Mornington News 11 April 2023

Tourist train goes off line

EASTER services on the popular Mornington tourist train were unexpectedly cancelled on Saturday (8 April) after the old “red rattler” heritage train came off its tracks close to the Watt Road station.

The train was on a training run from Moorooduc to Mornington with a driver and supervisor on board. Nobody was injured and the train was not carrying passengers.

Mornington Railway Preservation Society president Andrew Swaine said the cause of the derailing was unknown and the train would not be back in service until investigations were completed.

The train runs on part of the former Victorian Railways’ Baxter to Mornington branch line.

Swaine said the derailing “couldn’t have happened at a worse time” as the Easter holidays were always a busy time for the volunteer-run service.

He said he hoped the train would be back in business before too long.

Liz Bell

THE Mornington Railway Preservation Society tourist train has been derailed and is out of action until further notice.

President Andrew Swaine (in green safety vest) was among volunteers on the scene after the accident to begin investigations.

Picture: Supplied

Ratepayers want inquiry into shire

Keith Platt keith@mpnews.com.au

TWO ratepayer groups have repeated their call for a state government inquiry “into the performance of the Mornington Peninsula Shire”.

It is the third time the groups have sought government action and comes eight months after the Local Government Minister Melissa Horne rejected their first request.

The groups have now told the Premier Daniel Andrews that a public satisfaction survey rating the shire at

an “all time low” gives the government “a very commendable and indisputable reason for undertaking an independent review”.

“The appointment of a Commission of Inquiry is simply an investigation, not an indication of guilt and offers a means for improving performance,” treasurer/secretary of Mornington.

Ratepayers’ Association Alan Nelsen and Nepean Ratepayers Association president Colin Watson stated in a letter to Andrews.

“It is also a way of the government avoiding any suggestion of conflict of

interest now that a former councillor is a member of parliament.

“We are not asking for the suspension of the council or an administrator to be appointed, but simply a review.”

In a letter to Horne 13 days before contacting Andrews, Nelsen and Watson said they wre at a loss as to why some action had not been taken previously which “ may have prevented the further disappointing performance of the council and its administration”.

The 168-page “complaint” sent to Horne covers a range of issues, including the transfer of home care

services from the shire to a private company, despite a previous warning from the Australian Services Union; alleged “improper behaviour and failures of governance in relation with the Tyabb Airfield” as well as a $350,000 payment by council to Peninsula Aero Club and an email obtained through freedom of information (FOI) between a former council director and its CEO.

The ratepayer groups question the reaction, or non-reaction, of the Local Government Inspectorate to “about a dozen” complaints about council from ratepayers and community groups.

“We note that there is no means to object to a Local Government Inspectorate’s officer’s decision, unlike other integrity, accountability and investigatory bodies such as IBAC, Victorian Ombudsman staff, and Victorian Auditor-General’s Office staff. That is, we suggest, that there is no accountability of the inspectorate.”

The ratepayer groups’ submission also covers actions and voting patterns (and social media posts) by individual councillors as well as public statements made by council officers.

Continued Page 16

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Barking dogs blamed for loss of ‘peace and quiet’

Liz Bell liz@mpnews.com.au

MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire residents are being driven barking mad because of noisy dogs.

The shire, home to around 30,000 registered dogs, has received 325 complaints about barking dogs in the past nine months, an average 36 a month.

One Somerville resident says barking dogs are destroying his peace and affecting his health but that the council is not acting fast enough on noise complaints.

Harry Harris says he lives in a oncequiet suburban street that has become a battle ground for residents because of barking dogs.

Harris said two dogs in his street bark for hours every day, particularly early in the morning but also on and off during the day when they are often left home alone.

“These are working dogs stuck in the backyard, it’s an intolerable level of barking, every day,” he said.

“It’s really frustrating and it’s driving me and other neighbours insane.”

Harris said despite his attempts to speak to the dog owner, and then complain to the council, little had changed in more than 12 months.

“It’s not just me, I’ve spoken to many of my neighbours and they are also frustrated by the barking, but the council doesn’t seem to do anything,” he said.

Harris, who mainly works from home, said he was told to fill out a diary that the council would provide.

“But they took ages to send it to me. When I finally got one and filled it in they did nothing about it.”

Harris said he feels like he is playing “dodgems” with council staff.

“They are just stonewalling me, I’m getting no response.”

Council’s community safety and compliance manager Dale Gilliatte said rangers investigated all complaints about dog barking and made efforts to speak to both the complainant and the owner of the dog in order to find a resolution.

Gilliatte said dog ownership was rising since a drop during 2020 and 2021, and suggested the large number of barking complaints was partly due to more people working from home.

He said all complaints made to the council were followed through until “resolved”, however, he conceded that “this may not always be to the satisfaction of the person making the complaint” due to a lack of evidence or other factors.

Councils have the power to issue

dog owners with a warning, or a formal notice to comply to stop the barking. If it is not complied with, councils can issue an infringement notice. If the problem persists, council may proceed with legal action and seek a court order, however Gilliatte said this option was extremely rare.

Bark Busters animal trainer Paul Labrum said it was possible to teach a dog not to bark excessively, using training methods that focussed on reducing anxiety and re-establishing the owner as the “head of the pack”.

“It should never be about pain or fear, just leadership,” he said.

He said excessive barking was usually part of a raft of behavioural issues affecting animals that did not have effective leadership.

“I’ll often hear owners who bring their dogs for dog training say ‘my dog won’t come back to me on command’, and then as an offside they say ‘and he barks a lot’. It’s usually all part of the same problem.”

Victoria’s Dispute Settlement Centre also provides free advice to help neighbours sort out the problem of barking dogs.

The council has an information sheet on barking dogs.

A tasteful lesson in tradition

THE delicious smell of hot cross buns was in the air on Tuesday 4 April as Balnarring Primary School students were given a cooking experience at the Red Hill Baker, Balnarring.

Students, including Ava, Harper and Billy, readily helped baker Ray Johns whip up the seasonal delights in the approach to Easter (and school holidays). Picture: Gary Sissons

Invite to fast at the mosque

LEADERS from Judaism, Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism and Islam will be at the Baitul Salam Mosque, Langwarrin to speak about the tradition of fasting in their faiths.

Fasting at the mosque during Ramadan (the holy month of fasting) on Sunday 16 April is an annual event of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community Victoria.

Ahmadiyya Muslim community spokesperson Aziz Bhatti said up to 500 guests were expected at the Fasting in my Religion event.

He said fasting had “evolved over time and, with this modern day and age and with added health benefits, fasting is getting far more popular

than we actually realise”.

This event at the mosque would enable people “to learn about different fasting traditions and how they’re practiced in today’s societies”.

Guest speakers are Rabbi Alexander Tsykin (Judaism), the Rev Dr Alexander Yule (Christianity), Dr Zanite (Buddhism), Sri Rama Das Adhikari (Hinduism) and Imtiaz Ahmed Naveed (Islam).

Registrations to attend Fasting in my Religion open 4pm at the Baitul Salam Mosque, 6 Leisureland Drive, Langwarrin, with the program running from 4.30pm to the breaking of the fast at 5.50pm. For more details go to ahmadiyyalangwarrin@gmail.com

A place to stay for cats and other small animals

RSPCA Peninsula has opened a cat and small animal centre at Pearcedale to increase its capacity to care for cats and small animals and reduce the time they take to adopt.

The new centre, which opened on Sunday 2 April, was financed by donors, including gifts from the estates of the late RSPCA Victoria president Dr Hugh Wirth AM - who led the organisation for almost 50 years, and long-time supporter Margaret Johnson. The centre has “cat cabins” with concealed spaces, an isolation wing, long-stay facilities, and an adoption wing with “meet and greet” rooms.

RSPCA Victoria CEO Dr Liz Walker says it will enable the organisation to care for 250 cats and small animals.

“Our new CASA [cat and small animal] centre is a modern, welcoming space that will really improve the pet adoption experience at RSPCA Peninsula. The bright, purpose-built spaces are designed to allow people to get to know animals one-on-one and find their pawfect (sic) match,” she said.

“CASA not only improves the pet adoption experience for members of the public, but it also increases RSPCA Victoria’s capacity to care for the thousands of animals who rely on us every year. Designed in consultation with veterinarians and animal behaviourists, it will reduce animal stress and illness, accelerate healing and potentially cut adoption times in half.”

Last year, RSPCA Victoria cared for more than 8000 cats and investigated 1922 cruelty reports involving cats and kittens, resulting in seizures of up to 60 cats entering its centres at a time.

The average cat stays in care for 34 days before adoption, causing significant capacity issues – particularly during kitten season.

“Cats are amazing creatures and extremely efficient breeders; modelling suggests that one entire female cat and her offspring can produce as many as 5000 cats in seven years. In Victoria, this has resulted in a problem with cat

over-population that in turn leads to poor animal welfare outcomes for the cats themselves as well as other native animals,” Walker said.

“Unfortunately, only seven per cent of owned cats that come into our shelters are reclaimed, compared to nearly three-quarters of dogs. They’re simply not valued in the same way, but the truth is that cats make great

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CASA is at RSPCA Peninsula, 1030 Robinsons Road Pearcedale, and is open weekdays from 9am to 5pm and weekends from 9am to 4pm. Liz Bell

RELATIVES of former RSPCA leader the late Dr Hugh Wirth at the new centre for cats and small animals‘ at Pearcedale are, from left rear, Susie Pollock, Hugh Pollock, Emma Keeler, Andrew Keeler and RSPCA CEO Dr Liz Walker; front, Alix Pollock and Katherine Keeler. Picture: Gary Sissons

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Shortage remains despite state’s ‘new homes’ plan

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Liz Bell liz@mpnews.com.au

EXPERTS say the state government’s plan to build an estimated 34 new homes on the Mornington Peninsula over the next few years will fail to fix the affordable housing crisis.

The state government is spending more than $11.5 million in housing on the peninsula - with 21 new properties completed and a further 13 underway, and “more to come in the area” according to the Department of Housing, Families and Fairness, But recent data shows that will not be enough, with the Reserve Bank of Australia predicting a shortage of more than 100,000 homes across the country within the next five years as rents continue to rise and the country receives an influx of migrants.

Mornington Peninsula Shire Council says 3000 homes are needed “just to meet the current demand on the peninsula”, with 2934 people already in desperate need of a home.

Reserve Bank governor Rob Lowe has told the media the housing crisis will worsen as around 650,000 migrants enter Australia before the end of the next financial year, and international students and working holiday

A new report by the National Housing Finance and Investment Corporation also shows that construction of new houses will continue to lag behind demand in Victoria for the next two or three years. In addition, continued rental growth will continue to put pressure on households.

The DHFF says it is “on track” to deliver more than 12,000 new homes across the state by 2026-27 under its $5.3 billion for the Big Housing Build.

But local support services say the peninsula should receive a much larger share of the Big Build program due to the lack of affordable housing on the peninsula (“Peninsula ‘needs more crisis support’” The News 4/4/23).

Southern Peninsula Community Support CEO Jeremy Maxwell said rising rental prices and housing affordability were among the main contributors of homelessness and called on the state government to provide local crisis accommodation to support the more than 1000 people needing somewhere to sleep every night.

The DHFF last week released a statement saying it “understands” the challenges of finding affordable and stable housing and is “proud” of the reforms and investment the state

government has provided.

Its statewide Homelessness to a Home and Homes for Families programs provided more than $230 million for “a pathway to safe and stable housing for over 2000 Victorians”.

A DHFF spokesperson said the causes of homelessness involved a range of issues, including availability of social and affordable housing, Australian government income support payments, wider economic and employment conditions, the continuing scourge of family violence, and access to appropriate support services.

Meanwhile, Safety Beach resident and former council candidate Joe Lenzo, has started a GoFundMe campaign to help people sleeping rough on the peninsula.

Lenzo, who stood for council in 2014, said there were no solutions to homelessness being offered, with “just more thinking, more talking, more subterfuge, and consultants”.

He said all money raised from his GoFundMe site will be used to buy tents, sleeping bags and sleeping mats for homeless support services on the peninsula.

“If everyone does a little bit the world will be a better place,” he said. Details: gofund.me/ae46970e

Memorial ready for Anzac Day

Catching up: Dunkley MP Peta Murphy, centre, with Members of the Committee for Mornington Peninsula, from left, Shannon Smit CEO Josh Sinclair, Jackie Prossor and Chris Proctor at the Mr Frankie Cafe, Frankston South.

Bipartisan approach is best way to advance

By Josh Sinclair*

GIVEN you’re reading this, you probably find yourself on the beautiful Mornington Peninsula.

You’re either here as a local who has decided to call this place home; you’re working in one of our ever-growing business hubs and precincts scattered across the peninsula; or you’re spending your tourist dollars at one of our fine hospitality or recreational venues.

Unfortunately, there’s a glaring problem: there is not enough government investment made in our region, and we must change that. As the population increases and residents rely on more services and infrastructure, we need government to take the peninsula more seriously.

The Committee for Mornington Peninsula

provides a unified voice to advance the region, advocate for significant government investment, and influence the direction of the peninsula over coming decades.

One of the five main pillars of the committee’s strategic objectives is to create and cultivate an engaged community in our region. To do this, we need to work closely – in a bipartisan way – with our elected representatives, stay top of mind for decision-makers at state and federal government, and provide peninsula businesses and community organisations the opportunity to form and influence our advocacy goals.

So how are we doing this? The committee will provide regular gatherings and opportunities for its members to engage with influential decisionmakers. We will also facilitate regular roundta-

ble conversations on policy matters that affect us as a region – because we are unique to the rest of Melbourne, and we must embrace that.

This year, the committee is working collaboratively with local government on the peninsula’s advocacy priorities because we are more powerful as a region with a united voice.

Strong advocacy and leadership is required to improve our region’s social and economic capacity in order to make the peninsula the best place to live, work and visit.

To view all the advocacy priorities of the Committee for Mornington Peninsula, visit committeeformp.com.au

* Josh Sinclair is the CEO of the Committee for Mornington Peninsula

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Contacting three tiers of ‘decision-makers’

Keith Platt keith@mpnews.com.au

BUSINESS lobby group Committee for Mornington Peninsula is making good its aim of identifying and contacting decision-makers to help achieve its “long-term outcomes” and “strategic objectives”.

Members of the committee’s executive in recent weeks have met with the Labor MP for Hastings, Paul Mercurio and the Labor MP for Dunkley, Peta Murphy.

The committee wasted no time in issuing a news release congratulating Kate Roper on winning the byelection for the Watson Ward seat on Mornington Peninsula Shire Council left vacant by Mercurio’s November election to state government.

Roper, who represented Cerberus Ward from 2016 to 2020, was sworn in as a councillor at last Tuesday’s public council meeting (4 April).

The committee’s congratulatory new release was dated Monday 27 March, the same day her victory was announced by the Victorian Electoral Commission.

The committee’s CEO Josh Sinclair said the shire and committee “have a lot of shared objectives in and around Watson Ward” and “will meet with councillor-elect Roper in coming weeks”.

One day later, Sinclair and four of the committee’s board met with Mercurio “to discuss shared advocacy priorities for the electorate of Hastings”.

Hastings advocacy: Members of the Committee for Mornington Peninsula Chris Proctor (Sealite), CEO Josh Sinclair, Matt McDonald (Searoad Ferries), Jereome Keating (Macpherson Kelley), Shannon Smit (SMART Business Solutions), Jackie Prossor (Prossor Town Planning) at Sages Cottage with Hastings MP Paul Mercurio (third from left). Picture: Provided

“The committee would like to thank Paul for being so generous with his time, and we look forward to working closely with him and [his] neighbouring Labor government colleagues over the next few years in delivering on key investments into our region,” Sinclair said.

He said objectives held in common between the committee and council included the opening-up of port zoned land for industry, improving the Stony Point railway line, better bus ser-

vices across the peninsula connecting Mornington, Hastings and Rosebud and establishing the renewable energy terminal of Victoria in the Port of Hastings.

"The committee looks forward to working with Cr Roper and advocating for Western Port at all levels of government,” Sinclair said.

"Jobs, housing and infrastructure improvements are all key issues in Somerville, Tyabb and Baxter.”

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clair said the committee was looking forward “to working and partnering with her on local projects that have already attracted federal government funding, including infrastructure upgrades, public transport, sporting precinct developments, and significant investments in health”.

He said the committee would “continue to effectively engage with all levels of government to attract investment within our region”.

“The Committee has productive relationships with both the Member for Flinders [former committee board member Liberal Zoe McKenzie} and Member for Dunkley, which is so important when it comes to advocating for the big issues because all of these things are above politics and parties,” Sinclair said.

“We want to work with our local representatives to shape the Mornington Peninsula over the next 20 years.”

The committee says its “its long term Western Port advocacy priorities for 2023” include seeing a 1000-seat plus performing arts centre built on the Western Port side of the peninsula; the staged electrification of the railway line from Frankston to Stony Point; improved bus services linking Mornington, Hastings and Rosebud; using surplus port-related industrial land for “broader high amenity industrial and commercial uses”; and backing the state government’s plan to use the Port of Hastings as terminal to transport wind turbines to Bass Strait.

The committee defines its role as being “to advocate for significant gov-

ernment investment for projects that will dramatically shape and enhance the Mornington Peninsula for the long term”.

“Working with our local representatives in a productive and inclusive way, we are seeking to partner with the Victorian and federal governments on a number of projects that will benefit our region,” Sinclair states on its website.

He says the committee is the peninsula’s “peak advocacy body”.

“It is an independent, member-based organisation committed to leading and influencing long-term outcomes and contributing to our strategic objectives for the peninsula.”

Sinclair says the committee “works beyond electoral cycles and partisan politics to enhance social, economic, and environmental sustainability to improve our regions’ liveability, growth, and sustainability” (“Lobby group aims to be bipartisan” The News 14/3/23).

“The Committee for Mornington Peninsula was formed because we can and must do a better job at attracting state and federal government funding, policy attention and sustainable investment.

“As a committee, we look forward to working closely with our elected representatives, state and federal government’s and community Leaders to help deliver significant government investment to our region.”

The committee’s strategic objectives are at: committeeformp.com.au/about/ strategic-objectives

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Council ‘no’ to police cameras

Keith Platt keith@mpnews.com.au

MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire councillors have rejected a suggestion that ratepayers’ money be used to provide police with CCTV cameras to catch hoon drivers.

Cr David Gill estimated it would cost $10,000 to $15,000 to provide police with a trailer fitted with cameras that could be placed in areas where hoon drivers were known to gather.

Platinum for PARC

FRANKSTON Council’s Peninsula Aquatic Recreation Centre (PARC) in Frankston has been re-accredited with Life Saving Victoria’s (LSV’s) Platinum Pool Award.

The centre’s 100 per cent pass saw it continues to hold its exclusive position among 40 Victorian aquatic centres holding the accreditation in the leisure centre category.

To receive the award, PARC had to follow a six-monthly pool safety assessment, mystery guest visits and adherence to the best practice Watch Around Water child supervision program. The accreditation is valid for 12 months.

The council’s outdoor seasonal pool, Pines Forest Aquatic Centre in Frankston North, scored a silver endorsement in the Victorian Public Pools Register.

Peninsula Leisure‘s operations manager Jarrah Wynne said the award was “a great demonstration” of Pen-

insula Leisure’s commitment to safety and excellence.

“Our team are so committed to keeping our community safe and active. The audit is so important and to pass with such amazing results is a significant achievement and phenomenal team effort,” Wynne said.

“There are around 550 public swimming pools in Victoria, so to be in the top 40, the top of those in the state, is something we and our community are really proud of.”

LSV’s aquatic industry services manager Alek Olszewski said the award recognised centres that had attained the highest level of safety requirements and standards.

Peninsula Leisure is a subsidiary company wholly owned by Frankston City Council and is charged with the management of council’s two aquatic centres, PARC and Pines Forest Aquatic Centre.

The mayor, Cr Steve Holland, who used his casting vote to defeat Gill’s suggestion of considering adding the cost of cameras for the police to the budget, he was concerned by “cost shifting”, from the state government to council.

“We have CCTV cameras to protect our own assets with a live feed to police,” he said.

Gill said he wanted council to consider buying the CCTV cameras if state and federal grants were not made.

He said it was difficult for police to monitor hoon drivers “in a timely way”.

Infrastructure services manager Tom Haines-Sutherland, in a report to council’s 21 March public meeting, said the shire’s CCTV policy stated that there needed to be “an evidencebased safety need” for cameras to be installed and used.

“CCTV must be installed and operated with due respect to personal privacy and civil liberties,” he said.

“The evidence-based needs analysis should determine if a system is justi-

fied with respect to strategic advice from Victoria Police, consider environmental measures, if the system will deliver footage to the police station and use the council CCTV assessment tool.”

Gill said the money for cameras should be referred to the budget “[where] we can address that need and vote for or against”.

“There’s no intention here to tell VicPol what to do or to or be involved in the process, it’s providing the means for them to do it and an instrument to monitor.

“Hoon driving is the prominent example where people are gone before police can get there.

“No matter how hard the police try, they need some surveillance of that, in a known location where it’s repetitive, but not the time when it’s going to happen.

“It comes regularly, but it might be in the middle of the night. It might be at any time where people group together to do this sort of thing.”

Gill said police had cameras for speeding and in shopping centres that council had helped provide.

“There’s nothing worse than hearing those noises of hoon driving while you’re asleep and waking up and wondering what’s happening. That’s the sort of reason for doing this.

“Police have told me it would be great to actually have their number plates and have the evidence and stop these people from these sometimes nuisance, sometimes dangerous, escapades.”

Gill said he was “not interested in

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setting up a big brother society” and would admit to making a mistake “if it goes wrong”.

Cr Sarah Race said council should lobby the state government and local MPs for more money for police on the peninsula.

“Bad behaviour is basically a symptom of an inequitable society and I think we need to be putting our money into preventing activities and supporting our community,” she said.

“I’m not sure how much mobile CCTV cameras cost, but that money could be put towards skateparks or graffiti walls or something to keep young people interested and active.”

Cr Despi O’Connor said council could “better engage our young people to stop some of these things happening in the first place”. “For me this is an upstream, downstream situation, let’s go back upstream and think out some of the equities in our society so that we don’t have the downstream issues that need to be captured by CCTV.”

Cr Susan Bissinger said police had told her they liked having mobile CCTV cameras and suggested businesses rather than council could pay for them.

Police in the past have asked peninsula residents to let them know if they have security cameras so they can be added to a secure database (“Police focusing on crime” The News 29/3/21).

Thief allegedly bags goods before leaving shop

POLICE are appealing for public assistance following an alleged theft in Mornington last month.

It is understood a man entered a store on Nepean Highway with two empty shopping bags about 5.30pm on 8 March.

Police were told the man placed multiple computer items into the bag, believed to be worth

around $1400, before walking out of the store without paying.

He is described as being of medium build with short brown hair and distinct dark tattoos on his arms and hands.

Investigators have released images of a man they believe can assist with their enquiries.

Anyone with information is urged to contact

Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make a report online at crimestoppersvic.com.au

Shopping trolley theft

POLICE have warned shoppers not to leave bags or wallets unattended after a wallet was snatched from a trolley at Woolworths, Mount Eliza on Tuesday 4 April.

A woman has told police she was shopping at the store around 2.40pm when she discovered a red wallet was missing from her trolley – ironically the woman’s elderly mother had left it with her daughter for safe keeping.

After checking store CCTV, police said a man could be seen allegedly circling the aisles and following the woman while he appeared to look for items on the shelves.

He is then seen taking the wallet containing cash and cards while the unsuspecting shopper is picking something from a shelf. He exits the store through the self-serve aisle, all within six minutes of the woman entering the store.

Police have confirmed that the woman’s cards were used at nearby petrol stations shortly after.

The offender is described as around 175 centimetres, 40 years, wearing a light blue t-shirt with a red logo, black shorts and a black cap.

Driving charges

TWO men have been arrested after evading police in Melbourne’s south early on the morning of Thursday 6 April.

Police observed an alleged stolen white Mercedes wagon speeding on the Frankston Dandenong Road in Frankston North just after midnight.

With the assistance from Air Wing, police followed the car to Carrum Downs where stop sticks were deployed.

The vehicle was driven to Adib Court in Frankston North where two men were arrested about 12.45am.

The driver, a 20-year-old Carrun Downs man has been charged with theft of motor vehicle, dangerous driving while being pursued by

police, careless driving, handling stolen goods, driving while suspended, committing an indictable offence while on bail.

He was remanded in custody to appear at the Frankston Magistrates’ Court later that day.

A 17-year-old Frankston North teen has been charged with theft of motor vehicle, dangerous driving while being pursued by police, careless driving, handling stolen goods, unlicensed driving and committing an indictable offence while on bail.

He was remanded in custody to appear at a children’s court later that day.

The vehicle was allegedly stolen from aggravated burglary in Brighton on 4 April.

Five arrested after crash

FIVE teenagers have been arrested after a stolen vehicle crashed outside a Frankston shopping centre on Wednesday afternoon (5 April).

Police received information that a stolen vehicle had been sighted at the shopping centre on Cranbourne-Frankston Road about 4.50pm. Officers attended the centre and were directed by members of the public who had seen the vehicle heading west on Frankston-Dandenong Road.

The officers saw a trail of smoke and dark rubber marks on the road, leading to a Mercedes that had been flipped onto its roof.

The Mercedes had been stolen from the Balwyn North area on 1 April.

Witnesses reporting seeing a group of youths running from the crash scene towards Deane Street.

With the assistance of the Dog Squad, five youths were arrested nearby a short time later.

A 14-year-old Ararat boy and 15-year-old Hallam boy have subsequently been charged with aggravated burglary and theft of motor vehicle. They will face a childrens court at a later date.

A 12-year-old Dandenong boy and 14-year-old Highett boy have been released and are expected to be charge on summons while a 15-year-old Dandenong boy remains in hospital under police guard.

Police patrol

With Liz Bell

Anzac Day 2023

25 April 2023

Anzac Day 2023 marks the 108th anniversary of the Gallipoli landing in 1915. The spirit of Anzac continues to play a role in our community to this day, with its qualities of courage, friendship and sacrifice.

We’re proudly supporting RSL and Rotary Clubs around our Peninsula and our community is welcome to pay tribute to those who’ve served or lost their lives in war.

Balnarring

Service 9.30am

Anzac Park

Crib Point

Dawn Service 6am

Cenotaph at Tingira Place

March 10.45am

Crib Point RSL Service 11am

Cenotaph at Tingira Place

Dromana

Dawn Service 6am

War Memorial, The Peninsula Club

March 9.15am

O’Donohue Street

Service 9.45am

Dromana Cenotaph

Flinders

March 10.30am

Flinders Park

Service and wreath

laying 11am

Flinders War Memorial

Hastings

Dawn Service 6am

Cenotaph Hastings

Foreshore

March 10.30am

Hastings RSL Service 11am

Cenotaph Hastings Foreshore

Mornington

Dawn Service 6am

Memorial Park

March 9.30am

Corner Queen Street and Main Street Service 10am

Memorial Park

Mount Eliza Service 2pm

Remembrance

Garden Cenotaph, Mount Eliza Community Centre

Red Hill Service 10.30am Red Hill Community Park

Rosebud

Dawn Service 6am

Rosebud RSL

Memorial

March 9.30am

Corner 9th Avenue and Point Nepean Road

Service 9.45am

Rosebud Cenotaph

Rye

Dawn Service 6am

Memorial Wall, Rye RSL

March 12pm

Rye Pier to Rye RSL

Service 12.30pm

Memorial Wall, Rye RSL

Somerville

Dawn Service 6am Fruit Growers Reserve

Sorrento

Dawn Service 6am

Sorrento Foreshore War Memorial

March 11.30am

Corner Ocean Beach Road and Melbourne Road

Service 12pm

Sorrento Foreshore War Memorial

Tyabb

Dawn Service 6am

Tyabb Central Reserve

For more information

mornpen.vic.gov.au/anzacday

1300 850 600

Preschool back in business after break

Liz Bell liz@mpnews.com.au

CHILDREN are ready to file back into class at Balcombe Preschool, in Bay Road, Mount Martha after some quick work by the school community and repairs to the buildings.

In January, just four days out from the start of the new year, the school received notification that due to some issues being found within its buildings the programs would have to be cancelled.

School council president Dan Steele said the preschool was told the “best-case scenario” was that it would not be able to open for the whole of term one, with the potential for it to be further affected.

“We had no building, no kinder site, no program, and no back up space. As the new president for 2023, it was an incredibly daunting situation,” he said.

But the rest of the story is one of local communities supporting one another.

“Within a two-week window, we were able to relocate our three and four-year-old programs – without one family unenrolling due to this unexpected emergency,” Steele said.

“As a result, our four-and three-year-old children have only missed two weeks at the very beginning of the kinder year.”

Steele said that at the heart of the effort has been continuous local support, with Mount Martha Primary School and community kinders hosting the preschool students and supporting staff, with the assistance of the kinder committee of volunteers parents and the kinder staff.

“And of course, the kinder committee of volunteers, parents and the kinder staff,” he said.

“None of this would have happened without them rolling up their sleeves, adding their support, and helping us all stay connected, even while we were off-site.”

Steele said that assistance meant not one of the 90 children missed out on the crucial learning. “It has turned an emergency relocation into a community building event that has made the kinder committee, families, and staff closer and connected,” he said.

Reopening: Balcombe Preschool at Mount Martha has reopened after renovations. Pictured with students at the start of the new term on Monday 3 April are, from left, Jessica Dixon, Tathra Lamb, Eliza Dynes and Kerri McMillan. Picture: Gary Sissons

SAVE LIVES. SAVE TRIPLE ZERO (000) CALLS FOR EMERGENCIES.

• Your doctor can help if you have a minor injury and illness, need examination, need advice or referral to a specialist.

• Your pharmacist can provide assistance and medicines for minor illness.

• And there’s Nurse-On-Call (1300 60 60 24) for immediate, expert advice, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

If you need an interpreter, call 131 450 and ask for NURSE-ON-CALL.

So, save triple zero (000) calls and ambulances for emergencies. Find out more at betterhealth.vic.gov.au

Authorised by the Victorian Government, 1 Treasury Place, Melbourne.

Shire wants to delay decision on Sorrento

AN UNPOPULAR plan to allow taller buildings and smaller setbacks for the Sorrento commercial precinct has been put on hold after Mornington Peninsula Shire councillors voted unanimously to consider more community feedback.

The council’s planning scheme proposes to apply permanent, mandatory building design controls “to protect and enhance the valued character, heritage, and amenity of the area”.

However, some residents say the proposals will ruin the coastal village feel of Sorrento.

Russell Norton-Old told the council that the main problem with the proposal involved the “east sub precinct” on the beach side entrance to the town, which he described as “the gateway to Sorrento”.

He said the proposed changes were not good planning and more suitable to Melbourne’s CBD than a historic seaside village.

His objections include the lack of setbacks for buildings at street level, three-storey building heights of up to 12 metres, no controls on materials or colours, and no protection of the coastal views from the village.

“All this is totally out of context with the environment, that is the built-in environment and the natural environment,” Norton-Old said.

“Sure this precinct needs to be renewed, and sure the owners need to

improve this site to have a commercial development that can be viable with the onerous land tax payments and ever-increasing rates, but do it with controls that enhance this gateway to Sorrento, respectful in its context and not a major planning mistake that can’t be undone.”

The shire’s planning and infrastructure manager Mike McIntosh said there was strong “community concern” over the proposals and officers wanted more time to consider the 73 submissions received.

Although many submitters objected to height increase for some buildings, McIntosh said there were currently no height limits for the commercial area and council ran the “risk” of being challenged on its planning decisions if it did not set restrictions.

“If a decision went to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal we don’t know which way VCAT might determine the matter in regards to height,” he said.

The council will now ask Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny for a 12-month extension to the July 2023 expiry date of the current design and development overlay.

The costs of investigating issues raised in submissions will be around $20,000, while the state government charges a fee of just over $4000 to log the extension request.

Liz Bell

FRANKSTON HIGH SCHOO L

2024 ENROLMENT INFORMATION SESSIONS AND TOURS

Harbour’s history depicted in art

A RARE late 19th century watercolour of Mornington has recently come on the market for $17,500 through Hordern House, dealers of rare books, manuscripts and paintings.

English-born artist John Clifford Rowland Clark (1860-1908) painted the picture after he and his New Zealand-born wife moved to Victoria around 1883.

The couple lived at Sorrento before moving to Grey Street, St Kilda. The painting, Schnapper Point: the jetty at Mornington, is a mood-filled watercolour that the sellers Hordern House describes as resonating with “rich Australian historical context”.

“It captures a fleeting moment in a place now forever changed”. Visited by explorer Matthew Flinders in 1802, Mornington was first settled by Europeans in the 1840s.

The peninsula has been a wellknown haven for artists from the 1850s and many of Australia’s best known artists have produced memorable works based on the distinctive coastal environment of the region.

Few of Roland Clark’s works are known and are held in the main by the Mornington Peninsula Regional Gallery and the State Library of Victoria.

Highlights of the MPRG’s collection include three watercolours of Sorrento

township by Roland Clark.

From the 1840s the Mornington Peninsula was developed as an important area for agriculture, timber gathering and fishing area, and had lucrative grazing for cattle and horse breeding.

The jetty as painted shows vessels, possibly going from or to Melbourne, being loaded and unloaded.

The home of the Boonwurrung or Bunurong people, the peninsula was the site of the first European settlement in Victoria, established in what is now Sorrento.

In the painting Rowland Clark depicts Schnapper Point, near Birdrock Beach where Flinders landed in 1802.

Frankston High School has an outstanding reputation as a high performing school, particularly in the areas of academic achievement, music and sport.

Prospective parents are encouraged to attend an information session and tour of the school.

Book via our website

http://www.fhs.vic.edu.au

PERFORMING ARTS THEATRE

Thursday 27 April

Friday 28 April

Monday 1 May

Wednesday 3 May 9.15am – 11.00am

We’re pleased to invite residents to dispose of green waste at no cost during our ‘No Charge’ Green Waste event from 28 – 30 April 2023. The ‘No Charge’ Green Waste event is for Shire residents or ratepayers only, with green waste to be delivered only from residential vehicles and trailers.

Remember:

• To bring proof of residency.

• Green waste includes all types of garden waste and untreated timber.

• Mornington can only accept up to three cubic metres of green waste per trip.

• No commercial vehicles or commercial green waste will be accepted.

Resource Recovery Centres

A PAINTING by John Clifford Rowland Clark (1860-1908) of the early days of Mornington Harbour, overlooked by Schnapper Point. Picture supplied by Horden House (art and manuscript dealers).

Call for inquiry

Continued from Page 1

The ratepayer groups ask the minister to review her July 2022 rejection of their initial request for an inquiry into the shire.

“Understandably, there are many human behaviours and events which occur within councils which are impossible for the Local Government Act 2020 and associated rules to overview and regulate.

“Much of this relies on personal ethics, skills, knowledge, respect, competency, ability to communicate, willingness to accept others’ views, personal interaction, good leadership and willingness to put aside personal ambition for the betterment of a team.

“Appointment of a Commissioner of Inquiry (or monitor) will not lower the performance of the council but simply offers the opportunity to improve its functioning, the community’s current poor perception and confidence, and address some of the important operational aspects of good management … We implore the minister not to ignore the community’s concerns but to take the simple and easy step to appoint a Commissioner of Inquiry.”

Art for opportunity

HASTINGS Art Show is one week away and will include dozens of works for sale at the physical show and online.

The art show will be held at Holy Trinity Church Hall, corner King and Church streets, Hastings from Friday 14 April to Sunday 16 April, while the online show is available for viewing and sales until Sunday 23 April.

After a successful first show last year, organisers decided to stage the event again to raise money for the Community Op Shop.

The featured artist at this year’s show is Anna Bektash, whose work is described as being contemporary, accessible and life-affirming.

The opening night is Thursday 13 April from 5.30pm to 7.30pm.

Tickets at hastingsartshow.com.au

Paid traineeship helps lead to mother’s new career

Liz Bell liz@mpnews.com.au

ALEXANDRA Hunt decided to change careers at 30, and says a paid traineeship allowed her to follow her dreams as a mature age student.

Hunt, of Rosebud, who recently completed her Certificate III in Individual Support (CHC33015) traineeship at the Village Aged Care Residence in Capel Sound, secured a permanent part-time position at the village, which allowed her to be paid while being trained.

After working as a cleaner for private houses, Hunt says she was ready for a change when she landed the opportunity to return to study.

“I had been cleaning private homes on the Mornington Peninsula for six years and was looking for a change in my life. I wanted to progress into getting a career in the healthcare field,” she said.

Her big break came when she saw an advertisement on the local jobs board, indicating that the Village Glen was offering a paid traineeship in aged care. She contacted the centre for an interview and the rest is history.

Paid traineeships are opportunities provided to students to learn practical skills with an employer as well as formal learning with an approved provider, leading to a recognised qualification that can be widely used. On such traineeships, students get on-the-job training

The Australian Welsh Male Choir

with an employer, while they study and get paid.

Hunt says she greatly appreciates the benefits that came with the traineeship.

“While on the traineeship, you are on the floor in the facility where you get to learn with your eyes. I feel this gives you a better picture of what the job entails rather than just online study,” she said.

“It was also great to be able to earn a wage while doing the traineeship.

“I was able to still help support our family finances and to pay day care fees for my two-year-old so I could attend classes and complete the traineeship.”

Hunt, who studied at Kangan Institute, started her traineeship in March 2022 and completed it in December 2022. She also received an employee of the month award while doing her training.

“I had great teachers - especially Judy Cooke. They were very informative, always supportive and had a very straightforward learning platform online,” she said.

Hunt now hopes to do her Diploma of Nursing (HLT54121) and is keen to see where the next chapter of her education takes her. For now, she enjoys and continues to commit to her aged care work at the Village Glen, caring for some of Australia’s elderly.

A DECISION at 30 to undertake more study and seek on-the-job training has led to a pleasing career change for Alexandra Hunt. Picture: Supplied

WHAT’S NEW...

Welsh Choir to entertain at Mt Martha

THE international known Australian Welsh Male Choir will present a concert at the Mt Martha Bowls and Petanque Club at 45 Watsons road Mt Martha on Sunday 7 May at 2pm.

The choir regularly tours Victoria, and other states and has recently returned from a concert tour of Western Australia. International tours have included the United Kingdom, Ireland, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and New Zealand.

The Australian Welsh Male Choir (AWMC) is a choir of approximately 50 members singing in the spirit of the great male choirs of Wales. Singing in four-part harmony in the traditional format, the choir recently celebrated its 49th Anniversary.

Choir members share a love of music, the pleasure of singing together and the camaraderie that comes from being part of a great group of men. While individual songs are sung in various languages, predominantly songs are in Welsh and English. Songs such as Men of Harlech, Calon Lan, and Fields of Athenry as well as other popular music from the musical theatre,

opera, gospel music and other local favourites are regularly performed.

About a third of the songs are sung in Welsh despite few in the choir fluent in the Welsh language.

The choir Musical Director, Tom Buchanan was awarded the Order of Australia Medal in this year’s Australia day awards for his work with music, particularly with choirs.

The Mt Martha Bowls and Petanque Club is a delightful setting and will provide a wonderful backdrop for this concert.

Tickets can be purchased on line at mountmartha.bowls.com.au (Mt Martha Bowls club) for a cost of $25. Tickets will be limited so get in quickly and come along.

This is a splendid opportunity for the people of Mt Martha and beyond to relax in beautiful surrounds and enjoy the unique repertoire presented by this choir.

We know you will enjoy this afternoon of music.

Wedge politics ‘smashes hearts’ in Voice debate, says Liberal MP

LIBERAL MP for Flinders Zoe McKenzie has accused the Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of engaging in wedge politics rather than ensuring “an enduring win for our Indigenous Australians” over the wording of the Voice to Parliament.

“Despite … inviting all Australians to walk together to a better future, he has, without broader public debate or transparency, put forward a fundamental change to the Australian Constitution [to the Australian parliament] that, today, has the highest representation of Indigenous Australians ever on record, much to our collective pride and gratitude to the voters who have elected them,” McKenzie told parliament on 27 March.

Net results from wheelchairs

THE word is spreading about the fun and inclusivity of wheelchair basketball, as the sport makes inroads on the Mornington Peninsula.

A pilot wheelchair basketball program at Somerville Recreation Centre gave able-bodied students a change to gain understanding and empathy around the challenges of others and have fun on the court at the same time.

Gabe Peck from the Western Port

Basketball Association said the recreation centre teamed up with Somerville Secondary School students who came to play wheelchair basketball in a trial run of the pilot program,

The agenda for the day included court time with a qualified wheelchair basketball coach who delivered a one hour training session for vocational students.

Peck said there was currently no

wheelchair basketball competition on the Mornington Peninsula, so the session was an opportunity to get the word out with the hope of eventually creating a weekly competition. He said teachers at Somerville Secondary were already talking about the program being ongoing and possibly becoming an interschool competition. For details about the program contact Gabe Peck on gabe@wpba.co.au

Albanese had “smashed the hearts of many coalition parliamentarians and supporters who hoped he would conduct a “sensible, transparent, respectful civic debate involving all Australians” in the lead up to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice referendum.

McKenzie quoted Paul Kelly, columnist for The Australian, as having written that the Constitution needed to recognise Indigenous people “and what they rightly call the 'torment of our powerlessness', yet the Albanese cabinet decision is an extraordinary and flawed model devoid of biparti-

sanship or any effort to achieve it”.

Asked by The News if she would vote Yes or No to the referendum, McKenzie said that since last August she had tried to meet with all Indigenous groups on the Mornington Peninsula “to understand their aspirations for the Voice, and how they might expect it to benefit local Indigenous people”. Kelly said the referendum to be held later this year was “the Australian tragedy of 2023”.

As well as “reaching out” to community groups she had “contacted all Flinders residents who made a submission to the Calma Langton process”.

“I will continue this process over the coming months and retain an open mind throughout that process,” McKenzie said.

“I am also consulting with nonindigenous residents. There are strong views both for and against the Voice across our electorate.”

Ten days after McKenzie’s speech in parliament Ken Wyatt, who became the first Indigenous member of the House of Representatives in 2010 and was later appointed minister for Indigenous Australians in the Morrison government, announced he was quitting the Liberal Party because of its opposition to the Voice at the referendum. Keith

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Picture: Yanni

Dolphin focus has wider benefits

THE team at the Dolphin Research Institute has a lot to celebrate, with the beginning of its research “fellow” program, measurable success of its programs to protect and monitor dolphins, and the continued expansions of its ambassador program with schools.

The institute was formed in 1991, with a focus on research on dolphins and whales, conservation in education, environmental leadership for the community, and being a strong and sustainable organisation.

A registered charity, it is self-financed from the community, foundations, the corporate sector and government grants, and is about to release its Impact report, documenting key data it has collected.

CEO Jeff Weir OAM said the growth of the organisation and its valuable research garnered from surveys, observations, photographs and non-invasive tracking and monitoring provided credible science and data that is used to help make decisions about protecting dolphin (and whale) populations in Port Phillip and Western Port.

He said that data had monitored three generations of dolphins in one area of the bay since 2005 and had added credibility to its voice as an advocate.

“We’ve been able to identify families, who the offspring are and monitor

health and behaviour,” he said.

“It’s all important in understanding what’s generally happening in the bay.”

Weir said the DRI’s original concerns and passions about protecting dolphin populations remained, but the organisation had now spread its work further through strong community involvement with citizen science projects and education programs, including the award-winning i sea, i care ambassador program in primary schools.

Weir said including students as ambassadors to help spread messages in schools and the community ensured the next generation was engaged and well informed.

There are now around 500 students across the state registered as ambassadors, and the curriculum-based program has involved about 8000 students.

“The schools choose the students, but they have to apply because it’s such a popular experience for the kids, particularly when we look at their peer teaching,” Weir said.

Our Lady of Fatima Rosebud Primary School visual art teacher Amanda Heggen said the DRI did a great job supporting schools in educating the next generation to appreciate the natural environment.

She said the primary school’s four ambassadors were excited to recently

School Holiday Ferry Fun

go on the DRI’s trip aboard the boat Moonraker to learn more about Port Phillip and its dolphin, seal and weedy seadragon residents.

“The school has adopted Violet the DRI dolphin to help keep our local dolphins monitored and safe, after many of our students were upset to learn that, over the holidays, the dolphins were harassed by jet skis or not treated respectfully by boat owners and swimmers,” Heggen said.

The students' decision to redo the Dolphin Distancing information poster to better engage young people became even more relevant when, on their excursion, they saw a boat cross the wake of the Moonraker and cause a frolicking dolphin to dive to safety.

Weir said getting schools involved was helping to spread the message and focus on behaviour change and better outcomes.

He said students had helped tone down and clarify the message of the poster to better reach the audience. Rather than confrontational signs or demands for more policing, the institute’s new poster was more positive and, instead of blaming and pointing fingers, encouraged shifts in behaviour.

The campaign has been described as Neighbourhood Watch for dolphins and whales by encouraging people to engage with other water user about the need to not approach dolphins closer

than 100 metres (boats including paddled craft), 300 metres (jet skis) or 30 metres (swimmers).

Stickers are provided to watercraft users to display on vessels, reinforcing their pledge to distance and educating others.

“That is a world-first for behaviourchange around dolphins and is known to have worked in other situations,”

Weir said.

The institute – which has a core personnel of five - works closely with other organisations on caring for the environment and raising awareness of the importance of healthy ecosystems, including catchment management authorities, litter and other community groups and industry.

The DRI has received awards, including the Banksia Environment Foundation’s national award in the Marine and Coastal Water category in 1997, the Victorian Coastal Awards of Excellence Species Protection category in 2002 and the Community Partnerships category in 2013, an Acknowledgment of Excellence Award from the Mornington Peninsula Shire in 2018 and the 2020 Victorian Environmental Education.

Weir said ongoing engagement with young people through the program came from understanding behaviour change and the institute’s aim to “do better” on motivating young people to

take charge and consistently educate their fellow students.

“We have a long way to go in getting the message out in communities about the importance of our local environment and waterways, with our social research telling us that 90 per cent of Victorians think the most important marine environment to protect is in Queensland,” he said.

“So, we have to shift that, especially with Western Port with all its mangroves, but which is the very poor cousin of Port Phillip.”

Weir said a sign of the institute’s success was an increase in dolphin populations.

“Our current data shows us that common dolphin numbers in Port Phillip are at least 108, up from just a handful when we started,” he said.

Weir said keeping waterways healthy by reducing nitrogen levels, reducing sediments and raising awareness required a joint effort with several organisations.

The institute is always looking to the future, and Weir said he hoped the new research fellow program would continue and grow. Its goal was to double the number of research fellows from two to four by 2026.

“Without data and credible research we would have little influence, so this program is extremely important,” he said.

Dolphin lookouts: Our Lady of Fatima, Rosebud, Dolphin Research Institute ambassadors, Lucas, Kyri, Izzy and Winter, left, and researcher Leanne Nguyen with DRI CEO Jeff Weir. Pictures: Supplied

Experience And A Name You Can Trust

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plenty of extra storage and additional appliances including a dishwasher and double sink. Ethereal proportions flow across both levels of the home with the kitchen incorporated into a much larger living and dining space that extends out through walls of double glazed windows and doors to a superb timber deck boasting golf course and water views. Set into the north corner of this first floor, the breathtaking master bedroom features a bank of built-in robes and an opulent ensuite with bathtub, twin vanity and a deluxe double shower with rainfall heads. Downstairs, and an equally well-appointed second living area is central to three more

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excellent bedrooms. The lounge has a full wet bar for when entertaining, and an ensuite off the guest bedroom and the separate main bathroom both have a great ‘spa-day’ ambiance with stone surfaces and rainfall showers. From the street, an exposed aggregate driveway leads to a double lock-up garage with direct internal access to the first floor. Eye-catching in every detail with a bold use of geometric lines and a stunning contemporary design, this effortlessly stylish residence introduces a new level of elegance and comfort within this highly sought-after locale.n

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Featuring four bedrooms and three bathrooms, this gorgeous home is perfect for families who value both style and functionality. With two separate living areas, you'll have ample space for the pressures of family life, and everything required to entertain family and friends. With ducted heating and cooling, a cosy fireplace, garden sprinklers, and a double car garage with storage, this home is built for comfort and convenience. Plus, with off-street parking for cars, boats, or caravans, you'll never have to worry about finding a spot again.

The property is fully fenced and features an automatic gate for added security and privacy. Surrounded by beautifully landscaped gardens, this home is the perfect retreat from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

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The Guide

TOP PICKS OF THE WEEK

SATURDAY THE MAN WHO KNEW INFINITY

SBS WORLD MOVIES, 6.30pm

British period films about brilliant minds carving success out of adversity seem to be immensely popular with audiences at the moment. This film about the life of Indian mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan, who in 1913 travels to Trinity College to work with professor G.H. Hardy (Jeremy Irons). Ramanujan, played by Slumdog Millionaire’s Dev Patel, was working as a clerk before his genius with numbers won him an invitation to work with Hardy on important theories. Predictable yet inspiring.

THURSDAY

DOGS BEHAVING (VERY) BADLY

7MATE, 7.30pm

This is a playful look at bad behaviour that’ll make you gasp and giggle (and cheer, if you haven’t given in to a pet just yet). Bespectacled dog trainer Graeme Hall has the patience of a saint, along with the wit and know-how to placate even the most troublesome mutt. But tonight, has he met his match in country pooches Maddie and Bisley? They’ve been known to pull so hard on their leash that their owner’s arm once came out of its socket.

SUNDAY GRAND DESIGNS

ABC TV, 7.30pm

This iconic series returns with its 20th season, celebrating two decades of homeowners (wrongly) declaring: “We’ll be in by Christmas!”. Over the years, a smorgasbord of builds have been documented. Sardonic host Kevin McCloud still admirably sports an eagle-eyed enthusiasm and entertaining candour, and this new batch of builds and owners is intriguing as ever. Tonight, McCloud meets Colin and Adele, following the couple’s stunningly designed yet fraught dream-build journey, which would reduce most to a broken mess.

FRIDAY BONDI RESCUE

TEN, 7.30pm

There’s possibly nothing more Aussie than Santa on the beach. After a hiatus during the height of the pandemic, this much-loved doco series celebrating Bondi’s lifeguards and the Aussie beach lifestyle returns tonight with its 17th season – and lifeguard Harries cruising the sun-soaked beach on motorbike wearing a Santa suit. The season premiere opens on a joyful note, as the throngs descend on the beach on Christmas Day. Later, Harries faces one of the toughest moments of his long lifeguarding career when he’s faced with a baby who has stopped breathing. A microcosm of life’s highs Bondi pulls at the heartstrings.

Thursday, April 13

6.00 The Drum.

7.00 ABC News.

7.30 7.30.

8.00 Foreign Correspondent. International affairs program.

8.30 Grand Designs New Zealand.

Presented by Tom Webster.

9.20 Griff’s Canadian Adventure: Happiness. (Final, PGd, R)

Presented by Griff Rhys Jones.

10.05 Art Works. (R)

10.35 ABC Late News.

10.50 The Business. (R)

11.10 Great Australian Stuff. (PG, R)

12.10 Q+A. (R) 1.10 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv)

3.30 Antiques Roadshow. (R) 4.30 The Drum.

(R)

5.30 7.30. (R)

6.00 Mastermind Australia. (PG)

6.30 SBS World News.

7.35 The Murdochs: Empire Of Influence. (Premiere, M) The story of the Murdoch family.

8.30 The Elon Musk Show. (M)

Part 3 of 3. As Elon Musk’s businesses reach unprecedented levels of success, his public profile grows.

9.35 Vigil. (MA15+av) Amy is running out of time.

10.35 SBS World News Late.

11.05 Exit. (Mals)

12.05 Paris Police 1900. (MA15+asv, R)

4.30 Mastermind Australia. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

6.00 Seven News.

7.00 AFL Pre-Game Show. Pre-game coverage of the upcoming match, featuring hot topics and the latest AFL news.

7.30 Football. AFL. Round 5. Adelaide v Carlton. From Adelaide Oval.

10.30 AFL Post-Game Show.

Post-game discussion and interviews.

11.00 The Latest: Seven News. (R)

11.30 To Be Advised.

1.05 Black-ish. (PGa, R) Jack makes a bold choice for picture day.

2.00 Home Shopping. (R)

4.00 NBC Today.

5.00 Seven Early News.

5.30 Sunrise.

6.00 Nine News.

7.00 A Current Affair.

7.30 RBT. (Mdl, R)

8.30 Paramedics. (Mm, R) A team member races to remote bushland.

9.30 Embarrassing Bodies. (MA15+dmns) A woman has a severe skin condition.

10.30 A+E After Dark. (Mlm, R)

Nine News Late.

Prison. (Mal, R)

Tipping Point. (PG, R) 1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)

Anthony “Harries” Carroll stars in Bondi Rescue

Friday, April 14

6.00 The Drum.

7.00 ABC News.

7.30 Gardening Australia. Advice for the home gardener.

8.30 Traces. (Return, Mal) Lab assistant Emma is now training to be a forensic chemist, and on the cusp of seeing her mother’s murder case finally resolved.

9.15 To Be Advised.

10.05 Aunty Donna’s Coffee Cafe. (Mls, R) The misadventures of three best mates.

10.30 Jack Irish. (Final, Malv, R)

11.30 ABC Late News.

11.45 Close To Me. (Mals, R)

12.35 Traces. (Final, Malv, R) 1.20 Smother. (Mal, R) 2.10 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv)

Saturday, April 15

6.00 Mastermind Australia. (PG)

6.30 SBS World News.

7.35 Wrecks That Changed The World: Collision Course. (PG) Takes a look at shipwrecks.

8.30 Walking Britain’s Lost Railways: Kent. (PGav, R) Rob Bell heads to Kent.

9.25 Exploring Northern Ireland. (PGal, R) Part 1 of 4.

10.20 SBS World News Late.

10.50 Darkness: Those Who Kill. (Premiere, MA15+av)

11.45 Cheyenne & Lola. (Malv, R) 1.45 Romulus. (Return, MA15+av) 3.35 Mastermind Australia. (R) 4.35 Bamay. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

6.00 Seven News.

7.00 Better Homes And Gardens.

Johanna Griggs and Pete Colquhoun tour Hutt House, an ultra-sustainable home.

7.30 AFL: Friday Night Countdown. A lead-up to the Friday night AFL match.

8.00 Football. AFL. Round 5. Richmond v Sydney. From Adelaide Oval.

11.00 AFL Post-Game Show. Post-game discussion and interviews.

11.30 Armchair Experts. (M) A panel discusses all things AFL.

12.30 To Be Advised.

2.30 Home Shopping. (R)

4.00 Million Dollar Minute. (R) Hosted by Grant Denyer.

5.00 NBC Today.

6.00 Nine News.

7.00 A Current Affair.

7.30 Escape To The Chateau. The Strawbridges tackle a walled garden.

8.30 MOVIE: Midway. (2019, Mlw) Based on the real-life Battle of Midway during WWII, a clash between the American fleet and the Imperial Japanese Navy. Patrick Wilson, Woody Harrelson, Ed Skrein.

11.10 MOVIE: Secret In Their Eyes. (2015, Malv, R) Julia Roberts.

1.10 Drive TV. (R)

1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)

4.00 Postcards. (PG, R)

4.30 Global Shop. (R) 5.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 5.30 Skippy The Bush Kangaroo. (R)

6.30 The Project. A look at the day’s news and events.

7.30 Bondi Rescue. (Return, PGaln) Follows the work of elite lifeguards.

8.30 Ambulance Australia. (Madl, R) Follows NSW Ambulance’s Sydney operations as they deal with a case involving a worksite explosion.

9.30 Territory Cops. (Mdv, R) Takes a behind-the-scenes look at police work in the Northern Territory.

10.30 Would I Lie To You? Australia. (Mls, R)

11.30 The Project. (R)

12.30 The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. (PG)

1.30 Home Shopping. (R)

6.50 Bluey. (R) Bluey and Bingo build a special cubby.

7.00 ABC News. A look at the top stories of the day.

7.30 The Larkins. (Final, PG) Norma confesses Pop was set up.

8.20 Under The Vines. (Final, Ml) Oakley Wines enjoys new-found fame and welcomes a surprise visitor.

9.05 Grantchester. (Final, Mav, R)

After another vagrant is found dead, Geordie realises he may have sent the wrong man to prison.

9.55 Miniseries: In Our Blood. (Mal, R) Part 4 of 4.

10.50 Fires. (Mal, R)

11.40 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv)

In Bloom. (PG) 10.00 Love Your Home And Garden With Alan Titchmarsh. (PGa, R) 10.55 Earth’s Sacred Wonders. (PGa, R) 12.00 WorldWatch. 2.00 Ironman. Next Gen Series. Highlights. 3.00 Figure Skating. ISU Figure World Championships. Highlights. 4.30 The Weedy One. 4.45 Saving Notre Dame. (PGan, R) 5.45 Lost Gold Of World War II. (PGal, R)

6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 The Wonders Of Europe: Versailles, Louis XIV And His Destiny. (PG) Part 2 of 4.

8.30 Titanic’s Lost Evidence. (Ma, R) Examines the sinking of the Titanic and recently uncovered information about the tragedy.

10.00 Citizen Jane Fonda. (MA15+a, R)

11.00 Outlander. (MA15+)

12.05 Germinal. (Mav) 1.00 MOVIE: The Eight Hundred. (2020, MA15+av, R, China) Huang Zhizhong, Zhang Junyi, Oho Ou. 3.40 Mastermind Australia. (R)

4.40 Bamay. (R)

5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.15 France 24 Feature. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

6.00 NBC Today.

7.00 Weekend Sunrise.

10.00

6.00 Seven News.

7.00 AFL Pre-Game Show. Pre-game coverage of the upcoming match, featuring hot topics and the latest AFL news.

7.30 Football. AFL. Round 5. Port Adelaide v Western Bulldogs. From Adelaide Oval.

10.30 AFL Post-Game Show.

A wrap-up of the game, including panel discussion and interviews, with access to players, coaches and staff.

11.00 To Be Advised.

12.35 What The Killer Did Next: Saima Khan. (Mav, R) Hosted by Philip Glenister.

2.00 Home Shopping. (R)

4.00 Get Arty. (R) A showcase of art projects.

5.00 House Of Wellness. (PG, R)

6.00 Nine News Saturday.

7.00 A Current Affair.

7.30 MOVIE: Harry Potter And The Philosopher’s Stone. (2001, PGhv, R) An 11-year-old boy learns he is a wizard. Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint.

10.40 MOVIE: The Last Witch Hunter. (2015, Mhv, R) A witch hunter battles a resurrected evil witch. Vin Diesel.

12.30 The First 48: Ringside Seat. (Mav, R)

1.30 The Pet Rescuers. (PG, R)

2.00 The Incredible Journey Presents. (PGa)

2.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)

6.00 Bondi Rescue. (PGaln, R) Follows the work of elite lifeguards.

6.30 The Dog House Australia. (PGa, R) Narrated by Dr Chris Brown.

8.30 Blue Bloods. (Mav) Eddie’s former partner, Rachel Whitten, accuses an officer of excessive force.

9.30 CSI: Vegas. (Mv) The CSI team investigate the mysterious death of a competitive eating contestant.

10.30 NCIS. (Mav, R) A marine private is murdered.

11.30 Fire Country. (Mv, R)

12.30 Home Shopping. (R) 5.00 Hour Of Power.

4.30 Global Shop. (R)

5.30 Helping Hands. (PG, R)

5.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)

6.00 Rage. (PG) 7.00 Weekend Breakfast. 9.00 Insiders. 10.00 Offsiders. 10.30 The World This Week. (R) 11.00 Compass. (PGa, R) 11.30 Songs Of Praise. 12.00 ABC News At Noon. 12.30 Landline. 1.30 Gardening Australia. (R) 2.30 The Larkins. (Final, PG, R) 3.15 Griff’s Canadian Adventure. (Final, PGd, R) 4.15 Grand Designs New Zealand. (R) 5.00 Art Works. 5.30 Antiques Roadshow.

6.30 Compass: The Sweatshoppers.

7.00 ABC News.

7.30 Grand Designs: South Manchester. (Return) Hosted by Kevin McCloud.

8.20 Midsomer Murders. (Mav) Part 1 of 4. Barnaby investigates when a survivalist is found murdered in his bombproof shelter.

9.50 Close To Me. (Mals) Jo’s father tells a story from her childhood.

10.40 MotherFatherSon. (MA15+l, R)

11.35 Smother. (Mal, R)

12.30 Road To Now. (Malv, R)

1.25 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv)

3.20 The Heights. (PG, R) 4.15 The Recording Studio. (Final, PG, R) 5.00 Insiders. (R)

6.00 WorldWatch. 9.00 J Schwanke’s Life In Bloom. (PG) 10.00 Love Your Home And Garden. (PGa, R) 11.00 The World From Above. (R) 12.00 WorldWatch. 1.00 Motorcycle Racing. Australian ProMX C’ship. Round 3. 4.00 Cycling. UCI World Tour. Paris-Roubaix. Men’s race. Highlights 5.00 Going Places. (R) 5.30

6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 Secrets Of The Tasmanian Tiger. A look at the Tasmanian tiger.

8.30 Black Gold. Documents the climate crisis, the cover-up of the century and the actions of a company CEO.

10.00 Muhammad Ali. (PGasvw, R) Part 3 of 4.

12.00 24 Hours In Emergency: Going The Distance. (Ml, R)

1.50 How The Nazis Lost The War. (PGa, R)

3.40 The Source. (Ma, R)

4.30 Mastermind Australia. (R)

6.00 Seven News.

7.00 Farmer Wants A Wife. (PGl) Hosted by Samantha Armytage.

8.30 Kath & Kim: 20 Preposterous Years. (PGalns, R) Kath and Kim are joined by friends and stars to take a look inside the Kath & Kim universe.

9.40 Born To Kill? Peter Sutcliffe “The Yorkshire Ripper”. (MA15+av) A look at serial killer Peter Sutcliffe.

10.40 Quantum Leap. (Mav)

11.40 Autopsy USA. (Ma, R)

12.40 The Rookie. (Mav, R)

1.35 Last Chance Learners. (PG, R) 2.00 Home Shopping. (R) 3.30 Million Dollar Minute. (R)

4.00 NBC Today. 5.00 Seven Early News.

5.30 Sunrise.

6.00 Nine News Sunday.

7.00 LEGO Masters: Grand Masters. (PG)

8.45 60 Minutes. Current affairs program, investigating, analysing and uncovering the issues affecting all Australians.

9.45 Nine News Late. A look at the latest news and events.

10.15 Australian Crime Stories: The Chinese Takeaway. (Mdlv, R)

11.15 The First 48. (Malv)

12.05 Law & Order: Organized Crime. (Mav, R)

1.00 The Garden Gurus. (R) 1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 Believer’s Voice Of Victory. (PGa) 4.30 Take Two. (R) 5.00 News Early Edition. 5.30 Today.

6.30 The Sunday Project. A look at the day’s news.

7.30 I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! (PGals) The celebrities must must face their fears with the return of the Viper Room trial.

9.00 NCIS: Hawai’i. (Mv) The NCIS team investigates when residents at a US Navy base find their vehicles burglarised.

10.00 FBI. (Mav, R) A young couple are murdered.

11.00 The Sunday Project. (R) A look at the day’s news.

12.00 Home Shopping. (R) 4.30 CBS Mornings.

6am Morning Programs.

2pm Froth. 2.30 Still Frothin’. 3.00 Football. NTFL.

Women’s. Under-18s.

SBS WORLD MOVIES (32)

M) 1.30pm To Sir, With Love. (1967, PG) 3.30 Vai. (2019, PG) 5.10 Under The Cover Of Cloud. (2018, PG) 6.50 Flight Of The Navigator. (1986, PG) 8.30 The Girl Who Played With Fire. (2009, MA15+, Swedish) 10.50 Late Programs.

Carrying out servicing and repairs to all makes and models (specialising in BMW) Courtesy cars available

BMW specific knowledge base of well over 20 years

Dealer level servicing at independent prices

Monday, April 17

6.00 The Drum.

7.00 ABC News.

7.30 7.30.

8.00 Australian Story. Presented by Leigh Sales.

8.30 Four Corners. Investigative journalism program.

9.15 Media Watch. (PG)

Hosted by Paul Barry.

9.35 Q+A. Public affairs program.

10.35 ABC Late News.

10.50 The Business. (R)

11.10 Tall Poppy: A Skater’s Story. (PG, R)

12.35 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv) 3.30 Antiques Roadshow. (R) 4.30 The Drum. (R) 5.30

7.30. (R)

6.00 Mastermind Australia. (PG)

6.30 SBS World News.

7.35 The Secret Life Of Lighthouses: Beachy Head. Part 1 of 3.

8.35 My Name Is Reeva: I Was Murdered By Oscar Pistorius. Part 1 of 3. Takes a look at the murder of Reeva Steenkamp by her boyfriend Oscar Pistorius.

9.30 24 Hours In Emergency: Journey Of Life. (Ma, R)

10.25 SBS World News Late.

10.55 Reyka. (MA15+av)

11.50 Miss S. (Ma, R)

3.30 Mastermind Australia. (R) 4.30 Bamay. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning.

5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

6.00 Seven News.

7.00 Home And Away. (PG) Tane mixes family and business.

7.30 Farmer Wants A Wife. (PGl) Hosted by Samantha Armytage.

9.00 Miniseries: The Claremont Murders. (Malsv) Part 2 of 2. Police investigate when three young women go missing in Claremont in the late ’90s.

10.50 The Latest: Seven News.

11.20 How To Look Good Naked. (Man, R)

12.20 The Rookie. (Mav, R)

1.20 Kochie’s Business Builders. (R)

2.00 Home Shopping. (R)

4.00 NBC Today. 5.00 Seven Early News.

5.30 Sunrise.

6.00 Nine News.

7.00 A Current Affair.

7.30 LEGO Masters: Grand Masters. (PG) Hosted by Hamish Blake.

8.50 RPA. (PGm) A 25-year-old adventurer and rock climber has hit the limits of survival from his lifelong liver disease.

9.50 Nine News Late. A look at the latest news and events.

10.20 Footy Classified. (M)

11.20 The Equalizer. (Mv, R)

12.10 The First 48. (Mlv, R)

1.00 Hello SA. (PG) 1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 2.30 Global Shop. (R) 3.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 Believer’s Voice Of Victory. (PGa) 4.30 A Current Affair.

(R) 5.00 News Early Edition. 5.30 Today.

6.30 The Project. A look at the day’s news and events.

7.30 I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! (PGals) Hosted by Julia Morris and Dr Chris Brown.

9.00 Ghosts. (PGhls) Sam tries to convince Pete’s daughter to hold her wedding at the Woodstone bed and breakfast.

9.30 FBI: Most Wanted. (Mav) The team pursues the suspects responsible for an explosion at an Ohio energy plant.

11.30 The Project. (R)

12.30 The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. (PG)

1.30 Home Shopping. (R)

4.30 CBS Mornings.

(73)

Tuesday, April 18

6.00 Mastermind Australia. (PG)

6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 Who Do You Think You Are? US: Lisa Kudrow. (PG) Lisa Kudrow explores her roots.

8.30 Insight. Kumi Taguchi takes a look at what drives people to seek revenge, and the consequences of their actions.

9.30 Dateline: Chidren For Sale. Explores the sex trafficking underworld.

10.00 SBS World News Late.

10.30 Living Black. (R)

11.30 Manayek. (Madls)

6.00 Seven News.

7.00 Home And Away. (PG)

7.30 Farmer Wants A Wife. (PGl) Hosted by Samantha Armytage.

9.00 We Interrupt This Broadcast. (PG) Sketch comedy series that parodies some of Australia’s favourite TV shows.

10.00 The Good Doctor. (M) A patient comes in with COVID symptoms. 11.00 The Latest: Seven News.

7.30. (R)

The Drum. (R) 5.30

12.25 Dignity. (Malv, R) 4.00 Mastermind Australia. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

Wednesday, April 19

6.00 The Drum.

7.00 ABC News.

7.30 7.30.

8.00 Hard Quiz. (PG)

8.30 The Weekly With Charlie Pickering. (PG) A satirical news program.

9.05 Aunty Donna’s Coffee Cafe. (Ml) The boys form a kangaroo court in the cafe.

9.30 QI. (PG) Hosted by Sandi Toksvig.

10.05 Staged. (Ml, R)

10.30 ABC Late News.

10.45 The Business. (R)

11.00 Frayed. (Mals, R) 11.45 Father Brown. (PG, R) 12.30 Science Of Drugs With Richard Roxburgh. (MA15+d, R) 1.30 Rage.

(MA15+adhlnsv) 3.30 Antiques Roadshow. (R)

4.30 The Drum. (R) 5.30 7.30. (R)

6.00 Mastermind Australia. (PG)

6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 Alone Australia. (Ml) Hunger, fatigue and cold take their toll.

8.35 Michael Palin: Into Iraq. (M)

Part 3 of 3. Embarking on the final part of his journey around Iraq, Michael Palin visits the site of Babylon.

9.30 Rogue Heroes. (MA15+v) The SAS prepares for its first operation.

10.35 SBS World News Late.

11.05 Furia. (Malv)

12.00 Unit One. (Malsv, R)

4.20 Mastermind Australia. (R) 4.50

Destination Flavour Scandinavia Bitesize. (R)

5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30

ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

6.00 Seven News.

7.00 Home And Away. (PGa)

7.30 Britain’s Got Talent. (Return, PG) Hosted by Ant and Dec.

8.55 Crime Investigation Australia: Catching A Killer – The Claremont Murders. (Mav) A look at the investigation into the disappearance and killings of women in the suburb of Claremont, Perth.

10.15 The Latest: Seven News.

10.45 Born To Kill? (MA15+av)

11.45 Crime Investigation Australia: Most Infamous. (MA15+av, R)

12.55 Absentia. (MA15+asv, R) 2.00 Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 NBC Today. 5.00 Seven Early News. 5.30 Sunrise.

6.00 Nine News.

7.00 A Current Affair.

7.30 LEGO Masters: Grand Masters. (PG) Hosted by Hamish Blake.

8.50 David Attenborough’s Frozen Planet II: Frozen Peaks. (PGa) Explores ice worlds born of altitude, which have been found on every continent.

10.00 Nine News Late. A look at the latest news and events.

6.30 The Project. A look at the day’s news and events.

7.30 I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! (PGals) Hosted by Julia Morris and Dr Chris Brown.

9.00 Grease: Rise Of The Pink Ladies. (PGalns) In the ’50s, four fed-up outcasts attending Rydell High School spark a moral panic.

10.15 NCIS. (Mv, R) A US Navy reservist is

6.00 Nine News.

7.00 A Current Affair.

7.30 Travel Guides. (Return, PGl)

8.30 Footy Classified. (M) Footy experts tackle the AFL’s big issues.

9.30 MOVIE: Jumanji: Welcome To The Jungle. (2017, PGlsv, R) Four teens get trapped in a video game. Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart.

11.45 Nine News Late.

12.10 Ordinary Joe. (Ma)

1.00 Surfing Australia TV. (R)

1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 2.30 Global Shop. (R) 3.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 Believer’s Voice Of Victory. (PGa)

6.30 The Project. A look at the day’s news and events.

7.30 I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! (PGals) Hosted by Julia Morris and Dr Chris Brown.

9.00 Law & Order: SVU. A famous writer confesses to murder, but Benson believes there is more to the case.

10.00 Fire Country. (Mv) A massive tree falls on Eve.

11.00 Bull. (Mav, R) Bull asks the team to defend his ex-girlfriend.

12.00 The Project. (R)

1.00 The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. (PG)

2.00 Home Shopping. (R) 4.30 CBS Mornings.

Stop selfish car parking

It’s great that we have tourists come to the Mornington Peninsula and support our local shops. However, the attitude and selfish behaviour when shopping at the local supermarkets is appalling.

How many times do they drive into the car park lanes the wrong way then, when challenged, just laugh it off or tell us to mind our own business?

I wish someone in authority would book these selfish people.

When backing out or driving in these lanes the correct way, we do not expect to be collected by another car coming the wrong way. Would they also drive up a one way street the wrong way?

Rye Woolworths car park is a nightmare and it’s time something was done about this illegal practice.

It takes no time at all to do the right thing, and then everyone is happy.

Common courtesy goes a long way.

Gail McMillan, Rye

‘Believable’ joke

Well done to those involved in the clever April Fools article (“New M-plate to set peninsula residents apart” April 1). The trick to a good April 1st joke is to make it sound plausible.

Responding to the local irritations caused by tourists was a good choice. I hear plenty of comments about crowded roads and beaches, dodgy parking and not being able to get a coffee at your favourite shop.

It wasn’t until half-way through the piece that I went “hang on this is a bit extreme” and then noticed the date. A good laugh.

Dr Ross Hudson, Mount Martha

Editor: Although Cameron McCullough’s New M-Plate to set peninsula residents apart, was published on mpnews.com.au on 1 April (April Fools’ Day), many of the 600,000 plus readers of the online-only article thought it was a factual news report. Complaints were made to Mornington Peninsula Shire (and The News), by those readers who failed to notice the date, or get the joke.

Kangaroo harvest is cruel

The Mornington Peninsula is still included in the kangaroo harvest program. This program allows the slaughter of about 236,350 kangaroos across Victoria for the purpose of providing pet meat and leather for leather products.

Gippsland district, which includes the peninsula, is allocated 17,650 kangaroos to be killed. The figures are developed based on aerial counts across non-forested areas. The difference between Gippsland’s open and farming country and the peninsula’s small, confined areas is significant.

The Department of Environment, Energy and Climate Action recommends the following for shooters who have shot a kangaroo with a joey: The joeys are “Decapitated, bludgeoned or shot depending on their size, according to the National Code of Practice for the Humane Killing of Kangaroos: australiansocietyforkangaroos.com/silent_victims.html

Otherwise, they are orphaned and left to starve to death. These people are the protectors of our native wildlife.

Kangaroos being harvested are shot at night, not always killed outright yet still have their tails cut off. They are hung up in trucks for as long as it takes to get them to processing plants, maybe for several hours. Their meat carries salmonella.

Nike, Adidas and Puma have already agreed to stop using kangaroo leather in their products. Many dog feed products do not even name kangaroo meat as an ingredient.

Pet owners stop feeding kangaroos to their dogs.

The harvest of kangaroos is the largest commercial slaughter of land based wildlife year in year out. The European Union and some US states have banned the import of kangaroo products due to the cruelty of this slaughter.

Australians would be horrified if they were fully aware of how cruelly kangaroos are treated in the culling and harvest programs. I do believe that if they knew, they would stop purchasing any kangaroo products. Jo Hansen, Rye

Giving and taking

It is wonderful to see Australian governments combining to help citizens with financial ongoings. In April, the federal government gave an increase to the aged pension of $ 37 a fortnight. In the light of current inflation, not enormous, but certainly of assistance. So, thank you for that.

Within two weeks I received a letter from the Victorian government’s housing department, advising me of my state housing rental increase of $25 a fortnight. This leaves an annual increase of $863, reduced by $ 650, leaving $213. Perhaps some thought should be shown to the many thousands affected by this thoughtless and harmful result.

Edmund Burke, Mornington

Preserve Western Port

It was pleasing to read that Victorian National Parks Association has stated that Western Port would become “an industrial wasteland”, that it was “neglected and under threat” and “… it’s not to stop a specific threat, but many” (“Power struggle over port use” The News 28/3/23).

There are many threats to Western Port from industrialisation, like importation of foreign marine pests and diseases on ship’s hulls for decades to come, which is unstoppable. Loss of recreation opportunities for local residents and a growing Melbourne. Reduction of tourism which is an economic generator for businesses around the bay.

The article continues: “Permanent protection was needed to keep the bay ‘safe, healthy … and remove the temptation for industry, developers and governments to exploit this world-class wetland’.” This is all absolutely true. Western Port is the only urban biosphere in UNESCO’s global biospheres.

The only mistake ever made was in 1960 when Henry Bolte declared that Western Port would become “The Ruhr of Australia”. It was wrong then as it is wrong now. Enough is enough.

What is now “strategically important” is the preservation of Western Port for everyone forever.

Richard Cuming, Bittern

Proverb for today

I read with interest and some sadness about the removal of a large eucalyptus tree at Balnarring (“Police hold back traffic as tree gets the chop”

The News 4/4/23).

I was reminded of an old proverb that, sadly, is still true today: “The tree which moves some to tears of joy is, in the eyes of others, only a green thing that stands in the way.”

Greg Holding, Red Hill South

Support base ignored

The federal Liberal Party is typically considered the party of big business and yet I have seen it reported that business/finance giants such as the NAB, the Commonwealth Bank, ANZ, BHP, Rio Tinto, Wesfarmers, Woolworths and Coles are all supporting the Yes campaign for a First Nations Voice to Parliament. Is the Liberal Party not even listening to its traditional support base in its dreary determination to oppose this enlightened change of a constitutionally enshrined Indigenous Voice?

Maureen Donelly, Mornington

Liberals self-exile

It’s finally official, the NLP in Australia has chosen to stay out of government for the foreseeable future. [Liberal leader] Peter Dutton has confirmed this after the [Aston] byelection. No change in our approach to the devastation at recent elections across Australia in our policies. Then he and his brethren confirmed it by telling the majority of Australians, you’re all wrong on the Voice to Parliament, we know better and will oppose the Voice.

It was not a great surprise really; he and the Nationals were working on this ever since Labor actually dared to put the Voice up for a referendum. Even the previous holder of the Indigenous portfolio in the LNP government has come to see the insincerity of the present irrelevant opposition and spoke out.

Rupert

Steiner, Balnarring

Voice was debated

This week I received a newsletter from [Flinders MP] Zoe Mackenzie, proud of her response to the prime minister’s [Anthony Albanese] introduction of the referendum legislation to allow us to vote on an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice.

Ms McKenzie talked about the lack of broad public debate about the referendum. Yet, under the [previous] Coalition government there had been thousands and thousands of people consulted in the lead up to the Uluru Statement and, since then, in the development of the process for recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in our constitution.

Zoe accuses the PM of making the referendum process political, yet it is those on her side of politics who have been politicising it.

The Nationals announcing they would vote no before they even knew what the question was and [Liberal leader] Peter Dutton saying he needs more detail.

Ms McKenzie might want to start talking to the many groups in her electorate who are working to support a yes vote in the referendum.

If she did that she might want to start acting as our representative rather than just repeating the words of her leader Peter Dutton.

Surely the rejection of the Coalition parties across Australia shows the electorate wants a united Australia working towards an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voice so that real and positive change can happen.

Marg D’Arcy, Rye

Embarrassing exit

Embarrassing that our “elected representative” MP for Flinders Zoe McKenzie, to avoid a division vote and, to again, avoid participating in democracy, was one of several COALition politicians who pushed past and hurt an attendant as she tried to lock a door (“MPs’ rush for the exit was a headline act” The News 4/4/23). You can bet this will not show up in her newsletter. Well, it actually did, and she fell on her sword for the good of the party. Forced to apologise to parliament, she should apologise to those she is supposedly representing.

In February, [Liberal leader Peter] Dutton apologised publicly for skipping another significant Indigenous milestone – then-PM Kevin Rudd’s apology to the stolen generations 10 years ago. So, guessing another apology in the making in about 10 years? Anyone see a trend here?

Zoe considers, in her latest newsletter, that these actions are “holding the Albanese government to account”.

We have the return of Dr No – Peter Dutton and his minions, reflexively opposing any government legislation. This is democracy in action by the quickly becoming irrelevant COALition.

The Greens are the real opposition negotiating with the government, the Liberal Party’s position basically a waste of space.

Maybe Liberals need a rethink about which issues voters want bipartisanship on (climate change, for example) and which are the fights truly worth having.

The issue they were trying to avoid for some reason was the Social Security (Administration)

Amendment (Income Management Reform) Bill 2023.

We elect these people to represent us and to vote on issues, not stampede out to avoid putting their vote into the record. The last thing they want is their vote recorded.

Joe Lenzo, Safety Beach

Multi-storey effects

The building of the 500 car parking spaces development which is due to commence in July at Frankston station, funded by the state and federal governments, will no doubt be a multistorey building.

It is not clear if this project was part of the failed Morrison government car park policy as was the funding for the double tracking of the rail line to Baxter.

It will be good for train travellers who own cars but as a multi-storey building this leaves the way open to multi-storey buildings around Frankston station.

It seems that Frankston Council doesn’t seem to grasp the pressures on businesses that will have to pay further rents when the increase their rates by at least 14 per cent.

Real estate companies are now for the first time putting up promotional boards in parks which will benefit public entities and charities and promote themselves, which could mean that there will be property sales activity in the Frankston area.

This will mean creating sales and possible increases in property values, which could mean more revenue for Frankston Council.

Russell Morse, Karingal

Preventing heart disease

Heart disease is Australia’s leading cause of death and tragically takes the life of one Australian every 30 minutes.

The good news is, heart disease is largely preventable.

The bad news? Our best tool for heart disease prevention – the Medicare heart health check –is about to expire.

We are seeking a guarantee from the Australian Government that funding will continue beyond 30 June this year.

Nearly 440,000 Australians have seen their GP for a Medicare subsidised heart health check since they were introduced.

The Heart Foundation is asking the government to invest $11.5 million a year to continue subsidising heart health checks into the future. This is a relatively small investment compared to the $1 billion in health care costs that could be saved with broad uptake of heart health checks in high-risk Australians and, more importantly, the 67,000 heart attacks, strokes and heart disease related deaths that could be prevented over five years.

It’s not too late for your readers to act: I urge you to please help us save Medicare heart health checks by signing our petition, writing to local MPs and sharing the petition with friends and family.

Details: heartfoundation.org.au/save-heartchecks David Lloyd, CEO National Heart Foundation of Australia

Sounds like Zen at McClelland

AUDIENCES will hear the haunting sounds of the shakuhachi, the ancient Japanese flute, at Music at McClelland on the afternoon of Sunday 16 April when Melbourne-based musician Anne Norman presents Sculpted Silence.

The shakuhachi is a flute made from various lengths of the root-end of a heavy species of bamboo. Used for centuries in Japan as a monk’s tool for “blowing-Zen,” it was also played to accompany song and in chamber ensembles with plucked strings. Norman is a shakuhachi performer, improviser and composer, working as a soloist and collaborating with musicians, dancers, actors, poets, visual artists, installation artists and tea masters.

She performs a range of music on shakuhachi with musicians of diverse traditions, from Zen meditations and Byzantine chant to upbeat collaborations with beatbox artists and free- jazz ensembles. Sculpted Silence showcases traditional Japanese Zen pieces and bamboo flute, incorporating voice in a recital of shakuhachi with her own eco-poetry.

Prime Minister opens new hall in Mt Eliza

Compiled by Cameron McCullough

THERE was a notable gathering at Mt. Eliza last Saturday afternoon to take part in the ceremony of opening the new public hall, erected by the residents, largely as the result of voluntary labor.

The Prime Minister, with Mrs. Bruce, whose home, “Ormiston,” is within a mile or two of the new building, arrived shortly after 3 o’clock, and were received by the president of the hall committee, Cr. Dudley Detmold, Major Geoff Grice (vice-president), and Cr. J. R. M. Walker (hon. sec.).

The attendance numbered between 200 and 300 people, and included many city visitors, as well as residents of Frankston, Mornington, and surrounding districts.

Mrs. Bruce wore a navy blue cloth coat and skirt and mole brown velvet toque. She was presented with a posy of flowers by little Millie Moseley.

In the absence of Mrs. Dudley Detmold, through illness, Mrs. Jas. Grice and Mrs. Howatson assisted at the reception.

The hall was beautifully decorated, and the arrangements generally were carried out in a highly satisfactory manner.

Cr. Dudley Detmold, president of the Public Hall Committee, introduced the Prime Minister, and said that the people of Mt. Eliza were very fortunate in having the Prime Minister of Australia to open the new hall.

Mr. Bruce, who was received with cheers, said that Mr. Detmold had got through his speech with such extraordinary expedition that he (the Prime Minister) had scarcely time to pull himself together. (Laughter).

However, he had been called on to make so many speeches lately that he was not altogether perturbed.

He was in New South Wales last week and while at Paramatta made four speeches in five hours.

He realised that this was one of the penalties attached to the exalted position he held through no fault of his own.

He was present at Mt. Eliza that day as one of the local residents. (Cheers). He could assure them it was much nicer to be among his own people than appearing before strangers who attended his meetings largely out of curiosity, asking themselves “Who is this fellow?” and “What has he got to say for himself?” (Laughter).

He participated in the present ceremony with great pleasure. A public hall was wanted in the district.

These halls should be erected throughout the length and breadth of the land. They enabled the people to get together. Our forefathers enjoyed no such social amenities, but the country was advancing, and now life was much brighter, and should be much happier.

With halls such as they were opening, the people should take the advantage offered to evolve a community spirit and community ideals.

If one could get unity in one’s own district it, was undoubtedly a step towards getting unity throughout the State and ultimately throughout the Continent.

Unity among the People of Australia was very essential today. That such unity was possible was proved during the Great War crisis when the country was in danger.

Australia at that time dropped all divisions, parties and sections. His opinion was that unity today was just as essential as it was then.

The people of Australia were under a great obligation to the men who had fought for great ideals and to the women who had made great sacrifices to the pioneers who had laid the foundations of this great Australia for the benefit of the generations who were coming after.

The present generation should realise its obligations and faithfully carry out the duty lying ready to its hand.

If the people of Australia were going to drift apart – to forget community ideals – then Australia would suffer.

This new hall was a good indication of the progressive spirit that was wanted in Australia. Unity of purpose was existent here, and this hall would stand as a monument to the people of the Mount Eliza district who were united and wholehearted in bettering present–day conditions. (Cheers).

Mr. Bruce then formally declared the hall opened.

Mrs. Bruce was presented with a bouquet of flowers by little Millie Moseley.

All present then entered the hall and sat down to tables loaded with delicacies.

After the loyal toast had been honoured, Mr. Jas. Grice, J.P., gave the toast of Mr. and Mrs. Bruce, and said all were proud of their Prime Minister who was an Australian, whose Australian education had been finished off at Cambridge.

Mr. Bruce who had fought at Gallipoli, had risen to the highest position in Australia, and was among the few

parliamentarians who had never taken any payment for his services. (Cheers).

Mr. Grice paid a striking tribute to the Prime Minister’s father, the late Mr. Bruce, with whom the speaker had personal friendship.

The Prime Minister, in responding, said the gathering seemed to be taking the form of a speech-making debauch (laughter) and was likely to rival his Paramatta record before referred to. (Laughter).

He was very grateful to Mr. Grice for the many nice things said relating to his late father and himself.

Regarding his war service he said it seemed to him there were two classes who took part in the war – the one who arrived just after a battle and left before an engagement, and the other who arrived just in time to take part in the fighting. He belonged to the first class.

His experience was that he got wounded just before a big fight; but fate had an important card up its sleeve regarding his destiny – a worse fate that mutilation on the battlefield –the Prime Ministership of Australia. (Laughter).

He had accepted the office and intended doing his best.

The present government was something like the new Mt. Eliza hall. It offered a great opportunity to the people to place Australia on sure and certain foundations.

If they could build solidly and enduringly they would have done something for the country.

The government took the same conception of their task as the people did who erected the Mt. Eliza hall.

The government wanted to give

an opportunity to all the people of Australia to build the national edifice and place it on foundations that would prove solid and enduring for all time.

It had been suggested in the press that he as Prime Minister had made a great number of speeches, and had really said nothing up to date!

This was most unfair, considering the time and labor those speeches had cost him. (Laughter).

His government had come into being six or seven weeks’ ago, and found Australia recovering from the effects of the war.

Things were changing from the abnormal to the normal. A number of functions and festivities arising out of the war had to be set aside.

To this government was set the task of straightening out things from the abnormal to the normal.

As soon as the government had taken stock it would look into the future.

If anyone could say what to do for Australia after a short review, he could only say that the task would be badly done.

As well as he might like to stalk up and down the country saying what should be done for Australia at the present moment he was not going to do it, as the head of the government, till he could give a policy as a complete whole. (Cheers).

When the government was in that position its full policy would be declared with complete frankness. (Cheers).

***

From the pages of the Frankston and Somerville Standard, 11 & 13 Apr 1923

PUZZLE ZONE

ACCLAIMED ROCK DRAMA ADDS SECOND SHOW IN FRANKSTON

THE widely-acclaimed ROLLING THUNDER

VIETNAM is set to take Frankston by storm in June as part of the show’s eagerly-awaited 2023 national tour.

Hailed “a musical and dramatic triumph”, the stunning Australian production will play Frankston Arts Centre on Thursday 8 June and a just announced second show on Friday 9 June. Tickets are now on sale at rollingthundervietnam.com

The electrifying show vibrantly awakens the pulse and tumult of the Vietnam War era. It showcases many of the great rock classics of the ‘60s and ‘70s, brilliantly arranegd by musical director Chong Lim AM, Inspired by the true stories of Vietnam Veterans and actual letters, the rock drama tells a tough and tender story of courage, love, resilience and loss from an Australian perspective.

Directed by David Berthold and written by

Bryce Hallett, the unique theatrical experience combines stirring protest songs and blazing rock anthems. Rolling Thunder Vietnam comprises more than 20 songs - ;enduring classics by Steppenwolf, Bob Dylan, The Rolling Stones, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Curtis Mayfield, Gladys Knight, Billy Thorpe, Edwin Starr and Paul Simon.

They include Magic Carpet Ride, Fortunate Son, The Letter, Black Magic Woman, Help Me Make it Through the Night, War, People Get Ready, We’ve Gotta Get Out of This Place, Killing Me Softly With His Song and Bridge Over Troubled Water.

www.rollingthundervietnam.com

VENUE and DATES

FRANKSTON ARTS CENTRE

Thursday 8 June - 7.30pm

Friday 9 June - 7.30pm

DAMIEN WARREN-SMITH BRINGS GARRY STARR PERFORMS EVERYTHING TO FRANKSTON

GRACING the stage in Frankston Arts Centre’s Cube 37 next month is internationally renowned comedian Damien Warren-Smith.

Garry Starr Performs Everything is a onehour show combining different theatre styles, as Damien's character and clown, Garry Starr takes it upon himself to 'save' the theatre industry.

At times wearing not much other than an Elizabethan ruff, Damien described Garry Starr as the most embarrassing form of himself.

Jokes translate differently from audience to audience, but there is something fun for everyone to enjoy.

"I'm just wanting people to have a really good time, it's not in any way divisive or political, just unabandoned joy."

Although Garry Starr attempts to 'save the performing arts', Damien doesn't believe theatre is going anywhere any time soon, but a culture shift needs to occur to make it really thrive.

"People don't really write about it. When I open up a newspaper, the culture section will talk about music, books and film but they don't have comedy and theatre.

"It's just not embedded in our culture here because you just don't think of it."

Garry Starr Performs Everything tours to Frankston on Saturday 13 May, presented as part of the South Side Festival and the 2023 FAC Theatre Season.

Tickets are available online at thefac.com. au or call 03 9784 1060.

When Memory Lane Is An Eight-lane Freeway

By Stuart McCullough

GETTING older is a strange business. Last month, I tripped over whilst jogging and crashed into the footpath with all the grace of the Hindenburg. As I lay there, writhing in a mix of embarrassment and pain, I realized it was the first time I’d fallen without being able to get up. It’s one of many less attractive aspects of ageing. Hair disappears from the places you want it and sprouts from previously unexpected locations. The idea of waiting to see a band whose gig starts at eleven o’clock (at night!) is not so much an inconvenience as it is unbridled insanity.

Worst of all, I regularly forget my age. By which I don’t mean that I’m incapable of answering the question ‘how old are you?’ but that when spending time with younger people, I think of myself as their peer as opposed to their elder. It’s a tragic case of self-deception. One that disintegrates the moment I mention anything that happened before 1990 and I am left staring into a sea of blank faces. When you make a reference to ‘Holiday’ by Madonna and no one else knows what you’re talking about, you know you’ve reached a turning point.

It saddens me to think that there’s an entire generation who’ve no idea who Hector the Safety Cat is. Last week, we spent a night in Guilford and our cabin had a cassette deck. The ten year old was, in turns, bewildered and fascinated. I found myself explaining the art of rewinding a tape to an enraptured audience who then proceeded to rewind every cassette he could find. As I bathed in the whirring sound of a TDK C-90, I was flooded with thoughts of demo tapes and afternoons spent in cramped rehearsal rooms. And then it came to me in a rush: Cam Rogers had died.

Twenty-four hours earlier, I’d been at a memorial service. The room was a mix of lost friends and strangers with a picture of Cam looking over all of us. The message had come as a shock. It had been a simple email with the heading ‘About

Cam (Maybe read after work)’. Of course, I couldn’t wait and read the message almost immediately, but I struggled to understand what it was saying. Maybe I was in shock. Perhaps the truth of it seemed impossible for me.

I’d met Cam Rogers at Uni. He was older, cooler and effortless. In stark contrast, I was clueless, naïve and trying far too hard. We didn’t have much to do with each other that first year but, inevitably, we fell into playing music together. At first it was covers, playing other people’s songs for anyone willing to pay us to do so. Some songs we performed with gusto. Others we butchered. But it was enormous fun. After a time, the band

started writing it’s own music.

There were five of us. Having met at Uni, we ended up living together in a gigantic share house in St Kilda. We thought we were bohemian and hip. We were sorely mistaken. Our house had seven bedrooms and psychedelic wallpaper and it was there that we wrote our songs. Cam Rogers played bass. When we started, his playing was rudimentary. By the time it ended, he was extraordinary.

Being in a band may sounds trivial but it’s a big deal. You experience a lot of highs and lows together with a group of people. No matter how difficult things were, I don’t think I ever saw him

lose his composure. To say that about a housemate, much less a band-mate, is nothing short of remarkable.

There are plenty of things I could tell you about Cameron Rogers. Such as the time that he stayed up too late drinking beer but decided that the best way to ensure he wasn’t late for work the next day was to connect his alarm clock to a one hundred watt bass amplifier. The resulting din the next morning sent everyone within an eight hundred-metre radius shooting bolt upright, except for Cam who remained stubbornly asleep. He was rarely rattled.

There was a consensus at the memorial – that as young men in our twenties we’d been (for want of a better term) idiots. To some degree, that’s what being young is about. For a brief period of time, you get to try and fail before moving on. And, eventually, that’s what we all did. Now we were all in the same room, dressed in suits like a long-forgotten boy-band making some last ditched-attempt at credibility.

Eventually, the band broke up. Which is exactly what most bands do. Not long after, we all vacated that big, rambling share house in St Kilda. I didn’t know it then, but it was the end of an era. The other band members kept working together and, over time, I lost touch. The last time I saw Cam, he’d performed at the Melbourne Comedy Festival as ‘Alexander Downer’ in a production called ‘Keating’. The show and Cam’s performance were a total sensation. It was a moment of exultant triumph. That’s how I’ll remember him. The worst thing about getting older is that people start to leave you. At the front of the room was a table of memorabilia including photos. Of him at school, at work and, of course, in the band. It’s strange that you don’t see someone for years and then miss them when they’re gone. But I do. I’m grateful that I knew Cameron Rogers. Rest in peace.

stuart@stuartmccullough.com

Motoring

Sharks get the better of Rosebud, Tyabb's last quarter burst secures 50-point win

MPNFL

By Brodie Cowburn

DIVISION ONE

AFTER a split round to kick off 2023, there were just two games this weekend in Division One.

It was a home ground advantage for Dromana in their Good Friday clash with Red Hill and they wasted no time in getting some serious scoring on the board.

It was an onslaught in the first quarter with seven scoring shots to one in favour of the Tigers, with the quarter time scoreboard reading 5.2 to Red Hill’s single goal.

The second quarter was an entire turnaround, with Red Hill controlling the play while slamming on three goals and three minor scores, all the while holding Dromana to just three points. With only eight points in it, it was still anybody’s game.

After the long break, Dromana squeezed the pedal, and steadily pulled away from Red Hill. It was their turn to dominate in the third quarter, putting on 21 points and

holding Red Hill to just four minor scores.

Although Red Hill got their mojo back a little in the final quarter and slotted a couple through the big sticks, Dromana answered with a couple of their own, and won the day. The final scores were 10.10 (70) to Red Hill’s 6.8 (44).

After a dismal 2022 when they managed only two wins for the season, Rosebud would have been keen to get 2023 off on the right foot. They had their chance in the firstround playing Sorrento. Sorrento fared better than Rosebud in 2022, but still ended up in the bottom half.

But Sorrento were going to have none of it and set about a persistent breaking down of Rosebud over the four quarters.

The first quarter was a solid start for the Sharks, as they put 24 points on the board with nine scoring shots. Greater accuracy in front would have seen them much further in front at the first break. In response, Rosebud only managed seven points.

Only a couple more goals were added for both teams in the second

quarter, with Sorrento going into half time with a handy, but not insurmountable, 16-point lead.

It was the third quarter that won it for the Sharks, punching on five goals while leaving Rosebud with just a single point.

Over seven goals ahead at the final break, the last quarter was pedestrian, with Sorrento kicking a couple and leaving Rosebud goalless. The final score was Sorrento 12.10 (82) to Rosebud 3.11 (29).

Next week, Sorrento takes on last year’s Premiers, Frankston YCW, in a test to see what will come for them in 2023.

DIVISION TWO

FRESHLY relegated to Division Two, Edithvale-Aspendale are a team with something to prove in 2023. But it didn’t all go to plan when they met Chelsea on Good Friday.

The seagulls were quick out of the blocks and left Edi-Asp in their wake. At quarter time, Chelsea had slotted three goals and three minor scores, and left the Eagles with just

two points on the board.

There must have been a significant ‘revving-up’ from the coach at the break, as Edi-Asp came back a different team, slotting five goals to one in the second quarter and turning a 19 point deficit at quarter time into a seven point lead at the long break.

The third quarter saw significant scoring on both sides with Chelsea adding 7.6 for the quarter and EdiAsp adding 8.9. By three-quarter time, Edi-Asp held a handy 16-point lead.

The final quarter was a war of attrition, with no score changes leaving Edithvale-Aspendale the eventual winners on 13.15 to Chelsea’s 11.11.

Perhaps inspired by last week’s gutsy win by 2022 wooden-spooners, Crib Point, Tyabb set out with something to prove.

Languishing second last on the ladder last year, with only two wins and a draw for 2022, the Yabbies needed to get 2023 off on the right claw.

Their opportunity awaited with Rye. The Demons finished in the bottom half last year, but with a much better record than Tyabb with eight

wins for the season.

The game was a tight tussle at the start with only six points separating the teams at quarter time with Rye in front.

Tyabb fought back hard in the second quarter, putting on four goals to Rye’s three, and getting their noses three points in front at the main break.

The third quarter was much the same; a back and forth between the teams that saw Tyabb just six points up at three quarter time.

The final quarter, though, was an onslaught. Tyabb punched on 8.5 to Rye’s 1.3 to give Tyabb a significant 50-point win.

For Tyabb, the 19 goals scored in the match were kicked by ten different players, showing a depth that has been missing the last few years. Hopeful signs that 2023 will be a better year for the Yabbies.

Supersub Attard tames Lions

SOCCER

By Craig MacKenzie

FOR 78 minutes lions roared at Carrum Downs Recreation Reserve last Wednesday night.

Glenroy Lions from State 5 North had travelled south to square up to State 2 local Skye United in what loomed as a David and Goliath affair.

For the opening 20 minutes Skye created the better chances with an Alex Van Heerwarden back post header striking the crossbar.

That didn’t deter Glenroy and the home side was set back on its heels when Nathan Ibrahim’s fine finish in the 26th minute made it 1-0.

Spurred on by this success the visitors almost increased their lead but struck the post two minutes later.

But right on half-time Glenroy was reduced to 10 men when Siraj Gergeis received a straight red.

Skye couldn’t get an early breakthrough in the second half prompting gaffer Phil McGuinness to bring on Lewis Gibson and Daniel Attard in the 62nd minute.

It proved to be a masterstroke.

In the 71st minute Gibson received the ball out wide and drove it across the face of goal to be inadvertently turned into his own net by Glenroy’s Alarqam Jaafar.

Seven minutes later Skye hit the front after Marcus Collier won possession then released Attard into a one-on-one and he finished well into the bottom corner.

However the drama was far from over.

In the 88th minute Skye had the chance to put this tie to bed after Attard was brought down inside the area but Glenroy keeper Nael Ibrahim saved Dusko Erkalovic’s penalty attempt.

It wasn’t just the scoreline that left a sour taste in the visitors’ mouth as three minutes into injury time they were reduced to nine men after a late challenge from Jack Yosif gave referee Stefano Di Giovanni little option but to brandish his red card again.

And while Skye battled to overcome its opponent State 2 neighbour Frankston Pines lost 3-0 in its Monterey Reserve cup tie against NPL1 side St Albans Saints.

This was a tame affair compared to some of the previous battles between these clubs but Pines refused to take a backward step against an opponent four divisions higher.

Just seven minutes in St Albans’ winger Joseph Monek was shoved in

the back inside the area.

He recovered only to send his penalty attempt wide.

It took 30 minutes for St Albans to have a shot on target and when it came it was straight at Pines’ second string Pabel Rivera deputising for injured Colby Jones.

But five minutes later Pines’ resistance was broken when Rivera and his near post defender didn’t communicate properly and Daniel Fabrizio’s corner from the left eluded both to make it 1-0.

Three minutes into the second half Lathan Dunn should have given Saints a two-goal cushion but he shot across Rivera and wide of the far post.

Dunn didn’t have to wait long to strike though as he was on the end of a ball from the left played in behind the defence and his first time effort went in off the bar in the 61st minute.

A moment of silliness from Saints’

Troy Ruthven saw him sent off in the 76th minute.

He had been booked in the first half yet chose to shove Pines’ substitute Anish Khem in the chest and referee Louis McIntosh gave the visitors’ midfielder a second yellow.

The 10 men signed off on their passage into the next round with a third goal in the 88th minute.

Substitute Mouad Zwed controlled a long ball over the top with a sublime first touch that enabled him to sidefoot past Rivera from close range.

Mornington lost its cup tie 4-0 to FC Clifton Hill at Quarries Park on Saturday.

With head coach Adam Jamieson overseas assistant Craig Lewis took charge and fielded a young and inexperienced side against a strong Clifton Hill outfit with many UK visa players on its books.

The contest was decided in the first half and Mornington’s cause wasn’t

The lion that roared: Daniel Attard’s expression sums up Skye United’s frustration at being held at bay for so long by State 5 opponent Glenroy Lions in last week’s Australia Cup clash. Picture: Gemma Sliz

helped when it was forced to replace second string 19-year-old keeper Ethan Farrell in the 32nd minute due to concussion.

He was replaced by 17-year-old Frankie Anderson.

A double from Joseph Hunt and a Gav Jones goal four minutes from the break had Clifton Hill 3-0 up at half-time and substitute Robbie Williamson completed the scoreline in the 86th minute.

That leaves just Skye and Langwarrin as the only local clubs remaining in the Australia Cup.

Langy plays its round four preliminary tie on Tuesday this week against Brandon Park at Lawton Park at 7.30pm.

Scott Miller’s men will only have a three-day turnaround after going down 4-0 in their NPL2 clash with Dandenong City at Frank Holohan Soccer Complex on Saturday.

The home team led after three min-

utes when Damian Iaconis was presented with a tap-in after a cutback from the right.

Langwarrin keeper James Burgess made a couple of key saves to keep the visitors in the contest but six minutes into the second half Iaconis made no mistake from a one-on-one with Burgess to make it 2-0.

Brady Quinn sealed the home side’s victory in the 71st minute with a tapin from a rebound and the pick of the goals came in the 92nd minute courtesy of a free-kick from substitute Nick Hamakiotis.

In women’s football three local sides will field senior teams in State League for the first time – Frankston Pines, Mount Martha and Chelsea. All three were initially placed in State 5 South-East but when a vacancy arose in State 4 South clubs were emailed by Football Victoria inviting applications on a first-come firstserved basis and Pines was quickest to respond. Fixtures should be released this week.

NEXT WEEK’S GAMES

Friday 14 April, 8.30pm: Frankston Pines v Peninsula Strikers, Monterey Reserve

Chelsea v Sandown Lions, Edithvale Recreation Reserve

Saturday 15 April, 3pm: Langwarrin v Western Utd, Lawton Park

Old Scotch v Mornington, HA Smith Reserve

Skye Utd v Hampton East Brighton, Skye Recreation Reserve

Baxter v Somerville Eagles, Baxter Park

Aspendale v Mentone, Jack Grut Reserve

Barton Utd v Mount Martha, Barton Recreation Reserve

Saturday 15 April 6pm: Casey Panthers v Seaford Utd, Prospect Hill Reserve

Saturday 15 April 6.30pm: Rosebud v Hampton Park Utd, Olympic Park Mount Eliza BYE

AUSTRALIA CUP

Tuesday 11 April, 7.30pm: Brandon Park v Langwarrin, Lawton Park

588, Hastings,

call us we inspect your car agree on price we handle the paperwork we pay you

At Peninsula Car Buyers, we have designed a service that allows you to sell your car which is fast, friendly and fair. We purchase your vehicle directly from you, which offers an easy and simple alternative to traditional car selling methods. Selling your car privately can be lengthy, stressful and costly while dealership trade-ins usually involve a devalued price or a requirement to buy a new car.

With over 25 years experience in buying cars, including old classics to luxury sports cars we pride ourselves on offering a fast and friendly solution to selling your car. When you sell your car to Peninsula Car Buyers, you’re dealing with an honest and reputable business where we pride ourselves on making the car selling process safe and easy for you!

We know that selling a car privately can be extremely time consuming so our service is focused around you. From our on-site inspections and fast payments, you can sell your car quickly and from the comfort of your own home.

With our 5 EASY STEP PROCESS we have taken out all the hassle of selling your car:

1. Call our FREE 1300 number and tell us about your pre-lovedcar.

2. We come to you at your convenience to inspect your car. Altenatively, you can visit our Mornington branch.

3. Agree on a fair price.

4. Sign relevant paperwork (licence and bank details required).

5. Money is transferred directly to you and your car is picked up by us.

SIMPLE!

So, whether your interested in the car selling process or just keen to get started on selling your car, give Yasmin Chandler at Peninsula Car Buyers a call and she’ll be happy to help you out.

1300 sell car 1300 735 522

michelle- ann

NIGHTIES PYJAMAS DRESSING GOWNS 1000s

TO CHOOSE FROM