Western Port News 2nd April 2025

The Briars expansion near completion

Brendan Rees brendan@mpnews.com.au

A PROJECT to expand the size of the existing wildlife sanctuary at The Briars conservation park in Mt Martha is nearing completion with volunteers working hard to plant thousands of trees.

The sanctuary, managed by the Mornington Peninsula Shire, will increase from 90 hectares to about 130 hectares with the community having already planted more than 7000 indigenous plants as part of revegetation efforts.

According to a shire report, fencing of the new section is almost complete.

New walking trails for people of all ages and abilities, outdoor education nooks, quiet reflection nooks and educational signage including Aboriginal cultural stories will all be installed although designs and delivery of all paths and furniture are currently “pending”.

A major focus of the sanctuary will be the reintroduction of locally endangered and extinct species through the ark program.

In 2021, the first Ark species, the Mount Martha Bundy (Eucalyptus carolaniae) was reintroduced. At the time, only 300 could be found in small pockets on the peninsula. The Briars now care for over 800 trees.

Eighteen southern brown bandicoots have also been reintroduced to the sanctuary since 2017 and in January the first photographic evidence of a bandicoot with young in her pouch

was captured.

The state government contributed $2.3m from its Regional Tourism Investment Fund to help fund the sanctuary’s $10.1m expansion.

Overall, the works are part of the $29.5m Briars Master Plan 2019-2029 which aims to “protect, enhance, and celebrate the natural, cultural, and heritage aspects of this beloved community space while introducing new experiences which were requested by the local community, and which are forecast to attract visitors to the region”.

While The Briars attracts some 200,000 people annually, the shire report (published in March) said “there are still many in the community not benefiting from this community asset as it is not accessible, nor does it currently offer the amenities many in our community need”.

“The Briars has been identified as having huge potential to provide more benefits to the community, both through recreation activities and as a significant contributor to the local economy.”

Other projects, which will be delivered under stage two, include an arts and wellness precinct, heritage farm trail, a play garden, a gathering space featuring a café, children’s garden and visitor centre, and car park upgrades. Improvements will also be made to the on-site historic restaurant so it can be leased as a restaurant/café and function space. The council said detailed scoping of work requirements was underway.

Continued Page 8

SOMERVILLE resident Brenda Thornell has earned her place in the history books of Devilbend Golf Club after scoring a holein-one, proving age is no barrier. See ‘ Ninety-year-old scores hole-in-one’ - Page 31

Picture: Gary Sissons

I’ve voted Liberal all my life—but no

THIS ISN’T about left or right. It’s about a party that’s lost its way. Peter Dutton’s Liberals would make Menzies and Fraser turn in their graves. They’ve abandoned fairness for far-right theatrics, and the Mornington Peninsula is paying the price.

Remember Hawke and Keating? Say what you like about them, but they governed. Medicare, super, real reform—today’s mob wouldn’t dare. Housing’s the perfect example: Labor’s all talk, and the Liberals? They’re too busy cozying up to landlords to care.

Here in Flinders, we’ve had no town halls, no answers, just Christmas calendars and party-line votes. Meanwhile, Geelong gets ten times the support we do. That’s what happens when your

MP cares more about Melbourne party bosses than their own community.

Dutton’s worse. Trump-style stunts, dodgy contracts, submarines that’ll sink our budget for decades—is that really the best we’ve got?

Then there’s Ben Smith. Met him at Mount Martha’s Meet & Greet last Sunday. An impressive man. He listened. I now proudly display his sign on my fence. For the first time in years, I felt heard.

That’s what’s missing: connection. I don’t want to feel powerless. We need MPs who consult, who fight for us, not their party’s interests.

Independents like Ben Smith are the way forward. It’s time we put Flinders first.

– John Whalley, Dromana

Independents get results.

Just look to Indi in North East Victoria. After decades as a safe seat they went independent.

Since being elected, their Independent MP Helen Haines has delivered:

☑ 40% of all funding received in Victoria for mobile phone blackspots has gone to Indi

☑ $147 million for roads

Powerful legislation to root out corruption in politics

My priorities for the Mornington Peninsula:

Demand our fair share

→ Geelong gets 10X more funding than the Peninsula. I will fight to get more for us

→ Stop using “metropolitan” status as an excuse to underfund our community.

→ Fix our neglected roads and infrastructure

→ Make sure funding decisions are based on need, not politics

Save Rosebud Hospital

→ Secure the $85m upgrade our only public hospital desperately needs

→ Fight for more doctors and specialists on the Peninsula

→ Reduce wait times and prevent residents driving hours for care

Tackle Cost of Living

→ Stand up to supermarket giants gouging Peninsula families

→ Practical solutions to lower energy bills

→ Support Peninsula small businesses against corporate giants

JOHN Whalley at his home in Dromana.

Authorised by Ben Smith, 43 Cook St, Flinders VIC 3929

Battle over beach cleaning to reach ‘compromise’

Brendan Rees brendan@mpnews.com.au

MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire has put forward five options for cleaning the region’s iconic beaches following a divisive hand beach cleaning trail that has sparked heated debate in the community.

The 12-month trial, which began last July, involves cleaning all Port Phillip beaches 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). Together with volunteers, the shire’s contractor Citywide has employed four beach hand cleaners plus a supervisor who clean 32.5km of beach from Portsea to Mount Eliza.

While mechanical raking creates an aesthetically pleasing groomed look, the method has become contentious following reports it was leaving behind broken bottles, shredded plastic and needles.

Councillors will decide the future of beach cleaning at their 8 April meeting, but at this stage council officers have proposed five options using a combination of both methods with a recommendation that a ratio of 70 per cent hand cleaning and 30 per cent mechanical raking be adopted with an outsourced delivery model.

The move comes after deputy mayor Cr Paul Pingiaro voiced his concerns at the council’s 18 December meeting last year, where he called for the trial

to end after noting 82 per cent of respondents to a community survey had reported beaches “are less enjoyable to visit” because of hand cleaning with increased seaweed and litter.

That meeting resolved to explore all options using both methods with a report to come back by April.

According to a shire report published in March, the recommended option had “been determined on localised beach accessibility, recreational values, visitation rates, coastal setting, community sentiment and litter volumes collected throughout the first seven months of the hand cleaning trial”.

This would also “reduce the amount of organic matter being disposed of to landfill, in comparison to the pretrial hybrid method (20 per cent hand

cleaning and 80 per cent mechanical raking),” the report said.

The community has been invited to provide feedback throughout the duration of the hand beach cleaning trial via an online survey.

Mayor Cr Anthony Marsh said while he was undecided about which way he would vote on the matter, he maintained “the inevitable outcome should and probably would be a compromise”.

“No one was ever saying the mechanical beach rake was perfect but no rationale I think would look at this and agree that 100 per cent of hand cleaning is practical so it’s somewhere in the middle,” he said.

“I think this will resolve most of the concerns that people have where you

look at those high-traffic, high-utilisation beaches. They’ll get mechanical back at certain times of the year and that’s probably a sensible approach. It’s just finding a happy medium and a compromise and that’s probably landed about where it needs to land.”

Pingiaro said while too was undecided about the best approach until it was debated at the April meeting, he did believe, in his opinion, that hand beach cleaning volunteers deserved more praise.

“This is only my opinion and not that of the council, but volunteers should have been recognised a lot more. Their role in hand cleaning was extremely important and extremely undervalued,” he said.

“I’m very supportive of the fantastic work our beach patrols do, and I think the report should’ve highlighted that a bit more in my opinion.”

Award winning beach cleaning campaigner Josie Jones OAM who had initially pushed the shire for a hand cleaning trial, said she believed the 70 per cent hand cleaning and 30 per cent mechanical raking option was “premature”.

“Key stakeholders haven’t been engaged, the full third-quarter data showing strong support for hand cleaning hasn’t been released, and no cost of sending seaweed to landfill compared to hand cleaning waste to landfill saving the community hundreds of thousands of dollars,” she said.

“Council itself admitted the rake didn’t work. Reintroducing it without testing not only undermines their own position but ignores state and federal

plans for low-impact coastal care.

“Since the rake was removed, we’ve seen biodiversity increase and protected flora reappear across all beaches and we will begin to see the true value of hand cleaning, with less litter appearing on our beaches as we come into the storm months of late April, May, and June.”

Mornington Beach Patrol leader Susan Young said as a community “we must lean away from the notion that we are picking up after other people and shift the narrative to education”.

“Everyone is a steward of the environment and if we are lucky enough to live in a place as lovely as this then we are all responsible to dispose of actual rubbish and recycle and repurpose as much as possible,” she said.

“It’s not up to the beach patrol groups or cafe owners offering coffees in keep cups or the council alone, it’s all of us together and playing our roles responsibly and sustainably, we will make a difference.”

As previously reported by The News, the council said that 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.

“Ending the hand beach cleaning trial immediately would result in beaches not being cleaned after the 90 days period until an alternate arrangement can be implemented,” a council report last year said.

But unless council makes an alternative decision, hand beach cleaning would otherwise continue until the contract ends.

Hand cleaning volunteers from Beach Patrol Mornington. Picture: Supplied

Zoe McKenzie Flinders Federal Member

Authorised by Zoe McKenzie MP, Liberal Party, 1/49 Eramosa Rd West, Somerville VIC 3912

Roxy rescued at Martha Cove

A

HEARTWARMING rescue unfolded at Martha Cove in Safety Beach on 25 March when a dog became trapped between rocks, drawing a swift response from the community.

Emergency crews from State Emergency Service, Country Fire Authority, Victoria Police, and Fire Rescue Victoria worked together to free the three-year-old German Shepherd after responding to the incident just before 7pm.

Roxy had been on a walk with her family when she slipped and fell at the rock wall near the Safety Beach Sailing Club. Her head was only just above water as the tide was coming in.

A local fisherman had tried to help the desperate family before emergency crews arrived.

But getting the injured Roxy off the rocks, which create a breakwater for the entrance to Martha’s Cove, proved challenging as she was unable to walk after the two-hour rescue. Light was also fading but just as a passing

watercraft operator offered their help, the sore Roxy was unwilling to jump aboard.

Another boat returning to the dock joined the rescue effort, this time moving his craft to the rocks next to the crews.

Roxy, who was in their owner’s arms at this stage, was put on a stretcher before boarding the vessel and being returned safely to the dock.

CFA Commander Tony Ford said it was a great example of the community coming together to help strangers, “without question or hesitation”.

“We really would like to thank the boat and jet ski operators for coming to the assistance of the rescue operation” he said.

“And the good news is that Roxy was able to walk off the boat and jump in the family wagon waiting at the end of the pier.”

Brendan Rees

EMERGENCY crews help Roxy the dog. Picture: Supplied

Journalists: Brodie Cowburn, Brendan Rees

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Hastings SES boosts training facilities

HASTINGS State Emergency Service has advanced its training facilities by installing a sound-absorbing acoustic wall in its training room, thanks to a placemaking grant from the Mornington Peninsula Shire.

The upgrade will allow volunteers to conduct multiple training sessions simultaneously by dividing the room into two separate areas, without disruption from other activities.

Unit Controller Dutchy Holland said it significantly increased the facility’s versatility, supporting both operational needs and broader community use.

“This upgrade will not only enhance our emergency response capabilities but also provide a valuable resource for other community groups,” he said.

“SES Hastings is incredibly grateful for the support of Mornington Peninsula Shire in improving the adaptability of our training space.”

During major storm events and emergency responses, the space can be reconfigured using the folding acoustic wall, creating an incident management room on one side and a crew briefing, welfare, or call triage area on the other.

Holland said while the room remained fully functional in its open format, the enhanced flexibility means other community groups may also benefit.

The Coast Guard has already expressed interest in using the upgraded facility, reinforcing its value beyond SES operations.

Hastings SES has also recently received a new trailer to assist with transporting large and bulky equipment for community support opera-

This was made possible thanks to a generous community grant from South East Water.

Volunteers said the trailer had already proven its value including moving equipment for the recent Emergency Services Expo held in Hastings on 23 March. It has also been used to transport

It will be important for transporting sandbags and pumps to areas affected by flooding or potential flood risks.

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tions.

fencing to Mornington for the response ute stationed there, and assist with the setup for Hastings SES support at the Rescue Dogs assessment day in a simulated tarp haul training exercise.

SILVANA Hobley and Helen Pugh from Hastings SES. Picture: Gary Sissons

Shire surplus to boost landslide response

Brendan Rees brendan@mpnews.com.au

MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire has reforecast an end of financial year surplus of $3.78m, which will be dispersed to fund the McCrae landslide emergency response, storm damage, and bolstering its emergency response reserve.

Councillors have approved a “2024/2025 mid-year reforecast” which will see $2m allocated to the recovery of last August’s storm events, $1.2m towards the McCrae landslide emergency response, and $580,000 to top up the shire’s emergency response reserve.

Funding spent on the McCrae landslide response included a back fill of staff, technical experts, legal costs and traffic management.

According to a council report, this “will continue to be monitored and reported” but “given the unknown timeframe and potential costs,” shire officers had recommended that the remaining surplus be allocated to its emergency response reserve, which would bring the reserve’s total fund to $1.58m.

The storm event related to the days-long wild weather that hit the peninsula on 25 August including damage to structures, flooding, coastal erosion, damage to beach boxes and downed trees.

The community was also impacted by power outages, roads closed and damage to houses.

It required a massive clean-up and impact assessments by the shire with

a portion of costs to be eligible under the state government’s Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements, which the council will make an application to claim.

Councillors also decided to scrap an outdoor dining scheme launched during Covid to support the recovery of businesses who had been forced to close or reduce their patron capacities.

The shire report noted there had been a “minimal uptake of ongoing parklets, and the budget remained unspent” with “currently no further

demand for this program”.

Mayor Cr Anthony Marsh said the mid-year surplus was an opportunity to identify other projects in the community.

“I think it’s financially prudent to not spend that money and to put it aside for that so-called rainy day,” he said.

“McCrae is obviously an unforeseen event which has put a significant burden on the ratepayer. I think if you average it out across 106,000 houses, it’s about $29 per household so far in funding this event, so that’s

HYBRID RANGE

substantial,” he said.

Cr David Gill said he was disappointed by the way the state government had particularly handled the McCrae landslide response with a “lack of input”, saying it was “very easy to point fingers at the council”, which had been “doing its best”.

“I’m not arguing about us helping,” he said, but added additional support “should be more general”.

“It seems to be lacking in a general sense, with perhaps mainly, the state government … I’ve been surprised that our ratepayers are carrying the burden.”

Deputy mayor Cr Paul Pingiaro agreed, saying “we can’t always shoulder the burdens of an emergency event – it’s not our area to step into typically, but we have, and we have stepped up, and we should as a council group and as officers all around the room be very happy in that way that we have responded, and we should be very proud of how we have stood up”.

In a 21 March update regarding the McCrae landslide, the shire said it was focussing on getting the remaining eight property owners safely back into their homes, investigating the 14 January incident, and identifying necessary works to make the area safe again.

The state government has not contributed any funding to the emergency response but has established a $3.14m Board of Inquiry to “get to the bottom of” what happened and identify how to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Alari Quartet back by popular demand

SOMERS Chamber Music Society, by popular demand, is bringing the Alari quartet back to the peninsula with a concert at St John’s Anglican Church in Flinders Sunday 13 April at 2.30pm.

The group is presenting a mix of well-known favourites and a contemporary offering starting with Haydn’s String Quartet No. 3 Op 33 “The Bird”. Elena Kats Chernin’s Blue Silence follows and Alari finishes after the interval with Grieg’s String Quartet No.1 Op 27.

The society’s President, Dan Hourigan, said that the society was extremely happy to be able to bring these young musicians back for another concert.

“It is great to see these talented young musicians develop. I was at a Melbourne Symphony Orchestra’s performance of Mahler’s Requiem recently and playing in the viola section was Sandra Ionescu, Alari’s leader.

“It is also nice to be able to again present a concert at St John’s which has just the right atmosphere for chamber music,” he said.

Alari last performed for Society in October last year at St Mark’s in Balnarring and their success and requests for their return prompted the society to negotiate a return concert. Tickets for the concert are $55 with a special price of $25 for students and include after concert refreshments provided by the Red Cross. Bookings can be made through Try Booking or on the day at the door.

www.trybooking.com/CZUVY

*Snowy

THE shire’s surplus is expected to help with landslide recovery. Picture: Yanni

Parents: Snezana & Daniel

Birth date: 25.03.2025

Birth weight: 3024gms Born at: Frankston Hospital

Parents: Karolina & Honza

Birth date: 24.03.2025

Birth weight: 3540gms Born at: Frankston Hospital

Parents: Upama & Biduv

Birth date: 25.03.2025

Birth weight: 3500gms

Born at: Frankston Hospital

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Parents: Willow & Alex

Birth date: 24.03.2025

Birth weight: 3900gms Born at: Frankston Hospital

Parents: Katie & Nick

Birth date: 26.03.2025 Birth weight: 3600gms

Tree planting underway at The Briars

Continued from Page 1

In another major project, the heritage-listed homestead, built in 1846, will be restored at a cost of $950,000 with Heritage Victoria contributing $150,000. Works have been completed to repair termite damage and restore other parts of the homestead.

“To re-open the homestead, further works to improve accessibility are required in order to be compliant with current legislation,” the shire report added.

“A final scope of works and associated costs (for stage two) will be received in March – April 2025. Funding will then be sought for completion of the work,” the council report said.

Upon the homestead’s restoration, the council hopes to reinstate guided tours and use the commercial kitchen and grounds for weddings, small functions and small events.

The Briars Master Plan Implementation Report was due to be considered by councillors at their 25 March meeting, which was rescheduled to 8 April.

The business case stated the plan could have an economic impact of $14.49 million during construction and $10.51 million per year on the peninsula once operational.

But with the plan and business case now five years old, “significant changes to the underlying

economic and social conditions have occurred during that time,” the shire report said.

“It is critical that a review of the master plan be undertaken to confirm the underlying objectives, for example financial sustainability, and adjust the initiatives to meet these objectives.

“The review is currently scheduled to begin mid-2025. Pending a budget bid, tourism economics and landscape architects will be engaged to ensure the revised plan is deliverable and meets council’s objectives and community expectations.”

To date, the shire has funded $1.85 million in total for projects as part of the masterplan, which is on top of last year’s operating budget of $1.7 million.

Balcombe Estuary Reserves Group President Eric Smalley said that while BERG has no direct involvement in the Briars, working instead in the adjacent Balcombe Reserves, members were pleased to see the progress that has been made, particularly the Ark project and the extension of the sanctuary.

“The extension involved considerable revegetation to which several BERG members volunteered their time. BERG hopes that the shire continues its commitment to weed eradication in the Briars as this will have a positive flow-on effect throughout the reserves,” he said.

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RANGER Max Kerney and deputy mayor Cr Paul Pingiaro. Picture: Gary Sissons

Liquidators called in again as the Hastings Club shuts its doors

Cameron McCullough cameron@mpnews.com.au

LESS than a year after forming a new entity after the collapse into liquidation of the old one, the Hastings Club has again been placed into liquidation.

The collapse of the club follows its closure on 30 October last year due to a water leak under the floor; an issue that is still unresolved and has left the club unable to trade and continuing to accumulate costs.

An information meeting of members was held on 11 March, outlining the difficult pathway forward for the club. And at a Special General Meeting held last Tuesday (25 March), the 64 members in attendance were asked whether to put the club into liquidation. There were no questions or discussion before the vote, and the outcome was unanimous to “lay the club to rest”.

The collapse of the Hastings Club, founded in 1967, comes after the old entity was placed into liquidation in April last year after rising debts associated with the club’s gaming machines (Hastings Club plans pokiesfree future, The News 26/3/24).

The club re-established itself as the Hastings Community and Sports Club Inc. At the time, the chairman of the club, David Gibbs, said “This is not the end of the road, but the start of a new journey” with a renewed focus on community and sporting groups, but acknowledging “It will be hard work”.

Beginning with no significant working capital, the club struggled to get established and trade profitably through the quiet winter season. On 21 August last year, an urgent call was put out for $50,000 in working capital to be raised to keep the doors of the club open and get through to the busy pre-Christmas period. The target was met by loyal members, and the club appeared to be over the crisis.

Another blow came in early September when a letter from the president of the Hastings Football Netball Club, Dan Lehmann, was posted to social media expressing their desire to become independent of the Hastings Community and Sports Club Inc. The football club had struggled on the field, with Lehmann telling The News at the time “This year, with everything that has happened, it has been very difficult to run a football club” (The Hastings Club celebrates fundraising win, while footy and netball club seek split, The News 11/9/24). But what would prove to be the

fatal blow for the club came on 30 October when the doors shut after the discovery of a water leak under the floor.

“The most pessimistic person could not have known the length of time it would take to locate and repair the leak,” said Gibbs in a letter sent to the members last month.

“The water leak was eventually repaired on 10 December 2024 and the repairs to the damage caused were expected to be completed by Christmas. [This changed to] early January, before Australia Day, by the end of January, until the most recent advice of mid-March.”

Gibbs went on to explain to members that after the completion of repairs there are many challenges facing the club.

“The club is in debt, has no remaining funds after being closed for over three and a half months, has no staff, no stock of food and beverage, and a restart would require re-commissioning of fridges, ovens, beer systems, computer systems etc.”

In the last few weeks, frantic efforts have focussed on garnering the support of the shire; the entity responsible for the building.

Passionate and emails were sent to councillors, knowing that failure to get shire support would be the end of the Hastings Club.

An email seen by The News from foundation member Brian Stahl told councillors “Without any fear of contradiction I put it to you all to show us any other sporting organisa-

tion across the Mornington Peninsula Shire which, along with all the other voluntary expansion initiatives carried out over the ensuing years by members of the club… at no cost at all to the municipality has now had to endure such a long closure of its premises and the imminent demise of its existence forever”.

The cause had the in-principal support of mayor Cr Anthony Marsh who told The News “We respect the committee’s work and encourage constructive discussions among members to find a sustainable path forward”.

Coolart Ward councillors David Gill weighed in to the debate in an email to all councillors seen by The News “We need the Hastings Club to get back to providing sporting and other important community programs before the club potentially folds. Many promises have been made but delivery has been short coming”.

On Sunday 23 March came a glimmer of hope from Cr Michael Stephens when he emailed Stahl “I fully understand the frustration and urgency you feel, and I can see how deeply invested you are in the future of the club”.

“As you mentioned, the water leak issue couldn’t have come at a worse time for the club. After being closed for several months, the path to recovery has become even more difficult. The combination of these setbacks has put the club in a much more precarious position, and I fully appreciate the gravity of the situation.

“I can confirm that I received the

new draft ‘business plan’ from David Gibbs last Thursday. I will be discussing it further with [acting shire CEO] Bulent Oz.”

But on Tuesday 25 March, the day the club would be placed into liquidation, came the news that no help would be coming from the shire.

“I met with Bulent Oz yesterday and again today,” said an email from Stephens.

“Unfortunately, I am not confident in gaining councillor support for a motion that would provide ongoing financial support, particularly considering the strained financial environment the shire is operating in.”

By Tuesday evening, liquidation had become the only option.

The club was placed into liquidation 58 years and 22 days after its formation. Perhaps the final act of community spirit that had embodied the club was that, at the end of the Special General Meeting, members were asked for one final favour. Could they please move the tables and stack the chairs to allow the tradesmen to come in the following day to lift carpet damaged by the water leak. The members performed the task and then left their club for the final time.

Committee member and persistent advocate of the club, Kevin Miles, didn’t hold back in his email to councillors after the demise of the club.

“Your refusal to help us in any way just has us shaking our heads”.

“To say it was a sad meeting would be a total understatement. How this has happened I cannot fathom.”

Brian Stahl told The News “It leaves me cold in disbelief and totally dismayed that our local municipality could just walk away from such an impressive and much needed community inspired entity”.

“In the recorded history of Hastings this will go down as one of its saddest outcomes and one which, in my personal opinion, will also live on permanently as a black mark against the Mornington Peninsula Shire.”

After the club had been placed into liquidation, Gibbs reflected on the outcome.

“The end of the Hastings Club is an incredibly sad day for those members who had a dream and built the club from scratch,” said Gibbs.

“The club was in reality a community house ‘on steroids’ providing a meeting place for a host of community groups at no or very little cost, a club for members and a low-cost function space for community groups and clubs at the same time.

“Since being closed on 30 October last, this loss has already been massively felt.

“It was the end result of a ‘perfect storm’ led by massively increased payment to the state government for the poker machines, increased gaming tax , Covid closures, and then after the water leak the unbelievable time it took the shire, our landlord, to fix the leak and the damage done in the process to the building and its unwillingness to ‘walk the talk’ of the support that we were told would be available.”

ESTABLISHED in 1967, the Hastings Club has closed its doors for what appears to be the final time. Picture: Cameron McCullough

FEDERAL ELECTION 2025

Smith launches campaign, Race applauds budget, McKenzie offers alternative plan, Frogley hones in on homelessness

Cameron McCullough cameron@mpnews.com.au

WITH the election date set for 3 May, the “phoney war” is over, and the real battle begins.

The News is currently aware of five candidates that have elected to run in Flinders in 2025: Zoe McKenzie (Liberal), Sarah Race (Labor), Ben Smith (Independent), Adam Frogley (Greens) and Mike Brown (One Nation).

In 2022, ten candidates contested the seat including two independents, and candidates from United Australia, Liberal Democrats, Animal Justice Party and Federation Party.

Independent Ben Smith had a busy week including meeting with the CEO of Homelessness Australia, Kate Colvin, to discuss the current housing crisis and explore policy solutions aimed at reducing homelessness on the Mornington Peninsula.

The week culminated in his campaign launch at Dromana Estate on Sunday (30 March).

Smith unveiled his “Doing Politics Differently Pledge” – a commitment to how he would remain accountable to the peninsula in Canberra.

“The message I heard loud and clear today is that our community is ready for change,” Smith told the crowd.

“People are feeling let down by the major parties. They feel removed from what actually happens in Canberra, and are tired of the old way of doing politics.”

“For too long, the peninsula has been taken for granted as a safe seat, only getting attention when an election rolls around. I want to change that. It’s time to make politics work for people by truly involving them in the process. Today marks the start of a new chapter in our representation.”

Smith’s pledge to the community is to:

n Conduct regular electorate-wide surveys to gauge residents’ positions on upcoming legislation and issues

n Conduct monthly town hall meetings across different peninsula locations to ensure continuous community engagement

n Create a direct gateway to Canberra for local people and organisations

n Commit to put the peninsula

interests first in all parliamentary decisions and to fight hard for them.

Recent polling shows Smith within striking distance of incumbent Liberal MP Zoe McKenzie. Those polls, if accurate, would have Smith leaping ahead of Labor in the two party preferred contest.

Labor candidate Sarah Race spent the first official day of the campaign pulling out weeds with the volunteers at Friends of Flinders Coastline and welcoming in the new footy season supporting the Rye Football Club.

Race believes she has been walking alongside the community and listening for months, and that won’t change now that the election has been called.

“With the election just around the corner, Australians are facing a clear choice: Labor’s plan to keep building or Peter Dutton’s cuts,” said Race.

“Last week’s budget was further evidence that Labor will continue to deliver responsible and meaningful cost of living relief for Australian families.

“Meanwhile the Coalition has voted against every single cost of living measure that Labor has taken to parliament.”

Race welcomed Labor’s budget and election pitch telling The News it provides cost of living relief to every

household including:

n More tax cuts for every taxpayer

n More energy bill relief for every household and small business

n More bulk billing to help Australians see a GP for free, and cheaper medicines

n More investment in every stage of education

n More help to get Australians into a home of their own

Race said, “The Coalition has voted against every single cost of living relief measure. The Liberals can’t be trusted with cost-of-living relief, or support for publicly funded services like schools, health and social care. You will be worse off under Dutton”. Liberal candidate and incumbent Member for Flinders, Zoe McKenzie, couldn’t disagree more.

“Labor’s budget was one to get the government through the next five weeks and will shackle future generations to unresolvable debt. Under Labor, gross debt will rocket past $1 trillion next financial year. This year alone, interest payments to Australia’s lenders will reach more than $24 billion, rising to $27 billion next year. That is $27 billion which cannot be spent on roads, rail, new housing, better health and education services and the country’s defence,”

said McKenzie.

“Last week, Peter Dutton set out a clear alternative for Australia – one which guarantees our prosperity and security and which will get Australia back on track.

“Instead of offering Australians a 73c a day tax cut from 1 July 2026, the Coalition has promised to halve the fuel excise, saving the average household in the Mornington Peninsula approximately $1,500 a year.”

McKenzie argued the fuel excise changes would have enhanced impact due to the lack of public transport infrastructure and high dependence on cars on the peninsula.

“We are a driving community –with the second highest incidence of tradies anywhere in the country, we are reliant on our cars and utes to get around and the cost of fuel is constantly raised with me.”

“I served in the last Coalition government that retired a generation of Labor’s debt and in the early 2000s.

“Thanks to Labor’s mismanagement of the Australian economy, and the delivery of a dangerous 2025 budget - that option will be denied the next generation of Australians, and we will be in a constant battle to redress the reckless spending and decade of debt and deficit left to future generations

by Labor,” said McKenzie.

Greens candidate Adam Frogley welcomed his party’s stand on ending homelessness and housing insecurity.

“Rising rents and property values means low -income local residents on the Mornington Peninsula are being forced out of the region - away from their families and support networksor are being rendered homeless.”

Homelessness Australia, the national peak body for homelessness in Australia, welcomed the Greens’ plan to end homelessness by investing in evidence-based models.

“The Greens will follow successful international models such as Finland’s ‘Housing First’ program which has virtually eliminated chronic homelessness, and been successful in pilot projects in Australia,” said Frogley.

“The total cost of the plan to solve homelessness is $12.7 billion over the next four years, and would be funded through the Greens plan to tax big corporations, including the big banks.

“The Greens proposal is to build 50,000 ongoing Housing First tenancies, which are based on this model with a particular emphasis on youth.

“The Greens have also proposed doubling federal funding to the states for homelessness support and social housing.

Homelessness Australia CEO Kate Colvin said, “Our housing crisis has only worsened, even with people on middle incomes struggling to find homes they can afford.”

“If we are going to fix homelessness, we need to fix the housing crisis and provide the support people need to keep their home when they have health problems and other support needs.”

The plan sits alongside the Greens previously launched plan to address Australia’s shortfall in genuinely affordable housing by establishing a public property developer to build 610,000 homes over the coming decade and sell and rent them at well below market rates, with 20% allocated to those on the lowest incomes.

The Greens also propose stopping unlimited rent increases to 2% every two years and regulate the banks to deliver fairer, lower mortgages. They propose to phase out tax handouts including negative gearing & the capital gains tax discount, and establish a Renters Protection Authority to enforce renters’ rights.

LABOR candidate for Flinders Sarah Race with Rye Junior Football Club President Steve Paris and U13s coach Trent Downie. Picture: Supplied

INDEPENDENT Ben Smith launched his campaign at Dromana Estate on Sunday 30 March. Picture: Supplied

ZOE McKenzie has welcomed Dutton’s plan to halve fuel excise. Picture: Supplied

New jetty to revitalise Mornington harbour

WORK will soon begin on rebuilding the Mornington Fishermans Jetty, restoring not only access for berthing but also injecting new life into the harbour.

The much-anticipated announcement was made last week by the state government with construction preparations set to start in April. The jetty was closed to pedestrians in November 2020 due to advanced structural deterioration with berthing access ceasing in 2022 following

inspections by maritime engineers.

The existing nearby Mornington Pier has been providing short term berthing for vessels.

Once complete the new jetty will reinstate access for berthing, improve access, and provide an “attractive visual feature” for visitors.

The project is being funded as part of an $18m investment delivered in the Victorian Budget 2022/23.

The new structure will be a likefor-like replacement, with Simpson

Construction Company appointed for the rebuild, which is expected to be completed by spring.

Ports and Freight Minister Melissa Horne said the refurbishment “will enhance the harbour and ensure it remains a popular destination for locals and tourists”.

“The new jetty will provide safer access for anglers, boaters and tourists, continuing the momentum from completed projects around Port Phillip at Altona and the flagship $53m

St Kilda Pier redevelopment.”

It also supports the vision of Mornington Local Port Area Plan which highlighted the area’s recreational, commercial significance and potential.

According to Parks Victoria, the new jetty will preserve the heritage values of the area, as well as ensuring that the harbour’s access channels continue to provide safe access for the vessels today, while catering for potential future operators, tour-

ism and commercial needs.

The new-look landmark will also complement the upgraded Mornington Pier which was reconstructed in 2015 as part of a $15.3m investment by the state government.

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

Brendan Rees

An artist impression of the new jetty and, above, Ports and Freight Minister

Melissa Horne and Eastern Victoria MP Tom McIntosh announce the rebuild works. Pictures: Supplied

Helping to maintain an

WESTERNPORT Mobility have long specialised in the sale and repair of mobility scooters and home mobility products, and have now introduced a whole new range of living aids.

Proof that a good business is constantly growing and keeping with the times, Westernport Mobility have expanded into health care products for the home.

Owner Ray Percival says it’s part of providing a wider service to the community. “We now have lift chairs, which are ideal for when people have had operations like hip replacements. They might need a lift chair temporarily after surgery, or they might need one full time in their home,” says Ray.

“At Westernport Mobility, you can either hire or buy depending on your needs.”

Also included in the new range are products to help those with rheumatism. “We have jar and bottle openers, and other home aids like special cutlery for those with arthritis, that help people maintain an independent life,” says Ray.

At Westernport Mobility, it’s all about supplying products that make it easier for everyday living. You can buy or hire most products, including mobility scooters, electric lift beds, electric lift chairs, walking aids, bathroom and toilet aids and living aids.

With a commitment to providing a high level of customer service, Westernport Mobility also offer home demonstrations of products. Head to their new website and purchase your needs through the online shop or visit them in store.

Seniors Loving Life!

Introducing SHAMAC Lodge by After-Care

WHEN Shane and Max Kelly opted for a career change in the 1990’s they had no idea that 25 years later they would be opening the doors to their Cottage Respite home, SHAMAC Lodge!

Together, they chose to become qualified Personal Care Attendants, Max working at Rosebud Rehabilitation Centre and Shane working as an in-home carer for a number of agencies. Shanes duties as a carer involved transporting his clients to respite facilities which most were Aged Care Facilities. Shane soon realised that young men and women were required to go to these facilities because there was nowhere age appropriate for them to attend to give their Carers a well-deserved break. Shane said “you could always see a look of appreciation and relief knowing that both parties were going off to enjoy themselves without their significant others (carer). Shane went on to say that for him it was about the client, knowing that they could go somewhere, all be it an Aged Care Facility, they were able to be independent for that period and enjoy their own space.

However, the thought of leaving his 44 year old male client in an Aged Care facility was heart wrenching, Shane said “it always bought a tear to my eye walking out and leaving them however it was bitter sweet because my clients wife needed a well-deserved break”.

It was at that point that Shane went home to Max and said “I’ve had enough, mark my word Max, we are going to open a Cottage Respite Home where people of all ages can come and stay”

In the meantime, Shane and Max started After-Care (A’sia) and have become leaders on the Mornington Peninsula and surrounding suburbs in In-Home Care. Based locally in Rosebud on the Mornington Peninsula, AfterCare offers all In-home care services including Home and Garden Maintenance.

Shane and Max said that although After-Care (A’sia) is their pride and joy, they have loved every bit of the past 25 years and the 130 staff they call family.

However, the itch was still there, and it had to be scratched…fast forward 6 months and the dream has come true; with an incredible amount of work by Max and Shane and their amazing, dedicated team SHAMAC Lodge is born.

Nestled in the tranquil setting of Rye on the Mornington Peninsula, Shamac Lodge, the new Cottage Respite home sits upon 1 acre of undulating Limestone sand dunes provides a peaceful, home-away-from-home experience for your loved ones.

At Shamac Lodge, we understand the importance of taking a well-deserved break while knowing that those you care for are receiving exceptional care. Our dedicated staff treat every client like family, starting their day with a hearty homemade breakfast before embarking on a day of fun and engaging activities, showcasing the beauty of what the Mornington Peninsula has to offer. With delicious, nutritious meals, relaxing afternoon tea, and a cozy evening routine, your loved ones are well cared for in a nurturing environment. Fully trained and qualified, our team is committed to supporting people of all ages and abilities.

People that stay can enjoy well-appointed rooms with all the creature comforts they would expect of a Hotel. Shane and Max said they want to ensure that a stay at SHAMAC Lodge is an experience, an experience people remember and why not do it on the beautiful Mornington Peninsula.

Shane said “we live in such a beautiful area, the Mornington Peninsula has been our home for over 40 years, we wish everyone could have the opportunity to visit and even stay”.

SHAMAC Lodge is also open for family stays; Max said “we would love to have families that may be caring for their child living with a disability stay for a weekend, get away from the every day and experience the Mornington Peninsula, knowing they are going somewhere that is appropriate, with access ramps, aids and equipment to suit most situations, SHAMAC Lodge is the perfect solution for families looking at getting away”.

The team at SHAMAC Lodge by After-Care hope to see you soon for you next Cottage Respite stay.

Book your tour today and “let our family help your family.”

1300 464 663

Pictured above: SHAMAC Lodge. Pictured below: Shane and Max Kelly images: supplied

YOU’VE just started putting in the extra miles, walking or running to get fit, and suddenly putting weight on the base of the foot, near the heel makes it ache, and makes more training a painful prospect.

That sharp pain in your heel can be a symptom of plantar fasciitis, a condition of the connective plantar fascia tissue in your foot, and traditionally very difficult to treat. Physiotherapist Sienna Wills says Plantar Fasciitis is an overuse injury that can feel as though you have a pebble in your shoe.

At Back In Motion Balnarring, we have several solutions for this condition. Firstly, it is important to look at your whole lower limb biomechanics. As a result, we can work on your strength and flexibility in your leg and foot, prescribe orthotics, tape and teach taping, and use massage and ultrasound to reduce inflammation. We have a unique way of mobilizing your foot and teaching “foot core stability” to reduce pressure on the plantar fascia.

Apart from the above solutions, there is a newer healing technology that is making a profound difference to Plantar fasciitis sufferers.

Practice owner and physiotherapist, Paul Rowson says shockwave therapy is often useful, because the Plantar fascia is a connective tissue, not a muscle. “It puts a significant shockwave through the tissues you apply it to,” Mr Rowson says. “It is a pressure wave which brings blood flow to the area. Tendons and connective tissue do not have much blood supply and can take a long time to heal. Shockwave artificially stimulates the healing of the tendon”.

Shockwave therapy can also be used on Achilles tendonitis, tennis and golfer’s elbow, and rotator cuff tendon problems, and is usually most effective on long term chronic problems, rather than acute injuries.

Both physios say that Shockwave is not the first line of treatment for injured patients. Physiotherapy and graded exercise are more likely in the first instance. For more stubborn conditions, shockwave has shown good results in other Back In Motion clinics. “The evidence at the moment suggests between three to five treatments are required, but most people should see an improvement within three sessions. It has a 90% success rate,”Ms Wills says.

The Shockwave therapy is administered for a three-minute period to the affected area during consecutive weekly appointments. “It is a bit of an uncomfortable sensation,”Ms Wills says, “like most physio hands-on treatments with a little discomfort during the treatment.”

Mr Rowson says,” After each session, most people get a significant reduction of pain and symptoms. Long term it stimulates healing, short term it reduces pain.”

“Probably the best thing is, the effects are long lasting. It stops a lot of people having more invasive things like surgery or injections. The treatment is considered safe, but can produce skin reddening or bruising, short term pain, and cannot be used on people taking blood thinning medications or with bleeding disorders.”

“It is important to know that shock wave has a long-term effect. Most of the time you have good outcomes without having to do further treatment.” says Mr Rowson.

Back in Motion is at 6/2-8 Russell Street, Balnarring. www.backinmotion.com.au/ balnarring

• Heel pain (plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendinopathy)

• Tennis & golfers elbow

• Patella tendinopathy

Frozen

•

Physiotherapist, Paul Rowson. Photo: Yanni

The Guide

TOP PICKS OF THE WEEK

FRIDAY

SOCCER

TEN, 7.30pm

THURSDAY

MOVIE: THE DUKE

SBS WORLD MOVIES, 9.10pm, M (2020)

An eccentric pensioner steals a painting and it’s all for a worthy cause. Sometimes real life serves up the most fascinating stories, and this is the case with this comedy. This romp features an endearing Jim Broadbent (pictured left) as Kempton Bunton, a taxi driver who plunders Goya’s Portrait of the Duke of Wellington to persuade the government to invest more money in its care for veterans and senior citizens. Co-starring Helen Mirren, it’s a crime caper that grabs you by the heart.

As excitement builds for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup on home soil next year, the spotlight is once again on the Matildas. They’re yet to win a match in 2025, but interim coach Tom Sermanni will be praying that legions of cheering fans make a difference when the Tillies host Korea Republic in a pair of friendlies at Sydney’s Allianz Stadium (tonight) and in Newcastle (on Monday).

SATURDAY

DEATH IN PARADISE

ABC TV, 7.30pm

A familiar face returns to Death in Paradise this week, with Detective Sergeant Florence Cassell (Joséphine Jobert, pictured right) released from witness protection after two years – only to be plunged straight into an investigation on the neighbouring island of Saint Auguste. At first, Florence’s first case back on the force – the mysterious death of a British tourist – seems like a clearcut accident, but it’s not long before she and Darlene (Ginny Holder) have a more complicated murder investigation on their hands.

SUNDAY BOAT STORY

ABC TV, 9.05pm

The casting of delightfully droll actress and writer Daisy Haggard (Episodes Back to Life, Breeders, pictured left) is the first clue that Boat Story is not your average bleak British crime saga. Haggard brings hilarity to her role as Janet, a down-on-her-luck factory worker who, along with solicitor Samuel (Paterson Joseph, pictured above left with Haggard), stumbles across a boat filled with millions of pounds’ worth of cocaine and keeps the stash. Now that we’re the past the halfway mark, it’s time to learn more about Vinnie (Adam Gillen), but the clock is ticking as Janet and Samuel try to achieve an impossible task and avoid the wrath of The Tailor (Tchéky Karyo, Baptiste).

Thursday, April 3

(R) 5.30 7.30. (R)

6.00 Mastermind Australia. 6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 Finding Your Roots: Viewers Like You. (PGa) Hosted by Henry Louis Gates Jr. 8.30 Sydney’s Super Tunnel: Great Expectations. (Return) An extension is now underway to get people the rest of the way into the centre of Australia’s biggest city.

9.30 Virdee. (M) Harry searches for a killer. 10.35 SBS World News Late.

11.05 Breaking Point. (Mlsv) 11.55 Blinded. (Madl, R)

1.40 Hugh’s Wild West. (R) 3.45 Inside The Modelling Agency. (Ml, R) 4.40 Bamay. (R)

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

6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Football. AFL. Round 4. Collingwood v Carlton. 10.30 AFL Post-Game Show. Post-game discussion and interviews. 11.00 Kick Ons. A preview of the upcoming AFL matches.

11.30 The Chernobyl Disaster: Meltdown. (Ma, R) A look inside the control room at Chernobyl. 12.30 Damnation. (MA15+asv) Seth and Creeley must confront their past.

1.30 Harry’s Practice. (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 RBT. (Mdl, R) Follows the activities of police units.

8.30 Emergency. (Mlm, R) Doctors fear a cyclist with glass sticking out of his neck could bleed out.

9.30 A+E After Dark. (Mlm) Looks behind the scenes at three UK hospitals.

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)

Joséphine Jobert stars in Death In Paradise

Friday, April 4

ABC (2)

6.00 News Breakfast. 9.00 ABC News

Mornings. 10.00 Poh’s Kitchen. (R) 10.30

The Pacific. (R) 11.00 ANZAC Battlefields. (Premiere, PG) 12.00 ABC News At Noon.

1.00 Unforgotten. (Ml, R) 2.00 Grand Designs Australia. (R) 3.00 Back Roads. (PG, R) 3.30 Grand Designs Revisited. (PG, R) 4.15 Long Lost Family. (PG, R) 5.00 A Bite To Eat With Alice. 5.30 Antiques Roadshow. (R)

6.30 Hard Quiz. (PG, R)

7.00 ABC News.

7.35 Gardening Australia. Costa Georgiadis tours the revitalised wetland.

8.35 Under The Vines. (Final, PG) Daisy finally makes it to the altar to marry the man she loves in front of the people who matter most in her life.

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

9.50 Hard Quiz. (PG, R) Hosted by Tom Gleeson. 10.20 Melbourne Comedy Festival Allstars Supershow. (R)

12.20 Father Brown. (PGav, R) 1.05 Rage New Music. (MA15+adhlnsv) 5.00 Rage. (PG)

SBS (3) SEVEN (7)

6.00 WorldWatch. 9.00 Curious Traveller. (R) 10.00 Food Markets. (PGaw, R) 11.00 Music Voyager. 12.00 WorldWatch. 2.00 The Queen’s Guard: A Year In Service. (Ml, R) 2.55 The Point: Road To Referendum History Bites. (R) 3.00 Nula. 3.30 Plat Du Tour. (R) 3.40 The Cook Up With Adam Liaw. (PG, R) 4.10 Lost Treasures Of Ancient Rome. (PGas, 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: Fatal Following. (2021, Mav, R) René Ashton. 3.00 The Chase. (R) 4.00 Seven News At 4. 5.00 The Chase Australia.

6.00 Mastermind Australia.

6.30 SBS World News.

7.35 The Hunt For Cleopatra’s Missing Tomb. (PGa, R)

8.25 Bettany Hughes’ Lost Worlds: Nabataeans. (PG) Bettany Hughes explores ancient routes.

9.25 Scotland’s Scenic Railways: The Flying Scotsman. (R) A ride aboard the Flying Scotsman.

10.20 SBS World News Late.

10.50 A Body That Works. (Mls)

11.50 Romulus. (MA15+av, R) 1.40 Hugh’s Wild West. (PG, R) 3.40 Inside The Modelling Agency. (Ml, 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. 6.35pm Hey Duggee. 6.40 Ben And Holly. 7.00 Supertato. 7.05 Gardening Australia Junior. 7.20 Bluey. 7.30 Shaun The Sheep. 7.35 Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures. 7.50 Teen Titans Go! 8.00 Be Cool, Scooby-Doo! 8.25 BTN Newsbreak. 8.30 Mythbusters “There’s Your Problem!”. 8.55 Robot Wars. 9.55 Harry Potter: Hogwarts Tournament Of Houses. 10.35 Late Programs. ABC FAMILY (22)

6.00 Seven News. 7.00 AFL: Friday Night Countdown. A lead-up to the Friday night AFL match. 7.30 Football. AFL. Round 4. Geelong v Melbourne. 10.30 AFL Post-Game Show. Post-game discussion and interviews. 11.15 GetOn Extra. A look at the weekend’s best racing.

11.45 The Americas: Mexico. (PG, R) A journey through Mexico.

12.45 MOVIE: Trapped Daughter. (2021, MA15+av, R) A woman and her former friend are kidnapped. Shellie Sterling. 3.00 Home Shopping. (R)

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

6am Morning Programs. 7.30 Harry’s Practice. 8.00 Million Dollar Minute. 9.00 Medical Emergency. 9.30 NBC Today. Noon

NINE (9)

Today. 9.00 Today Extra. (PG)

TEN (10)

6.00 9News. 7.00 A Current Affair.

7.30 West Coast Cops. (Mv) Two new recruits arrive from the UK.

8.30 MOVIE: My Big Fat Greek Wedding. (2002, PGl, R) An unlucky-in-love restaurant maître d’ upsets her traditionalist parents by wanting to marry a non-Greek man. Nia Vardalos, John Corbett.

10.30 MOVIE: Wedding Daze. (2006, Mls, R) Jason Biggs.

12.10 Next Stop. 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)

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 Soccer. Women’s international friendly. Australia v Korea Republic. From Allianz Stadium, Sydney. 10.30 10’s Late News. Coverage of news, sport and weather. 10.55 Sam Pang Tonight. (Mals, R) Presented by Sam Pang. 11.55 The Project. (R) A look at the day’s news. 12.55 The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. (PG) Hosted by Stephen Colbert. 2.00 Home Shopping. (R) 6am Morning Programs. 1.25pm Hypothetical. 2.20 The Beach. (Final) 2.55 Vegan Vigilantes. 3.10 Over The Black Dot. 3.40 News. 3.45 WorldWatch. 5.40 History’s Crazy Rich Ancients. 6.05 If You Are The One. 7.05 Jeopardy! 7.30 News. 7.35 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown. 8.30 Secrets Of Polygamy. (Premiere) 10.10 Secrets Of Playboy. 11.00 Pose. 11.50 Late Programs.

6am The

Kids Are Alright. Continued. (2021, PG, Spanish) 6.40 Eat Wheaties! (2020, PG) 8.20 Gambit. (2012) 10.00 Made In America. (1993, M) 12.05pm Austin Powers: International Man Of Mystery. (1997, M) 1.45 Walk With Me. (2017, PG) 3.30 Arthur And The Two Worlds War. (2010, PG) 5.25 I Capture The Castle. (2003, PG) 7.30 Moonstruck. (1987, PG) 9.25 Larry Crowne. (2011, M) 11.15 Late Programs. SBS WORLD MOVIES (32) 6am Morning Programs. 1.45pm Black As. 1.55 Other Side Of The Rock. 2.00 Strait To The Plate. 2.30 The Cook Up. 3.00 Jarjums. 4.05 Cities Of Gold. 4.35 Motown Magic. 5.00 Harlem Globetrotters. 5.25 Black As. 5.30 Nula. 6.00 Bamay. 6.35 Great Blue Wild. 7.30 MOVIE: Satellite Boy. (2012, PG) 9.05 First Nations Bedtime Stories. 9.15 MOVIE: Dogfight. (1991) 11.00 Late Programs. NITV (34)

Saturday, April 5

ABC TV (2)

6.00 Rage Charts. (PG) 7.00 Weekend Breakfast. 9.00 Rage. (PG) 12.00 ABC News At Noon. 12.30 Death In Paradise. (Ma, R) 1.30 Darby And Joan. (PGa, R) 2.15 Under The Vines. (Final, PG, R) 3.00 Dinosaurs Of The Frozen Continent. (R) 3.50 A Life In Ten Pictures. (PGv, R) 4.45 Creative Types With Virginia Trioli. (PGv, R) 5.15 Landline. (R) 5.40 Australian Story. (PGal, R)

6.15 Father Brown. (PGav) Father Brown’s friend is suspect of murder.

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

7.30 Death In Paradise. (Ma) The team attempts to investigate the mysterious death of a British tourist.

8.30 Vera. (Ma, R) DCI Vera Stanhope is on track to uncover an intriguing yet puzzling case when the body of a sickly young girl is discovered at the side of an isolated railway crossing.

10.00 Unforgotten. (Ml, R) The team discovers Gerry’s nationalist views.

10.50 Boat Story. (MA15+l, R) Janet and Samuel celebrate their newfound riches. 11.45 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv)

(3)

6.00 WorldWatch. 9.00 Cook Up Bitesize. (R) 9.05 Incredible Homes. (R) 10.00 The World From Above. (R) 11.00 Ageless Gardens. (R) 12.00 BBC News At Ten. 12.30 ABC World News Tonight With David Muir. 1.00 PBS NewsHour. 2.00 Figure Skating. ISU World Championships. Highlights. 4.30 Heroines. (PG) 5.00 Going Places With Ernie Dingo. (PGl, R) 5.30 WWII War Machine. (PG)

6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 The Wonders Of Europe: Schonbrunn Palace. Looks at Vienna’s Schonbrunn Palace.

8.30 Blenheim: The People Behind The Palace. It is the HR team’s turn to serve the rest of the Blenheim staff breakfast for their weekly Friday tradition.

9.25 Stanley Tucci: Searching For Italy: Rome. (PG, R) Stanley Tucci heads to Rome. 10.15 Great Coastal Railway Journeys: Lairg To Caithness. (R) 11.15 Paris Paris. (Mls, R) 1.45 Bamay. (R) 1.59 Going Places With Ernie Dingo. (R) 5.15 France 24 Feature. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

SBS VICELAND (31) 6am Children’s Programs. 5.50pm Paddington. 6.05 PJ Masks Power Heroes. 6.15 Bluey. 6.25 Octonauts: Above And Beyond. 6.35 Hey Duggee. 6.45 Ben And Holly. 7.00 Supertato. 7.05 Riley Rocket. 7.20 Bluey. 7.30 Harry Potter: Wizards Of Baking. 8.10 Harry Potter: Hogwarts Tournament Of Houses. 8.50 Fresh Off The Boat. 9.35 Speechless. 9.55 Officially Amazing. 10.25 Dragon Ball Super. 10.50 Late Programs. ABC FAMILY (22) 6am Morning Programs. 7.30 The Magic Of Belle Isle. (2012, PG) 9.35 Fantastic Mr. Fox. (2009, PG) 11.10 Love Songs For Tough Guys. (2021,

7TWO (72) 6am Morning Programs. 9.30 Jeannie. 10.00 Seinfeld. 11.00 Project Impossible. Noon MOVIE:

5. South Sydney Rabbitohs v Sydney Roosters. 9.55 Golden Point. 10.45 Late Programs. 9GEM (92)

BYRON BAY DISCOVERY

6.00 NBC Today. 7.00 Weekend Sunrise. 10.00 The Morning Show: Weekend. (PG) 12.00 Horse Racing. The Star Championships Day and Caulfield Race Day. 5.00 Seven News At 5. 5.30 Border Security: Australia’s Front Line. (PG, R) A shipment of narcotics is intercepted.

6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Border Security: Australia’s Front Line. (PG, R) Narrated by Grant Bowler.

7.30 MOVIE: Central Intelligence. (2016, Mlsv, R) An accountant and a CIA agent work a case. Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart.

9.45 MOVIE: Battle Los Angeles. (2011, Mlv, R) US Marines battle aliens. Aaron Eckhart, Michelle Rodriguez. 12.10 Idris Elba Meets Paul McCartney. (PGa, R)

1.10 Travel Oz. (PG, R)

2.00 To Be Advised.

4.00 It’s Academic. (R) 5.00 My Greek Odyssey. (PG, R)

6.00 Getaway. (PG, R) 6.30 A Current Affair. (R) 7.00 Weekend Today. 10.00 Today Extra: Saturday. (PG) 12.00 Destination WA. (PG, R) 12.30 My Way. 1.00 Let’s Eat With George. 1.30 Innovation Nation. 1.40 MOVIE: Uptown Girls. (2003, PGl, R) Brittany Murphy. 3.30 The Hundred With Andy Lee. (PGs, R) 4.30 The Garden Gurus. 5.00

6.00 9News Saturday. 7.00 A Current Affair.

7.30 Space Invaders. (PGa) Experts help people declutter their lives.

8.30 MOVIE: Black Adam. (2022, Mav, R) An imprisoned ancient superhuman is freed and unleashes his unique form of justice on the modern world. Dwayne Johnson, Sarah Shahi.

10.50 MOVIE: Shazam! (2019, Mav, R)

1.10 Let’s Eat With George. (R) 1.35 The Garden Gurus. (R) 2.00 The Incredible Journey Presents. (PG) 2.15 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 2.30 World’s Greatest Natural Icons. (R) 3.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)

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

6.30 The Dog House Australia. (PGad, R) 7.30 Love It Or List It Australia. A couple must bring their house up to date. 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. (Ma, R) A code 1 comes in for a two-year-old. 10.30 Elsbeth. (Mv, R) 11.30 FBI. (Madv, R) 12.30 NCIS. (Mv, R) 1.00 Matlock. (PGa, R) 1.30 Home Shopping. (R)

Hour Of Power. 6am Morning Programs. 1.15pm Gone Fishing. 1.50 Beyond Oak Island. 2.35 Ten Year Old Tom. 3.05 Video Killed The Radio Star. 3.35 News. 3.40 WorldWatch. 5.35 Over The Black Dot. 6.05 Our Law. 6.40 Engineering Tomorrow. 7.35 Impossible Engineering. 8.30 Special Forces: Most Daring Missions. (Premiere) 10.30 Eternal You: Artificial Intelligence. 12.10am Late Programs.

Sunday, April 6

6.00 Rage. (PG) 6.55 Rage Closer. (R) 7.00 Weekend Breakfast. 9.00 Insiders. 10.30 Offsiders. 11.00 Compass. (PG, R) 11.30 Songs Of Praise. (R) 12.00 ABC News At Noon. 12.30 Landline. 1.30 Gardening Australia. (R) 2.30 Monty Don’s French Gardens. (R) 3.30 Grand Designs Revisited. (R) 4.30 Restoration Australia. (PG, R) 5.30 Antiques Roadshow. (R)

6.30 Compass: Meditating For Change. (PG)

7.00 ABC News.

7.30 Darby And Joan. (PGa) Jack and Joan’s winery stay is disrupted.

8.15 Unforgotten. (Mal) The team finds suspects further afield.

9.05 Boat Story. (MA15+dlv) The clock is ticking for Janet and Samuel as opposing forces make moves in the sleepy town.

10.05 MOVIE: Ali’s Wedding. (2017, Mal, R) A lie spirals out of control. Osamah Sami.

11.50 You Can’t Ask That. (MA15+as, R)

12.25 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv)

3.00 Ask The Doctor. (PG, R) 3.30 Gardening Australia. (R) 4.30 Insiders. (R)

6.00 WorldWatch. 8.00 DD India News Hour. 9.00 Incredible Homes. (R) 10.00 FIFA World Cup Classic Matches. 12.00 APAC Weekly. 12.30 PBS Washington Week With The Atlantic. 12.55 Trampolining. (R) 1.00 Speedweek. 3.00 Figure Skating. ISU World Championships. Highlights. 4.00 Sailing. SailGP. Round 4. Highlights. 5.00 Heroines. 5.30 WWII War Machine. (PG) 6.00 NBC Today. 7.00 Weekend Sunrise. 10.00 The Morning Show: Weekend. (PG) 12.00 Sunday Footy Feast. 2.30 AFL Pre-Game Show. Pre-game coverage of the match. 3.00 Football. AFL. Round 4. Port Adelaide v St Kilda. 6.00 Hello SA. (PG, R) 6.30 A Current Affair.

6.30 SBS World News. 7.30 Ancient Empires. (Premiere) Looks at the empire built by Alexander the Great.

9.25 Maya: The Fall Of An Empire: The Maya: Demise Of An Empire. Looks at the fall of the Mayan empire.

10.30 Mayhem: Secret Lives Of Georgian Kings: George I Luck And Loathing. (PGav, R)

11.25 Rebel With A Cause. (PGa, R)

12.25 Empires Of New York. (Madl, R)

2.55 Britain’s Great Outdoors. (R) 3.25 Fergal Keane: Living With PTSD. (MA15+avw, R) 4.25 Bamay. (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. 5.45pm Tish Tash. 5.50 Paddington. 6.05 PJ Masks Power Heroes. 6.15 Bluey. 6.25 Octonauts: Above And Beyond. 6.35 Hey Duggee. 6.40 Ben And Holly. 7.00 Supertato. 7.05 Riley Rocket. 7.20 Bluey. 7.30 Shaun The Sheep. 7.35 Moominvalley. 8.00 Horrible Histories. 8.30 Fresh Off The Boat. 9.10 Abbott Elementary. 9.55 Speechless. 10.15 Merlin. 11.00 Late Programs. ABC FAMILY (22)

6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Australian Idol. (PGl) Hosted by Ricki-Lee Coulter and Scott Tweedie. 8.40 7NEWS Spotlight. Liam Bartlett uncovers the dirty truth behind so-called clean, green electric vehicles.

9.40 Waco Untold: The British Stories. (Premiere, MA15+asv) Takes a look at the Branch Davidians, a religious sect who, in 1993, held an infamous 51-day siege.

12.00 The Bay. (Mal, R)

1.00 My Greek Odyssey. (PGl, R)

2.00 To Be Advised.

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

NITV (34) 6am Morning Programs. 10.30 DVine Living. 11.00 I Escaped To The Country. Noon Escape To The Country. 1.00 The Surgery Ship. 2.00 South Aussie With Cosi. 2.30 Cities

6.00 9News Sunday.

7.00 Married At First Sight. The participants return for one final dinner party.

8.50 60 Minutes. Current affairs program, investigating, analysing and uncovering the issues affecting all Australians.

9.50 Footy Furnace. (Mlv) A look at the latest round of the AFL.

10.50 9News Late.

11.20 The First 48: Into Thin Air/Love And Lies. (Mav)

12.10 Adelaide Motor Festival. (PG, R)

1.05 Destination WA. (PG)

1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 Believer’s Voice Of Victory. (PGa) 4.30 Drive TV: Drive Car Of The Year. (R) 5.00 Today Early News. 5.30 Today.

6.00 The Sunday Project. A look at the day’s news. 7.00 Australian Survivor. (PGl) The end game is in sight as a surprise awaits at Tribal Council. 8.30 Matlock. (PGav) Olympia tries to impress the partnership board by taking on a complicated murder case. 9.30 FBI. (Mv) As Maggie and the team search for New York’s latest serial killer, the copycat method used by the murderer forces her to seek help from someone she put behind bars. 11.20 The Sunday Project. (R) A look at the day’s news. 12.30 Home Shopping. (R) 4.30 CBS Mornings. 6am Morning Programs. 1.05pm The Swiping Game. 1.20 Jeopardy! 3.25 WorldWatch. 3.55 PBS Washington Week. 4.25 United In Tears: The Oatlands Tragedy. 4.55 In The Box. 5.25 Video Killed The Radio Star. 5.55 Cycling. UCI World Tour. Tour Of Flanders. Men’s race. 12.30am Cycling. UCI World Tour. Tour Of Flanders. Women’s race. 2.30 NHK World English News. 5.00 Al Jazeera.

SBS WORLD MOVIES (32) 6am Morning Programs. 2.30pm Unveiling An Icon. 3.05 Stompem Ground: Jadadi. 3.15 Stable: The Boxing Game. 4.25 MOVIE: Mama Africa. (2011, PG) 6.00 Queer & Here. 6.30 News. 6.40 Waterworld Africa. 7.30 Australia: An Unofficial History. 8.30 The Last Ice Hunters. 9.50 MOVIE: Kill Bill: Vol. 2. (2004, MA15+) 12.15am Late Programs.

6am

Horrible Histories: The Movie. Continued. (2019, PG) 6.40 Walk With Me. (2017, PG) 8.25 I Capture The Castle. (2003, PG) 10.30 Larry Crowne. (2011, M) 12.20pm The Glorias. (2020, M) 3.00 Moonstruck. (1987, PG) 4.55 The Importance Of Being Earnest. (2002) 6.35 Percy Vs Goliath. (2020, PG) 8.30 The Good German. (2006) 10.30 These Days. (2016, M, Italian) 12.45am Late Programs.

Monday, April 7

Roadshow. (R)

6.30 Hard Quiz. (PG, R)

7.00 ABC News.

7.30 7.30.

8.00 Australian Story. Presented by Leigh Sales. 8.30 Four Corners. Investigative journalism program.

9.15 Media Watch. (PG) Presented by Linton Besser.

9.35 Q+A. Presented by Patricia Karvelas. 10.35 ABC Late News. 10.50 The Business. (R) 11.10 The Weekly With Charlie Pickering. (PG, R) 11.35 Julia Zemiro’s Home Delivery. (PG, R) 12.05 Grand Designs Revisited. (PG, R) 12.55 Long Lost Family. (PG, R) 1.40 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv) 3.30 Sherwood. (Malv, R) 4.30 Gardening Australia. (R) 5.30 7.30. (R)

WorldWatch.9.10 Curious Traveller. (R) 10.10 Food Markets. (PGaw, R) 11.10 Hidden Beauty Of Northern France. (PGaw) 12.10 WorldWatch. 2.05 The Queen’s Guard: A Year In Service. (Ml, R) 3.00 Where Are You Really From? (PG, R) 3.30 Plat Du Tour. (R) 3.40 The Cook Up. (R) 4.10 Lost Treasures Of Ancient Rome. (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. (PG) Michael Portillo enjoys the sights in Milan.

8.25 Pompeii: The New Dig: Escape. (PGa, R) The team discovers a horse’s harness.

9.35 24 Hours In Emergency: Trouble In Mind. (Ma) A 33-year-old is rushed to Queens Medical Centre. 10.30 SBS World News Late. 11.00 Syndrome E. (MA15+s) 12.00 Infiniti. (MA15+av, R) 2.00 Hugh’s Wild West. (R) 3.05 Inside The Modelling Agency. (Ml, R) 4.00 Bamay. (R) 4.30 Peer To Peer. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

6.00 Sunrise. 9.00 The Morning Show. (PG) 12.00 Seven’s National News At Noon. 1.00 To Be Advised. 2.40 Surveillance Oz: Dashcam. (PG, R)

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. (PG) Eden can’t catch a break.

7.30 Australian Idol. (Final, PGl) Hosted by Ricki-Lee Coulter and Scott Tweedie. 9.10 9-1-1: Lone Star. (Ma) The 126 is called on the scene to a hoarder’s rat-infested house before being trapped in an elevator.

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

11.10 Suits L.A. (M) 12.10 Treadstone. (Premiere, MA15+av) 1.20 Harry’s Practice. (R) 2.00 To Be Advised. 4.00 NBC Today. 5.00 Sunrise Early News. 5.30 Sunrise.

Today. 9.00 Today Extra. (PG) 11.30 9News Morning. 12.00 Married At First Sight. (R)

Pointless. (PG)

Tipping Point. (PG, R)

9News Afternoon.

Tipping Point Australia. (PG) Hosted by Todd Woodbridge.

6.00 9News.

7.00 A Current Affair.

7.30 Married At First Sight. The participants return for one final couch session.

9.20 Love Triangle. (Return, Mls)

A group of singles must choose between two matches without any idea what they look like until they meet in person.

10.50 Footy Classified. (Ml) 11.50 9News Late.

12.15 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. Hosted by Grant Denyer. 6.30 The Project. A look at the news. 7.30 Australian Survivor. (PGl) Presented by Jonathan LaPaglia. 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. (Mls, R) Hosted by Tom Gleeson. 10.50 10’s Late News. 11.15 The Project. (R) 12.20 The

Show With

Colbert. (PG) 1.30

Shopping. (R) 4.30 CBS Mornings. 6am Morning Programs. 1.55pm Devoured. 2.50 Wine Lovers’ Guide. 3.20 Fashionista. 3.30 WorldWatch. 5.45 History’s Crazy Rich Ancients. 6.10 Mysteries From Above. (Return) 7.05 Jeopardy! 7.30 News. 7.35 8 Out Of 10 Cats. 8.30 UFOs: Investigating The Unknown. (Premiere) 9.25 Myths: The Greatest Mysteries Of Humanity. 10.30 The Weekly Football Wrap. 11.00 Late Programs. SBS VICELAND (31) 6am Children’s Programs. 6.05pm PJ Masks Power Heroes. 6.15 Bluey. 6.25 Octonauts: Above And Beyond. 6.35 Hey Duggee. 6.40 Ben And Holly. 6.55 Rocket Club. 7.05 Odd Squad. 7.20 Bluey. 7.30 Shaun The Sheep. 7.35 Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures. 7.50 The Inbestigators. 8.05 Operation Ouch! 8.35 BTN Newsbreak. 8.40 The Crystal Maze. 9.30 Street Science. 9.50 Merlin. 10.35 Late Programs. ABC FAMILY (22) 6am The Movie Show. 6.20 The Importance Of Being Earnest. (2002) 8.00

Tuesday, April 8

ABC (2) SBS (3) SEVEN (7) TEN (10) NINE (9)

6.00 News. 9.00 News. 10.00 Australian Story. (R) 10.30 Compass. (PG, R) 11.00 The Weekly With Charlie Pickering. (PG, R) 11.30 Space 22. (PGa, R) 12.00 ABC News At Noon.

1.00 Call The Midwife. (PGa, R) 2.00 Grand Designs Australia. (PG, R) 2.55 Back Roads. (R) 3.25 Grand Designs Revisited. (PG, R) 4.15 Long Lost Family. (PG, R) 5.00 A Bite To Eat With Alice. 5.25 Antiques Roadshow. (R) 6.00 WorldWatch. 9.00 Curious Traveller. (R) 10.00 Food Markets. (PG, R) 11.00 Hidden Beauty Of Northern France. 12.00 WorldWatch. 2.00 The Queen’s Guard: A Year In Service. (Ml, R) 2.55 Lucknow. (PG, R) 3.05 The Weekly Football Wrap. (R) 3.35 Plat Du Tour. (R) 3.45 The Cook Up. (R) 4.15 New York: The City That Never Sleeps. (PGal, 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

6.00 Mastermind Australia.

6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 Great Coastal Railway Journeys: Bellarena To Giant’s Causeway. (PGa, R)

Unsung Heroes. (PG, R) Hosted by Rachel Griffiths. 10.05 The ABC Of... (Ml, R)

10.35 ABC Late News. 10.50 The Business. (R) 11.05 Four Corners. (R) 11.50 Media Watch. (PG, R) 12.05 Q+A. (R) 1.10 Grand Designs Revisited. (PG, R) 1.55 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv) 2.30 Rage Closer. (R) 2.35 Sherwood. (Malsv, R) 4.30 Gardening Australia. (R) 5.30 7.30. (R)

8.30 Insight. Presented by Kumi Taguchi. 9.30 Dateline: Sweden’s Flatpack Homes. Looks at Sweden’s flatpack homes. 10.00 SBS World News Late.

10.30 Guillaume’s Paris. (R)

11.00 Snow. (Mal) 11.55 Illegals. (MA15+av, R) 1.45 Hugh’s Wild West. (PGa, R) 3.55 Inside The Modelling Agency. (Ml, R) 4.50 Destination Flavour China Bitesize. (PGaw, R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

SBS VICELAND (31)

6am Children’s Programs. 5.50pm Paddington. 6.05 PJ Masks Power Heroes. 6.15 Bluey. 6.25 Octonauts: Above And Beyond. 6.35 Hey Duggee. 6.40 Ben And Holly. 6.55 Rocket Club. 7.20 Bluey. 7.30 Shaun The Sheep. 7.35 Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures. 7.50 The Inbestigators. 8.05 Operation Ouch! 8.35 BTN Newsbreak. 8.40 Deadly 60. 9.10 Shark With Steve Backshall. 10.00 Merlin. 10.45 Late Programs. ABC FAMILY (22) 6am Bride And Prejudice. (2004, PG) 8.05 Percy Vs Goliath. (2020, PG) 10.00 These Days. (2016, M, Italian) 12.15pm Marriage Italian Style. (1964, M, Italy) 2.10 White Lion. (2010, PG) 3.50 The Final Countdown. (1980, PG) 5.45 Emu Runner. (2018, PG) 7.35 Falcon Lake. (2022, M) 9.30 Motherhood. (2022, Japanese) 11.45 Gloria Bell. (2018, M) 1.40am Usogui. (2022, Japanese) 3.50 Late Programs. SBS WORLD MOVIES (32) 6am Morning Programs. 1.30pm Thanks For All The Fish. 2.00 Strait To The Plate. 2.30 The Cook Up. 3.00 Jarjums. 5.00 Harlem Globetrotters. 5.25 Black As. 5.30 Indian Country Today News. 6.00 Bamay. 6.30 News. 6.40 Great Blue Wild. 7.30 Four Kings. 8.30 Pro Bull Riding USA: Unleash The Beast. 9.30 Over The Black Dot. 10.00 Hunting Aotearoa. 10.30 MOVIE: Mahana. (2016, M) 12.15am Late Programs. NITV (34)

Wednesday, April 9

6.00 Seven News.

7.00 Home And Away. (PGa)

7.30 The Americas: The Wild West. (PG) Takes a look at the Wild West.

8.30 The Hunting Party. (M) The team tracks Jenna Wells, the notorious Killer Chemist whose therapy in the Pit has made her more dangerous.

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

10.30 The Irrational. (Mav)

11.30 St. Denis Medical. (PGa)

12.00 The Act. (MA15+ans, R)

1.10 Travel Oz. (PG, R)

2.00 To Be Advised. 4.00 NBC Today. 5.00 Sunrise Early News. 5.30 Sunrise.

6.00 9News.

7.00 A Current Affair.

7.30 Gather Round In The Barossa. (PGl) A celebration of this year’s AFL Gather Round.

9.30 9News Late.

10.00 See No Evil: She’s Fake. (Ma, R) Documents the disappearance of Joleen Cummings.

11.00 The Equalizer. (Mv, R)

12.00 Next Stop.

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) Narrated by Mark Coles Smith. 8.40 NCIS. A girls’ night out takes a turn when the team is called to investigate a possible arsonist. Torres struggles to find work/life balance.

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. 1.35pm The Artist’s View. 2.05 One Armed Chef. 3.00 Bamay. 3.30 Fashionista. 3.40 News. 3.45 WorldWatch. 5.45 History’s Crazy Rich Ancients. 6.10 Mysteries From Above. 7.05 Jeopardy! 7.30 News. 7.35 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown. 8.30 James May: Our Man In... Japan. 10.30 Travel Man. 11.25 Taskmaster. 12.20am Late Programs.

ABC TV (2) SBS (3)

6.00 News Breakfast. 9.00 ABC News Mornings. 10.00 Four Corners. (R) 10.45 Q+A. (R) 12.00 ABC News At Noon. 12.30 National Press Club Address. 1.35 Media Watch. (PG, R) 2.00 Restoration Australia. (PG, R) 3.00 Back Roads. (R) 3.25 Grand Designs New Zealand. (R) 4.10 Long Lost Family. (PG, R) 5.00 A Bite To Eat With Alice. 5.30 Antiques Roadshow. (R)

6.30 Hard Quiz. (PG, R) 7.00 ABC News.

7.30 7.30.

8.00 Hard Quiz. (PG)

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

9.00 Fresh Blood: Urvi Went To An All Girls’ School. (Mls) A teenager defies her Indian family’s wishes.

9.30 Planet America.

10.05 Mayfair Witches. (Mal, R)

10.50 ABC Late News. 11.05 The Business. (R) 11.20 Aunty Donna’s Coffee Cafe. (Mls, R) 12.15 Grand Designs New Zealand. (Ml, R) 1.00 Long Lost Family. (PG, R) 1.50 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv) 2.25 Rage Closer. (R) 2.30 Sherwood. (Malv, R) 4.30 Gardening Australia. (R) 5.30 7.30. (R)

ABC FAMILY (22)

6am Children’s Programs. 5.50pm Paddington. 6.05 PJ Masks Power Heroes. 6.15 Bluey. 6.25 Octonauts: Above And Beyond. 6.35 Hey Duggee. 6.40 Ben And Holly. 6.55 Odd Squad. 7.20 Bluey. 7.30 Shaun The Sheep. 7.35 Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures. 7.50 The Inbestigators. 8.05 Operation Ouch! 8.35 BTN Newsbreak. 8.40 Abbott Elementary. 9.20 Doctor Who. 10.55 Late Programs.

6.00 WorldWatch. 9.00 Curious Traveller. (R) 10.00 Food Markets. (PGaw, R) 11.00 Hidden Beauty Of Spain. 12.00 WorldWatch. 2.00 Dateline. (R) 2.30 Insight. (R) 3.30 Destination Flavour China Bitesize. (PG, R) 3.40 Plat Du Tour. (R) 3.45 The Cook Up With Adam Liaw. (R) 4.15 New York: The City That Never Sleeps. (R) 5.05 Jeopardy! 5.30 Letters And Numbers. (R)

6.00 Mastermind Australia. Presented by Marc Fennell.

6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 Alone Australia. (M) Isolation begins to take its toll.

8.40 The Handmaid’s Tale. (Return) June’s unyielding spirit and determination pull her back into the fight to take down Gilead. 10.40 SBS World News Late. 11.10 Blackwater. (MA15+ln) Annie decides to leave the commune. 12.15 My Brilliant Friend. (Mav, R) 4.15 Bamay. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

SBS VICELAND (31)

BYRON BAY DISCOVERY

•

(7)

6.00 Sunrise. 9.00 The Morning Show. (PG) 12.00 Seven’s National News At Noon. 1.00 MOVIE: Seasoned With Love. (2021, PGa) Patrick Abellard. 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. (PGa)

7.30 The 1% Club UK. (PGa) 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 Jimeoin: Result. (Ml, R) Stand-up performance by Jimeoin.

11.20 Autopsy USA: June Carter. (Mad)

12.20 Midnight Texas. (Premiere, MA15+hv)

1.20 Travel Oz. (PG, R)

2.00 To Be Advised. 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: A Town Called Love. (2023, PGa, R) 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. (PGl) Comedy panel show.

8.30 The Grand Tour. (MA15+l) Richard Hammond, Jeremy Clarkson and James May head to Nashville, Tennessee.

9.50 Wild Cards. (Mv) Ellis is asked to rescue a kidnapped accountant.

10.50 9News Late.

11.20 The Equalizer. (Mav, 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.

6.00 Deal Or No Deal. 6.30 The Project. A look at the day’s news. 7.30 Airborne: Nature In Our Skies: In Flight Meals. (PGa) Takes a look at the quest for food. 8.40 Elsbeth. (Ma) Elsbeth suspects a wannabe astronaut is responsible after a billionaire dies in an accident during a space training simulation. 9.40 NCIS: Origins. (Mav) The team investigates the death of a marine’s son. 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 Queer Sports. 3.05 The Weekly Football Wrap. 3.35 News. 3.40 WorldWatch. 5.45 History’s Crazy Rich Ancients. 6.10 Mysteries From Above. 7.05 Jeopardy! 7.30 NITV News Update. 7.35 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown. 8.30 MOVIE: After The Sunset. (2004) 10.20 MOVIE: The Last Full Measure. (2019, MA15+) 12.25am Letterkenny. 1.45 Late Programs.

6am The Final Countdown. (1980, PG) 7.55 Heidi. (2015, PG, German) 10.00 Hounds. (2023, M, Berber) 11.45 Couch Potatoes. (2017, M, Italian) 1.40pm Malcolm. (1986, PG) 3.15 Bride And Prejudice. (2004, PG) 5.20 Goal! (2005, PG) 7.30 Logan’s Run. (1976, M) 9.40 Shin Ultraman. (2022, PG, Japanese) 11.50 This Is Spinal Tap. (1984, M) 1.25am Motherhood. (2022, Japanese) 3.30 Late Programs. SBS WORLD MOVIES (32) 6am Morning Programs. 1.30pm Hunting Aotearoa. 2.00

Seniors Loving Life!

DenturePoint - crafting smiles, restoring confidence

When it comes to dentures, there’s a world of difference between a standard set and a natural-looking smile. At DenturePoint, Maggie and her team understand that creating dentures is more than just a technical process - it’s an art form. Every patient is unique, and so is their smile. That’s why DenturePoint takes pride in crafting dentures that look as natural as possible, ensuring comfort, functionality, and beauty.

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Technology Meets Comfort DenturePoint combines traditional craftsmanship with modern technology to ensure a smooth experience from start to finish. One innovation that sets the clinic apart is its use of the 3Shape oral scanner. Forget the uncomfortable gagging caused by traditional impressions - this high-tech scanner creates a

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Dentures don’t have to look artificial. With the right materials, a skilled technician, and a personal touch, they can look and feel just like natural teeth. At DenturePoint, every set

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Greenways: A new lifestyle

Why choose a retirement village? For some it’s location, facilities, or services. For others its low maintenance, or new home features. But for most, it’s the promise of a thriving, social, welcoming and supportive lifestyle that is so important.

Greenways Retirement Village offers a lifestyle few can match. It boasts an active, fun and happy community in bayside Seaford, the gateway to the Mornington Peninsula. Being one of the few privately owned villages in

Victoria, it puts people first, and has done for over 48 years. This means that the opportunities to socialise, meet new friends and get involved at the village are encouraged and supported at all levels.

At the heart of the village, the Greenways Community Centre is always busy. Residents come together regularly for a cuppa, an activity or to share a meal in the village restaurant. Residents embrace the many activities on offer as well as events, fundraisers, market days and

cocktail parties (to name a few!). So, whether it be dining events or themed functions such as Australia Day BBQs, Anzac Day Ceremonies, Spring Carnival celebrations, or Village Fashion Shows. Or regular activities such as a trivia competition, birthday celebrations, bingo, movie afternoons or games groups. Or, for the sports lovers, there’s a private village bowling green and club house, regular indoor bowls sessions, pool/billiards and the village fitness centre.

Whatever your interest. Greenways could be just the right fit for you.

Choose from newly refurbished one, two and three bedroom villa units or the convenience and ease of one bedroom apartments close to the village club centre. Apartments start from $311,000 and villa units from $386,000. Greenways Village is at 330 FrankstonDandenong Road, Seaford. Telephone (03) 9786 8679. www.greenwaysvillage.com.au

SATURDAY 5TH APRIL, 2025 FROM 10.30AM - 12PM

Come meet our residents, enjoy a free sausage sizzle, and inspect our affordable, renovated units and apartments.

By appointment only. Call 9786 8679 to book.

OPEN DAY April 5th 10am – 2pm

Peninsula Lifestyle Retirement Village is a friendly new concept in retirement living, boasting high quality bespoke residential villas set inside a secure, gated community. Peninsula Lifestyle retirement villas deliver a unique quality of life and first-rate owner benefits. It’s the smart choice.

Discover a boutique, family-friendly, comfort-plus lifestyle village –with just 46 Villas that’s what Peninsula Lifestyle Retirement Village in Baxter offers.

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Share stories with other residents over a cuppa in the community centre or get creative with those who share similar interests.

Whether it be a craft morning, a game of indoor bowls, darts, billiards or simply enjoying a movie or sports event on our big screen.

Tone up in the gym, while away hours in the potting shed and raised vegetable gardens or simply relax with a book from the library.

Discover Independent Living with a sense of community complete with security for peace of mind.

Inspired by some of Australia’s most celebrated, heritage-listed retirement properties, Peninsula Lifestyle Retirement Village is designed to be both beautiful and practical. With gardens and walking paths arranged around the beautifully appointed clubhouse, its pedestrian-friendly village layout connects residents to friends and neighbours, and to the village’s social hub. You’ll revel in the benefits of smartly designed one- and two-bedroom villas in a keyless swipe-to-enter gated community set among stunningly landscaped gardens. The Peninsula Lifestyle Retirement Village delivers retirement living at its best.

something for everyone!

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Comfort in the Best Way

Jacoform shoes are made of high quality first class leather. The 7-hour hand-made, ruggedly stitched shoes reflect a 60 year tradition. Made without a corner and with a flat sole, providing natural walking and freedom to the feet.

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*Excludes items already marked down

Seniors Loving Life!

Step into comfort with Bayside Shoes

WHETHER we are called seniors, elders or just mature aged we face the same issues as we age with gradual reductions in our stamina, bone density, muscle strength and energy levels. Whatever our fitness level or dietary beliefs, one area that we can manage and protect is our feet. The wear and tear of time affects the skeletal structure of our body affecting our feet, knees, hips and back that can create pain. The benefit of correctly fitted and supportive shoes with good orthotic support can significantly reduce foot, knee, hip and back pain and improve your quality of life.

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Speak to your medical professional if you have foot pain such as plantar fasciitis or leg and back pain. If may be related to structural change in your feet, Bayside Shoes will work with your specialist to find a health solution that offers comfort and fit while being very affordable. They carry an extensive range of orthotic friendly and supportive footwear as part of their “foot solutions” model to assist in making a difference to your health.

Bayside Shoes is situated at 103 Railway Parade, Seaford and has disability and free parking with a wheel chair ramp at its store entrance. Business hours are 10am to 5pm Monday to Friday and 10am to 3.30pm Saturday. You can view the range online at www. baysideshoes.com.au or call 9785 1887 if they can be of assistance.

Friday 11th and10am–2pmSaturday OPEN DAY

Electioneering heats up

Wandering through Dromana community market on Saturday (29 March), I was disappointed to see a Young Liberal Party campaigner and a Labour Party campaigner in a heated argument at the station where they were handing out flyers and tote bags.

Accusations of “well you’re not doing this” and “you’re doing terribly at that” went back and forth - it was like watching my kids argue over Lego.

I remarked “This isn’t a good look you two, no wonder people are sick of your parties when you can’t even be civil to each other at a community market. No wonder it’s a mess in Parliament!”.

I was then followed by a Liberal Party campaigner telling me “well they encroached on our space...” to which I responded I was not interested in who started it.

This is very unbecoming behaviour and I’m disgusted, albeit unsurprised, that McKenzie and Race allow this conduct on their behalf.

We need more respect in politics - not less.

Ashleigh Hall, Dromana

Flinders race

For the first time in a very long time there will be a competitive race in Flinders at the forthcoming federal election.

This is due entirely to the presence of the energetic and well resourced independent candidate Ben Smith.

The Liberal Party who have held the seat for the last 40 years are obviously worried as evidenced by the negative advertising material now appearing both in our local newspaper and our letter boxes.

Should Ben Smith be successful it will be due in no small part to the complacency of the Liberal Party who, believing that Flinders was always going to be a safe seat, have done so little for our community.

It will also be a reflection on our current member Zoe McKenzie who has been largely invisible for the last three years.

Geoff Hilton, Mount Martha

Careful who you vote for

People should be very careful about who they vote for. The real election issues, never discussed, are that Australia is broke, in a modern day depression, the economy continuously propped up.

We have been using an economic system that doesn’t work and never could. There is no industry and without big industry a country is nothing.

God help Australia if we are ever invadedAmerica won’t.

Younger people have no hope of ever buying a house and even if they could, in the new estates it would be very sub-standard compared to traditional Australian home standards.

For the more intelligent half of the population there are no intellectually rewarding, challenging, interesting jobs - their talents, drive and aptitudes lost and wasted because there is no industry to utilise them.

The American Trump has announced tariffs on many things so that they can start up or expand their industries; he has declared the Paris climate agreement a hoax and that he’ll pull out of it, and declared that they will vigorously drill for more oil.

Free trade agreements have destroyed Australia and selected tariffs are about the only way that we can start up industry again.

Ideas like a hydrogen economy a few years ago, have proved to be madness, but we still have madness ideas.

Clearly, we won’t have those useless atomic submarines but we’ll have nothing at all if we don’t do something. We should now stop demonising and provoking China, a gigantic economy and an extremely valuable trading partner and provider of most of our consumer

goods.

China should be a good friend, even partnering us in our geographical.

When you vote, keep in mind that something must be done to save Australia, never mind the planet.

Brian A Mitchelson, Mornington

Truth telling

Maybe Zoe McKenzie hasn’t heard the old joke, “How can you tell when a politician is lying? Their lips move” (A full house and a few surprises at Flinders Forum, The News 25/3/25).

During the Flinders candidate forum, McKenzie said “We are the boring guys that balance the budget”. This is simply not true.

The “boring guys”, despite promising surpluses in their last effort at government, delivered nine consecutive deficits that left Australia nearly $500 billion further in debt.

Labor, on the other hand, prior to the latest budget, delivered two surpluses.

Did McKenzie think her audience was full of simpletons that would not notice the lack of honesty in her statement?

Seriously how can we build trust in politicians if they refuse to tell the truth.

Ross Hudson, Mount Martha

Duopolies don’t work

Social democracies Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Sweden, Norway, Switzerland and Netherlands, are once again at the top of the “happiest countries of the world” rankings.

Residents of the happiest countries benefit from significant public investment in healthcare, education, childcare, and other public services, and live in societies where the divide between the richest households and working people is far smaller than in many other countries.

They are also countries with the highest trust in government.

They are also countries rated highest for quality of life.

They are also countries that score below 30 on the World Bank’s Gini Index, which measures income inequality.

What do they have in common? They are all governed by minority governments.

Our self serving political duopoly continues to spew misinformation that minority governments don’t work, while ignoring that the two-party duopoly creates citizens “with low life satisfaction and low social trust” who tend to apathetically “abstain” from political engagement.

We can see where the political duopoly took the USA. Is that what we want for Australia?

The only way to put an end to the political duopolies that form the “democratic dictatorship” where we are allowed to vote every once in a while to just elect the next “democratic dictatorship” is to shake the tree and vote Independent. Put the political duopolies last on the preference card listing the one you hate the most dead last.

Joe Lenzo, Safety Beach

Pamphlet help

I would like to thank the Liberal Party for the very informative yellow and black pamphlet which arrived in my letterbox last week.

I read the pamphlet thoroughly and it really helped me decide on the candidate I would vote for in the upcoming federal election.

The pamphlet was full of very interesting information about Ben Smith and, as an undecided swinging voter, I have decided he is the candidate for me.

Thank you so much Liberal Party for putting all the salient facts into one pamphlet, it saved me time having to do my own research.

Virginia Fricker, Mount Martha Unwelcome tone

I am disheartened by the tone of campaigning for

No room at the inn

Thirteen-year-old Michaela’s Mother and Child on Park Bench sends a poignant message-that of the urgent need for more public housing on the Mornington Peninsula including for women and children in need of shelter and secure, permanent low-cost housing options.

Victorian Housing register data for the

the upcoming federal election.

Yesterday I received a derogatory, personalised mail out from the Liberal Party referencing the local Independent candidate.

The targeted mail out means time, energy and money has been spent by people focusing on demonising and undermining when the same could have been spent promoting the Liberal Party values and policies.

The mudslinging is unnecessary if there is confidence in ones policies.

Can we please have a respectful and honourable election campaign?

Rosemary Bates, McCrae

Thanks for the guidance

I saw the giant, fear-mongering full-page ad in last week’s newspaper “7 facts about Ben Smith and the teal independents”.

I wasn’t sure how I’d vote this time, but that ad made up my mind. I’ll be voting independent.

If an independent candidate wants to tax investment properties fairly, supports First Nations people, and is accused of risking a minority government, then good on them. That’s exactly the kind of person I want representing me.

Let’s talk about minority government. The last one we had delivered genuine reform, a functioning parliament, and collaboration across party lines. If that’s the ‘risk’ of voting for a community-backed independent, it’s one I’m willing to take.

What ads like these really show is that the major parties are rattled. Independent candidates like Ben Smith listen to their communities, not party bosses. They answer to the people who elect them, not corporate donors or factions.

The ad was meant to scare me. Instead, it reminded me why we need more voices in parliament who are free to speak up, act independently, and reflect the values of their communities.

Thanks for the heads-up. I’ll be voting for Ben.

Kim Robbins, Safety Beach

Seven facts ad

Zoe McKenzie’s is running a dirty campaign of disinformation.

The “7 Facts about Ben Smith” being peddled by Zoe McKenzie is dishonest, deceptive, and disingenuous. It is desperation!

The facts are:

n The Teals don’t exist. That’s a label invented by Liberal and Labor, both paranoid about the loss of their voter base to Independents.

n Climate 200 is 41,000 people who believe in climate change!

Mornington Peninsula and Western Port also tells the story: as at December 2024, there were 1550 applicants and 585 applicants respectively in need of priority housing.

I hope the message of 13 year old Michaela does not fall on deaf ears.

Maureen Donelly, Mornington

n Geelong has had 10 times more government support than Flinders over the past 3 years. That’s what Zoe has achieved for us.

n Zoe McKenzie works for Peter Dutton, an admirer of the Trump style of politics. We need an MP who has the freedom to represent Flinders, not Liberal ideology.

Only an Independent like Ben Smith will truly represent Flinders and restore some integrity in politics.

It’s more than a coincidence that Ben is currently Victorian Father of the Year. An impressive man with imagination and integrity.

John Whalley, Dromana

Transparency

At his recent National Press Club address, Simon Holmes à Court claimed the Independents he supports through Climate 200 are chosen by the community.

On that basis I’d be interested to know who selected Ben Smith?

The Labor Party used a transparent process to select Sarah Race with all local branches supporting her. But it is unclear how the community was involved in Ben Smith’s selection.

The Labor Party does extensive background checks – to ensure there are no surprises in the closet. If a simple background check had been done on Ben, they would have known that Ben is an ordained minister in the Reorganised Church of Latter-Day Saints (now called Community of Christ), information which apparently came as a surprise to many independent supporters when it was disclosed in an article in The Age.

People I knew who supported Ben responded by saying that this was “misinformation”. Using “misinformation” and “fake news” to contest facts you don’t like is Trumpian.

There is not a problem with Ben being a minister of any religion, the problem lies in his lack of transparency about it.

Marg D’Arcy, Rye

Candidate forum

Interesting to learn recently of who is backing the Independent candidate for Flinders Ben Smith. Mr Smith is aligned with the Teals and the greens and is supported in part by Simon Holmes à Court. Mr Holmes à Court is the founder of Climate 200.

When I first read Mr. Smiths original flyer I thought to myself he seems as though he would be a good choice for my vote. However, as time as gone on my opinion of him has changed upon learning that he is getting support from the

founder of Climate 200. In his original hand-out he never disclosed this fact.

Also dot point two on that flyer pointed out that he would support local business’s It was then disclosed on social media that the handout was printed by a firm in Port Melbourne. In the fine print of the flyer it has the name and address of the company that printed that flyer along the base

So much for supporting local businesses.

I am getting the impression that Mr Ben Smith is a political wolf in sheep’s clothing. What other surprises does he have up his sleeve?

Alas, I will now have to give stronger thought as to who shall get my vote.

Michael

Binney, Crib Point

Grassroots campaign

Debbie de Laps (Different standard, Letters 25/3/25) failed to see the point I made in my previous letter.

As a Labor supporter, I am bemused to see the “Community Independent” candidate spending an eye watering amount of money during a cost of living crisis.

Imagine if a fraction of that money had been used to help locals without secure housing.

Although community independents talk about doing politics differently, and being people powered, Ben Smith’s campaign is powered by those with deep pockets, just like the Liberal Party. He is also following the Liberal Party playbook by hitching his wagon to local issues. His recent full page advertisements about Rosebud Hospital and the proposed development of the Arthurs Seat Sea Eagle did not do justice to the locals in Save Rosebud Hospital and Save our Seat community groups.

In contrast, our Labor candidate, Sarah Race, is out in the community having genuine conversations about federal issues that are important to residents in the Flinders electorate: climate action, environmental sustainability, aged care and cost of living.

Rather than handing out free food and booze as an enticement, and using an American multinational fast food franchise at a recent planning meeting, Sarah is growing grassroots support the old-fashioned way: talking with residents about issues that matter to them and holding local fundraising events.

While Ben and Zoe woo the electorate with their snazzy digital trucks, and flood the Flinders electorate with their merchandise, Sarah has hit the ground running without gimmicks. Marilyn Merrifield, Rye

Nuclear alarmists

My understanding of Climate 200 is an organisation founded by Simon Holmes à Court with one main objective, being achieving net zero greenhouse emissions by 2050 or thereabouts.

This is obviously fanciful thinking on a world wide basis so perhaps it is just a target for Australia who would have to bear the brunt of further financial hardships and environmental damage while the rest of the world laugh at our stupidity.

I read a reply to my last letter from Craig Fern (I donate to Climate 200, Letters 25/3/25) who wants real action on climate change.

I wonder, Mr Fern, did you see Chris Uhlmann’s YouTube article on climate change or like a previous responder, think that as he works for

the Murdoch press there is no credibility in that.

I’m also surprised that you state “they, Liberal and Labor, would never support a transition to renewables”.

I am sure I have seen Mr Bowen on many occasions on TV strongly supporting renewables for the reason, guess what, they are free. You can’t beat that reasoning.

I also see a letter from Ross Hudson (A better option, Letters 25/3/25) commenting on Dutton’s nuclear plan which he states is so toxic that big business won’t go near it.

I think big business would be more interested in investing in one of the 33 countries that have 442 nuclear power stations or one of the 50 countries that are considering nuclear where no such bans exist.

It might be worth noting that Australia is the only member of the G20 that has a ban on nuclear. Maybe we know something they don’t know, or possibly they know something we don’t know.

One thing for sure, there is a new religion , it’s called Climate Alarmists.

Keith Davis, Somers

Ben making a difference

Amy Hiller was spot on (Flinders no longer ‘safe’, Letters 25/3/25).

Even before election day, Ben Smith is already delivering wins for the community.

It’s actually kind of wild to see the Liberals suddenly showing up and paying attention in a seat they’ve always taken for granted. Maybe they’re finally realising people are over being ignored.

The fact that they’re under pressure at all says a lot. People want something different. They want someone who shows up, listens, and actually cares. And Ben’s already doing that.

Even if you don’t agree with him on everything, it’s hard to deny that this campaign has already made the major parties work harder. That’s a win for all of us.

Ella Brick, Mount Martha

Liberal talking points

Reiner Scheibe’s recent letter (Who is Ben Smith?, Letters 25/3/25) reads like a greatest hits of Liberal Party talking points. These same questions have been answered time and time again. Yet here we are, going through them all over again.

Ben Smith is a local, a small business owner, and a true independent candidate. He is not a secret agent for anyone. He’s been upfront about his funding, which includes contributions from thousands of ordinary Australians through Climate 200, as well as donations from members of our own community.

He stands for practical, community-focused solutions. Not scare campaigns or hollow promises rolled out when an election looms. He’s been listening, engaging and working long before signs went up and slogans were printed.

If you’re genuinely curious about what Ben stands for, it’s all clearly outlined on his website. You’ll find it’s about action on climate, integrity in politics, affordable housing and making sure Flinders actually gets its fair share.

So maybe it’s time to stop recycling the fearbased rhetoric and start engaging with what this campaign is really about. Better representation

Support Local Independent Journalism

for the people who live here.

Craig Fern, Sorrento

My voice matters

As another fairly disenfranchised voter on the younger end of the spectrum, I agree with Guy Taylor (It’s the vibe, Letters 25/3/25).

Ben Smith genuinely seems like someone who cares about our future. His work with the Mornington Community Support Centre and his title as Father of the Year say a lot about the kind of person he is – approachable, grounded, and community focused.

I’ve never been involved in politics before because, honestly, it felt pointless. No one was listening. It always seemed like donors and party insiders mattered more than the people they were supposed to represent.

But this time, it feels different. It actually feels like we’re being heard.

If you’re feeling the same way, I’d encourage you to reach out or attend one of Ben’s events. You’ll see that this is a movement of locals, not career politicians. It is about community, honesty and a genuine commitment to change.

For the first time, I feel like my voice matters. That’s worth showing up for.

Ashlynn O’Malley, Mornington

A vote for the Greens?

Rowan Clark from Mt Eliza reckons voting independent is basically voting for the Greens (Voting with Greens? Letters 25/3/25). I’ve got to say, that take feels pretty out of touch.

Let’s be real. The person who has never voted outside party lines is Zoe McKenzie. She votes exactly how she’s told, every single time. That’s not representation, that’s being a mouthpiece.

What worries me way more is how little we know about who’s actually funding the major parties. There’s a whole lot of money floating around and not much transparency.

When you vote for an independent, you’re voting for someone who can actually represent the community – not just toe the party line.

Whether you call them teal or not, these are people who live here, get it, and want to shake up a system that’s clearly not working for a lot of us.

I’d rather back someone like Ben Smith who listens to us than someone who just presses the button their party tells them to. Guy Taylor, Mt Eliza

It’s that time again

So, the election day is set. I wait in dread, preparing for plenty of mudslinging, unethical and frankly unsavoury behaviour to occur for the next few weeks, from many people who truly should know better.

And we have our first exhibit already! I assume most of Flinders electorate received a four-page missive from the Liberal Party in their mailbox in the past week.

Decked out in the same yellow shade used by Independent Ben Smith’s campaign (Note to self: Yellow is clearly not Teal) in a tacky, and slightly desperate attempt to confuse, the heading “Seven Facts About Ben Smith And The Teal Independents” screams from the front page.

The document’s main message is to tell us all that Ben Smith, the independent candidate for Flinders is funded by Climate 200 and hence clearly must be a Devil from Hell! What pathetic nonsense!

Due to the very small amount of funding he has, his campaign runs on a tight budget. Compare this with the spending of the major parties who fund their election campaigns using millions of OUR taxpayer dollars, plus millions more (no exaggeration) in donations from mining magnates, betting companies, lobbyists, unions and dozens of other groups with business interests at stake, along with large sums of ‘dark money’ (donations that are not declared and thus remain a mystery). It’s all about retaining power at any cost!

This recent flyer is nothing more than a sad attack from our, clearly anxious, Liberal incumbent. Ben Smith’s campaign is receiving massive amounts of support and positive attention from a mightily unhappy community, which goes to show - when fed up and motivated people put their hearts and minds to it and turn on their ‘people power’ things can change!

Peta Watson, Crib Point

Budget blow

We have now know what the Albanese government budget is and the big spending on health, housing and energy assistance payments and the tax cuts which will not buy a cup of coffee and will not come into effect until July 2026. Albanese should have concentrated the tax cuts on the average and low wage earners who could have benefited more with larger tax cuts to assist in the cost of living.

The budget has been attacked ruthlessly by most of the media but a few have clapped at it.

Now we have Peter Dutton’s fuel excise cuts which will benefit some Australians for twelve months who own cars but not ones who do not and who use public transport.

How long this proposed cut will benefit the car owners depends on the petrol stations if they do not increase their petrol prices.

We have big government and big taxes and Trumpism is the beginning of a new direction in the world of old capitalism where the rich control the country and control the economy and the rich will own the land and wages will be pushed down and then the slums return.

Things have now gone full circle and power to the people and the social welfare system will end.

Russell Morse, Karingal

Helping hand

On Friday 28 March I fell over just near the pedestrian crossing at Rosebud Library. A young lady stopped her car and came over to help me up and then made certain I got back to my car. Unfortunately, I forgot to get her name, so I hope that she sees this note and will accept my most grateful thanks for her help in coming to the aid of a stranger. Thank you.

Sandra Barry, Rye

Sir Neville House Inspects theHastings Road

Compiled by Cameron McCullough

FOR a long time past the maintenance of the Hastings road – the principal route to Flinders – and the expense incurred thereby, has been agitating the minds of the local Council.

Upon several occasions, it was alleged at the monthly sitting that the heavy wagon loads of the Defence Department, en route to the Naval Base, did not tend to improve matters, and it was deemed the powers behind the scenes might feel disposed to make a grant towards the upkeep of the road in question.

When the Prime Minister (the Hon. S. M. Bruce) came to Frankston on Saturday, January 31 1925, for the purpose of performing the ceremony in connection with the laying of the foundation stone of the Soldiers’ Memorial Hall, the chairman of the committee (Cr. Oates) at a later stage, and while in conversation with our Federal member, alluded to the vexed subject of the aforesaid road, and Mr. Bruce promised to use his influence in the desired direction.

Sir Neville House, who is now Minister for Defence, passed through Frankston on Saturday morning last.

Precisely at 9.30 o’clock he called at Cr. Oates’ place, and asked him to accompany the party in a motor car on a tour of inspection of the main road to Flinders.

Interviewed in the evening by a representative of “The Standard”, Cr. Oates mentioned that the portion of the road over which the Department’s wagons travel had not been tarred, and Sir Neville House had seen for himself its condition, and was satisfied it was going to pieces.

Cr. Oates also pointed out that the Council had found it necessary to have its roads tarred, in order to “keep them together.”

The Minister for Defence said he would like to assist the Council, if possible, and promised to ascertain what could be done.

Further questioned by the journalist, Cr. Oates stated he had suggested to Sir Neville House, in the event of the Department not being able to comply with the previous request of the Council, and if a grant were being given, this year, to the states, would he see that the Shire of Frankston and Hastings was not forgotten?

In regard to this, the Minister courteously indicated he would give his support to the proposal. ***

THE many friends of Mr. W. Wilson Young, who recently underwent a successful operation for his eyes at the Alfred Hospital, will be pleased to know he is home again.

Mrs. Merrie, wife of Mr. F. A. Merrie, of the Frankston branch of the State Savings Bank underwent an operation for appendicitis at Sister Creswick’s private hospital on Sunday last, and is, we are pleased to state, progressing favourably.

Mrs. Lewis, wife of Mr. T. Lewis, Frankston, who has been in indifferent health for some time, has found it necessary to live in a drier climate.

Mr. Lewis, who is employed on the railways, has secured a farm at Elmore, in the Bendigo district, and this week Mrs. Lewis and one of her sons left for the new home.

Mrs. Lewis leaves many friends in Frankston who earnestly hope that the

change of climate will restore her to full health again.

Mrs. Lewis was an ardent worker for the Frankston High School, and her efforts in that connection will long be remembered by the Advisory Council.

Miss Breen, who has for some time past been the popular manageress at the Frankston Golf House, is leaving shortly for fresh fields and pastures new.

Mrs. Sherlock, wife of Rev. H. Sherlock, delivered an interesting address on mission work in Samoa, at the monthly meeting of the Methodist Women’s Mission in the Frankston Church on Thursday last.

Mrs. Shellock spent several years in mission work in Samoa, and with her husband only recently returned to Frankston where their relatives and friends reside.

Mr. and Mrs. Les Evans, of Frankston, intend making a motor trip to Sydney during the Easter holidays.

The Misses’ Purves returned to Frankston this week after 3 months holiday spent in various parts of the State.

Mr. A. Tasker, assistant stationmaster at Frankston, is on sick leave, suffering from an attack of Influenza.

***

Through the Prince’s Highway. Two thousand miles in a “Buick.”

Mr. and Mrs. D. J. Quartermain, accompanied by Mr. and Mrs. A. Aitken, of Frankston, who had been away on a most enjoyable holiday trip to N.S.W., returned home on Sunday night last.

During a journey, extending over eighteen days, the party covered a distance of approximately 2000 miles

in the latest model “Buick,’ and with the exception of a punctured tyre, met with no further mishap en route.

Proceeding via the glorious Prince’s Highway, they were much impressed by the beautiful scenery, especially from Lakes. Entrance to Eden (N.S.W) on the south coast, while in the famous, Bulli Pass the continual mass of ferns, standing 20 to 30 feet high was a sight well worth beholding.

In due course, the party reached the Blue Mountains and the ever favourite resort of Katoomba.

They visited the Buchan (Vic.) and Jenolan (N.S.W.) caves, but the former appealed to the party’s estimation as being far ahead of the latter.

On the return trip from the alluring and enchanting environment of the Blue Mountains, one of the typical mists of that region fell upon the party about 4 o’clock in the afternoon, and proved of such density that Mr. Quartermain had to switch on the headlights of the Buick.

Throughout the trip, which, from first to last, was a thoroughly enjoyable one, fine weather prevailed. ***

Drunken Revellers get the maximum fine at Chelsea

A riotous party mounted the train at Frankston on Saturday last.

The members of it had missed the char-a-bane at Mornington, where they were participants of a boot employees’ picnic.

Shortly before 9p.m., SeniorConstable R. Hore was given the information when outside the Chelsea station. With Constable Hooper, he easily located the carriage which was

singing with gusto the song, “It Ain’t Going to Rain No More.”

Constable Hore endeavoured to make himself heard to the singers, who were in a second-class smoker, but to no avail.

The louder he spoke the more they sang. So he arrested six men.

Outside the station some seemed likely to bolt. Constable Hore produced a revolver, and the stick he always carries, sent Constable Hooper to the front, and threatened to “dong” the first man who tried to break away from the party. No-one broke!

At the Chelsea Court on Monday, Leonard Swift, Albert Donaldson, Henry Smith, William McCaddy, Jack Murcott and Alexander McDonald were each fined £5 for offensive behaviour.

In spite of a plea by Mr. Reg. Wadham (who appeared for the accused) that as they had been in the lock-up at Chelsea from Saturday night until Sunday midday, Mr. P. Cohen, P.M., who presided over a Bench consisting of Messrs. A. Hunter, G. R. A. Beardsworth, E. Williams, and N. Stephens, J.’sP., said that such conduct could not be excused.

They had given drink to young girls, according to the evidence of the police, and had made the carriage in a filthy state.

It seemed strange to him that Chelsea should always be the venue for offences committed outside of it.

Chelsea had a bad name without dragging cases that could easily have been taken on to another place.

***

From the pages of the Frankston and Somerville Standard, 3 April 1925

Australia's best sand sculptors on show

WATCH in amazement as Australia’s top sand sculptors bring the most iconic literary and film villains to life with 300 tonnes of sand! Plus, have your say on who should be titled the “Australian Champion” by voting for your favourite sculpture!

But the fun doesn't stop there –there’s something for everyone to enjoy! Unleash your creativity with sand art and sand bottle making, where you can create your very own colourful keepsakes.

Want to learn how to sculpt like the pros? We have fun and interactive daily workshops with a real-life sculptor, who will teach you the secrets behind crafting incredible sand creations!

For the little ones (and big kids at heart), there's a giant sandpit just waiting for you to dive in and build your own sandcastle, or simply relax and play.

And finally, if you’re up for some friendly competition, don't miss out on the sand mini golf course, where you can show off your putting skills and challenge your family and friends.

This is a day filled with creativity, adventure, and fun for the whole family – so gather your loved ones, and come enjoy a spectacular event you won't forget!

Tickets from just $12. Book at: australiansandsculptingchampionship. eventbrite.com.au

scoreboard

Dominant win seals premiership for Pines

By Brodie Cowburn

PROVINCIAL

PINES has won the 2025 MPCA Provincial Grand Final.

Pines played Red Hill in the two-day season decider at Eric Bell Reserve. Pines batted on Saturday, and put a formidable total on the scoreboard.

At the end of the day, Pines finished up at 8/243. Pat Jackson scored a half-century for the home side, while Nick Christides and Billy Humphrey also made strong contributions.

Brent Martin was a workhorse for Red Hill on Saturday. He bowled 40 overs, taking 3/113. Red Hill were in huge trouble from the get-go on Sunday. Opener Luke Jackson was dismissed for a duck, and his batting partner Riley Shaw was bowled out for just two runs. Things got even worse when Charlie Hannemann came in at three and also fell for a duck.

Simon Dart dug in to score some runs, but he didn’t enjoy much support. Red Hill didn’t get close to their target, and ended up all out for 72 runs off 45 overs.

Pat Jackson rounded out a man-of-the-match performance with excellent bowling figures of 4/33. Billy Humphrey, Ricky Ramsdale, and Declan Jackson took two wickets each.

PENINSULA

MORNINGTON scored a huge upset last weekend to claim the premiership in the MPCA Peninsula division.

The Bulldogs hit the road to take on Rosebud at Olympic Park in the Grand Final. Rosebud has been the team to beat all season, losing just one game.

Rosebud struggled on day one on Saturday, losing opener James Egan for three and first drop batter Jarrod Hicks for three. Will Jewell and Liam Collett made decent starts, but former international spinner Bryce McGain sent them packing before they did too much damage.

Rosebud skipper Patrick Nagel dug in to score 38 from 130 deliveries. His side finished the day at 9/129, handing the Bulldogs a chance for a shock win.

McGain was awesome for Mornington on Saturday. He took 4/49 from 31 overs.

Mornington’s run chase got off to a horror start

when opener Shane Hockey was dismissed for a golden duck. His batting partner Charlie Parker didn’t fare much better - he scored just eight runs.

Josh Small came in at number three and provided some stability. He only scored six runs, but dug in for 78 balls while Mitchell Goddard and Ryan Smith kept the scoreboard ticking over.

Goddard was bowled out for 66. Smith finished the day unbeaten on 43.

Mornington wrapped up a six-wicket win, and the premiership, with 15 overs left to spare.

DISTRICT

BALNARRING are premiers in the MPCA District division.

Balnarring, who finished the year second with a 9-3 record, played Boneo in the season decider. Boneo entered the finals series a fair way back from their fellow qualifiers.

After losing the toss on day one on Saturday, Balnarring was sent in to bat first. They proved up to the task, putting 285 runs on the scoreboard before stumps was called.

Xavier Warmbrunn and Darcy Warmbrunn topscored for Balnarring with scores of 86 and 63 respectively.

Dilasri Lokubandara starred for Boneo on Sunday. He smashed 115 runs from 137 deliveries, but it wasn’t quite enough to wrap up a win for his side.

Boneo was bowled out for 191, well short of what they needed to win. Balnarring wrapped up the Grand Final win with 19 overs left to spare.

Luke Hewitt was pick of the bowlers for Balnarring. He took 4/68 from 19 overs.

SUB DISTRICT

RYE dominated Tyabb in the Sub-District Grand Final last weekend.

Tyabb hosted the two-day match at Bunguyan Reserve. The visitors batted first, and faced a few struggles at the crease. After 56 overs, Rye was dismissed for 139.

Tyabb’s run chase ended in disaster. A middle order collapse - Justin Bridgeman, Jayden Regan, and Aidan Pateman were each dismissed for zero - cost the Yabbies the game.

Tyabb was bowled out for just 62, handing Rye the premiership.

Jacob Long and Waligama Palleguruge each took four wickets for Rye.

FRANKSTON YCW 2nd XI were always in control setting the target on day 1 of 217 with Delacome Park getting all out for 82 off 49 overs. Picture: Craig Barrett

MORNINGTON scored an upset by grabbing the Peninsula Division Grand Final from Rosebud. Picture: Alan Dillon

WESTERN PORT scoreboard

Skye starts season in style

SOCCER

By Craig MacKenzie

SKYE United made its best start to a league season since 2017 with a gutsy 2-1 away win against Noble Park United on Friday night.

The locals have won their opening two games away from home and don’t play their first home match until their round 4 clash with Casey Comets.

Skye went behind in the 18th minute when Shane Tagliaferro’s strike from the edge of the box found the bottom corner.

However the visitors hit back 10 minutes later when Mitch Blake broke free and squared a ball for Tapiwa Kufakurowa to stab home.

The second half was an arm wrestle but Blake’s flick header in the 65th minute allowed Shameit Sharma to calmly lob goalkeeper Denis Lazinica to claim all three points for Skye.

Head coach Phil McGuinness put a lot of work during pre-season into rebuilding Skye’ senior squad having lost so many experienced players and so far his efforts have been rewarded.

“Our aim was to try and recruit a squad that would hopefully stay together for a few years so I decided to give opportunities to more young up-and-coming talent,” McGuinness said.

“Against Noble Park the oldest player on the bench was 23 along with eight starting players also under the age of 23.

“Our squad isn’t complete yet though and I’m still hopeful of adding one or two more experienced boys even at this late stage.”

Skye’s neighbour and State 2 rival Peninsula Strikers endured a luckless weekend going down 1-0 away to Mooroolbark despite hitting the woodwork six times.

The decisive moment came in the 80th minute when a cross to the back post saw Mooroolbark’s Marcus Watson get a shot on target which Strikers’ keeper Ben Caballero saved sharply but the rebound fell straight into the path of home team captain Sean Perrin who tucked it away.

Strikers were relentless at times piling on the pressure and creating numerous chances all to no avail.

Strikers’ attack will be bolstered this week with the return from suspension of Wayne Gordon and the return from injury of Noah Musso.

The local club also has signed Joel Bowen from Rowville Eagles.

Bowen has had spells at Springvale White Eagles and Mazenod and has also played in England and Brazil.

He can play anywhere across the front third.

In VPL1 Langwarrin won its second straight away game with a 1-0 victory over Moreland City on Friday night.

Langy started brightly with Tom Youngs and Brad Blumenthal creating havoc.

The visitors had a number of chances but Moreland was a threat on the counter with pace in wide areas.

The breakthrough came in the 79th minute when Luke Adams headed back across goal with the ball hitting a defender and going in.

Langwarrin ends a lengthy run of consecutive

away fixtures when it takes on second-placed Melbourne City on Sunday at Casey Fields.

In State 1 Mornington made it two from two with a 2-0 away win over South Springvale on Saturday.

Ryan Paczkowski opened the scoring in the first half when he pushed forward into midfield then exchanged passes with Tom Wood and slotted the ball past South Springvale keeper Josh

Sudoku and crossword solutions

Hill.

The home side applied the pressure in the second half but Mornington earned some breathing space with an early contender for goal of the season.

In the 89th minute a move involving Paczkowski, Rhys Craigie and Dylan Thomas ended with a first-time volley from Shaun Kenny that gave Hill no chance.

In State 4 Chelsea was the only local side to come up trumps last weekend winning 4-2 away to Lyndale United.

In the 31st minute a Marcelo Burgos cross missed everyone including the Lyndale keeper to give Chelsea the lead.

But the home side produced a shock equaliser just before half-time with a fine long-range strike from Michael Moretti leaving Chelsea keeper Luke Wilson scratching his head.

Chelsea hit back in the 53rd minute through half-time sub Jake Ross beating his man in the box and slotting home.

After a few near misses James Stinson then kicked into gear finishing neatly from a Liam Burford through ball in the 64th minute and a bullet header from a Christian Murray cross in the 79th minute.

Lyndale scored a late consolation goal through Raf Omokaru.

On Saturday a well-organised and determined Monash University comfortably beat visitors Somerville Eagles 3-0.

The Eagles never quite found their rhythm and were second-best for most of the contest.

Despite moments of promise including two disallowed goals and Marcus Anastasiou failing

to convert a penalty Somerville was unable to mount a meaningful comeback.

Baxter drew 2-2 with Sandown Lions on Saturday evening with Zamer Noor and Jack Bradbury scoring for the locals.

On Friday night Frankston Pines lost 6-0 to visitors Springvale City and Rosebud lost 2-0 at home to Noble Hurricanes on Saturday evening.

In State 5 Aspendale and Mount Eliza shared the spoils in a hard-fought 2-2 draw at Aspendale Gardens Sports Ground last weekend.

Aspendale struck first with only a few minutes left before half-time when a well-worked freekick from James Macnab allowed Felix Hampson to catch the Mount Eliza defence off-guard to steer the ball home at the near post.

The home team went further ahead in the 54th minute when a well-taken corner was headed home by Lewis Marco.

Minutes later Mount Eliza hit back when Austin Mcewen capitalised on a goalkeeping error to score from close range.

The visitors completed their comeback in the 85th minute when Josh Luca levelled from a goalmouth scramble.

Ten-man Seaford United had to settle for an away point in Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Endeavour Hills Fire.

Despite dominating the first half Seaford was unable to break the deadlock and although the visitors looked likely to break through the contest turned on an 81st-minute decision.

Seaford thought that it had won a penalty when Backy Barakzoi was brought down in the box but instead Barakzoi was booked for diving.

It was his second yellow card which cut his day short and instantly put Seaford on the back foot.

The visitors were forced to endure Panthers’ constant long balls and were eventually broken down when a diagonal ball wasn’t cleared and Panthers’ striker Mahdi Haidari lobbed Hayden Hicks from a one-on-one.

But within a minute of the restart a long ball was fumbled by Panthers’ keeper Quinn Carter and Keegan Bell’s tidy finish made it 1-1. And Seaford nearly found a second with Luke Murray through in a one-on-one but he failed to convert his chance.

Mount Martha drew 1-1 away to Endeavour Hills Fire in a very physical clash last weekend. The home team took a 1-0 lead into the halftime break following a fine interpassing move and tidy finish from Driss Sakha.

Six minutes into the second half Finn Vemis was shown a second yellow card but both sides were reduced to 10 men almost immediately after a Joanathan Florent tackle earned him a straight red.

The equaliser came in the 60th minute following a superb run by Lenny Tate whose shot was blocked on the line but Howie Andersen was on the spot to chest it in.

In other news the only two local sides remaining in the Australia Cup have been drawn against each other.

Langwarrin will host Mornington at Lawton Park on Wednesday 16 April at 7.30pm.

NEXT WEEKEND’S GAMES

Friday 4 April, 8.30pm

Chisholm Utd v Skye Utd, Jack Edwards Reserve

Frankston Pines v Noble Hurricanes, Monterey Reserve

Saturday 5 April, 3pm

Mornington v Mazenod, Dallas Brooks Reserve

Baxter v Chelsea, Baxter Park

Aspendale v Bunyip District, Aspendale Gardens Sports Ground

Seaford Utd v Endeavour Hills Fire, North Seaford Reserve

Mount Eliza v Pakenham Utd, Emil Madsen Reserve

Mount Martha v Casey Panthers, Civic Reserve

Saturday 5 April, 6pm

Rosebud v Somerville Eagles, Olympic Park

Sunday 6 April, 3pm

Melbourne Victory v Langwarrin, Casey Fields

Peninsula Strikers v North Caulfield, Centenary Park

Revamp rewarded: Skye United gaffer Phil McGuinness has rebuilt his senior squad in the off-season and started this year’s campaign on a winning note. Picture: Jordan Martin

Ninety-year-old scores hole-in-one

Highgrove Bathrooms' Frankston Football Club support continues

LINDSAY Sinclair, the founder of Highgrove Bathrooms, is known for his purpose-driven approach to business and community. Born in Frankston on the Mornington Peninsula, Lindsay is a passionate AFL supporter and has been involved with the Frankston Football Club since 1963. For many years, Highgrove Bathrooms has been donating product vouchers and merchandise to help fundraise for both the Frankston Football Club and the Mornington Peninsula Nepean Football League (MPNFL).

This long standing partnership has now been strengthened with Highgrove Bathrooms signing on for another three years as a Joint Major Sponsor of the Frankston Football Club. For those who don't know, Highgrove Bathrooms offers a wide range of high-quality bathroom products that combine modern design with affordability.

“This partnership holds a special place in my heart, as my connection with the club goes beyond business,” says Lindsay. “The Frankston

Football Club represents many great memories from my teenage years in Melbourne. I recall seeing friends battle it out and watching some of the AFL’s greatest players rise through the ranks.”

Frankston Football Club President, Steven Finocchiaro said, “I am thrilled that Frankston Football Club and Highgrove Bathrooms are continuing our partnership in 2025 and beyond.

Highgrove Bathrooms are a company synonymous with high attention to detail, quality and excellence in performance, something our Club is striving for on a daily basis. We could not be prouder to be associated with Highgrove Bathrooms as they join us on our journey to bring on-field success back to Kinetic Stadium”.

With this renewed sponsorship, Highgrove Bathrooms is committed to providing the resources and support needed to strengthen the club’s focus on developing young talent, while further solidifying its legacy as a cornerstone of the community.

By Brendan Rees

MEET 90-year-old Brenda Thornell who has earned her place in the history books of Devilbend Golf Club after scoring a hole-in-one, proving age is no barrier.

The Somerville great-grandmother achieved the remarkable feat on 25 March after stepping up to the tee under sunny skies on the third hole – a par three of about 135 metres.

It also marks her third ace at Devilbend Golf Club and her fifth overall – a rare achievement not even the most seasoned professionals can attain.

“I couldn’t believe it,” Brenda told The News, which she put down to “just pure luck!”

“It just got on the left-hand side of the green and headed across to the top right and dropped in the hole.”

Brenda, who plays off a handicap of 36, said she hit a three wood and “bingo”, the ball “disappeared”, stunning her fellow players.

“It’s very exciting!” she exclaimed.

It’s been a huge celebration for Brenda with her newfound fame having attracted wide media attention and recognition from Golf Australia.

A member of the club for 35 years, Brenda plays every Tuesday on Women’s Day, saying her passion for golf hasn’t waned a bit with age. Asked what tips she had for anyone trying to achieve a hole-in-one, she had some simple words of advice: “I just try and aim for the green”.

As for how the rest of her round went on her memorable day, Brenda laughed that she “lost the plot” a little, but it won’t stop her coming back and … just maybe trying her luck for the sixth time.

BRENDA Thornell is celebrating after her hole-inone at Devilbend Golf Club. Picture: Yanni

OUR CREATIVE PENINSULA

Amy Dees

Until Monday 10 March

Saturday 29 March - Sunday 25 May

Saturday 8 March - Sunday 8 June

Nature-inspired, contemporary art.

HERstory: Women of the Mornington Peninsula is a public art initiative designed to honour and celebrate the vital contributions of women in shaping the cultural, social, and historical identity of the Mornington Peninsula.

James Tylor: Turrangka...in the Shadows is a major solo exhibition exploring, through photography and cultural objects, colonisation’s impact on Indigenous cultures.

New Wave 25 showcases local VCE and VCE VET student works.

Celebrating International Women’s Day and the HERstory public art exhibition, the In Our Backyard series presents HERstory.

HERstory: Women of the Mornington Peninsula is a public art initiative designed to celebrate the contributions of women in shaping the cultural, social, and historical identity of the Mornington Peninsula.

Saturday 26 April: 12pm - 4pm

Glenn Walker

Tuesday 11 March - Monday 7 April

Landscape photography exhibition.

Discover a garden party of yesteryear. Across the charming gardens of the Briars homestead, enjoy an afternoon of live music, tours, lawn games and vintage tennis at its best.

MPRG has a new series of Monday workshops for adults, including sculpture, photography and landscape painting, a Young at Art program for pre-schoolers, and affordable school holiday workshops for young people.

The project draws on the International Women’s Day 2025 theme, March Forward, aligning its message with global calls for accelerated action toward gender equity. Through visual storytelling, HERstory engages the community in a dialogue about the triumphs and challenges faced by women, inspiring reflection on how their legacies resonate today.

Mornington Shire Building (External wall) Visit the website for details about the free events over the 3 months.

Nuno’s Southern Hospitality is serving up great coffee and food (Thu–Sun).

Caption: James Tylor, (Deleted scenes) From an untouched landscape #14, 2013

E: publicart@mornpen.vic.gov.au

mprg.mornpen.vic.gov.au

Join us for a powerful talk series in collaboration with HERstory.

Join award-winning broadcaster and journalist Tracee Hutchison as she interviews six remarkable women who have shaped the Peninsula’s identity, sharing their unique experiences, challenges, and triumphs.

Next talk: Saturday 12 April.

From pioneers and activists to artists and everyday heroes, their stories inspire and empower.

W: website.com.au

Jean Rotherham - Historian and President of Dromana and District Historical Society, The Monster Petition: Voices for Change in 1891.

Mornington Library Visit the website for details about the free events.

artsandculture@mornpen.vic.gov.au

Tuesday 6 May: 2pm - 4pm

One of the Mornington Peninsula’s much loved historical treasures, step back in time and discover what garden parties would have been like for the Balcombe family.

Take in live music while you picnic on the lawns. Enjoy activities for little kids and big kids alike, have a game on the heritage tennis lawn, or a guided tour of the homestead outbuildings.

HASTINGS EXHIBITION SPACE

This Girl Can

Part of the Australian Heritage Festival.

Wednesday 5 March - Sunday 13 April Photographic exhibition led by VicHealth.

nationaltrust.org.au/ahf/

Womindjeka Balnarring Ngargee (Festival)

Celebrating its fifth year, the Awards aim to encourage and support local emerging writers of all abilities and celebrate our diverse creative talent. The Awards are open to Mornington Peninsula residents aged eight and up. So, if you’re a budding writer or want to get your creative juices flowing, we invite you to enter.

New Wave 25 showcases the work of local VCE and VCE VET art, visual art, media arts, fashion, design and technology students. The exhibition includes paintings, drawings, multimedia, ceramics, installation.

James Tylor’s exhibition examines histories of colonisation and brings together his unique daguerreotypes, digital photographic series, and hand-made Kaurna cultural objects.

Submissions will be judged by the notable writers and authors Barry Reynolds, Else Fitzgerald, and Monica Dux for 18+ years submissions, SamEllen Bound for 13-17 years and Coral Vass for 8-12 years.

As part of the NGA’s Sharing the National Collection program, MPRG is displaying a neon artwork by internationally celebrated American artist Bruce Nauman over the next two years.

Partnering with Westernport Writes Literary Festival for our Shortlist Committee.

W: mprg.mornpen.vic.gov.au

mornpen.vic.gov.au/

Make Music Matter presents: Cultural Awareness Training for the Music Industry.

Velvet Bloom’s music transcends genres; a sonic voyage through the cosmos with Maddy Herbert’s soulful prowess and lyricism serving as a beacon of authenticity.

“Equal parts enthralling and enchanting, Velvet Bloom is undeniably on the cusp of big things in the near future.”

- Tyler Jenke, Rolling Stone Magazine

Led by Jillian West, a proud Bunurong and Palawa woman, and her niece Alexandra Prouse, the session will support participants to engage respectfully and meaningfully with First Nations communities, artists, and audiences.

This album is proudly supported by the Mornington Peninsula Shire Performing Arts Fund.

W: velvetbloommusic.com

This free worksop is an opportunity for music professionals to deepen their understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and histories.

Visit our website and find out more Make Music Matter.

Places limited.

mornpen.vic.gov.au/ac-culturalawareness

Where the community can gather to share, begin conversations and walk with First Peoples.

We’re seeking local creative mentors from the Mornington Peninsula and surrounding areas to guide young creatives aged 18-25.

W: balnarringfestival.com.au

Commitment: 8 hours a week for 3 months and mentors will be paid.

UNTIL SUNDAY 23 MARCH

EXHIBITION ‘SCALE’ - LANDER-SE

Join us in this exciting project in partnership with VicHealth to drive employment and mentoring opportunities for local artists.

Complete the Expression of Interest form on our website.

SCALE is an all-female exhibition bringing together eight Australian painters, examining our relationship with Landscape through a unified lens of proportion. This exhibition is accompanied by a series of artist-led creative workshops, inviting visitors to interact with the rural landscape of Red Hill.

W: landerse.au

Interested in participating in this program as a mentee? Applications are open.

Visit our website for more information about arts, culture and our community.

artsandculture.mornpen.vic.gov.au

MPRG Exhibition

Music News!

On in our community

VELVET BLOOM ALBUM RELEASE

New self-titled Album out Friday 28 March.

29 MARCH - 25 MAY

Image: James Tylor, (Deleted scenes) From an untouched landscape#14, 2013

SATURDAY 1 MARCH Entries open on Monday 14 April

HERITAGE GARDEN PARTY