The Local paper. Mitchell Strathbogie Edition. Wed., July 2, 2025
■ Strathbogie Shire Council is calling on residents to help shape the rules that impact daily lives—from fire pits and dumped rubbish to barking dogs and roaming cats.
The Council is undertaking a full review of Local Law No. 2 and the Domestic Animal Management Plan.
“These two essential documents guide how we manage public spaces, neighbourhood amenity, and the welfare and control of domestic animals across the Shire,” said a Council representative.
“Local Law No. 2 – Community Amenity helps everyone live together safely and respectfully. It covers a wide range of issues that affect daily life in the Shire – from managing waste and outdoor burning to how animals are kept and how public spaces are used.
“The Domestic Animal Management Plan applies specifically to the care, control and regulation of dogs and cats in our community. For pet owners, this plan provides clear guidance on responsibilities like registration, desexing, and keeping pets safely contained.
“It also outlines how Council promotes animal welfare while respecting the needs of pet owners as well as the wider community, especially in terms of safety and nuisance concerns.
Strathbogie Mayor Cr Claire Ewart-Kennedy said this engagement isn’t just a routine checkin but a chance for the community to influence meaningful change on things that really matter.
■ Parks Victoria is on the hunt for new rangers, with 12 roles based at work centres across the state available. One of the jobs There is a position available at Alexandra.
Parks Victoria rangers spend every day working with communities and delivering essential work.
They support a huge range of outdoor recreation opportunities on more than four million hectares of public lands and waters, and protect precious native landscapes, plants and animals.
Through their work, rangers boost local economies, build stronger communities and help forge lifelong memories of our great outdoors for families and visitors, from Victoria, Australia and overseas.
The 12 roles are spread across regional centres, focused on frontline field work.
There are also opportunities in Greater Melbourne, including at Albert Park in central Melbourne, Brimbank Park in the west and Braeside Park in the east.
Parks Victoria is also seeking two Ranger Team Leaders, one based at Serendip and the other a horticultural expert at Albert Park, along with an Area Chief Ranger based at Alexandra Chief Executive Lee Miezis said: “ Parks Victoria is full of passionate, committed people who move mountains to keep parks open, safe and clean, and protect our environment – this is your chance to join them and help protect our state’s great outdoors.”
● ● Cr Claire Ewart-Kennedy, Mayor
● ● Lee Miezis, CEO, Parks Victoria
The Local Paper
WEDNESDAY, JULY 2,
RECYCLED WATER RELEASE AT YEA
Schools News
Kalkallo school principals speak
■ Ros Spence, Kalkallo MLA, has spoken in State Parliament about schools in the Kalkallo electorate.
“ It was terrific to recently meet with our newest school principals, who will guide the education of students in the growing Kalkallo electorate,” Ms Spence said.
“Anthony Oldmeadow has been appointed principal of the interim-named Lockerbie secondary school in Kalkallo.
“This school will be a welcome addition to the Kalkallo community, providing secondary education much closer to home.
“Anthony has held several leadership roles in government schools, including in the north.
“While in these roles, he has had a strong focus on improving teaching and learning, and he is passionate about supporting students to grow and for staff to excel in a united team.
“It was terrific to hear Anthony’s plans for building an inclusive and innovative school where all students can thrive and reach their full potential,” Ms Spence said.
“Lindsey Delooze has been appointed as principal of interim-named Lockerbie specialist school and brings a wealth of experience to this important role.
“With 20 years experience in education, Lindsey began her teaching career in the UK, focusing on students with additional needs.
“Since moving to Melbourne in 2015 she has held leadership positions in both primary and specialist schools.
“Lindsey is dedicated to celebrating the identity of every student and is committed to creating an inclusive school at the heart of our booming Kalkallo community.
“It was terrific to hear from Lindsey about her vision and her excitement to provide a fulfilling education for our students with additional needs.
“Both principals are very excited to finalise their schools. I wish them well, particularly in welcoming their first students in term 1 2026,” Ms Spence said.
■ Goulburn Valley Water will release fully treated recycled water from its Yea Wastewater Management Facility into the Yea River over the coming weeks.
“This release is in accordance with EPA requirements and will not alter the strict water quality monitoring processes which remain in place to protect the health of local communities and the environment,” said a Goulburn Valley Water statement.
“Upgrades to the irrigation infrastructure at GVW’s Yea farm, carried out over the summer period, temporarily prevented recycled water reuse from occurring at the site.
“These upgrade works are now complete in preparation for the upcoming irrigation season.
“During the irrigation infrastructure upgrade works, the Yea Golf Club continued to access recycled water as normal.
“With onsite storages at the Yea Wastewater Management Facility nearing capacity, a continuous release of up to one megalitre per day of EPA Class C recycled water will be made into the Yea River.
“The release is expected to begin early July and continue until September.
GVW’s Wastewater and Recycling Coordinator, Stuart Harris, said this controlled release will prevent uncontrolled overflows and protect critical infrastructure.
“The release will continue until lagoon levels are returned to a safe and manageable level.”
The water being released has undergone full treatment and meets EPA Class C recycled water standards.
GVW has informed the EPA of the release and will work closely with them to monitor for any potential environmental impacts.
Council Rounds
Council on ACA
■ Yarra Ranges Shire has featured on A CurrentAffairTV program - and the Council is not happy about the coverage.
A Council statement said: “Yarra Ranges Council is disappointed that the item reported on ACurrentAffairon Channel Nine last night (June 24) was misleading and rejects the assertion that Council is blocking or adding red tape on the matter.
“Council would like to clarify that the residents featured on the program who live at a property in Tecoma have been issued with a planning permit for a carport.
“Due to its location, the property has an Erosion Management Overlay applied to it, and because of this overlay, the planning application needed to have a geotechnical report provided.
“The geotechnical report is provided by the applicant and is a report prepared by experts in the field independent of Council
“The Planning Permit did not have a condition requiring a slab - this was identified in the applicant’s geotechnical report.
“The geotechnical report stipulates the requirements for the safe construction of the carport including recommended footings and associated construction techniques to meet the landslide risk requirements at this location and Australian Standards.
“Council is happy to discuss the matter with the homeowner if they want to change the design, however they will first need to discuss what alternative options there are with their Geotechnical engineer given the property is covered by an Erosion Management Overlay.”
● ● Yea Wastewater Management Facility.
The Local Paper
In association with the Established September 14, 1969
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:
• Regional/’Dindi Local’ Edition: Murrindindi, Mansfield, Strathbogie, rural sections of Nillumbik and Whittlesea
• ‘Lilydale and Yarra Valley Express’ Edition: Yarra Ranges Shire
Matt Bissett-Johnson, Cartoonist Peter Kemp, Art Rob Foenander, Music
Editor: Ash Long
Features Editor: Peter Mac
Columnists: Len Baker, Matt Bissett-Johnson, Rob Foenander, Peter Kemp, Aaron Rourke, Ted Ryan, Cheryl Threadgold, Julie Houghton, Kevin Trask, John O’Keefe
Honorary Reviewers: Juliet Charles, Sherryn Danaher, Lyn Hurst, Kathryn Keeble, Beth Klein, Graeme McCoubrie, David McLean, Maggie Morrison, Peter Murphy, Lucy Nicolson, Jill Page, Elizabeth Semmel
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on Wednesday
Politicians haven’t got a prayer
■ Northern Metropolitan MLC Evan Mulholland has spoken about proposals to remove The Lord’s Prayer from Parliament.
“The action I seek from the minister, almost a year after I stood here and gave voice to nearly 11,000 Victorians who signed a petition in support of the prayer, is to confirm that Labor will stand united with the opposition in rejecting renewed calls by some crossbench parties to remove the Lord’s Prayer from this place.
“We know that before our historic petition, which forced the government backdown, it was a formal Labor Party election policy and commitment to remove the representation of faith from this place.
“In July last year I had the honour and privilege of being a voice for all Victorians of faith, not just Christians , in saying that this proposal to strip faith from our Parliament was an insult.
“I say not only Christians because we saw an extraordinary show of unity in a joint statement issued by the Board of Imams Victoria, the Hindu Council of Australia, the Australia/Israel and Jewish Affairs Council, joining with the Catholic and Anglican churches on this matter.
“The Leader of the Government said I was whipping up something that is nothing and said noone was attempting to remove the prayer, but it was Labor’s stated election commitment and in fact she had mentioned it publicly on at least four occasions.
“We recently saw Ms Purcell and the Leader of the Greens call on the Government to honour their
commitment to remove the prayer.
“It is incumbent on the government to stand up for people of faith and stand up for multicultural communities.
“The crossbench and the Greens would be interested to know about something that I found pretty laughable but thought I should mention – according to a speech to the Assyrian community in the north by Labor member for Northern Metropolitan and government minister Enver Erdogan, it was actually he and the Labor members in the northern suburbs that were able to save the Lord’s Prayer and not actually the opposition.
“I think, make no mistake, this is still Labor policy.
“They are just sorry there was a backlash.
“My action for the Leader of the Government is for an unequivocal statement confirming that Labor fully supports the Lord’s Prayer, fully stands with our multifaith communities now and into the future and rejects crossbench attempts to remove the prayer, which is an acknowledgement of responsible service.
“It is a tradition that is 168 years old and acknowledges a higher power than the Parliament, so it is important for many of our multifaith communities across Victoria, and they can rest assured knowing that the Liberals will back them 100 per cent,” Mr Mulholland said.
● ● ● ● This edition covers Mansfield, Mitchell, Murrindindi, Nillumbik (rural), Strathbogoie (part), Whttlesea (rural) and Yarra Ranges.
Local Photo Flashback
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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.
Long Shots
Cheryl Threadgold, Local Theatre Julie Houghton, The Arts Kevin Trask, Entertainment
Rourke, Film Ted Ryan, Horse Racing Len Baker, Harness Racing
ROAD PLAN APPROVED
■
Shire Council has approved the Road Management Plan 2025-2029
The Council is responsible for a network of over 1150 kilometres of roads, footpaths and related infrastructure.
The Road Management Plan sets the standard by which the network is maintained and managed.
The Council commenced community engagement in July 2023, including surveys, drop-in sessions and information sharing, to better understand local priorities and experiences with the road network.
Over the past 15 months, this group of residents from across the municipality has provided input on service standards, financial challenges and policy opportunities. Their insights helped shape a Plan that reflects both resource limitations and road user expectations.
CRAG sought to improve public understanding of how roads are managed.
The Road Management Plan 2025-2029 will came into effect from yesterday (July 1).
Murrindindi Shire Council Mayor Cr Damien Gallagher said the updated Plan reflects both current best practice and community expectations.
“This Plan provides a clear and consistent approach to maintaining our road network while remaining flexible enough to respond to emergencies and changing community needs,” Cr Gallagher said.
“We’re grateful for the contributions of residents and Council’s Road Advisory Group, which have helped shape a practical and forward-looking Plan that reflects both our values and our resources.”
Library CEO leaves
■ Yarra Plenty Regional Library Chief Executive Officer Jane Cowell will step down from her role, effective October 3.
Ms Cowell’s tenure has been marked by innovation, sector-wide collaboration, and a deep commitment to access, inclusion, and literacy.
“Jane is the leader every library wishes they could have,” Nillumbik’s Shire Cr Grant Brooker said.
“She has transformed YPRL into one of the most progressive and community-focused library services in the country.”
Since joining YPRL in 2018, Ms Cowell has delivered on an ambitious transformation agenda.
She led major digital and service overhauls and expanded YPRL’s consortia model, creating Victoria’s largest public library digital collection through the BooBook partnership with Your Library and Whitehorse Manningham Libraries
Throughout her career, Ms Cowell has been a powerful advocate for libraries nationally and internationally, serving as President of the Australian Library and Information Association nd contributing to global library conversations through her work with the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions. She will continue to serve as ALIA President and maintain her IFLA roles.
Ms Cowell said she was proud of YPRL, its staff and the deep connection the library has with the community it serves. The YPRL Board will soon begin the process of appointing a new CEO.
Local News
NE LINK: ‘GOVT NOT LISTENING’
■ The Allan State Government is not listening to concerns about North-East Link, Bulleen MLA Matthew Guy has told Parliament.
He cited worries about matters such astree removal, open space loss, car parking and the moving of water pumps, which are now being placed near residents’ homes.
“Residents are constantly telling me – I had a number of appointments last week again telling me – that the Government is just not listening. There is no point in having customer feedback with authorities if the government has no intention of listening to either the Manningham City Council or residents in my constituency about the issues that they have been raising.
“This comes down to the attitude of the government and the behaviour of the Government of the day.
“I simply say this: do not get sick in Victoria today, because if you call an ambulance, it is unlikely to show up.
“Do not report a crime in Victoria, because if you report a crime, the police are underresourced and will not turn up.
“Do not drive your car in Victoria, because you are going to hit a pothole and do your front end. And for God’s sake, do not start a business in Victoria, because the greediest, laziest government in Australia is going to tax you out of business and use the whole of the government of the state as simply an employment agency for them and their disgusting mates.”
VALE MONIKA JANINSKI
■ Mill Park MLA Lily D’Ambrosio has paid tribute in State Parliament to lthe life of Monika Janinski.
“I rise to honour Monika Janinski, a remarkable advocate for social justice and animal welfare,” Ms D’Ambrosio said.
“I first met Monika on April 26, 2024, when she reached out to my office as a local constituent. She requested a meeting to discuss the Animal Care and Protection Bill, which was open for community consultation.
“I agreed to meet her, and she arrived at my office well prepared, presenting herself as an articulate, very intelligent and passionate young woman, and that is exactly who she was.
“Her dedication to achieving positive change was evident from our first meeting.
“Monika and I maintained frequent contact, and she later joined the Australian Labor Party. Her motivation was clear: she wanted to develop better policies for animal welfare and care, as well as for the community she lived in.
“Monika’s commitment to these causes was unwavering, and she worked tirelessly to make a difference.
“Tragically, Monika passed away on April 9 at the young age of 28. She was fortunate to have been supported by her mother Gordana, her sister Natalie, her husband Robert and her best friend Srujana
“Monika’s passing is profound loss to all who knew her and to the causes she championed. Monika’s legacy as a passionate advocate and a compassionate individual will not be forgotten, nor will her friendship and care for all who were fortunate to know her.
“She truly brought light into everyone’s life. Her contributions to social justice and animal welfare will have an enduring impact on our community,” Ms D’Ambrosio said.
10-year asset plan
■ The City of Whittlesea has endorsed a strategic blueprint to manage and maintain more than $4 billion worth of community assets.
The Council’s assets include:
■ 1414km of sealed roads and 77km of unsealed roads
■ 2606km of footpaths and 319km of shared paths
■ 2085km of drainage pipes
■ 181 sporting courts / fields
■ 190 buildings
Whittlesea Mayor, Cr Martin Taylor, said: “Council managed assets are part of daily life for our community, from our youngest residents visiting a Maternal and Child Health nurse in one of our 190 Council buildings, to families and dog walkers enjoying our 2600 kilometres of local paths and shared trails.”
■ Mitchell Shire Council will hold uits next Listening Post at Broadfofrd Hall tonight (Wed., July 2) at 7.30pm.
These community sessions are a chance for residents to hear directly from Councillors and Council staff about current priorities and future plans for Mitchell Shire. Each session will begin with a short presentation, followed by an informal expo-style session.
The Local Paper is bound by the Standards of Practice of the Australian Press Council. If you believe the Standards may have been breached, you may approach 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.
Price: $220 TOTAL for all remaining 2025 issues. Book your ad: 1800 231 311.
● ● ● ● Monika Janinski
● ● ● ● Matthew Guy MLA
● ● Cr Damian Gallagher, Mayor
Murrindindi
Where
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■ ■ ALEXANDRA. Alexandra Newsagency. 82-84 Grant St.
■ 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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■ YEA. Country Club Hotel. 18 High St.
■ ■ YEA. Endeavour Petroleum (BP). 31 High St.
■ BROADFORD. Broadford Newsagency. 67 High St.
■ BROADFORD. Broadford Post Office. 123 High St.
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■ YEA. Foodworks. 10 High St.
■ ■ YEA. Giddy Coat Cafe. 94
High St.
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■ ■ BROADFORD. Broadford Service Station. 165 High St.
■ Greensborough Highway Patrol officers are appealing for public assistance after a multi-vehicle collision in Thomastown on Friday afternoon (June 27). Emergency services responded to reports of a collision between two cars and a truck outbound on the M80 Ring Road, between Edgars and Dalton Rds, about 1.45pm. It is believed, just prior to the collision, two unknown vehicles were driving erratically and collided with one another, causing the truck to swerve and collide with a Mazda BT50. The force of the collision caused the Mazda to lose control and collide with a Mitsubishi Pajero
The two initial vehicles, described as small sedans, did not stop at the scene.
The driver of the Mitsubishi, a 35-yearold Essendon West woman, was transported to hospital for observation.
There were no other injuries.
Investigations remain ongoing and police are keen to hear from anyone who witnessed the collision or has dashcam to come forward.
Care for stray cats
■ City of Whittlesea residents feeding or sheltering a stray cat can now access free care thanks to a new initiative from their Council.
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■ ■ NARBETHONG. Black Spur Roadhouse. 264 Maroondah Hwy.
■ ■ PANTON HILL. Panton Hill General Store. 586 Kangaroo Ground-St Andrews Rd.
■ DONNYBROOK. Donnybrook Post Office. 810 Donnybrook Rd.
■ KILMORE. BP. 102 Sydney St.
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■ YEA. Rendezvous In Yea. 10
High St.
■ ■ YEA. Royal Mail Hotel. 88
High St.
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■ KILMORE. Kemp’s Bakery. 65 Sydney St.
In partnership with Animal Welfare Victoria, the Council is offering free desexing, microchipping and one year of registration to support residents who care for cats that aren’t officially theirs, but rely on them for food, shelter and safety.
“This initiative is part of Council’s ongoing commitment to responsible animal care and reducing the stray cat population in the community, while helping cats live safer, healthier lives,” said a City of Whittlesea representative.
Residents who participate in the program can choose to adopt the cat or allow the wat djerring Animal Facility to find them a loving home.
Spots are limited and expressions of interest are now open.
Whittlesea Mayor, Cr Martin Taylor, said:
“This is a win for both our community and the cats that rely on them.
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■ ■ YEA. Yea Bakery. 44 High St.
■ ■ 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.
■ ■ CROYDON NORTH. Croydon North Newsagency. 5 Exeter Rd.
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■ ■ ■ HEALESVILLE. BP. 66 Maroondah Hwy.
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■ ■ ■ HEALESVILLE. Coles Express. 123 Maroondah Hwy.
■ 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.
■ ■ TALLAROOK. Tallarook Hotel. 15 Main Rd.
■ TRAWOOL. Trawool Estate/ Hotel. 8150 Goulburn Valley Hwy.
■ WALLAN. United Service Station. 11-14 High St.
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■ WALLAN. Wallan News and Lotto. Shop 6, 55 High St.
■ WALLAN EAST. New Rattlers Inn. Station St.
■ WANDONG. Caltex Star Mart. 3272 Epping-Kilmore Rd.
■ WANDONG. Dundee’s Fish and Cips. 3272 Epping-Kilmore Rd.
■ WANDONG. IGA Supermarket. 3272 Epping-Kilmore Rd.
■ WANDONG. Wandong Post News and Tatts. 3272 EppingKilmore Rd.
Aganetti, Troy Amuso, Dylan Atkinson, Kayla Baines, Dylan James Berger, Shane Robert Bettridge, Anthony Bond, Jason Bradford, Rebecca Braybrooke, Christine Chung, Aaron Lesley D'arcy, Jason Dawe, Andrew Dean, James Doyle, Christopher Ettia, Joseph Manfred Finnigan, Irina Foster, Cassandra Denny Gak, Gak Glavocih, James Gribbin, Simon Gerard Hammond, Anthony James Izzard, James Jenner, Max Keamy-Quirk, Caleb Khaira, Amanpreet Singh Loukas, Dimitrios Lucas, Melvyn Christian Lusted, Joshua Maino-Hennessy, Dale Mauri, Alan Mcdonald, Toby Miller, Reece Newell, Madeline Sarah Rusic, Benedict Alexander Scott, Paige Linda Shand, Shannon Brooke Stojceski, Alexander Strnak, Ivan John Tant, Christopher Tonkin, Lee Wilson, Bailey Woolley, Tammy Friday, July 4 Crawford, Tessa Lippert, Chantelle Nesbitt, Anthony O'connell, Billy John Tuesday, July 8 Philpott, Silvana Mansfield Magistrates’ court Criminal Court Listings Wednesday, July 9, 2025 Aliu, Erjan Atwell, Harry Babai, Vahid Balasubramanian, Sairam Barron, Aiden Cardamone, Peter Cashmore, Christian Emblin, Robert James Fairy, David Hanson, Shane Michael Ischovits, Jake Rama Joyce, David William Konyn, Danny John Muston, Christopher Oktavianto, Revi Tira Phan, Thanh Tung Reid, Brody James Sanchez, Andre Saunders, Scott Raymomd Spizzo, Leon Strongman, Matthew Jon Wagenknecht, Kaylah-Jane Walker, Sonny Wheatcroft, Debra Leigh Young, Christopher Thursday, July 10
Hota, Amel Pojatic, Edin
Tinsley, James A Friday, July 11
Northcote, Corey
Glass collection begins in S’bogie
■ Strathbogie Shire Council announces FOOTT as the new waste collection partner for the Shire, with services commencing yesterday (Tues., July 1. FOOTT will manage the collection of all household waste, recycling, organics, and the newly introduced, purple-lidded glassonly bin, helping Council deliver a more efficient and environmentally responsible waste service.
Strathbogie Mayor Cr Claire EwartKennedy welcomed the new partnership, saying it reflects Council’s commitment to sustainable solutions and local investment.
“By offering free desexing and support, we’re making it easier for residents to do the right thing and reducing the number of stray cats on our streets.
“We know many people already care for stray cats out of kindness. This program turns that kindness into real action, improving animal welfare and creating safer, healthier neighbourhoods for everyone.”
Toilets survey
■ The City of Whittlesea is inviting people to have their say on the location, design and accessibility of public toilets within the municipality.
Feedback from the community will inform revisions to Council’s Public Toilet Amenity Plan to ensure people have access to public toilets when and where they need them most.
The Council currently manages more than 60 public toilets at parks, playgrounds, reserves, community centres and other facilities throughout the municipality.
Other public toilets are provided by private businesses and organisations, such as in shopping centres and food outlets.
“Public toilets are vital to ensuring people of all ages and abilities have peace of mind when going about their everyday lives,” said a Council representative.
“A series of face-to-face pop-up sessions over five weeks in June and July will give people the chance to share their expectations, experiences and any ideas they have on where and what type of public toilets they would like to see across the city.”
Feedback can also be provided through Council’s online Engage platform via a short survey and interactive mapping tool.
The mapping tool allows users to comment on existing public toilets, suggest locations for new facilities and detail preferred features.
Feedback received will help develop a revised Public Toilet Amenity Plan, which will then be shared with the community.
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■ ■ ■ ■ WARRANDYTE. Grand Hotel.
140 Yarra St.
■ ■ WARRANDYTE. Quinton’s Supa IGA Supermarket. 1/402 Warrandyte Rd.
■ WANDONG. Magpie and Stump Hotel. 3313 EppingKilmore Rd.
“We’re excited to welcome FOOTT as our new waste services provider. This partnership will not only improve service delivery but also support a regional business and keep more of our waste processing closer to home,” Cr Ewart-Kennedy said.
The updated priorities within the revised plan will be reviewed annually to ensure relevance and inform future Council budget allocations in the capital program.
To have a say on the plan, go to Engage Whittlesea website. The community consultation period runs until July 20.
Local Briefs Local Briefs
Coldstream visit
■ Eastern Victoria MLC Harriert Shing says that she was happy to head back to the Coldstream Community Centre to celebrate completion of a significant upgrade delivered under the climate-resilient buildings program and the Growing Suburbs Fund allocations.
“This has been part of a $3 million upgrade to make sure that the building is sustainable, accessible and energy efficient. To see a solar battery, the additional insulation upgrades, accessible car park improvements and entry ramp, as well as upgrades to the main entrance, bathrooms and kitchen, is a real delight.
“I know that the U3A photography club and friendship group have really benefited from this work, and I want to congratulate everybody involved,” Ms Shing said.
Environmental DNA
■ Yarra Valley Water is using a cutting-edge scientific technique to support the restoration of a wetland in Launching Place
Using a scientific approach known as Environmental DNA, (or eDNA), helps Yarra Valley Water to identify the fauna species that are currently occupying or visiting the land where the wetland will be restored.
Yarra Valley Water Graduate Program
Scientist Ava Cole said eDNA helps us to understand how we are improving biodiversity through this project.
“We’ve taken water samples from the lagoons, billabongs and creeks, and sent them to be analysed using a process called ‘metabarcoding’, which shows us what kind of species live in or visit the area,” she said.
“We’ve been able to confirm an abundance of different species, including fish, birds, mammals and reptiles across the site where we’re undertaking restoration works.
Among the species identified were the striped marsh frog, Australian shelduck, common froglet, southern short-finned eel and the purple swamphen.
This habitat restoration project aims to not only support the species already existing at or visiting the site, but also two critically endangered species. The new wetlands will serve as a planned release point for captive-bred Helmeted Honeyeaters and lowland Leadbeater’s Possums
Ms Cole said the water corporation’s use of eDNA may be extended to other projects.
“The technology has proved really useful at the treatment plant, and it’s something we will look to use at other locations.
“It means when we start a project, we have a good understanding of the baseline state of biodiversity, and subsequent testing will demonstrate whether we’ve improved biodiversity in the area.”
Empower Her
■ A school holiday workshop for girls is being held at the Kinglake Ranges neighbourhood House - thanks to Foundation Murrindindi
“This is a comprehensive wellbeing program designed to enhance self-esteem and confidence, promote independence and life skills and more,” said KRNH’s laura Caine.
“There are limited places so please enrol as soon as possible at our website if you would like to secure a spot in this popular workshop: www.kinglakeranges.com.au
Light up Lords
■ As major facility upgrades are set to get underway at Lords Reserve, Mansfield Council is now calling for community support for new LED lighting at the ground.
Mansfield Council is now applying to the 2025-26 Country Football and Netball Program to fund a new lighting system to allow for night-time play and training.
Mansfield Mayor Cr Steve Rabie said it would be more likely that Council can secure funding if it can show strong community support for the upgrade.
"We know that our local clubs are growing, and the demand for training and playing space is increasing, particularly in the evenings," he said.
"New, modern lighting at Lords Reserve will be a game-changer, especially for our women's and junior football teams using evening time slots,” said Cr Rabie Mansfield Council has been working with a professional lighting contractor to plan a modern LED system. The design will ensure the oval receives adequate light for play and practice while being carefully designed to avoid light spill and minimise impacts on nearby houses.
No plans for SES upgrade
■ The State Government has deemed the Mansfield SES facility as ‘currently functional’, with no plans in place to upgrade the station, says Eildon MLA Cindy McLeish.
“This is despite the current station being unable to meet the unit’s needs or store their extensive equipment,” Ms McLeish said.
“Mansfield SES are not a regular unit, often facing challenging conditions and difficult terrain including mountains, lakes and rivers, making their station requirements unique.
Ms McLeish directly called on the Minister for Emergency Services make available the funding in the 2025-26 budget so that a new facility can be built.
Minister Vicki Ward responded, “I am advised that the VICSES Mansfield facility is currently functional, but a new facility will be required in future…
“The VICSES Mansfield Unit will continue to be assessed against a range of investment priorities within the emergency services portfolio to determine its priority for replacement.”
Ms McLeish said, “For years the unit has understood that they are high on the priority list (top five) for new premises. Yet the State Government won’t provide the funding support for a new station.
“It is a real let down that they have again missed out. I have been calling for this for over 10 years.”
Yea home invasion: appeal
■ Alexandra Crime Investigation Unit detectives are appealing for public assistance as they continue to investigate a home invasion in Yea last week, where a man was seriously injured and his house was destroyed by fire.
Three unknown offenders knocked on the door of a rural farm property on Melba Hwy about 1.15am on Monday, June 23.
It is understood two of them were armed with firearms and one had a machete, as they confronted a 68-year-old man and entered the house.
Police are treating the incident was a targeted attack and believe the offenders may have got the wrong address.
The offenders demanded cash and a firearm from the victim.
When he was unable to comply with the demands, the offenders blindfolded him before assaulting him.
Detectives were told they dragged him out of the house and forced him into the boot of his own vehicle.
One of the offenders then drove the car along the victim’s driveway, where he was forcibly removed from the car and taken to a nearby paddock.
Police were told they continued to assault him in the paddock and poured petrol onto him.
One of the offenders then held the man at gunpoint in the paddock while the other two set the victim’s house on fire.
No one else was inside the property at the time and it was completely destroyed in the fire.
Broadford bridges
■ Inland Rail is undertaking significant works in Broadford across three key sites to provide sufficient clearance for doublestacked freight trains.
These works are being delivered by John Holland Group on behalf of the Federal Government.
Works are currently underway at Hamilton St, Short St and Marchbanks Rd, with traffic management in place.
To progress construction of a new shared use path at Hamilton St, large bridge beams need to be installed.
This will require the use of a large crane and a full closure of the Hamilton St bridge from 7am Sunday July 27 to 7am Tuesday July 29.
The timing of the closure aligns with a planned rail shutdown, ensuring safe access to the worksite above the train tracks.
A 12km detour via Sunday Creek Rd or a 20km detour via the Hume Fwy will be in place during the closure. Road users should allow at least 20 minutes of additional travel time, or up to 30 minutes during peak periods.
A temporary pedestrian detour will also be available via the Broadford railway station level crossing. The project team are also working with local emergency services to minimise the impact the closure will have on them.
Inland Rail staff will be at the upcoming Mitchell Listening Tour in Broadford to provide information about the Hamilton St bridge closure and other works in Broadford. It’s on tonight (Wed., July 2) from 6pm to 7.30pm at the Broadford Hall, 18 Murchison St, Broadford
The session, which is run by Mitchell Shire Council, includes a short presentation from Council and Inland Rail followed by an open, expo-style format where residents can speak one-on-one with Councillors, Council staff and Inland Rail staff.
Goughs Bay plan
■ Mansfield Council has adopted the Goughs Bay Plan, a document that sets out a 20-year vision for the township, balancing future growth with the preservation of its unique lakeside character.
The plan is the culmination of extensive community consultation that began in late 2023.
“The Goughs Bay Plan provides a strategic framework to manage the area's development, addressing key community priorities including environmental conservation, infrastructure enhancement, wastewater management, economic growth and the protection of cultural heritage,” said a Mansfield Council representative.
“The plan’s central vision is to guide the town’s future as a harmonious and sustainable community. It aims to carefully balance future developments with the area's existing natural beauty and recreational charm.
The victim sustained non-life-threatening injuries during the incident.
He drove to another property to call Triple Zero (000)
Three firearms, used for farming, were stolen from the property and remain outstanding.
No arrests have been made at this stage and the investigation remains ongoing.
The three offenders are perceived to be Middle Eastern in appearance and are believed to have spoken in Arabic during the incident.
Via an anonymous report to Crime Stoppers, police were provided with some details and are urging this particular caller to make further contact and provide additional information.
Detective Sergeant Flyn Loughlin, Alexandra Crime Investigation Unit, said: “This is an extremely vicious, violent, and cowardly attack on elderly victim who lives alone in a remote area, and we need assistance from the public to help us identify the three offenders.
“We’re continuing to investigate the circumstances and the possibility that these offenders have incorrectly targeted the wrong house and wrong intended victim - a victim who was unable to meet their specific demands.
“We’re urging an anonymous caller to Crime Stoppers who recently provided us with information regarding the incident to make further contact and provide any additional details.”
“A key priority reflected throughout the plan is the commitment to preserving the peaceful and laid-back character that defines the Goughs Bay experience.”
Mansfield Mayor Cr Steve Rabie said the adoption of the plan was a significant milestone for the Goughs Bay community and the broader Mansfield Shire
“Congratulations to everyone who was involved in the development of this thorough plan.
“The adoption of the Goughs Bay Plan is a testament to what we can achieve when Council and the community work together.
“This plan has clear, achievable goals shaped directly by the feedback of hundreds of residents and visitors, providing a clear and shared roadmap for the future,” said Cr Rabie
“It strategically addresses the long-standing challenges of wastewater and housing, while laying the groundwork for projects that will enhance the lifestyle of residents and the experience of visitors.
“This plan ensures that as Goughs Bay grows, it retains the character and natural beauty that makes it so special.”
A central issue addressed by the plan is the lack of reticulated sewerage, which has been a significant barrier to development.
While awaiting the final outcomes of a separate Integrated Wastewater Management feasibility study, the Goughs Bay Plan proposes that any future sewer system can be integrated with its recommendations.
The Council will begin preparing a planning scheme amendment.
● ● Cindy McLeish, Eildon MLA
The offenders fled the scene in another vehicle.
● ● Police want more information about the Yea home invasion. Photo: ABC News.
Environment News
4-year-old pledge
■ Four years after the State Government pledged to create 60,000 hectares of new national parks and conservation reserves in the central west, community and conservation groups are demanding the Allan Government finally deliver on its original commitmen, says the Victorian National Parks Association.
“On June 24, 2021, the Government accepted expert recommendations to give forests and woodlands across Wombat, Wellsford, Mt Cole and Pyrenees increased protection as national parks and other conservation areas,” said the Association.
“The survival of 380 threatened plants and animals, including Greater Gliders and Swift Parrots, depends on safeguarding fragmented landscapes across central Victoria
“Despite repeated assurances legislation would be introduced, nothing has eventuated, with native forest salvage logging and industrial mining active in areas slated for inclusion in the new parks.”
Victorian National Parks Association Nature Conservation Campaigner Ben Gill said the delays had eroded public trust: “These constantly broken promises betray communities, like mine, who've fought for decades to make sure our precious wildlife have a future.
“Instead of seeing legislation pass, we’ve seen bulldozers and chainsaws carve up the very habitat that should be safe in new expert-recommended national parks.
“These aren’t just statistics or conservation targets to me – they’re the Greater Gliders and skinks I’ve tracked for hours through valleys, the birds whose songs fill my mornings, the tiny native orchids I hope will emerge every Spring.”
“In May the State Government approved Canadian mining giant Agnico Eagle’s plan to build two toxic waste dams on the fringe of Wellsford Forest, clearing 210 mature habitat trees – despite recent sightings of more than 140 critically endangered Swift Parrots.”
Wendy Radford and Stuart Fraser from the Bendigo and District Environment Council said it was time for Premier Allan to stop hiding behind process and legislate, “We wonder if the Allan Government values forests, endangered species or even its own promises.
“A deadline was given to legislate Wellsford Forest by the end of 2024 – that promise was broken. Now we want a firm commitment, not more excuses. What is the real reason for the delay?”
Gayle Osborne from Wombat Forestcare said the community’s patience had worn thin. “The community's patience has run out. We don't want more hollow announcements or empty rhetoric. The Allan Government must immediately legislate the Wombat-Lerderderg National Park,” she said.
“Our community supports the creation of these parks – especially Mt Cole and the Pyrenees – and looks forward to our native forests finally getting the protection they need and deserve” said Christine Baines from the Mt Cole–Pyrenees Nature Group, adding “Their conservation value is of vital importance to both our region and the wider public.”
Sports Briefs
Courts take shape
■ Mitchell Shire Council, in partnership with the State Government and Seymour Tennis Club, is delivering a major upgrade to Enclosure 1 at the Seymour Tennis Complex
The $1.716 million project includes construction of four new concrete courts with competition-grade lighting, updated fencing and new synthetic surfacing. Access to the courts will also be improved, including better connections to the surrounding parkland.
In addition to these upgrades, the neighbouring defunct courts are being demolished, with the area to be returned to grassed open space for passive recreation.
The project is funded through $1 million from Sport and Recreation Victoria’s Regional Community Sports Infrastructure Fund, $676,000 from Mitchell Shire Council, $20,000 from Tennis Australia and $20,000 from the Seymour Tennis Club. The new courts are beginning to take shape, with the concrete slab now poured. Demolition of the old courts is also progressing well.
■ Residents and businesses are being invited to help shape planning for upgrades on Donnybrook Rd.
The Donnybrook Rd and Mitchell St intersection in Craigieburn will be upgraded to reduce travel times, improve safety and cater for population growth.
The upgrade will replace the existing roundabout with traffic lights, build a new bridge over Kalkallo Creek, add extra lanes at the intersection, and install safety barriers. Construction timelines will be known once planning has further progressed.
Planning is also progressing for an upgrade of Donnybrook Rd between Mickleham Rd, Mickleham, and Epping Rd, Woodstock
Major Road Projects Victoria is exploring options including adding more road lanes, upgrading intersections and the Hume Freeway Interchange, removing the Donnybrook Rd level crossing, and building new cycling and walking paths.
This planning will be used to inform government decisions, with initial planning work expected to be complete in late 2025.
Until July 13, MRPV is seeking feedback from the community.
MRPV will use the feedback to better understand how the community uses Donnybrook Rd as well as their views on safety and traffic flow, to inform decisions on the project design.
Scoreboard
5 tons of cans recycled Works at Donnybrook Rd
Premier Division Seniors. Wandin 17.15 (117) d Woori Yallock 14.9 993). Healesville 12.13 (95) d Emerald
■ The Alexandra Football Netball Club registered in November, 2023 with the State Government’s Container Deposit Scheme and now collects eligible cans, plastic and glass which are delivered to the depots in Alexandra and Eildon, whilst still collecting ineligible or damaged cans and delivering the crushed cans to the recycle depot in Ringwood
The Club is appreciative of a number of businesses and residences across the district including Acheron, Alex-andra, Eildon, Thornton and Yarck that support the Club’s project, as well as a number of people that place their containers in wheelie bins with red lids at the entrance to the Alexandra Showgrounds and Recreation Reserve
The Club and community efforts in the Container Deposit Scheme were recognised in October last year when they received the inaugural AFL Victoria award.
Powelltown 8.6 (54). Yea 23.12 (150) d Yarra Junction 3.3 (21). Belgrave 19.13 (127) d Yarra Glen 13.10 (88). Alexandra 10.11 (71) d Seville 6.6 (42). Warburton Millgrove: Bye. Division 1 Reserves. APakenham 21.17 (143) d Powelltown 2.2 (14). Yea 16.9 (105) d Yarra Junction 4.3 (27). Belgrave 22.18 (148) d Yarra Glen 2.4 (16). Alexandra 9.12 (66) d Seville 9.2 (56). Warburton Millgrove: Bye. Premier Division Under 18 Boys. Wandin 17.14 (116) d Woori Yallock 6.7 (43). Mt Evelyn 17.19 (121) d Gembrook Cockatoo 0.2 (2). Officer 14.10 (94) d Upwey
7.7 (49). Olinda Ferny Creelk 9.6 (60) d Monbulk 7.13 (55). Healesville: Bye. Division 1 Under 18 Boys. Seville 14.15 (99) d Alexandra 1.0 (6). Pakenham 23.18 (156) d Yarra Glen 0.2 (2). Bye: Warburton Millgrove, Yea. Women’s Division 1.
Northern NFL
Division 1 Seniors. Greensborough 14.16 (100) d Banyule 6.14 (50). Bundoora 12.11 (83) d North Heidelberg 12.3 (75). Hurstbridge 14.18 (100) d Eltham 14.5 (89). Heidelberg 20.14 (134) d West Preston Lakeside 7.4 (46). Southorang 14.13 (97) d Montmorency 7.9 (51).
Division 1 Reserves. Greensborough 14.11 (95) d Banyule 5.7 (37). North Heidelberg 14.6 (90) d Bundoora 12.10 (82). Eltham 20.11 (131) d Hurstbridge 13.14 (92). Heidelberg 9.7 (61) d West Preston Lakeside 5.10 (40). South Morang 12.9 981) d Montmorency 3.6 (24).
Division 1 Under 19. Montmorency 8.15 (63) d Greensborough 7.7 (49). Heidelberg 5.7 (370 d Diamond Creek 4.9 (33). Hurstbridge 11.3 (69) d Eltham, 7.18 (60). Banyule 15.5 (95) d St Mary’s 9.9 (63).
Division 2 Seniors. Whittlesea 11.14 (80) d Old Paradians 4.2 (26). Northcote Park 12.13 (85) d Panton Hill 4.6 (30), Diamond Creek 14.14 (98) d Lower Plenty 13.9 (87). St Mary’s 17.14 (116) d Watsonia 6.3 (39). Macleod 16.16 (112) d Thomastown 5.10 (40). Division 2 Reserves. Whittlesea 17.15 (117) d Old Paradians 3.2 (20). Northcote Park 15.17 (107) d Panton Hill 2.6 (18). Diamond Creek 22.8 (140) d Lower Plenty 9.8 (62). Macleod 18.15 (123) d Thomastown 4.9 (33). St Mary’s 22.11 (143) d Watsonia 4.9 (33).
■ More than $2 billion is being invested in emergency services in the State Budget, said Eltham MLA Vicki Ward.
“That is more than double what those opposite invested when they were last in government,” Ms Ward said, referring to the Liberals-Nationals opposition.
“It is accurately displayed every year in the organisation’s annual report, which was explained to those opposite at PAEC multiple times by both the Premier and the Treasurer
“I will take the opportunity to give a shoutout to the 4500 workers at FRV who do an incredible job.
“The Leader of the Nationals does seem to have some challenges in understanding how the emergency services are funded.
“I think that we need to understand that because of the nature of emergencies – that is, they occur quickly – there is regular supplementation that is needed.
“For example, if the Leader of the Nationals took some time to notice it, in the 2022–23 SES annual report funding increased by over 80 per cent because of the enormous effort and response from the SES to the October 2022 floods. I do think that the Leader of the Nationals ... s trying to create, again, a false narrative that we are not supporting our emergency services when indeed we have record funding,” Ms Ward said. $2b for
Division 2 Under 19.5. North Heidelberg 11.12 (78) d Mernda 6.5 (41). Laurimar 17.13 (115) d Lower Plenty 1.3 (9). South Morang 9.6 (60) d Whittlesea 6.8 (44). Macelod 21.14 (140) d Heidelberg 2.2 (14).
Division 3 Seniors. Reservoir 16.11 (107) d Old Eltham Collegians 10.8 (68). Laurimar 11.8 974) d Kinglake 9.4 (58). Epping 25.15 (165)d Lalor 6.4 (40). Ivanhoe 17.13 (115) d Heidelberg West 5.4 (34). Fitzroy Stars 18.12 (120) d Mernda 8.5 (53). Division 3 Reserves. Reservoir 9.8 (62) d Old Eltham Collegians 6.5 (41). Laurimar 19.12 (126) d Kinglake 7.3 (45). Epping 11.15 (81) d
● Vicki Ward, Eltham MLA
● Artist’s impression of the project ● ● Ray Steyger and Neil Robinson
Observer Melbourne
■ There are fresh calls to take greater care on Victorian roads with a Greater Sooty Owl needing life-saving treatment at Healesville Sanctuary’s wildlife hospital.
The threatened species with soulful eyes and sharp talons suffered a head trauma, suspected of being hit by a car at Gembrook
A wildlife carer rushed the large nocturnal bird to the Sanctuary’s Australian Wildlife Health Centre where it received a full medical check including X-Rays, eye examination and blood tests upon arrival.
Healesville Sanctuary Veterinary Nurse Chris Stitt said they needed to rule out rodenticide poisoning which was the main eason for the blood test.
“We found the owl was straining one of its eyes due to corneal damage. But thankfully, we didn’t find any fractures,” Mr Stitt said.
“It is not a species we see often, so it was quite an exciting moment to be up close to such an amazing bird that’s considered endangered in Victoria
“In my seven years working at the wildlife hospital, I haven’t come across one before.”
The Greater Sooty Owl was provided a quiet, dark place to recover in the new Raptor Rehabilitation Centre while it received fluids, anti-inflammatory medication and pain relief.
Wise to take care Wise to take care
Local Business Profile
Michelle Allen and team of Muddy Creek Health Hub, Yea
I have been working as a massage therapist in Yea, at my home for the last 15 years.
I have supported people's relaxation, remedial or correctional and palliative care treatments for this community and it's been an honor.. I have always been fascinated by the body and finding ways of helping people in pain and learning to see if we can push past our symptoms to heal on a deep or lasting level. It's always been a dream of mine to be part of a health hub that includes different types of therapists and modalities coming together.
Technology is happening in our health care industry and with so many amazing minds and by still using old fashioned foundations there is some seriously successful solutions for people's pain and healthcare needs.
My clinic is lucky enough to have Rebecca Bullen join the team as a Remedial Therapist who brings the same values with a different touch to her care for clients.
I have also introduced a Telsa
Former which uses Functional Magnetic Stimulation machine that can change our body on a very deep physiological level.
It supports problems around inflammation, pain, muscular atrophy and injury, stimulates the lymphatic system and supports drainage.
Weight loss or cellulite reduction or body sculpting. Pelvic floor issues and incontinence problems have had huge success and erectile dysfunction also has some.
We have an awesome team to begin with of Rebecca Bullen, Nicole Schryver, Grace Hamilton and myself who look forward to being part of Yea and districts healthcare solutions.
My telephone number is 0419 625 536 if you would like to talk more or even come in and have a look around at our facilities. The clinic's number is 0417 658 366 or email us at info@muddycreekhealthhub. com.au
Our address is 7 The Semi Circle, Yea. The old medical Centre and the old dentist.
Seven days later, wildlife carers released this beautiful species back to the wild where it was found at dusk.
Greater Sooty Owls are a medium to large owl species that stand about 40-50 centimetres tall. They are listed as endangered under the Victorian Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 and listed as least concern with a decreasing population on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Threats to their survival include habitat loss and fragmentation, rodenticide poisoning and road trauma.
Mr Stitt admits seeing this wildlife patient serves as a good reminder to take extra care when driving at dawn and dusk because that’s when so many of native species come out and explore.
The Australian Wildlife Health Centre at Healesville Sanctuary can assist with injured, sick and orphaned native animals.
A dedicated team treats approximately 2000 wildlife annually as well as caring for the Sanctuary’s resident animals.
Visitors can see the incredible vet procedures taking place in real time as the wildlife hospital has glass internal walls. Thanks to the generosity of a network of wildlife carers, patients such as this Greater Sooty Owl can receive the expert care they need and then go on to live their lives in the wild.
● ● Michelle Allen, Nicole Schryver, Bek Bullen and Grace Hamilton
Your Stars
with Kerry Kulkens
ARIES (March 21 - April 20)
Lucky Colour: Green
Lucky Day: Tuesday
Racing Numbers: 5, 6, 3, 2
Lotto Numbers: 5, 12, 23, 36, 34, 4
This week, people around you may test your patience. Avoid unnecessary arguments to maintain your peace of mind. Financial opportunities may arise, so stay alert to potential gains.
TAURUS (April 21 - May 20)
Lucky Colour: Blue
Lucky Day: Friday
Racing Numbers: 2, 3, 6, 9
Lotto Numbers: 1, 12, 15, 21, 34, 40
Setting up financial matters early will help avoid future complications. Make time for relaxation and socialising—you deserve a break. A contact from your past could lead to an unexpected benefit.
GEMINI (May 21 - June 21)
Lucky Colour: Pink
Lucky Day: Friday
Racing Numbers: 1, 3, 6, 2
Lotto Numbers: 1, 12, 26, 39, 5, 33
Maintain a positive outlook; a smile can solve many problems. Avoid unnecessary expenses, as purchases made now may not be worth the cost. Look for workplace challenges.
CANCER (June 22 - July 22)
Lucky Colour: Red
Lucky Day: Tuesday
Racing Numbers: 4, 6, 9, 5
Lotto Numbers: 4, 12, 26, 9, 5, 11
You may be viewing life through rosecoloured glasses, but reality may differ from expectations. Surprising gestures from others could leave a lasting impression.
LEO (July 23 - August 22)
Lucky Colour: Blue
Lucky Day: Wednesday
Racing Numbers: 4, 9, 6, 1
Lotto Numbers: 4, 15, 29, 36, 37, 8
Others' cooperation might not meet your expectations, requiring flexibility in your plans. Domestic responsibilities may feel overwhelming but can be managed with patience.
VIRGO (August 23 - September 23)
Lucky Colour: Yellow
Lucky Day: Monday
Racing Numbers: 8, 6, 5, 2
Lotto Numbers: 8, 12, 26, 36, 34, 44
Mixing business with pleasure may yield a different result than this week. Stay cautious, as people from your past might reintroduce complications into your life.
LIBRA (September 24 - October 23)
Lucky Colour: Cream
Lucky Day: Monday
Racing Numbers: 1, 3, 5, 6
Lotto Numbers: 1, 12, 26, 36, 35, 4
Careful planning will ensure success, although some projects may face delays. Avoid overindulgence, as it could lead to health issues. Balance is vital to a productive week.
SCORPIO (October 24 - November 22)
Lucky Colour: Orange
Lucky Day: Wednesday
Racing Numbers: 4, 6, 2, 3
Lotto Numbers: 4, 12, 23, 32, 20, 36
Ensure all your actions are transparent, as deception could lead to complications. Avoid conflicts with authority figures, as they are unlikely to resolve in your favour.
SAGITTARIUS (November 23 - December 20)
Lucky Colour: Lilac
Lucky Day: Monday
Racing Numbers: 1, 3, 2, 5
Lotto Numbers: 1, 15, 26, 45, 42, 24
Long-term relationships may need reassessment—honesty with yourself is essential. Problems that seem significant may resolve themselves with less effort than anticipated.
CAPRICORN (December 21 - January 19)
Lucky Colour: Green
Lucky Day: Thursday
Racing Numbers: 4, 6, 3, 2
Lotto Numbers: 4, 12, 35, 36, 39, 8
Fresh ideas and partnerships could rejuvenate your work environment. Be mindful of your love life, as it may require attention and care amid your busy schedule.
AQUARIUS (January 20 - February 19)
Lucky Colour: Violet
Lucky Day: Tuesday Racing Numbers: 2, 3, 5, 6
Lotto Numbers: 2, 13, 25, 26, 35, 4
Take time to enjoy yourself and pursue activities you love. Significant connections could form, with the potential for lasting commitments and long-term happiness.
PISCES (February 20 - March 20)
Lucky Colour: Fawn
Lucky Day: Saturday
Racing Numbers: 1, 3, 2, 5
Lotto Numbers: 1, 12, 26, 36, 34, 45
Some meetings with friends or relatives may initially disappoint, but the outcomes could exceed your expectations. Fun and excitement are just around the corner.
Follow us on Facebook for the latest updates and offerings.
SES budget to be cut
Sir, I read with interest a recent article in your publication headlined ‘Investment into SES’ ILocalPaper, June 25).
It quoted Minister for Emergency Services, Vicki Ward, talking glowingly about Labor’s support for the SES and spruiking unprecedented investment.
What the article didn’t say was the Minister was responding to a question from myself in Parliament
The article also failed to say that the Minister failed to answer the question, instead providing only the spin and waffle you quoted.
In Question Time, I simply asked: “What is the SES’s base budget for 2025–26?” .
Instead of answering, the Minister did nothing to dispute a looming SES budget cut, despite Victorians facing a $3 billion tax hit that is supposed to be better funding our emergency services.
Fact is, a Government Gazette has revealed the SES budget is set to be cut by $8.4 million, along with cuts to FRV and CFA
How is that supporting and investing in the SES?
Danny O’Brien Leader
of The Nationals Shadow Minister for Emergency Services
Private health
Sir,
Specialist fees are a concern, but they are not the main reason for out-of-pocket costs being barriers to private healthcare.
The real issue lies in the design of private health insurance, which typically come with exclusions and restrictions.
Many policies do not cover common procedures or only offer partial coverage, leading to high out-of-pocket costs.
While the number of people insured for hospital treatment has grown from 11.2 million in December 2019 to 12.5 million in March 2025, the number of people on exclusionary hospital policies has grown from 6.6 million to 8.6 million in the same period.
The percentage of hospital policies with exclusions by insurers has grown from 57.7 per cent in December 2019 to 67.6 per cent in March 2025.
High and growing insurance membership does not translate into high private hospital use due to inadequate coverage.
The complexity and lack of transparency in insurance policies discourage patients from using private care.
To increase private hospital use and ease pressure on the public system, insurance products must be reformed to be more comprehensive, transparent and user-friendly.
Private hospital admissions have increased 3 per cent over the last year (from 4.9 million to over 5.1 million), yet private hospitals face an existential crisis. Why? Clearly, it has little to do with volumes but payments.
As recently recorded by the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority, in the last quarter to March alone the payment ratio to private hospitals from insurers plummeted
Observer Mailbag
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.
from 83 per cent to just 80.7 per cent. That’s virtually 20 per cent of the premiums mums and dads pay for health insurance being siphoned into insurance company coffers.
It’s a far cry from the traditional 88 per cent benchmark, which is an annual threshold the insurers have not met since 2019-20.
Health insurance companies are pocketing an average $2 billion a year in unprecedented profits from people’s annual premiums, in addition to $3.5 billion a year in higher ‘management fees’, all while short-changing private hospitals by over $1 billion a year.
Clearly the insurers have deep enough pockets to meet their obligations without increasing premiums for their members.
In the last quarter alone, APRA reveals the insurers banked another $431 million in profits.
When the middlemen in healthcare are allowed to gouge their members at one end and short-change private hospitals at the other, the funding model is being abused to the point that it is broken.
It is now more than three months since Federal Health Minister Mark Butler publicly put the health insurance industry on notice to increase payments to private hospitals or he would regulate them to do so. That deadline has lapsed and nothing has changed.
Brett Heffernan Chief Executive Officer
Duck season
Sir,
The final long weekend of Victoria's 2025 recreational duck shooting season ended Monday, June 9, as it started, extremely quiet with very few shooters.
It highlighted the shocking misuse of public funds which are used to prop up recreational duck shooting seasons for duck shooters who make up just 0.2 percent of Victoria’s population.
With Victoria’s crippling debt of about $170 billion, Premier Jacinta Allan should have the vision to immediately replace duck shooting, which costs Victorian taxpayers around $11 million annually, with a First Nations naturebased, cultural wetlands tourism industry, which would inject millions, if not billions of dollars into regional Victoria’s economy.
Instead, Premier Allan is focused on her multi-billion dollar Big Build trains fetish, which is highly detrimental to Victoria’s financial wellbeing.
She has also ignored Labor’s 2023 Parliamentary Inquiry, which called for duck shooting to be banned.
New South Wales is light years ahead of Victoria, with a lucrative First Nations cultural tourism industry which, according to ABC News, October 2024, generates over $3 billion annually and aims to increase this to $91 billion by 2035.
Apart from Victoria , birdwatching is booming in Australia. International birdwatchers spent $2.6 billion on travel that involved birdwatching in the year to June 2024, according to Tourism Research Australia.
Premier Allan denied regional Victorians the chance to be inundated with overseas tourists when Labor cancelled the Commonwealth Games; and her lack of vision is presently denying regional Victorians the opportunity to establish wetlands and native bird tourism.
In the 1980s, a visionary Labor Premier John Cain and two ministers, Joan Kirner and Evan Walker, had the idea to protect Victoria’s penguins and they established a thriving, world class penguin tourism industry.
Victoria’s future Labor Premier needs to have a tourism vision.
Approaching the 2026 Victorian election, it’s important that the Labor Party changes to a Premier who bans the dying activity of duck shooting, which is incompatible with nature-based tourism, and instead promotes a First Nations nature-based, cultural wetlands tourism industry.
Laurie Levy Campaign Director Coalition Against Duck Shooting
Thousands late
■ Thousands of homeward - bound city workers were delayed up to three hours last night when two train derailments threw suburban rail services into chaos.
The accidents, at Jolimont and South Yarra, blocked the lines from Melbourne to Sandringham and from Oakleigh, Dandenong and Frankston to Melbourne
Some Frankston and Sandringham services were delayed six hours.
Trains still were half an hour behind schedule at 10 p.m. lt was one of Melbourne's worst hold-ups ever.
Trains leaving Flinders st. station were packed to capacity and hundreds were left behind.
South Yarra station was chaos as people travelling both to and from the city swarmed over the platforms.
Hundreds of angry passengers tried to get home by fra ni from South Yarra station, and police had to be called to handle the crowds which spilled from the station to Toorak rd
The first accident oc curred at 3.45 p.m. when a two-carriage train was derailed at the Jolimont yards, near the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
The second accident happened at South Yarra station, at 5 p.m., when the rear of a shunting train on the Sandringham line slid down the wrong set of rails.
This upset the emergency shuttle service already runnuing to Sandringham
People travelling on that line had to go to South Yarra by a limited service on the Frankston - Dandenong line, and then switch to the shuttle service.
Ran down bandit
■
A gunman last night held up a Thornbury milk bar, then ran-not knowing that the proprietor was a professional sprinter and winner of three Victorian Gifts. Sprinter Terry Brady chased the gunman 100 yards along St. George's rd. and caught him after "breaking even time."
"I won the Heathcote, Cobram, and Keilor Gifts, but I bettered those efforts in this sprint' Brady said last night.
The gunman walked into the milk bar about 8 p.m and ordered a packet of chewing gum from Brady's wife, Winifred, who was serving alone.
Mrs. Brady gave him the gum, and he pulled a .32 revolver from his overcoat pocket and said: "I want your dough quick.'!
Mrs. Brady put a ten-shil\ling note on the counter and said: "That's all I have."
"Then I sang out: 'Get out. You're not getting anything'.
"He ran and I called to my husband, who sprinted after him."
Wireless Police took the man to Russell st. for questioning.
Presented by Sarah Kulkens, Australia’s
Trusted Psychic Family
Scandinavian Film Festival
■ The 2025 Hurtigruten Scandinavian Film Festival, presenting the best new cinema from the Nordic region, will be presented at Palace cinemas from July 11 to August 3.
The unveiling of this year's program revealed a diverse and thought–provoking selection from Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark and Iceland with 2025 Cannes Grand Prix winner, SentimentalValueas the centrepiece.
The Festival welcomes new naming rights partner Hurtigruten, long associated with the Nordic region.
Opening the 2025 Festival is Number 24, from multi award-winning director John Andreas Andersen (TheBurningSea,The Quake). This Norwegian spy drama depicts the extraordinary true story of an ‘everyman’ drawn into the resistance movement during World War II, exploring the morality of wartime and the weight of responsibility in the fight for freedom.
Direct from the 2025 Cannes International Film Festival, where it won the coveted Grand Prix, is this year’s centrepiece, SentimentalValue, from director Joachim Trier. Reuniting Trier with star Renate Reinsve (The Worst Person in the World), the intimate drama also stars Stellan Skarsgård and Elle Fanning in a moving exploration of family, memories, and the reconciliatory power of art.
2025’s Special Presentation is Quisling: TheFinalDays(Quislingssistedager). Set in 1945 Norway, this bold and provocative drama from acclaimed director Erik Poppe (TheKing’sChoice,ScandiFF17) follows the post-liberation trial of the country’s infamous and controversial head of state Vidkun Quisling, in a stirring meditation on complicity, faith and the capacity for selfdeception.
A box office sensation in Iceland, black comedy Grand Finale (Fullt hús) is this year’s Closing Night film. Featuring an allstar Icelandic ensemble cast, this wildly entertaining tale revolves around a near-bankrupt chamber orchestra in Reykjavik who try to secure their future with a world-famous cellist.
Also from Iceland is the powerful and visually stunning drama The Mountain (Fjallið), the first officially vetted sustainable production in the country, awarded the prestigious Green Film Sustainability certification. Starring Ísadóra Bjarkardóttir Barney (daughter of singer Björk and artist Matthew Barney) in her first feature role, the coming-of-age story explores how the cosmos and a road trip to the Icelandic highlands offers comfort to a family whose life is upended by a twist of fate.
The Icelandic selection also includes Odd Fish (Ljósvíkingar) a tale of dreams, identity and acceptance which follows two childhood friends who get a long-awaited opportunity to run their seafood restaurant all year round yet face unexpected personal challenges.
From Denmark comes the compelling drama SecondVictims(Detandetoffer), starring Festival favourite Trine Dyrholm Featuring Dyrholm and Özlem Saglanmak (Borgen), this timely reflection on the challenges faced by healthcare professionals follows a neurologist on a shift that will change her life forever, exploring the weight of guilt and the power of compassion.
Direct from the 2025 Göteborg Film Festival is the drama TheLastParadiseonEarth (Seinastaparadísájørð). The unique culture and stunning landscapes of the Faroe Islands are the backdrop to this moving exploration of identity, grief, and longing.
Based on the true story of Denmark’s biggest-ever robbery, TheQuietOnes(De lydløse)follows a group of criminals in their heist preparations with a stellar ensemble cast including Gustav Giese, Reda Kateb, Christopher Wagelin and Amanda Collin
From acclaimed director Charlotte Sieling (Margrete – Queen of the North ScandiFF22) and starring Nikolaj Lie Kaas, Way Home (Vejen hjem) is a gripping drama set against the backdrop of war-torn Syria that posits how far a Danish father is willing to go to save the people he loves. Finally, the Festival is screening special encores of WhentheLightBreaks(Ljósbrot) which recently won Best Nordic Film at the 2025 Göteborg Film Festival.
Melbourne Screenings: July 11 - August 3, Palace Balwyn, Palace Brighton Bay, Palace Cinema Como, Palace Westgarth, Palace Penny Lane, The Kino, Pentridge Cinema and The Astor Theatre.
Cheryl Threadgold
Talk is cheap, gossip is priceless
MARY POPPINS JR
■ The Young Australian Broadway Chorus will present the musical MaryPoppinsJrfrom July 16-19 at the Cripps Centre, 217 Glen Eira Rd, St Kilda East.
A division of Stage School Australia, the YABC has assembled a cast of 90 young performers to bring the show to life.
The high-energy, large-scale production features all the well-known songs, from the frenetic Supercalifragilisticexpialidociousto the fun ASpoonfulofSugarand the fabulous Step inTime.
This junior adaptation of MaryPoppinswas written by Julian Fellowes (DowntonAbbey), based on the classic books by P.L. Travers, and showcases the wealth of young musical theatre talent from across Melbourne
One such talent is Alyssa Jandayan, 18, an aspiring young performer and first-year Bachelor of Psychology student cast in the titular role of Mary Poppins.
A student with Stage School Australia for seven years, this marks Alyssa’s debut as leading lady in a YABC production, after performing in the ensemble of the YABC’s 2023 junior adaptation of Oliver!
She describes the iconic character as her dream role, having grown up reading the books and watching the 1964 film starring Julie Andrews.
“When I was 11 and really starting to read vigorously, I was given a MaryPoppins book that contained all six original stories in the franchise,” Alyssa recalls.
“I think I’ve read that book around three times now and thoroughly enjoy each story. I genuinely can’t wait to work with everyone, cast and crew alike, because I love meeting new people and making new friends.”
Producer Corey Smark says an extensive casting process saw over 300 talented local performers aged 10 to 19 given their chance to star in the fully costumed and professionally staged production.
Performance Season: July 16, 17, 18, 19 at 7pm; July 17, 18, 19 at 2.30pm Venue: Cripps Centre, 217 Glen Eira Rd, St Kilda East
Tickets start from $29.50 and are on sale now at stageschool.com.au/shows/marypoppins-jr/ Cheryl Threadgold
Lightscape
■ The wonderful night time transformation of Melbourne 's botanical gardens into the dazzling sound and vision extravaganza that is Lightscapereturns with a whole new show this year.
If you’ve not been before, Lightscape is a series of over twenty different installations set up on a walking trail which winds its way through the gardens for a little over two kilometres. These installations take many different forms.
On an open expanse of lawn Effervescence, created by the UK company Culture Creative, consists of thousands of balls of LED light that flash on and off while changing colour, creating kaleidoscope patterns and forms.
In the garden’s lake, Water Stories is created by a variety of indigenous artists in collaboration with the Torch Project and Novak creative studio.
The installation consists of a range of indigenous motifs depicting native animals (such as yabbies, platypus, Murray cod, etc) that are projected onto the mist created by the lake’s fountains. The effect is truly mesmerising. These are just two examples of some astounding pieces of brilliant work from both local and international artists.
The works they have created, sensitively shaping environments and atmospheres through the artistic sculpting of light and sound, give the audience immersive experiences and a totally novel perspective on the gardens.
It is unfortunate that credits for the soundscapes that are part of each installation were not available; sometimes the music used is a recognisable hit from popular musicals, others might be original compositions. However, while not easily identifiable, their impact is as they are important elements of each installation.
Importantly, as you walk along the trail there are stretches of space free of any sort of installation. These spaces help to both demarcate each work and also afford the audience a
● ● Alyssa Jandayan (Mary Poppins) and Darcy Smith (Bert) in Mary Poppins Jr. breather from what might be an overwhelming experience.
While not cheap, Lightscape is worth visiting for a truly one-of-a-kind joyous experience and a celebration of what the human imagination is capable.
Venue: Royal Melbourne Botanical Gardens, Birdwood Avenue, Melbourne
Dates and times: Running until August 10 with entries in 15 minute increments starting at 5.15pm
Duration: Walking the trail takes approximately 90 minutes
Multiple ticketing options are available: see rbg.vic.gov.au/melbourne-gardens/whats-onmelbourne/lightscape/
Bookings: rbg.vic.gov.au/melbourne-gardens/whats-on-melbourne/lightscape/ Review by Peter Murphy
Super
■ Emilie Collyer’s Superis a theatrical indulgence whimsically delving into the absurd.
Phoenix (Lucy Ansell), Rae (Caroline Lee) and Nel (Laila Thaker) all have unconventional superpowers – the ability to control anger, to bring people to tears, and an inordinate capacity to organise.
Collyer dispenses with the usual notions of character development and narrative exploring concepts like celebrity, friendship, charity, and even technology as the three protagonists become consumed by their own capacity to influence their situation.
The nonsense is delightfully enhanced by a quirky set and extravagant costuming (Romanie Harper).
Circular portals in the walls, floor and roof not only allow for exits and entrances but become convenient chutes to discard props. The eccentricity in the outfits worn speaks to celebrity and excess.
Emma Valente’s direction delights in the nonsense. Ansell, Lee and Thaker revel in the possibilities afforded by theatrical absurdity.
There is a realism in the core of friendship between the characters though it is, perhaps, up to each individual audience member to take from the play a central theme.
It could be the corruption of celebrity, the loss of rational perspective, the fact that a superpower could be something quite ordinary and common that we exercise each day.
In this regard, the nature of the work may not be what some theatre goers expect but it does speak to Red Stitch’s commitment to negotiating theatrical boundaries.
The play was developed through Red Stitch’s INK program that encourages contemporary works by Australian playwrights.
With that creative fervour in mind, Super challenges assumptions enabling audiences to explore the dimensions of theatre and where their tastes lie.
Performance Season: Until July 6
Venue: Red Stitch Actors' Theatre, Rear 2 Chapel St., St Kilda East.
Bookings: redstitch.net
Review by David McLean
● ● The Melbourne Observer section is produced weekly, and is available online at www.MelbourneObserver.com.au and at www.LocalPaper.com.au Hard copies of the Melbourne Observer are inside all editions of The Local Paper, printed fortnightly, FebruaryDecember.
St Kilda Film Festival winners
■ St Kilda Film Festival has announced the winners of Australia's Top Short Film Competition for 2025.
Australia’s longest-running short film festival award winners will take home a combined $40,000 worth of cash and prizes across 14 categories.
The prestigious Best Short Film Award, courtesy of City of Port Phillip, was awarded to TheMeaninglessDaydreamsofAugieand Celeste, which took home the cash prize of $10,000. Directed by Pernell Marsden, this is a tale of two best friends who embark on a high-stakes game of imagination, which takes a twisted turn and threatens to jeopardise their relationship (right). The film was also awarded in the Best Young Actor category for Libby Segal and Frankie Gillespie McKay
Also recognised in multiple categories I’m Not Your Heroine, took home two awards for Best Documentary, as well as Best Animation. The film examines pain, loss, addiction and the space in which they intertwine. Directed by Emmalene Vidot and Savannah James. The story follows a mother who is helpless alleviate the pain of her son, who turns to drugs after his fatherfigure commits suicide.
Best Director went to Riley Blakeway for A Thousand Odd Days, a story about a young man reflecting on a day spent with his estranged mother, to understand her enduring trauma and its effect on their relationship. Andrew Gough was recognised for his cinematography on this film, winning the Best Achievement in Cinematography award.
Best Achievement in Indigenous Filmmaking went to MotherhoodintheColony. Directed by Genevieve Grieves and Aseel Tayah , the film was awarded a $100 cash prize from CitiPower and is a love letter to mothers and the vital role they play in the resilience of Indigenous Cultures. The judges also awarded a special Judges’ Commendation in this category, to Re-imagining OurFutures:birthing
This year SKFF has set new records for the number of films screened and received. The Top Short Films Awards have been judged by a panel of industry professionals, with the 2025 judging panel including: cinematographer Ellery Ryan (WishfulThinking starring Drew Barrymore), filmmaker Rhianna Meltzer (Thor: Ragnarok and Elvis), editor Cindy Clarkson (I.Qstarring Tim Robbins and Meg Ryan), film programmer Spiro Economopoulos (Moving Story Entertainment) and City of Port Phillip First Peoples Programs Lead Fred Gesha All award winners (excluding Best Young Actor) also received a complimentary sixmonth membership with WIFT Australia. Accredited by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the St Kilda Film Festival is an Academy Awards qualifying event, with award-winning films from the Australia's Top Short Films Competition eligible for consideration in the Short Film Awards and Documentary Short sections of the Oscars.
Best Original Score – Greg Dombrowski, The Horn
Best Achievement in Sound Post-Production – Wiaan van der Westhuizen, Pliers
Best Achievement in Editing – James Ashbolt – Unstoppable
Best Achievement in Screenplay – Kat Dominis & Mariana Rudan & Damian Walshe-Howling – Unspoken
Best Achievement in Indigenous Filmmaking – Motherhood in the Colony
Best Achievement in Cinematography –Andrew Gough - A Thousand Odd Days
Best Young Actor – Libby Segal and Frankie Gillespie McKay - The Meaningless Daydreams of Augie and Celeste
Best Actor – Steve Mouzakis – Hiraeth
Best Animation – I'm Not Your Heroine
Best Documentary - I'm Not Your Heroine
Best Director - Riley Blakeway - A Thousand Odd Days
Best Innovation Award - I Like Long Walks on Parramatta Road
Best Short Film: The Meaningless Daydreams of Augie & Celeste
Best Youth Short Film – S Ari Quig for Diced Peaches
Cheryl Threadgold
Local Theatre Observations
Shows
■ Malvern Theatre Company: Macbeth (by William Shakespeare) Until July 5 at 29 Burke Rd., Malvern East. Director: David McLean. Bookings: 1300 131 552.
■ Williamstown Little Theatre: Rabbit Hole (by David Lindsay-Abaire) Until July 12 at 2-4 Albert St., Williamstown. Director: John Bishop. Bookings: wlt.org.au/book-tickets
■ Wangaratta Players: Rumours (by Neil Simon) Until July 6 at Stage Door Theatre, 4D Evans St., Wangaratta. Director: Steve Thornycroft and Leanne Kelly. Bookings: Trybooking.
■ MLOC Productions: The Pirate Queen (Boublil and Schönberg) Until July 19 at the Frankston Arts Centre, Davey St., Frankston. Director: Chris Ryan; Musical Director: Matthew Pines. Bookings: mloc.org.au
■ Lilydale Athenaeum Theatre Company: The Diary of Anne Frank (by Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett) July 3 – 19 at the Lilydale Mechanics’ Institute, Castella St., Lilydale. Director: Kellie Tweeddale. Bookings: lilydaleatc.com
■ Heidelberg Theatre Company: Love, Love, Love (by Mike Bartlett) July 4 – 19 (2pm matinees on weekends) at 36 Turnham Ave., Rosanna. Director: George Werther. Bookings: htc.org.au
■ Off the Leash Theatre: Things I Know to be True (by Andrew Bovell) July 17 – 20 at the West Gippsland Arts Centre, 1 Civic Place, Warragul. Director: Amy Moss. Bookings: offtheleashtheatre.com.au
■ Theatrical: Legally Blonde July 12-27 at the National Theatre, St Kilda. Director: Aimee F orrest; Musical Director: Kent Ross; Choreographer: Maggie Lynch, Bookings: booktickets.com.au
■ Fab Nobs Theatre: Zombie Prom - The Atomic Edition. July 11 – 20 at Fab Nobs Theatre, 33 Industry Place, Bayswater. Director: Maeghan McKenzie; Choreographer: Dean Robinson; Musical Director: Sally McKenzie. fabnobstheatre.com.au
■ CPP Community Theatre: Seussical Jr. July 11, 12, 15, 17, 18 at 7.30pm; July 12,19 2pm; July 13 5pm at Boronia K-12 College, Performing Arts Centre, Albert Ave., Boronia (park at Rangeview Rd. end). Director/ Musical Director: Helen Taylor; Associate Director: Fiona Rosel. Bookings: cppcommunitytheatre.com.au/
■ Darebin Arts Speakeasy: Garçon with Wani Toaishara, July 16 – 20 at the Northcote Town Hall Arts Centre, 189 High St, Northcote.Bookings: arts.darebin.vic.gov.au/ Programs-and-opportunities/Programs/ Speakeasy-presentations/garcon-by-wanitoaishara
■ Mordialloc Theatre Company: Lord Savile’s Crime (by Constance Cox) July 24
– August 2 at the Shirley Burke Theatre, 64 Parkers Rd., Parkdale. Director: Deborah Fabbro. Bookings: mordialloctheatre. com.au
■ Encore Theatre: Agatha Crispie (by Cenarth Fox) July 18 – 27 at the Clayton Theatrette, Cooke St., Clayton. Director: David Dodd. Bookings: Trybooking.
■ Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Victoria (GSOV): The Mikado July 17 – 20 at The Alexander Theatre, Monash University, Clayton. Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Victoria (GSOV): The Mikado July 17 – 20 at The Alexander Theatre, Monash University, Clayton. Queenscliff Town Hall, July 26, Stawell Town Hall, August 2; Berninneit Theatre at Cowes, August 9. Bookings: gsov.org.au
■ PLOS Musical Productions: We Will Rock You. July 25 – August 2 at the Frankston Arts Centre, Davey St., Frankston. Director: Paul Watson. Bookings: plos.asn.au or 9784 1060. Cheryl Threadgold
Auditions
■ Encore Theatre: The Revlon Girl (by Anthony Docking) July 1 at 7.30pm at Fleigner Hall, 31 Highland Ave, Oakleigh East. Director: David Krause. Audition bookings: encoretheatre.com.au
■ Heidelberg Theatre Company: The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. July 27 at 10.30am and July 28 at 7.00pm at 36 Turnham Ave., Rosanna. Director: Tim Scott. Audition bookings: timascott56@ gmail.com
■ Brighton Theatre Company: The Good Life (by Jeremy Sams based on TV series by John Esmonde and Bob Larbey) August 17 and August 18 at 7.00pm at the Bayside Arts and Cultural Centre, Cnr Wilson and Carpenter Sts., Brighton. Director: Joanne Gabriel. Audition Enquiries: Jo Gabriel at pukfam@bigpond.net.au Cheryl Threadgold
THE YELLOW LINE
■ TheYellowLine(twoworlds,oneline) directed and co-written by Alaine Beek and Berne-Lee (Nana) Edwards will be presented on July 26 and 27 at the Wyndham Cultural Centre, Werribee
Described as 'a powerful true story', and inspired by events at Port Phillip Prison, now set to close in 2025 amid major prison reforms, TheYellowLineis presented by Essence Theatre Productions and Nga Matai Purua Inc
Based on NMP President Tyson Tuala’s real-life experience, at the heart of TheYellow Line stands Jordan - a young Pasifika guard tasked with teaching Haka to a bunch of disconnected and disinterested prison inmates.
As Jordan walks the metaphorical (and literal) yellow line that separates guard from prisoner, this compelling new Australian work asks: What does redemption look like when you carry the weight of culture, identity, and justice on your shoulders?
The Yellow Line is said to deliver visceral honesty, unforgettable performances, and deep emotional truth, and features an ensemble cast which includes first-time performers with lived experience
“Even though the focus is Maori culture, all cultures will deeply connect with this play”, says co-writer/co-director Alaine Beek
“It’s based on a specific true story and audiences will be immersed into the Maori culture in a thought-provoking way. Each character is based on a real person and although dealing with a very significant topic, so much comedy shines through in the production.”
A story of humour, vulnerability, and connection, The Yellow Line also shares important insight into the Victorian justice system through a Maori and Pasifika lens, delving into the system and its impact within these communities.
It shines a crucial spotlight on the human stories often buried behind headlines - particularly for communities disproportionately impacted by incarceration in Australia
"I never set out to make a play,” explains Tuala. “The experiences that shaped The YellowLinecome from a part of my life I for the stage. This show is not about me. It’s about all the people - seen and unseen - who carry their culture with them into places that were never built for it.
“It’s about Maori and Pasifika men behind bars and the power of Wairua, haka, and music to reach through concrete and steel. It’s about the challenge of holding your values in systems that ask you to leave them at the gate.”
Performed by Kodie Heremia, Phil CameronSmith, Cam Venn, DJ Ahipene, Thisara Hewamanne, Elijah Logo, Wiremu Morris, Ross Daniel and Bronwynne Adeang
Venue: Wyndham Cultural Centre - 177 Watton St, Werribee
Cheryl Threadgold
MSO
■ I am joining a standing ovation, having experienced one extraordinary performance and musical masterpiece after another.
At Hamer Hall, the magnificent Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, under conductor Benjamin Northey and guest pianists, have transported the audience to a place of joy.
Nearly 140,000 votes were cast in this year’s ABC Classic FM Countdown for the 100 most popular piano compositions, according to hosts Jeremy Fernandez and Megan Burslem
Ten pieces were performed, interspersed with filmed interviews with performers, composers, and others discussing their passion for the piano.
William Barton described ‘setting up the lone rumble of the pedal note, like a didgeridoo’. For others, the piano meant: ‘home’; ‘an equaliser’; ‘enjoyment’ and ‘a whole musical experience’. This year’s top 100 included 27 works by living composers and 11 pieces by female composers.
Voted fourth, Gershwin’s RhapsodyinBlue (highlights), was sensuously played by Simon Tedeschi and Andrea Lam in a duet.
Beethoven’s Piano Sonata No. 14, ‘Moonlight Sonata’, voted second. was played romantically by the amazing Andrea Lam Simon Tedeschi then performed highlights from Scott Joplin’s TheEntertainerand Debussy’s Clair deLune sensitively and wistfully.
No.41,SpiritedAway:OneSummer’sDay by Hisaishi was seductively played by Aura Go, then D.J. Ha astonished us with his superb rendition (playing with one hand), of Chopin’s Etude’,Optus10,No.3.
Elena Kats-Chernin and Tamara-Anna Cislowska gave us a medley of Kats-Chernin’s Russian Rag/Butterflying/Eliza Aria. The jaunty melody was quite magical, featuring the sound of bells.
Nat Bartsch played her composition, BrightnessintheHillsbeautifully. An insistent rhythm was coupled with a lyrical melody. It was a contrast to Andrea Lam’s passionate performance of highlights from Tchaikovsky’s Piano ConcertoNo.1.
Voted number one, Beethoven’sPianoConcertoNo.5TheEmperor, was played magnificently by Tamara-Anna Cislowska.
Finally, Konstantin Shamray played the third movement of Rachmaninov’s PianoConcerto No.2, his brilliant rendition bringing the fabulous concert to a triumphant conclusion. mso.com.au
Review by Juliet Charles
Soldier Boy
■ This Theatreworks production of Soldier Boyis masterfully adapted by writer Anthony Hill into a play from his bestselling novel based on a true story.
Set in WWI in 1915, 14-year-old, Melbourne boy James Martin is resolute in his desire to put up his age and serve with the Australian forces overseas.
Playing James, Oliver Tapp’s nuanced performance impressively captures the many shades of emotion asked of the character, from his relationship with family and fellow soldiers, to horrors of the Gallipoli battlefield and to fear of dying in his troop ship hospital bed.
A good balance is created through injections of trench humour providing light relief in moments of tension.
We are drawn into the push and pull of James, his mother and father’s kitchen table conversation when he leaves them with little option but to agree to signing his illegal papers.
Through Laura Iris Hill’s performance as James’s mother, we witness her pain couched with her warmth, while combined with restraint with thoughts of losing her son.
Beng Oh’s direction unleashes this story with great strength juxtaposed with subtlety. Jack Burmeister’s composition and music selection, coupled with Sidney Younger’s lighting effects, create authenticity and added emotional charge to this play.
Adrienne Chisholm’s costuming from army uniforms to patient James’s none-too-pristine singlet as he lies in his hospital bed, to his parents’ everyday wear, transports us back to the 1920s.
The strong support cast play multiple roles as the scenes glide from domestic, to hospital, to war zone and lifeboats.
Viv Hargreaves’s uncomplicated set works well for the cast enabling them to move easily within the space throughout these constant scene changes.
Performance Dates: Until July 5
Performance time: 90 minutes (lockout policy for latecomers)
Tickets: Adults $55, concession $48 Mob tix $25
Bookings: admin@theatreworks.org.au 0451 522 869
Review by Sherryn Danaher
● Ali Berg and Michelle Kalus ■ Some best friends get together over coffee for deep and meaningful chat, but Melbourn e-based besties Ali Berg and Michelle Kalus take it one step further.
The two friends write together and have just released their fourth novel, LoveOverdue
Described as a heartwarming rom com about the ink first love puts on your heart, Love Overdue introduces us to teacher
Lauren Green
The hardworking teacher unexpectedly meets up with the man who broke her heart 20 years ago, and he is now a parent at the school where she teaches. Awks, as teenagers would say.
The story that follows includes staffroom shenanigans, playground antics and the demands on modern schools’ staff, all based on Michelle’s real-life experience as a teacher.
Love Overdue is a bookish rom com about first loves, second chances, and discovering how sometimes the best plot twists come along after you think the final line's been written.
But Michelle and Ali aren’t just bestselling authors – they are passionate about a project called Books on the Rail, where a national team of volunteers leave free books on public transport for commuters to pick up, in an imitative designed to encourage people to put their phones down and pick up a book instead.
Assisted by more than a thousand ‘book ninjas’ Ali and Michelle have distributed 20,000 books, working with dozens of publishers and providing everything from major releases to debut novels.
Not surprisingly their activities have attracted a lot of attention on social media, and Ali and Michelle are determined to spread the joy of reading throughout the country.
● ● ● ● Kodie Heremia in The Yellow Line.
Photo: David Mullins
Love Overdueis published by Allen and Unwin and available now online and in bookstores.
Julie Houghton
● ● ●
● Oliver Tapp and Emily Joy in Soldier Boy.
Photo: Steven Mitchell Wright (Report at left)
CATO THE WISE
Maxwell Newton
★
The Winter Blues Festival has unveiled the final artist line-up headed to EchucaMoama over the last weekend of July. Organisers say it is already shaping up to be one of the biggest celebrations of Australian blues and roots music in recent memory. Third Artist Announcement (in alphabetical order): Ally Row, Anna Scionti, Bag O’ Nails, Charlie Bedford, Corey Legge. Geoff Achison, The Heavy Kicks, Jarrod Shaw, Jungle Jim Smith, The Locky Ukers (homegrown artist), Luke O'Connor, Kane Vincent (homegrown), The Maskell Love Band, Oh Babe, Ozone Street, Sammy Owen Blues Band, Shane Pacey Trio, Silent Voices (homegrown), Sarah Mackenzie-Ross (homegrown), Silent Voices (homegrown), Still Bileve and Zevon Lee Trio.
★A major limited edition publication and two new exhibitions will be unveiled this August, celebrating 45 years of Artbank, Australia’s national art collection and leasing program. Launching on August 8, On Display: The story of Artbank, Australia’s most visible art collection is a significant publication that delves into the history of the dynamic program, its impact on the contemporary art landscape in Australia over 45 years, and the artworks within the collection.
★Melbourne based company, AG Theatre, is bringing a new season of the moved loved children’s classic, The 3 Little Pigs, back to the stage this July school holidays, playing for a limited season at the National Theatre, Melbourne from July 9. The show had a stellar run in the West End’s Palace Theatre, delighting audiences with its pantolike irreverent humour as a clever reinvention of an old tale, centred around the pressured single mother pig, who just wants her very different three little piglets, Bar, Bee & Q, to move out and make their own homes.
★The Bastille Day Film Fes tival presebnts Paris May 68 > The Struggle Continues, a bold and series exploring the creative legacy of the 1968 Paris uprisings through underground French music, powerful films, and rare protest posters. From film screenings to panel talks, this three-day program is packed with revolutionary energy—and it’s also the force behind the Lumière Rouge panel and market DJ set. July 11-13 at Wardlow II, Fitzroy + Queen Victoria Market. Discover more: www.sofitelmelbourne.com.au
Melbourne Observer Melbourne Observer
Rourke’s Reviews Entertainment
★Monash University Museum of Art MUMA presents the first major solo exhibition in Melbourne of acclaimed artist Nusra Latif Qureshi Opens July 26 to September 21. Forming part of MUMA’s 50th anniversary year, The House of Irredeemable Objects offers a survey of Qureshi’s 30-year practice, bringing together painting, collage, photography, and installation, alongside a new commission developed in response to the Monash University Special Collections
★The Preatures, Tex Perkins and Matt Walker, Mama Kin Spender, Ella Hooper, Velvet Trip, The Badloves and more join the Queenscliff Music Festival lineup for a sun-drenched coastal celebration from November 28 –30.
★ Creative Climate was launched last Thursday (June 26) at Federation Square. It is a national consortium dedicated to building a low-carbon, adaptive and regenerative arts sector. “As part of a broader movement, it recognises culture is both shaped by the climate crisis and instrumental in reshaping it,” said a group representative. Funded by Creative Australia and led by Green Music Australia, the alliance provides the tools, knowledge and leadership to help the creative sector transition away from a carbon-based economy and adapt to climate impacts.
★When Melbourne-based art ist Sole Galvan picks up a paintbrush, she paints with deep purpose, honouring two special people: her father who died after a stroke in Argentina; and her partner who continues to recover from a stroke here in Australia. Now, Sole is one of dozens of artists across the country donating original works to Strokes4Stroke, a national online art auction raising funds to support stroke prevention, awareness and recovery initiatives through Stroke Foundation
★The 12th annual Seeing Eye Dogs Appeal is a life-changing initiative that provides independence for Australians who are blind or have low vision. The monthlong Appeal aims to raise over $1.1 million to fund the training of 22 Seeing Eye Dogs, with some of Victoria's top sporting talent, Melbourne Victory FC and Collingwood’s Brownlow Medallist Tom Mitchell supporting the campaign throughout July. These elite athletes are lending their voices to encourage Australians to 'Help Train Up a Pup'. Each dog costs over $50,000 to train and transforms the life of someone who is blind or has low vision.
AC/DC second concert
■ Tickets to AC/DC’s Melbourne show at the MCG went on sale late last week.
A second and final show was added. Concert dates are wedenesday, November 12 and Sunday, November 16.
Joining AC/DC as special guests on the tour is Australian rock band Amyl and the Sniffers.
The tour shares its name with AC/ DC’s 2020 album, Power Up, which debuted at #1 on the ARIA Chart in Australia and 20 other countries.
Power Up notably notched the band’s third #1 debut on the Billboard 200 and exploded as one of the best-selling albums of 2020 worldwide.
It closed out the year on Rolling Stone’s Top 50 Albums of 2020’ and Consequence of Sound’s ‘Top 50 Albums of 2020’.
It garnered Grammy Award nominations in the categories of Best Rock Album, Best Rock Performance, and Best Music Video for ShotInTheDark
In 2024, the Power Up Tour kicked off in Europe with a staggering 1.7 million tickets sold in the first days of sales, eventually surpassing two million tickets sold across 24 shows.
The band just concluded 10 soldout shows in North America and has 15 additional shows scheduled across Europe before returning to Australia.
Open House
■ One of the largest programs in the history of Open House Melbourne Weekend has been unveiled, with almost 200 buildings, places, and experiences open to the public to explore.
Across one weekend this month (Saturday - Sunday, July 26-27), Victorians will be granted rare access to some of metropolitan Melbourne’s most fascinating buildings, new projects, and private homes ordinarily closed to the public.
This year’s program features some of Melbourne’s most high-profile architecture and public infrastructure projects, including the Metro Tunnel Project’s Anzac Station , and public access for the first time to the new Veloway on the West Gate Tunnel Projec t and Port Phillip’s new EcoCentre
These landmark developments will be open on the weekend for a special public preview, providing a rare glimpse behind the scenes of the projects shaping the city’s future.
New, unusual and notable in this year’s program this year are the Essendon Fields Airport Terminal; the new 21-hectare elephant habitat at the Werribee Open Range Zoo; Mission Whitten Oval home of the Western Bulldogs Football Club; a First Nations kayak tour down the Yarra; a city-wide role-playing game set in the year 2050 and behind the scenes tours of the city’s coolest street art studios.
The full program is now available on the Open House Melbourne website.
Open House Melbourne’s Executive Director and Chief Curator, Dr Tania Davidge, explained this year’s theme and how Open House Melbourne Weekend helps shine a light on Melbourne’s hidden histories.
“‘Stories of the City’ underscores that idea that the city is more than just bricks and mortar—Melbourne is about people and place. Every building, street and public place in our city has a unique story to uncover, and Open House Melbourne Weekend is your best time to explore the secret histories of our city hidden behind closed doors.”
Beasts of No Nation
■ (MA). 137 minutes. Available now on Netflix.
BeastsOfNoNationis an emotionally draining, brilliantly crafted drama that was one of the most powerful films of 2015, and is a fiercely important look at the impact of war.
Set in an un-named West African country, the story centres on 12 year-old Agu (Abraham Attah), who enjoys a generally peaceful existence with his family in a U.N. protected ‘buffer’ zone, where the bloody civil war between NDF rebels and NRC government soldiers is kept at a relative distance.
All this is shattered when NRC soldiers invade the protected area, violently attacking the local population and sending Agu running into the jungle on his own.
Shaken and upset, Agu soon crosses paths with a platoon fighting for the NDF, led by the imposing Captain (Idris Elba), who eventually takes the youngster under his wing.
From a loving family environment, Agu is soon inducted into a life of hatred, violence and bloodshed, crushing the childhood innocence a boy of his age should have the right to enjoy.
Beasts Of No Nation is not an easy film to watch, and deliberately so. The big budget 2006 Hollywood film Blood Diamond attempted to look at the same problem, but it sacrificed genuine insight for impressively staged action scenes (a pity, since Leonardo DiCaprio and Djimon Hounsou both delivered top-notch performances), and its child soldier subplot was tied up too conveniently and easily.
Here we have no such compromises. AgU, once brainwashed, totally believes in the carnage his side is carrying out, as the Captain convinces all the children in his outfit that the opposition is the reason why family and friends have been slaughtered, instead of the simple fact that there are two adult factions that will stop at nothing to achieve ultimate power and glory.
Attah is simply astonishing as Agu, completely drawing us in to his terrifying world, a world that no child should have to endure.
Whether it be during scenes of graphic violence, intimate family gatherings, or telling moments between soldiers who are briefly allowed to remember what it was like to be a child, Attah is heartbreakingly real, and reminds one
of Sean Nelson’s character in Boaz Yakin’s outstanding urban drama Fresh (1994), and of course Matheus Nachtergaele in the highly acclaimed Brazilian film CityOfGod(2002).
As much as I admire Leonardo DiCaprio (who should have won the Oscar for The Wolf Of Wall Street, not for the technically brilliant but heavy-handed, overlong, and dramatically hollow The Revenant), Attah’s acting and personal journey was more worthy of an Academy Award that year.
Elba ( Luther TV series / Mandela:LongWalkToFreedom /28WeeksLater) is equally as good as the Captain, creating a threedimensional person instead of a contrived, one-dimensional monster.
The entire cast, mostly made up of non-professional actors, are all extraordinary, making sure there is not one false moment during the film’s lengthy running time.
For a low budget feature, Beasts Of No Nation is beautiful to look at and listen to, with work that is world class.
Despite the controversy of not crediting photographer Richard Mosse as an influence, there is one sequence that highlights the surreal nature of war and the young people fighting in it.
Immense praise must go to screenwriter/director Cary Joji Fukunaga, whose detailed writing (based on the novel by Uzodinma Iweala) and patient, uncompromising direction makes sure that the material never becomes cliched or superficial.
After achieving independent success with Sin Nombre (2009), before delivering a surprisingly strong take on Charlotte Bronte’s JaneEyre (2011), Fukunaga then wowed viewers with the unanimously praised season one of the HBO TV series True Detective (2014).
One of the few highly-touted shows that actually delivered the goods, this absorbing crime drama, despite its expensive trappings (something modern television productions are currently enjoying), still concentrated on character, mood, and story, with Fukunaga treating the program as an eight-hour movie rather than a weekly TV serial.
Fukunaga’s most recent film was the 2021 Bond film, No Time To Die, which was Daniel Craig’s final outing as the iconic character. Ten years later, Beasts Of No Nationis sadly still relevant viewing.
RATING - ****½ Aaron Rourke
In Memory of
● ● Aaron Rourke
Melbourne Observer Melbourne Observer
Across Observer Melbourne Lovatts Crossword No 13
1. Shabbiness in dress
6. Light-bulb inventor
11. Shiny
15. Forts
20. Egyptian river
21. Reproductive organ
22. Shopping precinct
23. Lead dancer, ... ballerina
25. South Africa's Cape ... Hope (2,4)
26. Pakistan currency units
27. Actor, Ryan ... (1'4)
29. Likable
32. Tube
34. Without delay (1,1,1,1)
36. Look-alikes, dead ...
39. Caravan rover
41. Brief
43. Sparking stone
46. Boils or ulcers
48. Low wetland
49. London's ... Mall
51. Curving lines
52. Exploited
55. Territory, Puerto ...
56. Every
59. Composer, Andrew ... Webber
61. Antarctic inlet, ... Sea
62. False god
63. Crowd brawl
64. Corrected (wrong)
67. Dalai Lama's nationality
68. Bitter regret
70. Very keen enthusiast
71. One who owes money
72. Overeats
73. Firebomb liquid
74. Of punishment
75. Batting spell
77. Broken down
78. Resounded
79. Theatre reviewer
82. Hazardous
86. Loft
87. Peace prize city
89. Spick & span
92. Merge
94. Get up
96. Biblical son of Isaac
98. Naming word
100. Recycle
101. Mongolian desert
103. Painting, Mona ...
105. From Baghdad
106. Adolescent
108. Sports match
111. Autograph
112. Actor's outfits
114. Rat
116. A single time
119. Droplet
120. Location
121. Kind
123. Leave out
124. Madam (2'2)
125. Flowing
126. Loudness
127. Grand house
130. Born as
131. Cleaning up (room)
135. English coin
138. Not stereo
139. Large jug
141. Computer/phone link
144. A lot of
146. I am, you ...
147. Looked up & down
148. UK national broadcaster (1,1,1)
149. Mad Roman emperor
150. Fuss
151. Female zebra
152. German emperor
153. Repast
155. Drink, ... spumante
157. Golfer, Greg ...
158. Unseat
160. Release (3,2)
161. Sprite
162. Italian city
163. Honey liquor
165. Brother's daughter
166. Souped-up car, hot ...
Across Down Down
167. Scamp
168. Laid slates
169. Upper-class
171. Document, Magna ... 172. Glossy black bird
175. Entrails
176. Lubricates
179. Breakfast dish
180. Cow flesh
182. Flowers, sweet ... 184. Chirps
185. Castle water ditch
186. 24 December, Christmas ...
188. ... Lang Syne
189. US anti-crime agency (1,1,1)
190. Measure (out)
191. Fifth musical note 193. Own 194. Father 196. Verge
197. Fiesta, Mardi ... 198. Medicine amounts 200. Unhappiest 205. Vicious dog
207. Second-hand vehicle (4,3)
210. Playwright
211. Reparation
212. In a frenzied state
213. Grass skirt dance
214. USA nickname, Uncle ..
216. Steals from 218. Created
219. Prepare (newspaper)
220. Tights
224. Coffee style
227. Spiky plant, ... vera
229. From Bangkok
230. Abhor
231. Gallantly
232. Dr Jekyll & Mr ...
233. Heredity unit
235. Out of order
237. Solidifies
239. Actor, Richard ...
241. Timepiece
244. Forewarning
246. Blankness
249. ... & twos
252. Depletes
254. Crave
256. Heaven's ... Gates
258. French Mrs
259. Pins for hammering
260. Romantic US falls
263. Internal
264. Lump of gold
265. Legless grub
267. Actress, ... Kidman
270. Digit
271. Funeral Mass
272. Actor, Dustin ...
273. Lewd
274. Loses (hair)
277. London nightspot
279. Make (wage)
281. Throw out
284. Only fair (2-2)
286. Crustacean with nippers
288. Small distance measures
292. Yoga master
294. Raw metals
295. Domestic servants
298. Screen legend, Sophia ...
300. From Emerald Isle
301. Sum up
303. Baby's skin problem, ... rash
306. Bashfulness
308. Japan & Korea are there
309. Oil-exporting cartel
311. Throb
314. Mushy
315. Energetic
316. Do the dishes (4,2)
317. Throng
318. Former spouses
319. Paris landmark, ... Triomphe (3,2)
320. Tennis ace, ... Sampras
1. Renovate (2,2)
2. Become distorted
3. Suggest
4. Kuwaiti rulers
5. Clean break
6. Flees to wed
7. Delay
8. Bathroom fixtures
9. Fall asleep (3,3)
10. Brigand
11. Revolve on axis
12. Stood against
13. Smudge
14. Palestinian chief, ... Arafat
15. Pour carelessly
16. Aida or Carmen
17. Potters' ovens
18. Pantomime lead
19. Observes
24. Rebukes, ... over the knuckles
28. Put on ... & graces
30. Spoken
31. Hideous
33. Irritated the skin
35. Incidental comments
37. Clarified butter
38. Curry & ...
40. Face veils
42. Physical activity
44. Portugal's capital
45. Scientist, Sir Isaac ...
47. Stench
48. Elevated railway
49. Drainage tradesman
50. Extortionate lender (4,5)
53. Largest bird
54. Calls (5,2)
57. Ancient Mariner's seabird
58. Protective headwear
60. Cloth retailers
63. Cleaver
65. Frosted (cake)
66. Expensive
68. Coral bank
69. Cosy
76. Set up (machinery)
79. Long-leafed lettuce
80. Nunavut native
81. Eastern faith
83. Twig shelters
84. Cartoon strip, Li'l ...
85. Flightless bird
88. English cheese
90. Fleur de lis plant
91. Among 93. Riveted
95. Easter gifts
97. Unplaced competitor (4-3)
99. Constantly busy (2,3,2)
100. Hire
102. Pungent bulb
104. Largest African nation
107. Uncanny
109. Wet
110. Vocal solo
111. Jet-baths
113. Soapie session
115. Obvious
117. TV award
118. Young deer
121. Contemptibly
122. Patella
127. Nonsense, ... jumbo
128. Razor cuts
129. Bits & pieces (4,3,4)
132. Recipe components 133. Stupid
134. Avarice
135. Packaged
136. Dilapidated
137. 24 hours ago
143. Huge stone blocks
145. Tomahawk
151. Enormous
154. Men's Singles champion, .. Agassi
156. Lustre
159. One, numero ... 164. Totally 169. Cougars
170. Steam burn
173. Influences
174. Short, witty remark
177. Author, ... Asimov
178. Take oath
181. Whirling (of water)
183. Women warriors
187. Wantonly destroy
192. Female hormone
195. Current of air
199. Supervise
201. Points gun
202. Anti-flood embankment
203. Genuine fact
204. Implicit
206. Gay
207. Non-rural
208. Cheap, a ... a dozen
209. Lends a hand to 213. Smacks
215. Strolling
217. Killed
221. Helium & hydrogen
222. Not ever 223. Cut with scissors
224. Charlotte Bronte novel, Jane ... 225. Withdraw, ... out
226. Poet, ... Allan Poe
228. Legal trade bans
234. Phone security device
236. Wrongdoers
238. Terminate
240. Singer, ... Orbison
242. Normally (2,1,4)
243. Peculiarity
245. Mussels or clams
247. Peppermint essence
248. Nut fastener
250. Scientist, Albert ...
251. Weasel-like animals
253. Overfill
255. College test
257. Recline lazily
258. Restaurant list
261. Lovers' fling
262. Military forces
265. Valuable ores, precious ...
266. Garden ornament
268. Hex
269. The Continent
275. Jolly laugh (2,2)
276. Rounded roof
278. Hampers
280. Pressurised spray
282. Delights
283. Dollar division
285. Properly positioned, in ...
287. Steam generator
289. Tripoli citizen
290. Impersonates
291. Melted
292. Barked shrilly
293. Potato
296. Colorado ski resort
297. Writer, ... Thomas
299. Obtain (funds)
302. Two-door car
304. ... Fools' Day
305. Earnest requests
306. Crown Princess of Denmark
307. Opera singer
308. Yes votes
321. Urges
322. Sense
323. Blunted
324. Movie actors (4,5)
138. Unforgettable 140. Enforces once more 141. Pacified 142. Courageous
310. Head cook
312. Charismatic air
313. Spreading trees
Tapas Bar Home-Made Desserts
Great Range of Cocktails and Mocktails Available.
Teas and Coffees
Don’t
Buoys unplugged
■ It’s all happening again at the Two Buoys Dromana Wine and Cocktail Bar.
This year’s Unplugged open music competition has kicked off and will run over the next few months.
Featuring solo artists, duos and acoustic acts, contestants will be playing their best for prizes totalling over $14.000 and the chance for future work opportunities. Visit www.twobuoys.com.au for more info.
Beth’s Debut
■ Hailing from Bendigo, Beth-String Fix Guitar has released her debut single Heavy Landing which is now available on all streaming platforms.
Inspired by current world events and the need for humanity, I feel it’s becoming even more relevant by the day, Beth says.
The song is a guitar-based story where multiple guitars battle it out, like a conversation between different people. The atmosphere builds with tension, then resolves into hope.
Magnetism
■ Brooke Miller will launch her debut EP Magnetism at the Brunswick Ballroom on Sunday, October 19 commencing 1pm.
Step into an afternoon of raw connection and magnetic storytelling as Brooke takes the stage for her highly anticipated show. With a clear, sweet, and powerful voice, Brooke shares songs woven from years of lived experience by sharing intimate, anecdotal tales of romance, longing, and the undeniable pull between hearts, says her media release. - Rob Foenander
Melbourne Observer Melbourne Observer
Chamber made listening acts
■ Chamber Made will transform Melbourne Recital Centre into a sonic playground with Listening Acts – a bold takeover of its public and hidden spaces for the Now or Never festival. Listening Acts isn’t a typical concert or exhibition – it’s a portal into the unheard and unexpected, featuring three live performances and six sound installations that intersect sound, technology, memory and identity.
Grounded in the artists’ lived experiences, personal histories and cultural perspectives, the works create sensory encounters that are both solitary and shared, blurring the boundaries between hearing and feeling.
Chamber Made Artistic Director, Tamara Saulwick, invites audiences to experience this multiartform sonic inquiry – one that reframes how sound is perceived and encourages listening in en“ListeningActs transforms everyday sounds into something profound, strange and moving. How do we hear ourselves and each other through the layers of technology, trauma and time?”
asks Saulwick
Over three days in August, surrender to sound in unexpected ways. ListeningActsis a moment to hear hospital machines sing, watercoolers gossip and ancestral voices reverberate through the walls.
The intimate live performance features three acoustic works:
Song to the Cell by Biddy Connor is a haunting duet between a live vocalist and a hospi-
Crossword Solution No 13
Observations with Matt Bissett-Johnson Observations with Matt Bissett-Johnson
tal IV machine. Featuring hums, beeps and mechanical rhythms, it’s a transhumanist song cycle exploring healing, dependence and human–machine connection.
Tactile Piece for Human Ears by Aviva Endean offers a subtly communal binaural experience. Audiences wear headphones to enter a surreal soundscape shaped by wind currents, pipe tones and underwater vibrations – altering their sense of acoustic reality.
Sounding forms / forming sounds by Alexandra Spence begins as a solo and evolves into a trio with Connor and Endean. Using resonating sinewaves, custom-built perspex instruments and drum skins, the work reveals the physical presence of sound in space and the body.
Six free installations guide audiences on a sonic journey throughout the venue:
AccordionWithoutOrgans by Rebecca Bracewell is an unfolding work of sonic archaeology centred on a single accordion recording. Played through multiple cassette players with amplifiers, each iteration adds acoustic layers while partially veiling the last.
Cathedral Reverb by Hannah de Feyter invites one listener at a time into a sculpted sound space. Inspired by classical mnemotechnics – ancient memory techniques – it conjures imagined architecture through reverberant sound and image.
WithGhosts:AChoreography ofPresenceby Anna Liebzeit centres on a 13-foot plait of hair suspended on a wall.
● ● ● ● Tamara Saulwick
(Back load Specialist. Conditions apply)
24 HOURS7 DAYS A WEEK
(Scrap bin available)
■ SunsetBoulevardis on my list of 10 favourite films. In 1950 Nancy Olson was only 22 when she was cast in the role of Betty Schaefer by Paramount Studios.
Nancy received an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her performance opposite William Holden and Gloria Swanson
Nancy was born in Milwaukee in 1928, educated at the University of Wisconsin and later moved to California.
She was spotted by a talent agent in a stage production and signed to a seven-year contract by Paramount Studios
After a good part in the western film Canadian Pacific, Nancy landed the "role of a lifetime" in SunsetBoulevard.
I did speak to Nancy Olson several years ago for a radio interview. Nancy told me that whilst they were filming Sunset Boulevard William Holden was having marital problems, he was not getting good roles and his career was a bit shaky.
The character of ‘Joe Gillis’ could not have come at a better time in his career and he was nominated for a Best Actor Academy Award.
Nancy went on to make three more films with William Holden. During her film career she was cast opposite some of Hollywood's famous older leading men. Her co-stars included, Randolph Scott, John Wayne and Fred MacMurray.
Nancy's first husband, Alan Jay Lerner, wrote lyrics for the musicals: Brigadoon,Camelotand Gigi. In 1956 Alan dedicated his stage production of MyFairLady to her.
Melbourne Observer Melbourne Observer
Whatever Happened To ... Nancy Olson
By Kevin Trask of 3AW and 96.5 Inner FM
Nancy's films include SubmarineCommand, BigJimMcLain,Pollyanna,TheAbsentMinded Professorand SonofFlubber
Nancy told me she had attended several opening nights for various productions of the stage musical SunsetBoulevard
She mentioned that director Billy Wilder described the show as "a permanent long shot of my movie."
In 1962, Nancy married Alan Livingston who was Chairman of the Board at Capitol Records and signed Frank Sinatra in the early 1950s when nobody wanted him.
He also created the character Bozo The Clown. Nancy has two girls from her marriage to Alan Jay Lerner, and a son from her marriage to Alan Livingston
She has performed in stage plays on Broadway and appeared as a guest star in many television series such as The Big Valley, Gunsmokeand BarnabyJones
In 2014 Nancy returned to the big screen with a small role in the comedy Dumbellswhich was directed by her son Christopher Livingston
But I will always remember Nancy Olson as
That's
Sundays at 12 Noon. www.innerfm.org.au
NIGHTLY OUTDOOR PROJECTIONS AT KINGSTON
Bringing family together in a special exhibition on Country, Generations: connections to Country exhibits recent and contemporary works by celebrated artists Maree Clark (Mutti Mutti, Wamba Wanba, Yorta Yorta, Boonwurrung), Mich Mahoney (Boonwurrung,/ Barkindji), Jarra Karaliner Steel (Boonwurrung, Wemba Wemba and Trawlwoolqay), Kylie Clark (Boon Wurrung, Mutti Mutti, Wemba Wemba, Nukunu, Kokatha and Dharugh), Molly Maloney (Boonwurrung, Wemba Wemba, Barkindjia) and Ken Clarke (Boonwurrung, Wemba Wemba).
Featuring contemporary glass sculptures, photography, video, weaving, screenprints and possum skin cloaks displayed throughout the galleries and across Kingston Arts Precinct on Kingston’s new outdoor lightbox gallery and nightly outdoor projections.
Generations: Connections to Country G1 & G3 Gallery, Kingston Arts Centre 979-985 Nepean Hwy, Moorabbin.
Impressions
Impressions of Place – Melbourne and Victorian Artists Inc. Is a community exhibition showcasing the creative talents of Boroondara -based members of Melbourne and Victorian Artists Inc., an artist run association committed to supporting both emerging and practicing artists from diverse backgrounds.
From intricate textiles of familiar facers to abstract paintings capturing fleeting moments of light, the artists’ practices span across a wide range of mediums, including found object sculptures, photography, and traditional oil painting.
Exhibition closes July 26. Hidden Boroondara Boroondara Photography Competition.
Explore the winning entries of he 2025 Boroondara Photography Competition.
Budding photographers of all ages and abilities submitted photographs from the past and present, capturing the surprising secret of lesser known aspects of buildings, natural environments, and people in Boroondara.
Exhibition closes August 9.
Town Hall Gallery
360 Burwood Hwy. Hawthorn
The Arts
At Heide
Always Modern –The Heide Story
This exhibition tells the remarkable s origin story of Heide through highlights from the museum collection from the 1930s to 1950s created by leading figures in the history of Australian art.
The Reeds purchased the Heide property in 1934 and opened their house to a progressive cultural community, consciously fostering the development of an antipodean modernism.
Artists came through in successive waves., beginning with Sam Atyeo, Moya Dyring and Danila Vassilieff in the early days through to Arthur Boyd, Sidney Nolan, Joy Hester, Albert Tucker and John Percival during the Second World War, and Charles Blackman and Mirka Mora in the postwar period. Throughout, life at Heide was characterised by a permissive mode of living and loving that has contributed to its reputation as an incubator of the faint grade. AlwaysModern:TheHeideStoryexplores this rich narrative and celebrates the Reed’s unswerving commitment to the modernist cause.
Exhibition closes September 28.
Heide Museum of Modern Art 7 Templestowe Rd, Bulleen
Punctuation – Katey Smoker
Punctuation doesn’t just mark si-
lence in a sentence. It shapes meaning and tone through subtle absences and divisions.
In this work, white cubic forms take on this role, activating the negative space and shaping how the surrounding area s experienced.
Like punctuation in a language, these dorms structure and disrupt.
Made entirely from paint and spread across the gallery floor, this is a painting to be navigated rather than simply viewed. Controlled yet open-ended, the work draws on minimalist traditions, using restraint and reduction to prompt reconsideration of what a painting can be.
Rather than offering a mixed viewpoint, the arrangement creates q sequence of pauses, separations and connections that invites a slower more spatial kind of engagement.
This is not just a collection of cubes. It’s a disruption, it is a new way for paint to take up space And be understood through presence rather than image4.
Exhibition closes July 13.
Linden New Art 26 Acland St, St Kilda Peter Kemp
At Buxton
■ The University of Melbourne has launched a major new exhibition, The Veil, which opened at Buxton Contemporary last Friday (June 27), and running through to November 1.
The compelling exhibition explores the elusive and intangible qualities of memory, identity and place, while delving into the spiritual and otherworldly.
Curated by Hannah Presley, with Assistant Curator Isabella Hone-Saunders, featuring artists Hayley Millar Baker, Hannah Gartside, Aneta Grzeszykowska, Glenda Nicholls, Lisa Waup and Lena Yarinkura, the veil features new commissions and recent acquisitions to the University Art Collection , bringing together works that illuminate the hidden forces that shape our lives.
Through immersive installations—ranging from experimental printmaking and hand-woven objects to photography and film— each artist offers a portal into deeper connections with each other, with Country, and with the unseen energies that thread through time and space.
Retracing Rod courting days
got engaged, and married. The journey was luxury all the way. It appears Rod has recovered from an illness that caused him to cancel concerts.
Reno at White House
■ You will soon see some major renovations to the exterior of America's White House. President Trump and his First Lady have issued instructions for the manicured lawn in the Rose Garden to be ripped up and replaced with loose stones and pebbles. The Rose Garden was a showpiece where press conferences are held and dignitaries sip tea or coffee. Gone is the gentility of surroundings.
Festival cancelled
■ The recent Kilmore Celtic Festival will be the last after 26 years. Rising costs and lack of community support are contributing factors.
TJ: no go to tennis
■ Tony Jones has been omitted from the Channel 9 team to cover forthcoming Wimbledon. TJ will remain in Melbourne appearing at the News Sports Desk. Reason could be the much-publicised foot-in-mouth comments by Jones about Novak Djokovic
Teen idol passes
■ Bobby Sherman was a clean skin, bubblegum pop idol of the 60s and 70s. He died of Stage 4 cancer, late June, aged 81. Bobby achieved worldwide success as a pop vocalist, plus film and TV appearances. After his whirlwind performances he quit the world of showbiz and joined the Public Service instructing police officers on the use of CPR. He donated his salaries to local charities. Friends paid tribute to Bobby with comments like 'Bobby was brave, gentle and full of light'. - John O’Keefe
● ● Nancy Olson the beautiful Betty Schaefer in Sunset Boulevard 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
Entertainment -
with Peter Kemp
■ That much practised romantic Rod Stewart , aged 84, and his wife Penny , 54, celebrated their 18th wedding anniversary with a luxury train trip starting in Paris , ending in Portofino on the Riviera where the happy couple originally
● ● ● ● Penny and Rod Stewart. Photo: Fox News.
CLASSY FIELD LINES UP FOR EPSOM HANDICAP
■ One race that proves popular with the top echelon is the Epsom Handicap run over 1600 metres come early October.
So much so they have framed a classy field for the rich mile.
The Chris Waller trained galloper, Autumn Glow, heads the markets.
The top mare has taken all before her winning the first four of her starts in top company.
She is by the good young sire, Autumn, who won the Caulfield Guineas in his short career in fine style.
She showed her class by winning the Darby Munro event beating a class field.
On the next line is another classy filly in Lady Shenandoah who is also taking all before her.
She is by the famous sire, Snitzel, who we lost just recently.
From her seven starts she has won five with a second and a third. She is good and is all class.
Then we have yet another smart filly in Aeliana, yet another star in the Waller camp, winning the ATC Australian Derby over 2400 metres
The John O’Shea and Tom Charlton trained Linebacker, has ability.
The three-year-old is by Super Seth, who won a Blue Diamond Stakes at Caulfield
The Victorian horse, Another Wil, has ability as proven in the recent starts.
He was unplaced in the Doncaster Mile, but was a bit unlucky, just missing a place behind a wall in front of him
He’s another nicely bred type, by yet another Blue Diamond winner in Street Boss
Another who competed in the Doncaster was Gringotts, prepared by top young Victorian trainer, Ciaron Maher.
He holds a victory over the smart mare, Fan Girl.
Another good type is the Gai WaterhouseAdrian Bott trained, Royal Patronage, who won the Canterbury Stakes in fine style beating, Here to Shock and Magic Time and StefiMagnetica.
Another that has ability is the Hawkes team trained, horse, Ceowulf.
He won the Neville Selwood event at Rosehill in a tight finish.
He has raced the best and can match them.
The James Cummings trained Tom Kitten is one who goes alright and matched the best, in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Randwick on April 12.
Another that can fire is StefiMagnetica who ran a good second behind Fan Girl in the Queen of the Turf Stakes.
Last but not least is the ex-Clinton McDonald galloper, Angel Capital, who is smart. It has won four of its first seven starts, now with Chris Waller.
It is one of the most open races, leave me out.
New arrangement
■ Racing Victoria and the Seven Network are coming together forming a long-term extension of their broadcast partnership to further showcase and grow the Sport of Thoroughbred Racing.
The new agreement will help foster a closer working relationship between RV and Seven in the broadcast and promotion of Victorian Thoroughbred Racing across Australia.
Ted Ryan
For the past decade, RV -owned and operated Racing.Com has been Australia’s only 24/ 7 Free-to-Air Sporting Channel showcasing Victorian Thoroughbred Racing and that will continue for another five years from July 1. Racing.com will be broadcast on free-to-air Channel 78(Metropolitan) and Channel 68) Regional) across the nation, with broadcast quality to be further enhanced across the following 12 months.
In addition, Racing.Com will be accessible daily on 7plus Sport where it will garner more prominence alongside Seven’s Premium sporting products for these or watching on the go.
The announcement coincides with plans for Racing.com to expand its coverage of Western Australian racing as Seven has done, alongside broadcasting, Victorian, South Australian and Hong Kong racing and feature International meetings, including Royal Ascot Ted Ryan It also cements Seven’s standing as the home of live and free Thoroughbred Racing and ensures that sports fans can continue to
Via Sistina. Racing Photos.
MULTIPLE WINNERS AT SHEPP.
■ Multiple winners were the order of the night at Shepparton’s regular Tuesday fixture on June 24 with Allendale’s Adam Stephens snaring a double, while ‘ace’ reinsman James Herbertson chalked up a treble and Rochester’s Caitlin Guppy a quinella. The Stephens double consisted of 7Y0 Union Guy-Alberts Belle mare Ruby Wingate in the Neatline Homes Pace over 2190 metres and half sister 12Y0 I Am The Way gelding Iamawingate which snared the 1690 metre Cottrells Electrical Pace, both driven by ‘Herbie’. Ruby Wingate settled at the tail from the extreme draw as Our Sonny Maguire (gate six) went forward to be gifted the lead by Laura Wilson aboard the favourite Soho Playgirl (gate four).
Going forward off a double trail in the last lap, Ruby Wingate finished with a wet sail to blouse Im Wesley (gate three second row) in the running line by half a head, with Animado (gate two) leading up the three wide line in the last lap third 14.5 metres back. The mile rate 1-57.2.
■ Iamawingate driven by ‘Herbie’ began best to lead from gate four registering a 1.9 metre margin over Skinny Horace which trailed in 159.5. Cresco Threepeat (one/one last lap) after racing exposed from outside the front line was third 1.8 metres back.
■ Rochester part-owner/trainer Caitlin Guppy and family owned 9Y0 Life Sign-Tinted Rose mare Mynameisruby who loves Shepparton landed the 2190 metre Cobram Trials Pace. Driven by James Herbertson, Mynameisruby starting from gate five on the second line settled in the last half of the field as stablemate Noble Julia led from gate four before restraining to allow Nevs Dream (gate three) to cross.
Gaining a three wide trail home from midfield in the last lap, Mynameisruby despite being very wide on the final bend, motored home to blouse Noble Julia along the sprint lane by a nose in a tricky finish giving her the quinella.
Lochinvar Charm was third off a three wide double trail in the last lap a half neck away in a thrilling finish. The mile rate 2-01.4. It was Mynameisruby’s 11th success in 134 outings, many of them being at Shepparton.
■ Andy and Kate Gath’s three year old What The Hill-Watts Up Rainbow colt Watts Up The Hill made it two from two when defeating his rivals in the Willowood Farm Trotters Mobile over 2190 metres.
Settling a long way back from inside the second line as Starlight Red (gate two) led before handing over to Settle The Bill from the extreme draw which had weaved inside runners to assume control at the judge on the first occasion, Watts Up The Hill made ground rapidly in the last lap to race away in the straight to score easily by 7.6 metres in a rate of 2-02.6. Polemarker Abbie (three pegs) ran on late for third albeit 15.9 metres back.
Double Day
■ Two meetings were held on Wednesday –Terang during the afternoon and Bendigo at night.
A terrific race commenced the Terang fixture consisting of classy standardbreds Keayang Tokyo, Young Bluey, Ultimate Vinnie and Jilliby Nitro in the 1680 metre Terang CoOp Rural Store Pace.
Keayang Tokyo and Jilliby Nitro trained by Marg and Paddy Lee, Young Bluey (Mattie Craven) and Ultimate Vinnie (Sam Barker) –the surprise victor being Jilliby Nitro. Roughie All Blazing Guns (gate two) was best to begin for Amy Day with both Jilliby Nitro (Lochie Cook – gate five) and Young Bluey (gate six) going forward, while Keayang Tokyo was eased from outside the front line.
On settling it was Jilliby Nitro leading with Young Bluey moving to park outside him, All Blazing Guns trailing, Keayang Tokyo (one/ one) and Ultimate Vinnie (one/two).
Appearing to be under pressure approaching the final bend Jilliby Nitro found another gear with Young Bluey about to join him and Keayang Tokyo angling three wide on turning being followed by Ultimate Vinnie easing wider. Refusing to give in, Jilliby Nitro defied all challengers to register a half neck margin over Keayang Tokyo, with Young Bluey 2 metres away third and Ultimate Vinnie fourth 1.3 metres back. The mile rate 1-54.4 (last half 58.1 – quarter 29.3).
■ The Lee stable finished the day with three winners – the others being 3Y0 Downbytheseaside-Garden Gate Tina gelding Keayang Seaside in the Cobden Artificial
Harness Racing
len-baker@ bigpond.com
with Len Baker
Breeders Co-Op Pace over 2180 metres and two year old first starter Keayang Bazlenka, a gelded son of What The Hill and Keayang Snow Pea in the 1680 metre Terang Fitness Maiden Trotters Mobile, both driven by Jason Lee. Keayang Seaside (gate six) settling three back in the moving line and ran home nicely to score by 3 metres in advance of Major Crunch (gate four) which trailed the weakening leader Keayang Galliano. Ynobe Dakota (one/one from gate eight) was third 3.1 metres back in a mile rate of 2-01.1.
■ Keayang Bazlenka attracted plenty of attention and after going forward after being trapped wide from outside the front line joined the pacemaker Trouville Sur Mer (gate five). Cruising to the front approaching the home turn, Keayand Bazlanka greeted the judge 5.3 metres clear of the leader in an auspicious debut. Rasengan (one/one) from gate six after galloping in the score up was third 2.7 metres away, ■ Hamilton’s “gentleman” Jim Barker prepared a double during the afternoon with 12Y0 Rocknroll Hanover-Best Of Wine gelding Dancin With Elvis successful in the Brandt Equipment Pace over 1680 metres and 10Y0 Changeover-Presidential Drive gelding Presidential Drive the 2180 metre Terang Storage Pace.
Dancin With Elvis driven by Chris Walsh settled mid-field from inside the second line and after going forward three wide to join the leaders Dancebytheseaside and Ona Merry Dance approaching the home turn, finished best to gain the day by a neck over Ona Merry Dance and El Awoman (one/two) who was 2 metres away third. The mile rate 2-01.1.
Dancin With Elvis had won at Mt Gambier back in April. Most reliable Presidential Drive driven by granddaughter Jackie Barker peeled off a one/one trip from outside the front line at the bell to register a 2.9 metre victory from Listrepo (gate four) which followed him, with She Will Wantano (gate two second line) third 1.5 metres back after moving to race exposed at the bell. The mile rate 2-01.1.
■ At Bendigo, Daylesford duo Michael Barby and Anne-Maree Conroy’s handy 7Y0 Love You-My Valerie mare Amour Maternal was victorious in the 2150 metre Prydes Easifeed Trotters Mobile.
Trained by Mick, Amour Eternal driven by Anne-Maree began safely from gate three to possie one/one after Billy Zippin went forward from gate four to race exposed outside the leader Tella Shes Dreamin.
Moving outside Tella Shes Dreamin prior to the home turn, Amour Eternal was too strong in the run home for polemarker Karbine which had followed the pacemaker before easing wide on turning. Tella Shes Dreamin held third. The margins 1.3 by 12 metres in a mile rate of 2-03.6.
■ Maryborough owner/breeders Len and Irene Parker’s American Ideal-Flying Moth 3Y0 filly Ideal Moth notched up her 6th success in 18 outings when victorious in the 2150 metre $9,000 Apco Service Stations Strathdaleand Kangaroo Flat Pace Final returning a 1-57.6 mile rate.
Trained and driven by Byrneside’s Damian Wilson, Ideal Moth settled three back in the running line from gate three on the second line as polemarker Foresight led with Cee Ceem Lou on her outside. Angling three wide before the home turn, both Cee Lou and Ideal Moth surged past the leader with Ideal Moth doing best to register an easy 8.5 metre victory over Katunga Express which had trailed Foresight from inside the second line angling clear on turning. Rabada starting from the extreme draw ran
on late for third a half head away.
■ Lara part-owner/trainer Wally Dummett combined with Craig Demmler to capture the Alabar Vicbred Platinum Mares Sprint Championship (1st heat) over 1650 metres with smart 4Y0 Marjendos, a 4Y0 daughter of Sportswriter and Penny Union. Given an easy time from gate five one/one as Foxy Two Gloves led from gate five.
Giving chase approaching the final bend, Marjendos ran home strongly to record a 3.4 metre margin over Joe Got Rolled (mid-field in the running line from inside the second line), with Mitzi Said (one/two from gate two on the second line) running her usual honest race for third a head back. The mile rate 154.2.
■ It was welcome back to the winners list for Huntly trainer/driver Stuart Rothacker when 4Y0 Great Success-Delphi Rose mare Alabama May scored in the Great Ocean Road Real Estate Maiden Trotters Mobile over 2150 metres returning a respectable mile rate of 204. Bred and raced by Stuart and wife Janice, Alabama May received the run of the race from gate five trailing the front runner Jetaway Saint (gate two) and was always travelling kindly. Easing to the outside on the final bend, Alabama May put the race beyond doubt in a couple of strides to score easily by 12.9 metres from Jetaway Saint and first starter Waikare Adrienna (four pegs from gate three) which ran on late along the sprint lane to be a half neck away third.
At Kilmore
■ Kilmore was Thursday’s meeting and area trainers Chris Lang and Sonia Mahar (Riddell) were winners on the night when smart 4Y0 Tactical Landing-Dream Interest mare Rubys Dream landed the Nagambie Senior Citizens Trotters Mobile over 2180 metres while Love You-Access To Success mare Preferred Love scored in the C&M Build Trotters Mobile over the same journey for Romsey’s Chris Svanosio.
■ Rubys Dream driven by Chris Lang for Port Fairy owner Pauline Matthews wasn’t pushed from the extreme draw settling at the rear as Sovereign Tiger was best to begin from gate four to lead before taking a trail behind Link In Bio which had raced parked.
Off and running three wide racing for the bell, Rubys Dream assumed control with a lap to travel before coasting to a 3.2 metre untouched victory over Sovereign Tiger along the sprint lane, with Link In Bio holding down third 2 metres back. The mile rate 2-01.7.
■ Preferred Love also starting from the extreme draw was sent forward three wide racing for the bell to take over from the leader Rarity Rock (gate four) and was not headed from there on, accounting for Rarity Rock and Shes Sky High (three pegs from the pole before moving outside the winner on the final bend). The margins 1.7 by 2.4 metres in a mile rate of 2-03.1.
■ The $8000 Momentum Gaming Pace Final over 2180 metres saw Congupna trainer Steven Duffy victorious with 3Y0 Soho Lanikai-Stunin Art gelding Mad Punta. Driven by son Ryan, Mad Punter (gate six) was given a good trip one/one with Fiano leading from the pole. Easing three wide prior to the home turn, Mad Punter dashed clear shortly after but had to pull out all stops to just last by a half head from polemarker The Blazin Boots which trailed angling wide on turning after causing a false start at the first attempt.
Rakarompa (one/three from inside the second line) went forward three wide in the last lap to finish third three metres back. The mile rate 1-58.6.
■ The 1690 metre O’Brien Electrical Pace saw Ryan Duffy chalk up a double after guiding Bowenvale part-owner/trainer Gerard Jamieson’s 5Y0 Lincoln Royal-Jilliby Nippa gelding Sir Nippa to victory returning a 1-57.3 mile rate.
Trailing the speedy beginner Polly Peachum (gate six) from the pole, Duffy angled Sir Nippa into the open at the bell before opening up a handy lead in the last lap. Kept going in the straight, Sir Nippa had six metres up his sleeve on reaching the wire, accounting for Celestial Zodiac (extreme draw) from last at the bell. Midnight Mojo (gate five) was third 5.2 metres away after racing exposed for most of the trip.
■ Youthful Ballan trainer/driver Leilani Justice trained and reined 7Y0 A Rocknroll DanceGolden Flyin gelding Wichita Kansas to an all of the way victory from outside the front row in the Jet Roofing Pace over 1690 metres. Rated to perfection, Wichita Kansas held too many guns for the Ross Graham stablemates Tophut
Johny (one/one from gate five) and Bettorsweetvictory (three pegs) from gate four which used the sprint lane. The margins 4.1 by 2.1 metres in a mile rate of 1-58.7.
■ The 1690 metre Carlton & United Breweries Trotters Mobile went the way of Kurunjang trainer Maree Caldow’s most beautifully bred and consistent 5Y0 What The Hill-Cloud Chaser mare The Sky Is The Limit. Raced by the Caldow family along with many other part-owners, The Sky Is The Limit driven by husband John began fast from gate five to lead and rated a treat defied all challengers to greet the judge 5 metres clear of polemarker Boutika which trailed, with Flyin Time (gate two - one/one) third for Darraweit’s Lisa Miles 8 metres away. The mile rate 2-01.1.
■ Kilmore more than often cater for the young reinspersons and the MC Security Concession Drivers Pace over 1690 metres was taken out by Goulburn Valley based Grace Bilney aboard the Michael/Jack Laugher (Bendigo) trained 11 year old For A Reason-In The Beginning gelding Budd Sidewinder who started his career in Western Australia.
Trailing the fast beginner Jay Bee (gate six) from the pole, Budd Sidewinder enjoyed a cosy passage before angling into the clear on the final bend to score by 9.5 metres in a 1-58.7 mile rate from The Democrat (gate six) which ran home late from near last. Murial (three pegs from gate three) used the sprint lane for third a nose away.
■ Derrinal trainer/driver Glenn Bull rarely misses a Kilmore meeting with his team and has a great strike rate as well and it was 8Y0 Western Terror-Paris Highlights mare Favouritehighlight who added another winner to the list when successful in the 2180 metre TAB Pace.
Trapped in the open from gate five before crossing polemarker stablemate Very Tempting, Favouritehightlight was never headed, reaching the wire 4.9 metres in advance of Sea Hawk (one/one from gate three) and Very Tempting who was 8.2 metres away third. The mile rate 2-02.7.
Len Baker
Latest News
Pedestrian dies
■ Detectives are investigating a fatal collision in Grovedale on Friday morning (June 27).
Emergency services were called to reports of a collision involving a motorcycle and pedestrian at Reserve Rd about 10.05am. The pedestrian died at the scene. The motorcyclist, a 20-year-old Tarneit man, was taken to hospital under police ghuard, with non-life-threatening injuries.
Exact circumstances surrounding the collision are yet to be determined and investigations remain ongoing.
W’bool car fire
■ Warrnambool Crime Investigation Unit detectives are investigating after a Molotov cocktail was thrown at a parked car in Warrnambool . Emergency services were called to a property on Birdwood Avenue about 7.25am on May 29.
The car, that was parked in a driveway, was destroyed in the blaze. Investigators have released an image and CCTV of a male who may be able to assist with their enquiries.
He is described as Caucasian in appearance, wearing a dark hoody, grey track pants, white runners and carrying a bag. Victoria Police
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TABLE. Large solid timber, dining room table, 2100mm x 1000mm. Plus six chairs. GC. $30. Yea. 0419 109 887. N-Q
TRAIN BOOKS. Wide variety of books and pamphlets to all types of trains. All prices negotiable. Research. 9437 1253. N-Q
TYRE CHANGERS. Manual. Little used, complete with instructions, purchaser to collect. GC. $90. Doreen. 9717 3465 N-Q
WALKERS. Two. One new, hardly used, $120. Second one: GC but some small marks. $80. Seymour. 0419 881 573. R-U PRAM. Old, child’s col- lectable. GC. $60. Wandong. 041`8 399 261. R-U
PRESSURE WASHER. Karcher. Good working order. little used. Complete with operating instructions. Purchaser to collect. GC. $55. Doreen. 9717 3465 Z-CC
WHEELCHAIR. Electric.
and
WHEELCHAIR.
WHEELCHAIR. Manual. Evoke 2 Aspire 450mm. new, never been used as too small for subject. Foldable and extremely light for easy transport. Well made, Top of the range. EC. $600. Diamond Creek. 0401 473 565.N-Q
PUBLIC NOTICES
GOD’S CHURCH invites faithful followwees of Christ to attend the New Testament local Passover night service. Alfredton, Ballarat. To secure your seat, 0419 327 366. N-P
WINDOW. Aluminium. 1600mm x 1600mm with windout window. GC. Free. Murrindindi. 0418 564 174. R-U
REAR SPOILER for VE Holden Commodore Sedan. EC. Best Offer. Mornington. 5975 3609. Z-CC
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
WHEELS IN VICTORIA Rare 528 page volume, registered 1518 by Harold H. Paynting. History of Wheelecd Transport 1824 to 1984, mint condition in hard cover sleeve. EC. $400. Glen Iris. 0407 276 973. Z-CC
Classifieds
REQUEST FOR COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE
Relates to a Hit run collision on the Melba Hwy, Glenburn, about 9.40 am on June 10, 2025.
An unknown white van, similar to a 4.5T delivery van has collided with snow group tour bus.
The van was travelling toward Yarra Glen and failed to stop after the collision. Minor injuries were received to a number of passengers in the minibus.
Any information to Leading Senior Constable MCCORMICK at the Yarra Ranges Highway Patrol, 6-10 Albert Hill Road Lilydale 3140 Ph: 9739 2402
Notice is hereby given that South Pacific St Kilda Pty Ltd has applied to lease, pursuant to Section 134 of the Land Act 1958, for a term of up to 41 years, Crown allotment 102C, Parish of Melbourne North at St Kilda, as a site for i) Health and Fitness Centre incorporating heated sea baths, swimming pool, saunas, steam baths, gymnasiums, health and beauty therapy centre, sports medicine centre, multi-purpose activity rooms which includes the sale and disposal of liquor for consumption in that area; recreational and entertainment uses and drinking and/or eating areas (including liquor), restaurants, cafés and take-away food facilities, entertainment; tourist, beach and health related retailing; and administrative and maintenance facilities and other special events and related activities; and, ii) Any other use or development permitted under Consent Notice (Amendment L18), Specified Area No 1 incorporated into the St Kilda Planning Scheme as amended from time to time.
NOTICE OF AN APPLICATION FOR A PLANNING PERMIT APPLICATION DETAILS
Application reference number: P25/0803
Applicant name: NEPEAN PLANNING CONSULTANTS
The Land affected by this application is located at: 1 MARVIN AVENUE RYE
Lot 32 on Plan of Subdivision 030579 VOL 10852 FOL 565
The application is for a permit to: VARY RESTRICTIVE COVENANT CREATED IN TRANSFER NO. A208723 AFFECTING CERTIFICATE OF TITLE VOLUME 10852 FOLIO 565 BY VARYING THE RESTRICTION WORDING FROM: “ANY BUILDING WHICH SHALL NOT BE SET BACK AT LEAST FORTY FEET FROM THE STREET ALIGNMENT OF SUCH LAND” TO: “ANY BUILDING WHICH SHALL NOT BE SET BACK AT LEAST 7.5 METRES FROM THE FRONT TITLE BOUNDARY”
A permit is required under the following clauses of the planning scheme:
PLANNING SCHEME CLAUSE
Clause 52.02 (Easements, Restrictions and Reserves)
MATTER FOR WHICH A PERMIT IS REQUIRED
Under section 23 of the Subdivision Act 1988, to vary a restriction.
The Responsible Authority will not decide on the application before: 9 JULY 2025
How can I find out more?
You may look at the application and any documents that support the application free of charge at: www.mornpen.vic.gov.au
You may also call (03) 5950 1010 to arrange a time to look at the application and any documents that support the application at the office of the responsible authority, Mornington Peninsula Shire Council. This can be done during office hours and is free of charge.
Privacy Notification: The personal information provided in an objection is collected for planning purposes in accordance with the Planning & Environment Act 1987 (the Act). The public may view an objection in accordance with Section 57 of the Act whilst the planning application is current
ROOFTOP MOBILE PHONE BASE STATION AT 503 ORRONG ROAD, ARMADALE VIC 3143 RFNSA Site No: 3143022
1. Waveconn is proposing to install a new rooftop telecommunications facility at 503 Orrong Road, Armadale. The new facility will be utilised by TPG/Vodafone, Optus and Telstra and will replace an existing base station at 291-295 Dandenong Road, Prahran.
2. In summary, this new rooftop facility will consist of:
➢ New panel antennas for TPG/Vodafone, Optus and Telstra (21 antennas in total, each less than 2.8m in length)
➢ Four equipment cabinets
➢ Shrouding of the facility on all four sides
➢ Ancillary works and equipment necessary for the installation, operation and maintenance of the facility
3. In accordance with Section 6 of the Industry Code C564:2025 Mobile Phone Base Station Deployment, we invite you to make comments about the proposal.
4. Please direct comments to Mark Baade (Planning Consultant), SAQ Consulting on mark@saqconsulting.com.au, 0417 088 000 or P O Box 50 CLAYFIELD QLD 4011 by Friday 11th July 2025.
For more information about the proposal, scan the QR Code or visit www.rfnsa.com.au/3143022
LOST - Stolen from MCC Bowls Club, Hawthorn. White 2-door manual Honda Prelude. Much loved vehicle. ENI318. Reward when found. 9191 0099. Z
