

KHALIL DEFEATS RATNAM IN WILLS
■ Greens candidate Samantha Ratnam has conceded to Labor’s Peter Khalil who has been returned as MHR for Wills.





Dr Ratnam’s concession came as MelbourneMHR Adam Bandt, the Greens leader, lost his seat.
Mr Khalil said: “I have received a call from the Greens candidate Samantha Ratnam conceding defeat, and I have been given the great honour and privilege of being returned as the Member for Wills
“I would firstly like to thank the people of Wills for putting your trust and confidence in me to continue representing you both locally and in Canberra
“It is a great privilege to represent this community, now stretching from Fawkner and Glenroy in the north, to Carlton North and Fitzroy North in the south.
“We faced what could have been a tough redistribution last year which halved our margin.

AIR WING CHASES
TEEN CARJACKERS

■ Police have arrested four males following a string of alleged aggravated carjackings, in Melbourne’s north-west, during the early hours of Saturday morning (May 10).

It was reported to police that three male offenders, wielding edged weapons, made demands for a man’s car on Timbertop Parade in Aintree about 11pm Friday (May 9). The man refused to hand over the vehicle
$101,000 win
■ A Brunswick man was dashing out the door for his morning gym class when he received aphone call he’d won more than $100,000 in a Lucky Lotteries draw. The man has the winning entry in the draw on Thursday (May 8). He also pocketed a $1000 consolation prize.
and was allegedly assaulted by the offenders. The trio of offenders allegedly fled the scene.
The victim was taken to hospital with minor injuries.
Investigators allege that the same group of offenders approached another man, making demands for his silver Toyota Camry, on Hertford Rd in Sunshine about 11.50pm.
It is alleged that the offenders took off in the Camry. The victim was allegedly assaulted by the offenders resulting in minor injuries.
Police units from Keilor Downs and Sunshine caught sight of the Camry travelling in convoy with a Toyota Kluger, in the Deer Park area.
Officers on the ground, with the assistance of the Air Wing, kept eyes on the two vehicles
The vehicles split up and the Camry was followed to Matheson Terrace in Hillside, where the alleged occupants dumped the car.
Police moved in, arrested three male youths and seized multiple edged weapons. There were no injuries.
All the while, other units followed the Kluger to Kellie Court in Albanvale
The alleged driver dumped the Kluger and took off on foot.
Officers arrested him nearby, seized edged weapons and no one was injured.
Investigators allege that the Kluger was stolen as the result of a carjacking on Neil St in Sunshine on Wednesday (May 7).
The victim was taken to hospital with nonlife-threatening injuries.
The four males, all 15-years-old from the Brimbank area, were to be be interviewed by police. The investigation remains ongoing.








● ● ● ● Dr Samantha Ratnam, Greens

MELTON Fire in shed
■ Fire Rescue Victoria crews responded to a structure fire on Scott St, Melton, after callers to Triple Zero (000) reported a shed fire at 3.34am on Sunday (May 11)
CFA firefighters also responded and assisted FRV Crews arrived on scene within five minutes to find smoke and flames issuing from the roof of the 15m x 20m shed, so the response was escalated.
FRV crews donned breathing apparatus and began attacking the fire as well as preventing any fire spread to adjoining properties, which were quite close.
There was a high fuel load which created an aggressive fire, as well as gas bottles exploding.
All occupants evacuated safely and were assessed by Ambulance Victoria
The fire was deemed ‘Under Control’ by 4.32am.
The cause of the fire is not yet known but it will be investigated by FRV specialists.
Firefighters were to remain on scene for some time, to ensure the fire is fully extinguished. Victoria Police were also on scene.
BRIGHTON
Death of male
■ Police will prepare a report for the Coroner following the death of a man in Brighton last Tuesday night (May 6).
A man was found unresponsive in water in the vicinity of Cole St about 10.50pm. The man was found dead at the scene.
At this stage the circumstances do not appear suspicious.
CARNEGIE
Assault probe

● ● Police want to speak with this man
■ Transit Safety Division officers are appealing for public assistance following an assault on a train in Carnegie
It is understood an unknown male approached a 35-year-old man on the Cranbourne-bound train about 4.30pm on Monday, March 31.
Officers have been told the offender punched the victim while the train was stopped at Carnegie Station, before he got off and fled the scene on foot. The victim was not seriously injured.
Police have released images of a man they believe might be able to assist with their enquiries.
He is described as being approximately 190cm tall, is of thin build and is aged in his 30’s.
MOORABBIN
Three times over
■ Police are expected to charge a driver after allegedly blowing three times the legal limit in Moorabbin on Tuesday night (May 6).
Officers responded to reports of a white Suzuki Swift stationary on train tracks, while the boom gates were down, near Wickham Rd about 8pm.
Once notified of the incident, emergency services gave the direction for all relevant trains to come to a complete stop and, consequently, there were no collisions.
It is alleged that passersby had to assist the driver from the Suzuki Police arrived and it’s alleged that the male driver produced an evidentiary breath test for alcohol of 0.187.
MOUTAJUP
Across Victoria FIREARMS, $1M DRUGS SEIZED IN NORTH-EAST
■ Wangaratta and Cobram detectives seized four firearms and arrested five people as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged drugs and firearms trafficking in Victoria’s north-east.
Since the investigation commenced in 2023, police have now arrested 30 people, seized 18 firearms, and more than $1 million worth of illicit drugs.
Detectives from Wangaratta and Cobram Crime Investigation Units, supported by specialist resources from the Critical Incident Response Team, Dog Squad and Highway Patrol, executed five further search warrants on Wednesday (May 7).
Key arrests include:
■ A 32-year-old Wangaratta man was arrested and charged with traffick commercial quantity of MDMA, possess traffickable quantity of firearms, and two counts of own handgun without licence. He was remanded to appear at Wangaratta Magistrates’ Court on August 7.
■ During a separate warrant in Wangaratta, detectives located and seized two firearms and illicit drugs. A 36-year-old Wangaratta man was arrested and charged with traffick commercial quantity of MDMA, possess traffickable quantity of firearms, and two counts of possess handgun without licence. He was remanded to appear at Wangaratta Magistrates’ Court on August 7.
■ During a warrant at a property in Cobram, detectives located an imitation longarm along with other weapons, drugs, and ammunition. A 37year-old Cobram man was arrested and charged with traffick commercial quantity methamphetamine, traffick cocaine, traffick firearms, and conduct endangering life. He was remanded to appear at Wangaratta Magistrates’ Court on August 7.
Police also arrested:
■ A 33-year-old Wangaratta woman was charged with traffick drug of dependence. She was bailed to appear at Wangaratta Magistrates’ Court on September 1.
■ A 23-year-old Cobram woman was charged with traffick methamphetamine, traffick cocaine, possess prohibited weapon (taser), and possess imitation firearm. She was bailed to appear at Cobram Magistrates’ Court on August 19.
Since the investigation launched in 2023, police have arrested over 30 people, issued 298 charges, and seized significant amounts of illicit drugs and firearms including:
■ 18 firearms and large quantities of ammunition
■ Over 1kg of methylamphetamine
■ More than 5000 MDMA tablets
■ 49g of cocaine
■ 5kg of cannabis
■ Other drugs including fentanyl, steroids, Viagra, and pharmaceutical medications
Police have also recovered
20 vehicles which were sto-



Statewide
len over the past three years. The investigation remains ongoing.
Detective Inspector Anthony Town, Eastern Region Division Four, said: “This marks one of the most substantial blows on alleged drug and firearms traffickers in our region in recent years.
“We’ve significantly disrupted an alleged criminal network operating right in our own backyard.
“This wasn’t a matter of chance — it’s the result of relentless investigative work by our detectives in Wangaratta and Cobram
“Organised crime groups trafficking drugs and firearms have no place in our community. They put lives at risk, fuel violence, and we’re determined to stop them.
“This outcome sends a clear message – we will continue to go after those who think they can profit from harm, and we won’t stop until every link in the chain is broken.”
WEST MELBOURNE
Burglaries
■ Police have charged a man following a series of commercial burglaries in West Melbourne , involving more than $100,000 of items stolen, during February this year.
Public Order Response
Team officers, patrolling in Melbourne’s CBD , caught
Fatal collision
■ Major Collision Investigation Unit detectives are investigating a fatal collision in Moutajup on Saturday (May 10).
It is believed a vehicle and a motorcycle collided at the intersection of Mill Rd and Taylors Rd about 4.30pm.
The rider of the motorcycle, a 53-yearold man from Coleraine, died at the scene.
The passenger from the motorcycle was airlifted to hospital with life-threatening injuries.
The driver of the vehicle, a 20-year-old Lake Mundi man, was not physically injured and stopped at the scene.
He was interviewed by detectives and released pending further enquiries.
The investigation into the circumstances surrounding the collision remains ongoing.
SURF COAST
Trio rescued
■ Three people were lucky to escape injury after their boat sank off Barwon Heads on Friday (May 9).
The trio - a 37-year-old from Northcote, 41-year-old from Northcote and 29-year-old – launched a 5.5m fibreglass boat from the Ocean Grove boat ramp about 7am.
After a day of fishing, the men were attempting to return to shore when their boat overturned about 7.20pm.
All three men, only one of which was wearing a life jacket, were thrown into the water.
The skipper managed to contact a family member for assistance who then contacted emergency services.
The Police Air Wing spotted the overturned boat about 8pm, guiding Life Saving Victoria volunteers to their location and pulling them from the water.
All three were taken to hospital for observation.
Water Police will investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.
ALBERT PARK
Gear change
sight of a silver Subaru Outback alleged to be involved in the commercial burglaries.
The Subaru was followed, with the assistance of Air Wing, to Nicholson St in Fitzroy where PORT attempted to intercept the vehicle.
The Subaru allegedly slowed down but failed to come to a complete stop.
PORT boxed in the vehicle and swiftly arrested the alleged driver.
It is alleged that the following items were located inside the Subaru:
■ fake driving licences
■ stolen identification and bank cards
■ a traffickable quantity of drugs
■ items to make false documents multiple mobile phones.
Investigators also allege that the driver of the vehicle was involved in a serious collision on Hopkins St in Footscray about 3pm on September4 last year.
It is alleged that a stolen silver Audi failed to stop at a red light and collided with a pedestrian, who was trying to cross the road.
The pedestrian was taken to hospital with serious injuries.
The driver of the Audi allegedly failed to stop and render any assistance, taking off from the scene.
A 42-year-old Footscray man was remanded.
■ Fans of the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix and local sports clubs will be in pole position with a massive upgrade to the pit building.
Steve Dimpoulos, Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events, announced the new pit building and improvements to the surrounding Precinct, which will deliver better facilities for Formula 1 fans and local clubs.
The new building will include seven indoor sport courts, two more than are currently on site, and improved clubrooms for clubs using the outdoor fields. The project includes park upgrades that benefit the local community and everyone who visits Albert Park
The upgrade will include 14 garages, race control, and a race administration and media centre. The world-renowned Paddock Club will have an expanded capacity of 5000 patrons a day, offering amazing hospitality experiences and viewing spots along the main straight to see all the action.
The 2025 Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix welcomed more than 465,000 fans through the gates across the four days. Hotel occupancy in central Melbourne was around 94 per cent the night before the race.
With the race locked in until 2037, the pit building upgrade will make sure Melbourne keeps the Australian Grand Prix for years to come – showcasing the state to the world and maintaining status as the major events capital.
Major events pump more than $3.3 billion a year into the economy each year and contribute to the record $40 billion visitor spend.
Head contractor Icon has been appointed to deliver the project. Initial works on site are underway with demolition works to begin after the 2026 race and be completed in time for the 2028 Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix
“Fans flock to Victoria from around the world for our Formula 1 Grand Prix – filling local hotels, restaurants, pubs and businesses – and we intend to keep it that way,” Mr Dimopoulos said.

Observer Melbourne
WEDNESDAY, MAY 14,

‘Away’ by MUST
● ● The MUST Away Ensemble (from back left): Marcus Leder, Will Goldman, Quinten van Dalen, Grace Jackson, Thimuthu Dassanayake, Sophie Reynolds, Felicity Barrow, Lucy Fraser, Will Beechey, Patrick Leong, Claire Piechocki and Ruby Parkin.
30 ARRESTS OVER DATING APP ASSAULTS
■ Victoria Police has arrested more than 30 people as part of an investigation into a series of concerning attacks on men linked to the use of dating apps and social media.
Police allege several groups of offenders –primarily young males aged between 13 and 20 – have been posing as legitimate users of the platforms to lure men into meeting them.
The victims are then allegedly assaulted, robbed, threatened and subjected to homophobic comments.
Some incidents have involved victims being filmed with the videos posted on social media accounts.
Police have seen incidents occur across the state, particularly in local government areas taking in Manningham, Casey, Hume, Moorabbin and Knox
The more than 30 arrests have been made since October last year.
The arrests include:
■ A 16-year-old boy for intentionally causing injury, recklessly causing injury and possessing a prohibited weapon without lawful excuse. The boy has been charged.
Michelle Allen and team of Muddy Creek Health Hub, Yea
■ A 17-year-old boy for intentionally causing injury, recklessly causing injury and possessing a drug of dependence. The boy has been charged.
■ Two 16-year-old boys and a 15-year-old boy for recklessly causing injury. All three boys were charged.
■ A 13-year-old boy, a 14-year-old boy and a 15-year-old boy for kidnapping and armed robbery. Two of the boys were charged and bailed to face court. The other boy was released pending further enquiries.
■ Seven 17-year-old boys for armed robbery, violent disorder and false imprisonment. Two of the boys were charged and bailed at court. The remaining five have been charged on summons to appear at court at a later date.
■ Four 19-year-old males from Bayswater, Lyndhurst and Cranbourne East for armed robbery. Three of the males were charged and bailed to face court. The other male was released pending further enquiries.
Victoria Police treats incidents of this nature with the utmost seriousness and urges victims to come forward so police can investigate.
Concern
■ Priority and Safer Communities
Division Acting Superintendent
Carolyn Deer said
“There is absolutely no place for this type of concerning behaviour in our society. It will not be tolerated
Everyone has a right to go about their lives, meet new people and start a relationship in safety.
“We know this has been a distressing situation for the victims involved .”

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. Local Business Profile

● ● ● ● Michelle Allen, Nicole Schryver, Bek Bullen and Grace Hamilton
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■ Advocacy for the proposed Western Aquatic and Early Years Centre in Altona Meadows will be paused pending review following that latest Hobsons Bay Council meeting.
The Council voted unanimously to pause the project until a review of the Hobsons Bay Aquatic Strategy 2019-30 takes place and the endorsement of the new 2025-29 Council Plan
The aquatic strategy, which was endorsed by Council in July 2019, recommended two districtlevel aquatic centres in Hobsons Bay – the existing BayFit facility in Altona North as well as another centre in the west of the municipality.
The development of the new Altona Meadows facility was proposed to replace the Laverton Swim and Fitness Centre, with initial draft project cost estimates of $40 million.
TheState Government made an election pledge of $10 million to the project in 2022 and despite advocacy and funding submissions, no Federal Government funding has been forthcoming.
In that time, estimated costs for the centre have escalated to nearly $100 million, while the Laverton facility has undergone $2.5 million worth of necessary renovation works to extend its operating life.
The aquatic strategy will be reviewed to assess current short, medium and long-term priorities and updated recommendations will be made to Council for consideration.
The review will

Long Shots

\take place over the course of the 2025-26 financial year.
Mayor of Hobsons Bay, Cr Daria Kellander, said: “A lot has changed since 2019. A review of this strategy is needed to ensure responsible use of Council funds while recognising the potential financial risks to Hobsons Bay City Council and our ratepayers.
“Due to the significant increases in cost, it is essential for Council to pause this project. Council is keen to carry out the review over the coming 12 months so a feasible approach to the provision of aquatics facilities can be provided across the municipality.
“We have seen an example of a Council in NSW that has had to double its rates to build a pool that it couldn’t afford.
“We want to avoid putting ourselves in a similar situationwhere we can’t maintain our essential assets like roads, footpaths, buildings and drains, or are forced to cut core services,” Cr Kellander said.
Youth Council
■ A new partnership between Hume City Council and the Foundation for Young Australians is launching a pilot program in the region that will centre young people in local government decisionmaking. The Young Mayors program will support young people aged 12 to 17 get elected to the Hume Youth Council.

The Local Paper
BRIMBANK
Incorporating the traditions of the Brimbank Messenger (Est. 1956). Brimbank comprises Albanvale, Albion, Ardeer, Brooklyn (part), Cairnlea, Calder Park, Deer Park, Delahey, Derrimut, Hillside (part), Kealba, Keilor (part), Keilor Downs, Keilor East (part), Keilor Lodge, Keilor North, Keilor Park, Kings Park, St Albans, Sunshine, Sunshine North, Sunshine West, Sydenham, Taylors Lakes and Tullamarine (part). Brimbank is home to more than 194,319 people, living in approximately 69,275 homes.
HOBSONS BAY
Hobsons Bay comprises Altona, Altona Meadows, Altona North, Brooklyn, Laverton, Newport, Seabrook, Seaholme, South Kingsville, Spotswood, Williamstown and Williamstown North. Hobsons Bay is home to more than 88,788 people, living in approximately 37,183 homes.
HUME
Incorporating the traditions of the Hume Observer (Est. 1956). Hume comprises Attwood, Broadmeadows, Bulla, Campbellfield, Clarkefield (part), Coolaroo, Craigieburn, Dallas, Diggers Rest (part), Fawkner (part), Gladstone Park, Greenvale, Jacana, Kalkallo, Keilor (part), Meadow Heights, Melbourne Airport, Mickleham, Oaklands Junction, Roxburgh Park, Somerton, Sunbury, Tullamarine (part), Westmeadows, Wildwood and Yuroke. Hume is home to more than 197,376 people, living in approximately 67,399 homes.
MARIBYRNONG
Maribyrnong comprises Braybrook, Footscray, Kingsville, Maidstone, Maribyrnong, Seddon, Tottenham, West Footscray and Yarraville. Maribyrnong is home to more than 82,288 people, living in approximately 35,757 homes.
MELTON
Melton comprises Aintree, Bonnie Brook, Brookfield, Burnside, Burnside Heights, Caroline Springs, Cobblebank, Deanside, Diggers Rest, Exford, Eynesbury, Fieldstone, Fraser Rise, Grangefields, Harkness, Hillside, Kurunjang, Melton, Melton South, Melton West, Mount Cottrell, Parwan, Plumpton, Ravenhall, Rockbank, Strathtulloh, Taylors Hill, Thornhill Park, Toolern Vale, Truganina, Weir Views. Melton is home to more than 193,1557 people, living in approximately 60,363 homes.
MERRI-BEK
Incorporating the traditions of the Brunswick Sentinel (Est. 1936) and Coburg Courier (Est,. 1932) Merri-bek comprises Brunswick, Brunswick East, Brunswick West, Coburg, Coburg North, Fawkner, Glenroy, Gowanbrae, Hadfield, Oak Park, Pascoe Vale, and Pascoe Vale South. Merri-bek is home to more than 184,707 people, living in approximately 70,709 homes.
MOONEE VALLEY
Incorporating the traditions of the Moonee Valley Gazette (Est. 1888) Moonee Valley comprises Aberfeldie, Airport West, Avondale Heights, Ascot Vale, Essendon, Essendon Fields, Essendon North, Essendon West, Flemington, Keilor East, Moonee Ponds, Niddrie, Strathmore, Strathmore Heights and Travancore. Moonee Valley is home to more than 129,739 people, living in approximately 48,000 homes.
MOORABOOL
Moorabool comprises Bacchus Marsh, Ballan, Balliang, Balliang East, Barkstead, Blackwood, Bungaree, Clarendon, Dales Creek, Dunnstown, Elaine, Gordon, Greendale, Korweinguboora, Lal Lal, Mount Egerton, Myrniong, Wallace and Yendon.. Moorabool is home to more than 38,506 people, living in approximately 15,469 homes.
WYNDHAM
Incorporating the traditions of the Werribee Express (Est. 1896) Wyndham comprises Cocoroc, Eynesbury (part), Hoppers Crossing, Laverton (part), Laverton North, Little River (part), Mambourin, Mount Cottrell (part), Point Cook, Quandong, Tarneit, Truganina (part), Werribee, Werribee South, Williams Landing and Wyndham Vale. Wyndham is home to more than 309,125 people, living in approximately 100,366 homes.
● ● Cr Daria Kellander, Mayor
Cheryl Threadgold, Local Theatre Julie Houghton, The Arts Kevin Trask, Entertainment Aaron Rourke, Film
Ryan, Horse Racing Len Baker, Harness Racing

■ Circa returns to Arts Centre Melbourne with their global acrobatic smash hit Humans 2.0 from May 14 – 24 in the Playhouse, fresh from celebrating their 20-year anniversary last year.
Circa’s reputation precedes itself for being at the forefront of the new wave of contemporary Australian circus, redefining the art form by showcasing how extreme physicality can forge powerful and emotive experiences.
They have performed in over 45 countries and reached more than two million people, pushing boundaries, blending movement, dance, theatre and circus.
Under the visionary leadership of Yaron Lifschitz, and in collaboration with their ensemble of circus artists, Humans 2.0 is the next chapter of Circa’s internationally acclaimed Humans – a work that explored the physical limits of the body by pushing it to its extremities.
Humans 2.0 is intimate, primal and deeply engaged with the challenge of being human. It poses the question: can we ever find a perfect balance, or is adapting to constant change the only way forward?
Performance Season: May 14 - 24
Venue: The Playhouse, Arts Centre Melbourne
Bookings: artscentremelbourne.com.au Cheryl Threadgold
St Kilda Festival
■ Australia's longest-running film festival, the St Kilda Film Festival, returns to the big screen from June 5-15.
Presented by the City of Port Phillip, this year’s festival will screen over 150 films across 34 curated sessions, taking place at iconic venues including South Melbourne Market, the Astor Theatre, and for the first time since 2019, the St Kilda Town Hall
The Palais Theatre will roll out the red carpet for the Opening Night Gala for a starstudded evening on June 5.
In 2025, SKFF continues its commitment to platforming diverse voices and perspectives. The program features the festival’s largest First Nations line-up to date, including a dedicated strand curated by Fred Gesha, with a particular focus on stories of motherhood and birthing by First Nations female filmmakers.
This year also sees a strong embrace of analogue formats, with a resurgence in Super 8 and 16mm filmmaking evident by the 12 titles in the program shot on film, illustrating how the next generation of filmmakers are embracing the medium.
A reimagined St Kilda Town Hall will serve as the festival’s hub, transformed into a cabaret-style cinema with a bar, DJs, live music on Friday nights, and an open-access Filmmaker Lounge, bringing a new feel to the festival experience.
Short film highlights include: Unspoken, directed by Damian Walshe-Howling; See M: A Film About Redro Redriguez, directed by Nathan Woods; Fence, directed by Samantha Alexis Laughton; Re-Imagining Our Futures: Birthing , directed by Kimberley Benjamin;Born to Hustle, directed by Grace Anna Cardona ; Rage ,directed by Renee Kyprioti, Unstoppable,directed by Jack Byrnes and Marcus Porcaro and many more.
Richard Sowada, SKFF Director said, “What an absolutely ripping year for Australian short-form films.”
For more information on screenings and bookings, visit: stkildafilmfestival.com.au
Cheryl Threadgold
Talk is cheap, gossip is priceless
Beetlejuice the Musical
■ The Michael Cassel Group and Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures present Beetlejuice the Musical, now playing in Melbourne at the Regent Theatre for a limited Australian premiere season.
Based on Tim Burton's horror comedy movie, Beetlejuice the Musical tells the story of Lydia Deetz (Karis Oka), a strange and unusual teenager whose whole life changes when she meets a recently deceased couple and a demon with a thing for stripes.
After earning a Tony Award nomination for the music and lyrics he wrote for Beetlejuice the Musical, Eddie Perfect stars in the title role as the most mischievous corpse in the history of musicals.
Under its uproarious surface (six feet under, to be exact) Beetlejuice the Musical is not only described as “funny, irreverent, reckless and repellent', but also as being a touching show about family, love, and 'making the most of every DayO!”
Performance Details: Playing for a limited season.
Venue: Regent Theatre, 191 Collins St., Melbourne Bookings: Ticketek or beetlejuicethe musical.com.au
Cheryl Threadgold
Skills and Roles
■ At its inaugural Music Data and Insights Summit, the Victorian Music Development Office launched its new research commission, Skills and Roles – Support workers in Victorian music industries.
Following a long-term research partnership with RMIT University, these new insights provide the VMDO with a current evidence-based perspective and expands on the 2020 study, Career Path: The Victorian Music Business Career Life Cycle..
This new research points out the nuances of learning and skills development within the complex and precarious career paths of Victorian music professionals and offers recommendations to build healthy thriving businesses.
The insights reveal that 54 per cent of music workers embrace a portfolio career or are protean workers where they hold multiple concurrent roles to make ends meet and only one in five have a single full-time role.
It is no surprise to music professionals that they frequently work irregular and sporadic hours. Almost 50 per cent work more than 40+ hours per week across all their roles, including over 10 per cent who work 50+ hours per week.
The survey data indicates that skills are wideranging across music work. The research surveyed 212 workers and conducted 21 extended interviews representing 324 different paid music roles across Victoria.
There is a passion to work in the music industry, but it is not always financially rewarding. The increasing expectation for music professionals to be ‘all-rounders’ may be leading to skill dilution, increased stress and the potential long-term loss of industry specialists and experts.
A Support Act survey recently found that 62 per cent of creative workers are affected by increased financial stress.
Across all roles in the music sector, 61 per cent use business, financial and legal skills. While many music workers are often ‘all-rounders’, the research found that these areas require further attention to develop these skills.
Soft skills like communication, interpersonal abilities and problem-solving emerged as the most critical skill sets used by over 80 per cent of music professionals.
VMDO General Manager Kirsty Rivers said music workers play a central role and this research responds to the challenges faced by the Victorian music industry to sustain and develop its workforce.
“By building evidence-based research, we can better understand the skills and the gaps that exist. It helps us to develop bespoke industry

Benny Capp training and support opportunities that are needed to thrive in the complex global music industry,” said Ms Rivers.
RMIT University Associate Professor Catherine Strong said it is the first report to map the support roles and associated skills within the Victorian music industries.
“Skills shortages are often an industry concern and the research highlights areas requiring attention that could strengthen the workforce,” said Associate Professor Strong
“The research shows that music workers often acquire skills on-the-job, which is valued by the industry. However, this means that professionals may not always acknowledge the skills or gaps they have. Finding ways to make formal training work better for this group is one way to counter these issues,” she explained.
Providing a more structured mentoring system could be an option to sustain music careers by developing the key skills and expertise required across the industry.
Interviewees with a mentor spoke highly of this experience and said they received valuable advice, training and guidance during their introduction to the music industry.
More than any other skill, the research highlighted that financial planning and management skills needed to be further developed by music workers.
Research interviewees also identified the other specific skills that required further attention and development related to finance, contracts and marketing.
The VMDO works closely with educational institutions, government and industry experts to develop music worker skills and experience by delivering programs that respond to the gaps revealed in this research.
Through its recent Leg Up program, the VMDO provided quick, easy and vital assistance. It supported 37 Victorian music professionals with access to grants for micro-investments, expert advice, professional development and capacity building.
Over the coming months, the VMDO will expand its popular Experts in Residence program and the long-term mentoring Fast Track Fellowships program will return to support music professionals build global networks, international experience and professional opportunities.
Cheryl Threadgold with Ben Starick

and Gabby Llewelyn in Femme Play (ungrateful slut).
■ Attitude Production and Cracked Actors Theatre present Femme Play [ungrateful slut], at The Butterfly Club from May 21-31 as part of the Drama Queen Festival 2025. Written by feminist playwright Judy Doubas and directed by Susan Rundle, the play is described as a 'sharp, provocative production which blends humour and biting social commentary with an urgent call for change’.
Al and George are two women wrestling with modern pressures - careers, relationships, identity - only to realise their struggles are systemic.
As they awaken to the forces shaping their lives, their inner voices Red , a patriarchal mouth-piece, and Bling, embodying society’s Madonna/Whore paradox, push and pull them in opposing directions, leading them toward political action.
Doubas’s work evolved from personal observation into a wider, urgent conversation about feminism’s ongoing battles..
Director Rundle says the play is “In-yourface, hilarious, and unapologetic. It doesn’t preach, but it sure makes you think.”
With misogyny still a global issue, Femme Play arrives as a timely, unflinching response. Unapologetically urgent, Femme Play [ungrateful slut] aims to demand attention.
Performance Season: May 21-24 at 7pm; May 26, 28 and 29 at 8.30pm, May 27, 30 and 31 at 5.30pm
Venue: The Butterfly Club, 5 Carson Place (off Lt Collins St), Melbourne (CBD)
Tickets: $45 Full | $40 Concession. $38 Member
Bookings: thebutterflyclub.com/show/ femme-play-ungrateful-slut or 9663 810
Cheryl Threadgold
Samson & Delilah
■ Melbourne Opera will stage Saint-Saëns' grand opera Samson & Delilah from June 1 at the Palais Theatre. One of the greatest French operas, Samson and Delilah powerfully tells the story of the seduction and downfall of Samson
Not performed in Australia since the 1980s, the iconic opera will star two of Australia’s most celebrated international singers. Deborah Humble (The Ring Cycle, Sydney Opera House solo) will make her debut in the role of Delilah, one of the greatest mezzo roles in the repertoire. Rosario la Spina (Opera Australia’s Die Walküre, Madama Butterfly - Belgium) will star as Samson. Melbourne’s visionary opera director Suzanne Chaundy will direct.
The French opera follows the extraordinary success of February’s Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg at the Royal Exhibition Building, also directed by Suzanne Chaundy, with Deborah Humble in the cast.
Samson & Delilah is based on a violent and erotic story from the Old Testament, and features one of the most well known love duets in the repertoire.
“I am setting the opera in a psychological and abstract space. My vision is to focus on the characters of Samson and Delilah, examining the power of seduction, betrayal, obsession and faith. It is a fascinating study of the pressures that come from being the ‘chosen one’,” says director Suzanne Chaundy
“French composer Camille Saint-Saëns and librettist Ferdinand Lemaire made a clear choice to make this work about both characters by naming them both in the title,” Suzanne Chaundy said.
●
● ● ● Eddie Perfect (Beetlejuice) and Karis Oka (Lydia) star in Beetlejuice the Musical. Photo:
● ● Ruth Katerelos, June Collins, Rosie Rodiadis
● ● ● ● Circa Ensemble present Humans
2.0. Photo: Yaya Stempler
Local Theatre Observations
Shows
■ Bairnsdale Production Line Theatre Company: Come From Away (by Irene Sankolff and David Hein) Until May 25 at the Forge Theatre and Arts Hub, Bairnsdale. Director: Peter Martignoles. Bookings: eastgippsland.vic.gov.au/leisure/whats-onand-buy-tickets
■ Eltham Little Theatre: Crossroads - A One Act Play Season. Until May 16 (Playwrights: Emma Wood, Paula Armstrong, John Jennings and Daniel Reitz) at the Eltham Performing Arts Centre, 1603 Main Rd., Research. Directors: Susan Rundle, Paula Armstrong, Steve Saul and James Banger.Cabaret style. Bookings: elthamlittletheatre.org,au
■ Theatre of the Winged Unicorn: The Jane Austen Experience (devised and directed by Elaine Mitchell) May 16, 17 at 7.30pm; May 18 at 2pm at the Ceres Temperance Hall, 40 McCann St., Ceres. Bookings: Trybooking.com/CYJIN Further details: theatreofthewingedunicorn.com.au
■ Wyndham Theatre Company: Drinking Habits (by Tom Smith) Until May 17 at Wyndham Theatre, Cnr. Duncans Rd. and Synott St., Werribee. Director: Cody Riker. Bookings: Trybooking
■ Beaumaris Theatre: Knife’s Edge (by Alison Campbell Rate) Until May 24 at 82 Wells Rd., Beaumaris. Director: Deborah Fabbro. Bookings: Trybooking
■ The Mount Players: The Girl on the Train (by Richard Wagstaff and Duncan Abel) Until May 25 at the Mountview Theatre, Smith St., Mt. Macedon. Director: Frank Harvey. Bookings: the mountplayers.com
■ Peridot Theatre Company: Proof (by David Auburn) May 16 – 25 at the Clayton Theatrette, Clayton Community Centre, Cooke St., Clayton. Director: Damian Jones. Bookings: peridot.com.au
■ Moonlite Theatre: The Maltese Chicken (A radio play written and directed by Bruce Carboon) May 16, 17 at 8pm; May 17 at 2pm at the Holy Trinity Anglican Church Hall, 19 Gisborne Rd., Bacchus Marsh. Bookings: trybooking.com/DAYTF
■ MOARTZ Theatre: Stop.Rewind (by Melissa Bubnic) May 16 – 24 at Monash Hall, Reserve Street, Yallourn North. Director: Mike Pullar. Bookings: www.moartz.com
■ CLOC Musical Theatre: Nice Work if You Can Get It. May 16 – 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 phone1300 362 547.
■ Legends of the Skies Theatre: Great MacRobertson Trophy Air Race Show, May 17 at 7pm; May 18 at 2pm at Ballarat Airport, BAFA (Mess Hall) Theatrette Hut 48, Airport Road, Mitchell Park, Ballarat. Part of the Ballarat Heritage Festival. Artistic Director: Maggie Morrison. Bookings: strybooking.com/events/landing/1356889
■ Mordialloc Theatre Company: The Children (by Lucy Kirkwood) May 22 – 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) May 22 – 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:brighton theatre.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
THE LIGHTNING THIEF
■ Monash Uni Student Theatre (MUST, MSA) announces that while their season of The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical being presented from May 30 to June 7 is booked out, an extra performance has been scheduled for Saturday, May 31 at 1.30pm in The MUST Space at Monash University, Clayton
Adapted from the book The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan and directed by Kyra Hatzikosmidis, the story tells of Percy Jackson, who all his life has been different.
Now he knows the truth: he’s part god, part human - and 100 per cent in danger. Thrust into a world of gods and monsters, and accused of stealing Zeus’s Master Bolt, Percy must come to terms with an unwanted destiny and the father who abandoned him, all to prove his innocence and stop a war among the gods.
Described as a 'fast-paced and electrifying adventure', The Lightning Thief is said to capture the spirit of Riordan’s novel, filled with humour, heart, and heroism.
Performances: Season sold out except for Saturday, May 31 at 1.30pm, Run time: (approx. 2 hrs 30 mins, including 20 min interval)
Venue: The MUST Space, Grnd Flr Campus Centre, 21 Chancellors Walk, Monash University, Clayton
Bookings: msa.monash.edu/MUST
Age Suitability: 8+. Content Notes: Flashing lights, depictions of violence, implications of domestic abuse.
Cheryl Threadgold
Music Vault
■ The Australian Music Vault honours the achievements of the 2025 recipient of the APRA Ted Albert Award for Outstanding Services to Australian Music, the ‘Princess of Pop’ Kylie Minogue , with a new display featuring archival material drawn from the Australian Performing Arts Collection.
More Shows
■ 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/Aspect-Theatre
■ 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
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
■ Peridot Theatre: Frankenstein (by Nick Dear) May 18 at 10am, May 26 at 7pm at 39 Highland Avenue, Oakleigh East (corner Highland and Turnbull Avenues). Director: George Benca. Audition enquiries: georgebenca@gmail.com
■ Malvern Theatre Company: Perfect Wedding (by Robin Hawdon) May 18 and 19 at 7.30pm at 29 Burke Rd., Malvern. Director: Pip Le Blond. Audition enquiries: pipleblond@gmail.com
■ 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 Cheryl Threadgold

In this display, Kylie lovers will find iconic objects and photos from her music videos and tours. Kylie’s creative journey has always been celebrated by her fans, and this display will allow them to get up close to significant moments in her career.
Included in the display is a multi colored sequined bodysuit designed by Ian McMaugh, worn during the Enjoy Yourself tour (1990), the mugshot identification board for ‘Indie Kylie’ in the video for ‘Did It Again’ (1997) and her Azzedine Alaïa designed shoes worn in the music video for ‘Chocolate’ (2004).
Also on display is the Stephen Jones designed cowboy hat worn to promote the single ‘Cowboy Style’ (1997) plus a selection of her signature Dolce and Gabbana jewellery worn during the KylieFever2002 tour.
In a career that has spanned five decades, Melbourne-born international pop icon Kylie Minogue has released 17 studio albums, undertaken 20 international tours and won two Grammy Awards, four BritAwards and 18 ARIA Awards. She is now the highest-selling Australian female recording artist of all time, with over 80 million records sold globally.
Kylie first received major international recognition in the 1980s as mechanic Charlene Robinson on the television soap opera Neighbours. Her recording of ‘The Locomotion ’ led to a record deal with Mushroom Records in 1987 and her debut album Kylie was released a year later. Kylie's career as a recording artist took off when the album’s breakthrough single ‘I Should Be So Lucky’ hit No. 1 in the United Kingdom.
Kylie’s ongoing commitment to her craft has continued to garner recognition including Helpmann Awards, MTVAwards, ARIA Hall of Fame inductee, Officer of the Order of Australia, and much more. In 2024, Time listed her amongst some of the 100 most influential people in the world and she secured her first residency in Las Vegas. In addition to her renown as a recording artist, Kylie is known for her exceptional live performances. She is currently on her Tension tour, which began in Perth on February 15 nd will see her play 70 shows across the world.
All of the objects included in this display have been drawn from the Australian Performing Arts Collection at Arts Centre Melbourne. The Kylie Minogue Collection, which started as a single costume donation in 1991, today includes over 300 costumes and accessories, alongside other material related to her concert tours.
The Australian Music Vault is a free exhibition developed by Arts Centre Melbourne in collaboration with the music industry and was a key initiative of the State Government's Music Works strategy.
The exhibition is a celebration of the Australian contemporary music story – past, present and future.
At Kew Court House

■ Lovers of jazz are in for a treat over the next few weeks at Kew Courthouse
Jazz diva Fem Belling has planned an interesting series of different jazz events in a special series of concerts at Kew Courthouse.
Coning up on Friday 23 May is The Unbearable Lightness of Being, which celebrates in music the well-known novel.
Pianist-composer Mina Yu has created a unique journey through sound and story, exploring the themes of love, fate and identity though a blend of jazz, classical influences and storytelling.
Using evocative melodies, Mina promises to guide the audience on a journey that explores the moments that shape our lives and the memories that define us.
On Friday May 30 is a new Fem Belling project, Hormesis, which translates as ‘what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger’.
Through original compositions, Fem explores contemporary groove and improvisation while addressing themes of resilience, consent, societal expectations, and female self-worth.
The musical line up is Fem as vocalist, three Violins, once Cello, one Double Bass and Drums.
The concerts are part of a Kew Court House season of live acts by jazz, indie and global artists, variously curated by Ben Langdon, DJ MzRizk and Fem Belling Fem is delighted to be involved in this exciting series: “Kew Court House Live is a culture-rich series where Melbourne’s rising and established artists bring their sound to life. With its intimate setting and strong community vibe, it’s the perfect spot to discover the next wave of talent.”
The concerts start at 7.30 pm and tickets can be booked by visiting Boroondara.vic.gov.au/Boroondara-arts/ whats/music-and-performances/kew-courthouse-live or on the night at the box office from 7 pm.
Julie Houghton
Away
■ Monash Uni Student Theatre (MUST, MSA) presents Away by Australian playwright Michael Gow, from May 15 - 24 in The MUST Space, Monash University, Clayton Directed by Max Pickering, Away is set against the backdrop of mid 1960s social upheaval, as three families travel to Queensland to celebrate their Christmas holidays, striving to escape the troubled year they have just faced.
This Australian classic navigates the intimacy of fraught family dynamics amidst the forces of fantastical fairies and rolling storms.
Performance Dates: May 15 - 17 at 7:30pm (May 16 Masked Performance); May 20-23 at 7:30pm (May 22 Post Show Q and A), May 24 at 5pm. (Duration - 2 hours including interval)
Venue: The MUST Space, Grnd Flr Campus Centre, 21 Chancellors Walk, Monash University, Clayton
Bookings: msa.monash.edu/MUST
Age Suitability: Recommended 13+ . Content Notes: Death and grief, child death, post traumatic stress, leukaemia/cancer, mild drug abuse, flash/strobe warning. Cheryl Threadgold
● Jasmine Salter (Annabeth Chase), Jet Spicer (Percy Jackson) and Sofia Jorgovic (Grover Underwood) rehearse The Lightning Thief.
CATO THE WISE
Maxwell Newton
★Creatives from Monash University, the official representatives of Australia at the 24th Triennale Milano International Exhibition, will use their exhibit to reveal how Melbourne’s focus on housing growth has led to environmental neglect. One of the world’s leading art, design and architecture exhibitions, it will take place in Italy, until November 9.
★The Gympie Music Muster has announced Canadian artist Dan Davidson as its first international ambassador, marking a milestone for the iconic Queensland event ahead of its 2025 festival, running August 28–31.
★The newly elected Executive Committee of the Victorian Council for Greek National Day comprises Chair Sophia Siachos, Secretary: Peter Stefanidis, Assistant Secretary Dean Kalymniou , Treasurer Arthur Andronas, Master of Ceremonies (Greek) Katerina Poutachidou, Master of Ceremonies (English) Leonidas Vlahakis, and Parade Marshal Jim Grivokostopoulos
★The the Cat Protection Society of Victoria’s workplace giving campaign looks to support more than 1200 vulnerable cats each year.
★Big Freeze Beanies are making a return to Coles to help raise important funds for FightMND, dedicated to finding a cure for Motor Neurone Disease. Big Freeze 11 Beanie are available for $25.
★Shrine of Remembrance services this month include the annual Victorian Aboriginal Remembrance Service, the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day with the Odd Bods Association and the weekly Last Post Service
★Ricky Martin has announced a second and final Melbourne performance for his tour. The newly added show will take place on Cup Weekend, Sunday November 2 at Rod Laver Arena.
★Olympic Gold winning legends of the ice Torvill and Dean are set to make their return to Australia for a final farewell tour in June. This global ice spectacular, ‘Torvill & Dean: Our Last Dance’, marks their first Australian tour since 1994 and features an international cast of icedancing skaters and champions. 7.30pm on Wednesdaty, June 18; 2pm and 7.30pm on Thursday, June 19, at Rod Laver Arena.
★Dirty Dancing in Concert will tour Melbourne on October 9. The timeless love story of Baby and Johnny will be brought back to life on a full-size cinema screen with a band and singers live on stage.
Melbourne Observer Melbourne Observer
Rourke’s Reviews Entertainment

★The Melbourne Symphonic Orchestra will have a Symphonic Send-off and The Europe Tour Preview Concert : Elgar and Dvorák on Wednesday, August 13 at Hamer Hall, Arts Centre Melbourne.
★ILANEL returns to the 2025 Melbourne Design Week with “Re:” - an innovative exhibition that celebrates the art of transformation, showcasing a curated collection of recycled and repurposed items gathered over 15 years.
★Kate Ceberano has announced new dates for her upcoming Australian Made Tour of 2025. The multi-ARIA-winning icon has added a Melbourne show at Hamer Hall on September 19.
★Black Dog Institute, in part nership with the Bupa Foundation, has launched Teens & Screens, a free evidence-informed classroom program designed to help Year 7-9 students develop healthy screen habits, manage their digital wellbeing, and enable them to make better decisions about their digital habits.
★NIDA has welcomed former television executive Hugh Baldwin as the new Director of Partnerships and Engagement, strengthening NIDA’s commitment to growth and industry collaboration.
★Australia’s National Research Organisation for Women’s Safety (ANROWS) has strengthened its leadership: Dr Kristin Diemer as Director of Research; Lucy Macmillan as Director of Evaluation and Impact; Anandini Mayuran as Director of Communications and Engagement.
★Historical fiction author Paul Rushworth-Brown returns with his rich novel: Outback Odyssey, a sweeping tale of hardship, friendship, and resilience set against the backdrop of 1950s post-war Australia
★State Library Victoria’s fam ily history collection holds the key to countless untold stories. Many of these records remain out of reach – trapped in fragile volumes and microfilm reels that can only be accessed in Melbourne
A drive to change that has a goal is to raise $200,000 by June 30 to digitise the most requested and delicate records, ensuring that anyone, anywhere, can uncover their family history.
★Sullivan+Strumpf have two exhibitions opening at their Melbourne gallery on Thursday (May 15) until Saturday June 15.
★ Normie Rowe stars in Normie – The Story So Far , at Memo Hall, St Kilda; Frankston Arts Centre; Bunjil Place, Narre Warren.
Green Room Award winners
CABARET:
OUTSTANDINGDIRECTION
Winner: Stephen Nicolazzo for Shrapnel presented by Kadimah Yiddish Theatre
OUTSTANDINGORIGINAL SONGS
Winner: Geraldine Quinn for The Passion of Saint Nicholas presented by Geraldine Quinn as part of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival
OUTSTANDINGWRITING
\Winner: Geraldine Quinn for The Passion of Saint Nicholas presented by Geraldine Quinn as part of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival
OUTSTANDINGPRODUCTION DESIGN
Winner: Joe Noonan (Production Design) for Apocalipstik presented by Liz Smith, Katie Rowe, Tom Downey as part of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival
OUTSTANDINGENSEMBLE
Winner: Otto & Astrid – The Stages Tour presented by Salvador Dinosaur and Parrot Ox as part of Melbourne Fringe Clare Bartholomew and Daniel Tobias
OUTSTANDINGMUSICAL DIRECTION
Winner: Shanon D Whitelock for Apocalipstik presented by Liz Smith, Katie Rowe, Tom Downey as part of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival
OUTSTANDINGPRODUCTION
Winner: The Passion of Saint Nicholas presented by Geraldine Quinn as part of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival
OUTSTANDINGARTISTE
Winner: Geraldine Quinn for The Passion of Saint Nicholas presented by Geraldine Quinn as part of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival OUTSTANDINGCONTRIBUTION TO CABARET
Winner: Trevor Jones for Outstanding Contribution to Cabaret ★
CONTEMPORARYAND EXPERIMENTAL PERFORMANCE
OUTSTANDINGWORK
Winner: The Crying Room: Exhumed presented by The Substation and Club Greg International OUTSTANDINGPERFORMER
Winner: Marcus Ian McKenzie for The Crying Room: Exhumed OUTSTANDINGENSEMBLE (Two Awards)
Winner: Body of Knowledge presented by Melbourne Fringe Winner: In Place presented by Na Djinang Circus with Circa Cairns as part of Melbourne Fringe Festival OUTSTANDINGSOUND WORK (Two Awards)
\Winner: The Crying Room: Exhumed presented by The Substation and Club Greg International Winner: Desastres presented by Now or Never OUTSTANDINGDESIGN
Winner: Justin Talplacido Shoulder, Matthew Stegh, Anthony Aitch, Fausto Brusamolino and Corin Ileto for ANITO presented by Arts House and RISING
OUTSTANDINGTECHNICAL ACHIEVEMENT
Winner: The team of Conduit Bodies presented by Arts House and Melbourne Fringe in association with Arts
The Surfer
■ (MA). 101 minutes. Opens in cinemas May 15.
Nicolas Cage, after churning out dozens of forgettable-to-bad movies over the last decade or so, is starting to make some interesting choices again as an actor.
From Mandy to Longlegs to Dream Scenario, Cage has once more begun to show what a genuinely great actor he can be, and although his latest release doesn’t quite hit the bullseye, the Oscar winning star delivers another excellent performance.
Cage plays the title character, an office worker who, after a number of decades in the US, returns to Lunar Bay, his home town located on the coast of Western Australia.
We first see the surfer arrive at the Lunar Bay beach with his teenage son (Finn Little), wanting to reconnect, but also to give the youngster the good news he is going to buy the house he lived in as a child.
The two are confronted by a group of young men known as the Bay Boys, who tell them that only locals can surf there.
The father is humiliated, and causes his son to return home embarrassed. The surfer, while waiting on his offer for the house to be accepted, stays at the beach car park to observe the intimidating group, which is lead by local entrepreneur Scally (a surprisingly effective Julian McMahon), who rules his minions like a cult leader.
The more he tries to defeat all the obstacles that surround him, the more the surfer’s mindset starts to fall apart, to the point where we wonder if what is happening is real or not.
Thomas Martin’s script sets up a number of interesting ideas, such as one’s sense of self and identity, debilitating attempts to deal with failure and trauma, an inability to deal with outsiders, and toxic masculinity.
Unfortunately, none of these themes are properly developed, so as the story goes on, a shallow nature begins to take over.
The more these elements lose their power, the more the main character’s humiliations fall into repetition.
Lorcan Finnigan, who directed the similarly initially intriguing but ultimately unsatisfying Vivarium (2019), cleverly employs a 70’s Drive-In style aesthetic to try and present a life (and mind) slowly disintegrating before our eyes, but while admittedly creating a vividly immersive space and atmosphere, never really gets under the surfer’s skin, and unfortunately accentuates the script’s repetitious nature.
This mutes the material’s potential power, and to get truly lost in the character’s fractured mind.
Also not helping matters is a running time which is at least 15 minutes too long. Praise definitely goes to cinematographer Radek Ladczuk (The Nightingale, The Babadook) and composer Francois Tetaz (Wolf Creek, The Square) , who fully, and wonderfully, embrace the project’s melodramatic, exploitation influence.
Cage dominates throughout, convincingly mixing his known craziness with something much more grounded, making for a memorable, engaging performance.
Reminiscent of Wake In Fright (1971), The Long Weekend (1978) and even Jacob’s Ladder (1990), The Surfer has its moments, but doesn’t fully focus on its multiple themes, resulting in a film that is both frustrating and mesmerising.
RATING - ***
The Eternaut
■ (MA). Six episodes. Now available on Netflix.
A combination of Snowpiercer, War Of The Worlds, 28 Days Later and Invasion Of The Body Snatchers, The Eternaut is a terrific scifi/drama series made on a grand scale, but is largely interested in the more intimate human factor, making for hugely engaging viewing.
Based on the serialised comic by Argentine author Hector German Oesterheld (who was kidnapped by the military dictatorship in 1977 and presumedly murdered) that ran from 1957 to 1959, the material takes still relevant subject matter and updates it to our modern times.
Set in Buenos Aires, Ricardo Darin (The Secret In Their Eyes, Wild Tales, Argentina 1985) stars as Juan Salvo , who along with a group of friends, are playing cards on a hot summer night.
Without warning, an snowstorm hits the city. When one of the group comes into contact with the falling snow, he drops dead immediately. Shocked, the rest seal off the apartment. We soon discover that these storms have killed millions. This group includes Favalli (Cesar Troncoso), Ana (Andrea Pietra), Lucas (Marcelo Subiotto), Omar (Ariel Staltari) and Inga (Orianna Cardenas) . Needing to come up with protective clothing, Juan leaves to search for his wife Elena (Carla Peterson) and daughter Clara (Mora Fisz), but he will reteam with these survivors again, to battle not only the elements, but also an intergalactic enemy that is intent on taking over the Earth.
What sets The Eternaut apart from other shows is in the way the film-makers are prepared to take their time setting up characters and the gradual world they are now having to deal with.
Co-writer/director Bruno Stagnaro handles the material with intelligence and extreme confidence, aided by a first-rate technical crew, presenting a TV series that could be experienced as big screen entertainment. The special effects are convincing, but Stagnaro never forgets to centre on the characters. The acting is superb. The ending, which begins to examine the radicalisation of vulnerable people who feel disillusioned or aggrieved, sets things up for Season Two. The Eternaut may make some viewers impatient, but those who tap into what Stagnaro and company are doing will be richly rewarded. I can’t wait for Season Two. RATING
In Memory of
Melbourne Observer Melbourne Observer
Across Across
1. Pony competition
6. Meddler
11. Large NZ city
15. Drinking glasses
20. Moose
21. Drizzles
22. Married title
23. Nudism
24. Armed conflict within nation (5,3)
25. Family favouritism
27. Segregated
28. Roman robe
29. Hungry
31. Slightly open
32. Skin eruptions
36. Staining
37. Room
38. Painter of The Queen's latest portrait, Rolf ...
41. Length unit
44. Hair dye
45. Touchy
48. Metal extraction plant
49. Cupboard
52. Banked (on)
56. Gets
57. Form of prayer
58. Futile
61. More affluent
62. Bring honour to
63. Gladden, ... up
64. Japan's capital
65. Shillyshallies
66. Greed
67. Withdraws from position (5,4)
71. Fertile desert spot
73. TV personality, ... McGuire
75. Aid financially
80. Pistols
82. Intervening time
83. Jog
85. Definitions
86. Old Spanish money unit
88. Split in church
90. Slays (5,3)
91. Biting insects
93. Wise biblical king
94. Tossing
95. Fragile & airy
96. Suit-makers
97. Jot
99. Charlotte Bronte novel, Jane ...
100. Concludes
104. Of kidneys
105. Taco sauce
106. Sing monotonously
107. Revolved
111. Deserve
113. Fah, soh, ...
114. Inflatable vest, ... west
115. Serving platters
117. Irrational fear
118. Kitchen strainer
121. Saturate (with colour)
122. The Hunchback Of ... Dame
125. Harpoon hunter
126. Formerly Persia
127. Garden of Creation
129. In place, in ...
131. Actress, ... Thompson
132. Stellar
135. Kuwaiti ruler
136. Eternal
139. Siamese
140. Up-to-date
144. Physicist, ... Newton
145. Excel
146. Castle water barriers
147. Elaborately
148. Cattle-farmers
149. Mad (dog)
150. Tied (shoes)
152. Surprise victory
154. Labelled
157. Chinese gooseberry, ... fruit
158. Of the side
162. Grieg opera, Peer ...
163. SOS
166. Wig material
167. Speaks
169. Kind
171. Door frame post 172. Resistant to disease
173. Start (of ailment)
175. Primp
176. Encouraged
179. Tutsi country
180. Ranted
182. Hawaiian garland
183. Belonging to us
184. Spindly
186. Took in (child)
189. Last Greek letter
190. Wallabies or Springboks sport
191. Synagogue scholar
192. Stimulating
196. Disable
197. Canadian province, ... Scotia
198. Kenya's capital
199. Exhilarating
201. Caught
202. Ridicule
203. Departing
204. Fibre-spinning rods
205. Writer, ... Hemingway
208. Journalist's credit (2-4)
210. Cheap ship fare
211. Fertiliser ingredient
212. Redder
213. Bobs head
215. Firebugs
219. Signalling flame
221. Cruel men
223. Searches out scandal
227. From Brussels
228. Mummifies (corpse)
230. Judge's hammer
231. Democratic Republic of Congo
232. Threatened
233. Slip by
234. Gist
238. Tennis ace, ... Edberg
239. Indianapolis state
240. Splatter
243. Arrival
246. Annulled
247. Dressy
250. Woodwind instruments
251. Fools
253. Paltry
256. Helicopter's landing place
257. More hefty
258. Grills
262. Labyrinth
263. Reverie
266. Honey liquor
268. Peacemaker
269. Central Asian republic
270. Lovely women
271. Miniature toy, ... car
272. Banned pesticide (1,1,1)
273. Downy duck
274. Naval exercises
275. Makes stable
276. Perceived wrongly
277. Aerobics outfits
278.Abbreviates
Down Down
1. Doomed person
2. Legends
3. Equine
4. Cosy home
5. Nearly
7. A few
8. Persecutes
9. Checkers game
10. Thread
11. Henry VIII's ... Boleyn
12. Second-hand vehicles (4,4)
13. Smart aleck (4-3)
14. Friendly
15. Tests
16. Former Soviet region (1,1,1,1)
17. Lightweight timber
18. Go in
19. Mixer drinks
24. Appeared
26. Trading centre
30. Last-minute
33. Pungent cleaning fluid
34. Small hill
35. Sniffed
38. Cross-breeds
39. Made contact with
40. Takes no notice of
42. Canadian lake
43. Bringing up
46. Stud (with jewels)
47. Conformed, ... the line
49. Hurricane
50. Follows orders
51. Europe/Asia
53. Regards highly
54. Riled
55. Aussie sheep herders
59. Very demanding
60. Settle overseas
67. Bewildered
68. Moved on hands & knees
69. Of earthquakes
70. Run (event)
72. Aplomb
74. Travelling worker
76. Gusty
77. Leave impression
78. Smooth over (4,3)
79. Gushed
81. Brash newcomers
84. Egg dish
87. Dried with cloth
89. Moon shape
91. Grinding (teeth)
92. British royal court, ... Palace (2,5'1)
98. Worldwide
101. Group value system
102. Shade of brown
103. Sends via Internet
108. Alleged assassin, Lee Harvey ...
109. Stop! (nautical)
110. Odds or ...
112. Emerging again from sleep
116. Protective shielding (6,5)
119. Act of dunking
120. Say
123. Canoe with attached float
124. Set out differently
128. Enthusiastically
130. From Tel Aviv
132. Allow inside
133. Banjo sound
134. Gangway
137. Cleopatra's land
138. Famous Swiss mountain
141. Main artery
142. Flowed away
143. Yesterday, ..., tomorrow
151. Cling (to)
153. Early fetus
155. Directed
156. Surly person
159. Hoping (to)
160. Vitality
161. Irritating
164. 365-day periods
165. Cosmetics boss, Elizabeth ...
168. Legendary Atlantic continent
170. Money
173. Car distance clock
174. Mideast waterway (4,5)
177. Raincoat fabric
178. Gradually diminished
181. Devotees
185. Thrilling
186. Loss of memory
187. Beginnings
188. Trampled
193. Obscure
194. Sports injury remedy (3,4)
195. Hot springs
200. Venetian boats
201. Conceive of
206. Havens
207. Increases threefold
208. Sun-tanned
209. Most inquisitive
211. Coup organiser
214. Cigarette users
216. Affair of the heart
217. Giving green light to
218. Huge
220. Blacksmith's block
222. German wine, ... Riesling
224. Most avid
225. US cotton state
226. Giant Himalayan peak
229. Criticise harshly
232. Lion's neck hair
235. Poorer quality
236. Wear down
237. Soft goat wool
241. Fence planks
242. Authorise
244. Bridge over gorge
245. Louder
248. Trophies
249. Those ones
251. Weaponry
252. Bogs
253. Office circulars
254. Grand Slam winner, ... Agassi
255. Writer, ... Dahl
259. Happen
260. Prized fur
261. Genders
262. Method
264. Sudden attack
265. Son of Adam & Eve
267. Sprint







SELECTIONS FOR KINGSFORD SMITH CUP
n One of the most popular events on the Queensland racing calendar is the Kingsford Smith Cup to be run at Eagle Farm on May 31.
Before the nominations start-up, a number of top-class gallopers have been suggested as to who may contest the big event.
One such named had been listed by some of our leading bookmakers that being champion sprinter, Giga Kick, an Everest winner in great style, but unfortunately has been missing through injury for some time.
His last run dates back to November 9 last year, the final day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival.
That particular day, he wasn’t at his best, and missed the place contesting the Dalgety Champions Sprint over the straight 1200 metres.
Evidently, he may have been unlucky getting a knock or otherwise\ in the run at Moonee Valley before that.
Back on October 19 last year he ran a great second to the top mare, Bella Nipotina, in another Everest.
From his 14 starts up until then, he had won seven races with four placings,and without a doubt we miss him on the track.
On the second line is the good mare, Benedetta, who is contesting races all over Australia.
At Flemington she travels sweetly up the straight six and won the Goodwood in South Australia in style.
She appeared out of her class when missing the place in a strong field in the All Aged Stakes run at Randwick on April 19.
She has won eight of her 20 starts with six minors, and has accumulated over $1 million \in stakemoney.
Two of the best racing at present may go around here, Antino and Joliestar. They would have to be chances.
Next is another smart mare in Sunshine in Paris, prepared by the combination of leading Queensland trainers, Annabel Neasham and Rob Archibald.
She too has won plenty for her connections making over $5 million winning six of her 16 starts, with four placings, and is consistent.
One that fires alright is the former New Zealander, now seven, in Here to Shock,now with the Hayes boys, Ben, Will and W.D.
He’s has been around 37 times, and has won 13 with eight minors.
He is smart being by the 2009 Melbourne Cup winner, Shocking. Another who always has a dip is the Gerald Ryan horse, General Salute, who had a good win back on April 4.
He is nicely bred being by the good sire, Russian Revolution.
He has been lightly raced, having had 10 starts for three wins and two placings, but is up there with them.
One down in the weights but extremely smart, is the three- year-old, colt, Angel Capital, who has already won a Group Two event.
That was with Clinton Mc Donald, now with Chris Waller, and is very talented, but meeting

Ted Ryan



Stallion changes
■ Harry Angel, Australia’s leading shuttle stallion will stand at $66,000.
A world champion sprinter and the leading third crop sire in the country.
Harry Angel is the youngest stallion in the top 10 of the General Sires Table,and one of the most sought-after stallions in the country right now.
Two of Exceed and Excel’s most accomplished sons, are Bivouac at $55,000, the fastest first-crop stallion to sire two Group winners since his sire, and the 2024 Group One Newmarket Handicap winner, Cylinder, at $44,000.
Both look set to carry on the legacy of their illustrious father.
Pinatubo, standing at $38,500, saw his first yearlings sell for up to $700,000 this season.
His paternal half-brother, Victor Ludorum ($11,000) was a Group One winner at both two and three.
They represent the phenomenally successful Shamardal sire line.
Brazen Beau ($33,000) has added the Group One Thousand Guineas winner, Another Prophet, to last season’s Group One Galaxy winner, Zapateo, reinforcing his status as I Am Invincible’s best sire son.
Native Trail, Europe’s unbeaten two- yearold, stands at $27,500, and hails from the same influential Green Desert line.
Paulele, a five-time Group winner and WFA Group One Performer, has had his fee reduced to $11,000
While Kermadec, at $13,750, continues to outperform his peers, boasting a strike rate of Group One winners that surpasses many of the most commercial names in the country.
“This is an outstanding group of Stallions-a World-Class line-up”, said Darley’s Head of Stallions, Alastair Pulford.
“The results that we have achieved this year, both in the yearling market and on the racetrack, have been incredibly encouraging.
“These fees reflect the success we’ve seen and have been set with Breeders firmly in mind” Ted Ryan

● ● ● ● Clayton Douglas. Racing Photos.
■
Where
Court Lists
Heidelberg Magistrates’ Court Criminal Case Listings
Local Briefs
Illegal dumping
■
■
■ ALTONA. Altona Newsagency. Pier St.
■ ■ ALTONA. Club Altona. 113 Civic Pde.
■
■ ALTONA. IGA Supermarket. 103110 Pier St.
■
■ ALTONA. Liberty Service Station. Cnr Millers Rd and Civic Pde.
■
■ ALTONA. Thirsty Camel Licensed Grocers/Savvy Cellars. 49 Civic Pde.
■ KEILOR. Coles Express. 664-668 Old Calder Hwy..
■ KEILOR. Keilor Post Office/Newsagency. 100 Old Calder Hwy.
■ KEILOR. Keilor Village Convenience Store. 686 Old Calder Hwy.
■ KENSINGTON. Coles Express. 291-301 Smithfield Rd.
■ KENSINGTON. Foodworks. 484 Macaulay Rd.
Wednesday, May 14
■
■
■
■ ALTONA NORTH. 7-Eleven. Cnr
■
Koroit Creek Rd and Millers Rd.
■
■ ASCOT VALE. 7-Eleven. Cnr Maribyrnong Rd and Epsom Rd.
■ ■ ASCOT VALE. Ascot Vale Lotteries and Cards. 187 Union Rd.
■ ■ ASCOT VALE. IGA Express. 124
Maribyrnong Rd.
■
■ KENSINGTON. Local Folk Coffee Shop. Cnr Epsom Rd and Bayswater Rd.
■
■ KINGSVILLE. BP Service Station. 88-94 Williamstown Rd.
■ MAIDSTONE. The Palms. Cnr Rosamond Rd and Ballarat Rd.
■
■
■ BROADMEADOWS. City of Hume Offices. Cnr Tanderum Way and Pascoe Vale Rd.
■
■ BRUNSWICK. 7-Eleven. Cnr Sydney Rd and Park St.
■ MARIBYRNONG. 7-Eleven. 32 Raleigh Rd.
■ MARIBYRNONG. United Service Station. 31 Raleigh Rd.
■ MOONEE PONDS. Moonee Ponds Newsagency. 45 Puckle St
■
Contents of Court Lists are intended for information purposes only. The lists are extracted from Court Lists, as supplied to the public, by the Magistrates’ Court of Victoria, often one week prior to publication date; for current Court lists, please contact the Court. Further details of cases are available at www.magistratescourt.vic.gov.au The Local Paper shall in no event accept any liability for loss or damage suffered by any person or body due to information provided. The information is provided on the basis that persons accessing it undertake responsibility for assessing the relevance and accuracy of its content. No inference of a party’s guilt, innocence or liability should be made by publication of their name as a defendant. Court schedules may be changed at any time for any reason, including withdrawal of the action by the Plaintiff/Applicant. E&OE.
■ Yarra Crime Investigation Unit detectives have arrested a man following an investigation into illegal dumping of construction waste across Melbourne’s western suburbs. It is alleged numerous unauthorised truckloads of construction waste were dumped across various sites belonging to a construction company in Richmond, between 2020 and 2023.
Detectives will allege those who dumped the waste would receive a payment for their involvement, which subsequently cost the construction company almost $2 million to clear from their sites.
Investigators executed a search warrant at a property in Canadian and arrested a 46year-old Ballarat man on Wednesday (May 7).
He was interviewed and released pending further enquiries. The investigation remains ongoing.
■ ■ BRUNSWICK. Brunswick Club.
■
■
203 Sydney Rd.
■
■
■
■ BRUNSWICK. Tatts. 396 Sydney Rd.
■ ■ BRUNSWICK. Continental Grocers Supermarket. 482 Sydney Rd.
■
■
■ ■ BRUNSWICK. Gervasi Foodworks. 870-872 Sydney Rd.
■ ■ BRUNSWICK. Tatts/Newsagency/ Post Office. 650 Sydney Rd.
■ ■ BULLA. BP. 82-84 Bulla Rd.
■ ■ CAMPBELLFIELD. Caltex. 18021808 Hume Hwy.
■ ■ COBURG. Caltex. 265-267 Sydney Rd.
■ ■ COBURG. Coburg Hub Lotto,. 8/
430 Sydney Rd.
■
■ ■ ■ CRAIGIEBURN. 7-Eleven. Cnr Craigieburn Rd and Dorchester St.
■
■
■ ■ CRAIGIEBURN. Caltex. Craigieburn Plaza Shopping Centre. Craigieburn Rd.
■
■ ■ ■ CRAIGIEBURN. Coles Express. Craigieburn Plaza Shopping Centre. Craigieburn Rd.
■ ■ CRAIGIEBURN. Direct Chemist/ Lotto. Craigieburn Plaza Shopping Centre. Craigieburn Rd.
■
■ DEER PARK. BP . Cnr Robinsons Rd and Ballarat Rd.
■ ■ DEER PARK. Deer Park Club.
780 Ballarat Rd.
■ MORELAND. Tatts/News. 877 Sydney Rd.
■ NEWPORT. 7-Eleven. 438 Melbourne Rd.
■ NEWPORT. Friendly Grocer. 3/4 Hall St.
■ NEWPORT. Newport N ewsagency. 6 Hall St.
■ NIDDRIE. 7-Eleven. Cnr Keilor Rd and Hoffmans Rd
■ NIDDRIE. Caltex. Cnr Keilor dRd and Deakin St.
■ NIDDRIE. The Lott. 358 Keilor Rd.
■
■ NORTH CARLTON. North Carlton Newsagency. 711 Nicholson St.
■
■ ■ NORTH SUNSHINE. BP. `139 McIntyre Rd.
■
■ NORTH SUNSHINE. Newsagency/ Tatts/Post Office. 69 McIntyre Rd
■
■ NORTH SUNSHINE. United Service Station. 45 McIntyre Rd.
■
■ NORTH WILLIAMSTOWN. 7Eleven. Cnr Koroit Creek Rd and Champion Rd.
■ OAK PARK. Oak Park Cellars, 95 Snell Gr.
■ OAK PARK. Oak Park Newsagency/ Lotto. 120 Snell Gr.
■ PASCOE VALE. 7-Eleven. Cnr Stewart St and Pascoe Vale Rd.
■ PASCOE VALE. Pascoe Vale Central Tatts. 76 Cumberland Rd.
Ramanayaka Appuhamilage, Lakshan Rogers, Kane Rojo, Ashley Rose, Janine Sagaran, Rajiv Samanovic, Shannon Scheiven, Christopher Dean Selim, Frederick Singh, Harjinder Smith, Elliot James Steel, Ashley Raymond Still, Jethro Alan Taupin, Joseph Taylor, Benjamin Theodore, Dean Thompson, Christelle Trafford, Ashley Vanzwol, Jacky Vincent, Matt Vo, Van Thanh Weir, Gary John Williams, Amy Wills, Brett Wilson, Liam Paul Yehia, Yehia Yiah, Emmanuel Zahraman, Ahmed
Drone Art
Seddon house fire
■ Fire Rescue Victoria responded to multiple reports of a house fire in Hotham St, Seddon, at 2.46am on Thursday (May 8).
FRV crews arrived on scene in six minutes to find the single storey weatherboard home was already heavily involved by fire.
Additional firefighting appliances were dispatched with the fire spreading into nearby trees and fences, threatening adjoining properties.
Firefighters were forced to attack the blaze externally with occupants of adjoining properties also evacuated.
The residents had safely evacuated with no reported injuries but the home has been severely damaged by the blaze.
At 3:36am the incident was deemed ‘Under Control’. FRV crews were to remain on scene until late morning to monitor for any flare ups within the structure.
Victoria Police and Ambulance Victoria were on scene assisting FRV operations. A Community Advice warning was issued for smoke in the area.
The cause of the fire is unknown and was to be investigated by FRV fire investigators.
■
■
■ ■ DEER PARK. Deer Park Hotel.
760 Ballarat Rd.
■ ■ DEER PARK. United Service Station. Near Cnr 810 Ballarat Rd and Station Rd.
■
■ ■ ■ DERRIMUT. United Service Station. Cnr Robinsons Rd and 2 Foley Rd.
■
■ PASCOE VALE. Pascoe Vale RSL. Cnr Cumberland Rd and O’Hea St.
■ PASCOE VALE SOUTH. 7-Eleven. 477 Bell St.
■
■ PASCOE VALE SOUTH. BP. Cnr Bell St and Ross St.
■ PASCOE VALE SOUTH. Caltex. Cnr Bell St and Cumberland Rd,
■
■
■ EAST BRUNSWICK. Coles Express. Cnr 54 Holmes St and Donald St.
■ ■ EAST COBURG. 7-Eleven. Cnr Bell St and Elizabeth St.
■ ■ ■ ■ ESSENDON. 7-Eleven. Cnr 1 Napier St and Mt Alexander Rd.
■ ■ ESSENDON. 7-Eleven. Cnr Mt Alexander Rd and Buckley St.
■ ■ ESSENDON. Coles Express. 783795 Mt Alexander Rd.
■ ■ ESSENDON. Essendon Roundabout Newsagency. 85 Fletcher St.
■
■ FAWKNER. Fawkner Newsagency. 54 Bonwick St.
■ ■ FAWKNER. Moomba Park Newsagency. 89 Anderson Rd.
■ ■ ■ ■ FITZROY. United Service Station. Cnr Nicholson St and St Georges Rd.
■ ■ PASCOE VALE SOUTH. Coles Express. Cnr Bell St and Sussex St.
■ ■ PASCOE VALE SOUTH. Pascoe Vale South Post Office/NewsXPress. 372-380 Bell St.
■ PRINCES HILL. North Carlton Convienece Store. 577 Lygon St.
■ ROXBURGH PARK. 7-Eleven. Cnr Bridgewater Rd and James Miram Dr.
■
■ ■ ROXBURGH PARK. Foodworks. Cnr Donald Cameron Dr and Roxburgh Park Dr.
■
■ ROXBURGH PARK. United Service Station. 124-130 Somerton Rd.
■ SOMERTON. Caltex. Cnr Somerton Rd and Hume Hwy.
■
■ SPOTSWOOD. Coles Express. Cnr The Avenue and Williamstown Rd.
■ ■ STRATHMORE. Strathmore Cellars. 305 Napier St.
■
■
■ ■ FITZROY. Metro Service Station. Cnr Nicholson St and Alexandra Pde.
■ ■ FLEMINGTON. Foodwoorks. 306 Racecourse Rd.
■ ■ FOOTSCRAY. Footscray Newsagency. Cnr Droop St and Nicholson St.
■
■ GLADSTONE PARK. Coles Express. 175-193 Mickleham Rd.
■ ■ GLADSTONE PARK. Coles Exp[ress. 210-212 Mickleham Rd.
■ ■ GLENBERVIE. Milk Bar. Cnr Glass St and Npaier St.
■ STRATHMORE. Strathmore Post/ News. 311 Napier St.
■ STRATHMORE. Strathmore Village Milk Bar. 287 Napier St.
■ STRATHMORE. Woodfield Cellars. 9 Woodland St.
■
■ ■ SUNBURY. Sunbury Newsagency. 14 Brook St.
■ SUNSHINE. 7-Eleven. Cnr Ballarat Rd and Hampshire Rd.
■ TULLAMARINE. 7-Eleven. 182 Melrose Drive.
■ DroneArt Show will make its Australian debut in Melbourne next week, offering a one-of-a-kind experience where classical music meets cutting-edge drone artistry. Taking place for two nights only, on May 23-24 at Caulfi eld Racecourse, this open-air event will transport guests into a world of musical and visual wonder.
Presented by leading global live-entertainment platform, Fever, in partnership with global pioneers in drone technology, Nova Sky Stories, DroneArt Show offers a mesmerising fusion of classical music and modern drone technology.
As a string quartet performs timeless classical masterpieces including Vivaldi’s ‘The Four Seasons’ and Tchaikovsky’s ‘Swan Lake’ , hundreds of synchronised drones will illuminate the night sky and visually interpret the music, forming dynamic patterns of blooming fl owers, twinkling stars, graceful swans and more - all perfectly choreographed to the sounds. This innovative and immersive performance is enhanced by the glow of hundreds of candles, creating an ethereal, intimate atmosphere under the stars.
Injured man found
■ Police are investigating after a man was located with serious injuries in Cobblebank on Thursday morning (May 8).
Officers were called to Western Freeway, west of Mount Cottrell Rd, following a report of an injured man found on the side of the road about 7am.
The man was conveyed to hospital with life-threatening-injuries.
A crime-scene was established while the circumstances surrounding the man’s injuries were investigated.
Major Collision Investigation Unit detectives made their way to the scene.
Suspicious fire
■ Fire Rescue Victoria responded at 3,.46am Wednesday (May 7) to multiple reports of a shop fire in Mahoneys Rd, Campbellfield. Firefighters arrived on scene within four minutes. Additional FRV resources were dispatched as the fire had already consumed the 10 x 30 metre single storey shop and was in danger of spreading to adjoining businesses. The incident was deemed ‘Under Control’ at 4.24am. No injuries were reported however the shop and two adjoining businesses were significantly damaged.
FRV crews remained on scene for the next few hours to fully extinguish the fire. Victoria Police and Ambulance Victoria also attended.
■
■
■
■
■ GLENROY. Caltex. Cnr Pascoe
Vale Rd and Finchley St.
■ ■ GLENROY. Coles Express. Cnr Pascoe Vale Rd and 213 Glenroy Rd.
■ TULLAMARINE. 7-Eleven. Cnr Melrose Dr and Mickleham Rd.
■ TULLAMARINE. Milk Bar. 193 Melrose Drive.
■
■
■ GLENROY. Metro Service Station.
770-774 Pascoe Vale Rd.
■ ■ GLENROY. Tatts. 773 Pascoe
Vale Rd.
■ ■ TULLAMARINE. Tullamarine Newsagency. 191 Melrose Drive.
■ WILLIAMSTOWN. Metro Fuel. Cnr Williamstown Rd and Lyons St.
DroneArt Show ticket prices start at $65. This experience is suitable for ages 8+.
Location: Caulfi eld Racecourse, Gate 2, Station St, Caulfi eld East.
The fire is being treated as suspicious and is being investigated by Victoria Police
A Community Advice warning was issued for smoke in the area.
Traffic cameras
■
■
■ ■ GREENVALE. Caltex. Cnr
Mickleham Rd and Greenvale Dr
■ ■ KEALBA. Caltex. Cnr Sunshine
■
■
Ave and Main Road East.
■ ■ KEALBA. Coles Express. 100 Sunshine Ave.
■ WILLIAMSTOWN. The Lott. 35 Ferguson St.
■ YARRAVILLE. 7-Eleven. Cnr
Williamstown Rd and Somerville Rd.
■ ■ YARRAVILLE. The Lott. Cnr
Williamstown Rd and Somerville Rd.
Abdol, Abdi Allen, Jacob Angelovski, Sashe Azzopardi, Aqualine Barca, Colene Fay Barca, Michael Bates, Wayne Bigay, Orhan Blood, Hayley Jade Bodagh, Marew Bostanci, Derya Bradley, Joyce Braiss, Norhan Brown, Ben Brown, Trudy Caminiti, Brandon Cleary, Kerrie-Anne Clyne, Spencer Ethan Coe, Sharonna Colene Conroy, Elise Crump, Simon Cunliffe, Allison Cutler, Gary Daemolzekr, Zeinab Davis, Andrew De Ieso, Antonio Dobbin, Jeff Drakes, Tyler Jacob Duggan, Kelly Maree Eccles, Dylan Edwards-Marks, Tyler Churinga Elkadi, Mahmoud El-Kotob, Ayman Elzeine, Mohammed Erciyas, Iltan Eru, Taasha Ngahuia Fenby, Peter Floyd Montague, Pippin Foley, Nicholas Mark Forde, Jason Allan Frisby, Ricky Ghosn, Ahmad Gillies, Nicholas Gledhill, Andrew Griffiths, Harry Guirguis, Amgad Gulati, Sandeep Gustaffson, Pernilla Hakai, Ariyan Hallsworth, Martyn John Hassan, Ali Al Hoskins, Liam Hubczak, Crystal Hunt, Ashley Teresa Isdale, Callum William Jafari, Hussain Jreige, Tony Kaxos, Steve Kelly, Raymond Paul Kessling, Caroline Kraljik, Frankie Kyne, Jarrod Laqui, Miguel Carlo Licciardo, Zack Lineham, Thomas Lone, Muhammad Ahmed Long, Lauren Luafalealo, Aidan Lumani, Paul M Hodges Investments Pty Ltd Majed, Thamer Majidy, Ali Al Marmo, Ron Medley, Nathan Mifsud, Joseph Miletic, Tania Mitreski, Kito Mitrof, Tony Monk, John Montague, Pippin Morgan, Corinthian Munro, Bethany Murphy, Jade Muscat, Lee Naumovski, John Nedanoski, Victoria Noack, Samantha Ogada-Osir, Ibrahim Omar, Ghazi Omar, Nasreen Orton, Brendan Osman, Bilal Osman, Umar Ouraha, Oliver Paoli, Chris Prasad, Jason Rahimi, Behzad
Dates & Times: May 23-24, 2025 at 6\pm. Duration: 65 minutes. Tickets: Available for purchase via thedroneartshow.com/ melbourne and on Fever's marketplace.
■ Moorabool Council has set up temporary traffic cameras in partnership with the Department of Transport and Planning. Traffic and pedestrian movements are being monitored at various locations at Bacchus Marsh, Ballan and Darley.
Classifieds



The Land affected by this application is located at:
1 SWALES COURT MOUNT MARTHA LOT 1 PS 319576 VOL 10228 FOL 624
PLANNING SCHEME CLAUSE
The application is for a permit to: SUBDIVIDE THE LAND INTO TWO LOTS AND VARIATION OF COVENANT MATTER FOR WHICH A PERMIT IS REQUIRED
CLAUSE: 32.08-3
CLAUSE: 52.02
SUBDIVISION OF LAND
CREATE, VARY OR REMOVE EASEMENT OR RESTRICTION
How can I find out more?You may look at the application and any documents that support the application free of charge at: www.mornpen.vic.gov.au
You may also call (03) 5950 1010 to arrange a time to look at the application and any documents that support the application at the office of the responsible authority, Mornington Peninsula Shire Council. This can be done during office hours and is free of charge.
Privacy Notification: The personal information provided in an objection is collected for planning purposes in accordance with the Planning & Environment Act 1987 (the Act). The public may view an objection in accordance with Section 57 of the Act whilst the planning application is current

Classified ads are available each issue in The Local Paper, which is published on Wednesdays, February-December (with the exception of Easter Wednesday). All Classified Ads appear in the print and online editions. It is important to check your advertisement is correct on the first day it appears. While every care is taken to ensure your advertisement is correct, errors can occur. If this happens to your ad please contact us the first day your advertisement appears and we will be happy to correct it as soon as we can.





