The Local Paper. Mitchell Shire Edition. Wed., June 14, 2023

TOP HONOUR FOR PAT McNAMARA

■ Former local MLA and Deputy Premier, Pat McNamara, was recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours with the post nominal of AM.

Mr McNamara was cited for significant service to towing, to the Parliament of Victoria, and to the community through a range of roles.

The Nagambie man’s involvements have included Rowing Australia, Rowing Victoria, Nagambie Rowing Club, Strathbogie Shire Waterways Committee, the Shire of Goulburn, and the Victorian Bushfire Appeal. These days he is a walnut farmer.

Also honoured with an AM medal was Alexander (Sandy) John MacKenzie, Avenel, for significant service to the people and Parliament of Australia, to education, and to conservation.

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Local Briefs

Locals honoured

■■ A number of local people have been recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours announced on Monday (June 12).

Member (AM) in the General Division of the Order of Australia

■ Mr Alexander (Sandy) John MacKENZIE, Avenel. For significant service to the people and Parliament of Australia, to education, and to conservation.

■ The Honourable Patrick John McNAMARA, Nagambie. For significant service to rowing, to the Parliament of Victoria, and to the community through a range of roles.

■ Ms Sarah STEGLEY, Howqua. For significant service to the community through a range of organisations.

Medal (OAM) of the Order of Australia in the General Division

■ Mr Larry FALLON. For service to the community through a range of roles.

■ Ms Gaye GADSDEN, Yellingbo. For service to conservation and the environment.

■ Ms Paula Ruth HERLIHY, Mount Evelyn. For service to the communities of Mount Evelyn and the Yarra Ranges.

■ Mrs Janet Mary INCOLL, Monbulk. For service to conservation and the environment.

■ Ms Jeanette PRITCHARD, Monbulk. For service to youth, and to secondary education.

■ Mrs Tracey WEBSTER, Wallan. For service to nursing, and to community health.

■ Ms Natalie Joy WISCHER, Yea. For service to the community, particularly to people living with diabetes.

Runaway car at Alex.

■ Two people have been injured after being run over by a runaway car in Alexandra on Sunday night (June 11).

It is believed an unoccupied vehicle began rolling down a hill, running over two spectators at the Alexandra Speedway on Gordon St about 10.15pm. The vehicle came to a stop after hitting a Winnebago

Two female youths, a 16-year-old from Lilydale and 20-year-old from Marysville, were airlifted to hospital with serious but nonlife-threatening injuries.

The vehicle owner, an 18-year-old Wandin North man, was interviewed in relation to the incident and released pending further enquiries.

Mansfield Highway Patrol will investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident and urge any witnesses or anyone with vision to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or www.crimestoppersvic.com.au

Warby tree future?

■ Yarra Ranges Shire Council confirms that it has conducted works to remove sections of the historic ‘Warburton Tree’, despite protests from local community members.

“Council is committed to investigating the feasibility of retaining the remainder of the tree and providing a habitat area around the base and an exclusion zone around remains in place while that work is undertaken.,” a Shire representative said in a post at the Council’s website.

EDITORIAL COMMENT

An Open Letter to Premier Daniel Andrews

Dear Mr Premier, before you spend an extra cent on your Suburban Rail Loop that will open in 2050, please fix the Melba Highway that is already in day-to-day use today.

Mr Premier, before you approve an additional dollar for another version of the Commonwealth Games, please meet your responsibilities in having a major highway that is safe for motorists to use.

Mr Andrews, before you authorise another of your full-page press advertisements that instruct people to drive safely, please keep your side of the bargain by fixing the pothole-plagued Melba Highway.

Mr Premier, you have had months, in fact years, to get this right. No longer can you blame the weather, or unseasonable conditions, or another political party.

Mr Andrews, this is a responsibility that sits squarely in your lap.

The Melba Highway is the major route from Yarra Glen to Yea. It is full of pot holes, and is in horrible condition - on your watch.

Every day, local motorists and visitors have their cars damaged by a highway that you and your Government have failed to maintain.

While you and your highly-paid ministers are focused on wearing hard hats and hi-vis vests on metropolitan photo opportunities, you are asleep at the wheel when it comes to highway safety.

The problems that apply to the Melba Hwy are the same for the Warburton Hwy and the Goulburn Valley Hwy.

Now that the Snow Season has officially opened, the problems for motorists are only going to get worse.

Surely, we do not have to resort to referring to deaths and injuries caused by neglect of not fixing this vital road link.

Mr Premier, if you ever ventured outside the comfort of Treasury Place, and took to the Melba Hwy, you would suffer a bone-jarring ride that would challenge the best skills of your chauffeur and Government limousine.

Listen to what the locals say on social media:

■ Philip: These pot holes are deep and dangerous. Would hate to be on a motorbike. Another victim today was a caravan on a jackcould have a broken axle. I kep[t a vigilant pot hole watch along Melba ‘Highway’ but still struck three. The car shuddered ... I found I couldn’t avoid all of them and it’s bad both ways.

■ Robert: First world taxes and third world government. When will people wake up?

■ Mardi: Why don’t they spray paint the road with a warning where they [the potholes] are?

■ Kylie: Worst drive up to Yea. Scary drive home, felt so sorry for the family with the broken axle on the caravan. Was still there when we came past at 9pm. So many cars stuck awaiting help.

■ Pam: It was shocking driving from Yea to Yarra Glen tonight. Roads are so danegrous with very deep pot holes. Two tow trucks picking up cars.

■ Shae: How long before a bad accident?

■ Vivienne: Never finished the repairs but there are many more and very deep.

■ Brett: Have done three tyres and two rims since October, and pretty much destroyed the suspension on m,y car in the process.

Regional areas ‘kicked’:

■ Eildon MLA Cindy McLeish says that the city centric Andrews Labor Government has once again kicked regional Victorians to the kerb.

“We need to see more investment in regional Victoria to improve services and infrastructure that those in metropolitan Melbourne take for granted,” Ms McLeish said.

“The government should be supporting health services, agriculture and road repairs, not cutting funding.”

Crumbling roads across the Murrindindi and Mansfield Shires including the Maroondah Highway, Melba Highway and Goulburn Valley Highway are a constant issue and will only deteriorate further with the Andrews Labor Government slashing maintenance funding by 45

MP

per cent since 2020, and from $702.2 million to just $441.6 million in the last year alone. There have been 124 deaths on Victorian roads in 2023 so far, up 30 per cent.

● ● ● ● Eildon MLA Cindy McLeish beside the Melba Hwy at Dixons Creek

The Local Paper

Local’ Edition: Murrindindi, Mansfield, Strathbogie, rural sections of Nillumbik and Whittlesea

• ‘Lilydale and Yarra Valley Express’ Edition: Yarra Ranges Shire

• Mitchell Shire Edition: Mitchell Shire

CONTACT

Phone: 5797 2656, 1800 231 311, 9489 2222, 9439 9927,

Strong wins for Rebels

■ The Outer East League 2023 season Round 7 split round for the Truck Show weekend saw the Rebels host Broadford for two games of football and four games of netball.

The Reserves, led out by Max Church who celebrated his 100th game, started slowly as the visitors kicked three goals to two in the first quarter before the Rebels added two goals to one in the second quarter with only a couple of points in it at half-time.

The Roos added four goals to one in the third quarter to stun the Rebels who responded after a three-quarter time chat, kicking five unanswered goals in the last quarter to take the win, Alexandra 10.8 (68) to Broadford 8.4 (52).

Awards: Shepparton Volkswagen – Lachlan Collard, Ampol fuel card – Luke Wal, Alex Sportspower – Callan Howell, Buxton Hotel –Tom McKinlay.

Seniors

The Seniors had several changes but kicked seven goals to one in the first quarter to get off to a good start before adding another seven goals in the second quarter.

Slow recovery

■ Only two of the 13 properties demolished after the 2021 Yarra Ranges storms have planning permission to rebuild.

There have been 65 approvals for repairs to dwellings including decks, verandas, outbuildings, garages, carports, retaining walls and fences.

“Insurance issues are still a major concern for Yarra Ranges residents since they were hit by the worst storm in the region’s history two years ago,” said a Council representative.

“Overnight on June 9-10, 2021, almost 200 properties were damaged, 81 were uninhabitable, tens of thousands of trees fell, blocking roads and bringing down telephone and powers lines and left thousands without heating and phone or internet connection for weeks.

”Of those damaged properties, 13 were totally demolished and while some have got planning permits, none have been rebuilt.”

Mayor Cr Jim Child said it was hard to believe some Yarra Ranges residents were still unable to start the rebuilding process, in particular due to insurance issues.

OUR TEAM

The second half was more of an arm wrestle but the crowd was impressed with a Broadford goal kicked after the final siren, an accurate torpedo from outside 50 metres that had the points margin punters on their toes, Alexandra 21.10 (130) to Broadford 5.7 (37).

Awards: Incentives – Tom Massey, Lucas

O’Sullivan and Mitch Parker, Buxton Hotel –Brayden Norris. Yarck Hotel / Endeavour Petroleum volunteer award – Elizabeth Kidd Raffle winners after the games, meat tray –Caitlan Haggis, wine – visitor, gate raffle –Wayne Miller.

Netball Awards

Congratulations to Katherine Quinsee who played her 150th game.

A-Grade: Incentive – Ellie Hedger, Corner Hotel / Grant St Grocer – Katherine Quinsee.

B-Grade: Incentive – Bethany Cairns, Corner Hotel / Grant St Grocer – Fiona Stephens.

C-Grade: Incentive – Tamika Poustie, Corner Hotel / Grant St Grocer – Mikaela Krijt.

Under 17: Incentive – Ashlee Frankcombe, Corner Hotel / Grant St Grocer – Maddy Northmore.

Club Notes

Thursday’s Rebel Raffles continued last Thursday and we thank our sponsors Swenrick Constructions, Yarck Hotel, Reddrops Foodworks / Houseboat Sales Lake Eildon, Eildon Bakery / Yarck Meat and Produce, Alexandra Quality Meats / AFNC canteen, Yea Chinese Restaurant / Bailey Funerals with the winners Rocky Parkinson, Des Rasmussen, Caitlan Haggis, Dawn Jack, Sally Hill and Kath Hedger.

The Swenrick Constructions Joker Jackpot was not won and will be worth $900 on Thursday so come along for your chance to win a prize.

Last Sunday the Club ran a successful catering fundraiser at the Truck Show, a very big

thank you to our captain Kath Hedger and all of our volunteers for doing a great job, also a very big thank you to the Truck Show committee for organising the event.

This coming Saturday the senior Club football and netball teams play away against Powelltown, venues to be confirmed whilst all the junior football and netball teams have a bye for the Interleague weekend.

023 Club memberships are available: $200 –Patron, $150 – Family and $100 –Members. $600 Rebel Raiser Sponsor together with Business, Corporate, Executive and Major Sponsor packages available, so if you would like to support the Club, please contact Ray Steyger on 5772 2627.

Do not forget to order your Club merchandise – polo shirts, warm up shirts @ $50, hoodies, vests @ $70, casual shorts, netball top @$40, Club stubby holders @$10, travel mugs @ $15, peaked caps and beanies @ $25, visors @$20, bumper stickers arefree.

Thursday night dinners are available after training with main course and sweets – adults$15 and kids $10, everyone is welcome.

- Ray Steyger

“It is a known fact that it takes more than 12 months to rebuild and yet this, for most, is the amount of time given from insurance companies for rental assistance,” Cr Child said.

“It’s so important people understand that when there is a disaster like the 2021 June Storm, rebuilding takes years and not months.”

Minister visits

■ Natalie Suleyman, Minister for Youth, was in Seymour on Tuesday last week (June 6) to talk to the community about the October 2022 floods and the impact on young people.

Ms Suleyman met with businesses, members of the Community Recovery Committee, Mitchell Shire Councillors and Mitchell Youth Council to discuss how the Shire is rebuilding and supporting the needs of those impacted.

Mitchell Shire Mayor Cr Fiona Stevens took the opportunity to thank the Minister and the State Government for their support to provide youth-focused recovery events.

Ms Suleyman, who is also the Minister for Veterans, was updated on the need for the Seymour Community Wellbeing Hub at the meeting.

The Wellbeing Hub will give up to 10,000 people access to integrated health and mental health support, together with other vital community services.

A Veterans Support Centre would provide specialised physical and mental health support for both retired from duty and activeduty Defence personnel, including suicide prevention programs to form a vital component of the project.

Mitchell Council is calling on the State and the Federal Government to invest $23 million to ensure there is 'no wrong door' when accessing support and services in Seymour.

Music 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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Local Photo Flashback

The Council has already committed more than $3 million in land and project costs to make the Hub a reality.

Wedding tragedy

■ Newlyweds Mitchell Gaffney and Madeleine Edsell, whose weekend wedding in NSW's Hunter Valley was touched by a tragic bus accident in which 10 people were killed, grew up in Warrandyte Mitchell attended Warrandyte High School. The couple played sport locally.

$2.1m for roads

■ Mansfield Shire Council’s Resealing and Asphalting Program is now complete with 29.3 kms of roads resealed over the 2022-23 financial year. Total budget for the resealing and asphalting program was $2,144,696, excluding GST.

Mansfield Council is responsible for maintaining 280km of sealed roads across the Shire, however do not maintain arterial roads such as the Jamieson-Woods Point Rd, Midland Highway, Maroondah

and the Mansfield-Whitfield

● ● Cassell’s Garage, High St, Yea. Photo: Yea & Dist. Historical Pages.

● Max Church runs through the 100-game banner at Rebel Park.

Photo: Alexandra Rebels/Facebook

● ● Rebels volunteers at Rotary Park for the Truck Show barbecue.

Photo: Alexandra Rebels/Facebook

✖Police are appealing for public assistance to help locate Mark Fabbri. The 46-year-old is wanted on warrant in relation to failing to appear at court to face driving offences and other matters. Fabbri is described as Caucasian , approximately 170cm tall, with short brown hair and a medium build. He is known to frequent the Eltham and Sunbury areas.

‘Govt. fails on Lake Eildon’

■ The Andrew Labor Government’s failure to properly manage Lake Eildon water levels has left communities along the Goulburn River and its tributaries stressed and fearful, says Eildon MLA Cindy McLeish.

Ms McLeish said that local families are worried about a second major flood event. Lake Eildon is quickly approaching 100 per cent capacity with big inflows during the week.

The last four months have seen above average rainfall, yet the Andrews Government has chosen not to undertake the necessary early releases from Lake Eildon.

Capacity for Goulburn Murray Water to pre-release water has been diminished as surrounding rivers are already breaking their banks, Ms McLeish said.

There are fears that further infill over the coming days will exceed what can be released.

“Time and time again Goulburn Murray Water have ignored community concerns and warnings. They have dropped the ball on communication with locals now left in fear of imminent flooding, rather than understanding the plan for water management,” Ms McLeish said.

The Andrews Government has been repeatedly warned of the potential consequences of increased water levels, she said.

W’sea classic car stolen

■ Whittlesea Crime Investigation Unit is appealing for public assistance after a classic 1970s Ford Fairlane was stolen from a home in Whittlesea.

Detectives believe unknown offenders have gained access to a carport at the rear of the Whittlesea home between April 26 and May 6.

The car, thought to be worth around $25,000, is distinctive in style with its burgundycoloured front left quarter panel, ‘whitewall tyres’ and NSW registration plates.

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✔Former local MLA and Deputy Premier, Pat McNamara, was recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours. He was cited folr significant service to towing, to the Parliament of Victoria, and to the community through a range of roles. The Nagambie man’s involvements have included Rowing Australia, Rowing Victoria, Nagambie Rowing Club, Strath-bogie Shire Waterways Committee, the Shire of Goulburn, and the Victorian Bushfire Appeal. These days he is a walnut farmer.

✔Larry Fallon’s OAM honour follows his work with Kellock Lodge at Alexandra, The Outdoor Education Group, the Bus Association of Victoria, as well as his bus service group which he started in 1976.

?Nillumbik esidents are being asked to keep dogs on leashes and adhere to detour signage at local reserves as Council’s Rabbit Control Program gets underway. The Council says that it uses a non-chemical, non-poison approach by employing a specialist contractor who uses ferreting, netting and warren closure techniques. The program runs throughout June and July at priority bushland reserves across Nillumbik. Reserves are selected based on factors including public usage, protection of biodiversity assets, rabbit numbers, and prior investment in rabbit control. Council also selects reserves where it can achieve a coordinated approach with large adjoining areas owned privately or by other public land managers.

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15,000

The classic 1970s model was being restored by the victim.

Anyone with information or CCTV footage is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make a report online at www.crimestoppersvic. com.au

at Truck Show

■ Some estimates have the weekend’s attendance at the Alexandra Truck, Ute and Rod Show at 15,000, the highest in many years.

UGFM Radio Murrindindi reported that crews moved in at 4am Sunday to start setting up in the dark ready for the 26th show.

Local community groups set up food stalls all over town. There were merchandise stalls along Grant St with around 350 Trucks and 40 Rods and 120 Utes.

The local community radio station was broadcasting live from 10am and spoke with some of the many people at the show.

The traditional Sunday afternoon parade of 320 trucks left Grant street and drivers blasted their horns as they departed.

Alpine eligibility

■ Alpine areas will finally be eligible for a major federal infrastructure grant after successful advocacy from Indi MHR Helen Haines.

Dr Haines said that the Alpine Resorts Victoria Board has now been listed as an eligible organisation under the $600 million Growing Regions Program.

● ● This Ford Fairlane was stolen from Whittlesea.

● ● Mark Fabbri

● ● Daniel Andrews, Premier ● ● Alexandra Truck Show on Sunday Photo; UGFM Radio Murrindindi/Facbeook

● ● ● ● Pat McNamara

SCORES FROM WEEKEND MATCHES

Local Sport Your Stars with Kerry Kulkens

■ There were only a small number of football games played over the King’s Birthday holiday weekend:

■ Eastern Football Netball League. Premier Division. Noble Park 12.15 (87) d Balwyn 6.10 (46).

■ Mornington Peninsula Nepean Football League. Division 1. Sorrento 16.12 (108) d Rosebud 9.15 (69).

■ Outer Eastern. Division 1. Seniors. Alexandra 17.5 (107) d Broadford 4.4 (28).

■ Goulburn Valley Football League. Seniors. Shepparton 16.11 (107) d Benalla 8.4 (52). Kyabram 16.7 (103) d Shepparton Swans 4.13 (37). Mansfield 25.14 (164) d Shepparton United 6.5 (53). Euroa 14.15 (99) d Rochester 7.7 (49). Seymour 13.10 (88) d Tatura 9.9 (63). Echuca 14.9 (93) d Mooroopna 7.8 (50).

Reserves. Shepparton 13.11 (89) d Benalla 2.9 (17). Kyabram 14.8 (920 d

Shepparton Swans 8.10 (58). Mansfield v

Shepparton United. Euroa 14.12 (96) d Rochester 5.6 (36). Seymour 14.11 (95) d Tatura

0.2 (2). Echuca 14.19 (103) d Mooroopna

3.2 (20).

Under 18. Shepparton 10.17 (77) d

Benalla 1.7 (13). Kyabram 9.12 (96) d

Shepparton Swans 5.7 (37). Mansfield 9.67 (60) d Shepparton United 8.6 (54). Rochester 16.18 (114) d Euroa 3.4 (22). Tatura v Seymour. Echuca 5.10 (40) d Mooroopna 5.9 (39).

Fixtures for the next round on Saturday (June 17) are:

■ Victorian Amateur Football Association. Premier Men’s. Old Brighton v Old Xavierians. Caulfield Grammarians v Old Melburnians. University Blacks v Collegians. Old Haileybury v University Blues. St Kevins v Old Scotch.

B-Grade. Beaumaris v De La Salle. Fitzroy v St Bedes/Mentone Tigers. Old Trinity v Old Geelong. Monash Blues v St Bernards. AJAX v Williamstown CYMS.

C-Grade. Old Carey v Ormond. Mazenod OC v Hampton Rovers. Old Ivanhoe Grammarians v PEGS. Old Camberwell Grammarians v Marcellin OC.

Division 1. UHS-VU v Preston Bullants.

Melbournewide

Prahran v Glen Eira. Therry Penola v Kew. West Brunswick v Old Peninsula. Oakleigh v Ivanhoe.

Division 2. Brunswick v Whitefriars. Aquinas v Bulleen-Templestowe. St Mary’s Salesian v Parkside. Old Paradians v MHSOB.

Old Yarra Cobras v South Melbourne Districts.

Division 3. Wattle Park v Power House. Elsternwick v Richmond Central. Swinburne University v La Trobe University. Canterbury v Hawthorn.

Division 4. Masala v Box Hill North. Eley Park v Albert Park. St Johns v North Brunswick.

■ Eastern Football Netball League. Premier Division Seniors. Berwick v East Ringwood. Norwood v Doncaster East. Doncaster v South Croydon. Rowville v Park Orchards. Vermont v Blackburn.

Division 1. Croydon v Lilydale. Beaconsfield v Mitcham. Montrose v Bayswater. North Ringwood v South Belgrave. Wantirna South v Mooroolbark.

Division 2. The Basin v Boronia. East Burwood v Mulgrave. Heathmont v Upper Ferntree Gully. Templestowe v Waverley Blues. Knox v Ringwood.

Division 3. Donvale v Ferntree Gully. Oakleigh District v Fairpark. Silvan v Warrandyte. Whitehorse Pioneers v Coldstream.

Division 4. Chirnside Park v Surrey Park. Kilsyth v Nunawading. Scoresby v Forest Hill. Croydon North MLOC: Bye.

■ Essendon District Football League. Premier Division. Aberfeldie v East Keilor. Greenvale v Airport West. Keilor v Essendon

Doutta Stars. Maribyrnong Park v Strathmore.

Pascoe Vale v Avondale Heights.

Division 1. Craigieburn v St Albans. Hillside v Glenroy. Keilor Park v Deer Park. Roxburgh Park v Westmeadows. Moonee Valley v West Coburg. Rupertswood v Tullamarine.

Division 2. Burnside Heights v Sunbury Kangaroos. Oak Park v Taylors Lakes. East Sunbury v Northern Saints. Hadfield v Coburg Districts.

■ Mornington Peninsula Nepean Football League. Division 1. Red Hill v Dromana. Frankston Bombers v Bonbeach. Frankston YCW v Langwarrin. Mt Eliza v Pines.

Division 2. Chelsea v Somerville. Crib Point v Pearcedale. Devon Meadows v EdithvaleAspendale. Hastings v Karingal.Tyabb v Seaford.

Mornington v Rye.

■ Northern Football Netball League. Division 1. Banyule v Heidelberg. Macleod v Hurstbridge. West Preston Lakeside v Bundoora. North Heidelberg v Montmorency. Whittlesea v Greensborough.

Division 2. Panton Hill v South Morang. Northcote Park v Watsonia. Epping v St Mary’s. Thomastown v Diamond Creek. Lower Plenty v Eltham.

Division 3. Reservoir v Laurimar. Heidelberg West v Lalor. Kilmore v Old Eltham Collegians. Mernda v Fitzroy Stars.

■ Outer Eastern. Premier Division. Woori Yallock v Mt Evelyn. Narre Warren v UpweyTecoma. Pakenham v Gembrook-Cockatoo.

Olinda-Ferny Creek v Monbulk. Wandin: Bye.

Division 1. Hallam v Berwick Springs. Officer v Emerald. Healesville v Seville. Belgrave: Bye.

Division 2. Warburton-Millgrove v Yarra Junction. Powelltown v Alexandra. Brioadfordc v Yarra Glen.

■ Southern Football Netball League. Division 1. Mordialloc v Port Melbourne Colts. Cheltenham v Chelsea Heights. Cranbourne Eagles v St Kilda City. St Paul’s McKinnon v Springvale Districts. Bentleigh v Dingley.

Division 2. East Brighton v East Malvern. Doveton Doves v Black Rock. Hampton Park c Keysborough. Highett v Caulfield Bears. Murrumbeena v Skye.

Division 3. Ashwood v Endeavour Hills. Carrum Patterson Lakes v Heatherton. Narre South Saints v Frankston Dolphins. Lyndhurst v Clayton.

Division 4. Dandenong v South Yarra. Doveton Eagles v South Mornington. Lyndale v Moorabbin Kangaroos. Hampton: Bye.

■ Western Region Football League. Division 1. Altona v Yarraville Seddon Eagles. Caroline Springs v Hoppers Crossing. Point Cook v Point Cook Centrals. Werribee Districts v Spotswood.

Division 2. Parkside v Newport. Albion v Braybrook. Wyndhamvale v Sunshine.

Division 3. Sunshine Heights v West Footscray. Tarneit v Suns. Laverton Magpies v North Sunshine. Albanvale: Bye.

$1 MIL. DRUGS SEIZED, 8 ARRESTS

230-kmh motorcyclist caught

■ Police have arrested a motorcyclist who was allegedly clocked doing more than double the speed limit in Melbourne’s west.

The Police Air Wing was on patrol when they spotted a Suzuki GSX750 travelling at double the 100-kmh speed limit on the Princes Fwy at Hoppers Crossing about 8.40pm Friday (June 9).

The chopper had taken up a monitoring position overhead while guiding members on the ground to the rider’s location as he travelled at alleged speeds of up to 230-kmh.

The rider unknowingly led Police right to his location, pulling up and walking into a Hook St address in Altona Meadows where the 31year-old was arrested.

Police impounded the unregistered motorcycle, which had false registration plates.

The Altona Meadows man was charged with conduct endangering life, speeding, riding while disqualified and other traffic-related offences. He was remanded in custody to appear before a court at a later date.

Teen arrested after Kew burg.

■ Box Hill Divisional Response Unit and Eastern Region Crime Squad detectives have charged a teenager after an aggravated burglary in Kew.

Police have been told that two occupants of a residence on Fellows St woke to hearing footsteps exiting their residence about 5.15am on May 31. It is believed at least three offenders gained access to the residence.

They allegedly stole three sets of car keys, before taking off with a 2021 Black Porsche Cayenne

The allegedly stolen Porsche was later recovered in Doveton on June 5. A 17-year-old Cranbourne North teenager was arrested at an Oates Court residence on June 7.

■ Detectives from the Brimbank Divisional Response Unit have arrested eight people and seized more than $1.2m worth of cannabis plants as part an operation targeting those stealing electricity to manufacture plants.

Detectives executed 13 warrants this week in Brimbank and Melton, identifying nine hydroponic cannabis set ups with three containing a commercial quantity of cannabis.

Some 618 cannabis plants were seized, which is estimated to have a street value in excess of $1.2m.

Police also seized 11 electrical bypass units which were allegedly used to steal electricity, with it being diverted to facilitate the hydroponic set up.

Seven people have been charged with cultivating cannabis and theft of electricity, including:

■ 29-year-old Brookfield man

■ 51-year-old Burnside woman

■ 44-year-old Burnside man

■ 64-year-old Caroline Springs

man

■ 62-year-old Caroline Springs

man

■ 51-year-old Caroline Springs

man

■ 42-year-old Taylors Hill man

Police will continue to make en-

ARIES: (March 21- April 20)

Lucky Colour: Silver

Lucky Day: Monday

Racing Numbers: 2.3.5.6.

Lotto Numbers: 2.15.26.39.34.40.

Some changes that could take you by surprise and most of them should bring increase in your earning power. Problems with communications could prove costly if you rely on them entirely.

TAURUS: (April 21- May 20)

Lucky Colour: Red

Lucky Day: Wednesday

Racing Numbers: 5.6.2.4.

Lotto Numbers: 5.12.26.34.33.1.

You should be feeling better and getting on with your duties but something could be postponed and change your plans somewhat. Busy social life could take its toll if you do not get enough rest.

GEMINI: (May 21- June 21)

Lucky Colour: Mauve

Lucky Day: Tuesday

Racing Numbers: 5.6.2.3.

Lotto Numbers: 5.12.26.37.8.9.

You could be feeling harassed by people who do not really know what they are talking about. Cut yourself off from unnecessary hassle and concentrate on what you want to get on with.

CANCER: (June 22- July 22)

Lucky Colour: Yellow

Lucky Day: Monday

Racing Numbers: 1.2.1.5.

Lotto Numbers: 1.12.26.35.40.33.

Something very intriguing could be happening and you might not know what to do. Trust people who you know are worthy of it but stay out of trouble and away from careless friends.

LEO: (July 23- August 22)

Lucky Colour: Peach

Lucky Day: Friday

Racing Numbers: 2.3.6.2.

Lotto Numbers: 2.12.26.35.40.22.

A very good time to look into your own mind and make up your mind independently from others. Improvements are expected by people who know you well and want your best.

VIRGO: (August 23- September 23)

Lucky Colour: Apricot

Lucky Day: Thursday

Racing Numbers: 5.2.1.3.

Lotto Numbers: 5.12.26.34.22.10.

Very good period romance wise and someone you care about could be taking a special interest in your career matters. Would be wise to be careful in what you say and try to present yourself in a better light.

LIBRA: (September 24- October 23)

Lucky Colour: Blue

Lucky Day: Wednesday

Racing Numbers: 5.3.2.1.

Lotto Numbers: 2.15.5.12.21.22.

You could find something you thought lost forever, many other surprises could be happening during this period and your ability to adapt could become handy. Luck with someone born in June.

SCORPIO: (October 24- November 22)

Lucky Colour: Orange

Lucky Day: Monday

Racing Numbers: 1.6.9.8.

Lotto Numbers: 1.12.26.39.5.44.

Your hunches could pay off during this period and many of your plans for the future could seem that much nearer now. If travel is in your plans make sure everything is above board.

SAGITTARIUS: (November 23- December 20)

Lucky Colour: Lilac

quiries with the eighth person who was arrested.

Those charged have been bailed to appear at court at a later date.

Anyone with information about illicit drug activity is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make a confidential report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au

Brimbank Divisional Response Unit, Detective Senior Sergeant Kylie Snart said: “Detectives from the Brimbank DRU are intent on disrupting the cultivation or manufacturing of illicit drugs in the area, including cannabis crop houses.

“The cultivation of cannabis is dangerous as crop houses are often linked to wider criminal networks that are looking to boost their coffers to fund further offending in our community.

“Crop houses also pose a significant community risk themselves, with a number of well-documented instances of fires in homes that were growing hydroponic cannabis crops.

“We are regularly targeting crop houses through various intelligence means, including regular engagement with energy authorities with abnormalities in the power network and most importantly, reports of suspicious behaviour from the community.”

Lucky Day: Sunday

Racing Numbers: 5.6.8.7.

Lotto Numbers: 5.12.26.34.40.45.

Try not to get involved with someone who will expect you to do something you are not prepared to do. You should be able to solve a problem that has been bothering you for some time.

CAPRICORN: (December 21- January 19)

Lucky Colour: Dark Green

Lucky Day: Monday

Racing Numbers: 5.9.6.1.

Lotto Numbers: 1.12.26.5.44.3.

Good period for financial speculation if you know what you are doing. Domestic matters could cause a problem if you are not prepared to compromise and let bygones be bygones.

AQUARIUS: (January 20- February 19)

Lucky Colour: Red

Lucky Day: Thursday

Racing Numbers: 8.9.1.5.

Lotto Numbers: 8.15.29.37.40.11.

This could be a very profitable time and also good for your career matters but you have to be quick to take advantage of the situation, use your charm to achieve a peaceful solution to a family problem.

PISCES: (February 20- March 20)

Lucky Colour: White

Lucky Day: Saturday

Racing Numbers: 5.9.6.1.

Lotto Numbers: 5.18.24.40.26.33.

You seem to be very busy in your social life and your company is sought by many people. In your working environment you could be asked to do something new and ability to learn will become useful.

WARRANDYTE BY-ELECTION AS SMITH RESIGNS

■ A by-election is to be held for the State electorate of Warrandyte after the sudden and unexpected resignation of Liberal MLA Ryan Smith.

Smith announced his retirement in May after 16 years in Parliament, with effect from July 7

Smith did not tell Liberal Parliamentary Leader John Pesutto of his resignation, with Pesutto instead learning about it through the media.

Smith said that he had “become increasingly uncomfortable with the growing negative tone of politics, both internally and more broadly,” generally interpreted as Smith’s disquiet over Pesutto’s handling of the Moira Deeming-related leadership tensions that embroiled the Victorian Liberal Party in early and mid-2023.

Ryan Smith was first elected at the 2006 Victorian State Election, replacing long-serving member Phil Honeywood who had held the seat since the 1988 election.

Smith would continue to keep Warrandyte as a safe Liberal seat barring the 2018 and 2022 elections where it became marginal following the successes of the Australian Labor Party.

Smith retained the seat at the 2022 election with a two-party-preferred vote of 54.2 per cent, a slight swing from the previous election where

FORM 7

Regulation 16

Land Acquisition and Compensation Act 1986

Notice of Acquisition

Compulsory Acquisition of Interest in Land

The Manningham City Council (ABN 61 498 471 081) of 699 Doncaster Road, Doncaster, Victoria, 3108 (Council) declares that by this notice it acquires the following interests in part of the land described as Lot 3 on Registered Plan of Strata Subdivision 028485N and contained in Certificate of Title Volume 09803 Folio 981:

An easement for drainage purposes over that part of the land marked as ‘E-1’ on the plan of creation of easement (Surveyor’s Ref. 8579-3, Version 1) as depicted below.

Interests Acquired: That of Olivia Tak Ki Chan (registered proprietor) and all other interests.

The acquisition is made pursuant to section 112 of the Local Government Act 2020 for the purpose of the Atkinson Street and McLachlan Street Drainage Project.

A notice of intention to acquire the interest in the land was served on 8 December 2022.

Published with the authority of the Council.

there was a swing of over 7 per cent against him. Following the election of John Pesutto as leader, Smith was dropped from the Shadow Cabinet, having been a shadow minister under Matthew Guy and Michael O'Brien.

The Electoral District of Warrandyte was established in 1976 and has consistently been a safe seat for the Liberal Party except from 1982 to 1988 when it was held by Lou Hill of the Australian Labor Party.

According the 2021 Census, Warrandyte's median age is 43 with a weekly median household income of $2,134 while more than 37 per cent of residents attaining a bachelor's degree or higher.

The district is characterised by the southern banks of the Yarra River, rolling hills, lush greenery, and pockets of bushland.

The electorate includes parts of the municipalities of Manningham, Maroondah, Nillumbik and Yarra Ranges.

It includes sections of suburbs including Chirnside Park, East Doncaster, Donvale, Ringwood North, Warranwood, North Warrandyte, South Warrandyte and Wonga Park.

Last year’s election saw 45,075 votes cast from a total enrolment of 50,951 at the close of rolls. There was an informal vote component of 1582 (3.39 per cent).

This meant there was a 91.57 per cent of the total enrolment having voted (47,657).

Candidates for the 2022 election for Warrandye were:

■ Naomi, Oakley, Australian Labor PartyVictorian Branch, 14,946 first preference votes, 33.16 per cent,

■ Nicola Rae, Animal Justice Party, 1020, 2.26 per cent,

■ Deepak Joshi, Australian Greens, 5283, 11.72 per cent,

■ Richard Vernay, Family First Victoria, 1823, 4.04 per cent,

■ Cynthia Pilli, 659, 1.46 per cent,

■ Ryan Smith, Liberal Party, 21,344, 47.35 per cent.

Mr Smith made these comments upon his resignation:

“It is with mixed emotions that I have informed the Speaker of my intention to resign from the Parliament of Victoria, with my formal resignation date being July 7.

“After over 16 years serving as the Member for Warrandyte, and with a great deal of consideration, I have decided it is time to bring this chapter of my life to a close.

“I have been privileged to hold this role and believe that many who choose this career do so with their communities' best interests in mind.

“However amongst other reasons, I have become increasingly uncomfortable with the growing negative tone of politics, both internally and more broadly.

“My role as a community representative has brought me into contact with an amazing array of people throughout the electorate, and I have valued the opportunity to work with and for them all.

“I have held over a dozen shadow portfolios through the years of Opposition and, again, the stakeholders connected to these have been a pleasure to meet, and I appreciate everything that they took the time to teach me. ●

● ● Continued on Next Page

FORM 7

Regulation 16

Land Acquisition and Compensation Act 1986

Notice of Acquisition

Compulsory Acquisition of Interest in Land

The Manningham City Council (ABN 61 498 471 081) of 699 Doncaster Road, Doncaster, Victoria, 3108 (Council) declares that by this notice it acquires the following interests in part of the land described as Lot 3 on Plan of Subdivision 601435N and contained in Certificate of Title Volume 11177 Folio 461:

An easement for drainage purposes over that part of the land marked as ‘E-1’ on the plan of creation of easement (Surveyor’s Ref. 8579-4, Version 1) as depicted below.

Interests Acquired: That of Seyedali Shamsizadeh and Nazanin Karimnia (registered proprietors) and all other interests.

The acquisition is made pursuant to section 112 of the Local Government Act 2020 for the purpose of the Atkinson Street and McLachlan Street Drainage Project.

A notice of intention to acquire the interest in the land was served on 8 December 2022.

Published with the authority of the Council. For and on behalf of the Council

Name: Andrew Day

Date 18 May 2023

● ● ● ● The Warrandyte state electorate covers parts of the Manningham, Maroondah, Nillumbik and Yarra Ranges municipalities. Map: Victorian Electoral Commission

● Ryan Smith, Warrandyte MLA

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Diana Trask: Memories Are Made Of This

A great CD by one of Australia’s popular singers $20 including postage

Diana Trask was one of the first popular Australian singers to be successful in the USA but soon after many others followed: Helen Reddy, Olivia Newton-John and in recent times Keith Urban. Diana's success began on the Sing Along with Mitch TV Show from New York. Coming back to Australia she had a national hit TV show The Di Trask Show.

Dear Friends, I am so happy and excited to have my CD “Memories Are Made of This” made available to you through The Local Paper. I trust you will enjoy hearing this great selection of wonderful songs I sang on “The Di Trask Show” all those years ago. With love, Diana

1. Memories Are Made of This

2. Unforgettable

3. Alley Cat

4. Que Sera Sera

5. Heather on the Hill

6. Half as Much

7. All or Nothing at All

8. Auf Wiedershen

9. Green Eyes

10. Blues in the Night

11. Hello Young Lovers

12. To the Ends of the Earth

13. Days of Wine and Roses

14. Those Lazy Hazy Crazy Days of Summer

15. Goodnight Irene

16. Comes Love

Simply send the form below. All orders will be dispatched within two working days of cheque/money order clearance. Please include your name/address/phone number, and mail with cheque or money order to Kevin Trask Enterprises.

To: Kevin Trask Enterprises PO Box 200, Canterbury, Vic 3126

Yes! Please send me the CD “Memories Are Made of This” I enclose my Cheque/Money Order for $20.00

Name: .........................................................................................................

Address: ....................................................................................................... .......................................................... Phone: ............................................

$20 including Postage or “Memories Are Made of This” can be purchased from Diana’s website www.dianatrask.com

Nine candidates stand for Liberal pre-selection

● ● From Page 5

Mr Ryan continued: “It is important to recognise former Premiers, Ted Baillieu and Denis Napthine, who allowed me to sit at the Cabinet table with them as Minister for the Environment and Minister for Youth Affairs. I am very grateful for their confidence in me.

“Some further words of thanks -

“Firstly, to my local community - thank you for your support over five election victories.

“My hope is that you believed I did my best to represent you and to be responsive to your needs.

“Whenever the cut and thrust of politics made me question my career choices, spending time in our community always gave me the positive answer why.

“Working as your representative and advocate has been an enormous honour and pleasure.

“To my Parliamentary colleagues - thank you to those who I have worked alongside over the years.

“Particular thanks to those with whom I have developed firm friendships; your companionship and good humour has always been a valued asset.

“To the Liberal Party - I am constantly impressed by the people who make up the mem-

FORM 7

Regulation 16

Land Acquisition and Compensation Act 1986 Notice of Acquisition

Compulsory Acquisition of Interest in Land

The Manningham City Council (ABN 61 498 471 081) of 699 Doncaster Road, Doncaster, Victoria 3108 (Council) declares that by this notice it acquires the following interests in part of the land described as Lot 6 on Plan of Subdivision 027531 and contained in Certificate of Title Volume 08075 Folio 736:

An easement for drainage purposes over that part of the land marked as ‘E-1’ on the plan of creation of easement (Surveyor’s Ref. 8579-2, Version 1) as depicted below.

Interests Acquired: That of Kristy Leanne Munro (registered proprietor) and all other interests.

The acquisition is made pursuant to section 112 of the Local Government Act 2020 for the purpose of the Atkinson Street and McLachlan Street Drainage Project.

A notice of intention to acquire the interest in the land was served on 8 December 2022.

Published with the authority of the Council For and on behalf of the Council Signed: ANDREW DAY

bership of our great Party. Thank you to those who have supported my pre-selections, and to all of those who have put up their hand to help me and the Party right across the state.

“Whether it be handing out How to Vote cards or nominating to be a candidate, you are the foundation of our movement. I ask you to never forget our values and principles and to remind those who do.

“To the press -Thank you for the relationship we have had. I have found the vast majority of you to be honest, forthright and fair. You are an integral part of the political process and I welcome your increased willingness to scrutinise those matters which need a light shone on them.

“To my many supporters and friends - Thank you for everything you have done to support my campaigns, for your wise counsel and your faith in me.

“To my staff -These are the people at our Electorate Offices' frontline, the ones who make the first impression which are pivotal to how we are viewed by our community.

“I could not have asked for better,” Mr Smith said.

“Thank you to all those who have worked with me over the years, but particular thanks to those who are working with me now.

“Helen, who was been with me from the beginning and who has been a treasured confidante.

“Marty, whose good humour and patience when dealing with our constituents has made him an invaluable part of our team. Antonietta, whose infectious enthusiasm always brightens our day.

“Thank you to each of you.

“Finally, a special thank you to my wife, Avril, and my children, Brodie and Jaime. My son was one when I entered politics and my daughter was born into it.

“I am exceedingly proud of both of them and they have been, not only the lift I need when I get home, but a big reason why I work to try to make things better for our community.

“Avril -Thank you for supporting me on this journey, which is just a part of our lives together. I could not have asked for a better companion through these years, and I am looking forward to the next stage of our lives together.

“I wish the next Member for Warrandyte the very best of luck and remain optimistic that the contest of ideas will ultimately provide Victoria with its best days ahead,” Mr Smith said.

Accordintg to online pundits, nine candidates have nominated for the Liberal Party preselection. The candidates include:

■ Andrew Conlon, councillor for the City of Manningham

■ Antonietta di Cosmo, electorate officer for Smith

■ David Farrelly, candidate for Pakenham in 2022

■ Jason McClintock, candidate for Eltham in

2022

■ Sarah Overton, a director for professiona services firm KPMG

■ John Roskam, former executive director o the Institute of Public Affairs

■ Jemma Townson, former electorate office for Katie Allen and Matthew Guy

■ Allison Troth, former electorate officer fo John Howard

■ Nicole Ta-Ei Werner, candidate for Box Hil in 2022

There was also speculation that Tim Smith the former MP for Kew would stand fo preselection but no nominations were received on the cutoff date of last Wednesday (June 7).

Other speculated candidates for included 2022 candidates Lucas Moon (Richmond) and Cynthia Watson (Ringwood) as well as Caroline Inge, Federal Vice-President of the Libera Party.

Independent Angelo von Moller, a nephew of Simon Holmes à Court is reportedly considering standing for the electorate. Holmes à Cour is the founder and convenor of Climate 200, a political funding organisation that has funded "teal independents" candidates such as Monique Ryan in blue-ribbon electorates at several elections including the 2022 Australian federal election and subsequent 2022 state election.

FORM 7

Regulation 16

Land Acquisition and Compensation Act 1986

Notice of Acquisition

Compulsory Acquisition of Interest in Land

The Manningham City Council (ABN 61 498 471 081) of 699 Doncaster Road, Doncaster, Victoria, 3108 (Council) declares that by this notice it acquires the following interests in part of the land described as Lot 7 on Plan of Subdivision 027531 and contained in Certificate of Title Volume 08053 Folio 005:

An easement for drainage purposes over that part of the land marked as ‘E-1’ on the plan of creation of easement (Surveyor’s Ref. 8579-1, Version 1) as depicted below.

Interests Acquired: That of Gregory Edmund Hodson and Jillianne Helena Hodson (registered proprietors) and all other interests. The acquisition is made pursuant to section 112 of the Local Government Act 2020 for the purpose of the Atkinson Street and McLachlan Street Drainage Project.

A notice of intention to acquire the interest in the land was served on 8 December 2022.

Published with the authority of the Council. For and on behalf of the Council

● ● ● ● Jason McClintock, 2022 Eltham candidate, is standing for pre-selection.

60 billion leaf litter invertebrates died in Black Summer fires

■ The Black Summer megafires engulfing south-eastern Australia in 2019–2020 were so intense they burned habitats rarely exposed to fire, such as southern warm temperate rainforest. These rainforests range from East Gippsland in Victoria up to just south of Sydney. Usually, they stay moist enough to prevent major fires. But in that unprecedented summer of fire, 80,000 hectares burned. Our new research estimates more than 60 billion invertebrates in the soil and leaf litter died too.

While our hearts went out to the burned koalas and kangaroos, this was a silent tragedy. These tiny creatures are enormously important in ecosystems. They eat dead leaves, create rich soil, and provide a key food source for bandicoots and lyrebirds. Many species have very small ranges, putting them at real risk of decline or even extinction from fire.

As renowned naturalist E. O. Wilson once said, invertebrates are the “the little things that run the world”. But because they are small and out of sight, we still underestimate their significance in ecosystems and their contribution to Australia’s biodiversity. They’re all but forgotten when ecological disasters strike. How did we find out how many invertebrates died?

In warm temperate rainforests, there’s a layer of moist leaf litter which is home to an abun-

FORM 7

Heloise Gibb, Professor, La Trobe University, and Nick Porch, Senior Lecturer in Environmental Earth Science, Deakin University

dance of ancient lifeforms. These include the macroinvertebrates big enough to see with the naked eye, such as velvet worms, snails, land hoppers, millipedes, slaters and beetles.

Many of these groups include species with very small ranges, putting them at particular risk from bushfire and other changes to their environments.

The fires incinerated much of the leaf litter and its inhabitants. To find out the toll on these creatures, a year after the fires we set out to collect leaf litter samples from 52 temperate rainforest sites ranging from Buchan in East Gippsland, Victoria, to Nowra in New South Wales, across the lands of the Kurnai, Bidawal and Yuin people. Then we compared sites subject to medium and high severity fires with those that had escaped the fire. Back in the lab, we ran the samples through Tullgren funnels, which sort leaves from creatures, then counted the macroinvertebrates. We

Regulation 16

Land Acquisition and Compensation Act 1986 Notice of Acquisition

Compulsory Acquisition of Interest in Land

The Manningham City Council (ABN 61 498 471 081) of 699 Doncaster Road, Doncaster, Victoria, 3108 (Council) declares that by this notice it acquires the following interests in part of the land described as Lot 2 on Plan of Subdivision 027531 and contained in Certificate of Title Volume 08052 Folio 722:

An easement for drainage purposes over that part of the land marked as ‘E-1’ on the plan of creation of easement (Surveyor’s Ref. 8579-5, Version 1) as depicted below.

Interests Acquired: That of Lorenzo Larosa and Mirella Erminia Rao (registered proprietors) and all other interests.

The acquisition is made pursuant to section 112 of the Local Government Act 2020 for the purpose of the Atkinson Street and McLachlan Street Drainage Project.

A notice of intention to acquire the interest in the land was served on 8 December 2022.

Published with the authority of the Council.

● ● ● ● Temperate rainforests such as those in East Gippsland are not used to intense fire. Joshua Grubb, Author provided

FORM

7

Regulation 16

Land Acquisition and Compensation Act 1986

Notice of Acquisition

Compulsory Acquisition of Interest in Land

The Manningham City Council (ABN 61 498 471 081) of 699 Doncaster Road, Doncaster, Victoria, 3108 (Council) declares that by this notice it acquires the following interests in part of the land described as Lot 1 on Title Plan 243223K and contained in Certificate of Title Volume 08323 Folio 741:

An easement for drainage purposes over that part of the land marked as ‘E-1’ on the plan of creation of easement (Surveyor’s Ref. 8579-6, Version 1) as depicted below.

Interests Acquired: That of Luke Ricardo Ralli (registered proprietor) and all other interests.

The acquisition is made pursuant to section 112 of the Local Government Act 2020 for the purpose of the Atkinson Street and McLachlan Street Drainage Project.

A notice of intention to acquire the interest in the land was served on 8 December 2022.

Published with the authority of the Council.

excluded the tiny springtails and mites, which are hugely abundant mesoinvertebrates. We found every hectare of unburnt rainforest had 2.5 million litter macroinvertebrates, while severely burnt forests had a quarter as many.

If we look at all temperate rainforest burned at different severities across the south-east tha means 60 billion tiny deaths. But of all the fores that burned during that summer, rainforests made up only about 1%. The total loss might be closer to 6 trillion individuals. Then to get to truly extraordinary numbers, we can include mites and springtails which account for around 95% of individual invertebrates. That would give us an estimate of 120 trillion.

Why are these tiny creatures so important?

Invertebrates account for fully 99% of all animal species and most of the weight of animals on the planet. Renowned Australian scientis Baron Robert May is famously quoted as saying “to a good approximation, all species are insects”. Even now, an estimated 70% of al Australian invertebrate species remai n undescribed. Many will go extinct before we have time to document them.

Although we know little of the ecology of most invertebrate species, collectively we know they play crucial roles in ecosystems. Losing this rich food source is likely to slow the recovery of key ecosystem engineers such as lyre birds and bandicoots, which turn over large volumes of dirt in search of them.

When we try to replant forests without invertebrates, many plants and trees struggle. That’s why conservationists are using leaf litter transplants to move vital invertebrates from healthy forests to new ones.

These critters are a vital way nutrients cycle through our forests by breaking down leaves and other organic matter. Globally, they’re directly responsible for converting about 40% of all leaf litter into soil. By turning over leaves or shredding them into pieces, they make it possible for microbes to help decompose organic matter Without this work, leaf litter would begin to pile up, setting the scene for more fires.

When we lose billions or trillions of invertebrates, we may see the area become more susceptible to future fires.

More frequent fires means slower decomposition, which means leaf litter builds up more rapidly. This might be a direct effect of the loss of invertebrates due to fire.

We found the most damaging fires were those where almost all of the canopy was burned These intense treetop fires killed off three to four times as many invertebrates as fires where only half of the canopy burned.

That’s good news, as it suggests species can tolerate fires, as long as some litter habitat is left. Recovery efforts should focus on the sites where the most canopy burned.

In the wake of fires, rainforest species risk getting pushed out by surrounding eucalyptus trees, which are better at tolerating fire – and encourage more fires by dropping large volumes of litter.

You might think bugs can easily bounce back as the rainforest regrows. But recolonisation doesn’t always happen. Land hoppers, millipedes and isopods (slaters) can be extremely abundant in leaf litter, but none of them can fly to a new location. The dry forest between two sheltered rainforest gullies is so hostile to invertebrates like land hoppers that they can die in minutes when removed from their moist homes

What can we do?

The future holds more fire, as the world heats up. How can we protect these vital invertebrates? One method is to make their habitats better connected wherever possible. Another is to rewild with minibeasts, seeding severely burn sites with healthy litter invertebrates from nearby unburnt rainforests.

For and on behalf of the Council

Signed: ANDREW DAY

Name: Andrew Day

Date 18 May 2023

For and on behalf of the Council

Signed: ANDREW DAY

Name: Andrew Day

Date 18 May 2023

While we can calculate the numbers of individuals lost to fire, we don’t know much abou whether the fires caused extinctions because many species are still unknown to science.

We can no longer overlook these minibeasts and the vital roles they play in ecosystems. We would miss them if they were gone.

School Holiday Fun

● Hello! We're the Wiggles will be Live in Concert at Hamer Hall.

■ Arts Centre Melbourne presents its Winter Families and Children Program – with a variety of family-friendly experiences running right through the holidays from June 24 to July 9.

Kids can choose their own adventure and bring their parents along for the ride. The program will span multiple venues, with the Playhouse, Hamer Hall and The Channel becoming home to dancing, opera, artistic workshops, trickery and more

Roald Dahl’s tale of gruesome twosome

The Twits will be brought to life at Arts Centre Melbourne’s Playhouse from June 27 –July 1. Packed with Dahlicious mischief and mayhem, this classic will not only provide ‘lols through the school hols’ but encourage everyone to treat others with love and care.

For family-friendly opera, Parrwang Lifts the Sky will finally have its world premiere to a live audience after the 2021 Victorian Opera performances were cancelled as a result of the pandemic. Created by acclaimed Yorta Yorta/Yuin soprano, composer and artistic director Deborah Cheetham Fraillon, this opera is based on an original story from Wadawurrung Country told to the children of the Wathaurong by community Elder, the late Uncle David Tournier. Featuring some of Australia’s finest operatic talent including First Nations artists Shauntai Sherree, Jessica Hitchcock with Cheetham Fraillon herself and members of the Dhungala Children’s Choir, Parrwang Lifts the Sky runs at the Playhouse from July 7– 8.

Discover an imaginary world of giants, hairy creatures and flying things in the return season of The Grumpiest Boy in the World – presented by Victorian Opera, and featuring a score from Joseph Twist, known for his musical direction on hit children’s TV show, Bluey, alongside Sidney Myer Fellowship librettist and children’s author, Finegan Kruckemeyer. For children and parents alike, from June 23 – 24.

Hello! We're the Wiggles Live in Concert - Hot on the heels of their ARIA win for ‘Best Live Act’, The Wiggles are bringing their allsinging, all-dancing hit show to Hamer Hall. Joining Anthony, Tsehay, Simon, Lachy, Caterina, Lucia, Evie and John on stage are favourite characters, Captain Feathersword, Dorothy the Dinosaur, Wags the Dog, Henry the Octopus, Shirley Shawn the Unicorn and Bok the Hand Puppet. Three performances on Monday, June 26.

At Academy at Arts Centre Melbourne, budding creatives can participate in workshops at Arts Centre Melbourne’s learning lab, The Channel. These hands-on learning experiences are completely free and offer high achieving students from years 4-12 access to industry professionals and to discover how to bring their own identity to their artistic practice. Students will have the opportunity to take workshops in theatre making, improvisation, character development, song writing, dance, choreography and more, ensuring they have the inspiration and tools to take back to school and beyond.

Families can explore their love for music even further at the Australian Music Vault, a free exhibition open to all from 10am – 5pm daily. Developed by Arts Centre Melbourne in consultation with the music industry, the immersive exhibition celebrates Australian contemporary music and showcases iconic objects from Arts Centre Melbourne’s Australian Performing Arts Collection. Take the family and be in awe of the stories, costumes and instruments from legendary music figures and current icons like Kylie Minogue, Olivia Newton-John, Nick Cave, John Farnham, Molly Meldrum, Missy Higgins and many more. www.artscentremelbourne.com.au

Talk is cheap, gossip is priceless

BLOOMSDAY IN MELB.

■ Bloomsday in Melbourne announces the Victorian première of James Joyce’s only play, Exiles (1918), presented from June 15-25 at fortyfivedownstairs.

This rarely seen play, in Bloomsday’s crisp new adaptation, challenges conventional sexual morality.

“It took a crucial revival by Harold Pinter in 1970-71 and subsequent triumphs in London and New York in 2006 for audiences to begin to grasp its true subversiveness,” says Bloomsday’s Artistic Director, Frances DevlinGlass.

“These productions highlighted the play’s dark humour, its unspoken psychological menace and darker motivations.

“Exiles was belatedly recognised as a new kind of theatre, quite different from the wellmade and morality-focussed plays of Ibsen.’

Long before free love, polyamory, homoeroticism, bisexuality and Thruppledom, there was Exiles

Far ahead of its time, it updates the nineteenth-century adultery triangle, presenting not one but two sets of potential partner exchanges, and an additional homoerotic undercurrent.

It is said to prompt the questions: when experimental individuals in a repressed culture untether themselves from sexual conventions, what gives? What are the limits to freedom in love? What are the dangers?

Director Carl Whiteside says he is intrigued by the energy of the play. “We’ve stripped away the conventional trappings to reveal a gutsy, passionate piece that is as relevant today as when it was written – perhaps more so.”

Bloomsday in Melbourne is proud of 30 years of James Joyce-inspired theatre and bringing to thousands of Australian theatre-goers the wit and edginess of Joyce’s writing.

Performance Details: June 15-25. Tues.-Sat. 7.30pm, Sun. 5pm

Venue: fortyfivedownstairs, 45 Flinders Lane, Melbourne

Duration: 120 minutes

Tickets: $45-$30

Bookings: 9662 9966 or www.fortyfive downstairs.com

- Cheryl Threadgold

Shakespeare In Love

■ William Shakespeare is in a pickle. He has money woes and writers’ block. Shall I compare thee to a …what?

He writes and acts for Philip Henslowe, owner of the Rose Theatre but Henslowe is up to his ruff in debt and Will wants to sell his new play to Henslowe’s rival, actor and Curtain Theatre owner, Richard Burbage. What a to-do.

Enter Viola. She’s beautiful, rich – and stagestruck. Alas, women aren’t permitted to act – all female parts are played by men. Viola moons about spouting sonnets and Shakespearean dialogue.

Auditions are held for Will’s as-yet-unwritten play, Romeo and Ethel, the Pirate’s Daughter’. Amongst the motley auditionees, one pearl amongst the swill is ‘Thomas Kent’, a handsome young fellow who wins the part of Romeo

Of course, ‘Thomas Kent’ is Viola and inevitably she and Will fall passionately but secretly in love. All (almost) ends well. Viola flees from her new husband, Lord Wessex to the Curtain Theatre to perform Juliet to Will’s Romeo on opening night (it’s complicated).

Queen Elizabeth prevents impending closure of the play and though she’s enjoyed it, requests something ‘cheerful’ next time – and a dog.

The staging was effective - a raised dais stage right and two storied scaffolding stage left. Costumes were stunning and music enhanced the drama with some beautiful a cappella arrangements.

There were too many actors to mention, but all parts (including a ‘dog’) were well portrayed. Lucas Rindt was an elegant Kit Marlowe. Josh Graham (William Shakespeare) and Chelsea Rabl (Viola de Lesseps) were astonishing; they looked fabulous together and their acting was sublime.

● Doug Lyons and Lucy Payne in James Joyce's Exiles at fortyfivedownstairs.

This witty play suggests Shakespeare’s life circumstances provided the inspiration for his famous tragedy. Viola, her nurse, and thwarted love, mirror the future Romeo and Juliet Shakespeare in Love, by Lee Hall, adapted from the screenplay by Tom Stoppard and Marc Norman, was presented by Monash University Student Theatre (MUST) at Alexander Theatre, and under Yvonne Virik’s direction, was an excellent, hilarious production.

- Review by Juliet Charles

Just a Boy, Standing in Front of a Girl

■ Melbourne playwright Jane Miller and director Beng Oh return to fortyfivedownstairs with their latest collaborative work Just a Boy, Standing in Front of a Girl from June 30 to July 9.

Described as 'a Medea for our times', Just a Boy, Standing in Front of a Girl is a tragicomic take on the legendary relationship between J and M, from teenage romance to domestic nightmare.

The creators of successful productions such as The Yellow Wave and Cuckoo, Miller and Oh are this time presenting a savage and subversive re-imagining of events surrounding a classic text.

This contemporary parable of the patriarchy shows what happens when you're smart, strong and female.

Just a Boy, Standing in Front of a Girl will be performed by Hudson Emery, Sophie Lampel, Annie Lumsden, Gabriel Partington and Glenn van Oosterom.

The show is developed with the support of Hothouse Theatre's A Month in the Country; the original production was presented in 2018 at La Mama Courthouse.

Performance Details: June 30 - July 9 (Preview June 29) Tues-Sat 7.30pm, Sun 5pm

Venue: fortyfivedownstairs, 45 Flinders lane, Melbourne. Duration: 90 minutes. Tickets: $45 -$30. Bookings: 9662 9966 or www.fortyfivedownstairs.com

- Cheryl Threadgold

The Dress

■ Essence Theatre Productions present a return of The Dress, on June 29, July 1 and July 2 at historic Werribee Park Mansion

The Dress is set in 1899. Mrs Hannah Bryden, a widow, enjoys nothing save for the occasional company of her dressmaker, the flamboyant Mr Bertin. But when massive advances in the fashion industry jeopardise Bertin's livelihood, he hatches a plan to save both of them from obscurity. Hannah must launch herself once more as one of Melbourne's leading socialites at an upcoming masquerade ball in the most jaw-dropping fashion statement Berlin has ever created. Two unlikely allies racing to regain their spark of life.

Performers include Alaine Beek and Scott Jackson, with cellist Patrick Schnur. Performance Details: June 29 - July 1 at 8pm, July 2 at 7pm. Location: Werribee Park Mansion, K Road, Werribee South. Bookings: www.essencetheatre.productions

What’s On

Male Welsh Choir

■ The Australian Welsh Male Choir based on the Mornington Peninsula have performed in many parts of the world including Wales, England, Scotland, Ireland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan but most of all, love to sing here in Victoria.

Join the choir on Saturday, June 24, at the Edge Theatre in Federation Square at 7.30pm on Saturday, June 24, where the Choir will be joined by the award-winning Darebin CityPreston Brass Band for an evening of their favourite music.

‘Men of Harlech’ will accompanied by a brass band. This will be a celebration of music from Wales and around the world, directed by the choir's renowned Music Director, Tom Buchanan.

Australian Welsh Male Choir representative Ian Mackie says: “We love meeting our audiences, Join with us after our performance at the Edge Bar. Meet with our choristers and musicians and experience a great Welsh music tradition, the ‘afterglow’. It will be a night you won’t forget”

The Australian Welsh Male Choir, are renowned for their harmonies and performances. The choir is heading for its 50th birthday next year and ‘Bold as Brass’ is the first of several concerts they are performing leading up to their exciting ‘50th Birthday Outback Tour’ in 2024.

The choir’s Outback Tour by bus will include performances in towns right across Australia, at places that probably have never heard a Welsh choir before.

They will sing in pubs, community halls, village greens and sharing music with many indigenous communities along the way. The choir will also perform at the Desert Song Festival in Alice Springs, in Canberra where they will perform at Parliament House and finally at the Sydney Opera House before returning home to Melbourne.

Tickets online: www.eventbright/ australianwelsh/boldasbrass

Metro Comic Con

■ Metro Comic Con is coming to the Melbourne Showgrounds on July8-9, and bringing with it a showcase of pop culture, stars of the big and small screen, talented artists and family-friendly fun.

Guests already announced for the first event are: actors Henry Thomas (E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial), Dee Wallace (E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial), Kim Coates (Sons of Anarchy), Tommy Flanagan (Sons of Anarchy), Vico Ortiz (Our Flag Means Death), Harvey Guillén (What We Do in the Shadows), Brendan Fehr (Roswell) and Katy O’Brian (The Mandalorian)

Also appearing are voice actor Daman Mills (Dragon Ball Super, Fighting Fantasy VII Remake), writers Andrew Constant, Christopher Sequeira and Jason Franks, iIllustrators and comic artists Glenn Fabry, Dr. Paul Mason, Nicola Scott, Daniel Picciotto, Jon Sommariva, Jamie Johnson, Dillon Naylor, W. Chew 'Chewie' Chan, David Dunstan, Jason Palmer and Mike McKone.

From Indigiverse Comics are co-founder, Benny Eggmolesse; artist Katie HoughtonWard; writer Scott Wilson.

Gestalt Comics: Editor-in-Chief, Wolfgang Bylsma; Editor and writer, Gary Proudley; artist, Trev Wood; artist, Jake Bartok; artist, Mitch Collins.

The event will feature Q&A sessions, informative panels, photo and autograph opportunities, and appearances by local and international stars. All this will be alongside an array of pop culture exhibitors, activities, cosplay opportunities, fan and professional artist stalls, merchandise and more.

Spectacular

■ Te 2023 Victorian State Schools Spectacular returns for its annual extravaganza for two shows on Saturday, September 9, at 1pm and 6:30pm at John Cain Arena

Tickets to this year’s Victorian State Schools Spectacular are on sale now at www.ticketek.com.au/spectacular

More than 2000 Victorian students are on an extraordinary eight-month creative journey, culminating in the shows.

- Cheryl Threadgold

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Local Theatre Observations

Shows

■ Mordialloc Theatre Company: Summer of the Seventeenth Doll (by Ray Lawler) June 16 – July 1 at the Shirley Burke Theatre, 64 Parkers Rd., Parkdale. Director: Martin Gibbs. Bookings: 9587 5141 www.mordialloc theatre.com

■ Babirra Music Theatre:All Shook Up Until June 18 at the Karralyka Centre, Ringwood. Bookings: https:// aukarralyka.sales.ticketsearch.com

■ Beaumaris Theatre: Beaumariscal (Celebrating 20 years of music at Beaumaris Theatre) June 23 – July 2 at 82 Wells Rd., Beaumaris. Artistic Director: Danny Forward: Director: Debbie Keyt: Musical Director: Rhonda Vaughan; Choreographer: Camilla Klesman. Bookings: www.beaumaristheatre. com.au

■ Williamstown Little Theatre: Continental Quilt (Joan Greening) June 28 – July 15 at 5Albert St., Williamstown. Director: Les Hart. Bookings: www.wlt.org.au

■ Theatrical. : The Wizard of Oz, June 29 (Preview), June 30-July 9 at the National Theatre, St Kilda. Director Kim Davidson. Bookings: www.nationaltheatre.org.au

■ Leongatha Lyric Theatre: The Producers, Musical. June 30 – July 15 at the Leongatha Memorial Hall. Director: Dan Lawrie. Bookings: www.leongathalyric. com.au

■ Malvern Theatre Company: The Whales of August (by David Berry) June 23 – July 8 at 29 Burke Rd., Malvern East. Director: Loretta Bishop. www.malverntheatre.com.au

■ Encore Theatre Company: The Popular Mechanicals (by Keith Robinson, Tony Taylor and William Shakespeare) July 14 – 22 at the Clayton Community Centre, Cooke St., Clayton. Director: Andrew Ferguson. Bookings: www.encoretheatre.com.au

■ PEP Productions: Life Without Me (by Daniel Keene) July 21 – 29 at the Doncaster Playhouse, 679 Doncaster Rd., Doncaster. Director: Jeremy Guzman. Bookings: https:/ /www.trybooking.com/CINNB

■ Heidelberg Theatre: My Old Lady (by Israel Horovitz), June 30–July 15 at 36 Turnham Ave., Rosanna. Director: Maureen McInerney. Bookings: www.htc.org.au/.

■ PLOS Musical Productions: Strictly Ballroom,(Musical) July 28-August 5 at the Frankston Arts Centre, Davey St., Frankston. Bookings: https://plos.asn.au/.

■ Aspect Inc: Stage Door (Edna Ferber and George S Kaufman) July 20 – 29 at the Shirley Burke Theatre, 64 Parkers Rd., Parkdale. Director: Candice Mitrousis. Bookings:

Auditions

■ Phoenix Theatre Company: Urinetown

June 11-13. Director: Renee Maloney; Musical Director: Simon D'Aquino; Choreographers: Renee Maloney and Natalie Krizmanic. Audition bookings and further details: www.phoenixtheatrecompany.org

■ Torquay Theatre Troupe: Tartuffe (by Molière) June 13 at 7pm and June 17 at 2pm at the Shoestring Playhouse, 77 Beach Rd., Torquay (net door to the Australian National Surfing Museum). Director: Zina Carman. Audition enquiries: zinacarman@gmail.com

■ Heidelberg Theatre Company: Cosi (by Louis Nowra) July 2 from 6pm and July 3 from 7pm at 36 Turnham Rd., Rosanna. Director: Bruce Akers. Audition enquiries: bwakers27@hotmail.com

■ Williamstown Little Theatre: Agnes of God (by John Pielmeier) July 2 at 12.30pm and July 3 at 7.30pm at 2-4 Albert St., Williamstown. Director: Deborah Fabbro. Audition enquiries: orbbaf@ozemail.com.au or 0416 141 838

■ The Basin Theatre Group: Belles (by Mark Dunn) July 16 at 2pm, July 17 at 7pm at The Basin Theatre, Cnr Doongalla and Simpson Rds., The Basin. Director: LB Bradley. Audition enquiries: LNBRAD@ hotmail.com

■ Brighton Theatre Company: Here I Belong (by Matt Hartley) July 16 at 6pm, July 17 at 7.30pm at the Brighton Arts and Cultural Centre, Cnr. Wilson and Carpenter St., Brighton. Director: Barbara Crawford. Audition enquiries: barbaracrawford4@gmail.com or call 0414 881 844

- Cheryl Threadgold

STRICTLY BALLROOM

■ Rehearsals are well under way for PLOS Musical Productions' July-August season of the all -Australian musical Strictly Ballroom The Musical, which will open at the Frankston Arts Centre on July 28 for a limited season.

Strictly Ballroom The Musical is the inspiring story of a championship ballroom dancer who defies all the rules to follow his heart.

This uplifting and courageous tale originated as a stage play that Baz Luhrmann created as a student at the National Institute of Dramatic Arts in Sydney back in 1984.

Mitchell Smith will star as Scott Hastings in PLOS's show, while cast in the role of Fran is Guada Bañez.

Baz Luhrmann’s Strictly Ballroom The Musical includes songs such as Love Is In The Air, Time After Time and Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps. Along with new musical numbers written by among others, including Eddie Perfect.

Performance Details: July 28 for a limited season

Venue: Frankston Arts Centre, Davey St., Frankston

Tickets available www.plos.asn.au

- Cheryl Threadgold

The Culture

■ The Culture, a new Australian play by Laura Jackson, is performing at Theatre Works Explosive Factory as part of an Australian and New Zealand tour.

Presented by Sydney based theatre company Powersuit Productions, The Culture is a story about deep and enduring friendship and the pitfalls ... and sometimes dangers, of finding love in a modern world.

Set in Sydney, Australia, the play follows the story of best friends Katie and Will who are roommates, childhood friends, podcast hosts and very single.

The Culture tackles their search for romantic love and demonstrates that sometimes even those with the strongest convictions can lose themselves easily in complex new relationships.

Their two very different experiences as a gay man, and a straight white woman take them through falling in love, the complexities of handling domestic violence with a loved one and ultimately test their friendship.

The warmth and intimate banter between two best friends welcomes audiences into Will and Katie’s living room and into an important wider conversation.

The cast includes Laura Jackson and Mina Asfour, with direction by Bethany Caputo

Laura Jackson says: 'We're not afraid to tackle some tough issues including domestic violence, homophobia, and disordered eating, but at its heart this is a story about friendship. About support. About looking out for the people we love. We’re also addressing important themes with a light touch. Expect lots of laughs, a few surprises, and an ending that packs a punch.”

Performance Details: Until June 17 at 7.30pm

Venue: Theatre Works Explosives Factory, 67 Inkerman St, St Kilda

Duration: 75 minutes, no interval

Bookings: https://www.theatreworks.org.au/ 2023/the-culture

- Cheryl Threadgold

Bleached

■ Wit Incorporated Theatre presents Bleached, opening on June 22 at the Bluestone Church Arts Space, Footscray.

Written by Melbourne playwright Laura Collins and described as 'an absurd and revolutionary new work speculating on a future ravaged by a climate catastrophe, Bleached is directed by Ruby Rees.

Laura Collins says: “My intention in writing Bleached was to explore our responses to environmental guilt.

“By portraying a dark vision of the future, where nations and individuals have cut themselves off from the rest of the world and are plunged into a never-ending lockdown, I want to inspire proactive action, and shake a progressive audience out of its collective apathy and moral paralysis.”

Wit Incorporated commits to bringing high-

Eisteddfod comedy

■ For aspiring young performers, eisteddfods (performing arts competitions) are a great way to hone their performance skills and compete against other talented singers, musicians, actors or dancers, just as their peers do in athletic competitions.

The process can be a lot of fun, and young performers often make longstanding friendships, but if performers or parents lose the spirit of generosity and support, they can develop into cutthroat competitions.

quality theatre to Melbourne’s West. Rees has assembled a cast of six featuring Lansy Feng, Madeleine Magee-Carr, Megan Mitchell, Sass Pinci, Anthony Pontonio and Eva Rees.

The set will be created using recycled materials with lighting and set headed up by Oliver Ross (Trophy Boys) and Moya Lucy (Dogfight).

Performance Details:

■ June 22 - July 1 at 7.30pm at the Bluestone Church Arts Space, 8A Hyde St., Footscray. June 25 at 3pm, Relaxed and Auslan interpreted show. ■ July 14 at 7.30pm at The Bowery Theatre, 33 Princess Street, St Albans. Bookings: www.witinc.com.au

- Cheryl Threadgold

Animal Farm

■ Darebin Arts Speakeasy presents Animal Farm by independent theatre company Bloomshed, from July 12 - 23 at the Northcote Town Hall Arts Centre.

Bloomshed's iteration of the famous Orwell fable Animal Farm has been fine-tuned and redeveloped, mixing big political ideas with entertaining and accessible storytelling, all combined to create a satirical mix of dance breaks, physical comedy, and confetti.

The original tale by George Orwell is set on Manor Farm near Willingdon, England where the farm animals are ripened for rebellion against Farmer Jones after many years of neglect.

Taking inspiration from the tale, Bloomshed’s adaptation of Animal Farm is set in rural Australia. The farm animals have reneged on a contract with the government and the complexities of our political system come to light in this reanimated comedic classic.

Lead by Creative Director, James Jackson, Animal Farm by Bloomshed brings a lighthearted quality to the traditionally dark tale while addressing the larger issues at hand within the Australian political system.

Since its inception in 2014, Bloomshed have created 11 new and adapted works, presenting at DarebinArts Speakeasy, Common Rooms x Melbourne Fringe, Theatre Works, Blue Room Theatre, Old 505, Platform Arts, The Butterfly Club, The Wedge, and La Mama Theatre.

Bloomshed examines major political issues that attend our era: climate change, class inequality, and corporate greed.

They are continually in a dialogue about new ways to reach our audience and empower communities to enact positive change.

Performance Details:

Northcote Town Hall Arts Centre

July 12-23

Wed .– Sat. 7.30pm, Sun. 5pm

- Cheryl Threadgold

Playwright Noel Fidge had a wealth of experience of being taken to piano, singing and acting eisteddfods as a child by his ambitious mother, and this has given him great raw material to develop his new play, called, of course, The Eisteddfod, which he has directed and is co-produced by eminent mezzosoprano Sally-Anne Russell

So what’s the plot? A group of aspiring young singers of ‘serious’ music, particularly Art songs, visit Tanya and Robert Gibson to rehearse songs written by a deceased composer.

Robert is regarded as the premier expert performer of these songs, and a close associate of the composer, whilst Tanya, his wife, is by far the composer’s favourite accompanist, and is recognised as the candidates’ best chance to advance in the eisteddfod featuring his songs.

What starts off as a simple rehearsal session turns into a tale of revelations, revenge and intrigue, and bombshells await.

Starring classical singers Sophie Bissett, Alex Owens, Lucy Schneider and Raymond Khong, they are accompanied at the piano by Elyane Laussade.

Author Fidge says the play with songs is meant for people who would relate to the experience of an eisteddfod, but also for people who enjoy a decent play and song in the Art Song or Lieder style.

“Audiences will love it because The Eisteddfod is a bitter sweet comedy involving four actor singers and a virtuoso pianist actor. The songs are all refreshingly new in the genre of art song accompanied by some challenging music,” Fidge says.

The Eisteddfod is playing from 14 to 17 at Studio One, 34 Little Turner St, Abbotsford Book tickets at trybooking.com

Julie Houghton

The Dress

■ Essence Theatre Productions present a return of The Dress, on June 29, July 1 and July 2 at historic Werribee Park Mansion.

The Dress is set in 1899. Mrs Hannah Bryden, a widow, enjoys nothing save for the occasional company of her dressmaker, the flamboyant Mr Bertin.

But when massive advances in the fashion industry jeopardize Bertin's livelihood, he hatches a plan to save both of them from obscurity.

Hannah must launch herself once more as one of Melbourne's leading socialites at an upcoming masquerade ball in the most jaw-dropping fashion statement Berlin has ever created. Two unlikely allies racing to regain their spark of life.

Performers include Alaine Beek and Scott Jackson, with cellist Patrick Schnur.

Performance Details: June 29 - July 1 at 8pm, July 2 at 7pm

Location: Werribee Park Mansion, K Road, Werribee South.

Bookings: www.essencetheatre. productions

- Cheryl Threadgold

● ● ● ● Mitchell Smith (Scott Hastings) and Guada Bañez (Fran) at rehearsals for Strictly Ballroom The Musical.

Sally-Anne Russell

NORMIE, DENISE AT S’TOWN

■ Normie Rowe and Denise Drysdale have been friends since they were teenagers and are excited to be performing their brand new show The Two Of Us on Friday, June 30 at Shoppingtown Hotel, Doncaster and Saturday, July 1, at The Sphinx Hotel, Geelong.

The Two Of us is an opportunity to enjoy the skills and charm of these two national treasures. There will be hits. There will be surprises. There’ll be loads of fun.

When they met in the 60s, he was an emerging recording artist appearing on The GO!! Show and she was recognised as Australia’s first go-go dancer on a new music show, Kommotion

Normie’s hits ‘Shakin’All Over’, ‘Que Sera Sera’, ‘It Ain’t Necessarily So’, and ‘Ooh La La’, just a few of his hits that sound as powerful today as they did when they were Australian hits on the charts.

Their careers since have seen them enjoy success across the entertainment spectrum.

Normie was at the peak of his pop stardom when he was called up and spent two years in the Army including service in Vietnam.

On his return, he re-established his career in major Sydney clubs, and on television, along with his most memorable role as Jean Valjean for the national stage tour of ‘Les Miserables’.

Denise’s dancing career took a back seat when she became Ernie Sigley’s barrel girl on his very popular national ‘The Ernie Sigley Show’. Ding Dong had arrived.

Her television and theatre credits are too many to mention but her love of entertaining continues in theatres and clubs across the country.

The Two of Us might not be politically correct but you can be guaranteed to enjoy the songs, the banter, the dancing and the atmosphere these two performers always bring to the stage

Dates: Friday, June 30 –Shoppingtown Hotel, Doncaster

Saturday, July 1– Sphinx, Geelong

Tickets: Shoppingtown Hotel – 19 Williamsons Road, Doncaster https://liveatyourlocal.com.au/event/ normie-rowe-denise-drysdale-in-thetwo-of-us/ Sphinx Hotel, 2 Thompson Road, North Geelong https://events.ticketbooth.com.au/ event/the-two-of-us-starring-normieWeb site: https://normierowe.com/ Facebook: https://www. facebook.com/NormieRoweAM

Instagram: https://www. instagram. com/normierowe/

Dragged Across Concrete

■ (R). 159 minutes. Now available on Blu-ray and DVD. After coming out of nowhere with the attention-grabbing Bone Tomahawk in 2015, followed by the outstanding Brawl In Cell Block 99 in 2017, Zahler continues to provoke audiences with this deliberately morally ambiguous concoction, and like his previous efforts, will lead to highly divisive reactions and opinions.

The story centres on police detectives Brett Ridgeman (Mel Gibson) and Anthony Lurasetti (Vince Vaughn), who have just been suspended after being filmed performing an illegal drug bust on two suspects.

Acquiring a bagful of cash from the bust, the duo, who feel out of step with today’s attitudes towards law enforcement, come across information regarding a major money exchange, and decide to intercept this criminal meeting so they and their families can live an easier life.

Of course, nothing goes quite to plan. Dragged Across Concrete may cover familiar ground, but Zahler cleverly subverts the multiple tropes that are present in the plot.

Sharman’s future for NIDA

■ Boundary pushing creative and NIDA alumnus Jim Sharman (Rocky Horror Picture Show, Hair, Jesus Christ Superstar) is auctioning 47 works from his personal art collection with all proceeds going to seed the creation of the NIDA Future Centre.

The NIDA Future Centre will be NIDA’s research and innovation lab. It will foster courageous ambitious new ideas for entertainment experiences created through new technologies, new forms, and new relationships with audiences.

It will take a global perspective and draw on a diversity of influences from arts, media, interactive entertainment, and generative AI. It will be a space for imagining and inventing the future of entertainment.

The hugely celebrated avantgarde creator and arts mentor has additionally made a significant donation through the Jim Sharman Future Fund towards initial funding of the NIDA Future Centre.

This includes supporting a triennial Future Award, which will be one of the key activities of the Centre

The public auction will feature 47 artworks from Sharman’s personal collection – paintings, photographs and select stage and film posters – curated by art specialists Adam Sims and Litsa Veldekis of

Sims Veldekis for Shapiro Auctioneers. The auction will take place on Tuesday June 20 at 6 pm both online and in person at the Annex Gallery, 46 Balfour St Chippendale (near White Rabbit Gallery). The works are available to view online now and at the gallery from tomorrow (Thurs., June 15).

The collection includes a masterwork by Tom Polo, major works from important periods of Bill Henson’s career, Archibald-Prize winner Nigel Milsom, Michael Ramsden, Geoffrey Proud, Andrew Purvis, and many others, including for theatre buffs, rare posters signed by Jim for his productions of the musicals Hair and The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Martin Sharp’s poster for Jim’s Adelaide Festival and the historic revival of Patrick White’s A Cheery Soul that was the highlight of the inaugural Sydney Theatre Company season.

Liz Hughes, NIDA CEO, said:

“Jim Sharman has been a trailblazer in the entertainment sector for decades, innovating at every turn. Jim’s vision for the future is well aligned with NIDA’s . We are delighted to be sharing an ambition with Jim to imagine the future of entertainment through cross disciplinary collaboration and courageous experimentation with form and technology.”

Working from his novelistic type script, Zahler again dares to swim against the tide, taking his time to build character and story, allowing every hot topic to develop nicely.

Performances across the board are first-rate. Gibson is cleverly cast, and delivers one of his best performances. Vaughn, who I am not normally a fan of, seems to respond to Zahler’s ultra-focused direction, and while not as good as his career-best turn in Brawl In Cell Block 99 , he is still excellent, reminding one of his good work in the under-rated 1998 thriller Clay Pigeons.

Kudos must also go to Tory Kittles, Jennifer Carpenter, Laurie Holden, Udo Kier and Don Johnson.

Dragged Across Concrete will infuriate and offend some with its deliberate pacing and non-judgemental approach to its incendiary material, but Zahler is obviously striving for something more than standard genre thrills, and for those who pick up on this, will be completely enthralled.

RATING - ****

At Eternity’s Gate

■ (M). 111 minutes. Now available on DVD.

Vincent van Gogh has been the

subject of many a film, most notably in Vincent Minnelli’s Lust For Life (1956) and Robert Altman’s Vincent & Theo (1990), although I always like to mention Martin Scorsese’s turn as the revered artist in Akira Kurosawa’s Dreams (1990). The latest to hit screens is At Eternity’s Gate, with Willem Dafoe playing the tortured painter, and under the intimate, uninhibited guidance of former painter-turnedfilm-maker Julian Schnabel (The Diving Bell And The Butterfly), manages to give audiences a fresh perspective on this much-written about person.

While familiar relationships are covered, such as van Gogh’s deep bond with his brother Theo (Rupert Friend), and the at-times volatile encounters with Paul Gauguin (Oscar Isaac), what makes this film so fascinating is the way Schnabel utterly submerges the audience into van Gogh’s frame of mind (with the camerawork sometimes resembling a possession horror movie), and the ultra close-up manner in which we experience the painter’s highly variable reactions to his works (a scene involving Mads Mikkelsen as a bemused priest is a perfect example). Dafoe is extraordinary as van Gogh, and totally earned his Oscar nomination, while other recognisable faces in a strong supporting cast include Isaac, Mikkelsen, Mathieu Amalric, Emmanuelle Seigner and Niels Arestrup. RATING - ****

Triple Frontier

■ (MA). 125 minutes. Now streaming on Netflix.

After wallowing in development hell since 2010 (Kathryn Bigelow was originally slated to direct), Triple Frontier finally crossed the finish line in 2019 with J.C. Chandor (Margin Call, All Is Lost, A Most Violent Year) at the helm, but despite offering undeniable entertainment value, is a slight disappointment given the talent involved.

A group of former special ops soldiers (Oscar Isaac, Ben Affleck, Garrett Hedlund, Charlie Hunnam, Pedro Pascal) team up to raid the South American home of a high profile crime boss, who is sitting on $75 million in cash.

Of course, the mission doesn’t go to plan. Chandor pays homage to muscular adventures from the 40s and 50s, but more notably to 80s tough-guy actioners, especially those directed by Walter Hill (the film is highly reminiscent of Hill’s 1987 effort Extreme Prejudice, with echoes of Southern Comfort (1981) later on), but the characters aren’t as vividly etched, making the film feel somewhat hollow and familiar. Worth a look, with some well-staged action sequences.

RATING - ***

● ● ● Normie Rowe and Denise Drysdale will appear at Shoppingtown Hotel on Friday, June 30, and at Sphinx Geelong on Saturday, July 1.

■ Alan Ladd was one of the great film stars of the Golden Years of Hollywood.

He became one of the popular ‘tough guy’ actors and appeared in about 95 films during his career.

Alan Walbridge Ladd was born in Hot S prings, Arkansas, in 1913. His father died when Alan was only four.

His mother moved with her son to Oklahoma where she married a housepainter and eventually the family re-located to California

Alan was about five foot six inches tall and was given the nickname ‘Tiny’ in his teenage years but he was a very handsome young man with a remarkable speaking voice.

He appeared in school plays and was an active sportsman. In the early 1930s Alan got small jobs in radio shows and then did ‘bit parts’ in films.

He supported himself by opening a hamburger stand which he called ‘Tiny's Patio’.

Alan married Marjorie Harrold in 1936 and their son Alan Ladd Jnr was born in 1937. He is a famous film executive and producer these days and was responsible for approving production of the film Star Wars.

Alan Ladd began getting speaking parts in films during the early 1940s and his voice can be clearly heard as one of the ‘faceless reporters’ in the Orson Welles film Citizen Kane.

Alan was divorced in 1941 and married his agent Sue Carol the following year.

Whatever Happened To ... Alan Ladd

By Kevin Trask of 3AW and 96.5 Inner FM

His ‘break through’ role came when he starred opposite Veronica Lake in This Gun for Hire

Alan played a ‘hit man’ with a conscience and this role virtually took him from being a small time bit player to a major international star.

His next films The Glass Key, Lucky Jordan and The Blue Dahlia were all box office hits. In 1948 Alan started his very successful radio series Box 13 where he played the reporter Dan Holiday

He was cast in the lead role in the film The Great Gatsby in 1949. The film he is most remembered for came in 1953 when he played the title role in Shane opposite Jean Arthur, Van Heflin, Brandon De Wilde and Jack Palance.

The simple line delivered by Brandon De Wilde as Shane rides away, " Shane. Come back!" has become one of the most famous lines in cinema history.

Most film buffs regard Shane as a classic and it was nominated for five Academy Awards

I know many of our readers are fans of Alan

Ladd and recently Tommy Dysart demonstrated to me the unique way that Alan Ladd had of walking down a staircase.

The best remembered films of Alan Ladd include Saigon, Two Years Before The Mast, Appointment With Danger, Whispering Smith, Hell Below Zero and Boy On A Dolphin

In 1955 he made a film with June Alyson and they fell in love but it is said that the breakdown of the affair led to his depression in later years.

In 1964 Alan Ladd was found dead in Palm Springs due to an overdose of pills and alcohol at the age of 50.

He had completed work on his final screen role in The Carpetbaggers but did not live to see the film. He was survived by his wife Sue and three children.

In a 1961 interview Alan Ladd was asked, "What would you change about yourself if you could?"

He replied, "Everything."

The fact remains that his work in films has given great enjoyment to his legion of fans throughout the world.

Kevin Trask

Kevin can be heard on 3AW -

The 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

‘LOOKING GLASS’ AT MILDURA ARTS CENTRE

Looking Glass – Judy Watson and Yhonne Scarce.

An exhibition of works themed on the monumental elements of earth, water, fire, and air by Aboriginal artists Judy Watson and Yhonne Scarce is now open at Mildura Arts Centre organised by Ikon (Birmingham U.K) and Tarra Warra Museum of Art with curator Hetti Perkins and toured by NETS.

Looking Glass represents both a love song and a lament for Country, a fantastical alchemy pf elemental materiality, through paintings, video and sculptural works.

Exhibition closes August 6. Mildura Arts Centre

199 Coreton Rd, Mildura

Top portraits

National Photographic Portrait Prize 2022

Now in its 15th year, the annual exhibition draws entries from entries submitted by amateur and professional photographers from across Australia. In 2022 50 finalists were selected from more than 2400 entries.

The Winner, Highly Commended, Art Handlers, and People’s Choice Awards were announced in Canberra prior to the exhibition tour.

Wayne Quillim’s portrait Silent Strength , 2021, depicts Aurulun man E ric Yunkaporta in ceremonial headwear, won the 2022 National Photographic Portrait Prize. Quilliam won $50,000 in prozes, cash from the National Portrait Gallery and $20,000 worth of Canon equipment thanks to imaging partner Canon Australia.

Arthur Ferguson won the Highly Commended prize and received a Colour Edge CG2730 Monitor courtesy of E120. The Art Handlers Award recipient was Adam Haddock, who received $2000 cash from IAS Fine Art Logistics and Luther Cora won the $5000 People’s ChoiceAward supported by the David Roche Foundation.

Exhibition opened June 8 and closes Sunday September 3.

Yarra Ranges Regional Museum

35 – 37 Castella St, Lilydale.

At Ballarat

The Chase – Jon Brack

The Arts

‘lives body experience’ as a method of deconstructing queer expressions of self.

Exhibition closes Saturday July 8.

G3Artspace 64Parkers Rd. Parkdale (Shirley Burke Theatre)

Metaverse

Welcome to your local Metaverse. Experience Kingston’s first augmented reality artworks, Mentone Arts designed by LuXvr at the Old Mentone Station and surrounds.

The installation consists of five works, including digital sculptures that blend in with the tangible environment to blur between reality and illusion.

It also features gallery spaces that showcases the work of local photographic artist Tiziana Borghese.

OK. With John O’Keefe

Injury prone Johnny Depp

The Art Gallery of Ballarat is proud to announce the acquisition of a significant painting by Australian artist John Brack (1920 – 1999) donated to the Gallery by the artist’s family.

The painting The Chase (1959) is being exhibited in the Gallery’s permanent collection offering the rare opportunity for visitors to appreciate one of Australis’s most iconic artists.

The Chase is a classic Brack piece, featuring the artist’s own daughters running in a playful manner.

This energetic and important painting is a familiar, everyday subject that simultaneously depicts the fun and simplicity of childhood games while alluding to the darker side of human nature in the ‘shadows of anxiety’ that are cast by the running girls.

The painting was shown in the watershed Antipodean exhibition on Melbourne , where Brack asserted the importance of the figure in art in defense of advancing American abstract expression.

Art Gallery of Ballarat

40 Lydiard St, Ballarat

G3 Artspace

I Just Want To Do

My Silly Little Paintings explores the concept of identity, encouraging the viewer to reflect on their own. Billie Drood examines

The artwork comes to life with your smartphone device through the ‘Over the Reality’ app, which can be downloaded for free.

To access Mentone AR-T a click on the QR code to LuXvr’s official Mentone3194 website.

Kingston Arts

Venue: Old Mentone Station Cnr Balcombe Rd. & Como Pde W. Mentone - Peter Kemp

Live crew

■ Steve Dimopoulos, Victorian Minister for Creative Industries, has announced a $190,000 grant for CrewCare to roll out their A Pathway to Jobs in Live Music: The Weasle Eicke Scholarship program.

A Pathway to jobs in live music: The W easle Eicke Scholarship 2023, is a revised initiative of the 2022 program delivered by CrewCare based on the successes and response of last years’ program.

Successful applicants will receive a stipend of $100 per day for each of the 10 training days. For our regional students, they will also receive $100 per night towards their accommodation costs while attending the training days in Melbourne. Whilst undertaking work experience, trainees will receive relevant award rates.

■ Just when everything appeared back on track, Johnny Depp's life turns pear shaped once again. This time JD has a painful leg injury causing postponent of his European tour with the Hollywood Vampires rock band.

5 college degrees for 12-y-o

■ Starting at Fullerton College, California at the tender age of nine, Clovis Hung recently graduated with no less than five degrees, all in the humanities group. Clovis an exceptional , yet humble youngster, plays basketball, loves travelling , with no particular profession in mind, at this stage. What a record-breaking achievement for Clovis. aged 12.

Spanish Film Festival

■ This season’s Spanish Film Festival is up and running, June 15 - July 5 with 32 Spanish and Latin American films rotating over four venues in Melbourne.

AWW turns 90

■ Australian Woman's Weekly is an institution despite having its challengers throughout the 90 years of publishing. Originally published weekly, the Weekly revamped to a monthly , and the circulation kept on spiralling. One of the most memorable milestones includes the largest selling issue with Princess Di on the cover selling three million copies.

From kitch to cooking the best of the Weekly is on display in a free exhibition at the Bendigo Art Gallery starting May 27 -August 27. What a wonderful way to spend a hour, or three, rekindling past memories.

with Peter Kemp

- John O’Keefe

● ● ● ● ● Alan Ladd

● ● ● ● Johnny Depp

Stateside with Gavin Wood in West Hollywood

East Melbourne restaurant celebrates 50 years

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

Il Duca celebrated

■ This landmark Italian restaurant at 132 Wellington Parade, East Melbourne, celebrates 50 years of fine service.

A stone’s throw from the MCG, it’s a home away from home. Dominic Bonadio says: “Anyone can make you enjoy the first bite of a dish but only a real chef can make you enjoy the last.”

Not only is the food superb but it is usually accompanied be Lino the singing Italian waiter.

His performance will take you back home to Italy. Dominic has released a book about his life and Il Duca

The book is titled ‘Che Fortuna” meaning What Luck. All proceeds are donated to St Vincent’s Hospital.

For a wonderful lunch or a great night out may I suggest Il Duca.

Better in the morning

■ Highly intelligent people are often portrayed as night owls. The dedicated novelist writing all night until daybreak, for example. While prior studies actually support this notion, finding that night owls typically display more robust verbal intelligence, new research from the University of Ottawa suggests otherwise.

“Once you account for key factors including bedtime and age, we found the opposite to be true, that morning types tend to have superior verbal ability,” says Stuart Fogel, Director of the University of Ottawa Sleep Research Laboratory, in a university release.

“This outcome was surprising to us and signals this is much more complicated that anyone thought before.”

New stealth bomber

■ The US Air Force debuted America’s first new nuclear stealth bomber in more than 30 years. The aircraft, known as the B-21 Raider, is part of the Pentagon’s efforts to modernise all three pillars of its nuclear triad, consisting of nuclear missile submarines, land-based nuclear missiles, and nuclear-capable aircraft.

The B-21 Raider i s expected to make its first flight this year and succeeds the B-2 Spirit , first presented in 1988. Watch the rollout here.

The public reveal comes days after the Department of Defence released its annual report on China, saying it poses the most consequential challenge to America’s national security. China has more than 400 operational nuclear warheads and is on track to have 1500 nuclear weapons by 2035.

Door Sash shares up

■ With food delivery down from its pandemic highs, it might be surprising to hear that DoorDash shares are up 28 per cent in the last month.

One reason investors are bullish is that the company has proven it has a viable grocery and convenience delivery business.

This pins the company against new competitors some of which are struggling.

Instacart cut its valuation to $13B last month, down from $39B in early 2021, and reportedly plans to push its IPO to next year.

Gopuff recently laid off 2,000 employees, and pushed its IPO plans to next year as well. While its competitors struggle, DoorDash has reportedly doubled its grocery delivery business since last year.

So what makes DoorDash different? Users seem to be using DoorDash in a different way from its pure-play competitors: The average DoorDash order is under $50, compared to $100+ for Instacart.

These smaller volumes suggest customers are likely using DoorDash to supplement in-store grocery shopping, rather than replace it, ordering “top up” items to avoid extra in-store trips.

This could prove to be more sustainable than relying on delivery for all groceries in the long run. DoorDash is relatively new to grocery and convenience, so is Uber, one of its top rivals in general delivery.

Both companies are trying to hook customers with a $10month subscription, setting up a battle for wallet share.

With 40 per cent of its 25 million monthly users subscribed to DashPass, DoorDash seems to have a head start.

Out and About Sports betting grows

■ Less than five years ago, betting on sports in the United States was prohibited under federal law except in Nevada casinos and a smattering of venues in other states. Sports leagues argued that the ban safeguarded the integrity of American sports, while consumer watchdogs warned that legal gambling could turn fans into addicts. In countries like Britain, sports gambling free-for-alls had left trails of addiction. But in 2018, the Supreme Court ruled that the federal prohibition was unconstitutional. DraftKings and Fan Duel, giants in the fast-growing field of fantasy sports, had already mobilised an army of former regulators and politicians to press for sports betting in state capitals. Soon, in a crucial reversal, sports leagues overcame their antipathy toward gambling, which they came to see as a way to keep increasingly distracted audiences tuned in. Casino companies also hopped on board. It was a market, the industry hoped, that could be worth billions a year. So they set out to seize it. Gambling companies and their allies deployed a bare-knuckled lobbying campaign, showering state lawmakers with money, gifts and visits from sports luminaries and at times using deceptive arguments to extract generous tax breaks and other concessions, according to a New York Times investigation.

Theft of precious metals

■ Police around America are using gumshoe detective work to break up sophisticated rings that steal catalytic converters, though many fear that they aren’t making a dent in a crime wave triggered by pricey precious metals. Catalytic converters, cylindrical hunks of metal within the exhaust system of most cars and trucks, transform harmful gases into less-harmful ones using precious metals including rhodium, palladium and platinum. Some vehicles, such as Toyota Prius models, large pickups and delivery trucks, are often targeted by thieves because their catalytic converters contain a lot of the metals. Criminals use high-speed jacks and battery-operated saws to steal the devices in less than a minute, according to police.

More layoffs

■ A bloodbath in Silicon Valley: Facebook (aka Meta) is cutting 11,000 workers roughly 13 per cent of its workforce. Redfin and Salesforce are also slimming down. At Twitter, Elon Musk not only laid off workers, but he eliminated the ‘Days of Rest’, the employees’ monthly paid mental health days. Amazon is on a hiring freeze as it becomes the first public company in history to lose a trillion dollars in value.A correction for big tech isn’t all bad, though. A lot of people at these bloated Silicon Valley behemoths are doing fake jobs and with that free time comes time to do annoying things that have nothing to do with Facebook’s bottom line. People should get out of the nap pods and start companies. There’s a semifamous quote about modern Silicon Valley that I think of a lot, said by a data scientist Jeff Hammerbacher: “The best minds of my generation are thinking about how to make people click ads.

Kids crushed

■ 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,

■ Billionaire Ken Griffin slammed woke ideology at schools across the US as “crushing” for children and griped that his own family has been caught in the mess. “My children went to a phenomenal school in Chicago but their indoctrination in woke ideology was crushing,” Griffin said in a conversation with Miami Mayor Francis Suarez that was hosted by The Economic Club of Miami. Griffin, who this summer moved the headquarters for his giant hedge fund Citadel to Florida from Chicago, donated $100 million to Republicans this election cycle. In a video of the interview that was obtained by The Post, Griffin revealed how liberal policies have affected his own kids’ education. “They came home very confused about whether or not the United States was a good country,” Griffin said. “And they came home confused about what they could or couldn’t say to a student who was Asian or otherwise of colour.” “My son was reprimanded for telling an Asian student he was good at math for stereotyping,” Griffin continued. “And it’s unbelievable to see how that destroys the minds of children who are otherwise innocent and good and don’t think about these kinds of things.” Griffin said.

● ● ● ● Pictured: Dominic Bonadio with Alan Johnson, Ramada Plaza Hotel and Suites West Hollywood Managing Director.

6.

Across

Across Down Down

149. Gallows rope

150. Group of eight

152. Hang loosely

154. Flog

157. Fluid unit

158. Minutest

162. Iran's neighbour

163. Exhausts supply of (4,2)

166. Porridge cereal

167. Pour with rain

169. Slow down!

171. Car pioneer, Karl ...

172. Tobacco user

173. Leers

175. Lever (off)

176. Single

179. Swiss banking centre

180. Come to rest (3,2)

182. Liqueur, ... Maria

183. Towards stern

184. Blackboard stand

186. Negative

189. Harness-racing horse

190. Return (of symptoms)

191. Epic movie-maker, Cecil B De ...

192. Big Apple city (3,4)

196. 60s pop dance (2-2)

197. Dad

198. Heedful

199. Spend extravagantly

201. Not fit for consumption

202. Gloomier

203. Performing

204. Car-top luggage frame (4,4)

205. Worked hard

208. Guidance

210. Up to this time

211. Aquatic bird 212. Pragmatism

213. Vein of ore

215. Vending machine

219. Nimble

221. Small & efficient

223. Striped brown gem (5'1,3)

227. Biology or physics

228. Mummifies (corpse)

230. Donations

231. Scorch

232. Charts (course) (4,3)

233. Villain 234. Arrogant newcomer 238. Power outlet

239. Knit with hooked needle

240. Scratch

243. Eagle nests

246. Ancestry

247. Lease again

250. Naming words

251. Greek philosopher

253. Muddles (up)

256. Frequent visitor

257. Mischievous

258. Character

262. Manufacture

263. Florida's Key ...

266. Is in debt to

268. Citrus fruit

269. Surgical removal

270. Not enclosed (of land)

271. Ruling (monarch)

272. Decimal unit

273. Opinion surveys

274. Corroded, ... away at 275. Slyer 276. Supervised 277. Perseveres 278. Least

1. Manages

2. Annoyed

3. Abstains from food

4. Salt Lake City state

5. Absconded (3,3)

7. Severely

133. Inaccuracy

134. Songs for one

137. Actress, ... Sarandon

138. Scoundrel

141. Heredity units

142. Cosy corners

143. Clean with broom

151. Household jobs

153. Riddle

155. Hot & moist

156. Lower leg joint

159. Revealed (knowledge)

160. Foolishness

161. Inducting, ... in

164. Too soon

165. Open wound

168. Alienate

170. Unfashionable

173. Reverse

174. Giving university talk

177. Soundly constructed (4-5)

178. Worsened (of crisis)

181. Leaves uncared-for

185. Permitting

186. Liked

187. Retailers

188. Football umpire

193. Sun or rain

194. Acorn bearer (3,4)

195. Sing-along entertainment

200. Prayer beads

201. Official emblems

206. ... & lemons

207. Wear best clothes (5,2)

208. Human rights group, ... International

209. Modesty

211. Large pedal

214. Moral

216. Dip in liquid

217. Capers

218. Numerals

220. Conclude

222. Toadstools

224. Great joy

225. Questionable

226. Junior

229. Fully satisfy

232. Liquefy

235. Actress, ... Cruz

236. Straighter

237. Reaction

241. Changing booth

242. Picasso & Monet

244. Library patrons

245. Belongings, personal ...

248. More meagre

249. You

251. Walk with heavy steps

252. Turns away

253. Imitate

254. Father Christmas

255. Praise highly

259. Divine messenger

260. Combine

261. Roman VIII

262. Small tick

264. Unknown writer

265. Swallow noisily

267. Appear

Crossroads

By Rob Foenander info@countrycrossroads com.au

All I Have Is Me

■ Australian music legend Johnny Chester is back at it releasing his new single, All I Have Is Me.

The message, says Chess, is holding on and believing in each other and all we have together in a time when there are so many pressures and strains on families and relationships. The single is available on all streaming platforms and also to download. www.johnnychester.com

Brendan McMahon

■ Local singer-songwriter Brendan McMahon has a new track out.

It’s Good To Be Alive is a feel good, upbeat track that'll make you want to sing along, says Brendan.

“Sitting on the back deck of my home in the Dandenong Ranges one morning before it got light with an acoustic guitar and an early morning brew, it dawned on me how good it was to watch the world come to life and how good it was to be alive.”

https://www.brendanmcm.com

At The Beirsal

■ Suzette Herft and Green Fieldz will provide an afternoon of music at the Beirsal Brewery, 27 Hartnett Dve, Seaford, at 1pm4pm on Sunday, July 9.

A repertoire of original songs along with some old favourites are on offer.

A great selection of beer wines and spirits are available.

Tickets at www.trybooking.com/CIIQN

- Rob Foenander

Aircraft Projects of the CAC

■ The lack of preparedness of the RAAF between the wars, the manner in which the Air Force beholden to the strings of Empire was having its aircraft orders placed in the UK delayed, deferred or halved was causing alarm to the Government that had tried for 14 years to start a local aviation industry.

In 1935 with a capital of £1M (A$99M in current values) six leading Australian industrial groupings offered to establish an aircraft and aero engine manufacturing base for urgent and patriotic reasons expecting only a 4-5 per cent return.

A technical evaluation mission sent abroad to take in ideas and concepts settled on the impressive USA industry examples using metal fabrication (away from fabric, wood and wire).

Fearing a loss of their market, the English aviation press derided the adoption of American products.

The empty sandy expanse at Fisherman’s Bend, Port Melbourne, a short distance from the city adjacent to the Yarra River, became a new landing ground, aircraft and piston aero engine factories, foundries and engine test cells for the first mass production military aviation complex … the totally private Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation

Work started in February 1937 with the flight of its first aircraft, the CAC Wirraway, training aircraft in March 1939 followed by 754 more examples. Trainers, fighters

Crossword Solution No 26

● ● Aircraft Projects of the Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation, by Joe Vella. 405 pages. RRP: $65.

and two bomber prototypes and the superb CA-15 new fighter were built.

The wartime workforce in January 1944 numbered 7400. It delivered 1290 aircraft to war’s end.

Work ran out so CAC built buses, metal baths, kit homes, pressure kettles to keep the factories open and functioning.

Jet engines were now the new way, a new basic trainer was developed, Sabre jet fighter production and its RR engine started.

New aerodynamics and metallurgy saw very many aircraft concepts, proposals and ideas evaluated commensurate with its factory size and capacity to build trainer

aircraft, small airliners and missile storage and handling systems.

The Italian MB326 advanced jet trainer and its English engine were built under licence; parts of the French Mirage fighter and its French supersonic engine were also built and serviced.

Helicopter production for the Army and Navy followed. Systems updates for various RAAF aircraft types were undertaken as was collaborative aircraft design with the UK industry.

The West Gate Bridge built across the Yarra closed the runways. A reduction in local aviation work was partly replaced by overseas needs.

The 1985 merger with HDH was followed by a succession of rapid takeovers ending with Boeing. The site was demolished by 2000. CAC was an employer of thousands of Melbourne people. Fathers, brothers, sons, mothers, know somebody who worked there over the decades.

This book sets out to document the built aircraft and the ideas and concepts that might have been, if the shareholders and management had acted differently and bravely.

ISBN 9780645185904

Available online print-on- demand from: booktopia.com.au; Fishpond.com.au ; Dymocks.com.au javella@tpg.com.au

RRP $65. 405 pages, 506Mb, A4 format, colour.

M V SMUDGE E YESES VODKA CRESS O RABIES I I NICK N TOGA I MUSH E YOGI U R UNEASE O SHUI ALSORAN ORGY D AGENTS N R ODDLY A Q Z U O C D R SWEDE O W

MURAL L INSURERS GLOWERED O NOOSE E O OCTET C E T A U U S G DRAPE K E THRASH C PINT TINIEST IRAQ K USESUP U N OATS N TEEM D WHOA T BENZ A L

■ A Scone trained filly, Opal Ridge, has shot to favourtism, for the Tatts Tiara, after one of the best wins you could see in winning the Darby Munro Stakes at Rosehill back on March 18.

The daughter of speed machine Rubick came from second last at the 600 metres in a big field to win running away.

Prepared by Scone trainer Luke Pepper, she looked sensational in running away over the 1200 metres, and will even be better suited over the 1400 metres here.

Another filly that appears to be all class is the Victorian, Ruthless Dame. Prepared by two of Australia’s best trainers, Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, she, Opal Ridge, absolutely blitzed them in the Sangster Stakes over 1200 metres on May 6.

By leading sire Tavistock, she’s had only a few starts before winning at Morphettiville. She is going to be in this all the way here.

Another top Victorian galloper is the fiveyear-old mare, Foxy Pride, who is in a winning vein at present, making it two on end, with a magnificent win in the Magic Millions National Classic over 1600 metres, at Eagle Farm.

Ridden superbly by Victorian hoop, Gerald Egan, he was as calm as a mouse, as he waited for her to click in, and that she did.

She is now in my opinion, the one to beat, with everything in her favour, and she doesn’t mind it wet either.

She is trained by leading Victorian trainer, Andrew Noblet.

The runner-up to her, Kiku, prepared by Chris Waller, also ran well finishing second.

One that has already been supported is Chaillot, prepared in partnership by Steve O’Dea and Matt Hoysted.

She finished hard to run fifth in the recent Kingsford Smith Cup over 1300 metres at Eagle Farm running a strong fifth, and the money has come for her.

The Snowden combination of Peter and Paul consistently train winners, and they have another good one entered here in Sheeza Belter, who won the J.J. Atkins last year.

She was way up in class in contesting the All Star Mile at the Valley, but on her day is smart, has got to be a chance.

Another who is top class, but has had a lot racing recently is the Ciaron Maher-David Eustace trained good mare, Bella Nipotina, now five.

At her last outing in the Sangster Stakes she raced like that she had had enough, after a solid run coming for well back in the Quokka in Western Australia, after a hard run coming form near last after missing the start.

She is a winner of the Manikato at the Valley, and is all class.

Next is the Chris Waller prepared Hinged, who can put in a good run against the best.

At her last outing she ran a good fourth in the Queen of The Turf Stakes at Randwick behind stablemate, Atishu.

Her run in the Ranvet when fourth to top international galloper Dubai Honour, and Anamoe, was a big run, and from the extreme barrier of 20, over 1600 metres.

She has won nearly a million and half dollars

Inglis bonanza

Opal Ridge to shine in Tatts Tiara Ted Ryan

An interesting runner is Royal Merchant, a three-year-old filly who won the Goodwood Handicap in fine style back on March 20 at Morphettville, and appears to have a bit of quality about her.

She is by a good horse in Merchant Navy

Prior to that she won the Group Two Tobin Bronze, also at Morphettville on May 6. One to keep your eye on.

Revolutionary Miss is smart and with the Snowden’s, doesn’t know how to run a bad race.

Back in March at Flemington, she showed her true colours with a big win in the A.V.Kewney Stakes.

She could be there when the guns are firing, and she keeps on putting in.

The Peter Moody trained Chain of Lightning, is good on its day, and is well placed here.

■ If you are a racing person, and you do have a dollar to spend, there is nothing better than having an interest in a racing animal such as purchasing a yearling at the sales, especially at the Inglis bonanzas.

The company is over the moon after their Inglis EasterYearling Sale in Sydney

Despite the economy the way it is at the moment, if you can afford to have a crack at trying to get a dollar, you might try to get into the sales of these young racing animals.

There are a great number of syndications that you can swing into at a reasonable cost.

Then of course there is the other side of the coin, if you are travelling all right, have a go at the top bred youngsters by leading sires.

Inside Racing’s Danny Power had a great summary of the Easter Sales in the May Edition of the racing magazine for the Industry.

Of course, as Dan admitted, there is the other side of the coin.

He mentioned that vendors selling stock south of the middle market, it was a battle to sell their stock.

At the top end, there were 26 yearlings sold for $1million, or more.

This was second only to the big sale of 2008, when 28 yearlings reached seven figures.

As he said, interestingly, it was the filly buyers who outdid (and outbid) the stallion investors with the two-top price Lot 440, a powerful bay by The Autumn Sun, from Via Afrika (SAF) was offered by Silverdale Stud and sold for $1.8 million to Arrowfield Stud, and Heritage Thoroughbreds.

The half-sister to Group One winner, In the Congo (Snitzel), was bought by Silverdale for $600,000, as a weanling, and re-offered as a yearling for a huge profit.

- Ted Ryan

● Ciaron Maher and David Eustace. Racing Photos.

in stake earnings.

The Peter Moody mare, Chain of Lightning, has been running against strong company without luck, but this is a pretty tough assignment here.

$41 ODDS BRING DISBELIEF AT YARRA VALLEY

■ The week commencing Monday June 5 was held at picturesque Yarra Valley with some interesting racing taking place.

Veteran Lancefield trainer Leon Conway had punters scratching their heads in disbelief after 5Y0 Four Starzzz Shark-Gabbys Sweetheart mare Four Ever A Star at odds of $41.00 proved she was according to connections, when taking the Barry Plant Croydon Pace over 1650 metres.

Raced by Leon and partner Lisia Horton, Four Ever A Star driven by James Herbertson settled three back in the moving line from gate five as Alcatraz Girl began very fast from outside the front line to lead from polemarker My Lady Sarah which immediately came away from her back to race exposed.

Going forward three wide solo in the last lap, Forever A Star outstayed her rivals to score a 3.4 metre margin over Judes Law which trailed the winner home from near last, with Alcatraz Girl two metres away in third place after galloping over the line.

A winner of three from eighteen, Forever A Star returned a mile rate of 1-58.2.

■ Kurunjang training duo Maree and John Caldow landed the 2150 metre AGPower 3Y0 & Older Maiden Trotters Mobile with beautifully bred What The Hii-Cloud Chaser filly The Sky Is The Limit in a mile rate of 2-03.9. Making her third race appearance, The Sky Is The Limit driven by John went forward from gate four to cross the leader Whirlwind Wilbur (gate three) which had taken over from polemarker Macho Maori shortly after the start.

Rated to perfection, The Sky Is The Limit defied all challengers to record a half neck margin over Wyldcat (three pegs from inside the second line – one/one – outside winner home turn) which galloped at the finish when trying to wear down the winner. Dutch Teacher (one/two) was third 10.9 metres away.

■ Lemnos trainer Russel Jack combined with Leigh Sutton aboard Wendys Wish, a 4Y0 daughter of Somebeachsomewhere and Lombo Sleek Streak to capture the $10,000 Alabar Vicbred Platinum Mares Sprint Championshp (Heat 5) over 1650 metres.

Settling three back in the moving line from the extreme draw, Wendys Wish was off and running once the speed slowed to park outside the pacemaker Dancing With Flo (gate four). Content to dictate terms for the final circuit, Wendys Wish was given full rein on the final bend and in a thrilling finish, prevailed by a head from Classic Angelina (one/one – three wide on turning) in a mile rate of 1-57.7. Dancing With Flo held third a half head away.

■ Romsey’s Chris Svanosio is absolutely airborne at present and chalked up a stable with two three year olds - Father Patrick-Mason Magic filly Aldebaran Miley taking the Blonde & Co. Trotters Mobile over 2150 metres and 4Y0 Pet Rock-Shes A Killer gelding Better Brother the 1650 metre Yarra Valley Toyota Pace. Aldebaran Miley bred and raced by Aldebaran Lodge Pty Ltd, Peter Svanosio and Elizabeth Maclean was tough after racing going forward to race exposed from an inside second line draw before striding clear on the home turn to register an easy 14.8 metre victory in advance of former Sydneysider Gardena Ronda which led in 2-00.7, with Bacardi Wood (one/one) third 8 metres back.

Better Brother bred and raced Alan Flanders went forward from gate five to lead throughout in defeating a game Sir Chow (one/two – three wide to outside the winner) by 2.1 metres. New Yorker (death – one/one) was third 1.5 metres away. The mile rate 1-57.2.

■ Andy and Kate Gath also snared a double with 5Y0 Pet Rock-Karalta Impulsive gelding Impulsive George leading all of the way from the pole in the Revive2Survive Pace over 2150 metres to just last by a nose from Diegos Diamond along the sprint lane after trailing in 201.1. Nifty Jolt (one/one – three wide last lap) was third 2.1 metres back, while Art Major-Blissful Night gelding Cool Night in what was the ‘drive of the day’ by Kate landed the Yarra Glen Bakehouse 3Y0 Pace over 1650 metres.

Taken back from gate five to settle at the tail as Whos Watching Lily led from gate five, Cool Night never left the peg line, finishing hard along the sprint lane on turning to record an easy 6.3 metre margin over the leader, with Inexorable

Harness Racing

third. Chedalayo starting outside the front line and going forward crossed the leader Keayang Speak (gate five) on the first turn and was untroubled to score by 4.2 metres from Keayang Speak, with Emjaybee (one/two – three wide at bell) third 5.3 metres back. The mile rate 201.4.

■ Ecklin South Trainer Mattie Craven and stable assistant Rory Coverdale snared the Acacia Caravan Park Pace over 2195 metres with 6Y0 A Rocknroll Dance-Miss Toolern Vale mare Ona Merry Dance. Going forward from gate six to race outside the favourite Sugoi Alto which led easily from gate two before gaining cover when Alpha Crucis was set alight at the bell to join the leader.

with Len Baker

len-baker@ bigpond.com

3.9 metres away third after trailing the runner up. The mile rate 1-56.3.

First to arrive

■ Shepparton raced on Tuesday and the night belonged to local Girgarre duo Lisa (trainer) and Mark (driver) Pitt who provided a treble during the evening. Rock N Roll Heaven-Krisney Girl colt Specta (gate two) was first to arrive when using the sprint lane off the back of the leader My Four Sisters (gate three) in the Alabar 2Y0 and 3Y0 Pace over 1690 metres accounting for Lennys Angel (one/one) from gate five and My Four Sisters (gate three) which led in a tight finish. The margins a head by a head in a mile rate of 1-58.8.

■ Next to arrive was Downbytheseaside-A Few Dollars More filly Ivana Bytheseaside in the Saddleworld Shepparton 3Y0 Pace, leading throughout from the pole to register a head margin over a death-seating Ozzie Punta, with Edward Grange (one/one) flashing late for third a half head away in another thrilling finish. The mile rate 1-58.5.

■ Former NSW trained 4Y0 Love You-Chew The Fat gelding Van Doren first up in Victoria chalked up his 3rd success in 24 outings when taking the 2190 metre Jims Diggers Trotters Handicap in a rate of 2-02.9. Settling three pegs from barrier three, Van Doren came away from the markers at the bell to race exposed for final circuit.

Taking over on the home turn, Van Doren had to pull out all stops to record another head margin from Partytime (three wide home turn from one/three), with Baxter (five pegs – one/ one at bell) third 4.2 metres away. Patch

■ Former Western District breeder/part-owner/ trainer David Sweatman now based at Benalla, brought off a giant plunge when 6Y0 RestrepoChabachon gelding Prickle Patch scored in the JDC Contractors Pace over 2190 metres.

Driven by Ararat’s Michael Bellman, Prickle Patch had no difficulty in leading from the pole before being eased to allow Secret Wish (gate seven) to assume control.

Enjoying a lovely passage, Prickle Patch used the sprint lane to gain the day by a half neck over a death-seating Rocks Can Roll returning a mile rate of 1-59. Lils Nightmare (one/one at bell) was third 1.3 metres back. Pickle Patch last saluted the judge at Melton back in July 2021.

Returned to sport

■ A rather wet night at Ararat on Wednesday saw some interesting results including a double to Brown Hill trainer Zac Steenhuis who has only recently returned to the sport after a lengthy suspension. Eight year old American Ideal-Cole’s Secret mare Lady Lagertha led throughout in the 2195 metres Pace Hotondo Homes – Ararat Pace and handy 4Y0 Betterthancheddar-Im Tondelayo mare Chedalayo did almost similar in the Pre Mix King Ararat Pace over the same trip, both horses driven by champion reinsman Chris Alford.

Lady Lagertha after beginning fast from gate three coasted at the head of affairs, running out a 9.1 metre victor in 2-03.4 ahead of ten year old Kempseys Delight (three pegs – three wide home turn) and Swiss Lightning which raced exposed from the bell finishing 2.4 metres away

Producing a lightning burst of speed to lead on the home turn off a three wide trail, Flaming Lucky swept clear on the final bend appearing to have the race at his mercy with Ona Merry Dance angling three wide on the final bend to give chase. Finishing at 100 miles an hour out wide, Ona Merry Dance bloused Flaming Lucky by a head, with Sugoi Alto holding down third 7.6 metres back. The mile rate 2-03.4.

■ Kooreh co-trainers Shaun and Jason McNaulty’s 5Y0 Betterthancheddar-Rocky Ohoulihan mare Redbank Molly, a former Queenslander snared the Ararat Rural City Pace over 2195 metres in a 2-03.8 mile rate.

Driven by Kerryn Manning, Redbank Molly was eased from gate two at the start to settle three back in the moving line as Gozo Courage flew away from gate five to lead easily before kicking away on the home turn with what looked to be a winning margin.

Giving chase on turning, Redbank Molly finished best to overhaul the leader by a half neck, with Dancin With Elvis 6.9 metres back in third place after racing uncovered from the bell.

■ Seven year old Kiwi bred Bettors DelightGinnie Moon mare Lottie Moon trained in partnership by AJ and Beau Tindale at Berringa was successful in the Ararat Advocate Pace over 1790 metres.

Given a cosy passage three back in the moving line from gate two on the second line by Jordan Leedham as Morvah (gate two) led, Lottie Moon moved up stylishly three wide on the final bend and raced away over the closing stages to record a 8.2 metre margin from Pesci which followed her throughout from the extreme draw, Tic Tact (one/one) was third a further 8.2 metres away. The mile rate 1-57.7.

■ Local trainer/driver Michael Bellman’s 8Y0 Majestic Son-Fleetwood Blue mare Majestic Pride is good when she puts it all together and that occurred in the Newton Equine Trotters Mobile over 2195 metres much to the delight of the Hull’s who race and bred her.

Beginning safely from the extreme draw, Majestic Pride was off and running shortly after the start to effortlessly cross Glengarriff (gate five) which after being three wide took over from Lady Madge Lewis.

Allowed to bowl along at her leisure, Majestic Son toyed with her rivals to score untouched by 8.3 metres from Wish Upon A Dream from the rear. With Glengarrif holding down third 2.2 metres back. The mile rate 2-02.3. It was Majestic Pride’s 10th success at start number 62.

Took honours

■ Champion Bolinda reinsman Chris Alford took the honours at the Kilmore meeting transferred to Melton on Thursday June 8 due to heavy rain the night before with a winning treble. First to arrive was wife Alison trained 4Y0 Betting Line-Maastricht mare Maas Betting Again in the MC Security Pace over 1690 metres.

Taken back from gate six to settle four back in the moving line, Maas Betting Again cut lose three wide approaching the bell to park outside the leader Jay Bee for the final circuit.

Dashing to the front on the home turn, Maars Betting Again held a margin to the wire to score by 5.5 metres from Merry Dancer (one/three –three wide last lap), with Shania Tee running home late from the rear for third 6.1 metres away. The mile rate 1-57.

■ Four year old Love You-Right Interest gelding Speedy Lover trained at Avenel by David Aiken brought up win number two by taking the 2180 metre Tellurian Wines Trotters Mobile.

Sulky Snippets Sulky Snippets

This Week

■ Wednesday – Ararat, Thursday – Ballarat, Friday – Mildura/Shepparton, Saturday –Melton, Monday – Charlton, Tuesday –Kilmore.

Starting solo on the second line, Speedy Lover settled at the tail as Stockman Peter (gate seven) was able to cross Sonny Brooke (gate four). Making ground to be one/one in a strung out field, Speedy Lover angled three wide to race exposed at the bell and did best to register a 3.4 metre margin from Stockman Peter which showed plenty of heart. Polemarker Constant (four pegs – one/three at bell – four wide home turn) was third 1.4 metres back. The mile rate 2-01.

■ Joining forces with neighbour Brent Lilley aboard 4Y0 Love You-Chevron Express gelding Kyvalley Picasso in the Buds & Branches Florist Trotters Mobile over 2180 metres, Alford after giving the horse a lovely trip (one/one –three wide to outside the leader Im Bobby at the bell) from gate five, raced to the front on turning to register a 2.7 metre margin in 2-02.9 from Night Whisperer (one/two at bell – three wide home turn), with rank outsider Star Down Under out wide third 4.8 metres back after spending most of the race at the rear.

■ On a night of multiple victories, eighty four year old Bet Bet part-owner/trainer Ray Cross combined with Anthony Butt to land the Momentum Gaming Trotters Mobile with 6Y0 Imperial Count-Kumbya mare Countess Chiron and the Georgina & Co Trotters Mobile with 4Y0 Yankee Spider-Ima Thrill Seeker gelding Alfie Always, both horses home bred products. Countess Chiron lobbed three back in the moving line from the extreme draw and after moving three wide in the last lap, raced clear on the home turn to win in a breeze 13.7 metres ahead of Reigning Lillies (one/one) and Silent Reverie (three pegs) who was 3.1 metres away after being held up slightly approaching the final bend. The mile rate 1-58.8.

Alfie Always led throughout from gate four to easily account for Montana Chevelle (four pegs – death seat last lap) by 16.5 metres in 159.6. Savvy Kyvalley which trailed the leader was third 6.9 metres away.

Friday events

■ Two meetings on Friday – Mildura in the day and Ballarat at night. The feature race at Mildura the $10,00 Park Douglas Printing Pace over 2190 metres going to to the Julie Douglas (Strathfieldsaye) trained ex-Kiwi 7Y0 Art Major-Fleets Pocket gelding Mighty Flying Art raced by staunch stable client Steve Warren and driven by Charlton reinswoman Abby Sanderson who celebrated her birthday in style.

Beginning fast from gate four, Mighty Flying Art rated a treat led throughout to account for the favourite Lip Reader (one/one from gate three on the second line) which eased three wide running into the final bend, with Bernie Winkle third after training the runner up.

The margins 2.7 by 2.4 metres in a mile rate of 1-59.6. Abby finished the day with a double after driving Boris Devcic’s 5Y0 A Rocknroll Dance-Shake It Up Baby gelding Danceforme to land the McDonalds Irymple & Mildura Pace over 2190 metres. Doubles were also recorded by Luke Dunne (Jay Miller for Scott Garraway and & Gracie Cullen for Aaron Coad) and Jack Laugher (Rojenbye for Reece Moore and Son Of Zodiac for Andrew Vozlic).

■ At Ballarat, Mitchell Park trainer Kelvin Barker’s Majestic Son-Imitating filly Sequence was a good winner of the Durham Park 3Y0 Trotters Mobile over 2200 metres. Driven by Jason Lee, Sequence starting from the extreme draw raced exposed before crossing the leader Oopzee Daizee for the last lap in defeating her by 8.9 metres in a rate of 2-02.2.Maori Franklin was third 10 metres back off a mid-field trip.

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JAYCO Off Road Caravan

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

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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

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T-AA

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T-AA

SEWING MACHINE. Vintage (two). Werthiem brand. Average Cond. $100. Wandong. 0418 399 261.

STOCK SADDLE. Davidson. Near new. With all accessories. GC. $500. Broadford. 0429 951 862. O-R

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VACUUM. Shark Rotator Upright With all accessories. Instruction guide. Mop shark steam pocket guide book. EC. $370. Eltham. 0404 7151 151. X-DD

WALKER. VGC. $40. Mill Park. 9436 8935.

WALKING MACHINE. Electric. Paid $170, will sell for $70. VGC. Ferntree Gully. 0407 533 560. T-AA

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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MARBLE TOP Coffee Table. Solid. EC. $50. Frankston. 0488 062 837.

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Packaged liquor licence application

We Premium Co Greensborough Pty Ltd applied to the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation on [date] for the grant of a packaged liquor licence at Shop 121C, 25 Main St, Greensborough VIC 3088.

Any person may object to the grant of this application on the grounds that:

• it would detract from, or be detrimental to, the amenity of the area in which the premises are situated, and/or

• it would be conducive to or encourage the misuse or abuse of alcohol.

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Objections must be made in writing to:

Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation GPO Box 1988 Melbourne VIC 3001

Objections must be made no later than 30 days after the date of this notice.

I, Sagar Chawla, S/ o Laxmikant Lachhmandas Chawla, aged 30 years, residing at 31 Sagar Niwas , Ambika Nagar, Amravati, Maharashtra, 444601, India, changed my name from Sagar to Sagar Chawla, vide affidavit dated 26/ 05/2023, sworn before notary Katelyn Bairo, constable 48041.

FOR SALE FOR SALE FOR SALE

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T-AA

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X-DD

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X-DD

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X-DD

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