The Local Paper. Southern Cross Weekly Edition. Wed., Dec. 1, 2021

‘SOUTHERN CROSS WEEKLY’ EDITION BAYSIDE • BOROONDARA • GLEN EIRA • KINGSTON • MELBOURNE • PORT PHILLIP • STONNINGTON • YARRA Local and Independent. Not associated with any other publication in this area.

Phone: 1800 231 311.

www.LocalPaper.com.au

‘The Local Paper’ is published

by Local Media Pty Ltd

www.AdvertiseFree.com.au

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2021

Jami is Mayor

Media mates meet B.R. BLACKBURN PRECISION WALL & FLOOR TILE INSTALL PHONE BRIAN RAY OR NEIL

0449 651 216

najgnn23@icloud.com WILL TRAVEL ● Radio men Denis O’Kane and Derryn Hinch were at South Melbourne’s Emerald Hotel on Saturday for the Survivors Club twice-yearly luncheon. The group, formed by the late Bert Newton and associates, includes radio, TV, recording industry veterans. More photos on Page 9.

● Cr Jami Klisaris and Cr Melina Sehr ■ Cr Jami Klisaris has been elected as new Mayor of the City of Stonnington.

Cr Melina Sehr will be Deputy Mayor.

Serving in her third term as a Councillor this will be the second time Cr Klisaris has been Mayor, having previously been in the role from 2016-2017.

She has been a Councillor since 2012.

CHAIN OF PONDS DELAY

FIX IT NOW ● 40 Years Building Experience ● We fix anything ● Emergency service ● Will beat any quote ● All building repairs ● All Trades AFTER HOURS EMERGENCY SERVICE

0416 32 1790 Abbey Drive-In Self Storage Oakleigh

Our 3-acre indoor/outdoor facilities opposite Huntingdale golf course can seriously help expand your business or living stle.

This week's special: Rent a brand new shopping container for $360 pcm.

Call John now 0401 183 555 or 9562 6039 to lock in this price

Metal, Tile Roof Specialist

by Ex-historic Monument restorer (France)

Fascia and Guttering Carpentry, Carport Decking, Painting and Home Improvements

0432 621 742

bsaferoofing@gmail.com

■ RESIDENTS can look forward to enjoying their own wetlands and grassy woodland oasis when Bayside Council completes its creation of a chain of ponds.

The ponds will be accessible via a network of footpaths, boardwalks and rock crossings early in the new year in Elsternwick Park Nature Reserve.

A planned October completion date has been set back due to COVID-19 restrictions.

The Reserve covers 15 hectares of area that was formerly the Elsternwick Park Golf Course, 11

● The Chain of Ponds at Elsternwick Park Nature Reserve.

hectares of which are currently open to the public.

Bayside Council is in the process of creating a chain of ponds with up to 30,000 new plants, including aquatic plants to be planted in the Reserve.

The ponds will use water from Elsternwick Creek to irrigate and circulate water through the Reserve.

Two new boardwalks are scheduled for completion in February, with one measuring 60 metres and the second measuring 30m, said a Bayside Council representative.

DAWSONS TREE SERVICES Safety First

A family business with over 40 years experience • Large Tree Specialists • Mulch Available • Hedge Trimming Experts • FREE QUOTES • Stump Grinding $20 million insurance From • No Fuss • No Mess • No Stress

☎ 9720 5111

$100

TOTAL CARE

PAVING & LANDSCAPING Professional * Prompt * Reliable ★ Brick & concrete pavers ★ Drives, paths, etc ★ Retention wall systems ★ Decking and Pergolas ★ Total landscaping requirements Free Quotes and Advice

0413 885 267 ✆ 9531 7103

MULTITRADE HANDYMAN

Commercial & Residential Services General Interior Work and Repairs Cabinetry, Carpentry & Painting

0417 579 387

info@multitradehandyman.com.au

Page 2 - The Local Paper - Wednesday, December 1, 2021

Where to pick up your free copy of The Local Paper ■ ABBOTSFORD. IGA. 306-310 Johnston St. ■ ALBERT PARK. IGA. 163 Mills St. ■ AUBURN. Newsagency. 119 Auburn Rd ■ AUBURN SOUTH. Newsagency.

289 Auburn Rd. ■ BALACLAVA. Blencowes Milk Bar. 305 Inkerman St. ■ BALACLAVA. NewsXpress. 143 Carlisle St. ■ BEAUMARIS. IGA. 6/12 Concourse.

■ BEAUMARIS. Newsagency. 2 Concourse.

■ BENTLEIGH. Bentleigh Club. 33 Yawla Rd. ■ BENTLEIGH. Bentleigh RSL. 538 Centre Rd. ■ BENTLEIGH. Good Times Milk Bar. 83 Tucker Rd. ■ BENTLEIGH EAST. IGA Ritchies Supermarket. 1/16 Heather St. ■ BLACK ROCK. 7-Eleven. 583589 Balcombe Rd. ■ BLACK ROCK. Milk Bar. 187 Bluff Rd. ■ BRIGHTON. Brighton Grocer. 112 Were St. ■ BRIGHTON EAST. Newsagency.

613 Hampton St. ■ BRIGHTON NORTH. Newsagency.

324 Bay St. ■ BURNLEY. Burnley and West Richmond Newsagency. 375 Burnley St. ■ CAMBERWELL. Camberwell Lotto. 741 Burke Rd. ■ CAMBERWELL. Camberwell Market Newsagency. 793 Burke Rd. ■ CARNEGIE. TSG. 8/119 Koornang Rd. ■ CAULFIELD. Authorised Newsagency. 14 Derby Rd. ■ CHELTENHAM. Bottlemart Express. 174 Weatherall Rd. ■ CHELTENHAM. Newsagnecy. 332 Charman Rd ■ CHELTENHAM NORTH. IGA. 1/ 39 Bernard St. ■ CHELTENHAM NORTH. Licensed Post Office. 35 Bernard St. ■ COLLINGWOOD. Smith St Newsagency. 212 Smith St. ■ EAST MELBOURNE. Coles Express. 1181 Hoddle St. ■ ELSTERNWICK. Mr Pickwick’s Newsagency. 348 Glenhuntly Rd. ■ ELWOOD. 7-Eleven. 2 Ormond Rd. ■ ELWOOD. Jerry’s Milk Bar. 345 Barkly St. ■ ELWOOD. News. 105 Ormond Rd. ■ ELWOOD. Wines. 33 Ormond Rd. ■ GARDENVALE. Newsagency. 168 Martin St. ■ GLEN HUNTLY. Glenhuntly Newsagency. 1164 Glenhuntly Rd. ■ GLEN IRIS. 161 Cellars. 161 Burke Rd. ■ GLEN IRIS. BP. 44-56 High St. ■ GLEN IRIS. Foodworks. Level 1/ 1601 Malvern Rd. ■ GLEN IRIS. High St Sub-News and Lotto. 5/35-43 High St. ■ GLENFERRIE. Newsagency. 660 Glenferrie Rd. ■ HAMPTON. Newsagency. 343 Hampton St. ■ HAMPTON. RSL. 25 Holyrood St. ■ HAMPTON. Sebastian’s Food and Wine. 301-303 Hampton St. ■ HARTWELL. Leo’s Fine Food. 2 Summerhill Rd.

■ HARTWELL. Licensed Post Office.

1166 Toorak Rd. ■ HAWKSBURN. Woolworths Metro.

559-569 Malvern Rd. ■ HAWTHORN. 7-Eleven. Cnr Church and Pine Sts. ■ HAWTHORN. 7-Eleven. Cnr Barkers Rd and Glenferrie Rd. ■ HAWTHORN. Caltex. 73 Camberwell Rd. ■ HAWTHORN. Licensed Post Office.

782 Glenferrie Rd. ■ HAWTHORN. Renaissance IGA. 102 Burwood Rd. ■ HAWTHORN WEST. Shell/Liberty Service Station. Cnr Church St and Barkers Rd. ■ MALVERN. BP Food Plus. 1367 High St. ■ MALVERN EAST. Central Park Licensed Post Office. 122 Burke Rd. ■ McKINNON. Newsagency. 163 McKinnon Rd. ■ MIDDLE PARK. IGA. 19-21 Armstrong St. ■ MIDDLE PARK. Newsagency. 16 Armstrong St. ■ MOORABBIN. Caltex Woolworths.

Cnr South Rd and Chesterville Rd. ■ MOORABBIN. Coles Express. 422 South Rd. ■ MOORABBIN. Hub Lotto. 3/11 Taylor St. ■ MOORABBIN. Wishart Licensed Post Office. 478 South Rd. ■ ORMOND. News. 497 North Rd. ■ PORT MELBOURNE. 7-Eleven.

Cnr Crockford St and Pickles St. ■ PORT MELBOURNE. News Extra.

192 Bay St. ■ PRAHRAN. Ampol. Cnr Punt Rd and Commercial Rd. ■ RICHMOND. Tatts. 260 Church St. ■ RICHMOND. Tattslotto. 308 Bridge Rd. ■ RICHMOND NORTH. 7-Eleven.

94 Church St. ■ RICHMOND NORTH. Eight 8 Lotto. 276 Victoria St. ■ RICHMOND NORTH. Good Luck Lotto. 347 Victoria St. ■ SANDRINGHAM. 7-Eleven. Cnr Bay Rd and Bluff Rd. ■ SANDRINGHAM. Caltex Star Mart. 73 Beach Rd. ■ SANDRINGHAM. Newsagency.

Cnr Abbott St and Waltham St. ■ SOUTH MELBOURNE. 7-Eleven.

322-326 Clarendon St. ■ SOUTH MELBOURNE. Caltex Star Mart. Cnr Kingsway and Bank St. ■ SOUTH MELBOURNE. IGA. 3638 Park St. ■ SOUTH MELBOURNE. Montague Park Food Store. 406 Park St. ■ SOUTH YARRA. 7-Eleven. 187189 Domain Rd. ■ SOUTH YARRA. 7-Eleven. Cnr Toorak Rd and Punt Rd. ■ SOUTH YARRA. 7-Eleven South Yarra Station. 167 Toorak Rd. ■ SOUTH YARRA. IGA Xpress. 113115 Toorak Rd. ■ ST KILDA. 7-Eleven. 75 Fitzroy St. ■ ST KILDA. Coles Express. 120134 Barkly St. ■ ST KILDA. The Lott. 160 Acland St. ■ TOORAK. NewsXpress. 479 Toorak Rd. ■ TOORONGA. Licensed Post Office.

1445 Malvern Rd.

www.LocalPaper.com.au

Local News

Greens keep control

■ Cr Sophie Wade was elected last Thursday night (Nov. 25) as Mayor of the City of Yarra. Cr Edward Crossland will be Deputy Mayor for the next 12 months.

The vote took place after more than a week’s delayed and adjourned meeting when Councillors had failed to reach a majority decision after a battle between the Greens and the Socialists.

● Cr Claudia Nguyen

Our Spy in Parliament

MPs’ exit strategy

● Cr Sophie Wade, Yarra Mayor.

There were whispers around Yarra City Council that Cr Claudia Nguyen was promised a future gig as Mayor in return for the vote that put Cr Sophie Wade in the big chair on Thursday night.

Cr Wade is a member of the Australian Greens.

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

Criminal Case Listings Wednesday, December 1 Agrawal, Saket Anasta, Simon Anthony, Joel Apostolopoulos, Bill Arceri, Caterina Archibald, Steven Ariza, Sergio Armitt, Jodie Maree Awad, Michael Andrew Bajorek, Eugeniusz Baker, William Bakhmut, Oleh Bernstein, Jeremy Berry, Matthew Bishop, Peter Bond, Shane Bowers, Glenn Campbell, Hamish Catlin, Allan Chambers, Geoffrey Chinea, Shaylee Chokshi, Kevin Cogollo Hincapie, Diego Alejandro Conway, Jim Dantas Campelo, Emanuel Den Ridder, Wayne Deng, Chang Sha Devic, Neven Drakos, Kosta Floyd, Martin Garrison, Justin Gates, Patrick Gaw, Matthew Gebrekidan, Misayel Simon Gilbert, Dean Thomas Graham, Jarrod Gringruz, David Hicks, Walter Augustus Hodes, Jennifer Hodgson-Williams, Scott Geoffrey Holdevici, Alexandru Hondros, Andrew Hynes, David Hyrons, Anthony Ioane-Kaitara, Pa-Tokerau-Tra Jawadi, Khalid John, Jaroslav Kakar, Kamilla Kennedy, Janice Keskin, Bora Koumaras, Pandelis Krayz, David Kuchel, Shanice Lewin, John Lowe, Ken Marshall, Rachel

The Whip

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

Mayer, Raphael Mccormick, Brooke Mckenzie, Jana Milne, Peter Min, Nanda Thu Mohmedi Kartalee, Babak Mutapcic, Emil Mutapcic, Sanjin Nemeth, Shane O'donnell, Alexandra Pagano, Philip Papallo, Jonathan Phillips, Francis Polterman, Michael Pozo, Ivan Prosser, Beth Purcell, Paulina Rabone, Vincent Rai, Renuka Riny, Dominique Saccotelli, Vincenzo Schell, Eric Sharpe, Kye Silverii, Phillip Singh, Jaireet Singh, Simran Singh, Tarsem Sinyavker, Emily Stacey, Steven Stellios, Aaron Stevens, Ross Keith Teny, Nyanchieu The Estate Of Helmut Erich Hellwig Thomas, Taylor Tornello, Vanessa Valahis, Christos Vella, Stephen Voulgaris, Christopher Ward, Michelle Susan Waters, Michael White, Jake Whittaker, Lauren Mary

● Danielle Green, Yan Yean MLA ■ Victoria’s worst-kept political secret was let out of the bag when Danielle Green announced that she would no re-contest the Yan Yean seat in the November 2022 State Election.

She joins quite a queue of Andrews State Parliament MPs preparing to depart spring St. Others include: ■ Richard Wynne, Planning Minister, Richmond, ■ Dustin Halse, Ringwood, ■ Jill Hennessy, Altona, and ■ John Eren, Lara.

Minister Martin Pakula is expected to return to the Upper House as his Keysborough seat disappears through redistribution.

And who knows what lies ahead for Adem Somyurek (now independent, South East Metro), Marlene Kairouz (Koroit) and Robin Scott (Preston)?

A lacklustre Matthew Guy has failed to exploit the media angle of so many leaving the good ship Andrews.

Victorians Party

■ A new political group, the Victorians Party, is set to contest next year’s State Elections.

One of its key backers is Cr Oscar Yildiz from the notorious Moreland Council. Former footy star Paul Dimattina and businesswoman Ingrid Maynard are also on board, with plans for the party to contest every Lower House and Upper House seat.

Labor would need to suffer a 7 per cent swing to lose government.

Operation Watts

■ “The Andrews Labor Government must instruct the Victorian branch of the Australian Labor Party to provide all documents requested by the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission in its Operation Watts inquiry after a motion was passed by the Liberal Nationals in the Upper House,” says Upper House Liberal, David Davis.

“Daniel Andrews has starved IBAC of resources in a deliberate attempt to constrain its investigations into ALP corruption and, in relation to Operation Watts, has refused to direct the ALP to comply with IBAC’s requests for documents.”

No body, no parole

■ Under a State Coalition Government, convicted murderers will not be eligible for release on parole unless they have provided Police with the details of where the body of their victim is located, says an Opposition media statement. This is unlike Parliament where many MPs are eager to reveal where all the bodies are buried.

www.LocalPaper.com.au

Ticks & Crosses

✖

The Local Paper receives anonymous calls all the time from people wanting us to push their political barrow for them. One caller last week repeated three times how they were concerned to keep their identity secret. We respect that. But if it such a concern, it is probably best not to phone from a number that displays the name of the caller on a smart phone.

✔

Six Boroondara Sports Awards have been presented at an awards ceremony at Hawthorn Arts Centre. SBS Sport host and broadcaster Megan Hustwaite facilitated the awards ceremony, while 2021 Norm Smith Medallist and Melbourne Football Club midfielder Christian Petracca was a guest speaker.

■ Inclusive Club of the Year – Old Xaverians Athletic Club ■ Innovative Club of the Year – Camberwell Hockey Club ■ Collaborative Club of the Year – North Balwyn Bowls Club ■ Young Club Person of the Year – Amy Marinov from Hawthorn Citizens’Youth Club ■ Club Person of the Year – Mark Russell from Kiwi Hawthorn Rugby Union Club ■ Lifetime Achievement Award – Doug Fox from Camberwell Lacrosse Club.

● Brenda Todd of Brighton East Brighton East woman Brenda Todd is an 80-year-old with loads of en ergy and a passion for giving back.

As a hard-working volunteer Brenda has been honoured for her service with a 2021 Victorian Senior of the Year Award. Brenda was nominated by the Asylum Seekers Resource Centre where she has been a volunteer for eight years. When she first was told of the resource centre the retired psychologist and psychotherapist decided it would be a great fit for her. “I had been retired for a while and had started to think I should use my training and skills. Someone, my daughter I think, told me about the centre and I applied to volunteer there,” Brenda said. “I love volunteering there. I meet wonderful, courageous people and I feel like I am helping. I love learning about different cultures through my clients at Asylum Seeker Resource Centre.”

✔

✔

As well as that work, Brenda helps improve the lives of oth ers through her community activities and volunteer roles with Grandmothers for Refugees, the Brighton Bayside Life Activities Club and Brighton Theatre Company. “The Brighton Activities Club is a great place for seniors, people who have lost their partner or people who just want to connect with others,’ Brenda said. “It has so much to offer.” Brenda, who has lived in Bayside for 43 years, said her energy for volunteering comes from how it makes her feel. “All of this work makes me feel good. To in even a small way help others – even giving $20 to a homeless person on the street – is uplifting because you can see the appreciation,” Brenda said. “In helping others, I get back as much as I give.” The mum of three and grandmother of six was “very surprised” by her award but delighted.

“It is lovely to be recognised,” she said.

✖

Asbestos can still be found anywhere in one-out of three homes, says Bayside City Council.

The Local Paper - Wednesday, December 1, 2021 - Page 3

Local Briefs CBD assault

Local News

New directors for Market

■ Prahran Market has new directors. Stonnington Mayor Cr Jami Klisaris, says the new Board will position the 157-year-old market for an exciting future.

Kate O’Sullivan will be Chair and Non-Executive Director. The Board appointments are for three years, which start today (Wed., Dec. 1).

Ms O’Sullivan is an experienced executive and board member with a demonstrated history of working in the sports, racing and entertainment and hospitality industries.

She is killed in strategy development, executive coaching, sales and marketing management, budgeting and commercial operations and business planning.

Non-Executive Director appointments include Andrew Hockley, Megan FrenchWright, Bella Kratz and Kandi Straker.

Cr Kilsaris said: ““I’d also like to thank the outgoing Board members: Samantha Winter, Ian Webb and Brian Morris who have provided oversight and stewardship of Prahran Market throughout their respective terms.”

Prahran Market General Manager, Simon Ward, agrees that the new Board will bring some exciting expertise to the Market.

Hit Police car

● Kate O’Sullivan

Drug bust at Sth Yarra

■ Officers from Prahran Divisional Response Unit have charged a woman with drugs offences after executing a warrant in South Yarra on Thursday (Nov. 25 Numerous reports from local traders and residents had been made to Police alleging illegal activity in the area.

An operation was commenced which resulted in the arrest of a 42-year-old South Yarra woman on Toorak Rd. A warrant was then executed at a Toorak Rd address where it is alleged Police located drugs, cash and other paraphernalia.

The 42-year-old was charged with traffick drug of dependence, possess drug of dependence, possess prescription medication and possess proceeds of crime.

She has been bailed to appear at court at a later date.

Abbotsford hit-run ■ Detectives from Yarra Crime Investigation Unit are investigating the circumstances surrounding a hit-run collision in Abbotsford on Sunday morning (Nov. 28).

Investigators have been told a 25-year-old Collingwood man was crossing Hoddle St about 12.40am.

He stepped out into the path of a vehicle that was travelling south bound on Hoddle St near the intersection of Johnston St and was struck by the vehicle.

He was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

The driver of the vehicle, believed to be a light-

coloured sedan, failed to stop and continued driving south on Hoddle St. Investigators are appealing to anyone who may have been in the area at the time of the collision who witnessed the incident or with dashcam footage, to contact them.

It is believed the vehicle would have sustained damage to the front left area of the vehicle.

■ Anyone with information or dashcam footage of the vehicle is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report at www. crimestoppersvic.com.au

St Kilda tram assault

■ Transit Crime Investigation Unit detectives are investigating following an assault on a tram driver in St Kilda.

Investigators have been told a man boarded a tram outside the Balaclava Railway Station with a young child around 4.40pm on Saturday, November 13.

As the tram travelled through St Kilda, the man became abusive, causing the tram driver to request he leave the tram.

The man then went to the front of the tram and assaulted the tram driver by grabbing her by the throat, through the driver’s window.

Police have released CCTV and images of a man they believe may be able to assist with their enquiries.

■ The investigation into the incident is ongoing and anyone who has information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au ● You can have a free copy of The Local Paper digital edition e-mailed to your in-box. It is an exact replica of the print edition. Go to: www.FreePaper.com.au

■ A man has been charged following an alleged assault in Melbourne on Sunday morning (Nov. 28).

Investigators have been told a 45-yearold St Kilda man was allegedly assaulted following an altercation with another man on Elizabeth St about 12.40pm.

The victim fell to the ground and sustained a serious head injury and was taken to hospital for treatment.

A 20-year-old Seaford man was arrested at the scene and has been charged with: ■ Intentionally cause injury; ■ Recklessly cause injury; ■ Affray; ■ Assault with a weapon; and ■ Commit indictable offence whilst on bail.

Hewas remanded and was due to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court.

● Police want to speak with this man.

■ Officers from the Public Order Response Team impounded a vehicle after a collision in South Melbourne on Thursdaymorning.

The driver of the white Mitsubishi Triton ute, a 41-year-old Tarneit man, was travelling north along Queens Rd when he sided swiped an unmarked police vehicle just after 4am.

The collision caused minor damage to the side mirror on the police vehicle however the driver failed to stop.

Officers followed the vehicle and intercepted the man a short time later on Kings Way. He returned an alleged positive evidentiary breath test of 0.106.

His vehicle was impounded for 30 days at a cost of $896.10.

The man is expected to be charged on summons with drink driving, fail to stop after a collision and other traffic related offences.

Firearms warrant

■ Officers from Prahran Divisional Response Unit have charged a man with firearms offences after executing a warrant in South Yarra.

Police were informed of a number of gel blasters being kept at a residence on Malvern Rd. The warrant was executed on November 19 and a 33-year-old man was arrested at the scene.

It is alleged police seized three gel blasters including an imitation M4A1 assault rifle, imitation M92 Beretta and an imitation Glock.

The 33-year-old was charged with prohibited person possess imitation firearm and common law assault with a weapon.

He has been bailed to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on April 19.

■ A ■ A

L L

Page 4 - The Local Paper - Wednesday, December 1, 2021

www.LocalPaper.com.au

Ash on Wednesday published in association with the

Melbourne

Observer

First published September 14, 1969 Contact Us Phone: 1800 231 311, 9489 2222, 9439 9927, 5797 2656, 0450 399 932 Reg. Office: 30 Glen Gully Rd, Eltham, Vic 3095 (same address for 27 years) Mail: PO Box 1278, Research, Vic 3095 Web: www.LocalPaper.com.au E-Mail: Editor@LocalPaper.com.au

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

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

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

Councils under scrutiny

■ The Local Paper is produced weekly in 38 local areas in and around Melbourne.

Municipalities covered include Banyule, Bayside, Boroondara, Brimbank, Cardinia, Casey, Darebin, Frankston, Glen Eira, Greater Dandenong, Hobsons Bay, Hume, Kingston, Knox, Manningham, Mansfield, Maribyrnong, Maroondah, Melbourne, Mitchell, Monash, Moonee Valley, Moreland, Mornington Peninsula, Murrindindi, Nillumbik, Port Phillip, Stonnington, Strathbogie, Whitehorse, Whittlesea, Yarra and Yarra Ranges.

Traditionally, local papers provide an important level of scrutiny to the activities in local, State and Federal politics.

We report to our readers on the doings of politicans and their officials.

● Craig Lloyd, CEO, Whittlesea City Council

Long Shots

Trend disturbs

■ Of late, there has been a disturbing trend.

Earlier this year, our Whittlesea edition of The Local Paper reported on apparent shortcomings in the register of interests of staff.

A senior staff member left the Council. Simultaneously, the Council - under CEO Craig Lloyd - stopped all paid advertising with The Local Paper.

At Darebin Council we have been reporting apparent shortcomings in respect to potential asbestos and lead contamination at a local children’s playground.

Our front-page reporting called Darebin

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”

Council staff to account over failures to promptly erect fences, signage and issue a warning to local residents, as they were directed to do by a Council motion.

Simultaneously, the Council - under CEO Sue Wilkinson disallowed ads from planning permit applicants to be published in The Local Paper, as they have been allowed to do in the past.

Planning permit applicants are now slugged thousands of dollars to place ads in the Herald Sun. Are Councils seeking to financially punish media outlets that go further than being their unpaid publicists?

Are these ‘coincidences’? The answer to these questions may lie with the knowledge that these Councils refuse to enter into discussion. They lack the good manners to reply to correspondence.

Half-a-century of local reporting has taught Long Shots that CEOs and Councillors come and go.

We give readers this promise: The Local Paper will continue to apply the microscope (and a blowtorch if necessary) to the behaviour of these servants of the public.

We will do so - on your behalf - without fear or favour.

Short Shots

■ Which Federal politician’s nickname is Yorrick?

■ There are two weekly issues of The Local Paper remaining for 2021: December 8 and 15.

Old friends are best friends

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

• Copyright © 2021, Local Media Pty Ltd.

● Twice a year, ‘Long Shots’ joins with media colleagues of old at the ‘Survivors Club’ of TV, radio, press and recodrding industry veterans.

Pictured (from left) are Philip Brady, ‘yours truly’ and Peter Smith.

Local Politics There are two sides to every story

● Anthony Carbines, Ivanhoe MLA ■ There are at least two sides to every story.

Good reporting attempts to bring you all sides, and then let you decide.

The Local Paper received an email from reader Sandra Fisher who told us that she and five other electors tried to hand a document to Anthony Carbines, State Labor politician, but that he had denied them that opportunity.

“We got into reception but after discussions with reception staff, which would disappear before returning and eventually not return at all to receive the signed paperwork.

They threatened to call the police,” Ms Fisher said.

“We were not violent nor aggressive. Four of us waited outside most of the time. After about 35minutes and staff not retuning to reception I read out the cover letter that was signed, advised that we were under duress, and this would be emailed and posted to him.

“Think it’s pretty disgusting that a person that is supposed to work for us will not accept paperwork- nor show his face,” Ms Fisher said. The Local Paper sought the MP’s response.

Mr Carbines said: “The individuals to which you refer did not comply with the following COVID safe regulations: ■ Several refused to QR code when they entered the office; ■ Our waiting area can accommodate a maximum of two people at any one time due to social distancing regulations which are posted on the front door of our office - the visitors did not comply with this regulation; ■ One of their number chose to record video on their phone from the time they entered the office despite signage on the parliamentary office forbidding filming inside the premises.

“This applies at all parliamentary offices.

(Regardless of the ‘rules’ in this instance, it’s just down right rude. Bad manners and frankly, for my office staff (all female) downright creepy).

“Polite and reasonable people seeking assistance or put forward their political views or opinions are welcome, as long as they comply with the law, current public health regulations and demonstrate common courtesies to fellow citizens.

“Parliamentary security were advised that a group of people, flouting COVID safe regulations, had entered the electorate office and were refusing to comply with requests to respect public health orders. They were monitored on CCTV. “I won’t put my staff or other unsuspecting visitors to the electorate office at risk from people who employ intimidatory behaviour and think the public health orders don’t apply to them.

“Several individuals also refused to show their vaccination certificate status when asked. As Parliamentary Secretary for Health, and representing the Ivanhoe electorate where vaccination rates of eligible residents sits about 95 per cent, I know where my community stands on keeping people safe and doing their bit for others.

“These recent visitors should reflect on their bizarre behaviour as I’ve not seen its like before. Given the recent security threats at Parliament House, their approach to our parliamentary office was inflammatory and reflected poorly on them.

“It remains unclear whether they are residents of the electorate. This could not be established given their failure to comply with public health orders,” Mr Carbines said.

www.LocalPaper.com.au

Your Stars

with Kerry Kulkens

The Local Paper - Wednesday, December 1, 2021 - Page 5

Local News

Fitzroy sculpture hit ■ Police are seeking public assistance to identify a man after a sculpture was damaged in Fitzroy.

Investigators have been told a man damaged the sculpture depicting a 6ft tall banana on the corner of Rose and Brunswick Sts sometime between 9pm on Thursday (Nov. 25) and 6am Friday (Nov. 26).

Police have released an image and CCTV of a man who may be able to assist with their enquiries.

He is perceived to be Caucasian in appearance, in his mid-to-late 20s, about 175cm tall and has short black hair.

He was wearing a black jacket, black pants and blue face mask. He was also in possession of what appears to be a hacksaw.

■ Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report at www. crimestoppersvic.com.au

ARIES: (March 21- April 20) Lucky Colour: Blue Lucky Day: Friday Racing Numbers: 7.8.9.3.

Lotto Numbers: 4.12.23.24.35.41.

Someone in a position to help could be inclined to do so.

Money matters should improve suddenly, and the whole period should be moving towards improving your luck.

TAURUS: (April 21- May 20) Lucky Colour: Red Lucky Day: Wednesday Racing Numbers: 7.8.9.3.

Lotto Numbers: 1.6.8.23.35.22.

Things could be working out too slowly for your liking, but there is a sign of improvement soon. Special people could be instrumental in pushing your career matters.

GEMINI: (May 21- June 21) Lucky Colour: Silver Lucky Day: Saturday Racing Numbers: 6.3.4.6.

Lotto Numbers: 3.5.45.13.39.40.

It would be advisable to double-check all legal matters before signing with the help of an expert. Extra income could come from unexpected sources, and family matters will improve.

CANCER: (June 22- July 22) Lucky Colour: Orange Lucky Day: Tuesday Racing Numbers: 7.3.1.5.

Lotto Numbers: 6.12.24.34.45.11.

Make sure you keep what you promise and sign on the dotted line only if you are sure that you know all the ins and outs of the situation: busy time socially and some luck in games of chance.

LEO: (July 23- August 22) Lucky Colour: Green Lucky Day: Monday Racing Numbers: 9.7.6.4.

Lotto Numbers: 9.4.5.45.33.21.

It is an exciting and romantic time ahead, with surprises on the horizon. Take care with relatives and friends as they could misunderstand your meaning. Time to look into your personal preferences.

VIRGO: (August 23- September 23) Lucky Colour: Lilac Lucky Day: Monday Racing Numbers: 6.7.3.4.

Lotto Numbers: 2.13.24.34.41.11.

It could be a mistake to be too demanding of your lover or partner. People are looking to you for some advice and help. Great time on the social scene, but take it accessible health-wise.

LIBRA: (September 24- October 23) Lucky Colour: Cream Lucky Day: Wednesday Racing Numbers: 8.9.5.4 Lotto Numbers: 1.14.23.34.42.33.

You could be in a position to make some of your past mistakes re-. Romantically a busy period, and someone in a senior position could keep an eye out for your abilities and talents.

SCORPIO: (October 24- November 22) Lucky Colour: Violet Lucky Day: Tuesday Racing Numbers: 2.4.3.7.

Lotto Numbers: 2.4.12.23.31.22.

There could be some significant moves in the pipeline, and an offer too good to refuse could come along. Keep an eye on your spending if an unexpected bill arrives and your money is needed urgently somewhere else.

SAGITTARIUS: (November 23- December 20) Lucky Colour: Green Lucky Day: Monday Racing Numbers: 8.9.3.4.

Lotto Numbers: 5.12.23.34.45.

You could be spending more than you expected, but travel is exciting and valuable. Some luck in gambling and other means of improving your income comes about.

CAPRICORN: (December 21- January 19) Lucky Colour: Blue Lucky Day: Tuesday Racing Numbers: 8.4.5.6.

Lotto Numbers: 1.13.24.34.42.22.

Some problems with paperwork could take a lot of your time. People in a position to do so could benefit your career and not much time for anything else.

AQUARIUS: (January 20- February 19) Lucky Colour: Red Lucky Day: Friday Racing Numbers: 4.5.6.2.

Lotto Numbers: 1.3.12.24.34.45.

There is always room for improvement in your financial affairs, and even things look much brighter now. You have a chance to help someone who will appreciate your talent.

PISCES: (February 20- March 20) Lucky Colour: Silver Lucky Day: Wednesday Racing Numbers: 7.8.3.4.

Lotto Numbers: 2.13.23.34.41.11.

You could be in a position to take some time off with loved ones and help someone come to terms with their problems simultaneously. Financially this should be a lucky period.

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

● Police have released this photo.

● Dendy Street Beach at Brighton might soon be renourshed with sand from the adjacent northern beach.

Bayside Council is seeking permission from the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning.

Assault on Bridge Rd PSO RAMMED

■ Prime Taskforce detectives are investigating the assault of a PSO during a protest in Richmond.

The PSO was working alongside Police officers to manage public order on Bridge Rd on September 18.

A male protester has emerged from the crowd and run straight for the PSO, ramming him with his shoulder.

He then punched the male PSO to the face before running back into the crowd.

The PSO sustained minor injuries during the attack.

Investigators have released images of a man they believe may be able to assist with their enquiries.

■ Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report a t www.crimestoppersvic.com.au

Local Briefs Driver blew .160

● One of the collision sites pictured on Friday night (Nov. 26).

Photo: Victoria Police ■ Frankston Police are investigation following two separate collisions in Moorabbin and Frankston on Friday night (Nov. 26).

The first collision occurred at the intersection of Sullivan St and South Rd in Moorabbin.

It is alleged a black Volkswagen Tiguan was travelling on South Rd when it collided into the rear of a stationary vehicle just before 6pm.

The driver of the Volkswagen stopped and spoke with the other driver before driving off.

At that point, the Volkswagen had sustained minor damage to the front of the vehicle.

Officers responded to reports of a second collision almost one hour later on Cranbourne Rd in Frankston.

It is believed the same black Volkswagen that was involved in the earlier collision in Moorabbin, collided with a blue Honda CRV wagon near the intersection of Karingal Drive about 7pm.

Both vehicles sustained extensive damage and had to be towed from the scene.

The driver of the Volkswagen, a 28-yearold Langwarrin man, returned an alleged evidentiary breath test of 0.160.

He is expected to be charged on summons with drink driving and other traffic related offences.

The driver of the Honda, a 70-year-old Somerville man and his 70 year old female passenger, were not physically injured.

Investigators are appealing for anyone who may have sighted the black Volkswagen Tiguan between 5pm and 7pm travelling between Elsternwick and Frankston to contact them.

Seizure at Chelsea

● Police want to speak about an assault.

R’mond MP won’t re-contest

■ Richmond MLA Richard Wynne has announced that he will not be re-contesting for the State Lower House seat at next year’s election.

“As a member of parliament and a Minister, Richard has always brought the utmost integrity to his work, and fundamental decency in his approach to others,” said Daniel Andrews, Victorian Premier.

“Long before he was elected to the Victorian Parliament, he was a stalwart of the Melbourne community.

“Richard was born, raised, and educated in the heart of our city before serving as a social worker in the inner suburbs and then Lord Mayor of Melbourne.”

Mr Wynne said: “Public life is a privilege – and I have been privileged threefold.

“I was privileged to serve the people of Melbourne as Lord Mayor. I was privileged to serve the people of Australia as an advisor to one of Labor’s great reformers, former Deputy Prime Minister Brian Howe.

“And I have been privileged to serve the people of Abbotsford, Burnley, Clifton Hill, Collingwood, Cremorne, Fitzroy, Fitzroy North and Richmond as the Member for Richmond,” Mr Wynne said.

■ Caulfield Divisional Response Unit detectives have charged a man and a woman with various offences following the execution of a search warrant in Chelsea on Friday (Nov. 26).

Investigators executed the warrant at an address on Thames Promenade about 8am and allegedly located more than $50,000 cash, a large quantity of methylamphetamine, magic mushrooms, ketamine, cocaine, a taser, imitation firearm and other drugs.

Two people were arrested at the scene.

A 32-year-old Chelsea man was charged with various offences including trafficking methylamphetamine, possess prohibited weapon, and deal with property suspected proceeds of crime.

He was bailed to appear at the Frankston Magistrates’ Court on May 5..

A 28-year-old Chelsea woman was charged with various offences including trafficking methylamphetamine, possess prohibited weapon, deal with property suspected proceeds of crime, and commit indictable offence while on bail.

She was remanded in custody to appear at the Frankston Magistrates’ Court last Friday (Nov. 26).

Ravenhall smash

● Richard Wynne, Richmond MLA

■ Police and emergency services responded to reports of a single vehicle crash in Ravenhall on Saturday night (Nov. 27).

Investigators have been told a Toyota sedan was travelling west bound on the Western Hwy abut 8.15pm.

Witnesses say they saw the car swerve into the emergency lane before crashing into the retaining wall.

The driver, a 17-year-old boy from St Albans who was the sole occupant of the vehicle, was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries. ● Go to www.AdvertiseFree.com.au to lodge your private seller advert.

Page 6 - The Local Paper - Wednesday, December 1, 2021

Local Sport VCA Competitions

Men’s Premier Firsts. Carlton7/264(cc) HJ Smyth 91 TJ Smyth 45 CA Stevenson 34* MW Harvey 26 XA Crone 26 MD Topp 4/61 R Lane 2/52 def Northcote6/251(cc) J Lalor 86 JR Koduru 65 MC Phelan 36 JC Rushton 34 TJ Smyth 3/39 EC O'Sullivan 2/42.

Dandenong8/185(cc) GE Seneviratne 44* AG Fernando 30 DJ Russ 2/30 J Reed 2/41 def

by Footscray3/189 DJ Russ 79* TJ Dean 52 DJ Brasher 26. Essendon212 I Willett 79 J Seymour 64 M Wilcox 3/20 WJ Sutherland 2/18 L Bangs 2/38 J Boyce 2/41 def by Prahran7/257(cc) DT Egan 92 J Billington 38 L Bangs 37 L Molloy 2/26 T O'Donnell 2/ 35. Fitzroy Doncasterand 9/244 L Banthorpe 70 E Alavi 50* N Korkolis 36 L Smith 28 J Nanopoulos 3/38 B Clarke 2/48 v Frankston Peninsula0/0 and 9/271(cc) V Bansal 137 BJ Symons 42 RM Hammel 29 K Smith 4/55 HS Goad 2/45. Geelong283 L Blackford 79 AL Boyd 54 JJ McDonald 29 TL O'Connell 25 AL Fekete 3/44 CW Bridle 2/38 W Townsend 2/61 v Camberwell Magpies10/ 250 BT Rowles 56 LD Fitzpatrick 45 B Shields 36 OJ Jenkins 29 S Bhargave 28 JF Garner 2/43 TL O'Connell 2/48. Melbourne University4/259(cc) F McKenna 112 A Yaksender 81 M Domann 46 SR Paramesh 2/41 def Kingston Hawthorn10/221 N Sathyajith 74 JT Lewis 53 F Ahmed 4/10 AJ Molden 3/46. Richmond7/241(cc) AJ Humphries 87* J Fraser-McGurk 43 M Perry 35* S Mills 28 JM Freeman 4/42 def by Ringwood4/242 TF Rogers 86 DA King 69 IG Holland 40 A Amin 26* M Perry 2/23.

Casey-South Melbourne175 MT Wallace 60 HA Kannan 28 RP Kellepotha 28 FP O'Neill 4/11 JA Prestwidge 2/24 KR Williamson 2/ 53 def byMelbourne7/236(cc) JW Harper 64 BR Thomson 47 SB Harper 44 CJ Kellaway 44 LJ Shelton 4/43 RP Kellepotha 3/51. St Kilda3/306(cc) PJ Rowe 126* EJ Newman 105 JA Merlo 58 def Greenvale Kangaroos9/ 154(cc) JP Trembearth 79 JG Bartlett 4/21 HT Thornton 3/22.

Men’s Premier Seconds. Camberwell Magpies7/211(cc) JW Wiseman 61 JT Di Stefano 55 SJ Wood 39 A Pawha 25 D Mehta 3/38 J Wrigglesworth 2/44 def by Geelong8/ 214(cc) R Aikman 42* TC Scott 41 T Courtney 32 JW Wiseman 3/31 A Vidajic 2/ 26 RF Jamieson 2/36. Footscray9/204(cc) J Doherty 39 DA McDonald 35 B Bhatia 3/30 J Cameron 3/39 def Dandenong8/196(cc) DI Malik 42 AJ Fernando 40 A Newman 29 MN Marinic 26 F Hay 3/34 J Vine 3/3. Frankston Peninsula6/193(cc) KW Peries 43* DB Webb 34 TI Salwathura 28 Z Parr 3/28 def by Fitzroy Doncaster7/195 ML Thomas 54 B Grace 32 M Sacchetta 28* L Cox 3/38 LJ Klauer 2/26 C Cleef 2/35. Kingston Hawthorn6/200(cc) S Khattak 48* M Acocks 34 S Ivetic 30 L Bienvenu 2/26 D Warren 2/47 def Melbourne University167 J Hahnel 59 H Bienvenu 51 JE Horn 29 ZV Richardson 2/ 17 RV Grenville 2/29 C Cater 2/33.

Melbourne2/129 HJ Demattia 52 CJ Lill 40 def Casey-South Melbourne128 D Gamage 30 H Bajwa 4/29 JR Craig 2/30. Greenvale Kangaroos73 S Sharma 26 MR Hennig 4/15 BS Davies 4/18 SG O'Brien 2/8 def by St Kilda8/266(cc) HT Dixon 100 BS Davies 84 TJ Deighton 30* TJ Winchester 4/47 RT Gutterson 2/49. Northcote188 T Gleeson 66 MJ Culvenor 2/30 N Pottabathini 2/37 NE Hurley 2/38 v Carlton10/183 A Poppa 44 J Cowell 44 LJ McKenna 26 J Conlin 4/41 N Biscontin 3/29 N Brandon-Jones 2/19.

Prahran7/168 C Hemp 85* DP Deasy 3/45 M Hussain 2/29 def Essendon9/167(cc) C Poulton 51 SM Beer 4/29 NP Morrey 2/21.

Ringwood174 EP Walker 58 TL Webb 29 AM Flynn 29 J D'Rozario 3/31 JJ Carroll 2/ 26 def byRichmond3/177 DA Scholz 67 K Viccars 64 J Dekel 26.

www.LocalPaper.com.au

Local News

Richmond: explicit sex act LENNOX ST INCIDENT

■ Melbourne Sexual Offences and Child Abuse Investigation Team detectives are appealing for public assistance after a man performed an explicit sexual act in Richmond.

Investigators have been told a 46-year-old woman and a young boy were walking on Lennox St near Highett St on Wednesday, November 3, about 8.30am when they noticed a man performing an explicit sexual act.

The man left the scene and was last seen walking north on Lennox St. Detectives have released an image and CCTV of a man who they believe may be able to assist with their enquiries.

The man is perceived to be Caucasian in appearance, about 185cm tall with a medium build and shoulder-length dark and grey hair.

He was wearing green camouflage style pants, a black jumper with a large white motif on the front, a black Nike cap and black and white sneakers.

■ Anyone who recognises the man or has information regarding the incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report at www.crime stoppersvic.com.au

● Police want to speak with this man.

Prahran lookout for Dyar ROBBERY, ASSAULT ALLEGED

■ Police are appealing for public assistance to help locate Dyar Dyar.

The 26-year-old man is wanted on warrant for robbery, assaults, breaching court orders and bail offences Dyar is known to frequent the Shepparton, St Kilda, South Yarra, Williamstown and Prahran areas.

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

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

● Dyar Dyar.

Drugs: 20 arrested

■ Detectives from the Caulfield Divisional Response Unit have crushed a major drug trafficking syndicate operating in Melbourne’s south-eastern suburbs, arresting 20 people following a year-long investigation.

The long-running investigation into the alleged trafficking of methylamphetamine, cocaine and 1,4 butanediol culminated on Tuesday last week (Nov. 23), with 13 people arrested during sweeping raids across Clarinda, East Brighton, Keysborough, Langwarrin, Port Melbourne, Cranbourne, Skye, Brighton and Frankston.

The early morning warrants were conducted by the Caulfield DRU, with the assistance of numerous detectives from across Southern Metro Region, Criminal Proceeds Squad, and Armed Crime Squad. Specialist police from the Critical Incident Response Team and Special Operations Group were also utilised, as well as the Australian Federal Police.

Seven people allegedly connected to the organised crime syndicate have been arrested for drug trafficking since July including: ■ On Tuesday, a 39-year-old Brighton East man was arrested and charged with trafficking cocaine and three counts of drug possession.

■ On Tuesday, a 32-year-old Keysborough man was arrested and charged with trafficking 1,4 butanediol, possession of ammunition, steroids, and the proceeds of crime.

■ On November 18, a 32-year-old man and a 32-year-old woman from Frankston were arrested and charged with trafficking methylamphetamine, cocaine and 1,4 butanol and committing an indictable offence while on bail.

■ On August 27 , a 35-year-old Cranbourne man was arrested and charged with trafficking methylamphetamine and cocaine, as well as dealing with the proceeds of crime.

■ On July 20 , a 28-year-old Balnarring man and 36-year-old Frankston man were intercepted by Police near Wodonga.

Local Sport Southern Bayside

Championship Division . Beaumaris9/ 199 JM Leadbeater 62* W Avery 32 CJ Watts 30 def Hampton6/198(cc) A Kenny 84 JL Munday 66 W Avery 3/38. Mordialloc10/ 164 C Mathra 59 R Morris 25 GI Buckley 4/ 24 BG Drew 2/24 LJ Mott 2/26 def by Bentleigh5/172(cc) BG Drew 92*.

Bonbeach9/169(cc) S Gales 39 J Bailey 29 K Alvitigala 3/11 J Curtis 2/24 M McCallum 2/32 def by South Caulfield9/193(cc) E Bradley 36 JJ O'Donnell 33 LW Mildenhall 25 J Bailey 3/28 DM Mueller 3/31 H Dale 2/48.

Murrumbeena drew Carnegie.

Division 1. St Brigid's/St Louis160 T LoveLinay 31 J Rigoni 3/35 JD Jowett 2/29 def by Clayton District5/161 K Harris 42 JD Jowett 41* AN Plozza 25 JA Barker 3/29. Brighton District8/197 J Oldfield 67 P Lasky 40 A Lasky 35 BJ Marsh 3/47 def Parkdale United8/195(cc) R Shanmugam 61 P Gould 2/23 M Ralph 2/26 B Randall 2/58. Dingley3/ 183 L Spears 108* R McLean 37 E McGarry 2/32 def Mentone8/180(cc) D Heverin 75 CW Edgeworth 46 SD Cormie 28 B Corneille 5/ 46. Parkdale175 A Das 44 CJ Wilkie 25 W King 3/31 B Kulasena 2/23 B Porter 2/27 def

by McKinnon6/181(cc) LW Heath 84* B Kulasena 30 L Cox 3/45.

Division 2. Bentleigh 4/184(cc) M Stonier 102* C Rodda 26 J Symons 2/29 def by Chelsea5/185 C Wenck 61* J Symons 30* I Aberathna 30 SD Brahmanage 30 S Booth 2/24. Cheltenham7/189 L Dinger 95 S Brown 32* def Aspendale7/187(cc) S Donnell 3/41 T Batchelor 2/23. Carnegie drew Middle Park. South Caulfield7/179 R Hunter 3/21 TP Lamb 3/34 def Bayside9/178(cc) D McMaster 35 DJ Andrews 31 RF Smith 26.

Division 3. Hampton136 J Lohan 34 D Merlo 26 SA Fitzgerald 4/33 L Jones 2/15 def by Beaumaris6/139 M Langenfelds 38 C Ellison 2/27. Heatherton181 J Anstee 3/13 TC Fierenzi 2/26 Z Goold 2/33 def Murrumbeena124 DJ Venturoni 25.

McKinnon9/180(cc) T Katarey 4/27 A Martello 2/27 def by Mordialloc4/183 L Kennedy 88 A Morris 41 K Day 27*.

Mentone9/177(cc) G Brown 56 T Price 46 K Vohra 25 N Cochrane 3/22 D Hayne 2/35 def

by Bonbeach8/181 A MacKessack 63 MB Somerton 51* LB Jones 2/19 P Hibberd 2/ 22.

Divsion 4. Middle Park7/188 O Gillespie 72 A Desai 26 K Haikal 25* def Dingley8/ 183(cc). Clayton District7/203(cc) M Hayes 3/48 def St Brigid's/St Louis191 M Hayes 40 A Wood 29 K Love-Linay 28. South Caulfield4/188 G Baylis 2/41 def Parkdale9/ 186(cc) T Kilpatrick 31* D Mottram 29.

Kingston Hawthorn165 H Lamb 3/24 AA Reddy 2/23 B Campbell 2/28 def by Brighton District3/168 AA Reddy 92 I Hawkins 36.

Division 5. Beaumaris drew Carnegie.

Bayside6/163(cc) D O'Keefe 66 def Heatherton161 PD Sugden 4/17 JR Ball 2/ 15. Parkdale United124 L Heinrichs 35 P Smith 3/19 L Emsley 3/25 def Hampton7/ 109(cc) N Harding 3/12 A Symons 2/17.

McKinnon141 RC Tallapalli 44 Z Wagner 4/ 20 J Trumble 2/17 AG Lawry 2/30 d e f

by Bonbeach4/142 MA Smith 38* Z Wagner 27* N Sonnad 2/18. Aspendale7/137(cc) def

by Cheltenham8/139(cc).

Division 6. Mordialloc4/97 D Haycroft 37 def Murrumbeena91 P Gupta 26 K Jacobs 3/ 6 D Edmunds 2/15. Bentleigh9/111(cc) N Stein 31 D McNamara 26* C Love-Linay 2/ 7 MJ Sheldon 2/12 R Hower 2/20 BA Skeggs 2/26 def by St Brigid's/St Louis5/112 BJ Hutchinson 48 W Blitz 2/11. Old Mentonians6/197 N Ratnayake 52 M Phillips 34 T Cashion 31* N Miliaresis 2/32 def Parkdale United3/195(cc) L Ellis 85 A Taylor 58*. Mentone4/128(cc) N McColough 49 def by Parkdale4/129(cc) D Murray 30.

Saturday One Day. Division 1.

Murrumbeena166 R Mathyam 52 R Singh 38 S Thangaraju 30 J Lausberg 4/24 (inc hat-trick) O Lewis 2/30 R Edward 2/31 def Beaumaris139 M Marshman 46 D Hickey 33 K Inampudi 3/13 J Patel 3/29 R Mathyam 2/18. Middle Park: Bye. Bonbeach3/128(cc) X Martin 33* S Fisher 31 C Martin 30 d e f

by McKinnon4/132(cc) D Strudwick 43 B Griffiths 35 O Cvetkovic 2/13 A Mortensen 2/19. Chelsea9/99(cc) J Abraham 6/12 def

by Bentleigh2/104(cc) A Jayanty 41* R Mott 34*. Bayside8/127(cc) E Olliver 37 M Bartholomeusz 4/22 J Lovegrove 2/29d e f

by Brighton District9/129 J Lovegrove 54* J Roser 3/26 J Ciappara 2/25.

www.LocalPaper.com.au

Local Theatre Shows

■ Warrandyte Theatre Company: Visitors (by Barney Norris) (Live and streamed) Until December 4 at 8.00pm at the Warrandyte Mechanics Institute Hall, Cnr. Yarra and Mitchell Sts., Warrandyte. Bookings: www.warrandytehallarts.asn.au ■ Malvern Theatre Company: The Flick (by Annie Baker) Until December 4 at 29a Burke Rd., Malvern. Director: Helen Ellis.

Bookings: www.malverntheatre.com.au 1300 131 552 ■ Heidelberg Theatre Company: Three Little Words (by Joanna Murray-Smith) Until December 9 at 36 Turnham Ave., Rosanna.

Director: Tim Scott. www.htc.org.au ■ Essendon Theatre Company: Death of a Salesman (by Arthur Miller) Until December 4 at 9 Bradshaw Street, Essendon (Entry off Buckley St). Directors: Directed by Michele Haywood and Nicola Taylor. Bookings: www.essendontheatrecompany.com.au ■ LOTS Theatre: Legends of the Skies (scripts by Alison Knight, Neil Follett, Geri Colson and Steve Morris) December 3 – 4 at 8.00pm, December 5 at 5.30pm at the Aviation Museum, 12 First St., Moorabbin Airport. Artistic Director: Maggie Morrison. Tickets: $20.

Bookings: https:// www.trybooking.com/BUYAX ■ Melbourne French Theatre: La Candidate December 7 – 11 at The Meeting (‘Meating’) Room, Meat Market, 3 Blackwood St., North Melbourne. Director: Donald McManus; Producer: Michael Bula.

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

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

Bookings are essential.

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

by Mark Brown) February 1 – 5 at 7.30pm and 3pm matinee at Clayton Theatre, Cooke St., Clayton. Tickets: $25/29. Bookings: www.trybooking.com/BQIMV ■ Monash One Act Play Festival: February 25 – 27 at the Unicorn Theatre, Mt Waverley Secondary College, Lechte Rd., Mt Waverley.

Auditions

■ The Monash One-Act Play Festival will be presented next year from February 25 – 27 at the Unicorn Theatre, Lechte Rd., Mount Waverley. Interested playwrights and participants are invited to contact: moapfestival@peridot.com.au ■ Playhouse Players: Director required for a one-act play to be presented in the delayed 20th National Playwright Competition. Please contact Graeme McCoubrie for further details.

■ Essendon Theatre Company: Rumors (by Neil Simon) November 30 from 7.00pm, December 5 from 1.30pm at Bradshaw St. Community Hall, Bradshaw St. (off Buckley St.). Make an audition appointment and download form from www.essendontheatre company.com.au) ■ Playhouse Players Inc: The Crucible (by Arthur Miller) December 12 at 9.30am and December 14 at 7.30pm at Monash Community Inn, 72 Clayton Rd., Clayton. Director: Emma R Newport. Audition bookings/enquiries: 0450 279774 or emmarnewport@ hotmail.com ■ Mordialloc Theatre Company: 4000 Miles (by Amy Herzog) December 12 at 2.00pm, December 14 at 7.00pm at 417-419 Warrigal Rd., Cheltenham. Director: George Werther. Audition bookings and enquiries: george.werther@rch.org.au or 0402 222 090.

- Cheryl Threadgold

Observer

The Local Paper - Wednesday, December 1, 2021 - Page 7

Melbourne

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

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

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2021

MUSICAL CHRISTMAS

■ After a drought for most of the past 18 months, live concerts are back and that means Christmas extravaganzas.

First cab off the rank is the Julie Houghton and Friends concert ‘Tis the Season….for Christmas Joy!’ on Saturday December 4 at 2.30pm at St Paul’s Anglican Church, 2 Margaret St, Canterbury.

Billed as a concert of joyful Christmas music and literature, the program includes highlights from Handel’s Messiah, English and Welsh Christmas stories and much-loved classics such as Angels We Have Heard on High, White Christmas and Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.

This concert features soprano Suzanne Shakespeare, mezzo-soprano Karen van Spall, tenor Christopher Cox, bass-baritone Christian Smith, actor/singer Julie Houghton and Maestro Trevor Jones at the piano.

Concertgoers must be fully vaccinated, and school aged children are free, and afternoon tea follows the concert. Adult tickets are $25, concession $20, and you can book at trybooking.com/BVKCQ or take your chances at the door. ★ Sunday December 5 at 5pm sees another great musical tradition – the world-record breaking 242nd performance of Handel’s Messiah by the Royal Melbourne Philharmonic in Melbourne Town Hall.

More than100 singers and orchestra will fill the Town Hall stage, with superb soloists Jacqueline Porter, Dimity Shepherd, Richard Butler and Christopher Hillier, all conducted

by RMP Chief Conductor Andrew Wailes. ★ And in the words of comic duo Roy and HG, when too much Christmas isn’t enough, the RMP will stage four Carols in the Cathedral concerts – Friday December 17 at 8.30 pm, and Saturday at 2pm, 5.30 pm and 8pm.

The concert features beautiful soprano Greta Bradman, massed choirs, the City of Melbourne Highland Pipe Band, harpist Vanessa McKeand, pianists Stefan Cassomenos and Sam Hartley, readers Roland Rocchicioli and Julie Houghton, all conducted by Andrew Wailes.

After having to cancel live performances of The Messiah and Carols in the Cathedral last year, the venues are sure to be packed with people who love these annual musical traditions.

Visit www.rmp.org.au for tickets to both Handel’s Messiah and Carols in the Cathedral.

It’s going to be a merry musical Christmas in 2021.

- Gloria Chadwick

● Greta Bradman

■ Playhouse Players require an urgent replacement for the role of Phileas Fogg in Around the World in 80 Days, due to open at the Clayton Theatre on February 1, 2022.

The actor has left for personal reasons and an immediate replacement is required.

The original season stopped in July because of the COVID-19 lockdown.

For details please contact director Graeme on 0407 276 973 or email playhouseplayers inc@gmail.com - Cheryl Threadgold

Three Little Words

■ In the past I've had no time to review amatuer theatre. Between 2008 and the lockdowns, I averaged 2.4 nights a week at the theatre reviewing for 3MBS but when the boss asked the Observer team " Anyone for Three Little Words at Heidelberg Theatre Company", a play I had not read or seen, I jumped.

The biting wit, clever construction and great characters of Day One, a Hotel, Evening at Red Stitch in 2015 primed me for more of the same or even different, but as good.

Alas not tonight, Josephine. Apart from the theatre, lighting, setting,and excellent seating, the production was disappointing.

Simple plot, husband Curtis/Brett Hyland and wife Tess/Cat Jardine invite inseparable friends, couple Bonnie/Claire Benne and partner Annie/Aimee Sanderson to their Crockery Wedding Anniversary to announce they are divorcing.

What should have launched a play about the nature of failed, faltering and selfish relationships, does not.The writing has too many targets and Tess has no answer to the repeated "whys " from Bonnie and Annie.

Curtis is written as a would-be metrosexual, but played as a hesitant pompous prisoner toTess's nebulous witterings about searching.

Tess's character is unbelievable until she realises that striking out to a new life could be just that, and becomes unpleasantly but believable when she wants a fredom she can rescind and then go back to Curtis.

My summation: The writer Joanna Murray Smith, the director Tim Scott and the cast should read Henrik Ibsen's play The Dolls House with special attention to Nora's last speech.

Performance Details: Until December 9 Venue: Heidelberg Theatre, 36 Turnham Ave., Rosanna Bookings: www.htc.org.au - Review by Peter Green

Alternative Futures

● Julie Houghton

Cinderella opens in May

■ Lyndon Terracini for Opera Australia and John Frost for Crossroads Live have announced that the Tony Award-winning Broadway production Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella will have its Australian premiere at Melbourne's Regent Theatre from May 20.

Leading the cast will be Shubshri Kandiah (Aladdin, Fangirls) as Ella (Cinderella); Ainsley Melham (Merrily We Roll Along, Aladdin) as Prince Topher; Silvie Paladino (Mamma Mia!, Les Misérables) as Marie, the Fairy Godmother; Tina Bursill (TV’s Doctor Doctor, Wentworth) as Madame, Ella’s stepmother, and Todd McKenney (The Boy From Oz, Shrek) as the Lord Chancellor, Sebastian.

With its fresh new take on the beloved tale of

Observations Missing Fogg

a young woman transformed from a chambermaid into a princess, Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella combines the story's classic elements – the glass slippers, pumpkin, a beautiful masked ball and more - along with some twists.

More than just a pretty face with the right shoe size, this Cinderella is a contemporary figure living in a fairytale setting.

A spirited young woman, she not only fights for her own dreams, but forces the prince to open his eyes to the world around him and realise his dreams too.

- Cheryl Threadgold

■ Alternative Futures takes over Acland St, St Kilda with site-specific performances that reimagine St Kilda in the not-too-distant future.

The pandemic has taken a hit to the arts sector, but also to Theatre Works’ local St Kilda community. With almost every second shopfront on Acland St closed and up for lease, Alternative Futures will reactivate and reinvigorate the public spaces, hidden nooks and crannies that make St Kilda unique.

Playwrights Bryan Andy, Laura Collins, Bumpy Favell, Emma Gibson, Vivian Nguyen and Kristen Smyth have penned original monologues inspired by people, places and things on Acland St, reimagining the iconic strip and what the future holds beyond this recent time of crisis.

The monologues feature an ensemble of impressive performers: Jennifer Vuletic (Because the Night), Caroline Lee (ABC’s The Newsreader), Tahlee Fereday (Blackie Blackie Brown, Because the Night), Kristen Smyth (The Gospel According to Jesus, Queen of Heaven), Bumpy Favell (King Victoria Drag Kings) and Sophie Muckart (Othello).

The event is produced by Lauren Bennett and Kitan Petkovski.

Event Details: December 4 - 5 for 90 minutes. Venue: Theatre Works, 14 Acland St., St Kilda. Cost: Free Please register at:www.theatreworks.org. au/program/alternative-futures/ - Cheryl Threadgold

Page 8 - The Local Paper - Wednesday, December 1, 2021

Confidential

www.LocalPaper.com.au

Melbourne

Talk is cheap, gossip is priceless

Jemma Rix is superb in Disney’s Frozen

■ Frozen the Musical is a wholly delightful experience.

Elsa and Anna are princesses in a fantasy kingdom of an unspecified past time and place.

Elsa has inherited a gift of magic, but as she grows, this gift controls her, rather than she it, so for their own protection the girls are separated.

Fast forward to Elsa’s coronation day as queen, and her gift of magic creates mayhem and misery.

But this is a classic Disney show, and eventually the difficulties are overcome and the ending is a happy one, after some unusual twists and turns.

Jemma Rix gives a superb performance as the troubled magic sister Elsa, with her solid vocal range being given full rein, and physically, she looks the part, with her beautiful face and elegant movement.

As the fun sister Anna, Courtney Monsma matches her well with an excellent performance.

As the not-so-charming Prince Hans, Thomas McGuane’s matinee idol looks equip him well for the part, and he backs it up with strong vocal and acting skills.

Matt Lee as Olaf is a real charmer, with his engaging goofy big smile, terrific puppetry skills and stage presence.

Although we never see what he looks like, Jonathan MacMillan did a fine job as the four legged Sven. Every musical needs a comic villain, and Aljin Abela brings his excellent comic skills to the Weselton, and Sean Sinclair gives a touching performance as Kristoff.

While I found both Young Anna (Mila Hourmouzis) and Young Elsa (Page Punsalang) too strident with their American twang as singers, they are fine young actors who engaged the audience immediately.

Frozen the Musical really is a treat for everyone with solid female role models and so much positivity.

It’s a fine production with brilliant costumes, special effects and sets. And it’s the kind of show we really need to lift our spirits after the past 18 months.

- Review by Julie Houghton

Cruel Intentions

■ David Venn Enterprises has announced the Australian professional premiere of Cruel Intentions: The ‘90s Musical, based on the 1999 cult classic film of the same name, will be presented at Melbourne's Athenaeum Theatre from May 25.

This nostalgia-fuelled ‘90s party, will be complete with a soundtrack of hits including The Verve’s Bittersweet Symphony and other throwback classics by Boyz II Men, Christina Aguilera, Backstreet Boys, Goo Goo Dolls, *NSYNC, and, of course, Britney Spears.

Roger Kumble, the original writer and director of the film, has created the musical Cruel Intentions: The ‘90s Musical, as well as Jordan Ross and Lindsey Rosin. The film was adapted from the 1782 French novel Les Liaisons Dangereuses.

“We can’t wait to bring this fun-filled show to Australian audiences,” says producer David Venn. “Cruel Intentions’ story has intoxicated audiences since it was first released over 20 years ago.

Prepare to be charmed all over again as this musical brings the film to life in a whole new way with ‘90s tunes offering the ultimate throwback experience.”

Cruel Intentions: The ‘90s Musical draws audiences deep into the world of Manhattan’s most tempting liaisons.

Sebastian and Kathryn are seduced by revenge and fuelled by passion. Set out to ravage the virtuous Annette Hargrove and anyone who gets in their way, the siblings find themselves entangled in a web of secrets, temptation, and the cruelest game of all: love.

An all-Australian cast and creative team will be announced in the coming months. www.cruelintentions.com.au - Cheryl Threadgold

An American In Paris

■ The Australian Ballet and GWB Entertainment have announced the musical An American in Paris will open in Melbourne in March.

Hailed for its inventive choreography, the four-time Tony Award-winning Broadway musical tells the story of a young American soldier and French girl, set against the iconic backdrop of Paris.

Inspired by the Academy Award-winning MGM film, director and choreographer Christopher Wheeldon brings the enchantment and magic of Paris alive on stage with songs by George and Ira Gershwin, including I Got Rhythm, S Wonderful, But Not For Me and They Can’t Take That Away From Me. Broadway and West End leads Robert Fairchild and Leanne Cope will reprise their roles as the American GI Jerry Mulligan and young Parisian dancer Lise Dassin, sharing the spotlight with Australian Ballet leading dancers Cameron Holmes and Dimity Azoury to alternate in the lead roles.

Tony Award-winning director and choreographer, Christopher Wheeldon said: “Auditioning for An American In Paris has been a revelation of the wealth of top-level talent in Australia and I feel blessed with the choices we have been able to make in casting the show – never an easy task. This is a truly wonderful group of performers to bring the production to the stage.

“And to be able to bring Robbie Fairchild and Leanne Cope back to reprise their roles from Paris, Broadway and the West End alongside the superb Australian Ballet duo of Dimity Azoury and Cameron Holmes is the absolute icing on this beautiful cake.”

Bookings: americaninparis.com.au - Cheryl Threadgold

The Wedding Singer

■ The 1980s fun musical The Wedding Singer returns for an encore season at Arts Centre Melbourne's State Theatre from January 27.

Sydney's Christian Charisiou will star in his breakout title role as jilted-groom and nice guy Robbie Hart, with Melbourne musical theatre performer Teagan Wouters playing the role made famous by Drew Barrymore, Julia Sullivan.

Producer David Venn says: "It’s no secret that it’s been an incredibly challenging time for Australia’s live entertainment industry.

“We’ve had to cancel and reschedule performances, make incredibly quick decisions to move cast and crew around the country, and think on our feet more times than we can count.

“After all of this, I feel incredibly fortunate to announce these new season dates and could not be more excited to welcome audiences back to the theatre."

Stephen Mahy, one of the original Jersey Boys, plays Wall Street poster boy Glen Guglia, with Nadia Komazec as the fun, Madonna-esque costume clad Holly, Ed Deganos as George, Susan-ann Walker as Robbie’s naughty beatboxing Grandma Rosie, Kirby Burgess as Robbie’s villainous ex-girlfriend Linda, Haydan Hawkins as Sammy and Hollie James portrays Angie.

The Tony nominated musical is directed by multi-Green Room Award nominated director Alister Smith, with a new soundtrack brought to life by Musical Director Daniel Puckey.

Green Room Award winner choreographer Michael Ralph has crafted dance routines jampacked with iconic ‘80s references.

COVID Safe measures will be in place for all performances, as per government regulations.

Melbourne Encore Season: Opens January 27 Venue: State Theatre, Arts Centre Melbourne Bookings: weddingsingermusical.com.au - Cheryl Threadgold

Your Best Worst Nightmare

■ If you are not familiar with the name Callum Straford, you may very well be soon. Straford is a rising comedic talent with a musical repertoire that will have you guffawing in the aisles.

Musically, he is accomplished at piano, ukulele and songwriting. His lyrics are witty, silly and funny, and in his opening song, and name of the show, Your Best Worst Nightmares, he conjures an abundance of awkward situations we all dread or loathe with clever comedy and wit.

He uses a great many theatrical techniques to keep his audience engaged and the variety of sketches means never a dull moment.

The feedback from listeners streaming the show live across Australia (hmm I don’t think so) was hilarious if not a little selfdenigrating.

The “God” sketch reading prayers was priceless. An instructive /big brother kind of voice from the side also worked well, but it was the meditation scene that really had the audience cracking up. Some non-violent slapstick, daggy advice about going to a party, mild expletives and a little crassness all add to the eclectic mix of Straford’s routine.

Particularly clever was his focus on everyday irritations that we can all relate to and which provided some very funny highlights - the rambling entertainer that chats to the audience way too long between songs, the karaoke nitwit that doesn’t know the lyrics and the really awful things you would rather do than date a person for the second time – hilarious.

There is still a little work that needs to be done in terms of his opening and the peculiar story about four animal housemates – but on reflection, the quirkiness of that childlike story does have some residual intrigue.

The Butterfly Club was the perfecting setting, and all up, a great 60 minutes of entertainment well worth the ticket price.

- Review by Beth Klein

Matador

■ Matador returns to Melbourne for a brief season at the Athenaeum Theatre from December 1-4 at 7.30pm and Saturday matinee at 2.30pm..

Presented by Bass Fam Creative, Matador is a fusion of burlesque, dance and circus acts.

Set across a fiery Spanish sunset, this is a tale of forbidden love, carnal desires, passion and pain, a tale of a love torn bull and the seductive Matador.

Matador takes audiences on a journey through love and its many faces. A journey of self-discovery, identity, sexuality, lust, sex and passion, it explores the trials and tribulations of love, from the pain of unrequited love to the effects of infidelity on a relationship.

Above all else, the show celebrates love, friendship and the bonds that hold us together.

Comprising a cast of 14 performers, Matador features commercial dance pieces, contemporary and ballet acts, Latin numbers intertwined with burlesque acts, pole dancing and aerial and circus acts.

Performance Season: December 1 - 4 at 7.30pm, Sat matinee 2.30pm Venue: Athenaeum Theatre, 188 Collins St., Melbourne Bookings: Ticketek.com.au or 13 28 49 Tickets: $79-$139 - Cheryl Threadgold

Telling Tales

■ Melbourne Shakespeare Company presents Telling Tales - a new family musical - at

the St Kilda Botanical Gardens from December 11 - 19.

Join Alex and his best friend Buddy the Dog at the St Kilda Botanical Gardens this December as they go on a magical adventure around the world meeting all of your favourite fairy tale characters along the way.

This new interactive family musical with singing, dancing, puppetry and comedy, has been written and directed by Emma Austin (The Zooperhero’s Quest) and Anthony Craig (Alice in Wonderland) and features original music by Story Surprise (ABC).

Melbourne Shakespeare Company aims for all families to share in the magic of live theatre by offering a ‘pay what you can’ ticketing system.

This new ticketing structure means that people can reserve tickets for free and then choose to make a donation to the company if they can afford to do so, removing the prohibitive financial barriers that stop many families being able to enjoy professional live theatre.

“As a company our aim is to make high quality engaging, exciting theatre accessible to everyone” explained Artistic Director Jennifer Sarah Dean (Moulin Rouge! The Musical!)

“Telling Tales will excite and engage families with a brand new story that has been written and developed here in Melbourne but features well known fairy tales and fables from around the world that parents will remember from their own childhoods.”

Melbourne Shakespeare Company is an environmentally responsible company using only recycled, reclaimed and reused materials to bring their productions to life with clever and conscious designs.

BYO seating (picnic blanket or chair), picnic and protective sun wear.

Performance Details: December 11 - 19 Venue: St Kilda Botanical Gardens, 11 Herbert St., St Kilda Tickets : melbourneshakespeare.com - Cheryl Threadgold

SS Metaphor

■ Melbourne writer-performer Ash Flanders premieres his new cabaret show S.S. Metaphor from December 5-19, created specifically for the Malthouse Outdoor Stage at 113 Sturt Street, Southbank.

Directed by Sarah Giles with musical direction by Will Conyers and original musical composition by Jude Perl, Flanders will bring fellow cast members Zenya Carmellotti, Will Conyers and Natalie Gamsu down to his level in a medley of maritime mayhem aboard luxury cruise liner, the S.S. Metaphor.

Ash Flanders says: "Sarah Giles and I are so excited to take audiences aboard our ship of dreams, the world's first disaster-movie-allegorical-farce-cabaret ... S.S. Metaphor is the allsinging, no-dancing result of a restless imagination and the world's longest lockdown, sailing clumsily between."

Performance Details: December 5 - 19 Tues - Sun at 8.30pm Venue: Malthouse Outdoor Stage, 113 Sturt St., Southbank Tickets: $65/$40 Bookings: malthousetheatre.com.au - Cheryl Threadgold

Arts House

■ Arts House re-opens on December 1 with four short works created by some of Melbourne’s leading companies and artists.

Sink by Simona Castricum and Carla Zimbler, Entity presented by Back to Back Theatre, Soap Bubbles and the Forces Which Mould Them by Brian Lipson and Love Me (Bar) Tender by Stage Mon can be seen until December 4 at the North Melbourne Town Hall.

Arts House Artistic Director, Emily Sexton is eager to have audiences back inside the building.

- Cheryl Threadgold

www.LocalPaper.com.au

The Local Paper - Wednesday, December 1, 2021 - Page 9

‘Survivors’ Showbiz Club

Local People

● Denis O’Kane and Derryn Hinch

● Alan Pearsall and Jane Holmes.

● Gavin Wood and Keith Livingston.

● Ash Long and Mal Walden.

● Philip Brady, Gordon Bennett, Pete Smith.

● Peter Van and Paul Konik.

● Mike Menner and Bill Duff.

● Bill Armstrong and Bruce McKay.

● John Allan and Ian Stewart.

The Local Paper

Classifieds

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

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

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

POTTS, Bob Sadly, at Seymour, November 23, 2021.

A colleague since 1977. A man who contributed much to the nation,CFA District 12 and Murrindindi Shire. A good mate. Condoilences to Jeanie and family.

RIP. - Peter Rice AFSM

GARAGE SALE

FREE

FOR SALE

FOR SALE

FOR SALE

FOR SALE

FOR SALE

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 4 and SUNDAY, DECEMBER 5 8am-5pm Cash Only Sale. $5-$130.

25 Victoria St, Thomastown

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

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

GC. Frankston North.

0433 886 874.

WW-YY

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

Wantirna South. 0415 886 496. WW-YY

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

Pascoe Vale. 0419 138 356.

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

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

UU-XX

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

0419 445 697.

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

Oak-walnut wood stain. 1950s era.

VGC. Could be re-upholstered. $250.

Kew. 0417 577 637.

VV-YY

DINING TABLE. Solid Timber with 8 chunky leather chairs.

Colour: dark brown.

GC. $490. Donvale.

0418 380 095.

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

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

Reservoir. 9442 3263.

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

Templestowe. 0422 036 386.

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

5973 4163. VV-YY

The Local Paper

PRIVATE SELLERS can list their items for sale. There’s no advertising charge. Listings are free. Lodge your ads at: www.AdvertiseFree.com.au

FOR SALE ALARM. Senior’s pendant (Life Love).

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

Alexandra. 0419 445 VV-YY 697.

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

Brighton. 0434 801 031.

WW-YY

BOAT. Caper and Trailer. Caribbean.

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

0417 514 707.

VV-YY

VV-YY

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

VGC. $42,000. Alexandra.

Claudia, 0409 470 TT-WW 107.

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

Alexandra. 0419 445 697.

TT-WW

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

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

Greensborough.

0406 939 273.

TT-WW

Page 10 - The Local Paper - Wednesday, December 1, 2021

www.LocalPaper.com.au

Backyard hens key to increasing self-sustainability ■ By Giuliana and Jason of Talking Hens at Merricks ‘Sustainable, Fun and Friendly Backyard Pets’

■ Many people either own backyard hens or know of someone who does. The growing popularity has largely been due to families wanting to become more self-sustainable.

So why is keeping backyard hens so good for your family?

Well, hens make for fantastic pets! Our breed of hens are Hy-line Browns which are extremely friendly and placid.

They love company and like nothing more than to spend time interacting with their owners.

We hear lots of entertaining stories from our customers such as their hens going on school runs, on swings with the kids and happily jumping up onto their laps.

Good egg-laying breeds like our Hy-Line’s also quickly pay for themselves by providing your family with highly nutritious and delicious eggs throughout the year.

Their eggs are high in protein and minerals but low i n calories. You also have peace of mind knowing exactly how your hens are treated and what food they have eaten.

Of course, you can’t get more “local” food than what you get from your ownbackyard! When combined with a vegetable garden, your family becomes far more self-sufficient and able to live more sustainably.

If you really had to avoid social contact, your hens and vegetables could keep your household well fed over the long-term.

Hen ownership also teaches children some important, practical lessons about life. Not only do they need to be responsible for feeding and providing water for their hens but they must collect eggs daily and keep the coop clean and safe.

Excess eggs can also be sold or given away to friends and neighbours which is a great way of benefiting others in your local community.

www.LocalPaper.com.au

The Local Paper - Wednesday, December 1, 2021 - Page 11

Melbournewide Classifieds

Phone 1800 231 311

FOR SALE

FOR SALE

FOR SALE

FOR SALE

EXTENSION LADDER. Fibreglass.

6.3m. GC. $100.

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

Bayswater North.

0455 411 630.

VV-YY FLOOR CRAMPS x 3. Australian made.

GC. $325 for the lot.

GC. Croydon. 0408 332 181.

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

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

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

0419 138 356.

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

Croydon. 0408 332 191.

UU-XX

GENEALOGICAL Research Directory.

Editors Johnson and Sainty Volumes.

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

Ashburton. 9885 2203.

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

1m 6w. Alexandra.

0409 470 107.

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

Homewood (Yea).

0418 354 641.

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

0419 138 356.

VV-YY NATURE XT600 Elliptical Cross Trainor. Yellow and black. Barely used. EC. $4500.

Mornington. 0419 301 303. WW-YY ORGANIC Tomato Seedlings, Dwarf, Tall. Also Flower Pots, all sizes including succulents. From $5.

Box Hill, close to Freeway. 9898 8046..

VV-YY

PUSH WHEELCHAIR. Hardly used.

EC. $300. Templestowe. 0422 036 386.

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

Launching Place.

5967 4412.

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

Croydon. 0408 332 181.

UU-XX

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

Comes with large tap and 5 metres. Hose.

VGC. $25. Eaglemont. 0435 262 662.

TT-WW

GAS BARBERCUE. Five burner with wheels, new ignition assembly. 9kg and 4kg gas tanks. Both full. New valves fitted.

VGC. $300. Pascoe Vale. 0419 138 356.

VV-YY GAS COOK-TOP. Chef. White. 4 burners and a wok burner.

Never used as wrong size. Paid $488. Sell for $400. West Brunswick. 0414 245 680.

UU-XX

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

Suited to height 5’1” or 1.25m. $450.

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

WW-YY

REAL ESTATE SELLERS CASH BUYERS WAITING TOWNHOUSE SITES over 20 builders require DUAL OCC sites Can be with or without permit, all northern, inner and outer suburbs ■ Townhouse sites without permit from 10 to 50 per project. 2 buyers ■ Townhouse sites. 8 to 5 per project with permit. 3 buyers DEVELOPMENT SITES: all types, child care, medical ■ Residential land subdovisions $5MILLION TO $100 MILLION

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

TT-WW

INDUSTRIAL land subdivisions. $5m to $20m. 2 buyers FAMILY HOMES: north suburbs only Over 40 years in real estate Will pay referral fee to introducing party for any resulting business done

PUBLIC NOTICES

MOBILE 0419 886 798

PERSONALISED Car Number Plates.

Victoria Black/white slimloine ‘MISUBI’ for Subaru. Ideal for dealer or proud owner.

VGC. $1500.

Frankston. 9789 9634. UU-XX

www.AdvertiseFree.com.au Lodge your free ad, anytime 24/7 online or with this form You can advertise FREE. No fees, no commissions.

FREE ADS are available for private/non-commercial advertisements, published at the discretion of the Editor. ☛ USE the FREE ADS FORM at our website: www.AdvertiseFree.com.au ☛ MAIL to: FREE ADS, PO Box 1278, Research, 3095 ☛ E-MAIL: editor@LocalPaper.com.au

CONDITION:

PRICE:

FREE 40-WORD AD WORTH $40 Complete this coupon, one word per square, BLOCK LETTERS

SUBURB:

PHONE:

DETAILS BELOW NOT FOR PUBLICATION Name: ......................................................................................................

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

Page 12 - The Local Paper - Wednesday, December 1, 2021

■ When I worked as a ‘lolly boy’ at my local picture theatre we were allowed to see the films on a Tuesday night for free.

It was pay night and after interval we were smuggled into the back of the theatre in the darkness.

I was about 12, I had to go to school the next day and walk home by myself in the dark. (after we had all stood for God Save The King).

One night I distinctly remember seeing Gary Cooper as the brave western Marshall in High Noon - what an impression he made on this young ‘lolly boy’ in 1954.

By the time I saw Gary Cooper he was almost at the end of his career.

Frank James Cooper was born in Helena, Montana, in 1901 and he had an elder brother.

His parents were English immigrants and his father was a farmer who later became a lawyer and then a judge.

Frank learnt to ride horses on the farm and when his parents moved to Los Angeles in 1924 he went with them.

He got work as an extra in silent films and signed a contract with Paramount Pictures.

In 1925 he changed his name to Gary Cooper. Gary made his first sound film in 1929 and was in continuous work as a supporting actor and then in leading roles.

In 1933 he married Veronica Balfe and they had a daughter. His breakthrough role came in 1936 when he played the title role in Mr Deeds

www.LocalPaper.com.au

Magazine

Whatever Happened To ...

Gary Cooper

By Kevin Trask of 3AW and 96.5 Inner FM

Goes to Washington. I asked Joan Leslie about her memories of working with Gary Cooper in the film Sergeant York in 1941 and Joan said that she was nervous at first but he put her at ease and she loved working with him.

Gary Cooper was in Brisbane in 1943 and then toured Australia with Hollywood actress Una Merkel entertaining the US troops.

His films included A Farewell to Arms, The Plainsman, The Lives OfABengal Lancer, Beau Geste, For Whom The Bell Tolls, The Pride Of The Yankees, Bright Leaf, Friendly Persuasion and The Wreck Of The Mary Deare.

Gary and his wife Veronica separated in 1951 over his various affairs but re-united in 1954.

His role as Marshall Will Kane in High Noon

● Gary Cooper won him the Academy Award for Best Actor. He appeared in eight films with character actor Walter Brennan and his close friends included Bing Crosby, James Stewart and Ernest Hemmingway.

Gary Cooper was a smart dresser and this is referred to in the lyrics of the Irving Berlin song Puttin'On The Ritz Dressed up like a million dollar trouper

Trying hard to look like Gary Cooper (super duper) In 1958 Gary Cooper had a private audience with Pope Pius XII at the Vatican and in the following year he became a Roman Catholic.

The late Diane Cilento was in his final film The Naked Edge which was shot in England.

Diane told me she felt that Gary had lost his enthusiasm for film making at that stage.

Gary Cooper was diagnosed with cancer in1960. He was to return to Australia to star in The Sundowners but he had to pull out due to his illness and was replaced by Robert Mitchum.

In his career he made 107 films, winning two Best Actor Academy Awards and five nominations. James Stewart accepted a special honorary Academy Award in 1961 on behalf of his friend, but a month later Gary Cooper passed away at the age of 60.

We all loved Gary Cooper in his films and the likeable, quiet, good looking characters he played on screen resulted in him being rated the 11th Greatest Actor on The 50 Greatest Screen Legends list by the American Film Institute.

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

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

Track Gallery seeks expressions

Expression of interest to exhibit at The Track Gallery The Gallery is looking ahead to opportunities for artists to once again exhibit their work to the public and the Monash Council is now accepting expressions of interest to exhibition at The Track Gallery from July 2022 – July 2023, Located in the Mount Waverley Community Centre, The Track Gallery is dedicated to providing exhibition opportunities in a highquality gallery space to artists and community groups in the City of Monash.

The Gallery hosts exhibitions featuring painting, photography, textiles (small), sculptures and multimedia and accommodates exhibitions exhibitions that are two weeks in length.

The Track Gallery is owned and operated by Monash Council in collaboration with the Monash Community Arts Society.

Centre programming eight exhibitions per year at the gallery, and they are available to provide information and support to exhibitors and to auspice individual artists who wish to apply for grants, if required.

Exhibitions are invited by: ■ Artists at all stages of their careers – emerging to professional.

■ Aboriginal./First Nations Artists.

■ Artists with disabilities ■ Artists form culturally and linguistically diverse communities.

■ LGBTQIA Artists.

■ Community arts groups.

■ Schools.

The Track Gallery 47 Miller St, Mt Waverley

Grants Program

Monash Community Grants Program: Artists and organisations applying to exhibit at The Track Gallery may apply to the Monash Community Grants Program for a project and/or venue hire grant.

Please note the closing date for applications to the 2022-23 round of funding through the Monash Council Community Grants is Thursday March 3, 2022.

To be eligible to apply for a Monash Community Grant you must be a not-for-profit incorporated asso-

The Arts

with Peter Kemp ciation/organisation. For more information on exhibition guidelines and to download an EOI form contact the Cultural Development Officer, Lynne Kent by email at lynne.kent@ monash.vic.gov.au

Westerfold Drive mural

Expressions of Interest for Westerfield Drive Mural: Monash Council is seeking Expressions of Interest from artists to design and implement a mural on an existing wall within Westerfield Drive Reserve.

The mural aims to assist in the beautification of Notting Hill and create an engaging visual in the Reserve.

Monash Council received funding from the Victoria Government through the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning’s Pocket Park Program to create a pocket park at Westerfield Drive Reserve.

The pocket park includes and existing brick wall. Construction is to take place in early 2022.

The upgraded Reserve includes innovative sensory play elements and discovery trail as well as enhanced family and social recreation opportunities through a new playspace, landscaping improvements , local art and natural shade.

The mural will be located in the Village Green area, on the Samada Street side of the playspace.

The Village Green area includes a two swing-set, open lawn area, seating for casual play, picnics and quiet relaxation.

There are well documented benefits of murals. A mural can create belonging and a sense of pride, helps make a neighbourhood stronger and safer.

The concept design for Westerfield Drive Reserve can be viewed her http://shape.monash.vic.gov.au / westerfield-reserve.

EOI Process: Interested artists are encouraged to provide Council with the following as part of your Expression of Interest.

■ A Curriculum Vitae, including three referees.

■ Up to three digital images of previous work.

■ Up to 500 words indicating your interest in the project and/or proposed approach .

■ Copy of current liability insurance certification.(Note, applications will be accepted if this is not currently available but will be required prior to signing of the contract if your proposal is selected).

Applicants are encouraged to read the Westerfield Drive Mural Artist’s brief and Community Engagement Report before submitting an EOI. Expressions of Interest must be submitted to katebolsffi@ monash.vic.gov.au by 5pm on Thursday December 2.

- Peter Kemp

Sam wiil be speaker

■ Sam Newman will be guest speaker at the Australian Marquee Entertainment Luncheon Club, which is convened by Jeff Joseph.

The invitation-only luncehon will be held on Tuesday, December 14 at South Melbourne.

Sam Newman will be interviewed by the Club’s Master of Ceremonies, Gary Mac. Bookings will close at 4pm this Friday (Dec. 10).

OK. With John O’Keefe Rod Stewart dates announced

● Rod Stewart ■ Dates have been announced for the Melbourne leg of Rod Stewart's tour of Australia. Dates are March 15 and 16 at Rod Laver, and March 19 at Geelong. Better book now.

Terms and conditions apply

■ We hear Prince Charles has decided to sell one of his properties in the UK. There is one condition of sale - that is, once sold the Prince is allowed to visit and fish . No mention who gets the catch if Charlie catches a trout, or does he do a Rex Hunt -kiss the catch and throw it back?

Christmas fun and frolics

■ City of Yarra has a calendar choc a block full of festive fun including Sunday, December 12, when you can go for a wander by the Yarra and experience -11 am - 2pm - strange and fabulous acts from The Huckleys performing up and down the Yarra between Dights Falls and Chandler Highway.

Bring a picnic and watch Tripod and Eddie Perfect perform their comic and musical mastery with a guest appearance by soul singer Bumpy. Concert starts at 4.30 pm at Barkly Gardens, Cremorne.

Electronic leap

■ Brisbane based musician Russell Morris is collaborating with US based Bruce Springsteen over possible new tracks. Due to COVID the meetings are held electronically from home studios.

You'll have to wait for the outcome. Regardless, what a privilege for Russell to be chosen .

Latest book by Sheeds

■ Former AFL giant Kevin Sheedy has published his latest book. It is titled Icons of Sport. It is far from the stock standard laundry list of sports stars, and it includes several controversial achievers - for instance Margaret Court, Denis Pagan and 26 others.

The book is a good read for Christmas and filled with usual Sheedy wit, wisdom and memories.

- John O’Keefe

www.LocalPaper.com.au

Magazine

The Local Paper - Wednesday, December 1, 2021 - Page 13

Movies, DVDs with Jim Sherlock, Aaron Rourke What’s Hot and What’s Not FILM: JOE BELL (DVD & Blu-ray): Cast: Mark Wahlberg, Reid Miller, Connie Britton, Gary Sinise.

Genre: Biography/Drama.

Year: 2021.

Rating: M. Length: 93 Minutes.

Stars: *** Review: The true story of a small town, working class father who embarks on a solo walk across the U.S. to crusade against bullying after his 15 year old son is tormented in high school for being gay.

Formulaic but no less effective family focused drama of a father and son trying to come to terms with their own individual issues that encompass too much of society globally, and are all too often ignored or misunderstood due to social cultural indifferences, and it is Mark Wahlberg’s performance as the tough, confused and ultimately compassionate everyman, Joe Bell, that gives it it’ss powerful yet tender heartbeat every step of the way, keeping the importance of the story and characters well in-check and balanced along his arduous heartfelt journey of redemption.

Written by Oscar winning screenwriter and author Larry McMurtry, whose previous credits include the Oscar winning Hud; (1963),;The Last Picture Show (1971), Terms of Endearment; (1983),;Brokeback Mountain; (2005) and the acclaimed mini-series; Lonesome Dove; (1989), among others, the film is also aided by a stellar supporting cast that includes Connie Britton as the restrained yet equally tormented mother, Gary Sinise as an understanding police officer with an equally inner turmoil, and most notably Reid Miller as the long suffering son, all ultimately coming together to tell an unapologetically impassioned, unobtrusively affecting and highly benevolent road trip that wears its heart like a tattoo firmly on its sleeve.

FILM: THE GREEN KNIGHT (Streaming on Amazon Prime): Cast: Dev Patel, Alicia Vikander, Joel Edgerton, Sean Harris, Ralph Ineson.

Genre: Adventure/Fantasy/Drama.

Year: 2021.

Rating: MA15+ Length: 130 Minutes.

Stars: *** Review: Arthurian fantasy retelling of the 14th century medieval poem of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight by Gawain Poet (Unidentified by name), of a nephew of King Arthur, who sets out on a journey to test his courage and face the Green Knight.

Epic sword-and-sorcery tale set in Arthurian and Camelot period from writer/director David Lowery, whose previous credits include the 2016 remake of Pete’s Dragon ; and 2018s;The Old Man and the Gunt; both featuring Robert Redford, has created a richly dark and gritty fantasy that deconstructs the period, protagonist and journey of the more flamboyant and sprightly tales of the genre, a slow burning but emotionally compelling journey that infuses the cold and primal elements of John Boorman’s Excalibur ; (1981) and visual surrealism of Terry Gilliam (Time Bandits, The Fisher King).

Dev Patel gives a solid performance as Sir Gawain, King Arthur’ss headstrong nephew who embarks on the daring quest to confront the mysterious giant The Green Knight to prove himself before his family and court, and is aided superbly by Alicia Vikander, Joel Edgerton; The Lord; Sean Harris as King Arthur, and most notably Ralph Ineson as the fearfully imposing The Green Knight; and even though it is convoluted in parts, this is an immensely intelligent, haunting, hypnotic, rich, dazzling and otherworldly experience of legends and myths that is a must-see for true fans of cinema and the genre.

- James Sherlock

Rourke’s Reviews Cry Macho

■ (PG). 104 minutes. Now showing in selected cinemas.

Though Clint Eastwood has helmed some outstanding movies (Unforgiven, Million Dollar Baby, Letters From Iwo Jima), he has been very hit-and-miss in recent years.

While not his worst (that dubious honour goes to 15:17 To Paris), Cry Macho is a definite disappointment.

Set in the late 70s, Eastwood plays Mike Milo, a disgraced exrodeo star who has just been fired by his long-term friend and boss Howard (Dwight Yoakam).

A year later, Howard asks Mike to travel to Mexico to find and bring back his teen son, who is currently living with his supposedly disreputable ex-wife.

Agreeing to the mission, Mike does find the boy, Rafa (Eduardo Minett), and during the trip back to the US border, the two begin to bond, while Mike starts to face some home truths.

Eastwood covers some similar themes he explored in the far superior Gran Torino (2008), but nothing here rings true, and the aged actor continues to indulge in the embarrassing, Chaplin-like fantasy that younger women swoon at the feet of elderly men.

The look at toxic masculinity is perfunctory at best. While it’s always good seeing the legendary actor onscreen, it is worrying to see just how wayward some of Eastwood’s work as a director has been over the last 10 years, and despite proudly being an avowed Clint fan for over 40 years, I would prefer to see the iconic film-maker retire if this trend continues, rather than see his output worsen. To witness that would be heartbreaking.

RATING - **

Hellbound

■ (MA). Six episodes. Now streaming on Netflix.

Korean TV has certainly made a high profile impression on western audiences over the past 12 months.

With series such as Strangers From Hell, Taxi Driver, My Name, Dr. Brain and Squid Game enthralling viewers, the latest to hit our screens is Hellbound.

Again based on a successful webtoon, and from director Yeon Sang-ho (The King Of Pigs, Seoul Station, Train To Busan, Psychokinesis), this immensely entertaining series uses a supernatural premise to explore some dark aspects of human nature.

Detective Jin Kyeong-hoon (Yang Ik-june, from Wilderness), along with his fellow colleagues, are baffled when they have to

gate a bizarre incident where it appears three imposing demons have brutally murdered a seemingly innocent man.

The plentiful mobile footage has gone viral, but many refuse to believe what they are watching, as the general public are constantly bombarded with fake, disingenuous posts and videos on social media.

Jeong Jin-soo (Yoo Ah-in, from #Alive, Voice Of Silence and Burning), the leader of a decade-old religious cult called The New Truth, has been warning everyone of these occurrences for years, stating that it is God dispensing justice on those who have sinned.

Following a particularly public killing (or ‘demonstration’, as it will end up being known), the world believes, and Jeong is seen by all as a messiah of sorts, and suddenly has incredible power at his fingertips.

Jin has a troubled relationship with his teenage daughter Heejeong (Lee Re), mainly due to the murder of his wife years earlier.

Also finding it difficult to accept what is happening is lawyer Min Hye-jin (Kim Hyun-joo), who truly wants to represent those who are vilified and persecuted without any reasonable evidence being presented.

More characters will be introduced as the story takes a number of twists and turns. In a current climate where people are plagued by uncertainty and insecurity, overwhelmed by a non-stop stream of information, trying to discern what is true and what are outright lies, and seeing dangerous fringe groups attain a destructive, growingly louder voice while a once-in-a-century pandemic has battered society, Hellbound couldn’t arrive at a better time. Yeon could be seen as the Korean George A. Romero (Dawn Of The Dead), using a genre framework to deliver biting social commentary, and that is again on show here, and could be a companion piece with his savage animated drama, The Fake (2013). Setting the story over the next five years is a clever move, as Yeon wants to show us a world that could come to fruition, one of our own making.

Elements are reminiscent of the classic Death Note films and anime, and even Takashi Miike’s 2003 horror/thriller One Missed Call. The acting is superb, with everyone making the most of their roles. Production values are exceptional, on par with what’s seen on the big screen. After Peninsula, the filmmaker’s disappointing follow-up to Train To Busan, Yeon Sang-ho returns to form in a big way with Hellbound, which is wild, riveting, imaginative, and thought-provoking.

RATING - ****½ - Aaron Rourke

Top 10 Lists

NOVEMBER 2-DECEMBER 4 THE AUSTRALIAN BOX OFFICE TOP TEN: 1. NO TIME TO DIE. 2. ETERNALS. 3. BOSS BABY: FAMILY BUSINESS. 4. LAST NIGHT IN SOHO. 5. RON'S GONE WRONG. 6. SHANG-CHI: The Legend of the Ten Rings.

7. SOORYAVANSHI. 8. KURUP. 9. WARNING (India).

10. PAW PATROL: The Movie.

NEW RELEASES AND COMING SOON TO CINEMAS AROUND AUSTRALIA: NOVEMBER 25: A BOY CALLED CHRISTMAS, BEST SELLERS, CRY MACHO, STRAY, RESIDENT EVIL: WELCOME TO RACCOON CITY, BOSS BABY: FAMILY BUSINESS, VENOM: LET THERE BE CARNAGE, TITANE, THE UNFORGIVABLE. DECEMBER 2: DUNE (+3D), ENCANTO, THE CARD COUNTER, THE BATTLE AT LAKE CHANGJIN. DECEMBER 9: DEAR EVAN HANSEN, HENCHMEN, THE EYES OF TAMMY FAYE. TOP DVD AND BLU-RAY SALES: 1. CANDYMAN. 2. REMINISCENCE. 3. THE SUICIDE SQUAD. 4. PIG. 5. ICE ROAD. 6. RESPECT. 7. DON’T BREATH 2.

8. COMING HOME IN THE DARK. 9. HELP. 10. THE MISFITS. NEW RELEASE HIGHLIGHTS ON DVD AND BLU-RAY THIS WEEK: JOE BELL. MY NAME IS GULPILIL. THE MATCH. DVD AND/OR BLU-RAY NEW & RERELEASE CLASSIC MOVIES HIGHLIGHTS: ROBIN HOOD MEN IN TIGHTS. THE DEVIL’S PLAYGROUND. THE FLY Trilogy.

GANGS OF NEW YORK. NEVER LOOK AWAY. NEW RELEASE TELEVISION, DOCUMENTARY AND MUSIC HIGHLIGHTS: HACKS: Season 1.

GRANTCHESTER: Series 6.

HEARTBEAT: Collection 1.

KENNEDY: The Mini-Series.

LIFE IN COLOUR WITH DAVID ATTENBOROUGH. RENO 911: The Complete Series.

SEX AND THE CITY: The Complete Collection.

DANGER UXB: Special Edition.

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

Page 14 - The Local Paper - Wednesday, December 1, 2021

Melbourne

Observer

Magazine

www.LocalPaper.com.au

Lovatts Crossword No 16 Across

Across

Down

1. Promotion & advertising 6. Job path 11. Double bike 15. Messenger 20. Jump 21. Laughing scavenger 22. Labyrinth 23. Resumé, curriculum ...

25. Victory cup 26. Of sound mind, compos ...

27. Holy city 29. Letter 32. Forbidden activity (2-2) 34. Neither ... nor that 36. Careworn 39. Pre-Soviet emperors 41. Talks wildly 43. Roof overhangs 46. Lessens 48. More recent 49. Lion's neck hair 51. Stack 52. School principals 55. Love excessively, ... on 56. Louts 59. Awkward 61. Deities 62. Body fluid lump 63. Baby night bird 64. Anger, raise someone's ...

67. Favours 68. Shaggier 70. US coin 71. Odour 72. Perfume sampler 73. Lithe 74. Enthused 75. Red blood cell deficiency 77. Letter cross-stroke 78. Desires 79. Unmask 82. Lettuce side dishes 86. Widen (pupils) 87. Famous volcano 89. Illegal passengers 92. Former 94. African antelope 96. SE Arabian sultanate 98. Sets (table) 100. Smells strongly 101. Slightly open 103. 60s pop dance (2-2) 105. Become more active (3,2) 106. Symbolic picture 108. Brass instrument 111. Wordless play 112. White ants 114. Cannier 116. Citrus peel 119. German Mrs 120. Walkway 121. Non-com (1,1,1) 123. Was in debt to 124. Shrill bark 125. Name one by one 126. Vortex 127. Chair wheels 130. Came first 131. Wasted time 135. Record's secondary track (1-4) 138. Spoils 139. ... out a living 141. Countries' pennants 144. Economise, scrimp & ...

146. And so on 147. Infantryman, ... soldier 148. Crazy 149. Bread bun 150. Exercise club 151. Retained 152. Swallow up 153. The B of NB 155. Soviet Union (1,1,1,1) 157. Numerals system 158. Enclosure 160. Futuristic fiction (3-2) 161. Unsuitable 162. Ultra-virile 163. Which 165. Building block 166. Jug rim 167. ... Baba & The 40 Thieves

168. Mexican dip 169. Dispatch by post 171. Suspect's defence 172. Naval rank, chief ... officer 175. Rare pleasure 176. ... & hearty 179. Dried grape 180. Asian sauce bean 182. Knuckle of veal stew, ... bucco 184. Magazine subscriber 185. Cramped (space) 186. Perish 188. Sir ... Coward 189. Chest bone 190. Ancestry diagram, family ...

191. Wheel-shaft projection 193. On cloud ...

194. Swaggering walk 196. Fashion guru, Christian ...

197. Christmas carol, ... In A Manger 198. CDs, compact ...

200. Declare approval of 205. Olympic Games body (1,1,1) 207. King's title, Your ...

210. Resettlement 211. Bludgeoned 212. Pull heavily 213. Indian garment 214. Slimy substance 216. Red-rind cheese 218. Steer 219. Tibetan oxen 220. Employees 224. USA (5,3) 227. Snout 229. Abominable snowman 230. Antlered beast 231. Mutilates 232. Isolated 233. Towards interior of 235. Plentiful 237. Require 239. Wood-trimming tool 241. Of warships 244. Relaxation routine 246. Waffles 249. Child's guessing game (1,3) 252. Press down (4,2) 254. Toppled (over) 256. Group of six 258. Stuns 259. Sea rhythms 260. Foot arches 263. Queen's dog 264. Jogger 265. Ludicrous failure 267. Flowing away 270. Marmalade fruit 271. Spins 272. Mental stress 273. Leakage 274. Map book 277. Small car 279. Ready money 281. Circular 284. Ayes & ...

286. Security lapse 288. Rev counters 292. Measure of distance 294. Composer's work 295. Islands 298. Illumination 300. Orchestra section 301. Hymn, Ave ...

303. Hoisted (flag) (3,2) 306. Idolise 308. Engage (gears) 309. Lazily 311. Thug 314. Spanish friend 315. Salt, ... chloride 316. Conforming, ... the line 317. Without company 318. Filled pastries 319. Unruly children 320. Bug 321. Preaches 322. Phases 323. Electronic payment for goods 324. Tearing into strips

1. Cripple 2. Salesmen 3. Singer, ... Presley 4. Bury 5. Scottish valley 6. Short sleep 7. Kitchen garment 8. Uncovered 9. Corresponded in sound 10. Swiss lake 11. Most submissive 12. Convent 13. Utters 14. Pulped 15. Confines, ... in 16. Frill 17. Public profile 18. Festival 19. Street 24. Tennis ace, ... Lendl 28. Cries like crow 30. Ayatollah's land 31. Pace 33. Makes speech 35. Pressure line on map 37. Enlarge 38. Widespread 40. Wonkiest 42. Prickle 44. Single-celled organism 45. Respect 47. Donkeys 48. Proximity 49. Tiny fish 50. NSW industrial city 53. Tarmac surface 54. Bliss 57. New Zealand Rugby Union team (3,6) 58. Immersed 60. Into that place 63. Aperture 65. Regrettably 66. Eyelid inflammation 68. Group of cattle 69. Writer, ... Blyton 76. Stretchy tape 79. Smash into 80. Snake poison 81. Royal racecourse 83. Up & about 84. Grant 85. Watch covertly 88. Compass point 90. ... & ahs 91. Current units 93. Study of zodiac 95. Moist 97. Become beached, run ...

99. Music style, rock ... (3,4) 100. Sudden attack 102. Denim trousers 104. Yields, ... in 107. Prison rooms 109. Raise (livestock) 110. Region 111. Mongrel dog 113. Originate 115. Female calves 117. Tinted 118. Mirth 121. Journalists 122. Admitted guilt (5,2) 127. Undemanding (job) 128. Disjoin 129. Refits 132. Magician's chant 133. Bloodsucker 134. Military overthrow, coup ... (1'4) 135. Makes acquaintance of 136. Torvill or Dean (3-6) 137. Able 138. Organised for action 140. Communal bedroom 141. Burned unsteadily

Down 142. Disbelievers 143. Portable weapons (5,4) 145. Closing tactics 151. Food-preparing room 154. Chilly 156. Remains 159. Also known as (1,1,1) 164. Afflict 169. Pancake topping, ... syrup 170. Aggravated 173. Lobe ornament 174. Cigar leaves 177. Ram star sign 178. Abrasive paper 181. Actor, Laurence ...

183. Substitute (5-2) 187. Listing down 192. Music colleges 195. Raise standard of 199. Treated badly (3-4) 201. Police informer 202. Debauched party 203. Delete 204. Milk coffee style, ... latte 206. Hi! 207. Intended 208. Model, ... Macpherson 209. Serving platter 213. Wiry-haired dog, ... terrier 215. Rich 217. Earth's satellite 221. Browned off (3,2) 222. Grind down 223. Polluted air 224. Expends, ... up 225. Terminate 226. Execute (law) 228. Entertainingly 234. Enlivening (7,2) 236. Mooches 238. Dine 240. Spot 242. Fan 243. Scotsman's pouch 245. Work clothes 247. Stupid 248. Concentrated scent 250. Autocue 251. Mounts 253. Actor, Robert De ...

255. Pigmented eye membrane 257. Great ages 258. Eagerly expectant 261. Higher in rank 262. Banishes 265. Girl 266. Actor, Will ...

268. Brazilian dance, ... nova 269. Affable 275. Filled tortilla 276. In present state (2,2) 278. Singer, ... Cole (3,4) 280. Side of sofa 282. Oh dear!

283. Starkers 285. Slight 287. Caresses with lips 289. Nuclear devices (1-5) 290. Distress signal 291. African disease fly 292. Small insects 293. Unknown author 296. Baby wrap 297. Long films 299. Phantom 302. Beatles drummer 304. Love 305. Plumbing trap pipe (1-4) 306. Heat up 307. Crowd sound 308. Sponges 310. Root vegetables 312. Cab 313. Phoned

Solution on Next Page

Magazine

The Local Paper - Wednesday, December 1, 2021 - Page 15

MEGA

CROSSWORD No 16 1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

20 23 29

30

32 40

50

34 42

43

52

44

45

53

66

94

110

111

114 121

128

136

137

146

155

172

179

180

185

186

187

173

182

214 221

229

252

222

254

306

307

286

287

297

298

225

208

209

233

234

240

241

249

242

250

251

257

258

262

263 267

268

269

270

273 279 289

290

280

281

291

300

292 301

315

316 319

293

302 309

322

218

227

248

261

217

226

232

278 288

299

318 321

224

308 314

178

193

216

266

277

296

192

207

272

285

177

199

215

247

260

276

295

191

256

271

284

164

184

198

255

265

275

176

239

259

274

163

238 246

264

151

183

231

245

253

143

206

223

230

244

134

211

220

243

133

168

205

213

237

132

157

197

204

236

118

124

150

190

196

203

219

117

175

189

195

142

156

174

210

235

109

162

181

188

194

141

167

171

228

108

116

140

161 166

170

212

100

107

149

154

160

202

99

123

148 153

159

201

93

115

139

147

165

200

86

131

138

152

169

85

130

145

58

126

129 135

144

84

122

125

57

69

92

106

113

120

127

83

91

105

112

119

56

77

90

104

38

73

98

103

19

63

97

102

37

55

76 82

89

96

36

68

81

88

95 101

80

18

28

72

79

17

48

67

75

87

16

35

47

54

71

78

15

62

74

158

46

61

60 65

14

27

33 41

70

13

26

51

64

12

22

25

31

59

11

21

24

39 49

10

303 310 317

320 323

324

304 311

282

283

294 305 312

313

Page 16 - The Local Paper - Wednesday, December 1, 2021

Crossroads

By Rob Foenander info@countrycrossroads com.au

www.LocalPaper.com.au

Magazine

90th birthday for Terry Adams

Mornington 2022

Bach's Genius - the Motets

■ Mornington Country Music Festival comes to the The Briars Mount Martha on Saturday, March 19commencing 12 Noon.

The Wolfe Bros, Richard Clapton, Casey Barnes, Travis Collins Amber Lawrence, Jayne Denham Gareth Leach and Michaela Jenke plus Ella and Sienna make up the music roster while amusement rides, food trucks and beers, wines and cider from award winning local breweries are also on offer. More info: www. morningtoncountrymusicfestival.com.au

Guitars for vets

■ Guitars for Vets support Australian veterans experiencing PTSD with lessons and guitars. Their volunteer team teaches them how to play the instrument.

G4V has delivered over 220 guitars and 2200 lessons to former serving ADF members so far. Their mission is to provide the gift of music.The funds raised from a recent CD release “where words fail” will go toward assisting with Vets guitar lessons. www.guitarsforvetsaustralia.com

Night at the Bowls

■ Newport Folk and Fiddle Club is back with a night of live music and celebration at the Newport Bowls Club on Saturday (Dec. 4).

It's a chance to enjoy some local music and get our community together again, says their media release.

More info: www.nffc.org.au - Rob Foenander

● Terri Adams (right lower corner) celebrates her 90th Birthday with Debbie Keyt, Cheryl Threadgold, Norah Dempster, Geri Colson, Colleen Dewis, Juliet Charles, Jan Storey and Joy Meekings.

Screenshot: Debbie Keyt ■ Congratulations to Kingston ra- Theatre also joined Terri's online dio presenter and producer Terri celebration.

Adams who celebrated her 90th Terri worked professionally for birthday with family, friends and 25 years in the radio and television colleagues. industries with the ABC, commerTerri also enjoyed an online cial radio and TVT6 and ABT2 as a catch-up with radio playwrights broadcaster, actor and interviewer. who attended the first Bayside U3A She then used her talent and exHow to Write Radio Plays course pertise from these areas to pioneer in 2013, which Terri co-tutored with producing radio plays on 88.3 Cheryl Threadgold.

Southern FM in her weekly magaSince then, Norah Dempster, zine-style program, and to help variJoy Meekings, Geri Colson, Col- ous members of the community. leen Dewis, Juliet Charles and Jan In 2015, Terri was awarded a Storey have written radio plays Medal of the Order of Australia regularly for recording and broad- (OAM) for Services to Broadcastcast on 88.3 Southern FM. ing.

Debbie Keyt from Beaumaris Happy 90th Birthday, Terri.

Crossword Solution No 16 MA RK E T A E L I P V I M I S S I V R T S A MA NE N I NE P T N W HA N I CK E L O A RA W I S HE S S T I E L A ND E A A M I M F RA U P E T CA S T E R U E E F S A V E H E NGU Y A RD R K P B MA I L I A RA I S POK Y H L E E E NDORS A R DRAG S K Y A K A Y AMP L E S U O P US H I N I T I O RUNNE R R G RO A T L A S NA Y S S C I S L WO R S H I A O AM R A W MOR A L I

I NG CA RE E R G T A NDEM HA RB I NG N L E A P X H Y E NA U MA Z E U M A T A E T ROP H Y N ME N T I S ME CCA L E NONO O M E E N T H I S HAGGA R S R A N T S E A V E S E A S E S N EWE R HE A P HE A DMA S T E RS DO T E S OA A T GODS O T C Y S T B A OW L CK L E S R P RE F E RS E HA I R I E R L I S T E NCH B E T E S T E R N N I MB V E D Y A NA EM I A R S E R I F L S RE V E A L L S A L A DS S D I L A E T N A E S T OW AW A Y S L P A S T C C OMA N C O S M T L A Y S RE E K J A R GOGO HO T UP I CON T UB A S E T E RM I T E S I S H R EWD E R R I N D A T H O V M NCO E L R OW E D Y E N E NUME R A T E WH I R L POO L E E S A N S N WO N F S L O D AWD L B S I DE MA RS E K E D F L AGS B E E T C FOO T MA D RO L L GYM R K E L F E F B E NE US S R I N A RA B I C R S C I F I I NA P T MA CHO L C T H R I CK C L I P A L I K S A L S A C E A L I B I P E T T Y T RE A T A D HA I N T E SOY A OS SO R I RE A DE R D I E NOE L R I B T RE E CAM B N I S T R U T D I OR AWA Y D I S C S R E E E P C V I OC N H L A MA J E S R M I GRA T I ON CUDGE L L E D E L A R I R F E GOO I L U E DAM L E S S T A F F E RS P UNC L E S AM NOS E E T I DE E R MA U L S L ONE I N TO J NE E D O O L E O A D Z E NA V A YOGA U D I GRE S S E S C I S P Y D Z V T I P P E D N S E X T E T R AMA Z DE S R I NS T E P S O CORG I I R F I A S CO E X E B B I NG M ORA N T A T E S M T E NS I ON O S E E P AGE G L M M I N I I L CA S H N T ROU L E A K T A CHOME T E R S M I L E A OP E S L I GH T B RA S S MA R I A RA NUP P ME S H K O Y E R I D L Y MOB S T I GO SOD I UM D TOE I NG A L ONE A C P I E S N B RA T S S GE RM U N X S E S S T AGE S Y E F T POS S HRE DD I

■ On Sunday it was to Our Lady of Carmel,Middle Park and Bach's Genius -The Motets with the Australian Chamber Choir accompanied by Rosanne Hunt, cello and Rhys Boak, organ in their first performance since the lockdowns.

Was it the beautiful sunny afternoon or the release into the freedom of assembly and maskless singing of the glorious motets from the pen and inventive genius of Bach's inventive creativity? I'm not sure, but what a performance.

Some readers will remember that I review theatre, opera, ballet, live body installations and now Choral works.

Two of the motets the ACC performed are very familiar to me.The first half opened with Der Geist hilft unser Schwachheit auf followed by Furchte dich nich and then Jesu, meine Freude.

This is familiar to me. I sang it in the Cathedral as a choir boy at Cathedral Grammar School, Christchurch in New Zealand, a very long time ago.

Between each motet Rosanne Hunt gave us Allemande from Suite No.4 in Eb major for unaccompanied cello BWV 1010 and Allemande from Suite No.2 in D minor for unaccompanied cello BWV 1008.

An exhilarating first half and a quiet interval in the sunlit church before Lobet den Herrn,alle Heiden,Saraband from Suite No.3 in C major for unaccompanied cello BWV 1009 then Komm,Jesu ,komm, Arioso from CapriccioIn Bb major on the departure of a dearly beloved brother BWV 992 from Rhys Boak at the organ and finally, Singet dem Herrn ein neues Lied,the other work I know well.

I only wish readers that you could all have been there.

- Review by Peter Green

NIDA summer courses

■ This Summer, NIDA Melbourne is excited to connect with two new spaces in the creative precincts of Melbourne for a range of summer courses for children and young people.

Transit Dance in Brunswick and The Space in Prahran will offer a wide variety of inspiring creative programs for the holidays, reaching new audiences in Melbourne’s north and south-eastern suburbs. Both new venues are purpose built creative arts spaces.

Observations

E R O A RD I F S E T E L E P T E D S G L P E E D E P T A A T I L E M NE R T Y R A D Y L

A E S C GE N ND US D E R A N NG

with Matt Bissett-Johnson

Mike McColl Jones

Top 5

THE TOP 5 COMMENTS YOU’D HATE TO HEAR DURING AN INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT. 5. “Would anyone have a cork-screw.

The captain left his in the bar.”

4. “Is there anyone from Boeing on board?”

3. “Would those passengers who had chicken please form an orderly queue to the toilets”.

2. “The view out the right hand side of the aircraft is stunning.

Whatever you do, don’t look out the left-hand side!”

1. “If there is a neuro-surgeon on board, please make your way urgently to the flight-deck”.

The Local Paper - Wednesday, December 1, 2021 - Page 17

www.LocalPaper.com.au

Sport

Blue Diamond set to sparkle

■ The Melbourne Racing Club is over the moon with the record number of acceptances for the Blue Diamond Stakes over 1200 metres in February.

A record number of two-year-old nominations remain in contention for the coveted classic.

Some 933 of Australasia’s best juveniles will now set sail in an attempt to make the big day for the $1.5 million contest over the coming months.

This has smashed the previous record of 841 first acceptors set at this stage in 2020.

The partnership of leading trainers, Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, have assembled an enormous team of 89 juveniles in their pursuit of their first Blue Diamond Stakes winner.

Their team includes progeny of the brilliant mares, Silent Sedition, Secret Agenda and Caulfield Cup winner, Jameka.

Their greatest challenge this year could come from a former team-mate, turned top trainer, Annabel Neasham.

The English trainer, who trains out of Queensland ,has set the racing world on fire with some of their charges, notably the good galloper, Zaaki.

Neasham has submitted a total of 67 young ones of her own.

Victorian trainers, Mick Price and Michael Kent Junior, have submitted 54 entries.

Mick won the Blue Diamond with his smart galloper, Extreme Choice.

The strong Godolphin camp have submitted 53 of their best two-year-olds, including bluebloods by brilliant mares, Earthquake and Guelph.

James Cummings, the Head Honcho of the all Blue Team, decided also to bolster their considerable arsenal by paying the late fee for the Kermadec filly, Victorine.

Out of the Danehill mare, Virago, Victorine, was impressive in winning a Warwick Farm trial recently.

Magic Millions Debutant Stakes winner, Kiwi Express, was also a late entry, submitted

by Matthew Ellerton and Simon Zahra.

Chris Waller is certain to have a number of nominations.

Another is the Gai Waterhouse and Andrew Bott combination; also the powerful stable of Peter and Paul Snowden.

Immortal sires, I Am Invincible has 68 entries, while another great in Snitzel, has 63, continuing their battle for line honours.

The popular sire Zoustar has 56 nominations, while another hot young sire Capitolist, will be represented by 44 of his sons and daughters.

With the Blue Diamond only three months away the race gets closer, I will have a full coverage of the big event, where the action will be thick and fast when they get rolling.

Balnarring ‘go’

■ Picnic racing is up and racing again much to the delight of racegoers all over Victoria.

Due to the pandemic we hit bad times, now it’s all systems go after a good start.

● Big crowds at Balnarring. big day. Many organisations are getting together for their employees to have a big day at the picturesque track to celebrate the racing and Christmas Day. Due to Pandemic restrictions you will have to have had the two jabs and produce proof of it.

This is by way of your mobile or a written copy of your vaccinations.

The course, one of the best in Victoria, caters for everyone, and there is plenty of room to move around., including parking.

Patrons may bring their own food and drinks, as the Club has a BYO licence, however there will be many food vans in attendance, and the bar will be operating for those who wish to purchase a drink on course.

The children are always catered for with face painting, and a variety of rides, plus the big man in the red suit might sneak in.

Ted Ryan

The TAB and bookmakers will be betting on all local, provincial city and interstate race meetings.

The caller at Balnarring is a good young friend of mine, I met when he was the Assistant Media Manager at Moonee Valley.

Ben Sporle is now with Racing.Com, and has done a number of meetings. A good caller and accurate.

The Club through Terry, has organised six double passes to six lucky people, if they can tell him who was the winning jockey on the horse that won the first Balnarring Cup. All you have to do is ring Terry Mulcahy on his Mobile.0413 874 982, and give him your answer.

Terry will do the rest.

The racecourse is at Emu Plains Reserve, 58 Coolart Road, Balnarring, only about an hour out of the city, a pleasant drive and a great day.

I hope to see you there.

Rider returns

■ News that former top Australian jockey, Chad Schofield, will retrun home to ride back in Australia.

Now 27, Chad will return with his family in February and live in Sydney.

His father, Glynn, who rides in Sydney would be rapt to have him back.

The young rider, rode a dashing race in the Cox Plate, on now leading sire, Shamus Award, to win the big event after leading most of the way for leading trainer, Danny O’Brien, who tasted his first success also in the Plate.

Chad moved to Hong Kong in 2015, where he booted home more than 200 winners.

- Ted Ryan

Looking for a Professional to run the show?

The popular Balnarring Race Club roars into action this coming Saturday (Dec. 4) with a bumper program organised for the big day.

Their top man, Terry Mulcahy, and his hardworking team have been flat out organising the

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

Ted Ryan Phone 9876 1652 Mobile: 0412 682 927 ● Battling it out at Balnarring. Photo: Terry Mulcahy.

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

Page 18 - The Local Paper - Wednesday, December 1, 2021

www.LocalPaper.com.au

Sport

Kiwis disappoint at Inter-Dominion

■ The 2021 Inter Dominion - Australasia’s most sought-after prize commenced at Club Menangle NSW on Saturday November 27 with three heats for pacers and two for trotters over 2400 metres.

Unfortunately representation from New Zealand was disappointing with only one horse (Majestic Man) crossing the Tasman due to COVID regulations in that country and following the barrier draws, short priced favourites were the order of the night.

Heat One Home state trainer Belinda McCarthy and husband Luke were the biggest winners on the night.

Almost unbackable series favourite 8Y0 Rocknroll Hanover-Twist And Twirl stallion King Of Swing (gate 2) from the McCarthy stable toyed with his rivals to register an unextended 4 metre victory in a mile rate of 1-53.9 (last half 53.8 – quarter 26.1) to defeat the much improved former Victorian Majestic Cruiser who commenced his career at Mount Gambier which raced uncovered for the first half of the trip before gaining cover when Mach Dan went forward to race in the open at the bell.

Another former Victorian Bonsel Benjamin (gate 6) was third a half head away after leading out and handing over to King Of Swing entering the straight on the first occasion.

Heat Two It wasTeam McCarthy again when 4Y0 Rock N Roll Heaven-Art Start entire Expensive Ego greeted the judge in 1-55.3. (last half 53.8 – quarter 28).

After starting from gate four on the second line, Luke McCarthy and Expensive Ego were off and running shortly after the start to assume control from stablemate Alta Orlando (Gate 3) which had crossed Make Mine Memphis inside him.

Travelling easily without any pressure being applied, Expensive Ego coasted to the wire 12 metres in advance of Alta Orlando which stuck to his guns, with Balraj a former stablemate of the winner third 3.6 metres away. Victorian Max Delight after easing wide on the home turn from well back was third 1.3 metres away.

Heat Three Avenel based David Aiken one of harness racing’s good guys and son Josh were victors when Art Major-Shes Got It All 5Y0 entire Malcolms Rhythm prevailed by a nose in a thrilling finish.

Driven by son Josh, Malcolms Rhythm raced by prolific owner Domenic Martello led from gate four, electing to hand over to Luke McCarthy (gate 3) aboard the favourite Spirit Of St Louis.

Enjoying a charmed passage, Malcolms Rhythm gained an inside run halfway up the straight to gain the day in a finish which tricked many.

Line Up after circling the field from last to race exposed from the bell was a gigantic third a half neck away, with Triple Eight for Victoria close up fourth after extricating from four pegs approaching the final bend.

In a last half mile of 53.9 – quarter 26.3, Malcolms Rhythm returned a mile rate of 155.1.

Trotters : Heat One Ever reliable Kiwi 6Y0 Majestic Son-Love Hate Revenge gelding Majestic Man trained in Oamaru by squaregaiter devotee Phil Williamson but in the care of Anthony Butt and Sonya Smith for the series was expected to win and that’s the way it turned out.

Leading easily from the pole, Majestic Time after an easy time had to pull out all stops to defy a determined The Penny Drops (gate 6) which raced outside him by a half neck in a 1-58 mile rate. Half 55.3 – quarter 27.5. Polemarker Illawong Stardust was a further half neck away third after trailing the winner. Victorians Lotamuscle and Maori Law earnt points in finishing fourth and fifth.

Heat Two Rank outsider Timothy Red ($38.80) caused a blow out following a brilliant drive by youthful Cameron Hart to claim victory in a race which changed complexion over the concluding stages.

Spending most of the race five back along the markers, Timothy Red a 4Y0 entire by Muscle Hill from Aleppo Midas trained in partnership by Joe Rando and wife Mary (the first duel training combination to be granted a licence

Harness Racing

len-baker@ bigpond.com

with Len Baker in NSW), Timothy Red with Cameron Hart weaving a passage in-between runners in the straight recorded a thrilling 3.6 metre margin over Kyvalley Chief (six back the pegs) and a game Pink Galahs which raced exposed from the bell after easing off the inside racing for the bell finishing 2.2 metres away. The mile rate 157.1.

Heats continue at Bathurst tonight (Wednesday).

Stawell victory

■ Western District racing at Stawell commenced the week on Monday November 22 and much travelled rising twelve year old gelding Upanatom who has been in numerous stables since he first graced the tracks was successful in the Pacing Cup Meeting December 12 Claiming Pace over 2180 metres.

Now in the care of Stephen Clarke at Ross Creek (Ballarat), Upanatom Christian CullenAtom Queen) driven by son Connor led throughout from gate two, easily accounting for rank outsider Wattlebank Flyer which trailed by 7.3 metres, with Carload (one/one at bell) third 1.8 metres away. The mile rate 1-58.

■ At Bendigo on Tuesday, Daylesford husband and wife Mick Barby and Anne-Maree Conroy caused the biggest upset in all probability ever seen at the track when Love You-My Valerie filly Amore Maternal raced by the pair scored in the (Group 3) Woodlands Stud Breeders Crown Series 23 3Y0 Silver Trotters Mobile over 2150 metres.

Safely retaining the lead from the pole, Amore Maternal at fixed odds of $151 or $207 on the on-course tote led throughout to just last by a nose over Whos The Man (one/one) returning a mile rate of 1-59.8. Maestro ran on late from mid-field for third 2.3 metres back.

■ Cardigan trainer Anton Golino almost snared the quinella in the 2150 metre Aldebaran Park Breeders Crown Series 24 2Y0 Silver Trotters Mobile with Quaker Jet-Miss Manitoba filly Revelstoke (Josh Aiken).

Racing three wide from mid-field for the last lap, Revelstoke scored by a head from the leader Taimate Sass, with Cravache Dor a stablemate of the winner third 1.3 metres away off a three wide double trail from near last at the bell. The mile rate 2-00.8.

Melton quinella

■ At Tabcorp Park Melton on Wednesday, Longlea trainer Glenn Sharp snared the quinella in the Allied Express Trotters Mobile over 2240 metres when 8Y0 Tennotrump-Delta Spark driven by Monique Burnett defeated Ima Ziabee with husband Josh Duggan in the sulky.

Going forward from mid-field in the last lap being followed up by Ima Ziabee which unusually made a mistake as the start was effected.

Mystic Chip sprinted brilliantly to lead on turning with Ima Ziabee in hot pursuit, holding a margin of 1.3 metres on the wire.

Frosty Reception (three back the markers) was a distant third 36.4 metres away. Thee rate 2-02.

Kilmore results

■ Local reinsman Josh Duggan was on fire at

Kilmore trots on Friday winning the first two races on the program. Combining with Bolinda’s Brent Lilley aboard Father Patrick-Hot Pants colt Kyvalley Paint in the Beraldo Coffee 2Y0 Maiden Trotters Mobile over 2180 metres and Romsey trainer Neil Rowley’s Kvintet AvengerAtego Lilly filly Atego Dawn in the TAB Long May We Play 2Y0 Trotters Maiden over the same trip.

Kyvalley Paint was given every opportunity one/one and after easing three wide approaching the home turn, dashed clear on straightening to easily account for Goodgirlsavenger which trailed the weakening leader Hes A Hammer after leading out from the pole. Aldebaran Demi (five back the markers) was third.

The margins 5.7 metres by 11.4 metres in a rate of 2-05.2. Atego Dawn after a sweet trip from the pole on the back of the pacemaker Wishingndreaming (gate two) eased away from the inside to follow Midnight Avenger three wide on the final bend, before racing away to record a 4.5 metre margin over Ee Be Mac which gained inside runs from the tail, with Alfie Always (three back the markers) third 3.4 metres away. The mile rate 2-07.6.

■ Euroa trainer/driver Cameron Maggs landed the 2180 metre World’s Best Hoof Oil 3Y0 Trotters Mobile with heavily supported Majestic Son-Sunday Service gelding Super Service which recorded his third success for the season.

Bred and raced by trotting devotee Frank Jessop, Super Service burnt away from gate five to lead easily and was never headed, coasting to the wire 17.6 metres in advance of Seeyouinmydreams (three back the markers) and Walkabout Cascade which trailed the winner before breaking in the straight and getting going again to be third 10.5 metres away. The mile rate 2-04.8.

■ The trotters took pride of place on the day and the Momentum Gaming Trotters Handicap over 2150 metres saw Gooroc Gambler victorious for Lancefield trainer/driver Rod Petroiff but not before giving his supporters cause for alarm, the reason being that he galloped at the first attempt when a false start was called.

Beginning safely from barrier three on the second occasion to tackle Ero Carpe Diem inside him without success, Gooroc Gambler was eased to settle three back along the markers after Claudy An Gus (one/two) sprinted to the lead and Kyvalley Surfrider trailed the leader as Ero Carpe Diem came off the markers to race exposed.

Using the sprint lane, Gooroc Gambler a 7Y0 gelded son of Tennotrump and Purple Passion charged home to prevail by a head over Kyvalley Surfrider returning a mile rate of 208.3. Whos Countn (one/two – three wide last lap) was third 5.5 metres back.

■ Kilmore’s Julie Mifsud employed the services of Cody Crossland to guide 4Y0 Art Major-Virginia Khan gelding Mister Finnigan to victory in the C & M Build Group Pace over 2180 metres.

In what was the “drive of the day” Mister Finnigan after settling three back in the moving line from gate two on the second line was switched down to the inside approaching the home turn and used the sprint lane to register a head margin over Four Lonely Nights (three wide last lap from the rear). Dallas Nikolay (five back the markers – three wide trail last lap) was third 1.3 metres back. The mile rate 2-02.1.

■ Avenel trainer Wayne Potter snared the MC Labour Pace over 2180 metres with 4Y0 A Rocknroll Dance-Ballendella Baby gelding Allshookup.

In what was a good performance, Allshookup (Jordan Leedham) was eased from gate five to settle five back along the markers as the short priced poleline favourite Captain Wilson had little difficulty in leading.

Coming away from the inside to one/one for the last lap, Allshook after easing three wide on the final bend finished his race stylishly to score by 3.2 metres from the leader returning a mile rate of 2-02.1. Heaven In Locksley (three pegs) used the sprint lane for third 3.4 metres away.

■ The 1690 metre Carlton & United Breweries 3Y0 Pace went the way of Parwan owner/ trainer Jaime Madruga’s A Rocknroll DanceOnedins Courage filly No Win No Worries. With James Herbertson in the sulky, No Win No

Sulky Snippets This Week

■ Wednesday – Melton/Mildura, Thursday – Charlton/Kilmore, Friday – Geelong, Saturday – Melton, Sunday – Gunbower (Cup).

Monday – Yarra Valley, Tuesday – Ararat.

Worries after starting from the extreme draw spent most of the race at the rear of the field as Holdontight led from gate four. Still well back on the final bend, No Win No Worries when angled wide on turning sprouted wings to blouse a death-seating from the bell Total Eclipse first up in Oz by 1.1 metres, with Star Of Broadway using the sprint lane off the back of the pacemaker third a neck away. The mile rate 1-58.5.

■ Allendale owner/trainer Adam Stephens landed the Jet Roofing 2Y0 Pace over 1690 metres with Pet Rock-Chloe Sheffield filly Maywin Rockfield on protest. Driven by Michael Bellman, Maywin Rocket raced exposed from gate three outside the odds-on favourite Leave Your Hat On which began brilliantly from gate six to lead. Joining the leader in the shadows of the post , Maywin Rockfield went down in a tight photo by head, but was awarded the race when it was determined that Leave Your Hat On shifted out and locking wheels impeding her progress. Love To Deal (one/one) was third 1.2 metres back. The mile rate 2-01.9.

At Swan Hill

■ Swan Hill also raced on Thursday and long time Barham part-owner/trainer Ruth Arthur was a popular winner when 5Y0 Safari-Elsu Dream mare Wild Imagination raced by her in partnership with Jeff Cakebread greeted the judge in the 1750 metre Investing.com Economic Calendar Pace. Driven by “Magic Hands” James Herbertson, Wild Imagination (gate two) at start number 58 ran home strongly from three back in the moving line in the last lap to join the leaders Best Back Bruce (gate four) and Dallas Patrick (gate five) on the final bend and raced clear shortly after to record a 4.8 metre margin over Clifton Babe (one/one) which followed her forward into the home turn, with You Ninety Two using the sprint lane off the back of the weakening leader for third 2.1 metres away. The mile rate 1-56.5.

■ Irymple trainer Boris Devcic landed the 1750 metre Investing.com Maiden Pace with recent stable addition Beau Steele, a 4Y0 gelded son of Hes Watching and Beau Ciel. Driven by Lance Justice, Beau Steele starting from the extreme draw settled three back in the moving line as Keayang Remi led from gate six. Easing three wide in the last lap, Beau Steele finished full of running to register a 2.1 metre victory over Split Ear along the sprint lane off the back of the leader who held down third 4.4 metres back.

The mile rate 2-02.8.

■ Strathfieldsaye trainer Julie Douglas continued her sensational season when Roll With JoeClevedon Betty filly Roll With Ron with Jordan Leedham in the sulky led throughout from gate two in the Investing.com News 2Y0 Maiden Pace over 1750 metres. Always in control, Roll With Ron dashed away on turning to easily account for first starter Abettawaytodoit (one/four – three wide last lap) by 6.2 metres in a mile rate of 1-57.2. Sunstar after going forward from four back to be outside the winner last lap was third a head away.

■ It was a double for Julie Douglas when Pet Rock-Sur La Plage filly Rosie Rocks (Jack Laugher) led all of the way in the 1750 metre Investing.com Indices 3Y0 Maiden Pace. Travelling beautifully, Rosie Rocks raced clear on turning to record a 8.9 metre victory over eye catching first starters Don’t Waste Time which trailed her from gate three and Terror Of A Saint, a stablemate of the winner who raced exposed from gate five, finishing a head away. The mile rate 2-00.1.

MARKETING FEATURE

Magazine

The Local Paper - Wednesday, December 1, 2021 - Page 19

Stateside with Gavin Wood in West Hollywood

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

Out and About

Jeff Fenech takes on world

■ British model turned boxer Kate McLaren has stunned Australia’s former triple world boxing champion with her power and precision.

Australian Hall of Fame champion Jeff Fenech has trained the elite boxers of the world including Mike Tyson but he has never trained a woman. Until now.

Kate started modelling in London at the age of 17 and now she is a professional boxer who believes that she will take home a world championship belt. She has a background in mixed martial arts.

Jeff Fenech and Kate McLaren have decided on staying at the Ramada Plaza Hotel and Suites in West Hollywood to prepare for the invasion on the international boxing world.

“We wish them every success and we are right behind them.” said Ramada Managing Director, Alan Johnson.

More changing their diets

● Alan Johnson and Jeff Fenech

Bill Maher could be right

■ Comedian and HBO host Bill Maher lashed out at media during his Friday monologue, arguing that Coronavirus “panic porn” has resulted in a badly misinformed public.

Maher said that it wasn’t fair to claim that only Republicans are surrounded by a “misinformation bubble” when Democrats, according to a Gallop survey, believe so much false information when it comes to the Coronavirus pandemic.

“Over the past year, the COVID pandemic has prompted the medical establishment, the media and the government to take a ‘scared straight’ approach to getting the public to comply with their recommendations,” Maher began.

“Well, I’m from a different school: Give it to me straight, Doc. Because in the long run that always works better than ‘You can’t handle the truth.'”

Maher said he understands why doctors might not always be straightforward with their patients, adding, “And media?

Well, I think we all know if it bleeds, it leads.

“The more they can get you to stay inside and watch their panic porn, the higher their ratings.”

The US media, Maher said, has consistently painted a more negative picture of the pandemic than other outlets around the world.

While the coverage in other countries has mixed the positive news in with the negative, he noted that American media coverage has remained nearly 90 per cent negative

Denver’s homeless

■ Denver spent twice as much money on its homeless population than it did on its students and police. The city spent between $41,679 and $104,201 per person on its homeless population, compared to $19,202 per student in K-12 public schools in 2020, according to the report.

In total it spent $481 million on healthcare, housing and other services for homeless people, over $100 million more than the Department of Public Safety’s budget.

Homeless spending was also roughly double the $20,000 average annual rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Denver, according to the report. Denver’s homeless population increased by 25 per cent between January 2017-2020, according to the report.

The report did not measure the homeless population for the 2020-2021, period but did note that emergency shelter “guests” increased by 46 per cent.

Strife for Ben & Jerry’s

■ This is a serious political situation, Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett told the head of Ben & Jerry’s parent company, Unilever, that the ice cream maker’s move to halt sales in “the Occupied Palestinian Territory” could carry “severe consequences.”

“Prime Minister Bennett spoke with Alan Jope, CEO of Unilever which owns Ben & Jerry’s and made it clear that he views with utmost gravity the decision by Ben & Jerry’s to boycott Israel and added that this is a subsidiary of Unilever, which has taken a clearly anti-Israel step,” the prime minister’s office said.

“Prime Minister Bennett emphasised that from the perspective of the State of Israel, this is an action that has severe consequences, including legal, and it will take strong action against any boycott directed against its citizens.”

The British consumer goods conglomerate acquired Vermontbased Ben & Jerry’s in 2000.

GavinWood

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

Risks with mobile phones

■ Researchers took a comprehensive look at statistical findings from 46 different studies around the globe and found that the use of a cell phone for more than 1000 hours, or about 17 minutes a day over a 10-year period, increased the risk of tumours by 60 per cent.

Researchers also pointed to findings that showed cell phone use for 10 or more years doubled the risk of brain tumours.

Joel Moskowitz, director of the Centre for Family and Community Health with the UC Berkeley School of Public Health conducted the research in partnership with Korea’s National Cancer Centre, and Seoul National University.

Their analysis took a comprehensive look at statistical findings from case control studies from 16 countries including the US, Sweden, United Kingdom, Japan, Korea, and New Zealand.

"Cell phone use highlights a host of public health issues and it has received little attention in the scientific community, unfortunately," said Moskowitz. Cell phone use has increasingly become part of people’s daily lives, especially with the emergence of smartphones. Recent figures from the Pew Research Centre showed that 97 per cent of Americans now own a cell phone of some kind.

Come and visit us

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

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

I have secured a terrific holiday deal for readers of the Melbourne Observer and The Local Paper. Please mention ‘Melbourne Observer’ when you book to receive the ‘Special Rate of the Day’ for your advance bookings. Please contact: Jennifer at info@ramadaweho.com Happy Holidays, Gavin Wood

www.gavinwood.us

■ One in five Americans say their diet is radically different now compared to what it was like just five years ago.

That’s especially the case for people opting for trying more plant-based foods. Researchers reveal that health conscious Americans are going down what they call the “vegan-curious” route.

In a new survey of 2000 US residents, 19 perc ent believe that what they eat on a regular basis has changed significantly over that time.

Those switching up their menu say they did so due to shifts in their health and dietary needs (41 per cent), much more so than their personal tastes (35 per cent) or environmental concerns (19 per cent ).

Meanwhile, over half the poll (53 per cen t) believe that their food choices have remained more or less the same. Part of that, perhaps, may be because three-fourths of respondents follow some form of diet or guidelines that manage their eating habits.

While trendy diet plans like intermittent fasting (26 per cent) and ketogenic eating (20 per cent) have gained a lot of ground, neither can hold a candle to good old-fashioned calorie-counting (38 per cent).

Commissioned by Modern Table, the survey also asked respondents to weigh in on the fads they see while food shopping, especially the rise of plant-based foods.

Almost half (48 per cent) consider themselves as omnivorous eating animal and plant products in equal amounts while only 17 per cent consume only animal products with no plants at all. Interestingly, more men (26 per cent) than women (12 per cent) claim to subscribe to this carnivorous all-meat diet.

One in three respondents now identify as either vegan, vegetarian, or flexitarian, meaning that they favour or even exclusively eat plant-based foods.

However, complete vegans who don’t eat meat or animal products of any kind are still in the minority, the results suggest. I n comparison, almost 12 times as many respondents say they regularly refer to vegan eating as “rabbit food” (51 per cent). Just three percent of these Americans consider themselves vegan.

Sunscreen in the US

■ Johnson & Johnson is recalling five of its Neutrogena and Aveeno spray sunscreens after the company found low levels of benzene, a cancer-causing chemical, in some samples.

The company said customers should stop using the affected products, which were distributed through stores nationwide.

The recall covers the Aveeno Protect + Refresh aerosol sunscreen, and four Neutrogena sunscreens: Beach Defence aerosol sunscreen, Cool Dry Sport aerosol sunscreen, Invisible Daily Defence aerosol sunscreen, and Ultra Sheer aerosol sunscreen. Benzene, which the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention says can cause leukaemia or other cancers after long-term exposure to high levels, is not an ingredient in the affected sunscreens, J&J noted.

The pharmaceutical giant said it’s investigating how the chemical might have gotten into some of its products.

You can’t fix stupid

■ An Oklahoma woman wanted for accessory to murder was arrested after commenting on a local police department’s Facebook post about warrants for her arrest.

Tulsa Police Department’s Facebook page announced that Lorraine Graves was wanted in connection to the murder of Eric Graves.

Two other suspects in the case, Jayden Hopson and Gabriel Hopson, had already been apprehended at the time of the post, police said.

Graves allegedly left a comment under the post, saying “Where’s the reward money at,” the police department reported.

Tulsa Police Department’s Fugitive Warrants unit arrested Graves in north Tulsa near 36th St. N. and Garrison Ave, police said.

Page 20 - The Local Paper - Wednesday, December 1, 2021

www.LocalPaper.com.au