The Local Paper. Whittlesea Post Edition. Wed., Mar. 24, 2021

‘WHITTLESEA POST’ EDITION URBAN AREAS: BUNDOORA • EPPING • EPPING NORTH • LALOR • MILL PARK • SOUTH MORANG • THOMASTOWN • WOLLERT Local and Independent. Not associated with any other publication in this area.

Phone: 9489 2222.

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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 24, 2021

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Page 2 - The Local Paper - Wednesday, March 24, 2021

Where to pick up your free copy of The Local Paper ■ ALPHINGTON. 7-Eleven. 785 Heidelberg Rd. ■ ALPHINGTON. Foodstore. 52 Wingrove St. ■ ALPHINGTON. Milk Bar. 50 Wingrove St. ■ BRIAR HILL. Briar Hill Post Office/Newsagency. Shop 1/111 Mountain View Rd. ■ BUNDOORA. BP Service Station.

1050 Plenty Rd. ■ BUNDOORA. Bundoora Newsagency. Unit 3, 39 Plenty Rd. ■ CLIFTON HILL. Clifton Hill Lotto.

306 Queens Pde. ■ CLIFTON HILL. Clifton Hill Newsagency. 316 Queens Pde. ■ CLIFTON HILL. Continental Grocery. Spensley St. ■ CLIFTON HILL. McCoppins Supermarket. 292 Queens Pde. ■ CLIFTON HILL. Milk Bar. Cnr Fenwick St and Spensley St. ■ COLLINGWOOD. Metro Petroleum. 318 Wellington St. ■ EAGLEMONT. Australia Post/ Newsagency. 64 Silverdale Rd. ■ EAGLEMONT. IGA Supermarket.

83-85 Silverdale Rd. ■ EAST IVANHOE. Australia Post/ Tatts/Newsagency. 249-251 Lower Heidelberg Rd. ■ EAST PRESTON. East Preston News and Lotto. 669 Plenty Rd. ■ EAST PRESTON. Liberty Service Station. 502 Plenty Rd. ■ EAST PRESTON. Plenty Road Cellars. 766 Plenty Rd. ■ ELTHAM. Bolton Street Deli and Liquor. 120 Bolton St. ■ ELTHAM. Caltex. 527 Main Rd. ■ ELTHAM. Coles Express. 650 Main Rd (Cnr Mt Pleasant Rd) ■ ELTHAM. United Service Station.

1050 Main Rd. ■ ELTHAM NORTH. 330 Ryans Rd. ■ EPPING. Cnr Dalton Rd and Childs Rd. ■ FAIRFIELD. 7-Eleven. Cnr Darebin Rd and Station St. ■ FAIRFIELD. BP. 490-500 Heidelberg Rd. ■ FAIRFIELD. Caltex. 215 Heidelberg Rd. ■ FAIRFIELD. Coles Express. 377 Heidelberg Rd. ■ FAIRFIELD. Coles Express. Cnr Darebin Rd and Station St ■ FAIRFIELD. Fairfield News and Lucky Lotto. 99 Station St. ■ FAIRFIELD. Service Station. Cnr Separation St and Station St. ■ FAIRFIELD. Station Street IGA. 140 Station St. ■ FITZROY. BP. 143-145 Johnston St. ■ FITZROY. Fitzroy News. 125 Johnston St. ■ GREENSBOROUGH. Milk Bar. 31 Greenhill Rd. ■ HEIDELBERG. 7-Eleven. Cnr Burgundy St and Lower Heidelberg Rd. ■ HEIDELBERG. Heidelberg Tatts/ News. 112 Burgundy St. ■ IVANHOE. Ivanhoe Newsagency.

194 Upper Heidelberg Rd. ■ IVANHOE. Milk Bar. 53 Lower Heidelberg Rd. ■ KEON PARK. Australia Post/Tatts.

Johnson St ■ KINGSBURY. Bottle-O. 949 Plenty Rd. ■ KINGSBURY. BP. 935 Plenty Rd. ■ KINGSBURY. Supermarket and Tatts. Link St. ■ LALOR. Kingsway Corner Store.

1/70 Kingsway.

■ LALOR. Lalor Lucky L:otto. 332 Station St. ■ LOWER PLENTY. IGA Xpress Supermarket. 101-105 Lower Plenty Rd. ■ LOWER PLENTY. Lower Plenty Newsagency/Tatts. 95 Main Rd. ■ MACLEOD. Macleod Newsagency.

62 Aberdeen Rd. ■ MILL PARK. 7-Eleven. Cnr Childs Rd and Morang Dr. ■ MILL PARK. Mill Park Newsagency. 4 The Stables Shopping Centre.

■ MONTMORENCY. 7-Eleven. 215 Sherbourne Rd.

■ MONTMORENCY. Australia Post/ Newsagency. 41-43 Were St. ■ MONTMORENCY. Caltex. 180 Sherbourne Rd. ■ NORTH FITZROY. Terminus Hotel.

492 Queens Pde. ■ NORTH IVANHOE. Australia Post.

Cnr Waterdale Rd and Beatty St. ■ NORTHCOTE. 7-Eleven. Cnr Victoria Rd and Separation St. ■ NORTHCOTE. Licensed Supermarket. Cnr Mitchell St and Victoria Rd. ■ NORTHCOTE. Northcote Newsagency. 335 High St. ■ PRESTON. United Service Station. Cnr Chifley Dr. and Bell St. ■ PRESTON. United Service Station. Cnr Bell St and Albert St. ■ REGENT WEST. Post Office and Tatts. 136 Regent St. ■ RESERVOIR. Australia Post. 10a Gellibrand Cres.

■ RESERVOIR. BP Service Station.

Cnr McFadzean Ave and Hughes Pde. ■ RESERVOIR. Broadway Lotto.

238 Broadway.

■ RESERVOIR. Caltex. 931 High St ■ RESERVOIR. Coles Express. 192202 Broadway.

■ RESERVOIR. DM Deli and Liquor.

35 McFadzean Ave. ■ RESERVOIR. Liberty Service Station. 101-111 Edwardes St. ■ RESERVOIR. Milk Bar. Cnr Yarra Ave and Boldrewood Pde. ■ RESERVOIR. News and Lotto.

251 Spring St. ■ RESERVOIR. Reservoir RSL. 251 Spring St. ■ ROSANNA. Rosanna Newsagency.

137 Lower Plenty Rd. ■ ST HELENA. Milk Bar. Cnr Glen Katherine Dr and Weidlich Rd. ■ ST HELENA. St Helena Newsagency. St Helena Marketplace, Aqueduct Rd. ■ THOMASTOWN. BP. 123 High St. ■ THOMASTOWN. Foodworks. 126 Alexander Ave. ■ THOMASTOWN. Milk Bar. 128 Alexander Ave. ■ THOMASTOWN. Stevens Cellars Licensed Grocery. 20 The Boulevard.

■ THOMASTOWN. Thomastown News and Lotto. 223 High St. ■ THOMASTOWN WEST. 7-Eleven.

Cnr Mount View St and Edgars Rd. ■ THOMASTOWN WEST. Supa IGA Supermarket. Edgars Rd ■ THORNBURY. 7-Eleven. Cnr High St and Hutton St. ■ THORNBURY. BP. 410 St Georges Rd. ■ THORNBURY. Normanby News and Lotto. 638 High St. ■ THORNBURY. Tatts and Licensed Grocery. 400 Station St. ■ WATSONIA. BP. Cnr Watsonia Rd and Morwell Ave. ■ WATSONIA. Coles Express. Cnr Greensborough Rd and Yallambie rD ■ WATSONIA. Watsonia RSL. 6 Morwell Ave. ■ WEST HEIDELBERG. Convenience Store. Moresby Cres.

■ WEST HEIDELBERG. Foodworks.

571-573 Waterdale Rd. ■ WEST HEIDELBERG. Licensed Supermarket. Olympic Village. Moresby Cres.

■ WEST HEIDELBERG. Milk Bar. Cnr Banksia St and Oriel Rd. ■ WEST HEIDELBERG. Tatts. The Mall. Cnr Bell St and Oriel Rd. ■ WEST PRESTON. Brightway Milk Bar. 107 Gilbert Rd. ■ WEST PRESTON. IGA Xpress Supermarket. 392-298 Gilbert Rd. ■ WEST PRESTON. Liberty Service Station. Cnr Gilbert Rd and Union St. ■ WEST PRESTON. Thornbury Cellars. 141 Miller St. ■ WEST RESERVOIR. 7-Eleven.

Cnr Gilbert Rd and Henty St. ■ WEST RESERVOIR. Lakeside Newsagency. 716A Gilbert Rd. ■ WESTGARTH. Lotto/SubNewsagency. 107 High St. ■ WESTGARTH. Milk Bar. Cnr Westgarth St and South Cres.

■ YALLAMBIE. 7-Eleven. 371 Lower Plenty Rd.

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

Criminal Case Listings Wednesday, March 24 Ahern, Skye Brooke Ahmet, Alisha Albader, Mohomed Antochi, Constantin Laviniu Austin, Lawrence George Baniani, William Beasley, Tykeisha Bonney, Dawn Boyer, Julian Brown, Trudy Butler, Scott David Carey, Nathan Carrodus, Tayla Lee Caruso, Joseph Challa, Natneal Chapman, Michael Chehade, Essa Clayton-Polidino, Ryan Mark Clohesy, Simon Conroy, Jayden Dettman, Bianca Dinale, Adrian Dinh, Nu Nguyen Dobbin, Craig Donato, Joseph Downing, Justin Dudley, Scott Eshlan, Abdul Rahman Falcao, Daniel Fibrecomm Solutions Pty Ltd Filis, Georgios Fry, David Fuentes, David Gatherer, Mason Gibbs, Chantelle Girdlestone, James Grossman, Tegan Haack, Justin Hatzihalkias, Arthur Hayes, Janaya Hoopmann, Benjamin Hosier, Daniel Hosri, Peter Icho, Bernard Ilievski, Alex Ito, Hiroaki Jackamarra, Rachel Jackson, Shannon Johnson, Trent Jones, Elizabeth Jones, Storm Karnia-Leslie Kunda, Nadal Kur, Emanuel Lambeski, Daniel Landy, Charlene Latina, Bianca Latorre, Vincent

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.

Lawranz, Ben Mcinerney, Asheligh Mcmaster, Mark Kevin Meaney, Cameron Milicia, Anthony Dean Monazahian, Mahmoud Montagnese, Benjamin Monteiro, Varsha Moore, Sean Morgan, Stephen Nikoro, Danielle O'callaghan, Simon Oguzhan, Yavuz Pelly, Nicole Raad, Muhammed Rabadievski, Louie Rajab, Jason Ramsdale, James Reading, Craig Reed, Christopher Rimmer, Jessica Rizzardo, Ray Robinson, Wayne Romanoski, Alex Sargedis, Peggy Scamporlino, Michael Shuster, John Siciliano, Adrianna Taleb, Renee Tapeka, Jacob Taylor, Troy Thorn, Kane Toomaga, Bernadine Trajkov, Boris Tzimas, Michael Steven Virk, Satnam Singh Walsh, Jack Walton, Jason Warr, Clint Warr, Conroy Westgarth, Paul Whyte, Aaron Wilkins, Joshua

Local News

COVID help requested ■ The City of Whittlesea received an additional 23 hardship applications last month via the COVID-19 Hardship Policy.

“A total of 208 applications have been received since April 6, 2020, and 161 have been approved,” said Craig Lloyd, Whittlesea City CEO in a report to administrators.

“The final round for Whittlesea Creative Community Fund for this financial year opened on February 15 and closed on March 1.

“These grants were initiated as part of Council’s pandemic response to support the badly affected artistic community.

“The Community Relief Grants and Sports Club Emergency Grants program remains open and applications are assessed upon arrival.

“Preparation are underway to launch the Community Reconnection Grant Program in March 2021.

“The Program will invite applications for initiatives to support community groups to reconnect and reactivate.

The Whip Our Spy in Parliament

The Challenge

■ The challenge to Liberal Opposition Leader Michael O’Brien will be the first of a series. Last week’s vote brought on by Brad Battin, Gembrook’s MLA, did not get up, with a last-minute change of numbers tripping that up. One of Battin’s supporters, Ferntree Gully’s Nick Wakeling, also has to step aside from the front bench, because of loyalty traditions. They won’t be on the outer for too long.

March 4 Justice

■ Jill Hennessy, Altona MLA and State Government Minister, summed up the March 4 Justice this way in State Parliament on Tuesday last week: “I want to place on the record and express my appreciation to all of those involved in the organisation of the March 4 Justice rallies yesterday. It was fantastic, both right across metropolitan Melbourne and to all places in regional and rural Victoria.

“I want to express my gratitude. I certainly hope the momentum for change that has been requested continues unabated.

“But I do wish to place on the record my deep gratitude for all of those involved and to certainly say to all of the leaders from Women’s Health West to local councils that have so genuinely committed to women’s agency and safety in Melbourne’s western suburbs that I thank them for what they do each and every single day.”

Gudinski salute

■ Martin Pakula, Minister for Just About Everything (Minister for Industry Support and Recovery, Minister for Trade, Minister for Business Precincts, Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events, Minister for Racing), paid tribute to entertainment pioneer Michael Gudinski last week in Parliament.

“Last Wednesday I had the privilege of attending the funeral of the late Michael Gudinski, a giant of the Victorian music scene who through Frontier Touring and through Mushroom did more for the music industry in this state and indeed this country than anybody. He is irreplaceable, and he will be sadly missed. I think the attendance at his funeral was a sign of the esteem he was held in by many, many people.”

Tennis clean sweep

■ Eltham MLA Vicki Ward gave a glimpse into a past chapter in the Legislative Assembly last week: “As a uni student one of the many jobs that I had was working at the Australian Open tennis as a cleaner. It was terrific. I got to see a lot of tennis, I got to hang out with some cool people, I got in elevators with tennis players -” A member: “Bjorn Borg!”

Ms Ward: I’m not that old. It was really good, and you are right; the rumours are true Jim Courier is a really lovely guy. He would come down and have a beer or a coffee - a drink - with the cleaners. He was a terrific bloke, actually.”

Feather dusters

■ Roosters become feather dusters. One US leader is quoted to say there is nothing so pathethic as a past president. So, why are we hearing from Michael Kroger offering media soundbites about Liberal Party leader-ship matters; and why-oh-why is Jeff Kennett even considering a return as Liberal Victoria President?

Howzat, Cindy

● Craig Llloyd, City of Whittlesea CEO “Council is continuing to develop new projects that will help our community to reconnect and recover from the impacts of the pandemic through arts, culture and creativity.

“We have delivered an information session to the community to provide advice about running COVIDsafe events and the new Public Events framework.”

■ Eildon MLA Cindy McLeish had her priorities right in State Parliament in congratulating Yea Tigers Cricket Club on their premiership win against Kilmore by a staggering nine wickets.

“Well done to ... Marc Steiner, for his early work with the ball, and top scorers Nathan Beattie, with 43 runs, and Cam Armstrong, 29 not out.

“The team - Damon Malcolm, Will Dalton, Corey Malcolm, Darcy Pell, Dan O’Dwyer, Andrew Butterworth, Billy Bowe and Aidan McSpeerin- did a great job,” Ms McLeish said.

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Ticks & Crosses

?

Darebin Council has adjusted the Reservoir Leisure Centre redevelopment from $17 million down to $15.5 million as some improvement works were completed prior to July last year, this week’s Council meeting is being advised.. “The new amount is also consistent with the draft 10 Year Capital Works Plan 2020-2030 adopted

by Council on July 15, 2020,” says a report to Councillors.

✔

Malahang Lantern Festival will see Malahang Reserve (West Heidelberg) transformed into a colourful dreamland with more than 50 suspended and ground lanterns. This event will take place from March 25-28.

● Preston Market Darebin Council continues its hamfisted efforts at advocacy regarding the Preston Market. A proposal is being put to this week’s Council meeting that there be engagement with the Planning Minister Richard Wynne to intervene with a decision about the future of the market. Council is looking for the community to be part of that advocacy, yet the Council does not even have a conversation with its own local newspaper. The Council appears not to have the slightest interest in actually engaging with local people through local media.

✖

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Talk, talk, talk. Darebin Council is big on talking to itself. At this week’s Council meeting, Councillors will consider a motion for more talk about the Northcote Golf Course. The Council has spent the past three months considering how it will do the talking about the Course’s future. A motion before Monday nioght’s Council meeting suggests that it endorses the proposed broad consultation methodology; and receives a further briefing and report later in 2021 on the community feedback received about the future of the Northcote Golf Course.

That’s more talk.

✖

Darebin Council is also big on talk about water quality at Edwardes Park Lake in Reservoir. A recommendation being put to this week’s Council meeting is that Councillors note Edwardes Lake Taskforce draft Terms of Reference and that they authorise the ongoing negotiation with key stakeholders and proposed members of the Taskforce to finalise and seek agreement on the Terms of Reference. Then there is the suiggestion of a further report on recommended Taskforce membership and finalised Terms of Reference.

Whittlesea Council has formally paid tribute to the life of former Councillor Constantine Mastoris.

Mr Mastoris was Councillor for the City of Whittlesea from 1984 to 1994 including a year of being Mayor from 1990-1991. He was involved in the opening of Barry Road Community Activity Centre and also the opening of the Civic Centre.

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Football fans are invited to watch the annual ANZAC Day clash between Collingwood and Essendon on a big screen at Eltham Town Square. Further details about this afternoon of food, footy and family fun will be announced closer to the event date, April 25.

✔

Nillumbik Council and the Diamond Creek Traders Association will host a free movie night this Saturday (Mar. 27) at Rotary Park (adjacent to the netball courts), Diamond Creek. The family-friendly event kicks off at 4.30pm with roving entertainers, followed by children’s feature A Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon (Rated G) at 5pm. The Academy Award-nominated A Star Is Born (Rated M), follows at 7pm for older kids and adults.

The Local Paper - Wednesday, March 24, 2021 - Page 3

Local News

Epping: terrorism alleged ■ Victoria Police, the Australian Federal Police, the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation, and other agencies which form part of the Joint Counter Terrorism Team have charged two men following an operation in in the northern suburbs last Wednesday (Mar. 17).

A 19-year-old Epping man has been charged with attempted terrorist act, intentionally cause injury, act in preparation of terrorist act and membership of a prescribed terrorist organisation (ISIS).

A 20-year-old Epping man has been charged with one count of attempted terrorist act.

Both were to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court.

A 16-year-old Pascoe Vale boy has been released without charge.

The trio were arrested as part of a Victoria Joint Counter Terrorism Team investigation.

The operation is ongoing, however at this time police do not anticipate further arrests.

The arrests are not linked to any previous operational activity.

Victoria Police would like to reassure the community that it continues to work collaboratively with JCTT partners to ensure the safety of all Victorians.

More advocacy

● Image: 9News

● Robin Scott, Preston MLA that people in the community who perhaps felt more confident to attend a test centre in a culturally specific setting were tested during the recent outbreak related to the East Preston Islamic College.

“Members of the Preston mosque community were en-

gaged in the governance of the East Preston Islamic College and also played a critical role in ensuring that that facility was used as a test centre.

“There was much work done in the telephone trees to reach out to people to ensure that they took part in testing and also adhered to both advice in relation to isolating and general health advice in relation to the pandemic.

“This community-based, bottom-up approach was utterly critical in getting on top of at least two outbreaks that I am aware of.

“I think those involved, particularly the community of the Preston mosque and the surrounding Islamic community, should be commended for their civic spirit, not just to protect their own community but to work to protect the entire Victorian community,” Mr Scott said.

$66,000 boost at N’cote ■ The State Government has invested $66,003 in emergency services in Northcote to provide essential vehicles and appliances for local volunteers.

Anthony Carbimes, Ivanhoe MLA, last week announced the Northcote VICSES would receive funding to replace a Nissan Patrol with Light Rescue.

The project is one of 240 grants sharing in more than $14 million in funding under the government's 2020-21 Volunteer Emergency Services Equipment Program.

Under the program, the Victorian Government matches every $1 paid by volunteer groups with a $2 co-contribution up to $150,000 per project. “"This important project will give our hardworking VICSES volunteers in Ivanhoe the equipment and amenities needed to effectively carry out their duties,” Mr Carbines said.

“Id like to thank all of our volunteer groups for their hard work and congratulate the successful applicants in the 2019-20 round of VESEP grants.”

The annual grants program gives volunteer emergency service groups the opportunity to apply for grants of up to $150,000.

More kinders ■ Extra kindergarten infrastructure will be needed in the Darebin municipality by 2026, Councillors are being told this week.

The roll-out of funded three-year-old kindergarten in Darebin will create significant additional demand for kindergarten places.

Darebin Council has agreed on a Kindergarten Infrastructure and Services Plan with the State Government’s Department of Education and Training, which estimates the expected supply and demand for kindergarten places from 2022 to 2029 as funded three-year-old kindergarten is rolled out.

Preston Post

MP praises Preston mosque ■ Preston MLA Robin Scott spoke in State Parliament last week about the contribution made by the Preston mosque in the recent period, particularly during the COVID outbreak.

“I was lucky enough to visit, with the Minister for Multicultural Affairs, the Preston mosque and meet the committee there and discuss with them issues that they have got relating to capital works.

“But one of the matters that came up, which I was certainly aware of as the local member, was the wonderful work undertaken by them and other members of the local Islamic community to address at least two potentially you could describe it as three - significant COVID outbreaks during the recent period.

“The Preston mosque was used in fact as a testing centre and opened its doors to ensure

Northcote Budget

■ Darebin Council needs to generate more advocacy about Preston Market to Planning Minister Richard Wynne, according to a report presented to local Councillors this week.

“Despite ongoing advocacy, to date the developer has not indicated a willingness to formally commit to protect the vital elements of the Market. Without a formal commitment by the developer, it is not possible to be confident that Council’s objectives will be met and the Market protected,” says a report, which report recommends further advocacy to the Minister for Planning to intervene.

Whittlesea Post Execs at meeting

■ Whittlesea Council CEO Craig Lloyd introduced members of his executive team to the public at the City meeting held this month at the Whittlesea Community Activity Centre.

They included Executive Manager Governance, Frank Joyce; Director Community Wellbeing, Kate McCaughey; Director Corporate Services and Performance, Amy Montalti; Director Planning and Development, Justin O’Meara; and Director Infrastructure & Environment, Debbie Wood. The meeting was led by Chair Administrator, Lydia Wilson.

Heidelberger Seed Libraries ■ Seed Libraries are being established across Banyule. A seed library is a place for the community to share seeds for free to help support local food security.

It works on a simple philosophy of take, grow, save, share. People can take the seeds theywould like to grow; grow those seeds into fruit, vegetables or flowers; save some seed from the healthiest plant and share that seed by depositing it back into the seed library for someone else to use. Information is available at https://www.banyule.vic. gov.au/Events-activities/Whats-on/Council-events/Home-harvest-seed-libraries

Diamond Valley News Tick for G’boro shop

● Qnthony Carbines, Ivanhoe MLA

■ The Herald Sun newspaper has termed Greensborough’s Dulce Gelateria as the most Instagrammable ice cream shop in Melbourne.

Journalist Grace McKinnon reports that the business is the dream of Daniel Chayan who had a vision of opening an ice cream shop with pasty chef-wife Sabina for several decades.

“Eldest son Guido Chayan said Dulce is focusing on contributing to Down syndrome awareness in honour of his brother Jerry who was born with the intellectual disability.”

The business is launching ‘Jerry’s Cookies’ later this year where Jerry will bake cookies to sell at the shop.

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Page 4 - The Local Paper - Wednesday, March 24, 2021

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Deadlines Free Classified Ads: 5pm Fridays Paid Classified Ads: 5pm Fridays Display Ads: 5pm Fridays Trades Guide: 5pm Fridays Editorial: 5pm Fridays Sport: 9pm Saturdays Melbournewide NORTHERN DIVISION Diamond V alle y Ne ws E dition Valle alley New Edition (Nillumbik): Briar Hill, Diamond Creek, Eltham, Eltham North, Greensborough, Lower Plenty and Yarr amba t. arramba ambat.

Heidelberger Edition (Banyule): Bellfield, Darebin, Eaglemont, East Ivanhoe, Heidelberg, Heidelberg Heights, Ivanhoe, Macleod, Rosanna, Vie wbank, W es g, iewbank, Waa tsonia, W Wes estt Heidelber Heidelberg, Yallambie allambie..

Northcote Budget Edition: Alphington, Clifton Hill, Collingwood, C rro o x tton, on, Dennis, FFairfield, airfield, Fitzr o y, Fitzro Fitzr oy North, Northc ot hornbury Fitzro Northcot otee , TThornbury hornbury,, Wes esttgarth.

Preston Post/Reservoir Times es eserv oir Edition : Eas Eastt Pr Pres estton, Eas Eastt R Reserv eservoir oir,, Keon PPark, ark, Pr es egent, Kingsbury Pres estton, R Regent, Kingsbury,, Reserv oir es es es eservoir oir,, Ruth Ruthvven, W Wes estt Pr Pres estton, W Wes estt Reservoir Whittlesea Post Edition : Bundoor a, Epping, Lalor ark, Bundoora, Lalor,, Mill PPark, Thomastown.

• PENINSULA-FRANKSTONGREA TER D ANDENONG GREATER DANDENONG DIVISION Cranbourne Sun Edition: Cranbourne, Devon Meadows, Doveton, Endeavour Hills, Eumemmerring, Hampt on PPark, ark, LLynbr ynbr oook, LLyndhurs yndhurs t, Hampton ynbroook, yndhurst, Pearcedale.

Dandenong Advertiser Edition: Bangholme, Dandenong, Dandenong North, Dandenong South, Keysborough, Noble Park, Springvale.

Frankston Edition: A s p e n d a l e , Bonbeach, Carrum Downs, Chelsea, Edithvale, Frankston, Frankston North, Frankston South, Karingal, Langwarrin, Langwarrin South, Mentone, Mordialloc, Sandhurst, Seaford, Skye.

Mornington Peninsula Post Edition: Arthurs Seat, Moorooduc, Mornington, Mount Eliza, Mount Martha, Safety Beach.

Southern Peninsula Edition: Blairgowrie, Boneo, Cape Schanck, Capel Sound, Dromana, McCrae, Portsea, Rosebud, Rye, Sorrento, St Andr oot gar ook.

Andreews Beach, TToot ootgar garook.

Wes ort E dition: Balnarring, esttern P Port Edition: Baxt er ern, Crib PPoint, oint, Flinders, Baxter er,, Bitt Bittern, Hastings, Main Ridge, Merricks, Point Leo, Red Hill, Red Hill South, Shoreham, Somers, Somerville oint, TTyyabb Somerville,, SStton onyy PPoint, abb..

• SOUTHERN CRO SS WEEKL Y CROS WEEKLY DIVISION Bayside Times Edition: Beaumaris, Black Rock, Brighton, Brighton East, Chelt enham, Cr omer on, Cheltenham, Cromer omer,, Dendy Dendy,, Hampt Hampton, Hampton East, Highett, Moorabbin and Sandringham.

Bor oondar a W eekly E dition: Boroondar oondara Weekly Edition: Camberwell, Glen Iris, Glenferrie South, Hawthorn, Hawthorn East.

Glen Eira Standard Edition: Bentleigh, Bentleigh East, Brighton East, Carnegie, Caulfield, Caulfield East, Caulfield North, Caulfield South, Coatesville, Elsternwick, Gardenvale, G l e n H u n t l yy,, H o p e tto oun G dens, Gaa rrd McKinnon, Murrumbeena, Ormond, Patterson and St Kilda East.

Kingston Standard Edition: Braeside, Cheltenham, Clarinda, Clayton South, Dingley Village, Heatherton, Highett, Mentone, Moorabbin, Moorabbin Airport, Parkdale, Patterson Lakes and Waterw erwaays.

Port Phillip Times Edition: Albert P ark, Balacla ood, G ar den City Balaclavva, Elw Elwood, Gar arden City,, Middle Park, Port Melbourne, Ripponlea, South Melbourne, Southbank, St Kilda, S t Kilda Eas t, SStt Kilda W es t, W indsor East, Wes est, Windsor indsor..

S t onningt on W eekly E dition: onnington Weekly Edition: Armadale, Glen Iris, Hawksburn, Kooyong, Malvern, Malvern East, Pr ahr an, South Y arr a, TToor oor ak, W indsor Prahr ahran, Yarr arra, oorak, Windsor indsor..

Melbournewide Yarr aT imes E dition: Abbotsf or d, arra Times Edition: Abbotsfor ord, Burnle ollingw ood, Cr emorne Burnleyy, C Collingw ollingwood, Cremorne emorne,, Richmond.

• NORTH-WEST DIVISION Brimbank Messenger Edition: Alban deer ooklyn Albanvv ale ale,, Albion, Ar Ardeer deer,, Br Brooklyn (part), Cairnlea, Calder Park, Deer Park, Delahe Delaheyy, Derrimut, Hillside (part), Kealba, K eilor eilor Do wns, K eilor Eas Keilor eilor,, K Keilor Downs, Keilor Eastt (part), Keilor Lodge, Keilor North, Keilor Park, Kings Park, St Albans, Sunshine, Sunshine North, Sunshine W Wee sstt , S y d e n h a m , TTaa y l o r s L a kkee s a n d Tullamarine ullamarine..

Hobsons Bay Edition: A l t o n a , Altona Meadows, Altona North, Brooklyn, Laverton, Newport, Seabrook, Seaholme, South Kingsville, Spotswood, Williamstown and Williamstown North.

Hume Observer Edition: Attwood, Broadmeadows, Campbellfield, Clarkefield, Coolaroo, Craigieburn, Dallas, Diggers R Ree sstt , FFaa w k n e rr,, Gladstone Park, Greenvale, Jacana, K a l kkallo allo eilor w Heights, allo,, K Keilor eilor,, Meado Meadow Melbourne Airport, Mickleham, Oaklands Junction, Roxburgh Park, on, TTullamarine ullamarine es tmeado ws, Somert Somerton, ullamarine,, W Wes estmeado tmeadow W ildw ood and Y ur ok ildwood Yur urok okee .

Maribyrnong Edition: Braybrook, F ootscr ville ootscraa y, Kings Kingsville ville,, Maids Maidstt one one,, Marib yrnong, Seddon, TTott ott enham, W es Maribyrnong, ottenham, Wes estt Footscr arr ootscraay and Y Yarr arraa ville ville..

Moonee V alle y G az ett e E dition: Valle alley Gaz azett ette Edition: Aberf eldie es t, Asc ot V ale Aberfeldie eldie,, Airport W Wes est, Ascot Vale ale,, Avondale Heights, Es sendon, Es sendon Essendon, Essendon North, Es sendon W es t, Flemingt on, Essendon Wes est, Flemington, Keilor East, Moonee Ponds, Niddrie, Strathmore, Strathmore Heights and Travanc or ancor oree.

Moreland Courier Edition: Batman, Brunswick, Brunswick East, Bruns wick W t, C obur g, C obur g Brunswick Wee sst, Cobur oburg, Cobur oburg North, FFaawkner oy North, Glenr oy, wkner,, Fitzr Fitzro Glenro Gowanbrae, Hadfield, Merlynston, Moreland, Oak Park, Parkville, Pascoe V a l ee,, PPaa s cco oe V Vaa l e S o u t h a n d Tullamarine ullamarine..

Sunbury Regional News Edition: Bulla, Sunbury • EASTERN DIVISION Knox-Sherbrooke News Edition: Ba onia, FFerntr erntr ee Gully Bayyswater er,, Bor Boronia, erntree Gully,, K n ooxx f i e l d , LLyy s t e r f i e l d , R o w v i l l ee,, Ro Sas safr as, Sc or esb tudfield, TThe he Sassafr safras, Scor oresb esbyy, SStudfield, Basin, Upper FFerntr erntr ee Gully antirna, erntree Gully,, W Wantirna, Wantirna South.

Manningham News Edition: Bulleen, Doncas t, Doncastt er er,, Doncas Doncastt er Eas East, Donvale, Nunawading, Park Orchards, o o d N o r t h , TTee m p l e sstt o w e , Ringw wo Temples o w e rr,, W andyt emplestt o w e LLo Waa r rrandyt andytee , Warr andyt onga PPark. ark. arrandyt andytee South, W Wonga Maroondah Mail Edition: Bayswater North, Croydon, Croydon Hills, Croydon North, Croydon South, Heathmont, Kilsyth, Kilsyth South, Park Orchards, Ringwood, Ringwood East, Ringw ood North, V ermont, W arr an wood Ringwood Vermont, Warr arran anw and W onga PPark. ark.

Wonga Monash Gazette Edition: Ashwood, Burwood, Chadstone, Cla yt on, Glen W ely Clayt yton, Waa ver erely ely,, Hughesdale Hughesdale,, H u n t i n g d a l ee,, M o u n t W Waa v e r l eeyy , Mulgrave, Notting Hill, Oakleigh, Oakleigh East, Oakleigh South, Pinewood, Syndal and Wheelers Hill.

Progress News Edition: Ashburton, Balwyn, Balwyn North, Burw ood, Cant erbury t, Burwood, Canterbury erbury,, K Keew, K Kee w Eas East, Mont Albert, Surrey Hills.

Whitehorse Gazette Edition: Blackburn, Blackburn North, Blackburn South, Box Hill, Box Hill North, Box Hill South, Burwood, Burwood East, Forest Hill, Mitcham, Mont Albert, Mont Albert North, Nunawading, Surrey Hills, Vermont, V ermont South.

Vermont • REGIONAL DIVISION Dindi Local (Murrindindi): Acheron, Alexandra, Buxton, Castella, Cathkin, Caveat, Cheviot, Dropmore, Eildon, Fawcett, Flowerdale, Ghin Ghin, G l e n b u r n , G o b u rr,, H a zzee l d e n ee,, Highlands, Homewood, Kanumbra, Kerrisdale, Killingworth, Kinglake, Kinglak al, Kinglak Kinglakee C Cee n t rral, Kinglakee W Wee sstt , Koriella, Limestone, Maintongoon, Marysville, Merton, Molesworth, Murrindindi, Narbethong, Pheasant Cr eek, Rubic on, Ruffy tr eek, Creek, Rubicon, Ruffy,, SStr traa th Cr Creek, Ta g g e r t yy,, TTee r i p TTee r i pp,, TThh o r n tto on, Toolangi, TTrrawool, W oods PPoint, oint, Y ar ck Woods Yar arck and Y ea.

Yea. Lily dale and Y arr a V alle y Lilydale Yarr arra Valle alley Express Edition: Chirnside Park, Chum Creek, Coldstream, Dixons Creek, Don V alle ernsha w, Glady sdale Valle alleyy, FFernsha ernshaw Gladysdale sdale,, Gruyere, Healesville, Kilsyth, Launching Place, Lilydale, Millgrove, Mooroolbark, Mount Dandenong, Mount Evelyn, Powelltown, Seville, Seville East, Steels Cr eek, TTarr arr a, TToolangi, oolangi, Upper arra, Creek, arraa w arr F erntr ee Gully andin Eas t, W andin erntree Gully,, W Wandin East, Wandin North, W arburt on, W arburt on Eas t, Warburt arburton, Warburt arburton East, Wesburn, W oori Y allock, Y arr Woori Yallock, Yarr arraa Glen, Yarr ellingbo and Y ering. arraa Junction, Y Yellingbo Yering.

Mitchell Shire Edition: Beveridge, Broadford, Bylands, Clonbinane, Dysart, Forbes, Glenaroua, Heathcote Junction, Hilldene, Kilmore, Kilmore East, Kobyboyn, Moranding, Northwood, P uck apun eedy Cr eek, Se ymour uckapun apunyyal, R Reedy Creek, Seymour ymour,, Sugarloaf Creek, Sunday Creek, Tallar ook, TTar ar allarook, arcc ombe ombe,, TTrra w ool, TTyy aak, Upper Plenty Plenty,, W Waa l l a n , W Waa n d o n g , Wa terf or d PPark, ark, Whit eheads Cr eek and erfor ord Whiteheads Creek Willowmavin.

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Your Stars

The Local Paper - Wednesday, March 24, 2021 - Page 5

Local Briefs Erratic behaviour

$5 mil. kinder.

■ Richmond Uniform Police have charged a man following an incident in Richmond on Wednesday last week (Mar. 17).

Police were called to a school on Lennox St about 2.50pm to reports of a man behaving erratically.

No one was injured during the incident and a 43-year-old Richmond man was arrested at the scene.

He has since been charged with trespassing, possess controlled weapon and breach of bail.

He was remanded to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court.

with Kerry Kulkens ARIES: (March 21- April 20) Lucky Colour: Blue Lucky Day: Friday Racing Numbers: 7,8,9,4 Lotto Numbers: 1,14,23,34,35,41, Many could be lucky in a gamble. Travel could be in the planning stage. An exciting new romance could have you rethinking your future plans.

TAURUS: (April 21- May 20) Lucky Colour: Cream Lucky Day: Monday Racing Numbers: 3,5,4,5, Lotto Numbers: 1,14,23,32,33,37, Love life could need a bit more effort. Do not let others interfere in your romantic plans. Check all important documents before signing. Your past is likely to cause trouble.

GEMINI: (May 21- June 21) Lucky Colour: Green Lucky Day: Saturday Racing Numbers: 7,8,4,5, Lotto Numbers: 1,14,16,23,34,41, A very social period where the chance to mix with important people is indicated. Now is the time to make the decision that should be made; delays will only make it more difficult.

CANCER: (June 22- July 22) Lucky Colour: Fawn Lucky Day: Thursday Racing Numbers: 7,8,94, Lotto Numbers: 3,4,23,31,17,44, Unexpected changes are indicated. Better luck is indicated. Money should be easier to get and a wish could be granted.

LEO: (July 23- August 22) Lucky Colour: Violet Lucky Day: Monday Racing Numbers: 8,6,5,7, Lotto Numbers: 1,6,23,35,45,5, You could meet the people that are right for you. Something you have wanted for a long time could happen around now. Be very selective before accepting social invitations.

VIRGO: (August 23- September 23) Lucky Colour: Apricot Lucky Day: Wednesday Racing Numbers: 9,4,5,6, Lotto Numbers: 9,14,34,45,5,22, Good luck is around you. Now is the time to start important ventures. VIP'S are most likely to take you seriously.

A more relaxing period with your loved ones.

LIBRA: (September 24- October 23) Lucky Colour: Blue Lucky Day: Tuesday Racing Numbers: 4,5,2,3, Lotto Numbers: 1,4,12,23,34,45, Now is a good time to get out from under a too heavy workload. A lot more activity on the social scene. Travel is indicated and could bring more romance and co operation with your partner.

SCORPIO: (October 24- November 22) Lucky Colour: Mauve Lucky Day: Monday Racing Numbers: 7,8,5,6, Lotto Numbers: 6,23,35,5,22,27, A very busy time ahead visit, phone calls and letters. There could be gains through property. Romance however needs to be paid more attention. Keep an eye on your purse strings.

SAGITTARIUS: (November 23- December 20) Lucky Colour: Red Lucky Day: Friday Racing Numbers: 6,7,8,9 Lotto Numbers: 1,17,23,34,45,5, A health program could be the way to go. Someone may enter your life with the intention of making a permanent relationship. Take anything which can be offered to you.

CAPRICORN: (December 21- January 19) Lucky Colour: Silver Lucky Day: Thursday Racing Numbers: 3,7,8,9 Lotto Numbers: 5,6,2,34,41,22, It is a good time to brig friends together for a party. Your luck and resources should start to expand. Financial success is indicated for those prepared to put in the effort.

AQUARIUS: (January 20- February 19) Lucky Colour: Blue Lucky Day: Wednesday Racing Numbers: 6,7,8,4, Lotto Numbers: 3,5,12,23,35,11, Your outlook on life could change and most encounter more responsibility. Personal relationships will improve. Accept an invitation to travel for a big adventure.

PISCES: (February 20- March 20) Lucky Colour: Blue Lucky Day: Wednesday Racing Numbers: 7,8,9,3, Lotto Numbers: 1,15,23,35,41,33, Entertaining could prove to be very expensive. Some may find travel more exciting. Unwise to mix money with friendship.

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

Yea Golf results

● The official opening of Spring St Kindergarten, built on site at Thomastown Primary School, saw Thomastown MLA Bronwyn Halfpenny meet with Ingrid Stitt, Minister for Early Childhood and Andrew Giles, Federal Member for Scullin. The Government provided $650,000 for the new kindergarten with Whittlesea Council contributing $4.45 million.

Local News

Known around Heidelberg WANTED ON WARRANTS ■ Police are appealing for public assistance to help locate Bilal Bilal.

The 33-year-old is wanted on warrant in relation to theft related offences.

Bilal is known to frequent the Heidelberg, Keilor Downs and Melbourne CBD areas.

Investigators have released an image of Bilal in the hope that someone may have information on his current whereabouts.

Anyone who sights Bilal or has information about his whereabouts is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make a confidential report at www.crimestoppers vic.com.au

Holiday showbag

● Bilal Bilal

Streetscaping at Lalor, T’town ■ Businesses in Lalor and Thomastown are abuzz with streetscape upgrades breathing new life into the popular shopping precincts.

Whittlesea Council is refreshing the streetscapes to boost the vitality of the shopping centres and transforming them into inviting and active community spaces.

David St and May Rd in Lalor are being modernised with new paving, safer walkways, updated road access for improved traffic flow and lush new landscaping.

In Thomastown, the streetscape is currently being upgraded between Highlands and Pleasant Rds. Pedestrian crossings, new paving, seats, bike racks and bins, and a public space at the war memorial site opposite Thomastown Primary School are being installed to encourage residents to shop locally and enjoy the new social spaces.

Chair Administrator Lydia Wilson visited Lalor and Thomastown shopping precincts recently to meet local traders.

“After a tough year for businesses, it’s never been more important to support our hard-working local traders by improving the vitality of our shopping precincts,” Ms Wilson said.

■ Lachie Wischer with 35 Stableford points was the winner in a field of 12 players on Wednesday.

Playing with three clubs and a putter he won by 3 points from a nest of others on 32.

David Ngo was second with Graeme Bryant third on CB from Alan Pell and Peter Johnston also on 32 points. Jeff Aurisch was NTP on the 14th and John Tanner won $10 for the Club Award.

■ Eight teams contested an Ambrose Event at Yea on Saturday. Winners with 67 off the stick nett 57 1/6 were Malcolm Bett, Kevin Coghlan and Wayne Rowe. Runners-up with 65 off the stick nett 58 1/6 were Ray Partridge, Anthony Coleman and Alan Pell. Best off the stick with 64 were Brian Simmons, Michael Spoagnolo and Ken Whitfort. NTP on the 14th was Wayne Rowe and the Club Award went to the team of Rob O’Halloran, Neil Peterson and Peter Johnston.

- Alan Pell ■ Whittlesea Council is offering a bag of school holiday fun to keep young people aged 12 to 17 happy these Easter school holidays.

Grab bags are for sale at Edge Youth Services at Westfield Plenty Valley or online from 9.30am-4.30pm, Monday (Mar. 29) to Friday, April 2, or online.

The bags are $21 each (with discounts for Health Care Card or Pension Card holders) and available for young people aged 12 to 17 years who live in the City of Whittlesea and attend school. Bags include: ■ one Reading Cinema ticket ■ one ZONE Bowling pass ■ one TRAC pass ■ Mini Golf ■ Board game ■ Mindfulness Art book and coloured pencils ■ Nerf ball rocket ■ Uno card pack ■ Rock painting kit.

Banyule 2041 ■ Banyule City Council is embarking upon Stage 2 of its planning for the next 20 years.

More than 1300 people engaged in Step 1 of Banyule 2041: Shaping our Future, providing a baseline of community values, aspirations and areas upon which to focus.

“This is our first ever community vision effort, and it will guide everything that we do over the next 20 years,” said a Council representative.

Nillumbik Picnic ● Paul Tsardakis, Lalor Party Supplies “Our streetscape works are creating open, inviting and safe spaces that make shopping local easier and more enjoyable.”

Paul Tsardakis, owner of Lalor Party Supplies, has seen the area evolve in his 48 years at Lalor Shopping Centre.

What I love most about this strip is its great culture. It’s become a gathering place for friends, enjoying the cafés, food and shops together,” said Mr Tsardakis.

“The upgrades from Council are really appreciated. It’s fantastic to see the street looking fresh and inviting for years to come.”

The Lalor and Thomastown streetscape upgrades are delivered by the City of Whittlesea with the support of the Victorian and Australian Governments.

■ The Great Nillumbik Picnic on Sunday (Mar. 28) - as well as movie nights, live music and sport events - are part of an ongoing Outdoor Dining and Entertainment support package funded by the Victorian Government and delivered by Nillumbik Shire Council.

Taking place at public spaces in Hurstbridge, Diamond Creek and Eltham – and parks throughout the Shire – the familyfriendly events are designed to encourage support for local business and hospitality in a COVID-safe environment.

Advertise Free

● Private sellers can advertise free in The Local Paper. See Pages 9-10.

Page 6 - The Local Paper - Wednesday, March 24, 2021

Local Scoreboard North Metro NFNL Fixture Division Three - Round One Cricket Association Friday, April 9

Jika Shield Preston Baseballers 119 JA Boughton 34 F Nielsen 25 J Bannister 3/8 K Ewart 3/24 SA Morley 2/28 def Rivergum 10/83 M Perri 42* JA Boughton 4/8 TE Volitakis 3/21 A Boughton 2/3. Heidelberg Park Jack Quick Shield Donath 3/86 def Camrea 84. C.T. Barling Reserve East Jack Kelly Shield Lalor Warriors 9/181(cc) B Vishwanathan 3/34 def by Fiji Victorian 7/182 K Patel 59 IU Mohammed 28 N Sawant 26 . H.L.T Oulten Park North.

Diamond Valley Cricket Association Barclay Shield North Eltham Wanderers 9/187(cc) T Beers 40* B Roughsedge 35 D Mills 2/17 T Cotter 2/28 CM Salm 2/50 def Riverside 9/ 183 S Villani 37 D Pote 37 CM Salm 36 D Smith 28* R O'Donnell 3/37 J Lambert 2/36.

Eltham Central Park Money Shield Bundoora Park 95 R Nikeshala 27 SR Velagala 3/9 J Sassella 3/18 J Turner 2/21 def

by Research Eltham Collegians 1/96 J Cummane 51*. Eltham Lower Park (Oval 2 South) Mash Shield Rosebank 4/147 DD Wickramarathna 41* BM Ekanayake 35 SM Fitzgerald 3/20 def Panton Hill 9/145(cc) M Brook 31 R Sharma 3/12 J Russo 2/24 D Sampimon 2/34. Garvey Oval (Parade College)

VFL Fixture Round One Friday, April 16 Richmond v Sandringham, Swinburnce Centre, 12pm Frankston v Coburg, SkyBus Stadium, 7.30pm Saturday, April 17 Sydney v GWS, Tramway Oval (Lakeside Oval), 12pm Aspley v Port Melbourne, Graham Road, 1pm Brisbane v Essendon, Southpines Sporting Complex, 1.30pm Carlton v Southport, IKON Park, 2pm Werribee v Collingwood, Avalon Airport Oval, 2.30pm Footscray v Gold Coast, VU Whitten Oval, 6pm Sunday, April 18 Box Hill Hawks v Casey Demons, Box Hill City Oval, 12.05pm Geelong v North Melbourne, GMHBA Stadium, 1pm Northern Bullants v Williamstown, Preston City Oval, 1pm

NFNL Fixture Division One - Round One Friday, April 9 Northcote Park v Montmorency. 7.10pm. Bill Lawry Oval Saturday, April 10 West Preston-Lakeside v Bundoora. 1.30pm.

J.E. Moore Park Heidelberg v Hurstbridge. 2.10pm. Warringal Park North Heidelberg v Macleod. 2.10pm. Shelley Reserve Whittlesea v Greensborough. 2.10pm.

Whittlesea Showgrounds Division Two - Round One Friday, April 2 Eltham v St Mary's. 2.10pm. Eltham Central Park Epping v Thomastown. 4.10pm. Epping Recreation Reserve Saturday, April 10 Fitzroy Stars v Banyule. 2.10pm. Sir Douglas Nicholls Oval Lower Plenty v Epping. 2.10pm. Montmorency Park South Oval St Mary's v Watsonia. 2.10pm. Whatmough Park Thomastown v Eltham. 2:10pm. Main Street Recreation Reserve Panton Hill v Diamond Creek. (Twilight) 4.10pm. A.E. Cracknell Reserve

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Local Sport

‘This Girl Can’ Week

Heidelberg West v Old Eltham Collegians.

7.50pm. Heidelberg Park Saturday, April 10 Laurimar v Kilmore. 2.10pm. Laurimar Reserve Mernda v Lalor. 2.10pm. Waterview Recreation Reserve Reservoir v South Morang. 2:10pm. Crispe Park

VAFA (Amateurs) Premier Men’s - Round One Saturday, April 10 Old Scotch v Old Trinity Grammarians. 2pm.

Camberwell Sports Ground Old Melburnians v Caulfield Grammarians.

2pm. Eklsternwick Park Oval.

University Blues v Old Brighton. 2pm.

Mrelbourne University Oval.

St Bernards v Old Xaverians. 2pm. St Bernards College.

St Kevins v Collegians. 2pm. T.H. King Oval.

Premier B Men’s - Round One Saturday, April 10 Beaumaris v Williamstown CYMS. 2pm.

Banksia Reserve.

St Bede’s/Mentone Tigers v Parkside Vultures.

2pm. Brindisi St Oval.

Fitzroy v University Blacks. 2pm. Brunswick St Oval.

Old Carey v AJAX. 2pm. Carey Sports Complex.

De La Salle v Old Haileyburians. 2pm.

Waverley Oval.

AFL Outer East Premier Division Seniors - Round One Saturday, April 17 Narre Warren v Olinda Ferny Cr5eek. 2.10pm.

Narre Warren - Kalora Park.

Saturday, April 24 Beaconsfield v Narre Warren. 2.10pm.

Beaconsfield - Holm Park Doveton v Wandin. 2.10pm. Doveton - A.J. Robinson Oval.

Olinda Ferny Creek v Upwey-Tecoma.

2.10pm. Olinda ferny Creek Football Ground.

Woori Yallock v Cranbourne. 2.10pm. Woori Yallock Football Ground.

Division One - Round One Saturday, April 17 Belgrave v Berwick Springs. 2.10pm.

Belgrave Football Ground.

Monbulk v Officer. 2.10pm. Monbulk Football Ground.

Mt Evelyn v Emerald. 2.10pm. Mt Evelyn Gary Matin Oval.

Seville v Gembrook-Cockatoo. 2.10pm.

Seville Football Ground.

Division Two - Round 10 Saturday, April 17 Broadford v Yea. 2.10pm. Braodford - Harley Hammond Reserve.

Powelltown v Warburton-Millgrove. 2.10pm.

Powelltown Football Ground.

Yarra Glen v Alexandra. 2.10pm. Yarra Glen Football Ground.

Yarra Junction v Kinglake. 2.10pm. Yarra Junction Football Ground.

AFL Fixture Round 2 Thursday, March 25 Carlton vs. Collingwood (MCG) (N) Friday, March 26 Geelong Cats vs. Brisbane Lions (GMHBA) (N) Saturday, March 27 Sydney Swans vs. Adelaide Crows (SCG) Port Adelaide vs. Essendon (AO) (T) St Kilda vs. Melbourne (MRVL) (N) Gold Coast SUNS vs. North Melbourne (MS) (N) Sunday, March 28 Hawthorn vs. Richmond (MCG) Western Bulldogs vs. West Coast Eagles

● Paige and Cindy Duson from Lalor Warriors Cricket Club ■ Women and girls keen to give physical acWhen a friend mentioned she was going to tivity a go or return after a break can try sports play cricket, Mrs Duson - who enjoyed indoor including soccer, cricket, softball, golf and ten- cricket when she was younger – decided to tag nis at fun and free come-and-try sessions cel- along, persuading her daughter, Paige, 17, to go too. ebrating This Girl Can Week.

Now, she is regarded as one of the best fieldThe City of Whittlesea has teamed with lo- ers in the local competition, with her statistics cal sports clubs to run the introductory sessions matching up against some of the top women in from March 22-28, as a way of encouraging the country, including Brisbane Heat’s Georgia women and girls to give sport a go in a safe, Redmayne and Adelaide Strikers’ Tegan supportive environment.

McPharlin.

The clubs and facilities involved include the “Someone at my age thinking you can’t do it, Lalor Warriors Cricket Club, Doreen United you can. I’m the prime example of that,” Mrs Soccer Club, Epping Tennis Club, Cheetahs Duson said.

Softball Club, Growling Frog Golf Course and Warriors President Nadia Falvo acknowlThomastown Recreation and Aquatic Centre, edged “talking yourself into it” was often the which hosts the popular Women’s Swim Pro- hardest part for women thinking about trying a gram. new sport.

The sessions are ideal for beginners, those “Get out there, try it, if it’s not your thing or returning to sport or looking for a new way to you don’t like it, you’ll make some new friends get active, allowing participants to learn new at the least,” she said. skills while connecting with other local women.

“Back yourself, really – I think that’s the main South Morang resident Cindy Duson en- thing.” couraged women to give new sports a go, sayThis Girl Can is a VicHealth campaign which ing she was a perfect example of someone celebrates and supports women embracing achieving success later in life. physical activity in a way that suits them, aimMrs Duson, 47, joined the Lalor Warriors ing to encourage women of all ages, levels of Cricket Club last November, five years after ability, background, body shape and size to feel having two heart attacks and a stent inserted. empowered to be physically active.

Local People

Monthly medal for Karen ■ Last Wednesday (Mar. 17) saw 15 Yea Golf Club ladies compete in the first Monthly Medal of the year with Karen Sangster (29) with a nett 69 winning by one shot from Adrianne Anglin (12) with 70.

Di Holdsworth (26) was third with 72. Di was also NTP on the 14th and Adrianne won the putting with 29 putts.

Saturday saw four ladies also playing a stroke round with Meryl Connell (27) winning with a nett 73 New member Anthony Coleman made an auspicious start to his golf at Yea. Playing Ambrose on Saturday he played his second shot after his drive on the sixth.

When he got to the green the only visible sign was his pitch mark and the ball in the hole for 2. An eagle 2 on a par 4.

Sunday saw the beginning of Men’s Pennant with Yea drawing with Marysville 2½ each. Played at Seymour GC Lachie Wischer and Jonathon Fisher had wins while Wayne Rowe halved his match.

● Anthony Coleman: success for new member.

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Local Theatre Shows ■ Encore Theatre Inc: Lord Arthur Savile's Crime by Constance Cox. Until March 27 at the Clayton Theatrette, 9-15 Cooke St., Clayton. Director: Richard Burman. Bookings: https://www.trybooking.com/BOIMR or 1300 739 099.

■ Frankston Theatre Group: The History Boys (by Alan Bennett) Until March 28 at the Mount Eliza Community Centre, 90-100 Canadian Bay Road. Director: Sarah Jeffs. Bookings: 0437 117 881.

■ Fab Nobs Theatre: Big Fish Until April 3 at 33 Industry Place, Bayswater. Director: Sarah Tierney; Musical Director: Sally McKenzie; Choreographer/Assistant Director: Tess Howieson. Bookings: www.fab nobstheatre.com.au ■ Essendon Theatre Company: Psycho Beach Party (by Charles Busch) March 26 April 4 at the Bradshaw St. Community Hall, 9-11 Bradshaw St., West Essendon. Director: Christopher Hill. Bookings: www. essendontheatrecompany.com.au 0406 448 368.

■ The 1812 Theatre: The Full Monty April 7 - May 1 at The 1812 Theatre, 3 Rose St., Upper Ferntree Gully. Director: Pip Le Blond.

Bookings: http://www.1812theatre.com.au 9758 3964.

■ Brighton Theatre Company: Flipside (by Ken Duncum) April 9 - 24 at the Brighton Arts and Cultural Centre, Cnr. Wilson and Carpenter Sts., Brighton. Director: David Collins. Bookings: www.brightontheatre. com.au 1300 752 126 ■ Playhouse Players Inc: 19th Year Playwright Competition of Three Finalist One-Act Plays April 8 - 10 (four performances) at the Rentoul Theatre, 16 Livingstone Close, Burwood. Finalist plays include Burning Bridget (by Cerise De Gelder), Mob Psychology (by Rob Seizer) and Perfect (by Carmen Saarelaht). Tickets: $25. Bookings: www.trybooking.com/BORQD ■ Ark Theatre: Robin Hood Men in Tights (a pantomime in the park by Julie Cunningham) April 10, 11, 18 at 2.30pm and April 11, 17 and 18 at 11.00am at Melba Park, Market St., Lilydale. BYO picnic rug. Bookings: https://www.trybooking.com/book/ sessions?eid=706472 ■ Cardinia Performing Arts Company (CPAC): Priscilla Queen of the Desert - the Musical April 24 - May 2 at the Cardinia Cultural Centre, Pakenham. Bookings and more information: www.midsumma.org.au ■ Theatre of the Damned: Side Show April 29 - May 7 at the Shenton Performing Arts Centre, 379 Ryrie St., Geelong. Tickets: $37.50. Bookings: theatreofthedamned22@ gmail.com or 0425786843 or https:// www.trybooking.com/BGFIA ■ CLOC Musical Theatre (CLOC): Priscilla Queen of the Desert - the Musical April 30 May 22 at the National Theatre, St Kilda. CoDirectors: Lynette and Chris White; Choreographer: Lynette White; Musical Director: Andy McCalman. Bookings: \www.cloc. org.au

The Local Paper - Wednesday, March 24, 2021 - Page 7

Observer

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

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

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 24, 2021

JUNGLE BUNGLE ■ Craig Christie's Jungle Bungle will open at Theatre Works, St Kilda during the April school holidays, from April 14 -17.

Presented by VTM Productions and directed

by James Coley, this family musical adventure tells of Oliver's first day at a new school.

Even when he makes a new friend in Claire, he can't shake the feeling that things are a bit weird and not as they should be.

When Claire agrees to show Oliver home at the end of the day and he stays to play, somehow Oliver and Claire find themselves a lot further away from home than expected.

They are not too sure how they will find their way back - and are being followed.

Writer Craig Christi,e whose more than 40 musicals have been professionally produced in Australia and internationally, has collaborated with his son, US-based composer Andrew Christie (The Simpsons) on the musical score for this show's adventure.

Producer Vito Midolo says: "This music, the driving African jungle beats, is something that is truly unique to this show."

The Jungle Bungle safari musical adventure will be directed by James Coley and performed

by Heather Cheney, Meg McKibbin and Rhys Wilson.

Audience seating is in a COVIDSafe environment with large viewing booths to accommodate groups and families of up to six people.

● Meg McKibbin and Rhys Wilson in Jungle Bungle.

Performance Season: April 14 - 17 Times: Tues. – Sun.: 12pm, 2pm and 6pm shows available. See booking link for full details Opening Night: Wed April 14, 6pm Tickets: COVIDSafe Booths - $60 (2-3 Patrons), $120 (4-6 Patrons) Bookings: 9534 3388 or www.theatre works.org.au/program/jungle-bungle Venue: Theatre Works - 14 Acland St, St Kilda www.theatreworks.org.au - Cheryl Threadgold

Shaun The Sheep

Auditions ■ Mordialloc Theatre Company: Ladies in Retirement by Edward Percy and Reginald Denham. March 23 at Guide Hall, Glebe Ave., Cheltenham. Director: Martin Gibbs. Audition bookings: 0411 645 003 or mandcgibbs@tpg.com.au ■ Frankston Theatre Group: Bloody Murder (by Ed Sala) Information Night Wednesday, March 24 at 7.30pm at the Mt Eliza Community Centre, 90 Canadian Bay Rd., Mt Eliza.

Director: Neil Barnett. No bookings required to attend this Information Night. Audition details TBA. ■ Malvern Theatre Company: The Witness for the Prosecution (by Agatha Christie) April 11, 12 at Malvern Theatre, 29 Burke Rd., Malvern Director: Peter Newling. Audition enquiries and bookings: peter.newling@ gmail.com ■ Lilydale Athenaeum Theatre: This Way Up (by Elizabeth Coleman) April 11,12 at 7.00pm at the Lilydale Athenaeum Theatre, Castella St., Lilydale. Director: Bob Bramble.

Audition enquiries: bobbramble2013@ gmail.com - Cheryl Threadgold

Observations Hands of Pianists

● Kathryn O’Keeffe (left), Alice Muntz and Nelson Smyles in Shaun the Sheep's Circus Show “Melding the worlds of stage and screen and ■ UK animation studio Aardman will team with Australia's Circa for a new circus-theatre incorporating the extreme physicality of circus production of the international hit Shaun the without losing the emotional depth and charm of Sheep, being presented as entertainment for the the original is a major creative challenge – it’s whole family at Melbourne's Regent Theatre the sort of thing we at Circa thrive on.” from April 14.

Since 2004, from its base in Brisbane, Circa Director Yaron Lifschitz and the Circa En- has toured the world – performing in 40 counsemble will capture the sophisticated and chal- tries to over 1.5 million people. lenging elements of Circa’s extreme physicalShaun the Sheep’s Circus Show is produced ity while embracing the fun, humour and play- by Shaun Comerford and Yaron Lifschitz with fulness found in the world of Shaun the Sheep. QPAC, Screen Queensland, Merrigong Theatre Scenic Designer Dan Potra and Costume Designer Libby McDonnell have created a new Company and Circa Contemporary Circus by world for Shaun and his flock to inhabit, blend- special arrangement with Aardman Animations Performance Season in Melbourne: From ing the dimensions of animation, stage, film and April 14 live acrobatics.

Venue: Regent Theatre, Collins St., Circa Director Yaron Lifschitz says: “Shaun the Sheep is a playful, rambunctious feast of Melbourne Bookings: www.shaunthesheepcircus. humour, good spirits and the triumph of the little guy. The medium of circus is a perfect vehicle com.au - Cheryl Threadgold for bringing these qualities to the stage.

● Stephen Downes ■ Though once dubbed the most fearsome restaurant critic in Australia, journalist Stephen Downes has morphed into a successful published author.

Having won international awards for his short stories, Downes has just released a debut novel, The Hands of Pianists.

Narrated by a neurotic freelance writer, who embarks on the unusual quest of proving that pianos can kill elite pianists, the novel is a perfect choice for anyone interested in classical music and its eccentricities.

With such a strange idea, it's not surprising that it had its roots in the protagonist's early life, when he accidentally severed the fingers of his virtuoso pianist sister with a circular saw, thereby ending the top keyboard career that was predicted for her.

Still with me?

In a psychological twist, our narrator convinces himself that it was the piano, not the saw that ended his sister's career, so he starts some intensive detective work to examine the deaths of three great pianists, to prove his case.

This in a fascinating book that grabs the reader immediately, and takes us into a twilight world of fantasy, intrigue and fact.

As my 3MBS colleague, broadcaster Colin Fox suggested, this book could easily be titled Killer Pianos, and its roots are in the factual short careers and deaths of three real virtuoso pianists, William Kapell, Noel Mewton-Wood and Richard Farrell.

Famous contemporary pianist Leslie Howard has described The Hands of Pianists as a forensic examination of the difficult trajectory of the solo career of a pianist, but also as social history and intriguing narrative.

So mix your love of classical piano and detective novels, and dive into The Hands of Pianists - it is sure to keep you hanging on until the end of the journey.

The Hands of Pianists is available from all good online bookstores. For further information visits www.stephendownes.com.au - Julie Houghton

More Auditions ■ Warrandyte Theatre Company: Love/ Sick (by John Cariani) April 15, 18, 20 at the Mechanics' Institute Hall, Yarra St., Warrandyte. Director: David Tynan and Lisa MacGibbon. Audition bookings: Adrian Rice 0439 311 428.

■ Peridot Theatre: Curtain Up! (by Peter Quilter) April 18, 19 at the Unicorn Theatre, Mt Waverley Secondary College, Lechte Rd., Mt Waverley. Director: John Jennings. Audition bookings: john.jennings@live.com.au or 0419 570 081 - Cheryl Threadgold ● Private sellers can advertise their unwanted goods in The Local Paper without any charge. See the coupon or go to www.AdvertiseFree.com.au

Page 8 - The Local Paper - Wednesday, March 24, 2021

What’s On Longest Lunch ■ I review performances;theatre, opera, ballet, contemporary dance and if the human body is present, installations.

Thus when happenstance in the shape of a ticket arrived from my younger sister sending me to the Treasury Gardens and The World's Longest Lunch, I thought it warranted a review; not gustatory, that is sacred country to the restaurant reviewers although Phillipe Mouchel's Beetroot Cured Salmon; Duck a L'orange from Jacques Reymond and Pear Tart by Stephanie Alexander were to my taste buds, excellent. All with champagne readily replenished and other wines.

This event had a cast exceeding 2000, making it the largest performance I have ever been at.

Giving an historical nod to Greek theatre, it had a chorus, a much bigger chorus than Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides or Aristophanes were ever accorded.

This chorus emerged from the cooking marquees in long lines; formally costumed in black and moving in unison, bearing cooked offerings and libations, not poured on the ground to the Gods but into our glasses and champagne flutes.

For lighting we enjoyed the sun which shone upon all equally befitting a communal experience as all performance is an experience shared between all watching and those performing.

At The World's Longest Lunch, which was which? Those who served the food and drink, costumed uniformly to mark their function, or those seated in their early autumn costumes who were the happy receivers?

All were performers, those seated with their life,shaped as a script which many at my table shared, others remaining quiet as they recollected previous World's Longest Lunches. All 27 of them.

I can safely assert that The World's Longest Lunch is definitely in the classic canon of performances.

- Review by Peter Green

Gruffalo’s Child ■ Following their Victorian regional tour, The Gruffalo returns to Melbourne - with his Child for the Easter school holidays at the Athenaeum Theatre from April 10 -17.

The Gruffalo's Child is a magical musical adaptation of the picture book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, and tells of one wild and windy night when the Gruffalo’s Child ignores her father’s warnings about the Big Bad Mouse and tiptoes out into the deep dark wood.

After all, the Big Bad Mouse doesn’t really exist ... does he?

A trio of new performers will fill the forest with colourful characters and foot-tapping, sing-along songs and new costumes.

The team behind The Gruffalo, Room on the Broom and The 13-, 26-, 52- and 78-Storey Treehouses brings together physical theatre, music and puppetry to deliver songs, laughs and scary fun for children aged 3 and up, and their adults.

Venue: Athenaeum Theatre, 188 Collins St, Melbourne Dates: April 10 - 17 Tickets: Premium $45, A Res $36 Bookings: Ticketek, 13 28 49, 9650 1500 Duration: 55 mins no interval - Cheryl Threadgold

Thornton prize ■ Local Paper/Melbourne Observer Editor Ash Long has been named winner of the Peter Thornton Memorial Lecture, which is accompanied by a $2500 prize.

The lecture will first be published by the Victorian Lodge of Research, then be made available as a video.

Long says the $2500 will be split into $500 donations to each of: Freemasons Foundation Disaster Relief Fund; Ivanhoe Grammarians Lodge Benevolent Fund; Gunditjmara Aboriginal Co-Operative; Yea Football-Netball Club (for two $250 bursaries for a financially disadvantaged girl and boy in the bushfire region); and the Taralye Centre for Deaf Children.

- Staff Writer

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Melbourne

Confidential

Observations Spinifex Gum

Talk is cheap, gossip is priceless

The Midnight Gang

● Alex Beauman, Nicholas Starte, Kyle Kaczmarczyk, Lucy Heffernan, Emma Kew in The Midnight Gang.Photo:: Heidrun Lohr ■ David Walliams's bestselling book The Midnight Gang comes alive on Melbourne's Regent Theatre stage in a play by Maryam Master from April 9-11.

The Midnight Gang tells of 12-year-old Tom unexpectedly finding himself lonely and lost in ■ The Melbourne Passion Play comthe children's ward of St Crook's Hospital, away menced 25 years ago and, with the exception from his family and at the mercy of the evil of 2020 when pandemic restrictions canMatron. celled the event, has been performed free of Tom feels like he'll never leave, but his felcharge every year for the people of low young patients have other ideas.

Melbourne.

Although stuck in hospital, their imaginations Fred Martin advises that no donations can take them anywhere as The Midnight Gang. have ever been requested and all expenses Each night when the clock strikes midnight, incurred in putting the productions together The Midnight Gang embarks on a series of have always been fully covered by a fund set journeys as they turn the hospital into the places up by Pat LaManna and his wife Helen and they have always wanted to visit, and make family. dreams come true.

Each year all actors and backstage volunThe Midnight Gang is presented by the team teers freely give their time and talent to bring behind the The 13-, 26-, 52-, 78- and 91-Storey the epic production to life, but this year beTreehouses, Mr Stink and Billionaire Boy in a cause of lingering pandemic and related celebration of friendship, love and the power of crowd limitations, the Passion Play Managethe imagination for children 6+ and their famiment team has decided not to stage the event lies. in 2021.

Performance Dates in Melbourne: April 9 In the meantime, it is possible to watch a 11 past performance of the Passion Play at any Venue: Regent Theatre, 191 Collins St., time, particularly during the Easter period, Melbourne on YouTube. This production was directed in Duration: 59 minutes no interval Melbourne by the late John Lee in the beauTickets: Premium $54.96, A Reserve $46.80, tiful outdoor setting at Ruffey Lake Park.

B Reserve $35.59, C Reserve $29.47 + booking https://www.youtube.com/ fees watch?v=XtTI3nyKQws For further Bookings: www.ticketmaster.com.au or information visit passionplay.info 9299 9800 - Cheryl Threadgold

Local Theatre Passion Play

PLAYList at Red Stitch

■ Red Stitch Actors' Theatre presents PLAYList 2021 on March 26 - 28 from 6.30pm to 10pm in Alma Park, St Kilda East.

This theatrical choose-your-own-adventure is an outdoor, music and theatre festival over three nights featuring a line-up of Melbourne actors, creatives and musicians.

Red Stitch Artistic Director Ella Caldwell says: "This is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate and support Melbourne theatre. For the first time we’re taking PLAYlist outside, and we’re extending the festival over three very special nights.

Cocktails, food trucks and live entertainment … it’s a triple billed recipe for a great night out.”

Transforming sites within Alma Park into spaces of intrigue, storytelling and entertainment, the three day program will provide a new opportunity for audiences to connect with the Red Stitch company and collaborate with Melbourne artists and musicians.

In this edition, 10 writers including Morgan Rose, Joanna Murray Smith and Hannie Rayson will create brand new short works, each inspired by a song, and incorporating that song into the performance.

Performance credits: written by: Dan Giovanonni, Hannie Rayson, James Elazzi,

Jane Harrison, Jean Tong, Joanna MurraySmith, Morgan Rose, Natasha Pincus, Rajith Savanadasa, Vidya Rajan.

Featuring performers:Amarachi Okorom, Andrew Tresidder, Ben Grant, Ben Noble, Marco Chiappi, Brett Cousins, Charlie Cousins, Daniel Frederiksen, Emily Joy, Jing-Xuan Chan Justin Hosking, Joe Petruzzi, Kevin Hofbauer, Maurial Spearim, Michael Logo, Mollie Mooney, Olga Makeeva, Sarah Sutherland, Shea Macdonough, Zac Blampied.

Musicians and singer-songwriters: Campbell Banks, Chloe Violette, Daniel Nixon, Duel Native, Hannah McKittrick, Holy Moses Heartache, Jessica Hitchcock Directed by: David Whiteley, Denis Moore, Emily O’Brien-Brown, Krystalla Pearce, Marcel Dorney, Mark Wilson, Natasha Pincus, Sarah Vickery, Stephen Nicolazzo, Susie Dee .

Event Details: March 26-28 from 6.30pm10pm Venue: Alma Park, St Kilda East.

Tickets: $61 Bookings: https://www.redstitch.net/playlist2021 - Cheryl Threadgold

● Spinifex Gum ■ Part protest, part celebration, Spinifex Gum is a uniquely modern Australian song cycle featuring the award-winning all-female ensemble, Marliya of Gondwana Choirs – a Cairns-based ensemble of Aboriginal and Torres Strait teenage singers.

This special event will bring together these young voices through a blend of harmony and protest singing in both English and Yindjibarndi, while trailblazing a new popchoir genre.

Joining the choir will be guest artists Emma Donovan, The Cat Empire’s frontman Felix Riebl and band member Ollie McGill and more to be announced.

The live performance, conducted by Lyn Williams of Gondwana Choirs and choreographed by former Bangarra Dance Theatre dancer Deborah Brown, illuminates music built from found sound samples of The Pilbara – rustling leaves, bouncing basketballs and chugging trains.

The work of Spinifex Gum addresses pervasive issues from the social disparity present in The Pilbara to deaths in custody, disproportionate incarceration, and land rights, with lyrics and song that have the power to disarm, inspire, and speak to us in a way that no individual voice can.

Nominated for Best New Australian Work at the 2019 Helpmann Awards, Spinifex Gum toured extensively in 2019 to Sydney, Arnhem Land, Darwin, The Pilbara, Canberra and now it is Melbourne’s turn. $5 from every ticket purchase goes to VACCHO, the peak body for the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal peoples living in Victoria.

Spinifex Gum takes place as part of the Live at the Bowl series at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl on Friday, April 9. Tickets start at $25. For further information and to book visit liveatthebowl.com.au - Cheryl Threadgold

Snake Oil

● Burton Brothers, Josh and Tom. ■ The Burton Brothers are a Melbournebased comedy duo consisting of real-life brothers Josh Burton (Impromptunes: The Completely Improvised Musical) and Tom Burton (Talkie Time with Jackie Lime).

Both are currently ensemble cast members at The Improv Conspiracy Theatre where they regularly write and perform sketch, improv and musical comedy.

Their show Snake Oil is being presented from April 8-18 at The Improv Conspiracy in Meyers Place, Melbourne as part of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.

Snake Oil is a fast paced sketch comedy show that explores everything from childish brotherly spats to slimey snake oil salesmen.

The show aims to remind audiences of their own familial relationships, and while the sketches are fun, the underlying love shared by the brothers will shine through.

Bookings are highly recommended. Show duration: 55 minutes.

Performance Dates: April 8 - 18 Time: 7pm (6pm on Sundays) Cost: $23 ($18 Concession) Venue: The Improv Conspiracy, Level 1, 19 Meyers Pl, Melbourne VIC 3000 Tickets: https://improvconspiracy.com/ shows/snake-oil - Cheryl Threadgold

MARKETING FEATURE

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Magazine ■ I was one of the teenagers who attended the Lee Gordon Big Show concerts at Festival Hall in West Melbourne in 1958.

I was there to see Johnny O'Keefe make his Melbourne debut when he was the support act for the American Rock and Roll singers, Little Richard, Gene Vincent and Eddie Cochran.

I can remember when Johnny O'Keefe walked out on that stage backed by The Dell Tones and his own band The Dee Jays (one of Australia's first rock and roll bands) - he was an instant success. During the next 20 years he found fame and experienced the highs and lows of being a great rock and roll star.

Johnny O'Keefe was one of the best showmen this country ever produced.

John Michael O'Keefe was born in Bondi Junction, Sydney in 1935. In his teenage years Johnny quit university and worked in his father's furniture business.

He had been influenced by American singer Johnny Ray and began to impersonate him at concerts. In 1955 Johnny saw the film Blackboard Jungle and was fascinated with Bill Haley's hit song Rock Around The Clock.

He decided he was going to be a rock and roll singer and worked in Sydney venues with his own group, The Dee Jays.

His exposure on the Lee Gordon Big Shows gave him a profile and he wangled a recording contract with Festival Records. In 1957 we did not have Australian rock and roll singers in the hit parades.

Bill Haley, the ‘King of Rock and Roll’, was

Whatever Happened To ...

Johnny O’Keefe

By Kevin Trask of 3AW and 96.5 Inner FM touring Australia and was impressed with the young singer. Bill gave Johnny a song called You Hit The Wrong Note Billy Goat which Johnny recorded for Festival Records and it became his debut song in the charts.

He supported many of the touring American artists in their concerts and proved to be more popular with the teenagers than the overseas acts.

In 1958 he married Marianne Willimzik and they had three children. In 1959 Johnny O'Keefe became the compere of the ABC television show Six O'Clock Rock and introduced many of the emerging Australian performers.

Johnny went to the USA but was not successful in his attempt to break into the American charts.

● Johnny O’Keefe His recording of Its Too Late did go to # 1 in New Orleans. In 1960 Johnny was involved in a bad car accident which left him with facial scars

and mental problems.

Throughout his career Johnny promoted not only himself but also new talent. His next television show Sing Sing Sing became very popular until The Beatles arrived on the scene and the music scene began to change.

Johnny survived the bad times and made a comeback at the Sunbury Pop Concert in 1973.

He remarried in 1975. His life has been well documented in television documentaries, a miniseries, books and John Michael Howson's great stage musical, Shout.

His hit songs included Wild One, Shout, She Wears My Ring, So Tough, Move Baby Move, and Mockingbird.

Johnny O'Keefe died on October 6, 1978.

Johnny O'Keefe remains a legend of Australian rock and roll - I will never forget his appearance on The Don Lane Show when he had the entire audience on their feet as he sang She's My Baby.

I felt the same electricity as that Saturday afternoon when I saw him onstage in 1958. JOK - The Wild One. 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

Four Mediums at Ferntree Gully Arts Society The Four Mediums April Exhibition Oil, Acrylic, Water Colour and Pastel Members' artworks done in one of the Four Mediums Weekends 11am - 4pm.

Exhibition opens Sunday April 22 and closes April 25.

Ferntree Gully Arts Society 157 Underwood Rd., Ferntree Gully - Peter Kemp

The Arts

Monash Gallery ■ Not Standing Still: new approaches in documentary photography.

Although PHOTO 2021 International Festival of Photography may have ended for this year, you may still view this headline exhibition.

Not standing still offers up photowith Peter Kemp graphic processes that sit at the everchanging edges of documentary pho- in France. Exhibition closes June 20. tography, with work by leading interHeide Museum of Modern Art national and Australian artists.

7 Templestowe Rd, Bulleen Learn about the works online be- Peter Kemp fore you visit the gallery. Now showing until Sunday May 16.

Monash Gallery of Art 860 Ferntree Gully Rd, Wheelers Hill - Peter Kemp Croydon Building Hoardings: Tricia Van Der-Kuyp (aka Van dal) is a proud Wiradjuri Woman.

Maroondah Council has commisStanislava Pinchuk: Terra Data sioned a vibrant work from her for the Heide Museum of Modern Art is hoardings surrounding the new multipresenting the first career survey of level carpark building site in Devon Ukrainian-/Australian artist St. Croydon.

Stanislava Pinchuk.

Inspired by birds that are indigThe exhibition will bring together enous to the Maroondah region, the for the first time more than 40 key panels depict the Eastern Yellow robin works from Pinchuk's practice plot- and the Rec-browed Finch. ting the changing topographies of war The Gallery is pleased to showand conflict zones to explore how the case striking new works by local artlandscape holds a memory of past po- ists Barry Clarris in Diverse Illusions litical events. and Maroondah Landscapes and Born and raised n Ukraine, and now Portraits by Nina Ryan. based between Naarm (Melbourne Enjoy the surreal and the serene in and Sarajevo Bosnia and this diverse exhibition. Open weekHerzegovina) Stanislava Pinchuk is days until April 12 to 5pm at one of Australia's most exciting con- Maroondah Federation Estate. temporary artists.

Maroondah Gallery Beginning with recording the 12 Greenwood Ave, Ringwood Ukrainian Civil War, in her home - Peter Kemp country, she has since made large bodies of architectural survey work centred around the Fukushima and Chernobyl nuclear exclusion zones, MGAAtrium Gallery - Clare Jellie and the Calais 'Jungle Migrant Camo When the Sun Sleeps:

Maroondah Gallery

Heide Museum

Monash Gallery

Clare Jellie's photographic series When The Sun Sleeps explores the small Australian coastal town of Warrnambool and the stories embedded in is social and environmental ecologies.

While growing up in the area, Jellie felt torn between staying and leaving, between travelling and dwelling, between city and country.

Through the series, Jellie addresses her ambivalent feelings about growing up in a typical regional Australian town, while also connecting with the people who have chosen to embrace an unassuming lifestyle.

The work provides a contrast to the usual touristic and cliched imagery of Warrnambool, showing grey skies, stagnant streets, and a desolate coastline.

Season closes May 31.

Monash Gallery of Art 860 Ferntree Gully Rd. Wheelers Hill - Peter Kemp

Troy’s latest album ■ Thirty years deep into a stellar career, Troy Cassar-Daley has released his most remarkable album to date, The World Today, via Sony Music Entertainment Australia.

The World Today is the 11th studio album from the multiple ARIA and Golden Guitar winner and is his most personal album to date dealing with loss, acceptance and ‘story’, all while finding a will to grow stronger and move forward in these troubling times.

Troy explains, “An old uncle of mine used to say ‘it's not all beer and skittles’ and that saying is so true.

“Over the last couple of years the family life and work life balance that I’d always had, shifted. It became a monumental struggle”.

“On top of that I lost my Dad in 2019. People knew of his passing but what I didn’t share is that he took his own life.

“It hit me incredibly hard and I feel I didn’t give myself the time to grieve.

Then came COVID and that’s when I really hit rock bottom.”

- Contributed

OK. With John O’Keefe Bootleg Stones material

● The Rolling Stones ■ Fifty unreleased Rolling Stones songs have been found online bearing a Japanese address. Songs are fully recorded - not demos - and produced between 1966-2002. There’s certain to be more heard about this find, stay tuned.

Flavour back on small screen ■ Diana Chan won Masterchef in 2017. She is back on our telly with a new series of Asia Unplated focusing each episode on one particular Asian cuisine .

Her soft spot is Malaysian street food, learnt in the country of her birth.

COVID interrupted filming and the Malaysian episode had to be completed

by Diana’s cousin, Karen Chan.

Diana travelled extensively through Asia sampling the rich variety of local foods. The Laotian food dishes were prepared by local chef Jerry Mai. The dishes from all around Asia are simple to make, and delicious.

Diana Chan has a pop-up restaurant in Melbourne, a supermarket brand of dumplings to launch and will soon announce a range homewares. Watch Asia Unplated on SBS Food, season 2 on Thursdays during March.

Muck-up Day in Bunbury ■ Sunrise new co-anchor Nalalie Barr tells the story about the day she left secondary school in Bunbury. It was the usual Muck-Up day with girls going a little stir crazy. Nat was no exception. She had the family car and ferried school pals from one event to the next, at one intersection she failed to give way and narrowly avoided a collision with the other car driven by none other than one of the nuns from her school. All was forgiven.

New Spielberg film?

■ The rumour mill reports Steven Spielberg is about to announce he will direct a film detailing his boyhood years growing up in Arizona. Film is due for release 2022. Spielberg is busy at present finalising his production of West Side Story.

Latest ditty from Champs ■ Getting the air play it deserves is a recent release from local entertainer Greg Champion. Called That Keilor Beat is a great sing - along that makes any resident out Keilor way swell with pride. Hear it on Greg’s website, then buy a copy to get the party started when the team drop in after the footy.

- John O’Keefe

The Local Paper - Wednesday, March 24, 2021 - Page 13

www.LocalPaper.com.au

Magazine

Movies, DVDs with Jim Sherlock, Aaron Rourke What’s Hot and What’s Not FILM: CHERRY (Streaming on AppleTV+): G e n r e : Crime/Drama.

Cast: Tom Holland, Ciara Bravo, Jack Reynor.

Year: 2021.

Rating: M A 1 5 + Length: 142 Minutes.

Stars: * * * ½ Review: An Army medic suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder becomes a serial bank robber after an addiction to drugs spirals out of control and puts him in debt.

"Captain America: The Winter Soldier," Captain America: Civil War," "Avengers: Infinity War" and "Avengers: Endgame" Directors Anthony and Joe Russo have created a big, stylish, bold, funny, energetic and ultimately brutal and grim tale of tragic issues that affect today's culture that includes PTSD, Depression, and from Opioid to Heroin addiction, all told in narrative form and in chapters by one nameless person with great affect and understanding, a journey that begins innocently enough with a school-yard crush, then on to the battlefields of Iraq, and subsequently followed by a life of inner torment and tragedy.

"Spiderman" star Tom Holland gives a powerfully strong, career defining, award worthy blood, sweat & tears performance as the unnamed Cherry, a name only referred to in the end credits, who knock's the ball right out of the park for every moment with total conviction and tight emotional impact and believability for every moment of his screen time, and is aided with equal impact by Ciara Bravo as his long suffering girlfriend, Emily, who ultimately joins him on his downward spiral of addiction, and are aided by a uniquely stellar supporting cast that includes Jack Reynor, Michael Rispoli, Forrest Goodluck and Michael Gandolfini, son of the late James Gandolfini.

Based on the semi-autobiographical novel of the same name by US Army veteran Nico Walker, even though at times the Russo Brothers seem at a loss away from their superhero universe (and maybe more suited for the likes of Danny Boyle), but nevertheless, this is for the most part a compelling watch that does not shy away from any of the volatile issues, an audacious effort that not too long ago would have received an R18+ Rating, a coming-of-age journey that begins with innocent youthful complexities and romance sprinkled along the way with sardonic humour, brightness and light-hearted levity, then down to the darkest depths of the human soul, places we may have all seen before but would never want to go, but the reality and tragedy is, too many have.

FILM: THE WITCHES: G e n r e : Comedy/Family/Adventure/Fantasy.

Cast: Anne Hathaway, Octavia Spencer, Stanley Tucci, Chris Rock (voice).

Year: 2020.

Rating: M .

Length: 106 Minutes.

Stars: * * * Review: A remake of "The Witches" from 1990 directed by Nicolas Roeg and starring Anjelica Huston, Rowan Atkinson, Mai Zetterling, Brenda Blethyn and Jane Horrocks, that tells the story (set in 1968 Alabama) of a young boy and his grandmother who have a run-in with a coven of witches and their leader.

Effects laden retelling based on the classic story from the eccentric imagination of legendary author Roald Dahl is a fun ride but not the great experience it could have been considering the original source material, but nonetheless, it's pretty much what you would expect from co-writter, co-producer (with Guillermo del Toro) and director Robert Zemeckis, whose previous credits include "Back To The Future" trilogy, "Forrest Gump," "Cast Away," "Contact," "Romancing the Stone" and "Who Framed Roger Rabbit."

Originally intended to be directed by Guillermo del Toro, who stayed on as co-producer, though no match for Anjelica Huston in the 1990 version, Anne Hathaway is a still a joy as the Grand High Witch, the evil witch who is the leader of all witches in the world, as are Octavia Spencer as Grandma, a healer and the Boy's grandmother who is the long-time old rival of the Grand High Witch and most notably Stanley Tucci as the hotel manager, in addition to Chris Rock as the voice of Older Hero Boy, the narrator and as an elder mouse who tells the firsthand account of his experience as a child to a group of children.

As you would expect from a Robert Zemeckis production period detail, costume design, set design and CGI are all top shelf, however, the overall darkness, the biting grip and genuine horror of the original 1990 film by Nicolas Roeg remains only a distant shadow in this latest reincarnation of the classic novel, but that said, there still remains in place enough laughs, thrills, gasps, silliness, squirms and grotesqueness to satisfy both adults and older children.

- James Sherlock

Rourke’s Reviews Space Sweepers ■ (M). 136 minutes. Now streaming on Netflix.

Entertaining if derivative sci-fi epic offers eye-popping effects and production design, a likeable cast, and a convincingly constructed future world, but borrows heavily from a host of well-known outerspace classics (even sets itself up for a sequel).

From the talented director of Phantom Detective, AWerewolf Boy and End Of Animal.

RATING - ***½

Da 5 Bloods ■ (MA). 156 minutes. Now streaming on Netflix.

After being strangely ignored at this year's Academy Awards, with no nominations, Oscar winner Spike Lee's (Blackkklansman) distinctive examination of the Vietnam conflict deserves a revisit, an at-times unwieldy film that is filled with plenty of heart, anger, and historical context.

The story involves four vets (superbly played by Delroy Lindo, Clarke Peters, Norm Lewis and Isiah Whitlock Jr.) who return to Vietnam to seek out a cache of gold bars they came across during their tour of duty (a definite homage to the 1948 classic, The Treasure Of The Sierra Madre).

Accompanied by one vet's son (Jonathan Majors), who turns up unannounced, and initially helped by local guide Vinh Tran (Johnny Nguyen), the group journey into familiar terrain, and begin reminiscing about the one member of their group who didn't make it out, Norman (Chadwick Boseman).

But as the possibility of riches gets closer to becoming a reality, old frictions and wounds start to surface.

Lee is passionate from the very beginning, presenting many reallife people and incidents, showing how America used and abused an entire race who were prepared to fight for that same country (detailing cyclical brutality that dates back to 1619).

Lee also shows with conviction the generational ripple effect the war has had on the Vietnamese people.

Lee even occasionally alters the film's aspect ratio to convey various themes and points of view.

While there are familiar directorial indulgences, and some of the CGI doesn't fully convince, Da 5 Bloods is both provocative and powerful (with nicely timed moments of humour), and having an

incompetent, racist President in the White House for the past four years seems to have fully re-energised Lee, and that's a wonderful thing for cinema.

RATING - ****½

The Call ■ (MA). 111 minutes. Now streaming on Netflix.

It's not often that a remake improves on its original source, but The Call does just that, reformatting the material to entertaining, fullblooded effect.

Seo-yeon (Park Shin-hye) returns home to see her mother (Kim Sung-ryoung), who is in hospital suffering from a brain tumour.

Having lost her mobile phone on during the trip back, Seo-yeon pulls out an old landline phone to use in the meantime, but when a terrified young woman by the name of Young-sook (Jun Jong-seo) calls one night saying her stepmother is trying to kill her, it's a connection that will lead the two down a unique, but dangerous, path.

Though the specific plotting is different, the narrative arc of both films is generally the same, but where the 2011 version, The Caller (**), failed to capitalise on what is a terrific premise (due to clumsy writing, dull direction and poor performances), the 2020 incarnation is a much smarter beast, pushing both set-up and possibilities to the absolute limit.

The first half in particular is ingeniously plotted, and although it stumbles a little by allowing the race-against-the-clock aspect to overshadow the intricate plot turns in the second, there is still plenty to admire and enjoy (imagine a darker mix of the romantic mega-hit Il Mare (2000) and The Phone (2015)).

Debutant writer/director Lee Chung-hyun shows incredible confidence and skill in executing this tale, especially when it all could have easily fallen on its face early on.

Lee is also backed up by a firstrate technical crew.

The performances by both Park (#Alive) and Jun (Burning) are superb, and without their sterling work, the film wouldn't have gripped as much as it does.

Where the original film-makers seemed afraid to fully explore the unusual premise they had concocted, those at the helm of this remake on the other hand have been fully prepared to cut loose, resulting in a clever, top-shelf thriller that should keep viewers on the edge of their seat.

RATING - **** - Aaron Rourke

Top 10 Lists MARCH 21-27 THE AUSTRALIAN BOX OFFICE TOP TEN: 1. RAYA AND THE LAST DRAGON. 2. CHAOS WALKING. 3. THE LITTLE THINGS. 4. DEMON SLAYER: KIMETSU NO YAIBA THE MOVIE. 5. THE DRY. 6. NOMADLAND. 7. COSMIC SIN. 8. THEN CAME YOU. 9. BOSS LEVEL. 10. JUDAS AND THE BLACK MESSIAH. NEW RELEASES AND COMING SOON TO CINEMAS AROUND AUSTRALIA: MARCH 25: GODZILLA V. KONG, THE LAST VERMEER, PETER RABBIT 2, NO MAN'S LAND, GOLDEN VOICES, EXHIBITION ON SCREEN: EASTER IN ART, AALTO: ARCHITECT OF EMOTIONS. APRIL 1: CRANSTON ACADEMY: Monster Zone, NOBODY, THE COURIER, THE FATHER, TOM & JERRY, TWO BY TWO: Overboard.

APRIL 8: ANTOINETTE IN THE CEVENNES, ASCENDANT, COLLECTIVE, VOYAGERS, WILLY'S WONDERLAND. APRIL 15: GUNDA, MORTAL COMBAT, AALTO: Architect of Emotions.

THE DVD AND BLU-RAY TOP RENTALS & SALES: 1. HONEST THIEF [Action/Thriller/Liam Neeson, Kate Walsh, Jai Courtney].

2. ROSIE [Drama/Sarah Greene, Moe Dunford].

3. PINOCCHIO [Family/Fantasy/Drama/ Roberto Benigni].

4. RADIOACTIVE [Biography/Drama/ Rosamund Pike, Sam Riley].

5. FATMAN [Action/Thriller/Mel Gibson].

6. RAMS [Comedy/Drama/Sam Neill, Miranda Richardson, Michael Caton].

7. NEVER TOO LATE [Comedy/Romance/ Drama/James Cromwell, Jacki Weaver, Jack Thompson].

8. IRRESISTIBLE [Comedy/Drama/Steve Carrell, Rose Byrne].

9. FREAKY [Horror/Comedy/Thriller/Vince Vaughn, Katie Finneran].

NEW HOME ENTERTAINMENT RELEASE HIGHLIGHTS THIS WEEK: DREAMLAND [Crime/Thriller/Margot Robbie, Finn Cole].

HAPPIEST SEASON [Romance/Comedy/ Drama/Kristen Stewart, Mackenzie Davis].

MISBEHAVIOUR [Comedy/Drama/Keira Knightley, Jessie Buckley, Rhys Ifans].

SOUL [Animated/Family/Comedy/Adventure/Jamie Foxx, Tina Fey].

THE WAR WITH GRANDPA [Comedy/ Robert De Niro, Oakes Fegley, Uma Thurman].

THE WITCHES [Fantasy/Adventure/ Comedy/Anne Hathaway, Octavia Spencer].

WORDS ON BATHROOM WALLS [Romance/Drama/AnnaSophia Robb, Andy Garcia].

SUPERINTELLIGENCE [Sci-Fi/Comedy/ Romance/Melissa McCarthy, Bobby Cannavale].

DVD AND/OR BLU-RAY NEW & RE-RELEASE CLASSIC MOVIES HIGHLIGHTS: THE LADYKILLERS [Crime/Comedy/Alec Guinness, Herbert Lom, Peter Sellers].

BREATHLESS [Crime/Drama/Jean-Paul Belmondo, Jean Seberg].

NEW RELEASE TELEVISION, DOCUMENTARY AND MUSIC HIGHLIGHTS: THE UNDOING. DOCTOR WHO: revolution of the Daleks.

THE MALLORCA FILES: Series One. - James Sherlock

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

www.LocalPaper.com.au

Page 14 - The Local Paper - Wednesday, March 24, 2021

Magazine Melbourne

Observer

Lovatts Crossword No 18 Across

1. Blizzard 6. Wattle tree 11. Villain 15. Dried grass piles 20. Exclamation of pain 21. Genuine thing, the real ...

22. Numerous 23. Underground molten rock 25. Relaxation art (1'2,3) 26. Coral organisms 27. Dinners or lunches 29. Venice canal boat 32. Singer, ... Diamond 34. Famous British school 36. Type of spanner 39. Condemns to hell 41. Harnessed (oxen) 43. Rubs with emery 46. ... of Troy 48. Beneath 49. Dad 51. Hooter 52. Co-venture 55. Coarse file 56. Acorn bearers 59. Kills 61. Sit for portrait 62. Once again 63. Screw 64. Ripens 67. Halfway through pregnancy 68. Fortified wine 70. Culmination 71. Actress, ... Loren 72. Nag 73. Naked 74. Renovate (ship) 75. Rose-shaped award 77. Stop! (nautical) 78. Survives 79. Style 82. Mob 86. Jelly/sponge dessert 87. Eye lustfully 89. Belief in the supernatural 92. Pond plant 94. Capture 96. News 98. Floating log platform 100. Live coal 101. Computer input 103. Princess Royal 105. Resided 106. Press 108. Burn 111. Commoner 112. Very lazy (4,4) 114. Amaze 116. Spy, ... Hari 119. Bullets 120. German WWII fascist 121. Anticipated touchdown (1,1,1) 123. Freezes, ... over 124. As far as (2,2) 125. Omits (6,3) 126. New York borough 127. Blackberry shrub 130. The masses, ... polloi 131. Dawn to dusk 135. Alternate, every ...

138. Calf-length skirt 139. US astronaut, ... Shepard 141. Acute remorse 144. Unchanged, the ...

146. Cheerio!

147. Unfasten 148. Male swan 149. Young sheep 150. Uncle Sam (1,1,1) 151. Type of saxophone 152. Print with raised design 153. Taj Mahal city 155. Closing 157. Part of eye 158. Method 160. Braid 161. More ancient 162. Up to the time of 163. Overly cute 165. Less frequent 166. Snake, ... constrictor 167. Rowing aid

Across 168. Guitar sound 169. Servant 171. Accessory 172. Female title 175. In vain, to no ...

176. Light sleeps 179. Arid US state 180. Schoolgirl 182. Prison 184. Opens door to (4,2) 185. Balmy 186. Crooner, ... King Cole 188. Quiet 189. Pod vegetable 190. Dull 191. Snow-runner 193. Betting chances 194. Jogs 196. Match before final 197. Unreliable 198. Revolving tray, lazy ...

200. Modesty 205. AFL great, ... Barassi 207. Angrily 210. Impetuous 211. Concealing 212. Stupefy 213. Trading centre 214. Banned pesticide (1,1,1) 216. Irish sweater style 218. Actual 219. Ellipse 220. Repaints (vehicle) 224. Moodier 227. Depend 229. Space flight organisation 230. Tethers 231. Latin American dance 232. Nipple 233. Aware of 235. Prophetic signs 237. Go up 239. Printing error 241. Type of orange 244. Child's toy (2-2) 246. Pet's neck band (3,6) 249. Please reply (1,1,1,1) 252. Stingier 254. Former English cricket captain, ... Hussain 256. Outrageous 258. Arrange 259. Fuss, song & ...

260. Introducing in stages, ... in 263. Rest on knees 264. Outcome 265. Rot (of leather) 267. Paltry 270. Niece & ...

271. Avoided 272. Entertainer 273. Additional items 274. Welsh vegetables 277. Witnessed 279. Carpenter's spike 281. More rational 284. Hurry 286. Sum owed 288. Absorbed 292. Whisky ingredient 294. Kiss & cuddle 295. Fire remains 298. Smallest 300. Nominated 301. Mention, ... to 303. Monastery superior 306. Decorative shrub pot 308. Encounter 309. Concludes 311. Pink-eyed rabbits 314. Last Greek letter 315. Ketchup, ... sauce 316. Powerful 317. Fruit mash 318. After that 319. Deserve 320. Mafia, ... Nostra 321. Treats with drugs 322. Rewrite on keyboard 323. Unhappier 324. Muscle toning therapists

Down 1. Cosy 2. Furnace 3. Polynesian island group 4. Heart or lung 5. Complain 6. Movement 7. Blackboard marker 8. Drumming insects 9. Amongst 10. Fuel energy rating 11. Go around 12. Playful water mammal 13. Propel 14. Christian festival 15. Sacred song 16. Long (for) 17. Try out (food) 18. Cudgel 19. Obscene material 24. Charity offerings 28. Youths 30. Milky gem 31. June 6, 1944 (1-3) 33. Eagle nests 35. Equal (2,1,3) 37. Raven 38. Deer 40. Yelling 42. Geological division 44. Positive electrodes 45. Least moist 47. Fencing blades 48. Great disturbance 49. Prepared mentally, ... up 50. Sports ground buildings 53. Wed again 54. Impedes 57. Rescued by plane 58. Examines closely 60. Brighter 63. Temper fit 65. Hatchets 66. Settee 68. Cry weakly 69. Corrode 76. Outstanding 79. Fellows 80. Not anybody (2-3) 81. Lodge firmly 83. Boundary 84. Media tycoon, press ...

85. Pixie 88. Disadvantage 90. Team 91. Tiny amount 93. Skin irritation 95. Paradise garden 97. Flourish of trumpets 99. Friends star, Jennifer ...

100. Periods 102. Degrade 104. Kinder 107. From Italy's capital 109. Rectify 110. Arabian prince 111. Ode 113. Glancing 115. Summer footwear 117. Cousin's mother 118. Nuclear explosive, ... bomb 121. Morally sound 122. Friendly 127. Chest 128. Gave weapons to 129. Childbirth contractions (6,5) 132. In unison (3,8) 133. Relative by marriage (2-3) 134. Call up (feelings) 135. Vigilant 136. Magician's cry (3,6) 137. Idealists 138. Rissoles 140. Of course 141. Document summaries 142. Blameless

Down 143. Tent cover 145. Corrected (text) 151. Former IOC president, Juan ...

Samaranch 154. Wanders 156. Fragrance 159. Reproductive cells 164. Sixth sense (1,1,1) 169. Imitative performer 170. Wood surface design 173. Hoped (to) 174. Versus 177. South American mountains 178. Effeminate 181. Facility 183. Commissioned soldier 187. Random 192. Hopping marsupials 195. Office workers 199. Usefulness 201. Chooses 202. Weather feature, El ...

203. Milan opera house, La ...

204. Bright signal light 206. Seductress, ... fatale 207. Map 208. Nimble 209. Executive jet 213. Car race city, Le ...

215. Small plums 217. Advertising sign 221. Jetties 222. Incidental comment 223. Complacent 224. Soccer net 225. Policy reversal (1-4) 226. Courtyard 228. Ambassadors' residences 234. Loud-hailer 236. Hypodermic syringes 238. Charged particle 240. Enquire intrusively 242. Showy flowers 243. Poetic name for Ireland, ... Isle 245. Apple groves 247. Parentless kids 248. Boost 250. Blood feud 251. Mesh 253. Rodents 255. Copied 257. Former Italian money unit 258. Fix 261. Respiratory ailment 262. Shoe lining 265. Rounded stone 266. Brainwaves 268. Put up with 269. The Queen's third son 275. Sitcom, My Name Is ...

276. Ruler, Genghis ...

278. Tidal river mouth 280. Carbonated 282. Opposed to 283. Resound 285. Throat-clearing noise 287. Wobble 289. Wage 290. Polluted 291. Assumes (attitude) 292. Guru 293. Ready, willing & ...

296. Impassive person 297. Upright 299. Make reparation 302. Wooden barrier 304. Farm sheds 305. Overly fat 306. Prudish 307. Elderly 308. Rugs 310. Luncheon meat 312. Bobs head 313. Timber cutters

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Page 16 - The Local Paper - Wednesday, March 24, 2021

www.LocalPaper.com.au

Magazine Crossroads

By Rob Foenander info@countrycrossroads com.au

RCH results ■ The tenth annual Flanagans Traralgon Royal Children’s Hospital auction day and music event was yet another huge success.

Held on March 14, the undraiser collected a welcome $2,828 plus an additional $1000 donated by Our Kinda Country Music group Morwell.

Congratulations to all the artists, donors and organisers. A fantastic effort indeed.G

Steve at Hawthorn ■ One of Melbourne's favourite jazz identities, Steve Sedergreen, has formed a formidable trio with James Clark on double bass and Andrew Swann on drums to pay tribute to Oscar Peterson for an unforgettable show at Hawthorn Arts Centre on Friday, April 23. Renowned vocalist Nina Ferro will join the trio on the evening. More info at https://www.boroondara.vic.gov.au/events/ steve-sedergreen-trio-tribute-oscarpeterson-0

New for Kaitlyn ■ Powerhouse vocalist Kaitlyn Thomas has released a new single Make Your Move.

The young country music sensation is certainly making her mark in the industry with a few additional strings to now add to her bow.

They include songwriting workshops, a singing school and ambassador role for Bully Zero Foundation Australia, all whilst she studies her Bachelor of Music at Vic University. https://www.kaitlynthomas official.com/ - Rob Foenander

Boob Armour for female players ■ All-Australian AFLW premiership defender Libby Birch has called for women and girls who play contact sport to think about protecting their most important assets: their breasts.

The Melbourne AFLW star and qualified physiotherapist is an advocate for wearing breast protection while playing contact sport.

“It’s like the modern mouthguard for females,” Birch said. “We wear helmets and shin guards, but what about protecting the most important part of your body?

“Since becoming a physio, I am more aware of the impact on breasts during contact sports. We chestmark the ball, we get bumped, kicked and shoved during play, but wearing chest protection gives me confidence to know my breasts are being protected from injury and impact, today and into the future.”

Birch, a former top-level netball and hockey player, has been wearing Boob Armour inserts for the past two years of her AFLW career.

Australian-owned and operated, Boob Armour is designed to protect breasts and prevent injury in women and girls playing impact and hardball sports including Australian Rules Football, Basketball, Netball, Rugby League, Rugby Union, Soccer, Hockey and Cricket.

She said: “There’s plenty of research evidence showing that impact to the breast can result in deep

bruising and the formation of hard lumps in the breast tissue. Too many of us are unaware of the problem and underestimate the occurrence of breast injuries.”

“I have had numerous knocks and I’m taking more notice of that, looking after my breasts. But I have found real insecurity even at the elite level when it comes to talking about this kind of thing.

“It’s never really been talked about before and women find it embarrassing, but it’s our biology and we have to look after it.”

Boob Armour consists of inserts made from soft but strong polyethylene just two millimetres thick.

They extend around the underarm for added protection, stabilise the breasts into position, and can be easily inserted in a sports bra.

Birch receives a lot of feedback from girls who say their parents are nervous about them playing contact sport because it looks too dangerous and rough. And she says many women are hesitant about chestmarking in footy for fear of injury.

“This is a product that helps parents and girls feel more comfortable and confident about contact sport, and we need to do everything we can to keep girls playing. So it’s important to learn to protect our body parts from a young age.

“I fell in love with this product. I think Boob Armour is for everyone, not just the elite. Everyone can wear it.”

- Contributed

Crossword Solution No 18 S N OW S T O R M A C A C I A O B A D D I E H A N V A R OUCH I MCCOY O MA N Y U E MAGMA T A I CH I T PO L Y P S ME GONDO L A NE I L A D A A P E TON P DAMNS YOK E D S A NDS HE L E N U P A P A S HORN P A R T NE RS H I P RA S P S L A Y S O I POS E O I A N EW P H Y V MA T URE S C M I D T E RM E MA DE C L I MA X T SOP H I A E S P E S T E R A H L RE F I T F ROS E T T E W A V E X I S T S N MA NNE R M RA B B L E A D O E OG L E O MY S T I C I SM A L I L S NA RE I N FO B I N O B RA F T S D A T A A N N E DWE L T I RON CH E P L E B BONE I D L E N A S TON I S H A MMO N A Z I F C O E T A A M S I C I E S L E A V E SOU T MA NHA T T A N B RAMB L E I R R K HO I D N O E O R A O T HE R M I D I A L A N A NGS T L AMB US A S AME B B Y E OP E N COB O EMBOS S Y M AGRA L A S T S I R MOD E U E P L A I T O L D E R UN T I L P V N RA RE R N BOA OA R R TWA MA I D P V E X T RA MA DAM A V A I L U NE V A DA S I L A S S GAO L C E L I I NA T CA L M P E A F L A T S K I M I L D I A N T RO T S S EM I I F F Y S US A N COYNE S S B Y F N RON I F T N P I C I MP U L S I V E S E CRE T I NG S T UN MA R T I A T DD T E M L A R S OV A L RE S P RA Y S A GRUMP I E R E NA S A T I E S MAMBO T E A T ON OME N S R I S E I U S A U T Y PO E B E YOYO R DOGCO L L A R I RS V N UNHO L Y E ME A NE R R NA S S E R P HA S I NG I K N E S DA NCE P RE S U L T H P E R I S H S N ME AGRE D I E S CA P E D D A R T I S T E B A DDE A R B S E E N H O NA I L W T L E E K S DA S H A DE B T A S S I M I L A T E D MA L T R A S HE S L E A S T NAME D RE F E R A P L A N T E R ME E T U C P O A E NDS R G OMEGA T OMA T O U PO T E N T P U E I C T HE N R ME R I T E COS A I ME D I CA T E S RE T Y P E E S A DDE R MA

MARKETING FEATURE

● Libby Birch

Observations Y E A R N

S T A CK S A O M L S S U A T CHE T DE R L S OA K S TW I S T I RA R U UNC L A D A S T I I T R I F L E Y U T S EMB E R A R D MA T A A E S UP TO N N O DA Y T I ME L N V L A L TO E T I NA K O TWE E NG O S E NA P S E T S I N I H ODDS E E S CROS S L Y H P E A N RE A L RE L Y R TO M NA V E L P Z G N MA NAGE E E L P T N E P H EW NDA O O S A NE R A NE CK B BO T H A L B I NOS RE E O A N S D W S S E US E S

with Matt Bissett-Johnson

Mike McColl Jones

Top 5 THE T OP 5 TOP REAL RUMOURS ABOUT D AN ANDREW S. DAN ANDREWS. 5. Michael O’Brien tripped him.

4. He slipped on Brett Sutton’s shaving cream.

3. Someone said “let’s move him to the Quarantine hotel”.

2. He just saw Lisa Neville’s room service bill.

1. He ducked to avoid a passing fox.

The Local Paper - Wednesday, March 24, 2021 - Page 17

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Sport

Equine centre asks for funds ■ Racing Victoria is seeking a new operator to help with necessary funds to keep the Werribee Horse Racing Clinic to keep going.

The University of Melbourne has confirmed that they would have to cut back its involvement due to a cash flow.

This affects all racehorses and others, for the Hospital, where severe injuries and other problems face the horse racing Industry.

It is a must, that has to be fixed, and quickly, if that is the case.

Racing Victoria isnaturally concerned, but their financial situation will be stretched as it would cost a pretty penny, to solve the problem.

I spoke to leading Flemington trainer, Tory Corstens, who had been quoted in the Herald Sun, telling all that emergency care at Werribee was vital for the 6000 horses at Flemington alone, let alone the rest of the thoroughbreds, and other horses.

The latest report I had was that Racing Victoria is working with the University to try and sort out the problem, and it is a big one.

Try adding, that if a horse had severe colic for instance, and needed urgent help, needed to be treated straight away, while the Werribee Clinic is only 30 kilometres from Flemington, and close to all the main tracks and stables.

The Australian Trainers Association's CEO, Andrew Nicholl, said the solution would be another clinic or organisation over the Werribee operation.

Racing Victoria has told trainers facilities at Goulburn Valley, Ballarat, Narre Warren, Bendigo and Euroa available.

However, the nearest area would be Narre Warren, not far out of the city not far from Dandenong.

What about the Pakenham racetrack, they still have plenty of room at the Nar Nar-Goon track.

Something has to be done and quickly for the safety for all animals if you look at it.

The ball is now in Racing Victoria's court.

● At.Racing Photos. tion and we had a good crowd despite the bad weather.

So because of the Virus , both the members and the public were separated for everybody's comfort.

A big pat on the back for Moonee Valley who are showing the way in racing, with all the renovations and building at their glorious track.

At the time of going to press I was enjoying a great day at the Valley, thanks to the management and team at the picturesque course.

Ted Ryan

Big move in racing ■ In good news for horse racing, Racing Australia (working with the Principal Racing Authorities nationally), have partnered to form a National Australian Thoroughbred Workforce Development Forum.

Valley shows way ■ I had the pleasure of being asked to work for the Moonee Valley Racing Club again, at the All-Stars Mile meeting, after a long time out of the saddle, like most of us due to the Virus.

I have been employed by Moonee Valley many times, especially on their major events, like the Cox Plate, the Manikato, the Moir Stakes and William Reid Stakes, among other work.

My main job is welcoming all racegoers to the meeting.

I was approached by the General Manager of Moonee Valley, Rozalee Erceg, who I feel is particularly charming to work with in every way.

The All-Star Mile Day unfortunately was hit by rain, but it didn't stop a good crowd of racing fans from attending.

I was stationed was at the McPherson St front gates near where the floats park.

Things have changed dramatically. The old tickets boxes are gone, and new turnstiles have been erected.

The Club has two two main entrances both

Much work is being done in this space globally. The Forum was originally established following the "2019 International Forum for Education", hosted by Godolphin in Newmarket UK. This Forum gathered thoroughbred breeding, racing, and education professionals from six countries, and addressed challenges such as inclusion, attracting newcomers, education workforce, enrichment and community engagement, resulting in the formation of a Global Alliance and commitment to collaborate. www.togetherforracinginternational.com.

Racing Australia initiated and hosted an Australian-based Forum in late January last year, with peak stakeholder representatives.

Planning for the Forum commenced late last year, with it originally planned to occur this February.

The Forum will now take place on Thursday April 22 and Friday April 23 next year.

The objective of the Australian Thoroughbred Workforce Development Forum is to create and deliver in-principle agreement on strategies to secure and develop the 75,000+ people needed to sustain our thoroughbred racing and breeding industry with a focus on, "Obtain, Train and Retain".

The strategies to Obtain, Train, and Retain, will be further developed as recommendations and documented outcomes of the Forum.

Those outcomes are to be taken by Forum representatives to their peak organisations for review and consideration.

Matters relevant directly to racing, will be reviewed by Racing Australia Board, who will then in conjunction with the Principal Racing Authorities, and a national stakeholder working group determine what to proceed with and how to implement the Forum recommendations and outcomes.

For further information ring, Myles Foreman, Chief Executive Officer, Racing Australia on (02) 8072 1900.

Looking for a Professional to run the show? off McPherson St. The first entrance next to the Float Park is Zone 1 for members only.

The public enter further down McPherson St, going North about 60 metres away.

I think it is a great idea and there no conges-

★ 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 E-Mail: tedryan@australiaonline.net.au ted.ryan@optusnet.com.au ● Mugatoo gets home in the All Star Mile. Racing Photos.

Page 18 - The Local Paper - Wednesday, March 24, 2021

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Sport

Bumper Cup meeting at Echuca

■ Echuca staged a bumper meeting on Friday March 19 featuring the $35,000 (Group 3) Moama Bowling Club Echuca Pacing Cup over 2560 metres supplemented by the $$14,500 J.A. Connelly Crystal Bucket for the Trotters over 2530 metres.

■ Avenel trainer David Aiken snared the Pacing Cup with smart 5Y0 Art Major-Shes Got It All entire Malcolms Rhythm who has been extremely consistent in recent times.

Driven by son Josh, Malcolms Rhythm was quickly away from an inside second line draw to settle four back in the moving line as Sicario flew away from gate five to lead, but was immediately challenged by Im No Outlaw (gate 2) who eased away from his back in an unsuccessful endeavour to take over leaving him exposed.

Gaining cover shortly after when the favourite Like A Wildfire (last week’s Charlton Cup winner) after being trapped three wide from gate two on the second line moved outside the leader, Im No Outlaw received some respite, but the damage had been done.

■ Commencing a forward move racing for the bell, Malcolms Rhythm being followed up by both Bernie Winkle and Emain Macha, outstayed his rivals to record a head margin in a fighting finish from Like A Wildfire who was so game, with Sicario after refusing to give in a head away third.

Raced by Domenic Martello, Malcolms Rhythm returned a mile rate of 1-57 (last half 57.6 – quarter 29.3.

■ Bolinda trainer Brent Lilley combined with Daryl Douglas to capture the Crystal Bucket with 5Y0 Majestic Son-Fear Factor gelding Stress Factor in a track record mile rate of 2-02.5.

Stepping cleanly from barrier three to trail the poleline leader Starlight Storm, Stress Factor was relegated a spor after Downunder Barkers made a sharp move from four back the markers to assume control through the middle stages.

Going past Starlight Storm in the final circuit to give chase to the leader, with Daquiri three wide outside the pair, Stress Factor angled for an inside run prior to the home turn and after using the sprint lane, scored by 2.7 metres from Downunder Barkers, with Daqueri third a neck away.

Raced by John Wilkinson, Gary Dowling, semi-locals Bruce and Denise Morrison, Fred Crews and Rob Owen, Stress Factor has raced only 42 times for 12 wins and eight placings, his previous victory being the Hamilton Trotters Cup in January.

Shepp. snippets

■ Another week of harness racing action commenced at Shepparton on Monday March 15 and two of the sport's long time participants Brian Crossland and Scott Stewart both based in the Goulburn Valley each provided a winner on the day.

■ Brian Crossland formerly from Sunraysia and the Yarra Valley prior, was successful with home bred 5Y0 Bgs Folly-Suffolk Star gelding Bee Gee Gee in the Alabar Vicbred Platinum Maiden Pace (1st division) over 1690 metres and Scott Stewart who was victorious in winning the 1980 (Perth) Inter Dominion aboard the Bob Knight trained Jodie's Babe snared the 2nd division with Peppa Bliss, also a home bred 4Y0 daughter of Bitobliss and Safari Love.

■ Bee Gee Gee raced by Brian and partner Melinda Smith was trapped wide from gate four with reinsman James Herbertson having no option but to go forward and race exposed outside the pacemaker My Ceduna. Racing to the front on the home turn, Bee Gee Gee scored a comfortable five metre victor in advance of Lethal Lover (one/three) and Our Cheeky Devil (one/ two) who both ran home late, Cheeky Devil 5.7 metres in arrears of the runner up. The mile rate 1-58.1. It was Brian's first winner since 2004 when Svelte Celt scored at Mildura.

■ Peppa Bliss driven by Scott from the pole settled on the back of the leader Wonga Lake (gate four), before being relegated back to three markers when Shania Tee assumed control after being caught in the open.

Coming away from the inside to race parked at the bell, Peppa Bliss strode clear on turning to register a 4.8 metre margin over the heavily supported Shania Tee, with Isolation third 12.4

Harness Racing

len-baker@ bigpond.com

with Len Baker metres back after racing three wide for the final circuit.

■ Tatura father and daughter Craig and Abbey Turnbull were successful with recent stable addition Uncle Jord in the Cottrell Electrical Pace over 2190 metres.

■ Coming off a close second to I Cast No Shadow in the Wangaratta Pacing Cup a week earlier, Uncle Jord, a well performed 5Y0 gelded son of Rock N Roll Heaven and Serenas Delight was taken back to the rear by Abbey from outside the front line as polemarker Villacci led.

Going forward at the bell on the back of Brackenreid ahead of him, Uncle Jord swapped spots to race uncovered for the last lap before asserting his authority on straightening to greet the judge by 5.7 metres from the pacemaker in a mile rate of 1-59.5. Brackenreid held third 1.9 metres away.

Flying start ■ Former Queensland and NSW trainer Shane Sanderson got off to a flying start after recently taking up residence at the Charlton Training Centre and following a winner at Charlton on Sunday, brought up a double at a terrific ten event race card at Swan Hill on Tuesday, with Sea Hawke taking the Bithub Litecoin Pace over 1750 metres and Leigha Miller the Bithub Stellar Pace over the same trip, both driven by son Ryan.

■ Sea Hawke a 5Y0 Mr Feelgood-Spirit Of Fun gelding settled one/one from gate three as local hope Bettor Star led from the pole. Vacating the prime spot shortly after to race in the open, Sea Hawke again received cover when Grant Campbell sent Terrorleen forward from three back in the moving line to shadow Bettor Star at the bell.

■ Easing three wide approaching the final bend, Sea Hawke ran home strongly to prevail by 1.6 metres over Bettor Star, with Terrorleen holding down third a head away. The mile rate 156.8.

Ex-Victorian 5Y0 mare Leigha Miller (Art Major-Misty Miller) was most impressive winning her race.

Starting from the extreme draw, Leigha Miller settled four back in the moving line with polemarker Ian Raymond leading easily from the pole. Easing four wide running into the home turn, Leigha Miller sprouted wings in the straight to register a neck margin in 1-56.3 over Ian Raymond which looked all over a winner halfway up the running. Presidentialsecret (three back the markers) used the sprint lane for third 4.5 metres back.

Feature event ■ The feature event of the evening - the Bithub Ripple XRP Pace over 2240 metres was a thriller with Gol Gol trainer Geoff Lucas' 7Y0 Rocknroll Hanover-Without Guile gelding Rocknroll Eyes victorious.

Driven by Glenn Douglas, Rocknroll Eyes starting from gate five spent most of the race at the rear with polemarker Mummys Boy coming off a fourth in the Wangaratta Cup leading. Looking forlorn in the final circuit when still last, Rocknroll Eyes after easing four wide on turning produced a whirlwind finish to defeat Beat City (one/one - three wide home turn) by 3.9 metres in a rate of 1-56.8, with Mummys Boy weakening to finish third 2.2 metres away.

Too much in hand ■ Shelbourne co-trainers Kate Hargreaves and Alex Ashwood produced A Rocknroll DanceAnna Blue gelding by the name of Onehandonebounce to impressively land the Bithub Crypto Exchange 3Y0 Maiden Pace over 1750 metres when making his race debut.

Driven by Alex, Onehandonebounce began swiftly to lead from gate two and was never headed, coasting to the wire 5.9 metres clear of Pray Tell which trailed, with another first starter Muckinbar Diva third 13.4 metres away in third place after following the pair. The mile rate 156.8.

■ The pair brought up a double when 4Y0 Major Bronski-Czarina Katerina gelding Beau Bronski was successful in the 1750 metre Bithub Battlers In The Bush Maiden Pace. Gaining a beaut run through the field from the extreme draw to cross the leader Elsus Babe (gate 3) entering the straight on the first occasion, Beau Bronski after being rated a treat had too much in hand at the finish for the heavily supported Carramar Kasiano (one/four - three wide last lap after momentarily locking wheels with Yellow Bow ahead of him). Elsus Babe was third 12.9 metres back. The winning margin 2.7 metres in a mile rate of 1-58.7.

Eased outside ■ The 2240 metre Bithub Bitcoin Trotters Handicap saw Charlton trainer John Tormey's 7Y0 Muscle Mass-Miss Impromptu gelding Our Quick Cash return to the winners list. Raced by John Tormey and close friends Kevin Clark and Ian Patterson, Our Quick Cash driven by Ellen Tormey began safely from 20 metres to possie one/one, but a fair way off the leader Sally Em. Gradually making ground in the final circuit, Our Quick Cash after being eased three wide on the home turn, ran home best to gain a last stride head margin from Shellybamba along the sprint lane from three back the markers. Gooroc Gambler which trailed the leader, easing outside her on turning was third 1.2 metres away.

The mile rate 2-03.2.

Quick response ■ Terang raced on Wednesday and Inverleigh based co-trainers Bob Kuchenmeister and Brooke Sadler landed a unique quinella in the 2180 metre Cobden AB Trotters Handicap when 5Y0 Danny Bouchea-Possum Point mare Leanne Leanne trained and driven by Bob, but part-owned by Brooke was victorious. Given plenty of time to find her feet from the 10m mark as Im Notta Trotter raced trained and driven

by Brooke led from the pole.

Going forward mid-race to take over at the bell, Leanne Leanne scored by 4.7 metres over Im Notta Trotter which fought on gamely, with first starter Velvetnlace an eye catching third for local Jason Camelleri third 1.2 metres back after racing exposed. The mile rate 2-08.6.

■ Allandale East (Mount Gambier) trainer David Kemp combined with Jason Lee aboard in-forn 4Y0 Courage Under Fire-Rhythm Of The Pride gelding Yappas Courage to capture the Wally Toulmin Memorial Pace over 2180 metres and in doing so, brought up a hat-trick of wins.

Leading out from the pole, Yappas Courage was restrained to allow Remain Anonamiss to assume control after being trapped three wide from gate five. Receiving the run of the race, Yappas Courage used the sprint lane to gain the judges nod by a half head from Hook Eye Joh (one/one - three wide approaching the home turn), with Remain Anonamiss a nose away third in a thrilling finish. The mile rate 2-01.8.

■ Above average 4Y0 Blissful Hall-Sanreos entire Morrisons Dream returned to the winners list when successful in the Cervus Equipment Terang Pace much to the delight of a large number of owners including Horsham Publicity and Promotions Officer Tony Logan. Trained at Lexton by Ash Herbertson and driven by son James who's season to date has been exceptional, Morrisons Dream began swiftly from gate three, but was unable to head of polemarker Trent From Punchy leaving him stranded without cover, however shortly after Julius Shadow after being caught three wide went forward to

Sulky Snippets This Week ■ Wednesday - Melton/Shepparton, Thursday - Ballarat, Friday - Bendigo, Saturday Melton, Sunday - Horsham (Cup), Monday Cobram, Tuesday - Mildura, Wednesday Geelong. race in the open allowing Morrisons Dream to then enjoy the run of the race. Easing three wide in the last lap, Morrisons Dream was confidently driven and when asked for an effort on turning quickly responded to register a half neck margin over Morvah along the sprint lane off the back of the leader which held down third a half head away. The mile rate 1-57.6.

Double Day ■ Two meetings were held on Thursday with Maryborough racing in the afternoon and Ballarat at night.

One of the most honest and consistent horses racing in the state is "iron" 8Y0 Skyvalley-Aldebaran Maori mare Fear Not who chalked up her 8th success at start number 225 (which include 68 placings) by taking the 1st Heat of the Colin Redwood Memorial VSTA Handicap over 2190 metres.

Trained and driven by Musk Vale's Glenn Conroy for himself and daughter Lyndal, Fear Not stepped cleanly from 20 metres and after avoiding some gallopers settled one/one as The Girls Got Flair led from barrier six. When Dublin Chubb which had raced exposed from the 10 metre mark raced past the leader in the final circuit, Fear Not was in hot pursuit and did best to reach the wire by a head in a rate of 2-04.3 from Dublin Chubb which refused to give in after the tough trip. Tetra (one/two) was third 1.7 metres away. In winning, Fear Not took her stake earnings to an amazing $185,445.

■ Hard working Melton trainer/driver Clinton Welsh was a welcome winner at Maryborough when 4Y0 Andover Hall-WheelsTo Go gelding Wilcannia scored in the 2190 metre Kyvalley Sprint Lane Maiden Trotters Mobile. Raced in partnership by Graham Mulhall and Sarah Welsh, Wilcannia bred by Graham did it tough, but did it well after being trapped three wide from gate five and going forward to park outside the leader Majestic Achiever.

Taking over on the final bend, Wilcannia was tackled by Lucky Serena (one/one) which moved outside him, with Yankee Twister joining in after trailing the pair. Showing great heart in the straight, Wilcannia defied the challenge to prevail by a half neck in a rate of 2-06.4.

Yankee Twister notched up another placing when third a nose away.

■ Four year old Dream Vacation-Feona Joy mare My Hone Don't broke her maiden status at start number 18 by taking the Skyvalley @ Aldebaran Park Maiden Trotters Mobile over 2190 metres. Trained by Barry and Ashley Ainsworth at Moyreisk (Avoca), My Honey Don't enjoyed a sweet passage one/one from the extreme draw as Mel Durant led from gate three.

Claiming the pacemaker Zesta La Go Go which had raced past Mel Durant in the last lap on the home turn, My Honey Don't raced away to greet the judge 16.5 metres in advance of Zesta La Go Go and Touchandgo (one/two) who was third 28.4 metres away. The rate 2-04.1.

■ Byrneside trainer/driver Laura Crossland's Heston Blue Chip-Chiquita Bromac filly Cheyella was a big winner of the 2190 metre Redpath Tyre & Battery 3Y0 Pace in a 2-01.1 rate.

Restrained from gate six to settle near last, Cheyella went forward three wide uncovered in the last lap, sustaining a long run to record a most impressive neck margin over the leader Bonnie Belle and Australiana which trailed the pacemaker finishing 10 metres away.

- Len Baker

www.LocalPaper.com.au

The Local Paper - Wednesday, March 24, 2021 - Page 19

Magazine

Stateside with Gavin Wood in West Hollywood

Music greats leave the stage ■ Hi everyone, from my suite at the Ramada Plaza Hotel and Suites comes this week's news.

Out and About

Vale Michael Gudinski

Social media dominates

■ It has been a very sad month for the Australian music industry. The shock passingof Rock impresario Michael Gudinski is still hard to believe.

This amazing powerhouse drove the music industry in Australia. Michael was everywhere and always got things done. I saw his rise and rise and was amazed at his energy to be number one. He achieved that in spectacular record time.

My dear friend Ian 'Molly' Meldrum said of his passing: "The deep respect we had for each other was profound; he was a huge influence in my life.

“Like me, Michael's passion for music was unwavering. He dreamed big, worked hard and had the tenacity, energy and determination to drive all his ambitions home.

“Failure was never part of his vocabulary as I have said many times before, Michael and I have had more dramas than Shakespeare and more laughs than Seinfeld."

There will never be another Michael Solomon Gudinski.

■ For some, social media sites like Facebook, Instagram and Twitter are avenues for connecting more closely with relatives and friends. For others, they're ego-boosters showering of praise via "likes" and comments from one's followers. According to a new international study, however, social media users who chase "likes" have thinking patterns similar to lab rats seeking food. Data from last year shows that four billion people worldwide spent several hours each day on social media platforms prompting comparisons to addiction.

In the hopes of finding out what drives social media junkies to spend so much of their waking day online, researchers analysed more than a million posts from over 4000 users.

Their findings suggest that the behaviour of many users was consistent with "reward learning." This is a long-established psychological concept which says actions may be driven and reinforced by rewards. Those who receive more likes seem to be driven to post even more frequently. Meanwhile, others people who don't receive the same positive feedback post less. The findings may help us understand why social media comes to dominate daily life for many people and provide clues, borrowed from research on reward learning and addiction, to how troubling online engagement may be addressed.

Vale Doug Parkinson ■ Doug Parkinson was an Australian pop and rock singer who died at the age of 74.

He led the bands Strings and Things/A Sound, the Questions, Doug Parkinson in Focus, Fanny Adams and the Life Organisation.

Doug Parkinson in Focus's cover version of the Beatles' track Dear Prudence peaked at No. 5 on the Go-Set National Top 40.

He went on to front the Southern Star Band and had a hit with I'll Be Around.

In later years he was doing solo shows honouring the music of Van Morrison and the Beatles. He performed as The Big Bopper in the stage musical The Buddy Holly Story.

Doug's voice was powerful, soulful, sultry and one of the greatest voices in the world. One of the nice, gentle, amazing singers has joined Rock and Roll Heaven. He will be missed.

Energy drinks damaging ● Michael Gudinski

Beware Guerilla Momz ■ Viral video footage shows a California teachers’ union president who led school closures dropping his daughter off at a private school.

Footage posted by the group Guerilla Momz shows Berkeley Federation of Teachers President Matt Meyer dropping his two-year-old daughter off at a private preschool. Meyer's daughter's face is blurred out.

"Meet Matt Meyer. White man with dreads and president of the local teachers' union," the group tweeted Saturday.

"He's been saying it is unsafe for *your kid* to be back at school, all the while dropping his kid off at private school."

The video was filmed by Berkeley area parents who did not give their names out of fear of retaliation.

"We'd heard for a while that he sent his kid to private preschool and we've been hearing him make crazy claims at the school board meetings that it was 'too dangerous' for schools to open because kids wouldn't wear masks.

Meanwhile, his kid is wearing a mask at school," Guerilla Momz said in a written statement.

A Flushing Problem ■ If you've ever been struck by a water droplet after flushing the toilet, it can certainly gross you out. Now imagine that feeling multiplied by a thousand. New images of what's really happening when you flush the toilet is giving nearly everyone in a survey incentive to close the lid. Harpic has released a series of images showing how unseen germs can leave the toilet when you flush.

Using high speed specialist camera technology, the pictures capture droplets and aerosol particles as they leave the toilet.

A poll of 2000 adults in the United States finds 55 per cent don't put the toilet lid down when flushing. This comes despite nearly three in four people saying they're more focused on cleanliness and hygiene than ever before. The One Poll study, commissioned by Harpic, warns that toilet bowl water is still contaminated with potentially harmful bacteria and pathogens even after several flushes. To prove their point, researchers took slow motion images with a specialised camera to capture the aerosols, droplets, and germs flying out of the bowl when someone flushes without closing the lid. Pictures reveal how the backfire from a toilet flush can spread nearly invisible aerosol droplets to nearby surfaces and even into the faces of people.

■ Energy drinks are known for their high caffeine content, which often tops that of soda and even coffee. But they seem to affect people's hearts and blood pressure differently than other caffeinated beverages, suggests a small new study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association. In the study, researchers divided 18 men and women into two groups. Half were given a 32-ounce commercially available energy drink with 320 mg of caffeine, as well as other ingredients like taurine and ginseng (both dietary supplements).

People in the other group were given a soda-like control drink of the same size that contained the same amount of caffeine with a bit of lime juice, cherry syrup and carbonated water. After six days, the groups switched and drank the other beverage. The researchers measured everyone's blood pressure at the start of the study and one, two, four, six and 24 hours after drinking the beverage. They also measured everyone's heart activity using an electrocardiogram.

Check with your doctor

GavinWood

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

■ Hundreds of thousands of Americans deferred routine cancer screenings at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic over fear of contracting the virus, leading to an uptick in advanced cancer diagnoses. Without early detection, patients are left with fewer treatment options and a higher likelihood of dying.

Earlier this year, the National Cancer Institute projected that missed cancer screenings and other behavioural fallout from the pandemic would result in at least 10,000 additional cancer-related deaths over the next decade.

"There's really almost no way that doesn't turn into increased mortality," its director said. National cancer-care provider 21st Century Oncology said it has recorded 18 per cent of its breast-cancer patients as having an advanced stage of the disease, compared to 12 per cent in 2019. Similarly, the medical testing company Quest Diagnostics showed its weekly number of newly diagnosed breast cancer patients decreased by nearly 52 per cent in March and early April compared to pre-pandemic. "Cancer doesn't take a pause," said Harvey Kaufman, a company senior medical director.

This year and next year

● Doug Parkinson

www.gavinwood.us

■ If you are considering coming over for a holiday to see the stars later on in 2021or 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

Page 20 - The Local Paper - Wednesday, March 24, 2021

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