Macca and Kenny talk to Iain Sinclair, about his new production ‘West Gate’ (from MTC).

Award-winning director Iain Sinclair (A View from the Bridge) returns to Melbourne Theatre Company to helm this haunting and compassionate new work by Dennis McIntosh – a powerful retelling of a defining moment in Australian history.

Screen veterans Steve Bastoni (Police Rescue, The Matrix Reloaded) and Daniela Farinacci (Lantana), as well as Darcy Kent (New Gold Mountain) and Rohan Nichol (Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith) lead a powerhouse cast in this searing retelling of a foundational Melbourne story.

On 15 October 1970, dozens of workers were mid-construction on Melbourne’s West Gate Bridge when it collapsed in what is still Australia’s deadliest industrial accident. Thirty-five men were killed as countless more workers and families were left forever changed.

The post Easter Saturday, April 4th, 2026; Iain Sinclair Director, West Gate (Melbourne Theatre Company) appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Macca and Kenny talk to Virginia Haussegger AM is a passionate women’s advocate, and communication specialist with unique expertise in leading powerful conversations. She is also an award-winning television journalist, writer and commentator, whose extensive media career spans 30 years.

Virginia will be one of the guest panelists at the Sorrento Writers Festival session:

Virginia has reported from around the globe, including Washington, New York and the Middle East, for leading current affair programs on Channel 9, the Seven Network and the ABC. She has anchored primetime national news programs and presented as state host in five capital cities, including 15 years as nightly anchor of the ABC’s flagship TV News in Canberra.

Virginia has been widely published across Australian media including The Canberra Times; the Sydney Morning Herald; The Age; The Guardian; Australian Foreign Affairs; HQ Magazine; The Museum. She is Deputy Chair of the media think-tank PIJI, the Public Interest Journalism Initiative.

A highly sought-after Speaker, Virginia hosts BroadTalk, a podcast about Women, Power and the Wayward World, in which prominent women speak intimately about the events that have shaped and influenced their leadership.

https://sorrentowritersfestival.com.au/artfuel/program/666/show/the-revolution-continues-still-fighting-for-rights-in-australia

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Macca and Kenny talk to Corrie Perkin, Founder and Director of the Sorrento Writers Festival, about this year’s festival programme.

Corrie Perkin is the Founder and Director of the Sorrento Writers Festival a major literary event launched in 2023 in Victoria, Australia. An acclaimed journalist, former bookshop owner, and podcaster, she created the festival to connect readers and writers on the Mornington Peninsula.

http://Easter Saturday, April 4th, 2026, Corrie Perkin, Founder, Sorrento Writers Festival; April 23-26, 2026.

The post Easter Saturday, April 4th, 2026, Corrie Perkin, Founder, Sorrento Writers Festival; April 23-26, 2026. appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Our next guest is Dr. Kirsten Abernethy, Macca and Kenny discuss the funding failures across the political spectrum for domestic violence support.

“National Legal Aid is deeply concerned about potential cuts to legal assistance for victim-survivors of domestic and family violence in the upcoming Federal Budget, after reports in The Sydney Morning Herald”, March 26 2026

https://nationallegalaid.org.au/news/budget-cuts-to-legal-assistance-will-put-women-and-children-at-risk-warns-national-legal-aid

Dr. Kirsten Abernethy is a social scientist, researcher and educator with over 20 years’ experience working with coastal and seafaring communities across Australia, the UK, and the Pacific. Her work is grounded in feminist values, and her research and advocacy has been centred upon worker’s rights, looking deeply at the experiences of women, a demographic often underrepresented. Kirsten has led major research and sector-wide programs focused on women’s leadership, workplace inclusion and systemic reform. In 2017, she won the VIC AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award. In 2025 was appointed Executive Director of the Victorian Women’s Trust.

The post Easter Saturday, April 4th, 2026, Dr. Kirsten Abernethy, Executive Director, Victorian Women’s Trust, Budget Cuts to Legal Aid for Domestic Violence Victims. appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Next, Kenny and Macca have an extended chat with Georgie Purcell, while live on air, on the phone is Laurie Levy.

Laurie Levy is a prominent Australian environmental activist and the founder and Campaign Director of the Coalition Against Duck Shooting, (CADS). For 40 years, as of March 2026, he has led a persistent campaign to end recreational duck hunting in Victoria.

Despite his age (83 as of late 2024), Levy remains active in the field. In October 2024, he successfully defended himself in court after being fined for entering wetlands during the hunting season to rescue birds; the Magistrate rescinded the fine, acknowledging his commitment to animal welfare.

Levy has consistently pressured the Victorian government, most recently criticising Premier Jacinta Allan for ignoring a parliamentary inquiry’s recommendation to ban the practice.

Levy’s long-term campaigning has been a major factor in the decline of recreational duck hunting in Victoria. Since he began his work in 1986, the number of active duck shooters in the state has reportedly dropped from approximately 100,000 to around 20,000.

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Macca and Kenny are joined live in the studio by, Georgie Purcell is a Member for Northern Victoria with the Animal Justice Party and a leading advocate on animal welfare and regional issues.

“Free public transport sounds like a great idea in inner Melbourne — but does it actually help people in regional Victoria where driving is essential?”

“Policies that work in Richmond don’t always work in regional Victoria.”

Some of the discussion topics for this week’s segment with Georgie Purcell include:

• IBAC accountability concerns
• Lobbying and political influence under scrutiny
• What are the real fuel stress in regional communities?
• Is free public transport good policy — or political optics?
• What practical cost-of-living measures would you support instead?
• Is IBAC still fit for purpose?
• Are you concerned about lack of scrutiny over public spending?
• Has lobbying become too entrenched in Victorian politics?
• What reforms would restore trust?

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The first guest today was Josh Burns, Federal ALP Member for McNamara he joined Macca, Kenny and John live in the studio with his new baby Lilah to discuss the current cost of living crisis and oil supplies.

Josh Burns is the federal member for Macnamara here in Melbourne and a prominent voice on foreign policy and national security.

The post Easter Saturday, April 4th, 2026, Josh Burns, MP Federal Member for Macnamara, Australian Labor Party, Cost of Living Crisis, Oil Supplies appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Macca’s back in the hosting chair this week Kenny’s in the co-hosting seat today. John’s behind the desk and we would like to welcome to the Sat Mag team, Agnes as production assist and helping with social media and photos etc. James the podcaster is doing his usual job.

Macca and Kenny highlight what’s happening in this week’s show

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