The Local Paper. Southern Cross Weekly Edition. Wed., Sep. 2, 2026

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2026

Local News Better roads call ■ Bayside and Kingston Councils have united to call on the State Government to get its roads back on track, with potholes and deteriorating road surfaces creating safety risks, vehicle damage and frustration for thousands of road users. The Mayors of Kingston and Bayside, Cr Georgina Oxley and Cr Debbie Taylor-Haynes, launched the joint advocacy push from the Nepean Hwy and South Rd intersection, right on the border between the two municipalities. The councils are calling for urgent action to repair deteriorating state-owned roads across the region, warning that delaying maintenance will ultimately increase the cost to taxpayers.

NEXT CHAPTER FOR ROYAL PARK

$13m for Library ■ The City of Melbourne is turning the page on the beloved City Library – with a new home for the institution at the centre of a major renewal of the CBD’s civic precinct. Around $13 million over two years is expected to be invested in creating a new modern, accessible, purpose-built library facility – relocating City Library from its current home on Flinders Lane to City Village on Bourke St. The new library would span more than 1200 sqm across three floors of a redeveloped City Village – breathing new life into the historic former Commonwealth Bank building and future-proofing the library by providing room to grow. The redevelopment would also enable the upper levels of City Village to be used by the community over the coming years, including creating new meeting spaces.

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● Royal Park. Photo: City of Melbourne.

■ The City of Melbourne is embarking on a bold 20-year vision for Royal Park – reconnecting the park, expanding native habitat and creating more parkland for recreation, storytelling and wildlife. The Council endorsed the Murrup Biik – Royal Park Master Plan at the Future Melbourne Committee meeting, following three years of extensive community engagement and expert review. “The long-term vision for the City of Melbourne’s largest park is simple – more parkland, a healthier environment and better access for everyone,” said a Council represengtative. More than 40,000 people already visit Royal Park every day, with that number expected to reach 55,000 by 2046. The plan identifies opportunities to create more than 40,000 m² of additional parkland, helping accommodate this growth while bringing Royal Park closer than ever to its original footprint recorded

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in the 1840s. The plan will strengthen the park’s wildlife and biodiversity by expanding native habitat, creating better conditions for plants and animals to thrive, and improving ecological connections – which could see hundreds of native species return. A new lighting framework is also proposed to improve safety while protecting biodiversity and the night sky. The Council will seek ‘Urban Night Sky Place’ designation for Royal Park, which would make it the first location in Victoria to achieve the status. Other key proposals in the master plan include: ■ Exploring ways to help people and wildlife move more freely between areas of the park, including improved walking and cycling trails. ■ Making better use of existing sports fields to accommodate both organised sport and other activities.

GLEN EIRA SCAM ALERT ■ Glen Eira Council says that it is aware of a scam inviting people to be vendors for its Groove and Graze event. The scam involves someone pretending to be from Glen Eira City Council and asking vendors to transfer $150 or $300 as part of their application. The requests have come through emails and WhatsApp messages. The Council says it is not requesting applications for vendors for Groove and Graze. The Council encourages anyone who receives a payment request claiming to be from the Council to check that it is legitimate before responding or making any payment. When communicating with vendors and members of the community, Glen Eira City Council will: ■ Only use official Council email addresses ending in @gleneira.vic.gov.au Never use Gmail, Hotmail or other personal email accounts for official correspondence ■ Never ask for payment to a private bank account ■ Never request payment via PayID Those who receive a suspicious message claiming to be from the Council, are asked to notnot make any payment or provide personal information. Instead, contact Council directly to verify the communication. www.scamwatch.gov.au

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MARKETING FEATURE

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BASED IN NORTHERN VICTORIA

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Plan launch for Gardiners Creek

● Gardiner’s Creek

■ The Gardiners Creek (KooyongKoot) Regional Collaboration has launched its new Strategic Plan with more than 60 representatives from councils, water retailers, community, and collaboration partners. The alliance focuses on protecting and improving biodiversity, amenity, and the environmental values of Gardiners Creek. Since its inception one of the projects of focus was to create a broad-based strategic plan that sets the direction to support delivery of the GCRC long-term vision and objectives. The plan outlines a shared vision to protect and enhance the Gardiners Creek (KooyongKoot) catchment, which covers 112 square kilometres across Melbourne's eastern suburbs, through collaboration, habitat restoration, and community involvement. The launch event included several speakers, such as Whitehorse Mayor Cr Kirsten Langford, which highlighted the importance of the strategic plan in aligning efforts across municipalities and organisational boundaries, to deliver better outcomes for the entire catchment including improvements to water quality, biodiversity, and public amenity.

What’s On Sustainability focus ■ Kingston’s business community is set to come together to celebrate leadership, innovation and sustainable business excellence at the fourth annual Kingston Sustainable Business Awards Gala on Thursday, September 10. This year’s awards will celebrate 32 finalists who are leading positive change across Kingston through innovative ideas, strong leadership and sustainable business practices. Kingston Mayor Georgina Oxley said the awards were an opportunity to celebrate the businesses helping build a stronger and more sustainable local economy. “Kingston is home to so many wonderful businesses that are thinking differently, finding new ways to solve problems and making a positive difference in our community,” Cr Oxley said. “The Sustainable Business Awards are a chance to shine a light on that work and celebrate the people behind it. “Whether it’s reducing waste, finding smarter ways to operate, developing innovative products or creating a more inclusive workplace, these businesses are showing that sustainability and business success can go hand in hand. “With 32 finalists this year, there is a lot to celebrate and I’m looking forward to recognising the achievements of our local businesses and young changemakers. “I encourage businesses, industry professionals and members of our community to come along, celebrate our finalists and winners, and be inspired by the great ideas and leadership happening right here in Kingston.” Award-winning Nine Network journalist Neary Ty is set to host the awards, which will feature a keynote address from former Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman and former Minister for Small Business Bruce Billson. The Awards are supported by Community Bank Parkdale, Up Property and KS Environmental.

DEFICIENCIES FOUND IN RAIL LOOP PLAN ■ The City of Kingston says that is continuing to push for the best possible outcomes for the community as planning for the Suburban Rail Loop East precincts moves forward. The Council has welcomed the findings of the independent Standing Advisory Committee which considered the planning framework for the Cheltenham/Highett and Clayton precincts and raised several concerns that closely reflect issues for which the Council has been advocating. “The SAC found that the draft structure plans and planning scheme amendments required substantial further work before implementation,” a Kingston Council representative said. “The Committee also criticised the approach of deferring important planning decisions and background work until after the amendments were approved, finding that critical infrastructure, open space and implementation requirements should be resolved upfront rather than left to future planning processes. “Despite these findings, the Victorian Government has now proceeded to approve the planning scheme amendments. Kingston Mayor Cr Georgina Oxley said the findings reinforced the importance of getting the planning and infrastructure right as the area prepares for significant growth.

Proper planning

“We’ve been very clear from the start that we support the opportunities the Suburban Rail Loop can bring, but that growth must be properly planned for and supported,” Cr Oxley said. “It was encouraging to see the Standing Advisory Committee recognise many of the same concerns we have been raising, particularly around open space, community infrastructure, traffic modelling, sustainability and the need for greater certainty about how the precincts will actually be funded and delivered. “The committee was clear that important work shouldn’t simply be pushed into the future. We agree. “Unfortunately, the Government has now moved ahead with the planning scheme amendments despite those findings. “That makes it even more important that the issues identified by the independent committee are properly addressed as the precinct planning continues.” The State Government has announced that the Suburban Rail Loop Authority will be brought into the Victorian Infrastructure Delivery Authority next year. Cr Oxley said this change presents an important opportunity to make sure that planning for the Highett Level Crossing Removals and Suburban Rail Loop Project which are immediately adjacent to each other are fully integrated.

On the table

“Whatever the structure of the agencies responsible, Kingston needs to remain at the table. Accountability must exist to ensure the clearly documented concerns of the expert independent SAC, who heard submissions across 16 weeks of hearings, will be addressed.” “Despite strong advocacy from Kingston and support from the SAC for greater certainty around the location of community infrastructure and open space, sites have not been identified in the approved structure plan or designated within the planning scheme, leaving uncertainty around how land will be secured for these purposes. “In areas of significant growth in established Melbourne we have learnt the hard way that retrofitting critical infrastructure in after development is much more costly and very complex,” Cr Oxley said. “Currently, the planning scheme doesn’t require replacement open space to compensate for existing public land that has been rezoned for development in Cheltenham either.” Cr Oxley said Kingston Council would continue working constructively with the State Government and the agencies responsible for SRL planning and delivery, while making it clear that the existing and future community’s interests had to remain at the centre of the next stage of planning.

Council Rounds New CCTV cameras ■ Bayside Council has added multiple mobile CCTV cameras to its safety and security toolkit. They will be deployed across Bayside as needed to support community safety. “Mobile and fixed cameras are just one of a range of tools that we use to address anti-social behaviour, deter vandalism, dumped rubbish and damage, protect public facilities and help maintain safe and welcoming places for residents and visitors,” said a Council representative. “We are committed to transparent and responsible use of CCTV and digital surveillance technology.” Footage collected through surveillance is managed in accordance with applicable legislation. Access to this footage is restricted to authorised personnel and is only provided when there is a lawful and legitimate reason to do so. Bayside Mayor, Cr Debbie TaylorHaynes, said that the new mobile CCTV cameras were another way Council supports Victoria Police and other organisations to keep residents and businesses safe.

● Cr Georgina Oxley, Mayor

Extra Sandy trains ■ A new train timetable will make it easier for Bayside residents to travel direct to Southern Cross Station and add more services to the Sandringham line each week. Under the timetable changes, the Sandringham line joins up with the Werribee, Laverton and Williamstown lines, resulting in 155 new weekly services. Each weekday, trains will run every 10 minutes between Sandringham and Newport from 6.30am to 8.40pm. Weekend services will start earlier and run every 20 minutes from early morning to midnight. The changes also mean easy connections for Bayside residents to regional trains, SkyBus and attractions on the western side of the Bay through direct services to Southern Cross.

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NEWS • SHOWBIZ •LIFESTYLE • TRAVEL • FEATURES • BARGAINS • SPORT 57 years. Since 1969.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2026

Police Beat Preston collision ■ Police are investigating a collision in Preston on Sunday morning (Aug. 30). Emergency services were called to reports that two cars had collided at the intersection of Murray Rd and Albert St about 2.45am. The driver of one of the vehicles, a 38year-old Kensington man, was transported to hospital under police guard in a critical condition. The passenger of that vehicle, a 28year-old Coburg man, was transported to hospital under police guard with nonlife-threatening injuries. The driver and sole occupant of the other vehicle, a 41-year Preston woman, was transported to hospital with nonlife-threatening injuries. Exact circumstances surrounding the collision are yet to be established and the investigation is ongoing.

Numurkah crash ■ Police are investigating a fatal crash in Numurkah on Sunday morning. Emergency services were called to reports that a car had lost control and crashed into a tree on Sampsons Rd just after 2am. The driver and sole occupant of the vehicle, died at the scene. Investigation into the circumstances is ongoing.

HELLS ANGEL PROSPECT ROAD RAGE INCIDENT

■ Detectives from Taskforce Echo have charged a Hells Angels outlaw motorcycle gang prospect as part of an investigation into a road rage. With assistance from South Melbourne uniform members, a search warrant was executed at a residential address in East Bentleigh. A 38-year-old East Bentleigh man has since been charged with criminal damage and public display of prohibited insignia. The man was bailed to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Feb. 8. A Hells Angels prospect vest and a Hells Angels hooded jumper were seized from the address. The charges follow an incident where an 18-year-old woman was driving along Dandenong Rd in Murrumbeena around 11pm on Monday, August 17. Detectives will allege she was then cut off and forced to stop by the vehicle being driven by the East Bentleigh man. He exited his vehicle and allegedly verbally abused the woman, before punching the passenger side mirror on her vehicle, causing it to fall off.

● Photo by Victoria Police

Crime Watch Frankston hit-run ■ Somerville Highway Patrol officers have charged a teenager following an alleged hitrun collision in Frankston. A woman and her dog were struck on the footpath by an allegedly stolen grey sedan on Franciscan Avenue about 3.45pm on Tuesday, August 25. The 44-year-old woman was taken to hospital with serious injuries. Her dog sustained minor injuries during the incident. The driver allegedly continued a short distance, then crashed into a stationary vehicle and a residential fence further down the road, before attempting to flee on foot. The grey sedan was allegedly stolen from a Frankston address on August 25. The 17-year-old boy from the Mornington Peninsula area was arrested nearby and taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. He’s been interviewed by police and charged with 17 offences including: ■ reckless conduct endangering Life ■ reckless conduct endangering serious injury ■ drive in manner dangerous ■ careless driving ■ fail to stop vehicle after an accident ■ fail to render assistance after accident ■ possess controlled weapon (x4) ■ unlicensed driving ■ burglary ■ theft of motor vehicle

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Decision deferred

Roos: 1-in-6 cars are write-offs

Rod Basto, Horse Racing

■ Local drivers are prominent on the list of areas hit worst by car-kangaroo collisions. RACV Insurance claims data reveals Victorian motorists experienced a collision with a kangaroo nearly 20 times a day on average last year, with crashes becoming more frequent, costlier and more severe. RACV members lodged almost 31,000 kangaroo-related collision claims between January 2021 and June 2026, peaking in 2025 with 7,232. The average claim reached almost $9000 in 2025, up 48 per cent since 2021, while one in six kangaroo collision claims resulted in a write -off in 2025, compared with one in nine in 2021. RACV General Manager Insurance and Roadside Bill Bloodworth said the growth of Melbourne's outer suburbs, which has seen the transformation of bush and farmland for housing developments, has resulted in more motorists travelling through areas historically inhabited by kangaroos. "A lot of people assume this is only a rural-road issue. As our outer suburbs grow, more cars are sharing the road with more kangaroos, and the result is more collisions, more writtenoff vehicles and bigger repair bills for everyday Victorians," Mr Bloodworth said. “We tend to see higher claims volumes in the cooler months, when claims from April to August run more than 20 per cent

● Bill Bloodworth, RACV.

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higher than the rest of the year. "The risk is greatest at dawn and dusk, so motorists should slow down, stay alert and scan the roadside, particularly where kangaroos are most active." Top 10 suburbs for kangaroo collisions lodged by RACV members between January 2021 and June 2026 were: ■ Sunbury (281 claims) ■ Wallan (232) ■ Heathcote (230) ■ Benalla (226) ■ Gisborne (209) ■ Craigieburn (193) ■ Bendigo (181) ■ Doreen (165) ■ Woodend (158) ■ Castlemaine (155) The steepest increases between 2021 and 2025 were recorded on Melbourne's fringe, with claims in Wallan more than doubling, up 112 per cent, from 33 to 70, Kilmore rose 193 per cent, Mickleham 169 per cent and Gisborne 93 per cent. RACV's tips to avoid a kangaroo collision: ■ Know the peak times: kangaroos are most active at dawn, dusk and night. ■ Slow down: ease off in areas with wildlife signage or when visibility is poor. ■ Scan the roadside: watch both sides of the road and the tree line for movement. ■ Don't swerve: if a collision is unavoidable, brake firmly in a straight line, as swerving can cause a worse crash. ■ Use high beams: when it's safe and there's no oncoming traffic, they help you spot animals sooner.

Editor: Ash Long Features Editor: Peter Mac Columnists: Len Baker, Rod Basto, Matt Bissett-Johnson, Rob Foenander, Peter Kemp, Aaron Rourke, Cheryl Threadgold, Julie Houghton, Kevin Trask Honorary Reviewers: Juliet Charles, Sherryn Danaher, Linda Hartley, Lyn Hurst, Kathryn Keeble, Beth Klein, Graeme McCoubrie, David McLean, Maggie Morrison, Peter Murphy, Lucy Nicolson, Jill Page, Elizabeth Semmel Logistics: Tim Granvillani, Erica Koldinsky, Tyler Sandiford

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● Royal Melbourne Show. 1930. May & Miller, The Wimmera Scariefier Manufacurers, Benz Tractor and Cars, The SKF Ball-bearing Co. Ltd.

■ The City of Port Phillip has defefrred a final decision on the Coventry Children’s Centre ‘decating’ arrangements to its September 16 meeting. The Council said that it acknowledged community concerns. Further investigation is to be done about alternative sites.

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BUSINESS SUSPENDED FROM ENERGY PROGRAM ARIES (March 21 - April 20) Lucky Colour: Blue Lucky Day: Tuesday Racing Numbers: 6-1-7-3 Lotto Numbers: 6-15-17-24-33-35 Some very positive influences surround you during this period. Avoid pushing too hard to get your own way, as patience could lead to an even better opportunity. Be cautious when dealing with strangers, as first impressions may not reveal the full picture. TAURUS (April 21 - May 20) Lucky Colour: Beige Lucky Day: Wednesday Racing Numbers: 4-11-1-9 Lotto Numbers: 4-11-19-22-30-34 The opportunity of a lifetime may be just around the corner. Recognition for past efforts or a chance to regain lost ground is strongly indicated. Appreciate the support of loved ones and avoid taking their feelings or ambitions for granted. GEMINI (May 21 - June 21) Lucky Colour: Green Lucky Day: Wednesday Racing Numbers: 3-11-1-4 Lotto Numbers: 3-11-12-21-30-39 Do your best to avoid unnecessary tension within the home. Aside from minor domestic issues, this is a progressive and rewarding period. Your health should remain strong, and you are likely to feel positive and content with your achievements. CANCER (June 22 - July 22) Lucky Colour: Brown Lucky Day: Monday Racing Numbers: 5-11-1-3 Lotto Numbers: 5-11-13-14-23-32 A small financial windfall may come your way. However, it is wise to manage your money carefully over the coming weeks. Communication delays or misunderstandings could arise, so allow extra time for important arrangements and remain patient. LEO (July 23 - August 22) Lucky Colour: Blue Lucky Day: Friday Racing Numbers: 1-2-2-7 Lotto Numbers: 1-11-19-28-37-44 A change to your plans may initially seem disappointing, but it could ultimately work in your favour. Others may create temporary friction, and your ideas may not receive immediate support. Unexpected visitors, however, are likely to bring enjoyable moments and welcome distractions. VIRGO (August 23 - September 23) Lucky Colour: Yellow Lucky Day: Thursday Racing Numbers: 7-1-1-5 Lotto Numbers: 7-11-15-20-25-34 Financial luck is indicated during the coming weeks. Take extra care when making important decisions and consider every option before committing. Minor challenges in your love life should be temporary and will work themselves out with patience and understanding. LIBRA (September 24 - October 23) Lucky Colour: Pink Lucky Day: Monday Racing Numbers: 6-8-8-4 Lotto Numbers: 7-16-19-28-35-41 Many Librans will focus on bringing renewed excitement into their relationships. Creativity and affection can strengthen emotional bonds. Remember to appreciate yourself and maintain confidence, as genuine attraction comes from self-acceptance rather than perfection. SCORPIO (October 24 - November 22) Lucky Colour: Brown Lucky Day: Tuesday Racing Numbers: 7-9-6-8 Lotto Numbers: 5-15-16-32-37-43 An open and honest discussion with your partner could strengthen your relationship and clear away misunderstandings. Trust and communication will prove far more valuable than impulsive decisions. Also, take care not to overextend yourself physically and allow time for proper rest. SAGITTARIUS (November 23 - December 20) Lucky Colour: Blue Lucky Day: Thursday Racing Numbers: 3-9-1-11 Lotto Numbers: 3-13-14-27-32-37 This is a wonderful period for bringing renewed enthusiasm into your love life. Your natural ability to relax and maintain a positive outlook will help you avoid unnecessary stress. Balance work with recreation to enjoy the best this period has to offer. CAPRICORN (December 21 - January 19) Lucky Colour: Yellow Lucky Day: Tuesday Racing Numbers: 4-7-9-1 Lotto Numbers: 4-17-21-22-37-44 Your enthusiasm for life and relationships continues to grow, and you may be more willing to embrace new experiences. While this adventurous spirit is rewarding, remember not to neglect your health. Maintaining your energy through rest and sensible routines will benefit you greatly. AQUARIUS (January 20 - February 19) Lucky Colour: Green Lucky Day: Tuesday Racing Numbers: 6-2-8-5 Lotto Numbers: 5-14-23-32-40-41 Relationships are likely to become more passionate and engaging. Friends you have not seen for some time may reappear, bringing renewed energy and happiness into your life. Their company will be uplifting and inspire fresh perspectives. PISCES (February 20 - March 20) Lucky Colour: Orange Lucky Day: Friday

Racing Numbers: 5-1-3-8 Lotto Numbers: 9-19-22-34-37-43 This is a period of exploration and personal growth in your relationships. New romantic opportunities may broaden your outlook and bring excitement into your life. At the same time, maintain a healthy lifestyle by getting sufficient rest and looking after your overall wellbeing.

■ The Essential Services Commission has suspended the Victorian Energy Upgrades accreditation of Royal One Pty Ltd for allegedly submitting doctored photos and falsified customer details to fraudulently claim certificates for energy efficiency projects. The VEU program is an energy efficiency program that helps Victorians cut their energy bills by supporting households and businesses to use energy more efficiently. Accredited businesses undertake energy efficiency upgrades that entitle them to create Victorian energy efficiency certificates, which they can then sell. This is the fourth enforcement action resulting from the commission’s Fraud Taskforce – a unit focussed on stamping out fraudulent activity in the VEU program. The taskforce reviewed photos Royal One submitted as evidence of upgrades and found markers that some photos had been digitally alerted. The inconsistencies were confirmed using third party data matching. Phone audits of Royal One’s listed consumers provided further evidence of this attempted fraud. Royal One is no longer accredited under the VEU program, as its VEU accreditation expired shortly after the suspension. Royal One did not apply to renew its accreditation. The commission has the power to cancel accreditation and ban businesses from the VEU program. Had Royal One applied to renew its accreditation, the commission would have considered this conduct when assessing whether it was fit and proper, and competent and capable to participate in the program. Essential Services Commission Chairand Commissioner Gerard Brody said: “The Fraud Taskforce continues its important work stamping out fraudulent

75 Years Ago From Our Files ● 1951

● Gerard Brody, Essential Services Commission Chair and Commissioner activity to support VEU program integrity. “The taskforce uses data, tip-offs and other intelligence to identify areas of unusual activity and in this case, uncovered what we allege to be deliberate and fraudulent conduct from Royal One. “Immediately suspending Royal One directly affected their ability to generate income from the VEU program. The message is clear – deliberately breaking the rules puts your business at risk.”

● The Argus. Sept. 1, 1951.

Four up to these five By Dick Reynolds It’s a "fight-to-the-finish-for-the-four" at Footscray today. The outcome, as I see it, depends on . . . RON CLEGG: If he is carrying an injured thigh muscle the dice will be loaded against South. ARTHUR EDWARDS: New full forward and not such a gamble as it might appear . . . He's good. CHARLIE SUTTON: 'Scray's captain, whose ruck work will be vital. His shadow, BILL WILLIAMS, can do a lot of damage in a few minutes. ERWIN DORNAU: South's full back, solid, bustling. Young Edwards will need to lead out often.

Priest shot ■ Roman Catholic men today will guard their East St Kilda church against- another attack by the woman who yesterday shot a young priest. The guard of about 25 youths and young men wifl begin its watch at 6.40 a.m. - 20 minutes before the first Mass. Detectives think that the woman may be a member of on anti-Catholic sect which holds meetings on the Yarra Bank. They say that the woman is between 25 and 50, of slight build, wifh dark hair.

Where is John Smith? ■ What has happened to Mr. John Smith, 38-year-old Heidelberg company secretary, who vanished in Sydney nine days ago? His disappearance has presented the New South Wales police with one of the most baffling mysteries for years. Police inquiries, inquiries by executives of his company, information given by Mr. Smith's relatives and friends have yielded few clues. There is absolutely no motive for his disappear ance. Those who knew and admired John Smith as a diligent, gifted businessman of impeccable character and integrity told me one by one: "We are dumbfounded. “It is impossible to suggest a plausible reason." Mr. Smith was secretary of BeetleElliott Ltd., a firm of plastics manufacturers. Colonel P. K. Chanre. managing director of the firm, said: "The financial position of the company is beyond reproach - we made more than £ 60,000 profit this year.”

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What’s On State Theatre opens

Local Theatre Il Trovatore ■ According to Caruso, Verdi’s Il Trovatore requires four of the world's finest singers to play the lead roles. Congratulations to Melbourne Opera for securing top-tier local talent to fill those parts. This debut production at the Athenaeum Theatre is dedicated to Australia’s beloved international soprano, the late Joan Sutherland - the company’s founding patron—to mark the centenary of her birth. Internationally acclaimed Australian soprano Helena Dix makes her debut in the role of Leonora, while Matthew Barkley, another internationally recognised Australian artist, makes his debut as director. Green Room Award-winning tenor Rosario La Spina, portraying Manrico, brought the house down with his fiery, heroic rendition of Di Quella Pira. Baritone Christopher Hillier, celebrated for his commanding stage presence, displayed exceptional dramatic range as Count Di Luna. Completing the stellar quartet, bass Steve Gallop brings his widely recognised, powerful lower register to the role of Ferrando. Rising Australian dramatic soprano Amanda Windred shines as Inez, and accomplished mezzo-soprano Sarah Sweeting delivers a confident, assured performance in the demanding role of Azucena. The dark, brooding, minimalistic set, cleverly lit by Tom Vulcan, came to life during the rousing Romany scene. The exhilarating choreography in the fight scenes also deserves special mention. Led by chorus master and conductor Raymond Lawrence, the Melbourne Opera Chorus excelled in both Vedi! le fosche notturne spoglie (the Anvil Chorus) and the dramatic soldiers' chorus, Squilli, echeggi la tromba. The company's final operatic offering for 2026 will be the cheeky, comical Così fan tutte this September, also at the Athenaeum and in February 2027 Melbourne Opera will present Richard Wagner’s Parsifal with an all-Australian cast at the majestic Regent Theatre.

Review by Lucy Nicolson

MSO ■ American conductor Jonathon Heyward makes his debut on October 15 and 17 with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, bringing his acclaimed intensity and clarity to Shostakovich's epic Seventh Symphony. He's joined by classical saxophonist Steven Banks, who also debuts with the orchestra in the demanding solo role of Tomasi's Saxophone Concerto. In a setting where the saxophone is rarely heard, Stephen will step onto the MSO stage as one of the instrument's most compelling advocates. Written under siege, Shostakovich's Seventh Symphony carries the weight of a nation's survival. Yet it's remembered for its accessibility, sweeping cinematic tones, and its ultimate sense of faith and humanity. Shostakovich himself considered it a continuation of the hope he explored in his Fifth Symphony. It also stands as one of the last truly great works in the symphonic tradition. The performance is titled Hope and Bravery. Performance Dates: Thursday, Oct 15 at 7.30pm, Sat October 17 at 2pm. Venue: Arts Centre Melbourne, Hamer Hall Bookings: mso.com.au

Cheryl Threadgold

Five finalists ■ Five Victorian artists have made the finalist selection for the prestigious Sculpture event Sculptures in the Garden to show in Mudgee in October. ■ David Doyle from Hamlyn Heights will have four works on show. ■ Neil Findley from Orbost will have three works exhibiting. ■ Matt Hill from Blairgowrie will have one work showing ■ Andre Sardone from Mandurang will show four works for hist time at the exhibition ■ Claire Tennant from Kennington will have three works.

DANCE PALACE BY FINUCANE AND SMITH ■ Celebrating 30 years in entertainment, Finucane and Smith have made an art form of showcasing performers who defy convention, cross boundaries and exist gloriously outside the usual moulds. Dance Palace is no exception. It’s a wild, weird and wonderfully unhinged carnival of cabaret, burlesque, dance, music and performance art - a collision of the bizarre, the beautiful and, at times, the completely bonkers. At iconic Luna Park in St Kilda, the energy and music are pumping as you enter the recently opened Luna Palace. Performers in glitter and rhinestones, or nearly nothing, usher you to your seats. Moira’s grand entrance delivered the delightfully unhinged, erratic tirade audiences have come to expect from a Finucane and Smith production. She launched into a glorious, self-absorbed rant - ostensibly about promotional undies and how they funded their adventures over many years, tantalisingly peeling them off in layers. This is followed later by an equally intense and utterly fabulous adoration of krill. Dance Palace promises “to get your heart singing and your blood running hot” - it does not lie. Some of the usuals shine. Mama Alto’s extraordinarily high vibrato dazzles, alongside an ethereal reimagining of Joni Mitchell’s Both Sides, Now. Maude Davey, the ‘mistress of alternative theatre’, is a showstopper with her frenetic rendition of Jacques Brel’s Carousel, building to a gloriously manic crescendo. Others delight, while some feel out of place. Bellydancer Raksha Parsnani, soprano Piera Dennerstein, songstress Mandeera Kosgahakumbura and burlesque artist Maple Rose do their art forms proud. That said, sound was occasionally too loud, overwhelming and heavy on the echo and reverb. Yumi Umiumare was a standout. Hello Kitty handbag act aside - no idea what that was about - her second-act strip performance was mind-blowing. It had the disciplined stillness of a samurai before battle, slowly dissolving into the strange, sensual, otherworldly movement of Butoh. Dance Palace is not about polished, predictable performance. It’s about being surprised, provoked and occasionally bewildered. Love it or scratch your head, you certainly won’t be bored. Performance dates: Until September 12 Venue: Luna Palace, Luna Park, St Kilda Bookings: trybooking.com/events/landing/1582908

Review by Beth Klein

Two ■ Strathmore Theatrical Arts Group (STAG) delighted audiences when presenting English playwright Jim Cartwright's two-hander, the 40-year classic Two. Award-winning director Natasha Boyd extracted memorable performances from her talented cast duo - Chris Mentor (Landlord) and Angelique Pascoe (Landlady). Fourteen different characters were portrayed by the two actors, including twelve diverse patrons visiting the hotel. The play takes place over one night in the late 1980s in The Red Lion Hotel in the UK North Country. The atmospheric set depicting the bar was designed by Boyd and Paul Sims, and the meticulous attention to detail and era authenticity was most impressive. Cartwright’s characters appear in various self-contained scenes, offering insight into the lives and socialisation of working class people in Thatcher’s England. As Boyd points out in the program, the people and themes are still relatable today.

● Mama Alto in Finucane and Smith's Dance Palace. Photo: 3 Fates Media. The audience never knows who will arrive next, and whether their story will bring humour, sadness or drama. The naturalistic everyday banter and bickering between the Landlord and Landlady add further realism. It’s not until the arrival of a young boy seeking his father that we learn of an earlier tragedy in their lives. Mentor and Pascoe seamlessly transitioned into portraying their various characters, imbuing their physicality and voices, changing wardrobe with admirable speed and depicting a gamut of emotions. Both actors also broke the imaginary fourth wall to address and included the audience in their believable storytelling. The multiple wardrobe changes and quick entrances require a first class backstage team. Bravo to Stage Manager Karen Dowling and her crew, and also to Costume Designer Frances Orlando. Cartwright’s play Two may lack a core narrative, but replacing this are the entertaining vignettes, which provide a splendid showcase for the actors’ outstanding performances. Congratulations to STAG, Natasha Boyd, her cast and crew.

Review by Cheryl Threadgold

R.A.I.N ■ Award-winning choreographer Harrison Ritchie-Jones returns to Arts House with the premiere of R.A.I.N, a new contemporary dance work that takes a familiar mindfulness framework and lets fiction and shifting realities take over. The season is September 16-20. R.A.I.N takes its name from the meditation framework Recognise, Allow, Investigate and Nurture, a practice designed to help people move through difficult emotions and cultivate self compassion. Ritchie-Jones and long-time collaborator Michaela Tancheff use the framework as a provocation rather than instruction, a structure to push their movement partnering practice to its limit and see where it steers them once it starts to break. Performance Season: September 16 - 20 Times: Wed.– Fri., 7.30pm, Sat., 2pm and 7.30pm, Sun., 5pm. 50 mins, no interval Thurs. September 17 – Post-show artist talk; Sat. Sep. 19 at 2pm – Audio Description available on request Venue: Arts House, North Melbourne Town Hall, 521 Queensberry St, North Melbourne Tickets: Standard $40, Reduced $25, BLAKTIX $15, Companion Card Fre. A small transaction fee will be charged per order. Bookings: artshouse.com.au 9322 3720

■ To celebrate the reopening of the Ian Potter State Theatre, Arts Centre Melbourne has announced that Victorians are invited to Housewarming (October 9-12 ), a series of free performances putting the spotlight on some of the state’s best performing artists. Some 18,000 free tickets will be available to the fast-paced high-energy theatre experience, specially commissioned to reopen the Ian Potter State Theatre. Housewarming features dance, circus, music and theatre from leading performing arts companies and artists, directed by Melbourne theatre-maker Michael Kantor. In Housewarming , award-winning musical comedy star Jude Perl will take audiences on a journey in search of the mysterious Lyrebird missing from the theatre's iconic red curtain. Perl is joined by Principal Artist Brett Chynoweth (The Australian Ballet), singer-songwriters Emma Donovan and Eliza Hull, as well as dancer, roya the destroya, Circus Oz, Opera Australia (The Magic Flute), The Australian Ballet (choreography by Tim Harbour), Melbourne Theatre Company (My Brilliant Career) and Bell Shakespeare (Mackenzie). Also featured are The Australian Ballet School (Butterfly), Stephanie Lake Company (The Chronicles), a new commission by Robin Fox, Melbourne children’s choir The Yarra Voices, Cypher Culture x Jungle City, and musical theatre students from the Victorian College of the Arts. Family-friendly performances have been scheduled to mark the iconic theatre’s reopening, with The Listies taking the stage on Sunday October 11 as part of the Housewarming line-up, to ensure fun for all ages. On Monday October 12, shows for schools have been scheduled. All performances are free and with tickets expected to be in high demand, members of the public are encouraged to book online to secure a seat. Housewarming has been made free for Victorians through the generosity of donors to Arts Centre Melbourne. Entry to Encore, a new exhibition at AMPA celebrating 50 years of the Australian Performing Arts Collection will be free across the Housewarming weekend. Visitors can also enjoy free guided tours, DJ sets, and roaming performances from Born in a Taxi. A line-up of food trucks will roll into the Forecourt serving delicious authentic Italian woodfired pizza, flavourful Korean and Japanese street food, and premium Greek doughnuts all weekend. Also on offer will be a Connoisseur ice cream pop-up and treats from Arts Centre Melbourne's Protagonist Cafe and The Barre. In addition, over two nights – October 9 and 10 – visitors can experience a laser light show, Spire Alight, on the iconic Theatre's Building Spire. Using cutting-edge laser-light technology to trace every striking architectural detail – including its iconic ‘ballerina’ steel skirt – the Spire will be transformed from a static metallic tower into a breathtaking animated artwork, glowing to life in a spectacular laser-mapped light show. Arts Centre Melbourne’s Ian Potter State Theatre is reopening six months ahead of schedule following its first major refurbishment since opening in 1984. The theatre, which closed for upgrades in March 2024, will be the first completed milestone of the Victorian Government’s city-shaping Melbourne Arts Precinct Transformation project. The first performance at the upgraded theatre will be a premiere First Nations-led concert, Gugu Dindi Gunyah (Many Rivers, One Home) on Saturday October 3. Arts Centre Melbourne Chief Executive Officer Karen Quinlan said: “The reopening of our renewed Ian Potter State Theatre is a huge milestone for Arts Centre Melbourne and a great achievement for all who have worked to make it a reality. This refurbishment means there is a future for our beloved theatre to showcase world-class performances, and we are delighted to welcome our resident companies home.”

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Observations Joseph Nolan

● Joseph Nolan ■ Elite athletes undergo intensive daily practice routines to get match fit for big event, but did you know that the same approach applies to musicians preparing for a marathon? Internationally acclaimed BritishAustralian organist Joseph Nolan has been putting in four hours of practice each day for the past couple of months in preparation for his Grand Organ Festival at Melbourne Town Hall from September 3-5. Nolan will perform a marathon series of four concerts across three days, beginning with the Organ Gala concert on Thursday September 3 at 7.30 pm. Melbourne Symphony Orchestra will join Nolan in a concert featuring Bizet’s Carmen Suite no 1, Mendelssohn’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream Nocturne, and other delights, culminating with Saint-Saens’ Symphony no 3, Organ, known to most of us as the soundtrack to the film Babe. On Friday September 4 the MSO chorus and orchestra combine with Nolan to perform a choral program featuring Durufle’s Requiem, conducted by Warren Trevelyan-Jones and featuring soloists mezzo - soprano Sally-Anne Russell and baritone Simon Meadows. Then on Saturday September 6, Nolan hits the heavy part of his marathon, with the Organ Gala concert at 2pm and a separate organ recital at 6.30pm. Nolan boasts an impressive musical history, having been organist at the Chapel Royal at St James’ Palace in the UK. He has recorded on many of the world’s greatest organs in historic buildings, including Buckingham Palace. And he has received more than 100 five-star reviews for his performances, making him an organist who always delights his audiences. Hearing the spectacular four-storey Melbourne Town Hall organ brought to life by a master like Joseph Nolan is sure to be a concert worth attending. For tickets and more information, visit mso.com.au

Julie Houghton

Auditions ■ The Basin Theatre Group: The Railway Children (Adapted by Jason Triggs based on the novel by Edith Nesbit) September 5 at 10am at The Basin Theatre, Doongalla Rd., The Basin. Director: Jason Triggs. Audition bookings: trybooking.com/events/landing/1606759 ■ Mordialloc Theatre Company: Breaking Down All the Walls (Written and Directed by Nicholas Bufalo) September 5 afternoon, September 8 evening. Venue tba. Audition enquiries: email Breakingdownallthewalls@ gmail.com ■ Essendon Theatre Company: Drinking Habits 2 (by Tom Smith) September 12 at 10 am at the Bradshaw St. Community Theatre, 9 Bradshaw St., Essendon. Director: Bethany Simmons. Submit an audition form to arrange an audition time via the website or forms.gle/HZ56b3d2ot6VoKD68

Cheryl Threadgold

MELANCHOLIA TAP SHOW ■ Studio Stocks' contemporary tap dance production Melancholia returns to Chapel off Chapel for three performances from October 1-3. Following its warmly received premiere season, Melancholia returns with an ensemble of some of Australia's leading tap dance artists, alongside Jade Wood, former Senior Artist with The Australian Ballet. Created and choreographed by internationally recognised tap dancer and former Australian Ballet dancer Garry Stocks, the production challenges traditional perceptions of tap, combining contemporary movement, theatrical design and percussive rhythm in a work exploring grief, resilience and human connection. The production is accompanied by a powerful score featuring music by Max Richter, Hans Zimmer and Ólafur Arnalds, further enhancing its emotional and cinematic atmosphere. Jade Wood does not tap dance in the work, but instead performs through her classical and contemporary movement vocabulary while Garry simultaneously tap dances and partners and lifts her. The result is a unique contemporary pas de deux bringing together two very different dance languages. Although Garry's professional career began with The Australian Ballet, he has since established an international career as a tap dancer, choreographer and educator, and is now working to build a stronger professional future for contemporary tap dance in Australia through Studio Stocks. Performance Season: October 1 - 3 Venue: Chapel off Chapel, 12 Little Chapel St., Prahran Bookings: chapeloffchapel.com.au

Cheryl Threadgold

La Mama ■ Doppelgangster for La Mama's Hope Punk Climate Festival presents Cold War 2.0, from September 2-6 at 7.30pm at the La Mama Courthouse, 349 Drummond St, Carlton. Devised and Performed by Aquilla Sorensen and Tobias Manderson-Galvin, the cast reportedly will present 'a tasteless and odourless solution of anarcho punk, cheap illusions and mutually assured dialogue.' Performance Season: September 2 - 6 at 7.30pm, (Doors open at 7pm) Venue: La Mama Courthouse, 349 Drummond St, Carlton Bookings: lamama.com.au

Cheryl Threadgold

I’m Not Mad. I’m Maddie ■ Comedian Maddie Jai retraces the milestones nobody celebrates in her solo hour stand up comedy debut I'm Not Mad, I'm Maddie, on October 6, 7 at 8.45pm,October 12 and 13 at 6.15pm and October 18 at 5pm at Grouse Melbourne, 171 Smith St, Fitzroy. One autistic (not Mad) Maddie explores events such as surviving systems not built to suit, to hiding backstage at exclusive events behind six-foot drag queens. As the roadie for award-winning, international touring performers from Isis Avis Loren to Tash York, and Memphis Mae, Maddie possesses the 'unique and frustrating' ability to always end up talking to the most influential person in the room. Performance Season: Oct 6 (preview), Oct 7 at 8.45pm; Oct 12, 13 at 6.15pm, Oct 18 at 5pm Venue: Grouse Melbourne, 171 Smith St., Fitzroy. Bookings: melbournefringe.com.au

Cheryl Threadgold

Slugs ■ The Creepy Boys present Slugs at the Meat Market, North Melbourne from October 1-17. Part electro-punk concert, part play, part clown show, and part basement puppet nightmare, Slugs is described as 'a technicolour acid trip' Created by real-life partners S.E. Grummett and Sam Kruger, it features puppet Joni Mitchell, a two-person horse and just about every body part they have.

● Melancholia contemporary tap cast. Photo: Brodie James. At its heart, Slugs is two people trying to have a good time while the world burns. For 60 minutes, at least, we are free. Nominated for Best Show at the 2025 Edinburgh Comedy Awards, Slugs became an underground hit and earned universal praise. Bringing Slugs to Melbourne has particular significance for the pair, who spent a year living here during the first COVID19 lockdown, first in Brunswick and later in a “little apartment cube in the sky” in Moonee Ponds. The unusual introduction to the city transformed both their personal and creative lives. This time, thankfully, they get to experience Melbourne with an audience in the room. Slugs is a show designed to exist completely and unapologetically live. Together as Creepy Boys and through their respective solo works, Grummett and Kruger have toured Canada, the United States, United Kingdom, Europe and Australia, appearing at Edinburgh Fringe, Soho Theatre, Latitude Festival, SummerWorks, PuSh Festival, Prague Quadrennial, Midsumma Festival, Adelaide Fringe and Fringe World. Their work has also been featured on BBC Radio 4. Now, after performing in Edinburgh, Creepy Boys are coming home, creatively at least, to Melbourne. Produced by Skint and presented for the Melbourne Fringe Festival. Performance Details: October 1-17 Venue: The Stables, Meat Market, 3 Blackwood St, North Melbourne Bookings: melbournefringe.com.au

Cheryl Threadgold

Come From Away ■ CLOC Musical Theatre presents Come From Away at the National Theatre St Kilda from October 9-24. This show will reunite CLOC's original 2024 cast and creative team. Co-directed by Rob Robson and Tailem Tynan, with musical direction by Malcom Huddle, Come From Away is based on the remarkable true story of events in the days following September 11, 2001, when 7000 passengers from around the world were unexpectedly grounded in the small Newfoundland town of Gander. The community welcomed them with open arms, and this is a story of kindness, generosity, friendship and human connection. CLOC Musical Theatre’s President and current Come From Away cast member Ric Birkett says: “There is something incredibly special about bringing Come From Away back to the National Theatre and reuniting the original cast and creative team. "The 2024 production resonated so strongly with our audiences, and its message of kindness, generosity and community feels just as important today. We’re thrilled to have the opportunity to share this remarkable story with audiences again and to welcome both returning fans and those discovering it for the first time.” Performance Season: October 9-24 Venue: National Theatre, St Kilda Bookings: boxoffice.cloc.org.au

Cheryl Threadgold

● Off the back of sold-out seasons in London's West End and the United States, and a record-breaking tour across Australia and New Zealand in 2025, this September will see the return of BIG Live’s critically acclaimed Dracula: Ballet at its Darkest at Her Majesty’s Theatre.

Local Theatre Shows ■ Malvern Theatre Company: When the Rain Stops Falling (by Andrew Bovell) Until September 5 at Malvern Theatre, 29 Burke Road, Malvern East. Director: Peter Newling. Bookings: malvern theatre. com.au ■ Warrandyte Theatre Company: Boeing Boeing (by Marc Camoletti) Until September 12 at the Warrandyte Mechanics Institute, Yarra St., Warrandyte. Directors: Tegan DeClark and Taryn Johns, Bookings: trybooking.com/au/event/1606177 ■ Powderkeg Players: Closer (by Patrick Marber) September 4-19 at St Albans Senior Citizens Centre, 171 William St, St Albans. Director: Del Jordan. https://www.trybooking.com/DNOFM ■ Heidelberg Theatre Company: Crimes of the Heart (by Beth Henley) September 4-19 at 35 Turnham Ave., Rosanna. Director: James Antonas. Bookings: htc.org.au ■ Eltham Little Theatre: Dancing At Lughnasa (by Brian Friel) September 4 – 19 at the Eltham Performing Arts Centre, 1603 Main Rd., Research. Director: Sean McKenna. Bookings: eltham littletheatre.org.au/ ■ Phoenix Theatre Company: Alanis Morissetti’s Jagged Little Pill. September 4-12 at the Doncaster Playhouse.Bookings: phoenixtheatre company.org ■ Lilydale Athenaeum Theatre Company: Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (by Jeffrey Lane) September 10-26 at the Lilydale Mechanics’ Institute, Castella St., Lilydale. Director: Alan Burrows. Bookings: lilydaleatc.com ■ Essendon Theatre Company: Top Girls (Caryl Churchill) September 10- 19 at the Bradshaw Street Community Theatre, Bradshaw St., Essendon. Director: Darby Turnbull. Bookings: essendontheatrecompany.com.au ■ Williamstown Little Theatre: Holding the Man (by Tommy Murphy based on the novel by Timothy Conigrave), September 9-26 at 2 Albert St., Williamstown. Director: Bruce Akers. Bookings: tickets@wlt.org.au ■ NOVA Music Theatre: Hello, Dolly! September 11-20 at The Round, Nunawading. Bookings: theround.com. au/HelloDolly ■ Frankston Theatre Group: As You Like it (by William Shakespeare) September 25-October 4 at Frankston High School Performing Arts Theatre, 97 Foote St., Frankston. Director: Ruth Gilmour. Bookings: Trybooking. ■ The 1812 Theatre: Switzerland (by Joanna Murray-Smith) October 1-24 at 3 Rose St., Ferntree Gully. Director: Andrew Ferguson. Bookings: 1812theatre.com.au ■ Babirra Music Theatre: Disney’s Frozen – the Broadway Musical. October 1 – 11 at the Round Theatre, Nunawading. Director: Joel Batalha; Musical Director: Peter Verhagen; Choreographer: Kim Adam. Bookings: babirra.org.au ■ The Basin Theatre Group: You’re Only Young Twice (by Ron Aldridge) October 1-11 at The Basin Theatre, Doongalla Rd., The Basin. Director: Bob Bramble. Bookings: Email: tickets@ thebasintheatre.au ■ Encore Theatre: Steel Magnolias (by Robert Harling) October 9-18 at the Clayton Theatrette, Cooke St., Clayton. Director: Susan Rundle. Bookings: encoretheatre.com.au ■ CLOC Musical Theatre: Come From Away October 9-24 at the National Theatre, St Kilda. Co -Directors: Rob Robson and Tailem Tynan; Musical Director: Malcom Huddle. Bookings: cloc.org.au ■ Mordialloc Theatre Company: Cock (by Mike Bartlett) October 21 – 31 at the Shirley Burke Theatre, 64 Parkers Rd., Parkdale. Director: Travis Handcock. Bookings: mordialloctheatrecompany. com.au ■ Fab Nobs Theatre: Jesus Christ Superstar October 24-November 7 at 33 Industry Place, Bayswater. Enquiries: fabnobstheatre.com.au ■ Avid Theatre at 1812 Theatre: Closer (by Patrick Marber) October 28 – November 7 at 3 Rose St., Upper Ferntree Gully. Director: Michael Fenemore. Bookings:1812theatre.com.au

Cheryl Threadgold

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BREAK OF DAY

■ Revulsion and sympathy are counterpointed in this eloquently related tale of the universal human condition in Steve Rodger's play, Break of Day. Compromised by her adolescent pregnancy, single mother, Pamela (Kat Stewart), packs goods in a warehouse. An old school friend, Sanjeeva (Chum Ehelepola) is now her supervisor. The burdensome arrival of her geriatric and demanding father, Pop (Richard Piper) undermines any hope that Pam's daughter, Rae (Sherry-Lee Watson) will finish her school assignment on time. Additionally, Rae's boyfriend, Jedediah, (Theo Clarke) is preparing for his audition which will allow him to leave the work he has cleaning the factory. The work is visceral at times. The traumatic description of childbirth is negated by the love Pam has for Rae. Theo's clearing of a toilet blockage by hand is juxtaposed with his recitation of Caliban's soliloquy from The Tempest. The base of life is a primordial ooze. Rae's dissertation on Nabokov's 'Lolita' finds an immediate resonance in Pop's less than desirable past. Though roundly condemned, Pop becomes a figure of sympathy at the end of the play. Past choices and current reality clash. Watson and Clarke capture the exuberance and hopefulness of youth. Piper finds the complexity of Pop's character where insistence meets the guilt and shame. Ehelepola's scene uploading his character's vocal track is comedy gold but it is Stewart finding the simple frustration of her situation and projecting her hopes and dreams onto Rae where we see just how easily individuals are caught and compromised by unwise choices. Sarah Goodes direction and use of a revolving set (Anna Cordingley) facilitates an energetic momentum. The two tiered factory overlooking the simple, crowded household is telling. Paul Jackson's lighting allows alleys and spots to be purposefully utilised and the faint echo of a

● Kat Stewart (Pamela) and Sherry-Lee Watson (Rae) in Break of Day. Photo: Pia Johnson of a police siren in Jethro Woodward's sound scape hints at the consequences about to ensue at the end of the play. This work resonates on so many levels speaking of life's pathos and the constraints eroding the hopes and desires of many struggling to make ends meet. A must see. Until August 29 The Malthouse

Review by David McLean

Closer ■ Powderkeg Players present the Oliver award-winning drama Closer by Patrick Marber from September 4-19 at the St Albans Senior Citizens Centre. Directed by Del Jordan, Closer follows the lives of out-of-towner Alice, photographer Anna, obituary writer Dan and dermatologist Larry over several years as they meet, bond, separate and move on. The modern classic is described as "a provocative, witty and emo-

tionally devastating play that views love and sex like politics: it's not what you say that matters, still less what you mean, but what you do. “It is a brilliant exploration of the brutal anatomy of modern ro mance, and the painful truths we hide from those we love." Powderkeg Players is a St Albans community theatre company whose motto is “theatre that lights a fuse”. Del Jordan says: "This production will set the scene with bright projections that will immerse audiences in each setting. “To help set the mood, this production will also be infusing a memorable 90s trip-hop soundtrack, featuring artists such as Portishead and Massive Attack, alongside original jazz-inspired music made specifically for the show." Content warning: this production contains coarse language and mature themes, including scenes of a sexual nature. Performance Details: September 4-19 Times: Fri./Sat. evenings at 8pm, matinees Sun September 13, and Sat September 19 at 2pm. Q and A with cast September 11. Running time: Approx. 2 hrs, including a 20 minute interval Venue: St Albans Senior Citizens Centre, 171 William St, St Albans Tickets: $27 full price / $22 concession Bookings: powderkegplayers. com/shows/

Cheryl Threadgold

Vale Johnny Young

● Tully Jones (Anna), Wayne Gleeson (Larry), Jordyn Grubisic (Alice) and James Hammond (Dan) rehearse Closer.

■ Australian entertainment legend and Young Talent Time host Johnny Young died late last month, aged 79. Young’s family said the beloved television and music industry figure died following a short illness with pancreatic cancer. Young was host of Young Talent Time, which launched the careers of some of Australia’s best-known entertainers. He wrote hit songs including The Real Thing and Smiley. He was recognised with inductions into both the TV Week Logies Hall of Fame and the ARIA Hall of Fame. Young leaves behind his wife Marisha, sister Cornelia, daughters Anna and Fleur, son Craig (dec.), seven grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

Rourke’s Reviews Undertone ■ (M). 94 minutes. Now available on Blu-ray and DVD. This quite brilliant horror/ drama is a compelling examination of falling into a frail mental frame of mind, and how easily one can be consumed and engulfed in a particular ‘state’. Nina Kiri is terrific as Evy, who has moved back home to look after her dying mother (Michele Duquet). Evy makes a living as a podcaster, debunking ghost stories and other supernatural events, and is working from home while she cares for her mother. Her colleague Justin (Adam DiMarco), who we only hear over the phone, has come across an intriguing case, dealing with ten audio files of a husband recording his wife sleeping at night. With each file, the content seems to unsettle Evy in various ways, especially when she is told some surprising personal news. For me, Undertone looks at the looming shadow of motherhood, whether it be pre or post, and how women see themselves if they don’t feel immediately euphoric about having a child, or how they’re perceived about the way they have raised their child. Men’s reactions are also important, presented as disconnected voices but still remaining dominant. Writer/director Ian Tuason, making an impressive directorial debut, looks at all aspects, including familial, societal and religious, and creates a growingly tense, overpowering atmosphere. The use of sound, and the move from one sonic world to another (mentally brittle to reality), is superb, with Tuason beautifully mixing that sound with the house being largely consumed by darkness. Certain soundscapes re minded me of Maurice Pialat’s incredible The Mouth Agape (1974). Some have compared this to Paranormal Activity, but this is so much more intelligent and involving than that superficial mega-hit. RATING - ****½

The Drama ■ (MA). 105 minutes. Now available on Blu-ray and DVD. After the universally acclaimed Dream Scenario, which saw Nicolas Cage given one of his best roles in years, editor/writer/producer/director Kristoffer Borgli returns with The Drama, and while it doesn’t quite reach the same heights as his previous film, it still resonates, offering another darkly humorous examination of the flaws and failings of people and how they react to certain information and situations. The story centres on Emma and Charlie (Zendaya and Robert Pattinson), who will soon be married, and are currently organising the specifics of their wedding. Both are working on their speeches, and we see in flashback how the two met, which a mix of sweetness and creepiness. One night, while trying some wine for the wedding with friends, Mike (Mamou-

● Aaron Rourke dou Athie) and Rachel (Alana Haim), each is asked what is the worst thing they’ve ever done. What one person says will shake, fracture and potentially destroy everything. Like Borgli’s Dream Scenario, and his earlier dark comedy Sick Of Myself, The Drama looks how seemingly good relationships and logical sensibilities can easily implode, with all of us walking a fine line between happiness and despair, and what lengths we may go to in releasing those feelings when all hope seems lost. Borgli touches on topics and themes in a way that makes us react personally to them, using bleak comedy to allow them to make an impact. Working with cinematographer Arseni Khachaturan (Bones And All) and composer Daniel Pemberton (Eddington, Ferrari), Borgli creates a look and feel that is distinctly his own. The two leads are excellent. Zendaya displays a level of vulnerability and uncertainty that is completely convincing, bringing layers to the character of Emma. Pattinson continues to impress, making a rather unlikeable character ap proachable. The supporting cast are all fine. Personally, the film appeared to be heading toward a particular conclusion. When that doesn’t happen, and it takes a different route, it initially feels like a disappointment. While many may see this eventual conclusion as a cop out, it can also be seen as offering a satisfying, alternate ending, endorsing a point made during the film. The Drama seems to be receiving a more mixed re sponse like Borgli’s Sick Of Myself, but like that film, one has to get on the director’s darkly comedic wavelength. The subject is serious, but the examination is absurdist, showing how eternally strange human nature is. RATING - ****

Aaron Rourke

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Great Destinations. Interesting Things To Do. Fascinating People To Meet.

Places To Go www.Places2Go.com.au

Travel Briefs Just You ■ After launching its dedicated solo travel product down under last year, specialist solo tour operator Just You is offering savings on 2026 tours, including Christmas in India and a Sri Lankan sojourn. Deals include savings of $400 on Just You's 13- day Spirit of India at Christmas tour, departing December 18, 2026. Now priced from $6399, the trip includes 11 nights’ accommodation with breakfast and dinner daily, plus some lunches, a Just You Holiday Director, local transport and porterage, and a guaranteed room for each traveller with no single supplement. The festive adventure includes a tour of Old Delhi, a sunrise visit to the Taj Mahal, a boat trip on the Ganges, the pink city of Jaipur, and game drives in Ranthambore

TASTES OF AFRICA SERIES LAUNCHES

■ RACV has cemented its position as one of Victoria's leading accommodation providers, securing multiple wins at the 2026 Victorian Accommodation Awards for Excellence across its properties and earning Hall of Fame recognition for RACV Torquay Resort.

Out bush ■ A bunkshojuse used in the 1960s and ‘70s as temporary accommodation for workers who built Copeton Dam has been refurbished for family and group bookings, and six new ‘pod cabins’ with stunning views over the dam have also been installed by Reflections. About 40kms south of Inverell on Kamilaroi Country in the New England region of New South Wales, Reflections Copeton Waters sits on the foreshore of the dam, a major sport and recreation hub for water sport enthusiasts and anglers chasing giant Murray Cod.

Border watch ■ In the latest development in regional tourism, award-winning Australian comedian and Albury-raised Geraldine Hickey has swapped the stage for a rather unexpected new role: tourism ambassador and tour operator for her hometown. As part of Albury Wodonga’s new summer tourism campaign, Geraldine takes two unsuspecting visitors on a very local tour – from paddling on the Murray and exploring the Yindyamarra Sculpture Walk, to Wonga Wetlands, Albury’s skate park and a riverside finish at Gateway Island. Geraldine’s Hometown Tours video is available on Youtube.

Travel Briefs Multiple wins

● From left: Kauthar Abdula, Santilla Chingaipe, Rendah Haj. Photo: Nicole Cleary

■ Tastes of Africa , a 3 x 15minute series hosted by Santilla Chingaipe takes viewers to home kitchens and hidden eateries across Melbourne’s African-Australian community, launched on YouTube this week. The series will be available to global audiences on YouTube via distribution partner African Australian. The series follows Santilla Chingaipe’s vibrant, cross-cultural journey through Melbourne’s African food scene, where every bite is served with a story.

Guided by the wisdom of aunties who’ve carried recipes across oceans, and joined by younger African-Australian friends and chefs who are adapting traditions in bold and unexpected ways, Santilla dives into home kitchens and hidden eateries. Together, they explore the flavours of the continent; from Ghana’s waakye to umxhanxa from Zimbabwe. But this isn’t just about food, it’s about what food carries; the journeys of migration, the joy of survival, and memories - lots

and lots of memories! Through shared meals, intimate conversations, and plenty of laughter, Santilla uncovers how African food in Australia is not only thriving, but evolving; shaping new identities, new communities, and new ways of belonging. In the finale, Santilla returns to her own kitchen to host a celebratory feast featuring some of the dishes and memories gathered along the way. Blacksand Pictures was a recipient of Screen Australia’s Business Enterprise initiative in 2023.

Solo girls ■ Victorian women have revealed themselves to be the nation’s most keen to travel by themselves, with 22 per cent feeling that they are the only travel companion they require. Despite this, many are still keen to make friends along the way (88 per cent) but value the freedom and independence a solo trip can provide (52 per cent). The data is part of a nationally representative, first-of-its kind whitepaper, Reflections Holidays: Wander Woman Report, utilising independent research to provide insight.

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Places To Go

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Places To Go

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Places To Go

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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2026

Bush Telegraph ‘Pause gas peipeline’ ■ Plans to drill a gas pipeline underneath the internationally significant wetlands on Port Phillip Bay should be halted in light of the impact H5N1 bird flu is having on birds that rely on the habitat, conservationists say. The Australian Conservation Foundation is calling on Victorian Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny to intervene and stop multinational chemical and gas infrastructure company Vopak from proceeding with its drilling plans. “The Port Phillip Bay wetlands are a crucial feeding ground for dozens of species of migratory shorebirds and seabirds, including species that are being hit hard by bird flu,” said ACF Geelong group representative Lauren Dillon. “Victoria’s little penguins, which are already being killed by bird flu, forage across the central part of the bay where Vopak plans to construct its gas processing hub. “These wetlands are the most important winter habitat for the critically endangered orange-bellied parrot, which migrates every year between Tasmania and Victoria’s coast.” Many of the species that inhabit the wetland are considered to be at high risk from H5N1. “A bird sanctuary should not be put under extra stress during the bird flu outbreak,” Ms Dillon said.

BIRD FLU DOESN’T STOP AT THE BORDER ■ Hundreds of dead birds are piling up at Nelson in south-western Victoria while just three kilometres away South Australian crews are actively collecting carcasses, exposing serious questions about Victoria’s response to the growing H5 bird flu threat, says Emma Kealy, Shadow Minister for Agriculture. Nelson residents have reported hundreds of dead birds accumulating around the Glenelg River Estuary, part of the internationally significant Glenelg Estuary and Discovery Bay Ramsar site. Local ecologists estimate at least 400 carcasses have accumulated around the river mouth, while South Australian authorities across the border have dedicated crews collecting and disposing of dead birds and humanely euthanising sick birds where appropriate. The Victorian Government has acknowledged that carcass removal will not occur everywhere and says it is prioritising areas of high visitation and public amenity. Ms Kealy said the stark difference between the responses on either side of the border demanded an explanation. “Birds and bird flu don’t stop at the South Australian border, but unfortunately state government competency does” Ms Kealy said.

● Emma Kealy, Shadow Minister

Whiparound Rural Aid helps ■ Thanks to the generosity of Rural Aid supporters, hundreds of farming families have continued receiving practical and emotional support as they rebuild. Rural Aid support between January 1 to June 30 has included: ■ Financial support to more than 300 families. ■ More than 4000 hay bales to help farmers feed livestock. ■ 114 water tanks to improve water resilience. ■ Nearly 10 million litres of drinking water for 437 farming families. Rural Aid CEO John Warlters said the support delivered in the months following disaster was critical, as farmers worked through the long process of recovery. “Natural disasters can change a farming family’s life in a matter of hours, but recovery takes much longer,” Mr Warlters said. “Once the initial response is over, farmers are often left repairing fences, replacing damaged infrastructure, caring for livestock and working to get their businesses back on track. “The reality is that many farmers can feel isolated when they are facing these challenges. Rural Aid is there to remind them they are not alone, providing practical assistance, wellbeing support and a connection to people who understand what they are going through.”

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Victorian Rural News

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Victorian Rural News

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IS SUPER SYSTEM FAILING THE VULNERABLE?

■ Australia's superannuation system is at risk of disadvantaging vulnerable members, creating a gap between the legislated promise of dignity and the lived reality of retirement Australia's superannuation system holds more than $4.3 trillion in retirement savings, making it one of the world's largest pension systems. As millions of baby boomers transition into retirement, the industry faces its greatest test: supporting potentially vulnerable members through the most complex financial decisions of their lives. Yet cracks are appearing in the superannuation system's design and implementation, with regulators such as ASIC highlighting shortfalls in what is expected of superannuation funds and communication with members who may be more vulnerable. These include victims of elder abuse or those suffering from cognitive decline,

through to culturally diverse members or those who may be living in Indigenous or remote communities, according to UNSW Sydney experts who have studied structural gaps in the nation's retirement framework. Redefining vulnerability in Australia’s retirement system The traditional understanding of vulnerability in superannuation is far too narrow, and retirement circumstances vary dramatically from individual to individual, said Katja Hanewald, Associate Professor in the School of Risk and Actuarial Studies

at UNSW Business School. “People differ widely in wealth, health, and family situations and must navigate complex decisions as they enter and move through retirement,” explained A/Prof. Hanewald, who said that this complexity extends beyond simple demographics. Retirees, for example, need to coordinate superannuation with the Age Pension, aged care, or family transfers, while she noted that unexpected health shocks or cognitive decline can make these decisions exponentially harder. Scott Donald, Associate Professor in the

School of Private & Commercial Law at UNSW Law & Justice, also highlighted the vulnerability of superannuation fund members experiencing declining cognitive ability or practical autonomy. Some lacked the ability to use the internet or access online banking services, which he said creates barriers to managing their retirement savings. A/Prof. Donald identified other vulnerable groups that the system routinely overlooks. Significant categories included those working in the cash economy or casualised roles, or those living in Indigenous or remote communities. “These are people for whom the superannuation system does not work,” said A/ Prof. Donald, who previously worked in the funds management industry advising governments, superannuation funds, insurance companies and fund managers on investment strategy, governance and regulation.

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Home Sweet Home Check winter bills ■ The biggest power bill of the year could be about to hit your inbox Winter energy bills are arriving, and for many Australian households they will be among the largest bills they receive all year. Months of heating and longer periods spent indoors can make bills covering the coldest part of the year significantly more expensive. For many households, the usual response is simply to grimace and pay. Energy Rebate Check, a free service that checks which government energy rebates apply at any Australian postcode, says a large winter bill can also be the most useful bill to compare because it shows what a household consumes during its most expensive season. The service includes a free comparison tool built for exactly that job. The free service allows households to photograph an electricity bill and have artificial intelligence read the usage and rate information before checking it against more than 8000 energy plans from over 70 retailers. "The worst time to discover you are on the wrong plan is immediately after paying the biggest bill of the year on it," Energy Rebate Check founder Josh Liptak said. "Your winter bill is a free health check. It shows your real usage when demand is at its highest. Two minutes and a photograph of the bill can show whether your energy plan is contributing to the problem."

Bucking the trend ■ "Australia's residential building industry is bucking the national training trend after new figures reveal construction trade qualifications continue to grow despite an overall decline in VET enrolments," HIA Executive Director Future Workforce Mike Hermon said today. “New National Centre for Vocational Education Research data shows overall qualification enrolments fell by more than five per cent in 2025,” said Mr Hermon. “However, Architecture and Building was the only major field of education to record growth, with almost 14,000 additional enrolments, while Construction, Plumbing and Services and Electrotechnology qualifications also posted strong gains.”

‘Australia will build more homes despite policy changes, not because of them’ ■ “Despite recent changes to housing taxation and investment settings, HIA expects the number of homes commencing construction to continue to rise in both 2027 and 2028, albeit, slower than would have occurred,” said HIA Chief Economist, Tim Reardon. HIA released its Economic and Industry Outlook report. The report includes updated forecasts for new home building and renovations activity nationally and for each of the eight jurisdictions. “As outlined in the Federal Budget, increased taxes on established housing will reduce the supply of new homes, while the subsequent prohibition on SMSFs borrowing to invest in residential property will remove another source of new home finance. “These policies have interrupted an expansion in home building that was already underway. “They will not necessarily cause commencements to fall across Australia. “The effect is that Australia will build fewer homes than it otherwise would have. We anticipate that over the Housing Accord period Australia will fall 186,000 homes short of the 1.2 million homes target. “Population continues to grow, households continue to form at a rate faster than supply of new homes and Australia already has a significant shortage of homes. “HIA expects these structural forces to increasingly dominate the housing cycle and result in a return to positive home price grow from early 2027. “The increase in commencements should not, however, be interpreted as evidence that Australia's housing shortage is being resolved. “Rather, it is the shortage itself that will eventually generate the market conditions required to support more construction. “There is a fundamental difference between reducing the price of an established home and reducing the cost of delivering a new one.”

Home Affairs Rewiring Australia ■ Expanding the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme will turn more factories, schools and farm sheds into local power stations, says Rewiring Australia. This will cut nergy bills for local businesses and keeping more of the benefits of cheap solar within communities. “The Federal Government is extending the scheme from solar systems of up to 100 kilowatts to one megawatt, reducing the upfront cost of larger commercial installations by around 20 per cent,” said Rewiring Australia CEO Francis Vierboom. He said the reform allows communities to generate and use far more affordable electricity locally. “Every community has enormous roofs sitting above warehouses and shopping centres that could be producing cheap electricity,” Mr Vierboom said. “That power can be used locally to run machinery and refrigeration, electric vehicle chargers or other equipment and help slash costs for businesses and prop up local economies. “The Illawarra offers an early example of what this could look like, with work underway to establish an urban renewable energy zone linking local rooftop generation with nearby businesses and communities. “Now the scheme is expanding, communities across Australia will be able to generate more affordable energy close to where it is needed and reduce their reliance on distant generation and costly new infrastructure. “With families and businesses under pressure from high power bills, it’s great to see the Federal Government back reform that helps bring energy costs down and keeps more money and opportunity local,” Mr Vierboom said.

Faster land supply

● Tim Reardon

■ “The median price of residential land eased by just 0.4 per cent in the March quarter to $403,570, but remains 8.7 per cent higher than a year earlier, growing more than twice as fast as consumer prices and almost three times faster than wages,” stated HIA Senior Economist Tom Devitt. The HIA-Cotality Residential Land Report provides updated information on sales activity in 52 housing markets across Australia.

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Homemaker

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Homemaker

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■ The popular television soap opera Days of Our Lives began in the USA in 1965 and premiered in Australia in 1974 on the Nine Network. It was a smash hit and built up a legion of fans. Days of Our Lives has been popular on Australian television for the past 52 years. Susan Seaforth Hayes and Bill Hayes became a ‘superstar couple’ with their characters Julie and Doug Williams. Susan Seaforth Hayes was born in California and came from a theatrical family. Susan joined the cast of Days of Our Lives in 1968. She has also played roles in The Young and the Restless, The Bold and the Beautiful and Sunset Beach. Over the years Susan has been a guest star in television shows such as The Fugitive, Bonanza, Matlock and Perry Mason. Bill Hayes was born in 1925 in Illinois and by the time he was 20 Bill was singing on the classic American television series Your Show of Shows hosted by Syd Caesar. In 1955 he had a hit song with The Ballad of Davy Crockett which sold over three million copies. Bill sang in Broadway shows and guest starred in many television series before landing the role of Doug Williams in 1970. He married Susan Seaforth in 1974 and they published a book titled, Like Sands Through The Hourglass which became a best seller. They have enjoyed working on the show and loved getting their scripts to find out

Whatever Happened to ... Susan Seaforth Hayes & Bill Hayes

By Kevin Trask of 3AW and 96.5 Inner FM

what would happen to their characters in future episodes. In 1977 Susan and Bill were in Melbourne for the Logie Awards. During their time in Australia they performed their floorshow in various states. Whilst in Adelaide, television and radio personality Anne Wills announced on ABC Radio that Susan and Bill would be at the airport and 4000 fans turned up to say ‘Hello’. Since that event, Susan and Bill became very good friends with Anne, who had won 19 Logie Awards in South Australia. The famous Hollywood couple have appeared onstage - Susan has played Fanny Brice in Funny Girl and Bill has played Billy Flynn in Chicago. Their book, Like Sands Through The Hourglass, is

● Susan Seaforth Hayes and Bill Hayes available on the internet. Sadly, Bill Hayes The Time Tunnel - Remember When passed away in 2024. Susan Seaforth Hayes Sundays at 10.10pm with Simon still appears on Days Of Our Lives and over Owens and Andrew McLaren. the years has received many awards for her And on 96.5 FM work on the show. That's Entertainment - Sundays Kevin Trask at 12 Noon. Kevin can be heard on 3AW www.innerfm.org.au

THE SCROLLS - 3000 DAYS - AT BURRINJA GALLERY Entertainment Extra The Deplorables ■ Writer/director Christine Davey’s The Deplorables tells the story of Australia’s first women’s cricket match. In 1874, a young teacher, Barbara Rae (an excellent Marie-Claire Tchernomoroff), places an advertisement in the local Bendigo newspaper with a request for “Ladies who are desirous of playing cricket” to meet. A women’s cricket match for charity is planned for the annual Easter show. What could be more civilised? After all, cricket is “a game that breaks for cups of tea.” A running gag throughout, “What if their wombs explode!” reflects the prevailing attitude that women were too delicate for exertion and highlights the pseudo-scientific myths persisting about female anatomy. Based on Louise Zedda-Sampson’s Bowl the Maidens Over, Davey draws on archives and media from the time, incorporating fascinating ephemera and colourfully creating not only interest in the women’s games but also what these women were up against. For example, a news report recorded that over 2000 spectators turned up to watch the match and further opined that at least some of the women players were “almost pretty”. Following the game, a media frenzy erupted. Charming, witty, and fascinating, the enthusiastic and talented cast brings this incredible story to life. Interspersed with lively music and movement by Tess Parker are lovely vignettes, such as an emerging friendship between cricketers Miss E Gerber (Danae Reid) and Miss Katie Petrie (Madeleine Potter) that may be the beginning of something deeper. A very moving epilogue underscores how little is known of these early pioneers. Many are known only by their last names as recorded in news reports. Danae Reid’s Miss E Gerber, in another running gag, speculates throughout on her first name, wondering what it might be. At 70 minutes, the production is over too soon. Presented at Theatre Works.

Review by Kathryn Keeble

Men At Work Revisited ■ Colin Hay will be bringing his world class band from LA in October to venues across Australia, offering a night as they revisit the quintessential songs of his seminal 80s outfit Men At Work. It has been 45 years since the conception of one of the world’s most celebrated Australian albums. With tracks like Down Under, Who Can It Be Now and Be Good Johnny still in high rotation on airwaves across the globe, there is no denying that Men At Work’s debut studio album Business As Usual has stood the test of time. “What has clearly stood the test of time, are the songs. Forty-five years on, I still hear them in the street, on the radio, in supermarkets, they are still going strong,” said Colin Hay. Having spent 15 weeks at No. 1 on the US Billboard 200 and five weeks at No. 1 in the UK albums chart, Business As Usual defined an era where Australian rock music emerged from the beer-soaked stages of local haunts and started to make its mark on an industry saturated by sequins and synth. Since then, frontman Colin Hay has had a prolific career touring as both a solo artist and a long-term member of Ringo Starr and His AllStarr Band. In more recent years he has collected a stellar group of LAbased musicians to tour under the moniker of Men At Work, giving punters abroad the experience of that eclectic and iconic sound imprinted on the fabric of Australia’s identity. Tess Fox Wed. Nov. 4 - Palais Theatre, Melbourne.

The Scrolls – 3000 Days … and counting – Sharon Field What does it mean to pay attention to the natural world every single day? In response to a 2021 United Nations report warning that global temperatures must remain below 1.4 C increase by 2030, botanical artist Sharon Field embarked on an extraordinary act of observation and hope. Beginning on Earth hour, March 2 2022, Sharon committed to creating one botanical drawing for the 3,000 days leading to 2-3-. Focusing on plants and intricate they share with their surrounding ecosystems The Scrolls – 3000 Days and Counting is both a personal ritual and a powerful reflection on our changing environment. Each drawing captures a fleeting moment in nature, together forming a growing visual record of connection, resilience and care. Exhibition: September 3-6 and October 23 – 25. Burrinja Art Gallery 351 Glenfern Rd., Upwey

Kew Tesserae (Mosaics) in Contemporary Art. Join us for this fascinating talk by artist curator Cetta Pilati on the use of mosaics in contemporary art. Learn how to figurative and abstract artworks are treated created ising tiny squareshaped tiles (tesserae) of glass, stone and ceramic. Using examples of her own and other’s work Pilati will take us through the process of how these intricate works of art are designed and mane. Exhibition: Saturday November 15 at 3pm. Altered States – Daniel Crooks with paintings, Videos, Photographs and Sculptures from the Lyon Collection. The Gallery are pleased to present the current exhibition in the galleries featuring works by some of Australia’s leading contemporary artists.| Exhibition: closes Sunday May 30 2027. ■ The House Museum and Galleries will be closed from Thursday October 8 - Sunday October 11 (inclusive) for a private event. Lyon Museum and Galleries 217-219 Cotham Rd, Kew

Caulfield Creative Currents Explores the depths of the creative mind the way ideas make shape – through quiet reflection, bold expression and everything in between. Bringing together traditional contemporary approaches, the exhibition Highlights the skill, care and individuality of each artist. Exhibition closes Sunday September 6. Patient as dust: Restless as tide Explore the relationship between natural and man-made materials mixed media and sculpture exhibition. Addressing themes of suitability, feminism, and our relationship with the environment, the viewer is invited to reflect on what is observed, cel-

The Arts With Peter Kemp

ebrated and what is wasted. The exhibition challenges traditional exhibitions notions of the female artist, reclaiming practices such as collecting and preserving as important acts of cultural, ecological and feminist expression. Exhibition closes Sunday September 6. Glen Eira Art Gallery Cnr Hawthorn & Glen Eira Rds, Caulfield

Peter Kemp

Ben Folds and MSO ■ The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra will reunite with iconic American singersongwriter, composer and pianist Ben Folds for two performances as part of a national orchestral tour. Folds will reimagine his beloved songbook with the MSO and Principal Guest Conductor Benjamin Northey, performing with the Orchestra for the first time in six years, at Hamer Hall on Friday-Saturday, January 2930. The concerts build on the MSO’s extensive history with Folds where the orchestra and the Emmy nominated artist have collaborated several times over the last two decades. Folds is looking forward to returning to Australia and performing with the country’s leading symphony orchestras, including the MSO, as part of a national tour which will also see him perform with the Canberra, Sydney, Adelaide and Tasmanian Symphony Orchestras. "Sharing the stage with an orchestra as my band is an honour I don't take lightly. I consider them among the finest musicians in the world and together we offer audiences a musical experience like no other”, Folds said. "As a student of the orchestra, I sincerely believe they are a shining example of what we can accomplish in society when we all work in concert and harmony for a greater good." Ben Folds is an Emmy-nominated singersongwriter who has created an enormous body of genre-bending music that includes pop albums with Ben Folds Five, multiple solo albums, a holiday album, and numerous collaborative records.

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The Nightline, at Malthouse Bagging Room Red Hill 2027 ■ The Red Hill Country Music Festival is returning on February 7 to Red Hill on the Mornington Peninsula after more than a decade away. To be run in conjunction with the Pig and Whistle Tavern, the artist line up is being finalised with announcements to be made soon about this and other events that will be part of the day.

Everything ■ Mum of four, Tammy London, has dropped her new single. Titled Everything, Tammy says: “It’s a song about lasting the distance and doing life with your special person. There are so many songs out there about when you first fall in love but not too many about longterm relationships. I wanted to honour that.”

Doors unlocked ■ Returning to St Kilda’s Memo Music Hall, Unlocking The Doors are touring Australia throughout January to celebrate the 60th anniversary of The Doors’ iconic debut album. They’ll perform the record in its entirety alongside a set of classic Doors favourites. January 16. Tickets at trybooking.com

Rob Foenander

● If you enjoyed The Gruffalo, don’t miss its much-loved sequel. Following sell-out seasons around Australia and the world, The Gruffalo’s Child is coming to St Kilda for the school holidays, September 19–21.

■ Never having rung in to a nightline, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. From the first steps via an exterior four level set of stairs, after cold, firm instructions from a sort of strict principal “concierge”, door entry permitted full viewing of a space with 40 separate round tables. Each had its own tightly focussed light, self dial telephone and self select eight point channel input. Sparse instructions, like no talk permitted, were all in mime. Approximately 40 minutes of solitude with only your selection of incoming conversations. This was a powerful experience, wherein apart from the anonymous, at times almost night ramblings of whomever I dialled in to, there was nothing. Those streams of at times almost semi consciousness purveyed sadness, self deprecation, boredom, amusement, emptiness, longing ... Nothing to focus on but the voice at the other end of a phone line stimulated my own images of the callers – sad reflectives, sardonically amused, aged and overwhelmed, plagued with insomnia, broken biological sleep patterned shift workers, exhausted mums. The bleakest sentence of all was “It’s me again ...” I was listening to the voice of someone who was so in need of a human voice that they obviously rang in many, many times – the nightline was their society ...

This was a powerful experience, wherein apart from the anonymous, at times almost night ramblings of whomever I dialled in to, there was nothing. - Maggie Morrison “It’s good to talk” was a repeated sentence. “Why am I awake?” another. Despite my outside thoughts of sadness within callers, there was mostly a suggestion of a sort of acceptance and calmness about their being able to share thoughts with someone. A paradoxical caller was a solo flautist – lovely music being played but perhaps the only listeners for the sounds were via the Nightline. Occasionally alien light flashes and stormy weather sounds burst intrusively into “our” precious time – an outside world was there, but not for these callers in the night. Created by celebrated documentary maker Roslyn Oades and award winning sound artist Bob Scott with collaborators, this is unusual, compelling, immersive theatre which will open your mind to a different concept of human “sustainability”. Until August 29, Bagging Room, Malthouse Tickets from $38 Malthouse box office

● Photo: Simon Fazio

Review by Maggie Morrison

● The first all-day Good Friday telethon was aired in 1957.

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Esperance, Bremer Bay at Wildflower Time Stirling Ranges, Southern Wildflowers Tasmania, the Apple Isle WA’s Coral Coast, Perth to Broome Kimberley Dreaming Broome to Kununurra Savannah Way Kununurra to Cairns Legendary Outback Tours Flinders Ranges/Lake Eyre/Coober Pedy

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11 Oct to 15 Oct 25 Oct to 28 Oct 15 Mar to 26 Mar 18 Apr to 29 Apr

5 days from $1,750 4 days from $1,490 12 days from $5,350 12 days from $5,600

9 May to 17 May 23 May to 5 June 8 June to 19 June 17 July to 25 July

9 days from $5,450 14 days from $6,100 12 days from $6,550 9 days from $4,980

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Whittlesea District-Kinglake Whittlesea, Kinglake, Doreen, Donnybrook, Humevale, Kinglake, Kinglake West, Mernda, Pheasant Creek, South Morang, Wollert and Yan Yean.

Safer roads ■ The City of Whittlesea is inviting residents to have their say on the draft Road Safety Plan 2026–2036 and help shape a safer future. The draft Road Safety Plan provides strategic direction for improving road safety over the next 10 years.

Whittlesea-Kinglake

SCULLIN MHR AT FINDON Early learning cash NORTHERN SUBURBS

● From left: Anita Osavkovska (Principal), Evie (student leader), Sienna (student leader), Andrew Giles (MHR for Scullin) Jashanpreet Singh Cemix - Somerton & Whittlesea 0485 700 052 enquiry@cemixvic.com.au www.cemixvic.com.au Locations 116–122 Somerton Rd, Somerton 2410 Plenty Rd, Whittlesea

Whittlesea Flowers and Bears 61 Church St, Whittlesea

Phone 9716 1255 info@whittleseaflower.com.au

All Functions Available! Bistro 7 Days a week 9716 1966 www.whittleseabowls.com.au

3/56-62 Church St, Whittlesea Phone: 1300 006 693 Reservations: resos.com

■ Scullin MHR Andrew Giles opened refurbished student amenities at Findon Primary School. The refurbishment provides the school with modern facilities, ensuring students’ health and safety requirements are met. The project involved a complete refurbishment of four student toilet blocks. The project was delivered with the Federal Government’s funding of $494,693 through the Schools Upgrade Fund Round 2, with additional funds coming from Findon Primary School. Mr Giles said: “This project is the result of a lot of hard work and strong advocacy from the Findon Primary School community, and it will make a real difference for students every day. “When I visited Findon Primary School in 2024, students and staff spoke directly about

the need for modern, accessible amenities. “I was proud to work alongside the school community to advocate for this upgrade, and I'm pleased that the Albanese Government has been able to support its delivery. “Every student deserves access to safe, modern and inclusive learning environments. Investments like this help ensure that children in our community have the facilities they need to learn, grow and thrive. “The Albanese Government is committed to strengthening local schools because we know that giving young people the best possible start in life begins with investing in the places where they learn. “That's why we're continuing to support school communities across Melbourne's north with the infrastructure they need to help every student reach their potential.”

HOON DRIVERS IN YAN YEAN ■ Northern Victoria MLC Wendy Lovell and Yan Yean’s Liberal candidate Amanda Dow are calling for more police to tackle dangerous hoon driving in the Yan Yean electorate. Ms Dow has been speaking to residents near Hazel Glen Drive and Yan Yean Rd who are concerned about the noise, smoke, and danger on the roads caused by reckless hoon drivers. Ms Lovell has heard from constituents who live near Upper Plenty and shared video footage of large gatherings taking place after midnight where drivers race and do burnouts that frighten neighbours and keep them awake at night. Residents report that the gatherings continue despite notifying the police many times, and feel deeply disappointed with the state Labor Government’s failure to effectively tackle this issue, she said. “Under Labor, police stations in the Whittlesea Police Service Area are operating at only 40-60 per cent of their staffing allocation, which leaves officers struggling to adequately address the problem.” Ms Lovell spoke in parliament and asked the Minister for Police to allocate more police officers to the Whittlesea PSA to provide intensified law enforcement of dangerous hoon drivers in the area. “Residents in the Yan Yean electorate have had enough of hoon drivers who gather

■ The Federal GovernmentGovernment is investing $1.4 million to support early childhood education and care services across five services in Scullin. Through Round 5 of the Community Child Care Fund Sustainability and Capital Support program, grants will be provided over three years from 2026–27 to 2028–29. Scullin MHR Andrew Giles last week visited Bubup Wilam Aboriginal Child and Family Centre, which is receiving $600,000 in funding to help more local children get a great start in life. The Government extended the grants from two years to three, giving providers greater certainty to plan for the future. Minister for Early Childhood Education Jess Walsh said: “Communities across Australia don’t all look the same, and neither should the early learning services that support them. “Around two-thirds of the services receiving these grants are in regional, rural and remote Australia, reflecting our commitment to supporting children and families wherever they live. “We want more children in more places to have the benefits of quality early learning.” Mr Giles said: “As the northern suburbs continue to grow, local families need access to quality early learning and care, close to home.” “This funding builds on our work to make early learning more accessible and affordable – from delivering a 15 per cent pay rise for early childhood educators to introducing the 3 Day Guarantee. It means more families in Melbourne’s north can access the care their children need.” Whittlesea Family Day Care Scheme, South Morang. $210,000. Thomastown West PS TheirCare, $210,000. Montessori Beginnings Thomastown, $262,053.08 Bubup Wilam Aboriginal Child and Family Centre Incorporated, Thomastown. $600,000.

TOOLANGI

Council pays visit ■ Murrindindi Council paid a visit to Toolangi on July 29. for a community meeting, Cr Paul Hildebrand told the Shire meetin g last week. “There was a good turnout, with residents taking the opportunity to raise a number of local concerns and issues. “These community meetings are important, as they give Councillors and Council staff the opportunity to listen directly to residents and better understand what matters to each community.”

NILLUMBIK

Award winners

● Amanda Dow, Yan Yean candidate late at night to race and terrorise local residents with loud burnouts. “The Minister for Police must allocate more police officers to Whittlesea PSA so they can tackle dangerous hoon drivers in the area.” Ms Dow said: “Residents have told me that hooning can begin as early as 6am weekdays on Hazel Glen Drive.

“With the amount of students that walk to and from school, it is becoming a real safety concern trying to cross the road and not get hit by hoons on scooters and motorbikes”. “Only the Liberals have a real plan for community safety. “We will hire 3000 more police and enforce tougher consequences for criminal offenders,” Ms Dow said.

■ Volunteer Award winner Sabi Buehler was recognised at the Nillumbik Community Awards for her decades of service to the community through education, storytelling and lifelong learning. As founding president of Nillumbik U3A and the driving force behind the Nillumbik Festival of Stories, she has helped create spaces for people to share experiences and build connections. The Rotary Club of Diamond Creek received the Community Group Award for more than 30 years of supporting local residents through initiatives including the Diamond Creek Rotary Town Fair, Food Pantry and partnerships with community organisations across the Shire. Young Citizen Award winner Esme Johnson was recognised for her commitment to environmental conservation and youth leadership. Other category winners included Eltham Jazz, Food & Wine Festival Committee (Arts, Culture and Heritage), Jennifer Johnsen (Diversity and Inclusion), Nillumbik Gardens for Wildlife (Environment and Sustainability) and First Nations Friday creators Keira de Hoog and David Kerrigan (Reconciliation).

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Local People Cremorne gym fire

Mitta Mitta fatal ■ A man has died in hospital following a single vehicle crash in Mitta Mitta. Emergency services re sponded to reports from a passerby of a vehicle seen down an embankment just off Omeo Hwy just after 11am on Tuesday (Aug. 25). The vehicle was located with an injured male trapped inside and a high angle rescue was initiated. The man was identified as a missing Harrietville man that had not been seen since August when 23 he left in his car from a hotel in Harrietville. The 85-year-old was taken to hospital with non-life-threating injuries at the time but has since died in hospital. The investigation into the circumstances of the crash is ongoing.

NDIS fraud alleged ■ A man has been arrested after he allegedly defrauded the National Disability Insurance Scheme of around $700,000 over a two-year period. A joint investigation run by Hamilton Crime Investigation Unit detectives and the National Disability Insurance Agency commenced after a man allegedly defrauded his own NDIS plan between June 28, 2024 and June 30, 2026. Investigators allege the man, who is an NDIS participant, established two businesses for the purpose of defrauding the NDIS. It is alleged the man submitted false invoices for services he claimed to receive and distributed the funds into his bank accounts. Detectives will also allege that the man dealt with property reasonably suspected of being proceeds of crime. A search warrant was executed at a residential property in the Horsham area, and a 48year-old man was taken into custody. He was to be interviewed in relation to the incidents. Detective Sergeant Mark James from Hamilton Crime Investigation Unit said: “Our team worked extensively on this investigation to stop this person from allegedly defrauding a scheme designed to support some of the most vulnerable members of our community for his own financial gain.” “Victoria Police and the NDIA are committed to identifying and holding accountable anyone who seeks to profit through dishonest NDIS claims.” A representative for the for the National Disability Insurance Agency: “The vast majority of NDIS participants and providers do the right thing and use Scheme funding appropriately. We will continue to use intelligence, data analytics and joint investigations to identify, detect and disrupt fraud, so NDIS funding is protected for the Australians who rely on it.”

Human remains discovered ■ Homicide Squad detectives found human remains as part of their investigation into a shooting in Wildwood. The remains were found around 3pm covered in grass on Havelock Rd in Clarkefield. The coroner has been advised and a postmortem will occur in due course. The discovery follows an incident where a 37-year- old Meadow Heights man was allegedly shot following a dispute with the occupants at a property on Wildwood Rd about 7.20pm on August 19. A 56-year-old Wildwood man was arrested on August 20 and charged with one count of intentionally cause serious injury. Detectives will now consider alternate charges following the results of a postmortem. Police believe the parties involved were known to each other.

Officer charged ■ A senior constable from southern region has been charged following an internal investigation. The 35-year- old man has been charged with common law assault (x4). The incident occurred in November 2025 while the police officer was on duty. He was charged on summons to appear before a magistrates’ court at a later date.

Mildura collision ■ Major Collision Investigation Unit detectives have charged a woman in relation to a fatal collision in Mildura on March 24. A 34-year-old Red Cliffs woman has been charged with dangerous driving causing death, fail to give way and careless driving. She was bailed to appear at the Mildura Magistrates’ Court. The charges relate to a collision between a silver Holden and a truck at the intersection of San Mateo Avenue and Twentieth St just before 9am. The passenger of the Holden, a 62-year-old Red Cliffs woman, was taken to hospital with lifethreatening injuries where she later died.

CBD stabbing ■ Melbourne Crime Investigation Unit detectives have charged a man following the alleged assault of two people in Docklands. It is alleged a 10-year-old boy was punched to the upper body by a man near the intersection of Spencer St and La Trobe St about 1pm. A 46-year-old Cowes woman, who was with the boy at the time, intervened and was allegedly stabbed to the upper body. Both were transported to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

■ Three men have been charged following a suspicious fire at a Cremorne gym. Detectives from the Yarra Crime Investigation Unit executed three search warrants across Melbourne’s western suburbs and arrested three men. A firearm and a quantity of methylamphetamine was also seized from a property in Hoppers Crossing. A 19-year-old Hoppers Crossing man was charged with criminal damage by fire, burglary, possessing drugs of dependence and possessing a handgun. Two 20-year-old men, from Hoppers Crossing and Truganina, were charged with criminal damage by fire and burglary. All three were to be presented directly before the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court. The charges follow a fire at a gym on Church St in Cremorne about 1am on Wednesday, July 22. It will be alleged the men forced entry to the unoccupied premises and set fire to it before fleeing in a vehicle. No one was injured during the incident.

Albert Park test ■ A woman has blown more than three and a half times the limit after allegedly failing to give way to a police unit in Albert Park on Friday (Aug. 28). Officers were patrolling along Canterbury Rd when a Chery Omoda pulled in front of them near Kerford Rd about 3am. The vehicle was intercepted and officers spoke with the driver, a 24-yearold South Yarra woman. She underwent a breath test, returning an alleged reading of .179. Her licensed was suspended for a period of 12 months and she is expected to be charged on summons with drink driving offences. The vehicle was impounded at a cost of $999.

Port woman charged ■ Police arrested a woman following a burglary in Sunbury on Friday morning (Aug. 28). Officers were called to reports of a woman breaking into an abandoned property on Horne St about 1.30am. Police arrived within minutes and entered the property, locating a 49-yearold woman allegedly hiding in the roof. A toolbox and multiple piles of copper were allegedly located and seized in the hallway. The Port Melbourne woman was arrested and charged with burglary, going equipped to steal, trespass and possess controlled weapon. She was bailed to appear at Broadmeadows Magistrates’ Court on January 4.

Cr suspended ■ Caruana Ward Councillor Caroline White has been suspended for two months. The suspension was handed down following a Local Government Victoria arbitration process, which found she had breached the Model Councillor Code of Conduct. Cr White will return to her duties on October 25; in the meantime, Kingston Mayor Cr Georgina Oxley will represent the Caruana Ward community.

Kew Junction ideas ■ The City of Boroondara wants local people to help shape the future of Kew Junction. The Council is inviting the community to share ideas and feedback to help develop a vision for this unique area. Residents are invited to have their say before 5 pm, Tuesday, September 22, on the consultation website Your Say Boroondara.

Swim School change ■ Yarra Council advises of the temporary closure of Collingwood Leisure Centre due to electrification works. All Collingwood students will need to move their enrolment to classes at Fitzroy Swimming Pool or Richmond Recreation Centre for Term 4.

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SPEED ON SHOW AT SANDOWN

■ To be run away from Moonee Valley for the first time, the Group 1 A. J. Moir Stakes will be contested on the Sandown Hillside track over 1000 metres this Saturday (Sep. 5). The race is best remembered for the 1982 win of Manikato, when he burst through the $1 million prize money barrier. That was back when the Moir Stakes was run on Cox Plate day. All these years later, the first horse to be considered among some of the possible chances, will almost certainly push past $15 million in career earnings on Saturday: Giga Kick Top class sprinting star. All bar one of his wins has been over longer than 1000 metres. So, the danger here is that they may prove a bit sharp for him. However, he looked super at the trials recently and may be fresh enough to settle just behind the leaders. The uphill run home should be to his advantage as well. Extragalactic Due back at the track following a break after a progressive autumn. That culminated when just beaten in a bob of the heads photo finish in the Group 1 Goodwood Handicap at Morphettville. Promising mare with three wins and three seconds from just seven starts. Has won first-up from a spell previously and twice at 1000 metres. Natural Fling With just three starts for two wins and a second, this would be by far her biggest test. As a three-year-old filly, she is asked to carry a lot less weight than her older rivals under the weight-for age scale. However, given her limited racing career compared to the achievements of others, she would receive a far greater weight advantage under handicap conditions. Bookmakers are sure to be keen to lay her, and rightly so. Cavalry Girl Continued on her winning way, proving too good again in the Group 3 Carlyon Stakes a fortnight ago. That was run over the same track and distance as the Moir. In fact, of her seven wins to date, six have been over 1000 metres. Her only other victory was in the Lightning Stakes at Morphettville over 1050 metres. Taking the leap into Group 1 company is the only concern. My Gladiola Quality four-year-old mare ready to return to the races. The last time this daughter of I Am Invincible resumed from a spell, she finished second to Tentyris in the Lightning Stakes at Flemington over 1000 metres. That run alone means she must be respected. Point Barrow Another classy four-year-old mare who scored at this track and distance on a previous occasion. Has won five races from only nine starts and started favourite in the Oakleigh Plate at Caulfield as a three-yearold. She is well and truly in the mix firstup from a spell. Bazaball Rewarded Has won all seven races over this distance, including an easy win on the Sandown Hillside course in June. Cavalry Girl has proven the better mare on the day at each of her past two starts, but she has

● Giga Kick. Racing Photos.

Rod Basto

● Extragalactic. Racing Photos.

been covering extra ground in the run. Would like to see her on the rail, but this is probably a bit rich anyway.

Cup Countdown ■ One of the more perplexing betting moves ever seen occurred recently on the 2026 Melbourne Cup. This unusual activity happened a fortnight ago, around the time of a jump out against quality opposition at Caulfield. The horse in question appeared to do everything right when finishing just behind the placegetters. Yet, why when $51 was freely available in futures markets, would someone start backing down the horse on the exchange at shorter odds?

As little as $17 was taken for reasonable money and there was even a bet placed at $10. Being through the exchange, these prices are potentially reduced even further, with a commission being taken on all winning bets. At the time of writing, this galloper was engaged to make a return to racing at Caulfield in the Heatherlie Stakes over 1700 metres on Saturday, August 29. No doubt that performance would have impacted his odds in the latest markets. The Cup is still 62 days away, so there is still plenty of time for him to work his way into the field. Where there’s smoke there’s fire, so let’s take a look at his credentials: Zahrann Bred in Ireland and had five of his first six starts there with one in England, recording three wins, two seconds and one unplaced run. His greatest prize money earning effort was when second in the Group 2 King Edward VII Stakes at Ascot over 2414 metres. Two of his wins were at Listed level at Leopardstown (2414 metres) and in a Group 3 at the Curragh (2011 metres). Since arriving in Australia, the son of 2025 British and Irish champion sire, Night Of Thunder, had two starts prior to last Saturday (Aug. 29). Melbourne Cup winning trainer Ciaron Maher ran him at Flemington on both occasions. In the first of those, he worked home well over 1600 metres, finishing just out of a place. His next run was in early June over 2000 metres, and it resulted in a solid third. He certainly has the potential to scale greater heights and become one of the more favoured runners come Cup day.

Horses To Follow ■ Cignetti, He’s Regal, Crocodile, Colonel Klink

Racing Calendar ■ Wednesday, Sep 2: Sandown Hillside ■ Thursday, Sep 3: Warrnambool ■ Friday, Sep 4: Mornington ■ Saturday, Sep 5: Sandown Hillside, Mildura ■ Sunday, Sep 6: Bendigo ■ Monday, Sep 7: Tatura ■ Tuesday, Sep 8: Moe

Page 44 - The Local Paper - Wednesday, September 2, 2026

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The Local Paper - Wednesday, September 2, 2026 - Page 45

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VICTORIAN rocking horse, carved from wood and original. GC. $2000. Broadmeadows, Dallas. 0480 273 335 I-L

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FIRST SATURDAY OF EACH MONTH. 11.30am. Laughter Yoga. Nunawading Laughter Yoga group. LOL Join our laughter session to discover the benefits of laughter. It can reduce stress, improve your mood while having interaction with others.nteraction. Free. Tuntable Park, Luckie St. Nunawading. Phone: 0414 518 820. EmailL: jennylouise21@gmail.com

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PUBLIC NOTICES Notice of Precipe For the record, the woman living in her private capacity, known by her proper name, Leah Bridget of Elwood, Victoria, is permanently domiciled on the land and soil of the Terra Australis State (Terra Australis). I am not a voluntary transactor in commerce. I hold, by right of original claim, the paramount security interest over all estates, property, assets, and collateral, both registered and unregistered. This absolute security interest extends over all associated copyright-protected trade names, including LEAH FRAME, FRAME LEAH BRIDGET, LEAH BRIDGET FRAME, LEAH B FRAME, LEAH B. FRAME, L.B. FRAME, L B FRAME, FRAME LEAH, Leah Bridget FRAME, LEAH Frame, Leah FRAME, FRAME Leah, LEAH B. Frame, Leah B. FRAME, Leah Frame, Leah Bridget Frame, Leah B. Frame, L.F., LF, LBF, L.B.F., and MS LB. My lawful reconveyance to the land and soil jurisdiction of Terra Australis was recorded under Public Recording Number RPP44 63900 05100 28447 50606 on the Proclamation Date 24 July 2025. Consequently, all usufruct subjugation ties with the corporate government of Australia are severed. I declare that I am no longer under government oversight, rescind government benefits, have removed myself from all voting rolls, and refuse and waive my right to enter into a RECOGNIZANCE everywhere as a person before the law. This standing reflects the peremptory norms of international law (jus cogens) from which no derogation is permitted, binding all state organs and corporate entities regardless of domestic legislative provisions to the contrary. The Australian government and its affiliates are hereby instructed to cease and desist misaddressing and misrepresenting the name Leah Bridget Frame in all capital letters contrary to the rules of standard English grammar and immediately cease and desist infringing upon my estate, private property, assets, collateral, and copyright-protected trade names. By the Christian woman: Leah Bridget.

PUBLIC NOTICES Integrating life coaching principles combined with Psychic and Mediumship. Excelling at photo readings, connecting with those who have crossed over. 1 photo = 1hr reading. Also providing coaching support for those looking at emotional support strategies and adopting new perspectives. 1hr sessions at $120 Ph: 0414 614 121

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Not going, in need of repair, or unwanted. Cash or pick-up. Text or phone 0439 828 509 FORM 2 Regulation 16 NOTICE OF AN APPLICATION FOR A PLANNING PERMIT APPLICATION DETAILS The application reference number is: P2026/1467 The applicant for the permit is: SORRENTO MOON PTY LTD The Land affected by the application is located at: 93 CAMPBELLS ROAD PORTSEA VIC 3944 CP 155776 VOL 9522 FOL 480 The application is for a permit to: • DEVELOP DWELLING ADDITIONS AND ALTERATIONS • TO VARY THE WORDING OF THE RESTRICTIVE COVENANT IN INSTRUMENT F904541 TO READ AS FOLLOWS: “...WILL NOT AT ANY TIME HEREAFTER ERECT OR PERMIT TO BE ERECTED OR PERMIT TO REMAIN ERECTED... ANY BUILDING OTHER THAN ONE SEPARATE DETACHED DWELLING HOUSE ON EACH LOT... HAVING AN AREA OF NOT LESS THAN 1200 SQUARE FEET AND HAVING OUTER WALLS OF BRICK ROCK STONE MASONRY OR GLASS HAVING A ROOF OF SLATE, TILES, METAL OR GLASS PROVIDED ALWAYS THAT NOTHING HEREIN CONTAINED SHALL PREVENT THE ERECTION... OF USUAL OUTBUILDINGS FOR THE DWELLING HOUSE ERECTED ON EACH LOT PROVIDED THAT SUCH OUTBUILDINGS HAVE OUTER WALLS OF BRICK STONE MASONRY OR GLASS AND A ROOF OF SLATE, TILES, METAL OR GLASS” • TO VARY THE WORDING OF THE RESTRICTIVE COVENANT IN INSTRUMENT K194879 TO READ AS FOLLOWS: “…THE LAND DESCRIBED IN SCHEDULE 1 NOT ERECT OR PERMIT TO BE ERECTED ON THE LAND DESCRIBED IN SCHEDULE 1 HERETO ANY DWELLING HOUSE OR OTHER BUILDING OTHER THAN A BELOW GROUND SWIMMING POOL AND OR A NORMAL OUTBUILDING ANCILLARY TO THE MAIN DWELLING” A permit is required under the following clauses of the planning scheme: Planning Scheme Matter for which a permit is Clause required CLAUSE 43.02-2 (DDO2) CONSTRUCT A BUILDING OR CONSTRUCT OR CARRY OUT WORKS CLAUSE 52.02 VARY A RESTRICTION The Responsible Authority will not decide on the application before: 16 SEPTEMBER 2026 How can I find out more? You may look at the application and any documents that support the application free of charge at: www.mornpen.vic.gov.au You may also call (03) 5950 1010 to arrange a time to look at the application and any documents that support the application at the office of the responsible authority, Mornington Peninsula Shire Council. This can be done during office hours and is free of charge. Privacy Notification: The personal information provided in an objection is collected for planning purposes in accordance with the Planning & Environment Act 1987 (the Act). The public may view an objection in accordance with Section 57 of the Act whilst the planning application is current

PUBLIC NOTICES NOTICE TO PATIENTS OF GLEN IRIS MEDICAL CENTRE Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) Health Records Act 2001 (Vic) Orvos Group Pty Ltd (ACN 123 522 387) as trustee for Orvos Group Unit Trus and RAO Services Pty Ltd (ACN 123 522 396), which operate the Glen Iris Medical Centre business at 118 High Street, Glen Iris VIC 3146 (Business) are pleased to advise that they have reached agreement to sell the Business to Bupa Health Centres Pty Ltd (ACN 601 714 738) (Bupa Medical), effective 31 August 2026. Patient health records (other than any records which patients direct Bupa Medical to deal with as outlined below) have been transferred to Bupa Medical, who will maintain and manage those records on an ongoing basis in accordance with accepted medical records management practices. If we hold health records of yours and you would prefer that we transfer your health information to another health service provider, or to you, please contact us on the contact details provided below as soon as possible. We are pleased to note that Bupa Medical is committed to continuing our tradition of providing the patients of the Business with convenient, high quality medical services and we expect to manage the transition with no disruption to our patients.

Cheltenham Golf Course 135 Weatherall Avenue (also known as 35 Victor Avenue), CHELTENHAM VIC 3192 RFNSA Site Number: 3192009 1. Telstra is proposing to upgrade an existing mobile phone base station located at the Cheltenham Golf Course, 135 Weatherall Road (also known as 35 Victor Avenue), CHELTENHAM. The proposed upgrade will improve Telstra 4G and 5G services in the area. 2. The proposed upgrade works on the existing monopole consist of: • Removal of twelve (12) existing antennas • Installation of three (3) new panel antennas (each less than 2.8m in length) • Installation of six (6) new panel antennas (each less than 1.1m in length) • Installation/replacement of ancillary equipment • Works inside the existing equipment shelter 3. In accordance with Section 7 of the Industry Code C564:2025 Mobile Phone Base Station Deployment, we invite you to make comments about the proposal. 4. Please direct comments to Mark Baade (Planning Consultant) on mark@saqconsulting.com.au, 0417 088 000 or to SAQ Consulting, P O Box 50 Clayfield QLD 4011 by Wednesday 16th September 2026. For more information about the proposal, scan the QR Code or visit www.rfnsa.com.au/ 3192009 Telstra Limited ACN: 086 174 781 SAQ Consulting ACN: 627 531 926

Contact Details: Glen Iris Medical Centre, 118 High Street, Glen Iris VIC 3146 Email: practicemanager@gimc.com.au

Copyright Notice, Acknowledgements The Copyright Act 1968 – Section 42 (‘Fair Dealing for purpose of reporting news) provides: (1) A fair dealing with a literary, dramatic, musical or artistic work, or work with an adaptation of a literary, dramatic or musical work, does not constitute an infringement of the copyright in the work if: (a) it is for the purpose of, or is associated with, the reporting of news in a newspaper, magazine or similar periodical and a sufficient acknowledgement of the work is made; or (b) it is for the purpose of, or is associated with the reporting of news by means of a communication or in a cinematogrpah film.” We acknowldege the original source of advertisements in this issue

DISPLAY CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING Paid display advertising available for $20 per column centimetre. Sample prices: Full-Page Ad (37cm h x 8 cols w), $5920. Half-Page Ad (18cm h x 8 cols w), $2880. Quarter-Page Ad (18cm h x 4 cols w), $1440. All ads are pre-paid at the time of booking. Pre-pay by Card: Visa, Mastercard, American Express. Pre-pay by EFT to 033091 260131 (Local Media Pty Ltd, Westpac, Eltham). LINE CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING Paid line adverising is available for $20 for first 20 words, then $1 per word thereafter. All ads are pre-paid at the time of booking. Pre-pay by Card: Visa, Mastercard, American Express. Prepay by EFT to 033091 260131 (Local Media Pty Ltd, Westpac, Eltham).

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The Local Paper - Wednesday, September 2, 2026 - Page 47

Page 48 - The Local Paper - Wednesday, September 2, 2026

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