26 June - 2 July 2012 – Issue: 418
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GOING UNDERGROUND
Does size really matter?
BORED? BORDEAUX! Take a trip (and a sip) of a French hidden gem
VOICES P4
ENTERTAINMENT P6
TRAVEL P8
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JULIAN ASSANGE EXTRADITION SAGA CONTINUES IN LONDON
Julian Assange’s future remains in limbo, as the Australian continues to hide in the Ecuadorian embassy in London where he is seeking political asylum over fears that the United States want to extradite the WikiLeaks founder and possibly sentence him to death.
Avoid Olympic ticket scammers warns Aussie govt
THE US government has given no hint it wants to extradite WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange over the release of secret diplomatic cables, Australian Foreign Minister Bob Carr says. Senator Carr says two discussions
PUNTERS planning a trip to the London Olympics have been warned not to buy tickets from anyone but authorised agents. NSW Fair Trading Minister Anthony Roberts says anyone purchasing tickets from unauthorised vendors could be refused entry to July’s Olympic events. “Olympic organisers have placed strict conditions on who may buy tickets from where and Australian residents are only authorised to purchase tickets through the local ticketing agent CoSport,” Mr Roberts said in a statement. “I’m extremely concerned potentially invalid tickets to the London Olympics Opening Ceremony are currently being sold online for thousands of
indicated any plan to extradite Mr Assange to the US. “There is not the remotest evidence that is the case,” he told ABC TV on Sunday. Mr Assange has been at Ecuador’s embassy in London since 19 June as the South American nation considers his application for political asylum. Ecuador’s ambassador to the UK, Anna Alban, travelled from London to her nation’s capital at the weekend to brief President Rafael Correa on Mr Assange’s request. Dr Correa has said his government will consider the claim for political asylum but not when a decision would be made. The country’s embassy said Ms Alban would hold meetings with
BLACK BEAUTY
The ‘Wonder from Down Under’ serves up an Ascot treat | P3 & 16
“She will also fully brief the president on her recent meeting with said in a statement on Saturday. The asylum bid is a late effort by Mr Assange to avoid extradition to Sweden to face sex-crime allegations he says are baseless. The Australian-born 40-year-old
...continued on p3
fears removal to Sweden could pave the way for extradition to the US, where he would face possible charges - and a possible death sentence over the WikiLeaks release of secret diplomatic cables. Senator Carr said the US could
call of
the wild!
have asked the UK government to extradite Mr Assange over the two years the WikiLeaks founder had been in London. “There is a view that it would be easier for the US to extradite him from the UK rather than from Sweden,
where he is wanted for questioning about (matters) wholly unrelated to anything to do with WikiLeaks or state secrets,” he said. But Senator Carr said some US ...continued on p3
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2 | News
26 June - 2 July 2012
All hail the king and queen of Ascot n
Please can we give up on the misguided attempts to pigeon hole incredible animals like Black Caviar and Frankel, and refrain from making unfair comparisons. Can’t we simply celebrate their striking beauty and phenomenal achievements and leave them be. Publisher: Bryce Lowry Editor: Tim Martin Production/Design: Jackie Lampard Australia Editor: Ashlea Maher Contributors: Bianca Soldani, Shannon Crane, Kate Ausburn, Sara Newman, Phill Browne, Paul Judge, Sandra Tahmasby, Amy Fallon, Rose Callaghan, Lesley Slade, Simon Kleinig, Kris Griffiths, Chris Ark, Nathan Motton, JP Breytenbach,
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the hard word > NATHAN MOTTON
THE Aussies and the Brits love a good rivalry. I mean really, really enjoy any type of banter that surrounds anything Australian competing against anything or anyone British. And so queue the latest round of hysteria that greeted the arrival of Australian horseracing royalty in Black Caviar last week, as she prepared for her big run in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes at the home of horseracing - Royal Ascot. For those that aren’t familiar with horseracing, those that couldn’t care less, or have lived under a rock and have never heard of this mare let me indulge you. The five-year-old sprinter went into Saturday’s showdown unbeaten over 21 starts, 11 of them at an elite Group One level, and is considered by many to be the best racehorse in the world, having consistently won by more than four lengths. The Peter Moody trained horse has amassed a staggering $6 million in prize money, and is considered the Ferrari of horse racing. The ‘Caviar’ brand is seriously big business Down Under. Memorabilia, books, documentaries and merchandise have all been flung at the champ by companies eager to cash in on her success. Broadcasters have reported surges in interest for races in which ‘Nelly’, as she’s more
Your Say On: Bob Carr taking “unorthodox” path to Taylor’s Libyan release
Well, Bob Carr touches a serious issue! First, since the Zintan authorities appear to act rather independently of the authorities in Tripoli, the ICC organization should have ensured that the Zintan authorities were fully aware of the international agreements (signed by the Libyan authorities) which regulate the contact between ICC lawyers and the accused. Second, since the Libyan authorities in Tripoli seem to even consent with the procedures followed by the Zintan authorities, also they had to have been briefed in extend about the implications of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1970. It is indeed regrettable that such safety corridor to an apparently dangerous location, has not been set up previous to the mission of Melinda Taylor and her colleagues from Lebanon, Russia and Spain. Consequently, an apology for ‘inadequate consultation’
Visit: AustralianTimes.co.uk/move-to-australia In association with
? What’s your view
intimately known, is competing in. And while she attracted all the attention in the lead-up to the final day of this most prestigious event, it was Frankel who dominated the headlines yet again with a stunning 11 lengths win in the Queen Anne Stakes on Tuesday. The British four-year old has won all 11 of his starts and has earned plenty. He is the pride of British horse racing, ‘conservatively’ valued at 100’s of millions of pounds, and is rated by the respected Timeform organisation as the ‘ultimate racehorse’. Of course the (yawn) predictable comparisons have been made as to who is the better horse. But any attempt at comparisons for this scribe are misguided. They’re very different horses, and run different lengths. While Black Caviar only runs over 1,000 metres, Frankel runs in races that are over 600 metres longer. Any trainer will tell you it is impossible to compare the two, as Frankel’s trainer Sir Henry Cecil so eloquently put it immediately after his star’s barnstorming run at Ascot last Tuesday. The rather desperate BBC ‘pundits’ were determined to push Sir Henry on the issue, declaring Frankel a vastly superior horse to anything Black Caviar could ever achieve, because of the length at which he won. “I don’t see how people can judge horses from different generations
and countries over different distances and put a horse a pound in front of another,” Sir Henry rightly said. “You can’t compare him with Black Caviar and I’m a great admirer of hers, so let them be champions in their own right. They are good for racing all over the world.” Too right! It’s important to remember that Frankel runs over a far greater length, and is always extended over the final two furlongs. This scribe is convinced that Peter Moody is yet to really extend the ‘Cav’ over the closing stages, simply because she blitzes the field each and every time over such a short race. It’s also worthwhile keeping in mind that Black Caviar’s result aside, other Aussie horses have come before her and succeeded on this most hallowed turf. The first Australian sprinter Choisir achieved glory here nine years ago. Since then - Takeover Target, Miss Andretti and Scenic Blast have all enjoyed similar success in the sprints. So, please can we give up on the tired old, misguided attempts to pigeon hole these incredible animals, and stop making unfair comparisons. Can we simply just celebrate their striking beauty and phenomenal achievements and leave them be.
from the ICC leadership to the Lybian and Zintan authorities is not unreasonable. Eef AustralianTimes.co.uk/news
On: Biggest earthquake in a century rocks Victoria
On: Right on track with my hot new partner, Underground
Stand back! The next approaching is WiFi! Soon and very soon. Chech the billboards at the stations. Don’t know about air-con, but am sure the new tains coming in (s-stock etc) are said to have air-con. Vee AustralianTimes.co.uk/voices
On: Plans vs Choices – An Aussie expat’s meditation
Hi Liv, Loved the piece; plain, simple, honest. First thought duh, don’t plan is the obvious advice, but the story grew and ultimately the ending particularly resonates with me. We’re planning on “upping” next year after having been in London for nearly 8 years and you know what, we’re not making a single plan, simply going to take it in our stride as to what destination it will be next.The only goal is to go to as many places as possible, no preference, nada. Okay, good luck with it all! PS – don’t plan! Adele AustralianTimes.co.uk/voices
AustralianTimes.co.uk/voices
I was in bed when suddenly everything start moving.... Pedro AustralianTimes.co.uk/news
On: A satirical look at the “devastating” Melbourne earthquake
This is a ripoff. The whole of Moe isn’t worth $3,000 and I dare you to find a packet of Winfield Blues at $20. Vince AustralianTimes.co.uk/voices
On: A two-fingered Jubilee salute to those republicans
What a load of nonsense. Australians should be proud of the past but we need to move forward as a nation have an Australian as head of state.The British monarchy is irrelevant to Australia and some crap concert with Gary Barlow isn’t going to change that....my two cents. John Fitz AustralianTimes.co.uk/voices
Share your comments on these and more stories online: AustralianTimes.co.uk
News | 3
AustralianTimes.co.uk
No US hint of extraditing Julian Assange: Bob Carr Continued from p1...
authorities had yet to state that they were not interested in extraditing the Australian. “They haven’t been able to rule out that one corner of the American administration is considering it, but I would expect the US wouldn’t want to touch this,” he said. Senator Carr said the US government knew Australia’s “well worn” position of not wanting Mr Assange extradited from anywhere. Attorney-General Nicola Roxon said Australia had not abandoned Mr Assange but did believe he needed to comply with other countries’ laws. “There is nothing the Australian government can currently do that it has not been doing,” Ms Roxon told
Network Ten. “He’s not in Australia and he’s not charged with an Australian offence.” Ms Roxon said Mr Assange being
government’s job of ensuring he received a proper and fair process. “Australia has a lot of control and ability to protect its citizens if they are pursued for a political offence (while here),” she said. Mr Assange was likely to be arrested once he stepped outside the diplomatic protection of the Ecuadorian embassy as he has breached his bail conditions, Scotland Yard said. - AAP Have your say on the Assange extradition saga at AustralianTimes.co.uk/news
Be aware of Olympic scammer threat Continued from p1...
dollars, including two tickets on ebay.com.au for over $9000.” Mr Roberts is worried many opportunistic scammers will prey on those desperate to see an event at the Olympics. “An unfortunate Olympic tradition is holding true and literally hundreds of scammers began capitalising on the event
long before the flame was lit or the relay begun,” he said. “With hundreds of dodgy websites identified, over 97 Olympic crime related arrests in the United Kingdom and one woman alone in the United States losing $200,000 to Olympic scammers, the 2012 Olympics may be the most scammed sporting event in history.” - AAP AustralianTimes.co.uk/news
Aussie and salmon crowd support Black Caviar at Ascot
ROYAL ASCOT RACECOURSE was a sea of salmon on Saturday. The distinct black polka dot pattern matching the silks of Australian mare Black Caviar could be seen on dresses, and baseball caps throughout the 80,000 capacity crowd. It was clear what the spectators had charge didn’t disappoint. Winning the 1200m Diamond Jubilee Stakes by a head and bagging her owners £222,800 prize money thrilled the thousands of Australians
“We have come over just for this, it would have been a downer had she not won, so we’re very relieved she held on,” said Melbourne man Mark De Campo, proudly wearing a hat in Black Caviar colours. As punters entered the British course on Saturday they were offered complimentary “Go Black Caviar” signs which were waved madly during the Group 1 feature. Even within the prestigious Royal Enclosure the Black Caviar theme continued. “Regardless of Australian or British or other visitors, all the money was on Black Caviar. I heard no one yelling for any other horse” Sydney man and Royal Enclosure spectator Kym
Fullgrabe told AAP. Royal Ascot public affairs spokesman Nick Smith said there were in excess of 5,000 Australians expected among Saturday’s crowd. “It’s got to be more than that. Everywhere you turn you hear Aussie accents,” said Joey from Melbourne. “I bought my tie online for 30 quid (pounds) foolishly believing I might have been only one of a few here wearing it. Look at them all.” The third in a six-race program, the crowd noticeably thinned after Black Caviar’s performance, although some followers would have preferred better odds on the 1-6 favourite. “I can’t complain. To tell the truth I would have paid to see her win,” said Joey who collected £60 for his £50 bet on Black Caviar. One excited expat Australian, Chris Baker, said the victory was one of his London highlights. “(Since living) In London I have seen the Aussies win the Ashes, the Wallabies triumph at Twickenham, the Kangaroos smash the Brits in Wigan, the Socceroos beat the Poms at Upton Park. But what an absolute little champion that mare is. Best day for an Aussie in London. Can go back to Australia a happy man.” - With AAP AustralianTimes.co.uk/news
4 | Voices
26 June - 2 July 2012
A taste of Job-hunting in London, with a made that little bit harder France fruit tarte tatin lost in london > LEXXY LUTHER
YOU all know how it is. Recruitment companies are to the unemployed in London what Moses was to the chosen people. The Skier Guide to the blind Paralympian. The Putin to his Medvedev. Or, maybe more appropriately, the Peter at heaven’s door blocking your passage to unlimited banoffee pie at the buffet of the afterlife. You hate them, but you need them. You love them, but they treat you worse than your first high school boyfriend who decided to take someone else to the Year 12 formal. You want them to like you, because without them, you’ll be selling oversized Union Jack coated top-hats at Embankment Station. And yet. And yet… They can destroy you with a single word. Typo. Having been in the legal field in Australia for a number of years with a couple of degrees under my belt, I came over here with the assumption that I was, if not employable in the same role, then at least qualified to photocopy someone’s documents or make them their morning coffee. Cue the endless rounds of submitting CVs to recruiters so that they may deign to throw me the crumbs us Antipodeans must scramble for at the edges of the cockfighting ring of the UK job market. Most I didn’t hear back from. Except for one. The email went something like this (I
may be paraphrasing):
Dear Applicant Like hell we’re interested in you. And did you know you had a whopping big typo on the front page of your CV, you illiterate peasant?? Go back to convict country. Sincerely Fancy Pants Recruiter To be fair, it was a significant typo. An embarrassing one, which made me look like I either had George Bush’s knowledge of world geography, or a severe inability to proofread my most important job-hunting tool. Which was awkward given it was the CV I had recently used to apply for an editing, proof-reading and researching role at a prestigious think tank. Basically, I was proclaiming an indepth knowledge of European Politics and European Law through a yearlong study abroad program spent at the University of Vienna, AUSTRALIA. Which, as they repeatedly remind you on entering the actual country Vienna is located in, is AUSTRIA (above Slovenia, next to Germany, below Czech Republic – just trying to redeem myself here…). So I guess, top-hat anyone? Or how about a lovely pair of boxer shorts with the Tube map on them? 10 pounds, just for you…
Fruit tarte tatin
chris’s
kitchen > CHRIS ARK
THIS week’s recipe is a homegrown French classic with a twist of English thrown in the mix. We are going to grab the last of this year’s rhubarb and apples to create a classic apple and rhubarb tarte tatin. The sweet, sticky caramel flavours with the fruitiness of the apples and rhubarb are always a crowd pleaser. What you need is a small spring form tart tin or a 15cm heavy based pot that can be placed in the oven. And certainly don’t forget a good quality tub of your favourite ice cream or clotted cream to serve along side a wedge of this delicious tart you’re about to make. Before you start, the quality of the puff pastry is something to consider and plays an important part in the flavour and texture of the tarte tatin. Cheaper versions of puff pastry are made with vegetable and animal fats with only a small percentage of pure butter. Buying a puff pastry with pure butter gives us a creamy/flakey pastry which is rich and nutty when baked to perfection. The French once again come out on top with puff pastry, best to check the label and see what’s inside. Remember look for ‘butter puff pastry’. So let’s get cracking on our tarte tatin. Happy cooking and enjoy!
What you need:
• 400gm castor sugar • Fresh ginger – about a thumb size, thickly sliced • 2 cinnamon quills • 5 Granny Smith apples, cut into 16 wedges each • 4 thin rhubarb stalks, cut into 6cm batons • 2 sheets butter puff pastry rolled to 3mm thick • 150g butter chilled • 75g castor sugar
What to do:
• Stir the sugar, ginger, cinnamon and 400ml water in a saucepan over medium heat to dissolve the sugar, and then simmer until reduced by onethird (8-10 minutes). Remove from heat, cool slightly, then add the apple and rhubarb and set aside to cool. • Butter the tart tin or heavy based pot
with loads of butter and evenly lay the apples and rhubarb around the base so all the ingredients are packed tightly. • Sprinkle the castor sugar over the apple and rhubarb. • Take the puff pastry from the fridge and cut a circle to the diameter of the pot or tart tin. Brush with an egg wash so the pastry will become golden and crispy. • Place the tarte tatin into a pre-heated oven on 190 degrees for 10-12 mins. Check just prior to 10 minutes that the pastry is turning a golden color. If not, continue baking for 2 -3 mins. • Once the pastry is cooked remove from the oven and allow it to cool for 5 mins. Invert the tart onto a large serving dish and slice into large wedges. Serve with a big dollop of ice cream or clotted cream. AustralianTimes.co.uk/voices
What’s the perfect size for the Tube? tube talk > SANDRA TAHMASBY
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ALTHOUGH London Tube carriages are quite spacious, I often wonder if they could be altered in any way? For a little while I thought that at 4’9’’, my petite stature was a good size for Tube commuting. However it didn’t take me long to discover that I was wrong. After finding myself becoming lost in the crowd during the peak hour rush that my daily journey to and from work consists of, I began to realise that perhaps being taller or having slightly broader shoulders would be a far more ideal situation. I looked over at a 6 foot tall guy standing next to me on the platform and thought ‘lucky guy’! He can walk in, find his spot, see over everyone’s heads and even read other people’s newspapers over their unsuspecting shoulders. Unlike me, he certainly doesn’t share my problem of being the perfect height for becoming the involuntary underarm sniffer, or risk not being able to finish the article I’m reading from someone else’s paper because my lack of vision was disturbed by a shoulder, an elbow and even sometimes a chest! Yes, at first, he did seem like the perfect size for the Tube until I saw he had to duck to get onto the carriage for starters and then once he was on, had to manage to find a space within the carriage to comfortably stand his lanky body. So then I thought that maybe the
girl who was a few inches taller than I, with a slightly bigger build, was the ideal size for the Tube. But after I noticed that she was changing her standing position at every station as more and more people squeezed onto the Tube, I very quickly changed my mind.. again. A tall-ish, pudgy man who got on a few stops after me looked like he could be the perfect size to be content on the Overground ‘sardine tin’ system, but he too was having his own issues when the seat he sat down on was just a little too squishy for him. So maybe my size is just right? While being lost in the crowd is a regular occurrence and other issues, such as my personal space being
constantly invaded might bug me - I do find that being a ‘midge’ as some of my friends call me, has its bonuses. I’m able to squish onto the Tube whenever I see that tiny bit of space that no one else has occupied (it’s almost like a game of Tetris). I’m able to ‘Tube shop’ by browsing the great designer shoes that the ladies wear to work. Plus I get to pull funny faces at the kids in prams without their parents catching me. I guess that every body size has some level of discomfort whilst travelling on the Tube. I’m confident in saying that guys, in this instance, size does matter! AustralianTimes.co.uk/voices
Voices | 5
AustralianTimes.co.uk
Lording it up at Lord’s n
A royal affair at Ascot
Aussies love their cricket. And our By Sandra Tahmasby resident London adventurer is no different. 100,000 cans of hair spray, 55,000 of fake tan, fake eye lashes, This week she ticks off #88 on her London bottles platform heels, skirts, spotted shirts tonnes of yummy boys in suits! Top 100 list and explores the home of andIt wasn’t the Royal Enclosure but it was silver, sparkling and very racy. It cricket, Lord’s Cricket Ground.
was the Royal Ascot Silver Ring. Orange and black spots were worn patriotically in support of our very own Black Caviar who did us all proud and contributed to yet another thing the Aussies do better than the Poms! Even with an injury she came through with the goods! What a beauty! The Queen was decked out in her flattering green attire and gave us a lengthy wave as we yelled out to her: “Give us citizenship Liz!”. The Fashion Police, also known as my group of friends, could have
rivalled Joan Rivers with their fashion critique; rating the various outfits throughout the day. No one was safe from their fashion commentaries but a few did receive top honours for their fashions on the field. The girls were dressed up to the nines and the boys probably should have been cut off at the bar hours ago! The bookies were out in fine form and the bets kept on coming. Even the long toilet lines weren’t going to stop anyone from enjoying this Royal affair. The weather was the typical London climate... rain, sun , wind, cloud and sun again but that didn’t stop the race goers from having the time of their lives. In amongst the glitz and glamour, there were the true punters out in force with their form guides in hand and hot
racing tips to try and win back some drinking money! Even though I came close to losing my iPhone, I walked out £2 richer and my heels still intact. Now that I’ve experienced Royal Ascot, for all that it is, I have a handful of survival tips for next year: Ladies, tone down the fake tan. This is London and the weather is unpredictable, so getting caught in the rain results in spotted skin - never a good look! Guys, there are ample facilities and toilets throughout the race course so peeing into a plastic cup is UNNACCEPTABLE (yes I actually saw this happen)! And lastly, bet BIG, drink BIG, but make sure your hat is even BIGGER! AustralianTimes.co.uk/voices
Recruitment Open Day – Summer Work Tuesday 3rd July 2012 9.30am - 5.30pm
bron in
the don BRONWYN SPENCER
ONE of my favourite things about an Australian summer is cricket season. While I am not a fanatic I do enjoy watching a one day game, having the Tests on in the background while lazing around the house and a good T20 game at the Gabba. So when summer in England finally came around I made sure I ticked off #88 - Lord’s Cricket Ground. Located in the heart of Marylebone, this ground is one of the oldest and most prestigious cricket stadiums in the world. For a cheap £15 - you can get an impressive walking tour of the grounds. The tour includes taking in the pavilion where you can see the change rooms, standing on the famous ‘balcony’ and sitting in the Members bar. The highlight of this section is seeing the Aussie player names up on the honour board – with the likes of Bradman all the way through to Clarke, honouring those who have reached a hundred at Lords. The tour also takes you into the museum where you can see different types of cricketing memorabilia – from portraits, uniforms, match balls and documents. Although, all of that is nothing compared to standing right in front of the original Ashes urn and hearing the history of how this iconic trophy came about. Sadly for the
Australian cricket team, you can also see the glass replica trophy in the display cabinet but let’s hope it is not there for long and it heads Down Under next year. After this section, it’s off into the grandstand where you can have a good look of the pitch, learn about how to become a member and hear about the history of each stand. From there, it is onto the controversial media centre. Shaped like an oval and made out of aluminium, the media centre sticks out like a sore thumb in this historic stadium however you can’t fault the view from the top. From here you can see the famous slope of lords and a perfect view of the pavilion. While I wasn’t quick enough to snap up an international ticket I did manage to get a T20 ticket for the Middlesex vs Sussex game on a sunny Sunday afternoon. We had a couple of hours to kill until the game started so we decided to wander ten minutes up the street to Abbey Road and its famous crossing (remember that infamous Beatles album cover?). It took about three or four attempts because of the crowd but we did manage to get a snap shot of us walking across. We had a quick pub lunch nearby and it was back to Lords to take in an afternoon of cricket. The stadium had a pretty good atmosphere and T20 games tend to draw a pretty big crowd. There was music and cheerleaders and the game moved pretty quickly with plenty of big hits and great fielding. It was a great afternoon and all over too quickly. It is definitely a must do for any cricket fans but even if you’re not I’d recommend a trip to this iconic cricketing ground for the history and atmosphere alone. It is a perfect London day out! AustralianTimes.co.uk/voices
Absolute Taste was formed in 1997 by Ron Dennis and Lyndy Redding to create contemporary, delicious food presented with style. The company’s focus initially centred around providing the finest hospitality for the VIP guests of the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes Formula 1 team around the world, and for the employees at the McLaren headquarters. We have quickly become leaders in our field with an international reputation for excellent food, chic styling, exciting party design and professional staff. Since Absolute Taste's inception, Lyndy has built a team around her that is not only professional and capable but enthusiastic, charming and extremely hard working dedicated to making everything we do a success.
Absolute Taste has recently won an exciting contract to be the official caterer of Westfield Stratford during the Olympic and Paralympic Games. The contract is well under way and ends in September. We are recruiting bubbly, highly experienced, dedicated and hardworking staff to work with us on this exciting project over summer in the following roles:
Front of House - Waiting Staff £8.60- £10.45 per hour Front of House - Supervisors £12.45 per hour Back of House – Kitchen Porters £8.60-£10.45 House Managers Varies depending on experience and role
If you believe you have what it takes to be part of our team, please send your CV with short cover letter and picture to staffing@absolutetaste.com to confirm your attendance at our open day at Westfield, Stratford City on Tuesday 3rd July from 9.30am-5.30pm.
6 | Entertainment What we’re following #BlackCaviar
@JuliaGillard Congratulations to #BlackCaviar for an amazing race at Royal Ascot - a heroic effort and a tight finish. JG @MartoMagic Nervous Nelly conquers Britain: BLACK Caviar has extended her winning run to 22 races @bbc_rishi Quite satisfying walking into Wimbledon this morning and finding the world of tennis talking about Black Caviar and Frankel at Royal Ascot. @dave_rock_star So the English have had their colours lowered. First Black Caviarwins their big race & then Italy beat them on penalties #TooFunny @danilic Due to injuries Black Caviar to take Grant Hackets spot on the Channel Nine commentary team at the London Olympics. Check out what we’re following today on AustralianTimes.co.uk and follow us on Twitter @AustralianTimes
What’s On Tara Minton 1 July @ Bar Solo, Camden Hermitude 2 July @ Barfly, Camden Hilltop Hoods 4 July @ Electric Ballroom Wolfmother 6 July @ IndigO2, Cold Chisel 11 July @Shepherd’s Bush Empire The Temper Trap 11 July @ Somerset House Bliss N Eso 17 July @ The Garage, Islington Sneaky Sound System 21 July @ Electric Brixton BT River of Music Oceania Stage 21-22 July @ Old Royal Naval College, Greenwich Xavier Rudd 8 August @ Koko Darren Hayes 24 September @ IndigO2, Gotye 12 November @ Hammersmith Apollo
For full details...
...and more Aussie gigs go to: AustralianTimes.co.uk/entertainment
26 June - 2 July 2012
James Morrison joins acclaimed London Brass for a UK jazz feast JAMES MORRISON, Australia’s international jazz virtuoso and ‘master of brass’ including trumpet, trombone, euphonium, flugel horn, tuba and saxophones – and not forgetting the piano – will join acclaimed London Brass musicians in a special UK concert to demonstrate the versatility of brass and show off the skills of each talented player. Morrison’s early skills are legendary. At nine he formed his first band and at thirteen he was playing professionally in nightclubs. His international career developed fast. After h just turned 16, he debuted in the USA with a breathtaking concert at the Monterey Jazz Festival. Performances at the big European festivals followed – including Montreux, Pori, North Sea, Nice and Bern. He has played with many of the great names of jazz: Dizzy Gillespie, Cab Calloway, Woody Shaw, Red Rodney, George Benson, Ray Charles, B.B. King, Ray Brown and Wynton Marsalis; and at the most famous jazz clubs – the Blue Note and Village Vanguard in New York, the New Morning in Paris and Ronnie Scott’s in London. He has performed royal command performances on two occasions for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and for US Presidents Bush & Clinton at Parliament House in Australia. Loved and revered in his home country Australia, Morrison also has a large following in Britain and his return to these shores is a greatly anticipated
one. But aside from touring the world, he is also head of Morrison Records, an independent Australian label dedicated to the best of jazz. And when the ‘master of brass’ isn’t writing film scores, composing or being patron of several youth orchestras, he relaxes in some fairly unconventional ways for a musician - competing in triathlons, abseiling, flying his private plane or driving in a rally championship. His love of cars is well known, as he was host of the national TV program “Behind the Wheel” – the Australian version of “Top Gear”. With interests so broad and a career so filled with highlights it seems that he has done just about everything anyone could want – but not so. When asked: “What is there left to do?”, his usual reply is the typically exciting: “This is just the warm up!” Don’t miss James Morrison Saturday 7 July at London’s Cadogan Hall AustralianTimes.co.uk/entertainment
WIN TICKETS
Wanna chase that feeling without heading down the hard road? Australia’s premier hip hop crew, Hilltop Hoods, are set to slay the London Electric Ballroom in Camden on Wednesday 4 July 2012, and we have two pairs of tickets up for grabs. Don't worry, you won't be in the nosebleed
section, you'll be right up front (if you can handle it) as Australia's premier MCs speak in tongues and rock the London stage! And if you're still standing at the end and haven't become the clown prince, then, well...what a great night!
To win these awesome tickets, enter at AustralianTimes.co.uk/win
AustralianTimes.co.uk
Entertainment | 7
travel
8 | Travel
26 June - 2 July 2012
tting This week we’re pu
Hamburg ON THE MAP
Generating a hostel buzz in Hamburg By Bronwyn Spencer AFTER four months of backpacking around Europe and dozens of trips since, I consider myself a bit of an expert on staying at a hostel. I’ve probably stayed in all types - good hostels with great social areas but dodgy beds; 16 bed mixed dorms with noisy nightmovers; and even in a private room with an ensuite. I’ve had amazing service and great value for money as well as the complete opposite - dodgy hygiene and being ripped off. So when I got asked to visit Hamburg to attend a hostel grand opening, I jumped at the chance. From Beatles to backpackers The hostel opening was for Generator
Hostels’ brand new (well six months old) Hostel located in the heart of Hamburg. I say heart literally as it sits directly outside an exit to the central train station. I checked in and went downstairs to attend the welcome party where I met a representative and got given the grand tour. Previously a hostel, factory and a recording studio (The Beatles recorded a song there!), most recently the hostel had been a several yearlong restoration project, and I would have to say it was well worth the effort. I got to view several types of rooms from six bed dorms, to privates and all of them were clean, fresh and welcoming. They even have female dorms and as a single female traveller this type of accommodation is always welcome.
The best part about the rooms was that they all had individual bathrooms so no awkward waiting in hallways in your pj’s with your washbag.
on the many steps and watching the crowds go by. After a mid-morning snack it was onto the Lake Alster which is in the middle of the city and home to many boat tours and activities including row boats and sail boats. For €13 I jumped on a tourist boat and spent an hour being guided around the sites of the lake. Unfortunately I can’t tell you what these sites where as the guide was only German speaking but it was still a great way to explore a different side of the city and watch the rowing teams train, sailboats find their way across the lake and ogle some gorgeous old houses smack bang on the banks.
The newest oldest church
Party time!
Once the tour of the rooms was over, it was down into the party area where the celebrations were well underway. The social area is broken up into a café lounge, bar with outdoor area and sunken breakfast bar and games room. If you fancy getting online - there is a computer lounge (plus free wifi through the entire place) in the mezzanine so if you’re a single traveller or just want to meet new people there is no shortage of options. The party was great fun and even with my dodgy German (i.e. nonexistent) I managed to spend the night chatting away and enjoying the atmosphere. After a few drinks and some delicious food (schnitzel and pretzels canapés – how German!) it was time to head out and see some of the Hamburg nightlife. I’m not sure where we went as I was taken out by a German speaker but the club seemed like fun and we had a bit of a dance before calling it a night.
You could do a lot wurst than Hamburg
The next day it was breakfast at the hostel - a variety of cold cuts, cereal and toast for a reasonable €5.50 – before heading off to explore the city. Hamburg was great to visit as you can see much of it on foot. I set off from the hostel along the canal and like a good shopaholic discovered the Gansemarkt - the central shopping and café area. I spent a little while wandering around this area before weaving my way back through and finding the town hall. The ‘Rathaus’ as the Germans say is right by the canal and directly in front of a large square where you can find a perfect spot to grab a currywurst or bucket of frittes with a bier before settling down
After my trip around the lake I stopped by one of the many Eis Café’s to grab an ice cream before jumping on the U-Bahn out to St Pauli. Home to the red light district, St Pauli is also home to St Michaelis Church. St Michaelis is Hamburg’s oldest church and has been on the site for several centuries however due to a series of unfortunate accidents the church currently on site is the third one after fires, war and thunderstorms had destroyed the others. The best part about these renovations means that unlike many other churches around London this one has an elevator to the top! Thankfully, for those who are unfit, it’s a €4 fee and a short elevator ride to the top for some perfect views of the city. Heading up to the top meant I got the chance to ‘see’ the city with the short amount of time I had to visit. I was lucky that it was a pretty clear day so I battled through the wind to check out the 360 views of glorious Hamburg. From the cranes and containers of the docks, across the parks and into the city to the peaks of other churches and city hall, it made for a really pretty view.
Red lights and the Reeperbahn
After all the walking around and sightseeing it was time for a drink so I wandered down to the red light district famous for its bars and clubs and other kind of establishments. The district is quite long and as I walked along the ‘Reeperbahn’ I was jostled by many football fans on their way out to watch Germany in the Euro Championships. The bars nestled between strip clubs and peep shows were chock full of spectators which made for a fun lively mood. I found a cheap restaurant and grabbed a bite to eat and drink while I watched the game. While I am sure the rest of the red light district is good fun I decided to pass on any other activities and head back to the hostel. Hamburg is a great place to visit and I was sorry that I only had a short time as this laid back thoroughly German city has a lot to offer. In terms of the hostel, it gets a double thumbs up from me –for what it’s worth. It offers everything you would want in budget accommodation and provides a perfect central hub for which to explore the city. Bronwyn travelled to Hamburg courtesy of Generator Hostels. For more info on Generator’s Hamburg Hostel, head to GeneratorHostels.com/en/Hamburg AustralianTimes.co.uk/travel
Travel | 9
AustralianTimes.co.uk
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L8291 / Y2992 *Africa Promotion: Valid for new bookings only made 01/06/2012 to 30/06/2012 for travel between 15/10/2012 and 30/06/2013. Topdeck reserves the right to withdraw this offer at any time. For full terms and conditions of travelling with Topdeck please see our website at www.topdeck.travel/wild20 *Terms and conditions apply. Prices quoted are for specific departures only. All trips subject to availability. Discounts are off the base trip price only, and do not apply to food funds, sailing funds and local payments. Flights not included. Exchange rates correct at time of printing, and subject to currency fluctuations, depending when payment is made. See online for full terms and conditions.
10 | Travel
26 June - 2 July 2012
Bottling Bordeaux
n
tting This week we’re pu
Bordeaux ON THE MAP
With storybook pretty villages, breathtaking countryside, castles galore, glorious red wine and food, south-west France could just be the perfect weekend away as JESSICA RUSSELL discovered on a recent trip back to the famous wine belt. LIKE a light shining under a bushel, Bordeaux is an unassuming treasure trove of France’s finest. Sitting within the south west region of Aquitaine, Bordeaux arguably produces the best red wine in the ‘old world’ and boasts a fairy-tale blend of rolling vineyards, grand châteaux, and quaint French villages. As if this is not enough, Bordeaux borders on the Atlantic, making it a perfect gateway to some of the best surf in Europe with its long, untouched white sandy beaches.
Bordeaux – it’s French for paradise
I stumbled on, and fell in love with Bordeaux by chance, having randomly found myself employed as a live-in nanny or ‘polyvalent’ (jack of all trades) for an English family last summer. Fortunately for me, the family owned and ran a sizeable vineyard half an hour east of Bordeaux city. A destination not publicised greatly in London, or in the Southern Hemisphere for that matter, it is hard for one to truly appreciate the beauty, magic and solace of the region without experiencing it first hand. And once you have had a taste, Bordeaux gets under your skin - whether you are a wine connoisseur or not. So having spent almost a year away from Bordeaux, I made a long awaited return to escape the London rat race. Although much of my weekend visit was spent relaxing back ‘home’ at Château Bauduc, an utterly peaceful, magical property with sprawling grounds and vineyards surrounding a perfectly sized and exquisitely renovated 19th century château, the options for visitors to the Bordeaux region are endless.
Old world refined
Sitting inland on the banks of the lazy Garonne River, lies the actual city of Bordeaux. Historically refined, elegant and revolving around the wealthy wine industry, Bordeaux is now transforming into a youthful, vibrant and progressive city without losing its well-aged style or sophistication. With a modern new tram system, a bustling shopping district, and an old town quietly buzzing with funky bars, cafés and restaurants catering for every taste, Bordeaux is a perfect blend of old and
new, elegance and funk, grandiose and laid-back ease. Apart from the popular choices of wining and dining your way through Bordeaux, other highlights for visitors are the wellregarded Musée d’Art Contemporain, the impressive Grand Théâtre, and viewing the city from the Pont de Pierre, which crosses the Garonne. Further inland to the east of Bordeaux city, is the must-see fortified medieval village of Saint-Émilion, resting on a hill overlooking picturesque vineyards and châteaux. Featuring on the UNESCO World Heritage List, and boasting an impressive monolithic church with an underground complex of caves and catacombs dating back to the 11th century, Saint-Émilion is both breathtakingly beautiful and full of history. Winding your way up through the steep cobbled streets on stones which are so well-trodden they are smooth, you stumble across many cafés, restaurants and wine merchants selling a range of exceptional red wine of the local châteaux, all bearing the label ‘Appellation SaintÉmilion Controlée’, which signifies to the consumer the wine has met the quality control standards of the Saint-Émilion area.
Where the wine flows pure
However of all the wine producing areas of Bordeaux, the Médoc is so magical it has admittedly brought a self-confessed wine-lover and myself to tears. Driving through the flat area, which lies north west of Bordeaux and west of the Gironde River, at harvest time last year was an almost surreal experience due to its enchanting beauty. While the rest of Bordeaux is more rustic and dotted with old farmhouses amongst the châteaux, the Médoc is the crème de la crème of wine producing areas, with its magnificent châteaux and prestigious red wine vintages to match. The dry, gravel-based land has produced some of the finest merlot and cabernet sauvignon grapes, of such high quality that photographs of us crouching down in amongst Médoc grapes were more than justified. Pitching up to a majestic French château uninvited and seeing the careful process of taking the plump grapes from their small baskets, to pressing them and
pouring their juices into oak barrels is one I will never forget. While it was not the best time to spend a day wine tasting due to the harvest keeping most château owners and workers busy, taking an afternoon to cruise through the Médoc and nosey around château after glorious château is well worth it. Least of all for the self-satisfaction gained from reading a wine list in a fine London restaurant and then recognising the label, if not the taste, of a £50 bottle of Médoc merlot.
The finer things in life
If you have over-indulged on Bordeaux wine and food, book yourself in for a treatment at a local health spa. Renowned for their attention to beauty, the French have found an ingenious way to pamper oneself in the Bordeaux. Spend an afternoon in a barrel bath or a Merlot wrap - the perfect way to spend a day - wine tasting, savouring French cuisine and being pampered with Vinotherapie treatments. However if being pampered in a health spa is not your style, overindulgence can also be treated by a rejuvenating trip to the Atlantic coast. Frequented not only by highsociety Bordelais (Bordeaux folk) and Parisians, but also regional day-trippers, Bordeaux’s Atlantic coast as a genuine summer holiday destination is a well-kept secret. Surprisingly, while this coastline offers far better beaches and surf, it has largely avoided the commercial development and accompanying glitz and glam of the Mediterranean coast, such as along the Côte d’Azur. Instead of high-rises and casinos, nestled in amongst forests of pine trees have grown understated, lowlying charming seaside towns.
Been there, dune that
One of the earlier resorts to develop in the area, Arcachon, and its
Travel | 11
AustralianTimes.co.uk
expansive adjacent basin, is a hub of activity in the summer. By climbing Europe’s largest sand dune, Dune de Pyla, you get a fantastic view of the coast and Arcachon basin. As the basin is protected from the Atlantic by a peninsula, it offers the perfect location to sail, swim, fish, or water-ski, and therefore attracts a rare breed of French who are not only serious about food and wine, but also serious about water sports. However the sight of a beautifully crafted James Bond style speed boat with beautiful women sunbathing topless on deck, or an immaculately groomed man strolling the beach sporting a typical French ‘sweepback’ hair style, a crisp pink shirt and armed with baguettes, reminds one quickly that French style and culture pervades the entire country. Having grown up virtually on the
water back home, I found that of all the European beaches I have visited, the expansive, clean, and relatively uncrowded surf beaches of Bordeaux most closely resemble those at home. Traditionally the haunt of wine-lovers, with its revamped transportation system and emerging vibrancy, Bordeaux is wellpoised to become an increasingly popular tourist destination for a quick weekend break, or long relaxing summer holiday. Offering exquisite wine and food, magical countryside perfect for exploring, and impressive beaches stretching along its Atlantic coast, the diversity of Bordeaux makes it a truly spellbinding place. AustralianTimes.co.uk/news
What’s in it for you... What’s in it for you...
No local payments - Local payments can make budgeting for your holiday so difficult, often they're in a different currency and often it is quite unclear exactly how much it will be and what it will cover. Some companies include entrance fees, tipping kitties and meals while others are just entrance fees. At Encounters Travel we have tried where posible to do away with local payments completely, and when we have no other choice we are very clear and open. Exclusive Deal - 15% off all Jordan Tours - Journey through this rugged desert country on one of our group tours as we discover ancient Roman ruins strewn across the sands, enjoy unforgettable desert sunsets and come upon the lost city of Petra and the miraculous Dead Sea. Join us as we spend the night under the stars in a traditional Bedouin camp and relax and unwind and enjoy the coral reefs in a Red Sea beach resort. We also feature several tours that combine time in Israel or Egypt with a visit to Jordan.. Exclusive to Australian Times readers you just need to quote Aus Times to get your 15% discount, only available for 1 week.
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12 | Jobs & Money
26 June - 2 July 2012
Housing market forecasted to improve HOME buyers are expected to become more active over the next three years as conditions in the property market improve, a report says. The Residential Property Prospects, 2012 to 2015 report from economic forecaster BIS Shrapnel says NSW and the resource-rich states of Queensland, Western Australia and the Northern Territory are already showing signs of recovery. However, the rest of the country Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania and the Australian Capital Territory - will lag behind because of what the report says is an emerging excess of housing. BIS Shrapnel senior manager Angie home buyers in the market, which
fell after the temporary boost to the
owners’ grant ended, were slowly returning to normal levels. Mr Zigomanis said lower interest rates and more overseas migrants coming to live in Australia were also indications that some of the negative factors that pushed house prices down in 2010 and 2011 were beginning to turn around. “The recovery is expected to eventually gain traction through 2013 as continued growth in resource investment spending eventually economy,” Mr Zigomanis said in a statement. “With the local economic and employment outlook becoming more positive, and some stabilisation and
improvement overseas, purchasers are forecast to wade back into the market in greater numbers, translating to greater sales volumes and a pick-up in price growth over 2013/14 and into 2014/15.” Perth and Brisbane were forecast to record the highest growth in median house prices over the next three years at 22 per cent and 20 per cent respectively, with Sydney just behind at 17 per cent and Darwin at 15 per cent. This compared with a forecast nine
per cent for Hobart, three per cent for Melbourne, and just one per cent for Canberra. - AAP AustralianTimes.co.uk/jobs-money
Billabong to fend off more stock bids
STRUGGLING surfwear retailer Billabong International is expected to fend off more takeover bids after its share price dived to its lowest level on record. More than a third of Billabong’s stock value was wiped out on Monday as investors baulked at a $225 million capital raising and a big earnings downgrade announced last week. Billabong shares went into freefall after coming out of a trading halt. They fell initially more than 36 per cent before recovering slightly to close at 96 cents, or 34 per cent down, amid large volumes. That’s well below the company’s offer of $1.02 per share in its capital raising announced last week. And it’s more than 14 times less than Billabong’s all-time peak of $13.64 reached on 30 June, 2007. Last Thursday the company revised down its expected earnings and launched a $225 million capital raising to help reduce its $325 million debt pile. This happened just months after the Billabong board knocked back a $3.30-a-share takeover offer from a private equity group earlier in the year. Morningstar analyst Tim Jones said around 46 cents of the share price slide on Monday was attributable to He said the record low share price could attract takeover bids from Capital, which had looked over the company earlier in the year. “I think they’d be very tempted to come back and do another bid,” Mr Jones said. He said the Billabong board, including major shareholder and founder Gordon Merchant, needed to be accountable for its previous rejection of TPG’s bids. “A number of groups would be interested in purchasing it - private equity or even trade buyers as well as
other international brand companies, particularly in the US,” Mr Jones said. On Monday Billabong said it had completed the institutional component of its accelerated pro-rata renounceable entitlement offer and had raised about $155 million, or 79 per cent of the new shares available. The retail component of the offer will take place from Friday under the same terms. Billabong now expects underlying earnings, which exclude one-off costs from the restructure, at between $130 million and $135 million for the year to 30 June. That’s down from its forecast of earnings slightly above $157 million when it announced plans for a major restructure in February. Some analysts said Billabong would have to close more than the 140 of its 600 stores as uncertainty remained around cash restructuring charges, forward-order cancellations and excess inventory. “If Billabong management gets the strategy right and executes to design, the recovery potential in this stock would be extraordinary but so are the odds of achieving this outcome so late in the day,” CBA analyst Jordan Rogers said. “The capital raising gives some time, but the next six months will be crucial for the business.” Billabong shares closed 49 cents, or 34 per cent, lower at 96 cents. AAP AustralianTimes.co.uk/jobs-money
Jobs & Money | 13
AustralianTimes.co.uk
Dollar Review
Aussie may be safe haven currency THE Australian Dollar fell once again on speculation that Europe’s debt crisis will continue to raise the cost of borrowing, dampening the demand for riskier assets. The Aussie came to rest at 1.006 USD and 0.6457 GBP on Monday morning. There are signs that global central banks have been looking to increase exposure to the Australian Dollar, a sign that the currency may emerge as a safehaven asset. Although, with the sizable current account deficit combined with its dependence on external capital flows, the market seems to be unsure if this is a title the Aussie deserves. On a domestic front there is little happening in the upcoming week. All eyes will be on US and European data, and The EU leaders summit being held 28-29 June, to determine things will remain subdued ahead of currency movements. the European Union leaders meeting. David de Garis, NAB senior market Mike Jones a currency strategist economist was cited as saying that the at the Bank of New Zealand said he poor performances on the Australian believes that investors have hunkered stock market and regional equities kept down and will be unwilling to take a the Aussie low on Monday morning. stand in the currency market until news Market sentiment seems to be that from the Summit has been released. 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, www.1stcontactforex.com, or call us on 0808 141 2335 for a live dealing rate. Make use of our Rate Notifier to send you alert when the Australian Dollar exchange rate reaches levels you are looking for.
GBP/AUD: 1.5486 EUR/AUD: 1.2488 AUD/USD: 1.006 AUD/JPY: 80.964 Exchange Rates at 09:19, 25 June 2012
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Yes, at the British Citizenship ceremony, the Registrar will invite you to swear the Oath of allegiance or speak the affirmation of allegiance. After this you will have to take the citizenship pledge. The wording of these is as follows:
Oath of allegiance
I (name) swear by Almighty God that on becoming a British citizen, I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second, her Heirs and Successors, according to law.
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I (name) do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm that on becoming a British citizen, I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second, her Heirs and Successors, according to law.
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14 | Sport
26 June - 2 July 2012
ready to deliver on big stage Ashleigh Barty here for more Wimbledon success Tomic BERNARD Tomic is banking on his to address. Continued from p16...
after reeling off five straight grasscourt wins to win a second-tier event at Nottingham, All England Club officials recognised her precocious talents. “To get the call on Sunday night, saying that I was going to get a maindraw wildcard is just a feeling I can’t describe,” the Queenslander said. “I probably won’t be able to sleep, but that’s how it goes and I’m just excited to be out there. “I’m hitting the ball well, I’m relaxed, I’m ready to go.” Having experienced the “perfect preparation” at Nottingham, Barty is aiming high against Vinci, the 21st seed. “She’s been around the circuit a long time, so she’s definitely got a lot of high experience and she’s got a mean sliced backhand, but we’ll see how it goes,” the youngster said. “I’ll try and execute my game
plan when I’m out there. You have to go into every match thinking you can win. Otherwise there’s no point walking out on the court. “So I’m just going to go out there and give it my best shot. She’s 23rd in the world for a reason and it’s going to be a really tough match, but I’m looking forward to it.” Having also made her Australian Open and French Open debuts this year, Barty has already exceeded expectations and the season’s not even half finished. “I started ranked about 600 at the end of the year, so I’ve already been able to cut that in half, which was a big goal for me,” said the world No.258. “I’m just going to keep trying to improve my ranking and, who knows, by the end of the year I might even be able to be inside the top 200, which would be unreal. “But I’ll reassess after Wimbledon
what we want to do in the next six months, and we’ll go from there. “I think it’s all about developing, really. I’ve still got a lot to learn when I’m playing in my main-draw matches. “At the Australian Open it was definitely a different experience for me and then again at the French it’s a different surface. “And being here at Wimbledon, it’s Wimbledon, and you just can’t describe what it’s like.” - AAP AustralianTimes.co.uk/sport
Lee shines before rain ruins Irish ODI Continued from p16...
(0) with the first and third deliveries of the rain-affected contest. The scalps put Lee just one behind Glenn McGrath’s record of 380 one-day international wickets. Australia have a final warm-up match against Essex in Chelmsford on Tuesday before the opening match of a five-game series against England starting on 29 June at Lord’s this Friday. After Australia sent the home side in, Lee was spot on from his opening delivery with the ball coming back in and knocking back the Irish skipper’s off stump. The New South Welshman had a confident lbw appeal turned down from the very next ball with the delivery looking to be sliding past Joyce’s leg stump. However it was enough to throw Joyce, the left-hander playing inside the very next ball that crashed into his off stump. Lee was replaced by Ben Hilfenhaus for the seventh over with captain Michael Clarke ensuring the Tasmanian found some rhythm before the weather turned. Young quick Pat Cummins (1-11 off
three overs) looked strong on his return to the national team in front of a crowd of just 6000 hardy souls. It was the 19-year-old’s first outing for Australia since his storming performances in South Africa in November. He collected the wicket of Paul Stirling (24) with Clarke taking a stunning onehanded diving catch to his right at first slip. Niall O’Brien was unbeaten on 11 with Gary Wilson yet to get off the mark when play was halted just after midday (local time). Persistent showers and a soaked outfield forced officials to call off the match four hours later. The rain-affected lead-up has meant Australia are still searching for their best one-day opening batting combination. The nation’s best 50-over teams have all enjoyed strong, settled partnerships at the top of the order. Think World Cup winning combinations such as Geoff Marsh and David Boon, Adam Gilchrist and Mark Waugh, Gilchrist and Matthew Hayden. Coach Mickey Arthur said selectors
AUSTRALIAN cycling gold medal hopes Jack Bobridge and Michael Hepburn are lucky to still be on the Olympic team after being involved in a drink-driving incident. A Spanish court fined Bobridge 700 euros ($880) and his licence was suspended for eight months after he was arrested on Tuesday in the resort town of Lloret de Mar. Cycling Australia (CA) said Bobridge was driving a car that was involved in a minor collision. No other vehicles were involved in the car park accident near the Spanish city of Girona, where Bobridge is based. Hepburn and another unnamed Australian cyclist were also in the car. CA found Bobridge and Hepburn guilty of misconduct, but they will stay on the Games team. Bobridge and Hepburn are key members of the team pursuit squad that has a fierce rivalry with Great Britain, who are the world champions. If they were kicked off the team, Australia would no longer be a gold medal chance in the event. CA kept the Australian Olympic Committee informed of the incident and the AOC have also decided not to punish the pair further. London team chef de mission Nick Green spoke to Bobridge by phone on Sunday. "(Bobridge) has made full disclosure
as he obligated to do under his team agreement," the AOC said in a statement. "(Green) is satisfied with the penalty imposed by CA and will not be taking any further action." The AOC decided not to take mountain biker Chris Jongewaard and swimmer Nick D'Arcy to the Beijing Olympics because those athletes were involved in incidents that resulted in court action. CA fined Bobridge $2500, with $2000 of the penalty suspended, and he is now on a 12-month good behaviour bond. Hepburn is also on a 12-month bond and received a $1000 suspended fine. The two cyclists are also banned from drinking alcohol whenever they are with the national team. "Jack has been reckless and irresponsible and he is fortunate he has escaped without serious injury to himself or others," CA chief executive Graham Fredericks said. "There is no excuse for drinking and driving and we endorse the action of Spanish authorities." "We also recognise that as Jack is a member of our Olympic pursuit squad we need to do what we can to protect his teammates and ensure their training and hard work is not put at risk," added Fredericks. Bobridge and Hepburn are also professional road cyclists with the new Australian-based team OricaGreenEDGE. - AAP
were still trying to strike the “perfect balance” in terms of working out who should take guard for the start of the innings alongside David Warner. Shane Watson and Matthew Wade have both partnered Warner since the Wade’s one-day international debut four months ago in Australia. Although he wanted a degree of flexibility in his lineup, Arthur admitted he was keen to nail down a combination. “We’d like some consistency for our batters so they know where they’re going to bat,” Arthur said. “But the batters know from my conversations with them that they know what’s expected. “They know what roles they’re going to play.” - AAP
big-match temperament and funky style to get him through to the second week of Wimbledon for the second year running. Tomic admits he’s under pressure as he defends quarter-final points accrued during his exciting run to the last eight out of qualifying last year. His form and health have been a major concern, but the 19-year-old - who also reached the last 16 at the Australian Open before running into Roger Federer - says returning to the All England Club will bring out his best. “I’m really excited. Grass is always for me my favourite surface,” Tomic told AAP ahead of his first-round clash on Tuesday with promising young Belgian David Goffin. “I feel like I can do like I did last year and being sick last week when Tommy (Haas) won the tournament is a good sign too.” The teenager was referring to Haas’s victory over Federer in the Halle final just a few days after the German veteran defeated an ailing Tomic in the opening round. Tomic was trailing 5-2 in the opening set before packing it in as he battled a sapping virus. Australia’s 20th seed believes his unusual game is perfectly suited to grass. “You have to play differently on it,” he said. “Grass is hard to get the ball up high - it’s always low and that’s where I prefer it and these guys don’t prefer it on the tour these days. “Eighty, 90 per cent of the tour is guys that love to play on the clay. They play on hard court as well and they get to the grass courts and they choke up. “That’s why they struggle against my game because I take a bit of the normal out of tennis.” It was actually Tomic who struggled in his last grasscourt outing before Wimbledon. But he put his capitulation from 5-2 up in the third set against Italian Fabio Fognini at Eastbourne last week down to being only 80 per cent fit and also a concentration lapse, which he needed
“Yeah, it happens a lot,” Tomic said. “You look at the top players, they have to play against lower-ranked players because they’re at the top. “But you can only get back and better. You’re not going to get to No.1 at the age of 19 nowadays.” Like Tomic, countryman Lleyton Hewitt can also draw inspiration from Haas’s title win in Halle, as well as David Nalbandian’s run to the Queen’s Club final. Both are players from Hewitt’s era and the 31-year-old wildcard will need to produce a vintage performance himself to survive a first-round acid test on Tuesday against French fifth seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. Hewitt is under no illusions as to the enormity of his task, conceding the top five of Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Andy Murray and Tsonga were “way above everyone else right at the moment”. “It’s a matter of taking those chances when you get them,” Hewitt said. “Grasscourt tennis is like that. Sometimes it’s a more mental game than physical because there are only one or two points in a whole five-set match that can turn in tiebreaks or tight situations.” Three other Australians also launch their campaigns on Tuesday, with Matt Ebden playing Frenchman Benoit Paire, Ashleigh Barty facing Italian 21st seed Roberta Vinci and Casey Dellacqua taking on French ninth seed Marion Bartoli. - AAP AustralianTimes.co.uk/sport
Aussies at Wimbledon in 2012 Bernard Tomic Samantha Stosur Lleyton Hewitt Ashleigh Barty Matt Ebden Casey Dellacqua Marinko Matosevic Jarmila Gajdosova Anastasia Rodionova
GreenEDGE name Drink-driving incident hits cycling team Tour de France line-up AustralianTimes.co.uk/sport
COUNTDOWN TO THE
LONDON OLYMPICS 4 weeks to go
AustralianTimes.co.uk/sport
Unforgettable Australian Olympic moments
Atlanta 1996: Kieran Perkins in famous 1500m win Going into the final of the gruelling 1500m swimming event at Atlanta ‘96, one of Australia’s greatest swimmers - Kieran Perkins - was feeling crook. So crook he was about to pull out of the race. But he battled on. Hampered by his illness, he only just snuck into the final - in lane 8 no less (the ‘worst’ lane). The media wrote him off. His peers wrote him off. Before the race, Kieran probably even wrote himself off. But he then produced one of the most amazing swimming displays of Australian Olympic history to defend his 1500m crown and take his second gold medal (his first in the same event in 1992).
MATT GOSS will spearhead a GreenEDGE team hungry for stage success in their Tour de France debut next weekend. The Australian team have announced their nine-man roster for cycling’s greatest race which starts on Saturday with a 6.4km prologue in Liege, Belgium. As expected, GreenEDGE will be focusing on stage victories rather than overall honours in the 3,497km race with Goss the designated leader for the sprint stages. He will be joined by former Tour de France green jersey winner Baden Cooke, in-form Simon Gerrans, Stuart O’Grady, Brett Lancaster, Daryl Impey, Michael Albasini, Pieter Weening and Sebastian Langeveld. “Matt Goss in an obvious focus for stage wins,” the team’s sports director Matt White said. “We have a lot of opportunists in the team of nine. “We’ve said from the start that the overall is not a goal. “We’re on the hunt for stage wins, and we have a lot of winners in those eight other riders. “They’ll have every chance to show their value and class over three weeks of racing.” Goss showed in his stage win at the Giro d’Italia last month that he would be a threat in the sprint finishes in France.
It will be his second Tour De France after being part of the HTC-Highroad team behind Mark Cavendish’s five stage wins and sprinter’s jersey last year. “While we have a lot of goals for Gossy in the Tour, his main objective is clear,” said White. “He is on the hunt for stage wins.” Beyond the team’s sprint train, the team will look to Gerrans, Weening and Albasini for stage wins. White believed Gerrans, the first Australian to win a stage at all three grand tours, had to be considered a major threat for a stage win on the back of his form this year. “He has had a very successful year to date,” said White. “An opportunist with a knack for winning from breaks, we’ll look to Simon on a few key stages.” GreenEDGE team: Baden Cooke, Brett Lancaster, Daryl Impey, Matt Goss, Michael Albasini, Pieter Weening, Sebastian Langeveld, Simon Gerrans, Stuart O’Grady. - AAP
Sport | 15
AustralianTimes.co.uk
Magpies looking the goods after busy London weekend Continued from p16...
most important win in what has been an impressive season from AFL London’s most-improved side. Whether they can continue their golden run remains to be seen with key players either returning home or travelling over the coming months. “We’ll lose Soggy (Jacob Bailey) who’s probably been our most consistent player, he’s heading home,” Magpies coach Alex Gunn said. “But our depth has been great this year, which is why the club has been so strong. “We’ve had a whole lot of new blokes so it’s a chance for some guys from the seconds to get an opportunity.” The Magpies travel to Bounds Green to take on the Lions this weekend in another tough affair. Then it’s the bye, followed by West London. “We have to be ready for those games because we don’t want to let all the hard work slip,” Gunn said. “There’s only four games left before finals so we’ve put ourselves in a good position to finish top two.” Gunn said the club was desperate to maintain a top-two spot. “You finish up there and it makes a Grand Final appearance that much more achievable,” he said. The match at Putney Heath was moved to Sunday after both clubs foresaw the player shortage a week in advance. London served up the usual unpredictable summer’s day that included heavy downpours interspersed with wind, clouds and some genuine heat. Putney’s seven-goal opening term set the tone for the first half with Andrew Slevison, who finished with seven goals, and Greg Chapman, rewarding the work up the field from Andrew Knappman, Andrew Lawson and Bailey. By halftime the margin was stretched to 21 points. Given everyone’s level of
fatigue – umps included – it was hard to say from where the spark could come that would initiate a Wandsworth comeback. True to form, Wandsworth dug deep and found something. Rhys McNay dominated the term’s ruck contests and gave plenty around the ground, David Hall and Jarryd Browne lifted in the midfield, and forwards Andy Smith and Jeremy Coombe troubled the Magpies’ defence. All this amounted to a five-goal-tothree term to put the Demons within five points at the last change of ends. The Demons threw all they had at the Pies in the third term and, with a shoe-string side, it was always going to struggle to find more. Lachlan O’Toole and Paul “Crazy” Harris were solid in defence all day for Putney. The last term, save for bursts of passion (on and off the field), fizzed somewhat as players begged for some respite, which came in the form of an after-the-siren goal to the Demons. But the damage was done – the Magpies were 11-point victors and the deserving recipient of the ‘flag fancy’ tag. Clapham won the conference game by seven points in a thriller, 8.13 (61) to 8.6 (54). Demon Liam Baker snagged the winning goal from the pocket. Jared Jones was best on ground with a brilliant midfield display for the Magpies. Swirly conditions greeted West London and North London at Barn Elms, but it was the Wildcats who tamed the conditions the best, winning 10.7 (67) to 6.4 (40). Adam Broadbent booted four goals (while playing centre halfback) for the Cats while Paul Richards, Luke Fenney, Trent Dunlop and Brazilian Phil Veeran featured among the Cats’ best. Former WAFL player Dean Ipaviz controlled the Lions defence and was best on ground.
“It was a good overall team performance,” Wildcats coach Nathan Costley said. “It was a real arm wrestle. We only got away in the third quarter where we kicked four goals to their one. “The next month is crucial for us. We just have to keep winning to give ourselves a chance of a top two spot.” Remarkably, the Cats fielded players from six countries: Australia, England, Wales, Ireland, France and Brazil. The Lions’ loss, and the Swans’ win, means the Swans have drawn level with the Lions in the fight for fourth. Lions president Chris Rea said it was crucial his side had no lapses over the next month. “We certainly haven’t got it (fourth) in the bag,” he said. “We’ve had a rough run with people being away but we’ve got more people coming back than people leaving. “We’ve just got to knock off one of the big sides if we want to creep above fourth. When we play Swans or Hawks those are must wins or else things get shaky.” In the conference division, Shepherds Bush Raiders dropped their first match of the season, the Lions winning 6.12 (48) to 4.7 (31). And so it was a tightish affair at Motspur Park on Saturday that saw the London Swans prevail 11.10 (76) to 10.5 (65) over Wimbledon. In a team effort, Trav Bravo (eight goals), Dave Mainsbridge, Niall Crowley, Keegan Best and Big Ship Laidlaw were among the Swans’ best. Despite the win, Swans coach Chris Angus wasn’t getting too carried away. “It will be tough (making the finals) but you never say never,” he said. “I imagine we would need to win three of the last four games to get in but we’ll be giving it our best shot.”
Continued from p16...
“I’m an extremely proud Aussie words can’t describe the feeling just to be here,” Moody said after being presented the trophy by Her Majesty. “It was quite overwhelming to meet the Queen.” Black Caviar (1-6 fav) scored by a head from the French runner Moonlight Cloud with a neck to another French filly, Restiadargent. Black Caviar will spend the next 28 days in quarantine at her English training base at Newmarket.
RUBDOWN
Soaring and screaming on the AFL rollercoaster By Will Denton
ROUND 13 has just been completed, and it was the AFL’s equivalent to a working week’s ‘hump day’ - as it’s all downhill from here til September. What a cracking weekend it was too, with some true upsets, sublime contests and some of the most captivating beards you’re ever likely to see. It seemed that Adelaide were relying on their two pronged mullet attack in Walker and Tippett to do the job on the Kangaroos, although it became apparent to the few fans that had rocked up to watch that spirit will overcome any haircut, no matter how awesome and tough they are. The Roos showed some of the form that they had earlier in the year and suddenly look a formidable opponent. GWS were looking to get hold of an apparently vulnerable Melbourne outfit, who had a contingency plan should they lose that to release over 100 black bears into the city streets, so they could deflect questions –‘LOOK! A BEAR!’. Luckily for our furry friends the Dees totally trounced the Giants and after a shaky start, somehow found a way to kick 20 goals. Really. The other big surprise was the Lions. Playing in heritage Fitzroy
jumpers, this somehow inspired Vossy’s men to roll a Bulldogs team trying to remember the good times of the mid 1950s. Brisbane may also shake things up a bit on the run home. Essendon got over their “voodoo” (as Micheal Hurley so eloquently put it) and finally got a win in Perth after a truckload of attempts. The Dockers were giving a good contest until it got a bit cold, and James Hird’s command of “tally ho and away we go” was enough for the Bombers to record a good win away from home. The Swans, way back on Friday night, were on fire early kicking seven unanswered goals in the first. Admittedly, the Cats were still trying to figure out where the ground was after they got lost, but once inside the SCG they outscored Sydney and were unlucky not to pinch it in the end. And saving the best for last is the Pies/ Eagles game for top spot. A huge crowd turned up to see Collingwood get out to a handy lead before, not unlike Black Caviar’s Luke Nolan, putting the cue in the rack just a little bit too early. The Eagles just couldn’t get that last knockout blow and the Pies held on, but this could be the prequel to the last Saturday in September.
London Aussie Taggers ready to take on the Irish!
AustralianTimes.co.uk/sport
Aussie mare Black Caviar scrapes home at Royal Ascot “When I relaxed, she came right back underneath me. “It was a rookie mistake - I was looking after her. “I just underestimated how gruelling this track is.” Nolen said it would have been a “travesty” had Black Caviar been beaten and his main hope was that his miscalculation wouldn’t overshadow her win. Thousands of Australians made the trip to Ascot for the international debut of the second highest-ranked horse in the world who had also been adopted by locals who waved Black Caviar flags and decked themselves out in her salmon and black colours. It was for them that Moody was most concerned after the race. “I’m slightly disappointed for the British public who have come here to support like she was one of theirs,” he said. “But you don’t win 22 from 22 by being a mug. “I hope they know that.” One of the first to pat Black Caviar after her win was the Queen, whose 60 years on the throne were commemorated in the name of Saturday’s race.
THE
When she returns to Australia, Moody will assess her recovery with a view to preparing her for Melbourne’s major spring races. “But it’s all about her - she’s had a lot of injuries,” he said. “We’ll just wait and see.” - AAP Were you at Royal Ascot on Saturday? Tell us about your experience at AustralianTimes.co.uk/sport
IRELAND BOUND: Members of the three Try Tag Rugby All-Stars teams which competed at the Bull N Booze Tag Rugby Festival in Ireland last year and are hoping for similar success at the Pig N Porter next month.
By Phillip Browne
THE Try Tag Rugby All-Stars have set their sights on the Pig N Porter (Limerick, Ireland) Tag Rugby tournament title to add to the impressive collection which includes the Bull N Booze (Bruff, Ireland) Tag Rugby Festival, Rochdale International Tag Rugby Festival and Malta International Tag Rugby Festival titles from last year. The Pig N Porter tournament which takes place on Saturday, 14 July is the world’s biggest Tag Rugby festival and will attract over 120 teams from across Ireland and abroad and will be a new challenge for the Try Tag Rugby All-Stars who will be competing in this tournament for the very first time. The biggest tournament the All-Stars previously participated in was the 2011 Bull N Booze tournament in Bruff, Ireland which was fought out by 38 teams, so this tournament will surely test the All-Stars. The Try Tag Rugby All-Stars are made up of players who play in Try Tag Rugby competitions across London and will feature a host of Aussies. The All-Stars will feature a number of International Cup winning London Australia representatives, which include: Adam Madigan, Jay “Ringo” Wilkinson, Phoebe Robins
& Thomas Parsons. The Try Tag Rugby All-Stars will be sending one A Grade team and two social teams so no matter what standard of player you are, everyone is welcome to go on tour. All details on the Pig N Porter tour with Try Tag Rugby can be found at Trytagrugby.com Meanwhile, Late Summer Tag Rugby registrations in London & Reading are now open. Late Summer competitions commence in late June/early July and are expected to break the current record season (Early Summer 2012) participation figures of 142 teams! Leagues will take place at; Acton, Balham, Canada Water, Finsbury Park, Highbury, Hoxton, Reading, Richmond, Rotherhithe, Southfields, Wandsworth Town, West Ham & White City. 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. AustralianTimes.co.uk/sport
LIKE PIGS IN MUD London Tag Aussies hoping for some Irish success P15
BLACK CAVIAR IN HISTORICAL HEART-STOPPER AT ROYAL ASCOT
Australian mare Black Caviar created history at Royal Ascot on Saturday, with her 22nd win from 22 starts, but not before putting thousands of trackside Aussie punters through a nerve-wrecking photo-finish to secure her maiden UK victory. THE dream stayed alive for the worldbeating Black Caviar at Royal Ascot on Saturday, but only after she almost threw away a momentous victory. The champion mare made it 22 wins from 22 starts in the Group One Diamond Jubilee Stakes (1200m) after shutting down a couple of strides from the winning post when jockey Luke Nolen believed the job was done. For trainer Peter Moody, the
that Black Caviar has run her last race while proving her greatness at the same time. “It may be that she has graced a racetrack for the last time,” Moody said. “I don’t want to put the cart before the horse ... let’s just get her home and have a look at her.” It also proved to Moody what a champion she is.
The trainer admitted he had been become desperately concerned 300m “I think she’s done one hell of a job. “She didn’t travel as keen as she usually does - she didn’t have her ears pricked, her neck arched. “But she was always in control of the race.” After jumping cleanly, Black Caviar
took up the running 600m out and seemed to have the race comfortably in the keeping when a length in front in the Nolen said he believed she would then do what she normally does and roll to the line under her own steam. “But the big engine shut down and I sh*t myself,” Nolen said. ...continued on p15
Aussie teenager aiming high at Wimbledon
AUSTRALIAN teenager Ashleigh Barty is daring to dream ahead of her Wimbledon debut against Roberta Vinci on Tuesday. The 16-year-old is the reigning Wimbledon junior champion and still buzzing after being promoted from qualifying with a wildcard entry into the tournament proper. Barty had been mentally preparing for three rounds of qualifying but ...continued on p14
Australian cricket team warming up for Lord’s match BRETT LEE was on the verge of equalling the Australian record for one-day international wickets before rain ruined the clash against Ireland in boggy Belfast.
overs with the home side 3-36 off 10.4 overs at the Civil Service Cricket Club when showers lashed the ground. The veteran speedster made a brilliant start by bowling captain ...continued on p14
Pies go top as show goes on for AFL London
WIMBLEDON WARRIORS
The Aussies hoping for success in SW19 | P14
By Lee Crossley Hackney Weekend plus Isle of Wight plus Ascot Races – AFL London clubs had been dreading Round 6 for some time. But the show went on, leaving clubs to scrape together the best lineups they could. The story of the round was Putney Magpies breaking Wandsworth’s unbeaten run to join the Demons at the top of the table and send a powerful message to the competition The 16.7 (103) to 13.14 (92) win at Putney Heath was the Magpies
...continued on p15