Irish Scene January February 2014

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Volume 16 / Number 2

In this edition: • Ciara a Winner • James Matthews Wreck • Altan for Mandurah • Support Mia Ruane • Eleanor McEvoy in Cab Bar • Daniel O’Donnell Returns

• Wolfe Tones in Perth • St Patrick’s Day Parade • Rovers 30th and 60th?

• Madeline a winner • Gerry and the Bells • Triple Commemoration • Farewell Paddy Cluskey

Jan/Feb 2014

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breaking them up. The Don Francisco however avoided this fate and was ultimately resold and renamed the James Matthews.

This story is detailed in Graeme Henderson’s book Redemption of a Slave Srader, available at the WA Maritime Museum in Fremantle.

Back to the de Burgh’s story, during the voyage to Australia, With the help of their mother Henry kept a journal, noting that who had independent means, on April 13th they were off Lisbon, they purchased equipment and Portugal. On the 19th they crossed goods to enable them to begin the tropic of Cancer and launched farming in the new world. Taking a boat in pursuit of a turtle, instead a mortgage on the brig of which they the James Matthews, they captured many filled the cargo hold Portuguese Men with all manner of goods of War! By April that could be sold on 22nd, nearing arrival in Fremantle the Cape Verde on the Australian West Islands off the Coast, including 7,200 West Coast of slates and farming Africa, they landed implements. The on Saint Nicholas significance of the slate Island to meet the will become apparent natives. Sailing on later in the story. They southwards they departed from London met with vessels Goods on board the ship – on board were three sailing north passengers, including the two De back to England and sent letters Burgh brothers plus a crew of to family members. On May 8th fifteen. they “passed under the bows of To understand the ethical the Ellen laden with emigrants significance and historical for Adelaide…In the evening of resonances of the story of James the same day we came close under Matthews you will need to know the Christina to the same port and about the history of the Atlantic Robert and I accompanied the slave trade in which much of the captain on board to supper” story is embedded.

Having stopped in Cape The ship was built in France around 1800 and originally known as the Voltigeur, she was purchased by a ruthless slave trader, Don Francisco Felix de Souza who converted her into a slave runner and renamed her the Don Francisco. She was captured near Dominica in 1836 with 439 West African slaves on board. It was the custom to put captured slave ships beyond use by setting them ablaze or

The Last Voyage of the James Matthews and the Irish Connection

Henry and Robert de Burgh

My attention was drawn some time ago by Peter Murphy, to the wrecking of the James Matthews off the Western Australian coast in 1841. In the early days Fremantle was not the port for shipping that it is now. Many a ship met her doom in trying to make the harbour.

Incidentally, it was some years later that the skill of another Irishman Charles Yelverton O’Connor was called on to design Fremantle harbour to take ships into the Swan River colony.

On March 28th 1841, brothers Henry and Robert de Burgh, aged 24 and 18 respectively, sons of Thomas de Burgh, Dean of Cloyne, Oldtown, County Kildare set sail for the Swan River Colony in Western Australia.

Although well-educated, their father had not been able to set them up in business, so they decided to try their luck in the new colony where land was freely available.

Town for 7 days, they set off across the Indian Ocean arriving safely off the coast of Western Australia on July 20th. The voyage from London had taken 3 months and 23 days. Some on board landed on Garden Island and caught some fish. They then anchored in nearby Cockburn’s Sound and the Fremantle Harbour Master brought them in to Owen’s Anchorage where everyone was busy packing up to leave ship.

Owing to a strong breeze they were unable to put away the cargo boats, so they remained on board until conditions improved. However, the breeze became a violent storm and the ship was thrown up on the rocks and sank on July 22, 1841.

Fortunately all hands, with one exception, were taken to safety.

This is a shipping intelligence report of the time: “We regret to say that the “James Matthews”

was wrecked on the night of the 23rd after having come to anchor.

On Wednesday the brig came to anchor in Owen’s anchorage in 5 fathoms of water. On Thursday afternoon it came on to blow fresh, and about midnight blew a heavy gale of wind; between the hours of 12 and 2 in the morning the cable parted, when the second anchor was let go, which brought her up for a short time; at last she drifted to Woodman’s Reef, where she soon filled with water. Between 7 and 8 in the morning the masts were cut away – the weather was so very thick that nothing could be seen of her before 7 o’clock. As soon as it was ascertained that she was in danger, Captain Scott went to assist in saving the crew and a whale boat was despatched for the same purpose. It is hoped that a considerable part of the cargo will be saved. The vessel is reported to

be a total wreck. It seems to be the general opinion that if a second anchor had been let down before the first parted, so that an equal strain had been on both chains, the vessel would have weathered the gale. There were 2 other ships in Gage’s Roads the same night the “James Matthews” went down and they had 2 anchors each and rode the gale out well, which proves that had the brig been well found, and proper attention paid, she would not in all probability have been lost.

Henry and Robert de Burgh settled in Western Australia and went on to become successful farmers. Henry had to return to Kildare on the death of his father in 1845. Robert stayed on and eventually bought a substantial property at Cowalla on the Moore River where he lived with his wife and children. Sadly in 1865 their

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The story of these migrants may have ended there but for the fact that in July 1973, 132 years to the very day that she was wrecked, divers discovered the wreck of the James Matthews, lying in 2 to 3 metres of water and covered in sand. Over several seasons archaeologists from the Western Australia Maritime Children’s grave in Gin Gin Western Asutralia Museum recovered a large three youngest children, aged 7, number of artefacts. Items of 5 and 3 years died of diphtheria cargo loaded in London for the within three days of each other use of settlers were brought to – that they were so far from medical the surface – thousands of stone help may have been a factor in the roofing slates, glass window panes, loss of the children. The grave to heavy door hinges, carpenters tools, the 3 children is in the grounds stoneware, clay pipes, bottles of of St Lukes Anglican Church in wine, cooking pots and a chess set Gingin, Western Australia. carved by Henry de Burgh during The family then bought an the voyage. After rescuing some estate of several hundred acres at 3500 artefacts the hull was once Caversham in the Swan Valley, an again filled with sand to protect it area renowned today for its many from the elements.

When the wreck was first Cowalla discovered, not much was known about the James Matthews. However, Lloyds Register of Shipping in London showed that the ship had an earlier ‘life’ as she had been seized either as a pirate or slaver or in wartime. The Board of Trade transcripts for Dominica in 1837 wineries and vineyards. Active in stated as follows: public life until his health failed, The real archaeological value Robert died in 1884 at the age of of the brig James Matthews, may rest 62. Robert de Burgh’s grandson, in its earlier history as a slave ship Walter de Burgh, owned land and – for it is the only slave ship lived nearby. The earlier holding known to still exist! It is hoped at Cowalla remained in the family that one day the entire hull may be until 1972 and part of it that excavated and raised to the surface. contained the family home has If this happens and an exhibition is now been classified by the National mounted, it would be the first of its Trust. kind of a slave ship anywhere in the world.

Jon Carpenter of the Maritime Museum At the invitation of Jon Carpenter, I visited the WA Maritime Museum and was told more of the story of the James Matthews.

Jon was one of the first to see the underwater wreck of the ship back in the 70’s. I was

Strawberry Hill Farm

able to see the artefacts brought up from the ship on display and Jon gave me a tour of the museum and explained the procedures involved in recovering and preserving pieces from wrecks. It is interesting to know that, brought up from the James Matthews was roof slate and this slate was used to restore the roof of The Old Farm, Strawberry Hill in Albany, Western Australia.

The building was considered old more than 100 years ago and as far back as 1890 it was given the name The Old Farm, in recognition of being the oldest farm in Western Australia, established even before the Swan River Colony. You can visit the Maritime Museum in Cliff Street, Fremantle and view not just art effects from the James Matthews

Artefects from the wreck

but many other amazing stories from our history, including the Batavia! Entry is Free!

Source for story: https:// thesilvervoice.wordpress.com The story of the James Matthews and its history as a slave ship is detailed in The last Voyage of the James Matthews by W.J DeBurgh and Graeme Henderson, Museum of Western Australia Museum of Western Australia, Maritime Archaeology in Fremantle.

Fred Rea

“

Altan is renowned as the successors to the Chieftans bearing the mantle of traditional Irish music to the world – this is a concert not to be missed.

Mandurah Performing Arts Centre, Mandurah Saturday 22nd February, 8pm $50 Adult, $48 concessions, $30 under 25’s Box Office: 9550 3900 or www.manpac.com.au

Mandurah to present a bewitching night of Irish charm...

Mandurah Performing Arts Centre is presenting the legendary Irish Celtic sound of Altan on Saturday, February 22nd.

Over 25 years of playing together, Altan have established themselves as one of the most important live acts to play traditional Irish music in Ireland and on the World stage. The Boston Globe has described them as “The hottest group in the Celtic realm!”

Altan have toured all over the USA and Europe. They also enjoy popularity in Japan where they frequently tour and have hosted Altan festivals in the middle of Tokyo to thousands of enthusiastic fans.

The current line-up consists of Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh (Fiddle &

Vocals), Dermot Byrne (Accordion), Dáithí Sproule (Guitar), Ciaran Tourish (Fiddle), and Ciarán Curran (Bouzouki), Altan has released 13 albums over the past 25 years. They have recorded three albums for Virgin records; “Blackwater” (1996), “Runaway Sunday” (1997) and “The Blue Idol” (2002). This merger with a major record label helped Altan bring their music, song and culture to a wider audience worldwide and paved the way for up and coming younger bands to tour extensively all over the world – crucially the band made no musical compromise to the traditional music they played and recorded.

Altan have played their music in some of the most prestigious venues in the world; The Sydney Opera House, The Hollywood Bowl, The Royal Albert Hall, The Alte Opera Frankfurt, The Greek Theatre Los Angeles and many, many more. They have played music and recorded with The Chieftains, Dolly Parton, Bonnie Raitt, Alison

The sublime vocals of Mairead Ni Mhaonaigh combined with instrumental brilliance, from fiddles, guitar and bouzouki create a celebratory tempo and an unforgettable night of bewitching Irish charm.

”

Krauss and Ricky Skaggs to name but a few. In 2003 they won the award for Best Group at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards. In 2005, they recorded their latest studio album “Local Ground” and like every other Altan offering it was met with positive and enthusiastic reviews.

The band have gained gold and platinum status in Ireland with their record sales and have won numerous awards in the music business as one of the most popular bands playing traditional folk or world music in the world.

In recent years Altan have been exploring and experimenting with their music using orchestral arrangements of their most popular pieces. The arrangements have been scored by the highly respected arranger, Fiachra Trench and have been performed with the Ulster Orchestra, The RTÉ Concert Orchestra and with the Royal Scottish Opera Orchestra.

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for her there was no decision to be made - she was having this baby.

I remember hearing stories from my aunt about how mum would call my dad at work to get home now - the temperature was right!

Mum even travelled to Lourdes to pray for another child and was so happy when she discovered she was pregnant - but it was shortlived. It was tough because the family knew that the chances of mums survival were very slim.

Mum has three sisters and throughout the years all of the girls have been touched in some way by cancer, one of my mums sisters just recently passed away and the other sister still suffers from the side effects of the treatment My name is Mia Ruane and I am and surgery that she had had to originally from Tullamore Co Offaly undergo. Myself and my sister but now in Perth have become more vigilant over with my husband the years and recently took part Des Ruane, and in a program with the Genetic my 13 year old Services of WA, because of our daughter Keisha. family history with cancer, our I lost my mum risk of getting cancer is also high.

Kathleen (left) to This program is designed to test breast cancer when for people who have a extremely I was nine months. strong genetic predisposition to She was 37 years old and back in breast cancer. It’s a scary process those days there were no options involving tests, mammograms, CT - you either took the treatment and scans every six to twelve months terminated the pregnancy or you but for me I needed to know if took your chances. I have an older I had the gene as I now have a sister who was seven at the time daughter and I needed to be able of mums passing. Mum had tried to provide her with all facts should so hard to have another child that ever that time come.

End Women’s Cancer

Mums the word in the battle against Cancer for Mia

Mia and Keisha

Thankfully the results were good - the gene is not present but of course I am still high risk.

I never really thought about what was involved in cancer research before I did the program but now I know what services are provided outside of just the testing; there’s counselling, and for those unfortunate ones that have been diagnosed there are cancer centres for further support. This all costs money and without it people would be left suffering and I want to make some sort of contribution, small as it may be, it might just be enough to buy the machine or to hire the specialist that may save somebody’s life.

This walk gives me an opportunity to do that. I am doing it with four friends and hopefully we will survive the two days people who know me, know that I do not do any form of exercise!

The Walk date: 15-16TH March, 2014 Visit : www.endcancer.org.au follow prompts and use my number 910595-5 to donate.

Mia Ruane

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Did you spend Christmas in Ireland?

By Fred Rea By the time you have read this Irish Scene Ireland will have known if it was going to be a White Christmas.

The travel plans for thousands of ex-pats returning home for the festive break could have been hit by severe weather.

Before Christmas, snow fell in parts of the country with Ireland’s weather service Met Eireann warning of more severe weather to come.

A Met Éireann spokesman told the Irish Times that there will be cold and blustery with showers of hail or sleet and thunderstorms in the west and north of the country. They also reported that some snow fell in parts of Meath and Dublin on Sunday morning but failed to stick. The Met Eireann spokesman said there is a possibility of some storm damage

and localised flooding along the North West coast.

Christmas Eve saw calmer conditions but polar winds will started to bring a noticeable drop in temperatures across Ireland.

Met Eireann say Christmas Day was a crisp and cold day with a frosty start and the possibility of a dusting of snow on higher ground.

Also, Ireland’s electricity service worked to restore power to 7,000 homes along the East coast after Saturday’s severe weather. High winds caused the cancellation of some ferry services between Ireland and Britain.

Police have called on motorists to exercise special care because of the high winds and the risk from debris blown onto roads.

My point of all this information is based on the numbers of friends and families who returned to Ireland for Christmas. It will be interesting to hear their reports when they return. We can tell them that our Christmas day in Perth was spent in 30 degrees.

I arrived in Perth in 1972 and even though I have made frequent trips home, it was never at Christmas time. My only experience of snow in the last 40 years or so was in Tasmania some years ago on top of Mt Wellington in Hobart.

I am not sure now if I am ready for a cold Irish winter, the old bones might start playing up!

Winter by Tommy Makem Winter, a sharp bitter day the robin turns plump against the cold the sun is weak silver faded from gold he is late in his coming and short in his stay Man, beast, bird and air all purging, all cleansing, earth already purified awaits the rite of spring Her bridal gown a virgin snow and frosts in her hair A snowdrop by the road today bowed gracefully and high upon the wing up in the sparkling nothingness, a lone bird began to sing Can gentle spring be far away?

What was your first job?

In an advertising agency in Dublin.

Do you have an iPhone?

Yes, a must in my business.

What is your favourite sport and sporting hero?

Rugby and Brian O’Driscoll.

with Tony Synnott This edition’s guest is Fergus Kelly of the Professionals in Yokine.

What was the best year of your life?

1969, I came to Australia and could see the opportunities, 4 years later we returned to Ireland with enough money to buy into an abandoned country pub and lost everything!

Returned to Australia with no money and understood what Australia meant!

What is your favourite song?

The Green Fields of France.

Do you use social media and which one?

Facebook, reluctantly.

If you could be anyone famous for a day who would it be?

I’m happy as I am.

What are you most afraid of?

Negativity and negative people. I like to believe ‘It can be done’ and ‘I can do it’.

What is your earliest childhood memory?

Sitting on the steps of a tenament building in Dublin with Pauline Walker and discussing life. We were both 5 years old.

Where do you get your news from, TV, Internet,Newspapers?

Daily paper, Internet and Radio.

What was the best TV program and why?

All Creatures Great and Small.

If there was one place in the world you could visit where would it be?

Fatima.

Who is your favourite actor?

The late Peter O’Toole

Eleanor McEvoy Appearing The Cab Bar @ Rosies Northbridge Wednesday 23rd April 2014 Tickets on sale Mid January from OZTIX

More details in our next edition “The object of a New Year is not that we should have a new year. It is that we should have a new soul and a new nose; new feet, a new backbone, new ears, and new eyes. Unless a particular man made New Year resolutions, he would make no resolutions. Unless a man starts afresh about things, he will certainly do nothing effective.”

G.K. Chesterton

10

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11

The Lord of the Avon

by Peter Conole

been very helpful.

Richard began active service in Spain and did some hard fighting in the course of his army career, notably at the battles of Vitoria(1813), Toulouse(1814) and Waterloo(1815).

After the great wars were over he was promoted to captain in the 18th Regiment of Foot in 1817, but retired on half-pay a year later to take up farming and help raise his family.

Richard had married Ellen Seymour back in 1808; the couple became the parents of eight children.

During 1829 he heard much of the planned Swan River Colony and struck a deal with the key player, Thomas Peel. Richard and his family arrived in WA on the ‘Gilmore’ in December 1829 – along with a lot of luggage, musical instruments and several servants. His land grants were not brilliant and the entire household set up camp on a couple of beaches for some time. One site was recently excavated by archaeologists, who were impressed by how tough and adaptable the settlers were. The Meares group moved to a better location at Guildford on the Upper Swan in September 1832.

Public employment came Richard’s way on August 22, 1834 when he was appointed a superintendent in the new corps of mounted police. He and his 17-year old son Seymour went south as members of the exploring and surveying party of October 1834 that collided so tragically with aborigines at Pinjarra. In the 1860s Seymour described this trauma of his youth in a letter to a WA newspaper. Richard’s position as superintendent was abolished on April 4, 1835 because of government financial cuts.

The Meares family prospered to some degree at Guildford and Richard built a fine house there, decorating a wall or two with murals. Sadly, those early pieces of WA art were later destroyed in a fire. Richard was appointed a Justice of the Peace in 1837 and then to the salaried position of Government Resident for the Murray District. Because of his judicial role – which he maintained for the rest of his career - he is best designated a Resident Magistrate.

In 1839 Richard Meares received a fine land grant in the Avon valley. He moved there and settled at York in September 1842 after being made Resident Magistrate of the district. His years in the Avon were the most productive of his long life.

As the Resident, Richard was multi-tasked with

Among the most important public officials active in the colony of Western Australia were the Government Residents who operated in various towns, districts and regions. They were truly vital players in the great game of community building. In general terms the contribution of such public officers to the development of WA has been grossly neglected.

A large-scale work on them would be of great value, but the wretched politicising of so much historical writing in this country makes such a project very unlikely.

Richard Goldsmith Meares was the Resident at York for many years and played a major role in the establishment of civil life in various other hamlets and towns in the Avon valley. His grandfather Richard Meares, one of the local gentry of County Westmeath in Ireland, was the father of William Meares of Killinboy, a successful wine merchant with business links in Dublin and overseas. He married Emily Goldsmith; their son Richard Goldsmith Meares was born on April 11, 1780.

The young gentleman received a fine education and in 1800 went to study art at the Royal Academy in London.

Richard heard the ‘call to arms’ in 1803 and received an ensign’s commission in a militia regiment, transferring to the regular establishment as a lieutenant in the 7th Regiment of Fusiliers in March 1808. During September 1812 he found the means to transfer into a prestigious cavalry outfit, the 2nd Regiment of Lifeguards. One of his letters reveals that Richard was the personal friend of a couple of aristocrats – connections which will have

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establishing local infrastructure and all the trappings of civic life.

He was the local registrar of births, deaths and marriages, the tax collector, statistician and general economic planner. Over the years he organised the building of the York Residency - now used as the local museum – a court house, a hospital, various roads, bridges, churches and schools.

It all involved a lot of local diplomacy and the Resident Magistrate needed to devote a lot of time to committee and community consultation work. Above all, he was able to persuade treasury officials back in Perth to endorse and finance his building programme. Arranging land allotments was another of his jobs, likewise supportive work for the established church. We need to remember that weekly church attendance by just about everybody was taken for granted in those times.

Richard worked hard to develop and expand the local pastoral and agricultural industries. He founded the still-existing annual York Fair and played a key role in stimulating public recreation and sport, notably horse racing. As the most important man of the district – virtually the Viceroy or Lord of the Avon – he and his family were also at the centre of social life. Richard maintained a ‘good table’ and was famous for his hospitality and the staging of fine parties and official receptions. His wife Ellen and their daughters were great assets, as they were talented

singers and musicians. So was Richard, it seems, and he continued to dabble with sketching and painting. Only one of his works has survived – a painting of the mill at York, the building of which he had personally authorised. In passing it is worth noting that Richard may also have been responsible for an uncredited sketch of early Perth dating from 1830.

Among the other Meares gifts to the Avon valley community we can list the successful introduction of vineyards and crops such as barley.

He also imported horses and made the effort to try and start a horsebreeding industry. Richard took what amounted to a scientific interest in horticulture and collected many specimens of indigenous plants. A couple of sources acknowledge his contribution to Australian botany.

Richard had a wry sense of humour, one he preserved well into old age. He did have weaknesses, such as a degree of sensitivity about his rights as an ‘officer and gentleman’ and a sometimes quarrelsome nature.

As a magistrate he could also be erratic and his protective attitude to family members got him into strife on one occasion. He took the side of son Seymour Meares quite openly in one of his early court hearing s at York and the scandal attracted unfavourable press comment in 1843. In later years Richard mellowed and by sheer weight of achievement won recognition as a benign and respected Avon valley patriarch.

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Ellen Meares died in 1854.

Richard resigned from his public positions in 1859 at the ripe old age of 79. He died at York on January 9, 1862. The Meares family continued to flourish and grow; many descendants of the pioneers live among us and are rightly proud of their ancestors.

Daniel O’Donnell returns to Australia in March 2014.

Daniel O’Donnell has enjoyed tour and chart success in Australia and New Zealand for a number of years and earned himself a loyal following that stretches across both countries.

Daniel, who was awarded an Honorary MBE in 2002 for services to the music industry, has an immense chart history with both record and video sales. To date he has had 20 UK chart albums and 14 UK Top 10 music videos. His most current video release “Songs Of Faith” topped the UK music charts.

He is the only artist to feature in the UK album charts each of the last 20 years!

Daniel has also received great chart success in Australia with his Showtime DVD reaching No. 6 and his album “The Jukebox Years” reached No. 36 on the ARIA charts.

He may be a superstar, but Daniel remains as excited and enthusiastic about his work and his fans as when he first launched his career. Daniel has never forgotten that it was the public who gave him his success in the first place, especially as he struggled long and hard to achieve his ambitions.

A native of Kincasslagh, County Donegal, Daniel’s concert appearances have taken him from London’s Royal Albert Hall and Dublin’s Point Depot to New York’s Carnegie Hall and Sydney’s Opera House, but he still continues to set himself fresh ambitions and new worlds to conquer.

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Irish Families in Perth

Western Australia Another year of the ever growing online ‘family’ has passed marked with another lovely Christmas party. It was fantastic to see so many new faces, as well as familiar ones of course! It’s great to see people who live from all over Perth catching up at these events, we even had a family travel from Busselton to make the visit from Santa. Special thanks to our elf Niamh Maher and to the big man himself (Billy Ross of the Claddagh Association) it’s an achievement alone spending a couple of hours in the big red suit on one of the hottest weekends of summer! Food platters were kindly provided by the Irish Club, which were gobbled up quickly.

Thanks to the management and friendly staff who helped with every request we had, with a smile.

McLoughlin’s Northside Meats again provided the sausages and meat, kindly barbequed in searing heat by Mr. O’Connor and Mr. Milner. Mc Loughlin’s have been a wonderful support to us since our inception in September 2011 and without them many of our events couldn’t have taken place.

IFIP committee much appreciate the continued support they show us. Thank you also to our raffle voucher providers from Kallaroo Seafood, and McLoughlin’s butchers.

A few house keeping mentions: our Wednesday playgroup continues at the back of Karrinyup Sports Centre from 10 am, 2 Nerita Way, Karrinyup. We usually raise the premises rental fee with gold coin donation but sometimes it was a struggle to cover the cost.

After we put a shout out on our face book page for assistance, up

By Debbie Cashman Teahan

stepped Sheamus Walsh mortgage broker of Endeavour Financial Services, who has kindly paid our next six months playgroup fees. Sheamus can give advice on mortgages for here or at home, so a big thank you to them and the contact telephone number is 0456 712 003. It’s nice to have someone to help the Irish through the mine field of mortgage advice for property here and in Ireland!

In the new year preparations will begin for the St. Patrick’s Day festival, which promises to be bigger and brighter than last year. It’s a family fun day with the parade and afterwards a few hours of entertainment and activities on the oval. It takes place on Sunday 16th March. Much to look forward to, many traditional as well as fun elements planned for the day. We’ll see you there proudly wearing big smiles and plenty of green!

For more information, join us on face book!

15

Mother of Arcadia

By Peter Murphy

In Arcadia forest, near Bunbury in Western Australia, stands an ancient Jarrah tree named Mother.

Over the millennium she watched, as Nyoongar hunting parties flushed out roo and wallaby to spear; taking fresh meat back to their families.

One Hundred and Fifty years ago she watched, as white fella’s axe prised open her stringy skin, but on finding her bones too hard to penetrate; left her for another day.

Sixty years ago she watched, as white fella’s chainsaw loudly felled her surrounding children, but because of her greatness; left her for another day.

A decade ago she watched, as white fella lit a fire to burn the strewn remains of her children, her stringy skin catching alight with flames licking at her old bones; but she lived another day.

Last week she watched, as white fella smeared her gnarly old skin with paint; indicating she was a safety-risk to a new generation of loggers.

Yesterday she listened, as a young white fella named Ben hugged her, and whispered to her; that he would protect her from the

AAH

loggers.

Today she watches in sadness, as Ben is arrested by police, and dragged away.

Tomorrow she anxiously waits, listening for the bulldozer; the blade wider than her 4-metre girth, which will push and push, until she no longer stands, as Mother of Arcadia.

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Good resolutions are simply checks that men draw on a bank where they have no account.

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Official nicknames of the 32 counties of Ireland.

Leinster Meath: Kilkenny: Westmeath: Wexford: Louth: Kildare: Wicklow: Offaly: Dublin: Laois: Longford: Carlow:

Munster

Kerry: Cork: Tipperary: Waterford: Clare: Limerick:

Beautiful Meath Rose of Mooncoin The Westmeath Bachelor The Boys of Wexford/Boulavogue Baidin Fheidhlimi The Curragh of Kildare The Meeting of the Waters The Offaly Rover Rare Auld Times or Molly Malone If I Was A Blackbird Longford Weaver Follow Me Up To Carlow

The Kingdom The Rebel County The Premier County The Deise The Banner The Treaty County/Shannonsiders

Rose of Tralee The Banks of my Own Lovely Lee Slievenamon Old Dungarvan Oak Oh My Lovely Rose of Clare Limerick You’re a Lady

Connacht

Galway: Mayo: Roscommon: Leitrim: Sligo:

County Song:

The Royal County The Marble County The Lake County The Model County The Wee County The Shortgrass County/ Thoroughbred County The Garden of Ireland The Faithful county/Kings County The Metropolitan County The O Moore County/Queens County The O Farrell County The Dolmen County

The Tribesmen The Heather County/Wild Rose County The Sheep Stealers The Grey Ridge County/O Rourke County Yeats County

Ulster

Armagh: The Orchard County Tyrone: The O Neill County Monaghan: The Farney Derry: The Oak Leaf County Down: The Mourne County Donegal: The O Donnell County Cavan: The Breffni County Fermanagh: The Maguire County/ The Ernesiders Antrim: The Glensmen Antrim/Saffron County What County is also called The SheepsTealers?: It is said that a common cause of transportation to Australia was sheep stealing, the crime was common in this county as it was easy to cross the River Shannon to raid Westmeath and Longford. Can you name the County?

A. Roscommon.

20

Galway Bay / The West’s Awake Moonlight on Mayo Man of Roscommon Lovely Leitrim Isle of Innisfree/ Down By The Sally Gardens

The Boys from the County Armagh The Flower of Sweet Strabane Town of BallyBay The Town I Loved So Well The Star of the County Down Mary from Dungloe Come Back Paddy Reilly Enniskillen Dragoon The Green Glens of Antrim

Are these songs correct?

Please let us know via email or our website.

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Right: Ian, Colette, Marie and David 1972

Australia My Home

By Marie Moloney

The 6th of January 1969, the day I left England with my husband and three young children for a new life in Australia, was a bitterly cold day. Heavy sleet was falling as we left our home in Woodford Green Essex for the last time and travelled by taxi to Victoria Station then by train to Heathrow Airport. My emotions were mixed; during the journey I felt sadness, a tinge of fear and great excitement at the new life I was going toward. We arrived in Perth at 4.30am on the 8th January just before dawn.

It was already hot, and even now, after forty five years, I can remember the feeling of joy I felt as I stepped from the plane. On that early morning drive so long ago to our temporary accommodation, the beauty of the palms on Riverside Drive filled me with joy. Over the next few years the benefits were huge, the adjustments were many, but on that first day I knew I was home.

My children who were 8, 7 and 4 at the time were excited at the prospect of their new home in a sunny land. My joy in my new country was accompanied by the impact of settling in to this new life. For my husband, finding a job was the first consideration, then a house to live in.We bought a two year old house from migrants who were returning to England; it was oblong, characterless and

standing on a downward sloping block of grey sand almost entirely without plant life or grass. Its only redeeming feature was the size of the block, almost one third of an acre. It was in the middle of a crescent surrounded by similar houses, some with much better tended gardens. It was only when we moved in to our new home that we discovered it was an estate that had been built by a company which sponsored migrants into the country. I expected the obvious adjustments as a new migrant but to be doing it in a housing estate full of others doing the same thing was something I was not prepared for. It was a big shock discovering that, of approximately forty five or so houses on our street, only two of them were occupied by Australians. Our neighbours on one side were counting the days until their two year required stay was reached in order to return home. Time crept by for migrants in these circumstances; there were many of them in our new suburb at that time. It was hard not to be sympathetic to their plight, but in a suburb almost exclusively inhabited by migrants, it affected the morale of others.

Although I missed my family and letters to and from Ireland took more than a week to travel each way, I had no doubt that I

22

wanted to live in Australia. So many things about it appealed to me but it was not an easy road to begin with. We got to know other migrants and exchanged stories of our experiences. In all of us there is the need to belong, to a family, a church, a community. As a new migrant during a period of such high migration to Australia this need for belonging was almost palatable all around me. We all feel the need for affirmation of our place in the scheme of things.

Although my contact with local Australians was scant at first, restricted to the couple of Australian neighbours, and casual conversations in shops in the city, I immediately warmed to those I met. In 1970 when my daughter started school I got a job at a local plumbing firm. My employer never called me by my given name, always just “Irish”. He once gave me a huge wooden spoon and fork set as he said ‘I was the greatest stirrer he had ever met’. I earned this title for my communication skills as the liaison person with the local council as part of my job.

Now forty five years later, although I am much more aware of the scale of loss and gain, I would not change a thing. As a family we arrived, we grew and we multiplied. We are now part of the social history of Australia.

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Bigger Better Louder Greener St Patrick’s Day Festival 2014

By Lloyd Gorman/Fred Rea If you were lucky enough to be there and thought it was brilliant then this year’s St. Patrick’s Day parade and cultural festival promises to be even bigger, better, greener and louder again according to the organisers.

Mayor of the City of Vincent John Carey

The 2013 parade - the first in a few years in Perth - showed that there was massive interest and enthusiasm for the event. At the launch for the 2014 parade and cultural festival the recently elected mayor of the City of Vincent John Carey said it was highly successful with 8,500 Irish people and families turning out to watch the spectacle.

Carey said there were three things he had learned in his years on council.

“Everyone wants to be Irish, it’s that simple. It’s incredible the number of politicians, councillors, even the former mayor Alannah MacTiernan who desperately search for Irish blood in themselves.

“My surname is Carey. I think my great, great, great grandfather was Irish, I know… it doesn’t cut it

but….” he joked.

“The second thing is, and I don’t mean to alarm you, but we’ve had a serious Irish invasion in Vincent. I’ve just done a citizenship ceremony and the biggest group, the most consistent group in the city is the Irish. About 10% of the population of Vincent is Irish.

“The third thing I’ve learnt is that the Irish community is incredibly vibrant. It’s dynamic and it’s got a great sense of belonging and of course a sense of humour.

We like to think that the City of Vincent is a bit more relaxed and dynamic with a sense of community and belonging. I think there’s a good match between the Irish community and the City of Vincent.”

The support and involvement of former Vincent mayor Alannah MacTiernan was critical to the hosting of last year’s parade in Leederville and she was even the marshal for the parade. Since then - and having already forged an outstanding position in both local and state government - Alannah has gone on to Federal parliament in Canberra, replacing Stephen Smith.

But the change of mayor at the council has not diminished or dampened its appetite for the event.

“When we heard the parade was available we snapped at it, we absolutely wanted it and I’m really pleased that we got to host this parade again,” added Mr Carey.

“I really hope it’s going to be bigger and even more successful than last year.

“We will do whatever we can to provide support, so that you stay in Vincent, so that another council sees this is a really good thing and

24

wants to steal it.”

Karen Hennessey from Irish Families in Perth said it was only

Karen Hennessey

months after the parade went off that she and others in the (St. Patrick’s Festival) committee set up

by Irish Families to run the event could truly appreciate it.

She said the seeds for the parade were sown after the group organised a gathering of Irish families in Whiteman Park in 2012.” It was a bit up North and we all went up there but we wanted something central, we wanted to parade our culture and showcase the best our culture has to offer.”

After months of weekly meetings and committee members putting in long hours trying to get things done by hook or by crook, the event got a major boost on the eve of St. Patrick’s Day. “On the Monday before the parade we found out Sir Bob Geldof was going to attend, with a stroke of luck,” she said.

“We were big news when he decided to turn up, everyone was looking for us.

“We don’t know who will be

coming this year - before you ask but we’ve put out feelers for Daniel O’Donnell and Bono,” she smiled.

“The City of Vincent said to us, can you make it louder next year?

“But we did turn Leederville Green that day and we remembered what it was like to be part of a community far far from home.”

She said the 2014 parade and festival in the Leederville Oval would have a “wow factor” for the opening of the event.

“We want to retain the relaxed, fun and friendly atmosphere we had last year and with the help of the City of Vincent and local businesses we want to create a Cead Mile Failte (Hundred Thousand Welcomes) for the people coming into Vincent from the train, we want to create that welcoming atmosphere.”

Other events will be staged to help build up awareness and interest in the main event which will now be a festival, rather than a one day occurrence. There will

be a Leprechaun Hunt in parks across Perth on March 9 for children and their families. For the adults there will be a “Take me out - Dating Night” on January 28 where eligible bachelors and ladies will compete for the chance of a romantic date. The White Collar Boxing Fight Night - which was sold out last year - returns on February 28 at the Italian Club in Northbridge. As well as being a lot of fun these events are also critical fundraisers for the parade. The organisers need bodies for both events so if you are interested get in touch with them.

Joan Ross, president of the Claddagh Association, said they were delighted to be named as the charity of choice for the St. Patrick’s festival event. “We received $8,000 following last years parade and events and this goes to the Claddagh Association which is responding to the needs of the Irish community and helping people in crises, and believe you me we need it,” she said.

The festival will also be bigger in another important way. It will not be just an event for Vincent, or the Irish community in Perth.

Communities and groups across WA have been invited to take part and be involved.

Local businesses in Vincent and around will be invited to an information evening in February to give them

25

advance warning of the parade and a chance to become involved, or at least prepared for the influx of Irish people the event will attract.

It’s not that the Irish are cynical. It’s rather that they have a wonderful lack of respect for everything and everybody. Brendan Behan

Sunday Session in Rosies Fremantle with The Dublin Rogues

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Happy New Year from Rosies

26

Ireland-Western Australia Forum Promoting business, professional and cultural links between Ireland and Western Australia Many thanks to Gerry and Lynda O’Leary, Dermot Costello, Kieran Lyons, Mark Partridge and Neil Dawson who have taken on the organising of IWAF for 2014. We are very fortunate to have such a team of talented people on board.

Our next speaking event is planned for St Patricks Day, 17 March 2014. The event will be a breakfast in the CBD with a

7.30am start. Final speakers are being confirmed at time of going to press. It is anticipated that there will be a keynote speaker and panel of distinguished guests. We are delighted that HE Ambassador Noel White will be in attendance as well as senior executives from Enterprise Ireland. We also expect that a WA State Minister will also speak.

Tickets are limited so please

contact Lynda at 92188422 lynda@kavlaw.com.au as soon as possible after the final details are announced. If you would like to be included on the IWAF mailing list please let Lynda know.

All the very best for 2014.

The Forum is keen to lift our overall footprint and activities to a new level. If you are keen to be involved or wish to recommend speakers please do not hesitate to contact Marty Kavanagh on 92188422 or email: marty@kavlaw.com.au

All areas of Family Law, children’s issues,

divorce & property matters financial agreements Wills Restraining Orders

Marty Kavanagh

B.Comm (Hons), Grad Dip, LLB Barrister and Solicitor

2/100 Terrace Rd East Perth 6004 • t: 9218 8422 • m: 0430 960 859

• e: marty@kavlaw.com.au

Religious sisters Celebrating Life at their Annual Christmas get together held in St Catherine’s, Tuart Hill, December 2013

27

Irish Ambassador to attend 2014 Triple Western Australian Commemorations Martin O’Meara, VC On the a portion of On Saturday afternoon of trench which 29th March Sunday 30th in was receiving the Wild Geese J B O’Reilly Collie, Martin heavy shelling.

Memorial in O’Meara Following Rockingham VC will be the war, Martin will see its remembered, was hospitalised long overdue again in the in Claremont completion presence of the Asylum whre and the Ambassador. he died in on unveiling will Martin 20th December be attended by was born 31 December 1885 at 1935.

Ambassador The Collie Mr Noel White Lorrha, Tipperary, Ireland. In August 1916, Pozieres, France, event will see a One Act play by and local during four days of heavy fighting local playwright. Noel O’Neill dignitaries.

O’Meara, a stretcher bearer, “Under Any Old Gum Tree” The repeatedly went out and brought performed in the Collie Senior completion is in wounded from No Man’s High School Performing Arts being made Rockingham Memorial centre. You can find out more possible by the Land despite intense artillery and machine-gun fire; he was about this event by visiting Rockingham City Council and the www.martinomeara.weebly.com work is being carried out under the busy during the whole series guidance of Joan and Charlie Smith of operations, especially in the critical barrage and counterIt is important that these events of Smith Sculptors. It involves attack period. Four times he and venues are well supported. If putting a replica page on the Wild carried water and supplies forward you want more information please Goose newspaper produced by under bursting shells and then contact Fred Rea on 0418 943 832. the John Boyle O’Reilly and the returned carrying wounded. On Lest You Forget! other fenians on their journey to one occasion, he volunteered to Australia in 1867. More details carry ammunition and bombs to about event will be in our March edition.

The 2014 John Boyle O’Reilly Commemoration dinner theme in 2014 is 1860’s. The celebration of the escape and life of John Boyle O’Reilly will be in the presence of HE Mr Noel White, Ireland’s Ambassador to Australia. It will be held in the historic dining room of the Rose Hotel in Bunbury. It is C O M M E M O R AT I O N C O M M I T T E E limited to 100 people and already BUNBURY WESTERN AUSTRALIA rooms and dinner tickets are selling fast.

Annual Dinner and Commemoration 2014 On Sunday 30th March you are Dinner invited, along with local dignitaries Sat 29th March 2014 - 6.30pm for 7pm at Rose Hotel, Bunbury and historians to the JB’O’Reilly Tickets: $60 pp (Incl 3 Course Dinner and Entertainment) Memorial Monument on Buffalo Drinks at Bar Prices Road on the beautiful Leschenault BOOK EARLY! Maximum 100 Guests Peninsula for the Annual JB’O Special Guest: HE Mr Noel White, Ireland’s Ambassador to Australia Commemoration. This is a free COMMEMORATION - Free Event event.

Sunday 30th March 2014 - 11.30am Dinner booking is essential John Boyle O’Reilly Memorial Monument as tickets are selling fast and Buffalo Road, Australind places are limited. Enquiries Tom Dinner Booking: Tom Dillon 0417 986 298 Email: bdillon1@bigpond.com Dillon 0417 986 298 or Email: Rose Hotel Accommodation: (08) 9721 4533 bdillon1@bigpond.com

28

John Clubbed in to the Irish Community in Perth

By Lloyd Gorman/Fred Rea The late Bill Shankly, who managed Liverpool FC and made it the team it is, was the source of the world famous quote: “Some people think football is a matter of life and death. I assure you, it’s much more serious than that.”

Some weeks ago Michael Manning, President of Shamrock Rovers in Perth showed Fred Rea a photo of an Irish soccer team of the same name who played in the state amateur league in the early 1950’s.

2014 is the 30th Anniversary of the founding of the present Shamrock and we kept going until we got a goal Rovers and it is 60 years since the and drew, but nobody could prove it,” laughed John. original Rover’s side “I was in the played soccer in Western reserve team but I Australia. In that photo played quite a few was a very young John games with the first Murphy who was team (in 1953).

Secretary of the club.

“I was only a year This story was originally back from the Korean going to be about that war.”

Shamrock Rovers team He emigrated to but the John Murphy Australia in 1949 but story has a lot more to it. it wasn’t a typical route Rovers blazer badge John is equally passionate he took to get here. “I about his football but over the course of a lifetime he has was in the Irish army in 1947/1948 seen life and death from a different and I played Gaelic football in the perspective and a lot of football. Irish army, we had inter-platoon John can even remember a time and inter-brigade games but there before soccer was really played in was no soccer, I never saw a game of soccer, not down in Tipperary town Ireland or Australia.

“I can remember our first game, where I am from, or in the army. I we played a team called Belmont, left the Irish army in 1948 when De it was at their fixture and the Valera’s government was defeated first match in the third division, by Clan na Poblachta, Costello was Northside. The referee never turned the new Prime Minister and the up for whatever reason and one first thing they did was reduce the of our fellas [McDiarmuid] took army. They said the war (WWII over the reigns as ref. With about which in Ireland was known as The a minute to the end of the game Emergency) finished three years Belmont were leading four three. ago, so it was a case of the first ones They blamed us for going overtime in were the first ones out. We were

29

given a brown Martin Henry suit and a ten pound note and a train ticket for the nearest station and when I arrived home my father said: “Jesus, did you desert?.”

The government and army did try to find work for the men who had been demobbed John found himself erecting pylons in rural parts of the country as the electricity network which already connected all the major towns and cities was extended into country areas. (Between 1946 and 1979, the ESB connected in excess of 420,000 customers in rural Ireland and the Electrification Scheme is known as “the Quiet Revolution” because of the major changes and improvements it ushered in.

But this only lasted four weeks for John and his father suggested that he travel to Yorkshire where he could live with his aunt and find work. There were thousands of Irish blokes coming back from the war, from the British army to nothing, to unemployment, there was nothing in Ireland. But England was starting to boom with rebuilding and the like, so I did what my father suggested and I went over, for six months, but

John with the display of his father’s and his own war medals

I didn’t like it. They didn’t like the Irish, they were a bit peaky because Ireland was neutral during the war and they still had a grudge against them.”

While reading a Sunday newspaper in Yorkshire John spotted a big back page ad saying come to ‘Sunny Australia with Sunshine and Sand’. “In the corner of the ad it said ex-service men will be sponsored by the Returned Services League. They wanted to get single blokes back, because they lost a lot of blokes during the wear and they were short of workers and Australia was starting to boom. I wondered if they would take me an an exserviceman so I wrote to the place in the ad, Australia House in London and gave them my army details, my service number, my rank and where I was stationed but I said nothing

about it being the Irish army and they wrote back and told me to report for a medical exemption and to bring my discharge papers and a consent form, because in those days if you wanted to do anything officially you had to get your parent’s permission. So straight away I wrote home to my parents and told them I had a good job offer but didn’t say anything about Australia and they wrote back to me straight away with the consent form. You’ve heard of the Ten Pound Pommes, well I didn’t even have to pay for that, I got a free ticket because the RSL sponsored me.”

The ship that took him to Australia was a bit like the reinvented Irish soldier himself. The Empire Brent was an old WWII troop ship converted into a passenger ship, one of many vessels from the war transformed to take millions of displaced people and others from war torn Europe to Australia. The voyage took six weeks and when they docked at Fremantle it didn’t matter that he didn’t know a living soul in the place because the RSL were waiting for him - and two other ex-service men. They were taken to the “John Murphy” and they gave him accommodation and the RSL had an boarding house for ex-service men so he was there for a few weeks.

He worked a variety of different jobs around Perth and even as far away as Derby where he was a wharfie for a while. His experience was typical of the newly arrived emigrant but it was amongst this unsettled period that the foundations of the Irish community - and soccer - were just

being laid down.

“In those days in the early 1950’s the Irish crowd, especially the men anyhow, were mobile, some were working up North, some were working on farms or clearing bushland, there was no mining in those days, Irish blokes were following the jobs where they got them” he added. “During this time one of the rare opportunities for them to get together was to kick a ball around the Esplanade or Langley Park. “The Ozone pub was a popular spot when they were playing down on Langley Park which you could say was our home ground. That was a really good outlet for the Irish crowd in those days, there was nothing else really, there was no hurling and none of them cottoned on to the Aussie Rules, they just weren’t into it. On a Sunday there used to be a matinee film in the evening and you’d meet a lot of the Irish blokes standing outside listening to the Salvation Army band at the end of Barrack Street. But there was no meeting place before the Irish Club, no meeting place whatsoever, the Ozone was the only place we went to meet.”

That changed with the first meeting of the new Irish Club, which John said happened in a hall in East Perth that was near to the Royal Mint. He recalls that the late Martin Kavanagh was instrumental in it being set up. I became one of the original members but two months after that I was on my way to Korea. Australia didn’t have a regular army as such at the time

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when the Korea War started, after the Second World War they weren’t interested in having a big army.

They had a couple of battalions but they were mainly engaged in ceremonial duties, including the 3rd Battalion in Japan that was there as an occupying force. But they weren’t battle hardened. When Korea started they were asked by the international community to contribute to stopping the aggression. They were looking for volunteers from the civilian population with military/fighting experience and I put up my hand.

I hadn’t fought before but we had been well trained in the Irish army, I had been a corporal and had enjoyed it. They accepted that. I was a part of what was called K-Force, which was not the regular army. I was there one year and ten months when I was wounded in a grenade attack at the battle of Kapyoung. [Regarded as one of the most famous actions in the Korean war fought by Australian Diggers (and Canadian soldiers) the Commonwealth forces lost 47 men, with 99 (including John) wounded against the 1,000 plus the Chinese communist People’s Volunteer Army lost over the four day fight].

“The Chinese were coming in throwing buckets of grenades,” he recalls.

John wasn’t the only Murphy in the Battalion. There were three altogether. There was a Michael Murphy from Sligo who was killed in action and another one who he never met or knew. “We Murphy’s get around.”

When he returned to Australia in 1952 and civilian life he found a job at Ahern’s department store.

“It was actually my second job with Ahern’s, as I had worked there for a few months before I went away. I met Tom Ahern [owner], he was a Cork man, he knew his business and he did employ a lot of Irish, who were good workers. I was there for a while but left and went into the pub game.” (Boan’s Department Store - a rival business at the time - was said to employ Protestant workers, while Ahern’s was where Catholics could find work) He ran the Queens Park Hotel and with his wife’s brother Vincent Cunningham, got a job at the Rosemount Hotel and then moved onto the King Edward Hotel before

John and Nora celebrate with the late Mons Sean O’Shea his 50th Anniversary on Rottnest Island

becoming the licence of the United Service Hotel on St. George’s Terrace for a number of years.

But when the rent on this premises went up John started looking at his options and alternatives. Again it was an ad in a newspaper that gave him the answer.

“They wanted someone to run the pub on Rottnest,” he said. “It was 1968 and we had two kids and eight great years there. It was like a small country town and I helped to build the golf course over there.

There was more time then, there weren’t so many people going to Rottnest for holidays, not as many boats and a smaller population. Now its holidays all year round.”

John was the publican on the island when another Irish figure began what would be a long and important association with the outpost. “We used to have dinner with the late Mons O’Shea on Sundays, practically every Sunday for a year. It was good, he was a bit lonely when he came across, he was staying in working man’s quarters…

I felt a bit sorry for him, so we used to give him a decent place to clean up.”

In those days Mass on the island was held in the picture theatre, which still stands today beside the church that Mons built in the 1970’s at the bottom of the Hill.

John married Nora, who came

31

out in 1953. “We met at the Irish Club in Highgate then. A heck of a lot of couples met at the Irish Club and got married there, it was a big outlet, it kept a lot of the Irish together.” Nora’s from Dublin, her parents had a farm in Wicklow, her uncle brought her out and she came with her sister.” John and Nora are still happily married today.

The young Shamrock Rovers held their own on the pitch, beating Hungarian and Polish teams to win the Northside Division. “It was ripper,” said John. “In 1953 they were promoted to the Second Division and in the first year they did well and got within one or two points of being promoted to the First Division. If that happened a lot of good Irish players on other top sides would have joined them, but nobody wanted to play in the Second Division so we missed out and guys left to go to jobs and it kind of stagnated. For a number of years when we were drifting, trying to stop from being demoted, but they kept going for years.”

Another team was set up called Harps which had an impact on Shamrocks which lost some players to the new side. “They were more than a thorn in our side,” said John.

Executive President: Eileen Ashley TCRG Vice President: Teresa McGorry TCRG Secretary: Siobhan Cummings TCRG Treasurer: Deirdre McGorry TCRG School Contacts Ceide Samantha McAleer TCRG Subiaco & Woodvale 9405 6255 / 0414 188 784 Delany Jane Goddard TCRG Forrestfield & Parkerville 9295 2447 / 0407 085 237 Eireann Siobhan Cummins TCRG Como/Jandakot/Rockingham 0422 075 300 Kavanagh Teresa McGorry-Mathers TCRG 9371 8400 / 0412 155 318 Deirdre McGorry TCRG (Hon) 0400 077 892 Osborne Park & Melville

O’Brien Rose O’Brien TCRG/AGCRG Butler, Kinross, Subiaco 9401 6334 / 0423 382 706 O’Hare Jenny O’Hare TCRG Wembley Downs & Os Park 0422 239 440 Saoirse Sinead Hoare TCRG Carramar 0414 647 849 Trinity Eileen Purtell-Ashley TCRG Morley 0413 511 595

Australian Irish Dancing Association Inc.

Western Australia A SUCCESSFUL YEAR for Western Australia 2013 was a huge year for Irish Dancing in this state with more WA dancers achieving higher places at national and world championships than ever before. The Perth Concert Hall transformed into the venue of the Australian National Championships for six days and showcased not only the great talent of WA Irish Dancing, but also this states’ ability to host a world-class event.

The feedback from around the country and from many of the events’ international spectators was overwhelmingly positive.

Even with the pressure of hosting Australia’s largest Irish Dancing event off for a few years, 2014 is already shaping up to be a very busy for WA dancing schools.

London is gearing up to host England’s first-ever Irish Dancing World Championships and one of the few, as yet, hosted outside of Ireland. In preparation, WA dancing schools are training one of the biggest contingents of dancers to represent the State than ever. With some great results for WA and Australian dancers in the 2013 Championships, there’s no doubt that the international Irish Dancing community will be keenly waiting to see what Australia has to offer this year. This will take place from 13 to 20 April at the Hilton Metropole Hotel in central London.

The Australian International Oireachtas is another inaugural event taking place in 2014 and a number of WA dancers will be taking part. This event, an alternative national event, aims to attract overseas dancers to Australia to participate in Irish Dancing here and also help Australian dancers to develop the competitive

edge through increased competition. It will take place alongside a circuit of national dancing championships hosted in each state in June at the RAC Royal Pines Resort on the Gold Coast from 30 May to 1 June.

Closer to home, dates for 2014 feisanna (competitions) have now been released!

All competitions will take place at the Morley Recreation Centre except for the State Championships that are held at John Curtin College of the Arts in Fremantle. All spectators are most welcome to attend.

• 29 & 30 March • 3 & 4 May • 28 & 29 June • 25, 26 & 27 July State Championships • 31 August (Beginner, Primary, Intermediate only) • 8 & 9 November For further information on Irish Dancing in WA please don’t hesitate to contact the State Secretary on the details below.

Message from New President

As the newly appointed President of the West Australian branch of the Australian Irish Dancing Association, it is my pleasure to wish all WA dancers and teachers the very best wishes for a fun and successful year in dancing.

I ‘d like to encourage anyone who might be interested in joining our enjoyable and challenging pastime to contact a teacher in your local area or our state secretary.

Sincerely, Eileen Ashley TCRG President AIDA (WA) Inc.

For any enquiries regarding Irish dancing in Perth please contact Siobhan Cummings , Secretary AIDA WA Email: irishdance@iinet.net.au

WA Academy Glenalee Bromilow ADCRG Malaga 9276 3737 / 0410 584 051 Sue Hayes TMRF 9377 5600 Hilary McKenna TCRG 0404 730 532

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Madeline Wright, receptionist at the Blue Haven Hotel in Kinsale received the inaugural Employee of the Year award of the Cork Branch of the Irish Hotels Federation at their tourism ball which took place at the Maryborough Hotel on Thursday night.

Pic John Sheehan Photography

Madeline’s got the Wright Stuff

Perth’s Noel and Tess Colgan’s daughter Madeline won the prestigious award and will be ambassador for Cork Tourism for the next year. More than 300 nominations from across the Rebel County were put forward for the prestigious prize organised by the Cork branch of the IHF and the annual award has been established to shine a light on the outstanding contribution individual employees make to Cork’s hotels industry and its wider tourism product.

Madeline was thrilled to get to the final 18, where each person was interviewed by a panel and a final 3 was chosen. She was overwhelmed that she got to the final 3 A grand ball was held for the presentation at Maryborough Hotel in Cork where after many hours the winner was announced Her husband John was with her on the night, daughters Fiona and Rosie and grand children, Emma and Haylee all awaited news on how Madeline had done and finally she was announced as the winner.

Tears of joy in both Ireland and Australia flowed.

Ciaran Fitzgerald, General Manager of the Blue Haven said: ‘Madeline has worked for Blue Haven for nearly seven years and is a much valued member of the team. She always has a smile, cares and makes everyone who comes in the door feel special. She is an incredible lady with exceptional customer care and deserves this award for everything she does. The Blue Haven is proud of Madeline and what she has achieved.”

The Irish reputation for hospitality is world famous, so for an ‘Aussie’ to be crowned the host with the most and beat the Irish at their own game is surely some undertaking.

Madeline Wright the receptionist Proud Colgan Family at the Blue Haven Hotel in Kinsale was named late last year as the first ever Cork Irish Hotels Federation Federation employee of the year award.

Ode for St Patrick’s Day Your glasses fill with uisce beagha, And drink with glowing hearts tonight The dear old land which gave us birth, Old Ireland of the streams so bright.

Bright memories thrill us to the soul Of home and kindred far away.

The toast ring out with joyous shout, Old Ireland, and St Patrick’s Day. Can we forget the saints of old Who freed out and from demon thrall, Who shed a lustre on our path, That time or distance cannot pall, Who left to us that grand old faith Which hath survived the tyrants’ sway.

With reverent love we’ll drain the bowl, To Ireland’s saints, and Patrick’s Day. With feeling sad and sorrowful, In solemn silence quaff we now The memory of our martyred dead, Who bled, to place on Erin’s brow The God sent laurel of the brave; Who noblest won in freedom’s fray The heritage of struggling rights.

Then toast our dead, and Patrick’s Day. While round this merry festive board We surely never can forget Our brother exiles of the Gael, Whose hearts beat true to Ireland yet, Whose memories cling to Erin’s Isle, Who for their country always pray, Who keeps shamrock blooming green, Who bless their land on Patrick’s Day. From out this fair Australian shore We greeting send out kith and kind.

We pray them let their discord cease, And cast disunion far behind.

Let one united phalanx stand For Ireland’s cause.

Well come what may, Ere long we’ll bask, in freedom’s smile, And crown with joy St Patrick’s Day. CLAN NA GAEL. M. South Bunbury 1907

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Irish Session and Classes Every Monday at The Irish Club 61 Townshend Road, Subiaco All Welcome

Comhaltas AGM

Results of the AGM Election.

The following were elected: Chairperson – Joan Walker Vice Chairperson – Yvonne Jones Treasurer – Terry McLaughlin Secretary – Jennifer Doyle PR – Marion Walker Youth Officer – Maureen Walker Committee Members – - Meg Dixon - Hilary McKenna - Stephen Truscott - Rita Fallon - Mary Lally - Tom Tallon

Christmas Windup & 2014 Our Christmas windup on 16th December 2013 was also a great success. Many came along to help celebrate the end of another great year for us.

Thanks to those who brought a plate to share.

Comhaltas will be starting back up at the Irish Club on 20th January 2014.

Children’s Fiddle & Whistle Lessons

Camp We had our final camp for the year on the weekend of the 22nd – 24th November. It was a great weekend full of many lessons and sessions going til around 4:30am! Thank you to all of those who brought along food for the dinner and who gave workshops throughout the weekend, all of your hard work was greatly appreciated.

SENIOR’S LUNCH 1st Friday of each Month

at the IrISH cLUB, 61 tOWNSHEND rOAD, sUBIACO Bookings essential on 9381 5213

We have been giving lessons for children at the East Victoria Park RSL Club from 3-4pm every Sunday. We will be continuing these lessons starting February 2nd 2014. Lessons are $12 for one child and $7 for each additional child attending from the same family. Please contact Joan Walker on 9397 5152 for more information.

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Ever wanted to be a Perth Rose?

Now is your chance...

Applications are now open for the 2014 Perth Rose of Tralee.

Entrants need to have been living in Perth for a minimum of 12 months and be aged between 18 - 28.

The Perth Centre has been involved in the International Rose of Tralee Competition since 1986 and has been privileged to have two Perth Roses crowned the International Rose of Tralee; Nyomi Horgan in 1995 and Lisa Manning in 2001.

This competition gives young West Australian women an opportunity to enjoy and celebrate their cultural connection and the fact they are proud of their Irish heritage. The Rose of Tralee is televised live in Ireland through RTE, and also streamed live worldwide on the internet.

2013 Perth Rose of Tralee, Jean O’Riordan

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Dermot Byrne

The Irish Quiz Wiz!

PLUS! a.k.a. Dermot from Lesmurdie on ABC radio Nightlife program.

As we come to the beginning of 2014, I hope everyone has made their New Year’s Resolutions.

The questions this time are based on the number four. I know some of you may not remember the dates, but see how you go!

1. What Battle was fought in Dublin in 1014?

2. Where were the Summer Olympics of 2004 held?

3. Which English Prime Minister was born in 1874?

4. On the Chinese calendar, which animal represents 2014?

5. In 1914 which event triggered the start of World War 1?

6. Which Saint’s Feast Day is on February 14th?

7. What happened in Dublin on 24/4/1916?

8. What horse won the Epsom Derby in 1924? (A clue: a Christmas name) 9. What are the numbers on either side of 14 on a dart board?

10. What’s 2014 in Roman Numerals?

Answers: 1. The Battle of Clontarf, 2. Athens, 3. Winston Churchill, 4. Horse, 5. The assassination of Archduke Ferdinand, 6. St. Valentine, 7. The Easter Rebellion, 8. Santa Clause, 9. 9 and 11, 10. MMXIV

Happy New Year from the gang at Paddy Malones

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Paddy Moloney

chieftains flUTEs IN sPACE? Some years ago, astronaut Cady Coleman took time during an interview with reporters to play her flute onboard the International Space Station.

“I play the flute on the ground and it’s one of the things I love to do,” said Coleman during an interview with National Public Radio. “One of the things that I think is important to do is to try to share how amazing it is up here. I relate to flute players and I just wanted them to understand what a cool place it was and how many possibilities there were to play music up here on the space station.”

Coleman brought with her to the station four flutelike instruments in her small allotment of personal

items. The collection includes two items from the traditional Irish music group The Chieftains - a penny whistle, which is similar to a recorder, from group-leader Paddy Moloney and a very old Irish flute from Matt Molloy. There is also a flute from Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull and her own personal Matt Molloy flute aboard.

“It is really different to play up here,” Coleman added. “I’ve been having the nicest time up in our Cupola. I float around in there. A lot of the times I play with my eyes closed.”

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Does the name Gerry ring a bell with you?

The Swan Bells, otherwise known as the Bell Tower in Perth, are a set of 18 bells weighing in at nine tonnes and hanging in a specially built 82.5 metres (271 ft) high copper and glass campanile.

Overlooking the river which gives them their name they form a sixteen bell peal with two extra chromatic notes and are one of the largest sets of change ringing bells in the world. The bells are from St Martins -in-the-Fields in Trafalgar Square and have at least something of an Irish brogue about them.

“I’ve been working at the Bell Tower since January 2001, so not long after it opened [December 10 2000],” Dubliner Gerry Lyng told the Irish Scene. “I’ve done every conceivable job here but I’ve been manager since January 2013 when my boss (Paul Grootveld) retired.”

Gerry first came to Australia in 1991 and went to Melbourne but came to Perth in 1995 and still calls it home. “My background is in hospitality and tourism and I worked as a chef for about 14 years.

I trained as a chef in Jury’s Hotel, Dublin and I was lucky enough to work in lots of

different places all over Canada, America and here in Australia.

Then I thought I needed a change from being a chef and I got a job as a tour guide here at the Bell Tower and I really loved it, interacting with the people. I went back to school and studied marketing and I was marketing and events manager here for about five or six years and then my boss retired.”

Since it opened for business the tower has seen more than one million people from across Australia and the world pass through its doors. The 12 bells of St Martin-in-the-fields were given to the people of Western Australia and City of Perth to commemorate Australia’s bicentenary in 1988.

These bells were cast between 1725 and 1770 with another five specially cast sand presented by the City of London and Westminster with the sixth final bell to make up the 18 being commissioned by the WA government for the Millennium project. Because there has never been a secular (non religious) tower built for bells before the architects came up with a design that was symbolic of ships and sailing but specially shaped like a sail to accommodate the bells. The building is designed to make the most of the massive musical instruments inside it and the collection of bells emit so much noise that the sound is controlled and directed - to the city or river - by movable louvres and doors.

Its one of the biggest musical instruments in the world according to Gerry.

“The Swan Bells are the third biggest in the world,” he said proudly. “After Birmingham in first place and Dublin’s Christchurch Cathedral in second.”

“Most of our visitors are international or interstate and

38

we gets lots of Irish people and every nationality you can think of,” added Gerry. “People love the building, its the only place in the whole world where you can go and see the bells ring and the bell ringers in action and where they can have a chime on the bells and a souvenir certificate to take away. The great strength of the Bell Tower is its uniqueness, it is the only building like it in the world and its a great attraction for Perth and WA and we’ve won a lot of tourism and cultural awards.”

The Bell Tower was built for the new millennium and as part of the redevelopment of Barrack Square on the foreshore. The style, size and location of the finished structure has not been without its detractors and critics over the years but this is largely a thing of the past. “There was a negativity about the Bell Tower in the early days but when people come and see it for themselves they become advocates for it.”

The Perth Waterfront is now undergoing another major redevelopment with the building of Elizabeth Quay by the state government. Long term the work is intended to boost the vibrancy of Perth and its connection with the Swan River but the unfortunate fall out from this is road closures, hoardings, parking problems,

heavy machinery and churning up of an entire section of the foreshore, where the Bell Tower is based and visitor numbers have slowed as a result. Gerry is convinced the short term pain will be worth the long term gain and will present the Bell Tower with new opportunities to introduce people to the world of bells and campology. “Its going to be fantastic when its done and we are working closely with the Metropolitan Redevelopment Authority on this.”

New landscaping around the Bell Tower was due to be carried out in December by the MRA and work will also see the entrance to the tower, as well as to the pool and Love Lock chain beside it.

But it is one of the Bell Tower’s oldest things that enthuses Gerry the most about his job and the place.

“On level one is one of my favourite exhibits, its the oldest bell in Australia. It dates back to 1550, it came from a church in Upton Green in Hampshire and basically what I love about it is that in 1763 someone has carved into the headstock of the bell and legend has it that if you touch the crack on the bell its good luck.”

Waltzing Matilda in Ireland

By J. Arnold Crockett

The Sydney Morning Hearld Saturday 10 February 1951

“Play anything except God Save the King!” Ninety two window panes were broken last time that was played,” warned the Church of Ireland verger at St. Anne Shandon, Cork City.

Like many touring Australians I visited Shandon Church, which houses the world famous “Bells of Shandon” and, after generously paying more than the prescribed shilling, rang the wellknown peal – those “bells that sound so grand on....” It was November 11, last, an appropriate day!

About three feet of each rope, covered with rubber hose to protect the hands, are let into the wall and you take your pick of many popular tunes and tug the ropes “by numbers” straight out from the wall, giving a horizontal pull. Then the whole of Cork City hears the plaintive or joyful tune you peal.

It makes no difference if you hesitate.

You may pull a wrong rope or commit other breaches, but Cork is accustomed to the indiscretions of tourists and to the sound of Shandon Bells at all hours of the day.

As H.V. Morton says in his book In Search of Ireland: “The bells of Shandon do, indeed, in the famous words of Father Prout sound so grand on the pleasant waters of the River Lee and Cork must know them by heart. Every time a curious visitor enters the belfry Mr. Albert Wellington Meredith (“the only Meredith in Cork, sir”) treats the city to a concert.

He has been doing it for 29 years, and he will tell you that in the summer when Americans dash through Cork on their way to Killarney (which is all they see of Ireland!) the bells of Shandon are never quiet all day.

“You’re from Australia?” asked the verger, and to my great surprise he held in his hand a copy of “Waltzing Matilda”. It had never been played before, for he had only just received it that morning from two Australian girls who had visited the belfry a couple of months previously. The tune was in notation and tonic sol-fa form, and had not been transferred to the usual piece of cardboard with the appropriate numbers for novices to follow.

“Give it to me quickly!” I urged , grabbing “Matilda” from his hands and passing it to my Irish cousin – a good

39

musician, whom I was meeting for the first time.

“Play this, Jim and write your own ticket or I’ll cut yer throat!” I shouted.

Immediately the popular Australian marching song rang out. I forgot the intense cold, the miserable grey sky, I thought only of gum trees, sunshine, and of long marches with the A.I.F (Australian Imperial Forces).

I do not know whether there were any “Aussies” in Cork that day, but if there were their breasts must have heaved with pride.

For it was the first time that “Waltzing Matilda” had ever been played on Irish church bells. The Irish Press (newspaper) thought it such an extraordinary occurrence that it gave (in the Dublin and Cork papers) a precious half column of space to it.

St. Anne’s has a large “golden” salmon as a ‘weather cock’ and it sways hither and thither according to the the whim of the wind.

Externally, the church has two sides of red sandstone and two of limestone.

It is said that the two contractors who built the church had different kinds of quarries – so they compromised.

My cousin, who was born just outside the churchyard, told me that the Shandon clock was called “The Lying Clock,” as occasionally the various dials disagreed as to the hour (as four-faced clocks have been known to do in Sydney).

In St. Patrick’s Cathedral , Dublin, on Remembrance Day [November 11], we all sang “God Save the King” lustily, and 3,000 of us, all be-medalled, marched through the city in the afternoon for a wreath-placing ceremony.

Again “God Save the King” was sung.

That was all right

for Dublin, but not for the Shandon Bells!.

My short visit to Ireland served to correct many of my preconceived theories of the Irish, their temperament and of the way they live.

They are charming, hospitable folk, with unfortunately, painfully long memories. And they are probably the world’s most religious people.

The young women are beautiful – perhaps the most beautiful to be seen anywhere – and they certainly are not “gold diggers”. Their moral standards are exceedingly high.

The average age of marriage is 35 for the male and 29 for the female.

Is this late marriage attribute to economic circumstances, or is it bound up with religion? I do not know. In any case an Irish girl usually looks five years younger than an Australian girl. But what I liked very much about Ireland was that I could slip over there from England and get wonderful food, cheap cigarettes.”

became a cathedral about 30 years later. The first mention of bells at St. Patrick’s was in 1443 and in 1670 a peal of eight bells was installed. In 1897 the ring was replaced by a ring of 10 bells (a gift from Lord Iveagh of Guinness) and there are now 15 bells in the tower.

Dublin is a bit odd perhaps in that it has two Protestant Cathedrals, and no Catholic one (Catholics have the pro Cathedral - which means acting Cathedral on Marlborough Street, Dublin). St. Patrick’s sits at the bottom of a gentle slope from Christ Church Cathedral, within reach of a two minute walk. Christchurch’s predominance on the Dublin landscape and tourist trail means it is arguably the more famous of the two religious centres. It dates back to 1028 and is thought to have always had a bell since its foundation.

By the middle of the 1400’s it was known to have three great bells.

150 years later a large explosion of gunpowder on the nearby quays of the River Liffey caused the bells to crack. (The accidental blast also damaged the tower of St. Audoen’s Church, on the other side of the And the bells were river and the oldest parish church in ringing out for…..

Dublin, which is still used as such.

It houses the oldest known bells in The Church of St Anne Ireland, from about 1423.)

(Shandon), an Anglican church, The bells of Christchurch have was built in 1722 and the bells were had a long and interesting life and cast by Abel Rudhall of Gloucester are still a powerful draw in today’s in 1750, and have been recast twice world, especially at times such as since in 1869 and 1908. The bells New Years Eve when thousands - which weigh in at just over six surround the church to listen to the tonnes - still bear their original change of time to the sound of bells inscriptions: ‘When us you ring we’ll which are unique and distinctive. sweetly sing’,‘Since generosity has The cathedral’s deployment of 19 opened our mouths our tongues shall bells, ranging in weight from a sing aloud its praise’. Tourists and quarter of a ton to two and a quarter visitors are still welcome to climb to tons, represents a world record of the first floor of the church and ring numbers of bells available for fullthe bells and enjoy a spectacular 360 circle ringing. Every bell as it sounds degree view of Cork city below. out has been swiftly swung through The writer of this article also 360 degrees, to combine with the mentions St. Patrick’s Cathedral others in the music of the changes. in Dublin. The Cathedral is built Tours of the Cathedral include where tradition states St. Patrick a chance to ring the bells, or by baptised converts to Christianity. It organising it in advance. was built by John Comyn, who was Christ Church Cathedral is appointed Archbishop of Dublin in delighted to offer the unique 1181. Legend has it that he fell out opportunity of receiving a guided with the city provosts and the priory tour of the tower of Christ Church of Christ Church, so he decided Cathedral, which includes a chance to build his own church close to, to ring the bells under expert but outside of, the city walls. The supervision. building work started in 1191 and If Dublin cannot claim a Catholic

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cathedral then at least the area in which these two fine churches stand, the Liberties, can at least boast a strong connection to an Australian Cathedral, St. Patrick’s in Melbourne. John Murphy was a coppersmith on Thomas Street (a road directly beside Christhchurch).

In 1843 he turned his foundry to bell making when he cast one for the Roman Catholic church in Tuam, Co. Galway. Murphy went on to make many bells and win awards and notice for his work.

Bishop Goold from Melbourne was in Europe in the early 1850’s and bought a peal of bells that went on display at the Crystal Palace exhibition in London and afterwards were shipped to Australia.

The eight bells were finally hung in St Patrick’s and tested in 1868, and said to be of ’very sweet tone.’

They were consecrated on November 29, 1868 before an estimated 5000 people. After the mass the bishop consecrated the bells in a gala ceremony which you had to buy a ticket to get into. The tradition of ringing in the New Year started here in 1871 and the bells, which are still in use today, are thought to be the last remaining ones made by Murphy.

Lloyd Gorman

I have a total irreverence for anything connected with society except that which makes the roads safer, the beer stronger, the food cheaper and the old men and old women warmer in the winter and happier in the summer. Brendan Behan

Ringing in a new era on Rottnest

by Lloyd Gorman Rottnest Island has its own remarkable story about a bell to tell, thanks to the late Monsignor Sean O’Shea. The Co. Clare born cleric built the Church of the Holy Trinity in 1975 against terrific odds and the fact that the church was completed had perhaps more to do with the clever and charismatic priest than any divine intervention. The story of how the bells on the church has been told before but is worth repeating in the context of these stories.

When plans for the church were well advanced Mons went to the UK, intending to go to Birmingham to get the bells from there. But while visiting his sister in London she told him of a nearby bell foundry and with the help of the local council mayor a tour of the metal factory was organised and an order was promptly made. The Carillion of bells arrived back in Australia shortly after Mons returned from that trip and he was faced with the problem of how to get them from the airport to the island and onto the top of the church. Again, he turned to the sea and the man of God found

an answer from an unlikely ally - a war ship from the US Navy’s Pacific Seventh Fleet. The issue for Fr O’Shea was that there was no crane on Rottnest Island capable of erecting the bells and it would have been prohibitively expensive to bring one from the mainland.

“I said to the American consulate that the next time the fleet was in I wanted them to come and help me with the bells,” Mons told the Irish Scene. Whilst the US Navy was in port, he acquainted the on-board Chaplain with his predicament, and pointed out that one of the Navy helicopters might be equal to the task.

“No problem” said the Chaplain who placed the matter before the Admiral who readily agreed that a Navy helicopter would lift the boxes containing the Carillion; flew them the thirteen miles to the Island, where the Navy servicemen rappelled from the helicopter and installed the Carillion. The bells were bolted into a framework and weighed a tonne and the question was how would we get them onto the roof. They went around by Thompson Bay and everyone could see them and then nearly dropped them in Thompson Bay. Anyhow, he whisked them around and we were down on the road, and there

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USA Navy helicopter placing the bells in Rottnest

was some terrible debris and dust from the propellers as it hovered above the church and two naval personnel were on the platform to secure it.”

The bells - which were blessed by Archbishop Foley - the predecessor to the last archbishop of Perth, Archbishop Hickey.

Today the bells are still a popular attraction for visitors to the island, especially children, who enjoy being able to make the 8 bells chime using an electric keyboard on the left hand side of the entrance to the church. Mons frequently and tirelessly stood by offering advice and help to those toying with the unusual instrument as its sound reverberates across the settlement.

RIP Monsignor O’Shea.

Dave McGilton was inspired by O’Meara It was through Christina Henri Roses from the Heart project that I first touched base with Irish song writer Dave McGilton. Dave is also a friend of our Tasmanian writer John Hagan. Dave has been a full time writer and decided to make music/writing his number one priority in 1993. “In the years since, I’ve concentrated on developing the craft of song writing and writing in general and have focused on being a writer as opposed to performance”.

Dave says he is happiest in the background working on songs at home then taking the songs to a studio to collaborate with others in order to get the best possible outcome for the song. “I’ve been fortunate to work with some great people on the recording side of things over the years in this regard, including Donagh Long, Cormac O’Connor, Padraig Parker, Dave Murphy, Noel Barrett and Donncha Moynihan in his native Cork, all very talented people and very easy and positive to work with”.

So, you ask “where is all this going”? Let me explain this way.

Some years ago I was chatting to Charlie Landsborough on the phone and I asked him about his song “What Colour is the Wind” and how it came about. Charlie said it was given to him as a song title only and is based on a question asked by the blind daughter of a friend when she asked her dad “What colour is the wind dad?” Charlie was inspired to put a song together based on that one question. You should listen to it sometime on YouTube.

Dave McGilton

gradually began to have a detrimental effect on his mental state and which later caused him to have a complete mental breakdown.

Sadly Martin would then spend the rest of his life in military hospitals, suffering from Chronic Mania (now known as Post War Traumatic Stress). Martin spent the last years of his life in Claremont Mental Hospital, Perth, and passedaway on December 20th 1935.

Some weeks later I was contacted

by Dave McGilton and he informed me that he was touched greatly by the O’Meara story and had a song in mind…. “From Collie’s Banks to No Man’s Land”. I had mentioned to Dave that O’Meara’s journey was from Collie’s banks to No Man’s Land, and so a song was born.

Before long it was recorded and copies sent out to me…

I never saw the bullets fly Never heard the captain cry All I saw were friends in need Out there right in front of me And as the shells flew overhead I looked for life among the dead I hoped and prayed that some were left On fields meant for dreaming Of home Home where the gum trees grow Home it seems so long ago….

You can year the song on our website to O’Meara http://martinomeara. weebly.com and it is also available on itunes. Visit Dave’s website www.davemcgilton.com/ Thank you Dave for your most inspiring song and we look forward to performing it when we launch our One Act Play on Martin O’Meara. go raibh míle maith agat a chara!

Fred Rea

Some months ago I was chatting to Dave on Skype and I told him about our project on Tipperary man, Martin O’Meara a Victoria Cross winner in the First World War. I told him that Martin arrived in Collie, Western Australia in 1911and in 1915 headed off to the battle fields of France working as a stretcher bearer. It seems that Martin was inclined to carry a gun and on the advice of his local parish priest in Collie to join the medics and, being a very religious man, he is said to have brought his rosary beads with him. O’Meara, then acting as a stretcher-bearer, behaved in a manner which led one officer to describe him as ‘the most fearless and gallant soldier I have ever seen’. He was credited with having saved the lives of over twenty-five wounded men by carrying them in from no man’s land ‘under conditions that are undescribable’.

Even after the battalion was relieved its commanding officer, LieutenantColonel E. Drake-Brockman, saw O’Meara returning to the front line through the bombardment to rescue two wounded comrades despite having himself ‘reached a position of comparative safety’. At other times he had, on his own initiative, brought up much-needed supplies of grenades, ammunition and food.

For these actions O’Meara was awarded the Victoria Cross.

In November 1918, Martin returned to Perth Western Australia and was discharged from the A.I.F. in November 1919. However, Martin’s horrendous experience during the war “Where is my home? Well, I haven’t one.

Under any old gum tree I suppose.”

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Martin O’Meara

Which of these is Conversation with Renee O’Callaghan, Solicitor “A bitter dispute between a mother and her dead son’s your New Year’s partner over who should have custody of his ashes has had to be resolved by one of Western Australia’s top judges.”

Resolution?

1. I won’t worry so much.

2. I will be more imaginative.

3. I will give up chocolates totally. 100%. Completely.

Honestly....

4. I will try to figure out why I “really” need nine e-mail addresses.

5. I will read the manual... just as soon as I can find it.

6. I resolve to work with neglected children. (my own).

7. I will answer my snail mail with the same enthusiasm with which I answer my e-mail.

8. I will balance my checkbook. (on my nose).

9. Start buying lottery tickets at a luckier store.

10. I will always “check for paper” when leaving the restroom.

11. I will try to drive closer to the speed limit.

12. I will never again take a sleeping pill and a laxative on the same night.

13. I will stop saying,” Ooh, that feels nice” whenever the security guys frisk me at airports.

14. In computers learn what the hell “resolution” means.

15. Listen to your mother.

16 Stick to your exercise plan.

• A man tells his doctor, “Doc, help me. I’m addicted to Twitter!”

The doctor replies, “Sorry, I don’t follow you …”

• An old farmer is inconsolable after his dog goes missing.

His wife suggests he take out an ad in the newspaper, which he does. But two weeks later, there’s still no sign of the mutt.

“What did you write in the ad?” his wife asks. “ ‘Here, boy!’ ” he replies.

The above headline appeared in the Nine News website on 25 November 2013.

It is a case in which I was recently involved as a solicitor. When you read the facts of this case, you will think this situation is unimaginable! I took a good look at the outcome of this case and thought “what is the basic and practical message that we can learn from this case”?

The facts of the case were simple. They were set out in the judgment of Justice McKechnie of the Supreme Court of Western Australia and published in the law reports. I have extracted some of the facts below:Brent Dwayne Slattery died in May this year at the age of 30. His death was unexpected.

He left behind a young partner Emma McConnell and their infant son Kobe. They live in Perth.

His grieving mother Josette Milenkovic lives in South Australia.

Emma arranged and paid for the funeral service and cremation at the Fremantle Cemetery.

Emma did not collect the ashes immediately.

Prior to this however, Mrs Milenkovic had become concerned and formed the view that before Brent’s death he and Emma had quarrelled and their relationship had finished.

She feared that Emma would not be concerned with providing Brent a suitable resting place.

On about 18 September 2013 Mrs Milenkovic telephoned the Fremantle Cemetery and was told that Emma had not attended the appointment or answered letters. Because she believed that Emma and Brent had separated, as Brent’s biological mother, she should be entitled to collect the ashes and lay them to rest in their final resting place.

When Brent passed away, he did not have a Will setting out his burial or cremation preferences.

Mrs Milenkovic sought a court order that Brent’s ashes be released to her in the absence of any agreement with Emma. An injunction was initially granted by the Supreme Court to Mrs Milenkovic. After a period of negotiations, Mrs Milenkovic and Emma reached agreement as to the internment of the ashes however Mrs Milenkovic wanted certainty and sought to embody this agreement in a written deed or court order. The matter went to a Court Hearing and Justice McKechnie discharged the injunction finding that he did not have a legal basis to

make an Order compelling Emma to do what she had already said she will do. Perhaps, the most striking portion of the judgment is the following wise words from Justice McKechnie:“Sometimes it is necessary to strip out all the natural human emotions of grief, loss, bereavement, anger and pain, to focus only on the precise legal relationship between the parties.”

It was indeed a sad situation for all parties. At the end of the day, after the grieving and the pain, the legal issues become the focus when dealing with the estate of the deceased. Think about the following matters which may affect you:• Will there be a dispute over my assets when I pass away?

• I have left all assets to my new partner in Australia? Can my elderly parents in Ireland who I have left out of the will make a claim against my estate?

• I am only temporarily resident in Australia – if I were to pass away, will my assets be distributed under Australian law or Irish law?

• If I make a will, does it cover both my Australian and Irish assets?

• I have a new partner in Australia, will she decide on my burial? What about my parents?

Do they have any rights?

The above case is an illustration of the disputes that can occur among family members left behind when a person passes away without proper legal affairs. Most of us have a mentality that we are invincible or that we have don’t have a sufficient estate for distribution.

However, if you take into account the car, cash in the bank accounts, superannuation and insurance policies, it all adds up may be fairly substantial.

What had occurred in this case could happen to anyone. These disputes can be avoided by simply obtaining legal advice and arranging for the preparation of a Will.

As you know, your family is a long way from Australia and Ireland is a different legal jurisdiction so organising your affairs properly will save you and your family member’s money and a lot less heartache.

Call Renee at RHL for advice on Wills and Estate Planning today.

Robertson Hayles Lawyers Call Renee O’Callaghan Phone : (08) 9325 1700 • Fax : (08) 9221 2962 • reception @robertsonhayles.com.au

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By Lloyd Gorman

Time to salute our Diggers and Troopers Starting from this month, Australia will spend the next four years remembering and commemorating its involvement in World War 1, and subsequent conflicts. In that time more than 102,000 Australian army and other service men and women made the ultimate sacrifice. The Anzac (Australian and New Zealand Army Corp) Centenary, as it is officially being called, is something that a lot of Australians, particularly those with a personal or family connection to the Commonwealths armed forces, will take pride in, and so they should.

The Irish too should remember and respect their own war past, in Australia and back at home in Ireland. In this issue John Murphy from Shamrock Rovers and a former Irish army soldier shares with us an incredible and fascinating about him and a story from the Korean war of the 1950s as a volunteer with the Australian forces in what would be one of the United Nations biggest victories in that campaign against Chinese Communists. And his story includes mention of a Michael Murphy from Sligo, killed in that war. Alan Wray, a member of the Irish Club, served for

Australia in Vietnam. Willie Quinn, a Co. Meath man and former member of the Irish Defence Forces who is now the youngest member of the Subiaco Returned Soldiers League and takes part in their annual Anzac Day ceremonies (as do the Irish Club, Australian Irish Heritage Association and former mayor of the municipality and a son of Ireland, Tony Costa - to name a few).

I have been fortunate enough to meet and interview Harry Sproxton, the father of Perth’s Bishop Don Sproxton, who as a very young man fought the Japanese in the jungles of East Timor during some very black times of WWII but held them back against incredible odds (less than 300 Diggers facing off against 13,000 crack Imperial soldiers).

Harry laughed and told me of at least one Irish man who was a good friend of his and a hell of a fighter, but he struggled to understand his accent. There is the story of Martin O’Meara, the Tipperary born man who came to WA as a young man and joined up with the 16th Battalion, from WA, when the call came. O’Meara, a

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highly religious and devout man did not want to take life so instead became a stretcher bearer and saved the lives of at least 20 Australian Diggers by going out into no-man’s land under heavy bombardment over four days and pulling them to safety. For his actions O’Meara was awarded the Victoria Cross medal, the highest decoration possible for a Commonwealth solider to receive, for action in the face of the enemy. Other VCs were awarded to men in the Australian uniform of Irish origin or descent during this war and World War 11. On the beaches and bloodied battlefields of Gallipoli - Australia’s first introduction to the war as an independent nation rather than purely as a colony of the British Empire - some 4000 men in Irish regiments of the British army lost their lives in that failed military manoeuvre. Australia’s Defence Forces today have many many Irish members, who came to the force either from the Irish army, or even civilian life. There are many

David Cameron visit a number of major WWI sites together. One spot they stopped at was the Island of Ireland Peace Park at Messines, a memorial to the 50,000 Irish who died, the village of Wytschaete where the 16th (Dublin) and 36th (Ulster) divisions advanced together and fell in the attack on Messines Ridge.

They also visited the Menin Gate Memorial which is dedicated to British and commonwealth soldiers whose graves are unknown and where every evening since the end of the war an evening time ceremony with bugles and military honours continues to pull large crowds who continue to be drawn by the drama and sacrifice of their predecessors.

There are official government plans to mark the 1916 rebellion the event that marked the beginning Joe Carroll, Denis Bratton, Alan Wray, Alan O’Meara, of the birth of the modern Irish nation. Australia has Trish Bratton and Willie Quinn at Subiaco Anzac Day remembrance 2013 Gallipoli, Ireland has the Easter Rising. The Queen, or at least members of the Royal family, the British more I could mention but where ever Aussies have Government and Unionists will be invited to the been on the front line, there have always been Irish men amongst or beside them in the bloodshed of battle Rising commemoration or during the difficulties of keeping the peace in hostile in Dublin in two years time. When it comes places under the blue flag of the United Nations. let’s hope the occasion Australians have been recognising their service will hopefully have the men and women for a long time now, but the habit of dignity, respect and forgetting them is one that is still being dismantled recognition as Anzac in Ireland, a 100 years later. The fallout from the 1916 Day here in Oz, and Rising cast a pall of shame and guilt on Irish men finally lay to rest the last who opted to join the British (or Commonwealth) prejudices and pay full forces to fight the Germans and their allies. The and fair tribute to every attitude that they were somehow traitors to the cause of Irish independence, which we know now was unfair, Irish man and woman who went to war or to developed deep roots and is still a view held by some. defend peace in the uniform of their own country, or The fact that tens of thousands of Irish men threw of another nation. The next issue of Irish Scene will be themselves into the biggest fight the world has ever out in time for Anzac Day and will look at some Irish seen to stop what would have been an empire of evil from taking over the world seemed to matter very little connections with the Australian army, past and present. against the domestic backdrop. World War 1 changed everything, but it had also robbed Ireland of its promise of Home Rule. That grudge stained the names of hundreds and thousands of Irish men who died, and Read the letters and poems of the heroes at home.

They have casualties, battles, and fears of their own.

There’s a price to be paid if you go, if you stay.

Freedom’s fought for and won in numerous ways.

Take two minutes, would you mind?

It’s a pittance of time, For the boys and the girls all over.

May we never forget, our young become vets.

At the end of the line, It’s a pittance of time.

It takes courage to fight in your own war.

It takes courage to fight someone else’s war.

Our peacekeepers tell of their own living hell.

They bring hope to foreign lands that hate mongers can’t kill.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Prime Minister David Cameron. Photo RTE News

the many hundreds of thousands more who fought for the liberty of the world, and their own country.

With just a few days to go until Christmas it was good to see Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Prime Minister

From A Pittance of Time by Terry Kelly

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Ned Kelly’s last stand Letter Found Story from ABC News website

The letter was written by a young bank clerk named Donald Sutherland and was sent to his parents back in Scotland.

Sutherland was in Glenrowan to see the end of the siege and observed a wounded Ned Kelly lying on a stretcher with his three sisters around him.

The document has been in the author’s family since it was sent in 1880, but has now been donated to the State Library of Victoria. In the letter, Sutherland relays the news to his parents in Scotland.

Ned does not at all look like a murderer and bushranger - he is a very powerful man, aged about 27, black hair and beard with a soft mild looking face and eyes - his mouth being the only wicked portion of the face...

I was really sorry for him to see him lying pierced by bullets and still showing no signs of pain. His three

sisters were there also, Mrs Skillion, Kate Kelly and a younger one.

Kate was sitting at his head with her arms round his neck while the others were crying in a mournful strain.

The State Library’s manuscripts editor, Kevin Molloy, says Sutherland’s family preserved the letter carefully and have asked for it to be put on public display.

“The particular part of the letter that really stands out is the very human family element; Kelly lying wounded on the stretcher his three sisters around him,” he said.

“They are crying, the brother and the three sisters together after all these momentous events just happened.”

Historian Alex McDermott says it sheds new light on the Kelly saga. “To take the siege of Glenrowan, one of the most scrutinised events in Australian history, one of the most researched events in Australian history and then have someone sort of tap you on the shoulder and say, ‘Oh by the way, there is another account no-one knew about it, it just came up,’ it’s a gem,” he said. “[Sutherland is] able to give an account of how Kelly’s demeanour was, the sort of man he seemed to be.”

The letter is now displayed at the State Library in Victoria in Melbourne.

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By Lloyd Gorman

UTV has plans to break directly into the Irish market, with a brand new station and offices in Dublin, Cork, Galway, Waterford and Limerick that would employ 300 people. Anything that increases variety and caters for different audiences and that will give RTE and TV3 a run for their money has got to be a good thing.

Last issue TNTS saw a historical documentary about WWII shipwrecks off the coast of Northern Ireland. Salvage Code Red on 7 Two on October 28 gave viewers an insight into the stranding, if not quite the sinking, of a modern day vessel. It looked at the story of The Riverdance Irish Ferries truck ferry that in 2008 was beached in heavy weather at Blackpool and became something of an unintended tourist attraction in its own right, before the ships cargo was taken off and the vessel dismantled. A risky and dangerous business indeed.

With a name like Skellig this really could have been an Irish film.

But the Welsh production about a fallen angel and a young boy did at least get nominated for a heap of RTE awards and was a choice film to show on Halloween night (ABC1) and worth a watch at any time of the year.

The following night Channel 7 screened Hanna - a really good action movie starring 16 year old Irish actress Saoirse Ronan in the main role, accompanied by Aussie actor Eric Bana.

On November 6 Australian TV news was full of footage from reporters and TV crews broadcasting from Dublin about the very mysterious and somewhat unresolved story of a

young Australian woman discovered wondering the streets of Dublin.

The following night on ABC1 in Stephen Fry’s Planet Word the host of the show goes on a jaunt around Dublin exploring the city and the world of James Joyce with Irish senator and Joycean scholar and all round with David Norris. These two looked like they were having fun and made me want to be back in Dublin in Davy Byrne’s pub sharing a pint and the banter with them.

The next night - November 8 - on SBS3 there was a programme about the making of a Wellington Bomber by a factory crew in just 24 hours during the war, a record breaking attempt which they pulled of. What was really interesting to learn was that Irish Linen was commonly used to make the ‘skin’ of the outside of these huge plans.

Remarkable to think of the best linen in the typical Irish house being used for this purpose.

Later that night GEM showed Michael Collins, with the mighty Liam Neeson in the shoes of the Big Fella. This film seems to increase its enjoyment every time (and its not often) that I see it, and the fact I was an extra in it just gives me at least another reason to watch it intently.

Later again that night Neeson popped up in another classic, Excalibur which was screened on Channel 9, a movie shot back in 1980/81 and filmed entirely in Wicklow I believe.

Cities of the Underworld on 7Two the following night was also a bit of a dip into the past of Ireland.

This show, which explores the hidden and subterranean worlds of different capitals, did a really good

50

job of revealing some underworld places in Dublin and in the country which I’m not sure many Irish people would really know about, such as Dunmore Caves, St Michans Church on the nortshisde of Dublin which has mummies in its crypt.

Later that night again, Al-Jazeera ran a good news package about a farmer in Ireland who was breeding Buffaloes and making a success of it. The next day 7mate also showed The Great Train Robbery (1963) starring Sean Connery, for which the main train scenes at least, were filmed in Ireland. And then on NITV that night, the third and final instalment of Corp agus Anam on NITV, the Irish language drama which was well worth tuning in for and an unusual opportunity to hear a bit of Irish in action.

On November 15 7 Digital screened Robin Hood, with Aussie actor Russell Crowe in the lead role.

There were some authentic Irish voices in this middle of the road movie, but plenty of appalling ones from actors convinced that a good way to sound like you are from the middle ages is to try and talk with an Irish accent.

Sadly, sometimes an authentically Irish voice, even one that has been brilliant before, can sometimes just not have an impact. At least that is the way I felt having watched Navan man Dylan Moran on ABC2, Yeah Yeah November 16. Moran is a comic genius and one of the better Irish and International stand ups in the business. But he just seemed tired on stage and to run out of steam every few minutes and almost will himself to go on for the sake of it. Not his finest hour by a long shot.

By contrast Ed Byrne on the same ABC comedy slot a couple of weeks later with Funny As did a pretty good job of making the audience laugh honestly, rather than groan and grimace.

November 21, 7Two, The Eagle Has Landed. An excellent war film in its own right but of interest here because of the part played by a young Donald Sutherland, aka Liam Devlin. Devlin is an IRA man working with the Nazis on a planned attempt to kidnap Winston Churchill. In the plot line Devlin is dropped into southern Ireland by a German plane and then makes his way through Belfast to Britain where the action unfolds. Sutherland does a great job of the Irish accent and the nature of the character he plays. It is also interesting to note, that this film which was made in 1976 and shows Sutherland on two occasions using a trick of his hands and a whistle to stop dogs in their tracks. It is the same technique used 12 years later

by Aussie actor Paul Hogan in the first Crocodile Dundee movie, one of the biggest hits of the 80’s.

On SBS the following night (and the Friday after that) we got to see the Irish countryside in a new light.

Derek Mooney, who I have to admit to having found a bit annoying on RTE when we were living in Ireland, actually did a great job of presenting Secrets of the Irish Landscape, which explained a lot of how the country developed naturally over thousands of years. SBS3 the next night showed Death or Glory, the remarkable story of Kildare born Ernest Shackleton whose leadership and role in Antarctic exploration, and the fact that he saved the lives of every one of his 27 men, is a story worth telling again, and again.

The Walkley Awards for the media business were shown on ABC on November 28. It was encouraging and heartening to see a former Longford News reporter Gerard Ryle announced as a winner with the award being given to him by another former Irish journo, James Kirby who used to write for Business and Finance magazine in Dublin.

Talking of accents earlier, Alexander (2004) was shown on Go 99 on December 5, with Colin Farrell in the lead role and a rake of other

known and unknown Irish actors involved. At times the prevalence of Irish voices in the movie made the watcher feel like they were watching an Irish version of a Greek tragedy and it has to be said this movie stinks. There are plenty of scenes with Colin Farrell on horseback and the first time the world saw this actor in the saddle was back in the days of Ballykissangel. Odd episodes of BallyK pop up on the box from time to time but always very late, and impossible to predict.

I wasn’t going to mention Mrs Browns Boys in this column because it hasn’t been on Aussie screens in the last few months. But it is being shown by the BBC. It happened to be on when the Beeb broadcast a news flash announcing the death of Nelson Mandela, and then went straight into news coverage of his passing. Because this happened about ten minutes before the end of MBB hundreds of its viewers who were disgruntled about their favourite comedy being cut short by the death of one of the most important figures of our era actually complained to the BBC that their viewing pleasure was disrupted.

Sometimes it is impossible to think of anything good to say about some people.

In the sprint up to December 25, Aussie TV managed to pull out a few Irish Christmas classics worthy of the occasion. Home improvement show Domestic Blitz on GEM (December 19) took the home of an Irish family living in Oz and transformed it, which is what they do anyhow. But the mum, Fionnuala whose family name I didn’t catch, was a young woman dying of asbestos poisoning but determined to get as much out of life for as long as possible. She seemed to be in relatively good health on camera and unfortunately can’t tell you the outcome of her health story but lets hope its a positive one. But the show was a bit of a tear jerker but also inspirational and had moments of silliness and fun to boot. I particularly enjoyed ‘the show’ when having just seen her back garden given a major overhaul - including fitting a full size pool in just three days of work - the announcer says they have one of Australia’s best loved musical Irish sons to perform

51

for her, and she says out loud that it will be Damien Leith. In fact it was former Westlife boy band member Brian McFadden. McFadden made good fun of the disappointment and situation with a bit of Irish charm.

A really good story and episode that will have created lasting and loving memories for all their family.

December 21 on the box was a bit like December 25 for boxes.

On this day alone we had Celtic Women’s Home from Christmas concert in Dublin on GEM. SBS 3 featured Graham Norton in Who do you think you are? and the Irish comic turned successful TV host spent much of his quest in his native Ireland looking for answers to the family’s past. I didn’t catch the channels they were shown on but there were two Maureen O’Hara movies screened on this day too.

They were Dance, Girl, Dance (1940) one of her first films and The Battle of the Villa Fiorita one of her last big screen movies. It was clear from watching these two films why the Dublin born flame headed 94 year old actress who lives in West Cork was considered to be a sex symbol of her time. (Amongst the many other features she was in O’Hara also made a TV movie in 1995 called The Christmas Box - a film which has had a real impact in at least 25 cities with Christmas Box Angels being put up to help people, Google for more) The final Irish cameo of the year (at least for this column) was on Antiques Road Show (again on GEM). This special edition of the popular programme included a section about a very unusual and rare book. It was a book of embroidery, linen work, bonnets and the like for an Irish orphan girl dated December 25 1832. The date on this unique piece - which was probably used by the owner as a way of showcasing her needle skills - touched a spot with the antiques expert who said they had never seen anything like it and the audience there and at home. A powerful and poingnot end to another year and a glimpse into the ghost of Christmas past.

Dining Guide

The Woodbridge Hotel was a treat for Danielle...

When I walked in and saw the sign that said four miles to Malahide, I knew I was in the right place. The Woodbridge Hotel in East Guildford has all the markings of an Australian pub in a gorgeous federation style building but once inside, you feel like you could be back in Ireland. With iconic signs and posters, the Woodbridge has

Sponsor: Northside Meats with Danielle O’Leary

such a distinct Irish atmosphere; we felt like we had travelled a lot more than 20 minutes on the train from Perth! Every Tuesday night there is an Irish music session, and we went along to not only try the food, but to listen to the music too.

The staff at the Woodbridge greeted us as we walked in; they were friendly, and accommodating to all that came in. Their enthusiasm added so much charm to the atmosphere, making every patron feel special.

We were hungry when we got to The Woodbridge. I had heard a rumour that the servings were big, so after skipping lunch that day, I was ravenous by the time I arrived. Wanting everything on the extensive menu, our choices were difficult. The Woodbridge offers everything you could want in pub food; the classics like Homemade Soup or Bangers and Mash, creative dishes like Eggplant Parmigiana or Mixed Seafood Kebabs, but most of all, generous sizes.

For entrée, we shared Homemade Salmon, Potato and Dill Fish Cakes with a side of Beer Battered Chips (I told you we were hungry). The fish cakes were divine with a huge amount of flavour and, surprisingly, fish. Usually with fishcakes, the fish is a secondary ingredient with potato taking the main stage. At The Woodbridge, the salmon dominated the fish cake much to our surprise and delight. When you go, be sure

to get them. And the chips? Well, you can’t have fish without chips.

They were ridiculously good and disappeared at an alarming speed.

As we finished our entrée, the music began. There were about eight people in the session, with a couple more arriving through the night. I was told that was, in fact, a quiet night with many people having returned home to Ireland for Christmas. Quiet or not, these musicians were incredible – their casual performance was captivating and rendered me silent for most of the dinner, which is no mean feat!

For our main course, we ordered the Beef and Guinness Pie and the Lamb Shank Pie both served with mash potato and vegetables. The meat in the Beef and Guinness Pie was delicious and generous, but the Lamb Shank Pie was the winner of the night. I have never had a pie like it; two whole lamb shanks positioned the pie itself, it was so tender and almost impossible to finish. Almost. It was the best pie I have had in a pub, by far. After our main course, dessert was out of the question, but we saw a variety of dishes going to tables and they looked amazing.

Going out to the Woodbridge Hotel was such a treat; the food was refreshingly good and the atmosphere was ideal. Be sure to head out there, especially on a Tuesday so you can be transported back to Ireland.

McLoughlin Butchers Malaga Proud Supporters of the Irish Scene Happy New Year to one and all mcloughlinbutchers.com.au Like us on facebook

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The Celtic Club •

B A R

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West

P ert h

R E S TAU RANT

The Celtic Club has a proud history spanning over 100 years. Presently the Club has a membership of approximately 700, and appeals to a wide range of individuals, all of whom enjoy the friendly and personable hospitality of a private member’s Club.

•

•

FUNCTIONS

room can comfortably seat 125 delegates theatre style or 120 for a banquet.

The Club’s impressive Jarrah lined President’s Room can seat up to 30 guests theatre style and is ideal for private business luncheons for up to 24 guests.

The Club’s central location makes it the ideal place to host a meeting or special event, meet colleagues, develop new business partners or simply relax in comfort with today’s newspaper, the latest business publication or lifestyle magazine.

Becoming a member of The Celtic Club certainly has its advantages and now is the perfect time to join one of Perth’s premier business clubs.

Our superb restaurant serves an a la carte style lunch Monday to Friday and the bar area, with separate lounge features a number of specialty beers on tap, and is ideal for a relaxing beverage, light luncheon or coffee.

Drop into the club and say hello!

In addition to the bar and restaurant, The Celtic Club members have exclusive access to our outstanding function facilities, fully coordinated by our professional staff with an extensive range of catering options. Located on the first floor, the main function

For an incredibly Romantic Wedding Reception

Located near the beautiful Kings Park Gardens, the elegance and old worldly charm of the Celtic Club will be exclusive for you and your guests.

Set Dinner, Buffet & Cocktail style are all catered for and it is a commitment to guests that all food will be delicious and plentiful.

48 Ord Street West Perth WA 6005 Phone (08) 9322 2299 Fax (08) 9322 2899 E-mail: celtic.club@bigpond.com • www.celticclubperth.com

3 Adalia St Kallaroo Western Australia 6025

9401 9141

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Opening Hours: Mon, Wed & Thu: 4.30-8pm Fri & Sat: 4.30-8.30pm Sun: 4-8.30pm Closed Tuesdays

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Traditional Fish and Chippery

Freshly Cooked • Quality Fish Grilled or Battered • Battered Irish Pork Suasages • Curry and Gravy Chips • Hand Cut Onion Rings • Homemade Coleslaw • Garlic Mushrooms • Mushy Peas and much more

Whitfords Whitfords City Shopping Cent re

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Avenue

Condolences....

We would like to express our deepest condolences to Paul North of JB O’Reilly’s and Gerard Dinan on the passing of their respection mothers recently and Kathleen Kearns on the passing of her sister.

There’s magic in a Mother’s touch, and sunshine in her smile.

There’s love in everything she does to make our lives worthwhile.

We can find both hope and courage Just by looking in her eyes.

Her laughter is a source of joy, her works are warm and wise.

There is a kindness and compassion to be found in her embrace, and we see the light of heaven shining from a Mother’s face.

Black Pudding & Goats Cheese Parcels with a red onion Marmalade Serves 4

with Marguerite O’Dwyer The Cure Tavern Irish bar & restaurant

Cheats Banoffee Pie Serves 12

Ingredients: 250g digestive biscuits, crushed 100g butter, melted 397g can Carnation Condensed Milk 4 small bananas Half a lemon 300ml carton whipping cream, whipped Grated chocolate, to decorate You will also need...

23cm loose-bottomed tart tin 1. Place the can of Condensed Milk in a medium pot & cover with water. Place over a medium heat. Bring it to the boil, reduce the heat & simmer for 3 hours. Remove from the water and leave to cool.

2. Tip the biscuit crumbs into a bowl. Add the butter and mix together. Spoon the crumbs into the tin. Press into the base and up the sides of the tin. Chill for 10 minutes 3. Open the tin of Condensed Milk (It will be a thick caramel).

Empty into a bowl & stir lightly.

Spread the caramel over the biscuit base with a spoon.

4. Slice the bananas and scatter over the top. Squeeze the juice of the half lemon over the bananas (This will stop the bananas from discolouring).

Spoon the cream over the bananas and finish with grated chocolate. Chill until ready to serve.

Ingredients: 1 sheet of puff pastry 8 (1cm) of black pudding 4 (1 cm) of goats cheese 1 egg 4 handfuls of mixed leaf salad Olive oil For the red onion marmalade 4 medium red onions 200ml balsamic vinegar 1 cinnamon sticks 100g Demerara brown sugar 1. Slice the red onions into thin strips.

Place them in a medium size saucepan.

Add in the balsamic vinegar, sugar and cinnamon stick and mix well.

2. Place over a medium heat & bring to a simmer for 3 - 4 minutes. Taste and if it’s sharp, add a bit more sugar. Run a spoon against the base of the pot and if the liquid is slightly thick and slowly comes back together, it’s ready. Leave aside to cool.

3. Preheat the oven to 180oC 4. Place a piece of black pudding about two inches in from the corner of the pastry. Place a piece of goat’s cheese on top of it followed by another piece of black pudding. Cut a square from the pastry once you know approximately the size needed so each corner can reach the centre at the top of the stack 5. Remove the stack & roll the pastry gently, otherwise the pastry will be very thick.

6. Place a spoonful of red onion marmalade in the centre of the pastry square. Place the pudding & goat’s cheese stack on top of the marmalade.

Bring each corner of the pastry, up to the centre and press on it so it’s enclosed.

Follow these steps for each parcel.

7. Beat the egg with a fork and brush the parcel lightly.

8. Place on a greased baking tray & cook for 25 minutes 9. Serve on a bed of mixed leaf salad & drizzle with olive oil.

Marguerite O’ Dwyer The Cure Tavern Irish bar & restaurant

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No one believes seniors...

An elderly couple were celebrating their sixtieth anniversary in Dublin.

The couple had married as childhood sweethearts and had moved back to their old neighborhood after they retired.

Holding hands they walked back to their old school. It wasn’t locked, so they entered, and found the old desk they’d shared, where Michael had carved “I love you, Mary.”

On their way back home, a bag of money fell out of an armored car, practically landing at their feet. Mary quickly picked it up, but not sure what to do with it, they took it home.

There, she counted the money...50,000 Euros.

Michael said, “We’ve got to give it back, it’s stealing and a sin.”

Mary said, “No, finders keepers.” She put the money back in the bag and hid it in their attic.

The next day, two Garda men were canvassing the neighborhood looking for the money, and knock on the door. “Scuse me, but did either of you find a bag that fell out of an armored car yesterday?”

Mary said, “No.” Michael said, “She’s lying.

She hid it up in the attic.”

Mary said, “Don’t believe him, he’s getting senile.”

The Garda turn to Michael and began to question him. One says (sharpening his pencil): “Now, tell us the story from the beginning.”

Michael said, “Well, when Mary and I were walking home from school yesterday ........”

The first Garda turns to his partner and says, “Come on Sean, we’re outta here.”

Local News of Interest from the Past

News Published Every Two Months Re se arch e d

CHRISTMAS DAY CLOSING IN BELFAST 1906 From Evening News, Sydney, NSW Monday 5 February 1906

For the first time the public houses in Ireland were compulsorily closed on Christmas Day, except for travellers, and, so far as Belfast at least was concerned, the new departure cannot be described as a success. Beginning in the morning, there was a big rush of thirsty individuals to the suburbs of the city, where, beyond the three-mile limit, publicans did a roaring trade. Greencastle was the favourite, and so great was the exodus that the tramway officials had to put on extra service of trams, while jaunting cars were at a premium, as even with the additional service of trams the vehicles were unable to carry the bands of liquor-seeking men.

As usual when the so-called bona-fide travellers arrived at their destination they were not satisfied with a moderate amount of refreshment.

The publicans, anticipating an extra demand, had laid in six times their customary stock, but even this was not sufficient, and many of them were sold out in the early afternoon. As the day advanced drunken men became painfully prominent, and the scenes witnessed were disgraceful. Young men and old men lay on the roadside in a state of hopeless intoxication, while hundreds were staggering home in a maudlin condition.

In several cases the men were in a half demented state, and it was not an unusual spectacle to witness a man, under the impression that he was in his bedroom, commencing to undress himself.

Several similar scenes were enacted in other of the suburbs. In one case a publican sold no fewer than 250 dozen bottles of stout. Altogether, Christmas Day closing may be described as a disastrous failure in Belfast.

CHRISTMAS FIGHT CORK

IRELAND, December 27, 1933 Christmas in Clonakilty, in the Cork district, was marked by a fierce street fight between Republicans and supporters of General O’Duffy and Captain O’Sullivan, the released Blue Shirt leaders. Street lights were smashed, and the battle continued in the glare of bonfires. The police, while trying separate the rivals were beaten with sticks. Many people were treated for minor injuries.

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AUSTRALIAN LAMB FOR IRELAND HELD UP The Mail Adelaide Saturday 3 December 1932

The Jervis Bay’s cargo of Christmas lambs from Australia intended for Ireland is unlikely to reach the consignees because of the Free State Government’s insistence on a duty of 4d. a 1lb. Although the lambs are gifts, and not for sale, home grown Iamb is retailing in Ireland at 6d a lb. for the best pieces and it is not likely that the consignees will pay an all-round duty of 4d.

IRISHWOMAN’S DEATH AT 134

Freeman’s Journal Sydney Saturday 8 October 1904

Mrs Mary Murphy, the oldest person in the State of Pennsylvania, if her age is correctly reported, died at her home in Kerrtown, a suburb of Meadville, aged nearly 134 years. Mrs Murphy was interviewed a few months ago and said: ‘I was born in Dublin Ireland, on Christmas Day, 1770, and come to America in May, 1870, when I was in my 100th year. I was 28 years old when the Irish rebellion took place in 1798, and my first husband was a soldier. I was 33 years old when Robert Emmet was executed for treason, September 20, 1803. Mrs Murphy is survived by her second husband.

On Parade

A “BLACK CHRISTMAS” DUBLIN. November 8 1932

“It will be a black Christmas,” say a Cosgraveite. “Turkeys will be abundant at a few pence, but that is useless to the turkeyraisers. Cattle breeders say that the new tariff has been received with consternation.

It deals a severe blow at the turkey and chicken trade, and it is impossible to export cattle to Britain. Mr. De Valera’s bounties are now futile. Both large and small producers are on the brink of ruin”.

From Western Mail Perth, WA Thursday 24 December 1931 At the Press R.S.L. sub-branch Christmas dinner on Saturday night at the Soldiers’ Institute, Mr. Paul Daly of 6WF, speaking about his funniest Christmas, said it was in Ireland in 1915 when he joined the South Irish Horse.

After he had given his first exhibition in the riding school the instructor halted the parade and asked him what he was in civil life. “A comedian on the stage,” was the reply. “I’ve never seen you on the stage” said the instructor, “but you’re very funny on a horse!”

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Paddy was the Bard of Drogheda and a friend to Perth (Irish Scene)

“I love this old town and that’s the God’s truth But there’s been many changes Since the days of my youth”.

Paddy Cluskey, the Drogheda Bard’ whose poems graced the pages of the Drogheda Leader and even those of Irish Scene, died in November 2013, aged 81.

He was a genial giant of a man who for years wrote his own particular brand of poems about the town and people he loved so much. In fact he penned thousands of poems in his life and his three collections of poetry ‘My Kind of People’ is a chronicle and history of his native homeland as well as a full description of it in all its uniqueness, colour and character.

“It was heartbreaking to hear of his death, as to say I loved him was an understatement,” said fellow poet Bridie Maxwell. “We would always read a poem out at the Cenotaph together for Remembrance Sunday, and it felt to odd this year for him not to be there. He will be missed so much.”

Friend and neighbour in Stameen Jim Corcoran said nothing went on in Drogheda that Paddy didn’t know about.

“He was a great character and he knew everything that was going on in the town, and would write a poem about it too,” said Jim. “He also loved his trips to Cheltenham and Bellewstown as he was a great fan of horse racing.”

Lifelong pal Nuala Early said Paddy’s home town of Drogheda was his first love; its memories, characters, customs and quirkiness. “He had a poem for every occasion, which will become a written history for future generations.

Paddy and Peg travelled the world extensively, gathering friends who to this day have remained steadfast, and recognise his goodness and loyalty.”

From the union of two of Drogheda’s most well -known families – the Cluskeys and the Mullens – Paddy was born in 1932, the son of Jack and Peggy Cluskey, Halpin’s Terrace. A scaffolder by trade, he lived in Forest Edge, Stameen, with his wife Peggy, where they had four sons, all grown.

Local councillor Frank Maher paid tribute to the man whom he described as ‘ the bard of Drogheda.’

“The death of Paddy Cluskey is a huge loss to the town. He used his great talent to chronicle the life and times of his neighbours and friends. He had a strong social conscience and was a great advocate for senior citizens and those most in need.”

Paddy is sadly missed by his loving wife Peggy, sons Michael, John, David and Colum, daughters in law Elaine, Linda and Debbie, grandchildren Mark, Kyle, Sinead, Joanne, Emma and CJ, brother Barry, sisters Marie, Antoinette and Agnes, brothers in law, sisters in law, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends.

Paddy will also be sadly missed by Tony Synnott of Perth. Tony introduced our readers to Paddy’s poems and

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Paddy’s friends drink a toast to him outside his local Ollie’s Bar.

always sent Paddy a copy of our Irish Scene which he really appreciated.

It is fitting that another man of letters who knew Paddy well should pay him the fitting and final tribute to him. Paul Murphy, the former Editor of The Drogheda Independent, penned this poetic tribute.

Farewell Paddy

By Paul Murphy Drogheda’s Poet Laureate Paddy Cluskey is gone, To the great poets’ circle in the sky, Up there with Heaney and Yeats, A simple scribe to you and I For years and years, He chronicled the laughter and the tears, Of all of we Droghedeans His town he knew so very well, The Marsh, The Dale and Newfoundwell, Within its walls, he heard the call Of ancient times long gone Week after week he honed his verse, So very terse, but then true to life, In the columns of the Leader All the characters, He knew their names, Recalling how they played their games, On the Boyneside so long ago We will always remember the 8th of September, When a coach load went on a trip to Spelga Dam, Leaving you behind because you weren’t well But then your family had a surprise in store when they brought you out for a Sunday spin, And joined us in a little inn called McBride’s in far off “Belingum”, How you enjoyed the song and craic, And a “pint of plain” you didn’t lack If St Peter asks you if you’re late, Tell him you were delayed at Laurence Gate, He’ll surely say “you’re welcome auld son”, “Here, have a yarn with Tennyson.”

LATEST PRODUCTION BY NORTHERN IRELAND FILM MAKER

By JOHN HAGAN Film producer, Nial Fulton, from Enniskillen (Co Fermanagh), has always been enthralled by outsiders, individuals living on the frontier, on the margins and just beyond the watch of authority. “As a kid I was obsessed by westerns – The Magnificent Seven, High Plains Drifter, The Outlaw Josey Wales,” he recalls. When he began reading about Australian bushrangers he couldn’t believe why so many interesting stories had been lost or forgotten. To Nial, Aussie colonial history boasted, “stories and characters comparable to Billy the Kid and Jesse James yet they had disappeared.” When he stumbled across a book entitled, The Worst and the Last of the Van Diemen’s Land Bushrangers – Michael Howe, in a Sydney bookshop, he had to buy it.

On reading, its potential as a movie tale was immediately apparent, but it took Nial a further painstaking six months research and writing before the cameras were ready to roll. Interestingly, Howe’s story was the first book of general literature produced in Australia.

An architectural student, Nial commenced working in Belfast

during the 1990s and soon realized there wasn’t a huge demand for artistic buildings around the city.

“The firm I worked for told me not to worry too much about making the buildings look beautiful as they were probably going to get blown up again anyway”, he says with a wry grin.

While working on a film project in Ireland with actor/director Adrian Dunbar (also from Enniskillen) he met his wife-to-be Abbey, an architect from Sydney, and they soon settled down in London where he worked with Channel 4. After a few years the “draw of family and good coffee”, not to mention the depressing British weather, became too much for Abbey, and, with a small son in tow, they relocated to Sydney.

For Nial it was a move fraught with uncertainty. “I knew nobody in the business in Australia”, he admits, so initially, breaking in to the industry was a struggle.

While Abbey was able to continue with her architectural career, Nial eventually scored a position with one of Australia’s most prestigious, independent, film and television

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production houses, Essential Media, and over a six year period produced remarkable ground-breaking television including Solo, Miracles and The Last Confession of Alexander Pearce.

As with his Pearce production, Michael Howe was also largely shot in the Tasmanian Highlands, a landscape which Nial adores dubbing it as being akin to “Fermanagh on steroids”. Recently screened, to critical acclaim, on ABC TV, The Outlaw Michael Howe depicts the remarkable story of a deported felon (Howe) who became the leader of a notorious gang of bushrangers and instigated a rebellion which nearly brought the corrupt administration of the fledgling Van Diemen’s colony (now Tasmania) to its knees. The drama explores the complex relationship between the outlaws, led by Howe, and the British establishment under the governance of Tom Davey and his magistrates.

Partly shot in Tasmania’s Mount Field National Park, an environment which Nial describes as “a place so beautiful it’s hard to put into words”, life on-location

was not easy for either actors or crew.

“Mount Field threw everything at us”, Nial ruefully declares.

“We had near freezing conditions on the summit, with snow, sleet and gale force winds. Our cast came close to hypothermia swimming in the lake”. Then there were the leeches, Nial Fulton snakes and mud.

More shooting took place on a derelict NSW theme park at Gosford (“think Ulster American Folk Park [Co Tyrone] and imagine it had been left to fall apart for ten years”), where again actors and crew had to contend with snakes, leeches, spiders, huge storms, and Sydney’s hottest day ever.

Nial readily admits that Howe was his most challenging film, and yet, despite the privations experienced, “Everyone was still smiling at the end”. Fortunately, Nial was supported on location by some of Australia’s best. Acclaimed actor Brendan Cowell assisted with the script and also directed, while behind the camera was Simon Harding who filmed The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings. Nial is also pleased that, “Most of my crew from the Pearce film came back” and “dug in to make it happen”.

In total, the location shooting of The Outlaw Michael Howe took three weeks, but, says Nial, “Filming is only half time in any production. We still had to come back to Sydney and edit the picture, compose the music, grade and mix it all.”

With Howe having been screened on ABC TV, Nial, through his new production company (In Films), is engaged a number of TV projects, including a major documentary series in the United States. He is also in the process of developing of a feature film based on the Vogel Australian award winning novel, The Roving Party.

A widow’s son outlawed: Ned Kelly versus the emptiness of Chopper Read By Stuart Munckton, Green Left Weekly Call me old-fashioned, but as far as celebrity outlaws go, I’ll take Ned Kelly over Chopper Read any day.

The rise to fame of recently deceased Mark “Chopper” Read symbolised the emptiness of our celebrity culture. In a world governed by large-scale gangsters in control of big industry and finance, Read was a mere petty psychopath and opportunist who figured out how to turn a buck from the fact that, as he famously noted, “posh people love gangsters”.

Ned Kelly, on the other hand, achieved fame and notoriety for entirely different reasons. The son of an Irish convict, sent to Van Diemen’s Land by the British occupiers for stealing two pigs, Kelly represented a distinct social layer — the often Irish Catholic rural poor who represented one of the lowest rungs in the social order of the white colonisers.

Like many released convicts, Kelly’s father Red took a piece of land in rural northeast Victoria as a “selector”. However, the best land was already taken by the wealthy “squatters”, a key part of the colonial ruling elite. As well as poor land, the selectors were banned by law from farming livestock.

In the face of such restrictions, selectors inevitably turned to stealing cattle and horses from rich landowners. In turn, the squatters set the corrupt and brutal police force, essentially their private armed force, on the selectors.

The Kelly family suffered greatly from police persecution. Red was charged with stealing and cooking a cow. Cleared of theft, he was nonetheless found guilty of removing a brand from the cow’s hide and given a fine of 20 pounds or six months hard labour.

Unable to pay the fine, he served his sentence. The hard labour destroyed his health and he died soon after release.

The police persecution of the Kelly family continued, culminating in the ridiculous incident that drove Kelly and his brother Dan into hiding. Constable Alexander Fitzpatrick, an infamous drunkard and liar later sacked by police, was involved in an incident at the Kelly house where he was alleged to have threatened the family.

He later claimed to have been shot in the wrist by Ned. Not only did Ned insist he was nowhere near the house at the time, but the doctor who treated Fitzpatrick’s wrist said the constable was extremely drunk and the injury was not caused by a bullet.

Ellen Kelly Ignoring the doctor’s evidence, Judge Redmond Barry (who would later sentence Kelly to hang) sentenced his mother Ellen Kelly to three years in jail for aiding and abetting attempted murder.

Two other men present for the incident were sentenced to six years. Barry said if Ned had been at the trial, he’d have gotten 15 years jail. A reward of 100 pounds was offered for the capture of Ned and Dan. Hunted by police, Ned, Dan and two friends Steve Hart and Joe Byrne, ended up in a shoot-out with a police squad at Stringybark Creek in October 1878 that left three officers dead. In his famous “Jerilderie Letter”, Kelly disputes the police account of the shoot out, insisting he acted in self-defence.

Regardless, there was no turning back for the gang. Officially outlawed, Kelly could be shot by anyone on sight for an ever-growing reward. The path was set that led to what appears to have been an aborted uprising at Glenrowan more than two years later.

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The story of the Kelly family is the story of thousands of the Irish poor. And, with the poor farmers often Irish and the squatters largely English Protestants, it is not surprising Kelly viewed his struggle against authorities in the British colonial outpost as a direct continuation of Ireland’s fight for national liberation — a view he set out in the “Jerilderie Letter”.

Often dismissed as just a bank robber and police killer, Kelly was widely viewed as a symbol of opposition to a corrupt and brutal justice system and social inequality.

This was not just among the rural poor that protected the Kelly Gang. A horrified Age journalist, in November 1878, described the strong support from the city’s poor for Kelly as “more than astonishing — positively sickening”.

After Kelly’s trial in 1880, a mass meeting of 8000 people demanded a reprieve. More than 30,000 people signed a petition against Kelly’s execution.

The Kelly gang were also the spearhead of what seems to have been an aborted armed revolution, for which the siege at Glenrowan in 1880 appears to have been intended as a trigger.

Having robbed two banks (donating funds to supporters), the Kelly Gang had not carried out any public actions for 18 months.

During this time, they evaded police capture despite the reward for Kelly having risen to an unprecedented 8000 pounds (about $3 million today).

The reward was combined with state repression, including the internment (jailing without trial) of dozens of suspected “Kelly sympathisers”. That the Kelly Gang remained at large despite this suggests highly organised networks of supporters.

The details remain unclear, but it appears the gang had been preparing for an uprising starting at Glenrowan. During the siege of Glenrowan, police reports contain sightings of groups of armed men in the surrounding district.

One report states that, after the attempt to derail a train filled with police was thwarted, Kelly addressed a crowd of 150 armed men on a nearby hill, calling off the planned uprising.

Unconfirmed reports also suggested Kelly was captured with a proclamation for a Republic of North-East Victoria on him, though such a document has never been published.

What is clear is that, whereas Chopper Read represented no challenge at all to the status quo, Ned Kelly directly threatened it.

The authorities were terrified of what was known at the time as “the Kelly Outbreak”, and they lived in fear for years of a “second outbreak”.

To stave off a fresh rebellion, the authorities instigated reforms to the police and justice system, as well as to alleviate conditions for the rural poor sector Kelly came from. It may have ended in defeat, but the “Kelly Outbreak” led to direct improvement in people’s lives, something that could hardly be said for Read’s exploits.

The clearest indication for how Kelly viewed his struggle came in the “Jerilderie Letter”. The gang had robbed a bank in the NSW town of Jerilderie in February 1879, but the main purpose of raiding the town was to give a newspaper editor a letter for publication in which Kelly sets out his point of view.

However, authorities feared its impact and suppressed its publication. It was finally published in full in 1930.

Dictated to Joe Byrne by the illiterate Kelly, the 8000-word letter was an explosive and furious rant that veers from detailing sustained police persecution, defending him-self over the Stringybark Creek killings, expressing a desire for personal revenge and setting out an agenda for resolving far deeper social concerns.

Kelly saved his most inspired invective for the police, condemning the “brutal and cowardly conduct of a parcel of big, ugly, fat-necked, wombat-headed, bigbellied, magpie-legged, narrow-hipped, splay-footed sons of Irish bailiffs or English landlords which is better known as officers of Justice or Victorian Police”. He then wonders “what business any honest person would have in the police”.

In the letter, he advises the rich landowners to use their wealth to alleviate poverty, insisting this was the way to stop theft of livestock. He said: “I wish those men who joined the Stock Protection Society [an association of rich squatters] to withdraw their money and give it and as much more to the widows, and orphans and poor of Greta district”, where Kelly had grown up.

In the letter, Kelly explicitly threatened armed rebellion if justice was not served: “It will pay government to give those people who are suffering innocence, justice and liberty. If 59

not, I will be compelled to show some colonial stratagem which will open the eyes of not only the Victoria police and inhabitants, but also the whole British army.”

Kelly warned the rich landowners in the region, if they were opposed to his proposals, “to sell out, and give 10 pounds out of every hundred towards the widow and orphan fund and do not attempt to reside in Victoria”.

Kelly concluded: “I do not wish to give the order full force without giving timely warning, but I am a widow’s son outlawed, and my orders must be obeyed.”

The line “But I am a widow’s son outlawed...” deserves to be a famous saying, rather than the defeatist “Such is life”, which evidence suggests Kelly did not even utter as his last words.

The power of the last line of the letter comes from the context. Kelly was a widow’s son because his father was dragged here in chains by Ireland’s occupiers, then persecuted to death. The reference to his mother was deliberate — having lost her husband she was then jailed, despite having small children to look after, for a crime that never even occurred.

And now this widow’s son tells the rich and powerful that he “must be obeyed”. A representative of the lowest sector of white colonisers, pushed into rebellion, was seeking to turn the tables on his tormentors.

The letter is a wild and often unfocussed rant, and its political program incipient at best, but it expresses widely felt anger at the conditions of an entire social layer. In terms of literary comparison, there is no question Chopper Read’s books feature better grammar and spelling — but contain nothing of the passion, hatred of oppression or desire for justice found in Kelly’s letter.

The rebellion Kelly tried to lead was defeated. As Australian folk band Redgum concluded in their 1978 song “Poor Ned”, “it’s a thousand like Ned Kelly” that is needed to win deep-going social change.

On the other hand, one hired killer and torturer like Chopper Read is probably one too many.

Source: www.greenleft.org.au The most important things to do in the world are to get something to eat, something to drink and somebody to love you.

Brendan Behan

The Broken Jug Reviewed by Solas Mac an Tuille

The Irish Theatre Players (ITP) ended 2013 on a hilarious note. Who could believe that there could be a comedy set in the famine period in Ireland, but that is exactly what local audiences were treated to in the production of The Broken Jug. It proves yet gain that the ITP is not afraid to tackle plays that are outside the norm.

The Broken Jug was written by the well-known Irish writer John Banville who adapted it from a German story. It tells the sequence of events that occur in Ballybog, a small town in the west of Ireland in 1846. A motley selection of local peasants and gentry interact against the backdrop of starvation in the local community. Chief among the locals is Judge Adam who, in his first scene with his clerk Lynch, raises questions in us about his state and behavior, rather unbefitting of a judge. He is drunk and disheveled but he makes valiant attempts to make excuses to explain to his clerk how he is in such a state.

Hilarity follows as both the judge and the clerk attempt to get the court business organised as they learn there is going to be audit of the court processes which will be carried out by Sir Walter Peel, the Lord Lieutenant’s inspector of courts from London. When the servant girl begins to make references to the judge’s lost wig the plot begins to thicken as we wonder just what Judge Adam was up to. Funny scenes follow where the clerk, who secretly coverts the judge’s job, watches as the judge’s comments, behavior and judicial decisions does not impress the visiting Sir Walter.

Then into the mayhem comes the widow Martha Reck whose precious jug and family heirloom has been broken.

Coming up in April 2014

“MY THREE ANGELS”

By Sam and Bella Spewack Directed by Jim Motherway A delightful comedy set in French Guiana, starring three convicts from Devil’s Island. Unlikely angels they are; but they set about solving a poor family’s problems in their own inimitable way!

Our older readers may remember the wonderful movie from 1955, called “We’re No Angels” starring Humphrey Bogart, Peter Ustinov and Aldo Ray, which was based on this lovely little comedy.

NOT TO BE MISSED !!!

She is convinced it was broken by her daughter’s fiancée Robert Temple who is the son of Willie Temple, a small tenant farmer.

Martha is seeking compensation for the broken jug and also does not want Eve her daughter to be involved with the Temples. Bridget Temple, Willie’s sister, appears in court towards the end of the play.

Although she doesn’t realise it, it is what she has seen that final turns the torch on the judge who up to that had been wriggling out of tight corners. The judge was proven to have committed other more serious offences as well as breaking Martha Reck’s jug.

Ultimately his clerk realises his ambition to take over as judge.

There were very good performances from Denice Byrne as Martha Reck, Kieran Garvey as the clerk, Michelle Delaney as Eve and Phyllis Graham as Bridget Temple. But ultimately this was Jim Motherway’s theatre de force in his role as Judge Adam. From his comedy timing and unwavering energy throughout the production Jim gave of his best and the audience wallowed in it.

For more information: The Irish Theatre Players contact us at 61 Townshend Rd, Subiaco or Ph 9401-0964 www.irishtheatreplayers.com.au

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Around the Irish scene... Compiled by Fred Rea Marty Burke doing the Siege of Ennis at the Irish Club!

Sarah of Rosies is a proud mammy. Her beautiful baby daughter was born at 5.51pm only one day past her due date! Quinn Isobel Taylor weighed in at 3.2 kilo so not that small! Congrats Sarah!

Our book reviewer Colin Merrey recently celebrated his 70th Birthday wth family and friends. Looks like Colin had trouble blowing out the candles... that’s what age does to you Colin mate!

Martin “Fada “ Sheehan (left holding book) in his days playing soccer for Cork Hibernians. Martin is current president of the Irish Golf Club and driving golf balls instead of driving centre forwards mad!

Teresa, Nic and Lauren enjoying the craic at Durty Nelly’s

Catherine Jones and Lilly Rea enjoy a Christmas Lunch in Midland Guess whos coming back to Perth in March for a few gigs?

Perth Corkonians celebrate Christmas at Durty Nellies in Shafto Lane. The Bold Thady Quill and De Banks got a fierce hammering on the day. When are the Dubs going to have their get together I wonder?

Congratulations te Deborah Burrows and Gerard Dinan who recently announced their engagement

Dermot Byrne has a new addition to the clan, lovely lil baby boy Tiernan James Fitzgerald born 22/10/13 7lb, Mum Clare is so happy.

P.S This is Dermot’s 17th grandchild.

Below: Congratulations to Lloyd and Imelda Gorman who recently had the new arrival Ewan christened in Whitfords.

Happy Birthday Noel Murphy!

Noel Murphy, for over three decades, entertained an estimated one million people who dined at one of Irelands’s top visitor attractions, Bunratty Castle. After 25 years of unbroken service, in 2009 senior entertainer Noel bid farewell, bringing the curtain down on a remarkable career. Noel was in Perth to celebrate his 70th Birthday recently with brother Frank Murphy of Fremantle Radio.

He is pictured above with his Perth family at his birthday celebration. Noel said that his Perth family is now larger than his Irish family!

Congratulations Noel enjoy your trip to Perth.

Congratulations Noel Colgan, the man from Westmeath, who recently celebrated his 80th Birthday

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Claddagh Association of WA

GOLF DAY December 2013

Thanks to the following sponsors: Waste Water Management, Mighty Quinn C. Gallagher Migration, The Kelly Team Hydair Drives, B.C. Formwork, Killarney Autos Trinity Meats, Fibber McGee’s, Taste 32 Carnegie’s Bar, The Cure Tavern, Durty Nelly’s Paul McLoughlin Butchers, SRNR Entertainment Winners: Sean Byrne and PJ Kenny who generously donated their prize back to the Claddagh Association.

Thanks to everyone who played and helped on the day, for without your support we would not be able to continue the work we do.

Many thanks to Nigel Williams and his staff at Peninsula Golf Course.

Weddings and Funerals

Registration No: A13566

Marian Byrne Civil Celebrant Ph: (+618) 6150 1901 Mob: 0410 345 224 marianbyrne90@hotmail.com

Types of ceremonies:

• Wedding Ceremonies • Commitment Ceremonies • Naming Ceremonies • Birthday ceremonies • Renewal of vows • Funerals

trueloveceremonies.com.au 62

Martin Kavanagh Honorary Consul Of Ireland

Many thanks to all those who applied for passport renewals in plenty of time to beat the Christmas rush. Passport renewals are currently taking 6-8 weeks so please allow plenty of time if you are planning to travel in 2014. We are always happy to meet you by appointment to ensure all the paperwork is correct before your application is processed. A few things to bear in mind re passports.

• Please ensure your passport has at least 6 months validity at all times • Not all countries accept temporary passports so it is wise to keep your permanent passport up to date • Please obtain passports for new born children as soon as possible. We cannot issue emergency passports for children so please attend to your child’s passport as soon as possible.

• If your passport is stolen or lost you must provide a police report before your application for a new passport will be processed.

A special message to the many young Irish in WA. Please, please do not use your Irish passport as your ID for entry to pubs and clubs as it is all too easy to lose your passport. If there is a family emergency at home you’ll want to get back immediately and not have to apply for emergency travel documents. Your Irish passport is an extremely important document and the Irish Passport Office takes a very dim view of those who have a record for lost passports. We should not assume lost passports will automatically be replaced. I’d encourage you to obtain a Proof of Age Card as soon as possible from the WA Department of Transport. It’s quick, cheap and by far a better way to prove your ID. Further information on http://www.transport. wa.gov.au/licensing/21276.asp

Athbhliain faoi mhaise daoibh

From Richard, Lynda and everyone at the Honorary Consulate we wish you all the very best for a happy and successful 2014.

Perth Office: 1/100 Terrace Road East Perth Western Australia 6004 Tel: (08) 6557 5802 Fax: (08) 9218 8433 Email: info@consulateofirelandwa.com.au Website: www.consulateofirelandwa.com.au Office Hours: Mon-Fri 10.30 - 2.00pm by appointment only

Follow the Irish Embassy on Twitter: @irlembaustralia

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Rest in Peace Thomas

Thomas Jay Keaney passed away in January, almost two weeks after he suffered a severe head injury in Northbridge. In the early hours of Tuesday, December 17, Thomas was assaulted in Aberdeen Street Northbridge.

Thomas’s parents had flown into Perth to be at his bedside. Thomas, from County Galway who worked at The Cure Tavern had been in Royal Perth Hospital since the early hours of December 17 when it is alleged he was punched once in the head and fell on to the road.

Thomas’s sister, Lauren, posted on Facebook: “I would like to thank everyone for all the love, support and prayers ye have sent to Thomas.

He is a legend and we are so touched by all the kind words”.

To his family and friends we extend our deepest sympathy.

If you would like to help the Keaney family you can make donations to the bank account below.

The Claddagh Association of WA are supporting the family and friends of Thomas during this terrible time. If you would like to make a donation to Thomas’s fund you can do so through Paypal at www.claddagh.org.au all donations over $2 are tax deductible. Thank you for your support

land of

&

Ireland

honey

History of Irish Soda Bread Many traditions found in the Emerald Isle are the makings of legends; true Irish Soda bread remains an international favorite.

This Irish classic quick bread owns a flavor that make it’s consumer travel into the history of old. It surprises some people to learn that this traditional recipe hasn’t been around for thousands of years. Bicarbonate of soda was first introduced to Ireland around the 1840s.

As befitting many of the best breads in the world, Irish Soda Bread is a traditional product of a poor country, it was made with only the most basic of ingredients: flour, baking soda (used as a leavening agent instead of yeast), soured milk to moisten and activate the soda, and salt. Before baking, a cross was cut on the top with a knife, to ward off the devil and protect the household. From the earliest times, bread-making was an integral part of daily life in almost every home. Families lived in isolated farmhouses where most kitchens had only open hearths, not ovens, so the breads that developed were baked on griddles

or in large three-legged black iron pots over fragrant turf fires. This method resulted in a loaf that was tender and dense, with a slight sour tang and a hard crust. Being quite perishable, it was made every 2-3 days and eaten with the main meal, not as dessert.

Soda bread is shaped in different shapes based on the region of Ireland in which it is being prepared. In the Southern regions it is shaped and baked as a round loaf with a cross marked on top. In the North regions of the country, the soda bread is flattened into a round disc and divided into four equal triangular shapes; each triangle is then cooked on a flat griddle. This method of cooking the soda bread is very quick, ideal for when unexpected guests arrive for a bit of banter. The traditional service of the bread is for a section to be broken off, the piece then split and buttered warm.

Today traditions still carry down. The aroma and taste of traditional soda bread is unique to Ireland, and it’s become the established favorite with tourists and locals alike. Now in the 21st century, there is an abundance of readily available, good-quality breads in supermarkets, but still quite a few Irish families still bake their own bread daily from

specially treasured recipes passed down through the generations.

Easy Irish Soda Bread Ingredients 3 & 2/3 cups unbleached, all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon kosher salt 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 & 1/2 cups buttermilk Preheat oven to 425.

Line a baking sheet with parchment.

Whisk together the flour, salt, and baking soda. Make a well in the center, and pour in the buttermilk. Stir gently. The dough will be sticky and soft, but not overly wet.

If needed, add in as much as 1/4 cup more buttermilk. Dump the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead a few times. Form into and 8” circle and place on the prepared pan.

Use a sharp knife to cut a cross into the top of the dough.

Bake for 25-30 minutes, until golden brown.

Transfer to a wire rack to cool slightly before serving. (This bread is also good totally cooled and served with butter and jam.)

Products include: McLoughlin’s Irish Pork Sausages Black and White Pudding Irish Bacon and Gammon Joints Potato Bread and Soda Bread Barry’s Tea and Club Orange Odlums Brown and White Bread Mix Chef Brown and Red sauce

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Opening hours: Mon - Wed 8:00am to 6:00pm Thursday 8:00am to 7:30pm Friday 8:00am to 6:00pm Saturday 8:00am to 5:00pm Sunday 11:00am to 5:00pm

•

Music in IRISH IRISH MUSIC MUSIC Celtic Northern Tasmania

SESSION

The Celtic music tradition is being kept alive, very enthusiastically, by a small group of players and singers in northern Tasmania.

The main venue for a regular session, [every Sunday at 5 p.m.], is the Royal Oak Hotel at the corner of Brisbane and Tamar Streets, opposite City Park in Launceston. It is an open session and visiting musicians and singers are welcome.

There is a strong emphasis on the Irish tradition but Scottish music is not forgotten: some fine players make an appearance every now and then and some of us are keen to slip in a few Scottish jigs, reels or even a strathspey! The Royal Oak is very supportive of its players and the Guinness, my friends tell me, is excellent! Their wine goes down very well, too!

Once a month,[every second Friday] many of us are currently meeting at the Westbury Hotel, Westbury from 8 p.m. until about 11 p.m. This is predominantly a tunes session but not so long ago, that well-known Scottish dancing teacher, Rosemary Kew, came along and called a dance!

There is also a gathering at the old Liffey school, Liffey, every third Friday and again all are welcome, both singers and musicians. A gold coin donation is requested and bring either something for supper or a log of wood for the open fire! Very cosy!

Along with these public venues, there is a regular session, once a month,[by invitation], in a private house. More recently, another house session has tentatively started up.

There are various dance bands operating out of the northern region as well as informal groups playing for nursing homes and other community based activities.

In spite of the fact that we are scattered all over the northern area we seem to keep in touch and drive many, many kilometres just to play together!

EVERY TUESDAY

7PM -11PM

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Every Tuesday: Guinness $6 from 6pm

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50 East Street Guildford

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An bhfuil spéis agat le Rang Gaeilge a mhúineadh?

Caithfidh tú bheith i ngrá leis an teanga mar ní bheidh airgead ar bith agat ann. Tá beirt mhúinteoirí ag teastáil don bliain scoile ag tosú mí Feabhra – duine amháin don Bunrang agus duine eile don Ardrang. Bíonn na ranganna ar siúl faoi scáth Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann gach oíche Luain óna seacht go dtí a hocht a chlog in Áras na nGael i Subiaco.

Le tuilleadh eolais a fháil, cuir glaoch ar Máire (0417 918 458) nó r-phost (uaranta.1@gmail.com).

Tamar Valley Folk Festival 2014

Jan 17, 18, 19 - George Town - Tasmania Featuring: Monsieur Swing -Gypsy Swing Band, The Yearlings, Richard Perso, Steve Turner, Maria Ford, Suzette Herft, Phil Beck, Danny Spooner All enquiries (including camping) contact: Phone: 0407 313 103 - Email: info@tamarvalleyfolkfestival.com

Irish Class for Beginners and Continuing Irish at the Irish Club, Subiaco, Mon 7-8pm (School and public holidays excluded).

Further information: Máire 0417 918 458

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just left the rented car back to the airport so we were sort of stranded for the remainder of the day. “I don’t think so” I said. “Remember I lived here for all of my youth.”

“Go on” she insisted, “I went on it yesterday and you might even enjoy it!” Well in the end I went and I with David MacConnell did; enjoy it that is.

It consisted of two parts. So to keep you in suspense, I will describe the first part here and the second in the next edition. The bus was some minutes away so I chatted to the guide for some minutes in my I remember reading George still-Ulster accent. He looked at me Orwell’s “1984” in 1965 and doubtfully when I tried to explain thinking would I ever see the year to him I was an Australian. “Oh 1984. Well I did and that was thirty yeah?” he said. “And what would years ago. It seems we are all getting yew be doing back here in this neck a little older. We can only reflect of the woods?” I couldn’t think on how lucky we have been. So of a suitable reply so I asked him many of us have left the olde sod how things were in this neck of the for a better life woods. “Not so and we were not good” he remarks. disappointed.

“Sure we are just I did a gig last one bullet away week to celebrate from it all starting the birthday of up again.” a beautiful Irish The bus arrived lass who had at this time so I just become an happed on. Well it octogenarian. She was described was the life of the aptly in the party and along brochure with her husband as a hap on had many stories hap off bus! to tell. Thanks (Apologies S. and M. for the for the invitation. They accent here) invoked many I proceeded memories of happy times I spent to a good seat and was gratified “back home!” to find that they now have One of them occurred quite traffic wardens in Belfast. (see recently. Well it was a lovely photograph left). In my day you autumn day (for Ulster) 15 degrees did not leave your car anywhere and a little sun. The wife and myself near the city centre. Why not I hear were on our last day in the province you ask? Well it would probably before heading down to Dublin and have been blown up just in case it Dubai. We had had a memorable was a car bomb! flight from Barcelona to Belfast!

And a few minutes later we “Why don’t you go on the Belfast set off down Castle Place towards bus ride” my wife said to me. I had the Albert clock, over the Queens

ULSTER

Rambles

Back to Belfast after 40 years

Looking to Hire a Car in Ireland?

Bridge, towards the docks, Harland and Wolff and the Titanic Quarter which I have already mentioned in detail in previous articles. Then a long trip towards Holywood and then to Stormont.

Our guide was in full swing by now and even the Japanese and Greek couples (despite their economy) on board were laughing at his sense of humour. It was not easy to distinguish truth from fiction.

“Belfast has recently been voted the safest city in the world” He boomed through his microphone.

“And why is that?” he proceeded.

“Because the criminals of yesteryear are now all in government!” was his rhetorical answer. Great laughter

from the passengers until we realised he was probably not joking.

The buildings at Stormont he went into in great detail especially about the effect the pigeons were having on the roof and of course the statue of Edward Carson.

“The funeral of George Best was

www.dan-dooley.ie 66

here” our good guide informed us. “Tens of thousands lined the road right down as far as you can see.”

And off we set again returning to the city centre via the Newtownards road. We passed over the Lagan once again where I noticed a weird sculpture.

(Almost as weird as the communist’s statues I mentioned in my last article) It was designed (apparently) to represent the latest progress in peace. I quote our good guide once again.

“Coming up on the left side of the bus you can see the latest in Ulster art. It was designed to represent the peace process but in usual Ulster humour - she is known as many things: The Thing with the Ring; The Nuala with the Hula (Nuala a common Irish girl’s name); or simply The Doll on the Ball.” Of course he failed to tell us what the real name was.

Above you can see my picture on this fine autumn day of the “Doll on the Ball” from the bus. Back then to the city centre where our guided reminded us that this was just the first half. The second half was much more exciting as we would be travelling to the Shankill and Falls and would be able to see the peace wall and the many murals.

Well it’s back down to earth for me after remembering the cool time (in both senses) I had on the bus. Of course I will reveal all in the next article.

Happy birthday “B” once again. I hope you enjoyed the music, the memories and the dancing.

A happy and prosperous New Year to everyone.

May your health be good and the good memories be plentiful.

David MacConnell.

Irish Old Time Music plus original songs

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www.exportair.com.au 67

Colin Merrey’s

s w e i v e R

BOOKSBOOKSBOOKSBOOKS Well – I hope you all had a good Christmas – I know I did – I also got in a lot of good reading during the Christmas holidays – too hot to do much apart from eat, drink, sleep and exercise (a little!!). I have toiled long and hard to give you a lot to choose from especially for this issue so here goes. You may also find some goodies in here to spend your Christmas monetary and book token gifts on. I sincerely hope so.

Don’t forget that if you have problems finding a good new- or second hand bookseller, you can try my favourites which are (in no particular order of preference) Dymocks at Whitford City – I particularly find Tracy to be extremely helpful when trying to source the latest book recently to add to my personal collection. They also have stores in Subiaco Belmont (all part of the same franchise holder’s “armoury”), Karrinyup and Fremantle amongst other branches both city and state-wide. I also look to Mark at the Corona Books shop at Warwick Shopping Centre for good service – I find him, too, to be extremely helpful and obliging and with a good knowledge of books and authors. In the realm of Second Hand book sellers, you can’t go past Pulp Fiction – who have stores (again) at Whitford City and also at Floreat Forum Shopping Centre or the Elizabeth’s Bookshop chain which has shops in Fremantle, Perth City (Murray Street) and Subiaco to name but a few branches. I also look to the Guildford Book Exchange for good service. Also please remember to let the various stores know who pointed you in their direction. The feedback is great for them and it shows me that you are actually taking the time to read what I have prepared for your enjoyment with each issue.

Then my work will not have been in vain, as it were!

Firstly, to my book of the month – I have chosen this one, because the subject is one of the most talked about people in the history of Australia – notorious bushranger, Ned Kelly.

NED KELLY – PETER FITZSIMONS Random House Hardback $49.95 This is a wonderful insight into this man by one of our most prolific and erudite investigative journalists her in the Land of Oz. Peter has written some brilliant historical tomes over the years (including a review of the Eureka stockade that you may recall I told you about some time back in an earlier edition of the Scene). This one is no exception as he

delves into the mystery of this enigmatic and larger than life character – was he a thief, a remorseless killer, a hero, an Aussie Robin Hood or a political revolutionary? Through extensive research, Peter has set out to peel away the layers of this man’s persona to try to get to the bottom of the mysteries that surround the man that was Ned Kelly.

A truly fascinating read.

And now to continue – it would seem that there are a lot of people (entertainers, actors, media personalities and their like) who have set down their life stories in print for the benefit of all those (like me, in fact) who have an interest in such matters.

That said, there has been of late an absolute epidemic of biographies and auto biographies that have passed though my portals so I thought I would give you a heads up in that regard and list some of them for you. All I may add have been very well written by the persons themselves (sometimes with the aid of a co- or ghost-writer) and make on the whole very engrossing reading. I must say that I found out quite a bit about them that I hadn’t previously been aware of – their personal struggles before achieving overnight success, etc.

I don’t think that I need to go into any real detail about these books because they really speak for themselves.

So here goes!

THE REAL MRS BROWN – BRIAN BEACOM Hodder and Stoughton Paperback $29.99 The story of Brendan O’Carroll – the wonderful Mrs Brown who has graced our TV screens of late (sometimes with mixed reviews – although I make no bones of the fact that I think he/she is extremely entertaining)

long time.

DAVID BECKHAM – BY HIMSELF Hachette Hardback $49.99 Arguably one of the best footballers ever to have pulled on a pair of soccer boots!

IT’S BEEN EMOTIONAL – VINNIE JONES Simon + Schuster Paperback $29.99 Controversial exfootballer turned action movie star (remember “Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels”?

SEVENTY SEVEN – ANDY MURRAY Hachette Hardback $39.99 Scottish tennis superstar.

A STORY LATELY TOLD – ANJELICA HUSTON Simon and Schuster Paperback $29.99 Movie superstar – known for being the former partner of Jack Nicholson and also for some brilliant movie roles.

Remember “Agnes Brown” (Brendan O’Carroll’s movie that pre dated Mrs Brown’s Boys) and the Addams Family movies.

UNDER A MACKEREL SKY – RICK STEIN Ebury Press Paperback $34.95 Celebrity chef famed especially for his seafood dishes and restaurants – the man who seems to own AFTER ALL THESE YEARS most of Padstow village in – FOSTER AND ALLEN Virgin Cornwall (UK).

Books Hardback $35.00 THE BEATLES: ALL THESE There is an interesting YEARS – MARK LEWISOHN photograph included Little Brown Hardback $50.00 herein of a young(er) Tom A great deal has been written Gilmore who is a sometime about the Fab Four over the contributor to these pages years (a good selection of and a friend of the Irish Scene. which is in my personal library JOHNNY CASH – THE at this time). This however is LIFE – BOBERT HILBURN not just “another book on the Hachette Paperback $32.99 Beatles”. Mark Lewisohn is a Late country and western World acknowledged authority and US Folk megastar. on the Band and has put together a three-part biography of which this is volume one subtitled MY AUTOBIOGRAPHY “Tune In”. Here is a warts and all well – ALEX FERGUSON researched account of the crucial and lesser Hodder and Stoughton Hardback $39.99 know early period of the Beatles that covers The long time and recently retired manager the Liverpool and Hamburg days of this hungry of Manchester United football club – arguably pub Rock and Roll band. the best football club in the World for a long,

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Colin Merrey’s

s w e i v e R

THE BEAUTY OF THE CAT – TAMSIN PICKERAL Allen and Unwin Hardback $49.99 As many of you will already know (while some won’t) I am passionately fond of animals – in particular cats. A wise It makes fascinating reading and covers a LOT man said once (can’t remember of areas that I had not previously seen in any who at this time) that you own other Beatles Book that I have read to date a dog but A CAT OWNS YOU! – and that is quite a few.

How very true! This wonderfully illustrated I have always been fascinated by the Fab Four book by one of our leading animal authors is and relish any new material that comes out an inspiring new study of the cat and its history, about the band I found it a really gripping full of both sensitive and exquisite images of and fascinating read. This is an important book cats, that forms an excellent reference book and is essential reading for all Beatle-o-philes. whilst remaining a unique visual experience Can’t wait for the next two volumes. as a result of these engaging photographic images.

THE BUTLER – WIL HAYGOOD Simon and Schuster Hardback $24.00 And now for a bit of self indulgence on my part The book that celebrates the life of with my next selections.

Eugene Allen, who was a butler in the ALL THE SONGS – PHILIPPE White House and who served eight MARGOTIN AND JEANUS Presidents during his lifetime MICHEL GUESDON of service. This book inspired the Black Dog and Leventhal wonderful movie of the same name starring Forrest Whittaker and Oprah Hardback $55.00 Written by two acclaimed Winfrey to name but two of the many famous musical historians, this HUGE book continues names that grace the screen. A wonderfully my Beatles theme for this issue by documenting inspiring book and movie both. all of the songs recorded by the Beatles on PRISCILLA – NICHOLAS SHAKESPEARE every album from “Please Please Me” to “Let Random House Paperback $24.95 It Be’ and explaining the context of each song, This is another inspiring book that how it came to be written and how it came tells the story of the hidden life of to be recorded. It also contains some great an Englishwoman living in France photographs of the Band taken at various during the Second World War. This stages during their recording career. book evolved from some letters and It touches on the Polydor records (pre the diaries that Nicholas found when he group’s Parlophone signing) but doesn’t cover was going through the effects of his all of that period extensively or the famous late Aunt. Great stuff – hope you enjoy it Decca audition tapes (where they were rejected because “there were too many guitar groups And now for a few books that are best already”. What a cost to Decca Records! described as “Coffee Table Books” – they I loved this book and found it more than can be easily left out on your coffee tables informative. It is an absolute must for all to impress and entertain your visitors whilst lovers of the Beatles who have a desire to also being incredibly fascinating reads. Most have beautiful pictures and would make great find out all about their writing and recording prowess, etc. additions to your personal libraries.

THE VATICAN: ALL THE PAINTINGS – ANJA GREBE Black Dog and Leventhal Hardback $79.99 Anja Grebe is a teacher of art history at the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg/Germany and has compiled a beautiful book that forms the definitive guide to the art collection of the Vatican. It is a complete treasure trove of one of the World’s most exquisite an important art collections.

You will find all 976 works of art reproduced here and fully annotated. I know that this book will give you many hours of pleasure poring over its beautiful pages.

YEAH YEAH YEAH” THE STORY OF MODERN POP – BOB STANLEY Faber and Faber Paperback $35.00 Still on the subject of music (as with the next three books also) this lovely little book attempts to chronicle how today’s pop music evolved from past eras. The journey leads us from “Rock Around the Clock” to “Crazy in Love” via Chuck Berry, Sonny and Cher, Beatles, Beach Boys, Bee Gees, Slade, Pet Shop Boys, Madonna and too many others to list here. You will just have to read the book to find out.

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It doesn’t claim to be a definitive guide but I found it to be more than just a good indication of the heady days of popular music. Loved it and it will have a good prominent place in my music book library. Hope you like it as much as I did.

1001 ALBUMS TO HEAR BEFORE YOU DIE – ROBERT DIMERY Pier 9 Paperback $ 39.99 1001 SONGS TO HEAR BEFORE YOU DIE – ROBERT DIMERY Pier 9 Paperback $ 39.99 1001 GUITARS TO DREAM OF PLAYING BEFORE YOU DIE – TERRY BURROWS Murdoch Books Hardback $49.99 I have grouped these three books together because to me they are on a similar theme in that each covers one man’s opinion of the definitive record collection (both single song and complete album) and the ideal guitar collection.

The Songs/Albums guide covers every decade from the pre1950’s right up to 2013 and, whilst had heard of, but not necessarily heard, all of the songs and albums mentioned in the ‘50’s to the ‘70’s, I came up a bit short in the later more current decades. I now have a target to attain in the next few years and look forward to doing so. I won’t catalogue them here as it would take too long and would I believe spoil your enjoyment of the book when you buy it. It is virtually the soundtrack to our growing up. It was certainly to mine!

The third book is essentially for guitar aficionados and I found it fascinating. Over the years I have owned (and chiefly on-sold) more guitars than I care to think about, some of which I have long since regretted and some I have to this day (and some of those are included in these pages too). I have indeed coveted several of the guitars included in these pages but again I will not list them here – suffice it to say that there are some mouthwatering examples herein. This is a must for ALL guitar lovers everywhere. Enjoy!!!

OCTOPUS’S GARDEN – RINGO STARR Simon and Schuster Hardback $19.99 Well – this is a great one for the littlies! Either for your children or grandchildren – this will be a great storybook for the School Holidays. You may recall the song of the same name which was written and sung by Ringo and which was featured on the Beatles’ “Abbey Road” album. To my recollection, it is the only song written by

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credible and others not so credible.

The first mentioned is by Clint Hill, the Secret Service Agent assigned to protect Jacqueline Kennedy for the Ringo that was recorded by the Beatles. The four years from 1960. He was the lone agent song’s imagery is well worth revisiting here to jump onto the car carrying the Kennedys and letting the children hear it too. Then let after the assassination shot(s) had been fired. them read and appreciate the book (with which This book is his recollections and feelings about you also get a CD that contains Ringo reading the event that shocked the USA in particular the story and also a never before released and the whole World in general. It contains recording of the song itself) for themselves some glorious pictures some of which have – or perhaps with your assistance. never been seen in print before and is a I loved this one and my grandchildren did too. testament to the Kennedys and their memory.

I found it enchanting altogether and hope your The second mentioned book is by Colin littlies do too and thus perhaps create a new Mclaren who is an ex policeman turned author market for my/our beloved Beatles. who has used his forensic eye to examine many thousands of pages of transcripts, exhibits and CLUETOPIA – DAVID ASTLE testimonies that were hidden until now. He Allen and Unwin Paperback $29.99 Some of you may know (and others may not) has also uncovered many witnesses who were not called by the Warren Commission into that I am a lover of crossword puzzles – in the tragic death and having done so has, he particular the cryptic variety. As believes, uncovered the answer to the long a lover of the English language, asked question “Who killed JFK?” I really enjoy these explorations into words, etc and in solving these There has been an enthralling TV documentary co-commissioned by SBS sometimes elusive clues. I am seldom seen without either a book television and shown in Australia on 3rd from my reading library or a book November 2013 to much critical acclaim.

I found the book really detailed and eyeof cryptic puzzles – I am assured that they keep the mind active and (hopefully) opening and was indeed surprised at who Colin has deduced actually killed Kennedy. keep the dreaded Alzheimer’s at bay for at But I am not going to reveal the answer to least a bit longer. this mystery here – I will leave you to read this What you may NOT know is that 2013 great volume to find out for yourselves. There celebrates the invention of the crossword puzzle and this book is a great insight into how is so much more here than can be shown in a TV programme and I urge you to read this – if they were first compiled and how they have developed over the intervening decades. Here only because this is the answer to one of the you will find almost 100 chapters – each with a biggest mysteries of our generation. Or is it? I clue to crack – I found it completely engrossing will leave you to make up your own minds. and loved every moment I spent reading it and DARK WITCH – NORA ROBERTS working out the many clues I found inside.

Piatkus Paperback $29.99 If you love crosswords and indeed words This is from the prolific pen of Nora Roberts in general then this one is writing as herself (her new book writing as J. definitely for you. I hope you D. Robb will be addressed in enjoy it – read it till your brain the crime section below) and is hurts!!!! the first in a new series being 5 DAYS IN NOVEMBER – CLINT HILL with LISA McCUBBIN Simon and Schuster Hardback $39.99 JFK: THE SMOKING GUN – COLIN McLAREN Hachette Paperback $29.99 As you may be aware, 22nd November 2013 marks the 50th anniversary of the assassination of the 35th president of the United States, John Fitzgerald Kennedy. There have been may books and movies made about this singular event in our modern history – in fact its said that everyone can recall where they were and what they were doing when they heard about this awful tragedy. There have also been many conspiracy theories in this regard – some

an Irish trilogy (the “Cousins O’Dwyer Trilogy”). Iona Sheehan and her two cousins, Connor and Branna O’Dwyer, have inherited a gift that is to transform their lives – they have inherited from an ancestor known as “The Dark Witch” and they are about to find that legends of the past can indeed return to haunt the present. Throw in Iona’s being drawn into a romance with the hot-tempered but charismatic Boyle McGrath and you have a mix that is sure to stir the emotions of avid readers of romantic and historical fiction. I quite enjoyed this one – I found it a change from my usual blood and

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gore crime stories. Hope you like it too.

WAKING FROM A DREAM – LAWRENCE CLARKE I have said it before and I will say it again – Lawrence Clarke is a great undiscovered talent and the variety of his writing never fails to surprise and satisfy me. He has in the past had varied subjects ranging from the serial killer genre to adventure stories to American detective novels. Here he delves into the realms of fantasy - yet another genre to add to his growing list – this time it is the story of Chester Hanley, an American man who was born in 1907 and who is given an unusual birthing gift by a friend of his father’s. It is a small orange tree that gives two fruits each year – when he eats them it trigger dreams that portray both the present and sometimes future events. The only condition is that he can help others by his foreknowledge but cannot benefit from it himself.

When he is diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour in 2002, he decides to write down his incredible life story (having previously been a best selling author up until the 1960’s but having stopped writing after that time) – a tale that encompasses the lives of his three younger siblings, three ex-wives, his involvement in World War 2 and his ongoing battles with his mother. I find it hard to describe fully the machinations of this story – suffice it to say I found it thoroughly enchanting and enthralling – I truly found it hard to put down. Lawrence my friend, you’ve done it again!

This is a really different kind of biography and (that being a genre I also find fascinating) although the characters and story are fictional the reader finds himself drawn into this tangled but totally engrossing tale of a very different life. It is a well written and thoroughly enjoyable book and I must say I thoroughly enjoyed it – to be quite honest I am at a loss to understand why an author of this calibre and so obvious talent has not been snapped up by one of the larger publishing houses instead of having to self publish his own books. If you would like a copy (and I urge you to do so – you won’t regret it I assure you) then you can get one from Amazon. com or from Lawrence himself via his self publishing website orders@xlibris.com.au Please do yourself a big favour by supporting this wonderful local author and if you know any publishers or people at publishing houses then please pass on his contact details to them.

Let’s get Lawrence Clarke published!

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s w e i v e R MURDER MYSTERY AND MAYHEM...PLUS MURDER AND MEDNDELSSOHN – KERRY GREENWOOD Allen and Unwin Paperback $22.99 This is the new Phryne Fisher outing (I hope you are enjoying the current series of TV adaptations of her earlier escapades on Friday nights on ABCTV) and is the 20th book in this enchanting series.

Set in the Melbourne of the 1920’s, this time Phryne has to solve the case of the orchestral conductor of the Melbourne Harmony Choir by stuffing several sheets of Mendelssohn’s “Elijah” down his throat.

Inspector Jack Robinson is again at hand to “help” her to solve the case – there is the usual amount of crime drama liberally laced with some comedic banter and light hearted funny business that I find so great about these books.

I loved it and know you will thoroughly enjoy it – crime noir with a delightfully light hearted twist.

THANKLESS IN DEATH – JD ROBB Piatkus Paperback $29.99.

Here we have Nora Roberts writing as JD Robb, her crime noir alter ego (as I promised above) and again as all of the Eve Dallas thrillers, it is set in the future of the 2050’s. This time Eve is chasing a killer who is hell-bent on revenge for the treatment he received at the hands of his parents and from some of his family and friends. Set against the back drop of the USA’s Thanksgiving holiday, Eve knows she has to track down this killer before he kills again – but how can she predict who is next on his list???

Loved it tremendously – lots of intriguing plot twists to keep you guessing and maintain your interest.

THE OCTOBER LIST – JEFFERY DEAVER Hodder Paperback $32.99 I always look forward to a new Jeffery Deaver book and this is no exception. Although this one I think you’ll find a little different. Here, the book starts with the final chapter (the story’s outcome) and ends with the first chapter (how the story began). Quite

a premise and quite a story, too. When you get to the end, it all makes perfect sense as in the last few pages it all becomes crystal clear.

I thought it was a really good story once I made sense of the format but I am not too sure whether I thought the tale worked in this unconventional back to front presentation.

Jeffery has never disappointed me – don’t get me wrong about that – this is a good fast paced tale but I am not too sure whether the format worked too well for my taste.

I look forward to hearing what some of you think of this one – I did enjoy it though overall.

THE QUEST – NELSON DEMILLE Sphere Paperback $29.99 I love Nelson’s books – they are really good “Boys Own Paper” edge of the seat thrillers – and this one is no exception. It is set in the 1970’s in North Africa and essentially it is an updating in modern times of the quest for the Holy Grail.

This is a really good adventure tale and one that I enjoyed being set in and around Ethiopia – I loved it and if you like this type of adventure yarn, then this one is a must for you.

It has a great premise and a really surprising ending – I didn’t see it coming at all.

very hard to put down. This one is certainly no exception.

Consultant psychologist Tony Hill (who we first met in the wonderful “Wire in the Blood” some years back) comes back in this story of a person who has started killing women who all look remarkably like ex DCI Carol Jordan, the estranged former colleague of Tony Hill – these days the two are not on speaking terms and this tale is as much as the relationship between them (will it be repaired and their friendship resurrected after the events in their previous book together) as it is about finding out who the killer is.

Wow! I loved every minute – every word – of this one – if any book is genuinely unputdownable then this is it! I know you will just love this one as much as I did – you won’t believe who the murderer is and why he has started killing. Enjoy.

REVENGE – MARTINA COLE Hachette Paperback $29.99 I have saved the best till last – the new one from Martina Cole. I was introduced to her work a few years back by my good friend and erstwhile musical confederate Barbara Stephenson and I must say I hadn’t enjoyed reading a new author (at that THE WAYS OF THE WORLD – ROBERT time) quite as much before.

GODDARD Random House Paperback $24.95 Her novels are certainly violent and gritty but I discovered Robert Goddard only a few years they differ from the usual crime genre (where back and since doing so have read a good the detective seeks out the criminal element) many of his books, including some from his in that the central characters of Martina’s back catalogue. This latest one is set in Paris books are strong women. Set in the East End in 1919 at the end of the First World War and of London and in her native Essex, the stories is destined to be a best seller if ever I have centre around various different crime families read one! (sort of like an English “Godfather”) where the Sir Henry Maxted, father of WW1 flying ace protagonists are the crims and their opponents James Maxted, falls to his death are the “straight” cops (they already having from the roof of a Parisian hotel bought and paid for the “bent” ones).

– why does no-one seem to want Quite a turnaround – however in this tale, to pursue this fact beyond “this is unlike in some of her earlier books, the crims just a terrible accident”? don’t get it all their own way. Michael Flynn James is not satisfied by this considers he is untouchable because of his believing that his father has position in the East London gangworld. That been murdered and, in spite of objections and is until his vulnerability is brought to the fore interference from British and Parisian police when his daughter is kidnapped. Who would sets out to find out who is responsible for his do such a thing to a known “Face”? Again the father’s death. story is fast paced and very bloody as Flynn This book is extremely fast paced and has fights to keep his position and to find and many plot twists and possibly the best cliffpunish the person who has taken his daughter hanger I have read in a very long time. I loved – ostensibly for no reason known to him. this one – read it and enjoy it too.

Loved it – buy and enjoy this one – I know I have saved the two most outstanding books of you’ll love it too! this genre for this issue until last.

Well that’s it for books this issue. Remember, CROSS AND BURN – VAL McDERMID if I haven’t heard of an author before or if Little Brown Paperback $29.99 it is a new author, I hope you will take my I always look forward to Val’s books – I find recommendations into consideration when them without exception extremely riveting and selecting your reading matter and give them

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s w e i v e R a good go. I will say no more at this juncture and wish you happy reading, and see you all in the next issue. I hope you enjoy my recommendations as much as I have enjoyed reading them on both your and my own behalf.

MUSICMUSICMUSICMUSIC This issue, I have some great releases to tell you about. The first is the new CD from Damien Leith called, as I told you in an earlier issue, “Chapter Seven” (this being his seventh CD to date). Damien has produced this CD over the last year or so in his home studio and is nearly all of his own compositions – as I told you before, some of the tracks have been written with Joe Melson who collaborated in the past with the great Roy Orbison. Some of Joe’s songs with Roy (like “Crying”) appeared on Damien’s earlier album “Roy”, a tribute album to the Big “O”. Standouts for me on this CD are “Last Sad Song”, “Stronger Than Superman” and “Lonely Nights”. Loved the album and you can get a copy either from your local record store, Itunes or from Damien or Social Family Records via their respective websites Next comes a CD single that has so far only been released in Ireland.

It is by the Corcorans and it is entitled “Come Home”. The song incorporates the traditional Irish music that they have sourced from the heart of Kerry; the authenticity of sound is derived from a true empathy for Ireland and its culture. The band is delighted with the reaction so far from listeners worldwide. “We hope it reflects, not only the many colours and depths of a beautiful country, but that Ireland is deep within the soul of its many ‘children’, where ever they may be in the world.” It has been produced to coincide with the Gathering and as a great proponent of the Irish Tourist Board. You can get a copy from itunes or by contacting dubhaile@gmail.com To those of you who were fortunate enough to see the show that Sean Tyrell put on here in Perth earlier this year with his daughter,

you will enjoy the double CD that has just come across my desk courtesy of Brendan Woods. It consists chiefly of a celebration of the life and times of John Boyle O’Reilly by way of an exceptionally well researched narrative together with poems and songs by JBR and other luminaries such as Oscar Wilde and John Lennon to name but two.

I thoroughly enjoyed it – I was unfortunately not able to catch up with Sean this year so didn’t see his show/concert. Anyway, the CD is entitled “A Message of Peace” and is well worth adding to your collections.

Lastly, a pleasant surprise for me personally – I received this DVD and related CD from the perennial Cliff Richard for my seventieth birthday just before Christmas and thought I’d tell you about it. The DVD was filmed in Sydney earlier this year and is essentially the same show that Cliff performed at Sandalford Winery in February 2013. It contains a lot of his earlier hits and some of the new songs from the companion album “The Fabulous Rock ‘n’ Roll Songbook” which I’ll tell you about in a moment or two. The only thing missing from this DVD is the “surprise” appearance of Hank Marvin that only happened during our Perth show. The CD contains a lot of songs that I (and possibly many of you) grew up with - such classics as “Rip It Up”, “Poetry in Motion”, Dream Lover”, “Johnny B. Goode” to name but a few all given the inimitable Sir Cliff treatment. Loved the CD – it is in the car as I write and will be for quite a while yet.

Loved the DVD – brought back some happy memories both of my youth and also from the wonderful February 2013 concert. Go on – spoil yourselves all you Cliff lovers. All of you who haven’t really heard too much of his music – buy it too – hear what real music sounds like! I won’t say any more for fear of showing my age. Coincidentally, both were released on November 11th – Remembrance Day. Poignant – unintentional or intentional to get a dig in to those who may have forgotten him??

Don’t forget that Celtic Woman will be at the Perth Arena on 25th January next year – the September concert had to be postponed due to scheduling conflicts.

Maybe I’ll see you there. So all the very best to you and yours from me until the next time and I wish you a very Happy New Year and happy reading, watching and listening. Hope you keep all your New Year Resolutions this time!

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A BATTLE FOR THE BATTLEFIELD BAND at Charles Hotel, Perth Reviewed by Colin Merrey

November last year saw the Battlefield Band in concert at the Charles Hotel in Perth and I was invited along to the show as a guest of the promoters. I had previously seen an earlier incarnation of the Band back in 1985 at the Perth Concert Hall and had been looking forward to seeing the new Band, notwithstanding some comments that I had read by an earlier reviewer of a Perth concert.

So I wasn’t sure what to expect.

The current lineup is Sean O’Donnell, Alasdair White, Ewen Henderson and Mike Katz – al brilliant musicians in their own right and a musical force to be reckoned with as a collective. In the same way as I had read earlier, the band did not play any of their back catalogue (which was a great shame as I am very fond of all of the early Battlefield Band albums) but nonetheless, I accept progress and all of the material that the Band played on the night was of an exceptionally high standard and featured on all of the CD’s they had for sale to the audience.

Before I continue, I must say that I couldn’t fault the Band as excellent entertainment value. My only complaints are – • Poor lighting – I couldn’t see Alasdair’s face as the spotlights were on the other members of the band – and HE was doing the majority of the talking between numbers.

• The sound quality was poor – the Band’s voices were mainly indistinct and couldn’t be heard very well during the introductions to songs or even during the songs themselves.

• A very appreciative but VERY noisy audience – there was a lot of talking over the Band at most times which made the evening for me at least not too enjoyable.

Overall I was a little disappointed at the choice of venue for the concert – I felt that the Battlefield Band is more of a concert hall band and deserved more than a purely pub session which is what the concert really turned into.

That said, I would certainly love to see them again in a more appropriate setting.

Incidentally, the standout moment for me was from the Perth Metro Pipe Band who played as support prior to Battlefield coming on stage.

I have for many years asked every pipe band that I have come across or listened to both in Perth and overseas to play the pipe march “The Bloody Fields of Flanders” – but to no avail – I was overjoyed when the Perth Metro played it in one of their tune sets. Thank you – Thank you – Thank you.

GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN

By COLIN MERREY

You may recall in the last issue that I told you about some of the noted authors, etc that had passed away recently. I am saddened to have to tell you about some more notables who are no longer with us.

The first, Philip Ryan (better known as Phil Chevron) left us on 8 October 2013 - he was an Irish singer-songwriter and guitarist who was best known as a member of the Pogues and was regarded as one of the most influential figures in Irish punk music.

He grew up in Santry, a suburb of Dublin and, beginning in the late 1970s, he was lead singer and cofounder of the punk rock group The Radiators from Space. Following a temporary breakup of the band in 1981, he lived in London for a while, where he met and befriended Shane MacGowan. Following the release of the Pogues’ 1984 debut album “Red Roses For Me”, he was invited to join the band on a short-term basis as cover for banjo player Jem Finer’s paternity leave. He took over as guitarist following MacGowan’s decision to concentrate on singing— thereby becoming a full-time member of the band in time for the recording of its second album, “Rum, Sodomy and the Lash”.

Chevron wrote a good many songs for the Band including “Thousands Are Sailing” and “Lorelei”. He left The Pogues in 1994 following problems with drugs and alcohol.

He reformed The Radiators (Plan 9) in 2003 with ex-Pogues bassist Cait O’Riordan. They released the album “Trouble Pilgrim” in 2006.

In June 2007, The Pogues’ website announced that Chevron had been diagnosed with oesophageal cancer.

In early 2008, the website announced that Chevron had recovered. However, in May 2013, it was announced that the cancer had returned and it was “lethal”. Chevron died on 8 October 2013 in Dublin at age 56. Even when hardly able to speak, Chevron was a

regular and pithy email interviewee with a steady gaze on his own mortality. As he told the Irish Mail’s Jason O’Toole in June: “I am a gay, Irish, Catholic, alcoholic, Pogue who is dying of cancer – and don’t think I don’t know it.”

He will be sorely missed by all fans of the Pogues music and his many friends and musical and literary collaborators.

A little earlier on, June 19, 2013, we said goodbye to Vince Flynn, the bestselling author of the Mitch Rapp thriller series who died early that morning after a long battle with prostate cancer. He was 47.

He was the fifth of seven children and was born in St. Paul, Minnesota, on April 6, 1966. In 1990 Vince began writing after failing to get admission to the US Marine Corps, in spite of the fact that he had been diagnosed with dyslexia in grade school and had struggled with reading and writing all his life.

His books included “American Assassin”, “Kill Shot”, “Transfer of Power”, and “The Last Man”. You may recall I told you about that last book in an earlier issue of this magazine. He is survived by his wife Lysa Flynn, and three children.

We also lost Lewis Collins in November last year – you may recall he played Bodie in “The Professionals” British TV Series of the 1970’s and ‘80’s. He was a really good actor overall – not just in the action movie genre having also starred in several feature films from the 1980’s until 2013.

He was the son of Bill Collins, a shipwright and amateur musician who played the piano in local clubs with the Savoy Swingers band and he was born in Bidston near Birkenhead.

Aged 2, he won the Most Beautiful Baby in Liverpool contest. He was educated at Bidston Primary and

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Grange School in Birkenhead. At the age of 13, his father bought him a drum kit for £25. His first gig was playing with his father’s band, and he also joined a group of older school pupils to form The Renegades, at the start of the Merseybeat music scene in Liverpool.

On leaving school, he became an apprentice hairdresser at the Andre Bernard salon, alongside fellow apprentice Mike McCartney. He soon gained a reputation for his skills, and became the local hairdresser for singer Helen Shapiro. He also wrote songs with Mike at the McCartney home, and when drummer Pete Best left The Beatles Mike suggested Lewis as a possible replacement, to band member (and his elder brother) Paul.

Turning down the option of an audition with The Beatles, he continued playing music on an amateur basis for bands including The Eyes and The Georgians. Later that year he left hairdressing to become the bass player in The Mojos and featured on the singles “Goodbye Dolly Gray” and “Until My Baby Comes Home”. He worked as a lorry driver before deciding that he wanted to become an actor.

He married school teacher Michelle Larrett in 1992, and the couple had three sons. Collins held a private pilot’s licence, a black belt in Ju-Jitsu and was trained in karate.

His hobbies included parachuting, sports shooting, and he continued to play musical instruments throughout his life. After being first diagnosed in 2008, Collins died from cancer in Los Angeles on 27 November 2013.

Also in November 2013, noted young American actor Paul Walker was killed in a car accident in Valencia, Santa Clarita, California when the car in which he was a passenger crashed. He became famous in 1999 after his role in the hit film Varsity Blues, but is best known for his role in the “Fast and the Furious” film series. He was of Irish, English and German descent, his paternal grandfather being known as the professional boxer “Irish Billy Walker”. He was 40 years old - numerous friends and other movie stars have posted tributes to Walker on social media. He will be sadly missed by his family and by his many friends and fans.

MILD MANNERED MANUFACTURERS OF MURDER MYSTERY AND MAYHEM COLIN MERREY TALKING TO JOHN CONNOLLY AND MARTINA COLE Late last year I was fortunate to of different genres of book and read get the opportunity to chat to two of a lot of non-fiction titles also plus a my favourite authors in the persons few of the classic novels.. He said of the marvellous Dublin born John he was currently reading “A Tale Connolly and the lovely Martina of Two Cities” by Charles Dickens Cole – who born in Essex in UK of – he was trying to read at least one Irish parents.

Dickens novel per year. In fact he The first I spoke noted that Dickens seemed to was John Connolly to write in many different who I caught up genres including what he with for coffee at the felt was a venture into the Dome café opposite crime writing genre with the Duxton Hotel in one of the characters in his Perth where he was novel “Bleak House”. staying while he was In the early days, he fulfilling speaking said, he used to have to engagements here. really look for inspiration John is a very private for his stories but that these person with a very days he found no problem John Connolly quiet and unassuming in getting ideas for his manner. I found him books. He said in fact that, very straightforward and easy to where he used to think that writing talk to. As the title of this little 1,000 words per day was good, he piece infers, I have found that all now found that he wrote quite a lot of the authors of crime novels that more and had actually put down I have had the pleasure of talking to about 2,000 words the previous day have been very mild mannered and whilst having coffee at the Dome in quiet people. between speaking engagements. “I I asked John (as I did Martina write at every available opportunity Cole with whom he shares a literary that presents itself to me” he told agent) how he explained this me. incongruity. Both of them said that I said that I enjoyed his stories all of the “evil and wicked” thoughts – especially those that featured are exorcised by them in their Charlie Parker the damaged writing which seems to get it all out investigator and vengeful angel, as of their systems. I was delighted to it were. I said that I enjoyed the hear that as this was the first time way that his character developed I had met one “in the flesh” as it over the course of his novels. He were – all of the other interviews to said that that was his main concern date have been conducted over the about some authors where the telephone. character remained the same all I asked John if he had any the time and never seemed to age favourite authors and from where or develop as a person throughout he got his influences and inspiration their series. We further discussed from. He told me that his main the difference between the writing favourites were Ross MacDonald styles of John D MacDonald and (the Lew Archer novels) and James Ross MacDonald – both of whom Lee Burke (the Dave Robicheaux are early favourites of mine in books amongst others). He said this genre. John said his personal that he was now also reading a lot preference was for Ross as it was

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for author Dennis Lehane while a reading of Lee Child’s books shows that he was a big fan of John D. He said it was always reasonably easy to see which of them was preferred by any particular exponent of this genre.

I told him I really enjoyed “The Book of Lost Things” which was a “children’s book for adults” as it dealt with a young boy during World War II coming to terms through the realm of fantasy with the passing of his mother. John told me that this was a personal favourite book of his and that when he was on a speaking tour in Arizona, a young teenage girl came up to him at a book signing and asked him to sign her copy for her – he said it was very battered and obviously read often.

He commented on this to her and she said that she began to read it shortly after her mother had passed on and that it had helped her to come to terms with the tragedy. He said that this moved him greatly and that it gave him great fulfilment as a writer since that was his intention in writing the book.

We talked on for nearly an hour and had a most enjoyable time – I could fill two or more magazines with the things we talked about but I don’t have the space here to do justice to the full conversation that we had – and in any case a lot of it was of a very personal nature. I look forward to (hopefully) catching up with John again if he comes to Perth for a book signing or other form of promotional tour. He has a new Parker novel coming out in May this year so who knows??? If you haven’t read any of his books (which I will be very surprised if you haven’t) then you are missing a real treat – I urge you to do so as soon as you can – you’ll love them if you, like me, enjoy this genre.

Martina Cole

But now without further ado, to Martina Cole who I said that I had also had the pleasure of talking to in November last year – although because of her time commitments (she wasn’t visiting Perth this time around) I caught up with her via telephone at her Melbourne hotel.

It took a while to get through to her room – language difficulties with the telephone switchboard! – but when I did get through, I found that she spoke exactly as I thought she might. Just like the characters in her novels. She said that she was born in Essex and that her parents were both Irish – her father being a merchant seaman from Cork and her mother a nurse from Dublin.

“I have an Irish Passport” she told me.

I asked her who her favourite authors were but she said that she really couldn’t single out any particular favourites – she said that to talk about her likes and dislikes in regard to authors could cause her all sorts of problems with some of her contemporaries. I asked her where she got her inspiration from and who her influences were. She said that she had read all of the books by the likes of Dashiell Hammett, Elmore Leonard, AJ Cronin and Charles Dickens amongst many, many others – she collects first editions of books and has an extensive library.

I noted that there were several books of hers that had been turned into TV mini series and she said

that plans were in the pipeline for two more TV series and two feature films, one of which was of her second novel “The Ladykiller”.

I asked her how she felt about the way that her books were brought to the screen – she said that she had creative control and was executive producer on all of these productions and had also written the scripts for them. This is an essential if you want to have them come out “properly” – and also to make sure that the characters are cast correctly to suit the particular roles of her characters. I cited Colin Bateman (who had written “Murphy’s Law” with its star, James Nesbitt in mind) and Mark Billingham (whose Tom Thorne novels had worked very well with David Morrissey in the title role). We both felt, in general discussion, that we believed Lee Child – who obviously had no creative control over the screen adaptation of the Jack Reacher novel “One Shot” – must have been quite disappointed with the selection of the actor cast as Jack Reacher. If you have read the Reacher novels and saw the film you will know what I mean.

I asked her how her novels differed from those of other authors in this particular crime and mystery genre. Martina said that most authors told their tales from the perspective of the police who were trying to solve the crime but that hers was from the point of view of the villains who were trying to stay ahead of the law – and not always succeeding to do so. She said that she steered away from having a single main character in her novels preferring to vary the protagonists from book to book. She preferred it that way. The way her books sell I know that her readers believe this also. When I spoke to John Connolly about Martina and her books he said that her readership was extremely varied and that she had a lot of fans amongst those

incarcerated in HM Prisons in the UK. I can honestly see from where they are coming as I have read all of her books to date and enjoyed every minute of every one of them! You may recall I told you about her latest “Revenge” earlier in this issue – if you love the genre I strongly suggest that you give Martina’s books a go – if you haven’t already. I know that John from Killarney Autos is a great fan so if you don’t listen to me then PLEASE listen to him.

Again, Martina and I spoke at some length and again the topics were many and varied – I hope I get the chance to sit down with her for a coffee if she ever gets to Perth.

I bade her a fond farewell from myself, from Perth and from all here at the Irish Scene.

Here’s to the next time.

CLANNAD – THE PRIDE OF A NATION Previewed by COLIN MERREY

Back at the beginning of November last year, I went to the Astor Theatre to see Clannad perform – you may remember that I told you about that show in the last issue when I related my interview with Moya Brennan.

If you weren’t there, you missed one of the best shows that I’ve seen in quite a while. The support act was a singer songwriter with a very unusual style – but he was entertaining in a sort of strange way.

Then Clannad came on after a short break.

Moya and the boys were all in great voice and played for almost twp solid hours without a break. They played a lot of stuff from their new CD (which I told you about in the last issue) and also a lot of back catalogue things.

I loved the new stuff – in particular “Vellum” and “Brave Enough” – and all of the classic Clannad songs were there – a selection from the ‘Robin of Sherwood” TV series, “Dulaman”, “Magical Ring” and the immortal “Harry’s Game”.

This is one of the best shows I have seen in a long time and I really can’t wait to see them again – hope they come again soon.

Sean was found dead in his back yard, and as the weather was a bit on the warm side, the wake was held down to only two days, so his mortal remains wouldn’t take a bad turn. At last his friends laid him in the box, nailed it shut & started down the hill into the churchyard. As it was a long, sloping path and the mourners were appropriately tipsy, one fellow lurched into the gatepost as they entered the graveyard. Suddenly a loud knocking came from in the box. Paddy was alive! They opened the box up and he sat up, wide eyed, and they all said, Sure, it’s a miracle of God! All rejoiced & they went back and had a few more drinks but later that day, the poor lad died. Really died. Stone cold dead. They bundled him back into his box, and as they huffed and puffed own the hill the next morning, the priest said, “Careful now, boys; mind ye don’t bump the gatepost again.

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Isteach sa Teach

Irish pollies find more than one way to handle hot potatoes

By Lloyd Goman

The issue of Irish government in the Irish national parliament found dead in a hedge. Mary could ministers and senior political figures about kick starting the economy with read and write when she arrived, so flying overseas for a stimulus package. In November it was not ignorance that brought St. Patrick’s Day Sinn Fein TD Pearse Doherty said about her predicament. There is Paul Kehoe events is an issue such an investment for the building indisputable evidence that huge for some but not for business would probably stem the quantities of food were exported others, particularly need for a lot of Irish to go to from Ireland to England those who have Australia. when people of Ireland were had the benefit of “The construction dying of starvation. Almost the experience. In industry would benefit from 4,000 vessels carried food October in the Dail, a stimulus,” Doherty said. from Ireland to the ports of Fianna Fail’s Paul “I hope it will play a part in Bristol, Glasgow, Liverpool Pearse Doherty Kehoe said there was justification keeping young and gifted and London during 1847. for decamping almost the entire citizens in this country helping to At the same time, 400,000 Irish government abroad and he recalled rebuild the economy and develop men, women and children died part of his time in Perth for the badly needed infrastructure, rather of starvation and related diseases.

March 17 celebrations last year. than building railway lines in Perth, According to the book Ireland Before “It is a worthwhile exercise or mining for materials in the and After the Famine, although the for all Ministers to go abroad and Australian Outback.” potato crop failed, the country was network with their counterparts in The colourful and entertaining still producing and exporting more different parliaments and so on,” Barnaby Joyce harked back to his than enough grain crops to feed the Mr Kehoe said. “I launched an Irish roots in his maiden speech population. But that was a money Irish networking website in Perth. in the House of Representatives in crop, not a food crop, and could not People can log into (http://www. November. The Nationals Party be interfered with. This is the deadly claddagh.org.au/1086) to find out agricultural sector advocate used hand of bureaucracy as defined about what is happening at home, his own family’s history and story to by politics beyond your domestic job opportunities, stimulus illustrate some of this control, and the reality packages and so on and also political thinking and of where power truly they are informed about what approaches towards lies, especially when it they need to down they travel certain issues. comes to food.” to Australia and about various “The basic rule Joyce said responsible helplines. This is an important remains the same: foreign investment was site to make sure we look after look after your own. essential but warned not our young people when they Barneby Joyce My family history is a to ‘leave tasks for our emigrate and fill them in on what is case in point,” Mr Joyce said. “My children that we cannot happening back home as well. This forebear, Mary Troy, who came to bear for ourselves.” Stephen Dawson will give them an opportunity to this great country in 1847 and whose Sound advice indeed. apply for jobs.” name is etched in a monument at Back in WA’s parliament, during Before he made his comment, Macquarie Barracks in Sydney, a debate that month about the taxi there had already been some debate had parents who starved to death— drivers licensing bill Irish born and

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bred Labor man Stephen Dawson admitted to being a fan of these drivers and even an app to book cabs.

“I would be lost without them, whether it be in Perth or regional areas. They do a very valuable job” Mr Dawson said about taxi drivers.

“I also want to acknowledge the success and usefulness of the new Swan Taxi iPhone app, which is a tremendous invention because it certainly makes much easier my life and, I hope, the lives of other members in this place when we need to use a taxi. We all get tired of talking to a machine on the phone when we hear, “Press 1, hang on,” and then waiting, then hearing “Press 2, press 3.” It goes on. I am not the most patient of people. Talking to machines or waiting for machines when I ring banks and those kinds of organisations drives me spare, particularly being someone with an Irish accent. I do not think the machines are programmed to understand me, so they make me even wilder when I try to say the words with an Australian accent. It does not work and it gets worse. It is one of the reasons I appreciate the Swan Taxis iPhone app.”

Whatever about his accent, Stephen Dawson spoke with a clear and proud voice when he and his partner Dennis Lidddelow, became from what I understand the first gay couple to be married in Australia. In early December the two men pronounced their love and commitment for each other and tied the night in a midnight ceremony on the lawn of the Federal Parliament in Canberra. More gay and lesbian couples followed suit that day in what was as much an act of defiance as it was of love. Prime Minister Tony Abbott’s government went to Australia’s highest court to have the legal opportunity for same sex marriages created by the Australian Capital Territory (the jurisdiction around Australia’s official capital city) quashed, which it was a few days later. Good on ya for having a red hot go, I doubt this is the last we will be hearing of this issue in or out of parliament.

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Irish Music • Interviews • Local & Irish News 77

Ciara wins irish trip RECRUITMENT SPECIALISTS

1300 083 599

Winner of the Final Trim Operators Facebook Like Competition 2013

Ciara McElwaine

Beautiful tribute to Nelson Mandela

Fifty rods of steel, symbolising prison bars, so people will never forget the years Mandela was imprisoned …

The remarkable thing about this artwork is that it is only when you stand at a certain distance (which is marked) that you see Nelson Mandella...

This work was created by a great artist ….

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Before Christmas, I was invited

by Thomas Dunne of Final Trim Operators to draw the winner of his internet Facebook competition for a trip to or from Ireland.

It was Ciara McElwain’s name I drew. Ciara works at Mooney’s Irish Cafe in Hay Street and hails from Donegal. It was a real celebration for Ciara as she had already booked to go home to celebrate Christmas with family and her 29th birthday.

The $2,500 cheque was spent well in Donegal. Ciara said, “In Australia, I am sponsored by Brian Mooney of Mooney’s on a 457 visa and I’ve been in Perth for 2 years”.

It was Ciara’s first time home since leaving Ballyshannon in Donegal for Australia. “I will be joined on the trip by my brother Jonathan who came to Australia with me”. Ciara said she enjoyed working at Mooney’s and Brian is a real character. Brian has given Ciara the opportunity to do her own thing.

“He lets me open in the evenings on Monday’s and Thursday’s, a great incentive for me”. Ciara hopes to have live music some of the nights...

“I love jiving and all Irish music so you never know what you might hear”.

Ciara said she was busy at lunchtime when the call came from Thomas of Final Trim that she was the winner... “I couldn’t win an argument so this was a huge surprise”. In all the excitement Ciara said she couldn’t concentrate and many food orders were stuffed up that day.

“Brian gave me a Guinness to celebrate and settle my nerves, its brilliant and I’m delighted. I also phone my family at home and they are also very happy for me”.

Congratulations Ciara and thanks to Thomas Dunne for creating the opportunity for someone to have an extra special Christmas.

Fred Rea

The Broighter Hoard

by Denis Bratton In 1896 two local farmers Tom Nicholl and James Morrow were ploughing in a field at Broighter near Limavady in (Co Derry). In order to turn over an increased depth of soil the two men were double ploughing when they struck something hard at a point where the field had once been divided by a ditch. They discovered a small metal dish and a number of other ornaments encased in a large clod of sticky clay. They took their find back to the farm of their employer where a maid called Maggie McLaughlin washed the clay away to reveal several gold objects including a richly ornamented collar, a little boat with oars, a bowl, two bracelets and two necklaces.

Naturally the employer took possession of the art effects and sold them to a jeweller in Derry for 200 English Pounds ($358 approx.).

The jeweller sold them onto an active Cork collector called Robert Day who, after carrying out some small damage, inflicted by the farmer’s plough, sold them on to the British Museum for 600 English Pounds.

News of the find was publicised a year later and prompted a mini gold rush to the site of the discovery at Broighter. It was reported that hundreds of people swarmed to the area in the hope of finding more gold ornaments but their efforts were all in vain.

The revelation of the discovery aroused the interest of the Royal Irish Academy who promptly demanded that the hoard should be declared treasure trove and handed over by the British Museum. Now, the laws of treasure trove are complex but roughly speaking if precious objects are found under circumstances, which point to their having been lost or abandoned, then it is a case of finders’ keepers. However if there is evidence that they were concealed or deposited with the intention of recovery at a later time, then the Crown can claim, on behalf of the unknown next-of-kin, as treasure trove. Things became complicated. The Trustees

of the British Museum refused to return the objects. They contended that as the local waters of Lough Foyle once flowed over the land where the hoard was found, and also that the ornaments were cast overboard from a vessel as a votive offering to the sea god Manannan, it followed that they were treasure trove, since they were never meant to be recovered.

At this stage the Royal Irish Academy brought out their big gun, as it were. They employed Robert Lloyd Praegar, one of the most gifted individuals of his day, to investigate the situation. Praegar who was an expert geologist, especially on raised beaches, was adamant that the land where the objects were found was about 16 feet above sea level and had been uplifted in Neolithic times, which meant that the land was dry when the objects were deposited there two thousand years previously.

The case dragged on until June 1903, when it was brought to the Royal Courts of Justice in London. The case was heard by one of the most eminent judges of the day, Mr Justice Farwell.

There was an imposing array of counsel including Sir Edward Carson who was acting on behalf of the Royal Irish Academy. Arguments mainly centered on whether the land at Broghter was under the sea, or the waters of Lough Foyle or was on dry land at the time the hoard was deposited. At the end of four days of submissions Justice Farwell pronounced that the hoard had been concealed with a view to being recovered and as such was treasure trove and belonged to the Crown. Much to the delight of the Royal Irish Academy he directed that the hoard be returned to the National Museum of Ireland.

As for Tom Nichol who had to travel to London to give evidence, he was glad to get back to his native land. For his effort he was afforded 10 Pounds in court costs which helped defray the costs of his wedding.

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s e n i o r s l u n c h a t t h e i r i s h c l u b o f w a

Hoops Celebrate 30th Anniversary 1984 - 2014

PERTH

Murray, Connie O’Sullivan and John Murphy and was held in the Briar Patch Tavern. “Division 4 beckoned, Jimmy O’Neill was the first coach. I would not like his job even now when you look at the squad he had to pick from,” added Mick. “We trained and trained and Jim ran us and ran us all over Vic. Park. He found this half greyhound called Colin as a pace setter. While the team trained the committee worked behind the scenes to raise

Shamrock Rovers 1984

1991 First Amateur Sunday League Premiers Team

Shamrock Rovers Soccer Club was founded in 1984 and takes it name from the Dublin club in the League of Ireland but it has always had a character of its own and now thirty years down the track it has built up some heritage and history as well. What started out as a new football team for the Perth scene would quickly go on to become an important and enduring part of the Irish community and a place where all passionate fans of The Game are welcome.

funds. The Briar Patch were the first sponsors of the club along with Yamaha. I remember Mick McAuley of the Briar Patch saying he would give a jug of beer for every gaol scored. Little did he know. The first game was against the Portuguese and we won 14-0. Fourteen

Shamrock Rover 1987 coached by Mick McAuley

Rover’s All Star Team

A booklet produced to mark the first ten years of the “Hoops” offers some interesting insights into the early days of its formation. “I do believe the first time I can remember Rovers being discussed was at a gathering at Alberts Tavern in Murray Street, Perth, which was then owned by Mick McAuley and Sean Roche, even if it was only for a week,” wrote Mick Murray. “Over the next few months there were many more gatherings pursuing the idea of an Irish football team, which always seemed to take place in a public house. Anyhow, the final straw came one Sunday when most of the lads, eight to be exact were playing for North Perth United, and not doing too bad either had enough of North Perth and Shamrock Rovers was formed within the near future.”

The first official meeting was organised by Mick

jugs of beer on our first night and we went on to score over a hundred goals that season and went on to win the league.”

Mick Manning saw the club go from strength to strength and build up five teams in the first decade and secure its place into the future with the formation of the youth teams. “After a good run in the League, we had three teams reach Cup Finals,” he wrote in 1994.

‘This created history, as it was the first time in WA that three teams from the same Club were represented in Cup Finals in the same year,” he wrote.

The Club’s website describes the period between 1992 and 1997 as The Glory years. “After establishing itself in the top echelon of amateur football, Rovers reached new

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succession and the veterans achieving their second promotion. In 2007 Shamrock Rovers once again won the 1st team league Championship after a remarkable final against rivals Fremantle United, as well as a reserve team winning the cup and achieving top of the table league results (unfortunately going down in the final against UWA). With the best squad assembled in some time, the 2009 season was another successful one with both the First and Reserve teams winning runners

1993 Youth Team Winners Glasgow Celtic Supporters Cup

heights during the 90s. After the disappointment of a cup final defeats in 1993 and 1995, Rovers built on its reputation in the following years and claimed its first Premier League title in 1996. Coached by Mick Murray, the team contained the likes of Matt Day, Jon Craik, Johnny Allen and Phil Foulkes. The 1997 season was to prove even more impressive as Rovers became the first club to achieve the amateur league and cup double.”

“While Rovers continued to be one of the powerhouses of amateur football, the club seemed to just fail to reach

Shamrock Rovers 1993 Youth Team up medals including yet another semi-final appearance in the cup by the reserve team (9 years in a row). The Social team and Masters team enjoyed a successful season finishing third and fifth respectively.”

“The 2010 season was another great season for the hoops with the First team winning the league title for the fifth time in the clubs history. After winning the Amateur league title in 2010 Rovers accepted the invitation to join the State league in 2011(Semi-Pro).

Taking the club to the next level of Football in WA. 2011 Our first year in the State League was also a successful year for the club. We had to field an under 18’s Team for the First time. The 18’s first year in the competition saw them narrowly miss out on the league title only to go down on goal difference on the last game of the season. The Reserves finished runners up in the State Cup & Runners up in the league. The First team who sat second in the league in the latter part of the season ended up finishing 4th after we drew our last game of the year. We now currently field seven sides, three State League Teams 1st, Reserves and Under 18’s. Sunday side are two amateurs 1st & Reserve Teams, Masters (over 35) and Socials.”

Rovers continue to be a wonderful success and 2013 saw more trophies added to their cabinet. Rovers is more than a team, it is now a tradition in Western Australia and a very respected member of the soccer community.

Many an Irish lad arriving in Wesern Australia over the last 30 years has found a welcome at Rovers. They look after their players very well and are hungry for more success.

You can be part of this success by getting on board as a sponsor. Running a soccer club is a costly business and the Hoops need all the support they can get. To Mick Manning and his team, congratulations and heres to the next 30 years.

Shure, isn’t it a grand ould team to play for!

Shamrock Rovers 1986 First Team its previous heights in the following years. In 1999, the club fell just short on two fronts, finishing second in the league and losing the cup final to traditional rivals Fremantle United 1-0. Fortunes off the pitch continued to thrive, however. A partnership was made with junior club Vic Park Rovers and Shamrock Rovers masters’ and ladies’ teams made their first appearances during this period.

From 2004 to 2010 the Rovers returned to form and the top of the league according to the Club’s site.

“Rovers’ climb back to the top did not take long. In 2004 coach Nik Silsby put together an impressive squad, built around players who had grown up at the club such as Eddie Schuller, Mark Kelly, the Brooks brothers (Wayne, Glenn and Sean), Keith and Stephen Roche and Mickey Murray. The team swept all before them but after points were deducted due to a controversial ruling over a former professional player, it took a victory to on the last day to secure the title. 2005 saw Rovers finish third, but success around the club was a constant, the reserves winning the league for the third year in

Fred Rea and Lloyd Gorman

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The Australian-Irish Heritage Association

The Australian-Irish Heritage Association is an inclusive organisation which encourages and promotes an awareness of Australia’s Irish heritage. To this end, the Association creates opportunities for all to learn about, participate in and enjoy this distinctive heritage.

Upcoming Events AUSTRALIA DAY ECUMENICAL SERVICE

Our annual service of thanksgiving for this land Australia will be held in Wesley Uniting Church, 2 Cantonment Street, corner of Market Street, Fremantle on Sunday, 26th January at 9.30am. Rev. Raymond Clee will be joined by ministers of mainstream churches in a service of readings, hymns and a keynote address. A procession of representative items of the Irish contribution to Australia will open and close the service. Complimentary refreshments will follow.

Wesley Uniting Church Fremantle Sunday, January 26th at 9.30 am Admission Free, includes morning tea Enq: Frank Murphy - Ph 0433 161 587

SAINT BRIGID’S DAY CELEBRATION

Presented by Thelma Blackford To honour St Brigid, (451 – 525 AD) Ireland’s female patron saint the AIHA presents a discourse on The Legacy of St Brigid and the Women of Ireland Our scholarly presenter Thelma Blackford, a native of County Galway will explore the repressed nature of 19th and 20th century society in Ireland for women contrasted against the pioneering leadership of Brigid nearly 1500 years earlier.

Illustrated narrative with music and dance Irish Club, 61 Townshend Rd, Subiaco Sunday, February 2nd at 3.00 pm Bookings: Cecilia Bray 9367 6026 or pay at the door, $10 includes Irish a/noon tea

BOOK CLUB

Meets last Tuesday of the month with exception of December in the Irish Club Committee Room, 61 Townshend Road, Subiaco Tuesday, January 28th at 8pm.

Book ‘The Elegance of the Hedgehog’

by Muriel Barbery Admission: Gold Coin donation to cover room hire charge, All welcome. Light refreshments provided excluding drinks.

Coffee from Bar $3.80 Contact: Maureen on 9279 2486

WRITERS PRIZES

Deadline Monday 30th June, 2014 The Joe O’Sullivan Writers’ Prize honouring the memory of the Organisation’s late founder, worth $1,000, limit of 2,000 to 4,000 words - prose, fact or fiction. Open to residents of WA only Topic: “Looking Back”.

Joyce Parkes Women’s Writers’ Prize

Honours Joyce Parkes who is a well known poet living in WA. She is the patron of the prize, which aims at promoting and encouraging women writers in Australia. Limit of 1,000 to 2,000 words – Prose, fact or fiction.

Prize Money: $500 Topic: “Beyond the Horizon” Entrance Fee $10 for all competitions.

Enquiries to Denis Bratton 9345 3530

John Boyle-O’Reilly Annual

Commemoration Bunbury Saturday 29th March, Dinner at Rose Hotel Bunbury, 6.30pm for 7pm. Tickets $60 includes 3-course dinner and entertainment.

Drinks at bar prices.

Limit 100 tickets.

Special Guest HE Mr Noel White, Irish ambassador to Australia.

AIHA will be represented.

Sunday 30th March, Commemoration

Ceremony 11.30am John Boyle Memorial Monument, Buffalo Road, Australind Bookings Dinner: Tom Dillon 0417 986 298, email bdillon1@bigpond.com Bookings Accommodation: Rose Hotel 08 9721 4533

AIHA FILM CLUB SEASON

Wednesdays February 5,12,19,26, March 5 Now in our fourth year the outdoor Irish Film Festival continues to prove very popular with members and friends. Private garden cinema, 7.45pm nightly. Ample parking available. Big fifteen-foot cinema screen.

Full programme details will be released in January Plus Each night a supporting short film, together with tea/coffee and cakes.

Ice creams $2 Venue: 8 Fourth Avenue, Kensington (South Perth, off Canning Highway) Entry: Donation $10 to cover catering and costs, pay at the door.

Enquiries: Denis Bratton - Ph 9345 3530

THE FOURTH TUESDAY

Australian-Irish Heritage Association

Non Political-Non Sectarian-Emphatically Australian PO Box 1583 Subiaco 6904. Tel: 08 9345 3530. Email: aiha@irishheritage.net

www.irishheritage.net

Secretary: 08 9367 6026 Membership Due on 1st January.

Family membership $60, Concession $50, Distant (200 kms from Perth) $40 Membership fee includes tax deductible donation of $20

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human beings, but the entire Cosmos together.

As mentioned above, a direct approach for a project or a competitive approach is the beginning of a journey for our artists. Visiting or choosing an available site and consciously getting the feel of the place. What natural elements will guide the Artists to begin the growth of that kernel of an idea that will begin to conceptualise the form and shape of what is to be? What materials will be used? All of the processes involved in completing of a project were explained in full, the mental and physical nature of the work makes one wonder why one would take it on. It is a business in itself at one level. How do you mesh the two together? With grace, charm and a lot of Irish humour. How better to live a life chosen so early and succeed at the highest level and give so much pleasurable vibes to us the viewers.

I have deliberately not mentioned any of their works, which are many, because it is best to visit them in their particular natural setting. Look around and find your own place to sit and contemplate and get immersed in the moment.

Visit the artists’ website and wonder at the universal scope of their imagination.

Australian-Irish Heritage Association

Durack Mary

Memorial Lecture

This year’s lecture was presented by internationally well know and respected West Australian sculptors Joan and Charlie Smith. Meeting at art school in Ireland, during their teens, they have been together ever since then. Their work is well known and much appreciated across Europe, Asia and Australia.

Their unique skills and inspiration come from a close connection with nature and the spiritual elements that suffuse with the geography and cultural aspects of the sites they work on.

On Sunday 1st December at The University of Notre Dame University, Joan and Charlie opened a door for us in to their life as living working artistic sculptors. Explaining through examples of their work, especially in Australia, they explained the process of their artistry from beginning to completion.

First steps would a possible straight approach from a person or some sort of group be it local council, governmental or corporate body, who wish to project an intrinsic image which in some artistic form will conceptualise an idea in to a form which will speak to the people as viewers at some level. Of course a lot of their work would have to be competed for with other artists, with the possibility of having their offering being rejected. But that is part of the artists’ life. It must be said though that the quality and number of sites around Perth City itself speak volumes of the acceptance of the ability of Joan and Charlie to meet the demands of clients, but more to the point, it reveals how their knowledge of their art, and an innate internalization of living ‘within’ nature is obvious by the public’s response to their work. In their own words; We are constantly evaluating our personal, within the awesome processes visibly shaping our reality on a moment to moment basis. As a result, over the years, our work has gradually tended towards expressing certain universal qualities of human experience, through metaphor and form, essentially attempting to reveal elements of the underlying qualities of the human conscientiousness that binds, not only us as

Denis Bratton

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Irish Government Emigrant Support Programme Grants in Australia and New Zealand

Irish sporting and welfare associations around Australia do some wonderful work helping Irish Immigrants.

The Ambassador of Ireland to Australia, Noel White, announced the decision of the Government to allocate financial support to 15 organisations across Australia under the Emigrant Support Programme.

Total funding this year for organisations in Australia alone amounts to over AU$590,000, an increase of over AU$100,000 on that provided in 2012.

Ambassador White commented: “I am delighted that the Emigrant Support Programme funding to Irish Ambassador community organisations in Australia Noel White has been maintained, and indeed increased this year, despite the economic challenges at home.

Supporting Irish communities overseas, in particular the most vulnerable and marginalised members of those communities, is a priority for the Government.

The Emigrant Support Programme continues to be an important and practical expression of the Government’s commitment to Irish communities abroad.

The funding provided will help to ensure ongoing delivery of services for vulnerable members of the Irish community through frontline welfare organisations and it will help foster Irish identity within our community.

I welcome proposals for support under the Emigrant

Ulster Historical Foundation North American Lecture Tour March 2014 We are currently making plans for a lecture tour in the USA/Canada in Spring 2014, between the dates of 8th and 20th March. Some dates have already been confirmed and others are yet to be finalised.

Confirmed dates include: Denver CO, Saturday, 08 March, Des Moines IA, Monday, 10 March, Lincoln NE, Tuesday, 11 March, Memphis TN, Saturday, 15 March, Boise ID, Sunday/Monday 16/17 March (over 2 days), Philadelphia PA, possibly Wednesday or, Thursday 19 or 20 March (to be finalised).

At present we are available on Sunday 9 March, and Tuesday–Friday, 12–14 March.

We would like to ask if there is a society or group near to you that would be interested in an Irish research programme. If there is interest perhaps you would put us in contact with the local programme organisers.

Often when we send out advance information about our forthcoming tour itineraries, we receive numerous

85

Support Programme and I would encourage Irish community organisations to visit the website (www.dfa.ie) where the criteria for funding are set out”.

Since 1984, the Irish Government has given financial support through its Emigrant Support Programme to voluntary agencies providing advice and welfare services to Irish emigrants overseas. A dedicated unit within the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade coordinates the provision of support to communities abroad and administers the programme.

The main focus for funding under the Emigrant Support Programme remains the frontline welfare service providers that support the elderly, and other vulnerable Irish emigrants. In more recent years the programme has also recognised the importance of strong and active Irish communities more generally, funding projects which foster a sense of community, promoting vibrant networks and a sense of Irishness among the Irish abroad.

Organisation Name 2013 (AUD) Irish Australian Welfare Bureau and Resource Centre, NSW 160,000 Australian Irish Welfare Bureau, Melbourne 138,132 Canberra Irish Club 10,000 Irish Australian Support Association of Queensland, Brisbane 81,990 Sydney, St Patrick’s Day Organisation 20,000 Irish Australian Chamber of Commerce 32,700 St Patrick’s Day Parade, Brisbane 5,000 The Claddagh Association, Perth 17,000 Irish Australian Association of South Australia 10,000 Dictionary of Sydney 29,000 Great Irish Famine Commemoration Committee 10,000 Friends of St Brigid’s Association, Victoria 8,000 Irish Language School Sydney 2,000 Melbourne Irish Festival 2,000 Queensland Gaelic Football and Hurling Association 65,000

replies or requests asking if we would consider delivering a programme in the respondent’s locality. We are more than happy to do this and regularly travel widely during our tours.

This is therefore your opportunity to try to help arrange an Irish and Scots-Irish research workshop in your area. We hope you might take the time to respond, and we thank you in advance for any useful contacts which help us to build our tour itinerary.

We greatly value all the offers of help members/ supporters have given in recent years to our North American programmes. If you think you can be of any practical assistance this time we’d be delighted to hear from you.

We apologise in advance to those who do not live in the USA or Canada as we realise this information is not relevant to you. However, it at least does help to keep you informed of the Foundation’s forthcoming activities, and we would always make the point that staff from the Foundation are happy to present programmes in any location, where an invitation to us is extended We look forward to hearing from you.

Best regards, Fintan Mullan, Executive Director, Ulster Historical Foundation

Aer Lingus and Qantas considering Overweight Passenger Charges Aer Lingus is considering installing larger seats on planes to make room for large passengers.

The Irish Independent reports that the airline, like many of its competitors, is keeping the option “under review” due to the rising obesity levels.

Aircraft manufacturer Airbus is offering airlines the option of installing extra-wide seats on the type of aircraft used for Aer Lingus.

The larger seats, which are 20 inches across instead of 18, would be installed as aisle seats and would cost more for passengers. However, passengers sitting in window and middle seats will have to make do with even less space as those seats will each lose an inch of width to make room for the larger seats.

“We’ll be watching innovation that comes on stream in terms of new seating options that arrive on the market,” said an Aer Lingus spokeswoman.

“We will also gauge the level of demand.

We review matters such as this on a case by case

basis.

“We have no current plans to introduce larger seats -- but as with all product innovation we will watch developments and keep matters under review.”

Ireland is second only to Britain in European in levels of obesity with an estimated 60 percent of adults and 20 percent of children and teens in the country overweight or obese. Samoa Air recently introduced a ‘pay-by-weight’ system, while Southwest charges overweight passengers for two seats.

Qantas economist Tony Webber, said that overweight passengers were pushing up airlines’ fuel bills. Mr Webber, who now runs his own consultancy firm, said that costs were going up not just because of rising jet fuel prices but “because the average adult passenger is carrying a bit more heft.” Writing in an Australian newspaper Mr Webber added: “The rationale is simple. The fuel burned by planes depends on many things but the most important is the weight of the aircraft. The more a plane weighs, the more fuel it must burn. ”If the passengers on the aircraft weigh more, the aircraft consumes more fuel and the airline’s costs go up. “In turn, the airline will need to lift airfares to recover these additional costs. And when they do, the burden of these higher fees should not be lumbered on those who are shedding a few kilos or keeping their weight stable. ”In rural Indonesia, Mr Webber wrote, airlines weigh passengers as

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well as their luggage before they board the plane.

Elsewhere a number of airlines already make obese passengers pay more if they cannot fit in a single seat, including Virgin Atlantic. Continental also requires passenger to be able to fit in the seat with both armrests down, they also have to be capable of securing a seat belt with only a single extender. Southwest Airlines, an American budget carrier, also has a detailed “customers of size” policy in its terms and conditions. It requires passengers who cannot fit in a single seat to buy another. It has ruled out the idea of installing a few larger seats in the cabin to deal with its larger customers. In Europe, Air France has also started demanding passengers pay for a second seat if they do not fit into one, otherwise they will not be allowed on board for safety reasons.

British Airways also has a policy in which passengers who are unable to fit in a single seat are first given an extension seat belt free of charge.

If they are still too large, then they will be expected to buy another seat.

at Rosies Cab Bar Absolutely

Brilliant!

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Gaelic Football & Hurling Association of WA Inc. Western Australia Club Contact Information:

Play Gaelic Games in Perth!

Gaelic Hurling and Football Association of Western Australia main field is the BGC Ground, Tom Bateman Reserve located at the Corner of Bannister and Nicholson Rd, Canning Vale. The BGC grounds cater well for spectators with a canteen and licensed bar. Both the Hurling and Gaelic Football competitions are exciting viewing. We hope to see you there playing or as a spectator.

HISTORY....

Gaelic games in Australia has a long history going back to the 1800’s.In the early 1840’s there was a newspaper report of a form of Gaelic football played in South Australia and it is acknowledged that similar games were played on the goldfields of Victoria in the 1850’s. There is a lack of documentation of many challenge games of Gaelic football and hurling which were played between the Irish of Melbourne and Sydney in the 1920’s and 1930’s Associations were formed firstly in Victoria and New South Wales to control and organise local games.

This was followed in 1963 by the formation of an Association in South Australia and in Western Australia and Queensland soon after.

The first interstate championships in both codes was played between NSW, Victoria and South Australia in 1971 in Melbourne.

At a meeting convened in Sydney in 1974 representatives from NSW, South Australia, Victoria and Western Australia met and formed the Gaelic Athletic Association of Australia to promote, control and foster Gaelic games on a national level. Subsequent to this with the affiliation of Auckland and Hutt Valley – Wellington from New Zealand the name changed to the Gaelic Athletic Association of Australasia.

The role of the Australasian association has grown immensely in recent years in the administration and promotion of Gaelic games. Developments include, a Level 1 Coaching Course with subsequent appointment of Coaching Directors in each Australian States, a oneday Referees Course to secure more qualified referees and the construction of the association’s website. As a result these initiatives there has been more than a doubling of the number of teams competing in Gaelic football over the last couple of years.

Football: BGC Grounds, Tom Bateman Reserve Cnr Bannister & Nicholson Rds, Canning Vale Hurling: RA Cook Reserve, Coode St. Morley

Michael Cusacks Hurling Club Email: michaelcusackswagaa@hotmail.com www.michaelcusackswagaa.com Immokilly Hurling Club Facebook: imokilly.australia@facebook.com Email: imokillywa@gmail.com Perth Shamocks Hurling Club Email: perthshamrocks@gmail.com Secretary: germullally@hotmail.com St Gabriel’s Hurling Club Hurling: secretary.stgabrielshc@hotmail.com Facebook: St. Gabriels Hurling WA Camogie: stgabrielscamogieclub@hotmail.com.

Facebook: StGabriels Camogieclub Sarsfields Hurling Club Facebook: Sarsfields Hurling WA Twitter: @Sarsfields Perth www.sarsfieldshurlingperth.com Coastal Breakers GFC Ladies Gaelic Football Club Email: thecoastalbreakers@gmail.com www.coastalbreakers.wordpress.com Facebook: /coastal.breakers Western Swans Camogie Club Email camogiewa@yahoo.com.au Facebook - Western Swans Camogie St. Finbarr’s GFC Website: www.stfinbarrsgfc.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/StFinbarrsGFC Twitter: www.twitter.com/StFinbarrsGFC Email: stfinbarrsgfc@hotmail.com Morley Gaels Men’s Contacts: John 0410 309 306 / JAY 0479 088 353 Ladies Contact: Br McCormack 0400 793 432 Rob O’Callaghan 0407 421 224

Western Shamrocks GFC Facebook – Western Shamrocks Gfc westernshamrocks@hotmail.com Southern Districts GFC Email: southerndistrictsgaa@gmail.com southerndistrictsgaa@hotmail.com.au www.sdgfc.com Greenwood Football Club www.ggfc.castinet.com.au macruairi6@hotmail.com Junior GAA Hurling & Football Gerry Crowley 041 504 8425 gerrycrowley@westnet.com.au Minor GAA Football Michael O’Connor 0417 096 424 Peter Kavanagh 0410 921 961

gfhwa.com.au 88

Junior Academy Update

By Debbie Cashman

The Junior Academy players and coaches are enjoying a well deserved rest in the off season. Of course next seasons plans are already underway for both North and Southern Academies. The Northern Academy will take place again in Tapping Primary School again. There will also be 12-15 year olds training here every Sunday and their season will run along with the Juniors (4-12 years) March to September inclusive.

The development there is we will have Hurling taught to this older age group as it was just Gaelic football available to them last year.

In the South, we will be based at the main pitch at Tom Bateman Reserve, we are targeting schools especially around the Thornlie area, we already have recruits from Sacred Heart school, where Gerry Crowley has been coaching during term 4 and he will continue bring GAA to the masses as he will be back there in Term 2 0f 2014. If you are on a school board or a PE teacher of a school and you think GAA would fit into their active after schools program please contact us for further details.

At the moment we are also recruiting coaches, so if interested, we would love you to contact us, we will provide training if it has been awhile!

We also finally have our kit available proudly in WA colours, so all playing children will look like young all stars decked out in the exclusive Australian Gaelic Games Junior Academy kit, which comprises of Jersey, shorts and

socks. We will have them available at the St. Patrick’s Day Parade stall for purchase of $60 which is less than cost price. Makes a great present to send home to nieces and nephews too! We also have training gear available to purchase Hurley’s from $35 (sizes 26”-32”) and sliotars are $7 again we have a variety of sizes, helmets available, and Gaelic footballs are $15. Contact Pauline Brady 0410 562 165 for any purchase queries.

We have found that the kids who can practice at home come on in leaps and bounds at training. So expect to see kids in parks pucking the ball over the bar!

Our own AGM will be held in Fibber Mc Gees on 21st Jan for anyone who is interested in attending. We again would like to thank all of our coaches for the endless enthusiasm and effort and for the parents for bringing their kids and often joining in the activities and antics.

Next Season we will have a calender of events, so parents will know our plans in advance, we will run inline with the school terms and take a break when they do. As always keep an eye on our face book page for up to date info. The juniors will be marching in the parade, looking great in their new kit behind the junior Academy banner and host an exhibition game in the oval afterwards, which was a huge crowd pleaser last year. The season will officially start after Paddys Day. New members always welcome.

Handy Contacts: Gerry Crowley schools coaching 0415 048 425 Martin Brady academy coaching 0405 937 233 Pauline Barady kit/equipment 0410 562 165 Debbie Cashman general enquiries 0406 229 450 Facebook page: Gaelic Games Junior Acaemy

www.thebreakwater.com.au

58 Southside Drive, Hillarys Boat Harbour Ph: 08 9448 5000 Fax: 08 9448 6000

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from the Red Devil Melbourne

Happy New Year to my fellow Celts on the West Coast! I do hope you had a fabulous Christmas. The fat man in the red and white suit with the big white beard has come and gone; he who brought sleds of toys to young and old, leaving a trail of wrapping paper that has now overflowed the tips of Australia.

He who encouraged us to eat and be merry, but forgot to tell us how much weight we would put on and disfigure those wonderful body’s we had. I bet you never knew that Santa (not his real name) was a Corkman. To all you sceptics it is ok; I do understand why you could not possibly know the background story unless you were from the Rebel County. Go on, you can pick your chin up of the floor now after that bit of news. I know you must be thinking, who let this looney out of the Happy Farm as it’s much too early for his release. Well you couldn’t be more wrong, wrong and wrong again. If you have ever seen a photo of Santa you will note that he is proudly wearing his Rebel County colours, not Dublin or Clare or even Limerick colours. Yes, he is a true Corky Boy. There were attempts to have him dethroned on a number of occasions by the other envious counties, wanting their colours displayed behind the herd of reindeers led

by Rudolph’s flashing Red Nose across the skies on Christmas Eve. However, none of the other colours could or would be as bright as Corks Red and White lighting up the world on the night before Christmas. Cork is and always was in vogue, as the Beatles sang years ago, “We love Cork Yea Yea Yea”.

Let me give you a little run down on the true story of Santa whose real name is???? No I won’t tell; it wouldn’t be right to reveal his true identity.

However, I can and will tell you he grew up in the unfashionable suburb of Gurranabraher long before Jim Egan had his first stall

outside the Arcadia Ballroom a time before Martin (Fada) Sheehan first put on a Cork Hibernians Shirt and well before his bum was the size of a shirt button. It was a time before that other Cork Boy, Fred Rea the publisher of this magazine had his first cowboy suit and well before that other Cork Boy Frank Murphy of; “A song for Ireland” on Radio Fremantle first put his lips to a microphone. Yes, that was a time when those Cork Boys weren’t even a rude thought in their Mam’s and Dad’s minds.

Santa’s house was a very poor house, where there was very little joy and no toys for children to play with, to make matters worse his neighbours were a very rowdy and noisy lot and a general pain in the ass. Cork can be a little more than noisy every time they win an All Ireland Hurling Final, anyway as they say in the classics, “one day” as Santa was walking down Patrick’s Street, he met a beggar who was buggered from begging all day and hadn’t even received a single farthing in his begging cap. Santa feeling sorry for the little beggar who was buggered from begging all day gave him the only coin he had in his pocket. It was a silver shilling that he had found and was taking home to his mam to buy food. Yea we all know that you won’t get much for a shilling now days but back then you could have bought a pub with that amount of money.

Moving on with the story the buggered beggar jumped up and creased Santa who promptly jumped sideways avoiding one of those Australian hello kisses. Then all of a sudden, the buggered beggar grabbed Santa and pulled him down the nearby laneway. At this point poor auld Santa’s underdaks was beginning to fill with the unwanted part of last night’s Tripe and Drusheen dinner.

Then just as Santa thought he was going to meet his waterloo and his world was ending, the buggered beggar tore off his raged coat to reveal his identity, he was an angel on a mission just like Tom Cruise in Mission Impossible, a man on a mission. Yes an angel looking for someone with a kind heart. He had travelled the full circle of the world and every County of Ireland only

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to find what he was looking for, a Knight in Red and White unlike Bono who still haven’t found what he’s looking for.

Mission accomplished as an Angel had found not just someone who would bring Mike Bowen joy to the world every Christmas but also someone who would add brightness in the colours that he wore and so a legend was created from a laneway in Cork.

The Cork colours have been adopted by most of the successful teams in the world now. Here are some, Munster in Rugby, Man United, and Liverpool in the Premier league, The Urawa Reds in Japan, the Sydney Swans in Australian Rules. They even wave red flags at the bulls in Spain to get their blood up. In our bodies, we have Red and White blood cells the Cork colours again. It must peeve off all the other Counties of Ireland to no end when we Rebels say we have red and white running through our veins.

I don’t want any of you getting your noses out of joint by my pointing out what is only the absolute truth.

Yea yea I know you would all like to put a claim in for Santa to wear your county colours next year on his parcel delivery rounds, but that’s not going to happen. We Rebels never change our colours, just like Santa we will always be Red and White. Just because I have revealed a few truths here is no reason why you can’t leave the usual few drinks out for the Rebel in Red when he staggers into your place next year with a bag full of goodies for your critters. So what if he happens to be a Corkman disguised in red, he is also an Irishman. Until I talk to you again soon Be good to those who love you. You can catch me on mike@global fins.com.au Mike Bowen

Good resolutions are simply checks that men draw on a bank where they have no account. Oscar Wilde

SHAMROCK Shamrock Rovers Soccer Club was founded in 1984.

Taking its name from the Dublinbased League of Ireland club, Rovers initially gave Perth’s Irish

community a team to call their own, but has since grown into a club for anybody who enjoys their football with passion, enthusiasm, fun and humility. The club is an active and well-respected member of the WA football community and has gained its fair share of supporters, friends and, of course, trophies.

Shamrock Rovers enters

Rovers

with a name change and some significant amendments to the club’s rules.

The club is now officially called Shamrock Rovers Perth Football Club and will play at all levels under the name Shamrock Rovers Perth FC. A new logo has been designed by Fred and Stephen Rea. We would to thank them both for doing the artwork free of charge. Fred has also produced a 30th Anniversary logo for the club. The club has relocated its State League squad to Grimrey Park Lockridge and will play and train in Lockridge for all of 2014. The Sunday amateurs will continue to play at Harold Rossiter Reserve in Victoria Park

Michael Manning President Shamrock Rovers

and the Socials will continue to share Flinders Park Hillarys with the Masters team.

Despite this separation of playing facilities the club remains a united force in the Perth metropolitan area and is looking forward to a big anniversary year with a number of events being planned to celebrate the milestone.

Do You Want to Play for Rovers?

As always the club is looking to recruit quality players at all levels and anyone interested should contact the club as follows: Club Development / Player Recruitment Bill Byrne 0439 953 957 bill.byrne@hotmail.com

It’s what you do before the season starts that makes you a champion.

Pre-Season Training Pre-season started for State League squad on Monday 6th January at Rosher Park, Lockridge and will continue throughout Jan/Feb every Monday & Thursday from 6.30 - 8.30.

There will also be occasional Tuesday night and weekend sessions at our new home ground ground Grimrey Park Lockridge How can you support Rovers: • Attend matches • Be a club Sponsor • Attend Functions • Be a Volunteer • Make a donation • Play with Rovers • Buy a club jacket ... so many ways....

it’s 30th Anniversary year with renewed optimism after a very successful 2013.

Success on the park was followed by a robust AGM which set the theme for the future

A team above all. Above all a team.

Bill Byrne, Secretary 0439 953 957 bill.byrne@hotmail.com

www.shamrockrovers.com.au 91

Irish Perth Golf Society The Irish Perth Golf Society was established in early 2013 and now has over 80 members the majority of which are young Irish males living and working in Perth. The society plays once a month, has signature t-shirts, an integrated handicap system and has secured sponsorship and donations from organisations such as Durty Nelly’s and the Hon Irish Consul, Mr Martin Kavanagh.

The Joondalup Resort society event took place on the 8th of December 2013 and was the society’s “major” event of the year. There were 42 golfers that took part and it turned out to be a great day’s golf. The Joondalup Resort Golf Club is widely considered one of the best golf courses in Western Australia and didn’t disappoint, catering for our day-out impeccably by presenting the course in immaculate condition and providing excellent catering services upon completion.

Once the golf was over, it was time to cap off an excellent year by having a Christmas party and prize giving that evening at Durty Nelly’s on Shafto Lane. Thank you again to Durty Nelly’s especially Lee Behan for accommodating us and offering great support. The evening was a great success and there was a big turnout.

Running simultaneously within the golf society was the “Irish Perth Golf Society Matchplay Tournament” which began in late August with 32 players. Each player was obliged to play their match within a 3 week time frame at a venue of their choice. Credit to all the players as every

by James Phelan

single match took place within the required timeframe and by all accounts the majority were extremely competitive.

The final took place at the Joondalup event between Niall Torpey (14) and David Lynch (10). It was a tight match with both players holding the lead at different stages, however Niall took a 1 hole advantage going down the last and made no mistake executing an exquisite pitch over a bunker on the last to about 5 feet to secure the match. Thank you again to the Hon Irish Consul, Marty Kavanagh who donated a trophy to the winner, the likes that would not be seen at the British Open.

There was some fantastic performances not just at the Joondalup event but throughout the year.

Prize recipients were as follows: Golf Society Awards Matchplay Champion: Niall Torpey 14 (Carrick-on-Suir, Co. Tipperary) Matchplay Runner-Up: David Lynch 10 (Navan, Co. Meath) Golfer of the Year: Alex Harper 7 (Liverpool) Most Improved: Shane Hughes 17 (Bray, Co.Wicklow) Joondalup Resort Event Awards Joondalup 1st (Best Net Score): Shane Hughes 21 (Bray, Co.Wicklow) 41pts Joondalup 2nd (Best Net Score): Mikie Barry 24 (Lixnaw, Co. Kerry) 40pts Joondalup 3RD (Best Net Score): Padraig Fitzmaurice 21 (Lixnaw, Co. Kerry) 38pts Longest Drive: David Lynch 10 (Navan, Co. Meath) Closest to the Pin: Richie Nolan 11 (Baltinglass, Co. Wicklow) Joke Awards Strangest Swing: Niall Kelly (Bunclody, Co. Wexford) Token Scouse Member: Craig (the Wild thing) Wilding (Liverpool) Handicap Minder: Pat Cummins (Kill, Co. Waterford) Longest Drive (on the wrong fairway): Padraig Fitzmaurice (Lixnaw, Co. Kerry) Worst Score: Michael O’Halloran (Blackrock, Co. Cork)

ey

ern vli er McN

New Clubs for Martin

Martin is in Saudi Arabia on contract and is walking down the road carrying his clubs when he sees a local being held up at gunpoint. He pulls out his favourite wedge and knocks the robber unconscious. “You probably saved my life,” says the grateful Arab. “I am a member of the Saudi Royal Family and I have the power and money to give you anything you desire as a reward.”

Martin glances at his golf bag. “But shure, some new golf clubs would be nice,” he says. Two weeks later, the Sheikh’s secretary calls him up. “We’ve got your golf clubs,” she says, “but the Sheikh would like to apologise to you in advance: only three of your new clubs have swimming pools.”

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O

Every Saturday Evening 6-8pm Enjoy Irish Ballads and Showband Hits www.capitalcommunityradio.com

For all your favourite musical memories

St Gabriel’s Hurling & CamogieClub St. Gabriel’s WA Club is based in Perth, Western Australia and is the only club in Western Australia with both a hurling and camogie team. The clubs mission is to be the best hurling and camogie club in Australia, both within the community and on the pitch. St Gabriel’s belief is that the club will be a part of the Irish community in “New Members Welcome” Western Australia and its success will not only be measured in the number of trophies it wins, but also by the impact to join contact.

Hurling: Steve 0408 940 265 it has on the community, players, members, supporters, and associates.

Camogie: Bronagh 0405 582 123 sponsors St Gabriels aims to be a club with values attached, Facebook: St. Gabriels Hurling WA such as; enjoyment, commitment, forging friendships, employment assistance, dedication and achievement. We intend to work hard to make St Gabriels not only a club, Our but a recognized social and responsible entity.

Major Club Colours: Black and White Sponsors: monford

Hurling Email – stgabs@yahoo.com.au. Facebook: /s.t.gabrielshurling.wa Hurling Contacts – Stephen O’Dowd 0408 894 0265 – Ronan Kilroy 0439 979 237 – John Loughnane 0420 597 736 – Damien Madden 0748 137 000 Camogie Email – secretary.stgabrielscc@gmail.com Facebook: /StGabrielsCamogieclub Camogie Contacts – Teresa McCormack 0479 037 570 – Deborah Roughan 0410 059 647 – Kim O’Connor 0406 983 823 Training every Tuesday and Thursday in Wembley Downs.

Contacts above for details.

We wish everyone a Happy New Year.

monford Construction & Mining Contractors - Earth Moving Contractors Monford Group is a group of three companies, Monford Plant Hire, Monford Labour Hire and Monford Constructions, performing works Australia wide.

Monford Group Pty Ltd has extensive experience and capabilities that include the construction of major mining, industrial and civil infrastructure projects, throughout Australia.

As a group Monford has completed projects involving concrete construction, civil construction, mining infrastructure, tilt-up construction, earthworks, equipment and labour hire.

One of the keys to their success is their professional approach to the construction of any project.

Monford has developed and implemented an Integrated Management System with the safety and well-being of their employees, partners and customers in mind.

Monford Group has proven that its resources and management systems ensure their projects are completed on time and within budget.

Monford Group has worked on some of Australia’s largest projects, namely; Pluto LNG Karratha, Sino Iron Cape Preston, FMG Solomon, Devils Creek Karratha, Perth City Rail Link Alliance Perth, Rapid Growth Project Port Hedland and the Nurrumbidgee to Googong Pipeline, NSW. Monford’s Clients include John Holland, Abi Group, Decmil, Georgiou, Kentz, AGC, Murphy Pipe and Civil and Construction Industries Australia.

McIntosh & Son is proud to be a major supplier of Case Construction Machinery to the Monford Group.

For more information please check out Monford’s website www.monfordgroup.com

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Trophy Winners 2013

Irish Golf Club of WA

January Feb March April May June July August Sept October Nov Dec Dec

Tim Hickey Cup

at Carramar Golf Course - Sunday 17 November Carramar was the venue for the Tim Hickey Cup. We had a full field of some 40 golfers, including a number of 4 balls representing the hurlers in Perth. Thanks go out to the hurlers for supporting the day which acknowledges the integral historical link between the Irish golfing and hurling families in Perth through this coveted Tim Hickey Cup, an important event on the Irish Golf Club calendar Aidan O’Sullivan won the Cup with a good score of 43 points while Mick Connolly was runner up on 41 points. The results are as follow: 1st Aidan O’Sullivan 43 points - 2nd Mick Connolly 41 points 3rd Peter McKenna 40 points NTP 4 B Cullinane LDMen Martin King - NTP 6 C Glynn LP PJ Kenny NTP 11 J Whelehan 2 Ball P. McKenna - NTP 16 P McKenna

Summer Shield Gjerde Oddbjorn Irish Club Cup Billy Kavanagh St Patrick’s Day Trophy Mike Byrne Captain’s Cup Steve O’Sullivan Secretary’s Trophy Kevin Ducker Ambassador’s Trophy Aidan O’Sullivan Winter Shield Sean Byrne President’s Trophy Mick McCann Country Trophy Eamonn Fitzpatrick Club Champion Keith Harper Kilkenny Cup Aidan O’Sullivan Fleadh Cup Brendan Wymbs Player of the Year P J Kenny

Fleadh Cup

at Maylands Golf Course - Sunday 15 December. Maylands was the venue for the Fleadh Cup. We had a field of some 30 golfers who attended on a very hot Perth day, with temperatures getting up to the 37 degree mark. It wasn’t only the temperature that was soaring – have a look at Keith Harper attempting to retrieve his ball with his tree wood – no wonder he won the 2013 club championship with tenacity like that!

Brendan Wymbs, OUR HANDICAPPER!!!!, won the Fleadh Cup with a good score of 43 points. Steve O’Sullivan finished a close second with our esteemed President coming in third place. Other results are as follow: NTP 5 Christy Mangan LDMen Dominic Hyde NTP 8 Martin Sheehan LDWomen Joan Ross NTP 9 Paddy Ryan 2 Ball Aidan O’Sullivan Brendan Wymbs NTP 13 Brendan Wymbs Sean Brennan Sean Byrnes NTP 16 Dominic Hyde Martin Sheehan (2)

Winner: Aidan O’Sullivan being presented with the Tim Hickey Cup by Pat Hickey

Winner: Brendan Wymbs being presented with the Fleadh Cup

by Captain Mike Byrne

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Irish Business Contacts / index

baggage (unaccompanied) 67 Exportair Tim 9477 1080 Butchers 52 McLoughlin’s Northside Meats Tel: 9249 8039 64 Meat Connoisseur Tel: 9309 9992 CAFE/DELI: Donovans of Floreat - Phone 0450 319 320 Mrs O’Brien’s Irish Chipper Tel: 9388 6669 Taste32 Mt Hawthorn - 0448 328 112 14 Mooney’s Irish Sandwich Bar Tel: 9221 4872 Car Retailers: 35 John Hughes, Vic Park - Tel: 9415 0110 celebrant: 62 Marian Bryne Tel: 0410 345 224 Lorna Aylward Tel: 0419 926 830 civil engineers: 77 Neo Infrastructure Tel: 0407475033 Counselling Fiona Carberry, Counselling Psychologist carberrycounselling@westnet.com.au Tel: 0439 549 481 employment: 78 Final Trim Operators Tel: 1300 083 599 Entertainment: Fiddlestick - David MacConnell 0413 259 547 Them Little Secrets: Fiona Rea 0404 831 445 Finance/advice: 12 The Loans Café-Nik Silsby Tel: 0402 284594 PTR Asset Finance - Tel: 9322 1229 Freight Handlers: 67 Exportair - Tim Hawdon Tel: 9477 1080 Funerals: 37 Hetherington Funerals Tel: 9459 2846 furniture: 9 First in Furniture Joondalup Tel: 9300 9010 irish gifts & homeware: Green Envy Living - Tel 07 5309 5640 immigration advice: 21 Carol-Ann Lynch 0402 514 741 8 ASC Migration Tel: 93015905 Visa4U - Tel: 0416 727 787 Irish Food: Taste Ireland Sydney - Tel: 02 9386 5522 Jewellers: Sean Carroll online: seancarroll.com.au Mechanics / car sales: 1 Killarney Autos - Neil Lenihan 0439 996 764 BVM Autos - Mike Barton Tel: 0413 889 501

Music Schools: Cottage School of Music Tel: 9312 2200 Pubs, Clubs & restaurants: Bailey Bar & Grill Joondalup Tel: 9300 0633 89 Breakwater, Hillarys Tel: 9448 5000 48, 49, 82 Carnegies, Perth Tel: 9481 3222 53 Celtic Club, West Perth Tel: 9322 2299 37 Durty Nelly’s, Perth Tel: 9226 0233 3 Fenian’s / Novotel, Perth Tel: 9221 1200 Friar Tuck’s, Wannanup Tel: 9534 4788 96 Irish Club of WA, Subiaco Tel: 9381 5213 23 JB O’Reilly’s, Leederville Tel: 9382 4555 Kallaroo Seafood Tel: 9401 9141 46 Paddy Maguire’s, Subiaco Tel: 9381 8400 36 Paddy Malone’s Joondalup/Alexander Hgts 26 Rosie O’Grady’s Fremantle Tel: 9335 1645 2,10 Rosie O’Grady’s Northbridge Tel: 9328 1488 11 The Mighty Quinn, Tuart Hill Tel: 9349 9600 The Cure Northbridge Tel: 9227 9055 The Shed, Northbridge Tel: 9228 2200 13 Voyage Kitchen Tel: 9447 2443 Woodvale Tavern, Woodvale 9309 4288 65 Woodbridge Hotel, Guildford Tel: 9377 1199 Real Estate: 17 Professionals Kelly Team YokineTel: 9344 5544 32 Peard - Valerie Boyle Tel: 0404 864 932 16 Veritas Reality - Gillian 0415 858 016 Solicitors & Legal: 27 Kavanagh Lawyers - Tel: 0430 960 859 43 Robertson Hayles Lawyers Tel: 9325 1700 Sport - Clubs and Information: 88 GAA - Rob O’Callagahan 0407 421 224 80,91 Shamrock Rovers - Bill Tel: 0439 953 957 93 St Gabriel’s Hurling Club -Stephen 04088940265 Irish Golf Club of WA Martin 0419934681 THEATRE: 60 Irish Theatre Players-Ivan 0417 903 256 training: 47 CertPlus Training Tel: 9278 2531 Travel & Tourism: 30 British Travel - Jenny Allen Tel: 9388 3114 5 Flightworld Michael Deering Tel: 9322 2914 tyres, batteries, brakes wheels: 14 Tyrepower: Perth City - Fiona: Tel: 9322 2214 WEDDING RECEPTIONS: 53 The Celtic Club, West Perth Tel: 9322 2299 window (timber) renovation: 86 Ventroller Tel: 1300 309 646

Trades+ Maintenance Concrete & Walls PC Walls Contact: Sean King Tel: 0418 949 292

ELECTRICIANS Iluka Electrical Contact: Tom Bowe Tel: 0422 440 588

GARAGE DOORS Buckley’s Garage Doors Contact: Kevin Buckley Tel: 0425 125 889

car MECHANICAL Killarney Autos Contact: Neil Lenihan Phone: 9309 4445 BVM Autos Contact: Mike Barton Tel: 0413 889 501

KERBING

AAH Captain Kerb Contact: Noel Steenson Tel 0412 679 652 or 9405 8948

PLUMBING

Charlies Plumbing & Gas Services PL8223 - GF014437 Contact: Charlie O’Hare Tel: 0400 484 933

ROOF PLUMBING Mick’s Maintenance ContactL Mick Tel: 0418 917 050

SKIRTINGS

Contact: Ken McLoughlin 041 544 6122

The Irish Scene

Publisher/Advertising: Fred Rea 0418 943 832 Editor: Lloyd Gorman 0479 047 250 - gormanlloyd@hotmail.com Proof Reading: Jack Cullen and Imelda Gorman Publisher: Gaelforce Promotions, 12 Dysart Court, Kingsley WA 6026 Email: fred@irishscene.com.au Tel/Fax 9309 3167 www.irishscene.com.au Disclaimer: Opinions expressed by contributors in articles, reproduced articles, advertisements or any other printed material contained in Irish Scene magazine or on www. irishscene.com.au are those of the individual contributors or authors and as such are not necessarily those of Gaelforce Promotions. The publisher and editor reserve the right to accept, reject, edit or amend submitted material in order to make it appropriate or suitable for publication. Irish Scene welcomes submissions, ideas and suggestions for articles and features as well as photographs of events happening around and within the Irish community in Western Australia.

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Pie & Pint Night Every Thursday All welcome to join in.

Live music from 7pm.

Club Reopens on Thursday 9 January Pie & pint that night.

Book your Function at the Club!

Contact the club on 9381 5213.

We have 3 function rooms and can cater for up to 200 people!

Full bar and catering options are available.

MOTOWN MAGIC 3RD FRI OF THE MONTH Contact Nigel on 0487921687

Senior’s Lunch

first Friday of each month. $15 per person Bar open from 12 noon. Lunch at 1pm.

Hosts: Oliver McNerney & Joe Carroll. Bookings 9381 5213

OPENING HOURS & ACTIVITIES

MONDAY: Bar open 4pm to 10.30pm / Comhaltas - Music Lessons & Set

Dancing from 8.00pm followed by the Seisiun TUESDAY: Bar open 4pm to 10.30pm WEDNESDAY: Bar open 4pm to 10.30pm THURSDAY: Bar open 4pm to Midnight / Pint and Pie Night / Music from 7pm FRIDAY: Bar open 4pm to Midnight / Kitchen 5.30pm - 8.30pm SATURDAY: Bar open 4pm to Late SUNDAY: Bar open from 4pm to 10pm.

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1ST SAT OF THE MONTH Contact Pete on 0417920263

The Irish Club is a members only club, and we welcome new members. Application forms can be downloaded from the website irishclubofwa.com.au

61 Townshend Road, Subiaco, WA 6008

Tel: +61 8 9381 5213 irish1@irishclubofwa.com.au

NORTHERN SOUL

Fax: 9381 9764 www.irishclubofwa.com.au