz

■ Circus Oz will present its brand new classic circus show Everything But the Circus from January 14-29 as an outdoor roving experience through Melbourne's city streets..

A crew of 20 circus characters and musicians will guide audiences to different city locations that will culminate in "a mind-blowing extravaganza. " Circus Oz Executive Producer Brian Robertson described Everything But the Circus as "a city walking tour like no other filled to the brim with suspense, wonder and delight."

Audiences will meet at six secret locations and move through Melbourne’s cobblestoned streets as they stumble across acrobatics, live music, flash mobs, tightwires and aerials. Eventually the groups will converge for a spectacular finale.

“We’re not telling people where we are going," says Mr Robertson, "but we will guide them through a rediscovery of their city."

Sally Capp, Melbourne Lord Mayor, says this will be a unique experience. “If there’s ever been a time to celebrate and rediscover Melbourne, it’s right now. Our city is the perfect backdrop for a circus performance that will delight and tantalise audiences.

Performance Details: January 14 - 29, 2022 Bookings: experiment2021.circusoz.com.au - Cheryl Threadgold

www.LocalPaper.com.au

● Christan Smith and Julie Houghton.

● Cathie Elliott and Hamish Paterson

● Liz Olie and Ann Harding at the Nativity Dress-Up marquee.

● Rev. Rachel McDougall and Nick Scott at St Paul’s

■ Bayside resident and Past Master Roger Wilson OAM received his 50-year service Freemasonry jewel presentation from Past Grand Master Garry Sebo.

Garry praised Roger as a "fantastic contributor to the Craft in every sense of the word, and not only to the Craft but also to the community as well."

Those in attendance heard that Roger, one of eight children, was educated at Brighton Grammar and Monash University. He was appointed school captain of Brighton Grammar in 1962 and commenced his lifelong love of the sport of rowing.

Winning an Australian Rowing Championship in Ballarat in 1966, Roger commenced coaching soon after leaving school, including for Brighton Grammar.

Garry described Roger as being known in Australia today as "the voice of rowing" due to his extensive experience in commentating for rowing and Head of the River events from 1973 - 2021, for the ABC at four Olympic Games, plus World Rowing Championships. Now a Life Member of Rowing Australia, in 2000 Roger received the Australian Sports Medal for services to rowing.

His community involvements include Past President of the Beaumaris Probus Club, Chairman of the Uniting Church in Beaumaris, Group Leader and District Commissioner for Scouting in the Mordialloc District, Patron of the Flying Doctor Rowathon and compere and convenor of the Beaumaris Community Christmas Eve Carols for 43 years.

Roger's Masonic journey commenced in August, 1970, and in the Bayside Chapter he has been the Welfare Officer since 2013.

Cheryl Threadgold

www.LocalPaper.com.au

The Local Paper - Wednesday, December 8, 2021 - Page 9

ABC Staff Reunion

Local People

● Elaine Canty and Helen Richardson.

● ABC Reunion Club secretary Garry McKechnie, Julie Copeland and Mary Lou Jelbert.

● Tania Nesbit and Ross Smith.

● Peter Marks with Carmel Shute.

● Julie Houghton with Robert Broughton.

● Lee Christofis and Robert Gibbs.

Classifieds

● Joan O’Connor and Phyllis Jones.

● Henry Gaughan and Rob Young.

● Michael Norman, Julie Peters, Peter Stock.

The Local Paper

Incorporating the ‘Melbourne Trader’ and ‘Melbournewide’. Melbourne-wide readership - and beyond. Appearing weekly in the following editions of The Local Paper: Eastern Division: Knox-Sherbrooke News, Manningham News, Maroondah Mail, Monash Gazette, Progress News, Whitehorse Gazette. Northern Division: Diamond Valley News, Heidelberger, Northcote Budget, Preston Post, Reservoir Times, Whittlesea P ost. North-West Division: Brimbank Messenger, Hobsons Bay Edition, Hume Observer, Maribyrnong Edition, Moonee Valley Gazette, Moreland Courier , Sunbury Regiona News. Peninsula-Frankston-Dandenong Division: Casey-Cardinia Edition, Cranbourne Sun, Dandenong Advertiser, Frankston Edition, Mornington Peninsula Post, Southern Peninsula Gazette, Western Port Gazette.

Southern Cross W eekly Division: Bayside Times, Boroondara Weekly, Glen Eira Standard, Kingston Standard, Stonnington W eekly, Port Phillip Times, Yarra Times. V ictorian Division: Dindi Local (Murrindindi), Lilydale and Yarra Valley Express, Melbourne Observer, Mitchell Shire Edition.

Phone: 1800 231 311. Web: www.LocalPaper.com.au and www.AdvertiseFree.com.au E-Mail: editor@LocalPaper.com.au Deadline: 5pm Friday PUBLIC NOTICE

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Deadline for advertising material is 5pm Friday, Dec. 10, at which time the office will close for 2021.

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PRIVATE Sellers can list their goods for sale in The Local Paper, without any advertising charges to pay. Fill out the coupon in this edition or go to AdvertiseFree. com.au

HALL STAND. Small. Light Oak Colour. GC. Frankston North. 0433 886 874.

WW-YY SOFA CHAIRS. 2 Teal, Wingback style.

GC. Frankston North.

0433 886 874.

WW-YY

BUNNINGS Complete Guide to Gardening. As New. $10.

Pascoe Vale. 0419 138 356.

FOR SALE

BIKES. 2 new bikes, never used. Lady’s bike, 24”, brand name: Radius. 15gear range. Man’s bike, 26”, brand name: Gemini, 21gear range. 2 helmets also never used. Price for the lot: $245.

Wantirna South. 0415 886 496. WW-YY

ALARM. Senior’s pendant (Life Love).

White. Never been used. Full instruction sheet. Will post if required. Sell $400.

Alexandra. 0419 445 VV-YY 697.

BOAT ANCHOR, Chain, Rope and Float. GC. $60.

Brighton. 0434 801 031.

WW-YY

BOAT. Caper and Trailer. Caribbean.

4.5m. 2 seater, fully restored, all new instruments, 74HP Mercury motor that needs attention or replacement. Trailer EC. $3500 nEG. Croydon.

0417 514 707.

VV-YY

CHILDREN’S Green Smiggle Talking Clock. Battery operated. VGC. And Children’s Green Sniggl;e Eloectric Sharpener. VGC. $25 for both items. Box Hill North. 0401 494 336.

UU-XX CLOTHES DYER. Hoover 195 Front loading. 80cm high, 56cm wide. Hot/ warm switch, timer control, lint filter, wheels, slots for wall mounting. Little usage, GC. $55. Reservoir. 9442 3263.

UU-XX

CROCKERY to select from,. Walnut buffet, large glass doors, drawers, lots of cupboard space, EC. $220. Alexandra.

0419 445 697.

TT-WW DINING CHAIRS. Set of 6, fabric upholstered (seats and backs). Small spindle feature between back and seat, solid and same feature on legs.

Oak-walnut wood stain. 1950s era.

VGC. Could be re-upholstered. $250.

Kew. 0417 577 637.

VV-YY

DINING TABLE. Solid Timber with 8 chunky leather chairs.

Colour: dark brown.

GC. $490. Donvale.

0418 380 095.

WW-YY DRAWERS. Set. 3 drawers. Orange.

Wooden. 80cm high, 66cm wide. GC. $45.

Reservoir. 9442 3263.

UU-XX ELECTRIC Recliner Chair. Dark green colour. GC. $500.

Templestowe. 0422 036 386.

WANTED TO BUY PIANO ACCORDION. 24 bass. Italian brand, red colour if possible, in good condition. Mt Martha.

5973 4163. VV-YY

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CABIN at Over 50s permanent residential park. Air Con., Heating, one bed, self contained, furnished if desired.

VGC. $42,000. Alexandra.

Claudia, 0409 470 TT-WW 107.

CHAIR. Pressure Cushion QS 10 x 10 inches. VGC. $250 Templestowe. 0422 036 386. WW-YY CHINA CUP and saucer sets, nine some with plates, 1950s style. $210 lot, other collectables.

Alexandra. 0419 445 697.

TT-WW

A FREE COPY of the Digital Edition of this newspaper can be emailed to you each week. Simply register your email address: www.FreePaper.com.au

ELECTRONIC Fluro lights, 240 volt, suit mobile homes, trucks, etc. New in box. $15 each.

Greensborough.

0406 939 273.

TT-WW

Page 10 - The Local Paper - Wednesday, December 8, 2021

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The Local Paper - Wednesday, December 8, 2021 - Page 11

Melbournewide Classifieds FOR SALE

EXTENSION LADDER. Fibreglass.

6.3m. GC. $100.

Greensborough. 0406 939 273. WW-YY FIREWOOD. Gum. Truckload. No reasonable offer refused.

Bayswater North.

0455 411 630.

VV-YY FLOOR CRAMPS x 3. Australian made.

GC. $325 for the lot.

GC. Croydon. 0408 332 181.

UU-XX FLURO LIGHTS. Electronic. 24V DC. New. $15 each.

Greensborough. 0406 939. 273. WW-YY FOOD Deyhydrator.

Never used. Still in box. Keitch couture model. FO770A. New. $45. Pascoe Vale.

0419 138 356.

VV-YY FRIDGE or Bar Trolley. Rubber tyres, light weight. Scratch marks to the red paint. GC. $15.

Croydon. 0408 332 191.

UU-XX

FOR SALE

GENEALOGICAL Research Directory.

Editors Johnson and Sainty Volumes.

1981-2002. As National Genealogical Directory. Editor Michael Burchall 1981-85. VGC. $25.

Ashburton. 9885 2203.

TT-WW INSULATED refrigeration panels. 3x3m 1 1h. $95 per panel.

1m 6w. Alexandra.

0409 470 107.

TT-WW MAG WHEELS. Genuine Nissan. 15 x 6 with tyres. Suit Navara. GC. Free.

Homewood (Yea).

0418 354 641.

VV-YY MOVIE, Books, Cinema of Obsession, Master of Cinema, Billy Wilder, many others. Nerw. $5 each. Pascoe Vale.

0419 138 356.

VV-YY NATURE XT600 Elliptical Cross Trainor. Yellow and black. Barely used. EC. $450.

Mornington. 0419 GAS BARBERCUE. 301 303. WW-YY Five burner with ORGANIC Tomato wheels, new ignition Seedlings, Dwarf, assembly. 9kg and Tall. Also Flower Pots, 4kg gas tanks. Both all sizes including sucfull. New valves fitted. culents. From $5.

VGC. $300. Pascoe Box Hill, close to FreeVale. 0419 138 way. 9898 8046..

356.

VV-YY VV-YY GAS COOK-TOP. PERSONALISED Chef. White. 4 burn- Car Number Plates. ers and a wok burner. Victoria Black/white Never used as wrong slimloine ‘MISUBI’ for size. Paid $488. Sell Subaru. Ideal for for $400. West dealer or proud owner. $1500.

Brunswick. 0414 245 VGC. Frankston. 9789 680.

UU-XX 9634. UU-XX

FOR SALE

FOR SALE

PUSH WHEELCHAIR. Hardly used.

EC. $300. Templestowe. 0422 036 386.

WW-YY SOLAR Hot Water panels. 10 of complete with stainless steel and gal. roof frames. GC. $600.

Launching Place.

5967 4412.

TT-WW TEA OR DRINKS TROLLEY. Stained timber, light brown, circa 1930s. On Casters. GC. $25.

Croydon. 0408 332 181.

UU-XX

WATER TANK 1000litre. Plastgic. Approx one-metre square.

Comes with large tap and 5 metres. Hose.

VGC. $25. Eaglemont. 0435 262 662.

TT-WW

WEDDING DRESS. Full length white dress. Short train and full-skirted with bolero style jacket. Size 10.

Suited to height 5’1” or 1.25m. $450.

Wantirna South. 0409 522 798, call after 6pm.

WW-YY

TO GIVE AWAY VINYL KITCHEN CHAIRS. 4 retro style cane stand. Large single black, wrought iron bed with good mattress. To give away. Must be able to pick-up. Alexandra. 0419 445 697.

TT-WW

REAL ESTATE SELLERS CASH BUYERS WAITING TOWNHOUSE SITES over 20 builders require DUAL OCC sites Can be with or without permit, all northern, inner and outer suburbs ■ Townhouse sites without permit from 10 to 50 per project. 2 buyers ■ Townhouse sites. 8 to 15 per project with permit. 3 buyers DEVELOPMENT SITES: all types, child care, medical ■ Residential land subdovisions $5MILLION TO $100 MILLION INDUSTRIAL land subdivisions. $5m to $20m. 2 buyers FAMILY HOMES: north suburbs only Over 40 years in real estate Will pay referral fee to introducing party for any resulting business done

LATE ADVERTISEMENTS ALUMINUM sliding door, 1800W 2100H. Silver colour,flat packed with all attachments.

New. $450 .Dandenong 0413 400 400.

BOOKCASE. Baltic pine. English made. 21 cms h x 90cm wide c 30cm deep. EC. Antique pine colour. $300. Croydon. 9736 9690.

FOOD DEHYDRATOR. Never used. Still in box. Kitche Couture model. As new. $45.

Pascoe Vale. 0419 138 356.

GARAGE ROLL DOOR. Sky blue colour.

2500w/2300h. Dandenong 0413 400 400 INDUSTRIAL OVERLOCKER. Brother brand.

5 cotton used. Includes safety stitch. Very little used. Cost new $3450 selling $1450. As new Dandenong. 0402 385 692

MOBILE 0419 886 798

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Page 12 - The Local Paper - Wednesday, December 8, 2021

■ It is now 59 years since Pete Best was fired from The Beatles and replaced by Ringo Starr.

This event changed the life of a young drummer who now lives in the shadow of the one of the most famous singing groups of the 20th century and he is commonly referred to as ‘the fifth Beatle’.

Peter Best was born in 1941 and spent the first four years of his life in British India before the family moved to the UK and settled in Liverpool.

His father Donald Scanland was killed during the war. His mother Mona, who was a beautiful young lady of Anglo-Indian ancestry, married John Best from Liverpool and they had a son Rory in 1944.

A year later the family moved to Liverpool.

Mona had her eye on a large double storey house and won the money to buy it on a race horse which won the Derby in 1955.

Mona opened The Casbah Coffee Club in the cellar of the family home.

A young unknown rock group known as The Quarrymen made their first appearance there on the opening night, August 29, 1959.

The group included John Lennon, Paul McCartney and George Harrisonwho were later to become The Beatles.

Pete was playing drums with his own band The Black Jacks when he was invited to join The Beatles in 1960.

He went with them to play a season of club

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Whatever Happened To ...

Pete Best (The 5th Beatle)

By Kevin Trask of 3AW and 96.5 Inner FM

appearances in Hamburg, Germany.

In 1961 The Beatles returned to Hamburg and backed singer Tony Sheridan on the hit song My Bonnie.

Over the next two years The Beatles began to take shape. Pete was the only one in the group not to adopt the famous hair style.

Brian Epstein became their manager and got the group an audition with Decca Records, but they were not successful.

Brian arranged another audition with Parlophone Records and they came to the attention of George Martin who suggested that the group had potential and should be signed to a contract.

Pete told me in a radio interview that on Au-

gust 16, 1962 he was called into Brian Epstein's office to be told that his services as a drummer were no longer required.

He had walked into the office with no idea that anything was wrong, he was very happy because The Beatles had just had their first recording session at the Abbey Road Studios.

Those few minutes in Brian Epstein's office changed his life forever. He was replaced by Ringo Starr.

Two months later The Beatles were on the top of the charts with the hit song Love Me Do. Over the years there has been great controversy over the reasons for Pete's dismissal.

He joined a band called The All Stars and worked with other groups.

In 1963 Pete married his wife Kathy and they have been married for almost 50 years. He gave show business away in 1968 and eventually became a training manager.

Pete refused to discuss The Beatles for many years but returned to show business in 1988 with The Pete Best Band.

He can be heard drumming in songs on the 1995 Anthology 1 album. He has never spoken to any of the group members since that day in 1962 but in 1967 his mother lent John Lennon her father's war medals for him to wear on the album cover of Sgt Pepper's Lonely Heart Club Band.

Pete Best is a very quietly spoken man and I enjoyed interviewing him, thanks to our own pub-

‘He has never spoken to any of the group members since that day in 1962’

licity superstar Di Rolle. He signed my copy of his book The Beatles - The True Beginnings.

Pete wrote and produced a DVD documentary titled Best Of The Beatles in 2005 which told the story of his career and how he was sacked. Pete Best tours the world doing concerts and interviews.

His website is www.petebest.com and it is worth a look.

He is in good health and enjoying life.

Pete and his wife Kathy are proud of their two daughters and four grandchildren.

In 2011 a road was named after Pete Best in Liverpool and another was named after his mother Mona Best who passed away in 1988.

Mona was known as ‘the mother of the Mersey Beat’.

Kevin Trask Kevin can be heard on 3AW The Time Tunnel - Remember When Sundays at 10.10pm with Philip Brady and Simon Owens.

And on 96.5 FM That's Entertainment - Sundays at 12 Noon. www.innerfm.org.au

Seeing Time at Tolarno Galleries

Seeing Time – Brook Andrew Seeing Time is Brook Andrew’s new body of work reflecting on and abstracting the concept f time and mark-making.

That is how one perceives and hopes to either manipulate, push against or fall into time.

These paintings were created during 2021 and centre on Brook’s alternative visions of time and mark-making outside the Western art canon.

This is a contribution to current challenges and dialogues around decolonisation, which is for him, a progression towards a state of yindyamarre-gunhanha (ongoing respect) yindyamarre-gunhanha is a term Brook has developed to deal with the often-challenging space of museum research and repatriation.

His signature black and white patterns are adopted from his Wiradjun cultural heritage.

By doing so, he reinforces the strength and cultural continuity of the Wiradjun for himself and others.

In 2020 Brook Andrews was named by Art Review’s Power 100 list as one of the most influential people in the art world. Artsy recognised him as one of the most influential artists of the year.

Exhibition closes December 18.

Gallery Opening hours :10am – 5pm Tuesday – Friday, 1pm – 4pm. Saturday Tolarno Galleries Level 4. 104 Exhibition St. Melbourne

The Arts

Hilda Elliott in conversation is an insight into the character of this fashionably elegant and poised woman whose voice is rarely heard.

Exhibition opened December 3 and closes Sunday February 13.

Mildura Arts Centre 199 Coreton Rd, Mildura

Golden Shells and the gentle mastery of Japanese lacquer: The beauty and artistry of the historical Japanese ‘shell ,matching’ game, kai-awase, will be celebrated in a new exhibition at the centre of which will be a contemporary 720piece set commissioned by Melbourne philanthropist and NGV donor, Pauline Gandel.

Comprising two Japanese lacquerware shell boxes and 720 bold, gilded and hand=painted clam-shaped shells, this new addition of the game ia the only complete set known to be in existence that has been introduced in the traditional manner using specialised techniques and materials, offering audiences with a rare opportunity to admire the craftsmanship behind the centuries old pastime.

Exhibition closes April 18.

National Gallery of Victoria 150 St Kilda Rd. Melbourne - Peter Kemp

Visions of India

Tribute to Bert

with Peter Kemp

Visions of India: from the colonial to the Contemporary Since its invention in Europe in the 1840s, the genre of photography has played an integral role in the course of Indian art history.

Although it is often quoted that InHilda Elliott:A Conversation dia is the most photographed country The eldest daughter of the promi- in the world, the history of its reprenent Melbourne politician and pub- sentation is more complicated and lisher Theodore Fink, Hilda Elliott more political that initially meets the grew up in an environment which the eye. arts were valued and supported.

Visions of India: from the coloIt is an experience that Hilda took nial to the Contemporary will be the with her into her marriage to R.D. first major survey of Indian photogElliott who came to be an avid col- raphy in Australia, and all artworks lector of Australian and international showcased will be from the collecart in his own tight. tion of Museum of Art ’s PhotograWhile much is written about the phy Bengalaru which is one of the lives of Theodore and RD, little is most celebrated photographic collecdocumented of Hilda’s life. tion in India.

For this read, the collection of Exhibition closes March 20. works she bequeathed to Mildura Monash Gallery of Art Arts Centre upon her death in 1970 860 Ferntree Gully Rd. are important.

Wheelers Hill

At Mildura

National Gallery

■ John Foreman’s Aussie Pops Orchestra will pay its tribute to Bert Newton at its New Year’s Eve concert of popular hits and Broadway classics.

“In chatting with the artists who are appearing at our upcoming New Year's Eve and The Night Before concerts, it became evident that a tribute to our beloved Bert would be an essential part of our NewYear's Eve shows,” said John Foreman.

“I was lucky enough to work with Bert for more than twelve years on Good Morning Australia; Marina Prior was a regular guest on many of Bert's shows; and Lucy Durack starred alongside Bert in the musical, Wicked.”

The concerts are at 8pm on Thursday. December 30, and 2pm and 8pm on Friday, December 31.

Arts Centre Melbourne.

OK. With John O’Keefe Brownlow boy tackles breakfast

● Jimmy Bartel ■ Jimmy Bartel is best known for winning the 2007 Brownlow Medal. He then became a footy broadcaster on 3AW and has now graduated to become breakfast host on AW this summer while Ross and Russ enjoy their summer break. Normally there is a joint female presenter in the brekky gig and our bet is Emily Power.

Must-see exhibition

■ Between now and end of December make sure you go and see a special exhibition at Docklands, displaying a gallery full of entertainment posters from the past to present. Posters will bring back memories of past headline acts and events. Posters are a mix of genres - many garish in choice of colours and typefaces and others just deplorably bad.

It tastes like ...

■ If you have visited Fiji you must have tasted the local drink Kava, and formed your own opinion of the flavour. Very controversial , anything made from roots from the earth attracts comments like 'muddy water'.

Importation rules have been relaxed and Kava is about to take on the world as the new relaxative drink. Already there are 52 Kava Bars in Florida, USA, and the first Kava Bar has opened in Brisbane. Expansion to Melbourne is immanent , so no longer will you be advised to take a chill pill, just drink some Kava .

Boy wonder

■ Anthony McManus is the lucky guy who convincingly won the million dollars on Nine the other night. There is quite a back story to Anthony - at 14 years of age, he appeared as a vocalist on Young Talent Time, he went onto regular acting gigs in cop shows produced by Crawfords and TV commercials by the score. With COVID, jobs were few but now a million in his kitty he has purchased a new apartment and new wheels .

Where mega-wealthy invest

■ Oprah Winfrey and actress Reese Witherspoon have oodles of available cash. Rather than spending the cash on flashy extravagances they're looking for return on investment. Their latest investment is in Spanx Inc. women's wear , a fashion brand based in Atlanta, USA. valued at $ 1.2 billion. The policy of Spanx is to strive for an all-female board, no mention of Oprah and Reese being appointed - watch this space.

- John O’Keefe

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The Local Paper - Wednesday, December 8, 2021 - Page 13

Movies, DVDs with Jim Sherlock, Aaron Rourke What’s Hot and What’s Not FILM: FINCH (Streaming on AppleTV+): Cast: Tom Hanks, Caleb Landry Jones, Marie Wagenman, Oscar Avila.

Genre: Drama/Sci-Fi/Adventure.

Year: 2021.

Rating: M .

Length: 115 Minutes.

Stars: * * * Review: On a post-apocalyptic earth, a robot, built to protect the life of his creator's beloved dog, learns about life, love, friendship and what it means to be human as they go on a road trip across a desolate earth to reach a safe harbour.

Despite its bleak premise there is much, if not too much, soft heartedness in this post- apocalyptic road trip, a journey in which Tom Hanks carries completely on his shoulders for the most part with total conviction and believability, primarily a one-man-andhis-dog-and robot show that encompasses many thrills, charming humour and heart-breaking revelations along their journey.

Along with the wonderfully grizzled performance by Hanks, you are immediately won over by a scene-stealing dog called Goodyear and a delightfully quirky robot called Jeff (voiced by Caleb Landry Jones), and as the trio make their way along the deserted landscapes and cities it's the uniquely individual character traits that make this adventure spark and bubble with life, joy, danger and sadness, ultimately revealing a dark but overall charming, funny, poignant and rewarding experience unlike any postapocalyptic experience before it.

FILM: ONLY MURDERS IN THE BUILDING (Streaming on Disney+/10 Parts): Cast: Steve Martin, Martin Short, Selena Gomez.

Genre: Crime/Comedy/Drama.

Year: 2021.

Rating: M .

Length: 30 Minutes per Episode (Approx.)

Stars: ***1/2 Review: Three strangers who live in the same apartment block in New York share an obsession with true crime and suddenly find themselves caught up in one, so they team up to solve the crime.

Co-created by Steve Martin and John Hoffman, this well made and delightfully quirky mystery who-done-it shares many similarities with Woody Allen's superb comedy "Manhattan Murder Mystery" (1993), but that aside, this entertains beautifully in its own uniquely kooky and prickly way due primarily to the charming chemistry of its three sleuthing veteran leads Steve Martin, Martin Short and the scene stealing Selena Gomez, each creating their own individually idiosyncratic character as they fumble their way through the maze of twists and turns in search of the guilty party of the crime, and producing a podcast of their findings along the way.

More a simplistic, subtle and off-centre parody than a wildly uproarious laugh out loud comedy, when it does miss its mark it soon falls quickly back on its feet, the banter is often hilarious, and at the expense of many we know, and in addition to the immensely engaging characters, sprightly screenplays and eye-catching New York locations, there's a delectable sprinkling of cameo tenants that will raise the eyebrows with joy (no spoilers here), and when all is said and done, "Only Murders in the Building" is a fun, clever, playful and exceptionally entertaining slice of comedy, murder and mystery that will ultimately satisfy the sleuth in us all.

- James Sherlock

Rourke’s Reviews Dune Part 1

■ (M) (2021). 155 minutes. Now showing in cinemas, including IMAX 3D. The highly anticipated adaptation of Frank Herbert’s beloved novel by Denis Villeneuve (Blade Runner 2049) finally arrives, and while it lacks the unique imagination of David Lynch’s troubled but unfairly dismissed 1984 production, this new vision is entertaining in its own right.

The plot remains the same, centring on Paul Atreides (Timothee Chalamet), who will play a crucial part in a war between his planet, planet Harkonnen, and the Emperor himself.

All want control of planet Arrakis, where a precious mineral called ‘the spice’ is harvested.

When planet Atreides is allowed to commandeer Arrakis, it sets in motion a series of betrayals and unexpected alliances, as Paul begins to discover powers he never knew he possessed.

To compare, the material this film covers took up the first 90 minutes of the 1984 version (and around the first half of the first novel), so those familiar with the earlier big screen incarnation will find the non-ending here a little disorientating, even unsatisfying.

But given the dense, layered structure of Herbert’s books, this is the most logical way to present what is a complex narrative.

The visual effects are completely convincing, and sound design again plays a large part in delivering an immersive experience.

The main thing missing here is the highly distinctive creativity and originality that David Lynch brought to his adaptation.

The cast acquit themselves well, although Jason Mamoa is too flippant as Duncan (the role was played to much better effect by Richard Jordan in the 1984 film).

Dune : Part 1 has been a success at the global box-office, so Part 2 can now go ahead as planned. It would’ve been disappointing if boxoffice failure stopped this epic project dead in its tracks, resulting in a single film that would forever feel incomplete, its potential greatness left dangling in the wind.

As one piece of a larger puzzle, it will be interesting to see if that greatness is achieved.

RATING - ***½

Dune

■ (M) (1984). 137 minutes. Now available on 4K UHD and Blu-ray.

The first big budget studio film from then-young wunderkind David Lynch (Blue Velvet, Wild At Heart), who had wowed and weirded out audiences with his first two films, the memorably bizarre

Eraserhead (1977) and the Academy Award nominated The Elephant Man (1980), would eventually be compromised by producer interference, leading to a release that would end in box-office disaster.

However, despite financial failure and largely negative reviews, Dune would pick up a loyal cult following, one which increased considerably over the decades, and despite its flaws, has been reassessed by many as a creation worthy of praise and acclaim.

The cast here is impressive, including Kyle McLachlan (in an extraordinary feature film debut), Max Von Sydow, Dean Stockwell, Brad Dourif, Kenneth McMillan, and Patrick Stewart, to name a few.

Though modern audiences will be used to nearly everything being created via CGI now, the elaborate, old-school effects hold up well, and truly feels like a gargantuan endeavour.

Not having read the novels, I was probably in a better position to enjoy Lynch’s adaptation solely as a piece of cinema, but now having seen the 2021 version (which is apparently a lot more faithful to the first in the best-selling series of books), it is fascinating to see what came from Herbert’s mind, and what has obviously come from Lynch’s one-of-a-kind vision.

There is imagery and sound design that is pure Lynch, and one can see why the film-maker was drawn to the project.

While Herbert fans complained that too much of the story was slashed and condensed, especially in the second half, it was unfair to aim this criticism at Lynch, as his original cut reportedly ran over three hours, which would have given subplots and characters more room to breathe.

It was in fact the producers who took an axe to Dune, as they didn’t want the film to have such a mammoth running time, so this is the reason why fans of the book were incensed at how the movie suddenly became so choppy in structure, as entire plot threads were skimmed over.

Thankfully Arrow have recently released a beautiful special edition of Dune, with a new, 4K restoration plus a wealth of extras.

Universal Studios tried for years to coax David Lynch back to put together his definitive version of the film, sadly to no avail, so this gorgeous set from Arrow will have to do as the next best thing.

RATING - ****½ - Aaron Rourke

Top 10 Lists DECEMBER 5-11

THE AUSTRALIAN BOX OFFICE TOP TEN: 1. VENOM: LET THERE BE CARNAGE. 2. NO TIME TO DIE. 3. BOSS BABY: FAMILY BUSINESS. 4. ETERNALS. 5. A BOY CALLED CHRISTMAS. 6. LAST NIGHT IN SOHO. 7. ANTIM: THE FINAL TRUTH. 8. RON'S GONE WRONG. 9. MAANAADU. 10. SHANG-CHI: The Legend of the Ten Rings.

NEW RELEASES AND COMING SOON TO CINEMAS AROUND AUSTRALIA: DECEMBER 2: DUNE (+3D), ENCANTO, THE CARD COUNTER, THE BATTLE AT LAKE CHANGJIN. DECEMBER 9: DEAR EVAN HANSEN, HENCHMEN, THE EYES OF TAMMY FAYE. DECEMBER 16: SPIDER-MAN: NO WAY HOME, THE SCARY OF SIXTY-FIRST, UNDINE. DECEMBER 26: DELICIOUS, LICORICE PIZZA, SING 2, SWAN SONG, THE MATRIX RESURRECTIONS, THE TRAGEDY OF MACBETH, THE WORST PERSON IN THE WORLD, WEST SIDE STORY. TOP DVD AND BLU-RAY SALES: 1. JOE BELL. 2. CANDYMAN. 3. REMINISCENCE. 4. THE SUICIDE SQUAD. 5. MY NAME IS GULPILIL. 6. PIG. 7. ICE ROAD. 8. RESPECT. 9. DON'T BREATH 2.

10. COMING HOME IN THE DARK. NEW RELEASE HIGHLIGHTS ON DVD, BLURAY AND 4K-UHD THIS WEEK: INFINITE. PAW PATROL: The Movie.

STILLWATER. ONE SHOT. DVD AND/OR BLU-RAY NEW & RERELEASE CLASSIC MOVIES HIGHLIGHTS: MULHOLLAND DRIVE 4K-UHD. THE OUTSIDERS 4K-UHD. CLASSIC MONSTERS 4K-UHD: Dracula, Frankenstein, The Invisible Man, The Wolf Man. NEW RELEASE TELEVISION, DOCUMENTARY AND MUSIC HIGHLIGHTS: NEW AMSTERDAM: Season 3.

SILENT WITNESS: Series 24.

STAR TREK DISCOVERY: Season 3.

THE EQUALIZER: Season One. HEARTLAND: Series 14.

- James Sherlock

DVD COLLECTION: Specialising in Classic and Hard to Find Movies, and Latest Releases Classics, Comedy, TV, Drama, Thriller, Action, Music, Adventure, Cult Classics, Horror, Documentary. All Genres for All Tastes - Box Sets and Limited Editions Collections UNIT 2, 21 FLIGHT DRIVE, TULLAMARINE PHONE: 9338 4879 HOURS: Tuesday-Friday, 10am-4pm vidcoll@bigpond.net.au www.ebay.com.au/str/dvdcoll281

Page 14 - The Local Paper - Wednesday, December 8, 2021

Melbourne

Observer

Magazine

www.LocalPaper.com.au

Lovatts Crossword No 14 Across

1. Competitive touring-car driving 6. Leaned back 11. Rubber overshoes 15. Fires (missile) 20. Wheat spike 21. Tall African warrior tribe 22. Boxer, Muhammad ...

23. Circuit board component 24. Fierce shark (3-5) 25. Movie organiser 27. From the menu (1,2,5) 28. US rocket agency 29. Calibrate anew 31. On Her Majesty's Service (1,1,1,1) 32. Oppose 36. Petticoat fabric 37. Encroachments 38. Barely 41. Pays attention to 44. Resting on bed, ... down 45. Endurance swimmer, ... Maroney 48. Give authority to 49. Talked to God 52. Fenced with bushes 56. Arresting 57. Pillage 58. Cotton tops (1-6) 61. Responds 62. Runs off 63. Hangman's rope 64. Yes man 65. Pipe-discharge to ocean 66. German measles 67. Courier 71. Pakistan's ... Khan 73. Weepy 75. Endless 80. Preserve 82. Severe 83. In control, at the ...

85. Rissole 86. Friend by correspondence (3,3) 88. Walked purposefully 90. Hair-root gland 91. Softened 93. Most meagre 94. Fills with blood 95. Gloomiest 96. Contributes (5,2) 97. Des Moines is there 99. Rent 100. Intervenes (5,2) 104. Fathered 105. Writer, ... Binchy 106. Seance board 107. Finer (fabric) 111. Join (traffic) 113. Muslim leader, ... Khan 114. US spy group (1,1,1) 115. Small & efficient 117. Pierce with spike 118. Thieve 121. Computer data 122. Tinted 125. Frisk (about) 126. Fibber 127. Urged on, ... up 129. Orient 131. 12th of foot 132. Cried in pain 135. Bullets 136. Rises 139. Slash 140. Any of two 144. Shopping plazas 145. Astounds 146. Gnat-like fly 147. Takes to address

Across 148.

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Amazement Precedes V-shaped cut Dutch cheese Legendary kingdom, El ...

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Down 1. Less frequent 2. Continues 3. Positive replies 4. Sign-light gas 5. Vehicle depot 7. Fir 8. Mental pictures 9. Green gems 10. Be brave enough 11. Open mouth wide 12. Sealed shut 13. Requisitioned 14. Land measure 15. South American animals 16. Sickens 17. Recess 18. Mob 19. Sickly 24. Small rugs 26. Singer, Diana ...

30. Space film genre (3-2) 33. In a group (2,5) 34. Map pressure lines 35. Into that place 38. Take dimensions 39. Refusals 40. Wool fat 42. Geological ages 43. Wheelers & ...

46. Radioactive element 47. Involved in 49. Thoughtful 50. Love affair 51. Rome, the ... City 53. Properties 54. Tropical fruit 55. Emotionally unmoved (3-4) 59. Warm-climate shrub 60. Eased 67. Mutters 68. Shipping route (3,4) 69. Symbols 70. Jelly-setting agent 72. Animal exhibition 74. Dog, ... ridgeback 76. Best quality 77. Unsurpassed (favourite) (3-4) 78. Cutting tooth 79. More lush 81. Satisfies 84. Southpaw's main asset (4,4) 87. Large terrier breed 89. Harbour vessels 91. Fish/women 92. Showed the way 98. Synagogue 101. Musical time 102. Shellfish 103. Actress, ... Staunton 108. Dash 109. Praise highly 110. Toastmaster 112. Reassigns 116. Operating 119. Moderate 120. Anguishing (over) 123. Or else 124. Too much 128. Entirely consumed (5,2) 130. Straddling 132. Acted without words

Down 133. Viper snake 134. Edit (text) 137. Indian social class 138. Snooped 141. Arab faith 142. Cures 143. Wily tricks 151. Seeping out 153. Indulge in half-heartedly 155. Classical musical drama 156. Elsewhere defence 159. Flags 160. Agile 161. Sanctioned 164. Russian mountains 165. Accessory 168. Carbonating 170. Kissed 173. Songwriter 174. Tyrannises 177. Neighing 178. Drowned 181. Fireproof material 185. Hidden attacks 186. Chewed 187. Former aerials ski champ, now MP, ... Marshall 188. Zeros 193. Speak haltingly 194. Brings on (birth) 195. Nestles 200. Crusaders' foes 201. Soak before cooking 206. Secured 207. Home for terminally-ill 208. Insect feeler 209. Trains (team) 211. Backer 214. Emperor's wife 216. Walker 217. Thai 218. Use up 220. Yearly, per ...

222. Audacity 224. Merchants 225. From Kampala 226. Jelly/sponge desserts 229. Christmas 232. Mud 235. Abuse (3-5) 236. Taut 237. Say differently 241. Tooth filling 242. Besotted 244. Harder to find 245. Stocking runs 248. Modifies 249. Stretch across 251. Grecian vases 252. Keep company (with) 253. Cougars 254. Incite to action 255. Beer mug 259. Onward 260. Remove completely 261. Cedars & oaks 262. Contemplate 264. Knuckle of veal stew, ... bucco 265. Foreboding 267. Long story

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Magazine

The Local Paper - Wednesday, December 8, 2021 - Page 15

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Page 16 - The Local Paper - Wednesday, December 8, 2021

Crossroads

By Rob Foenander info@countrycrossroads com.au

McNaMarr Project

■ Andrea Marr and John McNamara play Martha Salt Music at Mt Martha Bowlo on Saturday (Dec. 11).

Drenched in Old School Soul, two powerhouse voices come together with a mutual love of Gospel, Soul and Blues to create the McNaMarr Project.

A musical match made in heaven is on offer by these award winning local artists.

Tickets at www.trybooking.com/BVJDS

Boolara 2022

■ Gippsland Country Music Club Inc is proud to announce and support the first annual Boolarra Country Music Festival featuring home made talent.

Held from Feb ruary 3-6 at the Boolarra Hotel, the line up consists of Pete Denahy, Rodney Vincent, Bec Hance, Tom Maxwell, Destiny Band Oz, The Hoffmans, Tony McKenna, Joe Musico, Robyn Gleeson, Evan Platschinda plus the ‘Gippsland Showcase’ of local artists and walk up sessions daily. Tickets Ticketor.com/ Boolarraevents/default

Clyde Carols

■ Gethsemane Church and Charity Clyde present sthe 2021 Christmas Carols extravaganza featuring local and international artists. Hosted by Kerrigan La-Brooy, the event will be held on December 18 commencing 7.30 -9.30pm and aired on Channel 31. More info at https://www.facebook.com/events/ 1891578914563573/ - Rob Foenander

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Magazine

Gender imbalance addressed with writers’ fund ■ State Library Victoria has announced the launch of a new Women Writers Fund which seeks to redress the historical bias in the state collection, in which women writers in the 19th and 20th century were under-represented.

The fund has been created with the support of two Founding Donors: Krystyna Campbell-Pretty, a passionate collector of literature and historical texts; and Helen Sykes who is keenly interested in fostering access to historical texts by women to inspire young women of today.

Their generosity has already enabled the Library to make a number of significant purchases such as the first illustrated edition of Frankenstein by Mary Shelley (1831); and first editions of the following works: Letters of Gertrude Bell of Arabia, edited by Lady Bell (1927); A Room of One’s Own by Virginia Woolf (1929); The Mandarins by Simone de Beauvoir (1956); To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee (1960) and Ariel by Sylvia Plath (1965).

State Library Victoria Senior Librarian History of the Book and Arts, Dr Anna Welch said the fund will enable the Library to fill a gap in its collection.

“The Library’s rare books collection is a national treasure – but until now it has been skewed towards male writers,” Dr Welch said.

“It is so exciting to now be able

to even out the gender imbalance and represent female writers more fully. We are incredibly grateful to Krystyna and Helen for their generous donations that have made this fund possible.”

“We’ve been working hard to make sure that we acquire works that represent a really diverse array of women’s voices from different times and places, different cultures and in different disciplines including some iconic authors like Harper Lee (To Kill A Mockingbird, 1960) through to lesser-known authors like Gertrude Bell, the archaeologist and traveller whose collected letters we now hold in a 1927 first edition.”

Krystyna Campbell-Pretty said she is delighted to be able to contribute to such an important collection.

“Women have theoretically had equal rights for a very long time now, but they haven’t always been recognised retrospectively,” Ms Campbell-Pretty said.

“I have long been passionate about gender equality, particularly when it comes to the political plight of women and the suffragettes. I am thrilled that this fund has made it possible for State Library Victoria to acquire two volumes of Votes for Women which was a penny newsletter of the suffragette movement in England, as well as Sylvia Plankhurst’s Germinal which was an extremely socialist newspaper.

Crossword Solution No 14 RA L L Y I NG RE C L I NE D GA A A E E A R O M MA S A I RE S I S TOR MA NE A T E R P R E T E NA S A I G RE S E T RE S I S T G T A F F E T A C I N S HE E DS E R L Y I NG E M P OW E R E P R A Y E D F H A B RA V AGE M T S H I R T E S CA P E S L NOOS E I E S R I E S U RUB E L L ME S S E NGE R I MRA N I I U E M E S A V E A US T E R ME A T B A L L P E NP A L C V B L L A P A I MU T E D L E A NE S T E NGORGE S D I E N M I OW A E E R T R S I RE D MA E V E S T E P S I N E R ME RGE I AGA M C I MP A L E E S T E A L I NP U T P W L I A R E GE E D L E MOA N E D L A MMO A S C E N D I D MA L L S P N T A O M I DGE O DE L I V E RS S U E E NO T CH R S N T E UP E NDE DORA DO A MA U I P L Z I T S T NA P E I N GEM I N I E L E DGE NOMA D R B NA S T Y O RUN B O MA K I NGS RUMB A A B L E R I O B A L I I T N E S U NUR T URE CONS I S T S ME I E N S A L A D C S G S HO T S HO T S S L E I GH R R E I T O S T A R ORA T I O T S A RS C N DRE S S E S UP A I X O C N P RE F A C EMP A T H Y N HA NO I N T B M A US S I E U C I S T E R G L E E F U L O DAMS E L I E E S S E A RS M M L EGUP P R I E S T D P I A N I S T H H L T RO TOR U M T MAMA MOP P E DU P N I GH T I E S MA I S T Y A E A S HE S A E S I L E NC E S COM I NG T O N E

L OS HE R E ODUCE E T NROA D E R E DGE D S U R TOA D Y A V E T E A R Y E HE S T ROD U D NG I E S B S OU I J I A A TONE A S T X S HA C T E E RP R I S I W S D I B I E S S V MEWE NO H O L I V C N CHA N I E Y A DV I C N NO TONGA E E C NOR T H N V E A S E L S C A OA RDE R D RCHE R E R UROS I

S

L A UNC A L I I R A L A CA OHMS H S A ME R S US I E E R NA B B E A C T S U N OU T F I R F UNCE A S L M H L E FO L L I F I T T CH I P H I RE M A S HE E N I F T Y X D U P RA I NCH L K C E I T S T UNS E I L E GOUDA S N AMU L I MB R D N B L A REGA L L E ME S S NUMB T C UNA I H S M E CHEM I DE E E M I S T RU P R G R MA L A Y E L I D N S RE A D US HE R A R O S A N N I B S H S NAME S DOG A S B A L DN

“This fund enables us to honour women who’ve gone before us, and who in many ways have enabled us to enjoy the freedoms we have today, and I am sure there’ll be many more Victorians who will want to contribute.”

Helen Sykes said her lifelong appreciation of female authors was born during her studies at Oxford University.

“I think it’s so important for young women to see examples of what’s possible. I don’t thoroughly believe ‘I cannot be what I cannot see’ but I think it’s much more difficult to be what you cannot see,” Ms Sykes said.

“One of the things I love most about libraries is the sense that you’re part of a continuum of knowledge and of learning, and I just think how wonderful it would be for young women to be able to come in and see the work of other extraordinary women and to understand that they can be part of that continuum of achievement.

“My vision is that it becomes a fund that every woman who loves and uses and has grown up with State Library Victoria can feel part of, whether that’s through donation, or through suggestion for acquisition. This is an initiative where people can make a difference at whatever level suits them.”

Screen boost

■ Australia’s screen sector has

warmly welcomed the passage through Parliament of measures to increase the level of support for screen content provided through vital tax incentives.

That is the message from the ‘Make it Australian’coalition, supported by the Australian Directors’ Guild, the Australian Writers’ Guild, the Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance and Screen Producers Australia.

The Parliament passed the Treasury Laws Amendment (2021 Measures No. 5) Bill 2021, which includes the much-anticipated increase in the Producer Offset for television productions from 20 per cent to 30 per cent The Parliament also passed a series of amendments, moved by the ALP and supported by the Greens and others, and ultimately the Government, to protect access to the Producer and Post, Digital and Visual Effects Offsets. Changes which would have restricted access to the tax offsets for some in the industry were ultimately rejected by the Parliament.

“The Parliament’s actions mark the beginning of an exciting new chapter for small screen production, and will boost the amount and quality of Australian content reaching Australian audiences on the small screen,” said Alaric McAusland, Executive Director of the ADG. - Contributed

Observations HE S O E R T E D D E L Y A I NG O A L L I I NG N R C L E I E S I N O E RE R M NCE E HE R E U A DS L E S E S X S T S R I A H N U DE D U D CA L E E S T S R R I A F I L Y E E S T R R A K E S E E S S

with Matt Bissett-Johnson

Mike McColl Jones

Top 5

THE TOP 5 EMAIL ADDRESSES FOR 2021.

5. francis@pope 1. Vati.com 4. mrwhippy@coldmail.com 3. queenliz@palace.pom.uk 2. harold holt@bigpond.com 1. grantdenyer@littlepuddle.com.au

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The Local Paper - Wednesday, December 8, 2021 - Page 17

Sport

Standby for the Magic Millions

■ The Magic Millions Classics are fast approaching, coming up next month on the Gold Coast.

Prior to nominations, Neds the Bookmakers have framed a market on both the two and threeyear-old races.

First ,let’s look at the two-year-olds.

Before nominations they have the Victorian filly, Coolangatta, on top after her impressive win at her first outing winning the Gimcrack Stakes for fillies over 1000 metres at Randwick back on October .

By leading sire Written Tycoon, out of Piping Hot, she gave nothing a chance as she blitzed them on a good 4 track.

Prepared by leading Victorian trainers, Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, she gave nothing a chance racing away to win easily beating Drisan from the Snowden stable, and Pantonario, with Gai Waterhouse.

Punters had the right mail about her, when she was backed right into nearly even money.

The jockey of the moment, James McDonald, didn’t have to do much on her, just to keep her mind on the job, which she did with aplomb.

On the second line is another smart youngster in, Get In The Spirit, by the Queensland sire, Spirit Of Boom from Spraffina, a bay or brown filly.

She, like Coolangatta, won well, and won convincingly, beating Lascars and Rampant Lion up the straight 1000 metres at Flemington in the Maribyrnong Plate for fillies.

Get In The Spirit showed them what he was about in winning a trial at Sandown in smart style.

She is in the top stable of Mick Price and Michael Kent Junior, who like all Caulfield trainers had to move out recently from their home of many years.

An interesting possible nomination is a smart filly from New Zealand, by the name of, Bright Blue Sky, who won at Te Rapa.

She is in the camp of leading New Zealand trainer, James Richards, who has the Group One winning mare, Melody Belle.

The mail is that the stable has a high opinion of her, being by leading sire, Fastnet Rock.

The Peter Moody trained two-year old, Brereton, named after former Hawthorn champion Dermot, won well first up, and was relegated to fourth in the Merson Cooper Stakes at Caulfield behind Ebhaar.

Brereton was named such by leading stud man, Andrews Mithen at Rosemont Stud at Geelong.

From his three starts he ran second at his first start to Kiki Express up the straight at Flemington.

Then he beat Renosu at Flemington before his fourth to Ebhaar, at his last start.

He like a lot of the early two-year-olds, is by top sire, Zoustar.

The winner of the Ballarat Magic Millions two year old trial, Cusack impressed the stable and racegoers, with his win for the powerful Trent Busuttin and Natalie camp at Cranbourne. Cusack is by Not ASingle Doubt, from the good mare Belle Que, and the colt could

Of the others the favourite in the Magic Millions Qualifier, Fly Nice, who ran unplaced, wasn’t helped by the ride of John Allen, who couldn’t position her and was never give a chance to strut her stuff.

She is in the powerful stable of Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, and would pay to forget all about her, she just didn’t get one. She is much better than that.

Off track

■ Yet another good move by Racing Victoria, and the Off The Track Program, with Equine Pathways Australia, to offer more opportunities for off-the-track horses to support athletes with a disability.

EPA helps people with a physical disability engage in equine sports and activities by providing sporting and community participation and integrated high-performance sporting programs for equines and athletes.

Initially founded in 2017, to provide a structured program for people with a disability of re● Cusack winning the Magic Millions. Racing Photos. covering from illness or injury, to return to Intime at Flemington back on October 2, but he volvement in equine sport.

EPA is now an accredited Paralympics Ausfailed to show up.

But I feel it would pay to forget that run, first tralia Centre of Excellence for Paralympic time in a race, and up the straight track at preparation EPA is a breeding ground for Paralympic athFlemington.

He was bought for a tick under one million letes, with former jockey and current EPA member, Louise Cooper, aiming for Paris in 2024. dollars, and has impressed in workouts.

He is by the triple crown winner in Sydney, Another jockey, Brenton Primmer, who is Capitalist, from Golconda, I would say forget riding again after suffering injuries in a race fall, the run after missing the place. is also hoping to make the next Paralympic One of the good runs in the Magic Millions Games, and is competing on an Off The Track qualifier at Ballarat was that of runner-up, Cover thoroughbred.

Star, prepared by Mathew Cumani on-course.

There are also a number of retired raceShe is nicely bred being by a former Blue horses in EPA’s program, including fan-favorDiamond winner, and a top sire, Star Witness, ite, Jungle Edge, a multiple Group winner who she ran a good second behind Cusack. finished his career with over $ 1.7 million in She sold for only $67,000, being out of a half- prizemoney, having won 18 races, and placed sister to the 2016-17 Macau Horse of the Year on 25 occasions from his 89 starts. in Californiatreasure.

- Ted Ryan

Ted Ryan

Looking for a Professional to run the show? be good. The stable has a big opinion of him.

With his win he automatically qualifies for a run in the Magic Millions in January.

The Freedman stable had their promising two-year-old, Cannonball, running for the first

★ Compere/Host ★ Auctioneer ★ Promotions ★ A-Grade Journalist ★ Voice-Over Commercials ★ Race Caller All Sports, Race Nights ★ TV, Radio, Press ★ Respected Member of the Media

Ted Ryan Phone 9876 1652 Mobile: 0412 682 927 ● Brereton winning at Flemington. Racing Photos.

E-Mail: tedryan@australiaonline.net.au ted.ryan@optusnet.com.au

Page 18 - The Local Paper - Wednesday, December 8, 2021

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Sport

Rockinthecity breaks maiden status

■ Hamilton commenced the week on Monday November 29 and Terang owner/trainer Darren Cole’s A Rocknroll Dance-Final Patrol colt Rockinthecity broke his maiden status at start number 11 by taking the Easter Supersprint Meeting 18th April 3Y0 Maiden Pace over 1660 metres.

Given a cosy trip by Codi Rauchenberger three back in the running line from the extreme draw, Rockinthecity after going forward three wide in the last lap raced clear in the straight to score by 1.7 metres from Story To Tell which had followed him throughout, with Sunrise Ruby (one/ one – three wide home turn third) a neck away.

The mile rate 1-56.

■ Another Terang trainer to provide a winner was Matthew Horsnell when Silver Mystique, a Western Terror-Lombo Madam Lashe filly won her fourth race in 25 outings by taking the 2160 metre Matthews Petroleum Pace with Jason Lee in the sulky.

Driven with vigour from the pole to retain the lead, Silver Mystique defied all challengers to record a 4.1 metre margin in 1-58.2 over a game Triple Zed which raced exposed from gate five.

Eastbro Jesse after trailing the winner from inside the second line used the sprint lane for third 4.7 metres back.

■ Peter Manning’s frustrating 4Y0 LawmanPocket Fantasy gelding Dublin Chubb a half brother to outstanding stablemate Plymouth Chubb, scored his seventh success and first since December 2019 when victorious in the Hamilton Trotters Cup 16th January Trotters Handicap over 2160 metres.

Despite being very fractious at the start, reinsman Jason Ainsworth got him away safely from outside the front line to cross Aldebaran Rocky (barrier two) on the first turn and allowed to run as he usually does, defied all challengers to register a 1.4 metre margin in advance of Show Me The Moolah (three back the markers) which flashed late after being held up approaching the home turn. Icicle ran his usual honest race to finish third a half neck away after racing three wide in the last lap. The mile rate 2-03.7.

Confident drive

■ Shepparton was Tuesday’s venue and Beerburrum breeder/trainer Glen Beale landed the the Barastoc Maiden Pace over 1690 metres when 4Y0 Elsu-Chicka-Chicka mare Sky Chicka saluted the judge.

Driven by Euroa based Cameron Maggs, Sky Chicka led throughout from gate three, accounting for Son Of Zodiac (one/one) by an easy 9 metre margin, with Casino Barry (gate seven) third 1.2 metres back after going forward to race in the open. The mile rate 1-58.4.

■ Echuca duo Shane Gloury and wife Susan Hunter were successful with 5Y0 Majestic SonDizzyinterest gelding Partytime in the 2190 metre Saddleworld Shepparton Trotters Handicap.

Driven confidently by Bendigo’s Rod Lakey, Partytime ($21.60) trained by Susan went forward from 10 metres as the start was effected to cross the leader Willdomxav and with Lakey not panicking approaching the final bend as the challengers appeared, kept on giving in the straight to prevail by 2.6 metres from La Serena which raced exposed returning a mile rate of 203.2.

Twenty metre marker Blue Coman (one/two last lap – four wide home turn) was third 2.3 metres away.

■ Goulburn Valley (Kialla) trainer Brian Crossland combined with grandson Cody Crossland aboard 5Y0 BG’s Folly-Suffolk Star entire Bee Gee Cee to land the Alabar Pace over 1690 metres.

Raced by Brian and long time partner Melinda Smith, Bee Gee Cee raced expsed for most of the trip from gate six, defying all challengers to prevail by 2.5 metres in a mile rate of 1-57 from Holstein (one/two) and Shaq (one/one last lap) which finished 2.1 metres away in third place.

Mifsud at Melton

■ At Melton on Wednesday, the Julie Mifsud (Kilmore) owned and trained 11Y0 Blissful HallTealsby Force gelding Wonderforce ($21.00) led throughout from the pole with niece Monique

Harness Racing

len-baker@ bigpond.com

with Len Baker Burnett in the sulky to snare the DNR Logistics Pace over 2240 metres, accounting for Ears Ponder which trailed by 4.3 metres. Runsafarirun (one/one) was third 16.1 metres away. The mile rate 1-59.6.

■ Another roughie by the name of Aldebaran Jazzi ($41.00) a 8Y0 Bettors Delight-Ally McBlossom mare trained by good guy Arthur Wood for Breeders Aldebaran Lodge Pty Ltd was successful in the TAB Long May We Play Pace over the same trip.

Driven by Connor Clarke, Aldebaran Jazzi enjoyed an easy time three back the markers from gate two before angling to the back of Extortion which had raced in the open from gate four.

Easing three wide on turning, Aldebaran Jazzi finished best to prevail by a neck from Lotakevo from the tail, with Extortion holding down third 7.2 metres back. The mile rate 1-59.1.

■ Six year old The Pres-Baltic Son mare Baltica was a tough winner of the 2240 metre The Big Screen Company Pace.

Trained in partnership by Richard and Emmett Brosnan at Meredith, Baltica driven by Emmett went forward from gate six to race outside polemarker Bad As Now, outstaying her rivals to score by 2.2 metres from Flash Kyvalley (one/ one) and favourite Naked Ambition who’s effort was good after breaking shortly after start and running home from five back in the moving line to finish 3 metres away. The mile rate 2-00.5.

Rated to perfection

■ Bolinda and Riddell trainers were victorious at last Thursday night’s Kilmore harness meeting.

Bolinda trainer Brent Lilley’s 4Y0 Amore Stride-Nitengale Stride mare Tiara Stride raced by neighbour Alexandra Hurley and sister Fran based in Adelaide, led throughout from gate two in the Jet Roofing Maiden Trotters Mobile over 1690 metres.

Rated to perfection by Chris Alford as one would expect, Tiara Stride coming off a promising third at Ballarat a week earlier greeted the judge 1.6 metres in advance of La Bella Figura (gate four) which trailed, with Another Nip third 1.9 metres back from four pegs. The mile rate 2-03.6.

■ Another Bolinda winner was Vince Vallelonga’s 4Y0 Art Major-Sheng Li gelding Art Of Sheng Li in the C&M Build Group Pace over 2180 metres.

With Charlton based Ryan Sanderson in the sulky, Art Of Sheng Li began swiftly from gate five to lead, scoring by a metre from Heavenly Belle (gate six) which raced outside him. Cheez was third 8.2 meres back from mid-field in the moving line.

■ Riddell trainer/driver Chris Lang’s team have been going great guns of late and handy 3Y0 Muscle Hill-Miss Bullion gelding Bullion Harry was too good for his rivals in the 2180 metre Buds and Branches Florist Trotters Mobile.

Starting from the extreme draw, Bullion Harry pushed through at the start to settle three back in the moving line as polemarker Euryphaessa led from the pole. Going forward at the bell to join the pacemaker and make an unsuccessful bid for the lead leaving him parked.

Gaining the upperhand in the straight, Bullion Harry just lasted by a head from the fast finish-

ing Lady In The Sky (gate four) from one/three, with Euryphaessa holding third 1.1 metres back.

The mile rate 2-03.9.

■ Kialla trainer John Hallam snared the Carlton and United Breweries Pace over 1690 metres with Goulburn Valley owned 4Y0 Western Terror-Eastern Lookout mare Wonga Lake in 159.1 giving ChrisAlford another winner on the program.

Showing plenty of speed from gate five to cross Yankee Boot Flat (gate two) before handing over to Atlantas (gate three), Wonga Lake enjoyed a cosy passage before using the sprint lane to register a 1.9 metre victory over ever reliable Atlantas, with Yankee Boot Leg also along the sprint lane 3 metres away in third place. The mile rate 1-59.1.

Success at Geelong

■ At Geelong on Friday, Alex Ashwood and partner Tayla French were successful with highly promising 3Y0 Love You-Schleck gelding ParisianArtiste which raced so well in the recent Breeders Crown Series, taking the $10,000 Jack Rabbit Winery Trotters Mobile over 2100 metres.

Despite racing in the open from gate five, Parisian Artiste was far too classy for the leader Mufasa Metro, scoring by 2.5 metres in a rate of 11-59.2. Bromwich which trailed the pace-

Sulky Snippets This Week

■ Wednesday – Maryborough/Mildura, Thursday – Melton/Echuca, Friday – Bendigo, Saturday – Melton, Sunday – Stawell (Cup), Monday – Warragul/Swan Hill, Tuesday – Shepparton. maker from gate three was third 5.5 metres away.

■ Myrniong trainer Jess Tubbs landed the 2180 metre Jims Mowing 2Y0 Pace with Always B Miki-Arms Of An Angel filly Nonparriel on debut.

With James Herbertson in the sulky, Nonparriel led throughout from the pole to register an easy 9.7 metre victory over Rainbowsend (three back the markers), with Leave Your Hat On third a head away after racing uncovered. The mile rate 2-04.5.

■ Readers may remember a horse by the name of Non Pariel which raced with success in the Moonee Valley era.

Radio Confidential BESTSYNDICATED ACRA winners AUSTRALIANPROGRAM

■ Some of the Australian Commercial Radio Awards winners were: BEST ON-AIR TEAM – METRO FM The Kyle & Jackie O Show; Kyle Sandilands & Jackie Henderson, KIIS 106.5, Sydney NSW, ARN BESTON-AIR TEAM – METRO AM 3AW Breakfast with Ross Stevenson & Russel Howcroft; Ross Stevenson & Russel Howcroft, 3AW, Melbourne VIC, Nine Radio BEST ON-AIR TEAM COUNTRY&PROVINCIAL Stolzy & Damo; Glenn Stolzenhein & Damien Leith, Power FM, Muswellbrook NSW, Grant Broadcasters C Galey, Emily Jade & Christo; Paul Gale, Emily Jade & David Christopher, Hot Tomato, Gold Coast QLD, Grant Broadcasters P BESTTALK PRESENTER Kris Seabert; 3CS, Colac VIC, ACE Radio Broadcasters Stephen Cenatiempo; 2CC, Canberra ACT, Capital Radio Network P Ben Fordham; 2GB, Sydney NSW, Nine Radio M BEST NETWORKED PROGRAM The Morning Rush; Sean Cullen & Kate Meade, ACE Radio Broadcasters C Mike E & Emma; Michael Etheridge & Emma Chow, ARN P Kate, Tim & Joel; Kate Ritchie, Tim Blackwell & Joel Creasey, NOVA Entertainment M BESTCURRENTAFFAIRS PRESENTER Stephen Cenatiempo; 2CC, Canberra ACT, Capital Radio Network NM Neil Mitchell; 3AW, Melbourne VIC, Nine Radio M BESTENTERTAINMENTPRESENTER Craig Prichard; 2GN, Goulburn NSW, Capital Radio Network C Ellie Angel-Mobbs; Hit 104.7, Canberra ACT, ARN/SCA P Jackie Henderson; KIIS 106.5, Sydney NSW, ARN M BEST MUSIC PRESENTER James Preston; Hit FM Mid North Coast, Port Macquarie NSW, Southern Cross Austereo C Gemma Maddox; Hit 104.7, Canberra ACT, ARN/SCA P Chris 'Becko' Beckhouse; Triple M, Sydney NSW, Southern Cross Austereo M BEST SPORTS PRESENTER Martin Agatyn; 7AD & 7BU, Devonport & Burnie TAS, Grant Broadcasters C Jeremy Ryan; Triple M, Newcastle NSW, Southern CrossAustereo P Tim Lane; 3AW, Melbourne VIC, Nine Radio M

Kate, Tim & Joel; Kate Ritchie, Tim Blackwell & Joel Creasey, NOVA Entertainment BEST STATION PRODUCED COMEDYSEGMENT Coles Ninja Warrior; Ben Stevenson, Hit105.5, Coffs Harbour NSW, Southern Cross Austereo C Trump does India; David Dollin Triple M, Newcastle NSW, Southern Cross Austereo P Wookie; Sam Pang, Nova 100, Melbourne VIC, NOVA Entertainment M BESTDIGITALRADIO FORMAT Little Fox Digital Radio; Gemma Fordham, James Speed, Mathew Eggleston & Aaron Sokolenko, Southern Cross Austereo BEST NEWCOMER ON-AIR Krysti Dixon; Hit Mid North Coast, Port Macquarie NSW, Southern Cross Austereo C Rob Palmer; Triple M, Central Coast, Gosford NSW, Southern Cross Austereo P Joel Creasey; Nova Network, Melbourne VIC, NOVA Entertainment M BRIANWHITEAWARD FOR RADIO JOURNALISM Jaclyn Underwood; 2BS, Bathurst NSW, Super Radio Network NM Gareth Parker; 6PR, Perth WA, Nine Radio M BEST COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECT Goulburn's Radio Relay; Eagle FM & 2GN, Goulburn NSW, Capital Radio Network C Jimmy & Nath's Climb For Cystic Fibrosis; Jimmy Smith & Nath Roye, Hit 100.9, Hobart TAS, Southern Cross Austereo P QLD Eye Institute Foundation’s Last Seen Exhibition; Jeanna Manifold, Hannah Lucas, Andrew Fritsch, Tony Byrne & Matt Dickson, B105, Brisbane QLD, Southern Cross Austereo M BEST RADIO SHOW PODCAST Untold Story; Bridget Brousard, Peter Everitt & Sean Flanagan, Triple M, Gold Coast QLD, Southern Cross Austereo NM Jonesy & Amanda’s Holiday Book Club; Brendan Jones & Amanda Keller, WSFM, Sydney NSW, ARN M BEST ORIGINAL PODCAST – BRANDED NSW Police State Crime Command: Lost at Sea Adam Shand; Grant Tothill, Sarah Grynberg, Matt Nikolic & Michael James, Southern Cross Austereo BEST ORIGINAL PODCAST – UNBRANDED Zero Waste Baby; Veronica Milsom, Southern Cross Austereo

MARKETING FEATURE

Magazine

The Local Paper - Wednesday, December 8, 2021 - Page 19

Stateside with Gavin Wood in West Hollywood

Back to Los Angeles in 2022 ■ Hi everyone, remotely from my suite at the Ramada Plaza Hotel and Suites in West Hollywood comes this week’s news.

Out and About

After 2 years, back to work

■ All the indicators are there for a major assault across the Pacific in 2022. It has been a lean two years with COVID-19 and the battle that is still continuing across the globe.

Movies are being made again and the entertainment industry on both sides of the pond are now open and ready for business.

My company, Countdown Motion Pictures, has had time to reflect and improve our stable of screenplays, series and sitcoms.

It is time to get back and be represented as an Australian company doing business in America.

Managing Director of the Ramada Plaza Hotel and Suites in West Hollywood, Alan Johnson, has witnessed a disastrous two years with occupancy levels at an all time low.

Now there is confidence in travel and tourism and the hotel industry is bouncing back.

International film director and producer, Rod Hardy, is being offered many film projects around the world. It’s great to be back.

Christmas in Australia before the three amigos head off back to America.

Russian hackers return

● Gavin Wood, Alan Johnson and Rod Hardy.

■ A group of Russia-backed hackers responsible for last year's widespread solar winds attack has reportedly been targeting hundreds of companies and organizations in recent months, despite the threat of sanctions. Microsoft announced Monday the group, known as Nobelium, has been stepping up cyberattacks against tech companies resulting in more than 140 attacks since May, including at least 14 breaches where data were stolen. The latest hacking campaign has been targeting cloud computing and managed service providers in the US and Europe to obtain sensitive information and disrupt the global IT supply chain. The most recent attack used unsophisticated methods such as phishing and password spray. The attacks come even after the Biden administration imposed several financial sanctions on Russia and expelled near a dozen diplomats. The moves have done little to slow the attacks – Microsoft reported more than 600 companies attacked since July 1.

Cigarette sales up

Elon Musk speaks

■ Americans purchased more cigarettes last year, the first uptick in two decades, according to a new report released by the Federal Trade Commission. The number of cigarettes purchased by wholesalers and retailers rose slightly, 0.4 per cent , to 203.7 billion from 202.9 billion in 2019. The FTC’s Cigarette Report didn’t offer reasons for the increase in sales among the major tobacco companies, Altria Group Inc., MO -1.49 per cent ITG Brands LLC, Reynolds American Inc. and Vector Group Ltd. VGR -1.45 per cent. Altria Group, maker of Marlboro cigarettes, previously pointed to the pandemic as a reason people are lighting up more. Chief Executive Billy Gifford said Americans spent less money on travel, gas and entertainment last year and that fewer social engagements led to more tobacco use occasions.

Off-the-charts shoplifting

From my Suite at the Ramada Plaza Complex on Santa Monica Blvd

■ Available warehouse space near significant distribution hubs fell to historic lows in the third quarter of 2021, placing even more pressure on supply chain bottlenecks and increasing inflation, according to The Wall Street Journal. Demand for industrial real estate in the third quarter outpaced supply by 41 million square feet, increasing the vacancy rate to 3.6 per cent, down 0.7 per cen tfrom Q3 2020, and marking the lowest level since 2002. Warehouses near the Los Angeles and Long Beach ports in California, some of the most important distribution points of entry in the country, reached a vacancy rate of 1 per cent in Q3 this year. During the same quarter in 2020, the vacancy rate was 2.3 per cent.

● Elon Musk

■ President Joe Biden’s border crisis reached a new level as data released by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) showed that the Border Patrol has made approximately 1.66 million arrests of illegal aliens entering the US from Mexico for Fiscal Year 2021. “Border crossings surpassed 1.6 million annually at least twice recently, in 1986 and in 2000,” The Wall Street Journal reported. “In 2019, when crossings reached a peak under the Trump administration, the Border Patrol made about 850,000 arrests.” The Journal added that the 1.66 million arrests in Fiscal Year 2021, which started in October 2020, was “the highest annual number ever recorded.” Chad Wolf, former acting DHS secretary and Heritage visiting fellow, slammed Biden in a statement over the latest numbers, calling his policies a failure.

Migrants from all over the world are crossing illegally into Yuma, Arizona: The border sector in Yuma, Arizona, is dealing with a surge in illegal border crossings as agents are overwhelmed with the constant flow of migrants. In August of 2020, agents in the Yuma sector encountered less than 700 migrants, compared to August 2021, when agents encountered over 17,000 migrants.

Cartels offer cash to young Americans willing to smuggle illegal immigrants: Cartels have been posting ads on social media, asking young Americans to help them smuggle illegal immigrants in exchange for money. The cartels use social media apps such as Tik Tok and WhatsApp to offer young people cash if they act as drivers for migrants.

■ Tesla CEO Elon Musk warns that Austin, Texas, needs to be its own city and not become a “copycat” of San Francisco, one of the most far-left cities in the United States.

Musk made the remarks in response to a Fox News item about how Austin made “the largest cut” to its police budget “of any major city in America.”

“Austin implemented one of the biggest police budget cuts,” journalist Zaid Jilani wrote in a tweet that linked to the report.

“Their homicide rate soared over the next year, and today the surge is larger than most of the country. Now, voters will decide whether to boost the ranks of the police.” Musk responded, “Austin should be its own city, not a San Francisco copycat.”

■ Yet another major retailer in San Francisco has made the decision to close earlier due to excessive theft particularly at night, according to San Francisco Supervisor Rafael Mandelman.

The Castro Safeway on Market and Church Streets was open 24 hours, but that’s not the case any longer.

Signs posted on its entrance state its new hours are 6 am to 9 pm. Many shoppers were surprised to find that the Safeway they frequent at off-hours is cutting back.

Mandelman’s district includes the Market Street Safeway.

He said the company reached out to him to discuss problems with theft. “I think like a lot of retailers they’ve been experiencing increasing property crime and theft from their stores,” Mandelman said.

“I think the last ]six months from what they say has been sort of off the charts in terms of how bad it’s been. It’s sad, upsetting and frustrating.”

Supply chain bottlenecks

GavinWood

Border numbers shock

US jobs waiting

■ The Labour Department's Bureau of Labour Statistics announced that 100,450,000 people in the US were not in the labour force in October, up 38,000 from the 100,412,000 in September.

This is the 14th straight month that this "not in the labour force" number has remained above 100,000,000.

People who are neither employed nor unemployed are not in the labour force.

This category includes retired people, students, those taking care of children or other family members, and others who are neither working nor seeking work.

Among those not in the labour force in October, 1.3 million persons said they were prevented from looking for work due to the pandemic.

This measure is down from 1.6 million in September. The number of people not in the labour force reached a record high of 103,418,000 in April 2020, as the pandemic took hold; and the highest it hass been under President Joe Biden is 100,708,000 this past February.

Come and visit us

■ If you are considering coming over for a holiday to see the in 2022, then I have got a special deal for you.

We would love to see you at the Ramada Plaza Hotel and Suites, 8585 Santa Monica Boulevard, West Hollywood.

I have secured a terrific holiday deal for readers of the Melbourne Observer and The Local Paper. Please mention ‘Melbourne Observer’ when you book to receive the ‘Special Rate of the Day’ for your advance bookings.

Please contact: Jennifer at info@ramadaweho.com Happy Holidays, Gavin Wood

www.gavinwood.us

Page 20 - The Local Paper - Wednesday, December 8, 2021

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