APRIL 2013 Issue 77

HAVE A LAUGH

Eddie ifft Brings his stand up show to Melbourne ‘Too Soon?’

Melbourne icon Grossi Florentino gets a makeover

Meet Commando & the Next Generation as The Biggest Loser Returns

Mother’s Day Gifts & Giveaways Feature APRIL 2013

ISSUE

AS the mELBOURNE INTERNATIONAL COMEDY FESTIVAL HITS TOWN

77

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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Titanic (Kate Winslet) 20TH CENTURY FOX, PARAMOUNT, THE KOBAL COLLECTION

Events this April 4-5 Lord Mayor’s Commendations 6 The Laneways of Melbourne 10 Empire hits the Rooftop 12 Hollywood Costumes 13 Grossi Florentino gets a make over 14 Eddie Ifft – 2013 MICF 16 Meet Steve Willis -The Commando 18 Tom Elliott 19 Andrew Hewison 20 Mother’s Day Classic 24 Mother’s Day Gifts & Giveaways 26-27 Wellbeing 29-31 3000’s Kitchen 31 Docklands’ Writers 32 3000’s Movie Review 33 3000’s Bookshelf 33 Noticeboard 34

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 Eddie Ifft – Melbourne International Comedy Festival. contributing writers Tom Elliott, Rebecca Howden, Dana Atkin, Andrew Hewison, Tahlia Mandie, Shannah Kennedy, Gordana Andjelic-Davila, Nadine Fawell, Jane M Hutchinson & Nandita Chakraborty.

This magazine has a distribution of 16,000 copies throughout Melbourne CBD, Docklands, parts of Southbank and rotating through South Melbourne and Port Melbourne and a readership in excess of 40,000.

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 MARCH competitions: Jason Murray

Rose Mercer

Lauren Cooke

Natalie Motee

Rosie Coombes

Laurie Burke

Nikki Garfinkel

Carl Katter

Marcus Rosenberg

Antoinette Spiteri

Mike Sloan

Rob Direen

Jade Janai

Cynthia Briffa

Victoria Foster

Roslyn Oades

Linda James

Susan Greenshields

Katie Russo

Andrew Tsobanopulas

Kylie De Clase

Editor’s NOTE

Thank your lucky stars you live in Melbourne this April Daylight savings is over and that nip in the air seems to be a little more frequent, but this isn’t the time to get into hibernation mode, rather, it’s time to get out and check out some top class local and international entertainment. You’ll be thanking your lucky stars you live in Melbourne this April, this is the place to be!

The Melbourne International Comedy Festival has officially begun at venues across the city, Empire is swinging from the rooftop at Crown and OperaMania is set to electrify audiences at the Arts Centre along with the Hollywood Costumes Exhibition at ACMI, Wonderland Carnivale and the Water Ratrace at Docklands, and that’s just for starters.

This month we introduce you to American stand up comedian Eddie Ifft in town for the comedy festival. Eddie was fun to chat with and he clearly enjoys his visits here, there appears to be a plethora of comedy material on every turn.

I encourage readers to see Spiegelworld’s Empire before this limited season ends at the rooftop Spiegeltent at Crown.

It’s totally outrageous, hilarious, saucy and literally stunningly– certainly not the family outing circus show, but

one that will have your head spinning and jaw dragging across the floor.

Over the past eight years I don’t think I’ve missed an episode of The Biggest Loser, so you can imagine my excitement at the opportunity to ask TBL trainer Steve Willis, a.k.a The Commando about the current series. If the start of this series is anything to go by, it will indeed be an emotional rollercoaster for the contestants paired up with family members, on their path to transforming their bodies and regaining their lives.

Although Mother’s Day isn’t until May 12, we like to give our readers a head start on finding that special something that says ‘thanks Mum’. On pages 26 & 27 we have compiled a collection of varied gift ideas which are all available locally.

On behalf of the 3000Melbourne team, we hope you enjoy this April issue!

Lisa Quittner editor@magmedia.com.au

APRIL 2013

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11 April

Events

12 ~ 14 April

3 ~ 21 April

27 April Celebrate GlobaL Lunchbox Save the Frogs Day! Sessions Mid – Autumn Music In an effort to raise awareness of the plight of amphibians, the global scientific community has declared April 27, ‘Save The Frogs Day’. Frog populations have been declining at unprecedented rates and nearly one third of amphibian species are threatened with extinction, up to 200 species have already completely disappeared since 1980.

Save the Frogs Day is set to be the largest day of amphibian education and conservation action in the planet’s history. The goal is to reach 300 educational events across 50 countries!

When: Saturday 27 April Where: visit the website for local events Web: www.savethefrogs.com

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Soothe your soul with the beautiful sounds of live cello music, when soloist Zoe Knighton plays her favourite pieces for local Docklands residents and workers.

Zoe coaches chamber music and cello studies at the University of Melbourne and is in demand as soloist. Zoe has performed concertos numerous times with Melbourne Orchestras and continues her Bach series every year. Zoe also plays with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and is a founding member of the Flinders Quartet.

When: Thursday 11 April Time: 12.30 - 1:15pm Where: The hub@ Docklands, 80 Harbour Esplanade Entry: FREE no booking required Further Info: 8622 4822

The 2013 Baby & Toddler Show

Faulty Towers: The Dining Experience

Whether you’re stocking up for your precious new bundle of joy or looking for new ways to keep your toddler busy, The Baby & Toddler Show is a shopping mecca for everything a busy Mum (and mum-tobe) needs. With the convenience of hundreds of brands under one roof, browse and explore, and shop to your heart’s content. With a comprehensive range of expert seminars covering baby basics to development milestones, as well as parenting professionals on hand and great family entertainment.

Basil, Sybil and Manuel return to serve up more of their madcap mayhem and a three-course meal in this internationally acclaimed show. This eat, drink & laugh sensation is touring over 20 countries in 2013, including residency in London’s West End. Only a third of the show is scripted so anything can and will happen. This is fully immersive, highly improvised, site-specific comedy theatre at its best, expect great gags and a rip-roaringly hilarious night - just don’t mention the war!

When: 3-21 April Where: The Aegean, 19 Brunswick St, Fitzroy Tickets: Includes 3-course meal & 2-hour show $79-$99 Bookings: 1300 308 193 or www.interactivetheatre.com.au

When: 12-14 April Where: Royal Exhibition Building, Carlton Tickets: $20pp at the door or early bird tickets until 11 April online Web: www.babyandtoddlershow.com.au

Events

10 ~ 20 April

25 April

25 April ~ 8 Jun

28 April

Celebrate Dutch Orange Day

ANZAC Day 2013

True Minds

by Joanna Murray-Smith

NERDS RULE IN SCHOOL DANCE

This year is the ninth anniversary for the Dutch Community in Victoria to celebrate their national day with the people of Melbourne. It will be a special commemorative event for Dutch people around the world as this year Queen Beatrix’s birthday celebrations will also mark her abdication from the throne after 33 years as well as the inauguration of King Willem-Alexander. The festivities include rich Dutch culture, folk dancing, music, a vrijmarkt (free-market), and famous Dutch delicacies to savour.

The commemoration of the landing of Australian and New Zealand forces at Gallipoli on April 25, 1915, is perhaps the most important national day in Australia.

In addition to recognising the service and sacrifice Australians who have served in war or on peacekeeping operations, ANZAC Day has become core to the identity of Australia itself, a day on which Australians reflect on the ANZAC spirit.

True Minds is a hilarious new play from critically acclaimed playwright, Joanna Murray-Smith. Having met the perfect man, Daisy is excitedly preparing for her nuptials. The one thing left to do is meet her future mother-in-law – a daunting task considering her fiancé’s mother, played by Louise Siversen, is a coiffed, conservative Iron Lady with a very public profile.

However when Daisy’s carefully staged meeting gets derailed by her alcoholic ex-boyfriend and her uninhibited left-wing parents, it throws her future into doubt.

School Dance tells the story of three awkward teenage boys and their quest for social acceptance at high school. With a killer ’80s soundtrack and smorgasbord of ’80s pop culture references, School Dance is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser for young and old. From synchronised BMX bike riding to sooth-saying unicorns, School Dance has been heralded as a hilarious and game-changing new work of contemporary Australian theatre.

When: Sunday 28 April from 10:30am – 4pm Where: Queensbridge Square, Southbank Dress: In Orange Further Info: www.dutchorangeday.com.au

When: 25 April, Dawn Service 6am March: Along St Kilda Rd 9am – 1pm for Commemorative Service at the Shrine Where: Shrine of Remembrance Birdwood Avenue, Melbourne Further Information: 9661 8100 or www.shrine.org.au

When: 25 April – 8 June Where: Southbank Theatre – The Sumner Tickets: from $58, Under 30s $33 Bookings: 8688 0800 or mtc.com.au

When: 10-20 April, 6:30pm Where: Playhouse Theatre Arts Centre Melbourne Tickets: $29 /$26.50 Group 4+ Bookings: 1300 182 183 or artscentremelbourne.com.au

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NEIGHBOURHOOD

Small Business recognised for commitment to the city There are over 12,600 small businesses operating in the City of Melbourne employing around 75,000 people. These small businesses are invited to have their contribution recognised with the Lord Mayor’s Commendations as entries have now officially opened for 2013.

Recognising their lasting contributions to the city, The Lord Mayor’s Commendations identify small businesses that have operated within the City of Melbourne for ten years or more. Now in its eighth year, the Lord Mayor’s Commendations acknowledge and celebrate the long-term commitment of independent small business proprietors to the city’s economic and cultural strength.

Lord Mayor Robert Doyle said the Commendations highlight the importance of small business to Melbourne. “Our city’s entrepreneurs have adapted and prospered, creating jobs, boosting the economy and playing a vital role in making Melbourne the world’s most liveable city” said the Lord Mayor.

The commendation process is divided into five categories, each recognising various degrees of longevity as well as businesses that have been passed through consecutive generations.

Over the course of the entry period, inspirational stories of businesses that have become a valuable part of the city’s culture will unfold.

Deputy Lord Mayor Susan Riley attended the 2013 Lord Mayor’s Commendations launch on March 21 at the Block Arcade and said the program is about building a community of small and multi-generational businesses in order to strengthen the future of small business in Melbourne.

“We are proud of the diverse group of businesses that have been

Glenn Thomas from Melbourne Jewellery Service - Silver recipient

part of the Commendations to date and I encourage all eligible businesses to register in 2013.”

Some of the businesses commended last year included the Chitty Family, who has been selling seafood at Vic Markets since the 1920s, and Casa del Gelato which has been selling ice cream on Lygon Street for over 40 years. Since 2005, more than 330 small businesses and 12 generational family businesses have received commendations.

Duncan Shave from Shave Human Resources - Generational and Bronze recipient

Lead by a committee of local business owners and proprietors, the Lord Mayor’s Commendations is open to any proprietor of a business within the City of Melbourne municipality with fewer than 20 employees, who has operated continuously for more than 10 years.

Nominations are open until 31 May, with the program culminating in a ceremony at Town Hall on October 7, 2013.

For more information on the Lord Mayor’s Commendations, including how to register or nominate an eligible small business, visit the website www.melbourne.vic.gov.au or call 9658 9658 for more information.

Thinking of applying for an arts grant?

The City of Melbourne Arts Grants Program offers anyone with a great idea and an artistic outcome in the City of Melbourne, the opportunity to apply for funding. The program offers two categories : Arts Projects and Indigenous Arts Projects. magmedia.com.au

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Applications for arts projects occurring in the 2014 calendar year close on 17 June 2013.

An information session for potential applicants will be held on Thursday 30 May 2013 at The Hub, 80 Harbour Esplanade, Docklands at 4pm.

For further information and to access the 2014 guidelines and application form, go to www.melbourne.vic. gov.au/grantsandsponsorhip (online from Monday 6 May 2013).

NEIGHBOURHOOD 7 APRIL 2013

Neighbourhood

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NEIGHBOURHOOD

2013 Water Ratrace Does your team have what it takes to win?

Do you and your colleagues have what it takes to win the 2013 Water Ratrace?

The Water Ratrace is a corporate challenge like no other with activities that will test your teams’ knowledge, skill and senses.

Race around Docklands with your work mates for the chance to win fantastic prizes and the bragging rights of winning the inaugural Water Ratrace!

RACE START: 1.15pm for a 2pm sharp race start at the Medallion Club, Etihad Stadium FINISH PIT STOP: 5pm back at the Medallion Club, followed by the prize giving and networking until 7pm – drinks and canapés provided COST: $300 for a team of four

Entry is open to all businesses located in Docklands. Places are limited so get in early, registrations close Thursday 2 May. The 2013 Water Ratrace is presented by Destination Docklands in conjunction with the Medallion Club at Etihad Stadium.

DRESS: Teams are encouraged to dress up in costume - you can be as creative as you like! Prizes and bonus points will be rewarded to the best dressed team.

WHEN: Friday 17 May 2013

Does your team have what it takes to make Docklands history?

REGISTRATION: Registration forms online at destinationdocklands.com.au

Float to the Footy!

The long awaited start to the 2013 AFL footy season is underway but along with the excitement and hopes for an illusive, in some cases, premiership win also comes the hassles of MCG parking and getting to and from the match.

The service departs from WTC Wharf, ferrying passengers down to the MCG loading dock and returning back to WTC Wharf after the game.

WTC Wharf has a solution and is ready to set sail with Float to the Footy! Traffic-free and hassle-free, Float to the Footy is the stress free way to travel to the MCG to watch your favourite AFL team on game day.

APRIL 2013

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NEIGHBOURHOOD

DISCOVER THE

‘Laneways of Melbourne’

By Lisa Quittner Melbourne is widely renowned for its laneway culture and now, for the first time, a book is being released that explores all of Melbourne’s intriguing laneways, giving insight into their fascinating histories, along with providing listings of exciting Melbourne bars and restaurants to discover.

Laneways of Melbourne is a visually stunning guide book to over 200 laneways, alleys and small streets of Melbourne’s CBD. Complete with a foldout map inside the front cover to guide you from Ulster Lane off Spring Street to Captains Walk at Docklands, each page includes captions of each laneway’s fascinating history and name origins.

These stunning photographs were captured over a six month period in 2012 by photographers, and brother and sister team, Kornelia Freeman and Ulo Pukk. Together they trekked through the laneways each day, to

explore and photograph, spending their evenings collating the historical data and mapping out the laneways.

Ulo and Kornelia were inspired to compile the Laneways of Melbourne book to show some of the hidden beauty, vibrant street art and hidden secrets of Melbourne.

a story to tell. Some of the lanes are new, but beautifully designed, such as Southern Cross Lane or Goldsbrough Lane, others have links to the early days of Melbourne. As for particular favourites among the laneways, Ulo has a few.

“One of my favourites is informally

“Laneways of Melbourne is a visually stunning guide book to over 200 laneways, alleys and small streets of Melbourne’s CBD.” “The laneways are often by-passed and the history and secrets they contain remain unknown to most of Melbourne’s population and visitors. We hope that the book excites people walking around Melbourne and enables readers to discover some hidden delights” said Ulo. As Ulo explains, most of Melbourne’s lanes offer something unique and each is special in their own way. Buildings, bluestones or sometimes the paint has

known as ‘Blender Lane’. Situated next to Blender Studios, it is a lane containing art that could rival paintings in art galleries. However, my favourite to visit is Degraves Street, which is a mecca of coffee shops and places to eat. People pass through en masse and the lane links to the 1950s designed Campbell Arcade, and the wonderful Centre Place. The beautiful Majorca Building marks the northern end”.

Kornelia counts the iconic Block and Royal Arcades for their history, wonderful boutique stores and chocolate shops at the top of her list.

While Ulo and Kornelia collaborated on The Laneways of Melbourne it is the third book this team have worked on together following on from The Dandenong Ranges and The Yarra Valley book. They are working on a series of books, called ‘The Portraits of Victoria’. The series captures the beauty that can be found in Victoria, historical places and points of interest for people to visit. Currently the pair is working on covering Mornington Peninsula to Wilson’s Promontory.

Laneways of Melbourne (RRP $19.95) is available from Melbourne Books and most bookstores including Dymocks, Readers Feast, Mary Martin and online at www.portraitsofvictoria.com.au or www.melbournebooks.com.au

Co-Author and Photographer Kornelia Freeman

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Street Art by Hush in Blender Lane

Degraves Lane, a mecca of coffee shops and places to eat

Co-Author and Photographer Ulo Pukk

APRIL 2013

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NEIGHBOURHOOD

EMPIRE

STUNNINg & OUTRAGEOUS

EMPIRE is a 90-minute theatrobatic adventure performed by the greatest international talent ever assembled in one tent. There are no nets, no safety harnesses that I could detect and a collection of acts which are fresh, to say the least, sassy, sexy, hilarious and ‘blow your mind’ sensational.

The MCs, Oscar and Fanny, steer the show through the performers helping Oscar rebuild his empire: the seductive Gorilla Girls from Ukraine form perfectly balanced pyramids on top of each other; the Ethiopian foot juggler Black Flintstone throws and impossibly catches his brother, Big Mac Boy, over and over and over again.

By Lisa Quittner After unanimous rave reviews, sold out performances and standing ovations during its Sydney run, Spiegelworld’s EMPIRE is now performing in Melbourne – a spectacular you literally need to see to believe.

Other performers include the French duo Lime Green Lady and Carrot Man who beautifully and sensuously balance each other; the Half Naked Asian Dude Wearing Pigtails from Japan is the world champion wheelmaster, rolling dangerously past the audience; Miss A in a Bubble contorts gracefully inside an aerial sphere; and the 3D GraffitiGuy from Canada creates an amazing structure, founded entirely on a feather. Miss Purple

OperaMania!

For the first time in Australia, one of Russia’s best opera companies Moscow Novaya Opera is proud to present OperaMania in a seamless theatrical presentation featuring Moscow Novaya Opera Soloists and Orchestra with dancers from the Russian Imperial Ballet.

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With a wonderful selection of music by the world’s most celebrated composers including Tchaikovsky, Puccini, Mozart, Bizet, Rossini, Verdi, Bellini and Johann Strauss, Moscow Novaya Opera will take you on a journey highlighting some of the most loved operas of all time including The Magic Flute, Rigoletto, The Pearl Fishers, Tosca, The Barber of Seville, Carmen and many more in a seamless semi-staged theatrical presentation.

Featuring ten dynamic soloists and four classical ballet dancers in full costume and a brilliant 44 piece symphony orchestra direct from Moscow, OperaMania will delight the most seasoned music lovers as well as first time opera-goers.

This will be the first time that a Russian Opera Company has toured to Australia.

Vasily Valitov will conduct the performances after joining Moscow Novaya Opera in 2010 while OperaMania has been staged by Valery Raku, Resident Stage Director for Moscow Novaya Opera.

“This program, made up of an uninterrupted series of excerpts carefully chosen to move between comedy, tragedy and lyricism, is performed by singers and dancers in full costume, against

is the resident vocalist and is backed by the Viking of 6th Avenue, Moondog.

Despite the literally incredible show, the rooftop location at Crown just adds to the spectacle that is Empire.

The 700-seat antique Spiegeltent, furnished with beveled mirrors, plush velvet-upholstered seating booths, a carnival style bar and the most intimate stage in town, provides the perfect setting for the most outrageous night you’ll experience this year.

Spiegelworld Impresario Ross Mollison said, “The Rooftop at Crown is just the most spectacular location in Melbourne.

No event has ever been held up there, so audiences are not only discovering an incredible new show, but also discovering the hottest venue in town.”

EMPIRE is produced by Spiegelworld and presented by Nine Live, It’s saucy, sublime, visually breathtaking, incredibly cheeky and thoroughly entertaining - perfectly showcased at Melbourne’s newest and hottest rooftop location at Crown.

Don’t miss EMPIRE! Until: Mid May, 2013 Where:The Rooftop at Crown Melbourne, Southbank.

Tickets: www.ticketek.com.au

a background of colourful lighting and moving images that illustrate the character of the music, and to the accompaniment of the orchestra. The items are short and flow without pause from one to the next in a fast-moving production that offers a kaleidoscope of many of the best-known and most-loved pieces from opera, ballet and symphonic music and reflects their depth and diversity.” Valery Raku said.

Moscow Novaya Opera Orchestra, in addition to playing for Moscow Novaya Opera, appears frequently in concert, playing in the best halls in Russia such as the Grand Hall of the Moscow Conservatory, the Tchaikovsky Concert Hall, the St. Petersburg Philharmonic and many more. The Orchestra often performs in concert with Moscow Novaya Opera’s soloists, choir and guest musicians.

When: Friday 19 April & Saturday 20 April at 7:30pm Where: Arts Centre Melbourne – Hamer Hall Bookings: artscentremelbourne.com.au www.operamania.com.au

Five years in the making, Hollywood Costume is the most comprehensive exhibition about costume design ever created. The show unites classics from the Golden Age of cinema with the latest Hollywood releases, featuring costumes such as Scarlett O’Hara’s green ‘curtain’ dress Age en ld Go the Elizabeth , STUDIO CANAL designed by Walter Angel Titanic (Kate Winslet) UNIVERSALTITLE, PARAMOUN G 20TH CENTURY FOX, , Breakfast at My Fair Lady WORKIN Plunkett for Gone with Tiffanys COLLECTION THE KOBAL T, , PARAMOUNT, BROS THE KOBAL KOBAL WARNER THE COLLEC MS COLLECTION TION THE KOBAL COLLECTION TION FRAKER, BU , the Wind (1939); Marilyn GREG WILLIA THE KOBAL COLLEC D Monroe’s sequined dress from Some Like It Hot The Australian Centre for the Moving storytelling, bringing together the most (1959) designed by the Australian-born Image (ACMI) will open its next major iconic costumes from across a century of Orry Kelly; the ‘little black dress’ designed exhibition, Hollywood Costume, direct film-making. Featuring 100 costumes by

by Hubert De Givenchy for Holly Golightly from London’s Victoria and Albert Museum over 50 designers, Hollywood Costume is in Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961); and a (V&A), on Wednesday 24 April 2013. a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the costume worn by Elizabeth Taylor in her clothes worn by unforgettable and beloved The exhibition explores the central acclaimed role as the Egyptian queen in film characters, from The Wizard of Oz role costume design plays in cinema Cleopatra (1963) and so many more.

(1939) to Titanic (1997) and Ben-Hur (1959)

A Melbourne Winter Masterpieces Exhibition

There are 19 Academy Award® winning costume designs in the exhibition, including a costume from Anna Karenina (2012) by the 2013 Best Costume Design winner British designer, Jacqueline Durran, along with 16 Oscar nominated costumes.

Neighbourhood

Hollywood Costume

to Casino Royale (2006), many of the them never exhibited prior to the London season.

Hollywood Costume illuminates the costume designer’s creative process from script to screen and reveals the collaborative dialogue that leads to the development of authentic screen characters. Using montages, film clips and sophisticated 3D projections, costumes are contextualised with their original films, while interviews with key Hollywood costume designers, directors and actors deepen the investigation.

Hollywood Costume is exclusive to Melbourne as part of Melbourne Winter Masterpieces and opens on Wednesday 24 April to Sunday 18 August 2013 at ACMI. Tickets: phone 8663 2583 or visit www.acmi.net.au

APRIL 2013

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NEIGHBOURHOOD Private Dining Room

The Renewal of grossi Florentino Street Entrance

Elizabeth Grossi Rodriguez & Guy Grossi

Wynn Dining Room

By Lisa Quittner

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Grossi Florentino sits high at the top end of Bourke Street and has long been regarded as a significant piece of Melbourne’s landscape recognised on both a local and international scale.

As the former Florentino, this iconic restaurant will celebrate 85 years in 2013. While the Grossi component can

attribute 14 years to this Melbourne landmark, taking ownership in 1999, it is without doubt that under the direction of Chef Guy Grossi and his sister Elizabeth, their esteemed reputation amongst Melbourne’s forefront restaurateurs will ensure the continuance of this city treasure for decades to come.

From the moment you step inside the entrance of Grossi Florentino the ambiance immediately makes you aware that you have not only stepped inside a piece of Melbourne’s cultural history but into a dining experience. While Grossi Florentino exudes a sense of sophistication and elegance it is also extremely welcoming.

In early March an internal renewal of the restaurant was unveiled, as the upstairs area underwent a substantial renovation and definitive changes were implemented across their menus and branding, with the restaurant now referred to as Florentino Upstairs.

Restaurant

The decision to update the upstairs and downstairs entrance areas, Wynn Dining Room along with the creation of stunningly appointed private dining quarter and cellar upstairs is both in keeping with a modern day international edge and establishing a clearer distinction with extra layers to the fine dining Florentino Upstairs, the Florentino Grill situated downstairs and the Cellar Bar. This extensive project was undertaken over the past three years with all key staff members actively involved in the process, advising from a functional perspective to gain a sense of ownership.

Furthering the distinction between the dining spaces, a new logo has been created for each under the over arching Grossi Florentino logo, which has also been stylishly modernised.

Grossi Florentino is the flagship establishment amongst the Grossi group of restaurants including Mirka in St Kilda, The Merchant at Rialto, Grossi Trattoria in Bangkok and the most recent addition opening last November, Ombra Salumi Bar located next door to Grossi Florentino and operated by Guy’s son, Carlo, which incidentally is a fantastic spot for a casual pizza and antipasti.

Guy Grossi’s food reflects the family’s rich Italian heritage. The integrity of the flavours is of utmost importance with the best local produce sourced and presented.

The dining experience is taken from their culture in an ever evolving form.

Guy and Elizabeth Grossi are innately hospitable, unpretentious people with strong family values which extend across their staff. A carefully constructed Ala Carte menu is available throughout the week but the Grossi’s want all Melburnians to have access to enjoy the Grossi Florentino experience and have recently introduced a lunchtime tasting menu of two courses of your choice from the full ala carte menu with bottomless San Pellegrino mineral water for $65, designed for busy people who want the full Grossi experience without affording too much week day time.

If you haven’t yet taken part in the Florentino experience, I urge you to take the time to discover why this name is identified as a Melbourne landmark and why Guy Grossi is regarded at the helm of the Melbourne restaurant scene.

Florentino Grill, Upstairs & Cellar Bar – 80 Bourke Street, Melbourne T: 9662 1811 W: grossiflorentino.com

Culture

APRIL 2013

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Melbourne International Comedy Festival

Melbourne International Comedy Festival

EDDIE IFFT- TOO SOON? What’s off limits? Not much in Eddie’s world….

Known for his quick wit and causticstyle of comedy, Eddie Ifft has a habit of speaking first and then thinking, which gets him in trouble – a lot. Having been fired from most jobs, including a short stint at his father’s insurance firm (where he was either fired or asked to pursue a new career - depending on whom you ask) Eddie took to the stage in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania at an open-mic night and realised he was being paid to mouth off... and so began his stand-up career.

Eddie has performed around the world, telling jokes in most comedy clubs in the United States, UK and Australia, he has toured more than 15 countries and performed at the major comedy festivals worldwide and now he is back for the 2013 Melbourne International Comedy Festival.

I chatted with Eddie to find out, if in fact, it is too soon!

The name of your show is “Too Soon?” please explain!

Well, I guess I often tell my jokes a bit too soon. I usually get that “oooh” reaction from the audience when a topic is still too sensitive or ‘too soon’, but I like to hit a subject while it’s still fresh and inflict the opening wound to bring a degree of riskiness and that’s always a challenge, especially if I can make people laugh at something that at first makes them uncomfortable.

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Does that mean your aim is to make the audience squirm in their seats?

No, no, I want everyone to have a good time, I really do. People have asked if

I like offending people and of course I don’t, but it is great to see people relax and laugh at things that are normally difficult to deal with. I personally don’t cope well with tragedy, difficult things are really tough for me to handle so I try to bring remedy to them through laughter to stop the emotions of sadness and bring some light to it all.

You aren’t known for holding back in your comedy, but is there anything off limits in your stand up?

Interestingly even though I make jokes about my parents, my family and my girlfriend, I am always respectful.

I would never say or do anything to upset or disrespect them.

You spend a fair bit of time travelling and performing around the world, has Australia inspired any of your material in the new show?

Oh yer! From the minute I arrive here stuff just starts happening. I come here with a show I’ve written over a year and by the time I’ve performed my 10th show I’ll have 20 minutes of material about things that have happened in Australia.

Is a lot of your show impromptu?

I have a general outline in my head of the show, but I never know at the start of each show what I’m actually going to end up doing. The audience can take you anywhere, for example I had one guy in the audience voluntarily tell me that he had slept with a transvestite the night before, obviously you can’t let that pass by, sometimes you are compelled to explore further!

By Lisa Quittner

A rock or pop star can ride on the back of a chart topper for decades, what should the life span be of a good joke or comedy set for a stand up?

Some of my favourite comedians have acts that are timeless; you can just watch them over and over again. I aspire to be one of those guys. I would love for people to want to watch my show over and over again but I feel I have to constantly put out a brand new hour every year because we live in a society now where people just can’t consume enough, they want more and more all the time.

For anyone that hasn’t seen one of your shows before, do you have a pre show warning?

Not really, the choice is theirs to see my show and I have hardly ever had anyone walk out. My goal is to make people laugh.

Where do you like to hang out when you are in Melbourne?

I love to surf so I hang out at Bells Beach and spend a few days at Phillip Island with friends. I love Hairy Canary in Little Collins Street and being a workout freak, to keep me out of trouble I hit CrossFit gym daily.

See Eddie Ifft at the MICF: When: 16 April – 21 April Venue: Athenaeum Theatre, Collins St, Melbourne Tickets: From $26 - $35 Bookings: 1300 660 013 or www.comedyfestival.com.au

Adam McKenzie & Tegan Higginbotham blast off into the Comedy Stratosphere with a New Show at The Melbourne Comedy Festival 2013

Watson are on mankind’s first deep space mission to Pluto. Nine years there, nine years back...No WiFi. Will space madness be the undoing of our hapless heroes? Or does Pluto hold the key to their greatest adventure yet? This action packed sketch comedy show is filled with aliens, spaceships and a moon called Sharon. Pluto isn’t a planet...It’s a comedy supernova!

“Once Were Planets” features a cast of puppeteers who will ensure gravity knows no bounds. Watch as Earth’s gravitational pull no longer applies to Watson as they rocket for the stars. And all with the help of the ship’s computer...played by the audience!

Melbourne International Comedy Festival

“WATSON: ONCE WERE PLANETS”

Until: 21 April (no shows Mondays) 9.30pm-10.30pm Venue: Trades Hall, 54 Victoria St. Carlton Melbourne Tickets: $15 General Admission Bookings: Ticketmaster www.comedyfestival.com.au

Watson are the narrative driven sketch comedy team, Adam McKenzie and Tegan Higginbotham who thrive on the chaos of preparing a script for months, rehearsing it to perfection, and then throwing it away on the night when they get distracted by something shiny.

For the past two years Watson has given audiences raucous laughs with their shows The Super Secret Awesome Show and Shakespeare Fight Club. In 2012 their show was nominated for the Golden Gibbo award at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.

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Meet the Commando

By Lisa Quittner In its eighth season, The Biggest Loser 2013 has recently returned to our television screens for what has already proven to be an emotionally charged race toward changing lives, saving lives and breaking the cycle of generational obesity in Australia. This year contestant’s comprise teams of two family members – father and son, mother and daughter, mother and son and father and daughter.

Steve Willis, often recognised as the man in the signature dark glasses, black singlet and combat fatigues, A.K.A The Commando, joined the Australian Army after finishing school rising up the ranks to become a Counter Terrorism Team Commander. I asked The Commando his thoughts and views on the current series of The Biggest Loser – The Next Generation.

This year The Biggest Loser - The Next Generation has a different format from previous years in training different generations of the same family, how are you finding it so far?

The dynamic of parent and child has

training. As change begins we can then attack the emotional and mental issues that have been holding the contestants back both individually and as a family.

competitive people. Each of us is more than willing to get in and give it a good nudge to get our contestants over the line. That’s what makes this show fun.

Did the time you spent in the military influence your approach to training your teams on The Biggest Loser?

Does this method of training work for different types of personalities?

This is your third series as a regular trainer on the show, what is it like becoming a bit of a sex symbol amongst your (mostly) female fans in the process?

My military experience plays a significant role in the way I train my contestants.

The method of training that I employ works for all personalities as it calls them out on their excuses.

I believe you are a firm believer in CrossFit Training, what is it and why do believe it is the most effective form of fitness training?

I don’t see myself as what you have described. I love the fact I can help others improve their quality of life and see the possibilities that are out there.

What has been the highlight of the series for you so far, what should audiences look out for?

The CrossFit methodology focuses on improving an individual’s overall conditioning. It calls on individuals to extend their margins of experience and work their weaknesses.

Ultimately The Biggest Loser is a competition, how much competition exists between Shannan, Michelle

THE BIGGEST LOSER 2013 – THE NEXT GENERATION

MEET STEVE WILLIS A.K.A ‘THE COMMANDO’

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brought a whole new mix of emotions and story lines. As a trainer it’s exciting to be a part of helping open up the communication lines between family members and regaining their health.

The parent’s willingness and sheer determination to go above and beyond for their children, regardless of their own fears and anxieties.

How dependent is breaking down the family politics between the generations in helping the contestants successfully change their lives? Will this series of The Biggest Loser focus on just retraining their attitudes to food and fitness or also about working out where their weight issues initially came from?

and yourself as trainers as your approach and styles of training both physically and mentally toward the contestants appear quite different?

The Biggest Loser airs on the Ten Network on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday nights, check your local television guides for screening times, but whatever you do, don’t miss it!

First and foremost it’s the variables that can be controlled, nutrition and

We all have a great friendship and a healthy respect for each other but that said we are

TBL Trainers - Shannan Ponton, Steve Willis & Michelle Bridges

By Tom Elliott Recently on 3AW, the Federal Minister for Financial Services, Bill Shorten, stated that because Australia’s public debt was well below that of many other countries, we as a nation have nothing to worry about in this regard.

Half of what Mr Shorten says is true; at its current level of $267bn, our gross debt to

GDP ratio is just 18%, a figure well below such countries as the USA (where the comparable figure is 110%), Japan (210%) or Germany (90%). As a result, it’s easy for big ‘borrow-and-spend’ politicians to justify continual reaching into the debt cookie barrel for more and more money.

Australia might not have a problem right now, but if our public debt keeps growing at its current pace we soon will. Figures out today show that in the last two-and-a-half years, our debt has grown by 75% - a staggering increase.

If our political masters keep increasing debt at this pace, the cost of servicing the borrowings will soon become onerous. At the current borrowing rate of just 5%, it already

costs the government over $13bn a year just to meet the interest payments on what we owe. This figure could grow to $20bn per annum in another three years if the current expansion of debt continues unabated – and these figures assume that interest rates will stay low indefinitely, which is not an assumption any sensible person should make. $13bn is a lot of money; clearly $20bn is a great deal more. To put these figures into perspective, we could replace all of Australia’s ageing Collins Class submarine fleet with smaller sum of money. Alternatively, we could fund both the Gonski education reforms and the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), programmes that the government says are vital to our future.

Property/ Business / Finance

The true cost of rising Government Debt

Politicians love to spend money because they think it buys them votes. If this is true, then we the voters are collectively stupid and deserve whatever financial consequences lie ahead.

These days, however, I reckon a majority of us have an instinctive understanding that too much debt is rarely a good thing.

Recent surveys suggest that Australian households are forgoing big new spending decisions in favour of paying down the mortgage just in case the economy takes a turn for the worse. People like Bill Shorten should have a close look at the depressed economies of Europe not to convince themselves how great Australia is, but rather to become aware of the consequences associated with excessive debt levels.

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 Tune in and listen to Tom between 3-6pm weekdays on 3AW’s Drive

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Property/ Business / Finance

This cycle will come to an end,

just as those before it...

By Andrew Hewison

Case study:

Recently I attended an investment forum where renowned economist and market commentator Dr Don Stammer shared with the audience a number of key investment principals. One I thought stood out from the rest – Investing is not just a matter of “timing the market”, nor is it a matter of “time in the market”.

It is in fact a matter of “both”.

John has $1,000,000 invested in 50% Australian shares and 50% fixed interest.

During the GCF, his shares fell by 30%, to $350,000, but his fixed interest assets stayed the same. The result – John’s share exposure fell to around 41%, and his fixed interest exposure increased 59%.

His total portfolio value was $850,000.

Amongst his explanation was the key concept that investment markets (property as well as shares) run in cycles. They always have and always will. In the same way that I advised my clients throughout the global financial crisis (GFC), that eventually the market would recover, the principal remains true for this most recent recovery. It will not last forever.

My statement above does not mean I think that the Australian share market is expensive. I still believe there is value, but at some point my clients will be tapped on the shoulder and advised to reduce their exposure to certain companies they are deemed to be over exposed in, or fully priced. That is “timing the market”, better known as “re-balancing”.

What do I mean, “re-balancing”?

Regardless of age or experience, if you operate a portfolio of assets you should have a pre-meditated asset allocation.

That is, the proportion of your assets invested in property, shares, international, fixed interest and cash. In my opinion, the asset allocation should be set according to your personal goals and objectives, as distinct from a ‘risk profile’.

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Your asset allocation, and the investments purchased within it, should be able to weather any financial storm that hits you. You should not have to change your asset allocation mid storm because the current one is not working.

Once you have established it, stick to it!

What did John do?

Many others in John’s position believed the media hype that “it was different this time”, so they sold the rest of their shares and went to cash.

John on the other hand, rebalanced his portfolio. He sold $75,000 from his fixed interest exposure and added it to his share exposure, thus regaining his 50/50 exposure.

What was the result?

By staying true to his asset allocation, John inadvertently sold at the top (fixed interest) and brought at the bottom (Australian shares). Since March 2009, the Australian sharemarket has increased around 44%. He may now be considering taking profits.

I fully expect to be met with the same level of apprehension as was the case in March 2009 when my clients were advised to ‘buy’. Making decisions against the market trend is an emotionally difficult decision to make. My role, amongst others, is to remove the emotion associated with making investment decisions and remind my clients that, this cycle will not last forever.

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 www.hewison.com.au

Culture

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Property/ Business / Finance

BEATING FATIGUE how to fight back!

By Shannah Kennedy – Executive Life Strategist We have the power to change the fatigue we are feeling that has come about from not learning to say no, from poor food and drink choices and the way we are structuring our days.

Adrenal fatigue symptoms can be caused by long term habits which we have the power to change. Taking responsibility for feeling energetic takes a little admission and ownership, a little commitment and just a small amount of planning.

OWN IT Realising that in many cases fatigue and the effects it has on our adrenal system are self inflicted gives the ability to make choice. A choice to decide, do we want to keep feeling like this for the next 10 or so year? Or with some basic changes, I can improve my energy levels at least 50%.

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• Cloudy thinking • Insomnia • Salt and sugar cravings

• Bloating and weight gain • Feelings of depression and anxiety • A need for stimulants and coffee etc to get through the day

they will make a large difference to how your feel, how your day runs, and how your relationships are viewed.

Remember this is for your physical and mental health, both regarded as a critical value for success.

ME After suffering from Chronic Fatigue over 10 years ago which took 4 years to recover from, I am incredibly protective of myself and my fuel tanks. I have a great business to run, a husband and 2 children to care for, friendships to enjoy and I keep quite fit. All it takes is a little planning, a little commitment to the basics, and moderation. Selfpreservation is up to us, and no one else, so it is time to take responsibility for it.

• Frequent headaches • Cough/colds that keep recurring

TIPS FOR IMMEDIATE ACTION: Taking ownership of yourself and being the driver in life and not the passenger is the first step in fighting fatigue!

• Avoid the stimulants, alcohol, caffeine, chocolate • Try not to push yourself so hard • Exercise moderately and have a balanced schedule for this • Avoid white and refined foods and stick to whole foods

Simplify Structure Succeed, The practical toolkit for modern life.

• Drink plenty of water (2 litres) to flush your body and brain

A MUST for every person wishing to live optimally both personally and professionally – your complete guide.

• Take some time for yourself, small snippets during the day is imperative • Introduce some meditation into your day/week These simple small commitments will, yes will change how you feel. They are not many, they are achievable and

Technology Minister Gordon Rich-Phillips announced in March that 120 new high-tech jobs will be created in Victoria, with the expansion of global software company SAP. Speaking in Bangalore while participating in the Victorian Coalition Government’s second India Super Trade Mission, Mr Rich-Phillips said the expansion would include the establishment of SAP’s Mission Control Centre (MCC) in Melbourne.

SAP’s Melbourne MCC will be staffed by up to 20 senior consultants and project directors who will co-ordinate the delivery of services to customers both in Australia and across the Asia-Pacific region. More than 100 additional jobs will also be created to meet SAP’s growing Victorian customer base.

“The Melbourne Mission Control Centre will co-ordinate large-scale software rollouts and SAP India will provide software research and development,” Mr Rich-Phillips said. “This is an exciting development which highlights Victoria’s strengths as a globally connected knowledge economy.”

• Keep a diary of your day, what you eat, how you feel, how your sleep

• Bed by 10pm whenever possible

Global Softwear company expands in Melbourne

Available at www.shannahkennedy.com, grab a copy now to start taking control of your life!

The latest audio and video technology based at the Control Centre will be used to ensure SAP’s local teams and their partners in India can work together to deliver a combined software service to customers in the entire Asia-Pacific region.

SAP is the largest enterprise application software company in the world, with locations in more than 75 countries.

The SAP Mission Control Centre in Melbourne is scheduled to be fully operational by June 2013.

Property/ Business/ Finance 23 APRIL 2013

Mother’s day feature

Mother’s Day

Classic -

Walk or run for breast

cancer research As the largest charity fundraising event in Australia, Mother’s Day Classic (MDC) is the annual event for participants and volunteers to show their commitment and support for breast cancer research.

Held on Sunday 12 May, MDC raises funds for breast cancer research, supports and remembers those touched by breast cancer and starts Mother’s Day in a fun and healthy way.

A national celebration, the Mother’s Day Classic is being held in all capital cities and major metropolitans, and the goal this

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year is to extend to over 60 regional areas.

Families, friends, colleagues, schoolmates, and corporate teams get into the spirit of the day with many sporting fancy dress and an abundance of pink. Many wear tribute cards dedicating their morning to loved ones who have been lost to or are currently fighting breast cancer.

The festival atmosphere is also an opportunity to celebrate the life of survivors and enjoy a fun and healthy morning on Mother’s Day. There is also the opportunity to shop from the new merchandise range,

sponsor friends or if you can’t be there simply make a donation to show your support. Every dollar makes a difference!

Whatever you decide, you will be helping to raise funds for breast cancer research and supporting women with breast cancer.

Whether you walk, run, cheer or volunteer you’re helping to fund essential research - make Mother’s Day a memorable and meaningful day by registering as a participant or volunteer today –

Sunday 12 May, 2013 www.mothersdayclassic.com.au

Property/ Business/ Finance 25 APRIL 2013

MOTHER’S DAY GIFT GUIDE

R’S DAY

MOTHER’S DAY MOTHER’S DAY MOTHER’S DAY MOTHER’S DAY MOTHER’S DAY MOTHER’S DAY

Pamper Mum with Guinot

The New MUM5 Just released in pastel colours in time for Mother’s Day, the Bosch Styline Kitchen range now includes the MUM5 Kitchen Machine in Miracle Blue and Yellow Passion. Complemented by silver and chrome trims, appealing to both classic and contemporary kitchens, each comes with a stainless steel bowl and accessories, including a fitted lid, continuous shredder, blender, kneading hook, beater, whisk and citrus press.

Who wouldn’t want to receive a beautifully presented Guinot skincare pack which includes four 15ml Age Logic Cellulaire cremes which helps reverse the cellular aging process; Gommage Grand d’Eclat exfoliating creme, Nouvel Eclat exfoliating mask, Hydrazone Corps moisturising body lotion and Lati Hydrazone Corps – a 200ml bottle of the vey luxurious Velvet Skin Body Lotion. Every Mum deserves some time to pamper herself with items from the beautiful Guinot range.

RRP: $178 Stockists: 1300 300 954 or visit www.guinot.com.au

An innovative all-in-one concept, the MUM5 Kitchen Machines shred, blend, knead, beat, whisk, and more with seven speed settings and 900W of power!

RRP: $699 Available at David Jones Bourke St Mall & QV

Light Up Mum’s World These gorgeous tea-light holder gift packs are perfect to light up Mum’s world on Mother’s Day. These beautiful tea light holders are hand-made by burning fimo clay onto glass, once the candle lights up the design illuminates. magmedia.com.au

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RRP: $29.95 Available across Melbourne including Minimax Stockists: 1800 811 598.

For a Sweet Mum – At Home & Away

A Refreshing Tea Break Let’s face it, there are days when the same old tea bag just won’t do…. enter Bag Ladies Tea. This tea is best served up hot, with a dash of humour and a little light-hearted sisterhood. High quality tea from Ceylon, beautifully presented in brightly decorated tins and sachets, each tea bag contains a different insightful and humorous quote about the pleasures, trials and tribulations of being a woman.

For a change from flowers, why not give Mum a sweet surprise with one of the beautiful chocolate bouquets from the Lollipotz range and best of all you can do it all over the phone or via the internet. Deliveries across Melbourne and Australia wide as well as New Zealand. Check out the innovative range of gifts for Mother’s Day. Price Range varies www.lollypotz.com.au

Each tin/sachet contains a quality blend of English Breakfast tea with 100% natural ingredients and no preservatives. Tins contain 25 quality tea bags, Sachets contain 5 tea bags.

RRP: Tins $16.95, Sachets $4.95 Bag Ladies Tea available through David Jones or online at www.hytea.com.au

MOTHER’S DAY MOTHER’S DAY MOTHER’S DAY MOTHER’S DAY MOTHER’S DAY MOTHER’S DAY

MOTHE

Al Dente – Man about the Kitchen Preparing a pasta dish with the family will be easy with the help of Al Dente in the kitchen, a pasta-timer that sings when your pasta is ready to serve! Just pop Al Dente® together with your pasta in your pot and let this kitchen Mafioso battle mushy pasta.

RRP: $29.95 Available at Henry Bucks320 Collins St, Melbourne Call 02 9906 7878 for stockists

MOTHER’S DAY GIFT GUIDE

MOTHER’S DAY MOTHER’S DAY MOTHER’S DAY MOTHER’S DAY MOTHER’S DAY MOTHER’S DAY

MOTHE

Mum’s on the Move

MaxiMUM Relaxation The nights are getting colder and what better way to warm up than to snuggle up with a handmade Pink Blossom Heat Bag which comes with an original design and printed on 100% cotton, backed with a pretty cord fabric and filled with Australian wheat.

RRP: $38.50 Stockist - www.iddybiddyboo.com.au

The DUTCHI 3 is your classic Dutch bike, a sweeping curved frame and refined upright posture make it the elegant choice for trips to the market or just riding down the boulevard. - Durable Hi Tensile steel frame with Chromoly down tube - Shimano NEXUS 3 speed - Tektro dual pivot calliper brakes w/ quick release - 3-piece forged aluminum crank - Double wall alloy rims with stainless steel spokes Genuine leather grips - Mid-century alloy bell & LINUS alloy rear rack Price: $839 Available through Dirt Works Australia Website: www.firstbike.com.au

SINCE 2003

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3000 WELLBEING

The art of giving is a fine art in that it takes a unique person who is willing to give up something of their own for the betterment of others. Sometimes this is a tangible item, money or even our own time that is given to another, to an organisation or to a belief at the willing expense of our own resources.

Giving can be a beautiful and joyous thing when it is given unconditionally and within our limits and yet can be so destructive if it is given conditionally or when we don’t know where to draw the line.

How much giving is too much and how much receiving is too much is entirely subjective and personal to the people and organisations involved.

It can be easy to confuse giving with “giving up” something of our own. We can sometimes feel that we don’t really have anything to give or that what we have to give is not worth giving. Suddenly a simple act becomes a big, stressful thing to contend with rather than something that was always intended to bring both the giver and receiver joy.

This is applicable across other areas too. We’re not just talking about giving to charity here. Ultimately, somewhere in our lives, we are asked to give something of ourselves and often this is in a relationship, friendship,

your relationship with the person you’re giving to and (perhaps most importantly) when giving stops feeling good, then it might be time to recalculate what you’re willing to sacrifice.

Drawing the line need not be an all or nothing feat. Begin by looking for a

The Art of Giving

By Dana Atkin - Professional Kinesiology Practitioner

through work or hobbies. Knowing when to draw the line is essential to our own sense of self and health.

But where do we draw the line? For the interest of giving some tangible guidelines, here’s a simple rule to help you determine if it’s time to start looking at pulling back the reigns: If giving starts costing you more than you can easily afford, if it starts costing you your health, your sanity, your sense of self, your dreams, even

compromise. Often this is a time and life saver because it ensures that you get back to a sense of joy in giving and it gives the other party a chance to not only thank you for your contribution but to see how your giving might be affecting you.

So when it comes to being charitable, how do we deal with the thought of “I don’t really have anything to give” or “what I have to give isn’t good enough”? If your finances do not allow you give a few dollars and your busy work life doesn’t

allow you to donate time then perhaps you could donate a kind thought in the direction of someone who really needs it.

Giving doesn’t have to be an expensive pursuit it just has to be something positive for both the giver and receiver.

When someone is in need, every little bit is of benefit. That said, the smallest most seemingly insignificant gifts often have the most profound effect on the recipient. Never underestimate the power of a kind thought, a smile or even a five-cent piece given with positive intent.

Because much like one of my favourite quotes “A waterfall starts but with one drop” (Bryce Courtenay - The Power of One), a fortune may begin as five cents. A small five-cent piece can be put together with nineteen other five-cent pieces to make a dollar. And every dollar counts.

Dana Atkin is a Professional Kinesiology Practitioner located in Melbourne city and a regular 3000 Melbourne contributing writer.

To ask Dana a question or to make an appointment contact: Melbourne Natural Wellness (03) 9662 1311 dana@mnwc.com.au

Noticing the everyday moments

By Tahlia Mandie – Psychotherapist & Family Counsellor

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I admit, I have been missing a few things lately. Yes, I am one of those people who is often seen ‘doing things’ and floating throughout the day, missing little and special moments. The irony is, the moments I am missing, are the very moments I don’t want to be missing. Everyone tells me, ‘enjoy these precious years’. Of course I am, what mother wouldn’t? But some days I feel like I have missed it entirely.

moments are and how my three year old will soon not be a three year old. I have not been mindful to the moments around me. Even my coffee I look so forward to each morning is sculled down without a moments thought. If I actually sipped it a little more slowly, maybe I would taste it a little more, appreciate it a little more too. Being mindful is slowing down and appreciating these moments; observing and noticing.

I am just seem to be sculling every little thing down around me lately.

I now realise how true these words are. I realise how special the everyday

When I have a spare moment, which isn’t often these days, what do I do?

I go to my phone. I may check my emails, or Facebook, or Twitter or my other social media platforms of communication. I never just sit.

I never just take a breath. Scary in a way that I am literally sabotaging the few moments of peace I have.

So this year, from this moment on, I am taking notice. I am appreciating the everyday moments, capturing them and then blogging and sharing them. Because by sharing them, I hope I can inspire everyone else to capture, notice, be mindful to the little everyday moments around them.

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

Join me #tpfmoments; come inspire me too.

3000 WELLBEING

Five-minute yoga fix

Half Yoga Squat: This pose, done right, will strengthen your legs and buttocks muscles, help stabilise your knees and ankles, and strengthen and flatten your upper back. Again, a really good pose to practice as an antidote to modern life.

By Nadine Fawell and Karen Chow

People often ask us what yoga they can do at home to keep their joints happy and flexible. Our answer?

Do these four moves, which take about five minutes, and you will really feel the difference in your body.

You don’t even need to have yoga experience to do them! Here they are:

Mountain Pose: This is basically just standing upright and practicing good posture. Stand with your feet hip distance apart and parallel to one another (no turning the toes out please).

Dig your big toes into the ground and then imagine you are screwing your heels in towards each other, without actually moving them. If you do this right, you will feel the muscles at the base of your buttocks contracting.

Once you have that happening, start to ease your chin back so that it feels like the back of your neck is lengthening. Ahh, upright.

Feels good, yes? Practicing this pose is wonderful for correcting the hunched posture so many of us have as a result of cars, computers, and sitting too much.

From Mountain Pose, keep your feet hip distance apart, and keep digging your big toes into the ground and encouraging your heels into the ground.

Now, screw your knees out to the sides and bend them just a little, easing your hips back as though you are sitting back very slowly into a chair.

Raise your arms forward with the palms facing down and draw your shoulder blades together. Remember to breathe deeply in and out!

If you only feel work in the fronts of your thighs, but nothing in your butocks, see if you can screw your knees further out to the sides and point your hips further out behind you.

Stay here for as long as you can with comfortable breath.

Cat/Cow Pose: Come to all fours, with your knees under your hips and your hands under your shoulders. If your wrists hurt, you can steeple your fingers or work on fists.

As you inhale, draw your shoulder blades together then stretch your belly towards the floor, looking gently up.

As you exhale, draw your shoulder blades apart, then gently stretch your lower back up to the ceiling. Repeat this movement five or six times to unkink your spine and stretch your belly muscles.

Downward Dog Pose: The famous yoga pose with the silly name. From your Cat/Cow kneeling position, curl your toes under, and as you exhale, lift your hips backwards.

Keep your knees bent so that your spine can straighten out, and stay here for a few breaths, trying to get your hips as high as possible, relaxing your shoulders, and maybe even straightening your legs a little bit as long as you don’t end up hunching your lower back.

If your wrists hurt, you might want to work on your forearms or miss this exercise out.

About the authors: Nadine Fawell and Karen Chow are complete yoga geeks. You can find them in offices all over Melbourne, teaching people poses with silly names and asking them to breathe at the same time. Find out more at yogainmelbourne.com.

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3000’s Kitchen

3000’s BBQ Calamari kitchen with white miso Created by Chef Kota Ogawa - En Izakaya

Food For Thought - a gastronomic journey of taste and discovery Food for Thought is the National Stroke Foundation’s signature foodie fundraising event held annually in Melbourne and Sydney.

The Foundation is celebrating four years of this sensory journey that has raised critical funds for stroke prevention and awareness in Australia. Guests are invited to frock-up and feast on a degustation curated and prepared by a collective of Australian chefs.

Six chefs are set to combine their creative expertise and craft dishes to delight the senses. The event will include a special guest appearance from Richard Ptacnik, Head Chef of Sydney’s iconic Otto Ristorante. Joining Richard in the kitchen are Chefs: • Scott Pickett from Estelle Bar & Kitchen • Mathew Hart from Balgownie Estate • Leigh Power from Gingerboy • Pierrick Boyer from Le Petit Gateau • Paul Stafford from Spice Island Popular foodie, 2012 MasterChef contestant and National Stroke Foundation advocate Alice Zaslavsky will lend a hand guiding guests through this fun-filled sensory journey, with live crosses to chefs in the kitchen. She will be joined by renowned performer, broadcaster and writer Michael Veitch who will lead proceedings as Master of Ceremonies.

Entree - Serves 4

To Make Calamari:

METHOD:

INGREDIENTS:

Cut calamari to bite size, marinate calamari in ginger, sake and light soy for 1-2 hours.

Grill calamari until just cooked, preferably on a grill or a BBQ. If using a pan, make sure that the pan is hot before placing the calamari in. Mix rocket and calamari and white miso sauce. Warm up the soba in hot boiling water for 30 seconds.

400g calamari 15g ginger grated 10ml, sake 5ml, light soy sauce 150g rocket 100g soba noodle

SOBA BROTH: 2 tbsp dashi powder 10ml dark soy sauce 10ml light soy sauce 20ml miring 150ml water

WHITE MISO SAUCE: 100g white miso paste 20ml rice wine vinegar 10ml ponzu (lemon juice can also be used) 20ml mirin 10g sugar 2 tbsp Japanese Mustard (Hot English Mustard can also be used)

TENKASU (tempura crunchies): 50g plain flour Ice cold water Oil for deep frying

To make Tenkasu (tempura crunchies): Mix flour with ice cold water until thin batter consistency.

In a small pot, heat oil to 180C, dip chopstick or a fork in batter and drip the batter into the hot oil. When cooked, scoop the crunchies and drain well on kitchen paper.

To make the white miso sauce: Bring mirin and sugar to boil, then let it cool. Mix white miso, rice wine vinegar, cooked mirin and mustard.

To make the soba broth: Mix all ingredients and then bring to boil.

In a bowl, lay soba noodles and add soba broth to about the halfway mark of the soba noodles.

Place the calamari and rocket on top. Sprinkle Tenkasu (tempura crunchies) on top as a garnish.

Serve whilst warm This recipe is included in ‘Flavours of Urban Melbourne’ a beautifully designed coffee table book that takes readers on a culinary journey throughout Melbourne’s notable eateries.

To make Soba noodles: Cook soba according to instruction on the packet (take 1 minute cooking time off the instruction). Rinse in cold water.

Food for Thought is an opportunity to support the National Stroke Foundation and enjoy a gastronomic journey of taste and discovery.

When: Thursday 2 May - 6:30pm for 7pm start Where: Peninsula, Shed 14, 161 Harbour Esplanade, Docklands Dress: Cocktail Tickets: $220 per ticket, $2,200 table of ten, $3,000 table sponsorship For tickets & event info visit: www.strokefoundation.com.au/foodforthought

‘Flavours of Urban Melbourne’ RRP: $70 available at good book stores & through Smudge Publishing www.smudgepub.com.au

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3000 WELLBEING

In Conversation with Braxton Miles A Drop of Humiliation

By Jane M Hutchinson & Nandita Chakraborty

“One, two, three! Good morning Australia, take one. Roll! Sound! Action!” The first assistant director screamed on top of his lungs. The stage was set and the cameras were rolling. Braxton suddenly panicked and froze. He looked immaculate in his crisp Versace suit. He was struggling to find his inner perfection to match his impressive suit. His mouth was dry as he reached for the glass of water when he heard his name being mentioned.

The sound of hearing his name, Braxton, Braxton Miles, triggered his inner persona and like a flick of a switch his charismatic self began to surface again.

“Today viewers we have the notorious bad boy yet charming Braxton Miles here to talk with us. Hold on to your coffee mugs, this is one interview you don’t want to miss. He is famous and equally controversial. Good morning Braxton and thank you for joining us today’’ “Good morning Celina!” Braxton, on cue, delivered straight down the barrel of the camera one of his charming smiles. His charismatic smile had created quite a bit of stir with women and the gossip columns.

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Braxton knew that today, this interview, this female journalist was not going to be easily allured by his charm and there could be no tricks up his sleeve to match this woman’s ego. From all the fiasco that happened at his brother’s funeral, he knew it was an open field for everything.

The interview had been pre-scripted and Braxton had been briefed about the line of questioning, but he had been around media circles long enough to know that the interview would not go as planned.

“So as we know the recent events have

put you back in the news once again for all the wrong reasons. Are you sorry for what you have done?” Celina asked in a probing journalistic voice.

Braxton lowered his head and then looked straight into the camera, his piercing blue eyes lit up the television screen. “I am truly sorry to have disappointed everyone especially during this time of mourning.

My behaviour was completely unacceptable and I regret what happened that day at my brother’s funeral.” A rehearsed Braxton took a long pause and continued on.

“I do ask that people understand that I too am in mourning and I do apologise. The day of the funeral was one of the most difficult days of my life, do you understand that Celina, it was my brother’s funeral?”

Celina jumped into her next question as she couldn’t find any authenticity in his voice and could sense that Braxton was making his move to take control of the interview.

“Your brother had been such an influential politician, do you think at times you have used your brother’s credibility to excuse your bad behaviour?” Braxton cleared his throat. “No not all, I never used my brother’s position to my advantage or as an excuse for my bad behaviours.”

Celina was getting fired up as she could feel Braxton was getting away from her and taking control. She quickly switched to an interrogating style of interviewing by shooting with one question after another giving Braxton no room to breathe.

“Are you taking help for your anger management?”

The questions continued to come fast and without warning and it was driving him crazy. He struggled to stick to the key messages and the scripted responses he had rehearsed. But that’s the risk

one takes when being controversial and accepting an interview with Celina.

Squared off, sitting upright with eyes locked in on each other, the power struggle between Braxton and Celina was evident in their body language.

“Celina, do you ever come for air? You are a 5th dan black belt interviewer aren’t you now?” Braxton was mocking Celina like this was a daring move. The live audience cracked a few laughs but Celina gave a cold stare at Braxton’s comment. He tried to ease up the situation with a smile again but that didn’t help, in fact it enraged Celina more.

“So Celina returning to your previous questions, no I have never taken advantage of my brother’s position and I want to make this clear once and for all. I am responsible for my actions and I am realistic in understanding that I have a problem and yes my doctor is looking at what help and support I need. I see the headlines, Braxton needs help, Braxton checked into rehab and I acknowledge that I have some issues that I need to deal with. Braxton smiled to show he was in control and to hide his rising temper.

“The first headlines you made were when you were eighteen. Mugshots of you and your girl friend were all across newspapers in Australia and at the time that really didn’t help your brother in the polls. Did it?”

it was becoming difficult for him now not to think about his Zara. The salient point of this anger was not Zara, but their memories, their history together.

“That was such a long time ago and serves no relevance now.” Braxton was firm.

Celina was adamant for an answer, she pressed on with the questions.

Images of Zara in India, the Diwali night and her lying in a pool of blood beside a roadside, her refusing to see him flashed in front of him. He gritted his teeth; the pain of losing her did not matter today more than the mention of her name.

“She has a name damn it! Her name is Zara.” His voice was now very angry. Celina, on the other hand was loving it, every moment of it. She enjoyed poking Braxton’s ego. She did not falter, she pressed on with the same question like a broken record.

Braxton rose up from his chair, the cameras were still rolling to a live audience in the studio and millions of television sets across Australia. Braxton stood up and grabbed the glass of water on the side table and threw the water in Celina’s face.

“Now there’s a headline for you,” said Braxton as he ripped off the microphone from his coat and threw it on the floor and walked off the set. The production manager tried to stop him but he did not care anymore. In the background Braxton could hear Celina saying, “we will take a short commercial break and come back soon.” Then it was all screams, she was screaming and calling Braxton names. “You will pay for this Braxton Miles, you will! Come back and apologise to me.” Braxton slammed the studio door behind him and laughed.

Where did that come from?

Braxton thought in his head.

The next day, Braxton made headlines again and the photo of Braxton throwing water on Celina’s was all over the news.

Zara! He remembered the mugshots as if Celina had just stabbed a dagger not only into his heart but to a past that he was hoping to forget. Sometimes all it takes is a smell of a perfume or a name to be uttered to catapult you back to that nostalgic moment. Braxton’s anger bubbled and churned inside and

All preceding chapters can be found on our MagMedia website www.magmedia.com.au within our past issues.

Docklands Writers welcomes writers from all genres and levels of experience.

For more information please email: Jane.X.Hutchinson@gmail.com

Bookshelf

Book Review by Rebecca Howden

Return to Nim’s Island MOVIE Review by Gordana Andjelic-Davila Return to Nim’s Island is a sequel to the 2008 film Nim’s Island. In the original, Nim (Abigail Beslin), is a girl living on an isolated island with her scientist father (Gerard Butler), and eventually communicates with an agoraphobic author (Jodie Foster) who travels halfway around the globe to help Nim as her island is “invaded” while her father is away, and a fabulous adventure unfolds.

Five years forward, and a teenage Nim still communicates with animals, makes mealworm sandwiches and assists her father in the quest to preserve their island from the outside world.

Appropriately, in this film Nim is played

by Aussie’s own Bindi Irwin, daughter of the late environmentalist and worldfamous “Crocodile Hunter,” Steve Irwin.

Nim’s scientist father (Matthew Lillard), once again leaves his daughter with her animal friends and travels to Queensland to meet with Government authorities to persuade them to protect the secluded island from developers.

While he is away, a handsome teenage boy (Toby Wallace) finds his way to the island, but unfortunately and unbeknownst to him the boat he chartered to bring him to the remote location is owned by poachers, who see this as the perfect opportunity to ransack the island of its exotic animals.

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Thrills and spills ensue, featuring wild animals, cliff climbing (Bindi and Toby performed most of their own stunts) and a message focusing on a collective effort to protect the island and the environment overall is conveyed.

MOVIE REVIEW

Though the storyline is slightly thin and predictable, it’s successful in captivating the full attention of its young target audience. The accompanying adults will not be disappointed either, as they will surely enjoy the striking shots of pristine white sandy beaches and crystal clear underwater scenes.

In real life, Bindi has said that Return to Nim’s Island reflects on her own life, and that she is trying to carry on in her dad’s footsteps, to make sure his message never dies; she is definitely sowing conservationist mindset seeds with this film.

Director: Brendan Maher Production company: Pictures in Paradise Duration: 90mins Rated: G Main cast: Bindi Irwin, Toby Wallace, Matthew Lillard, John Waters, Nathan Derrick Melbourne Release Date: 4 April

‘Indiscretion’ by Charles Dubow Indiscretion is a sensuous and absorbing novel about desire, human folly and love in all its permutations. Set against the alluring backdrops of the Hamptons, Manhattan, Rome and Paris, debut novelist Charles Dubow tells the story of the splintering of a seemingly perfect marriage, in an engaging beach read that blends the dramatic and the familiar.

The novel centres around Harry and Maddy Winslow, a glamorous and wealthy couple in their forties. They have an effortlessly charmed life, wrapped in a dazzling sheen of beauty, elegance and generosity that places them perpetually at the centre of their wide group of friends. He is a National Book Award winning author; she is sublimely beautiful, with a graceful humility and a talent for cooking delicious gourmet food for their frequent party guests. There is a natural ease between them, a comfortable love that has never been questioned. They capture the attention of every room they enter; everyone they meet places them on a pedestal.

There are whispers of F Scott Fitzgerald’s Tender is the Night when the couple meets Claire, a pretty, winsome 26-year-old, during an idyllic summer at their Hamptons cottage. Like most people, Claire is immediately enamoured with the beautiful couple, and they are quickly charmed by her youthful naiviety and energetic ambition.

She is adopted into their inner circle, and the summer passes in a perfect series of parties, barbecues and tennis matches.

3000’S BOOKSHELF

3000’s

But by the end of the summer, when she learns that Harry and Maddy are heading to Rome for a year, it’s no longer enough for her to simply be part of their orbit.

“Like those born without money, those born without love want it all the more,” Dubow writes. “It becomes the great solution, the answer to all problems.”

From the opening sections of the book, it’s no surprise that this is heading towards an affair. What’s interesting is the raw and authentic way that Dubow renders the utter banality of the betrayal, the senselessness with which Harry gambles with the things he loves. “Did you think you were too special to live by the same rules as everyone else?” an angry friend asks Harry. “It wasn’t enough to be a successful writer and father with friends who loved you? With a wife who adored you?” Dubow explores a particular kind of discontentment, an “innate greediness” within the human condition that pushes us to find “activity to distract ourselves from ourselves… to alter our lives and risk losing everything we already had.”

It’s a familiar story about having everything one could ever want, but somehow yearning for something more anyway.

Interestingly, the story is narrated by a peripheral character, one whose own background is deliberately left quite vague.

Walter has been friends with Maddy since childhood and remains close to the couple, a quiet and dependable cornerstone of their friendship group. From his outsider’s vantage point, Walter pieces together the story from things he has observed, things he discovers later on, and things he imagines. This narrative device doesn’t always feel natural or believable, but it nevertheless creates an interesting filter, allowing us insight into the characters’ inner lives but holding them at arms length, so that we experience the story with a compelling blend of intimacy and distance.

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