The Local Paper. Eastern Suburbs Edition. Wed., Mar. 29, 2023

The Local Paper

Rowville FC needs support

ABOUT US

Incorporating the traditions of the Evelyn Observer (Est. 1873), the Box Hill Reporter (Est. 1888), Doncaster-Templestowe News (Est. 1962), Maroondah Mail (Est. 1922), Knox-Sherbrooke News (Est. 1967), Mountain District Free Press (Est. 1946). Waverley Gazette (Est. 1961)

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The Local Paper is published weekly online and printed fortnightly and circulates in local editions:

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Local Briefs

Sports in Kew

■ : The electorate of Kew is home to many fantastic local sporting clubs, local MLA Jess Wilson told State Parliament last week.

Editor: Ash Long

Features Editor: Peter Mac

Editor: Ash Long

Features Editor: Peter Mac

Columnists: Len Baker, Matt Bissett-Johnson, Rob Foenander, Mike McColl Jones, Peter Kemp, Aaron Rourke, Jim Sherlock, Ted Ryan, Cheryl Threadgold, Julie Houghton, Kevin Trask, Gavin Wood, John O’Keefe

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■ Kim Wells, Rowville MLA, wants to know when the Andrews Labor Government will support the Rowville Football and Cricket Clubs.

“The Rowville football and cricket clubs are for many of my constituents centre points of our local Rowville community,”

Mr Wells told the Legislative Assembly last Wednesday (Mar. 22).

“Last year the footy club continued to compete in the premier league and remains the only club in Knox that plays in this division.

“While the club and players continue to provide a sense of pride for the Rowville community, the clubrooms have become an embarrassment and are unworkable.

“The rise in popularity of women’s football within the club has highlighted the urgent need for upgrades for the change rooms.

“Currently they only have one set of change rooms, which forces the clubs into the ridiculous situation of having to manage who gets changed and when.

“Unlike many footy clubs and cricket clubs that play at similar levels, the Rowville Football Club cannot rely on poker machines to fund refurbishments.

“So when will the Andrews Labor Government finally back this great club and deliver on funding infrastructure upgrades that are so desperately needed?” Mr Wells asked.

Long Shots

Get your skates on

■ Young skaters are in for a treat with Sunday skate sessions landing in Doncaster and Warrandyte

At the All Aboard skate sessions, experienced professionals will help school-aged children and young people of all genders and abilities develop their skate skills.

They will also have opportunities to learn about injury prevention, skate park etiquette, equipment maintenance and more.

To make these action-packed sessions even more accessible, all equipment is provided. Skaters don’t need to have any experience and can attend as many or few sessions as they like.

The workshops are free, but bookings are essential. So, grab your skateboard and join the fun.

This program is delivered by YMCA Action Sports and the Victorian Skateboard Association with a Manningham Community Partnership Grant.

Support

■ Glen Waverley

MLA John Mullahy has condemned the actions of a small number of individuals who came out to protest the trans community.

“Our LGBTQIA+ Victorians, including our trans community, are some of the most vulnerable members of our society. They face injustice every day, in suicide rates, in homelessness and in abuse.”

Local Photo Flashback

“This weekend I was delighted to mark the conclusion of the cricket season with our local teams. The Eastern Cricket Association put on a terrific lunch at Macleay Park to celebrate their grand finals, which was attended by finalists the North Balwyn Cricket Club, the Bulls; the Deepdene Uniting Cricket Club, the Deeners; and the Old Carey Cricket Club,” Ms Wilson said.

“I was thrilled to attend the Balwyn Saints and Balwyn Blasters junior cricket club’s presentation night, where I was also pleased to see the growth of girls cricket across the club.

“I congratulate all the players and club volunteers on a fantastic season,” Ms Wilson said.

Child health times

■ Families in Knox munmcipality can now book evening and Saturday maternal and child health appointments.

To make an appointment contact mch@knox.vic.gov.au or call 9298 8741 between 9am-12.30pm Monday to Friday.

Maternal and Child Health appointments are free.

“We provide a schedule of standard appointments for all children from birth to school age. You can view the ages for the standard appointments here. If you have questions or concerns between standard appointments you are able to make an additional appointment at any time,” said a City of Knox representative.

“Our maternal and child health nurses can provide you with information and support about breastfeeding, introducing solids, post natal care for mothers including mental health, sleep and settling, kindergarten, immunisations and play. They also help identify when further assessment, intervention or support is needed.

“If you need support outside of hours you can also contact the 24-hour Maternal and Child Health Line on 13 22 29.”

Well done, Inspector

■ Kew MLA Jess Wilson last week congratulated Police Inspector Craig Pearson, the officer in charge of Boroondara police station, for his briefing on local safety and crime in the electorate of Kew

She thanedk all the police officers at that station.: “As we approach the third anniversary of the horrific Eastern Freeway crash that saw four police officers tragically lose their lives, my thoughts are with the officers’ families, friends and colleagues,” Ms Wilson said.

At Clarinda PS

■ Meng Heang Tak, Clarinda MLA, last week spoke in Parliament about the Clarinda Primary School badge presentation.

“The Clarinda Primary School is an amazing local school and has produced some amazing school and community leaders.

“Another huge congratulations to the new student leaders there – namely, junior school council leaders: Christina Christakos, Eva Greer, Natalya Piacentino, Sun Lee, Demarie Dimian, Alex Kim, Ellie Papagianakis and Tony Ahn

“Special congratulations to school captains Anushka Pradhan and Anthony Theodoris as well as Semira Persi, Paulina Toumpas, Micaela Kelleher, Suwon Kwak, William Nichols, Oliver Dvorzak, Vanessa Huynh, Lexi Watts, Jainil Patel and Thomai Tzeli for their appointments.

“Finally, congratulations to new junior school councillors Jatan Carpenter, Efsevia Kalafatis, Louie Kaperonis, Ariana Stoevski, Michaela Asmanis, Claire Yin, Winston Huynh and Dilan Chalil. I know you will all be fantastic representatives for your school and for our community. Well done.”

Free Ads

● There are no ad charges for private sellers. AdvertiseFree.com.au

● ● Kim Wells, Rowville MLA

Bayswater MLA Jackson Taylor has thanked SES volunteers at the Knox unit. “It was great to throw my annual barbecue again – I think it is the fourth year,” Mr Taylor told State Parliament. “And a quick message to all those who are watching: if you are interested in volunteering with them, touch base with the team. They are always there when we need them most, and they absolutely need more volunteers to help back them in to help you as well when you need it.”

DAMAGE TO LOCAL GPs

■ Ringwood MLA Will Fowles has asked in State Parliament about the status of the Maroondah Priority Primary Care Centre, and how will it benefit residents.

“We know that almost a decade of a Federal Liberal Government has inflicted a world of damage on local GPs and it is becoming harder than ever for Victorians to find the free extended-hours care they need.

“Increasingly, Ringwood residents have had no choice but to present to an emergency department with non-life-threatening health issues, but we know that EDs should be reserved for genuinely life-threatening situations, and that is why the Andrews Government is rolling out 25 priority primary care centres right across the state, providing free extended hours care for the urgent cases that do not need to go to an ED – cases like sprains, broken bones and minor burns.

“Importantly, this $70 million investment by the Andrews Labor Government will take pressure off our EDs, because we are doing what matters for the people of my electorate.

“I look forward to hearing from the minister about the status of the Maroondah Priority Primary Care Centre,” Mr Fowles said.

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Special Price: $99 TOTAL for all remaining 2023 issues. Book your ad: 9489 2222.

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Mr Taylor said: “It is fair to say that I love getting around the Boronia Hawks Football Netball Club and Boronia Cricket Club. They are a passionate bunch and a great group of people who run fantastic sporting clubs. But you need the best facilities to match. That is why I was over the moon, after much advocacy over the previous term, that I secured $1.2 million as a commitment to help deliver the new pavilion they so desperately need. My constituency question is to the Minister for Community Sport: what are the next steps for the promise we made to help deliver a new pavilion at Tormore Reserve in Boronia? It is no secret that I spent a lot of time with these clubs trying to secure funding for their dream of having the facilities to match the amazing people. We tried for some planning funding, but we could not quite get there, and in short it was quite the journey. I am proud of the Andrews Labor Government’s record when it comes to backing grassroots sports across the state and of course locally. The $1.2 million commitment here is going to help get the job done, and I cannot wait to keep the community updated on its progress, with the council ultimately delivering this project.”

Pool temps. not reduced

■ Monash Council has denied that it has turned down swimming pool temperatures to save on electricity costs.

The Herald Sun newspaper asked: “I am emailing to see if the water temperature at Oakleigh Recreation Centre or any other council pools is being reduced in a bid to save money on energy bills. If so, could it please elaborate on the decision to do this. If not, is it taking any other measures to reduce the impact of soaring bills?”

Mayor Cr Tina Samardzija said: “The temperature has not been lowered at Monash Council managed pools to reduce energy use.

“Monash is part of the Victorian Energy Collaboration with 45 other councils, this provides us with 100 per cent renewable energy at a discounted cost. We have also put significant work into upgrading the pool heating system at our Oakleigh Recreation Centre to reduce energy use and emissions,” Cr Samardzija said.

✔Maroondah Council fhas ormally endorsed enhancement plans for Norwood Reserve and Woodland Park.The vote took place at the Council meeting on Monday last week (Mar. 20). The endorsement will see staged works and improvements take place in the spaces over the coming years. Deputy Mayor of Maroondah, Councillor Tasa Damante, thanked residents for their feedback in developing the enhancement plans. “The enhancement plans have been developed based on feedback from key stakeholders and members of the community.”

Boroondara resident Helena says her pet registration unexplainably changed on the Council’s online registry. “My female spoodle called Lottie has transformed into a male kelpie Cross called Woofer.’ Helena discovered the error when re-registering her pet before the annual April 9 deadline.

This luxury 4 bed, 4 bath modern accommodation in the heart of beautiful Port Douglas awaits you! Walking distance to Town Centre, Four Mile Beach and Crystalbrook Superyacht Marina.

● ● Will Fowles, Ringwood MLA

● ● ● ● Cr Tina Samardzija, Monash Mayor

● ● ● ● Jackson Taylor, Bayswater MLA

Silly Little Things

■ The one-woman show Silly Little Things has had a short season at The Butterfly Club and is worthy of a wider audience.

The play follows the life of Rosie (played by Laura Knaggs), a 20-something woman, as she navigates her way through a variety of different situations and contexts (eg going clubbing, managing work and friendships, dealing with nosy neighbours, finding love/ sex etc).

Her journey is a familiar one, that is, discovering that which truly matters.

Laura wrote as well as performed the play and shows a gift for both dialogue and character development.

The basic structure of the play is that of a series of short vignettes where Rosie interacts with a cast of minor characters (all played by Laura) in a range of different environments.

Being the only person on stage playing multiple characters is a demanding task and it’s one that Laura Knaggs rises to in an impressive fashion.

She has an endearing stage presence and neatly differentiates each of the characters in the play with subtle (and sometimes not so subtle) shifts of voice or physicality.

While at times a greater differentiation between the various characters could have been achieved, giving greater life and depth to them, you’re never left in doubt as to who is doing what.

Three key personnel helped with the production: Sharnema Nougar directed; Emily O’Brien-Brown was dramaturg; and Fiona Crombie produced.

All three do great jobs in bringing to life the world of the script. The staging is minimalist, with barely a prop to be seen; it’s the lighting and sound designs that shape the different environments in which the play takes place. That plus, of course, the strong confident direction by Sharnema

It is to be hoped then that Silly Little Things has a life beyond this brief enjoyable season and that we’ll be seeing more of Knaggs on Melbourne stages.

- Review by Peter Murphy

The Saboteur

■ The improvised show The Saboteur had a brief season at The Butterfly Club and proved itself a mildly amusing entertainment.

For those unfamiliar with improvisation, the evening consists of a series of unscripted scenes.

Each scene begins with a random selection of one to five performers by a host who, in this instance, was J im Fishwick

Selected performers take the stage and the host calls out details of character, environment, context etc which performers then use to improvise a scene involving dialogue and action.

However, unbeknownst to all but the host and one of the performers, one of them is the saboteur of the show’s title, that is someone who seeks to derail and disrupt every scene they are involved in.

During the show audience participation is called upon when they are asked to vote for who they think the saboteur is. One by one performers are eliminated until the saboteur is revealed.

While the host remains the same for the season, the cast varies from night to night with those performing on any given evening selected from a pool of actors; on the night of this review the actors improvising were Amy Moule, Jaklene Vukasinovic, Jason Geary, Kieran Boyd and Melissa McGlensey.

The scenes improvised by the performers vary enormously in their nature, depending totally on the type of factors given to them by the host and, of course, which actors are on stage that night and how well they spark off each other. On the evening in question, the improvisations seen were somewhat “hit-andmiss” affairs: there were some funny exchanges between characters in certain scenes while other scenes felt quite flat and forced. This is always the danger with improvisation, that is its unpredictability and, thus, scope for failure; however, it’s also what can make for fascinating and engaging entertainment.

Unfortunately, on this occasion, The Saboteur had too little of the latter and too much of the former.

Review by Peter Murphy

TUCK SHOP LADIES

■ Sam Lohs and Rosie Burgess, aka The Tuck Shop Ladies, will launch their debut show In Real Life at The Butterfly Club from March 28 - April 2 for the Melbourne Comedy Festival. Dating online? Fallen in love with your trackies? Wondering what to do with a problem pen or how to fold a fitted sheet?

The Tuck Shop ladies are here with their ukuleles to sing their way through life’s conundrums. Sam and Rosie bring harmonies and ridiculousness as well as insight into the everyday lives of conducting a relationship as touring musos! “This is what happens when everyday life is basically a Broadway musical.”

The Tuckshop Ladies will also perform songs including 'Tutu', expounding the joys of wearing a tutu when life is getting you down, ' Nicole Kidman's Niece', a bucket list song about all the things you want to do in life, and 'Brain Fade ', about that moment when your brain skips out on you and you do weird stuff.

Seasoned musicians Sam and Rosie have played a large number of festivals across Australia including Port Fairy and Queenscliff as well as California Worldfest, Calgary Folk Fest and Musikfest in the USA and Canada.

Performance Details: March 28 -April 2 at 7pm

Venue: The Butterfly Club Downstairs, 5 Carson Place (off Little Collins St.), Melbourne

au/

Tickets: https://www.comedyfestival.com.

- Cheryl Threadgold

Jimmy Hornet launch

■ Jimmy Hornet , a new quarterly publication that shares stories of established artists, musicians, authors and personalities, and seeks to discover the next generation of talent, has now been launched.

The music venue Jimmy Hornet was host to a multitude of international and national acts, but when having to shut down during lockdowns, owner Anthea Pamer turned to the online world.

The Hornet Press was launched in 2021 as a monthly digital magazine and a way of staying in touch with its musical community and quickly built an underground following.

Anthea Palmer is an established musician and artist in her own right, first having launched her career as a singer in the band Drama Queen and founding the Watch Tower Studio in South Melbourne which showcased local artists.

Anthea eventually opened the live music venue The Chandelier Room and has coached over 200 students as founder of Melbourne Rock School.

The Jimmy Hornet magazine retails for $25. jimmyhornet.com

- Cheryl Threadgold

Palindrome

■ Reuben Solo returns to the Melbourne International Comedy Festival with his second show Palindrome from April 13-23 at The Motley Bauhaus, Carlton.

Shunning the traditional form, Reuben's show will feature 'high-concept bits that play on tropes of live performance: encores, interludes, impressions, crowdwork and more.'

Reuben first gained recognition for his short form sketches, and over the past three years has become prominent in online Australian sketch comedy, with a burgeoning audience of 750,000.

In 2022 he independently toured his first standup show around Australia, and now hits the festivals with a new show in 2023.

Performance Details: April 13 - 23, 8.45pm

Venue: The Motley Bauhaus, Carlton Bookings: comedyfestival.com.au

- Cheryl Threadgold

Legends of the Skies

■ Legends of the Skies Theatre presents a one night only special ANZAC Eve performance on Monday, April 24 at 7.30pm in the Australian National Aviation Museum, Moorabbin.

The audience will enjoy quizzes, yarns, music, facts and games in this family friendly show with artistic direction by Maggie Morrison

This cabaret style supper celebration is BYO drinks and nibbles.

Performance Details: April 24 at 7.30pm

Venue: Australian National Aviation Museum, Moorabbin Airport, Moorabbin.

Tickets: $20 or $140 for tables of eight.BYO drinks and nibbles.

Bookings: www.trybooking.com/CGPCM

- Cheryl Threadgold

Disney On Ice

■ Disney on Ice presents 100 Years of Wonder comes to Australia in a six-city tour taking in Perth,Adelaide, Melbourne, Brisbane, Sydney and Newcastle over June and July.

Melbourne performances will be at Rod Laver Arena from June 28-July 2.

Disney On Ice presents 100 Years of Wonder, an adventure for the whole family, filled with world-class skating, high-flying acrobatics, unexpected stunts, and wow-moments both on the ice and in the air.

The show brings the magic of Disney on Ice to Australia, starring the world’s most beloved characters and some of the most advanced iceskating technology yet.

Mickey Mouse and pals start the party, with Captain Hook’s treasure map taking them through Tinker Bell’s immersive, fantastic worlds.

Audiences will laugh as hilarious pirates flip, tumble, and twist on tumble tracks and stilts as they show off for Captain Hook

Then, the colourful spirit realm of Disney Pixar’s Coco is explored before Moana sails across the ice as she bravely saves her island from the fiery wrath of Te Ka, Belle is seen in the sky as the enchanted chandelier comes to life, and of course the entire crowd will singalong with Elsa in the icy world of Frozen.

When Buzz Lightyear, Woody and Jessie recruit the Green Army Men for a daring rescue in Andy’s room, the power of teamwork is everything.

Pre-sale tickets: https://www.disneyonice. com/en-au/register

- Larissa Anderson

Garden Show

■ The Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show starts today (Wed., Mar. 29).

The Victorian Schools Garden Program ‘Bug and Bloom’ will present a series of educational and multisensory experiences like beefriendly gardens and a look inside the microscopic world of minibeasts

Students will put their design skills to the test with the first ever Sustainable Scarecrow Competition in the new NGIV Home Grown Patch, and the Diggers Club will return with its signature sprawling veggie patches and free advice for families looking to grow their own heirlooms at home

For those in need of a break, daily meditation, and earth connection sessions by Wayapa Wuurrk will provide the perfect grounding for busy feet in the Beyond Blue Charity Garden.

The Show is staged at the Royal Exhibition Buildings and Carlton Gardens.

Tickets are now on sale at melbflowershow. com.au

Children aged 3 to 15 are eligible for $5 entry.

■ Based on a 2018 Alan Bennett play, the schizophrenic Allelujah tells the story of a British regional geriatric hospital closure.

The film also serves as a diatribe against 12 years of Tory attacks on a much-loved institution, the National Health Service.

Cast with British acting national treasures, British cultural heritage out in force to save the NHS, such as Judi Dench, Derek Jacobi, Julia Mackenzie and Jennifer Saunders. Cantankerous, homophobic ex-miner Joe (David Bradley), estranged from his gay, Tory-voting son (Russel Tovey), who works for the Health Secretary, provide the central conflict.

A documentary crew floats around to persuade the government to change its mind. DrValentine (Bally Gill), whose actual Indian name is Valiyaveetil but his patients can’t pronounce it, cheerfully addresses all the many crises that head his way.

Saunders, as Matron Gilpin, veers between Florence Nightingale and Nurse Ratched

Chirpy physio (Ross Tomlinson), moonlighting as choirmaster, urges his elderly charges to sing “Hallelujah, c’mon, get happy!”.

Given these are the 50s and 60s generation, they’d probably enjoy belting out the Beatles.

Throw in a work-experience kid (Louis Ashbourne Serkis) who would rather be anywhere else than among these crusty and cranky inmates.

It is a gentle comedy that feels a little dated, like the hospital it tries valiantly to save.

Despite roping in great talent, most have little to do besides feigning shabby and depressing.

Jokes abound, but they mainly involve incontinence, something to look forward to.

A plot twist culminating in a big reveal throws the excellent groundwork on the earnest dedication of NHS staff into chaos.

So much so that we’re hurled fast forward into pandemic territory and an expository breaking of the fourth wall to try to restore our faith.

Opening in Cinemas on April 6.

- Review by Kathryn Keeble

Get Clucked

■ Brisbane based standup comedian Georgina Humphries presents Get Clucked from April 10-12 and April 17-23 at Beer Deluxe, Federation Square, Melbourne.

Originally from a farm in the Atherton Tablelands, Far North Queensland, more specifically a small town called Millaa Millaa, Georgina is now known as 'the Thriller from Millaa Millaa'

Georgina performs regularly in Brisbane and across Queensland, telling small town stories and tales of growing up in agriculture to big city crowds. Next month will be her first show ever in Melbourne as part of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.

Last year she travelled to outback Queensland with a tour that saw free standup comedy return to the outback, and saw Georgina become one of the first female comedians to perform in the Gulf of Carpentaria.

A fourth generation dairy farmer turned standup comedian, Georgina is passionate about shining a light on rural issues and finding humour in the everyday of rural life.

Georgina says her show titled Get Clucked is themed around growing up on a farm, working in agriculture and her love for showing poultry.

Performance Details: April 10-12 and April 17 -23. Venue: Beer Deluxe, Federation Square, Melbourne. Booking details: https:// www.comedyfestival.com.au/2023/shows/ get-clucked

● ● Sam Lohs and Rosie Burgess, aka The Tuck Shop Ladies

● ● Comedian Georgina Humphries with rooster.

Shows

■ Warrandyte Theatre Company: Under the Table (by Sean Guy) Until April 1 at 180 Yarra St., Warrandyte. Director: Louise Phelan.Bookings: www.trybooking.com/

CFMEX

■ The 1812 Theatre: The Shoe-Horn Sonata (by John Mistro) Until April 22 at The 1812 Theatre, Rose St., Upper Ferntree Gully. Directed by Andrew Ferguson. Bookings: www.1812theatre.com.au

■ Essendon Theatre Company: Puffs, or Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic (by Mat Cox) Until April 1 at the Bradshaw St. Community Hall, Bradshaw St., Essendon. Director: Alexander Gibbs. Bookings: 0400 448 368

■ The 1812 Theatre: Shoehorn Sonata (by John Mistro) Until April 22 at 3 Rose St., Upper Ferntree Gully. Director: Andrew Ferguson. Bookings: 9758 3964 www.1812theatre.com.au

■ Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Victoria: My Fair Lady March 30, 31 and April 1, 2 Matinee at 2pm at The Alexander Theatre, Clayton. Director/Choreographer: Robert Ray; Musical Director: Timothy Wilson. Bookings: gsov.org.au

■ Frankston Theatre Group: Things I Know to be True (by Andrew Bovell) Until April 2 at 90-100 Canadian Bay Rd., Mt Eiza. Director: David Dodd. Bookings: frankstontheatregroup.org.au

■ Ballarat National Theatre: Dust and Run (by Alexandra Meerbach) April 14 – 22 at the Mt Rowan School Theatre, 453-457 Forest St., Wendouree. Director: Alexander Meerbach. Bookings: www.bnt.org.au

■ CPP Community Theatre: Sense and Sensibility (adapted by Kate Hamill, based on the novel by Jane Austen) April 15 – 22 at Boronia K-12 College, Performing Arts Centre, Albert Ave. Entrance, Parking at Rangeview Rd., Boronia. Director: Kathryn White. Bookings: https://cppcommunity theatre.com.au/

■ Next Gen Theatrical: Be More Chill, March 31 and April 1, 2.30pm and 7.30pm at the West Gippsland Arts Centre, 1 Civic Place, Warragul.

■ Eltham Little Theatre: Much Ado About Nothing (by William Shakespeare)April 21 –May 6 at the Eltham Performing Arts Centre, Main Rd., Research. Director: Matthew Freeman. Bookings: www.elthamlittletheatre. org.au

■ Wangaratta Players: Six Characters in Search of an Author, April 14 – 23 at The Stage Door Studio, 4D Evans Street, Wangaratta. www.wangarattaplayers.org.au

■ Williamstown Little Theatre: Jumpers for Goalposts (by Tom Wells),April 19 – May 6 at 2 -4Albert St., Williamstown. Director: Bruce Akers. www.wlt.org.au

■ Lilydale Athenaeum Theatre: Barefoot in the Park (by Neil Simon) April 20 –May 6 at 39 – 41 Castella Street, Lilydale. Director: Pip Le Blond. Bookings:www.lilydaleatc.com

■ The Basin Theatre: Same Time Next Year (by Bernard Slade), April 20 – 30 at The Basin Theatre, Cnr Simpsons & Doongalla Rd., The Basin. Director: Lisa McNiven. www.thebasintheatre.org.au

■ Malvern Theatre Company: Deathtrap (by Ira Levin) April 21 April – May 6 at Malvern Theatre, 29 Burke Rd, Malvern East. Director: Keith Hutton. Bookings: www.malverntheatre.com.au

■ Geelong Repertory Theatre: Extremeties (by William Mastrosimone), April 21– May 6 at the Woodbin Theatre, 15 Coronation St., Geelong West. Director: Debbie Fraaser. Bookings: www.geelongrep.com/extremities

■ Heidelberg Theatre: Molly Sweeney (by Brian Friel), April 21 – May 6 at 36 Turnham Avenue, Rosanna. Bookings: www.htc.org.au

■ Legends of the Skies Theatre: A Special Anzac Eve Performance Monday April 24 at 7.30pm at the Australian National Aviation Museum, Moorabbin. Quizzes, yarns, music, fscts, games. Artistic Director: Maggie Morrison. Cabaret style. BYO drinks and nibbles. Tickets $20 or $140 table of eight. Bookings: Trybooking

- Cheryl Threadgold

GLITCHES HIT CONCERT

■ The concert Ngaiire x MSO (Melbourne Symphony Orchestra) presented at Hamer Hall in the Arts Centre had some wonderful moments, but was marred by some unfortunate technical problems.

Ngaiire is a native of Papua New Guinea who has been in the music industry for nearly 20 years.

She impressed on Australian Idol in 2004 and released her third album '3' in 2021. Her musical style is defined as part of the Neo-Soul movement and tends to cross a range of different genres such as jazz, electro-pop, blues, world music etc.

Her collaboration with the MSO saw her supported by a small band consisting of two vocalists, Alwyn De Los Santos and Billie McCarthey, with Andrew Bruce playing keyboards and Tully Ryan on drums.

For the MSO, Nicholas Buc ably conducted while Alex Turley was responsible for the orchestral arrangements of Ngaiire’s songs.

Her program of songs for this concert was a range of material from all three albums, displaying her diversity across the genres mentioned above.

Ngaiire undoubtedly has a wonderful voice, full of power, passion and subtlety. Unfortunately, she had to stop shortly into her set due to problems with a lapel microphone, the net result of which was that she tended to be drowned out by the orchestra making lyrics hard to hear.

While the issue was temporarily resolved, an uneven sound balance between the singers and the orchestra did recur throughout the concert, taking the shine off an otherwise enjoyable evening.

It was also a pity that basic stagecraft was lacking when some acknowledgements and thank yous of various personnel involved in making the concert happen were drowned out by crowd applause.

Nevertheless, the crowd were treated to some wonderful singing and playing, something clearly appreciated by an enthusiastic audience as evidenced by the standing ovation Ngaiire received at the end.

It’s certainly hoped that the MSO will continue further with such collaborations.

- Review by Peter Murphy

Anecdotal Evidence

■ Maryellen George presents Anecdotal Evidence for the Melbourne International Comedy Festival at 7.30pm on March 30 and 31, April 4 - 9 and April 11 - 15 at: Millarri Murnmut, Level 5, 210 Lonsdale St, Melbourne.

Anecdotal Evidence won this year’s Adelaide Fringe Fringe Artist’s Grant, and received five star reviews and high praise in Adelaide International Comedy Festival.

With PCOS, PMDD, anxiety, arthritis, neurodivergent, late diagnosis ADHD, and even later diagnosis narcolepsy, invisible illness, Maryellen has a lot of adjectives and she’s not afraid to use them to find her audience.

Maryellen had been cutting her teeth internationally over the last six years in places such as New York, LA, Edinburgh, and London before debuting her first solo show at last year’s MICF and Edinburgh Fringe. She’s also been steadily going viral online for her quirky takes and relatable neurodivergent content.

Maryellen is the host of Open Bike, an inclusive comedy show where both performers and audience members are on spin bikes. This is part of Maryellen’s production company Bits and Pieces Comedy, an inclusive platform for women and underrepresented comedians.

Anecdotal Evidence will play 12 shows from March 30 to April 15 at 7.30pm at the Queen Victoria Women's Centre.

Venue: Millarri Murnmut, Level 5, QVWC, 210 Lonsdale St, Melbourne

Duration: 60 Minutes

Tickets: https:/www.comedyfestival.com.au/ 2023/shows/anecdotal-evidence

- Cheryl Threadgold

Comedy and Corporates

■ Award-winning stand-up comedian James Clark and Producer Ben Sorensen present Com-

edy for Corporates: Work-Life Balance is for Losers at the Belgian Beer Café, Melbourne from March 30-31 and April 1-2.

Clark, a rich, corporate sell-out based in Sydney, offers a fresh take on the always busy, work-focused lives of corporate professionals in Australia.

According to Clark: “We can bear any meeting, email, call or presentation, as long as it gets us closer to priority boarding on overseas flights that aren’t to Bali.

“So, if you more than occasionally forget family/loved ones birthdays and you can’t relate to the weed-smoking, Centrelink-complaining, ironic t-shirt-wearing comedy from your differently tax-bracketed contemporaries, this show is for you.”

Performance Details: March 30-April 2

Venue: Belgian Beer Cafe, 5 Riverside Quay, Southbank.

Bookings: comedyfestival.com.au

- Cheryl Threadgold

Everything’s Coming Up Roses

■ Australian comedian Tania Lacy is back, taking her new show on tour in 2023 and this time around, everything’s coming up roses.

Tania's International Comedy Festival show will be presented from March 27 to April 9 at Campari House, Melbourne.

After surviving six years in Berlin , getting through menopause without spontaneously combusting and raising a teenage boy with her husband of 22 years, she’s convinced the worst is behind her.

Everything’s Coming Up Roses covers everything from clown porn to hair curtains, yobbo birds to happy endings, Tania is relentless in her desire to find the 'roses' moments in all life dishes out.

As a student at the Victorian College of the Arts School of Dance, Tania's hopes of being a classical ballerina were dashed by injury, but not so long after she was choreographing and dancing with Kylie Minogue in the Locomotion film clip.

Molly Meldrum spotted her dancing on Countdown and on a whim, had her open the show. A producer called asking her to audition for a new show, The Factory and it is said to have made her a household name. Then came Countdown Revolution, award-winning short films, stand-up, and acting. Tania has also written for film and television,has two novels on the shelves, currently resides in Cairns with her husband and son and is studying law.

Duration: 50 min, suitable for audiences 15+

Performance Details: March 27-April 9

Venue: Campari House, 23-25 Hardware Lane, Melbourne. Tickets: $24-$32 plus fee

Bookings: www.comedyfestival.com.au

■ Eisteddfod By The Bay is looking for people to be a vital part in encouraging the next generation of great young singers.

This competition to encourage young people in the fields of theatre, dance, choral music, instrumental music and singing has been running for more than 67 years, but it needs a convener for its junior vocal section, or this fine tradition may have to end. Applicants don’t have to have any qualifications in arts or music, just an interest in the arts and a desire to help young people on their way to future singing careers or simply a lifelong love of singing and performing.

This year the Junior Vocal section will be in the capable hands of Margaret Dalglish, who herself has enjoyed a career in the arts and has seen many young singers she has adjudicated and advised, go onto to great things in the music world.

The Junior Vocal Section in recent years has proved popular, thanks to the promotion of singing on various television talent shows, so the convener has a great chance to meet young singers at the start of their careers and perhaps later on can see their future stardom and say “I knew them when they first started performing.”

This is an excellent singing competition that inspires young singers and also creates camaraderie and friendships. My two nowadult sons had many wonderful experiences singing in the Junior Vocal sections and later went on to professional singing careers, and the encouragement they received from performing in this eisteddfod really helped them to hone their performance skills.

But it can’t run without someone prepared to take on the organisation of it – it is run over three days in July and August, and there is plenty of encouragement to help you as convener.

Check out the website eisteddfodbythebay.com.au, and shoot an email to the president of this eisteddfod, Jill Page at jillbpage@gmail.com. This could be one of the most worthwhile things you have done for years.

Julie Houghton

Auditions

■ The 1812 Theatre: Art (by Yasmina Reza) March 29 7pm at The 1812 Theatre, 3 Rose St., Ferntree Gully. Director: Justin Stephens. Audition enquiries: justin@redfox3.com.au Phone: 0473 596 567

■ Encore Theatre: The Popular Mechanicals (by Keith Robinson, Tony Taylor and William Shakespeare) April 2 at 3.30pm and April 3 at 7.30pm at Fleigner Hall, 31-39 Highland Ave., Oakleigh East. Director: Andrew Ferguson. Audition enquiries and bookings: afconsulting@bigpond.com

■ The 1812 Theatre: Of Mice and Men (by John Steinbeck) April 2 at 7.00pm at 3 Rose St., Upper Ferntree Gully. Director: Malcolm Sussman. Audition enquiries: 0417 141 803 fatters@bigpond.com

■ Williamstown Little Theatre: Continental Quilt (by Joan Greening) April 2 at 10.00am and April 4 at 7.00pm at Williamstown Little Theatre, 2-4 Albert St,m Williamstown. Director: Les Hart. Audition enquiries: bhughes@wlt.org.au or 0417 589 015

■ Malvern Theatre:The Third Act (by Emma Wood) April 2 at 2.30pm, April 3 at 7.30pm at Malvern Theatre, 29 Burke Rd., East Malvern. Director: Susan Rundle. Enquiries: theatre@psrundle.com, or 0416 298 136

■ Strathmore Theatrical Arts Group (STAG): The Normal Heart (by Larry Kramer) April 30 at 7.00pm, May 2 at 7.00pm at the Strathmore Community Theatre, Loeman St., Strathmore. Director: George Benca. Enquiries: georgebenca@gmail.com

■ Brighton Theatre Company: Fracked! Or Please Don’t Use the F-Word! (byAlistair Beaton) May 21 at 7.00pm, May 23 at 7.30pm at Brighton Theatre, Cnr Carpenter and Wilson Sts., Brighton. Director: Alan Burrows. Audition enquiries: aburrow1@bigpond.net. au or 0412 077 761

● ● ● ● Singer and songwriter Ngaiire performs with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra.

Photo: Nico Keenan

- Cheryl Threadgold

TRIBUTE TO TERRY NORRIS

■ Dandenong MLA Gabrielle Williams last week paid tribute in State Parliament to the life of Terry Norris.

“I rise today to pay tribute to the late Terry Norris, former Labor member for Dandenong, following his passing earlier this week,” Ms Williams told the Legislative Assembly on Thursday (Mar. 23).

“Many Australians would know Terry best for his TV work, whether that be Cop Shop, Bellbird or any of the other 80-odd TV shows and films that Terry performed in throughout his career.

“Perhaps his most fitting role was when he starred in the infamous ‘It’s Time’ television commercial to support the Gough Whitlam led Labor Party at the 1972 election.

“In 1982 Terry began his political career as the Labor member for Noble Park , where he served until the seat was abolished in 1985.

“He then served as the member for Dandenong until 1992. He would reflect on his 10 years of service as both eyeopening and c hallenging, but his legacy in Dandenong is one that will live on.

“When I was preselected for the seat of Dandenong back in 2013, one of the first people to call me to offer congratulations was Terry

“He was humble and assumed that I may not know who he was. We had a wonderful chat about what I should expect from a political career – he was right – and he offered up his support whenever I should need it. I now know this kindness was very typical of Terry

“When I posted on Facebook about his passing, the comments were filled with a consistent wave of words to describe the man: a good man, a kind man, a heart of gold, a man who took time to talk and listen and a top bloke, as my immediate predecessor in this place John Pandazopoulos said.

“ Terry was more than just a brilliant and beloved actor. He was a mentor and a passionate and engaged representative for the Dandenong community.

“He will be remembered fondly by Victorian Labor and the south-east community more broadly. I would like to extend my deepest condolences to his wife Julia and his children and all who had the great pleasure knowing him or feeling like they did. Vale, Terry Norris,” Ms Williams said.

Ability Fest

■ Technology was able to give Victorians of all abilities the chance to enjoy a silent disco at last Saturday’s groundbreaking Ability Fest music festival in Melbourne.

Ability Fest was Australia’s first all-accessible music festival and one of the leading inclusive events in the country.

Hilltop Hoods, Alex Lahey, DZ Deathrays, Broods, Sampa the Great

Broker

amazing event that is Ability Fest.”

Ability Fest founder Dylan Alcott said:

“

Ability Fest is a festival for all. It is my favourite day of the year getting to see everyone enjoying themselves in an inclusive environment celebrating live music.”

“It’s incredibly special to see so many people come out to support the Dylan Alcott Foundation with 100 per cent of proceeds helping young Australians living with disability fulfil their potential.”

Melbourne Now blockbuster

and Meg Mac entertained thousands of fans at its new location at Birrarung Marr in yet another national drawcard on the state’s packed major event calendar.

Danny Pearson, Minister for WorkSafe and the TAC, joined Ability Fest founder and 2022 Australian of the Year Dylan Alcott to celebrate a new partnership with the TACto make the all-access silent disco possible.

Silent discos are a festival staple where people listen to music through headphones rather than a speaker, but Ability Fest patrons, including people with hearing impairments, had the option of wearing a haptic vest or strap to feel the beat of the music, allowing them to take part in the dance party.

There was also be a chill-out zone providing a space for everyone to rest and recharge.

Through the new partnership, the TAC was providing clients with volunteer opportunities at the festival, creating valuable work experience.

The not-for-profit Ability Fest started in 2018 and has hosted some of the biggest names in music while raising almost $500,000 for the Dylan Alcott Foundation.

These funds have helped young Australians living with a disability fulfil their potential through a grant program.

Ability Fest featured elevated viewing platforms, pathways, quiet zones, a designated sensory area, companion ticketing, AUSLAN interpreters and much more, ensuring a fun experience for all festivalgoers.

Mr Pearson said: “Ability Fest is an absolutely brilliant Victorian event in a packed field of attractions, and we’re delighted that it will be even more inclusive this year.”

“All music fans should be able to enjoy a great day out and the partnership with the TAC is a perfect fit.”

Transport Accident Commission CEO Joe Calafiore said:

“The TAC is always looking at ways to help Victorians with disabilities to continue doing the things they love, and we’re excited to be bringing an all-accessible silent disco to the

■ The latest NGV blockbuster Melbourne Now is putting Victorian creativity on show in a spectacular free exhibition that celebrates the work of more than 200 of the state’s most exciting artists and designers.

Steve Dimppoulos, Minister for Creative Industries, joined local artists and designers at The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia to preview the new exhibition.

A huge showcase of local talent, Melbourne Now takes over all three levels of the Fed Square gallery and features painting, performance art, sculpture, photography, product design, fashion, jewellery, architecture, video, virtual reality and more.

This is the second edition of Melbourne Now, a decade on from its inaugural showing in 2013. It features the work of creatives at all career stages and from all parts of the state, including many that are exhibiting at the NGV for the first time.

Visitors get a first look at more than 70 never before seen works by local artists and designers that have been newly commissioned by the NGV – a major investment in Victorian talent.

Featured works include a giant ’temple’ made from over 600 computer fans by artist Rel Pham and a 10-metre-long installation representing the 38 Indigenous language groups of Victoria by First Peoples artist Lee Darroch.

A hugely popular feature of the 2013 show, the Design Wall, returns to shine a spotlight on the Victorian-designed products that have made waves over the past decade. Visitors also get the chance to see performance art, participate in interactive art making activities and catch film screenings.

Melbourne Now is on display until August 20 at The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia at Fed Square, Melbourne and entry is free. Further information is available on the NGV website ngv.vic.gov.au

Victoria’s creative industry supports more than 315,000 jobs across the state, representing 9 per cent of Victoria’s total workforce.

- Contributed

■ (M). 129 minutes. Opens in selected cinemas March 30.

Though not on the same level as his best work, Hirokazu Koreeda’s new drama makes for solid viewing, and will be enjoyed by audiences who have little interest in the avalanche of empty superhero movies that are seemingly thrown at them every week.

Acclaimed actor Song Kang-ho (who won Best Actor at Cannes last year for his performance here) plays Ha Sang-hyeon, who owns a modest laundry shop, and appears to have a shady past involving local criminals.

Ha volunteers at the local church, but it is soon clear that his intentions aren’t entirely transparent.

Working with former foster care employee Dong-soo (Gang Dongwon), the two steal newborn babies that are dropped off at what the church call a ’baby box’ (where young mothers, who feel they cannot look after the child, can hand them over anonymously, so the baby can be placed into state care), and will then sell them on the adoption market.

Complications arise when one young mother, Moon So-young (Lee Ji-eun, best known as a hugely successful K-Pop artist, under her stage moniker, IU), comes back to collect her baby, and inadvertently exposes Ha and Dong-soo’s operation.

Wanting to see that her baby is sold to the best possible candidates, and demanding a percentage of the sale, Moon becomes part of the group, and a road trip begins, to see who those perfect parents will be.

Unbeknownst to them, two detectives, Soo-jin (the wonderful Bae Doo-na) and Lee (Lee Jooyoung) are on their trail, partly due to the murder of a gangster, but as the case continues, Soo-jin sees that everything is not black-andwhite.

Like his previous efforts (Nobody Knows; Still Walking; Like Father, Like Son; Shoplifters, to name some), Kore-eda uses his characters, rather than a traditional story, to form the foundation and structure of his films, meticulously building on them to create many, deceptively small moments of human emotion and interaction, whether it be drama, comedy or tragedy.

This approach allows Koreeda’s films to be filled with genuine humanity, to see these creations, warts and all, as real people.

His work with actors is exemplary. Song (Memories Of Murder, The Host, Secret Sunshine, Emergency Declaration) is typically outstanding, but everyone, including Gang (The Priests, Kundo : Age

Of The Rampant, The Secret Reunion, 1987 : When The Day Comes), Ji-eun (Persona, Hotel Del Luna TV series), Doo-na (Linda Linda Linda,Air Doll,A Girl At My Door, Tunnel) and Lee (Baseball Girl, Maggie) are all superb.

Only an investigative subplot involving the murder feels conventional, and its inherited contrivances somewhat undermines the convincingly natural atmosphere the director masterfully creates.

Broker is measured, intelligent and absorbing viewing, made by a film-maker who cares deeply about the subject matter he chooses, ensuring the audience cares about what happens within the world Kore-eda so beautifully presents.

RATING - ***½

Women Talking

■ (M). 104 minutes. Still showing in selected cinemas.

Though it deserved more Oscar attention, it was great to see Sarah Polley (finally returning to the director’s chair after a decade long absence) win for Best Adapted Screenplay for Women Talking, a powerful, intelligent and riveting drama that is definitely one of the best films of the year.

The film (based on a horrific true story) centres on a group of women, living in an isolated religious community, who decide on whether they should stay or leave after discovering that their husbands have been drugging and raping them for years.

As all the women have been forbidden to learn how to read or write, August (Ben Whishaw) is asked to keep the minutes of everything they discuss, and just as importantly, listen to what is being said.

The group only have a certain amount of time to make their choice, as the rest of the men, all in town dealing with lawyers about these multiple accusations, will return soon.

The screenplay by Polley and Miriam Toews (based on Toews’ 2018 book) is thoughtful and humane, while Polley’s direction is superb. Despite its potentially stagey structure, Polley (who also directed Away From Her, Take This Waltz and Stories We Tell) manages to keep the dialogue heavy, basically one location material fluid and emotionally absorbing (something the current The Son fails to do), allowing the story to brim with electrifying energy. A truly relevant film (it is a genuine shock when you discover what year the story is set in) that has been crafted with achingly real conviction. With the film’s recent Oscar glory, I highly recommend those who have yet to see Women Talking , to seek it out.

RATING - ****½

- Aaron Rourke

● ● Terry Norris

■ The first time I can recall seeing Ed Devereaux was in a mini series on ABC television titled My Brother Jack

The program was of great interest to me because my brother's name was Jack

I thought the series was great - it was in blackand-white and it screened in 1965. But I obviously had not been paying proper attention because I had actually seen Ed in many films and television shows without realising who he was.

Edward Devereaux was born in 1925 in North Sydney. He was one of 10 children and came from a working class Catholic family.

He became a boy soprano and in his younger days worked as a storeman, taxi driver and truck driver.

Ed served in the Australian Army in New Guinea during the Second World War.

In 1944 he joined The Gladys Moncrieff Company and toured Australia performing in musicals.

He became the band singer with the Monte Richardson Orchestra and sang on the Bob Dyer radio program Can You Take It?

Ed appeared in several Australian films Smithy and Eureka Stockade.

In the early 1950s Ed Devereaux moved to England to try his luck as an actor.

He married Irene Champion in 1952; together they had four children.

Whatever Happened To ... Ed Devereaux

By Kevin Trask of 3AW and 96.5 Inner FM

Ed played Sky Masterson in the stage musical Guys And Dolls and performed in several Command Performances.

His first British film role was in 1955 when he played a small role in a film titled Little Red Monkey

Ed managed to get bigger parts in films such as Carry On Sergeant, The Wrong Arm Of The Law, The Captain's Table and Carry On Nurse

Ed Devereaux returned to Australia in 1966 to appear in the film They're A Weird Mob

The following year he got the role of Matt Hammond , head ranger at Waratah National Park where he was part of the regular

cast starring with Garry Pankhurst, Ken James and Tony Bonner in the children's television series Skippy

Several years ago I spoke to the late John McCallum, who was one of the producers of the series and John told me that Skippy The Bush Kangaroo was so successful it

was sold to more than 80 countries throughou the world.

The series gave Ed Devereaux an international profile.

When Skippy finished production in 1970 Ed returned to singing and acting.

He went back to England with his family and appeared in many of the popular television series such as The Sweeney, The Professionals, The Onedin Line and The Persuaders

He starred in several Australian plays in the UK, The Removalist and Last Of Th e Knucklemen

Ed returned to Australia many times for acting roles and he was wonderful in The Dismissal in 1983 where he played Phillip Lynch

Irene and Ed were divorced in 1986 and in the same year he married Julie - they were married for 17 years up till his death.

Ed Devereaux passed away in 2003 in Hampstead, England, of cancer at the age of 78.

Kevin Trask

Kevin can be heard on 3AWThe Time Tunnel - Remember WhenSundays 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

ARTISTS IN RESIDENCE AT BAPTCARE KARANA, KEW

Artists in Residence

Electric Fields

■ Electric Fields returns to Hamer Hall for a special encore performance that’s guaranteed to get the audience to their feet for the second year running.

The MSO and Electric Fields will perform the duo’s work, with their music, including some new songs for this performance, arranged for orchestra by Alex Turley, MSO 2022 Cybec Young Composer in Residence.

The duo’s music, described as ‘emotionally moving and breathtaking’, combines pop, soul and electronica with intimate storytelling.

Zaachariaha's extraordinary vocals often include the traditional languages of the Anangu Pitjantjat-jara Yankunytjatjara people as Z channels a performance unlike any other.

Seventeen years in the making, Wash My Soul in the River’s Flow is a cinematic reinvention of a legendary concert that premiered in 2004.

Kura Tungar - Songs from the River was a collaboration between two of Australia’s greatest artists –singer-songwriters Archie Roach and Ruby Hunter – working with Paul Grabowsky and the 22-piece Australian Art Orchestra.

Filmmaker Philippa Bateman has crafted a film, which cinematically brings alive the emotional, spiritual and physical reality of Hunter’s country, her and Archie’s connection to it, as well as the pull of memory and the joy of coming home.

Millie moves

■ Millie Spencer has started as a Trainee Reporter for ABC Gippsland.

Prior to this, she was a Cadet Journalist at Star News Group

Exhibition 2023

Showcasing the work of residents, their families , staff and the community.

Exhibition: Sunday April 2 at 2.30pm.

Afternoon tea in the dining room.

Baptcare Karana

5 Walpole St, Kew

Conflicated

Conflicated - NETS Victoria

When we inhale and exhale, our bodies transform through the process of inflation and deflation.

Drawing on the inflatable form as both material and metaphor, Conflicated brings disparate artists together to explore bodies, environments and cultures through contemporary art.

Here, the cycle of breathing serves as a framework through which a wide array of experiences, behaviours and expressions examined.

Conflicated presents a range of inflatable materials from balloons to digital audio and video informed by inflatable processes.

Exhibition opens April 18 and closes June 9.

Deakin University Art Gallery Building FA

221 Burwood Hwy, Burwood.

Duldig Studio

■ Historically and aesthetically fascinating. This public museum and gallery showcases works b the internationally acclaimed sculptor Kurt Duldig(1902 – 1986) and his wife, the artist and inventor, Slawa Duldig nee Horowitz (1902 -1975).

In the artists’ former home, garden and studio, the sculptures, drawings, paintings and decorative arts tell the story of their creative lives in Vienna, Singapore and Melbourne, of dramatic escapes and remarkable reunions, of heartbreaking loss and unexpected recovery.

The Duldig Studio 92 Burke Rd, Malvern East.

The Escape

■ Fire Escape Contemporary Art presents The Escape an exhibition featuring artworks by 10 artists in

The Arts

OK. With John O’Keefe

Party prank at 3AW

commemoration of Fire Escapes 10th anniversary. The Escape showcases the creative practices of 10 artists from Australia and Europe, whose work, whilst diverse in attitude and form, shares the symbolic subject of fire escape. Exhibition opens March 28 and closes April 23.

Linden New Art 26 Acland St, St Kilda

What’s On Crawford Lecture

- Peter Kemp

■ Screen Producers Australia announces that Aaron Fa’aoso, a Torres Strait Islander, managing director at Lone Star Production Group , actor, film and television writer, director and independent film and TV producer will deliver the Hector Crawford Memorial Lecture in person at Screen Forever 37 in May.

Aaron was born into the Kheodal and Samu clans of Saibai Island. Having grown up in a large Torres Strait Islander community with a rich tradition of storytelling, it is no surprise that Aaron has gone on to become one of Australia’s screen industry’s most important storytellers and prominent figures of Torres Strait Island descent.

● ● ● ● Denis

■ There are regular hi-jinks between 3AW's Denis Walter and the team from ' Australia Overnight ' when they cross over as one shift finishes and next shift starts. The story goes that Denis left a used towelette in the studio one evening. Tony Moclair and sidekick Woody found it, advertised it on eBay as ' towelette used by Denis Walter proving a little perspiration leads to a lot of inspiration'. A punter on e-Bay paid $130 for the privilege.

Award for all the wrong reasons

■ The Golden Raspberry (Razzie) Awards are presenteded annually in America to the worst films. Iconic actor Tom Hanks won a Razzie for his portrail of Col. Tom Parker in the Elvis film.

Disney's 'Pinocchio' copped a pasting with multiple Razzies, not the silverware you want in your trophy cabinet .

Cashing in on side hussle

■ Actor Ryan Reynolds is a shrewd investor. He backed a start-up telco company Mint Mobile, buying around 25 per cent of their shares. Mint Mobile took off and Ryan sold his shares for a rumored $2 billion. Chris Hemsworth and his wife Elsa Pataky were not so lucky with their venture into natural skin care products. Their brand has been placed into liquidation as parties search high and low for a buyer.

Wealthiest dog in the worfld

■ Currently doing the rounds in overseas gossip magazines is the 'story' about Gunther IV being the wealthiest dog in the universe. Gunther, a German Shepherd, is reportedly worth $ US 400 Million acquired through a inheritance from a heiress. The whole story gets a bit suss when Gunther's recent expenditure includes purchasing one of Madona's mansions. Another scenario has Gunther being cared for in a Hugh Hefner lifestyle along with buxom babes. If nothing more, it's a film plot in the making.

Grand Ole Opry

■ The French Family Band - Mum, Dad and three teenagers - originally from Wynyard, packed their guitars and headed to Nashville with one ambition to sing at the Grand Ole Opry. Their wish came true this week when they took centre stage and wowed audiences. Watch this talented band go places on the C&W circuit, worldwide.

- John O’Keefe

with Peter Kemp

Walter

Stateside with Gavin Wood in West Hollywood

MOVIE DIRECTOR MOVES BACK TO MELBOURNE

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

Simon, one of the greats

■ Logging in over 200 hours as a director on Australian TV during the 1970s on series including Against the Wind and The Sullivans," Simon Wincer made his feature directorial debut with the thriller Snap Shot (1979).

He followed up with the genuinely offbeat tale of a Rasputinlike power, Harlequin (1980). His best-known early film, though, was the acclaimed horse racing drama Phar Lap.

His first US film was D.A.R.Y.L. (1985), and he followed up with Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man (1991). Quigley Down Under (1990) and Lightning Jack (1994) saw his return home for the intriguing historical war drama The Light horsemen (1989).

Wincer's most popular US-made film marked another return for him, as the likable if derivative ‘boy and his whale’ tale Free Willy (1993) recalled the tone and mass appeal of Phar Lap.

He later brought his craftsman like assurance to his most lavish film yet, The Phantom (1996), joining the list of US films based on comic strips.

Wincer did even better with Lonesome Dove (CBS, 1989), winning an Emmy for one of the most acclaimed mini-series of the 1980s, a maturely and often poetically handled adaptation of Larry McMurtry's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of a post-Civil War cattle drive.

Simon Wincer is a long-time supporter of the Kangaroos and he was honoured at a recent North Melbourne Football Club function.

Be careful

■ In June 2020, Gordon Klein, a long-time accounting lecturer at UCLA, made the news after a student emailed him asking him to grade black students more leniently in the wake of the “unjust murders of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and George Floyd.”

Klein’s response was blunt. It stated in part: “Thanks for your suggestion in your email below that I give black students special treatment, given the tragedy in Minnesota. Do you know the names of the classmates that are black? How can I identify them since we’ve been having online classes only? Are there any students that may be of mixed parentage, such as half black-half Asian? What do you suggest I do with respect to them? A full concession or just half?

He went on: “Remember that MLK famously said that people should not be evaluated based on the “color of their skin.” Do you think that your request would run afoul of MLK’s admonition? Thanks, G. Klein.”

Klein’s response enraged students. They organised a petition to remove him that quickly gained nearly 20,000 signatures, resulting in the professor being placed on leave and banned from campus. But the story got national attention, and a counter-petition signed by more than 76,000 people demanded his reinstatement. In less than three weeks, Klein was allowed to return to the classroom

Ecstasy for PTSD

■ Although PTSD became an official diagnosis in 1980, doctors still have not found a sure-fire cure.

“Some treatments are not helpful to some veterans and soldiers at all,” said Dr Stephen Xenakis , a psychiatrist and retired US Army brigadier general.

As many as half of veterans who seek help do not experience a meaningful decline in symptoms, and two-thirds retain their diagnosis after treatment.

But there is growing evidence that MDMA, the illegal drug known as Ecstasy or Molly can significantly lessen or even eliminate symptoms of PTSD when the treatment is paired with talk therapy.

Last year, scientists reported in Nature Medicine, the most encouraging results to date, from the first of two Phase 3 clinical trials.

The 90 participants in the study had all suffered from severe PTSD for more than 14 years on average.

Each received three therapy sessions with either MDMA or a placebo, spaced one month apart and overseen by a two-person therapist team.

Two months after treatment, 67 per cent of those who received MDMA no longer qualified for a PTSD diagnosis, compared with 32 per cent who received the placebo. As in previous trials, MDMA caused no serious side effects.

Out and About Kindess for depression

■ A little bit of kindness shown toward others can help beat feelings of depression and anxiety, according to a new study from The Ohio State University Scientists report that performing good deeds leads to notable mental health improvements not seen in two other therapeutic techniques commonly used to treat the conditions. Perhaps just as importantly, study co-author David Cregg, who led the work as part of his PhD dissertation in psychology at OSU, adds that acts of kindness toward others was the only studied mental health intervention that resulted in subjects feeling more connected with other people.

“Social connection is one of the ingredients of life most strongly associated with well-being. Performing acts of kindness seems to be one of the best ways to promote those connections,” Cregg explained.

Clock is ticking

■ The Tik Tok algorithm is so good that it can basically read your mind. Now, to maintain ownership of its US operations, Tik Tok will consider allowing third-party monitors to review its vaunted algorithm, according to The Wall Street Journal.

US Rep. Mike Gallagher told the WSJ he fears Chinese officials could hide videos criticising the country’s regime or highlight propaganda.

About 33 per cent of Tik Tok users get news from the app. In 2020, US Tik Tok executives discovered employees in China had rejiggered the algorithm to downplay certain videos about the US election. To soothe these concerns … Tik Tok is now sending all data from US users to business partner Oracle.

The potential next step is letting Oracle and other third parties review Tik Tok’s algorithm. The monitors would check for any manipulations to the algorithm.

Concerns would be brought to Tik Tok leadership and potentially the US Government. Tik Tok wants to move quickly, but the process ahead may be arduous. Skepticism of Tik Tok runs deep among US politicians, and the Chinese Government would likely need to approve any deal regarding the algorithm.

Cancer cases drop

Illegal crossings surge

■ A surge in Cuban and Nicaraguan arrivals at the US border with Mexico led to the highest number of illegal border crossings recorded during any month of Joe Biden’s presidency, authorities said.

The extraordinary influx came shortly before Biden introduced measures on January 5 to deter Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans and Venezuelans.

U.S. authorities stopped migrants 251,487 times along the Mexican border in December, up 7 per cent from 234,896 times in November and up 40 per cent from 179,253 times in December 2021, Customs and Border Protection said.

Cubans were stopped nearly 43,000 times in December, up 23% from November and more than quintuple the same period a year earlier.

Nicaraguans were stopped more than 35,000 times, up 3 per cent from November and more than double from December 2021.

More migrants were also stopped from Ecuador and Peru. The influx from Cuba and Nicaragua made El Paso, Texas, the busiest of the Border Patrol’s nine sectors on the Mexican border for a third month in a row.

The city was overwhelmed with migrants who were released to pursue their immigration cases in the US in the weeks leading up to Biden’s visit on January 8, his first to the border as president.

■ Deaths from all types of cancer in the US fell by an estimated 33 per cent since 1991, saving a cumulative 3.8 million lives, according to a report released by the American Cancer Society. Progress was attributed to improvements in cancer treatment, early detection, and significant drops in smoking. Lung, breast, and colorectal cancers account for the highest number of deaths in women.

However, cervical cancer rates have dropped 65 per cent among women ages 20-24 from 2012-19, largely credited to the introduction of the human papillomavirus or HPV vaccine. For men, lung, prostate, and colorectal cancers are the deadliest. The report highlighted a 3 per cent increase in prostate cancer from 2014-19, driven by an increase in advanced disease diagnosis. To combat the rise, ACS announced an initiative to increase access to screening and treatment for prostate cancer. Cancer is the second-leading cause of death in the US, with more than 1.9 million people expected to be diagnosed with cancer resulting in an estimated 610,000 deaths this year.

Gavin’s special deal

■ If you are considering coming over to California for a holiday, 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

● ● Award-winning film director Simon Wincer with former Director of North Melbourne Football Club, Alan Johnson.

Across Across Down Down

149. Dinners or lunches

150. Crocodile Dundee star, Paul ...

152. Brahma follower

154. Sends (money)

157. East Timor's capital

158. Foot arches

162. Part of eye

163. Exotic flower

166. Loop

167. Missile-launch pit

169. Nevada divorce city

171. Taj Mahal site

172. Fleet

173. Takes a break

175. Indigenous New Zealander

176. Acute remorse

179. Burnt brightly

180. Mountain chain

182. Relaxation art, ... chi (1'2)

183. Food additive (1,1,1)

184. Regal

186. Oval

189. Communications industry

190. Not anybody (2-3)

191. Of sound system

192. Freshness

196. Sacred ritual

197. Pig in a ...

198. Dummy pill

199. Paralysed

201. Tennis ace, Gabriela ...

202. Men's neck scarves

203. Capital of South Korea

204. Shameful secret, ... in the cupboard

205. Away from home, far ...

208. Movie theatre 210. News footage

Petticoat 212. Understand

Personal identity

Indigestion 219. Striped equine

Hospital worker

223. Supervisors

227. Prefabricated (concrete)

228. Unlock 230. Depart

231. Lace frill

232. Percussion instruments

233. Earth's environment, Mother ...

234. Temporary relief 238. Gaps

239. Design-tracing device

240. Rots

243. Group loyalty, ... de corps

246. Car repair set (4,3)

247. Desist

250. Swindle

251. NZ PM, ... Clark

253. Resupplies with weapons

256. Duplicate

257. Hoisting anchor cry (5-2)

258. Cruelty

262. West African country

263. Glue

266. Madam (2'2)

268. Writer, James ...

269. Nervous disorder

270. Aggravate 271. Many 272. Rascal

273. Surplus 274. LA suburb, ... Air

275. Spouse's boys

276. Holstered pistols (4,4)

277. Alberta's capital 278. Tooth doctors

1. Nightclub

2. Belonging to whom?

3. Golfing strokes

4. Unattractive

5. Scrape together (4,2)

7. Tidiest

8. Between

9. Investigate

10. Venison animal

11. Open-air pool

12. January 1st, New ... (4'1,3)

13. Strong painkiller

14. Accustoming

15. Hooded snakes

16. Infuriate

132. Propeller sound

133. Mode of expression

134. Octagon number

137. Sits idly

138. Uttered

141. Raise objections

142. Unwilling

143. Gave medicine to

151. Academy Awards

153. Achievable

155. Register

156. From Baghdad

159. Appointees

160. Employed (4,2)

161. Ancient

164. Length of metal links

165. Notions

168. Formerly Constantinople

170. City devastated by A-bomb

173. Curative

174. Hit with glancing blow

177. Faintness

178. Equatorial

181. Spray cans

185. Humorous account

186. Unveiled

187. Layabouts

188. Go in front

193. Stoat-like animals

194. Issue (from)

195. Procedures

200. Skilled arguers

201. Japanese meat dish

206. Died away, ... out

207. Curtains, cloth, etc

208. Middles

209. Most submissive

211. Tastes

214. Debarred

216. Longest Asian river

217. Simpler

218. Outdoor meals

220. French peak, Mont ...

222. Happen repeatedly

224. Motives

225. Allowed

226. Travelling stagehands

229. ... & hearty

232. Distribute, ... out

235. Tendency to fantasise

236. Iron

237. Tied

241. Explain in detail

242. Grand Canyon state

244. Tenor, ... Domingo

245. Imprecise

248. Panics

249. Ireland (poetic)

251. Residence

252. Lent to

253. Frisks

254. Paris landmark, ... Triomphe (3,2)

255. Fulfils (demand)

259. Delegate

260. Religious statues

261. Veils

262. Hitler's ... Kampf

264. Serpents

265. Grow weary

267. Donkey/horse cross

Crossroads

By Rob Foenander info@countrycrossroads com.au

Mushroom’s 50th

■ Mushroom Group is celebrating its 50th anniversary. A range of events will be held throughout the year to celebrate this milestone including a Mushroom 50 concert, a Michael Gudinski documentary, new recordings of iconic Mushroom Group singles, limited-edition merchandise with more to be announced soon, according to their media release.

Guitars for vets

■ A live music fundraiser will be held from 12 Noon-5pm on Sunday, April 23, at the Soundbar, 1625 Point Nepean Rd, Capel Sound.

In support of the Guitars for Veterans and mates, the afternoon will include performances by Lloyd Clarke, Mark Gardner and Guitars for Vets co-ordinator Dave Cox

Entry fee is $5. More info: contact Jenny, 0434 22 4 480.

Blues Fest Melb.

■ Australia’s premier contemporary Blues and Roots music festival is coming to Melbourne for the first time featuring performances from international superstars and the cream of Australian talent.

Scheduled artists include The Doobie Brothers, Paolo Nutini, Buddy Guy, John Butler and many more.

The Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre will host the event on April 89

- Rob Foenander

PEOPLE EATING THEMSELVES BLIND

■ “Of all the consequences of eating too much sugar, blindness is probably the one that least springs to mind… yet it is one of the most debilitating,” said Dr James Muecke, ophthalmologist, and Australian of the Year 2020

TheAustralian Society of Ophthalmologists is urging people to drastically reduce their sugar intake in order to avoid potential blindness.

The ASO is reminding people right across Australia that diabetes, and indeed blindness due to diabetes, is not only treatable but pre- ventable.

Nearly one in 10 Australians are impacted by diabetes, and diabetes-related eye disease is the leading cause of blindness among working age adults in this country.

Shockingly, the longer you suffer from diabetes, the more likely you are to develop damage to the retina.

With nearly one-third of children in Australia now overweight or obese, it seems that we are currently preparing a deadly, blinding cocktail for the future – with sugar as its main ingredient.

“Our sugar-laden diet is responsible for more disease and death than inactivity, alcohol and smoking combined,” Dr Muecke said.

Governments also need to take action to reduce our over-consumption of sugar. As far back as 2016, the ASO called for the Australian Government to introduce a sugar tax on soft drinks in order to

Crossword Solution No 5

help curb demics of obesity and type 2 diabetes (and the life-changing and life-threatening complications of diabetes).

Then President of the ASO, Dr Michael Steiner, said, “A sugar tax is one way we can make an impact. What we must do is begin to put structures in place to create an environment that’s conducive to preventative healthcare.”

Dr Steiner went on to say that “no brainer” strategies like a tax on sugary drinks were “especially important as most Australians are introduced to sugary drinks as chil-

becomes more difficult to stop.”

Dr Muecke was awarded Australian of the Year at the start of 2020 for his work in fighting blindness in poor communities, particularly blindness caused by type 2 diabetes… and then COVID-19 struck.

While Dr Muecke’s initial intentions were to use his position as Australian of the Year to help promote a healthier lifestyle (including less sugar, less type 2 diabetes and less diabetes-related blindness), in true 2020-style the very opposite occurred. Australian of the Year was more forgotten rather than was

more forgotten rather than foregrounded and people’s eating habits became even unhealthier than they previously had been.

However, with the vast majority of Australians now over the worst of the potential COVID-19 catastrophe, the ASO believes that it isn’t too late for Dr Muecke to use his position to remind people of just how much their health – and their sight – is impacted by what they eat.

“Minimising your intake of sugar and highly processed foods, which also helps to control your blood pressure, can dramatically reduce the risk of developing diabetes-related blindness or slow the progression of diabetic retinopathy once established,” said Dr Muecke.

It is also vitally important that people who suffer from diabetes have regular eye checks. “

Well over half of the 1.7 million people with diabetes in Australia aren’t have their sight-saving eye checks,” Dr Muecke explains.

“A regular test with an eye health professional can help detect diabetes-related eye disease in its infancy and make treatment less invasive and much more successful.”

TheAustralian Society of Ophthalmologists wants people to extend the positive aspects of this lifechanging, health-focused era even further by adopting a healthier, lower-sugar life so that people are assured a brighter, more-sight-filled future.

MILL T E U

INTENSE ALBUM IDEAL CLIMB EASESUP

Y N ADEPT A ILL M OOH N ELUDE L S

IMPACT X SIDES BRIAR EDGAR N REAGAN

P C UTAH M USED N ELSA C ASTI N G

WHITER M OPEC MELISSA MACH P ADDLED

H D INUIT U H B A P C N R CABLE O O

ICING N ALCATRAZ OUTRAGED R MEALS

R O HOGAN S R O E K O T D HINDU T E

REMITS T DILI INSTEPS IRIS N ORCHID N R COIL V SILO O RENO T AGRA H D

ARMADA O RESTS MAORI ANGST L BLAZED

O Q RANGE I TAI K MSG I ROYAL I A

ELLIPSE MEDIA NOONE AUDIO NEWNESS

X O R RITE E N E N V S D POKE E M Y

PLACEBO DISABLED SABATINI CRAVATS

O F C S I W U SEOUL K N C D S N T

SKELETON

DOUBLES WERE ORDER OF THE DAY AT HAMILTON

■ Western District racing at Hamilton started the week with doubles the order of the day proving age is no bar.

Tasmanian based Ben Yole and stable reinsperson Tayla Youl presently stabled in Kilmore along with local reinswoman Jackie Barker were the beneficiaries – the Yole/Youl combination provided 10Y0 Bettors Delight-Girl

In A Million gelding Guys Bettor Bet to land the 3HA Mixx FM Pace over 2160 metres and 12Y0 Mr Feelgood-Good Lookin Girl gelding Good Feelings the 1660 metre Taylor Motors Hamilton Pace, while Jackie Barker was successful aboard 84 year old former HRV Board member part-owner/trainer Geoff Senior’s StraphangerMilly McCool 8Y0 gelding Icicle in the Finchetts Plumbing Trotters Handicap over 2160 metres and 80 year old great uncle Robert Barker’s 12Y0 Righteous Hanover-Private Affair gelding Vegas Prince in the 1660 metre Bendigo Bank Pace.

■ Guys Bettor Bet starting from the extreme draw was lucky to avoid trouble at the start and after switching to the inside received a great run through to go forward and park outside the poleline pacemaker Summer Grin.

Surging clear approaching the final bend, Guys Bettor Bet raced away in the straight to record a 12.3 metre margin (his 25th from 258 starts) in a rate of two minutes even from Summer Grin, with Ona Merry Dance 2.7 metres away third after trailing the leader.

Good Feelings led throughout from gate two at start 305 to chalk up his 27th success, accounting for Miss Hattie off a three wide trail last lap from mid-field. Kiss Cam (one/one) was third after being held up slightly in the last lap. The margins a head by a neck in a 1-56.8 mile rate.

■ Icicle recorded his 16th victory at start number 127 and after beginning speedily from a 40 metre backmark, raced exposed for most of the journey as Allawart Bob (barrier five) crossed Perseveranse (barrier two) shortly after the start. Racing to the front on the final bend, Icicle scored by 1.5 metres over Fredrhys (10m) which followed him all of the way. Perseveranse was third 2.6 metres back. The mile rate 2-02.

Vegas Prince racing like a much younger horse was restrained from outside the front row to possie mid-field as Exalted Figure (gate five) worked past 13Y0 polemarker Irishmurphy at the bell before being crossed by Paddy Mach having start 202.

Moving three wide on the home turn, Vegas Prince sprinted like a gazelle to gain the day by 1.6 metres over I Betuwantano (four wide home turn after following the winner home). Paddy Mach held third 5.9 metres back. The mile rate 1-56.6.

■ Stawell trainer Jason Ainsworth combined with James Herbertson aboard smart 5Y0 Shadow Play-Gamehigh mare Tallaras Shadow to snare the Thank You Rob Barker Pace over 1660 metres.

Settling near last from the extreme draw as the well backed Major Assassin led from gate four, Tallaras Shadow was sent forward in the last lap and after making the home turn four wide, rattled home to record a most impressive 1.2 metre margin in advance of the pacemaker in a rate of 1-55.9. Rocknroll Opal after racing exposed was third 3.5 metres back.

■ Astute Naracoorte owner/trainer Greg Scholefield’s 4Y0 Alta Christiano-Spice On Ice gelding Hanging Fire brought up two wins in a row after scoring at Horsham a week earlier when successful in the Matthews Petroleum Pace over 1660 metres.

Beginning brilliantly from outside the front line to lead for Mount Gambier’s David Drury, Hanging Fire after being rated to perfection couldn’t be caught, greeting the judge 1.9 metres ahead of We Bettor Believe It (one/one – three wide home turn) in a rate of 1-57.2. Another border hopper Springfield Affair was third 2.7 metres away for Kevin Von Duve after trailing the winner.

Mildura memo

Harness Racing

■ The fast class race of the night at Mildura on Tuesday – the $12,000 Tankard Dental Pace over 2190 metres saw Cabarita trainer Scott Garraway successful with 5Y0

with Len Baker

len-baker@

bigpond.com

■ Somebeachsomewhere-Lombo Cloud Nine gelding Cutty Sark much to the delight of the Birchip boys who race him.

Driven by Charlton based Ryan Sanderson, Cutty Sark coming off an eighth in the Birchip Cup nine days earlier led most of the way from gate four to defeat the hot favourite Kosimo one/ four from gate two on the second line which raced three wide solo from the bell to join the winner on the home turn.

Giving plenty in the straight, Cutty Sark scored by 3.1 metres from Cutty Sark, with National Draft (three pegs) using inside runs on turning for third a head away. The mile rate 1-58.9.

■ Form guru Darren Carroll a former Mallee Boy who along with brother Brett conduct the Punters Club at various tracks throughout the state, shared in the ownership of Frenwood Miracle, a 3Y0 Captain Treacherous-Magics Miracle filly who was victorious at prohibitive odds of $1.33 in the 1790 metre Euston Club Resort 2Y0 & Older Maiden Pace.

Also raced by The Mallee Racing Group and trainer Alex Ashwood, Frenwood Miracle first up since October last year with partner Tayla French driving was sent forward from outside the front line and despite being four wide running into the first turn, continued the move to assume control from My Ultimate Rusty (gate four) in the back straight on the first occasion and led for the rest of the journey, scoring easily by 8.1 metres over Im Stuck Man which after going forward from gate two on the second line raced outside her. My Ultimate Rusty held third a half head away. The mile rate 2-00.2.

■ It was a great night for Ashwood who chalked up a treble, training and driving 5Y0 Heston Blue Chip-Tara Lassie to land the Tasco Petroleum Pace over 1790 metres in 1-58.1 and 5Y0 Mr Feelgood-Shez Juslika gelding Feels Lika Boss the 2190 metre Weightmans Packaging Pace in 1-59.8.

Ballarat bulletin

■ Ballarat was Wednesday’s venue with a compact nine race program and veteran Redan partowner/trainer Des Mahar pulled off a large betting plunge when 4Y0 Auckland ReactorSappheiros gelding Royal Saxon greeted the judge in the Bettavet Pace over 2200 metres restricted to concessional reinspersons who hadn’t driven more than 25 winners.

Driven by Blake Pace, Royal Saxon was eased from gate five to settle three back in the running line as Island Caesar began brilliantly to lead from gate six. Vacating the prime spot racing for the bell to join the pacemaker, Royal Saxon gained the upper hand on turning to register a tough 12.6 metre margin over Island Caesar returning a mile rate of 2-00.1. Morvah ran home late for third 1.3 metres back.

■ Allendale trainer Basil Dooley combined with Kerryn Manning to snare the 1710 metre Decoglaze Pace with consistent 10Y0 Watch The Aces-Miss Rafter gelding Aussiepride much to the delight of partner Paula Martin who races him.

Starting from the extreme draw, Aussiepride settled with most of the field ahead of him as Younggiftedandblack led from gate two. Making the home turn very wide, Aussiepride rattled home down the outside fence to nose out the leader in a tricky finish, with Over The Odds

(one/one – three wide home turn) 2.9 metres away third. The mile rate 1-55.2.

■ Another tight finish saw Tyabb part-owner/ trainer Geoff Clout’s 3Y0 FlightpathMakeitworthitjo filly Blackmirra break her maiden status at start number 13 to take the Ferndale Confectionary Pace over 1710 metres in a mile rate of 2-00.5 with Anthony Butt in the sulky.

Going forward three wide on the back of Jeremy Lou ahead of her in the last lap and four wide on the final bend, Blackmirra raced to the lead in the straight to just last by a nose from Deuce Coupe which angled very wide after trailing her throughout finishing down the outside fence. Top Gun Tilly despite racing exposed from gate four held third 4.8 metres back.

10-event program

■ A 10-race card was held at Bendigo on Thursday with a mixed bag of results.

Popular Congupna owner/breeder/trainer/ driver Eddie Tappe was in the winners stall after 4Y0 Rock N Roll Heaven-Jovial Jurno Lombo mare saluted the judge in the VHRC –Aldebaran Park Benefiting Our Members ‘The Thirties’ Trotters Mobile (2nd Heat) over 2150 metres.

Starting solo on the second line, Millee was given plenty of time to find her rhythm, giving away a big start to her rivals with Majestic Jewel (gate six) crossing Well Deserved (gate five) shortly after the start.

Gradually making ground to set off three wide solo racing for the bell, Millee gained cover when Primz Luck came away from three pegs to lead up the outside division for the final circuit.

Angling three wide in the last lap, Millee raced to the front on turning to score by 3.2 metres (her second in 37 outings) from Well Deserved along the sprint lane, with Majestic Jewel holding third albeit 16.3 metres away. The mile rate 2-03.8.

■ St Arnaud part-owner/trainer/driver Scott Torney made a long awaited return to the winners stall when 10Y0 Tennotrump-Classic Lilly mare Tension Seeker registered her first success since June 2021 when leading throughout from gate five in the first heat in a mile rate rate of 2-03.

Bowling along at her leisure when having her 92nd race appearance, Tension Seeker who has been racing well of late couldn’t be caught as she scored by 5.1 metres over Uncle Al (four pegs), with polemarker Whats For Tea using the sprint lane for third from five pegs after galloping away. It was Tension Seeker’s sixth career victory.

■ Axedale trainer Mick Carbone was victorious with 6Y0 Caribbean Blaster-Missus Millvale gelding Pete Mitchell in the 2150 metre VHRC CGI ‘The Thirties Pace Final’.

Driven by Tayla French, Pete Mitchell was trapped in the open from gate three in the early stages before gaining cover when Magnified after being caught wide from gate five went forward to race exposed.

Angling wide approaching the final bend to join the leader Four Lonely Nights, Pete Mitchell dashed away on straightening to win in a breeze 12 metres clear of Our Art Christian from near last. Four Lonely Nights held down third 7.3 metres back. The mile rate 1-58.7.

■ Mount Cottrell trainer Ian Caruana who has been involved in the sport for many years landed the VHRC Renown Silverware Pace over 2150 metres with Female Assassin, a 4Y0 daughter of American Ideal and Nostra Beach in a rate of 1-58.7.

It was John Caldow at his best, dictating the terms from gate four to run out a 3.1 metre victor over Vapar Brenda (three wide double trail last lap from the rear) which flashed late in the straight. Cocora (three wide trail last lap before dropping to the back of the leader on the home turn was a neck away third.

Echuca Cup

■ Echuca Cup Night was Friday’s feature with the $35,000 Moama Bowling Club Echuca Pacing Cup over 2560 metres the main attraction supplemented by the $20,000 S-S Arch Electri-

Sulky Snippets Sulky Snippets

This Week

■ Wednesday – Bendigo, Thursday –Cobram/Ballarat, Friday – Yarra Valley/ Ararat, Saturday – Melton, Sunday – Boort, Monday – Stawell, Tuesday – Bendigo.

cal Group Echuca Trotters Cup over the same distance.

■ For many years Rochester part-owner/trainer Mark Thompson has been a force to be reckoned with at his home track and such was the case on Friday when recent Boort Cup victor Pas Guarantee claimed the Club’s number one event of the season.

Driven by Ellen Tormey who enjoyed a ‘night of night’s’ with three winners, Pas Guarantee began fast from gate four and was able to effortlessly stride past poleliner and rank outsider Lorimermajor to assume control.

Rated to perfection, Pas Guarantee had too much in hand on turning to record a 2.1 metre margin over the hot favourite Idyllic (one/three – three wide at bell), with Tangoingwithsierra (one/five – three wide double trail last lap) a half neck away third. The mile rate of 1-57.8 (last half mile 57.1 – quarter 28.8) which was eight tenths of a second outside Malcolms Rhythm 1-57 set in 2021.

■ The Trotters Cup was a spectacle with Sangreal (barrier five) after being caught three wide outside both polemarker Benji Hall which broke running into the first turn allowing Get Lucky outside him to momentarily lead before being crossed by Sangreal while Downunder Barkers (barrier three) again let his supporters down when badly away and tailing out.

Racing for the bell it was Sangreal, Get Lucky, Hateitwhenyourrite and Beau Garcon along the markers, with Blue Coman (10m) going forward to lead up the outside division after Anywhere Hugo (10m) was first to go there.

This gave the easing favourite Victree Hill (10m) a cosy passage following the pair. Going forward three wide in the last lap, Victree Hill was assisted when Sangreal galloped prior to the home turn allowing Anywhere Hugo to head for home, with Victree Hill closing swiftly. Finishing best, Victree Hill scored by 2.4 metres from Anywhere Hugo, with Beau Garcon flying late from a long way back for third 13.2 metres away.

Raced by a host of Western District people, Victree Hill trained by Courtney Slater at Beeac and driven by Glen Craven returned a rate of 203.9 (last half 59.3 – quarter 29.2) 1.8 seconds outside Stress Factor’s track record of 2-02.1 set in 2021.

- Len Baker

News Extra

Stabbing on bus at Templestowe

■ Transit Crime Investigation Unit detectives charged an 18-year-old man following an alleged stabbing on a bus in Templestowe.

It is alleged a 16-year-old boy was stabbed on a bus travelling along Williamsons Rd about 4.20pm on Thursday, March 16.

The offender fled the scene and the victim got off the bus at Fitzsimons Lane.

The Preston teenager was taken to hospital with serious injuries and has since been released.

A Preston man was charged with intentionally cause serious injury and remanded in custody to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court.

■ The former Queenslander, Fan Girl, has been backed right in for the Doncaster Handicap over 1600 metres to be run this Saturday, April 1.

The four-year-old mare is in great form after being transferred to the Chris Waller stables in Sydney, and was only beaten a neck by champion middle distance champion,Anamoe, in the George Ryder Stakes over 1500 metres at Rosehill.

The daughter of Golden Slipper winner, Sebring, has won just over $3½-million, winning five of her 17 starts with six minor placings.

The smart Zougotcha, another of the Chris Waller team, has also received heavy support after winning the Phar Lap Stakes at Rosehill on March 11, over 1500 metres.

The three-year-old filly by leading sire Zoustar is racing really well, in the care of Chris Waller, and has now won five of her eight starts with a second.

A strong filly, she has to be among the chances in the Doncaster , although the class will tell.

On the third line is the All-Star Mile winner, Mr Brightside, who won the big one at the Valley in great fashion.

NEW FAVOURITE FOR THE DONCASTER Ted Ryan

Prepared by the Hayes Brothers, Ben and W.D., the son of Bullbars, who was raced in his career by their grandfather, the great Colin Hayes.

Until lately, he had been a third stringer, behind Alligator Blood and I’m Thunderstruck, but has hit top form.

A winner of last year’s Doncaster, he will be hard to beat here if he goes around.

I thought Alligator Blood was a little disappointing in finishing fourth in the All-Star-Mile, but Yeats led them up at a good pace, and Alligator Blood raced on his outside, not suiting his style of racing.

He has dropped to fourth in the markets, and may not go around here.

The Randwick Guineas winner, Communist, well named being by Russian Revolution, was a bit out of his class in the George Ryder Stakes, for a three-year -old, finishing sixth but he was up against the cream.

He has a load of ability, but the older horses may be too strong

Another of Chris Waller’s team that is racing well is Osipenko, who was outgunned by Anamoe and others, finishing seventh in the George Ryder Stakes.

The three-year-old has only had seven starts, for two wins and two placings, from his seven starts.

The James Cummings horse, Cascadian, who has been matching it with the best, ran a great second in the All-Star-Mile behind Mr Brightside.

He is a model of consistency and never runs a bad race.

He won the Doncaster Handicap two years ago, and can make it a double this year again.

These appear to be the main chances.

I like Mr Brightside, can win it again, likewise Cascadian, while you have got to give Fangirl a big chance, and Zougotcha.

Hanging up boots

■ Racing folk were sad to hear of the retirement of top former New Zealand jockey, Michael Walker, having to hang up his riding boots

through injuries. Following up on the story written by Edward Sadler i n the Inside Racing magazine, Edward covered the situation very well.

After riding more than 2000 winners, the 38 year-old hoop, had to call it a day with a brain injury.

I had the pleasure of interviewing him many times, and he certainly is one of the most colourful jockeys you could meet.

Michael travelled the world to such places as here and New Zealand, where he dominated the scene, especially as an apprentice.

He journeyed to Hong Kong and Singapore, and rode on all our main tracks throughout Australia.

You always knew when he was approaching with a great desire to wear bright colours, with his dress manner.

He was only 38, when he rode in his last race at Moonee Valley last July, before a bad fall at Pakenham jump-outs in early August, which left him with a brain injury ending his career. Michael said: “I’ll never be able to return to race riding”.

Fatigue and memory issues are two of the main concerns trying to work out things, like I used to have a diary, that he is battling with on a regular basis.

He is relying heavily on his partner, Lauren, to help with little thingsI he has to do to remember things.

“It’s a day-to-day battle, with not only the brain problem, but also my back; because I broke my back as well, I still need to go to the Physio every week.

If I don’t, it’s like I could barely walk, or pick the kids up.

“Everything that’s happened with this last injury, it’s just changed my life altogether”.

Things are so different; I would love to go to the races.

I miss seeing the horses, but I just struggle. I get tired, with noise and people around me He recently got engaged to Lauren, who he said has been a pillar of support for him in his ongoing recovery from injuries.

Michael has won some of the biggest races on both sides of the Tasman, including, the New Zealand Derby three times, two Australian Cups, and three New Zealand Derbies

He won on Mighty Boss in the Caulfiel d Guineas for Mick Price.

One of the best riders in the world, Jame s McDonald, who hails from New Zealand, now resident in Sydney, said that Walker, was an incredible gifted horseman.

Best of luck Michael, from all us in racing.

- Ted Ryan

Mr Brightside (NZ) ridden by Luke Currie wins the The Sharp EIT All-Star Mile Photo by Pat Scala/Racing Photos.

Cascadian (GB) ridden by Damien Oliver wins the Carlton Draught Peter Young Stakes at Caulfield. Reg Ryan/Racing Photos.

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F-I

BOAT. 3.6m. Savage Kestrel, three seat, Dunbier trailer with spare wheel, 15HP , Suzuki outboard, 30 hrs, registered all safety gear, two fuel tanks, tonneau cover. EC. $4500. Flowerdale. 0411 577 050.L-O

CLOTHES. Boys. Approx. 200 pieces. New and as new. Age 0-14. Ex Op Shop stock. Excellent for market. VGC. $50 the lot. Tullamarine. 0417 999 224.J-M

COLLECTORS. Shelby Lane Bear, ‘Bridget’, $50. Rubik’s Cube, 1982 instruction book, $40. Frigidaire steel door handle, $25. Skippy Bush Kangaroo book, $35. Bone China cup/saucers, 9, $20 each. Disability scooter, hardtop canopy, under 1 yr, other extras, $2900. Alexandra., 0419 445 697.L-O

PUBLIC NOTICES

PROPOSAL TO UPGRADE VODAFONE MOBILE PHONE BASE STATION AT COOLAROO INCLUDING 5G 38780 Broadmeadows North: 20 Lexton Street, COOLAROO VIC 3048 (RFNSA 3048003)

1. The proposed facility consists of the addition of new equipment and associated works, including 5G, as follows: Removal of existing Vodafone antennas, equipment and headframe Installation of three (3) panel antennas, 2.7m long, on a new headframe

Installation of three (3) panel antennas, 0.8m long, on the new headframe

Installation of existing Optus equipment on the new headframe

Installation of ancillary equipment including up to fifteen (15) remote radio units, antenna mounts, and cabling

2. Vodafone regards the proposed installations as Low-impact Facilities under the Telecommunications (Low-impact Facilities) Determination 2018 (“The Determination”), based on the description above.

3. In accordance with Section 7 of C564:2020 Mobile Phone Base Station Deployment Code, we invite you to provide feedback about the proposal. Should you require further information or wish to comment, please contact Rohan Montgomery at Indara, 02 9495 9000, community@indara.com or Level 1, 110 Pacific Highway, St Leonards NSW 2065 by Thursday 6 April 2023. Further information may also be obtained from www.rfnsa.com.au/3048003.

DINING TABLE. 150cm x 150cm. 8 chairs, blackwood colour. Micro fibre seat covers. $1350. Briar Hill. 0417 312 034. L-O

ELECTRIC CHAIR LIFT. Lan Franco Chelsea. Dual Motor Ambience Stone Fabric (Fawn). GC. $350. Eltham. 0438 801 298. L-O

ENCYCLOPEDIA BRITANNICA. Complete full set with 24 volumes of 1965 edition. Maroon ‘leatherette’ covers. Original wooden shelving unit. GC. $50. Ashburton. 9885 2203.F-I

FLOOR MATS. Honda Accord. Euro luxury MY12 Genuine, front and rear. Genuine cargo mat/boot liner. Colour: Grey/black. EC. $85 ONO. Gladstone Park. 0402 282 477.F-I

FORD FALCON. 2006. RTV Ute. Gas. Reg. 9/23. New tyres, hard lid, canopy. RWC. Drives great. 335,000. Rego. 1HU9JS. $8750. Yarck. Barry, 0414 718 812. L-O

HAY. Top quality grass hay. Square bales, $6.50. Rolls, $50. Kinglake West. 0400 529 469. L-O

PUBLIC NOTICES

PROPOSAL TO UPGRADE MOBILE PHONE BASE STATION LOCATED AT CAMBERWELL

Telstra plans to upgrade an existing telecommunications facility located at 736 Riversdale Road, Camberwell VIC 3124 www.rfnsa.com.au/3124001

1. Telstra Limited (A.C.N 051 775 556) are currently upgrading existing mobile network facilities to allow for the introduction of 5G to Telstra’s network. As part of this network upgrade, Telstra proposes the installation of 4G and 5G technologies at the Camberwell locality and surrounds.

2. The proposed works at the above site include the removal of (3) panel antennas, installation of (6) panel antennas (each no more than 2.8m long), installation of (3) RRUs and associated ancillary equipment. All internal equipment will be housed within the existing equipment shelter located at the base of the facility.

3. Telstra regards the proposed installation as a Low-Impact Facility under the Telecommunications (Low-impact Facilities) Determination 2018 based on the above description.

4. In accordance with Section 7 of C564:2020 Mobile Phone Base Station Deployment Code, we invite you to provide feedback about the proposal. Further information and/or written submissions should be directed to Meg Wilson, Aurecon Australasia Pty Ltd (A.B.N 54 005 139 873) via email to: Meg.Wilson@aurecongroup.com or via post to: Meg Wilson, Aurecon Australasia 25 Grenfell Street, Adelaide SA 5000 by 5pm on 6/04/2023.

EMPLOYMENT

HORSE BITS. Two. Different sizes. Ex Light Horse Brigade. As new. $100 each. Rosebud. 0467 845 449.

J-M

KITCHEN ‘Cupboards and drawers in various sizes in American oak timber. $300 ONO. East Iavnhoe. 00418 322 569.

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KNICK KNACKS. Variety of items. $50. Springfield Lakes. 0408 777 876. L-O

LOUNGE SUITE. ‘Fler’ Modular 6 Seater L-shaped Corner Unit with Fluro Light Sand Colour, would suit large room or Man Cave. EC. $200. Endeavour Hills. 0468 954 177.F-I

MICROWAVE OVEN. Samsung. Owners Instruction Book included. GC. $80. Box Hill South. 9890 7904.J-M

OVEN. Fisher and Paykel, double doors, approx. 6 years old with new element and all shelving. $300 ONO. East Ivanhoe. 0418 322 569.F-I

RECLINER CHAIR Princess, on wheels, with full tilt, pressure care, manual and pump. Hardly ever used. EC. Cranbourne. 0452 442 561.F-I

REGISTRATION PLATES. ‘MISUBI. Slimline B&W. Great gift for Subaru owner. EC. $1500. Frankston. 9789 9634.

J-M

ROCKING CHAIR. Antique. American style, adult size, spring based, casters, carved timber frame, EC. Upholstery in need of replacing. GC. $100. Croydon. 0408 332 181.

SUITCASE. Antique. Old. Full of old board games. GC. $20. Tullamarine. 0417 999 224.

J-M

TABLES. Small wooden table. 60cm extends to 120cm. $15. Small wooden cupboard, 900cm x 45cm $15. Plastic table. Oval white 90cm c 120cm, outdoor type. $15. Padded cahirs, $5 each. Box Hill South. 9890 7904.

J-M

TANDEM TRAILER. 10’ x 5’, all steel construction, lights, brakes all in good working order. Made by Forest Hill Trailers. GC. $2000. Croydon. 9726 8513.F-I

VEGEPOD. Medium size. 2 covers. Base has been assembled (never used). One opened box which contains the cover/poles and joiners and a new unopened cover and all accessories/instructions. New cond. $250 ONO. Seymour. 0438 228 617.

CHOIR - YARRA GOSPEL COMMUNITY

CHOIR. Starts on Thurs., Feb. 9. Weekly. 7.15pm. Join us singing in harmony in a friendly inclusive group. First night free. no auditions. Sheet music, wine and cheese supper provided. $12.50 per week. At St John’s Anglican Church, 552 Burke Rd, Camberwell. 0421 277 862. www.yarragospel.org

Email: editor@LocalPaper. com.au

Postal: PO Box 1278, Research, 3095

F-I

WATER TRANSFER

PUMP. Yardworks. 1100W model. YW1100TP integrated trolley. 4600 litres per hour. EC. $65 ONO. Gladstone Park. 0402 282 477.F-I

WHITE METAL BATH. Removed from a bathroom reno. Original from 1960s. No leaks or damage. surplus to needs, use for an animal water trough, lily pond, raised garden bed or could put back into a house. Pick-up in Watsonia. GC. $50 ONO. 0408 704 995.F-I

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F-I

MOONEE PONDS BAPTIST CHURCH , 45 Eglinton St, 5.30pm Mondays, supports those from Moonee Valley in a tough place. All welcome for a free hot meal from 5.30pm on Mondays. If you have food handling, listening or cleaning skills, then contact us to help out. 0466 075 820. UFN

MORNINGTON Dutch Australian Seniors Club. Meets weekly in Tyabb Community Hall, Frankston-Flinders Rd, Tyabb on Mondays, 10am2pm. Morning coffee, games of Klkaverjas and Rummicub. New members welcome. Nel, 0414 997 161. Paula, 5779 8291. UFN

SOCIAL BALLROOM

DANCING. Lessons and practice, 7.30pm -10pm Wed. Scots Church Hall, Yea. $5. Dance: 1st Saturday of month. 7.30pm11pm. 0490 425 234UFN

Free ‘For Sale’ and ‘What’s On ads are available in The Local Paper to private parties and community groups

BOOKING AND COPY DEADLINE: 5pm Fridays, prior to Wednesday issue. CLASSIFIED ADS Classified ads ar e available each week in The Local Paper, which is published on Wednesdays, February-December (with the exception of Easter Wednesday). Al Classified Ads appear in the print and online editions. It is important to check your advertisement is correct on the first day it appears. While ever y care is taken to ensure your advertisement is correct, errors can occur. If this happens to your ad please contact us the first day your advertisement appears and we will be happy to correct it as soon as we can.

Broome Beach Resort welcomes all guests to this relaxing retreat, situated at Cable Beach in the magnificent Western Australian coastal town of Broome.

Within a short leisurely stroll to the iconic Cable Beach, Day Spas, restaurants, cafes and bars, Broome Beach Resort is the ideal 4½ star family resort.

Set amongst lush, tropical gardens, each of our fully selfcatering, air-conditioned 1, 2 or 3 bedroom apartments are well appointed and feature full kitchen and laundry facilities, a spacious open plan dining and living area, a private verandah and free WIFI and FOXTEL. Free off-street parking is also available for in-house guests' vehicles.

FOR SALE

PRIME MANAGEMENT RIGHTS BUSINESS WITH HIGH

The business is ideally located in the prime Cable Beach area next to great amenities and is a short 500m walk to beautiful Cable Beach.

•Long-term agreements

•Close to everything Broome has to offer

•Set amongst tropical landscaping

•Body Corporate salary of over $129k

•Well-appointed two-bed, one-bath unit with large office and storeroom on the one title. Available for $560,000

•Located in one of Western Australia’s most sought after destinations

•Property inspections are by appointment only NET PROFIT: $381,153. PRICE: $1,143,459

Interested? Why not give Glenn Millar a call on 0412 277 804 or glenn@resortbrokers.com.au

Cricket final results for 2022-23

Alexandra Rebels

■ The Alexandra Football Netball Club last Saturday (Mar. 25) hosted Whitehorse Pioneers with the day kicking off as Thornton and Whitehorse women’s football teams had a hit out.

This was followed by Alexandra and Whitehorse Reserves football match, whilst over at the netball courts the Alexandra and Whitehorse netballers had a practice game.

The senior football teams of Alexandra and Whitehorse had a solid hit out in a very even contest, players a little rusty in front of goal but both teams recorded 4 goals 8 behinds at the final siren for a draw.

Rebel recruits did well as the game was played in good spirit, everyone getting together in the social rooms afterwards to discuss the year ahead.

Whitehorse has come to Alexandra for practice games for several years and expressed their appreciation and interest in maintaining the relationship between city and country going forward.

This coming Saturday (April 1) the Club is hosting the Western Football League’s Tarneit who return after last year’s visit, for two games of football.

Start times for all games are to be confirmed. Free entry to Rebel Park for the day with canteen and bar facilities available and after the games the social rooms will be open, with everyone welcome to enjoy Club hospitality.

The Outer East season is currently fixtured to start on Saturday, April 15, but this is due to be confirmed by the League in the coming week.

Alexandra will be fielding two football teams and four netball teams, but unable to field a Under 18 or Under 19 football team this season.

All footballers need to register with Alexandra by clicking on the following link and follow the prompts, https:// www.playhq.com/afl/register/5ea08c but please be aware that you will need to pay $26 which goes to the League.

Senior football training is at 6pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays at Rebel Park, senior netball training at 6pm on Thursdays at Rebel Park. Everyone is welcome.

If there is anyone interested in earning some extra money by central umpiring, goal umpiring or boundary umpiring for the League please contact Ray Steyger on 5772 2627 to register.

Several junior footballers have done boundary umpiring in previous years so if you would like to assist at Alexandra home games, please make contact.

The Seymour District Junior League fixture is still subject to change and should be confirmed in coming weeks, the season expected to start after Easter.

Alexandra will field Under 10, Under 12 and Under 14 football teams with Under 11, Under 13 and Under 15 netball teams in the Seymour competition whilst the Under 16 football team will compete in the Shepparton junior competition, all played on a Sunday.

All junior footballers need to register with Alexandra Juniors by clicking on the following link and follow the prompts, https:/ /www.playhq.com/afl/register/ce78e5

Junior football training has started, Under 16s and Under 14s Tuesday and Thursdays at 4.30 pm whilst Under 12s and Under 10s are on Friday nights at 4.30 pm, all at Rebel Park.

Junior netball training has also started, Under 11s on Fridays at 4.45 pm with Under 13s and Under 15s on Thursdays at 4.45pm.

- Ray Steyger

■ Eastern Cricket Association. Dunstan Shield. North Balwyn 141 N Patel 65 C Sanders 41 S Morarty 3/26 T Merry 3/44 J Quartermain 2/29def by Old Carey 8/142 DC Clarke 31 C Sanders 4/41 J Binney 2/45. Wright Shield. Heathmont 59 TR Norris

5/13 A Smale 2/4def by St Kevins OC 8/

247(cc) A Fernon 92 J Peake 41 PL Gheller

37 D Howard 3/40 S Peiris 3/43 T Delany 2/

37.

A Turf. East Malvern Tooronga 208 G Waring 68 WA Giles 35 J Speer 28 S Randiv 7/72

def by Edinburgh 263 S Randiv 84 J Southby

67 J Pearson 25 N McGuire 4/54 J Matheson

2/31.

B Turf. Old Carey Cricket Club 79 CB Angus 25* A Martin 3/11 S Townsend 3/25 J Townsend 3/28 def by Canterbury 171 C Oldroyd

33 AE Hume 32 A Martin 27 DJ Smith 4/37

B Dugan 3/64.

C Turf. Deepdene Bears 3/168 L Gorfine

52 A Bettiol 46 J Lindsay 44* J Paulas 2/40

v Mazenod OC 166 J Paulas 60* R Jayaweera

49 J Watt 4/62 F Plavin 2/20 P Slingo 2/39 H Salathiel 2/45.

D Turf. Edinburgh 132 C Ritchie 32 T

Thexton 26 M Horn 5/26 C Proposch 2/21 Z

Macdermid 2/35 def by Glen Iris 7/133 C Ward

65 D DePassey 4/33.

E Turf. Richmond City 4/151 CD Hounihan

74 C Lovell 45* J Tyquin 2/31 def Ashwood

149 J Tyquin 33 A Shrivastava 28 S

Chandrasekhar 26 R Madhav 6/38 DB Annan

2/14. F Turf. Mazenod OC 9/136 HR Emerson 46

M Jago 27 F Heron-Paterson 4/36 def

Heathmont 134 F Heron-Paterson 64 M Ware

3/24 SJ Antidormi 2/35.

G Turf. Deepdene Bears 163 C Rowbotham

87 ME Massey 4/15 JA Dean 2/37 DJ Bonnett

2/42 v Mont Albert 6/167 DJ Bonnett 26 J

Donovan 2/42.

■ Diamond Valley Cricket Association.

Barclay Shield. Epping 78 N Carlton 3/2 A

Khanna 2/4 S Shelton 2/26def by Rosanna 9/

173(cc) N Horsford 64 R O'Sullivan 46* J

Henkel 4/57 BJ McKeown 2/20.

Money Shield. Bundoora 8/188 S Silva

51 N Caracella 42 R Singh-Dhillon 32 N

Gavillucci 3/25 L Wilson 2/48 def Eltham 186

W Shannon 71 K Sheehan 39 A Lamont 38 N Sharma 5/33.

Mash Shield. Lower Plenty 90 JP Carlyon

27 UJ Ranasingha 3/8 A Wegener 3/20 K

Madusanka 3/24 def by Greensborough 5/129

M Heenkende 55* LM Bowden 29 BA Jenkin

3/31 MW Staples 2/41.

■ North Metro Cricket Association. Jika

Shield. Holy Trinity 148 A Shackelford 54 D

Castrucci 4/28 M Sortino 2/22 A Boughton 2/

23 def Preston Baseballers 8/146(cc) M Sortino

52 J Walker 31 M Manteit 4/45 A Shackelford 2/22.

Jack Quick Shield. Camrea 6/84 BR

Dawson 26 J Delcus 3/15 def Lalor Warriors

80 RF Warnakulasuria 6/13 RJ Marshuk 3/

29.

Jack Kelly Shield. Strathewen 178 T

Bennett 47 A Fernando 38 DD Mahanayake

36 R Cossens 3/33 S Clarkson 3/40def Holy Trinity 2nd XI 101 MJ Howes 4/20 S Mirando

3/21 JP Venables 2/18.

B-Grade. Old Ivanhoe 2nd XI 5/81 V Pawar

38 M Ryan 27* R Potts 3/22 def Camrea 2nd XI 79 P Dhundhara 4/26 R Hense 2/8.

C-Grade. Keon Park 2nd XI 7/170(cc) S

McCleish 78* D Ewart 2/18 D Dimasi 2/47 def Rivergum 3rd XI 149 C Worrell 37 C

Spaliaras 28 J Schembri 3/13 D Jeffrey 3/24

R McKernan 3/39.

D-Grade. Holy Trinity 3rd XI 160 M Stanford

39 M Bopardikar 3/18 def by Fairfield 2nd XI

171 V Bukka 47 T Ahmed 27 A Sibillin 3/25

B Maplestone 2/6 JB Murphy 2/37.

E-Grade. Reservoir Cobras 3rd XI 2/103 R

Kondru 57* def West Preston 3rd XI 101 R

Kondru 4/28 P Rao 3/0.

■ Mornington Peninsula Cricket Association. Provincial Firsts. Old Peninsula 186 T

19 A Hussain 4/47 def by Heatherhill 8/186 K Miller 75* M Bishop 55 LV Chevalier 2/23 M Carroll 2/62.

District Firsts. Rosebud 176 JC Egan 26

M Herbert 4/37 JM Bardwell 4/39 def Seaford

10/88 S Manders 31 PJ Nagel 5/42 J Hicks 4/19.

Sub-District Firsts. Balnarring 2/105 L Hewitt 47* T Walker 2/57def Mt Martha

102 K Bendle 29 T Walker 26 P Nickeas 4/

19 J Hewitt 2/23 L Hewitt 2/28.

■ Ringwood District Cricket Association. Lindsay Trollope Shield. North Ringwood 1st XI 168 A Leis 57 DR Maddox 32

J Tucker 5/56 J White 2/10 E Stone 2/34 def by Ainslie Park 1st XI 4/172 D Bettess 58 TD Stray 45 R Peters 28* L Ridgwell 3/31.

Bill Wilkins Cup. Kilsyth 1st XI 4/192 JS

McPhee 109* J Turner 37 K Singh 2/19 def St Andrews 1st XI 8/189(cc) CR Moorhouse 90 D Cuthbertson 48 J Turner 5/58.

Stuart Newey Plate. South Warrandyte

1st XI 9/278 D Rajakaruna 127 DC Cutler 72

M Persson-Clark 32 JO Blyth 3/52 W Bellingham 3/69 def by Croydon Ranges 1st XI 305 B Smith 106 MA Thomas 62 DW Turnbull 35 JR Blyth 34 A Solomons 4/84 J Exley 2/ 72.

Steve Pascoe Shield. North Ringwood

2nd XI 124 J Bellizia 43 C van Koll 6/45 J Crowe 2/14 def byMontrose 2nd XI 2/125 SJ

Gebert 52* J McCallum 44.

Pat Meehan Shield. Croydon Ranges 2nd XI 3/114 N Balthasar 30* J Bellingham 29 J

Thomas 27 J Bell 2/16 defEast Ringwood

2nd XI 111 J Gray 33* N Balthasar 3/20 CM

Denavi 3/28 T Noonan 2/15 J Bellingham 2/ 21.

Ian Spencer Shield. Norwood 2nd XI 200

S Lester 38 Y Sharma 37 L Jordan 25 L Miller 25* V Premaratne 4/52 S Shukla 2/19 C Nicolopoulos 2/69def St Andrews 2nd XI 112

M Sutherland 53 L Jordan 6/30 T Parkinson 3/40.

■ South East Cricket Association. Longmuir Shield. East Sandringham 1 9/ 207(cc) C Diggle 108 H Munnings 38* VS Thind 3/30 RJ Blair 2/46 S Gara 2/73 def by Brighton Union 1 3/211 DK Pulukkuttiarachchi 104* VS Thind 40* D Kuzma 31 B

Gunawardena 2/66.

Woolnough Shield. Bentleigh ANA 1 10/ 219 AM Fernando 65* SD Udagedara 57 E

Ekanayake 26 P Burnell 5/42 BJ Pedder 2/36

JE Fletcher 2/49 vOmega 1 9/90 A Tyrone 4/ 38 SD Udagedara 2/29.

Quiney Shield. Omega 2 176 A Vanek 37

J Tulley 30 L Geleit 4/42 C Wilkinson 2/39 def by Hampton Central 1 177 N Fallon 36 D

O'Brien 31 B McGregor 26 J Wilson 5/52 L Wescombe 2/32 NE Bridges 2/35.

Pullen Shield. Mackie 2 4/240 D Park 55

B Ebinger 48 M Guyetsky 42* J Blenkinsop

31* B Park 26 H Painter 2/83 def Bentleigh

ANA 2 9/238(cc) KA Perry 58* S Scott 51 H

Painter 30 J Blenkinsop 4/100 V Arya 3/49.

E-Grade. Hampton United 2 9/154(cc) C

Stewart 64* S Crigan 26 N Warnakula 3/48

DS Meeriyagalla 2/25 def by Gladiators 1 4/ 157 P Senevirathne 94* D Gunawardena 37

J Reed 2/30.

F-Grade. CUCC Kings 2 8/243(cc) DR

Aavula 54* S Sai Saran 39 C De Silva 35 AS

Chiragoni 26 a singh 4/52def Diamond 1 55

M Sriramaiah 6/26 S Sohi 3/23.

G-Grade. Dingley 1= 91 C Sterling 38 C

Gorrie 5/18 M Cleary 4/23def by Washington

Park 3 6/185(cc) G Finney 49* K Brown 35*

M Giles 30 G Ritchie 26 JS O'Neill 4/43 EA Hardeman 2/45.

■ Western Suburbs Churches and Community Cricket Association. Division 1. Williams Landing SC 2/118 B Nadeem 86*

def Tarneit Central CC Red 114 JS Sidhu 51 R Bhinder

ARIES: (March 21- April 20)

Lucky Colour: White

Lucky Day: Friday Racing Numbers: 5.6.2.3.

Lotto Numbers: 1.12.15.25.29.33.

A busier than usual period. A financial venture with others could be profitable, although a third party could try to block your path if you let them. A holiday with loved ones should put more of a spark in your love life.

TAURUS: (April 21- May 20)

Lucky Colour: Green

Lucky Day: Monday

Racing Numbers: 4.6.2.5.

Lotto Numbers: 1.12.15.29.34.40.

A very eventful period for app partnership affairs and although things may not be going to plan, the results could be better than expected. Most will be communicating well with their loved ones.

GEMINI: (May 21- June 21)

Lucky Colour: Silver

Lucky Day: Wednesday Racing Numbers: 1.3.5.8.

Lotto Numbers: 1.12.24.40.9.44. Keep a check on your social calendar, otherwise you may have to be in to places at the same time and loose friends and support as the result. Do not buy anything you cannot pay cash for or a real problem could occur. Love life could be rather hectic.

CANCER: (June 22- July 22)

Lucky Colour: White

Lucky Day: Friday Racing Numbers: 2.3.6.5.

Lotto Numbers: 2.13.5.45.40.33. New and exciting friends about to appear on the scene. Extra money will come through luck or effort. Social events will keep most very busy.

LEO: (July 23- August 22)

Lucky Colour: Cream

Lucky Day: Tuesday

Racing Numbers: 5.6.2.1.

Lotto Numbers: 5.12.24.40.39.36.

Sudden changes are indicated and many will get the chance to get away from the recent stress and strains. A social gathering could bring a lot more people than planned.

VIRGO: (August 23- September 23)

Lucky Colour: Peach

Lucky Day: Friday

Racing Numbers: 9.8.4.2.

Lotto Numbers: 8.15.24.42.40.22. ,many will benefit through the unexpected lotteries promotions gains. A very busy period with added responsibilities. A contact from the past could add more excitement to the season.

LIBRA: (September 24- October 23)

Lucky Colour: White

Lucky Day: Wednesday Racing Numbers: 8.6.4.2.

Lotto Numbers:8.12.40.25.29.19.

Most will be more attracted to outdoor activities instead of being inside. More at peace within yourself. Pleasant romantic interludes and wedding invitations are indicated.

SCORPIO: (October 24- November 22)

Lucky Colour: Blue

Lucky Day: Monday

Racing Numbers: 9.6.2.1.

Lotto Numbers: 1.12.15.29.34.36.

Your social activities could be influenced by long distance travel. Most will be spending a lot more time outdoors. Unwise to risk money or possessions.

SAGITTARIUS: (November 23- December 20)

Lucky Colour: Fawn

Lucky Day: Saturday

Racing Numbers: 4.6.2.3.

Lotto Numbers: 4.12.26.25.5.22.

Your energy and enthusiasm could be a bit low. Any promises you make will have to be kept; so think very carefully before agreeing to anything important.

CAPRICORN: (December 21- January 19)

Lucky Colour: Pink

Lucky Day: Friday

Racing Numbers: 2.6.2.1.

Lotto Numbers: 2.13.25.24.40.33.

Most will have a more exciting period and will be in for a wilder time on the social scene. However the wise will be more co operative around their loved ones to keep situations from boiling over.

AQUARIUS: (January 20- February 19)

Lucky Colour: Dark Blue

Lucky Day: Friday

Racing Numbers: 5.6.3.2.

Lotto Numbers: 5.12.23.36.39.30.

Stay out of the affairs of those who do not concern you.

A very social period and remaking of friendships. Luck in games of chance is indicated.

PISCES: (February 20- March 20)

Lucky Colour: Mauve

Lucky Day: Monday

Racing Numbers: 5.6.1.9.

Lotto Numbers: 5.19.26.34.37.35.

Many will take a holiday and decide to make the area permanent or buy property for their future retirement. Friends and lovers will be come more demanding of your time and money.