3000 Melbourne Magazine ISSUE 98 March 2015

DIRTY DANCING THE CLASSIC STORY ON STAGE

BEHIND THE SEAMS VIRGIN AUSTRALIA MELBOURNE FASHION FESTIVAL

TIME FOR A LAUGH MELBOURNE INTERNATIONAL COMEDY FESTIVAL

MEGA TICKET GIVEAWAY WIN TICKETS TO THE HOTTEST EVENTS IN TOWN MARCH 2015

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MARVELLOUS MOOMBA NATION’S BIGGEST FREE FESTIVAL

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Susan Riley {susanr@magmedia.com.au} William Rowe {williamr@magmedia.com.au}

all the sporting and cultural events happening over the next 31 days.

The Moomba Festival – Australia’s biggest free cultural festival – is on again this month. The monarchs have been crowned and the Birdman Rally entrants ready to fly. The festival program is jam-packed with activities for all ages.

editor Chelsea Arnold {editor@magmedia.com.au}

magazine enquiries {enquiries@magmedia.com.au}

design Susan de Kretser - Smith & Rowe {susandk@smithandrowe.com.au}

advertising Paul Andrew - Lorcy Media for MagMedia {lorcymedia@bigpond.com}

cover image 2015 Moomba Monarchs

contributing writers Jonathan Green, Tahlia Mandie, Janine Phillips, Suzana Talevski.

This magazine has a distribution of 14,000 copies throughout Melbourne CBD, Docklands, parts of Southbank and rotating through South Melbourne and surrounding areas with a readership of approximately 40,000. If you would like to stock 3000Melbourne at your place of business please email Chelsea at editor@magmedia.com.au

I don’t know about you but my social calendar this month is absolutely full.

I’m almost at the point where I am struggling to find time to fit in a quick session at the gym let alone spend some decent quality time with my children in between engagements.

Like many Melburnians, I do love good food and good wine, so I was grateful for the opportunity to chat to Melbourne’s best chef, Andrew McConnell, who is involved in a feast for the senses during the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival. In a one-of-akind event, McConnell is working with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra to complement his menu with music.

I’m sure I’ve said it before but March in Melbourne really is my favourite time of year. March is events month and really does show our great city at its very best – the best food and wine, the best local fashion not to mention

Another reason I love March is for the Virgin Australia Melbourne Fashion Festival. I love the fact you can watch a runway show and then hit the shops the very next day and buy the same designer outfits that adorned the models the

EDITOR'S LETTER

IN THIS ISSUE published by

Magmedia Pty Ltd ABN 69 118 720 960, Registered Office: 25 Northumberland St, Collingwood VIC 3066 Ph: (03) 8506 9908 Fax: (03) 9525 3944 3000melbourne welcomes any contributions from our readers. Please send any material to Chelsea at editor@magmedia.com.au.

3000melbourne is a free publication and is distributed through selected outlets. Views expressed in 3000melbourne do not necessarily represent the opinions of the editor or publisher. No responsibility is accepted by 3000melbourne for the accuracy of the advertisements or information within the publication. All material forwarded to the magazine will be assumed intended for publication unless clearly labelled “Not for publication”. After two calendar months uncollected prizes will be claimed by 3000melbourne and may be re-drawn. No part of this publication may be recorded, stored in a retrieval system or reproduced in any form without permission of The Publisher. The Publisher assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions in this publication. The opinions in this publication do not necessarily represent the views of The Publisher.

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What’s on in March

Melbourne International Comedy Festival

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night before – cash flow permitting, of course. It’s a week of fabulousness and CEO Graeme Lewsey’s shares with 3000 Melbourne readers some of his fashion trend tips for Autumn/Winter 2015.

Cult 80s movie Dirty Dancing returns to the stage at Princess Theatre this month. I was almost a little ashamed to admit it to the show’s leading lady, Kirby Burgess, but I’ve never actually watched the original motion picture. For Burgess, it’s a life’s dream to be cast as Baby.

And if that’s not enough, this month we’re giving away tickets to the Formula 1 Grand Prix, Dirty Dancing and a handful of shows at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.

Chelsea Arnold editor@magmedia.com.au

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Melbourne Fashion Festival highlights

Miss Meaningful

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Dirty Dancing - the musical

Office Rant

CONTENTS

publishers

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CONGRATULATIONS TO THE WINNERS OF OUR FEB COMPETITIONS: Shelley Barrett • Janae Houghton • Lauren Purdey

www.magmedia.com.au

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MELBOURNE INTERNATIONAL COFFEE EXPO 2

DANCE MASSIVE 2015 Dance Massive, now in its fourth year, brings more than 40 curated dance shows, events and activities over 13 days, including a number of bold new works, workshops, networking opportunities and special events.

The program will introduce new ways of thinking about contemporary dance. One of the highlights of the program is the world premiere of Motion Picture. Motion Picture takes the 1950 film noir classic D.O.A. as a choreographic score to explore the tensions between live performance and cinema. The film opens with Frank Bigelow, a small-town everyman, reporting his own murder. On stage, the dancers are viewers and protagonists, using the cinematic elements as motivations for movement. The transference of information from one medium to another creates a physicalised abstraction of the moody aesthetic of film noir.

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KISS ME ONCE Kylie Minogue continues to prove time and time again that she is one of Australia’s favourite daughters. Following the huge success of the Kiss Me Once tour across the UK and Europe, Kylie returns once again to the live stage this March. With Right Here, Right Now - Kylie’s new collaboration with the Godfather of Disco, Giorgio Moroder currently hitting the airwaves, catch up with the Princess of Pop for an unforgettable night of singing and dancing.

When: Wednesday, 18 March Time: 8pm Where: Rod Laver Arena Tickets: from $110 Bookings: www.ticketek.com.au

Melbourne residents have the opportunity to get up-close to a selection of the stunning costumes from TOTEM, the awe-inspiring Cirque du Soleil production playing under the Big Top at Flemington Racecourse.

The exhibition of six costumes from TOTEM represent the wonderful work of Australia’s own Kym Barrett, the TOTEM costume designer best known for her work in films including Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo + Juliet, The Matrix series and Jupiter Ascending, set for release on February 19, starring Mila Kunis and Channing Tatum.

When: 5-23 March Where: Southgate, Level 1 Mezzanine Cost: Free

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When: 10 – 22 March When: Arts House, North Melbourne Town Hall, 521 Queensberry Street, North Melbourne.

Bookings: artshouse.com.au Details: www.dancemassive.com.au

When: 13-15 March Where: Melbourne Showgrounds, Flemington Tickets: From $25 Details: internationalcoffeeexpo.com

CIRQUE DU SOLEIL EXHIBITION ch 18 Mar

Photo: Jeff Busby

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The annual Melbourne International Coffee Expo (MICE), has grown to become Australasia’s leading coffee exposition, attracting industry professionals and coffee lovers from around the world. More than 100 exhibitors, including an exciting list of coffee roasters, green bean traders, machine manufacturers and distributors, equipment providers, and coffee educators, will be on-site.

Visitors can engage with exhibitors in free workshops at various stands, one-on-one demonstrations from Melbourne’s best baristas at the Sensory Lab Brew Bar, powered by Huhtamaki, and taste world-class specialty coffee, tea, and treats.

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8 When: Wednesday 18 March Where: RACV City Club, Level 2, Club Pavilion, 501 Bourke Street Time: 7.30am breakfast, 9-10am workshop Cost: $70 breakfast, $90 breakfast and workshop.

Bookings: www.melbournebusinessnetwork.org.au

When: Friday 27 March Where: Hamer Hall, Arts Centre Melbourne Tickets: Silver $69, Gold $99 Bookings: 1300 136 166 or ticketmaster.com

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Research suggests that it’s building on your strengths - not fixing your weaknesses - that holds the key to feeling more confident having more energy, and being more successful at work. Want to discover when you’re at your best? This workshop, building on the latest research in positive psychology and neuroscience, will help you understand when you underplay, overplay and get your strengths just right at work; and create a plan for the next 12 months to help you develop your strengths each day to achieve the results you’re longing for.

TRANSITIONS FILM FESTIVAL MELBOURNE Transitions Film Festival is a visionary festival dedicated to showcasing the artistic visions, technological innovations and heroic characters that are leading the way to a better world. The festival, covering topics such as social and technological innovation, renewable energy, community empowerment, eco-architecture, collaborative consumption, global movements, ecological economics and consciousness, aims to inspire audiences with stories of hope, resilience and action.

Screenings feature special guest introductions, live artistic performances and post-film discussions with local and international thought leaders. This year’s festival is screening at Testing Grounds, Federation Square Cinema Nova, Shebeen and Argyle Square and includes a mix of free and ticketed events.

When: Until 6 March Where: Various locations Details: www.transitionsfilmfestival.com

When: Wednesday 25 March to Sunday 29 March Where: Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens Tickets: RACV at http://bit.ly/mifgs15 or RACV HolidayLine on 13 13 29.

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MELBOURNE BUSINESS NETWORK BREAKFAST

To celebrate the release of their number one Australian country music album Great Women Of Country And The Songs That Made Them, Melinda Schneider and Beccy Cole will bring their classic sound to the stage this month. All 22 tracks from the album will be performed live, including such classics as Stand By Your Man, I Will Always Love You, Blue Bayou, D.I.V.O.R.C.E., and of course, the first single off the album, 9 to 5.

The heritage-listed Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens will come into bloom to celebrate the 20th year of the Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show. The five-day event features world-class landscape designs and floral exhibits. Leading Australian and international florists will create a range of interactive and memorable floral displays, transforming the hall into a floral wonderland in full bloom. There will be workshops and presentations on the live stage, treating audiences to an insight in to how to achieve great floral artistry. A variety of other sights and activities make this a fun and affordable day out for the whole family.

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MELINDA SCHNEIDER AND BECCY COLE

MELBOURNE INTERNATIONAL FLOWER & GARDEN SHOW

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LITTLE GUYS that do BIG THINGS Design and development of quality eCommerce and brochure websites, without the ego. Look out for our new website, coming soon...

MARCH 2015

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MAKING A MEAL OUT OF THE MUSIC

BY CHELSEA ARNOLD

YOU’D THINK CREATING A MENU WOULD BE AS EASY AS BOILING AN EGG FOR MELBOURNE’S BEST CHEF, ANDREW MCCONNELL. But there’s one menu that’s proving a pleasant creative challenge for McConnell and his team at two-hatted Cutler & Co. McConnell, last year named Melbourne Chef of the Year by the Good Food Guide – an accolade he has been awarded three times no less, is enjoying the challenge of working with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra (MSO) to “curate” a menu for The Creators event this month as part of the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival.

McConnell is creating a menu inspired by the music to be performed by the MSO as part of the dining event.

Seventy-five diners will experience the unique bond between musicians and chefs which goes further than the late nights they work, the reviews and the public performance.

“I think it’s really quite interesting. One thing for sure is that it will be quite different to anything diners have ever been to before. It will be a very intimate event with the performers part of the restaurant,” McConnell said “We’ve started a dialogue about how we’re going to approach the menu. It is a curated menu, five courses with matching wine. There will be musical performances throughout the night. When they arrive there may be a three or four-piece jazz band playing, which will be quite lively. We will look at paring some canapés with this that will awaken the palate. magmedia.com.au

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“What I am enjoying about working with the MSO is considering the menu and structure from a different viewpoint. Generally produce dictates the menu in my restaurants but with this event we are looking at our menus from a different perspective and pairing it to the music

that will be played throughout the evening. I am learning a lot from the creativity of it.”

McConnell has dedicated the past 20 years to the kitchen, opening his first restaurant in 2001. He is the name behind Melbourne institutions Cumulus Inc, Cumulus Up, Cutler & Co, Luxembourg, the Builders Arms Hotel and the more recently opened Supernormal.

“It’s a pretty exciting food scene in Melbourne.

There are so many things that make the city great. I like to think that Melbourne’s food is one element of the fabric that makes a city great.

“One other thing about Melbourne is that we have a receptive dining industry. People are open to trying new things. I base my ideas for new dishes on all my own needs. I like to cook the things I’m looking to eat right now. It’s not a guess, it’s talking and listening to people who I work with at the markets and being guided by their knowledge of their produce.

“I don’t have one particular style or flavour. I enjoy the creative process. I enjoy collaborating with my head chefs in the evolution of a menu.

We like to explore, improve and generally get better at what we offer our customers.”

For more information on this and others events at the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival visit www.melbournefoodandwine.com.au

THE CREATORS When: Monday 2 March Time: 6.30-10.30pm Where: Cutler & Co, 55-57 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy Tickets: $300

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MAIN ARENA The Main Arena, the entertainment hotspot and heart of the Moomba site, will stage music and cultural performances on Saturday, Sunday and Monday, until 9.30pm each evening with fireworks displays. Performers include five-piece party band, The Brow; Triple J Unearthed winners, The John Steel Singers; and high-energy Melbournebased five-piece band, Perch Creek.

THE GREEN

MONARCHS PUT MOOMBA IN A SPIN SPIN KING SHANE WARNE AND BOLLYWOOD ROYALTY PALLAVI SHARDA HAVE BEEN CROWNED MONARCHS OF A DIFFERENT KIND. The pair have been named King and Queen of Moomba, Australia’s largest free community festival.

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More than one million visitors are expected to flock to Birrarung Marr and Alexandra Gardens from 6 to 9 March for the City of Melbourne’s iconic event.

In keeping with tradition, the Moomba Monarchs will appear among the colour

and movement of the timehonoured Moomba Parade on Monday 9 March.

Melbourne Lord Mayor Robert Doyle said Moomba is a must-do for the Labour Day long weekend.

“The Moomba Festival program is bigger than ever this year with local music talent, world-class athletes and a wide range of free shows and activities for all ages,” Cr Doyle said.

“I’m delighted to announce Shane Warne and Pallavi Sharda as this year’s Moomba Monarchs: two born and bred

Melburnians who are internationally renowned in their professions.

“Moomba is a festival truly unique to Melbourne which celebrates our diverse cultural identity and extraordinary local talent.” Moomba 2015 will be held across five precincts on the banks of the Yarra River at Birrarung Marr and Alexandra Gardens.

Moomba’s Main Arena will play host to headline acts including iconic Australian bands Jebediah, You Am I and the Hoodoo Gurus, plus an array of incredible Australian music talent.

Festival favourite the Birdman Rally will be back as well as a new addition to the Moomba site, The Green, which will be home to the FReeZA Push Start Battle of the Bands.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION AND THE FULL PROGRAM OF EVENTS VISIT MELBOURNE.VIC.GOV.AU/MOOMBA

Step into Moomba’s newest precinct, The Green. Home to The Push Stage, find sanctuary on the lush green lawn shaded with elm trees while enjoying free music.

KIDS ZONE Daily shows from Australia’s oldest circus family, Ashton’s Circus, will headline the Kids Zone. Free workshops and activities will also be on offer, including face-painting, mini golf, lawn bowls, drumming, music, puppetry and craft making. Plus, this year the Kids Zone will play host to a Disney Zone.

SKATE PARK Realise new skills at the ramp with daily scoot, skate and BMX clinics, demos and competitions. Plus, watch experienced skaters, scooters and BMX riders compete across the weekend. All equipment is provided, and all clinics are free.

RIVER This year the Moomba Masters Championship becomes the first stop in the Nautique Wake Series. The nightly River program will run under lights with the Men’s Wakeboarding, followed by the Men’s and Women’s Night Jump. For the first time, the Moomba Masters will include Women’s Wakeboarding.

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BEHIND THE SEAMS OF THE FASHION FESTIVAL

BY CHELSEA ARNROLD Elongated shapes, striking silhouettes and contrasting textures are some of the key trends showing at the Virgin Australia Melbourne Fashion Festival (VAMFF).

VAMFF Chief Executive Officer Graeme Lewsey said the trends for Autumn/Winter 2015 are exciting for Melbourne fashionistas. “This season it’s all about really coming up with different shapes and textural changes - knits with feathers and leather,” Lewsey said.

“Our philosophy is that there is something for everyone. We’re really focusing on diversity. We really invite everyone to come along and get involved. The festival celebrates curvy couture, Indigenous fashion and there’s even something for the seniors.

PREMIUM RUNWAY 1 - 7pm Monday 16 March Bassike, CAMILLA AND MARC, Dion Lee, Être Cécile, Scanlan Theodore, TOME

“There’s so much to learn about fashion. People leave the festival excited about wanting to try different things with their wardrobes. And the beauty is that people can go out and buy the clothes straight away.”

More than 100 Australian and international designers will be in town for the week-long event from 14 to

22 March. “The theme of this year’s festival is ‘Get Close’,” Lewsey said. “It’s a substantial program and there are literally hundreds of events. We have 25 runway shows, the cultural program with more than 8o events and then there are the business events.

“It really is a phenomenal event. It’s been 18 months in the making and does celebrate the best of the best.”

The runway shows are a highlight of the festival each year. Favourites Alex Perry, bassike, búl, CAMILLA AND MARC, Ginger & Smart, Gorman, Scanlan Theodore and Yeojin Bae will again be showing their wares, while Dion Lee, Manning Cartell and White Suede will make a comeback after being absent from last year’s line-up.

VIRGIN AUSTRALIA MELBOURNE FASHION FESTIVAL WHEN: 14 - 22 March 2015 WHERE: Premium Runway shows at Peninsula Central Pier DETAILS: www.vamff.com.au

PREMIUM RUNWAY 2 - 9.30pm Monday 16 March ALPHA60, búl, Gorman, KLOKE, Kuwaii, Limedrop

PREMIUM RUNWAY 3 - 7pm Tuesday 17 March Bianca Spender, Dion Lee II, Ginger & Smart, LIFEwithBIRD, Manning Cartell

PREMIUM RUNWAY 4 - 9.30pm Tuesday 17 March Akin by Ginger & Smart, Alice McCALL, Keepsake, Shakuhachi, White Suede

PREMIUM RUNWAY 5 - 7pm Wednesday 18 March Alex Perry, Carla Zampatti, Christopher Esber, Martin Grant, Yeojin Bae

PREMIUM RUNWAY 6 - 9.30pm Wednesday 18 March Cameo, The Fifth Label, Finders Keepers, Shona Joy, Wild.Horses

PREMIUM RUNWAY 7 - 7pm Friday 20 March Arthur Galan (AG), Aurelio Costarella, CAMILLA, Macgraw, Thurley, Trelise Cooper MARCH 2015

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VALENTINE'S DAY!

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HOME SOUGHT FOR NATIONAL COMEDY COLLECTION

RACES INTO MELBOURNE GET BEHIND AUSTRALIAN FORMULA 1 SUPERSTAR DANIEL RICCIARDO AND GIVE HIM THE HOME CROWD ADVANTAGE WHEN HE TAKES TO THE ALBERT PARK TRACK FOR THE 2015 FORMULA 1 ROLEX AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX. ONE O F

OUR F 2 D OUB -DA ADM Y GENE LE IS R PAS SION AL SES

Legendary Australian comedian, Pete Crofts whose protégés include some of Melbourne’s top performers along the likes of Elliot Goblet and Russell Gilbert, is looking for a home for his lifetime collection of humour, comedy and laughter resources.

With one fundraiser under his belt already – a night of fun and laughter at North Melbourne’s The Comic’s Lounge, Crofts is on his way to realising his dream and creating the Australian Institute of Comedy (AIC).

In under a year, he’s taken the circuit by storm with his wheel-to-wheel racing and remarkable results; earning the respect of former champions and the biggest names in Formula 1 today.

The down-to-earth hero has exceeded expectations and risen to every challenge so far. Will he win on home soil? Be there to see for yourself.This year’s event marks two decades of Formula 1 in Melbourne.

The first race of the season will see Sebastian Vettel’s debut appearance for Ferrari and the return of Honda engines to Formula 1. Feel the electricity in the air as the biggest names in Formula 1 battle it out for the top spot on the podium.

With plenty of action and entertainment on and off the track, don’t miss the unforgettable experience of the 2015 Formula 1 Rolex Australian Grand Prix.

There’s tickets and hospitality packages to suit all Formula 1 enthusiasts from general admission, grandstand and premium zone tickets to fully catered hospitality package options.

WHAT: The 2015 Formula 1 Rolex Australian Grand Prix WHEN: 12-15 March WHERE: Albert Park TICKETS: Sunday general admission tickets from $79, four-day general admission tickets from $149.

BOOKINGS: www.grandprix.com.au

The non-profit AIC will be the ‘go-to-hub’ for all things comedy and Aussie humour, featuring more than 30,000 humour-related books and 3,000 comedy records, paraphernalia and memorabilia.

Crofts said the AIC will be a “national cultural treasure” for Australian comedy.

“As well as being a home to comedy greatness, the AIC will continue to build what will be a legacy from my own vast collection of 50 years, and will provide comedy training, seminars, humour in business courses, presentation skills training and much more,” he said.

Crofts is widely credited as the pioneer behind the first humour festival at the University of Melbourne in the

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early 80s, which developed into what is today known as the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.

His passion is to have a home for the biggest space of fun, laughter and entertainment that is open to the public and will be held close to the heart of Australian comedy.

“The immersive experience of being surrounded by physical comedic resources and bodies is a key element of the AIC. Its ability to educate and fulfil its purpose and its value to future Australians is my greatest desire,” he said.

“No landmark like this exists in Melbourne and as a country where laughter and jokes are a significant part of everyday culture, the AIC will fill a wonderful gap solidifying Australia’s part in comedic history and all the comedy greats who have graced the stage, tv screens and the airwaves. “ If you know of a premises in the CBD or Docklands that the AIC could utilise from June this year, please show your support and contact Crofts at petec@humourversity.com.au or visit www.facebook.com/ AustralianInstituteOfComedy

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CLASSIC STORY ON STAGE Many teenage girls have dreamed of a holiday romance like Frances ‘Baby’ Houseman in cult 80s movie, Dirty Dancing.

“I was really happy with my audition but I thought there was no way they would cast me as Baby but I was lucky enough to get a call back.”

And Kirby Burgess is no different.

The role of Baby is Burgess’ first leading role. She has previously been seen on stage in Sweet Charity, An Officer and A Gentleman, Hairspray, High School Musical - Live on Stage and on television in Wonderland.

Ten years after its world premiere in Australia, the worldwide hit stage show Dirty Dancing returns with Burgess playing the lead role of Baby, which she describes as “a dream come true”.

“I grew up with the film and loved it. It has such a cult following. When I was 15 the original show was on in Australia. I loved everything about it. I love the show so much and know the characters so well.

She is joined on stage by Kurt Phelan as charismatic dance teacher Johnny Castle.

Phelan, a NIDA graduate, is an actor, choreographer and writer. His musical theatre credits include Singin’ in the

Rain, Witches of Eastwick, Saturday Night Fever and Priscilla Queen of the Desert.

Set in the summer of 1963, the story revolves around 17-year-old Baby, about to learn some major life lessons in life as well as a thing or two about dancing.

While on holiday with her older sister and parents, Baby shows little interest in the resort activities and instead discovers her own entertainment when she stumbles upon the staff quarters when an all-night dance party is in full swing. Mesmerized by the raunchy dance moves and the pounding rhythms, Baby can’t wait to be part of the scene, especially when she catches sight of Johnny Castle, the resort dance instructor. Baby’s life is about to change forever as she is thrown in at the deep end as Johnny’s leading lady on and off stage with breathtaking consequences.

It is a grueling performance for Burgess who is in all but one scene during the two-hour show but it is on stage that she feels most at home, having been in

the spotlight since the age of three.

The triple-threat singer, actor and dancer concedes playing Baby has been an eye-opening experience.

“Growing up in Batemans Bay there wasn’t a lot to do nearby so we joined the local theatre. My first role was as a mouse in Cinderella at the age of three.

I’ve never had stage fright. So it’s been eye-opening for me to discover what it would be like to be new to the whole performing thing and to have the spotlight on you. I have never experienced it. You do the most stupid things. It’s the first time Baby has ever danced or been in heels and with make-up on. But it shows how eager she is to learn.”

The show features hit songs, Hungry Eyes, Hey! Baby, Do you Love Me and I’ve had the time of my life.

“It’s such a big production. The dancing is incredible. It’s such a fun night out. If you love the film you will love the show,” Burgess said.

DIRTY DANCING THE MUSICAL

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WHEN: Wednesday-Saturday 8pm, matinees Wednesday 1pm and Saturday at 2pm, Sunday 1pm and 6pm WHERE: Princess Theatre TICKETS:ticketmaster.com.au

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2015 MELBOURNE INTERNATIONAL COMEDY FESTIVAL THEY SAY THAT LAUGHTER IS THE BEST MEDICINE SO DON’T BE FEELING SICK AND SORRY FOR YOURSELF, GET ALONG TO ONE OF THE BIGGEST AND BEST COMEDY FESTIVALS IN THE WORLD, THE MELBOURNE INTERNATIONAL COMEDY FESTIVAL. This year’s festival, from 25 March to 19 April features a line-up of local favourites and newcomers, international stars, popular returns and some exciting Australian premieres.

Iconic buildings, venues, bars and clubs across Melbourne will play host to some of the funniest comics on the planet.

International superstars flying in include the critically acclaimed cranky Yank and 2013 Barry Award winner Rich Hall; Irish megastar Jason Byrne celebrates his 20th year of performing; everyone’s favourite Californian funny man Arj Barker is back; and legendary writer, comedian, tv star and documentary-

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VANITY BITES BACK

EXTRAVA Y A GA AW E NZ V I G A

The UK’s Helen Duff can’t help making light of heavy issues.

Vanity Bites Back is an anarchic comedy about anorexia, attention seeking and finding the freedom to bite back at the stigma surrounding mental illness. A devilishly delicious show that will leave you hungry for more.vv WHERE: The Tuxedo Cat, 17 – 23 Wills Street WHEN: Wednesday 25 March – Sunday 19 April TICKETS: www.comedyfestival.com.au

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maker Ruby Wax returns after an inaugural sell-out season in 2013.

Australian names stepping off the tv screen and onto the stage include Wil Anderson celebrating his 20th year at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival; 2014 Directors’ Choice Award winner Ronny Chieng; Dave Hughes

IMPROVILICIOUS: THE IMPROVISED GUIDE TO HIGH SCHOOL Bring your tweens, teenagers and repressed adolescence to this improlarious,edu-comical, help-errific guide to school bullies, mean girls and tyrannical teachers. It’s improvised comedy created especially for nine to 15-year-olds, and anyone who takes guilty pleasure in High School Musical or Degrassi High.

WHERE: Melbourne Town Hall, Powder Room WHEN: Saturday 28 March – Sunday 12 April TICKETS: www.comedyfestival.com.au

returns following a mammoth tour across Australia; Adam Hills takes a break from the UK for a Melbourne exclusive premiere of his new show; and after terrific success in 2013 when she partnered up with fellow funny lady Denise Scott, Judith Lucy is back in with a brand new solo show.

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ONE O F PASSE 2 DOUBLE S TO T HE 31 MA RCH SHOW

FNC

A few comedians.

A projector. Your phone. It’s FNC and it’s the newest game in town that takes improv to the next level.

Comedians are guided by the audience who, via their smart phones, send in their most outrageous and random suggestions. It’s a fast-paced roller coaster of hilarity as performers are put on the spot time and time again.

WHERE: The Butterfly Club, Carson Place.

WHEN: Thursday 26 March – Saturday 18 April TICKETS: www.comedyfestival.com.au

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PROPERTY/BUSINESS/FINANCE

TOP END REAL ESTATE FANCY LIVING THE HIGH LIFE? WELL, NOW YOU CAN. APARTMENTS IN THE TALLEST RESIDENTIAL BUILDING IN AUSTRALIA ARE UP FOR SALE. Australia 108, towering over its nearest rival, Eureka Tower, offers 1105 luxury apartments at 70 Southbank Boulevard. Upon completion in 2019, the $1 billion development, 319 metres above ground, will be the tallest residential building in the Southern hemisphere.

Australia 108, by Singaporean developer World Class Land Pty Ltd, a subsidiary of Aspial, has been designed by Fender Katsalidis Architects. Aspial CEO Koh Wee Seng said Australia 108 would offer an unparalleled level of luxury to its residents.

“The closer to heaven you get in Australia 108, the more spectacular the living environment – and not just for the views. This is a project we believe is truly cloud-breaking in its luxury, design and amenity.”

CBRE managing director, residential projects, Andrew Leoncelli, said the development was “designed to create a sense of exclusivity for residents on the upper levels and cater for the privacy these purchasers crave”.

“It is complemented by a never-before-seen level of design in the lower level Sky Rise apartments, which set them apart from anything that has been offered to the Australian market before.”

The building’s exclusive Star Club enclave devoted to health, wellbeing and entertaining is contained in the building’s striking external starburst feature, which visually perforates the tower’s curvaceous façade at level 70, or 210 metres above ground.

Within this two-storey starburst will sit the majority of the building’s record 3000m2 of communal space, divided into two realms to provide premium owners with privacy.

The two highest swimming spots in Australia will be contained in spectacular double height spaces. The infinity pools set against floor-toceiling glass give swimmers a view of either the glittering city skyline or shimmering bay.

GARDEN GLORIFICATION UNVEILED A $13.9 MILLION MAKEOVER WILL ENSURE FITZROY GARDENS CONTINUES TO ATTRACT MORE THAN 2.5 MILLION VISITORS EACH YEAR. The four-year redevelopment by the City of Melbourne includes: • Installation of a five million-litre underground stormwater tank. magmedia.com.au

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• A new visitor centre and 80 seat café run by KereKere Green.

• Reconstruction of an original creek line at the southern end of the gardens.

• Planting of more than 150

shrubs and ferns, 45 new trees, and 500 ground covers.

• A new works depot for Fitzroy, Treasury and other city gardens.

Melbourne Lord Mayor Robert Doyle said Fitzroy Gardens was a favourite amongst locals and visitors.

“This multi-million dollar redevelopment means they will continue to enjoy green parklands with excellent visitor facilities for generations to come,” Cr Doyle said.

The stormwater harvesting and re-use system will preserve heritage sites while future-proofing the gardens from the impact of climate change.

“Visitors will notice new lawns and better views of Cooks’ Cottage, but what they won’t see is a sophisticated underground stormwater tank that is securing the water supply for these 167-year-old Gardens,” he said.

“The stormwater tank is twice the size of an Olympic swimming pool and provides half the annual watering needs of the gardens.

“It will save 59 million litres of potable water each year to keep the gardens lush and green.”

The visitor centre provides a base for programs and walks in the 26

hectare gardens, and includes merchandise and ticket sales for Cooks’ Cottage and free wi-fi.

“The more than 2.5 million people who visit the gardens every year can now access interactive displays on Cooks’ Cottage, as well as information on things to see and do in Melbourne.”

Fitzroy Gardens include some of Melbourne’s oldest and most magnificent trees, the Scarred Tree, the Fairies’ Tree, the River God fountain, the Tudor Village and the impressive floral displays at the Conservatory.

PROPERTY/BUSINESS/FINANCE

A LANDMARK FOR DOCKLANDS RESIDENTS, WORKERS AND VISITORS ARE ENJOYING THE RECENTLY OPENED $3.1 MILLION PUBLIC SCULPTURE PARK IN THE HEART OF DOCKLANDS. Monument Park, Australia’s first capital city public sculpture park, features the work of internationally acclaimed Melbourne artist, Callum Morton.

The park is MAB’s latest integrated art and landscape project at NewQuay, Docklands and is the first of six public spaces being created in NewQuay over the next five years.

The collaborative project between Mr Morton, award-winning McBride Charles Ryan architects and landscape architects, Oculus, was funded by MAB and Places Victoria.

The park was recently unveiled by Planning Minister Richard Wynne and Andrew and Michael Buxton, founders of MAB Corporation, the company behind its creation.

Monument Park on NewQuay Promenade is a key step in revitalising the NewQuay Docklands precinct. What was once a concrete plaza that people just walked through has been transformed into a space for people to relax, grab a coffee, a bite to eat and enjoy life on the water.

MAB Managing Director Andrew Buxton said Monument Park was designed to complement the distinctive architecture of The Quays apartment project which has been acknowledged with 11 awards within the property, architecture and design industries.

“MAB’s vision is to establish a new benchmark for art, architecture and public spaces in Melbourne. Each member of our design team is a multi-award winner in their own field with whom we collaborated to create a unique space for NewQuay,” Mr Buxton said.

“Monument Park offers an outdoor space with a variety of places to inhabit – in the sculptures, on the lawn, by the water or at a local café.

“Its beauty lies in its evolving nature. By integrating the sculptures with landscaping elements, it provides a new dimension. The park will continue to evolve over time as the trees and plants advance and, through the change of seasons.”

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3000 WELLBEING

CHANGE IS ON THE CARDS THERE WILL BE A LITTLE CHANGE HAPPENING HERE FROM NOW ON. I am still me; mother, wife, parenting blogger, expsychotherapist and, of course, coffee and wine lover. However, I am adding a new dimension to myself: entrepreneur, co-founder and CEO. You see, over the past 18 months I have been creating my own startup and business, Congoe. While being a writer

and being a part of the blogosphere, I have come to learn about the amazing connections and opportunities people create online. Forming business opportunities does not just happen face-to-face anymore. My husband and business partner has more than 15 years in the events industry, creating business and network opportunities for people every day. So we thought, what if there was a better way to meet the people you didn’t know you needed to meet at the events you attend? Thus, Congoe was born.

This year, we are taking Congoe to a whole new level of collaborative

opportunity. I am no longer practicing psychotherapy and my blog writing is happening at a more infrequent rate these days. I want to be a leader and inspire other young people and women to follow their dreams, passions and aspire to do something different. I am experiencing many highs, lows, challenges and upheavals, but this journey so far is extraordinary. I wouldn’t change a thing.

So this little column too will be changing focus with a new angle and a new dimension. You are a part of my journey. Keep reading this space.

Tahlia Mandie is an ex-psychotherapist turned entrepreneur and co-founder of Congoe. You’ll also find her parenting her two young children and enjoying her cup of coffee. Follow her at @tahliamandie or congoe.com

YOUR INJURY MAY BE THE BEST THE THING THAT EVER HAPPENED TO YOU

BY SUZANA TALEVSKI –

TELEVISION FITNESS PRESENTER AND INSTRUCTOR Albert Einstein: “In the middle of every difficulty lies opportunity.”

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One minute you’re jumping your way into a new day and the next you’re sidelined with an injury that appears to take forever to heal.

Each day away from the activity you love appears to be a draining and soul

destroying experience. But here’s a new way to look at injuries.

What if we looked at injuries as an opportunity to train differently? To get better at something completely different.

An injury makes you slow down, contemplate where you are in your training and re-examine your goals. In addition, a forced break from your routine gives you a chance to try new things. The break, although involuntary, can offer critical rest away from the sport and may offer a fresh perspective upon returning.

For example, if you have a lower body injury this is a perfect opportunity for you to work on the upper body and maximising your strength there.

An injury doesn’t mean you have to stop exercising, it simply means excising differently.

The important thing is to protect the injured area until it is fully healed, while training the rest of your body as normal.

Sticking to your training plan regardless of how you feel is a common mistake that often leads to injury. The body has a threshold for how much exertion it can handle.

Many have found that through injury they discover new ways of training that they keep up with even after the injury has healed.

Cross training for example helps maintain endurance, burn calories, and stay sane while sidelined.

Swapping the gym for the pool may be challenging in the beginning but it is a great strength and endurance-based activity.

Let’s face it; injuries can be a total bummer, but research suggests that maintaining a positive, upbeat attitude when injured or rehabbing can help speed up the healing process.

So instead of looking at your injury as bad luck, or as an obstacle, think of it as an opportunity to work on and improve a weaker body part while the injured parts heal up.

It always pays to look on the bright side, so even if you are injured, stay positive and you can still make progress, even while injured.

THE SONG ‘I AM WOMAN’ WAS RELEASED IN MAY 1972.

WRITTEN BY HELEN REDDY AND SINGER-SONGWRITER RAY BURTON, THIS SONG WAS PERFORMED BY REDDY WHO WAS OFFERING A VOICE FOR WOMEN OF THE TIME.

Helen shares in her YouTube video; “It was the first song I ever wrote that became a hit. It was my first number one. And the United Nations declared 1975 as International Women’s Year, and they have chosen this song to be their theme.”

A true prediction of what a woman, and any person for that matter, can achieve.

As the song says, “If I had to I can do anything. I am strong.

I am invincible. I am woman.”

In the 80s a friend of mine, an amazing woman I call Dr Kath, who has achieved more in her 44 years than many, often sang along to a commercial that used this song’s message to represent women’s ability to ‘do anything’… play cricket, work out and be strong.

It was empowering for her and for those around her. To this day, I still remember her singing “I am women, hear me roar” and the feeling that came with it. Yes, I can do anything.

The song composition was the result of Reddy’s search for a song that would express her growing passion for female empowerment. In a 2003 interview in Australia’s Sunday Magazine (published with the Sunday Herald Sun and Sunday Telegraph), she explained: “I couldn’t find any songs that said what I thought being woman was about. I thought about all these strong women in my family who had gotten through the Depression and world wars and drunken, abusive husbands. But there was nothing in music that reflected that.”

Bravo.

You may be wondering why I’m sharing this? Well, it’s International Women’s Day (IWD) on March 8. It’s fitting to remember an empowering message shared through music and used as a theme for International Women’s Year 40 years ago.

IWD is a time to reflect on the progress made but to also continue to call for change and to celebrate acts of courage and determination by ordinary women who have played an extraordinary role in the history of their countries and communities.

In harmony, our 2015 Australian of the Year is Rosie Batty, family violence campaigner, who has felt the true depths of despair only to find the strength to have a voice that makes a meaningful difference.

Both humbling and empowering.

3000 WELLBEING

I AM STRONG. I AM INVINCIBLE. I AM WOMAN.

MISS MEANINGFUL COLUMN JANINE PHILLIPS AKA MISS MEANINGFUL is passionate about philanthropy and business with a love of combining the two living by the motto ‘one devoted person can initiate change’.

MAKE SURE YOU VISIT HER BLOG AT missmeaningful.com.au

This year’s theme for IWD is ‘Equality for women is progress for all’ emphasising how gender equality, empowerment of women, women’s full enjoyment of human rights and the eradication of poverty are essential to economic and social development.

It also stresses the vital role of women as agents of development.

To find out more about International Women’s Day visit www.unwomen.org.au/ international-womens-day If you’d like to hear ‘I Am Woman’ (again) and feel the strength that it invokes, simply visit YouTube and search for I Am Women. And enjoy.

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THE FINAL WORD

JONATHAN GREEN TAKES A CLOSE LOOK AT THE NOT-SO-SERIOUS ISSUES OF THE WORKPLACE.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MUMBLE…

The small workplace was blessed to have a lovely lady on the front desk who organised everything.

She kept a calendar with alerts, and a card was ‘secretly’ sent around for signatures … although … that secrecy really amounted to putting it in blue cardboard envelope with the words ‘birthday card’ emblazoned on the outside.

The business would then pay for a cake and we’d assemble around the corporate meeting room table where a rendition of Happy Birthday would be mumbled out with all the gusto of a teenager at a school assembly.

Dissecting the first-world problems of the office, Jonathan Green lights the candle on birthday celebrations.

I’ve worked in a few different places in my life, and the office birthday celebration has always been a bit awkward. And as a February baby, I’ve just endured another.

Now let me say upfront, while I don’t need some big fanfare I do recognise that a workplace that fails to even recognise a worker’s birthday is a pretty sad place.

The question is … what is the best way to handle it? magmedia.com.au

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As with any good corporate plan, I think the first step is a review, so I’m going to trawl back through my employment history and pick out one small, one medium and one large workforce, and their respective methods.

POSITIVES: Everything organised and no personal cost.

NEGATIVES: The predictability of the cake - there were maybe four in the acceptable price range at the local bakery - and the awkward embarrassment of a small group of reluctant singers did take a little shine off.

VERDICT: The effort was appreciated. 7/10 If we skip to the large company, I can offer up almost the exact opposite. I worked in a place that merged and quickly became so big that every second day seemed to start with song – like we were pledging our allegiance to the Happy Birthday god. This clearly wasn’t going to work, so a strategy was developed where there would be a massive morning tea on the first Monday of the month.

A smorgasbord was put out, and the entire workforce would cram into the kitchen

area waiting for the anointed leader to read out the birthdays for the month.

“Gary? Oh I see you – it’s Gary’s birthday on the fifth. Sharon? There you are – Sharon’s on the 12th. Neil?

Neil’s not in today? Ah well … more cake for me then … ha, ha, ha …”

We would then stuff our faces full, give a knowing nod or tap on the shoulder of the birthday boy or girl, then trudge back to our desks. It was an office procedure based on efficiency. Not even a card. If you knew someone on the roll call you felt bad for them. If you didn’t know anyone in the birthday list, there was a ripping morning tea you could bank on every month.

POSITIVES: An impressive spread of food – good quality, good variety, and the business paid for it all.

Greater numbers in the singing and shared spotlight of multiple birthdays reduced the embarrassment factor.

NEGATIVES: Reading out names on a roll call was deflating at best. No card.

VERDICT: The impersonal approach ruined it. 5/10 To complete the set, let’s review the medium-sized company. Now this was an awkward one. The business was too big for a personalised approach, but not so big as to afford corporate generosity.

As such, it was a simple process with a card ‘secretly’ circulated through the office with the deft hand of a magician, and an assembly in the office for cake and singing.

Here’s the kicker though – because the company was not-for-profit, it was proclaimed that it could not afford to buy everyone a cake, and so we were required to bring our own.

Seriously? You expect me to spend the night before my birthday - or Birthday Eve as it should be known - slaving away in the kitchen for your benefit? You want me to part with my money, on my birthday, so you can celebrate? C’mon …

There were suggestions that it could be massaged a little, so a procedure was developed where you would organise a cake for the next person in the chronological line. Clearly, this system was based on the flawless notion that no one would ever find another job …

“Well, if Michael’s leaving, who’s going to organise my cake? It’s not like Sam should have to do two cakes in a row.”

We went back to bringing our own.

POSITIVES: Good variety of cakes.

Enough staff to hide some of the singing sins and fill out the white space in the birthday card.

NEGATIVES: I’m not sure I will ever get past the notion that I had to bring my own cake.

VERDICT: There are office savings, and then there’s just being tight. 6/10

Got an office gripe of your own?

Email it to jg_green@hotmail.com

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