The Local Paper. Lilydale and Yarra Valley Express Edition. Wed., Sep. 3, 2025

BID TO CUT HOUSEHOLD ENERGY COSTS IN RANGES

■ Deakin University and Yarra Ranges Coun-

cil are working together on a research project to learn how to support parents to reduce household energy usage.

“Families in Yarra Ranges have told us that energy consumption is a major concern, particularly in households with children, which use more energy than the average household,” said a project representative.

Families with adolescent children are the highest energy consumers.

Deakin University held two in-person focus groups in the Yarra Ranges in 2023 to understand parents' attitudes and experiences around household energy use.

“Building on this feedback, Deakin conducted a nationwide survey to gather insights on parents' views on energy usage.”

“Next part of this research aims to learn how to best engage families in the Yarra Ranges in household energy reduction.

“Yarra Ranges Council is supporting Deakin by inviting local parents to participate in this study, which will run for six weeks.

“Alongside data from the focus groups and survey, this information will help inform new strategies to support families in reducing household energy use.

This study has received Deakin University ethics approval.

The first round of parents across Yarra Ranges to participate in this six weeks study were recruited in July 2025. Another round of parents is bnow being recruited.

SHIRE ROAD MANAGEMENT PLAN COMMENTS SOUGHT

■ Yarra Ranges Council is taking its Road Management Plan to the community for comment.

“Council has legislative obligations to review its Road Management Plan every four years,” Councillors were told at last week’s Shire meeting.

“The RMP outlines Council’s role and responsibilities in relation to maintaining Council roads.

“This 2025 update is based on a thorough review of the current 2021 Plan, legal advice, internal audits, and benchmarking with other councils.

“It also follows guidance from the Ministerial Code of Practice and the MAV Insurance Road Management Plan documents.

“Given Yarra Ranges’ large rural and semirural road network, the updated RMP adopts a hybrid approach, combining the existing framework with a rural-focused model.

“This ensures a practical, cost-effective strategy for managing low-traffic roads in natural and hilly areas.

“Key improvements include:

■ Updated inspection frequencies and intervention levels to reflect the Yarra Ranges’ road network characteristics

■ Enhanced documentation and auditing of inspection processes.

■ Clarified responsibilities for vehicle crossovers and shared paths.

■ Integration of insurance claim data to inform risk mitigation strategies. Consultation will be over 28 days.

■ Yarra Ranges Council was last week due to consider awarding a $5.2 million contract with Lever Waste Services Pty Ltd for the Street and Park Litterbin Collection & Maintenance Services for an initial period of 5½-years.

The contract for an estimated value of $5,287,039 was due to be considered by Councillors at the Yarra Ranges Shire Council meeting.

The Council’s Director of Planning and Sustainable Futures was set to be delegated authority to sign the deeds and any related contract documentation.

Councillors were due to hear the recommendation that the Director of Planning and Sustainable Futures be delegated authority to extend the contract term by one period of one year to a maximum term of six and a half years.

“A tender process was conducted to establish a new contract for the collection and maintenance of these services,” said a report to Councillors.

“To ensure a comprehensive evaluation of tenders, a cross-organisation Tender Evaluation Panel was formed.

“The Panel included representatives from various Council services and was established in line with the Council’s Procurement Guidelines with an independent Probity Advisor overseeing the process.

“The panel consisted of subject matter experts, probity and procurement consultants, in addition to other Council representatives.

“Council has 914 street and park litterbins across the municipality. These consist of wheelie bins in metal/timber surrounds (cabinets) individual wheelie bins attached to pedestals as well as bins at sporting facilities.

“Depending on the location of the bins and the usage, bins can be collected between one and seven times per week, increasing during peak season.

“This equates to 3,148 bin collections per week between the periods of May - October and with an additional 330 bin collections per week in the peak season between the period of November - April where collection is increased in specific areas equating to approximately 3478 collections.”

Tammi Rose, Council CEO

● ● ● ● Image: Yarra Rangtes Council

Child, Mayor

NORTH-EAST MOURNS

● ● Wendy Lovell, MLC

■ Northern Victoria MLC Wendy Lovell said: “I am genuinely shocked and saddened to learn that two Victoria Police officers have been killed, and a third wounded, in a shooting during a police operation at a rural property in Porepunkah. “Police officers risk their lives every day to protect the community, and tragic incidents like this remind us that the threats they face are real, and we owe them the highest respect for their courageous service.

“My thoughts are with the families of the officers, their friends, all members of Victoria Police , and the entire Porepunkah and Bright community.

“I offer my deepest condolences to the families of the two officers who lost their lives in the line of duty, and I pray for the full recovery of the wounded officer,” Ms Lovell said.

A Victoria Police representative said that two on duty police officers were shot and killed during an incident in Porepunkah on Tuesday morning (August 26).

3 Police shot whilst on duty

■ North-East Victoria remains in mourning after three Police were shot - two fatally - at Porepunkah last Tuesday (Aug. 26).

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan, accompanied by Police Minister Anthony Carbines, described the event as a “tragic day for our state”.

“What has occurred in Porepunkah today is shocking and utterly heartbreaking,” Ms Allan said.

“Two Victoria Police officers have lost their lives in the service of our state. Another has been seriously injured. These families are facing a kind of grief they should never have to endure.

“Policing comes with danger, and every day, our officers meet that danger with such enormous courage and dedication. This tragedy is a painful reminder of that bravery.

“Our Government stands with Victoria Police – today, and every day they wear that uniform with pride.

“And we stand with the community of Porepunkah – who are now carrying the weight of this horrific day. They will not carry that weight alone.

“Our thoughts are with the emergency services still responding to this unthinkable crime.

“And our hearts are with the families, friends and colleagues of those who have been lost.

“Every support they need, we will provide. Today is a tragic day for our state,” Ms Allan said.

Victoria Police said: “ It is believed ten police attended the property on Rayner Track shortly after 10.30am on Tuesday, August 26.

“Two officers were fatally shot and a third was seriously injured after being shot in the lower body.

“No other officers have been physically injured, however they remain at the property.”

Leader of the Opposition, Brad Battin, said: “it is not just the emergency services, it is the local community that is impacted. We obvi-

ously hear of lockdowns in schools, and we send out our thoughts to the families, the parents and everyone involved at those schools as well.

“Can I just put on record that it is on days like today that this Parliament – every person in this place – should be standing side by side with Victoria Police and reminding them that each and every day we will have their back.

“Every single one of them across the entire state and across the entire country is impacted when events like this happen.

“But to every single Victoria Police officer: today we stand with you, we stand beside you and we will continue to do that during these events.”

Ms Allan told Parliament: “Victoria Police officers and all of our first responders show extraordinary bravery and courage every single day.

“They are the best of us, and the thoughts of all Victorians are with them today.”

Police Minister Anthony Carbines said his thoughts are with the families and colleagues of the officers who have died.

"Today, two fallen officers have joined the ranks of so many that have made the ultimate sacrifice in serving our community here in Victoria. We also note police members past and present are feeling this very deeply.”

●

Helen Haines, Indi MHR

■ Indi MHR Helen Haines said: “Our community is shocked and devastated by the tragedy that has unfolded in Porepunkah today.

“It is the most terrible of days with the loss of two serving police officers and the serious injury of a third.

“To the families and friends and colleagues of the two police officers who lost their lives in the line of duty, my heart breaks for your immeasurable grief and I join with all our community in standing by you in this most terrible of times.

“To the third officer seriously injured, also in the line of duty I join in the prayers for your recovery.

“Everyone deserves to make it home at the end of their shift. It is utterly heartbreaking that two members serving our community will not do so today.

“This appalling event has shaken not only Porepunkah, but communities right across the North East, and indeed the nation. While we may be geographically spread, we are close-knit, and in moments like this we feel the loss together,” Dr Haines said.

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Published in localised editions in 40 areas across Melbourne, Mornington Peninsula and some country areas.

ABOUT US

Incorporating the traditions of the Evelyn Observer (Est. 1873), Seymour Express (Est. 1872), Yea Advertiser (Est. 1995), Yarra Valley Advertiser (Est. 1995), Whittlesea Advertiser (Est. 1995).

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

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Ash on Wednesday

New crossing at Greenhill Rd

■ Banyule Council says it is pleased to see progress on construction of a pedestrian crossing on Diamond Creek Rd in Greensborough, with Transport Victoria workers having been on site to finalise design of the new crossing.

Minor works will begin soon, with a signalised crossing south of Greenhill Rd to be installed early 2026.

Funding for the crossing was announced in the 2024 Victorian Budget, following pressure from Banyule Council and local residents after two accidents involving school students in 2023.

Banyule Mayor, Cr Elizabeth Nealy, said the crossing would improve safety on the busy road, which has high pedestrian traffic to and from bus stops and schools.

Council worked with local MPs and community members to secure the funding.

“This shows that when we all work together we can achieve great outcomes for our community,” Cr Nealy said.

“It is great to see the Victorian Government investing in Banyule and we hope we can work together for more important road safety improvements in Greensborough.”

Banyule Council is advocating for further improvements in the area:

■ Signals including a pedestrian-operated crossing over Diamond Creek Rd at Plenty River Drive

■ Extending the night-time truck curfew to 24 hours, limiting the number of trucks and heavy vehicles on local roads.

■ Improvements to Greensborough High-

Long Shots

with Ash Long, Editor

Winner, Best Local Reporting Award Victoria-wide

Direct: 0450 399 932 E: editor@LocalPaper.com.au Web: www.LocalPaper.com.au Personal: www.AshLong.com.au

“For the cause that lacks assistance, ‘Gainst the wrongs that need resistance For the future in the distance, And the good that we

way and a major upgrade of the roundabout at Civic Drive, Greensborough , which will see huge growth in use when North East Link opens.

Construction of the crossing near Greenhill Rd will include:

■ relocation of the northbound bus stop at Greenhill Rd/Diamond Creek Rd approximately 100m

south so it is closer to the new pedestrian crossing

■ removal of the existing pedestrian refuge north of Greenhill Rd

■ removal of two bus stops with low usage at Avandina Crescent/Diamond Creek Rd and Spring St/Diamond Creek Rd

■ removal of two trees and up to four on-street parking spaces outside 100 and 102 Diamond Creek Rd

Mernda homes

■ The City of Whittlesea has moved to deliver a high-quality residential neighbourhood with 37 new homes, providing a muchneeded increase to housing supply in Mernda.

Located on the former Mernda Primary School site in Johnsons Rd, the new neighbourhood will deliver diverse housing types, including town houses and detached homes, set in a network of open spaces, mature trees and landscaping.

Local Photo Flashback

● ● The next print issue of The Local Paper is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 17. Deadline for advertising bookings and content is 4pm Thursday, Sep. 11. 1800 231 311.

The Local Paper

In association with the Established September 14, 1969 Online weekly. Print copies fortnightly.

Published in localised editions in 40 areas across Melbourne, Mornington Peninsula and some country areas.

MANSFIELD

Mansfield readership is in the township of Mansfield. The Mansfield Shire comprises Ancona, Barjarg, Barwite, Bonnie Doon, Boorolite, Bridge Creek, Delatite, Gaffneys Creek, Goughs Bay, Howes Creek, Howqua, Howqua Hills, Howqua Inlet, Jamieson, Kevington, Lake Eildon, Nillahcootie, Piries, Sawmill Settlement, Tolmie, Woodfield and Woods Point. Mansfield Shire is home to 10,546 people, living in approximately 6612 homes.

MITCHELL

Incorporating the traditions of the Seymour Express (Est. 1872) Mitchell Shire comprises Beveridge, Broadford, Kilmore, Puckapunyal, Seymour, Tallarook, Tooborac, Trawool, Wallan, Wandong and Heathcote Junction. Mitchell Shire is home to more than 49,216 people, living in approximately 16,321 homes.

MURRINDINDI

Incorporating the traditions of the Yea Advertiser (Est. 1995). Murrindindi comprises Acheron, Alexandra, Buxton, Cathkin, Castella, Caveat, Devils River, Dropmore, Eildon, Fawcett, Flowerdale, Ghin Ghin, Glenburn, Gobur, Granton, Highlands, Homewood, Kanumbra, Kerrisdale, Killingworth, Kinglake, Kinglake Central, Kinglake West, Koriella, Limestone, Maintongoon, Marysville, Molesworth, Murrindindi, Narbethong, Pheasant Creek, Rubicon, Strath Creek, Taggerty, Taylor Bay, Terip Terip, Thornton, Toolangi, Whanregarwen, Yarck, Yea. Murrindindi Shire is home to more than 14,478 people, living in approximately 6293 homes.

NILLUMBIK (RURAL)

Incorporating the traditions of the Diamond Valley Advertiser (Est. 1995) and The Advertiser (earlier Evelyn Observer) (Est. Oct. 31, 1873)

Nillumbik Shire (rural) comprises Arthurs Creek, Bend of Islands, Christmas Hills, Cottles Bridge, Diamond Creek, Doreen, Eltham, Eltham North, Hurstbridge, Kangaroo Ground, Kinglake, Kinglake Central, Kinglake West, Nutfield, Panton Hill, Plenty, Research, Smiths Gully, St Andrews, Strathewen, Warrandyte North, Watsons Creek. Nillumbik Shire is home to more than 64,659 people, living in approximately 21,753 homes.

STRATHBOGIE (PART)

Starthbogie readership area comprises Avenel, Euroa, Nagambie, Violet Town. Strathbogie Shire is home to more than 11,578 people, living in approximately 5768 homes.

WHITTLESEA (RURAL)

Incorporating the traditions of the Whittlesea Advertiser (Est. 1995) Whittlesea Post (Est. 1924), and The Advertiser (earlier Evelyn Observer) (Est. Oct. 31, 1873) Whittlesea Post readership area comprises Arthurs Creek, Beveridge, Donnybrook, Doreen, Eden Park, Hazel Glen, Humevale, Kinglake West, Mernda, South Morang, Whittlesea, Wollert, Woodstock, Yan Yean. The City of Whittlesea is home to more than 197,491 people, living in approximately 71,014 homes.

YARRA RANGES

Incorporating the traditions of the Lilydale and Yarra valley Express (Est. June 30, 1886) Yarra Ranges readership area comprises Badger Creek, Chirnside Park, Chum Creek, Coldstream, Dixons Creek, Don Valley, East Warburton, Fernshaw, Gilderoy, Gladysdale, Gruyere, Healesville, Hoddles Creek, Launching Place, Lilydale, Millgrove, Mooroolbark, Mount Evelyn, Powelltown, Seville, Seville East, Steels Creek, Wandin East, Wandin North, Warburton, Wesburn, Wonga Park (part), Woori Yallock, Yarra Glen, Yarra Junction, Yellingbo and Yering. Yarra Ranges Shire is home to more than 158,831 people, living in approximately 58,509 homes.

Cheryl Threadgold, Local Theatre

Julie Houghton, The Arts Kevin Trask, Entertainment

Rourke, Film Ted Ryan, Horse Racing Len Baker, Harness Racing Matt

Cartoonist

Kemp, Art Rob

Music

Statewide

CORRYONG

Rollover injury

■ A man was fortunate to escape death after losing control of the 4WD vehicle he was driving on the Benambra-Corryong Rd at Nariel , running off the road and rolling down an embankment.

A short time later, several local farmers arrived at the scene to find the man trapped in the overturned vehicle with its engine on fire and smoke billowing into the air.

Along with a passer-by, they dragged the driver and sole occupant out of the vehicle while a Nariel CFA member got a ‘slip-on’ unit from the fire station, just 800 metres from the crash site. However, it was necessary to fetch the brigade truck to fully extinguish the fire.

Emergency services attended the crash and the man was brought into Corryong where he was transported by helicopter to the Albury Hospital in a serious condition.

Corryong Courier WARRNAMBOOL

Fire night at ‘Bool

■ A crowdof more than 600 people rugged up and headed to Flagstaff Hill to enjoy the annual ‘Fire Night’ festivities.

Despite the cool conditions, people of all ages were happy to wonder the grounds of the popular tourist attraction, toast marshmallows, enjoyed food from several vendors on-site and listen to music.

Hot chocolate from the tea rooms once again proved a crowd favourite, as did the rare firing of Flagstaff Hill’s swivel gun, ‘Thunderchild’.

Warrnambool Weekly PORTLAND

$11,000 raised

■ A staggering $11,000 was raised for the Mending Minds charity by the the Royal Hotel Drag Show Extravaganza.

Stephen Chapman, Andrew Bryant and Brad Tozer took to the stage with a choreographed performance.

Portland Observer

JOB CUTS COULD LEAVE FARMERS VULNERABLE

■ The Victorian Farmers Federation is concerned proposed staff reductions to key State Government departments could leave Victoria’s $20 billion dollar agriculture industry vulnerable to the risks posed by devastating pests and biosecurity threats.

VFF President Brett Hosking said the future of key roles involving biosecurity, emergency response, invasive-species management was under threat and the government must not shirk at its responsibility to protect the industry.

“Victorian agriculture is a world class, $20 billion dollar industry that indirectly employs more than 150,000 people. These proposed cuts have the potential to put all of that at risk if our biosecurity safety net is not maintained as it should be.

“Any reduction in staff and services would be a backward step for Victorian agriculture, particularly in areas safeguarding the sector against pests and diseases.”

“Now is a critical time, given we have increasing threats and risks. The government have been taking a risk-based approach to policy and regulations, but are heightening these risks by reducing staff and capacity,” Mr Hosking said. He said the flagged reduction in staff could leave the industry vulnerable should a large-scale biosecurity outbreak occur.

Statewide

Across Victoria

RINGWOOD NORTH House blaze

■ Fire Rescue Victoria responded at 6.24am on Sunday, August 24, to Park Hill Drive, Ringwood North, after multiple callers to Triple Zero (000) reported a house fire.

Firefighters arrived on scene within six minutes to find a single storey brick house fully involved in flames.

Wearing breathing apparatus, crews got to work quickly using multiple hose lines with an external attack due to the intensity of the fire.

The fire was declared under control at 7.04pm, 34 minutes after FRV arrived on scene. The fire was contained to the building of origin, however the house sustained significant damage in the fire.

Two occupants of the home had safely evacuated and were assessed on scene by Ambulance Victoria paramedics

Cause of the fire was yet to be determined but will be investigated by FRV State Fire Investigation Unit. Firefighters remained on scene overnight overhauling the scene.

MORWELL

Valley pauses

■ Bringingt recognition to those who sacrificed it all, Morwell RSL hosted a ceremony for Vietnam Veterans Day on Monday, August 18.

Starting at 11.30am, people gathered to pay their respects.

“Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War spanned from 1962 to 1973, approximately 61,000 Australian service personnel served during that period,” Morwell RSL President, Don Fuller said.

“We should, as we always say, let’s never forget the sacrifice that not only myself and other guys made putting that uniform on, but the sacrifice that those guys never came home to see their wives or their grandchildren or get married or see their mum and dad. We’ve got to remember.”

Within his speech, Mr Fuller recognised the soldiers who had fought, those who had fallen and others who are still alive.

Latrobe Valley Express

● ● ● ●

Brett Hosking, VFF President

16 Days of Activism

■ Nillumbik Council is once again supporting the global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign, with community grants of up to $750 available for local projects focused on promoting gender equality and respectful relationships.

The campaign runs annually from November 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, to December 10, the International Human Rights Day, and aims to address the drivers of gender-based violence through awareness, education and community action.

Mayor Cr John Dumaresq said Council encourages Nillumbik-based community groups, organisations and individuals to apply and deliver projects that tackle the underlying social conditions that lead to violence.

“These grants can support a wide range of initiatives,” Cr Dumaresq said, “including community programs, events, arts and cultural activities, public space activation, Indigenous cultural activities, and the development of resources or virtual events.” Projects must align with relevant cause days such as:

■ 16 Days of Activism (Nov. 25 – Dec. 10, 2025)

■ International Day of Women and Girls in Science (Feb. 11, 2026)

■ International Women’s Day (Mar. 8, 2026) Projects must be delivered within the 2025–26 financial year.

Applications close September 7.

Fire at Broadford

■ A fire occurred last week at a private property in Davis Road, Broadford.

Mitchell Shire Council said it was working closely with the Environment Protection Authority, Country Fire Authority, Victoria Police and other agencies to support community safety and keep residents informed.

The CFA was monitoring the fire and suppression works were begin once crews could safely access the site.

The EPA is focusing on air quality and wERE TO begin atmospheric testing at nearby residential properties.. Ongoing monitoring of smoke and odour was underway.

A Mitchell Shire Council representative said: “Earlier this year, EPA inspections confirmed unlawful stockpiles of thousands of tonnes of construction and demolition waste at the site.

“Cleanup notices were issued. The size and nature of the waste means suppression and site management will take time.

“Council will continue to work with the EPA, CFA and other agencies and provide updates as information becomes available.”

New Aussies

No more ‘Tiny Homes’ queries

■ Questions about ‘tiny homes’ are to be banned from future Yarra Ranges Council meetings.

Mayor Cr Jim Child announced the move at the August 12 meeting: “We have also received community inquiries outside of the Council meeting process and I'm aware that Council Officers have undertaken significant work on this matter and take these requests seriously.

“In accordance with our Governance Rules, public questions have been publicly addressed.

“However, to ensure our Council meetings remain focused, efficient, and productive across all community matters, I wish to advise that following tonight’s Council meeting future Questions to Council and Submissions relating to Tiny Homes will no longer be accepted during public Council meetings.

“I fully acknowledge that this is a complex issue, and that many community members feel strongly about it. However, the matter has been comprehensively addressed in previous Council meetings.

“Furthermore, Council's Governance rules stipulate that Questions to Council and Submission that have previously received answers maybe disallowed in future meetings.

“For those seeking further information, updates, or clarification on Tiny Homes , I encourage you to visit Council’s newly launched dedicated webpage,” Cr Child said.

Mill Park Police charge 5 teens

■ Mill Park Divisional Response Unit officers have charged five teenagers following a series of alleged armed robberies across metropolitan Melbourne

The alleged linked incidents include:

■ Five males, allegedly armed with machetes, entered a supermarket on Golden Banksia Drive in Officer and stole cash and cigarettes about 12.20pm. They fled in a silver Subaru Forester.

■ The group entered a supermarket on the corner of Pink Bill and Timbertop Boulevards in Officer, where they allegedly threatened a staff member, then stole cigarettes and cash about 12.30pm.

■ A group of teens allegedly threatened staff at a supermarket on Gilbert Rd in Preston about 1.25pm. They left empty handed.

■ The teenagers allegedly entered another supermarket on McDonalds Rd in Epping and threatened staff about 1.50pm. Nothing was stolen.

■ Officers spotted the Subaru Forester, used in the alleged offending, on Edgars Rd in Wollert a short time later.

The car was pursued by police through multiple suburbs including Epping, Thomastown, Rosanna and Heidelberg

The Subaru collided with two vehicles at the intersection of Manningham and Bulleen Rds in Bulleen

There were no physical injuries during the incidents.

The five occupants allegedly fled on foot and were all arrested nearby.

A 16-year-old boy from the Dandenong area was charged with theft of motor vehicle, handle stolen goods, armed robbery (x3) and attempted armed robbery (x2).

A 17-year-old boy from the Casey area was charged with theft of motor vehicle, handle stolen goods, armed robbery (x3), attempted armed robbery (x2), negligent driving while pursued by Police and unlicenced driving.

A 16-year-old from the Cardinia area was charged with theft of motor vehicle, handle stolen goods, armed robbery (x3) and attempted armed robbery (x2).

A 16-year-old boy from the Dandenong area was charged with theft of motor vehicle, handle stolen goods, armed robbery (x3) and attempted armed robbery (x2).

They were remanded to appear at a children’s court at a later date.

A 14-year-old boy from the Dandenong area was charged with theft of motor vehicle, handle stolen goods, armed robbery (x3) and attempted armed robbery (x2).

He was bailed to appear at a children’s court at a later date.

The Subaru was allegedly stolen during an aggravated burglary in Wheelers Hill on August 7.

Housing crisis

■ Warburton resident Cadi-Lee Beach had a question for Yarra Ranges Councillors this month:

“What is it about Yarra Ranges Council green wedge policy that prevents the use of tiny homes and caravans in the current Housing Crisis? What is required by YRC to enable people to use tiny homes and caravans in this crisis?”

■ Strathbogie Shire Council is celebrating its strongest improvement in community satisfaction since 2019, with the latest statewide Victorian Local Government Community Satisfaction Survey showing a 12-point jump in overall performance. The overall performance score of 48 for Strathbogie Shire was a significant rise from 36 in 2024.

The Local Paper or make a complaint to the Australian Press Council in writing at: www.presscouncil.org.au The Council may also be contacted on 1800 025 712.

● ● ● ● Cr John Dumaresq, Mayor

● ● ● ● Cr Jim Child, Mayor

Where

Court Lists

Local News

In-Home Mentor

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■ ALEXANDRA. Alexandra Newsagency. 82-84 Grant St.

■ ■ ALEXANDRA. Corner Hotel.

65 Grant St.

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■ ■ ■ ■ THORNTON. Thornton General Store. 1365 TaggertyThornton Rd.

■ ■ WATTLE GLEN. Peppers

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■ ■ WARRANDYTE. Warrandyte Newsagency/Post Office. 100 Melbourne Hill Rd.

■ ALEXANDRA. Endeavour

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Alexandra (BP). 10 Downey St.

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■ ALEXANDRA. Foodworks. 102 Grant St.

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■ ALEXANDRA. Mount Pleasant Hotel. 90 Grant St.

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■ ALEXANDRA. Nutrien Harcourts. 56 Grant St.

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■ ALEXANDRA. Shamrock Hotel. 80 Grant St.

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■ ■ ■ ALEXANDRA. Simpson’s Fuel (Caltex). 25 Aitken St.

■ ■ ALEXANDRA. Totally Trout. 42 Downey St.

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■ ■ BUXTON. Blue Igloo Roadhouse. 2200 Maroondah Hwy.

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■ BUXTON. Buxton Hotel. 2192 Maroondah Hwy.

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Paddock General Store. 13 Kangaroo Ground-Wattle Glen Rd.

■ ■ WHITTLESEA. Champions IGA Supermarket. 2/16 Church St.

■ WESBURN. Hotel. 2882 Warburton Hwy.

■ WONGA PARK. IGA Xpress.

70 Jumping Creek Rd.

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■ ■ WHITTLESEA. El Azar Milk Bar. 13 Church St.

■ ■ WHITTLESEA. Royal Mail Hotel. 29 Beech St.

■ ■ WHITTLESEA. Whittlesea Bowls Club. 101 Church St.

■ ■ WHITTLESEA. Whittlesea Court House. 74 Church St.

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■ ■ ■ ■ WHITTLESEA. Whittlesea NewsXpress. 45 Church St.

■ ■ WOLLERT. Wollert General Store. 491 Epping Rd.

■ ■ WOORI YALLOCK. Hillcrest Little Store. 1745 Warburton Hwy.

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■ ■ WOORI YALLOCK. Woori Yallock Newsagency. Shop 4,1585 Warburton Hwy.

■ YARRA GLEN. IGA Supermarket. 1/38 Bell St.

■ YARRA GLEN. Yarra Glen Newsagency. 32 Bell St.

■ ■ ■ YARRA JUNCTION. Yarra Junction Newsagency. 2454 Warburton Hwy.

■ Nillumbik’s free In-Home Family Mentoring Program is currently looking for new volunteers to help support local families with children under six who may be experiencing challenges such as isolation, post-natal depression, multiple births or additional needs.

Mentors visit families for around two hours each week, offering a listening ear, practical help, emotional support and links to local services.

From singing songs with toddlers to sharing a cuppa and talking through the ups and downs, mentors help build parents’ confidence and create lasting connections.

Mentor Charlotte said her own experience inspired her to volunteer.

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■ ■ BUXTON. Shell Buxton. 2093 Maroondah Hwy.

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■ DIAMOND CREEK. Diamond Creek Newsagency. Shop 62a Main Rd, Diamond Creek Plaza.

■ ■ DOREEN. Doreen General Store. 920 Yan Yean Rd.

■ ■ YARCK. Buck’s Country Bakehouse. 6585 Maroondah Hwy.

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■ ■ ■ ■ YARCK. Giddy Goat Cafe. 6606 Maroondah Hwy.

■ ■ YARCK. Yarck Hotel. Maroondah Hwy.

■ ■ YEA. Amble Inn Cafe. 24 High St.

Mitchell Shire Edition

■ BEVERIDGE. Beveridge Post Office. Lot 1 Old Hume Hwy.

■ BROADFORD. Broadford Corner Store. 89 High St.

■ ■ BROADFORD. Broadford Hotel. 100 High St.

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■ EILDON. Foodworks. 18 Main

St.

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■ YEA. Country Club Hotel. 18 High St.

■ BROADFORD. Broadford Newsagency. 67 High St.

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■ ■ ELTHAM. Eltham Newsagency. 2/963 Main Rd.

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■ EPPING. APCO Service Station. Cnr McDonalds Rd and High St.

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■ EPPING. Epping RSL. Harvest Home Rd.

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■ FLOWERDALE. Flowerdale Community House. 36 Silver Creek Rd.

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■ FLOWERDALE. Flowerdale Hotel. 3325 Whittlesea-Yea Rd.

■ ■ FLOWERDALE. Hazeldene

General Store. 6 Curlings Rd.

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■ GLENBURN. Glenburn Roadhouse. 3883 Melba Hwy.

■ ■ HURSTBRIDGE. Hurstbridge Newsagency. 900 Main Hustbridge Rd.

■ ■ KANGAROO GROUND. Kangaroo Ground General Store.

280 Eltham-Yarra Glen Rd.

■ ■ KINGLAKE. Cafe. WhittleseaKinglake Rd.

■ ■ KINGLAKE. Foodworks. 12 Whittlesea-Kinglake Rd.

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■ ■ ■ KINGLAKE. Kinglake Pub. 28 Whittlesea-Kinglake Rd.

■ ■ KINGLAKE. United Service Station. 2 Glenburn-Kinglake Rd.

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■ ■ ■ LAURIMAR. Laurimar Newsagency. 95 Hazel Glen Dr.

■ ■ MANSFIELD. Foodworks. 119 High St.

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■ ■ ■ YEA. Endeavour Petroleum (BP). 31 High St.

■ ■ YEA. Foodworks. 10 High St.

■ ■ YEA. Giddy Coat Cafe. 94

High St.

■ BROADFORD. Broadford Post Office. 123 High St.

■ BROADFORD. Broadford Service Station. 165 High St.

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■ YEA. Grand Central Hotel. 64

High St.

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■ ■ ■ BROADFORD. Commercial Hotel. 31 High St.

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■ ■ YEA. Marmalades. 20 High St.

■ ■ YEA. Mint and Jam. 46 High St.

■ ■ YEA. Nutrien Harcourts. 52

High St.

■ ■ YEA. Peppercorn Hotel. 21 Station St.

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■ ■ ■ YEA. Provender Bakery. 56 High St.

■ ■ YEA. Rendezvous In Yea. 10

High St.

■ ■ YEA. Royal Mail Hotel. 88

High St.

■ BROADFORD. High Street Bakery. 67A High St.

■ BROADFORD. IGA Supermarket. 65 High St.

■ BROADFORD. Stuty’s Bakehouse. 91-93 High St.

■ ■ DONNYBROOK. Donnybrook Hotel. 825 Donnybrook Rd.

■ DONNYBROOK. Donnybrook Post Office. 810 Donnybrook Rd.

■ KILMORE. BP. 102 Sydney St.

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■ KILMORE. Kemp’s Bakery. 65 Sydney St.

Seymour Magistrates’ Court Criminal Case Listings Thursday, September 4 Barmby, Joshua Bollington, Michelle Caminiti, Kathryn Clarke, Jack Clifford, Cecilia Corboy, Hayden Dawe, Andrew Deakin, Shania Dowell, David Farage, Lyla Farrugia, Daniel Fleming, Kathryn Gallo, Anne Carol Garang, Garang Simon Green, Ethan Hoxha, Andri Johnson, David Brian Le Guier, Andrew Mcguire, Daniel Michael Mocenigo, Adam Monaghan, Zak William Nahidi, Seyed Hamid Norton, Jacob Richard Orourke, Shaun Philips, Desmond Alan Pulham, David Short, Stephen Singh, Prabjot Smith, Melissa Speechley, Stewart Francis Steers, Benjamin Stojceski, Alexander Stojcevski, Jamie Thomas, Trevor Titley, Eric Walker, Rory Jacqualene Warren, Adam Wright, Jaidyn Young, Michael Zuzek, Anton James Friday, September 5 Goddard, Ross Merton Hughes, Kevin Mauri, Alan May, Brandon Murray, Xavier Rusic, Benedict Alexander Souter, Billy Warne, Joshua Micheal

“I didn’t have a lot of family around when my kids were little. I thought, if I can be that person for someone else that would be a really good thing. It’s not about telling families what to do, it’s about walking alongside them.”

Georgia, a first-time mum of twins, said having a mentor made a huge difference:

“It can feel isolating at times. Charlotte gave me a friendly shoulder to cry on, and someone who genuinely cared about how I was going.”

Volunteers come from all walks of life, some with professional experience in midwifery, nursing or early childhood, and others drawing on their own parenting journey. All receive full training and ongoing support from Nillum,bik Council’s Family Support Officer.

At Lowalde Res.

■ A master plan to guide future upgrades to Lowalde Recreation Reserve in Epping was endorsed at the Whittlesea Council meeting on Tuesday, August 19.

Shaped by two rounds of community consultation, the master plan focuses on improving accessibility, recreation and community safety.

“Our community highlighted priorities such as better play spaces, fitness equipment, improved car parking and lighting and enhanced sports facilities,” said a Whittlesea Council representative.

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■ ■ MARYSVILLE. Foodworks. 40A Darwin St.

■ ■ MERNDA. Mernda Villages Post Office. 50 Mernda Village Dr.

■ ■ MOLESWORTH. Molesworth Store. 4353 Goulburn Valley Hwy.

■ ■ NARBETHONG. Black Spur Inn. 436 Maroondah Hwy.

■ ■ NARBETHONG. Black Spur Roadhouse. 264 Maroondah Hwy.

■ ■ PANTON HILL. Panton Hill General Store. 586 Kangaroo Ground-St Andrews Rd.

■ ■ PANTON HILL. Panton Hill Hotel. 633 Kangaroo Ground-St Andrews Rd.

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■ PHEASANT CREEK. Flying Tarts Cafe. 888 WhittleseaKinglake Rd.

■ ■ PHEASANT CREEK. Pheasant Creek Store. 884 Whittlesea-Kinglake Rd.

■ ■ RESEARCH. Research Post Office. 1546 Main Rd.

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■ ■ ■ SMITHS GULLY. Smiths Gully General Store. 914 Kangaroo Ground-St Andrews Rd.

■ ■ ■ ■ ■ SOUTH MORANG. Milk Bar.

15 Gorge Rd.

■ ■ ST ANDREWS. St Andrews General Store. 10 Caledonia St.

■ ■ ST ANDREWS. St Andrews Hotel. 79 Burns St.

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■ ■ STRATH CREEK. Strath Creek Post Office. 8 Glover Rd.

■ ■ TAGGERTY. Taggerty General Store. 26 Taggerty-Thornton Rd.

■ ■ THORNTON. 4 Ways Diner.

1369 Taggerty-Thornton Rd.

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■ ■ ■ THORNTON. Rubicon Hotel. 1362 Taggerty-Thornton Rd.

■ ■ YEA. Yea Bakery. 44 High St.

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■ ■ KILMORE. Kilmore Bakery. 54 Sydney St.

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■ ■ ■ YEA. Yea Newsagency. 74

High St.

■ ■ YEA. Yea Take-Away. 68 High St.

Lilydale and Yarra Valley Express Edition

■ ■ COLDSTREAM. Coldstream Post Office/Newsagency. The Lodge Shopping Centre. 670-672 Maroondah Hwy.

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■ ■ ■ CROYDON NORTH. Croydon North Newsagency. 5 Exeter Rd.

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■ ■ ■ HEALESVILLE. BP. 66 Maroondah Hwy.

■ ■ HEALESVILLE. Coles Express. 123 Maroondah Hwy.

■ ■ HEALESVILLE. Grand Hotel. 270 Maroondah Hwy.

■ ■ HEALESVILLE. Healesville Newsagency. 195 Maroondah Hwy.

■ ■ HEALESVILLE. Tobacco Station/Tatts. Shop 11, Healesville Walk.

■ KILMORE. Kilmore Newsagency. 41 Sydney St.

■ KILMORE. Red Lion Hotel. 29-31 Sydney St.

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■ KILMORE. Royal Oak Hotel. 29-31 Sydney St.

■ KILMORE. United Service Station. 127-145 Powlett St.

■ SEYMOUR. IGA O’Keefe’s. 10/115 Anzac Ave.

■ SEYMOUR. Liberty Seymour. 37-39 Emily St.

■ ■ SEYMOUR. Seymour NewsXpress. 66 Station St.

■ SEYMOUR. Seymour South Post and Lotto. 75 Anzac Ave.

■ SEYMOUR. Prince of Wales Hotel. 48 Emily St.

■ ■ SEYMOUR. Royal Hotel. 26 Emily St.

■ ■ SEYMOUR. Terminus Hotel. 26 Station St.

■ SEYMOUR. Top Shop. Cnr Anzac Ave and Delatite Rd.

■ TALLAROOK. Tallarook General Store. 36 Main Rd.

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■ ■ LAUNCHING PLACE. Launching Place General Store. 2200 Warburton Hwy.

■ ■ LAUNCHING PLACE. Home Hotel. 2170 Warburton Hwy.

■ ■ TALLAROOK. Tallarook Hotel. 15 Main Rd.

■ TRAWOOL. Trawool Estate/ Hotel. 8150 Goulburn Valley Hwy.

■ WALLAN. United Service Station. 11-14 High St.

Wednesday, September 10 Canty, Craig Anthony Farrell, Stella Louise Kamboj, Preet Nelson, Kiera Qudrati, Ali Singh, Angrej Singh, Satvir Vong, Tim Wells, Geoffrey Mansfield Magistrates’ Court Criminal Case Listings Wednesday, September 3 Abdo, Fouad Al Enazi, Saleh Aliu, Erjan Barron, Craig Bennett, Adrienne Brook, Denham Chalmers, Robyn Grant, Cameron Guilfoyle, Jacob Daniel Halprin, Rebekah Hanson, Shane Michael Heard, David Houli, Ali Jones, Jessica Murphy, Ben Patel, Dev Pereira, Felizberto Pilgrim, Mark Saunders, Scott Senova-Tapp, Copper Aydin Sheoran, Shamit Spizzo, Leon Warren, Kylie Williams, Matthew Singh, Angrej

“In response, the plan includes a range of improvements, such as a new walking and running loop around the oval, improved paths, including a shared path which connects to the Darebin Creek Trail and upgraded lighting and car parking to help with safety and comfort.

“The plan also features new play areas and additional shade and seating to make the reserve more welcoming for everyone.

“To support active lifestyles, the plan features a basketball half court, football and soccer goals, exercise equipment and an upgraded informal sports field.

“New amenities such as toilets, barbecues, picnic tables, bins and drinking fountains, will make the space even more family-friendly and convenient.

“The upgrades outlined in the master plan are proposed to be delivered over the next 10 years, subject to future funding.”

City of Whittlesea Mayor, Cr Martin Taylor , said: “Thank you to everyone who shared their feedback and helped shape the Lowalde Recreation Reserve master plan.

“Your input has ensured the reserve will become a welcoming place that caters to the needs of our diverse community.

“We heard strong support for new play spaces, fitness equipment, improved lighting, and enhanced sports facilities.

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■ ■ LILYDALE. Lilydale Newsagency. 237 Main St.

■ WALLAN. Wallan News and Lotto. Shop 6, 55 High St.

Free books

“These priorities are reflected in the Lowalde Recreation Reserve master plan, which aims to provide a place where people of all ages and backgrounds can stay active, socialise, and enjoy the outdoors.

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■ ■ MILLGROVE. Licensed Grocery. 3043 Warburton Hwy.

■ ■ MOUNT EVELYN. Mount Evelyn Newsagency. 1A Wray Cres.

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■ ■ ■ WALLAN EAST. New Rattlers Inn. Station St.

■ WANDONG. Caltex Star Mart. 3272 Epping-Kilmore Rd.

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■ ■ RINGWOOD. Burnt Bridge Newsagency. 434 Maroondah Hwy.

■ ■ SEVILLE. Wooworths Seville. 568 Warburton Hwy.

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■ ■ ■ WANDIN. Wandin Newsagency. 18/2 Union Rd.

■ WANDONG. Dundee’s Fish and Cips. 3272 Epping-Kilmore Rd.

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■ ■ WANDONG. IGA Supermarket. 3272 Epping-Kilmore Rd.

■ WANDONG. Wandong Post News and Tatts. 3272 EppingKilmore Rd.

■ Mansfield Council’s Maternal and Child Health Service will distribute 500 free literacy packs over the next 12 months to local families, helping children build essential skills and encouraging a lifelong love of reading.

“This master plan is a great example of how Council and community can work together to deliver long term benefits.

“The upgrades at Lowalde Recreation Reserve will not only improve facilities but also strengthen social connections, support healthy lifestyles, and enhance the quality of life for residents across Epping and beyond,” Cr Taylor said.

Million winner

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■ ■ WARBURTON. Bakery. 3415 Warburton Hwy.

■ ■ WARRANDYTE. Grand Hotel.

140 Yarra St.

■ ■ WARRANDYTE. Quinton’s Supa IGA Supermarket. 1/402 Warrandyte Rd.

■ WANDONG. Kemp’s Wandong Bakery. 372 EppingKilmore Rd.

■ ■ WANDONG. Magpie and Stump Hotel. 3313 EppingKilmore Rd.

Families will receive a literacy pack at their Key Ages and Stages visit at the Family and Children Centre when their child reaches key developmental milestones — birth, 4 months, 12 months, 18 months and 3.5 years.

Each pack includes age-appropriate materials like picture story books, songs and activities that parents can share with their child, as well as other helpful information to support learning, development, and play.

■ A Bundoora mum has been left stunned after the revelation she’s now a millionaire thanks to the Tattslotto numbers she’s been playing since the game first began.

The localk mother held one of the seven Division One winning entries in Tattslotto draw 4595 on Saturday, August 2.

News Briefs

Locals share grants

■ Seymour Perfgormers Workshop is to receive funds from the Federal Government’s Volunteer Grabnts Program.

Nicholls MHR Sam Birrell welcomed more than $60,000 in funding for local volunteer organisations.

Some 17 not-for-profit organisations across Nicholls will share in the funding from the program.

Mr Birrell said the program aimed to support the work of volunteers by funding communication equipment, supporting the work of young volunteers and assisting volunteers to run programs focused on supporting children and families.

“Volunteers are the heart of our community and deserve government support,” Mr Birrell said.

“The selfless work of volunteers keeps our region moving forward, and these grants are a small way of giving back to those who give so much,” he said.

Grants between $1000 and $5000 were available. Mr Birrell said the grants were once again oversubscribed, and he continued to call on the Albanese Government to invest more in regional communities.

“My office received dozens of applications and unfortunately, there was a limited amount of funding available,” Mr Birrell said.

“The oversubscription reflects just how great the need is across our communities and underlines the importance of increasing regionally targeted support,” Mr Birrell said.

Mr Birrell said he looked forward to meeting with the volunteer groups and seeing the flow of effect these grants will have on local communities.

Grant recipients:

Weeds, pests unchecked

■ Invasive weeds and pests will go unchecked across Victoria, as the State Government sacks Agriculture Victoria’s pest and weed team, says Eildon MLA Cindy McLeish.

“Victoria will be the only state in Australia with no plan, no rules and no resources to deal with destructive pests like blackberries, rabbits and gorse,” Ms McLeish said.

This will occur from December. The decision by the ill impact each Shire in the entire electorate.

“Blackberries are already running rampant along roadsides, strangling our local rivers and streams and plaguing our bushland and farms,” said Ms McLeish.

“I receive regular complaints and concerns from constituents about blackberry growth, as well as damage to crops, and properties caused by rabbits, foxes and feral pigs.

“I see a fox at least once a day. Everyone in regional Victoria understands the problem with rabbits, foxes and noxious weeds.

“The Agriculture Victoria Pests and Weeds Teams did what they could, but it was a challenge when they didn’t receive the government support.

“Now with one of our only lines of defence gone, the weeds and pests will grow out of control, particularly as we come into spring.”

Labor has budgeted $537.2 million for Agriculture Victoria in 2025–26 — down from $614.8 million in 2024–25, said Ms McLeish.

Celebrating Men’s Sheds

Local Briefs

Seat of Joy

■ The ‘Seat of Joy’ is set to be installed in the Mansfield Botanic Park as a lasting tribute to the late Joy Forrest

The proposed installation is a significant rock artwork which will be decorated with colourful mosaic and hand-made pottery.

Use of ceramics reflects Joy’s own passion for pottery, with the piece being designed and produced by skilled local mosaic and ceramic artists from the Mansfield community.

The project is being led by the community group ‘The Friends of Joy’ to honour Joy Forrest as a treasured member of the Mansfield community.

A beloved and inspirational figure, Joy was a passionate potter whose creativity and vibrant personality touched many in the community.

Mansfield Mayor Cr Steve Rabie said the proposal was a wonderful community-led initiative to honour a significant local community member.

"Joy Forrest was a creative force in our community known for her charitable work and her artistic passion," said Cr Rabie

"This artwork is a fitting way to remember her legacy and will become a cherished feature of our Botanic Park. It’s been great to see such passion from our community in getting behind the project."

Mansfield Council previously invited community feedback on a proposal from ‘The Friends of Joy’ to install a stage in the Botanic Park in Joy’s honour.

The ‘Seat of Joy’ is now planned as the contribution from ‘The Friends of Joy’ to the park. Mansfield Council is continuing to progress plans for a stage separately.

Montrose stories

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■ Seymour Performers' Workshop

■ Rushworth Community House Inc.

■ Christmas For Those Alone Incorporated

■ Colbinabbin Town Recreation Reserve Committee of Management

■ Kyabram Plaza Committee

■ Wunghnu Fire Brigade

■ Neighbourhood House Murchison

■ Rushworth Bowls Club Inc.

■ ‘The Cubby’ – Shepparton Toy Library

■ Tatura Cricket Club Inc.

■ Tungamah Bowling Club Inc.

■ Country Fire Authority

■ Yarrawonga Mulwala Swimming Club

■ Love In Action Broadford

■ Echuca South Cricket Club

■ Eastern Lions Kart Club

■ Caroline Chisholm Society

Information please

■ Murrindindi Council says that it is continuing to improve how community accesses planning and building information.

“Through ongoing digitisation of historical permit files, we're streamlining processes, reducing delays and making it easier for residents, businesses, builders, and planners to access the information they need,” a Council representative said.

“This work builds on a recent digitisation project, supported by the Victorian Government through the Regulatory Reform Incentive Fund (now Business Acceleration Fund), which converted nearly 6500 hard copy Planning and Building permit files into a fully digital system.

“This projects complements Council's other digital initiatives, like our Planning and Building Portal, which gives residents, builders, and planners a convenient way to lodge and track applications online,” the Council representative said.

Ausnet works

■ AusNet will be carrying out vegetation management in Caveat, Buxton, Dropmore, Eildon, Ghin Ghin, Highlands, Howes Creek, Marysville, Narbethong, Rubicon, Ruffy, Taggerty, Terip Terip, Thornton and Yarck from late August through September.

The works include pruning around powerlines and, where necessary, vegetation removal.

For more details, contact visit Ausnet or call 1300 360 795.

‘Turtle’ goes on air

■ Yea Football Club player Lachie White’s achievement of more than 500 games won wide publicity on the 3AW breakfast program with Ross Stevenson and Russel Howcroft.

The veteran - inown as ‘Turtle’ - went on air to tell the story of his sports career.

■ Across Mitchell Shire , a network of Men’s Sheds has been quietly delivering one of our region’s most valuable community services – improving health and wellbeing, fostering inclusion and strengthening community connections.

As Men’s Shed Week 2025 approaches (September 813), the national theme Building Healthy Communities highlights the important role sheds play in supporting their members, families and the wider community – through practical activities, social connection and positive mental health outcomes.

Mitchell Shire is home to five Men’s Sheds – in Kilmore, Broadford, Seymour, Wallan/ Hidden Valley and Puckapunyal – each with its own story, achievements and impact.

Men’s Shed Week is an opportunity to honour the grassroots contributions.

Grants set to be endorsed

■ Advice was to be be presented to Councillors at the Murrindindi AShire meeting (Wed., Aug. 27) about grants to community groups.

That Council:

■ Alexandra & District Kindergarten has received a $2400 Quick Response Grant for Environmental and cultural education for Kindergarten aged children in a natural bushland setting.

■ Thornton Eildon Football & Netball Club –Improvement of club facilities. $1500

■ Rotary Club of Yea – Garden Expo 2025. $2500

■ Highlands Community Hall committee –Purchase of a Hisense Laser Projector. $1,247

■ Yea and District Riding Club Inc – Arena upgrade with sand top-dressing. $2500

■ Rotary Club of Kinglake Ranges – Defibrillator Project Toolangi. $400

■ Strath Creek Progress Association Inc –Christmas in July $1,200

Sponsorship allocations that were be endorsed:

■ Daniel Kriss – Victorian Squash Championship. $500

■ Triangle Arts Group Inc – Music in the Park Marysville. $5,000 Local Event Grants include: ■ The Lake Eildon Rowing Club – The Grand

■ Residents, former locals and visitors are invited to share their stories of the Kevin Heinze People’s Garden in Montrose, as Yarra Ranges Council and the Montrose Township Group work to revitalise the space.

The garden, a former private garden donated to Yarra Ranges Council in October 2005, is at the rear of the main Montrose shops in Mt Dandenong Tourist Rd

The garden features a picnic table, sprawling paths and gardens that wind through this beautiful quiet space in the centre of town.

In 1967, legendary gardener, Kevin Heinze, bought land in Montrose and cultivated gardens. They eventually moved into their new Montrose home just before Christmas 1968.

About the same time, they started filming Sow What, a gardening television program that spanned 21 years.

The gardens became famous around Melbourne and Australia through the show, and many people came to visit the private space.

In 2005, the family decided to donate the land to the Council, so it could become open space for the community and be maintained in perpetuity.

Yarra Ranges Mayor, Cr Jim Child, said that Council was now seeking stories and memories from community members, which would help inform work in the gardens.

“We want to hear from locals, from visitors, and from people who used to live here, about how they used the garden, how they currently use it and what they’d like to see in the future,” Cr Child said.

“This information will help us with our plans to revitalise the space, make improvements and repairs, and figure out how to incorporate storytelling into the space.

“We’ll then create a detailed landscape design plan with this information, ensuring the future of the garden is as bright as its history.

“I encourage anyone with a story to tell about the garden to visit Shaping Yarra Ranges and share it with us before 3 September.

Road project

■ Mitchell Council has approvedthe land acquisition for the John Street Link Road, a vital connection for Kilmore’s growth.

Ponderosa Cup Rowing Regatta on Eildon Pondage 2025. $1500 ■ Marysville Community Golf and Bowls Club

Annual Anniversary Fundraiser Event. $1000

Melbourne University Car Club – 2025

Car Rally. $2500

Council Rounds

Rates notice delay

■ Problems with rates notices at Yarra Ranges Shire have received publicity on radio station 3AW.

A Council representative said: “ Yarra Ranges Council can confirm that a letter was recently sent to approximately 3000 properties informing them that their usual direct debit had not been debited due to changes in a computer system.

“While the letter had the correct address on the envelope and name on the letter, it unfortunately had an incorrect address contained in the letter itself.

“Rates notices have not been issued for this year yet due to a changeover in systems - this is due to arrive late August/early September,” the Council representative said.

Erosion overlay

■ Yarra Ranges Council is inviting community feedback on proposed updates to the Erosion Management Overlay mapping in the Yarra Ranges Planning Scheme

The consultation period will run until October 3, and residents impacted by the proposed changes will receive a letter with further details about how to make a submission.

This consultation phase, called ‘exhibition’ is one of several steps in the amendment process, which also includes consideration of submissions by an independent Planning Panel (if required), and final approval by the Minister for Planning

“Once the amendment is approved and gazetted by the Minister , the new provisions will come into effect in the Planning Scheme. Affected residents will be notified when this happens. Amendments can be a lengthy process, taking a year or more,” said a Council representative.

“To support the community, Council will hold a range of information sessions during and outside office hours across the municipality. These will include:

■ in-person sessions with a geotechnical expert,

■ webinars with a geotechnical expert,

■ bookable drop-in sessions with Council planners.

“Originally implemented into the Yarra Ranges Planning Scheme in 2001, the EMO mapping has now been revised using advanced LIDAR technology and updated geotechnical assessments.

“These updates align with the Australian Geomechanics Society’s 2007 Guidelines for Landslide Risk Management, providing a more accurate understanding of landslip risks across the municipality.”

Yarra Ranges Mayor Cr Jim Child said the update is a vital part of Council’s responsibility to maintain a current and effective planning scheme.

“We know how important it is to protect our community from natural hazards. This update ensures that our planning controls reflect the latest science and technology, helping us manage landslip risks more effectively.” Cr Child said.

“The EMO only applies to new development, earthworks, subdivisions or extensions or re-building a home. It’s about making sure future development on your property is safe and sustainable for you and your neighbours.”

The EMO is a state-wide planning control designed to minimise land disturbance and inappropriate development in areas prone to erosion and landslip. The updated mapping has identified 1,183 recorded landslides across the municipality.

As part of the proposed Planning Scheme Amendment (C225), Council will notify all property owners affected by changes to the EMO mapping. This includes:

■ 937 properties proposed for removal from the EMO

■ 3259 newly identified properties added to Schedule 1 (landslip hazard)

■ 290 properties added to Schedule 2 (debris flow hazard), plus 209 already included in the EMO

■ 202 properties included in both Schedules

Total properties within the EMO will increase to 13,724 (net increase of 2365).

“If you already have an EMO on your property, it’s important to note that there are a few minor changes. This is mainly that there are now two schedules, one for landslip and one for debris flow and there are some minor grammatical corrections and permit exemption for repairs and maintenance works to existing assets by public authorities,” the representative said.

MP visits Wandong Centre

■ Yan Yean MLA Lauren Kathage visited L.B. Davern Reserve on Thursday (Aug. 21) to see how the upgraded Wandong Community Centre is strengthening connections and opportunities for the local community.

Completed late last year , the $800,000 project has delivered a range of improvements that have transformed the centre into a modern, functional and welcoming community hub.

The works included the installation of new male, female and accessible toilet facilities, a fully updated kitchen, and an expanded meeting room with additional storage space to better cater for the needs of local user groups.

The main hall now features acoustic treatments that make it more comfortable for meetings, performances and social gatherings, while upgraded heating and cooling ensure the centre can be used comfortably year-round.

Mitchell Shire Mayor Cr John Dougall said the transformation of the centre was already having a positive impact.

"I would also like to pay tribute to the late former Councillor Sue Marstaeller. Sue was a tireless advocate for her community and played an important role with the Committee

“Her dedication and passion helped lay the foundations for projects like this, and it’s fitting to acknowledge her contribution as the community enjoys the upgraded centre,” cr Dougall said.

Wallan Nature Trail opens

■ The official opening of the Wallan Central Cycle and Nature Trail upgrade took place on Thursday, August 21.

The $1.02 million project has transformed the Wallan Community Park into a vibrant, accessible space where residents can enjoy the outdoors, connect with each other and stay active.

Works have delivered improved park entrances, an expanded path network, a nature-play trail with sand play and rope climbing elements, spaces for imaginative play, a learn-to-ride track, drinking water stations, new seating and picnic areas, interpretive signage and additional planting to enhance the area’s natural appeal.

Mitchell Council officers worked closely with Wurundjeri elders on the signage to provide information on the original language of Wallan, the Woi-wurrung language.

Guiding property decisions

■ The City of Whittlesea is inviting residents to have their say on a new draft plan that outlines how Council manages the property that it owns.

The draft Strategic Property and Land Plan 2025-2030 will provide a framework for how the Council manages property assets and guide decisions on acquisition, divestment, leasing, licensing and strategic development.

The guiding principles include ensuring all property decisions maximise community benefit and public value, align with Council’s endorsed strategic documents, contribute to financial sustainability and promote development practices that support long-term growth.

Councillors voted on August 19 to hold a four-week community consultation process to gauge residents’ support for the proposed plan.

Mayor Cr Martin taylor said: “The draft Strategic Property and Land Plan provides a clear and consistent framework to guide how Council manages its land and property.

“It will help us optimise opportunities, reduce costs, and unlock long term value for the community,” Cr Taylor said. “I encourage community members to visit our Engage Whittlesea website, review this important draft plan, and share their feedback to help shape its future direction.”

Local Briefs

New Gifts Policy

■ Murrindindi Shire Councillors were due last week(Wed., Aug. 27) to consider a new policy regarding the acceptance of gifts.

“The Policy requires Councillors to decline prohibited gifts, which are defined as a gift over $500, gifts that could bring Council into disrepute, money or things transferrable into money, gifts that create a conflict of interests, gifts given to influence decision making or regulatory action, gifts made in secret, gifts of alcohol (unless as part of legitimate hospitality), and gifts of free tickets at paid events in certain circumstances,” says a report to be presented to Councillors.

“The Policy also requires Councillors to declare a gift over $50 (Non-Token Gifts), and to only accept it after consideration to the giver’s motivation, the influence it might have on decision making or perception of favour (GIFT Test), and whether public trust may be eroded by acceptance.

“Councillors can accept Gifts $50 and under (Token Gifts) after consideration to the GIFT Test. Both Non-Token and Token Gifts (whether accepted or not) must be declared.gifts,” the report says.

$2.4m slashing

■ Murrindindi Council is lastweek scheduled to consider the tenders of a number of contractors for slashing services across the municipality.

Seven tenders were onsidered for an initial term of three years, commencing October 21, with an option for a two-year extension;

The total contract amount could be up to $2,400,000 over the five-year contract period;

The names of the successful contractors were published in the draft Minutes last Friday afternoon (Aug. 29).

Australia Day

■ Australia Day 2026 will be held in Seymour, with the Community Awards and Citizenship Ceremony to be held, with updated committee terms endorsed by Mitchell Shire Council.

Dry

Hire: $1.5mil.

■ Murrindindi Shire’s dry hire arrangements could total up to $1.5 million over five years, according to a recommendation to be put to the Council meeting lastweek (Wed., Aug. 27).

Five tenders will be considered for an initial period of three years commencing September 15.

There is likley to be an optional two-year extension period.

Confidential time

■ Murrindindi Council’s August meeting as set to go into confidential mode, excluding the public, when Chief Executive Officer Livia Bonazzi’s employment arrangements are due to be discussed.

The CEO Employment and Remuneration Committee Report was due to be considered towards the end of the 6pm meeting due to be held at the Yea Council Chambers.

Affordable food

■ Fresh, affordable food will be more accessible in Mitchell and Murrindindi through a new regional partnership backed by $726,350 in funding from VicHealth.

The Nourishing Neighbourhoods project is part of VicHealth’s Food First initiative, which is supporting local partnerships to tackle food insecurity and build fairer, healthier and more sustainable food systems across Victoria.

Over the next three years, Mitchell and Murrindindi Shire Councils will work with neighbourhood houses, community food groups, health organisations and residents to create a local food system that reflects the needs and strengths of local communities.

A key part of the project is the creation of local food resources supporting communityled mapping that shows where and how people can access fresh, healthy and culturally appropriate food, and where improvements are needed.

The project will also support a range of local initiatives.

Lauren Kathage MLA with Cr Nathan Clark

● ● Celebrations at the Wallan Trail upgrade.

Latest News Latest News

A Twist of Fate

■ Scary Goats Theatre presented their third season of A Twist of Fateat the Motley Bauhaus, showcasing four new 20-minute plays by different writers.

The brief was simple, each play had to contain a twist or unusual reveal. Even if you missed the first two seasons, the theme is immediately clear—think TwilightZone meets BlackMirror—with each play delivering intrigue, surprise, and captivating entertainment.

Curated and narrated by Scary Goats Theatre founding member Chloe Towan, the program explored psychological and moral themes of greed, a yearning to be noticed, ethical choices, and acceptance.

Her interludes between each work provided cohesion and set the tone with playfulness and wit, though at times stronger vocal projection would have added greater impact.

The evening opened with Bestow, written by Emily Morey and directed by Towan, featuring strong performances from Cassandra Hart, Henry Stephensen and Seon Williams.

Its intriguing premise and well-crafted twist delivered both surprise and a lingering sense of “what just happened?”

Towan’s MrMooreWantsLess, directed by Patrick Slee, followed—a compelling story of a cinema janitor (Richard Mealey), long ignored by those around him, whose hunger for recognition escalates to biblical proportions.

Mealey gave one of the night’s standout turns, layered and absorbing, while Williams impressed with her hilarious spy manoeuvres.

The third play, Mr Id, directed by Kate Weston, was lifted by Liliana Braumberger’s Jim Carrey-esque energy and commitment, another standout.

Her dynamic approach, full of bold physical choices, made the role vivid and memorable.

Finally, Possession, written by Stephenson, directed by Slee, performed by Weston and Corey M Glamuzina, delivered the most delicious twist of the night.

The breadth of talent—on stage, on the page, and behind the scenes—was outstanding.

Many artists took on multiple roles as writer, director, and actor, demonstrating versatility, collaboration, and keen artistic ability.

A Twist of Fate confirmed that Scary Goats Theatre is a company to watch.

Review by Beth Klein

Big Games

■ BigGamesNightOut– Australia’s largest free celebration of games culture – returns for another massive year at Fed Square on Thursday, October 9.

Backed by the State Government and presented by Melbourne International Games Week in partnership with Fed Square, Asia Pacific's largest digital games celebration, BigGamesNightOut’s 2025 program honours classic games while paving the way for the future.

The eye-catching centrepiece exhibit, Electric Arcadia – designed in collaboration with Melbourne’s Callum Preston and Louie Roots – will transform a corner of Fed Square into a week-long exploration of games nostalgia.

This tribute to the timeless Amusement Plaza will transport fans to the classic era of the 80s and 90s and highlight the enduring impact games culture has on our lives.

Next door at Koorie Heritage Trust , IndiginerdI presents a unique 80s-inspired Dungeons & Dragons adventure inside a StrangerThings-themed room that will also serve as an immersive photo opportunity for fans.

Contributed

4 CHARGED OVER BROWNLOW PROBE

■ Detectives from the Sporting Integrity Intelligence Unit charged four men as part of a protracted investigation into allegedly suspicious gambling detected on the 2021 and 2022 Brownlow Medal awards.

A 34-year-old Glenroy man has been charged with six offences in relation to wagering on the 2021 Brownlow Medal Award, including use of corrupt conduct information for betting purposes – communicate information (x3) and undertaking a course of conduct to use corrupt conduct information for betting purposes (x3).

A 32-year-old Doreen man has been charged with 20 offences in relation to wagering on the 2021 and 2022 Brownlow Medal Awards, including undertaking a course of conduct to use corrupt conduct information for betting purposes (x18) and use of corrupt conduct information for betting purposes – communicate information (x2)

A 31-year-old Hadfield man has been charged with 23 offences in relation to wagering on the 2021 Brownlow Medal Award, including undertaking a course of conduct to use corrupt conduct information for betting

purposes (x15) and undertaking a course of conduct to obtain financial advantage by deception (x8).

A 35-year-old Reservoir man has been charged with 53 offences in relation to wagering on the 2021 and 2022 Brownlow Medal Awards , including undertaking a course of conduct to use corrupt conduct information for betting purposes (x34), undertaking a course of conduct to obtain financial advantage by deception (x15), use of corrupt conduct information for betting purposes – communicate information (x3) and use of corrupt conduct information for betting purposes –encourage to bet (x1).

The four men have been summonsed to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on September 11.

Search warrants were executed on a number of occasions in varying suburbs throughout the investigation.

The maximum penalties for these offences – cheating at gambling and obtain financial advantage by deception – is level 5 imprisonment (10 years).

Business Profile

Dave Palmer, Rural Tanks and Garden Beds

F F rom the Shed to the Soil: A rom the to the Soil: rom the Shed to the Soil: A rom the to the Soil: Message from Dave at from Message from Dave at from R R ural T ural T T anks and Garden anks and Garden Beds Beds

G'day folks,

Dave here from Rural Tanks and Garden Beds - where the corrugated curves of Aussie ingenuity meet the good old-fashioned joy of growing your own tomatoes. If you’ve ever wrestled with a wheelbarrow in gumboots or debated whether zucchinis are taking over your life, you’re in good company.

Now, I’ve been rolling galvanised iron since 1989 (back when mullets were cool the first time), and while water tanks are still our bread and butter, it’s the garden beds that have really taken root in recent years.

There’s something deeply satisfying about watching your backyard transform into a patch of productivity - whether it’s herbs for your roast lamb, peas that never make it inside because the kids eat them straight off the vine or a delicious strawberry –its fresh, its home grown and it’s so

Fact File

NAME: Rural Tanks and Garden Beds

ADDRESS: 5 Tebble St, Seymour

PHONE: 5799 0133

WEBSITE: www.ruraltanksandgarden beds.com.au

EMAIL: dave@ruraltanks.com

much more delicious than anything you buy from a store.

So here’s a little something to sweeten the soil: for a limited time, when you buy one of our .42m high galvanised iron garden beds, you’ll get the second one for half price. That’s right—double the dirt, half the hurt. Whether you’re starting small or going full veggie jungle, this is your chance to build a backyard that’s both beautiful and bountiful.

Our garden beds come in a range of shapes, sizes, and finishes, including Colorbond™ for those who like a splash of style with their spinach. And unlike those flimsy stick-on edges you see elsewhere, ours are rolled for safety and built to last. We even offer wicking beds with adjustable water levels—because plants deserve hydration options too.

So, if you’re ready to dig in, come have a yarn with us. We’re not just selling steel—we’re helping Aussies grow, thrive, and maybe even win the neighbourhood tomato contest.

Happy gardening!

- Dave Rural Tanks and Garden Beds www.ruraltanksandgardenbeds.com.au

Driver dies

■ A woman has died following a collision in Kulwin

Emergency services responded to reports of two vehicles colliding on the Mallee Hwy about 3.30pm on Monday, August 25.

The driver and sole occupant from one vehicle, a 63-year-old South Australian woman, was airlifted to hospital with lifethreatening-injuries where they sadly died.

The driver and passenger from the second vehicle were taken to hospital with serious injuries.

Investigators believe that other drivers were in the vicinity of the area at the time of the collision and request that those people to come forward to police.

Mildura Highway Patrol officers are investigating the circumstances surrounding the collision.

Double fatality

■ Major Collision Investigation Unit detectives are investigating a fatal collision in Toolern Vale on Sunday morning, August 24.

State Highway Patrol Solo Unit officers were conducting an unrelated intercept on Diggers Rest-Coimadai Rd when they observed a Holden Cruise travelling at high speed.

The speeding vehicle continued along Diggers Rest-Coimadai Rd before it collided head-on with a second car travelling in the opposite direction about 9.50am.

The drivers of both vehicles died at the scene. A passenger of the Holden was transported to hospital with minor injuries.

Checks have revealed the Holden was stolen from Werribee South sometime after 4.30pm on Saturday, August 23.

Exact circumstances surrounding the collision are yet to be established and the investigation is ongoing.

Professional Standards Command were notified and will have oversight as is standard procedure.

Motorcycle crash

■ Major Collision Investigation Unit detectives are investigating a fatal motorcycle crash that occurred in Rushworth on Saturday, August 23.

Emergency services responded to reports a motorcycle had crashed into a tree near the intersection of Carag and RushworthGirgarre Rds about 3.40pm.

The rider died at the scene.

Patrolling police observed the motorcycle being ridden erratically on RushworthGigarre Rd about five minutes prior to the crash.

Officers attempted to intercept the rider, but they sped off and police did not pursue the motorcycle.

Exact circumstances surrounding the crash are yet to be established and the investigation is ongoing.

Professional Standards Command have oversight of the investigation as is standard procedure with a fatal collision following recent police contact.

Carjacking bid

■ Geelong Crime Investigation Unit detectives are investigating a carjacking in Norlane

It is understood a group of unknown offenders approached a silver Hyundai Elantra which was parked in Seagull Park about 10.15pm on Friday, August 22.

Police were told one of the offenders smashed the car window with a baseball bat, before the group dragged the male driver out of the vehicle and assaulted him. They stole the Hyundai and fled the scene. The 24-year-old Norlane man was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Your Stars

with Kerry Kulkens

Presented

Kulkens,

by Sarah

Australia’s

Trusted Psychic Family

ARIES (March 21 - April 20)

Lucky Colour: Silver

Lucky Day: Tuesday Racing Numbers: 8, 9, 4, 5

Lotto Numbers: 8, 2, 4, 16, 28, 33

Loved ones may seem uncooperative or argumentative, requiring patience to maintain peace. This week offers more reasons to celebrate than regret for those who remain tolerant. Travel opportunities are favourable, and you may mingle with influential people.

TAURUS (April 21 - May 20)

Lucky Colour: Lemon

Lucky Day: Sunday Racing Numbers: 6, 9, 1, 2

Lotto Numbers: 1, 17, 23, 34, 44, 45

Pay close attention to the fine print in essential documents. Confidence in your abilities will bring success. New adventures are likely to spark joy and lead to positive outcomes.

GEMINI (May 21 - June 21)

Lucky Colour: White

Lucky Day: Monday

Racing Numbers: 7, 9, 1, 4

Lotto Numbers: 1, 16, 23, 34, 36, 22

Luck is turning in your favour, making this an excellent time to start new ventures. If you need more clarity about long-term commitments, consult a trusted advisor before proceeding.

CANCER (June 22 - July 22)

Lucky Colour: Green

Lucky Day: Friday

Racing Numbers: 7, 8, 9, 3

Lotto Numbers: 1, 16, 23, 34, 41, 22

A busy week lies ahead, so ensure others are contributing equally. Success is on the horizon, and you may receive a delightful and unexpected gift.

LEO (July 23 - August 22)

Lucky Colour: Cream

Lucky Day: Sunday

Racing Numbers: 6, 8, 4, 5

Lotto Numbers: 1, 17, 23, 36, 42, 11

Financial gains and pleasant surprises are likely. Social gatherings may bring joy, but moderation is vital to avoiding overindulgence.

VIRGO (August 23 - September 23)

Lucky Colour: Mauve

Lucky Day: Tuesday Racing Numbers: 7, 9, 3, 4

Lotto Numbers: 1, 16, 23, 34, 41, 22

Travel will be enjoyable and filled with entertaining moments. Lingering problems are set to be resolved, and reconnecting with past contacts could bring unexpected happiness.

LIBRA (September 24 - October 23)

Lucky Colour: Yellow

Lucky Day: Sunday

Racing Numbers: 7, 9, 3, 5

Lotto Numbers: 3, 6, 23, 31, 22, 28

Your influence over others will help you achieve your goals. Travel is likely, and answers to longstanding questions may emerge. Real estate dealings could prove financially rewarding.

SCORPIO (October 24 - November 22)

Lucky Colour: Orange

Lucky Day: Wednesday

Racing Numbers: 6, 9, 3, 4

Lotto Numbers: 1, 16, 23, 27, 34, 41

Travel may bring unique and engaging experiences. Good news and happy surprises are on the way. Avoid engaging in or spreading gossip.

SAGITTARIUS (November 23 - December 20)

Lucky Colour: Red

Lucky Day: Saturday

Racing Numbers: 6, 8, 3, 4

Lotto Numbers: 1, 15, 23, 35, 41, 22

Your energy levels are high, enabling you to tackle uncertainties with confidence. Longstanding issues are likely to be resolved, and new ventures are set to succeed. Romantic relationships may intensify.

CAPRICORN (December 21 - January 19)

Lucky Colour: Silver

Lucky Day: Thursday

Racing Numbers: 4, 6, 2, 3

Lotto Numbers: 1, 14, 23, 27, 34, 38

Restlessness may tempt you to take risks in romantic pursuits. Financial opportunities will be easier to grasp, and career progress could place you ahead of competitors.

AQUARIUS (January 20 - February 19)

Lucky Colour: Violet

Lucky Day: Thursday

Racing Numbers: 5, 7, 3, 4

Lotto Numbers: 1, 16, 23, 26, 34, 39

Expect to handle challenges arising from others’ problems and demands. A recent setback may turn into a blessing disguise, bringing unexpected advantages.

PISCES (February 20 - March 20)

Lucky Colour: Red

Lucky Day: Tuesday

Racing Numbers: 7, 8, 9, 3

Lotto Numbers: 1, 14, 23, 34, 45, 22

Travel expenses might increase as you enter a busy period. Your popularity among influential people is set to rise, potentially aiding your ambitions. Loved ones could surprise you in delightful ways.

Kerry Kulkens™ Magic Shop

1693 Burwood Hwy, Belgrave

Visit us online at: www.kerrykulkens.com.au

Follow us on Facebook for the latest updates and offerings.

Sir,

The Labor Government’s touted productivity roundtable seemed like a stunt to create an impression that one of the critical challenges faced by Australia – our falling productivity – was in fact being addressed.

Benefit of the doubt Observer Mailbag

Many of us gave it the benefit of the doubt, because you have to discuss these issues, and having business leaders in a dialogue with our leaders.

It was good that Shadow Treasurer Ted O’Brien was there and able to intervene in a Jim Chalmers bout of selfcongratulations on the economy that bore little resemblance to reality.

But here is the problem –Labor under Albanese and Chalmers is fundamentally an anti-productivity government.

It is obsessed with wealth redistribution, crony capitalism and the welfare state.

It is dictated to by unions, and these dictations have found their way into legislation that makes us less competitive and less productive.

Energy policy was barely discussed at the roundtable, as though everyone accepts that the transition is going swimmingly, and that cheap and affordable power will just continue as we move from the 24/7 generation of coal and gas to the intermittent nature of renewables.

Anyone seriously looking at the grid and assessing the successes and failures of other nations in their energy transition would see the flaws in this.

This particular energy transition is one of the biggest economic gambles Australia has ever embarked on, and the probability and consequence of getting it wrong is too horrific to contemplate.

Government ministers seem to put the viability and competitiveness of business (particularly small business) last on their list of priorities when drafting legislation.

This is evident in the regrettable changes to the Murray-Darling Basin Plan and in the new industrial relations laws, which have hit small businesses hard with a mountain of regulation.

In addition, Labor is on a spending spree, with diminishing economic activity to pay back the debt in the future.

According to research published by the Centre for Independent Studies in July 2025, more than half of Australian voters rely on the government for their main income, through public-sector wages, welfare payments, or subsidies.

The Institute of Public Affairs found that between August 2022 and August 2024, 82.1 per cent of new persons employed were in the public sector.

It’s not to say that people who work in the public service (in many cases) don’t provide a valuable service, but an economy based on taxpayer-funded jobs is a house of cards.

Tax was discussed, but there seems to be little appetite for real reform – and efforts by the previous coalition government to address the productivity-killing phenomenon of bracket creep were reversed by Labor They have no plans that I

Short letters (no more than 200 words) on local subjects are invited from readers.

Email to: editor@Melbourne Observer.com.au

Letters must be short and may be edited. All letters to be considered for publication must have a name, street address and phone number so their authenticity can be checked. An email address is not sufficient.

can see to reform tax in a meaningful way – just crazy grabs for money like the unrealised superannuation capital gain fiasco.

What does it all mean? Well, on this pathway we are in managed decline as a nation, and that means a decline in our living standards and opportunities for our next generations.

A bold government with vision and understanding of what drives the economy needs to come in and fix this trajectory, and Albanese and Chalmers’ incarnation of Labor is clearly, by its own rhetoric and actions, not that.

Sam Birrell MHR for Nicholls

NDIS reform

Sir,

While Minister Butler’s announcement to establish a dedicated focus on children with mild to moderate developmental delay or autism is welcome, there is a critical area of urgent reform in the NDIS that remains overlooked.

The Summer Foundation remains concerned for the very people the NDIS was designed to support who are still stuck in group homes and have not been able to benefit from the transformational intent of the Scheme.

There are more than 43,500 people with high support needs currently supported by the NDIS . The cost of supporting this group is more than $15 billion a year.

The cost of Supported In-

dependent Living, a key support for this cohort, has surged by 28 per cent over five years.

Despite the investment, people with disability with high support needs continue to face limited choice and poor outcomes from their housing and living supports.

They are often relegated to group homes where incidents of abuse and neglect are frequent, despite warnings and recommendations for action from the Disability Royal Commission.

The Government needs to urgently back a greater variety of housing and living supports for this group of people, including drop-in and on-call supports, and more individualised approaches such as host and homeshare arrangements.

The NDIS was built to support people with significant and permanent disability to live with dignity and independence.

Without urgent reform to how we deliver support to people with high support needs, we are failing the very people the scheme was created for.

Jessica Walker Summer Foundation

Speak Up

Sir, Australia must be diligent and committed to strengthening productivity and food security if it is to underwrite the needs of a population projected to reach 45 million within two decades.

The question is whether the Economic Reform Roundtable will meaningfully address that challenge, or become yet another politically motivated talkfest.

In a nation defined by droughts and flooding rains, a coherent national water policy must sit at the heart of long-term planning.

Yet, the Albanese Government’s vision remains tethered to the existing Murray–Darling Basin Plan, a framework that is, at its core, an environmental policy. It is not a plan for national resilience, food security, food afford-ability, or regional productivity.

The current investment thesis is fundamentally upside down. Billions of taxpayer dollars are being spent to buy back productive water licenses, displacing food production and increasing reliance on imported foods. This directly conflicts with the government’s stated ambitions: to reduce national debt, advance net zero goals, lower the cost of living, and grow regional economies.

At the pinnacle of the Roundtable’s agenda, and the wider agriculture policy agenda, should be water.

Current water policy is crucifying productivity in our nation’s food bowl, placing Australia at serious social risk when the next drought arrives. Without urgent reform, the outcome will be inflated food prices, lost regional jobs, and reduced national resilience.

Water policy and management have never been at a lower point in Australia. That must change if this country is serious about prosperity, productivity, and food security for future generations.

David Narrandera,Farley NSW

Years Ago

Mud patch

■ Melbourne Cricket Ground will again be a mud parch for today's Melbourne-Collingwood semi-final. Heavy rain last night ruined hopes that it would be in good condition.

And more showers are forecast for today. This will give groundsmen little chance to get the ground in good condition.

Work on the arena yesterday cleared off most of the surplus water. Curator Bill Vanthoff was hoping for a fine night.

Aircraft security

■ SecurY guards were posted to guard all aircraft at Essendon yesterday as precautions were doubled against possible attempts at sabotage.

This followed weekend threats to damage aircraft and TheArgusrevelation that a reporter and photographer were still able, on Thursday, to wan der among planes and hangars, where they could have planted bombs without challenge.

Mr. Townley, Civil Aviation Minister, said both heis department and airlines were anxious to avoid magnifying Sunday's incident when oil-soaked cotton waste was found in a motor exhaust.

One theory . is that a mechanic, accidentally left the rag there.

£91,000 willed

■ Charitable institutions in Victoria and Scotland will receive £91,000 under the terms of the will of the late Mr. "Jimmy" Richardson, mill ionaire hotel owner, who died in 1951.

Of the total £42,000 goes to Victorian chari'ties. The biggest Individual gift. £i4,000, will go to the Church of Scotland social services in Scotland.

The biggest Victorian gift, £3,000, will , go to- the Lord Mayor's Metropolitan Hospitals and Charities Fund.

Mr. Richardson, who died age 87, was a bachelor. He arrived in Australia at the age of 21 with only £20 in his pocket. -

The legacies have been allocated by the Equity Trustees Executors and Agency Co. Ltd., as trustee of the will.

New record

■ Mr. Menzies, Prime Minister, will establish another record this afternoon, when he opens Canterbury Bowling Club greens - for the 26th successive season. Mr. Menzies is expected to try his skill at bowls before leaving for the (more exciting) football match at Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Fringe Festival

■ Standing room only in the iconic ETU Ballroom at the Trades Hall, Lygon St, for the 2025 VIP launch of the Melbourne Fringe Festival , starting September 30 and running to October 19.

As Victoria’s longest running multi-arts festival it has been no mean feat for 43 years and this year it has more than 500 exciting boundary pushing arts events.

To do this it will flood Melbourne in all sorts of places, in theatres, laneways, beaches, car parks with thousands of artists turning the city into a stage.

CEO Simon Abraham said: “The Festival is where anyone can share their art, from first time makers to some of Australia’s most celebrated artists, together with those of international status.”

Supported by speakers from key sponsors State Government and Melbourne City Council who further outlined the diversity of the inclusive program, un-curated that will embrace First Nations artists, d/Deaf and Disabled creatives, queer storytellers, emerging youth perspectives and international risk takers.

A new play JKS:AComedyby comedian Tom Ballard, a musical by Sammy J and Vidya Makan, Fiasco: A Burke and Wills Musical.

There are so many highlights, but watch for Williamstown Beach at sunset, that will be the stage for The Break by Zoe Bastin Dance or the Northcote car park in the glow of headlights for circus outfit Oozing Future’s StrangeChaos.

Then there is A.J. Lamarque’s SeaJourney,ABeginner'sGuidetoGayCruising

An everyday occurrence, supermarket workers dealing with angry customers, a musical comedy CheckedOutby Josh Connell and Steph Lee being performed in the Solidarity Hall, Trades Hall.

Apology to the rest of the 500+ events that I am unable to expand on. However to the general public and even those for the first time - dare to miss anything, watch out for the full 2025 program. melbournefringe.com.au

Graeme McCoubrie

The Blok

■ First Nations theatre company, A Daylight Connection, delivers a new work, The Blok!presented by Darebin Arts Speakeasy and Deadly Fringe from October 8-18 in the Northcote Town Hall Arts Centre

Directed by Kamarra Bell-Wykes, the play centres on a character called The Master, an auteur whose exponential success and dizzying sense of self-importance comes crashing into a severe case of writer’s block.

Played by Carly Sheppard, the character lampoons the idea of the genius artist, and pokes fun at the arts industry, while also speaking to the very real struggles of artists trying to make meaningful work in an increasingly impossible climate.

When The Master realises their god-like creative power has run dry, they're visited by a divine Creator figure, played by Alexis West - a Blak woman.

The show's take on The Creator riffs the Judeo-Christian understanding of God and cracks this open into something much more multiple, pantheistic, and spiritual. This is a polyphonic vision of God as a Blak Woman, written by a team of Blak women.

While The Blok will keep that same humour ADC are known for, Sheppard and Bell-Wykes are challenging themselves to strip back their traditionally heavy production values to create a more minimalist experience, which highlights the evolution of the company.

It’s a very meta view on questions they care about as much as they find them ridiculous, making great fodder for exploration and satire.

Pushing the form and embedded into ADC’s work is the experience of live music, with a score created by small sound (Andrew James – Quandamooka), a multi-instrumentalist, sound designer and composer.

Performance Dates: October 8 – 18. Wed. – Fri .7.30pm | Sa.t 2pm, 7:30pm Venue: Northcote Town Hall Arts Centre, 189 High St, Northcote Tickets: https://arts.darebin.vic.gov.au/ Programs-and-opportunities/Programs/ Speakeasy-presentations/THE-BLOK

Talk is cheap, gossip is priceless

Star role for Georgina

■ Rising star of stage and screen Georgina Hopson (Titanique,PhantomoftheOpera) will lead the cast of Anastasiawhich will have its Australian premiere at the Regent Theatre in Melbourne in December, before touring to Perth and Sydney in 2026.

“I can’t quite believe that I am going to be playing Anya in Anastasia - I have loved this story and this character since I was a kid,” said Georgina Hopson.

“I used to dress up as her and sing Journey to the Past on the trampoline. I wish I could tell my younger self that this was happening, I think she would have passed out with excitement - which is honestly how I still feel about it.”

Inspired by the mysterious tale of Grand Duchess Anastasia Romanov’s rumoured escape in the dawning days of the Russian Revolution, and the 20th Century Fox animated fairytale of the same name, Anastasiahas been brought to life on the stage by the Tony Awardwinning creative team of Terrence McNally, Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens

Anastasiais said to be a musical for all ages, transporting audiences from the twilight years of the Imperial rule to the euphoria and exuberance of Paris in the 1920s, as a brave young woman named Anya sets out to discover the mystery of her past.

Pursued by an army officer determined to silence her, she enlists the aid of a dashing conman and a lovable ex-aristocrat. Together, they embark on an epic adventure to help her find home, love, and family.

Directed by Tony Award winning director Darko Tresnjak, Anastasia premiered on Broadway in March 2017. It received a Tony Award nomination for Best Costume Design in a Musical and won more than 15 major international awards including Best Musical awards in Germany , the Netherlands and Spain.

Further casting details will be announced in the coming months.

Produced by John Frost for Crossroads Live and Opera Australia in special collaboration with Stage Entertainment Productions, Tom Kirdahy, Hunter Arnold and Dan Hinde. For more information visit anastasiathemusical.com.au

Cheryl Threadgold

Job at Red Stitch

■ Red Stitch Actors’ Theatre presents the Australian premiere of Job, a gripping psychological thriller direct from its critically acclaimed Broadway season.

Written by rising American playwright Max Wolf Friedlich, Jobopens on Wednesday September 17 for a month-long run.

The play centres on Jane, who, after being put on leave due to a viral workplace incident, is desperate to return to her Big Tech job.

However, her therapist, Loyd , holds the power to approve her return and starts to question whether the job is causing more harm than good.

As the power dynamic between patient and practitioner shifts, Jobbecomes a battle of wits and wills.

The production will be directed by one of Australia’s most celebrated stage and screen directors, Nadia Tass (Malcolm,TheBigSteal, Disgraced–MTC;UncleVanya,TheFlick–RedStitch).

Jobmakes its Australian debut at Red Stitch, featuring Green Room Award winner and ensemble member Jessica Clarke ( The Removalists- MTC, Iphigenia in Splott- Red Stitch), alongside 2025 TV WeekSilver Logie nominee and AACTA Award winner Darren Gilshenan (ColinFromAccounts,Stateless,The Moodys).

Playwright Max Wolf Friedlich is a Manhattan-born writer who received his first public acclaim in 2012 at just 17, when he became the youngest playwright produced at the New York International Fringe Festival

Beyond theatre, he has worked as a ghostwriter for high-profile celebrity social media accounts and helped craft the digital personality of LilMiquela, the CGI influencer named one of Time’s 25 Most Influential People on the Internet in 2018.

Jobis described as 'a provocative and riveting two-hander that examines what it means to be a citizen of the internet, and the obligation individuals have to help those who need

stars in

.

James Terry it most. Tickets are on sale now at redstitch.net

Performance Season: Previews September 13-16. Season September 17 - October 12. Tues., Wed. and Sun., 6.30pm Thurs.-Sat., 7.30pm Matinee - Sat. October 4, 2pm

Q&A Post Show Thurs Sep 25, 7.30pm Venue: Red Stitch Actors' Theatre, Rear 2 Chapel St, East St Kilda.

Cheryl Threadgold

Ray Chen violinist

■ Violinist and online personality Ray Chen redefines what it means to be a classical musician, with his viral reels and YouTube videos captivating millions of people around the world. His content highlights music’s ability to inspire joy, connection and healing in humans and animals.

Joined by Julio Elizalde on piano, the virtuosic violinist will perform a recital at Arts Centre Melbourne’s Hamer Hall on September 8. Tickets are selling fast via artscentremelbourne.com.au

Ray’s new Australian tour follows a huge 2024, with the release of his album Player1 and the growth of Tonic, the artist’s independent startup that is building a global community via a free platform for musicians and learners to practice their craft together.

Born in Taiwan and raised in Brisbane, Ray Chen has performed with the foremost orchestras and concert halls around the world, as well as at major media events such as France’s Bastille Day (live to 800,000 people), the Nobel Prize Concert in Stockholm (telecast across Europe), and the BBC Proms

His profile has grown to see him feature in the Forbes list of 30 most influential Asians under 30, secure a multi-year partnership with Giorgio Armani, appear in major streaming series MozartintheJungleand in Voguemagazine. Ray is also a music consultant for Riot Games , the leading esports company best known for LeagueofLegends

Produced in partnership with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Ray’s album Player1reveals the links between classical music and gaming.

Australian audiences will see Ray perform pieces by Ludwig van Beethoven, Camille Saint-Saens, Johann Sebastian Bach, Antonio Bazzini, Antoni Dvorak and Chick Corea. www.artscentremelbourne.com.au

Cheryl Threadgold ●

Melbourne Shakespeare Company returns to fortyfivedownstairs with a reimagining of Othello from September 11 - 28.

Photo: Nick Robertson

■ Directed by Tanya Gerstle, this production aims to 'strip Shakespeare’s tragedy back to its brutal emotional core.' A fiveactor ensemble explores themes of jealousy, betrayal and the consequences of post traumatic stress. The men are battle-scarred and broken. The women are collateral damage.

In a 90-minute, no-interval performance, audiences will be drawn into a physically charged world where unspoken fears and suppressed desires erupt into devastating action.

“With Pulse, what is not said and what is implied by the text becomes fertile ground for physical exploration - that ‘hidden story’ is manifested through action. I want to experience what drives a character through their physicality,” says Director Tanya Gerstle

Leading the cast is Christopher Kirby (The Matrix Reloaded, Star Wars) as Othello, alongside Dushan Philips (CountingandCracking,TheNewsreader) as Iago Tanya Schneider (TheWhale,ThereIsNo AntimemeticsDivision) as Desdemona, Lucy Ansell (ForceofNature:TheDry2,Utopia) as Emilia/Bianca and Matthew Furlani (Credentials,TheIliad) completes the ensemble as Cassio and Lodovico.

Love shatters. Power corrodes. No villain rises alone.

Season Dates: September 11 - 28

Performance Times: 7.30pm (TuesdaySaturday), 5pm (Sunday)

Duration: 90 minutes, no interval. Preview: Thursday September 11, 7.30pm. Opening Night: Friday, September 12, 7.30pm Venue: fortyfive downstairs, 45 Flinders Lane, Melbourne.

Bookings: melbourneshakespeare.com

Cheryl Threadgold

MPAC recipients

■ Monash University Performing Arts Centres (MPAC) has announced the recipients of its Progress Links Commissions

MPAC has provided two successful applicants with $5000 plus a 5 to 10-day residency in 2025-26 in one of its venue spaces to develop a ‘proof of concept’ proposal for further commissioning and development within the MPAC program to create and present new works.

The Progress Links Commission is driven by the conviction that creativity is a force that animates and inspires everyone – artists and scientists alike.

This year MPAC received a high number of quality applicants and looked at bringing artists together with Monash researchers in fields that help respond to the world around us.

One of the recipients is Emele Ugavule, a Tokelauan, Uvean, and Fijian storyteller, working as a performer, writer, director, producer and educator.

Emele will be developing DrauniUtoHotel, a new experimental one-women cabaret piece which explores the intersecting realities of Indigenous temporal sovereignty, memory erasure, and environmental destruction through the lived experience of Kali, a laundry attendant working in a luxury resort built on her grandfather’s land.

The other project recipient is Lyall Brooks, an award-winning theatre maker, teaching artist, and founding Artistic Director of Lab Kelpie, an independent theatre company dedicated to new Australian writing. Lyall will develop SELF/LESS, which asks ethical questions about the future of reproductive technology, identity and emotional responsibility.

● ● ● ● Georgina Hopson

Anastasia

Photo:

Cheryl Threadgold

Today’s Menu

Charcuterie Boards:

Tapas Bar Home-Made Desserts

Great Range of Cocktails and Mocktails Available.

Teas and Coffees

Don’t forget our Famous Devonshire Tea

Local Theatre Observations

Shows

■ Warrandyte Theatre Company: Grey Nomad (written and directed by Dan Lee) Until September 6 at the Warrandyte Mechanics’ Institute, 180 Yarra St., Warrandyte. Bookings: Trybooking.

■ Malvern Theatre: The Humans (by Stephen Karam) Until September 6 at 29a Burke Rd., Malvern. Director: Nicky NevilleJones. Bookings: malverntheatre company.com.au

■ Williamstown Little Theatre: The Hollow Crown (by John Barton) September 3 – 20 at 3-4 Albert St., Williamstown. Director: Peter Newling. Bookings: wlt.org.au/booktickets

■ Mordialloc Theatre Company: Broadway Bound (by Neil Simon) September 4 – 13 at the Shirley Burke Theatre, 64 Parkers Rd., Parkdale. Director: Michelle Swann) Bookings: mordialloctheatre.com.au

■ Heidelberg Theatre Company: Other Desert Cities (Jon Robin Baitz) September 5 – 20 at Heidelberg Theatre, 36 Turnham Ave., Rosanna. Director: Gaetano Santo. Bookings: email boxoffice@htc. org.au

■ Eltham Little Theatre: The Addams Family, a new musical (Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice). September 5 – 20 at Eltham Performing Arts Centre, 1603 Main Rd., Research. Director: Isabella Preston. Bookings: elthamlittletheatre.org.au

■ Geelong Repertory Theatre Company: Heartbreak Choir (Aidan Fennessey) September 5 – 20 at the Woodbin Theatre, 15 Coronation St., Geelong West. Director: Sue Rawkins. Bookings: Geelong Arts Centre 1300 251 200 geelongartscentre.org.au

■ Phoenix Theatre Company: Heathers. September 5 – 13 at the Doncaster Playhouse, Doncaster. Bookings: phoenix@ phoenixtheatrecompany.org

■ Theatre of the Damned: La Cage Aux Follies September 12 – 20 at the Belmont Performing Arts Centre. Director: Elise Dahl; Musical Director: Nathan Firmin; Choreographer: Venessa Paech. Bookings: theatreofthedamnedgeelong.com

■ Essendon Theatre Company: Cosi (by Louis Nowra) September 11 – 20 at the Bradshaw St. Community Hall, Bradshaw St., West Essendon. Director: Rosalin Shafik-Eid. Bookings: 04064 48368 or trybooking

■ Burwood University Student Theatre Company: Pride and Prejudice (Jane Austen) September 11 – 13 at the Clayton Community Theatre, Cooke St., Clayton. Director: Ares Stevenson. Bookings: TBC.

■ Lilydale Athenaeum Theatre Company: The Importance of Being Earnest (by Oscar Wilde) September 11 – 17 at the Lilydale Mechanics’ Institute, Castella St., Lilydale. Director: Katie-Jane Amery. Bookings: lilydaleatc.com

■ NOVA Music Theatre: Chess, September 12 – 21 at The Round. Nunawading. Bookings: novamusictheatre.com.au

■ Frankston Theatre Group: Emma (by Jane Austen, adapted by Michael Bloom) September 25 – October 5 at Frankston High School Performing Arts Theatre 97 Foot Street, Frankston. Director: Candice Mitrousis. Bookings: frankstontheatregroup. com.au

■ The Basin Theatre Group: Dead Man’s Cell Phone (Sarah Ruhl) October 2 – 12 at The Basin Theatre, Doongalla Rd., The Basin. Director: John Putman. Bookings: 0494 065 006.

■ The 1812 Theatre: Speaking in Tongues (by Andrew Bovell) October 2 – 25 at 3 Rose St., Upper Ferntree Gully. Director: Dexter Bourke. Bookings: 1812theatre.com.au

■ CLOC Musical Theatre: Juliet October 10 – 25 at the National Theatre, St Kilda. Director: Karl McNamara; Musical Director: Dan Heskett; Choreographer: Felicity Bender. Bookings: cloc.org.au

■ Babirra Music Theatre: Grease October 10 – 18 at The Round, Whitehorse Rd., Nunawading. Bookings: theround.com.au/ whats-on/grease-babirra

■ Encore Theatre: The Revlon Girl (by Anthony Docking) October 10 – 19 at the Clayton Community Centre, Cooke St., Clayton. Director: David Krause. Bookings: encoretheatre.com.au

■ Ballarat National Theatre: God of Carnage (by Yasmina Reza) October 16 – 19 at the Ballarat Mechanics’ Institute, 117-119 Sturt St., Ballarat Central. Director: Ruby Abbott. Bookings: bnt.org.au

■ Warragul Theatre Company: The Game’s Afoot (by Ken Ludwig) October 16 – 19 at the West Gippsland Arts Centre, 1 Civic Place, Warragul. Director: Justin Stephens. Bookings: Coming soon Cheryl Threadgold

DESTINY BY MTC

■ The challenge for Kirsty Marillier in setting her play Destiny in 1976 apartheid South Africa is to say something new.

The linear progression of the work has Della Math (Kirsty Marillier) caring for her widowed father Cliff (Patrick Willams) and immature brother Rocky (Gaz Dutlow)

The return of her high school boyfriend, Ezra Jones (Barry Conrad) complicates matters domestically but hints at political upheaval beyond the home.

The dramatic conflict seems to be unevenly divided between these two realms without truly consolidating or examining just how divisive and insidious the apartheid regime actually was.

The arrival, late in the play of the policeman (John Sherman) is the clichéd menace we expect and the appearance of Mrs Jones (Clare Chihambakwe) brings further recriminations.

The cast are committed and their characters sustained. Director Zindzi Okenyo has managed to keep the pace moving in the one hour and fifty minute running time.

The set (Sophie Woodward) is impressive, a household interior and general store on two distinct levels. But there is little sense of the regime's oppression which not even Cliff’s position in a company house really explains.

As a product of the MTC’s new work department, incorporating structural innovation or developing the dramatic tension of a central issue might have helped.

The master South African playwright Athol Fugard portrayed the human cost of the regime in Statementsand, more recently, Trevor Noah’s memoir, BornaCrime, highlighted the systemic absurdity of the era and its aftermath.

These are the touchstones against which Marillier’s work will be compared. There are stories about the South African diaspora that are waiting to be explored which would take the conversation in a completely new direction and look at the ongoing repercussions of that time.

This play is more retrospective in nature with a naturalistic setting and a panoply of themes still to be explored.

Melbourne Theatre Company Until September 13 Sumner Theatre Southbank Review by David McLean

Not Without Right

■ Will and Company brings its hit production of NotWithoutRight:Shakespeare’sSecrets to the Melbourne Fringe from September 30October 18 at Bard's Apothecary, Melbourne Shakespeare works in his attic, amending his will – to protect his daughter from her gold-

More Shows

■ Moonlite Theatre: Rope (by Patrick Hamilton) October 17 – 25 at Holy Trinity Anglican Church Hall, 19 Gisborne Rd., Baccus Marsh. Director: Shannon Nicholson. Bookings: trybooking.com/ DBPIV

■ PEP Productions: Love, Loss and What I Wore (by Nora Ephron and Delia Ephron, based on the book by Illene Beckerman) October 24 – November 1 at The Doncaster Playhouse, 679 Doncaster Rd., Doncaster. Director: Jennifer Pacey. Trybooking.

Auditions

■ The Farndale Avenue Housing Estate Townswomen’s Guild’s Dramatic Society’s Production of A Christmas Carol: A Comedy’ (by David McGillivray and Walter Zerlin) September 1, 2 from 7.30-9.30pm at The Shed, 4/159 Overport Rd., Frankston South. Director: Rob Lister. Audition bookings: robertlister087@gmail.com.

■ Malvern Theatre Company: The Tin Woman (by Sean Grennan) October 5 and October 6 at 7.30pm at 29 Burke Rd., Malvern. Director: Brett Turner-Valenta. Audition enquiries: bturnsta63@gmail.com

■ The 1812 Theatre: Clue on Stage (adapted from the Paramount Pictures film by Jonathan Lynn and the board game from Hasbro, Inc.) October 26 at 7pm, October 27 at 6.30pm at 3 Rose St., Upper Ferntree Gully. Director: Amy Calvert. Audition bookings: outlook.office.com/book/ AuditionBookings@theatreperson.com Cheryl Threadgold

digging husband – when, to his chagrin, his Muse materialises and demands he share with the audience the ‘true’ story of his life.

“Why?” Will grumpily demands.

“Because they’re going to say they’re not yours,” she responds. “The only way to prove you write the plays is to reveal what it cost you to create them, and where the secrets of your life lie hidden in the scripts.”

What follows is a battle between author and inspiration as to what really did happen.

Will is performed by Los Angeles based, Will and Company Artistic Director, noted Shakespeare professor and director, Colin Cox, whilst the Muse is performed by Mexico City born actress Alessandra Mañón

Created by the multi-award winning, [NAACP, GLAAD, Los Angeles Weekly, Ovation], nationally recognised (performances in all 50 states), Los Angeles-based, theatre ensemble Will and Company, NotWithoutRight opened in June as part of the Hollywood Fringe

Following its successful run in Los Angeles, it transferred to the Avignon Off Festival, and subsequently to the Edinburgh Fringe.

Dates: September 30 – October 18 (Tuesday-Saturday)

Times: 9.15pm (60 minutes)

Venue: Bard’s Apothecary, 7/24 Crossley St, Melbourne Tickets: Full-price $27, oncession price $14

Bookings: melbournefringe.com.au or call 9660 9666.

Cheryl Threadgold

JKS: A Comedy?

■ Australian comedian Tom Bollard's new show JKS: A Comedy? will be presented as part of the Melbourne Fringe Festival from October 1-12 at the Trades Hall, ETU Ballroom.

A line-up of comedians are hanging out backstage - it’s all fun and games - until they hear the news that a comedy legend has died.

Depending on who you ask, he either leaves behind a lifetime of laughter, or a legacy of bigotry and pain. Or maybe both. Or neither. The comics get stuck in: was this guy actually funny, or just embarrassing? Should he be praised or cancelled? Is being “funny” all that matters, anyway? What’s even the point of telling jokes?

How much harm (or good) can they ever do? How dark and fucked up can you go? Who can say what – and who decides?

Written by award-winning Tom Ballard (Deadloch,Tonightly,Fisk,SeriousDanger) and directed by Ben Russell (Thank God You’reHere,TheGrub,AuntyDonna'sBigOl' HouseOfFun), JKS:AComedy(?)is the premiere of a show described as 'naughty, thoughtful and a hilarious new work for Melbourne Fringe.'

Performance Season: October 1 - 12

Times: 8pm (Sun. 7pm, Oct 11 3.15pm and 8pm). Venue: Trades Hall, ETU Ballroom

Ticket price: Preview $35, Early bird $32, Fri., Sat. $42/$40, Wed., Thu., Sun. $38/$36

Tickets: melbournefringe.com.au

Cheryl Threadgold

Smallzy to leave

■ JocksJournalreports: “After 13 years broadcasting one of Australia’s most well-known national radio programs, NOVA announcer Kent ‘Smallzy’ Small has announced his departure. Smallzy confirmed he will leave his national program Smallzy’sSurgeryafter 23 years with the network.”

Brass Band’s 100th

●

● James Morrison

■ What’s the best way to celebrate the 100th birthday of a brass band?

The answer is by staging a spectacular concert that includes one of the world’s best jazz trumpeters as the featured guest artist, legendary trumpeter James Morrison, who will join Advent Brass for their centenary concert on September 14.

But James isn’t the only celebrity on stage for this concert – Advent Brass have their own home-grown celebrity performer in pianist Romney King, who celebrates his 100th birthday this year, making history with this concert by becoming the oldest person to ever perform live on the Hamer Hall stage.

Creating music for nearly nine decades, he has inspired many younger generations of musicians with his remarkable knowledge, war-time service as a signalman, and lifelong commitment to community music.

While Romney has been the concert pianist for Advent Brass for more than 80 years, the concert also covers the other end of the age spectrum, with the youngest performer being just nine years of age.

Advent Brass also includes Advent Youth Brass, keeping the tradition of brass music going strong in the 21st century.

As well as James Morrison and the bands, the concert also features vocalists Helena McKee, Walter Saluni and Tim Jaques bringing old favourites like Singin’intheRain,I Got Rhythm and All You Need Is Love to entertain the audience.

Advent Brass is a dab hand at raising money for charities with their concerts, and the beneficiary from this concert will be humanitarian organisation Adventist Development and Relief Agency.

It’s all happening on Sunday September 14 at 5pm in Hamer Hall, Arts Centre Melbourne . Tickets are available from www.adventbrass.org

Julie Houghton

Theatre of Music

■ After years of sold-out shows in Brisbane, TheatreofMagicis coming to Melbourne

From September 6, Theatre of Magic opens a new theatre inside the Victoria Hotel on Little Collins St.

Described as 'An unforgettable night of world-class magic and five-star hospitality awaits — right in the heart of the CBD.'

Opening Night: Saturday September 6

Venue: Victoria Hotel, Little Collins St, Melbourne CBD

Tickets: theatreofmagic.com.au TICKETS

Cheryl Threadgold

Fine Food event

■ The founders of a micro dairy that calls Fitzroy home are headed to Sydney next month to take part in the country's biggest food event - Fine Food Australia

Saint David's micro dairy is located in the heart of inner city Fitzroy, the inspiration of a fourth generation dairy farmer who wanted to bring the dairy back into the daily lives of inner city locals.

Loved by locals for their conversation as much as their cafe, the Saint David's Dairy team will now take their artisanal products to the other side of the country, to introduce the nation's leaders in foodservice to a different way of doing dairy.

The dairy's focus on quality is matched by their commitment to social responsibility and giving back to their local community, with weekly milk drops and dairy donations to local charities and those in need.

This micro dairy will soon showcase its local offering to some of the nation's biggest names in foodservice and hospitality?

Jane Stabler

●

● The Melbourne Observer section appears weekly, February-December, inside all editions of The Local Paper, which cover all Melbourne suburbs, the Mornington Peninsula and selected Victorian country areas.

● ● Gaz Dutlow and Kirsty Marillier in Destiny. Photo: Pia Johnson

In Memory of

CATO THE WISE Maxwell Newton

★This year’s Melbourne International Film Festival award winner is A Poet , directed by Simón Mesa Soto.

★The Advent Brass: 100 Year Celebration Charity Concert will be held at Hamer Hall at 5pm on Sunday, September 14.

★Nicholas Folland’s Day Before Tomorrow exhibition will be staged at Tolarno Galleries from September 6-October 2.

★The Whitlams join the MSO at Hamer Hall for three performances (Sep. 5-6), their first collaboration since 2017.

★ Highlights of this year’s Melbourne Fringe Festival (September 30– October 19) includes new musicals by Sammy J and Hamilton’s Vidya Makan, a new play by Tom Ballard, works activating unusual places across the city, and bold musical works from overseas. The Festival bursts with 500+ events taking over theatres, laneways, living rooms, beaches and car parks.

★A moving documentary, Time is Not a Line , will have its premiere, as part of the Ballarat International Foto Biennale, on Sunday (Aug. 31), offering an intimate portrait of renowned Australian artist Dr Stephen Hennessy.

★Foodbank Yarraville warehouse last weekend held Victoria’s biggest-ever Food Drive.

★MAPh is presenting Deborah Paauwe’s The Wayward Girls as the Wai Tang Commissioning Award exhibition alongside this year’s Bowness Photography Prize

★TarraWarra Museum of Art has unveiled the major solo exhibition Breathing Helps by acclaimed Australian artist Rose Nolan. The exhibition is the first time Nolan’s large-scale, sculptural forms have been shown together, highlighting the recurring spatial and performative threads in Nolan’s practice. Presented until November 9, the exhibition showcases these significant works alongside a new series of performances by Australian artist Shelley Lasica

★Opening night of Asamina Theatre Company's Son of Byblos - A Play by James Elazzi - will be at 7.30pm, Thursday, September 4, at Meat Market Stables , 2 Wreckyn St, North Melbourne.

★ ABC journlaist Michael Brissenden is coming to Melbourne and holding an event at Wheelers Hill Library on Thursday, September 11 to promote his latest crime book, DUST

Melbourne Observer Melbourne Observer

Rourke’s Reviews Entertainment

★The Shanghai Chinese Orchestra, one of China’s premier traditional orchestras, will make its long-awaited Australian debut at 7.30pm on Monday, September 22, featuring over 70 musicians, at the Melbourne Recital Centre

★State Library Victoria librarian, Sarah Matthews , discovered that her great-great aunt, Florence Lord (Florrie) , was a trailblazing female publican in the early 1900s. The SLV tells more in Finding Florrie as part of National Family History Month.

★A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical will make its Australian premiere exclusively in Melbourne in August 2026 at The Princess Theatre.

★This monthmarks 30 years since the Jewish Museum of Australia opened it doors at 26 Alma Rd, St Kilda. For nearly two decades, it had been centred at Melbourne Hebrew Congregation, with exhibits held there and in spaces around Melbourne

★The Big Christmas Spectacular will be staged at the Princess Theatre from SaturdayMonday December 6-8.

★Pantera Press this week re leased a new crime novel, The Washup by Nicole Crowe

★Community radio station 3RRR’s annual fundraising drive is in full flight. Dave Hughes, Dave O’Neil, Kate Langbroek, Ross Stevenson, John Safran and the Coodabeen Champions cut their teeth at the station.

★The 39 Steps, an Olivier and Tony Award-winning comedy, starring Lisa McCune, Ian Stenlake and The Umbilical Brother s ( David Collins and Shane Dundas), will play Melbourne’s Comedy Theatre from September 10.

★ Gourmet Traveller has crowned Victorian eatery, Maison Bâtard, as winners for the Annual Restaurant Awards , scooping the prestigious Best New Restaurant accolade.

★School of Rock , a musical from Andrew Lloyd Webber, will be staged at The National Theatre, St Kilda, from November 1-9.

★The Clocktower Centre is calling for local performers and community arts organisations to apply for a residency program.

★Legends In Concert will be at the Palms At Crown from January 8. Josh Smith will play Michael Bublé, Karen Hester is Dolly Parton, Trisha McCluney appears as Cher, and Bill Cherry appears as Elvis Presley.

Cluedo

■ Cluedo, the murder mystery board game, is stepping off the board and onto the stage for a season to be pre- sented at Melbourne's Comedy Theatre in February.

“Continuing our tradition of presenting some of the world’s favourite mysteries on stage including Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None and The Mousetrap, I’m delighted to present the Australian premiere of Cluedo,” said Producer John Frost

“We know audiences love a murder mystery and with Cluedobeing one of the world’s best-selling board games with over 150 million games sold in over 40 countries, I know that Australia will delight in seeing the mystery played out live on stage,” he said.

Based on the fan-favourite 1985 Paramount Pictures movie Clueand inspired by the classic Hasbro board game that is the fifth highest selling board game of all time, Cluedois said to be the ultimate whodunnit,

The fast-paced farcical comedy- thriller Cluedo, also known as Clue in the US, has played on stage in the US and the UK to great success and sell out shows.

The film Clueis regarded as a cult classic and featured a stellar cast including Tim Curry, Lesley Ann War- ren, Christophe Lloyd and Madeleine Kahn

Audiences will join the suspicious and slightly eccentric dinner guests Colonel Mustard, Miss Scarlet, Professor Plum, Mrs Peacock, Mr Green and Mrs White as they arrive at Boddy Manor for a night they’ll never forget. Was it Mrs Peacock in the study with the knife? Or was it Colonel Mustard in the library with the wrench? One thing’s certain, everyone has something to hide.

Melbourne Season: February, 2026 Venue: Comedy Theatre Tickets on sale now: cluedoplay.com.au Cheryl Threadgold

Machine Stops

■ Adapting novels for the stage can be tricky to pull off, as what works on the page does not always translate well onto the stage.

In a Theatre Works premiere production of The Machine Stops, an adaptation of an E.M.Forster novella, there were successes and shortcomings that demonstrate how tricky it can be.

In a dystopian future, all of humanity lives underground with people reliant on The Machine, a technology that keeps the human race alive but people isolated from each other.

In a radical and disruptive move, a mother and son decide to connect in person.

When they do we learn that the son has found a way to the surface. His revelations shake the very foundations of their world and their relationship.

TheMachineStops was adapted and written by Briony Dunn. The writing is sparse, particularly early on where sound and movement are the main elements used in the story-telling. Then rich emotive language takes centre stage as the characters of the mother and son are developed.

Mary Helen Sassman played the mother and Patrick Livesey her son. Both gave strong disciplined performances. Sassman in particular did a wonderful job of conveying the pain and angst of the mother's stifled existence, with her performance reminiscent of Japanese Butoh theatre.

Enormous credit must be given to the production crew and Dunn (who directed as well as wrote the play) as they created a chilling stylistic representation of a nightmarish underworld. Through a combination of soundscape, lighting and set design the bleak alienation of life underground was vividly realised. However, despite this fantastic work, and that of the two performers, the main theme of the play felt tired. There is no shortage these days of stories about the dystopian future awaiting humankind. Unfortunately, TheMachineStops did not add to this growing genre other than presenting the main narrative as theatre, albeit it magnificent theatre.

Review by Peter Murphy

Fight Or Flight

■ (MA). 102 minutes. Opens in selected cinemas September 4.

The John Wick imitations continue with FightOrFlight, which, while not the worst of these knockoffs, never truly breaks free like it should, resulting in a modest entertaining, if somewhat forgettable, film.

Josh Hartnett stars as Lucas Reyes , a disgraced ex-agent turned mercenary who is brought back into action when a former colleague begs him to get on a plane, which a highly valuable asset has boarded.

Guaranteed to have his stained record cleared and his agent status re-instated, Lucas agrees, but the mission soon becomes more than he signed on for when he realises that the aircraft is filled with other bounty hunters, all wanting the massive reward that is on the asset’s head.

With a premise reminiscent of BulletTrain, this promises to be a more stripped down, over-the-top action/comedy than the bloated disappointment starring Brad Pitt, but director James Madigan and writers Brooks McLaren and D.J. Cotrona don’t seem able to take the material to hilariously violent extremes (like say, Crank 2), so the film always feels like it is in second gear.

One thinks what Ronny Yu or Paul Verhoeven could have done with this set-up.

Hartnett, who seems to be having some kind of resurgence at the moment, is having fun, and while the action scenes never dazzle or excite, does offer a level of mild amusement.

Fight Or Flight is a direct-toDVD title that has managed to land a cinema release, and should entertain audiences when they get the chance to watch it at home.

RATING - ***

Hpney Don’t

■ (MA). 89 minutes. Now showing in selected cinemas.

After the abysmal Drive-Away Dolls, Ethan Coen follows up his directorial solo debut with Honey Don’t!, and while still a deeply flawed film, is a more focused, and more importantly, fun viewing experience.

Set in Bakersfield, California, the story centres on gay private detective Honey O’Donahue (Margaret Qualley), who ends up following a case after a potential client dies in a supposed car accident.

The death is quickly connected to a mysterious church, run by the charismatic Reverend Drew Devlin (Chris Evans) , who seems to be involved in other, more criminal activities, than just spreading the word of the Lord

During her investigations, Honey is attracted to disgruntled officer MG (Aubrey Plaza), while deflecting the advances of detective Metakawitch (Charlie Day), who is also on the case.

Like Drive-AwayDolls, there is a messiness in the writing (by Coen and his wife Tricia Cooke), which again dips into crudeness, but overall the dialogue is better, less juvenile, and its in-your-face same sex/feminist viewpoint more onpoint.

Coen’s direction is more stylish this time, and handles his gallery of oddball characters with added care.

Qualley (TheSubstance,Sanctuary), the sole bright spot of Drive-AwayDolls, is again excellent here, while there is good support from Plaza, Evans and Gabby Beans (as Honey’s assistant). Even the normally grating Day delivers an entertaining turn.

Technically, the film is also better than its predecessor.

HoneyDon’t!is way below most of the work by Coen when he teamed with brother Joel (NoCountry For Old Men, Miller’s Crossing, Raising Arizona, to name a few), but is thankfully a nice surprise after the misfire that was Drive-Away Dolls, making for a breezily amusing 90 minutes.

RATING : ***

Jaws - 50th Anniversary

■ (M). 124 minutes. Now showing in selected cinemas.

Bruce is back! Steven Spielberg’s classic 1975 blockbuster has returned to the big screen to celebrate its 50th anniversary.

The simple story of an island community being terrorised by a massive great white shark during peak summer season, traumatised millions of movie goers (me included) from going near the ocean.

But for those who have never seen this memorable horror/ thriller in the cinema, please race out and do so during this special limited release.

Great casting, brilliant direction, clever writing and first class production values all combined to create one of the most influential films of all time.

RATING - ***** Aaron Rourke

● Aaron Rourke

Observer

Lovatts Crossword No 6

Melbourne Observer Melbourne Observer

Across Across Down Down

204. Implement 205. Haggard

207. Drizzles

208. Musical, Porgy & ...

210. Cuban currency

212. Sink in middle

213. Following 214. Clothing 215. Tennis great, ... Borg 217. Ermine

220. Eternal City

222. Singer, ... Horne

224. Italian money unit

225. Blunders

226. Glum

229. Canadian gold rush region

231. Lifeless (hair) 233. Rescue 235. Jazz style, bossa ... 236. Toadstools

237. China's ... Zedong

239. Bark 241. ... mortis

243. Boxing dais

245. White ant 247. Wordless acts

248. Actors Gibson or Brooks 249. Underneath

251. Of birth

253. Murder (2,2)

255. Cash advances

256. Pulverises (fruit)

257. Ravine

258. Old photo shade

260. Scour

262. Haemorrhaged

264. Brazil's ... Paulo

265. Surrenders

266. Metal mixture

268. Howls shrilly

270. Egret

272. US shares index, ... Jones

273. Unwanted plants

274. Verdant

276. Chairs

278. Inflexible

280. Playwright, ... Simon

281. Macho

Vegetable paste

85. Tiny

87. Tennis champ, Monica ...

89. Mad Roman emperor

91. Recount

Disguises 94. Circus performers 96. Demise 98. Festival, Mardi ... 101. Mongrel dogs 102. Female zebras 103. Meal, bangers & ... 104. Quantity of paper 106. Streamlined 108. Plain-spoken 109. Minerals 110. Attracted

Earthquake measure, ... scale 113. Dressed

Fully satisfies

Active European volcano

118. Persona ... grata

119. Eiffel Tower city

120. Heavily scented

121. Restorative medicine

123. Move unsteadily

125. The masses, ... polloi

126. Eskimo coat

127. Flagpoles

128. Jacob's Old Testament twin 130. Racing driver, ... Mansell 132. Verification 134. Marshy

135. Drains (udder) 137. Shout

139. Apple drink

141. Me, ... truly 143. Wigwam

144. Money factories

145. Floor dance 147. Patch up 149. Recorded

Trace 153. Cracks (of lip)

154. Israel's ... Meir

155. Tablets

157. Soon 159. Mention, ... to

161. Damascus is there

162. Aviator, ... Johnson

163. Dads

164. Card game

166. Fuse (of bones)

168. Challenger

170. ... Francisco

171. It is (poetic) ('3)

172. Peaceful resort

173. ... Lang Syne

174. Form (conclusion)

176. Valley

178. Giant

180. Golfing body (1,1,1)

182. Asked (question)

183. Healthy

185. Radial or cross-ply

187. Utter (cry)

189. Tibetan priests

191. African language group

192. Super athlete, ... Lewis

193. Army eatery

195. Naval exercises

197. Couple

199. Filled pastries

201. Gullible

202. Greek philosopher

203Killerwhale

282. Small change

283. Delivery vehicle

286. 135 down opera house, La ...

288. Uncovered (facts) (3,2)

290. Elevators

291. Police klaxon

292. Also known as (1,1,1)

294. Skip

296. Run off to marry

298. Half

299. Queens' seats

301. Bops

302. Potato

303. Brown pigment

304. Principle

306. Phoned

308. Jug

309. Styles

310. Stairs, apples & ...

311. Hurl

313. ... & lows

315. Shrieked

318. Rent out again 319. Slum area

320. Nail

323. Judges

325. Nasty

326. Sections

327. The Constant Gardener's ... Fiennes

328. Longbow timber

330. Skating stadium

332. Hitler's Third ... 333. Golfing stroke

334. CDs, compact ... 335. Beliefs

336. Thus far, as ...

338. Neatly

339. Yasser Arafat's group (1,1,1)

340. Salesmen

342. Double agent

343. Sit idly

344. Windies batsman, ... Richards

346. Prima donna

348. Writer, ... Hemingway

350. Itemises

352. Carnival car

353. Seed

355. Fashionable, ... mode (1,2)

356. Movie examiner

359. Religious sister 360. Scene of event

361. Clever

362. Irish paramilitary force (1,1,1)

363. Thai food ingredient, ... grass

364. Composer's work

365. Bombardments

368. Dishes

369. Viola flower

371. Solid

373. Tenancy agreements

374. Snagged

376. First

379. Collar folds

381. Prayer ending

382. Rugby player

383. Ocean phase (3,4)

385. Balderdash

386. Garden water feature

387. Twice

388. Master of Ceremonies

389. Reckoned

390. Stylish

391. Louts

392. Ordered about

393Scraped(riverbottom)

1. Continuing 2. Sad play

3. Flavour enhancer (1,1,1)

4. On top of 5. Cut (lawn)

6. Debauched

7. Bonier

8. NCO rank, ... corporal

9. Engrave

10. Caviar base

11. Sofa footstool

12. Bosom

13. Gently touch 14. Cricketer, ... Gilchrist

15. Fuel oil

16. Property

17. Little bit

18. Engage

19. Dryly humorous

20. Rude driver (4,3)

21. Encumbered (with)

28. Considered

30. Yemen port

31. Males

33. Nuzzles

35. Betting organiser

36. Doled (out)

37. Namely (2,3)

40. Extinguish

41. Dirty looks

42. Mel Gibson movie, Mad ...

43. Footy Show personality, ... Newman

45. Employ (4,2)

47. Positive electrode

49. Mankind

50. Scorch

52. Tells good story

54. Fishing bait

55. Sighed sleepily

58. Pressed fabric folds

59. Windmill arms

60. Appalling

61. Chatter

62. Mixed (with poison)

64. 12 months

67. Irritating complainers

68. Chanted

70. Strong winds

72. Testosterone & oestrogen

73. Melted (of rock)

75. Contemplated

76. England's Isle of ...

78. Closes securely

81. Withholds vote

83. Tubs

84. Trims

85. Feebly sentimental

86. Vertical

88. Pilfer

90. Lecherous gaze

92. Greek & German currency unit

93. Hymn, Ave ...

94. Car hoists

95. Beauty parlour

97. Excited (3,2) 99. Baseballer, Babe ... 100. AD, ... Domini

102. Unclear 103. Fogs 105. Frenzied

107. SeaChange actress, ... Armstrong 110. Jumbo 111. Teething sticks

112. Contact 114. Number 116. Scurry 119. Book leaves 120. Mediterranean republic isle 122. Lebanese wood 124. 24 in a day 126. Opium source 127. Cares for 129. Fertiliser compound 131. Social outcast

133. Becomes tattered 134. Light rays

135. Northern Italian city 136. End 138. Jerk 140. Refurbish 142. Abandon 143. Siamese 144. Scooter 145. Bacon edge 146. Trudge 148. Hunger 150. Evil spirit 152. Monarch 154. Relinquished (4,2) 155. Election 156. Varieties 158. Longest river 160. Proportional, pro ... 163. Bygone 164. Strain (muscle) 165. "No" vote

167. Office casual 169. Lantern

171. Burrows

172. Integrity

173. Spray can

175. Inscribed

177. Romantic US falls

179. Kenya's capital

181. Sneeze noise (1-6) 182. Prepares (the way) 183. Irrigate 184. Stick-on symbol

186. Resin glue 188. Coronet

190. Burns surface of 191. ... & brace

192. Humbly, ... in hand

193. Mr & ... 194. Wise men 196. Drunkard 198. Apply friction to 200. Transgression

206. Steak cuts (1-5)

209. Tart 211. Actor, ... Sharif

213. Type of orange 214. Yield, ... in 216. Prompts (memory) 218. Similar 219. Roman garments

221. Writer, ... Blyton 223. Singer, ... King Cole

224. Auction items 225. Jostles

227. Yeses

228. NRL legend, Laurie ... 230. Nick 232. Door handle

234. Cupid

235. Weather feature, El ... 236. Dossiers

237. Cantaloupe

238. Friend in war

240. Pontiffs

242. Less frequent

244. Cover with gold

246. Address to royalty (2'2)

247. Caked with soil

248. Stubborn animals

250. Cunning tricks 252. Graphic

254. Inert gas

256. Removes skin from 257. Music guru, ... A Baker 259. Quickly

261. False

263. Lived

265. Dollars & ...

266. Ram zodiac sign

267. Piously 269. Musty

271. Timbuktu's river

273. Thin biscuit

274. Injures with horns

275. Announces (5,3)

277. Deadly sin

279. Three Musketeers author

281. Excavated

282. Cat-like mammal

284. Bullets

285. Pen-points

287. Greenfly

289. Squeeze between fingers

290. Mooed

291. Facets

292. Lethargy

293. Actor, ... Russell

295. Trial

297. Famous Swiss mountain

300. Send (payment)

301. Sudden bumps

302. Ooze

305. Chirp

307. Feels about 309. Clemency

310. Mucus

312. Sharp-tasting

314. Happy face

316. Eject lava

317. ... & crafts

318. Speaks gratingly

319. January birthstone

321. Dry 322. Blades

324. Spurn

326. Ski trail

327. Lives without comforts, ... it

329. Banish

331. Ku Klux ...

335. Submitted (application)

337. Islamic governors

340. Of kidneys

341. Treats royally, ... & dines

343. Dallied

344. Holding dear

345. Blood-sucking creature

347. Dried coconut kernels

349. Small chunk

350. Folk heroes

351. Dubious

352. Male duck

353. Zigzag-edge scissors, ... shears

354. Listen attentively (3,4)

357. Dirtied

358. Wrinkle

360. Floral arrangement urn

361. Fellows

366. ..., steady, go

367. Assault weapon, battering ...

368. Swimming places

370. Truck's unladen weight

372. Snow-covered peaks

374. Vagrant

375. South African conflict, ... War

377. Belonging to it

378. Jar top

380. Chinese ... sauce

382. Centre

383. Liquid crystal display (1,1,1)

384. Teeny-weeny

By Rob Foenander

Night with Tina

■ Expect glitz, glamour and electric energy, says the media release.

ANightWithTinais a drag cabaret full of fun, action-packed and a loving celebration of R&B, rock and pop icon Tina Turner. Fabio Cattafi takes the lead role and performs to Tina’s greatest hits including ProudMary,PrivateDancerand Nutbush CityLimitsbacked with six dancers.. Memo Music Hall. Sept 5. Tickets at www.memomusichall.com.au

Lisa’s release

■ Aussie singer songwriter Lisa Crouch has released her new single.

Titled I Love You More, the song talks about every couple’s way of signing off from a phone call.

Some are cute, others are not, says Lisa.

My wife always says "I love you" and I say "I love you more" and then she says "no you don't".

“Well, I've written a song about it, so I must be right,” she adds.

Deep Dark Blude

■ Philip Island troubadour Mark Howard is launching his second full length studio album DeepDarkBlue

It’s atmospheric and raw, where the instrumentation moves like currents in the dark and the storytelling surfaces like forgotten relics.

“Plus, I’m more excited than a lawn mower on the first week of spring to have it out there in the world,” Mark says.

The official launch will be September 6 at the Archies Creek Hotel. - Rob Foenander

Melbourne Observer Melbourne Observer

CELEBRATING 120 YEARS OF MSO

■ The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra’s Season 2026 will celebrate 120 years of music-making with a bold new look and a program shaped by 'powerful emotion, musical innovation, and exceptional artistry.'

Spanning centuries and genres, the season features timeless masterworks alongside groundbreaking new compositions, showcasing celebrated Australian and international artists— including three making their Australian debut and 12 appearing with the MSO for the first time.

In a year rich with musical discovery, the MSO pays tribute to Australian artistry, highlighting First Nations voices, emerging talent, the musicians of the Orchestra and MSO Chorus, and new Concertmaster Natalie Chee

The season features 29 new MSO commissions including 26 world premieres, with works by leading composers and fresh voices alike.

Highlights include four new works by First Nations artists, NAIDOC Week celebrations and two world premieres by awardwinning Melbourne composer and MSO Composer in Residence for 2026, Joe Chindamo

“I am thrilled to be performing in Melbourne with our wonderful orchestra and our recently appointed Concertmaster Natalie Chee ,” says Chief Conductor Jaime Martín.

“Our distinguished international guests include French pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet, Welsh bass-baritone Sir Bryn Terfel, UK

Crossword Solution No 6

cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason, American pianist Kirill Gerstein, soprano Danielle de Niese and Spanish violinist María Dueñas.”

In its 120th year, the MSO reinforces its commitment to sharing orchestral music with more people, with additional no-to lowcost concerts that embed the MSO within a range of communities across the state, including the world premiere of Joe Chindamo’s Flute Concerto at the Broadmeadows Town Hall. mCEO and Director of Programming Richard Wigley said a combination of hyper-local programming initiatives will allow the MSO to connect with new audiences from the heart of Melbourne’s CBD to suburban and regional communities.

Melbourne’s popular Sidney Myer Free Concerts will return in February – for the first time since 2013, the MSO will present four free concerts at the Bowl across

one week in a festival-style model.

The MSO will expand upon February’s week of Free Concerts with more ‘binge-listening’ opportunities throughout the year, with multi-day orchestral festivals and new immersive venue takeovers providing a fresh variety of different ways to experience the MSO Melbourne Town Hall, home to the largest romantic organ in the southern hemisphere, hosts the GrandOrganFestivalwith organist Joseph Nolan for three concerts.

Building on the success of 2024’s Beethoven Festival, Jaime Martin’s Season 2026 concludes with a Brahms Festival in November, six concerts across two weeks dedicated to this composer.

The SpringGala:Brahms’GermanRequiemconcludes the festival with Welsh bass-baritone Sir Bryn Terfel opening the concert with a selection of spiritual works, then joined by the MSO Chorus for Brahms’ transcendent Ein Deutsches Requiem, one of the most moving tributes to grief and remembrance. Brahms enthusiasts will also have the opportunity to experience returning conductor Tianyi Lu leading the MSO with MSO Yo. Artist in Association Christian Li performing Brahms’ Violin Concerto alongside performances of Tchaikovsky’sSwanLakeSuite and Elfrida Andrée’s rarely heard AndanteQuasiRecitativo

Chief Conductor Jaime Martín makes his Melbourne Recital Centre debut. The Gala Series – the centrepiece of the MSO’s yearly program, will be helmed by Jaime

Observations with Matt Bissett-Johnson Observations with Matt Bissett-Johnson

D SWAT RAG CREWED

HEM EPEE MANGE WAFT INCAS MONA WEA O OVALS PUREE MINUTE SELES NERO

RELATE MASKS JUGGLERS DEATH D GRAS MUTTS MARES MASH REAM SLEEK BLUNT ORES LURED RICHTER CLAD SATES ETNA NON PARIS MUSKY E TONIC LURCH HOI E PARKA MASTS ESAU NIGEL PROOF N S BOGGY MILKS H CRY CIDER YOURS S TEPEE MINTS RAP HEAL TAPED TRACK CHAPS GOLDA PILLS ANON REFER SYRIA AMY PAPAS PONTOON KNIT RIVAL SAN TIS HAVEN AULD DRAW GLEN TITAN PGA U POSED WELL D TYRE EMIT LAMAS T N BANTU CARL MESS OPS PAIR PIES I NAIVE PLATO ORCA TOOL GAUNT RAINS

E BESS PESO SAG NEXT GARB BJORN H

L STOAT ROME LENA Y LIRA BOOBS O SAD YUKON LANK SAVE NOVA FUNGI MAO YAP RIGOR RING TERMITE MIMES MEL BELOW NATAL DOIN LOANS PULPS GULLY SEPIA SCRUB BLED SAO CEDES ALLOY D YELPS HERON DOW M WEEDS GREEN R E SEATS RIGID NEIL MANLY COINS E VAN SCALA DUGUP L LIFTS SIREN AKA OMIT ELOPE SEMI THRONES JIVES SPUD UMBER

Martín.

In 2026, the MSO continues to celebrate extraordinary women in music, including the Australian premiere of Melbourne composer Melody Eötvös TheDecidingMachine, honouring women’s suffrage and Ada Lovelace’s pioneering computer work in a special International Women’s Day program.

The MSO also continues its deep commitment to nurturing the next generation of musical talent through a diverse suite of programs for emerging artists, composers, conductors, and instrumentalists, to help build a sustainable future for orchestral music and shape the musical voice of our state.

Some 29 new works will be unveiled, commissioned by the MSO across the 2026 Season, and MSO’s foray into film music includes the return of Metropolis Festival, Art of the Score and a series of cinematic blockbusters performed live to screen.

Reflecting on the scale and ambition of the 2026 program, Richard Wigley said: “Chief Conductor and Artistic Advisor Jaime Martí n and our Programming team have created a wonderful blend of concerts that appeal to all tastes and expectations. We’re excited to share the 2026 Season and look forward to welcoming you for another unforgettable year.”

Individual concert tickets will be available from 10am Thursday October 30. For further information visit mso.com.au

● MSO Chief Conductor Jaime Martin

Photo: Samantha Meuleman

(Back load Specialist. Conditions apply)

24 HOURS7 DAYS A WEEK

(Scrap bin available)

■ Alan Young was born in England in 1919. The family moved to Scotland, where he developed a broad Scottish accent, before they finally settled in Canada when he was six years old.

He started in radio in Canada at the age of 13 and by 17 Alan was in Hollywood where he was billed as the “al-American boy.”

Alan worked hard to disguise his strong Scottish accent. In 1944 his radio program The AlanYoungRadioShowwas broadcast nationally on the NBC network.

His first major film break came in 1946 when Alan starred opposite Jeanne Crain in Margie This led to films such as Mr Belvedere Goes toCollege, with Clifton Webb and AaronSlick from Punkin’ Crick co-starring with Dinah Shore. I enjoyed his performance in TheTimeMachine opposite Australian actor Rod Taylor where Alan finally made use of his Scottish accent. He told me his friendship with Rod Taylor has continued over the years.

The Time Machine, based on the novel by H. G. Wells was made in 1959 and has become a classic over the years.

Alan dated Marilyn Monroe when she was known as Norma Jean Baker.

They met on a Christmas parade float and Alan took her out several times.

In later years this beautiful blonde came running up to him on a film set and said “Oh

Alan, how are you?” and quickly left.

One of the crew said “How long have you known Marilyn Monroe ?” Alan answered

Melbourne Observer Melbourne Observer

Whatever Happened To ... Alan Young

By Kevin Trask of 3AW and 96.5 Inner FM

“About three minutes.” He simply did not recognise her. In 1961 he was cast as Wilbur Post in the very successful situation comedy series Mr Ed which ran for five years.

This was the series in which the horse, “Mr Ed”, would talk to only to the architect Wilbur Post

He said it was a very happy cast on Mr Ed and he remained friends with his co-star Connie Hines.

Sadly Larry Keating, who played the next door neighbour, passed away during the series and he was replaced by Leon Ames

The voice of “Mr Ed” was supplied by the famous Hollywood western film star Allan ‘Rocky’ Lane. Mr Ed pops up on cable television these

Alan dated Marilyn

when she was known as Norma Jean Baker. They met on a Christmas parade float and Alan took her out several times.

days and it is still a very popular series.

Alan provided the voice for Scrooge Mc Duck in DuckTales and also provided voices in the cartoon series of The Smurfs.

During the 1970’s Alan worked for the Christian Science Church in the broadcasting area.

He returned to acting and has appeared in television series such as ERand Sabrina,the TeenageWitch

He had a small role as a shopkeeper in the 2002 film re- make of TheTimeMachine Sadly Alan Young passed away in 2016 at the age of 96.

Kevin Trask

Kevin can be heard on 3AWThe Time Tunnel - Remember WhenSundays at 10.10pm with Simon Owens and Andrew McLaren. And on 96.5 FM

That's Entertainment - Sundays at 12 Noon.

www.innerfm.org.au

‘PLURAL SELVES’ AT TOWN HALL GALLERY

Plural Selves – David Rosetzky

Experience the work of Melbourne-based contemporary artist David Rosetzky in this major retrospective exhibition.

Known for his exploration of the plural self and the diversity of human identity, Rosetzky’s works investigate how individuals perceive themselves in relation to others, often through intimate, collaborative portraits of LGBTQIA+ and marginal identities.

This exhibition features some of Rosetzky’s most iconic works alongside a newly commissioned series that directly engages with the LGBTQIA+ community of Boroondara.

Through video installation and photography, Rosetzky creates a compelling dialogue between different generations and experiences, staging personal narratives that consider the evolution of gender identity, and community overtime.

Season closes November 1.

Town Hall Gallery

360 Burwood Hwy, Hawthorn

Kingston

The Long Journey HomeMarie Clarke

Located outside the Kingston Arts Centre in Moorabbin, this series of illuminated lightboxes transforms the streetscape into a vibrant, around the-clock exhibition space.

“LongJourneyHomeis part pf my ongoing series of work, which reminds us that these lands and waterways if Naarm have always been cared fir by Aboriginal people,” says Marie Clarke.

“My canoe represents our journey across the waterways and our engagement.

“Part of this journey has included the making of a canoe and the sharing f this knowledge with my family.

“In 2023, my great-nephew Mitch Malonney , husband Nicolas Howington and myself , spent long hours collecting the tall river reeds located in the swamps of Kororoit Creek Road in Melbourne’s inner west.

“Mitch and Nicolas cut and gathered over 1999 feathery topped reeds, bundling them together, ready for canoe-making.

“Once made, the canoe was left to dry-out for 11 months. In the meantime, Mitch built a clay fire-pit into the end of the canoe – traditionally used for warmth and cooking.

“These practices, although lo-

The Arts

cated in the present and drawing on contemporary methods of making, are steeped in traditional knowledges handed down through generations.

“With the canoe I am creating a new visual narrative. Everything I I do, I want the younger generations to learn from.

“The river-reed canoe is based on traditional Tasmanian river reed canoes which also embody my Ancestors connections to northwest Tasmania – trawoolway Country.

“The location for the photo shoot is on my traditional Country, Boon Wurrung Country which stretches along the coastline of greater Naarm (so-called Melbourne today).

“These photographs are a statement of our ongoing presence as Aboriginal people in southeast Australia of my family and extended community’s Ancestral connections to Country, of our continuing knowledge if the land and waterways which we have cared for and lived for millennia.

“This history in the making, guided by Aboriginal people for future generations to come.”

Exhibition closes October 15. Kingston Arts Outdoor Lightbox Gallery Nepean Hwy, Moorabbin

Mallee Suite – David Beaumont.

For more than two years, Queenscliff based artist David Beaumont focused on painting the Mallee

region of northwest Victoria . The culmination of this exploration is the Mallee Suite, large scale abstract oil paintings and vibrant sculptures that have successfully captured the iconic open spaces and big skies of the vibrant idiosyncratic corner of the world.

Exhibition closes October 25.

Horsham Regional Art Gallery

80Wilson St, Horsham

Geelong

Treasures from the Collection

This exhibition includes some of the nationally significant works that distinguish the Geelong Gallery Collection

The Gallery’s holdings re[resent the works of Australia’s most important and critically acclaimed artistsespecially those who transformed the way we see and understand Australian landscapes, our sense of place and connection to Country.

Views of Geelong and beyond represents major acquisitions, images recording Geelong’s history and development since Europeans settlement, and artists’ fascination with the natural beauty of the region, as well as landscapes further afield.

Exhibition closes Sunday, November 9.

Geelong Gallery

Little Malop St, Geelong - Peter Kemp

Musica Viva

■ Musica Viva Australia's 2026 season features seven national tours, six premieres and 49 concerts across six states and territories

The program includes international artists like the Doric String Quartet and Paul Lewis alongside Australian performers such as Lloyd Van't Hoff and Genevieve Lacey

The season opens with A Winter'sJourney, featuring British tenor Allan Clayton performing Schubert's Winterreise with animated artworks by Fred Williams

It eatures several premieres including new works by Australian composer Melody Eötvös and British composer Charlotte Bray Contributed

Background on ‘The Boss’

■ Rumour is getting louder that Bruce Springsteen is on his way to Oz in 2026. Here are a few pearls to drop into a conversation when 'The Boss' is mentioned. Of humble beginnings his first guitar was rented by his Mum. His first band, at sweet 16, was a garage rock group called 'The Castiles'. His awards as of right now include sales of 150 million albums, 20 Grammy awards, and accolades like this: “Springsteen is like Chuck Berry, early Bob Dylan, and Marlon Brando with every gesture, every syllable adds something to his ultimate goal. He bears his soul through his music.”

Crime scene

■ The Hollywood home of singer Lionel Ritchie became a crime scene on August 22 when a suspected burglar was aprehended around midnight. Ritchie was at home and called local police when security alarms detected movement in the gardens of his palatial home. A man is under investigation.

News on Nick Cave

■ Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds will visit Melbourne this coming January. The national tour is themed WildGod. Rumours continue to swirl about Harry Style's Australian tour sometime 2026, theb buzz gained momentum with news he is about to release a new album.

Birthday girl Barbara

■ How could you ever forget actress Barbara Eden who starred in IDream ofJeannie? Well, Barbara recently turned 94 and still looking glamorous and fit. Apart from IDreamofJeannie', Barbara has 25 films to her credit, 19 TV movies and five or more liveTV appearances. Many Happy Returns, Barbara

Britney behaving badly?

■ Britney Spears has her fans in a tizz after posting a pic of herself in the buff apart from wearing a pair of ankle high black boots, and a red rose covering her butt. Instagram registered 200,000 likes within 14 hours of post appearing. Fans are divided whether Britney is yelling out for help, or does she just love the attention. Only Britney knows.

● ● ● ● Alan Young

with Peter Kemp

John O’Keefe

Monroe

● ● Bruce Springsteen

SATURDAY’S LOCAL FOOTBALL FINAL SCORES Local

Amateurs

■ Victorian Amateur Football Association. Premier Men’s. Old Brighton 154.13 (97) d University Blues 8.7 (55). Collegians 20.13 (133) d De La Salle 11.7 (73). St

Bernard’s 16.13 (108) d St Kevin’s 10.154 (74). Old Scotch 210.23 (73) d Old Haileybury 4.12 (36). Old Xaverians 19.10 (124) d University Blacks 8.9 (56).

Premier Men’s Reserves. University Blues 9.14 (68) d Old Brighton 4.9 (33). De La Sale 8.8 (56) d Collegians 7.4 (46). St Kevin’s 17.3 (75) d St Bernard’s 10.7 (67). Old Scotch 11.13 (79) d Old Haileybury 7.4 (46). Old Xaverians 23.19 (257) d University Blacks 2.0 (12).

Premier B Men’s. Fitzroy 11.11 (77) d Old Melburnians 4.9 933). Williamstown CYMNS 14.11 (95) d Old Camberwell 6.11 (47). Old Ivanhoe 7.17 (59) df Hamptopn Rovers 8.8 (54). Old Carery 14.11 (95) d Old Geelong 11.6 (72). Caulfield Grammarians 10.16 (76) d Old Trinity 8.12 (60).

Premier B Men’s Reserves. Fitzroy v Old Melburnians. OId Camberwell 4.3 (27) d Williamstown CYMS 1.8 (14). Old Ivanhoe 17.14 (116) d Hampton Rovers 3.2 (20). Old Geelong 14.17 (101) d Old Carey 6.9 945). Caulfield Grammarians 13.8 (86) d Old Trinity 5.7 (37).

Premier C Men’s. Marcellin 14.15 (99) d Prahran 8.10 (58). PEGS 11.12 (78) d AJAX

Latest News

2 arrests

■ Police have took two people into custody as part of their investigation into the fatal shooting of two police officers and serious injury to a third during the execution of a search warrant in Porepunkah

Fugitive Squad detectives, along with Special Operations Group members, attended a Porepunkah address about 8.40pm Thursday (Aug. 28).

A 42-year-old woman and 15-year-old boy were safely arrested at the address and taken into custody.

The Porepunkah pair were interviewed and released pending further enquiries.

The arrests formed part of the ongoing investigation into the deaths of Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson and Senior Constable Vadim De Waart, who were killed in the line of duty.

Pascoe Vale hit-run

■ Major Collision Investigation Unit detectives are investigating a multi-vehicle hitrun collision in Pascoe Vale.

Emergency services were called to reports of three cars colliding at the intersection of Gaffney and Lendells streets about 7.15pm on Thursday (Aug. 28).

It is believed a Ford Falcon was travelling at a fast rate of speed along Gaffney St when it collided with a BMW 320Ci and Toyota Corolla

The driver of the BMW , a 66-year-old Pascoe Vale woman, was transported to hospital with life-threatening injuries where she remains in a critical condition. The driver of the Toyota was not injured.

The driver and passenger of the Ford Falcon fled the scene and investigators are urging them to come forward.

5 times over limit

■ Somerville Highway Patrol officers have caught a drink driver following a collision in Hastings Officers were called to the corner of Victoria St and Spring St to reports of an Audi Q5 colliding with a parked truck about 8:15pm.

The driver of the Audi , a 46-year-old woman, underwent a preliminary breath test which returned a positive result. She subsequently underwent an evidentiary breath test where she returned an alleged reading of 0.263.

She was issued an immediate driving ban and has been charged on summons with exceeding the prescribed content of alcohol whilst driving and careless driving. Her car was impounded at a cost of $1304.75.

6.9 (45). Parkside 14.16 (100) d Mazenod 7.9 %1) Beaumaris 8.21 (69) d Glen Eira 5.8 (38). St Bedes/Mentone 18.17 (125) d Parkside 11.15 (71). Premier C Men’s Reserves. Marcellin v Prahran. AJAX 20.13 (133) d PEGS 1.2 (8). Pakdale Vultures 124 d MaZenod 3.5 -23). Beaumaris 25.16 (172) d Glen Eira/Old McKinnon 2.1 (13). St Bedes/Mentone 26.14 (170) d Parkside 6.3 (39)

Division 1 Men’s. Ormond 13.16 (94) d Old Peninsula 11.11 (77). Kew 11.9 975) d Oakleigh 4.12 (36).

Division 1 Men’s Reserves. Oakleigh 7.8 950) d Kew 7.6 (48). Ormond 5.5 (35) d Old Peninsula 3.12 (30).

Division 2 Men’s. South Melbourne 8.9 (57) d West Brunswick 8.6 (54) Sunday, August 31: Old Yarra Cobras v St Mary’s Salesian.

Division 2 Men’s Reserves. West Brunswick 6.12 (48) d South Melbourn e 2.3 (15). Sunday, August 31: MHSOB v St Mary’s Salesian

Division 3 Men’s. Sunday, August 31: North Brunswick v Richmond Central. Power Houser v Wattle Park.

Division 3 Men’s Reserves. La Trobe University 95 (59) d Albert Park 1.5 (11). Sunday, August 31: Power House v Richmond Central.

Eastern

■ Eastern Football League. Premier Division 1 Seniors. Balwyn 9.5 (59) d East Ringwood 6.12 (48). Sunday, August 31: Rowville v South Croydon.

Division 1Seniors. Park Orchards 15.11 (101) d South Belgrave 8.8 (56). Sunday, August 31: Beaconsfield v North Ringwood. Division 2 Seniors. Templestowe 8.11 (59) d Surrey Park 8.8 (56). Sunday, August 31: Wantirna South v Mulgrave.

Division 3 Seniors. Scoresby 17.5 (107) d Knox 11.2 (68).

Division 4 Seniors. Sunday, August 31: Whitehorse Pioneers v Warrandyte.

Essendon

■ Premier Division. Strathmore 18.8 (116) d Aberfeldie 9.7 (61). Deer Park v Airport West.

Division 1. Oak Park 13.13 (91) d Hillside 6.13 (49). Sunday, August 31: West Coburg v Craigieburn.

Division 2. Sunday, August 31: Glenroy v Rupertswood. Westmeadows v Keilor Park.

Mornington

■ Mornington Peninsula Nepean Football Netball League. Division 1 Seniors. Frankston YCW 13.18 (96) d Edithvale Aspendale 8.9 (57). Sunday, August 31: Langwarrin v Mt Eliza.

Division 1 Reserves. Rosebud 7.7 (49) d Frankston YCW 6.6 (42). Sunday, August 31: Edithvale Aspendale v Red Hill.

Division 1 Under 19. Edithvale Aspendale 7.5 (47) d Langwarrin 6.5 (41). Sunday, Augu8st 31: Mt Eliza v Frankston YCW.

Division 2 Seniors. Frankston YCW 13.9 (87) d Devon Meadows 11.10 (76). Sunday, August 31: Pearcedale v Somerville

Division 2 Reserves. Somerville 12.12 (84) d Frankston Bombers 12.8 (80). Pearcedale v Seaford.

Division 2 Under 19. Frankston Bombers 12.5 (77) d Seaford 5.5 (35). Sunday, August 31: Pearcedale v Crib Point.

Northern

■ Northern Football Netball League. Division 1 Seniors. Greensborough 18.11 (119) d Banyule 9.6 (60). Sunday, August 31: Montmorency v Hurstbridge.

Division 1 Reserves. Eltham 8.4 (52) d West Preston Lakeside 6.7 (43). Sunday, August 31: Greensborough v South Morang.

Division 1 Under 19.5. Eltham 11.9 (75) d Diamond Creek 5.2 (32). Sunday, August 31: Banyule v St Mary’s.

Division 2 Seniors. Diamond Creek 11.18 (84) d Macleod 7.6 (48). Sunday, August 31:

Whittlesea v St Mary’s.

Division 2 Reserves. Diamond Creek 6.10 (46) d Whittlesea 4.7 (31). Sunday, August 31: Macleod v Thomastown.

Division 2 Under 19.5. Whittlesea 11.4 (70) d South Morang 8.4 (52). Sunday; August 31: North Heidelberg v Laurimar.

Division 3 Seniors. Fitzroy Stars 17.15 (117) d Ivanhoe 6.5 (41).

Division 3 Reserves. Fitzroy Stars 7.18 (120) d Ivanhoe 5.4 (34).

Division 3 Under 19.5. Bundoora 7.9 951) d Eltham 5.5 (35).

Outer East

■ Outer East. Premier Division Seniors. Olinda Ferny Creek 14.7 (91) d Woori Yallock 12.15 (87). Sunday, August 31: Monbulk v Healesville.

Premier Division Reserves. Mt Evelyn 7.10 (52) d Officer 6.5 (41). Sunday, August 31: Wandin v Monbulk.

Division 1 Seniors. Sweville 19.12 (1260 d Warburton Millgrove 9.8 (62). Sunday, August 31: Pakenham v Alexandra.

Division 1 Reserves. Alexandra 10.13 (73) d Pakenham 6.7 (43). Sunday, August 31: Seville v Warburton Millgrove.

Premier Division Under 18 Boys.Officer 5.9 939) d Wandin 4.4 (28). Sunday, August 31: Healesville v Olinda Ferny Creek.

Division 1 Under 18 Boys. Pakenham 11.16 (82) d Seville 4.4 (28). Sunday, August 31: Warburton Millgrove v Yarra Glen.

Southern

■ Division 1 Seniors. Cheltenham 9.8 (62) d Sy Paul’s McKinnon 5.8 (38). Sunday, August 31: Springvale Districts v Bentleigh. Division 2 Seniors. Hampton Park 11.13 (79) d Highett 8.7 (55). Sunday, August 31: Chelsea Heights v Mordialloc.

Division 3 Seniors. St Kilda City 13.14 (92) d Carrum Patterson Lakes 6.7 (43). Sunday, Augsut 31: Berwick Springs v Hampton. Division 4 Seniors. Dandenong West 10.9 (69) d Lyndale 7.4 (46).

Western

■ Division 1 Seniors. Caroline Springs 16.12 (108) d Yarraville Seddon Eagles 10.14 (74). Sunday, August 31: Hoppers Crossing v Spotswood.

Division 2 Seniors. North Footscray 5.5 (35) d Wyndhamvale 3.14 (32). Sunday, August 31: West Footscray v Suns.

Goulburn Valley

■ Seniors. Echuca 14.17 (1010 d Shepparton Swans 13.5 (83). Kyabram 3.2 (20) d Rochester 1.0 (6). Sunday, August 31: Mansfield v Shepparton. Reserves: Seymour 6.7 (43) d Echuca 4.8 (32). Mansfield 43 d Shepparton 6.5 (41). Sunday, August 31: Kyabram v Shepparton Swans.

Under 18s. Ecjhuca 12.14 (86) d Rchester 3.3 (21). Shepparton 10.11 (71) d Kyabram 67. Sunday, August 31: Mooroopna v Mansfield.

Kyabram District

■ Seniors. Murchison Toolamba 8.11 (59) d Lancaster 8.8 (56). Sunday, August 31: Rushworth v Nagambie. Reserves. Murchison Toolamba 8.16 (64) d Lancaster 4.4 (28). Sunday, August 31: Avenel v Stanhope.

Under 18. Nagambie 11.5 (71) d Murchison Toolamba 8.5 (53). Sunday, August 31: Tallygaroopna v Shepparton East.

Riddell District

■ Seniors. Riddell 10.13 (73) d Macedon. Sunday, August 31: Diggers Rest v Kyneton. Reserves. Wallan 7.3 (45) d Romsey 6.7 (43). Sunday, August 31: Diggers Rest v Riddell.

Under 19.5. Macedon 6.8 (44) d Gisborne Giants 5.6 (36). Sunday, August 31: Romsey v Kyneton.

Harness Racing

len-baker@ bigpond.com

with Len Baker

Sulky Snippets

■ Charlton commenced the week on Monday August 25 and New Gisborne trainer/ driver Darren Pace was in the winners stall following the victory of 3Y0 Volstead-Sassy Pinevale gelding Sam Nien in the McPhersons Printing Group Trotters Mobile over 2190 metres.

Given a sweet passage from gate six trailing the leader Apex which flew away from outside the front line, Sam Nien was eased away from the markers prior to the home turn to follow Ijustcalledtosay (gate four second line) which had gone forward midrace to park outside Apex.

Getting clear in plenty of time on turning, Sam Nien raced away to record a 2.2 metre margin over Keayang Tweetybird (five back in the running line from the extreme draw – five wide on the final bend), with Ijustcalledtosay battling on gamely for third 8.7 metres away third. The mile rate 200.2.

■ Rockbank owner/trainer Albert Cefai’s 9Y0 Fling It-Rainbow Reflection gelding Fling It Rainbow at start number 183 notched up his 17th success by taking the 1690 metre Maryborough Veterinary Practice Trotters Mobile in a mile rate of 2-01.5. Driven by regular reinsman Michael Bellman, Fling It Rainbow starting solo on the second line settled three back in the moving line as Louieville Lass led from gate four.

Going forward three wide in the last lap, Fling It Rainbow outstayed his rivals to greet the judge 2.9 metres in advance of Touchango (gate five - four wide last lap from the rear). Louieville Lass held third 2.2 metres back.

■ Local area (Bowenvale) part-owner/ trainer Gerard Jamieson combined with Ballarat based Ryan Duffy to lead throughout aboard 5Y0 Lincoln Royal-Jilliby Nippa gelding Sir Nippa in the 1690 metre Benstud Standardbreds Pace.

Running along at his leisure from gate four, Sir Nippa couldn’t be caught, scoring untouched by 5 metres from Fair Chance (one/four) from a long way back in a 1-56.9 mile rate. Fake Collection (gate six – three pegs was third 5.4 metres away.

■ Navarre part-owner/trainer Toby Ainsworth landed the Aldebaran Park Trotters Mobile over 1690 metres with7Y0 Great Success-Whata Tussle mare Beautiful Sunrise. Driven by Ada Massa, Beautiful Sunrise from the pole settled four back along the markers as Mattyo (gate three) began very fast to lead.

Easing away from the markers in the last lap to be three wide with a trail on the back of Its Diamond Creek (gate six – three pegs – three wide home turn) as Mattyo galloped under pressure, Beautiful Sunrise dashed clear but was nabbed on the wire by Beautiful Sunrise, with Boutika (gate three –one/three after being checked slightly approaching the home turn) third 13.5 metres away. The mile rate 1-58.3.

■ Ace reinsman James Herbertson had a field day with four winners, they being Champagnes (Nick Youngson) the Peter Egan Bi-Rite Trotters Mobile, Redbank Molly (Shaun & Jason McNaulty) the 2190 metre AB Paint Pace, Send In Elvis (Ashleigh Herbertson) the 1690 metre Waste Recyclers Of Victoria Pace and Icanmotor (Adam Stephens) the 2190 metre Redpath Tyre & Battery Pace. Len Baker

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ANTIQUE DRSSING TABLE. 3 mirrors, size: wdith 1.23m, depth 55cm, height 1.82m. Delivery arranged. VGC. $250. Coburg. 0428 130 049. Z-CC

BARBECUE. Weber. With instruction book. Hardly used. New: $369. Sell $1009. Mt Martha 5973 4163. JJ-NN

BATHROOM TILES. To cover 270sq m. EC. $60. Ferntree Gully. 9758 3950. HH-LL

BED. 3-seater and two seater. Red, vinyl. Dark wood trims. VGC. $300. Cranbourne, 0401 898 413. HH-LL

BED HEAD. Wooden. And base. With slats. As new. $80. Whittlesea. 0494 380 264. Z-CC

BIRD CAGE. Green. 52cm square. as new. $40. Whittlesea. 0494 380 264. Z-CC

BOAT. Savage 12’. 15HP Johnson OB. Trailer. All Safety EQ. Bow canopy. Storm cover. VGC. $1800. Alexandra. 0419 329 264. Z-CC

BOOKS. Large variety. Various authors. $2, or 3 for $5. Heathmont. 0423 720 137. HH-LL

BOOKS. Collection of Mary Grant vintage books. Mostly VGC with dust jackets. Offers welcome. Research. 9437 1253. JJ-NN

BOOSTER SEAT. Mothers hoice. Convertible. 6 months to 8 years. VGC. $40. Whittlesea. 0494 380 264. HH-LL

BRICKS. 100+. Clean, red. Plus halves. $50. Keon Park. 9469 4558. HH-LL

CARAVAN. 21’6” 2014 Crusader. Reg till Feb. 2026. Full ensuite, separate shower/toilet, queen bed, a/c heater, TV radio, Gas/Elec. cooktop, micro washing machine, solar panel, large fridge, freezer, new tyres and batteries. many extras. EC. $40,000 ONO. Mount Eliza. 0429 877 964. Z-CC

CARAVAN. 2021. 16ft. Aspire caravan. As new. Air cond. heating, full annexe, double bed, shower toilet, solar panel, TV, tare 1275 kg. Easy ti tow. Light weight EC. $42,000 neg. Whittlesea. 0438 434 413. HH-LL

CARAVAN. Jayco. 2004. Freedom. Single beds, RC/ AC, new tyres, unused porta-potti, m’wave, 3-way fridge, gas & elec. cooktop + grill, 240/12 volt TV and aerial. Reg till Jan 2026. Everything in working order. 1150 kg. Tows great. VGC. $12,500 ONO. Hastings. 0409 645 059. HH-LL

CHAIR. Pink, small, white spots. Suit girl . VGC. $15. Surrey Hills. 0410 626 110, after 5pm best. HH-LL

CIRCULATION STIMULATOR. Clare. VGC. $20. Frankston. 9789 9634 Z-CC

CLARE Wellness Circulation Stimulator. Instruction Manual included. VGC. $150. Frankston. 9789 9634. HH-LL

COUNTRY MUSIC. 33rpm. Slim Dustry, Reg Lindsay, Hank Snow, glen Campbell, Sons of the Pioneers, Tex morton, Buddy Willkiams, Hank Williams, Hawking Bros., The Overlanders, The Folk Singer. GC. Various prices. Box Hill South. 9890 7904. HH-LL

DINING SETTING. Midcentury teak. Extension table and 8 chairs. newly upholstered about 6 years ago. EC. Some minoir surface wear. Very heavy table. 6ft, extends to 9ft 4in. VGC. $2100. Donvale. 0410 031 094. JJ-NN

ENCYCLOPEDIA. Complete set A-Z. GC. $60 ONO. Frankston. 9789 9634. HH-LL

FISHER PAYKEL Fridge

Freezer. 8 months old. New. Cost $870, sell $400. Keysborough. Joe, 0402 385 692.HH-LL

FOOTWEAR. Navy woven leather. Diana ferrari. Sandal size 9, worn once. EC. $50. Ferntree Gully. 9758 3950.HH-LL

GARDEN HOSE. 30 metres long. Heavy duty. Good quality, bought at Bunnings. $30. Mt Martha 5973 4163. JJ-NN

GUITAR. Lindsay. Valued at $1000. Can’t play it. Dandebnong North. 9794 6996. HH-LL

GUITAR AMP. 2’ wide. 2½’ high. Lots of dials. GC. $00. Seymour. 0422 204 977. HH-LL

Melbourne, the Mornington Peninsula, and selected Victorian country areas. Your free ad will appear in up to 4 issues. There are no charges, no commissions. T&Cs apply. Lodge your ad at: www.AdvertiseFree.com.au

HEATER. Wood. With flue. Warmbrite. GC. $500. Seymour. 0422 204 977. HH-LL

HEDGE TRIMMER.

Honda. HHH25D. 4 stroke. With hour meter fitted. VGC. Bought in Feb. 2022. Has done 20.8 hours. $650 ONO. Pearcedale. 0418 457 588. Z-CC

JAYCO 2004 Freedom Caravan, single beds, RC/ AC, new tyres, unused porta potti, m’wave, 3 way bridge, gas & elec. cooktop and grill, 240/12 volt TV. Aerial. Reg till Jan. 26. Everything in working order. 1150kg. Tows great. VGTC. Hastings. 0409 645 059. Z-CC

LAURA ASHLEY Cotton Queen Coverlet set. Size 220cm x 240cm, plus 2 pillowcases. Pale blue with thin white stripes. Never used. EC. $30. Ashburton. 9885 2203. Z-CC

LAWN MOWER. Ozito. Corded. With catcher. lightweight. Paid $149 at Bunnings. Sell $60. Mt Martha 5973 4163. JJ-NN

LINE TRIMMER. Electric. 500 watts. 290mm cut. Little used. GC. Purchase to collect. $10. Doreen. 9717 3465 HH-LL

LOUNGE SUITE. 3 piece. Luxury, light cream leather. Moran pillow type. EC, not used. $4000 (cost $6000). Strathmore. 0419 384 496. JJ-NN

PICTURE FRAMES. 40 large to small. Various styles. VGC. All only $70. Keon Park. 9469 4558. N-Q PARTS for Ford AUIIV8. Secondhand. Struts. New parts: ball joints, 2 boxes of parts. VGC. $1000. Seymour 0419 881 573. N-Q

COPIER. $100. Dandebnong North,. 9794 6996. HH-LL

PLUMBING FITTINGS. New. Box, 100m, sew/SW E/Boxes. Box: 100mm, 500mm, elbows, as new. New. $35. yea. 5750 2615. HH-LL

PRESSURE WASHER. Karcher. Good working order. little used, complete with operating instructions. Purchaser to collect. GC. $55. Doreen. 9717 3485. HH-LL

PRAM. Old, child’s collectable. GC. $60. Wandong. 041`8 399 261. R-U

RECORDS. 33rpm. Casslical singers. OPaul Robeson, Mobncrieff, Kiri Te Kanwa, Peter awson, Pavarotti, Secombe, Caruso, Peerse, lawrence, Hammond, Bronhill, Sutherland. GC. Various prices. Box Hill South. 9890 7904. HH-LL

RECORD PLAYER. Radiogram, $25. VGC. Mill Park. 9436 8935. HH-LL

SAWS. 5 vintage saws for woodwork. FC. $15. Also frame for manual sharpening, GC. $8. Ashburton. 9885 2203. HH-LL

SCOOTER. Pegasus. Pro. 4 years old. Done 30km only. Like new. $4000 ONO. Melton. 0488 007 395. HH-LL

SEWING MACHINE. Singer. Wrought iron. With marble top. Suit garden setting. Black, needs painting,. VGC, $25. Surrey Hills. 0410 626 110, after 5pm best. HH-LL

STAMP PACKS. New, unopened, from 1970s, 80s. Approx. 200, sell for face value. New. Mill Park. 9436 8935. HH-LL

STATUES. Two garden vintage statues. 1: Greek lady, 66cm. 2: Bashful child, 59cm. 1 x buddha, 43cm, also baby deer snd four plaques. one tortoise, various designs. 10 peices. VGC. $300 ONO. Bittern. 0459 558 055. JJ-NN

STROLLER. City aselkect by Baby Jogger. VGC. $60. Whittlesea. 0494 30 264. HH-LL

HH-LL

RXJ-289. GC. $2000. Box Hill North. 0449 836 907. HH-LL

8935.HH-LL

WOOD HEATER. Cast iron. GC. $500. Seymour. 0422 204 977. Z-CC

WORKSHOP MANUALS. Holden VR Commodore. Vol 8, 4 and 5,. $220. Kangaroo Groundf. 9712 0337. Z-CC

NOTICE is hereby given that the partnership formerly subsisting between Yihua Zhang and Yiran Su, carrying on business under the name of Y SU & Y ZHANG at Unit 5, 560 Boronia Road, Wantirna VIC 3152, was dissolved as of 10 July 2025.

HH-LL

WANTED. Independent Support Provider for NDIS participant in Acheron, near Alexandra. Participant is 20yo male - living independently - loves outdoors,, nushwalks, fishing. Suit experienced male SP , contractor, registered, NDIS screening, refrences. Flexible hours. Immediate start. 0412 224 464. HH-LL

ANZ Bank Money Boxes. GC. Price negotiable. Will alsoswap. Mill Park. 9436 8935.

TOYOTA COROLLA. Manual. Roacdworthy condition. VG motor, gear box. Dark blue.

WHEELBARROW. $75. Mill Park. 9436 8935. HH-LL

TWO-PERSON SAW. $90. Mill Park. 9436

HEATER. Dimplex. Electric. Portable 7 vane. $90. Frankston. 9789 9634. HH-LL

PHOTO

TRANIST WHEELCHAIR with seatbelt, footrest and armrests. Lightweight. Cost $279, sell $70. Whittlesea. 0494 380 264.