The Local Paper. Peninsula-Frankston-Greater Dandenong-Casey-Cardinia Edition. Wed., Apr. 2, 2025

TAKE MY JUNK

REBUILT JETTY FOR MORNINGTON

■ The State Government is rebuilding Mornington Fishermans Jetty to reinstate access for berthing.

Melissa Horne, Minister for Ports and Freight, and Eastern Victoria MLC Tom McIntosh visited the site where preparations are underway for works to start next month.

The Mornington Fishermans Jetty rebuild was funded as part of an $18 million investment delivered in the Victorian Budget 2022-23 and is expected to be completed in the second half of this year.

Reopening the local landmark later this year will support the vision of Mornington Local Port Area Plan which highlighted the area’s recreational, commercial significance and potential.

“The new Fishermans Jetty will be a great asset for the community – attracting locals and tourists to this beautiful part of Victoria,” Mr McIntosh said.

Ms Horne said the ‘new’ jetty would enhance the harbour.

■ A pilot suffered two broken wrists in a landing incident at Tyabb Airport.

Mornington Peninsula Aero Club President Stephen Braim confirmed that the pilot was taken to hospital after being attended to by emergency services personnel.

The pilot required an overnight stay, and was discharged from hospitasl on the next day.

The incident involved a vintage aircraft losing control, and flipping onto its back.

The Peninsula Aero Club released a statement: “A vintage aircraft experienced a landing incident at the Mornington Peninsula Airport at Tyabb around noon on Saturday, March 22.

“The aircraft, while landing on the grass strip, lost directional control and subsequently nosed over on to its back.

“The pilot sustained non-life threateningh injuries, which did include two broken wrists, and was promptly attended to by emerhency services and taken to hospital and released the next day. The aircrafy suffered damage but is believed to be repairable,” Mr Braim said.

■ Dandenong Crime Investigation Unit detectives are appealing for public assistance following two suspicious fires at a Dandenong car yard.

It is believed the first fire occurred at the business on Kirkham Rd in Dandenong South about 1.30a on February 17 last year.

The offenders were seen driving a black Audi sedan up to the entrance of the business, before forcing the gate open and entering the car yard on foot.

It is believed that whilst inside the car yard they have ignited a fire in a cabin of a semitrailer, causing two trucks parked nearby to catch fire and destroying one of the trucks.

The second fire occurred on March 3 about 1.20am at the same premises.

The offenders were seen parking a black Ford sedan in the driveway of the business before exiting the sedan and approaching a locked gate.

They gained access to the yard by cutting the lock to the gate and used an accelerant to set a Scania prime mover alight.

This caused two other trucks nearby to catch fire.

Offenders then fled the premises in the black Ford sedan.

As a result of the incident, it is estimated that the offenders caused just under $2 million in damage.

Investigators have released footage of the vehicles in the hope someone with information will come forward.

Anyone who witnessed the incident or has information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic. com.au

Creek Festival

■ The Discover Dandenong Creek Festival will take place at Tirhatuan Park, Dandenong North from 11am-2pm on Thursday, April 10.

The Festival celebrates Dandenong Creek and features a Welcome to Country by Traditional Custodians, roving performers, craft activities, a plant giveaway, wildlife show, fishing activities, a free sausage sizzle and more.

● ● Tom McIntosh MLC

POLICE SHOOTING AT DOVETON

■ Armed Crime Squad detectives are investigating the circumstances after a man was shot by police on Saturday morning (Mar. 29) in Doveton

Officers were called to a welfare check after neighbours reported an argument between a man and a woman at a residential address on Paperbark St just before 9am.

Prior to police arrival, it’s believed the pair left the address separately, and officers were not required.

Police were then called to the same address just after 10.30am where officers attempted to speak with a male at the front of the residence.

It is alleged the male, armed with a metal pole, aggressively ran at a police officer when a shot was fired by police.

The 33-year-old man was transported to hospital with minor upper-body injuries and remains under police guard.

A crime scene was established while detectives investigate to determine what occurred.

An investigation into the incident in underway with oversight by Professional Standards Command as is normal practice when a police firearm is discharged.

Ticks & Crosses

✖The Cardinia community is encouraged to report dumped rubbish on Councilowned land to the Shire Council. This includes Council parks and reserves, nature strips and local roads. Dumped rubbish is any household item and building and garden waste that has been disposed of without permission. Council investigates all cases of dumped rubbish on council-owned land and has CCTV cameras at rubbish dumping hotspots. Cardinia Shire Mayor, Cr Jack Kowarzik is concerned about the impact of dumped rubbish on our community.

✔Ahead of their match against Brisbane Roar FC, Melbourne City FC men’s team will have an open training session at Casey Fields. from 10.30am-11.30am on Thursday, April 10, at City Football Academy, Pitch 5, Casey Fields, Cranbourne East. Following the training, there will be an opportunity to meet the players and grab some autographs. Merchandise will also be available.

✔The Cora Lynn Recreation Reserve Pavilion is set to undergo significant upgrades to improve facilities for local sporting clubs and the wider community. Temporary change rooms have been installed.

Green light for greyhounds

■ Greyhound racing is coming back to Cranbourne thanks to a major funding boost from the State Government to upgrade the racetrack and deliver world class facilities and improved safety measures.

Anthony Carbines, Minister for Racing, visited the Cranbourne Greyhound Racing Club to announce a $4 million investment through the Victorian Racing Industry Fund.

The club will also invest $2 million, with Greyhound Racing Victoria contributing a further $3.5 million.

The upgraded racetrack will feature the latest safety standards to address the concerns that saw racing suspended at the track in 2022.

Works will include a widened track base, an upgraded racing surface, improved lighting and advanced drainage systems – all contributing to safer racing conditions.

The club will also introduce new animal welfare features, including purpose-built holding and viewing pens and modern wash bays – ensuring the health, comfort and care of racing greyhounds.

Further safety measures include fixed starts at 650 metres, 420 metres and 330 metres, removal of drop-on boxes, a traditional cable lure and the newer Safechase system.

New battery for Manyung

■ Frankston Mayor Cr Kris Bolam says that he paid his own way on a trip in February to the City of Annapolis in the United States of America.

On the goodwill trip he met with Annapolis Mayor Gavin Buckley to discuss their cities, exchange ideas and the establishment of a potential ‘Friendship City’ agreement.

Frankston Council authorised Cr Bolam’s visit to Annapolis to explore this opportunity and other avenues of collaboration.

Mayor Buckley, currently in his second term, is Australian-raised and grew up in Fremantle, Western Australia.

Mayor Buckley, an accomplished local entrepreneur, was re-elected in 2021 with 71 per cent of the vote. Some of Mayor Buckley’s priorities have ranged from gun control advocacy to urban renewal projects.

As one of America’s oldest cities the City of Annapolis has a rich history, serving as the temporary capital of the United States in 1783-1784, and the site where George Washington resigned his commission as commander-in-chief.

Cr Bolam gave a presentation to Mayor Buckley, Alderwoman Rhonda Pindell Charles and several city Commissioners on Frankston.

Cockatoo upgrade

■ The State Government has delivered a new outdoor performance area and new park facilities at Cockatoo’s Alma Treloar Reserve.

Harriet Shing, Minister for Development Victoria, announced the completion of the Alma Treloar Masterplan Implementation Stage 2 project, which is backed by a $180,000 Government investment, with support from Cardinia Shire Council and a grant from the Federal Government.

Improvements include a new amphitheatre with a stage featuring a shade sail canopy, two barbecues, picnic settings and shelters, additional seating in and around the playground area and additional trees.

In Cardinia Shire Council, the Government has funded 23 projects through the Growing Suburbs Fund since 2015, delivering more than $36 million in upgrades.

Fined

$10,000

■ A Donut King operator has been fined $10,000 after breaching child employment rules at outlets at Rosebud Plaza and Berwick, the Herald Sun reported.

“Sam Minto, the sole director of Minto Nominees Pty Ltd, fronted Melbourne Magistrates’ Court to answer 70 charges brought against the business by the state’s employment watchdog,” reported Lucy Callander.

“He pled guilty to 12 rolled up charges including the “most serious” offence of failing to ensure multiple children aged between 13 and 15-years-old were supervised by someone cleared to work with children.

■ Eastern Victoria MLC Tom McIntosh visited Camp Manyung , the site of the Mornington Peninsula's 88kwh battery, as part of round two of the $42 million Neighbourhood Battery Program.

YCMA Victoria’s Y Discovery Camps will receive $384,848 for an 88kwh battery at their camp in Mount Eliza, as one of six batteries statewide, which will lower energy costs for the camps.

Neighbourhood batteries can soak up cheap, renewable energy from rooftop solar during the day and feed it back into the organisations or homes they are connected to at night, when power usage is high.

These neighbourhood batteries can be paired with solar to provide back-up power to these buildings to act as community hubs for people to access power during prolonged outages.

“Mr Minto also agreed the business had failed to provide adequate rest breaks for the children.”

‘Bubsie’ visits

■ ‘Bubsie’ is coming to Cranbourne West, Frankston, Pakenham and Narre Warren

‘Bubsie’ is the legendary 1925 Citroën 5CV, which was the first car to drive around Australia retracing the original 1925 journey that captivated the nation.

Shire objectives

■ The Cardinia Shire community is invited to provide feedback on Council’s draft strategic objectives, which will guide the development of the new Council Plan 2025–29 and associated strategic documents

“The strategic objectives have been informed by priorities identified by the Community Panel during the deliberative engagement process in February,” said a Shire representative.

“The panel, which included a diverse cross section of the community, contributed ideas and provided valuable insights over four workshops.

“As part of the deliberative engagement process, the Community Panel reviewed and updated Council’s Community Vision and identified a number of key focus areas that have helped to inform the draft strategic objectives.”

Council is now seeking feedback from the wider Cardinia Shire community on the draft strategic objectives including thriving communities: we deliver inclusive programs and facilities that enhance engagement, wellbeing and resilience. Consultation is open until May 11.

● ● ● ● Y Victoria Head of Camps Daniel Whykes, Camp Manyung Operations Manager Renee Tickner-Lane, Tom McIntosh MLC and Camp Manyung’s Jim Boyle.

‘Victoria is the home of batteries – which soak-up cheap renewable energy during the day to drive down bills for Victorian families.’ - Tom McIntosh MLC

● ● Anthony Carbines

● ● Cr Kris Bolam

Statewide

MONTROSE

Local fire concern

■ Bridget Vallence, Evelyn MLA, has spoken in State Parliament about the Montrose fire. A group of boys has been questioned by Police about the blaze.

“Our Montrose community was confronted with a significant bushfire event. Starting as a grass and scrub fire on Saturday, March 14, in Dr Ken Leversha Reserve along Sheffield Rd in Montrose, it unfortunately spread and became out of control during the middle of the night, with VicEmergency warning residents to ‘take shelter now’ – another test demonstrating just how resilient our local Montrose community is,” Ms Vallencer said.

“I pay tribute to our local CFA fire brigades and our valued volunteer firefighters, who show exceptional dedication to our Yarra Ranges community, that responded swiftly alongside Forest Fire Management Victoria, battling not only the hot and windy conditions but also what residents have described as overgrown vegetation and debris on the council reserve.

“Sadly, at least one home was lost. I also pay tribute to Yarra Ranges police for the work that they did doorknocking residents, alerting them to the danger and encouraging evacuation.

“A massive shout-out to the Montrose CFA fire brigade led by captain Matt Jalowicki on the fireground and communications led by safety officer Liz Peters and all of the amazing Montrose brigade members.

“A huge thankyou to the more than 30 CFA brigades who helped, including Mooroolbark, Chirnside Park, Coldstream, Wandin, Gruyere, Silvan, Mount Evelyn, Lilydale and Seville CFA fire brigades from our local Evelyn electorate – you are our local heroes.

“Montrose at the foot of the Dandenong Ranges is a beautiful part of the world, but this does serve as a reminder that the entire Yarra Ranges is bushfire-prone, and we all need to be alert and prepared,” Ms Vallence told Parliament.

Across Victoria TREAT WORKERS WITH RESPECT - NEW CAMPAIGN

■ The State Government is putting work-related aggression and violence in the spotlight with a new campaign asking the community to not cross the line, and to stop and reflect before tempers rise.

‘Don’t cross the line’ – a fresh campaign from WorkSafe Victoria – calls on everyday Victorians to consider the toll on workers who may experience yelling, swearing and hostility as part of their day to day work.

The campaign will run on TV, radio, social media, print and feature in workplaces – focusing on the cumulative impact of these forms of aggression.

The campaign comes as WorkSafe data reveals almost 1000 workers were seriously injured – including 316 workers who suffered mental injuries – because of suspected work-related aggression or violence incidents last year.

Deputy Premier and Minister for WorkSafe and the TAC Ben Carroll said:

“Aggression in the workplace is a community problem and needs a community response, so we’re asking all Victorians to step up and the next time you’re getting frustrated in a workplace, pause and ask yourself – am I crossing the line?”

Statewide

SEYMOUR

Murder charge

■ Homicide Squad detectives have charged a man following an alleged fatal stabbing in Seymour.

A 41-year-old Seymour man has been charged with one count of murder and was to face Seymour Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Mar. 31).

PORTLAND NORTH Road fatality

■ Police are investigating after fatal crash in Portland North on Friday evening (Mar. 28). Emergency services were called to reports a car had crashed into a tree off Portland-Nelson Rd about 8.50pm. The driver and sole occupant of the vehicle died at the scene.

Exact circumstances surrounding the crash are yet to be determined.

FORREST

Vehicle into tree

■ Police are investigating after fatal crash at Forrest on Friday evening (Mar. 28). Emergency services were called to reports a car had crashed into a tree off Grant St about 8.45pm.

The driver and sole occupant of the vehicle died at the scene.

Exact circumstances surrounding the crash are yet to be determined.

TEESDALE

Boy, 6, dies

■ Major Collision Investigation Unit detectives were at the scene of a fatal collision in Teesdale. It’s believed a child was struck by a vehicle as he was walking to a bus stop on Bannockburn-Shelford Rd just after 8am Thursday. CPR was performed by a passerby before paramedics arrived but sadly the six-year-old boy died at the scene.

● ● ● ● Ben Carroll, Deputy Premier

The Local Paper

Ash on Wednesday Thousands view forum

Incorporating the traditions of the Cranbourne Sun (Est. 1893), Frankston Post (Est. 1913), Dandenong Advertiser (Est. 1874), Peninsula Post (Est. 1913), Southern Peninsula Gazette (Est. 1953), Hastings Sun (Est. 1977)

The Local Paper is published weekly online and printed fortnightly and comprises local areas:

• Casey-Cardinia Edition

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■ Thousands of people attended or tuned into the Community Federal Election Forum at Rosebud Country Club to hear local candidates outline their vision for the Mornington Peninsula.

The audience heard from each of the candidates for the federal seat of Flinders

Topics ranged from housing affordability, healthcare and infrastructure funding to climate change, crime and the cost of living.

The forum was organised by Mornington Peninsula Council as part of its federal election campaign.

Its aim was to provide an open, respectful and balanced platform for candidates to present their priorities for the Mornington Peninsula , address key community concerns, and respond to questions, moderated by Mayor Cr Anthony Marsh.

All five of the candidates who have nominated for the seat of Flinders attended the event:

■ Mike Brown - One Nation

■ Adam FrogleyGreens

■ Zoe McKenzie MP - Liberal

■ Sarah Race - Labor

■ Ben Smith - Independent

The forum was live-streamed across Facebook and YouTube

Mayor CrAnthony Marsh said: “This forum was an important opportunity to provide our community with the information they need to make an informed decision about who will best represent us at the federal level. We are commit-

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ted to ensuring our residents are engaged, well-informed, and empowered throughout this democratic process.

“I want to sincerely thank our candidates for taking part, sharing their policies and priorities, and engaging with the community.

“Your participation has given voters valuable insights as they prepare to make an important choice in this election.

“A big thank you also to our audience, both in person and online, for your thoughtful engagement.

“The strength of our democracy lies in our ability to come together, hear different perspectives, and make informed decisions about our future.”

“Choosing who will represent our community at the federal level is a significant responsibility.

“I encourage everyone to take the time to engage with the election process and consider the commitments made by each candidate.”

“Through initiatives like the Community Federal Election Forum , our Pledge Tracker, and ongoing advocacy efforts, we are ensuring that voters have access to the information they need - and that candidates are held accountable for their commitments.”

“I wish all federal election candidates the best of luck with their campaigns. I look forward to working with our newly elected representative and continuing to advocate for the funding and policies that our community needs.”

Local Photo Flashback

activities for all ages including live music, animals and sports.

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.

Incorporating the traditions of the Cranbourne Sun (Est. 1893). The Casey-Cardinia Edition readership area comprises part of the City of Casey including Cranbourne, Cranbourne East, Cranbourne North, Cranbourne South, Cranbourne West, Devon Meadows, Doveton, Endeavour Hills, Eumemmerring, Hallam, Hampton Park, Harkaway, Junction Village, Lynbrook, Lyndhurst (part), Pearcedale (part). The entire City of Casey is home to more than 340,419 people, living in approximately 102,790 homes. The Shire of Cardinia readership area includes Cardinia Shire includes the suburbs and localities of Beaconsfield (part), Beaconsfield Upper, Officer, Officer South, Pakenham, Pakenham South and Pakenham Upper. The entire Shire of Casey is home to more than 118,675 people, living in approximately 35,098 homes.

FRANKSTON

Incorporating the traditions of the Frankston Post (Est. 1913). Frankston comprises Carrum Downs, Frankston, Frankston North, Frankston South, Langwarrin, Langwarrin South, Sandhurst, Seaford and Skye. Frankston is home to more than 134,143 people, living in approximately 56,935 homes.

GREATER DANDENONG

Incorporating the traditions of the Dandenong Advertiser (Est. 1874). Greater Dandenong comprises Bangholme, Dandenong, Dandenong North, Dandenong South, Keysborough, Noble Park, Noble Park North, Springvale and Springvale South plus parts of Lyndhurst. Greater Dandenong is home to more than 152,050 people, living in approximately 54,694 homes.

PENINSULA

MORNINGTON

PENINSULA

Incorporating the traditions of the Peninsula Post (Est. 1913). Mornington Peninsula comprises Moorooduc, Mornington, Mount Eliza and Mount Martha. Mornington Peninsula Shire is home to more than 154,999 people, living in approximately 89,155 homes.

SOUTHERN PENINSULA

Incorporating the traditions of the Southern Peninsula Gazette (Est. 1953). Southern Peninsula comprises Blairgowrie, Boneo, Cape Schanck, Capel Sound, Dromana, Fingal, McCrae, Portsea, Rosebud, Rye, Safety Beach, Sorrento, St Andrews Beach and Tootgarook.

WESTERN PORT

Incorporating the traditions of the Hastings Sun (Est. 1977)

Western Port comprises Balnarring, Balnarring Beach, Bittern, Crib Point, Dromana, Flinders, Hastings, HMAS Cerberus, Main Ridge, Merricks, Merricks Beach, Merricks North, Point Leo, Portsea, Red Hill, Red Hill South, Shoreham, Somers, Somerville and Tyabb.

Long Shots

● ● Zoe McKenzie, Liberal MHR

Cheryl Threadgold, Local Theatre Julie Houghton, The Arts Kevin Trask, Entertainment Aaron Rourke, Film

Ryan, Horse Racing Len Baker, Harness Racing

Bissett-Johnson, Cartoonist

Observer Melbourne

145-KMH IN 60-KMH ZONE

■ A man has had his motorcycle impounded after he was allegedly caught speeding in Albert Park

He might have thought he was on the F1 racetrack, but State Highway Patrol officers spotted the white BMW S1000R sports bike speeding on Beaconsfield Pde about 9.50am last Wednesday (Mar. 26).

The bike was allegedly clocked doing 145-kmh in a 60-kmh zone.

Officers safely intercepted the vehicle and spoke to the rider.

They were shocked to find he was not prepared for the ride, and was wearing shorts, socks and Crocs.

The bike was impounded at a cost of $953.30.

The 31-year-old Brighton man is expected to be charged with speed dangerous, drive manner dangerous, careless driving and number plate offences.

State Highway Patrol is focused on reducing road trauma involving

motorcyclists as part of Operation Protect Motorcyclists continue to be overrepresented in road trauma, with 17 rider fatalities on Victorian roads so far this year.

Excessive or inappropriate speed continues to be one of the major factors in fatal collisions involving motorcyclists.

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● Theatre Heritage Australia President Simon Piening (left) congratulates Roland Rocchiccioli on his talk at Arts Centre Melbourne. More inside.

Victoria Pictorial

Park

● ● ● Mont Park ward with nursing staff

● ● ● ● Mont Park. Circa 1917?

● ● ● ● Mont Park nursing staff

● ● Mont Park Sanitorium. 1918-1920

● The Deepdene-Mont Park ‘Reo’ bus: signwriting says ‘Deepdene-Ivanhoe- Heidelberg-Mont Park-Gresswell’

● ● Mont Park lounge area

The Whip

WOMAN FINED OVER ILLEGAL WILDLIFE

■ A 27-year-old Melbourne-based woman has been fined $3000 for her part in a cross-border wildlife trade syndicate handling native reptiles.

The woman appeared in Melbourne Magistrates' Court and pleaded guilty to seven charges involving 13 animals.

The charges related to the illegal receipt, possession and disposal of protected wildlife (including shingleback lizards and eastern fat tailed geckos), as well as the falsification of import/ export permits, failure to comply with three import permits and breaching the code of practice for the keeping of reptiles in relation to three animals.

NE Link concerns

Wollert protest

■ Thomastown MLA Bronwyn Halfpenny presented a 2462-signature to State Parliameny with public unrest about the to the proposal by Cleanaway Operations Pty Ltd to construct a waste-to-energy incinerator on Summerhill Rd, Wollert

“Residents of Melbourne’s north are concerned about the harm from burning 380,000 tonnes of waste annually,” said the petition presented by Ms Halfpenny.

“Even with the best available technologies, dangerous pollutants like dioxins, PFAS, microplastics, and heavy metals will still be emitted, harming children through air, soil, and water contamination.

“The proposal would also generate greenhouse gases and hazardous ash requiring landfill disposal.

“The community fears the risks to human health and the environment. The incinerator would disrupt life in nearby residential areas.

■ Bulleen MLA Matthew Guy has spoken in State Parliament about his concern about the effects of the North-East Link on nearby residents.

“Wollert, home to many young families, has 59 schools within 10 km of the site. It is 2 km from a retirement village, 400 metres from Curly Sedge Creek, and close to water reservoirs.

●

●

●

● Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has called a May 3 Federal Election

■ Anthony Albanese rode in the Prime Ministerial car from The Lodge to Governor-General Sam Mostyn at Yarralumla on Friday (May. 28) to request a Federal Election on Saturday, May 3.

Key to the Election will be a nmumber of marginal seats including those in Melbourne’s east and south-east, as well as outlying and peri-urban areas.

Labor advances

■ The ABC says that Labor enters the Federal Election campaign in a stronger position than it was just six weeks ago, with polling suggesting the government could even be returned in majority.

“Research from pollster YouGov has found that if an election were held today, Labor would end up with a median estimate of 75 seats in the next parliament, with a lower estimate of 69 and an upper estimate of 80.

“That central estimate is just one short of 76, a majority in parliament.

“The Coalition is behind on 60, with a lower estimate of 55 and an upper estimate of 68.”

Deakin outcome

■ The ABC says: “[Polling] suggests Labor could gain Deakin in Victoria from the Liberals, which would be a surprising result.”

Dutton reverses

■ “YouGov's director of public data Paul Smith puts at least part of the shift away from the Coalition down to Peter Dutton scoring own goals with "very unpopular" policies,” said the ABC.

"Dutton needed to win working-class votes in outer suburban Sydney and Melbourne but his Trump-style policies of ending work from home and cutting 40,000 public servants have seen his support dramatically impacted," he said.

Bookies like Labor

■ On early Monday morning (Mar. 31), Sportsbet listed $1.80 odds for Labor to win the May 3 Federal Election. A Coalition win would pay $2.

Cancel SRL

■ In State Politics, Victorian Opposition Leader Brad Battin has called on Premier Jacinta Allan to axe the Suburban Rail Loop project. If successful at the next State Election, the Libs say they will stop and reassess the project.

“Infrastructure Australia has raised serious concerns including that the Allan Labor Government’s Business and Investment Case has overstated the benefits of SRL.”

The woman was charged as part of Operation Pike, a major investigation by the Conservation Regulator into the illegal import, export, and trade of wildlife in Victoria, with assistance from Victoria Police and the Federal Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.

In a related matter, a 21-year-old Noble Park North man fronted Sunshine Magistrates’ Court last month after he pleaded guilty to 67 charges of importing and exporting wildlife without a permit, failing to comply with conditions of import/export permits, contravene conditions of his wildlife licence, controlling protected wildlife and falsification of import/export permits.

The Director of Public Prosecutions has appealed the Magistrates’ Court outcome, which is set to be heard in the County Court in June.

All wildlife is protected by law in Victoria, and it is illegal to import, export, and trade them without authorisation.

Offenders face penalties of up to $19,759 per charge. It is a serious offence to falsify documents and carries a maximum penalty of 10years imprisonment per charge under the Crimes Act 1958

Kate Gavens, Chief Conservation Regulator, said: “Our wildlife laws and permit systems exist to protect the welfare of native animals and the Conservation Regulator will not tolerate any exploitation of these processes for the illegal trade of wildlife.”

“If you are aware of suspicious behaviour around wildlife, we encourage you to report it to Crime Stoppers Victoria. Even a small amount of information from the public can help fight wildlife crime.”

Building at Oliver’s Hill

■ Frankston MLA Paul Edbrooke has told State Paliament: “I know everyone in this house was as shocked as I was when we saw construction on the beach south of Olivers Hill, so I want to give everyone in the house and in my community I bit of an update on what went on there.

“I went for a walk after many, many people in my community reported that there was some construction on a Frankston beach, and lo and behold there was construction on a Frankston beach – no permits, no engineering certificates, no planning – in a sensitive cultural heritage area.

“A man had moved into his house, seen fit to get rid of 700 square metres of protective foreshore from our community and decided to build a wall in the middle of a Frankston beach.

“Now, some might be a bit sceptical. The call was ‘I don’t want my house to fall into the ocean,’ while there is evidence that maybe a seawall was pulled up to create this seawall and possibly a boat ramp was being built from his house as well.

“The one thing we will not stand in any community in Victoria, let alone in Frankston, I can tell you now, is people deciding that they own the place and they will do what they want. They will put a $400,000 bond aside in their bank account because that is the cost of doing business. No permits were applied for – nothing. This is insane.,” Mr Edbrooke said.

“I rise to put on record some concerns I have about pollution smokestacks being built at the North East Link site, the location of which many of my local residents and I, certainly over the last week, have had a number of conversations about,” Mr Guy told the Legislative Assembly.

“These stacks will be around 18 storeys high, or the equivalent of. They will be unfiltered, these pollution stacks which will feature on the North East Link Program

“They are very, very close to Marcellin; Trinity college; Carey sports field; Belle Vue Primary in the member for Kew’s electorate; Bulleen Park, where there are a number of sports played from soccer to AFL to cricket –a whole range of sports; the Yarra River walking tracks; the local Indigenous area, where there is a billabong; the Veneto; and not to mention hundreds and hundreds of homes.”

“Heavy trucks would increase pollution and damage roads, while the 56-metre flue stack would affect air quality, soundscape, and views.

“Public opposition is overwhelming. Ninety-nine percent of the 764 EPA submissions rejected the proposal, and over 5600 people signed a change.org petition. This shows no social licence for MERC in Wollert.”

Ambo worries

■ Kim Wells, Rowville MLA, has told Parliament, condemning the Allan Labor Government for “its continued failures in managing Victoria’s troubled ambulance services. The unacceptable ongoing mismanagement of our ambulance services is seeing Victorians’ lives being placed in danger every single day. Victorians have simply had enough.”

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Photo Collection

● ● Brighton Beach State School. 1924.

● ● Brighton. (Valentine Series)

● ● Brighyton Orphan Asylum. Circa 1880.

● ● ● ● ‘Merton’, St Leonard’s College, Brighton. 1969.

● ● ● ● Brighton Post Ofice and Exchange. 1917-30. ● ● Brighton Surgery. New St, Brighton. 1959.

● ● ● ● The Welsh cottages at Brighton, reconstucted as ‘Pen-y-bryn’, the home of Lloyd Tayler, Brighton. Circa 1890

A Chance to Address the Amish Rumours

■ Stephanie Hare’s A Chance to Address the Amish Rumours launches with the sound of a cow mooing.

Hare then ruminates on a childhood spent in the backcountry boondocks of rural Tassie, Jackeys Marsh , to be exact, which had a population of 40 in the last census.

Embracing an alternative lifestyle, Stephanie’s mother left Melbourne to pursue life off the grid, building the family an architecturally ambiguous house made from scrounged firewood and stone.

Stephanie’s father would regularly remove himself from the family home, retreating to a literal man cave in the mountains for weeks on end.

Hare suspects there may have been an ulterior motive. Phone reception was better at the top of the mountain.

Strange neighbours, encounters with an Earth Mother ship, white guys in dreadlocks, Stephanie assumed all were hallmarks of a typical childhood until she got to Melbourne and discovered fridges.

After all, despite salmonella scares from mouldy hoummos, who needs a fridge when you can pour milk straight from a goat.

Dropping out of uni, Hare set out on an adventure and moved to Scotland

Homesick, Hare considered getting deported, but transportation is not as easy as it used to be.

Back in Melbourne with her new Scottish boyfriend, Hare embraces adulthood and makes grown-up decisions like what to name the Wi-Fi.

Hare perfects a nervy schtick, delivering quirky, slow-burning, and offbeat comedy. With a knack for storytelling, Hare serves a comedy monologue that gently builds and reads as afterthoughts, like mind dawdles along the highway of her life so far.

Performance Details: Until April 6 at 7pm

Venue: The Butterfly Club, 5 Carson Place, Little Collins St., Melbourne

Bookings: thebutterflyclub.com

- Review by Kathryn Keeble

Austen-Con

■ 24 Carrot Productions, a Melbournebased theatre and film production company, will celebrate Jane Austen's 250th year in their Austen Con 2025 event on Saturday, April 12 from 10am - 4pm at the Abbotsford Convent.

The celebration and exploration of all things Jane Austen and Regency will include dancing (both English and Indian styles) costumes, talks, lace-making or paper quilling activities, discussing happy ending or writing regency stories, and testing gossiping skills against the best of the Regency era.

Event Details: April 12 from 10am-4pm Venue: Abbotsford Convent Community and Linen Rooms, 1 St Helliers St, Abbotsford.

Bookings: https://www.trybooking.com/ eventlist/austen

- Cheryl Threadgold

Tiny King

■ Nathan Hugh Robért presents Tiny King as part of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival from April 7 - 20 at The Motley Bauhaus, Carlton.

In his show about height, power, and the absurdity of being small, Nathan plays a banished king trying to save his kingdom with comedy. The only problem is he's not a comedian. He's a king.

Nathan lives with cerebral palsy, a motor neuron condition that limits his mobility. This is implied and baked under layers of absurdity.

Influenced by Stewart Lee, John Kearns, and Oliver Coleman, Nathan talks about his experience in an irreverent and disarming way.

Performance Season: April 7 - 20 at 7.15pm. Venue: The Motley Bauhaus, 118 Elgin St., Carlton. Bookings: melbournefestival.com.au

Talk is cheap, gossip is priceless

IT’S CADET KELLY

■ Comedian Ben McCarthy brings his latest show Cadet Kelly is the Best Movie I've Ever Seen in my Friggin Life to the Melbourne International Comedy Festival from April 7- 20 at the Motley Bauhaus, Carlton.

Ben's world turned upside down after seeing the Disney Channel original movie: Cadet Kelly, starring Hilary Duff. He's certain it's the best film ever made, yet people aren't giving it the recognition it deserves.

Ben will plead with his audiences to like a film he likes very much and will explain the reasons.

Ben McCarthy is an improviser and comedian who's been performing comedy for over ten years.

His nostalgic, absurd comedy earned a nomination for Best Comedy at Melbourne Fringe and rave reviews.

Date: April 7-20

Time: 8.30pm

Location: The Motley Bauhaus, 118 Elgin St, Carlton

Run Time: 60 minutes

Price: $24.31-$28.36

Tickets: comedyfestival.com.au

- Cheryl Threadgold

Spin That Wheel

■ Kru Harale, a local Melbourne comedian, is part of a team presenting Comedy RouletteSpin That Wheel on April 4, 11, 12 and 18 at 10.20pm at the Melbourne Town Hall Lunch Room

This standup comedy show presented as part of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival has a twist in that the audience spins the wheel and the comedians crack improvised jokes.

This first wheel-based comedy in Melbourne where standup meets improv will showcase a rotating lineup of Melbourne’s funniest - from TV ande radio favourites to local comedy sensations transforming every performance into a hilarious game of chance, and surprise.

This season features acts such as Tom Ballard, Lloyd Langford, Lizzy Hoo, He huang, Lewis Garnham, Carl Donnelly, Brett Blake, Sumukhi Suresh, Daniell Connell and many more.

Performance Details: April 4, 11, 12 and 18 at 10.2p0pm

Venue: Melbourne Town Hall Lunch Room

Bookings: comedyfestival.com.au

- Cheryl Threadgold

The Boys

■ Sevenfold Theatre Company presents Gordon Graham's The Boys from April 29 - May 5 at the Bluestone Church Arts Space, Footscray.

The Boys, directed by Green Room Award nominated director Tess Walsh, is a fictionalised insight into the lives of the three brothers involved in the Anita Cobby murder, and the impact it had on the women in their lives, as they grasp at the reality of what has been done.

The play offers a raw unflinching look at gendered violence and how society is failing both its victims and perpetrators of crime.

Modernised to a 2010 setting, a layer of immediacy has been added to this production, highlighting that these disturbing behaviours and attitudes transcend time and continue to be engrained in contemporary Australia

“These men are not just a stereotype. Everyone is responsible for a change in attitude and stopping this violence.”

The Boys features Todd Costello, Lucy May Knight, Karli Rae Riesen, Eden Bren, Columbus Lane, Helen Hopkins, Stelios Ioannides and Ethan Rutledge.

Performance Season: April 29 - May 4

Location: Bluestone Church Arts Space, 8A Hyde St, Footscray Bookings: sevenfoldtheatrecompany.com - Cheryl Threadgold

Purple is the Gayest Colour

■ Making her debut appearance at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival from across the ditch, Alayne Dick’s Purple is the Gayest Colour is an energetic hour of lesbian levity and gay abandon.

From growing up in rural New Zealand though you wouldn’t pick it with her accent — to her day job among the bookshelves and preschool story times in a library, Dick entertains with a seamless flow of personal stories, sharp observations and colourful encounters.

Performed at Tasma Terrace in Parliament Place — a superb 19th-century Victorian Italianate building with loads of exterior character but a heartless and awkwardly quiet interior — the setting gave a slight sense of foreboding.

Dick performed in one of various rooms, a small and austere space that was instantly transformed with her presence.

Vibrant, colourful, witty, self-deprecating, bluntly honest, cheeky, irreverent and clever best describes Dick’s routine.

Naturally, the show is very much about her experiences as a proud and loud lesbian — and, of course, the irony of her surname.

She lets fly with a barrage of ‘dick’ jokes, gleefully mocking how reviewers describe her with lines like the entendred, “Dick – always disappointing.” But that couldn’t be further from the truth - Alayne Dick does not disappoint.

Her show is packed with fun games, tales of creepy kids, encounters with ‘enemy customers’, and cheeky reflections on identity, queerness and small-town life.

With a bold stage presence and a quickfire wit, Dick delivers a performance that is as heartfelt as it is hilarious.

Performance dates: 7.25pm Mon - Sun until April 6.

Where: Tasma Terrace, 4 Parliament Place, East Melbourne.

Cost: $20.41 to $27.60

Bookings: entercloser.com/shows/ 1086514757889

- Review by Beth Klein

Becky Lucas

■ Becky Lucas tours Things Have Changed, But The Essence Remains with her appearances at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival until April 20 at the Victoria Hotel.

As an experiment, Becky is inviting audiences to text her on her real number 0410 472 546 asking her to say something funny.

Becky promises to respond to all text messages and to do her best.

Becky Lucas is a writer and stand-up comedian and quickly gained recognition by exploding onto the comedy scene in the 2013 National RAW Comedy finals and since then has been unstoppable.

■ Monkey Baa Theatre Company returns to Melbourne with Josephine Wants to Dance at the Ian Potter Centre for Performing Arts from April 11-12.

This musical production is based on the children's book by Jackie French and Bruce Whatley with a deeper meaning around following dreams and believing in oneself.

The show includes ballet, hip-hop and a kangaroo called Josephine who dreams of dancing. Despite the protests of her little brother Joey that “kangaroos don’t dance, they hop”, Josephine dreams she too can plie, pirouette, fouettés and jetés.

When a ballet troupe comes to the sleepy town of Shaggy Gully, Josephine desperately wants to dance like the ballerinas in pink tutus and silk ballet shoes.

She ventures into town where the city ballet is performing Swan Lake and all her dancing dreams come true. In a sudden twist of fate, Josephine steps in to dance and save the day.

Monkey Baa has assembled the following creative team to bring Josephine’s world to life: Director, Jonathan Biggins (Pete the Sheep, The Wharf Revue); Composer: Phil Scott (Pete the Sheep, The Wharf Revue); Choreographer, Tim Harbour (formerly of The Australian Ballet); Set and Costume Designer, James Browne (The Very Hungry Caterpillar) and Lighting Designer, Emma Lockhart-Wilson (Where the Streets Had a Name).

Adapted by Eva Di Cesare, Sandra Eldridge and Tim McGarry this is a show for families and small children with important themes for young audiences.

Starring Lily Baulderstone as Josephine, Callum Slater as little brother Joey and supporting cast including Nina Carmen and Hannah Gwatkin, the musical is delightful for both young and old theatre lovers presenting the story in a heartwarming and funny fashion.

Performance Details: April 11 - 12

Venue: Monash University, Alexander Theatre, Clayton Bookings: monash.edu/performing-artscentres/event/josephine-wants-to-dance/ - Cheryl Threadgold

Actually Kinda Hot

■ Chris Demos returns to the Melbourne International Comedy Festival with his third solo, new show Actually Kinda Hot, being presented at The Butterfly Club Downstairs from April 7-20 at 8.30pm.

Chris asks: “Have you ever been told you’re actually kinda hot? It’s not quite a compliment, is it? More of a surprise revelation, like discovering your expired yoghurt is somehow still edible.”

Actually Kinda Hot is described as “a riotous exploration of accidental charm, disastrous decision-making and the absurdity of attractiveness. From the mechanics of a flooded engine (don’t ask) to unsolicited legal advice and the perils of eating hours-old fast food on a plane, Chris takes audiences on a hilarious deep dive into life’s most ridiculous moments.”

Chris says: “Whether you’re a fan of Judge Judy, Judi Dench, or just the awkward spectacle of someone trying to remove a too-tight pair of boots, this show is for you.”

Show Details: April 7-20 at 8.30pm

Venue: The Butterfly Club Downstairs, 5 Carson Place, Melbourne Bookings: comedyfestival.com.au - Cheryl Threadgold

LOTS: ANZAC Eve

■ Legends of the Skies Theatre presents another ANZAC Eve special event on Thursday, April 24 at 7.30pm in the Casey Hangar at the Moorabbin Air Museum

The family friendly cabaret-style event is titled Why - Why we respect, why we remember, why we work for peace. Yarns, quizzes, facts, music, table competitions. BYO drinks and nibbles. Tables of 8. Event Details: Thursday, April 24 at 7.30pm Venue: Casey Hangar, Moorabbin Air Museum. $20 pp. Book a group or singly. Tickets: trybooking.com/CZFEL or QR code

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‘Cadet Kelly is the Best Movie I've Seen in my Friggin Life’.

Entertainment

The Sex Lives of Married Women Local Theatre Observations

Lucille MacKellar Has Boy Problems Shows

■ Fab Nobs Theatre: Come From Away. Until April 5 at Fab Nobs Theatre, Factory 33, 1-45 Industry Place, Bayswater. Director: Sarah Tierney; Musical Director: Sally McKenzie; Ass’t. Director/Choreographer: Aimee John; Ass’t. Director/Ass’t. Choreographer: Amy Miles. Bookings: fabnobstheatre.com.au

■ Warrandyte Theatre Company: When the Wind Blows (by Raymond Briggs) Until April 12 at the Warrandyte Mechanics’ Institute, 180 Yarra St., Warrandyte. Director: David Tynan. Bookings: trybooking.com/cyjqt

■ The 1812 Theatre: The Thrill of Love (by Amanda Whittington) April 3 – May 3 at The Bakery, The 1812 Theatre, 3 Rose St., Upper Ferntree Gully. Director: Pip Le Blond. Bookings: 1812theatre.com.au or 9758 3964

■ CPP Community Theatre: Macbeth (by William Shakespeare) April 4 – 12 at Boronia K-12 College, Performing Arts Centre, Albert Avenue, Boronia. (park at Rangeview Rd. end). Director: Kathryn White. Bookings: cppcommunitytheatre.com.au/

■ Ballarat National Theatre: This is the Way the World Ends (by Barry Kay) April 4 – 6 at the Ballarat Mechanics Institute, Sturt St., Ballarat. Director: Louise Permezel. Bookings: bnt.org.au/news?view=article&id =751&catid=66

■ Essendon Theatre Company: Ordinary Days (by Adam Gwon) April 4, 5, 6 at the Bradshaw St. Community Hall, 9 Bradshaw St., West Essendon. Cabaret seating. Bookings: 0406448368 or Trybookings

■ Upstage Theatre Company: Into the Woods, April 4–13 at the Tony Schemack Centre for Performing Arts, Beaconhills College, Berwick Campus. Directgor: Scott J Hili; Choreographer: Sarah Cullen; Musical Director: Tim Bland. Bookings: upstagetheatre company.com

■ FAMDA: Confluence (by Chris Dickins) April 5 – 13 at the Foster War Memorial arts Centre, 79 Main St., Foster. Director: Chris Dickins. Bookings: Trybooking.com/CZYVC

■ Frankston Theatre Group: An Inspector Calls (by JB Priestley) April 10 – 13 at Frankston High School Performing Arts Theatre, 97 Foot St., Frankston. Director: Gemma Sylvester, assisted by Stuart DaddoLanglois). Bookings: Trybooking or 0437 117 881.

■ Williamstown Little Theatre: Things I Know to be True (by Andrew Bovell) April 23 – May 10 at Williamstown Little Theatre, 2-4 Albert St., Williamstown. Director: Shirley Sydenham. Bookings: wlt.org.au

■ Lilydale Athenaeum Theatre Company: Haunted (by Eric Chappell) April 24 – May 10 at the Lilydale Mechanics Institute, Castella St., Lilydale. Director: Nicholas Ryan. Bookings: lilydaleatc.com

■ LOTS Theatre (Legends of the Skies): WHY … April 24 at 7.30pm at the Moorabbin Air Museum. Why we respect, why we remember, why we work for peace. Yarns, quizzes, facts, music, table competitions. Family friendly. BYO drinks and nibbles. Artistic director: Maggie Morrison. Bookings: https://www.trybooking.com/CZFEL

■ Heidelberg Theatre Company: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (by Simon Stephens – from the novel by Mark Haddon) April 25 – May 10 at Heidelberg Theatre, 36 Turnham Ave., Rosanna. Director: Karen Wakeham. Bookings: htc.org.au

■ Malvern Theatre Company: A Happy and Holy Occasion (by John O’Donoghue) April 26 – May 10 at Malvern Theatre, 29a Burke Rd., Malvern. Director: Nicholas Opolski. Bookings: malverntheatre.com.au - Cheryl Threadgold

65,000 Years

■ The Potter Museum of Art, the flagship art museum of the University of Melbourne, has announced the full list of artists and details of the six new commissions for its reopening exhibition, 65,000 Years: A Short History of Australian Art. The exhibition will open at the revitalised Museum during Reconciliation Week on May 30 and run until November 23.

65,000 Years: A Short History of Australian Art celebrates the brilliance and beauty of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art.

Auditions

■ Essendon Theatre Company: Things I Know to be True (by Andrew Bovell) April 1, 3 at 7pm, April 5 at 10.30am at the Bradshaw Street Community Hall, Bradshaw St., West Essendon (Off Buckley St.). Director: Angelo Snell. Audition enquiries and bookings: angelo.s23@live.com or phone 0458 502 232.

■ Melbourne French Theatre: Frenchspeaking actors only (or variation) for Après les Roses, le Poison - From Roses to Poison in French with English surtitles on April 5 at 2pm and April 8 at 7pm at La Maison de Maitre Building, 203-205 Canning Street, Carlton [corner Canning and Neill Streets]. Director: Donald Mcmanus; Producer: Michael Bula. RSVP on website melbournefrenchtheatre.org.au/auditions/

■ The 1812 Theatre Ltd: Home, I’m Darling (by Laura Wade) April 6 at 6pm, April 7 at 7.30pm at The 1812 Theatre, 3 Rose St., Upper Ferntree Gully. Director: Amy Calbert. Audition enquiries: aj267@outlook.com or phone 0432 804 803

■ Malvern Theatre Company: The Humans (by Stephen Karam) April 13, 14 at 7pm at 29 Burke Rd., Malvern. Director: Nicky Neville-Jones. Audition enquiries: gemcoplayers.org

■ Brighton Theatre Company: Fallen Angels (by Noel Coward) April 13 at 2pm, April 14 at 7pm at Brighton Theatre, Cnr Wilson and Carpenter Sts., Brighton. Director: Joe Dias. Audition bookings and enquiries to Joe Dias: fallenangels2025btc@gmail.com

■ Williamstown Little Theatre: Rabbit Hole (by David Lindsay-Abaire) April 27 at 1pm, April 28 at 78pm at 2-4 Albert St., Williamstown. Director: John Bishop. Open auditions – no need to book, just attend at audition time. Any queries, contact director John Bishop John Bishop at retbish68@gmail.com or 0490 434 135.

■ Leongatha Lyric Theatre: The Heartbreak Choir (by Aidan Fennessy) Information session: May 3 at 3pm at 13 Watson Rd., Leongatha. Auditions: May 10. Director: Bernadette Grainger. leongathalyric.com.au

■ Eltham Little Theatre: The Addams Family: A New Musical (by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice) May 3 at 10am and May 6 at 6.30pm at the Eltham Performing Arts Centre, 1603 Main Rd., Research. Director: Isabella Preston. Enquiries and audition bookings: addams.elt@gmail.com

■ The Mount Players: A Skull in Connemara (by Martin McDonagh) May 10 at 2pm and May 13 at 7pm at the Moluntview Theatre, 56 Smith St., Macedon/. Director: Travis Handcock. Audition bookings: travis.handcock@gmail.com

■ Malvern Theatre Company: Perfect Wedding (by Robin Hawdon) May 18 and 19 at 7.30pm at 29 Burke Rd., Malvern. Director: Pip Le Blond. Audition enquiries: pipleblond@gmail.com

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

■ Lucille MacKellar Has Boy Problems is being presented as part of the MICF from April 8 - 20 at 6.15pm at the Grace Darling Hotel, Downstairs, in Collingwood

Lucille dreams of having a boyfriend, but despite her beauty and charm, can't seem to find one.

One fateful day, her simple fantasy turns cerebral breakdown and she's catapulted down a rabbit hole of self discovery.

Lucille will lament over Charli XCX concerts, 'evil gay men', the societal implications of ChatGPT, Gone Girl (2014), post-capitalism, the death of taste and more, with no proverbial cultural stone remaining unturned.

Lucille is an award-winning published writer and comedian from Sydney. She co-wrote the smash hit sell out show Inner West Side: The Musical for Sydney Fringe (2018).

Performance Details: April 8-20

Venue: Grace Darling Hotel, Downstairs, in Collingwood at 6.15pm

Bookings: comedyfestival.com.au - Cheryl Threadgold

Mr Snotbottom vs Zombie Boogers

● ● ● ● Mr Snotbottom aka Mark Trenwith

■ MrSnotbottom vs The Zombie Boogers: The Science of Snot will be presented at the Melbourne Museum Theatre in Carlton as part of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival from April 2 - 14 at 2.45pm.

This award-winning show is described as ' a side-splitting, gooey escapade and an adventure that's nothing to sneeze at.'

The promotional blurb for this show reads: “Prepare to dive headfirst into the sticky, icky universe of mucus as Mr Snotbottom tackles all the gooey questions you never knew you had. Why do we sneeze? Can one devour their boogers without turning into a zombie? Unravel these mysteries and more in this hilariously entertaining show.

“Kids love hearing about snots and boogers, but in this show, they’ll learn something while laughing their heads off too!”, says comedian Mark Trenwith, who can boast two decades of experience in stand-up, children’s theatre, and TV..

With a fusion of gross-out humour and scientific facts, ‘Mr Snotbottom vs The Zombie Boogers’ is billed as a family-friendly show at this year’s Melbourne Comedy Festival

“It’s more of an adventure than a performance - the audience gets to be the hero and battle the booger beasts themselves.”

Performance Details: April 2 - 14 at 2.45pm Venue: Melbourne Museum Theatre, Nicholson St, Carlton.

Bookings: comedyfestival.com.au - Cheryl Threadgold

■

had such a success with her debut novel The Matchmaker, she has taken up her pen again to write about the next chapter of women’s life.

Her new novel, The Sex Lives of Married Women, examines what love looks like after 10 years with a partner, and when women decide that being able to have it all is a myth.

That’s when the importance of our female friends who are outside that marriage comes into play, so Shad introduces us to three women who share their struggles.

Meena has returned from London to Sydney with her partner Owen and baby Sasha, and she’s feeling neglected by Owen. Then there is Sophie, a high flyer who has a whirlwind romance with Todd and sacrifices her own career for marriage and motherhood and finds it’s not all she had hoped it would be.

Rani is an international student who is feeling lonely as she raises her son with an increasingly absent husband.

The three women form a tight bond o friendship through coffee mornings, cocktails and confessions as they navigate a life that is different from what they imagined it would be.

Shad also looks at the influence of cultural backgrounds and how immigrant women in the west negotiate the path they tread between cultures, as well as the issues involved in deciding whether to stay in a marriage or leave it.

At the base of all this discussion is the strength that women find in true female friendship as a support for life’s transitions.

Shad pulls no punches in her subject matter, and feels it’s important that issues are aired.

“I wrote this book to not only discuss topics that seem taboo - female pleasure and sexuality - but also to highlight the importance of friendships in seeing us through the tough times,” she explains.

The Sex Lives of Married Women is published by Penguin Random House and out now.

- Julie Houghton

Roland Rocchiccioli

■ Author and actor Roland Rocchiccioli shared colourful stories of his remarkable theatrical journey over nearly 60 years at a Theatre Heritage Australia event held in the Process Lab, Arts Centre Melbourne. Roland engaged his audience with firsthand entertaining accounts of how the boy from the goldfields of Western Australia discovered the theatre and gained his start as an actor and member of Edgar Metcalfe's repertory company at The Playhouse in Perth. We heard of the triumphs, tribulations, characters and chaos but most importantly, the joy and laughter that have defined Roland's career.

Roland Rocchiccioli's autobiographical story can be found in Theatre Heritage Australia's Early Stages section of the online magazine On Stage: theatreheritage.org.au/ on-stage-magazine/early-stages/item/1053early-stages-roland-rocchiccioli - Cheryl Threadgold

● Lucy MacKellar

● ● Saman Shad.

Photo: Colourised

Journalist Saman Shad

★The Easter Bunny will be making a special appearance at the South Melbourne Market on Thursday, April 17,between 11am - 2pm.

★Ford will celebrate 100 years in Australia with a landmark celebration on Friday (Apr. 4) at Melbourne Showgrounds with more than 2500 manufacturers, dealers and partners in attendance.

★Lexus Australia has announced a three-year partnership extension with the Victoria Racing Club, reaffirming its commitment to the Melbourne Cup.

★Bendigo Bank is major sponsor of the Bendigo Pride Festival for the fifth consecutive year.

★ Hotel Chadstone Melbourne MGallery is holding its Mad Hatter’s High Tea experience from April 4-20.

★ Jeanette Gower has launched her new book, Buy the Right Horse.

★The 2025 Stella Shortlist announcement will be made in Melbourne on April 8 at The Wheeler Centre, 176 Lt Lonsdale St at 6.30pm-7.30pm on Tuesday (Apr. 8). Inala Cooper and Elizabeth McCarthy will unveil the six outstanding authors.

★Art has the power to challenge, heal, and inspire action. That’s what Violence Prevention Australia aims to achieve through its national art competition, which has brought artists together to explore themes of resilience, healing, and the urgent need for violence prevention.

★ Eight local Melbourne projects have been announced as finalists in three separate categories for the 2025 Dulux Colour Awards : Atlassian Melbourne Connection Hub by Craig Tan Architects; The Meeting Place at 181 William by BVN; GPT SpaceCo 550 Bourke by BVN; Nicholas Hall at Wesley Place by COX Architecture; Professional Services Firm by Unispace; People's Coffee by Studio Tate; Melbourne Place by Kennedy Nolan; and Claremont by WOWOWA Architecture.

★The inaugural ARIA Innovator brought together a full house of Australian music professionals to explore new pathways in creativity, business and innovation. Some 250 attendees registered to see Recording Academy President Panos Panay speak alongside a heavyweight line-up of international and local speakers including Dr Marcus Collins, Gabi Lopes, Solai Valliappan, Natalie and Ricky Kradolfer and Dr Nici Sweaney.

★Ruth Moody , Australianborn Canadian songstress, will appear at Brunswick Ballroom (May 1), Menniyan Town Hall (May 2), Theatre Royal Castlemaine (May 3) and Yackandandah Public Hall (May 4).

Melbourne Observer Melbourne Observer

Cicero

Rourke’s Reviews Entertainment

Marc Cicero

★The Melbourne International Comedy Festival officially launched at Melbourne Town Hall, with Luke McGregor taking the stage as host and a lineup of local and international comedians including Omar Gad, Patti Fawcet, Rosie Jones (UK) and Noah Szto.

★The Cat Lovers Festival and Dog Lovers Festiva l are making a return in 2025. Dates at the Melbourne Showgrounds are October 25–26.

★Entries are now open for the the Australia Post Online Retail Industry Awards (ORIAS) which celebrate excellence in ecommerce, recognising the most innovative and successful online retailers across Australia in the past 12 months.

★Nestlé Golden Chef’s Hat Award has officially launched for 2025, with entries now open for young chefs across Australia and New Zealand. Founded in 1965, Australia’s longest running culinary competition and this year, turns 60. There are $38,000 in prizes.

★George Kapnias and his team at Southern Cross/ Limomate this week celebrate the 30-year anniversary of the business.

★Regional Victoria's largest urban art festival is returning to the streets of Benalla, transforming the historic town into an immersive canvas of contemporary street art from Friday, April 11 to Sunday, April 13.

★The official completion of the amphitheatre and stage upgrade project at Alma Treloar Reserve, Cockatoo, was marked with an opening ceremony last Friday afternoon (Mar. 28).

★The National Museum of Australia in Canberra is now home to more than 1000 significant items that chart the colourful history of Australian and international fashion and design over 150 years.

★A widely-acclaimed installation by world-renowned street artist Rone, opened as part of The Outsiders Melbourne, at 167 Flinders Lane. It is open until May 25.

Adele, Adele, Adele

■ Award-winning British comedian Adele Cliff asserted her presence in the Melbourne International Comedy Festival even before arriving in town, by creating the longest show title in the Festival.

Adele, Adele, Adele ... Cliff It Isn’t The Consequences Of My Own Actions is a high-energy solo standup show presented by this hard-working dynamo until April 20 at Tasma Terrace at 6pm.

Hands-on from the beginning, Adele greets her audience, organises the music, then works the room on her way to the front.

Exploring self-deprecating humour in everyday topics such as class distinction between a broken wrist and broken arm, procuring and wearing contact lens, and housemates, Adele also entertains with stories of visits to comedy festivals in other countries.

Tackling the topic of lying - who does it and why – raises initial doubt about stories of her parents and sisters, Poppy and Zelda

But then we realise that Adele’s mother has indeed passed away in recent years and this courageous young performer – a self-described ‘non-crier’ – has found strength and healing through comedy and entertaining others, inspired by her late Mum’s love of comedy.

We feel for Adele when she candidly wishes she had invited her Mum to more comedy shows, and admire her dedication to the comedic profession with its associated risks of being self-employed.

This chatty raconteur maintains high spirits as she shares thoughts on dress codes at funerals, ghosts, jelly, films and more.

Adele said she doesn’t read reviews, but just in case - thanks Adele for an enjoyable 50 minute show. Hope you have a great time in Melbourne.

Performance Details: Until April 20 at 6pm (no shows Monday)

Venue: Tasma Terrace, 6 Parliament Place, Melbourne.

Bookings: comedyfestival.com.au

- Review by Cheryl Threadgold

Thanks to Glenn

■

Screen Producers Australia has thanked outgoing Chief Operating Officer, Glenn Hamilton, for exceptional service and dedication over the past four years.

“Glenn has been a pivotal part of the SPA team, bringing invaluable expertise, passion, and contribution to the organisation that has greatly impacted SPA and across the broader screen industry,” said a representative.

SPA announced the appointment of Sarah Melrose as new Chief Operating Officer. Sarah brings a wealth of operations experience and a deep understanding of the media and advertising sector, to continue to build on the strong foundations.

Novocaine

■ (MA). 110 minutes. Opens in cinemas April 3.

Intermittently amusing action/romance/comedy that, while quite gruesome at times, doesn’t take its premise to the absolute crazy extreme, playing it too predictable too often.

Jack Quaid (son of Meg Ryan and Dennis Quaid) plays Nathan Caine , an assistant general bank manager who has a rare genetic condition that has him unable to feel any pain.

Living a routine, reclusive existence, Nathan comes out of his shell somewhat when he develops feelings for bank clerk Sherry (Amber Midthunder).

The two connect, but before things can get serious, Sherry is taken hostage the following day by a group of bank robbers, led by Simon (Ray Nicholson).

Realising he is in love, Nathan decides to go after the brutal robbers, and his condition becomes a plus as he battles each criminal, taking frequent beatings as he attempts to save Sherry.

Directors Dan Berk and Robert Olsen (Villains, Body) have fun with the concept, but Lars Jacobson’s script never really goes beyond its high concept set-up, and as such, the whole thing begins to fall into repetition (Nathan’s break in to one robber’s home and its eventual consequences is the highlight).

Quaid and Midthunder are likeable enough. While it never reaches any genuinely compelling or deranged heights (and given its concept, is way too long), Novocaine is just entertaining enough to be mild fun, and is reminiscent of the Crank movies, starring Jason Statham For me, Villains remains the directors’ best film to date.

RATING - ***

Hunt

■ (MA). 125 minutes. Now available on selected digital platforms.

Renowned Korean actor Lee Jung-Jae , who became a household name with western audiences after the phenomenal worldwide success of the terrific Netflix TV series, Squid Game, steps behind the camera to make his directorial debut with Hunt, an unabashedly entertaining, if overly convoluted, high octane espionage action/ thriller.

Set in 1983, the story deals with the political turmoil occurring in South Korea, with protests against the current authoritarian government, and the factional infighting happening between the domestic and foreign departments of the KCIA, the former led by Chief Kim Jung-do (Jung Woo-sung), the lat-

ter by Chief Park Pyong-ho (Lee)

The two agents have a bitter history, but both are on the back foot when it appears there is a mole within the KCIA, who is leaking information about the schedules of President Choi Kyu-hah.

Subplots and red herrings increase by the minute as Lee tries to stay one step ahead of the infiltrator, and also tries to clear his name, as he is named as one of the chief suspects.

In many ways, Hunt is a difficult film to review, as it works as a visceral, if illogical, action/thriller, while its plethora of history bound material is overstuffed, never allowing plot threads and characters to breathe and properly develop, muting its overall dramatic impact.

Lee, whose almost three decade career has seen highlights such as Il Mare (2000) (which was remade as The Lake House with Keanu Reeves), The Thieves (2012), New World (2013), The Face Reader (2013), Big Match (2014), Assassination (2015), Along With The Gods 1 and 2, Svaha : The Sixth Finger (2019), and Deliver Us From Evil (2020), makes a confident debut as star/co-writer/co-producer/ director, and has obviously paid attention to the directors he has worked with over the years, especially during the exciting and wellstaged action sequences. Though one appreciates the close attention required to follow what is going on, the overly cluttered plotting is also a factor of Lee trying to cram too much into one script, incorporating so many Korean historical incidents (of which audiences will need some knowledge of) and supporting characters that can’t possibly be fully explored in a two hour running time (particularly the female roles). The finale also ventures into gonzo territory. Lee gets strong performances from his star-studded cast, and technically the film is first-rate. If solely taken as a fast-paced (and it does move at a lightning pace) action/thriller, Hunt succeeds admirably, forcing audiences to concentrate in-between all the thrills and spills. But for those who are fans of deservedly acclaimed political Korean films such as The Spy Gone North (starring Hwang Jung-min , who has one memorable scene here) and The Man Standing Next, or the provocative, under-appreciated ‘what-if’ action/ thriller 26 Years (streaming on Netflix ), may find this somewhat disappointing. Whatever your reaction may be, this is a promising directorial effort from Lee, and it will be very interesting to see what he does next behind the camera. For western audiences, this would make a fine double bill with the 1987 Kevin Costner film, No Way Out RATING - ***½ - Aaron Rourke

■ It is amazing that a Hollywood actor who only made three films in his lifetime could become such a cult figure - most teenagers of the modern generation are aware of James Dean who died almost 60 years ago.

James Byron Dean was born in Marion, Indiana, on February 8, 1931. His mother died when James was nine and his father sent him to live with his aunt and uncle on a farm in Fairmount, Indiana

After finishing High School he studied drama at University in California James decided to become a professional actor and was cast in several uncredited films.

His first speaking role was in the Martin and Lewis comedy Sailor Beware

James moved to New York and played several roles in television productions. He studied at the famous Lee Strasberg acting school.

When director Elia Kazan was casting the film East of Eden, James was suggested for the lead role of Cal Trask.

Elia was looking for a young ‘Marlon Brando’ type of actor but soon realised during the audition that James Dean and had his own unique acting style.

He won the role and filming began in 1954. James ad-libbed his lines in some scenes which gave added realism and he created some great impromptu moments in the film through his creative genius. Sadly this was the only one of his films that he lived to see.

Melbourne Observer Melbourne Observer

Whatever Happened To ... James Dean

By Kevin Trask of 3AW and 96.5 Inner FM

He immediately started work on his next film Rebel Without A Cause and co-starred with Natalie Wood and Sal Mineo

This film was very popular with teenagers and as I was a teenager at that time I wanted to be just like James Dean

He played an angry misunderstood character and once again gave a brilliant performance. His interests included acting, bull fighting and car racing.

In 1955 he started work on his final film Giant and starred opposite Elizabeth Taylor, Rock Hudson and former child star Jane Withers

In a recent radio interview with Jane Withers I discussed her memories of James Dean Jan e told me he was a "loner" and he would

● ● ● ● James Dean visit her house to enjoy the family life atmosphere with her children and husband. She read passages from the Bible with him and they had great discussions about religion.

She used to wash his clothes and the last time Jane saw James she said she had a premonition she would never see him again.

Jane began to cry during the interview and I was deeply moved for her. Jane still has one of his shirts that she was washing for him at the time of his death. Jane Withers is a beautiful person.

On September 30, 1955, James Dean and his mechanic Rolf Wütherich were driving in a brand new Porsche 550 Spyder on their way to Salinas for a sports car race.

They were involved in a head on collision at dusk at the junction of Route 41 and Route 46

James was pulled from the sports car wreckage but Rolf had been thrown clear. There were no safety belts in those days. Both men were raced to a hospital 45-km away in the same ambulance. Sadly James Dean was pronounced dead upon arrival.

A series of photographs have emerged over

the years taken on the day James Dean died. There is one of him filling the sports car with petrol at a service station.

He was booked for speeding two hours before the accident but at the time of the crash it was determined he was not speeding and was not under the influence of alcohol.

Shortly before he died James filmed a road safety community television spot with Gig Young. At the end of the segment instead of saying the line, "The life you save may be your own" he ad-libbed, "Take it easy driving, the life you might save might be mine".

James Dean is buried in Fairmount, Indiana , near his uncle's farm where he grew up. Ironically Rolf Wütherich died in a car crash in 1981 at the age of 53. He had suffered mental health issues as a result of the accident 26 years earlier.

James Dean received a posthumous Academy Award nomination for Best Actor in a Leading Role for his performance in East of Eden After his untimely death he became a Hollywood cult legend.

Kevin Trask

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

That's Entertainment - Sundays at 12 Noon. www.innerfm.org.au

TURRANGKA-IN-THE-SHADOWS AT MORNINGTON

Turrangka-In the Shadows –

James Tylor brings together a decade pf practice by acclaimed disciplinary artist James Tylor’s practice unpacks the histories of colonisation and its profound impact on indigenous cultures as informed by his heritage comprising Nunga (Kaurna Myurrnaj) Mâori and European English, Scottish, Irish, Dutch and Norwegian ancestry.

His expansive practice combines historical and contemporary photographic processes, exploring the complexities of cultural identity and relationships to place, in particular to the Kaurna Country in South Australia

This extensive survey features Tylor’s renowned daguerreotypes, expansive digital photographic series, and handmade Kaurna objects.

The exhibition calls attention / Tylor’s enduring interest in the Becquerel Daguerreotype, a 18th century photographic process to which he has returned throughout his career.

Exhibition closes May 25. Mornington Peninsula Regional Gallery, Civic Centre Dunns Rd, Mornington

New Wave 25

■ New Wave 25 showcases the works of VCE and VCEVET art, visual art, media arts, fashion, design and technology students within the Mornington Peninsula Shire.

The exhibition includes paintings, drawings, photography, ceramics, installation and more b a new generation of young artists.

The show offers students the opportunity to participate in a group exhibition on a public gallery and serves as an inspiration for other senior students to see the work and ideas from local students in a gallery setting.

Exhibition closes May 25.

Seasonal Shifts

■ Tracing the rhythms of life, memory, identity and human influence on the environment, Seasonal Shifts is a group exhibition presenting artists whose works unveil our natural surroundings.

The Arts

As observers of nature we bear witness to moments of seasonal change, and the beauty and unpredictably of our environment.

We feel the impact of natural forces on our minds and bodies, and actions.

A favourite flower, the smell of rain, or a familiar rock formation can become markers of experience, a record of our personal histories told through objects and places.

As time unfolds, we see the traces we leave behind and the ways human presence alters the landscape, both subtle and drastic, temporary and permanent.

Exhibition closes April 26. Town Hall Gallery 360 Burwood Rd, Hawthorn

At Bendigo

The School of Paris – Australian Artists Abroad

For many Australian artists of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, an exposure to French and Parisian traditions of art making was formative and profound, whether their time in Paris was fleeting or they were true émigrés, never to return to Australia.

‘The School of Paris’ was a term coined in reference to the wave of non-French artists from around the world who gravitated to this thriving centre of artistic activity, initially drawn to the Montmartre district and

then to Montparnasse in the south of the city, artists in this period explored the range of modern styles as they studied, exhibited and immersed themselves in a progressive and lively culture – and the great galleries and museums of the city.

In a variety of ways, the artists featured in in this room either through living and working in Paris themselves or through the teachings of others were influenced by that city’s unique milieu in the heady decades before the outbreak of World War I, which catalysed a shift for many Western artists – across the Atlantic to New York City.

This Collection on display can be found in the oldest gallery space Bolton Court, built in 1867.

In the late 188os under the supervision of the distinguished Bendigo architect W.C. Vahland, this building was converted from the orderly room of the Bendigo Volunteer Rifle Brigade to a permanent home for the Gallery’s collection.

Exhibition closes October 12.

Bendigo Art Gallery 42 View St, Bendigo - Peter Kemp

At Bunjil Pl

■ Bunjil Place Gallery has unveiled Floribunda, a new exhibition by renowned artist David Sequeira exploring the enduring connection between humans and flowers and their influence on art.

A major partnership between the National Gallery of Victoria and Bunjil Place, Floribunda brings together over 150 works from within one of Australia’s most important collections, marking one of the largest single loans in the history of the NGV

Spanning painting, ceramics, photography, bark painting, sculpture, installation art, jewellery, textiles, printmaking, drawing and fashion, the exhibition highlights flowers as a persistent subject in a range of art practices, histories and movements, featuring works by international andAustralian artists, creatives and designers, including Azuma Makoto, John Brack, Arthur Streeton, Margaret Preston and Grace Cossington-Smith.

Graeme Norton live shows

. During his Q and A one fan asked ,' who was the worst person he interviewed ?' Within seconds Graham answered 'Harvey Weinstein' who he had as a guest on his UK show in 2007 pre-Harvey's incarceration. Never to be forgotten.

Timberlake flies high

■ Justin Timberlake is currently involved in his Forget Tomorrow world tour. En route flying to South America, Justin took control of the hosties public address phone and performed snippets from his stage show, then played Mini Golf down the aisle of the plane. I'm told passengers enjoyed the performance - not sure if it was perfectly legal by Air Governance rules and regs. O maybe it was performed on a private jet, where almost anything goes.

Hammer Media joins stable

■ Bunnings has added Hammer Media to their blitz of conventional advertising. The new medium is digital screens in stores pushing brands and events to shoppers as they brouse the aisles. Screens already operate in 150 stores nationally with a total store roll-out planned progressively. There is no escaping Bunnings messages.

Disrupt radio mystery

■ Disrupt Radio hit the digital airwaves in June 2023 but their dreams crashed 18 months later; the studio, leased from SEN, Melbourne, was shuttered and staff started bleating over unpaid wages. Wind-up notices were issued but dismissed suggesting possibilities were in the offing for a White Knight. Hence, the current situation with a substantial amount in unpaid wages, rentals and suppliers. The marketing strategy for Disrupt was targeted towards small business, entrepreneurs and innovators.

Newport Jazz Festival

■ The line-up for Newport Jazz Festival is in one word-sensational - 40 bands to perform May 2-4. The big names of Australian jazz - Bob Sedergreen, The Pearly Shells, and hot licks embracing trad, swing, bebob, boogie, bossa, blues and beyond. Tickets from $54 at melbournejazz jammers.com.au

Fly On Wall doco

■ Delvene Cornell, nee Delvene Delaney, has released a doco featuring unseen snippets of Crocodile Dundee in production. Titled 'Love of an Icon' the doco is screening in selected cinemas. The footage was retrieved from a locked shed on Delvene's property, edited together to make an interesting video about making of Australia's biggest grossing film. Snippets include the drama when Kerry Packer pulled the pin on the $1 million he invested in 'Crocodile Dundee'. - John O’Keefe

with Peter Kemp

■ Reviewers have been kind to Irish comedian, come chat show presenter Graham Norton. His relaxed presentation of storytelling has captivated Australian audiences, and now he is off to New Zealand

Across Observer

1. Shabbiness in dress

6. Light-bulb inventor

11. Shiny

15. Forts

20. Egyptian river

21. Reproductive organ

22. Shopping precinct

23. Lead dancer, ... ballerina

25. South Africa's Cape ... Hope (2,4)

26. Pakistan currency units

27. Actor, Ryan ... (1'4)

29. Likable

32. Tube

34. Without delay (1,1,1,1)

36. Look-alikes, dead ...

39. Caravan rover

41. Brief

43. Sparking stone

46. Boils or ulcers

48. Low wetland

49. London's ... Mall

51. Curving lines

52. Exploited

55. Territory, Puerto ...

56. Every

59. Composer, Andrew ... Webber

61. Antarctic inlet, ... Sea

62. False god

63. Crowd brawl

64. Corrected (wrong)

67. Dalai Lama's nationality

68. Bitter regret

70. Very keen enthusiast

71. One who owes money

72. Overeats

73. Firebomb liquid

74. Of punishment

75. Batting spell

77. Broken down

78. Resounded

79. Theatre reviewer

82. Hazardous

86. Loft

87. Peace prize city

89. Spick & span

92. Merge

94. Get up

96. Biblical son of Isaac

98. Naming word

100. Recycle

101. Mongolian desert

103. Painting, Mona ...

105. From Baghdad

106. Adolescent

108. Sports match

111. Autograph

112. Actor's outfits

114. Rat

116. A single time

119. Droplet

120. Location

121. Kind

123. Leave out

124. Madam (2'2)

125. Flowing

126. Loudness

127. Grand house

130. Born as

131. Cleaning up (room)

135. English coin

138. Not stereo

139. Large jug

141. Computer/phone link

144. A lot of

146. I am, you ...

147. Looked up & down

148. UK national broadcaster (1,1,1)

149. Mad Roman emperor

150. Fuss

151. Female zebra

152. German emperor

153. Repast

155. Drink, ... spumante

157. Golfer, Greg ...

158. Unseat

160. Release (3,2)

161. Sprite

162. Italian city

163. Honey liquor

165. Brother's daughter

166. Souped-up car, hot ...

Melbourne Observer Melbourne Observer

Across Down Down

167. Scamp

168. Laid slates

169. Upper-class

171. Document, Magna ...

172. Glossy black bird

175. Entrails

176. Lubricates

179. Breakfast dish

180. Cow flesh

182. Flowers, sweet ... 184. Chirps

185. Castle water ditch

186. 24 December, Christmas ...

188. ... Lang Syne

189. US anti-crime agency (1,1,1)

190. Measure (out)

191. Fifth musical note 193. Own 194. Father 196. Verge

197. Fiesta, Mardi ... 198. Medicine amounts 200. Unhappiest

205. Vicious dog

207. Second-hand vehicle (4,3)

210. Playwright

211. Reparation

212. In a frenzied state

213. Grass skirt dance

214. USA nickname, Uncle ..

216. Steals from 218. Created

219. Prepare (newspaper)

220. Tights

224. Coffee style

227. Spiky plant, ... vera

229. From Bangkok

230. Abhor

231. Gallantly

232. Dr Jekyll & Mr ...

233. Heredity unit

235. Out of order

237. Solidifies

239. Actor, Richard ...

241. Timepiece

244. Forewarning

246. Blankness

249. ... & twos

252. Depletes

254. Crave

256. Heaven's ... Gates

258. French Mrs

259. Pins for hammering

260. Romantic US falls

263. Internal

264. Lump of gold

265. Legless grub

267. Actress, ... Kidman

270. Digit

271. Funeral Mass

272. Actor, Dustin ...

273. Lewd

274. Loses (hair)

277. London nightspot

279. Make (wage)

281. Throw out

284. Only fair (2-2)

286. Crustacean with nippers

288. Small distance measures

292. Yoga master

294. Raw metals

295. Domestic servants

298. Screen legend, Sophia ...

300. From Emerald Isle

301. Sum up

303. Baby's skin problem, ... rash

306. Bashfulness

308. Japan & Korea are there

309. Oil-exporting cartel

311. Throb

314. Mushy

315. Energetic

316. Do the dishes (4,2)

317. Throng

318. Former spouses

319. Paris landmark, ... Triomphe (3,2)

320. Tennis ace, ... Sampras

1. Renovate (2,2)

2. Become distorted

3. Suggest

4. Kuwaiti rulers

5. Clean break

6. Flees to wed

7. Delay

8. Bathroom fixtures

9. Fall asleep (3,3)

10. Brigand

11. Revolve on axis

12. Stood against

13. Smudge

14. Palestinian chief, ... Arafat

15. Pour carelessly

16. Aida or Carmen

17. Potters' ovens

18. Pantomime lead

19. Observes

24. Rebukes, ... over the knuckles

28. Put on ... & graces

30. Spoken

31. Hideous

33. Irritated the skin

35. Incidental comments

37. Clarified butter

38. Curry & ...

40. Face veils

42. Physical activity

44. Portugal's capital

45. Scientist, Sir Isaac ...

47. Stench

48. Elevated railway

49. Drainage tradesman

50. Extortionate lender (4,5)

53. Largest bird

54. Calls (5,2)

57. Ancient Mariner's seabird

58. Protective headwear

60. Cloth retailers

63. Cleaver

65. Frosted (cake)

66. Expensive

68. Coral bank

69. Cosy

76. Set up (machinery)

79. Long-leafed lettuce

80. Nunavut native

81. Eastern faith

83. Twig shelters

84. Cartoon strip, Li'l ...

85. Flightless bird

88. English cheese

90. Fleur de lis plant

91. Among 93. Riveted

95. Easter gifts

97. Unplaced competitor (4-3)

99. Constantly busy (2,3,2)

100. Hire

102. Pungent bulb

104. Largest African nation

107. Uncanny

109. Wet

110. Vocal solo

111. Jet-baths

113. Soapie session

115. Obvious

117. TV award

118. Young deer

121. Contemptibly

122. Patella

127. Nonsense, ... jumbo

128. Razor cuts

129. Bits & pieces (4,3,4)

132. Recipe components

133. Stupid

134. Avarice

135. Packaged

136. Dilapidated

137. 24 hours ago

138. Unforgettable

143. Huge stone blocks

145. Tomahawk

151. Enormous

154. Men's Singles champion, .. Agassi

156. Lustre

159. One, numero ...

164. Totally

169. Cougars

170. Steam burn

173. Influences

174. Short, witty remark

177. Author, ... Asimov

178. Take oath

181. Whirling (of water)

183. Women warriors

187. Wantonly destroy

192. Female hormone

195. Current of air

199. Supervise

201. Points gun

202. Anti-flood embankment

203. Genuine fact

204. Implicit

206. Gay

207. Non-rural

208. Cheap, a ... a dozen

209. Lends a hand to 213. Smacks

215. Strolling

217. Killed

221. Helium & hydrogen

222. Not ever 223. Cut with scissors

224. Charlotte Bronte novel, Jane ... 225. Withdraw, ... out

226. Poet, ... Allan Poe

228. Legal trade bans

234. Phone security device

236. Wrongdoers

238. Terminate

240. Singer, ... Orbison

242. Normally (2,1,4)

243. Peculiarity

245. Mussels or clams

247. Peppermint essence

248. Nut fastener

250. Scientist, Albert ...

251. Weasel-like animals

253. Overfill

255. College test

257. Recline lazily

258. Restaurant list

261. Lovers' fling

262. Military forces

265. Valuable ores, precious ...

266. Garden ornament

268. Hex

269. The Continent

275. Jolly laugh (2,2)

276. Rounded roof

278. Hampers

280. Pressurised spray

282. Delights

283. Dollar division

285. Properly positioned, in ...

287. Steam generator

289. Tripoli citizen

290. Impersonates

291. Melted

292. Barked shrilly

293. Potato

296. Colorado ski resort

297. Writer, ... Thomas

299. Obtain (funds)

302. Two-door car

304. ... Fools' Day

305. Earnest requests

306. Crown Princess of Denmark

307. Opera singer

308. Yes votes

321. Urges

322. Sense

323. Blunted

324. Movie actors (4,5)

140. Enforces once more 141. Pacified

142. Courageous

310. Head cook

312. Charismatic air

313. Spreading trees

By Rob Foenander info@robfomusic.com.au

House Concert

■ Carrum Downs House Concerts is delighted to welcome Brendan McMahon and Sarah Catania to their venue.

Both Melbourne artists are at the peak of their careers and will take the audience on an interesting afternoon of award winning songs and the stories behind their compositions.

A barbecue lunch in included and it will all happen on Sunday (Apr. 6) from 1pm5pm.

More info and tickets at trybooking.com

Sunrise

■ Australian ccoustic roots singersongwriter Michael Ward has released his new single.

Titled Sunrise , it is a slick, well produced, uplifting track that takes you on a journey to the south-west WA town of Margaret River to fall in love for the first time.

Michael delivers his fusion of gritty blues, folk and alt country with a supercharged energy whenever he's on stage, says his media release.

Storytellers

■ Casey Radio presents ARIA award winning musician, songwriter and composer David Bridie at their next Storytellers show. Sunday, April 6, at 2pm at the Cranbourne Bowls Club.

Tickets https://www.trybooking.com/ - Rob Foenander

Melbourne Observer Melbourne Observer

Winni Wizard and the Ditzy Dizzard

■ Comedians Lisa Gatenby and Jacob Sacher will join forces to entertain '4-400 year olds' as part of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival in their show

Winni Wizard and the Ditzy Dizzard, from April 5-11 at 2pm at the Ivanhoe Library and Cultural Hub, and April 12-17 at 2pm at Kindred Studios, Yarraville.

Their story follows Winni (the wacky wizard) as she visits her friend Ditzy

Through hijinx and mayhem they soon learn that there’s more to success than being good at magic. Being true to yourself and following your dreams count just as much.

Can Ditzy learn to follow Winni’s lead and lean into being himself?

This show will encourage audiences young and old to avoid judging their self worth based on external metrics of success and rather aim to be true to one’s own values.

Winni Wizard and the Ditzy Dizzard is the latest addition to the Winni Wizard chronicles, with an exciting new character addition; Sacher as the Ditzy Dizzard.

Gatenby’s Winni Wizard has found magical success touring her previous shows over the past two years, and has since earned a cult following in Melbourne and Sydney from both kids and their adults.

Sacher is the Chair of Melbourne’s NFP Comedy theatre

Crossword Solution No 13

Cornershop comedy and has recently returned from New Zealand and the United States where he performed his unique brand of introspective comedy.

Performance Details: April 511 at 2pm at the Ivanhoe Library and Cultural Hub, 275 Upper Heidelberg Road, Ivanhoe. April 12 - 17 at 2pm at Kindred Studios, 3 Harris Street, Yarraville. Bookings: comedyfestival. com.au

- Cheryl Threadgold

MEAA directors

■ The Media section of the MEAA has appointed a new Federal President and Vice-Presidents, who will also serve as directors of the Walkley Foundation.

Michael Slezak from the ABC has been named Federal President, while Bianca Hall from The Age and Sydney Morning Herald and Kasun Ubayasiri, Senior Lecturer and Program Director of Communication and Journalism at Griffith University and Freelance Documentary Photographer, will take on the roles of Federal Vice-Presidents.

Their appointments follow the resignations of Karen Percy, Erin Delahunty and Kate Ferguson.

Observations with Matt Bissett-Johnson

Observations with Matt Bissett-Johnson

● Jacob Sacher (Ditzy Dizzard)

Today’s Menu

Charcuterie Boards:

Tapas Bar Home-Made Desserts

Plus A Variety of Weekly Specials

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

■

■ BALNARRING. Balnarring Village Newspower. Shop 2, 3000 FrankstonFlinders Rd.

■ BALNARRING. Ritchies IGA. Russell St.

■

■

■ BAXTER. Ampol. 1 BaxterTooradin Rd.

■ BAXTER. Liberty Service Station. 161 Moorooduc Hwy.

■ BAXTER. Licensed Post Office.

72 Baxter-Tooradin Rd.

■

■ BAXTER. Newsagency & Lotto. Shopp 6/96 Baxter-Tooradin Rd.

■ BEACONSFIELD. Fast Fuel. 114

Old Princes Hwy.

■ BEACONSFIELD. Tattslotto. 55

Old Princes Hwy.

■ BERWICK. Newsagency. 29 High St,

■ BERWICK. Parkhill Plaza News and Lotto. Shop 13, 215-225 Pakhill Drive.

■

■ BITTERN. IGA. 2428-2436 Frankston Rd.

■ BLAIRGOWRIE. Cafe. 2837 Point Nepean Rd.

■ BLAIRGOWRIE. United Service Station. 2867 Point Nepean Rd.

■ CAPEL SOUND. The Lott. 1643 Point Nepean Rd.

■ CARRUM DOWNS. 7-Eleven. Frankston-Dandenong Rd (Cnr 10 Amayla Cres)

■ ■ CHELSEA. Longbeach Hotel. 380 Nepean Hwy.

■ CHELSEA. Woolworths Ampol. 469-472 Nepean Hwy.

■

■ CRANBOURNE. Newsagency. 105 High St.

■ CRANBOURNE. Woolworths Caltex. Cnr South Gippsland Hwy and Thompsons Rd.

■ CRANBOURNE NORTH. 7Eleven. 945 South Gippsland Hwy.

■

■ CRIB POINT. Cellars and Newsagency. 182 Stony Point Rd.

■ DANDENONG. Dande Lotto. 308 Thomas St.

■ DANDENONG NORTH. 7-Elevem. 1464 Heatherton Rd.

■ ■ DANDENONG NORTH. Lotto and News. 56 Menzies Ave.

■ DANDENONG SOUTH. United Petroleum. 315 South Gippsland Hwy.

■ ■ DROMANA. 7-Eleven. 335 Point Nepean Rd.

■ DROMANA. Newsagency. 177 Point Nepean Rd.

■ EDITHVALE. Foodworks. 130/131 Station St.

■ ■ FLINDERS. General Store. 48 Cook St.

■ FLINDERS. Hotel. Cnr FrankstonFlinders Rd and Cook St.

■ FRANKSTON. Bayside News and Tatts. 194/28 Beach St.

■ FRANKSTON. Beach Street Newsagency. 237 Beach St.

■ FRANKSTON. Coles Express. 227 Frankston-Flinders Rd and Robinsons Rd.

■

■ FRANKSTON. Frankston RSL. 183 Cranbourne Rd.

■ FRANKSTON. The National Golf Club - Long Island. 165/235 Frankston-Dandenong Rd.

■ FRANKSTON. Ritchies IGA. Cnr Hastings Rd and Golf Link Rd.

■ ■ FRANKSTON NORTH. IGA Express. 54-56 Mahogany Ave.

■ FRANKSTON SOUTH. Foot St Supermarket and Wine Cellars. 45 Foot St.

■ FRANKSTON SOUTH. Licensed Post Office. 58 Yuille St

■

■ HALLAM. 7-Eleven. 38-40 Hallam South Rd.,

■ HALLAM. Hallam Square News.

42 Spring Square.

■

■ HALLAM. Shell Coles Express. 208-210 Princes Hwy.

■ HALLAM. United Petroleum. Cnr

Belgrave-Hallam Rd and Princes Hwy.

■ HASTINGS. 7-Eleven. 1835

Frankston-Flinders Rd.

■ HASTINGS. Coles Express. Cnr

Frankston-Flinders Rd (152 High St)

■ HASTINGS. Lucky Lotto and News. Shop 2/9 Queen St

■ HASTINGS. Post Shop. 68 High St.

■ HASTINGS. Ritchies. Cnr Salmon St & High St.

■ HASTINGS. United. 1996

Frankston-Flinders Rd (Cnr Hodgins Rd)

■ HASTINGS. Westernport Hotel. Cnr Salmon St & High St.

■ KARINGAL. 7-Eleven. 330

Frankston-Cranbourne Rd.

■ KARINGAL. Coles Karingal. Cnr

Karingal Dr and Ashleigh Ave.

■ ■ KEYSBOROUGH. 7-Eleven. 309

Cheltenham Rd (Cnr Kingsclere Rd)

■ KEYSBOROUGH. Ampol. 248 Cheltenham Rd.

■ ■ LANGWARRIN. Ampol Langwarrin. McClelland Dr & Skye Rd

■ LANGWARRIN. Lotto. 230 Frankston Rd.

■

■ LANGWARRIN SOUTH. General Store. Shop 1/143 Warrandyte Rd

■ LYNBROOK. 7-Eleven. 760 South Gippsland Hwy.

■ ■ LYNBROOK. BP. 7181 South Gippsland Hwy.

■ LYNBROOK. Coles Express. 850 South Gippsland Hwy.

■ McCRAE. Coles. McCrae Plaza. Cnr Nepean Hwy and Lonsdale St.

■ McCRAE. The Lott. 739 Point Nepean Rd.

■ MENTONE. Coles Express. Cnr Nepean Hwy and Warrigal Rd.

■

■ MERRICKS. Merricks General Wine Store. 3460 Frankston-Flinders Rd.

■ MORDIALLOC. Woolworths. 600 Main St.

■ MORNINGTON. 7-Eleven. 893 Nepean Hwy.

■ ■ MORNINGTON. Ampol Woolworths. 223 Main St.

■ MORNINGTON. Coles Express. 1010 Nepean Hwy.

■ MORNINGTON. Grand Hotel. 124 Main St.

■

■ MORNINGTON. Newspower. 241 Main St.

■ MORNINGTON EAST. Benton Square News and Tatts. 210 Dunns Rd

■ MOUNT ELIZA. Newsagency. Shop 7/85 Mount Eliza Way.

■

■ MOUNT MARTHA. Beachbox Fish and Chips. 5 Lochiel Ave.

■ MOUNT MARTHA. Dava Hotel. 614 Esplanade.

■

■ MOUNT MARTHA. Newsagency. 2 Lochiel Ave.

■ MOUNT MARTHA. Ritchies Supermarket, 8-16 Lochiel Ave.

■ MULGRAVE. BP Truckstop. Cnr Springvale and Wellington Rds.

■

■

■ NARRE WARREN. Newsagency. 34 Webb St.

■ NARRE WARREN. Ritchies IGA. Shop 4, 14 Webb St.

■ NOBLE PARK. Lucky Star Lotto & Newws. 1268 Heatherton Rd.

■

■ NOBLE PARK. Newsagency. 22 Douglas St.

■ OFFICER. 7-Eleven. Cnr Besper Dr and Princes Hwy.

■ OFFICER. Australia Post. 4 Cardinia Rd.

■

■ OFFICER EAST. 7-Eleven. 496 Princes Hwy.

■ PAKENHAM. Australia Post. 117 Main St.

■ ■ PAKENHAM. Newsagency. 99 Main St.

■ PORTSEA. Portsea Hotel. 3746 Point Nepean Rd.

■ RED HILL. Red Hill General Store.

83 Arthurs Seat Rd.

Court Lists

Dandenong Magistrates’ Court Criminal Case Listings

Wednesday, April 2

Local Briefs

Cranbourne theft

■

■ ■ RED HILL. United Service Station.

87 Arthurs Seat Rd.

■ RED HILL SOUTH. Cellar and Pantry. 141 Shoreham Rd.

■ ROSEBUD. Newsagency. 1083 Point Nepean Rd.

■ ■ ROSEBUD. The Lott Shop. Shop K002,. Rosebud Plaza, Cnr McCombe St and Point Nepean Rd.

■ RYE. Newsagency. 2369-2371 Point Nepean Rd.

■

■ RYE. RSL. 5/11 Neilson St.

■ RYE. Supermarket. 4 Hygeia St.

■ RYE. Whitecliffs General Store. 2507 Point Nepean Rd.

■ SAFETY BEACH. Provincia Food Store. 3/154 Marine Drive.

■ SEAFORD. BP. 298 FrankstonDandenong Rd.

■

■ SEAFORD. Ampol. 467 FrankstonDandenong Rd.

■

■ SEAFORD. Newsagency. 124 Nepean Hwy.

■ SEAFORD. Riviera Hotel. 30 Nepean Hwy.

■ SEAFORD. United Service Station. 267 Seaford Rd.

■ SEAFORD. Woolworths. Cnr Seaford Rd and Nepean Hwy.

■

■ SHOREHAM. Licensed Post Office. 87 Byrnes Rd.

■

■ SOMERVILLE. Coles Express. 1045 Frankston-Flinders Rd.

■

■ SOMERVILLE. Newsagency. 27 Eramosa Rd East.

■ SOMERVILLE. United. 1025 Frankston-Flinders Rd.

■ SORRENTO. News & Books. 66 Ocean Beach Rd.

■ SORRENTO. Stringers Store. 2-8 Ocean Beach Rd.

■ ■ SPRINGVALE. Continental Mart. 219 Springvale Rd.

■

■ ■ SPRINGVALE. Newsagency. 32 Springvale Rd.

■ SPRINGVALE SOUTH. 7-Eleven. 581 Springvale Rd.

■ SPRINGVALE SOUTH. Ampol.

747 Springvale Rd.

■ SPRINGVALE SOUTH. BP. 540

Sp[ringvale Rd.

■ TOOTGAROOK. Coles Express. 1825 Point Nepean Rd.

■ ■ TYABB. Flatties Fish and Chips. 1541 Frankston-Flinders Rd.

■ ■ ■ TYABB. United. 1491 FrankstonFlinders Rd.

Ahmed, Shahzad Alexandrou, Robert John Ali Ata, Abdullah Aliata, Abdullah Alizada, Mohamadh Jalal Anseline, Samuel Armstrong, Debbie Ayiik, Saeeda Azevedo, Marcio Balkin, Daniel Bearman, Maurice Becirevic, Amer Bell, Kyle Bidong, Ladjok Boss, Daniel Bradford, Daniel Brown, William Bruce, Kylie Marie Burke, Michael John Burns, Kyle Cabebula, Ratu Cahill, Mark Camenzuli, Kevin Peter Cappadona, Anthony Cartes, Gary Cerni, Jarrod Cheaib, Nicholas James Colquhuon, Kevin Cordoba, Gonzalo Cornell, Jonathan Craven, Liam De Stefano, Vince Deane, Jarrod Dent, Michael Detar, Joshua Jovan Djukic, Dajana Dunne, Brad Eckles, Maurice Edwards, Dean Robert Ergec, Muhammed Efe Eyles, Natalie Faitasi, Andrew Featherstone, Aaron Joseph Fenby, Jarrod Fitzpatrick, Daniel Fletcher, Diana Foehn, Veronica Foster, Alex William Garner, Damien Grech, Jai Grigg, Robert James Hagedorn, Konrad Hall, Ben Hand, Mitchell Hari Om, Himanshu Hay, Jamie Hilyear, Andrew Hoang, Anh Nghia Holt, Henry Hooper, Melanie Louise Hussaini, Ahmad Zia Hussein, Hussein Iakopo, John Paul Icely, Russel Ide, Brodie Christopher Jafar, Ocaa Johnson, Kelly Johnston, Lisa Kaskarevska, Zaklina Kelly, James Kerrigan, Trent King, Rickie Kinsey, Brendan Mark Koth, Ater Kury, Osman Leek-Branch, James Paul Littleford, Dylan Hugh Malone, Tegan Mansell, Lakota Mantel, Logan Josh Mariott, Connor Marshall, Joshua Martin, Michelle Anne Mccarthy, Alycia Mcconkey, Shai-Leigh Milo, Thomas Minton-Green, Jake Mohammed, Ahasan Mone, Alex Muon, Sebit Jock

Murphy, Luke Thomas Mwaura, Christopher Ngahere, Joseph Lewis Nicholas, Jacob Nyak, Kol Paolucci, Andrew Paterson, Caitlin Payet, Robin Walker Phan, Chann Truc Piastrino, Michael

Pira, George Pleban, Jai Pool, Michael Anthony Prassad, Jensay Quedley, Kees Christian Rahimi, Ali Rawlinson, Matthew Robb, Bailey Roman, Paul Ruaporo, Grace Ryan, Dean Sammut, Travis Brian Samuels, Terepai Sharif, Eman Sheridan, David Smith, Jack Solomons, Ashley Sreenivas, David Steer, Scott Stern, Steven Tansey, Mathew John Taylor, Dean Thompson, Shaun Thuoc, Akot Ulutui, Laki Van Doorn, Michael Anthony Vanzon, Leigh Vivanti, Veronica Vurlow, Caitlyn Wells, Jamie Wilson, Michael Thomas Witehira, Jerson Xie, Meng Yildiz, Uzeyir You, Bin Young, Mark Dromana Magistrates’ Court Criminal Case Listings Thursday, April 3 Afri, Vincent Allsop, Shannon Aziz, Antione Bakof, Brian Michael Boehe, Dallas Gerard Borg, Aydin Bruce, David Canavan, Tara Casa Main St Pty Ltd Chehayeb, Marwan Cleary-Jones, Jessica Jane Crawt, Daniel D'amore, Peter Graham De Morais Kalil Alves, Victor Di Gregorio, Paul Fikiris, John Gibson, Dayna Clare Hadj, Leon Haining, Mark William Heiser, Dylan Humar, Leopold Hutterer, Zac Imbriano, Matthew Jinnette, Aidan Johnson, Baileigh Garrick Kamkhali, Omar Kelly, Georgia Anne Kirpichnikov, Nikita Kolokithas, Dimitrios Kumar, Kamal Lambrianidis, Olga Law, Kristian Luke, Harvey Mahon, Glen John Manzo, Enrico Mcintosh, Robbie Ntentis, Athanasios Ntentis, Christos Ntentis, Eleftheria Oliver, Janette Ottobre, Cody Paflis, Konstantine Papamarkou, Aki Papharisis, Evangelos Plousi, Theodore Pye, Narelle Reyno, Ariel Ricardi, Arron Rickards, Rodney Roberts, Kye Rodin, Gregory Schepis, Tiarne Schultz, Graham Laurie Sindik, Sonja Sivell, Pauline Smith, Evan Rodney Stewart, Ricky Thongdeenok, Worawet Trapman, Georgina Trayling, Richard Waqakalou, Lennox Wells, Codie Wells, Patrick Wilson, Vanessa Jane

■ Police have charged a woman and two men after a number of goods were allegedly stolen from a store in Cranbourne.

It is alleged two men and a woman entered the store on Thompsons Rd about 11.05am on Wednesday (Mar. 26).

The offenders allegedly attempted to leave the store without paying for a range of items.

Security grabbed one of the men and a passer-by intervened, striking the offender with a guitar.

The remaining offenders and a third man returned in a white van, got out of the vehicle and produced what appeared to be metal bars.

Threats were made before security released the person they were holding.

All the offenders then got into the vehicle and fled the scene.

Investigators attended a property in Arnott St in Cranbourne North and arrested two men and a woman.

Three people, all from Cranbourne North, were arrested.

A 29-year-old man has been charged with affray, unlawful assault, common law assault and commit indictable offence whilst on bail. He was remanded to appear in court.

A 26-year-old man has been charged with multiple offences including theft, affray, unlawful assault and assault with weapon. He was remanded to appear in court this evening.

A 24-year-old woman has been charged with theft and commit indictable offence whilst on bail. She has been bailed to appear at Frankston Magistrates’ Court on May 5.

Three other people at the address were arrested in relation to unrelated matters.

The white van was located and seized at a separate Cranbourne North address.

Stories Unearthed

■ Our Stories: Unearthed is a one-day event at historic Mount Martha House, from 10am-3pm on Sunday, May 18.

Mornington Peninsula Shire is once again participating in the 2025 National Trust Victoria Heritage Festival, Unearthed. This year’s event will focus on uncovering lesserknown histories and stories.

The event features an array of engaging activities, including fascinating displays from the Mount Martha House Collection, exhibits by local historical societies, and opportunities to have your treasured objects professionally valued.

There will be live music, traditional Devonshire tea from the ‘Coffee Palace’, and a decoupage or floristry workshop.

Booking/RSVP: mornpen.vic.gov.au/acunearthed

Ticket price: Free entry to Mt Martha House, workshops $30 ($15 for Seniors), Devonshire tea $15

Mayor Cr Anthony Marsh said: "Heritage Day is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate our shared history and the stories that shape our community.

“Our dedicated historical societies work tirelessly to preserve our past, and this event brings collections together in one place, making history accessible. The interactive workshops provide an engaging way for our community to connect with our heritage."

Casey update

■ City of Casey Councillors voted unanimously in favour of a full review of the Casey Community Local Law 2023, and to suspend permit and application fees for Private Land Use Permits.

City of Casey Mayor Cr Stefan Koomen said they had seen and heard the community concerns and frustrations expressed around the current local law, in particular how it relates to use of private land.

“I want our community to know that as your new Councillors, we are listening to the feedback and we are taking action,” said Cr Koomen.

“We believe a comprehensive review of the local law is the best way to ensure that our local laws are truly meeting the needs of our community. enuine community consultation will be a key focus of this review, and we want our community to know that their voices will be heard throughout this process.”

MONDAY NIGHT MEETING AT COBRAM

■ It was pleasing to see the return of a Monday meeting on March 24 when Cobram held a small but neat six event card.

Kaarimba trainer Darryl Hill was victorious with heavily supported lightly raced 4Y0 Betterthancheddar-Pretty Interest mare Look Away in the VHRC / Woodlands Stud 3Y0 and Older Maiden Pace over 1670 metres.

Driven by Laura Wilson, Look Away having her third outing at the races was trapped in the open from gate two after Coral Cays and Matt Newberry showed great speed to lead from gate three.

Surging to the front in the back straight on the final occasion, Look Away raced by wife Jeanette recorded an impressive 11.5 metre margin over Bagley Boy (one/one from gate four), with first starter Starlet coming off a three wide trail last lap from the rear flashing home for third a half neck away. The mile rate 1-58.5.

■ Echuca owner/breeders Shane Gloury and Susan Hunter were successful with 4Y0 VincentJennas Highview mare Sassy Gabby in the 1670 metre VHRC / Rich River Golf Club Pace.

Trained by Susan and driven by Josh Duggan, Sassy Gabby was driven hard from the pole to retain the front running before being rated to perfection and defying all challengers to score by 2.7 metres in advance of a ‘death seating’ Chenin Beach (gate five) and Vincent Grange (gate two) which trailed the winner using the sprint lane for third a half head away. The mile rate 1-56.6.

■ The VHRC / Aldebaran Park Trotters Mobile over 2170 metres saw Kilmore owner/ breeder Billy Milner in the winners stall after 4Y0 Used To Me-Auravalley gelding Wallace at start number 30 broke his maiden status returning a 2-05.5 mile rate.

Driven by Ellen Tormey, Wallis (gate three) settled three back along the markers as polemarker Montana Muscle led easily.

Extricated from the inside to make the final bend four wide, Wallis rattled home at a great rate to gain the day by 2.8 metres from Kalarney Prince (gate four) which raced exposed. Starlight Red having start 179 (17 wins – 27 placings) one/two from gate five – three wide last lap was third a head away.

■ Leeton trainer Michael Towers and daughter Mikayla made the trip to Cobram a profitable one after snaring a stable double with two Kiwi breds – 9Y0 Auckland Reactor-Mikana gelding The Banker taking the VHRC / Mazzetti Painting Pace over 2170 metres and 7Y0 Rock N Roll Heaven-Laura Lace mare Mop the VHRC / GBL Properties Pace over 1670 metres.

The Banker settling mid-field from gate three on the second line sprinted sharply three wide in the last lap to lead on turning, accounting for Mirakao Shark (gate five second line) which followed him home by 8.1 metres in 2-00.8. Beryls Boots (one/three from the extreme draw) was third 7.7 metres back after going forward at the bell to race exposed.

Mop (one/three from gate six) won in similar style after trailing Chansue (gate two second line) ahead of her forward in the last lap. Sprinting brilliantly Mop raced to the front out wide on the final bend and shot clear to defeat the poleline pacemaker Epic Orion by 5.2 metres. Chansue battled on gamely for third a half head away. The mile rate a slick 1-58.

Snared trifecta

■ Moyreisk’s Ainsworth family are regulars at most Swan Hill meetings and snared the trifecta at last Tuesday’s (March 24) interesting seven race card when 8Y0 Danny Bouchea-Palkia mare Boutika defeated Night Whisperer and Singara Ted in the 2240 metre 2024 Trainer Of The Year Julie Douglas Trotters Handicap. Trained by Barry Ainsworth for wife Katrina, Boutika driven by Kerryn Manning stepped beautifully to lead from 10 metres which was actually the front line as the lone front marker Querencia was scratched.

Eased to allow Night Whisperer (10m also trained by Barry with Jordan Leedham in the sulky) to ease off her back when trailing to assume control, the stablemates settled one-two on the markers with Singara Ted (10m) trained and driven by Ashley Ainsworth following the pair.

Harness Racing

len-baker@ bigpond.com

with Len Baker

The race was to change complexion racing for the bell when Jack Laugher eased Luvski (20m) away from four pegs to race exposed with stablemate Salski (30m – five pegs) latching to her back before Immediately being taken three wide to race in the open by James Herbertson, but was struggling a long way out as the three stablemates were left to fight out the finish with Night Whisperer giving a sight at big odds.

Angling off his back halfway up the running, Boutika raced away to register a 7.8 metre margin over The Night Whisperer and Singara Ted which made no impression on the pair 14.5 metres back but easily held third. Another of the Ainsworth team Baarlinee (10m) threw away her chance when galloping shortly after the start and was tailed off. The mile rate 2-01.6.

■ It was a quinella to Horsham’s Aaron Dunn in the Make Your Will @ Beck Legal Pace over 2240 metres with smart 5Y0 A Rocknroll DanceThe Waratah gelding Neatntidy was a strong victor.

Driven by stable ’apprentice’ Ryan Backhouse, Neatntidy was eased off the gate from outside the front line to settle mid-field before going forward to race outside the leader and heavily supported odds-on stablemate Ruff Nut (gate four).

Taking over shortly after, Neatntidy toyed with his rivals, accounting for Ruff Nut along the sprint lane by 3.7 metres after being given every chance. Dieing Art starting solo on the second line also well backed, was third 1.1 metres away after going forward from the tail to race outside the pacemaker at the bell. The mile rate 1-56.8.

■ Aaron’s high quality Art Major-Ark Monroe entire Dee Roe raced in partnership with Helen Friend was victorious in the fast class race of the night - the 65 or better Beck Legal Will Power Pace over 1750 metres returning a brilliant mile rate of 1-52.9.

Quickly away from inside the second line to settle at the tail as Sunraysia hope Prioritise driven by Ryan Backhouse led from gate three, Dee Roe commenced a three wide forward move solo in the last lap and although pushed wider on the final bend as those inside him came out, class prevailed as Dee Roe fished full of running to score by a metre from the leader Invitation Only and Joey Thompson’s Joe Got Rolled (one/two) down the outside fence who was 1.2 meres away third in a thrilling finish.

Two meetings

■ Two meetings Wednesday with Hamilton in the day and Bendigo at night.

The trotters took the limelight at Hamilton with the first three races on the program dedicated to that gait.

It was a great day for Scotts Creek’s O’Connor family with 24 year old Nicholas driving two of the three winners. Firstly the TK Landscaping P/L Maiden Trotters Mobile over 1660 metres with 4Y0 Orlando Vici-Aldebaran Kid gelding Ridethelightning which he trains, while seasoned 6Y0 Skyvalley-Peters Passion gelding Old Villa Boy trained by Anthony landed the Hamilton Laundry & Dry Cleaners Trotters Mobile over 2160 metres.

Settling at the tail from a solo second line draw, Ridethelightning gave chase along the

back straight before running home strongly to record a good 3.8 metre margin over a deathseating Cash Out (gate three) and the leader Aldebaran Buddy (gate four) returning a 1-59.9 mile rate. Old Villa Boy starting from gate six, was sent forward to race exposed after My High Peak (gate four) had crossed My Mother Said (gate three) with Jilliby Dreamlover (gate five) one/one.

Despite racing parked, Villa Boy raced to the front on turning to defeat Jilliby Dreamlover which had dropped to the back of the leader when My Mother Said galloped.

Hampering Jilliby Dreamlover after being held up by the weakening leader, Jilliby Dreamlover using the sprint lane couldn’t make up the ground to finish second 3.4 metres back, with Sonarmi Joh also using the sprint lane from four pegs for third a further three metres back. The mile rate 1-59.6.

■ The 2160 metre Become A Club Member Mobile was taken out by Ararat trainer/driver Michael Bellman’s in-form 6Y0 TennotrumpGloriadon gelding Blackrange Glory at the remarkable odds of $3.60.

Enjoying a sweet one/one trip from a solo second line draw as Brooke Hansen’s heavily supported Just Abit Dusty led from gate six, Blackrange Glory after easing three wide on the final bend was too strong at the finish for a game Mattyo, greeting the judge by 1.6 metres in two minutes even. Just Abit Dusty was 10.1 metres away third.

■ At Bendigo, 90-year-old Lockington trainer Ted Jepsen who loves his harness racing was successful with Soho Tribeca-Meghan Suits Her filly Soho Playgirl in the 1650 Huntly Lifestyle Estate By Lincoln Place Pace. Raced by Ted, wife Faye, daughter Nikki and husband Scott Shegog, Soho Playgirl driven by Laura Wilson went forward from outside the front line to race in the open outside Tophut Johny (gate six) proving too tough for her rivals.

Dashing away on the final bend, Soho Playgirl scored by 2.6 metres in a rate of 1-55.6 over Salsboy which had followed the pacemaker from gate four getting clear in plenty of time to give chase. Bettorsweetvictory (four pegs from inside the second line) used the sprint lane for third 3.1 metres away. The winner was bred by Dean and Blanche Poole.

■ Toolern Vale trainer/part-owner Vince Dicocco and partners the La Famiglia Racing Syndicate and Ian Caruana were victorious with Bling It On-Zindel gelding Mighty Bling in the 2150 metre Great Ocean Road Real Estate 3Y0 Maiden Pace.

With leading provincial reinsman Jack Laugher in the sulky, Mighty Bling (gate four) was caught three wide before moving outside the leader Hitch To His Star (gate six) and showing great tenacity, outstayed the leader to gain the day by a half neck in a mile rate of 2-00.2. Miki Sing (gate two on the second line) was third 2.3 metres back after racing three wide from mid-field in the last lap.

■ Another Toolern Vale winner was John Justice’s 3Y0 Love You-Our Sunny Rose gelding Muskee who snared the Bendigo Ski Boat Centre Trotters Mobile at Supertab odds (fixed) of $23.00. Raced by long time stable client Graeme Riley, Muskee driven by Ewa Justice at start number six enjoyed a cosy trip from the pole trailing the well supported leader Aetos Dynamis (gate two).

Gaining a freak inside run approaching the home turn, Muskee raced clear in the straight to record a 1.9 metre victory in advance of Dossier (three pegs from gate two on the second line), with Black And Gold 2.2 metres away third after racing parked from gate five. The mile rate 1-58.7.

At Kilmore

■ Kilmore raced on Thursday with a big nine race program and one of the most impressive winners on the night was much travelled Kialla trainer Clive Dalton’s 5Y0 Follow The Stars-Im Stylish mare Im In Style who landed the 2180 metre Beraldo Coffee 3Y0 & Older Maiden Pace.

Driven by Chris Alford, Im In Style (gate three) had little difficulty in crossing Taken By Wine (gate two) shortly after the start and rated

Sulky Snippets Sulky Snippets

This Week

■ The time honored Mildura Cup Carnival commences on Tuesday with the final the following Friday – other meetings for the week are : Wednesday – Maryborough/Bendigo, Thursday – Ballarat, Friday – Melton, Saturday – Melton, Sunday – Ararat, Monday –Warragul, Tuesday – Shepparton.

to perfection as expected by the champion Bolinda based reinsman, held too many guns for Hody Moke who was exceptional after missing away from gate four which had moved three wide to trail Parlezvous Patty (gate five – four pegs – three wide last lap) from mid-field in the last lap to be four wide in the home straight. Parlezvous Patty battled on strongly for third. The margins 6.7 by 3.6 metres in a mile rate of 2-04.8.

■ The C and M Build Group Pace over 1690 metres saw ‘on fire’ Heathcote owner/trainer Terry French successful with 7Y0 Auckland Reactor-Village Guest gelding Playnice in 157.7.

Driven by Murchison’s Ryan Sanderson, Playnice starting inside the second line enjoyed a cosy trip three pegs as Rocket Me led from gate three with polemarker Miki Mark trailing. Coming away from the inside to be one/two running into the final bend, Playnice angling wide in the straight ran home best to prevail by 1.4 metres from Sports Liner (gate five – one/one –three wide last lap) and Miki Mark along the sprint lane who was 1.4 metres away third.

■ Daylesford trainer Mick Barby and wife Anne-Maree Conroy (driver) provided 7Y0 Love You-My Valerie mare Amour Maternal to record an impressive victory in the 1690 metre O’Brien Electrical Trotters Mobile.

Raced by the pair, Amour Maternal settled mid-field in the moving line from gate five on the second line as Charlie Walker (gate six) led but was given no peace by Atego Dawn starting outside the front line by Col Du Granon (gate four) and Lizzies Son from the extreme draw three wide which crossed to lead for the last lap.

In a race full of action, Amour Maternal let rip approaching the home turn and finished full of running to defeat a game Lizzies Son by 2.2 metres. Atego Dawn was also courageous when third 5.2 metres away. The mile rate 2-00.1.

■ Nulla Vale trainer/driver Steve Cleave was successful in the 1690 metre Momentum Gaming 3Y0 & Older Maiden Pace. with Warrawee Needy-Jessies Girl filly Divine Tilly. In a race that changed complexion over the concluding stages, Divine Tilly raced by a huge group of owners including the trainer ran home from last to gain the day after the leader and first starter Smalltownsmokeshow (gate three) looked to have the race in her keeping galloped in the home straight.

Tuivasa (gate two) after galloping shortly after the start ran home late for second, with Loubell (gate six – one/one – three wide last lap third. The margins a half neck by 2 metres in a 2-02.3 mile rate.

Geelong feature

■ The feature at Geelong on Friday was the $20,000 Hoyts Food Geelong Rocket, a 1609 metre speed test for seasoned pacers – the victor being Andy and Kate Gath’s multiple race winner Catch A Wave, Eased back from gate six to settle three back in the running line with only Triple Eight behind him as Rocknroll Hammer and James Herbertson led from gate three. Going forward three wide solo late in the back straight, class prevailed as Catch A Wave finished hard to blouse the leader by a head in brilliant 1-51.9. Stablemate Yambukian was a great third 4.9 metres back after racing exposed from gate five.

GRASSROOTS PROGRAMS ARE BREEDING GROUND

■ Racing Victoria as reinforced its commitment to fostering a love of the horse and to creating new pathways into the thoroughbred racing industry by establishing partnerships with a range of grassroots programs, including the 2024-25 National Pony Racing Series.

RV has joined forces with Thoroughbred Industry Careers to sponsor and support the popular pony racing series, which was at The Valley on March 22 on 3 Point Motors William Reid Stakes Day for Victoria’s State Qualifying Day.

In the lead-up to the qualifiers, close to 40 Pony Club members aged between nine and 15 gathered at Ballarat on March 8-9 to learn about horse care and welfare, safe riding and the suite of career options available in the thoroughbred racing industry.

As well as partnering with TIC to support the series, which culminates with the National Finals in Queensland this June, RV has also signed an agreement with Pony Club Victoria to provide coaching and support for its Ride To Time disciplines.

The Ride To Time program, which teaches skills and techniques aligned to trackwork riding, includes a series of statewide heats culminating in a final at The Valley this September.

RV has extended its partnership with the Box Hill Institute, which sees TAFE students on its equine studies course given experiential learning in simulated racing stable environments at Pakenham and Geelong, along with behind-thescenes tours on racedays.

As part of the program, the students complete their minimum requirements for licensing as a stablehand in Victoria. The partnership saw 120 students provided practical education in 2024 and this month a new group of 100 students commenced their studies for 2025.

Aaron Morrison, RV’s Chief Executive, said: “One of the key pillars of the racing industry is the love our participants show for the thoroughbreds in their care, and that love is forged from an early age which is why we are delighted to support these grassroots programs.

“The education these youngsters receive and the skills the programs equip them with will stand them in good stead should they wish to pursue one of the many career opportunities available in the racing industry.

“The National Pony Racing Series has garnered widespread interest over recent years and we’re pleased to support the Victorian qualifiers.”

- Racing Victoria

Jump-outs enhanced

■ Racing Victoria has announced that all Victorian jump-outs have now been integrated into a new enhanced and standardised industry production and broadcast model, delivering important benefits to owners and punters.

This follows the addition all jump-outs conducted by the Victoria Racing Club at Flemington and thus completes the full network of Victorian tracks now on the new standardised platform.

All jump-outs in Victoria are now filmed consistently by Racing.com to ensure standardised

professional vision, whilst race callers have also been introduced to each set to narrate the action and make it easier for viewers to identify horses and track their performance.

Process enhancements over recent months now mean that the colours worn by each horse in jump-outs are accurately reflected in results on Racing.com given they often differ from racing colours.

Jump-out results and form are now also accessible within horse profiles on the Racing Australia website, as per official trials.

The broadcasting enhancements are all part of an improved, centralised industry service being produced by RV through Racing.com in response to owner and punter feedback. There are also efficiency benefits and cost savings for the industry as part of the new solution.

As part of the upgrade, Racing.com has launched a dedicated online hub which serves as a gateway to the replays of all Victorian jumpouts. The jump-outs hub is accessible from the home page on both the Racing.com website and app.

Jump-outs are available to view on Racing.com as replays shortly after they have been conducted. The vision is accessible via three primary options – initially via the jumpouts hub and then via the racing calendar and a horse’s form profile once the results are loaded.

With jump-out entries, fields and results administered by the host Club and then communi-

cated to RV, the expectation is that the formal results of each set are published on Racing.com before 5pm on the day of their conduct.

RV’s jump-outs model helps to minimise costs for owners, whilst at the same time providing important insight into a horse’s preparation to assist punters.

RV Chief Executive, Aaron Morrison, said: “There are over 350 sets of jump-outs across Victoria annually. They are an important part of a horse’s training regime and provide valuable insight into how a horse is progressing in its preparation.

“The jump-out model is a strong feature of Victorian racing, which is highly valued by participants and owners given the flexibility benefits and cost-efficiency as compared to more expensive official trials.

“We have worked hard to deliver a cost-ef-

fective jump-outs service that minimises costs to owners, whilst maximising opportunities for punters and connections to engage with the progress of their favourite horses.

“We’ve been working with our Clubs, Racing.com and TRP across the past year to enhance the presentation of jump-outs and reached an important milestone in building an enhanced, centralised industry model with the introduction of Flemington jump-outs last week.

“We will continue to review our presentation to ensure it remains a value-add for owners and punters. This includes some upcoming enhancements to our web platforms which will allow us to feature new and more engaging content, new features, and personalisation, based on input from stakeholders and customers. I look forward to providing further updates in coming months,” Mr Morrison said.

- Racing Victoria

Drought relief

■ Racing Victoria has announced a drought relief support package for eligible licensed trainers and acknowledged post-racing program providers directly caring for Victorian registered thoroughbreds in one of the 12 State Government defined drought areas in Victoria:Ararat, City of Greater Geelong, Colac Otway, Corangamite, Glenelg, Golden Plains, Moyne, Pyrenees, Southern Grampians, Surf Coast, Warrnambool, West Wimmera (southern half – postcodes 3312, 3317, 3318 and 3319)

Successful drought relief support package applicants will receive a one time payment of $500 per Stud Book registered thoroughbred (up to a maximum of $10,000 per individual recipient) for the provision of feed for pasture fed thoroughbreds. The thoroughbreds must be in the direct care of the licensed trainer or acknowledged post-racing provider; and not be actively in race training, or the horse may be retired but still in the care of the licensed trainer.

● ● Aaron Morrison, Racing Victoria Chief Executive

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