The Local Paper. Northern Suburbs Edition. Wed., Aug. 20, 2025
Funds shared in Northcote
■ Northcote MLA Kat Theophanous is pleased with government funds being shared throughout the electorate.
“In local sport, Darebin United secured $5000 for club wellbeing, while the Victorian Roller Derby League and Northcote United Cricket Club picked up grants for more uniforms and gear,” Ms Theophanous said.
“We are boosting Thornbury High with $1.27 million to upgrade essential infrastructure, and at Alphington Grammar students will be leading an Indigenous habitat project along Darebin Creek with a $5000 grant.
“The Yarra Energy Foundation will receive $150,000 to continue driving climate action across the inner north. ‘
“Meanwhile, 11 brilliant local artists will receive $5000 each through our Uncovering Talent program, and seven creative projects will share over $140,000 to bring bold new ideas to life.
“We have also seen a major boost to our music scene with 24 Moons, Cactus Room, Piano on High and Wesley Anne receiving a combined $88,000 to deliver even more live gigs.
“The Victorian Aboriginal Community Services Association will receive $180,000 for their powerful senior football and netball carnival and to support a workforce development program.
“The Irish Australian bureau in Northcote picked up $5000 to keep their cultural programming going strong.
“Twenty-four local seniors clubs are being supported through the multicultural seniors support program, and we just unveiled wonderful upgrades at McDonell Park in Northcote.
“From sports fields to schoolyards, seniors halls to stages, local creeks to climate action, we are working together for Northcote’s future,” Ms Theophanous said.
Nillumbik
■ There has been a trending slight decline in forest health condition across public and private land, Nillumbik Council has been told.
“Vegetation condition has improved in 45 per cent of the Council bushland reserves assessed and declined in 45 per cent,” said a Biodiversity Strategy repoprt by Kirsten Reedy, Co-Ordinator Environment and Sustainability
“Overall, 60 per cent of assessed reserves scored less than 50/100, with the highest vegetation condition score being 68/100.
“There has been an increase in the percentage of people acting to care for/protect Nillumbik’s natural environment (up from 74 per cent to 92 per cent).
“Forty-three biodiversity projects/programs are planned for Year 2. They comprise a mixture of 17 ongoing/BAU actions and 26 new initiatives that focus on leadership, partnerships, enhancing species and habitat, and mitigating threatening processes and impacts.”
KOZMEVSKI FAILS IN RE-ELECTION ATTEMPT
■ City of Whittlesea voters participating in the Lalor Ward by-election have taken a turn to the political right, replacing long-time Labor identity Stevan Kozmevski with Liberalleaning Michael Labrador.
Mr Kozmevski served as a Whittlesea Councillor over two decades, and was a former Mayor.
The Lalor Ward by-election was called after irregularities were found in the election conducted last October. None of the irregularities were associated with Mr Kozmevski, officials said
Mr Kozmevski was in the headlines during the by-election, when he and three other nominees identified the same address - a Post Office box at Epping.
Political observers said the strategy was aimed at directing important preferences towards Mr Kozmevski.
Liberal MLC Evan Mulholland described the strategy as a “ dodgy dirty tricks campaign in a desperate attempt to hold the council seat”.
“I congratulate my friend Michael Labrador, he will be a great councillor for the good people of Lalor and I know he will fight for them,” Mr Mulholland said.
He said that the how-to-vote cards of the four Labor identities bore the the same postal address in their pamphlets’ authorisation details, the same postal address as Mr Kozmevski
“This was a clear and blatant attempt by Labor to stack the ballot with on-paper-only candidates and I am pleased that voters saw through it. Labor’s arrogance and contempt for voters needed to be called out.
“Every Labor councillor and MP – both state and federal – should know that they are on notice, and that Whittlesea voters have had enough of their neglect of our community,” Mr Mulholland said.
Cr Labrador was sworn in as a Councillor by City of Whittlesea Chief Executive Officer Craig Lloyd last Wednesday (Aug. 13).
Cr Labrador will be Councillor for Lalor Ward for the remainder of the current Council term.
This by-election followed a Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal decision in May that the result for the Lalor Ward in last year’s elections was void.
The Victorian Electoral Commission said that first preference votes, in ballot paper order, were:
■ NICHOLSON, Rex. 819. 7.52%
■ EDGE, Victoria. 460. 4.22%
■ LABRADOR, Michael. 1223. 11.23%
■ KRASSOS, Mary. 579. 5.31%
■ STOJCEVSKI, Belinda. 1343. 12.33%
■ SHARP , William. 545. 5.00%
■ HASSAN, Omar. 1686. 15.47%
■ UPRETY, Samu. 312. 2.86%
■ McNAUGHT, Ellen. 1305. 11.98%
■ MOHAMMED, Burhanuddin. 197. 1.81%
■ KOZMEVSKI, Stevan. 2426. 22.27%
After distribution of preferences, the situation was:
■ KOZMEVSKI, Stevan. 5183. 47.57%
■ LABRADOR, Michael. 5712. 52.43%
Other Lalor Ward by-election statistics:
■ Enrolment: 15340
■ Formal votes: 10895
■ Informal votes: 507 (4.45% of the total votes)
■ Voter turnout: 11402 (74.33% of the total enrolment)
■ Preston MLA Nathan Lambert has thank Christine Banks, Douglas Leitch and the Ruthven Station gardening volunteers for their work in revitalising three garden areas at the station, with more to come.
“I would also like to thank the Minister for Public and Active Transport for coming down recently to check out their work and to discuss the western car park and other local public transport issues,” Mr Lambert said.
Water efficiency
■ As drier than usual conditions continue, more schools across Victoria are now actively monitoring and reducing their water use thanks to the Schools Water Efficiency Program
Participating schools can track their water usage via data-loggers .
“Melbourne’s storages have dropped to 72.2 per cent, a 17 per cent decrease compared to the same time last year, so programs like SWEP are more critical than ever," said Yarra Valley Water’s General Manager Strategy and Community Tiffany White.
for
■ Banyule Council says that some Lower Plenty residents are still using septic tanks. But this could soon change.
In the past 12 months, Banyule Council has supported Yarra Valley Water to deliver its Community Sewerage Program, enabling local households to switch to piped sewerage.
“Moving to sewerage has many benefits. It is better for the environment and waterways, it can reduce odours and health risks and it is less costly to maintain. Plus, there is no need to worry about visitors blocking up the septic tank,” said a City of Banyule representative.
“More than 200 households can now connect to the main pipeline, with more connections coming later this year.”
● Stevan Kozmevski
● ● ● ● Cr Michael Labrador
The Local Paper
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Incorporating the traditions of the Evelyn Observer (Est. 1873), Northcote Budget (Est. 1888), Heidelberg City News (Est. 1897), Preston Post (Est. 1888), Whittlesea Post (Est. 1935), Diamond Valley News (Est. 1959), Diamond ValleyWhittlesea Advertiser (Est. 1995).
The Local Paper is published weekly online and printed fortnightly and comprises local editions:
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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Ash on Wednesday
Bid to close 1974 rape case
■ Police are appealing for public assistance to help locate a man who has been wanted for more than 50 years.
A then 30-year-old woman was asleep when she was awoken and raped and by a stranger in the bedroom of her Fitzroy home during the early hours of the morning on July 22, 1974.
Nine days later police arrested and charged George Karakis with rape, burglary and indecent assault.
Karakis was bailed on a $1000 surety put up by his wife and was set to face Fitzroy Magistrates’ Court on October 9, 1974, but he never appeared.
Karakis , who was born in Turkey and required a Greek translator during his police interview, has been on the run from police ever since.
New South Wales officers believed they had located him in the eastern suburbs of Sydney in 1990 but he fled before a warrant could be executed.
A fresh appeal for public assistance was launched in 2015 but failed to result in Karakis being located.
More than half a century on from when he was last in custody, police are releasing his 1974 mug shot along with a digitally generated image of what the now 78-yearold could look like today.
At the time of his arrest Karakis was a 27-year-old living in Gore St, Fitzroy, with his wife, sister and brother-in-law. He was recorded as being about 162cm tall with brown eyes and had a 2cm scar over his left eyebrow. Yarra Crime Investigation Unit Detective Senior Constable Ruby Roberts said:
Long Shots
“For
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“Our victim survivor is now in her 80s and been forced to live most of her adult life knowing this man has not faced court for the brutal crime of which he is accused,” she said.
“This crime changed her life forever and 50 years is a long time to live without the justice we would so dearly like to give her.
“There will absolutely be people out there who know where Karakis fled and may even know where he is now residing.
“Given the length of time, there is also the possibility he has passed away – we just want to find answers so we can close this chapter in our victim’s life.
“Sometimes the smallest piece of information is all we need to get that break-through lead that could result in an arrest,” Detective Senior Constable Roberts said.
Pavilion opens
■ Reservoir, Kingsbury and Bundoora residents have been advised that their new John Hall Reserve Sporting Pavilion is now open.
The newly redeveloped facility has gender-inclusive changerooms, a publicly accessible toilet and social rooms to meet the needs of our growing community.
The facility also exceeds sustainable design standards, said a Darebin Council representative.
“We’re excited for more community members of all ages genders and backgrounds to get involved in sport,” the Darebin representative said.
Local Photo Flashback
Local News
Ideas come to life
■ The Banyule Youth Summit this year was attended by 100 local young people, giving a platform to speak on issues they are passionate about.
Key topics included: youth employment, mental health, the environment, community safety, physical health and recreation. The Council’s Youth Team is now working with young people to bring these ideas to life, said a City of Banyule representative in a statement.
The Local Paper is bound by the Standards of Practice of the Australian Press Council. If you believe the Standards may have been breached, you may approach The Local Paper or make a complaint to the Australian Press Council in writing at: www.presscouncil.org.au
The Council may also be contacted on 1800 025 712.
The Local Paper
BANYULE
Incorporating the traditions of the Heidelberg City News (Est. Mar. 26, 1897), Heidelberger (Est. Nov. 12, 1958) and Evelyn Observer (Est. Oct. 31, 1873). The Heidelberger area comprises Bellfield, Darebin, Eaglemont, Heidelberg, Heidelberg Heights, Heidelberg West, Ivanhoe, Ivanhoe East, Macleod, Rosanna, Watsonia, Viewbank and Yallambie. Banyule is home to more than 121,865 people, living in approximately 50,223 homes.
DAREBIN
NORTHERN
Incorporating the traditions of the Preston Post (Est. 1888) and the Reservoir Times (Est. 1955) Preston Post-Reservoir Times area comprises Keon Park, Kingsbury, Northland, Preston, Preston East, Preston West, Regent, Reservoir, Reservoir East, Reservoir West. The City of Darebin is home to more than 146,719 people, living in approximately 63,562 homes.
SOUTHERN
Incorporating the traditions of the Northcote Budget (Est. 1888) Northcote Budget area comprises Alphington, Clifton Hill, Collingwood, Croxton, Dennis, Fairfield, Fitzroy, Fitzroy North, Merri, Northcote, Thornbury and Westgarth. The City of Darebin is home to more than 146,719 people, living in approximately 63,562 homes.
NILLUMBIK
Incorporating the traditions of the Heidelberg City News (Est. Mar. 26, 1897), Diamond Valley News (Est. 1959) Evelyn Observer (Est. Oct. 31, 1873), and Eltham & Whittlesea Shires Advertiser The Diamond Valley News area comprises Briar Hill, Eltham, Greensborough, Lower Plenty, Montmorency and St Helena. Nillumbik Shire is home to more than 64,659 people, living in approximately 21,753 homes.
WHITTLESEA
Incorporating the traditions of the Whittlesea Post (Est. 1935), Whittlesea Chronicle, Whittlesea Advertiser, and Eltham & Whittlesea Shires Advertiser, Evelyn Observer (Est. Oct. 31, 1873).
Whittlesea Post area comprises Bundoora, Epping, Epping North, Lalor, Mill Park, Thomastown, South Morang, Wollert. The City of Whittlesea is home to more than 197,491 people, living in approximately 71,014 homes.
Cheryl Threadgold, Local Theatre
Julie Houghton, The Arts Kevin Trask, Entertainment
Aaron Rourke, Film
Ted Ryan, Horse Racing Len Baker, Harness Racing
Cartoonist
Music
Breaking Point
■ As part of its campaign to highlight the poor rundown state of the firefighting truck fleet in Victoria , the United Firefighters Union has commissioned Blue Tree Studios to make a series of short documentary films collectively titled BreakingPoint
The films are a powerful indictment of the lack of action in relation to an ageing fleet of trucks and pull no punches in detailing what the possible tragic consequences might be of fighting fires using outdated equipment.
Consisting of four short films, each running for around 13 minutes, BreakingPoint is shot in a vox pop style where the ‘public’ consists of firefighters themselves.
Interspersed with clips of fire trucks in action and in various states of disrepair, firefighters tell of mishaps and dangerous situations they have faced.
Such situations are due to faulty firefighting equipment on ageing unreliable fire trucks that are well past their use-by date.
Breaking Point uses real firefighters, rather than actors, to tell often harrowing stories of equipment failures and the potentially dangerous consequences of such failures for both the public and firefighters alike.
All of the firefighters used, drawn from across the state, appear relaxed and comfortable in front of the camera and genuinely concerned and fearful about their situation. This gives all four films a powerful sense of authenticity.
Working for Blue Tree Studios on BreakingPoint were Joseph Feil, who produced and directed, and Lewis Matthews, who filmed and edited. The two of them have created a professional and hard-hitting expose of the dreadful situation the fire truck fleet is in.
At present only available online via a website and YouTube, it is hoped that the four shorts can be made available to a wider audience through more mainstream media outlets. They are well-made and convey a powerful message that needs to be heard by all Victorians.
Venue: Available online and YouTube
Duration: Four films each running for 1214 minutes
For further information about the film: breakingpoint.com.au/Home#Episodes
Review by Peter Murphy
Destiny
■ Melbourne Theatre Company presents Destiny, the intimate family drama of allure and loyalty, until September 13 at Southbank Theatre, The Sumner.
Written by and starring award-winning South African-born actor and playwright Kirsty Marillier and directed by Zindzi Okenyo (Is God Is), Destiny is set against the canvas of world-changing events.
It serves as a potent reminder that the past is always with us.
Set in South Africa in January 1976, Della is 24 and doing her best to stay under the radar - working at the general store, keeping her younger brother Rocky out of trouble, and her dad off the booze.
But when her old flame Ezra arrives with a head full of revolution - and Rocky starts getting ideas - Della's world will be upended by forces that will echo around the globe.
As student uprisings surge and the shadow of apartheid deepens, family ties are tested, old wounds resurface and a generation stands on the edge of change.
Buoyed by the spirit of social revolution that came to a head in the 1970s, this world premiere captures the era’s music, fashion and sense of freedom in a fierce, funny, and unforgettable tale.
● The full cast of Songs for a New World (not in order): Isabella Gangi, Kelse Halge, Anna Francesca Armenia, Ken Paolo Gilua, Ethan Cooper, Dan Ham, Ben Goldsbrough, Maddi Xuereb, Alessandra Merlo, Benoit Vari, Campbell Bonello, Mollie Williams, Tayla Muir, Teo Vergara, and Zac Parkes.
■ The production was damn good, but the uninitiated would have trouble identifying names of soloists or duet performers as no cast names were listed against the song titles.
Given that it is a nonstop song performance there is no spoken dialogue. In fact at times, visually, dance takes over – so should it not have been termed Songs and Dance for the NewWorld?
How dare I say all that, so let us concentrate on the recent performance by Soundworks Productions at Chapel Off Chapel.
Written by 25 year old Jason Robert Brown, an American Musical Theatre composer in 1995, SongsforaNewWorld follows the journey of people on a Spanish sailing ship in 1497, heading for a new land full of hope, praying and singing “carry us onto the new world” in the opening number The New World. From there the musical quickly progressed through other periods of time such as the Revolutionary War of 1775, before moving into contemporary settings.
An open stage with a back row rostrum draped with symbolic sail cloths and with a small mobile platform giving great scope for Director Lauren McKinnon in giving us the diverse genre of some 18 musically distinctive and dramatically effective songs.
Vocally there was a story behind every song and while being shared giving difficulty in highlighting particular cast – as all 15 were of high calibre, living every moment of their renditions with dynamism and high momentum.
Notable were performances by Dan Ham, Kelsey Halge, Benoit Vari and Tayla Lauren Muir all bonding on the same level as the other 11 singers and dancers.
Renowned choreographer Benjamin Cure with his highly creative and bold dance movement interpretations blended well with the theme of the individual songs.
Maintaining the cast with an evenness of rapid movement, all without flaw was exhilarating to watch. A standout and most expressive dancer was Ethan Cooper
Musical Director Mark Bradley with his on stage band provided the musical backing at the right level, not overshadowing the cast, particularly with their solos or duets.
Photo: Matthew Chen as the three stages of spiritual life according to the Orthodox Christian tradition- purification, illumination and deification - were expressed through music.
At times the music soared with passion while, in contrast, it then mellowed, becoming contemplative, meditative almost. Throughout it all there were delightful notes hinting of traditional music.
The second piece of the evening was the TchaikovskyViolinConcertowith the solo violinist Simone Lamsma
The concerto is technically challenging for the violinist but Lamsma took it in her stride. She showed wonderful skill and technique on the more demanding passages while never sacrificing emotion and expressiveness.
After a short interval the evening concluded with the Brahmssymphony. From the Romantic era of classical music, the symphony moved from a warm pastoral feel to one of pensiveness and contemplation before ending on an uplifting and joyful finale.
The three different works covered a range of mood and feeling which was handled with great aplomb by the orchestra and soloist under the guidance of guest South Korean conductor Shiyeon Sung.
Sung showed why she is a successful conductor of international renown with her confident and assured performance.
In its 2025 program, then, the MSO continues to go from strength to strength.
Performed at Hamer Hall, Arts Centre Melbourne
Review by Peter Murphy
● ● ● ●
■ Frederick
Dial
is an unusual choice of a play to revive given its 1952 origin as a radio play and subsequent film.
Tony Wendice (Tyrie Aspinall) plots to kill his wife, Margot (Bridget Bourke), given her past relationship with the crime writer, Max Halliday (Leon Walshe).
Wendice persuades Captain Lesgate (Joshua Bruce) to strangle Margot but is himself despatched though Margot is framed for his demise.
The subsequent investigation by Inspector Hubbard (also played by Joshua Bruce) established her innocence because of an errant latch key.
Knott’s play is an old fashioned pot-boiler. The exposition of the scheme and some of the discourse comes across as a little dated today.
Walshe ultimately manages to inject an enthusiasm in his character when trying to promote his life-saving scheme.
Bruce is suitably relaxed in both his roles. The audience manages to accommodate the murderer and inspector as different entities but it is an inconvenient leap.
Bourke covers the range from masking her past relationship to being unfairly framed.
Aspinall’s delivery is not as comfortable as it might be, the mannered nature of an Englishman not yet second nature.
The open set (Jodi Hope) is suitable but for the need to secure the door frame more firmly. Most unusual and anachronistic is the director’s choice (Dean Drieberg) of upgrading the phone over the course of the play from a dial to a touch and, finally, mobile device that is a conceit gone wrong.
The ‘Dial M’ of the title might be a giveaway here and, whatever message he hoped to impart, is lost in the incongruity of the change.
Foremost in the production is the internecine plot rather than any other social message. Wendice outlines his plan, Halliday’s solution is the plan again and Hubbard exposes the plan. Everything else is artifice.
Presented at Theatre Works
Review by
David McLean
Crisis Actor
■ In CrisisActor, audiences do more than just watch – they use their phones to help shape the outcome of a dark and playful performance that blends silliness with solemnity.
Premiering at Arts House in partnership with Now or Never, CrisisActoris part surrealist comedy, part live-action video game and will be presented from August 27-31 at Arts House, North Melbourne Town Hall.
Set inside the speculative CrisisHaus, a hyper-mediated reality TV studio on the brink of collapse, two actors compete for the audience’s empathy. Using motion-capture technology, their performances unfold simultaneously in-person and as live 3D avatars.
McCoubrie
I said at the beginning, “The production was damn good” and while there is a lot more that could be said, it befits us all to catch a future production of SongsForANewWorld Review by Graeme
MSO Concert
■ In a wonderful evening of classical music, the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra delighted with three works, one contemporary and two from the 19th century.
The works were: the premiere of The Ascent, a Klearhos Murphy composition; Tchaikovsky’sViolinConcerto; and Brahm’s SecondSymphony. The orchestra’s Cyber Young Composer in Residence, Greek-Australian Murphy’s short piece TheAscentconsisted of three parts.
TheViolinConcertoinDmajor,Op.35, the only violin concerto written by Tchaikovsky, also consisted of three movements. SymphonyNo.2inDmajor,Op.73by Brahms followed the basic structure of a classical symphony and consisted of four movements. TheAscentwas a short but impressive piece
In a novel take on second-screen theatre, the audience remains on their phones throughout the experience, engaging with a mobile website in real-time.
Through live chat, prompts and voting, they actively influence the direction of the show. There are two possible endings, but there is only one winner.
'Crisis actor' is a loaded term. Once used for actors playing victims in emergency simulations, it has since been co-opted by conspiracy theorists to deny real-world tragedies.
In this speculative performance, the term morphs into a lens to examine how suffering is performed, mediated and commodified in the attention economy.
Produced by Performing Lines, this concept was the creative spark for writer-director Vidya Rajan, digital artist Sam Mcgilp and dramaturg Andrew Sutherland, who ask: In a world where attention is currency, what kind of pain gets rewarded?
“Crisis Actor is like playing a video game with real people. It draws from reality shows and live gaming formats, but bends them into something darker and more surreal,” says Rajan. Blending theatre, motion-capture and game design, Crisis Actor is a sharp satire on simulation culture and the gamification of our attention and empathy. This is a world where catastrophe is content, memory is a competition, suffering is a vibe and resilience is celebrity
Performance Season: August 27 – 31 7.30pm Wed – Fri 1pm and 7.30pm Sat 5pm Sun
Venue: Arts House, North Melbourne Town Hall, 521 Queensberry St., North Melbourne
Duration: 60-75 minutes, no interval
Tickets: $40/$25/$15
Bookings: arrtshouse.com.au 9322 3720 Cheryl
Leon Walshe and Bridget Bourke in Dial M for Murder.
Photo: Dave McCarthy
Knott’s
M for Murder
● Playwright Kirsty Marillier (Della) and Barry Conrad (Ezra) in Destiny. Photo: Jo Duck
Local Theatre Observations
Shows
■ The 1812 Theatre: Home, I’m Darling (by Laura Wade) Until August 30 at 3 Rose St., Upper Ferntree Gully. Director: Amy Calvert. Bookings: 1812theatre.com.au
■ Beaumaris Theatre: The Witches (based on the book by Roald Dahl. Adapted by David Wood) Until August 23 at Beaumaris Theatre, 82 Wells Rd., Beaumaris. Director: Leah Osburn. Bookings: beaumaristheatre. com.au
■ Brighton Theatre Company: Fallen Angels (Noel Coward) Until August 30 at Brighton Theatre. Director: Joe Dias. Bookings: brightontheatre.com.au
■ The Mount Players: A Skull in Connemara (by Martin McDonagh) Until August 31 at the Mountview Theatre, Murphy St., Macedon. Director: Travis Handcock. Bookings: 0419 329 052
■ Peridot Theatre: Frankenstein (by Nick Dear) Until August 24 at the Clayton Community Centre Theatrette, Cooke St., Clayton. Director: George Benca. Bookings: \tickets@peridot.com.au
■ Strathmore Theatrical Arts Group (STAG): Marian, or the True Tale of Robin Hood (Adam Szymkowicz) August 21 – 30 at the Strathmore Community Hall, Loeman St., Strathmore. Director: Brian Edmond. Bookings: stagtheatre.org
■ Warrandyte Theatre Company: Grey Nomad (written and directed by Dan Lee) August 22 – September 6 at the Warrandyte Mechanics’ Institute, 180 Yarra St., Warrandyte. Bookings: Trybooking.
■ Malvern Theatre: The Humans (by Stephen Karam) August 22 – September 6 at 29a Burke Rd., Malvern. Director: Nicky Neville-Jones. Bookings: malverntheatre company.com.au
■ Williamstown Little Theatre: The Hollow Crown (by John Barton) September 3 – 20 at 3-4 Albert St., Williamstown. Director: Peter Newling. Bookings: wlt.org.au/booktickets
■ Mordialloc Theatre Company: Broadway Bound (by Neil Simon) September 4 – 13 at the Shirley Burke Theatre, 64 Parkers Rd., Parkdale. Director: Michelle Swann) Bookings: mordialloctheatre.com.au
■ Heidelberg Theatre Company: Other Desert Cities (Jon Robin Baitz) September 5 – 20 at Heidelberg Theatre, 36 Turnham Ave., Rosanna. Director: Gaetano Santo. Bookings: email boxoffice@htc.org.au
■ Eltham Little Theatre: The Addams Family, a new musical (Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice). September 5 – 20 at Eltham Performing Arts Centre, 1603 Main Rd., Research. Director: Isabella Preston. Bookings: elthamlittletheatre.org.au
■ Geelong Repertory Theatre Company: Heartbreak Choir (Aidan Fennessey) September 5 – 20 at the Woodbin Theatre, 15 Coronation St., Geelong West. Director: Sue Rawkins. Bookings: Geelong Arts Centre 1300 251 200 geelongartscentre.org.au
■ Theatre of the Damned: La Cage Aux Follies September 12 – 20 at the Belmont Performing Arts Centre. Director: Elise Dahl; Musical Director: Nathan Firmin; Choreographer: Venessa Paech. Bookings: theatreofthedamnedgeelong.com
■ Essendon Theatre Company: Cosi (by Louis Nowra) September 11 – 20 at the Bradshaw St. Community Hall, Bradshaw St., West Essendon. Director: Rosalin Shafik-Eid. Bookings: 04064 48368 or trybooking
■ Burwood University Student Theatre Company: Pride and Prejudice (Jane Austen) September 11 – 13 at the Clayton Community Theatre, Cooke St., Clayton. Director: Ares Stevenson. Bookings: TBC.
■ Lilydale Athenaeum Theatre Company: The Importance of Being Earnest (by Oscar Wilde) September 11 – 17 at the Lilydale Mechanics’ Institute, Castella St., Lilydale. Director: Katie-Jane Amery. Bookings: lilydaleatc.com
■ NOVA Music Theatre: Chess, September 12 – 21 at The Round. Nunawading. Bookings: novamusictheatre.com.au
■ Frankston Theatre Group: Emma (by Jane Austen, adapted by Michael Bloom) September 25 – October 5 at Frankston High School Performing Arts Theatre, 97 Foot Street, Frankston. Director: Candice Mitrousis. Bookings: frankstontheatregroup. com.au
■ The Basin Theatre Group: Dead Man’s Cell Phone (Sarah Ruhl) October 2 – 12 at The Basin Theatre, Doongalla Rd., The Basin. Director: John Putman. Bookings: 0494 065 006.
■ The 1812 Theatre: Speaking in Tongues (by Andrew Bovell) October 2 – 25 at 3 Rose St., Upper Ferntree Gully. Director: Dexter Bourke. Bookings: 1812theatre.com.au
STATE SCHOOLS SPECTACULAR
■ Celebrating its 30th anniversary, the VictorianStateSchoolsSpectacular returns in 2025 for two shows on Saturday September 13 at 1pm and 6.30pm at the John Cain Arena
Since the inaugural VSSS in 1995, Victorian students have had the opportunity to take part in the Spectacular where it has seen talent such as Vanessa Amorosi, Opera Australia soprano Nicole Car, TinaTurnertheMusical lead Ruva Ngwenya , The Voice winner Harrison Craig and award-winning music theatre star Max McKenna as all having been a part of the VSSSduring their school years.
In 2025, 2500 Victorian students from 200 government schools have begun a seven-month creative journey, which will culminate in the state’s budding creative talent taking to the stage as circus artists, musicians, singers and dancers as well as further students taking on important behind-the-scenes roles in stage management, audio, lighting, vision, costumes, and production.
This year’s show - On Air – is taking flight and soaring high, reaching new stratospheric heights of performance.
The show will explore the element that unifies all of us, and indeed, life on the planet –AIR - every breath, every breeze, every sigh. Following the metaphor of air, through music, dance and performance, the show investigates concepts of facing one’s fears, breathing in one’s self-belief, through to the stories heard on the wind in a children’s lullaby.
The show will begin with a grand celebration of the air with leading Victorian Aerialists literally dancing in the air suspended high above the stage of John Cain Arena
It will continue through welcoming back the First Nations Ensemble with their new work Cicadas, led by Na Djinang Circus
The award winning Pese Mai vocalists will also be welcomed back, with songs performed in multiple First Nations languages.
Carefully curated through suggestions from the students, there will be over 42 musical items in this year’s show, featuring music from Sheppard, Max Richter, Queen, Gotye, Ibrahim Maalouf, Sergio Medes, Karl Jenkins, Gloria Estefan, Top-loader, Connor Price and Six60 amongst many others. The orchestra will also be playing specially commissioned original music by Kai Chen Lim
The 2500 students are made up of Principal Vocalists, Principal Dancers, Backing Vocalists, Victorian State Schools Choir, a 75-piece orchestra, 1200 mass dance students and 1100 in the mass choir.
Participating primary and secondary school students work with industry professionals across several disciplines as part of the preparation and performance of the Spectacular, providing a unique training opportunity for
More Shows
■ CLOC Musical Theatre: Juliet October 10 – 25 at the National Theatre, St Kilda. Director: Karl McNamara; Musical Director: Dan Heskett; Choreographer: Felicity Bender. Bookings: cloc.org.au
■ Babirra Music Theatre: Grease October 10 – 18 at The Round, Whitehorse Rd., Nunawading. Bookings: theround.com.au/ whats-on/grease-babirra
■ Encore Theatre: The Revlon Girl (by Anthony Docking) October 10 – 19 at the Clayton Community Centre, Cooke St., Clayton. Director: David Krause. Bookings: encoretheatre.com.au
Auditions
■ Essendon Theatre Company: Significant Other (by Joshua Harmon) August 20 at 7pm; August 23 at 10am at Bradshaw St. Community Hall, 9 Bradshaw St., Essendon. Director: George Benca. Audition bookings: georgebenca@gmail.com and 0419591517
■ The Basin Theatre Group: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (by C S Lewis, adapted by Glyn Robbins) August 20 at 7pm, August 23 at 10am at The Basin Theatre, Doongalla Rd., The Basin. Director: Jason Triggs. Audition enquiries: 0497 159 474 or email jason.triggs.m@gmail.com
Please book auditions through trybooking by visiting trybooking.com/CZWWP
■ Malvern Theatre Company: The Tin Woman (by Sean Grennan) October 5 and October 6 at 7.30pm at 29 Burke Rd., Malvern. Director: Brett Turner-Valenta. Audition enquiries: bturnsta63@gmail.com Cheryl Threadgold
● ● ● ● Zoe Brown, Ruby Edwards, Charlee Lattenstein, Alex Rossi, Alexia Moxon, Mackenzie Hawkins, James Nimaya, Tanisha Oetomo and Amelia Apotolopoulos in the Victorian State Schools Spectacular. Photo: Image Play.
students onstage as well as backstage in areas like stage management, audio, lighting and video.
Presented by the Department of Education, students in the VSSS train and perform under the guidance of industry professionals who make up the Creative Team including Creative Director Neill Gladwin, Musical Director Chong Lim, Dance Director Yvette Lee, Creative Producer Simon K Patterson, Costume Designer Isaac Lummis, and award-winning Lighting Designer Paul Jackson
Creative Director Neill Gladwin says: “This year our student cast gave us song themes of flying, floating and soaring; music that was truly on air. From these ideas the 2025 Spectacular was born - transcending the terrestrial and embracing the stratosphere."
Performance Details: Saturday, September 13 at 1pm and 6.30pm
Venue: John Cain Arena
Tickets: Adults $40, Concession $30, Junior (U15) $20 (A $6.90 service fee per transaction applies on all purchases)
Bookings: ticketek.com.au/spectacular
Show Duration: 2 hrs. 45 mins. (Including interval)
Cheryl Threadgold
Troy
■ Rehearsals are underway for Malthouse’s Troy, the epic new production written by Tom Wright and directed by Ian Michael being presented from September 4-25 at Malthouse's Merlyn Theatre.
This bold retelling of the ancient Greek myth features an ensemble of Australian stage talent, each taking on iconic roles from the Trojan legend. The cast includes Ciline Ajobong, Paula Arundell, Danny Ball, Elizabeth Blackmore, Geraldine Hakewill, Lyndon Watts and Mark Leonard Winter.
“We couldn’t be more thrilled with the extraordinary cast we’ve brought together at Melbourne’s Malthouse. Each performer is fearless, incredibly skilled, and fully committed to this demanding work”, said Director Ian Michael. “From our very first day of rehearsals, the energy has been electric. I feel privileged to collaborate with such exceptional artists to bring another of Tom’s adaptations to life. Troy is raw, dynamic, and deeply human.”
Michael, currently Resident Director at Sydney Theatre Company, has garnered widespread acclaim for his productions of Picnicat HangingRock(2025), Stolen(2024) and Constellations(2023), as well as his work alongside Kip Williams on STC’s groundbreaking cinetheatre productions.
Troy is brought to life by a visionary creative team, with set and costumes by Dann Barber, lighting by Paul Jackson, original composition by Rosalind Hall, and sound design by Marco Cher.
Troy revisits the Trojan War with visceral physicality, poetic force, and contemporary urgency. The production will plunge audiences into a world where gods and mortals collide, battles are fought on mythic and emotional frontlines, and violence reverberates across generations.
Performance Season: September 4 - 25 Times: Previews: 7.30pm, September 4; 7.30pm, September 5; 7.30pm, September 6; 6.30pm, September 8; In Season: 6.30pm, Monday; 7.30pm, Tuesday-Saturday; 2.00pm, Saturday. Time to Talk: 7.30pm. Tuesday September 16.
● Annalise Basso and Tim Hiddleston in The Life of Chuck ■ Before seeing TheLifeofChuck, it helps to know that the film is in three acts, and travels back through time. Each act focuses on a different cast, with the character of Chuck (played as an adult by Tom Hiddleston) being the common link.
The story is by famed horror novelist Stephen King, and the first third of the film is profoundly disturbing with acts of natural disaster happening that could indicate the end of the world.
Suddenly the only light comes from the moon and stars and weird lit billboards of Chuck and the message ‘ thanks for everything’.
Eventually we find that Chuck is a man who is dying, and then we start to travel back through his life to the tragic events but also the joys in his life, especially when he discovers as a child that he can dance.
Dancing for joy is a central theme, as in the second act, on seeing a solo drummer busking, Chuck breaks out into a spectacular dance routine, and is soon joined by passer by Janice (Annalise Basso) and their extended dance routine to a sudden crowd is one of the most joyful and stunning features of the film.
As a younger man and boy in Acts Two and One, Chuck is played by Jacob Tremblay, Benjamin Pajak and Cody Flanagan, all effective performances.
As teacher Marty Anderson in Act One, Chiwetel Ejiofor gives a finely nuanced performance as a man who realises this could be the end of the world, along with Karen Gillam as his ex-wife, but still a friend, and a nurse who is dealing with tragedy as people end their lives in fear.
We meet Chuck as a young boy who is orphaned but lovingly brought up by his grandparents Sarah (Mia Sara) and Albie Krantz (a difficult to recognise Mark Hamill of StarWarsfame), and there are scary family secrets from which they try to protect Chuck
Life of Chuck is a puzzling film initially, and while the scenario may sound depressing, it has a lot of joy and positivity, and is a celebration of life and what’s important in life. It’s worth seeing and should provide some great discussions over a post-film drink.
Julie Houghton
MSO launch
■ The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra’s Season 2026 celebrates 120 years of musicmaking with a new look and a program shaped by emotion, innovation and artistry.
The season will be showcasing celebrated Australian and international artists—including three making their Australian debut and 12 appearing with the MSO for the first time.
There is a new Concertmaster Natalie Chee , and two premieres by award-winning Melbourne composer and MSO Composer in Residence for 2026 Joe Chindamo
“Our distinguished international guests include French pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet, Welsh bass-baritone Sir Bryn Terfel, UK cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason, American pianist Kirill Gerstein, soprano Danielle de Niese and Spanish violinist María Dueñas ," says Chief Conductor Jaime Martín
Singaporean conductor Kahchun Wong leads MahlerandTchaikovsky, featuring Sergei Nakariakov’s flugelhorn rendition of VariationsonaRococoTheme, Mahler’s First Symphony Titan, and a premiere by Cybec Young Composer in Residence Andrew Aronowicz Americans, conductor Jonathan Heyward and saxophonist Steven Banks, also debut with Hope and Bravery: Shostakovich and Tomasi, pairing Shostakovich’s Seventh Symphony with Tomasi’sSaxophoneConcerto; while cellist Zlatomir Fung makes his Australian debut during the Year of the Horse at MSO’s iconic Chinese New Year concert.
Melbourne Observer Melbourne Observer
Rourke’s Reviews Entertainment
Trophy Boys
■ The return season of Emmanuelle Mattana’s TrophyBoysis not just a testament to its theatrical durability but to the importance of the insights and messaging. The work is superbly crafted, luring audiences in with a seemingly comic send up schoolboy culture.
Owen (Myfanwy Hocking), David (Leigh Lule), Scott (Gaby Seow) and Jared (Fran Sweeney Nash) are preparing for a debate against their sister school on the topic of feminism. The audience laughs at girls dressed as boys mimicking, and with some accuracy one might say, the physical and verbal attitudes of adolescent males.
At the same time, as they prepare for the debate, the conventional arguments about feminism and patriarchy are teased out.
Only when there is an accusation of inappropriate conduct do we see a change in the audience’s demeanour. We are less comfortable but, in some ways, reassured by the explanations offered.
The comic relief returns. Then we are confronted by the accusation of rape and the dramatic intensity reaches its height. The boys, having previously turned on each other trying to find a scapegoat, now collaborate to shield their guilt, their complacency, their conduct and complicity. Their response highlights the enduring influence of a patriarchy that is socially ingrained and resistant to change. Mattana enables us to see why that is so.
The energy and intensity of the cast speak to a group that work and interact well. The stage is simple, the plain desks and chairs a common sight in any classroom. Marni Mount’s direction has the cast using the levels the furniture can provide well aware of the performance being in the round. Mount has also brought to the fore the dramatic arc pivoting from comedy to drama accentuating the message.
This is a play that should be performed continually not simply because it is good theatre but because it just may help build an awareness that will enable change.
Performance Season: Until August 24
Venue: Fairfax Theatre, Arts Centre Melbourne
Bookings: artscentremelbourne.com.au
★Glen Eira Artists Society’s 2025 Member’s Exhibition will be held until Sunday (Aug. 24) at the Glen Eira City Council Gallery
★The free William Angliss Institute Discovery Day will be held from 4pm Thursday, October 2 at 550 La Trobe St, Melbourne. Explore courses in foods, tourism, hospitality, and events. Tour the campus, meet industry experts and students, attend info sessions.
★The Birrarung Riverfest is back this school holidays (Sept. 6-28), with more than 60 community events across 23 days, stretching along the entire Yarra, Birrarung
★The City of Melbourne’s new est major festival, Now or Never, returns from August 21-31 for its third year, with a program exploring art, ideas, sound and technology. The city will become a canvas for boundary-pushing artists, changemakers and innovators.
Entertaining Mr Coppin
●
Heritage Australia
President Simon Piening (left), moderator Fiona Gruber and author Simon Plant celebrate the launch of Entertaining Mr Coppin: An Antipodean Showman in Civil War America . Photo: Malcolm Threadgold
■ The Show Room at Arts Centre Melbourne was packed to capacity for the launch of Simon Plant's exciting new book EntertainingMrCoppin:An AntipodeanShowmaninCivilWar America, commissioned and published by Theatre Heritage Australia.
Actor, digger, entrepreneur, innovator, influencer, traveller, speculator and politician George Coppin (1819-1906) also undertook an extraordinary journey to America in 1864-65, which until now has been lost to history.
In EntertainingMrCoppin:AnAntipodean Showman in Civil War America, Simon Plant has researched and reconstructed the arduous twoyear tour the enterprising actor manager undertook with English tragedians Charles and Ellen Kean
At the launch, after a welcome from Theatre Heritage Australia President Dr Simon Piening, writer/ broadcaster Fiona Gruber conversed with Simon Plant onstage about his writing and research process for the book.
Suddenly the interview was interrupted by the arrival of one of Coppin's favourite characters, costumed high spirited 19th century 'busybody' Paul Pry, who divulged stories about his good friend George Coppin
Eddington
■ (MA). 149 minutes. Opens in cinemas August 21.
To say Ari Aster is a frustrating film-maker is an understatement.
All of his previous films (Hereditary,Midsommar,BeauIsAfraid) are technically impressive efforts, with some potentially interesting themes and effective moments.
Each one however fails due to fatal self-indulgence, a strange propensity of telegraphing their outcomes very early on (despite Hereditaryhaving one genuinely shocking surprise), and especially with his first two films, a very obvious influence by the 1973 folk horror classic, The Wicker Man
Which brings me to Aster’s latest, which despite some of the same flaws which undermine his other films, surprisingly emerges as his best film to date.
Set in 2020, Joaquin Phoenix stars as Joe Cross , sheriff of the small New Mexico town of Eddington, and his increasingly antagonistic relationship with mayor Ted Garcia (Pedro Pascal), who are on either side of the pandemic debate, which is just taking hold of the country.
some of the same, silly pitfalls.
The movie opens with 17 children suddenly leaving their homes at 2.17am, running off into the night never to be seen again. A month later, police are still baffled, while devastated parents and many townsfolk blame school teacher Justine Gandy (Julia Garner) , whose sole class is the one affected.
Gandy, and angry parent Archer (Josh Brolin) will try and figure out what happened.
The first half works best, as Cregger keeps that sense of the unknown and its effect on people palpable, seen from various viewpoints and threaded with a successful thread of humour.
Once the reveal happens, however, that is where, for me, the problems arise, as Cregger’s slow burn, repetitive view of events makes the source of the disappearances blatantly obvious, making law enforcement and certain parents look stupid.
It does all lead to a hilariously over-the-top finale. Garner is excellent if somewhat underused, while Brolin and others in the cast are all very good.
Review by David McLean
★Earlybird tickets are now avail able for High Score , Australia’s premier game audio conference, to be held October 45.
★Community choirs will open their doors for Try a Choir Week (August 18-22) inviting people of all ages and backgrounds to discover the joy, connection and mental wellbeing benefits of singing together.
★The Indian Film Festival of Melbourne had its Opening Night last Thursday (Aug. 14) at hoyts Docklands.
★The Australian Ballet unveils Prism, a bold new triple bill bringing together three choreographers for one night of ballet. This kaleidoscopic program premieres at Melbourne’s Regent Theatre from September 25 to October 4.
★The Shanghai Symphony Orchestra returns to Melbourne in March in a collaboration of East and West traditions.
In the blink of an eye and a change of top hat, the more seriously grounded and business-like George Coppin himself appeared, obviously delighted to be joining in the launch celebrations and congratulating Simon Plant in fun style on the book - 'my' book, no, 'your' book!
Hats off to director Babs McMillan and actor Michael Treloar (Paul Pry/ George Coppin) for creating the entertaining and informative performance segment, and to producer Matthew Peckham.
Hearty congratulations to Simon Plant, and to editor Elisabeth Kumm, assistant editor Judy Leech and Simon Piening (design/page layout) for a splendid 323-page publication. EntertainingMrCoppin:AnAntipodean Showman in Civil War Americais available for $50 incl. postage within Australia from theatreheritage.org.au/buy-coppinbook Cheryl Threadgold
Skyhooks Show
■ Legendary Skyhooks guitarist Bob Starkie will celebrate the 50th anniversary of EgoisNotADirty Word by playing the album in fullplus more with his acclaimed band Bob ‘Bongo’ Starkie’s Skyhooks Show. Venues in October include Yarraville, Castlemaine, Archies Creek a nd Healesville
As Cross’s behaviour becomes more irrational, along with other townsfolk expressing outrage over multiple issues, things will soon explode in bloody fashion.
There have been a number of films dealing one way or another with the COVID era and what it did to us (Together, with James McAvoy, is a good example), and Aster thankfully doesn’t try to explain it away, instead pushing several topics to get very personalised responses from each and every one of us.
This will either fascinate or frustrate people, but I found it to be the best possible approach.
Performances are strong across the board, and as usual, it is beautifully crafted.
What hurts the film’s overall impact is Aster’s typically indulgent overlength, and telegraphing how everything will play out in its opening minutes (one could describe it as his own variation on TheParallaxView).
Despite these flaws, Eddington is a film worth seeking out.
RATING - ****
Weapons
■ (MA). 128 minutes. Now showing in cinemas.
After the maddeningly uneven Barbarian, writer/director Zach Cregger returns with Weapons, a more ambitious film that, while an improvement, does suffer from
Weapons is very entertaining (please go in knowing as little as possible), but some stumbles stop it from being truly great.
RATING - ***½
The Life of Chuck
■ (M). 111 minutes. Now showing in cinemas.
Probably one of the most mismanaged movie releases in recent memory, this extraordinarily engaging and emotionally satisfying film might possibly even surpass director Mike Flanagan’s exceptional sequel to TheShining,DoctorSleep
Based on a short story by Stephen King , the story is presented in reverse order (imagine an upbeat, positive version of Gaspar Noe’s Irreversible), as we see the life of Chuck Krantz (played as an adult by Tom Hiddleston ) shown at different times in his life, and the effect he has on others, as well as how his own life plays out.
Like the other films I’ve reviewed this week, the less you know going in the better, but what could have been a treacly, overly sentimental misfire, is instead a wonderful viewing experience. Try and catch it before it disappears.
RATING - ****½ Aaron Rourke
● ● Gaby Seow (top left), Fran Sweeney Nash, Myfanwy Hocking (lower left) and Leigh Lule in Trophy Boys. Photo by Ben Andrews.
● ● Aaron Rourke
■ Johnny Young is a survivor in show business and is continually working on new projects. He is a genuinely nice man with a great sense of humour.
He considers himself to be lucky to have been at the right place at the right time and having the material ready at the right time.
I personally think that his great talent has also had to do with his success.
Johnny Benjamin de Jong was born in the Netherlands in 1947. The family migrated to Australia in the early 1950s and settled in perth. His mother took him along to radio shows where Johnny would sing.
When he was 18 he got his first television job as host of the teenage club17on TVW-7 in perth.
He signed with Clarion Records and eventually had his first hit song StepBackin 1966.
Johnny was working with his own band they were known as Johnny Young and Kompany.
When I an Turpie resigned as host of The GoShowat ATV-0, Johnny Young took over the role.
Johnny had a series of hit songs during the 1960s wgich included Cara-Lyn,HeighHo,No Other Love, Let It Be Me, Unconscientious Objectorand AllMyLoving.r
Johnny has written many number one hit songs in his career - TheStar,TheRealThing, TheGirlThatILove,IThankYou(for Lionel Rose) and StepBack.
In 1970 Johnny and Kevin Lewis from Festival Records formed a company Lewis-Young and began producing television shows. They made several pop music shows be-
Melbourne Observer Melbourne Observer
Whatever Happened To ... Johnny Young
By Kevin Trask of 3AW and 96.5 Inner FM
fore launching YoungTalentTimein 1971. The format waas a children’s variety show and talent quest.
The performers on YoungTalentTimesuch as Debra Byrne, Jamie Redfern, Tina Arena and Dannii Minoqgue went on being very successful artists in later years. Bruce Mansfield was a regular on the series.
Young Talent Time ran for 17 years and johnny would close each show singing AllMy Lovingwith the children.
In 1979 Johnny launched the very successful Johnny Young Talent School.
Johnny Young has worked at various radio stations and worked at 6IX in perth presenting their breakfast show.
In 2010 Johnny Young received the Aria Hall of Fame Award and was inducted by Tina
Arena. in 2014, I attended a concert which starred Johnny, Colleen Hewett and Normie. the show was produced by Dennis Smith and was a sell-out at The Palms on Crown.
Johnny sang his popular hits and came onstage driving a boroowed mobility scotter and crashing into the band - it was hilarious. it was also great to see Ross D. Wyllie back on stage in the cobncert singing Here Comes The Star to a standing ovation. Johnny has been married four times.
10.10pm with Simon Owens and Andrew McLaren And on 96.5 FM
That's Entertainment - Sundays at 12 Noon.
www.innerfm.org.au
ARTBANK: A DEPARTMENT THAT MAKES MONEY
Entering the gallery one passes many racks holding the works of art.
The idea is that of the Artbank like a regular bank the artworks are leased out by various organisations, such as overseas embassies, private homes, business offices, real estate agencies, organisations to name but just a few.
This apparently is one government department that makes money.
Nor is Artbank a public art institution. To be acquired by Artbank, works have to be excellent, and also robust to travel into non-museum conditions in homes and offices in Australia and abroad.
They have to be of a scale that makes frequent transport possible, and to be works that people will want to live with for a prolonged period rather than just visit for an hour or two.
As part of the Australian public service, Artbank has for decades enjoyed bipartisan political support and operates within the public financial and accountability framework.
Artbank’s objective too support contemporary Australian artists and to make their work available to the broader public has stood the test of time/ The model has proven successful both culturally and financially.
The most important outcome of the leasing program is the sharing of this proudly Australian collection in offices and homes across Australia Through the highly significant partnership with the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Artbank plays a part in Australia’s diplomatic missions all over the world.
Your correspondent was invited to Artbank Thursday August 7. An amazing visit.
Artbank is part of the Australian Government Office for the Arts in the Department of Infrastructure, Transport. Regional Development. Communications, Sport and the Arts. For 45 years Artbank has played a vital role in supporting Australia’s contemporary art section.
Artbank by Appointment at 1800 251 651.
Artbank
18/24 Down St, Collingwood
St
The Arts
Peter Kemp
So much can happen and not happen in a week.
A Week Does Not Exist by visual artist Jarah Storey brings together a drawing project from 2021 with recent paintings.
The drawing project involved small, daily drawings for a month. A sort of metronome. Storey has been long been interested in art projects as time pieces.
Storey’s recent paintings are meditations on a month. Being at odds with time, they keep attending, and layers keep accumulating until forms find a direction.
Exhibition closes September 7. Abbotsford Convent 1 St. Heliers St, Abbotsford
Entries open
Call for Entries for the 30th Annual Mayoral Art Exhibition
The 30th Annual Mayoral Art Exhibition raises funds in support of the Bone Marrow Donor Institute and is supported by Maroondah City Council and Community Bank Ringwood East and Croydon. The theme for 2025 is Time.
The Maroondah Council encourages young artists to respond to past, present and future and the passage of time
The Council celebrates the contribution that founding partner Bone Marrow Donor Institute and thousands of exhibiting artists have made over three decades in advancing medical research.
The vital collective contribution to
cancer patients through this work is also, ultimately time.
Artworks of all mediums are eligible to enter, including photography, sculpture, drawing, painting, printmaking and ceramics. Artists of all ages are encouraging to enter. Go to google for Mayoral Art Exhibition application form.
By mail: P.O. Box 379 Mooroolbark 3138 or by email: asom1834@ bigpond.net.au
Please include Mayoral Art Exhibition Application in the subject line. Bank details for payment of entry fees will be supplied upon receipt. Applications close 5pm, Sunday August 31.
The exhibition will run from September 22 to November 8 at Maroondah Federation Estate Gallery.
All eligible artworks will be exhibited and a number of works will be selected for Mayoral and Community Bank Ringwood East and Croydon acquisitions.
Announcement of both acquisitions ill be made at the exhibition launch on Thursday October 2.
Maroondah Gallery 32 Greenwood Ave, Ringwood - Peter Kemp
Bluey Live at Werribee
■ A new Bluey Live Interactive Experience is at Werribee Open Range Zoo
Catch your favourite Heeler pup live on stage daily until August 31, and be ready to play more of favourite Bluey games in this fun show.
Showtimes: Daily at 10.00am, 10.45am, 11.30am, 12.15pm
Duration: 20 minutes of nonstop fun
Location: African Kia at Werribee Open Range Zoo
Bluey Interactive Live Experience is included in a General Admission ticket to Werribee Open Range Zoo
Snoop Dogg at G. Final
■ Snoop Dogg has confirmed that he is the headline pre-match entertainment act for this year’s AFL Grand Final.
■ Jennifer Lopez visited Istanbul for a one-night stand. Jenny had a small amount of me-time, and decided to visit the local Chanel store. At the main entrance Jenny was barred , 'No Entry' said the store official: 'store is pack to capacity'. Jenny smiled politely, walked off and paid a welcome visit to a rival fashion emporium.
Incentives for a date
■ On a recentTV chat show Pamela Anderson told the story how Sylvester Stallone offered to buy her a Porsche plus a Conda in exchange for being Stallone's No 1 gal- no mention of length of contract. Pamela, aged 58, claims it was a fair dinkum request but Sly, although soon to turn 80, denies it. In reality Pamela is dating Liam Neeson, who you may well see filming his next action movie in Australia
Legal eagles in every corner
■ The much-hyped cinema production The Deb was completed last quarter 2024 and apart from one Festival screening is still in the starting stalls, in fact currently in court because Aussie actress/producer, Rebel Wilson has placed an injunction on any further exposure until a claim of bad behaviour (by lead actress) on set is resolved. The law suit effects 300 film folk who worked on the production. Great bucks for the legal profession and a possible disaster for the film investors.
Some mothers do have them
■ Michael Crawford is a man of many talents; as a comic performer on TV, opera singer and would you believe a mentor to Olympic Gold Medalists - UK skating team Torvill & Dean. He taught the Gold Medalists how to act over the period 1981-84 .
Your island in the sun
■ If you have a spare $4 million to pay for a weekend getaway (2.49 acres) then look no further than Thorne Island, three miles off the coast of West Wales. Originally built in 1852 to defend any invasion by Napoleon, Thorne Island was constructed to house 100 soldiers, and over the decades has been a hotel, then privately owned, now up for grabs to someone who wants solitude in renovated luxury including five bedrooms, covered rooftop bar, helipad, not forgetting flushing toilets. Four million will get you the keys to the fortress's front gates.
Kevin Trask and Johnny Young
There is no stopping Johnny Young. Kevin Trask Kevin can be heard on 3AWThe Time Tunnel - Remember WhenSundays at
with
- John O’Keefe OK. With John O’Keefe
● ● ● ● Jennifer Lopez
Julie David
Holy Family School, Mt Waverley
Fact File
NAME: Holy Family School, Mount Waverley
ADDRESS: 250 Stephensons Rd, Mount Waverley, Vic 3149
PHONE: 9807 3300
WEBSITE: wwww.hfmw.catholic. edu.au
EMAIL: principal@hfmw.catholic. edu.au
them to help develop positive attitudes to faith, life and learning.
Our community fosters a nurturing and inclusive environment where everyone is valued, respected and supported.
This is evident when you walk into our incredible foyer, with images of student leaders and student projects which are all on display to be admired.
Through our shared foundation of mutual respect, trust and acceptance, we work together to build strong, meaningful relationships that promote a deep sense of belonging.
There is also a real ‘energy for learning’ at Holy Family, not only with the students but the staff.
Our staff have made positive changes to pedagogy and curriculum in the last 18 months.
Our staff are eager to learn and this filters through to the students who are engaged, insightful and incredible leaders.
We look forward to meeting your family soon.
Tess Dwyer, St Brigid’s Catholic Primary School, Healesville
● ● ● ● Tess Dwyer
As Principal of St. Brigid’s School in Healesville, I feel incredibly blessed to lead a community where faith, learning, and relationships are at the
Meet The Principals
Great Schools across Victoria
Fact File
NAME: St Brigid’s Catholic Primary School
ADDRESS: 1 High St, Healesville, Vic 3777
PHONE: 5962 4200
WEBSITE: www.sbhealesville. catholic.edu.au
EMAIL: principal@sbhealesville. catholic.edu.au
heart of everything we do.
With over 20 years as a Catholic educator—and as a mother of four— I know firsthand that it truly takes a village to raise a child.
That belief shapes everything we do at St. Brigid’s. I’m passionate about building strong, respectful partnerships between families and staff, because when we work together, our children thrive.
Our vision is to be a Christ-centred community where every child feels safe, valued, and inspired to reach their full potential.
Alongside our dedicated staff, I’m committed to nurturing the whole child—academically, socially, and spiritually.
We learn from the past, challenge the present, and create the future, always with families at the heart of our journey.
St. Brigid’s is more than a school— it’s a place where children are known, supported, and celebrated.
I warmly invite you to visit and experience the joy of learning and growing in a community that truly cares.
Natalie Kenny, St Dominic’s Primary School, Camberwell East
As a Catholic educator of over 30 years and parent of two, I deeply value the importance of selecting the right
Enrolling your child is a significant family decision, so it is important that you visit prospective schools and encounter their learning culture and community, and ask key questions to support your decision.
Our St Dominic’s school community is welcoming, dynamic, inclusive and highly-engaged and our children are at the heart of all we do.
Wellbeing is foundational to successful learning and our students are happy, confident, and well-supported to build meaningful connections and achieve positive learning outcomes. This is at the core of our work.
Our Dominican Charism is based on the foundations of Prayer, Learning, Service and Community; this is real, lived and celebrated each day at St Dominic’s.
We provide diverse and engaging learning programs, excellent contemporary learning spaces, we value and engage student voice, target learning support and we are proud of our caring and professional staff.
I warmly invite you and your family to “Discover the St Dom’s Difference” where we are so much more than a school!
Holy Family School in Mount Waverley recognises the development of the whole child and works with each of
● Julie David
Our Lady of Sion College Box Hill
As Principal of Our Lady of Sion College, it is a real privilege to walk alongside our students in some of the most formative years of their lives. Our supportive and inclusive community works to ensure that students are named and known and we aim to create diverse opportunities to help students feel a strong sense of belonging, which in turn will motivate them to take on challenges in their learning.
We enjoy wonderful facilities and resources that our students value, and as an all-girls’ school, we foster an environment where students can fully focus on their academic and personal growth.
We find that our students are confident in exploring their interests and developing a passion for learning and with the full attention and support of dedicated teachers, they are provided with opportunities to reach their potential.
Our goal is to inspire a love for
Fact File
NAME: Our Lady of Sion College
ADDRESS: 1065 Whitehorse Rd, Box Hill, Vic 3128
PHONE: 9890 9097
EMAIL: ISztalSusman@sion. catholic.edu.au
learning, encourage curiosity and critical thinking, and help students strive for personal excellence. We also nurture a strong sense of compassion and justice, and the belief that they can make a positive impact in the world.
Sion is a wonderful place where people can be themselves and can build a great future.
Ashanti Capitani, Year 7
I’m grateful to have found such a supportive and friendly community.
Amani Ilango, Year 7
You feel ready to learn, grow and be innovative.
Olivia Wall, Year 7
Angela Ferro Corpus Christi Primary School
Angela Ferro, in her second year of principalship of Corpus Christi School, has been actively leading the school community in writing a new chapter in the school’s ongoing story as they celebrate 70 years of service to the Glenroy community.
Angela has spent her life serving Catholic Education, valuing strong relationships and appreciating that life is full of many adventures and challenges and that these are best
Nick Scully, Kolbe Catholic College, Greenvale & Mickelham
As Principal of Kolbe Catholic College, I am privileged to lead a vibrant and growing Catholic learning community.
Over recent years, our college has
Fact File
NAME: Corpus Christi Primary School
ADDRESS: 13/21 Widford Rd, Glenroy, Vic 3046
PHONE: 9306 3062
EMAIL: principal@ccglenroy, catholic.edu.au
approached with a positive attitude, a willingness to pivot and adjust to make the most of any situation, and at all times keeping faith in God’s plan.
With growing enrolments, exciting developments in Learning and Teaching and a thriving community, Corpus Christi is fast becoming the school of first choice for local residents.
Students are fortunate to engage in exciting learning experiences across all curriculum areas with a focus on Literacy and Numeracy skills as well as dedicated specialist classes including Visual Arts, Physical Education, Languages Other Than English (LOTE) and Library.
At Corpus Christi, the first priority is to ensure a safe, caring, and inclusive environment where every child feels valued, respected, and empowered to thrive academically, spiritually, socially, and emotionally. Together with the dedicated staff, Angela is committed to upholding high standards of excellence while fostering a culture of mutual respect and service.
Angela and the staff of Corpus Christi warmly invite you to visit the school to get a first hand look at a little school with a great big heart.
Fact File
NAME: Kolbe Catholic College
ADDRESS: Lysterfiled Drive, Greenvale, Vic 3059 and The Woods Blv & Alexo Road, Mickleham VIC 3064
PHONE: 8339 3060
EMAIL: rherrara@kolbecc. catholic,edu.au
flourished - welcoming more families, expanding programs, and strengthening our reputation for academic excellence, faith development and genuine care for every student.
Next year will be a milestone in our journey, with the opening of our second campus for Year 7 students.
Purpose-built for learning and connection, this new space will give our newest secondary students the very best start to their secondary years.
At the heart of our growth is the Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools’ Vision for Instruction and Vision for Engagement - two powerful frameworks that shape how we teach, how our students learn and how we build meaningful relationships in our community.
These visions ensure that every lesson is purposeful, every student is supported, and every opportunity is embraced.
It is a joy to work alongside dedicated staff, supportive families and young people who bring energy, curiosity and hope to our college each day.
Together, we are building a place where every student can thrive - now and into the future.
Steve Evans, Holy Trinity Primary School, Wantirna South
Welcome to Holy Trinity Primary School, Wantirna South, a vibrant, faith-filled community where every child is known, valued, and supported. As Principal, I am proud to lead a
school that has been a vital part of the local community since 1985. Holy Trinity, part of the Parish of St Jude’s, Scoresby, offers inclusive, high-quality education grounded in Catholic values.
We are a welcoming and diverse community where every student is nurtured to reach their full potential.
At Holy Trinity, learning is at the heart of all we do. Our collaborative and innovative approach empowers students and staff to grow together.
Our passionate teachers go beyond delivering the curriculum, they make learning engaging, joyful, and meaningful.
Success is seen not only in academic results, but in the confidence, curiosity, and connection we see in our students each day.
We are committed to educating the whole child. Our TORCH values; Tolerance, Optimism, Respect, Confidence, and Honesty; support academic, emotional, social, and spiritual development, guiding students to become compassionate, resilient individuals.
With over 20 years in Catholic education, I deeply value the partnership between school, family, and parish. I warmly invite you to visit and experience the Holy Trinity community for yourself.
● ● ● ● Nick Scully
● ● Steve Evans
● ● Angela Ferro
Where was Higginbotham township?
■ A discussion about the probable location of the Higginbotham township was given at the Murrindindi Community Hub.
An article in the Australian National Placenames Survey newsletter suggests three possible locations, some distance from the George Higginbotham Mine, near the Murrindindi River.
Nigel Sinnott, with Clem Earp, published these comments in June 2006:
“When researching a book about placenames in the upper Goulburn River area of northeast central Victoria (published as PlaceNames of the Alexandra, Lake Eildon and Big River Area of Victoria , Alexandra: Friends of the Library, 2003), one of the sources I consulted was James Flett’s The History of Gold Discovery in Victoria (Melbourne, 1970).
“On page 116 I came across the following paragraph:
‘Early in 1866 rich reefs were discovered at what was originally called New Chum, up the Murrundindi River about 10 miles from Yea, and there was a rush prospected by McLeish and party in 1868.
‘In 1869 the mining village, where there was a club and a theatre, changed its name to Higginbotham, after a reefer named George Higginbotham.’
“The McLeish family is mentioned several times in The Story of Yea (1973, 2001) by Harvey Blanks, and there was a single reference to the Higginbotham Prospecting and Gold Mining Company, of which John Wishart Cairns was a director, but there was no mention of the village.
“I therefore consulted Les Blake’s Place Names of Victoria (Adelaide, 1977; microfiche edn, Hampton, Vic, 1987), where I found the following entry:
“Higginbotham: Former goldfield settlement by Murrindindi Ri., 16 km fr. Yea, 1869; named after digger George Higginbotham; fr. 1866 when gold first found there, called New Chum
“Now I was aware that Place Names of Victoria could very often be unreliable, but on this occasion Blake had apparently taken all his information from Flett, and Flett had given three references for what he had written:
■ Mining Registrars’ Reports (quarterly) for March 1866, (p. 47), September 1868 and March 1869.
Possible locations of the Higginbotham township in a map prepared by Clem Earp
“I also consulted my 1:25000 survey maps of the Murrindindi River On the Murrindindi (8023-3-4) map I soon found the Higginbotham Mine (grid ref. 55H CU710699) marked beside an unnamed watercourse that emptied into the Murrindindi River.
“The mine lay between two ridges that carried Grants Track and Beatsons Track, and there was also Higginbotham Track nearby.
“The name Grants Track should perhaps have made me cautious, but otherwise I had no ground for suspicion.
“I bestowed upon the unnamed watercourse the provisional name of Higginbotham Creek, then wrote an entry for the settlement, based largely on Flett and Blake, but with a suggestion of my own about the location:
“Higginbotham. Former mining village. After a gold discovery in 1866, a settlement called New Chum arose about 16 km up the
‘7 miles from Yea township’
■ A letter to the Editor of the Alexandra and Yea Standard on Janaury 16, 1880, talks of the Higginbotham Mine and its proximity to Yea:
“Sir,- It is perhaps unknown to you that there are a numnbr of reefs at a place called Higginbotham within 7 miles of the township of Yea, one or two of which reefs went:from 5 to 7oz per ton.
“One in particular, called Cumberland Jack Reef, went well, and is believed to be one of the best reefs in the Upper Goulburn sistrict; it only requires development.
“Other reefs, nearly adjoining, will also pay well now, as the quartz could be crushed for at least one half less than they used to cost, as Mr Cairns has a crushing plant and water wheel on the ground, so that the crushing could be. done very economically.
“In fact, the owner of the machine will undertake to crush a trial of 10 tons free to any prospectors, so that there is hero a good prospect for any party of energetic practical miners; besides, I am informed that a party of good men would meet with substantial support from the business people of the township.
“This suggestion is a valuable one, and if acted on by men who mean work, there is no doubt a sure independence is in the very probable .future. By giving this a corner in your next issue, you will oblige.” Yours faithfully. PERSEVERANCE.
linked, and why. Then Clem Earp looked through the Alexandra Times for November 6, 1868, and spotted an announcement, under the heading Higinbotham, that:
“About three miles on the Yea side of the township a new reef was found about two weeks ago; it has been called the “George Higinbotham.”
“The adjoining claim has been christened the “James Macpherson Grant,” and No. 3 North is named the “Constitutionalist,” to represent the opposition party.’
“Grant (1822-85) was the radical member of parliament after whom Grant Street, Alexandra, was named, and he had a staunch ally in chief justice and attorney general George Higinbotham (1826-92), champion of land reform, smallholders, working people and votes for women.
“Had Flett perhaps made a note about the George Higinbotham Reef and later misread the last word as ‘reefer’?
“A letter in the Alexandra Times of July 17, 1868, published the name for the first time and proudly declared ‘You will perceive we are Loyal Liberals’.
“This was the political party of Higinbotham and Grant
prospecting claim’ (letter, Dec. 20, 2005).
“Old references to the distance of Higinbotham settlement from the town of Yea give 9, 10 and 12 miles, so in today’s measurements we have a range of about 14.5 to 19.5 kilometres.
“So where was the village? The most likely site, given what is known so far, is where the creek or gully from the Higinbotham Mine joins the Murrindindi River
“This is about 14 kilometres by today’s roads from Yea.
“Another possibility would be a little further up the Murrindindi River, at either the original or new site of the old Murrindindi Hall , roughly 17.5 kilometres by road from Yea
“Least likely, because of the distance from Yea (23.5 km), but no less intriguing, is an area marked on a map of May 9, 1868, for the proposed Alexandra-Whittlesea road (Department of Land Information Historical Maps, New Roads 431, microfiche) as a township reserve in the parish of Woodbourne at the confluence of Murrindindi Creek (River) and Ault Beag Creek
Murrindindi River from Yea. (There was another New Chum near Healesville.)
“In 1869 it was renamed after gold miner George Higginbotham (Flett, 1970; L. Blake).
“Most writers imply that the settlement was on the Murrindindi River, but it is more likely to have been on Higginbotham Creek near the Higginbotham Mine
“I thought no more about this ghost town until 2004, when I heard from Clem Earp, who had been delving into the history of gold mining in the Yea area.
“He had examined various Mining Registrars’ reports and other sources, and sent me copies of them, as he was very dubious about Flett’s conclusions.
“The early records consistently refer to Higinbotham, not ‘Higginbotham’, and in December 1868 Registrar James W. Osborn (Kilmore Division) refers to ‘Higinbotham, Murrindindi Creek’, so the settlement could not have been renamed in 1869.
“In June 1869 Osborne refers to ‘Higinbotham, about twelve miles S.E. from Yea’, and adds ‘ The Balaclava, George Higinbotham, and Galatea, are the principal lines being worked’.
“Clem Earp also told me that, ‘As to Flett’s statements about the size of the settlement, that it had a dance hall, etc., and that it was named after a “reefer” (Blake: “miner”) named George Higginbotham , for all of which he cites as source the report of March 1869, there is no mention whatever of any of those things in that report, or in any subsequent one.
“I think we have to regard Flett’s citation as being in error’ (letter of May 17, 2004).
“By this stage we both suspected that the names Grants Track and Higinbotham with a single G were
“The letter enabled Clem Earp to track down a petition in the Public Records Office (PROV VPRS 242/ P0, Unit 1, 1868/R8844) that clarifies the naming of the settlement: Murrindindi Creek, Yea. To the Honorable The Commissioner of Lands Sir,
At a meeting held by the residents of this place here this 9th day of July 1868, the following resolution was passed viz.
‘Resolved that the Chairman of this meeting be requested to forward to the proper Department of the Government his our petition praying, that the name of the Township forming here, be called Higinbotham’.
‘Requesting an early answer on behalf of the meeting I beg to remain Your Humble & obedient Servant Eli Taylor Cockburn Chairman of the Meeting
“It is now fairly clear that the settlement was never called New Chum, but what and where was New Chum (Creek), as distinct from a locality and watercourse with the same name (flourished 1864) about thirty kilometres south (as the crow flies) at Healesville West?
“References such as ‘the junction on Newchum and Muddy Creeks ’ (Mining Surveyors’ Reports, Jan. 1860), ‘Murrendendie [sic] or New Chum Creek, near Yea’ (Mining Registrars’ Reports, March 31, 1866) and ‘at New-chum Creek and Murrindindi Creek’ (M.R.R., March 1870) make it very uncertain whether New Chum Creek was the watercourse or gully flowing past the Higinbotham Mine into the Murrindindi River (formerly Creek) or simply an alternative name for the Murrindindi River itself, a tributary of the Yea River (formerly Muddy Creek).
“Clem Earp has commented: ‘Looking over the various references to New Chum, it appears to me that few actually refer to New Chum Creek , most just say New Chum , leading me to suspect that the Murrindindi River has been carelessly attributed with the name of the
“(The second name is Gaelic, but has been corrupted on recent maps to Ault Beeac Creek.).
“The location is known today as Myles Bridge, about a kilometre east of the straggling settlement of Woodbourne
“Searches kindly undertaken by Judith Scurfield (Map Room, State Library of Victoria) and Clem Earp have revealed no map of the shortlived settlement of Higinbotham “It may never have been surveyed. We can, however, be reasonably certain that the place was not named after a miner called George ‘Higginbotham’.”
1868 report offers clues
■ On November 24, 1868, The Alexandra Times published this report “From Our Own Correspodent’ about HIgginbotham:
“Since my last letter, a considerable portion of our population has started off for Spring Creek (the new rush), still matters are assuming a permanent and settled state.
“The first crushing from the Higinbotham reef gave 4 oz to the ton. There is a large body of stone and every prospect of this reef turning out one of the best in the district.
“The Balaclava prospecting claim is just about to commeuce crushing. It is expected to yield 6 oz per ton, as No. 1 of same reef gave 6 oz, and the prospecting claim looks even better.
“The Galatea continues to get out good payable stone.
“There is much dissatisfaction existing about the crushing machine here. The machine consists of a portable engine with a battery of six stampers, and very much out of repair.
“Repeated complaints have been made to Mr Munro, the proprietor, but his only reply is that he has not yet realised his own money, and refuses to spend more.”
71 people died in 1939 ‘Black Friday’ fires
■ The bush fires which commenced on Sunday week continued to burn until Sunday night last, when there was a change in the weather and light rain fell.
At Rubicon there was nothing left to burn after Tuesday night's inferno. Several small parties remained in the forest until Saturday, occupying some houses that were still intact in the vicinity of No. 4 and No. 5 mills. The chief difficulty after the fire was shortage of provisions.
On Friday and Saturday grass fires broke out on the eastern side of the Goulburn River, about a mile and a half from the town.
They were promptly checked by volunteers from the town and other fire fighters on the spot.
The Seymour Bush Fire Brigade came over on Friday night to relieve local firefighters, and remained until Saturday night.
They had more than patrol work to do, as the fires were lively at Whanregarwen on Saturday.
On Sunday there were no alarms, but towards evening a certain amount of anxiety was in evidence at Upper Thornton and Eildon Weir, as a fire was coming down towards the Weir from off the Jamieson road
The change in the weather later on made the situation favourable.
Members of the party who went out from Alexandra to Rubicon on Wednesday of last week to recover the bodies of the men who lost their lives, speak highly of the work of the S.E.C. ambulance officer, Mr. P. J. Nelson.
From Thursday last the relief committee was in constant session dealing with various matters.
The Timber Workers Union was represented by Mr. Fennell, and his wife worked unsparingly to aid the womenfolk. Mr, Fennell is the Mayor of Port Melbourne
The various members of the women's committee (under the presidentship of Mrs. O. Rawson) have performed a wonderful service supervising the distribution of clothing and the preparation of meals.
The Relief Committee, under the chairmanship of the Rev. D. Blake, had a busy time. The Church of England Hall was used for catering purposes and the accommodation of women and children, whilst the Presbyterian Hall was made available for the men.
The number of persons requiring meals varied, but on one occasion 115 meals were served.
The Chairman received many contributions for relief purposes, including £100 from the Victorian Timber Merchants' Association. Contributions received total £330, mainly from outside sources.
Up to Tuesday last £100 had been distributed to cover certain incidental needs of men, women and children.
The basis of the distribution has been about £2 for a married man and about half that amount for a single man.
The sub-committee dealing with applications consists of the Chairman (Rev. D. Blake), Mr. J. Callinan, and Mr. T. A. Fox (hon. sec.)
Cheques are signed by the Chair man and Cr. Briggs
After the matter had been dis. cussed by the men, it was decided to establish a temporary relief camp at
Thornton . Supplies will be drawn from the State Relief Committee, through the Shire Council
A number of men have been treated at the local Hospital for burns, etc.
The men were all attended to by local medical men.
Nothing definite has as yet been decided as to the number of mills that will be re-established in the Rubicon Forest.
The Forest Commission has between 20 and 30 men at work on the steel tramline between Lower Rubicon and Rubicon
The funerals of seven of the victims of the fire took place on Friday last - that of the late Mr. Alfred Neason being fixed for 10.30 a.m.
There was a long procession of cars, and at the cemetery the mourners numbered about 250.
At regular intervals the remains of the late Messrs. A. J. Wyatt, Arch. C. ("Dad"') Payne, P. Murdoch, L. Sims, T. A. LeBrun , and G. Brundrett were interred.
The Rev. D. Blake conducted the burial service for Messrs. Neason, Wyatt, Payne, Sims and Brundrett; the Rev. Fr. Garvey for Mr. Murdoch; and the Rev. W. Ward for Mr. Le Brun
The late Mr. Murdoch was a returned soldier, and his coffin was covered with the Union Jack
After the burial service by Father Garvey, Mr. C. H. Gorton recited the League's ritual, and red poppies were dropped on the coffin by the war veteranss assembled at the graveside.
It was a sorrowftl day for Alexandra
The remains of Mr. Chris. Soldaris (a Greek, who was burned to death on the Acheron Way) were interred in the Alexandra cemetery on Thursday last.
★
"Because of the bush fires Heales ville guest houses lost almost all their visitors on Tuesday and Wednesday,” reported the Healesville and Yarra Glen Guardian on January 14, 1939.
“Most of them cancelled their stay, and returned home, while quite a number of local residents whose home are on the outskirts of the town moved to safer areas.
“It is hoped that the tourist traffic will not slacken off, as, prior to the tragic period, indications were that Healcsville had commenced one of its most prosperous years.
“A canvass of the houses re-
vealed that 90 per cent. had good bookings right up till Easter.
“Many of these have been cancelled outright, and in other cases the cancellation is pending a clearing-up of the position.
“However, now that all danger is past, it is trusted that intending holiday makers will select Healesville as their rendezvous.”
★
The Saturday Healesville-Yarra Glen newspaper (Jan. 14) had a brief report of the Black Friday fires:
With the thermometer soaring to unprecedented heights in this locality, reaching 116 degrees in places, and a north-westerly and westerly gale pre vailing nearly all day Thursday, the brief respite afforded fire fighters was terminated with a vengeance, and calls for help came from almost every point of the compass.
Properties along Don road were cut off, and Mr. Hall's "Sunny Dell" was destroyed.
"Le Chateau" guest house, near by, was saved after a determined struggle.
On Eleva road, off Chum Creek road, the fire raged at its worst, and is believed to have razed several dwellings, including Messrs. Sodvrln's, Reyner s, Ryan's and
Burrago's (near Yumounga Lake), and Mrs Hood’s. Sunny Lodge, a guest house conducted by Mr. and Mrs. Hall, was lost, but the occupants managed to escape.
The Golf House. and The Gables were in the line of danger, as were Messrs. A. J. Bury's and McConnell's homes, but all were saved, as were Chaffer's, Freeman's and Conway Raff's residences.
The flames swarmed over Christie's Hill, and several houses there had narrow escapes from demolition.
These embraced the homes of Dr. Hurley, Messrs. Chandler, Wilson and Collins Miss Dossetor had the misfortune to lose a week-end cottage.
At the time of going to press the fires were still raging strongly, with no signs of abating, despite the good work of volunteers.
★
The Guardian removed some advertising from the front-page of its January 21 edition to report on the ‘District’s Fearful Holocaust’: Healesville, along with Yarra Glen and Warburton, became a storm centre again last Friday, when apprehension of the highest degree was the lot of residents.
Fires of a fierce nature raged in several directions, and frequently it appeared as though the township would be engulfed.
Valiant work by volunteers, however, allayed all fears, but only after several stiff fights had been put up.
With milder conditions prevailing on the Thursday residents believed that there would be a brief respite at least from the fire fiend, if not an absolute truce.
However, the ex ceptionally high temperature of Friday and a raging gale lashed them into activity again, and the whole town on guard.
The thermometer rose to 114 degrees, and the howling wind, chiefly north-westerly and westerly - but inclined to be gusty enough to cause death traps to fighters - kept every inch of bush country ablaze.
From early morn until late at night men knew no rest. The fire bell tolled with alarming frequency, as outbreak after outbreak occurred.
By Saturday morning, though, all fears were allayed, as a light shower of rain fell during the night and the fires were under control; but not until they had left a path of destruction.
The first call was for a fire re ported to be burning fiercely on the slopes of Mt. Toole-be-wong .and fast approaching the homes of Messrs. E. Hall, "Sunny Lodge," and Le Chateau guest houses.
Augmented by a number of volunteers, firemen rushed to the locality, but' arrived too late to save Hall's and Robarts' properties.
They managed to keep the flames off Murray's property, though.
As a precaution, many guests at Le Chateau were transported to Healesville
The occupants of Hall's property managed to save a few possessions, including a car, before being evacuated to a safe distance.
The fire was prevented from reaching Le Chateau by the burning of breaks.
● ● First published on Friday, January 20, 1939
Rubicon Sawmill
● ● ● ● Destruction at Woods Point in January 1939
Melbourne Observer Melbourne Observer
Crossroads
By Rob Foenander
info@robfomusic.com.au
Elias in Melb.
■ Guitar maestro Elias Bartholomeo will bring his finger-style playing brilliance to the Memo Music Hall on Wednesday, November 12.
he says that in recent times he has been named the Best Guitarist residing in Australia with his playing being described as “Walking a tightrope between many genres all at once” with a fearless and energetic approach to his live performances. Tickets at trybooking.com
Art Show
■ The 20th Noble Park Community Centre Art Show is just a few months away. To be held at the Noble Park Community Centre , Memorial Drive, it will run over three days.
The ree exhibition from Friday - Sunday, October 17-19 will see some of the best artwork the local community has to offer, says their media release.
More information is available from events@nobleparkcc.org.au or npccart show.org. Entries are open and will close 1pm on October 6.
Rob Foenander
Meg’s new album
■ Monash University Performing Arts Centres 2025 artist-in-residence Meg Washington will premiere her new albumGem on October 10.
Meg will present an electrifying and soulful live concert for one-night-only with her full band, along with Sir Zelman Cowen School of Music, and supported by two student winners of Monash’s 2025 Songwriting Prize
Melbourne Observer Melbourne Observer
Live music featured at FUSE Festival
■ The City of Darebin and Darebin FUSE Festival presents a lineup of First Nations-led events at this year’s FUSE Festival
The program aims to amplify and celebrate the voices, stories and artistry of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander creatives through live music, cultural celebrations, exhibitions, hands-on workshops, film screenings, and immersive art experiences with free and ticketed events from August 31-September 14.
The FUSE Deadly Darebin Program includes:
■ Bunjil & Paliyang, September 13 – 21
A powerful reimagining of a traditional Kulin Nation Songline story, Bunjil & Paliyang blends ancient knowledge with orchestral music and dance to mark the beginning of bat season.
Acclaimed artist and Didjeridoo player Amos Roach and violist William Vyvyan Murray lead an ensemble of musicians and dancers to bring to life the Creation story of Bunjil the Eagle, Paliyang the Bat, Koonawarra the Black Swan and Kururok the Brolga.
Teena Moffat and Brent Watkins’ choreography will create an immersive performance interweaving Roach and Murray’s original composition, traditional Songlines, and powerful dance from the Murrundaya Yepengna Dance Troupe, inviting audiences to fly with them through the skies, waters and dreams of Country.
■ Tarutharu, the Kaurna Skink, September 5 – 7
A 27-metre luminous puppet,
Crossword Solution No 20
Tarutharu, the Kaurna Skink, is a collaborative artwork, representing the Kaurna Peoples, and the creation of Elizabeth Close (Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjatjara ) and Jack Buckskin (Kaurna and Nurungga), developed with Darebin-based puppet company A Blanck Canvas.
Jack worked closely with elders to translate the story of the skink, which had been passed down from generations.
This was in fact the first time the Kaurna people’s story of the skink had been interpreted and shared with the public.
Close created the art piece that the skink is wrapped in; the design, in her own words, “is a reflection of the connection to Country that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have. Relationships with Country are complex dualities that are reflected in nature itself.”
■ En Masse, September 4 - 10
A life-sized projection installation featuring the award-winning Rawcus Ensemble, En Masse was made in collaboration with First Nations Gamilaroi Yinarr choreographer Amelia J O'Leary and videographer Michael Carmody, En Masse explores the tension between being an individual and being part of a group. Supported by the FUSE Fund
O’Leary’s dance practice is about human and spiritual experiencing.
Through complexity and adversity, they find ways to tell coded and poetically rich stories.
Her dances are personal and
personified from her multidisciplinary skills in theatre, film and sound design
■ FUSE Festival @ Northcote Town Hall, Installation Opening Party September 5, Northcote Town Hall
A special opening night for the community, beginning with a Welcome to Country and followed by roving performances by celebrated local drag icons Cerulean and Stone Motherless Cold Cerulean and Stone Motherless Cold are both members of The Motherless Collective (MoCo), a First Nations Drag collective based in Melbourne
■ FUSE Films – First Nations Film Evening, September, Thornbury Picture House
FUSE Films will run as part of the FUSE Festival at Thornbury Picture House and will offer free films for the community.
Amongst these are WINHANGANHA by award-winning artist Jazz Money; Lady Lash, a documentary that tells the story of Aboriginal-Greek Hip Hop Jazz MC Crystal Clyne , AKA Lady Lash, who returns to her ancestral lands for women’s business; and a collection of short works by Isaac Winzer.
■ WINHANGANHA (Wiradjuri language: Remember, know, think), is a lyrical journey of archival footage and sound, poetry and original composition. It is an examination of how archives and the legacies of collection affect First Nations people and wider Australia, told through the lens of acclaimed Wiradjuri multi-disci-
plinary artist, Jazz Money. Isaac Winzer, a Ngarabal and Wirrayaraay filmmaker, will present several short works and will take part in a panel discussion with singer-songwriter and Ngiyampaa man, Pirritu , facilitated by artist, documentary maker and screenwriter Rochelle (Rocky) Humphrey ■ Ganbu Gulin: wudhanu yuwanguth - August 31 at, Darebin Arts Centre
“From Many to the Next” is this year’s Ganbu Gulin theme. Held at Darebin Arts Centre and the Ray Bramham Gardens on Sunday August 31, this year’s Ganbu Gulin program was developed by Curator in Residence Ethan Savage (Northern Kaantju, Girramay and Badu), and Cultural and Curatorial Advisor Stacie Piper (Wurundjeri, Dja Dja Wurrung and Ngurai Illum-Wurrung). Melbourne-based indie rock band Doe Eyes draws inspiration from the raw energy of 1970s rock, infused with a modern twist. Fronted by the duo of singer and lead guitarist Jordan Clay and Indigenous vocalist Izzy Skye, Doe Eyes is redefining the boundaries of retro rock.
Ganbu Gulin is co-presented in collaboration with the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation Darebin FUSE Festival. August 31 - September 14 Various locations around Darebin arts.darebin.vic.gov.au/Whats-on/ Festivals/Fuse Cheryl Threadgold
Observations with Matt Bissett-Johnson
Observations with Matt Bissett-Johnson
WEEKEND’S LOCAL FOOTBALL FINAL SCORES
Amateurs
■ Victorian Amateur Football Association. Premier Men’s. Old Scotch 12.15 (87)
d St Bernard’s 9.11 (65). Old Xaverians 9.10 (64) d Collegians 9.8 (62). Old Brighton 16.12 (108) d De La Salle 6.6 (42). St Kevin’s .15 (81) d Old Haileybury 7.9 (51). University Blues 12.11 (83) d University Blacks 8.6 (54).
Premier Men’s Reserves. St Bernard’s 12.13 (85) d Old Scotch 10.8 (68). Old Xaverians 22.21 (153) d Collegians 3.5 (23). Old Brighton 10.11 (71) d De La Salle 4.6 (30). St Kevin’s 18.15 (123) d Old Haileybury 2.5 (17). University Blues 13.8 (86) d University Blacks 4.6 (30).
Premier B Men’s. Old Camberwell 12.8 (80) d Caulfield Grammarians 6.10 (46). Old Geelong 13.13 (91) d Old Ivanhoe 13.6 (84). Old Trinity 17.10 (1212) d Fitzroy 7.8 (50). Old Carey 11.12 (78) d Williamstown CYMS 11.9 (75). Old Melburnians 16.10 (106) d Hampton Rovers 13.8 (86).
Premier B Men’s Reserves. Caulfield Grammarians 9.8 (62) d Old Camberwell 5.9 (39). Old Ivanhoe 10.9 (69) d Old Geelong 4.7 (31). Old Trinity 6.9 945) d Fitzroy 3.10 (28). Old Carey 14.15 (99) d Williamstown CYMS 6.6 (42). Old Melburbnians 13.10 (88) d Hampton Rovers 5.6 (36).
Premier C Men’s. Beaumaris 20.11 (131) d PEGS 4.5 (29). Parkside 8.13 (61) d Mazenod 7.13 (55). Parkdale Vultures 12.11 (83) d AJAX 7.8 (50). Marcellin 12.12 (84) d St Bedes/Mentone 5.9 (39). Glen Eira/OId McKinnon 16.11 (107) d Prahran 11.8 (74). Premier C Men’s Reserves. Beaumaris 27.19 (181) d PEGS 0.2 (2). Mazenod 11.11 (77) d Parkside 2.12 (24). Parkdale Vultures 11.7 (73) d AJAX 7.2 (44). St Bedes/Mentone 19.6 (120) d Marcellin 1.3 (9). Prahran 10.12 (72) d Glen Eira/Old McKinnon 9.6 (60).
Division 1 Men’s. Ormond 12.11 (83) d Kew 12.7 (79). UHS-VU 15.15 (105) d Therry Penola 1.5 (11). Oakleigh 17.10 (112) d Old Peninsula 10.7 (67). Monash Blues 16.15 (111) d Elsternwick 7.11 (53). Preston Bullants 13.17 (95) d Brunswick 6.11 (47).
Division 1 Men’s Reserves. Ormond 10.12 (72) d Kew 9.6 (60). UHS-VU 11.9 (75) d Therry Pernola 4.5 (29). Oakleigh 14.9 (93) d Old Peninsula 3.4 (22). Monash Blues 14.18 (100) d Elsternwick 6.12 (48). Brunswick 10.10 (70) d Preston Bullants 5.10 (40).
Division 2 Men’s. Old Yarra Cobras 25,.16 (166) d Hawthorn 2.6 (18). St Mary’s Salesian 18.11 (119) d Aquinas 7.6 (48). South Melbourne 12.17 (89) d Canterbury 10,.7 (67). MHSOB 14.13 (97) d St John’s 5.10 (40). West Brunswick 13.9 (87) d Whitefriars 13.7 (85).
Division 2 Men’s Reserves. Old Yarra Cobras 12.19 (91) d Hawthorn 5.6 (36). St Mary’s Salesian 11.18 (84) d Aquinas 3.8 (26). South Melbourne 19.13 (127) d Canterbury 4.3 (27). MHSOB 24.16 (160) d St John’sd 7.4 (46). West Brunswick 13.15 (93) d Whitefriars 2.7 (19).
Division 3 Men’s. Wattle Park 10.9 (69) d North Brunswick 9.5 (59). Swinburne University 14.9 (93) d Chadstone 8.6 (54). Richmond Central 13.10 (88) d Albert Park 8.8 (56). Power House 59.30 (384) d Eley Park 0.0 (0). Box Hill North 9.13 (67) d La Trobe university 7.12 (54).
Division 3 Men’s Reserves. North Brunswick 7.20 (62) d Wattle Park 5.6 (36). Swinburne University 18.20 (128) d Chadstone 4.1 (25). Richmond Central 21.6 (132) d Albert Park 21.8 (14). Power House 26.19 (175) d Eley Park 2.0 (12). La Trobe University 214.22 (106) d Box Hill North 2.7 (19).
Eastern
■ Eastern Football League. Premier Division Seniors. East Ringwood 10.11 (71) d Balwyn 8.10 (58). Blackburn 12.11 (83) d Berwick 12.6 (78). Rowville 10.11 (71) d Mitcham 10.10 (70). Vermont 9.12 (66) d South Croydon 9.4 (58). Noble Park 9.10 (64) d Doncaster Easdt 9.5 (59). Division 1 Seniors. South Belgrave
18.10 (118) d Montrose 18.7 (115). Mooroolbark 10,.7 (67) d Boronia 9.10 (64). North Ringwood 8.12 (60) d Bayswater 5.4 (34). Park Orchards 11.11 (77) d Beaconsfield 9,.5 (59). Norwood: Bye. Division 2 Seniors. Wantirna South 22.15 (1247) d Croydon 5.6 (36). Heathmont 9.9 (63) d Waverley Blues 6.8 (44). Ringwood 10.9 969) d Lilydale 6.7 (43). Templestowe 12.12 (84) d Mulgrave 9.11 (65). East Burwood 11.10 (76) drew with Surrey Park 10.16 (76). Division 3 Seniors. Scoresby v Knox. The Basin v Upper Ferntree Gully.
Division 4 Seniors. Kilsyth 8.13 (61) d Bulleen Templestowe 8.4 (52). Warrandyte 15.12 (102) d Croydon North MLOC 10.7 (67). Whitehrose Pioneers 12.19 (91) d Forest Hill 3.5 (23). Chirnside Park: Bye.
Essendon
■ Premier Division. Aberfeldie 17.10 (112) d DeerPark 12.7 (79). Greenvale 10.14 (194) d East Keilor 7.4 (46). Keilor 1813 (121) d Maribyrnong Park 9.9 (63). Airport West 17.12 (114) d Pascoe Vale 11.15 981). Essendon Doutta Stars 8.13 (61) drew with Strathmore 8.13 (61).
Division 1. Craigieburn 12.16 (88) d Avondale Heights 7.11 (53). Oak Park 14.10 (94) d Moonee Valley 9.5 (59). St Albans 11.9 975) d Roxburgh Park 9.18 (72). Hillside 15.15 (105) d Taylors Lakes 6.5 (41). West Coburg 18.10 (118) d Tullamarine 8.8 (56).
Division 2. Coburg Districts 21.12 (138) d East Sunbury 10.6 (66). Rupertswood 12.l6 (78) d Glenroy 7.14 (56). Hadfield 12.10 (82) d Westmeadows 12.6 (78). Burnside Heights 11.13 (79) d Northern Saints 11.12 (78). Keilor Park 9.13 (67) d Sunbury Kangaroos 8.10 (58).
Mornington
■ Mornington Peninsula Nepean Football Netball League. Division 1 Seniors. Rosebud 13.13 (91) d Dromana 13.4 (82). Edithvale Asopendale 13.15 (93) d Sorrento 11.6 (72). Mt Eliza 12.8 (80) d Frankston YCW 10.8 (68). Mornington 10.6 (66) d Pines 9.11 (65). Langwarrin 11.7 (73) d Red Hill 5.10 (40).
Division 1 Reserves. Rosebud 17.16 9118) d Dromana 1.2 (8). Edithvale Asopendale 17.9 (111) d Sorrento 3.5 (23). Mt Eliza 11.4 (70) d Frankston YCW 2.6 (18). Pines 9.7 (61) d Mornington 9.6 (60). Red Hill 12.7 (79) d Langwarrin 4.9 (33).
Division 1 Under 19. Rosebud 8.10 (58) d Dromana 4.7 (31). Edithvale Asopendale 15.13 (103) d Sorrento 4.4 (28). Mt Eliza 8.12 (60) d Frankston YCW 5.7 937). Mornington 16.8 (104) d Pines 2.2 (14). Langwarrin 7.9 (51) d Red Hill 1.2 (8).
Division 2 Seniors. Seaford 0.10 970) d Bonbeach 9.13 (67). Chelsea 7.12 (54) d Crib Point 6.14 (50). Rye 9.10 (64) d Karingal 6.7 (43). Devon Meadows 12.12 (84) d Pearcedale 11.7 (73). Somnerville 8.13 (61) d Frnkston Bombers 3.13 (31).Tyabb 16.12 (108) d Hastings 14.18 (102). Division 2 Reserves. Seaford 11.10 976) d Bonbeach 5.3 (33). Crib Point 7.15 957) d Chelsea 5.12 (42). Rye 24.13 (157) d Karingal 0.0 (0). Pearcedale 17.16 (118) d Devon Meadows 7.2 (44). Frankston Bombers 10,4 (64) d Somerville 5.5 (35). Tyabb v Hastings. Division 2 Under 19. Bonbeach 7.6 (48) d Seaford 2.6 (18). Crib Point 13.9 (87) d Chelsea/Edithvale 4.2 (26). Pearcadle 13.13 (91) d Devon Meadows 3.3 (21). Frankston Bombers 217.15 (117) d Somerville 1.0 (6). Mornington-Tyabb Yabbies v Langqwarrin Blues
Northern
■ Northern Football Netball League. Division 1 Seniors. Banyule 11.14 (80) d South morang 8.11 (59). Hurstbridge 11.17 (83) d Montmorency 11.10 (76). Greensborough 12.15 (87) d West Preston Lakeside 5.7 (37). North Heidelberg 14.8 (92) d Eltham 5.7 (37). Heidelberg 16.6 (102) d Bundoora 6.9 (45). Division 1 Reserves. South Morang 0.5 (65) d Banyule 8.12 (60). Montmorency 15.12 (102) d Hurstbridge 10.12 (72). West Preston Lakeside 11.13 (79) d Greensborough 2.1 (13).
Eltham 13.6 (84) d North Heidelberg 7.8 (48). Heidelberg 25.20 (170) d Bundoora 0.2 (2).
Division 1 Under 19.5. Eltham 8.12 (60) d Montmorency 4.5 (29). Heidelberg 8,.12 (60) d Banyule 6.5 (41). Hurstbridge 12.10 (82) d Greensborough 3.5 (23). Diamond Creek 9.16 (70) d St Mary’s 9.7 (61).
Division 2 Seniors. St Mary’s 9.12 (66) d Old Paradians 6.12 (48). Whittlesea 14.12 (96) d Northcote Park 7.9 (51). Macleod 20.18 (138) d Watsonia 6.6 (42). Diamond Creek 16.20 (116) d Thomastown 9.2 (56). Lower Plenty 217.13 (115) d Panton Hill 8.12 (60).
Division 2 Reserves. St Mary’s 11.12 (78) d Old Paradians 7.6 (48). Whittlesea 1010 (70) d Northcote park 7.4 (46). Panton Hill 9.10 (64) d Lower Plenty 8.15 (63). Macelod 11.12 (78) d Watsonia 2.12 (24). Diamond Creek 15.7 (97) d Thomastown 3.5 (23).
Division 2 Under 19.5. Laurimar 4.9 (33) drew with Whittlesea 4.9 (33). Mernda 9.14 (68) d Lower Plenty 10.5 (65). South Morang 8.14 (122) d Macleod 11.7 (73). North Heidelberg 21.17 (143) d Heidelberg 4.5 (29).
Division 3 Seniors. Laurimar 15.12 (102) d Ivanhoe 5.13 (43). Sunday, August 17: Kinglake v kilmore.
Division 3 Reserves. Ivanhoe 6.7 (43) d Kilmore 5.7 (37). Sunday, August 17: Fitzsroy Stars v Mernda.
Division 3 Under 19.5. Bundoora 7.7 (49) d Eltham 5,12 (42). Sunday, August 17: Watsonia v Panton Hill.
Outer East
■ Outer East. Premier Division Seniors. Upwey Tecoma 11.8 (74) d Emerald 10.10 (70). Monbulk 5.10 (40) d Mt Evelyn 5.7 (37). Officer 9.8 (62) d Healeswville 8.8 (56). Wandin 14.8 (92) d Gembrook Cockatoo 11.14 (80). Woori Yallock 11.12 (78) d Olinda Ferny Creek 11.11 (77).
Premier Division Reserves. Upwey Tecoma 13.15 (93) d Emerald 2.4 (16). Mt Evelyn 10.8 (68) d Monbulk 5.4 (34). Officer 23.16 (154) d Healesville 1.2 (8). Wandin 7.7 (49) d Gembrook Cockatoo 5.5 (35). Woori Yallock 8.10 (58) d Olinda Ferny Creek 8.7 (55).
Division 1 Seniors. Warburton Millgrove 20.17 (137) d Yarra Glen 4.2 (26). Powelltown 18.13 (121) d Yea 16.14 (110). Seville 10.13 (73) d Pakenham 7.9 (51). Belgrave 20.9 (129) d Alexandra 11.10 (76). Yarra Junction: Bye.
Division 1 Reserves. Warburton Millgrove 29.13 (187) d Yarra Glen 0.0 (0). Yea 19.8 (122) d Powelltown 6.6 (42). Pakenham 8.5 (53) d Seville 7.4 (46). Alexandra 10.12 (72) d Belgrave 4.5 (29). Yarra Junction: Bye. Premier Division Under 18 Boys. Mt Evelyn 19.15 (129) d Monbulk 2.5 (7). Officer 7.6 (48) d Healesville 3.8 (26). Wandin 9.8 (62) d Gembrook Cockatoo 4.3 (27). Olinda Ferny Creek 16.16 (112) d Woori Yallock 5.1 (31). Upwey Tecoma: Bye. Division 1 Under 18 Boys. Warburton Millgrove 6.10 (46) drew with Yarra Glen 6.10 (46). Seville d Yea, by forfeit. Pakenham 31.15 (201) d Alexandra 2.4 (16).
14.11 (95) d Heatherton 8.7 (55). Hampton 19.15 (129) d South Mornington 9.11 (65). St Kilda City 10.18 978) d Lyndhurst 10.8 (68). Black Rock 9.15 (69) d Ashwood 10.8 (68).
Division 4 Seniors. Dandenong west 17.21 (123) d Lyndale 8.7 (55). Hallam 20.20 (140) d Moorabbin Kangaroos 6.4 (40). Clayton 13.15 (93) d Narre South Saints 4.6 (30). South Yarra 20.13 (133) d Doveton Eagles 6.6 (42).
Western
■ Division 1 Seniors. Parkside 8.13 (61) d Spotswood 7.9 (51). Newport 8.18 (66) d Altona 8.9 (57). Point Cook 8.10 (58) d Albion 5.7 (37). Caroline Springs 26.13 (169) d Point Cook Centrals 3.6 (24). Yarraville Seddon Eagles 13.10 (88) d Hoppers Crossing 8.14 (62). Werribee Districts 25.16 (166) d Sunshine 3.8 (26).
Division 2 Seniors. North Footscray 14.17 (101) d Sunshine Heights 7.10 (52). Wyndhamvale 17.20 (122) d Albanvale 1.3 (9). Laverton Magpies 17.13 (115) d Western Rams 12.9 (81). West Footscray 16.12 (108) d Tarneit 5.3 (33). Braybrook 13.17 (95) d Suns 8.17 (67).
Goulburn Valley
■ Seniors. Shepparton United 13.13 (91) d Mooroopna 8.7 (55). Mansfield 13.4 (832) d Shepparton 9.13 (67). Rochester 13.7 (85) d Benalla 9.8 962). Shepparton Swans 10.8 (68) d Euroa 811 (59). Seymour 22.19 (151) d Tatura 6.2 (38). Kyabram 13.14 (92) d Echuca 8.11 (59).
Reserves. Shepparton United 16.12 (108) d Mooroopna 2.6 (18). Shepparton 6.7 (43) d Mansfield 2.3 (15). Rochester 10.17 (77) d Benalla 1.2 (8). Shepparton Swans 25.10 (160) d Euroa 0.2 (2). Seymour 18.12 (120) d Tatura 2.2 (14). Kyabram 8.11 (59) d Echuca 6.6 (42).
Under 18. Kyabram 7,.10 (52) d Echuca 6.3 (39). Mooroopna 7.11 (53) d Shepparton United 5.6 (36). Shepparton 12.17 (89) d Mansfield 11.7 (73). Rochester 8.6 (54) d Benalla 7.7 (49). Euroa 7.18 (60) d Shepparton Swans 6.2 (38). Tatura 10.5 (65) d Seymour 3.8 (26).
Kyabram
District
■ Seniors. Lancaster 22.15 (147) d Stanhope 1.21 (7). Shepparton East 28.20 (188) d Merrigum 21.0 (6). Murchison Toolamba 26.21 (177) d Violet Town 2.5 (17). Longwood 18.19 (127) d Tallygaroopna 5.7 (37). Rushworth 26.10 (166) d Undera 5.5 (35). Nagambie 12.15 (87) d Avenel 9.7 (61). Girgarre: Bye Reserves. Lancaster 10.8 (68) d Stanhope 8.6 (54). Shepparton East 20.11 (131) d Merrigum 9.2 (56). Murchison Toolamba 100 d Violet Town 0, forfeit. Tallygaroopna 10.12 (72) d Longwood 5.5 (35). Rushworth 7.13 (55) d Undera 1.5 (11). Avenel 11.10 976) d Nagambie 5.4 (34). Girgarre: Bye. Under 18. Shepprton East 16.22 (118) d Lancaster 2.7 (19). Tigers 12.11 (83) d Undera 6.3 (39). Tallygaroopna 26.24 (180) d Longwood 1.1 (7). Murchison Toolamba 26,.14 (170) d Violet Town 1.2 (8). Bye: Girgarre, Nagambie.
Riddell District
■ Seniors. Macedon 16.11 (107) d Melton Centrals 4.14 (38). Romsey 13.4 (82) d Woodend Hesket 10.8 (68). Wallan 22.16 (148) d Gisborne Giants 10.14 (74). Melton South 11.9 (75) d Kyneton 6.15 (51). Lancefield 11.5 (71) d Diggers Rest 9.14 (68). Reserves. Macedon 26.13 (169) d Melton centrals 0.1 (1). Romsey 11.9 975) d Woodend Hesket 1.1 (7). Wallan 15.12 (102) d Gisborne Giants 2.6 (18). Melton south 6.5 (41) d Kyneton 4.8 (32). Diggers Rest 5.4 (34) d Lancefield 5.3 (33). Under 19.5. Romsey 5.11 (41) d Woodend Hesket 4.4 (28). Gisborne Giants 16.7 (103) d Wallan 2.6 (18). Kyneton 8.7 (55) d Melton South 5.7 (37). Diggers Rest 9.14 (68) d Lancefield 8.2 (50). Bye: Macedon, Riddell.
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
■
Where to pick up your free copy of The Local Paper
■ ■ LOWER PLENTY. Lower Plenty Newsagency/Tatts. 95 Main Rd.
■ ■ MACLEOD. Macleod Newsagency.
62 Aberdeen Rd.
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■ ■ MILL PARK. 7-Eleven. Cnr Childs Rd and Morang Dr.
■ ■ MILL PARK. Mill Park Newsagency. 4 The Stables Shopping Centre.
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■ ■ MONTMORENCY. 7-Eleven. 215 Sherbourne Rd.
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■ ■ ■ THORNBURY. Normanby News and Lotto. 638 High St.
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■ ■ THORNBURY. Tatts and Licensed Grocery. 400 Station St.
■ ■ WATSONIA. BP. Cnr Watsonia Rd and Morwell Ave.
■ ■ WATSONIA. Coles Express. Cnr Greensborough Rd and Yallambie rD
■ ■ WATSONIA. Watsonia RSL. 6 Morwell Ave.
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■ WEST HEIDELBERG. Convenience Store. Moresby Cres.
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■ ■ WEST HEIDELBERG. Foodworks. 571-573 Waterdale Rd.
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■ ■ WEST HEIDELBERG. Licensed Supermarket. Olympic Village. Moresby Cres.
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■ WEST HEIDELBERG. Milk Bar. Cnr Banksia St and Oriel Rd.
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■ ■ ■ ■ WEST HEIDELBERG. Supermarket. The Mall. Cnr Bell St and Oriel Rd.
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■ WEST HEIDELBERG. Tatts. The Mall. Cnr Bell St and Oriel Rd.
■ ■ WEST PRESTON. IGA Xpress Supermarket. 392-298 Gilbert Rd.
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■ WEST PRESTON. Liberty Service Station. Cnr Gilbert Rd and Union St.
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■ WEST PRESTON. Thornbury Cellars. 141 Miller St.
■ ■ WEST RESERVOIR. 7-Eleven. Cnr Gilbert Rd and Henty St.
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■ ■ ■ WESTGARTH. Lotto/SubNewsagency. 107 High St.
■ ■ ■ ■ WESTGARTH. Milk Bar. Cnr Westgarth St and South Cres.
■ ■ WOLLERT. Ampol. 250 Epping Rd.
WOLLERT. General Store and Take Away. 491 Epping Rd.
WOLLERT. Shell. 246 Epping Rd.
■ YALLAMBIE. 7-Eleven. 371 Lower Plenty Rd.
Alvarez Sanchez, Sebastian Aneja, Sagar Aravanis, Mark Atkinson, Reuben Bajramovski, Petrit Bhangoo, Vineet Bott, Nathan Boxhall, Lyle Kenneth Brandi, James Brigham, Jarryd Chaabani, Ali Collum, John Dean, Keanu Delmo, Zac Deutsher, Madison Jane Downing, Jason Falcone, Nick Joseph Forbes, Luke Georseski, Jake Giacominato, Gaetano Giammarco, Marissa Gueli, Claudia Hafenden Pty Ltd Hagi Ali, Zakaria Hameed, Ali Han, Gang Hee Hogan, Annette Houston, Jacob Hudgson, Chole Hughes, Rayne Iheukwumere, Ignatius Chidebre Johnston, Christopher George Joseph, Sherel Khalif, Younis Kirwen, Zac Konelio, Faamanu Le, Mish Louis Lin, Maggie Lovett, Junee Dorothy Mackrill, John Macolino, Angela Macolino_Investments Pty Ltd Marinovic, Lana Mathews, Michelle Mc Menaman, Sarah Mcquinn, Naomi Mergianos, Elizabeth Mifsud, Jason Moda, David Mohamed, Rahma Mohammed, Indris Hassen Mokbel, Antonius Myrteza, Ardit Nagarkoti, Dhurba Naidu, Chad Neal, Jaime Nedanoski, Nick Noack, Michael Ottobre, Dennis Owen, Bailey Page, Tori Pan, Emmanuel Pangallo, Antonio Peric, Thomas Peter Ponton, Elizabeth Read, Scot Reilly, Ashlee Ann Riddle, Andrew Rose, Janine Rose, Tamara Ryan, Steele Linton Sabotic, Craig Sanderson, Brandon Sartorello, Michael Schembri, Jennifer Schintler, Benjamin Scott, Ashley Semaan, Joseph Shand, Matthew Slight, Benjamin Jae Smith, Matthew Smith, Sarah Stojcevski, Jamie Tago, Alan Taherkhani, Amirkhashayer Tan, Sophanith Taylor, Andrew Douglas Taylor, Rebecca Thomas, Roxann Thorpe, Colleen Urike, Hunter Walters, Sarah Ward, Jessica Louise Williams, Amy Williams, Bruce Albert Williams, Jason Michael Wissell, Elizabeth Wood, Joshua Broadmeadows Magistrates’ Court Criminal Court Listings Wednesday, August 20 84 Rose St Pty Ltd Abdallah, Abadallah Abdelsayed, Dalia
A-Grade Developments Pty Ltd
Akauola, Daniel Tennesse Al Maamouri, Abdullah Aldiab, Jasem Aliya Pty Ltd
Apreem, Yousif Assad, Khaled
Atherton, Adrian Attalah, Ellie Attwell, Jackson Austin, Sony Aziz, Nicholas Azzopardi, Joshua Barak, Dawoud Barakat, Mohamad Bent, Stephen J Briffa, Anthony Brown, Molly Calvert, Suzannah Chai, Yong Liang Chambers, Edwin Ciolek, Paulina Clayton, Bianca Coutts, Alexander Jack Crick, Elizabeth Croxford, Andrew Dance, Trevor Davi, Vincent Dhieu, Brian Dreamy Pet Pty Ltd Driiver, Thomas John Dunn, William El Helou, Esmail El-Achkar, Mohamed Fawcett, Brayden Febey, Steven Flower, Michael Fotopoulos, Jim Freddura, Marco Gardenview Homes Pty Ltd Garou, George Giezekamp, Paul Jacques Gorman, Danielle Goulter, Luke Harrington, Christopher Harrison, Anita Ida Hartel, Alan Hoang, Thuy Phuong Hocking, Stewart Holt, John Arthur Holt, Robert Milton Howett, Heather Hoy, Aaron Elliot Jjy Constructions Pty Ltd Jodawat, Fiona Jodawat, Hitendra Kalaiya, Nisarg Kamil, Tongez Kennedy, Caitlin Khaled, Mamdouh Khasrawy, Mariam Kiamil, Tongez King, Tiffany Kirby, Jeremiah Kocass, Harold Komaragiri, Sai Praveen Konstantinov, Dimitry Kuyucu, Ilker Mehmet Lambrinos, Peter Loder, Glenn Mathew Lowe, Jordan Madafferi, Giovanni Maher, Justin Mancini, David Manton, Jaiden Joshua Mcginley, Emma Mcgowan, Kristen Meisner, Rachel Sarah Michel, Van Mifka, Makala Mills, Jordan Monash Bin Hire & Demolition Pty Ltd Mourtzakis, Michael Murphy, Tania New Concept Holdings Pty Ltd Newell, Madeline Nguyen, Son Ha Nix, Veronica Oddie, James Paton, Montana Alexis Pekes, Hanifi Perera, Vilani Pignatelli, Antonio Reakes, Michael John Rossino, Sofia Rubicon Real Estate Pty Ltd Sabell, Bradon Saffar, Ali Sahim, Hasan Saltalamacchia, Hugh Scarlett Marie Abou-Eid Holdings Pty Ltd Silva, Michael Singh, Ramendra Smith, Angela Sneddon, Leah Kate Speechley, Amara Kate Strickland, Kurt Striglogiannis, Bill Taylor, Karly Teffaha, Romi The Trust Company Limited Tyson, Brittany Ullah, Fida Unavar, Mehmet Urch, Joel Van Stavern, Jordan Vella, Phillip Viccon Group Pty Ltd Walker, Aleasha Walker, Ashley Wassilieff, Melissa Frances Watson, Cal Watts, Robbie Yildirim, Bilal Younan, Achraf
■ Preston MLA Nathan Lambert told State Parliament: “: I would like to recognise the north-west Reservoir Italian Seniors Club for their work in our community, led by president Elisa Iacovitti and treasurer Lina Agugiaro
“I also express our condolences on the recent passing of St Joseph the Worker parish priest Father Emmanuel Bonello,” Mr Lambert said.
Cemetery places
■ The City of Whittlesea is inviting residents to express their interest in joining the Epping Cemetery Community Asset Committee. This volunteer committee supports the management of Epping Cemetery and helps raise awareness of its heritage and role in the community.
The Council is seeking local residents with an interest in community history and a desire to contribute to civic life to apply.
Residents passionate about local history, the environment, or protecting the cemetery’s future are particularly encouraged to apply.
This includes historians, members of historical societies, and those with family interred at the site.
To be eligible, applicants must live in or own property within the City of Whittlesea, be 18 years or older, and be available to attend meetings and events.
Preference will be given to applicants not employed in the cemetery or funeral services sector.
Expressions of interest will close on August 22.
City of Whittlesea Mayor, Cr Martin Taylor, said: “Epping Cemetery holds deep meaning for many in our community — whether through family connections, historical interest or a love for the local environment.
“We’re inviting community members to help care for this space, honour its stories and play a part in planning for its future.”
Flood information
■ Melbourne Water is working to update flood information for all of Melbourne, including Nillumbik Shire Council
Flood models are used to:
■ ensure the community is aware of their flood risk and what to do in a flood event
■ update Municipal Flood Emergency Management Plans and Local Flood Guides
■ update planning scheme controls to ensure planning and building decisions take flood risk into consideration
Melbourne Water is now inviting residents to share their recent experiences with flooding issues in their street or local neighbourhoods to help inform the data collection and identify key flooding hot spots.
Nillumbik Mayor Cr John Dumaresq said that the flood mapping will be beneficial for our community’s safety and future infrastructure planning.
“Collecting accurate and up-to-date flood mapping data is essential to keeping our community safe and informed. It helps us plan smarter, respond faster, and build greater resilience against future flood events,” Cr Dumaresq said.
By identifying flooding hot spots, this data will guide future investments and ensure that infrastructure is built to better withstand severe weather and protect homes, businesses and essential services.
Melbourne Water uses the best available data and tools to build their flood models –but the community’s local knowledge can help make them even better.
“The community’s real-world insights will help ensure the Melbourne Water’s flood models reflect what happens on the ground,” Cr Dumaresq said.
Feedback closes Sunday, August 24.
At Kinglake
■ Kinglake Neighbourhood House has a busy August program including a Boat Licence course, Dry Felting Pictures workshop, Leadlighting (morning and evening options), Meditation and Sound Healing, Gluten-Free Muffins session, Clay Club, and Paint and Sip. The much-loved Facilitated Playgroups and held Mondays and Thursdays); PEEP is on Wednesdays.
Australia's most underrated sprinter?
■ In most other years, the winner of autumn's Black Caviar Lightning would be a major source of attention at the important prespring trials that were conducted at the Caulfield Heath track.
But, in keeping with her undeserved modest profile, the neatly built Skybird unobtrusively ambled around like any other horse with trainer Mitch Freedman before and after taking part in the opening 800-metre heat.
It was much the same in the trial itself. Jockey John Allen dropped her back to second last and then allowed her to work home out wide for a subdued midfield placing.
Seemingly, nothing has changed then with this low-key Ballarat-based flyer.
In the days after her Lightning victory at Flemington in February, the usual invitations to compete at Royal Ascot and other international destinations weren't forthcoming, nor since has there been a hint of interest from slot-holders for the $20 million The Everest in October.
That's a little strange considering the Black Caviar Lightning is one of the world's morerenowned sprints and indeed the race finished equal 16th at the end of 2024 for the highest-rated Group 1s to be run throughout the world.
Past five winners of the Black Caviar Lightning:
■ 2025 - Skybird. Ended the season rated the equal ninth-best sprinter in the land;
■ 2024 - Imperatriz. Went on to be sold as a broodmare for a record $6.6 million;
■ 2023 - Coolangatta. Sold as a broodmare for a figure around $5m;
■ 2022 - Home Affairs. Served 203 mares on a $110,000 fee in his opening season; and
■ 2021 - Nature Strip. That year's leading sprinter in the world with a 124 rating.
Yet, it's as if Skybird's last-to-first win of six months ago was a mere aberration. A fluke, maybe.
Fortunately for Skybird's connections, opinions, ratings and trends can flip quickly. For Skybird, it might just take her 57 seconds or so to manage a major transformation when she appears first-up in the September 6 G1 Moir Stakes (1000m) at The Valley Freedman is not overly bothered that little fuss is made about the mare he purchased as a yearling for $110,000.
"No one seems to really care too much about her," he shrugged after her trial. "But we just hope she can do it on race day again and that will do the talking."
Freedman said the enforced break after the Lightning - when she hurt a pectoral musclemeant she has returned a little more furnished and with a good, solid base of work behind her that will give her the chance to take that leap into the elite.
"She still is a horse that is maturing," Freedman said as he looked her over. "She is very lightly raced and, in my opinion, she is still growing a bit.
"We're happy with the development she has made as far as physically and muscling up, so hopefully we can see it on race day."
He said his focus is fixed on her first-up run in the Moir and he is taking the attitude that her spring path will become clearer after the first big sprinting test of this preparation.
Freedman was pleased with her effort, patiently awaiting the day next month when Skybird gets the chance to produce that jawdropping sprint.
Ted Ryan
"She just sat back off the speed and joined in and her last 100 (metres), I was really happy with that," he said of her trial. "It was exactly what we needed for where we are in the prep so it will have us in good stead going forward towards the Moir first-up.
"The team have done a really good job with her as it's taken a lot of work to get that muscle right, but I think we've got it in good shape at the moment and the way she stretched out today would suggest she's feeling pretty good."
A spring of riches could await if Skybird recaptures her Lightning form.
"We can only hope and dream," Freedman said of what could lie ahead.
"Undoubtedly, she is one of the more exciting sprinters in the country. There's a handful of them ready to step up to the plate and hopefully she's one of them."
Andrew Eddy, racing.com
Partnership split
■ Cranbourne-based trainers Lloyd Kennewell and Lucy Yeomans have dissolved their training partnership. Kennewell confirmed the news via a joint
from
both he and Yeomans, who began as a partnership in mid2023 after she had resigned from the Ciaron Maher stable, want to take their own paths in the industry.
"I'm writing to let you know that after twoand-a-half successful seasons together, Lucy Yeomans and I have made the decision to dissolve our training partnership," Kennewell wrote.
"This was not a decision we took lightly, but we both feel the time is right to pursue our own individual paths in the racing industry.
"Since forming our partnership, we've enjoyed some fantastic results, Stakes winners across Australia and victories in at least three states each season.
"Our most recent 2024-25 season was particularly rewarding, with a promising young team delivering a 21 per cent winners strikerate and 48 per cent placings.
"I'm proud to have played a part in giving her ( Yeomans) a new perspective on the industry as a fully fledged trainer - a role she was more than deserving of and we wish Lucy every success for the future.
"Moving forward, my stable operation will now return to operating under my sole name.
"It's business as usual and I look forward to continuing to train your horses with the same dedication and commitment to get the best results possible."
Andrew Eddy, racing.com
● ● Skybird winning the Black Caviar Lightning. Racing Photos.
statement
the stable, saying
FANCIED WINNERS AT KILMORE
■ Kilmore’s 10-race program attracted a lot of attention last Thursday (August 14) with well fancied runners winning most races.
Darraweit trainer/driver Lisa Miles provided 5Y0 Father Patrick-Happy Maori gelding Macho Maori to land the 2180 metre Jet Roofing Trotters Mobile when first up since October last year.
Starting inside the second line, Macho Maori was quickly away from the markers to settle one/one as the speedy Fling It Rainbow took up his usual role at the head of affairs from gate four with Jungle Spider (gate three) caught in the open.
The race was full of action as Whats The Tea outside the front line was restrained to near last before moving forward three wide racing for the bell to join the leader with a circuit to travel shuffling Macho Maori back a spot.
Easing three wide in the last lap to go forward, Macho Maori wasn’t rushed to gradually make ground on the leaders and when asked to produce in the straight, put the leaders away to score nicely by 2.1 from Whats The Tea returning a 2-05.9 mile rate.
Fling It Rainbow held third 9.1 metres back.Raced by Fred Crews and family with Fred the breeder, Macho Maori has greeted the judge on six occasions from 67 outings which include 11 placings.
■ Sutton Grange trainer Ross Graham is a regular at most Kilmore meetings and Used To Me-Sonoko 5Y0 mare Dossier raced by twin brother Leigh, scored in the VHRC / Renown Silverware Trotters Mobile over 2180 metres.
Given a glorious passage from gate two trailing the poleline pacemaker Picket Wire by James Herbertson which was kept honest by Link In Bio (gate five) which had gone forward from three back in the moving line midrace to join her with the pair going head and head to the home turn, Dossier made full use of the sprint lane to prevail by 9.1 metres from a game Link In Bio who was relentless, with Picket Wire a head away third. The rate 2-02.6. Dossier is a half sister to Son Of Sonoko (Sundon) a winner of almost $300,000 in stakes and still racing.
■ Champion Bolinda reinsman Chris Alford combined with Derrinal trainer Glenn Bull to snare the VHRC / Black Horse Naturals Pace over 1690 metres with 5Y0 Gotta Go CullectDestiny Choice mare Fake Collection. Going forward from gate six to cross the leader Atomic Glory (gate five), Fake Collection although tackled from all directions on turning fought on doggedly to account for Dot Ball (gate two second line one/two) by 1.6 metres with Atomic Glory a half neck back third. The mile rate 1-59.3.
■ The VHRC / Del Re National Foods Trotters Final was the feature of the night and a triumph for 76 year old Balliang/Bacchus Marsh owner/trainer/driver Robert Young after 6Y0 Danny Bouchea-Kilmainham gelding Scar was successful in a mile rate of 2-03.1. Going forward from outside the front line after being trapped wide, Scar settled outside polemarker Kalarney Prince which gave the front running away to the favourite Keayang Brandy starting inside the second line for Girgarre trainer/driver Lisa Pitt which went forward with a rush three wide from five back in the moving line to cross and lead at the bell.
Still travelling kindly on the final bend, Scar gave it all on straightening to gain the day by a half head from Keayang Brandy, with Old Dominion (gate two second line – three wide from the tail continuing a long run for third 4.6 metres back.
■ Lisa Pitt was to make amends for Keayang Brandy’s narrow defeat by winning the VHRC / GBL Properties 4Y0 & Older Maiden Trotters Mobile over 2180 metres with Jilliby Topgun, a 5Y0 What The Hill-Midnightatpinevale gelding raced, trained and driven by her. Settling three pegs from gate four, Keayang Topgun was put back a spot when Kyvalley Mariache after galloping at the start was sent forward by Chris Alford with a brilliant turn of speed to cross the polemarker and leader Aldebaran Sariah at the bell. Chasing determinedly as the home turn came into view, Jilliby Topgun finished at a great rate along the sprint lane to blouse the front runner Military Merit (one/three from the extreme draw which joined Kyvalley Mariache and head her on the final bend. The Knockout (gate six) after enjoying a cosy trip one/ one was third 2.4 metres away after angling wide in the straight. The mile rate 2-05.2.
■ Mitchellstown trainer/driver Kylie Sugars led throughout aboard 4Y0 Somebeach-somewhere-Major Missile mare Majors Creek in the
Harness Racing
len-baker@ bigpond.com
with Len Baker
1690 metre VHRC / Benstud Standardbreds Pace, greeting the judge six metres in advance of a death-seating Altius from outside the front line who’s effort was outstanding. Bronski Royal (gate two – outside the leader – one/one last lap) was third 4.4 metres back. The mile rate 1-58.4.
■ Kialla trainer Mitchell Frost combined with Jordan Leedham aboard the heavily backed Always B Miki-Magic Moment Lombo gelding Magic Miki on debut in the Thank You Maxine Brain 3Y0 Maiden Pace over 1690 metres. Raced by Hobart based Juanita McKenzie. Leading out from gate two, Jordy was content to allow Colorado Girl (gate four with Chris Alford in the sulky to cross him shortly after the start to receive the run of the race.
Using the sprint lane, Magic Miki put the race beyond doubt in a couple of strides to score most impressively by 4.4 metres from Colorado Girl which had no answer. Polemarker Julz Marie (three pegs) on debut was third 1.7 metres back after also using the sprint lane. The mile rate 2-00.1.
■ Leading trainer Emma Stewart combined with Hamilton’s Jackie Barker to land the VHRC / Woodlands Stud Pace over 1690 metres with Always B Miki-Magic Moment Lombo –filly Ill Be Gone.
Starting from the extreme draw, the filly went forward three wide from one/one in the last lap to register a 1.6 metre margin in a mile rate of 1-55.8 over Ideal Moth (gate seven) which led at the bell after being one/one. Day Two (gate six – four pegs) was third 9.9 metres back.
■ The VHRC / Mazzetti Painting 2Y0 Pace saw Allan McDonough victorious aboard his Stay Hungry-Ellenkate colt Affamato returning a mile rate of 1-58.9.
Leading out from gate two, Affamato was eased to allow Go Easy On Me (gate seven) to cross at the bell. Using the sprint lane Affamoto ran home best to record a half neck margin over Go Easy On Me and Razor Horizon (gate four – one/one – three wide home turn) who was a neck away third.
■ Racing concluded with the VHRC / Australian Pacing Gold Trotters Mobile over 2180 metres taken out by Kilmore local Billy Milner’s part-owned and trained Armbro Variable-Motu Paulina 5Y0 mare The Night Queen giving James Herbertson his second winner for the night.
Trailing the poleline leader Brigitte Royale from outside the front line with The Vicars Girl (gate five) in the open, The Night Queen was inconvenienced in the last lap after The Vicars Girl had crossed the weakening leader with Tiney outside her issuing a challenge. Eventually exiting a tight pocket to give chase prior to the final bend, The Night Queen finished full of running to score easily by 1.6 metres from The Vicars Girl, with Tiney third 1.5 metres back. The mile rate 2-06.4.
Friday at Geelong
■ At Geelong on Friday, smart 3Y0 Captain Crunch-Arts Treasure filly Golden Shooz returned to the winners list when taking the 1609 metre Hoyts Food Pace.
Trained at Myrniong by Jess Tubbs, Golden Shooz led all of the way from gate two, accounting for Our Rocker from three pegs after starting from inside the second line. Rank outsider Steel Ruler was third a neck back after trailing the winner from the pole. The mile rate 1-56.8.
■ Kuranjang co-trainers Maree and John Caldow landed the Evolution Lodge Trotters Mobile again over 1609 metres which seems to
be the norm with most Geelong meetings of late with very honest 5Y0 What The Hill-Cloud Chaser mare The Sky Is The Limit.
Raced by Maree, son Matthew and daughter Lauren, The Sky Is The Limit driven by John enjoyed a perfect passage from inside the second line following the poleline leader Amartey which had to work hard from the outset to retain the inside running.
Using the sprint lane, The Sky’s The Limit dashed to the front halfway up the running to register a 4.4 metre margin from a wall of runners with Iron Women (gate two second line) off a three wide trail from mid-field second and Majestic Tooth (gate three second line) promoted to third after trailing the runner up home and making the final bend very wide.
Lochinvar Son (gate five) one/two – three wide at the bell to join the leader for the last lap was a terrific third 4.8 metres away but galloped approaching the post and was relegated to fifth. The mile rate 1-59.7.
■ The 2100 metre Haras Des Trotteurs Trotters Mobile saw Mitchell Park (Ballarat) trainer Kelvin Barker’s 6Y0 gelding Mercenary register his first success since winning at Globe Derby Park Adelaide in October last year.
Starting solo on the second line, Mercenary possied beautifully one/one for Jackie Barker as roughie Illawong Stardust led from gate four. Easing three wide in the last lap, Mercenary showing a brilliant turn of speed raced to the front on the final bend to register an easy 2 metre margin from Ser Patrick (gate six) which followed the winner throughout. Polemarker Royal Charlotte a winner of 15 races was third from three pegs 8.8 metres back. The mile rate 1-59.8.
■ South Ecklin trainer Mattie Craven combined with Hannah Lewis aboard 3Y0 Art
Beginning best to lead from gate three, Harbour Springs at start number nine was always in control and scored by 1.4 metres from Im The Wild One (gate four) which was unsuccessful in challenging the winner for the front running as the start was effected before easing to her back and using the sprint lane to no avail.
Riddellmethis after galloping in the score up from outside the front line moved from the tail to settle three back in the moving lane and five wide on the home turn for third 2.8 metres away. The mile rate 2-00.9.
Power blackout
■ Apologies for missing the early part of the week as I had a massive power blackout which wiped everything off the computer. Len Baker
News Extra
Amazon at Casey
■ Casey Council is celebrating the creation of 500 new local jobs with the opening of Amazon’s newest fulfilment centre in Cranbourne West.
Casey Mayor Cr Stefan Koomen, Deputy Mayor Cr Melinda Ambros, Cr Carolyn Eaves, Cr Gary Rowe, Cr Scott Dowling and Cr Shane Taylor attended the official opening, alongside Danny Pearson, Minister for Finance and Economic Growth and Jobs, and Pauline Richards, Cranbourne MLA, on Friday (Aug. 15) to welcome the significant boost to local employment opportunities.
Cr Koomen emphasised that the impact of these new jobs goes beyond economic growth.
“More than 65 per cent of our residents travel to work by car. Every minute that they save on their journey to-and-from work, means more time spent with those they love or doing activities that bring joy to their everyday lives,” said Cr Koomen.
Cr Koomen also highlighted the broader significance of Amazon’s investment.
“Amazon’s $200 million investment in Casey is a powerful endorsement of our strategic advantages and further strengthens our reputation as a premier destination for investment and innovation.”
“Casey is a great place for global businesses to grow, thanks to our convenient location, fast-growing community and business-friendly Council.” Cr Koomen said.
Amazon Australia Country Manager, Janet Menzies said: “Melbourne was the home to our first Australian fulfilment centre in 2017, and we are thrilled to continue investing in Victoria opening our new purpose-built site in Cranbourne West.
“We’re proud to be creating hundreds of high-quality local job opportunities, offering on-the-job training and exciting career opportunities, in a safe and positive environment.”
With Casey’s population projected to exceed 500,000 by 2041, the city is fast becoming a hub for future-focused industries such as logistics, advanced manufacturing, technology, and professional services.
“Plus, our city offers an affordable alternative to industrial land in neighbouring areas like Dandenong. There’s never been a better time to invest in Casey,” Cr Koomen said.
Casey Council said that it looks forward to a strong and ongoing partnership with Amazon and the broader community as we continue building a vibrant, prosperous future for all.
Jane aims for East
■ The Family First Party has announce the endorsement of Jane Foreman as a candidate for the Legislative Council in Victoria for next year’s state election.
She is likely to staqnd for the Eastern or North-Eastern Metropolitan Prtovince.
Described as “a devoted champion of family, faith, freedom, and life”, Jane is said to brin a wealth of leadership experience to her candidacy.
She has previously served as a local government councillor in her home state of Western Australia and currently serves as the chair of Family First’s Victorian executive committee.
“She’s been an effective grassroots organiser for Family First in several by-elections and at the recent Federal election where she mobilised around 1000 volunteers,” said a Party statement.
“Jane’s personal story deeply informs her political convictions. A mother of three adopted children, she knows first-hand the challenges facing families under bureaucratic overreach, soaring energy costs, and the erosion of parental rights in education,” said a Party staement.
Ms Foreman said: “I am not embarrassed to stand up for your family, no matter what the elites say ... together we can put Victorian families first.
“Sadly both Labor and Liberal are hostile to mainstream families’ concerns about girls and women’s rights and both support energy policies which are driving up the cost of living for Victorian families.
“Victorian families need Family First in the Upper House to fight for them and keep the major parties honest.”
Ms Foreman recently called out the Allan Labor Government’s “draconian VicGrid Stage 2 laws” that threaten farmers’ property rights and penalise them with $12,000 fines.
She has also pledged to fight for law and order in the wake of Victoria’s crime epidemic.
Family First National Director Lyle Shelton said: "We are delighted to endorse Jane Foreman as a Victorian Upper House candidate. Jane embodies our core mission of standing up for strong families, faith, and freedom. Her leadership, conviction, and community roots make her the ideal candidate to carry our vision forward."
Mr Shelton said more candidates would be announced closer to the election.
Major-Miss Galvinator filly Harbour Springs to
Corio Pizza Maiden Pace.
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CAMPER TRAILER. Tru Blu heavy duty all terrain 12V accessory outlet plus slide out kitchen and extras. VGC. $4300. Frakston. 9789 9634. Z-CC
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