The Local Paper. Mitchell Strathbogie Edition. Wed., May 28, 2025

TAXES CRIPPLE LOCALS: CLEELAND

■ Euroa MLA Annabelle Cleeland has told Parliament how State Government taxes are crippling local families.

“This conversation around superannuation also opens the door to something bigger. It raises the need to look more broadly at the financial systems Victorians are trying to navigate, particularly when it comes to land tax,” Ms Cleeland said.

“Let me share some stories from real people who are trying to balance these systems and getting caught in the crossfire.

“Rocco from Dhurringile is one of them. He bought a property through his superannuation fund, a holiday rental in Merrijig

“Anyone who knows Merrijig knows it is heavily seasonal, absolutely beautiful and close to the alpine region.

“Despite this, Rocco does not qualify for any of the relevant regional exemptions and is still being hit with land tax through the Victorian residential commercial tenancy framework.

“Because the property is tied to his super, he is not even allowed to use it himself when it is sitting vacant.

“This is a system that just does not get the reality of seasonal properties or of superannuation investments.

“Mary Kipping from Locksley is another local who has been unfairly treated. She owns just one property, yet she is being double charged.

“Why? Because the system is not built to reflect real-life, honest situations like Mary’s.

“There is also Elizabeth Grant from Goorambat. She is facing land tax on her primary residence, her actual home.

“Like so many others, she is being taxed on the roof over her head – not an investment property, not a side business, but her family home, and she is not alone.

“This is something I am hearing more and more: people being taxed on the homes they live in and love, often while they are just trying to keep their heads above water.

“Matthew Trewin from Avenel runs a farm, and he is being taxed on the house that sits on his farming property, his home, which happens to be located on land that is also used for primary production.

“Instead of assessing that house separately, the government lumps it in with the entire property, massively inflating his land tax bill. It is not fair and it is not practical.

“Farmers like Matthew are doing it tough enough already without being hit with bureaucratic nonsense like this.

“And it is not just individuals. Our community organisations are getting smashed too. The Nagambie Historical Society is a small, volunteer-run group with just 60 members, and they sell jams and pickles to keep the doors open.

“Yet somehow they have received a land tax bill for $1000. When they reached out to the State Revenue Office for help they were simply told to write a letter .

“Back to superannuation: David Russell from Ruffy is another one. He and his wife live in their one and only home, and still they are being sent land tax bills.

“Despite supplying proof that it is their primary residence, David has received debt coll-

‘These are ordinary Victorians – people trying to live their lives, raise families, run farms and care for their communities’

ction letters. He has done everything right and he is still being treated like he is dodging tax. It is unacceptable.

“These are ordinary Victorians – people trying to live their lives, raise families, run farms and care for their communities – and they are being slammed with land tax bills that just do not make sense.

“There might be exemptions on paper, but the reality is that people are being left to fight through red tape, beg for help and jump through hoops just to get treated fairly.

:”Back to the bill: while the technical amendments might seem straightforward, there are real issues that cannot be ignored, particularly the changes around board representation for SSF members.

“The government wants to remove the ability for members to elect their own representatives to the Emergency Services Superannuation Board and instead hand that power over to unions, which will nominate someone on their behalf.

“The reason the government gives is that it is too difficult to find people to fill those roles. We do not buy it. There are more than 6000 SSF members who are still eligible. If we truly respect the democratic rights of members, especially when it comes to a decision about $37 billion in managed assets, we should bend over backwards to protect that democratic process and not scrap it,” Ms Cleeland said.

● ● ● ● Annabelle Clleeland, Euroa MLA

The Local Paper

WEDNESDAY,

NEW PROJECTS ACROSS MURRINDINDI

Local Briefs

Grants paid out

■ A number of ‘Quick Response Grants’ have been paid out by Murrindindi Shire Council:

■ Murrindindi-Woodbourne Community Hub Inc - Murrindindi Valley Community Sign Boards - $2500

■ Rotary Club of Alexandra - 55th Easter Art Show - $2500

■ 2030 Yea Inc - Community Presentation on Sustainable Housing and Renewables in Yea - $2500

■ Murrindindi East U3A – Pickleball$2,500

■ Murrindindi Carer Support Group –Carers Week - $1160

■ Strath Creek Progress Association IncANZAC Day Service - $1400

■ Buxton Primary School - Boite Schools Chorus - $846

■ Alexandra Secondary Collage - Purchase of Education Beer Goggles Full Kit for Students in Year 9 through to Year 12 - $640

■ Alexandra Secondary Collage – Party Ready First Aid for Year 9 - $376

■ Yea Community House - Community Notice Board - $2500

■ Kinglake Ranges Neighbourhood House

- Relocation of Kinglake OpShop - $2500

■ Gallipoli Park Precinct Community Asset Committee - Winter Fest Fire and Ice$2500

■ Yea and District Memorial HospitalMother's Day Classic 2025 - $885

■ Toolangi Castella District Community House Inc - Updating Equipment - $918

Yea Golf winners

■ Knockout Winners this week ast yea Golf Club were

■ P. Armstrong d S. Wright

■ J. Aurisch d B. Priestly

■ J. Phillips d T. Connell

■ M. Lowe d A. Bohn

■ B. Chenhall d W. Rowe

■ J. Moss d G. Walsh Alan Pell

■ New capital works across Murrindindi Shire are detailed in a report due to go to Councillors at the monthly municipal meeting tonight (Wed.). The projects include:

■ Intersection of Grant Street and Nihil Street, Alexandra (Federal Blackspot Program)$439,000. Available grant is $399,490.

Review of Level 1 Projects

■ Eildon Reserve Redevelopment, Eildon –

$2.7M – The Splash Park and the Regional Playground, officially named ‘Baanh ba Djila’, were and opened by Minister Jaclyn Symes. This project is now complete, and the defect rectification process is progressing well. The grant acquittal process has commenced.

■ Eildon Key Worker Housing, Eildon –$1.2M. The procurement process will be undertaken during the fourth quarter with the aim of awarding the tender at a special meeting in the first week of July. A Planning consultant has been engaged by Council to undertake the planning application process on behalf of Council. This will include surveying and geotechnical reports.

■ Safe Local Roads and Streets Program Strategy implementation - Year 1 (Grant) - $1M (2024/-25)

Designs for the following have been completed:

■ Extons Road, Kinglake Central - Speed Limit Reduction and Delineation Improvements

■ Jerusalem Creek Road, Eildon - Speed Limit Reduction

■ Ghin Ghin Road and Highlands Road, Yea to Highlands - Speed Limit Reduction and Safety Improvements

■ Yarck Road and Top Road, Ruffy to GoburSpeed Limit Reduction and Safety Improvements

■ Killingworth Road, Killingworth - Speed Limit Reduction and Delineation Improvements

■ Skyline Road and U T Creek Road, Eildon to Devils River - Speed Limit Reduction and Delineation Improvements

■ McMahons Road, Kinglake - Raised Priority Crossing

Community consultation regarding the speed reduction proposals is scheduled to occur during the fourth quarter and applications to the Department of Transport and Planning will follow accordingly.

■ Halls Flat Rd and Pendlebury Street, Alexandra Drainage Projects ($105,000 and $169,000 – LRCI4)

These projects have been delayed due to tree removal requirements, however, the procure-

● ● Livia Bonazzi, Murrindindi CEO ment documentation has been prepared.

■ Buxton Rise / Cathedral Close Seal, Buxton (LRCI4) - $210,000. Sealing works completed. Drainage upgrade works required to complete the hardstand for school drop off area.

■ Long Gully Road Flowerdale (LRCI4)$213,000. Project completed.

■ Riverside Crescent Flowerdale (LRCI4)$200,000. Request for Tender has been released to Council’s Panel Contractors.

■ Bower Street George Street (LRCI4)$200,000. Request for Tender has been released to Council’s Panel Contractors.

■ Sealed Roads – Reseals - $1.9M. Program is complete for the 2024/25 year, with the exception of Whanregarwen Road. Claim has been submitted to Roads to Recovery (External State Funding).

■ Gravel Roads Resheeting - $611,000(TBC)

Local Sport

Yea Golf Club

■ Despite scattered showers on Friday and cool windy conditions on offer, 30 avid golfers fronted up to compete in the Stableford events at Yea Golf Club on Saturday.

The men competed in the first of two rounds in the Prideaux Cup. Fresh from his recent refresh in Fiji, Martin Lowe (19) was a run away winner in the Mens event with 41 points. Bill Dredge (25) backed up his recent run of great form to record 38 points and claim second place. Zach Pell (18) made the most of his early start to record 36 points, which was just enough to claim third place on countback from Michael Spagnolo (7) who also scored 36 points.

Carolyn Webber (45) first up after her Broome/Kimberley’s holiday, showed great form to post 36 points in the Ladies event. Ever consistent Cindy Armstrong (25) with 31 points claimed second place.

On Wednesday the Men contested a 4 Stick Stableford event. Rob O’Halloran (20) displayed all his versatility to score 37 points and claim victory. Phil Armstrong (19) had to settle with second on countback after posting the same score. Rob Gill (30) and Mick Sheather (22) had solid rounds of 36 points.

The Ladies competed for the coveted Margaret Samblee Brooch and Christine Simmons (24) was a comfortable winner with 39 points. Di Holdsworth (28) next best with 35 and Sharon Grogan (24) finished third with 34 points.

Alan Pell

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.

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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).

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Columnists: Len Baker, Matt Bissett-Johnson, Rob Foenander, Peter Kemp, Aaron Rourke, Ted Ryan, Cheryl Threadgold, Julie Houghton, Kevin Trask, John O’Keefe

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McLEISH COMES OUT SWINGING

■ Eildon MLA Cindy McLeish has come out strongly behind local farmers, and spoken in State Parliament about the burden of the Government’s increased Fire Services Levy

“What appalled me during this whole debate was that the Treasurer said people can afford to pay.,” Ms McLeish told the Legislative Assembly.

“I can believe she said it, because as I started, just when you think it cannot get any worse, the government does get worse.

“We are in a costof-living crisis. I know the government knows that. They do not listen.

“They keep hearing it time and time again, but it goes in one ear and out the other.

“This is the 60th tax that they have introduced, and these people can afford to pay?

“The farmers who were to be slugged with a 189 per cent increase in the fire services property levy, do you reckon they are singing along thinking ‘Wow, it’s only a 150 per cent increase’?

“The farmers in Mansfield, who have really severe drought conditions, and Murrindindi, where the dams are dry and paddocks have no feed on them, do you reckon they have got all this extra cash to fork out for this?

“In the Yarra Valley the price of an acre is quite hefty compared to other areas of the state.

“All of the vineyards and fruit growers down there, the orchardists, are not going to be dancing in the streets about a 150 per

Long Shots

cent increase on what they were paying in the fire services levy.

“They are in drought. If you are a commercial operation and a home-owner –double.

“People cannot afford to pay these costs during a cost-of-living crisis.

“We have heard talk about the rebates for CFA members and the convoluted process that they are going to have to go through to get them.

“CFA members are in emergency services and the volunteer brigades that the government looks to be talking about supporting.

“But what we have got here is not only are the CFA and so many farmers protesting, but one thing that we need to keep at the heart of this – and it is mentioned again in the suggested amendments – is the core government services that are being funded through the new tax.

“You should not be in such a position of financial incompetence that you have to tax everything just to pay what you should be paying already.

“The VICSES, Triple Zero Victoria, which last year had a budget cut of $38 million now has got to get a little bit more to try and prop it up.

“There is the State Control Centre, Forest Fire Management Victoria, some functions in the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action, Emergency Management Victoria and Emergency Alert – some $1 billion. This should be paid out of general revenue,” Ms McLeish said.

Local Photo Flashback

Wins for Rebels at Yarra Junction

■ The Rebels travelled to Yarra Junction last Saturday (May 24) to play against them in four grades of netball and two games of football. Our Under 18’s were taking on Seville at Seville

Reserves

Alexandra 24.15 (159) defeated Yarra Junction 1.0 (6)

The Rebels Reserves welcomed fresh faces to their lineup on the weekend, with Nathan Dundas, Cooper Phillips and Ryan Lucas making their mark in style. The team came out firing and proved far too strong for an under-manned Junction outfit.

From the first bounce, the Rebels took control of the game, piling on the pressure and dominating possession. By half-time, they had raced to a commanding 70-point lead, with Junction yet to trouble the scoreboard.

In a show of good sportsmanship, both teams agreed to reduce numbers to 16-a- side in the second half to accommodate Junction’s limited bench. However, the result was never in doubt. The Rebels continued their dominance, maintaining intensity and control across all four quarters.

Awards: NP on The Run – Toby Ward , Future Fit Finance – Brandon Kapakoulakis, Alexandra Hotel – Jake Steyger and Grant Street Grocer Award – Cooper Phillips Seniors

Alexandra 16-12 (108) defeated Yarra Junction 9.8 (62)

After a disappointing loss to WarburtonMillgrove the previous week, the Alexandra Rebels were eager to bounce back—and they did just that with a determined 46- point win over Yarra Junction to retain the George Steiner Cup.

The Rebels welcomed back Tom Massey and Josh Edwards from a week off, and the inclusions of Michael Coombs, Scott Heveren and Sam Kidd added strength and depth to the lineup. Despite a somewhat unconvincing start, the Rebels edged ahead early, leading by 13 points at the first break.

The second quarter began with a sense of urgency from the home side, but the match was temporarily halted due to an injury to a Yarra Junction player.

Play was paused while the injured player received medical attention and the umpires sought clarification on the stoppage proto- col from the league.

Once the game resumed, it turned into a low-scoring contest, with Alexandra adding just one goal to lead 5.3 (33) to 2.4 (16) at half-time. Following a shortened break, both sides came out with renewed intensity. The third quarter was a hard-fought battle, with bod- ies on the line and momentum swinging back and forth. The Rebels managed to break the game open, booting five goals to Junction's three and extending their lead to 28 points at the final change.

In the last term, the Rebels finished strongly, adding another six goals to seal the result and secure the George Steiner Cup for another year.

Awards: Kervale Incentive – Tom Boots , O’Briens Real Estate – Ed Aujard, Alexandra Hotel – Sam Boots and Buxton Hotel Award – Ben Cooper.

Under 18’s Alexandra 1-0 (6) defeated by Seville 22.18 (150)

The Alexandra Under-18s made the trip to Seville this week with a determined squad of just 17 players. Up against a strong and well-drilled Seville side, the boys entered the match as clear underdogs—but their effort and attitude were once again a high- light.Although Seville took control early, the Rebels refused to back down. They contin- ued to chase, tackle, and contest every ball, making Seville earn every possession. The team’s work rate and determination didn’t waver, even as the scoreboard pressure mounted.

Each week, the young Rebels continue to take steps forward. The improvement in their teamwork, communication, and confidence is clear to see, and their commitment to each match is never in question.

Bowens Incentive – Luke Wal ,

Cheryl Threadgold, Local Theatre

Julie Houghton, The Arts Kevin Trask, Entertainment Aaron Rourke, Film

Ted Ryan, Horse Racing Len Baker, Harness Racing

WHITTLESEA PLAN APPROVED

■ Medical and aged care services in Whittlesea township are part of a Development Plan approved by the Council, for land opposite the Funfields Theme Park

The City of Whittlesea approved the plan for land at 2388 Plenty Rd, Whittlesea, at its meeting last Tuesday (May 20).

The plan proposed the 4.5-hectare site, which is currently used for grazing, be developed to include a medical centre, supporting aged care and independent living facilities.

There is provision for commercial uses at the northern end of the site, adjacent to the existing industrial area. Further planning permissions for these uses would need to be secured by the developer.

The draft development plan and supporting documents were placed on non-statutory exhibition for four weeks across November and December.

Comments provided by residents and agencies during the public consultation period on a range of issues, including traffic safety and congestion, building heights and neighbourhood character.

“As a result of the feedback, changes were made to the final development plan, including reduction of building heights, the treatment of the Green Wedge land and the Plenty Road frontage,” said a Council representative.

“The plan was approved with additional requirements, including that the developer construct the roundabout to provide access prior to development of the land, that buildings are set back from Plenty Road with a landscape treatment, and that the design ensures minimal impact on the privacy, views and amenity of residents to the south”.

City of Whittlesea Mayor, Cr Martin Taylor, said: “The development plan fulfils the requirements of the Whittlesea Planning Scheme and meets a community need for medical and aged services,” he said.

“The proposed uses of the site will generate employment opportunities for residents and allow more of Whittlesea’s older residents to remain in the community as they age. Importantly, this means that people will be able to maintain their existing social connections with families and friends."

Petition against Hindu temple

■ A petition with 159 signatures has been lodged with Whittlesea City Council, objecting to a proposed Hindu Temple at 330 Grants Rd, Woodstock.

“It is also noted that the petition has attracted the support of over 1500 members from the broader community,” said a reportto Councillors.

The Council voted to note the petition, which will be submitted as an objection to the Application, with the ssues raised in the petition considered as part of the planning assessment process, which is currently underway.

The nominated lead of the petition will be notified as the application progresses to a decision, Councillors agreed.

Local News Suspended Mayor responds

■ Suspended Whittlesea Councillor Aidan McLindon has respoonded to a State Government announcement that a Commission of Inquiry has been appointed, and that the Moniutors have been replaced.

“I am pleased with the announcement of the launch of the Commission of Inquiry into Whittlesea Council,” McLindon said.

“Of note is the premature removal from office of the two monitors that made the baseless accusations upon which the Local Government Minister relied in actioning my suspension.

“As previously stated, the accusations against me are baseless. In time, and in the correct forum, the motivation for this character assassination will be made plain. No one is above the law.

“The ability for unelected bureaucrats to politically interfere with the will of the ratepayers is a very serious threat to democracy.

“It is my intention to focus the light on corrupt practices coupled with unsound governance to enact change for the benefit of not just the residents in the City of Whittlesea but to protect the foundations of democracy for all Victorians.”

The statement was sigbned: “ Aidan McLindon, Suspended Mayor of Whittlesea”.

GOVT BY-PASSES CL. ON 17-STOREY DEVELOPMENT

● ● Thge 17-storey buuilding planned for 106-126 Main St, Greensboriough

■ Approval of a 17-storey apartment building at 106 Main St, Greensborouigh, was done by the State Government, by-passing the City of Banyule, the Council says.

The skyscraper is planned for the corner site of Main St and Para Rd, where the Savers store is currently located.

“Council was given a limited opportunity to provide comment, and planning officers did raise concerns over the building height and limited car parking,” said a Banyule Council representative.

“Ultimately these concerns were not addressed in the final approved permit.

“Planning controls exempt this type of development in this location from the usual notification requirements, but multi storey development in other parts of Banyule require notification to impacted residents.”

Banyule Mayor Cr Elizabeth Nealy said the State Government must work closer with Councils and community on projects of this scale.

“We understand and share the community’s frustration at the lack of consultation. This is a significant proposal for Greensborough, and is another example of local planning decisions not being made by locals.”

“We’re very supportive of bringing more social and affordable housing to Banyule. In fact, we’ve worked alongside the Victorian Government to deliver successful projects like the 58 affordable family homes recently built in Bellfield. That development was communityinformed, well-designed and suited to the area.”

Dementia care

■ Nillumbik Council, in partnership with Holstep Health (formerly Merri Health), is launching a pilot program to introduce Cognitive Stimulation Therapy to the local community.

With an aging population in Nillumbik, dementia has emerged as a growing health challenge, impacting many local families.

$2500 grant

■ Murrindindi Council is likely to approve a $2500 grant for DrachenFest Australia 202,5 is a medieval fantasy festival where participants dress as characters in the world of dragons theme. Participants roleplay battles, fantasy and magic.

as meeting the requirements of Council’s rules .

● Aidan McLindon

● ● Cr Martin Taylor, Whittlesea Mayor

Statewide

GLENROY

Death investigated

■ Homicide Squad detectives are investigating after a man was located deceased at a residence in Glenroy on Sunday (May 25).

The man was located deceased just before 3pm and police were called.

I is believed an altercation may have taken place at the residence the previous evening between known parties.

Exact circumstances surrounding the man’s death are yet to be determined and investigations remain ongoing.

SOUTH MELBOURNE

Fatal shooting

■ Homicide Squad detectives continue to investigate after a woman was shot by police and died in South Melbourne on Saturday night (May 24).

Officers were called to Cecil St following reports of a male with a machete around 5pm Police located a male and whilst he was being arrested, a vehicle was driven at a police officer, striking them.

The officer shot at the offending vehicle, striking a female driver and her male passenger.

The 34-year-old woman of no fixed address died at the scene, while the 26-year-old St Kilda man was taken to hospital where he remained with non-life-threatening injuries.

The male Senior Constable was taken to hospital and released after receiving treatment for leg injuries.

A 39-year-old South Melbourne man was charged with possess a prohibited weapon and theft of bicycle.

He was bailed to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on August 12.

Detectives continue to investigate the matter with oversight from Professional Standards Command, as is standard procedure for a fatal police shooting.

Submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au

SUNDAY BLOODY SUNDAY TERROR AT NORTHLAND

■ Northland Shopping Centre was forced ionto lockdown on Sunday (May 25) as gang members confronted each other.

Police arrested two people following an affray involving around 10 people.

Emergency services were called to the Murray Rd shopping centre just after 2.30pm following reports of opposing groups fighting, some armed with knives.

One male was transported to hospital in a serious but stable condition.

Police arrested two males who were to be interviewed.

The centre was locked down as the incident took place and remains closed while police investigate.

Exact circumstances surrounding the incident are being investigated but it is believed the incident was targeted and parties are believed to be known to each other.

Investigators are also keen to speak with anyone in the area at the time and who may have witnessed the altercation.

Anyone who witnessed the incident, has CCTV, dashcam footage or any other information that could assist police is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au

Statewide

Across Victoria

COLAC WEST

Motorcyclist hit

■ Emergency services responded to a fatal collision in Colac West on Sunday afternoon.

It is believed that a vehicle and motorcycle collided on Princes Hwy near Corangamite Lake Rd just after 11.30am.

The motorcyclist was then struck by a second vehicle as a result. The motorcyclist has died at the scene.

Both drivers stopped at the scene and are assisting police with enquiries.

No one else was injured during the incident and the exact circumstances are being investigated.

EVERTON UPPER

Fatal collision

■ Major Collision Investigation Unit detectives are investigating a fatal collision in Everton Upper on Saturday (May 24)

It is believed a Mazda CX8 and Volkswagen Tiguan collided on BeechworthWangaratta Rd just after 3.30pm.

The driver of the Volkswagen, a 74-yearold Beechworth woman, died at the scene.

Her passenger, an 80-year-old Port Fairy woman was airlifted to hospital with serious injuries.

The driver of the Mazda, a 41-year-old Beechworth woman, was airlifted to hospital with life-threatening injuries.

Her passenger, a 7-year-old girl, was airlifted to hospital as a precaution.

STOCKDALE

Car v Motorcycle

■ Emergency services responded to a fatal collision in Stockdale on Sunday afternoon.

It’s believed a car and motorcycle collided on Stockdale Rd near BriagalongStockdale Rd just after 1pm.

The driver of the vehicle stopped at the scene, was not injured, and was assisting police with their enquiries.

● ● ● Gangs fought with machetes at Northland.

Court Lists

Seymour Magistrates’ Court Criminal Case Listings

Thursday, May 29

Emergency Fund

■

■

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

■ ■ ALEXANDRA. Corner Hotel. 65 Grant St.

■

■ ALEXANDRA. Endeavour Alexandra (BP). 10 Downey St.

■

■ ALEXANDRA. Foodworks. 102 Grant St.

■

■ ALEXANDRA. Mount Pleasant Hotel. 90 Grant St.

■

■

■ ■ ALEXANDRA. Nutrien Harcourts. 56 Grant St.

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

■ ■ WATTLE GLEN. Peppers

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

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

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

■ WESBURN. Hotel. 2882 Warburton Hwy.

■ WONGA PARK. IGA Xpress.

70 Jumping Creek Rd.

■

■

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

■

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

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

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

■

■ ALEXANDRA. Shamrock

Hotel. 80 Grant St.

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

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

■

■

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

■ ■ ALEXANDRA. Totally Trout. 42 Downey St.

■

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

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

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

■

■

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

■

■ BUXTON. Buxton Hotel. 2192 Maroondah Hwy.

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

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

■

■

■ ■ BUXTON. Shell Buxton. 2093 Maroondah Hwy.

■

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

■

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

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

■

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

■ ■ YARCK. Yarck Hotel. Maroondah Hwy.

■ ■ YEA. Amble Inn Cafe. 24 High St.

Mitchell Shire Edition

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

■ BROADFORD. Broadford Corner Store. 89 High St.

■ ■ BROADFORD. Broadford Hotel. 100 High St.

■

■ EILDON. Foodworks. 18 Main

St.

■

■ YEA. Country Club Hotel. 18 High St.

■ ■ BROADFORD. Broadford Newsagency. 67 High St.

■

■

■ Eltham MLA Vicki Ward last week spoke n State Parliament about the Emnergency Services and Volunteer Fund.

“This fund is there to support our emergency services, and this includes our incredible volunteers, both the CFA and, for the first time, the SES,” Ms Ward said.

“We support our emergency services on this side of the chamber. We support our volunteers on this side of the chamber, and this is why this fund ... since becoming minister, in the various brigades and SES units that I have visited they have consistently said to me – and in fact I think that all of our members here, when they go out to visit their brigades and their units, will hear the same thing: ‘We are having more demands on our responses. We have to get out more. The challenges are more complex. There is more we have to do. Can we please have more support? We need new appliances. We need better facilities. We need more support.’

“And this is exactly what this Government is doing: giving that support,” Ms Ward said.

Rabbit control

■ ELTHAM. Eltham Newsagency.

■

■

2/963 Main Rd.

■

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

■

■ EPPING. Epping RSL. Harvest Home Rd.

■

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

■

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

■ ■ FLOWERDALE. Hazeldene

General Store. 6 Curlings Rd.

■

■ GLENBURN. Glenburn Roadhouse. 3883 Melba Hwy.

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

■ ■ KANGAROO GROUND. Kangaroo Ground General Store. 280 Eltham-Yarra Glen Rd.

■

■

■ ■ KINGLAKE. Cafe. WhittleseaKinglake Rd.

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

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

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

■

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

■ ■ MANSFIELD. Foodworks. 119 High St.

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

■ ■ YEA. Foodworks. 10 High St.

■

■ YEA. Giddy Coat Cafe. 94 High St.

■ BROADFORD. Broadford Post Office. 123 High St.

■ BROADFORD. Broadford Service Station. 165 High St.

■

■ YEA. Grand Central Hotel. 64

High St.

■

■ ■ ■ YEA. Marmalades. 20 High St.

■ ■ YEA. Mint and Jam. 46 High St.

■ ■ YEA. Nutrien Harcourts. 52

High St.

■ ■ YEA. Peppercorn Hotel. 21 Station St.

■ ■ BROADFORD. Commercial Hotel. 31 High St.

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

■ BROADFORD. IGA Supermarket. 65 High St.

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

■ ■ ■ DONNYBROOK. Donnybrook Hotel. 825 Donnybrook Rd.

Barns, Shane Matthew Binks-Brown, Nick Board, Jeffery Brooksbank, Callum Cleveland, Trevor James Damjanovski, Michael Deakin, Shania Dedini, Michael Peter Freeman, Granton Fullerton, Sarah Louise Hannett, Mark Heath, Dwayne Hore, Andrew William Izzard, Jaxon Regan Loukas, Dimitrios Lucas, Melvyn Christian Mackey, Kristal Mauri, Alan Meers, Kylie Micallef, James Francis Nesbitt, Anthony O'connor, Colleen Norma Paine, Kayd Peacock-White, Jayden Rusic, Benedict Shand, Shannon Brooke Simmonds, Peter Donald Singh, Atamdev Singh, Prabhisimran Solomon, Mascot Tant, Christopher Thomas, Corey Thompson, Mark David Wallace, Tyson Walshaw-Plieger, David Luke Wilson, Nicole

Friday, May 30

■ Nillumbik residents are being asked to keep dogs on leashes and adhere to detour signage at local reserves as Nillumbik Council’s Rabbit Control Program gets underway.

“Wild rabbits are an environmental pest and are prevalent throughout the Shire, causing a major threat to biodiversity and agricultural production,” said a Nillumbik Council representative.

“Council uses a non-chemical, non-poison approach by employing a specialist contractor who uses ferreting, netting and warren closure techniques.

■

■

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

■ ■ YEA. Rendezvous In Yea. 10

High St.

■ ■ YEA. Royal Mail Hotel. 88

High St.

■ DONNYBROOK. Donnybrook Post Office. 810 Donnybrook Rd.

■ KILMORE. BP. 102 Sydney St.

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

Antees, Darron Dennison, Jayde Kilroy, Seth Mcgahey, Joanne Rossignoli, Paul John Simmonds, Peter Donald Mansfield Magistrates’ Court

“The program runs from May to August at bushland reserves across Nillumbik. Reserves are selected based on factors including public usage, protection of biodiversity assets, rabbit numbers and prior investment in rabbit control.

■

■ YEA. Yea Bakery. 44 High St.

■ ■ KILMORE. Kilmore Bakery. 54 Sydney St.

■

■

■ ■ ■ YEA. Yea Newsagency. 74 High St.

■ ■ YEA. Yea Take-Away. 68 High St.

Lilydale and Yarra Valley Express Edition

■ KILMORE. Kilmore Newsagency. 41 Sydney St.

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

■

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

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

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

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

■

■

■ ■ MARYSVILLE. Foodworks. 40A Darwin St.

■

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

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

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

■

■ NARBETHONG. Black Spur Roadhouse. 264 Maroondah Hwy.

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

■

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

■

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

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

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

■

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

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

■

■ ■ SEYMOUR. Seymour NewsXpress. 66 Station St.

■

■

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

■

■ ■ ■ HEALESVILLE. BP. 66 Maroondah Hwy.

■ ■ HEALESVILLE. Coles Express. 123 Maroondah Hwy.

■ ■ HEALESVILLE. Grand Hotel. 270 Maroondah Hwy.

■ ■ HEALESVILLE. Healesville Newsagency. 195 Maroondah Hwy.

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

■

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

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

■ 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.

Wednesday, May 28 Ali, Syed Barker, Lisa Barron, Aiden Beck, Charles Bhattarai, Prabesh Browne, David Cashmore, Christian Daly, Kasey De Mamiel, Thomas Deverell, James Emblin, Robert James Fowler, Brook Geldart, Elizabeth Hanson, Shane Michael Htet, Zaw Lin Leaumont, Gareth Murphy, Ben Peacock-White, Jayden Pullin, Joshua Sanchez, Andre Shakes, Olivia Matilda Strongman, Matthew Wincer, Jaia Wylie, Tom

Underlyind deficit tipped to be $5mil.

■ The underlying deficit for 2024-25 for Murrindindi Shire Council is tipped to be $5 million, a report to Councillors states.

“Council also selects reserves where it can achieve a coordinated approach with large adjoining areas owned privately or by other public land managers.

The initial list of reserves to be treated includes:

■ Yirrip Reserve, Panton Hill - May 27-28

■ The Chase Reserve, North WarrandyteJune 6

■ Proctor Street Reserve, St AndrewsJune 6

■ Bulwidj Reserve, Smiths Gully - June 10

■ Bunjil Reserve, Panton Hill - June 11-12

■ The Eyrie Reserve, Eltham - June 13

■ Gumtree Reserve, Research - June 13

■ Pretty Hill Reserve, Kangaroo GroundJune 16

■ Long Gully Road Reserve, Panton HillJune 18

■ Motschalls Reserve, Panton Hill - June 18

Additional reserves will be scheduled in the coming months.

Rainbow Advisory

■ The City of Whittlesea’s LGBTIQA+ community can apply to join the newly established Rainbow Advisory Committee. Expressions of Interest are now open, with applications accepted until June 14..

■

■

■ ■ ■ LILYDALE. Lilydale Newsagency. 237 Main St.

■

■ ■ ■ MILLGROVE. Licensed Grocery. 3043 Warburton Hwy.

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

■ 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.

“With these adjustments, the operating surplus is expected to increase from $5.2 million to $5.8 million. Similarly, the underlying result, which excludes capital grants from the analysis, is projected to improve from an underlying deficit of $5.5 million to $5 million.,” says the report due to be tab led at the Shire meeting tonight (Wed.).

“The new advisory committee will provide valuable insights to help Council better understand the lived experiences of LGBTIQA+ residents and guide the development of inclusive programs and services across the municipality,” said a Council represenbtative.

■

■

■

■

■ SOUTH MORANG. Milk Bar.

15 Gorge Rd.

■

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

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

■

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

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

■ ■ THORNTON. 4 Ways Diner.

1369 Taggerty-Thornton Rd.

■

■ ■ ■ THORNTON. Rubicon Hotel.

1362 Taggerty-Thornton Rd.

■

■

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

■ ■ SEVILLE. Wooworths Seville. 568 Warburton Hwy.

■

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

■

■

■ ■ WARBURTON. Bakery. 3415 Warburton Hwy.

■ ■ WARRANDYTE. Grand Hotel.

140 Yarra St.

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

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

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

“Forecasted revenue for the year has increased by $800,000, while projected expenditure has risen by $251,000. The revenue enhancements are primarily attributable to an $800,000 increase in operating grants associated with flood recovery initiatives of $750,000 and an additional $50,000 funding for the Motorcycle Road Safety Program.

“There is an anticipated rise in expenditure of $312,000 relating to flood recovery and related repair activities which partially offsets the grant funding mentioned above.,” the report says.

“The committee will consist of up to nine community members, along with a minimum of two representatives from local organisations, agencies or service providers that work closely with the LGBTIQA+ community. “

Cr David Lenberg is the Council representative for a one-year term, with Cr Blair Colwell to serve as proxy.

Cr Lenberg said the committee’s formation demonstrates Council’s commitment to building a more inclusive and connected community.

Budget passes Shire Rounds

■ Mitchell Shire adopted its 2025-26 budget at last week’s Council meeting (May 19).

The budget has a strong focus on key capital projects, service delivery, and addressing the ongoing challenges faced by residents and businesses in a difficult financial climate.

“The budget is designed to respond to the growing needs of the community while maintaining a commitment to financial sustainability.,” said a Council representative.

“Council understands the challenges faced by residents and businesses, and this budget reflects the need to balance immediate priorities with long-term goals.

“It acknowledges the financial pressures currently facing communities, with rising costs across the board and new burdens such as the State Government’s Emergency Services and Volunteer Fund.” Highlights of the budget for the 2025/2026

■ $18.53 million allocated to maintaining and improving the road network, including continued upgrades to key roads across the Shire

■ $1.34 million to extend and renew footpaths, improving safety and accessibility for pedestrians.

■ $4.08 million to for the development of community and recreational facilities

■ $16.14 million for the construction, expansion and upgrade of buildings across the Shire.

This budget includes funding for important projects that will have lasting impacts on the region:

■ Seymour Community Wellbeing Hub ($17 million): The Hub will be a cornerstone development for the region, bringing crucial community and health services together under one roof.

■ Wallan East Family and Children’s Community Centre ($20.15 million): A comprehensive hub for early childhood and family services at Wallara Waters, providing tailored support to meet the needs of the rapidly growing Mitchell Shire population.

■ Greater Beveridge Community Centre ($3.97 million): Continuation of works to extend the centre with two additional kindergarten rooms, as well as a minor expansion of the outdoor play space and landscaping works.

■ Seymour fenced dog-off-leash park ($233,000): A new fenced dog-off-leash park will be transforming an area of Chittick Park into a vibrant, inclusive and engaging place for dogs and their families.

■ Harley Hammond Reserve Netball Courts and Lighting Upgrade and Play Space ($1.167 million): The project will deliver two brand-new, fit-for-purpose netball courts with compliant lighting and a new play space.

■ J.J. Clancy Reserve ($908,000): This project will widen the Kelly’s Lane entry, address safety and traffic flow issues, formalise parking in the sporting areas and deliver landscape improvements.

■ Main Road, Tallarook missing footpath link ($60,000): Construction of a new section of footpath to improve pedestrian access, safety, and connectivity.

Mitchell Shire Mayor Cr John Dougall said this budget is a reflection of the new Council’s commitment to a more connected, sustainable, and thriving community.

“We understand the financial pressures faced by residents and businesses in our Shire, especially with the new levy.”

‘Yan Yean doesn’t matter’

■ It is clear from the State Budget commitments that the Yan Yean electorate doesn’t matter to Labor, says Northern Victoria MLC Wendy Lovell.

“The Allan Labor Government is bleeding the state dry, squeezing hardworking Victorians for every tax dollar they can get to pay for Labor’s budget blowouts – this will raise the cost of rent and food for everyone, hurting the most vulnerable across our state,” Ms Lovell said.

“Families in the towns and suburbs of Yan Yean electorate will be deeply disappointed with this budget - they will pay more tax, but see little in return.

“Residents of Yan Yean electorate have missed out on funding for vital infrastructure projects, including the full duplication of Donnybrook Rd and the bridge over the Hume Fwy

“The budget makes a brief reference to the Commonwealth Government’s commitment to upgrading the intersection of Mitchell St and Donnybrook Rd , but fails to provide any timeline or completion date for the project.

“Unfortunately, that project does not include the full duplication of the flyover bridge and Donnybrook Rd all the way from the Hume to Merriang Rd, which is the most important upgrade for alleviating chronic congestion.”

Bogus emails hit Mitchell

■ Mitchell Shire Council is is encouraging thecommunity to be mindful of any unexpected or unusual emails that appear to come from a Councillor or Council staff member.

“These messages may include strange requests, unfamiliar links, or ask for personal information. In some cases, they may appear legitimate but originate from fake email addresses.,” said a Council representative.

If you receive an email that seems unusual or suspicious:

■ Do not click on any links or download attachments

■ Do not reply or provide any personal information

■ Delete it from your inbox

If unsure about a message, it’s always better to check with Council directly.

Contact the Council via 5734 6200 or email.

Water restrictions begin

■ Stage Two water restrictions will be introduced in Euroa and Violet Town from today (Wed., May 28).

Goulburn Valley Water has determined the measure is needed to safeguard supplies and ensure the system has sufficient water until storages recover.

The Euroa area has experienced a hot and dry summer, followed by one of the driest starts to autumn on record. Storages have declined to their lowest level since 2019, falling to below 20 per cent during May – compared to 77 per cent at the same time last year.

Acting Managing Director Daniel Flanagan said the stage two restrictions are aimed at best managing storage levels and ensuring that the wider community is using water efficiently and wisely.

“We’ll cart drinking water to Euroa and Violet Town to supplement supply when restrictions begin, and work with the Strathbogie Shire Council to supply alternative water for parks and sporting reserves.

“We will also continue to closely monitor storages, usage trends and rainfall forecasts, with an eye to lifting restrictions as soon as we can,” Mr Flanagan said.

Local Briefs

Missed out

■ Northern Victoria MLC Jaclyn Symes, as State Treasurer, handed down her first Budget last week.

Wendy Lovell MLC said that, locally, the Budget included no funding for: Yan Yean also missed out on funding for infrastructure projects that are centrally important to supporting population growth in the area, including:

■ a new Beveridge train station

■ the Wollert Rail extension

■ a new police station in Whittlesea

Drought petition

■ Euroa MLA Annabelle Cleeland has launched a petition calling on the State Government to formally recognise drought conditions in North-East Victoria and provide urgently needed support to local farmers.

“The Allan Labor Government’s recent drought package completely excludes NorthEast and Central Victoria - leaving our farming communities behind during one of the toughest seasons in recent memory.,” Ms Cleeland said.

“Farmers in our region are battling bare paddocks, empty dams, and skyrocketing freight costs just to keep livestock alive. Morale is low, and the pressure on saleyards and transport networks is relentless.”

The petition calls for:

■ A formal drought declaration for NorthEast Victoria - including Mitchell, Strathbogie, Benalla, Campaspe, Greater Bendigo, Greater Shepparton, Alpine, Mansfield, and Wangaratta local government areas.

■ Immediate inclusion in all relevant drought assistance programs.

“Being eligible for drought support would also allow farmers to access desperately needed rebates of Labor’s new Emergency Services Tax - a tax that is punishing those already doing it tough.,” Ms Cleeland said.

Financial help

■ Help is available to residents, businesses and groups who may be struggling to meet their financial obligations to Whittlesea Council.

At last week’s meeting (Tues,., May 20), the Council endorsed the updated City of Whittlesea Financial Hardship Policy, ensuring that those in the community who are facing genuine difficulties in making payments have a range of options available.

“Recognising that many residents are feeling the effects of the cost-of-living crisis, Council is committed to supporting those in the community who may be experiencing financial hardship.,” said a City of Whittlesea representative.

“The updated policy provides a range of options for those struggling to pay Council rates, fees and charges, including payment plans, deferrals, waivers of interest and debt collection costs and assistance in connecting individuals with support services.

“Council’s dedicated Financial Hardship Support Officer provides assistance and advice to anyone seeking support and helps you through the application process, making it easier and easing the stress of financial hardship.”

Whittlesea Mayor, Cr Martin Taylor , said: “We know that many in our community are doing it tough right now, particularly in the face of rising living costs. As a Council, we are committed to supporting the most vulnerable members of our community during these challenging times.”

“Our updated Financial Hardship Policy has been carefully designed to enable us to provide much needed assistance and support.”

Alex. sponsorship

■ Murrindindi Councillors will tonight (Wed.) hear a recommendation about a threeyear sponsorship with Alexandra Events Corporation Ltd for the Alexandra Truck Ute and Rod Show of up toi $63,000, comprising cash and in-kind contributions, starting with a first-year cash contribution of $12,000 plus $13,000 in-kind support .

● Daniel Flanagan

● ● Wendy Lovell MLC

● Mitchell Council has issued a warning. Image: Mitchell Shire Council

● ● Cr John Dougall, Mitchell Mayor

Regional Roundup

Liquidator on job

■ Liquidator Scott Anderson was appointed on Thursday (May 22) to Broadford Excavations Pty Ltd, ACN 634 125 054.

A general meeting of the members of the company was held on May 21, and it was resolved that the company be wound up.

Shire disappointed

■ Strathbogie Shire Council says that it is extremely disappointed by the State Government’s decision to proceed with the Emergency Services Volunteer Fund, which will replace the Fire Services Property Levy from July 1.

The new levy, which will be collected via council rate notices, will see a substantial increase in charges for many ratepayers — particularly those in rural and agricultural areas.

The levy rate is set to double, with the residential variable rate increasing from 8.7 to 17.3 cents per $1,000 of a property’s Capital Improved Value, allowing the state to raise an estimated $2.1 billion over three years more than under the current FSPL

For primaryproduction land the increase will be “astronomical”, with the variable rate increasing by 150 per cent from 28.7 to 71.8 cents per $1,000 of a property’s Capital Improved Value (CIV)., a council reporesentative said.

Strathbogie Shire Mayor, Cr Claire Ewart-Kennedy, said the council remains deeply concerned about the financial impact this decision will have on residents.

“This is not a council-imposed charge — it’s a State Government tax we are now required to collect on their behalf,” Cr EwartKennedy said.

“It’s incredibly disappointing such a significant change was pushed through without genuine consultation with local government or consideration of the burden this places on our communities.

“Our farmers, families and small business owners are already doing it tough with soaring cost-of-living pressures and drought conditions.

“Now they’re being asked to shoulder a levy which could double or nearly triple their rates,” Cr Ewart-Kennedy said.

“The State Government has chosen to shift the financial load of emergency services onto those least able to absorb it. It’s unjust, it’s disproportionate, and it hits rural communities like ours the hardest.”

Cr Ewart-Kennedy expressed concern that the very volunteers who deliver emergency services are being asked to pay for the system they help sustain.

“The reality is, this tax amounts to a double charge on the very people who volunteer their time—and often their own resources—to protect our communities.

“To impose a levy on those same people, without support or recognition, is alarming. As Mayor, I cannot in good conscience remain silent on this policy.”

Initial modelling by council indicates the following estimated increases:

■ Residential properties valued at $750,000 could pay around 31 per cent more – from the changes to the fixed and variable levy rate.

■ Commercial and industrial properties may face 38–73 per cent increases.

■ Primary producers could see an overall increase of over 110 per cent - a devastating blow for farmers already under pressure.

“Council is also concerned about the lack of clarity surrounding exemptions for emergency services volunteers, and the additional administrative burden now placed on council staff and systems, noting the insufficient lead time, from this levy’s hasty announcement and delayed adoption.

“The state has not only shifted the cost but also the responsibility onto local government, with no support or clear framework to manage exemptions or community communication,” Cr Ewart-Kennedy said.

“While we acknowledge the State Government has made a commitment to working on an implementation package for local councils there is as yet no detail. “We are already hearing confusion in the community — many mistakenly believe this is a council charge, when it is not.”

Flag raising at Yea

■ Murrindindi Shire Council hosted a morning tea and flag-raising event outside the Yea Library on May 16, bringing people together in a show of support for LGBTQIA+ people.

The event marked IDAHOBIT, the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersex Discrimination, and Transphobia, “a day to visibly stand up for equality and respect”.

“We heard a clear message: people want a welcoming, inclusive Shire where diversity is embraced and everyone feels they belong,” said a Council representative.

Cr Sue Carpenter spoke at the flag raising, saying: “I am proud to stand with community members on days like this that spark important conversations.

“While views may differ, the core message is clear: discrimination and exclusion are still a lived reality for many, and we must continue to push for change.

“That’s why visible support matters. When we come together in solidarity, we create a Shire where everyone feels safe, valued and respected for who they are. Inclusion isn’t someone else’s responsibility - we all have a part to play,” Cr Carpenter said.

Local Yea person Eloise Birchall also spoke at the flag-raising.

Claire Bowditch at H’ville

■ Musician-broadcaster Clare Bowditch will perform at The Memo, Healesville , on Saturdaty (May 31).

She has won the coveted ARIA Award for Best Female for her music, the Rolling Stone Woman of the Year Award for her contribution to Australian culture, and has been nominated for a Logie Award for her role as Rosanna on popular television show Offspring Her first book, a partial memoir entitled ‘Your Own Kind Of Girl’ was released through Allen & Unwin in 2019 and won the ABIA for Best New Writer.

In 2020 she took the themes from her memoir and released a skill-building audio book entitled ‘Tame Your Inner Critic’.

Tickets are on sale now via www.lunalivepresents.com or direct from the venue.

Mansfield ‘ignored’ in budget

■ Mansfield Shire has once again been ignored with the State Government budget, according to Mayor Cr Steve Rabie.

“This is an extremely metro-centric budget,” said Cr Rabie

“Mansfield Shire has been completely ignored in this budget, along with most of our regional neighbours.

“Let’s be honest here. We are all paying for the blowout of the Melbourne Metro Tunnel, which has caused this budget crisis.

“I would have expected that with the regions doing it tough, and with regional communities being ripped off by the unfair ESVF tax, that we would have seen something – anything – as a token of support in this budget.

“If you live in the city, you’ll get cost of living help with free public transport for kids and weekend transport for seniors. If you live in Mansfield, you barely even have any public transport.

“That’s $318m over four years that we won’t be seeing here, unless we’ve made our way to Melbourne on the bus. The budget is silent on regional public transport.

“If we look instead at our roads, then, it doesn’t seem that there is any extra funding for roundabouts,” Cr Rabie said.

■ Mansfield business owners and decision makers came together to consider how to give the town a boost and support local businesses, culminating in a hands-on four-hour makeover with local people, businesses and Council coming together to create a space that boosts the town centre.

Internationally renowned placemaker David Engwicht led several sessions with Mansfield Council staff, decision makers and business owners.

Mr Engwicht shared secrets for creating flourishing town centres on a shoestring budget and without the need for long, drawn-out planning processes.

A four-hour working bee on Friday, May 16, saw the community and local businesses come together for a hands-on town centre makeover, marking the start of a six-month trial on the High St median strip.

Local people helped build a new seating deck and children’s play area and repainted bollards to make the area feel more connected. A functional hitching-post was also installed in a nod to Mansfield’s equestrian roots.

The program’s first workshop on Wednesday May 14, ‘How to boost your town’, was attended by 72 people, bringing together residents, businesses, Councillors and Council executives to learn tools and strategies for how to work together to boost the town.

A ‘How to boost your till’ workshop and breakfast followed on Thursday May 15, sponsored by the newly-rebranded Delatite Chamber of Commerce. Some 42 people attended this workshop focussing on how businesses improve their bottom lines by helping to enhance the public spaces in front of their businesses.

Sessions were also held for Council staff, covering ways to better interact with the local business community and reduce red tape.

Businesses from all around Mansfield joined in the sessions. Many of High St’s traders were there together with businesses from Mt Buller Rd. There was a mix of hospitality, accommodation, tourism and professional services.

Jay Cooper, new Committee member, Delatite Chamber of Commerce, said many community members and business owners were getting on board to make a positive change to Mansfield’s public spaces.

“I joined in today because I’m excited to see Council trying a more permissive approach, letting the community have a go,” he said.

“Our community is strong and well-connected. It was great to see Council putting trust in the community to improve our town. Today is a great first step.

“The new features we built are just the beginning, a project to show what we can achieve when we all work together.

“I hope they encourage people to spend more time in the median strip and feel at home there.

“As more and more local businesses join the scene we could have our rich story literally in our street, with memorable places and characters building a stronger connection with our visitors and customers,” said Mr Cooper Delatite Chamber of Commerce is the new name for the former Mansfield and District Business Association. Mr Cooper said the rebrand aimed to recognise and include businesses in all sectors across the Shire

“So many of our great producers and experiences are outside the township. In choosing a new name, the aim was to create a brand that we all get to own. We agreed on ‘Delatite Chamber of Commerce’ because it reflects our whole region while also standing out from other areas in the Victorian High Country,” he said.

● ● Cr Steve Rabie, Mansfield Mayor

● ● ● ● Cr Sue Carpenter raising the flag, with Eloise Birchall.

Claire Bowditch

● ● ● ● Makeover in Mansfield

Observer Melbourne

Perfect casting for Beetlejuice

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.

■ In a sparkling theatrical week of three major opening nights, Melbourne’s musical theatre lovers scored the trifecta with the opening of the quirky, sensationally clever Beetlejuice The Musical at the Regent Theatre.

Presented by the Michael Cassel Group and Warner Bros., based on the 1988 horror comedy movie and book by Scott Brown and Anthony King, the lyrics and music for Beetlejuice

The Musical are written by Melbourne’s very own Eddie Perfect, already earning him a Tony Award nomination.

Adding to Eddie’s songwriter/composer expertise is his outstanding triple threat performance in the title role of Beetlejuice (or Betelgeuse, fittingly the name of a star) – making him an awesomely talented quintuple threat.

It is weird that a show about death can be so enjoyable, but under Alex Timber’s energy-infused direction, the masterly combination of an entertaining script, splendid stage design, lighting, projection effects, puppetry, first-class cast and Perfect’s fabulous toe-tapping music played with gusto by Anthony Barnhill’s orchestra, make this musical a wow theatrical experience.

Lydia Deetz (Karis Oka) grieves for her deceased mother, feels neglected by her father Charles (Tom Wren) and can connect with the dead.

After seeking help from mischievous, stripe-

liking demon, Beetlejuice (Eddie Perfect) may hem ensues when recently deceased Barbara and Adam Maitland (Elise McCann and Rob Johnson), are co-opted by Beetlejuice to haunt their former house now purchased by the Deetz family.

Elise McCann and Rob Johnson (Barbara and Adam) bring delightful normality to the show, as does Charles (Tom Wren). Erin Clare as Delia, the ‘life coach’ employed by Charles , seamlessly captures her transition from outsider to family member. Angelique Cassimatis was an audience favourite as dynamic Miss Argentina

Terrific support performers and Ensemble complete the cast, showcasing their talented versatility.

But the co-star joining Eddie Perfect in this show is Karis Oka (Lydia Deetz), whose petite stature and gothic charm belies her powerhouse voice belting out the songs.

This show about death deserves a long and successful theatrical life.

Performance Details: Playing for a limited season.

Venue: Regent Theatre, 191 Collins St., Melbourne

Bookings: Ticketek or beetlejuicethe musical.com.au

Cheryl Threadgold

● Michelle Allen, Nicole Schryver, Bek Bullen and Grace Hamilton

Eddie Perfect a\nd Karis Oka in Beetlejuice. Photo: Benny Capp

Your Stars

with Kerry Kulkens

Presented by Sarah Kulkens, Australia’s

Trusted Psychic Family

ARIES (March 21 - April 20)

Lucky Colour: Blue

Lucky Day: Monday

Racing Numbers: 3, 5, 1, 6

Lotto Numbers: 5, 9, 20, 21, 25, 34

A period full of surprises and sudden changes. Long-distance travel may be on your mind, with new plans for the future taking shape. Expect a busy time ahead when everything seems to happen at once.

TAURUS (April 21 - May 20)

Lucky Colour: Aqua

Lucky Day: Wednesday

Racing Numbers: 5, 3, 2, 7

Lotto Numbers: 6, 10, 18, 20, 22, 25

You've been waiting for changes, and this period indicates they are on the way. Romantic times are ahead, and your love life should flourish beautifully.

GEMINI (May 21 - June 21)

Lucky Colour: Orange

Lucky Day: Friday

Racing Numbers: 8, 3, 2, 6

Lotto Numbers: 1, 17, 20, 26, 33, 38

Expect changes but don’t rush into anything. Surprises may come from people from your past, and your love life is in for an exciting time.

CANCER (June 22 - July 22)

Lucky Colour: Ochre

Lucky Day: Monday

Racing Numbers: 6, 4, 8, 6

Lotto Numbers: 1, 17, 20, 26, 33, 38

A good time for joint ventures, and partnerships should bring prosperity. Stay calm around people who may not be in the best of moods to avoid conflicts.

LEO (July 23 - August 22)

Lucky Colour: Lavender Blue

Lucky Day: Tuesday

Racing Numbers: 9, 1, 2, 3

Lotto Numbers: 8, 13, 20, 22, 26, 31

Trust your intuition in financial matters and other aspects of life. Someone may help you achieve something you've been hoping for.

VIRGO (August 23 - September 23)

Lucky Colour: Peppermint Green

Lucky Day: Thursday

Racing Numbers: 8, 3, 5, 4

Lotto Numbers: 7, 14, 21, 28, 33, 35

For your ideas to be heard at work, make sure to state your case clearly and calmly. You’re likely to be popular during this period, and social connections will thrive.

LIBRA (September 24 - October 23)

Lucky Colour: Rose Pink

Lucky Day: Monday

Racing Numbers: 8, 1, 4, 3

Lotto Numbers: 6, 11, 20, 26, 36, 41

Big changes may lead to more travel. If you're searching for a new partner, this could be the time to find the right one. Romance is highly favoured.

SCORPIO (October 24 - November 22)

Lucky Colour: Olive Green

Lucky Day: Sunday

Racing Numbers: 4, 3, 2, 4

Lotto Numbers: 10, 18, 22, 24, 34, 40

Some secrets may come to light during this period, so be mindful of whom you trust. Work productivity will be high, and success is within reach.

SAGITTARIUS (November 23 - December 20)

Lucky Colour: Flame Red

Lucky Day: Friday

Racing Numbers: 4, 2, 9, 6

Lotto Numbers: 7, 16, 19, 23, 41, 44

Something you've been working on for a long time will finally be ready to launch. Keep important matters in writing to ensure clarity.

CAPRICORN (December 21 - January 19)

Lucky Colour: Navy Blue

Lucky Day: Wednesday

Racing Numbers: 9, 5, 7, 3

Lotto Numbers: 10, 19, 26, 31, 39, 43

Don't be too quick to dismiss someone from your life; there may be something worth saving in the relationship. Plans for long-distance travel may face delays.

AQUARIUS (January 20 - February 19)

Lucky Colour: Primrose

Lucky Day: Saturday

Racing Numbers: 4, 3, 2, 8

Lotto Numbers: 17, 20, 28, 30, 36, 42

You may feel restricted in your current environment, and plans for a move or change in life could be developing. Avoid conflicts with loved ones.

PISCES (February 20 - March 20)

Lucky Colour: Khaki

Lucky Day: Monday

Racing Numbers: 6, 9, 3, 1

Lotto Numbers: 6, 11, 20, 25, 30, 36

If you've neglected your health recently, now’s the time to be more cautious. Domestic moments may lift your spirits and help with your recovery.

Kerry Kulkens™ Magic Shop

1693 Burwood Hwy, Belgrave

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

Follow us on Facebook for the latest updates and offerings.

Sir,

Corporal punishment

With years of far- Left Laborites and their likeminded Greens fellow-travellers’ destruction of Victoria’s law and order; and emasculation of decent, real world thinking parents’, and educators’ rights to guide, and discipline young Australians’ road to decent citizenship, I say, in so many instances, with young people’s crime sprees today; bring back corporal punishment (starting, with some of their parents).

Howard Hutchins Harold St, Wantirna

Women impacted

Sir,

I want to extend my deepest thanks to the extraordinary people across our local communities who generously share their time and often, their most personal stories to help change the future for women impacted by gynaecological cancer.

These remarkable volunteers, many of whom are survivors or carers, bring lived experience to ANZGOG’s work in research, education and advocacy.

Through our Survivors Teaching Students program alone, they’ve helped nearly 20,000 medical and health students better understand the realities of gynaecological cancer - its emotional toll, the importance of early diagnosis, and the value of compassionate care.

It takes immense courage to speak out after a cancer diagnosis. To those who do: thank you.

Your voices help guide clinical research, influence policy, shape the future of care and inspire hope in others. You are helping to save lives.

We honour each of you this week — and every week. Your contribution is not only powerful, it is essential.

If you’re a survivor, carer or family member with a lived experience, we invite you to join this special community.

Alison Evans Chief Executive Officer

Australia New Zealand Gynaecological Oncology Group

Red Shield Appeal

Sir,

It is that time of year again. May has come around, the weather is beginning to get cooler, and The Salvation Army are gearing up for their biggest fundraiser yet.

The 61st Red Shield Appeal is here. The collecting outside your local shops, the knocks on your front door, and the emblazoned Red Shield around the town means that it is time to dig deep to support Aussies in need. It is a time of year that isn’t just about the funds raised. The Salvos are always blown away by the ways the community comes together across the country in support.

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.

We are in awe of our Army of volunteers, this year aiming to be 20,000 strong, who make all of this happen.

It is the everyday folk in local communities that is the heartbeat of The Salvos and the Red Shield Appeal.

Why is the Red Shield Appeal so important? Because it allows for the most vulnerable and disadvantaged in our society to get the support they vitally need and deserve.

It means we can continue our work in areas like homelessness, family and domestic violence, youth, drug and alcohol rehabilitation, financial hardship and so much more.

The Salvos help someone in Australia every 17 seconds, but this doesn’t happen by accident.

It is because of our incredible frontline workers who work tirelessly to support Aussies in need. It is because of our dedicated volunteers who give their time so selflessly for others.

And it is because of the generosity of Australians, giving what they can to our Red Shield Appeal so someone else can receive hope.

Indeed, by giving to the Red Shield Appeal, you can be the hope that someone desperately needs.

Whether you are able to give financially, or give your time through volunteering, every little bit supports us to continue what we do best – helping people.

The Salvos are aiming to

raise $38 million this year for our Red Shield Appeal. We trust Australians will be generous, and for that, we offer a sincere thank you.

And the best part is, when you see the folk collecting outside the supermarket, or receive a friendly knock on the door, you can know that funds raised locally in your community will remain local, supporting your fellow community members doing it tough.

So please, if you can this year, consider supporting the Salvos Red Shield Appeal.

To donate or volunteer for The Salvation Army’s Red Shield Appeal or if you need support from the Salvos, visit salvationarmy.org.au or call 13 SALVOS. You can also donate at any Salvos Store.

Major Bruce Harmer

The Salvation Army

Water is the key

Sir,

I have a question for people living in north-east Victoria: Do you support Australian farmers and do you want our farmers to grow clean, green food in a sustainable way?

If you answer ‘yes’ to that question, you must also support the best possible water policy, as water is the key ingredient for growing this food.

Perhaps you would then like to ask your local Iindependent member, Helen Haines, why she does not support your region’s farmers, and those in other parts of the nation.

I suspect Ms Haines will tell you, “yes, I support farming”. But does she?

If she supports farming, why did she vote for Water Minister Tanya Plibersek’s legislation which has allowed water buybacks on a massive scale, yet without the original social and economic protections for regional communities that were promised from the start of Basin Plan implementation?

Has Ms Haines supported the buyback legislation, and other anti-farming policies of the Albanese Government, because that is what her ‘Teal’ colleagues and their financial supporter Simon Holmes a Court have requested (or demanded)?

Published data shows Ms Haines has voted with the Greens in 76 per cent of divisions during the current parliamentary term, that is more than three-quarters of the time, the Member for Indi is backing the Greens.

That’s not what I would call ‘independent’ and I am sure it does not align with the views of many in her electorate.

Jan Beer Yea

Don’t waste vote

■ Don’t waste the vote you must cast before eight tonight -. for the sake of Victoria

Be sure that the how'tö-rote card you are handed at your polling booth is the one that truly sents the Party of your choice.

Distinguish, especially, between " Cain Labor" and "Barry Labor" on the one hand, and the " Liberal/Country Party" and the "Victorian Liberal Party" on the other.

There will be canvassers abroad all day with cards (marked, respectively, "Official Labor" or "Liberal"), that will not in all cases mean what they say.

The clear need is for outright government rule by a Party that has enough members to govern without relying on pressure group help - and today is the day to elect such a Party!

Out for 10 years

■ Noel William Conway, trainer of the racehorse Thundering Légion, was disqualified today for 10 years by the S.AJ.C. stipendiary stewards.

The stewards were .continuing their inquiry into the finding of a battery just before Thundering Legion won the Clarendon Transition Handicap at Morphettville last Saturday.

The stewards decided that in their opinion Conway was a party to the intention of Jockey W. Attrill to use a battery on Thundering Legion in the race.

The battery was found in Attrill's whip and Attrill was disqualified for 10 years.

The stewards disassociated the owner, Mr. H. Irvine, of Ballarat, from any connection with the case.

The stewards do not consider the case completed. Inquiries are proceeding and it is possible that when they are complete recommendations regarding certain persons will be made to the S.A.J.C. committee

Trams stopped

■ Trams on the East Preston line were delayed for 45 minutes yesterday morning when an oil tanker caused a power failure in North cote. Four tramway buses car\ried passengers in an emergency shuttle service from the scene of the breakdown to St. George's rd. and Miller st. The tanker broke a guy line attached to a post carrying new overhead power lines at the corner of High and Hutton sts.. Northcote. The pole wobbled and the power line contacted the overhead tramway wires, halting tram services from 7.30 to 8.15 a.m.. and cutting off electricity in the area.

Today’s Menu

Charcuterie Boards:

Tapas Bar Home-Made Desserts

Great Range of Cocktails and Mocktails Available.

Teas and Coffees

Don’t forget our Famous Devonshire Tea

Morning Melodies

■ Presented by Arts Centre Melbourne and 3AW, a special Morning Melodies performance on Monday, June 2 at Hamer Hall, Arts Centre Melbourne, will feature culinary icon and music lover, Maggie Beer, joined by Orchestra Victoria

There will be two performances - at 11\am and 1.30pm - in the program which has been handpicked for the significance they've played in Maggie's life.

Joining Maggie in conversation will be presenter Greta Bradman, sharing the stories behind the selection.

Conducted by Carlo Antonioli and featuring soprano Nina Kobe and mezzo-soprano Syrah Torii, the program includes works such as Delibes Flower Duet from Lakme, Gershwin’s Summertime from Porgy and Bes s, and Mascagni’s Intermezzo from Cavelleria Rusticana.

Morning Melodies celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2025.

Event Details: Monday, June 2 at 11 am and 1.30pm Venue: Hamer Hall, Arts Centre Melbourne Bookings: artscentremelbourne.com.au Cheryl Threadgold

Spanish Festival

■ The 2025 HSBC Spanish Film Festival will be presented in Melbourne at Palace Cinemas, Palace Nova and Luna Palace Cinemas from June 13-July 2.

The Festival includes a curated selection of 30 films from Spain and Latin America, starting with Opening Night comedy Samana Sunrise (Amanece en Samaná), featuring an all-star cast including Luis Zahera, María Luisa Mayol, Luis Tosar and Bárbara Santa-Cruz

The story follows two Spanish couples celebrating their 20-year friendship with a trip to a beachside resort in the Dominican Republic, where a confession about the past leads to a reality-shifting ‘Sliding Doors’ moment.

The Centrepiece of the Festival is the highly acclaimed EL 47 , which won five Goya Awards including the coveted Best Film.

Inspired by a true story, from writer/director Marcel Barrena (Mediterraneo: The Law of the Sea), this biographical drama starring Eduard Fernández follows a bus driver in an act of peaceful dissidence that transformed modern Barcelona during the city's boom in the 1970s.

A 2025 Special Presentation is Undercover (La infiltrada), co-winner of Best Film at the 2025 Goya Awards (sharing it with EL 47).

This gripping crime thriller set in the Basque Country is based on the real-life story of Aranzazu Berradre Marín , the pseudonym for the only police officer in Spanish history to infiltrate the terrorist organisation ETA

For full details of Spanish Film Festival dates, times and the full program, visit spanishfilmfestival.com/ Cheryl Threadgold

● ● The Melbourne Obvserver section is published weekly, February-December. Online copies can be read at www. Localpaper.com.au

Print copies sare available free each fortnight.

Talk is cheap, gossip is priceless

CARNIVAL OF VICE Confidential

■ Bloomsday in Melbourne presents Circe's Carnival of Vice from June 11-22 at fortyfivedownstairs , 45 Flinders Lane, Melbourne

Directed by Wayne Pearn, Circe's Carnival of Vice explores the fever-dream world of Monto, Dublin’s notorious red-light district, inviting audiences to experience a daring and provocative new play inspired by James Joyce’s Ulysses

This original production reimagines Joyce’s ‘Circe’ episode as a surreal, comic and subversive response to the sexologists of his day— those boldly redefining ‘normal’ sexuality.

Blending bawdy pantomime with biting critique, the play is said to be 'a playful yet pointed exploration of enchantment, desire, power, and gender.'

“As Joyce revised this episode in Paris in 1920,” explains Artistic Director Frances DevlinGlass, “amused but undaunted by the Purity Snoopers and the objections of even his literary agent Ezra Pound, he pushed literary boundaries with joyful defiance.

“Circe is a tour de force—comic, grotesque, and courageous. Good taste is emphatically off the table.”

Director Wayne Pearn says:“I’m astonished by Joyce’s range—from teasing pantomime and surreal gender-bending to the apocalyptic. He never loses sight of the ordinary rigours of love and the looming threat of loss. It’s wild, funny, and deeply human.”

This year’s Bloomsday Festival also includes the annual Bloomsday lunch and seminar on Saturday June 14 from 10.30am at the Swiss Club of Victoria, 89 Flinders Lane (just a few metres from the theatre).

Bloomsday in Melbourne is a long-running Australian collective dedicated to celebrating the work of James Joyce, particularly his landmark novel Ulysses.

Since 1994, the group has staged annual theatrical productions around June 16 - Bloomsday - to mark the date in 1904 on which the novel’s events unfold in Dublin

Throughout the year, Bloomsday in Melbourne also presents literary events, public readings, and educational programs.

Performance Details:June 11 - 22

Venue: fortyfivedownstairs, 45 Flinders Lane, Melbourne

Tickets available via fortyfivedownstairs. com/event/circes-carnival-of-vice/

More info: www.bloomsdayinmelbourne. org.au

Cheryl Threadgold

Shadow Boxing

■ He is a Boxer, with problems. Living in the shadows of his infamous father who had a failed boxing career. At the same time, his own sexuality comes to play and he has many dilemmas in meeting the expectations of his father and the world.

Shadow Boxing written by English actor James Gaddes in 1989, is a physically demanding monologue set in the round (square) of a boxing ring.

With audiences on all four sides of the simple set, Samuel Addison as Flynn provides an emotion-charged performance that he often shared directly with an audience member.

In the ring was a punch bag, a mirror for his self-reflections, a corner stool and the final corner his personal bag.

Life as a child was difficult for Flynn - school yard bullying, and he preferred reading rather than playing outside.

While all the time his father’s shadow was close, with Flynn witnessing his father’s most grueling fight, with a broken jaw, crawling across the ring to Flynn, who just walked away.

From here there is an urgency in his storytelling, determined to become the rugged fighter that he wanted the world to respect.

While continually sparring and punching at imaginary opponents, all at a furious pace, he relates his life experiences with a change of voice - as his father, the sports journalist, his

●

Eric Moran (Leopold Bloom) in Circe's Carnival of Vice. trainer, and more poignantly, his lovers. All nonstop while he skipped, ran, a combination of sit-ups and push-ups at an exhausting rate. .

A sweaty body, much techno music, strobe lighting as Flynn uses a title fight for what he wanted, an epic coming out to the world of an openly gay champion boxer.

However, the sporting world and that of the Boxing regime were not quite ready to accept his complex persona.

Samuel Addison put bite and boundless energy to the script, with much credit going to the production team at Feet First Collective theatre company.

Review by Graeme McCoubrie

Femme Play

■ The Butterfly Club is the atmospheric venue for feminist writer Judy Doubas's latest work, Femme Play (ungrateful slut) playing until May 31 as part of the Drama Queen Festival.

Well-directed by Susan Rundle, Femme Play is a modern-day exploration of female identity vs. the patriarchy - by socially conscious Al (a delightful performance from Gabby Llewelyn), and career-woman George, expressively portrayed by Ruth Katerelos.

We meet Al wearing a pink fairy-like tutu with wand, reflecting on her inner girl child dreams which conflicted with parental expectations; She now wants to become liberated.

George laments that after quitting her 20year career, she has been reduced to being remembered merely for her shoes in the maledominant work environment.

The clever addition of two inner voicesgrounded patriarchal mouthpiece Red (June Collins) and glamorous voice for femininity Bling (Rosie Rodiadis), not only adds an interesting dimension to the play itself but confuses Al and George even more as they struggle for self-identity as females.

Social commentary includes questioning the effectiveness of the 1970s Women’s Lib Movement when 50 years later, Al still doesn’t know what she wants, believing the world continues to abide by men’s rules.

The enjoyable duologue between Al and George discussing women’s equality with men and misogyny, provides a good showcase for Katerelos and Llewelyn’s naturalistic acting skills.

The show has a positive message at the end, and whilst there might not be any new revelation raised about female identity vs. the patriarchy, playwright Doubas explores the issues from an interesting contemporary perspective.

The Drama Queen Festival gives opportunities for female voices to be heard.

NICA

■ The National Institute of Circus Arts (NICA) presents the third-year student ensemble show, titled Proteus, co-directed by international artists Sage Bachtler Cushman (2010 NICA alumna) and Hugo Oliveira, showing June 18-28 at NICA National Circus Centre in Prahran

With a postmodern deconstructionist point of departure, a peculiar world sets in. Voyaging through the city's architectural spaces, micro and macro spaces unfold into an expanse of connective pathways, seclusive rooms and celebratory lairs

Audiences will be offered microcosmic glimpses into an engrossing civilization inhabited by a collection of modern oddballs. Within these intimate settings, Proteus builds momentum while meandering through life circumstances.

The fragmentation of shapes and reconfiguration of form transpires through set, costume and design, rendered through circus, movement and theatre. In this dimension, mutable and ever-changing forces drive perpetual transformation.

NICA’s third-year ensemble present their strongest character work yet, while showcasing innovative skills across double Chinese pole, hula hoops, aerial rope, teeterboard, roue cyr, and more.

A distinguished 2010 alumna, NICA proudly welcomes Sage back on home soil to co-create with the next generation of global circus artists, paving the way for a bold reimagining of the industry.

With a shared repertoire of accolades, awards, and professional recognitions, Sage and Hugo bring a directive approach grounded in the observation of human nature, revived through physical language.

Their nuanced integration of circus, theatre, and movement creates a distinctive artistic dialect that evokes a visceral, intuitive response.

Cushman says: "The Graduating class of 2025 is extraordinarily talented and works so cohesively as a group. What a delight to get to engage with, deepen and expand these students' artistry, challenging them to be brave, creative and playful as we devise.

“Within a visceral and physical language these students have flourished, building the internal space of these characters, their interactions and their world, Proteus

“For both my co-director Hugo and I, It is enormously satisfying to create a show in this building, with these students, while holding the intention to inspire, support, and guide them in their next chapter as emerging professional artists ... it has been especially moving for me, as I gained the foundations of this language through the guidance of my specialty trainer Helene Embling

“What honour and a full circle accomplishment to return to NICA to work among this extraordinary faculty and these skilled artists."

Season: June 18 – 28 (preview June 17)

Time: 7.30pm evenings and 2pm matinee Venue: NICA’s Guang Rong Lu OAM National Circus Centre, 39-59 Green St, Prahran

Duration: Approx. 80 minutes

Tickets: $15 - $40 plus booking fee. Discounts for groups, concession, Mob tix and under 30s.

Seating: General Admission

Bookings: nica.com.au/performs Cheryl Threadgold

Auditions

■ Strathmore Theatrical Arts Group: Marian (by Adam Szymkowicz) June 15 –18 at the Strathmore Community Theatre, Loeman St., Strathmore. Director: Brian Edmond. Audition enquiries: bedled@hotmail.com or call 0417 694 567 Cheryl Threadgold

● ●

●

● ● ● ● Maggie Beer

Local Theatre Observations

Shows

■ Peridot Theatre Company: Proof (by David Auburn) Until May 25 at the Clayton Theatrette, Clayton Community Centre, Cooke St., Clayton. Director: Damian Jones. Bookings: peridot.com.au

■ CLOC Musical Theatre: Nice Work if You Can Get It. Until May 31 at the National Theatre, St Kilda. Director: Mark Taylor; Musical Director: David Clausen-Wisken; Choreographer: Susan Lewis; Ass’t. Choreographer: James Rooney. Bookings: cloc.org.au or phone 1300 362 547.

■ Mordialloc Theatre Company: The Children (by Lucy Kirkwood) Until May 31 at the Shirley Burke Theatre, 64 Parkers Rd., Parkdale. Director: Peter Newling. Bookings: babirra.org.auwww.kingstonarts.com.au

■ The 1812 Theatre: The Housekeeper (by James Prideaux) Until June 14 at The 1812 Theatre, Rose St., Upper Ferntree Gully. Director: Keith Hutton. Bookings: 9758 3964 or 1812theatre.com.au

■ Strathmore Theatrical Arts Group (STAG): A Winter’s Tale (by William Shakespeare) May 29 – June 7 at the Strathmore Community Theatre, Loeman St., Strathmore. Director: Drew Mason. Bookings: stagtheatre.org

■ Brighton Theatre Company: One Act Play Season. May 31 – June 7 at the Brighton Town Hall. Further details:brightontheatre. com.au

■ Babirra Music Theatre: My Fair Lady. June 6 – 15 at The Round, Nunawading. Director: Alan Burrows; Musical Director: Marty Macaulay; Choreographer: James Kaiser. Bookings: babirra.org.au

■ The Basin Theatre Group: The War of the Worlds (A radio play by Howard E. Koch, based on the novel by H.G. Wells) June 12 –22 at The Basin Theatre, Doongalla Rd., The Basin/. Director: Pip Le Blond. Bookings: 0494 065 006

■ Warrandyte Theatre Company: The Importance of Being Earnest (by Oscar Wilde) June 13 – 28 at Warrandyte Mechanics’ Institute, 180 – 186 Yarra St, Warrandyte. Director: James Banger. Bookings: warrandytearts.org.au

■ Aspect Inc: Rent. June 13, 14, 19, 20, 21 at 7.30pm; June 14, 21 at 2pm; June 15 at 6.00pm at the Shirley Burke Theatre, 64 Parkers Rd., Parkdale. Bookings: kingstonarts.com.au/Community-Events-atKingston-Arts/all-community-events/AspectTheatre

■ Ballarat National Theatre: Next Fall (Geoffrey Nauffts) June 16 – 22 at Ballarat Mechanics Institute – Minerva Space, 117119 Sturt St., Ballarat. Director: Matthew Henderson. Bookings: bnt.org.au/ news?view=article&id=749&catid=65

■ Essendon Theatre Company: Things I Know to be True (by Andrew Bovell) June 19 – 28 at the Bradshaw Street Community Theatre, Bradshaw St., West Essendon. Director: Angelo Snell. Bookings: 0406 448 368 or Trybooking

■ Malvern Theatre Company: Macbeth (by William Shakespeare) June 20 – July 5 at 29 Burke Rd., Malvern East. Director: David McLean. Bookings: 1300 131 552.

■ Williamstown Little Theatre: Rabbit Hole (by David Lindsay-Abaire) June 25 – July 12 at 2-4 Albert St., Williamstown. Director: John Bishop. Bookings: wlt.org.au/book-tickets Cheryl Threadgold

Auditions

■ Heidelberg Theatre Company: Other Desert Cities (by Jon Robin Baitz) May 25 from 2pm; May 27 from 7.30pm at Heidelberg Theatre, 36 Turnham Ave., Rosanna. Director: Gaetano Santo. Further details: htc.org.au

■ Beaumaris Theatre: The Witches (book by Roald Dahl, adapted for stage by David Wood) May 31 and June 1 at Beaumaris Theatre, 82 Wells Rd., Beaumaris. Director: Leah Osburn. Audition enquiries: beaumaristheatre.com.au

■ Gem Players Community Theatre: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: Information Evening: May 29 at 7pm; Auditions June 6 and 7 at the GEM,19 Kilvington Dr., Emerald. Director: Annette O’Shea; Choreographer: Payge O’Shea; Musical Director: Margie Gemmell. Enquiries: gemcoplayers.org CherylThreadgold

CABARET DE PARIS

■ The internationally acclaimed Cabaret De Paris returns to The Palms at Crown for two performances only on Saturday July 5 at 2pm and 7.30pm.

Back by popular demand, this Parisianthemed burlesque extravaganza is a celebration of old-fashioned showgirl glamour featuring a parade of bejewelled dancers who have graced legendary stages from Moulin Rouge to the Lido de Paris.

Audiences can expect a fusion of burlesque, aerial artistry, magic, illusions, and high-energy French Cancan, all wrapped in the seductive charm of a true cabaret revue.

Returning for the 2025 season is Australia’s Rhonda Burchmore, fresh from her standout performance in the national tour of Sister Act.

Rhonda brings her powerhouse voice and larger-than-life stage presence to the role, dazzling in lavish costumes, sultry French cabaret songs, and even a cheeky burlesque strip number.

Joining her is magician and Australia’s Got Talent finalist Michael Boyd, whose illusions and dramatic stagecraft keep audiences spellbound.

“I am absolutely thrilled to bring back Cabaret de Paris,” Boyd says. “Rhonda Burchmore is truly the queen of cabaret. Her charisma lights up the stage and gives the show an electric new energy.”

There’s also a contortionist, Veronica Waite, who can twist her body into impossible positions and exhibit strength and ingenuity with her stunning pole dancing routine.

Cabaret De Paris is choreographed by Todd Patrick, whose international credits span work for luxury brands including Chanel, Dior, and Versace

The production also features new routines from choreographer Matt Browning, blending burlesque with hip hop and circus influences for a modern twist on classic Parisian glamour.

Cabaret De Paris is a burlesque revue show and may contain content that is not suitable for all audiences – viewer discretion is advised.

Venue: The Palms at Crown, Melbourne

Date/Time: Saturday July 5 at 2pm and 7.30pm

Prices: $69 to $79

Booking: https://www.ticketmaster.com.au/ artist/2143018

Cheryl Threadgold

Storked

■ The inventive theatricality of writer and performer, Myf Hocking’s, Storked, shows a creativity and awareness of stage craft with projections (Lara Gabor) and scenes behind a scrim (Viv Hargreaves) suggesting how simple techniques bring about a powerful dramatic effect.

Maude Davey’s direction would also be instrumental in this.

What is hard to reconcile is the multitude of styles and amorphous subject matter in Hocking’s chronicle of scenes.

The work is primarily a series of sketches highlighting the challenges associated with sexual identity, problematic medical diagnosis, social and cultural attitudes regarding sexuality, and the myriad pressures facing the binary and non-binary regarding having children and maintaining relationships.

The cast are confident and gregarious in their performances (Milo Hartill, Myf Hocking, Kikki Temple, Teo Vergara, Elliot Wood) with the nature of the piece requiring them to take on a multitude of roles in a range of styles. Realism, comedy, absurdity all collide requiring the cast to change hats, identities and approaches.

There are times when the subject matter and performance style don’t meet with the congruity needed for best effect.

The ridiculousness about negotiating a sexual encounter can become a polemic about being physically compromised which leads to confusion about the ultimate point being made.

The series of sketches also do not provide a consistent narrative ultimately leaving the audience wondering where the work is heading.

There are countless stories in the scenarios and vignettes offered all of which would be worth exploring but the wrenching between forms, style and subject matter is disquieting.

And at just on two hours long, the work is relentless.

Antipodes Theatre Company at Theatre Works.

Review by David McLean

Away

■ When you first step into the MUST space at the Monash Clayton Campus, you are met with an overwhelming sense of community, passion, and joy.

And, as the curtain rises for act one of Away, that feeling of excitement and enthusiasm within the cast, crew and company only grows.

Away by Michael Gow is a play about three Australian families on holiday in the 1960s, each dealing with grief, loss, or conflict.

As their stories unfold, they confront personal struggles - Tom's terminal illness, Coral’s grief for her son, and Gwen’s controlling nature. Through these journeys, the characters experience growth, healing, and acceptance.

The MUST interpretation of Away is well thought out and deeply imagined. The cast breathes life into the characters with ease and each individual actor holds attention in the space beautifully.

Furthermore, their chemistry and connection as a cast is excellent, and each relationship in Gow’s script is delivered expertly by the actors.

The use of sound and lighting to communicate the emotional journey of the characters is greatly moving and impactful.

The work by composer and sound designer Alex Aidt and assistant sound designer Leler Dai to draw focus and prominence toward significant moments in the performance through various motifs and musical scores stood out immensely.

It gave the production a unique edge, and also conveyed just how extensive the crew and production team's understanding of Micheal Gow’s script is.

Overall, the MUST interpretation of Michael Gow’s Away is thoughtfully crafted and constructed to take the audience on a profound emotional journey that stays with you long after the bows have ended.

Review by Matilda Caughey

The Creation

● ● Rachelle Durkin

■ Mention the name Haydn to a lover of classical music and they are likely to smile and sigh with happiness.

Haydn was equally adept at creating instrumental and choral masterpieces, and one of his greatest pieces of music is the oratorio The Creation, which is being performed by Royal Melbourne Philharmonic Choir and Orchestra and soloists on Saturday, June 14.

The fine soloists include soprano Rachelle Durkin, whose previous work includes singing for Opera Australia and the Metropolitan Opera.

Japanese-Australian mezzo-soprano Syrah Torii (Victorian Opera), baritone Christopher Richardson (Opera Australia and Pinchgut Opera ) and tenor Michael Petruccelli (Oper Frankfurt and Opera Australia).

The RMP choir, Melbourne University Choral Society, an orchestra of 50 plus forte pianist Stefan Cassomenos complete the musical forces, all conducted by RMP chief conductor Andrew Wailes

While The Creation is one of the most successful choral works in Western musical history, composer Haydn was a modest genius.

At one performance of The Creation where spontaneous applause kept breaking out, he insisted that the music was ‘not from me: everything is from up there!’ as he pointed to the sky, which makes St Paul’s Cathedral an ideal place to enjoy this beautiful work. Melbourne audiences can share in the musical magic that is The Creation in St Paul’s Cathedral on Saturday, June 14, at 2pm and 7pm. Tickets are available from rmp.org.au

Julie Houghton

Femme Play

● ● ● ● From Previous Page

Femme Play achieves this, with song, humour and choreographed moves adding a fun, light-hearted vibe to a thought-provoking topic.

Performance Season: May 29 at 8:30pm, May 30 and 31 at 5:30pm

Venue: The Butterfly Club, 5 Carson Place (off Lt Collins), Melbourne (CBD)

Tickets: $45 Full,| $40 Concession, $38 Member

Bookings: thebutterflyclub.com/show/ femme-play-ungrateful-slut or 9663 8107.

Door sales available

Duration: 60 mins. Disabled access is not available for this venue at present. Review by Cheryl Threadgold

● ● ● ● Rhonda Burchmore stars in Cabaret de Paris.

left: Kiki Temple, Myf Hocking, Teo Vergara Elliot Wood and Milo Hartill inStorked.

● Rosie Rodiadis and Ruth Katerelos in Femme Play (Ungrateful Slut). Photo: Sarah Yeung

(Back load Specialist. Conditions apply)

24 HOURS7 DAYS A WEEK

(Scrap bin available)

CATO THE WISE

Maxwell Newton

★Haydn's ‘The Creation’ will be performed at St Paul's Cathedral, Melbourne at 2pm and 7pm on Saturday, June 14. A 200-voice choir comprising both the Royal Melbourne Philharmonic Choir and the Melbourne University Choral Society will be joined by more than 50 players from the Royal Melbourne Philharmonic Orchestra . Melbourne.RMP Chief Conductor Andrew Wailes has assembled an all-star cast of soloists: Rachelle Durkin, Syrah Torii, Michael Petruccelli and Christopher Richardson.

★Golfer Ian Baker-Finch is releasing a book, To Hell and Back , written by Geoff Saunders

MSO Secret Symphony is returning with three mystery events in June, August and October. Three pop-up performances will bring classical music to life in the most unexpected places. Ticket buyers are encouraged to follow a trail of clues on Instagram to discover the location and reveal the repertoire to be performed. The secret location will be revealed to audiences 48 hours prior to the performance.

★Celeste Barber is set to re turn to Australian stages this August and September with her show, Backup Dancer. Hamer Hall will be the venbue on Friday, August 1. The Wendouree Centre for Performing Arts at Ballarat is the locatiopn on Sunday, August 3.

★The State Library of Victoria has its Book Bash , where writers Anh Do, Sally Rippin and Amelia Mellor will take over morning literacy program from June 24-26.

★Greg Gould presented the music of Robbie Williams and Kylie Minogue at Ella’s Music Club last Saturday (May 24) at Royal Brighton Yacht Club.

★Glen Eira Gallery will celebrate the beginning of National Reconciliation Week with an evening of culture, connection, and community. There will be a Smoking Ceremony, and Welcome to Country. 6.30pm tonight (Wed., May 28). Free. Bookings not required.

★The Mountview Theatre in Macedon has a play that will appeal to women in particular. The Appleton Ladies’ Potato Race tells the story of five women navigating small-town traditions. June 13-29 at The Mountview Theatre, 56 Smith St, Macedon Features a cast including Sophie Cleary and Sharni Page , plus Shayne Francis, Sheila Kumar and Margot Knight

Melbourne Observer Melbourne Observer

Rourke’s Reviews Entertainment Mission Impossible: The

★The Babes Project , a Victorian not-for-profit supporting women through pregnancy and early parenting for over 15 years, is launching an urgent fundraising appeal as more women than ever are reaching out for support.

★Camouflage is a new exhibition at the Galleries of Remembrance at the Shrine, open daily from 10am-5pm. Entry is free.

★Artbank held the opening of Catch: Stories of First Nations fishing from the Artbank Collection last Thursday (May 22) at its Coillingwood studio.

★The inaugural Art Café Exhibition is running until May 31 at 20g Café, 196 Brandon Park Drive, Wheelers Hill. This exhibition features original artworks by local artists. All works are available for purchase directly from the artists.

★ Monash University cel ebrated the largest-ever Indigenous graduating group from a single business degree anywhere in the country. Coming from all across the nation, 17 Indigenous business leaders received a Master of Indigenous Business Leadership at a graduation ceremony. The graduating class includes students from more than 20 First Nations communities across Australia - including the Gunditjmara and Latji Latji peoples from Victoria

★The Jewish Museum of Australia – Gandel Centre of Judaica has a current exhibition, Chutzpah: Spirit. Recollection. Self. which exemplifies its role in celebrating Jewish artists and themes.

★Footloose: The Musica l is now playing at the Athenaeum Theatre with most of the initial May-June season already sold out. New performances across July and August have been released

★Bo Kitty has releaserd her de but memoir, Always Eat the Weird Stuff. Bo is a Melbournebased author with a background in creative coaching, performance

★The 39 Steps will star four major alents - Lisa McCune, Ian Stenlake and The Umbilical Brothers (David Collins and Shane Dundas) . At Melbourne’s Comedy Theatre from September 10.

★

Twelve Open finalists and six Junior performers will take to the stage at this year’s Gympie Music Muster (August 28–31), competing for a career-changing prize including a trip to Nashville

★The Thomas Heywood Concert Organ Spectacular will celebrating the 200th Anniversary of Organ Music in Australia (1825 - 2025) at Melbourne Town Hall at 2pm on Sunday, June 29. Free.

An Evening of Fairy Tales

■ What is a symphony orchestra? It’s a symphonia, a “sounding together” of musicians and their instruments. That is our very own Melbourne Symphony Orchestra

MSO’s current season at the Hamer Hall is an inclusive mix over several individual concerts with the first recital offering being An Evening of Fairy Tales.

Under Conductor Alpesh Chauhan , works by composers, Humperdinck, Prokofiev and Tchaikovsky, with highlights from well-known Fairy Tales, be it Hansel and Gretel, Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty.

Prior to the performance an MSO speaker spoke of recent purchases, a new handmade concert harp from Lyon and Healy Harps in Chicago, new tubular bells and a glockenspiel, all adding to the sonic resources of the orchestra.

Humperdinck’s opera Hansel and Gretel opened the recital with the Prelude, ever so quietly with the horns raising the tempo playing the Evening Prayer theme then to a somewhat subdued climax before ending in a recapitulation of the Evening Prayer particularly with wind and brass. All as the curtain rises when played for a full Opera.

Before interval a ballet suite from Cinderella Act II, composed by Prokofiev. Evidence that Prokofiev wanted Cinderella to be as ‘danceable’ as possible was clearly evident in the individual dances of Cinderella’s modulating tempo waltz to the Prince’s more vivace movement.

Highlight was the final Waltz-Coda that took us to the Tubular Bells chiming and the clock ticking to the inevitable midnight.

The final repertoire that of Tchaikovsky’s Sleeping Beauty, said to be one of Tchaikovsky’s most engaging compositions, commenced with the Prologue, followed by various sets, Aurora’s Christening, the Rose Adagio with the pure sound of the new harp, The Awakening and finally The Wedding from Act III

It opened with the resounding March, the gentle rhythm of the Jewel Faries Par de Quatre to the grandeur of the full Orchestra’s Finale Conductor Chauhan’s physicality with body and baton was exceptional while being matched by the versatility of MSO’s highly talented musicians.

Visit mso.com.au for full details of the MSO season.

Review by Graeme McCoubrie

More MSO

■ Grieg's Piano Concerto will be performed at 7.30pmn on Thursday, May 29, and 2pm on Saturday, May 31 at Hamer Hall.

Pianist Alexander Gavrylyuk brings virtuosity to Grieg’s Piano Concerto , a perennial audience favourite.

Conductor Elim Chan makes her MSO debut with a program that also features Anna Clyne’s noirish This Midnight Hour and RimskyKorsakov’s dramatic Scheherazade. Scheherazade Quick Fix at Half Six will be presented at 6.30pm on Monday, June 2.

Rimsky-Korsakov’s sweeping symphonic suite follows the stories of One Thousand and One Nights Contibuted

Final Reckoning

■ (M). 170 minutes. Now showing in cinemas.

Suffering major delusions of grandeur, this supposed final entry in the massively popular franchise strangely makes so many wrong moves, resulting in a film that is interminably overlong, creating the opposite feeling one had during the last few films (Ghost Protocol and Fallout in-particular).

For anyone who might be afraid of being lost or confused about what is going on now, due to the two year break between this and Dead Reckoning Part One, don’t worry; there is a mountain of recaps and detailed exposition, making sure everyone is up to speed in gargantuan fashion.

The plot picks up with Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) in hiding, in possession of the key that can lead to the destruction of the self-learning A.I., known as ‘The Entity’, which is slowly hacking into the eight major countries’ nuclear facilities.

If ‘The Entity’ succeeds, it will set off an apocalypse that will destroy the human race.

The flesh and blood person helping ‘The Entity’ in the real world is Gabriel (Esai Morales), who will stop at nothing to defeat Hunt and his expanded team, made up of Luther (Ving Rhames), Benji (Simon Pegg), Grace (Hayley Atwell), Paris (Pom Klementieff) and Degas (Greg Tarzan Davis). Hunt decides to take the mission head-on. The Final Reckoning takes a long time to get going, and I mean a very long time.

Taking over an hour to detail its basic plot and character threads, the unnecessary over-explanations slows things to a crawl, making the audience feel they are trying to move through quicksand, and as such, the goodwill left by the previous, highly charged entries evaporates.

By the time the first major setpiece arrives, there is a feeling of total deflation.

Writer/director Christopher McQuarrie, who has helmed the last three MI sequels, completely mishandles the material and the pacing on this occasion.

One can understand McQuarrie and company wanting to send the series out on a high note, but from the start he becomes distracted by the want to show what a hugely popular franchise Mission Impossible was, leading to multiple connections to the earlier movies, and while one of them is admittedly amusing, too much of it merely adds to what is already a noticeably bloated exercise (this aspect reminded me of the equally self-indulgent references in Skyfall, released to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Bond series).

The lead-footed execution affects the action set-pieces that begin to appear.

The submarine sequence, while highly reminiscent of James Cameron’s The Abyss, is staged on

a massive scale, but McQuarrie mistakes big for thrilling, so the sense of awe, wonder and excitement that was in Cameron’s 1989 hit is missing.

The same can be said for the climactic bi-plane chase.

Despite the insane stunts Cruise does during the aerial confrontation, the adrenaline charge isn’t there (is it because we’ve seen Cruise do this before?), and again reminded me of another film, this time the 1975 adventure/drama The Great Waldo Pepper , with Robert Redford.

Cruise commits physically to the role he has played since 1996 (which was superbly directed by master film-maker Brian De Palma), but any kind of human factor Hunt had has disappeared this time around.

Of the supporting cast, Rhames and Pegg do what’s required, Klementieff and Morales are frustratingly underused, while Angela Bassett manages to rise above her role as the President of the United States

There is a charming, scenestealing turn by Lucy Tulugarjuk, who eventually helps the MI team.

Technically the film is outstanding. Nothing has been spared in bringing this final chapter to the big screen. Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning may leave a number of fans satisfied, delivering a cinema event that is enormous on every level.

But there may be just as many who will walk away disappointed, seeing what became a surprisingly engaging, compelling and exhilarating series (especially after Parts Two and Three, which were awful) end on such a misfired note, feeling crushed under the film’s clunky, self-important weight. What a pity.

RATING : **

Aaron Rourke

In Memory of

■ There was a time in the 1970s when British comedies absolutely dominated our television screens with a host of marvellous shows.

On The Buses starring Reg Varney as Stan Butler became a very popular series in Australia

Reginald Alfred Varney was born in East London in 1916 and he came from a family of five children.

When he left primary school Reg took piano lessons and got a job playing at the Plumstead Radical Club in Woolwich

In 1939 he married Lilian and they had a daughter Jeanne

During the war years Reg served in The Royal Engineers and when the opportunity arose he would play the piano and sing to entertain the troops.

In the post war years he worked in shows such as Gaytime where the stooge in his act was a young comic named Benny Hill.

Reg made his first appearance in films in 1952 in a comedy titled Miss Robin Hood costarring with Margaret Rutherford

In 1961 he landed the role of ‘Reg the foreman’ in the popular series The Rag Trade

This series which ran for two years gave him international fame. His next television comedy series was Beggar My Neighbour. Reg suffered a heart attack in 1965.

When the world's first ATM opened at Barclays Bank in Enfield, North London in

Melbourne Observer Melbourne Observer

Whatever Happened To ... Reg Varney

By Kevin Trask of 3AW and 96.5 Inner FM

June 1967, Reg Varney became the very first person to use the machine

In 1969 Reg Varney was cast as Stan Butler the comical bus driver in On The Buses

The television series ran for four years and was a huge international hit, it spawned three films and a stage show.

It was about the life of a driver and his conductor working on the No.11 bus that ran to the Cemetery Gates

The first season starred Cicely Courtneidge as ‘Mum’ along with Bob Grant, Anna Karen, Stephen Lewis and Michael Robbins.

Doris Hare took over the role of ‘Mum’ when Cicely Courtneidge left the series.

Reg looked younger than his years and was

actually around 50 when he played the flirtatious Stan Butler. He learned to drive a bus so that he could be filmed at the wheel during the production of the series.

His film appearances included Joey Boy, The Great St. Trinian's Train Robbery, On The Buses, Mutiny On The Buses, Holiday On The Buses and The Best Pair Of Legs In The Business

He recorded several albums featuring songs and piano solos. In 1973 Reg Varney hosted his own television series in the UK

Reg was a frequent visitor to Australia for concerts and television appearances. ‘His last television series was Down The Gate in 1975. Reg had another heart attack in 1981 and suffered a stroke in 1989. His final television cameo role was in 1995 as a ‘bingo caller’ in Paul Merton's Life Of Comedy. Reg lived alone after his wife Lilian died in 2002. He spent his later years in a nursing home in Devon and died from a chest infection at the age of 92 in 2008. He was survived by his daughter Jeanne and his two grandchildren. Kevin can be heard on 3AWThe Time Tunnel - Remember WhenSundays at 10.10pm with Simon Owens and Andrew McLaren. And on 96.5 FM That's Entertainment - Sundays at 12 Noon. www.innerfm.org.au

MAPH FEATURES ‘PROTEST’ EXHIBITION

Protest documents women's resistance and tdes of change.

Coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the UN-declared International Women’s Year the exhibition charts the relationship between art, protest and social change over the last 50 years.

By facilitating a conversation between men women and non binary artistsacross the decades.

Protest is a creative art confirms that many of the issues addressed by the women photographers in the the 1970s - around the body, sexuality, race, race, national identity qn the environment—have not been resolved.

These concerns are shared today by a younger generation of artists who build upon injetiances of the past, demonstratin, the historical and contemporary works in the exhibition show the importance of the friendship and community, and the good that can come from working together to advocate and agitate for change.

Their objection and defincae through new creative and defiance through new creative strategies.

Collectively, Protest is a creative exhibitis the importance and rarely seen photographs by some of Australia’s most celebrated women photographers. It includes work from their personal archives, as well as from the collections of the National Gallery of Australia, National Gallery of Victoria, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Art Gallery of Ballarat and the Museum of Australian Photography. Exhibition opens June 7 and closes August 31.

MAPh

860 Ferntree Gully Rd.

Wheelers Hill

Tolarno

Seeing OtherwiseAnthony Gardner

Prints and photographs have a power that far ezceeds their usually quite modest dimensions. While they can be cradled in your hands, their capacatiy to reach a audience of thousahds, even millions - in books, as trinkets, as caartes-de-visits, produced en masse for the widest distribution - made them the mass media or social media of their day.

The Arts

with

And potentially just as dangerous as contemporary ‘fake news’ for the deceptions they could weave.

Caricatures of ‘lasvicious’ Black warriors and ‘dangerous’ ndigenous sacrifices of “vulnerablee “ wite children and the men who will “protect” them.

Tolarno Galleries Level 5, 104 Exhibition St. Melbourne

Collingwood

Look What I found - Pia Murphy

Inspired by the insatiable curoisityof childhood, Look What I Found is a seroed of nine oil paintings that navigsate the space between abstraction and figuration—exploring colour, texture, and form.

Averse to rigid planning or predetermined outcomes, my process embraces uncertainty and engages with materials openly. It is within this indeterminate space that new visual language can emerge.

Exhibition closes May 24.

N\icholas Thompson Gallery 155 Langridge St, Collingwood

The Silence

relationdhip between material and process drawing on her interest in Zen Buddhism and Taoist philosophy and the concept of silence Trace is a collection of new works Sullivan & Strumpf 107/109 Rupert St, Collingwood - Peter Kemp

Patricia Piccinini at Tolarno

■ Tolarno Galleries presents With Open Arms, a new exhibition of sculptures by Patricia Piccinini.

On display in Gallery 1, With Open Arms brings together six sculptures composed of silicone, resin and other materials.

Encompassing human, animal and hybrid forms, the exhibition opens with an arresting series of figures in seductive colours that riff on the contemporary fetish for sneaker wear.

“I am returning to a very personal hybridity that I have explored for many years, merging organic creatures and bodies with entirely artificial objects,” says Piccinini. “So … we find birds –representing freedom, optimism, resilience – intermingling with another long-held fascination of mine: shoes.

“Like birds, shoes are fascinating both aesthetically and symbolically,” says Piccinini. “Shoes, especially sneakers, are ubiquitous … yet we rarely stop to think of the extraordinary technologies behind them. They sit at the cutting edge … yet they are essentially disposable.

“Sneakers represent one of the last remaining clothing-design spaces with room for flamboyance,” says Piccinini. “On the whole, manufacturers and consumers have converged on a sort of comfortable minimalism. Few feel safe enough these days to want to take too many risks. Sneakers, however, are a safe space.”

Tolarno Galleries is at Level 5, 104 Exhibition St, Melbourne

Capper & Co. in Aussie film

■ Amercurial showman and former AFL champ Warwick Capper has signed to appear in a comedy film ,'Yesterday's Hero'.

It also features a gaggle of other Aussie actors including Fiona O'Laughlin, Krista Vendy, Chris Franklin and one-time American child actor Corey Feldman

Here's the rub: actors have pledged their salaries to a Foundation established to create awareness to the film producer's son, Shaun, who suffered an untimely death.

Whipping up pre-publicity frenzy is Max Markson. Production is due for release mid-2026.

Bailey, you’re a drop kick

■ With all that talent Bailey Smith has, he has fallen into the trap of believing he can behave in whatever way he wishes.

His finger puppetry is not funny, it's pathetic and fines imposed by the AFL are nothing more than petty cash to Smith. Young fans want a decent bloke to aspire to, not an embarrassing Drop Kick who will be quickly forgotten once his career ends.

Show must go on

■ A record crowd turned up to watch a live reenactment of Banjo Paterson's poem, ' Man from Snowy River'

Eleven wild bush brumbies were musted but one horse went missing, and still is. The show must go on, and indeed it did , despite catching 10 nags and looking for the elusive eleventh nag was made nearly impossible as horses and riders had to traverse 45-degree hilly country.

Remember the old saying 'actors should avoid performing with animals and children '.

Truth lies in the middle

■ One of my favourite series on Channel 74 is 'American Pickers' with presenter Mike Wolfe traversing America looking for hidden antiques. The series is a ratings winner in America and Australia, but behind the scenes the show is in turmoil.

One American website claims Mike Wolfe is in jail for life on an alleged charge of poisoning his on-screen partner.

Contradicting life in the slammer, another web report claims Mike Wolfe has pulled the pin and there will be no further series after 26 seasons. In between these online reports there are heaps of other accusations flying around. Wherever the truth lies would make a great movie plot.

Aussie-made films

■ 'The Australian Financial Review' reports that in 2023 a total of 86 professionally made films were produced in Australia; only one project made a profit, namely 'Finding the Voice' about John Farnham

Winner on Youtube

● ● ● Reg Varney

With John O’Keefe

Peter Kemp

Melbourne Observer Melbourne Observer

Across

1. Difficulty (of assignment)

6. Put oil on

11. Balance out

15. Staff members

20. Scruff (of neck)

21. Rock music style, ... metal

22. Spy, ... Hari

23. See 92ac

25. Favour

26. Scours

27. Gowns

29. Lull

32. Hairless

34. Exclusive English school

36. Recline (3,4)

39. Boot-shaped country

41. Basil sauce for pasta

43. Din

46. Goes by horse

48. Strong point

49. Chief

51. ... & ahs

52. Catalogues

55. Disfigure

56. Captures (criminal)

59. Jemima Goldsmith's ex, ... Khan

61. The A of AM

62. Thaw

63. Sports award

64. Disburdens

67. Windpipe

68. Thorny

70. Japanese religion

71. Barbaric

72. Deep wounds

73. Alleged assassin, Lee Harvey ...

74. Roman garments

75. Glow with (health)

77. Distend

78. Introduction (4-2)

79. Philippines capital

82. Invaded

86. Snooker foul

87. Ali ... & The 40 Thieves

89. Remunerates too little

92 & 23ac. Knuckle of veal stew (4,5)

94. Extreme

96. Scan

98. Animal enclosure

100. Laughing scavenger

101. Company emblem

103. Cogwheel

105. Undersized

106. Cultural symbol

108. Loathsome

111. Furtive glance

112. Moon shape

114. Surround

116. Volcanic flow

119. Early Peruvian

120. Cummerbund

121. Fair-haired lady, ... blonde

123. Imminent

124. Pre-dinner snack, ... d'oeuvre

125. Stripped

126. Strain

127. Bears (costs)

130. Post-graduate business degree (1,1,1)

131. Unrelenting

135. Burglary

138. Short skirt

139. Entertainer, ... Harris

141. Alternate, every ...

144. Unwanted plant

146. Donkey

147. Cure

148. Pole

149. Deciduous trees

150. Or near offer (1,1,1)

151. Jane Austen novel

152. Bomb hole

153. London's ... Park

155. Swirl

157. Small hound

158. ... Eildon

160. Hawaiian greeting

161. Wear away

162. Lifeless

163. Tick over

165. Mediocre (2-3)

166. Massage

167. Play on words

Across Down Down

168. Remove errors from 169. Automobiles

171. Addis ..., Ethiopia

172. WWII German sub (1-4)

175. Yawns

176. Baghdad is there

179. From Sydney or Perth

180. Rope-making fibre

182. Head cook

184. Take no notice of 185. Flesh of fruit

186. Jet-bubble bath

188. Quickly (1,1,1,1)

189. Fulfilled (demand)

190. Source

191. Mother sheep

193. Mentally sound

194. Unhappily

196. Brave man

197. Wild goat

198. Waters (garden)

200. Colleges

205. Much ... About Nothing

207. Arrange in print

210. Tormented by nightmares (3-6)

211. Chattering idly

212. Identical sibling

213. Not stereo

214. Crack army force (1,1,1)

216. Infatuated, ... over heels

218. ... & twos

219. Korean karate, tae ... do

220. Female boarding house proprietor

224. Songwriter

227. The M of YMCA (3'1)

229. Mexican currency

230. Judge

231. Make speech

232. ... & evens

233. Scamps

235. Reception host

237. Pant

239. Actress, ... Russo

241. Inuit canoe

244. Type of marble

246. Elvis Presley's daughter (4,5)

249. Globes

252. Excursions

254. One or the other

256. Latter-day Saint

258. Consolation

259. Inflexible

260. Tomato sauce

263. Possessor

264. Cowardly

265. Liquid units, fluid ...

267. Say from memory

270. Illusion

271. Necessitates

272. Acorn bearer (3,4)

273. Cut of steak

274. Follows orders

277. Wander

279. Native of Aberdeen or Inverness

281. Festivities

284. Fragrant flower

286. Prompted (actor)

288. Was expert (in)

292. You

294. Hereditary unit

295. Nervous

298. Dressmaker

300. Unnourished

301. Valuable possession

303. Assortment

306. Concert venue, ... Square Garden

308. Actress, Miranda ...

309. Overtake

311. Continue doggedly

314. Secret store

315. Blows up

316. Suspect's excuses

317. Native American tent

318. More than half

319. Join register

320. Nevada city

321. Recently married folk

322. Dissertation

323. Moaned wearily

324. Famous (4-5)

1. Cycling's ... de France

2. Cremation vessels

3. Nun's attire

4. Outdo

5. Snooty person

6. Granny Smiths or pippins

7. Dorks

8. Ahead (2,5)

9. Queen's ceremonial chair

10. Outlaw

11. Pearl-bearer

12. Conifer (3,4)

13. Lodge firmly

14. Samples

15. Deserve

16. Artist, ... Picasso

17. Beginning

18. Mediterranean volcano

19. Unwell

24. Salt Lake City state

28. Dublin republic

30. Test

31. Cocktail, ... colada

33. Rosebush pests

35. Hollywood's movie accolades

37. Note well, nota ...

38. Havana is there

40. Tokyo Bay port city

42. Ringworm

44. Available (2,4)

45. Screen legend, ... Loren

47. Islands

48. Brown skin marks

49. Rocket, guided ...

50. Ratty

53. Experienced hand

54. Visual symbolism

57. Moving onwards

58. Sleighs

60. Crazier

63. Perplex

65. 12 o'clock

66. Long narrative

68. Brazilian soccer great

69. Fertile soil

76. Encroachments

79. Inflatable vest, ... west

80. Naked models

81. Ill-gotten cash, filthy ...

83. Savoury jelly

84. Furnishing scheme

85. Alsatian or labrador

88. Booklets

90. Household dirt

91. Competent

93. XVII

95. Pub drinks

97. Schedules

99. Antiquated

100. Detect sound

102. Says yes to 104. Land measures

107. Quoted

109. Alpaca relative 110. On an occasion

111. Twosome

113. Horridly

115. Goaded

117. Throat-clearing noise

118. Grain husks

121. Devotee

122. Stockpiled

127. Wooden peg

128. Small streak

129. Backpackers' accommodation (5,6)

132. Insistently

133. Directed

134. Vestige

135. Strictness

136. Capital of Pakistan

137. Casual (remark)

138. Indian prince 140. Large fruit bat (6,3)

141. Bone specialist

142. Stewardesses

143. Thefts

145. Wear best clothes (5,2)

151. Magic potions

154. First appearance

156. Downward distance

159. Also titled (1,1,1)

164. Meadow (poetic)

169. Manages

170. The Constant Gardener actor, .. Fiennes

173. Expresses sorrow over 174. ... speak louder than words

177. Stands on hind legs

178. Search

181. Overturned

183. Stiffly

187. Study of body tissue

192. Heftier

195. Myths

199. Become rusty

201. Cries like crow

202. Pig noise

203. Devonshire tea cake

204. Holy book

206. Lukewarm

207. Vagrant

208. Cupid

209. Former lovers

213. Move listlessly

215. Pale-looking

217. Study table

221. Bus terminus

222. Sufficient

223. Louts

224. Shakespearean king

225. Horse-taming display

226. Computer input device (1,1-3)

228. Removes surgically

234. Pleasant tasting

236. Meal courses

238. Chopping tool

240. Persona ... grata 242. Worshipping

243. Pilot's emergency aid, ... seat 245. Pest

247. Annoying

248. Influence 250. Bemuse

251. Set free

253. Ireland's ... Fein

255. Promissory notes (1,1,2)

257. Porridge cereal

258. Match before final

261. Comprehend (4,2)

262. Zoom

265. Greatest in age

266. Opted

268. Earth lumps

269. Rowing teams

275. Genuine, ... fide

276. Snow monster

278. Concerning

280. Terminating

282. Long time

283. Termites, white ...

285. Rope tangle

287. Hate

289. Profane oaths

290. Declare to be true

291. High standards

292. Ribbed

293. Leg joint

296. Written composition

297. Trap

299. Merit

302. Steeple top

304. Horrify

305. From Athens

306. Stingy

307. Sketched

308. On Her Majesty's Servic e (1,1,1,1)

310. Pack (cargo)

312. News

313. Sea bird

By Rob Foenander

Enchanted Allure

■ Step into the world of Asola Allure where her music, passion and artistry collide.

Hailed as a rising star, the local entertainer promises a night filled with original songs, captivating choreography, and pure allure, says this mesmerizing artist’smedia release.

Chapel Off Chapel, Prahran. PM, Saturday, June 7. Tickets at Chapel Off Chapel.

Let’s Get Crazy

■ Local singer-songwriter Brendan McMahon is back at it with a new release.

Let's Get Crazy is a feel good song about the twists, turns and bumps in the road that come with the journey of relationships.

“Believe it or not, I started writing Let's Get Crazy after listening to a Led Zeppelin song called Black Dog, a thinking I might be able to turn it into a country song,”says Brendan, who is joined on the new release by Sally Jane

Night With Tina

■ Memo Music Hall presents A Night With Tina. It’s a Tina Turner Drag Cabaret of fun, action-packed and a loving celebration of the late R&B, rock and pop icon.

Backed with six dancers, Fabio Cattafi performs to Tina’s greatest hits including Proud Mary, Private Dancer and Nutbush City Limits. This homage to his idol is pure energy.

Friday, September 5. Show 8pm. Tickets at Trybooking.com - Rob Foenander

Melbourne Observer Melbourne Observer

‘The Birds’ at the Malthouse Theatre

■ This production of Daphne du Maurier's classic, gothic horror

The Birds, is craftily adapted for stage by Louise Fox and Director Matthew Lutton

On each seat is placed a set of headphones to be worn by audience members for the entirety of the show.

Testing instructions are clear and are repeated when the headsets are first put on with the sound clearly audible even for those of us who wear hearing aids.

The audience was transfixed with Paula Arundell's one woman, opening night performance in the Malthouse Beckett Theatre.

Arundell not only plays Tess, the wife and mother of two young children, she also takes on the voices of her family members and other township folk.

She deftly articulates tone and mood of the dialogue between all characters to drive the story and heighten the tension.

The story-line sees a contemporary family who have escaped the hectic pace of the city after the father has experienced as breakdown.

He has become a house-husband able to better care for his children while they all enjoy the quieter pace and safety of a small rural community.

Their longed for peace is gradually ruined by the increasing onslaught of swooping, vicious bird attacks destroying the town and their home sanctuary.

Crossword Solution No 39

As in Alfred Hitchcock's film adaptation, the script is heavily dependent on complementary electronic sound effects.

With headphone surround sound we too have a jarring, realistic sense of constant bird attacks dodging and ducking as we watch this stage performance.

The final moments involve Tess's family risking a visit to a friend's family's house to check on their welfare.

This clever finale provides an even more unnerving but satisfying end to this chilling story.

Venue: Malthouse Beckett Theatre, 113 Sturt St , Southbank Dates : Until June 7 Times: Mondays 6.30pm Tuesdays- Saturdays 7.30pm

Booking: phone 9685 5111 malthousetheatre.com.au

Review by

Sherryn Danaher

Broadway

■ Melbourne Symphony Orchestra presents An Evening on Broadway this September 24-26 at Hamer Hall.

There will be hits from Les Misérables, The Phantom of the Opera, West Side Story, Evita, Cats and more.

Led by conductor Jessica Gethin, the MSO joins forces with musical theatre stars, Josh Piterman and Amy Manford, both acclaimed for their roles.

Observations with Matt Bissett-Johnson

Observations with Matt Bissett-Johnson

● ● Paula Arundell in The Birds. Photo: Pia Johnson.

WEEKEND’S LOCAL FOOTBALL FINAL SCORES

Amateurs

■ Victorian Amateur Football Association. Premier Men’s. Old Xaverians 11.7 (73) d University Blues 10.11 (71). Old Brighton 14.15 (99) d Collegians 7.6 (48). Old Scotch 20.15 (135) d St Bernard’s 8.7 (55). University Blacks 16.10 (106) d De La Salle 5.6 (36). Old Haileybury 9.14 (68) d St Kevin’s 8.8 (56).

Premier Men’s Reserves. Old Xaverians 10.17 (77) d University Blues 10.3 (63). Old Brighton 7.12 (534) d Collegians 7.9 (51). Old Scotch 12.8 (80) d St Bernard’s 11.8 (74). De La Salle 15.10 (100) d Univcersity Blacks 6.9 (45). St Kevin’s 230.10 (130) d Old Haileybury 4.4 (28).

Premier B Men’s. Caulfield Grammarians 11.17 (83) d Old Camberwell 8.9 (57). Old Ivanhoe 12.14 (86) d Old Geelong 11.11 (77). Williamstown CYMS 12.19 (91) d Old carey 6.13 (49). Old Melburnians 11.18 984) d Hampton Rovers 6.6 (42). Old Trinity 18.11 (119) d Fitzroy 7.98 (51).

Premier B Men’s Reserves. Caulfield Grammarians 9.14 (68) d Old Camberwell 5.9 (39). Old Ivanhoe 12.11 (83) d Old Geelong 3.4 (22). Williamstown CYMS 8.13 (61) d Old Carey 8.10 (58). Old Melburbnianbs 9.12 (66) d Hampton Rovers 6.10 (46). Old Trinity 210.7 (67) d Fitzropy 10.6 (66).

Premier C Men’s. Parkdale Vultures 12.11 (83) d Mazenod 6.5 (41). St Bedes/ Mentone 11.18 (84) d Parkside 5.10 (40). AJAX 16.10 (106) d Glen Eira/Old McKinnon 7.6 (48). Beaumaris 16.13 (109) d PEGS 8.2 (50). Marcellin 14.16 (100) d Prahran 8.3 (51).

Premier C Men’s Reserves. Parkdale Vultures 15.11 (101) d Mazenod 6.3 (39). St Bedes/Mentone 19.11 (125) d Parkside 8.2 (50). AJAX 8.12 (60) d Glen Eira/Old McKinnon 4.7 (31). Beaumaris 19.10 (124) d PEGS 67.8 (50). Prahran 9.8 (62) d Marcellin 7.10 (52).

Division 1 Men’s. Ormond 16.8 (104) d Oakleigh 134.17 (95). UHS-VU 210.14 (74) d Therry Penola 10.12 (72). Old Peninsula 17.18 (120) d Preston Bullants 12.14 (86). Brunswick 12.9 (81) d Kew 10.12 (72). Monash Blues 12.10 (82) d Elsdternwick 8.20 (68).

Division 1 Men’s Reserves. Ormoind 8.11 (59) d Oakleigh 1.16 (22). UHS-VU 5.12 (42) d Therry Pernola 4.5 (29). Preston Bullants 10.7 (67) d Old Peninsula 6.8 (44). Brunswick 10.8 (68) d Kew 7.11 (53). Elsternwick 13.7 (85) d Monash Blues 10.19 (79).

Division 2 Men’s. Whitefrioars 21.11 (137) d Hawthorn 10.7 (67). Old Yarra Cobras 14.7 (91) d MHSOB 12.4 (76). St Mary’s 18.11 (119) d West Brunswick 13.10 (88). South Melbourne 13.15 (93) d St John’s 6.5 (41). Aquinas 15.11 (101) d Canterbury 13.11 (89).

Division 2 Men’s Reserves. Whitefriars 14.12 (96) d Hawthorn 5.6 (36). MHSOBB 15.16 (106) d Old Yarra Cobras 4.3 (27). West Brunswick 11.11 (77) d St Mary’s Salesian 4.89 (33). South Melbourne 14.17 (101) d St John’s 6.6 (42). Aquinas 10.7 (67) d Canterrbury 10.4 (64).

Division 3 Men’s. Albert Park 18.11 (119) d box Hill 14.13 (97). Chadstone 16.18 (114) d Eley Park 13.7 (85). Richmond central v Swinburne University. Power House 13.14 (92) d Wattle Park 9.210 (64). North Brunswick 7.13 (55) d La Trobe University 5.12 (42).

Division 3 Men’s Reserves. Albert Pasrk 15.9 (99) d Box Hill North 8.4 (52). Eley Park 14.19 (103) d Chadstone 6.13 (49). Richmond central v Swinburne University. Power House 17.231 (123) d Wattle Park 3.4 (22). La Trobe University 14.9 (93) d North Brunswick 4.16 (40).

Eastern

■ Eastern Football League. Premier Seniors. Berwick 7.11 (53) d Rowville 65.12 (42). Vermont 7.16 (58) d Noble Park 1.10 (16). East Ringwood 17.7 (109) d Blackburn 3.12 (31). South Croydon 9.12 (66) d Mitcham 8.10 (58). Balwyn 12.11 (83) d Doncaster East 9.8 (62).

Division 1 Seniors. Beaconsgfield 13.18 (96) d Norwood 5.7 (37). Montrose 12.9 (81) d Mooroolbark 7.6 (48). Park orchards 8.14 (62) d Boronbia 6.9 (45). South Belgrave 16.11 (112) d Bayswater 5.3 (33). North Ringwood: Byer. Division 2 Seniors. Croydon 10.9 (69) d East Burweood 9.6 (60). Heathmont 11.8 (74) d Mulgrave 4.13 (37). Templestowe 22.6 (138) d Ringwood 5.7 (37). Surrey Park 16.11 (107) d Lilydale 5.10 (40). Wantirna South 13.12 (90) d Waverley Blues 8.11 (59).

Essendon

■ Premier Division. Strathmore 20.11 (131) d Airport West 16.10 (106). Aberfeldie 48.29 (317) d East Keilor 2.1 (13). Keilor 19.18 (132) d Greenvale 3.2 (20). Maribyrnong Park 12.8 (80) d Essendon Doutta Stars 7.8 (50). Deer Park 13.7 (85) d Pascoe Vale 11.13 (79).

Division 1. Hillside 16.12 (108) d Moonee Valley 6.7 (43). Oak Park 11.17 (83) d St Albans 6.13 (49). Avondale Heights 17.11 (113) d Roxburgh Park 9.12 (66). West Coburg 17,.13 (115) d Taylors Lakes 14.7 (91). Tullamarine 8.7 (55) d Craigieburn 7.4 (46).

Division 2. Westmeadows 17.10 (112) d Burnside Heights 11.3 (69). Sunbury Kangaroos 12.8 (80) d Coburg Districts 9.18 (72). Glenroy 12.10 (82) d Hadfield 4.6 (30). Keilor Park 18.11 (119) d East Sunbury 4.14 (38). Northern Saints 10.18 (78) d Rupertswood 8.14 (62).

Division 3. The Basin 11.11 (77)( d Fairpark 6.9 (45). Donvale 14.9 (93) d Upper Ferntree Gully 6.10 (46). Knox 15.10 (100) d Coldstream 13.9 (87). Oakleigh District 9.12 (66) d Ferntree Gully 6.13 (49). Scoresby 12.9 (81) d Silvan 6.11 (47).

Division 4. Chirnside Park 12.16 (88) d Kilsyth 10.3 (63). Croydon North MLOC 12.13 (85) d Bulleen Templestowe 6.16 (52). Whitehorse Pioneers 19.15 (129) d Forest Hill 11.13 (79). Warrandyte: Bye.

Mornington

■ Mornington Peninsula Nepean Football Netball League. Division 1 Seniors. Dromana 12,.12 (84) d Edithvale Aspendale 10.11 (71). Rosbebud 12.8 (80) d Mt Eliza 9.11 (65). Langwarrin 16.16 (112) d Mornington 10.9 (69). Red Hill 9.15 (69) d Pines 5.10 (40). Frankston YCW 22.7 (139) d Sorrento 15.11 (101).

Division 1 Reserves. Edithvale Aspendale 17.16 (118) d Dromana 2.4 (16). Mt Eliza 7.6 (48) d Rosebud 6.7 (43). Langwarrin 11.11 (77) d Mornington 6.5 (41). Pines 8.6 (54) d Red Hill 6.6 (42). Frankston YCW 13. 9 (87) d Sorrento 4.2 (26).

Division 1 Under 19. Edithvale Aspendale 20.13 (133) d Dromana 2.2 (14). Mt Eliza 20.18 (138) d Rosebud 1.0 (6). Mornington 12.10 (82) d Langwarrin 9.6 (60). Red Hill 10.13 (73) d Pines 3.5 (23). Frankston YCW 218.17 (125) d Soirrento 0.4 (4).

Division 2 Seniors. Chelsea 26.21 (177) d Tyabb 5.5 (35). Crib Point 12.7 (79) d Somerville 12.6 (78). Frankston Bombers 13.12 (90) d Devon Meadows 8.3 (51). Hastings 9.11 (65) d Karingal 5.9 (39). Pearcedale 21.14 (140) d Rye 11.11 (77). Bonbeach 127.14 (116) d Seaford 12.13 (85).

Division 2 Reserves. Chelsea 15.10 (100) d Tyabb 6.9 (45). Somerville 13.14 (92) d Crib Point 2.1 (13). Frankston Bombers 123.10 (88) d Devon Meadows 2.3 (15). Hastings 11.10 976) d Karingal 1.3 (9). Pearcedale 9.4 (58) d Rye 6.5 (41). Bonbeach 11.8 (74) d Seaford 4.7 (31).

Division 2 Under 19. Chelsea Editbvale 11.19 (85) d Mornington Tyabb 0.6 (6). Crib Point 7.9 (51) d Somerville 4.8 (32). Frankston Bombers 8.12 (60) d Devon Meadows 4.2 (26). Pearcedale 6.120 (46) d Rye 4.8 (32). Seaford 10.13 (73) d Bonbeach 8.11 (59).

Northern

■ Northern Football Netball League. Division 1 Seniors. Hurstbridge 21.13 (139) d Bundoora 8.9 (57). Montmorency 14.10 (94) d Greensborough 11.11 (77). North Heidel

berg 18.11 (119) d South Morang 17.12 (114). Heidelberg 17.15 (117) d Eltham 13.8 (86). Banyule 8.12 (60) d West Preston Lakeside 6.8 (44).

Division 1 Reserves. Hurstbridge 20.18 (138) d Bundoora 6.9 (45). MONtmorency 17.9 (111) d Grerensborough 7.8 (50). Heidelberg 14.11 ((5) d Eltham 8.8 (56). South Morang 20.13 (133) d North Heidelberg 2.10 (22). West Preston Lakeside 7.8 (48) d Banyule 5.11 (41).

Division 1 Under 19.5. Banyule 12.13 (85) d Hurstbridge 7.8 (48). Montmoirency 11.16 (82) d Greensborough 5.7 (37). Diamond Creek 13.8 (86) d St Marys 9.8 (62). Heidelberg 13.12 (90) d Eltham 9.10 (64).

Division 2 Seniors. Lower Plenty 13.12 (90) d Panton Hill 8.8 (56). Macleod 13.14 (92) d Whittlesea 8,.15 (63). Old Paradians 8,.10 (58) d Watsonia 8.9 (57). Diamond Creek 7.18 (120) d Northcote Park 4.7 (31). St Mary’s 12.12 (84) d Thomastown 9.6 (60).

Division 2 Reserves. Lower Plenty 127.21 (123) d Panton Hill 4.5 (29). Whittlesea 16.10 (106) d Macleod 9,.8 (62). St Mary’s 11.10 (76) d Thomastown 7.10 (52). Diamobnd Creek 14.14 (98) d Northcote Park 5.7 (37). Old Paradians 9.7 (61) d Watsonia 3.4 (22).

Division 2 Under 19.5. Laurimar 11.12 (78) d Mernda 3.3 (21). Whittlesea 13.13 (91) d Macleod 11.13 (79). Lower Plenty 5.12 (42) d Heidelberg 4.7 (31). South Morang 12.9 (81) d North Heidelberg 8.7 (43).

Division 3 Seniors. Lalor 125.9 (99) d Old Eltham Collegians 8.13 (61). Mernda 9.14 (68) d Kilmore 7.6 (50). Fitzroy Stars 16.11 (107) d Kinglake 5.8 (38). Laurimnar 16.18 (112) d Heidelberg West 5.8 (38). Epping 21.13 (139) d Ivanhoe 12.5 (77).

Division 3 Reserves. Old Eltham Collegians 11.16 (82) d Lalor 5.2 (32). Mernda 6.6 (42) d Kilmore 6.5 (41). Fitzroy Stars 11.22 (88) d Kinglake 6.2 (38),. Laurimar 18.15 (123) d Heidelberg West 1.3 (9). Ivanhoe 25.25 (175) d Epping 1.4 (10).

Division 3 Under 19.5. Bundoora 11.109 (76) d Eltham 5.9 (39). Old Paradiansd 10.15 (75) d Watsonia 6.5 (41). Kilmore 21.16 (142) d Panton Hill 6.9 (45). Banyule: Bye.

Outer East

■ Outer East. Premier Division Seniors. Olinda Ferny Creek 20.9 (129) d Healesville 9.6 (60). Upwey Tecoma 12.7 (79) drew with Mty Evelyn 12.7 (79). Woori Yallock 10.17 (77) d Gembrook Cockatoo 10.8 (68). Wandin 15.17 (107) d Officer 3.6 (24). Monbulk 15.10 (100) d Emerald 2.5 (17).

Premier Division Reserves. Olinda Ferny Creek 21.16 (142) d Healesville 3.5 (23). Upwey Tecoma 7.16 (58) d Mt Evelyn 6.5 (41). Gembrook Cockatoo 9.10 (64) d Woori Yallock 5.6 (36). Officer 7.10 (52) d Wandin 6.8 (44). Emerald 7.8 (50) d Monbulk 7.7 (49).

Division 1 Seniors. Warburton Millgrove 10.10 (70) d Yea 5.12 (42). Alexandra 16.12 (108) d Yarra Junction 9.8 (62). Seville 11.16 (82) d Powelltown 6.7 (43). Pakenham 12.14 (86) d Yarra Glen 6.8 (44). Belgrave: Bye.

Division 1 Reserves. Pakenham 19.16 (130) d Yarra Glen 1.3 (9). Warburton Millgrove 9.7 (61) d Yea 3.4 (22). Alexandra 24.15 (159) d TYarra Junction 1.0 (6). Seville 19.13 (127) d Powelltown 23.0 (12). Belgrave: Bye. Premier Division Under 18 Boys. Mt Eveklyn 21.17 (143) d Upwey Tecoma 2.2 (14). Olinda Ferny Creek 13.11 (89) d Healesville 3.5 (23). Gembrook Cockatoo 13.10 (88) d Woori Yallock 5.6 (36). Wandin 7.7 (49) d Officer 4.3 (27). Monbulk: Bye. Division 1 Under 18 Boys. Pakenhamn 12.17 (89) d Yarra Glen 1.3 (9). Yea 10.8 (68) d Warburton Millgrove 5.8 (38). Seville 22.18 (150) d Alexandra 1.0 (6). Women’s Division 1. Belgrave 2.4 (16) d Woori Yallock 2.1 (13). Mt Evelyn 6.12 (548) d Upwey Tecoma 0.1 (1). Olinda Ferny Creek

8.6 (54) d Healesville 0.11 (11). Pakenham: Bye. Women’s Division 2. Warburton WQwesburn 9.17 (71) d Yea 0.0 (0). Emerald 3.5 (23) d Seville 2.4 (16). Wandin 7.12 (54) d Officer 2.2 (14). Thornton Eildon: Bye.

Southern

■

Division 1 Seniors. Bentleigh 13.11 (89) d East Brighton 8.10 (58). Cheltenham 13.15 (93) d Port Melbourne Colts 7.9 (51). Sopringvale Districts 16.9 (105) d Cranbourne Eagles 6.7 (43). Dingley 18.10 (118) d St Paul’s McKinnon 10.9 (69). Murrumbenerna 16.13 (109) d Narre Warren 12.124 (86). Division 2 Seniors. Chelsea heights 12.6 (78) d Caulfield Bears 8.7 (55). Hampton Park 16.14 (110) d Frankston Dolphins 6.14 (50). Keysborough 10.12 (72) d Doveton Doves 7.10 (52). East Malvern 10.14 (74) d Mordialloc 6.8 (44). Highett 14.13 (97) d Endeavour Hills 8.8 (56).

Division 3 Seniors. Carrum Patterson Lakes 6.14 (50) d Hampton 5.6 (36). Skye 9.213 (67) d Lyndhurst 7.10 (52). Black Rock 7.9 (51) d South Mornington 7.7 (49). Ashwood 121.7 (73) d St Kilda City 6.15 (51). Heatherton 9.9 (63) d Berwick Springs 5.7 (37).

Division 4 Seniors. Dandenong West 12.4 (76) d Clayton 10.9 (69). Moorabbin Kangaroos 19,.10 (124) d Doveton Eagles 11.10 (76). Lyndale 13.15 (93) d Narre South Saints 9.15 (69). Hallam 24,.13 (157) d South Ysarra 8.10 (58).

Western

■ Division 1 Seniors. OHoppers Crossing 16.17 (113) d Yarraville Seddon Eagles 15.5 (95). Spotswood 12.19 (91) d Parkside 7.13 (55). Point Cook 11.10 (76) d Albion 7.14 (56). Caroline Springs 22.10 (142) d Point Cook 7.6 (48). Werribee Districts 25.15 (165) d Sunshine 3.7 (25). Altona d Newport 69. Division 2 Seniors. Hoppers Crossing 16.17 (113) d Yarraville Seddon Eagles 15.5 (95). Spotswood 12.19 (91) d Parkside 7.13 (55). Poiunt Cook 11.10 (76) d Albion 7.14 (56). Caroline Springs 22.10 (142) d Point Cook Centrals 7,.6 (48). Werribee Districts 25.15 (165) d Sunshine 3.7 (25). Altona d Newport.

Kyabram District

■ Seniors. Nagambie 16.13 (109) d Tallygaroopna 6.6 (42). Murchison-Toolamba 23.15 (153) d Avenel 7.3 (44). Rushworth 237.17 (179) d Merrigum 2.3 (125). Lancaster 18.7 (115) d Longwood 5.7 (37). Violet Town 11.14 (80) d Girgarre 7.5 (47). Stanhope d. Undera: Bye. Reserves. Tallygaroopna 12.17 (89) d Nagambie 2.0 (12). Murchison Toolamba 19.13 (127) d Avenel 1.2 (8). Rushowrth 13.9 (87) d Merrigum 8.5 (53). Lancaster 13.11 (89) d Longwood 2.,5 (170. Girggare 19.16 (130) d Violet Town 1.2 (8). Stanhope 99 d. UnderaL Bye. Under 19. Nagambie 6.12 (48) d Tallygaroopna 6.7 (43). Murchison Toolamba 21.16 (142) d Undera 0.2 (2). Lancaster 22.17 (149) d Longwood 4.3 (27). Tigers 8.7 (55) d Shepparton East 6.9 (45). Bye: Girgarre, Violet Town: Bye.

Riddell District

■ Seniors. Melton South 13.10 (88) d Wallan 7.9 951). Diggers Rest 21.11 (137) d Gisborne Giants 13.8 (86). Woodend Hesket 25.15 (165) d Lancefield 8.8 (56). Romsdery 8.26 (74) d Melton Centrals 8.6 (54). Bye: Kyneton, Macedon, Riddell Reserves. Diggers Rest 11.10 (76) d Gisborne Giants 2.5 (17). Wallan 8.9 (57) d Melton South 5.7 (37). Woodend Hesket 13.14 (92) d Lancefield 9.5 (59). Romsey 19.23 (137) d Melton Centrals 2.2 (14). Bye: Kyneton, Macedon, Riddell. Under 19.5. Gisborne Giants 6.2 (38) d Diggers Rest 3.8 (26). Melton South 10.16 (76) df Wallan 7.3 (45). Woodend Hesket 10.10 (70) d Lancefield 2.7 (19). Bye: Kyneton, Macedon, Riddell, Romsey.

J.J. ATKINS EVENT IS AN OPEN RACE

■ One of the features races in Queensland , the J.J.Atkins event, is coming up next month, with a variety of runners . In my opinion it is an open race looking at it head on.

Leading bookmakers Neds Betting has the Ciaron Maher horse Navy Pilot on top, after an unlucky run behind the smart Victorian, Vin Rock.

Navy Pilot races out of Moss Vale through the Maher team and they have a big opinion of it.

However Navy Pilot didn’t run in the Spirit of Boom classic.

Back on April 19 , with Ryan Moloney on board, it won at Eagle Farm in fine style.

On the second line with the bookies is another that is showing something is Aerodrome, prepared by former Victorian trainer Michael Freedman

Nicely bred by a former Caulfield Guineas winner in Ollie Kirk, Freedman is confident he will run well if he goes around.

Top trainer Chris Waller also appears to have one above the ordinary in United States who has won one with a good second behind a smart one in Sky Hook

He is nicely bred too, being by the champion sire Snitzel

The next one we will have a look at is one that Chris Waller said he could be anything.

Chris has won the J.J.Atkins four times, and is confident that Regulated Affair can do it after a big win at long odds-on at his last start, at 4-6 favourite.

He is beautifully bred being by the outstandinginternational sire, Wootton Basset.

One that is showing a bit is the Gai Waterhouse-Adrian Bott horse, Farnice, who won well back on March 26, and is showing potential, but backing up finished well back in the Spirit of Boom race finishing back in 10th spot.

One that will catch the eye is a youngster by the name of Beadman, named after one of the greatest jockey’s to grace the turf in Darren Beadman.

After his great win in the Ken Russell Memorial on the Gold Coast, he could win anything, winning by an easy eight and a quarter lengths. Now he will come right in for this.

In the camp of astute trainer Peter Snowden, it is by Snitzel, and has won one of two so far, and confidence is high in the Snowden camp.

Top Victorian trainer Danny O’Brien has a smart one in Brave Design, who ran a great second to the smart Vin Rock on March 8 at Flemington.

Vin Rock is being touted as one of the best going around at present.

But disappointed at its next start.

Then we have Buffalo, by former Blue Diamond Stakes winner, Written By , formerly trained by Graeme Begg. Leading Queensland trainer David Atkins has Buffalo having won one out of six starts with two thirds.

Chris Munce, and his son Corey had a good win with their colt, Cool Archie, winning the Ladbrokes Dalrello Stakes over 1000 metres at

Ted Ryan

Talks at Valley

■ Chairman of the Moonee Valley Racing Club, Adam Lennen, is very the way things are rolling on at the popular Moonee Valley track.

He said that the Club’s hospitality team have had an outstanding year.

The renovation of the Junction Club has been completed,and works are now underway at Leighoak.

The Junction’s transformation is already delivering fantastic results, and patrons are encouraged you to visit and experience it for themsleves, during the racing break.

Meanwhile, Dean and McPherson delivered the Amway Delegates Conference, hosting thousands of guests across six dinners.

It was the largest International Delegate Event ever held in Australia, an extraordinary achievement for their team that showcased their capa-

bility on the world stage. Moonee Valley Racing Club is excited to sharea major milestone in their development works.

Back on April 4, they celebrated the ‘topping off’ of both Stonepine House, and Trackside House , marking the completion of the main structural works.

The topping off tradition signifies that the highest point of construction has been reached, a momentous step forward.

The ceremony brought together project teams, contractors, and Club representatives to celebrate the achievement.

With the structures now complete, the Club’s focus moves to the internal works and final finishes, as they steadily progress toward welcoming our new residents in November.

Magic Millions

■ Magic Millions and Racing Queensland have announced that the Queensland Off-The-Track Cup Final prize money will, increase to $100,000.

Magic Millions co-owner, Katie PageHarvey, and Queensland chair, Dr Christine Johnson, have confirmed the prizemoney pool for the 2026 QOTT Cup and Off-The Track will increase to $100,000, and there will be additional interstate qualifying rounds culminating in the 2026 QOTT Cup Final

Christine Johnson said: “ Racing Queensland and Magic Millions committed from day one to continue to expand the Queensland Off-The-Track Cup

“The increase in prizemoney to $100,000 reflects that commitment as we aim to recognise and incentivize, equestrian men and women, who invest in the retraining of retired racehorses for a showjumping career after racing.

“The Queensland Off-The-Track Cup swards the largest prizemoney pool in Australia for the individual show jumping class exclusively for retired racehorses.”

● ● Darren Beadman. Racing Photos.

Ciaron Maher. Racing Photos.

Eagle Farm on May 3, His record is now six starts for his one win on May 3rd. He added to that with a good win in the Spirit of Boom classic.

GANGSTER IMPRESSES AT CRANBOURNE

■ An impressive winner at the Cranbourne fixture on Sunday May 18 was the cleverly named 3Y0 Vincent-Bettor Be Aware gelding Vinni The Gangster.

Trained at Girgarre by former Tasmanian Kristy Butler assisted by husband Mark the horse is raced by a large Tasmanian syndicate headed by Mark including Mel Robertson the wife of trots caller Matt.

Driven by Murchison East reinsman Ryan Sanderson Vinni The Gangster was badly away from gate four tailing out as View The Art led from gate three.

Gradually creeping closer to race exposed from the bell, Vinni The Gangster showed great heart on turning to gain the day by a neck from Sea Silk (three pegs from outside the front line) which flashed late.

Eebeebee a stablemate of the winner was third a head away after trailing the leader from gate two and using the sprint lane. The mile rate 2-01.

6 events at Terang

■ Western District racing at Terang opened the week on Monday May 19 with a small six event program.

Hamilton’s Jackie Barker a regular driver of winners was successful aboard lightly raced 6Y0 Skyvalley-Backina Lifetime gelding Aldebaran Anton which she races in the Terang Co-Op Rural Store Maiden Trotters Mobile over 2180 metres.

Trained by grandfather Jim, Aldebaran Anton having start number eighteen (4 placings) led throughout from gate three bowling along at his leisure.

Although the favourite Tricky Diamond (one/ one – three wide home turn) issued a challenge on turning, Aldebaran Anton held him at bay to score by 1.1 metres. Itgetsbetter (three pegs from gate two on the second line was third 6.2 metres back after switching to trail the winner approaching the final bend and using the sprint lane. The rate 2-05.7.

■ Burrumbeet trainer/driver Michael Stanley has been in form of late and landed the WA Molan and Sons Maiden Pace over 2180 metres with Soho Hudson, a 3Y0 gelded son of Bettors Delight and Soho Nolita bred and raced by W.A. millionaire Robert Watson. Making his second appearance at the races.

Soho Hudson was hard driven from gate five to cross Livermere (gate two) before defying all challenges to stall off Go My Son (gate three – one/one – three wide last lap) - outside the winner on turning, going down by 2 metres in a mile rate of 2-01. Media Mogul (one/two – one/ one home turn from a solo second line draw) was third 4.5 metres away.

■ Meredith co-trainers Emmett and Richard Brosnan were victorious with consistent 4Y0 gelding Jack Sprat in the Wheelie Waste Trotters Mobile over 2180 metres. Given a sweet passage on the back of the leader Sonarmi Joh which flew away from gate six, Jack Sprat (Muscle Mass-Une Bella Allure) angled away from the markers to be one/one on the home turn after the pacemaker had been pressured by Old Villa Boy outside him. Finishing best, Jack Sprat scored easily by 11.7 metres in advance of Icicle from near last, with Sonarmi Joh holding down third a nose away. The mile rate 2-01.

At Shepparton

■ The regular Shepparton fixture took place on Tuesday and Ardmona’s Donna Castles who does a great job with her team assisted by partner Doc Wilson snared the Bicknell Signs Pace over 1690 metres with speedy 5Y0 Yankee Rockstar-U R Whatu Eat mare Mussel Shoals who chalked up her 4th victory in 29 outings. Beginning with a wing on every foot from outside the front line to clear the field running into the first bend, Mussel Shoals raced and bred by loyal client Greg Corbett ran his rivals ragged to record a 2.1 metre margin over Soho Playgirl (gate two second line) which went forward to race exposed off a three wide trail in the early stages. Rank outsider Miss Piggy Wiggy (three pegs from gate two) was third 7.3 metres away. The mile rate 1-57.3.

Harness Racing

len-baker@ bigpond.com

with Len Baker

■ Echuca trainer Fred McKenner was successful with 5Y0 Betting Line-Glenferrie Shuffle gelding Line Dance in the 1690 metre Hygain Pace.

Driven by Jack Laugher, Line Dance a winner of five going into the race settled three back along the markers from the pole enjoying a cosy passage, before using the sprint lane to charge home late and defeat Rockaway Beach (gate five second row) from mid-field in the running line, with Maas Betting Again (gate three after leading before taking a trail on Our Princess Di (gate five) and easing outside the pacemaker on the final bend third. The margins a half head by a nose in a thrilling finish with inches between the first five placegetters. The mile rate 1-56.5.

■ Kialla trainer/driver Bec Bartley landed the Central Tyre Service Trotters Mobile over 2190 metres with Betsy Anne, a 6Y0 daughter of Bacardi Lindy and Sunshine Annie bringing up two wins in succession.

Given the run of the race from gate three on the back of the leader 10Y0 gelding Kota Bharu (gate five), Betsy Anne finished hard along the sprint lane to prevail by 2.8 metres from the pacemaker returning a mile rate of 2-05.4. Money Talks after being taken back from outside the front line to the rear was third 3 metres back after going forward three wide solo in the last lap.

■ Nine-year-old Red Samurai-Starlights Silver mare Starlight Red scored her 18th success when taking the 2190 metre Jarvis Delahey Contractors Pty Ltd Trotters Mobile.

Trained at Bunbartha by Brian Bourke, Starlight Red having her 185th race start was driven as usual by Laura Wilson and after settling three back in the moving line as Faith Full scorched away from outside the front line to lead for Jamie Egan and Cam Maggs.

Going forward with a rush in the last lap to almost join the leader which galloped on the final bend allowing Starlight Red to dash away when Faith Full galloped, Starlight Red greeted the judge 4.5 metres in advance of Suzys Dream (gate four one/three) in a mile rate of 2-05.

Kalarney Prince held up four pegs from inside the second line ran home when clear for third 3.2 metres away. In winning, Starlight Red boosted her stake earnings to over $116,000.

Two meetings

■ Two meetings Wednesday Maryborough in the day and Bendigo at night.

In what’s been a tough few weeks for Mitchellstown trainer/driver Kylie Sugars and family, the gods were smiling after first starter Ijustcalledtosay, a Love You-Betty Hall colt was victorious in the 1690 metre VHRC / Mazzetti Painting 3Y0 Maiden Trotters Mobile.

Raced by a strong South Australian representation headed by Jamie Braidwood, Ijustcalledtosay spent most of the race exposed from outside the front line proving superior to her rivals in accounting for Amartey (gate two second line) which followed her throughout after easing three wide on the final bend. Princess Du Fer (three pegs from gate three) used the sprint lane for third. The margins 2.8 by 8.3 metres in a mile rate of 2-00.3.

■ Percydale (Avoca area) owner/trainer John Hurrell brought up two wins in succession with 6Y0 Betting Line-Diamond Rock gelding Apex

in the VHRC / Woodlands Stud Trotters Handicap over 2190 metres.

Driven once again by Jackie Barker, Apex began swiftly from the 20 metre mark to be racing uncovered at the judge on the first occasion outside the polemarker Massif Central and with no cover coming, did it tough but did it well to score by 2.4 metres from the heavily supported Charlie Walker (10m) which trailed angling to be one/one on the home turn. Surprise To Me (four pegs from 10 metres) was third along the sprint lane a head away. The mile rate 2-04.7.

■ Swan Marsh (Colac area) trainer Paul Castle and the Castle family were winners when 5Y0 Sweet Lou-Sunday Rose mare Quick Decision scored in the VHRC / Australian Pacing Gold Concession Drivers Pace over 1690 metres.

Driven by Ballarat’s Reagen Clarke, Quick Decision was taken back from outside the front line to settle five back in the moving lane as polemarker Caledonian Terra led copping plenty of pressure throughout the race from Yankee Gambler (gate four).

Gaining a double three wide trail forward on the back of both Hand Writer and Wheres Wood Wood in the final circuit, Quick Decision after making the final bend four wide, ran home best in a punishing finish to greet the judge by 2.1 metres over Adieu Mikennis (one/one from gate five) in a 1-57.1 mile rate. Yankee Gambler stuck on well for third a half head away.

■ Veteran Melton trainer Rob O’Connell has enjoyed many happy moments in the sport including the 1994 Victoria Derby with Khans Thunder and added another victory to his CV when heavily backed 4Y0 American IdealBrighty Valentine gelding Handler in the VHRC / GBL Properties Pace over 1690 metres.

Driven by Jordan Leedham, Handler was quickly extricated from inside the second line to possie with most of the field ahead of him as Im Wesley flew away from outside the front line before being eased to take a sit on Can Be A Ruebe (gate four).

Going forward with a rush three wide in the last lap, Handler although five wide on the home turn, finished with a wet sail to blowse the pacemaker by 2.4 metres returning a slashing mile rate of 1-54.5. Major Annie (three wide to outside the leader from gate three second line), battled on courageously for third 7 metres away.

■ At Bendigo, 7Y0 Majestic Son-Lady MacKendon revitalized gelding Mieliki chalked up his 11th success in 102 outings by taking the Prydes Easifeed Trotters Mobile over 2150 metres.

Coming out running from gate six, Mielicki trained at Daylesford by Anne-Maree Conroy and driven by regular reinsman Glenn Conroy (Anne-Maree’s brother), Mielicki after having a decent crack for the lead which was unavailable was left in the open as The Chook (gate three) led for Jack Laugher and Tayla Fellows.

Gaining a short breather after Bullapark Beno had circled the field from the rear racing for the bell, Mielicki became pocketed in the last lap as Ox Knox (one/two) went forward three wide to put in a claim.

Switching to the sprint lane on turning, Mielicki dashed clear in the straight to gain the day by 1.9 metres over Ox Knox, with Bullapark Beno holding third a metre back. The mile rate 2-02.5.

■ Navarre trainer Toby Ainsworth landed the J & A Mazzetti Painting Trotters Mobile over 2150 metres with 7Y0 Great Success-Whata Tussle mare Beautiful Sunrise a four time winner going into the race.

Driven by Ada Massa, Beautiful Sunrise was trapped three wide from gate four as Christmas Babe showed her customary speed to lead easily from gate six.

Crossing to take the lead for the final circuit, Beautiful Sunrise coasted to the wire 7.7 metres clear of a death-seating Billy Zippin from outside the front line which battled on gamely. Midnite Muscle (one/two – three wide last lap from gate two on the second line) held third 2.8 metres back. The mile rate 1-59.4.

Ballarat fixture

■ Ballarat was Thursday’s fixture and Bacchus Marsh breeder/owner/trainer Greg Carr was victorious with 5Y0 Village Jolt-Lively Princess

Sulky Snippets Sulky Snippets

This Week

■ Tuesday – Shepparton, Wednesday –Horsham/Bendigo, Thursday – Kilmore, Friday – Mildura/Geelong, Saturday – Melton, Sunday – Cranbourne, Monday – Charlton.

gelding Lively Rascal in the Freighter Group 4Y0 & Older Maiden Pace over 2200 metres. Driven by granddaughter Hannah Parish, Lively Rascal (gate four) trailed the pacemaker Im The Wild One (gate three) before receiving a freak inside passage approaching the home turn to lead into the straight and record an easy 8.1 metre margin over American Victory (three wide last lap from near last) after starting from the extreme draw. Rank outside Orch (gate six) was third 14.3 metres away after following the winner throughout. The rate 1-57.8.

■ Concongella (Stawell) part-owner/trainer/ breeder Paul Rousch’s lightly raced 11Y0 Artesian-Hope Williams gelding Thelongroadknowhere registered his 12th success in 99 outings when taking the 2200 metre Australian Thoroughbred Bloodstock Pace. One of two winners on the night for 23-yearold Dunnstown reinsman Brent Murphy (the other Major Drama for father David), Thelongroadknowhere was quick to ease away from inside the second line to settle three back in the moving line following Breathe Easy starting from the extreme draw as the lead changed several times with polemarker Dancebytheseaside handing over to Freak Out (gate three) who then gave the front running to Snazola (gate four).

Easing three wide approaching the final bend, Thelongroadknowhere ran on best to defeat Breathe Easy, with Lollipop (gate six) a brave third after racing uncovered. The margins 2.9 by 1.6 metres in a mile rate of 2-00.1.

■ Bowenvale (Maryborough) owner/trainer

Gerard Jamieson combined with Ballarat’s Ryan Duffy to land the 1710 metre Woodlands Stud 3Y0 Maiden Pace with first starter Daretodance a daughter of Sportswriter and The Ultimate Peg. Going forward to lead from gate six, Daretodance defied all challengers in defeating Whiskeydrinkingbill (three pegs from gate five) by 5.9 metres with Hold On Forever (one/two) third 7 metres away. The mile rate 1-56.9. Len Baker

Latest News

Man arrested after Morwell fatality

■ ■ Major Collision Investigation Unit detectives have arrested a man following a fatal collision in Morwell on Thursday morning (May 22).

A man was located deceased on the Princes Fwy overpass, which runs over Princess Drive, just before 9am.

Police believe the 40-year-old Traralgon man was struck by a vehicle sometime between 1am and 9am.

A 28-year-old Lakes Entrance man was arrested in Bairnsdale and has been interviewed by police.

He was released pending further enquires.

Police are continuing to appeal to motorists who were travelling Traralgon bound on the Princes Freeway during this time to check their dashcams.

Anyone with any information or dashcam footage is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or www.crimestoppersvic.com.au

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BIKE. Ladies. Make: Friction Huffey. Purple. Plus helmet, basket and pump. VGC. $110. Pakenham. 5940 5018. R-U

BOAT. Aluminium. 3.8 motor. Evenrude motor. 6HP . Free winch and trailer and accessories. GC. $1000. Wandong. 0418 399 261. R-U

BRICKS. 100 clean, red. Plus halves. $50. Keon Park. 9469 4558.N-Q

BUILDER’S Electrical Pole, steel box and timber pole. GC. Free. Murrindindi. 0418 564 174. R-U

CAMPER TRAILER. Used once. Slide out kiychen plus extras. VGC. $4300. Dromana. 5981 4517. N-Q

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DOG KENNEL. Plastic. Grey colour. Very clean. never used as kennel. GC. $10. Purchaser to collect. Doreen. 9717 3465. N-Q

FOLDING BIKE. Suit adult. Everything works. Gears. GC. $120. Seymour. 0419 881 573. R-U

FORD AUII Fairport V8 Sedan. Original.Runs well. No rust. Good tyres, new screen, bring your mechanic or RACV test, RWC. Reg 7/27. 2AN3XE. VCG. $8000. Seymour. 0419 881 573. N-Q

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LAURA ASHLEY Cotton Queen Coverlet set. Size 220cm x 240cm, plus 2 pillowcases. Pale blue with thin white stripes. Never used. EC. $40. Ashburton. 9885 2203. R-U

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MOBILITY SCOOTER. Pre-owned. Sill under warranty with new batteries. Features headlights and tail lights, swivel seat, rear shopping bag, includes key and charger. max user 136kg, 35km range per cahrge. Free delivery. VGC. $1295. Moorabbin. 0401 980 969. R-U

TABLE. Large solid timber, dining room table, 2100mm x 1000mm. Plus six chairs. GC. $30. Yea. 0419 109 887. N-Q

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WELLNESS Circulation Stimulator. $20 or offer. VGC. Frankston. 9789 9634.F-M

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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

WINDOW. Aluminium. 1600mm x 1600mm with windout window. GC. Free. Murrindindi. 0418 564 174. R-U

WOOD FIRE STOVE HEATER. Ozpig Traveller. Used twice. Comes with grill and hot plate, lifting handle, carry bag. heaps ofready cut fire lighters. Heavy duty grate and 45 quart camp oven. VGC. $3000. Montmorency. 0483 881 609. R-U

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

ANY or all amounts of used stamps to assist needy charities and world missions. Aust. and overseas used stamps. Keen collec- tor. Genuine. Top prices paid. Victoria wide. Ararat. 0458 339 871.R-U

RING PULLS off all aluminium cans and any quan- tity to assist towards people who need prosthetics and wheel chairs and walking frames. Genuine collector. Victoria wide. Ararat. 0458 339 871.

GARDENER’S

Royal Horticultural Society Victoria. Saturday, June 14. 9.30am. Deakin University, Burwood. Rusden Theatre. Free parking and entry to large plant and allied goods market. Inspiring speakers: James Wall, Heidi Martin, Vasili Kanidiadis, $25, All welcome. plantzia@bigpond.com N-Q

and Wednesday, and Thurs. afternoon. Hourly rate as per market, nego- tiable. Yea. 0438 652 784.N-Q

ANZ BANK Money Boxes. GC. Negotiable. Mill Park. 9436

CHAINS Bible College Australia; In depth Bible study and online Biblical studies. 0447 515 450 N-Q

Greeting

Colourful

Top

Get well, thank you, plain. Genuine request. Victoria wide. Ararat. 0458 339 871. R-U