The Local Paper. Regional Edition. Wed., Oct. 1, 2025

NEW CONTROLS FOR GREEN WEDGE

■ The City of Whittlesea is seeking to introduce new planning controls to protect environmentally significant areas in the green wedge land to the north of the municipality.

“The proposal aims to support biodiversity, protect threatened flora and fauna and provide clarity to landowners about what is permissible development in these environmentally sensitive areas,” a Council representative said.

Councillors resolved at the latest meeting to request authorisation from the Minister for Planning, Sonya Kilkenny, to prepare and exhibit the proposed Planning Scheme Amendment C288wsea

“The proposed amendment is informed by extensive research, with the Biodiversity Asset Mapping Report and the Habitat Connectivity Study identifying areas of high environmental value.

“Through this work, several previously unrecorded threatened species, including the brush-tailed phascogales and the common dunnart, as well as the powerful owl and several rare plant species, were discovered in the municipality.

“The extent of the environmental protections has been carefully mapped to avoid impacting agricultural land.

“To ensure farming operations are supported, the proposed controls exempt certain routine activities, such as fencing, providing they meet specified conditions and minimise the impact to existing ecological values.”

PREMIER BLASTED OVER TRAIN SPEEDS

■ Northern Victoria MLC Wendy Lovell has blasted Premier Jacinta Allan over train times on the Seymour Line, the southern part of which serves areas such as Donnybrook in the northern part of the Hume-Whittlesea municipalities.

“I rise to highlight the dreadful state of rail services on the Shepparton line and also the Seymour line,” Ms Lovell told Parliament.

“The Ballarat Courier carries an article by Ben Silvester that points out the inequities of those services.

“The article points out that on the Geelong line the services travel at a speed of 97.8 kilometres an hour, on Albury at 97.7 kilometres an hour and on Bendigo at 95.3 kilometres an hour.

“But on the Seymour line the fastest service travelled at 77.1 kilometres an hour, which is more than 20 kilometres slower than Geelong and Albury

“The Shepparton line is even worse. The average service was 70.9 kilometres an hour, but the slowest service was 65 kilometres an hour.

“That is more than 30 kilometres slower than the Geelong, Albury and Bendigo lines, and it is the slowest in the state.

“Back in 2020 Jacinta Allan promised us that we would have nine services running to Shepparton. In 2021 she again said those nine services would run by the end of 2023.

“We are no closer to getting nine services today than we were back then, and we are two years past her deadline,” Ms Allan said.

● ● ● ● Sonya Kilkenny, Planning Minister

Jacinta Allan, State Premier

The Local Paper

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1,

OUT OF CONTROL

Local Sport

Cricket starts

■ Seymour District Cricket Association matches for the 2025-26 season are scheduled to commence this Saturday (Oct. 4):

■ A-Grade. Round 1. Saturday, October 11. Seymour v Puckapunyal. Alexandra v Pyalong. Avenel v Yea Tigers. Tallarook: Bye.

■ B-Grade. Round 1. Saturday, October 11. Tallarook v Seymour 58ers. Alexndra v Pyalong. Seymour Cobs v Puckapunyal. Avenel v Yea Tigers.

■ Under 16. Round 1. Sunday, October 26. Tallarook v Pyalong. Seymour Mixed v Avenel. Yea v Alexandra.

■ Under 13. Round 1. Saturday, October 25. Seymour Mixed v Avenel. Yea v Alexandra. Tallarook: Bye.

In Diamond valley Cricket Association fixtures, Barclay Shield commences Saturdays, October 4 and 11: Bundoora 1st XI v Rosebank 1st XI. Diamond Creek 1st XI v Epping 1st XI. Macleod 1st XI v Heidelberg 1st XI. Riverside 1st XI v North Eltham Wanderers 1st XI. Rosanna 1st XI v Bundoora United 1st XI.

■ Money Shield. Saturday, October 4. One Day. Banyule 1st XI v Montmorency 1st XI. Eltham 1st XI v Research Eltham Collegians 1st XI. Mernda 1st XI v Greensborough 1st XI. Bundoora Park 1st XI v Lower Plenty 1st XI. Lalor Stars 1st XI v Plenty 1st XI.

■ Mash Shield. Saturday, October 4. One Day. Dennis 1st XI v Rivergum 1st XI. Laurimar 1st XI v South Morang 1st XI. Lower Eltham 1st XI v Mill Park 1st XI. Thomastown 1st XI v Keon Park CC 1st XI. Thomastown United 1st XI v Hurstbridge 1st XI. Old Ivanhoe Grammarians CC 1st XI v Panton Hill 1st XI.

■ B-Grade. Saturday, October 4. One Day. Plenty 2nd XI v Rosanna 2nd XI. Heidelberg 2nd XI v Mernda 2nd XI. Research Eltham Collegians 2nd XI v Diamond Creek 2nd XI. North Eltham Wanderers 2nd XI v Riverside 2nd XI. Montmorency 2nd XI v Banyule 2nd XI.

■ C-Grade. Saturday, October 4. One Day. Bundoora United 2nd XI v Lalor Stars 2nd XI. Greensborough 2nd XI v Macleod 2nd XI. South Morang 2nd XI v Eltham 2nd XI. Lower Plenty 2nd XI v Riverside 3rd XI. Rivergum 2nd XI v Bundoora 2nd XI.

■ Crime in Victoria is at its highest level in 20 years under Jacinta Allan’s Labor Government, says Eildon MLA Cindy McLeish.

“Victorians are living with the consequences of Labor’s weak response to crime, with Crime Statistics Agency reporting 638,640 crimes in the year to June, that’s one every 49.4 seconds. An increase of 16 per cent,” Ms McLeish said.

“A theft from a retail store occurs every 13 minutes, while a serious assault takes place every 29 minutes.

“Victorians are being left to fend for themselves while Labor cuts police numbers, leaving almost 2000 police jobs empty, closing police stations and cutting a staggering $50 million from the police budget.

“Further, the Premier has cut the number of Youth Crime Prevention Program grants despite record high youth crime, which program organisers say has led to more crime.

For the year ending June 2025, according to the Crime Statistics Agency data, there were:

■ 18,482 serious assaults — a 16 per cent increase

■ 7856 residential aggravated burglaries — a 22 per cent increase

■ 3828 robberies — a 17 per cent increase

■ 33,018 motor vehicle theft — a 42 per cent increase

■ 86,351 steal from a motor vehicle — a 39 per cent increase

■ 41,667 steal from a retail store — a 28 per cent increase

■ 11,075 prohibited and controlled weapon offences — a 12 per cent increase.

■ 9663 family violence related serious assaults

— a 23 per cent increase

“Crime across Victoria is out of control. We, as a community, deserve better,” said Ms McLeish, who also serves as Shadow Minister for Crime Prevention.

“Parents deserve to know their kids are safe. No one should have to walk around in fear.”

New Aussies

■ Mitchell residents have officially become Australian citizens after they pledged their loyalty at Mitchell Shire Council’s citizenship ceremony at Broadford on Mondaylast week (Sep. 22).

The day saw individuals and entire families receive their citizenship in ceremonies conducted by Mitchell Shire Mayor Cr John Dougall The Council conducts citizenship ceremonies throughout the year, welcoming more and more residents to Australia.

Shire addresses feral animals

■ Mansfield Council has responded to community calls for a co-ordinated response to the issue of livestock predation and feral animal management, facilitating a meeting with key stakeholders and the relevant authorities.

:The meeting brought together members of the local farming community as well as representatives from Council, the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action, Parks Victoria, the Federal Government and Up2Us Landcare to discuss the impacts and explore practical solutions,” said a Mansfield Council representative.

The group discussed the current situation and management practices as well as the outcomes each party was looking for.

Mansfield Mayor Cr Steve Rabie said Council set up the meeting to connect affected community members with the relevant authorities.

““We recognise that feral animal management is an issue for some of our residents and ratepayers, especially those with sheep, goats or other small animals.”

■ A service to celebrate the life of Leslie ‘Les’ John Ridd OAM was held at the Alexandra Shire Hall last Thursday (Sep. 25). Following the service, the funeral cortege proceeded to the Cathkin Cemetery He husband of Margaret , father to Darren, Matt and Kathryn, father-in-law to Rebecca, Kelly and Luke. He was Grandfather to Alexander, Georgia and Ari Les died at age 81. He was a valued contributor to the Whanregarwen, Molesworth and greater Murrindindi communities. Amongst his cic involvements were the CFA and the Molesworth Easter Bazaar.

Vale Les Ridd

● ● Les Ridd OAM

●

● ● ● Cindy McLeish, Eildon MLA

The Local Paper

In association with the Established September 14, 1969 Online weekly. Print copies

Published in localised editions in 40 areas across Melbourne, Mornington Peninsula and some country areas.

ABOUT US

Incorporating the traditions of the Evelyn Observer (Est. 1873), Seymour Express (Est. 1872), Yea Advertiser (Est. 1995), Yarra Valley Advertiser (Est. 1995), Whittlesea Advertiser (Est. 1995).

The Local Paper is published weekly online and printed fortnightly and circulates in local editions:

• Regional/’Dindi Local’ Edition: Murrindindi, Mansfield, Strathbogie, rural sections of Nillumbik and Whittlesea

• ‘Lilydale and Yarra Valley Express’ Edition: Yarra Ranges Shire

• Mitchell Shire Edition: Mitchell Shire

CONTACT US

Phone: 1800 231 311, 9489 2222, 9439 9927, 0450 399 932, 5797 2656. Reg. Office: 30 Glen Gully Rd, Eltham, Vic 3095 (same address for 31 years)

Mail: PO Box 1278, Research, Vic 3095

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Editor: Ash Long

Kemp, Art Rob Foenander, Music

Features Editor: Peter Mac

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

Honorary Reviewers: Juliet Charles, Sherryn Danaher, Lyn Hurst, Kathryn Keeble, Beth Klein, Graeme McCoubrie, David McLean, Maggie Morrison, Peter Murphy, Lucy Nicolson, Jill Page, Elizabeth Semmel

Logistics: Tyler Sandiford, Tim Granvillani, Erica Koldinsky

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Rewarding chapters at Pucka

■ By his own admission, there has been a lot of yelling and running around in the past six weeks at Puckapunyal

But for School of Artillery Bombardier

Sean Dermody, being a gunnery instructor to bring trainees up to field-level grade 1 qualification has been one of the most rewarding chapters of his career.

“It’s rewarding because basically we get them from the ground up, just coming from [1st Recruit Training Battalion] Kapooka and off some recent courses,” Bombardier Dermody said.

“Building that up to the culminating phase of their basic training, being the live-fire component, seeing them live-fire the gun for the first time and seeing it all come together is a very rewarding job.”

Instructors are the backbone of the Land Domain Training System , preparing soldiers and teams for war and upholding and developing the principles behind Army’s world-class training and education reputation.

The training is threat-informed and aligned to the needs of Army and the nation it serves.

The importance and distinction that comes from being an instructor, mentor and role model for the next generation of soldiers is not lost on Corporal Stefan Prinsloo

“It’s rewarding because basically we get them from the ground up.”

He recognises it’s about training, maintaining and advancing professional knowledge to impart to trainees, but he sees it also enhancing his own career with new leadership and personnel man-

agement skills and platform competency, particularly when new ones come into service, such as the Abrams M1A2 SEPv3.

“This will develop my knowledge and will grow me as an NCO [non-commissioned officer], so after this I can possibly go down to tactics and be a tactics instructor, then ultimately after that post back to a unit as a troop sergeant,” Corporal Prinsloo said.

School of Armour’s Sergeant Lukas Charles said aside from the satisfaction of seeing trainees qualify, being an instructor had driven him to the highest standard of teaching LDTS demands and set his own career up for success.

“At the end of the day, this is where I wanted my career to go and what I wanted it to look like,” Sergeant Charles said.

“Three years in an instructional role is a good amount of time. I did the first year as

a corporal and two years as a sergeant to really develop that lesson delivery and educational side.

“It has provided me with management skills and given me greater technical expertise, all of which has helped set me up for assuming the role as a troop sergeant.”

Captain Charles Miranda

★

Close to 1000 secondary students from all over Victoria descended onto Puckapunyal Military Area to get a taste of military life at the Army Careers Day.

Wave after wave of buses delivered the students, teachers, career advisers and parent volunteers to Puckapunyal on September 12.

Hosted by the Defence work experience team, they were greeted by soldiers from the Army Schools of Artillery, Armour, Transport, Ordnance, Intelligence, Signals and many more.

The Army Careers Day aims to highlight the benefits and variety of full- and parttime roles available in the Army and wider Defence , including Defence Science and Technology Group.

It provides a valuable opportunity for young Australians to meet ADF and Australian Public Service personnel to discuss their careers, experiences, lifestyle and culture.

It also lets participants interact with ADF Careers to gain an understanding of the 300 jobs available, entry pathways, salaries and benefits.

Participants had the chance to ride in a Bushmaster protected mobility vehicle, talk to each other on section radio and even enjoy an honest-to-goodness hot-box lunch while the Australian Army Band – Melbourne played Aussie pub rock classics.

Head of Reserves and Cadet Support Division Major General Douglas Laidlaw was at the event, enjoying the chance to interact with the visiting students.

“Defence work experience programs and initiatives like this one allow the opportunity for students to get up close and talk with our soldiers about what a career in the ADF might look like for them,” Major General Laidlaw said.

Hopping out the back hatch of a Bushmaster PMV, 16-yearold Sarah from Mount Ridley College in Craigieburn , confirmed what a great experience this event was and how useful she found it, having recently applied to the ADF Gap Year program.

Major Dan Mazurek

The Local Paper

In association with the Established September 14, 1969 Online weekly. Print copies fortnightly.

Published in localised editions in 40 areas across Melbourne, Mornington Peninsula and some country areas.

MANSFIELD

Mansfield readership is in the township of Mansfield. The Mansfield Shire comprises Ancona, Barjarg, Barwite, Bonnie Doon, Boorolite, Bridge Creek, Delatite, Gaffneys Creek, Goughs Bay, Howes Creek, Howqua, Howqua Hills, Howqua Inlet, Jamieson, Kevington, Lake Eildon, Nillahcootie, Piries, Sawmill Settlement, Tolmie, Woodfield and Woods Point. Mansfield Shire is home to 10,546 people, living in approximately 6612 homes.

MITCHELL

Incorporating the traditions of the Seymour Express (Est. 1872) Mitchell Shire comprises Beveridge, Broadford, Kilmore, Puckapunyal, Seymour, Tallarook, Tooborac, Trawool, Wallan, Wandong and Heathcote Junction. Mitchell Shire is home to more than 49,216 people, living in approximately 16,321 homes.

MURRINDINDI

Incorporating the traditions of the Yea Advertiser (Est. 1995). Murrindindi comprises Acheron, Alexandra, Buxton, Cathkin, Castella, Caveat, Devils River, Dropmore, Eildon, Fawcett, Flowerdale, Ghin Ghin, Glenburn, Gobur, Granton, Highlands, Homewood, Kanumbra, Kerrisdale, Killingworth, Kinglake, Kinglake Central, Kinglake West, Koriella, Limestone, Maintongoon, Marysville, Molesworth, Murrindindi, Narbethong, Pheasant Creek, Rubicon, Strath Creek, Taggerty, Taylor Bay, Terip Terip, Thornton, Toolangi, Whanregarwen, Yarck, Yea. Murrindindi Shire is home to more than 14,478 people, living in approximately 6293 homes.

NILLUMBIK (RURAL)

Incorporating the traditions of the Diamond Valley Advertiser (Est. 1995) and The Advertiser (earlier Evelyn Observer) (Est. Oct. 31, 1873) Nillumbik Shire (rural) comprises Arthurs Creek, Bend of Islands, Christmas Hills, Cottles Bridge, Diamond Creek, Doreen, Eltham, Eltham North, Hurstbridge, Kangaroo Ground, Kinglake, Kinglake Central, Kinglake West, Nutfield, Panton Hill, Plenty, Research, Smiths Gully, St Andrews, Strathewen, Warrandyte North, Watsons Creek. Nillumbik Shire is home to more than 64,659 people, living in approximately 21,753 homes.

STRATHBOGIE (PART)

Starthbogie readership area comprises Avenel, Euroa, Nagambie, Violet Town. Strathbogie Shire is home to more than 11,578 people, living in approximately 5768 homes.

WHITTLESEA (RURAL)

Incorporating the traditions of the Whittlesea Advertiser (Est. 1995) Whittlesea Post (Est. 1924), and The Advertiser (earlier Evelyn Observer) (Est. Oct. 31, 1873) Whittlesea Post readership area comprises Arthurs Creek, Beveridge, Donnybrook, Doreen, Eden Park, Hazel Glen, Humevale, Kinglake West, Mernda, South Morang, Whittlesea, Wollert, Woodstock, Yan Yean. The City of Whittlesea is home to more than 197,491 people, living in approximately 71,014 homes.

YARRA RANGES

Incorporating the traditions of the Lilydale and Yarra valley Express (Est. June 30, 1886) Yarra Ranges readership area comprises Badger Creek, Chirnside Park, Chum Creek, Coldstream, Dixons Creek, Don Valley, East Warburton, Fernshaw, Gilderoy, Gladysdale, Gruyere, Healesville, Hoddles Creek, Launching Place, Lilydale, Millgrove, Mooroolbark, Mount Evelyn, Powelltown, Seville, Seville East, Steels Creek, Wandin East, Wandin North, Warburton, Wesburn, Wonga Park (part), Woori Yallock, Yarra Glen, Yarra Junction, Yellingbo and Yering. Yarra Ranges Shire is home to more than 158,831 people, living in approximately 58,509 homes.

●

Australian Army soldier Sergeant Lukas Charles from the School of Armour at Puckapunyal.

Photo: Cpl Johnny Huang

Cheryl Threadgold, Local Theatre

Julie Houghton, The Arts Kevin Trask, Entertainment

Rourke, Film Ted Ryan, Horse Racing Len Baker, Harness Racing Matt

Statewide

NORTH Firearms seized

■ Detectives from Taskforce Lunar have charged a woman after police seized firearms and explosives as part of an ongoing investigation into a serious organised crime group.

Broadmeadows Police executed a warrant at a Campbellfield factory and located a stolen vehicle bearing cloned number plates.

During a search of the vehicle, detectives located seven firearms including a Remington 30-06 bolt action rifle, a Predator 12-gauge shotgun, a loaded automatic ‘AR’ style rifle, a Remington 30-06 pump action rifle, a loaded .44 calibre revolver handgun, two semi-automatic handguns, and various types of ammunition.

They also found a large number of explosives, chemicals and equipment.

Members of the Arson and Explosives Squad and Bomb Response Unit also attended the scene.

Police believe the quantity of explosives seized had the potential to completely demolish a building.

On Tuesday last week (Sep. 23), detectives from Taskforce Lunar executed two search warrants at residential addresses in Doreen and Dandenong

A number of mobile phones, cloned numberplates and cash were seized from the Doreen address.

A 32-year-old Dandenong woman was arrested and interviewed by police.

She was subsequently charged with the following:

■ Possess traffickable quantity of unregistered firearms;

■ Possess/carry/use unregistered Cat A or B longarm;

■ Possess/carry/use unregistered Cat C or D longarm;

■ Possess/carry/use unregistered general category handgun;

■ Possess cartridge ammunition without licence;

■ Possess explosive substance; and

■ Theft of motor vehicle.

The woman was to face Melbourne Magistrates’ Court

‘WE CANNOT ALLOW CRIME TO GROW SO QUICKLY’

■ Victoria Police has commented on the growing rate of crime, saying that the increase cannot be allowed to grow.

“There were 638,640 criminal offences recorded in Victoria in the 12 months to end of June 2025 – an increase of 86,587 offences or 15.7 per cent,” said a Police representative.

“When population growth is considered, the crime rate rose by 13.8 per cent from the previous 12 months (8,998.9 offences per 100,000 people).

“As a society, we simply cannot allow the level of crime we are seeing to become normalised and accepted – every Victorian deserves to feel safe in their home, within the community and on the roads.

“Victoria’s crime rate can reduce when there is strong accountability for offending, combined with ongoing swift arrests and proactive operations to prevent crime in the first place.

Fastest growing offences are mostly acquisitive crimes. In order, these crimes are:

■ Theft from motor vehicle (86,351 offences, +24,409 or 39.4%)

■ Motor vehicle theft (33,018 offences, +9,786 or 42.1%)

■ Theft from a retail store (41,667 offences, +9,004 or 27.6%)

■ Theft (other) offences (58,593 offences, +7,931 or 15.7%), with petrol the most common item stolen

Statewide

Across Victoria

CARRUM DOWNS

Police car rammed

■ Police arrested five men after a police vehicle was rammed in Carrum Downs Officers on patrol first responded to reports of three vehicles performing burn outs in an industrial area on Sahra Grove about 11.40pm on Tuesday, September 23.

As police approached the scene it is alleged that a Holden Commodore accelerated heavily, ramming the police car front on. It is understood the Commodore, which had no plates, then reversed into a tree before fleeing the scene.

The officers inside the vehicle were not injured.

With the assistance of the Air Wing, vehicle was followed as it drove towards Frankston-Dandenong Rd, before continuing at speed onto Skye Rd, the Frankston Fwy, and towards Mornington-Tyabb Rd in Moorooduc

Stop sticks were successfully deployed on Purves Rd in Main Ridge and the quintet were arrested.

Officers searched the Commodore and located and seized a number of tools and balaclavas.

One man, aged 19, is expected to be interviewed in relation to the incident.

The other men, aged 27, 34, 23 and 18, were spoken to and released pending further enquiries.

The Commodore was not stolen.

ST KILDA

Murder charge

■ Homicide Squad detectives have charged a man following the death of a man in St Kilda in February this year.

A 31-year-old St Kilda man, who is currently in custody on unrelated matters, has been charged with murder.

He was to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Monday this week (Sep. 29).

The charge follows an incident where emergency services were first called to reports of a fire at the Chapel St address about 8.40pm on Wednesday, February 5.

● ● ● ●

Mike Bush, Police Chief Commissioner

Local Briefs

Plenty Views

■ Application has been made by the Deputy Commissioner of Taxation for a winding up order for Plenty Views Pty Ltd. A web conference is due to be held on Wednesday, October 8.

Anti-Cancer funds

■ Yea Golf Club raised $439 for the Anti Cancer Day with 24 participants. Winners of the 2 Person Ambrose were Mick Spagnolo and Rick Wills with nett 62.5 including five birdies

Major awards

■ Three major club honours were presented at the Alexandra Football Netball Club presentations held at the clunbrooms, with Tom Seigert as MC.

■ Ben Broadway received the David Welch Memorial Award

■ Renee Pearson was honoured with the Barry Thompson Clubman Award

■ Michelle Jack received the President’s Award

Aged Care talks

■ Murrindindi Council participated in a regional co-design workshop as part of the development of a Murrindindi Health and Aged Care Workforce Strategy, to address workforce shortages and service gaps, Council CEO Livia Bonazzi told last week’s Shire meeting.

“The final strategy, due in October, will reflect community preferences and support our ageing population,” Ms Bonazzi said.

Findon Rd request

■ A petition from 201 residents and 253 non-residents has requested Whittlesea Council to advocate to the State Government to declare Findon Rd as a major arterial road.

The petitioners have asked Council to work with the Government, or otherwise directly install, urgent appropriate traffic safety measures at the Maserati Drive intersection.

The petition asked the Council to create a long-term plan to upgrade Findon Rd to handle current and future traffic.

CFA Open Day

■ Yarrambat Fire Brigade will have an open day on Sunday morning, October 12, with behind-the-scenes tours, a sausage sizzle, activities for the kids and advice for members of the public on how to plan for their family's safety and prepare their property for the summer.

The event is being held from 9am-12 Noon at 446 Ironbark Rd, Yarrambat

30% improvement

■ Murrindindi Council reports a 30 per cent improvement in FOGO (Food Organics and Garden Organics) collections away from landfill since July.

“Free green waste disposal is available from October 1 to November 30 at all five Resource Recovery Centres to help residents prepare for fire season,” Council CEO Livia Bonazzi told last week’s Shire meeting.

Children’s Week

■ Families are invited to celebrate Children’s Week (October 18-26), with a range of events being held across the Yarra Ranges

Yarra Ranges Mayor, Cr Jim Child, encouraged families to sign up for events early.

“Children’s Week is a time when local children get to learn, play and explore, with a range of free events being hosted by local community services, with the support of Council

“Wherever you are, there should be an event close by. Children can meet local emergency services workers, take part in an art experience, learn about animal habitats and more.

“I’m really proud of the events that we have coming up, and there’s something for everyone in our event lineup.

“Events do book out, so I’d encourage families to visit yarraranges.vic.gov.au/families to check out the events and book now,” Cr Child said.

‘CRIME CRISIS IN YAN YEAN’

■ Yan Yean district is in the grip of a crime crisis according to the latest crime data released, says Northern Victoria MLC Wendy Lovell

Crime Statistics Agency data for the City of Whittlesea reveals:

■ Residential aggravated burglary up 32 per cent

■ Stealing from a retail store up 36 per cent

■ Motor vehicle theft up a massive 70 per cent

“Our community wants something done about the current crime crisis,” Ms Lovell said.

“People are telling me [they] don’t feel safe in the street, they don’t feel safe at our shopping centres, and they don’t feel safe in their homes.

“The Allan Labor Government has failed to fix youth crime; failed to fix bail; and failed to give police the support they need.

“Jacinta Allan has cut $50 million from the police budget, closed stations and left over 2000 police jobs empty.

“People in our community are fed up and they want something done about crime.”

State Opposition leader Brad Battin said:

“Victoria is in the grip of a crime crisis and Jacinta Allan has no answers.

“At the 2026 election, Victorians will have a choice, more of the same under Labor or a fresh start under the Liberals and Nationals.

“An elected Liberal and Nationals Government will deliver our positive plan to fight crime.

“We will introduce Break Bail, Face Jail which means real consequences for repeat and youth offenders.

“We will legislate Jack’s Law to give police and PSOs the powers and technology to take the knives off the criminals before they get a chance to use them.

“My government will introduce sentences that send a loud and clear message to crooks – there will be serious consequences for the crimes you commit here in Victoria

“We will also fund Restart and Youthstart programs to divert young people away from crime through discipline, education, counselling, and community support,” Mr Battin said.

Milestone for Epping Road

■ The Epping Rd Upgrade has achieved a milestone, with a new section of northbound lanes now open and turn and through-lanes restored from several key side roads.

Crews opened the northbound lanes between Harvest Home Rd and Craigieburn Rd East on Wednesday (Sep. 24), delivering a significant boost for travel through Wollert .

The opening means traffic is now flowing on both the new southbound and upgraded northbound lanes.

Traffic is using one lane in each direction while crews complete sections of the centre median along this part of the road, with these works due for completion in late October.

All turning and through lanes are open from Craigieburn Rd East, Lehmanns Rd, Pine Park Drive, Linfield Drive, Baltrum Drive and Harvest Home Rd as well as Epping Rd’s service road north of Pine Park Drive and south of Baltrum Drive

De Rossi Boulevard is currently closed during the school holidays while crews install a new raised pedestrian crossing. The road will reopen on Satudrday (Oct. 4).

These works are being carried out during school holidays to minimise disruption, as fewer vehicles use this area at this time.

Lyndarum Drive is also currently closed for intersection upgrade works and is expected to reopen in mid-October.

“We thank the community for their patience as we continue working toward delivering safer, smoother travel and better connections for all the users of Epping Rd,” said Dipal Sorathia , Big Build Roads Program Director.

‘Freebirth’ baby may have lived

■ “A baby who died during a ‘freebirth’ on a hippie commune in the Yarra Ranges might have lived if her parents sought routine medical help,” reports Craig Dunlop of the Herald Sun. “Coroner Audrey Jamieson’s investigation into the death of ‘Baby H’ is the latest in a string of coronial probes into the extremist “freebirth” movement, where parents refuse medical attention during a pregnancy,” the newspaper said. Ms Jamieson revealed Baby H’s parents failed to get medical help when their daughter stopped moving during labour, and again when they could not rouse her after birth.

Installation time

■ Robert Pitchford will be installed as Worshipful Master of the Albert Edward Lodge at the Alexandra Masonic Centre, Cnr Nihil asnd Webster Sts, at 4pm on Saturday, October 11.

■ Daylight Saving begins at 2am this Sunday (Oct. 5) when clocks are advanced by one hour to 3am.

The Council may also be contacted on 1800 025 712.

● ● ● ● Epping Rd at Wollert

Where

■

Court Lists

Seymour Magistrates’ Court Thursday, October 2

Council News

Short Film Fest

■

■

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

■ ALEXANDRA. Corner Hotel.

■

65 Grant St.

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

■ ■ WATTLE GLEN. Peppers

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

■ Nillumbik’s young creatives are invited to submit their video work in the Nillumbeats Short Film Festival

■

■

■

■ ALEXANDRA. Endeavour

Alexandra (BP). 10 Downey St.

■

■ ALEXANDRA. Foodworks. 102 Grant St.

■

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

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

■ WESBURN. Hotel. 2882 Warburton Hwy.

■ WONGA PARK. IGA Xpress.

70 Jumping Creek Rd.

■

■

■ ALEXANDRA. Mount Pleasant Hotel. 90 Grant St.

■

■ ALEXANDRA. Nutrien Harcourts. 56 Grant St.

■

■ ALEXANDRA. Shamrock Hotel. 80 Grant St.

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

■ ■ ALEXANDRA. Totally Trout. 42 Downey St.

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

■

■ BUXTON. Buxton Hotel. 2192 Maroondah Hwy.

■

■

■ ■ BUXTON. Shell Buxton. 2093 Maroondah Hwy.

■

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

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

■

■ EILDON. Foodworks. 18 Main St.

■

■

■ ■ ELTHAM. Eltham Newsagency. 2/963 Main Rd.

■

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

■ ■ EPPING. Epping RSL. Harvest Home Rd.

■

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

■

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

■

■ ■ ■ FLOWERDALE. Hazeldene

General Store. 6 Curlings Rd.

■ ■ GLENBURN. Glenburn Roadhouse. 3883 Melba Hwy.

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

■ ■ KANGAROO GROUND. Kangaroo Ground General Store.

280 Eltham-Yarra Glen Rd.

■ ■ KINGLAKE. Cafe. WhittleseaKinglake Rd.

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

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

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

■

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

■ ■ MANSFIELD. Foodworks. 119 High St.

■

■

■ ■ ■ MARYSVILLE. Foodworks. 40A Darwin St.

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

■

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

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

■

■

■ ■ NARBETHONG. Black Spur Roadhouse. 264 Maroondah Hwy.

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

■

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

■

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

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

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

■

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

■ ■ SOUTH MORANG. Milk Bar.

■ ■ ■

15 Gorge Rd.

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

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

■

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

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

■ ■ THORNTON. 4 Ways Diner. 1369 Taggerty-Thornton Rd.

■

■ ■ ■ THORNTON. Rubicon Hotel. 1362 Taggerty-Thornton Rd.

■

■

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

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

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

■

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

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

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

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

■

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

■ ■ YARCK. Yarck Hotel. Maroondah Hwy.

■ ■ YEA. Amble Inn Cafe. 24 High St.

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

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

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

■

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

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

Mitchell Shire

Edition

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

■ BROADFORD. Broadford Corner Store. 89 High St.

■

■ ■ BROADFORD. Broadford Hotel. 100 High St.

Altabaa, Mazen Ashworth, Carole Baines, Dylan James Barclay, Charles Barns, Elizabeth Bastow, Aaron James Bastow, Darren James Bastow, Oliver Bourke, Joel Cheikh, Karim El Dow, Patricia Edwards, Dylan Edwards, Nathan Gak, Gak Aruai Haddara, Amir Haddara, Khaled Hogden, David Illingworth, Frances Jackson, Jye Allan Jones, Dion Joyce, Jason David Maidment, Stephen Mawas, Mohammad Mccabe-Jackson, Daniel Nicol, Shane Francis Petersen, Brent William Rusic, Benedict Alexander Theodorou, Evangelos Thomas-Leigh, Luca Tuppen, Clinton Walley, Adrian Winnell, Quinton

Run by the Nillumbeats Committee - a group of young people passionate about all things art, music and culture - the festival showcases films by locals aged 12-18.

Nillumbik Mayor Cr John Dumaresq said the event provided an opportunity for talented young locals to win a prize and have their work screened at a special event.

“The festival is all about recognising and rewarding emerging artistic talent,” Cr Dumaresq said.

“It’s a chance to see your work on the big screen and help you really kick-start your passion for filmmaking,” he said.

Categories include Best Cinematography, Most Original Idea, Funniest Moment/Character, and Most Inspiring film, with entries being assessed by a panel of film industry experts. First, second and third places will also be awarded.

There are prizes on offer, including mentoring sessions, vouchers, filmmaking kits and more. The competition is open to young people who live, work, study or play in Nillumbik

■

■

■ ■ YEA. Country Club Hotel. 18 High St.

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

■ ■ YEA. Foodworks. 10 High St.

■

■ YEA. Giddy Coat Cafe. 94 High St.

■ BROADFORD. Broadford Newsagency. 67 High St.

■ BROADFORD. Broadford Post Office. 123 High St.

■ BROADFORD. Broadford Service Station. 165 High St.

Friday, October 3 Fereday, Troy Michael Graham, Shane David Hall, Jake Douglas Peacock, Adam

Monday, October 6

Loukas, Dimitrios Nesbitt, Anthony Wednesday, October 8

Entries close on Sunday (Oct. 5) and winning films will be shown on the big screen at Hoyts Cinema in Greensborough on Tuesday, November 25.

View the information pack, enter your work, and view last year’s winning entries online: nillumbikyouth.vic.gov.au/short-filmfestival

■

■ YEA. Grand Central Hotel. 64

High St.

■

■ ■ ■ YEA. Marmalades. 20 High St.

■ ■ YEA. Mint and Jam. 46 High St.

■ ■ YEA. Nutrien Harcourts. 52

High St.

■ ■ BROADFORD. Commercial Hotel. 31 High St.

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

■ BROADFORD. IGA Supermarket. 65 High St.

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

■

■

■ ■ YEA. Peppercorn Hotel. 21 Station St.

■

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

■ ■ YEA. Rendezvous In Yea. 10

High St.

■ ■ YEA. Royal Mail Hotel. 88

High St.

■ ■ DONNYBROOK. Donnybrook Hotel. 825 Donnybrook Rd.

■ DONNYBROOK. Donnybrook Post Office. 810 Donnybrook Rd.

■ KILMORE. BP. 102 Sydney St.

■

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

Statement about Black Gully Rd

■ Nillumbik Council has issued a statement about activities on private property in Black Gully Rd, Diamond creek.

“We want to reassure the community that everything is being done to cease any illegal activities. This is a combined effort between Council, the EPA and Victoria Police,” a Nillumbik Council representative said.

■

■

■ ■ YEA. Yea Bakery. 44 High St.

■

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

■ ■ YEA. Yea Take-Away. 68 High St.

Lilydale and Yarra Valley Express Edition

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

■ KILMORE. Kilmore Bakery. 54 Sydney St.

■ KILMORE. Kilmore Newsagency. 41 Sydney St.

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

■

■

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

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

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

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

■

■ SEYMOUR. Seymour NewsXpress. 66 Station St.

■

■

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

■

■ ■ ■ HEALESVILLE. BP. 66 Maroondah Hwy.

■ ■ HEALESVILLE. Coles Express. 123 Maroondah Hwy.

■ ■ HEALESVILLE. Grand Hotel. 270 Maroondah Hwy.

■ ■ HEALESVILLE. Healesville Newsagency. 195 Maroondah Hwy.

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

■

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

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

■ SEYMOUR. Seymour South Post and Lotto. 75 Anzac Ave.

■ SEYMOUR. Prince of Wales Hotel. 48 Emily St.

■

■ SEYMOUR. Royal Hotel. 26 Emily St.

■ ■ SEYMOUR. Terminus Hotel. 26 Station St.

■ SEYMOUR. Top Shop. Cnr Anzac Ave and Delatite Rd.

■ TALLAROOK. Tallarook General Store. 36 Main Rd.

■ ■ TALLAROOK. Tallarook Hotel. 15 Main Rd.

■ TRAWOOL. Trawool Estate/ Hotel. 8150 Goulburn Valley Hwy.

■ WALLAN. United Service Station. 11-14 High St.

■

■

■ ■ LILYDALE. Lilydale Newsagency. 237 Main St.

■

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

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

■ WALLAN. Wallan News and Lotto. Shop 6, 55 High St.

■

■ ■ WALLAN EAST. New Rattlers Inn. Station St.

■ WANDONG. Caltex Star Mart. 3272 Epping-Kilmore Rd.

■

■

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

■ ■ SEVILLE. Wooworths Seville. 568 Warburton Hwy.

■

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

■ WANDONG. Dundee’s Fish and Cips. 3272 Epping-Kilmore Rd.

■

■ ■ WANDONG. IGA Supermarket. 3272 Epping-Kilmore Rd.

■ WANDONG. Wandong Post News and Tatts. 3272 EppingKilmore Rd.

■

■

■ ■ WARBURTON. Bakery. 3415 Warburton Hwy.

■ ■ WARRANDYTE. Grand Hotel.

140 Yarra St.

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

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

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

Agha-Sayed-Mirza, Ramin Allied Tech Consulting Pty Ltd Ammar, Muhammad Caton, Janelle Louise Clifford, Cecilia Fisher, Stephen Fullerton, Sarah Louise Gamble, Jacqueline Garde, Jake Gazzara, Katlin James Kiriakidis, Eleftherios Martin, Thyler Nelson, Kiera Orwin, Stephen John Pham, Tuan Minh Rushby, Mark Anthony Sandars, Charlotte Thain, William Tonkin, Lee Wells, Geoffrey Mansfield Magistrates’ Court Wednesday, October 1 Alee, Jacob Allsopp, Mitchell Anstee, Riley Bajrovic, Kemal Bowe, Michael Bradley, Paul Gregory Breier, Jessica Burgess, Luella Ann Butterworth, Flynn William Cashmore, Christian Will Chan, Tony Guan Emblin, Robert James Farnan, Jayne Forte, Adam Gould, Jeffery Griffin, Susan Hamka, Zakaria Hargrave, Turi Tiaki Khan, Awais Ahmad Khoushdel, Ahmad Kilkenny, Kate Kirby, Luke Stephen Konyn, Danny John Lia, Lynda Maden, Alan Mclaughlin, Andrew Northcote, Corey Oconnor, Sam Rhodes, Matthew Mcallister Saunders, Scott Raymon Sheahan, Thomas Singh, Komalpreet Skilfas, Andrew Stefanile, Anthony Taylor, Dillon Scott Thin Tuep, Ro Trika, Jeffrie Vincent, James Wagenknecht, Kaylah-Jane Warren, Kylie Yang, Vance Lin Young, Christopher Wednesday, October 15 Byrne, Brian Conlan, Gregory Sean Crumpen-Dolheguy, Seth Devine, Charlie Eden, Mark Hassett, Lily Kemp, Steven Douglas Lucas, Nathan Margat, Heidi Louise Murray, Gavin Stuart Peters, Robert John Pilgrim, Mark Poulter, Ricky Steward, Richard Tuli, Moksh Williams, Adam John

“Council only has jurisdiction for building and planning breaches under the Nillumbik Planning Scheme and the Victorian Building Regulations, and the EPA is responsible for the investigation and prosecution of illegal dumping of waste or environmental damage under the Environment ProtectionAct

“As both the Council and EPA have active investigations and legal proceedings underway, we are limited in what we are able to report so as not to jeopardise these proceedings.

“What we can say: Council Enforcement at site 1. Council lodged an application for an interim and full Enforcement Order with VCAT in May.

“In June, VCAT issued interim enforcement orders for the landowner and occupier to cease receiving or importing any fill onto the land; placing or stockpiling any fill on the land; and/or spreading or working the fill on the land.

“The full Enforcement Order Hearing was heard by VCAT from August 4-6.

“Council is still awaiting the outcome of the VCAT hearing. If full enforcement orders are granted, the specific wording of the Tribunal member’s orders will be important for determining any additional enforcement options for the site.

“Council Enforcement at site 2. Council is aware of activities at a second site in Black Gully Rd and has moved quickly to investigate, gather evidence and commence robust enforcement action.

“Council is aware that native vegetation has allegedly been removed and this forms part of the current enforcement proceedings.

“Council’s lodged interim enforcement proceedings and full enforcement order proceedings with VCAT for site 2.

“On September 18, VCAT issued interim enforcement orders for the landowner to cease using the land as refuse disposal, receiving or importing any waste, soil, fill onto the land; placing or stockpiling any fill on the land; and/or spreading or working the fill on the land, cease destroying native vegetation, cease lighting any fires on the land.

“The full Enforcement Order Hearing has been set down for nine days commencing January 19, 2026.

“The EPA has laid charges under the EnvironmentProtectionAct1970in relation to alleged illegal waste dumping. The matter has been listed to go before the Heidelberg Magistrates’ Court on October 29.”

Local Briefs

Yea strategy

■ “The Yea Structure Plan will be coming to the October Council meeting,” Cr Sandice McAulay has told Murrindindi Shire. “Community feedback and technical experts have informed this key piece of work that sets the strategic direction for land use planning in Yea.

“An impressive exercise that has ensured that as many voices as possible have been heard,” Cr McAulay said.

Grants for Ranges

■ Yarra Ranges Shire has endorsed Capital Development Grants of $181,040 for 20252026:

■ $1300 to Belgrave Heights Tennis Club

■ $3750 to Yarra Glen Bowls Club

■ $6568 to Mooroolbark & District Miniature Railway & Steam Club Inc.

■ $9070 to Monbulk Pony Club

■ $10,000 to Doongala Pony Club

■ $15,000 to Silvan Football Club Inc

■ $21,041 to Mooroolbark Cricket Club

■ $24,311 to Mount Evelyn Football Club

■ $30,000 to Chirnside Park Football Club

■ $30,000 to Eastern Ranges Football Club

■ $30,000 to Montrose Tennis Club

Beams for sale

■ Mansfield Council is offering several surplus bridge beams for sale to any interested parties.

Mansfield Mayor Cr Steve Rabie said Council hoped to see the beams find a good home – whether it be for structural, landscaping or creative construction use.

“The beams are not required by Council, and we hope to get a mutually beneficial outcome by offering them for sale,” he said.

“We’re reaching out to construction companies and other councils, but we also want to provide the opportunity for anyone else in our community who could make use of the beams.

“If they might be of interest to you or someone you know, please give us a ring to find out more,” said Cr Rabie

The bridge beams are available individually or all together, and have the following specifications:

■ Length – 13.5m

■ Width – 900mm

■ Depth – 400-650mm

■ Elastic Load Capacity – Up to 187 tonnes

@ 3mm deflection

■ Structural Stiffness – Up to 1.63 x 109 KN

– m2

Not all are online

■ Nillumbik Council, in analysing its communications strategies for the future, has acknowledged that not all people are online. In discussions last night (Tues.), as this issue of The Local Paper went to press, Counci,llors were due to hear that the staff intend to “strengthen our non-digital communications options to cater to people who are not online and/or require alternative formats”.

“Ongoing website improvements have included better search functionality, updated content and promotion of the website as the central source of current information,” said a report to Councillors.

“These improvements continue to support user experience and increase the number of people accessing Council sites. There has been a 43 per cent increase in Council’s main website page views and an increase from 358,000 users to more than 399,066 users.”

Shire CEO ‘good’

■ Yarra Ranges Shire CEO tammi Rose has been ranked as “ Good: Performance is above satisfactory” in a performance review conducted by AtWork Consulting Councillors have indexed the CEO’s total remuneration package by 2.75% excluding any legislated increases to superannuation.

Flowerdale works

■ Cr Eric Lording reported to last week’s Murrindindi Shire Council meeting about works at Flowerdale.

“On Riverside Drive, Flowerdale, the long-anticipated drainage works are currently delayed awaiting cultural heritage approval with work ready to commence from that date,” Cr Lording said.

4 local artists featured

■ Strathbogie Shire Council’s Artbox Gallery presents Grounded, an exhibition that explores the theme of growth, connection, and the grounding presence of nature.

Four accomplished local artists are featured: Angus Camero, Simeon Ayres, Trina Carter and Ann Cremean

All artworks will be available for purchase. Visitors are encouraged to drop by on Avenel Market Day, October 12, when the artists will be present at Artbox from 10am to 1pm for informal discussion and insights into their creative processes. Location is Jubilee Park.

Strathbogie Mayor Cr Claire EwartKennedy welcomed the exhibition, saying:

“Grounded is a wonderful celebration of our region’s natural beauty and artistic talent. It’s exhibitions like this that remind us how deeply connected we are to our environment and to each other.

“We’re proud to support local artists and provide a space where creativity can flourish and inspire.

“This is a rare opportunity to experience the work of four distinct artistic voices united by a shared reverence for nature and place. Grounded promises to be a thoughtful and visually rich exhibition.”

Until October 27. 24-Hour Viewing Access via Glass Windows. Meet the Artists: October 12, 10am–1pm (Avenel Market Day)

Events galore in Dindi

■ The events season is gearing up to be another stellar year, Murrindindi Shire CEO Livia Bonazzi said last week.

“We are working with 30+ events between now and the end of the year.

“Council recently held an event forum bringing together the event organisers from across the Shire

“The forum was well received and created a platform for community event organisers to work together, learn and grow.

“We look forward to supporting the next event, led by the Strath Creek Progress Association

“The forum also led to the creation of a WhatsApp Group and Shared Asset Register, which will be developed in the coming months.” Ms Bonazzi said.

Gallipoli Park

■ Work to replace the two timber viewing platforms at Gallipoli Park Lake, Marysville, is set to begin this week.

“The first stage will involve removing the existing platforms to prepare the site for the new ones. We expect works to be completed by early Novembe,” said a Murrindindi Council representative.

“Following the completion of the replacement platforms, works are planned to repair the leak and refill the lake.

“The platform replacement has been funded through the Australian Government's Local Roads and Community Infrastructure funding, round 4,” the representative said.

At Terip Terip

■ Cr Paul Hildebrand told last week’s Murrindindi Shire Council meeting that he had attended the Terip Terip Recreation Reserve Annual General Meeting.

“It was good to see all positions on the committee filled, with some fresh faces putting up their hands,” Cr Hildebrand said.

Optus at Eltham

■ Nillumbik Council received 66 submissions about Optus infrastructure at Lower Eltham Park, with 27 (40.9 per cent) in support, 36 (54.56 per cent) objecting and three (4.54 per cent) unsure.

“Council considered these submissions at the Planning and Consultation Committee Meeting held on August 12. Five submitters spoke on behalf of their submission at this meeting. Four of these presenters did not support the lease proposal.

“The proposal involves a swap out of one of the current oval light poles near the pavilion, which is 25-meters in height with a 30-meter high pole and construction of a ground based cabinet for equipment, which is estimated to be 3.2m x 1.8m in size but requires a lease area of 4m by 5m.

“Once the telecommunications infrastructure is on the light pole it would be at a height of 32.87 meters, subject to planning approvals and DEECA Minister consent as landowner.”

The matter was due to go to the nillumbik Council meeting last night (Tues., Sep. 30).

Vale David Yencken

■ “I am saddened to advise council of the recent passing of Mr David Yencken,” Cr Eric Lording told Murrindindi Shire Council.

“He passed peacefully with his family by his side. David founded the chain of Yencken’s Hardware stores with branches in Yea, Alexandra, and Benalla, headquartered in Mansfield

“He was a wonderful man with a great business head. He supported many sporting and other clubs in two shires and was great to work with. He will be greatly missed by all,” Cr Lording said.

community grants

■ More than $2.5 million in community grants have been allocated in 2024-25 to support community groups, businesses, sporting groups, individuals and emergency services in the city of Whittlesea.

More than $320,000 has been allocated to 41 applicants. Tis ncluded grants as part of the Female Inclusion in Sport Program and ongoing support to Community Based Emergency Services

Three individual grants, six small grants, nine medium grants, five large grants and one unincorporated group grant were allocated to support programs and events ranging from multicultural celebrations, Christmas celebrations and training for volunteers.

In total, 174 applicants were allocated funding in 2024-25.

City of Whittlesea Mayor, Cr Martin Taylor, said: “Our successful community grants program is continuing to help support local groups within our community, by providing much needed support to deliver a diverse range of events, programs, and initiatives that not only bring people together, but also provide opportunities to connect and celebrate culture.”

Upcoming events proudly supported by the City of Whittlesea Community Grants Program are Dusshera Mela and the Mid-Autumn Mooncake Festival, both on Saturday (Oct. 4). $2.5m

Menzies AGM

■ Murrindindi Mayor Cr Damien Gallagher said that the Dame Pattie Menzies Centre in Alexandra will hold its Annual General Meeting on October 22 at The Mount, 2456 Goulburn Valley Hwy, Alexandra

“It is governed by a volunteer Committee of Management and the community received an impassioned plea.

“Everyone in Murrindindi has been invited to join as a member of Menzies Support Services and to have a say

“The invitation is there for our community to demonstrate their support and assure unique, person-centred support for future generations,” Cr Gallagher said.

Black Spot funds?

■ Murrindindi Shire CEO Livia Bonazzi says that the Council has submitted funding applications for two high-risk road sections ( King Parrot Creek Rd and Murrindindi Rd) under the 2026-27 Federal Black Spot Program.

“These roads have seen multiple serious crashes, including fatalities,” Ms Bonazzi said.

“If successful, this funding will enable critical safety upgrades at no cost to Council.” It is unknown exactly when the Council will hear the results of its applications.

● ● ● ● Cr

Claire Ewart-Kennedy, Mayor

GROUPS WORK TOGETHER

Local Briefs

600 at Expo

■ More than 600 people came through the gates of the Rotary Yea Garden Expo at the Yea Saleyards, Cr Paul Hildebrand told laast week’s Murrindindi Shire Council meeting.

“Sunday was quieter due to the weather, but still a worthwhile event for our community,” Cr Hildebrand said.

Oak St bridge

■ Mitchell Shire engineers have identified new damage to a beam on the Oak St bridge over Whiteheads Creek in Seymour during routine inspections.

“As a precaution, traffic changes will be in place including speed restrictions across the bridge, lane reduction, traffic signals and closure of the Oak St and Abdallah Rd intersection,” said a Mitchell Council representative.

Detailed structural assessments was to take place this week and the Council says it will provide further updates once advice from engineers is confirmed.

VLP coverage

■ The breakaway company, Victorian Livestock & Property, received coverage in last week’s Stock&Landnewspaper.

The new team of Will Phillips, Jamie Quinlan, Bruce Elliot and Ryan Sargeant will yard their first cattle at the next Yea store sale. The group were formerly with Elders Yea.

They were pictured outside the Yea Saleyards.

Congrats Wallan

■ Mitchell Shire Councillor Riley Evans used the latest municipal meeting to congratulate Wallan sporting teams on their recent achievements.

For Green Wedge

■ The City of Whittlesea is seeking to introduce new planning controls to protect environmentally significant areas in the green wedge land to the north of the municipality.

The proposal aims to support biodiversity, protect threatened flora and fauna and provide clarity to landowners about what is permissible development in these environmentally sensitive areas.

Councillors resolved at the September meeting to request authorisation from the Minister for Planning to prepare and exhibit the proposed Planning Scheme Amendment C288wsea

If the Minister for Planning approves the Council’s request to exhibit the proposed amendment, residents will be invited to provide feedback and submissions during a thorough community consultation process.

“The proposed amendment is informed by extensive research, with the Biodiversity Asset Mapping Report and the Habitat Connectivity Study identifying areas of high environmental value,” said a Whittlesea Council representative.

“Through this work, several previously unrecorded threatened species, including the brush-tailed phascogales and the common dunnart, as well as the powerful owl and several rare plant species, were discovered in the municipality.

“The extent of the environmental protections has been carefully mapped to avoid impacting agricultural land.

“To ensure farming operations are supported, the proposed controls exempt certain routine activities, such as fencing, providing they meet specified conditions and minimise the impact to existing ecological values.”

Under the proposed amendment, landowners will need to obtain a permit before removing native vegetation or carrying out certain building works, such as erecting large sheds.

Mayor, Cr Martin Taylor, said: “The City of Whittlesea’s green wedge provides critical habitat for a diverse range of flora and fauna, including a number of threatened species such as the powerful owl,” he said.

“The proposed amendment to the Whittlesea Planning Scheme, in the form of an Environment Significance Overlay, is crucial to ensuring we protect biodiversity and the natural environment within the green wedge.”

Cox against Junction permit

■ Veteran Yarra Ranges Shire’s Cr Len Cox

was the only Councillor to vote against a planning permit for a 25-lot subdivision at 41-43 Hoddle St, Yarra Junction.

Other Councillors voted at the September Council meeting voted for the decision to grant a permit that allows for vegetation removal, creation and removal of easements.

“The subdivision is to be undertaken in two stages, with development of the site confined to the western half of the site where all lots will range between 500 and 21,614 square metres (2.1 hectares conservation lot),” said a report to Yarra Ranges Council.

“The development will also incorporate a new road off Hoddle St that will provide access to all allotments.

“The eastern end of the site includes a conservation zone that will protect and conserve existing flora and fauna in the area.

“The subdivision design is site response and responds to the constraints of the site and surrounds, including environmental features and hazards.

“The application has been advertised and at the time of this report 17 objections have been received.

“Objector concerns primarily relate to traffic and user safety of Hoddle St, impacts to flora and fauna and the character of subdivision pattern,” the report said.

Crackdown on energy cowboys LEAP lunch at Eildon

■ Indi MHR Helen Haines has welcomed the release of VicGrid’s draft Community Engagement and Social Value Guidelines, which set out 48 expectations for renewable energy developers and transmission companies before they can access Victoria’s energy grid.

Dr Haines, who has led the national debate on reforming community engagement in the renewable energy rollout, said the draft guidelines were an important step in the right direction.

“Too often we’ve seen bullish behaviour from renewable energy developers go without consequences – finally that is set to change,” Dr Haines said.

“Regional communities are vital stakeholders contributing to the energy transition, and must be treated as such.”

The draft guidelines will require developers to engage with landholders and neighbours early in the planning process, respond to community concerns about fire and flooding risks, deliver economic benefits to communities, and end the use of non-disclosure agreements with landholders.

Dr Haines welcomed VicGrid’s confirmation that projects from developers who fail to meet these standards will not be approved.

“This is about making sure local knowledge is listened to and valued.”

Council Briefs

Churches initiative

■ Jo Lakelan d spoke at last week’s Murrindindi Shire Council meeting about a new community connection initiative in Alexandra being organised by the Churches of Alexandra Collective

Councillor away

■ Cr Jodi Adams was absent from last week’s Murrindindi Shire Council meeting due to planned leave.

Planning scheme

■ Murrindindi Shire Council has adopted a Planning Scheme amendment, with minor edits.

The adopted amendment will be submitted toSonya Kilkenny, Minister for Planning.

The Council has agreed to review the recommendations of the Planning Scheme Review Report 2023 and the Housing and Settlement Strategy 2022 prior to their implementation via a subsequent planning scheme amendment.

At Boundary Creek

■ Murrindindi Council has adopted the Boundary Creek Open Space Concept Plan.

“Post the 2022 floods, community meetings identified the need for the open space planning for the study area west of Boundary Creek, Yea abutting Boundary Creek Boulevard in the Yea Springs Estate,” said a report to Councillors.

■ The Local Emnergency Action Plan for Eildon, Thornton and Rubicon will be discussed at a luncheon meeting to be held at 12.30pm on is set for Saturday , October 11 at Eildon Lake Hotel, 190 Sugarloaf Rd, Eildon

“Catering is provided and there is a community bus available to pick you up from Eildon, Rubicon and Thornton,” Cr Anita Carr said.

“Book when registering. Registration for the event is essential and is due by Saturday October 4 at theloop. murrindindi.vic.gov.au/leap/ lunchregistration or by calling customer service on 5772 0333.

“LEAP supports communities to better prepare and look after themselves for up to 72 hours after an emergency.

“Have a say in shaping your Local Emergency Action Plan to build community resilience in emergency management,” Cr Carr told the latest Murrindindi Council meeting.

“This area of public open space transitioned to Council management in 2024, through the subdivision process and the development of the area.

“The proposed Open Space concept plan has been developed following community and stakeholder consultation and provides a vision to enable appropriate investment and maintenance programming,” the report said.

Conservation Plan

■ Crs Sue Carpenter and Eric Lording have successfully moved for the adoption of the Rural Roadside Conservation Management Plan 2025-29 in Murrindindi Shire.

“Roadside remnant native vegetation provides important habitat for native flora and fauna, including rare and threatened species,” said a report to Councillors.

“Roadsides also provide significant connection across the landscape and add to an aesthetic that is highly valued by the community.

“One means of protecting these values is a suite of documents based on the Rural Roadside Conservation Management Plan, which sets out best practice and legislation relating to a wide range of roadside activities,” the report said.

New address

■ “ The Mobile Library service that comes to Eildon on a Wednesday afternoon and Saturday morning has a new temporary home at Eildon Lions Park on Riverside Drive whist the upgrades are being completed at the Eildon Primary School,” Cr Anita Carr has told Murrindindi Council.

Ponderosa Cup

■ Murrindindi Mayor Cr Damien Gallagher said: “Throughout September there have been numerous local celebrations. I was fortunate to support the second annual Ponderosa Cup regatta on the Eildon lower pondage, receiving the thanks of the Mario Liang and committee for Council’s sponsorship of the event.

“The fledgling initiative has attracted the attention of Deb Spring, Chair of Rowing Victoria, who was again in attendance and also appreciative of Council’s support.”

Vale Nanny Jan

■ Cr Anita Carr has paid tribute to ‘Nanny Jan’: “ I paid tribute to a beloved local icon, Nanny Jan, who sadly passed away peacefully. Nanny was a generous, communityminded woman who gave so much to so many. Her presence was felt across our towns, and she will be deeply missed. Sending love and strength to Sally, Jason, and all of Nanny Jan’s family and friends during this difficult time.”

● ● Cr Anita Carr, Deputy Mayor, Murrindindi Shire

Latest News

Visa breach

INDECENT ASSAULT ON FLIGHT Observer Melbourne

■ A Myanmar-born man was to appear before Latrobe Valley Magistrates' Court last Wesdnesday (Sep. 24) charged with allegedly failing to comply with his visa-mandated conditions.

The Australian Federal Police charged the man, 33, after he was located in regional Victoria.

It will be alleged he breached a condition of his Commonwealth visa by being within a certain distance of a school between September 6-18.

He wa charged with seven counts of failing to comply with 070 visa conditions, contrary to the MigrationAct1958(Cth)

This offence carries a maximum penalty of five years’ imprisonment and/or a $99,000 fine.

Shots fired

■ Westgate Divisional Response Unit officers are investigating after shots were fired into the bedroom of a home in Werribee

It is believed three offenders wearing dark-coloured clothing exited a silver sedan outside a Powlett St property on Friday, September 5, about 9.10pm.

The trio approached the property firing multiple shots into the front window before fleeing in the same vehicle.

A 23-year-old man, who was asleep in the front bedroom at the time, was lucky to escape injury.

The five other occupants in the home, ranging in age from 14 to 51-years, were not injured.

Investigators are looking into whether a teenage occupant of the property was the target of the incident.

Officers have released an image and CCTV of the vehicle involved in the hope someone recognises it and can come forward with information that will assist investigators.

5 teens arrested

■ Five teenagers have been arrested following a lengthy pursuit across the southeastern and eastern suburbs on Wednesday (Sep. 24).

The chase followed several incidents believed to be linked with:

■ An alleged aggravated burglary on Cluden St, Brighton East, where a handbag and a 2025 Porsche Cayenne wagon were stolen.

■ An alleged attempted home invasion on Dendy St, Brighton, at 2.15am.

■ An alleged attempted home invasion on Thomas St, Hampton. A police vehicle was used to stop the Porsche, with two people fleeing on foot just after 2.30am.

■ An alleged aggravated burglary at a home on Sargood St, Hampton, at 3.35am, where a red MG was stolen.

The MG was tracked through several suburbs, including Hampton, Brighton and Noble Park before continuing onto Eastlink and the Monash Fwy allegedly clocking speeds of up to 145-kmh.

It was followed back to Bentleigh, where it was dumped on Patterson Rd still running, before coming to a stop on the nature strip.

The trio jumped fences, with one climbing onto a roof, before the alleged offenders hid inside the house.

Police gained access to the property, where three people were arrested:

■ A 15-year-old boy from the Greater Dandenong area

■ Two 16-year-old boys from the Casey area

■ One 16-year-old from the Casey area was charged with theft of motor vehicle. He was remanded to appear in appear in a children’s court at a later date.

During a subsequent search warrant at the Bentleigh address, police executed search warrant where they arrested a further two people.

■ A Victorian man was expected to face Broadmeadows Magistrates’ Court charged with allegedly indecently assaulting a female passenger on an international flight from the United States

The woman reported to airline crew during the flight that a man had allegedly touched her inappropriately and reached inside her clothes while she tried to sleep during a flight on Monday last week (Sep. 22).

Crew members moved the woman to a different seat for the remainder of the flight and alerted the AFP, who met the flight when it landed and interviewed the man, 71, and witnesses.

The AFP arrested the man and charged him with one count of act of indecency without consent, contrary to section 60 of the CrimesAct 1900(ACT).

Maximum penalty for this offence is seven years’ imprisonment.

AFP Detective Superintendent Stephen Cook said the AFP took any allegation of inappropriate or criminal behaviour on land or in the air very seriously.

“Every traveller on an aircraft should be able to feel safe from harm and should be confident that the AFP always takes action when we receive reports of alleged crime,” Det Supt Cook said.

● ● Broadmeadows Magistrates’ Court

“As passenger numbers rise for the busy school holiday period, I’d also like to remind passengers that being in the air does not alleviate the consequences of alleged illegal behaviour,” Det. Supt Cook said.

And explore the fundamentals of fortune telling to uncover insights about yourself and your friends. Book an experience.

Whether you're a coffee enthusiast or a curious beginner, our hands-on experiences will guide you through the journey of this ancient brewing art.

Your Stars with

Kerry Kulkens

Presented by Sarah Kulkens, Australia’s

Trusted Psychic Family

ARIES (March 21 - April 20)

Lucky Colour: Violet

Lucky Day: Tuesday

Racing Numbers: 2, 3, 5, 6

It is an excellent period for blending business with pleasure, provided you keep confidential matters private. A new friend may introduce exciting opportunities, and a Pisces could bring you luck.

TAURUS (April 21 - May 20)

Lucky Colour: Peach

Lucky Day: Friday

Racing Numbers: 1, 3, 2, 5

Lotto Numbers: 3, 12, 22, 25, 36, 40

Take your time with important tasks to ensure the best results. Keep emotions in check to avoid issues in your romantic life. Acting on facts rather than hearsay will save you trouble.

GEMINI (May 21 - June 21)

Lucky Colour: Yellow

Lucky Day: Wednesday

Racing Numbers: 1, 6, 5, 2

Lotto Numbers: 1, 15, 26, 24, 40, 22

Handle domestic upsets tactfully to ensure they pass quickly. To maintain productivity and focus, avoid taking on more than you can handle in your career.

CANCER (June 22 - July 22)

Lucky Colour: Cream

Lucky Day: Thursday

Racing Numbers: 5, 3, 6, 9

Lotto Numbers: 5, 12, 26, 34, 8, 33

Be mindful of potential misunderstandings in your love life or family matters. Travel is likely, and many Cancerians may alter their living arrangements.

LEO (July 23 - August 22)

Lucky Colour: Blue

Lucky Day: Monday

Racing Numbers: 1, 3, 5, 9

Lotto Numbers: 1, 15, 29, 34, 8, 11

Stay as polite as possible and avoid unnecessary family friction. Be mindful of overly demanding lovers and ensure your work commitments are up to date.

VIRGO (August 23 - September 23)

Lucky Colour: Green

Lucky Day: Monday

Racing Numbers: 2, 6, 3, 2

Lotto Numbers: 2, 15, 24, 10, 33, 36

Confidence and clear communication will serve you well. Those in love may plan for a brighter future, while others might find a new arrival shakes up their routine.

LIBRA (September 24 - October 23)

Lucky Colour: Fawn

Lucky Day: Thursday Racing Numbers: 5, 9, 6, 2

Lotto Numbers: 5, 12, 26, 24, 40, 22

Ignore snide remarks and jealousy from others—it reflects your popularity. Be considerate to those closest to you, as kindness will take you further.

SCORPIO (October 24 - November 22)

Lucky Colour: Silver

Lucky Day: Saturday Racing Numbers: 5, 6, 3, 2

Lotto Numbers: 5, 12, 24, 44, 1, 22

Business pressures may arise, so remain pleasant and cooperative with authority figures. Conflicts between home and friends are possible, but family should come first when making decisions.

SAGITTARIUS (November 23 - December 20)

Lucky Colour: Dark Blue

Lucky Day: Wednesday

Racing Numbers: 5, 6, 2, 3

Lotto Numbers: 5, 12, 20, 27, 33, 41

Negative talk from others may unintentionally benefit you. Your ambitions are strong, but more effort will be required to succeed. Stay determined.

CAPRICORN (December 21 - January 19)

Lucky Colour: Pink

Lucky Day: Sunday Racing Numbers: 8, 9, 6, 2

Lotto Numbers: 8, 15, 26, 34, 40, 22

Friends may take up more time or money than you can afford. It’s wise to set boundaries. Travel plans could face disruptions, so check arrangements thoroughly.

AQUARIUS (January 20 - February 19)

Lucky Colour: Blue

Lucky Day: Monday

Racing Numbers: 1, 6, 2, 5

Lotto Numbers: 1, 15, 26, 34, 40, 22

Avoid pushing personal and emotional issues. Giving your partner space will strengthen your relationship. You may have to visit a place you’re not keen on, but it could lead to surprising opportunities.

PISCES (February 20 - March 20)

Lucky Colour: Mauve

Lucky Day: Friday

Racing Numbers: 1, 6, 5, 2

Lotto Numbers: 1, 12, 24, 40, 33, 36

Secret relationships or hidden affairs may come to light, causing upheaval. Hard work will pay off, and you will soon see the results of your efforts.

HEROES LEFT ADRIFT

Sir,

When he was in Opposition, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was quick to politicise the campaign for Able Seaman Teddy Sheean to receive the Victoria Cross

But under new laws rammed through the House of Representatives, the independent tribunal established to review decisions by Defence would be banned from even considering Sheean’s heroic actions, and any gallant deeds which occurred more than 20 years ago.

Under Prime Minister Albanese, the words ‘we will remember them’ are set to carry a use-by date.

It seems we will only remember them if their actions occurred within a convenient timeframe for the Labor Party.

Without consultation, the Albanese Government has undermined the independence of the Defence Honours Awards and Appeals Tribunal by placing a time limit on reviewable actions for Australia’s most significant military medals and abolished the rights of appeal for veterans and their families.

As a statutory agency, the Tribunal was established in 2011 and was always intended to act independently of government to review decisions made by Defence dating back to 1939.

It was this process that led to the decisions to posthumously award a Victoria Cross to both Teddy Sheean and Richard Norden, along with individual recognition for the bravery of Delta Company at Long Tan, during the Vietnam War.

It’s hard to believe in the aftermath of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide that the Labor Party would further disenfranchise the veterans community.

This is a Bill to reduce transparency from a Labor Government that hates being held to account, and it should be defeated in the Senate

Darren Chester Shadow Minister for Veterans’ Affairs

Dementia thanks

Sir,

An immense thank you to everyone who was involved and spread the word during 2025 Dementia Action Week from September 15-21.

Across Australia, individuals and organisations supported our campaign ‘Nobody can do it alone’, encouraging everyone in the community to reach out and reconnect with someone in their life affected by dementia.

Social isolation and loneliness are, unfortunately, all too commonly experienced by many living with dementia.

And, with the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare reporting this month that dementia is now the leading cause of death for all Australians, chances are that you know someone impacted and can help be part of their support system – so that none of us have to face dementia alone.

Observer Mailbag

those surviving have had trauma getting housing with no house to sell to get one, to learning English when it meant institutional life for lost chikdren over many generations, massacres we know now were done unfairly when there was things like no appropriate food, no chance to light fires needed for food, no room with fences just everywhere in Victoria very early so bad people even did not bring children into such a world.

Then those of us complained there was drunkeness in such shocking conditions and the myth grew up that all Aborigines were no hopers, goodness this went on in our life time.

I believe in treaty afer meeting as a volunteer at the local community cenre for such of us and seeing so many disabled yet ever cheerful people and seeing myself the present generstion still needy

K. M. Davies

By Email

NDIS reform

Sir,

While Minister Butler’s announcement to establish a dedicated focus on children with mild to moderate developmental delay or autism is welcome, there is a critical area of urgent reform in the NDIS that remains overlooked.

Tots’ ticket

■ A dozen small, grubby, wide-eyed faces pressed against a wire fence has has brought a £ 750 windfall for two Melbourne baby homes.

on Facebook

Short letters (no more than 200 words) on local subjects are invited from readers.

Email to: editor@Melbourne Observer.com.au

Letters must be short and may be edited. All letters to be considered for publication must have a name, street address and phone number so their authenticity can be checked. An email address is not sufficient.

people involved in their care, thank you for showing your support this Dementia Action Week.

While Dementia Action Week is only one week each year, the conversation and action to eliminate the lack of understanding that leads to stigma and discrimination continues year-round.

For information and tips on how you can continue working towards a dementiafriendly future, please visit dementia.org.au/ DementiaActionWeek

For support any time, please contact the National Dementia Helpline on 1800 100 500, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Merran

Kelsall Chair, Dementia Australia

We need Treaty

Sir,

There is no doubt in my mind that as a community we need a treaty with the descendents of those of us who are descendents of Aborignal people.

As a nation we have proved that we chose very mistaken ways from the beginning of honouring Aboriginal dwellers of this land and most if not all

The Summer Foundation remains concerned for the very people the NDIS was designed to support who are still stuck in group homes and have not been able to benefit from the transformational intent of the Scheme

There are more than 43,500 people with high support needs currently supported by the NDIS.

The cost of supporting this group is more than $15 billion a year.

The cost of Supported Independent Living (SIL), a key support for this cohort, has surged by 28 per cent over five years.

Despite the investment, people with disability with high support needs continue to face limited choice and poor outcomes from their housing and living supports.

They are often relegated to group homes where incidents of abuse and neglect are frequent, despite warnings and recommendations for action from the Disability Royal Commission.

“The Government needs to urgently back a greater variety of housing and living supports for this group of people, including drop-in and on-call supports, and more individualised approaches such as host and homeshare arrangements, ” said Jessica Walker, Head of Policy, Communications and Systems Change at the Summer Foundation.

“The NDIS was built to support people with significant and permanent disability to live with dignity and independence.

“Without urgent reform to how we deliver support to people with high support needs, we are failing the very people the scheme was created for.”

Soman Moodley By Email

For those youngsters' longing faces did not go 'unnoticed. They were spotted by some of the most hawk-eyed men in Melbourne - City traffic officers'; parking cars for Richmond and Melbourne inbound football fans in Yarra Park

They succeeded where many motorists have failed . . . they found the way to a traffic officer's heart.

And every year since that day, thc toddlers at Berry st. Babies' Home in East Melbourne have had bumper Christmas parties - all specially laid on by thc traffic officers. i

The officers also took Broadmeadows Babies' Home under their wing, and they too have re ceived many gifts.

To swell the fund, George Roscman,a former Port Melbourne man, decided to sell Tatt's tickets in the office.

Buyers contributed sixpence extra for each ticket. Any tickets left over were bought by the fund.

This week, it paid off ... to the tune of a £750 win in Tattersalls 182nd draw. The money will be split between the Berry st and Broadmeadows homes.

Young lovers

■ Two young lovers, hands clasped, stood in the dock at Brighton Court yesterday. The girl, her head bowed, except for an occasional sorrowful glance at her boy friend, heard the S.M. say: "You seem to be a very foolish young lady. With the higher education you say you have, you should know dishonesty does not pay. What is the matter with you-you have the chance of a nice life and you go and throw everything away like this?" She did not reply.

The girl, Lynette Barry , 21, a pretty, blonde chemist, and her boy friend, Charles Archibald Lamprell, 20, presser, were found guilty of having obtained money by fraud.

The Court was told that Charles' parents made them leave home because he insisted on marrying Lynette against their wishes.

Lynette, who said she was a qualified pharmaceutical chemist, pleaded guilty tt three counts of obtaining money with intent to de fraud by passing valueless cheques totalling £25/4/.

Lamprell pleaded guilty to having aided and abetted her to commit the offences.

Senlor-detective W. Clottu who prosecuted, said that Lamprell had filled in value less cheques and the girl had gone to shops on September 12 and 13 and cashed them.

Caminaré

■ The solo dance theatre work Caminaré–TheEchoofMySteps, from 10-time World Salsa Champion Mario Acosta Cevallos, is being presented from October 7-11 at Gasworks Arts Park as part of the Melbourne Fringe Festival.

Directed by Clary Riven and created and produced by choreographer Laura Anderson , the genre-defying work blends storytelling, salsa, song and spoken word to chart Mario's life through migration, identity, shame, survival and ultimately - healing.

Performance Season: October 7-11 at 6pm Venue: Gasworks Arts Park

Running Time: 60 minutes

Suitability: Ages 16+, with themes of trauma, healing and identity

Trigger Warning: References to emotional abuse, sexuality, and body trauma

Bookings: fringefestival.com.au

Cheryl Threadgold

Urinetown

■ CPP Community Theatre presents the satirical musical Urinetownfrom October 17 - 24 at the Performing Arts Centre, Rowville Secondary College (Eastern Campus)

Young, idealistic hero Bobby Strong leads his community in a fight against oppression.

Set in a dystopian not-so-distant future where Bobby meets Hope, where water is scarce and 'Hope' is even scarcer, all citizens must now pay a fee to use the public toilets controlled and monitored by a capitalist tycoon.

But, soon the poorest and filthiest of these facilities, run by Penelope Pennywise, becomes the 'number one' site for major change.

Nothing is safe from criticism — capitalism, politics, the establishment, the antiestablishment, the anti-anti-establishment, and even musical theatre itself! , Urinetownis directed by Mitchell E. Roberts, vocal musical direction is by Brodie Sainsbury-King, orchestral musical direction by Scott Huddleston and choreography by Molly Daley.

Performance Season: Oct 17, 22, 23, 24 at 8pm; Oct 18 at 5pm; Oct 19 at 2pm

Venue: Performing Arts Centre, Rowville Secondary College (Eastern Campus), Humphreys Way, Rowville

Tickets: $45/$40/$26. Family (2 adults and 2 children) $116. Group (10+ tickets) $40 Bookings: cppcommunitytheatre.com.au/ Note: In consideration of other patrons and cast, children under the age of three will only be admitted to the theatre for the matinee performance.

Cheryl Threadgold

Talk is cheap, gossip is priceless

Legends of the Skies

■ Legends of the Skies Theatre (LOTS) Series 13 presents CharlesKingsfordSmith-The MantheMyth,theMysteryfrom November 68 at the Moorabbin Air Museum

Under the artistic direction of Maggie Morrison, Smithy, a musical flight through history will toast the Aussie legend and enjoy listening to Jonnie Russell's beautiful ballad The Immortal Southern Cross, with Smithy's actual voice speaking at the end.

The timing of the show, November 6-9, will add extra significance as Smith is generally believed to have crashed into the Andaman Sea on November 8, 90 years ago.

LOTS Theatre is an amateur theatre group that has now been operating for 13 years and maintains a great passion for generating knowledge of Australia's early aviation history.

Performances are held in the historic Casey Hangar at the Moorabbin Air Museum

Performance Season: November 6-8 at 7.30pm, November 8 and 9 at 2pm

Venue: Casey Hangar, Moorabbin Air Museum, Moorabbin Airport.

Tickets: All $25, family of four $90.

Bookings: www.trybooking.com/DFEAG Cheryl Threadgold

Anastasia

■ Producers have confirmed that Robert Tripolino, Joshua Robson, Rodney Dobson, Rhonda Burchmore and Nancye Hayes will join Georgina Hopson in leading the cast of Anastasia, which will have its Australian premiere at the Regent Theatre in Melbourne in December.

Tickets are now on sale at anastasiathemusical.com.au

Producer John Frost said: “This story of courage, identity and hope deserves nothing less than the absolute best — and that’s exactly what we’ve found in these phenomenal cast members.

“Their talent will transport audiences from the streets of St Petersburg to the grandeur of Paris, making this production truly unforgettable.”

Opera Australia Acting CEO Simon Militano said: “We are thrilled to announce these five brilliant performers will be joining the cast of Anastasia

“It's a winning combination of Australian musical theatre legends and some of its most exciting rising stars. We have no doubt that they will delight audiences, night after night, in this exciting Australian premiere season.”

Inspired by the mysterious tale of Grand Duchess Anastasia Romanov’s rumoured escape in the dawning days of the Russian Revolution, and the 1997 Oscar n ominated animated film of the same name, Anastasia has been brought to life on the stage by the Tony Award-winning creative team of Terrence McNally, Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens.

Anastasia is a lavish musical for all ages, transporting audiences from the twilight years of the Imperial rule to the euphoria and exuberance of Paris in the 1920s, as a brave young woman named Anya sets out to discover the mystery of her past.

Pursued by an army officer determined to silence her, she enlists the aid of a dashing conman and a lovable ex-aristocrat. Together, they embark on an epic adventure to help her find home, love, and family.

Produced by John Frost for Crossroads Live and Opera Australia in special collaboration with Stage Entertainment Productions, Tom Kirdahy, Hunter Arnold and Dan Hinde Regent Theatre, Melbourne from December.

Cheryl Threadgold

Inter Alia

■ The National Theatre Live production of Australian playwright Suzie Miller’s InterAlia, like her previous play Prima Facie, stars a woman in the lead role. This time, she is a Crown Court Justice, Jessica Parks, played by Rosamund Pike

A high-flyer, Jessica balances her job on the bench with taking care of her family, barrister husband Michael (Jamie Glover), and teenage son, Harry (Justine Talbot). Director Justin Martin has Jessica whirling through life at a frenetic pace, with most dialogue delivered as exposition directly to the audience.

● ● ● ● Bob Hook, accompanist, with Christian and Sebastian Jones and Damian Vuleta in early rehearsals for Legends of the Skies, working out how best to present the concept of being in a plane while on the lounge room floor

Sid Field’s famous writing advice, set up the essence of a character and then put them to the test, is on display in Miller’s script.

Jessica is a feminist, espousing feminist ideals, yet she seems to act as a domestic drudge whenever she is with her family.

We see her in a wig and a gown delivering judgments.

Without pausing, she morphs into her alter ego as suburban housewife, donning rubber gloves, washing dishes, cooking for a dinner party of 16, and ironing her son’s shirt, almost without taking a breath.

Surely, she is in a position to outsource domestic chores?

As a judge, Jessica presides over sexual assault cases. In monologues, she tells the audience about the unfairness in the system, how victims are treated, and the unlikelihood of perpetrators being convicted in rape cases.

In a devastating twist, Harry is accused of serious sexual assault, throwing Jessica’s finely tuned worldview on its axis.

Pike is excellent and gives a forceful performance as she navigates the emotional whirlwind that has struck her well-ordered, successful life.

Harry’s assault charge upends everything she stands for.

Recrimination and blame follow.

Disturbingly, Jessica blames herself, as if this is the price she must pay for trying to have it all.

Now screening at Palace Cinemas. palacecinemas.com.au

Review by Kathryn Keeble

Tattoo Show

■ Rawcus presents Tattoo Show for the Melbourne Fringe Festival in collaboration with professional tattoo artist Xani Kennedy, from October 15-19 at the Festival Hub, Trades Hall - Solidarity Hall, Carlton.

Under the direction of Katrina Cornwall, this 'live art, truth and dare show' will invite a volunteer from the audience to be interviewed and then inked on stage.

Unorthodox high art and low art, the performance moments are said to sit within a guided conversation between the Rawcus Ensemble, the volunteer and the tattoo artist.

“From this conversation we design a bespoke tattoo, a carefully crafted gift, a memorial of our gift together.”

The volunteer has no input into what the design is, but can choose where it is placed. TattooShowwill examine themes of 'trust, taboos and memory in an accessible night out with permanent repercussions.'

Consent is key to the show and the volunteer is free to opt out at any point.

Performance Season: October 15, 16, 17, 18 at 6pm and October 19 at 5pm

Venue: Festival Hub, Trades Hall, Solidarity Hall, Carlton.

Tickets: $35/$25

Bookings: melbournefringe.com.au

Cheryl Threadgold

■ TheComedyGameswithCoachMon- 'a seriously silly Olympics for the whole family' is being presented from October 1, 2, 5 and 12 at 11am at the Ivanhoe Library and Cultural Hub.

Coach Mon (Monique Warren) dreams of coaching real life athletes at TheComedy Games, an event loosely inspired by the Olympics. When her athletes don’t arrive she almost gives up on her dream, lamenting her heartache on the ukulele.

Luckily, Coach Mon bravely wrestles with her fears and realises her audience can be her athletes.

Audience members are invited to join in on the energetic action filled with clowning, music and sports-tastic events like eyebrow push ups and a slow motion running race.

After competing in the games, Coach Mon and the audience walk away with their very own custom made medals to take home, celebrating their success with colourful scarves, great music and fun dance moves.

Directed by Laura Aldous, this interactive sports-themed show features singing, moving, grooving and clowning.

TheComedyGameswithCoachMonis described as a joyful and comedic event for the whole family and ideal for kids aged 4+/ primary school. (Younger siblings are welcome to join in on the fun). Everyone is welcome.

Monique Warren is an award winning actor, singer and clown who trained in Music Theatre at WAAPA and Clowning at Ecole Philippe Gaulier

Inspired by her 12 years of experience as a creative facilitator with companies such as Australian School of Performing Arts and Barking Spider Collective, Monique, as Coach Mon, created this work to encourage kids to dream big, explore imaginative play.

Dates/Times: Oct. 1, 2, 5 and 12 - at 11am

Duration: 55 mins

Venue: Ivanhoe Library and Cultural Hub

- Yarra-me Djila Theatrette, 275 Upper Heidelberg Rd, Ivanhoe

Tickets: General $26 each, Group (4) $21 each

Bookings: melbournefringe.com.au or call 9660 9666

Cheryl Threadgold

At right: Tattoo artist Xani Kennedy. Photo: Sarah Walker

Coach Mon (Monique Warren)

Photo: Cameron Grant

●

● Mario Acosta Cevallos

Photo: Gareth Lewis

● ● ● ● Darcy Olsen rehearses with the Urinetown cast.

Bush Telegraph Fatal rollover

■ Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding a fatal crash in Red Cliffs last wednesday morning (Sep. 24).

Officers were driving along Cocklin Avenue when they noticed a car on its side just before 3.30am. driver had died at the scene.

Exact circumstances surrounding the crash are being investigated.

Shepp. carjacking

■ Shepparton Crime Investigation Unit detectives charged a man and teenage boy following an alleged aggravated carjacking in Shepparton

It is alleged a ride-share driver was in his Nissan vehicle in Northumberland Crescent when a rear male passenger produced a knife, and an unknown male approached the vehicle about 3.20pm on Saturday, September 20.

The pair allegedly threatened the victim before a physical altercation ensued and the two offenders fled in his vehicle. The victim was not seriously injured.

Police later located the pair near the vehicle at the Seymour Railway Station about 4.30pm.

Officers arrested the pair after an alleged short foot pursuit.

A 15-year-old Shepparton boy has been charged with aggravated carjacking, commit indictable offence whilst on bail and post and boast offence.

He was expected to appear at a children’s court at a later date.

An 18-year-old Shepparton man has been charged with aggravated carjacking, commit indictable offence whilst on bail, post and boast offence and unlicensed driving.

He was remanded in custody and was to appear before the Shepparton Magistrates Court.

Birdwoodton death

■ Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding a fatal crash in Birdwoodton on Saturday evenin, September 20

It is believed a motorcycle rider and his pillion passenger were riding south along McEdward St about 7.15pm. A man died at the scene.

A second man sustained life-threatening-injuries and was to be airlifted to Melbourne

The investigation remains ongoing.

Woodend crash

■ Emergency services responded to a crash in Woodend on Saturday morning, September 20.

It is believed a car was travelling on Donalds Rd when it rolled over about 12.30am.

The driver and sole occupant died at the scene. exact circumstances of the crash are being investigated.

Rallying for Mayor

■ Horsham Rural City Council officials and members of the public rallied around Mayor Ian Ross at an emotionally-charged meeting as he publicly disclosed a cancer battle, requiring him to take a leave of absence. Cr Ross announced he would step down as Mayor, with Cr Brian Klowss appointed as Acting Mayor at a special meeting on September 4. Weekly Advertiser

Gippsland works

■ The Federal and State Governments are delivering roaqd works around Lakes Entrance and Kalimna as upgrades to a key intersection along the Princes Hwy get underway. Sections of Kalimna Path will be reconstructed and surfaced, with safety barriers, pedestrian fencing and drainage.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2025

ROADS BLITZ FOR THE BUSH: GOVT

■ The State Government is promising a blitz to repair roads throughout country Victoria.

The Government sayts it is rolling out a major road maintenance blitz to rebuild, repair, and resurface roads right across Victoria – backed by what it claims is the largest singleyear investment in road maintenance in the state’s history.

Melissa Horne, Minister for Roads and Road Safety, launched the Government’s $976 million road maintenance blitz. She was in Kyneton where crews will begin fixing potholes and upgrading road surfaces.

“As part of our Better Roads Blitz, crews will begin delivering hundreds of major maintenance projects between now and mid-2026 on roads – with 70 per cent of all the funding going towards our regional roads,” said a Government representative.

“Over the next nine months, crews will complete thousands of projects on our network, ranging from road rehabilitation and resurfacing, patching potholes and maintaining bridges, installing traffic lights and signage.

“The blitz will target the state’s busiest travel and trade routes, helping to get millions of people and hundreds of thousands of tonnes of freight to and from their destination smoothly.”

Key roads across regional Victoria that will be targeted through this program of works include the Western Highway, Princes Highway East, Princes Highway West, Hume Highway and Calder Highway

The Mornington Peninsula Freeway and the Warburton Highway will also see upgrades.

“All these roads were prioritised based on expert assessments and community feedback, ensuring that upgrades are focused where they’re most needed,” said the representative.

“As well as repairing some of our busiest roads, crews will also mow, slash and spray tens of thousands of kilometres of roadsides, inspect and repair thousands of bridges and other structures.

“They’ll also fix hundreds of sets of traffic lights and electronic signs, clean up graffiti and deliver other maintenance works as needed.

Ms Horne said: “We’re investing nearly a billion dollars to rebuild and repair the roads that Victorians depend on every single day — from the highways connecting our major centres to the local roads that keep our communities moving.”

“The last Liberal National Government cut roads maintenance funding and jobs – we’re getting on and delivering the biggest singleyear investment in road maintenance in Victoria’s history.”

Macedon MLA Mary-Anne Thomas said: “Whether it’s fixing potholes, resurfacing roads or improving safety, this blitz will deliver better and smoother journeys for drivers right across regional Victoria – keeping our communities connected.”

Gisborne move

denied by AFL

■ Gisborne Football Netball Club is canvassing its options after its application to join the Ballarat Football Netball League in 2026 was knocked back by the AFL Victoria Appeal Panel

The Bulldogs were advised on Wednesday (Sep. 24) that their bid to switch leagues had been rejected, in effect, forcing them to remain in the Bendigo League against the wishes of the club’s rank and file.

Acknowledging the outcome, the Ballarat FNL said it remained committed to having Gisborne as part of the competition and that dialogue between the League and the Bulldogs would remain open. Moorabool News

Whiparound Surgeon axed

■ A prominent Border region breast cancer surgeon whose contract has been terminated after 27 years of service says the decision will "punish Albury-Wodonga patients".’

John Stuchbery says he was given three months' notice after he was terminated by the Albury Wodonga Health board Border Mail

Red Hot Summer

■ Paul Kelly, Missy Higgins, the Cruel Sea, the Cat Empire, Kasey Chambers and Jess Hitchcock will perform at the Warrnambool Racecourse on Saturday, January 17. About 7000 people are expected to attend.

Warrnambool Mayor Cr Ben Blain said that to be approached by the festival, spoke to the city’s growing reputation as an events destination, especially following last year’s wildly successful Triple j One Night Stand event.

Warrnambool

Weekly

Pecans take root

■ At Premier Australian Walnuts, Lemi Sherolli is planting a new legacy, one that could change the region’s agricultural landscape for generations.

Lemi made a bold move 16 years ago , replacing much of his tomato crops with walnut trees. Now, Lemi and a team of former horticultural researchers are taking on a new kind of nut: pecans. Shepparton Adviser

Melissa Horne, Roads Minister

7, 8 and 9)

Places To Go

What’s On What’s What’s

Under the radar

■ Aussies are turning their backs on the world’s busiest tourist hotspots in favour of under-the-radar gems. New research from Insure&Go shows 66 per cent of Australians over 50 plan to seek out quieter, lesser-known destinations in the next two years, citing over tourism and soaring costs as the key deterrents. From charming European villages to remote nature escapes, travellers are chasing culture, calm and better value over crowds and queues.

Top End

■ This dry season marks the long-awaited return of Gunlom, one of Kakadu National Park’s most photographed sites, now reopened after a six-year closure. It’s never been a better time for travellers to explore the Top End – where spectacular natural attractions, ancient landscapes and a packed dry season events calendar awaits.

INVERLOCH RESORT EXPANDS

■ RACV has unveiled plans for a multi-million-dollar expansion of its Inverloch Resort, featuring 36 premium rooms that will create 120 jobs during construction and 15 ongoing positions once operational, injecting an estimated $6.5 million annually into the local economy.

The development comes as regional accommodation providers struggle to meet soaring demand, with the popular Bass Coast destination regularly turning away thousands of visitors during peak periods due to capacity constraints.

"This is an investment into Inverloch and Gippsland tourism that RACV is tremendously proud to be a part of," said RACV Executive General Manager Leisure, Craig Peachey

"With regional tourism booming post-pandemic, these new premium rooms will help address a significant market gap while elevating Inverloch's status as a premium destination.

“We’re pleased that the Victorian Government shares our vision for the project, and we’re appreciative of their assistance in making this expansion possible, with RACV a successful recipient of a grant from the Victorian Government’s Regional Tourism Investment Fund.”

The resort currently operates at almost full occupancy during peak periods and is fully booked months in advance, forcing many potential visitors to seek alternatives outside the region. This expansion will enable the facility to welcome up to 20,000 additional guests annually.

“Our nine RACV Resorts across Victoria, Queensland and Tasmania have something for every traveller – from dramatic coastal scenery like you’ll find at RACV Inverloch Resort – to rich bushland or a bustling city break and we’re delighted to be able to continue to invest in our accommodation options for our RACV members and guests.”

Architectural renders showcase the striking two-level wing that will feature floor-to-ceiling windows capturing panoramic views across Andersons Inlet. The bold design by acclaimed firm GHD blends seamlessly with the coastal landscape using

● RACV has announced a multi-million-dollar expansion of its Inverloch Resort. sustainable materials and native vegetation. The expansion will specifically target three underserved market segments:

The conference and events sector, with new capacity for larger events and conferences.

■ Travellers seeking premium coastal accommodations; and

■ Family groups requiring flexible room configurations.

Located on Bunurong land just 90 minutes from Melbourne, the expanded resort will serve as a gateway to Victoria's emerging coastal experiences, including the recently established Yallock-Bullock Coastal Park and Bunurong Marine Park

The 4.5-star RACV Inverloch Resort currently hosts 55,000 visitors annually and offers diverse accommodation options, the acclaimed Radius Restaurant showcasing local produce, and conference spaces. The resort plays a pivotal role in regional tourism infrastructure and actively supports local producers, artists, and community initiatives.

The new wing expected to welcome its first guests by December 2026.

What’s

Campfire rules

■ The Conservation Regulator Victoria, CFA, Parks Victoria , and Forest Fire Management Victoria are reminding campers about the importance of knowing the rules around campfire safety to protect the environment from the dangers of an escaped campfire. Many people try to put out campfires incorrectly with soil, or not enough water to extinguish them completely. Fires that haven’t been properly extinguished can smoulder under soil for days and reignite in the right conditions.

Humpbacks

■ It’s peak season to swim with humpback whales on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland. Share the waters with these majestic creatures in their natural environment with Australia's first humpback whale swimming experience. The three-hour boat expedition is run out of Mooloolaba.

Wander through many beautiful gardens across the rolling hills of Baw Baw Shire. Gardivalia Festival of Gardens" will open on Saturday and Sunday, October 25 and 26.

From Warragul, Drouin and Darnum across to Trafalgar. At Willow Grove and Hill End up to Piedmont and Icy Creek. Neerim, Jindivick and Nilma North. Many gardens to enjoy, blooming backyards, hidden green gems and floral masterpieces waiting to be explored throughout Gippsland.

Prices range from free to $10 per adult, cash required for most gardens. Visit www.gardivalia.com.au. Email info@gardivalia.com.au or contact Maree on 0403 449 179 for more detail.

Local Theatre Observations

■ Frankston Theatre Group: Emma (by Jane Austen, adapted by Michael Bloom) Until October 5 at Frankston High School Performing Arts Theatre, 97 Foot Street, Frankston. Director: Candice Mitrousis. Bookings: frankstontheatregroup.com.au

Entertainment

TRIAL BY JURY Shows

■ The Basin Theatre Group: Dead Man’s Cell Phone (Sarah Ruhl) October 2 – 12 at The Basin Theatre, Doongalla Rd., The Basin. Director: John Putman. Bookings: 0494 065 006.

■ The 1812 Theatre: Speaking in Tongues (by Andrew Bovell) October 2 – 25 at 3 Rose St., Upper Ferntree Gully. Director: Dexter Bourke. Bookings: 1812theatre.com.au

■ CLOC Musical Theatre: Juliet. October 10 – 25 at the National Theatre, St Kilda. Director: Karl McNamara; Musical Director: Dan Heskett; Choreographer: Felicity Bender. Bookings: cloc.org.au

■ Babirra Music Theatre: Grease October 10-18 at The Round, Whitehorse Rd., Nunawading. Bookings: theround.com.au/ whats-on/grease-babirra

■ Altona City Theatre: Urinetown October 10 – 18 at Altona Theatre, Civic Pde., Altona; Director: Dean Mitchelmore; Musical Director: Oscar Wilson; Choreographer: Chloe Carroll. Bookings: altonacitytheatre.com.au

Encore Theatre: The Revlon Girl (by Anthony Docking) October 10 – 19 at the Clayton Community Centre, Cooke St., Clayton. Director: David Krause. Bookings: encoretheatre.com.au

■ Ballarat National Theatre: God of Carnage (by Yasmina Reza) October 16 – 19 at the Ballarat Mechanics’ Institute, 117-119 Sturt St., Ballarat Central. Director: Ruby Abbott. Bookings: bnt.org.au

■ Warragul Theatre Company: The Game’s Afoot (by Ken Ludwig) October 16 – 19 at the West Gippsland Arts Centre, 1 Civic Place, Warragul. Director: Justin Stephens. Bookings: Coming soon.

■ CPP Community Theatre: Urinetown October 17 – 24 at the Rowville Performing Arts Centre, Humphreys Way, Rowville. Director: Mitchell E Roberts; Vocal Musical Director: Brodie Sainsbury-King; Orchestral Musical Director: Scott Huddleston; Choreographer: Molly Daley. Bookings: Trybooking.

■ Moonlite Theatre: Rope (by Patrick Hamilton) October 17 – 25 at Holy Trinity Anglican Church Hall, 19 Gisborne Rd., Baccus Marsh. Director: Shannon Nicholson. Bookings: trybooking.com/ DBPIV

■ Bairnsdale Production Line Theatre Co.: The Heartbreak Choir (by Aidan Fennessy) October 17 – 26 at the Forge Theatre and Arts Hunb, 80 McKean St., Bairnsdale. Director: Susan Gibson. Bookings: eastgippsland.vic.gov.au/leisure/whats-onand-buy-tickets

■ Torquay Theatre Troupe Inc: Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike (by Christopher Durang) October 23 – November 1 at Shoestring Playhouse @ The MAC, 77 Beach Rd., Torquay; Director: Zina Carman. Bookings: Trybookng.com.au

■ PEP Productions: Love, Loss and What I Wore (by Nora Ephron and Delia Ephron, based on the book by Illene Beckerman) October 24 – November 1 at The Doncaster Playhouse, 679 Doncaster Rd., Doncaster. Director: Jennifer Pacey. Trybooking.

■ Malvern Theatre Company: Perfect Wedding (by Robin Hawdon) October 24 – November 8 at Malvern Theatre, 29 Burke Rd., Malvern East. Director: Pip Le Blond. Bookings: 300 131 552, or online via our website: malverntheatre.com.au/book-tickets

■ Peridot Theatre Company: Talking Heads (by Alan Bennett) November 13 – 23 at the South Oakleigh Bowling Club, 1216 North Rd., Oakleigh South. Directors: Bob Bramble, Steven McPhail, and Eleni Rogers. 1 Playwright, 3 Monologues, 3 Actors, 3 Directors. Bookings: peridot.sale. cketsearch.com/.../salesevent/153493.

■ Strathmore Theatrical Arts Group (STAG): The Beauty Queen of Leenane (by Martin McDonagh) November 13 – 22 at the Strathmore Community Theatre, Loeman St., Strathmore. Director: Matthew Freeman. Bookings: stagtheatre.org Cheryl Threadgold

■ Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Victoria celebrates their 90 years of entertainment and 150 years of Trial by Jury with their special season of Jubilee, featuring Trial by Jury, being presented at the Athenaeum Theatre , Collins St, rom October 17-19.

TrialByJuryis described as “probably the most successful British one-act operetta of all time” (Kurt-Friedrich Gänzl), which starts with a breach of promise of marriage and becomes a frothy courtroom comedy.

Under the creative direction of Diana Burleigh and musical direction by Timothy John Wilson, Jubileewill be represented with an historical and musical recreation of Gilbert and Sullivan productions in Victoria with particular emphasis on the 90 years of the Society, showcasing the company's performers old and new, with full chorus and orchestra.

Performance Season: Fri. Oct. 17 and Sat. Oct. 18 at 7.30pm, Sat. Oct. 18 and Sun. Oct. 19 at 2pm

Venue: Athenaeum Theatre 2, 188 Collins St, Melbourne

Bookings: trybooking.com/CWRSY or Tickets@gsov.org.au

Seating and Access: The venue is upstairs. Patrons can access a small lift. The lift is large enough for manual wheelchairs and mobility devices only. Please advise any access needs when booking. Seating is unallocated. Seating will be reserved on the day by volunteer ushers for patrons with access needs, and subscribers.

Enquiries re the venue and access services: 96501500 or write to boxoffice@ athenaeumtheatre.com.au

Cheryl Threadgold

Blanc de Blanc

■ Brunswick-based company Strut and Fret present Blanc de Blanc Encore for a threemonth season from October 29 to February 1, 2026 at the new two-level entertainment precinct Spiegel Haus , 217 Lonsdale St, Melbourne.

Blanc de Blanc Encore is billed as 'a fivestar, champagne-soaked spectacle overflowing with vintage French glamour, world class circus, lavish costumes, music, outrageous comedy, cheeky burlesque and edge-of-your seat entertainment.'

An adults-only spectacle, this show will be presented in the Spiegel Haus Melbourne'think velvet, mirrors and bubbles everywhere.'

The international cast for the Melbourne season includes: Canadian circus artist Felix Pouliot, a graduate of the renowned Circus School of Quebec, Australian dancer Melanie Hawkins, Ukrainian performer and choreographer Mykhailo Makarovoak, who was a finalist on Ukraine’s Got Talent in 2022, and performed at last year’s Olympic Games in Paris with his extraordinary skills in hip hop, popping and ‘bone breaking’; UK aerialist Danielle Summers, who is celebrated for her unique

Auditions

■ The 1812 Theatre: Summer of the Aliens (by Louis Nowra) October 4 at 2pm; October 6 at 7pm at 3 Rose St., Upper Ferntree Gully. Director: Liam Mitchinson. Audition bookings: mr_mitchinson@hotmail.com or 0455 078 143

■ Malvern Theatre Company: The Tin Woman (by Sean Grennan) October 5 and October 6 at 7.30pm at 29 Burke Rd., Malvern. Director: Brett Turner-Valenta. Audition enquiries: bturnsta63@gmail.com

■ Lilydale Athenaeum Theatre Company: The Game’s Afoot or Holmes for the Holidays (by Ken Ludwig) October 4 at 2pm and October 7 at 7pm at Lilydale Theatre, Castella St., Lilydale. Director: Lucia Morris. Audition bookings: 0419 585 720 or lucia.morris1@outlook.com

■ Mordialloc Theatre Company: The Great Divide (by David Williamson) October 19 at 2pm; October 20 at 7.30pm at Unit 8, 417419 Warrigal Rd, Cheltenham. Director: Damian Jones. Audition bookings: mordialloctheatre.com.au/auditions-thegreat-divide/

■ The 1812 Theatre: Clue on Stage (adapted from the Paramount Pictures film by Jonathan Lynn and the board game from Hasbro, Inc.) October 26 at 7pm, October 27 at 6.30pm at 3 Rose St., Upper Ferntree Gully. Director: Amy Calvert. Audition bookings: outlook.office.com/book/ AuditionBookings@theatreperson.com

Cheryl Threadgold

blend of elegance, power, and passion.

Performance Season: October 29 - February 1.

Wed., Thurs. 7pm, Fri./ 6pm and 8.45pm, Sat/ 4.30pm and 7.30pm, Sun 6pm

Tickets: From $69 + BF Bookings: spiegelhausmelb.com

Cheryl Threadgold

Colour and Light

■ In what was a wonderful evening’s celebration of the work of renowned American composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim,Colour andLight:TheArtofSondheim met with a well-deserved rapturous reception on its opening night at Theatre Works

Set in a sumptuous recreation of a cabaret venue circa Berlin of the decadent inter-war years, the revue was divided into two acts covering five different themes - order, design, tension, balance and harmony.

With a single piano for accompaniment played by Trevor Jones, a series of songs were performed by two female singers, Vidya Makan and Johanna Allen, and two males, Nick Simpson-Deeks and Jacob Rozario

The songs, taken from a selection of Sondheim’s shows, were a mix of solos, duets and numbers when all four or five performers sang.

Produced by Watch This, Australia’s only Sondheim repertory company, this was a professional and polished show. The directing team consisted of co-artistic directors Melanie Hillman and Dean Drieberg with Trevor Jones as musical director and arranger.

The wealth and depth of their experience was clearly evident in the way the show was put together and realized. What was also evident, through the first-rate quality of the show, was their deep love of and respect for Sondheim and his work.

Their inspired direction was equally matched by the marvellous singing talents of Makan, Allen, Simpson-Deeks and Rozario (with Jones also singing occasionally).

These consummate professionals delighted the audience with their flair and technique when performing some of Sondheim’s most celebrated numbers and, interestingly, some of his lesser-known yet equally beautiful songs. Things were by no means flawless: the interpretation of a song might be overly sentimental or voices could strain when blasting out a showstopper of a tune.

However, such slight imperfections were rare. More importantly, what stays in the memory is how much ColourandLightwas a magnificent paean to Sondheim’s genius, gifting its audience an evening to treasure. Review by Peter Murphy

Last Night of Proms

■

● ●

●

●

Phillipa

Edwards

The Last Night of the Proms are a famous British musical institution, but we have our own Australian version happening in Melbourne soon.

Skunkworks Community, along with the City of Boroondara, are presenting Last NightoftheProms– a celebration of community music, on Saturday October 11 at Hawthorn Arts Centre, with around 140 musicans performing.

The concert will feature the national champion Hawthorn Pipe Band, Camberwell Chorale and Glenferrie Brass

Phillipa Edwards, musical director of Glenferrie Brass, says the concert will feature orchestra favourites as well as spinetingling massed voices and pipes.

She promises that the concert will fill the Hawthorn Arts Centre with colour, joy and community pride.

“This is more than just a concert – it’s a celebration of what happens when diverse musical traditions come together, and it’s our way of uniting the community through the shared joy of performance,” Phillipa explains.

There will be sing-along favourites, stirring national songs and some Scottish flair, all culminating in the traditions Proms finale.

LastNightofthePromskicks off at 7.30pm on Saturday October 11 at Hawthorn Arts Centre, 360 Burwood Rd, Hawthorn.Book tickets at the Hawthorn Arts Centre Box office or by going online to Boroondara.vic.gov.au/events/skunkworkscommunity-present-last-night-proms It promises to be the ultimate in a feelgood musical night for musicians and audience alike.

Julie Houghton

Loud Jazz Will Fix Me

■ Melbourne -based performer Dylan McBurney presents his show LoudJazzWill Fix Me for the Melbourne Fringe Festival from October 3-5 at the Festival Hub, Trades Hall in the Music Room

The show is created and performed by Dylan under the direction of Carly Rose Watson, with music composed by Cassie Hamilton.

A self-described workaholic, Dylan McBurney believes that when things get to be too much, jazz music cures the burnout 'like a band-aid on a broken bone.'

Dylan explains that Loud Jazz Will Fix Me is a 'boldly honest hour that explores the private corners of chronic pain that aren't often spoken about.'

The show is described as; “A high-energy romp filled with contagious queer, trans and disabled joy. This show is a balm for those who don't quite understand how everyone else gets through life.”

Performance Season: October 3, 4 at 7pm; October 5 at 6pm

Venue: Festival Hub, Trades Hall - Music Room, Carlton Bookings: melbournefringe.com.au

Wheelchair accessible. Mask encouraged. Cheryl Threadgold

● ● Jubilee creative director Diana Burleigh.

McBurney

● ● Vidya Makan (centre) with Nick Simpson-Deeks and Jacob Rozario and Trevor Jones on piano. Photo: Ben Fon

Today’s Menu

Charcuterie Boards:

Tapas Bar Home-Made Desserts

Great Range of Cocktails and Mocktails Available.

Teas and Coffees

Don’t forget our Famous Devonshire Tea

Melbourne Observer Melbourne Observer

CATO THE WISE

Maxwell

★Melbourne's Christmas Wonderland will be at Caulfield Racecourse from November 28 to December 24

★Trans Month 2025 is a state wide celebration of joy, community and visibility taking place this November. The program features 15 community-led events including the Gender Revel Gala, The Great Trans Cake-Off, Trans Awareness Week, and Trans Day of Remembrance

★School holiday activities include From How to Train Your Dragon Viking adventures at Melbourne Zoo to celebrating Threatened Species Month at Healesville Sanctuary.

★Ilbijerri Theatre Company has welcomed Andrea James as new Artistic Director and coCEO.

★A media call for A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical will be held at the Princess Theatre tomorrow morning (Thurs.).

★Victorian Ahan Khiani has won a Solve Tomorrow award for developing an app using AI to connect adults with local sports teams and games.

★Cellist Clarice Jensen is releasing a new album, In Holiday Clothing.

Rourke’s Reviews Entertainment

Draw Two

■ While admirably bold in its ambition, Draw Two at Theatre Works’ Explosives Factory only sometimes achieved that ambition, despite a strong performance from Georgia McGinness in this one-woman show about the loss of a life and its aftermath.

Set in an unspecified rural hometown, a young woman, Riley , struggles to come to terms with the recent death of her identical twin sister while life, meanwhile, goes on as she navigates various family and love relationships, past and present.

Written by Meg McDonald, the play had moments of genuine insight into Riley’s plight where the writing was, in turns, poignant and humorous even if occasionally cliched.

A Big Bold Beautiful Journey

■ (M). 109 minutes. Now showing in cinemas.

A mixture of romance and fantasy that doesn’t always work, this at-times odd film is generally entertaining, thanks to the director’s measured approach, beautiful production values, and most importantly, two leads who have terrific charisma and presence.

★Commercial Radio Australia has permanently cancelled the Australian Commercial Radio Awards.

★Nine Entertainment Co. says that Catherine West will retire as Chair and non-executive director at the conclusion of the company’s 2025 Annual General Meeting on November 7. Peter Tonagh, who joined the Nine board in January as an independent non-executive director, will assume the role of chair following the AGM.

★Free as a Bird Fiesta & Friends - A Celebration of Birds, Art and Community will be held at Bridgeward Grove Olives & Art, Goornong, from 12 Noon-4pm on Sunday, October 26.

★Byrdi bar from Melbourne has ranked No.91 in The World's 50 Best Bars extended list.

★An all-new theatrical experi ence will premiere for the first time in Melbourne, from Saturday (Oct. 4). The premiere of Oz: The Cirque Experience will be at Alex Theatre, St Kilda

★Euphoric, a bold and modern variety show, is returning to Pakenham on Saturday, October 18, at the Cardinia Cultural Centre.

However, the plethora of characters used to tell Riley’s story, plus having the main character comment on the action of the play, meant that the storyline was cluttered.

At times the constant shifting between characters and perspectives distracted from the central story. The script brought to mind the old adage that less is more.

Still, all credit to McGinness’s performance as Riley which was nothing short of heroic. To play multiple roles and switch between them without losing the audience was a big ask of an actor, one which McGinness met with skill and grace.

And even though, at times, the delineation of character was done in too stereotypical a way, the shorthand used seemed necessary given the task facing the performer.

Of course, helping shape the show and portrayal of characters was the director Lauren Bennett

She wisely kept the pace of the production moving along nicely, though not at the expense of finding moments of stillness when required.

There was also a nice touch in the use made of projected animations, designed by the show’s visual art designer Lauren Goodfellow, which enhanced the mood of a scene.

Generally speaking then Draw Two was an ambitious work which, while certainly commendable, led to some disappointment when its aspirations failed to be fully realised.

Review by Peter Murphy

Colour and Light: The Art of Sondheim

■ The congruence of creativity, artistry and musicianship were at the fore during the retrospective of Sondheim’s work in ColourandLight

Sondheim’s songs were composed with not only wit and character but with depth and feeling. This allows artists to interpret and create a portrait of believable people that laughed, suffered and were unashamedly real.

Vidya Makan, Nick Simpson-Deeks, Johanna Allen and Jacob Rozario realised this potential in their performances, delighting in the opportunity to play, cry, suffer and revel in the quirks, contradictions and foibles of the personalities they portrayed.

Musical director and pianist Trevor Jones gave form and shape to the evening with his compilation and arrangements adding his own vocal touch when required.

But from the very beginning the musicianship of the company was evident, their harmonies galvanising and setting up an expectation for what was to come.

The raffish salon setting (Rob Sowinski) of lamps, curtains, rostrum, chaise lounge, with a grand piano centre stage, provided the perfect cabaret feel lit (Jacques Cooney Adlard) deliberately through haze to strike the right chord for solos, duets trios and quartets.

The direction by Melanie Hillman and Dean Drieberg capitalized on the levels provided, making maximum use of the space with the cast from one song gliding into the next number subtly and gracefully.

An equitable balance between piano and singers was maintained by sound engineer Tomas Strode , though the projection and diction of his charges were never in question.

In an age of artificial intelligence, this cabaret highlighted the very creative human capacity for interpretation, interaction and ingenuity that is inspiring and uplifting.

Sondheim’s works are not static but allow perform-

ers to add their own unique perspective and understanding.

The collaboration between musical director, performer and crew speak to an alliance of minds working with a common focus that make entertainment the most rewarding and irreplicable of human endeavours.

Review by David McLean

Colin Farrell stars as David , someone who feels content being single, despite his father saying otherwise.

Ready to travel to the wedding of a friend, David finds his car clamped, but conveniently sees an advertisement for a car rental agency on a nearby wall.

Things seem unusual when David arrives at the agency, run by a very strange duo (Kevin Kline and Phoebe Waller-Bridge), who appear to know a little too much about their potential client.

David still rents a car from them, equipped with a HAL-9000 style GPS device, which seems to be able to verbally interact with its driver.

At the wedding, David meets Sarah (Margot Robbie), also comfortably single, and has gone through the same car troubles as David. Soon after, the two are travelling together, guided by David’s sentient GPS device, entering through mysterious doors found at different locations, taking David and Sarah to important moments in their pasts, which have had a major impact on their outlook on life and love.

The script by Seth Reiss (who penned the disappointing The Menu), a mix of L.A.Story(1991) and ALifeLessOrdinary (1998), is never fully successful at entwining its various elements, but the premise is delicately handled by Kogonada (who made the terrific AfterYang and Columbus), who presents the scenario in gorgeous fashion.

Farrell and Robbie are great, lifting the uneven material to a level where the audience can become involved.

Though not a total triumph, A BigBoldBeautifulJourneyis fun and entertaining, and is worth taking the trip.

RATING - ***½

The Lost Bus

■ (M). 130 minutes. Available on Apple TV+ Oct 3.

Getting behind the camera again after a five year hiatus (the muted but still underrated drama NewsOfTheWorld in 2020), Paul Greengrass delivers a high octane, frequently immersive (if a bit overlong) true life story that only falters when the writers decide to deliver the emotions in an obvious, cliched manner.

Set in the town of Paradise, Northern California during a particularly punishing drought in November 2018, the story centres on school bus driver Kevin (Matthew McConaughey), who himself is going through a punishing time in his life.

Kevin’s marriage is over; his teenage son Shaun (McConaughey’s real life son, Levi) hates him; his mother Sherry (Kay McCabe McConaughey) is showing signs of dementia, and he has

just received news that his dog has incurable cancer, and needs to be put down.

Needing extra money to survive, Kevin is always asking his dispatcher Ruby (Ashlie Atkinson) for more hours.

One morning, power lines are knocked down by strong winds, setting fire to the grassland area. Due to the weather conditions, the fire spreads incredibly quickly, and before authorities know it, has put several communities and towns in danger.

Ruby puts out a call that 23 young school children need to be evacuated to another safe site, and Kevin answers, as he is the only one who has an empty bus and can get there quick.

Once there, he meets teacher Mary Ludwig (America Ferrera), who ends up having to get on the bus with the children, as Kevin needs all the help he can get.

From then on, it is a wild ride for Kevin and his passengers, as they not only have to evade the massive blaze that surrounds them, but also terrified residents trying to escape.

Greengrass and his technical team make the whole endeavour look amazingly convincing, not an easy thing to do when it comes to presenting fire onscreen.

The combination of stunt work and effects is seamless. The filmmaker’s typical use of close-up, documentary like aesthetics pays major dividends, and the close quarters vehicle set up does remind one of his best film, United 93(2006).

There are plenty of scenes filled with tension and suspense. Everything is so well done that the moments during most of the first act, plus conversations between Kevin and Mary later on, feel clunky and artificial.

These aspects reminded me of Ridley Scott’s BlackHawkDown (2001), another truly immersive true life story hampered by cliched characters and dialogue.

The acting is strong, including Yul Vazquez, a Battalion Chief who was actually there when the fire happened.

The two leads make sure we are fully engaged with their plight. The Lost Bus is compelling and exciting, and fully places viewers in the middle of a truly horrifying event, and should keep viewers on the edge of their seats for what turned out to be an unforgettable bus ride.

Newton

In Memory of

● Vidya Makan and Johanna Allen in Colour and Light: the Art of Sondheim. Photo: Ben Fon

Across Observer

2. Ousting

7. Unwell pupils' room

11. Mauls

17. Highest point

18. Brief sleep

19. Also known as (1,1,1)

20. Garbed

21. Miserliness

22. Bawdiness

23. Cornered (the market)

26. Sugar root

28. Lens for one eye

29. Underhand avoidance

31. Robust

34. Dangerous beach current

36. Gravy

39. Engine

41. Suspicious prowler

43. Ahead

46. Safe harbour

47. Goodbye, au ...

49. Close

51. Anxiety disorder

52. Show on screen

53. Extremely warm (3-3)

54. Plummeted

55. Fathers

56. Opposed

61. Affluence

64. Brass metal

65. Heavens

66. Unprecedented (7-2)

67. Cancelled

69. Largest mammal

71. Recommend

74. Triumph

76. Attacks

78. Persona ... grata

79. Melodic

81. Total

83. Underground molten rock

84. Cries in pain

86. Pass in traffic

89. Petticoat fabric

90. Repulsiveness

93. Native plants

94. Laze (about)

97. Waver (on edge)

100. Garret

101. Cote d'Azure region

103. Flightless birds

106. 20s/30s furnishing style (3,4)

108. Poison

109. Unroll (flag)

110. Dairy food

111. Telltale

112. Witchcraft

113. Orange skin

115. Car's registration sign

118. Media boss James's famous dad (5,6)

121. Highlander

124. Ticks over

128. In what place?

129. Distance runner

130. Stamp collector

134. From Dublin

135. Glue

136. Hide (booty)

Melbourne Observer Melbourne Observer

Across Down Down

137. Drummer, ... Starr

138. Bury (corpse)

139. Legitimate

140. Perilously

143. Requirements

144. Maritime

147. Malaysia's ... Lumpur

150. Urged on, ... up

151. Balanced (design)

155. Chill

157. And

158. Endangered atmosphere layer

159. Up until now (2,3)

162. Opts

164. Pierce with lance

167. Decants

168. Rust

169. Nashville is there

172. Got away

173. Watery snow

174. Preoccupy

177. Grating

180. Cattle farm

181. Dress's plunging ...

183. Artist, Pablo ...

184. Supplementing (5,3)

186. Relative amounts

187. Sports-jacket cloth

188. Biro

191. Hazy

195. Wooden pin

197. Regular

198. Openly

200. Fluctuates

202. Elk

203. Cat's foot

205. Astronomer's instrument

206. Frequently (poetic)

208. Price

209. Obscene

212. American Indian tribe

215. Wildebeests

217. Alaskan river

220. Rumpled (bed)

222. Preface

224. Peace

226. Summerhouse

228. Relay (4,2)

229. Snoops

230. Prepared meal

232. Contagious outbreak

235. Loops

236. Thieve

238. French holiday, ... Day

241. Team

242. Hoarse-sounding

243. Neat

244. Colours (hair)

246. Besieged

252. India's capital (3,5)

253. Skin disease

254. Mongolian desert

255. Artificial fertilisation (1,1,1)

256. Filled pastry

257. Stones singer, ... Jagger

258. Ratified

259. Learner

260. Travellers

1. Business sense

2. Downgrade

3. MP's electorate

4. Property holders

5. Uncertain

6. Garden statuettes

7. Bridge length

8. Bivouac

9. Howl like infant

10. Jabbers

11. More furious

12. Tells (story)

13. Layered ice cream

14. Public swimming pool

15. Reaping blade

16. Trinket

24. Exotic flower

25. Pressed clothes

26. Destroys with fire (5,4)

27. Post-Victorian (era)

28. Cow call

30. And not

32. Joints inflammation

33. Sexual excitement

35. Tease

37. Absent without leave

38. Simplicity

39. Dazzling (rise to fame)

40. Begin shooting, ... fire

42. Golf driving area

44. Colony insects

45. Coercion

47. Murderer, Jack the ...

48. Schnitzel meat

50. Sarah, Duchess of ...

53. Coral bar

57. Reader's complaint (3-6)

58. Indian PM, ... Gandhi

59. Enlivens

60. Kindred spirit (4,4)

62. Tooth coating

63. Row of columns

65. Gender

68. Cook in oil

70. Spirited (3-7)

72. Juliet's partner

73. Encourage (3,2)

74. Crockery item

75. Follow next

77. Copier

80. Violate (law)

82. Appalling

85. Amaze

87. Egotistical

88. Ku Klux ...

91. Fiesta, Mardi ...

92. Body pouches

95. Seize (power)

96. Biblical giant

98. Ushers

99. Minute

102. Automatically approved (6-7)

104. Duration

105. Mediocre journalist

107. Ultra-conservatives

113. Just defeating, ... at the post

114. Hard to pin down

116. Unfortunate

117. Reapply lacquer

119. Hocking

120. Distinguished

122. Pivotal

123. Anti-riot vapour (4,3)

125. Fragrance

126. Less frequent

127. Office circulars

128. Beat (cream)

130. Postgraduate degree (2,1)

131. Tavern

132. ... & outs

133. Attempt

141. Waylays

142. Haughtier

145. Passenger jets

146. Next (to)

148. Very topical (2-2-4)

149. Greases

152. Display frames

153. Pork chop cut

154. Woodwork joint

155. Agents

156. Drive forward

160. By heart, by ...

161. Lost composure (5,4)

163. Writer, ... Uris

165. Welsh emblem

166. Parasites (7-2)

167. Lima is there

170. Supports (cause)

171. Self-indulgent exercises (3,5)

175. Army cap

176. Way in

178. Notions

179. Narrow shelf

182. Hinder

185. Earth's glacial period (3,3)

188. Makes holes in

189. Baby's carer

190. Snow-covered peak

192. Game, Chinese ...

193. Fences in

194. Greenwich Mean Time (1,1,1)

195. Penetratingly

196. Precious rocks

199. Beatle, John ...

201. Of another culture

204. Assistant

207. ... shui

210. Indifference

211. Bottle tops

213. Spinning toy (2-2)

214. Nasal haemorrhages

216. London nightspot

217. Upwardly mobile young person

218. Snuggle

219. Plant, aloe ...

221. Female deer

223. Bucharest native

225. Walking unsteadily

227. Perform

228. Mine shaft

231. Night & ...

233. Handgun

234. Bowling great, ... Lillee

235. Genetic mix

237. Submits (application)

239. Local expressions

240. Inheritance

245. Cob or pen

247. Hit (ball) high

248. Your school, ... mater

249. On top of

250. Ready for picking

251. Nip

Crossroads

By Rob Foenander info@robfomusic.com.au

Keith at Belgrave

■ Founding member of The Seekers, Keith Potger, will present his CelebratingThe Seekers 60 Years Show at the Upwey Belgrave RSL on Saturday, October 18.

Keith's solo tribute to the group he helped to form back in 1962 covers the songs, the stories and the influences that shaped The Seekers in their rise to international fame.

Tickets at trybooking.com

New for Brendan

■ TurnUpTheRadiois the recent album release for singer-songwriter Brendan McMahon.

“I released my first album back in 2015 and now jump forward 10 years and I've released my eighth,” Brendan says. It's been a busy time for the multi award winner.

Minor Gold

■ Casey Radio Storytellerswill feature Minor Gold , an award-winning duo led by ARIA-nominated songwriters Tracy McNeil and Dan Parsons

Known for their captivating live performances and powerful harmonies, creating a fully realised sound with only two voices and two guitars, Minor Gold blends sundappled folk-rock that float you down desert highways and through coastal canyons, says their media release.

Sunday, November 9 at Cranbourne Bowls Club, commencing 2pm. Tickets at trybooking.com Rob Foenander

Melbourne Observer Melbourne Observer

Bubbly Lucy will entertain on NYE

■ With her radiant voice, sparkling personality and unmistakable charm, Lucy Durack has become one of Australia’s most adored stars of stage and screen.

From her breakout role as Glinda the Good Witch in Wicked to acclaimed performances in Legally Blonde: The Musical, The Wizard of Oz and beyond, Lucy has delighted audiences with her warmth, humour and extraordinary talent.

2025 has been a landmark year for Lucy. She was awarded the Crown Perth Arts & Culture Award at the 2025 Western Australian of the Year Awards in recognition of her outstanding contributions to Australian entertainment.

She is also developing a new television series and is co-founder of wellness app, Hey Lemonade

For the Australian Pops Orchestra, Lucy brings an irresistible mix of glamour and joy to the stage.

Her performance atthe 2021 New Year’s Eve Gala Concerts was a real highlight, with audiences enchanted not only by her golden voice but also by her infectious sense of fun.

Conductor John Foreman shares: “Lucy is a dream to work with — she lights up the stage the moment she walks on.

“Her voice is stunning, but it’s her warmth and humour that make audiences instantly fall in love with her.

“I’m so thrilled that she is back with us for this year’s New Year’s Eve & The Day Before Gala Concerts and I can’t wait to hear her

Crossword Solution No 27

singing with the brilliant Simon Gleeson and the always wonderful Marina Prior.”

This December, Lucy Durack joins the Australian Pops Orchestra for an unforgettable New Year’s Eve at Melbourne Recital Centre Alongside a star-studded lineup, she’ll bring her signature sparkle to a night of glorious music, celebration and tradition.

Showbiz Briefs

■ Visitors to Fed Square on Thursday, October 9, will be transported back in time to the heyday of vintage 80s and 90s games culture as the area is transforms into a wonderland of games-themed fantasy and play ,as part of Big GamesNightOut.

■ After nearly two decades of running the Banff Mountain Film Festival in Australia, Jemima Robinson has launched the Adventure Reels Film Tour — a highenergy, 100 per cent Australianowned film festival created for local adventurers.

■ Polio Australia will hold an Information Session at Melton Seniors Community and Learning Centre from 9.30am-11.30pm today (Wed., Oct. 1). A session will be held 10am-1pm tomorow (Thurs., Oct. 2) at The Horticulture Centre, Forest Hill.

■ Angela Librandi, Jerson Trinidad, and Rebecca Mendoza wi.ll perform InTheKeyOfSoul at Brighton on Saturday, Oct. 11.

● ● ● ● Lucy Durack

LOCAL CRICKET 2025-26 SEASON TO START

Amateurs

■ Men’s Premier Firsts. Saturday, October 4. One Day. St Kilda 1st XI v Prahran 1st XI. Northcote 1st XI v Carlton 1st XI.

Camberwell Magpies 1st XI v Melbourne University 1st XI. Greenvale Kangaroos 1st XI v Richmond 1st XI. Fitzroy Doncaster 1st XI v Dandenong 1st XI. Melbourne 1st XI v Essendon 1st XI. Geelong 1st XI v Ringwood 1st XI. Kingston Hawthorn 1st XI v Footscray 1st XI. Frankston Peninsula 1st XI v Casey South Melbourne 1st XI.

Men’s Premier Seconds. Saturday, October 4. One Day. Prahran 2nd XI v St Kilda 2nd XI. Carlton 2nd XI v Northcote 2nd XI. Melbourne University 2nd XI v Camberwell Magpies 2nd XI. Richmond 2nd XI v Greenvale Kangaroos 2nd XI. Dandenong 2nd XI v Fitzroy Doncaster 2nd XI. Essendon 2nd XI v Melbourne 2nd XI. Ringwood 2nd XI v Geelong 2nd XI. Footscray 2nd XI v Kingston Hawthorn 2nd XI. Casey South Melbourne 2nd XI v Frankston Peninsula 2nd XI.

Men’s Premier Thirds. Saturday, October 4. One Day. St Kilda 3rd XI v Prahran 3rd XI. Northcote 3rd XI v Carlton 3rd XI. Camberwell Magpies 3rd XI v Melbourne University 3rd XI. Greenvale Kangaroos 3rd XI v Richmond 3rd XI. Fitzroy Doncaster 3rd XI v Dandenong 3rd XI. Melbourne 3rd XI v Essendon 3rd XI. Geelong 3rd XI v Ringwood 3rd XI. Kingston Hawthorn 3rd XI v Footscray 3rd XI. Frankston Peninsula 3rd XI v Casey South Melbourne 3rd XI.

Men’s Premier Fourths. Saturday, October 4. One Day. Prahran 4th XI v St Kilda 4th XI. Carlton 4th XI v Northcote 4th XI. Melbourne University 4th XI v Camberwell Magpies 4th XI. Greenvale Kangaroos 4th XI v Richmond 4th XI. Dandenong 4th XI v Fitzroy Doncaster 4th XI. Essendon 4th XI v Melbourne 4th XI. Ringwood 4th XI v Geelong 4th XI. Footscray 4th XI v Kingston Hawthorn 4th XI. Casey South Melbourne 4th XI v Frankston Peninsula 4th XI.

Sub-District

■ East-West. 1st XI. Saturdays, October 4 and 11. Two Days. Balwyn 1st XI v Noble Park 1st XI. Donvale 1st XI v Taylors Lakes 1st XI. Endeavour Hills 1st XI v Altona 1st XI. Mt Waverley 1st XI v Box Hill 1st XI. Hoppers Crossing 1st XI v Yarraville 1st XI. Spotswood 1st XI v Croydon 1st XI. Werribee 1st XI v Melton 1st XI. Williamstown 1st XI v Bayswater 1st XI. East-West. 2nd XI. Saturdays, October 4 and 11. Two Days. Noble Park 2nd XI v Balwyn 2nd XI. Taylors Lakes 2nd XI v Donvale 2nd XI. Altona 2nd XI v Endeavour Hills 2nd XI. Box Hill 2nd XI v Mt Waverley 2nd XI. Yarraville 2nd XI v Hoppers Crossing 2nd XI. Croydon 2nd XI v Spotswood 2nd XI. Melton 2nd XI v erribee 2nd XI. Bayswater 2nd XI v Williamstown 2nd XI. North-South. 1st XI. Saturdays, October 4 and 11. Two Days. Coburg 1st XI v Preston 1st XI. Kew 1st XI v Moorabbin 1st XI. Plenty Valley 1st XI v Ivanhoe 1st XI. St Bernard's OC 1st XI v Caulfield 1st XI. Brighton 1st XI v Strathmore 1st XI. Elsternwick 1st XI v Malvern 1st XI. Oakleigh 1st XI v Port Melbourne 1st XI. Ormond 1st XI v Brunswick 1st XI. North-South. 2nd XI. Saturdays, October 4 and 11. Two Days. Moorabbin 2nd XI v Kew 2nd XI. Ivanhoe 2nd XI v Plenty Valley 2nd XI. Caulfield 2nd XI v St Bernard's OC 2nd XI. Strathmore 2nd XI v Brighton 2nd XI. Malvern 2nd XI v Elsternwick 2nd XI. Port Melbourne 2nd XI v Oakleigh 2nd XI. Brunswick 2nd XI v Ormond 2nd XI. Sunday, October 5: Preston 2nd XI v Coburg 2nd XI. North-West. 3rd XI. Division 1. Saturdays, October 4 and 11. Two Days. Melton 3rd XI v Brunswick 3rd XI. Preston 3rd XI v Hoppers Crossing 3rd XI. Taylors Lakes 3rd XI v St Bernard's OC 3rd XI. Werribee 3rd XI v Plenty Valley 3rd XI. North-West. 3rd XI. Division 2. Saturdays, October 4 and 11. Two Days. Altona 3rd XI v Strathmore 3rd XI. Kew 3rd XI v Coburg 3rd XI. Spotswood 3rd XI v Williamstown 3rd XI. Yarraville 3rd XI v Ivanhoe 3rd XI.

days, October 4 and 11. Two Days. Brunswick 4th XI v Melton 4th XI. Hoppers Crossing 4th XI v Preston 4th XI. St Bernard's OC 4th XI v Taylors Lakes 4th XI. Plenty Valley 4th XI v Werribee 4th XI. North-West. 4th XI. Division 2. Saturdays, October 4 and 11. Two Days. Strathmore 4th XI v Altona 4th XI. Coburg 4th XI v Kew 4th XI. Williamstown 4th XI v Spotswood 4th XI. Sunday, October 5: Ivanhoe 4th XI v Yarraville 4th XI. South-East. 3rd XI. Division 1. Saturdays, October 4 and 11. Two Days. Balwyn 3rd XI v Elsternwick 3rd XI. Caulfield 3rd XI v Malvern 3rd XI. Mt Waverley 3rd XI v Bayswater 3rd XI. Oakleigh 3rd XI v Croydon 3rd XI.

South-East. 4th XI. Division 1. Saturdays, October 4 and 11. Two Days. Elsternwick 4th XI v Balwyn 4th XI. Malvern 4th XI v Caulfield 4th XI. Croydon 4th XI v Oakleigh 4th XI. Bayswater 4th XI v Mt Waverley 4th XI.

Diamond Valley

■ Barclay Shield. Saturdays, October 4 and 11. Two Days. Bundoora 1st XI vRosebank 1st XI. Diamond Creek 1st XI v Epping 1st XI. Macleod 1st XI v Heidelberg 1st XI. Riverside 1st XI v North Eltham Wanderers 1st XI. Rosanna 1st XI v Bundoora United 1st XI.

Money Shield. Saturday, October 4. One Day. Banyule 1st XI v Montmorency 1st XI. Eltham 1st XI v Research Eltham Collegians 1st XI. Mernda 1st XI v Greensborough 1st XI. Bundoora Park 1st XI v Lower Plenty 1st XI. Lalor Stars 1st XI v Plenty 1st XI.

Mash Shield. Saturday, October 4. One Day. Dennis 1st XI v Rivergum 1st XI. Laurimar 1st XI v South Morang 1st XI. Lower Eltham 1st XI v Mill Park 1st XI. Thomastown 1st XI v Keon Park CC 1st XI. Thomastown United 1st XI v Hurstbridge 1st XI. Old Ivanhoe Grammarians CC 1st XI v Panton Hill 1st XI.

B-Grade. Saturday, October 4. One Day. Plenty 2nd XI v Rosanna 2nd XI. Heidelberg 2nd XI v Mernda 2nd XI. Research Eltham Collegians 2nd XI v Diamond Creek 2nd XI. North Eltham Wanderers 2nd XI v Riverside 2nd XI. Montmorency 2nd XI v Banyule 2nd XI.

C-Grade. Saturday, October 4. One Day.

Bundoora United 2nd XI v Lalor Stars 2nd XI. Greensborough 2nd XI v Macleod 2nd XI. South Morang 2nd XI v Eltham 2nd XI. Lower Plenty 2nd XI v Riverside 3rd XI. Rivergum 2nd XI v Bundoora 2nd XI.

D-Grade. Saturday, October 4. One Day. Hurstbridge 2nd XI v Diamond Creek 3rd XI. Mill Park 2nd XI v Lower Plenty 3rd XI. Montmorency 3rd XI v Laurimar 2nd XI. Panton Hill 2nd XI v Old Ivanhoe Grammarians CC 2nd XI. Rosebank 2nd XI v North Eltham Wanderers 3rd XI. Keon Park CC 2nd XI v Bundoora Park 2nd XI.

E-Grade. Saturday, October 4. One Day. Banyule 3rd XI v Thomastown United 2nd XI. Mernda 3rd XI v Lower Eltham 2nd XI. Greensborough 3rd XI v Heidelberg 3rd XI. Riverside 4th XI v Thomastown 2nd XI. South Morang 3rd XI v Dennis 2nd XI.

Eastern

■ Dunstan Shield. Saturdays, October 4 and 11. Two Days. Edinburgh 1st XI v Glen Iris 1st XI. East Doncaster 1st XI v North Balwyn 1st XI. Bulleen 1st XI v Old Carey 1st XI. East Malvern Tooronga 1st XI v Mont Albert 1st XI. Wright Shield. Saturdays, October 4 and 11. Two Days. Deepdene Bears 1st XI v Canterbury 1st XI. Ashburton Willows 1st XI v Surrey Hills 1st XI. Mulgrave 1st XI v Richmond City 1st XI. Heathmont 1st XI v Marcellin OC 1st XI.

A Turf. Saturdays, October 4 and 11. Two Days. Old Carey 2nd XI v Balwyn Saints 1st XI. Ashwood 1st XI v Mazenod OC 1st XI. Mont Albert 2nd XI v Boronia 1st XI. Hawthorn Boroondara 1st XI v Burwood 1st XI.

B Turf. Saturdays, October 4 and 11. Two Days. Canterbury 2nd XI v Deepdene Bears 2nd XI. Richmond Union 1st XI v Heathmont 2nd XI. North Balwyn 2nd XI v East Doncaster 2nd XI. St. Kevins Old Boys 1st XI v Bulleen 2nd XI. C Turf. Saturdays, October 4 and 11. Two

Days. La Trobe University 1st XI v East Malvern Tooronga 2nd XI. Boronia 2nd XI v Mulgrave 2nd XI. Burwood 2nd XI v Hawthorn Boroondara 2nd XI. Glen Iris 2nd XI v Edinburgh 2nd XI. D Turf. Saturdays, October 4 and 11. Two Days. Surrey Hills 2nd XI vb Ashburton Willows 2nd XI. Richmond City 2nd XI v Mont Albert 3rd XI. Mazenod OC 2nd XI v Ashwood 2nd XI. Marcellin OC 2nd XI v Old Carey 3rd XI.

E Turf. Saturdays, October 4 and 11. Two Days. Heathmont 3rd XI v La Trobe University 2nd XI. Balwyn Saints 2nd XI v Deepdene Bears 3rd XI. Hawthorn Boroondara 3rd XI v Marcellin OC 3rd XI. East Malvern Tooronga 3rd XI v Edinburgh 3rd XI. Surrey Hills 3rd XI v Richmond Union 2nd XI.

F Turf. Saturday, October 11. One Day. Bulleen 3rd XI v Surrey Hills 4th XI. Richmond City 3rd XI v Hawthorn Boroondara 4th XI. St. Kevins Old Boys 2nd XI v East Malvern Tooronga 4th XI. Deepdene Bears 4th XI v East Doncaster 3rd XI. Mont Albert 4th XI v Heathmont 4th XI. MacGibbon Shield. Saturdays, October 4 and 11. Two Days. Glen Waverley 1st XI v West Ivanhoe United 1st XI. Holy Trinity 1st XI v Trinity Willison 1st XI. Burwood Unt. Canterbury 1st XI v STC South Camberwell 1st XI. Clifton Hill 1st XI v Deepdene Uniting 1st XI. Burt Shield. Saturdays, October 4 and 11. Two Days. North Alphington 1st XI v Glen Waverley 2nd XI. Trinity Willison 2nd XI v Holy Trinity 2nd XI. St. Paul's Oakleigh District 1st XI v Clifton Hill 2nd XI. Toorak Prahran 1st XI v Burwood Unt. Canterbury 2nd XI.

Morn. Peninsula

■ Provincial Firsts. Saturday, October 4. One Day. Mornington 1sts v Pines 1sts. Dromana 1sts v Langwarrin 1sts. Red Hill 1sts v Baden Powell 1sts. Sorrento 1sts v Heatherhill 1sts.

Peninsula Firsts. Saturday, October 4.

One Day. Balnarring 1sts v Old Peninsula 1sts. Somerville 1sts v Long Island 1sts. Seaford CC 1sts v Mt Eliza 1sts. Moorooduc 1sts v Rosebud 1sts.

District Firsts. Saturday, October 4. One Day. Rye 1sts v Seaford Tigers 1sts. Crib Point 1sts v Carrum Downs 1sts. Flinders 1sts v Main Ridge 1sts. Boneo 1sts v Carrum CC 1sts.

Sub-District Firsts. Saturday, October 4. One Day. Frankston YCW 1st v Skye 1sts. Delacombe Park 1sts v Ballam Park 1sts. Pearcedale 1sts v Baxter 1sts. Tootgarook 1sts v Mt Martha 1sts. Bye: Tyabb 1sts.

North Metro

■ Jika Shield. Saturday, October 4. One Day. Preston Baseballers CC 1st XI v Donath CC 1st XI. Camrea Stingrays CC 1st XI v Olympic Colts CC 1st XI. Northern Socials CC 1st XI v Fiji Victorian CC 1st XI.

Jack Quick Shield. Saturday, October 4. One Day. Fiji Victorian CC 2nd XI v West Preston CC 1st XI. Bellfield Bulls CC 1st XI v Strathewen Cougars CC 1stXI. Reservoir Cobras CC 1st XI v Cameron CC 1st XI.

Jack Kelly Shield. Saturday, October 4.

One Day. Royal Park Reds 3rd XI v Fairfield CC 1st XI. Ivanhoe Mavericks CC 1st XI v Preston YCW District 1st XI. West Preston CC 2nd XI v Preston Baseballers CC 2nd XI.

Ringwood District

■ A-Grade. Saturday, October 4. One Day. Wonga Park 4XI v St Andrews 4XI. South Croydon 3XI v Wantirna South 3XI. Mooroolbark 3XI v Heatherdale 3XI. Powelltown 1XI v Norwood 4XI.

B-Grade. Saturday, October 4. One Day. Templeton 3XI v Mooroolbark 4XI. Warrandyte 4XI v Coldstream 2XI. South Warrandyte 3XI v Kilsyth 4XI. Heathwood 3XI v Mt Evelyn 3XI. Bill Wilkins Cup. Saturday, October 4. One Day. Kilsyth 1XI v Mooroolbark 1XI. Vermont 1XI v Mt Evelyn 1XI. Wonga Park 1XI v Warranwood 1XI. East Ringwood 1XI v Bayswater Park 1XI. Heatherdale 1XI v Wantirna South 1XI.

C-Grade. Saturday, October 4. One Day. North Ringwood 4XI v Chirnside Park 4XI.

Croydon Ranges 4XI v Healesville 3XI. St Andrews 5XI v Wantirna 1XI. East Ringwood 4XI v Warrandyte 5XI.

D-Grade. Saturday, October 4. One Day. Mooroolbark 5XI v Norwood 5XI. Lilydale 4XI v Yarra Junction 3XI. Wandin 2XI v Croydon Ranges 5XI. Warranwood 4XI v Heatherdale 4XI. David Beatty Shield. Saturday, October 4. One Day. Yarra Glen 1XI v Wandin 1XI. Norwood 3XI v Seville Burras 2XI. Mt Evelyn 2XI v North Ringwood 3XI. Bayswater Park 2XI v Montrose 3XI.

Don Smith Shield. Saturday, October 4. One Day. Kilsyth 3XI v Hoddles Creek 1XI. Ainslie Park 3XI v Warranwood 3XI. St Andrews 3XI v Wonga Park 3XI. Warrandyte 3XI v Croydon Ranges 3XI.

E-Grade. Saturday, October 4. One Day. Wonga Park 5XI v St Andrews 6XI. Mt Evelyn 4XI v Vermont 3XI. Warrandyte 6XI v Yarra Glen 2XI. Montrose 5XI v Ainslie Park 4XI.

F-Grade. Saturday, October 4. One Day. Warranwood 5XI v Mt Evelyn 5XI. Lusatia Park 3XI v Boronia Hawks 4XI. Croydon North 3XI v Wonga Park 6XI. North Ringwood 5XI v South Croydon 4XI.

G-Grade. Saturday, October 4. One Day. Kilsyth 5XI v Seville Burras 3XI. Bayswater Park 3XI v Montrose 6XI. Vermont 4XI v Templeton 4XI. Wantirna South 4XI v Chirnside Park 5XI. H-Grade. Saturday, October 4. One Day. Wantirna 2XI v St Andrews 7XI. Heatherdale 5XI v Norwood 6XI. Hoddles Creek 2XI v Mooroolbark 6XI. Healesville 4XI v Warranwood 6XI.

I-Grade. Saturday, October 4. One Day. Croydon Ranges 6XI v Warrandyte 7XI. Warranwood 7XI v Heathwood 4XI. Mt Evelyn 6XI v Ainslie Park 5XI. Wonga Park 7XI v Bayswater Park 4XI. Ian Spencer Shield. Saturday, October 4. One Day. Wantirna South 2XI v Heatherdale 2XI. South Warrandyte 2XI v Chirnside Park 2XI. Heathwood 2XI v Vermont 2XI. Coldstream 1XI v East Ringwood 3XI. Mooroolbark 2XI v St Andrews 2XI.

J-Grade. Saturday, October 4. One Day. Wandin 3XI v Croydon North 4XI. Templeton 5XI v Powelltown 2XI. St Andrews 8XI v Eastfield 3XI. Yarra Junction 4XI v Wantirna 3XI.

John Springett Shield. Saturday, October 4. One Day. Croydon North 2XI v Eastfield 2XI. Montrose 4XI v Lusatia Park 2XI. Chirnside Park 3XI v Healesville 2XI. Yarra Junction 2XI v Lilydale 3XI.

K-Grade. Saturday, October 4. One Day. South Warrandyte 4XI v Yarra Glen 3XI. Chirnside Park 6XI v Wonga Park 8XI. Seville Burras 4XI v Yarra Junction 5XI. Heathwood 5XI v Warranwood 8XI.

Lindsay Trollope Shield. Saturday, October 4. One Day. St Andrews 1XI v North Ringwood 1XI. Croydon Ranges 1XI v Montrose 1XI. South Croydon 1XI v Norwood 1XI. Lilydale 1XI v Ainslie Park 1XI.

Pat Meehan Shield. Saturday, October 4. One Day. Templeton 2XI v Wonga Park 2XI. Warranwood 2XI v Lilydale 2XI. Eastfield 1XI v Kilsyth 2XI. Lusatia Park 1XI v Croydon Ranges 2XI.

Steve Pascoe Shield. Saturday, October 4. One Day. Norwood 2XI v South Croydon 2XI. Ainslie Park 2XI v East Ringwood 2XI. North Ringwood 2XI v Croydon North 1XI. Montrose 2XI v Warrandyte 2XI. Stuart Newey Plate. Saturday, October 4. One Day. Healesville 1XI vHeathwood 1XI. Warrandyte 1XI v Yarra Junction 1XI. Chirnside Park 1XI v Templeton 1XI. Seville Burras 1XI v South Warrandyte 1XI

South-East

■ Longmuir Shield. Saturday, October 11. One Day. East Sandringham 1 v Washington Park 1. Bentleigh Uniting 1 v Bentleigh ANA Kingston Heath 1 v Brighton Union 1. Le Page Park 1 v West Bentleigh 1.

■ Pullen Shield. Saturday, October 11. One Day. East Bentleigh Central 1 v Diamond 1. Melbourne Wanderers 1 v Mackie 2. Elwood 2 v Cluden 2. Brighton Union 2 v Kingston Heath 2

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24 HOURS7 DAYS A WEEK

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9 RACES AT ‘HOME OF THE TROTTER’

■ There’s no doubting that Maryborough is the ‘home of the trotter’ and to commence the week on Monday September 22, five events were held there for that gait on a most interesting nine race program.

Cobden owner/trainer Wayne Ross commenced the day when 4Y0 Aldebaran EagleAldebaran Sunset mare The Fiery Sunset bred at Duncan McPherson’s Aldebaran Lodge Pty Ltd scored in the 2190 metre Waste Recyclers Of Victoria Trotters Mobile.

Driven by Jackie Barker, The Fiery Sunset making her 36th race appearance began best from gate four to lead and after being allowed to dictate terms and couldn’t be caught, defeating a death-seating Fremarks Peggy which had worked forward from outside the front line, with The Night Queen (gate two) third a metre back after trailing the winner. The rate 2-03.4.

■ The Join Your Local Carisbrook Lions Club Trotters Discretionary Handicap over 2690 metres saw Sutton Grange trainer Ross Graham and twin brother owner Leigh’s 9Y0 Danny Bouchea-Sister Of Sonoko gelding Nephew Of Sonoko register his 23rd success at start 186 returning a mile rate of 2-03.3.

Coming from a 40 metre equal backmark, Nephew Of Sonoko driven by James Herbertson settled five back along the markers as Mick Bellman’s Jazspur began fast from 30 metres after both polemarker Romantic Nina and Frosty Girl (barrier two) either galloped shortly after the start or missed away to stride clear from Watch And Act (barrier three) trailing.

Going forward with a rush through the middle stages but unable to cross the pacemaker, Nephew Of Sokoko raced exposed for the remainder of the long journey.

Showing plenty of toughness on turning, Nephew Of Sonoko outstayed his rivals to hold off Hoppy (40m) which followed him all the way by a neck. Watch And Act after using the sprint lane was third 3.5 metres back.

■ It was great to see popular Balliang East owner/trainer/driver Robert Young (76) victorious with 8Y0 Danny Bouchea-Kilmainham gelding Scar in the 1690 metre Rothacker Stockfeeds Trotters Mobile.

Doing everything right from gate three on the second line to possie one/one on the back of the well fancied Bullapark Beno outside the leader Boutika (gate two) from inside the second line who had crossed the leader Alfie Always (gate three).

Easing three wide running into the final bend, Scar ran home best to prevail by 1.5 metres over a game Bullapark Beno, with Hold That Magic (gate two second line) third from gate two second line after a slow beginning 4.6 metres back. It was Scar’s 13th success from 59 outings returning a mile rate of 1-59.

■ It's been a long time between drinks for Balnarring trainer/driver Peter Lane who returned to the winners list when Elite StrideMattaluca filly Mevia greeted the judge in the Peter Egan Bi-Rite Electrical 2Y0 Trotters Mobile on debut.

Bred and raced by Peter and partner Anita Burke, Mevia trotted to perfection from gate four to lead throughout, kicking clear on turning to reach the judge 9.3 metres in advance of Northern Truscott (gate two second line) which trailed with stablemate Brooklyngotcourage (three pegs from inside the second line) which used the sprint lane third 7.2 metres back. The mile rate 2-01.8.

■ The 2190 metre Aldebaran Park Trotters Mobile saw Junortoun part-owner/trainer Tarah McNamara successful with 6Y0 Danny Bouchea-Windsor Block mare Poppy Popstar who was able to turn her form around.

Driven by James Herbertson, Poppy Popstar was given a sweet passage one/one from gate three as Matty Gath and Billy Zippin led from the pole.

Going forward three wide approaching the final bend to lead on turning, Poppy Popstar just held on by a nose from Off Your Faceski which had trailed the leader from inside the second line before easing wide on straightening.

Rougie Xiaobo (gate two – three wide last lap from four back was third 8.7 metres back returning a mile rate of 2-04.1. It was Poppy Popstar’s 6th victory in 81 outings with her previous being at Birchip back in March.

Meet entertains

■ The regular Tuesday Shepparton meeting was entertaining with a seven-race card, supplemented by Mildura sharing the night as well.

Wahring trainer Rosie Weidenbach snared the opening event the Hygain Pace over 2190

Harness Racing

len-baker@ bigpond.com

with Len Baker

metres with 7Y0 Pet Rock-Our Miss Vivienne mare Rolling Remona.

In a real family affair, Rolling Remona raced by husband Paul and driven by son Kevin enjoyed a sweet trip from the pole trailing the leader Mynameisruby which flew away from gate four with Rolling Remona using the sprint lane to gain the day by 3.8 metres from Wheres Wood Wood (three pegs from inside the second line) along the sprint lane and a deathseating Nevekalon Eagle which battled on strongly to finish 1.7 metres away third. The mile rate 2-01.3.

■ Kialla part-owner/trainer Dave Farrar combined with Damian Wilson to land the 2190 metre Neatline Homes Maiden Pace with 3Y0 Jilliby Kung Fu-Em Vee En gelding Krakey, leading throughout from gate two and after dictating terms to perfection, defied all challengers to record a 2.8 metre margin over first starter Leiah Jolie (three wide from outside the front line to park outside the winner racing for the bell), with Eebeebee (extreme draw – three wide last lap) from the rear third 2.9 metres back. The mile rate 1-59.8.

■ Axedale’s Mick Carbone has enjoyed a happy season and added another winner to the tally when most consistent 4Y0 VincentPonder Girl mare Centofellie with James Herbertson in the sulky scored in the Saddleworld Shepparton Pace over 1690 metres.

Despite doing it tough from gate two on the second line after going forward to race exposed outside Hoorah Philtra from outside the front line, Centofellie kept on giving at the business end to record a nose victory in a thrilling finish from Hoorah Philtra and polemarker Our Cheeky Devil along the sprint lane after following the runner up finishing 4.7 metres back. The mile rate 1-55.6.

■ The squaregaiters always put on a show at Shepparton trots and local Congupna owner/ trainer Eddie Tappe who is experiencing his best season ever was successful with 7Y0 mare Abbie, a daughter of Majestic Son and Aldebaran Peggy in the J and A Mazzetti Painting Trotters Mobile over 1690 metres.

Driven by another local Grace Bilney, Abbie although caught outside the leader Christmas Babe (gate two) from gate three drove a masterly race never panicking at any stage to register a nose victory over Starlight Red (gate four - one/one – three wide home turn).

Last start Shepparton winner Madge Egan (one/two) after starting outside the front line and angling four wide on the final bend was third a half head away before being relegated to fourth after galloping on the wire which promoted the improving Atego Dawn (gate five –from last) into third after being close up fourth. The mile rate 2-01.3.

■ At Mildura, Bendigo owners Ian and Mary Campbell (former Sunraysia residents) would have been elated when their 7Y0 Live Or DieVisual Image gelding Cemetery Bay trained locally at Irymple by Allan (Pudd) MacDonald the host club president, scored in the McDonalds Irymple and Mildura Pace over 1790 metres.

Driven by a very much in-form Luke Dunne, Cemetery Bay starting from gate two on the second line settled three pegs as polemarker Ozzie Corka easily held the front running. Extricating wide on turning to trail Prioritise (three wide last lap from the tail) into the straight, Cemetery Bay produced a brilliant finishing burst to register a neck margin over a game Prioritise, with Ozzie Corka holding third a head away. The mile rate 1-58.4.

■ Maryborough owners Len and Irene Parker’s home bred 3Y0 Always B Miki- Lovely Moth

filly Maggie Moth trained and driven by Tooleen’s Alby Ashwood broke her maiden status when winning the Zilzie Wines Maiden Pace over 2190 metres.

Leading out from gate two, Maggie Moth looked vulnerable running into the final bend when shortening stride, but found another gear on straightening to greet the judge by a metre from Shes Magical from mid-field and polemarker Lively Joe which trailed. The mile rate a respectable 2-01.

8 at Bendigo

■ It was Bendigo as usual on Wednesday with a eight race program and local Longlea partowner/trainer Bec Morrissey would have been ‘over the moon’ when her home bred 4Y0 Centurion Atm-Canadian Dream mare Centurion Dream scored in the 1650 metre Pastor Stephen @ Llowalong Farms Trotters Mobile.

Given the run of the race by Mick Bellman trailing the polemarker I Am Harro from inside the second line, Centurion Dream switched around the leader running into the final bend and dashed away shortly after to prevail by 2.2 metres over the heavily supported Kyvalley Jetstream (gate four) which raced exposed and battled on strongly.

Designs after being restrained from outside the front line to be four back on the markers weaved in-between runners before switching to the sprint lane in the straight for a fast closing third a half neck away. The mile rate 158.3. Centurion Dream is a half sister to multiple trot winner Wish Upon A Dream (Wishing Stone).

■ Mount Wallace trainer/driver Kyle Marshall was successful with 3Y0 American Ideal-My Double Dream colt Fire Marshall in the Garrards Horse & Hound Pace over 1650 metres.

Raced by a large syndication of owners including Kyle himself, Fire Marshall (gate three second line) settled four back in the moving line as Maywyns Jewel led from gate two. Trailing Test Of Fire (one/two) ahead of him forward three wide in the last lap before angling four wide on the home turn, Fire Marshall first up since April finished his race off in fine style to record a 1.5 metre margin over Test Of Fire returning a mile rate of 1-55.9. Budd Sidewinder (three pegs from inside the second line) was third 1.2 metres back.

■ The Tatura based father and daughter combination of Craig and Abbey Turnbull landed the 1650 metre Haeuslers Echuca 3Y0 Maiden Pace with Sweet Lou-Penny Anne filly Sweet Louanne in a 1-57.1 mile rate.

Driven by Abbey, Sweet Louanne led throughout from the pole, just lasting by a head from Major Bye (gate three) which trailed using the sprint lane to just fail. Random Mahoney (one/one from two second line) was third 10.3 metres away.

Competitive night

■ Even though there were only seven races on the program at Kilmore Trots on Thursday, it was a most competitive night racing wise.

The JC Windows Vicbred Voucher Mares Pace over 1690 metres opened the program and it was the first of three winners for the country’s leading reinsman Lexton’s James Herbertson when Smythes Creek trainer Nathan Cahir’s 6Y0 Sweet Lou-Almihata mare Nothing Sweeter was successful.

Given a charmed passage from gate four trailing the leader Mussel Shoals which flew away from outside the front line, Nothing Sweeter used the sprint lane to perfection when the opportunity came to prevail by 1.6 metres over the pacemaker which gave a sight. Miss Piggy Wiggy (three pegs from gate three) was third 1.5 metres back. The mile rate 157.8.

■ Victory number two came courtesy of Sedgwick trainer Shane Hall’s 6Y0 Sebastian K-Hilltown Ashley who chalked up her 10th victory in 60 starts including 12 placings when taking the Kilmore Ford Trot Final over 2180 metres in a 2-04.2 mile rate.

Settling five back in the running line from gate two on the second line as That’s Your Opinion (gate six) led easily before handing over to the roughie Sonnyboy (gate four) who after galloping away surged forward to assume control within a lap.

Gaining a three wide trail home in the last lap on the back of Maori Franklin (gate two) from three back in the running line, Montana Cheval angled wide on turning, running home well to register an easy 7.1 metre margin over

This Week

■ Wednesday – Bendigo, Thursday –Ballarart, Friday – Melton, Saturday –Melton, Sunday – Cranbourne, Monday –Horsham, Tuesday – Mildura/Shepparton.

That’s Your Opinion along the sprint lane, with Karbine (gate three second line) coming from a mile back for third 2.3 metres away.

■ Victory number three was Kialla trainer Bec Bartley’s 4Y0 Betterthancheddar-Victoria Bound mare Betathanaboughtone in the 2180 metre Happy Birthday Miss Emily 4Y0 & Older Pace.

Again enjoying a sweet passage from the pole trailing Jindalea Hack (gate three), Betathanaboughtone was another to make use of the sprint lane to blouse the pacemaker by 2.5 metres in a 2-00.8 mile rate. Im The Wild One (four pegs from the extreme draw) gained inside runs to be third 11.7 metres back.

■ Eight year old Mach Three-Wyperfeld entire Ziegfeld gave Bec Bartley a training double when victorious in the Styles Construction Pace over 2180 metres.

With Mark Pitt in the sulky, Ziegfeld raced by a large syndicate headed by breeder Shepparton’s John Hallam, settled three back in the moving line from the extreme draw and ran home stylishly three wide in the last lap to gain the day by a head from Anakin which had gone forward from outside the front line to lead.

Oh Sweet Creature (one/three) from inside the second line a stablemate of the winner trailed him home to finish third 4.4 metres back. The mile rate 1-59.7.

■ New South Wales (Menangle) trainer Rickie Alchin combined with Ross Payne to impressively capture the Picklebet 3Y0 Maiden Trot over 2180 metres with beautifully bred What The Hill-Tough Tussle gelding Tough Mate on debut.

Carrying the colours that saw the outstanding Smoken Up win a multitude of races, Tough Mate after a bad beginning settled at the tail of the field with Bettor Man flying away from outside the front line to lead. Going forward three wide racing for the bell, Tough Mate sprinted brilliantly in the back straight to lead on the final bend and score by 2.1 metres in a 2-05 mile rate, accounting for Liittle Miss Valley which followed the pacemaker from the pole, with Bettor Man holding third 3.1 metres back.

■ Young Huntly reinswoman Lauren White was victorious in the MC Labour Concessions Drivers Pace over 2180 metres aboard Derrinal trainer Glenn Bull’s Sunshine Beach-Dilinger Girl 7Y0 gelding Animado.

Given every opportunity to figure in the finish from three back in the moving line, Animado (gate four) trailed Written In Silk (gate three) one/one home three wide in the last lap and ran home best to prevail by 1.3 metres from Skyfall Benchmark which led from outside the front line, with Written In Silk a half head away third. The mile rate 2-00.5. It was Lauren’s 16th winning drive.

■ The C&M Build Group Pace saw Kyabram part-owner/trainer/driver Brent Thomson produce a lovely Skyvalley-Zeeyana filly by the name of Skybella to blitz her rivals when making her race debut.

Not rushed out from gate two, Skybella settled four back along the markers as Franc led easily from gate five before handing over to solo second liner Buckles For Berry.

Going forward with a rush to join the leader for the final circuit, Skybella crossed to assume control effortlessly on turning before coasting home by 5.6 metres in advance of Buckles For Berry and Aldebaran Susanne mid-field on the markers after a bad beginning from outside the front line finishing 5.9 metres back. The mile rate 2-03.8.

Lasted by half head

■ At Melton on Friday, Grenville training duo Greg and Debra Wicks-Moss were welcome winners when 9Y0 Tiz A Masterpiece-Artesian Lady mare Atiz A Model driven by Jodi Quinlan led throughout from the pole to land the 1720 metre City Of Melton Pace.

■ Two of my favourite actors are Harrison Ford (whom I have met) and Burt Lancaster

My first memory of seeing Burt Lancaster was in the 1955 film HisMajestyO’Keefe

I have studied the list of Burt Lancaster films and apart from The Crimson Pirate, I think he never made a comedy.

His films were mainly dramas and adventure films. I thought he was great and I wanted to grow up to be just like Burt Lancaster

There was another of my lifetime goals that went off the rails, I guess in the end you grow up to be yourself.

Burton Stephen ‘Burt’ Lancaster was born in 1913 in New York City

He was one of five children. His father was a postman and his mother died when Burt was in High School.

He had a keen interest in gymnastics as a child and formed an acrobatic duo with his friend Nick Cravat. In later years Burt made nine films with Nick

The pair joined a local theatrical company where theydeveloped circus skills. An injury forced Burt to give up his acrobatic career and he drifted into several jobs before serving in the Army during the Second World War

In 1945 he auditioned for a Broadway play and got the role.

Burt was spotted by producer Harold Hecht who introduced him to director Hal Wallis. In 1946 he was cast in his first screen role in The Killersand starred opposite Ava Gardiner

He became popular and was cast in many films. He was handsome, athletic and a good

Melbourne Observer Melbourne Observer

Whatever Happened To ... Burt Lancaster

By Kevin Trask of 3AW and 96.5 Inner FM

character actor. In 1953 he played Sgt Milton Warden in the classic, FromHeretoEternity. His films included SorryWrongNumber,The Rainmaker,SeparateTables,Gunfightatthe O.K.Corral,JudgementinNurembergand The BirdmanofAlcatraz

He made seven films with fellow actor Kirk Douglas. He was a close friend of Telly Savalas Burt formed a production company with Harold Hecht called Hecht – Lancaster, James Hill was a silent partner.

The company produced films which included Apache, Vera Cruz, Trapeze, Sweet Smell of Success and Summer of the Seventeenth Doll(which was filmed in Sydney).

Australian actor Michael Pate once told me he didn’t get on with Burt

Michael felt he was opinionated and annoyed him by constantly quoting Plato on the set of Ten Tall Men

Burt was nominated for an Academy Award four times and won Best Actor for his role as the corrupt evangelist in ElmerGantryin 1960.

Burt was one of the special guests at the 1977 Logie Awards in Melbourne and admired the work of Bert Newton

Later that year Burt Lancaster rang Bert Newton from the USA to wish him a happy birthday.

Burt Lancaster was married three times and had five children with his second wife Norma Burt suffered a stroke in 1991. He died of a heart attack in 1994 at the age of 80 after a long illness.

There was no funeral service – he was cremated and his ashes lie under a large oak tree in Westwood Memorial Park in Los Angeles

There is a small marker which simply reads - Burt Lancaster 1913 – 1994.

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

RETROSPECTIVE AT BURRINJA GALLERY

The Private World of Mind –Stewart Macinnes

This retrospective exhibition celebrates the profound creative life of Stewart Macinnes (1937 – 2021), an artistic force who devoted decades to creating\ a vast and varied body of work.

Stewart grew up in Camperdown and tried his hand at many things –studying law and medicine, exploring advertising and illustration, and pressing wool in shearing sheds. Ultimately, art was where he found his true calling and purpose.

Stewart’s artworks often depict and explore human form, abstract and organic, raw and sensuous, harmonising strength and softness.

A longtime local of the hills, Stewart lived in Emerald with his wife, Carole, where they raised their four children.

He worked as a gardener, an occupation he loved, offering hm a meditative sense of peace as did his art..

Stewart rarely exhibited his work and never created to impress or please.

For him, art was a lifeline-an honest expression sustained by need rather than recognition.

His creations would ‘paint themselves’, Stewart used to say. Art remained for him a Private World of Mind.

This exhibition brings together a wide-ranging selection of his paintings, sculptures, drawings, prints and poetry.

Exhibition closes Sunday October 19.

Burrinja Gallery

351 Glenfern Rd, Upwey

Bowness Prize

Winner of the 2025 Bowness Photography Prize.

The MAPh Foundation has announce artist Anna Higgins as winner of the 2025 Bowness Photography Prize for Two Horizons (2025).

This composite image demonstrates technical mastery of both analogue and digital processes.

Higgins works with light and landscape to create an otherworldly experience of Victorian Alpine country.

With this image, Higgins aims to challenge conventions of how the landscape is depicted in photography, foregrounding the ephemeral, abstract and painterly qualities of film and light.

The honourable mentions are awarded to James Tylor for his work

The Arts

Tapa-arra through the landscape 1,4,5and Sarah Rhodes for her work ChamberofProjection.

The artist selected for the Qai Tang Commissioning Award will receive $10,000 and the opportunity to exhibit a body of work throughout next year’s Bowness Photography Prize season.

The People’s Choice winner will be awarded a cash prize of $45,000.

Voting has commenced and will close November 9. Both recipients will be announced in November.

MAPh 860 Ferntree Gully Rd Wheelers Hill

Echo Chamber

In the Echo Chamber –Jennifer Mills

A survey exhibition spanning three decades of the artist’s creative practice. Encounter a compelling exploration of personal histories, memory and transitions in-between by award-winning Melbourne-based artist Jennifer Mills.

Intimate, humorous and ambiguous, IntheEchoChamberis a major survey exhibition, tracing, key moments of Mills’ multifaced creative career.

It includes over100 works spanning 1996 to the present day, the exhibition unites key bodies of work not previously seen together, from her celebrated depictions of animals and screen protagonists to suburban narratives and intimate family tales

that include new and recent works created by Mills in collaboration with her son Darcy Lukr.

Above all, In the Echo Chamber celebrates Mills enduring dedication to a process and medium that provides endless possibilities to ignite our imagination about the world around us.

Exhibition closes Sunday, November 16.

Bunjil Place Gallery

2 Patrick North East Dve Narre Warren

At Bendigo

Overview – Bendigo Art Gallery Collection

From humble beginnings as a small, single-roomed space to Australia’s largest regional gallery, Bendigo Art Gallery’s founding motto, Ad delectationem Populi per Artem Pukchrar: For the delight of the people through beautiful art; still resonates today.

The gallery was established in 1887 by the colonists if Sandhurst , as Bendigo was known until 1891, with a few donated wors and pieces lent by private citizens, to encourage an appreciation of Western art in a space that reflected their European values and way of life.

From the outset, British, European and Australian narrative and genre paintings. Landscapes. Portraits and still life works were sought after, supported by numerous benefactors providing assistance in many forms.

Exhibition closes November 30.

Bendigo Art Gallery

42 View St, Bendigo

- Peter Kemp

Motown revue

■ Ella's Music Club presenyts RoyalMotownRevue at 8pm on Saturday (Oct. 4) at the Oakleigh Music Hall, 95-97 Drummond St, Oakleigh.

The Motown Sound swept through America in the 60’s. This famous record label that was founded by Berry Gordy Jr provided the world with countless number one Hits. The Royal Motown Revue re image these music masterpieces and celebrate the wra in a feel good Soul and Blues experience. Re-live the hits from Marvin Gaye, The Supremes, Stevie Wonder and all the music of an iconic time in American music history.

You may not know his name, but you know the theme song It'sMore Than A Game used on the Channel 9 Footy Show for 25 years -755 episodes, no less. Melbourne muso Chris Doheny was the rock voice behind the theme that became an anthem for AFL footy. Chris died in a car accident when his car met a truck head on. The Melbourne music scene is in deep mourning for Chris , aged 64, described as “talented, charismatic with such a powerful voice”.

Jazz and Blues Festival

■ Not all that many sleeps before the 35th Wangaratta Annual Jazz and Blues Festival hits the provincial city with four days profiling the cream of Australia's foremost jazz/blues artists. Highlight will be the announcement of the Jazz Awards. Get your tickets: www.wangarattajazzand bluesfestival.com.au

Paul Kelly’s 2026 tour

■ Australia's favourite storyteller Paul Kelly has announced his all-star, all-Australian shows for 2026. He kicks off RedHotSummerTour with a gig January17 and rolls on with performances through Victoria, Tasmania and NSW with support artists Missy Higgins, The Cruel Sea, Cat Empire, Kasey Chambers and others. Tour ends in March. Bookings at usual agencies.

Digital puzzle

■ If you ever have nothing to do here's a little exercise. Switch onto a telly station where they program a lot of animated cartoons. Then count the number of fingers most characters have. Chances are they only have four fingers, not five. But in Japan animators draw the full five fingers because any reference to 'four' brings bad luck. US animators draw four because of cost, and a fifth finger breaks the continuity of rounding off the appearance of chubby characters. That's their story .

Munchies Award

■ If you are in the Gisborne area around time when the Munchies hit, then make a bee line for the Gisborne Bakery. This local bakery is celebrating their win in the Great Aussie Pie Competition - they entered 11 pastries and won four gold medals, four silver, and three bronze. Colossal effort.

● ● Burt Lancaster

with Peter Kemp

■

John O’Keefe OK. With John O’Keefe

● ● ● ● Chris Doheny. Photo: Channel 9.

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ALUMINIUM PUNT 4 metre, with all required safety equipment with relocatable folding seats plus 77.5hp Mercury outboard motor. GC. $1600. Seymour. 0410 032 064. NN-QQ

ANTIQUE DRSSING TABLE. 3 mirrors, size: wdith 1.23m, depth 55cm, height 1.82m. Delivery arranged. VGC. $250. Coburg. 0428 130 049. Z-CC

BARBECUE. Weber. With instruction book. Hardly used. New: $369. Sell $1009. Mt Martha 5973 4163. JJ-NN

BATHROOM TILES. To cover 270sq m. EC. $60. Ferntree Gully. 9758 3950. HH-LL

BED. 3-seater and two seater. Red, vinyl. Dark wood trims. VGC. $300. Cranbourne, 0401 898 413. HH-LL

BED HEAD. Wooden. And base. With slats. As new. $80. Whittlesea. 0494 380 264. Z-CC

BED. Electric. King Size. High low. Head comes up to sitting position. Legs raise, bed tilts. 12 months old. No longer needed. Top quality mattress. EC. $3500. Yea. 0409 944 982. LL-OO

BIKE. Lady’s. Purple. Make: Huffey Friction. Complete with helmet and pump and basket. VGC. $120. Pakenham. 5940 5018. LL-OO

BIRD CAGE. Green. 52cm square. as new. $40. Whittlesea. 0494 380 264. Z-CC

BOAT. Savage 12’. 15HP

Johnson OB. Trailer. All Safety EQ. Bow canopy. Storm cover. VGC. $1800. Alexandra. 0419 329 264. Z-CC

BOOKS. Large variety. Various authors. $2, or 3 for $5. Heathmont. 0423 720 137. HH-LL

BOOKS. Collection of Mary Grant vintage books. Mostly VGC with dust jack- ets. Offers welcome. Research. 9437 1253. JJ-NN

BOOSTER SEAT. Mothers hoice. Convertible. 6 months to 8 years. VGC. $40. Whittlesea. 0494 380 264. HH-LL

BRICKS. 100+. Clean, red. Plus halves. $50. Keon Park. 9469 4558. HH-LL

CARAVAN. 21’6” 2014 Crusader. Reg till Feb. 2026. Full ensuite, separate shower/toilet, queen bed, a/c heater, TV radio, Gas/Elec. cooktop, micro washing machine, solar panel, large fridge, freezer, new tyres and batteries. many extras. EC. $40,000 ONO. Mount Eliza. 0429 877 964. Z-CC

CARAVAN. 2021. 16ft. Aspire caravan. As new. Air cond. heating, full annexe, double bed, shower toilet, solar panel, TV, tare 1275 kg. Easy ti tow. Light weight EC. $42,000 neg. Whittlesea. 0438 434 413. HH-LL

CARAVAN. Jayco. 2004. Freedom. Single beds, RC/ AC, new tyres, unused porta-potti, m’wave, 3-way fridge, gas & elec. cooktop + grill, 240/12 volt TV and aerial. Reg till Jan 2026. Everything in working order. 1150 kg. Tows great. VGC. $12,500 ONO. Hastings. 0409 645 059. HH-LL

CHAIR. Pink, small, white spots. Suit girl . VGC. $15. Surrey Hills. 0410 626 110, after 5pm best. HH-LL

CHEST FREEZER. Haier. Three months old. $150. Reservoir. 0491 083 248. NN-QQ

CHILD’S Old Style TwoSeater School Desk. Steel frame, hardwood seat and desktop GC. $40. Yea. 0409 109 887. NN-QQ

CIRCULATION STIMULATOR. Clare. VGC. $20. Frankston. 9789 9634 Z-CC

CLARE Wellness Circulation Stimulator. Instruction Manual included. VGC. $150. Frankston. 9789 9634. HH-LL

CLOTH FOOTBALL

MASCOT. Footscray Bulldogs. 39cm tall. VGC. $65. Pick-up: Glenroy. 9306 7628 LL-OO

COUNTRY MUSIC. 33rpm. Slim Dustry, Reg Lindsay, Hank Snow, glen Campbell, Sons of the Pioneers, Tex morton, Buddy Willkiams, Hank Williams, Hawking Bros., The Overlanders, The Folk Singer. GC. Various prices. Box Hill South. 9890 7904. HH-LL

, covering all suburbs of Melbourne, the Mornington Peninsula, and selected Victorian country areas. Your free ad will appear in up to 4 issues. There are no charges, no commissions. T&Cs apply. Lodge your ad at: www.AdvertiseFree.com.au

DINING SETTING. Midcentury teak. Extension table and 8 chairs. newly upholstered about 6 years ago. EC. Some minoir surface wear. Very heavy table. 6ft, extends to 9ft 4in. VGC. $2100. Donvale. 0410 031 094. JJ-NN DISHWASHER. Norj. 13.7 litres per wash. Large. 2’ wide, 2.9high. Not connected. New. Bought for $720. Sell $360. Alexandra. 0409 470 107. NN-QQ

ELECTRIC WHEELCHAIR. ‘Pride Go Mobility Chair’. Hardly used. EC. $1400. Viewbank. John, 0418 583 120. LL-OO

ENCYCLOPEDIA. Complete set A-Z. GC. $60 ONO. Frankston. 9789 9634. HH-LL

FISHER PAYKEL Fridge Freezer. 8 months old. New. Cost $870, sell $400. Keysborough. Joe, 0402 385 692.HH-LL

FOOTBALL CAPS. Footscray. New. Pick up Glenroy or ost extra cost. $15 each. Glenroy. 9306 7628 LL-OO

FOOTWEAR. Navy woven leather. Diana ferrari. Sandal size 9, worn once. EC. $50. Ferntree Gully. 9758 3950.HH-LL

GARDEN HOSE. 30 metres long. Heavy duty. Good quality, bought at Bunnings. $30. Mt Martha 5973 4163. JJ-NN

GOLF CLUBS. Gents (13), Ladies (13).. And 200+ balls. GC. $400. Doncaster. 0409 414 417. NN-QQ

GUITAR. Lindsay. Valued at $1000. Can’t play it. Dandebnong North. 9794 6996. HH-LL

GUITAR AMP. 2’ wide. 2½’ high. Lots of dials. GC. $00. Seymour. 0422 204 977.HH-LL

HEATER. Dimplex. Electric. Portable 7 vane. $90. Frankston. 9789 9634. HH-LL

HEATER. Wood. With flue. Warmbrite. GC. $500. Seymour. 0422 204 977. HH-LL

HEDGE TRIMMER. Honda. HHH25D. 4 stroke. With hour meter fitted. VGC. Bought in Feb. 2022. Has done 20.8 hours. $650 ONO. Pearcedale. 0418 457 588. Z-CC

JAYCO 2004 Freedom Caravan, single beds, RC/ AC, new tyres, unused porta potti, m’wave, 3 way bridge, gas & elec. cooktop and grill, 240/12 volt TV. Aerial. Reg till Jan. 26. Everything in working order. 1150kg. Tows great. VGTC. Hastings. 0409 645 059. Z-CC

COROLLA. Manual.

LAURA ASHLEY Cotton Queen Coverlet set. Size 220cm x 240cm, plus 2 pillowcases. Pale blue with thin white stripes. Never used. EC. $25. Ashburton. 9885 2203. Z-CC

LAWN MOWER. Ozito. Corded. With catcher. lightweight. Paid $149 at Bunnings. Sell $60. Mt Martha 5973 4163. JJ-NN

LINE TRIMMER. Electric. 500 watts. 290mm cut. Little used. GC. Purchase to collect. $10. Doreen. 9717 3465 HH-LL

LOUNGE SUITE. 3 piece. Luxury, light cream leather. Moran pillow type. EC, not used. $4000 (cost $6000). Strathmore. 0419 384 496. JJ-NN

MOTOR HOME.. With two solar panels for lights and air con. Double bed, gas cooker. Holden Rodeo 1998 rego till Feb. 24, 2026. Tour atlas inc. new battery and x bars. History of work completed. 1LB- 2CN. VGC. $19,000 ONO. Alexandra. 0409 470 107. LL-OO

covers and more. Australia decimal and pre-decimal bank notes. Used. Prices negot. Thomastown. 0425 733 890. F-M

RECORDS. 33rpm. Casslical singers. OPaul Robeson, Mobncrieff, Kiri Te Kanwa, Peter awson, Pavarotti, Secombe, Caruso, Peerse, lawrence, Hammond, Bronhill, Sutherland. GC. Various prices. Box Hill South. 9890 7904. HH-LL

RECORD PLAYER. Radiogram, $25. VGC. Mill Park. 9436 8935. HH-LL

REFERENCE BOOK. Holden Commodore 1978. 42cm x 29cm. $85. Glenroy. 9306 7628 LL-OO

RIDE-ON Deutscher 280 Honda 390 motor run fine seal on shaft leaks, heaps of parts including new seat, new cutting plate body part dismantled, everything is there. GC. $500 or offer. yarck. 0414 718 812. NN-QQ

ROLLER DOOR Electric motor. 4 Doors brand. Near new Model 4DR1 v4 with remotes. Still has new stickers on it. EC. $100. Whittlesea. 0419 002 507.LL-OO

ROTARY CLOTHES LINE. Mk 2. Cost, $349. Sell $140. Doncaster. 0409 414 417. NN-QQ

TWO-PERSON SAW. $90. Mill Park. 9436 8935.HH-LL

WHEELBARROW. $75. Mill Park. 9436 8935. HH-LL

WORKSHOP MANUALS. Holden VR Commodore. Vol 8, 4 and 5,. $220. Kangaroo Groundf. 9712 0337. Z-CC

To lodge your free For Sale ad: www. AdvertiseFree. com.au

PIANOLA ROLLS. Around 50 rolls in all. Many older tunes. GC. $75. Malvern East. 0419 685 666. LL-OO

PICTURE FRAMES. 40 large to small. Various styles. VGC. All only $70. Keon Park. 9469 4558. N-Q

PHOTO COPIER. $100. Dandebnong North,. 9794 6996. HH-LL

PLUMBING FITTINGS. New. Box, 100m, sew/SW E/Boxes. Box: 100mm, 500mm, elbows, as new. New. $35. yea. 5750 2615. HH-LL

PARTS for Ford AUIIV8. Secondhand. Struts. New parts: ball joints, 2 boxes of parts. VGC. $1000. Seymour 0419 881 573. N-Q PRAM. Old, child’s col- lectable. GC. $60. Wandong. 041`8 399 261. R-U

PRESSURE WASHER. Karcher. Good working order. little used, complete with operating instructions. Purchaser to collect. GC. $55. Doreen. 9717 3485. HH-LL

SAWS. 5 vintage saws for woodwork. FC. $12. Also frame for manual sharpening, GC. $8. Ashburton. 9885 2203. HH-LL

SCOOTER. Pegasus. Pro. 4 years old. Done 30km only. Like new. $4000 ONO. Melton. 0488 007 395. HH-LL

SEWING MACHINE. Singer. Wrought iron. With marble top. Suit garden setting. Black, needs painting,. VGC, $25. Surrey Hills. 0410 626 110, after 5pm best. HH-LL

STAMP PACKS. New, unopened, from 1970s, 80s. Approx. 200, sell for face value. New. Mill Park. 9436 8935. HH-LL

STATUES. Two garden vintage statues. 1: Greek lady, 66cm. 2: Bashful child, 59cm. 1 x buddha, 43cm, also baby deer snd four plaques. one tortoise, various designs. 10 peices. VGC. $300 ONO. Bittern. 0459 558 055. JJ-NN

TRANIST WHEELCHAIR with seatbelt, footrest and armrests. Lightweight. Cost $279, sell $70. Whittlesea. 0494 380 264.HH-LL STROLLER. City aselkect by Baby Jogger. VGC. $60. Whittlesea. 0494 30 264. HH-LL

Bank Money Boxes. GC. Price negotiable. Will alsoswap. Mill Park. 9436 8935. HH-LL

all aluminium cans and any quan- tity to assist towards people who need prosthetics and wheel chairs and walking frames. Genuine collector. Victoria wide. Ararat. 0458 339 871.

WANTED. Independent Support Provider for NDIS participant in Acheron, near Alexandra. Participant is 20yo male - living independently - loves outdoors,, nushwalks, fishing. Suit experienced male SP , contractor, registered, NDIS screening, refrences. Flexible hours. Immediate start. 0412 224 464. HH-LL

ANZ

TOYOTA

Roacdworthy condition. VG motor, gear box. Dark blue. RXJ-289. GC. $2000. Box Hill North. 0449 836 907. HH-LL WOOD HEATER. Cast iron. GC. $500. Seymour. 0422 204 977. Z-CC

NOTICE OF AN APPLICATION FOR A PLANNING PERMIT APPLICATION DETAILS

Application reference number: P24/2068

Applicant name: KS INVESTMENTS CO NO. 2 PTY LTD

The Land affected by this application is located at: 20 AND 22 LEYDEN AVENUE PORTSEA

LOT 1 & 2

PS 638295 VOL 11561 FOL 345 & VOL 11561 FOL 346

The application is for a permit to: DEVELOPMENT OF DWELLING, VEGETATION REMOVAL, USE AND DEVELOPMENT OF PRIVATE TENNIS COURT. VARY THE FOLLOWING RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS:

- 2297215, 2319752 AND 2370984, AS AMENDED BY VARIATION NO. AD675944A BY THE FOLLOWING: AFTER THE CURRENT WORDS:

“AND EXCEPT THAT NOTHING HEREIN SHALL PREVENT THE USE AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE LAND CONTAINED IN CERTIFICATE OF TITLE VOLUME 08583 FOLIO 689, BEING LOTS 3 AND 4 ON PLAN OF SUBDIVISION 052729, FOR THE PURPOSE OF FOUR SINGLE STOREY DWELLINGS, TENNIS COURT, SWIMMING POOL AND OUTBUILDINGS, IN ACCORDANCE WITH A PLANNING PERMIT ISSUED BY MORNINGTON PENINSULA SHIRE COUNCIL IN APPLICATION NO. CP02/004.” THE PROPOSED VARIATION IS TO INSERT THE FOLLOWING WORDS:

“AND, NOTING THAT PLANNING PERMIT CP02/004 HAS EXPIRED AND NO LONGER AUTHORISES THE USE AND DEVELOPMENT DESCRIBED IN THE PROVISION ADDED BY VARIATION OF COVENANT AD675944A, NOTHING HEREIN SHALL PREVENT THE USE AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE LAND CONTAINED IN CERTIFICATES OF TITLE VOLUME 11561 FOLIOS 345 AND 346, BEING LOTS 1 AND 2 ON PLAN OF SUBDIVISION 638295, FOR THE PURPOSE OF THREE DWELLINGS, TENNIS COURTS, SWIMMING POOLS AND OUTBUILDINGS.”

PLANNING SCHEME CLAUSE

A permit is required under the following clauses of the planning scheme: MATTER FOR WHICH A PERMIT IS REQUIRED

Clause 42.02-2 (VPO1) Remove, destroy or lop any vegetation specified in the schedule to the overlay.

Clause 43.02-2 (DDO2) Construct a building or construct or carry out works(Dwelling)

Clause 52.02 Create, vary or remove an easement or restriction under Section 23 of the Subdivision Act 1988.

Clause 52.21-2 Construct, use or illuminate a private tennis court.

The Responsible Authority will not decide on the application before: 20 OCTOBER 2025

How can I find out more? You may look at the application and any documents that support the application free of charge at: www.mornpen.vic.gov.au

You may also call (03) 5950 1010 to arrange a time to look at the application and any documents that support the application at the office of the responsible authority, Mornington Peninsula Shire Council. This can be done during office hours and is free of charge.

Privacy Notification: The personal information provided in an objection is collected for planning purposes in accordance with the Planning & Environment Act 1987 (the Act). The public may view an objection in accordance with Section 57 of the Act whilst the planning application is current

NOTICE OF AN APPLICATION FOR A PLANNING PERMIT APPLICATION DETAILS

Application reference number: P25/1348

Applicant name: MELINDA ZACHARCHUK

The Land affected by this application is located at: 26 LAHINCH DRIVE FINGAL LOT 26 PS 438599 VOL 10627 FOL 245

The application is for a permit to: VARIATION OF RESTRICTION ON TITLE -TO VARY THE SHAPE OF THE BUILDING ENVELOPE ON LOT 26 AS SHOWN ON PS 438599N EDITION 29 (TO INCLUDE POOL)

MATTER FOR WHICH A PERMIT IS REQUIRED PLANNING SCHEME CLAUSE

Clause 52.02 A PERMIT IS REQUIRED BEFORE A PERSON PROCEEDS UNDER SECTION 23 OF THE SUBDIVISION ACT 1988 TO CREATE, VARY OR REMOVE AN EASEMENT OR RESTRICTION

The Responsible Authority will not decide on the application before: 20 OCTOBER 2025

How can I find out more? You may look at the application and any documents that support the application free of charge at: www.mornpen.vic.gov.au

You may also call (03) 5950 1010 to arrange a time to look at the application and any documents that support the application at the office of the responsible authority, Mornington Peninsula Shire Council. This can be done during office hours and is free of charge.

Privacy Notification: The personal information provided in an objection is collected for planning purposes in accordance with the Planning & Environment Act 1987 (the Act). The public may view an objection in accordance with Section 57 of the Act whilst the planning application is current

PUBLIC NOTICES

I, Dongyue Xia, applied to Liquor Control Victoria on 7 August 2025 for the grant of a packaged liquor licence at 16-18 Newcomen Road, Springvale 3171.

Any person may object to the grant of this application on the grounds that: - it would detract from, or be detrimental to, the amenity of the area in which the premises are situated, and/or - it would be conducive to or encourage the misuse or abuse of alcohol.

An objection must state the reasons for the objection.

All objections are treated as public documents. Objections must be made in writing to:

Liquor Control Victoria PO Box 1019

Richmond VIC 3121

Objections must be made no later than 30 days after the date of this notice

I, Kuan-Lin Chen, applied to Liquor Control Victoria on 16 August 2025 for the grant of a packaged liquor licence at A7 2A Westall Road, Springvale 3171.

Any person may object to the grant of this application on the grounds that: -it would detract from, or be detrimental to, the amenity of the area in which the premises are situated, and/or - it would be conducive to or encourage the misuse or abuse of alcohol.

An objection must state the reasons for the objection.

All objections are treated as public documents. Objections must be made in writing to:

Liquor Control Victoria PO Box 1019

Richmond VIC 3121

Objections must be made no later than 30 days after the date of this notice

The Local Paper

CONTACT US

Phones: 1800 231 311, Email: editor@ LocalPaper.com.au BOOKING AND COPY DEADLINE: 5pm Fridays, prior to Wednesday issue.

CLASSIFIED ADS

Classified ads are available each fortnight in The Local Paper, which is published on Wednesdays, February-December (with the exception of Easter Wednesday).

SECTION 7 - NEWSPAPER OR SOCIAL MEDIA NOTICE PROPOSAL TO UPGRADE AN EXISTING MOBILE PHONE BASE STATION AT 290-332 BANYULE RD, VIEWBANK VIC 3084 (RFNSA 3084020)

1. Telstra is proposing to upgrade an existing mobile phone base station at 290-332 Banyule Rd, Viewbank VIC 3084.

2. The proposed upgrade will consist of the removal of three existing antennas, installation of six panel antennas, reconfiguring of six panel antennas and ancillary works such as GPS antenna, feeders cables and works within the existing shelter.

3. In accordance with Section 7 of the Industry Code C564:2025 Mobile Phone Base Station Deployment, we invite you to make comments about the proposal.

4. Please direct comments to Jordan Leverington, Service Stream, 0458 011 882, Jordan.Leverington@servicestream.com.au, or Level 3, 821 Pacific Highway, Chatswood, NSW 2067 by 5pm Thursday 16/10/2025.

For more information about the proposal, scan the QR Code or visit www.rfnsa.com.au/3084020.

Service Stream ABN: 46 072 369 870 Telstra ACN: 086 174 781

AFL Grand Final

■ Brisbane Lions 18.14 (122) defeated Geelong Cats 11.9 (75) on Saturday to win the 2025 AFL Grand Final. The attendance at the MCG was 100,022.

Marysville charge

■ Police impounded a probationary driver’s car after he was caught with cannabis in Marysville on Saturday night (Sep. 27).

A 2007 Ford Falcon sedan entered a booze bus site on Marysville Rd about 7.15pm.

While conducting routine licence checks, police quickly discovered that the 20-yearold man was driving with a disqualified licence.

His car was then searched, and officers located and seized an amount of cannabis. Officers impounded the man’s car at a cost of $1775, and he is expected to be charged on summons with for possessing a drug of dependence and drive whilst authorisation suspended.

This intercept formED part of Operation Scoreboard, a statewide road policing operation coinciding with the AFL Grand Final long weekend in Victoria

Yea Golf Club

■ The Grand Final holiday saw the 6th Bruce Kindred Cup conducted at Yea Golf Club. Some 34 golfers participated in the stableford/4 BBB events with participants encouraged to wear their footy colours.

Winners of the day were Jo Clayton with 43 points for the Ladies stableford, Alan Pell with 39 points for the Mens Stableford and Jo and Paul Clayton with 47 points in the 4 Ball Best Ball. It was fabulous to have Jenny Kindred available to present the winning trophies.

Full Ladies results: Runner-Up Cindy Armstrong 36, 3rd Vicki Clements 35. Mens Results: Runner-Up Russ Wealands 38, 3rd Paul Clayton 37. 4BBB Results: RunnersUp Greg and Vicki Clements 44 CB, Phil and Cindy Armstrong 44.NTP - 2nd David Ngo, 11th Steve Rumney and Vicki Clements, 14th Zach Pell and Vicki Clements, 18th Greg Clements.

Saturday morning saw 15 members play a stableford event before the grand final. Winner of the event was Kevin Coghlan(21) with 39 points from second Mick Sheather(21) with 36 points and Anthony La Grutta(20) was third with 35 points. No NTP on the 18th and Bill Dredge took out the Club award.

Wednesday saw a Par 3 day at Yea with hole length and stroke index based on Kyabram Parklands Par 3 course. Winners were Khai Mohammed Noor for the Ladies and Martin Lowe for the Men both with 39 points.

Second for the Ladies was Di Elliott with 36 from equal third Di Holdsworth/Cindy Armstrong with 35. Mick Spagnolo was second for the men with 38 CB fom Anthony La Grutta third. Bill Dredge was NTP on the 18th and Mick Sheather won the Club Award. Alan Pell

New thriller

■ Victoria will set the scene for the latest instalment of the hit horror franchise Insidious

Creative Industries Minister Colin Brooks announced Melbourne has been chosen as the filming location for Insidious6, delivering a $29 million boost to the Victorian economy and creating more than 500 local jobs.

Insidious 6, which is part of a franchise created by Victorians Leigh Whannell and James Wan, has become one of the most successful horror series of all time, grossing more than $740 million worldwide.

Melbourne’s distinctive architecture and streetscapes will provide a moody backdrop with filming now underway in locations including Camberwell, Essendon and Kensington, as well as Docklands Studios.

Insidious6is the latest in a string of local and international projects to film in Victoria, including horror-thriller StakeOut, romantic comedy Her Aussie Romance, psychological drama TheDispatcher, Liam Neeson action film The Mongoose, World War II thriller Play Dead, original Stan series Gnomes, and ABC drama series Goolagong. The Sony Pictures and Blumhouse film is produced by Jason Blum, Oren Peli, and James Wan and Leigh Whannell, with executive producers Ryan Turek, Steven Schneider and Brian Kavanaugh-Jones