Australian Times weekly newspaper | 17 January 2012

17 January - 23 January 2012– Issue: 395

Aussie appeal

Don’t head home too early VOICES P4

Jason’s back Mr Donovan returns to the charts ENTERTAINMENT P8

Carnival!

Unmasking party season in Venice TRAVEL P9

CLIMATE CHANGE WILL BE A KILLER n

Australian world-first research predicts future climate warming will lead to many deaths

PLAN YOUR AUSTRALIA DAY

Where to party in London on 26 January | P6

A GLOBAL temperature rise of two degrees Celsius by 2050 would result in increased loss of life, a new Australian study has found.

Scientists from the Queensland University of Technology and the CSIRO say they’ve conducted worldfirst research which looks at the “years of life lost” due to climate change.

They focused on the city of Brisbane, which has a subtropical climate.

“A two-degree increase in temperature in Brisbane between now and 2050 would result in an extra 381 years of life lost per year in Brisbane,” lead researcher Associate Professor Adrian Barnett, from the university’s Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, said in a statement.

“A two-degree increase in temperature is the figure in the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change says is dangerous, but could be reached unless more aggressive measures are undertaken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”

Professor Barnett said an increase of more than two degrees would be catastrophic.

“A four-degree increase in temperature would result in an extra 3242 years of life lost per year in Brisbane.”

Professor Barnett said the “years of life lost” measurement gives greater weight to deaths at younger ages instead of focusing just on elderly people.

“We wanted to use years of life lost because we suspected that many temperature-related deaths were in the elderly, which would reduce the public health importance of temperature compared with other issues,” he said.

“In fact, we found the opposite, with a surprisingly high years of life lost figure.”

Interestingly, the study found that a one-degree increase would result in a decrease in the number of lives lost.

This is believed to be because the increase in heat-related years of life lost are offset by the decrease in cold-related years of life lost. The researchers said cold-related deaths are significant, even in a city with Brisbane’s warm climate.

And many deaths could be avoided ...continued on p3

Wrecked Italy ship like Titanic: Aussie AN Australian has spoken of the confusion surrounding his evacuation from a stricken cruise ship which ran aground off the Italian coast.

Robert Elcombe, 50, and his wife Tracy were among more than 4000 people on board the Costa Concordia which hit a reef on

Friday night (local time) off the Italian west coast, tearing a huge gash in the hull.

Mr Elcombe, formerly of the UK, but who now lives in Australia, said he and his wife got into a lifeboat after the ship began to list, but were ordered out by staff who said it was “only a generator problem” that could

be fixed.

“But as we got back inside the ship it tilted so steeply that I had to grab hold of people to save them as they flew down the corridor,” he told UK media.

“It was real Titanic stuff.

“We lost everything: passports, luggage, money. But at least we’re alive, unlike some people.”

At least six people have been confirmed dead after the vessel tilted into the sea near the small island of Giglio, with 15 people still unaccounted for.

23 Australians were among the 3200 passengers on board the ship and their safety has been confirmed by consular officials.

An Australian couple from Newcastle, Grant and Tessa Strickland, were also among the survivors who have spoke of the chaos of the crash. ‘’As the ship started going down it was a mad rush to get on ...continued on p3

2 | News

17 January - 23 January 2012

right said ed > TIM MARTIN

Publisher: Bryce Lowry Editor: Tim Martin Production/Design: Tamzyn Brookson Australia Editor: Ashlea Maher Music Editor: Paul Judge Contributors: Shannon Crane, Kate Ausburn, Sara Newman, Justin Ng, Phill Browne, Kristy Kenny, Carmen Allan, Mario Hannah, Amy Fallon, Rose Callaghan, Lesley Slade, Simon Kleinig, Kris Griffiths, Guy Logan,

Nathan Motton, JP Breytenbach, Cameron Jenkins, Will Denton, Leigh Johnston, Lee Crossley, Shane Jones, Adrian Craddock, Liam Flanagan, Emily Banyard, Mel Edwards, Raquel Messi Advertising Manager: Dominic Young Directors: P Atherton, J Durrant N Durrant, R Phillips and A Laird Additional content:

WHO ARE WE? Australian Times is written and compiled by young Australian journalists living in the UK. Contributing on a volunteer basis, they are uniquely placed to reflect the interests, opinions and attitudes of our community. If you would like to join us, contact info@australiantimes.co.uk ADDRESS: Unit 7C, Commodore House Battersea Reach, London SW18 1TW TEL: 0845 456 4910 EMAIL: info@australiantimes.co.uk

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APPARENTLY yesterday, the third Monday of January, was the unhappiest day of the year!

Commonly known as Blue Monday, the Poms love to get their knickers in a knot about this annual day of doom and gloom. But I just don’t get the hysteria.

Yes it’s winter and it’s fricken’ freezing (welcome to the UK!), yes my bank balance resembles the accumulative total of what is in the Greek and Irish coffers (yep - I am billions of Euros in debt...) and yes we have to wait a whole 11 months before Christmas comes round again (or more importantly, the Boxing Day Test comes round again) but there is still an awful lot to be happy about.

For one, as any good Aussie in London should be, I’m giddy with excitement

that there’s only a bit over a week to go until arguably one of the most important days of the year - Australia Day (more on that on pages 6 & 7). I am already anticipating that fizzy goodness (cold Australian beer) trickling down my neck as I rapturously sing ‘Advance Australia Fair’ (the Adam Hills ‘Working Class Man’ version - Google it) with thousands of my expatriate countrymen.

But that’s not all! I am already thanking the sun gods that we have passed the shortest day of the year (way back in December - so passée, so last year) and that every subsequent morning I wake up, I know it is to a day longer than the last.

I am already a little bit too over eager about the summer holidays I am going to enjoy later in 2012.

And I can’t help but venture into my hotmail account every now and again to take a peek at the email confirmation that tells me I will be attending the Games of the XXX Olympiad (very pornographic I know but there’s only 192 days to go until London 2012, just in case you were wondering).

So enough with this Blue Monday nonsense. Unless you are a Smurf, an Indian cricketer or someone who has popped out to the shops and forgotten their scarf, beanie, gloves, overcoat, undercoat, jumper and thermals, turn that frown upside down and get happy about 2012! You have a whole entire year to enjoy!

Tim Martin is the Editor of Australian Times

Why Britain must do more to save its high street

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For once Britain should not take Australia’s lead. Instead the UK needs to stare commercialism and economies of scale in the face and restore the quaint and age-old ‘village’ high street. the hard word > NATHAN MOTTON

THE outlook is rather grim. government research out prior to Christmas last year showed a third of UK high street stores are “degenerating or failing”. Worse still it found that the amount of spending on the high street has dropped to below half, and is sliding further still as more people head to out-of-town shopping centres to spend what little money they have.

One in seven shops on the high street are vacant, according to a survey released last year by the Local Data Company. One in seven!

It is a blight on this country’s government at all levels. Councils and government have seemingly turned their backs on one of this country’s best assets.

Exorbitant parking fees, excessive rent, over-the-top regulation and a lack of investment has left the high street on its knees. Of course there is a whole host of other reasons as to why the high street is failing, namely the rise and rise of online shopping. But The Hard Word isn’t interested so much in the cause, it’s more interested in the potential outcome.

Shopping centres in my mind are dirty words. They are gargantuan piles of concrete built by multinational corporations and laced with global

Your Say On: English Cuisine – Is it really that bad?

YES. It is. Their fish and chips are greasy and make you feel sick afterwards. All their fast food is curry, curry or curry, and their aversion to trying new things is just pathetic. Thank christ for the Melbourne style coffee shops popping up about London. Can’t wait to move home!

Claire AustralianTimes.co.uk/voices As an Australian living in London I have to say food over here is way better than Australia! Yes I miss the great lamb Australia offers but when it comes to everything else such as

Every day on …

What’s there to be blue about?

?

What’s your view

superstores. Yes they may be convenient but they lack character, charm and the small, independent businessman. And they have flourished in Australia.

The high street is well and truly dead in Australia. It has been for as long as I can remember. The Westfield Group’s portfolio houses a staggering 3.5 million square metres of retail space, attracting more than 500 million visitors annually across five states. And that’s just one group. It’s a pointer to the monopoly these corporations hold in Australia.

As a former Melbournian the appeal of Victorian streets such as Little Collins Street, High Street Armadale, Brunswick Street, High Street Northcote and Greville Street is hard to ignore. They each (largely) consist of independent stores, boutiques and smaller coffee shops, bars and bakeries.

But for a city of more than three million people there aren’t too many more obvious examples that come to mind.

The overwhelming majority of Melbourne residents, regardless of where they live, will head to Chadstone, Westfield Doncaster, Southland, Northland or Highpoint to spend their cash. And between those ‘heavyweights’ are smaller shopping centres that house miniature versions of their big brothers.

One of the things I love most about London is its high streets. Each and every suburb has its own, dotted with

pubs, clothing stores, restaurants and supermarkets all with ample public transport links and beautiful parks nearby. Markets also abound. Yes the temperatures along the high street are unregulated, but that just adds to the experience.

Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not a neophobe, afraid of new buildings and even worse - fearful of progress. In fact it’s quite the opposite. But it’s the way in which this progress is achieved that is of most concern.

As Mary Portas (UK television fashionista) recently pointed out, governments must create “multifactional” high streets. I’m not convinced that Tesco and Sainsburys have a role to play on Britain’s high streets, and I can understand the vehement opposition when one looks to open its doors, but like it or not they are here to stay.

More needs to be done to maintain an attractive space that people want to spend time in, and shopping isn’t the only answer. European high streets are a case in point and even today still flourish.

Britain has for centuries built a community around its town centres, it must keep it that way. The alternative is a future of bland, concrete jungles - a reality for Australian consumers long ago.

vegetables, seafood, etc it is so much cheaper and so much tastier! There are so many options in London. Going out for a meal you have a hard choice choosing what to eat and again because of the amount of competition the prices remain cheap. I always found Australian restaurants ridiculously overpriced and very rare to find a gem.

Carolyn AustralianTimes.co.uk/voices

On: Big Bash League – all that is wrong with Australian cricket

Isn’t it funny how Australian cuisine is ‘influenced’ by Asian flavours, but in the UK you can only ‘get’ Asian food.

Because of course, all Brits make fish and chips and steak and kidney pies at home, while all Australians are busy making sashimi with fried plantain and coriander dipping sauces. Hmmm…

Liz AustralianTimes.co.uk/voices

AustralianTimes.co.uk/voices

the big money will come from TV rights, particularly abroad. You compare cricket to AFL & soccer, sports with league seasons lasting 4-6 months, of course they are going to have bigger total crowds.

Neither of those sports is going to have significant international appeal for broadcast rights – T20 cricket from one of the best cricket nations in the world could. No doubt at all that is what they are aiming for.

Boris AustralianTimes.co.uk/voices

Share your comments on these and more stories online: AustralianTimes.co.uk

News | 3

AustralianTimes.co.uk

Climate warming would cause loss of life Continued from p1...

if people have better insulation in their houses.

“Many houses in Brisbane are built of thin planks of wood and are poorly insulated, which means the occupants are exposed to whatever the temperature is outside,” Professor Barnett said.

The researchers believe that while their work was focused on Brisbane, it contains helpful information to

decision-makers in other areas as well.

The study has been published in the journal Nature Climate Change. - AAP AustralianTimes.co.uk/news

Aussies safe after Italian ship tragedy Continued from p1...

the boats,’’ Mr Strickland told ABC television in Australia. ‘’Everyone was just, like, freaking out. We were, like, there’s no point getting onto the boats because we will just get crushed.”

He said that he and his wife had initially been told to go back to sleep by the Costa Concordia’s crew.

Many other survivors have spoken of the confusion and fear as the ship began to sink, with passengers jumping from the deck to swim to safety and others pushing their way on board life boats and fighting over life jackets.

“The crew couldn’t unhook the life boats,” Giuseppe D’Avino told The Observer newspaper on Sunday.

“There was a lot of panic. There were people screaming. There were children bawling. And even some fisticuffs among the passengers.”

Monique Maurek from the Netherlands said at no time during the cruise were instructions given about how to evacuate the ship if necessary.

“There was no evacuation drill at any point after we set sail,” she told The Sunday Telegraph.

“Nobody had any idea where the lifeboats were or where the life jackets were kept, so when it came to having to evacuate the ship it was chaos.”

Italian authorities are investigating the circumstances of the crash and have spoken with the ship’s captain.

- AAP AustralianTimes.co.uk/news

Australia Day ‘most important’ for nation AN overwhelming majority of Australians have nominated Australia Day as the most significant day on the national calendar.

Almost nine in 10 people plan to celebrate the national holiday commemorating the arrival of the First Fleet in 1788 in some way, a survey by the National Australia Day Council shows.

It found 93 per cent of people named Australia Day as a day of importance more than any other national celebration.

More than five million Australians plan to attend public events on 26 January including breakfasts, concerts, fireworks and celebrations of indigenous culture.

Council chief executive Warren Pearson said on Tuesday the survey found many people felt celebrating Australia Day fulfilled a need to be part of a national community.

“Whether it be through attending major events, taking part in a local community celebration or simply getting your friends and family together, Australia Day plays a significant role in our sense of belonging, unity and identity,” he said in a statement.

“However you choose to celebrate Australia Day in 2012, consider what it is you appreciate most about being Australian and how you can live in the spirit of Australia Day all year.”

As well, four out of five people said Australia Day events were an important way to demonstrate pride in their country.

Important characteristics those surveyed thought should be celebrated included freedom, Australia’s unique landscape and environment, cultural diversity, and acceptance of others.

“People are also increasingly conscious of the role Australia Day can play in uniting many different Australians,” Mr Pearson said.

“With 72 per cent believing it’s important to recognise indigenous people and culture as part of the day and 69 per cent saying it’s important to recognise the contribution of ethnic communities.” - AAP How will you celebrate your Australia Day in London? Turn to pages 6 & 7 AustralianTimes.co.uk/news

Sheep shearing pitched as Olympic sport SHEEP shearing could be the next big Olympic sport, according to a New Zealand farming lobby group.

Federated Farmers thinks shearing has the potential to become a demonstration sport at the Commonwealth Games, or even the Olympics.

The group’s meat and fibre chairman Jeanette Maxwell says shearing requires both skill and physical effort.

Newly-crowned world record shearers Ivan Scott and Kerri-Jo Te Huia demonstrate the sport’s athletic prowess, she said.

“People like Ivan Scott, Kerri-Jo Te Huia and our world championships team are athletes who take it to another level.”

Earlier this month, Mr Scott sheared 749 lambs in eight hours to beat the previous solo lamb shearing world record, while Ms Te Huia sheared 507 lambs in the same time to claim the

women’s world record.

Ms Maxwell says if shearing gets a shot as a demonstration sport, it would elevate the status of shearing and shearers on the world stage.

The idea was first mooted by Sports Shear Australia in 2008.

The shearing world championships will be held in Masterton, NZ in March. - AAP AustralianTimes.co.uk/news

4 | Voices

17 January - 23 January 2012

Nominate for the Australian Woman of the Year in the UK Award

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Nominations are now open for the Qantas Australian Woman of the Year in the UK Award 2012, showcasing what Australian women have achieved while in the UK. THE Qantas Australian Woman of the Year in the UK Award is now into its fifth consecutive year. Proudly sponsored by Qantas, Australian Business and Australian Times, it recognises outstanding achievement

by Australian women living and working in the UK. Women from all walks of life are encouraged to apply for the Award, whether success has been achieved through business or personal endeavours, the arts, sciences, professional disciplines, government, the community sector or any other

field. The aim of the Award is to showcase what Australian women have achieved while in the UK. As the Qantas Australian Woman of the Year in the UK 2012, the winner will be awarded two return International Business tickets to Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide or Perth flying Qantas, plus named on the perpetual trophy housed in Australia House. The winner will also carry the title of Qantas Australian Woman of the Year in the UK 2012 and become an ambassador representing Qantas and Australian

Business at up to four promotional events.

Nominations are now open and close 1 March 2012. You may nominate yourself, or another Australian woman living in the UK. To nominate, just head to AustralianTimes.co.uk /news/ nominate.htm A panel of judges will decide the award, with the winner announced at a reception to be held on the evening of 8 March 2012 at The Langham London.

AustralianTimes.co.uk/news

A little respect is the least we can do # 55 -Westfield London

By Shannon Crane

THERE have been times recently when I have felt embarrassed to be an Australian.

I never thought the day would come.

But when I see my fellow countrymen drunkenly stumbling on the footpath or hurling abuse at innocent people on a Sunday afternoon, I want to hide my nationality.

It’s clear where they’ve been and that they’re making their way to one of the many other popular Australian watering holes, but that’s no excuse.

I have no problem with people having fun.

I, too, have been drunk on a Sunday afternoon before, but I have managed to resist the urge to cause a public nuisance.

The sort of behaviour that I’ve witnessed is cringe-worthy.

But it’s more than just the boozing.

It absolutely ticks me off when I hear Aussies, or Kiwis, bagging out Brits.

A bit of friendly banter is completely acceptable, but I have been caught in several conversations with other Antipodeans where not a good word has been said about the Poms.

The discussion usually centres on trivial things like their ‘annoying’ accent or ‘lazy’ work ethic and in my experience, the Aussies and Kiwis who haven’t bothered to give them a chance are the main culprits.

If you don’t like the place then why are you still here?

While we’re living in someone else’s country, showing a little bit of respect is the least we can do.

In a similar vein, I was once told by an estate agent that I couldn’t even apply for a house because the landlord wouldn’t accept Australians.

The last time Aussies lived in one

of his rental properties, they trashed it and, understandably, he wasn’t about to take the risk again.

Many Antipodeans treat the two-year youth mobility visa is a ticket to act like an 18-year-old on a schoolie’s trip.

Don’t they realise they can get wasted and make fools of themselves back in Australia, where the rent is a whole lot cheaper and the climate much warmer?

I know people from the UK also have a reputation in Australia for behaving like idiots during their stay.

But I really can’t see the point.

It’s embarrassing for those of us who want to embrace the culture and make a real go of life in this part of the world.

Stop making fools of yourselves and giving the rest of us a bad name.

If you can’t do that, then please, just go home.

AustralianTimes.co.uk/voices

Don’t head home too early!

By Kristy Kenny

LEAVING London – those words invoke different feelings to different people. But regardless of who you are, if you’re an Aussie living in London, then these two words cross your mind often.

Returning to Australia can be a blessing for the homesick or punishment to those who see it as the end of reckless fun.

The latter is probably more common, because let’s face it, that’s why we left in the first place.

I was one of those people. But after a two year stint gallivanting across as many countries as possible and living in London, it was time to face the blasting reality of life back on Australian shores. And whatever type of mental preparation I thought I’d given myself, it wasn’t even close to being enough. Each day waking back home is like a fresh slap in the face – on a really bad day it’s like I’ve been completely KO’d! And after talking to other returnees, I’m not alone.

So before you prematurely book a ticket to the homeland because you a) just broke up with your boyfriend/ girlfriend b) can’t afford to stay in London earning such little money or c) miss a love or the life you left behind, think long and hard about the decision.

Readjusting is tough and nearly two months in I’m still as unsettled as day one - minus the jetlag! The 24 hour flight was agony, dragging me closer and closer to the life I wasn’t prepared to go back to. And shock horror – when I got back nothing had changed. Except that every single friend I left behind was

either pregnant, has had a baby, wanted a baby, wanted another baby or couldn’t stop talking about babies. WARNING: while you were learning, growing and discovering the world, your mates were breeding like wildfire and cannot relate to your experiences unless they have also had them. Best have an overseas baby story prepared to hold their attention for a little while at least.

The alternative to this conversation is marriages and mortgages. I can’t decide what’s worse!

You are most likely coming home broke. Even more likely is that you’re coming home in debt – to your parents. And it gets worse. Because you’re broke and jobless, you live with your folks rent free knowing that the first few months pay, when you eventually get a job, is going straight back to them. It’s pure humiliation; you’re brave and independent enough to take on any culture of the world but still need mummy and daddy to help you back on your feet!

And then throw in this equation: Australia = extortion. This just compounds your ‘brokeness’ when you get home. I got off the plane at Melbourne Airport and feeling parched bought a small bottle of water….for six bucks! And things got worse – a pint cost $9.40 - and apparently that’s a good deal! If you’re a smoker, well I hate to be the one to break the news, but you’re looking at around $17 per packet. Ah, I remember Eastern Europe where a bottle of water is 10 cents, a beer is a couple of bucks and a pack of smokes is $3. But when it comes to

rent, it’s Australia winning the race. It’s still bearable in most parts, compared to a London Zone Three equivalent!

Australia cannot compete with London’s entertainment and nightlife.

And with nearly half of Australia’s entire population equaling the quantity in London, it’s not surprising why. But it’s a tough readjustment nonetheless – life just seems so quiet in compassion.

Returning to Oz also means returning to the road, not the pub.

The public transport situation in Australia hasn’t changed a great deal.

So catching a taxi home or walking is still the answer to those nights at the pub. Turns me off drinking somehow!

Australia is still the same wonderful country it was when you left – albeit more expensive with the ever present feeling of a time capsule – but still the same.

Each year too many people rush back to their homeland over a rash decision and then regret it. London is far away and can sometimes look intimidating, expensive and bleak. But from where I’m standing it’s the other way round.

Home isn’t going anywhere, so make sure you return when you are 100% ready!

AustralianTimes.co.uk/voices

n

We know, we know, there are a lot of Australians in London! But what’s not to love about us? Saying that, our resident explorer scopes out the largest London ‘Aussie’ of us all and ticks another one off her London Top 100 list. bron in

the don BRONWYN SPENCER

AS the post-Christmas blues settle in there is only one solution – Retail Therapy! So I thought what better time to go and explore Westfield London (ahhh Westfield, that ‘little’ company from Down Under). A big shopping centre may be a random thing to have in London’s Top 100 but when you consider it is the largest shopping centre in Europe with over 275 shops and over 50 restaurants and cafes you can soon imagine why it can be considered a day out!

I decided to check out the Westfield at Shepherd’s Bush (there is also an Olympic sized one at Stratford City). I was armed with my Christmas money and credit cards and ready for the post-Christmas sales. When I arrived, I wandered through the first entrance I could find and was suddenly in ‘The Village’. This is the luxury section of the shopping centre including brands like Louis Vuitton, Burberry, Prada and Tiffany and Co among many others. It is also equipped with its own Champagne Bar where you can sip on champagne and canapés while you watch other shoppers shop. It’s a beautiful space but let’s face it – even with the most discounted of sales there is no way I would be spending money in this section so I moved swiftly on.

As I emerged from The Village I soon saw a few of the more High Street stores like Zara and Topshop and immediately felt more at home. So I got stuck into my shopping ! As I wandered through the centre I was overwhelmed at the size of these stores and amazed at the amount of shops and brands that were available. Westfield boasts stores from over 15 countries and I was really happy to spot a few Aussie brands such as Ugg thrown in there. One of my favourite discoveries was a Boost Juice bar. Back home I practically lived on Boost Juice and have been missing their delicious fruit smoothies so I was extremely happy to stumble upon this treat!

Shopping can work up an appetite and Westfield have catered for this with places to eat and drink popping

up all over the place. There is a main food court which is host to little cafes and food bars where you can pick up a quick snack. Or if you want to sit down and rest over a meal there is the The Southern Terraces outside with a few different restaurants. If you’re heading to the movies there is the Loft which has a few places like Nando’s or Pizza Express to grab a bite before the flick. For me it was a sandwich from Pret before I headed back into the throng of shoppers.

After a few hours I was knackered, my budget was blown and I had bags full of clothes and shoes that I probably don’t need or won’t wear but I have to say it was a fun day out. For me Westfield isn’t the kind of place to pop into to pick up one thing but when you are on a mission for a new season coat, an outfit for a party or a special gift, it’s the place to go because the range is just so broad. Even with my wallet feeling a little lighter, my day out at Westfield did the trick and my retail therapy cured my post-Christmas blues. Now all I have to do is find room to store all my bargains!

AustralianTimes.co.uk/voices

Voices | 5

AustralianTimes.co.uk

Keep calm and carry on: may I blame Nirvana?

Missing that taste of Asia? n

This week our culinary guru, Chris Ark, from Claridge’s Restaurant in London helps us become masters of a yummy Thai curry.

chris’s

kitchen > CHRIS ARK

THIS week I was fortunate enough to eat at one of my now favourite Vietnamese restaurants in Battersea – Mien Tay… For many years living in London I have missed the punchy flavours of Thai, Vietnamese and Malaysian cuisine. But thankfully I now have a stable of restaurants close to me and a swathe of recipes I like to cook at home to keep the appetite satisfied.

Southeast Asian chefs and home

By Ashlea Maher TODAY marks one year, five months and two days since I left London…and counting.

I’ve always been a person that believes that one’s day begins the minute you walk out your front door.

In 2009 when I boarded the plane for London with the 20 kilos of stuff in my backpack as my only possessions for the next two years, occupation unknown, my parents thought I was crazy. I was so excited.

I spent two years travelling, making new friends and was lucky enough to work in my chosen profession when I thought the best I’d do would be stacking Tesco shelves (not that there’s anything wrong with that either). My life had never been that hectic and I was thriving out of my comfort zone.

So returning to Australia on 18 August, 2010 left a sour taste.

When I flew in, my father and sister were waiting for me at Sydney International.

I got in the family 4WD and we drove over the ‘Sandstone Curtain’ towards home, or at least the city where I grew up anyway, Orange, NSW. My definition of home: the place where everything is familiar; where pantry is well stocked; where dust gathers on framed photos sitting atop Grandma’s old piano of mid-90’s Christmas Day family celebrations; where I keep those sentimental childhood mementos I can’t bring myself to throw away.

While away, I had been in contact with my Aussie mates and family nearly every day while living in London thanks to competitive global calling deals and time zone differences meaning I could call for free while bored during the daily overland commute; so I felt like I didn’t miss much important stuff.

All that really changed physically at home while I was away was that my Dad renovated the shed and the fruit trees had grown a little taller.

The old paintings still hadn’t been hung on the walls.

My Parents were a little grey, but everything else…fine.

However I do want to acknowledge that in the past year while being back, I’ve had the pleasure of witnessing weddings

and engagements of lifetime friends, meeting their children and have learnt about the career progression of others that have made them rich. These priceless events are things I couldn’t have been apart of on the other side of the world.

Home was comforting at first, but boredom set in.

For me, there was that ‘been there, done that’ element.

It feels like I travelled in a time machine: the world had me spinning while everything stood semi-still for loved ones.

This makes me feel like a snob, even an outsider.

Is it because I don’t want to belong, to conform? Maybe I listened to too much grunge in those influential teen years? Damn you Nirvana!

The only wealth I have lays in my memory built from travelling; and memories fade, unlike property values.

But I don’t regret busting the equivalent of a mortgage deposit on travelling. I have never felt more challenged, alive and educated. I found out a lot about myself and that I can be self-sufficient and independently succeed, even in the most trying of situations. I was an adventurer.

While some may find peace in the comfort of their own house; I’m saving for my big adventure for 2012: moving to Canada.

And hopefully to Montreal, because my French is rubbish and I need something to entertain me while I save enough money to move over there, and learning another language should help ease the pain.

Maybe one day I’ll come home.

Or find one. Until then I’m staying out until the after street lights come on.

My advice to anyone still in the UK is make every day an adventure.

Also, to pause and think about all the people you know who don’t have freedom to travel.

It’s part of human nature to be inquisitive and maybe as Australians, isolated from the rest of the world, this plays on our mind state even more and drives us to explore the UK and beyond.

Maybe I’m being too harsh on Kurt Cobain and that’s why we’re the Lucky Country?

AustralianTimes.co.uk/voices

cooks have mastered the art of balancing the sweet and sour elements of the ingredients to give the freshest seafood the justice it deserves.

Pungent fish sauces blended with palm sugar, lime or fresh coriander are easily blended to transform a simple chicken thigh into heaven.

Our cold winters should not turn our thoughts away from the freshness of a Malaysian curry with sticky rice, but make us crave the aromas and flavours of coconut cream and roasted peanuts.

Knowing how to cook these ingredients is simple and like with simple pasta dishes, a couple of trial and error nights with mates in the kitchen will have any doubts ironed out and mates wanting

more (and more!).

Several Asian specialty stalls are popping up everywhere so lets get cracking on a tasty yellow Thai curry.

Investing in a good quality wok and a heavy based saucepan is a worthwhile purchase. And who knows, maybe you could soon be like the phenomenal David Thompson, whose London restaurant Nahm became the first Thai restaurant in the world to earn a Michelin star.

Here’s a few recipes to get your confidence going for the perfect Thai curry. Happy cooking!

AustralianTimes.co.uk/voices

e ric ut on oc C ith w y rr cu n ke ic ch w Yello

Chicken Curry Coconut Rice What you need:

• 4 chicken thighs without skin • 1 white onion • ¼ pumpkin medium diced • 1 large red potato peeled and diced • 1knob of galangal • 2 tbls of yellow curry paste • 1 small can of coconut milk • 1 small can of coconut cream • ½ a bunch of freshly chopped coriander leaves

What to do:

• Heat oil in a pot over medium to low heat.

• Sautée yellow curry paste and galangal with oil until fragrant.

• Add coconut cream and continue simmer for about 4-5 minutes or until you can see the yellow oily part starting to separate.

• Add coconut milk and chicken and continue simmering about 15 minutes.

Then add potato and pumpkin diced.

Continue cooking chicken and ingredients for 15 minutes, then add onions until all is cooked through.

• Season with palm sugar, fish sauce and a freshly chopped coriander leaves.

What you need:

• 2 cups Thai jasmine-scented white rice • 2 cups good-quality coconut milk • 1 3/4 cups water • 2 heaping tbsp dry shredded unsweetened coconut • 1/2 tsp salt • 1/2 tsp coconut oil, OR vegetable oil

What to do:

• Rub oil over the bottom of a deepsided pot. You will also need a tight-fitting lid.

• Place rice, coconut milk, water, shredded coconut, and salt in the pot and set over medium-high to high heat. Stir occasionally to keep rice from sticking to the bottom of the pot and burning.

• Once the liquid has been absorbed turn off the heat.

• Slowly remove the lid and using a fork carefully stir the rice until it becomes fluffy and serve.

• Place a generous helping of rice in a large bowl and top with your yellow curry garnished with freshly chopped coriander.

y a D a i l a r t s Au

6 | Entertainment

17 January - 23 January 2012

n o d n o L n i e t a r b e l e c Where to

l will nglish capita E e th s s ro c ie expats a s style come s u s o u ri A e s ! n e o m d o n at er in s y in Lo per shindig n Down Und Australia Da o ro ti p a n a t r a o re r g e dinn g our your be celebratin black tie gala of ways you can spend a e b it r e have Wheth thora ectably and 26 January. there’s a ple p , s s re b , u p ly ib ie s s . s n any Au do it respo en and gold r, re e g b in m e d one of the m e m k e c R nd de y this 2012. and about a t u c’mon!! o , ll s a Australia Da ie u o s y s e u e s A to n e op Come o a ball! We h

events Australia Day @ Australia House >Thurs 26 Jan >Australia House >Invitation only

Australia Day Celebration

Australian Music Showcase

>Thurs 26 Jan, 6:30pm – 9pm >Grange St Paul’s Hotel, EC4V 5AJ >£20 tickets include all food and drink Australian Business will be hosting ‘London’s biggest Australia Day celebration’. With entertainment from members of Priscilla The Musical and a special VIP guest appearance from Socceroo Tim Cahill, Aussies in London are in for a treat. As always, Australian sparkling wine, beer, Vilis pies and canapés will be on offer as well as the chance to win two iPads.

>Thurs 26 Jan, 8pm – late >Under Bar Solo, Camden, NW1 7HJ >Free entry Aussie residents in north London are in for a treat this year, with Bar Solo in Camden hosting a bunch of Australian artists headlined by Bonfire Nights.

They will be joined by Horsefight and solo artist Chris Brady and a funky DJ will be spinning a bagful of Aussie hits throughout the eve.

Australia Day Foundation

Wine Australia annual tasting

>Sat 21 Jan, >Australia House >Invitation only The Australia Day Foundation was formed in 2003 and hosts a gala Australia Day dinner every year.

They are responsible for choosing and awarding the Australian of the Year in the UK Award, Young Australian Achiever of the Year in the UK Award and Honorary Australian of the Year in the UK Award. Pick up next week’s edition of your Australian Times to find out who the winners are.

>Thurs 26 Jan, 10am – 6pm >Saatchi Gallery, Chelsea, SW3 4SQ >Via registration @ >WineAustralia.com Celebrating ‘ten years at the top’ for Aussie wines in the UK, Wine Australia will be putting on portfolio tastings, masterclasses and themed blind tastings throughout the day with some magnificent wines on offer. Raise a glass and celebrate Australia Day in style.

Australia Day @ The Comedy Tree

>Thurs 26 Jan, 8pm – late >Wahoo Bar, 14 Putney >High Street, SW15 1SL >£10 tickets Check out some of Australia’s funniest comedians on Australia Day. Showstopper Sarah Kendall will be joined by Pete Jonas and Brisbane’s Benny Boot as well as a very special appearance from an adopted Australian Bhoy. Looks to be one very funny evening!

out k c e h c o t s e c Other pla The Church

>Sun 22 Jan >St John’s Hill, Clapham >Junction, SW11 1TT Because what would Australia Day in London be without a trip to The Church?

Generator Hostel

>37 Tavistock Place, Russell Square, WC1H 9SE Beer pong, boat races, barbies... all at a place where when you run out of steam you can head upstairs!

Need we say more?

Entertainment | 7

AustralianTimes.co.uk

bars

Walkabout Temple

>Thurs 26 Jan, 12pm – 3am >Temple Place, WC2R 2PH >Free entry The new look Walkie Temple will be going off on Australia Day with something for everyone! But don’t forget the other Walkabout bars around London which will all be partying like there’s no tomorrow too. Shepherd’s Bush in particular are going all out with giveaways, three bands, two DJs and the ‘biggest party in London’.

Waxy O’Connors

>Thurs 26 Jan >14-16 Rupert Street, W1D 6DD >Free entry

There’s a special bond between Aussies and our Irish brothers and sisters, so there’s no surprise that arguably the best Irish pub in London will celebrate our big day.

Waxy’s have a special Oz Day menu, drinks promotions, giveaways & DJ as well as playing Triple J’s Hottest 100.

Underdog, Clapham Common

>Thurs 26 Jan, 9am – 1:30am >6a Clapham Common >South Side, SW4 7AB >Free entry The Underdog is a perennial Australia Day fave with the Clapham Aussie crew. This year they’ve got drinks specials all day, the Triple J Hottest 100 blasting out loud and punters taking the mechanical surfboard challenge. Bad mullets and dodgy tattoos is the theme. Oi!

Larrik Inn

>Thurs 26 Jan >425 New Kings Road, SW6 4RN >Free entryThurs 26 Jan, Fulham’s favourite Aussie haunt will be embracing the Australian ‘larrikin’ spirit with an all day happy hour and a ‘come dressed as your favourite AFL player’ theme. Get on down and get excited!

Jetlag Bar

>Thurs 26 Jan, til 3am >125 Cleveland Street, W1T 6QB The ‘sports bar with a difference’ is turning true blue for Aussie Day and won’t just have some Australiana booze on offer but a crazy selection of Aussie food (Surf n’ Turf, mini pavlovas and their epic Aussie Burger).

They’re screening classic Aussie films like The Castle, Muriel’s Wedding and Priscilla, Queen of the Desert and are broadcasting Triple J live.

Becoming the Aussie Temple of London n London’s Aussie drinking mecca,

Walkabout Temple, is currently undergoing an £800,000 refurbishment. All with the aim of transforming the iconic venue into London’s best sports, live music and party bar.

WALKABOUT Temple is getting a facelift. And just as with Shane Warne (his new look got him Liz Hurley) the people behind the Thames-side bar hope big things beckon for a new look Temple Walkie. With the main bar being converted into Walkabout’s flagship venue, they’re going all out with a new stage for live acts, additional bars, new seating areas overlooking the dance floor, a pop-up restaurant for large sporting events and a full refurbishment to up-date the famous brand. In the second part of the bar (the lesser known backroom) – it will become the new Temple Beach Club Room where London revellers can experience cool tracks and exotic cocktails.

Walkabout say the new refurbishment has created 30 new jobs including a full sales team and “cocktail mixoligists who are currently in training for what is set to be a very busy few weeks for this 900-capacity landmark London venue”.

The new look venue is set to re-open on 25 January (with an exciting relaunch party) before getting true blue

for Australia Day the next day. But don’t think the festivities end there. On the 27 January, Temple Walkie is going retro with fire-eaters, stilt walkers and Robbie Williams and Michael Jackson tributes.

Monday Madness ensues (30 Jan) with “London’s biggest Monday night party and international DJs” before a very special treat for Aussie customers on Tuesday (31 Jan) – Grinspoon duo Phil Jamieson and Pat Davern - performing live. All before Happy Thursday’s kick off the mid week party (2 Feb) with happy hour prices til 9pm and karaoke fans singing alongside the Walkie live band. Saturday (4 Feb) sees the Saturday Beach Party come alive with one of London’s favourite bands, Brainscape, before Sunday welcomes sports fans for a huge Superbowl party. Wow! The refurbishment is set “to put Walkabout Temple on the map for being one of the best entertaining party destinations in London”. See you there!

AustralianTimes.co.uk/entertainment

8 | Entertainment

17 January - 23 January 2012

What we’re following #David Warner

MickeyArthur David Warner outstanding-one of the best test innings I have seen-others are Sehwag in Chennai,Smith in Birmingham and Clarke in Sydney. gaurav If david warner wants to be the next virender sehwag he really has to start converting these 180s into 300s! :) flyingfishcrick Warner blasts fourth fastest ton!

Opener David Warner hits the equal fourth fastest Test century in history

#Sam Kekovich

#Rupert Murdoch

Toni_Pipicelli What Australia day is all about!!

“Barbie Girl” (Sam Kekovich v Melissa Tkautz) Awesome song!

cdixon Rupert Murdoch wants to destroy the foundation of the internet but he also wants to reduce popcorn prices. So I guess it’s a wash.

hortovanyi Hope Sam Kekovich got paid a lot for this as im sure he will get paid out forever!

LauinLA Don’t you DARE tell me to follow Rupert Murdoch, Twitter. I’ve never been so insulted in my life.

lucethoughts Apart from the fact that Sam Kekovich looks and sings like Robocop, this new lamb ad is pretty great.

sparky000 Irony of Rupert Murdoch calling Google ‘thieves’. Would you steal a car? Would you download a movie? Would you illegally access a voicemail?

Check out what we’re following today on AustralianTimes.co.uk and follow us on Twitter @AustralianTimes

What’s On

Cloud Control 17 Feb @ Electric Ballroom

Australian Pink Floyd 24 Mar @ Hammersmith Apollo

The Jezabels 22 Feb @ Koko

Parkway Drive 7 April @ Indig02

Grinspoon 2 Feb @ Walkabout, SheBu

Bleeding Knees Club 23 Feb @ Old Blue Last

Australian Times presents Paul Kelly 3 Feb @ Union Chapel

Qantas Australian Woman of the Year in the UK Award 2012 8 Mar @ The Langham London

Bogan Bingo Every Thursday @ The Underdog, Clapham Common

Phil Jamieson & Pat Davern (Grinspoon) 31 Jan @ Walkabout Temple

For full details...

...and more Aussie gigs go to: AustralianTimes.co.uk/entertainment

Jason returns, counting to 10 and the King temporarily leaves his throne music from the

motherland > PAUL JUDGE

Jason Donovan returns to the pop

We’ve had to wait for nearly two decades but wait no more Jason Donovan fans; he’s putting out a new album… No, we’re not joking, he’s really back!

Donovan found fame, broke a few hearts and was half of one of the biggest weddings in the 80’s. We do of course mean the TV marriage of Scott and Charlene (Donovan and Kylie Minogue) in Neighbours. You didn’t think we talking about Charles and Diana did you? Pffft…

After enjoying the fame and the enviable position of Kylie’s real life boyfriend, Mr Donovan progressed onto a few years of pop stardom followed by performing in musicals and at least one clichéd drug problem.

But he is a fighter our Jason, finding fame again here in the UK after several reality stints including I’m a Celebrity, get me out of here and Dancing With the Stars. And who could forget his time as the face of budget supermarket Iceland’s advertising campaign?

Now it seems, with a rejuvenated career and his timeless ‘boy next door’ looks, it’s time to wow the world again with another batch of pop songs. Will it be as good as the 1989 smash ‘Too Many Broken Hearts’?

We can only hope.

is predominantly an outdoors event because of the weather but hey, we don’t need reminding, ok!

And one of the great ways to do NYE Down Under is at the Falls Festival in Lorne, Victoria. Three days of camping, music and revelry make for a great party. Sure it gets a bit colder in the forests of southern Victoria but outside in a national forest with 20,000 other festival goers makes it a truly memorable start to the New Year.

One highlight is at midnight - when the headlining band breaks their set to count in the final 10 seconds to a chorus of wild cheers and hugs with strangers. This year the job fell to the Arctic Monkeys. Perhaps still on UK time or maybe because no one told them of their responsibility the band finished off their set at 11:58pm and walked off stage. Leaving an audience who possibly didn’t know what day it was let alone the time ,they returned at 12:01am with lead singer Alex Turner announcing: ‘Apparently we were meant to do a countdown. Should we do one now…?’

Well, better late than never and we’re sure the crowd appreciated it anyway.

been the face of the youth station.

Even the Peter Pan’s among us qualify for long service leave at some stage and Triple J will be minus Richard Kingsmill as he takes a sabbatical from the station for the first half of the year. A Triple J press release reported he’s taking some time to travel the world. Yeah he’ll miss 2012’s Hottest 100 but baking on a beach in Mexico sounds just as good!

We can neither confirm nor deny if he’ll come join us at Music from the Motherland but our people will in touch in his people. Watch this space.

AustralianTimes.co.uk/entertainment

Kingsmill taking a break

If any one person personifies Australia’s national radio station, Triple J, it’s Richard ‘The King’ Kingsmill. Working at the station for 23 years, the past eight as musical director, The King has long

Arctic Monkeys fluff it

How’d you spend your New Year’s Eve? Maybe at a house party or a pub somewhere in the UK, most likely indoors as it’s a tad chilly that time of year. In Australia New Year’s Eve

ESPECIALLY FOR YOU: He’s back baby! Jason Donovan, our favourite Neighbours star ever (sorry Kylie, Natalie, Russell, Holly...), is making a return to the charts with an album soon to be released. Yay!

Travel | 9

AustralianTimes.co.uk

Life is a Carnevale

in Venice

n

With ‘carnival’ season quickly approaching around the world, NINA McGRATH visited the famed canals of Venice to unmask one of Europe’s most giddy traditional celebrations.

WITH so many places to see in Europe, it is hard to justify returning to a city that my husband and I had already seen.

However, one of the few exceptions was Venice, as the chance to experience Carnevale was all the excuse we needed to fly back to the city of canals.

Carnevale di Venezia commences approximately a fortnight before Ash Wednesday and ends on Shrove Tuesday (also known as Pancake Tuesday, Fat Tuesday or Mardi Gras).

These dates differ annually (in 2012 – 11 to 21 February), but still generally fall at a cool time of year, which I am sure the heavily costumed participants appreciate. The Venice Carnival dates back to 1268, however it was the Italian government’s promotion of Carnevale as a tourist attraction in the 1970s that has lead to over 30,000 visitors descending upon Venice each day of the Italian ‘partito’ (party).

Putting a face on

Extravagant masks are what Carnevale di Venezia is most popularly known for and the masks were originally worn at Carnevale to conceal the wearer’s identity and social class, a welcome relief for those in the lower classes of the strict hierarchical society of the Republic of Venice.

The Alilaguna motoscafi (water bus) from Venice’s Marco Polo Airport deposited us at San Marco Giardinetti and we soon found ourselves amidst a costumed crowd. The full costume is breath taking; it covers the wearer from head to toe and, particularly

for costumed couples or groups, conforms to a colour theme such as black and white, green and gold or sunset hues. The face mask is painted and embellished with gold leaf, silver leaf, diamantes, brocade, lace and feathers. The mask is framed by a wig and/or a hat decorated with tulle, fabric flowers and feathers.

Others wear the traditional tricorn hat adorned with a feather or the jester’s hat jingling with bells. Women wear full length dresses with full shirts, long sleeved jackets and gloves.

Some carry ornate lace or feather fans, parasols or delicate evening bags. Men wear puffy trousers, boots with elaborate buckles, shirts, vests, jackets and capes of all lengths with large stiff collars, and brandish sceptres with ornate tops.

Snap happy in canal city

Whilst checking the rules regarding taking photos of the costumed Venetians, I was delighted to discover that all they desire is to be photographed, and as a result they will willingly pose for you or with you. The conduct of the tourists was admirable, a quick pose with the costumed Venetians and then they’d step aside to allow the next person to do the same. Venice Carnevale is a photographer’s paradise, which was particularly evident in the breakfast room of our hotel the next morning.

Serious chunky professional cameras adorned

every table (except ours) and the other guests were quoting model numbers, comparing shots with full discussion of the settings used and trading tips on where to get the best shots that day.

Having a ball (for free)

Some tourists go all out, paying extravagant prices to hire traditional costumes and attend the masked balls held in the old palaces and Venice’s top class hotels. We found ourselves among the majority who are content to don a mask, hat or wig and take in the free entertainment such as street theatre, puppet shows, Commedia dell’Arte, mime and movies with piano accompaniment. There is also music and dancing, from Tango concerts to bands to DJ sets, and even an ice rink at Campo San Polo.

Getting involved in Carnevale di Venezia

• The Flight of the Angel At noon on the first Saturday of Carnevale a ‘guest of Venice’ in costume (in 2011 it was Silvia Bianchini, Maria of the 2010 Carnevale) is lowered from the bell tower of San Marco to the loggia of the Palazzo Ducale, to pay homage to the Doge and open Carnevale.

• Festa delle Marie The traditional ‘Festa delle Marie’ stems from a tradition where the Venetian Doge would award twelve ...continued on p10

10 | Travel Continued from p9... ‘beautiful but humble’ Venetian girls with jewels as a bridal dowry. Today it is more of a beauty pageant. On the first Saturday of Carnevale the twelve Venetian girls, accompanied by groups in historical costume, parade from San Pietro in Castello to Piazza San Marco where the ‘Marie’ are presented to the citizens of Venice. On the final day of Carnevale, following a water parade from San Giacomo dell’Orio to Piazza San Marco, the Doge crowns the winning “Maria”.

• The Best Masked Costumes Contest The Piazza San Marco stage is home to three days of qualifiers, and the finals of the best masked costumes contest.

An international jury awards the ‘best mask of the Carnival’, and ‘best nineteenth century style mask’ based on the costumes colours, originality, and the entrants grace and bearing.

• The Silent Regatta The Silent Regatta is held at midnight on the final day as the closing event of Carnevale. A long parade of gondolas and row boats proceed down a candlelit Canal Grande, from Rialto to the basin

17 January - 23 January 2012

of San Marco to the strains of a trumpet atop the leading boat. On arrival at San Marco, thousands of paper lanterns are released into the sky to represent the end of Carnevale and the start of Lent.

Cruising Venice-style

Feeling that we had seen enough of Carnevale, we caught vaporetto 1 (another waterbus) from San Marco to San Marcuola, a relaxing cruise along Canal Grande, and walked through Cannaregio to Ghetto. The quiet canals and all but deserted neighbourhood provided a stark contrast to the crowded, confetti strewn streets around San Marco.

We wove through streets and over bridges to a small bàcari (small, hidden bar) that had been recommended to us for its ‘cicchetti’.

Cicchetti covers all manner of small snacky items such as olives, or mini serves of other menu items(similar to Spanish tapas), but we went for the small slices of bread or polenta with various toppings secured with a toothpick. Arranged in rows under a glass counter they looked like a

flotilla of rafts bearing delicious savoury treats. Some of the toppings were easily identifiable; buffolo mozzarella with sundried tomato, prosciutto with olive, salami and marinated artichoke hearts.

We took a chance on a mysterious white foamy topping w h i c h certainly paid off. It was baccala mantecato; m o u s s e of cod fish whipped with oil and spices, sounds odd but it tasted incredible.

Cicchetti are usually accompanied by a small glass of local white wine, known as ‘ombra’ (shadow), but they go pretty well with beer too.

I closed my eyes, savoured the flavours and declared cicchetti yet another reason why Italian is my favourite cuisine.

AustralianTimes.co.uk/travel

“Ven e Carnevaic le is a photograp paradise..her’s .”

Travel | 11

AustralianTimes.co.uk

Enjoying Carnival around the world

Promotion...

Climbing Mt Toubkal, a real adventure just four hours from your London desk

n

JAMES MORRIS went looking for a low budget high adventure few days, and found climbing the highest peak in North Africa was just the experience he was looking for!

Brazil

– Probably the most famous of all the international ‘carnival’ festivals, the whole country of Brazil celebrates together for this massive fiesta! Rio and Salvadore are the main cities where you can join in the activities (from samba schools to rave blocco parties) and in 2012 the official Brazil Carnival dates are 17 – 26 February.

Colombia

- Barranquilla’s Carnival (18 21 February in 2012) is another traditional South American celebration and annually includes a Battle of the Flowers, a Great Parade, lots of singing and dancing and lot of fun.

India

- Carnival (or ‘Intruz’) is unique to Goa in India and was introduced by the Portuguese.

For three days and nights, the legendary King Momo takes over and the streets come alive with music and colour (in 2012, 18 – 21 February) .

YOU know the feeling, you have itchy feet and want an adventure, but you only have a few days holiday to spare and not much available cash. This was my situation when I started a random Google search looking for some inspiration and a way to escape my humdrum office life for a few days. My search meandered and eventually settled on a mountain climbing adventure travel website.

I had always assumed mountain climbing was a time consuming and expensive affair, and I had never set foot on a serious hill, let alone mountain, so this was not a natural place to find myself. But Mt Toubkal in Morocco seemed interesting and ticked all the boxes for my short, cheap adventure.

Morocco is served by all the budget airlines, so if you are organised (or lucky) you can book return flights to this amazing country from as little as £65.

Better still, Mt Toubkal is located only 85km from Marrakech, meaning you can go from cosmopolitan city, to standing on top of the highest peak in North Africa (4167 metres high) and back again in just three days.

I booked my flight with Ryanair, and I booked the climb with Pillow Adventure Travel, and promptly set off for my first mountain climbing experience. I flew to Marrakech, which alone is a magical destination where Muslim, African, European

and Arab influences all collide in a melting pot of mosques, monuments and markets. After a brief taste of city life, I was whisked away along twisting mountain roads to the village of Imlil where I would start the climb.

Within 10 minutes of walking, I was in a different world. Suddenly I was surrounded by Berber villages and small farms which had not changed for hundreds of years. We passed an old man shepherding his 30 to 40 goats, and then stopped at a small café to buy a can of Coke, which was being kept cool by the ice cold water from a nearby tumbling waterfall. Just 24 hours earlier I had been sitting at my desk in London, I don’t think any two days could be more different.

I was trekking with a group of nine people, and we set off the following morning at 3am to try and reach the summit before the midday heat kicked in. The climb was exhausting, and reaching the top felt like a genuine achievement. I reached the summit just as the sun was rising, and looking down over the clouds and seeing hundreds of lower mountain peaks is a sight I will always remember. There was also a genuine camaraderie with the other members of the group, we had only met 24 hours earlier, and we all managed to summit and share this amazing experience together.

In truth, this is not climbing a mountain. We never even saw a rope, let alone needed to use one. I would describe climbing Mt Toubkal as a very steep walk, which anybody who is relatively fit can do. However it’s also

an amazing adventure and because you have to work so hard, there is a genuine sense of achievement if you get to the top. We were soon back in bustling Marrakech, and as I made my way to the airport to return home, it felt like I had been away from home for much longer than 4 days. I also had a strange contented feeling, after all I had tested myself to climb a famous high mountain and succeeded, and that felt really good! As our excellent mountain guide Mohammed put it, “you have been bitten by the mountain climbing bug, your next one will have to be higher!”.

James Morris travelled with Pillow Adventure Travel Company Ltd, for more information about their Mt Toubkal climb, and their other Morocco tours, please visit their website at Pillow.co.uk AustralianTimes.co.uk/travel

Australia on the Western Front, 1916-1918

Greece

- Throughout Greece’s Carnival Apokriés), season (called people disguise themselves with maskarádes (masks) and engage in pranks and general revelry (17 – 26 Feb in 2012). Patras is the best place to get your Greek Carnival on or try Tyrnavos which holds an annual Phallus festival.

£80 per person including lunch on the Somme

England

– Notting Hill Carnival isn’t at the same time as most of the others but is still a huge party and one not to be missed for Aussies living in London. It is celebrated annually on the August Bank Holiday (26 – 27 August in 2012) and is led by members of London’s Caribbean and other ethnic communities (sometimes it is suggested this London event is even larger than Rio’s Carnival!).

Guided day coach tours of Australia's Western Front Battlefields: Fromelles, Pozières and Villers-Bretonneux.

Departing Central London, travelling in executive comfort, join Battlefront Exploration for a guided tour of Australia's Battlefields on the Western Front. We visit: Fromelles: ‘the site of Australia's bloodiest twenty-four hours’ Pozières: ‘more densely sown with Australian sacrifice than any other place on earth’ (Australia's Official Historian) Villers-Bretonneux: ‘the final defeat of the 1918 German Spring Offensive’

Further details, tour dates and payment information can be found on our website www.battlefrontexploration.co.uk.

12 | Jobs & Money

17 January - 23 January 2012

Dollar Review

Markets jittery following Europe credit downgrades THE Aussie Dollar took a slight knock against the US Dollar last week as news of Europe’s credit downgrade reached the market.

On Friday, S&P had downgraded nine of Europe’s largest economies, including France – stripping them of their prized AAA ratings.

The ratings agency also gave warning that the third largest economy of the Eurozone, Italy, was being downgraded further from their rating of A to BBB+.

Emma Lawson, currency strategist from the National Australia Bank, said that the recent downgrades have added to the overall concern of the European Union’s ability to come up with a solution for the

current debt crisis. She also said that particular concern was expressed by traders regarding the impact on the rescue fund to combat the crisis – the European Financial Stability Facility (EFSF).

Ms Lawson also said that job advertisements had dropped by 0.9%, according to data from ANZ bank, indicating that the employment sector is weakening which is likely to put negative pressure on the Aussie Dollar.

She expected this week’s trade to be dominated once again by the crisis events unfolding in Europe, with particular attention on the ability of Greece to obtain the necessary funding they require.

AUD/ GBP: 0.657767 AUD/ EUR: 0.790551 AUD/ USD: 1.19833 AUD/ JPY: 78.847585 Exchange rates as of 10:34, 16 January 2011

Composed by Chad Frieslich :: Note: The above exchange rates are based on “interbank” rates. If you want to transfer money to or from Australia then please register/login on our website, www.1stcontactforex.com, or call us for a live dealing rate. Make use of a Rate Notifier to send you alert when the Australian exchange rate reaches levels you are looking for.

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26/05/2011 09:33

Once you have been granted Indefinite Leave to Remain this will not be revoked if you separate from, or even divorce your spouse. You will retain your status as a permanent resident of the United Kingdom regardless of your marital status. You will also still be able to apply for British Citizenship when you become eligible. However, the date on which you become eligible to apply for British Citizenship may differ dependent on whether you are still married to your spouse. Please contact our offices for further information and assistance.

Breytenbachs Immigration Consultants JP Breytenbach

Director of Breytenbachs Immigration Consultants www.bic-immigration.com info@bic-immigration.com

Jobs & Money | 13

AustralianTimes.co.uk

Banking offshore while working abroad

n

Simon Ripton, Head of Banking at Standard Bank Offshore discusses the banking options while working abroad.

Have you figured out your banking options while working abroad?

Living and working away from home can be exciting but your banking arrangements need to run smoothly so that you can make the most of the international opportunities available to you. But where do you start?

‘Offshore’ or ‘international’ bank accounts for expats are a great starting point, not only are they

more accessible than you probably think they are, but look hard enough and there will be one designed to work specifically for you.

Offshore Bank accounts, such as those available from international banks based in the Isle of Man, provide a home for your salary and savings in a tax neutral, stable, well regulated and English speaking location. These accounts are designed to operate alongside your

IMF to stress test Australian banks

AUSTRALIA’S banks will endure mandatory stress tests imposed by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to ensure they can withstand another financial crisis.

The IMF has targeted the financial systems of Australia and 17 other countries to undergo rigorous testing as part of a mandatory fiveyear check-up of the world’s top 25 financial sectors.

“Amid the gloomy global economic outlook, the IMF will focus its attention on potential risks in large, interconnected financial sectors including some G-20 countries, such as Australia, Brazil, and Japan,” the global financial monitor said in a statement.

In September 2010 the IMF identified the 25 economies for regular review based on the size of their financial sectors and the strength of their links with financial sectors of other countries.

Australia’s big four lenders remain among the world’s strongest banks despite having their credit ratings cut to AA-minus by Standard & Poor’s last month as a result of changes the global ratings agency uses to assess risk.

The banks rely on offshore wholesale credit markets to fund around 20 per cent of their operations, and volatility in these markets has pushed up banks’ average cost of funds since 2008.

The IMF’s financial stability assessments will review the soundness of the banking and other financial sectors.

It will also conduct

stress tests on major institutions, and evaluate the quality of bank, insurance and financial market supervision against global benchmarks.

They will also assess the ability of supervisors, policymakers and financial safety nets to respond to systemic stresses.

The tests are tailored to each country’s individual circumstances and cannot predict or prevent a financial crisis.

But they can identify the main vulnerabilities that could trigger one, the IMF said.

The IMF’s announcement comes a month after media reports claimed the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority had ordered local banks to stress test their portfolios against a spike in unemployment, a collapse in the property market and a recession.

ANZ Banking Group chairman John Morschel denied the regulator had ordered stress tests, adding the banks conducted regular tests on portfolios for various economic scenarios. - AAP AustralianTimes.co.uk/jobs-money

domestic banking arrangements putting you in control of your international finances wherever you are in the world.

Standard Bank’s multi-currency Optimum Current Account is available in four different currencies (Australian Dollars, US Dollars, Euros and Sterling), offers 24/7 secure internet banking, a Visa debit card, a low minimum balance (£3000 or currency equivalent),

no minimum income requirement and no minimum wealth requirement. From its base in the Isle of Man, Standard Bank has been serving expatriates originating from the southern hemisphere, for over 20 years.

AustralianTimes. co.uk/jobs-money

14 | Sport

17 January - 23 January 2012

Aussie aerial skier grabs bronze EMERGING Australian aerial skier Laura Peel has captured the first podium finish of her career, finishing a surprise third in the opening round of the World Cup aerial competition in St. Adele, Quebec.

The 22-year-old was as surprised as anybody when she secured the third placing behind Ukrainian winner Olga Volkova and American Emily Cook.

Peel was delighted by her performance in the new competition format which is based on a qualifying round, a first final from the top 12 qualifiers, with the top four then going into a super final to determine podium places.

The Canberra skier fought back from eighth place in qualifying to win the first final with the most difficult jump in her repertoire, a double twisting double somersault, and advanced to the super final.

With the new rules not allowing her to use the same jump again, Peel opted for her simpler routine in the super final which opened the way for the Ukrainian and the American to finish higher in the medal round.

“It was awesome to finish third but

Continued from p16...

I wasn’t really expecting it,” Peel admitted.

“I never expected a podium at all this season.

“I still need to increase the level of difficulty to go further but it was an awesome result.”

Peel now travels with the rest of Australia’s aerial team to Lake Placid in the United States to compete in the season’s second round next weekend.

In other World Cup results over the weekend, Katya Crema achieved a career best World Cup result by finishing seventh in the ski cross event in Les Contamines, France. - AAP AustralianTimes.co.uk/sport

Fitch just misses medal at Youth Olympics A HEAVY fall may have cost Australian Alex Fitch a medal at the Winter Youth Olympic Games in Austria, the snowboarder finishing fourth in the halfpipe event.

Fitch went into the final in fourth position and, after her blistering semifinal run, was looking good to challenge her more fancied rivals.

But a hard fall minutes before the final meant she played it safe with her runs.

“I just wanted to keep it safe and do my safety runs so I got that down and ended up coming fourth so that was pretty good anyway - a great result,” the 16-year-old from the NSW central coast said.

The Games aren’t over for Fitch however, as she still has the women’s slopestyle event starting on Tuesday.

There were some other encouraging results on a busy day for the small Australian winter youth Olympic team.

Jindabyne skier Thomas Waddell finished 11th in the ski halfpipe final only months after first tackling the `pipe - the event has been added to the program for the Sochi Winter Olympics in 2014.

Ashes main goal for Arthur’s Australia

Sydney figure skater Chantelle Kerry produced a strong performance to be placed 11th after her short program. She skates the long program on Tuesday.

“It was a good skate. I got the triple loop all good so I’m really happy,” Kerry said.

Perth skier Greta Small backed up from her seventh in the super G to finish 13th in the super combined.

“Thirteenth is okay but I have definitely skied a lot better and it was not the result I was after,” Small said. “That’s ski racing though. One day you are skiing awesome and the next day you can struggle for rhythm. You can’t afford to be off your game at this level.”

Townsville Luge rookie Alex Ferlazzo produced two personal best scores for the Igls track to place 19th against his experienced 25-man competition.

NSW biathlete Lachlan Porter was 50th in the 7.5km sprint while Harry Laidlaw failed to complete the slalom component of the super combined. - AAP AustralianTimes.co.uk/sport

an embarrassing drawn series against New Zealand last month.

After regaining the BorderGavaskar Trophy, Arthur says they still have much work to do as they set about reaching the twin goals of winning back the Ashes and regaining the No.1 Test ranking.

“I’d like the Ashes to probably start in two months time so we’d have Cummins, Watson and Pattinson all available,” Arthur said.

“It is the ultimate goal.

“This Indian series was a worldchampionship cricket series for us.

“The South African series early next summer is going to be a huge series.

“We need to be able to win those series against opponents ranked higher than us in the world in order to go back into England and challenge.

“Winning back the Ashes is at the forefront of everybody’s mind.

“I’d be lying if I didn’t say that we were trying to build a really competitive team to go back and win them in 2013, but not at the detriment of any other series.

“We’re a little bit ahead of where I thought we would be at this point in time.

“There’s a lot of good talent.

Competition for places is going to be rife.”

Australia’s only selection concern for the fourth Test in Adelaide starting on 24 January centres on which fast bowler to drop from the four-man attack used on Perth’s bouncy pitch.

South Australia spinner Nathan Lyon is set to return for his first home Test.

Ben Hilfenhaus (23) and Peter Siddle (17) are the leading wickettakers in the series and one is possibly due for a rest under Cricket

Australia’s new rotation policy.

Mitchell Starc took 4-70 in Perth while Ryan Harris claimed 2-67 in his comeback from a hip injury as Australia steamrolled India by an innings and 37 runs.

“A lot will depend on how we look at our one-day squad as well and players who are going to get a proper workload through that,” Arthur said.

Arthur hopes struggling No.3 Shaun Marsh, who has scored 14 runs at 3.50 in the series, gets another chance in Adelaide. - AAP AustralianTimes.co.uk/sport

Moyes keen to keep Tim Cahill at Everton EVERTON manager David Moyes insists Tim Cahill remains an integral part of his English Premier League side despite murmurs that Queens Park Rangers will make a bid for the Australian.

Speaking after the Toffees 1-1 draw with Aston Villa on Saturday, Moyes said there has been no approach by the Rangers, whose new manager Mark Hughes is reported by British media as being interested in the 32-year-old Socceroo.

“No there hasn’t been,” answered Moyes when pressed on whether there had been any bid for Cahill by QPR. He answered a simple “yes” when asked if Cahill still had a big part to

play for Everton.

The league’s transfer window closes on January 31.

Cahill, who missed representative opportunities late in 2011 with leg and ankle issues, hasn’t found the net for Everton since December 2010.

The midfielder who has also played up front for the Toffees in the past year almost broke his drought on Saturday, renewing Moyes’ confidence in his once-star player.

Early in the first half at Villa Park, Cahill had a chance but failed to find a goal with Darron Gibson’s through ball.

“He’s now gone a long time without a goal and it was a really good ball for him to get on the end of, but he just didn’t quite connect with it,” Moyes

said.

In comments made to online football news website goal.com, Moyes was more critical.

“I thought Gibson played well.

He put a great ball through for Tim Cahill and I thought he should have possibly connected to it,” the website reported.

The Toffee’s equaliser came in the 69th minute thanks to striker Victor Anichebe.

Everton shift up one place to 10th on the EPL ladder following Saturday’s draw but still trail city rivals Liverpool who are currently sitting seventh. - AAP AustralianTimes.co.uk/sport

Malthouse not surprised Here’s a golf hole you haven’t played yet...

by Cousins relapse Continued from p16...

“It’s one of those things ... what’s the next chapter for Ben and, unfortunately, I don’t think it was ever going to be a great chapter,” Malthouse said on 3AW on Monday.

“I hope there’s no last chapter coming up too quickly.”

Malthouse, who in the past described Cousins as one of his “favourite players and a favourite person”, said he was told to expect a relapse.

Collingwood investigated signing Cousins before he was picked up by Richmond for the 2009 season, when he returned from a one-year ban for bringing the game into disrepute.

He played for the Tigers for two seasons before his retirement.

“I was warned by people who had strong connections to him, because we were looking at drafting him, that any slight alteration to the norm could

trigger a response,” Malthouse told Neil Mitchell. “’Accept it Michael’, I was told ... ‘it’s going to happen; he’s never going to be free. You can take him on for three or four years - he will not get through that period without having a setback.

“It might be a girlfriend, a bad game, bad media, an injury; something will set it off.” - AAP AustralianTimes.co.uk/sport

FORGET pitch and putt - this tee-off point on top of a 1,410 foot mountain in South Africa is the hardest golf shot in the world, and more than $1 million awaits the player who can score a hole in one.

Players must take a helicopter to the top to play the longest and highest par three on the planet.

Taking the shot also requires courage. A player needs to teeter terrifyingly close to the edge of the mammoth hillside.

Indeed, the Extreme 19th Hole is so high the ball takes almost 30 seconds to reach the ground.

Australia’s Channel Nine cricket commentator Mark Nicholas recently played the hole.

“It was awesome, riveting and phenomenal,” he said, “it’s like the end of the world when you get up there and it’s an awful lot of fun. It’s such an adrenaline rush taking the helicopter up and then rushing back down.”

The hole is based at the Legends Golf and Safari Resort, within the Entabeni

Safari Conservancy in South Africa ‘s Northeastern Limpopo Province .

The other 18 holes were designed by world golfing legends including Trevor Immelman, Sergio Garcia, Padraig Harrington and Australia ‘s Robert Allenby.

A round of golf will set you back R450 ($70) however the Extreme 19th Hole costs a whopping $1060 per foursome (which includes the helicopter ride).

So far, no one has even come close pocketing the million-dollar prize, but Harrington became the first golfer to conquer the hole within par. The Irishman said, “This is the type of innovation and excitement we need to get more people playing golf.

There aren’t many new innovative ways to play the game but this is certainly one of the best. I think this hole is awesome. I love the whole experience, the helicopter, the views, the drama and having the green the shape of Africa . And now I’ve got bragging rights over all the other

TOTALLY EXTREME: Sergio Garcia is just one of a number of golf pro’s to have a go professionals who have played this hole and not managed to make a three.

I love everything about it.”

We will wait and see if that million dollars gets paid out anytime soon - but I wouldn’t hold your breath (unless you’re standing on the edge and ready to tee off).

AustralianTimes.co.uk/sport

Sport | 15

AustralianTimes.co.uk

Tag Rugby kicks off across icy London

By Phillip Browne THE Late Winter Try Tag Rugby competitions all commence this week across the capital at the following venues: Barnes, Bermondsey, Borough, Kingsbury, Rotherhithe and Wood Green.

The London Tag Rugby community have enjoyed the off-season and are ready to brave the colder weather in full force with Late Winter competition registrations breaking participation records in 2012.

At Bermondsey which commences on Thursday, registrations have seen a record 11 teams enter this competition with Rotherhithe (Wed) attracting a record 10 teams.

Both competitions at Borough (Mon & Tues) are running at full capacity.

Players who are still wishing to play Tag Rugby in the Late Winter season (16 Jan – 2 Mar) can still join teams in the Barnes, Kingsbury (both Thurs) & Wood Green (Wed) competitions.

There are also a handful of places still available at Bermondsey.

Try Tag Rugby are currently in the process of hiring three competition

supervisors and an administration officer on a contract basis starting in March/April in time for the busy summer period. These roles would suit Aussie sports enthusiasts who would like to make their mark in sports event management.

There is also opportunity to join the Try Tag Rugby refereeing ranks.

Refereeing Tag Rugby is a great way to get fit, stay involved and have plenty of fun. All information on employment and refereeing opportunities with Try Tag Rugby can be found at TryTagRugby.com If you would like to get involved in one of the fastest growing sports in London, Late Winter competitions begin this week (16 - 19 Jan). New team and individual registrations are welcome as this is a great chance to develop a network of friends if you are new to London.

To register for a Try Tag Rugby competition, go to www.trytagrugby. com or email info@trytagrugby.com for more details.

AustralianTimes.co.uk/tag-rugby

Surfing to clean up image with drug tests Continued from p16...

Olympic sports.

Surfing veteran Joel Parkinson, who finished second in the 2011 title race behind the legendary Kelly Slater, says it won’t be an adaption for the current breed of professional surfers as the image of surfers and recreational drugs was outdated.

“That’s been out of date since I’ve got on the tour,” the 30-year-old Queenslander said.

“Older generations or people who aren’t very surf aware still think that but it couldn’t be more different.

“All of us are so dedicated and we put in so much hard work and train so hard and you go through so much equipment to get everything right that that image is a long way behind us now.”

He didn’t believe a surfer could be a top 10 contender and be a “party

boy”.

“I don’t really know but you’d have to ask that about any sport, but I have a couple of beers and that’s it,” Parkinson said.

“So I don’t know you’d go being a party animal in any sport.”

A father of three, Parkinson hoped that the anti-drugs policy would set a good example for kids who looked up to their surfing heroes.

Surfing’s image took a heavy hit when three-time world champion Hawaiian Andy Irons died in a Texas hotel room in November, 2010, with cocaine and methamphetamine present in his body, although the medical examiner ruled he died a natural death from a sudden cardiac arrest.

Parkinson also hoped that mainstream sponsors would take more notice of a sport he considered healthy, outdoor and natural.

“It’s still a battle to make it more

professional but this is another step in that direction,” he said.

“When we had our meeting about drug-testing all the surfers were all OK. “No one’s got anything to hide so I think it’s a good thing.”

The first stop for the men and women in the 2012 ASP World Title Series will be the Quiksilver and Roxy Pro Gold Coast from 25 Feb to 7 March. - AAP AustralianTimes.co.uk/sport

Tomic outlasts and outwits Verdasco Continued from p16...

championship.

Then, at 0-2 down and with barely the strength to wipe the sweat from his brow, he heard the crowd.

“There were some guys calling out for me. I could hear them,” Tomic said.

He doesn’t know what they said, but it worked.

“People do help when they scream out the right things,” he said.

Tomic, the 19-year-old boy who is “the man” in Australian tennis, dragged himself back onto the court and a couple of hours later it was Verdasco who was scurrying and fumbling and falling apart.

It took four hours and 11 minutes for Tomic to beat Verdasco, and at

no time until the last point was there any certainty about the result.

Asked what had happened, Tomic responded as honestly as he could: “I don’t know.”

“The first set was very tough.

“I didn’t feel 100 per cent.

“I don’t know how I found the energy to lift.”

Turning to the crowd he gave them the credit.

“It was you,” he told them. “It wasn’t me.”

Tomic acknowledged the first two sets had been frustrating and painful.

He also revealed a cunning and guile few would have suspected when he said he’d been foxing in the third set.

“In the third set I pretended not to be there mentally,” he said.

“I had a feeling he thought I was going to go away so I eased off,

seemed like I didn’t care.

“He thought he was going to win that third set, and when the right time came, I broke him.”

For all that, Monday’s match reminded Tomic what big-time tennis is about.

“Today wasn’t fun, it was torture,” he said.

Two days earlier Tomic had won a fairly serious exhibition match against the world No.8 Mardy Fish.

The success, added to his effort to make the quarter-finals at Wimbledon last year, had earned Tomic a world ranking of 38 and the mantle of Australia’s No.1 men’s player.

His latest effort proves that he deserves to be. - AAP AustralianTimes.co.uk/sport

Fire still burns for record-setting Hewitt ANOTHER day, another milestone for Lleyton Hewitt as the baseline warrior steels himself for a record 16th successive Australian Open tilt.

Hewitt takes on young German Cedrik-Marcel Stebe in the first round at Melbourne Park on Tuesday perhaps not as a title contender but with the fire still burning within.

No man in 45 years of openera tennis has contested more Australian Opens and few, if any, have lined up for any grand slam championship in so many different guises.

Hewitt remains the youngest-ever player to qualify for the men’s main draw after debuting as a 15-yearold back in 1997.

He was the Open’s top seed and world No.1 in 2002 and 2003 and this year arrived as a wildcard ranked 181st after an injury-marred 2011.

The 30-year-old former Open runner-up is also now very much a family man and father of three.

Hewitt’s longevity rates alongside all-time greats John McEnroe and Ivan Lendl, who each contested their home slam, the US Open, for 16 consecutive years.

Only Andre Agassi, who made

21 straight appearances at Flushing Meadows from 1986-2006, Jimmy Connors, who played the US Open non-stop from 1970-89, and fellow American Stan Smith, also with 20 successive US Opens, have played more home majors on the spin.

“Any time you get put in the same category as a guy like Jimmy Connors is fantastic,” Hewitt told DEUCE magazine.

“I mean, obviously he’s one of the greats of our game. He was able to play for so many years at such a competitive level of tennis as well against so many generations and he obviously had a stellar career.”

Despite his battered body no longer being able to cope with the year-round grind of life on the ATP Tour, Australia’s enduring champion refuses to discuss retirement.

Former coach Darren Cahill, who considers being in Hewitt’s corner for his 2001 US Open final triumph over Pete Sampras as perhaps his own career highlight, can understand why.

“My first impression of Lleyton was when he was 12 years old,” Cahill recalls in DEUCE. “His parents wanted a different set of eyes and rang me up. Then, one day, there was a knock on the door and there was this little kid with

his hat turned around backwards, (wearing) long shorts and he had a bag with like eight racquets.

“I looked at him and said: ‘Are you ready to go hit some?’

“He walked straight past me through the house and out to the court in the back yard. We must have hit for about three hours and all he wanted to do was play sets.”

Playing sets is still all the sport’s youngest-ever men’s world No.1 wants to do.

“Out of all the unseeded guys that guys could draw, I’d like to think that I’d probably be tougher than most of the others,” Hewitt told AAP, declaring himself the most dangerous floater in the draw.

“Especially over five sets, because what I pride myself on is being able to go the distance.” - AAP AustralianTimes.co.uk/sport

Tag kicks off

Fit and fun, Tag Rugby commences for 2012 P15

ENGLAND BEWARE n

New Australian cricket coach says winning back the Ashes is at the forefront of everybody’s mind

AUSTRALIA cricketers are determined to complete a 4-0 sweep of India but coach Mickey Arthur admits reclaiming the Ashes next year is the ultimate goal.

Arthur says with in-form quicks such as Pat Cummins and James Pattinson on the sidelines through injury and allrounder Shane Watson possibly not returning from his latest injury dramas until next month’s one-day series against India and Sri Lanka, Australia’s depth is just going to get better.

Arthur’s eyes lit up following Australia’s win in Perth when asked if he felt England players were starting to take notice of No.4ranked Australia’s achievements in establishing a 3-0 lead in the fourmatch series against No.2-ranked India.

“Judging by the reports that I’ve read, they have started to take a little bit of notice,” Arthur told a news conference.

The new coach says his men have already achieved more than he expected, quickly recovering from ...continued on p14

TIM’S STILL A TOFFEE No move yet for Cahill from Everton | p14

Teen Tomic leads Aussie tennis charge

TWO hours in and the kid was on the wrong end of a tennis lesson.

Fernando Verdasco, the 22nd seed and a wily veteran of the pro tennis tour had him running from one side of the scorching court to the other, from baseline to net and back to the fence and back again.

Late in the second set of the first round match at the Australian Open, Verdasco stood waiting to serve as the teenager with the big raps bent over double trying to catch his breath.

“Take your time.”

Bernard Tomic was gone. Finished. Out of the ...continued on p15

What a wipe-out, surfing cracks the whip

THE long-held image of the dopesmoking surfer dude is no more with the world’s best surfers to face drug testing on their competition tours this year.

ASP International confirmed on Monday both the top men’s and women’s tours would adopt the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) code.

It includes the prohibition of both recreational and performanceenhancing drugs applying to the various football codes and ...continued on p15

Ben Cousins in ‘inevitable’ drug relapse

FORMER Collingwood AFL coach Mike Malthouse says he’s not surprised by the drug addiction relapse of retired star Ben Cousins, who is reportedly in psychiatric care.

The Perth-based Cousins was hospitalised after a fall last week and then reportedly moved for treatment for prolonged psychosis related to his battle with drugs.

Malthouse coached Cousins for four years at West Coast before he shifted in 2000 to the Magpies.

He stepped down as their senior coach at the end of last season and will pursue a media career. ...continued on p14