The Local Paper. Southern Cross Weekly Edition. Wed., Apr. 2, 2025
Local News
$100,000 win
■ A Richmond man’s house clean took an unexpected turn when he unearthed a forgotten Instant Scratch-Its ticket he purchased almost two years ago, only to discover he’d been sitting on a $100,000 win.
The man’s winning $5 20x The Cash Instant Scratch-Its ticket was purchased at Victoria Gardens Lotto, Kiosk 3, Victoria Gardens Shopping Centre, 620 Victoria St, Richmond.
Litter hero Hannah
■ Melbourne Water and Glen Eira Council have hired a new Litter Action Plan Officer as part of a suite of litter-busting measures to keep Elster Creek beautiful.
Hannan is based at Glen Eira Council, which is responsible for managing most of the extensive drainage system in the Elster Creek catchment.
Glen Eira Mayor Cr Simone Zmood said that tackling litter in the Elster Creek catchment is an integral part of the health of the local waterways.
BAYSIDE’S TOP CITIZENS
■ Jacqueline Pascarl has been named Bayside Citizen of the Year for her exceptional contributions to the Bayside community and beyond.
Despite her own personal health challenges, Jacqueline raises funds for the Hampton RSL and supports local veterans, while advocating for women’s health and providing compassionate care to patients.
Senior Citizen of the Year is Jane Baker Volunteer of the Year is James Duchini . The Environmental Organisation or Individual category winner is 3191 Beach Patrol & Love Our Street. Community Event of the Year is Stuart Place - A Dad’s Will: To the Moon and Back.
■ The City of Stonnington says that it is standing up for its residents, businesses, and visitors by opposing the State Government’s expanded Congestion Levy
■ Hawthorn MLA John Pesutto potentially faces financial ruin if Moira Deeming is successful in claiming $2.4 million in legal costs, major media speculates.
The Age newspaper reported late last week that Mr Pesutto might go close to bankruptcy if a legal costs application went against hi, following his defamation case loss against Ms Deeming.
Mr Pesutto was financially backed to some degree by former Premiers Jeff Kennett, Ted Baillieu and Denis Napthine.
“Bankruptcy would force Pesutto out of politics, triggering a by-election for his marginal seat of Hawthorn,” The Age said.
“ Pesutto was ordered to pay Deeming $300,000 in damages, as well as her legal bill, when the Federal Court in December found he repeatedly defamed hetr by falsely implying she associated with neo-Nazis.
“Deeming’s team is seeking almost $2.4 million in costs which would push Pesutto perilously close to bankruptcy,” said The Age.
This is a new tax on all paid public car spaces west of Williams Rd, that will significantly increase parking costs and take millions away from the community, the Council says.
“The levy will apply to four multi-deck and five at-grade Council car parks,” a Council representative said.
“It is yet another new tax grab by the government costing local ratepayers an estimated $4.1 million per year in its first year alone.
“Instead of staying in Stonnington to fund local services, this money will go straight to the Victorian State Government, with no clear benefit to our community.
Stonnington Mayor Cr Melina Sehr said Council had no choice but to push back against another financial hit on residents and businesses.
“This levy is a tax on our community. It will make parking more expensive, add pressure to local businesses, and could force Council to cut back on the services our residents rely on,” Cr Sehr said.
● ● John Pesutto, Hawthorn MLA
● ● Jacqueline Pascarl
● ● ● ● Cr Melina Sehr
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● ● Hannah, litter officer
✔Boroondara Council says awthorn Arts Centre was bursting at the seams with potential volunteers at the Boroondara Volunteer Expo. More than 450 people attended – almost doubling the number at last year’s event. Former AFL footballer Eddie Betts was interviewed by Mayor, Cr Sophie Torney, about his volunteer work. He spoke about the impact of giving back through the Eddie Betts Foundation, which empowers Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people through sport and education. Eddie inspired attendees to consider how they can create lasting change in the community through volunteering. Attendees met seeing eye dog puppies, got hands-on with St John’s Ambulance resuscitation dummies and took part in ‘micro-volunteering’ activities. A session on volunteering as a path to paid employment was also well attended.
● ● Cr Li Zhang
✔Glen Eira Mayor Cr Simone Zmood has congratulated Cr Li Zhang on her recent election to the Municipal Association of Victoria’s Board of Directors. She is first ever representative from Glen Eira to sit on the board. “As the representative for the Inner Metropolitan South-east Region—covering Bayside, Boroondara, Glen Eira, Melbourne, Port Phillip, Stonnington, and Yarra— Cr Zhang now carries an important responsibility to advocate for the interests of a diverse and dynamic group of councils,” said a Council representative. “Cr Zhang’s experience and dedication will make her an invaluable asset to the Board as it carries out its work shaping the policies and strategies that guide our sector.”
?City of Melbourne Councillors have been told by resident that Karl Hessian that Procurement Australasia Pty Ltd is not a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Council. The municipality owns 63 per cent of the issued capital, and has approximately 15 per cent of the vorting rights. A report says: “Council does not currently have a representative on the board of the company. Management will pursue a skill-based director representation to ensure Council maintaoms influence and protects its investment in the company as well as delivering ongoing services and efficient procuremement activities into the future.”
?Port Phillip Council has set its Federal Election shopping list. It is calling on candidates for the seat of Macnamara to support a range of initiatives for the community. Key priority projects include:
■ CCTV upgrades across Fitzroy St, Grey St, St Kilda Foreshore and Acland Street precincts.
■ Increased outreach services
■ Affordable housing - investment in additional community and affordable housing stock to support vulnerable community members.
■ a $10 million contribution from the Federal Government to support the redevelopment of six ageing Early Childhood Education and Care Centres from 2026-2029,
■ co-funding for the $50 million Elwood Foreshore Redevelopment, a staged 10year project to revitalise this iconic area, and renewals for Elwood’s Broadway Bridge.
Local News
‘Will change us forever’
■ Boroondara Mayor Cr Sophie Torney says the impact of State Government planning changes “will change the heritage and character of our city forever”.
At Camberwell Junction, buildings ranging from six to 12 storeys will be allowed, with surrounding areas of up to four to six storeys in an ‘inner catchment’.
Three to four storeys in an ‘outer catchment’ will be allowed, said a Boroondara Council representative.
Kew Junction has been named one of 50 ‘train and tram activity centres’ where planning controls will be revised for more higher-density housing.
The areas around Ashburton railway station, and Willison and Riversdale train stations combined, have also been named ‘train and tram activity centres’.
They join Hawthorn, Glenferrie, Auburn, Glen Iris and Gardiner stations where planning controls will be revised for higher-density housing.
New ‘deemed-to-comply’ standards will apply to townhouse and low-rise apartment buildings. If the standards are met, a planning permit must be issued. Nearby property owners won’t be able to appeal the decision at VCAT
New rules ‘inexcusable’
■ Boroondara Mayor Cr Sophie Torney says the State Government planning changes lack balance.
“The disregard for the need to balance growth with respecting the quality of Boroondara’s living environments is inexcusable, particularly when we have demonstrated our commitment to planning for increased housing supply,” Cr Torney said.
“What the government should be doing is working with us to invest in the infrastructure and services that support future growth in the right locations.
“Council will keep advocating to the Victorian Government, urging it to work with us and consult the community. We held our second community forum in February to share what we know so far.’
Boroondara Council is encouraging resident to provide feedback to the State Government at a web page.
The day the music died
■ If polling is correct, and Teal politician Monique Ryan losesthe Kooyong seat to Liberal candidate Amelia Hamer, the independents will be able to trace back to the day when Dr Ryan’s husband Peter Jordan was caught redhanded taking a Liberal advertising sign.
After initially stating several denials, Mr Jordan later apologised for the political-crazy act.
“I unreservedly apologise for removing the sign — it was a mistake,” he said.
“I believed the sign was illegally placed but I should have reported my concerns to council.”
Dr Ryan also apologised.
A Liberal Party representative said: “The Teals preach integrity in public but then behave like this when they think no-one is looking. Regretfully this is not the first time we’ve seen this sort of behaviour.
“It’s disappointing that we now need to consider how to best keep our property and volunteers safe when Monique and her husband are around,” the representative said.
The Federal Election has been called for Saturday, May 3. Sportsbet have Dr Ryan and Ms Hamer level-peagging at odds of $1.83.
Kingswood latest
■ Kingston Council is encouraging the community to provide feedback on the latest development plans for the former Kingswood Golf Course site in Dingley Village
The State Government has released the draft plans for public consultation, with residents invited to have their say by 5pm on Thursday, April 17.
Having rezoned the land in 2023 to provide for housing, the State Government is the decision maker on the Development Plans for the site.
Kingston Mayor Cr Georgina Oxley urged residents to review the plans and share their views on the future of the site.
“We know this project has been of strong interest to our community, and it’s important that residents take this opportunity to provide feedback,” Cr Oxley said.
● ● Camberwell Junction, Photo: City of Boroondara.
● ● Peter Jordan
Cr Sophie Torney, Boroondara Mayor
Statewide
MONTROSE
Local fire concern
■ Bridget Vallence, Evelyn MLA, has spoken in State Parliament about the Montrose fire. A group of boys has been questioned by Police about the blaze.
“Our Montrose community was confronted with a significant bushfire event. Starting as a grass and scrub fire on Saturday, March 14, in Dr Ken Leversha Reserve along Sheffield Rd in Montrose, it unfortunately spread and became out of control during the middle of the night, with VicEmergency warning residents to ‘take shelter now’ – another test demonstrating just how resilient our local Montrose community is,” Ms Vallencer said.
“I pay tribute to our local CFA fire brigades and our valued volunteer firefighters, who show exceptional dedication to our Yarra Ranges community, that responded swiftly alongside Forest Fire Management Victoria, battling not only the hot and windy conditions but also what residents have described as overgrown vegetation and debris on the council reserve.
“Sadly, at least one home was lost. I also pay tribute to Yarra Ranges police for the work that they did doorknocking residents, alerting them to the danger and encouraging evacuation.
“A massive shout-out to the Montrose CFA fire brigade led by captain Matt Jalowicki on the fireground and communications led by safety officer Liz Peters and all of the amazing Montrose brigade members.
“A huge thankyou to the more than 30 CFA brigades who helped, including Mooroolbark, Chirnside Park, Coldstream, Wandin, Gruyere, Silvan, Mount Evelyn, Lilydale and Seville CFA fire brigades from our local Evelyn electorate – you are our local heroes.
“Montrose at the foot of the Dandenong Ranges is a beautiful part of the world, but this does serve as a reminder that the entire Yarra Ranges is bushfire-prone, and we all need to be alert and prepared,” Ms Vallence told Parliament.
Across Victoria TREAT WORKERS WITH RESPECT - NEW CAMPAIGN
■ The State Government is putting work-related aggression and violence in the spotlight with a new campaign asking the community to not cross the line, and to stop and reflect before tempers rise.
‘Don’t cross the line’ – a fresh campaign from WorkSafe Victoria – calls on everyday Victorians to consider the toll on workers who may experience yelling, swearing and hostility as part of their day to day work.
The campaign will run on TV, radio, social media, print and feature in workplaces – focusing on the cumulative impact of these forms of aggression.
The campaign comes as WorkSafe data reveals almost 1000 workers were seriously injured – including 316 workers who suffered mental injuries – because of suspected work-related aggression or violence incidents last year.
Deputy Premier and Minister for WorkSafe and the TAC Ben Carroll said:
“Aggression in the workplace is a community problem and needs a community response, so we’re asking all Victorians to step up and the next time you’re getting frustrated in a workplace, pause and ask yourself – am I crossing the line?”
Statewide
SEYMOUR
Murder charge
■ Homicide Squad detectives have charged a man following an alleged fatal stabbing in Seymour.
A 41-year-old Seymour man has been charged with one count of murder and was to face Seymour Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Mar. 31).
PORTLAND NORTH Road fatality
■ Police are investigating after fatal crash in Portland North on Friday evening (Mar. 28). Emergency services were called to reports a car had crashed into a tree off Portland-Nelson Rd about 8.50pm. The driver and sole occupant of the vehicle died at the scene.
Exact circumstances surrounding the crash are yet to be determined.
FORREST
Vehicle into tree
■ Police are investigating after fatal crash at Forrest on Friday evening (Mar. 28). Emergency services were called to reports a car had crashed into a tree off Grant St about 8.45pm.
The driver and sole occupant of the vehicle died at the scene.
Exact circumstances surrounding the crash are yet to be determined.
TEESDALE
Boy, 6, dies
■ Major Collision Investigation Unit detectives were at the scene of a fatal collision in Teesdale. It’s believed a child was struck by a vehicle as he was walking to a bus stop on Bannockburn-Shelford Rd just after 8am Thursday. CPR was performed by a passerby before paramedics arrived but sadly the six-year-old boy died at the scene.
● ● ● ● Ben Carroll, Deputy Premier
The Local Paper
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.
ABOUT US
Incorporating the traditions of the Southern Cross (Est. 1871), Camberwell Free Press (Est.1927), Collingwood, Fitzroy and Carlton Courier (Est.1948), The Clarion (Est. 1980)
The Local Paper is published weekly online and printed fortnightly and circulates in local editions:
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Columnists: Len Baker, Matt Bissett-Johnson, Rob Foenander, Peter Kemp, Aaron Rourke, Ted Ryan, Cheryl Threadgold, Julie Houghton, Kevin Trask, John O’Keefe
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2025 Centre closes
Ash on Wednesday Online child abuse charges
■ A Melbourne man has been sentenced to two years and two months’ imprisonment, to be released after four months on a Commonwealth Recognisance Release Order, after a match on a dating app referred him to police.
The Hamlyn Heights man, 45, was sentenced in the County Court on Tuesday (Mar. 25) after pleading guilty to two charges relating to using and accessing child abuse material.
A Victorian Joint Anti Child Exploitation Team investigation started in early December, 2023, after a woman approached police with concerns about the man, who she matched with on a dating app.
She told police he initiated a conversation in which he both expressed interest in sexually exploiting children and also attempted to engage in fantasy role-play based on the abuse of children.
After linking the man to the illegal online child exploitation activity, police executed a search warrant at his home on December 12, 2023, finding child abuse material on a mobile phone.
Officers seized several electronic devices, including multiple laptops and the mobile phone with the dating app downloaded. Digital forensic analysis of these devices identified more than 60 images containing child abuse material.
The man pleaded guilty on March 18 to the following offences:
Long Shots
■ One count of using carriage service to groom another person to make it easier to procure a child believed to be under 16 years of age to engage in sexual activity, contrary to section 474.27AA(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth); and ■ One count of possess or control child abuse material obtained or accessed using a carriage service, contrary to section 474.22A(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth).
AFP Detective Superintendent Bernard Geason thanked the woman who came forward.
“Those who seek to commit unspeakable acts against children are often active online,” Det Supt Geason said.
“While identifying these predators is a priority for police, we also rely on the public to voice any concerns, noting the information they provide, however small, can be invaluable to investigators.
“In this case, a dating app match led to a date with the courts, which I hope sends a warning to those participating in this vile criminality that you can expect a knock at the door any time.”
Victoria JACET comprises AFP and Victoria Police officers.
Members of the public who have information about people involved in child abuse are urged to contact the ACCCE Research conducted by the ACCCE in 2020 revealed only about half of parents talked to their children about online safety.
Local Photo Flashback
■ Study@Greville will close on Thursday, (Apr. 3) to allow Stonnington Council to refurbish and expand the space and welcome the return of more library services into Prahran Town Hall by mid-2025.
The Local Paper
Online weekly. Print copies fortnightly.
In association with the Established September 14, 1969
Published in localised editions in 40 areas across Melbourne, Mornington Peninsula and some country areas.
BAYSIDE
Incorporating the traditions of the Southern Cross (Est. Feb. 27, 1871), Bayside Advertiser
Bayside comprises Beaumaris, Black Rock, Brighton, Brighton East, Cheltenham (part), Hampton, Hampton East, Highett (part) and Sandringham. Bayside is home to more than 105,580 people, living in approximately 41,091 homes.
BOROONDARA
SOUTHERN SECTION
Incorporating the traditions of the Boroondara Weekly, Progress News, Camberwell Free Press (Est. 1927) Boroondara southern area comprises the southern part of the municipality including Ashburton, Camberwell, Glen Iris (part), Hawthorn and Hawthorn East. Boroondara City is home to more than 176,632 people, living in approximately 69,419 homes.
GLEN EIRA
Incorporating the traditions of the Southern Cross (Est. Feb. 27, 1871), Glen Eira Standard, Carnegie Courier, Elsternwick Advertiser, Caulfield Advertiser Glen Eira comprises Bentleigh, Bentleigh East, Carnegie, Caulfield, Caulfield East, Caulfield North, Caulfield South, Elsternwick, Gardenvale, Glen Huntly, McKinnon, Murrumbeena and Ormond, and parts of the suburbs of Brighton East and St Kilda East. Glen Eira is home to more than 155,123 people, living in approximately 59,815homes.
KINGSTON
Incorporating the traditions of the Kingston Standard, Moorabbin News, Moorabbin Standard, Chelsea Mordialloc Standard Kingston comprises Aspendale, Aspendale Gardens, Bonbeach, Braeside, Carrum, Chelsea, Chelsea Heights, Cheltenham, Clarinda, Clayton South, Dingley Village, Edithvale, Heatherton, Highett, Mentone, Moorabbin, Moorabbin Airport, Mordialloc, Oakleigh South, Parkdale, Patterson Lakes and Waterways. Kingston is home to more than 167,228 people, living in approximately 67, 617 homes.
PORT
PHILLIP
Incorporating the traditions of the Southern Cross (Est. Feb. 27, 1871), Emerald Hill Times, Sandridge Times, St Kilda Times Port Phillip comprises Albert Park, Balaclava, Elwood, Melbourne (part), Middle Park, Port Melbourne (part), Ripponlea, South Melbourne, Southbank (part), St Kilda, St Kilda East (part), St Kilda West and Windsor (part). Port Phillip is home to more than 100,863 people, living in approximately 57,867 homes.
STONNINGTON
Incorporating the traditions of the Southern Cross (Est. Feb. 27, 1871), Stonnington Weekly
Stonnington comprises Armadale, Glen Iris, Kooyong, Malvern, Malvern East, Prahran, South Yarra, Toorak and Windsor. Stonnington is home to more than 114,340 people, living in approximately 54,181 homes.
YARRA
Incorporating the traditions of Collingwood Carlton Fitzroy Courier (Est. 1948), Richmond Times Yarra comprises Abbotsford, Burnley, Carlton North, Clifton Hill, Collingwood, Cremorne, Fitzroy, Fitzroy North, Princes Hill, Richmond. Yarra is home to more than 99,622 people, living in approximately 44,033homes.
Cheryl Threadgold, Local Theatre
Julie Houghton, The Arts Kevin Trask, Entertainment Aaron Rourke, Film Ted Ryan, Horse Racing Len Baker, Harness Racing Matt
Observer Melbourne
145-KMH IN 60-KMH ZONE
■ A man has had his motorcycle impounded after he was allegedly caught speeding in Albert Park
He might have thought he was on the F1 racetrack, but State Highway Patrol officers spotted the white BMW S1000R sports bike speeding on Beaconsfield Pde about 9.50am last Wednesday (Mar. 26).
The bike was allegedly clocked doing 145-kmh in a 60-kmh zone.
Officers safely intercepted the vehicle and spoke to the rider.
They were shocked to find he was not prepared for the ride, and was wearing shorts, socks and Crocs.
The bike was impounded at a cost of $953.30.
The 31-year-old Brighton man is expected to be charged with speed dangerous, drive manner dangerous, careless driving and number plate offences.
State Highway Patrol is focused on reducing road trauma involving
motorcyclists as part of Operation Protect Motorcyclists continue to be overrepresented in road trauma, with 17 rider fatalities on Victorian roads so far this year.
Excessive or inappropriate speed continues to be one of the major factors in fatal collisions involving motorcyclists.
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● Theatre Heritage Australia President Simon Piening (left) congratulates Roland Rocchiccioli on his talk at Arts Centre Melbourne. More inside.
Victoria Pictorial
Park
● ● ● Mont Park ward with nursing staff
● ● ● ● Mont Park. Circa 1917?
● ● ● ● Mont Park nursing staff
● ● Mont Park Sanitorium. 1918-1920
● The Deepdene-Mont Park ‘Reo’ bus: signwriting says ‘Deepdene-Ivanhoe- Heidelberg-Mont Park-Gresswell’
● ● Mont Park lounge area
The Whip
WOMAN FINED OVER ILLEGAL WILDLIFE
■ A 27-year-old Melbourne-based woman has been fined $3000 for her part in a cross-border wildlife trade syndicate handling native reptiles.
The woman appeared in Melbourne Magistrates' Court and pleaded guilty to seven charges involving 13 animals.
The charges related to the illegal receipt, possession and disposal of protected wildlife (including shingleback lizards and eastern fat tailed geckos), as well as the falsification of import/ export permits, failure to comply with three import permits and breaching the code of practice for the keeping of reptiles in relation to three animals.
NE Link concerns
Wollert protest
■ Thomastown MLA Bronwyn Halfpenny presented a 2462-signature to State Parliameny with public unrest about the to the proposal by Cleanaway Operations Pty Ltd to construct a waste-to-energy incinerator on Summerhill Rd, Wollert
“Residents of Melbourne’s north are concerned about the harm from burning 380,000 tonnes of waste annually,” said the petition presented by Ms Halfpenny.
“Even with the best available technologies, dangerous pollutants like dioxins, PFAS, microplastics, and heavy metals will still be emitted, harming children through air, soil, and water contamination.
“The proposal would also generate greenhouse gases and hazardous ash requiring landfill disposal.
“The community fears the risks to human health and the environment. The incinerator would disrupt life in nearby residential areas.
■ Bulleen MLA Matthew Guy has spoken in State Parliament about his concern about the effects of the North-East Link on nearby residents.
“Wollert, home to many young families, has 59 schools within 10 km of the site. It is 2 km from a retirement village, 400 metres from Curly Sedge Creek, and close to water reservoirs.
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● Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has called a May 3 Federal Election
■ Anthony Albanese rode in the Prime Ministerial car from The Lodge to Governor-General Sam Mostyn at Yarralumla on Friday (May. 28) to request a Federal Election on Saturday, May 3.
Key to the Election will be a nmumber of marginal seats including those in Melbourne’s east and south-east, as well as outlying and peri-urban areas.
Labor advances
■ The ABC says that Labor enters the Federal Election campaign in a stronger position than it was just six weeks ago, with polling suggesting the government could even be returned in majority.
“Research from pollster YouGov has found that if an election were held today, Labor would end up with a median estimate of 75 seats in the next parliament, with a lower estimate of 69 and an upper estimate of 80.
“That central estimate is just one short of 76, a majority in parliament.
“The Coalition is behind on 60, with a lower estimate of 55 and an upper estimate of 68.”
Deakin outcome
■ The ABC says: “[Polling] suggests Labor could gain Deakin in Victoria from the Liberals, which would be a surprising result.”
Dutton reverses
■ “YouGov's director of public data Paul Smith puts at least part of the shift away from the Coalition down to Peter Dutton scoring own goals with "very unpopular" policies,” said the ABC.
"Dutton needed to win working-class votes in outer suburban Sydney and Melbourne but his Trump-style policies of ending work from home and cutting 40,000 public servants have seen his support dramatically impacted," he said.
Bookies like Labor
■ On early Monday morning (Mar. 31), Sportsbet listed $1.80 odds for Labor to win the May 3 Federal Election. A Coalition win would pay $2.
Cancel SRL
■ In State Politics, Victorian Opposition Leader Brad Battin has called on Premier Jacinta Allan to axe the Suburban Rail Loop project. If successful at the next State Election, the Libs say they will stop and reassess the project.
“Infrastructure Australia has raised serious concerns including that the Allan Labor Government’s Business and Investment Case has overstated the benefits of SRL.”
The woman was charged as part of Operation Pike, a major investigation by the Conservation Regulator into the illegal import, export, and trade of wildlife in Victoria, with assistance from Victoria Police and the Federal Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.
In a related matter, a 21-year-old Noble Park North man fronted Sunshine Magistrates’ Court last month after he pleaded guilty to 67 charges of importing and exporting wildlife without a permit, failing to comply with conditions of import/export permits, contravene conditions of his wildlife licence, controlling protected wildlife and falsification of import/export permits.
The Director of Public Prosecutions has appealed the Magistrates’ Court outcome, which is set to be heard in the County Court in June.
All wildlife is protected by law in Victoria, and it is illegal to import, export, and trade them without authorisation.
Offenders face penalties of up to $19,759 per charge. It is a serious offence to falsify documents and carries a maximum penalty of 10years imprisonment per charge under the Crimes Act 1958
Kate Gavens, Chief Conservation Regulator, said: “Our wildlife laws and permit systems exist to protect the welfare of native animals and the Conservation Regulator will not tolerate any exploitation of these processes for the illegal trade of wildlife.”
“If you are aware of suspicious behaviour around wildlife, we encourage you to report it to Crime Stoppers Victoria. Even a small amount of information from the public can help fight wildlife crime.”
Building at Oliver’s Hill
■ Frankston MLA Paul Edbrooke has told State Paliament: “I know everyone in this house was as shocked as I was when we saw construction on the beach south of Olivers Hill, so I want to give everyone in the house and in my community I bit of an update on what went on there.
“I went for a walk after many, many people in my community reported that there was some construction on a Frankston beach, and lo and behold there was construction on a Frankston beach – no permits, no engineering certificates, no planning – in a sensitive cultural heritage area.
“A man had moved into his house, seen fit to get rid of 700 square metres of protective foreshore from our community and decided to build a wall in the middle of a Frankston beach.
“Now, some might be a bit sceptical. The call was ‘I don’t want my house to fall into the ocean,’ while there is evidence that maybe a seawall was pulled up to create this seawall and possibly a boat ramp was being built from his house as well.
“The one thing we will not stand in any community in Victoria, let alone in Frankston, I can tell you now, is people deciding that they own the place and they will do what they want. They will put a $400,000 bond aside in their bank account because that is the cost of doing business. No permits were applied for – nothing. This is insane.,” Mr Edbrooke said.
“I rise to put on record some concerns I have about pollution smokestacks being built at the North East Link site, the location of which many of my local residents and I, certainly over the last week, have had a number of conversations about,” Mr Guy told the Legislative Assembly.
“These stacks will be around 18 storeys high, or the equivalent of. They will be unfiltered, these pollution stacks which will feature on the North East Link Program
“They are very, very close to Marcellin; Trinity college; Carey sports field; Belle Vue Primary in the member for Kew’s electorate; Bulleen Park, where there are a number of sports played from soccer to AFL to cricket –a whole range of sports; the Yarra River walking tracks; the local Indigenous area, where there is a billabong; the Veneto; and not to mention hundreds and hundreds of homes.”
“Heavy trucks would increase pollution and damage roads, while the 56-metre flue stack would affect air quality, soundscape, and views.
“Public opposition is overwhelming. Ninety-nine percent of the 764 EPA submissions rejected the proposal, and over 5600 people signed a change.org petition. This shows no social licence for MERC in Wollert.”
Ambo worries
■ Kim Wells, Rowville MLA, has told Parliament, condemning the Allan Labor Government for “its continued failures in managing Victoria’s troubled ambulance services. The unacceptable ongoing mismanagement of our ambulance services is seeing Victorians’ lives being placed in danger every single day. Victorians have simply had enough.”
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Photo Collection
● ● Brighton Beach State School. 1924.
● ● Brighton. (Valentine Series)
● ● Brighyton Orphan Asylum. Circa 1880.
● ● ● ● ‘Merton’, St Leonard’s College, Brighton. 1969.
● ● ● ● Brighton Post Ofice and Exchange. 1917-30. ● ● Brighton Surgery. New St, Brighton. 1959.
● ● ● ● The Welsh cottages at Brighton, reconstucted as ‘Pen-y-bryn’, the home of Lloyd Tayler, Brighton. Circa 1890
A Chance to Address the Amish Rumours
■ Stephanie Hare’s A Chance to Address the Amish Rumours launches with the sound of a cow mooing.
Hare then ruminates on a childhood spent in the backcountry boondocks of rural Tassie, Jackeys Marsh , to be exact, which had a population of 40 in the last census.
Embracing an alternative lifestyle, Stephanie’s mother left Melbourne to pursue life off the grid, building the family an architecturally ambiguous house made from scrounged firewood and stone.
Stephanie’s father would regularly remove himself from the family home, retreating to a literal man cave in the mountains for weeks on end.
Hare suspects there may have been an ulterior motive. Phone reception was better at the top of the mountain.
Strange neighbours, encounters with an Earth Mother ship, white guys in dreadlocks, Stephanie assumed all were hallmarks of a typical childhood until she got to Melbourne and discovered fridges.
After all, despite salmonella scares from mouldy hoummos, who needs a fridge when you can pour milk straight from a goat.
Dropping out of uni, Hare set out on an adventure and moved to Scotland
Homesick, Hare considered getting deported, but transportation is not as easy as it used to be.
Back in Melbourne with her new Scottish boyfriend, Hare embraces adulthood and makes grown-up decisions like what to name the Wi-Fi.
Hare perfects a nervy schtick, delivering quirky, slow-burning, and offbeat comedy. With a knack for storytelling, Hare serves a comedy monologue that gently builds and reads as afterthoughts, like mind dawdles along the highway of her life so far.
Performance Details: Until April 6 at 7pm
Venue: The Butterfly Club, 5 Carson Place, Little Collins St., Melbourne
Bookings: thebutterflyclub.com
- Review by Kathryn Keeble
Austen-Con
■ 24 Carrot Productions, a Melbournebased theatre and film production company, will celebrate Jane Austen's 250th year in their Austen Con 2025 event on Saturday, April 12 from 10am - 4pm at the Abbotsford Convent.
The celebration and exploration of all things Jane Austen and Regency will include dancing (both English and Indian styles) costumes, talks, lace-making or paper quilling activities, discussing happy ending or writing regency stories, and testing gossiping skills against the best of the Regency era.
Event Details: April 12 from 10am-4pm Venue: Abbotsford Convent Community and Linen Rooms, 1 St Helliers St, Abbotsford.
■ Nathan Hugh Robért presents Tiny King as part of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival from April 7 - 20 at The Motley Bauhaus, Carlton.
In his show about height, power, and the absurdity of being small, Nathan plays a banished king trying to save his kingdom with comedy. The only problem is he's not a comedian. He's a king.
Nathan lives with cerebral palsy, a motor neuron condition that limits his mobility. This is implied and baked under layers of absurdity.
Influenced by Stewart Lee, John Kearns, and Oliver Coleman, Nathan talks about his experience in an irreverent and disarming way.
Performance Season: April 7 - 20 at 7.15pm. Venue: The Motley Bauhaus, 118 Elgin St., Carlton. Bookings: melbournefestival.com.au
Talk is cheap, gossip is priceless
IT’S CADET KELLY
■ Comedian Ben McCarthy brings his latest show Cadet Kelly is the Best Movie I've Ever Seen in my Friggin Life to the Melbourne International Comedy Festival from April 7- 20 at the Motley Bauhaus, Carlton.
Ben's world turned upside down after seeing the Disney Channel original movie: Cadet Kelly, starring Hilary Duff. He's certain it's the best film ever made, yet people aren't giving it the recognition it deserves.
Ben will plead with his audiences to like a film he likes very much and will explain the reasons.
Ben McCarthy is an improviser and comedian who's been performing comedy for over ten years.
His nostalgic, absurd comedy earned a nomination for Best Comedy at Melbourne Fringe and rave reviews.
Date: April 7-20
Time: 8.30pm
Location: The Motley Bauhaus, 118 Elgin St, Carlton
Run Time: 60 minutes
Price: $24.31-$28.36
Tickets: comedyfestival.com.au
- Cheryl Threadgold
Spin That Wheel
■ Kru Harale, a local Melbourne comedian, is part of a team presenting Comedy RouletteSpin That Wheel on April 4, 11, 12 and 18 at 10.20pm at the Melbourne Town Hall Lunch Room
This standup comedy show presented as part of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival has a twist in that the audience spins the wheel and the comedians crack improvised jokes.
This first wheel-based comedy in Melbourne where standup meets improv will showcase a rotating lineup of Melbourne’s funniest - from TV ande radio favourites to local comedy sensations transforming every performance into a hilarious game of chance, and surprise.
This season features acts such as Tom Ballard, Lloyd Langford, Lizzy Hoo, He huang, Lewis Garnham, Carl Donnelly, Brett Blake, Sumukhi Suresh, Daniell Connell and many more.
Performance Details: April 4, 11, 12 and 18 at 10.2p0pm
Venue: Melbourne Town Hall Lunch Room
Bookings: comedyfestival.com.au
- Cheryl Threadgold
The Boys
■ Sevenfold Theatre Company presents Gordon Graham's The Boys from April 29 - May 5 at the Bluestone Church Arts Space, Footscray.
The Boys, directed by Green Room Award nominated director Tess Walsh, is a fictionalised insight into the lives of the three brothers involved in the Anita Cobby murder, and the impact it had on the women in their lives, as they grasp at the reality of what has been done.
The play offers a raw unflinching look at gendered violence and how society is failing both its victims and perpetrators of crime.
Modernised to a 2010 setting, a layer of immediacy has been added to this production, highlighting that these disturbing behaviours and attitudes transcend time and continue to be engrained in contemporary Australia
“These men are not just a stereotype. Everyone is responsible for a change in attitude and stopping this violence.”
The Boys features Todd Costello, Lucy May Knight, Karli Rae Riesen, Eden Bren, Columbus Lane, Helen Hopkins, Stelios Ioannides and Ethan Rutledge.
Performance Season: April 29 - May 4
Location: Bluestone Church Arts Space, 8A Hyde St, Footscray Bookings: sevenfoldtheatrecompany.com - Cheryl Threadgold
Purple is the Gayest Colour
■ Making her debut appearance at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival from across the ditch, Alayne Dick’s Purple is the Gayest Colour is an energetic hour of lesbian levity and gay abandon.
From growing up in rural New Zealand though you wouldn’t pick it with her accent — to her day job among the bookshelves and preschool story times in a library, Dick entertains with a seamless flow of personal stories, sharp observations and colourful encounters.
Performed at Tasma Terrace in Parliament Place — a superb 19th-century Victorian Italianate building with loads of exterior character but a heartless and awkwardly quiet interior — the setting gave a slight sense of foreboding.
Dick performed in one of various rooms, a small and austere space that was instantly transformed with her presence.
Vibrant, colourful, witty, self-deprecating, bluntly honest, cheeky, irreverent and clever best describes Dick’s routine.
Naturally, the show is very much about her experiences as a proud and loud lesbian — and, of course, the irony of her surname.
She lets fly with a barrage of ‘dick’ jokes, gleefully mocking how reviewers describe her with lines like the entendred, “Dick – always disappointing.” But that couldn’t be further from the truth - Alayne Dick does not disappoint.
Her show is packed with fun games, tales of creepy kids, encounters with ‘enemy customers’, and cheeky reflections on identity, queerness and small-town life.
With a bold stage presence and a quickfire wit, Dick delivers a performance that is as heartfelt as it is hilarious.
Performance dates: 7.25pm Mon - Sun until April 6.
Where: Tasma Terrace, 4 Parliament Place, East Melbourne.
Cost: $20.41 to $27.60
Bookings: entercloser.com/shows/ 1086514757889
- Review by Beth Klein
Becky Lucas
■ Becky Lucas tours Things Have Changed, But The Essence Remains with her appearances at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival until April 20 at the Victoria Hotel.
As an experiment, Becky is inviting audiences to text her on her real number 0410 472 546 asking her to say something funny.
Becky promises to respond to all text messages and to do her best.
Becky Lucas is a writer and stand-up comedian and quickly gained recognition by exploding onto the comedy scene in the 2013 National RAW Comedy finals and since then has been unstoppable.
■ Monkey Baa Theatre Company returns to Melbourne with Josephine Wants to Dance at the Ian Potter Centre for Performing Arts from April 11-12.
This musical production is based on the children's book by Jackie French and Bruce Whatley with a deeper meaning around following dreams and believing in oneself.
The show includes ballet, hip-hop and a kangaroo called Josephine who dreams of dancing. Despite the protests of her little brother Joey that “kangaroos don’t dance, they hop”, Josephine dreams she too can plie, pirouette, fouettés and jetés.
When a ballet troupe comes to the sleepy town of Shaggy Gully, Josephine desperately wants to dance like the ballerinas in pink tutus and silk ballet shoes.
She ventures into town where the city ballet is performing Swan Lake and all her dancing dreams come true. In a sudden twist of fate, Josephine steps in to dance and save the day.
Monkey Baa has assembled the following creative team to bring Josephine’s world to life: Director, Jonathan Biggins (Pete the Sheep, The Wharf Revue); Composer: Phil Scott (Pete the Sheep, The Wharf Revue); Choreographer, Tim Harbour (formerly of The Australian Ballet); Set and Costume Designer, James Browne (The Very Hungry Caterpillar) and Lighting Designer, Emma Lockhart-Wilson (Where the Streets Had a Name).
Adapted by Eva Di Cesare, Sandra Eldridge and Tim McGarry this is a show for families and small children with important themes for young audiences.
Starring Lily Baulderstone as Josephine, Callum Slater as little brother Joey and supporting cast including Nina Carmen and Hannah Gwatkin, the musical is delightful for both young and old theatre lovers presenting the story in a heartwarming and funny fashion.
■ Chris Demos returns to the Melbourne International Comedy Festival with his third solo, new show Actually Kinda Hot, being presented at The Butterfly Club Downstairs from April 7-20 at 8.30pm.
Chris asks: “Have you ever been told you’re actually kinda hot? It’s not quite a compliment, is it? More of a surprise revelation, like discovering your expired yoghurt is somehow still edible.”
Actually Kinda Hot is described as “a riotous exploration of accidental charm, disastrous decision-making and the absurdity of attractiveness. From the mechanics of a flooded engine (don’t ask) to unsolicited legal advice and the perils of eating hours-old fast food on a plane, Chris takes audiences on a hilarious deep dive into life’s most ridiculous moments.”
Chris says: “Whether you’re a fan of Judge Judy, Judi Dench, or just the awkward spectacle of someone trying to remove a too-tight pair of boots, this show is for you.”
Show Details: April 7-20 at 8.30pm
Venue: The Butterfly Club Downstairs, 5 Carson Place, Melbourne Bookings: comedyfestival.com.au - Cheryl Threadgold
LOTS: ANZAC Eve
■ Legends of the Skies Theatre presents another ANZAC Eve special event on Thursday, April 24 at 7.30pm in the Casey Hangar at the Moorabbin Air Museum
The family friendly cabaret-style event is titled Why - Why we respect, why we remember, why we work for peace. Yarns, quizzes, facts, music, table competitions. BYO drinks and nibbles. Tables of 8. Event Details: Thursday, April 24 at 7.30pm Venue: Casey Hangar, Moorabbin Air Museum. $20 pp. Book a group or singly. Tickets: trybooking.com/CZFEL or QR code
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‘Cadet Kelly is the Best Movie I've Seen in my Friggin Life’.
Entertainment
The Sex Lives of Married Women Local Theatre Observations
Lucille MacKellar Has Boy Problems Shows
■ Fab Nobs Theatre: Come From Away. Until April 5 at Fab Nobs Theatre, Factory 33, 1-45 Industry Place, Bayswater. Director: Sarah Tierney; Musical Director: Sally McKenzie; Ass’t. Director/Choreographer: Aimee John; Ass’t. Director/Ass’t. Choreographer: Amy Miles. Bookings: fabnobstheatre.com.au
■ Warrandyte Theatre Company: When the Wind Blows (by Raymond Briggs) Until April 12 at the Warrandyte Mechanics’ Institute, 180 Yarra St., Warrandyte. Director: David Tynan. Bookings: trybooking.com/cyjqt
■ The 1812 Theatre: The Thrill of Love (by Amanda Whittington) April 3 – May 3 at The Bakery, The 1812 Theatre, 3 Rose St., Upper Ferntree Gully. Director: Pip Le Blond. Bookings: 1812theatre.com.au or 9758 3964
■ CPP Community Theatre: Macbeth (by William Shakespeare) April 4 – 12 at Boronia K-12 College, Performing Arts Centre, Albert Avenue, Boronia. (park at Rangeview Rd. end). Director: Kathryn White. Bookings: cppcommunitytheatre.com.au/
■ Ballarat National Theatre: This is the Way the World Ends (by Barry Kay) April 4 – 6 at the Ballarat Mechanics Institute, Sturt St., Ballarat. Director: Louise Permezel. Bookings: bnt.org.au/news?view=article&id =751&catid=66
■ Essendon Theatre Company: Ordinary Days (by Adam Gwon) April 4, 5, 6 at the Bradshaw St. Community Hall, 9 Bradshaw St., West Essendon. Cabaret seating. Bookings: 0406448368 or Trybookings
■ Upstage Theatre Company: Into the Woods, April 4–13 at the Tony Schemack Centre for Performing Arts, Beaconhills College, Berwick Campus. Directgor: Scott J Hili; Choreographer: Sarah Cullen; Musical Director: Tim Bland. Bookings: upstagetheatre company.com
■ FAMDA: Confluence (by Chris Dickins) April 5 – 13 at the Foster War Memorial arts Centre, 79 Main St., Foster. Director: Chris Dickins. Bookings: Trybooking.com/CZYVC
■ Frankston Theatre Group: An Inspector Calls (by JB Priestley) April 10 – 13 at Frankston High School Performing Arts Theatre, 97 Foot St., Frankston. Director: Gemma Sylvester, assisted by Stuart DaddoLanglois). Bookings: Trybooking or 0437 117 881.
■ Williamstown Little Theatre: Things I Know to be True (by Andrew Bovell) April 23 – May 10 at Williamstown Little Theatre, 2-4 Albert St., Williamstown. Director: Shirley Sydenham. Bookings: wlt.org.au
■ Lilydale Athenaeum Theatre Company: Haunted (by Eric Chappell) April 24 – May 10 at the Lilydale Mechanics Institute, Castella St., Lilydale. Director: Nicholas Ryan. Bookings: lilydaleatc.com
■ LOTS Theatre (Legends of the Skies): WHY … April 24 at 7.30pm at the Moorabbin Air Museum. Why we respect, why we remember, why we work for peace. Yarns, quizzes, facts, music, table competitions. Family friendly. BYO drinks and nibbles. Artistic director: Maggie Morrison. Bookings: https://www.trybooking.com/CZFEL
■ Heidelberg Theatre Company: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (by Simon Stephens – from the novel by Mark Haddon) April 25 – May 10 at Heidelberg Theatre, 36 Turnham Ave., Rosanna. Director: Karen Wakeham. Bookings: htc.org.au
■ Malvern Theatre Company: A Happy and Holy Occasion (by John O’Donoghue) April 26 – May 10 at Malvern Theatre, 29a Burke Rd., Malvern. Director: Nicholas Opolski. Bookings: malverntheatre.com.au - Cheryl Threadgold
65,000 Years
■ The Potter Museum of Art, the flagship art museum of the University of Melbourne, has announced the full list of artists and details of the six new commissions for its reopening exhibition, 65,000 Years: A Short History of Australian Art. The exhibition will open at the revitalised Museum during Reconciliation Week on May 30 and run until November 23.
65,000 Years: A Short History of Australian Art celebrates the brilliance and beauty of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art.
Auditions
■ Essendon Theatre Company: Things I Know to be True (by Andrew Bovell) April 1, 3 at 7pm, April 5 at 10.30am at the Bradshaw Street Community Hall, Bradshaw St., West Essendon (Off Buckley St.). Director: Angelo Snell. Audition enquiries and bookings: angelo.s23@live.com or phone 0458 502 232.
■ Melbourne French Theatre: Frenchspeaking actors only (or variation) for Après les Roses, le Poison - From Roses to Poison in French with English surtitles on April 5 at 2pm and April 8 at 7pm at La Maison de Maitre Building, 203-205 Canning Street, Carlton [corner Canning and Neill Streets]. Director: Donald Mcmanus; Producer: Michael Bula. RSVP on website melbournefrenchtheatre.org.au/auditions/
■ The 1812 Theatre Ltd: Home, I’m Darling (by Laura Wade) April 6 at 6pm, April 7 at 7.30pm at The 1812 Theatre, 3 Rose St., Upper Ferntree Gully. Director: Amy Calbert. Audition enquiries: aj267@outlook.com or phone 0432 804 803
■ Malvern Theatre Company: The Humans (by Stephen Karam) April 13, 14 at 7pm at 29 Burke Rd., Malvern. Director: Nicky Neville-Jones. Audition enquiries: gemcoplayers.org
■ Brighton Theatre Company: Fallen Angels (by Noel Coward) April 13 at 2pm, April 14 at 7pm at Brighton Theatre, Cnr Wilson and Carpenter Sts., Brighton. Director: Joe Dias. Audition bookings and enquiries to Joe Dias: fallenangels2025btc@gmail.com
■ Williamstown Little Theatre: Rabbit Hole (by David Lindsay-Abaire) April 27 at 1pm, April 28 at 78pm at 2-4 Albert St., Williamstown. Director: John Bishop. Open auditions – no need to book, just attend at audition time. Any queries, contact director John Bishop John Bishop at retbish68@gmail.com or 0490 434 135.
■ Leongatha Lyric Theatre: The Heartbreak Choir (by Aidan Fennessy) Information session: May 3 at 3pm at 13 Watson Rd., Leongatha. Auditions: May 10. Director: Bernadette Grainger. leongathalyric.com.au
■ Eltham Little Theatre: The Addams Family: A New Musical (by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice) May 3 at 10am and May 6 at 6.30pm at the Eltham Performing Arts Centre, 1603 Main Rd., Research. Director: Isabella Preston. Enquiries and audition bookings: addams.elt@gmail.com
■ The Mount Players: A Skull in Connemara (by Martin McDonagh) May 10 at 2pm and May 13 at 7pm at the Moluntview Theatre, 56 Smith St., Macedon/. Director: Travis Handcock. Audition bookings: travis.handcock@gmail.com
■ Malvern Theatre Company: Perfect Wedding (by Robin Hawdon) May 18 and 19 at 7.30pm at 29 Burke Rd., Malvern. Director: Pip Le Blond. Audition enquiries: pipleblond@gmail.com
■ Gem Players Community Theatre: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: Information Evening: May 29 at 7pm; Auditions June 6 and 7 at the GEM,19 Kilvington Dr., Emerald. Director: Annette O’Shea; Choreographer: Payge O’Shea; Musical Director: Margie Gemmell\. Enquiries: gemcoplayers.org - Cheryl Threadgold
■ Lucille MacKellar Has Boy Problems is being presented as part of the MICF from April 8 - 20 at 6.15pm at the Grace Darling Hotel, Downstairs, in Collingwood
Lucille dreams of having a boyfriend, but despite her beauty and charm, can't seem to find one.
One fateful day, her simple fantasy turns cerebral breakdown and she's catapulted down a rabbit hole of self discovery.
Lucille will lament over Charli XCX concerts, 'evil gay men', the societal implications of ChatGPT, Gone Girl (2014), post-capitalism, the death of taste and more, with no proverbial cultural stone remaining unturned.
Lucille is an award-winning published writer and comedian from Sydney. She co-wrote the smash hit sell out show Inner West Side: The Musical for Sydney Fringe (2018).
Performance Details: April 8-20
Venue: Grace Darling Hotel, Downstairs, in Collingwood at 6.15pm
■ MrSnotbottom vs The Zombie Boogers: The Science of Snot will be presented at the Melbourne Museum Theatre in Carlton as part of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival from April 2 - 14 at 2.45pm.
This award-winning show is described as ' a side-splitting, gooey escapade and an adventure that's nothing to sneeze at.'
The promotional blurb for this show reads: “Prepare to dive headfirst into the sticky, icky universe of mucus as Mr Snotbottom tackles all the gooey questions you never knew you had. Why do we sneeze? Can one devour their boogers without turning into a zombie? Unravel these mysteries and more in this hilariously entertaining show.
“Kids love hearing about snots and boogers, but in this show, they’ll learn something while laughing their heads off too!”, says comedian Mark Trenwith, who can boast two decades of experience in stand-up, children’s theatre, and TV..
With a fusion of gross-out humour and scientific facts, ‘Mr Snotbottom vs The Zombie Boogers’ is billed as a family-friendly show at this year’s Melbourne Comedy Festival
“It’s more of an adventure than a performance - the audience gets to be the hero and battle the booger beasts themselves.”
Performance Details: April 2 - 14 at 2.45pm Venue: Melbourne Museum Theatre, Nicholson St, Carlton.
had such a success with her debut novel The Matchmaker, she has taken up her pen again to write about the next chapter of women’s life.
Her new novel, The Sex Lives of Married Women, examines what love looks like after 10 years with a partner, and when women decide that being able to have it all is a myth.
That’s when the importance of our female friends who are outside that marriage comes into play, so Shad introduces us to three women who share their struggles.
Meena has returned from London to Sydney with her partner Owen and baby Sasha, and she’s feeling neglected by Owen. Then there is Sophie, a high flyer who has a whirlwind romance with Todd and sacrifices her own career for marriage and motherhood and finds it’s not all she had hoped it would be.
Rani is an international student who is feeling lonely as she raises her son with an increasingly absent husband.
The three women form a tight bond o friendship through coffee mornings, cocktails and confessions as they navigate a life that is different from what they imagined it would be.
Shad also looks at the influence of cultural backgrounds and how immigrant women in the west negotiate the path they tread between cultures, as well as the issues involved in deciding whether to stay in a marriage or leave it.
At the base of all this discussion is the strength that women find in true female friendship as a support for life’s transitions.
Shad pulls no punches in her subject matter, and feels it’s important that issues are aired.
“I wrote this book to not only discuss topics that seem taboo - female pleasure and sexuality - but also to highlight the importance of friendships in seeing us through the tough times,” she explains.
The Sex Lives of Married Women is published by Penguin Random House and out now.
- Julie Houghton
Roland Rocchiccioli
■ Author and actor Roland Rocchiccioli shared colourful stories of his remarkable theatrical journey over nearly 60 years at a Theatre Heritage Australia event held in the Process Lab, Arts Centre Melbourne. Roland engaged his audience with firsthand entertaining accounts of how the boy from the goldfields of Western Australia discovered the theatre and gained his start as an actor and member of Edgar Metcalfe's repertory company at The Playhouse in Perth. We heard of the triumphs, tribulations, characters and chaos but most importantly, the joy and laughter that have defined Roland's career.
Roland Rocchiccioli's autobiographical story can be found in Theatre Heritage Australia's Early Stages section of the online magazine On Stage: theatreheritage.org.au/ on-stage-magazine/early-stages/item/1053early-stages-roland-rocchiccioli - Cheryl Threadgold
● Lucy MacKellar
● ● Saman Shad.
Photo: Colourised
Journalist Saman Shad
★The Easter Bunny will be making a special appearance at the South Melbourne Market on Thursday, April 17,between 11am - 2pm.
★Ford will celebrate 100 years in Australia with a landmark celebration on Friday (Apr. 4) at Melbourne Showgrounds with more than 2500 manufacturers, dealers and partners in attendance.
★Lexus Australia has announced a three-year partnership extension with the Victoria Racing Club, reaffirming its commitment to the Melbourne Cup.
★Bendigo Bank is major sponsor of the Bendigo Pride Festival for the fifth consecutive year.
★ Hotel Chadstone Melbourne MGallery is holding its Mad Hatter’s High Tea experience from April 4-20.
★ Jeanette Gower has launched her new book, Buy the Right Horse.
★The 2025 Stella Shortlist announcement will be made in Melbourne on April 8 at The Wheeler Centre, 176 Lt Lonsdale St at 6.30pm-7.30pm on Tuesday (Apr. 8). Inala Cooper and Elizabeth McCarthy will unveil the six outstanding authors.
★Art has the power to challenge, heal, and inspire action. That’s what Violence Prevention Australia aims to achieve through its national art competition, which has brought artists together to explore themes of resilience, healing, and the urgent need for violence prevention.
★ Eight local Melbourne projects have been announced as finalists in three separate categories for the 2025 Dulux Colour Awards : Atlassian Melbourne Connection Hub by Craig Tan Architects; The Meeting Place at 181 William by BVN; GPT SpaceCo 550 Bourke by BVN; Nicholas Hall at Wesley Place by COX Architecture; Professional Services Firm by Unispace; People's Coffee by Studio Tate; Melbourne Place by Kennedy Nolan; and Claremont by WOWOWA Architecture.
★The inaugural ARIA Innovator brought together a full house of Australian music professionals to explore new pathways in creativity, business and innovation. Some 250 attendees registered to see Recording Academy President Panos Panay speak alongside a heavyweight line-up of international and local speakers including Dr Marcus Collins, Gabi Lopes, Solai Valliappan, Natalie and Ricky Kradolfer and Dr Nici Sweaney.
★Ruth Moody , Australianborn Canadian songstress, will appear at Brunswick Ballroom (May 1), Menniyan Town Hall (May 2), Theatre Royal Castlemaine (May 3) and Yackandandah Public Hall (May 4).
Melbourne Observer Melbourne Observer
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Rourke’s Reviews Entertainment
Marc Cicero
★The Melbourne International Comedy Festival officially launched at Melbourne Town Hall, with Luke McGregor taking the stage as host and a lineup of local and international comedians including Omar Gad, Patti Fawcet, Rosie Jones (UK) and Noah Szto.
★The Cat Lovers Festival and Dog Lovers Festiva l are making a return in 2025. Dates at the Melbourne Showgrounds are October 25–26.
★Entries are now open for the the Australia Post Online Retail Industry Awards (ORIAS) which celebrate excellence in ecommerce, recognising the most innovative and successful online retailers across Australia in the past 12 months.
★Nestlé Golden Chef’s Hat Award has officially launched for 2025, with entries now open for young chefs across Australia and New Zealand. Founded in 1965, Australia’s longest running culinary competition and this year, turns 60. There are $38,000 in prizes.
★George Kapnias and his team at Southern Cross/ Limomate this week celebrate the 30-year anniversary of the business.
★Regional Victoria's largest urban art festival is returning to the streets of Benalla, transforming the historic town into an immersive canvas of contemporary street art from Friday, April 11 to Sunday, April 13.
★The official completion of the amphitheatre and stage upgrade project at Alma Treloar Reserve, Cockatoo, was marked with an opening ceremony last Friday afternoon (Mar. 28).
★The National Museum of Australia in Canberra is now home to more than 1000 significant items that chart the colourful history of Australian and international fashion and design over 150 years.
★A widely-acclaimed installation by world-renowned street artist Rone, opened as part of The Outsiders Melbourne, at 167 Flinders Lane. It is open until May 25.
Adele, Adele, Adele
■ Award-winning British comedian Adele Cliff asserted her presence in the Melbourne International Comedy Festival even before arriving in town, by creating the longest show title in the Festival.
Adele, Adele, Adele ... Cliff It Isn’t The Consequences Of My Own Actions is a high-energy solo standup show presented by this hard-working dynamo until April 20 at Tasma Terrace at 6pm.
Hands-on from the beginning, Adele greets her audience, organises the music, then works the room on her way to the front.
Exploring self-deprecating humour in everyday topics such as class distinction between a broken wrist and broken arm, procuring and wearing contact lens, and housemates, Adele also entertains with stories of visits to comedy festivals in other countries.
Tackling the topic of lying - who does it and why – raises initial doubt about stories of her parents and sisters, Poppy and Zelda
But then we realise that Adele’s mother has indeed passed away in recent years and this courageous young performer – a self-described ‘non-crier’ – has found strength and healing through comedy and entertaining others, inspired by her late Mum’s love of comedy.
We feel for Adele when she candidly wishes she had invited her Mum to more comedy shows, and admire her dedication to the comedic profession with its associated risks of being self-employed.
This chatty raconteur maintains high spirits as she shares thoughts on dress codes at funerals, ghosts, jelly, films and more.
Adele said she doesn’t read reviews, but just in case - thanks Adele for an enjoyable 50 minute show. Hope you have a great time in Melbourne.
Performance Details: Until April 20 at 6pm (no shows Monday)
Screen Producers Australia has thanked outgoing Chief Operating Officer, Glenn Hamilton, for exceptional service and dedication over the past four years.
“Glenn has been a pivotal part of the SPA team, bringing invaluable expertise, passion, and contribution to the organisation that has greatly impacted SPA and across the broader screen industry,” said a representative.
SPA announced the appointment of Sarah Melrose as new Chief Operating Officer. Sarah brings a wealth of operations experience and a deep understanding of the media and advertising sector, to continue to build on the strong foundations.
Novocaine
■ (MA). 110 minutes. Opens in cinemas April 3.
Intermittently amusing action/romance/comedy that, while quite gruesome at times, doesn’t take its premise to the absolute crazy extreme, playing it too predictable too often.
Jack Quaid (son of Meg Ryan and Dennis Quaid) plays Nathan Caine , an assistant general bank manager who has a rare genetic condition that has him unable to feel any pain.
Living a routine, reclusive existence, Nathan comes out of his shell somewhat when he develops feelings for bank clerk Sherry (Amber Midthunder).
The two connect, but before things can get serious, Sherry is taken hostage the following day by a group of bank robbers, led by Simon (Ray Nicholson).
Realising he is in love, Nathan decides to go after the brutal robbers, and his condition becomes a plus as he battles each criminal, taking frequent beatings as he attempts to save Sherry.
Directors Dan Berk and Robert Olsen (Villains, Body) have fun with the concept, but Lars Jacobson’s script never really goes beyond its high concept set-up, and as such, the whole thing begins to fall into repetition (Nathan’s break in to one robber’s home and its eventual consequences is the highlight).
Quaid and Midthunder are likeable enough. While it never reaches any genuinely compelling or deranged heights (and given its concept, is way too long), Novocaine is just entertaining enough to be mild fun, and is reminiscent of the Crank movies, starring Jason Statham For me, Villains remains the directors’ best film to date.
RATING - ***
Hunt
■ (MA). 125 minutes. Now available on selected digital platforms.
Renowned Korean actor Lee Jung-Jae , who became a household name with western audiences after the phenomenal worldwide success of the terrific Netflix TV series, Squid Game, steps behind the camera to make his directorial debut with Hunt, an unabashedly entertaining, if overly convoluted, high octane espionage action/ thriller.
Set in 1983, the story deals with the political turmoil occurring in South Korea, with protests against the current authoritarian government, and the factional infighting happening between the domestic and foreign departments of the KCIA, the former led by Chief Kim Jung-do (Jung Woo-sung), the lat-
ter by Chief Park Pyong-ho (Lee)
The two agents have a bitter history, but both are on the back foot when it appears there is a mole within the KCIA, who is leaking information about the schedules of President Choi Kyu-hah.
Subplots and red herrings increase by the minute as Lee tries to stay one step ahead of the infiltrator, and also tries to clear his name, as he is named as one of the chief suspects.
In many ways, Hunt is a difficult film to review, as it works as a visceral, if illogical, action/thriller, while its plethora of history bound material is overstuffed, never allowing plot threads and characters to breathe and properly develop, muting its overall dramatic impact.
Lee, whose almost three decade career has seen highlights such as Il Mare (2000) (which was remade as The Lake House with Keanu Reeves), The Thieves (2012), New World (2013), The Face Reader (2013), Big Match (2014), Assassination (2015), Along With The Gods 1 and 2, Svaha : The Sixth Finger (2019), and Deliver Us From Evil (2020), makes a confident debut as star/co-writer/co-producer/ director, and has obviously paid attention to the directors he has worked with over the years, especially during the exciting and wellstaged action sequences. Though one appreciates the close attention required to follow what is going on, the overly cluttered plotting is also a factor of Lee trying to cram too much into one script, incorporating so many Korean historical incidents (of which audiences will need some knowledge of) and supporting characters that can’t possibly be fully explored in a two hour running time (particularly the female roles). The finale also ventures into gonzo territory. Lee gets strong performances from his star-studded cast, and technically the film is first-rate. If solely taken as a fast-paced (and it does move at a lightning pace) action/thriller, Hunt succeeds admirably, forcing audiences to concentrate in-between all the thrills and spills. But for those who are fans of deservedly acclaimed political Korean films such as The Spy Gone North (starring Hwang Jung-min , who has one memorable scene here) and The Man Standing Next, or the provocative, under-appreciated ‘what-if’ action/ thriller 26 Years (streaming on Netflix ), may find this somewhat disappointing. Whatever your reaction may be, this is a promising directorial effort from Lee, and it will be very interesting to see what he does next behind the camera. For western audiences, this would make a fine double bill with the 1987 Kevin Costner film, No Way Out RATING - ***½ - Aaron Rourke
■ It is amazing that a Hollywood actor who only made three films in his lifetime could become such a cult figure - most teenagers of the modern generation are aware of James Dean who died almost 60 years ago.
James Byron Dean was born in Marion, Indiana, on February 8, 1931. His mother died when James was nine and his father sent him to live with his aunt and uncle on a farm in Fairmount, Indiana
After finishing High School he studied drama at University in California James decided to become a professional actor and was cast in several uncredited films.
His first speaking role was in the Martin and Lewis comedy Sailor Beware
James moved to New York and played several roles in television productions. He studied at the famous Lee Strasberg acting school.
When director Elia Kazan was casting the film East of Eden, James was suggested for the lead role of Cal Trask.
Elia was looking for a young ‘Marlon Brando’ type of actor but soon realised during the audition that James Dean and had his own unique acting style.
He won the role and filming began in 1954. James ad-libbed his lines in some scenes which gave added realism and he created some great impromptu moments in the film through his creative genius. Sadly this was the only one of his films that he lived to see.
Melbourne Observer Melbourne Observer
Whatever Happened To ... James Dean
By Kevin Trask of 3AW and 96.5 Inner FM
He immediately started work on his next film Rebel Without A Cause and co-starred with Natalie Wood and Sal Mineo
This film was very popular with teenagers and as I was a teenager at that time I wanted to be just like James Dean
He played an angry misunderstood character and once again gave a brilliant performance. His interests included acting, bull fighting and car racing.
In 1955 he started work on his final film Giant and starred opposite Elizabeth Taylor, Rock Hudson and former child star Jane Withers
In a recent radio interview with Jane Withers I discussed her memories of James Dean Jan e told me he was a "loner" and he would
● ● ● ● James Dean visit her house to enjoy the family life atmosphere with her children and husband. She read passages from the Bible with him and they had great discussions about religion.
She used to wash his clothes and the last time Jane saw James she said she had a premonition she would never see him again.
Jane began to cry during the interview and I was deeply moved for her. Jane still has one of his shirts that she was washing for him at the time of his death. Jane Withers is a beautiful person.
On September 30, 1955, James Dean and his mechanic Rolf Wütherich were driving in a brand new Porsche 550 Spyder on their way to Salinas for a sports car race.
They were involved in a head on collision at dusk at the junction of Route 41 and Route 46
James was pulled from the sports car wreckage but Rolf had been thrown clear. There were no safety belts in those days. Both men were raced to a hospital 45-km away in the same ambulance. Sadly James Dean was pronounced dead upon arrival.
A series of photographs have emerged over
the years taken on the day James Dean died. There is one of him filling the sports car with petrol at a service station.
He was booked for speeding two hours before the accident but at the time of the crash it was determined he was not speeding and was not under the influence of alcohol.
Shortly before he died James filmed a road safety community television spot with Gig Young. At the end of the segment instead of saying the line, "The life you save may be your own" he ad-libbed, "Take it easy driving, the life you might save might be mine".
James Dean is buried in Fairmount, Indiana , near his uncle's farm where he grew up. Ironically Rolf Wütherich died in a car crash in 1981 at the age of 53. He had suffered mental health issues as a result of the accident 26 years earlier.
James Dean received a posthumous Academy Award nomination for Best Actor in a Leading Role for his performance in East of Eden After his untimely death he became a Hollywood cult legend.
Kevin Trask
Kevin can be heard on 3AWThe Time Tunnel - Remember WhenSundays at 10.10pm with Simon Owens and Andrew McLaren. And on 96.5 FM
That's Entertainment - Sundays at 12 Noon. www.innerfm.org.au
TURRANGKA-IN-THE-SHADOWS AT MORNINGTON
Turrangka-In the Shadows –
James Tylor brings together a decade pf practice by acclaimed disciplinary artist James Tylor’s practice unpacks the histories of colonisation and its profound impact on indigenous cultures as informed by his heritage comprising Nunga (Kaurna Myurrnaj) Mâori and European English, Scottish, Irish, Dutch and Norwegian ancestry.
His expansive practice combines historical and contemporary photographic processes, exploring the complexities of cultural identity and relationships to place, in particular to the Kaurna Country in South Australia
This extensive survey features Tylor’s renowned daguerreotypes, expansive digital photographic series, and handmade Kaurna objects.
The exhibition calls attention / Tylor’s enduring interest in the Becquerel Daguerreotype, a 18th century photographic process to which he has returned throughout his career.
Exhibition closes May 25. Mornington Peninsula Regional Gallery, Civic Centre Dunns Rd, Mornington
New Wave 25
■ New Wave 25 showcases the works of VCE and VCEVET art, visual art, media arts, fashion, design and technology students within the Mornington Peninsula Shire.
The exhibition includes paintings, drawings, photography, ceramics, installation and more b a new generation of young artists.
The show offers students the opportunity to participate in a group exhibition on a public gallery and serves as an inspiration for other senior students to see the work and ideas from local students in a gallery setting.
Exhibition closes May 25.
Seasonal Shifts
■ Tracing the rhythms of life, memory, identity and human influence on the environment, Seasonal Shifts is a group exhibition presenting artists whose works unveil our natural surroundings.
The Arts
As observers of nature we bear witness to moments of seasonal change, and the beauty and unpredictably of our environment.
We feel the impact of natural forces on our minds and bodies, and actions.
A favourite flower, the smell of rain, or a familiar rock formation can become markers of experience, a record of our personal histories told through objects and places.
As time unfolds, we see the traces we leave behind and the ways human presence alters the landscape, both subtle and drastic, temporary and permanent.
Exhibition closes April 26. Town Hall Gallery 360 Burwood Rd, Hawthorn
At Bendigo
The School of Paris – Australian Artists Abroad
For many Australian artists of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, an exposure to French and Parisian traditions of art making was formative and profound, whether their time in Paris was fleeting or they were true émigrés, never to return to Australia.
‘The School of Paris’ was a term coined in reference to the wave of non-French artists from around the world who gravitated to this thriving centre of artistic activity, initially drawn to the Montmartre district and
then to Montparnasse in the south of the city, artists in this period explored the range of modern styles as they studied, exhibited and immersed themselves in a progressive and lively culture – and the great galleries and museums of the city.
In a variety of ways, the artists featured in in this room either through living and working in Paris themselves or through the teachings of others were influenced by that city’s unique milieu in the heady decades before the outbreak of World War I, which catalysed a shift for many Western artists – across the Atlantic to New York City.
This Collection on display can be found in the oldest gallery space Bolton Court, built in 1867.
In the late 188os under the supervision of the distinguished Bendigo architect W.C. Vahland, this building was converted from the orderly room of the Bendigo Volunteer Rifle Brigade to a permanent home for the Gallery’s collection.
Exhibition closes October 12.
Bendigo Art Gallery 42 View St, Bendigo - Peter Kemp
At Bunjil Pl
■ Bunjil Place Gallery has unveiled Floribunda, a new exhibition by renowned artist David Sequeira exploring the enduring connection between humans and flowers and their influence on art.
A major partnership between the National Gallery of Victoria and Bunjil Place, Floribunda brings together over 150 works from within one of Australia’s most important collections, marking one of the largest single loans in the history of the NGV
Spanning painting, ceramics, photography, bark painting, sculpture, installation art, jewellery, textiles, printmaking, drawing and fashion, the exhibition highlights flowers as a persistent subject in a range of art practices, histories and movements, featuring works by international andAustralian artists, creatives and designers, including Azuma Makoto, John Brack, Arthur Streeton, Margaret Preston and Grace Cossington-Smith.
Graeme Norton live shows
. During his Q and A one fan asked ,' who was the worst person he interviewed ?' Within seconds Graham answered 'Harvey Weinstein' who he had as a guest on his UK show in 2007 pre-Harvey's incarceration. Never to be forgotten.
Timberlake flies high
■ Justin Timberlake is currently involved in his Forget Tomorrow world tour. En route flying to South America, Justin took control of the hosties public address phone and performed snippets from his stage show, then played Mini Golf down the aisle of the plane. I'm told passengers enjoyed the performance - not sure if it was perfectly legal by Air Governance rules and regs. O maybe it was performed on a private jet, where almost anything goes.
Hammer Media joins stable
■ Bunnings has added Hammer Media to their blitz of conventional advertising. The new medium is digital screens in stores pushing brands and events to shoppers as they brouse the aisles. Screens already operate in 150 stores nationally with a total store roll-out planned progressively. There is no escaping Bunnings messages.
Disrupt radio mystery
■ Disrupt Radio hit the digital airwaves in June 2023 but their dreams crashed 18 months later; the studio, leased from SEN, Melbourne, was shuttered and staff started bleating over unpaid wages. Wind-up notices were issued but dismissed suggesting possibilities were in the offing for a White Knight. Hence, the current situation with a substantial amount in unpaid wages, rentals and suppliers. The marketing strategy for Disrupt was targeted towards small business, entrepreneurs and innovators.
Newport Jazz Festival
■ The line-up for Newport Jazz Festival is in one word-sensational - 40 bands to perform May 2-4. The big names of Australian jazz - Bob Sedergreen, The Pearly Shells, and hot licks embracing trad, swing, bebob, boogie, bossa, blues and beyond. Tickets from $54 at melbournejazz jammers.com.au
Fly On Wall doco
■ Delvene Cornell, nee Delvene Delaney, has released a doco featuring unseen snippets of Crocodile Dundee in production. Titled 'Love of an Icon' the doco is screening in selected cinemas. The footage was retrieved from a locked shed on Delvene's property, edited together to make an interesting video about making of Australia's biggest grossing film. Snippets include the drama when Kerry Packer pulled the pin on the $1 million he invested in 'Crocodile Dundee'. - John O’Keefe
with Peter Kemp
■ Reviewers have been kind to Irish comedian, come chat show presenter Graham Norton. His relaxed presentation of storytelling has captivated Australian audiences, and now he is off to New Zealand
Across Observer
1. Shabbiness in dress
6. Light-bulb inventor
11. Shiny
15. Forts
20. Egyptian river
21. Reproductive organ
22. Shopping precinct
23. Lead dancer, ... ballerina
25. South Africa's Cape ... Hope (2,4)
26. Pakistan currency units
27. Actor, Ryan ... (1'4)
29. Likable
32. Tube
34. Without delay (1,1,1,1)
36. Look-alikes, dead ...
39. Caravan rover
41. Brief
43. Sparking stone
46. Boils or ulcers
48. Low wetland
49. London's ... Mall
51. Curving lines
52. Exploited
55. Territory, Puerto ...
56. Every
59. Composer, Andrew ... Webber
61. Antarctic inlet, ... Sea
62. False god
63. Crowd brawl
64. Corrected (wrong)
67. Dalai Lama's nationality
68. Bitter regret
70. Very keen enthusiast
71. One who owes money
72. Overeats
73. Firebomb liquid
74. Of punishment
75. Batting spell
77. Broken down
78. Resounded
79. Theatre reviewer
82. Hazardous
86. Loft
87. Peace prize city
89. Spick & span
92. Merge
94. Get up
96. Biblical son of Isaac
98. Naming word
100. Recycle
101. Mongolian desert
103. Painting, Mona ...
105. From Baghdad
106. Adolescent
108. Sports match
111. Autograph
112. Actor's outfits
114. Rat
116. A single time
119. Droplet
120. Location
121. Kind
123. Leave out
124. Madam (2'2)
125. Flowing
126. Loudness
127. Grand house
130. Born as
131. Cleaning up (room)
135. English coin
138. Not stereo
139. Large jug
141. Computer/phone link
144. A lot of
146. I am, you ...
147. Looked up & down
148. UK national broadcaster (1,1,1)
149. Mad Roman emperor
150. Fuss
151. Female zebra
152. German emperor
153. Repast
155. Drink, ... spumante
157. Golfer, Greg ...
158. Unseat
160. Release (3,2)
161. Sprite
162. Italian city
163. Honey liquor
165. Brother's daughter
166. Souped-up car, hot ...
Melbourne Observer Melbourne Observer
Across Down Down
167. Scamp
168. Laid slates
169. Upper-class
171. Document, Magna ...
172. Glossy black bird
175. Entrails
176. Lubricates
179. Breakfast dish
180. Cow flesh
182. Flowers, sweet ... 184. Chirps
185. Castle water ditch
186. 24 December, Christmas ...
188. ... Lang Syne
189. US anti-crime agency (1,1,1)
190. Measure (out)
191. Fifth musical note 193. Own 194. Father 196. Verge
197. Fiesta, Mardi ... 198. Medicine amounts 200. Unhappiest
205. Vicious dog
207. Second-hand vehicle (4,3)
210. Playwright
211. Reparation
212. In a frenzied state
213. Grass skirt dance
214. USA nickname, Uncle ..
216. Steals from 218. Created
219. Prepare (newspaper)
220. Tights
224. Coffee style
227. Spiky plant, ... vera
229. From Bangkok
230. Abhor
231. Gallantly
232. Dr Jekyll & Mr ...
233. Heredity unit
235. Out of order
237. Solidifies
239. Actor, Richard ...
241. Timepiece
244. Forewarning
246. Blankness
249. ... & twos
252. Depletes
254. Crave
256. Heaven's ... Gates
258. French Mrs
259. Pins for hammering
260. Romantic US falls
263. Internal
264. Lump of gold
265. Legless grub
267. Actress, ... Kidman
270. Digit
271. Funeral Mass
272. Actor, Dustin ...
273. Lewd
274. Loses (hair)
277. London nightspot
279. Make (wage)
281. Throw out
284. Only fair (2-2)
286. Crustacean with nippers
288. Small distance measures
292. Yoga master
294. Raw metals
295. Domestic servants
298. Screen legend, Sophia ...
300. From Emerald Isle
301. Sum up
303. Baby's skin problem, ... rash
306. Bashfulness
308. Japan & Korea are there
309. Oil-exporting cartel
311. Throb
314. Mushy
315. Energetic
316. Do the dishes (4,2)
317. Throng
318. Former spouses
319. Paris landmark, ... Triomphe (3,2)
320. Tennis ace, ... Sampras
1. Renovate (2,2)
2. Become distorted
3. Suggest
4. Kuwaiti rulers
5. Clean break
6. Flees to wed
7. Delay
8. Bathroom fixtures
9. Fall asleep (3,3)
10. Brigand
11. Revolve on axis
12. Stood against
13. Smudge
14. Palestinian chief, ... Arafat
15. Pour carelessly
16. Aida or Carmen
17. Potters' ovens
18. Pantomime lead
19. Observes
24. Rebukes, ... over the knuckles
28. Put on ... & graces
30. Spoken
31. Hideous
33. Irritated the skin
35. Incidental comments
37. Clarified butter
38. Curry & ...
40. Face veils
42. Physical activity
44. Portugal's capital
45. Scientist, Sir Isaac ...
47. Stench
48. Elevated railway
49. Drainage tradesman
50. Extortionate lender (4,5)
53. Largest bird
54. Calls (5,2)
57. Ancient Mariner's seabird
58. Protective headwear
60. Cloth retailers
63. Cleaver
65. Frosted (cake)
66. Expensive
68. Coral bank
69. Cosy
76. Set up (machinery)
79. Long-leafed lettuce
80. Nunavut native
81. Eastern faith
83. Twig shelters
84. Cartoon strip, Li'l ...
85. Flightless bird
88. English cheese
90. Fleur de lis plant
91. Among 93. Riveted
95. Easter gifts
97. Unplaced competitor (4-3)
99. Constantly busy (2,3,2)
100. Hire
102. Pungent bulb
104. Largest African nation
107. Uncanny
109. Wet
110. Vocal solo
111. Jet-baths
113. Soapie session
115. Obvious
117. TV award
118. Young deer
121. Contemptibly
122. Patella
127. Nonsense, ... jumbo
128. Razor cuts
129. Bits & pieces (4,3,4)
132. Recipe components
133. Stupid
134. Avarice
135. Packaged
136. Dilapidated
137. 24 hours ago
138. Unforgettable
143. Huge stone blocks
145. Tomahawk
151. Enormous
154. Men's Singles champion, .. Agassi
156. Lustre
159. One, numero ...
164. Totally
169. Cougars
170. Steam burn
173. Influences
174. Short, witty remark
177. Author, ... Asimov
178. Take oath
181. Whirling (of water)
183. Women warriors
187. Wantonly destroy
192. Female hormone
195. Current of air
199. Supervise
201. Points gun
202. Anti-flood embankment
203. Genuine fact
204. Implicit
206. Gay
207. Non-rural
208. Cheap, a ... a dozen
209. Lends a hand to 213. Smacks
215. Strolling
217. Killed
221. Helium & hydrogen
222. Not ever 223. Cut with scissors
224. Charlotte Bronte novel, Jane ... 225. Withdraw, ... out
226. Poet, ... Allan Poe
228. Legal trade bans
234. Phone security device
236. Wrongdoers
238. Terminate
240. Singer, ... Orbison
242. Normally (2,1,4)
243. Peculiarity
245. Mussels or clams
247. Peppermint essence
248. Nut fastener
250. Scientist, Albert ...
251. Weasel-like animals
253. Overfill
255. College test
257. Recline lazily
258. Restaurant list
261. Lovers' fling
262. Military forces
265. Valuable ores, precious ...
266. Garden ornament
268. Hex
269. The Continent
275. Jolly laugh (2,2)
276. Rounded roof
278. Hampers
280. Pressurised spray
282. Delights
283. Dollar division
285. Properly positioned, in ...
287. Steam generator
289. Tripoli citizen
290. Impersonates
291. Melted
292. Barked shrilly
293. Potato
296. Colorado ski resort
297. Writer, ... Thomas
299. Obtain (funds)
302. Two-door car
304. ... Fools' Day
305. Earnest requests
306. Crown Princess of Denmark
307. Opera singer
308. Yes votes
321. Urges
322. Sense
323. Blunted
324. Movie actors (4,5)
140. Enforces once more 141. Pacified
142. Courageous
310. Head cook
312. Charismatic air
313. Spreading trees
By Rob Foenander info@robfomusic.com.au
House Concert
■ Carrum Downs House Concerts is delighted to welcome Brendan McMahon and Sarah Catania to their venue.
Both Melbourne artists are at the peak of their careers and will take the audience on an interesting afternoon of award winning songs and the stories behind their compositions.
A barbecue lunch in included and it will all happen on Sunday (Apr. 6) from 1pm5pm.
More info and tickets at trybooking.com
Sunrise
■ Australian ccoustic roots singersongwriter Michael Ward has released his new single.
Titled Sunrise , it is a slick, well produced, uplifting track that takes you on a journey to the south-west WA town of Margaret River to fall in love for the first time.
Michael delivers his fusion of gritty blues, folk and alt country with a supercharged energy whenever he's on stage, says his media release.
Storytellers
■ Casey Radio presents ARIA award winning musician, songwriter and composer David Bridie at their next Storytellers show. Sunday, April 6, at 2pm at the Cranbourne Bowls Club.
Tickets https://www.trybooking.com/ - Rob Foenander
Melbourne Observer Melbourne Observer
Winni Wizard and the Ditzy Dizzard
■ Comedians Lisa Gatenby and Jacob Sacher will join forces to entertain '4-400 year olds' as part of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival in their show
Winni Wizard and the Ditzy Dizzard, from April 5-11 at 2pm at the Ivanhoe Library and Cultural Hub, and April 12-17 at 2pm at Kindred Studios, Yarraville.
Their story follows Winni (the wacky wizard) as she visits her friend Ditzy
Through hijinx and mayhem they soon learn that there’s more to success than being good at magic. Being true to yourself and following your dreams count just as much.
Can Ditzy learn to follow Winni’s lead and lean into being himself?
This show will encourage audiences young and old to avoid judging their self worth based on external metrics of success and rather aim to be true to one’s own values.
Winni Wizard and the Ditzy Dizzard is the latest addition to the Winni Wizard chronicles, with an exciting new character addition; Sacher as the Ditzy Dizzard.
Gatenby’s Winni Wizard has found magical success touring her previous shows over the past two years, and has since earned a cult following in Melbourne and Sydney from both kids and their adults.
Sacher is the Chair of Melbourne’s NFP Comedy theatre
Crossword Solution No 13
Cornershop comedy and has recently returned from New Zealand and the United States where he performed his unique brand of introspective comedy.
Performance Details: April 511 at 2pm at the Ivanhoe Library and Cultural Hub, 275 Upper Heidelberg Road, Ivanhoe. April 12 - 17 at 2pm at Kindred Studios, 3 Harris Street, Yarraville. Bookings: comedyfestival. com.au
- Cheryl Threadgold
MEAA directors
■ The Media section of the MEAA has appointed a new Federal President and Vice-Presidents, who will also serve as directors of the Walkley Foundation.
Michael Slezak from the ABC has been named Federal President, while Bianca Hall from The Age and Sydney Morning Herald and Kasun Ubayasiri, Senior Lecturer and Program Director of Communication and Journalism at Griffith University and Freelance Documentary Photographer, will take on the roles of Federal Vice-Presidents.
Their appointments follow the resignations of Karen Percy, Erin Delahunty and Kate Ferguson.
Observations with Matt Bissett-Johnson
Observations with Matt Bissett-Johnson
● Jacob Sacher (Ditzy Dizzard)
Today’s Menu
Charcuterie Boards:
Tapas Bar Home-Made Desserts
Plus A Variety of Weekly Specials
Great Range of Cocktails and Mocktails Available.
Teas and Coffees
Don’t forget our Famous Devonshire Tea
Where
Court Lists
Dandenong Magistrates’ Court Criminal Case Listings
Police Briefs
Visa breaches
■ ABBOTSFORD. IGA. 306-310
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Johnston St.
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■ ALBERT PARK. IGA. 163 Mills St.
■ ■ AUBURN. Newsagency. 119 Auburn Rd
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■ HAWTHORN. 7-Eleven. Cnr Church and Pine Sts.
■ ■ HAWTHORN. 7-Eleven. Cnr Barkers Rd and Glenferrie Rd.
■ ■ HAWTHORN. Ampol. 73 Camberwell Rd.
■ AUBURN SOUTH. Newsagency.
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289 Auburn Rd.
■ ■ HAWTHORN. Licensed Post Office. 782 Glenferrie Rd.
■ BALACLAVA. Blencowes Milk Bar.
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305 Inkerman St.
■ ■ HAWTHORN. Renaissance IGA. 102 Burwood Rd.
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■ ■ BEAUMARIS. IGA. 6/12 Concourse.
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■ ■ BEAUMARIS. Newsagency. 2 Concourse.
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■ ■ BENTLEIGH. Bentleigh RSL. 538 Centre Rd.
■ HAWTHORN WEST. Shell/Liberty Service Station. Cnr Church St and Barkers Rd.
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■ MALVERN. BP Food Plus. 1367 High St.
■ MALVERN EAST. Central Park
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■ BENTLEIGH. Good Times Milk Bar.
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83 Tucker Rd.
■ ■ BENTLEIGH EAST. IGA Ritchies Supermarket. 1/16 Heather St.
■ ■ BLACK ROCK. 7-Eleven. 583589 Balcombe Rd.
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■ BLACK ROCK. Milk Bar. 187 Bluff Rd.
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■ BRIGHTON. Brighton Grocer. 112 Were St.
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■ BRIGHTON EAST. Newsagency. 613 Hampton St.
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Licensed Post Office. 122 Burke Rd.
■ ■ McKINNON. Newsagency. 163 McKinnon Rd.
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■ ■ MELBOURNE. Mitty’s Newsagency. 53 Bourke St.
■ ■ MIDDLE PARK. IGA. 19-21
Armstrong St.
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■ ■ MIDDLE PARK. Newsagency. 16 Armstrong St.
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■ MOORABBIN. Ampol Woolworths. Cnr South Rd and Chesterville Rd.
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■ BRIGHTON NORTH. Newsagency. 324 Bay St.
■ ■ MOORABBIN. Coles Express. 422 South Rd.
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■ ■ BURNLEY. Burnley and West Richmond Newsagency. 375 Burnley St.
■ ■ SOUTH YARRA. 7-Eleven South Yarra Station. 167 Toorak Rd.
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■ ■ ■ SOUTH YARRA. IGA Xpress. 113115 Toorak Rd.
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■ ST KILDA. 7-Eleven. 75 Fitzroy St.
■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ST KILDA. Coles Express. 120134 Barkly St.
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■ ST KILDA. The Lott. 160 Acland St.
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■ ■ TOORAK. NewsXpress. 479 Toorak Rd.
■ ■ TOORONGA. Licensed Post Office. 1445 Malvern Rd.
Wednesday, April 2 Ahmed, Shahzad Alexandrou, Robert John Ali Ata, Abdullah Aliata, Abdullah Alizada, Mohamadh Jalal Anseline, Samuel Armstrong, Debbie Ayiik, Saeeda Azevedo, Marcio Balkin, Daniel Bearman, Maurice Becirevic, Amer Bell, Kyle Bidong, Ladjok Boss, Daniel Bradford, Daniel Brown, William Bruce, Kylie Marie Burke, Michael John Burns, Kyle Cabebula, Ratu Cahill, Mark Camenzuli, Kevin Peter Cappadona, Anthony Cartes, Gary Cerni, Jarrod Cheaib, Nicholas James Colquhuon, Kevin Cordoba, Gonzalo Cornell, Jonathan Craven, Liam De Stefano, Vince Deane, Jarrod Dent, Michael Detar, Joshua Jovan Djukic, Dajana Dunne, Brad Eckles, Maurice Edwards, Dean Robert Ergec, Muhammed Efe Eyles, Natalie Faitasi, Andrew Featherstone, Aaron Joseph Fenby, Jarrod Fitzpatrick, Daniel Fletcher, Diana Foehn, Veronica Foster, Alex William Garner, Damien Grech, Jai Grigg, Robert James Hagedorn, Konrad Hall, Ben Hand, Mitchell Hari Om, Himanshu Hay, Jamie Hilyear, Andrew Hoang, Anh Nghia Holt, Henry Hooper, Melanie Louise Hussaini, Ahmad Zia Hussein, Hussein Iakopo, John Paul Icely, Russel Ide, Brodie Christopher Jafar, Ocaa Johnson, Kelly Johnston, Lisa Kaskarevska, Zaklina Kelly, James Kerrigan, Trent King, Rickie Kinsey, Brendan Mark Koth, Ater Kury, Osman Leek-Branch, James Paul Littleford, Dylan Hugh Malone, Tegan Mansell, Lakota Mantel, Logan Josh Mariott, Connor Marshall, Joshua Martin, Michelle Anne Mccarthy, Alycia Mcconkey, Shai-Leigh Milo, Thomas Minton-Green, Jake Mohammed, Ahasan Mone, Alex Muon, Sebit Jock Murphy, Luke Thomas Mwaura, Christopher Ngahere, Joseph Lewis Nicholas, Jacob Nyak, Kol Paolucci, Andrew Paterson, Caitlin Payet, Robin Walker Phan, Chann Truc Piastrino, Michael
Pira, George Pleban, Jai Pool, Michael Anthony Prassad, Jensay Quedley, Kees Christian Rahimi, Ali Rawlinson, Matthew Robb, Bailey Roman, Paul Ruaporo, Grace Ryan, Dean Sammut, Travis Brian Samuels, Terepai Sharif, Eman Sheridan, David Smith, Jack Solomons, Ashley Sreenivas, David Steer, Scott Stern, Steven Tansey, Mathew John Taylor, Dean Thompson, Shaun Thuoc, Akot Ulutui, Laki Van Doorn, Michael Anthony Vanzon, Leigh Vivanti, Veronica Vurlow, Caitlyn Wells, Jamie Wilson, Michael Thomas Witehira, Jerson Xie, Meng Yildiz, Uzeyir You, Bin Young, Mark Dromana Magistrates’ Court Criminal Case Listings Thursday, April 3 Afri, Vincent Allsop, Shannon Aziz, Antione Bakof, Brian Michael Boehe, Dallas Gerard Borg, Aydin Bruce, David Canavan, Tara Casa Main St Pty Ltd Chehayeb, Marwan Cleary-Jones, Jessica Jane Crawt, Daniel D'amore, Peter Graham De Morais Kalil Alves, Victor Di Gregorio, Paul Fikiris, John Gibson, Dayna Clare Hadj, Leon Haining, Mark William Heiser, Dylan Humar, Leopold Hutterer, Zac Imbriano, Matthew Jinnette, Aidan Johnson, Baileigh Garrick Kamkhali, Omar Kelly, Georgia Anne Kirpichnikov, Nikita Kolokithas, Dimitrios Kumar, Kamal Lambrianidis, Olga Law, Kristian Luke, Harvey Mahon, Glen John Manzo, Enrico Mcintosh, Robbie Ntentis, Athanasios Ntentis, Christos Ntentis, Eleftheria Oliver, Janette Ottobre, Cody Paflis, Konstantine Papamarkou, Aki Papharisis, Evangelos Plousi, Theodore Pye, Narelle Reyno, Ariel Ricardi, Arron Rickards, Rodney Roberts, Kye Rodin, Gregory Schepis, Tiarne Schultz, Graham Laurie Sindik, Sonja Sivell, Pauline Smith, Evan Rodney Stewart, Ricky Thongdeenok, Worawet Trapman, Georgina Trayling, Richard Waqakalou, Lennox Wells, Codie Wells, Patrick Wilson, Vanessa Jane
■ An Iraq-born man was expected to appear before the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Thursday evening (Mar. 27), charged with allegedly failing to comply with his visa-mandated conditions.
The man, 34, was charged by the Australian Federal Police in Melbourne after he was arrested on other matters by Victoria Police.
The AFP alleged he breached the conditions of his Commonwealth visa by failing to observe his residential curfew obligations and failing to maintain his electronic monitoring device.
The AFP charged the man with: ■ Six counts of failing to comply with a curfew condition, contrary to section 76C(1) of the Migration Act 1958 (Cth); and
■ One count of failing to comply with a requirement to ensure his monitoring device remains in good working order, contrary to section 76D(3) of the Migration Act 1958 (Cth).
Both offences carry a maximum penalty of five years’ imprisonment and/or a $93,900 fine.
Money laundering
■ Australian Federal Police have charged a Melbourne woman as part of a money laundering investigation that resulted in the 2023 seizure of luxury watches, gold bullion and cash valued at almost $400,000.
The woman, 43, wasexpected to appear before Melbourne Magistrates’ Court after she was arrested at her Braybrook home.
The AFP will allege the woman used a cafe she opened in mid-2022 to conceal proceeds of crime.
The woman allegedly made 40 cash deposits under $10,000 into the business’s bank account between July 14, 2022, and November 23, 2023.
Police will allege the money included proceeds of crime mixed with legitimate cafe earnings and the deposits were structured to avoid mandatory reporting under the AntiMoney Laundering and Counter Terrorism Financing Act 2006 (Cth)
The AFP executed a search warrant at the woman’s Braybrook home in September, 2023, where they seized items suspected to be the proceeds of crime. These were four luxury watches with an estimated total value of $250,000, more than $32,000 in cash and 680 grams of gold bullion worth about $112,000.
As part of the investigation, officers also seized two encrypted mobile phones, 11 SIM cards, handwritten notes referencing cryptocurrency and documents relating to property ownership.
AFP inquiries allegedly revealed the woman’s declared income was manifestly inadequate to account for the wealth she possessed, including funds in bank accounts and properties.
The charges against the woman stem from an AFP drug and money laundering investigation in Victoria. In June, 2022, the AFP charged a 33-year-old St Albans man, an alleged associate of the Braybrook woman, with drugs and proceeds of crime offences. The man remains before the courts.
The woman has been charged with:
■ One count of engaging in conduct in relation to money or other property over $100,000, being the proceeds of general crime, contrary to section 400.4(1A) of the Criminal Code (Cth). The maximum penalty for this offence is 20 years’ imprisonment;
■ One count of conducting transactions so as to avoid reporting requirements relating to threshold transactions, contrary to section 142 of the Anti-money Laundering and Counter Terrorism Financing Act (Cth). The maximum penalty for this offence is five years’ imprisonment; and
■ Failing to comply with an order issued under section 3LA of the Crimes Act (Cth). The maximum penalty for this offence is 10 years’ imprisonment.
AFP Detective Inspector Rick Briggs said the AFP’s dedicated members would pursue all investigative leads to identify people allegedly involved in illegal activity and put them before the courts.
MONDAY NIGHT MEETING AT COBRAM
■ It was pleasing to see the return of a Monday meeting on March 24 when Cobram held a small but neat six event card.
Kaarimba trainer Darryl Hill was victorious with heavily supported lightly raced 4Y0 Betterthancheddar-Pretty Interest mare Look Away in the VHRC / Woodlands Stud 3Y0 and Older Maiden Pace over 1670 metres.
Driven by Laura Wilson, Look Away having her third outing at the races was trapped in the open from gate two after Coral Cays and Matt Newberry showed great speed to lead from gate three.
Surging to the front in the back straight on the final occasion, Look Away raced by wife Jeanette recorded an impressive 11.5 metre margin over Bagley Boy (one/one from gate four), with first starter Starlet coming off a three wide trail last lap from the rear flashing home for third a half neck away. The mile rate 1-58.5.
■ Echuca owner/breeders Shane Gloury and Susan Hunter were successful with 4Y0 VincentJennas Highview mare Sassy Gabby in the 1670 metre VHRC / Rich River Golf Club Pace.
Trained by Susan and driven by Josh Duggan, Sassy Gabby was driven hard from the pole to retain the front running before being rated to perfection and defying all challengers to score by 2.7 metres in advance of a ‘death seating’ Chenin Beach (gate five) and Vincent Grange (gate two) which trailed the winner using the sprint lane for third a half head away. The mile rate 1-56.6.
■ The VHRC / Aldebaran Park Trotters Mobile over 2170 metres saw Kilmore owner/ breeder Billy Milner in the winners stall after 4Y0 Used To Me-Auravalley gelding Wallace at start number 30 broke his maiden status returning a 2-05.5 mile rate.
Driven by Ellen Tormey, Wallis (gate three) settled three back along the markers as polemarker Montana Muscle led easily.
Extricated from the inside to make the final bend four wide, Wallis rattled home at a great rate to gain the day by 2.8 metres from Kalarney Prince (gate four) which raced exposed. Starlight Red having start 179 (17 wins – 27 placings) one/two from gate five – three wide last lap was third a head away.
■ Leeton trainer Michael Towers and daughter Mikayla made the trip to Cobram a profitable one after snaring a stable double with two Kiwi breds – 9Y0 Auckland Reactor-Mikana gelding The Banker taking the VHRC / Mazzetti Painting Pace over 2170 metres and 7Y0 Rock N Roll Heaven-Laura Lace mare Mop the VHRC / GBL Properties Pace over 1670 metres.
The Banker settling mid-field from gate three on the second line sprinted sharply three wide in the last lap to lead on turning, accounting for Mirakao Shark (gate five second line) which followed him home by 8.1 metres in 2-00.8. Beryls Boots (one/three from the extreme draw) was third 7.7 metres back after going forward at the bell to race exposed.
Mop (one/three from gate six) won in similar style after trailing Chansue (gate two second line) ahead of her forward in the last lap. Sprinting brilliantly Mop raced to the front out wide on the final bend and shot clear to defeat the poleline pacemaker Epic Orion by 5.2 metres. Chansue battled on gamely for third a half head away. The mile rate a slick 1-58.
Snared trifecta
■ Moyreisk’s Ainsworth family are regulars at most Swan Hill meetings and snared the trifecta at last Tuesday’s (March 24) interesting seven race card when 8Y0 Danny Bouchea-Palkia mare Boutika defeated Night Whisperer and Singara Ted in the 2240 metre 2024 Trainer Of The Year Julie Douglas Trotters Handicap. Trained by Barry Ainsworth for wife Katrina, Boutika driven by Kerryn Manning stepped beautifully to lead from 10 metres which was actually the front line as the lone front marker Querencia was scratched.
Eased to allow Night Whisperer (10m also trained by Barry with Jordan Leedham in the sulky) to ease off her back when trailing to assume control, the stablemates settled one-two on the markers with Singara Ted (10m) trained and driven by Ashley Ainsworth following the pair.
Harness Racing
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with Len Baker
The race was to change complexion racing for the bell when Jack Laugher eased Luvski (20m) away from four pegs to race exposed with stablemate Salski (30m – five pegs) latching to her back before Immediately being taken three wide to race in the open by James Herbertson, but was struggling a long way out as the three stablemates were left to fight out the finish with Night Whisperer giving a sight at big odds.
Angling off his back halfway up the running, Boutika raced away to register a 7.8 metre margin over The Night Whisperer and Singara Ted which made no impression on the pair 14.5 metres back but easily held third. Another of the Ainsworth team Baarlinee (10m) threw away her chance when galloping shortly after the start and was tailed off. The mile rate 2-01.6.
■ It was a quinella to Horsham’s Aaron Dunn in the Make Your Will @ Beck Legal Pace over 2240 metres with smart 5Y0 A Rocknroll DanceThe Waratah gelding Neatntidy was a strong victor.
Driven by stable ’apprentice’ Ryan Backhouse, Neatntidy was eased off the gate from outside the front line to settle mid-field before going forward to race outside the leader and heavily supported odds-on stablemate Ruff Nut (gate four).
Taking over shortly after, Neatntidy toyed with his rivals, accounting for Ruff Nut along the sprint lane by 3.7 metres after being given every chance. Dieing Art starting solo on the second line also well backed, was third 1.1 metres away after going forward from the tail to race outside the pacemaker at the bell. The mile rate 1-56.8.
■ Aaron’s high quality Art Major-Ark Monroe entire Dee Roe raced in partnership with Helen Friend was victorious in the fast class race of the night - the 65 or better Beck Legal Will Power Pace over 1750 metres returning a brilliant mile rate of 1-52.9.
Quickly away from inside the second line to settle at the tail as Sunraysia hope Prioritise driven by Ryan Backhouse led from gate three, Dee Roe commenced a three wide forward move solo in the last lap and although pushed wider on the final bend as those inside him came out, class prevailed as Dee Roe fished full of running to score by a metre from the leader Invitation Only and Joey Thompson’s Joe Got Rolled (one/two) down the outside fence who was 1.2 meres away third in a thrilling finish.
Two meetings
■ Two meetings Wednesday with Hamilton in the day and Bendigo at night.
The trotters took the limelight at Hamilton with the first three races on the program dedicated to that gait.
It was a great day for Scotts Creek’s O’Connor family with 24 year old Nicholas driving two of the three winners. Firstly the TK Landscaping P/L Maiden Trotters Mobile over 1660 metres with 4Y0 Orlando Vici-Aldebaran Kid gelding Ridethelightning which he trains, while seasoned 6Y0 Skyvalley-Peters Passion gelding Old Villa Boy trained by Anthony landed the Hamilton Laundry & Dry Cleaners Trotters Mobile over 2160 metres.
Settling at the tail from a solo second line draw, Ridethelightning gave chase along the
back straight before running home strongly to record a good 3.8 metre margin over a deathseating Cash Out (gate three) and the leader Aldebaran Buddy (gate four) returning a 1-59.9 mile rate. Old Villa Boy starting from gate six, was sent forward to race exposed after My High Peak (gate four) had crossed My Mother Said (gate three) with Jilliby Dreamlover (gate five) one/one.
Despite racing parked, Villa Boy raced to the front on turning to defeat Jilliby Dreamlover which had dropped to the back of the leader when My Mother Said galloped.
Hampering Jilliby Dreamlover after being held up by the weakening leader, Jilliby Dreamlover using the sprint lane couldn’t make up the ground to finish second 3.4 metres back, with Sonarmi Joh also using the sprint lane from four pegs for third a further three metres back. The mile rate 1-59.6.
■ The 2160 metre Become A Club Member Mobile was taken out by Ararat trainer/driver Michael Bellman’s in-form 6Y0 TennotrumpGloriadon gelding Blackrange Glory at the remarkable odds of $3.60.
Enjoying a sweet one/one trip from a solo second line draw as Brooke Hansen’s heavily supported Just Abit Dusty led from gate six, Blackrange Glory after easing three wide on the final bend was too strong at the finish for a game Mattyo, greeting the judge by 1.6 metres in two minutes even. Just Abit Dusty was 10.1 metres away third.
■ At Bendigo, 90-year-old Lockington trainer Ted Jepsen who loves his harness racing was successful with Soho Tribeca-Meghan Suits Her filly Soho Playgirl in the 1650 Huntly Lifestyle Estate By Lincoln Place Pace. Raced by Ted, wife Faye, daughter Nikki and husband Scott Shegog, Soho Playgirl driven by Laura Wilson went forward from outside the front line to race in the open outside Tophut Johny (gate six) proving too tough for her rivals.
Dashing away on the final bend, Soho Playgirl scored by 2.6 metres in a rate of 1-55.6 over Salsboy which had followed the pacemaker from gate four getting clear in plenty of time to give chase. Bettorsweetvictory (four pegs from inside the second line) used the sprint lane for third 3.1 metres away. The winner was bred by Dean and Blanche Poole.
■ Toolern Vale trainer/part-owner Vince Dicocco and partners the La Famiglia Racing Syndicate and Ian Caruana were victorious with Bling It On-Zindel gelding Mighty Bling in the 2150 metre Great Ocean Road Real Estate 3Y0 Maiden Pace.
With leading provincial reinsman Jack Laugher in the sulky, Mighty Bling (gate four) was caught three wide before moving outside the leader Hitch To His Star (gate six) and showing great tenacity, outstayed the leader to gain the day by a half neck in a mile rate of 2-00.2. Miki Sing (gate two on the second line) was third 2.3 metres back after racing three wide from mid-field in the last lap.
■ Another Toolern Vale winner was John Justice’s 3Y0 Love You-Our Sunny Rose gelding Muskee who snared the Bendigo Ski Boat Centre Trotters Mobile at Supertab odds (fixed) of $23.00. Raced by long time stable client Graeme Riley, Muskee driven by Ewa Justice at start number six enjoyed a cosy trip from the pole trailing the well supported leader Aetos Dynamis (gate two).
Gaining a freak inside run approaching the home turn, Muskee raced clear in the straight to record a 1.9 metre victory in advance of Dossier (three pegs from gate two on the second line), with Black And Gold 2.2 metres away third after racing parked from gate five. The mile rate 1-58.7.
At Kilmore
■ Kilmore raced on Thursday with a big nine race program and one of the most impressive winners on the night was much travelled Kialla trainer Clive Dalton’s 5Y0 Follow The Stars-Im Stylish mare Im In Style who landed the 2180 metre Beraldo Coffee 3Y0 & Older Maiden Pace.
Driven by Chris Alford, Im In Style (gate three) had little difficulty in crossing Taken By Wine (gate two) shortly after the start and rated
Sulky Snippets Sulky Snippets
This Week
■ The time honored Mildura Cup Carnival commences on Tuesday with the final the following Friday – other meetings for the week are : Wednesday – Maryborough/Bendigo, Thursday – Ballarat, Friday – Melton, Saturday – Melton, Sunday – Ararat, Monday –Warragul, Tuesday – Shepparton.
to perfection as expected by the champion Bolinda based reinsman, held too many guns for Hody Moke who was exceptional after missing away from gate four which had moved three wide to trail Parlezvous Patty (gate five – four pegs – three wide last lap) from mid-field in the last lap to be four wide in the home straight. Parlezvous Patty battled on strongly for third. The margins 6.7 by 3.6 metres in a mile rate of 2-04.8.
■ The C and M Build Group Pace over 1690 metres saw ‘on fire’ Heathcote owner/trainer Terry French successful with 7Y0 Auckland Reactor-Village Guest gelding Playnice in 157.7.
Driven by Murchison’s Ryan Sanderson, Playnice starting inside the second line enjoyed a cosy trip three pegs as Rocket Me led from gate three with polemarker Miki Mark trailing. Coming away from the inside to be one/two running into the final bend, Playnice angling wide in the straight ran home best to prevail by 1.4 metres from Sports Liner (gate five – one/one –three wide last lap) and Miki Mark along the sprint lane who was 1.4 metres away third.
■ Daylesford trainer Mick Barby and wife Anne-Maree Conroy (driver) provided 7Y0 Love You-My Valerie mare Amour Maternal to record an impressive victory in the 1690 metre O’Brien Electrical Trotters Mobile.
Raced by the pair, Amour Maternal settled mid-field in the moving line from gate five on the second line as Charlie Walker (gate six) led but was given no peace by Atego Dawn starting outside the front line by Col Du Granon (gate four) and Lizzies Son from the extreme draw three wide which crossed to lead for the last lap.
In a race full of action, Amour Maternal let rip approaching the home turn and finished full of running to defeat a game Lizzies Son by 2.2 metres. Atego Dawn was also courageous when third 5.2 metres away. The mile rate 2-00.1.
■ Nulla Vale trainer/driver Steve Cleave was successful in the 1690 metre Momentum Gaming 3Y0 & Older Maiden Pace. with Warrawee Needy-Jessies Girl filly Divine Tilly. In a race that changed complexion over the concluding stages, Divine Tilly raced by a huge group of owners including the trainer ran home from last to gain the day after the leader and first starter Smalltownsmokeshow (gate three) looked to have the race in her keeping galloped in the home straight.
Tuivasa (gate two) after galloping shortly after the start ran home late for second, with Loubell (gate six – one/one – three wide last lap third. The margins a half neck by 2 metres in a 2-02.3 mile rate.
Geelong feature
■ The feature at Geelong on Friday was the $20,000 Hoyts Food Geelong Rocket, a 1609 metre speed test for seasoned pacers – the victor being Andy and Kate Gath’s multiple race winner Catch A Wave, Eased back from gate six to settle three back in the running line with only Triple Eight behind him as Rocknroll Hammer and James Herbertson led from gate three. Going forward three wide solo late in the back straight, class prevailed as Catch A Wave finished hard to blouse the leader by a head in brilliant 1-51.9. Stablemate Yambukian was a great third 4.9 metres back after racing exposed from gate five.
GRASSROOTS PROGRAMS ARE BREEDING GROUND
■ Racing Victoria as reinforced its commitment to fostering a love of the horse and to creating new pathways into the thoroughbred racing industry by establishing partnerships with a range of grassroots programs, including the 2024-25 National Pony Racing Series.
RV has joined forces with Thoroughbred Industry Careers to sponsor and support the popular pony racing series, which was at The Valley on March 22 on 3 Point Motors William Reid Stakes Day for Victoria’s State Qualifying Day.
In the lead-up to the qualifiers, close to 40 Pony Club members aged between nine and 15 gathered at Ballarat on March 8-9 to learn about horse care and welfare, safe riding and the suite of career options available in the thoroughbred racing industry.
As well as partnering with TIC to support the series, which culminates with the National Finals in Queensland this June, RV has also signed an agreement with Pony Club Victoria to provide coaching and support for its Ride To Time disciplines.
The Ride To Time program, which teaches skills and techniques aligned to trackwork riding, includes a series of statewide heats culminating in a final at The Valley this September.
RV has extended its partnership with the Box Hill Institute, which sees TAFE students on its equine studies course given experiential learning in simulated racing stable environments at Pakenham and Geelong, along with behind-thescenes tours on racedays.
As part of the program, the students complete their minimum requirements for licensing as a stablehand in Victoria. The partnership saw 120 students provided practical education in 2024 and this month a new group of 100 students commenced their studies for 2025.
Aaron Morrison, RV’s Chief Executive, said: “One of the key pillars of the racing industry is the love our participants show for the thoroughbreds in their care, and that love is forged from an early age which is why we are delighted to support these grassroots programs.
“The education these youngsters receive and the skills the programs equip them with will stand them in good stead should they wish to pursue one of the many career opportunities available in the racing industry.
“The National Pony Racing Series has garnered widespread interest over recent years and we’re pleased to support the Victorian qualifiers.”
- Racing Victoria
Jump-outs enhanced
■ Racing Victoria has announced that all Victorian jump-outs have now been integrated into a new enhanced and standardised industry production and broadcast model, delivering important benefits to owners and punters.
This follows the addition all jump-outs conducted by the Victoria Racing Club at Flemington and thus completes the full network of Victorian tracks now on the new standardised platform.
All jump-outs in Victoria are now filmed consistently by Racing.com to ensure standardised
professional vision, whilst race callers have also been introduced to each set to narrate the action and make it easier for viewers to identify horses and track their performance.
Process enhancements over recent months now mean that the colours worn by each horse in jump-outs are accurately reflected in results on Racing.com given they often differ from racing colours.
Jump-out results and form are now also accessible within horse profiles on the Racing Australia website, as per official trials.
The broadcasting enhancements are all part of an improved, centralised industry service being produced by RV through Racing.com in response to owner and punter feedback. There are also efficiency benefits and cost savings for the industry as part of the new solution.
As part of the upgrade, Racing.com has launched a dedicated online hub which serves as a gateway to the replays of all Victorian jumpouts. The jump-outs hub is accessible from the home page on both the Racing.com website and app.
Jump-outs are available to view on Racing.com as replays shortly after they have been conducted. The vision is accessible via three primary options – initially via the jumpouts hub and then via the racing calendar and a horse’s form profile once the results are loaded.
With jump-out entries, fields and results administered by the host Club and then communi-
cated to RV, the expectation is that the formal results of each set are published on Racing.com before 5pm on the day of their conduct.
RV’s jump-outs model helps to minimise costs for owners, whilst at the same time providing important insight into a horse’s preparation to assist punters.
RV Chief Executive, Aaron Morrison, said: “There are over 350 sets of jump-outs across Victoria annually. They are an important part of a horse’s training regime and provide valuable insight into how a horse is progressing in its preparation.
“The jump-out model is a strong feature of Victorian racing, which is highly valued by participants and owners given the flexibility benefits and cost-efficiency as compared to more expensive official trials.
“We have worked hard to deliver a cost-ef-
fective jump-outs service that minimises costs to owners, whilst maximising opportunities for punters and connections to engage with the progress of their favourite horses.
“We’ve been working with our Clubs, Racing.com and TRP across the past year to enhance the presentation of jump-outs and reached an important milestone in building an enhanced, centralised industry model with the introduction of Flemington jump-outs last week.
“We will continue to review our presentation to ensure it remains a value-add for owners and punters. This includes some upcoming enhancements to our web platforms which will allow us to feature new and more engaging content, new features, and personalisation, based on input from stakeholders and customers. I look forward to providing further updates in coming months,” Mr Morrison said.
- Racing Victoria
Drought relief
■ Racing Victoria has announced a drought relief support package for eligible licensed trainers and acknowledged post-racing program providers directly caring for Victorian registered thoroughbreds in one of the 12 State Government defined drought areas in Victoria:Ararat, City of Greater Geelong, Colac Otway, Corangamite, Glenelg, Golden Plains, Moyne, Pyrenees, Southern Grampians, Surf Coast, Warrnambool, West Wimmera (southern half – postcodes 3312, 3317, 3318 and 3319)
Successful drought relief support package applicants will receive a one time payment of $500 per Stud Book registered thoroughbred (up to a maximum of $10,000 per individual recipient) for the provision of feed for pasture fed thoroughbreds. The thoroughbreds must be in the direct care of the licensed trainer or acknowledged post-racing provider; and not be actively in race training, or the horse may be retired but still in the care of the licensed trainer.
● ● Aaron Morrison, Racing Victoria Chief Executive
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FREE non-commercial classified advertising is available for individual readers, selling iitems. Your ad can be up to 40 words. This service is available at the sole discretion of the Editor. Ads will appear for up to 4 weeks. Free ads are not available to businesses or organisations. Deadline: 4pm Fridays prior to Print Edition. You can lodge your Free Ad by:
• WEB: www.Advertise Free.com.au
• EMAIL: editor@Local Paper.com.au
• POST: Mail the form (available in this newspaper) to PO Box 1278, Research, Vic 3095. Free Ads will not be accepted by phone.
ALL CAR advertisers must supply registration or Vehicle Identification Numbers. By law, we are unable to publish listings without those details.
PRIVATE SELLERS can have a free 40-word ‘For Sale’ ad - plus a single colour photo - in The Local Paper Classifieds to sell their items. Your free ad will appear in all editions of The Local Paper, 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
BED. Single. Electric folable with massage and remote control. Adjustable back, legs and height. New Aspire mattress. German motor. EC. $500. Diamond Creek. 0401 473 565.N-Q
COLLECTORS Melway Nos 9, 20, 33. Wax matches (234) in book, 17 loose. VFL Records, finals, mainly Richmond. Small and large. Phone cards. Vatious prices. Box Hill South., 9890 7904.N-Q
FORD AUII Fairport V8 Sedan. Original.Runs well. No rust. Good tyres, new screen, bring your mechanic or RACV test, RWC. Reg 7/27. 2AN3XE. VCG. $8000. Seymour. 0419 881 573. N-Q
GARDEN ROCKS. Small and medium. All sizes. All free. Also 12 blue stone pitches. All free. Bulleen. 9850 5128. N-Q
PARTS for Ford AUIIV8. Secondhand. Struts. New parts: ball joints, 2 boxes of parts. VGC. $1000. Seymour 0419 881 573. N-Q
TABLE. Large solid timber, dining room table, 2100mm x 1000mm. Plus six chairs. GC. $30. Yea. 0419 109 887. N-Q
OLD STAMPS, tools, tobacco bins, Telephone, pocket knifes, cigarette lighters, LP records, first covers and more. Australia decimal and pre-decimal bank notes. Used. Prices negot. Thomastown. 0425 733 890. F-M
PICTURE FRAMES. 40 large to small. Various styles. VGC. All only $70. Keon Park. 9469 4558. N-Q
PORTABLE SAUNA. Top condition. $150. Alphington. 0401 226 114. F-M
5 vintage saws
SHEEP. 60 mixed breed ewes, been running with rams, have ear tags. Friendly, great lawnmowers, saves mowing the paddocks and helps reduce fire risk. Can deliver. GC. $130. Deanside. 0426 397 741N-Q
TYRE CHANGERS. Manual. Little used, complete with instructions, purchaser to collect. GC. $90. Doreen. 9717 3465 N-Q
TRAIN BOOKS. Wide variety of books and pamphlets to all types of trains. All prices negotiable. Research. 9437 1253. N-Q
due to owner pass- ing away. GC. $1000. Thomastown. 0421 819 286.F-M
WHEELCHAIR. Manual. Evoke 2 Aspire 450mm. new, never been used as too small for subject. Foldable and extremely light for easy transport. Well made, Top of the range. EC. $600. Diamond Creek. 0401 473 565.N-Q
PUBLIC NOTICES
GOD’S CHURCH invites faithful followwees of Christ to attend the New Testament local Passover night service. Alfredton, Ballarat. To secure your seat, 0419
GROUPS can advertise their upcoming events in The Local Paper, without advertising charges. Go to the What’s On - Free Ad Form section at the www.Local Paper.com.au website
Horticultural Society Victoria. Saturday, June 14. 9.30am. Deakin University, Burwood. Rusden Theatre. Free parking and entry to large plant and allied goods market. Inspiring speakers: James Wall, Heidi Martin, Vasili Kanidiadis, $25, All welcome. plantzia@bigpond.com N-Q
8935. H-O
One bedroom, kitchen, bathroom, laundry and living area. Private entrance. Price includes utilities (power/gas/water). VGC. $300 per week. Diamond Creek. 0404 433 572.
CHAINS Bible College Australia; In depth Bible study and online Biblical studies. 0447 515 450 N-Q
327 366. N-P
ANGEL STATUE with adjustable wings. Approx. one metre tall. Solid
