13 - 19 November 2012 – Issue: 438
HAUNTING HATPIN
Aussie musical’s emotive UK debut
THE WONDER OF WHITE
MASTERS Tennis
Your chance to catch the action
Christmas in a winter wonderland
ENTERTAINMENT P5
SPORT P11
TRAVEL P7
CONTRACTING? TIME TO EARN MORE
0808 141 2314
41769
TAX, FINANCIAL AND MIGRATION EXPERTS: Money Transfers, Tax Refunds, Visas, Limited Companies & Accounting, UK Bank Accounts, CV & Job Assistance, Travel Clinic, Shipping, Legal and Umbrella Services
www.1stcontact.com/mast2
PM ORDERS INQUIRY INTO CHILD ABUSE
Abbott’s rating sinks to new low FEDERAL Labor is continuing to chip away at the coalition’s election winning lead, as Tony Abbott’s personal approval rating declines to its lowest level since he became opposition leader. The latest Essential Research online poll released on Monday showed two-party support for Labor rose to 48 per cent, from 47 per cent a week earlier, while the coalition edged down to 52 per cent, from 53 per cent. Over the month, support for Julia Gillard as preferred prime minister rose to 45 per cent, from 43 per cent, while Mr Abbott dropped to 32 per cent, from 36 per cent. Ms Gillard’s approval rating as Labor leader was steady at 41 per cent, while her disapproval rating showed a modest improvement to 49 per cent from 51 per cent. Overall, her approval rating of minus eight was her best since May 2011. In contrast, Mr Abbott’s approval rating fell to 33 per cent, from 37 per cent, while his disapproval rating rose to 58 per cent, from 54 per cent. His net approval rating of minus 25 was the worst since he replaced Malcolm Turnbull as opposition
n
Prime Minister Julia Gillard has announced a Royal Commission to be appointed to investigate decades of child abuse in churches, schools and foster homes. A royal commission to investigate the responses of religious, state and community groups to acts and allegations of child sexual abuse will be appointed by the end of the year. Prime Minister Julia Gillard announced on Monday she would ask Governor-General Quentin Bryce to set up the inquiry, which would have no deadline and could run for years, amid calls for a national response by federal Labor, independent and Greens MPs. “Any instance of child abuse is a vile and evil thing. Australians know that,” Ms Gillard told reporters in Canberra on Monday. “Australians know, from the revelations that they’ve read in recent weeks, that too many children have suffered child abuse but have also seen other adults let them down. “They’ve not only had their trust betrayed by the abuser but other adults who could have acted to assist them have failed to do so.” She hoped the royal commission would help heal victims and ensure child abuse “never, ever happens again”. The broad inquiry will cover religious institutions of all denominations, state institutions, schools, not-for-profit groups such as
scouts and sporting clubs, and also look at police responses. “It’s not just the evil of the people who do it, there has been a systemic failure to respond to it and to protect children,” Ms Gillard said. “We need to learn the lessons about how institutions can best respond when there are allegations of sexual abuse of children.” The move is likely to win political support, since Opposition Leader Tony Abbott said earlier on Monday that any investigation of child abuse should be wide-ranging and not focussed on just the Catholic Church. The church currently faces a special commission in NSW to investigate allegations of abuse by clergy in the Hunter region and a possible cover-up. A Victorian parliamentary inquiry is already examining sexual abuse by clergy in that state. Attorney-General Nicola Roxon and the acting minister for families, Brendan O’Connor, will work with the premiers and chief ministers, victims’ groups, religious leaders and community organisations in the next few weeks to establish terms of reference for the commission. ...continued on p3
THE QUEEN SPEAKS
Judith Lucy on her comedic reign | P5
HOME LOANS FOR BACK HOME. To explore the possibilities contact our London office on 020 7710 3993 or visit www.commbankuk.co.uk/mortgages
Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.
Stay connected www.commbankuk.co.uk/mortgages Call 020 7710 3993
Applications for finance are subject to credit approval. Full terms and conditions will be included in our Loan Offer. Fees and charges are payable. Commonwealth Bank of Australia ABN 48 123 123 124 is incorporated in Australia with limited liability, registered in England No.BR250 and authorised and regulated in the UK by the Financial Services Authority. This communication is only directed at persons living within the UK and it must not be acted upon or regarded as being directed to persons outside of the UK.*APRA monthly banking statistics, 2012.
Minimum size 25mm INT0008_HomeLoan_40x200_R3.indd 1
6/08/12 5:08 PM
...continued on p3
2 | News
13 - 19 November 2012
Chlamydia breakthrough in Australian research n A scientific breakthrough in the field of treating Chlamydia has been
achieved by QUT researcher Connor O’Meara. The new approach may mean the end to the damaging effects the disease has on fertility. By Paul Bleakley
Publisher: Bryce Lowry Editor: Alex Ivett Production/Design: Jackie Lampard Sports Editor: Tim Martin Contributors: Shannon Crane, Phill Browne, Paul Judge, Sepi Roshan, Erin Somerville, Melissa Shortal, Justin Ng, Gareth Mohen, George Katralis, Cameron Jenkins, Chris Ark, Lee Crossley, Mel Edwards, Will Fitzgibbon, Bronwyn Spencer, Emily Banyard, Clare
Boyd-Maccrae, Jonathon Waldheim, Paul Bleakley, Daniel Shillito, Mat Lyons, Sharon Spence Lieb, Nicole Crowley, Alex Bruce-Smith, Tyson Yates, Amber Rose, Bianca Soldani 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:
Bluebird Care in Bromley and Sevenoaks We need compassionate and professional carers Join us today!
www.birdcare.co.uk
Live in care positions available providing one on one home care What we offer: • Excellent pay rates & holiday pay • Placements in South East UK within easy reach of London • Free induction training & specialist updates • Professional working environment • Support available from local day care team Skype interviews can be arranged for international applicants
Must have: excellent communication skills, past experience and a passion for quality care Please contact Christine Robinson on 0208 315 0232 or email your CV to christinerobinson@bluebirdcare.co.uk
Australian doctoral student Connor O’Meara says that it was his high school biology teacher Mrs Smythe that first sparked his interest in science and drove him to pursue a career in biomedical research. Mrs Smythe did not know it as she stood in front of her classroom in south-west Sydney, but she was about to inspire the man that would go on to make one of the most significant research breakthroughs in the fight against the sexually transmitted infection Chlamydia. Queensland University of Technology researcher O’Meara has proposed an innovative needle-free clinical approach to treating Chlamydia. It does not aim to vaccinate against contracting the disease, instead building the body’s tolerance to the bacterium and preventing the presentation of negative symptoms such as infertility. O’Meara’s method would essentially make Chlamydia into a benign infection that could be contracted without resulting in any detrimental effects on the body. “The infertility that occurs as a result of a Chlamydia infection is caused by the body’s immune response trying to get rid of the infection and not the Chlamydia itself,” O’Meara told Australian Times earlier this week. “We thought that if we could suppress this damaging immune response we could prevent infertility. This is what we think we have achieved.” O’Meara completed an undergraduate degree majoring in immunology and microbiology at a Sydney university before taking the opportunity to work with one of Australia’s most renowned vaccine research groups at QUT’s Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation. He believes that Australia’s
Your Say On: Port clinch AFL thriller in London
A couple of great games were played at the Oval but it was a shame that the memory of Jim Stynes and John McCarthy could only be remembered in the program notes and by players proudly wearing a black armband. The only problem with this was that no one promoted this over the poor PA system or by a minutes silence in their honour. Also the chance to promote the league in the UK and Ireland was missed, as it seemed to me that a lot people did not know that there was a league here, just AFL Europe.
Julian. S. Campbell-Palmer
On: Desert danger: Man dies in Aust after abandoning vehicle A real shame, they must have been very, very, very, very, very inexperienced, they broke all the rules…..
Stew
? What’s your view
focus on research is driven to compete with other “powerhouses” in the field such as the United States of America and Asia. According to O’Meara there are approximately 500 million sexually transmitted infections worldwide each year, with over 90 million of these being reported as Chlamydia. The rate of Chlamydia infection in many nations, including Australia, is currently rising by over 20% each year. O’Meara says: “Part of the reason for widespread infection is the asymptomatic nature of the infection where people are simply unaware of an active infection. While only around 10% will develop infertility as a result of a Chlamydia infection, if we take into account the number of infections, Chlamydia is a major public health concern. “The Australian health care system is estimated to spend between $90 and $160 million dollars on Chlamydiarelated illnesses like infertility.” Chlamydia has traditionally been one of the most prevalent sexually transmitted infections within the backpacker community, with 21% of backpackers testing positive to the Chlamydia trachomatis bacterium in a 2009 study by the University of New South Wales. In this study 27% of backpackers admitted to contracting Chlamydia prior to backpacking, while 10% of respondents that had contracted a sexually transmitted infection prior to travel admitting to inconsistent condom use. The largely asymptomatic nature of Chlamydia infection has contributed significantly to the bacterium’s rampant spread throughout the backpacker community, with 50% of female carriers of Chlamydia not exhibiting any symptoms whatsoever. Research also
demonstrates that unprotected sexually activity with multiple partners increases the risk of contraction exponentially, posing additional concerns for young travellers. Despite the progress made by O’Meara and the QUT research department, it may still be awhile before a vaccine against the symptoms of chlamydia infection is available to the general public. O’Meara points out that “vaccines can take decades from concept to approval” and that the important thing is that “we are always working towards a cure, however distant it may be on the horizon”. O’Meara was recently awarded a State Research Excellence award for his work on infectious diseases and last month attended the AusBiotech national conference, one of the nation’s most prominent gatherings of the most promising researchers in the community. He is committed to continuing his work on the proposed Chlamydia vaccine, and utilising advances in scientific technology to refine the process until the bacterium is eventually eradicated. O’Meara says: “Research on a particular pathogen continues even after the design of an effective vaccine. We have effective vaccines for a number of dangerous pathogens, but vaccines can always be improved as new technology becomes available. “This approach to vaccine design may be unique to Chlamydia. Other STIs like HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) and HSV (Herpes Simplex Virus) will require a different approach.”
Mo was a very experienced bushman, and he knew all the rules. I learnt a lot from him. But when you’re in that situation, and you’ve spent a lot of time and energy trying to get the vehicle out, your judgement becomes compromised and you lose your rationality. Once that fear sets in, you take actions that you would never normally do. It’s a tragedy for him and his family, but please don’t make it worse for his family by passing judgement on the guys’ decisions.
it got worse / more dangerous at the others.
AussieGal
On: Where to watch Guy Fawkes Day 2012 fireworks in London
Parliament Hill?? Fireworks? Where are they? Surely this is the prime spot from which there should be a display? Guy Fawkes? Hello??
Patrick Doherty
There haven’t been fireworks on Primrose Hill for years. North London doesn’t really have a big fireworks display anymore. First Finsbury Park stopped, then Primrose Hill, then Ally Pally. There were too many people and as each one stopped
Get More News
AustralianTimes.co.uk/news
Chris
On: Notorious Australian drug smuggler David McMillan jailed in London
No, not this time. The British police will not want to be laughed at, and scorned, following yet another infamous escape. They know his ‘form’ very well, and he’ll be watched around the clock (or he should be!!). He’s better off doing his relatively short stint, getting fed every day, rather than being on the run again, always looking over his shoulder. Will he ever learn, though, and follow a clean, decent life when he gets out? Who knows … probably not. He and his ego seem to ‘get off’ on the thrill of his criminality.
Andrew Ballam
Share your comments on these and more stories online: AustralianTimes.co.uk
News | 3
AustralianTimes.co.uk
Labor edges forward Fun? ? Explaining the English: in new opinion polls Facts ? ? ? Aunt Mabel reveals all Continued from p1...
leader in late 2009. The survey of 1044 respondents also found that of all the big ticket policy changes proposed by Labor, 31 per cent believed the Gonski schools funding reforms were the most important. Twenty-nine per cent supported increased funding for aged care, while 16 per cent backed a national disability insurance scheme and 12 per cent supported Murray River water reforms. Asked about the best way to cut spending to pay for the reforms, 53 per cent backed reducing the baby bonus to $2000 or eliminating it for people earning over $75,000. Asked what revenue source should be increased to pay for the reforms, 46 per cent suggested increasing taxes for high income earners.
Why does the UK winter start on 21 December when the Australian summer starts on 1 December?
Whether you measure the start of each season on the 1st of each third month, or the 21st, may well depend on whether you are an Astronomer or a Meteorologist. In the Northern Hemisphere they live by the stars, and have done so since medieval European times. It has become custom to use the ‘Astronomical’ reckoning – the seasons change at the exact times of transit of the sun over the tropics of Cancer and Capricorn for the solstices, and over the equator for the equinoxes. The December solstice starts on 21 December. In the Southern Hemisphere, we chose the ‘Meteorological’ reckoning – that is, the temperatures. Winter is the coldest quarter, and summer the warmest - the quarter of the year starting 1 December. Puzzled by the Poms? Send your question to Aunt Mabel at editor@
australiantimes.co.uk with subject heading ‘Explaining the English’
Only 10 per cent backed the idea of increasing the GST rate to 11 or 12 per cent from 10 per cent and just five per cent approved expanding the base of the tax to fresh food and health. - AAP
Europe in winter
Royal commission to be held into institutional responses to child abuse allegations
EuroHotel
EuroClub
18 DAY Winter Getaway
14 DAY Winter Wonder
24 DAY Winter Spirit
Includes Paris, Rome, Salzburg, Prague, plus more!
Includes Paris, Swiss Alps, Venice, Salzburg, plus more!
Includes Paris, Venice, SalzburgBrugge, plus more!
Dep. 16, 18. 20 & 27 Dec 2012
Dep.2 & 14 Dec 2012
WAS £1250
WAS £1370
WAS £1595 NOW
Dep. 11 & 15 Dec 2012
NOW
Ms Gillard said she expected the work would be finalised, and the commissioner or commissioners be appointed, by the end of the year. She spoke with NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell and Victorian Premier Ted Baillieu on Monday to discuss how a national royal commission would fit in with their state-based inquiries. But she stressed the commission was not targeted at any one church and said the Catholic church’s senior cleric in Australia, Cardinal George Pell, had indicated “he’s taking a very co-operative attitude”.
EuroClub
Favourite Ski/Winter Operator
NOW
Continued from p1...
Mr O’Farrell welcomed the announcement, telling AAP, “These heinous offences don’t stop at state boundaries.” Ms Gillard said it was “not knowable” how long the inquiry would run but it would report back regularly to government. “It should take the time necessary,” she said. Funds for the investigation will be provided in the 201314 budget in May. -AAP
TNT Golden Backpacks
WINNER
£1040
Includes £220 food fund
£1095
20% OFF
20% OFF
£1460
Includes £260 food fund
10% OFF
Get More News
AustralianTimes.co.uk/news
Ski Trips Austria
rackets, be slightly smaller than the
last point. ng
8 DAY Ski Austria Dep. 22 Dec 2012
FROM
pproval.
OFFSHORE PAYMENT SOLUTIONS Phone: 0870 609 3523 www.dpsconsultingservices.com
Contractors, Self Employed & Freelancers - Maximise Earnings
Payments Gross & Direct (criteria) Free BACS Payments to your A/C UK or Offshore Ltd Coy 3.95% Mgt Fee £1M Prof Ind & Public Liability Insurance Accepted by major Agencies/Employers Suitable for a range of Industries No Admin costs - 24 Hour set up
£399
What’s Included: 7 breakfasts, 7 nights accommodation, welcome drink on arrival, snow bike pub crawl, traditional Austrian Xmas Dinner on Xmas week, PLUS MORE!
www.topdeck.travel/times L8291 / Y2992
Favourite Big Tour Operator Favourite Ski/Winter Operator Favourite Tour Operator in Western Europe
Call 0845 257 5411 Open 8am-9pm
*Terms and conditions apply. Prices quoted are for specific departures only. All trips subject to availability. Flights not included. See online for full details.
4 | Voices
13 - 19 November 2012
Quality Quinces: The versatile fruit n Our man in the kitchen, Chris Ark, shows us not one, but two, things to do with this season’s fruit of choice: quinces. A quince tart to start, and quince jam to follow.
chris’s
kitchen > CHRIS ARK
With the festive season fast approaching, it is very exciting to see some of my favourite fruits and vegetables appearing at the farmers markets. Every now and then in a moment of calm in the madness of the kitchen, I take the chance to order some special treats. And nothing is more special than new season quinces. This familiar pear shape fruit, with its distinctive yellow skin and perfumed honey aroma, is a must on any winter menu. From quince jam, through to roasting the fruit in quarters alongside crispy pork belly, there are endless ways to put this versatile food to good use. In their raw form quinces are very bitter and fibrous, but after slow cooking they are a sweet delicacy that I wish could be available all year round. Preparing quinces is quite straightforward. Take a small sharp knife or a potato peeler and remove the skin, exposing the pale white flesh. Place the peeled quinces in a large bowl of water with lemon. This will prevent them from oxidizing. After soaking the quinces, quarter them and remove the seeds. If you’re thinking of making quince jam, keep the seeds as they contain the pectin you need for jam making. This week, I’ll show you how to slow cook your quinces to make the filling for a quince tart. Any leftovers you can turn into jam for next morning’s breakfast.
What you need
• 2 kg of quinces • 750g of castor sugar • 1.25 litre water
• 1 cinnamon stick • 1 clove • 1 star anise • 1 vanilla pod • 1 sheet of sweet pie pastry • Flour for dusting
What to do
• Peel and quarter your quinces. • Place the water, sugar, and spices together and stir until dissolved. Place on a low heat on the stove. • Add the quinces to the pot, and place a plate on the surface of the water to keep the quinces submerged. • Allow the quinces to slow cook for at least 2.5 hours or until they are soft. Test with a fork and there should be no resistance. • While they are cooking take the pastry and roll out to 0.5 cm thick. • Line the cake ring with the pastry and cut off any excess pastry. • Allow the pastry to rest in the fridge. • Set the oven on 180 degrees and pre-cook the pastry for 5-10 minutes until slightly golden. • Take the soft quince quarters and arrange then in the pre-cooked pastry case until the tart is full. • Put the tart back in the oven for 15 minutes. • Remove and allow to cool and set. • Once the tart is cool, slice the tart into wedges and serve with warm custard. • If you have any remaining quinces, continue boiling until the liquid is thick like honey and the fruit has broken down. Pour through a sieve and place into sealable jars and set in the fridge for jam.
Get More UK Life
AustralianTimes.co.uk/uk-life
Fellow Australians, heed the call: there is life outside of London By Amber Rose Have you ever noticed how some people back home equate London with England, and the UK in general? As in – when you say “I live in the UK”, it is immediately assumed you live in London. Maybe you haven’t noticed this, but I have because I am one of those elusive Aussies living in the UK, but - shock horror - not in London. When I am back home, I’m always being asked, “How are things in London?” and, “When are you coming back from London for good?” I DON’T LIVE IN LONDON. And for the record, London and the UK are NOT the same thing. There are, in fact, lots of Aussies living outside London. Lots and lots. However, we’re still in the minority – despite the number of times I hear a nasally ex-pat voice in the background wherever I happen to be (you know, the one that makes you think - I don’t really sound like that do I?). If you fancy being somewhere where Aussies are fewer and far between, I’d suggest a move to another part of the UK. I live in Oxford, and I adore it. I have friends and relatives living in the capital, and though I’ve been tempted
to join them from time to time, Oxford is where I have stayed. I am rather spoilt with London only an hour away by train, and Heathrow nearby too. So, although I admit that Oxford will never be London, it is the closest thing to having the best of both worlds. Living outside of London lets you have a different experience of the UK, and possibly live in a way that isn’t possible in London (unless you have a significantly larger pay packet than mine). For instance, I have a car. A Mini of course, I live in Oxford don’t you know? The Mini plant is about a ten minute walk from my front door. And that front door belongs to a house, rather than the flat which would be all my boyfriend and I could afford in London. Living in a compact city like Oxford, you get it to know it on a level you could never know London. For all the times I’ve been to London, I feel I’ve hardly scratched the surface, and I’m sure most Londoners are only intimate with their own stomping ground. I know Aussies who won’t go south or north of the Thames river depending on where they live, let alone the natives. I’ve been living in Oxford for about five years now, and in that time I’ve
really got to explore every nook and cranny, and start to feel I know the place as well as a local – in fact I’ve probably seen more of the city and the University than most of the locals I know. London is brilliant, but it’s not representative of life in the UK. I know of so many people who have come to the UK, spent their two years in London, travelled all over Europe, but hardly ventured anywhere else in Britain. Which is a great shame, because there is so much more to the UK than its capital, as mesmerising as she is. I fell in love with Oxford the first day I arrived here, and many of you probably feel the same about London. So even if you don’t fancy upping sticks and heading out of the city permanently, at least consider visiting some other nearby cities and sights the UK has to offer during your time here. Did you know Oxford is only an hour away by train? Which is probably about the same as a trip from south to north of the Thames.
Praying at the altar of sin: Sunday at The Church n All in the name of investigative journalism, PAUL BLEAKLEY goes undercover (no one ever suspects ... the mime) and embraces the ‘quintessential’ Aussie in London experience: Sunday at Clapham’s The Church.
“Your friend is the most depressing mime I’ve met in my entire life.” I was sitting on the top level of a stereotypical red double-decker bus, attempting (in vain) to engage a couple of recently arrived Australian girls in banter when I heard those now immortal words. There comes a moment in life when you begin to question whether what is happening around you is real. Was I really in London, chatting up girls on a bus in the middle of the afternoon while dressed as a mime? And did this girl really just imply that she had met a number of mimes in her time, and my friend was the most depressing? Aren’t mimes supposed to be a little bit sad, or is that just clowns? How did I get to this point in the first place? A lot of bizarre things happen to Australians living in London. The mystique of living in a foreign country is almost exclusively derived from the adventure of finding yourself in an odd situation that you never dreamed you would be in. Maybe that is why so many young Australians flock to The Church every Sunday, descending upon Clapham like a marauding plague of locusts laying waste to every sober person with the misfortune of being in their path. The Church was born in 1979, at The Golden Lion pub in Fulham Broadway when a group of hung-over Aussie and Kiwi backpackers combined the standard antipodean Sunday session with the debauchery of striptease and stand-up comedy. Over thirty years have passed, and The Church has moved venues several times (it is now located at The Clapham Grand), however the spirit of 1979 lives on for the millions of ex-pats that have passed through its hallowed doors. After being in London for a number of months it felt like it was well passed time to experience The Church, and
the birthday of a friend seemed like the perfect excuse to head down the rabbit hole into a world of insanity. All of the reviews of The Church had painted it as a rowdy and raucous weekly event, and something that we had to prepare for both mentally and physically. As we arrived, it appeared that some people had ‘prepared’ a little too much: the streets were already overflowing with girls stumbling off their heels and boys in mankinis casually standing in ATM queues. The scenes on the streets of Clapham did not bode well for the rest of the afternoon. Any place where people are that drunk outside the venue can only be exponentially worse inside. I was pleasantly surprised to find I was wrong: the patrons of The Church all seemed to understand that they were there for the shared reasons of wild revelry, and as such there was no aggressive posturing or confrontation. With a cheeky nod and a conspiratorial grin, strangers recognised in each other the type of bond that can only result from a man in a Mario outfit and a pirate silently agreeing to let loose and cause carnage. There are a lot of unusual aspects that make The Church a unique experience, beyond the tendency of patrons to come in fancy dress: drinks are supplied in plastic bags to ensure smooth bar service and the stage performances range from random to crude. For the uninitiated punter it might seem off-putting to be told jokes by a man wearing an unexplained prosthetic phallus, and it might be quite shocking to bear witness to what can only be described as a fairly predatory lapdance. The people that go to The Church understand, however. They walk through the doors knowing that anything could happen, and often does. The rest of the afternoon is something of a blur. People I met at the unofficial after-party for The Church at the Shepherd’s Bush Walkabout awkwardly
informed me that I had already met them earlier in the day, to which I flirtingly responded that I was sure that I would remember a face like theirs. Unfortunately, I was informed afterwards that I had in fact spent almost half an hour speaking to the people in question earlier. But hey! It’s The Church, these things happen. A visit to The Church is, if you will pardon the pun, an almost religious experience for the Australian or Kiwi living in London. It is something far beyond your wildest expectations, while at the same time providing the odd sense of comfort that comes from a group of strangers gathering with the purest of intentions to have a good time together. I found myself trudging home on a bus from Wandsworth on Monday morning, thankfully without mime make-up caked on my face yet still looking disconcertingly out of place in the rest of my costume from the day before. Most of the commuters on their way to work averted their eyes awkwardly; however somewhere near Fulham a young woman stepped onto the bus and stood nearby. Our eyes met and her mouth turned up at the corners in a barely disguised grin. “The Church?” she asked in an Australian accent that had been tempered by too long living amongst the English natives. “Yes,” I responded with a deliriously tired nod. The Church indeed.
Entertainment | 5
AustralianTimes.co.uk
Review | The Hatpin n Award-winning
Australian musical The Hatpin makes its European debut in London, retelling the chilling true story of one mother’s desperate plight to retrieve her missing child.
By Bianca Soldani Having received critical acclaim at the 2009 Sydney Theatre Awards, and being highly praised at the 2008 New York Musical Theatre Festival, Australian musical The Hatpin is now making its European debut at the Blue Elephant Theatre in Camberwell. The narrative follows a young, poverty stricken mother, Amber Murray, who advertises her baby for temporary care in the belief he will have a better life. Her baby is sought out by the wealthy “baby-farmers” family, the Makins, but Amber is soon driven by suspicion and desperation to hunt down the illusive couple when she is continually denied access to her child. Set in central Sydney at the close of the nineteenth century, the musical is inspired by one of the most shocking
court cases to occur in Australian history. Not to worry though, this isn’t typical Australiana and you won’t be berated by badly disguised or overtly Aussie accents. Tucked away between the winding streets of Camberwell, far from the bright lights of the East End, the Blue Elephant Theatre provides a perfectly intimate setting for the show. The dimly-lit theatre is shrouded in a blanket of haze from the moment you walk in, giving the impression you’re literally stepping through the mists of time to a much darker, drearier age. The stage is completely bare, broken by a semi-transparent curtain and furnished only with a couple of rickety wooden chairs. The dense fog adds a depth to the shadowy backdrop which is pierced by single spotlights. The intensity is only diffused by the mist that
bathes the stage in a soft glow. The direction exhibits a strong influence of physical theatre, using bodies as a form of expression to create an element of dynamism to the otherwise static set. The unchanging lighting, backdrop and overall tone of the musical does lead it to the edge of tedium at points, but the monotony is mostly broken by the physicality of the performance. The quite substantial cast fill the stage adding movement and confusion to build tension, and empty it to accentuate themes of loneliness and destitution. At other times actors gather in the background, emerging through the fog in a dance-like trance, like phantoms haunting the stage. The excellent blocking and use of freezes throughout the entire show create picturesque scenes that beg to be photographed at every turn. Gemma Beaton gives an inspired performance as Amber Murray, portraying the very human side to the young mother’s plight. Vocals in the predominantly female cast were strong overall, with a lone piano providing the backing to the generally quite moving musical pieces. Some numbers, such as “Puddles”, are less lyrically inspired than others, with lines such as “puddles are just puddles, when you look at them you’ll find they
A trip through time with the Queen of Australian comedy: Judith Lucy
n On
the eve of her return to the UK, Judith Lucy talks to GEORGE KATRALIS about her journey in Australian comedy, and what she would do with Ryan Gosling if she had the chance.
Nostalgia: A sentimental longing for the past. Decades long gone, lost weekends, old friends, or just that memory of a simpler time. How is it invoked? Instagramming our IPhone photos, wearing vintage clothes, listening to The Beatles on original vinyl, or even reinvigorating classic phrases such as “I doff my cap to you sir”. With this in mind, and nostalgia cap in hand, let us take a trip that starts in Australia in the 1990’s and ends in London in the present day with an 8am early Monday morning wakeup call from none other than the Queen of Australian comedy herself: Judith Lucy. After confessing to her that I am just in fact waking up, Judith tells me that she is on her third glass of red with Denise Scott. Lucky for me then we’re on about the same wavelength. She also assures me that she is “a muse to many a man”. Fingers crossed therefore, she’ll inspire some of my best work. The dry but charming wit that has become synonymous with Judith’s act over the last 20 years is immediately apparent over the course of our call, which quickly takes on the attributes of a personal 20 minute comedy routine for my pleasure alone. I am instantly taken back to a childhood of Lucy’s antics with the D-Generation crew on The Late Show. Getting up to all sorts of no good, and down right fun, with Mick Molloy, Tony Martin and the rest of the gang. Though Lucy came to Australia’s attention through some great team driven sketch comedy, it was through her early one-woman shows that we first got the taste of the comedic stylings of Judith herself. When asked of the appeal of playing solo as opposed to a group, Judith told Australian Times: “It was always the idea to start up solo. To be honest, no one likes me. Working
with the D-Generation and Tony and Mick was fun, and the big plus was a weekly pay check.” Although not driven by the money, Judith admits that she is still baffled by comedy and how she’s managed to make a living off it for so long. “In the 90s it wasn’t a real job, it was just for fun. Nowadays it’s considered a real job. “People these days do it to become famous, but back then we just did it as a ridiculous way to make a living. And it’s STILL a ridiculous way to make a living.” Judith’s early ambitions were to be an actress rather then a comic. Films like Crackerjack and Bad Eggs from the brains of Martin and Molloy have let her try her hand at acting, and shown a comedic talent that translates into film as well as stage. It is a talent that continues to be recognized, with a recent role as Merle, a racist pub owner, in Aussie film The Sapphires which has opened to rave reviews here in the UK. Commenting on the experience, Judith says: “Well, you know, when you think of a racist 55 year-old woman you automatically think of me! But it was fun, I got to play a character, and that beehive is all natural.” Acknowledging the acting is fun, it is the stand-up comedy where Judith still finds herself night after night. I can see why - after even a brief conversation with Judith I get the feeling that being funny is just naturally written into her DNA. “Life has changed a lot in the years since I’ve started, but I’ve enjoyed exploiting my personal life for a quick buck. I’m very open about everything from finding out I was adopted at 25 to paying a male escort for sex.” This is true, she hides nothing from her audience. And audiences here will soon get the opportunity to see it for ourselves as Judith is London-bound at the end of
November to show English crowds (and Aussie fans) what she’s made of. Judith claims she feels comfortable performing to an English crowd: “Aussies and English are mostly the same, we all have the same sense of humour.” But back to acting for a moment - it’s surely only a matter of time before the likes of Spielberg or Lucas get onboard the Judith Lucy story. Who would Judith cast to play herself in the story of her life? “Well, I have always been compared to a young Elizabeth Taylor, but for the early days you can’t look past Anne Hathaway, and for the older me - Catherine Zeta-Jones. But you know what, I think Ryan Gosling in a wig. I may have to coach him, give him a lot of advice, I may even sleep with him.” Now, there’s an image to kick start my day with. Thanks Judith. Judith Lucy’s show, Nothing Fancy, will be playing at Soho Theatre from Monday 19 November – Saturday 1 December. No singing, no dancing, just gags about everything from meditation to beards. Go to www.sohotheatre.com for information and tickets.
can never really hurt you”, seeming a tad juvenile considering the gravity of the context. The Hatpin is a haunting and incredibly emotive tale of motherhood, suspicion and doubt, true friendship and the pursuit of justice. This musical is a must-see for theatre enthusiasts, so if you’re up for a trip to South-East London, don’t miss this show.
The Hatpin is playing at the Blue Elephant Theatre in Camberwell until 24 November. See www. greenwichtheatre.org.uk for tickets. Nearest tube: Oval (Northern Line) Get More Stage & Screen
AustralianTimes.co.uk/entertainment
6 | Entertainment
What we’re following With Obama’s victory, US Republican voter @KristenNeel tweeted: I’m moving to Australia, because their president is a Christian and actually supports what he says. The barrage of Aussie replies made her close her account.
13 - 19 November 2012
London’s own Melbourne Winning with a Whirlpool: Aussie astronomer takes top prize Cup at Australia House n Australian
Business hosted a night to remember in honour of that very special day dear to all Aussie’s hearts: Melbourne Cup.
@IanCutherbertson Our prime minister is a woman, an atheist who lives with a man she hasn't married. I don't think you'd like it here.
M51 - The Whirlpool Galaxy © Martin Pugh (Australia)
@de la Vega I'm moving to New Zealand because their emperor is a wizard and supports Ents. @Malcolm Pascoe I'm moving to Canada because their king is a Jedi and actually stands up for unicorns. @Adrian Bostick I'm moving to Polynesia where their Czar is a Jedi who believes in Santa! @tezzer57 She probably got her "A" words mixed up, Andorra, Austria, Argentina, the choice is endless. @Gary C You can always move to #Taliban occupied #Afghanistan for your male only theocracy Check out what we’re following today on AustralianTimes.co.uk and follow us on Twitter @AustralianTimes
What’s On
By Alex Ivett
FOR one night only, the glitz and glamour of Melbourne’s Flemington Racecourse was transposed into the historic Australia House. In the majestic setting of the Exhibition Hall, otherwise recognizable as the entrance hall to Gringotts bank in Harry Potter, the magic of the race was recreated on the big screen and in the flurry of fascinators that adorned the revelers. Once past the twin starting posts of security and coat check, racegoers were shepherded in to the racing grounds – complete with a Fairground Game with bottles of Australian wine for the winners, a photo booth (try squeezing a big hat into that one) and Aussie nibbles circling the room. The final platters of chocolaty lamingtons were enough to inspire the stirrings of homesick nostalgia in even the most hardened of expats. A gregarious MC introduced Fashions on the Field, and fashionable Aussies in London treated us all to
Ladyhawke 14 November @ London Forum Parkway Drive 17 November @ The Roundhouse The Cat Empire 10 December @ O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire Rolf Harris 8 February @ Royal Festival Hall Southbank Centre The Australian Pink Floyd Show 25 February 2013 @ London 02 Arena Olivia Newton-John 13 March 2013 @ Royal Albert Hall Tommy Emmanuel 16 March @ Shepherd’s Bush Empire Pam Ann 28-29 March @ Hammersmith Apollo
For full details...
...and more Aussie gigs go to: AustralianTimes.co.uk/entertainment
Images: 90 Seconds at www.90seconds.tv
a show to remember, managing to demonstrate that plunging temperatures outside did not necessitate compromise to a perfectly planned summer racing outfit. The winner of finest filly was, as the MC described, dressed as “the innocence of Springtime”, and earned her prize. The men’s competition was slightly more fraught with controversy, as an older gentleman contestant dressed in a dapper cravat, waistcoat and top-hat was heard to remark as he moved through the crowds: “I was robbed.” The festivities continued at the afterparty, but I, buoyed by the knowledge my parting goody bag contained the answer to a long-held craving – a Cherryripe – bid adieu to the revelers, and an excellent night. I’m ashamed to say that, even after a multitude of pavlovas and lamingtons, the Cherryripe didn’t even make it past the bus-stop. Let’s not even talk about the Timtams that were in there too….
THERE is nothing quite like that feeling of standing in an empty country field, staring up at a million stars set against a deep expanse of black. It’s a feeling of comfortable smallness. Of perspective when you measure your tiny self against the infinity of the universe. It’s also a feeling that’s hard to recreate in a crowded city where the unnatural illumination of buildings and urban life fade the intensity of the sky above. And it’s a feeling that must be well-known to the contenders in the Astronomy Photographer of the Year 2012 competition, including Australian astronomer Martin Pugh. Martin Pugh has claimed the top prize in the Royal Observatory’s Astronomy Photographer of the Year competition for the second time, after originally winning the accolade back in 2009. His image, M51 – The Whirlpool Galaxy depicts the famous galaxy’s spiral arms with the faint tails of light that show M51’s small companion galaxy being gradually torn apart by the gravity of its giant neighbour. A closer look also reveals more distant galaxies beyond. “I was always going to be excited about this image given the exceptional seeing conditions M51 was
photographed under and the addition of several hours of Ha data has really boosted the HII regions,” he said. While this is potentially incomprehensible to the nonastronomers amongst us, what remains powerful and pertinent is the strength of the image, and its visual appeal even to those who don’t own a telescope. As competition judge and Royal Observatory Public Astronomer, Dr Marek Kukula remarked, the image captures M51’s “beautiful spiral structure, dark lanes of dust, and the way the pink clouds of hydrogen really stand out – it’s a remarkable achievement by an amateur astronomer; one of the best images of M51 that I’ve seen.” This image features in a free exhibition of the winners, runnersup and commended photographs of the competition hosted at the Royal Observatory’s Astronomy Centre. A unique opportunity to admire the majesty of the night sky without needing to take a trip to the countryside. Entry to the Astronomy Centre at the Royal Observatory Greenwich is free, and the exhibition will run until 5 February 2013. For more information go to www.rmg.co.uk/astrophoto.
travel Where ‘white’ is born: Travel | 7
AustralianTimes.co.uk
tting This week we’re pu
Scandinavia on the map
It’s like we’re driving through the heart of winter itself, where ‘white’ is born. Everything is covered in powder soft snow, even the road, so much so that it’s hard to tell where the side of the road ends and the footpath begins. In the distance there is a forest of trees, almost every inch of them covered in white.
Land of the enduring sunrise
Above them we can see an incredible sunrise; it’s almost midday and the light first started peeking out from behind the forest at about 10am. We’re in the land of the enduring sunrise, or sunset - whichever way you want to view it. We don’t ever see harsh light, just twilight for a few hours with the
sky stained with hues of beautiful red, purple and blue. We are seeing some of the most beautiful sunrises we’ve ever laid eyes on, but by three o’clock it will be gone and we will again be in complete darkness. Imagine living here, in the Arctic Circle, and experiencing months of winter twilight (in summer, it’s called the midnight sun for obvious reasons). We’re driving from Kiruna in Sweden, to Inari - a very small town in northern Finland.
In the Lapland of Sweden
We visited Kiruna, in Swedish Lapland, for two days. Kiruna is an interesting town, and the location of the largest underground iron ore
Christmas in the heart of winter n Dog-sledding,
frozen lakes, mulled wine, wild reindeer and the northern lights. MELINDA EDWARDS discovers that reality can sometimes live up to the picture postcard image with a Christmas spent in a Scandinavian dreamland.
mine in the world. As a result, the town is being relocated due to cracks appearing in the ground, and by 2015 the town will be found on the map a little further north than it is found now. It is also the town where Richard Branson will operate a Virgin Galactic spaceport, where for 200,000 Swedish kronor (£20,000) and three days specialist training, you can experience seven minutes of weightlessness in space. But, that’s not what we came here for. We’re here for the reindeer (both wild and domesticated, both alive and on our plates), the wild moose, dogsledding, the ice hotel and ice bar, the Aurora Borealis and to meet the Sami people - the only indigenous people in the whole of Europe, whose lives revolve around the reindeer. We came here for the snow fights, snow falls, and to experience the most minus of temperatures we’ll probably ever experience (minus 35 degrees Celsius at its worst). Complete with Arctic winds of snow and ice that feel like pinpricks on our faces – it was much like walking along the beach on a very windy, very cold, day. We’ve snow-mobiled over frozen lakes, and waded through knee-deep snow, made snow people and hung out in warm traditional Sami tents.
Christmas in a winter wonderland
Christmas Day is spent in Inari, a town with a population of 7,000 and the northern most municipality
in Finland, in a white winter wonderland. Here we experience the adrenalin of a traditional Finnish sauna, before cozying up inside with a mug of hot mulled wine or cider. We finish it all off with crosscountry skiing and Arctic fishing and witnessed, for the very first and perhaps only time, one of the most amazing natural phenomenon there is to see; the northern lights. Here we are, at 2am on Christmas morning, gazing up at the green haze moving across the sky as the wind in
the upper layers of the atmosphere manipulated its position. We feel like we’re in a dream, or traveling through a postcard. This place is so incredibly beautiful and remote, we feel privileged to be here. Christmas next year will be oh-so hard to beat.
Get More Travel
AustralianTimes.co.uk/travel
8 | Travel
13 - 19 November 2012
The cost of cheap travel – is it worth it?
n With low-cost airlines throwing 2-4-1 deals at us, and last minute hotel offers invading our inboxes, it might
sometimes feel the UK is a mecca for the budget traveller. However TYSON YATES explores the hidden costs, and asks the question we’re all thinking when sleeping on the airport floor: is it worth it? Buried under a make-shift home of coats and luggage, my partner and I occupy the smallest portion of Gatwick airport. A mere twelve hours into transit and we are still far from home. I ask whether to pack the remaining half of a Sainsbury’s sandwich for the trip - she doesn’t reply. We sit for a moment, exhausted and in silence until finally she asks me if I think it is worth it. I don’t know the answer, but remind her that we may be hungry on the bus ride back to Edinburgh. This is what I say but
I know we aren’t talking about the sandwich anymore. “No” she replies. “I’m talking about sleeping on the floor of an airport, waiting six hours at Victoria Street station, or lying awake in a hostel room with twenty snoring strangers. I’m talking about budget travelling. Do you really think it is worth it?” We sit for a moment in silence. A mere twelve hours into transit and I don’t know the answer. The one thing you should know when dealing with low cost airlines, coach companies and youth hostels – the key components to any budget travel experience – is that they all function according to one simple rule of logic. How little you spend directly reflects the amount of discomfort you are willing to endure. This means that while you may be thrilled to have found those eight pound tickets from London to Barcelona, the reality is that London refers to an airport two hours outside the British capital; and your destination is not Barcelona, the vibrant Spanish tourist city that you imagined it to be, but rather a small Irish fishing village bearing a similar name. Ok, while this may be a slight exaggeration, the focus here are those additional expenses that often get overlooked by the bargain hunting traveller. This is not to say that budget companies are notorious for misleading consumers (for the most part); after all, it is this savvy money saving spirit that has made parts of the world accessible to those of us who previously couldn’t afford to see it. No, the point is merely to highlight the fact that buying a ticket with low cost companies almost certainly indicates that more time and effort will be involved in the transit process than expected. While this extended travel time may seem a reasonable compromise to some (myself included), a longer journey does have that costly disadvantage of exposing your bank card to longer periods of spending, more so than if the journey were direct. A veteran budgeter will tell you that despite the length of any trip, most expenses can be minimised,
and others altogether avoided so long as you are willing to sacrifice comfort in all its forms. While this may be true for extravagant luxuries such as shelter, security and personal hygiene, there are some costs that are more difficult to ignore. Things like transport to and from aforementioned suburban airports, meals in transit, a hostel room for the night before or after your budget flight leaving at the unholiest of hours, all combine to create a grand total that makes the initial price of those cheap flights suddenly believable. As the costs in transit accumulate, the price gap between a cheaper longer journey and the more expensive direct one can lessen to an extent that may have you asking the question; is the effort always worth the savings? The answer of course depends on how restricted you are by budget, but it is also determined by your use of words like cost, worth and effort. Financially, budget travelling stays true to its ‘budget’ title despite the extra expenses. However, when you are measuring your holiday on more than just economics, spending twenty four sleepless hours in transit is never a good way to start or end a trip. When two out of a five day vacation are spent travelling in the seated and upright position, cost is no longer just a matter of money but can be measured in time and energy as well, both of which could be put to better use on the holiday itself. Remember, we are not simply talking about adding a couple of hours travel time here and there, with the overall outcome of saving you a fortune. The point is to remind you that picking flights, accommodation or other transport solely based on your first impression of price alone is not always as financially rewarding as one might think. Saving money is fine, as long as that money is actually saved and not simply redistributed.
Jobs & Money | 9
AustralianTimes.co.uk
Social networking:
the old fashioned way an astute aussie in london
> SEPI ROSHAN
Someone once said “where there is free food, alcohol and a bit of fun, you’ll find Aussies”. With Christmas jingling towards us and the new year hiding under the tree, there is plenty of opportunity for parties and fun. Whether you are looking for work, wanting to make new professional connections or simply hoping to share the Christmas spirit, there are some networking tips that can help you make the right impression. Christmas functions are a great way to see out the work year. With alcohol flowing, canapés and mini pies, we are all out to have a good time. In a more relaxed and informal atmosphere, we can see each other in a different light. It’s an opportunity to say hi to someone we admire professionally, thank our teams and get to know our clients better. We can make connections we would never have otherwise made. To boost your networking efforts, here are a few tips to help you enjoy the sleigh ride.
Get your name out there Pin your name badge on the right hand side of your body. When most people shake hands and or kiss someone hello, they tend to come forward with their right side. With your name tag on the right hand side, the other person can immediately identify who they are speaking with. Make sure that your badge does not hide under your lapel or scarf. Avoid putting your badge on your
belt as it will be hard to see. Make sure your badge is visible so you are visible.
Use your left side
Keep handbags or satchels on your left shoulder and drinks in your left hand. This allows you to shake hands without the awkward changing of hands. Handshakes are an important communication tool. A good handshake can help you make the right impression. Handshakes can also help you communicate your respect for another person. Keep your right hand free so you can send and receive the right signals.
Keep it below 0.05
When there is free alcohol, it can be tempting to make the most of it. You know your tolerance level, so keep your alcohol consumption appropriate. Anytime you are representing yourself professionally, it is important that you stay alert enough to put your right foot forward and remember who you are speaking with. Imagine finding out you were speaking with someone that could have helped you professionally, and you couldn’t remember who they were. An awesome opportunity could be lost. Christmas functions are fun. They are also great networking opportunities where you can make new connections, thank and be thanked by those you have worked with all year. With these few tips, you can have fun and make the right moves.
Dollar Review
China trade surplus offers encouragement THE Australian Dollar saw advances in early trading on Monday morning, trading around 1.531 to the Pound. The gains against the majority of its peers were underpinned by a surging Yaun, after China reported its largest trade surplus this year, brightening prospects for commodity exports. In their Quarterly Monetary Policy Statement released on Friday, the RBA forecast 2013 GDP to be 3 per cent. It also revised its 2014 GDP forecast range down .25 per cent from its August statement to between 2.25 and 3.35 per cent. Markets now expected that the cash rate will be reduced next month by 0.25 per cent. Gavin Stacey, a Sydney based strategist at Barclays, was cited as saying that the recent inaction by the RBA and their accompanying statement all signalled that the RBA has an easing bias, but seemed to be more data-dependant than previously seen. Markets await further data on
Wednesday when the consumer confidence figures as well as Q3 wage price index data will be released. Investors are expected to remain cautious as uncertainty in Europe and United States remains at the forefront.
AUD/GBP: 0.653/1.531 AUD/EUR: 0.817/1.224 AUD/USD: 1.039/0.963 Exchange Rates at 09.47, 12 November 2012
Composed by Monique Chapman of 1st Contact 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, or call us on 0808 141 2335 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.
GAIN A PROFESSIONAL EDGE FOR YOU AND YOUR BUSINESS 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.
Get More Jobs & Money
AustralianTimes.co.uk/jobs-money
Live In Carers Required For The Kingston Upon Thames And North Surrey Areas.
sable services Accounting Tax Wealth OFFSHORE Foreign Exchange Law Immigration
Sable Group
∙ We would anticipate 2 weeks on and 2 weeks off. ∙ Living with elderly or disabled clients. ∙ Full training given and support from full team of carers and supervisors. ∙ Excellent salary, references required and willing to have CRB check.
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. Visit: AustralianTimes.co.uk/move-to-australia 44057
Call Carl on 02085497201 | carl@caremarkkingston.co.uk
Castlewood House 77/91 New Oxford Street London WC1A 1DG t: +44 (0) 845 094 3990 info@sable-group.com www.sable-group.com
www.sable-group.com
In association with
10 | Sport
13 - 19 November 2012
Michael Clarke should bat first drop
IF ever Michael Clarke needed to be convinced it’s time to move up an inconsistent Australian top-order, his 20th Test century proved it on Monday. The in-form skipper underlined that he is his team’s most-assured and best batsman at present when he sailed past 200 for the third time this year to dig the home side out of deep trouble in the first Test against South Africa. Coming to the middle at 3-40 late Sunday, Clarke and Ed Cowan combined for a record fourth wicket partnership against South Africa, putting on 259 in almost six hours to power their team to safe ground. While Cowan, who notched his maiden century in his eighth Test to cement his opening position, was the feel-good story, Clarke’s eight-hour knock continued his brilliant 2012. He is the game’s leading run-scorer for the calendar year - passing 1000 runs at a Bradman-like average of 111 - from seven Tests.
Since taking the captaincy from Ricky Ponting 15 months ago, leadership has well and truly agreed with him as he’s registered six Test tons, including his unbeaten 329 against India in the New Year’s Test at the SCG. While Clarke’s averaged 60-plus in that time at No.5, the No.3 position has been a source of major concern for Australia. Shaun Marsh, Usman Khawaja and Shane Watson all took the role with little success before Rob Quiney debuted on Friday. Selectors want to see Watson thrive there but the allrounder’s bowling duties give him no time to mentally refresh after a stint in the field before padding up and he’d be better off moving down to No.5 for the available rest period. Clarke admitted before the Gabba Test that he’d considered shifting himself up to the problem position
and had discussed the idea with Ponting and batting coach Justin Langer. South African batting great Barry Richards is one who believes Clarke is too classy a player to be protected at third-drop and he should promote himself. Clarke had moderate success as a No.4 early in his Test career and has been reluctant to return to face a newer ball and receive more shortpitched bowling but his game has matured greatly since and he can play a more influential role up the order. On Test eve, the 31-year-old said he wasn’t bothered where he batted. With Australia’s top-order regularly falling to three-for quickly in the past two years, and Clarke exposed to the new ball anyhow, he should at least move one spot higher to nip trouble in the bud before next year’s Ashes. – By Jim Morton with AAP
Appleby expected for Aussie golf Masters AUSTRALIAN Masters organisers are confident popular 2010 champion Stuart Appleby will play at Kingston Heath this week rather than attempt to regain his US PGA tour card through qualifying school. Appleby finished 162nd on the US PGA money list after the final event of the year in Florida on Monday AEDT, leaving him well outside the top 125 who keep full cards and even those 125-150 who retain partial status. Nine-time US tour winner Appleby can use a one-time-only exemption for being inside the tour’s top 50 lifetime tour money earners to remain on the tour next year rather than head to the Q-school second stage starting this week. Masters organisers believe Appleby will choose that option and be at the famed Melbourne sand-belt course alongside fellow drawcards including defending champion Ian Poulter of England and Australia’s
top player, world No.6 Adam Scott, who will play the tournament for the first time since 2009. “At this stage we think his intentions are to come back and play,” said a tournament spokesperson. “We haven’t heard anything other than that so we assume that he’s in transit because the tournament’s had no word that he will withdrawing.” The 41-year-old Appleby was forced to pull out of last year’s Masters at Victoria Golf Club after the first round due to his troublesome back, which has hampered his career over the past two years. It’s rumoured one reason Appleby will use his one-off exemption is that he plans to retire from the US PGA tour sooner rather than later, wanting to give his four children a settled schooling. Poulter, who famously spearheaded Europe’s remarkable
comeback victory to retain the Ryder Cup in September, arrived in Australia without his clubs. The charismatic world No.15 tweeted that his clubs were left behind in Los Angeles but they were expected on a Tuesday flight. “Clubs will arrive on the same flight tomorrow. So sounds like a day in the casino instead,” Poulter tweeted. Poulter remains in excellent touch after earlier this month storming home in the WGC-HSBC Champions event in China with a final-round seven-under-par 65 after trailing by four shots. The Masters’ other drawcards include Irishman Graeme McDowell, the 2010 US Open champion and Robert Allenby who is also en route to Melbourne after failing to make the cut in the Florida tournament. But Allenby is safe for 2013 after finishing the US Tour ranked 111. - AAP
Countdown begins to the Tag Rugby World Cup in Auckland
Former Oztag Australia representative, Tim Ross, at International Cup tournament (Image: Gary Baker)
By Phillip Browne The Great Britain and Ireland World Cup squads have been in training three times per week under the watchful eye of experienced Australian coaches, Jay “Ringo” Wilkinson and Arron Lombardo, in the lead up to their Tag Rugby World Cup campaign. The Tag Rugby World Cup is to be held at North Harbour stadium in Auckland, New Zealand from 6-9 December, and the countdown is on with less than four weeks of training to go. In addition to Australian coaches, the Australian influence is also felt in both the Mens squad and the Mixed squad with both sides featuring a number of Australian players who qualify for inclusion through British or Irish heritage. This will be the first time ever that Great Britain and Ireland has been represented at a Tag Rugby World Cup. Both squads are heading into the tournament as underdogs, with nothing to lose. They will look to feed off the back of the successful Olympic Games campaign that Team GB enjoyed, and surprise a few of the big guns. Australians playing for Great Britain and Ireland at the Tag Rugby World Cup are Brad Aird, Emma Becker,
Jodie Bijorac, Phillip Browne, Sarah O’Neill, Tim Ross, Rachael Speare and Paula Thorn. Amongst the Aussies in the squad Tim Ross, Jodie Bijorac and Paula Thorn have all played representative Oztag back in Australia and add plenty of skill and experience to the squad. The Great Britain and Ireland World Cup squads depart London on 29 November for Auckland. In other news, Try Tag Rugby’s Late Autumn season will be the last competition of 2012. There is still limited space to join some leagues for the remaining three to four weeks of play before all Tag Rugby in the capital takes a break over winter. Late Autumn season competitions will take place at the following venues: Acton, Balham, Barnes, Bermondsey, Borough, Rotherhithe, Shoreditch Park and Tooting Bec. If you would like to get involved in one of the fastest growing sports in London, new team and individual registrations are welcome. 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 or event, go to www. trytagrugby.com or email info@ trytagrugby.com for more details.
Football is the future of Aussie sport, says Gallop
Confident, well presented individuals required! Premier Events are searching the UK for professional, friendly people of all ages to start work on an immediate basis. HIGH EARNING POTENTIAL FOR THE RIGHT CANDIDATES. Contact us:
Tel: 0203 432 8177 | www.premierevents.biz | Email: info@premierevents.biz
NEW Football Federation Australia boss David Gallop claims rival codes have every right to fear the awakening of the sleeping giant on the nation’s sporting landscape. On his first day on the job, the former longtime head of the NRL said the ongoing success of the Socceroos along with the blistering start to the A-League season would not be going unnoticed by rival codes. The arrival of world-class players Alessandro del Piero and Emile Heskey has created unprecedented levels of interest in the A-League and in-turn football - momentum Gallop is keen to build on. And having spent the best part of a decade telling anyone who would listen that rugby league could usurp the AFL as the national code of preference, Gallop now says football is the sport the rival codes must fear. “If football gets its act together, which we’re seeing right now, then the other codes need to be really worried about it,” Gallop said. “I can absolutely see a period of great growth and in that regard the other codes should be concerned about where football is placed at the moment. “I think they would be looking at the results (in the A-League) over
the last six weeks, seeing that we’re now well and truly on the road to qualification for the World Cup in Brazil and concerned.” While Gallop went to great lengths to detail his interest in the code - as he retold his excitement the night John Aloisi confirmed Australia’s berth at the 2006 World Cup - he admitted he would spend much of his first few weeks listening to fans and key stakeholders in the game. But football fans will soon learn to appreciate Gallop’s willingness to be an administrative face for the game unlike his predecessor Ben Buckley - who was often criticised for shying away from the media. He declined to comment on the fact his former employers had yet to find a replacement - five months after he was shown the door - but admitted he still had a soft spot for rugby league. Gallop was adamant his long history in sports administration would outweigh his lack of football experience, claiming much of the ethos he brought to rugby league also applied to the round ball game. “This is a very cluttered market, a very competitive market,” Gallop said. “You need to have the same principles in place in football as you
have in the other codes - fans need to be coming along to games with a genuine belief that their team can win.” And Gallop believes he can add to that fan base by a greater engagement of the footballing community. One of football’s longstanding criticisms is the elite level’s detachment from the grassroots, amplified by the less than smooth transition from junior levels. Fees for juniors are also greater in soccer than other codes. It was an issue Gallop said he was looking forward to addressing in coming weeks. While the codes may have changed, some questions remained the same, with Gallop wasting little time in putting expansion on the back-burner. “To tread cautiously,” Gallop said when asked about his thoughts on expansion. “The experiences not only for football but for other codes where you expand too quickly are obvious, but I’ve said before I believe in fishing where the fish are. “I think this game’s got that right by opening up the Western Sydney Wanderers franchise - the game’s plans don’t currently envisage expansion soon.” - AAP
Sport | 11
AustralianTimes.co.uk
England will be “puffing their chests” The magic of the Masters: in this weekend’s match: Barnes Tennis Greats to play Continued from p12...
to make.” England are coming off a seventry 54-12 annihilation of Fiji last Saturday and are looking to chalk up a third straight Cook Cup win over the Wallabies. “They’ll be puffing their chests out. They had a very good win against the Fijians,” Barnes said. “They’ll be confident but we have to lick our wounds and get on with it. There’s no better motivation than playing the Poms in their own backyard.”
Australia’s recent nemesis, winger Chris Ashton, is available to make his return for England after missing the Fiji game due to suspension after picking up three yellow cards in the Heineken Cup. Ashton has scored three tries in three Tests against Australia and coach Stuart Lancaster said the speedster will be raring to go. “Chris was desperately disappointed to miss this game (against Fiji),” Lancaster said. “He likes scoring tries and, if anything, this will fuel his hunger and desire to get back into the side. It was
a tough lesson to learn. “(Australia) are a top-three side and we recognise the quality of players we will need to beat them.” Lancaster is also expecting to have prop Alex Corbisiero and centre Jonathan Joseph available to face the Wallabies.
at Royal Albert Hall
Get More Sport
AustralianTimes.co.uk/sport
Margaret River Pro elevated to World Champ status Continued from p12... top level, although many of the top 32 have attended over the years due to the quality of the waves. Yallingup local and perennial ASP World Title contender, Taj Burrow, said he was excited an event in his home state would join the elite tour. “The waves in the region are world class and to bring the ASP WCT-level surfers here is going to be big for the region,” Burrow said. “I get jealous of Mick (Fanning) and Joel (Parkinson) every year for having an event at their (Gold Coast) home and the advantage of getting to sleep
in their beds and surf their local spots. “I’m sure all the kids out west will be excited to see the world’s best surfers in their backyard.” The event has long been supported by the WA government and Premier Colin Barnett was happy to be announcing the decision by the Association of Surfing Professionals. “It will draw even more visitors to an already popular event and provide priceless international exposure,” he said. Australia had three venues for WCT events this year, the Gold Coast and Victoria’s Bells Beach for men and women plus Sydney’s Dee Why for a
stand alone women’s event. Hawaii’s Pipeline will host the final event of the men’s year with Parkinson in the box seat to claim his first world title. The Queenslander leads the rankings on 53,900 points, with 11time champion American Kelly Slater on 50,700 and double champion Mick Fanning still in the hunt on 47,000. In broad terms, the better performance between Parkinson and Slater will get the glory. But Fanning has a chance if he wins the event and the others bomb out early. - AAP
AFL commission put Crows, Tippett deal under scrutiny Continued from p12... be deregistered as a player and the Crows banned from up to four national drafts, as well fined any amount the AFL determines. Trigg may effectively be sacked from his chief executive role and barred from performing any future duty with the Crows. But queries remain over what penalty Reid can receive given he is no longer with the Crows, having quit his post at the end of the 2009 season. Tippett became the Crows’ highest paid player when signing a multimillion dollar, three-year contract extension in 2009. But Adelaide admitted last month they had a once-secret deal, outside the contract, with the ruckmanforward who walked out on the club at the end of the 2012 season and requested a trade to premiers Sydney. AFL general manager football operations Adrian Anderson laid
two charges each against the Crows, Trigg, Reid and Tippett. One charge alleged “conduct prejudicial to the draft”, the other alleged engaging in “conduct in breach of the total player payments provisions in the rules”. The once-secret deal struck by the Crows and Tippett was understood to have agreed to trade the player to the club of his choice, for a second-round draft pick - below the player’s market worth - when his 2009 contract expired. The player payment charge related Adelaide reportedly agreeing to pay Tippett about $200,000 when the contract expired. The money wasn’t paid, but neither was the deal declared to the league. The Crows issued a statement late Monday saying “it was always the club’s intention to comply fully with all AFL rules on the draft and player payments”. “We have the highest regard for
those rules and the reason that they exist,” the statement said. The revelations of the once-secret deal during the AFL trade period last month resulted in the Crows being unable to trade Tippett to the Swans. If permitted to play on after Monday’s hearing, the 25-year-old would have to enter the draft, where other clubs could select him ahead of the Swans. - AAP
Retiring Arndt leaves space for new recruits Continued from p12... by her aggressive style of racing,” the team’s sports director David McPartland said. “We consider her important to our younger riders as she is one of the best in all types of terrain during the season.” Orica-AIS, the women’s counterpart of Orica-GreenEDGE, enjoyed a successful debut season and Arndt played a huge role. Johansson said in a statement that the team had impressed her with their aggressive racing tactics. “As I considered the bigger teams, ORICA-AIS stood out,” Johansson said. “The girls on the team clearly work well together and they have
AUSTRALIAN tennis aces Pat Cash and Mark Philippoussis will be taking on fellow legends John McEnroe, Ivan Lendl, Goran Ivanisevic, Tim Henman and more at the Royal Albert Hall this December in the Statoil Masters Tennis. The season-finale to the ATP Champions Tour, this event brings together a host of former tennis world no. 1’s and Grand Slam Champions as they relive some of the greatest rivalries of all time.
The ATP Champions Tour is a tour for former tennis greats who have since retired from mainstream professional tennis touring, but still have the passion and enthusiasm to play some hard-fought matches and put on an entertaining show for the crowd. For a player to be eligible for play on this tour, he must be in the year of his 35th birthday or have been retired from the ATP World Tour for two years or more. Each player must have either been a world no.1, a Grand Slam finalist, or a singles player in a winning Davis Cup team. The Statoil Masters Tennis is one of the jewels in the ATP Champions Tour crown, and has been held at the Royal Albert Hall since its inception in 1998. The event is also the ATP Champions tour’s longest-running
tournament, and attracts the biggest names and personalities to play competitively in both singles and doubles. Former world no. 1 and eight times Grand Slam Champion, John McEnroe, has been confirmed to return to the Albert Hall this year. McEnroe joins fellow Wimbledon Champions Goran Ivanisevic and Pat Cash. The all-star line-up also includes Britain’s Tim Henman, 2003 Wimbledon finalist Mark Philippoussis and the ever-popular French trio, Henri Leconte, Mansour Bahrami and Fabrice Santoro. And just announced, former world no.1 and coach to this year’s Olympic and US Open champion Andy Murray, Ivan Lendl, will be taking to the court. On Dec 6 there will be a special ‘Ladies Night’ celebrating women in sport, with top British players Heather Watson and Anne Keothavong competing in a doubles match. On Dec 8 the ‘Winter Whites Gala’ will welcome celebrity guests at a special event in aid of youth homelessness charity Centrepoint. In addition to the action on the court, the majestic setting of the Royal Albert Hall makes this one of the greatest tours for spectators. The Royal Albert Hall is one of the most historic and prestigious arts venues in the world. The venue plays host annually to the Proms, and was the location for the first ever Sumo Wrestling tournament to be held outside of Japan. The six-day tournament will take place from Wednesday 5 December Sunday 9 December 2012. Tickets are on sale now from £17.50 per person. Go to www.royalalberthall.com for further information and to purchase tickets.
demonstrated that they’re not scared to take risks in order to win big. “Their way of racing fits my personal style, so my heart felt this was right. “The team stands on stable ground and it’s a bonus to be backed by the men’s team and Cycling Australia too.”
The 29-year-old is the reigning Swedish champion for the road race and time trial. She finished second behind British rider Nicole Cooke in the road race at the 2008 Olympics and was sixth in the same event at the London Games. Johansson also won the 2009 World Cup road title. - AAP
N I W Tickets WIN 4 tickets to an afternoon of the Statoil Masters action. Go to: AustralianTimes.co.uk/win
AUSSIES IN TRAINING Aussie players hard at work in lead up to Tag Rugby World Cup P10
n Berrick
Barnes is expected to be among a raft of changes Wallabies coach Robbie Deans will make to his starting line up to face England in Saturday’s clash.
WALLABIES TO bounce BACK AGAINST ENGLAND By Russell Jackson
WALLABIES coach Robbie Deans has plenty of quality players returning from injury for the clash at Twickenham with flanker David Pocock, winger Digby Ioane, lock Sitaleki Timani and prop Ben Alexander available for Saturday’s Test as the Aussies look to get their European tour back on track.Hooker Stephen Moore is also expected to come under consideration after making his return from a hamstring injury off the bench in last weekend’s 33-6 loss to France in Paris where he became
Australia’s most capped hooker while winger Drew Mitchell could also find his way into the team. Blindside flanker Dave Dennis, who started against France, could be in the firing line with an option for Deans to start both openside specialists Pocock and Michael Hooper. “We’ve got a number of blokes we should be able to consider this week,” he said. “We were always going to consider that group when they returned and obviously we consider the previous performance in determining our
starting line-up at every instance.” Barnes produced a solid cameo at fullback in his return from injury against France with his effort pleasing Deans. The NSW Waratah came on early in the second half for fullback Mike Harris who was struggling at the back for the Wallabies. “Berrick did well. He did what he does well. He’s a good communicator,” Deans said. Deans was asked if Barnes was ready start against England. “Yes. He’s obviously returning from
injury and we sort of managed him through that but he reported as being fine after the game.” Until his French cameo Barnes hadn’t played since suffering a punctured lung against Argentina in September. “It was my first time back for a while and I really felt it out there,” he said. “It’d be good to start (against England). I’ve got a bit of work to do fitness wise but some coaches like to start returning players then bring them off later but that’s Robbie’s call ...continued on p11
HE DOES IT AGAIN
But Clarke should bat at no.3 |P10
TOP CLASS: With another big innings, Michael Clarke is the game’s leading run-scorer for the calendar year, passing 1000 runs at a Bradman-like average of 111 from seven Tests. The Australian team could be even better served though, if the skipper bats at first drop.
West Aus hotspot added to world surf tour
WESTERN Australia’s major surfing event, the Margaret River Pro, is being elevated to World Championship Tour status. The long-running second-tier event will be a round of the women’s WCT next year while the men’s event will be on the WCT in 2014, both with licences to run until 2017. The men’s event next March will remain a second-tier Prime Event for surfers trying to qualify for the ...continued on p11
New AFL salary cap cheating row THE Adelaide Crows, two officials and star forward Kurt Tippett will front a landmark AFL commission hearing after being charged with salary cap cheating and draft tampering. Tippett, the Crows, their chief executive Steven Trigg and the club’s former football manager John Reid were all charged by the AFL on Monday. They will face an AFL commission hearing next Monday and face among the heaviest penalties available to the league. If found guilty, Tippett could ...continued on p11
Aussie cycling team recruits Swede champ NEW Australian women’s cycling team Orica-AIS have recruited Swede Emma Johansson to fill the giant hole left by the retirement of German legend Judith Arndt. The Beijing Olympics silver medalist and Swedish national champion will join the team after finishing third in this year’s international rankings. “Emma has been a rider that we have watched for a while and we have been impressed ...continued on p11