Current Issue

Multiple road closures create traffic

complaints, receiving roughly 400 contacts from constituents by email, phone and social media in recent

“It’s like road Armageddon on the Mornington Peninsula. Everything is happening all at once,” Crewther

Crewther has written urgently to the Minister for Roads and Road Safety, the Hon. Ros Spence MP, as well as to Neue Space co-founder Sam Alexiadis and to Sina Jalali of NBC Civil Constructions.

In his letter to the Minister, Crewther described the situation as “severe and unacceptable traffic disruption for local residents, families, workers and businesses across Mornington, Mount Martha and surrounding areas.”

He said he and the community “weren’t notified of these works,” and that “closures have been both during peak times and when no works have been happening.”

to avoid the Nepean Highway bottleneck.

Member for Mornington, Chris Crewther, told The News his office had been overwhelmed with

Crewther said the individual projects had not been adequately coordinated despite their combined impact on the local network, noting the affected routes all fall under state jurisdiction.

Continued Page 7

Picture: Gary Sissons

Flinders Pier works halted as funding runs dry

Sarah Halfpenny sarah@mpnews.com.au

PARKS Victoria has ordered contractors to stop work on the historic Flinders Pier restoration just four months after construction began, citing a lapse in funding.

The direction issued to lead contractor Bridgewater Marine comes less than five months after Minister for Ports and Freight Melissa Horne announced that works had commenced as part of the Allan Labor Government’s $18m investment to restore some of the state’s most historic piers.

Construction had been expected to finish by mid-2026.

Chair of the Save Flinders Pier campaign, Charles Reis OAM, said the decision had shocked and dismayed supporters who fought for the pier’s preservation over the past five years.

Demobilisation of the site has begun in the past few days. Timber piles that had been stored in the lay-down area onshore, ready for installation this week, have already been loaded onto trucks and removed. Around 28 piles have already been driven into the sand to support the pier structure.

Reis wrote to Minister Horne on 18 April requesting the immediate release of additional funds so the works could be completed on schedule. As of 20 April, he is yet to receive a response.

“The Flinders Pier was never going to cost anywhere near $18m. It is a

fraction of this cost,” Reis said. “So where has the money gone and why has Parks Victoria had to stop work?”

The original Flinders Pier was built in 1864 and the current project is its first major restoration since the 1970s.

The heritage-listed structure was due to receive new piles, beams, crossheads, capping beams and decking, with the works designed to safeguard

marine life beneath the pier including the weedy seadragon.

Reis said the situation was difficult to reconcile with the extensive assessments that preceded the work, including an environmental impact statement, a marine impact assessment, a geotechnical review, an engineering assessment, a condition assessment and a review of the pier’s significance

to First Nations peoples.

“Parks Victoria has very good pier monitoring in place, and along with all the studies that preceded the work, there should never have been any surprises,” Reis said.

The Save Flinders Pier campaign was formed at a public meeting in Flinders in May 2021, after the state government announced plans in July

WORKS have stopped on rebuilding Flinders Pier. Picture: Gary

2020 to demolish the inner 180-metre section of the pier.

The campaign successfully lobbied Heritage Victoria, which in October 2022 added it to the Victorian Heritage Register for its state-level cultural heritage significance. Reis said the heritage listing placed an obligation on the government to complete the restoration rather than walk away from it.

Around 45,000 Victorians supported the push to save the pier, which also drew public backing from British broadcaster Sir David Attenborough. Reis said the pier’s value included the access it provided the public.

“This is a really important amenity. It allows people with disabilities, people with children, and older people to actually get out and enjoy the marine life without necessarily having to step on a boat,” he told The News Reis called on the government to release funding urgently so the works could be completed in line with its commitment.

“Flinders Pier is a valuable marine amenity for all Victorians. It will be important that funding is immediately provided by the state government to complete the works.”

Sissons

Nepean District by-election

Vote Saturday

Who can vote?

Everyone on the state electoral roll for Nepean District can cast a vote at any voting centre on Saturday 2 May between 8 am and 6 pm

If you are an Australian citizen aged 18 or over and living in Nepean District who has never enrolled, you can enrol and vote on the spot. Just bring one of these documents when you visit a voting centre:

• an Australian passport, driver licence or learner permit, or

• a council rates notice in your name, or

• an electricity bill in your name for your current home address.

How to vote correctly

You must complete your ballot paper correctly for your vote to count.

Put the number 1 in the box next to the candidate you most want to see elected, then number all the other boxes in order of your choice.

You must number every box and only use each number once.

Candidates

Candidates are listed below in the order they’ll appear on the ballot paper:

HERCUS, Darren

Pauline Hanson’s One Nation

SMITH, Reade

Affordable Housing Now – Sustainable Australia Party

HEALY, Sianan

The Greens

MARSH, Anthony

Liberal

WILDE, Milton

End Mass Immigration – Reform AU

ANGELICO, Peter Libertarian

HUTCHISON, Tracee

THOMPSON, Renee

Legalise Cannabis

Voting is compulsory

Voting is compulsory for everyone on the state electoral roll for Nepean District as at 8 pm on Friday 20 March Visit vec.vic.gov.au to check your enrolment.

You may be fined if you do not vote.

Saturday 2 May is election day

Voting centres are open 8 am to 6 pm

Voting centres

1. Blairgowrie Community Hall 12 William Road

Blairgowrie IWA

2. Boneo Community Hall 572 Boneo Road

Boneo AWA

3. Dromana Community Hall 2A Verdon Street (access via Hodgkinson Street) Dromana IWA

4. Dromana Hub Shopping Centre Shop 1/251 Point Nepean Road Dromana IWA

5. St John’s Anglican Church 50 Barker Street (access via King Street) Flinders LNWA

6. Red Hill Consolidated School 341 Arthurs Seat Road (access via Mornington-Flinders Road) Red Hill IWA

7. Rosebud Sea Scouts Hall Rosebud Foreshore, Nepean Highway (opposite Fourth Avenue) Rosebud AWA

8. Rosebud Secondary College 245 Eastbourne Road (access via Boneo Road) Rosebud IWA

9. Rye Civic Hall 12 Napier Street Rye AWA

10. Shoreham Community Hall 67 Byrnes Road Shoreham LNWA

11. Sorrento Community Centre 860 Melbourne Road (access via Morce Avenue) Sorrento AWA

12. Tootgarook Primary School 7 Carmichael Street Tootgarook AWA

13. Bayview Church 1 Inglewood Crescent Rosebud IWA

AWA: Wheelchair access with assistance

IWA: Independent wheelchair access

LNWA: Limited or no wheelchair access

For more information visit vec.vic.gov.au or call 131 832.

For enquiries in languages other than English: (Arabic) 9209 0100 • (Assyrian) 9209 0160 • (Burmese) 9209 0161 • (Mandarin) 9209 0106 • (Cantonese) 9209 0101 (Croatian) 9209 0102 • (Dari) 9209 0193 • (Dinka) 9209 0119 • (Greek) 9209 0103 • (Hazaragi) 9209 0162 (Italian) 9209 0104 • (Khmer) 9209 0192 • (Korean) 9209 0194 • (Macedonian) 9209 0105 • (Nepali) 9209 0163 (Persian) 9209 0195 • (Thai) 9209 0164 • (Turkish) 9209 0110 • (Urdu) 9209 0165 • (Vietnamese) 9209 0111 All other non-English languages 9209 0112 vec.vic.gov.au | 131 832 @electionsvic  Authorised by S. Bluemmel, Electoral Commissioner, 530 Collins Street, Melbourne, Victoria.

Volunteers needed for tree planting to support koalas

Raia Flinos raia@mpnews.com.au

MORNINGTON Peninsula Koala

Conservation is calling for volunteers to support its 2026 tree planting season. The community group works to restore indigenous habitat for the peninsula’s koala population.

Founder and president Dirk Jansen said the initiative, which runs from May to September, is entirely dependent on community support and volunteers.

“We actually can’t do it without the community,” Jansen said.

“It’s 100% volunteer based. We’re really trying to look after our own backyard with what we can control.”

Tree planting days usually begin at 9am, finish at around 12pm, and are designed to be accessible to all ages and abilities.

“It’s amazing,” Jansen said.

“It really does restore your faith when you see how people get together in the morning, all volunteer based, even the landholders and you know that everyone is giving their time for this.”

The first event is on 3 May, which coincides with Wild Koala Day, although that event has reached full capacity. However, Jansen said there are many opportunities for people to get involved over the winter months.

“What happens is at the start, there’s a lot of enthusiasm and then volunteers start to drop off,” Jansen said.

“We want to encourage people to register for lots of different events

throughout the season.”

A key challenge for the group is attracting volunteers to larger planting sites in Flinders, which Jansen supposes is due to the travel distance.

Since its formation in 2018, the group has grown to over 200 members and planted over 100,000 indigenous plants on the peninsula. Their goal is to plant around 30,000 trees annually to help connect fragmented biosystems and restore koala habitat.

Despite ongoing efforts, the future of the koala population on the peninsula remains uncertain.

“We know from the wildlife carers that they’re getting less and less animals into care,” Jansen said.

“So, we definitely think either the population is stabilised at a very low level, or that they are still declining.”

The organisation is also seeking volunteers to step into leadership roles as tree planting coordinators who can help organise events throughout the working week.

Jansen said the work is incredibly positive and uplifting and teaches volunteers about local flora and fauna.

“You start off in the morning with an empty paddock, and then by lunchtime, you will have planted 1,000 plants, and it just looks amazing,” Jansen said.

“It makes you feel good and it connects you with people that are like minded and that also care about the environment.”

Volunteers can register for upcoming events on Eventbrite and find more information on their website at mpkoalas.org.au.

Let our family help your family

At After-Care, we understand how important it is to feel safe and supported at home. Whether it’s a little extra help with daily tasks or more regular support, our caring team is here to make life easier for you and your loved ones. Let our family help your family – with compassion, dignity, and care you can trust.

Reach

Millions committed to roads in four-year blitz

Raia Flinos raia@mpnews.com.au

MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire’s latest draft budget has revealed a four-year plan of road works and safety upgrades with millions allocated to projects ranging from rehabilitation and renewal, to targeted safety improvements.

The proposed draft budget for 2027-2030 outlines sustained investment across road infrastructure, continuing momentum built after community advocacy recently helped secure more than $6m in road safety funding (Community input for road safety funding, The News 13/03/26).

The largest share of funding is set to be allocated to the Road Corridor Contract Works program, which will receive $5.9m in 2027, and rising to more than $6.3m in 2030.

This program is designed to maintain and renew local roads through resurfacing, rehabilitation, and patching.

Significant rehabilitation projects are also planned, including Bungower Rd in Somerville, which will receive $2.5m in funding over 2027 and 2028.

Eramosa Rd in Somerville is also set to receive rehabilitation and safety upgrades, with $1m allocated for upgrades in 2027.

Crib Point’s Creswell St East is set for a major upgrade, with more than

$6m allocated over two years to construct new asphalt pavement, kerb, drainage, and service utilities.

Road safety remains a key priority in the draft budget, with funds allocated to multiple Black Spot and Local Area Traffic Management projects.

These include 40 km/h signage installation, pavement markings, and support for speed reduction in Mornington and Crib Point, as well as safety improvements on Wilsons Rd.

The intersection of Shands Rd and Tucks Rd in Main Ridge will be upgraded, with plans to install a raised intersection with safety platforms, relocate speed-limit signage, and seal 50m of the south leg of Tucks Rd. The budget also includes funding for future projects and investigation. This includes $150,000 a year allocated towards the Blackspot Road Safety program, which involves analysing crash data and preparing designs and applications for annual funding.

Roads to Recovery (R2R) funding is also included as a flexible pool for future priorities, growing to $3m annually by the end of the four-year period.

The draft budget will be placed on public exhibition for four weeks to allow residents to review and provide feedback.

Picture: Supplied

Journalists: Brendan Rees: Email: brendan@mpnews.com.au

Brodie Cowburn: Email: brodie@mpnews.com.au

Photographers: Gary Sissons, Yanni

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Real Estate Account Manager: Ricky Thompson, 0425 867 578

Production/Graphic design: Marcus Pettifer, Danielle Espagne

Publisher: Cameron McCullough

REGULAR CONTRIBUTORS: Peter McCullough, Stuart McCullough, Craig MacKenzie.

ADDRESS: Mornington Peninsula News Group PO Box 588 Hastings 3915

Email: team@mpnews.com.au Web: www.mpnews.com.au

DEADLINE FOR NEXT ISSUE: 1 PM ON FRI 1 MAY 2026

NEXT ISSUE PUBLICATION DATE: WED 6 MAY 2026

Balcombe boardwalk repair faces long delay

Raia Flinos raia@mpnews.com.au

THE long-awaited restoration of the Balcombe Estuary Boardwalk is set to receive future funding under the Mornington Peninsula Shire’s latest draft budget.

The draft budget, which was released at the 14 April council meet ing, has revealed $400,000 will be allocated to the boardwalk in 2029, followed by a further $2.6m in 2030.

A section of the 3.5km Mount Mar tha boardwalk has remained closed since flooding in 2022; fenced off and inaccessible.

As previously reported by News, the damaged boardwalk has been the subject of ongoing conversa tion and debate within the community, with residents calling for action.

Members of the Rotary Club of Mount Martha have been vocal re garding their frustration over the time it has taken to secure a clear funding pathway.

Rotary club president Anne Shaw said the boardwalk is an icon to the Mount Martha community and is something that shouldn’t be lost.

“While it’s in the long-range budget, at least it’s there, which is an improvement,” Shaw said.

“It can’t happen soon enough and it’s really important that the community keeps the pressure on to see this happen.”

Shaw said the community needs to keep boardwalk reparations on councillors’ radars and said the Rotary will continue to advocate for the project.

“We’d like it done tomorrow, but in reality, there’s so many things to bal-

ance, and it is the kind of project that would be a very good project to put forward for other levels of government to help fund it,” she said.

In November 2024, the shire proposed three options for rebuilding, with the community endorsing “option one”, which included replacing the boardwalk along its existing alignment (Rising tide of support to return boardwalk, The News 18/03/25).

Councillors had mixed opinions

regarding which option should be undertaken, with Briars Ward Cr Anthony Marsh supporting the community’s decision, while other councillors such as Cr David Gill holding concerns over environmental impacts (Budget battle looms over estuary boardwalk fix, The News 16/04/25).

The draft budget reveals the next stage will be completing detailed designs and permit approvals to help support future grant applications.

SOUTH SIDE FESTIVAL TO LIGHT UP FRANKSTON THIS MAY

FRANKSTON will shine as a hub of arts and culture when South Side Festival returns next week, bringing 10 nights of performances, installations and community experiences to the heart of the city.

Running from Friday 8 May to Sunday 17 May, the festival will transform Frankston into one of Victoria’s most vibrant cultural destinations, with events spanning theatre, circus, dance, visual arts, film and immersive light installations.

A major highlight is the return of Neon Fields, back by popular demand for a third year. Across three spectacular nights, Beauty Park will become a glowing playground of colour and light, featuring brand-new installations alongside returning favourites. The free, all-ages event will run on Friday 8 May and Saturday 9 May from 5pm–10pm, and Sunday 10 May from 5pm–8pm.

Senior Producer, Arts and Culture at Frankston City Council, Freyja Macfarlane, said the 2026 festival has been curated to invite discovery and connection.

“South Side Festival is about stepping into something unexpected, seeing Frankston through a new lens, and sharing incredible cultural experiences together,” Ms Macfarlane said.

The ticketed program features bold contemporary works, including Human Love Quest, a live comedy dating show for adults at Cube 37, family-friendly shadow puppetry in Kiki and Zuki, and In Common by One Fell

Swoop Circus. Audiences can also experience Live Cinema by Michael Beets, shot and performed live by local youth, and Shan Gao Shui Chang, a striking fusion of dance, water painting and technology exploring migration and identity.

Visual arts highlights include Good Times, featuring iconic photography by Rennie Ellis, and A Wearable Canvas from the Australian Wearable Arts Festival.

With events across Frankston Arts Centre, Cube 37, Beauty Park and the foreshore, South Side Festival promises something for everyone.

For details, visit southsidefestival.com.au.

MOUNT Martha Rotary Club members on the damaged Balcombe Creek Estuary boardwalk in 2024. Picture: Yanni

Traffic disruptions to continue for months

Continued from Page 1

“Any works on and closures along Nepean Highway, as a state road, require state Labor government permission and oversight,” he said.

“The state government, knowing all these works were happening, should have properly coordinated between the three different works.”

He said constituents were reporting lengthy delays, missed appointments, difficulty with school drop-offs and pick-ups, and children running late for sport and extracurricular activities.

His own family had also been caught up in the gridlock, with his wife taking an hour to get from Mount Martha to Mount Eliza for a school run, and Crewther himself spending three and a half hours driving between meetings that should have taken 90 minutes.

Crewther said better coordination and more flexible traffic management could have significantly reduced the burden on residents.

“They could put temporary barriers there instead, and move them away when the works are finished for the day,” he said.

He urged the developer and relevant authorities to consider immediate measures to ease pressure on motorists.

“They should be seeing what they can do to speed up the works. They should be seeing what they can do to operate outside of peak hours. They should be seeing what they can do to open up the road when the works are not happening, instead of having the

permanent concrete barriers there,” Crewther said.

According to the notification issued by NBC Civil, the works at 1158 Nepean Highway commenced on 16 March 2026 and are being carried out in stages over approximately 10 weeks, weather permitting. The project includes construction of a new slip lane, installation of a new bus stop, landscaping and line marking.

In his correspondence with the Minister, Crewther has sought advice

on what approvals were granted for the Nepean Highway works, which authorities were consulted before those approvals were issued, and whether any cumulative traffic impact assessment was undertaken having regard to the other disruptions already affecting the area.

Crewther said residents accepted that roadworks were sometimes unavoidable but were entitled to expect proper planning.

“Locals absolutely understand that

road and construction works are sometimes necessary,” he said.

“What they do not accept is a situation where major works are allowed to proceed in a manner that causes widespread and prolonged community disruption, seemingly without proper notice, without visible urgency, without proper planning, and without any clear explanation as to why this timing was considered acceptable.”

At the time of publication, Crewther said the Minister and Neue Space were

yet to respond to his correspondence. Jalali, from NBC Civil, was the only party to have replied.

The News has contacted the Department of Transport, but they declined to comment on the traffic chaos.

Crewther said the strength of community concern “should not be underestimated.”

“Residents are very angry, distressed and increasingly losing confidence that basic oversight and coordination are being exercised,” he said.

My priorities for Nepean are clear:

I will get the hospital I was born in rebuilt, protect our natural environment, save Arthurs Seat from inappropriate development, and support community-led initiatives to mitigate climate change.

I’ll work hard to get our fair share of investment in infrastructure and affordable housing, and back the people working hardest for those who need it most.

I’ll fight for a better deal for local businesses and producers paying unfair taxes. And be a champion for our award-winning tourism operators on the Southern Peninsula.

“This by-election is an opportunity to ensure Nepean’s voice is heard loud and clear in Parliament”

“My focus will be on listening closely to what our community has to say, and I’ll fight every day to turn those priorities into action.”

MEMBER for Mornington, Chris Crewther, at the southbound lane closure on Nepean Highway, one of several concurrent roadwork projects causing major traffic disruption across the peninsula. Picture: Cameron McCullough

NEPEAN BY-ELECTION CANDIDATES HAVE THEIR SAY

Darren Hercus One Nation

The rising cost of living affects everyone. I support expanding public transport with improved bus services. Our policies help businesses grow, creating jobs and reducing work travel. Our energy plan includes ending government subsidies for large-scale renewable projects and reserving Victorian gas to lower energy costs.

The most efficient approach to the redevelopment of Rosebud Hospital is via a “Public Private Partnership”. This involves collaboration between a private consortium and the state government, with funding privately provided, resulting in an estimated $340m in taxpayer savings.

The Rosebud facility would feature a public hospital, private consulting suites, aged care, childcare, and an aquatic centre, creating a comprehensive medical health precinct.

The state government would operate and maintain the public hospital and its facilities. This approach has successfully been used for other medical centres such as the new Footscray hospital and Frankston hospital redevelopment. Let’s get the hospital built!

I will advocate for more funding for state roads in Nepean and collaborate with the shire for improved maintenance of roads and infrastructure. Together, we will review budgets and council priority projects to achieve the best outcomes. Our policies aim to address housing availability and affordability by prohibiting foreign ownership. Another proposed policy allows homeowners to rent out one room of their primary residence tax-free, thereby increasing supply and potentially lowering rental prices. One Nation seeks to decrease land tax for investors to support rental property supply. I will advocate for streamline and relax conditions associated with planning permits to facilitate housing construction.

My objective is to serve the people of Nepean with the utmost dedication to help ensure the peninsula remains an amazing place to live.

Reade Smith

Sustainable Australia Party

As a long-time Mornington Peninsula resident, former mayor, and community advocate, I’m standing in the 2026 Nepean by-election because I care deeply about our community and its future.

Over decades of service in local government, policing, and community programs, I’ve listened to residents across Nepean. The message is clear: we need action on affordable housing, protection of our natural environment, and better planning for sustainable living. Too many locals—young people, families, and pensioners—are being priced out of the community they call home. Sustainable Australia Party is committed to delivering “affordable housing now, the sustainable way,” uniquely addressing both supply and demand to create lasting solutions. This includes more social housing, less investor tax breaks and slower migration.

I’m not aligned to the old left-right divides. I believe in practical, evidence-based policies that put our community first—reducing overdevelopment, managing and slowing population growth responsibly, and protecting the Peninsula’s unique environment for future generations.

Having a family and now being a grandfather, I want my children and grandchildren — and yours — to enjoy the same opportunities that earlier generations had: a secure home, a healthy environment, and a strong, connected community.

This by-election is an opportunity to send a message that Nepean deserves better—honest leadership, sustainable planning, and real solutions to the housing crisis.

Remember, you can never waste your number 1 vote on a minor party. If you vote for me and I do not win, your vote flows on to your number 2 selection. Use your preferences to send a message to the well-funded parties and independents that they need to put our quality of life first.

Let’s work together to protect what makes the Mornington Peninsula special and build a fairer, more sustainable future for all.

Sianan Healy

The Greens

Our beautiful coast is what drew me to the Peninsula ten years ago, but the community is what made it home. I’m running because we all deserve a lot better than the politics we’ve been handed.

My husband teaches at a local public school and I work in a women’s health not-for-profit. On weekends, we walk the foreshore, shop at our local markets, and chat with our neighbours who’ve become friends. This place has given us a life we love and a community that shows up for each other.

I’m not a career politician. I’m a local who has listened to our community describe sleepless nights over rent, medical bills they can’t afford, and ambulance trips to Frankston because Rosebud Hospital can’t meet our needs. Nepean has Victoria’s highest rates of homelessness and rental stress, yet homes sit empty most of the year. Meanwhile, our families are priced out of the towns they helped build. This isn’t bad luck, it’s the result of political choices, and those choices can be different.

If elected, I’ll push for a properly funded upgrade of Rosebud as a fully public hospital. I’ll fight for caps on rent increases, a vacancy tax, and real investment in public and genuinely affordable housing, including crisis accommodation on the Southern Peninsula. And I’ll back practical cost-of-living relief by making big corporations and billionaires pay their fair share instead of squeezing households.

The Greens have the power to create change. We’ve already delivered stronger renter protections, cleaner energy investment and funding for safer walking and cycling. Imagine what we can do with Nepean at the table.

I’ll keep listening, keep turning up, and keep reporting back. Our people deserve a representative who treats this job as a two-way conversation, and I’d be honoured to be that voice.

Anthony Marsh Liberal Party

This by-election there is a clear choice for our community. A choice between a team who can deliver, and others who can only sit on the sidelines.

For too long, we haven’t been getting our fair share.

We contribute like every other part of the state, yet too often we are left behind when it comes to funding, infrastructure, and essential services. This election is an opportunity to change that. It is an opportunity to back a real plan to rebuild Rosebud Hospital - not patch it up, not review it again, but properly rebuild it and keep it in public hands so families can access the care they need close to home.

It is an opportunity to deliver safer, more reliable roads, including a genuine plan to fix congestion and hold Penlink operators to account. And it is an opportunity to ensure Nepean finally receives its fair share of government funding.

That’s why our local plan is so important, and I’m asking you to back it.

But this by-election is about more than local priorities alone.

The road to change starts here in Nepean. It’s time to get rid of Jacinta Allan and her government to deliver the fresh start our state so desperately needs.

A vote for anyone other than the Liberal Party in Nepean makes it easier for Jacinta Allan to remain in office. I get it that locals are frustrated with the current government – I am too – that’s why I put up my hand as your Liberal candidate. But at a time like this, supporting minor parties only makes the task of changing the government more difficult.

If you want a rebuilt Rosebud Hospital in public hands, better roads, less crime and a government that listens, then the choice at this by-election is clear.

Preferences indicate calculations and concerns in Nepean

Cameron McCullough cameron@mpnews.com.au

ANALYSIS

THE Commonwealth Electoral Act was comprehensively rewritten in 1918 to introduce preferential voting, replacing the previous “first past the post” system that had existed in the years after Federation.

The change was in response to the rise of the Country Party in the aftermath of the First World War – a third major party – and the prospect of the loss of seats to Labor through a split in the non-Labor vote.

The three-party system which preferential voting helped to support has remained fundamentally unchanged to this day.

The system has also encouraged the participation in elections of minor candidates that have little chance of winning, but that can potentially influence the outcome by directing preferences according to their values.

Instrumental to the success of a candidate can be the careful consideration of preferences on the candidate’s how-to-vote card to attempt to gain the greatest advantage possible.

You don’t need to go back too far in the history of Mornington Peninsula elections to see the impact preferences can have.

In the 2025 federal election, Labor’s Sarah Race came second in the first preference voting, but was overtaken by independent Ben Smith once preferences were worked through.

This doesn’t mean that Smith managed to outmanoeuvre Race by smart preference deals. Indeed, his how to vote card did not indicate where voters should put their preferences. Smith asked for them to vote for him

as number one and then number the rest accordingly.

This may have been vindication against the persistent criticism that he would preference Labor or the Greens, but did not appear to be detrimental to his cause in the long run, overtaking Race.

Fast forward to the Nepean byelection, where eight candidates are standing: Darren Hercus (One Nation), Reade Smith (Sustainable Australia Party), Sianan Healy (The Greens), Anthony Marsh (Liberal Party), Milton Wilde (Reform AU), Peter Angelico (Libertarian), Tracee Hutchison (Independent), and Renee Thompson (Legalise Cannabis Victoria).

Seven of the eight candidates running have lodged their how to vote cards with the Victorian Electoral Commission, with only Wilde not having lodged one.

Wilde told The News his campaign would not be issuing a formal how to vote card, asking voters to make their own informed choices and to number preferences in the order that best reflects their values, rather than following a party “ticket”.

Three candidates: independent Hutchison, Legalise Cannabis Victoria’s Thompson and Sustainable Australia Party’s Smith have declined to give preference instructions. Instead they have asked voters to put a “one” against their name and to ensure that all other boxes are numbered according to the voter’s preferences.

Liberal candidate Marsh has placed Libertarian Angelico second, One Nation’s Hercus third and independent Hutchison fourth.

This is followed by Thompson, Smith, Wilde and The Greens candidate Healy last.

REPORT by Edmund Jowett, 1917, “Electoral Reform for Australia” that recomended preferential voting.

Picture: State Library of Victoria

The Libertarians didn’t repay the Liberal Party’s favour of second preference, placing Hercus second on their ticket. This was followed by Marsh, Smith, Thompson, Wilde and independent Hutchison last.

One Nation’s Hercus did repay the Libertarian’s favour, by putting them second on his how to vote card. That was followed by Marsh, Wilde, Smith, and Thompson

In seventh place was independent Hutchison, with the final spot reserved for The Greens’ Healy

Perhaps the most surprising of all is The Greens’ how to vote card with Healy placing Hutchison second, Thompson third, and the Liberal Party’s Marsh fourth.

Following Marsh, in order, are Smith, Angelico, Wilde and One Nation’s Hercus last.

It is an indication of the political landscape in the Nepean by-election that left party The Greens think the Liberal Party are only the third worst option after them, in a field of eight.

The how to vote cards for each candidate can be viewed at: vec.vic.gov. au/voting/current-elections/nepeanby-election/how-to-vote-cards

Milton Wilde Reform AU

Nepean is one of the great places in Victoria to live, raise a family, run a small business, and enjoy the Peninsula lifestyle. But right now too many locals feel squeezed: rents and mortgages are brutal, power bills keep rising, congestion is getting worse, and too often our voices are ignored until election time. Local tradies and small businesses need red tape cut, reliable energy, and customers who can still afford to spend.

I’m standing because I’m sick of the “safe seat” mentality and the tired duopoly that treats communities like Nepean as an afterthought. Reform AU is a community-first, common-sense movement: we listen, we tell the truth, and we fight for practical outcomes—without the spin, factional games, or backroom deals.

If elected, my priorities for Nepean will be:

n Cost of living: tackle wasteful spending, challenge unfair taxes and charges, and push practical energy policies that put households first.

n Housing and rentals: get serious about supply and planning, protect neighbourhood amenity, and restore balance so locals and workers aren’t priced out.

n Community safety: back police and frontline services, support victims, and push for bail and sentencing settings that protect the public.

n Health and services: fight for accessible local care, reduce wait times, and ensure population growth is matched by real infrastructure—roads, schools and services.

n Small business and jobs: cut red tape, support local enterprise, and create conditions for investment and apprenticeships.

n Honest government: daylight on contracts, consultants and rorts—value for money, every time.

I’m not asking for blind loyalty. I’m asking for a fair go: judge me on whether I show up, listen, and fight for Nepean’s families. This community deserves representation that actually works.

Peter Angelico

Libertarian

Peter Angelico is not a career politician, he’s a manufacturer, small business owner, and industry advocate who has spent decades solving real-world problems, not talking about them.

As the founder of ABECK Group and President of SEMMA, Peter has worked at the coalface of Australia’s economy, employing locals, navigating red tape, and fighting for the survival of manufacturing in an increasingly hostile regulatory environment. That experience has shaped a simple belief, when systems fail, people pay the price. That’s why he’s running for Nepean.

Peter sees a growing disconnect between government decision-making and everyday reality. While families and businesses are dealing with rising costs, deteriorating infrastructure, and increasing taxes, both major parties continue to prioritise large spending programs, bureaucracy, and political messaging over practical outcomes.

The Libertarian Party offers a different approach.

It’s built on the principle that individuals, families, and businesses, not governments, are best placed to make decisions about their own lives. That means lower taxes, less red tape, and a government focused on doing fewer things properly rather than trying to do everything poorly.

For Nepean, that translates into clear priorities, fixing local roads, delivering reliable healthcare, supporting small business, and restoring accountability to public spending. It also means asking harder questions about multi-billion dollar projects that deliver limited value to local communities while adding to long term debt.

Peter’s campaign is grounded in a philosophy familiar to any tradesperson, measure twice, cut once. Plan properly, spend responsibly, and deliver what you promised.

After decades in business, he’s not interested in playing politics, he’s running to bring practical thinking, accountability, and real world experience back, because Nepean deserves better.

Where to cast your vote

EARLY voting is open for the Nepean by-election, with voters asked to have their say on who will represent them in the Victorian Parliament.

The early voting centres are located at:

n Rosebud Sea Scouts Hall, Rosebud Foreshore, Nepean Highway (opposite Fourth Avenue), Rosebud (assisted wheelchair access)

n Dromana Hub Shopping Centre, Shop 1/251 Point Nepean Road, Dromana (independent wheelchair access)

n Blairgowrie Community Hall, 12 William Road, Blairgowrie (independent wheelchair access).

Early voting centres will open 9am to 8pm until Thursday and 9am to 6pm on election eve, Friday 1 May.

The VEC will operate 13 voting centres throughout Nepean District from 8 am to 6 pm on election day Saturday 2 May.

n Blairgowrie Community Hall, 12 William Road, Blairgowrie (independent wheelchair access)

n Boneo Community Hall, 572 Boneo Road, Boneo (assisted wheelchair access)

n Dromana Community Hall, 2A Verdon Street (access via Hodgkinson Street), Dromana (independent wheelchair access)

n Dromana Hub Shopping Centre,

Shop 1/251 Point Nepean Road, Dromana (independent wheelchair access)

n St John’s Anglican Church, 50 Barker Street (access via King Street), Flinders (limited or no wheelchair access)

n Red Hill Consolidated School, 341 Arthurs Seat Road (access via Mornington-Flinders Road), Red Hill (independent wheelchair access)

n Rosebud Sea Scouts Hall, Rosebud Foreshore, Nepean Highway (opposite 4th Avenue), Rosebud (assisted wheelchair access)

n Rosebud Secondary College, 245 Eastbourne Road (access via Boneo Road), Rosebud (independent wheelchair access)

n Rye Civic Hall, 12 Napier Street, Rye (assisted wheelchair access)

n Shoreham Community Hall, 67 Byrnes Road, Shoreham (limited or no wheelchair access)

n Sorrento Community Centre, 860 Melbourne Road (access via Morce Avenue), Sorrento (assisted wheelchair access)

n Tootgarook Primary School, 7 Carmichael Street, Tootgarook (assisted wheelchair access)

n Bayview Church, 1 Inglewood Crescent, Rosebud (independent wheelchair access)

Tracee Hutchison Independent

This is the most important election in the history of the Nepean electorate. A seat held by the Liberals for 20 years on nothing but empty promises, and systemically neglected by a Labor Government that cares so little about Nepean it’s not fielding a candidate.

Two-party politics has failed Nepean. And you deserve better.

You deserve a truly local, self-funded Community Independent MP who will do the job the Victorian Liberal Party has failed to do for over two decades and hold this Victorian Labor Government to account.

You deserve a Member of Parliament who is not afraid of taking on a Premier who looks after her own electorate with a shiny new hospital, but expects you to travel to a Labor-held seat for your healthcare. Frankston’s $1.1 billion hospital is too far away and an insult to our community that relies on Rosebud Hospital.

I will get the Hospital I was born in rebuilt, with the same funding model that delivered public hospitals to Victorians in Bendigo, Frankston and Footscray.

I will fight for our fair share of investment in our roads and affordable housing, take climate action seriously to protect our natural environment, champion our world-class tourism businesses, and support our creative and First Nations communities. I’ll establish a Nepean Youth Council to hear directly from our young people. And I’ll continue to oppose the inappropriate commercial development in our publicly-owned Arthurs Seat State Park.

This is not the time for grievance politics. It’s time for a member of Parliament who will look for the values and aspirations we share and get a better deal for us all.

I’ve spent my career as a journalist holding people in power to account - and I’ll carry that same fearless determination to represent you as your Independent Member for Nepean.

Renee Thompson

Legalise Cannabis Victoria

My name is Renee Thompson and I am proud to be your candidate in Nepean.

This is usually a safe Liberal seat, but they are in complete disarray. I am worried that this has left a space for divisive groups in the South-East.

I understand that voters have had a gut-full, but voting for people who spread fear is not the way to stick it to the major parties.

I represent Legalise Cannabis Victoria. We are a Party of cannabis law-reform, but we do so sensibly. Tony Parsons – a former Magistrate of the Drug Court – called cannabis law reform the “holy trinity” of good policy reform: it’s the right thing to do, backed by evidence and enjoys broad community support. Over 80% of Victorians support decriminalising cannabis - the police have better things to do than lock people up for enjoying a joint in their own homes.

I am all about community and a fair go. Now, more than ever, we need to stick together and make Nepean a better place to live and work. Better roads, hospitals, healthcare, schools and facilities. We are losing who we are. In the wise words of Dolly Parton, ‘if you don’t like the road you’re walking, start paving another one.’ I want us to pave one together.

Legalise Cannabis Victoria (LCV) is a vote for good. We are a party of compassion. We have a solid track record, and we will continue the incredible work of our MPs - Rachel Payne (South-East) and David Ettershank (Western Metro). This by-election is so important. Your vote will tell the major parties – and the newer ones attempting to divide and conquer – where the people of Nepean stand. This will have a huge impact on the state election in November; so please, use your vote wisely.

Department refuses to be drawn on pothole

Raia Flinos raia@mpnews.com.au

A DEPARTMENT of Transport and Planning spokesperson has refused to confirm media reports that the Liberal candidate for the Nepean by-election, Anthony Marsh, is being investigated for “unauthorised roadworks”.

The issue centres around a campaign stunt last month involving the filling of a pothole on a state-managed road in Dromana.

In a social media video, Marsh was joined by Opposition Leader Jess Wilson. The footage shows the pair filling a pothole, using the act to criticise the state government’s handling of road maintenance.

“It’s roads like this that the Labor government can’t afford to fix,” Wilson said in the video, before Marsh added, “And nowhere is worse than right here in Nepean”.

Media has reported the video prompted a complaint to the department that escalated to the department’s management team. The reports suggested Marsh was under investigation.

The News contacted the department’s and asked if Marsh was being investigated for undertaking “unauthorised roadworks”. In response, The News received the following statement:

“We’re rebuilding, repairing and resurfacing hundreds of kilometres of Victorian roads thanks to our $976 million road maintenance blitz - the largest single-year investment in road maintenance in the state’s history. Any works undertaken on our roads and roadsides need to be done safely.”

When The News again asked if Marsh was being investigated for undertaking “unauthorised roadworks”, the media spokesperson replied with

‘investigation’

“The Department doesn’t have anything further to add on this matter”.

In response to criticism from Premier Jacinta Allan, Marsh said “Jacinta Allan is right, we shouldn’t be fixing her potholes, she should be.” Wilson has responded by posting

a follow-up video to social media in which she sits beside a pothole, stating she would “happily wait” for the Premier to address the issue herself.

“Jacinta Allan can’t, and won’t fix Victoria’s potholes, but I will,” Wilson said.

ANTHONY Marsh repairs a pothole as the leader of the Victorian Liberal Party, Jess Wilson, looks on. Picture: Supplied

Picture: Supplied

The Guide

TOP PICKS OF THE WEEK

FRIDAY

PATIENCE

ABC TV, 8.35pm

THURSDAY RICK STEIN’S AUSTRALIA

SBS, 7.30pm

He’s best known for championing Cornwall and its classic seaside fare, but British chef Rick Stein (left) is married to an Aussie and his love affair with our fair country stretches back 60 years. Stein first visited our shores when he was 19, on a trip he describes as “the beginning of my love affair with the people, the places and the food.” In his debut Aussie series, the celebrated restaurateur retraces that life-changing voyage, starting in Sydney Harbour where his adventure began all those years ago.

The simmering tension between unconventional crime solver Patience (Ella Maisy Purvis, right) and detective Frankie Monroe (Jessica Hynes) reaches boiling point this week as the two clash over a crime scene. While they don’t see eye to eye on whether foul play is involved in the death of a botanist – or indeed the order in which they ought to investigate it –Patience really puts her superior offside by tripping over and destroying evidence, creating a mountain of paperwork.

SATURDAY

DEATH IN PARADISE

ABC TV, 7.30pm

It’s hard to imagine anyone would want to depart the sun-soaked shores of Saint Marie – and yet, Detective Inspector Mervin Wilson (Eastenders Gilet, above) is itching to board a flight back to grey, drizzly London and leave it all behind. A visitor to the fictional Caribbean isle on the trail of his estranged mother, the inspector isn’t one to stop and smell the roses. After being drawn into solving a triple murder at Christmas and learning that his mother had, in fact, passed away, Wilson is en route to the airport when season 14 begins.

SUNDAY

MATLOCK

TEN, 9.30pm

Promising an end to the Wellbrexa investigation that has defined this hit legal drama so far, Tuesday’s two-hour second season finale is described by series star Skye P. Marshall as a “full meal” for fans. Having traced the money trail that ties law firm head Senior (Beau Bridges) to the deadly opioid coverup, the Jacobson Moore team now faces one final hurdle before bringing him to justice. Gina Rodriguez (left), who starred in Matlock creator Jennie Snyder Urman’s Jane the Virgin, joins the cast as Lida, a crucial witness who is key to helping Matty (Kathy Bates) and her colleagues solve the puzzle.

Thursday, April 30

ABC TV (2) SBS (3)

SEVEN (7)

NINE (9) 6.00 News Breakfast. 9.00 News. 10.00 Gruen. (PG, R) 10.35 Guy Mont Spelling Bee. (PG, R) 11.20 Urzila. (Mals, R) 12.00 News.

1.00 Bergerac. (M, R) 1.45 Dream Build. (R) 2.00 Spicks And Specks. (PG, R) 2.30 Brush With Fame. (PG, R) 3.00 Grand Designs Aust. (R) 3.55 Sister Boniface Mysteries. (PG, R) 4.40 Long Lost Family: What Happened Next. (PGa, R) 5.25 Antiques Roadshow. (R)

Mysteries. (PGv, R)

5.30 7.30. (R)

6.00 WorldWatch. 9.15 Matched. (PG, R) 10.05 Spectacular Railways Of The Swiss Alps. (Final, PG) 11.05 Along Ancient Tracks. (Mn) 12.00 WorldWatch. 2.00 Destination Flavour. (R) 2.10 The Cotswolds With Pam Ayres. (R) 3.00 Living Black. (R) 3.30 Plat Du Tour. (R) 3.35 The Cook Up. (R) 4.10 Lost Treasures Of Egypt. (PG, 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.

6.00 Mastermind Australia.

6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 Rick Stein’s Australia. (Premiere, a) Rick Stein retraces his first steps in Sydney.

8.35 Secrets Of Flying Scotsman. (R) Alan Pegler embarks on a tour of America.

9.30 Riot Women. (Malv) Beth and Tom have a conversation about Kitty.

10.40 SBS World News Late.

11.10 Under The Bridge. (Malsv)

12.05 The Unusual Suspects. (Mls, R) 2.05 Beyond Signs. (MA15+a, R) 3.05 The Lost Camps Of The Third Reich. (PGa, R) 4.05 Legacy List With Matt Paxton. (R) 4.35 Bamay. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

Seven News With Alex Cullen.

Catch Phrase. (PG, R) 2.00 Bridge Of Lies: Celebrity Specials. 3.00 The Chase. (R) 4.00 Seven News At 4. 5.00 The Chase Australia.

6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Football. AFL. Round 8. Collingwood v Hawthorn. From the MCG.

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

11.00 Kick Ons. Kane Cornes, Josh Jenkins and Jason Richardson debate the hottest topics and preview the upcoming AFL matches.

11.30 To Be Advised.

12.30 New Amsterdam. (MA15+a, R) 1.30 Harry’s Practice. (R) 2.00 Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 NBC Today.

5.00 Sunrise Early News. 5.30 Sunrise.

TEN (10)

Today. 9.00 Today Extra. (PG) 11.30 9News Morning. 12.00 MOVIE: The Story Of Love. (2022, G, R) Brittany Bristow. 2.00 Pointless. (PG) 3.00

6.00 9News.

7.00 A Current Affair.

7.30 Rugby League. NRL Women’s State Of Origin. New South Wales v Queensland. Game 1.

9.35 NRL Women’s State Of Origin Post-Match. Post-match wrap-up.

10.00 9News Late.

10.30

Friday, May 1

ABC (2)

SBS (3) SEVEN (7)

NINE (9) 6.00 News Breakfast. 9.00 News. 10.00 Compass. (R) 10.30 Stuff The British Stole. (PG, R) 11.00 Antiques Roadshow. (PG, R) 12.00 News. 12.55 The Assembly. (PG, R) 1.40 Bad Company. (PG, R) 2.10 Guy Mont Spelling Bee. (PG, R) 3.00 Grand Designs Aust. (PG, R) 3.55 Murdoch Mysteries. (PGv, R) 4.40 Long Lost Family: What Happened Next. (PGa, R) 5.30 Antiques Roadshow. (R)

6.30 Hard Quiz. (PG, R)

7.00 ABC News.

7.35 Gardening Australia. (PG) Josh Byrne uncovers a rare fruit collection.

8.35 Patience. (Mad) Patience and Frankie disagree on a murder case after a woman is found dead under a poisonous tree.

9.25 Gruen. (PG, R) Presented by Wil Anderson.

10.00 Urzila. (Mals, R) Comedic chaos from Urzila Carlson.

10.25 ABC Late News.

10.45 Guy Montgomery’s Guy Mont Spelling Bee. (PG, R)

11.30 Murdoch Mysteries. (Ma, R)

12.20 Love Me. (MA15+s, R) 1.05 Rage New Music. (MA15+adhlnsv) 5.00 Rage. (PG)

6.00 WorldWatch.9.10 Matched. (PG, R) 10.05 Hidden Beauty Of Northern France. (PGa, R) 11.05 Along Ancient Tracks. (PG) 12.00 WorldWatch. 2.00 Destination Flavour. (R) 2.10 The Cotswolds With Pam Ayres. (R) 3.00 Nula. 3.30 Plat Du Tour. (R) 3.40 The Cook Up. (PG, R) 4.10 Lost Treasures Of Egypt. (PGav, R) 5.05 Jeopardy! 5.30 Letters And Numbers. (R)

6.00 Mastermind Australia.

6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 Going Places With Ernie Dingo. (PG)

8.30 A New ANZAC. (Ma) Crowds gather at the memorial for the ceremony.

9.30 Orient Express: A Golden Era Of Travel. (PGa, R) Looks at the Orient Express

10.25 SBS World News Late.

10.55 The King. (Madlv)

11.50 Babylon Berlin. (Ma, R) 1.35 Mountain Vets. (Ma, R) 3.45 Legacy List With Matt Paxton. (R) 4.20 Bamay. (R) 4.50 Destination Flavour China Bitesize. (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 MOVIE: Morning Show Mysteries: Death By Design. (2019, PGav, R) Holly Robinson Peete. 3.00 The Chase. (R) 4.00 Seven News At 4. 5.00 The Chase Australia. 6.00 Today. 9.00 Today Extra. (PG) 11.30 9News Morning.

6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Football. AFL. Round 8. Western Bulldogs v Fremantle. From Marvel Stadium, Melbourne. 10.30 AFL Post-Game Show. Post-game discussion and interviews taking a look back at all the action from the match.

11.15 GetOn Extra. Lizzie Jelfs, Matt Hill, Simon Marshall and Brent Zerafa dive headlong into the weekend’s best racing.

11.45 To Be Advised.

1.20 Quacks. (Premiere, MA15+d)

2.00 Home Shopping. (R)

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

MOVIE: How To Win A Prince. (2023, PGa, R) Anna Hopkins. 2.00 Pointless. (PG) 3.00 Tipping Point. (PG, R) 4.00 9News Afternoon. 5.00

6.00 9News. 7.00 A Current Affair. 7.30 Rugby League. NRL. Round 9. Dolphins v Melbourne Storm. 9.55 NRL Friday Night Footy Post-Match. Post-match coverage of the NRL game.

10.45 MOVIE: The Many Saints Of Newark. (2021, MA15+alsv, R) Charts the evolution of mob boss, Tony Soprano. Alessandro Nivola.

1.00 Open For Inspection. (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)

TEN (10)

6.00 10 News+. 6.30 Deal Or No Deal. (R) Hosted by Grant Denyer. 7.00 Millionaire Hot Seat. (PG, R) Hosted by Rebecca Gibney. 7.30 Love It Or List It Australia. (R) Hosted by Neale Whitaker and Andrew Winter. 8.40 Building The Dream. Charlie Luxton helps first-time builders design budget-friendly homes. 9.40 10’s Late News. Coverage

(PG)

(R) 6am Morning Programs. 12.45pm Land Of The Giants: Titans Of Tech. 2.25 Bamay. 3.00 Where Are You Really From? 3.35 BBC News At Ten. 4.05 France 24. 4.35 PBS News. 5.35 Inside The Huddle. 6.05 Over The Black Dot. 6.35 Jeopardy! 7.30 Travel Man. 8.00 Cycling. UCI World Tour. Eschborn-Frankfurt. 1.15am United Gangs Of America. 2.10 NHK World English News. 5.00 Al Jazeera. SBS VICELAND (31) 6am Children’s Programs. 2.30pm Daniel Tiger’s. 2.45 The Makery. 3.00 Play School. 3.30 Wiggle. 4.15 Andy’s Dinosaur Adventures. 4.40 Ariel. 5.20 Stan & Gran. 6.05 Spidey And His Amazing Friends. 7.35 Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures. 8.00 ScoobyDoo And Guess Who? 8.30 My Adventures With Superman. 8.50 BattleBots. 9.40 Gladiators UK. 10.40 Late Programs.

NITV (34)

ABC FAMILY (22) 6am Mia And The White Lion. (2018, PG) 7.20 One Of Our Aircraft Is Missing. (1942, PG) 9.20 Discovering Film. 10.15 Southpaw. (2015, M) 12.25pm The Tunnel (Part 1) (2001, M) 2.10 Thirteen Days. (2000, PG) 4.45 The Red Turtle. (2016, PG, No dialogue) 6.15 The Caine Mutiny. (1954, PG) 8.30 Heartbreak Ridge. (1986, M) 10.55 A Midnight Clear. (1992, MA15+) 12.50am Late Programs. SBS WORLD MOVIES (32) 6am Morning Programs. 10.00 Mysteries Of The Mekong. 11.00 Going Places. Noon MOVIE: Alick & Albert. (2021, PG) 1.40 Turn Up Respect. 2.00 On Country Kitchen. 2.30 The Cook Up. 3.00 Jarjums. 5.00 Harlem Globetrotters. 5.30 Nula. 6.00 Bamay. 6.40 Mysteries Of The Mekong. 7.30 MOVIE: Castle In The Sky. (1986, PG) 10.00 MOVIE: Hey, Viktor! (2023) 11.45 Late Programs.

6am Australia’s Deadliest. 6.30 Escape To The Country. 7.30 Harry’s Practice. 8.00 Million Dollar Minute. 9.00 Medical Rookies. 9.30 NBC Today. Noon House Of Wellness. 1.00 Escape To The Country. 2.00 Our Town. 2.30 Weekender. 3.00 Business Builders. 3.30 Harry’s Practice. 4.00 Better Homes. 5.00 Escape To The Country.

7TWO (72) 6am Children’s Programs. 8.30 Nanny. 9.30

My Favorite Martian. Noon Antiques Downunder. 1.00 MOVIE: The Fallen Idol. (1948) 3.00 Antiques Roadshow. 3.30 MOVIE: Elizabeth Of Ladymead. (1948) 5.30 The Edinburgh Auction House. 6.30 Antiques Roadshow. 7.30 Airport Security: USA. 8.30 MOVIE: Muriel’s Wedding. (1994, M) 10.40 Late Programs. 9GEM (92)

Saturday, May 2

ABC TV (2)

(3)

6am Morning Programs. 9.00 Rage. (PG) 10.30 Rage Vault Guest Programmer. (PG) 12.00 Football. VFL. Round 6. Carlton v St Kilda. 12.30 Blue Murder Motel. (Final, PGl, R) 1.15 Patience. (M, R) 2.05 David Attenborough’s Galapagos. (R) 2.55 David Attenborough’s Great Barrier Reef. (R) 4.10 Judgment: Cases That Changed Australia. (R) 5.00 Aust Story. (R) 5.30 Landline. (R) 6.00 WorldWatch. 9.00 Destination Flavour China Bitesize. (PGa, R) 9.10 The Bee Whisperer. (PGal, R) 10.00 Wales: Land Of The Wild. (R) 11.00 Wild Vienna. (PG, R) 12.00 BBC News At Ten. 12.30 France 24. 1.00 Motor Racing. Hi-Tec Oils Super Series. Round 2. Day 1. 5.00 Stories From The Cities. (PG) 5.30 Plat Du Tour. (R) 5.35 Cold War Spies.

6.00 Kath & Kim. (PGals, R) Sharon’s boyfriend joins her netball team.

6.30 Hard Quiz. (PG, R) Presented by Tom Gleeson.

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

7.30 Death In Paradise. (M) The team welcomes a new recruit before they’re faced with a cryptic case in which the victim has left them a mysterious message.

8.30 Silent Witness. (Return, Mlv) Jack is apprehensive about the arrival of his new boss, having heard she is difficult.

10.15 Bergerac. (M, R) Shocking events unfold at a wedding reception.

11.05 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv) Continuous music programming.

6am Children’s Programs. 3pm Play School. 3.30 Stick Man. 3.55 Odd Squad. 4.20 Dino Dex. 4.45 Gardening Australia Junior. 5.10 The Scarecrows’ Wedding. 5.35 Super Monsters. 6.25 Emerald. 7.05 Let’s Go Bananas! 7.30 Kids Baking C’ship. 8.10 Kids BBQ Championship. 8.55 Caper Crew. 9.15 Mr Bean: The Animated Series. 9.40 Fresh Off The Boat. 10.20 Abbott Elementary. 10.40 Late Programs.

6.30 SBS World News. 7.30 Jewels Of The Mediterranean: Menorca Pt 2. (PGa) Explores Menorca. 8.25 Magical Train Journeys In Switzerland: On The Bernina Express From St Moritz To Tirano. (R) Charts the Bernina Express 9.25 Jersey And Guernsey. (R) A couple operate a charter boat. 10.20 Finding Your Roots. (PG, R) 11.20 Snowpiercer. (MA15+v, R) 2.00 Matched. (PG, R) 2.50 Mountain Vets. (PG, R) 3.55 Legacy List With Matt Paxton. (R) 4.25 Bamay. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.15 Euronews. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

SBS VICELAND (31)

ABC FAMILY (22) 6am The Movie Show. 6.10 The Red Turtle. (2016, PG, No dialogue) 7.45 The Caine Mutiny. (1954, PG) 10.00 Heartbreak Ridge. (1986, M) 12.20pm

6.00 NBC Today. 7.00 Weekend Sunrise. 10.00 The Morning Show: Weekend. (PG) 12.00 Horse Racing. Hawkesbury Cup Day, Golden Mile Race Day, Queensland Guineas Day and Derby Day. 5.00 Seven News At 5. 5.30 Border Security: Australia’s Front Line. (PG, R)

6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Better Homes And Gardens. Hosted by Johanna Griggs. 8.00 Oops I Bought A Pub! (Premiere, PGal) Hosted by Shane Jacobson. 8.30 MOVIE: Hidden Figures. (2016, PGal, R) Three African American mathematicians play a vital role in NASA during the early years of the space program. Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, Janelle Monáe. 11.05 To Be Advised. 12.05 Devils. (MA15+av)

2.30 Home Shopping. (R)

4.00 It’s Academic. (R) 5.00 House Of Wellness. (PG, R)

6.00 Getaway. (PG, R) 6.30 ACA. (R) 7.00 Weekend Today. 10.00 Today Extra: Saturday. (PG) 12.00 Open For Inspection. 12.30 Great Australian Detour. (R) 1.00 Explore TV Viking. (R) 1.30 Taronga: Who’s Who In The Zoo. (PGm, R) 2.30 The Hundred With Andy Lee. (PGls, R) 3.30 Tasman Trails. (Premiere) 4.30 The Garden Gurus. 5.00 9News First At Five. 5.30

6.00 9News Saturday.

6.30 The Dog House. (PGa, R) A new couple are ready to make a commitment. 7.30 Love It Or List It Australia. (PGl) A couple contemplate leaving their home of 11 years. While he loves it, she feels the place is outdated. 9.30 Ambulance Australia. (Mal, R) In Brisbane, a bystander calls in a crash in the heart of Brisbane’s CBD involving a motorcyclist and taxi. 10.30 Matlock. (PGad, R) The team continues tracing Senior’s money trail. 11.30 Elsbeth. (Mv, R) A patriarch is stabbed at a debutante ball. 12.30 Home Shopping. (R) 5.00 Hour Of Power. 6am Morning Programs. 2.40pm Wine Lovers’ Guide. 3.45 WorldWatch. 5.45 Mastermind Aust. 6.45 The Mega-Brands That Built The World. (Return) 7.35 Abandoned Americana. 8.30 Icons Unearthed: Star Wars. (Return) 10.20 The Feed Debate: Is Capitalism Expiring? 11.10 History’s Greatest Heists With Pierce Brosnan. 12.50am WWE Legends. 1.45 Late Programs.

7.00 A Current Affair.

7.30 MOVIE: Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope. (1977, PGv, R) A young man sets out to rescue a princess. Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford. 10.00 MOVIE: Justice League. (2017, Mv, R) A team of heroes battles a powerful enemy. Ben Affleck. 12.10 Law & Order: Organized Crime. (MA15+av, R)

1.05 Tasman Trails. (R)

2.00 The Incredible Journey Presents. (PGa)

2.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)

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

9GEM (92) 7TWO (72) 6am Children’s Programs. 8.00 MOVIE: Twinkle All The Way. (2019) 9.50 MOVIE: Christmas In Alaska. (2023, PG) 11.35 Seinfeld. 12.05pm Soccer. English Premier League. Arsenal v Newcastle. 2.05 Snackmasters. 3.40 MOVIE: The Dust Factory. (2004, PG) 5.40 MOVIE: Superman IV: The Quest For Peace.

(1974, PG) 5.00 MOVIE: West Of Zanzibar. (1954) 7.00 Rugby Union. Super Rugby Pacific. Round 12. Queensland Reds v ACT Brumbies. 9.30 Super Rugby Pacific Post-Match. 9.45 MOVIE: Law Abiding Citizen. (2009, MA15+) 11.55 Late Programs.

Sunday, May 3

6.00 Rage. (PG) 7.00 Wknd Brekky. 9.00 Insiders. 10.00 Offsiders. 10.30 World This Week. (R) 11.00 Compass. (R) 11.30 Praise. (PG) 12.00 News. 12.30 Landline. 1.30 Gardening Aust. (PG, R) 2.30 The Assembly. (PGl, R) 3.20 Judgment: Cases That Changed Australia. (R) 4.10 Grand Designs. (PG, R) 5.00 Back Roads. (PG, R) 5.30 Antiques Roadshow. (PG)

6.30 Compass: From Ukraine With Love. (PG)

7.00 ABC News.

7.30 The Assembly: Claudia Karvan. Previously graduated students interview Claudia Karvan.

8.15 Bad Company. (Mn) Julia and Margie clash over budgets.

8.40 Bergerac. (MA15+) Bergerac is determined to find out if police corruption played a part in Tony’s murder. 9.25 Death In Paradise. (M, R) The team welcomes a new recruit. 10.25 Silent Witness. (Mlv, R) 12.10 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv) 3.00 Gardening Australia. (R) 4.00 Dream Gardens. (R) 4.30 A Bite To Eat With Alice. (R) 5.00 Insiders. (R)

ABC FAMILY (22)

6.00 Morning Programs. 11.00 The Isle Of Rum. (PGaw, R) 12.00 PBS News Compass Points. 12.30 WorldWatch. 1.00 Motorcycle Racing. Australian Superbike Championship. Round 3. 4.00 Cycling. UCI World Tour. LiegeBastogne-Liege. Women’s race. Highlights. 5.00 Gymnastics. FIG Rhythmic World Cup. Part One. Highlights. 5.30 Plat Du Tour. (R) 5.35 Cold War Spies. (PG)

6.30 SBS World News. 7.30 Anne Boleyn And Elizabeth I: Prisoner Queens. 8.25 Bettany Hughes’ Lost Worlds: Nabataeans. (PG, R) Bettany Hughes explores ancient routes. 9.25 History’s Greatest Mysteries: The Hindenburg Disaster. (Maw, R) Takes a look at the Hindenburg disaster. 10.15 Lost Treasures Of Egypt. (PGa, R) 11.10 Frogmore House: Royal Retreat. (PGa, R) 12.25 My Rembetika Blues. (PGadl, R) 2.00 Matched. (PG, R) 2.50 Mountain Vets. (Ma, R) 3.55 Legacy List With Matt Paxton. (PG, R) 4.30 Bamay. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.15 Euronews. 5.30 PBS News Horizons.

SBS VICELAND (31) 6am Children’s

Programs. 10.05 Tiddler. 10.30 Children’s

Programs. 3pm Play School: Let’s Eat. 3.30 Peter Rabbit. 3.55 Odd Squad. 4.20 Dino Dex. 4.45 Gardening Australia Junior. 5.10 Bluey’s Big Play. 6.25 Emerald. 7.05 Let’s Go Bananas! 7.30 The Inbestigators. 7.45 Caper Crew. 8.05 Secrets At Red Rocks. 8.30 Animal Park. 10.00 Secrets Of The Zoo. 10.45 Late Programs.

NITV (34)

6am Morning Programs. 1pm Motor Racing. Dakar Rally. Stage 8. Highlights. 2.00 FIFA World Cup Classic Matches. 3.35 MOVIE: The Final Quarter. (2019, PG) 4.55 Troy Cassar-Daley: A Journey Between The Fires. 6.40 Mysteries Of The Mekong. 7.35 The People Vs Robodebt. 8.35 God And Country: Christian Nationalism. 10.10 MOVIE: Ghosts Of Mississippi. (1996, M) 12.25am Late Programs.

Monday, May 4

9.00

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 8. Sydney v Melbourne.

6.00 Seven News. 7.00 The 1% Club. (PGdln) Hosted by Jim Jefferies. 8.00 7NEWS Spotlight.

9.00 Betrayal. (Premiere, MA15+lv) When an assassination links a veteran MI5 agent to a conspiracy, he races to find the truth.

11.00 24 Hours In Police Custody: Predators. (MA15+a, R) Police hunt for two sexual attackers.

12.30 A Friend Of The Family. (MA15+a, R)

2.00 Home Shopping. (R)

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

5.00 Sunrise Early News. 5.30 Sunrise.

6.00 Hello SA. (PG, R)

6.00 9News Sunday.

7.00 The Floor. (PG)

8.10 60 Minutes. Current affairs program.

9.10 Australian Crime Stories: The Investigators: Deadly Obsession. (Mav) The investigators delves into the tragic case of Rachel Barber, a 15-year-old aspiring dancer who disappeared in 1999.

10.15 9News Late.

10.45 The First 48: Tell No Tales/Unfair Fight. (Mav, R)

11.40 American Ripper. (Mav)

12.35 Oz Off Road TV. (PGl, R)

1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 Skippy The Bush Kangaroo. (R) 4.30 The Garden Gurus. (R) 5.00 Today Early News. 5.30 Today.

6.30 10 News+. Hosted by Denham Hitchcock and Amelia Brace. 7.00 MasterChef Australia. (PG) Special guest is chef Andy Hearnden. 8.15 Race Across The World. (M) The teams enter south east Asia, starting the third leg in Hanoi, and must race over 2,000km through Vietnam and into Cambodia to reach Phnom Penh. 9.30 Matlock. (PGa) The team confronts an unexpected final hurdle in bringing Senior to justice for the Wellbrexa cover-up while defending an airport ramp operator accused of safety negligence. 11.30 10 News+. (R) Hosted by Denham Hitchcock and Amelia Brace. 12.00 Home Shopping. (R) 6am Morning

Programs. 5.10pm France 24. 5.40 PBS Washington Week. 6.10 PBS News Compass Points. 6.40 Abandoned Engineering. 8.30 Icons Unearthed: Star Wars. 10.20 Myths: The Greatest Mysteries Of Humanity. 11.25 House Of Blak: Miss First Nation. 11.55 Myths: The Greatest Mysteries Of Humanity. 1am Conversations. 2.10 NHK World English News. 5.00 Al Jazeera.

SBS WORLD MOVIES (32)

6am

Morning Programs. 8.20 A United Kingdom. (2016, PG) 10.20 Wonderfully Beautiful. (2022, M, German) 12.45pm 20,000 Species Of Bees. (2023, M, Spanish, Basque, French) 3.00 The Red Turtle. (2016, PG, No dialogue) 4.30 Viceroy’s House. (2017, PG) 6.35 Loophole. (1981, PG) 8.30 Snatch. (2000, MA15+) 10.25 The Invisible Wounds. (2024, M, French) 12.15am Late Programs.

News Mornings. 10.00 Silent Witness. (Mlv, R) 11.40 You Can’t Ask That. (Mls, R) 12.00 ABC News At Noon. 1.00 Landline. (R) 2.00 Spicks And Specks. (PG, R) 2.30 Back Roads. (PG, R) 3.00 Grand Designs Australia. (R) 3.55 Murdoch Mysteries. (PG, R) 4.45 Long Lost Family: What Happened Next. (PGa, R) 5.30 Antiques Roadshow. (R)

journalism program.

9.20 Media Watch. (PG) Presented by Linton Besser. 9.40 Planet America. 10.10 Foreign Correspondent. (R) 10.40 ABC Late News. 10.55 The Business. (R) 11.10 Murdoch Mysteries. (Ma, R) 12.00

Lost Family: What Happened Next. (PG, R) 12.50 Rage. (MA15+dhlnsv) 4.00

Aust. (R) 5.00 A Bite To Eat. (R)

7.30. (R)

6am Morning Programs. 10.30 Australia’s Big Backyards. 11.30 The Aussie Property Flippers. 12.30pm Escape To The Country. 1.30 Business Builders. 2.00 South Aussie With Cosi. 2.30 Better Homes. 3.30 The Yorkshire Vet. 4.30 Australia’s Big Backyards. 5.30 The Aussie Property Flippers.

6.00 WorldWatch. 9.00 Going Places. (R) 9.30 Matched. (PG, R) 10.20 Hidden Beauty Of Northern France. (R) 11.20 Along Ancient Tracks. 12.10 WorldWatch. 1.00 PBS News Compass Points. 1.30 WorldWatch. 2.00 For Her, With Her. 2.50 A Murmuration. (PGa, R) 3.40 The Cook Up. (R) 4.15 Lost Treasures Of Egypt. (PGa, R) 5.05 Jeopardy! 5.30 Letters And Numbers. (R)

6.00 Mastermind Australia. 6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 Robson Green’s Weekend Escapes: Reverend Richard Coles. (Return)

8.40 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown. (M) Hosted by Jimmy Carr.

9.35 Never Mind The Buzzcocks. (M) Hosted by Greg Davies. 10.30 SBS World News Late. 11.00 Sambre: Anatomy Of A Crime. (Premiere, Masv) 12.15 Gomorrah. (MA15+sv, R) 3.00 Mountain Vets. (PGa, R) 4.05 Colors Of The Islands: The Caribbean. (Mal, R) 4.40 Bamay. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

Curse Of Oak Island. 6.40 Jeopardy! 7.35 8 Out Of 10 Cats. 8.30 Icons Unearthed: Star Wars. 10.20 Rock Legends: Tina Turner. 11.15 The Verdict. (Premiere) 12.10am Dark Side Of The Ring. 1.05 Late Programs. SBS VICELAND (31) 6am Children’s Programs. 2.30pm Daniel Tiger’s. 2.45 The Makery. 3.00 Play School: What’s Cooking? 3.40 Thomas And Friends. 4.10 Andy’s Dinosaur Adventures. 4.35 Ariel. 5.40 Kangaroo Beach. 6.45 Ben And Holly. 7.05 Batwheels. 7.35 Ninjago: Dragons Rising. 8.00 Young Sheldon. 8.25 Young Sheldon. 8.45 Gladiators UK. (Final) 9.45 Kids BBQ Championship. 10.30 Kids Baking C’ship. 11.10 Late Programs. ABC FAMILY (22) 6am Morning Programs. 8.35 Loophole. (1981, PG) 10.30 Ghoomer. (2023, M, Hindi) 12.55pm Manon Des Sources. (1986, M, French) 3.00 Discovering Film. 3.50 Le Samourai. (1967, PG, French) 5.50 Lassie: A New Adventure. (2023, PG, German) 7.30 The Three Musketeers: D’artagnan. (2023, M, French) 9.50 Heavy Trip. (2018, MA15+, Finnish, English, Norwegian) 11.30 Late Programs. SBS WORLD MOVIES (32) 6am Morning

6.00 Sunrise. 9.00 The Morning Show. (PG) 12.00 Seven’s National News At Noon. 1.00 Time Is Money. (Premiere) 2.00 Bridge Of Lies. 3.00 The Chase. 4.00 Seven News At 4. 5.00 The Chase Australia.

6.00 Seven News.

7.00 Home And Away. (PGav)

7.30 Glenn And Mick’s Celebrity Intervention. (M) Hosted by Glenn Robbins and Mick Molloy.

8.40 9-1-1. (M) May attempts to secure her first law internship without the help of her mother.

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

10.40 The Agenda Setters: Rugby League.

11.40 Happy’s Place. (Premiere, PGal)

12.10 New Amsterdam. (MA15+a, R)

1.10 Harry’s Practice. (R)

2.00 Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 NBC Today.

5.00 Sunrise Early News. 5.30 Sunrise.

Today. 9.00

Extra. (PG) 11.30 9News Morning. 12.00 The Floor. (PG, R) 1.15 Getaway. (PG, R) 1.45 My Way.

9News Afternoon.

Tipping Point Australia. (PG)

6.00 9News.

7.00 A Current Affair.

7.30 The Floor. (PG) Hosted by Rodger Corser.

8.45 Footy Classified. (Ml) A team of footy experts tackles the AFL’s big issues and controversies.

9.45 Players. (Ml) A look at all the AFL news.

10.45 9News Late.

11.15 100% Footy. (Mal)

12.15 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 Skippy The Bush Kangaroo. (R) 4.30 A Current Affair. (R) 5.00 Today Early News. 5.30 Today.

6.00 10 News+.

6.30 Deal Or No Deal. (PG)

Millionaire Hot Seat. (PG) Hosted by Rebecca Gibney.

9.30

11.40

Children’s Programs.

10.30

12.40pm

Superman IV: The Quest For Peace. (1987, PG) 2.30 Nanny. 3.30 Seinfeld. 4.30 Addams Family. 5.30 Bewitched. 6.30 Nanny. 7.30 Seinfeld. 8.30 MOVIE: The Bodyguard. (1992,

Tuesday, May 5

ABC (2) SBS (3) SEVEN (7)

6.00 News Breakfast. 9.00 News. 10.00 Aust Story. (R) 10.35 Planet America. (R) 11.05 Judgment: Cases That Changed Australia. (PG, R) 12.00 News. 1.00 Death In Paradise. (M, R) 2.00 Spicks And Specks. (PG, R) 2.30 Brush With Fame. (PG, R) 2.55 Grand Designs Aust. (R) 3.55 Murdoch Mysteries. (PG, R) 4.40 Long Lost Family: What Happened Next. (PGa, R) 5.30 Antiques Roadshow. (R) 6.00 WorldWatch. 9.10 Matched. (PG, R) 10.00 Hidden Beauty Of Spain. (R) 11.00 Van Gogh: The Real Story. (PGa, R) 12.00 WorldWatch. 1.55 What Does Australia Really Think About… (Mal, R) 2.55 Seeds: Planting Hope Through Education. (PG, R) 3.40 The Cook Up. (R) 4.10 Hunting Egypt’s Lost Treasures. (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 Time Is Money. 2.00 Bridge Of Lies. 3.00 The Chase. 4.00

8.30 Judgment: Cases That Changed Australia: We Will Decide. (Final) Looks at an asylum seekers’ High Court case. 9.20 You Can’t Ask That: Gambling. (Mal, R) Gambling addicts address viewer queries. 9.50 Compass. (PG, R) 10.20 ABC Late News. 10.35 The Business. (R) 10.50 Four Corners. (R) 11.35 Media Watch. (PG, R) 11.55 Murdoch Mysteries. (Ma, R) 12.45 Long Lost Family: What Happened Next. (R) 1.30 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv) 4.00 Gardening Aust. (R) 5.00 A Bite To Eat. (R) 5.30 7.30. (R)

ABC FAMILY (22)

6.00 Mastermind Australia.

6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 Great Continental Railway Journeys: Bayeux To Argentan/ Lisieux To Giverny. (PG, R)

8.30 Insight. Kumi Taguchi looks at the work-life balance in 2026.

9.30 Dateline: Chateaux For Sale. Kumi Taguchi travels to France. 10.00 SBS World News Late.

10.30 Living Black. (R)

11.05 Exit. (MA15+av)

12.00 Breaking Point. (MA15+a, R) 2.35 Giving Back: Students Who Returned. (PGal, R) 4.00 Finding Your Roots. (PG, R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

SBS VICELAND (31) 6am Children’s Programs. 3.40pm Thomas And Friends. 4.10 Andy’s Dinosaur Adventures. 4.25 Mojo Swoptops. 5.40 Kangaroo Beach. 6.45 Ben And Holly. 7.05 Batwheels. 7.35 Ninjago: Dragons Rising. 8.00 Young Sheldon. 8.25 Young Sheldon. 8.45 The Slow Mo Guys’ Big Adventures. 9.10 MythBusters “There’s Your Problem!”. 9.35 BattleBots. 10.20 Merlin. 11.05 Late Programs.

NITV (34)

6.00 Seven News.

7.00 Home And Away. (PGa)

7.30 My Reno Rules. (PGl) An announcement turns the competition on its head.

9.15 House Of Wellness. (PG) A team of industry experts, media personalities and wellness advocates shares insights and experiences to highlight living well.

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

11.15 Ambulance: Code Red. (Mav, R) A toddler calls for help.

12.15 New Amsterdam. (MA15+a, R) 1.15 Harry’s Practice. (R) 2.00 Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 NBC Today. 5.00 Sunrise Early News. 5.30 Sunrise.

NINE (9)

TEN (10)

6.00 9News. 7.00 A Current Affair.

7.30 The Hundred With Andy Lee. (Ml) 8.30 Clarkson’s Farm: Cottaging. (MA15+al) Presented by Jeremy Clarkson. 9.30 Footy Classified. (Ml) Footy experts tackle the AFL’s big issues.

10.30 9News Late.

11.00 The Grand Tour. (Ml)

1.00 Destination WA. (R) 1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 2.30 Our State On A Plate. (PG) 3.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 Skippy The Bush Kangaroo. (R) 4.30 A Current Affair. (R) 5.00 Today Early News. 5.30 Today.

9GEM (92)

6.00 10 News+. Hosted by Denham Hitchcock and Amelia Brace. 6.30 Deal Or No Deal. (R) Hosted by Grant Denyer. 7.00 Millionaire Hot Seat. (PG) Hosted by Rebecca Gibney. 7.30 MasterChef Australia. (PG) A batch of new contestants enters the kitchen. 8.40 The Cheap Seats. (Mal) Presenters Melanie Bracewell and Tim McDonald take a look at the week that was. 9.40 10’s Late News. Coverage of news, sport and weather. 10.40 10 News+. (R) 11.10 The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. (PG) 12.00 Home Shopping. (R) 6am TRT World News. 6.50 Indian Country Today News. 7.20 FBC News. 8.10 NHK Newsline. 8.40 CBC The National. 9.30 BBC News At Six. 10.00 France 24 English News. 10.40 Jeopardy! 11.30 DW The Day. Noon MOVIE: The Fifth Element. (1997, PG) 2.05am NHK World English News. 5.00 Al Jazeera Newshour.

SBS WORLD MOVIES (32) 6am Morning Programs. 1pm Hidden Volcano: Eruption From The Abyss. 2.00 On Country Kitchen. 2.30 The Cook Up. 3.00 Jarjums. 5.00 Harlem Globetrotters. 5.30 Indian Country Today News. 6.00 Bamay. 6.40 Mysteries Of The Mekong. 7.30 Ocean Warriors. 8.30 MOVIE: The Boondock Saints. (1999, MA15+) 10.30 Kanehsatake: 270 Years Of Resistance. 12.40am Late Programs.

6am The Movie Show. 6.25 A United Kingdom. (2016, PG) 8.25 Lassie: A New Adventure. (2023, PG, German) 10.05 White Squall. (1996, M) 12.25pm Let Me Go. (2023, M, French) 2.05 Viceroy’s House. (2017, PG) 4.00 Loophole. (1981, PG) 6.00 The Amazing Mr. Blunden. (2021, PG) 7.30 The King Of Laughter. (2021, M, Italian) 10.00 Fame. (1980, M) 12.30am Made In America. (1993, M) 2.35 Late Programs.

6am Australia’s Deadliest. 6.30 Escape To The Country. 7.30 Harry’s Practice. 8.00 Million Dollar Minute. 9.00 Medical Rookies. 9.30 NBC Today. Noon Better Homes. 1.00 Escape To The Country. 2.00 Creek To Coast. 2.30 House Of Wellness. 3.30 Harry’s Practice. 4.00 Medical Rookies. 4.30 Better Homes. 5.30 Escape To The Country. 6.30 Bargain Hunt. 7.30 Call The Midwife. 8.45 Inspector Morse. 11.00 Late Programs.

(74)

7TWO (72) 6am Children’s Programs. 8.30 Nanny. 9.30 Addams Family. 10.30 Bewitched. 11.40 Motor Racing. Formula E C’ship. Berlin ePrix. 12.50pm LEGO Masters. 2.30 Nanny. 3.30 Seinfeld. 4.30 Addams Family. 5.30 Bewitched. 6.30 Nanny. 7.30 Seinfeld. 8.30 MOVIE:

6am Gideon’s Way. 7.00 Creflo. 7.30 Cruiseaway. 8.00 TV Shop. 9.30 Newstyle Direct. 10.00 TV Shop. 10.30 Pointless. 11.30 My Favorite Martian. Noon Death In Paradise. 1.10 TBA. 3.00 Antiques Roadshow. 3.30 MOVIE: Billy Liar. (1963, PG) 5.30 The Derbyshire Auction House. (Premiere) 6.30 Antiques Roadshow. 7.30 New Tricks. 8.40 Agatha Christie’s Marple. 10.40 Good Karma Hospital. 11.40 Late Programs.

Wednesday, May 6

ABC TV (2)

(3)

6.00 News Breakfast. 9.00 News. 10.00 Four Corners. (R) 10.45 Foreign Correspondent. (Final, R) 11.20 Back Roads. (R) 12.00 News. 12.30 Press Club. 1.35 Media Watch. (PG, R) 1.55 Spicks And Specks. (PG, R) 2.25 Brush With Fame. (R) 2.55 Grand Designs Aust. (PG, R) 3.55 Murdoch Mysteries. (PG, R) 4.45 Long Lost Family: What Happened Next. (R) 5.30 Antiques Roadshow. (R) 6.00 WorldWatch. 9.00 Destination Flavour China Bitesize. (R) 9.10 Matched. (PG, R) 10.05 Hidden Beauty Of Spain. (PGa, R) 11.05 Van Gogh: The Real Story. (PG, R) 12.00 BBC News At Ten. 12.30 France 24. 1.00 PBS News. 2.00 Dateline. (R) 2.30 Insight. (R) 3.30 Plat Du Tour. (R) 3.40 The Cook Up. (R) 4.10 Lost Treasures Of Egypt. (PGav, R) 5.05 Jeopardy! 5.30 Letters And Numbers. (R)

6.30 Hard Quiz. (PG, R)

7.00 ABC News.

7.30 7.30.

8.00 Gruen. (PG)

8.35 Guy Montgomery’s Guy Mont Spelling Bee. (PG) Presented by Guy Montgomery. 9.25 Urzila. (Mals) Comedic chaos from Urzila Carlson. 9.50 Bad Company. (Mn, R) 10.15 ABC Late News.

10.30 The Business. (R) 10.50 Planet America. (R) 11.20 You Can’t Ask That. (Mal, R) 11.55 Murdoch Mysteries. (Ma, R) 12.40 Long Lost Family: What Happened Next. (R) 1.30 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv) 4.00 Gardening Aust. (R) 5.00 A Bite To Eat. (R) 5.30 7.30. (R)

6.00 Mastermind Australia. 6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 Chernobyl: Chronology Of A Disaster.

8.30 The Trial Of Michael Jackson: Saving The King Of Pop. (Premiere) Takes a look at Michael Jackson’s 2005 criminal trial.

9.25 The Audacity. (M) A would-be tech titan and his therapist try to make a fortune. 10.25 SBS World News Late. 10.55 Rise Of The Raven. (MA15+sv) 12.05 Blue Lights. (MA15+a, R) 2.05 Classified. (Mlv, R) 3.45 Finding Your Roots. (PG, R) 4.45 Destination Flavour China Bitesize. (PGaw, 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 Time Is Money. 2.00 Bridge Of Lies. 3.00 The Chase. 4.00 Seven News At 4. 5.00 The Chase Australia. 6.00 Today. 9.00 Today Extra. (PG) 11.30 9News Morning. 12.00 The Hundred With Andy Lee. (Ml, R) 1.00 Taronga: Who’s Who In The Zoo. (PGm, R) 2.00 Pointless. (PG) 3.00 Tipping Point. (PG, R) 4.00 9News Afternoon. 5.00 Tipping Point Australia. (PG)

6.00 Seven News.

7.00 Home And Away. (PGa)

7.30 SAS: AUS v ENG. (M) There is a surprise twist for recruits.

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. (M) Hosted by Hamish McLachlan.

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

11.00 Why Trains Crash. (PGa, R) 12.15 Kochie’s Business Builders. (R) 12.45 New Amsterdam. (MA15+a, 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 Events That Changed Australia: Unstoppable – Women’s Sport. (Mal)

8.30 Outback Murder Highway: The Tony Jones Disappearance. (Mavv) Looks at a notorious murder hotspot.

9.30 The Social Media Murders: The Murder Of Ashley Wadsworth. (Malv, R) Looks at the murder of Ashley Wadsworth. 10.30 9News Late. 11.00 Miniseries: The Night Caller. (Malv) 11.50 Tipping Point. (PG, R) 12.40 Pointless. (PG, R) 1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 2.30 Global Shop. (R) 3.00 TV Shop. (R) 4.00 Skippy. (R) 4.30 ACA. (R) 5.00 Today Early News. 5.30 Today.

6.00 10 News+. 6.30 Deal Or No Deal. (PG) Hosted by Grant Denyer. 7.00 Millionaire Hot Seat. (PG) Hosted by Rebecca Gibney. 7.30 MasterChef Australia. (PG) A batch of new contestants enters the kitchen. 8.40 Elsbeth. (Mv) Elsbeth investigates the best friend of a bride after she is found bludgeoned in her apartment. 9.40 10’s Late News. Coverage of news, sport and weather.

6am Morning Programs. 10.30 The Movie Show. 12.15pm DW The Day. 12.45 The Greatest Show On Earth. (Premiere) 2.50 The Bee Whisperer. 3.50 BBC News At Ten. 4.20 France 24. 4.50 PBS News. 5.50 Curse Of Oak Island. 6.40 Jeopardy! 7.35 8 Out Of 10 Cats. 8.30 MOVIE: Edge Of Tomorrow. (2014) 10.40 Brassic. 12.15am Count Abdulla. 1.15 Dark Side Of The Ring. 2.10 NHK World English News. 5.00 Al Jazeera. SBS VICELAND (31) 6am Children’s Programs. 3pm Play School: What’s Cooking? 3.40 Thomas And Friends. 4.10 Andy’s Prehistoric Adv. 4.25 Mojo Swoptops. 5.40 Kangaroo Beach. 6.45 Ben And Holly. 7.05 Batwheels. 7.35 Ninjago: Dragons Rising. 8.00 Young Sheldon. 8.25 Young Sheldon. 9.05 Adv Time. 9.55 Pokémon: Diamond And Pearl. 10.15 My Adventures With Superman. 10.35 Adv Time. 10.50 Late Programs.

ABC FAMILY (22) 6am The Most Beautiful Day In The World. (2019, PG, Italian) 8.00 The Movie Show. 8.35 The Amazing Mr. Blunden. (2021, PG) 10.10 The Three Musketeers: D’artagnan. (2023, M, French) 12.25pm Fame. (1980, M) 2.55 Discovering Film. 3.50 Lassie: A New Adventure. (2023, PG, German) 5.35 55 Steps. (2017, PG) 7.45 A Private Function. (1984, M) 9.30 Brassed Off. (1996, M) 11.25 Late Programs. SBS WORLD MOVIES (32) 6am Morning Programs. Noon MOVIE: Manganinnie. (1980, PG) 1.40 Stompem Ground 2022: Karajarri Dancers. 2.00 On Country Kitchen. 2.30 The Cook Up. 3.00 Jarjums. 5.00 Harlem Globetrotters. 5.30 News. 6.00 Bamay. 6.45 Mysteries Of The Mekong. 7.35 Ice Vikings. 8.30 Pro Bull Riding: USA. 9.30 Over The Black Dot. 10.00 Inside The Huddle. 10.30 MOVIE: Mekko. (2015, MA15+) Midnight Late Programs. NITV (34)

Australia’s Deadliest. 6.30 Escape To The Country. 7.30 Harry’s Practice. 8.00 Million Dollar Minute. 9.00 Business Builders. 9.30 NBC Today. Noon My Reno Rules. 2.00 Weekender. 2.30 House Calls To The Rescue. 3.30 Harry’s Practice. 4.00 Animal Rescue. 4.30 Better Homes. 5.30 Escape To The Country. 6.30 Bargain Hunt. 7.30 Heartbeat. 8.45 McDonald And

Agatha Christie’s Marple. 3.10 Antiques Roadshow. 3.40 MOVIE: Spring In Park Lane. (1948) 5.30 The Derbyshire Auction House. 6.30 Antiques Roadshow. 7.30 Keeping Up Appearances. 8.40 Midsomer Murders. 10.40 The Spencer Sisters. 11.40 Late Programs. 9GEM (92) 7TWO (72) 6am Children’s Programs. 8.30 Nanny. 9.30 Addams Family. 10.30 Bewitched. 11.40

High School concert a wonderful success

Compiled by Cameron McCullough

A FULL house is expected for a school concert, but it is seldom that the people attend in such overflowing numbers as they did for the High school students’ concert held in the Frankston Palais on 22nd inst.

The widespread interest taken in the High school may be judged from the fact that five car loads came specially from Dromana for the evening. Mornington and places near at hand were also well represented.

Long before the time for starting enthusiasts thronged the, doors looking for the best seats. Even, the commodious Palais had its seating capacity taxed to the utmost and the management were being asked for more seats.

Mr. W. J. Bishop, B.A., the headmaster, had arranged for the stage to be extended forward to accommodate the large groups in the folk dances and extra curtains and coloured footlights were placed in front of the extension.

Punctually at 8 o’clock the curtains were drawn aside and revealed the whole school massed on the stage girls in white and boys in navy eight rows one above the other, with about twenty in each.

The opening songs, “The Wattle” and “The Ash Grove,” were rendered in good style under the baton of Mr. Holt, who has voluntarily taken time from his business to conduct the students at school.

No finer work could be accomplished than choral work of this kind.

Maisie Pope sang very sweetly “Come Sing to Me,” and Miss Dorothy Crawford, L.L.C.M., of St. Kilda, recited feelingly “The Baby’s Rose,” for

which an encore was demanded.

Folk dances were a special feature of the programme, the first being a Scandinavian “Klapp Dans” by the senior girls, half of whom were dressed to represent boys of that country.

Miss Broughton must have been proud of her girls when they acquitted themselves so well.

Although there was a long programme ahead the audience demanded an encore. ***

ON Friday night last, shortly after 7 o’clock a terrific storm broke over Frankston.

It was something in the nature of a cyclone, for many cases of damage to property resulted.

The coal shed at the Gas Works was unroofed, several sheets of iron were torn from Moran & Cato’s building; the hoardings at the railway station were levelled to the ground and sundry other damage inflicted.

Several sheets of roofing iron were carried by the gale from Moran & Cato’s and lodging on the overhead gear at the railway station, caused a short circuit and dislocated the train service for several hours.

The Railway Commissioners met the position by meeting Seaford and Frankston passengers at Carrum with motorcars, and arrangements were very much appreciated by late travellers.

By midnight the train service to Frankston was restored. ***

FOOTBALL on the Peninsula is going to boom this season; everything points to that.

The probable strength of the various

teams is not easy to judge, but it is reasonable to assume that representative sides will be the rule.

The Keast trophy, which was presented to the association in 1922 by W. S. Keast, Esq.; has to be won three consecutive times to become the permanent property of any club.

Frankston won it in 1922 and 1923, but in 1924 and 1925 the Naval Depot took possession.

If the latter carry off the premiership again this season the trophy will become their property for all time.

Frankston club intend making another strong effort to get possession of the trophy, and the appointment of a playing coach signifies a paramount effort in that respect.

Mr. C. E. Johnson (of the Frankston High school staff) the new coach, is no raw recruit, but an experienced player, not with League or Association experience, but with leading country clubs, and football fans will soon realise that he is the right man in the right place.

It was at first intended to have only one team in Frankston, but at the last meeting of the committee it was decided to enter a team in the Seconds Association.

There were some good colts in the seconds team last year, and the senior team this season have put them into training, and with a number of experienced men Frankston have the nucleus of a good side.

With reference to having two teams in the district, it is a good thing for the game and a boon to the young manhood of the town, and provides healthy exercise and opportunities for a number who would otherwise be looking over

PUZZLE ZONE

the fence every Saturday afternoon.

There are plenty of young men and youths resident in the district to complete two teams, and with the services of a reliable coach to put the polishing touches on the rising players the standard of football would improve to the benefit of the club and football in general.

***

Tyabb – The Late Mr R Mair

The passing away of this gentleman has left a gap in the public life of Tyabb that will be very hard to fill, as there were few public bodies in which he was not a prominent member.

Mr. Mair was born in 1853 on the farm of Balcormo, at Newton, near Pittenweem, Fifeshire, Scotland, and the farm is now occupied by a brother and like many Scottish farms, has been occupied by Mr. Mair’s forbears for very many generations.

As a young man, Mr. Mair was apprenticed to the building trade, and had the experience then not uncommon of starting in the pine forest and helping in the breaking up of the pine logs in the old saw pit, and following the timber through all its different processes till it became part of some building.

Mr. Mair followed his trade in Glasgow, Perth and Edinburgh. While resident in Edinburgh he was present as a volunteer in a kilted corps at what was known for years as the Great Review, when Queen Victoria reviewed the volunteer forces from all parts of Scotland in a deluge of rain.

Also about this time Mr. Mair was a member of a local committee on behalf of W. E. Gladstone in his famous Midlothian campaign.

Mr. Mair arrived in Melbourne in 1882 and worked for some time in the Carron timber yard. Coming to Tyabb in 1894, just after the collapse of the “boom,” he took up ten acres of orchard land, which he eventually increased to 60 acres.

As showing the wide scope of Mr Mair’s interests it may be mentioned that he was a promoter and filled the chair in the following companies: The V.O.C. and Latrobe Timber and Case Co. Ltd., and Tyabb Cool Stores; also a promoter and sometime president of the Central Fruitgrowers’ Association, and the Affiliated Cool Stores Association; a trustee of the Somerville Horticultural hall and ground.

As one of the promoters and for about 25 years treasurer of the Tyabb hall, Mr. Mair’s services to the hall will long, be gratefully remembered, as also his connection as treasurer of the Church of England.

Mr. Mair’s motto in public and business affairs might be summed; up in the one word “Thoroughness.”

Though sometimes aggressive in debate, his faults were of the head, not of the heart, as after a heated debate he would admit that his fellow members’ objective was as sincere as his own, though trying to arrive at it from a different angle.

The deep sympathy of a host of friends in the district has been extended to the widow and two sons and daughter of the deceased, all of whom are taking their share in the public life of Tyabb.

***

From the Pages of the Frankston and Somerville Standard, 30 April 1926

Whoever wins Nepean battle will have a profound responsibility

In these final days before the election of a new Member for Nepean, much has been made of the infighting, the public disagreements, and at times, the overbearing tone adopted by some candidates. Elections, by their nature, are robust affairs. Differences are aired, positions tested, and personalities revealed.

Yet beyond the noise and the spectacle, there remains a simple and enduring truth: the role being contested is one of profound responsibility. Whoever is elected will not merely hold a title, but also bear the trust of a community.

The Nepean Peninsula is not an abstract concept or a political stepping stone; it is home to families, small businesses, retirees, and young people looking toward their future. It deserves representation grounded not in ego or pointscoring, but in genuine commitment.

It therefore behoves the successful candidate to rise above the campaign’s tone once the ballots are counted. The task ahead will require cooperation, respect, and a willingness to listen as much as to speak. It will demand attention to local concerns, thoughtful advocacy, and a steady focus on outcomes that benefit the peninsula as a whole.

In the end, the measure of leadership will not be found in the final days of campaigning, but in the years that follow.

Anne

Kruger, Rye

Road to ruin

The juxtaposition of “Dobbin won – and the motor car fails” (100 Years Ago This Week, The News 21/4/26) with readers’ calls to fix potholes on the Mornington Peninsula was timely. While poor road quality a century ago did not cause Tom Merrick’s accident in his new “motor lorry”, it is true that regional roads have taken a beating in recent decades.

Some blame state and local governments, but The Australia Institute notes that climate-related costs to councils—repairing roads, drainage, parks and community facilities after floods, storms and fires—are rising far faster than revenue. It finds insured disaster costs are now about twelve times higher than 20 years ago, while local government revenue has only tripled over the same period.

In its 2024 submission to the National Adaptation Plan, the Australian Local Government Association reported that councils maintain about 75 per cent of Australia’s road network, stating: “Without appropriate funding, more frequent and intense climate events will increase local government’s road infrastructure backlog.”

That appears to be what is occurring. Properly taxing gas exports is one way to help fund climate-related infrastructure damage. Taxpayers and ratepayers alone should not carry the can.

John Godfrey, Cape Paterson

Consultation?

I would like to add to Joe Lenzo’s excellent letter on consultation (Consultation, Letters 14/4/26).

In Dromana recent years have shown many examples of how not to do it, by the shire and Parks Victoria.

Several years ago Parks sought a public choice of pier design from a few offered. I believe we chose one with concentric lower circles at the end, (which was to be completed by 2024!) In 2025 we were informed we had chosen the T shaped one, to be completed with “real wooden sleepers” by end 2026. However the flimsylooking poles are up and it seems we are getting an L not a T.

I have long suspected the shire wastes much of our rates on unused research, consultants and consultations ignored, lengthy glossy reports and plans not followed.

The Our Urban Forest document is 46 smart pages about the need to increase tree canopy. Yet mature shady trees are being allowed to disappear faster than developers can say “cash!” Five notable trees have been axed within a 5 minute walk from my house in the past few months.

In recent years the Shire engaged a consulting group regarding the plan for Dromana Township. Community consultations yielded that new buildings in the heart of Dromana should

reflect the coastal character, preferably be light colours and natural materials and have rooflines reminiscent of beach box shapes (as do the old Dromana Hub shops). Instead the new Dromana Hub, like the new medical centre is dark brown, boxy and flat roofed, and would suit Doncaster far better.

“Design excellence” was mentioned in the lengthy plan, with Pier Street the central area. Now as we turn from Pier Street into the car park, we have a large green high voltage box set in a few square meters of bare gravel on the left and a smaller one on the right, with not even an attempt to disguise them.

What is the point of consulting the public and expensive consulting firms, then ignoring their suggestions? And all at the rate-payers expense.

Paula

Polson, Dromana

Wasted resources

The increased waste levies will suck another $12.4m from peninsula ratepayers, on top of their rates bill. (Ratepayers foot the bill for public waste costs, The News 21/4/26).

Council seems unable to understand that we pay our rates in exchange for services like waste and other necessities. Otherwise, what are we paying our rates for?

The state government imposed a rates increase cap on councils some time ago in order to both force councils to operate within their means and to try to reign in spiralling expenditures and rates by little council fiefdoms with delusions of grandeur.

It is dishonest to the ratepayers for a council to increase rates de facto by another means. As usual, the council is treating ratepayers as just a dumb milking cow.

Why not first prune all of the dead wood from councils. Some of the costs of contracted structures are mind boggling. Seemingly gold plated toilet blocks. Planning decisions like three homes now built on one block, causing nature strips to be crowded with illegally parked cars, caravans, boats, trailers, sometimes causing danger, because the owners have no choice. Duh! Didn’t anyone think of that.

Don’t fine the residents for illegal parking, fine the council for forcing them to do it.

Personally, I have found that the horse and buggy days have ended. We don’t need councils anymore, certainly not in the metropolitan areas. We could be saving billions.

Brian A Mitchelson, Mornington

Draft budget blame?

The proposed draft budget for next year is contemplating to slug most of us rate payers an extra $137 to balance the books. That’s on top of the 2.75% increase of our rates from last year.

Of course I hope you all remember when voting for Nepean that one of the candidates used to be mayor of our beautiful Peninsula, and must have had a hand in forming the budget, before discovering his Liberal Party enlightenment. If successful, should we be worried about this tendencies?

Rupert Steiner, Balnarring Beach

Climate survey

One of the most important things we can do as citizens is to use our vote wisely, to drive change on the issues that matter most to us.

The Peninsula Climate Alliance (PCA) was forged exactly one year ago, in response to the shire’s decision to rescind their Climate Plan.

The Alliance of 25 local volunteer community groups represents thousands of members, with a common passion for practical work that helps the health of the peninsula’s environment, under threat from many pressures. One of the biggest threats is climate change that is increasingly adversely affecting the health of people, animals, and plants alike.

With a state by-election looming, the PCA sought the candidates’ views and priorities on a range of topics including climate change policy, biodiversity, green wedge and development in sensitive zones.

Responses were received from the Liberal, Green, Libertarian and Independent candidates, ranging from a glib two sentence reply to some

deeply considered, detailed responses. One Nation and several others did not reply at all.

The PCA invites readers to view the candidates’ responses to these questions, and draw your own conclusions about how they plan to act on local environmental issues if elected to represent us in state parliament.

With the eyes of all Victorians on Nepean, the PCA believes this is a timely chance for voters to make their environmental concerns and priorities heard at the ballot box.

Quote from Greg Holland, PCA Chair: “The choice is clear, a vote for a representative that will fight to protect our iconic environment and press for emissions reduction is a vote for our future.”

Read the candidates’ own words on the PCA website at: peninsulaclimatealliance.org

Deborah Coffey, Red Hill

Pauline heckler

I am the woman who “heckled” Pauline Hanson. Passing by, saw the orange balloons, had a squiz just as she arrived. I took the chance to tell her how despicable she is.

Despicable, because she creates hate and division by spreading misinformation about First Nations, migration and climate change to her supporters.

In 13 years in Parliament while claiming to be a champion of ordinary people, she has not achieved one change to help the people who support her.

She has voted against bills to help with the cost of living, such as affordable housing and protection of workers rights.

Her policies include rejecting renewables, adding to the catastrophe of climate change, abolishing the TGA our safeguard for effective medications and reviewing the PBS, which allows ordinary people the medications they need.

As a leader she is paid $300,000 a year and yet often does not turn up to Parliament when it is sitting or participate in Senate hearings.

Her candidate in Nepean has admitted “I don’t have the figures” in relation to rebuilding Rosebud Hospital.

Anthony Marsh and Darren Hercus have both said their intention is to get rid of Labor. How then can they work with the current government to advocate for the voters of Nepean? That’s why we need a real community independent in the person of Tracee Hutchison. Marg D’Arcy, Rye

I smell and election

Fascinating reading the letters column(s) in The News last week. I find the range of advice offered by residents of the peninsula and those peninsula experts resident in Kew and Hawthorn quite amusing.

They range from (shock horror) One Nation being permitted to have a launch at the Rosebud Football & Netball Club, to totally opposing views of Anthony Marsh’s tenure as Mayor.

Just maybe the Rosebud FNC hired the hall to One Nation, and received valuable funds from the letting. What is the evidence to say the club “hosted” the event?

The vitriol of some correspondents is quite illuminating. “I could never vote Liberal again” (after Jeff Kennett sold off the electricity assets). That was done to pay off a large junk of the debt built up by Labor. Whoops, they’ve done it again, with debt this time closing in on $200b.

The distortion of the Liberal Party’s stance on immigration is quite disturbing. To say Angus Taylor wants us to be suspicious of migrants like the man at Rosebud Hospital is complete and utter nonsense. I am a migrant of long standing. Why is it that any attempt to initiate a discussion on immigration policy is instantly turned into racism by those on the left?

Let’s hope the Victorian Electoral Commission can get the numbers together a bit quicker than the Croweaters.

Jack Wheeler, Mornington

Status quo

The election on 2 May is very important to everyone who is in the Nepean state electorate, as there are many people very concerned with a range of issues affecting them now.

The Labor Party is not even contesting this election, which is to select a person to be our representative in the Victorian parliament from now until the state election in November. It is not about anything else.

Until recently the person with that responsibility has been a Liberal Party member; and they have been very effective in parliament on our

behalf.

The most effective person to be the new Member for Nepean would be the Liberal candidate on 2 May.

The idea that voters should “upset the applecart” by their votes is not capable of improving our lives here; because only the strong opposition party in the state parliament now could do that.

William Whipp, Sorrento

Who do you believe?

I continue to be amazed at the misinformation and spin which is reportedly being stated by Anthony Marsh, the still wet from hatching born again Liberal. In your last edition (Parties bring out the big guns as pre-poll open approaches, The News 21/4/26) when asked about roads and potholes, he apparently says, “For too long residents in Nepean have been taken for granted and only a Wilson Liberal and Nationals Government can deliver the funding and action needed to fix our local roads.” Are you joking?

Have a look at the map of the Mornington Peninsula Shire – the bulk of the roads are council responsibility. (Maps delineating state and federal arterial roads from all the others under the Mornington Peninsula Council are available from the shire) The state and federal governments give regular top up grants to councils for road maintenance and upgrades that are mapped as council responsibility. This is in addition to money for this purpose that council gathers in rates. As the Local Government Act says “Roads, Rats, Rates and Rubbish” are the legal responsibility of councils.

Marsh has been a councillor and mayor for long enough to know this, under different political parties as our local MPs and in state government. What was he doing about the state of the roads and potholes then? Why would we believe him now? As for the red headed lady from Queensland and her flying visit – what would she know about Rosebud Hospital? More spin and misinformation. My vote goes to Tracee Hutchison. At least you can believe what she says.

Esther Gleixner, Flinders

Reflections

The recent run of letters regarding Anthony Marsh presents a picture of a highly contested candidacy.

Across the correspondence, concerns about trust, consistency and political motivation appear frequently and form a dominant thread. Contributors question changes in position, alignment with party politics, for example citing council decision-making on financial and governance matters, including differences between earlier statements on rate increases and subsequent council decisions to adopt the maximum allowable increases, which is raised in the correspondence as a concern about consistency in approach, and aspects of decision-making during his time in local government, suggesting a broader pattern of scrutiny.

A number of contributions also focus more directly on governance and decision-making. These raise questions about how key decisions are reached, including instances cited in the correspondence where officer recommendations were not followed in significant planning and financial matters, prompting concerns about transparency and the weight given to expert advice.

Related issues include the level of community engagement in long-term financial planning, the assumptions underpinning projected savings, and the balance between short-term measures and long-term sustainability.

A smaller number of letters emphasise a different perspective, highlighting a focus on infrastructure, financial management and the ability to make difficult decisions. These claims are, however, also contested by other contributors. Taken together, the correspondence suggests that questions of consistency, governance and the quality of decision-making are central to how many contributors are assessing the candidate’s record. Readers may wish to consider how well each of these arguments is supported by evidence.

Anja Ottensmeyer, Mt Martha

Confused?

I’m a little bit confused. After watching an AFLW game with my grandson and having no answer to his question of “how can ‘they’ be on the wing on their own?”.

I now have Ross Hudson (One Nation rise,

Letters 21/4/26) lumping populist opinion in with xenophobia and anti-climate change nonsense.

To help Mr Hudson out, the word populist is derived from popular. In other words it is an opinion or statement that a majority of people agree with.

Mr Hudson uses two examples in Trump and Farage. Trump easily won the popular vote. Farage won the popular vote in the Brexit debate and is leading in all published polls.

Just like councillor Gill who always seems to be on the wrong side of the vote and Joe Lenzo always backing the losing independent candidate, perhaps it’s also Mr Hudson who is on the wrong side of the popular opinion.

M.

G. Free, Mt Martha

Wrong brand name

The “Liberal” Party: allegedly “open, tolerant, reform-minded” needs a rebrand if it wants to outplay One Nation. A more honest label: FauxLiberal. “Progress in name. Regression in policy”. The word survived. The meaning didn’t.

Nationally, the change is obvious. A modern echo of the White Australia policy, remember the fast-tracked visas proposal for white South Africans, talk of deporting people in mass and no detail. Angus Taylor pushes Trump-style signals while ignoring that the 2022–23 migration surge was driven by Coalition-era settings. Blame shifted. Accountability dodged.

But locally, it’s worse because this is where trust should actually mean something. We’re seeing anonymous and misleading campaign material, authorised in a way that omits full disclosure. Flyers designed to look like something they’re not, aimed at confusing voters rather than informing them.

Candidates and community voices are calling it out. Tracee Hutchison has pointed to “lazy and dishonest attacks” that focus on personal smears instead of policy. One Nation’s Darren Hercus labelled the tactics desperate, highlighting the irony of a party warning about Labor while failing to hold it accountable for a decade. And then come the promises. Rebuild Rosebud Hospital. Fix potholes. Address homelessness. Reduce crime. All worthy. All familiar. All still not done even though elected over and over the last decade. Or even when the Liberal candidate was the mayor since the last local election. It’s not the words, it’s the track record for the last ten years. Words are cheep (sic). This isn’t just about ideology or national positioning. It’s about local credibility. If a

party won’t put its name clearly on a flyer, why should anyone trust the fine print on its promises?

A real choice isn’t between parties. It’s between spin and substance.

Joe Lenzo, Safety Beach

A great night

Two weeks ago, we had the pleasure of rocking out Penni Ave Distillery in Rye with a stellar selection of locals bands: Annalise Marie, Tommy Woods, Girl Kitchen (biased, yes) and Benni Hedgers. Those who attended walking away with a strong appreciation for the wealth of talent and passion this little corner of the state has.

While sharing music and good food and drink, we also had music-lover and community independent Tracee Hutchison sharing some insight into her story and her motivation for running to represent us in parliament. Like the bands, she oozes passion and was thriving on the community spirit we conjured up that night.

As young people, we have felt a severe lack of good role models and honest politics in the driver’s seat, and it is extremely inspiring to see someone come through who would push for integrity and actually has the issues of youth at heart. Damn, we wish we were that cool.

Girl Kitchen, Rye

Renter protection

Our local member for Frankston has become the Minister for Consumer Affairs and is known as the “Minister for Renters”.

His office is currently assisting me with getting material on the new regulation on rooming house operators placing a fixed heater in a room.

The new regulation says only a heater needs to be fixed to a wall roof or a floor.

I am now at VCAT to what a fixed heater is and what a heater does and what the government intended in making this new regulation.

Of course VCAT is trying to say that a fixed heater is a portable heater and matters have been adjourned so the rooming house provider can have the towel heater installed be inspected by his equipment inspector to see if it conforms to the new regulation and is installed correctly which it is not.

The Peninsula Legal Centre Frankston is assisting me and are awaiting a report made by the inspecting officer.

There are over 300 rooming houses in Frankston and our local member Paul Edbrooke should do more to protect renters in his electorate of Frankston and should have the Consumer Affairs renter taskforce check to see if the new

regulations are being adhered to as well as the old.

Russell Morse, Karingal

Labor have done it again

Mark Butler, our federal minister responsible for health and well-being has recently announced that the rebate given to people over sixty-five to encourage private health membership will be removed in the coming months, estimates indicate a $600 annual cost increase in health insurance.

The government estimates 44,000 people will withdraw from private health and go into the public system.

Can you imagine the overcrowded cues that hospitals have and the difficulty they have in managing their emergency departments now, let alone coping with another 44,000 added to the waiting rooms of Australian hospitals.

Australia’s population over sixty-five is approximately 4.6 million, 3.6 million have various forms of private health coverage with the over eighty-five age in this group expected to reach 1.2 million during the next 4 years. The majority in this group rely on the government pension, which is barely enough to survive. The aged pension increases over the past year total an average of $12 or 3.5%, Butlers $600 will add 13% to the average cost of private healthcare and net about $18 million in savings or 0. 3% of the current NDIS expense.

In many cases if the total rebate is removed a middle cost private healthcare program could increase by 40%.

Recent reports say, Butlers’ own department staff suggested he look elsewhere to reduce the cost of $54b the NDIS is costing the taxpayer.

While one must remember that the NDIS is a wonderful and needed program for those that really need it, however, Labor’s, management and incompetency has led to a desperate and rushed approach to a much-needed cost savings program due to forthcoming local, state, and national elections.

Bruce White, Safety Beach

Over 55’s footy

A couple of photos of some older chaps taking the knocks at Alexander Park in the AFL Masters Over 55’s caught my attention and inspired my admiration.

AFL is a tough game for a young body let alone those not-so-young fellows playing earnestly and passionately in a sport they love!

“Good on ya’s” from me!!

Tori Potter, Flinders

Support LOCAL INDEPENDENT Journalism

Thanks for the support

The Mornington Lions Club would like to thank all our loyal and the new customers that attended our Annual Book Fair held in Mornington on April 18/19. Thank you for the donations and purchases of books, CD’s, DVD’s, Puzzles and supporting our BBQ trailer.

Our funds raised and activities conducted support the local community.

If you are thinking of supporting the community then think Mornington Lions Club! Neil Bennie, Mornington Lions President BarleyCharlie@90

April 25; Anzacs! From Karl Urban “Don’t give up. If you stand at the roulette table long enough your number will come up.” Pollywaffle?

Despite this, remain positive, even at ninety years of age, in between naps.

Politics; taxes and housing: Capital gains tax and negative gearing, not before time. Paul Keating’s piece on Angus Taylor is accurate enough, as in racism, but surely more than that?

Most of that lot products of The Melbourne Club. True, the occasional idealist (the common good; Fraser, Holt, Peacock and Turnbull) but Taylor clearly “Born To Rule”. Potentially worse than John Howard, who at least saw himself as a saviour, of sorts?

Richard Marles “confident” abut our invisible submarines; not in my lifetime.

Albanese’s support for at home program; there’s a catch somewhere; give it time? Our protector (Donald Trump) told us Iran had no more ships, so who is responsible for the Strait of Hormuz blockage?

Locally, our election 2 May, Tracee Hutchison first, Darren Hercus second last, Anthony Marsh last; sorry, just slipped it in?

Singing “It actually suppresses the stress hormones?” Donald Trump, entertainer, a comedic juggernaut, almost daily, classy, but (to quote) The Pope, “Iran can have nuclear weapons.” Twisted wording?

Flairs were bad enough, now skin tight jeans? Yuk! Anzac Day, again, thank our (your) lucky stars, and those departed. Mind how you go...

Cliff Ellen, Rye

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Scoreboard

Stonecats, Redlegs and Kangas remain undefeated

MPFNL

By Kennedy McCullough

MEN’S DIV ONE SEN

DIVISION One had four games on Saturday (25 April) and one game on Sunday (26 April) for round three; the league’s ANZAC round.

Mt Eliza remains undefeated while sitting third on the ladder after their win against Mornington.

Mt Eliza immediately took control of the game in the first quarter, putting on six goals to Mornington’s one and taking a 27-point lead into the first break.

Quarter two was fairly even between the teams, with Mt Eliza putting on 3.3 to Mornington’s 2.3, leaving Mt Eliza further ahead going into the long break.

Mornington struggled to put on any more goals until the end of the third quarter, making 3.3 to Mt Eliza’s 4.5.

The Redlegs pulled away in the final quarter, and despite their accuracy not being on point, they put on 3.9 to Mornington’s 3.2, winning by 48 points.

Matt Caine managed five goals for Mornington. Elwood Peckett and Jackson Tanner each scored

four goals for Mt Eliza and were among their best.

Devon Meadows secured their second win of the season against Edithvale-Aspendale.

Edi-Asp took the lead in the first quarter, doubling Devon Meadows’ total, ending the quarter with an eight point lead.

The second quarter begun Devon Meadows’ comeback, putting on 4.5 to Edi-Asp’s 1.2 and going into the long break with a 13 point lead.

Devon Meadows extended their lead in the third quarter, scoring five goals to Edi-Asp’s three.

The final quarter brought a burst of energy for Edi-Asp, as they scored three goals to Devon Meadows one, but they were still unable to get in front, giving Devon Meadows a 16 point win.

Frankston YCW secured a win against Pines, maintaining their spot on top of the ladder.

The first quarter brought a quick lead for the Stonecats after they scored 6.2 to Pines’ 2.1.

The game slowed down in the second quarter, with Frankston YCW going into the long break with a 20 point lead.

Both teams scored fairly equally in the third quarter, each managing four goals.

Frankston YCW pulled away in the final

quarter of the game, shutting Pines down and only letting them score eight points while scoring 27 themselves.

Mitchell Riggs was among the best players for Pines, scoring three goals. Joshua Patullo was among the best players for Frankston YCW, scoring six majors.

Sorrento didn’t stand a chance against Langwarrin, with the latter winning by 86 points.

In a close clash against Dromana, Rosebud were able to come out on top by two points.

The first quarter started slowly, with Rosebud pulling ahead by two points due to Dromana’s scoring inaccuracy.

Rosebud dominated the second quarter, scoring five goals to Dromana’s two and going into the long break with a 17 point lead.

Dromana had a comeback in the third quarter, only allowing Rosebud to score one goal while scoring five of their own and taking the lead by eight points.

Quarter four was very close, with Dromana being ahead most of the quarter until Rosebud kicked their final goal, resulting in a two point win.

NEXT WEEK’S GAMES

DIVISION ONE MENS SENIORS

Saturday 2 May, 2pm:

Rosebud v Devon Meadows – Olympic Park Rosebud

Sorrento v Dromana – David Macfarlane Reserve

Edithvale-Aspendale v Pines – Edi-Asp Regents Park

Frankston YCW v Mornington – John Coburn Oval

Mt. Eliza v Langwarrin – Emil Madsen Reserve

DIVISION ONE MENS RESERVES

Saturday 2 May, 12pm:

Rosebud v Devon Meadows – Olympic Park Rosebud

Sorrento v Dromana – David Macfarlane Reserve

Edithvale-Aspendale v Pines – Edi-Asp Regents Park

Frankston YCW v Mornington – John Coburn Oval Mt. Eliza v Langwarrin – Emil Madsen Reserve

DIVISION TWO MENS SENIORS Saturday 2 May, 2pm: Bonbeach v Rye – Bonbeach

PINES couldn't match the steamrolling Stonecats. Picture: Craig Barrett

MPFNL

By Kennedy McCullough

MEN’S DIV TWO SEN

DIVISION Two Men’s Seniors completed their third round of the season with six games being played.

Seaford suffered their first loss of the season at the hands of Chelsea after a strong start to 2026.

Seaford had control of the play in the first quarter, scoring three goals to Chelsea’s one.

The lead into the long break had Chelsea up by 15 points after a strong scoring quarter.

Chelsea maintained their accuracy in the third, slotting five goals to Seaford’s three and ending the quarter up by 30 points.

While Seaford won the fourth quarter, it wasn’t nearly enough, leaving Chelsea to win by 24 points.

Hugh Park scored three goals for Seaford. John Simson scored four goals for Chelsea.

Somerville came out on top in their game against Bonbeach.

The first quarter was very close, with both teams scoring three goals and the quarter ending with Somerville up by a single point.

Bonbeach was unable to put a goal on the board in the second quarter, only scoring a single point to Somerville’s 5.9.

Somerville had troubles with their scoring accuracy in the third quarter, scoring 1.11 to Bonbeach’s 1.3.

The fourth quarter only added to Somerville’s scoring inaccuracy, and Bonbeach attempted to take advantage of that and stage a comeback by scoring six goals, but it wasn’t enough to prevent Somerville from obtaining their win.

Somerville’s vice captain Luke Burton was among their best and scored four goals. Bonbeach’s captain Liam Hulett was among their best and scored five goals.

Frankston Bombers secured an easy win against Hastings.

Hastings had a difficult first quarter, not managing to put a score on the board while Frankston scored 33 points.

The Bombers continued to pull ahead in the second quarter but Hastings finally scored, making 5.1 to Frankston’s 4.0, going into the long break with a 26 point difference.

The third quarter three showed progression from both sides, leaving them with a 38 point gap in the Bombers’ favour.

Hastings only managed to add a further 2.2 to their score in the fourth quarter compared to Frankston’s 3.5, leaving Frankston to win by 47 points.

Luke Hewitt scored three goals for Hastings. Oscar Lonie scored five goals for Frankston. Despite starting out slow, Karingal managed to beat Tyabb.

Karingal struggled to find their footing in the first quarter, only scoring three points while Tyabb took an early lead with 17 points on the board.

Quarter two showed a major increase in scoring for Karingal, as they scored 6.3 to Tyabb’s 1.1, leaving them in front for the long break.

Tyabb struggled to score in the third quarter, only managing two points, while Karingal continued to fly ahead by scoring four goals, leaving a 41 point gap.

Both teams scored very similarly in the final quarter, leaving Karingal to win by 39 points.

In a tight clash, Rye managed to pull ahead and take their win against Pearcedale.

Rye’s scoring inaccuracies in the first quarter led to a fairly even score between the two teams, with Pearcedale leading by two points at the first break.

Rye stepped up their game in the quarter before

the long break, scoring 4.4 to Pearcedale’s 2.5.

Pearcedale came back in the third quarter after scoring two goals to Rye’s singular one, leaving Rye to lead by only five points.

In the final quarter, Rye managed to score another 3.4 to Pearcedale’s 1.5, leaving Rye to their 16 point win.

Edward Greene managed to score five goals for Rye and was one of their best. Mitchell Davis managed to score five goals for Pearcedale and was one of their best.

Despite losing for the first half of the game, Red Hill managed to best Crib Point.

The Magpies put on the pressure right from the first quarter, scoring 28 points to Red Hill’s nine and taking the lead.

In the second quarter, Crib Point maintained their lead despite Red Hill’s perseverance, going into the long break with a seven point difference between the teams.

Red Hill took to the second half with a renewed passion, scoring 4.2 to Crib Point’s 2.5 and leading by two points.

Crib Point let the game get away from them in the final quarter as Red Hill scored a further four goals to Crib Point’s two, allowing Red Hill to claim a 16 point win.

Seaford notch first loss after Chelsea clash Bulldogs suffer defeat at the hands of the Dusties

MPFNL

By Kennedy McCullough

WOMEN’S DIV ONE SEN

DIVISION

One Women’s Seniors completed their third round of the season with four games being played.

Karingal remain undefeated after a significant win against Tyabb.

Tyabb was able to put their only score for the whole game on the board in the first quarter, making seven points to Karingal’s 28.

Karingal fully doubled their score in the second quarter, going into the long break with a 49 point lead.

In the third quarter, a further 4.3 was added to Karingal’s score, bringing them to 83 points.

Karingal continued to pull ahead in quarter four, scoring five goals and winning by 110 points.

The Warragul Industrials were able to hand Mornington their first loss of the season.

Both teams started equally in quarter one, each scoring 1.1.

The Dusties pulled ahead in the second quarter, adding 3.3 to their score while Mornington only scored a single goal, leaving a 15 point difference going into the long break.

Mornington was able to put a further 1.1 on the scoreboard in the third quarter, leaving only an eight point difference between the teams.

In quarter four, Mornington only managed to score two goals while the Dusties were able to score 15 more points, leaving the Dusties to win by 11 points.

Frankston was able to secure a win against Pearcedale.

In the first quarter, Frankston was able to score 6.6 while keeping Pearcedale at zero.

Pearcedale managed to put a score on the board in the second quarter, but Frankston continued to score at will and was at 67 points at the main break, leaving a 56 point gap between the teams.

The third quarter saw another goal to be scored by Pearcedale while Frankston scored five.

In the final quarter, Pearcedale added another two points to their total and Frankston added

another 15, allowing Frankston to win by 96 points.

In a very close game, Hastings/Balnarring was able to come out on top against Bonbeach. The first quarter saw Hastings/Balnarring doubling the score of Bonbeach and leading by a goal.

Each team put a further 1.2 onto their totals leading into the long break.

Bonbeach shut down Hastings/Balnarring in the third quarter, scoring 20 points while Hastings/Balnarring only scored six, leaving Bonbeach to lead by eight points.

Hastings/Balnarring had a great comeback in the final quarter, scoring 13 points and winning overall by five points.

Gunnamatta Surf Life Saving Club marks 60 years

Sarah Halfpenny sarah@mpnews.com.au

GUNNAMATTA Surf Life Saving

Club is celebrating six decades of volunteer lifesaving service this year. The club, established in December 1966, now operates with around 95 active patrolling members, 100 nippers aged under seven to under 14, and approximately 490 total members, including social members and parents.

Club secretary Barry Williams told The News the organisation has five patrolling teams that rotate through the summer season.

“The average patroller does 60 to 70 hours over summer volunteering,” Williams said.

“Some of our patrols will run through to over 150 hours on the beach a year.”

Since its foundation, the club has rescued more than 5,000 people at the beach – an average of 80 per year.

Williams, who has been involved with the club for 12 years and served on the committee for 11 of those, joined when his children took part in the junior program. His daughter continues to patrol actively alongside him.

“Our youngest qualified patrollers are 15, and we’ve got about five or six patrollers who are all in their mid70s,” Williams said.

“It’s a generational thing. A lot of the patrols have siblings or children involved.”

To mark the 60th anniversary, the club is holding a dinner on 13 June at Mornington Racecourse. The event will include the club’s annual general meeting and will welcome members of the Gunnamatta Surf Life Saving Club plus local, state and federal politicians. The venue has its own

link to the surf club’s name, with a horse named Gunnamatta once racing at Mornington, and a function room that still carries the name.

The milestone anniversary lands as the club looks to its next chapter.

Williams outlined significant challenges ahead, with the club beginning a 20-year planning process to address their future needs.

The current clubhouse, opened in

stages from the 1970s into the 1980s, houses lifesaving equipment, training spaces and member facilities, but the garage is now undersized – a reflection of how rescue methods have changed from the old rope-and-reel era to today’s inflatable rescue boats.

“We’re quite close to the beach, so we’re starting to plan for the next 10 to 20 years on what that looks like, whether we need to relocate or reori-

entate the clubhouse,” Williams said.

The club is part of Life Saving Victoria’s renewal program with the state government, but Williams noted the cost facing clubs on the peninsula.

“Your average life saving club replacement is around $8m,” he said.

“About 70 per cent of that money has to come from the members and fundraising.”

Gunnamatta fundraises year-round through corporate supporters including Bendigo Bank and the RACV.

Its remote location at the end of Truemans Road in Fingal means the club must actively pursue sponsorship rather than relying on proximity to foot traffic.

“We’re not like Sorrento, which is close to the township,” Williams said. “We have to track down supporters. A lot of our sponsors are members as well.”

For all the challenges ahead, Williams said the club’s strength lies in its volunteer spirit and community.

“It’s very close knit. Everyone knows each other, which is nice,” Williams said.

“It’s a good mix here.”

GUNNAMATTA Surf Life Saving Club secretary Barry Williams with younger members as the club marks its 60th year. Picture: Yanni

Crib Point senior men fall short in ANZAC Day clash

CRIB POINT FNC

SENIORS Men: Crib Point 10.13 (73) defeated by Red Hill 13.11 (89).

Crib Point’s Senior Men hosted Red Hill on ANZAC Day in a highly anticipated clash against one of the competition’s top sides. After a strong pre-game ceremony, the Magpies made an excellent start, kicking the opening two goals to lead by 19 points at quarter time and maintaining a 7-point advantage at the main break.

Red Hill lifted their intensity in the third quarter, gaining the momentum and edging ahead by 2 points at the final change. With the game in the balance, Red Hill carried that momentum into the last quarter, kicking clear to secure a 16-point victory. Despite the result, it was another strong showing against quality opposition. Miller Stewart made an immediate impact on debut, kicking a goal with his first kick of the game. Jayden Macnab, Jett Bauer, Harri Dekluever, Max Vercoe and Will Stewart were among the best, with Crib Point now turning their focus to a Round 4 clash against Hastings away.

Chelsea Too Strong but Positives for Crib Point Women

Seniors Women: Crib Point 5.7 (37) defeated by Red Hill 14.6 (90)

Several players made their first appearance for the season, providing a much-needed boost against a strong Red Hill side.

A slow start saw Crib Point struggle in contested possession, with Red Hill’s midfield dominance opening up a 10-goal lead by half time. After a direct message from the coaches, the girls responded strongly. Their intensity lifted around the contest, and improved link-up play through the midfield created more

forward opportunities.

Crib Point showed great resilience to outscore Red Hill in the second half, but the early deficit proved too much to overcome.

The focus now shifts to a Friday night clash against Langwarrin at Lloyd Park, with key players set to return.

Red Hill Take Control in Clash of Unbeatens

Reserves Men: Crib Point 6.4 (40) defeated Red Hill 10.16 (76).

In a highly anticipated clash between two undefeated sides, Red Hill made the early running, handling the windy conditions better in the first half. Crib Point struggled to gain momentum, but Red Hill’s inaccuracy in front of goal kept the Magpies within reach, trailing by 20 points at the main break.

The second half followed a similar pattern, with Crib Point unable to consistently get their game going.

Red Hill capitalised on their opportunities, with strong marking inside forward 50 proving the difference as they extended their lead.

Despite the effort, Red Hill ran out 36-point winners, with Crib Point now looking to respond against quality opposition in the weeks ahead.

Thirds Light Up The Nest in Front of Electric Crowd

Thirds: Crib Point 7.10 (52) defeated Rosebud 2.8 (20)

Crib Point’s Thirds kicked off their inaugural season under Friday night lights against cross-town rivals Somerville. While the result didn’t fall their way, the contest was played in great spirit and drew a strong local crowd, highlighting the success of the new Friday night competition format.

The Magpies now turn their at-

tention to ANZAC Day eve, where they’ll host Rosebud at The Nest in what promises to be another exciting night of football. Best players for Crib Point were Oscar Viti, Andrew Campbell and Dane Wright.

A Grade Deliver Standout Performance

Crib Point 42 defeated by Red Hill

50

Crib Point’s A Grade side delivered one of their most impressive performances of the season, taking it right up to a strong Red Hill outfit in a high-quality contest.

The girls were in the game all afternoon, matching Red Hill’s line-up with disciplined teamwork and intensity. The attacking end was fast and dynamic, converting opportunities with speed and accuracy, while the midcourt worked tirelessly to create space and drive the ball forward.

Defensively, the team put in a huge effort, contesting every entry into Red Hill’s attacking end and applying constant pressure.

Despite the narrow loss, it was one of the side’s best performances in a long time and a clear sign of the progress this group is making together.

Best on Court honours went to Ebony, whose work rate and accuracy in GA were outstanding. The club also congratulates Adrienne Harris, who was awarded the MPFNL Umpires’ ANZAC Day Best Player on Court Medal for her exceptional performance.

B Grade Fight Back After Slow Opening

Crib Point 31 defeated by Red Hill

52

Crib Point’s B Grade side endured a slow first half which left them chasing the game early, but the group

responded strongly after the main break, winning the third quarter.

The girls lifted their intensity and matched it with their opponents for long periods, showing great resilience. Ball movement improved significantly in the attacking end after half time, creating more scoring opportunities as the game progressed.

Defensively, the team applied solid pressure and continued to contest every ball right to the final whistle.

The group will regroup after a tough couple of weeks and look to respond strongly in Round 4.

Best on Court honours went to Morgan, who was a game-changer in GD.

C Grade Respond Strongly After Slow Start

Crib Point 29 defeated by Red Hill

43

Crib Point’s C Grade girls produced a hard-fought performance, showing great character to respond after a slow first quarter and compete strongly across the remaining three.

The midcourt worked tirelessly to move the ball and create scoring opportunities, while the defensive end applied consistent pressure throughout the match. Despite the scoreboard not falling their way, the girls never gave in and continued to work hard for one another until the final whistle.

There are plenty of positives to build on as the group looks to bounce back next round.

Best on Court honours went to Ava, who was relentless in defence all game.

D Grade Show Strong Fight Against Red Hill

Crib Point 33 defeated by Red Hill

44

rib Point’s D Grade girls battled hard throughout the match, showing

great determination and remaining competitive across all four quarters.

There were strong passages of play through the midcourt, while the defensive unit worked tirelessly to apply pressure and create turnovers. Despite the result, the team displayed excellent teamwork and resilience, with every player contributing to the contest.

The group will take plenty of positives from the performance as they continue to build throughout the season.

Best on Court honours went to Elisia, who impressed with her movement and impact in GS.

Under 17s Show Determination Against Red Hill

Crib Point 12 defeated by Red Hill

59

Crib Point Under 17s faced a tough challenge against Red Hill this week, but the scoreboard didn’t reflect the effort and determination shown across the match.

The girls competed strongly in every quarter, never dropping their intensity right through to the final whistle. With multiple rotations throughout the game, players were given the opportunity to step into different positions, continuing to build valuable match experience and versatility.

There were plenty of positive passages of play, highlighted by strong defensive pressure and periods of smooth ball movement — clear signs of the team’s ongoing development and improvement.

Best on Court honours went to Luella, who was outstanding in GK and provided a strong presence in defence all game.

Frankston Sharks BMX dominate on national stage

FRANKSTON Sharks BMX Club has seen three riders crowned Australian Champions, with the club taking home the 2026 AusCycling BMX Racing Nationals Club Champion title.

The GWM BMX Racing National Championship took place in Shepparton from 16-18 April and brought together top riders from around Australia. The Sharks managed to separate themselves from 112 clubs and brought home the title. “[The title] was a really nice surprise. It just goes to show the breeding ground we have for elite level riders in the Peninsula area,” club spokesperson Mick Sinclair said. “We’ve got great coaches. We’ve got a really good facility

down there. And the club is super active with training nights and race nights that just help the riders perform their best.”

Sinclair said the club’s success was thanks to a team effort, and several impressive rides, but individual performances stood out. Three riders were crowned Australian Champions across their respective divisions.

Among them was 11-year-old Harla Sinclair, who won the 11-12 Girls 24” Australian Championship against 35 competitors. This marks her second national championship, adding to a collection that already includes six state championships.

Fellow teammate and friend, Maya Ellis, took home the 15 Girls Australian Championship. She produced a near-perfect final lap to win her third national championship, adding to her resume of eight state championships, and one World Champion title.

Rounding out the individual awards was Miller Nelson, who won the 15 Boys Australian Championship. His win secured his first national title after being a member of the club for the past six years and winning three state championships.

Frankston Sharks BMX Club President Kate Carroll said the result is a reflection of years of hard work from riders, families, and volunteers.

“This is an incredible achievement for our club and our community,” Carroll said. “To see our riders perform at this level on the national stage, and to be recognised as the top BMX club in Australia, is something we are extremely proud of.”

The club is located in Seaford and welcomes new riders of all ages and abilities, with weekly training sessions held every Wednesday night.

“The future for the Frankston Sharks BMX Club is very bright. We have the largest membership base in Victoria,” Sinclair said.

“We have a strong and committed committee with the priority of growing the club and growing it at a grassroots level to keep BMX racing alive.”

Maya Ellis (above), Miller Nelson (right), and Harla Sinclair (far right). Pictures: Supplied

Scoreboard

Hicks Seaford’s hat-trick hero

SOCCER

By Craig MacKenzie

A STUNNING eight-minute hat-trick to substitute Blake Hicks lit up North Seaford Reserve on Saturday.

The veteran striker came off the bench against East Bentleigh in the 68th minute and scored in the 72nd, 78th and 80th minutes to end any hopes the visitors had of a comeback.

Seaford had struck first when Jayden LeBron put Zain Ahmad through in the 27th minute and the latter finished from a one-on-one with East Bentleigh keeper Adam Stone.

The home side went 2-0 up in the 35th minute when Matthew Cobb sliced his cross over Stone after a good Seaford build-up on the right. East Bentleigh hit back in the 64th minute when Kristian Tzamouranis’ header hit the mark setting the stage for Hicks to enter the fray.

His first goal came after he beat a defender then slotted the ball home from a one-on-one with Stone.

Hicks’ second was a rare right-foot finish from a low cross and his third was from another oneon-one set up by another substitute in Dylan Waugh.

This was Hicks’ first ever hat-trick for Seaford in a league or cup match and reinforces his decision to keep playing.

He had given serious thought to retiring after a second calf injury in two months during preseason.

“I started doing my own fitness stuff away from football so I was still keeping the legs moving,” he said.

“Seeing the boys have a disappointing start to the season and chatting to them made me rethink things.

“A combination of still feeling like I’ve got something to offer and thinking that we might need an extra bit of experience around the group to help turn things around prompted my return.”

It was Seaford’s second win in a row and with both Hicks and Waugh back in action (Waugh had recovered from a hamstring injury) it gives the squad confidence going into this weekend’s clash away to league leader Monash Villareal.

There’s added spice to the clash as Villareal’s assistant coach is Paul Williams who was sacked by Seaford at the end of last season.

Still in State 5 and Somerville Eagles won 4-2 at home to Noble Hurricanes last weekend.

In the 9th minute Tom Pollock’s cross from near the halfway line was fumbled by the Hurricanes keeper and went in.

Koray Yildirim equalised in the 11th minute but a minute later Tom Simmons restored Somerville’s lead after receiving a ball over the top from Tom Hennessy.

Christian Tsianakas levelled from the penalty spot in the 66th minute but new Eagles’ signing Hamish Budgen (ex-Somerville, Rosebud and Kings Domain) made it 3-2 in the 77th minute off his thigh following a Pollock set piece.

Tom Simmons grabbed a brace in the 88th minute when he finished off the rebound from a Xavier Apela shot.

In VPL1 two goals in injury time cost Langwarrin dearly as it went down 3-1 away to Brunswick City.

After a scoreless first half a far post ball in the 57th minute was headed back across goal where Triantafilos Skapetis headed in from point-blank range.

Langy thought it had at least grabbed a point in the 84th minute when Sayed Fatemi’s lethal left foot was put to good use from a free-kick just outside the box.

But in the 91st minute Welsh wizard Dylan Allshorn jinked past two defenders as he cut inside from the right then curled a left-foot strike inside the far corner of goal.

The final nail in the coffin exposed Langwarrin’s defensive frailty and Kosta Emmanuel finished with ease.

Other results didn’t go Langy’s way and it now sits last with the worst goals against record in the league.

But head coach Jamie Skelly struck a positive note when commenting on the club’s current situation.

“We remain positive,” he said.

“Our performances have been competitive and with relegation positions so tight we know that if we continue to work hard and stay true to our principles the results will come.”

In State 1 Mornington’s game against St Kilda on Friday night was cancelled after an injury in the reserves match.

Mornington’s Oliver Nicholls-Easley collided with his goalkeeper Jarrod Nardino following a St Kilda corner.

Nicholls-Easley was knocked out and received first aid treatment from both Mornington and St Kilda staff.

Emergency services were contacted and it was

Sudoku and crossword solutions

advised that he should not be moved due to possible neck and spinal injury.

An ambulance arrived 90 minutes after the incident and Nicholls-Easley was taken to hospital.

He was later cleared of serious injury and will be back playing after completing a concussion protocol.

Skye United lost 4-2 away to Beaumaris on Saturday.

The visitors got off to a flyer when Marcus Spivey hit a bouncing ball on the swivel from close to 30 metres out to make it 1-0.

However their joy was short lived as James Poole equalised from the spot six minutes later.

Beaumaris then turned this contest on its head with three goals in a five-minute spell enabling it to take a 4-1 lead into the main break.

Skye showed some fight in the second half but could only score once through substitute Shameit Sharma’s unorthodox finish in the 74th minute.

Skye is at home to Old Scotch this Saturday in the club’s annual John Ramsden Memorial Round.

It’s a triple header with the men playing at 1pm and 3pm and the State 3 women hosting Langwarrin at 6pm.

In State 2 Peninsula Strikers drew 2-2 at home to Dandenong South on Saturday.

The visitors went ahead after 19 minutes but Jerome Valadon was fouled inside the box in the 36th minute and Danny Brooks converted from the penalty spot.

Strikers led through a Rayyan Siddiqui goal in the 64th minute and a few minutes later Dandenong’s Erhan Yalaz was shown a straight red for a nasty incident involving Valadon.

The Strikers forward was forced from the pitch with a suspected punctured lung and rib damage.

He was hospitalised overnight and on Sunday the club confirmed that he had suffered a broken rib and was likely to miss around six weeks.

Despite going a man down the visitors weren’t done with yet and when Strikers keeper Jamie Walker lost the race to the ball to former Striker Taylan Gaylan the winger had the simple task of tapping it in to the unguarded goal.

In State 4 all three local clubs won last weekend with Chelsea defeating league leader Springvale City 5-3 at Edithvale Recreation Reserve on Friday night.

Chelsea’s usual suspects James Stinson and Daniel Vella were the men on the mark with Stinson getting yet another hat-trick.

The contest was won in the first half with Chelsea taking a 3-0 lead into the break.

In the 35th minute a precise through ball from Victor Cruz De Faria sent Vella clear and he made no mistake to open the scoring.

Four minutes later Springvale couldn’t cope with Stinson’s pace and sharpness and he repeated the does three minutes from half-time.

Despite hitting back with three second-half goals the league leader couldn’t claw back Chelsea with Stinson completing his hat-trick and Vella grabbing his second.

Rosebud took control early against Monash University at Olympic Park on Saturday evening and ran out a convincing 4-0 winner.

Excellent combination passing in the second minute ended up at the feet of talisman Elliott Craig who lobbed the keeper for an audacious finish.

Monash then made Rosebud work hard but three minutes before half-time Charlie Gunning’s perfectly executed corner found the head of Jack Heseltine who powered home his first goal for the club.

In the second stanza Rosebud dominated with Gunning chipping the keeper from distance for a peach of a goal followed late on by Elisha Davies hammering home a long-range left-foot drive into the top corner of the net to complete a great night for the Budders.

Baxter just edged out East Kew with a 1-0 away win on Saturday.

The decisive moment came in the 56th minute when big Jai Power slid in at the back post to get on the end of a Nicholas Brigo cross from the right.

Off the pitch comes news that Baxter president Bray Hodgkinson will step down later this year. Hodgkinson is in his seventh year at the helm and has been on Baxter’s executive for 11 years. He has overseen the greatest changes in the club’s history culminating in last week’s announcement of a $450,00 floodlighting grant jointly funded by the local council and state government.

In State 6 Mount Eliza dropped its first points of the season when going down 3-0 away to Casey Panthers on Friday night.

It was a shock result given that Mount Eliza had won all of its first four games while the Panthers had lost three and won one.

The home side’s goals all came in the second half.

Frankston Pines lost 2-0 at home to Old Ivanhoe on Saturday while Mentone lost 4-1 at home to Bunyip District.

Pines featured debutant Said Uygur who has signed from White Star Dandenong.

Luka Varga scored for Mentone.

In State 7 both Aspendale and Mount Martha lost.

Aspendale went down 2-1 away to Glen Waverley with Ryan Mravljak scoring for the locals while Jacob Howard scored for Mount Martha in its 2-1 home loss to Boronia.

NEXT WEEKEND’S GAMES

Friday 1 May, 8.30pm

Casey Comets v Peninsula Strikers, Comets Stadium

Saturday 2 May, 3pm

Langwarrin v Western Utd, Lawton Park

Mornington v Beaumaris, Civic Reserve

Skye Utd v Old Scotch, Skye Recreation Reserve

Baxter v Ashburton, Baxter Park

Greater Dandenong v Rosebud, WJ Turner Reserve

East Bentleigh v Somerville Eagles, Bailey Reserve

Monash Villareal v Seaford Utd, Caloola Reserve

Mount Eliza v Frankston Pines, Emil Madsen Reserve

Old Melburnians v Mentone, Robert Menzies Reserve

Aspendale v Endeavour Hills, Aspendale Gardens Sports Ground

Saturday 2 May, 3.15pm

Croydon Ranges v Mount Martha, Silcock Reserve

Saturday 2 May, 5.15pm

Ringwood City v Chelsea, Jubilee Park

Super sub: Brothers Hayden (left) and Blake Hicks. The latter came off the bench and scored a hat-trick in just eight minutes on Saturday.

Picture: Darryl Kennedy

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