6 March - 12 March 2012– Issue: 402
An Aussie education
Are you up to speed with your Oz knowledge? VOICES P4
Capital success
Prost to Munich!
Aussiepreneurs out and about in London
More than just a beerfest
ENTERTAINMENT P6
TRAVEL P10
DEATH FOR AUSSIE DRUGS ACCUSED? Wagga Wagga CBD evacuated due to floods
IMAGE BY JUSTIN NG
AN urgent evacuation order was issued for central Wagga Wagga in southern NSW as floodwaters threatened to reach a 160-year high. The State Emergency Service (SES) and the police issued the order shortly after 10pm (AEDT) on Monday. It has affected 8000 people, ABC Television reports, which makes it the biggest emergency since the week-long flood crisis. SES Murrumbidgee region controller James McTavish said people needed to leave by dawn on Tuesday as the Murrumbidgee ...continued on p3
Outrage over Libyan war grave attacks THE federal government has condemned attacks on two war cemeteries in Libya and is trying to determine whether any Australian graves were among those desecrated. Acting Foreign Minister Craig Emerson on Monday said Australia was disgusted by the incidents late last month at Commonwealth and British cemeteries in the eastern city of Benghazi. “This is a terrible act,” Dr Emerson told reporters in Canberra. “The Australian people are outraged, the Australian government is outraged.” ...continued on p3
GOTYE A BEAUTY? Did he deliver on his new found hype and fame in the UK? | P7
n
Indonesian authorities push to impose the death penalty on an Australian man accused of drug trafficking in Bali. INDONESIAN customs authorities are demanding that an Australian accused of attempting to smuggle hashish and methamphetamines into Bali be given the death sentence if convicted. While Edward Myatt’s fate will ultimately lie in the hands of the Indonesian court system, it is perhaps an indication that prosecutors would also insist the 54-year-old pay the ultimate price if convicted of trafficking. The news of the Customs office’s stand was delivered late on Monday afternoon by Myatt’s newly-appointed lawyer, Robert Khuana, minutes after he’d visited his client. “Yes, the Customs office has requested the death penalty,” Mr Khuana said. “But that’s only Customs. It will depend on the investigation and which article of the law will be imposed.” Last year, Mr Khuana saved the Bali Nine’s Scott Rush from the death penalty, winning an appeal against the drug courier’s original sentence. Earlier on Monday, the police revealed they had begun examining Myatt’s mobile phone records in an effort to uncover alleged links to an Indonesian crime syndicate. Myatt was arrested last week accused of trying to smuggle into Bali 1.1kg of hashish and seven grams of methamphetamines, worth an estimated $70,000, contained in 72 capsules he swallowed. Myatt was interrogated by narcotics officers again on Monday, but remained tight-lipped, refusing to speak to police, as he has done since his arrest last Monday. “He hasn’t (talked yet). But that’s not a problem,” Bali drugs squad chief Mulyadi told AAP. “We’re investigating everything,
including the possibility of uncovering his network,” he said. “We’re checking all the calls in and out of his mobile phone. There are Indonesian numbers he has called.” Police have already said they believe Myatt was a long-term drug mule. Authorities say his failure to co-operate will only increase the likelihood that prosecutors will press for the death penalty if he’s convicted. Although born in Ballarat, Myatt is understood to have lived in Britain for several years and holds both Australian and British passports. Australian and British consulate officials visited Myatt on Monday. He was taken to hospital under police guard a short time later after complaining of headaches and stomach problems. He said nothing as he emerged from the interrogation and meetings with officials, but tried to shield his face with his shirt as he ran the gauntlet of media camped at the police headquarters in Denpasar. Myatt’s fellow inmates also say he has remained silent since his arrival there last week. “He keeps to himself. He says nothing,” one prisoner told AAP through bars at the entrance to the cell block. The Australian is being held in a squalid, damp cell with 10 other inmates. A total of 42 prisoners, male and female, are housed in the police headquarters cells, where they mingle closely. He is expected to remain there until he is charged, after which he is likely to be moved to Kerobokan jail, already home to 12 other Australians convicted for drug-related offences. – with AAP AustralianTimes.co.uk/news
2 | News
6 March - 12 March 2012
What Australia and Europe have in common (no, not the economy, silly) n
Can we blame anyone for viewing the Rudd/Gillard stoush as another example of politics gone mad, brought about not by dissent amongst the people, but by a greedy and selfish party? Publisher: Bryce Lowry Editor: Tim Martin Production/Design: Tamzyn Brookson Australia Editor: Ashlea Maher Music Editor: Paul Judge Contributors: Bianca Soldani, 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
WEBSITE:
The paper used to print this publication has been sourced from sustainable forests (farmed trees). Please reduce waste by recycling your copy or pass it on others. DISCLAIMER The printed opinions of advertisers and writers are theirs and not necessarily shared by Blue Sky Publications Ltd. Unless otherwise stated, copyright of all original materials is held by Blue Sky Publications Ltd. OFFICIAL MEDIA SPONSORS OF THE FOLLOWING ORGANISATIONS:
the hard word > NATHAN MOTTON
WHETHER you’re stained red, dyed blue or painted green – Australia’s recent political farce is simply unsustainable. No matter what your political persuasion, it is difficult not to be deeply disturbed by the latest round of Labor Party infighting. As salacious fodder as it was for the Australian press, and indeed the world’s media too, it has exposed terrible failings in our current democracy. Ms Gillard has never won an election, and is therefore the unelected leader of our country. How can this be? She was the architect of the backroom coup to depose Mr Rudd in 2010 and has clearly not been forgiven, at least by the public, since. The Welsh born migrant then led Labor to its lowest ever primary vote percentage of just 27 per cent in July last year. The reasons for this are many and mixed. But The Hard Word believes the party cannot rid itself of a growing lethal perception - that it is more content with power than simply serving the country. Australia is being bogged down by a Government obsessed with selfintrospection. Ms Gillard assured us all that the “political drama is now over”. A nonsense. If anything this latest bout of turbulence has further fuelled public belief that the Australian populace are
Your Say On: Kevin Rudd mobbed in Brisbane mall
London Office
A call to all Queenslanders living in the UK and Europe Join the ‘Friends of Queensland in Europe’ LinkedIn site to stay in touch with events here and what’s happening back home. For those involved in business the ‘Queensland Europe Business Group’ on LinkedIn will help keep you up to date with business opportunities.
As a Queenslander you should also be aware The Queensland State Elections are on Saturday 24 March. You can vote at Queensland House, 392 Strand from 2 March to 23 March (Monday to Friday 9 am to 5pm) For election information contact electioninfouk@trade.qld.gov.au or for general enquiries tiqlondon@trade.qld.gov.au
Ultimately what’s the difference between KRudd and Goolia? It’s like deciding between a Crunchie and a Violet Crumble. It doesn’t matter who wins; same party, same policies and same outcome at the end of it all – Prime Minister Tony Abbott. Gorgeous George How can Gillard supporters ignore overwhelming opinion polls that put Rudd twice as popular as her? And Rudd being the only one to save the ALP from electoral annihilation against moronic Abbott? This is shocking insanity. Those who voted for Julia have just signed their own election death. They know it, but were content to do it. ALP = RIP. Imbeciles? Peter Kelly
On: Victoria Cross winner “not up to it in the sack”?
Definitely not! Regardless of the fact that he has a VC there is such
? What’s your view
being dudded. Gillard’s overwhelming victory in the leadership ballot, 71-31, masks an important point. More than a third of Labor MPs backed Kevin Rudd, clearly adamant that their current leader was failing to stem an enormous slide in popularity. Newspoll figures out just hours before Labor’s bloody Monday last week backed Rudd at 53 per cent as the best placed MP to lead the party compared to Gillard’s dismal 30 per cent. The voting public’s faith in Rudd as leader of the party remains strong, while in contrast, opposition to his leadership style during his reign as leader was seriously low. This is not an isolated incident in world politics, and surely the correct administration of a supposedly mature democracy would ensure leaders, however autocratic they may be, remain in power until voters say so. Democracy at work. Sadly, it’s not the case. In the midst of economic ruin, Greece is currently being led by Prime Minister Lucas Papademos. The technocrat was installed late last year not by the Greeks but by the EU after George Papandreou was forced to step down by ‘Merkozy’ after refusing to accept harsh austerity measures. Papandreou’s popularity had dropped considerably, but his failing was that rather than just lying down and accepting Angela Merkel and Nicolas Sarkozy’s eurozone bailout, he wanted to send the proposal to a referendum
allowing the public to have their say. Political suicide for a country part of the EU. What ‘Merkozy’ says goes end of story. But hardly democratic. Mario Monti of Italy, too, was instated as Prime Minister of his beleaguered country following the resignation of the deeply unpopular Silvio Berlusconi. Another technocrat handed the job, and again not voted for by the public. Mr Monti went on to install an entire cabinet composed of unelected professionals. The EU is sadly now becoming the personification of a technocracy. If these men and women are such experts in their chosen fields, good for them. But they, like Ms Gillard, should be forced to prove as much after being elected. The ‘protester’ was named Time’s ‘Person of the Year’ in 2011 following open revolt against ‘the state’ across much of the world. Is it any wonder young people today feel so disillusioned with, among other things, elected members of parliament? Can we blame anyone for viewing the Rudd/Gillard stoush as another example of politics gone mad, brought about not by dissent amongst the people, but by a greedy and selfish party. Who is the loser in all of this? Rudd? The Labor Party? No. We are.
a thing as common courtesy. Neither Yumi nor George showed this towards Ben. How dare they make such comments...people in glass houses etc! Jules Hodgson-Gray
thing, to get noticed they had to degrade a soldier. wrong!!! Mary Green
Just a question when was the last time tht yumi served for Australia, as for the comment re diving for his brain well i don’t mean to be rude but it i not like she certainly isn’ti the brightest spark in the room. As for Negus well he should have retired years ago,but the fact that the topic wht this young gentlemn could nd couldn’t do behind closed doors is disgraceful and very disrespectful. Jodie Hodgson Bloody disgraceful, these bloody people should be sacked, and deported to Afgan. Yumi, what’s that a fruit. Pack of dickheads. Hori Henare Koiauruterangi These people fight for the security of this nation. They don’t do it so that idiots like Negus and co can fire pot shots at them from the safety those soldiers provide. I am glad I’ve never seen the show. I don’t plan to start. Harry Prevedoros You would think the older person in on the programme would of cut it off.Just as well its not a popular show.I never heard of it b4. Maybe that was there
AustralianTimes.co.uk/voices
On: The “Aussie man and van sham”
I worked at Aussie Group up until October 2011 and it is by far the worst, most unorganised workplace filled with a bunch of amateurs.... That place was horrible, and that is a first for me to have bad words of an employer. I apologise for the inconveniences caused. There were many people at that company trying to fix the problems as above, but really two people stood in the way of progress of that company. Namely Brian Burgess. Do NOT do business with this man. He may be able to talk the talk and have all these great ideas but not the nouse to put these into place properly... I’m glad to see another company has taken over. For the most part Aussie did have a good reputation and the boys working there are fantastic and really hard workers. Hopefully with new management the company can flourish even further and provide the level of service it should be. Renee Godfrey
Share your comments on these and more stories online: AustralianTimes.co.uk
News | 3
AustralianTimes.co.uk
More evacuated as floodwaters continue to rise
DELUGE: Flooded Hammond Ave and Sturt Highway in East Wagga on Sunday. (AAP Image/Robert Myers) Continued from p1... River threatened to breach the city’s levee barriers. “We’re encouraging people to move now,” he told reporters. “Don’t delay. This is a very serious issue and if you live in any of the areas that are subject to an evacuation you must be clear of this area by 6am.” THE order came as the Murrumbidgee River threatened to reach some of the highest levels since flood records began. The Bureau of Meteorology expects the river to reach 10.8 metres by 7am on Tuesday. This would surpass the 10.74-metre level reached in August 1974 and rival the 10.9-metre peak reached in 1853, according to Wagga Wagga City Council records. NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell is due to visit Wagga Wagga, which is home to 47,000 people, on Tuesday morning and tour disaster-hit areas with SES commissioner Murray Kear. More than 1000 residents from Wagga Wagga’s north and east were evacuated on Sunday night. Southwest of Wagga Wagga, the entire town of Urana, with a population of 400, has been evacuated as rising floodwaters threatened essential supplies, sewerage and electricity. At another Riverina town, Gundagai, the Murrumbidgee peaked at 10.85 metres on Monday morning, leading
to the evacuation of 120 people from more than 50 homes. “This will be about the same as the flood in 1974,” Gundagai Mayor Abb McAllister said on Monday. At Narrandera, major flooding is expected when the Murrumbidgee peaks at 8.8m on Thursday. Across NSW, 13,000 people have now been ordered to evacuate. The SES also ordered the evacuation of residents in Yenda, a village near Griffith, following concerns that a juncture of two canals could fail. Fourteen more local government areas in the Riverina region were declared natural disaster zones on Monday meaning residents will be entitled to financial assistance under a number of state and federal natural disaster schemes. The latest downpour started about a week ago with the SES performing 105 flood rescues and receiving 3000 calls for assistance. About 630 people were asked to evacuate on Monday from Forbes, in the central west, with moderate to major flooding on the Lachlan River expected to peak at 10.65m on Thursday. The SES issued a warning on Monday for residents in more than 60 streets across the city, including the CBD and the Apex Caravan Park. – with AAP AustralianTimes.co.uk/news
War grave attacks condemned Continued from p1...
Libya’s national transitional government has apologised for the attacks, and local authorities have detained several people in relation to them. Dr Emerson says the government is still trying to confirm whether any of the 48 Australian graves in the Commonwealth Benghazi War Cemetery were among almost 200 damaged. More than 1200 British Commonwealth troops who died in the north African desert battles of World War II are buried there. Dr Emerson’s own father fought in Libya. “He was captured as a result of a battle and spent four years in a prisoner of war camp,” he said. “So I know what he would think if he were alive about any mates of his, of any nationality, who had their war graves desecrated.” About a quarter of the headstones in the nearby Benghazi British Military Cemetery, which does not contain World War II graves, were also damaged. Video footage of the attacks shows a mob smashing up headstones and
a cross of sacrifice and saying the words: “They are dogs.” Local reports say the group were Islamists angered by the recent burning of a Koran at a NATO military base in Afghanistan. Dr Emerson said he had spoken with Libya’s ambassador to Australia about the incidents. “He shares the outrage,” Dr Emerson said. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission has promised to restore the graves. “Both cemeteries will be restored to a standard befitting the sacrifice of those commemorated at Benghazi but this could take some time because we will need to source replacement stones,” the intergovernmental body said. Security has been boosted at both cemeteries. Western forces last year helped Benghazi-based rebels oust dictator Muammar Gaddafi from power after he launched an all-out assault on antigovernment protests. – AAP
AustralianTimes.co.uk/news
4 | Voices
6 March - 12 March 2012
Spinning in London for Africans in need n
When REBEKKA HODGES heard about the Starfish Charity 24-hour ‘Spinathon’ event in Putney – she felt a familiar dread but so too, that excitable lure of the bike and the spin. A FEW weeks ago I received an email to notify me about an upcoming event; Starfish Greathearts Foundation would be holding a 24-hour ‘Spinathon’ event at Pedal Studio, Putney. Starting at 6pm on a Friday evening (24 February) the event would go through the night and the following day to raise money for orphaned and vulnerable children in southern Africa who are affected by HIV/AIDS. For those of you who don’t know what ‘spinning’ is, picture a room filled with stationary exercise bikes lined up in rows, all pointing at one single bike that looks out over the others. The person who takes this seat is the group’s mentor for the duration of the class, leading you through various interval workouts. You however, keep control over your own workout by monitoring your own bike’s resistance. On reading the email I was reminded of my first two years of university: three mornings a week (if you are one of those frustratingly perky people who call 5am ‘morning’, despite the fact the sun is still sleeping), my friend would arrive out the front of my house, honk his horn and then drive us to our local gym for a spin session. Without fail I would be quiet, I will even admit I was a tad grumpy, until the time we would set foot in the spin room, and then suddenly I would transform; this unbelievable burst of energy surging from deep within. On the morning of 25 February, I woke up to my 5:30am alarm, jealous of the sun still blissfully snoozing, dressed in the dark so as not to wake my friend and stepped outside onto the street, wondering why I decided to wear ¾ tights, my calves burning in the brisk morning air. But then, as it did all of those years ago at university, the moment I walked through the door, my spirits
What’s that veg again? n
Now… Back home there are a few strangely named vegetables hitting the shelves. But over here, with the influence of Indian and African cuisine, we are now exposed to a few weird – but tasty – fruits and vegetables. This week I’m lifting the lid on the mystery of these exotic fruits and vegetables.
chris’s
kitchen > CHRIS ARK
were lifted, guided by the warm reception of the Starfish staff, who despite working around the clock and through the night, still bore an enormous smile. By 6am, it was already half way into the event, and by 6pm that night there were 11 instructors and 11 teams totaling 120 participants who came through the doors to bring together an impressive £11,000 (and counting) for charity. ‘It’s just like riding a bike,’ I thought to myself as I realised it had probably been over two years since I’d had the opportunity to ride one. Sure enough, the first fifteen minutes were rough, but after that and well into my second hour, I was on that natural high that comes with exercise, all the endorphins buzzing around and bopping in time to Europe’s ‘Final Countdown’ encouragingly blaring through the speakers. For those of you who have not donated, but would like to, or would even like to get involved in other events through the charity, it’s not too late. Visit the Starfish website to view all upcoming charity events or make a donation via Starfishcharity.org AustralianTimes.co.uk/voices
ONE thing we all know is that we don’t live in the most tropical of places. So for many Indians and Africans living in the UK, importing their native fruits and vegetables has been a lifeline. Without these essential ingredients we wouldn’t have the tasty curries and spicy sauces they are known for. The exchange of unique Indian and African ingredients has been a winwin for the food industry in the UK. We chefs now have a wide range of fruits and vegetables to choose from – and we don’t even have to travel out of London to experience these ingredients at their best. Go down to the Brixton markets or Southall to sample this distinctive cuisine at one of the many international restaurants that line the streets. Or wander through the markets and pick yourself up some exotic ingredients to recreate inspired recipes at home with your mates. Here is a small list of ingredients to get you started. Some of these may be familiar, but my aim is to increase awareness about these different foods so your repertoire at home grows each week. I’ve got a few pointers for you on what to do with each ingredient. Here we go!
Okra
– great addition to curries and stews. Will help to thicken your curries. Wash, top and tail, and chop into small chucks.
Plantain
– related to the banana family. Used mainly in West African recipes. Fry them the traditional way on a hot grill or lightly oiled pan.
Tamarind
– tart/sour fruit used to add fresh sweet and sour taste to curries. Can be purchased as a paste. Add a tsp to your curry.
Salsify
– also known as the oyster plant because of its oyster-like taste when cooked. Wash, peel and boil in salted water. Butter and serve.
Damsons
– related to the plum. Tasty eaten as they come or slow cook a few into a rich jam. Good for tart fillings or make damson cheese to serve with your favourite cheddar.
Samphire
Fenugreek Leaf
– both a herb and a spice if using the seeds. Used in both African and Asian curies. Recommended to me by an Indian chef in Singapore as good for heart conditions.
Black Cardamom
– a spice used for its smoky characteristics. Used in Asian curries very similar to the way western cooking uses smoked bacon to flavour soups and stews.
Pomegranate
– stunning fruit with sweet and sour flavours. Great addition to Tagines or scattered on crisp salad leaves.
– one of my favourite English ingredients. Sometimes called sea asparagus. Harvested on the sandy shores of the coastline it has a crisp, salty flavour. Throw a couple of handfuls into your fresh salads with prawns.
Mace
Sloes
Cassava
Dandelions
I hope this list of ingredients kicks off a passion for cooking some different meals for you and your mates.
– related to the prune family. Found growing the hedgerows. Perfect for making jams, tarts and the one and only Sloes Gin. – considered a nuisance by many, but to those in the know, dandelions a welcome in early spring for tasty green soups.
– bought either ground or as blades as we call then in the kitchen. A subtle nutmeg flavour for soups, chicken and fish. – “yucca” or “mogo” as it’s called in South America. Boiled and used as a substitute for potatoes.
AustralianTimes.co.uk/voices
This is a kangaroo. Wait, is it a wallaby? life after
london
> SHANNON CRANE
IN THE past month I’ve been lucky enough to welcome three of my friends from London to this Great Southern Land. My boyfriend and two former housemates who I met in London, two of them British, the other a Kiwi, decided to follow the crowd and move to Melbourne. This is exciting for me on so many levels. Not only does it give me an instant group of close friends in my new home city, but I get to show them everything that’s great about this huge nation of ours. That seemed simple: An Aussie teaching a couple of foreigners about Australia.
But a recent trip to Apollo Bay made me realise how little I actually know about my homeland and all that it’s famous for. Naturally, kangaroo and koala spotting were central to the ‘Welcome to Australia’ holiday I had planned for my Pommy boyfriend. The only problem was that when we found some kangaroo-like animals hopping around a golf course at Anglesea on the Great Ocean Road, I wasn›t sure what they actually were. I’d been told it was a good spot for wallaby spotting, but they looked a hell of a lot like kangaroos to me. “What›s the difference?” my boyfriend asked. “Well, I don’t really know, actually,” I replied. I was pretty certain that wallabies were smaller. And that they were a different colour to kangaroos. But I still couldn›t tell which species were
hopping about in front of us. ‘This is stuff primary school classes are made of,’ I thought. Oh the shame! Sadly, the tough questions didn’t stop there. With the exception of cockatoos and galahs, I described every colourful bird as a rosella. Because, well, there was the tomato sauce with the rosella ... And what about the Twelve Apostles. Are there actually 12? So many questions and so few answers. And I don›t even have an excuse. I›m just an uneducated Australian who spent two years drowning out her Australian knowledge with beer and long flights on the other side of the world. Oh well, now is as good a time as any to start getting to know Australia again. AustralianTimes.co.uk/voices
Voices | 5
AustralianTimes.co.uk
The dreaded English pebble beach By Bon8
WHAT is a better activity when living in the UK than to visit the beach when the sun is out? And last weekend was a pearler! The first mention of the beach to the kids and excitement levels escalated to Defcon 4. We hit the road and headed south, only one hour to the coast from Amazingstoke. I consider myself to be a fairly good judge on top notch beaches (that’s beaches mate, not what you thought you read). And although I grew up as a land locked bush basher in the Yarra Valley, I can’t seem to get enough of the healing powers of the
beach. I have woken up on a beach in every state of Oz in all sorts of states, stood at the most western, eastern and southern points and even got married on a beach. Hell, I was even a member of Gunnamatta Surf Club at one time. Today, however, we were lost (as usual) and had almost given up on the search of paradise until we rounded the bend comin’ down the slope into a little coastal town called Lee-onthe-Solent. We all saw it at once and it was awesome. Golden sand, still blue water, the Isle of Wight as a magical scenic backdrop. Gorgeous! All other business suspended as we gently pulled up for the mad dash to
Exploring the Museum of London n
Our London adventurer fell in love with this grand old city all over again when she ticked number 33 off her London Top 100 list and visited the Museum of London. bron in
the don BRONWYN SPENCER
THERE are varying museums right across London focusing on a variety of themes from Natural History to Fashion – even an Old Operating Theatre. On my adventures so far my favourite has been a museum dedicated to the amazing city itself – the Museum of London. Located right near the Barbican, the Museum of London doesn’t have as beautiful facade as other museums like the National History Museum and could be mistaken for another office building. However what it lacks in exterior décor, it makes up for on the inside with its extensive information and a wide range of exhibitions. I decided to visit the museum on a cold gloomy winter’s day thinking it would be a great chance to tick off number 33 on the London Top 100 list without battling the weather, however I had made the mistake of going during half term. Yep – it meant that the museum was packed! There were families and kids everywhere and it is for this reason that I quickly skimmed the Roman and Medieval Galleries and headed straight downstairs to the more ‘modern information’. This area featured information and artefacts from the Great Fire onwards and while I am sure the other galleries were interesting, it was this part of the museum that immediately turned me into a kid on half term break. I wanted to play with every touch screen, press every button and watch every video. I circled the outside of the room following a timeline that had momentous events on it from both history and members of the public who had bought a spot for a specific year. My favourite area was from ‘1950’s to today’ which displayed different forms of pop culture through the decades – from fashion, to music trends, advertisements and nick nacks - it was fun to see how the city had evolved and grown up. The exhibitions do not only focus on London’s past but also feature an extremely interesting view into
London’s future - the museum has many facts and figures about population and growth rates. With the help of artists’ impressions you can try to imagine this already bustling city with an ever increasing population. Directly adjacent to this area is a more traditional gallery that features the Lord Mayors stage coach decked out in real gold, which is used every year for the Lord Mayors Show. There are also more serious aspects to the museum with a dedication book to those who lost their lives in the London bombings. It was sobering reading letters and dedications from their loved ones but also an inspiration to see how their memories live on and how the city has rebuilt itself since then. After several hours in this lower level section, I reached my museum limit and I took refuge in the café via a trip to the gift shop. If you are like me and are a sucker for London or British paraphernalia then this is the place to get it – the child in me ended up buying an ‘I Love London’ lunch box. I am sure that my few hours inside and any attempts to describe how interesting this place is doesn’t do it justice. If you are as much in love with this city as I am then you will most certainly love the Museum of London. AustralianTimes.co.uk/voices
the water. I wasn›t even a contender for bronze. Now, a couple of weeks ago I got my first pair of glasses (old age creepin’ up!) and I was wearing them at the ‘beach’ but something clearly wasn›t right... The grains of sand where as big as golf balls. In a moment of panic I yelled to the kids, “Are the dunes big?” “Nah dad,» they yelled back. «It’s all stones.” Oh no! The dreaded pebble beach. I froze. What...how...what...how do we deal with this, I am thinking, bucket and spade in hand? Well ‘when in Rome’ I s’pose... I got a firm grip of myself and soon realised
that although the castle comp was officially cancelled, this beach rocked! Literally! I was able to build a pebble beach bed and was soon flat out, drifting off in heaven. The jetskis came cruising by, the smell of two stroke filling the air. Blue skies adorned above. The kids were laughing and loving it. It really was awesome! Ah the serenity. No buried car keys, no sand on ya back or up ya bum. No dramas! My son Airlie and I took a dip, but that’s not recommended at this time of year - epic shrinkage... I reckon I even got a bit of colour from the English winter ‘sun’ and
after a couple of hours chillin’ out I felt indestructible. The winter blues melted away. So don’t be afraid, get on down there. The pebble beaches have healing powers too, it’s just a matter of taking that leap of faith. AustralianTimes.co.uk/voices
6 | Entertainment
6 March - 12 March 2012
Overwhelming support for Aussie Woman of the Year in the UK Award
n
London is looking forward to celebrating outstanding Australian women on International Women’s Day this week. By Anna Hardie AUSTRALIAN Business have told Australian Times that they are delighted with the “overwhelming response and support from the Australian community” for this year’s Qantas Australian Woman of the Year in the UK Award. “The first round of short listing has taken place and the exceptional candidate list consists of 38 outstanding and very deserving nominees,” announced an Australian Business spokesperson. “The judging panel will meet early this week to make some very difficult decisions and subsequently name the fifth title holder of the Award and the respective runner-ups.” From the business world, nominations have been received for Jill Watts CEO of Ramsay Health Care UK; businesswoman Cathryn Lyall, who was included in the 2010 Financial News European 100 Most Influential Women in Business; and Ainslie Barry, Founder of HCI Recruitment Nursing Agency promoting nursing opportunities and life in Australia. From the creative industries sector, the nominees include fashion consultant Yasmin Sewell who has received accolades for her success as Creative Consultant at Liberty’s London, as well as recently winning Young Australian Achiever in the UK Award alongside Barry Humphries who won the 2012 Australian of the Year in the UK Award. High achievers in the areas of science, health, education, charity, sport, art, journalism,
environmental and community are also represented, demonstrating that Australian women are confident, creative, outward looking and talented across all UK sectors. The annual award, now in its fifth year, is supported by Australian Business, Australian Times and Qantas and the Award promotes, recognises and celebrates the achievements of Australian women in the UK. The Award is open to all Australian women whether success has been achieved through business or personal endeavours. Past recipients of this award include Skye Gyngell, Michelin Star Head Chef at Petersham Nurseries (2011), Dr Margaret Mayston for her work with the UCL Institute of Child Health (2010), Gill Hicks, London bomb survivor and founder of MAD for Peace (2009) and Glenda Stone, businesswoman and Founder of Aurora (2008). The winner of the 2012 Qantas Australian Woman of the Year in the UK will be awarded the title at a special evening reception at the Langham, London Hotel on International Women’s Day, Thursday, 8 March. The winner will receive two return Business Class tickets to Australia with Qantas Airways. Guests on the evening will hear from Australian Jo Elvin, keynote speaker Editor of Glamour Magazine UK and 2011 winner Skye Gyngell. Tickets to attend the award ceremony are available at Australianbusiness.co.uk AustralianTimes.co.uk/news
s r u e n e r p e i s s u A s s e n i s u b e h t does ou p, 12 . Th e ne tw or kin g gr 20 r fo ck ba is RS ow ne rs AU SS IE PR EN EU nn ec ts Au ss ie bu sin es s co , es Tim an ali str Au su pp or te d by r su cc ee d in th e UK . he ot ch ea lp he d an re s an d ma na ge rs to ins pi br ua ry at th e 52 De gr ee Fe 29 on e ac pl ok to t w Th is ye ar ’s fir st ev en d th ro ug ho ut th e ye ar . Ne ne an pl re mo ny ma th wi ur s.c om No rth Ba r in So ho ta ils , vis it: Au ss iep re ne de ll fu r Fo . me lco we e me mb er s ar es .c o. uk fo r ne ws . an d ch ec k Au str ali an Tim
Entertainment | 7
AustralianTimes.co.uk
The Aussie play that’s got London talking “Ruben Guthrie is on fire. He’s 29, he’s the Creative Director of a cutting-edge advertising agency and he’s engaged to a Czech supermodel. He pours himself a drink to celebrate, a drink to work, a drink to sleep and one spectacular night he drinks so much he thinks he can fly...” Ruben Guthrie is the new Australian comedy production from internationally celebrated actor and playwright Brendan Cowell. Presented by IronBark, a company presenting the best new Australian writers to
UK audiences, Cowell “lines up the shots in a heady cocktail of fizzy humour and touching revelation”. In “a sparkling play about spiralling high, crashing hard and going to AA with your mum” London audiences are about to be stunned. Ruben Guthrie is playing at the New Wimbledon Studio from 14 – 17 March and Scene Magazine has already commented that it’s “a play that smacks you in the face, throws up on your shoes, leads you around in circles all the while holding your hand and grinning at the joke”.
Gotye reluctantly live in London
n
@ 02 Shepherd’s Bush Empire, 29 February Review by Nathan Motton SURROUNDED by cymbals, keyboards, synthesisers, and a drum set, Woulter “Wally” De Backer, aka Gotye, seems like every other 31-year-old, aesthetically at least. But in a v-neck t-shirt the softly spoken Belgium-born, Australiancome musician, is a man at the top of his game. “Smoke and Mirrors” was promptly followed by the bizarrely brilliant “State of the Art”, Gotye at his experimental best admitting it’s laced with loads of “silly noises.” “Thanks For Your Time” was next, another excellent example of this man’s ability to push the boundaries of alternative electro-pop beats, a collision of pulsating bass with Wally’s stunning vocals. The projection in the background reveals a rolling mix of anime, cartoons, splashing paint and strange sequences. It all adds to the absurd beauty of the performance. One of the few times he converses with the crowd, he tells the irritatingly noisy bunch to shut-up, as it is proving “distracting.” “Somebody That I Used To Know” was next, the ground-breaking single with New Zealand’s Kimbra, a track that has taken the UK and the US by storm. It has been number one, and has flirted with the number one iTunes track in the UK for the past month and stole the Triple J’s Hottest 100 top spot in January.
For better or worse, the song has launched Gotye into the commercial psyche, needless to say it’s a very, very catchy track. He says immediately after the song “there you go, I’ve played it now” seemingly intimating he’s pissed it’s become so big. He follows up with “Save Me”, a gorgeous track that showcases just how well this guy can sing. His lacklustre attempt to entice the crowd to sing along ultimately fails, before decrying at the end of the song that “it really shits me when nice rooms sound shithouse.” “Hearts A Mess” featured, only the second song played from the far more impressive debut record Like Drawing Blood. And almost as though he hadn’t already proved rather negative about the whole thing, he says that this “will be the last time we play here for a long time,” to the howls of protest from the crowd. He qualifies it by telling them to “listen to the record; they’re magical, they happen again and again.” It merely adds to the feeling that Gotye prefers to make records in a studio than take his captivating beats on stage. Which is to the detriment of his ever growing legion of fans. AustralianTimes.co.uk/music
The cast includes Tom Campbell, Virge Gilchrist, Nick Hardcastle, Jemma Walker and directed by Nicola Samer. The play is supported by Australian Business, Sunday In The Apartment & Australian Times and tickets are available via Atgtickets.com/ wimbledon AustralianTimes.co.uk/stage-screen
GETTING A GRIP: ‘Damian’ (Tom Campbell, left) and ‘Ruben’ (Nick Hardcastle) rehearse in the widely anticipated Australian play Ruben Guthrie which opens in London, 14 March.
8 | Entertainment
6 March - 12 March 2012
The musical Bonfire to warm those London Nights n
This week Music from the Motherland guest editor Backpack Sounds presents the glamorous life of an up-and-coming Aussie band in London. Introducing, Bonfire Nights...
Kate Miller-Heidke 6 March @ Monto Water Rats DZ Deathrays 7 March @ Old Blue Last
music from the
motherland
> BACKPACK SOUNDS
By Bonfire Nights IT wasn’t long after the January floods in Brisbane that we decided to move the band to London. It was an idea we’d been toying with for a while and it felt like the right time to do it. Aside from the floods, some of our favourite venues were closing down in what seemed to be an alarming trend affecting the whole country. We arrived in London the day after the Royal Wedding - the streets were still brightly festooned with bunting and absolutely crawling with people. Our first gig was a showcase at the Apple store on Regent Street, which was probably the weirdest place we›ve performed. One interesting fact we learnt that served us well in those early days – was that we could fit our whole backline into a black cab. That›s right: a drum kit, amps, keyboards and guitars and four warm bodies (including the driver), which is no small feat. Although, it was really uncomfortable and we soon started using Addison Lee cabs to get around. We use them so often now that we really ought to have shares in the company. But it›s the only practical way of getting to gigs with our gear. We thought about buying a van, but the running costs of having your own car in London are monstrous - insurance, taxes, congestion charges
What’s On
and not to mention parking and petrol. At least this way there is no designated driver and we are free to get as inebriated as we like after a show. We moved to East London, thinking we were being original and that we would avoid the Antipodean quagmire that is West London. WRONG. Our neighbours are Aussies and Kiwis. We hear the accent on the bus constantly. We’re convinced that we are conducting a REVERSE INVASION of the motherland. We aren›t the only band from Oz to relocate here either - fellow Brisbane band HorseFight and Sydney band Dark Bells are also lurking in the murky depths of Dalston and Whitechapel. They, like us, were attracted to the UK by the seemingly endless opportunities, the ability to gig nearly every other week without exhausting your audience and to go on tour to more than three cities that are accessible by car, rather than by plane. Probably one of the hardest things has been arranging a permanent rehearsal room. We used to rehearse for free at Steve›s parents› house in the semi-rural western suburbs of Brisbane. In London, however, you can pay through the nose to share a tiny rehearsal room with five other bands, who think it›s ok to leave
their underpants on the floor or smash your drums with some unidentified blunt object. Leaving passive aggressive notes won›t alleviate the situation, but they sure do make you feel better. We have since found digs in a nicer and cheaper room, so it pays to keep looking around for a better deal. It goes without saying that things here are not like they are at home, but that›s why so many of us travel to London in the first place. We›ve been exposed to more opportunities here than we had at home - within six months we›d done our first UK tour supporting Sons & Daughters and next month we›ll be touring America and playing at SXSW. It›s hard leaving home and the comfort of everything you know, but I can›t say the same would›ve happened had we not made the move to the UK. Don’t miss Bonfire Nights when they are back in the UK after their American sojourn. And be sure to check in next week for a different musical perspective from BBC Radio 6 DJ Chris Hawkins. In the meantime keep an eye on backpacksounds.com and of course, Music from the Motherland for all your Oz music goodness.
Qantas Australian Woman of the Year in the UK Award 2012 8 Mar @ The Langham London Tall Poppies 13 March @ Boogaloo, Highgate Australian Pink Floyd 24 Mar @ Hammersmith Apollo Parkway Drive 7 April @ Indig02 Matt Corby 17 April @ The Bowery Tracer 24 April @ Islington O2 Academy Bogan Bingo Every Thursday @ The Underdog, Clapham Common
For full details... ...and more Aussie gigs go to: AustralianTimes.co.uk/entertainment
What we’re following #BenRoberts-Smith @ShaunGrigg6 Yumi Stynes @yumichild and George Negus don’t even deserve to be mentioned in the same sentence as Ben RobertsSmith.#pathetic #disgrace @peter_berner The irony is Ben Roberts-Smith would have thrown himself on that ‘joke’ to protect everyone else. @Joe_Hildebrand Call me crazy, but I’m not sure if brave soldiers like BenRobertsSmith are fighting for our right to post abusive comments on Facebook. @SP_10 George Negus should have to come face to face and say what he said about Ben RobertsSmith! That would make for good ratings #getsomerespect @peterfletcher You’re a disgrace Channel 10. Ben Roberts-Smith puts his life on the line and this is how you say thanks?! @benpobjie Ben Roberts-Smith charged into the teeth of machine gun fire. I’m betting being made fun of by Yumi isn’t going to faze him TOO much Check out what we’re following today on AustralianTimes.co.uk and follow us on Twitter @AustralianTimes
travel
Travel | 9
AustralianTimes.co.uk
Taking stock of
STOCKHOLM
stockholm
tting This week we’re pu
ON THE MAP
n
The Swedish capital is often described as ‘the Venice of the North’. JENNIFER PERKIN headed to the watery wonderland and found out about IKEA, pickled herrings and icy, Scandinavian blondes.
ANY winter visitor to Stockholm will quickly get used to locals almost apologetically urging ‘you really should come back in summer’. They paint a picture of a city come to life; long summer nights of outdoor eating , midnight sun cocktails, cultural festivals, refreshing dips in the water. However, as I found over a long weekend in December, winter in Stockholm is not to be sneezed at. With plenty of indoor attractions, and gingerbread and gluwhein galore, I am convinced it is a two-season city.
Kings of cosy
The Swedish know that to survive a long hard winter you need some incentives, hence the concept of ‘Fika’. A kind of a afternoon tea, winter Fika usually involves a hot beverage, a cinnamon scroll, good conversation and possibly an open fire. Possibly even chunky knitwear. It can happen at any time of day and is a cornerstone of Swedish social life. For a winter visitor to the city, it is a concept that is easy to love and can even become a kind of competitive sport if you start to get serious about the optimum stickiness level of the bun, the most soothing brew of coffee, and the best ambient lighting.
Mixing it up
I expected certain things about Stockholm. Blondes, for one. I pictured eerily spotless streets, an Ikea on every corner, pickled seafood everywhere, absurdly expensive alcohol. But definitely icy, stylish, blondes. While some of preconceptions were proved true, my first myth was debunked almost immediately: not only are there plenty of brunettes in Stockholm, but over a quarter of the city’s population comes from a nonSwedish background. Which makes for a much more multicultural city than I expected. As Australians, we know that more multiculturalism equals better food, hence after making a beeline for the Hotorgshallen food hall on our first day and scouting out the tastiest looking offering, I found myself tucking into a delicious Iranian haloumi kebab as fruit and veg vendors in the background chattered to each other in Turkish. Which, I came to learn, was just as authentic a modern Stockholm experience as tucking into a plate of meatballs with cloudberry sauce.
Bridges and boats
Stockholm , as everyone knows (or will now know), consists of an archipelago, and so places are defined by island, first, and then suburb. Despite a comprehensive
and by all accounts really very good underground system, the best way to explore the city is on foot. The city, though large and sprawling, takes about two or three days of pavement pounding to start to make sense in your mind. However to really get a sense of the city’s geography you need to hop on a boat. Many of the boat trips run year round, ranging from romantic dinner cruises to informal ferry style trips. We chose a three-hour amble through the archipelago on a cruise ship combined with a lunch buffet, a relatively reasonable proposition at 440 SEK (approx £44), drinks not included. Though I wouldn’t call myself the cruising type, there’s something to be said for combining sightseeing with gluttony, particularly on a cold winters day. As we sailed past the bigger inhabited islands of Stockholm to a seemingly endless supply of smaller ones, we were treated to a buffet of traditional Swedish foods and I had my first real encounter with pickled herring. Pickled fish is a national passion for Swedes, and one local described to us a particularly challenging fermented variety known as Surströmming, a recipe so pungent that it has to be eaten outdoors and is considered a dangerous weapon by airlines. Luckily this particular dish was not on offer however I did count a total of six different types of pickled herring. And, for the record, it was really good and not nearly as scary as you might think. I happily munched on
garlic herring on flatbread as dozens of the 24,000 islands in the archipelago floated past, tuning in to the informative commentary sporadically (pointing out Bjorn Borg’s family home, Greta Garbo’s summer house), and thinking that a canoe trip here in the summer would be mighty fine.
Gamla Stan
The place that best embodies the traditional side of Stocklholm is Gamla Stan (‘Old Town’), which comprises the smallest island in the centre of the city. It is also home to one of the city’s cultural must sees – the Nobel Museum. Though this is the most touristy part of the city, thanks to the colorful old buildings, independent shops and well kept cobbled alleys it remains thoroughly, utterly charming. And during the winter season you of course have the welcome consolation of the Christmas market selling sweet treats in virtually every main square. Standing with a steaming cup of gluwhein in Gamla Stan’s Stortorget Square on a bracingly cold night, hemmed in by gorgeous towering edifices and twinkling lights and surrounded by bustling and bundled shoppers, it was not unlike being in a more modest Prague. In fact, despite the protestations by locals that ‘you must come back in summer’, I couldn’t imagine a more idyllic winter scene. AustralianTimes.co.uk/travel
What to see: The Nobel Museum, Gamla Stan, is informative and enlightening. If
you are an IKEA nut you can catch a shuttle bus from the city centre to the flagship store – remember only buy what you can fit in your suitcase! If you can only fit it one arty sight see Fotografiska, an amazing photography gallery on the outskirts of the coolest part of the city, Södermalm. As for cruises, we went with Stromma Kanalbolaget, see Strommakanalbolaget.se
Get there: Ryanair service Skavsta airport
with supercheap fares, a one hour coach ride from the centre of town.
Top tip:
The Stockolm card is a great idea for those who plan to cram in as much as possible. The card includes transport and entry to pretty much every attraction in Stockholm – prices range from 425 SEK (£42) for 24 hours to 895 SEK (£90) for 120 hours.
10 | Travel
6 March - 12 March 2012
GERM ANY
Munich
munich
tting This week we’re pu
ON THE MAP
More than just a beerfest n
When people think of Munich, they think ‘Oktoberfest’. The fun, the parties, the beer. But in many an alcohol induced haze, a lot of attendees miss out on what else this amazing German city has to offer. BRENTON SHAUGHNESSY spent a long weekend in the Bavarian heartland to see the city hidden behind the beer tents. München
Munich is a city teaming with history that dates back centuries. Unfortunately, much of the historical architecture was lost during the air raids of the Second World War but there is still plenty to see. The city has a modern cosmopolitan feel mixed with a smattering of old Bavaria. The main sights are centred around Marienplatz, the town square. Sightseeing-wise, be sure not to miss the Frauenkirche, which is the church with the huge twin bell towers that you see in all of the postcards. It was one of the few buildings to survive the war because the Allies used it as a directional landmark during their air raids. The sheer size is impressive and the towers can be seen from almost
anywhere in the city. If you’re a bit of a history buff, make sure you do some research before you make the trip to Munich. The tours based on the Nazi era and wars are quite expensive, but all of the main sites can be found easily on foot. Set aside an afternoon, print off some notes with a map and meander your way around the city where Hitler drummed up much of his early support. There is much to be learnt about this terrible chapter in human history amongst these streets.
Sunbaking in the nicht
If you are lucky with the weather, do not miss the Englischer Garden, one of the largest parks in Europe. It is home to four huge beer gardens, is picturesque and quite famous for its
nude sun bathers during the summer months! If you are going to visit a museum, I recommend the Deutsche Museum. One of the largest science and technology museums in the world - we spent hours wandering around yet didn’t manage to see half of what we had wished to. A celebration of German and worldwide ingenuity, there are exhibitions on everything from space travel, boating, printing, and aviation to children’s toys, film, photography, cars and motoring.
Stein half full
Despite the tents of Oktoberfest being packed away until September, beer drinking is in the Bavarian DNA, therefore there is always a party going
Travel | 11
AustralianTimes.co.uk
The city has a modern cosmopolitan feel mixed with a smattering of old Bavaria on. You cannot miss the opportunity to experience one of Munich’s many beer halls. Many of them date back centuries and also brew their own specialities. Hofbräuhaus offers tourists an Oktoberfest like experience all year round, complete with pretty, young beer ‘wenches’ and ridiculously large (and heavy) one litre steins of beer. Enjoy this while being entertained by a traditionally dressed München brass band. Touching on the history again (can you tell that I am a buff?), amazingly, this establishment was host to some of Hitler’s first speeches.
Older and Weisser If you would like to avoid the busloads of tourists and dense crowds, head to Weisses Bräuhaus. During World War II the building was destroyed but has since been restored to what it would have been like in 1904. Where the Hofbräuhaus is obviously geared towards the tacky tourist crowd, Weisses Bräuhaus has a more genuine and relaxed feel to it. The pork knuckle is amazing. Sit down, relax, and try some of the many styles of the Weisses Bräuhaus’ own Schneider
Weisse beer. The more elderly and experienced beer ‘wenches’ (I hope this is a German word for ‘lovely waitresses’) working the floor also love to advise you all about the history of the beer hall, the many different types of beer available and of course their recommendations from their amazing Bavarian menu!
German fairytales Neuschwanstein Castle is located about a two and a half hour train ride out of Munich on the outskirts of a small village called Füssen. Despite being seen by many as a tourist trap, this is a must see. Built by Ludwig II of Bavaria in the 19th century the castle is most famous for being the inspiration for Disney’s ‘Sleeping
Beauty Castle’. Photos can be taken from the Marienbruecke (Mary’s Bridge) but don’t stop there! Make sure you wear comfortable shoes for the day (this is very important), as we continued to walk on over the bridge and managed to get away from the hordes of pushy tourists. We continued up the rugged mountain side, along the thin bush tracks before we encountered some breathtaking panoramic views of the Castle, the Forggensee Lake and the Alpsee Lake. Be sure to set aside some time for a look around the town of Füssen. A walled town with a very romantic feel to it, the streets are lined with brightly coloured buildings which house many independent retail boutiques selling everything from jewellery to
souvenirs and Lederhosen. Both the castle and the town can be explored easily within the day. What a weekend, what a city! Beerfest or no beerfest, Munich is well worth the trip. AustralianTimes.co.uk/travel
12 | Travel
6 March - 12 March 2012
This week’s top Travel Deals Discover Turkey
20% discount on Topdeck European Tours
15% off African Overland Tours
Straddling both Asia and Europe, the wonders of the Orient and the history of the classical period collide in Turkey to create a truly inspirational travel destination. Turkey’s unique history and breathtaking natural beauties cater to every traveller’s tastes. Visit the land where Achilles took down Troy in Homer’s Iliad, explore ruined castles and exquisite palaces or relax on one of Turkey’s many beaches. Discover Turkey with Encounters Travel, offering a 20% discount on a selection of Turkey tours for all departure dates up until the end of March.
Sample tapas in Barcelona, island hop through the Mediterranean, adventure through the Swiss Alps or sunbake along the French Riviera this summer with Topdeck. Right now, Topdeck are offering a 20% discount on a huge range of tours across Europe this summer. Tours range from seven to forty-nine days and depart in the beginning of May. Make the most of the summer and discover all the amazing wonders Europe has to offer!
Grab your flippers and head for Zanzibar this March. The marine life and visibility (around 30-metres) are hot right now! Acacia Africa invites you to explore the underwater world of the moray eels, lionfish, triggerfish and octopuses that inhabit the pristine coral reefs surrounding the coast of Nungwi. The tour also includes game drives in the Masai Mara and Serengeti. Save £112pp on Acacia Africa’s 13-day Overland tour to Kenya and Tanzania. Tours are offered from only £1,333pp departing 25 March.
For more information visit Encounterstravel.com/specialoffers.php
For more information visit Topdeck. travel/deals/save-on-europe-summer
For information and other offers visit Acacia-africa.com
Jobs & Money | 13
AustralianTimes.co.uk
Dollar Review passports Sable offers an impressive portfolio of professional services. We have over 25 years of experience advising individuals, contractors and small businesses who have international interests and connections.
sable services Accounting Tax Wealth OFFSHORE
Aussie Dollar awaits RBA data outcome
THE Australian Dollar enjoyed a strong finish towards the end of last week, trading at 107.88 US cents on Friday afternoon. Today at 12:00 AEDT, the Aussie is sitting tight after falling half a US cent to 107.31 US cents. Tim Waterer, foreign exchange dealer from CMC Markets reports that the currency has been trading in a narrow range from 107.20 to 107.45 US cents, since 07:00 AEDT this morning. Traders and investors have been treading cautiously as they await
the news on data releases from the Reserve Bank of Australia, and as a result, Tim believes that “The Aussie Dollar is very much in wait and see mode”. He also mentioned that things are more likely to open up as the week unfolds, and that we could expect a fairly mundane trading session with the markets today. The outcome of the pending decision as to whether the RBA will cut interest rates or to hold off for the next month, will be revealed this Tuesday. Damian Smith, RateCity chief, has suggested that the RBA board’s
FX Law PASSPORTS
43449
Sable Group
Are you having problems with your visa?
Sable is a group of professional service companies. Sable Accounting Limited is a limited company registered in England and Wales with registered number 03517738. Sable Private Wealth Management Limited is registered in England & Wales, number 04305265, Authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.
Castlewood House 77/91 New Oxford Street London WC1A 1DG t: +44 (0) 845 094 3990 info@sable-group.com www.sable-group.com
We specialise in obtaining a full range of different visas for United Kingdom as well as appeals on refused applications. We do provide advice for USA, Canada, Australia and all other European countries. All applications are prepared by a registered OISC Advisor in full compliance with the UKBA requirement .
meeting this coming Tuesday might be used by some leaders as an opportunity to try heighten profitability and increase their standard interest rates. He also said that we could “Expect regular, small rate movements from many lenders regardless of what the RBA does”. AUD/ GBP: 0.677861 AUD/ EUR: 0.812925 AUD/ USD: 1.073295 AUD/ JPY: 87.806292 Exchange rates as of 09:21, 05 March 2012 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.
Please visit our web site or contact us to arrange an appointment.
020 7969 2912 | info@eumigration.com | www.eumigration.com
www.sable-group.com 43449_Sable_Group Ad_BlueSky_Qtr.indd 1
26/05/2011 09:33
Ask the Experts
WORLDWIDE TAX SOLUTIONS
Tier 2 - new rules
Q:
Is your tax situation a mess? Allow WWTS to clean up for you! A World Wide Tax Solution Company is the answer to all your tax problems and needs.
Helix Management Limited Are You A Contractor?
Third Floor We Can Maximise Your Earnings, Genesis House Online. Calculate Your Pay Increase 8 Victoria Street Take Home up to 90% of Douglas your contract value Isle of Man IM1 2LH
Visit: www.helixcontractor.co.uk or Call: 0845 004 6679 T 0845 004 6679
WWTS CAN OFFER: Administer and enforce laws of taxation within the UK and Internationally Advice and consult on all matters of taxation Accountancy Services and Formation of companies 20 years Australian tax experience
E info@helixcontractor.co.uk W www.helixcontractor.co.uk
I am in the UK on a Tier 2 skilled worker permit. I am very concerned about the announcement by the UK Home Office that workers under Tier 2 will no longer be able to settle in the UK based on the amount of time that they have spent in the UK. Can you please tell me more about these announcements, when it will take affect, and how it will affect people in my situation?
A:
It is true that skilled migrant workers coming to the UK under Tier 2 of the points-based system will no longer be able to settle in the UK based on the amount of time they have spent in the UK. Workers on Tier 2 who want to apply for settlement will have to earn at least £35,000 or the going rate for their job, whichever is higher. However, migrants doing jobs which are on the shortage occupation list, scientists and researchers in PhDlevel roles, will be exempt from the £35,000 threshold. These rules will apply to anyone who entered or switched into Tier 2 of the Points-Based System under the rules in force from 6 April 2011 and who will thus be eligible to make a settlement application in this category from April 2016. The new settlement pay threshold rules will NOT apply to persons who entered Tier 2 under the rules in force on 5 April 2011.
Breytenbachs Immigration Contact: Teresa Tel: 07789952025 Email: teresa@worldwidetax.co.uk Website: www.worldwidetax.co.uk
JP Breytenbach
Director of Breytenbachs Immigration Consultants www.bic-immigration.com info@bic-immigration.com
14 | Sport
6 March - 12 March 2012
Kanga Footy bounces back into London Laidler sidelined from By Mat Lyons WITH winter apparently behind us, it’s time to trade your snow shoes for footy boots this weekend, as Aussie Rules charges back into the capital. Players from all corners of the UK will converge on Clapham Common for the inaugural Kanga Footy Pre-Season Cup, a mixed tournament which will get the competitive juices flowing again for 2012. The AFL London clubs will be there in force and are keen to assert their authority early. Wimbledon’s newly appointed President Ross Ashman is itching to get the tournament underway. “I think the guys will really feel the benefit of dusting off the cobwebs and getting their hands on the footy,” he says. “It will be great seeing some of the newer recruits putting into practice what the coaches have been teaching them. We’ll definitely be giving our best shot.” Ashman’s Hawks won’t have it all their own way however, especially if you believe all the hype about the Sussex Swans in 2012. Star Irish utility Ronan O’Morain is looking forward to the challenge and issued this warning for the opposition: “We did well at the last Kanga Tournament so we hope that we can build on it this time and be contenders. We have recruited well. It’s time for combat!” One player who is ready to make her mark on the tournament is Englishwoman Tobie Rhyman, who is traveling from Manchester to play for the Putney Magpies. No stranger to the game, Tobie’s love affair with footy began a few year back, when she was invited to the MCG by a group of backpackers, while travelling in Oz. It left such an impression on her that Tobie ditched rugby league, bought a football the next day and trained relentlessly until she made it onto the Melbourne Uni Women’s Team. She quickly carved out a reputation as a very skilful Pom with a passion for promoting the game, which led to her becoming a writer for World Footy News. Having returned to the UK and
AFL for six weeks
RAIL, SNOW OR SHINE: Kanga Footy's star women will be out to impress during Saturday's tournament at Clapham Common. “bringing Aussie Rules back home with me”, Tobie has become a significant ambassador for women’s footy. In her current role as the UK Women’s Football Coordinator she is determined to assemble a national team to compete in the Euro Cup this October. “Last year there were only two teams in the women’s competition - Ireland and Switzerland,” she says. “So it would be great if more nations could get involved this year. I will be looking out for recruits during the Kanga Tournament and hope to able to discover a few potential stars.” And what do men think about playing in a mixed competition?
CARLTON defender Jeremy Laidler will have surgery and is out of AFL action for up to six weeks because of his dislocated kneecap. The Blues announced that Laidler would undergo an arthroscopy on Tuesday afternoon after suffering the gruesome injury during Sunday’s pre-season game against the Western Bulldogs. Laidler met with a specialist and Carlton medical staff on Monday night. He fell awkwardly during a marking contest in the first quarter of the game at Etihad Stadium. Laidler’s left kneecap was bulging to the lateral side as he battled severe pain, with fans gasping in horror at the replays on the video scoreboard. Coach Brett Ratten said the Blues were able to put the kneecap back in place before Laidler was taken to hospital during Sunday’s game. Blues team-mate Ed Curnow said Laidler was a key member of Carlton’s defence. “He’s shattered,” Curnow said. Curnow said he had been running around in midfield when Laidler was injured. “I did have a quick look on the big
screen and I got grossed out a bit myself,” Curnow said. “I’m sure he’s going to bounce back. The Blues expect to regain forwards Jarrad Waite and Andrew Walker, onballers Chris Judd and Mitch Robinson and defender Nick Duigan for Saturday’s roundthree pre-season cup game against Brisbane at Maroochydore. The Blues are chasing a spot in the top four in 2012 after finishing strongly in fifth place last season following a heartbreaking three-point semi-final loss to West Coast in Perth. The Blues have lost all three of their pre-season cup games by single-figure margins and Curnow says experimenting with positional changes is a key factor at this stage of the year. “We’ll probably want to go into the season with a bit of winning form,” he said. “But we also want to try out guys in different positions, send Shaun Hampson up forward for a bit longer than he usually would play, little things like that.” - AAP AustralianTimes.co.uk/sport
“I’ve had the privilege to play alongside and against some very tough female opponents and in a lot of cases the fairer sex really take the game to the fellas,” says Ashman. “It’s great to be able to take part in a competitive environment like Kanga Footy with the ladies, which you don’t find elsewhere.” Don’t miss theKanga Footy Pre-Season Cup on Saturday, 10 March. For more information or to get involved, see Kangafooty.com AustralianTimes.co.uk/sport
NRL season opens in thrilling fashion Continued from p16... stunning style, supporting predictions of one of the closest title battles in the competition’s history. Marshall’s superb 35-metre field goal sealed a 17-16 golden-point victory for title favourites Wests Tigers over Cronulla after Carney almost singlehandedly dragged his side back into the game. Two of the game’s most lustrous talents went blow for blow in the searing heat, with 2010 Dally M Medallist Carney emulating Marshall’s virtuoso try in the second half then almost winning the game with a field goal in golden point before Marshall struck. In Sunday’s other match, premiers Manly needed a late Glenn Stewart try to win the battle of last season’s grand finalists, beating the Warriors 26-20 in another epic encounter before a crowd of almost 40,000 at Eden Park. Marshall’s extra-time clincher followed the golden-point field goal by Jamie Soward in St George Illawarra’s 15-14 win over Newcastle and their former coach Wayne Bennett in Friday night’s season opener. While Carney and Marshall slugged it out on Sunday, glamour fullbacks Billy Slater and Josh Dugan did likewise at a sodden Canberra 24 hours earlier. Dugan looked to have sealed a shock win for the Raiders with a field goal six
Exclusive night club in Picadilly Circus is looking for new TABLE DANCERS
BITING ENCOUNTER: West Tigers defeated the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 17-16 in Round 1 of the NRL. (AAP Image/Action Photographics, Robb Cox) minutes from time, only for Slater to soar for a towering bomb at the death and score a try to snatch the 24-19 win in another memorable match. In the other first-round thriller, Penrith led with seven minutes to go only to be run down by new coach Des Hasler’s Bulldogs through tries to John Morris and Bryson Goodwin. For all the glitz and glamour from
some of the game’s biggest names, it is last year’s wooden spooners the Gold Coast Titans who sit atop the table following their surprise 18-0 win over Johnathan Thurston’s North Queensland in Townsville on Saturday night. – AAP AustralianTimes.co.uk/sport
No experience necessary Full time and part time positions available Our dancers earn a fantastic living
Please call Suzanne on 0207 439 3558 17-19 Great Windmill St, Piccadilly, London, W1 www.windmillinternational.com
Sport | 15
AustralianTimes.co.uk
Aussie Olympics athletes stake their claim for gold Continued from p16... performances at last year’s world championships. With the addition of a host of walkers, as many as 30 athletes were hoping to get the nod this week for the Olympics. The balance would be made up by those who had previously bettered the A standard and finished first or second in their event at the trials. Hollingsworth is confident the Australian track and field team for the London Games will eventually number more than 40, taking into account performances up to the cut-
off in mid-June. The biggest two names who won’t figure in the initial team named this week are defending Olympic pole vault gold medallist Steve Hooker and two-time 400m hurdles world champion Jana Pittman. Hooker is training hard but won’t return to competition until he is mentally ready to do so, having struggled for confidence. Pittman faces an even tougher road, having sustained yet another foot injury last month. “She’s got some work to do,” said Hollingsworth.
London Tag Rugby numbers booming
JUG-ERNAUTS: Hardy Boyz celebrate winning the Borough Late Winter Men’s Try Tag Rugby competition.
By Phillip Browne WITH Late Winter finals taking place across the capital last week, the Spring Tag Rugby season beginning this week will welcome 88 teams across 10 locations in London. The Borough Men’s favourites, The Hardy Boyz were too strong for Champions of Capua in the final with a commanding 10-2 victory. James Kennedy of The Hardy Boyz was awarded player of the tournament. At Barnes, Moves Like Tagger got up 9-6 in a very close encounter with Tagging Around. Tagging Around’s Emily Stone, who is an England Tag Rugby representative, won the Player of the Tournament award. Across at Bermondsey, Double Scrum & Coke were too strong for Speights, walking away with a 12-6 triumph. London Australia representative, Dane Challenor was the player of the tournament. In the social grade, Try Tag Cobras defeated Bermondsey Bandits 8-5 in a nail biter. With the Spring season now in
full swing; so far 88 teams have registered with the Finsbury Park competition still to open. If you would like to get involved in one of the fastest growing sports in London, new individual registrations are welcome. This is a great chance to develop a network of friends if you are new to London. In other news, the second of four Great Britain & Ireland World Cup open trials took place last Friday at Bacon’s College, Rotherhithe. The next open trial to take place will be on Sunday 11th March at Tooting Bec Common, Balham with any Australians eligible for Great Britain & Ireland welcome to attend. For more information and to register for a Try Tag Rugby, go to www.trytagrugby.com or email info@trytagrugby.com. AustralianTimes.co.uk/sport
“She’s going to attempt to start running again on Monday, after this latest plantar fascia problem, and we’ll know more when we got a response from her.” – AAP GOING FOR GOLD: Craig Mottram wins the Men’s 5000 metres at the Qantas Track Classic athletics meet in Melbourne on Saturday. (AAP Image/Mal Fairclough) AustralianTimes.co.uk/sport
FREE DAYS FOR THE LADIES Tag Rugby giving it to the girls
BLOOM AND BOOM Spring into London Try Tag Rugby
P14 P15
CHAPPELL SAYS SWITCH OLYMPICS ATHLETICS HIT IS ‘RIDICULOUS’ TEAM IS SHAPING UP Schwarzer closes in on World Cup history
n Australian cricket legend blasts cricket’s ‘unfair’ switch hit technique n Veteranstill runner Australia has a way to go to before reclaiming top Test team status
and says
Craig Mottram adds By Tim Martin his name to the list of FORMER Australian captain Ian a strong Australian Chappell has never been one to mince words. And he’s now come Olympic out firing about thetrack polarising and ‘switch hit’ technique, which David Warner field team which will pulled off with aplomb in Australia’s recent T20 win over India. eventually number “I think I wrote it first in the 1990s, early 1990s, that it’s ridiculous,” over forty. Chappell told Australian Times. “I mean it’s a terrific skill but can RESURGENT someone explain toCraig me how Mottram it’s fair? provided the has perfect to If the bowler got todenouement tell you which the Olympic track field wayAustralian he is bowling - over theand wicket, trials, hisright placearm, on aleft fourth round booking the wicket, arm successive Olympic Games team. - how can it be fair if he then places a Blowing away fielder for a left handformer batsmentraining and just partner Collis Birmingham in the as he’s about to deliver the ball, the final Mottram batterhalf-lap, becomes 31-year-old a right hander. won the 5000m in 13 minutes 18.58 Chappell said he “admires” the skill seconds, becoming one of five of the technique but has called for Australians to put their Olympic balance to be maintained. selection beyond doubt at the trials. “There’s a Australia thing called national balance Athletics between bat and ball and to Eric me high performance manager that’s the most important thing that Hollingsworth was in no doubt administrators have got to to about the significance of do the –big keep that balance Victorian’s run. pretty even. Now if I “For was playing the game and someone Craig that’s an unbelievable did that said [switch hit], I know exactly result,” Hollingsworth. what I would I’d make it “What he didbeindoing. the race against known was that tantamount I’m very unhappy about Collis to Mottram it and I think it’s himself unfair. AndinI’dour do re-establishing something get itman changed. psyche thattohetryis and the No.1 over I’m not in any doubt at all, sure it’s 5000m. very skilful, in the wide “He’s one but of no theway rare distance world is itthat fair.”can shake it up with athletes The cricket legend and now the Africans.” television commentator said he’s The other four Australians impressed team at to satisfywith thethe Australian strict automatic the moment but he’s not sure qualifying criteria wereif they’re triple back to their world beating best. jumper Henry Frayne, steeplechaser Youcef Abdi,have 400mcertainly hurdler Brendan “Australia found a Cole and Jeff Riseley the 800m. pace attack during thisinsummer and Another have been prethey’ve beeneight well captained and that’s selected virtue around of quite their the way to by turn things quickly. That’s not to say they still ...continued on p14
EVERGREEN Socceroos goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer is targeting a slice of World Cup history after reiterating his desire to carry on for Australia until Brazil 2014. The Fulham keeper turns 40 in October but wants to continue BENJI MARSHALL eclipsed playing for at least another two Todd Carney in the battle of the seasons as he eyes an international marquee playmakers at Leichhardt swan song in South America. Oval on Sunday to cap Should Schwarzer makeoff ita magnificent weekend of to Brazil, opening he would become the 2012 NRL season. In a round where two games ...continued on p15 went to golden point and three others went down to the wire, rugby league roared into 2012 in
2012 NRL season off to a flyer
Ponting could be ...continued on p14 captain again
DOUBLE BARREL
AUSTRALIA AGAINST ENGLAND The road to London starts now | P15
don’t have some flaws there which have next summer, if they all get fit, have to reinvest in youth for the future. I’m sure they’d like to fix up, some of nine or 10 guys who have all played “Australian cricket has got to get the top order batting leaves a bit to be a bit of international cricket with a bit back to finding young batsmen who desired and I’m sure they’d like to see of success and all looking to be in the are good enough for first class cricket some young batsmen coming through Test side which is a very good thing. and ready for first class cricket at age but it’s a hell of a lot better than it was “But I don’t see a batting lineup at 18. And that’s when you start to get AAP IMAGE/ASP, STEVE 12 months ago.” the moment. If you look at some of the IMAGES: a few guys coming intoROBERTSON the Test side Yet he wouldn’t go so far as to say heavy lifting in the Test series against at age 20-21-22. Ponting and Clarke TAJ BURROW STEPHANIE GILMORE made it ana Australian winning the men’s andand Australian cricket wasand entering a new India, apart from Warner, lot of the double, both came in at around that age women’s events Snapper Rocks on the Gold Coast, Sunday. Burrow golden age. world championship surfing heavy liftingatwas done by [Michael] you’ve got toon have those guys feeding scored victory Brazil’sby Adriano Souza,and grabbing the highest score of guys the at “No. No aIhard-fought wouldn’t say that.over Clarke, [Ricky]DePonting by through and I wave don’t see those final, a 9.43 to ultimately win narrowly 15.86 to 15.60. Four time world champion Gilmore overcame fellow Certainly – our bowling, it’s very [Michael] Hussey.” Aussie Laura Enever 16.37 to 14.20. good, very strong. You are going to And Chappell agrees that Australia ...continued on p14
AUSTRALIA
cricket
captain
Michael Clarke hopes miss just Socceroos totoface one limited-overs international Scotland in August due to his leg muscle injury.
Clarke said scans on Monday THE Socceroos will face Scotland returned news” in a friendly“good international matchby in revealing just a slightasstrain his Edinburgh in August part oftotheir right hamstring. preparations during the next phase of“I2014 World Cup one qualifying. have a grade hamstring Football Federation strain so will be out of Australia Friday’s announced on posted Monday the game,” Clarke onnight Twitter. sides would meet for tothe fifth Australia will be forced name a time, and first since 2000, at Easter Road Stadium, Edinburgh ...continued on p15 on Wednesday, August 15. Australia will commence the final stage of 2014 qualifying with two matches in June and theback Scotland Stewart nearly friendly will precede their next set to best: Toovey of fixtures in September. Soccerooscoach coach Geoff Holger Toovey Osieck MANLY said match wouldis beleaps idealand at saysthe Brett Stewart abounds crucialahead stage of of where the campaign. his fitness “This match is last a very was at this point seasongood and opportunity to startwill a new he expectsfortheus NRL see season withofa the similar to last the best starmatch fullback in year’s against Wales win in 2012 one following an (2-1 injury-free Cardiff last August),” Osieck said. preparation. Australia last the time2009 the Stewart, prevailed who missed teams metseasons in November, 2000 and 2010 with successive with Emerton and David knee Brett injuries that threatened his Zdrilic scoring in 2-0 way win last in career, returned in aa big Glasgow. – AAP ...continued on p15
AustralianTimes.co.uk/sport