OCTOBER 2012 Issue 72

DAVID STRASSMAN CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR TOUR

A DECADE ON FEDERATION SQUARE TURNS 10

MEET EMMA ISAACS ULTIMATE BUSINESS CHICK

BOY GEORGE HEADLINES MELBOURNE FESTIVAL HUB OCTOBER 2012

ISSUE

MELBOURNE ZOO CELEBRATES 150 YEARS

72

published by

Magmedia Pty Ltd ABN 69 118 720 960, Registered Office: Suite 3, 15-17 Pakington St, St Kilda VIC 3182 Ph: (03) 8506 9908 Fax: (03) 9525 3944 3000melbourne welcomes any contributions from our readers. Please send material to the above address.

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CONTENTS

publishers Susan Riley {susanr@magmedia.com.au} William Rowe {williamr@magmedia.com.au} editor Lisa Quittner {editor@magmedia.com.au} magazine enquiries enquiries@magmedia.com.au design Susan de Kretser - Smith & Rowe {susandk@smithandrowe.com.au} advertising Belle Ngien 0411 615 910 {advertise@magmedia.com.au} Susan Riley {susanr@magmedia.com.au} cover image Featuring Binjai of Melbourne Zoo – Image courtesy of Melbourne Zoo contributing writers Tom Elliott, Rebecca Howden, Nicole Hutcheson, Andrew Hewison, Tahlia Mandie, Costa Rolfe, Shannah Kennedy, Josh Lambert.

This magazine has a distribution of 15,000 copies throughout Melbourne CBD, Docklands, parts of Southbank and rotating through South Melbourne and Port Melbourne.

If you would like to stock 3000Melbourne at your place of business please email Lisa at editor@magmdia.com.au

CONGRATULATIONS!

TO THE WINNERS OF OUR SEPTEMBER COMPETITIONS: Ronda Faccioni

Jessica Nardella

Laz Lembovski

Agatha Soccio

Aletha Culling

Jennifer Hodgson

Daniel Wahyudi Harry George

Yvonne Flanders

Mara Venn

Marcus Rosenberg

Rachel Israel

Ronald Lemmen

Jan Althorp

Ed Wells

Corrado Di Clemente

EDITOR’S NOTE

“Mali”

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Events this October 4-5 Melbourne Zoo celebrates 150 years 8 Boy George headlines Melb. Festival Hub 10 Simon Taylor - Melb. Fringe Festival 12 Fed Square turns 10!

13 David Strassman Tour 14 Ride 2 Work Day 18 Tom Elliott 19 InBusiness Page 20 Emma Isaacs - Ultimate Business Chick 21 Melbourne Ice achieve 3PEAT 25 Melbourne Breast Cancer Bra Walk 27 Wellbeing Section 27-31 Docklands’ Writers 32 Potted Potter 33 3000’s Bookshelf 33

MELBOURNE’S MONTH OF MILESTONES!

with David as he continues his world tour of ‘Careful what you wish for’.

October is certainly a month of milestones in Melbourne. Our cover features the very striking Binjai as we celebrate 150 years of Melbourne Zoo which continues to be a highlight attraction for Melburnians and visitors from interstate and abroad. The continuance of the Zoo’s conservation programs is strongly dependent on support from the public. A membership is an ideal way to show your support and makes a great Christmas gift to enjoy throughout the year.

We also meet Emma Isaacs, CEO and owner of Business Chicks who shares her views on how to get ahead in the world of business and networking. At just 33, Emma has achieved in business what takes other’s a lifetime to just think about – an inspiring woman, read more on page 21.

Fed Square turns 10 this month with a weekend of free family entertainment and celebrations lined up. We take a look at the significant events that were celebrated and commemorated over the past decade at one of the more recent additions to Melbourne’s iconic landmarks.

October is synonymous with Melbourne Festival and we are proud to bring you Costa Rolfe’s run through of events at the extraordinary and ultimate social and interactive event space – Foxtel’s Melbourne Festival Hub where Boy George will headline.

David Strassman is on his way back to his ‘home away from home’ with all his puppet friends in tow and an amazing new show which is gaining rave reviews across the globe. I was thrilled to chat

The most exciting event for us here at 3000Melbourne this month is the arrival of our new MagMedia website which will feature all of our publications and includes all the information you’ll need to find out more about our range of publications – you can even subscribe, so you’ll never have to worry about missing out on the latest and greatest news in and around Melbourne!

We hope you’ll enjoy the read and take advantage of all the amazing events and celebrations our beautiful city is hosting this October.

Congratulations to Melbourne Ice on achieving their historic 3Peat win!

Until next month.....

Lisa Quittner editor@magmedia.com.au

OCTOBER 2012

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EVENTS

This Oct

10 ~14 Oct

18 Nov

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11 Oct

IRANIAN FILM FESTIVAL

ELTON JOHN OCTOBER’S CONCERT - 40 YEARS GIRLS NIGHT IN OF ROCKET MAN

LUNCHBOX SESSION UNDERSTANDING EBAY

Returning for its second year, the Iranian Film Festival Australia showcases the best in contemporary Iranian cinema. It will provide cinephiles with a glimpse into Iranian identity as well as the opportunity to discover why it is currently one of the most talked about cinematic movements across the globe. There is something for everybody, ranging from the indie film Hatred, to the award winning Facing Mirrors which confronts transgender issues and a wide selection of art-house, comedic and retrospective films.

Sir Elton John returns to Melbourne to celebrate the landmark 40th anniversary of the release of the hit single, Rocket Man. This mammoth Elton John single was released around the world.

Performing with a full band, this show will commemorate the release of Rocket Man as well as being a celebration of Elton’s greatest hits. Fans can expect to see this timeless entertainer take them on a journey through his multi-decade career, backed by his ever-magnetic touring band.

An expected 50,000 women will join Cancer Council’s Girls Night In to raise funds and awareness for the fight against women’s cancers. Through Girls Night In, women are encouraged to invite their friends around for a fun night and donate what they would have spent on a night out on dinner, movie tickets or taxis towards Cancer Council’s work into breast and gynaecological cancers. Help support the 17,000 women diagnosed each year, just by having a fun night in with the girls!

With over 5 million registered Australian members, it seems that everyone is buying and selling on eBay. Whether you want to clear up some clutter around the home, start a new business, or looking to make some money, this session will show you how.

You will learn what eBay is, how to buy and how to sell and do both with confidence. This session is targeted at absolute beginners but is suitable for anyone who wants to know more.

When: 10 – 14 October, 2012 Where: ACMI, Federation Square, Melbourne Further Info: www.iffa.net.au

When: Sunday 18 November, 2012 Where: Rod Laver Arena Tickets: www.ticketek.com.au 132 849 Special Guests: 2CELLO’s and Schmidt

When: Any date during October Where: Your Place Register: www.girlsnightin.com.au or 1300 65 65 85

When: Thurs 11 October – 12:30pm Where: The hub@ Docklands 80 Harbour Esplanade Entry: FREE no booking required Further Info: 8622 4822

20 Oct

Mark Allan

EVENTS

31 Oct ~ 3 Nov

11 ~ 13 Oct

26 ~ 28 Oct ‘LOVE LETTERS’ ARTS CENTRE MELBOURNE

2012 AUSTRALIAN MOTORCYCLE GRAND PRIX

‘SHOWTIME’ HEART OF MELBOURNE BALL

AFTER LIFE AUSTRALIAN PREMIERE

Love Letters presents the heart-warming and cringe-worthy truths of first loves on the stage from real-life love letters from students and adults alike. From schoolyard crushes to a girl’s obsession with Justin Bieber – nothing is sacred in this honest and candid production based on the real experiences of everyday Melburnians. Performed and told through the voices of teenage actors, Love Letters captures the hormones, the tears and the giddy feeling of being in love for the first time.

The 2012 Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix is bound to push excitement levels to the limit as the greatest riders from around the world battle it out. On his final international circuit, Casey Stoner will strive for his sixth straight win before he hangs up his helmet forever. Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo will be doing everything possible to stop him as they vie for the title of champion in an actioncharged weekend and one of the most thrilling races of the year.

The Lady Mayoress’ Committee, in conjunction with the Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation, is hosting an evening of glitz and glamour at the annual Heart of Melbourne Ball; this year celebrating Melbourne’s musical theatre heritage with the theme, ‘Showtime’. It will be Melbourne’s night of nights with theatre royalty Rhonda Burchmore as host, and performances by Marina Prior and David Hobson. Sure to be the hottest ticket in town, proceeds from the evening will be directed towards addressing homelessness in Melbourne.

One of contemporary opera’s most assured and ambitious voices, Michel van der, Aa (Netherlands) brings his cross-genre masterwork to Melbourne.

Universally acclaimed and utterly unique, this enthralling opera tackles one singular question: what was the defining moment of your life? Could you distil your life to a single instant? A moment that, if all else were to fade, you would choose to live with for the rest of eternity? This landmark production is a heart-rending fusion of opera, theatre & film.

When: 31 October – 3 November Where: Arts Centre Melbourne, Fairfax Studio Tickets: From $14 - $17 Bookings: 1300 182 183

When: 26-28 October, 2012 Where: Phillip Island Circuit – Phillip Island Further Info: www.motogp.com.au & www.phillipislandcircuit.com.au

When: Saturday 20 October Where: Melbourne Town Hall Tickets: 9633 0041

When: Oct 11 –13 at 7.30pm Where: Regent Theatre - Melbourne Bookings: Ticketmaster or 136 100 Further Info: www.melbournefestival.com.au

OCTOBER 2012

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NEIGHBOURHOOD

SIX YEAR REPORT REVEALS MELBOURNE’S RETAIL SCENE IS THRIVING Melbourne has developed into Australia’s premier retail city, boasting a strong and lively retail scene as the final report card of the Melbourne Retail Strategy 2006-2012 reveals.

Produced by the City of Melbourne and the Victorian Government, the strategy was the first of its kind when launched in 2006. Its key objective was to ensure Melbourne’s retail scene continued to thrive and that new opportunities in retail were supported.

Lord Mayor Robert Doyle said the release of the latest report card presented an opportunity to look back on Melbourne’s retail scene over the past six years and see how much the industry had changed and grown.

“We know it’s a tough and competitive retail market with the rise of online

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shopping and periods of economic downturn impacting retail sales. But we have also seen an impressive 18 per cent increase in retail and industry establishment since 2006,” the Lord Mayor said.

The report shows that the greatest growth areas in retail were outside the city centre, in Kensington, Southbank and Docklands with more than half of all new establishments appearing in these suburbs. Vertical and basement spaces have also transformed retail in Melbourne, with a15 percent growth in above awning shops and 39 per cent growth in basement retailing.

The latest August 2012 vacancy rate figures reveal that Melbourne’s retail core has a vacancy rate of just five percent – down 2.4 per cent from the March 2012 figures (7.4 per cent).

Since 2006 the City of Melbourne and the Victorian State Government have collectively contributed almost $1million towards the Melbourne Retail Strategy.

They will continue this commitment by releasing the next retail strategy in mid 2013 that will set goals to support the retail industry for 2013-17.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE RETAIL REPORT CARD 2006-12 INCLUDE: • Since 2006, there has been significant change in Melbourne’s retail landscape with an 18 per cent increase in retail and industry establishments from 4,696 in 2006 to 5,534.

• Key areas of growth include: children’s clothing retailing with 10 new stores; supermarket and grocery with 49 new stores; 10 new footwear retailing stores; 20 new personal accessory retailing stores; 108 new clothing retailers; 93 new women’s clothing retailing stores; 34 new men’s clothing retailing stores; and 14 new furniture retailing stores.

• The city’s prized asset, the laneways continue to provide residents and visitors with a dynamic and cultural retail experience. Since 2006, there have been 26 new establishments to take occupancy in laneways – from 12 new cafes and restaurants and 12 fashion retailers.

For a copy of the Melbourne Retail Strategy and the Report Cards on the Strategy visit www.enterprisemelbourne.com.au/retail

NEIGHBOURHOOD

OCTOBER 2012

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COVER STORY

AUSTRALIA’S FIRST ZOO CELEBRATES 150 YEARS

By Lisa Quittner The wealth from the goldrush enabled the founders of Melbourne to set up a whole selection of cultural institutions, just like the ones they knew back in London. The Zoo was among them, along with the Museum, National Gallery, and Royal Botanic Gardens, the Zoo’s layout was originally modelled on that of the London Zoo.

Baby Dewi with Mum Maimunah

extinct without some assistance.

Historic Image

In its 150th year the Melbourne Zoo continues to provide local and international visitors with incredible experiences to get up close with hundreds of animal species from around the globe including their most recent exhibit, Growing Wild.

The Zoo was set up on the banks of the Yarra in Richmond across from the Botanic Gardens originally but the location soon proved too damp for the animals. The Zoo was granted land in Royal Park and opened to visitors in 1862, making it Australia’s first zoo.

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As part of the Zoo’s 150 year milestone celebrations Mali has played a significant role via a public art event stationed throughout the city as 50 Mali sculptures magnificently painted by artists were on display at key locations. The herd of Mali sculptures have now returned to the Zoo and will be auctioned to

The Growing Wild exhibit is an innovative and worldleading design, aimed at interactivity, stimulating the imagination of children aged 3 to 8 and their families, giving them an experience that will encourage a connection with the wildlife and to learn through play, crawling through tunnels, climbing over rocks and digging in the sandpits.

Mali

In the early days, it was difficult for the Zoo to acquire animals from overseas, due to long and difficult voyages by sea. The arrival of the first elephant in 1883 was a major milestone, just as the 2010 birth of the first-ever elephant calf, Mali, made Zoo history.

Mali now has a younger brother, Ongard, and there are two expectant elephants currently at the Zoo, with Num-Oi due this summer and Mali’s mother Dokkoon due again in November 2013.

Johari

oil plantations, and elephants aren’t the only species to suffer the loss of their homes. Tigers, orang-utans, and countless other species lose their homes and feeding grounds.

Binjai help fund Zoo Victoria’s local and international conservation projects.

The elephant family is part of a new regional endangered species breeding program, and they play an important role as Ambassadors for their wild cousins, threatened by loss of their rainforest habitat throughout South-East Asia.

One of the major causes of rainforest removal is the rapid expansion of palm

Australians are unknowingly contributing to this problem every time we shop, as palm oil is present in about half the manufactured food found in our supermarkets. The Zoo is campaigning to have legislative change that would require food manufacturers to list palm oil on labels when it is used as an ingredient, so consumers can make informed choices about what they buy.

The Zoo is also working to help our native endangered species, such as Lord Howe Island Stick Insects and Eastern Barred Bandicoots. The Fighting Extinction campaign has highlighted a total of 20 local species that are very likely to become

Be part of this very special milestone for all Melburnians and support the Zoo’s important conservation work, every time you visit the Zoo you’ll be helping. Animal sponsorship and becoming Zoo Members are also positive ways to show your support and make ideal gifts for Christmas!

For further information on Zoos Victoria or to buy a membership visit: www.zoo.org.au For information or to register your interest on the Mali sculpture auctions email maliauction@zoo.org.au

NEIGHBOURHOOD

R

Face Waxing

ge

R e a dy P a c s ka e Hair Cut ac (ears nose and brows)

Express facial

Head/Neck & Shoulder Massage ½ hr Relax Massage or Manicure

$89.00 normally $189

OCTOBER 2012

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MELBOURNE FESTIVAL HUB

INTERACTIVITY IS KEY

AT MELBOURNE

FESTIVAL HUB

By Costa Rolfe Much of the inspiration for the 2012 Foxtel Festival Hub – a collaboration between Melbourne Festival and cutting-edge production house Strut and Fret – is drawn from exotic forms of entertainment the world over.

Having attended over 50 of the world’s most innovative festivals in the last two years, one theme that recurred in ensuring the most complete of audience experiences was interactivity, says Stut and Fret Creative Director Scott Maidment. “We wanted to present a really upfront style of entertainment, where there’s no doubt that that the audience is as much a part of the performance as those on stage. It is our goal to strip back production values and blur the physical boundaries between performer and audience, to create a more personal festival experience.”

If a heightened degree of interactivity was the goal of Festival Hub (part bar, part club), it appears to have been achieved. The physical space itself is lent almost entirely to alternative modes of interaction, with a particular focus on multi-levelled viewing providing an array of unique perspectives from where festival-goers may enjoy the action. The Hub – a sprawling three-story structure pieced together out of enormous construction gantries – creeps hungrily across its riverside location to form Melbourne’s most sought after temporary venue of choice. An intimate theatre space, a rooftop terrace which drinks in both the cityscape and the green gardens at its feet, and a cosy under-tunnel bar are just some of the Hub’s most prominent design features.

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For Maidment, such a strong physical focus can only act as the cornerstone for a more amplified entertainment experience. “With a stage at one end, a balcony surrounding the action and then a rooftop level, this is an intrinsically social space. You can stand at ground level and see people above you as well as around you, often simultaneously indoors and outdoors.” The Festival Hub should not be regarded as just a performance place, however, but a new public space in which Melburnians can share ownership. “This is a meeting place, a space for discussion and exchange of artistic ideas – a literal hub of activity.”

The Hub itself will be filled with all manner of musicians, performers and general makers of merry, with many acts specifically choreographed to make full use of the Hub’s textured environment. In piecing together the program, the producers sought out specific types of acts. “We like theatre that is raw and exciting – cabaret, circus and performance – and we like music that is interactive and about having a good time,” says Maidment.

One band that perfectly encapsulates this approach is The Bombay Royale, a rollicking blend of Bollywood, surf rock, dazzling costume, big bold brass and storytelling through song that headlines (or chorus lines!) the festival’s free late night music program. If their album launch for debut record ‘You Me Bullets Love’ was anything to go by – where waves of weird and wonderful characters such as ‘The Mysterious Lady’, ‘The Tiger’, ‘The Bandit Priest’, ‘The Leaping Shaman’ and ‘Dr Electrico’ keep the narrative deep in the barrel, whilst a life-sized inflatable elephant named Colonel indulged in the occasional crowd-surf – the Bombay Royale seem tailor-made for this unique venue.

Flap!, The Trons, Simon Page Jones and Mile O’Neil are other frees acts slated to take to the stage under cover of darkness.

No festival would be truly complete without Boy George, and the former Culture Club frontman will be leading the charge on the ticketed program with a high-octane DJ set on Friday 12 October. New York electro pop outfit Project Jenny, Project Jan, DJ Rashida, Belgian clowning due Okidok, Sophie Brous and Paul Capsis also feature on the ticketed lineup, whilst Liu Zhouquan’s poignant exhibition ‘Where Are You?’ – which showcases the Chinese artist’s mastery of neihua (the painstaking art of decorating the inside of tiny glass bottles) – will amaze with its floor to ceiling wonder.

When: Thursday 11 – Saturday 27 October, 7am till late, 2012 Foxtel Festival Hub - Under Princes Bridge, on the banks of the Yarra Program details at www.melbournefestival.com.au Tickets through www.ticketmaster.com.au or 136 100

NEIGHBOURHOOD

BLUEPRINT UNDERWAY FOR

MELBOURNE’S ARTS PRECINCT The new Hamer Hall is open for business but plans for the Southbank Arts Precinct do not end there. A blueprint is underway to activate and enliven the area and improve public amenity, not just on building more physical infrastructure but to set out a vision for the future of the area said Premier and Minister for the Arts Ted Baillieu.

“With one of the highest concentrations of arts and cultural organisations in the world, Southbank is an area rich with potential and creative energy, and it’s a growing residential area,” Mr Baillieu said.

Southbank is home to more than 720 businesses, employing 38,000 people, with the arts and recreation industries making up about 30 per cent of employment. Its residential population is fast growing and diverse. Growth has been double the city average and is expected to go from today’s 13,000 residents to 20,000 residents by 2030.

Over the past two decades the state government has committed major investment into the cultural infrastructure of Melbourne, focusing strongly on the Southbank Precinct resulting in ACCA, the Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia, ACMI, Melbourne Recital Centre, MTC Theatre, the redeveloped NGV, Federation Square and the newly developed Hamer Hall.

“These venues, together with the Arts Centre, Malthouse Theatre, The Australian Ballet, the VCA and others, make this precinct a unique hotbed of arts, creativity and performance excellence. As a result our cultural infrastructure is already the envy of

other cities, and stands up against the best internationally.” Mr Baillieu said.

Mr Baillieu said the Southbank Arts Precinct Blueprint, which was initiated and funded by the Coalition Government in the 2011-12 State Budget, has also leveraged Commonwealth funds through the Liveable Cities program. …“As a growing residential area and an arts, recreation and tourism drawcard, the Blueprint will focus on improving liveability, accessibility and public amenity, creating a vibrant and active street life and better integrating and connecting our iconic cultural institutions – with the CBD, with business and residents, and with each other,” Mr Baillieu said.

The Southbank Arts Precinct Blueprint is being led by Arts Victoria, in partnership with the City of Melbourne and University of Melbourne, with an advisory group independently chaired

by Yvonne von Hartel, Founding Principal of peckvonhartel.

Work to date has included a detailed cultural facilities audit, a transport and mobility study and the collation of comprehensive precinct data.

The next steps include stakeholder consultations and research involving a wide cross section of the community, from residents and local businesses to students and visitors.

“The evolution of the Southbank Arts Precinct reflects the growth and maturity of Melbourne’s cultural life, and is the result of investment by successive Victorian governments over 50 years,” Mr Baillieu said.

OCTOBER 2012

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NEIGHBOURHOOD

1 MAN DEBATE WITH SIMON TAYLOR

MELBOURNE FRINGE FESTIVAL

By Lisa Quittner Simon Taylor is a comedy machine. He’s had sell-out shows at Melbourne Fringe, Adelaide Fringe and The Melbourne Comedy Festival. He has performed at the famous Hollywood Improv, The Laugh Factory, The Comedy Store and The Super Serious Show and he has shared the stage with the likes of Sarah Silverman.

While on a short tour of the stand-up comedy circle in Los Angeles, Simon scored a ticket to The Tonight Show with Jay Leno - a day later, he was hired to write for the show. Now as a world-class comedian, Simon will perform his new show, 1 Man Debate as part of the Melbourne Fringe Festival.

Simon will apply his wit and charm to society’s most pressing question: what the hell is going on with men?

3000Melbourne wanted to know more…..

You are performing ‘1 Man Debate’ as part of the Melbourne Fringe Festival this October where you will attempt to redefine manhood and answer the

pressing question ‘what the hell is going on with men’ so …. what the hell is going on with men in today’s society?

As our society shifts from a patriarchal culture to a more gender balanced one, there is less pressure for boys to take on traditional responsibilities. Fewer males are getting married young.

Many aren’t seeking full-time work but instead are studying or partying longer. There is boyhood, but no longer a clear rite of passage to manhood. So many of us are stuck in ‘guyhood’.

Guyhood is where you haven’t taken on a role where others depend on you. This can mean many guys stay in lower paid jobs and don’t commit to relationships because they can continue being man-children with less consequence. It’s amazing that I even answered this question really; I want to get back to my Playstation game.

You studied psychology at Melbourne Uni, did your studies give you the background needed to make observations about the human psyche to base your comedy and writing on?

Well, I’m not sure that it’s needed but it gives me a point of difference. When a comedian approaches a topic, they are looking for jokes. When a psychologist approaches a topic, they are looking for understanding. Unfortunately (or fortunately) for me, I’m looking for understanding but seem to end up with jokes. It’s how my mind works, I guess.

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Heidi Valkenburg

From performing comedy shows in Melbourne to now writing material for Jay Leno, what happened in between to give you this opportunity?

It was all pretty surreal and happened unexpectedly, to be honest.

Other performers often ask me to write for them. A few months ago, my friend

Simon Taylor with Jay Leno James Galea asked me over to LA to help him with a project. I wanted to do some stand-up while I was there, but only managed to get one gig booked before I flew over. I arrived in LA and pretty much went straight to that gig where I did ten minutes of stand-up. After the show, a producer from The Tonight Show who was there came up to me and said he liked my stuff and that if I wanted to go see the show filmed live he’d get me tickets.

The next week I was at The Tonight Show studio in Burbank. I saw the show and loved it. The producer who I met took me back stage to meet Jay. I had a split second to think about what I would say to him when I shook his hand.

What came out was “Hey Jay Leno, I’m going to write for you one day.”

He spotted my accent and said “Oh you’re from Australia? I know Rove.

Sure, send your jokes in”.That night I wrote ten topical jokes and sent them in to the producer. The next day I had a contract to sign.

1 Man Debate with Simon Taylor Melbourne Fringe Festival When: 2-14 October Where: Rue Bebelons 267 Little Lonsdale Street, Melbourne Tickets: $20 - $25 Bookings: melbournefringe.com.au or call (03) 9660 9666

John Gollings

Federation Square turns 10 officially on Friday 26 October and everyone is invited to join a weekend of free celebratory activities.

Providing a true living hub for Melburnians to gather, the Square is the heart of Melbourne’s community with almost 10 million visits last year alone. Whether its emotionally charged moments such as Sorry Day (2008), the crowd of more than 100,000 protesting against the Iraq war (2003) or Work Choices Rally (2006), the jubilation of the Cadel Evans Welcome Home

(2011), a visit from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II (2011), the annual New Year’s Celebrations that see 100,000 people attend throughout the night, or local cultural happenings for Diwali or Buddha’s Day, Fed Square has become the natural home of Melbourne civic life, welcoming more than 80 million visits during the last ten years!

Celebrations include a family friendly concert on Saturday 27 October with music acts including Stonefield and Animaux, movie marathons on the Big Screen and your chance to

have a peek behind-the-scenes with free tours during the weekend.

The birthday celebrations also include special activities and workshops at ACMI, The Ian Potter Centre: NGV and Kirra Galleries.

Fed Square will also host the Melbourne Architecture Annual, which this year responds to the birthday milestone as well as the theme of community. Take in free talks at the Microbreweries Showcase and the display of vintage Porsches and a host of activities for the kids.

NEIGHBOURHOOD

FED SQUARE TURNS 10

Fed Square has commissioned a new creative work called Stickwork by American artist, Patrick Dougherty which will make its Australian premiere as part of the festivities.

Fed Square has unequivocally made its mark on Melbourne over the last ten years, be part of the fun and celebrate your Square!

When: Thursday 25-Sunday 28 October, 2012 Where: Federation Square, Melbourne Cost: FREE Web: fedsquare.com/ten

OCTOBER 2012

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DAVID STRASSMAN RETURNS TO MELBOURNE WITH A BRAND NEW SHOW

By Lisa Quittner

have done is bring in the element of theatre, drama, music and special effects and my characters have the same parameters you would find in a stage play. Their lives are fully fleshed out and that’s why you feel that they are real, Chuck & Ted. E even have their own apps in the iTunes and Android stores.

I was going to ask you about that, I believe Ted.E has branched out into the world of communications with his own Smartphone Film Festival.

We are excited to hear you are bringing your new show Careful What You Wish For to Melbourne, tell us about it?

It’s my best show yet and I’m really proud of it. It’s a laugh every 10 seconds and we meet all my classic characters and my first Australian character! All with brand new routines and through the magic of theatre I enter a parallel universe where all my characters have doubles which are like them, but not. It’s a little crazy.

After performing these characters for so long is altering the puppets characters a bit like doing mental gymnastics on stage?

Not really, the hardest thing I do on stage is a seven way phone conversation - I’m on the phone talking to the puppets and back to myself in a rapid-fire conversation, which is actually really very difficult.

I think what you do is incredibly amazing and a very rare talent to be able to do so convincingly.

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I really don’t like ventriloquists or bad magicians and I have tried for my entire career to separate myself from those geeks, there’s nothing worse than a bad variety show that makes you just cringe.

In all the world there are only about 3 or 4 of us (ventriloquists) and the only one I think is brilliant is Nina Conti, she is my idol. What I

There is a Ted. E Bare Smartphone contest where you can win an iPad, Ted.E & Chuck also have a Facebook page and Twitter accounts.

The new show has been getting rave reviews, how did the Careful What You Wish For tour come about?

I have always brought a huge set along with my shows, when the curtain opens at the start of my show, it’s jaw dropping, it’s always a full scale production and this time we have the ability to project my show on three massive screens. We have these Monty Python-esque visuals between each scene, from Ted. E’s room to the surface of the moon to a parallel universe ...and that’s not even counting the interaction, ventriloquism, robotics and the characters.

With this kind of vision we realised we could do anything and go anywhere and it started with taking routines from a show I did in Edinburgh called Duality which was a drama and received 5 star reviews and critical acclaim, the first time a ventriloquist has ever done a drama.

That show was based on a ventriloquist whose puppet wants to take over his mind, so I began thinking of how I could work this into a new show but make it funny and so this show is about Chuck finding out that I have thoughts of retiring and he realises that if I retire then he ceases to exist so he bribes all the puppets to go to his side and mutiny over my mind to keep me from retiring which will of course, keep them alive.

Through the magic of theatre we enter a parallel universe where my wish that the puppets didn’t exist comes true... but their counterparts do, and each one holds a clue for my return to reality.

It’s twisted and great material.

David, Stand Up Comedy is regarded as one of the toughest occupations and other’s warm against working with children and animals, but you have made a career of incorporating all three into one, what have been the challenges?

DAVID STRASSMAN – CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR When: From 7 November Where: Athenaeum Theatre, Collins Street, Melbourne Tickets: Ticketek 132849 or Athenaeum 9650 1500 Web: chuckwood.com

And puppets ...puppets are the other ‘don’t’ work with! The biggest challenge continues to be breaking the stigma attached with the word ventriloquist. The ongoing challenge has also really been to come up with a show every few years that is completely new, different and kick-arse funny. In this show there is not one joke or line that was in my previous show, Ted’s Farewell.

When you are in Melbourne where do you like to hang out when you are not performing or doing appearances?

Melbourne is my home away from home; it’s where I started my comedy career in Australia. I will be visiting my old and wonderful friend Ms Pearls of Madame Brussels and my favourite restaurant in the entire world is the Nudel Bar on Bourke St and I love the Teppanyaki Inn. Melbourne is one of the finest cities in the world, the

Photography - Tony Lewis

DAVID STRASSMAN INTERVIEW

‘CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR’

city centre has some of the best restaurants, best shopping and most Melburnians are fantastically well dressed, it’s just one of the best places in the world. My favourite cities on the planet would be New York, then Melbourne and then London.

Sydney ranks around number 40!

CULTURE

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Culture

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Culture

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NEIGHBOURHOOD

GET ON YOUR BIKE FOR RIDE 2 WORK DAY! a week to reduce your risk of heart disease by more than 50 per cent.

As hosts, Active Melbourne City Sports invite you to be part of this year’s Ride2Work Community Breakfast at Docklands, providing cyclists with everything they need to make their ride to work more enjoyable.

Record numbers are expected to join the commuter revolution this year on national Ride2Work Day, Wednesday 17 October, 2012.

Ride2Work Program Manager Cory Boardman said Ride2Work Day had proven its ability to not only be a great one day event but an excellent catalyst for introducing healthy transport behaviours longer term with 50,000 official registrations and in excess of 150,000 participants across the country expected this year, the biggest in the program’s history.

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“We surveyed first time participants in last year’s event and five months later 38% were still riding at least weekly,” Mr Boardman said. The benefits of being part of the revolution are many as Mr Boardman adds “our roads are more congested, trains, trams and buses are getting more congested, and our health services continue to fill up with people afflicted by preventable ailments associated with inactivity.”

It takes only three hours of riding

With over 12 different stallholders on site from various Docklands and Melbourne businesses why not grab some breakfast goodies, coffee and a short massage. Or test your skills at the YMCA Docklands and Active Melbourne City Sports stalls. Give your bike a check up by an expert bike mechanic and/or get it ID engraved with Victoria Police.

Best of all, the products and services at the event are free to enjoy.

There are also great prizes to be won from Bicycle Network Victoria just by registering your (and your workplace) attendance for this event.

When: Wednesday 17 October, 2012 From: 7am – 9:30am Where: Corner of Bourke St & Harbour Esplanade, Docklands (opposite the bike trail) Register: www.ride2work.com.au

IF THE MINING BOOM BUSTS

By Tom Elliott Just a few months ago, Australian iron ore exporters were still riding a price boom that appeared to have no end.

Companies like BHP, Rio and Fortescue were making fantastic profits, truck drivers on West Australian mine sites were reportedly earning over $200,000 per annum and the Federal Treasurer was rubbing his hands with glee at the prospect of rising tax revenues.

What a difference a few weeks makes.

Since the start of July, the price of iron ore has fallen between 25 and 30%. All of a sudden, Fortescue’s management has

been forced to sack almost 1000 workers, and scale back its expansion plans, in an effort to cut costs and reduce debt.

Similarly Rio’s share price has hit a three year low, and the Federal Budget’s plans for a return to surplus are now in tatters. All because the basic assumption that China would continue to buy our iron ore in both increasing quantities, and at historically high prices, has proven to be false.

History shows that all booms eventually cease, yet most people continue to be surprised when this happens. Consider the following recent examples: • • • •

The 1987 sharemarket crash; The 1997 Asian financial crisis; The early 2000 Dotcom crash; and The 2008-09 Global Financial Crisis (GFC).

In each of these instances (all of which

• Any hopes Wayne Swan might’ve had for a return to surplus next year are now gone. Now the Treasurer must either allow the budget deficit to continue further, or make some harsh and unpopular spending cuts; • Assuming the mining industry follows Fortescue’s example and cuts back on expenditure, economic growth will slow. This should cause the Reserve Bank to reduce interest rates by at least another 50bps (ie from 3.50% to 3.00%); • At some point the strong Australian Dollar should weaken. This might be bad news for internet shoppers and overseas travellers, but should prove a boon to domestic exporters; • Given that a large proportion of Australian super funds still maintain

a substantial exposure to the iron ore industry, overall investment returns could suffer; and • As government revenues dry up in the mining states of WA, SA and Queensland, expect the bleating to Canberra for more money to increase.

Unfortunately the overall tax pie is not a magic pudding and can only be divided up so many ways.

The boom and bust cycle in many parts of the economy is not a new phenomenon, yet when the bust part occurs, it’s usually unwelcome. If we’re lucky, a fall in the A$ will restore competitiveness to our export sector, much as occurred in the immediate aftermath of the Asian financial crisis 15 years ago. Just don’t expect a tax cut from Canberra any time soon.

PROPERTY/ BUSINESS/ FINANCE

CONSEQUENCES

occurred during my adult lifetime), silly financial assumptions, which caused unreasonable asset price inflation, led eventually to a painful bust. The aforementioned fall in iron ore prices has these important implications for Australia over the next 12-18 months:

Tom Elliott is Director of both MM&E Capital Pty Ltd, a Melbourne based hedge fund, and Beulah Capital Pty Ltd, a private wealth manager.

Beulah Capital Ph: 9270 9180 Web: www.beulahcapital.com

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IN BUSINESS

SOCIAL MEDIA -

LOCAL BUSINESS PROFILE

BIGGER IS NOT ALWAYS BETTER

WIN Name: Tom Amos & Jacqui Bull Business: Sidekicker Time in CBD: 4 weeks Why CBD: Many of our clients operate in & around the CBD. It’s important for us to be close by so we can respond as quickly as possible to their needs.

Your business in a nutshell: Professionals and businesses can outsource jobs to a network of pre-screened & trusted helpers.

Simply post a task online, be it office assistance or a delivery, & our ‘Sidekicks’ will accept the job within 30 minutes.

A successful business needs: To cause disruption in the market. Its leaders need to have a clear and focused vision of what they want the business to become.

Whose brain would you like to pick: Matt Rockman. He turned a concept into an ASX listed company, pretty awesome effort.

Biggest mistake business owners can make: For start-ups it’s being too protective of your equity. It often ends up costing twice as much as you thought and double the time you expected, so having access to capital is very important.

Biggest strength Business Owners can leverage: Their passion. No amount of money can count against the single-minded pursuit of a dream.

What keeps you up at night? What new features to add, how to clearly communicate our message to customers and how to outplay the competition.

Hidden gem in the CBD: 1000 pound bend cafe is a really cool little cafe in the CBD with free wifi.

Most surprising discovery since being located in the CBD: The amount of business that is done in cafes.

What is your businesses mantra? Never stand still, always be looking for ways to improve.

Most important office/business tools: Dropbox. It’s so convenient having files in one place for us both to access from anywhere.

5 Year Goal: To have built a national, if not global company that has had significant impact on the marketplace.

Words of advice: Don’t be afraid to pivot your business if something isn’t working, change is a good thing! Always trust your instincts and remember that advice is just someone else’s opinion.

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Level 27, 101 Collins Street Melbourne VIC 3000 Phone 1300 098 375 www.sidekicker.com.au “In Business” brought to you by

Tel: 9097 1617 w: servcorp.com.au

SOCIAL MEDIA SETUP VALUE: $299

Netregistry is one of Australia’s most trusted online providers. They are specialists in domain names, web hosting, e-commerce and online marketing and have helped over 500,000 small businesses across Australia get their business online, by offering a range of resources and services that help businesses maximize their online opportunities.

Visit www.netregistry.com.au Prize includes • Initial consultation with a Netregistry social media consultant • Setup of social media profiles including Facebook, Twitter and Google+ • Setup social media tracking to manage and measure social media activities with Hootsuite • E-book: 5 steps to Building your Business with Social Media.

For your chance to WIN email your full name, business name & phone number to: melbourne@servcorp.com.au *Conditions apply. Draw closes 31st October, 2012. Winner will be drawn at random & notified by email. Prize to be collected from Servcorp.

Today social media has to be a part of every business marketing plan. But there are so many different sites. How do you pick the best ones for your business?

Big sites may not be best Everybody knows the big social media sites like Facebook and Twitter, but they may not be right for you. First, there is a lot of competition on sites like these because the participant numbers are so big. Companies go there hoping that they can attract some portion of the audience, but how do you make your message stand out when the cost of entry is so low?

More importantly; are the people on a particular social media site in a proper frame of mind to even be receptive to your marketing message? People go to sites such as Facebook for activities like sharing photos and finding out what their friends are up to. Broadcasting a marketing message while people are occupied with their own personal and social agenda is like trying to advertise to everyone in a bar most of it will be ignored.

Start with your target audience To find the best social media sites for your business, start with your target audience, the people you want to reach. Where do they hang out online? Where are they discussing the topics for which you can make relevant and interesting contributions? No matter how specific your business sector, a social media site has likely sprung up to cover it. Search engines, business sector trade groups, and even asking your colleagues are all good ways to find these dedicated sites.

Look before you jump in Once you have found your ideal ‘hang out’, take time to watch and listen. How do people interact? What are the social conventions they use? Once you understand the group, you can begin to participate and provide interesting, useful information. Over time you will gain the credibility and trust that make social media such a powerful tool.

By Charles Crouch Charles is a lecturer in e-business for Boston University International Graduate Programs and is the author of “How to Manage Your Website Project.” www.charlescrouch.com

NETWORKING EVENT If you’re up for a relaxed night of learning, networking, canapés & drinks then you’ll love this Business Shorts event. Bring your cards and meet other business owners, entrepreneurs and professionals. Come along and expand your network!

Surf Where the Big Waves Are! ... Follow the money to Asia and other emerging markets Date: Thursday 25th October 2012 Address: Servcorp, 101 Collins Street, Melbourne Time: 5:30pm - 7pm Price: $20 Speaker: David Thomas, CEO of Think Global Consulting Info: The four “BRIC countries” present diverse opportunities and challenges for investors, entrepreneurs and business leaders. How much do you know about the huge potential of Brazil, Russia, India and China? Why should you be interested and how do you get started? Find out what this all means for your business.

RSVP: www.servcorpaus.eventbrite.com

ULTIMATE BUSINESS CHICK What inspired you about Business Chicks that you wanted to buy the business and who is today’s typical Business Chick?

What first inspired me about Business Chicks were the types of people that were attracted to it. The people that tend to be drawn to Business Chicks are those that sit forward in anticipation in their chairs, they are restless and ambitious, they want to know what’s out there and how they can move forward in their careers, they are generally inquisitive people and innately curious.

By Lisa Quittner Emma Isaacs has an impressive background in acquiring businesses and tremendous entrepreneurial vision. At 33, Emma has bought four businesses and sold one, all of them successful and highly profitable. Emma is also a publisher and committed philanthropist; she’s raised over $1,000,000 for various charities through her company Business Chicks.

Business Chicks is a national community enriching the lives of women in business. After attending her first Business Chicks event Emma was so impressed she literally bought the business. Today Business Chicks has a membership of over 26,000 and hosts over 60 events annually with key note speakers which have included Sir Richard Branson, Olivia NewtonJohn Sir Bob Geldof and recently the incomparable Ita Buttrose. It was a pleasure to speak with Emma.

People often ask what the average demographic of our membership is and that’s hard to answer because our youngest member is 23 and our oldest is 75, so members that are drawn to the brand don’t fit into a box so to speak. The average age of our members is 44, but it’s a wide demographic.

I always say, you become who you hang out with and we try to create a space for those people in our community to come together and it works.

Under your leadership membership has gone from 250 to over 26,000 members around the country in just 6 years, to what do you attribute the success and appeal of Business Chicks?

People want to be attached to something that gives them inspiration and we try to provide that. We host about 60 events each year so while it’s hard give face to face encouragement everyday to people we develop programs and products that can assist our member’s everyday without them necessarily

We publish a magazine which goes out to our membership, we have blogs published on our site, we are active in social media and we do small scale and large events, we are always trying to find ways to connect with people and connect people with other people that can act as mentors or role models.

We want to help people achieve their next career move or direct them with how to have more community and charity involvement. We aim to be there for women through the different stages throughout their professional career. Business Chicks events are also cheeky and a bit irreverent, so they are always fun to attend as well.

Networking appears to be an imperative component in career advancement and growth in business these days. Reflecting on the huge attendances at your Business Chicks events and your increasing membership numbers, would it be fair to say that despite a world immersed in social media and online, it’s actually personal interaction and building relationships that are key to success?

Absolutely, I am a massive advocate and consumer for social media but nothing will ever replace sitting across from someone and being able to read their body language and listen to how they are feeling. No matter where the internet goes and however it is revolutionised, nothing will replace the need for human interaction.

Networking is such an important tool and often people think they only need networking if they are a salesperson or looking for a new job, but these days it just doesn’t work like that anymore. The new social currency is your network and employers are hiring people based on who they know and what they can bring to the organisation. We need to be more

BUSINESS PROFILE – EMMA ISAACS

EMMA ISAACS –

having to sit at an event listening to a great role model and speaker.

holistic and well rounded these days in our approach. Networking is one of those things you can’t afford to be complacent with, you have to always be thinking of ways to build your network.

Building relationships in networking is about being altruistic in your approach so that it is not always about what you can get and what you need but what you can give and how you can help.

Emma, as a successful business owner, CEO, philanthropist, publisher, property investor and a Mum to two small children, what’s your view on the ongoing debate, can career women really have it all - balancing career and family and being successful at both?

I feel strongly about this, it is near impossible to have it all, but the definition lies in the ‘all’ what does having it ‘all’ mean?

We have this perfectionist culture that says we have to be great at everything and for me the answer is that at this stage of my life I have a 3 year old and a 1 year old and a fast growing business so I need to be really ruthless with my time. I try to organise my life in such a way that I am either at work, or with my family and devoting that time entirely to either one. I don’t do a lot of the things I should do for me, such as exercise and I know that is bad for me but this is how it is now in my life, it’s not always going to be this way and my values and priorities will change with time.

I don’t know anyone who has it all, and it is important to understand that this does not just apply to women, men can’t have it all either. Men and women have the same amount of hours in their day, this is a human issue and about values and priorities and doing the best you can at your stage of life, this is all anyone can ask of you.

Find out more about Emma and Business Chicks at www.businesschicks.com.au

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PROPERTY/ BUSINESS/ FINANCE

SMSF OFF-MARKET TRANSFER “LIVE TO FIGHT ANOTHER DAY” ...BUT FOR HOW LONG? I must confess - my partners and I manage over 450 self-managed superannuation funds. Where appropriate, we find that a SMSF provides a greater level of control and flexibility for the member(s). This is because the members of a SMSF act as the trustees of their fund, responsible for all decisions of the fund operation, including the legalities of the fund’s operation.

A “flexible” aspect of a SMSF is its ability to accept a transfer of either listed shares or business related property from a related party (all other asset transfers are prohibited).

A member may be keen to transfer such assets into their fund due to the concessional tax rates within super, or potentially no tax at all if

they are drawing a pension. This is called an ‘off-market transfer’. This strategy is unique to SMSFs and not available via public offer funds.

Earlier this year, the Australian Tax Office (ATO) recently announced its intention to ban off-market transfers between SMSFs and related parties where an underlying market exists. This effectively spelt the end for SMSF trustees to transfer listed shares to their SMSF and vice versa.

After some confusion as to when the banning of off-market transfers would come into force, the government has finally flagged the start date will be 1 July 2013.

What is the alternative?

Given an underlying market exists for buying and selling shares (the

sharemarket), investors would have to sell the shares on market and then buy them back on market.

What are the issues here?

• Given shares take several days to clear, this could put investors in a position where they are out of the market for several days and may be subject to adverse movements of the share price.

• The Corporations Act prohibits investors from selling shares on market with the intention to buy them back. This is known as a ‘wash trade’ and has the potential to artificially increase the price of shares. This breach could result in serious penalties.

The above poses the question. If investors are unable to transfer shares to their SMSF via off-market transfer and can’t sell the shares and buy them back on the sharemarket, what option do they have? Surely this goes beyond what was initially intended as part of the Government’s superannuation review.

Remember, individuals and corporations will still be able to transfer listed securities between each other via off market transfer after 1 July 2013, as can industry superannuation funds. Why the discrimination against SMSFs? One way to continue allowing the practice might be to control the operating standards. You see currently, a member can back date the transfer by three months. This allows them to choose the lowest price possible over the previous three months. If the window for the transfer was narrowed to one week, for instance, the ability to manipulate the tax outcome is removed.

If any readers have questions regarding the information, feel free to email me at andrew@hewison.com.au for further information.

Andrew Hewison is Director and a Certified Financial Planner with Hewison Private Wealth and a regular 3000 Melbourne Contributor: Level 4, 102 Albert Road, South Melbourne Ph: 9682 1900 Web: www.hewison.com.au

MELBOURNE’S OFFICE MARKET VACANCY ON THE RISE Melbourne’s office market vacancy rate increased in the six months to July 2012 due to increasing supply, according to the Property Council of Australia’s Office Market Report.

Vacancy for the Melbourne CBD office market increased from 5.2 percent to 5.6 percent over the period, and only the D Grade segment experienced a vacancy decrease.

Supply additions were 55,868 sqm for the half year and net absorption was 34,085 sqm. A total of 5000 sqm was withdrawn over the period.

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A total of 87,328 sqm of new stock is due to enter the market in the second half of 2012, of which 51 percent is pre-committed. In 2013, a further

156,169 sqm will come online, with 70 percent pre-committed. This space over the next 18 months represents almost six percent of the market’s current size. A total of 84,000 sqm is due from 2014 onwards and 382,516 sqm is mooted for the market.

Victorian Executive Director of the Property Council, Jennifer Cunich, says Docklands continues to lead the way with the lowest vacancy level of all Melbourne CBD locales. However, Flagstaff and the Western Core have vacancy levels above that of the total Melbourne CBD market average.

“Our Office Market Report indicates that, despite Melbourne’s relatively low vacancy rate, the sector’s long term health remains highly dependent upon future demand levels,” says Ms Cunich.

“As a legacy of the GFC, Melbourne’s developers have become dependent upon pre-commitments to secure project funding. Consequently, attracting future tenants to Melbourne remains vital to the sector’s future.”

Vacancy in the Southbank precinct in the six months to July 2012 increased from 6.4 percent to 6.7 percent, solely due to net absorption of -1269 sqm. Only the C Grade segment experienced a vacancy decrease over the period. There is no space in the pipeline for Southbank.

Total vacancy in St Kilda Road decreased in the six months to July 2012 from 10.8 percent to 10.4 percent due to positive net absorption. There is no more space in the pipeline for the St Kilda Road market.

“The property sector has also called on the State Government to help stimulate

construction activity by bringing forward community infrastructure investment and simplifying the planning system,” says Ms Cunich.

“We need to put more cranes in the sky. The State Government can achieve this by accelerating the timetable of its planned infrastructure rollout.”

“Opportunities also exist for stimulating construction activity by simplifying Victoria’s antiquated planning system.

Planning delays are one of Victoria’s most significant investment impediments.”

The Property Council’s six-monthly Office Market Report has been the industry’s most respected independent office market research publication for more than 20 years. This Article is Courtesy of The Property Council of Australia (Victorian Division).

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PROPERTY/ BUSINESS / FINANCE

4 STEPS TO GET MOVING, HOW TO EMPOWER YOURSELF NOW!

By Shannah Kennedy – Executive Life Strategist It is spring and we have warmed up but many say they are getting a little distracted with all the activity Melbourne dishes up at this time. Using this simple life-skill can get you productive, moving and free to give you a sense of achievement amongst all the functions coming up.

This is a life-skill, Responsibility v Blame, I use daily! I think this one skill changes results and gets life moving both personally and professionally.

Many people, when they hear the word ‘responsibility’, immediately associate it with burden or having to carry a load.

The sort of responsibility I’m referring

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to is the sort that leads to freedom.

When you take on the perspective that someone or something else has caused a situation, you take the perspective of blame, which leaves you powerless and often resentful. When you take on the perspective of responsibility or believe that you may have contributed to cause a situation, then you have access to modify it and you feel a sense of power or freedom.

Blame leads to disempowerment and loss of freedom.

Responsibility leads to freedom.

Responsibility is asking, ‘What have I done to cause or impact this?

What can I now do about it?’

Choose to blame = choose to burden.

When you blame something or

someone (including yourself) for any situation, you give away your power and put yourself in the position of being a victim. In other words, when you choose to blame, you choose burden.

By accepting that you’re completely responsible for yourself, you choose freedom. There’s very little that you can’t achieve after you accept the notion that ‘if it’s to be, it’s up to me’. The opposite of accepting responsibility is making excuses and allocating blame for what’s going on in your life.

As well as being disempowering, to blame is to dwell and hence an incredible waste of time. Once you understand the concept of responsibility, you’re able to forgive yourself and others for mistakes and move forward.

4 steps to get your life moving: 1. Think of three things that you’re taking responsibility for in your life.

2. Now, think of three things for which you blame yourself or others.

3. What are the ways that you could have contributed to, or caused, the situation or result?

4. What can you do about it now in order to move forward and free up your time and energy?

There’s an old saying: “If you wake up in the morning and eat a live frog, nothing worse can happen for the rest of the day.” Translation: If you have an unpleasant task to complete, avoid procrastinating and do it first. If you put it off, it will weigh you down and cast a bleak cloud over the rest of your day Shannah Kennedy is the author of ‘Simplify Structure Succeed -The practical toolkit for modern life’ A MUST for every person wishing to live optimally both personally and professionally – your complete guide. The perfect gift for your staff and clients for Christmas! Available at www.shannahkennedy.com

NEIGHBOURHOOD

MELBOURNE ICE CELEBRATE HISTORIC 3PEAT WIN

By Lisa Quittner The Melbourne Ice team, fans, sponsors, volunteers and members are reeling with excitement and jubilation after winning their third consecutive grand final, known in Ice Hockey circles as a 3 PEAT which has cemented their place in the history books.

On Father’s Day, the top two teams from Easton and Bauer conferences, Melbourne Ice and Newcastle North Stars met to contest the 103 year old Goodall Cup at the Hunter Ice Skating Stadium in Lake Macquarie. After defeating the Sydney Ice Dogs the day before in the semi-final for a place in the grand final, a physically well prepared and in-form Melbourne Ice team defeated the Newcastle North Stars 4-3 in this historic victory.

The dedication and passion for Melbourne Ice was clearly apparent as legions of fans travelled to Hunter Ice Skating Stadium filling half the stands in support. As Andrew Lamrock explained, it was a humbling yet exhilarating feeling to see this sense of family from supporters, volunteers and the community together sharing the win.

“Not taking away from our tremendous team but as much as the goals in the net are what brings the victory, it’s the level of volunteers and sponsorship and the Melbourne community that makes this team so great” says Andrew Lamrock. melbourneice.com.au

WULOS

The triumph was even sweeter considering Melbourne Ice has never won a final of any kind away from their home at the Medibank Icehouse and in the hat-trick of firsts, the semi final against the Sydney Ice Dogs was the first time this year that the team has played at full strength due to suspensions and injuries, making their success all the

more impressive and commendable in reaching and winning the Grand Final. While the victory was convincing, President of the Melbourne Ice Andrew Lamrock adds that it was also clinical, highlighting the discipline of the team and the dedication of the support crew.

The team left with four therapists from one of their sponsors Fluid Health in Port Melbourne, who assisted with massage, myotherapy and Bowen Technique and managed the team over the weekend.

The Captain & Coaches with the trophy, L to R: Sandy Gardner - Assistant Coach, Vinnie Hughes - Captain, Paul ‘Jaffa’ Watson - Head Coach OCTOBER 2012

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CULTURE

CSI ENTERS FLINDERS STREET STATION in the Ballroom – which has not been used for concert performances in over 20 years – that will be heard as an ethereal audio broadcast into the dome and throughout the Station concourse.

In addition, live audio and visuals of salvaged sculpture pieces, sound experiments, timelapse photographic documentation and lighting works will be broadcast as a creative piece in itself called Reverberation on the Big Screen at Fed Square.

A two-piano recital in the Ballroom will be broadcast around the station across the weekend of 19 to 21 October.

In late September, Melbourne artist collective, Contemporary Site Investigations (CSI), began a month long occupancy of hidden spaces within Flinders Street Station, culminating in a historic weekend of site-specific art events in the Ballroom, Clocktower, Gymnasium

and Mailroom of Flinders Street Station through a contemporary lens.

Although the spaces will remain offlimits to the public, the art works will be experienced as audio and visual broadcasts throughout the Station environs. This includes a piano recital

This incredible project, curated and produced by Philippa Abbott & Campbell Drake of A&D Projects, was commissioned by the City of Melbourne public arts program, and received the rare blessing of Metro, who granted the CSI artists access to the internal spaces. These site-specific art pieces are designed to develop the work from the site, rather than for the site.

As 100,000 people continue to pass through Flinders Street Station every day, numbering 220 million visits per year, it

continues to be an unconditionally beloved emblem of Melbourne life. Who has not promised to meet a friend ‘underthe-clocks’ at Flinders Street, or felt a rush of anticipation for an impending adventure in the city as one’s train pulled into the platform, whether it is going to work, heading to the football, meeting friends in the city or as a connection point to different parts of Melbourne.

CSI will explore the nostalgia, history and cultural importance of Flinders Street Station to our collective identity, with fleeting, temporal works that celebrate the Station’s past, and look to the future, in a weekend of poignant and moving contemporary explorations that reflect our deep fascination with this iconic Melbourne site.

CONTEMPORARY SITE INVESTIGATIONS: FLINDERS STREET STATION When: Friday 19 - Sunday 21 Oct, 2012 Free. For further information: contemporarysiteinvestigations.com

THE 2012 DAYLESFORD ROTARY ART SHOW Art has featured prominently in the Daylesford region since its settlement during the Gold Rush era in Victoria in the mid 1850’s. Eduard Von Gerard lived and painted in Daylesford at that time and his works hang permanently in the National Gallery of Victoria along with the Geelong, Ballarat and Bendigo Galleries.

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Norman Lindsay and his artistic family all lived and painted in nearby Creswick.

Currently, highly renowned artist Peter Tyndall produces his static and installation pieces from his studio in Hepburn. His works are highly sought after and grace many galleries and private collections both locally and overseas.

Today, we are blessed to have many wonderful artists living and painting

within our community. Names like Nash, Mack, Waterhouse, Parker, Porter, Leunig and Spronk to mention a few, all producing top quality art from traditional to modern concept works.

Now in its 28th year, the Daylesford Art Show has become one of the town’s major community events. In 2011, it was the most successful regional art show in Victoria with more than 220 paintings on display from 73 local, regional and Melbourne artists.

Over 1500 art lovers visited the four day event with 25% of paintings selling, quite an amazing result considering the economic times in which we live, and testament to the high quality of the art on offer.

Artists wanting to take part must submit entry forms by Friday 26th October. Each artist may enter up to 6 paintings at $15 per painting entry fee.

There are eight prizes on offer..

• Best in Show • Best Modern Painting • Best Traditional Painting • Best Drawing - any dry medium • Best 9 inch x 5 inch Landscape Painting • Best Historic or Heritage Building Painting • Best Daylesford Landscape Painting reflecting the ‘Seasons of Daylesford’ & • People’s Choice Award

The 2012 Daylesford Rotary Art show is on from Friday November 2nd to Monday November 5th from 9.30am to 5pm at the Daylesford Town Hall.

For entry forms or further information contact Karen or Warren Moloney on (03) 5348 1451 or email: karenmoloney@bigpond.com

3000 WELLBEING

MELBOURNE BREAST CANCER BRA WALK RETURNS The first Melbourne Breast Cancer Bra Walk was held at Federation Square on October 30th, 2011 and raised a phenomenal $18,605.70 which was donated to Breast Cancer Network Australia.

The inaugural event was devised and organised by the Pinker sisters, Sue, Catherine and younger sister Kim who at the age of 31 was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2007.

“Organising the first event in 2011 was a challenge that we were passionate and professional about. We have the care, knowledge and understanding of the hardships of breast cancer at a personal level” said Sue. In 2012 the Melbourne Breast Cancer Walk will take place again with a strong focus on breast cancer awareness, education and the community. The Pinker sisters invite men and women of all ages and cultural backgrounds and their families to be part of the fun and don a decorated bra over the outside of your clothing in support and awareness of this important cause.

This year the location of the walk has moved from Melbourne city to around Lilydale Lake to support this community’s volunteer groups that give of their time and are dedicated to helping and making a difference in the lives of others.

“This year we want to branch out and support not just women with breast cancer but men also, we want to support the community groups that volunteer their time in helping others in need - groups that help women and men directly dealing with cancer” adds Sue. These groups are Yarra Valley Ladies in Pink and Maroondah Breast Clinic.

One of the big aims of this year’s event is to provide Maroondah Breast Clinic with a much needed piece of medical

equipment called an “impedimed”. This machine measures women and men for lymphedema which affects many breast cancer sufferers. Currently the nurses use a “measuring tape” to assist them but the impedimed will assist patients greatly.

Participants are encouraged to find creative ways to wear a bra either by dressing up in a theme or bright colours, as a family event minimal skin exposure is preferred. Join in the fun and do your part to help fight against this disease and support those afflicted with it.

When: Sunday 21 October, 2012 Where: Lilydale Lake Cost: $20 per person / 16 yrs and over / $40 per family /$10 children 6 -15 years melbournebreastcancerbrawalk.com

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WHAT LENGTHS WOULD YOU GO TO FOR A FRIEND? When it comes to female friendship, Australian women will go to great lengths to help a friend in need.

According to research released in September, 90% of women in Australia are prepared to drastically change their physical appearance by cutting off their hair if it meant helping a friend with cancer.

Naomi Watts

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Showing an overwhelming level of support in female friendships, the study of 1,025 Australian women was commissioned by Pantene to mark the launch of Beautiful Lengths, a program which provides real-hair wigs to women undergoing cancer

treatment in partnership with the charity Look Good…Feel Better According to the study, Australian women have an average of nine close female friends and they highly value these friendships, with 1 in 4 (23%) believing that their female friendships are stronger than their relationships with their partners.

Cementing the importance of their friendships, over half of Australian women (58%) admitted that they will call on the support of their female friends in the case of a health-related problems or crisis.

Australian actress and Hollywood A-lister Naomi Watts is an Ambassador for the Beautiful Lengths program and adds “I’m really proud to be part of Pantene Beautiful Lengths and bring this fantastic cause home to Australia. If we can support women undergoing cancer treatment by donating our hair, that’s a difference I hope many of us will make.”

For more information on Beautiful Lengths and how to get involved in the program, please visit www.beautifullengths.com.au

CULTURE

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CYCLING: PREVENTING INJURY AND OPTIMISING EFFICIENCY

In what has traditionally been seen as a European way of lifestyle and transport, Australians are increasingly embracing cycling as a great form of exercise to build general fitness, improve stress levels, and commute to work.

In Melbourne, the amount of commuting cyclists has doubled over the last 5 years!

Melbourne also tops the list of Australian capitals with over 30,000 people spinning the wheels daily to get to work.

Over the last decade, bike sales in Australia have overtaken car sales by over 2 million units, with 1.7 million bikes sold in 2011!

As cycling continues to grow in popularity in all of these forms, so too does the amount of cyclists presenting to our clinics with bikerelated overuse injuries.

Being a low impact, controlledmotion activity – cycling has both its benefits and risks to the body. Despite being generally more joint-friendly than higher weight-bearing activity like running sports, and maintaining a fairly consistent movement pattern – such features can also lead to the gradual onset of overuse injuries.

Many acute and traumatic cycling injuries may be difficult to avoid, but most overuse strains and inflammatory conditions can be prevented by ensuring correct bike set up.

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Josh Lambert

Initial rider positioning can be crucially important, and following are the most common issues seen from presenting cyclists due to incorrect bike set up:

Seat too high: • can lead to low back pain, as the cyclist will increase rotation of the back and trunk through the pedalling motion • Lateral knee pain and Iliotibial Band pain (outside of thigh) is common, as friction in this area is caused with excessive knee extension on the downstroke of pedalling • Can also cause groin numbness and pain due to excessive pressure in reaching the pedals Seat too low: • Can cause anterior knee pain, and pain under the patella (knee cap) due to an increased load on the thigh muscles • Overactive hamstrings are commonly seen, which can lead to cramping and muscle strain Incorrect cleat position: • Often leads to Knee or hip pain from rotational force on the patella or hip joint • Shin and calf pain is caused if alignment places these areas in a shortened position

It is important to ensure that your bike has been properly adjusted when purchased, but also continually reviewed if issues arise.

The most important aspect of having the bike fitted correctly is comfort – and if this has not been achieved, it is safe to assume that risk of overuse injury is greater, and efficiency of pedalling is reduced.

In addition to this, core stability and flexibility can play a major part in maintaining comfortable and energyefficient cycling, and general lower limb stretching and core control exercises are advised.

To all cyclists in the Docklands area – mark Wednesday 17th October in the diaries as Ride2Work Day 2012!

There will be Ride2Work Breakfasts set up outside the ANZ and NAB buildings, with stalls promoting cycling and road safety, bike engraving, competitions, prizes, giveaways and a free breakfast.

It will be a fantastic event, and a great way to celebrate the benefits of cycling to the whole community.

Seat too far back: • Often causes neck or wrist pain, as the rider will need to stretch excessively to reach the handle bars • Places undue stress on structures from the upper spine down – such as vertebrae, ligaments, muscles and nerves in this area

Josh Lambert is a keen cyclist, and Senior Physiotherapist with the team at Pinnacle Health Group, Docklands. Pinnacle Health Group offer a specialised Bike Fitting Service, Physiotherapy, Clinical Pilates and Massage. Call 9600 3590 to make an appointment.

By Nicole Hutcheson Kinesiology Practitioner & Instructor

Last month I discussed the role of Minerals (Macrominerals) and the important role they play in ensuring the healthy function and performance of your body and all of its systems. This month I will continue to explore the category of Microminerals and give a simplified explanation of what they do and why you need them.

As previously stated and as with Vitamins, Minerals are available in food and we all should aim to consume as many as we can from a healthy, balanced and nutritious diet. If there are gaps in our nutrition however, then a good quality supplement is recommended to ensure your body is getting all of the things it needs to perform at an optimal level.

Minerals are classified into three categories. Macrominerals, Microminerals and Trace Minerals.

Microminerals are a group of essential minerals classified as such because your body needs less than 100mg daily. They

ARE YOU OKAY?

By Tahlia Mandie – Psychotherapist & Family Counsellor There are days I feel sad. There are days I don’t feel like I have it together.

Sometimes days like these are more common then not. Last month was R U Ok? Day, a day to encourage everyone to ask someone, “Are you okay?”.

It was a day to raise awareness about the importance of connection and

are no less important than the other essential minerals- your body just doesn’t need as much. Microminerals include Zinc, Iron, Copper, Manganese and Iodine Zinc is especially needed to help your body absorb vitamins – especially Vitamin B- meaning that if you don’t have enough zinc in your diet, the vitamins you consume are of little benefit.

Reproductive organs need zinc in order to develop properly and it also supports normal growth and development during pregnancy. Zinc is also beneficial in treating acne, healing wounds and ulcers, and is often used to shorten the duration of symptoms of colds and flu as it helps the immune system. Foods high in zinc include meat, seafood, whole grains, pumpkin seeds and some fruits and vegetables. You need about 16mg per day- more if you are pregnant or breast feeding. You may be deficient if you are prone to infections, you find cuts and sores are slow to heal, or you have a decreased sense of taste and smell.

Iron is involved in transporting oxygen in your blood to your cells and muscles. If you don’t have enough iron in your blood, decreased levels of oxygen are delivered and can result in muscle fatigue, tiredness and can also compromise your immune system. Unfortunately Iron

empowering people to support each other, even just by asking a few simple words. Because the truth is, sometimes we are not okay. Sometimes we have a few challenges, feel a little sad, maybe even a little lonely. And this is okay. We don’t always have to be superheroes all of the time; we don’t have to feel that we need to hold it all together, all of the time.

Sometimes we can’t. And this is okay.

Sometimes we need to ask for help, sometimes we need a little support and sometimes we want

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MINERALS

WHAT THEY DO AND WHY WE NEED THEM?

deficiency is quite common especially in woman who require higher levels as they lose blood on a monthly basis. Teenage girls and pregnant woman are especially at risk of iron deficiencies, which could lead to anaemia. Signs you may be deficient include pale skin, shortness of breath, dizziness and fatigue. Iron rich foods include meat, cereals, dark leafy vegetables, prunes, dried apricots, nuts, seeds, legumes and beans.

Copper is essential for healthy bones and tissues, and helps the immune system function. Copper also helps your body absorb Iron. It aids in the creation of collagen and elastin in our skin and connective tissues and is especially important for heart health.

Deficiency can lead to brittle bones, joint pain and can be a contributing factor of developing heart disease. Copper is found in most seafood especially oysters, sesame seeds, seeds and chocolate.

Manganese is an important mineral to help the body absorb nutrients, bone development and helps maintain a healthy liver, kidneys and pancreas, and increase brain and nerve function.

Deficiency is quite rare as it is readily available in foods such as bran, nuts, seafood, seeds, soybeans, herbs and spices and dark chocolate, however if a other people to offer that support.

We all need to talk. We all need to listen.

We all need to know that it is okay to feel like ‘I am not holding it together today’.

Any day is a good day to talk about the tough stuff, the hard stuff and the not so easy stuff to raise and talk about. And sometimes, all someone needs is for someone else to ask, “are you okay”. Who knows, you may be creating a life changing experience by simply asking, acknowledging and listening to that person in need.

person is deficient in manganese it can lead to joint pain and fertility problems Iodine helps our body to create hormones needed for a healthy growth, development and energy function.

Deficiencies can lead to thyroid problems such as enlarged thyroid or goitre. Other symptoms include fatigue, dry skin or hair loss. Iodine is available in a wide range of foods such as dairy products, seafood, eggs, bread and iodised salt.

Microminerals are needed in such small quantities, with a little bit of effort you should be able to get everything you need from a balanced and varied diet.

Supplements should be considered for a long term or diagnosed deficiency.

If you would like some more information on the highest quality vitamins and supplements that I personally take, and recommend in my clinic, go to http://chihealth.gnld.net/ Nicole Hutcheson is a highly skilled Professional Kinesiology Practitioner and an internationally qualified Instructor. Nicole is a regular professional contributor.

If you would like to make an appointment with Nicole, call 9819 6835 or email nicole@chikinesiology.com.au ‘A conversation could change a life. It’s ok to say, ‘I’m not ok.’

Tahlia is a psychotherapist and family counsellor, writer and blogger helping individuals, couples and families navigate through life’s challenges and move forward. See more of Tahlia’s work at www.directionexploring.com.au or www.theparentingfiles.com.au

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IN CONVERSATION WITH BRAXTON MILES SCHOOL YEARS

By Jane M Hutchinson

I can belt them out for the team, come on, pick me for the team!”

“I was angry at school much of the time.

Maybe it was more frustration that I felt and annoyance at them and others; as they just didn’t get it, just didn’t understand.

But you know, Richard, I was just a kid; I was eight years old, ‘how did I, ‘get it’?

But, Braxton smiled at Richard. “I always knew that my mates would pick me!”

My moral compass embedded like heavy brass; weighed down my every thought and action, but not my emotions. There was no direction, no guidance, and my emotions spiraled within like a whirlwind.

However, I was very good at keeping them spinning within. The sense of morality and pursuit of absolute goodness, purity and justice; doing what was right for others, was to become an obsession throughout my school years. But this would only be understood some forty years later”.

Braxton Miles paused to look at Richard Saunders’s weary face, a critical moment of silence ensued.

“Should we take a break?” Saunders asked.

“Ah yes, coffee, good idea!”

They walked toward the kitchen and suddenly Braxton flashed back to his schooldays…

The line up for the cricket team, an old vision now flooded his memory.

As they resumed the interview, with coffee cup in his hand, Braxton looked across the room.

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“I remember standing in the line-up for the cricket team.’’ He said slowly, as Richard resumed recording. “I prayed silently’’.

“Oh! please, please, don’t leave me standing here, I’m a good batsman,

However, the fear, that absolute fear of not being picked! Standing there, being the last one on the oval, with all that space around you. While the rest of your grade looks at you feeling grateful that it is someone else, not you, out there alone.

No one! No one ever wants to be that kid!

I think that fear drove me on, from then.

Home was different; home was the place I always wished that I never got picked.

On cue, the sound of the garage roller door going up, the car idling in the drive way was my signal that I had two and a half minutes to make myself disappear. Prepare for what may eventuate that night. I had the timing and routine down pat. I’d allow myself an extra few seconds for deep breaths and any last minute checks that I might need to do before I heard the sound of the back door opening and dad arriving home.

Maybe this is where my anxiety started.

This routine made me smart, real smart.

I got it. I’d worked out from a young age how to read people, situations and anticipate what was about to come next.

This is how life was. I knew this and I also knew other kids didn’t have to do things like this and that it shouldn’t have to be like this. But it was for me and I was accepting. I knew what was right and wrong and this was all wrong!

I was just a school kid but pretty switched on. School work was easy. In fact I’d be bored with most of what we learnt and I felt like I already knew what was there to know.

Mum unfortunately, I thought then, wasn’t as smart. She would say that too, ‘It was all her fault!’ I realize now, that this was just her way of coping.

She probably was quite smart and trying to keep things together and that was her way of dealing with things.

Mum couldn’t dodge dad like I could, most of the time she would be at the end of his rage. I could never quite understand much of it. But I understood enough. Again the anticipated fears of when I would be in the firing line whipped through my little body, every night during those two and half minutes. High alter ready at all times, ready for anything.

I wasn’t always lucky!

Nights felt like they went on forever. I would lay there in my bed staring at the white ceiling paint waiting to hear the sound of the television switch off and the house to go in absolute silence. That was my cue that I’d made it through the night!

I knew every mark, bump and centimetre of my bedroom ceiling.

But some nights were not so quiet, nor was I so lucky.

Carved into me was the fear of what was about to happen. I would wonder what went through his mind in those quiet moments. Eventually I’d fall asleep and then off to school for another day surrounded by friends and teachers who didn’t get it. It felt like I’d lived a life time every night. Each day I grew older, a lot older than I should have been. I ought to have been allowed to be a kid.

I’d look to my friends for some sort of relief and my mates would come to play.

Only once, I wondered what did they sense, did they too know what was going on and did everyone live like this? This is how mum’s and dad’s are, right?

If not, how come no one ever said or did anything?

“Richard?”

Braxton put his coffee cup down gently and shot a piercing look at the interviewer.

“These are the sorts of questions that I’d wonder as a kid. I’d mostly think about this stuff when I was walking home from school. When you don’t have answers given to you, you go looking for them you find them yourself. As I grew older beyond my years I developed strength and courage which carried me through my school years. But I assumed I knew far more than everyone around. I was smarter and I could out smart who ever I needed to.

I looked around to see what was working for me. What did I do right? My friends liked me when I was funny and when I mucked around. I began to like the attention that I was getting from other people.

But this was all too easy for me!!!….

Be sure to read on next month for the next installment of ‘In Conversation with Braxton Miles’.

Docklands Writers meet on the last Tuesday of every month from 5.307.30pm at the Docklands Hub. Writers from all genres and levels of experience are welcomed. For more information please email: Jane.X.Hutchinson@gmail.com

BOOKSHELF

POTTED POTTER

THE UNAUTHORIZED HARRY EXPERIENCE A smash hit in the West End and in New York. Potted Potter the Unauthorized Harry Experience is coming to Melbourne for a limited season this October.

Created by double Olivier Award Best Entertainment nominees Daniel Clarkson and Jefferson Turner, the show is a must-see for Potter addicts and a great introduction to the series for anyone who’s ever wondered what all the fuss is about. Even if you don’t know the difference between a Horcrux and a Hufflepuff, POTTED POTTER will make you roar with laughter. This brilliant family entertainment is perfect for ages six to Dumbledore (who is very old indeed).

POTTED POTTER takes on the ultimate challenge of condensing all seven Harry Potter books (and a real life game of Quidditch) into seventy hilarious minutes. This fantastically funny show features all your favourite characters, a special appearance from a fire-breathing dragon, endless costumes, brilliant songs, ridiculous props and a generous helping of Hogwarts magic!

Clarkson and Turner first created POTTED POTTER in 2005 for an appearance at a London bookshop, as a five-minute entertainment for fans awaiting the release of the sixth book in the series. The show grew from there into a full-length stage production, first seen at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2006, and has since toured internationally, including sell-out seasons at the Adelaide Fringe, Melbourne Comedy Festival and New Zealand Comedy Festival in 2009.

This successful touring production features two great performers, Jesse Britton and Gary Trainor and is directed by Richard Hurst and produced by Lunchbox Theatrical Productions and Potted Productions When: 16-21 October, 2012 Where: Comedy Theatre – Melbourne Tickets: From $60-$80 Bookings: Ticketmaster 1300 111 011 www.pottedpotter.com.au

BOOK REVIEW BY REBECCA HOWDEN ‘TheMemory of Salt’ by Alice Melike Ülgezer The Memory of Salt, the debut novel from Melbourne author Alice Melike Ülgezer, is a raw and authentic story of love, loss and the tensions of reconciling a multicultural identity.

Shifting between decades and traversing from Kabul to Istanbul to London to Melbourne, Ülgezer patchworks together the familiar and unfamiliar, creating a visceral and compelling story with heartbreaking undertones.

The story is told by Ali, the son of an Australian paediatrician and a Turkish musician. Having been raised in Melbourne predominantly by his mother, Ali wants to piece together his fragmentary understanding of his father, and in effect, to understand the Turkish half of himself (or possibly herself – interestingly, although I read Ali as a male character, Ülgezer has stated that the narrator’s gender is deliberately left undisclosed). His mother, Mac, so bruised by the past, tells him he’s crazy to want to delve into his heritage, but the questions are inescapable; they are always “shrouded in a thin membrane of the past.” Ülgezer weaves together Ali’s journey with the story of his parents’ whirlwind love and eventual estrangement. Mac is travelling in Afghanistan when she meets Ahmet, a Turkish musician who has been performing as part of a circus.

She is entranced by his vivacious energy and spontaneous nature, and they become swiftly, passionately entangled in each other’s lives, “savagely in love…wandering beachside villages, merging and blurring into each other.”

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But Ahmet’s spirited and carefree energy, the very thing Mac loves about him, turns out to be masking a serious mental illness. Residual, acute paranoid schizophrenia is the official diagnosis, though he refuses to accept or acknowledge it, and it quickly drives a sharp wedge between them. One moment full of beans and exhilarated by life, Ahmet is prone to become suddenly, hysterically seized by a belief that Mac is a sorcerer trying to kill him, or that a passing tram is a Russian tank following him. In these moments he becomes violent and frantic, “blustering through visions, barbaric with grief. He would swing blindly with the fanaticism of fear, his voice scoring like fire. And afterwards even if he were strewn with wreckage he’d never remember a thing.”

Ahmet’s illness places Mac and Ali in the painful position of being both afraid of and afraid for someone they love. “I had to run Ali. He would have killed me,” Mac says. But these unsettling moments are balanced throughout the novel by bittersweet memories of love and intimacy, rendered in vivid detail through taste, sight and, particularly, music. Music is Ahmet’s passion, his obsession, the way he connects with the world and expresses himself, and it’s a language that the father and son share. The image of Ali and Ahmet playing together and getting lost in the music is one that holds the novel together.

Throughout the novel, shreds of Turkish pepper the dialogue, sometimes followed by a translation, sometimes not. By keeping the reader a bit outside the text, Ülgezer recreates for us Mac and Ali’s experience of their world; the dislocation of not always understanding everything that is communicated. Turkey is a part of them, but they can never completely be a part of it, and in the same way, Ahmet is a part of them, but they can never quite understand or get through to him. Ülgezer’s skill in recreating these complexities makes The Memory of Salt an impressive and memorable work of fiction.

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