Sammy J returns to his home town to perform his Barry Award nominated show, Hero Complex.

The award-winning comedian, musician and writer has performed at the Edinburgh Fringe and Montreal Just for Laughs festivals, has been nominated for three Aria awards and is known as the human half of the Barry Award-winning man and puppet comedy duo Sammy J & Randy. You might recall one of his most popular songs, the Backward Song, where he without fault sings the song backwards. Sammy also wowed a huge audience in 2016 with his ABC TV show, Playground Politics.

Hero Complex had its beginnings in 1996 when Sammy J borrowed some Phantom comics from his school gardener.  He wasn’t to know until much later, but this moment set off a chain of events that led to the birth of his daughter, saw him committing a crime in Canberra and ended with a federal policeman searching his attic. This is an unbelievable true story directed by Chris McDonald that will have you intrigued, touched and laughing until your cheeks hurt.

Hero Complex has already received incredible reviews. The Adelaide Advertiser said: “Hero Complex is, quite simply, comic genius.” The show has something for everyone. It’s a story-telling masterpiece that’s lighthearted and heartfelt.   Sammy J’s intelligent humour and impeccable timing has audiences in fits of laughter. This well-crafted story includes stand-up and music – it’s simply wickedly funny.

This year Sammy J was named the winner of the Best Comedy 2017 Award at the Adelaide Fringe Week One.  Last year he took home the Best Comedy 2016 award at the Melbourne Fringe and was the star of the 2016 ABC hit Playground Politics.

Be super and book today; you won’t be disappointed.

HERO COMPLEX
WHEN: Friday, June 23, 7.30pm (one hour, no interval)
TICKETS: members $35, adult $40, conc $37, U30 $30
W: artscentre.frankston.vic.gov.au

Foodworks Frankston South is your friendly local supermarket, and not just because it’s family owned and run. The approachable and knowledgeable staff are always on hand to help, and the extraordinary range of goods available means you’re sure to find everything you need.

In fact, Foodworks is so much more than just food.  As well as fresh meat, fruit, vegetables, dairy, milk, eggs and frozen food, Foodworks has an extensive range of beers, premixes, spirits and wine, as well as bags of ice to keep your favourite tipple frosty cold.  And make sure to stop by on Friday nights for wine tastings at which you’re sure to discover a new favourite drop. 

This newly renovated shop now also sells Tattslotto tickets and scratchies; you can drop off your dry cleaning and pick up all your postal needs, from stamps to express post envelopes, as well as your newspapers, magazines, gift cards and stationery items.  And speaking of gifts, you can grab some delicious confectionery, an iTunes card, phone recharge, or a gift card for Myer, Village Cinemas, Endota Spa and much more so you’ll never be caught out if you’ve forgotten a birthday or a special occasion.  Foodworks even stocks toys.

Open seven days a week with plenty of free parking, Foodworks really is a supermarket with the works.  And with super specials every week, you’ll be wanting to pop in again and again.

FOODWORKS FRANKSTON SOUTH
A: 58 Norman Ave, Frankston South

This month, Bayside Centre is creating change and helping to raise awareness and much-needed funds for Community Support - an integral charity assisting with homeless in the local area. Proving a huge range of services including emergency housing, food and grocery vouchers as well as pathways to education, information, advice and skills, Community Support is often the first point of contact for people in crisis. Last year alone saw more than 13,000 people reach out to them for help. 

With the support and community strength of Bayside Centre and the wider Mornington Peninsula, Community Support is able to keep up the vital work it does in changing the direction of people’s lives through helping them gain the ability to make more effective life choices.

Help Bayside Centre bring hope to many people in less fortunate situations than ourselves. Homeless, not hopeless.

Work has started on a $9.7 million refurbishment of St John of God Frankston Rehabilitation Hospital to deliver new and improved patient accommodation and amenities.

The work, which is expected to be completed early next year,  includes converting three and four-bed wards to two-bed wards; increasing the number of single rooms; refurbishing patient rooms and ensuites; and improving front entrance access for patients and vehicles.  A new kiosk, lounge area, three additional consulting rooms, a chapel and an adjoining multipurpose meeting room will all form part of the new-look foyer.

Chief executive officer Sally Faulkner said the most critical component of the refurbishment was increasing the number of single rooms to provide patients with greater comfort and privacy during their recovery.  “The design will also give us the flexibility to increase the bed capacity as required to meet the demands for our services,” Sally said.

“While this is a comprehensive and detailed refurbishment, it will occur in stages so that we minimise the impact on our inpatient and outpatient services.  We will continue with business as usual to provide our comprehensive rehabilitation services every day throughout the refurbishment.”

ST JOHN OF GOD FRANKSTON REHABILITATION HOSPITAL
A: 255-265 Cranbourne Rd, Frankston
T: 9788 3333

Get ready for this Frankston! Self-proclaimed “Safety Beach boy” George Calombaris is bringing his Hellenic diet inspired restaurant Mastic to the Mornington Peninsula, and that’s just for starters.

Mr Calombaris has been a familiar face at Safety Beach for around 10 years. His children James (6) and Michaela (4) and his partner Natalie love the Peninsula lifestyle just as much as he does. “The kids’ eyes light up as soon as they know we are heading to the beach to see family and friends. We were down last Friday (March) and the weather was cracking! I mean, what’s not to love about it? I can get about without any hassles. Locals are friendly and the space… It’s a fabulous break from a hard working industry where it’s all about being busy and survival of the fittest.”

And that’s what George’s life is - insanely busy and fit for a hard worker. There’s 17 restaurants, ambassadorial positions for Swisse, Bulla Dairy, Qatar Airways and Bowel Cancer amongst others, and then of course he’s co-judge on the mega successful MasterChef Australia on Network 10. “I don’t like sitting still and am always obsessed by something. This season’s MasterChef is going to be better than ever. You know you can feel it in your gut. MasterChef is like an extension of your own kitchen and everyone gets treated with respect. This one’s unbelievable and we have a lot of fun too.”

So, here’s the Mastic deal. George has had two executive chefs scouring the Mornington Peninsula for the best local produce and he’s bought 19 acres in Flinders for winter time planting (think 90 per cent fruit and vegetables). There’s no set date for the opening of his mini holistic village (Mastic, produce and health retreat) set on five acres in Red Hill - but we’ll let you know as soon as we do! One thing’s for sure, George wants to plant roots on the Peninsula and the seeds are already sowing.

“The Peninsula is full of fabulous stuff. You know there’s a National Park behind the (Hummingbird) site where Indigenous Australians used to smoke fish in the hollows of the trees. Radek (Sali, his business partner) and I are keen to create a place where friends can experience food, lifestyle, health and happiness. I may even re-locate The Press Club…”

What? Never!

In the meantime, there’s the annual trip to Greece, television commitments, awards, cooking, family/friends and Peninsula produce and wineries to keep this Safety Beach boy very busy.

MasterChef Australia season nine commences next month on Network Ten.

The stars in his eyes have magnified since Mornington Peninsula Magazine spoke to actor Ajay Banks last year after his study in L.A.

A move to Canada is paying off for the Peninsula Grammar Old Boy, with a new agency (MVM Agency), new classes and an audition for a small role in a Netflix series.  At last month’s New Renaissance Film Festival in Amsterdam Ajay won Best Actor for his role in Always, which he also wrote and produced and which was nominated for Best Film.  Yet Ajay remains humble and credits his team for the film’s success.

Ajay channelled his grief at the death of his grandparents into Always.  It’s fictitious but inspired by his feelings, and it’s so powerful in its raw aesthetic that you feel like you’re a fly on the wall as you get a snapshot of the worst time in a person’s life.

“It was cathartic to write about this boy who was grieving for his mother and how the people around him were grieving in their own way,” he says.

Thirst for the limelight does not motivate this mature young actor, nor does financial reward.  “I’m not in it for the money,” he says.  He has simply never wanted to do anything else.  Acting from the age of 15, his passion just keeps growing.  With a strong desire to tell stories, whether via script or performance, he’s on stage to connect with others.

Ajay also played Brian in The Happiness Curve, which was well received at the LA Webfest; it was nominated for Outstanding Comedy Series and Outstanding Writing and picked up the award for Outstanding Ensemble Cast.  This international recognition was just that extra push he needed to make the move abroad.  It’s a delightfully funny web series with heart thrown in too.  Ajay enjoyed portraying Brian, who was a very different comedic yet intense character; a portrayal that was new to the actor.

His advice? “When you want to give up, you shouldn’t.” 

W: Watch The Happiness Curve online at happiness-curve.com
INSTA: @ajay_banks
FB: @AjayBanksActor

Trax 627 is the go-to café bar for everything from functions and catering to takeaways and special nights.

Mondays and Wednesdays are Parma Nights, with seven delicious parmas to choose from for $17.50.  Steak Nights are on Thursdays, with a 350g char-grilled porterhouse steak, sweet potato curls, chips and salad for $19.90.  Both deals come with a free soft drink, pot of beer or house wine, and bookings are a must.

If you’re up for a parma challenge, take on the Big Boss of Carrum for $34.90. If you complete it like competitor eaters Chompamatic and Hulksmashfood you’ll receive a free t-shirt!

With beer on tap and happy hour every day from 4-6pm, you’re always in for a treat at Trax 627. In addition, a lunch special is on offer until 4pm for $14.90, with gluten free options available.

Trax 627 is also excited to announce it is opening a second location in May at 533 Nepean Highway, Bonbeach.  To keep up to date on the progress, make sure to follow Trax 627 on Facebook.

If takeaways are on your mind, order online from Trax 627’s full menu with the smart phone app (Trax 627) for IOS and Android. As an introductory offer, your first order via the app receives 25 per cent off for pickup or delivery.

TRAX 627
A: 627 Nepean Highway, Carrum
T: 8712 3103
W: trax627.com.au
F: @Trax627

Lyrebird Community Centre has been serving the Carrum Downs and Skye community for more than 20 years - and more recently the suburb of Sandhurst.  In that time it has provided many local families with support, services, education, activities and important resources that have improved or added value to their lives.

The centre is strategically located in Carrum Downs and has established itself as the hub of the community, providing modern facilities and services.  Lyrebird is a Learn Local provider and hundreds of residents attend the centre each week. The centre caters for all ages in the diverse programs and services it offers, including accredited and pre-accredited educational courses, self-help groups, children’s services and recreational activities.

Lyrebird’s vision is achieved by providing residents and groups with a modern facility, programs and services that promote and encourage a connected community.

Lyrebird’s focus of ‘Bringing the Community Together’ is highlighted each December at the wonderful Community Christmas Festival & Carols to celebrate the magic of Christmas with the diverse community.  Community networks identified some time ago that Carrum Downs and Skye residents wanted safe, well managed, family friendly events that connect the community.  Lyrebird’s Christmas festival has firmly cemented itself as one of these and has become an annual tradition for thousands of families.

If you haven’t visited Lyrebird already, drop in and enjoy a coffee at the Lyrebird Coffee House, a training café that opened in 2016.  Lyrebird is open Monday to Friday during school terms from 8.30am-4pm.  Visit the website or ‘Like’ Lyrebird on Facebook to stay up to date with what’s on.

LYREBIRD COMMUNITY CENTRE
A: 203 Lyrebird Drive, Carrum Downs
T: 9782 0133
W: lyrebird.org.au
F: @lyrebirdcommunitycentre

Carrum Downs Regional Shopping Centre is proudly privately owned and boasts a variety of over 50 retailers for your homeware, hair dressing, newsagent and floristry needs.

With specialty stores ranging from Kmart, Woolworths, BWS and Priceline to variety stores, and Cheap as Chips. This shopping centre has easy access with loads of free parking, you’ll complete your errands before you know it!

After your shopping is done, treat yourself to a relaxing coffee break at one of the cafes.

Open 7 days a week, 9am – 5:30pm with FREE parking.

 CARRUM DOWNS REGIONAL SHOPPING CENTRE
A: 100 Hall Road Carrum Downs
T: 9782 6000

We’d like to welcome Kate Sears as our new Frankly Frankston journalist. Kate has previously been working as our Publisher’s assistant at Mornington Peninsula Magazine. She has now moved into this new role, while maintaining her work as our social media guru. Her passion for the peninsula is bottomless as her family has been living on the Mornington Peninsula for 5 generations. She just couldn’t imagine living away from the beach!

Kate comes well qualified, she has completed her Master’s in Communications and Media Studies, a Bachelor in Communication Design with minors in Media, as well as Diplomas in Digital Marketing, Social Media & Online Reputation Management and Photography. Prior to joining our team she interned at Black Pearl recording studios and enjoyed travelling through Malaysia, Europe and the United Kingdom. Outside of work she enjoys day trips exploring waterfalls and hidden beaches with her boyfriend, hamburger nights and Netflix marathons.

Kate can’t wait to work with our locals exploring people and places across the greater Frankston!

The awards could not have come at a better time.  On the eve of a 30-date UK/US tour and with his new album just released globally, Frankston bluesman Geoff Achison “pretty much scooped the pool” at the Chain Australian Blues Awards:  Album of the Year for Another Mile, Another Minute; Song of the Year (I’m Gonna Ride); Producer of the Year (Geoff and father-and-son team Rob and Ben Harwood); Group of the Year (which his Souldiggers shared with the “fantastic” Justin Yap Band); and Artist of the Year.

The awards justified Geoff’s attempt to take his music to the next level.

“We were committed to making the best possible album, having learnt in the past that now and again because of budget constraints we would cut corners.  We were trying as hard as we could to not do that and then found that it wasn’t getting completed because we were just running out of money.”

So Geoff’s wife, Michelle, suggested crowdfunding to keep those corners intact.  “When it was initially suggested I was a bit coy about it – I felt like it was asking people to give us a handout – but once we got into it I realised it’s not like that at all – you’re really appealing to your support network to get on board and be involved in the process.”

Geoff would post regular updates on YouTube, playing demos of songs he and the band were working on.  “I’ve never done that before; usually we keep all that stuff a secret as much as we possibly can because you really want people’s first hearing of a new song to be when it’s completed.  So I had to drop some walls there and allow people to see into the inner workings of putting it together.  But the response was fantastic.

“Then I did about 20 different events around the place which were anything from house concerts to guitar lessons as people snapped up these little packages that Michelle offered, and it was actually really fun because I got to meet a lot of people and go to their houses and sit down and play a few tunes – it was great.

“For all the accolades we’ve got for the album, which is fantastic, the experience of the music for us is best when it’s live on stage and we’ve got an audience and we just have our own little party.  I love it; it’s the greatest job in the world.”

Brooke Hogan, 24, is one of Australia’s top models, she’s from Frankston and she has just been named the Female Ambassador for the 2017 Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix (March 23-26).  This ‘girl next door’ shot to prominence when she appeared on Australia’s Next Top Model 2013 and she now has more than half a million followers on social media. She spoke with Frankly Frankston about her meteoric rise, her new role and her love for Frankston and the Mornington Peninsula.

Tell us where you grew up and what you love about the area.
I am a Frankston girl born and bred and I love it. My parents still live there and I love going home to visit them. I went to Ballam Park Primary School and McClelland College in Frankston. I have always loved living on the Peninsula. They say home is where the heart is and I believe that 100 per cent. There are so many things I love and the list is continuing to grow.  There are some great new little cafés and shops but my favourite thing about the area would have to be that it is where my family are.  My boyfriend, Myles, lives in Portsea so I would say I spend 50 per cent of my time in Melbourne and the other 50 on the Peninsula.

Name your favourite café, restaurant and beach on the Peninsula?
I have two favourite cafés - 6 Nutrition in Frankston (they have the best acai bowls ever) and also Store Fifteen in Mornington (really healthy and organic foods with delicious smoothies). Favourite restaurants would be Doc in Mornington and Hotel Sorrento in Sorrento. Favourite beach would be Shelley Beach in Portsea - the water is super clean, there is a beautiful view on the walk down, a little pier to walk down as well and it isn’t too crowded … unless it’s peak summer time.

Do you use Peninsula locations in your Instagram photos?
Yes, all the time.

What does it mean to be named the 2017 Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix Female Ambassador?
It is a role that I have had my eye on for quite a while now and I am over the moon that the opportunity has come around. The Grand Prix is such an iconic time for Australia and we are so lucky to host such a prestigious event here in Melbourne. It’s going to be an action-packed exciting few days and I am thrilled to showcase Melbourne in all its glory.

What is your message to young women, particularly local girls, who might wish to dream big and follow in your footsteps?
I could write an essay on this. My advice would be, don’t doubt yourself. If you want something, you need to work as hard as you can to get there. You can’t just sit around waiting for something to happen. It doesn’t work like that. Figure out what it is you want to do, get up and go get it.

For Grand Prix tickets, go to www.grandprix.com.au/tickets

A landmark residential project proposed for Frankston could trigger a property boom.

Peninsula Project Group says its Allure Bayside development, at 10-12 Davey St, will be first high-rise residential development in the Bayside/Mornington Peninsula region, and with the area primed for growth it’s unlikely to be the last.

The 14-storey development will include 77 one, two and three-bedroom luxury apartments and penthouses above a single-level podium incorporating existing heritage buildings, with a four-level basement carpark below.  One heritage façade will contain a gymnasium, golf and yoga room, the other incorporating café space with a garden terrace.

“The hero of these apartments is the bay views from the Melbourne CBD to Sorrento,” a PPG spokesman said.  “This sets Allure Bayside apart from other similar priced low-rise apartment buildings in the area.

“Now is the time to invest in Frankston property, while property prices are still low, rental demand is high and property value is only just commencing its incline. The trick is to invest in areas that have not yet experienced their property ‘boom’. This is where property owners will make significant returns.”

Forty-five per cent of the apartments have already been sold, mostly to owner-occupiers. Construction is forecast to start in May.

PENINSULA PROJECT GROUP
A: 10-12 Davey St, Frankston
T: 1300 336 542
E: [email protected]
W: www.allurebayside.com.au

“It’s beginning to feel like it was all a long time ago but we’re still really, really proud of her.”
Pam Hawkes is reminiscing while on her way to Wagga to see one of her horses run.  She doesn’t give it much hope, but she saw it born five years ago and wild horses couldn’t keep her away.  “It doesn’t matter whether it’s at Mornington on a midweek race or Wagga tomorrow, it’s just fantastic.  We get just as much thrill watching her run as we did watching Black Caviar.”

It has been almost four years since Black Caviar ran her last race – the TJ Smith Stakes at Randwick.  It was her 25th win from 25 starts and her 15th Group 1 win – both records – and her brilliant career captivated the racing world and delighted the group of lifetime friends who for years had talked about owning a racehorse.  “We used to go to the Melbourne Cup and we’d say ‘Gee, we should get a horse together; it’d be a lot of fun’.”

One day, with Pam stuck on her vegetable farm at Boneo, the others called her from the Murray River houseboat on which they’d all stay and said they were going to buy a horse. “I said ‘I’m in but I only want a fast one’, so they took me at my word and got a fast one.”

The eight syndicate members each suggested three names for the filly and everyone voted; Pam’s suggestion – inspired by her love of caviar - got up.  “You’ve got to have a catchy name for people to take notice of, and it worked.  We’re very fond of champagne as well and you always hope you’ll have an excuse to celebrate; we haven’t had that much caviar because, by gum, it’s expensive but we’ve had plenty of opportunities to celebrate with champagne.”

Pam’s love of horses goes way back to growing up on a farm in Keysborough, where she used to watch her grandfather’s Clydesdales plough the fields and ride the Shetland he bought for her, so it’s no surprise she saw all Black Caviar’s races and went to every trial.   One of her favourites is the Lightning Stakes at Flemington in February 2013, the mare’s return from injury sustained during her triumph at Ascot eight months earlier.

“We’d virtually written her off; we left Ascot thinking we’ve got a brood mare.  But she just jumped and ran and broke the track record and just blew everybody away. It was just fantastic.”
Another highlight was the TJ Smith at Randwick in April 2011, when she made up seven lengths on Hay List, the second-highest rated sprinter in the world.  “It was phenomenal.”

The same group of friends are now racing Black Caviar’s first foal, Oscietra, who ran third in her first start on New Year’s Day at Flemington, but they still occasionally visit the grand dam and get regular updates from the stud where she is in foal again.  “The last one we got was to say how magnificent she’s looking and she’s never looked better.” 

Pam Hawkes will address the Frankston Business Network in the Mornington Racing Club’s Gunamatta Room on March 8, 11.30am-2.30pm.  Tickets (including a two-course lunch, champagne on arrival, and tea and coffee) cost $69 ($65 for FBN members; $625 for a table of 10).  Bookings: www.frankstonbusinessnetwork.com.au or 9781 1422.