4 - 2025 - The Local Paper

Observer

OBSERVER: Huggy mystery at Gold 104.3

Friday, April 4, 2025

A curious radio move underway at the moment is that popular Gold 104.3 morning host Craig Huggins is being taken off the Melbourne station by management.He will stay with the company and instead present the brekfast program on sister station Cruise 1323 Adelaide, and the afternoon drive programs on 96FM Perth.At Gold 104.3, the new…

Observer

OBSERVER: Starring Two Women

Two women approach the microphone, one in dazzling, turquoise satin and the other in a sparkling, feathered gown, to announce the next category of Australian free-to-air TV’s daggiest awards show, the Logies.“Tonight is all about television,” we are told.Audience members in the steamy environs of Melbourne’s iconic Nicholas Building may or may not have included…

Observer

OBSERVER: Just Because I’m Crying …

Hailing originally from New Zealand, with some time in Australia, and now a resident in the UK, Grace Jarvis has returned to Melbourne for her offering of Just Because I’m Crying Doesn’t Mean I’m Not Having a Nice Time, as part of the 2025 Melbourne International Comedy Festival.With performances at many Comedy Festivals including notable…

Observer

OBSERVER: Who’s Talking?

Before Bron Lewis (pictured) was one of Australia’s most promising new comedians, she was a high school teacher for almost a decade.Bron says she became a teacher because she hates learning – she would rather saw off her own legs than learn a new card game, and in her opinion whoever coined the term ‘board…

Observer

OBSERVER: Something Good

The art of theatre improvisation is quite a skill and often lost under the radar, or underrated,in this era of blockbuster shows underpinned by wizard technicals, excellent choreography, and expensive rehearsal hours.Comedy Republic offers improvised shows throughout the Comedy Festival and I was fortunate to attend a 4.30pm performance of Something Good, thus very light…

Observer

OBSERVER: Pilot

The wonderful Pilot program founded by Dylan McBurney last year, helps stage the first long-form comedy shows for emerging young comedians in the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.A comedian himself, Dylan experienced the barriers young people face when transitioning from presenting five-minute sets to their own solo shows.Six hand-picked comedians with proven comedy experience are given…

Police News

MELTON: Drug, firearm trafficking

Echo Taskforce detectives yesterday charged six people, one a former patched member of the Rebels Outlaw Motorcycle Gang, and seized four firearms, two imitation firearms and various drugs of dependence following an investigation in drug and firearm trafficking in Melbourne. Members from the Critical Incident Response Team arrested a 26-year-old Melton at his home address…

Observer

OBSERVER: Splash Zone

Zoe Coombs Mar (pictured) is no stranger to the Melbourne International Comedy Festival – she won an award way back in 2016 for ‘most outstanding show’ – and she continues to make waves (pardon the pun) in The Splash Zone, her latest offering for the 2025 MICF.Fear not front-seat enthusiasts, you’re safe – but only…

Observer

OBSERVER: Bookshop Detectives

Not many author duos would have as fascinating past lives as Louise and Gareth Ward (pictured.The two New Zealand-based authors have just released their second novel together, a crime noir book called The Bookshop Detectives 2: Tea and Cake and Death.The book’s protagonists are ex-police officers Garth and Eloise, who run their own bookshop.In real…

Observer

OBSERVER: Local Theatre Report

ShowsWarrandyte Theatre Company: When the Wind Blows (by Raymond Briggs) Until April 12 at the Warrandyte Mechanics’ Institute, 180 Yarra St., Warrandyte. Director: David Tynan. Bookings: trybooking.com/cyjqtThe 1812 Theatre: The Thrill of Love (by Amanda Whittington) Until May 3 at The Bakery, The 1812 Theatre, 3 Rose St., Upper Ferntree Gully. Director: Pip Le Blond….