‘Long Shots’ Editor’s Column

published in association with the Melbourne Observer

First published September 14, 1969 Contact Us

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Our Team

Editor: Ash Long Features Editor: Peter Mac Columnists: Len Baker, Matt Bissett-Johnson, Rob Foenander, Mike McColl Jones, Peter Kemp, Aaron Rourke, John Rozentals, Jim Sherlock, Ted Ryan, Cheryl Threadgold, Julie Houghton, Kevin Trask, Gavin Wood, John O’Keefe Honorary Reviewers: Juliet Charles, Sherryn Danaher, Mary Downie, Peter Green, Lyn Hurst, Kathryn Keeble, Beth Klein, Deborah Marinaro, David McLean, Graeme McCoubrie, Maggie Morrison, Jill Page, Elizabeth Semmel Logistics: Sam Fiorini (All Day Distribution), The Gregson Family, Graeme Hawke, Maurice Golden, John Parry Credit Manager: Michael Conway OAM, Fast Action Debt Recovery, 0402 142 866 In 38 Local Areas

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

Also incorporating Melbourne Press Network, Victorian Press Network, Victorian Press, Melbourne Trader Newspaper, Melbourne Advertiser, Melbourne Seniors News, Victorian Rural News, Melbournewide Imprint

Vics lose $30m to scams

■ Victorians are being urged to protect themselves and their families from financial scams as part of a new Crime Stoppers Victoria campaign.

The Let’s Talk Scams campaign is focused on preventing the public from falling victim to financial scams.

These scams promise victims big payouts, fast money or guaranteed returns only to dupe them of hard-earned cash.

According to the ACCC's Scamwatch, financial scams have caused the most losses this year, so far costing Australians more than $114 million.

Victorians have lost $30 million to financial scams - representing a quarter of all money lost nationwide.

By the end of 2021, it's predicted losses to financial scams Australia-wide will have more than doubled last year’s figure.

Warning for 65+

■ People aged over 65 are most likely to fall victim to financial scams.

The Chinese, Vietnamese, Burmese and Sri Lankan communities have also been disproportionally affected with scammers preying on people for whom English is a second language.

Crime Stoppers

Victoria Chief Executive Stella Smith said: "Scammers will target older people because they are less likely to tell anyone.

“That’s why talking with your parents and grandparents is an important step in scam prevention.

Long Shots

with Ash Long, Editor

Celebrating 52 years in local media Winner, Best Local Reporting Award

Victoria-wide Westpac Award

Direct: 0450 399 932

E: editor@LocalPaper.com.au

Web: www.LocalPaper.com.au Personal: www.AshLong.com.au

“For the cause that lacks assistance,

‘Gainst the wrongs that need resistance For the future in the distance, And the good that we can do”

● ● ● ● ● Stella Smith, Crime Stoppers

"We’re hearing stories of parents and grandparents who have lost thousands of dollars to scammers promising quick money, guaranteed returns, or big pay-outs with little or no risk. "We don’t want people to feel embarrassed about being scammed.

“Talking about scams helps raise awareness among friends and family — it’s about shaming the scammer, not the victim."

Ms Smith said financial scams were often disguised within financial trends like cryptocurrency, celebrity endorsements and superannuation. "Scammers will often use a variety of methods to target their victims, including unsolicited phone calls, text messages, emails and social media messages.”

A good word for:

■ Victoria saw an image of courage and grit on Friday as it farewelled showbiz icon Bert Newton.

The audience of the televised State Funeral saw Bert’s widow, Patti, and their family, bravely accompanying the coffin at St Paul’s Ca-

thedral.

A special good word for Pete Smith, who was asked by the Newton family to read the tributes from son Matthew and daughter Lauren.

There were no better stories to tell, and no better storyteller than Pete Smith.

Thanks for the memories, Bert.

Event goes swimmingly

■ Avrohom Mordechai Kimelman, of St Kilda East, has been sentenced to 18-months imprisonment, to be released immediately upon entering into a $5000 recognizance and an undertaking to be of good behaviour for two years, after being convicted in the County Court of insider trading and market manipulation offences.

Mr Kimelman is a former director of Quantum Resources Ltd, now known as Nova Minerals Limited.

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission said that Mr Kimelman sought to manipulate Quantum’s share price and procured the acquisition of almost two million shares while possessing information not available to the market.

On November 16, 2015, Mr Kimelman conspired to manipulate Quantum’s share price.

Mr Kimelman also procured the acquisition of 1,990,963 Quantum shares between April 27, 2016, and May 5, 2016, while possessing inside information concerning Quantum’s intention to acquire Manitoba Minerals Pty Ltd, which had agreed to acquire an interest in a lithium resource in Canada.

Judge Meredith noted the seriousness of market misconduct and its ability to undermine confidence in the integrity of Australia’s financial markets.

An important feature of the promotion of confidence is the presence of criminal offences for recognised market misconduct.

Judge Meredith further noted that had Mr Kimelman not pled guilty, notionally he would have imposed a sentence of two years and two months in prison, to be released after serving 12 months on a recognizance and undertaking to be of good behaviour

As a result of his conviction, Mr Kimelman is automatically disqualified from managing corporations for five years from the date of conviction.

The matter was prosecuted by the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions.

Short Shots

■ The Survivors group of TV, radio and recording industry journeymen - founded by a group including Bert Newton - will meet at South Melbourne for a special lunch on Saturday, November 27. There will be a good showing of the team from The Local Paper and Melbourne Observer. ■ Well done to Melbourne theatre owners Jason Marriner and Mike Walsh for dimming their theatre lights last Thursday night (Nov. 11) in memory of Bert. The dimming of theatre lights is a time-honoured tradition reserved for honouring the most significant of contributors to the theatre community. ■ Our thoughts are with the organisers of the Yea Picnic Races. They had waited two years through COVID to stage a proper meeting, only for last Saturday’s meeting to be abandoned because of the heavy rains. Headed by President Denis Smith, they are a resilient lot. They will be back with another meeting next month. ■ Indigenous publishing house Magabala Books have released an exquisite children’s picture book, Sharing, showcasing the power of First Nations stories for children. Sharing indigenous voices with children is an important aspect of understanding and respecting indigenous culture. It is written by Senior Boon Wurrung and Wamba Wamba Elder Aunty Fay Muir and Sue Lawson.