Reading ……………………..21 to

from Beagle Weekender Vol 211 June 11th 2021

Community ………………4 to

Bazza’s mind clicked through the decades as he read the handwri en address on the envelope before sliding a schooner of beer across to Mick. ‘Sorry about the wait, Mick. Someone has sent me a le er addressed ‘Care of the Bodalla Pub. NSW.’ I had to explain to the young bar a endant what a le er is and why it needs a stamp. You know, Mick, without even opening it, I bet it is a le er from someone I went to primary school with. We had a teacher who was so bloody strict with handwri ng that we all ended up wri ng in the same style. We had slope cards behind each page and prac sed each le er for ages before we were even allowed to join them up into words. She would give you a good whack across the knuckles if you strayed outside the lines on the slope card. Ge ng a pen licence was hard work in those days.’ Mick sighed ‘The fact it is addressed to the Bodalla Pub is a worry to start with, Bazza. Just open the bloody le er.’ ‘Ah……there you go, a fi y year primary school reunion, Mick’ Mick eyed Bazza from head to toe for a good while. ‘Now Bazza, I don’t want to offend you but here is a bit of work you need to do on yourself before you even think of going.’ Bazza leaned back and creased his eyes. ‘You should either dye your hair or shave it completely, to keep them guessing. You really need to take a mini lawn mower to the monobrow as well as the hair sprou ng from your nose and ears and I’ve been wan ng to pluck that li le outcrop growing out of the mole on your face for years. I would think about inves ng in some contact lenses as your glasses resemble the bo oms of Coca Cola bo les. I don’t think there is much me to do anything with your nose; it’s just been in too many scrums but the false teeth could do with a good polish.’ ‘All a bit rough, Mick. I’m now pleased the wife’s eyesight is on the decline.’ ‘You are be er off hearing it from me than your primary school sweetheart, Bazza. By gee, you need to drop a fair few kilos though. But there is some good news.’ Bazza straightened his back and breathed in to reduce his girth while Mick smiled and raised his glass. ‘The good news is your choice of clothes. You can pre y much go as you are as your fashion sense hasn’t changed since the 1970’s…….. Now, on the night, I suggest your drink of choice should be a top shelf scotch to let everyone know you are a success. It’s also important to have a mobile phone with you as well and get someone to ring you every fi een minutes so that you have an excuse to move on from someone who is boring you and to send a signal to all that you are extremely important in your chosen field.’ Bazza took a very long sip and a deep breath. ‘All sounds a bit too much, Mick, given the only reason I would want to go is to find out about my Love Actually moment. In the movie the beau ful girl points to the twelve year old boy whilst singing ‘All I Want is You’. When I had a very bit part in our school produc on of ‘My Fair Lady’, the star of the musical asked me to hold the water bubbler for her before she went on stage. Now, I’ve always wondered whether she actually chose me amongst the six other boys or whether it was because I was standing next to her.’

Vol 16 September 15th 2017 Vol 28 December 7th, 2017 Vol 48 April 27th 2018

NelliJam Music Fes val June 12th

Danny from Nellijam recently put out a post on social media saying: “As you all know, The Steampacket Hotel has had an incredibly hard two years. They are ‘officially’ re-opening the venue June Long weekend. We put the call out for local bands to offer a set to help get the steamy pumping again. An overwhelming response followed - including some super generous acts from out of the region! See you there legends! Please spread the word aye!” “The Steampacket have hosted 15 NelliJam’s and have worked hard to have regular gigs out there, so I’d like to let em know we value what they do! “ Stepping up to make the event happen are: The Spindri Saga, Ingrid Mae, Jack Biilmann Mayfair Lane, Potent Soap, Pre y People, Just in Case, Paul Johnston Robz Simpson, Ron Callo, Blue Murder, Kung Fu Friday Singled Out Freezer, Kick, Snare and Marshall

What’s on Celebrated Australian jazz supergroup This World Jazz Quartet Vol 16 September 15th 2017 Vol 28 December 7th, 2017 Vol 48 April 27th 2018 Mike Nock, Hamish Stuart, Julian Wilson and Jonathan Zwartz 7pm Saturday 19 June, Willinga Park Conference Centre - Tickets: $48 per person Comprising four of Australia’s most esteemed jazz musicians, this celebrated Australian jazz super group made waves last year with their cri cally acclaimed debut album This World. Their sold-out East Coast tour in the summer of 2020 just prior to Lockdown, nourished souls and brought beauty and joy to those recovering from fire and flood. Now, twelve-months on, Mike Nock, Hamish Stuart, Julian Wilson and Jonathan Zwartz return with material for a brand new album, “Out of This World”. Masterfully ar cula ng the struggle, strength and hope of humanity, the music for this concert series imagines the prosaic and profound in a post-pandemic world. Having established deep musical bonds over several decades, the shared history and personal connec on between these musicians can be felt in every note. Stuart Nicholson of UK’s Jazzwise called the quartet’s music “profound, moving and expressive jazz of the highest level”. Bar service will be available. Why not invite your friends and make up a table. Seats are limited and will sell fast. You can purchase ckets HERE: h ps://www.trybooking.com/events/landing?eid=755798&