Mornington News 15th April 2025

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Rate increase as landslide costs jump to $8m

Brendan Rees brendan@mpnews.com.au

MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire

councillors have approved a three per cent rate increase amid “unprecedented pressures” including a newly estimated $8m to deal with the McCrae landslide recovery.

Mayor Cr Anthony Marsh said at least $75 from every household would be needed to help pay for the 14 January landslide event.

Councillors unanimously approved the rate increase at their 8 April meeting, which would generate an extra $50 per household in revenue on average. But Marsh said this was just two thirds of the cost of addressing the landslide recovery which did not consider inflation or cost increases.

The shire has already spent $3m to manage the landslide with a further $5m needed to spend on emergency related works.

“That is an unforeseen event, and like any fiscally responsible organisation would do, you change your understanding and the way you respond to that based on circumstances,” Marsh said.

Residents were forced to evacuate their homes with a council worker taken to hospital after a house slid down the hill. Site investigations by geotechnical engineers have been ongoing, with an exclusion zone still in place, and eight property owners still unable to return to their homes.

The state government has launched

a $3.14m inquiry into the landslide but has yet to make any funding commitment to assist the shire in responding to the event.

Marsh has previously conceded that the landslide was a “significant burden” on ratepayers with $29 per household having so far been spent on the recovery.

The rate cap of three per cent (up from 2.75 per cent in 2024-25) has been set for the next financial year under the state government’s Fair Go Rates System.

Councillors voted unanimously in support of the increase which will see the shire generate $5.2m for the 2025-26 annual budget – a sum it would have lost had the cap not been adopted.

According to the shire, its draft operating income for 2025-2026 is $289m which is an increase of four per cent from the 2024-2025 adopted budget.

“It is being recommended by officers that this full cap is adopted for the 2025-2026 financial year in order to address rising costs and ongoing financial sustainability,” a shire report said.

“Shire officers have also discussed with councillors the intention to review the differential rating strategy during 2025-2026 ahead of the 20262027 budget process. As a result, no changes are being recommended for next financial year.”

A differential rating strategy is where councils set different rates for different classes of property.

Continued Page 9

MT ELIZA-based illustrator Karen Erasmus has launched her latest children’s picture book, Wombat Poos Are Square, which cheekily explores “another side” to Australian animals. See ‘Illustrator unveils new children’s book’ - Page 11

Picture: Yanni

Budget battle looms over estuary boardwalk fix

Brendan Rees brendan@mpnews.com.au

LONG-awaited plans to replace a damaged section of the Balcombe Creek Estuary Boardwalk will be considered for funding in the upcoming budget after Mornington Peninsula Shire councillors expressed mixed views about repair works.

The iconic 3.5km boardwalk in Mt Martha has been partly closed for more than two years after being significantly damaged in floods in November 2022, leaving one section unrepaired and fenced off near Nepean Hwy and Uralla Rd in Mt Martha.

As reported by The News, locals have voiced their frustration about the repair delays including the Rotary Club of Mount Martha whose members originally built the boardwalk in the 1990s before it was handed over to the Mornington Peninsula Shire to manage.

Last November the shire proposed three options to rebuild the damaged boardwalk, with the community strongly supporting “option one” of replacing the boardwalk along its existing alignment (Rising tide of support to return boardwalk, The News 18/03/25).

Following community consultation in December last year, a shire report said the Rotary Club of Mount Martha sent a letter to mayor Cr Anthony Marsh summarising a preferred option of replacing the boardwalk in its original location (option one) but reducing the width from 2.5 metres to 1.5 metres.

The shire has since made a budget bid of a detailed design for option one while “all opportunities to find costsaving measures will be explored”.

“The width of the path will be dependent upon best practice including the current topography of the creek, which may have been altered by weather events [and an] assessment of environmental and cultural heritage impacts and minimisation of harm,” the shire report said.

Option two proposes to partially rebuild in its original location with fewer “environmental, cultural heritage and financial impacts than option one,” while option three would run the path through the pastureland between the creek and The Briars’ entry road providing the “least impact “on the natural environment and cultural heritage.

A decision to refer “consideration for funding” for option one to the shire’s 2025-26 budget capital works program (which does not guarantee it will ultimately be the preferred option) was narrowly approved by councillors by a single vote at their 8 April meeting.

Marsh said he was “very supportive” of exploring the community’s preferred view of a “like-for-like” rebuild of the boardwalk, noting that the third option of creating a footpath, which was the cheapest proposal, should be scrapped.

“If you’re going to bother going down that path, don’t bother doing anything … we shouldn’t be calling it a boardwalk if it’s a footpath,” he said.

Marsh added that after he attended a community-organised forum on the

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MOUNT Martha Rotary Club members want a damaged section of the Balcombe Creek Estuary boardwalk replaced in its original location.

Picture: Yanni

issue in February, he had “never seen such unanimous endorsement of at least exploring this approach (of an original rebuild), so for that reason I endorse it”.

Cr Bruce Ranken said the boardwalk was a “great asset” and “this piece of work is very important”.

“I think there’s some opportunity here as we spoke of earlier around volunteers and their trades working together hand-in-hand to be able to really encourage and get this piece of work done,” he said.

But other councillors spoke with mixed opinion about the best way forward, noting while the boardwalk was a significant community structure, any works undertaken had to be environmentally sensitive and financially viable.

“I think that whatever option we choose at this stage, we should be cautious and investigate fully and see what the repercussions are and how people will react to it as they know all of the facts,” Cr David Gill said, adding option three was “the least environmentally harmful”.

Cr Kate Roper said she was concerned about vegetation removal and warned of any work being a repeat of the council’s approved Harry Potter experience event held at the Briars Sanctuary last year that prompted a

fierce community backlash because of possible impacts to flora and fauna.

“I’m wondering where they are, where they sit with this one because it’s all very well people say ‘yes, we want it in the original track on the original location’; that’s great, but do they really know all the facts about the vegetation removal?” she said.

“I think we should try and do the cheapest option with the least vegetation damage possible.”

Cr Max Patton said while all options “are fit for purpose,” he believed only option three of running a new path between the creek and Briars’ entry road was “actually economical or future proof”.

“In a perfect world, I think with an enormous amount of funding this would be a totally feasible option (for an original rebuild) and I’d love to see it, but I don’t see how it’s feasible at all within our current budget constraints, and even tonight we’ve discussed how we need to live within our means,” he said in reference to the shire’s need to respond to rising costs and increase rates by three per cent.

Patton also said calling the boardwalk repairs “flood-proof” was “a false sense of security” when “in reality, we’re talking about making something flood resistant at best”. So far, the shire has spent $13,000 on consultants with a further $350,000 submitted as part of its 2026 financial year budget bid to fund detailed design and permits. The bid will be considered by councillors through the annual budgetary process.

Debate on beach cleaning delayed again

Brendan Rees brendan@mpnews.com.au

A DECISION on the future of beach cleaning has been deferred once again as Mornington Peninsula Shire councillors remain split over whether to use a mechanical rake or hand-cleaning.

It marks the fourth time since December last year that councillors and shire officers have pushed back a decision, citing the need for more consideration.

Since 1 July last year, a 12-month trial has seen all Port Phillip beaches across the peninsula cleaned solely by hand on a fortnightly basis instead of a mechanical rake which had reportedly removed about 40 per cent of litter with plastic items being broken down into smaller pieces and buried in the sand (Tide turns for beach cleaning, The News 14/01/25).

But the trial has become a point of contention with proponents of a mechanical rake saying it would streamline the process and be more efficient, while others worry about its impact on delicate coastal ecosystems and biodiversity.

Councillors at their 8 April meeting were expected to decide on whether to adopt a shire officer’s recommendation of implementing a model using 70 per cent hand cleaning and 30 per cent mechanical raking with an outsourced delivery model.

Instead they voted for more time –yet again – by deferring a decision on a preferred model until 20 May after expressing mixed opinion.

This is despite councillors having attended a “beach cleaning workshop” on 4 February to consider four cleaning option models going forward, as well as weighing up pages of information in a shire report and trial summary.

Mayor Cr Anthony Marsh expressed frustration at the continued indecision, saying, “this can has been kicked down the road so many times”.

“We keep getting reports that haven’t answered the questions that we have [and] information that comes in last minute,” he said.

“I don’t want to get into another summer where we’re still sitting here talking about which method we’re going to use,” he said, noting a compromise needed to be found.

“I think it’s got a bit out of hand in terms of the lack of acceptance that people have differing views on this, but ultimately we need to make a call.”

Deputy mayor Cr Paul Pingiaro agreed, noting “let’s just remember that this was initially meant to come back to us in January then March 25 we were meant to vote on this. Since then, the officer’s recommendation

changed again”.

“We’ve been given so much information, and it has changed so many times that we actually need to have the full set of information put to us on what we can actually do.”

He added, “We haven’t even mentioned the great work our volunteers do and moving forward we have no mention or support for them”.

Pingiaro also cited concerns about community consultation online saying, “one person could have submitted something 100 times; that’s not consultation - that’s leveraging data to suit your narrative.”

Cr David Gill and Cr Kate Roper were both supportive of hand cleaning which attracted applause from the meeting’s gallery.

But Gill’s bid to move an amended motion calling for a decision on beach cleaning to be postponed until 15 July was unsuccessful.

“I think a lot of people have come down on the side now of the environment and not pristine beaches that are raked so flat that they move sand dunes, and they cause erosion,” Gill said, adding it was important to “see what the best alternative is for our community, our beaches and our environment”.

Roper said, “It’s always concerned me with the amount of rubbish that we’re sending to the tip, which is not rubbish. It’s actual seaweed”.

“It’s a substantial amount the ratepayers are paying to have natural material dumped at the tip,” she said, which she estimated to be $360 a tonne.

She said a decision to delay a decision on beach cleaning meant they could consider evidence-based data including “revegetated areas that’s providing more stability for the sand of the beach”.

If the hand beach cleaning trial was to be ended immediately, a minimum of 90 days would be needed to change to an alternative method as per the contract.

Award winning beach cleaning campaigner Josie Jones OAM, who was present at the council meeting, said the gallery was “filled with passionate community members and volunteers who support hand cleaning and value the importance of the 12 months of data collected”.

“It’s disappointing to see that some councillors continue to overlook the evidence. Cr Allen’s comments about high litter in September fail to acknowledge the root cause — the mismanagement of the raking contract,” she said.

“The large volumes of litter observed are not due to lack of intervention, but rather a result of the mechanical raking itself. We are already seeing a decline in litter volumes, which we expect to continue – had the shire been transparent, this would be publicly evident.

“When decision-making is influenced by political convenience over community wellbeing, it undermines trust and accountability in local government.”

Bryan Sun Dr. Mostafa Ziabari

MT MARTHA Life Saving Club president John Harvey (left) with Cr Paul Pingiaro, and mayor Cr Anthony Marsh at Mt Martha beach in January. Picture: Gary Sissons

Journalists: Brodie Cowburn, Brendan Rees

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DEADLINE FOR NEXT ISSUE: 1PM ON THURSDAY 17 APRIL 2025 NEXT ISSUE PUBLICATION DATE: TUESDAY 22 APRIL 2025

Dating app dangers

VICTORIA Police are urging for victims of sexual offences linked to dating apps to come forward.

Police say they have identified a trend of rape, sexual or inappropriate touching, and sexual harassment cases stemming from dating app encounters.

Melbourne sexual offence and child abuse investigation team detective senior sergeant Monique Kelley said “our detectives are seeing far too many sexual offences occur via the use of dating apps, and it needs to stop. The crime will not be tolerated.”

“We take any report of sexual offences extremely seriously,” Kelley said. “Everyone has a right to go about their lives, meet new people and start a relationship in safety. That’s why we’re continuing to work tirelessly to investigate these crimes and hold perpetrators to account to ensure the safety of victims.

“The message we want to get out there to victims is: when you’re ready, speak to us, speak to someone, reach out. We want victims to know it is never too late to come forward and make a report. We are always able to investigate a sexual offence, regardless of when it occurred.”

Sexual crime squad detective inspector Mark Burnett says “something we commonly see with victims is a sense of obligation – a feeling that they “owe” the offender something because this person has spent time messaging them, or travelled to see them, or bought them a meal or drink. I really want to be absolutely clear that you do not owe anyone anything, ever.”

“Even if you have been using dating

apps to meet people for sexual relationships this does not take away your right to say no to anything that makes you feel uncomfortable or you do not want to do for any reason. Please also choose your meeting locations carefully,” he said. “It’s important that the community understands there are no barriers in reporting these matters to police. I cannot stress enough that it is never the victim’s responsibility to determine whether or not there is enough evidence to investigate a sexual offence or solve a crime.”

A SEAFORD man will face court after he was allegedly caught driving nearly five times over the legal alcohol limit.

Police were called to Austin Road in Seaford on 5 April. They were told a man had stumbled into his car and driven away.

Police pulled the man over on Austin Road and conducted a breath test.

Police say the 53-year-old Seaford man blew .245.

The man’s license was suspended and his Toyota Hilux was impounded for a month. He is expected to face a Magistrates’ Court at a later date.

POLICE are investigating after a shop front glass door was smashed in Hastings last week, which the owner labelled as “senseless damage”.

The incident occurred at High St sometime overnight between 8 April and 9 April.

The owner, who asked that their identity and shop remain anonymous, told The News that the glass door was vandalised in what appeared to be a random act as there was no forced entry or anything of value kept on the premises.

“I’m annoyed because it’s just senseless damage. Small business is hard enough as it is,” they said, adding the damage bill was about $1000, which It is hoped insurance would cover.

“I reckon they’ve just walked past and whacked the window, I don’t think it’s targeted.”

CCTV has been handed to police, but no arrests have been made. Police confirmed they were investigating.

The shop owner said they had become increasingly concerned about the amount of crime in Hastings, with other shop front windows damaged in recent months.

They said they were also unable to repair their door for 24 hours, leaving them feeling on edge that something else would happen.

The owner said their shop front door was previously smashed about 18 months ago.

Police patrol with Brodie Cowburn and Brendan Rees

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Step inside the studios of the peninsula’s finest artists

ART lovers and collectors, mark your calendars! The much-anticipated Artists Open Studio Weekends are back, offering a rare opportunity to step inside the creative spaces of the Peninsula Studio Trail. Visit us on Saturday and Sunday 3-4th May.

Located from Frankston to Rye, this event invites visitors to explore the working studios of some of the region’s most talented artists. Across two inspiring days, you’ll have the chance to meet the artists, see works in progress, and gain insight into the creative process behind their incredible artworks.

From painting in oils, inks, acrylics, and watercolour to printmaking, ceramics, pottery, and sculpture, the Peninsula Studio Trail artists work across a diverse range of mediums. Each studio visit is a window into their artistic world— whether it’s the delicate detail achieved from

the printmaker’s press, the vibrant colours of an oil painting, or the earthy charm of handcrafted ceramics.

This is more than just an outing—it’s an immersive experience where you can engage with the artists, ask questions, and witness their craft up close. And if you find a piece that speaks to you, original works will be available for purchase directly from the artists.

Whether you’re an avid collector, a first-time buyer, or simply someone who appreciates the beauty of art, the Artists Open Studio Weekend offer a perfect excuse to explore the Mornington Peninsula and connect with its vibrant creative community. Our artists’ studios open from 10am - 5pm on Saturday and Sunday 3-4 May.

To learn more about the participating artists and plan your studio trail, visit our website: www.peninsulastudiotrailinc.org/events

Rates jump by maximum allowed

Continued from Page 1

However, councillors voted for the rating strategy to be reviewed for the 2026-27 budget to ensure it “reflects principles of equity, transparency, and fairness across all property classifications”. Currently, owners of vacant residential, industrial and commercial land are charged 40 per cent more in rates while agricultural land users pay 65 per cent less.

Marsh raised concerns of illegitimate farming occurring on the peninsula that were “getting massive subsidies to rates” compared to hobby farms.

He also supported councillors voting for a minor nature strip work fee to be removed from the budget, saying minor works should be “encouraged, not penalised or disincentivised” such as planting trees, which sees the shire generate about $2000 a year.

Marsh said while he voted to support the rate increase, he was determined for council to freeze

Welcome TO THE WORLD

Parents: Natalie & Benjamin

Birth date: 29.03.2025

Birth weight: 4127gms Born at: Frankston Hospital

Parents: Sophie & Joshua

Birth date: 1.04.2025

Birth weight: 3060gms

Born at: Frankston Hospital

Parents: Elisha & Dean

Birth date: 4.04.2025

Birth weight: 2930gms Born at: Frankston Hospital

rates in future and work towards “delivering value for money and local tangible outcomes for our community”.

Deputy mayor Paul Pingiaro acknowledged community members would be disappointed by the rate increase, which was a “decision that we don’t make lightly”, particularly with cost-ofliving pressures.

“This is not about blindly passing on costs,” he said.

“Unfortunately, council is not in the position to remain financially viable if rates were frozen. We are operating under unprecedented pressures, rising operational costs, growing community expectations and increasing responsibilities being handed down from other levels of government without the funding to match.”

Cr Bruce Ranken noted the shire had the eighth lowest rates out of 79 councils in Victoria, which was about $305 less per ratepayer or $32m less in revenue.

Parents: Shannon & Jason

Birth date: 7.04.2025

Birth weight: 3600gms

Born at: Frankston Hospital

Parents: Esther & Matthew Birth date: 30.03.2025 Birth weight: 3710gms Born at: Frankston Hospital

Parents: Maygen & Jerome

Birth date: 1.04.2025

Birth weight: 3320gms Born at: Frankston Hospital

Parents: Damini & Mehul Birth date: 6.04.2025 Birth weight: 3400gms

at: Frankston Hospital

KOAH

WESLEY

FORREST PETER

FLETCHER

AUSTYN BLAZE

AKIRA

CONNELL PAUL

BLAKE

Photos: Yanni

MARTA Gola in her studio at Moorooduc. Picture: Supplied

Illustrator unveils new children’s book

GET ready for some giggles and a whole lot of fun.

Mt Eliza-based illustrator Karen Erasmus has launched her latest children’s picture book, Wombat Poos Are Square, which cheekily explores “another side” to Australian animals.

Blending humour and education, the book provides some intriguing facts about animal poo and its role in the environment including from the sparkly poops of echidnas, to the vital role of whale poo in supplying Earth’s oxygen.

While a wombat character is the main feature of the book, there are also nocturnal animals, reptiles, sea creatures and mischievous koalas to be discovered along the way.

Erasmus, who joined the book’s author Sophie Gillies as part of their first project together, has been illustrating material for children for many years.

She migrated to Australia 20 years ago from the UK and loves the diversity and quirkiness of the wildlife, and felt fortunate to have been able to raise a family here. She lives with her three dogs, five chickens, grown-up children and husband.

Erasmus said she had done many picture books for the past 15 years with Wombat Poos Are Square being her second book with CSIRO Publishing.

“I’d done a lot of children and pet type books and I honestly wanted to do some more, so two years ago I decided I would do more animal orientated pieces in my portfolio and CSIRO Publishing liked the look of what I was doing,” she said.

“This book is just really sweet, it’s easy to read, it’s fun, it’s really accessible and children are hooked into it because it’s Australian and it’s interesting.”

Also a teacher and speaker, Erasmus will be running illustration workshops along the peninsula over the Easter school holidays, which

coincides with the launch of Wombat Poos Are Square.

She said she was more than happy to work with schools and institutions who would like her to talk about the book and her work as an illustrator.

Brendan Rees

Community rallies to fight Parkinson’s together

SIXTEEN locals have united in Hastings to raise vital funds and awareness at Fight Parkinson’s A Walk in the Park on 5 April.

The group took part in a 4km walk along the scenic foreshore to show their commitment to fighting the disease and supporting ongoing research.

Among the participants was 65-year-old Lynne Crawford, who has lived with Parkinson’s for 11 years. She embraced the day with her carer Kelly, saying, “It felt wonderful to be surrounded by others who understand and want to help”.

The Hastings group raised $733, a significant sum that will help fund programs, peer support and services for people impacted by Parkinson’s and Atypical Parkinson’s across the state.

Fight Parkinson’s CEO Emma Collin said the event was a powerful reminder of the importance of local connection, noting it highlighted the strength of community spirit.

“Every person who turns up to walk makes a difference. When the community is united, they can empower each other to make a difference,” said Collin.

“A Walk in the Park provides the perfect opportunity for people to walk together and fight together and Hastings truly embodied the power of community today.

“Hastings walkers have helped build awareness of Parkinson’s within the community and raised critical funds that will help us continue to support and empower people living with this condition.”

Cruising for a cause –Mayoral charity event

EACH year, the mayor of Mornington Peninsula Shire has the opportunity to host a special event to support the local community.

This year, it’s all aboard for fun, fundraising and a splash of adventure!

The 2025 Mayoral Mayday Cruise is all about good food, great music and unforgettable company with one important purpose at its heart - raising funds for Mornington Peninsula community groups.

Set sail from Sorrento Pier and drift up the stunning Mornington Peninsula coastline to Dromana and back — an unforgettable fourhour evening of elegance and ocean air. Every ticket helps fund 11 incredible community organisations right here on the Mornington Peninsula.

Each councillor was invited to nominate a community group in their ward to be the recipient of funds generated by the event.

“The Mayday Cruise will be more than a great night out, it’s a chance to give back to the local organisations that do so much for our community. I encourage everyone to join us for what will be an unforgettable evening. And if you can’t make it, you can still support the cause by donating online,” said Mornington Peninsula Shire mayor Cr Anthony Marsh.

“This event wouldn’t be possible without the incredible support of our sponsors, local legends, and community champions. I’d especially like to thank our platinum sponsor, Searoad Ferries, for getting onboard from the very beginning and helping bring this idea to life.

“I can’t wait to set sail on 17 May and look forward to welcoming our community on board.”

Date: Saturday 17 May 2025

Location: Sorrento Ferry Terminal

Time: 5 – 10pm

Tickets online. To purchase or donate, please visit mornpen.vic.gov.au/maydaycruise

HASTINGS walkers show the strength of community spirit to fight Parkinson’s. Picture: Supplied

Ellis Southerland with illustrator Karen Erasmus at Somerville Library.

Picture: Yanni

Facelift for FAC forecourt

IMPROVED accessibility is at the heart of the redevelopment of Frankston Arts Centre’s forecourt. Construction crews began working on the project on 7 April. The scope of works includes safety and accessibility improvements, separate areas for cars and pedestrians, upgraded pathways and ramps with safer gradients and smoother surfaces, new lighting, additional seating, a water feature, and signage.

Frankston Council awarded a contract worth a little more than $2.1m to redevelop the forecourt earlier

this year. In a statement, council said “This exciting redevelopment, informed by community feedback, will reimagine the forecourt as a vibrant, dynamic space that not only enhances functionality but also highlights the artistic heart of Frankston City. It’s designed to accommodate a diverse range of visitors, supporting FAC’s position as a premier cultural hub for the city and one that is much-loved by both locals and visitors.”

“During construction, pedestrians and vehicle access to the Arts Centre will be impacted. Visitors are asked

to allow additional time when attending an event at the venue, and to follow all signs and detours. Event ticketholders will be advised of access arrangements ahead of time. There will be no drop off zone at the front of the centre throughout the duration on the project. Visitors being dropped off can use the library forecourt or undercover carpark and then access the centre either by the lift or rear staircase.

“The forecourt upgrade is fully funded by council and will take approximately six months.”

Development plan withdrawn

THE developers of a proposed multi-storey building at 438-444 Nepean Highway have withdrawn their appeal to build the project.

The “Pace” development at the former Frankston Cinema site was rejected by VCAT in mid-2024. The developer appealed the decision to the Victorian Supreme Court, but has now discontinued the process.

“Stop The Great Wall of Frankston” protester Robert Thurley, who is contesting Dunkley at the

federal election as an independent, said the decision is “a great boost for our community campaign to protect our waterways and coastline.

“This is fantastic news for Kananook Creek Association, all the Stop the Great Wall of Frankston campaigners, and all who wish to protect our wonderful coastal assets for future generations.”

Brodie Cowburn

Family dog survives fertiliser scare

A THREE-year-old Maltese Terrier is on the mend after eating toxic compost at his Frankston home.

Boof was admitted to the Lort Smith Animal Hospital after ingesting the gardening compost. After a brush with death, Boof was diagnosed with gastroenteritis and has since been discharged.

Boof’s owner Mark and the hospital have issued a warning for people to take extra care to avoid exposing their pets to toxic compost. “Mr Boof vomited something which looked like grey or black rubbish,’’ the dog’s owner said. “He then started non-stop vomiting.

“It was really tough. We tried not to let the kids see how sick he was so we were very relieved when he started making slow progress and improvements. They visited him almost every day although we live an hour away in

Frankston.

“The hour drive was well worth the trip. I had no knowledge that it could make them so sick. At one point, I was bloody worried I’d killed my family pet.’’

Lort Smith Animal Hospital veterinarian Rebecca Hyland said “ingestion of fertiliser can cause a range of symptoms in canine pets, including lethargy, drooling, vomiting, diarrhoea, seizures and difficulty breathing – even death.’’

“With autumn being a traditionally busy period for gardeners, it is very important to keep pets away from fertiliser in sheds and on freshly fertilised garden bed,’’ Dr Hyland said. “If you think your pet has ingested fertiliser, then please contact your vet right away. It may be possible to decontaminate the system if this is known about early and before any signs have developed.’’

PREVIOUS plans for 438-444 Nepean Highway. Picture: Supplied

THE heritage-listed building at 12 Davey Street, Frankston, will be knocked down after a fire caused major structural damage.

In a statement, Frankston Council confirmed that the building is “beyond repair”.

“Earlier this month, council officers, Victoria Police and Fire Rescue Victoria undertook an inspection at 12 Davey Street, Frankston, following a fire which severely damaged the building. The site has been vacant for a long period of time and has become a safety concern for the community,” a Frankston Council statement read.

“The inspection revealed that unfortunately the heritage-listed building is beyond repair and at serious risk of collapse — posing an immediate danger to nearby people and property.

“Acting on advice from an independent structural engineer, our municipal building surveyor has issued an emergency order under the Building Act 1993 (Vic) requiring the building’s demolition to ensure public safety. We’re now working closely with the landowner to make the site is safe as quickly as possible.”

AN artist’s rendition of the redeveloped Frankston Arts Centre forecourt. Picture: Supplied

BOOF on the mend. Picture: Supplied

FIRE damage at 12 Davey Street, Frankston. Pictures: Supplied

Thousands enjoy thrilling open day at HMAS Cerberus

HMAS Cerberus has welcomed thousands of visitors for an action-packed open day on 6 April.

The day showcased the Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN) Crib Point base and its capabilities as a premier training establishment, providing attendees a thrilling first-hand experience.

This included live demonstra-

tions of sailors working to contain controlled fire simulations, as well as a weapons training simulation, and survival at sea training.

Other highlights were Navy small boats and seamanship displays, recruit school displays, Navy Band concerts, Australian Defence Force careers presentations, and ship damage control demonstrations.

Cerberus provides initial training for all new sailors entering the Navy. Up to 6000 Navy, Army and Air Force personnel are trained at Cerberus annually through initial employment training.

HMAS Cerberus Commanding Officer Captain Ben Favelle said it was a great opportunity to engage and educate the public.

“The best part of the day was seeing our sailors, soldiers and aviators, who are the factor that makes me proudest here at Cerberus, interacting so professionally with the public and so proud to be in uniform and on display,” he said.

“We’re lucky enough to have a number of locals on base so it was great for them to be able to invite

Clinically proven* to help these conditions:

• Heel pain (plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendinopathy)

• Tennis & golfers elbow

• Patella tendinopathy

• Frozen shoulder

• Rotator cuff tendinopathy with calcification

• Hip bursitis

• Shin splints and heel spurs

their families to come along and to really show off their workplace and this great establishment.”

Local groups were also part of the main arena displays including 1st Hastings Scout Group, Hastings SES, 36 Airforce Cadet Unit Frankston, and Frankston RSL.

HMAS Cerberus opened its doors to the public. Pictures: Royal Australian Navy

McKenzie goes for good reception, Smith talks integrity, Race focusses on women’s health, Frogley on investor tax breaks

Cameron McCullough cameron@mpnews.com.au

NOMINATIONS have now closed for the 2025 federal election with seven candidates competing in the Flinders electorate.

The nominated candidates are, in ballot order: Jason Smart (Trumpet of Patriots), Ben Smith (Independent), Zoe McKenzie (Liberal), Mike Brown (One Nation), Joseph Toscano (Independent), Sarah Race (Labor) and Adam Frogley (Greens).

The field of seven is substantially smaller than in 2022 when ten candidates contested the seat including two independents, and candidates from United Australia, Liberal Democrats, Animal Justice Party and Federation Party.

Zoe McKenzie’s big announcement for last week was a $2m investment by an elected Dutton Liberal government to improve mobile coverage for residents, businesses and visitors in Somerville.

The investment would involve erecting a telecommunications tower east of Jones Road, Somerville.

The announcement is in response to a decade long push to improve mobile coverage in Somerville (Push for Somerville phone tower rejected, The News 22/10/24).

The News reported last year that “Despite their persistent fight for better connectivity, particularly in the east Somerville area for the past ten years, the federal government did not include the suburb in its second round of funding through the peri-urban mobile program”.

Shadow Minister for Communications, Melissa McIntosh MP, said the announcement will address connectivity issues for the Somerville community who have been calling for better mobile coverage.

“Digital connectivity is an essential part of how we work, learn, stay safe and remain in contact with family and friends,” said McIntosh.

“The Liberals will continue to invest in telecommunications infrastructure as part of our plan to strengthen local communities and to get Australia back on track.”

McKenzie told The News “I’ve had strong feedback from Somerville residents that reception upgrades are urgently needed.

“Some parts of Somerville don’t even get signal. This is not good enough, even before you consider

candidate for Flinders Zoe McKenzie announced a $2m pledge to improve mobile reception in Somerville. Picture: Supplied

that this is one of the fastest growing suburbs of the Mornington Peninsula – attracting new businesses and residents.

“This commitment will ensure that Somerville has the telecommunication infrastructure it urgently needs.”

Independent for Flinders, Ben Smith, has slammed both major parties for “decades of corruption, secretive deals, and prioritising vested interests over the public good, while outlining his priorities to restore trust in our democracy”.

“For too long, Labor and Liberal have been more focused on donors and corporate mates than the people they’re supposed to represent,” said Smith.

“When it comes to price gouging by supermarkets, insurance companies and energy companies, both parties fail us because they’re too captured by the industries they’re meant to regulate.”

Smith pointed to a range of bipartisan failures driven by vested interests and behind-the-scenes lobbying.

“We’ve seen the major parties water down reforms in gambling advertising after pressure from lobbyists despite widespread public support, waste billions on overpriced contracts, allow inappropriate development of our local environment, and let former ministers walk into lobby-

ing jobs,” Smith said.

“No wonder trust in politicians is so low.”

Smith criticised the major parties for making election promises they have no intention of keeping. “Too often, candidates pledge funding during the campaign, but after election day is over, those promises disappear,” he said.

“Voters deserve more than empty promises — they deserve real commitments that are honoured, and an MP that will stand up for them.”

“As an independent, my only responsibility is to the people of Flinders, not party bosses or corporate donors.”

Labor’s candidate for Flinders Sarah Race hosted a Women’s Health Roundtable with Senator for Victoria Jana Stewart at the Rosebud Hospital community rooms.

The roundtable was attended by local women including women’s health advocates and secondary school students.

“Labor’s historic $573.3 million dollar women’s health investment is giving women more affordable and accessible health care,” said Race.

“The package includes PBS listing for new oral contraceptive pills and menopause therapies, more bulk billing for IUDs and birth control implants, and funding 33 endome-

triosis and pelvic pain clinics with specialist staff.

“These changes will save women hundreds of dollars a year.”

Race told The News that Labor is also making life more affordable and equal for women by:

n making childcare cheaper and investing $1 billion into more centres

n expanding paid parental leave including superannuation

n increasing support for single parents and women escaping violence

n record investments to end gender-based violence and increasing paid domestic violence leave

n increasing wages in aged care and early education

Race also recently announced significant funding for crisis accommodation on the Peninsula for women fleeing domestic violence.

“The Labor campaign has had fantastic support from senior Labor women including visits from Foreign Minister Senator Penny Wong, Minister for Infrastructure Catherine King, Assistant Minister for Women Kate Thwaites, Senator Jess Walsh, and Senator Jana Stewart,” said Race.

“The Albanese Labor Government has been Australia’s first womenmajority government.”

Greens candidate Adam Frogley has said that “fixing” property investor tax breaks would be a Greens

priority in a minority government.

“Labor and the Liberals are giving $176 billion in tax handouts to wealthy property investors. While millions of us face soaring rents and unaffordable homes,” said Frogley.

“Renters and first home buyers don’t stand a chance.

“Action on negative gearing and Capital Gains Tax discount reform will be one the Greens priorities in minority government, in order to make housing affordable for renters and first home buyers and help shield first home buyers from the fallout of Trump’s global tariff chaos.

“These unfair tax breaks make it easier for a wealthy property investor to buy their fifth or sixth home than a renter to buy their first, and make property a sought-after target for investors during periods of economic uncertainty.”

Greens have revealed independent analysis showing that changes to Negative Gearing and Capital Gains Tax would allow more than 850,000 people to live in a home they own - allowing many of the 31% of households who rent to move into home ownership.

“We are the party for renters and first home buyers,” said Frogley.

LABOR candidate for Flinders Sarah Race hosted a women’s health roundtable in Rosebud.

Picture: Supplied

INDEPENDENT candidate for Flinders Ben Smith out door knocking with volunteers.

Picture: Supplied

LIBERAL

Corflute wars - it’s a sign of the times

Cameron McCullough cameron@mpnews.com.au

NOTHING says election time as much as conflicts between the opposing teams over signage.

Last federal election the issue rose to prominence with the defacing of Zoe McKenzie’s campaign signage (and vehicle) with vile, misogynistic graffiti.

The vandalism garnered national coverage for its “nasty and personal” nature, and a level of confusion due to McKenzie being a relative unknown at the time.

McKenzie’s only substantial work on the peninsula had been with the Committee for Mornington Peninsula, and work as a member of “Save Our Spidercrabs”, campaigning for an exclusion zone around piers to prevent fishing for spider crabs between May to July.

Eventually a security camera caught the culprit in the act, and the search was on for the woman responsible (Woman sought over election ‘vandalism’, The News 31/5/22).

Fast forward to election 2025, and signs for different candidates are spread across the peninsula.

It hasn’t taken long for signage to again become a hot issue among the competing teams and their supporters.

McKenzie was also on social media last Tuesday (8 April) pointing out

all the “illegally placed” Smith signs, and urging residents to report them to council.

“My office has been inundated today with people ringing up to complain about the illegal Teal signs that have gone up all over the Southern Mornington Peninsula.

“Can I recommend if you see one that is not connected to a fence you do the only thing you can do which is to ‘Snap, Send Solve”, and send it into council.

“There are rules about what you’re meant to do. They’re only meant to be on fences, and only with the permission of the owner.

“So send it into to council and they’ll do their best to make sure all candidates abide by the rules.”

Last Thursday (10 April) Smith was on social media telling peninsula residents that they had over 20 signs stolen that night alone and placed at other properties or illegally.

“So if you’ve got a sign on your property that you didn’t ask for please... let us know your address and we’ll come and remove it.

“We don’t play these games. We don’t have time for it!”

Speaking to The News, a member of Smith’s campaign team, Lucy Keller, said they had a dedicated team of volunteers who only placed signs where they had been explicitly authorised.

The campaign confirmed that dozens of signs — along with car

magnets — had been stolen throughout the campaign, with incidents increasing in recent weeks.

“There has been a lot of theft. Our signs have been turning up all over the place — in spots we never put them.”

Keller added that vandalism and graffiti had also escalated, but the campaign had been overwhelmingly positive, despite the attacks.

By Thursday (10 April) McKenzie had hit social media condemning the destruction of Smith’s signs.

“It was not acceptable last time when it was targeted at me, it is certainly not acceptable this time targeted at Ben,” said McKenzie.

“If there is somebody doing this who supports my campaign, stop it. If there’s somebody doing this who does not support my campaign, stop it.

“This behaviour is criminal and I condemn it. This is not who we are in Flinders.”

ZOE McKenzie’s signs were vandalised by an unknown woman in 2022.

Final field for Dunkley declared

Brodie Cowburn brodie@mpnews.com.au

EIGHT candidates have put their hands up to contest Dunkley at the 3 May federal election.

Candidates were declared by the Australian Electoral Commission on 11 April. Using blindfolds and a bingo machine, the order in which the candidates will appear on the ballot was decided.

Liberal candidate Nathan Conroy, a three-time Frankston mayor, drew the top spot on the ballot. Incumbent Labor MP Jodie Belyea was drawn

seventh.

The candidates as they appear on the ballot paper are:

n Nathan Conroy (Liberal)

n Robert Thurley (Independent)

n Jessica Davis (One Nation)

n Peter Nicholes (Family First)

n Matt Maber (Greens)

n Andrew Gatley (FUSION)

n Jodie Belyea (Labor)

n Lisa Abbott (Legalise Cannabis)

Belyea and Conroy are the only two candidates returning from the March 2024 by-election. Labor won the by-election by a slim 2.7 percent margin.

In the latter half of 2024, a redistri-

bution slightly changed the Dunkley boundary. The boundary separating Dunkley and Flinders now sits across the Nepean Highway and Canadian Bay Road. At the northern boundary, Patterson Lakes, Carrum, Bonbeach, and parts of Chelsea and Chelsea Heights have transferred from Isaacs to Dunkley.

Early voting is expected to start on 22 April prior to the election date on 3 May. To find a location to vote visit aec.gov.au/Voting/ways_to_vote/

Picture: Supplied

A VANDALISED Ben Smith sign and, above, security footage of a Smith sign being vandalised. Pictures: Supplied

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The Guide

TOP PICKS OF THE WEEK

SUNDAY

BLUEY’S BIG PLAY

ABC FAMILY, 7.30pm

SATURDAY MOVIE: MADE IN DAGENHAM

ABC TV, 7.30pm, M (2010)

Underpaid mother of two and Ford factory worker Rita (Sally Hawkins, pictured) finds herself leading a women’s rights movement and a push for an “Equal Pay for Equal Work” bill after she asks for a pay rise. Hawkins perfectly portrays the angst that drives Rita to develop from pre-feminist to mouthpiece of female workers around England. Director Nigel Cole peppers the politics with a healthy dose of dry humour. It’s an eye-opening history lesson.

When it comes to Bluey, one thing’s certain: kids and grown-ups alike cannot get enough. While we have to wait for new animated escapades (a feature film is in the works), this theatrical production brings the magic of Bluey to the stage –“for real life”, as Bingo would put it. Featuring human-sized puppets and the voices we all know and love, Bluey’s Big Play sees dad Bandit (Dave McCormack) desperate for a bit of time out on his phone.

Thursday, April 17

ABC TV (2)

SBS (3)

THURSDAY

THE SECRET DNA OF US SBS, 7.30pm

For many, DNA testing is an exciting novelty that can reveal hidden origins. But for some, it’s a surprising window into secrets kept from them for decades or more – tales of affairs, adoptions and long-lost relatives. In this world-first series, Marc Fennell, Rae Johnston (pictured) and ancestry expert Brad Argent offer mass DNA testing to residents of four Australian towns, unveiling wild hidden pasts, unexpected ethnicities and extraordinary family mysteries. Starting in Bairnsdale, Victoria, the trio unlock history –one chapter at a time.

SEVEN (7)

NINE (9) 6.00 News. 9.00 ABC News Mornings. 10.00 Foreign Correspondent. (R) 10.30 Back Roads. (R) 11.00 Restoration Australia. (R) 12.00 ABC News At Noon. 1.00 Sherwood. (Mdlv, R) 2.00 Restoration Australia. (R) 3.00 Back Roads. (R) 3.25 Grand Designs New Zealand. (R) 4.15 Long Lost Family. (PG, R) 5.00 A Bite To Eat With Alice. 5.30 Antiques Roadshow. (R)

7.00 ABC News.

7.30 7.30.

8.00 Restoration Australia: Orange Edwardian. (PG) A couple restore an Edwardian fixer-upper.

9.00 Grand Designs Australia: Fish Creek. (R) Hosted by Anthony Burke.

9.55 Bill Bailey’s Wild West Australia: Far South. (PG, R)

10.45 ABC Late News.

11.00 The Business. (R)

11.15 Darby And Joan. (Mad, R) 12.00 Grand Designs New Zealand. (R) 12.50 Long Lost Family. (PG, R) 1.35 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv) 3.15 Parkinson In Australia. (PG, R) 4.30 Gardening Australia. (R) 5.30 7.30. (R)

MONDAY

CLAIRE HOOPER’S

HOUSE OF GAMES

ABC TV, 6.30pm

A breath of fresh air in a timeslot that’s traditionally the territory of news bulletins and current affairs, this nightly comedic quiz doesn’t take itself too seriously. With a fondue set on the line for the winner, how could it? Hosted by cheerful comedian Claire Hooper (pictured seated, left) this hilarious family-friendly distraction is a whole lot of fun as four celebrity players battle it out over four episodes each week, competing in tough trivia puzzles, rhyming riddles and baffling brainteasers designed to test their mettle. Let the games begin!

6.00 WorldWatch. 9.00 Destination Flavour. (R) 9.10 Curious Traveller. (R) 10.10 Matched. (PG, R) 11.00 Food Markets. (R) 12.00 WorldWatch. 1.55 Alone Australia. (M, R) 3.00 Going Places. (R) 3.30 Destination Flavour. (R) 3.40 Plat Du Tour. (R) 3.45 The Cook Up. (R) 4.15 Mystery Of Blackbeard’s Lost Treasure. (PGav, R) 5.05 Jeopardy! 5.30 Letters And Numbers. (R) 6.00 Sunrise. 9.00 The Morning Show. (PG) 12.00 Seven’s National News At Noon. 1.00 MOVIE: Murder, She Baked: A Chocolate Chip Cookie Mystery. (2015, PGav, R) 3.00 The Chase. (R) 4.00 Seven News At 4. 5.00 The Chase Australia. 6.00 Today. 9.00 Today Extra. (PG) 11.30 9News Morning. 12.00 The Hundred With Andy Lee. (PGs,

6.00 Mastermind Australia. 6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 The Secret DNA Of Us: Bairnsdale. (Premiere, PG) 8.35 Sydney’s Super Tunnel: Testing Times. (PG) Thirty kilometres of tunnelling is finished. 9.35 Virdee. (MA15+) Harry relives a trauma from his past.

10.45 SBS World News Late. 11.15 Breaking Point. (MA15+a) 12.05 Blinded. (MA15+ds, R) 1.50 Desperate Measures. (Malv, R) 3.30 Could Hitler Have Been Stopped? (PGa, R) 4.20 Bamay. (R) 4.50 Destination Flavour Down Under Bitesize. (R)

5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

6.00 Seven News.

7.00 Football. AFL. Round 6. Brisbane Lions v Collingwood.

10.30 AFL Post-Game Show. Post-game discussion and interviews taking a look back at all the action from the game.

11.00 Kick Ons. A preview of the upcoming AFL matches.

11.30 The Chernobyl Disaster: Fallout. (Ma, R) Looks at the containment of Reactor 4.

12.30 Emergency Call. (Ma, R)

1.30 Travel Oz. (PG, R)

2.00 Home Shopping.

4.00 NBC Today.

5.00 Sunrise Early News. 5.30 Sunrise.

6.00 9News.

7.00 A Current Affair.

7.30 RBT. (Mdl, R) Follows the activities of police units.

8.30 Emergency. (Malm, R) Doctors Jonathan Papson and Emma West worry a mechanic might lose his crushed arm.

9.30 A+E After Dark. (Mlm, R) A man is beaten with a baseball bat.

10.30 My Feet Are Killing Me. (Mam)

11.20 9News Late.

11.50 Tipping Point. (PG, R)

12.40 Pointless. (PG, 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) 4.30 A Current Affair. (R) 5.00 Today Early News. 5.30 Today.

TEN (10)

6.00 Deal Or No Deal. Hosted by Grant Denyer.

Rae Johnston co-presents The Secret DNA Of Us

Friday, April 18

ABC (2)

6.00 Gardening Aust. (R) 7.00 News. 9.30 Cook And The Chef. (R) 10.00 Planet America. (R) 10.30 The Pacific. (R) 11.00 ANZAC Battlefields. (PG) 12.00 News. 12.30 Cook And The Chef. (R) 1.00 Unforgotten. (Mal, R) 2.00 Restoration Australia. (R) 3.00 Back Roads. (R) 3.30 Grand Designs NZ. (R) 4.15 Long Lost Family. (PG, R) 5.00 A Bite To Eat. 5.30 Antiques Roadshow. (R)

6.30 Hard Quiz. (PG, R)

7.00 ABC News.

7.30 Gardening Australia. Millie Ross makes a holiday herb basket.

8.30 Sherwood. (Malv) The Sparrows are forced to join the Bransons on their revenge mission, and must act quickly.

9.30 The Weekly With Charlie Pickering. (PG, R) A satirical news program.

10.00 Fresh Blood: Westerners. (Mlv, R) A painter explores the world of arts panels.

10.30 Father Brown. (PGav, R)

11.20 Mayfair Witches. (MA15+a, R)

12.10 Rage New Music. (MA15+adhlnsv)

5.00 Rage. (PG)

6am Morning Programs.

SBS (3) SEVEN (7) TEN (10) NINE (9)

6.00 Morning Programs. 9.05 Curious Traveller. (R) 10.05 Matched. (PG, R) 11.00 Food Markets. (PGaw, R) 12.00 WorldWatch. 2.00 Destination Flavour. (R) 2.10 The Holy Grail Mystery. (Ma, R) 2.55 The Point. (R) 3.00 Nula. 3.30 Bitesize. (R) 3.40 Plat Du Tour. (R) 3.45 The Cook Up. (R) 4.15 Mystery Of The Loch Ness Monster. (PG, R) 5.05 Jeopardy! 5.30 Letters And Numbers. (R) 6.00 Sunrise. 10.00 Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal. (PG) 12.00

6.00 Mastermind Australia.

6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 William And Harry: The Unseen Photos. (Premiere, M) Looks at the lives of princes Harry and William. 9.15 Scotland’s Scenic Railways: Strathspey Steam Railway. (R) A look at Highland Mainline railway.

10.10 SBS World News Late.

10.40 A Body That Works. (Ml)

11.40 Romulus. (Masv, R)

1.40 Agent Hamilton. (MA15+v, R) 3.20 Could Hitler Have Been Stopped? (PGav, R)

4.15 Bamay. (PG, R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal. (PG) Coverage of the annual Good Friday Appeal to help raise funds for The Royal Children’s Hospital. 11.30 GetOn Extra. Lizzie Jelfs, Matt Hill, Simon Marshall and Brent Zerafa dive headlong into the weekend’s best racing.

12.00 The Black Donnellys. (Mdsv)

1.00 Travel Oz. (PG, R)

2.00 Home Shopping. (R)

4.00 Million Dollar Minute. (R) 5.00 NBC Today.

6.00 9News. 7.00 A Current Affair.

7.30 Rugby League. NRL. Round 7. Dolphins v Melbourne Storm. From Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane. 9.55 Golden Point. A wrap-up of the Dolphins versus Melbourne Storm match, with NRL news and analysis.

10.45 MOVIE: John Wick. (2014, MA15+lv, R) An ex-hit man comes out of retirement. Keanu Reeves, Willem Dafoe.

12.40 Tipping Point. (PG, R)

1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)

4.00 Skippy The Bush Kangaroo. (R)

4.30 Global Shop. (R)

5.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 5.30 Postcards. (PG, R)

9GEM (92)

6am Morning Programs. 8.00 Million Dollar Minute. 9.00 Jabba’s Movies School Holiday Special. 9.30 NBC Today. Noon Better Homes. 1.00 Escape To The Country. 2.00 The Great Australian Doorstep. 2.30 Weekender. 3.00 Australia’s Best Backyards. 3.30 Harry’s Practice. 4.00 Better Homes. 5.00 Escape To The Country. 6.00 Bargain Hunt. 7.00 Better Homes. 8.30 Escape To The Country. 11.30 Late Programs. 6am Morning Programs. 8.00 TV Shop. 10.30 My Favorite Martian. 11.00 How We Celebrate. (Premiere) Noon MOVIE: Crossplot. (1969, PG) 2.00 French And Saunders: Easter Special. 3.00 Rugby League. NRL. Round 7. Canterbury Bulldogs v South Sydney Rabbitohs. 6.00 Yorkshire Auction House. 7.00 Antiques Roadshow. 7.30 West Coast Cops. 8.30 MOVIE: Noah. (2014, M) 11.10 Late Programs.

6.00 Deal Or No Deal. (R) Hosted by Grant Denyer. 6.30 The Project. The hosts and guest panellists take a look at the day’s news, events and hot topics. 7.30 Airborne: Nature In Our Skies: Love In The Air. (PGa) Takes a look at how rivals fight for love, from amorous acrobatics to seduction by scent. 8.40 The Graham Norton Show. (Ml, R) Celebrity guests include Zoë Saldaña, Selena Gomez, Miranda Hart and Ncuti Gatwa. 11.00 The Project. (R) A look at the day’s news. 12.00 The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. (PG) 1.00 Home Shopping. (R) 6am Morning Programs. 1.30pm Hypothetical. 2.25 Video Killed The Radio Star. 2.55 Over The Black Dot. 3.30 BBC News At Ten. 4.00 ABC World News Tonight. 4.30 PBS News. 5.30 Is The Cloud Damaging The Planet? 6.05 If You Are The One. 7.05 Jeopardy! 7.35 8 Out Of 10 Cats. 8.30 Woodstock. 10.20 Adam Looking For Eve. 11.15 Pose. 2.15am NHK World English News. 5.00 Al Jazeera. SBS VICELAND (31) 6am Children’s Programs. 3.55pm Andy’s Prehistoric Adv. 4.25 Builder Brothers Dream Factory. 5.20 Kangaroo Beach. 5.50 Paddington. 6.45 Ben And Holly. 7.05 Gardening Australia Junior. 7.35 Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures. 8.00 Be Cool, Scooby-Doo! 8.25 MythBusters “There’s Your Problem!”. 8.50 Robot Wars. 9.50 Harry Potter: Hogwarts Tournament Of Houses. 10.35 Late Programs. ABC FAMILY (22) 6am Morning Programs. 8.20 Arthur And The Revenge Of Maltazard. (2009, PG) 10.10 Dating The Enemy. (1996, M) 12.10pm 6 Days. (2017, M) 2.00 Sun Children. (2020, PG, Farsi) 3.50 RBG. (2018, PG) 5.40 Whisky Galore. (2016, PG) 7.30 Thirteen Days. (2000, M) 10.10 The Girl Who Kicked The Hornet’s Nest. (2009, MA15+, Swedish) 12.50am Late Programs.

7.50 Bushwhacked! 8.15 Motown Magic. 8.40 Spartakus. 10.00 Great Parks Of Africa. 11.00 Going Places. Noon MOVIE: Enter The Dragon. (1973) 2.00 Tradition On A Plate. 2.30 The Cook Up. 3.00 Jarjums. 5.00 Harlem Globetrotters. 5.30 Nula. 6.00 Bamay. 6.40 Great Parks Of Africa. 7.30 MOVIE: Selkie. (2000, PG) 9.15 MOVIE: Bad Behaviour. (2023, MA15+) 11.05 Late Programs. NITV (34)

Saturday, April 19

ABC TV (2)

6.00 Rage Charts. (PG) 7.00 Wknd Brekky. 9.00 Rage. (PG) 12.00 News. 12.30 Death In Paradise. (Final, Mv, R) 1.30 Darby And Joan. (Mad, R) 2.15 Extraordinary Escapes. (PG, R) 3.00 Megafauna: What Killed Australia’s Giants? (PG, R) 3.50 A Life In Ten Pictures. (PGa, R) 4.45 Creative Types With Virginia Trioli. (Ml, R) 5.10 Landline. (R) 5.40 Australian Story. (R)

6.10 Father Brown. (PGav) Father Brown investigates murder at a food fayre.

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

7.30 MOVIE: Made In Dagenham. (2010, Ml, R) Female workers at a car plant walk out in protest against sexual discrimination and pay inequality. Sally Hawkins, Bob Hoskins.

9.20 Midsomer Murders. (Mv, R) The body of a wealthy landowner goes missing on the night of his death, exposing a web of secrets.

10.50 Unforgotten. (Mal, R) Mel and Asif are taken into custody.

11.40 Boat Story. (MA15+v, R)

12.40 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv)

ABC FAMILY (22)

6am Children’s Programs. 4.20pm Odd Squad. 4.45 Gardening Australia Junior. 5.10 Kiya And The Kimoja Heroes. 5.50 Paddington. 6.45 Ben And Holly. 7.05 Rocket Club. 7.30 Harry Potter: Wizards Of Baking. 8.10 Harry Potter: Hogwarts Tournament Of Houses. 8.55 Fresh Off The Boat. 9.35 Speechless. 10.00 Officially Amazing. 10.25 Dragon Ball Super. 10.50 Late Programs.

SBS WORLD MOVIES (32)

SHRINE OF REMEMBRANCE

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7TWO (72) 6am Morning Programs. 10.00 Seinfeld. 11.00 Motorway Cops: Catching Britain’s Speeders. Noon MOVIE: Oddball. (2015) 2.00 The Golden Girls. 2.30 The Nanny. 3.30 Seinfeld. 4.30 The Addams Family. 5.00 Bewitched. 5.30 I Dream Of Jeannie. 6.00 The Golden Girls. 6.30 The Nanny. 7.30 MOVIE: Charlie And The Chocolate

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6.00 WorldWatch. 9.00 Incredible Homes. (R) 10.00 Hugh’s Wild West. (R) 11.00 WorldWatch. 1.00 Motor Racing. Bathurst 6 Hour. Qualifying. 3.00 Cycling. UCI World Tour. Paris-Roubaix. Women’s Race. Highlights. 4.00 Cycling. UCI World Tour. Paris-Roubaix. Men’s Race. Highlights. 5.00 Going Places. (PGa, R) 5.30 Venice: Building Beauty From A Swamp. (Premiere)

6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 The Wonders Of Europe: The Tower Of London. (PG) A historical chronicle of the Tower of London. 9.30 Stanley Tucci: Searching For Italy: Bologna. (Maw, R) Actor Stanley Tucci heads to Bologna, home to the largest number of protected food products in Italy.

10.20 Great Coastal Railway Journeys: Morpeth To Amble. (PGaw, R) Michael Portillo leaves Newcastle.

11.20 Homicide: Life On The Street. (Ma, R)

3.50 Bamay. (R) 4.50 Destination Flavour Down Under Bitesize. (R) 4.55 Poh & Co. Bitesize. (R) 5.15 France 24 Feature. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

• Summerland Farm

• Bangalow

• Piccabeen Park

• Cape Byron Lighthouse Includes: and much more!

• Aus. Turtle Rescue Centre

BEETLEJUICE - 11 JUN $159pp ANNIE - 6 AUG $155pp 7 days/6 nights - $3999 ($690 s/s)

• Clarence River Cruise

6.00 NBC Today. 7.00 Weekend Sunrise. 10.00 The Morning Show: Weekend. (PG) 12.00 Horse Racing. All Aged Stakes Day, Mornington Cup and WATC Derby Day. 5.00 Seven News At 5. 5.30 Border Security: Australia’s Front Line. (PG, R)

6.00 Seven News. 7.00 The Americas: The Frozen North. (PG) In the frozen north, wolves and polar bears vie for food, hares outsmart lynx and walrus sing on rocky shores.

8.00 MOVIE: Twister. (1996, PGalv, R) Two meteorologists on the brink of divorce are forced to work together after they are caught in a severe storm. Helen Hunt, Bill Paxton, Cary Elwes.

10.20 MOVIE: Anna. (2019, MA15+av, R)

A woman becomes a feared government assassin. Sasha Luss, Helen Mirren. 12.50 The Black Donnellys. (Mdsv, R)

2.00 Home Shopping. (R)

4.00 It’s Academic. (R)

5.00 My Greek Odyssey. (PGln, R)

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6.00 Getaway. (PG, R) 6.30 ACA. (R) 7.00 Weekend Today. 10.00 Today Extra: Saturday. (PG) 12.00 Surfing Australia TV. 12.30 Destination WA. (R) 1.00 Let’s Eat With George. (Final) 1.30 MOVIE: Getting Even With Dad. (1994, PGl, R) 3.30

6.00 9News Saturday.

7.00 A Current Affair.

7.30 Torvill & Dean: Our Last Dance. Dimity Clancey sits down with ice skating legends Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean.

8.30 MOVIE: Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory. (1971, G, R)

A poor boy wins a guided tour of a sweets factory. Gene Wilder, Peter Ostrum.

10.35 MOVIE: Yes Man. (2008, Mls, R)

12.30 How We Celebrate. (PGa, R)

1.30 Surfing Australia TV. (R)

2.00 The Incredible Journey Presents. (PG)

2.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 4.30 Global Shop. (R) 5.00 TV Shop. (R) 5.30 Helping Hands. (PG, R)

6.30 The Dog House Australia. (PGa, R) Narrated by Mark Coles Smith. 7.30 Love It Or List It Australia. A couple can’t decide whether to stay or leave.

8.30 Gogglebox Australia. (R) TV fanatics open up their living rooms to reveal their reactions to popular and topical TV shows.

9.30 Ambulance Australia. (Mdlm, R) Paramedics are called to help a 92-year-old pinned under his mobility scooter.

10.30 Elsbeth. (Mad, R) A party girl is afraid she may have committed murder. 11.30 FBI. (Mv, R) 12.30 Home Shopping. (R) 5.00 Hour Of Power. 6am Morning Programs. 1.50pm Beyond Oak Island. 3.35 BBC News At Ten. 4.05 ABC World News Tonight. 4.35 PBS News. 5.35 Over The Black Dot. 6.05 Our Law. 6.40 Engineering Tomorrow. (Final) 7.35 Impossible Engineering. 8.30 MOVIE: Silverado. (1985, M) 11.00 MOVIE: Romantic Comedy. (2019, MA15+) 12.25am PEN15. 1.35 Gun Shot Wound. 2.40 NHK World English News. 5.00 Al Jazeera. SBS VICELAND (31)

6am The Movie Show. 6.15 RBG. (2018, PG) 8.05 Ride On. (2023, PG, Mandarin) 10.25 Wild Target. (2010, M) 12.15pm Gold. (2016, M) 2.30 Rabbit-Proof Fence. (2002, PG, English, Western Desert) 4.15 Hum Do Hamare Do. (2021, PG, Hindi) 6.35 Funny Face. (1957, English, French) 8.30 Larry Crowne. (2011, M) 10.20 99 Moons. (2022, MA15+,

9GEM (92) 7TWO (72) 6am Morning Programs. 9.10 Only Fools And Horses. 9.50 David Attenborough’s Dynasties II. 11.00 Ancient Aliens. Noon MOVIE: Flight Of The Navigator. (1986) 1.55

Sunday, April 20

6.00 Rage. (PG) 7.00 Weekend Breakfast. 9.00 Insiders. 10.30 The World This Week. (R) 11.00 Compass. (PG, R) 11.30 Songs Of Praise. (PG) 12.00 ABC News At Noon. 12.30 Landline. 1.30 Gardening Australia. (R) 2.30 The Pope’s Easter Vigil. (R) 5.00 Restoration Australia: Orange Edwardian. (PG, R)

6.00 Back Roads: Musical Road Trip Through Western Queensland. (R) 6.30 To Be Advised.

7.00 ABC News.

7.30 Darby And Joan. (Final, PGad) Jack and Joan race to clear his name. 8.15 Unforgotten. (Final, Ml) Jess and Sunny get the truth.

9.05 Boat Story. (Final, MA15+v) The final face off with The Tailor ensues. 10.05 MOVIE: Ten Canoes. (2006, Mnv, R) Crusoe Kurddal.

11.35 You Can’t Ask That. (Mls, R)

12.05 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv) 3.05 Ask The Doctor. (R) 3.35 Outback Ringer. (PG, R) 4.05 Gardening Australia. (R) 5.05 Easter In Australia. (PG, R)

ABC FAMILY (22)

6.00 DW English News. 6.30 Al Jazeera. 7.00 APAC Weekly. 7.30 France 24 English News. 8.00 DD India News Hour. 9.00 Incredible Homes. (PGal, R) 10.00 Lap Of Luxury: Escapes Down Under. (R) 10.30 PBS Washington Week With The Atlantic. 10.55 Ascot Kayaking. (PG, R) 11.00 Motor Racing. Bathurst 6 Hour. Race. 5.30 Rediscovering Venice. (PGa)

6.30 SBS World News. 7.30 Ancient Empires. (Mav) Looks at the story of Cleopatra. 9.05 Secret Lebanon: The Treasures Of Byblos. (PG) Looks at Byblos, an ancient city of Lebanon. 10.10 Mayhem: Secret Lives Of Georgian Kings: George III Mad Or Misunderstood? (Ma, R) 11.05 Rebel With A Cause: Oodgeroo Noonuccal. (Ma, R)

12.05 48 Hours To Victory. (PG, R)

2.55 Britain’s Great Outdoors. (PG, R) 3.50 Bamay. (R) 4.55 Poh & Co. Bitesize. (R) 5.00

NHK World English News Morning. 5.15 France 24 Feature. 5.30 Al Jazeera News.

SBS VICELAND (31) 6am Children’s Programs. 2.05pm Paddington. 2.45 Fizzy And Suds. 3.00 Play School. 3.30 The Monster At The End Of This Story. 4.05 Grace’s Amazing Machines. 4.20 Odd Squad. 4.45 Gardening Australia Junior. 5.50 Paddington. 6.45 Ben And Holly. 7.05 Rocket Club. 7.30 Bluey’s Big Play. 8.20 Harry Potter: Wizards Of Baking. 9.40 Fresh Off The Boat. 10.25 Abbott Elementary. 10.45 Late Programs.

NITV (34)

6am Morning Programs. 11.00 Pro Bull Riding Australia. Noon Sisters In League. 1.00 Around The 44. 2.00 Who We Are: Brave New Clan. 2.55 MOVIE: Coextinction. (2021, PG) 4.35 Roberta Flack. 6.05 Queer & Here. 6.45 Waterworld Africa. 7.35 The Frontier. 8.30 Black Gold. 10.10 MOVIE: The Pursuit Of Happyness. (2006, M) 12.10am Late Programs.

6.00 NBC Today.

6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Football. AFL. Round 6. Western Bulldogs v St Kilda. From Marvel Stadium, Melbourne. 10.30 AFL Post-Game Show. Post-game discussion and interviews taking a look back at all the action from the game.

11.00 MOVIE: Midnight Run. (1988, Mlv, R) A tough bounty hunter transports a thieving accountant from New York to Los Angeles. Robert De Niro, Charles Grodin. 2.00 Home Shopping. (R)

3.30 Million Dollar Minute. (R) 4.00 NBC Today. 5.00 Sunrise Early News. 5.30 Sunrise.

6.00 9News Sunday.

7.00 60 Minutes. Current affairs program.

8.00 RBT. (Ml) Police pull over a construction worker.

8.30 The People V Michael Jackson. (MA15+a) Takes a continued look at the 2005 People versus Michael Jackson criminal trial from the jurors’ point of view.

10.30 Footy Furnace. (Mlv)

11.30 9News Late.

12.00 The First 48. (Ma)

12.50 Destination WA.

1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)

4.00 Believer’s Voice Of Victory. (PGa) 4.30

Drive TV: Drive Car Of The Year. (PG, R) 5.00 Today Early News. 5.30 Today.

6.00 The Sunday Project. Joins panellists for a look at the day’s news, events and hot topics.

7.00 Matlock. Billy tries to help Sarah when her client is arrested after his business partner is found murdered. Matty and Olympia contend with a pressing confidential matter. 9.00 FBI. (Mv) The team discovers there may be more to a story than just a feud when a famous rapper and two teen fans are gunned down on a tour bus. 11.00 The Sunday Project. (R) Joins panellists for a look at the day’s news, events and hot topics. 12.00 Home Shopping. (R) 4.30 CBS Mornings. 6am Morning Programs. 2.45pm Jeopardy! 4.50 ABC World News Tonight. 5.20 PBS Washington Week. 5.45 The Day The Rock Star Died. 6.15 Abandoned Engineering. 8.10 The UnXplained. 9.00 Cycling. UCI World Tour. Amstel Gold Women’s Race. 10.35 Cycling. UCI World Tour. Amstel Gold Men’s Race. 1.20am Letterkenny. 2.15 NHK World English News. 5.00 Al Jazeera.

SBS WORLD MOVIES (32)

6am Hum

Do Hamare Do. Continued. (2021, PG, Hindi) 8.10 Whisky Galore. (2016, PG) 10.00 Thirteen Days. (2000, M) 12.40pm To Chiara. (2021, M, Italian) 2.55 Lara. (2019, PG, German) 4.45 Rabbit-Proof Fence. (2002, PG, English, Western Desert) 6.30 To Catch A Thief. (1955, PG) 8.30 Truth. (2015) 10.50 The Hummingbird. (2022, M, French, Italian) 1.15am Late Programs.

Monday, April 21

TV (2)

6.00 News. 9.00 News. 10.00 Unforgotten. (Final, Ml, R) 10.50 The Assembly. (PG, R) 11.30 Creative Types With Virginia Trioli. (Ml, R) 12.00 ABC News At Noon. 1.00 Landline. (R) 2.00 Restoration Australia. (R) 2.55 Back Roads. (Final, R) 3.25 Grand Designs New Zealand. (R) 4.15 Long Lost Family. (PG, R) 5.00 A Bite To Eat With Alice. 5.30 Antiques Roadshow. (R)

6.30 Claire Hooper’s House Of Games. (Premiere) 6.55 Federal Election Announcement. (R) 7.00 ABC News. 7.30 7.30.

8.00 Australian Story. 8.30 Four Corners. Investigative journalism program. 9.15

Grand Designs New Zealand. (R) 12.30 Long Lost Family. (PG, R) 1.20 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv) 3.10 Parkinson In Australia. (PG, R) 4.30 Gardening Aust. (R) 5.30 7.30. (R)

(3)

6.00 WorldWatch. 9.00 Destination Flavour. (R) 9.20 Curious Traveller. (PG, R) 10.20 Matched. (PG, R) 11.10 Scandinavia. (Premiere) 12.10 WorldWatch. 2.00 The Body On Somerton Beach. (Ma, R) 2.45 Travel Shooters. (PGa) 3.20 Going Places. (R) 3.50 The Cook Up. (R) 4.20 Mystery Of The Puzzling Pyramids Egypt. (PGa, R) 5.05 Jeopardy! 5.30 Letters And Numbers. (R)

6.00 Mastermind Australia. 6.30 SBS World News.

7.35 Milan With Michael Portillo. (PGa) Michael Portillo comes face-to-face with a lion.

8.25 Big Fat Quiz Of Everything. (Mls) Guests include Harry Hill, David Mitchell, Roisin Conaty, Sophie Willan, Josh Pugh and Fatiha El-Ghorri.

10.05 Rock Legends: Queen. (PG, R)

10.30 SBS World News Late.

11.00 Classified. (Premiere, MA15+v) 11.50 Infiniti. (MA15+av, R) 1.55 Son Of. (MA15+av, R) 3.35 Paul O’Grady’s Little Heroes. (PGa, R) 4.35 Bamay. (R) 5.00

NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

SBS VICELAND (31) 6am Children’s Programs. 8.00 Bluey’s Big Play. 8.50 Children’s Programs. 4.25pm Builder Brothers Dream Factory. 5.20 Kangaroo Beach. 5.50 Paddington. 6.45 Ben And Holly. 7.05 Dino Dex. 7.35 Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures. 7.50 The Inbestigators. 8.05 Operation Ouch! 8.35 The Crystal Maze. 9.20 MythBusters “There’s Your Problem!”. 9.45 Merlin. 10.30 Officially Amazing. 11.00 Late Programs. ABC FAMILY (22) 6am Morning Programs. 8.50 Funny Face. (1957, English, French) 10.45 Joyride. (2022, M) 12.35pm Larry Crowne. (2011, M) 2.25

6am Morning Programs. 8.00 David Jeremiah. 8.30 Shopping. 9.00 Cities Of The Underworld. 10.00 The Great Australian Doorstep. 10.30 Australia’s Best Backyards. 11.00 Escape To The Country. 1pm The Surgery Ship. 2.00 South Aussie With Cosi. 2.30 Cities Of The Underworld. 3.30 Better Homes. 4.30 Escape To The Country. 7.30 Rosemary & Thyme. 8.30 Vera. 10.30 Great Rail Restorations. 11.30 Late Programs. 6am Morning Programs. 8.00 Beyond Today. 8.30 The Incredible Journey. 9.00 Turning Point. 9.30 TV Shop. 10.00 My Favorite Martian. 10.30 Getaway. 11.00 NRL Sunday Footy Show. 1pm MOVIE: Foreign Intrigue. (1956, PG) 3.00 Rugby League. NRL. Round 7. Newcastle Knights v Cronulla Sharks. 6.00 Dad’s Army. 6.30 M*A*S*H. 8.30 MOVIE: Gran Torino. (2008, M) 10.55 Late Programs. 9GEM (92)

7TWO (72) 6am Children’s Programs. 8.00 Allo! Allo! 9.10 Only Fools And Horses. 9.50 David Attenborough’s Dynasties II. 11.00 Ancient Aliens. 12.10pm MOVIE: Red Dog. (2011, PG) 2.05 IndyCar Series. Grand Prix of Long Beach. H’lights. 3.15 Hunting Hitler. 4.15 Jeopardy! UK. 5.15 Young Sheldon. 5.45 MOVIE: Show Dogs. (2018, PG) 7.30 MOVIE: Speed. (1994, M) 9.50 MOVIE: Species II. (1998, MA15+)

6.00 Sunrise. 10.00 The Morning Show. (PG) The latest news and views. 11.30 Athletics. Stawell Gift. Easter Monday session. From Central Park, Stawell, Victoria. 2.30 AFL Pre-Game Show. Pre-game coverage of the match. 3.00 Football. AFL. Round 6. Geelong v Hawthorn. From the MCG.

6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Home And Away. (PGav) Justin fears the worst.

7.30 Farmer Wants A Wife. (Return, PGal) Hosted by Natalie Gruzlewski.

9.15 9-1-1: Lone Star. (Ma)

TK gets a huge surprise on his 30th birthday. Tommy is determined to push through her latest crisis.

10.15 The Agenda Setters. (R) An expert panel tackles the biggest AFL topics. 11.15 Suits L.A. (M) 12.15 Treadstone. (MA15+av) 1.15 Travel Oz. (PG, R) 2.00 Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 NBC Today. 5.00 Sunrise Early News. 5.30 Sunrise.

6.00 Today. 9.00 Today Extra. (PG) 11.30 9News Morning. 12.00 MOVIE: Paris Can Wait. (2016, PGal, R) Diane Lane. 2.00 Pointless. (PG) 3.00 Tipping Point. (PG, R) 4.00 9News Afternoon. 5.00 Tipping Point Australia. (PG)

6.00 9News.

7.00 A Current Affair.

7.30 Travel Guides. (Return, PGl) Ordinary Australians become travel critics.

9.00 Footy Classified. (Ml) Footy experts tackle the AFL’s big issues.

6.00 Deal Or No Deal. Hosted by Grant Denyer. 6.30 The Project. A look at the day’s news. 7.30 Gogglebox Australia. (R) Opinionated viewers discuss TV shows. 8.40 Sam Pang Tonight. (Mals) A weekly tonight show hosted by Sam Pang, featuring a monologue roasting the news of the week. 9.40 Taskmaster Australia. (Mals, R) Hosted by Tom Gleeson. 10.40 10’s Late News. 11.05 The Project. (R) 12.05 The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. (PG) 1.00 Home Shopping. (R) 4.30 CBS Mornings. 6am Morning Programs. 2.35pm Wine Lovers’ Guide. 3.05 WorldWatch. 5.20 Alone: Frozen. 6.10 Mysteries From Above. 7.05 Jeopardy! 7.35 8 Out Of 10 Cats. 8.30 UFOs: Investigating The Unknown. 9.25 Music Videos That Shaped The 80s. 10.30 Alone Australia. 11.40 Fuzoku: The World Of Sex Entertainment In Japan. 12.45am Threesome. 1.45 QAnon: The Search For Q. 2.40 Late Programs.

10.00 9News Late.

10.30 The Prison Confessions Of Gypsy-Rose Blanchard. (MA15+av)

11.20 Police After Dark. (Mlv, R)

12.10 Tipping Point. (PG, R) 1.05 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 Today Early News. 5.30 Today.

Tuesday, April 22

ABC (2) SBS (3) SEVEN (7) TEN (10) NINE (9) 6.00 News. 9.00 News. 10.00 Aust Story. (R) 10.30 TBA. (R) 11.00 The Weekly With Charlie Pickering. (PG, R) 11.30 Space 22. (PG, R) 12.00 ABC News At Noon. 1.00 Call The Midwife. (PG, R) 2.00 Restoration Australia. (R) 3.00 Claire Hooper’s House Of Games. (R) 3.30 Grand Designs New Zealand. (R) 4.15 Long Lost Family. (PG, R) 5.00 A Bite To Eat With Alice. 5.30 Antiques Roadshow. (R)

Claire Hooper’s House Of Games. 6.55 Federal Election Announcement. (R) 7.00 ABC News. 7.30 7.30. 8.00 Foreign Correspondent.

8.30 Creative Types With Virginia Trioli: Jenny Kee. (PGl) 9.00 Swingers: How To Win An Election.

9.30 The Assembly. (PG, R)

10.15 The ABC Of... (Ml, R) 10.45 ABC Late News. 11.00 The Business. (R) 11.15 Four Corners. (R) 12.00 Media Watch. (PG, R) 12.20 Grand Designs NZ. (R) 1.05 Long Lost Family. (PG, R) 1.50 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv) 3.45 Parkinson In Australia. (Mas, R) 4.30 Gardening Australia. (R) 5.30 7.30. (R)

6.00 WorldWatch. 9.00 Cook Up Bitesize. (R) 9.05 Travel Quest. (PG, R) 10.05 Matched. (PG, R) 11.00 Scandinavia. 12.00 BBC News At Ten. 12.30 ABC World News Tonight. 1.00 PBS News. 2.00 Egypt Code Breakers. (R) 3.00 Pita With Vegemite. (PGa) 3.35 Plat Du Tour. (R) 3.40 The Cook Up. (R) 4.10 The World’s Most Beautiful Landscapes. (R) 5.05 Jeopardy! 5.30 Letters And Numbers. (R) 6.00 Sunrise. 9.00 The Morning Show. (PG) 12.00 Seven’s

6.00 Mastermind Australia. 6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 Great Coastal Railway Journeys: Dun Laoghaire To Rosslare. (R) Hosted by Michael Portillo.

8.30 Insight. Kumi Taguchi explores the daily realities and impacts of living with invisible and chronic illnesses. 9.30 Dateline. Looks at El Salvador. 10.00 SBS World News Late.

10.30 Living Black. (R)

11.00 The Point. (R) 12.00 Guillaume’s Paris. (PG, R) 12.30 Unbroken. (Malv, R) 2.10 Faking Hitler. (Mns, R) 4.00 Paul O’Grady’s Little Heroes. (PG, R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Home And Away. (PGav) A life is on the line.

7.30 Farmer Wants A Wife. (PGal) Hosted by Natalie Gruzlewski.

9.05 Doc. (Premiere, Ma) When Chief of Internal Medicine Dr Amy Larsen suffers a catastrophic brain injury, her life is turned upside down.

10.05 The Agenda Setters. (R) An expert panel tackles the biggest AFL topics.

11.05 The Irrational. (Mav) 12.05 The Act. (MA15+ans, R)

1.15 Travel Oz. (PG, R)

2.00 Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 NBC Today. 5.00 Sunrise Early News. 5.30 Sunrise.

6.00 9News.

7.00 A Current Affair.

7.30 Tipping Point: Travel Guides. (Premiere) Hosted by Todd Woodbridge. 9.00 Footy Classified. (Ml) A team of footy experts tackles the AFL’s big issues and controversies.

10.00 9News Late.

10.30 Australian Crime Stories: Killing Florence. (Mav, R) 11.40 The Equalizer. (MA15+v, R)

12.30 Tipping Point. (PG, R)

1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)

2.30 Building Ideas. (PG) 3.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 Believer’s Voice Of Victory. (PGa) 4.30 A Current Affair. (R) 5.00 Today Early News. 5.30 Today.

6.00 Deal Or No Deal. Hosted by Grant Denyer. 6.30 The Project. A look at the day’s news. 7.30 The Dog House Australia. (PGa) Glen and Cheri long for love. An 81-year-old searches for a companion. Louise wants to rescue a dog no one wants. 8.40 NCIS.

10.30 10’s Late News. Coverage of news, sport and weather. 10.55 The Project. (R) A look at the day’s news. 12.00 The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. (PG) 1.00 Home Shopping. (R) 4.30 CBS Mornings. 6am Morning Programs. 2.15pm The Artist’s View: Van Halen. 2.45 Bamay. 3.20 BBC News At Ten. 3.50 ABC World News Tonight. 4.20 PBS News. 5.20 Alone: Frozen. 6.10 Mysteries From Above. 7.05 Jeopardy! 7.35 8 Out Of 10 Cats. 8.30 Guy Martin: Top Gun. 9.50 Aircraft Crash Experts. 10.50 Taskmaster. 12.40am Shoresy. 2.05 NHK World English News. 5.00 Al Jazeera. SBS VICELAND (31) 6am Children’s Programs. 2.05pm Paddington. 2.45 Fizzy And Suds. 3.00 Play School. 3.40 Mecha Builders. 3.55 Andy’s Safari Adventures. 4.25 Builder Brothers Dream Factory. 5.20 Kangaroo Beach. 5.50 Paddington. 6.45 Ben And Holly. 7.05 Dino Dex. 7.35 Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures. 7.50 The Inbestigators. 8.05 Operation Ouch! 8.40 Deadly 60. 9.10 Ice Age. 9.55 Merlin. 10.40 Late Programs. ABC FAMILY (22)

SBS WORLD MOVIES (32) 6am Morning Programs. 12.30pm Out Of The Ashes. 1.30 Learning On Country. 2.00 Tradition On A Plate. 2.30 The Cook Up. 3.00 Jarjums. 5.00 Harlem Globetrotters. 5.30 Indian Country Today News. 6.00 Bamay. 6.40 Great Parks Of Africa. 7.30 The Point. (Return) 8.30 Unleash The Beast. 9.30 Over The Black Dot. 10.00 Hunting Aotearoa. 10.30 MOVIE: Whina. (2022, PG) 12.25am Late Programs. NITV (34)

6am All

Quiet On The Western Front. Continued. (1979, PG) 8.00 To Catch A Thief. (1955, PG) 10.00 The Hummingbird. (2022, M, French, Italian) 12.25pm Truth. (2015) 2.45 Tourism. (2017, English, Japanese) 4.10 The Kids Are Alright. (2021, PG, Spanish) 5.50 The Scarlet And The Black. (1983, PG) 8.30 Defiance. (2008, MA15+) 11.00 Voyage Of The Damned. (1976, M) 2am Late Programs.

Wednesday, April 23

ABC TV (2) SBS (3)

6.00 News. 9.00 News. 10.00 Four Corners. (R) 10.45 Antiques Roadshow. (R) 12.00 ABC News At Noon. 12.30 National Press Club Address. 1.35 Media Watch. (PG, R) 2.00 Restoration Australia. (R) 2.55 Claire Hooper’s House Of Games. (R) 3.30 Grand Designs New Zealand. (PG, R) 4.15 Long Lost Family. (PG, R) 5.00 A Bite To Eat With Alice. 5.30 Antiques Roadshow. (R) 6.00 WorldWatch. 9.00 Destination Flavour. (R) 9.20 Travel Quest. (PG, R) 10.20 Matched. (PG, R) 11.10 Europe’s Waterways. (Premiere, PGa) 12.00 WorldWatch. 12.30 ABC World News Tonight. 1.00 PBS News. 2.00 Dateline. (R) 2.30 Insight. (R) 3.30 Plat Du Tour. (R) 3.40 The Cook Up. (R) 4.10 The World’s Most Beautiful Landscapes. (PGa, R) 5.05 Jeopardy! 5.30 Letters And Numbers. (R)

6.25 Federal Election Announcement. (R) 6.30 Claire Hooper’s House Of Games. 6.55 Federal Election Announcement. (R) 7.00 ABC News.

7.30 7.30.

8.00 Hard Quiz. (Final, PG)

8.30 The Weekly With Charlie Pickering. (PG) A satirical news program. 9.00 Planet America.

9.30 Big Boys. (Return, MA15+l)

10.00 Mayfair Witches. (Malv, R) 10.40 ABC Late News. 10.55 The Business. (R) 11.15 In Limbo. (Mals, R) 12.10 Grand Designs NZ. (PG, R) 12.55 Long Lost Family. (PG, R) 1.45 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv) 3.10 Parkinson In Australia. (PG, R) 4.30 Gardening Aust. (R) 5.30 7.30. (R)

6.00 Mastermind Australia. 6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 Alone Australia. (Mal) Survivalists struggle with empty bellies.

8.40 Weight Of The World. (MA15+a) Examines the profound cultural shift drugs like Ozempic and Mounjaro are triggering in society.

9.45 The Handmaid’s Tale. (MA15+) June and Moira go undercover. 10.50 SBS World News Late. 11.20 My Brilliant Friend. (Return, Malnv) 12.25 Lost Luggage. (MA15+a, R) 3.20 Invisible. (PGa, R) 4.50 Poh & Co. Bitesize. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

SBS VICELAND (31) 6am Children’s Programs. 2.05pm Paddington. 2.45 Fizzy And Suds. 3.00 Play School. 3.40 Mecha Builders. 3.55 Andy’s Safari Adventures. 4.25 Builder Brothers Dream Factory. 5.20 Kangaroo Beach. 5.50 Paddington. 6.45 Ben And Holly. 7.05 Dino Dex. 7.35 Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures. 7.50 The Inbestigators. 8.05 Operation Ouch! 8.40 Abbott Elementary. 9.25 Doctor Who. 11.05 Late Programs. ABC FAMILY (22) 6am The Band’s Visit. (2007, PG, Arabic, English, Hebrew) 7.05 The Scarlet And The Black. (1983, PG) 9.40 Earth To Echo. (2014, PG) 11.20 All Quiet On The Western Front. (1979, PG)

(7)

6.00 Sunrise. 9.00 The Morning Show. (PG) 12.00 Seven’s National News At Noon. 1.00 To Be Advised. 2.35 Surveillance Oz: Dashcam. (PG, R) 3.00 Beat The Chasers UK. (R) 4.00 Seven News At 4. 5.00 The Chase Australia.

6.00 Seven News.

7.00 Home And Away. (PGav)

7.30 The 1% Club UK. (PGl, R) Hosted by Lee Mack.

8.30 The Front Bar. (Ml) Hosts Sam Pang, Mick Molloy and Andy Maher take a lighter look at all things AFL.

9.30 Unfiltered. (PGa) Hosted by Hamish McLachlan.

10.00 Akmal: Open For Renovations. (MA15+l, R) A stand-up performance by Akmal.

11.15 Autopsy USA: Walt Disney. (Ma, R) 12.15 Midnight Texas. (MA15+hv)

2.30 Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 NBC Today. 5.00 Sunrise Early News. 5.30 Sunrise.

6.00 Today. 9.00 Today Extra. (PG) 11.30 9News Morning. 12.00 MOVIE: Love’s Fast Lane. (2023, PGa) Grace Patterson. 2.00 Pointless. (PG) 3.00 Tipping Point. (PG, R) 4.00 9News Afternoon. 5.00 Tipping Point Australia. (PG)

6.00 9News.

7.00 A Current Affair.

7.30 The Hundred With Andy Lee. (Ms) Comedy panel show.

8.30 The Grand Tour. (MA15+l) On the edge of Loch Ness, the hosts recount their road trip around central Europe.

9.50 Wild Cards. (Mv) George gets a three-day pass from jail.

10.50 9News Late.

11.20 The Equalizer. (Mv, R) 12.10 Next Stop. 12.40 Tipping Point. (PG, 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) 4.30 A Current Affair. (R) 5.00 Today Early News. 5.30 Today.

6.00 Deal Or No Deal. 6.30 The Project. A look at the day’s news. 7.30 The Dog House Australia. (PGa) Joe and Ashlea need a dog to tire out their sons.

8.40 Elsbeth. (Mv) Elsbeth and the team uncover plans for a gala heist while investigating the death of an employee at a New York jewellery store.

9.40 NCIS: Origins. (Mav) The team investigates the murder of a veteran. 10.40 10’s Late News. 11.05 The Project. (R) 12.05 The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. (PG) 1.00 Home Shopping. (R) 4.30 CBS Mornings. 6am Morning Programs. 2.10pm My Life Online. 2.40 Queer Sports. 3.35 WorldWatch. 5.30 Alone: Frozen. 6.25 Mysteries From Above. 7.20 Jeopardy! 7.50 8 Out Of 10 Cats. 8.45 Cycling. UCI World Tour. Fleche-Wallonne Men’s Race. 12.55am Cycling. UCI World Tour. Fleche-Wallonne Women’s Race. 2.15 Letterkenny. 3.10 NHK World English News. 5.00 Al Jazeera.

100 YEARS AGO THIS WEEK...

Mornington Moving! Electric railway expected

Compiled by Cameron McCullough

MORNINGTON residents are hopeful that the railway from Frankston will be electrified. The work is due to be undertaken next, after the electrification of the Healesville line, which has already been authorised.

An electric line through to Mornington will bring this beautiful bayside suburb into the suburban residential radius, reducing fares and travel time to such an extent that city business people will be able to reside at Mornington throughout the year.

Meanwhile motor transport has converted Mornington in a few years from a sleepy seaside hamlet to one of the most popular seaside resorts.

Land values are firming rapidly. Up to £15 a foot is quoted for blocks on the waterfront, and inside lots range from £7/10/- to £3 a foot within walking distance of the station.

Motor transport has also infused life into the business section. The town has many excellent shops and cafes. Responding to the spirit of the times, the proprietors of the Royal Hotel have planned great extensions to this well-known house.

The scheme is estimated to cost £30,000. It includes the construction of a new residential wing and an extensive dining room.

Hundreds of visitors had to be turned away during Easter, emphasising the need of these extensions.

All along the main road from the Frankston boundary to Mount Martha substantial houses are being erected, while people possessed of cars are making homes which they expect to occupy for the greater part of the year.

***

Sudden Death at Seaford

Mr. Robert Gray Stewart, youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. David Stewart, died suddenly at his parents residence, Seaford, on Good Friday evening.

The sad event cast quite a gloom over the district, and heartfelt sympathy is expressed with the bereaved parents.

Deceased, who was 23 years of age, was seated at tea with the family at about 6.30 on Good Friday, when he suddenly collapsed and fell on to the knees of his brother, Jack, who occupied the chair next to him.

Restorative measures were at once adopted, but it soon became apparent that life was extinct.

Deceased was a bright, unassuming young man, and extremely popular with all sections of the community.

He was a great football enthusiast, and as assistant secretary of the Seaford Club, rendered valuable and painstaking service.

In his home life he was a dutiful and home-loving son and was particularly attached to his elder and only brother, Jack.

The funeral, which took place on Sunday afternoon, was very largely attended, the remains being interred in the Presbyterian section of the Frankston cemetery.

The Rev. A. Langhorne officiated at the graveside.

The mortuary arrangements were carried out by Mr. H. Gamble.

***

Wedding bells. Coombs – Higgins

The home of Mr. and Mrs. H.

Coombs, of Chelsea road, Chelsea, was the scene of a very pretty wedding on Wednesday, 8th inst., the contracting parties being Annie Amelia, eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. H. Coombs, to Mr. John Harold Higgins, eldest son of Mr. Tom Higgins (of England).

The bride, who was given away by her father, was dressed in blue serge and the Salvation Army sash. Miss Dorris Coombs, sister of the bride, acted as bridesmaid, and wore poplin de luxe, trimmed with silk, and wore the Salvation Army sash.

Mr. George Coombs acted as best man. The ceremony was conducted by Brigadier Garbutt, of the Salvation Army.

After the ceremony over fifty guests sat down to a delectable wedding breakfast, which was catered for by Mr. Ward, of Mordialloc, after which musical items and games were indulged in.

The usual toasts were honoured, and speeches were made by Brigadier Garbutt and Captain Sweatman of the local Salvation Army.

The young couple left for the city amid showers of confetti, en route for Ballarat, where the honeymoon is being spent.

***

WE regret to learn that Mrs. Parker, High street, Frankston, is indisposed, suffering from an attack of influenza.

Mr. F. A. Merre, manager of the Frankston branch of the State Savings bank, has been transferred to Murtoa, after a residence of 21 years in Frankston, and will be relieved by Mr. L. Perrottet, of Murtoa.

Mr. Kerr, the newly-appointed rate

collector to the Shire of Frankston and Hastings arrived in Frankston with his wife and family this week, and reported duty at the Council Chambers on Wednesday last.

Mr. Kerr, who is a returned soldier, hails from the Bendigo district.

Mr. M. Symonds, porter, who has been stationed at Frankston railway station for nearly twelve months, has been transferred to Flinders street.

Mr. P. Gow fills the vacancy.

Residents of Frankston will regret Mr. Symonds’ departure. He was a most courteous officer and every ready to give attention to the public wants.

Mr. W. P. Mason met with a painful accident on Friday last. Whilst he was attempting to raise a pipe from the ground he strained his back which necessitated his laying up for a few days. We are pleased to say that he is on the road to recovery and about again, but is not well enough to take an active part in his business affairs.

***

“Standard” Enterprise Appreciated

Writing to the managing director from Shepparton, under date 9th April, 1925, Mr. R. E. Chapman, late head master at the Frankston High School, says:

“I have just received a copy of the enlarged edition of “The Standard,” and I cannot refrain from adding my congratulations to you and the Standard Newspapers Pty. Ltd. on the excellent production, which, I am sure, will compare favourably with any ether country journal.

I am always anxious to receive “The Standard,” and am especially

interested in any news connected with the High School.

*** Was it another boxer riot?

An unusual sight was witnessed in Wells street, Frankston, on Thursday, April 9.

A contingent of boys of the local High School were observed marching along from the direction of Melbourne road carrying on their respective shoulders a case.

People asked: “Is it another ‘Boxer’ riot?” Of course not; it was only an instance of the preliminary labour involved in collecting the necessary material for making useful lockers for Frankston’s High School.

***

Frankston Life-Saving Club

The Frankston Life-Saving Club held a most successful dance in the Mechanics’ Institute on Easter Monday evening.

A large number of visitors, besides local lovers of the terphischorean art, added to the success of the evening, and tripped the light fantastic to strains of beautiful music discoursed by Payne’s Orchestra, Chelsea. ***

IMPRISONED in his signal tower, striving to avert a frightful catastrophe! He knew that a scoundrel was attacking his beloved wife. Was a photoplay ever more appealing and dramatic? Don’t fail to see “The Signal Tower” at the Frankston Cinema tomorrow (Saturday) night.

***

From the pages of the Frankston and Somerville Standard, 17 April 1925

A eulogy for the major parties

Ladies and gentlemen, we gather to mourn our beloved major parties, who after decades of dedicated service to themselves, have finally succumbed to terminal irrelevance.

Born of lofty ideals, they mastered the art of disappointing voters across the entire political spectrum. Their remarkable ability to transform idealists into bureaucrats was matched only by their talent for being simultaneously for and against the same issues.

They leave behind a legacy of corruption investigations and parliamentary behaviour that would get kindergarteners expelled.

In lieu of flowers, they request donations to their donors, Coles and Woolworths. May they rest in the peace they never allowed taxpayers to enjoy, and serve as a cautionary tale for generations to come.

Craig Fern, Sorrento

Other candidates?

The flurry of letters in The News last week, along with all the discussion about the usual suspects in the upcoming election, has left out a few lesserknown candidates.

Where’s the love – or at least the curiosity – for Jason Smart (Trumpet of Patriots), Mike Brown (One Nation), and Adam Frogley (Greens)?

I mean, Jason Smart has the backing of Clive Palmer’s cash cannon, yet not a single corflute? Not one newspaper advertisement? Not even a lonely fridge magnet flapping in the wind? Either he’s running the world’s most stealthy campaign, or the money’s being spent on invisible ink. Who knows—we’ll need 3D glasses to see his policies. Then there’s Mike Brown and Adam Frogley. Blink, and you’ll miss them. Keep your eyes open, and you’ll still miss them. Where are their views on, say, climate change? Nuclear power? Hospitals? Rosebud Hospital?

As far as we can tell, Ben Smith’s favourite campaign prop hasn’t even made it onto their radar. I’d love to know if they think it should be upgraded, moved, or just given a hug.

With only three weeks to go until election day, the silence from some of these candidates is as deafening as the campaign noise from the others. It feels like we’re in a game of political hide-andseek, but only half the players remembered to show up.

Thank heavens for postal voting. Some of us would like to make up our minds before the last-minute frenzy – or before we fall into a coma from campaign fatigue.

Anne Kruger, Rye

Make Australia great again

This election I will be proudly voting for Zoe McKenzie for Flinders.

I draw inspiration from the way Trump has revolutionised politics by standing up to globalist agendas.

We desperately need this approach in Australia, and Zoe McKenzie and the Liberal Party is our best hope for Trump-style representation on the peninsula.

While the “independent” candidate pushes his woke agenda, the Liberal Party and Zoe McKenzie as our local candidate understands that traditional values are what truly matter to hardworking Australians.

Only they have the will and ability to put the abortion question back to the states, tackle the scourge and proliferation of “non-binary” youth, and bring back national service.

Trump showed the world how a businessman could drain the swamp and spark prosperity. Similarly, Zoe’s business background gives her the real-world experience needed to cut through bureaucracy and deliver results.

Both understand that success comes through economic freedom, not government handouts. Welfare is out of control in Australia and if we don’t act now I fear we will never get it under control.

Australia needs strong conservative voices now more than ever. Zoe McKenzie and the Liberal

Party represent our best defence against radical left-wing policies.

Make Flinders Great Again!

John Flynn, Rosebud

Stop the ‘snowflakes’

Thirty years ago, a job meant rolling up your sleeves and getting it done – no excuses, no complaints.

Now? We’ve got a bunch of soft layabouts who think sending a few emails from the couch counts as a full day’s work.

And the moment a real leader like Peter Dutton stands up to this nonsense, they lose their minds.

Work from home is a scam. It’s turning Australia into a nation of freeloaders.

If we want to save this country, we need to stop catering to the snowflakes and start standing up for real workers again.

That’s why I’m backing the Liberals. They are the only party that can see through the nonsense happening on the left.

No more excuses, no more handouts. It’s time to put Australia back on track. Vote 1 Zoe McKenzie.

Phil Marsden, McCrae

Dutton’s WFH backflip

Peter Dutton’s backflip on his work from home policy this week was hilarious to watch.

After weeks opposing remote work then suddenly reversing course when it became clear people didn’t like the idea, Dutton proves he only listens when he’s forced to.

Shocker - it turns out it’s actually good to listen to people, especially when your job is to represent them!

Luckily, we have an independent who’s ready to do that from day one, not after backlash tells them to care.

Rather than electing another powerless backbencher forced to parrot Dutton’s inconsistent ever-changing positions, we can vote for someone who’ll genuinely represent the peninsula’s needs.

The choice couldn’t be clearer. I’ll be voting for Ben Smith.

Ashlynn O’Malley, Mornington

Flip-flop Liberals

It must be difficult being a Liberal candidate like Zoe McKenzie with a leader such as Peter ‘flipflop’ Dutton.

One has to be suspicious of Dutton’s gas plan. Meddling in the free market goes against Liberal principles and interfering with the profit margin of one of their biggest donors will not sit comfortably with the party hierarchy.

Furthermore, if this is such a good idea why didn’t the Coalition do it during their nine years in power? It is not as if high power prices are a recent phenomenon.

Finally, given Dutton and the Coalition’s ability to backflip on policy how can we trust him that he won’t simply drop the policy should the Coalition win government?

I am sure a convenient excuse would not be difficult to find.

Can McKenzie guarantee that Dutton will not flip-flop on this policy as well, or any other policy for matter, or will she simply toe the party line like a good back-bencher?

His nuclear policy is teetering at the moment. Will it flip or flop?

Ross Hudson, Mt Martha

More details required

Fulsome praise for Zoe McKenzie from Mr P. Haas (McKenzie support, Letters 8/4/25) but no actual details of what she achieved specifically for the Mornington Peninsula. Details would be appreciated.

In the words of noted academic, human rights and equality campaigner, Senator Pauline Hanson; “Please explain”.

Seahorse bothering does not count.

David Martin, Mt Martha

Hands off Super, Dutton

I nearly spat out my coffee when I saw an ad about Dutton wanting to raid our super.

My balance just took a massive hit this week with the market crash, and now Dutton thinks it’s a brilliant idea for women to use our Superannuation to buy a house?

I’ve worked hard to build my super, and I’m not about to wreck it because the Libs can’t be bothered fixing the housing crisis properly. They’ve been trying to get their hands on our super for years.

Ben Smith is spot on calling this out. If Dutton gets his way, we’ll all be living on baked beans in retirement while his rich mates laugh all the way to the bank.

Victoria Sperring, Balnarring

Voting reminder

I received a handy little leaflet in my letterbox this week from the Liberal Party, telling me how often ‘teals’ have voted with Greens or Labor. I’d like to say thank you because it reminded me of all those times that Zoe McKenzie and her boss Peter Dutton, have voted against measures to address cost of living - tax cuts for everyone, not just the wealthy, action on housing, action to address climate change, increased wages for those working in aged care and childcare and measures to act on integrity in government.

It reminded me that Zoe and her mates opposed the energy bill rebates and a reduction in overseas students coming to Australia but now are saying they want to reduce numbers even further.

It reminded me of Zoe and her mates wanting to reduce migration and made me wonder how they think we will find staff for aged care, for hospitality and to build the housing that we so urgently need.

It reminded me that Zoe’s boss can’t quite seem to make up his mind about reducing numbers of public servants or making them work in the office rather than from home and can’t give us details about his signature policy on gas reservation will work to create energy security.

So thank you for confirming for me why I vote Labor.

Marg D’Arcy, Rye

McKenzie’s past

If you’re wondering about Zoe McKenzie, she was a two-time loser of the 2016 and 2019 federal elections in her electorate outer suburb of Melbourne. It’s bit hard to find now during the research as somehow McKenzie doesn’t want people to know she was living in another electorate and lost twice before finding a loophole, that she can use her holiday home on the Mornington Peninsula and run for Flinders in the 2022 election.

I knew about her failed attempts at this other electorate during the 2022 election from the Herald Sun and other media outlets which now have disappeared. I also knew McKenzie was not living on the Mornington Peninsula during those federal elections. Why does she not want people to know this? Even her profiles conveniently avoids where she was living before she decided to run for Flinders and had to move to her holiday home to qualify.

To top it off she has put her poster on a public space; taped over the map of the Mornington Peninsula at the public toilets in Rosebud across from The Discount Chemist Warehouse. The reason I brought that up is that I thought you can’t put political posters on public property.

As for her supporters, stop being hypocrites. Kerrie McCoy, Dromana

Public service cuts

I’m worried about Peter Dutton’s recent proposal, backed by Zoe McKenzie, to cut up to 41,000 public service jobs as part of a massive $24 billion reduction in public spending. This has huge implications for all of us here on the Mornington Peninsula. Despite assurances that frontline services will remain untouched, the sheer scale of these cuts paints a wildly different picture.

The idea is to trim what the Coalition considers unnecessary fat from the public service. But let’s be real, cutting so deeply into our workforce means services like Medicare, education, and veterans’ support are bound to take a hit, let alone the unemployment rate.

What’s more, the vagueness from Dutton and McKenzie about exactly where these cuts will happen is causing a lot of stress around here. Without clear information, how are we supposed to know what to expect? This lack of transparency doesn’t sit right when it comes to holding

our leaders accountable.

With the election coming up on 3 May, it’s critical for Zoe McKenzie to step up and explain precisely how her party plans to make these cuts without sacrificing the quality of essential services.

However, it’s becoming increasingly clear that perhaps we should consider voting for Ben Smith, who is actually listening to our concerns and offering real, tangible solutions that prioritise our community’s needs.

Let’s support a candidate who genuinely cares about our wellbeing.

Kim Robbins, Safety Beach

Shattered Entitlement

Ben Smith’s campaign to Flip Flinders, along with his hundreds of unpaid volunteers, has begun to really threaten our current Member, who until now, has been complacently and comfortably ensconced in her “safe” seat.

The Coalition has held Flinders for over 40 years, and as such, we have been taken for granted and virtually ignored financially for much of that time.

Now, however, an alarmed McKenzie is spending much of the Liberal’s vast donor budget, on circulating disinformation and sly allusions that reflect the underlying outrage that her entitlement is being challenged.

Rather than obsessing about your challenger, spend your dollars telling us about your party’s policies. What are the plans for support of those who need it here? What is the vision to strengthen and protect the future for this wonderful place that we call home? Sadly, we are not hearing much, because I guess there is not much the Coalition has to offer Flinders.

Flinders is a large and very demographically divided electorate. There is significant disparity in the quality of life, health, education, and wealth here, along with significant homelessness. Ben Smith is not a ‘Teal’ regardless of McKenzie’s pathetic scare campaign. Ben Smith is however, a peninsula resident who has for years worked face to face with those who are living these disparities daily. He sees and knows firsthand what is needed, and as our Independent member he will have the freedom to ensure the government listens to our voice, through him, when it asks for his support.

Please read his policy booklet (mailed out recently), see what he stand for and reflect on what you need to make your life better, before you make your voting decision.

We can continue to be taken for granted or, for the first time, have a strong clear voice!

Peta Watson, Crib Point

Smith and Marsh

I am a little bit in awe of the amount of advertising that Ben Smith has been able to do, as a so called independent, which according to the “Macquarie Encyclopedic Dictionary” in one case means “thinking or acting for one’s self”. So is this man a self-made millionaire, who can afford this amount of advertising?

Undoubtable not, which means he will be beholden to others and their demands and wishes, so he is not a true independent. He, along with so called other independents and Teals, may cause this forthcoming election to be a hung parliament, which serves no purpose to the whole nation and we are virtually stagnant for three years. Does Australia deserve this? Because it will cause us to go backwards as a nation, and nobody wants that. Room for thought.

And now our illustrious mayor, Anthony Marsh, has dictated that all ratepayers within the Mornington Peninsula Shire will pay an extra $50 on their rates for something the shire is responsible for, when they gave a permit for the house that tumbled down the hill in McCrae.

It was built not on top of the hill, but partially down the hill. This is not the ratepayers fault at all, and they should not be charged. I will not be paying

David Lines, Tyabb

Energy wake up

In response to your correspondent Keith Davis’ comments about renewable energy, may I refer him and your readers to the Global Energy Report 2024; ember-energy.org/latest-insights/ global-electricity-review-2024.

In summary, “Renewables generated a record 30% of global electricity in 2023, driven by growth in solar and wind. With record construction of solar and wind in 2023, a new era of falling fossil generation is imminent. 2023 was likely the pivot point, marking peak emissions in

the power sector.”

This authoritative report would suggest it is Mr Davis who needs to wake up, not those concerned citizens inclined to vote independent.

Ashley Wharton, Flinders Fact checks

Dutton: This budget makes clear that Labor was only able to deliver two surpluses by piggybacking off the former Coalition government’s strong economic management.

Fact check: The Coalition did not deliver a budget surplus in their last term before losing the 2022 federal election. Labor has successfully delivered two consecutive budget surpluses, marking the first back-to-back surpluses for Australia in nearly two decades.

Dutton has raised concerns about Australia’s national debt approaching $1t, attributing this to the Albanese Labor government.

Who is responsible for that?

Fact check: In 2013 when the Liberals were elected debt was $257.378b. In 2022 when Labor were elected debt was $895.235b – an increase of $637.857b during the Liberal’s term.

In 2024 debt was $906.939 – a relatively small increase of $11.704b.

Dutton claimed that interest rates are “always lower” under Coalition governments due to superior economic management.

Fact check by AAP FactCheck found this assertion to be false.

Dutton attacks the PM three years after Labor promised Australians every household power bill would come down $275 by 2025.

Fact check: Dutton’s party vowed to cut wholesale electricity prices by a quarter in 2019, but the AEMO’s data shows the average price in the eastern states rose a disturbing 240% since.

Dutton says Labor’s energy strategy is a “renewables-only” approach.

Fact check: Experts note Labor’s plan includes a mix of energy sources, not solely renewables.

Senator Michaelia Cash, stated that Australians would experience “the exact same attitude” under a Dutton government as they did during Donald Trump’s presidency.

Fact check: True as!

Shadow Foreign Minister David Coleman said the prime minister made a mistake by choosing not to fly to Washington to lobby for a tariff exemption.

Fact check: Didn’t work for anyone else!

Joe Lenzo, Safety Beach Once-in-a-generation

We have a once-in-a-generation chance to vote out the Liberal party here on the Mornington Peninsula.

They have been in power here for 42 years but this time we have some real competition. The polls are tight. Ben Smith can win. Labor or the minor parties can’t win here. There’s fortytwo years of proof.

Only Ben Smith can unseat the Liberals. If you are dissatisfied with both major parties, now is the time for change. Support Ben Smith with your vote and encourage others in our community to do the same.

This is our chance to make history. Let’s not waste it.

Josh Reinecker, Rosebud

No answers?

No real answers from the main political parties? Time for Independent thinking!

Alan Wittick, Mt Eliza

Religious bigotry

I was appalled to read in last week’s Letters people asking about the disclosure of Ben Smith’s religion (Ben Smith, Letters 8/4/25) and to read about the disgraceful treatment of his sister on the topic (I’m Ben’s sister, Letters 8/4/25).

I’m a left voter and I thought I lived in an inclusive nation where a person was not defined by their religious beliefs any more than for the flavour ice cream they like.

I did not realise that we had become so bigoted here on the Mornington Peninsula that one is scrutinised about their religion, or if they are the right type of religion.

What will be next? Who were your parents? What is your breeding? Which school did you get educated at and is it the right type of school or college? Old money or new money?

This isn’t the 1950’s! Get a grip and join the 21st century and get educated about policy. The Menzies Era is over.

Independents engage

Rebecca Taylor, Mt Eliza

As a resident of Kooyong, represented by Dr Monique Ryan, I would like to assure Barry Rumpf (Ben Smith, Letters 8/4/25), that community Independents are active across all three levels of governments – local, state and federal.

Dr Ryan’s summary of the issues she has worked on might interest those thinking of voting for Ben Smith. It can be found here: tinyurl.com/ Ryan3Years

To accuse those who vote for independents as “non-thinkers” as Mr Rumpf has done is offensive.

Because independents are more policy-focused than party-focused, arguably those who vote for them are similarly inclined and evaluate candidates more intently.

Ironically, Mr Rumpf’s final statement: “You must vote Liberal despite their unimpressive candidates” is a classic “non-thinker” in itself.

Ray Peck, Hawthorn

Climate action

After decades of inaction on climate change from both major parties, it’s clear we cannot trust them to deliver the urgent solutions we need.

Labor’s hypocrisy is striking – claiming to support climate action while continuing to approve new coal mines that undermine their own emissions targets.

The Liberals’ eternal record of climate denial and fossil fuel support speaks for itself.

This election, our electorate has a rare opportunity to break free from four decades of Liberal representation by supporting Ben Smith.

A strong crossbench is our only hope to force genuine climate action, hold the government accountable, and secure a livable future.

The major parties have failed us – it’s time for independent voices who aren’t beholden to fossil fuel donors.

Guy Taylor, Mt Eliza

Welcome relief

What a relief it is to see Ben Smith’s hand-up to be our next Federal member for Flinders. Look at the frenzy on the “Ninch” as our comfortable MP realises it’s no longer a safe seat.

Thank you Ben rising above the persistent mud-slinging and putting us back on the map.

Adrian Burrageon, Mt Martha

Why I’m Supporting Smith

We’re lucky to live in a democracy where we get to choose who represents us – but lately, many of us feel let down by the major parties. I’m supporting Ben Smith, the community-backed Independent for Flinders, because he brings integrity, empathy, and a genuine commitment to our local issues.

Ben has promised regular community meetings if elected, and his policies speak directly to what matters here on the peninsula: housing affordability, healthcare (including upgrading Rosebud Hospital), aged care, public transport, cost of living, climate solutions, and protecting our natural environment. His values align with mine – and with what many locals are telling me they care about.

I’ve watched how Ben listens, engages, and responds to people. He’s not about political spin. He’s about real community representation.

As voters, we have the power to shape a better future – not just for ourselves, but for everyone. Let’s support those who support our CFA, SES, wildlife carers, and all the quiet heroes in our region.

This election is a chance to send a clear message that our community wants change. A vote for Ben Smith is a vote for a better, fairer, more accountable kind of politics – one that puts people and the peninsula first.

Tracey Asquith, Hastings

All seeing None so Blind as those that will not see. One regular letter writer from Hawthorn states that I use the page to disparage renewables energy, net zero and climate concerns (Questionable values, Letters 8/4/25).

My objective has been to separate facts from ideology. To this point in time neither Mr Peck or Ben Smith, to whom my letter was directed, have found any fault with the material presented. Rather, Mr Peck’s only criticism has been about the “right” leaning people that they associate with. That type of argument is not worthy of a response.

I am far more concerned by the total lack of response to my concerns by Ben Smith.

At his meetings he claims transparency and will answer all questions relating to the campaign. Perhaps that doesn’t include difficult ones that might not agree with his Climate 200 commitments. Guess he leaves these to his many followers.

One final thought, I have to thank Mr Peck’s for his comment that my key nuclear advocate is Prof. Stephen Wilson.

I had never heard of this person so I Googled him. Very interesting, well worth while checking out.

Actually it is Prof. Ian Plimer geologist and “Earth Scientist” who I have found to present facts well worth considering.

I am reminded of a quote I heard over 60 years ago: Condemnation without investigation will never fail to leave one in Everlasting Ignorance.

Labor gamble

Keith Davis, Somers

Labor’s disgraceful backflip on gambling reforms betrayed the Australian people and dishonoured the legacy of the late Peta Murphy, who fought courageously for these protections.

While polls may be looking better for Labor, we cannot forget how quickly they abandoned their principles when powerful gambling interests came knocking.

This pattern of surrendering to corporate lobbying mirrors their hollow climate commitments. I urge voters to put independents and the Greens above Labor on their ballot. Obviously before the Liberals, but that goes without saying. Only by strengthening the crossbench can we ensure accountability and genuine action on the issues that matter most to our community.

Timothy Rush, Rye

Let’s make history

We have less than 20 days until we can make history here on the Mornington Peninsula - and according to the latest polls there are less than 1,000 votes in this race.

We have a golden opportunity to elect a Federal Member who actually cares - Ben Smith. He’s doing this for the right reasons because he cares about people. Ben spent most of his career working with some of our most vulnerable community members, helping to feed and house people. He’s not a career politician. He knows what everyday people are going through and he will serve us well.

We need this change. Our political system has been failing us all for so long and we’re all fed up with it. Ben is the person we need and thousands of us across the community feel the same. If you haven’t met him yet, please go to one of his events and find out for yourself.

Lucy Randall, Sorrento

Vote for change

For decades, I voted Liberal, trusting their focus on business and roads. But as a retiree watching my children and grandchildren struggle, I’ve realised: loyalty to party can’t outweigh loyalty to community.

The Mornington Peninsula is at a crossroads. Young families face crushing childcare costs and waiting lists for pre-schools. Retirees dread hospital delays. Yet our federal Liberal MP, while earnest, lacks influence in a Labor-dominated landscape. Anthony Albanese’s government isn’t going anywhere – shouldn’t we elect someone who can work with them?

The Liberals built roads, but what good are roads if our kids can’t afford homes here? They tout tax cuts, but that doesn’t help parents paying $150 a day for childcare or seniors waiting months for surgeries. Their resistance to renewables – a job-creating sector for our region – ignores our climate reality.

Labor isn’t perfect, but they’re investing in what matters. An independent could also champion our needs without party constraints.

This isn’t about “abandoning” the Liberals. It’s about prioritising our community’s future. I want my grandkids to thrive here, not flee. Let’s elect someone who’ll fight for pre-schools, healthcare, and affordable housing – not slogans.

Join me in voting for change for the peninsula.

Lido Ritchie, Sorrento

Serving the peninsula

Politics here in Australia has become a bitter and childish game, played by toxic and hyper-partisan “representatives” of our communities. These people are voted in to serve an agenda, not the people who voted them in.

Australian communities need real representation, and that is what Ben Smith can give the

peninsula, representation without an agenda or partisan control.

Ben has worked for the Mornington Community Support Centre for three years, helped run a family business, and has given a TED talk on the importance of connection to community.

As an important and valued member of the community, he understands the needs of people from all walks of life on the peninsula.

As a young person, I am concerned about the climate, housing, and all the other issues the two party system has ignored for years, and we need independent politicians like Ben with strong community support to provide answers.

Oliver Edwards, Mt Martha

No more career pollies

Ben Smith isn’t a career politician. He’s not from the party machine. He’s one of us. He’s raised his family here. He’s run a small business here. He’s spent years working to support locals through tough times.

We don’t need another career politician. We need someone who understands what it’s like to live and work here – someone who will fight for us. That’s why I’m backing Ben.

Josh Allen-Craig, Sorrento

Planet politics

Does any one else find it concerning that the climate crisis is not front and centre in this election campaign?

The ABC vote compass analysis supports my anecdotal experience. Is it that we are distracted by the nuclear issue which is being used as a distraction from the worsening state of our environment to justify maintaining destructive coal mining industry and open new gas fields.

(A cynic might say to appease the mining industry masters.)

Another understandable distraction from the climate crisis is the immediate cost of living problem, also verified by Vote Compass, which is impacted by the cost of energy.

Surely, the cost of energy, financially, climatically and immediately is best reduced by renewables.

My main concerns with nuclear power are the unknown cost, the radioactive waste and the continued use of fossil fuels with filthy emissions until nuclear power is available.

Let’s get our focus back on the planets survival. Without a liveable world all the rest is inconsequential.

Rosemary Bates, McCrae

Moral vacuum

Every day we witness the Israeli government and defence forces slide to ever lower and more despicable levels in their treatment of the Palestinian people and aid organisations, in both Gaza and the West Bank.

It is high time the world declares them terrorist organisation like Hamas and others that terrorise civilian people and aid organizations.

Just because the orange peril in America supports them regardless of their behaviour doesn’t mean the civilized world can stay silent in the face of the most serious crimes against humanity. Half the Israeli population thinks the same and protest daily against this inhumane treatment of the others.

This behaviour of the Israeli government and armed forces, will not make Israel safer in the long run. Only a two state solution, that was agreed to by the whole world after WW2 can fix this situation.

Rupert Steiner, Balnarring Beach

Positivity?

Be calm and unruffled on the surface and paddle like the devil underneath?

Has the world gone crackers? In fact not quite, yet. We warm in the glow of sensible people (voters?) rising to the surface, particularly in the USA, and to a lesser extent Australia.

Trump and Dutton, a recession or public servants without brains (not unusual in my time) who do what they’re told, aka yes men and women. And the independents? No such animal.

Add in those who subscribe to the Murdoch media (who imagine an orthorhynchus is an elephant). And down here on our beautiful Mornington Peninsula, our lips remain sealed. Yes, it’s a mess, We live in hope, positivity, that common sense will prevail, come 3 May.

Come election day, soon as the kitchen is up and running, for those red things in a roll with onions and tomato sauce, off to my duty of voting and home to watch the Collingwood v Geelong game. Cliff Ellen, Rye

PUZZLE ZONE

18. Ear test, ... examination

SKYWHALES TAKE FLIGHT AT MORNINGTON

LEADING Australian contemporary artist

Patricia Piccinini’s hyperreal hot air-balloon sculptures Skywhale and Skywhalepapa take flight at Dallas Brooks Park, Mornington, on Saturday 26 April.

For over 25 years Patricia Piccinini has interrogated the complex relationship between our natural and artificial worlds. Skywhale, an enormous hot-air balloon sculpture of an imagined flying mammal, was commissioned in 2013 and has since flown throughout the world. Recently, Skywhale’s companion piece, Skywhalepapa—Piccinini’s most ambitious project to date—was commissioned by the National Gallery of Australia with the support of The Balnaves Foundation. After launching in Kamberri/Canberra in 2021, the Skywhale family has taken to the skies of Australia, touring nationally as part of the National Gallery of Australia’s commitment to bringing art to all Australians.

Skywhales Across Australia: Mornington Peninsula is a free community event that offers a unique experience to witness the magic of the Skywhales at sunrise. The project centres around care, family and community. As the Skywhales float across the country, Piccinini calls on communities to reflect on our connection with each other, our environment and creativity.

The Skywhale festivities continue back at MPRG, with a special sunrise session. The gallery is throwing open their doors at 7.30am with free Skywhale kids activities, a book signing with Patricia Piccinini, karaoke and Skywhale-inspired treats from Nuno’s Southern Hospitality.

Skywhales Across Australia: Mornington Peninsula is a free community event, presented by the National Gallery of Australia & supported by the Friends of MPRG, hosted by MPRG.

The Great John Denver Debacle

By Stuart McCullough

IT’S not what we planned. To successfully execute a twelve-year old’s birthday party, the two of us would need to work as a team if we were to have any chance of withstanding the onslaught of prepubescent energy, super-fuelled by sugary soft drinks and what I can only assume is madness.

I had prepared – goggles, shin pads and a helmet for each of us just to be on the safe side (even if, technically speaking, “the safe side” would be the other side of bullet-proof glass). But despite our preparations, the unthinkable happened – Katrina got sick, leaving me to run the party on my own.

This would be a test of character, a battle of wits and a feat of endurance all rolled into one. The last twelveyear-old birthday party I attended was probably my own and, even then, I left early, citing “traffic”. There would be no escaping this time. Rather, I would be responsible for ten primary schoolaged boys. In public.

Failure, when it happens, is something best done in private. Ideally, it should not include others who are in a position to laugh and point at your misfortune. Of course, I wasn’t truly alone. I was given both moral, practical and emotional support by Katrina’s family, who stepped in to help me as I tried to fill the void left by her absence. As she convalesced at home, I gritted my teeth and embarked on the most gruelling and perilous two hours of my life.

The (about to be) twelve-year-old had selected ten-pin bowling as his

birthday activity of choice. This came as a relief, as some of the other options under consideration included laser tag and paintball and I expected I’d be the primary target with my pleas for clemency roundly ignored. From bitter experience, I know that these kinds of events quickly evolve from “harmless party shenanigans” to a Hunger Games-style battle for survival of the

(un)fittest.

As we arrived, there was a huddle of expectant primary school children. I made a critical decision – they would each choose their own nickname, or I would choose one on their behalf. This would both compensate for the fact that I had no chance of remembering their real names (and I still recall the confusion at the last birthday party

A BOLD and interactive performance is set to take centre stage at Frankston Arts Centre during the 2025 South Side Festival — and it’s unlike anything audiences have seen before.

Sincere Apologies is a bespoke theatrical event that turns the spotlight on the way we say sorry — from celebrity statements and awkward inbox greetings to deeply personal confessions. This unique show blurs the lines between audience and performer in a captivating and emotional journey through regret, connection, and healing.

Presented as part of Frankston Arts Centre’s 2025 Season — a milestone year celebrating 30 years since the venue’s opening — Sincere Apologies invites participants behind the scenes and into an intimate, thoughtprovoking space. Funny, awkward, and moving

in equal measure, this immersive experience transforms the audience into a temporary community exploring how apologies shape our lives and relationships.

Don’t expect traditional theatre rules — audience members will be invited to participate, but only to the extent they feel comfortable. Whether you're keen to step into the action or prefer to observe from the sidelines, this experience promises a meaningful and memorable evening.

With limited tickets available, audiences are encouraged to book early for this genredefying performance where no two shows are quite the same. Tickets for Sincere Apologies are available at thefac.com.au or by calling 03 9784 1060.

when I gave them names I’d made up – a kid I christened “Spartacus” was especially confused) and we could distance ourselves in the event things turned sour.

And so it was that Leemo, DJ Stinkfist and “the Ferret”, along with assorted other kids, made their way from the cafeteria to the bowling lanes proper. It was then that most, if not all, hell broke loose. Having the kids sign up under nicknames seemed like a pretty funny idea until I saw them on the overhead electronic scorecards. Everyone could see them and found them less funny than I had. In fact, other bowlers were, at best, slightly disgusted and, at worst, slightly afraid of a noisy gang of youths that included “Little Lord Fartleroy” and “Toxic Terry” among their number. As they screamed and ran around like maniacs, I began to regret ordering full-sugar soft drink. Bowling balls flew around with all the randomness of cows in one of those “Twister” films as I hid under a bench.

At one point, the birthday boy expressed concern that his guests weren’t taking the bowling part seriously and I had to tell him that the noise and anarchy meant they were having a great time. Granted, the absence of anything that could reasonably be described as technique was startling beyond belief, but there was too much chaos to worry. Then, just like that, our time bowling was over, and we were sent to “the party room”.

I knew there was trouble when the “party room” was comprise entirely

of easy-to-clean surfaces. All you’d have to do at the end of a session was hose the place out. As soft drink slushed and food became airborne, I considered whether we could crank up the hose while the room was still occupied. For the first time in my life, I wondered whether “Lord of the Flies” was understated.

It was at that point things took a turn for the worse, as our host highlighted that we could select the song of our choice to play through the stereo for a sing-along. What demonic musical atrocity would this group of hyperactive pre-teens choose to subject me too? I braced for impact….

As I melted birthday candles to block my ears, I swore I heard the unmistakable strains of … John Denver’s “Country Roads”. They say along. They even knew the words. I could not help but lament for what was clearly a lost generation of troubled youths. Confused, I started tipping over furniture and throwing jugs of full-sugar raspberry lemonade around the room as I descended into madness.

As the security team dragged me away, the kids put on Tiny Tim’s “Tip Toe Through the Tulips”. As though I hadn’t suffered enough. Finally, various parents appeared and DJ Stinkfist, Little Lord Fartleroy and the rest vanished into the shopping centre. It was over. “I can’t wait for my next party” said the twelve-year-old as I passed out.

stuart@stuartmccullough.com

LOCALPLUMBER

scoreboard

LANGWARRIN grabbed a win with a goal in the dying seconds to beat last year’s grand finalists, Dromana, by a point.

Pythons win in a thriller, Bombers dominate

MPNFL

By Brodie Cowburn

MEN’S DIV ONE

PINES pipped Mt Eliza to the post on Saturday in an epic match.

Mt Eliza led by seven points at the first break, before Pines grabbed back the lead. At the final break, the Pythons led the Redlegs by just a goal. The final quarter proved just as close as the rest of the game. Some wayward kicking nearly cost Pines the game, but they managed to hold on for a 14.11 (95) to 13.14 (92) win.

Beau Hendry booted three goals for Pines. Khyal Jacobson, Russell Gabriel, Guy Hendry, and Kayden Sharp also had great games for the Pythons.

Tom Small, Finlay Bayne, Damian Mascitti, Braden Nelmes, and Harry Langford were named Mt Eliza’s best.

Three goals from Christian Tsiampas helped Frankston YCW beat Red Hill on Saturday.

The Stonecats led all day, but survived a late scare. Frankston YCW beat Red Hill 8.8 (56) to 9.8 (62).

Langwarrin beat Dromana on Saturday by the narrowest of margins. The Kangaroos slotted a goal in the dying seconds to better the Tigers by one point 12.10 (82) to 12.9 (81).

Rosebud smashed Mornington by 103 points on Saturday. Edithvale-Aspendale enjoyed a close win over Sorrento 12.10 (82) 14.8 (92).

MEN’S DIV TWO

FRANKSTON Bombers piled on 30 goals in a dominant win over Karingal on Saturday.

The Bombers were ruthless from the first bounce. At half-time they led the Bulls by 100 points.

The Bombers went on to claim a 5.3 (33) to 30.22 (202) win. Jai Block booted five goals for the victors, Tyson Barry booted four, and Sam Glenn, Jarrad Grant, and Flynn Wood scored three each.

Crib Point worked hard to claim a 14 point win over Seaford last weekend.

The lead at each break at RF Miles Reserve stood at less than a goal. The Magpies put their

foot down in the final term to run away with the game.

Crib Point beat Seaford 8.15 (63) to 11.11 (77).

Tyler Hobson, Jett Bauer, Max Coughlin, Peder Whelan, and Cooper Wisken were named in Crib Point’s best. Skipper Miles Shepherd kicked four goals.

Somerville beat Hastings by 53 points on Saturday. Pearcedale booted 18 goals during a six goal win over Chelsea.

Devon Meadows and Bonbeach picked up big wins over Rye and Tyabb respectively to close out the round.

WOMEN'S DIV ONE

KARINGAL are 2-0 to start the 2025 season.

After a dominant 113-point round one win over Pearcedale, the Bulls hosted Frankston in round two.

Both sides looked evenly matched in the early stages. The Bulls ended up showing their quality, and went on to claim a hard-fought 11 point win 5.3 (33) to 3.4 (22).

Hayley Monk booted two goals for the winners. Ruby Watts, Clare Burgess, Baelee Ward, Jemma Reynolds, and Taylah Dilworth were also named in the best.

Bonbeach smashed Pearcedale on Saturdaythe Sharks won 1.3 (9) to 7.10 (52).

Jamilla Hull, Lauren Colquhoun, Ruby Griffith-Hayes, Keilah Kelly, and Matilda Tench had excellent games for Bonbeach. Colquhoun and Griffith-Hayes each booted two goals.

WOMEN’S DIV TWO

EDITHVALE-Aspendale scored an impressive win over Red Hill on the road on Saturday.

The match was decided in the first half. Edithvale-Aspendale opened up an early lead, which Red Hill weren’t able to claw back.

Edi-Asp won 4.7 (31) to 6.13 (49).

Tyabb defeated Mt Eliza in a nail-biter at Bunguyan Reserve last weekend. The Yabbies triumphed 2.8 (20) to 2.5 (17).

Red Hill smashed Bass Coast by 10 goals on Friday night. Frankston secured top spot with an 11 goal win over Karingal.

Picture: Paul Churcher

MORNINGTON got thumped by Rosebud to the tune of 103 points. Picture: Alan Dillon

DEVON Meadows were too strong for Rye. Picture: Craig Barrett

Samantha sails into Vic Sports Awards finalist spot

By Brendan Rees BLAIRGOWRIE Yacht Squadron’s

Samantha Batty is riding a wave of pride after being named Community Coach of the Year in the Victorian Sports Awards.

The 21-year-old has been a part of the squadron since she was aged seven, and a fully-fledged instructor since 2022.

“It’s great to be part of the sailing community not only as a coach but also a competitor, and it’s fantastic to see the sport get some recognition,” said Batty.

The Vic Sports Awards, which has 18 categories, celebrates the achievements of home-grown sporting heroes at both a grassroots and high-performance level.

While the news of being nominated as a finalist took her by surprise, Batty said it was a huge honour and something she was very grateful for.

As a coach, Batty has trained many young people ranging from young beginner sailors in Minnows and Opti’s (aged seven -13), to primary

and secondary school groups, adult sailors, and youth intermediate sailors in ILCA’s and Pacers (aged 14-17).

She said coaching had become a key part of her life and something “extremely rewarding” to be a part of a “beginner’s journey and helping them build the confidence and fundamental skills needed to continue sailing into the future”.

“Dad is my greatest role model and my best teacher - his encouragement and mentorship sparked my interest in coaching and sharing my sailing knowledge,” she added.

Her role includes running informative and fun sessions, coordinating assistant instructors, organising and preparing safety equipment and providing on water and off water support.

When not in the water, Batty balances her role of coaching with studying a double degree in Bachelor of Arts (sociology and behavioural studies) and a Bachelor of Criminology, with aspirations of joining Victoria Police.

She’s also still involved in competitive sailing including club racing and

represents the squadron at state regattas, and Victoria in national regattas in the Sabre class.

Asked what a highlight of her career would be, she said it was winning the Victorian Sailing Instructor of the Year Award in 2024.

“During the 2023/24 summer sailing season I worked really hard alongside my assistant instructors to promote the sport of sailing on the peninsula by providing a fun and inclusive environment for beginner sailors,” she said.

“Leading the beginner group in Blairgowrie Yacht Squadron junior sail training program, I spent morning sessions on the water, as well as spending time with parents to help in rigging and support as they experienced a new sport.

“As a sailor I have learnt the importance of community and being part of a passionate group of sailors who share the same love for the sport and the water.”

The Victorian Sports Awards ceremony will be held on 14 May at the Melbourne Cricket Club.

Mornington mum wins professional bout

MORNINGTON mother of two, April Napthine, won the Australian light flyweight championship on 29 March in only her second professional match.

The win makes Napthine the only athlete to consecutively hold the amateur Australian title and the professional Australian title in the same weight category.

“She did not just win, she demolished her opponent, the unbeaten reigning champion Jemma Peart,” said her coach Marcos Amado from

Peninsula Boxing.

“April made sure of the outcome hitting her opponent in the sixth round with a perfect left hook sending her crashing to the canvas.

“She survived the eight count but was unsteady on her legs and continuously held for the remaining rounds.” Napthine will now step back to the amateurs where she will compete in the World Championships selection trials held in May at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra.

NAPTHINE celebrates the win with her team. Picture: Supplied

THE Mornington Junior Football Club under 9’s side were out in force to support the Mornington Football Club’s senior side in their first game on 5 April. Picture: Supplied

SAMANTHA Batty from Blairgowrie Yacht Squadron has been named a finalist in the Victorian Sports Awards. Picture: Gary Sissons

Chelsea send Pines into freefall

SOCCER

By Craig MacKenzie

JAMES Stinson’s five-goal haul underpinned Chelsea’s 9-1 mauling of Frankston Pines at Monterey Reserve on Saturday.

The result leaves these sides at different ends of the State 4 South ladder with Gus Macleod’s Chelsea flying high while Pines are last with no respite in sight.

Pines remain the only local side to have played at the highest level in Victoria but right now its senior men’s program is in disarray and doubts have surfaced about the club seeing out the 2025 season.

But on Sunday president Liz Diaz hit back at the critics.

“We had a chat with all players on Thursday and their response on the pitch yesterday was clear to us so yes we will have some players leave but it’s in the best interest of the club,” Diaz said.

“The rebuild of the men’s (program) was never going to be easy but we’ll reset and keep going.”

Pines have had four senior coaches in the past five months but have not been able to overcome problems of poor player numbers and quality.

And the club can’t look to its reserves for support as they are on the same trajectory as the seniors and got thumped 10-0 on Saturday.

The seniors were 7-0 down at half-time against Chelsea and league top scorer Stinson had already notched a hat-trick.

Things went from bad to worse for Pines when referee Amrit Parmar gave Nikesh Singh a straight red in the 56th minute for comments directed at the match official.

Stinson’s haul and goals from Christian Murray (2), Adam Bartosy and Liam Burford sealed Pines’ fate.

The home team’s solitary reply came from David Jones in the 67th minute.

Chelsea wasn’t at full strength as Dylan Scott, Dan Lewis and Adam Dunsford were rested and Jake Ross has returned to the UK.

In other State 4 games Rosebud won the local derby at Baxter Park 2-0 on Saturday while Somerville Eagles drew 2-2 away to FC Noble Hurricanes on Friday night.

The ’Buds won their third game of the season in a hard-fought contest against Baxter.

They took the lead in the 12th minute when Connor Wharton cut in from the right to curl a shot into the top corner giving the Baxter keeper no chance.

It was 2-0 minutes later when a bursting run from Barney Johnson saw his cross handled and Johnson stepped up to convert his own penalty.

Baxter played some good football in the second half only to be thwarted by the excellent Rosebud defence.

In the 62nd minute Johnson reacted to being fouled with a swinging arm that earned a red card but the visitors defended resolutely for the remainder of the contest and the home side couldn’t break through.

Somerville recovered from a two-goal deficit to earn a point in Friday night’s see-sawing 2-2

away draw against FC Noble Hurricanes.

Max Watson and Marcus Anastasiou scored for the Eagles.

In VPL1 Langwarrin lost 2-1 at home to fellow struggler Eastern Lions last weekend.

Both Lions’ goals came after Langy gave possession away inside its defensive half.

The visitors led after six minutes when Hussain Al Sharifi was at the far post to knock home the cross from the left of the area by Reg Nagamatsu but Brad Blumenthal equalised in the 16th minute.

Lions paid for not dealing with a ball played in from the left with Cal Goulding rolling it into the path of Blumenthal who leathered it past Lions keeper George Tzamouranis.

Blumenthal almost grabbed his second in the 25th minute only to see his shot cleared off the line.

Tzamouranis made a series of top reaction saves during this contest and was made to work much harder than his counterpart at the other end of the pitch.

For all of its momentum in the second half Langy couldn’t break through and paid dearly in the 83rd minute.

Substitute George Botsioulis was sent clear on the left of the area and finished superbly past an advancing James Burgess for the winner.

In State 1 news Mornington lost its first points of the season when going down 2-1 away to

Beaumaris on Saturday.

Kieran Dover put the visitors ahead in the 13th minute but two goals in the first five minutes of the second half proved decisive.

In State 2 news Peninsula Strikers won 3-2 away to Noble Park United on Friday night in an action-packed high-speed contest.

Steve Elliott put Strikers ahead in the 15th minute when Noble Park didn’t deal with Campbell Steedman’s long throw-in and five minutes later a Jaiden Madafferi near post header from a Steedman corner made it 2-0.

Early in the second half referee Rafail Sitaras awarded a penalty for handball against Elliott but Ben Caballero saved brilliantly down to his left.

Noble Park eventually hit back in the 69th minute through a looping header from Shane Tagliaferro but four minutes later Strikers’ twogoal cushion was restored.

Cooper Andrews released substitute Wayne Gordon whose first-time pinpoint cross was hammered home by Riley Anderton.

Tagliaferro grabbed his second in the 75th minute and despite a barrage of attacks Strikers held on to take all three points.

Skye United hosted its first home game of the season on Friday night and got back to winning ways after a tough 3-1 win against local rivals Casey Comets.

Skye started the better of the two sides and

was rewarded in the 24th minute when Emmanuel Scarlett skipped through the Casey defence and played in Mitch Blake who made no mistake to give the hosts the lead.

Ten minutes later the lead was doubled when Skye custodian Steven Hadjikakou caught the Casey defenders napping and played a direct ball over the back four where Shameit Sharma calmly lobbed the oncoming Casey goalkeeper Trevor McMullen.

But the game was turned on its head in the 43rd minute when Joseph Manual stabbed home a loose ball to make it 2-1 and a minute later Skye centre back Nic Millar was sent off for a second bookable offence.

Skye faced a battle in the second half and defended resolutely until substitute Elliott Craig iced the contest in the 97th minute on the break finishing well into the bottom corner after being played in by fellow substitute Amin Ahmad. Skye last week announced two additions to its senior squad in midfielders Cameron Boulton and Solomon Scarlett both from Gippsland League side Phillip Island.

Boulton was a half-time substitute against Casey Comets.

In State 5 news Mount Martha beat Cleeland United 3-1 at Civic Reserve on Saturday while Mount Eliza lost 4-1 away to Fortuna 60 and Aspendale lost 2-1 away to Keysborough.

Trevor Smith scored for Mount Eliza who lost top spot in the league and Sam Curtis scored for Aspendale.

Mount Martha took the lead in its clash in the 12th minute after a great run and assist by Josh McMillan which saw Zac Foad with a great first touch and shot on an angle through the legs of the Cleeland keeper.

Cleeland levelled from the penalty spot four minutes later but a second half double from McMillan settled the issue and provided a boost for Charlie Platt’s side heading into its derby showdown with Mount Eliza on 26 April.

Meanwhile one of the fiercest local rivalries resumes on Wednesday night when Langwarrin and Mornington clash at Lawton Park at 7.30pm.

The outcome of their Australia Cup round 4 preliminary tie will leave the peninsula with just one representative in the national competition. Local clubs now have a fortnight break from league action as this weekend is a catch-up round for State League and no locals are involved.

Action resumes the following weekend (round 5).

AUSTRALIA CUP

Wednesday, 16 April, 7.30pm Langwarrin v Mornington, Lawton Park

Contact Bruce on 0409 428 171 or bruce@mpnews.com.au to arrange a meeting and let his

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Goals galore: Chelsea’s ace hitman James Stinson was high-fiving in style against Frankston Pines last weekend. Picture: Jordan Martin Sudoku

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