Melbourne Observer. November 25, 2015

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FOR PETE’S SAKE BRAIN CANCER

● Alan Zavod ■ Australian musician Alan Zaqvod is receiving treatment for brain cancer. The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra will stage a tribute concert to Alan at Hamer Hall on December 20.

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● Rod and Sandy Fraser ■ Ivanhoe Grammar School farewelled its fourth Principal in 100 years at a special function this week. Photos, Page 17.

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● Entertainer Pete Smith has taken over the role of Patron of Mrlbourne community radio station, Golden Days 95.7FM. The Channel 9 personality takes over from Nobby Clark, announced station President Larry James. In 2004 Pete Smith was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia “for service to the community, particularly through voluntary promotional assistance to charitable organisations”.

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Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, November 25, 2015 - Page 7

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Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, November 25, 2015 - Page 9

Showbiz Latest

It’s All About You!

Melbourne

Full Melb. cast named for Observer ‘Matilda The Musical’ In This 140-Page Edition

Long Shots: Santa’s Magical Kingdom ... Page 10 News: Ali McGregor in cabaret ............ Page 11 Yvonne Lawrence: Life and Style .......... Page 12 Melb. Confidential: Assets frozen .......... Page 13 Readers’ Club: Birthdays, Your Stars ..... Page 14 Photos: ‘Survivors’ veterans meet ........ Page 15 Travel and Wine: David Ellis reports ....... Page 16 In The Picture: Ivanhoe farewell ........... Page 17 Gavin Wood: West Hollywood latest ...... Page 19 Kevin Trask: Cameron Mitchell profile ... Page 20 Free Classifieds - Use The Form inside Radio: 3NE rumour Award for Bill Armstrong Country music

‘Survivors’group gathers to tell TV, radio stories

Observer Showbiz Showbiz

PHOTO: ASH LONG

● Derryn Hinch and Dan Webb recall their days together at Channel 7, when they met at the ‘Survovors’ luncheon held at the Rising Sun Hotel, South Melbourne on Saturday afternoon.

■ Broadcaster Derryn Hinch, 71, was looking at his healthiest best when he attended the Survivors showbiz luncheon at South Melbourne on Saturday.

Hinch was accompanied by his former 3AW colleagues Denis O’Kane, Tony Tardio, Ron Bourke and Darren James.

And Hinch also caught up with 91-yearold Dan Webb, a former HSV-7 newsman and state politics reporter.

More than 60 were in attendance at the twice-a-year luncheon convened by Bruce McKay. The group was started by Bert Newton, John Proper and Ron Tudorat Channel 9.

Early members included entertainers including Frank Rich, Norm Spencer, Doug McKenzie, Joff Ellen and Doug Elliot.

The lunches are held twice yearly. Some ● Roy Hampson, ex-Channel 0 of those in attendance were radio men Denis Scanlan, Bob Taylor, PeterVan, Ian Stewart A Geelong group included Denis Scanlan, (Ian Richards), Philip Brady and John Dean Reynolds, Gary Newton and John Vertigan.

Humphries (with Dean Jones).

Rae Dunne, who worked with the legendThe Melbourne Observer was represented ary ‘Nicky’ (Clifford Nicholls Whitta) was by editor Ash Long, plus columnists Kevin accompanied by Judy Dyer, formerly of 3DB. Trask and Ted Ryan. Fellow journalist Jim Ralphe Rickman, Jim McLeod and Pet Murphy, well-known for his early work at Smith recalled the early days of ABC radio Listener-In TV, was there too. and television in Melbourne.

The recording industry was represenmted Some early Channel 9 faces included Hugh by award winner Bill Armstrong, ’A and R’ Hill, Robin Turner (Uglow), Garry Stewart, man Bill Duff, singer Jim Rowan, and artist Brian Smith, Chris Bahen, and Bill Passick. Bob King Crawford.

Part of the radio contingent also comprised Veteran TV presenter Roy Hampson was Don Hyde, Alex Hehr (Golden Days Radio), a popular attendee.

Don Kinsey (3DB), Keith Livingston, Ray The gathering sang Happy Birthday to Benson, Mike Menner and Paul Konik. former TV-radio presenter Carryl Browne.

Fawlty Towers opens ■ Beaumaris Theatre presents Fawlty Towers until Saturday (Nov. 28) at 82 Wells Rd, Beaumaris. Written by John Cleese and Connie Booth, and directed by Georgy Charles, the show features the episodes: The Builders, The Kipper and the Corpse and The Hotel Inspection.

The show is presented in cabaret style. BYO drinks and nibbles. Tickets: $25/$22. ● Ash Cooper (Basil Fawlty) and Anna Johnston (Polly) beaumaristheatre.com.au Photo: Pietro Giordano in Fawlty Towers.

● Roald Dahl ■ The full cast for the Melbourne season of the Royal Shakespeare Company’s production of Matilda The Musical was announced this week, including the young actresses who will share the title role. They are Dusty Bursill, Tiana Mirra, Alannah Parfett and Ingrid Torelli.

Matilda The Musical is enjoying a sellout season in Sydney and will make its Melbourne premiere at the Princess Theatre from March 13.

Dusty Bursill, 11, enjoys being outdoors and loves camping and bushwalking. She is an enthusiastic reader and is happy trying different sports.

Tiana Mirra , 11, loves short distance running, reading and public speaking.

Tiana enjoys spending time with her family and her dog.

Alannah Parfett, 10, and an animal lover who also loves music, reading and writing. Her main passion is dancing and anything to do with performing arts.

Ingrid Torelli, 9, loves to use her imagination, sing and play in the garden.

She likes acrobatics, acting, craft, asking questions about the world and spending time with her family.

Matilda The Musical is based on the beloved novel by best-selling author Roald Dahl (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Fantastic Mr. Fox).

It is the story of an extraordinary girl who armed with a vivid imagination and a sharp mind, dares to take a stand and change her own destiny.

Principals incluide Marika Aubrey Daniel Frederiksen, Elise McCann and James Millar.

They are joined by Stephen Anderson, Reece Budin, Rachel Cole, Andrew Cook, Danielle Cook, Eli Cooper, Cristina D’Agostino, Glenn Hill, Travis Khan, Nadia Komazec, Zoe Komazec, Leah Lim and Mitchell Mahony.

Latest News Flashes Around Victoria

Stealing spree

■ Car thieves made off with 15 vehicles in a crime spree across the region over the weekend, with one set alight and others used to bait Police, reports the Geelong Advertiser

Shopkeeper beaten

■ Jianxin 'John' Huang, owner of a California Gully fish shop, was left bloodied and bruised after he tried to prevent thieves stealing several hundreds dollars in donations for sick children, reports the Bendigo Advertiser.

22-month sentence

■ Warrnambool ice user Luke James Allan, 31, who entered an Allansford home armed with a knife to confront his pregnant partner has tentatively been jailed for 22 months, reports The Standard.

Driver surprised

■ A Heyfield woman, 56, was surprised when she blew two times the legal limit during a random breath test after ceasing drinking about 12 hours earlier, says Gippsland Times.

Wait for the NBN

■ Horsham homes will wait until 2017 to be connected with the NBN, reports the Wimmera Mail-Times.

Weather Forecast ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

Today (Wed.). Cloudy. 13°-34° Thurs. Partly cloudy. 8°-18° Fri. Partly cloudy. 9°-21° Sat. Partly cloudy. 10°-23° Sun. Partly cloudy. 12°-24°

Mike McColl Jones

Top 5

THE T OP 5 REJE CTED THEMES TOP REJECTED FOR MYER CHRIS TMA S WINDO WS CHRISTMA TMAS WINDOW 5. I Saw Mummy kissing Santa.

4. I saw Daddy kissing Santa.

3. Rudolf the p....d reindeer.

2. Ding Dong merrily on Ten. 1. 'Aaark the Herald angels sing.

Page 10 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, November 25, 2015

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Observer Only one month to Christmas Ash On Wednesday

inc orpor ating the Melbourne A d vvertiser ertiser incorpor orpora Ad ertiser,, ict orian Rur al Ne ws and Trr ader ader,, V Vict ictorian Rural New Melbourne T Melbourne Seniors News News..

Ash

Melbourne People

3AW Weekend host ★ Darren James was a welcome guest at the

Victoria’s Independent Newspaper First Published September 14, 1969 Every W ednesda y Wednesda ednesday

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Survivors group of showbiz veterans held at South Melbourne on Saturday. He was on a table that included Derryn Hinch, Denis O’Kane and Tony Tardio.

Darren’s son Michael is working at Triple M, and daughter Alice is in radio in Adelaide. Darren re- ● Darren James vealed that his good friend Derryn had a special passion for Bette Midler, and revealed his favourite Midler track.

Peter ‘Grubby’ Stubbs was timed to arrive at 12 Noon to work with on-air partner Dee Dee Dunleavy at an outside brodacast at Mercedes Benz Brighton on Saturday, but a traffic jam at Werribee halted his progress. A car dealership staffer took to the microphone until Grubby made his late entrance.

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Melbourne radio man Peter Van is retiring to ★ Ballarat. The former Magic 1278 personality has sold his north-eastern suburbs home, and will move to ‘The Rat’ early next month.

● Ash and Fleur Long (standing at back, left), with Paul and Kristi Bryant (standing at right, back), are joined by Sarah Long, Madison, Matilda, Father Christmas, Emma and Jack, at Santa’s Magical Kingdom at Caulfield Racecourse on Friday night.

■ Our gang was fortunate to be opening night guests at Santa’s Magical Kingdom at Caulfield, as guests of Julie Cavanagh PR. The Kingdom has become a popular feature of Melbourne life in the month before Christmas.

The Kingdom features visits to Santa, a gingerbread factory, The Origieditor@MelbourneObserver.com.au nal Show Princess, Mrs with Ash Long, Editor Claus, plenty of rides under the Big Top, plus a cir“For the cause that lacks assistance, cus with jugglers and ac‘Gainst the wrongs that need resistance robats.

For the future in the distance, Some of the aerial cirAnd the good that we can do” cus acts are breathtaking.

Santa’s Magical Kingdom runs until Christmas Eve. Standard admission price is about $40, with family concessions available. There is also an option to upgrade tickets to VIP status.

A number of the sessions, sometimes up to ■ “Progress is man's ability to complicate simplicity.” three a day, are already sold out.

Long Shots

Observer Treasury

Jerry’s Girls opened at The Playhouse, Arts ★ Centre Melbourne, on Saturday night. Jeanne Pratt, Chair of The Production Company, wel-

comed guests to the show which includes performers including Rhonda Burchmore, Nancye Hayes, Silvie Paladino and Christie Whelan Browne.

Farewell for Rod, Sandy

■ The Ivanhoe Grammar School gathered on Friday to farewell Principal Rod Fraser and wife Sandy. The cocktail party included tributes from School personalities including Chairman Peter Kempen, Plenty campus Principal Deb Sukara, alumni representative Geoff Brown and Deputy Chairman Doug Golden. ● More photos, Page 17

● Doug Golden and Gerard Foley

Thought For The Week

Observer Curmudgeon

See Jerry ■ Observer columnist Julie Houghton is enthusiastic ahout a stage show that only extend to this weekend: “Beg, borrow or book a ticket to Jerry's Girls if you want to see one of the finest shows The Production Company has ever done - but be quick as once reviews are out the season will sell out.”

■ “I believe that if life gives you lemons, you should make lemonade ... And try to find somebody whose life has given them vodka, and have a party.

- Ron White

Text For The Week ■ “But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end."

- Luke 1:30-33

Contents of Court Lists are intended for information purposes only. The lists are extracted from Court Lists, as supplied to the public, by the Magistrates’ Court of Victoria, often one week prior to publication date; for current Court lists, please contact the Court. Further details of cases are available at www.magistratescourt.vic.gov.au The Melbourne Observer shall in no event accept any liability for loss or damage suffered by any person or body due to information provided. The information is provided on the basis that persons accessing it undertake responsibility for assessing the relevance and accuracy of its content. No inference of a party’s guilt or innocence should be made by publication of their name as a defendant. Court schedules may be changed at any time for any reason, including withdrawal of the action by the Plaintiff/Applicant. E&OE.

● George Haros and Peter Swain

● Geoff Knorr and John Knorr

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Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, November 25, 2015 - Page 11

Showbiz News

Ali in cabaret this Sat. Briefs

Opening

● Judith Durham ■ The opening night of Georgy Girl, The Seekers Musical will be staged at Her Majesty’s Theatre, Melbourne, on Tuesday, Dedcember 22.

Theft

■ Once upon a time, Ali McGregor was a lovely operatic soprano. But the opera diva decided to branch out, and these days she is a successful cabaret performer.

Ali will be strutting her stuff in a onenight only cabaret performance called Decadence at the Rising Sun Hotel, 2 Raglan St ,South Melbourne, on Saturday (Nov. 28) at 8.30 pm.

Ali will be accompanied by pianist and long-time collaborator Sam Keevers, as she takes her audience on a journey through torch songs, jazz reworkings and trash mash-ups .

A decade ago Ali joined the sideshow cabaret La Clique and since then has become part of the growing international cabaret scene.

Earlier this year she has won the prestigious Green Room Award for her 'Contribution to Cabaret' and was named as the successor to Barry Humphries as co-Artistic Director of the internationally renown Adelaide Cabaret Festival.

Decadence sold out its Edinburgh Fringe Festival cabaret season, and this will be the only Melbourne performance.

Book at www.trybooking.com, and pre-show dinner reservations can be made on 9696 2411.

■ Police have released images of people they wish to speak to after the theft of a credit card at a Johnston St, Fitzroy bar..

The victim, a 21year-old Ivanhoe woman, told investigators that she was talking to a man when she felt someone touching her back but thought nothing about it at the time.

Blitz

■ Moe Police have quashed a swell of packaged liquor thefts from bottle shops and supermarket retailers under a ban of liquor shop visits by alcohol shoplifters, reports the Latrobe Valley Express.

Melbourne Observations

with Matt Bissett-Johnson

‘Never pick a fight with a man who buys ink by the barrel and paper by the ton.’

$1.25 mil penalties for Make It Mine

● Ali McGregor

Cast named for Fiddler ■ Remaining members of the cast have been announced for the new Australian production of Fiddler On The Roof, opening at Melbourne’s Princess Theatre from December 29.

Australian musical theatre superstar, Anthony Warlow, is returning from Broadway to play the coveted role of Tevye.

He has spent the past three years treading the boards on Broadway playing Daddy Warbucks in Annie and most recently replaced Kelsey Grammar asCaptain Hook in Finding Neverland.

Joining Warlow on stage is Sigrid Thornton, funny-man Mark Mitchell and actress Nicki Wendt.

Playing Tevye’s five daughters are Teagan Wouters (Dirty Dancing) as Tzeitel, Monica Swayne (Wicked) as Hoddel, Jessica Vickers (NIDA) as Chava and making their professional adult musical theatre debuts are Madeline Perrone and Sara Reed as Sprintze and Bielke.

Perchik will be played by Blake Bowden (Blood Brothers), Avram by Andrew Kroenert (City of Angels) and Fyedeka by Jensen Overend

THE BARREL

● Anthony Warlow

(Nice Work if You Can Get It). The role of Fruma-Sarah will be played

by Sara Grenfell (Sunset Boulevard) while the Rabbi will be played

by Derek Taylor.

Completing the cast in the ensemble are Prue Bell, Jared Bryan, Zoe Coppenger, Zack Curran, Mark Doggett, Matt Douglass Brett Fisher, David Hammond, Glen Hogstrom, Jennifer Peers, Matthew Predney, Annie Stanford, Darren Tyler and David Whitney.

Fiddler On The Roof’s celebrated score by Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick, features songs loved the world over, Tradition, Sunrise Sunset, Matchmaker, To Life and If I Were A Rich Man. Written by Joseph Stein and based on Sholem Aleichem’s short story, Tevye and His Daughters, Fiddler On The Roof debuted at the Imperial Theatre on Broadway in 1964.

It ran for 3242 shows, becoming the longest-running musical in 1972.

It won 10 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Actor, Best Supporting ticketmaster.com.au

The Process

● John Gauci is directing The Process in Brunswick. Cheryl Threadgold has full details in the Observer Showbiz section.

■ The Federal Court has awarded penalties totalling $1.25 million against consumer leasing company Make It Mine Finance Pty Ltd or breaching consumer credit laws, including its responsible lending obligations.

The Court handed down the penalty following its decision that Make It Mine failed to disclose important information to its customers, breached various responsible lending obligations and operated for a period whilst unlicensed Justice Beach made reference to the strong public interest in imposing penalties to deter other operators who fail to comply, stating that: ' “The consumer lease industry is growing … the undesirable practices of operators in consumer leasing and, by analogy, credit contracts for purchase by instalments, are a matter of significant public interest and importance, and are capable of serious adverse impacts on the most vulnerable members of the Australian community.'

Justice Beach said that businesses dealing with vulnerable consumers must take considerable care in complying with and implementing statutory safeguards designed for the protection of those consumers.

“Commercial behaviour leveraged off the vulnerability of others will be closely scrutinised and disciplined” where businesses fail to comply with the legislation.

The decision demonstrates that tough penalties will be imposed on credit licensees who fail to comply with their obligations under the National Credit Act, including responsible lending obligations, said the Australian Securities and Investments Commission.

Make It Mine has agreed to engage an independent external compliance consultant to conduct a review of and report to ASIC on Make It Mine's policies and procedures to ensure compliance with consumer credit laws.

Semple banned from services ■ The Australian Securities and Investments Commission has cancelled the Australian financial services licence of financial services company, Chronos Capital Pty Limited , and permanently banned its director and responsible manager, Robert Lachlan Semple from providing financial services.

Semple was the sole director and responsible manager of Chronos and was responsible for all financial advisory services provided to Chronos's clients.

He has been incarcerated since October 2013 and will remain in prison until at leastApril mext year.

ASIC found that Semple: ■ was unable to discharge his obligations as the key person and responsible manager of Chronos due to his incarceration; ■ was involved in breaches of financial services laws by Chronos; and ■ was not of good fame and character.

Page 12 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, November 25, 2015

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My advice for the Prime Minister

Yvonne’s Column

■ Christmas is coming, the geese are getting fat, and it’s the time when the month of December is turned upside down.

It doesn’t matter what happens, there is always a couple of chores that must be done.

There is one special piece of shopping that is important: buying little gifts to be hidden from prying eyes. It takes priority on your shopping list.

That takes a bit of smart thinking and time because youngsters know the drill and can be real Sherlocks.

Do the little ones still hang up their stockings? And not forgetting to put out the milk and cookies for Santa, and a bit of hay strewn around for his trusty reindeers are most important in the scheme of things.

In many parts of the world, Christmas is the time when families gather to celebrate, and to reflect on the year gone past.

But this year I can’t get interested in Christmas because of the horrific tragedy that is happening in Paris.

Vigilant always ■ I’m witnessing the violence and hate every time I turn on the television and read a newspaper.

How can I get such barbarism out of my mind, and still celebrate at Christmas?

I ’d feel that I’d be letting down those very brave French people if I went ahead with the usual Christmas put and do.

I feel so helpless when there is nothing I can do. It just seems so wrong when Christians are preparing for Christmas and ready to spread words of peace and goodwill to all men.

I don’t think anything will stop the savagery of those fanatics of the Islamic State.

French President, Francois Hollande promised that France would remain a country of freedom, defending his decision to honour a commitment to accept migrants and refugees despite the deadly terrorist attack.

No messing around with this President.

He went straight to the heart of the problem without any indecision on his part, knowing his was the best solution for his people and his country.

Mr Abbott warned us that this could happen, and not to become complacent.

“Remain extremely vigilant” were his words.

And some of the Ministers just laughed and mocked him.

I wonder who’s laughing now?

Stretching it

■ Real estate folk have a habit of using any tactic to attract attention to a forthcoming sale.

AnEexample is a house for sale in Prahran where the agent is spuiking fact that actor Cate Blanchett owns a house in the same street.

So what? It's most likely an investment property - you'd hardly expect Cate to pop in asking for a drop of milk because she forgot to go to Aldi.

Real estate agents, get real - sell the facts, not the fantasy.

It's almost certain Cate Blanchett did not authorise her name to be used in marketing of the property.

with Yvonne Lawrence

yvonne.lawrence@bigpond.com

Cringworthy ■ But Mr Turnbull, who was preparing for his night of the long knives, didn’t think that we were in any real danger.

Even last week, he assured us from somewhere overseas, and with a big smile, that he didn’t seem to think that an attack could happen in Australia.

He has obviously forgotten what happened in Sydney when a gunman took hostages in Café Lindt and three of them died.

When I watch him on television I get the feeling that he doesn’t want to upset anyone. It seems he wants to be all things to all people.

Unfortunately, that is impossible because you end up pleasing nobody.

Well keep smiling, Prime Minister, because you’ve really put the American President’s nose out of joint when he expressed surprise about the Chinese leasing Darwin Harbour unbeknown to him.

Your flippant remark when you suggested the American State Department should have taken out a subscription to the Northern Territory News and they would have read all the information, was inappropriate, unstatesmanlike and downright rude. Especially to the leader of the free world.

It went down like a lead zeppelin.

Advice for PM ■ It may be okay in Question Time when you

✔

OK

with John O’Keefe

Hang the wreath ■ Hopefully when a few houses put up their decorations, the street will take on the feel of

A Melbourne radio station kept playing a spot for a car dealership when the closing time for both the sale and the showroom expired five hours earlier.

■ It could be my imagination but it seems there are more church premises for sale than ever before.

Churches of all persuasions are going under the hammer.

One example is St Marys at Elphinstone - the sale does not include pews, nor does existing layout include bathroom nor bedroom, so heaps of expensive renovations to be done.

Could be heavenly for a someone planning a start-up religion.

Save, save!

● Cate Blanchett

Colours of France

■ After having a year of hospitals and sickness I confess that it pleases me to be having a quiet Christmas dinner a duex at home.

One of the chores I always liked doing was getting up before the sun rose to pick the hydrangea before they wilted.

White Christmas lilies mixed with the deep blue hydrangea always looked stunning. And of course, pots of Poinsettias dotted everywhere completed the floral effect.

I read that in 1915, a Frenchwoman arranges blue, white and red flowers in a bouquet tricolour.

Throughout the great upheavals of Second World War, women of the Allied nations kept their spirits up and supported national morale with the traditional occupation of doing the flowers.

I’ve decided this year to have flowers in the colours of the French flag.

Why not do the same at your tribal feast table?

Christmas really is a time for the children, but it’s also the time to spend with your loved ones.

It doesn’t have to be a big affair with all the bells and whistles.

Just remember the significance of the day and enjoy the love of your family.

- Yvonne Lawrence

O’Keefe’s Extra Bit

Bright idea ■ Most parents of young children can identify with the indescribable pain of stepping on sharp Lego blocks kids leave scattered around.

Now Lego has developed specific slippers with extra cushioning so parents can walk around with safety.

Slippers are on limited offer on the Lego website.

Seekers seek

The collection

■ Whoops. You could hardly blame it on daylight saving.

are answering a question. But it was cringe making with your smirky reply to President Obama.

I have a feeling you are going to need all your friends if this war escalates.

And you will have to make some big decisions. Have you forgotten that every move you make will be screened that night on television whilst you are Prime Minister?

Looking at your watch during the Remembrance Day National Ceremony at the Australian War Memorial was more than eyebrow raising.

But Prime Minister, why were you yawning at these functions? I’ve been to functions where it became a task of Sisyphus to keep my eyes open. But I did, and in fact became expert at stifling a yawn.

And you haven’t escaped the television eyes either, Mr. Shorten. You were invited to lay a wreath at the War Memorial.

But after placing it, you turned, and kept walking back to your seat.

Perhaps it was an attack of nerves that made you forget to pause for a minute in reflection as everybody else did.

It must seem as if I’m nit picking, but at a recent gathering that I attended, you were the topic of discussion about your yawns, Mr Turnbull.

Christmas and the spirit of Christmas will take hold. There are a few things I will do to try and lift my spirits. The beautiful Christmas wreath that I’ve had for a few years, and keep adding to it.

It used to hang on the front door of Peter’s antique shop, and it now looks stunning on our front door.

The answering machine will be switched on so that I don’t have to forget the spirit of Christmas, and tell the caller in non-Christian terms that we don’t want solar cooling.

Nor will I take a call from a Call Centre in the Philippines where English is not their first language and decline their offer of a new electricity supplier.

Whilst watching the tragedy unfold on the Channel 9 News, I say thank you for the last item of news. Tribute was paid to a Belgian Malinois Police dog named Diesel, who was shot dead in a raid. Five officers were wounded in the raid.

Then the beautiful face of Diesel was pictured on the screen. A fitting tribute to the Police dog, and from Peter Hitchener - a beautiful man.

■ Athol, Bruce and Keith - 75 percent of The Seekers - are to perform as a trio at a fundraiser for their old alma mater, Melbourne High School.

Melbourne High is looking to raise $1 million to build a rowing shed on the Yarra River.

Aoncert at the achool's Memorial Hall will be held at 3pm on Sunday (Nov. 29).

Organisers hope to raise $40,000 with raffles and donations making up the balence.

Wonder whether another old schoolie Lindsay Fox will stump up for a ticket, or 20?

- John O’Keefe

● A Melbourne Sports Depot ad in the Footy Record.

■ In 1880 a nondesscript company emerging sports, management had a Coventry Machinists was registered wonderful knack of originality in their marketing - their catalogues were legin Melbourne.

The company was agent for Cov- endary plus regular ads in The Argus - they promoted MSD at every opporentry Cycles of the UK. They soon ventured into stocking tunity.

Sometimes their ads tested the sports equipment of all sorts and the company changed it's name to bounds of credibility with statements Melbourne Sports Depot (MSD). such as 'The most complete showThe company grew to become the room of sports goods in the world'.

Ownership changed over the years largest sports store in Australia.

MSD supplied clubs and players and MSD expanded with stores in the with their entire sporting kit. Football, 'burbs.

At one stage sportsman and busicricket, tennis were the basic sports and MSD management had the vision nessman Wayne Reid owned the reto expand into emerging sports like tailer. Reid reached the doubles finals baseball, archery, chess and fishing - at Wimbledon and held Board posiyou could deck out a complete Olym- tions with Melbourne Football Club and Lawn Tennis Victoria pic squad at MSD, 55 Elizabeth St. Today’s equivalent has MSD to My memories were buying leather stops that were nailed into the soles of thank for their vision in helping make footy boots. By today’s standards they Melbourne the sporting capital of would be classified as Weapons of Australia.

What other sportsgood retailer Mass Destruction..

MSD staff included well known could lay claim to the fact 'Under Vice- Regal Patronage' ? players in their chosen sport.

- John O’Keefe

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, November 25, 2015 - Page 13

Melbourne

Confidential Talk is cheap, gossip is priceless

Don’t Dress For Dinner

● Rhiannon Leach (Suzette) and Mark Briggs (Robert) in Don’t Dress For Dinner.

Photo: David Belton ■ Heidelberg Theatre Companycompletes another impressive theatrical year by presenting the classic French farce, Don’t Dress for Dinner , which opened last week to a full house.

Written by Marc Camoletti and adapted by Robert Hawdon, Don’t Dress for Dinner is set in the 1980s in the living room of a renovated French country house.

Bernard’s (Justin Stephens) plans for a romantic weekend with his mistress come undone when wife Jacqueline (Cat Jardine) cancels a proposed weekend visit to her mother and decides to stay home.

The audience is set for a rollicking fun night with the arrival of Bernard’s best friend and Jacqueline’s secret lover, Robert (Mark Briggs), hired gourmet chef Suzette (Rhiannon Leach) and Bernard’s French mistress Suzanne (Fleur Miller).

An entertaining web of naughty deceit, infidelities, hilarious misunderstandings and mistaken identities is topped off by the arrival of Suzette’s nononsense, burly husband George (Gavin Baker).

Chris McLean’s masterly direction ensures a slickly-paced, polished show, with excellent comedic timing from the cast, and well-choreographed movement by Dianne Mileo.

The cast is terrific, and special mention must be made of Mark Brigg’s applause-prompting summation of the plot and Justin Steven’s polished delivery of Camoletti’s witty dialogue.

The large, stylish set representing Bernard and Jacqueline’s main living room is designed by Chris McLean. Beautifully decorated and furnished, the set pleasingly does not detract in any way from the actors, but instead visually complements their fine performances.

An audience member attending Heidelberg Theatre for the first time, commented there was nothing ‘amateur’ about the performances, and how wonderful to enjoy a good night out and have free parking and reasonably priced tickets.

A worthy observation which applies these days to many Victorian community theatre productions, where the standard can been exceptionally high, such as at Heidelberg Theatre Company.

Don’t Dress for Dinner is a delightful lighthearted romp. Don’t miss it.

Performances: Until December 5 Venue: Heidelberg Theatre, 63 Turnham Ave., Rosanna Tickets: $27/$24 Bookings: htc.org.au 9457 4117 - Review by Cheryl Threadgold

Board’s orders aside ■ Mustic Greg Garde has ruled that orders made against Victorian racing industry identities Mark Kavanagh and Danny O’Brien be put aside.

Sitting at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal, Justice Garde ruled that the appeals were successful, and that orders made by the Racing Appeals and Disciplinary Baord made in August be set aside and vacated.

Kavanagh and O’Brien are trainers of 24 and 20 years respectively. They had been accused of breaches of the Australian Rules of Racing.

The charges against both trainers centred on allegations that levels of cobalt had been detected in horses raced by them. Prize money held by authorities is to be paid to the trainers.

Assets frozen, passports seized after Court hearing

■ Assets have been frozen of CME Capital Australia Pty Ltd, Boston Pacific Capital Australia Pty Ltd and GKN Capital Pty Ltd. This folloows a decision of the Federal Court in Melbourne last week after an application by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission.

ASIC sought the orders after concerns that the companies were soliciting investments from the public without proper disclosure and the way the funds have been applied.

Justice Mark Moshinsky ordered the companies (along with Boston Pacific Capital Pty Ltd and IMCG Pty Ltd) be restrained from: ■ removing any company property; ■ selling, charging, mortgaging, dealing with, disposing of or diminishing the value of any company property; ■ incurring new liabilities; and ■ withdrawing, transferring, disposing of or dealing with any monies available to the companies.

Michael Petrou (the sole director of CME Capital Australia Pty Ltd, Boston Pacific Capital Australia Pty Ltd, Boston Pacific Capital

Back in

Licence axed

Pty Ltd and GKN Capital Pty Ltd) and Branislav Grujicic (the sole director of IMCG Pty Ltd) were also ordered to surrender their passports to the court and be restrained from leaving Australia.

ASIC sought the injunctions to protect investor funds while an ASIC investigation is continuing.

The matter has been listed for a further hearing at 10.15am on Thursday, December 10.

CME Capital Australia Pty Ltd, Boston Pacific Capital Australia Pty Ltd and GKN Capital Pty Ltd operate websites through which investments are invited from the public.

■ Maria Cecylia Versace has requested a Geelong Magistrates’ Court hearing time on Monday (Novemver 30) when she is due to proceed with a Workcover case against the Polisg Community Association in Geelong. The mention, seeking ‘defence to claim’ under the Accident Compensation Act is timed for 9.30am.

■ The Australian Securities and Investments Commission has cancelled theAustralian Financial Services licence of Leedam Pty Limited after it ceased to carry on its financial services business.

Leedam held its AFS licence from 2004 and the cancellation of itsAFS licence became effective on Tuesdday last week (Nov. 17).

Leedam was authorised to provide financial services in relation to general insurance products.

ASIC has the power to cancel a financial services licence in circumstances where an AFS licensee ceases to carry on its financial services business.

ASIC found that Leedam ceased to carry on its financial services business in February 2015.

Leedam has a right to appeal to theAdministrative Appeals Tribunal for a review.

Rumour Mill

Search for Middletown

Hear It Here First

Magic 1278 changes ● Edwina Samuels, Evelyn Krape and James Wardlaw in Middletown.

Photo: Jodie Hutchinson ■ Red StitchActors Theatre presents Middletown until December 19 at rear 2 Chapel St, St Kilda.

Written by Will Eno and directed by Alice Darling, special guest actors including acclaimed Melbourne theatre performer Evelyn Krape, Gareth Reeves, Edwina Samuels and James Wardlaw join Red Stitch ensemble members Jordan Fraser-Trumble and Christina O’Neill.

This is a wry, delicate and richly imagined play about small town America exploring everyday hopes, fears, longing and humanness.

Mary Swanson just moved to Middletown. Population: stable; elevation: same. Along with her fellow townsfolk, Mary searches for comfort and meaning in their world, somewhere between a beginning and an end.

Performance Season: Until December 19 Venue: Red Stitch Actors Theatre, Rear 2 Chapel St., St Kilda Bookings: www.redstitch.net - Cheryl Threadgold

Whispers

■ Rumour has it that Johnny Young will be used for the Drive shift on Magic 1278 for 2016, as part of a network that will include 4BH Brisbane and 2CH Sydney. Young would actually work out of studios in Perth.

There are rumours that Bob Rogers, 89 next week, will also be relayed into Melbourne.

● Nick Le Souef ■ Melbourne Observer ‘outback legend’ columnist Nick Le Souef was admitted to hospital several weeks ago ... but a glitch saw him re-admitted to St Vincent’s yesterday (Tues.). We wish him well.

Guesses

● Brigitte Duclos ■ Gold 104.3 this wek un-ceremoniously dumped Brigitte Duclos from their breakfast show for 2016. The Radio Today has a poll on who will be Brig’s replacement.

Names include Jane Hall, Jo Stanley, Kristie Mercer, Monte Diamond, Mel Greig and Bianca Dye.

Sounds great

● Johnny Young

Suffragette special ■ A special screening of Sufragette followed by an ‘In Conversation’ with Dr Helen Pankhurst, great-granddaughter of Emmeline Pankhurst, hosted by Mary Crook, Executive Director of the Victorian Women’s Trust,. will be held at 6.30pom on Tuesday (Dec. 1) at Cinema Nova.

Countdown ■ There are only 3 more Melbourne Observers until Christmas.

E-Mail: Confidential@MelbourneObserver.com.au

● Jane Kennedy ■ Multi-talented author, TV-radio performer and producer Jane Kennedy was guest with Ross Stevenson and Honey Galore (Georgina Damm) on 3AW’s Moveable Feast on Saturday.

Stations could do much worse than consider Jane as host of her own show.

Page 14 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, November 25, 2015

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au y

Observer Readers’ Club The Way We Were

Melbourne Photo Flashback

100 Years Ago The Colac Herald Friday, November 26, 1915 PAPERS FOR SOLDIERS Arrangements have been made for. the collection of metropolitan and other newspapers, also tobacco; cigarettes and other articles to be forwarded to the Australian Soldiers and the troops in the trenches. Mr Haigh of Messrs Haigh Bros., has generously given a room on the first floor, at 226 Collins Street, and several Melbourne firms have gratuitously provided everything necessary to equip the Depot.

Supplies of new and old papers are being received, in Melbourne, daily. New papers must be kept entirely separate from used ones, as only the former are to be sent to the wounded.

The latter go to the trenches.

(We will be pleased to receive papers and forward them to the proper authorities in Melbourne. Ed., C.H.) BEEAC SALE. Messrs. Selwood and Vagg report holding their usual weekly sale of sundries at Becac on Wednesday.

There was not the usual heavy flooring of skins and hides to offer, but report an entire clearance of same.

Pigs were not quite so brisk as on previous sales, but prices realised were well up to market rates.

We penned 35 pigs, and sold as follows:Forward stores, £3 each; slips, 35/ each. suckers, 25/ to 30/ each. Hides: We sold heavy hides to £1 4/; light do 11/ to 19/ each: calfskins, 3/ each tallow, 7/ per tin: horsehair, 1/ lb. rabbit skins, 10d. lb.: wool, inferior. 7'd. lb.; sheepskins, good 7/, light 3/6 to 5/6; pelts, 7d. to 1/ each Vegetables: Short supply. Cabbages 3/ doz.; cauliflowers, 3/ to 4/ doz.; new potatoes, 7/6 case; old potatoes, 7/ bag.

Join in our chat IN PRINT: Read the Melbourne Observer every week.

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Bumper Sticker

■ Seen in Fitzroy: “Hard work never killed anyone, but why take the chance?”

Did You Know?

■ Australia is the world's 6th largest country by area.

■ Due to its large size and isolation from the rest of the world, Australia is sometimes known as the ‘island continent’.

● Queenscliff, 1912.

Your Stars with Christina La Cross ARIES (MAR 21 - APR 20) Jupiter places his confident mood over you, Just be careful that he's not trying to convince you that you can do things which are more than you want to take on. Life choices are what today is all about.

TAURUS (APR 21 - MAY 21) Play down any confrontations today please, as your stars suggest you may well have your facts mixed up. Slowing down in love can also see you becoming an equal.

Emails promise compromise in business.

GEMINI (MAY 22 - JUNE 21) There is a really nostalgic feel to your stars which could see you wanting to retrace steps which made you feel happy and secure. This is due to big decisions you'll make by the 29th.

CANCER (JUNE 22 - JULY 23) You look at yourself from a lighter angle and you take off some of the pressure which made for such a difficult beginning to the month. New friendships could form the basis for some great romances.

LEO (JULY 24 - AUG 23) By having a little more faith in who you are and all you've decided, you will start to reflect on what you need and want to do with the rest of your life.

VIRGO (AUG 24 - SEPT 23) You begin to suspect things which are unlikely to be true and this is largely due to a tired and over active imagination. New ways to take some me time should be grabbed with both hands.

LIBRA (SEPT 24 - OCT 23) You may not like the pressure that close ones are placing on you, but that's only because they care about you and want what's best for you. Listen, don't argue. They're on your side!

SCORPIO (OCT 24 - NOV 22) You're over thinking a problem which would actually be better played down Scorpio.

Try to simplify the issues and you'll soon see that you have control and new options for success.

SAGITTARIUS (NOV 23 - DEC 21) If you know you've done something wrong, then give a close one time to calm down by all means. Don't keep away from them completely though, or they'll think you'll never reach the compromise required.

CAPRICORN (DEC 22 - JAN 20) The way your working week is put together appears to be under a large amount of pressure and you may have to make changes you would rather have avoided. They all work to your benefit in the long term though.

AQUARIUS (JAN 21 - FEB 19) Children are more prominent in your stars and you start to take on a more maternal role towards several people in your life. The written word is important and it's imperative you don't lie about facts today.

PISCES (FEB 20 - MARCH 20) Things aren't going according to plan, but they aren't going badly either Pisces. Be open to suggestion and try to ensure that you give others the space to address their issues and wishes.

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Melbourne Obser ver - Wednesday, November 25, 2015 - Page 15

Melbourne People

‘The Survivors’ luncheon Rising Sun Hotel, South Melbourne Photos: Ash Long

● Alex Hehr and Don Kinsey

● Tony Tardio and Ray Benson

● Robin Turner (Uglow) and Bill Passick

● Jim Murphy and Garry Stewart

● Ron Bourke and Denis O’Kane

● Ralphe Rickman and Jim McLeod

● Don Hyde and John Vertigan

● Bob Taylor and Chris Bahen

● Denis Scanlan and Ian Nicholls

● Dean Jones and John Humphries

● Bob King Crawford and John Rowan

● Roy Hampson and Brian Smith

Page g 16 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, y, November 25,, 2015

Melbourne

Observer

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Travellers’Good Buys

with David Ellis

Island quarry, birthplace of a nation ■ Robben Island is a flat, featureless and seemingly insignificant dot in the ocean seven cold and windy kilometres off Cape Town, yet it is one of South Africa’s foremost destinations for visitors.

For it was here on this tiny blob just over 3 kms long and 2 kms wide, that South Africa’s first black president and Nobel Laureate, Nelson Mandela spent 18 of his 27 years as a political prisoner in a tiny prison cell a mere 2.4 metres long by 2.1m wide (8ft by 7ft.)

Today that cell has become a shrine for the thousands of visitors who shuffle past it and wonder how one man could not only survive, but actually strive forward in a place designed to crush the morale of those like himself fighting racist apartheid.

Nelson Mandela had been sentenced in 1963 to life here by South Africa’s apartheid rulers, who were determined he would die behind its bars with fellow freedom fighter political prisoners.

Now, with apartheid officially ended from April 1994, Robben Island has become a worldwide symbol of “the strength of the human spirit over adversity, suffering and injustice;” in 1997 it was declared a museum, and two years later a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Visitors today talk of the immense power it has over them as they take

● View of Cape Town and Table Mountain seven kilometres away from Robben Island.

Melbourne

Observer Wines & Liqueurs

with David Ellis

Spanish beauty to take partying ■ With the Festive Season not all that far away and attention turning to decisions about the bubbles to go with it, a label to give thought to for quality, price-value and as something of a talking point, is Spain’s Segura Viudas Grand Cuvee Reserva.

Hailing from the Penedes region 50km south of Barcelona – and one of the oldest wine producing regions in the world – Segura Viudas winery began life in the 11th century as a military watch tower, became a country mansion a couple of centuries later, spent time as a church, and finally in the 19th century evolved into a winery.

Today it’s part of the vast Freixenet wine company stable (the biggest sparkling wine maker in the world,) with its Grand Cuvee Reserva a great choice for entertaining or special-occasion dining – and interestingly 85% made from the traditional Spanish varieties of Macabeo and Parellada that give it wonderful fruit flavours, and the remaining 15% originallyFrench Chardonnay and Pinot Noir for lovely acid balance.

Officially classified as a Cava, a Segura Viudas Grand Cuvee Reserva 2011 was made in the Methode Traditionelle, and at $25 is a perfect match served well-chilled with upcoming Festive Season aperitifs such as pate and honey-glazed prawns.

One to note ■ If you are among Australia’s expanding ranks of Merlot lovers, a rewarding example from one of our major growing areas, McLaren Vale is Shottesbrooke Estate’s justreleased 2013 vintage.

Soft and juicy on the palate yet with lovely bright red fruit flavours to the fore, coupled nicely with underlying dark plums, this is a great example as to why Merlot is so popular with those who enjoy a red that doesn’t detract from any of the enjoyment of a meal’s flavours.

At $20 and with those red fruit flavours along with a touch of light oak and some fine and savoury tannins, this Shottesbrooke 2013 is just the drop to put together with Italian meatballs in a rich tomato sauce.

Pictured ■ A bubbly from Spain to give serious thought to for the upcoming Festive party season.

■ Put this great Merlot on the table with Italian meatballs in a rich tomato sauce.

one of four daily tours of 3.5hrs of the island, including the half-hour boat trip across Table Bay from Cape Town’s Victoria & Albert waterfront, with many speaking openly of the enormous impact of seeing what greeted every prisoner on Robben Island.

And that’s a concrete gateway still bearing the emblem of the apartheid prison service – and it’s sickening apartheid-era motto: “We Serve With Pride”.

Buses operate guided tours of the island with its village, houses once used by apartheid prison staff, a modern-day prison, a garrison church and a cemetery. Lastly there’s a walkthrough of the original apartheid prison.

This includes the limestone quarry where Mandela and his fellow political prisoners toiled in the sun for up to eight hours a day, damaging their eyesight in the glare reflected from the white limestone.

It was here, however, that they could, in secret, talk-the-talk that would shape a future nation.

And the quarry includes a cairn that began with a single stone laid by Mandela on a reunion visit in 1995 on the anniversary of the 1991 closure of the political prison … with other former inmates who followed over the years adding their own individual stones to that cairn.

But the main interest for visitors is the drab concrete cell-block which held political prisoners for 30 years from 1961, and where one, Jama Mbatyoti, who spent five years of incarceration from the age of 19 for leading anti-apartheid student protests, is one of today’s tour guides.

Jama describes the hell of prison life, shows the cells, washrooms and communal centres, and tells how political prisoners were allowed one 30minute visit and one letter every six months.

And how anything deemed “political” in their letters would be cut out so that often the prisoner received nothing more than an indecipherable remnant of tattered paper.

And he shows Mandela’s cell, furnished the way it had been when he was prisoner number 46664, with nothing but a bedroll on the cement floor a tiny stool and a waste bin.

Through the barred window Jama points out Mandela’s garden where he grew vegetables – and hid cocoa tins which held the first draft of his autobiography, Long Walk To Freedom, written at night in his cell.

Despite poor food, inadequate clothing in the wet and windswept Cape winter, and heavy labour in the island’s limestone quarry, Mandela remained unbroken. “The challenge for every prisoner, particularly every political prisoner,” he wrote, “is how to survive prison intact, how to emerge from prison undiminished, how to conserve and even replenish one’s beliefs.

The authorities’ greatest mistake was to keep us together. For together we were able to support and gain strength from each other.

We shared whatever we knew and whatever we learned, and through sharing, we became stronger” Aside from what’s to be seen on the island, Robben Island Museum has a number of long-term exhibits at its admission-free mainland site at the V&A waterfront.

- David Ellis with David Potts

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, y November 25, 2015 - Page 17

Melbourne People

Farewell Function for Rod Fraser Ivanhoe Grammar School Photos: Ash Long

● Virginia Birrell and Betty Sligo

● Geoffrey Davey and Gerard Foley

● Stephen Carpenter and Howard Purcell

● Peter Kempen and Elaine Kempen

● Val Jones and Max Fraser

● Michael Smith and Bruce Smith

● The Rev. Chris Carolane and Ken Whitechurch

● Astrida Cooper and Graham Hawke

Page 18 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, November 25, 2015

PROMOTIONAL FEATURE

New home for Fiona Elsey Cancer Research Institute Library, museum open doors

● Grand Secretary Peter Henshall, Collections Manager Samantha Fabry and volunters join with Grand Master Hillel Benedykt to celebrate the official opening of the Freemasons Victoria Library and Museum.

■ Freemasons Victoria Collections Manager Samantha Fabry was joined by all of the volunteers who have assisted in the relocation of the Freemasons Victoria Library and Museum on Wednesday, November 18.

The group came together to celebrate the official opening of the service, which saw members of the Grand Secretariat and volunteers attend.

The Collections Team has been hard at work since 2014 when archiving and cataloguing of the collection began, prior to Freemasons Victoria's move from the Dallas Brooks Centre.

"This is a great result after so many months. We uncovered some great gems which are now on display for the first time. One interesting piece that was found was a letter written by Sir Dallas Brooks to the wife of a Past Grand Master, sending his condolences after his passing," Sam said.

Grand Secretary Peter Henshall was pleased with the new premises, commending Samantha and her team for their efforts.

"The new Library and Museum is now a place you can visit, sit and relax in, and enjoy the collection. It is also now a great resource for students to use - situated next to our Education Office," he said.

All are welcome to visit the Library and Museum between 10am -3pm Monday to Friday. Please attend the reception desk at the W.A. Tope Building, Coppin Centre, 45 Moubray St, Melbourne on arrival.

Commonwealth Lodge addresses ‘Ice’

■ Commonwealth Lodge, a Lodge of only 25 members meeting in the small population (just over 2500) of Gippsland, Mirboo North has taken a leading role in its community by initiating and hosting an information night on the modern scourge known as Ice. Co-ordinated by Commonwealth Lodge's Andrew Geary and his partner Anita, and hosted by Greg Smith, the event was conducted to raise awareness of the drugIce and its impact in the community.

The drug is known for causing extreme agitated behaviour - causes users to feel judged and stops them seeking the help they need.

Nearly 70 people attended the forum including local media, health professionals, emergency services representatives, politicians, parents and children.

Guest speaker, 23-year-old Rebecca Slavin of Inverloch provided an empowering talk on her experiences as an Ice addict, and her battle to kick the drug.

"I had a desire to be accepted and mixed with the wrong crowd at age 13," she said. "I found acceptance in the party scene. I was the 'fun' one."

As her addiction spiralled and she became a regular Ice user, she said her skin turned grey and her body became frail.

● Rebecca Slavin sharing her story of addiction to Ice. Rebecca described herself as "drowning in her addiction", but her life changed when she walked through the gates of Teen Challenge, an Ice rehabilitation facility in Western Australia.

"I was with Teen Challenge for 14 months. They helped me choose 'life' instead of the dangerous drug path,” she said.

Now a reformed Ice user, Rebecca said that her vision is to help others and she wants to do this by setting up a rehabilitation centre and support group.

Guest speakers from the LaTrobe Regional Hospital included Senior Clinician Gillian Ashton who spoke about Iceand alcohol dependency, and Korumburra's community mental health social worker Peter Little who discussed the management of mental health issues and how the community can support each other.

YouTube.be/YWG4F8Tf45Y Contact Andrew Geary at Commonwealth Lodge on 0400 527 689.

● Sue Benedykt, FEI founder Gail Elsey, Grand Master Hillel Benedykt and Chair, FEI Board of Management Prof. Wayne Robinson not have to go through what she was ■ Freemasons Victoria Grand Masgoing though. ter Hillel Benedykt and his wife Sue After Fiona's death, her mother attended the official opening of the Gail Elsey and a support group of Fiona Elsey Cancer Research LaboBallarat residents set about keeping ratories on Wednesday November 18. their promise to Fiona.

Held at the Federation University Today, with the kind support and Australia in Ballarat, the event generosity of the Institute's commurecognised those involved in the nity of donors, cancer research at the Institute's move from the grounds of Institute continues in the new labothe St John of God Hospital, to its ratories at the University. new purpose built laboratories on the The new home is a reflection of Federation University's SMB Camthe continuous growth of the pus. organisation, from is very humble The Fiona Elsey Cancer Research Ewings Sarcoma at this time had a beginnings over a decade ago.

Institute came into being from the vi- survival rate of 5 per cent and despite Freemasons Victoria, a supporter sion of a 13-year-old girl. treatment Fiona's disease progressed. of the Institute, used the event as an In 1990, Fiona was diagnosed with She died in October 1991 at age 14. opportunity to donate a $10,000 Ewings Sarcoma - a rare cancer of In Fiona's final days she asked her cheque to founder Gail Elsey. the muscle. doctor, Dr George Kannourakis, to For more information on the Fiona She underwent chemotherapy at promise her that he would be involved Elsey Cancer Research Institute visit the Royal Children's Hospital. in research so that other people would www.fecri.org.au

Wesley’s 1000th meeting ■ Wesley Collegians' members met for three special reasons this month.

Not only was it the 1000th meeting of the Lodge, consecrated in 1924, but it was also the Lodge's opportunity to announce its donation towards the Freemasons Victoria Think Pink campaign.

Additionally on this occasion, Wesley Collegians' Lodge had invited Ambassador for Beyond Blue, Craig Membrey, as guest speaker, who spoke about youth suicide, its impact on family and friends, and how each and every one of us has a part to play in raising awareness of this issue.

Craig, a hard working businessman from the transport industry and father of five, lost his 17-year-old son to suicide in 2011.

He spoke of the reasons why youth make this fatal choice, and how drug use, peer pressure and depression all contributed to his son's death.

"My son indicated he needed help, but the warning signs were ignored,” he said.

Now acting as an Ambassador for Beyond Blue, Craig told of the first time he reached out to the organisation.

He said that he tried a couple of times to call but ended up going straight to the top, to founder, Jeff Kennett.

Craig said that with Kennett's full support he now campaigns for awareness of the tragedy of suicide using

● Beyond Blue Ambassador Craig Membrey makes a moving presentation at Wesley Collegians' Lodge on Tuesday, November 17. his truck, the 'Rowan' truck. south east region of Melbourne who The 'Rowan' truck, named after his have experienced youth suicide. late son, is decorated with images of (There is No 3G in Heaven, Sephis son and sports the Beyond Blue tember 2012. www.abc.net.au/4corlogo, spreading awareness where ners/stories/2012/09/06/3584646.htm ever it goes.

Representing Freemasons "Yes, money is important. Beyond Victoria, Communications Manager Blue needs all of the funding it can Gabrielle Forman accepted a cheque get, but most importantly it's about from the Lodge towards the Think awareness and making sure that youth Pink campaign. With the proceeds of know where they can turn for support the little Think Pink Bear along with and information," he said.

"It's about not being afraid to talk individual contributions, the Lodge raised $800 towards the Grand about it, or ask questions".

Members were moved by his pre- Master's challenge.

Finally, and in recognition of all of sentation, asking Craig many questhe faces that have graced Wesley tions.

At the conclusion of the talk, Mas- Collegian's Lodge in its 91-year hister of the Lodge, Robert Thorpe pre- tory, a toast was made by Selwyn sented Craig with a donation of $5000 Allen.

Many visitors from other Lodges towards Beyond Blue.

Craig Membrey was interviewed were there to celebrate the milestone, on ABC's Four Corners in 2012 all impressed with the hospitality among seven other families from the shown throughout the evening.

To find out more about Freemasonry, how to become a member, or attend upcoming public events, please visit www.freemasonsvic.net.au Or ‘like’ our FaceBook page www.facebook.com/freemasonsvic for the most up to date information.

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au Melbourne

Observer

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, November 25, 2015 - Page 19

West Hollywood

Veterans’ Day in West Hollywood ■ Hi everyone, from my suite at the Ramada Plaza Hotel and Suites comes this week's news.

Old Blue Eyes turns 100

Lest We Forget

● Cpt. David Smith, Alan Johnson, Sgt. Jim Farrell.

● Veterans’ Day in West Hollywood ■ The City of West Hollywood observed Veterans Day at the Sal Guarriello Veterans' Memorial by honouring members of the United States Armed Forces.

Pictured at the ceremony are Captain David Smith, Alan Johnson and Sgt. Jim Farrell.

A brief ceremony was held at the memorial located at the corner of Santa Monica Blvd and Holloway Drive.

The City annually hosts a Veterans’ Day ceremony at the site, which includes a commemorative fountain and plaques recognizing all branches of the armed services. \ It was the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month when the armistice, the end of hostilities in World War I, went into effect in 1918.

Armistice Day was celebrated in 1919 and in 1938 it became a legal holiday, it was then renamed Veterans Day in 1954.

Wearing red poppies to celebrate veterans began with a line in a poem by Canadian military physician Lt. Col. John McCrae, "In Flanders Fields the poppies grow, between the crosses, row by row." Written for those who died in a Belgian field in World War I.

GavinWood

From my Suite at the Ramada Plaza Complex on Santa Monica Blvd

It’s a date!

■ Money may buy you the world, but it can't buy you imagination. Fortunately, we've got some creative and value-minded ideas that you and your date can partake in and around West Hollywood. Whether you're on your first date or celebrating your 30th Anniversary, there's something free and enjoyable to do in and around the city.

STROLL THROUGH THE FARMERS MARKET On Thursday nights from May through October, take your date to The Sunset Strip Night Market - he or she will never guess that you can get produce, empanadas, soap, crepes, beer and wine from a specially curated beer garden and even live music and entertainment.

If both of you don't have a regular 9-5 day job, take a walk through the West Hollywood Farmers Market on Mondays from 9am. to 2pm in the parking lot of Plummer Park. It's a tight-knit collection of farmers and regular locals that will make for a community-friendly, casual vibe.

TAKE THE PICKUP DOWN SANTA MONICA BOULEVARD Hop aboard the recently unveiled pilot project, The Pickup Entertainment Trolley, which offers a free ride down Santa Monica Boulevard every 15 minutes with stops every 2-3 blocks. It runs every Friday and Saturday night from 8 pm till 3am, so you can explore West Hollywood more responsibly than ever.

MOCA AT PACIFIC DESIGN CENTRE With admission to the Museum of Contemporary Art at the Pacific Design Centre being free, you and your date can enjoy rotating exhibits on architecture and design. When you're done, peruse the stores and galleries in the Pacific Design Centre to top off your day and you're sure to impress your date with your design savvy.

DESERT NIGHTS AT CACTUS LOUNGE It's hard to come by a free acoustic show these days, much

● Farmers Market less one that's set in a swank environment right on Sunset Boulevard in a weekly show. Curated by KCRW DJ Valida, Desert Nights will provide the perfect soundtrack to your Wednesday night with the best live music in town starting at 7:30pm.

SUMMER NIGHT SWIM WEDNESDAYS AT SKYBAR, MONDRIAN It's hard to believe that any pool party with amazing views of the LA basin, beautiful people and a DJ set (spun by a beautiful DJ) could be free, but Skybar is the place that does exactly that - though you two will want to dress to the nines (as if it weren't free).

HIKE RUNYON CANYON Whether you or your date have a dog or are simply in the mood for some of the best views in L.A. while getting a little Hills-oriented exercise, Runyon Canyon is simultaneously one of the most social places - for humans and their best friends - to be in West Hollywood. Enjoy the Santa Monica Mountains while being just minutes from the city - one of the best geographic features in Los Angeles VISIT BLUE JAY WAY (BEATLES SONG) If either or both of you love the Beatles, you'll love visiting the street from which George Harrison composed the song Blue Jay Way while waiting for their trusted journalist friend Derek Taylor. The views from this street in the Hollywood Hills are breathtaking, and include panoramic views of Hollywood and the Los Angeles Basin - providing nothing short of a romantic perch for you and your date.

www.gavinwood.us

● Frank Sinatra ■ Francis Albert ‘Frank’ Sinatra was an American jazz and traditional pop singer, actor and producer who was one of the most popular and influential musical artists of the 20th century.

Frank was born December 12, 1915 in Hoboken, New Jersey. and died May 14, 1998 in West Hollywood.

Frank had three children: Nancy, Frank Jr., and Tina.

Celebrating the 100th year of Frank Sinatra's birth, Harper Collins is releasing Sinatra's Century. One Hundred Notes On The Man and His World.

Threaded through David Lehman's 100 notes are captivating observations, histories, insights and reflections likely to serve as interesting dinner party conversations.

"At Zito's Bakery on Bleecker St, a Greenwich Village landmark for 80 years that closed its doors in 2004, customers saw two framed photographs on the wall behind the counter.

One was a picture of the Pope, the other a picture of Frank Sinatra.

Directly and after every baseball game at Yankee Stadium, the public address system plays Sinatra's signature recording of Kander and Ebb's New York, New York with lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolf Green from the musical On The Town. It is also played to herald in the New Year in Times Square.

Sinatra gave $100 to a Bell Hop for his help and he then asked what was your biggest tip and the Bell Hop replied, "$200 Mr Sinatra." Frank said, "Who gave you that much?"

And the Bell Hop replied, "You did Mr Sinatra."

When bandleader Harry James discovered Frank as a singing waiter at the Rustic Cabin in New Jersey, Frank joined the James Band.

Harry wanted him to change his name to Frank Satin. "No Way," Frank replied. Years later when asked about the name change, Frank shot back, "If I had done that, I'd be working cruise ships today."

Sinatra was famous, or notorious, for insisting on doing his movie scenes in one take. He felt that repetition would diminish his spontaneity.

First take was the best take and as he grew in fame and power, 'One Take Charlie' would get his own way more often than not and if not he had no hesitation of walking away.

New honour for Streisand ■ Barbra Streisand, Itzhak Perlman, Gloria and Emilo Estefan and James Taylor are among the arts figures that will receive American's highest civilian honour, The Presidential Medal of Freedom, in a ceremony at the White House, as we go to press.

President Obama said in the written announcement that his picks are "men and woman who have enriched our lives and helped define our shared experience as Americans."

The citation described Streisand, who emerged in a 1962 musical called I Can Get It For You Wholesale, as one of this nation's most gifted talents who's body of work includes extraordinary singing, acting, directing, producing, song writing and she is one of the few performers to receive an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and a Tony.

Reasons to call Joanna

■ If you are considering a move to Los Angeles or just coming over for a holiday then I have got a special deal for you.

If you are coming here for a love experience, we would love to see you at the Ramada Plaza Hotel and Suites, 8585 Santa Monica Boulevard, West Hollywood.

I have secured a terrific holiday deal for readers of the Melbourne Observer.

Please mention 'Melbourne Observer' when you book and you will receive the 'Special Rate of the Day'.

Please contact: Joanna at info@ramadaweho.com Happy Holidays, Gavin Wood

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Page 20 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, November 25, 2015

■ We all have our favourite film actors but I always enjoyed watching Cameron Mitchell in the films.

The first time I really noticed him was when he played Gordon MacRae's friend in the musical Carousel.

Cameron McDowell Mitzell was born in Dallastown, Pennsylvania, in 1918 and was the fourth of seven children.

His father was a minister of religion. In his teenage years Cameron studied acting and was advised to change his surname to Mitchell if he was going to be a professional actor.

Cameron attended the Theatre School of Dramatic Arts in New York City whilst working as an usher and dishwasher to pay the bills.

He had his break on Broadway in a play titled Jeremiah in 1939 and also in the cast was another struggling young actor named Cornel Wilde.

Cameron served as an Air Force Bombardier during World War IIand after the war he resumed his acting career.

In 1945 he made his screen debut in the film What Next, Corporal Hargrove? .

He was cast as ‘Happy’ in the original production of Arthur Miller's play Death of a Salesman and reprised the role in the 1951 film.

He provided the voice of Jesus Christ in The Robe in 1953 but did not appear in the credits.

During the early 1950s Cameron Mitchell was busy in films such as Les Miserables, How

Whatever Happened To ...

Cameron Mitchell

By Kevin Trask of 3AW and 96.5 Inner FM

To Marry a Millionaire, Hell and High Water and Love Me or Leave Me. He was married three times during his lifetime and was a father to seven children.

In 1956 he played ‘Jigger Craigin’ in the musical film Carousel and sang in two songs That Was a Real Nice Clambake and Stonecutters Cut It On Stone.

Cameron was a guest star in many television shows such as The Untouchables, Wagon Train and Bonanza. In 1962 he narrated the series The Beachcomber.

Cameron Mitchell is probably best remembered for his role in the western television series The High Chaparral in which played the happygo-lucky ‘Buck Cannon’.

● Cameron Mitchell

Cameron Mitchell was offered the part of ‘Buck’ following an airline flight to Tucson where he sat next to the series creator David Dortort and his wife.

Cameron Mitchell was a working actor all his life and appeared in more than three hundred films and television shows during his career. He made some great films and some "shockers".

Some critics described him as uninterested whilst on screen and some of his B -grade films were considered by fans to be so bad that they were good. I always thought he had a grea screen presence.

His 12 hobbies included poker, golfing, family, animals, reading the Bible, fishing, traveling, playing basketball, soccer, philosophy, car racing and cooking.

Cameron Mitchell was a heavy smoker and died of lung cancer at the age of 75 in 1994 in Pacific Palisades, California. He is buried in Desert Memorial Park in Cathedral City, California. Several of his children have followed in their fathers footsteps to become actors.

Kevin Trask The Time Tunnel - with Bruce and Phil Sundays at 9.20pm on 3AW That's Entertainment - 96.5FM Sundays at 12Noon 96.5FM is streaming on the internet.

To listen, go to www.innerfm.org.au and follow the prompts.

Worst drive ever to Palm Valley ■ Probably the worst drive I've ever undertaken was a jaunt out to Palm Valley.

I'd never been there before, and Keith and Angie McGowan and I had been discussing such a journey for a while, so decided to venture forth.

We duly hopped into my intrepid Ssangyong 4WD, and off we went.

The first stop was Hermannsburg,

which we also hadn't visited before, then out to Albert Namatjira's old house, still in good condition.

Then out to the Valley, along the road I'd heard was a nightmare. We were almost there, and I thought: "This isn't too bad."

Then the final few kilometres, along a dry sandy and rocky creek bed. Indeed a nightmare.

Theatre Extra Review: Born In Sawdust ■ NICA’s graduating artists of 2015 use the history of classic European circus as the theme for their final performance for the year.

Directed by Gavin Robins, this production celebrates the rich histories of both circus performers and their trainers.

Arturo Gomez, one of the NICA trainers whose stories were used as a starting point for the work, expresses the passion and emotion of the circus in an opening dedication.

“Circus is my life. The king pole is my father, the circus tent covers me like my mother, the circus wires are my veins, the circus lights are my eyes, the applause is my best food and the sawdust is my finest perfume.”

Robins, whose achievements include the opening of the 2012 Eurovision song contest and the opening ceremony at the Sydney Olympics, takes his performers back to ● Adam O’Connor McMahon basics with highly accomplished tum- and Elke Uhd in Born in SawPhoto: Aaron Walker bling and acrobatics, clowning, aerial dust. straps, trapeze, hoops and rings, O’Connor-McMahon, originally from Perth, with clowning, highwire, mamulticorde, and high wire.

Robins says: “The lineage of our nipulation and Russian swing.

But Steph Mouat, was up there on trainers and mentors is what makes the shadows of our past materialise the highwire with him and one was reminded of the comment about Gininto the here and now.”

Born in Sawdust incorporates digi- ger Rogers and Fred Astaire: "Sure tal technology to explore the interplay he was great, but don't forget Ginger between projected silhouettes and live Rogers did everything he did backwards … and in high heels!" performance.

Ginger would have been delighted The shadow play sentimentally connects the past with the perform- with the standard of performer and ers of the present. NICA is auspiced performance, on display.

Performance Season: Until Noby Swinburne University of Technology and the striking digital projections vember 28 Venue: NICA National Circus Cenwere developed by students from the tre, 39-59 Green St, Prahran film and television course.

Tickets: Adults $36, Concession This is an outstanding ensemble performance by a group of talented $29, Child U16 $24.

Bookings: www.nica.com.au performers.

- Review by Martin Curtis Front and centre is Adam

First gear low range all the way from there. However, upon arrival, we all wandered through the Valley in the warm sunshine - spectacular.

Now it's just been announced that there is a high fallutin resort planned, overlooking this magnificent spectacle.

"The proposed resort would be environmentally responsible and a nature-based development, while still delivering exceptional standards,” according to Chief Minister Adam Giles.

■ As one walks through the streets of Alice Springs, one cannot help but notice one thing - the numbers of aboriginal women who are scarred or bandaged.

Some 120 indigenous women gathered in Alice Springs last week to discuss this issue.

According to Alice Springs Women's Shelter Executive Director, Dale Wakefield, aboriginal women are 35 times more likely to be hospitalised than non-indigenous women.

It's about 25 years since I first began residence in Alice Springs, and there's been no difference whatsoever in this situation, even though there is constant talk and wringing of hands about it. Nothing's changed.

"If we want to end domestic violence we have to make sure that men have lots of access to support, and we need to make sure that women are empowered and girls can see a pathway forward."

There is one thing which must stop before anything can begin to happen.

And that's the belief amongst aboriginal girls that "if he doesn't hit me he doesn't love me."

That's widespread, and begins the whole cycle of violence. If her partner is placid, and doesn't hit her, she soon stirs him up so that he does, just to follow her belief system.

Until that entrenched belief system is nipped in the bud, nothing will change.

■ Keith and Angie and I had also planned another trip for a while, so off we trotted.

We were going out along the Tanami Track to Rabbit Flat, and maybe hopefully further to the WA border.

The track is bitumen up to Tilmouth Well, north of Alice, and then turns into dirt.

The Outback Legend

with Nick Le Souef Lightning Ridge Opals 175 Flinders Lane, Melbourne Phone 9654 4444 www.opals.net.au We had our tents aboard, and were looking forward to our adventure.

Unfortunately, a substantial downpour managed to curtail our plans, so after slipping and sliding in the mud for a few kilometres, we decided we didn't want to spend our adventure digging out of bogs, so we retraced our steps.

Now, however, there is a move afoot to bitumenise the whole 1014 kms of track through to the Kimberley.

What a drive that would be.

Whilst the romance of the NT is partially because of its 4WD-ness, there are plenty of such tracks to excite and satisfy the most ardent of these people, and it would be a huge benefit for all travellers, from caravanners to four wheel drivers to local cockies to be able to negotiate the Tanami Desert in relative comfort.

Whilst I do love a good bumpy bush track I still love to effortlessly glide along watching the desert and its flowers and its creatures from the bitumen.

■ Here we go again - another bike

ride for a worthy cause. This time it's a ride from Darwin to Alice Springs to raise awareness for Congenital Melanocytic Nevus.

A Melbourne couple, John and Helen Taylor, swam four kms in Darwin, and then ran 300 kms down to Katherine, and cycled a further 1100 down to Alice Springs. Their local mate, Faye Lanyon, acted in a support role along the way.

It seems that their grandson Jaxon has this rare affliction, which adversely affects his skin, and increases his risk of melanoma.

So off they went, telling people about this unknown ailment as they went.

I've often wondered about such intrepid adventures and adventurers, and how successful they are in their endeavours. It seems that never a week goes by without some hardy soul or other off up or down the Stuart Highway, or across the bush tracks on a motorbike, or a camel, to spread the word and hopefully raise some money for some cause or other.

■ With the decrease in international tourism to Alice Springs, there has been a corresponding decrease in the numbers of businesses which offer their wares to such customers.

There are less opal stores, and less aboriginal art shops offering their wares.

One such victim of is the Ghost Gums Gallery which has sadly ceased trading as a result of this downturn.

No one likes his business to close down, but the owner Chris Hunter reports a happy side to this. He had a number of important historic aboriginal art works on display, which she is now gifting back to the Hermannsburg Historic Precinct. "They would help to tell the story of Hermannsburg's art to visitors," he said.

The most important of these artifacts is a boomerang which was painted by Albert in the 1940s, one of his first efforts.

It's good to see Namatjira-style paintings getting some airing and publicity, instead of the all-too-prevalent dots all over the place. Granted some are actually artistic, but many just resemble some kindergarten efforts with mere squirls and dots randomly plonked here and there.

Seems that the international art market is beginning to feel the same way.

- Nick Le Souef

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, November 25, 2015 - Page 21

Observer Classic Books

‘The Uncommercial Traveller’ by Charles Dickens

Continued From Last Week When they were dismissed and the broadsword exercise, limited to a much smaller number, succeeded, the boys who had no part in that new drill, either looked on attentively, or disported themselves in a gymnasium hard by.

The steadiness of the broadsword boys on their short legs, and the firmness with which they sustained the different positions, was truly remarkable.

The broadsword exercise over, suddenly there was great excitement and a rush. Naval Drill!

In the corner of the ground stood a decked mimic ship, with real masts, yards, and sails — mainmast seventy feet high. At the word of command from the Skipper of this ship — a mahogany-faced Old Salt, with the indispensable quid in his cheek, the true nautical roll, and all wonderfully complete — the rigging was covered with a swarm of boys: one, the first to spring into the shrouds, outstripping all the others, and resting on the truck of the main-topmast in no time.

And now we stood out to sea, in a most amazing manner; the Skipper himself, the whole crew, the Uncommercial, and all hands present, implicitly believing that there was not a moment to lose, that the wind had that instant chopped round and sprung up fair, and that we were away on a voyage round the world. Get all sail upon her!

With a will, my lads! Lay out upon the mainyard there! Look alive at the weather earring!

Cheery, my boys! Let go the sheet, now! Stand by at the braces, you! With a will, aloft there!

Belay, starboard watch! Fifer! Come aft, fifer, and give ’em a tune! Forthwith, springs up fifer, fife in hand — smallest boy ever seen — big lump on temple, having lately fallen down on a paving-stone — gives ’em a tune with all his might and main. Hoo-roar, fifer! With a will, my lads! Tip ’em a livelier one, fifer! Fifer tips ’em a livelier one, and excitement increases.

Shake ’em out, my lads! Well done! There you have her! Pretty, pretty! Every rag upon her she can carry, wind right astarn, and ship cutting through the water fifteen knots an hour!

At this favourable moment of her voyage, I gave the alarm ‘A man overboard!’ (on the gravel), but he was immediately recovered, none the worse. Presently, I observed the Skipper overboard, but forbore to mention it, as he seemed in no wise disconcerted by the accident. Indeed, I soon came to regard the Skipper as an amphibious creature, for he was so perpetually plunging overboard to look up at the hands aloft, that he was oftener in the bosom of the ocean than on deck. His pride in his crew on those occasions was delightful, and the conventional unintelligibility of his orders in the ears of uncommercial landlubbers and loblolly boys, though they were always intelligible to the crew, was hardly less pleasant. But we couldn’t expect to go on in this way for ever; dirty weather came on, and then worse weather, and when we least expected it we got into tremendous difficulties. Screw loose in the chart perhaps — something certainly wrong somewhere — but here we were with breakers ahead, my lads, driving head on, slap on a lee shore! The Skipper broached this terrific announcement in such great agitation, that the small fifer, not fifeing now, but standing looking on near the wheel with his fife under his arm, seemed for the moment quite unboyed, though he speedily recovered his presence of mind. In the trying circumstances that ensued, the Skipper and the crew proved worthy of one another. The Skipper got dreadfully hoarse, but otherwise was master of the situation. The man at the wheel did wonders; all hands (except the fifer) were turned up to wear ship; and I observed the fifer, when we were at our greatest extremity, to refer to some document in his waistcoat-pocket, which I conceived to be his will. I think she struck. I was not myself conscious of any collision, but I saw the Skipper so very often washed overboard and back again, that I could only impute it to the beating of the ship. I am not enough of a seaman to describe the manoeuvres by which we were saved, but they made the Skipper very hot (French polishing his mahogany face) and the crew very nimble, and succeeded to a marvel; for, within a few minutes of the first alarm, we had wore ship and got

Charles Dickens were all a-tauto — which I felt very grateful for: not that I knew what it was, but that I perceived that we had not been all a-tauto lately.

Land now appeared on our weather-bow, and we shaped our course for it, having the wind abeam, and frequently changing the man at the helm, in order that every man might have his spell. We worked into harbour under prosperous circumstances, and furled our sails, and squared our yards, and made all ship-shape and handsome, and so our voyage ended. When I complimented the Skipper at parting on his exertions and those of his gallant crew, he informed me that the latter were provided for the worst, all hands being taught to swim and dive; and he added that the able seaman at the main-topmast truck especially, could dive as deep as he could go high.

The next adventure that befell me in my visit to the Short-Timers, was the sudden apparition of a military band. I had been inspecting the hammocks of the crew of the good ship, when I saw with astonishment that several musical instruments, brazen and of great size, appeared to have suddenly developed two legs each, and to be trotting about a yard. And my astonishment was heightened when I observed a large drum, that had previously been leaning helpless against a wall, taking up a stout position on four legs.

Approaching this drum and looking over it, I found two boys behind it (it was too much for one), and then I found that each of the brazen instruments had brought out a boy, and was going to discourse sweet sounds. The boys — not omitting the fifer, now playing a new instrument — were dressed in neat uniform, and stood up in a circle at their music-stands, like any other Military Band. They played a march or

two, and then we had Cheer boys, Cheer, and then we had Yankee Doodle, and we finished, as in loyal duty bound, with God save the Queen.

The band’s proficiency was perfectly wonderful, and it was not at all wonderful that the whole body corporate of Short-Timers listened with faces of the liveliest interest and pleasure.

What happened next among the Short-Timers?

As if the band had blown me into a great classroom out of their brazen tubes, IN a great classroom I found myself now, with the whole choral force of Short-Timers singing the praises of a summer’s day to the harmonium, and my small but highly respected friend the fifer blazing away vocally, as if he had been saving up his wind for the last twelvemonth; also the whole crew of the good ship Nameless swarming up and down the scale as if they had never swarmed up and down the rigging. This done, we threw our whole power into God bless the Prince of Wales, and blessed his Royal Highness to such an extent that, for my own Uncommercial part, I gasped again when it was over. The moment this was done, we formed, with surpassing freshness, into hollow squares, and fell to work at oral lessons as if we never did, and had never thought of doing, anything else.

Let a veil be drawn over the self-committals into which the Uncommercial Traveller would have been betrayed but for a discreet reticence, coupled with an air of absolute wisdom on the part of that artful personage. Take the square of five, multiply it by fifteen, divide it by three, deduct eight from it, add four dozen to it, give me the result in pence, and tell me how many eggs I could get for it at three farthings apiece.

The problem is hardly stated, when a dozen small boys pour out answers. Some wide, some

r

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www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

very nearly right, some worked as far as they go with such accuracy, as at once to show what link of the chain has been dropped in the hurry.

For the moment, none are quite right; but behold a labouring spirit beating the buttons on its corporeal waistcoat, in a process of internal calculation, and knitting an accidental bump on its corporeal forehead in a concentration of mental arithmetic! It is my honourable friend (if he will allow me to call him so) the fifer. With right arm eagerly extended in token of being inspired with an answer, and with right leg foremost, the fifer solves the mystery: then recalls both arm and leg, and with bump in ambush awaits the next poser. Take the square of three, multiply it by seven, divide it by four, add fifty to it, take thirteen from it, multiply it by two, double it, give me the result in pence, and say how many halfpence. Wise as the serpent is the four feet of performer on the nearest approach to that instrument, whose right arm instantly appears, and quenches this arithmetical fire. Tell me something about Great Britain, tell me something about its principal productions, tell me something about its ports, tell me something about its seas and rivers, tell me something about coal, iron, cotton, timber, tin, and turpentine. The hollow square bristles with extended right arms; but ever faithful to fact is the fifer, ever wise as the serpent is the performer on that instrument, ever prominently buoyant and brilliant are all members of the band. I observe the player of the cymbals to dash at a sounding answer now and then rather than not cut in at all; but I take that to be in the way of his instrument.

All these questions, and many such, are put on the spur of the moment, and by one who has never examined these boys. The Uncommercial, invited to add another, falteringly demands how many birthdays a man born on the twentyninth of February will have had on completing his fiftieth year? A general perception of trap and pitfall instantly arises, and the fifer is seen to retire behind the corduroys of his next neighbours, as perceiving special necessity for collecting himself and communing with his mind.

Meanwhile, the wisdom of the serpent suggests that the man will have had only one birthday in all that time, for how can any man have more than one, seeing that he is born once and dies once? The blushing Uncommercial stands corrected, and amends the formula. Pondering ensues, two or three wrong answers are offered, and Cymbals strikes up ‘Six!’ but doesn’t know why. Then modestly emerging from his Academic Grove of corduroys appears the fifer, right arm extended, right leg foremost, bump irradiated. ‘Twelve, and two over!’

The feminine Short-Timers passed a similar examination, and very creditably too. Would have done better perhaps, with a little more geniality on the part of their pupil-teacher; for a cold eye, my young friend, and a hard, abrupt manner, are not by any means the powerful engines that your innocence supposes them to be.

Both girls and boys wrote excellently, from copy and dictation; both could cook; both could mend their own clothes; both could clean up everything about them in an orderly and skilful way, the girls having womanly household knowledge superadded. Order and method began in the songs of the Infant School which I visited likewise, and they were even in their dwarf degree to be found in the Nursery, where the Uncommercial walking-stick was carried off with acclamations, and where ‘the Doctor’ — a medical gentleman of two, who took his degree on the night when he was found at an apothecary’s door — did the honours of the establishment with great urbanity and gaiety.

These have long been excellent schools; long before the days of the Short-Time. I first saw them, twelve or fifteen years ago. But since the introduction of the Short-Time system it has been proved here that eighteen hours a week of booklearning are more profitable than thirty-six, and that the pupils are far quicker and brighter than of yore. The good influences of music on the whole body of children have likewise been surprisingly proved. Obviously another of the immense advantages of the Short-Time system to the cause of good education is the great diminu-

Continued on Page 22

Page 22 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Observer Classic Books

From Page 21 tion of its cost, and of the period of time over which it extends. The last is a most important consideration, as poor parents are always impatient to profit by their children’s labour.

It will be objected: Firstly, that this is all very well, but special local advantages and special selection of children must be necessary to such success. Secondly, that this is all very well, but must be very expensive. Thirdly, that this is all very well, but we have no proof of the results, sir, no proof.

On the first head of local advantages and special selection. Would Limehouse Hole be picked out for the site of a Children’s Paradise? Or would the legitimate and illegitimate pauper children of the long-shore population of such a riverside district, be regarded as unusually favourable specimens to work with? Yet these schools are at Limehouse, and are the Pauper Schools of the Stepney Pauper Union.

On the second head of expense. Would sixpence a week be considered a very large cost for the education of each pupil, including all salaries of teachers and rations of teachers? But supposing the cost were not sixpence a week, not fivepence? it is FOURPENCE-HALFPENNY On the third head of no proof, sir, no proof. Is there any proof in the facts that Pupil Teachers more in number, and more highly qualified, have been produced here under the Short-Time system than under the Long-Time system? That the Short-Timers, in a writing competition, beat the Long-Timers of a first-class National School? That the sailor-boys are in such demand for merchant ships, that whereas, before they were trained, 10L. premium used to be given with each boy — too often to some greedy brute of a drunken skipper, who disappeared before the term of apprenticeship was out, if the ill-used boy didn’t — captains of the best character now take these boys more than willingly, with no premium at all? That they are also much esteemed in the Royal Navy, which they prefer, ‘because everything is so neat and clean and orderly’? Or, is there any proof in Naval captains writing ‘Your little fellows are all that I can desire’? Or, is there any proof in such testimony as this: ‘The owner of a vessel called at the school, and said that as his ship was going down Channel on her last voyage, with one of the boys

from the school on board, the pilot said, “It would be as well if the royal were lowered; I wish it were down.” Without waiting for any orders, and unobserved by the pilot, the lad, whom they had taken on board from the school, instantly mounted the mast and lowered the royal, and at the next glance of the pilot to the masthead, he perceived that the sail had been let down. He exclaimed, “Who’s done that job?” The owner, who was on board, said, “That was the little fellow whom I put on board two days ago.” The pilot immediately said, “Why, where could he have been brought up?” The boy had never seen the sea or been on a real ship before’? Or, is there any proof in these boys being in greater demand for Regimental Bands than the Union can meet? Or, in ninety-eight of them having gone into Regimental Bands in three years? Or, in twelve of them being in the band of one regiment? Or, in the colonel of that regiment writing, ‘We want six more boys; they are excellent lads’? Or, in one of the boys having risen to be band-corporal in the same regiment? Or, in employers of all kinds chorusing, ‘Give us drilled boys, for they are prompt, obedient, and punctual’? Other proofs I have myself beheld with these Uncommercial eyes, though I do not regard myself as having a right to relate in what social positions they have seen respected men and women who were once pauper children of the Stepney Union..

Into what admirable soldiers others of these boys have the capabilities for being turned, I need not point out. Many of them are always ambitious of military service; and once upon a time when an old boy came back to see the old place, a cavalry soldier all complete, WITH HIS SPURS ON, such a yearning broke out to get into cavalry regiments and wear those sublime appendages, that it was one of the greatest excitements ever known in the school. The girls make excellent domestic servants, and at certain periods come back, a score or two at a time, to see the old building, and to take tea with the old teachers, and to hear the old band, and to see the old ship with her masts towering up above the neighbouring roofs and chimneys. As to the physical health of these schools, it is so exceptionally remarkable (simply because the sanitary regulations are as good as the other educational arrangements), that when Mr. TUFNELL,

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the Inspector, first stated it in a report, he was supposed, in spite of his high character, to have been betrayed into some extraordinary mistake or exaggeration. In the moral health of these schools — where corporal punishment is unknown — Truthfulness stands high. When the ship was first erected, the boys were forbidden to go aloft, until the nets, which are now always there, were stretched as a precaution against accidents. Certain boys, in their eagerness, disobeyed the injunction, got out of window in the early daylight, and climbed to the masthead. One boy unfortunately fell, and was killed. There was no clue to the others; but all the boys were assembled, and the chairman of the Board addressed them. ‘I promise nothing; you see what a dreadful thing has happened; you know what a grave offence it is that has led to such a consequence; I cannot say what will be done with the offenders; but, boys, you have been trained here, above all things, to respect the truth. I want the truth. Who are the delinquents?’ Instantly, the whole number of boys concerned, separated from the rest, and stood out.

Now, the head and heart of that gentleman (it is needless to say, a good head and a good heart) have been deeply interested in these schools for many years, and are so still; and the establishment is very fortunate in a most admirable master, and moreover the schools of the Stepney Union cannot have got to be what they are, without the Stepney Board of Guardians having been earnest and humane men strongly imbued with a sense of their responsibility. But what one set of men can do in this wise, another set of men can do; and this is a noble example to all other Bodies and Unions, and a noble example to the State. Followed, and enlarged upon by its enforcement on bad parents, it would clear London streets of the most terrible objects they smite the sight with — myriads of little children who awfully reverse Our Saviour’s words, and are not of the Kingdom of Heaven, but of the Kingdom of Hell.

Clear the public streets of such shame, and the public conscience of such reproach? Ah! Almost prophetic, surely, the child’s jingle: When will that be, Say the bells of Step-ney!

Chpater XXII BOUND FORTHE GREAT SALT LAKE Behold me on my way to an Emigrant Ship, on a hot morning early in June. My road lies through that part of London generally known to the initiated as ‘Down by the Docks.’ Down by the Docks, is home to a good many people — to too many, if I may judge from the overflow of local population in the streets — but my nose insinuates that the number to whom it is Sweet Home might be easily counted. Down by the Docks, is a region I would choose as my point of embarkation aboard ship if I were an emigrant. It would present my intention to me in such a sensible light; it would show me so many things to be run away from.

Down by the Docks, they eat the largest oysters and scatter the roughest oyster-shells, known to the descendants of Saint George and the Dragon.

Down by the Docks, they consume the slimiest of shell-fish, which seem to have been scraped off the copper bottoms of ships. Down by the Docks, the vegetables at green-grocers’ doors acquire a saline and a scaly look, as if they had been crossed with fish and seaweed. Down by the Docks, they ‘board seamen’ at the eatinghouses, the public-houses, the slop-shops, the coffee-shops, the tally-shops, all kinds of shops mentionable and unmentionable — board them, as it were, in the piratical sense, making them bleed terribly, and giving no quarter. Down by the Docks, the seamen roam in mid-street and mid-day, their pockets inside out, and their heads no better. Down by the Docks, the daughters of wave-ruling Britannia also rove, clad in silken attire, with uncovered tresses streaming in the breeze, bandanna kerchiefs floating from their shoulders, and crinoline not wanting. Down by the Docks, you may hear the Incomparable Joe Jackson sing the Standard of England, with a hornpipe, any night; or any day may see at the waxwork, for a penny and no waiting, him as killed the policeman at Acton and suffered for it.

To Be Continued Next Issue

Observer Crossword Solution No 16 MA R K E T A E L I P V I M I S S I V R T S A MA N E N I N E P T N W H A N I C K E L O A R A W I S H E S S T I E L A ND E A A M I M F R A U P E T C A S T E R U E E F S A V E H E NGU Y A RD R K P B MA I L I R A I S A H POK Y L E E E NDOR S A R DR AG S K Y A K A Y AMP L E S U O P U S H I N I T I O RUNN E R R G RO A T L A S N A Y S S C I S L WO R S H I A O AM A W R MOR A L I

I NG C N L E A T A E T E NON R S R A H E A P A T C K L E S I S T V E D Y S R E E T N A OMA J A R G E T E R A T H O N E NU S A N B S I D E T C L F E R S C R I C K E A L I N T D I E S T RU E E P R M I G A R I R S S T A E T I D N E E YOGA V T I D E S R R F I T A T E S L M L E A K E S L I P ME S I GO S C P I E S S E S

A R E E R G T A P X H Y E N A ROP H Y N ME O O M E E N T S E A V E S H E A DMA S T E GOD S O T C R P R E F E R S E NCH B E T A N A EM I A V E A L L S E S T OW AW A Y N C O S M OGO HO T U P M I T E S I S H V M NCO E ME R A T E WH I S N WO N F E MA R S E K E F OO T MA D R F B E N E U S S I F I I N A P T C L I P A L I B I P E T T Y E SOY A OS S NOE L R I B T T D I OR AWA C V I OC N R A T I ON CUD F E GOO I F F E R S P UN E E R MA U L S D O O L E U D I GR E S S E P P E D N S I N S T E P S A S CO E X E M T E N S I ON M I N I I L C T A CHOME T E GH T B R A S S H K O Y E OD I UM D T O S N B R A T S T AGE S Y E F

N U N N E R Y

D EM MA Z T I S T H I A S E S S DO S T B E H A E S T E R R A L A D S S L P T L A Y I CON R EWD E L R R L POO S L D F L A O L L G R I N MA CHO I K S T R E A T O R I R E E C Y D I S H L GE L L E L U C L E S A L ON E O A D Z S C I E X T E T O B B I NG O S E A S H N R S M I MA R I A R I D L E I NG S GE R T POS

H A R B I NG E U M A ME CC A L S H AGGA N EWE R T E S OA A OW L I R I E R L N N I MB S E R I F L S D I L A A S T C C S R E E K T U B A S R R I ND OW E D Y E L E E O D AWD L GS B E YM R K E A R A B I C L C T H A L S A C A D H A R E A D E R AM B N I C S R E A MA J E S D E L E D AM L E M NOS E I N T O J E N A V A S P Y D Z R AMA Z CORG I I M OR A N E P AGE G T ROU L E A OP R A NU P Y MOB S T A L ON E A M U N X S HR E DD I

E R O A RD I F S E T E L E P T E D S G L P E E D E P T A A T I L E M N E R T Y R A D Y L

A E S C GE N ND U S D E R A N NG

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What’s New

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Large range of stock available to pick from, customers can also make to order. ● Large range of accessories: ● Prongs and plates (for Greek Gyros) ● Motors ● Grills ● Rotisserie sets ● Charcoal ● BBQ utensils By buying direct you cut down on price, not quality.

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Peninsula Homemaker

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Homemaker

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Pets

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Education and Training

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Education andTraining

Places To Go

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Victorian Rural News

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Places To Go

â—? Come and enjoy with with a cold drink in the beer garden

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Travel Planner

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Page 34 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Places To Go

Historic Boondooma Homestead The original ‘Spirit of the Bush’ Traditional Balladeers & Heritage Muster April 21-22-23-24, 2016 ANZAC Service: 9am Monday, April 25 Featuring some of Australia’s leading Balladeers and Poets (To be announced on confirmation) Plus Walkup Artists & Homestead Balladeers & Poetry Competition

For details of competitions, general information and bookings contact: Buddy Thomson and Lynne Bennett.

Ph/Fax (07) 4168 0168 www.boondoomahomestead.org.au E-Mail: buddythomson@bigpond.com Camp Oven by Boondooma’s Camp Oven Cooking Team

Licensed Bar - BBQ - Stalls - Chips/Drinks etc (Stalls Welcome, Insurance Required) Vintage Cars & Engines - Broad Axe, Adze, Photographic and Historic Displays Admission $95 per person full festival inc. camping from April 18-26.

Day rates available: Wed $15, Thu $20, Fri $25, Sat $25, Sun $15 Discounted camping rates of $5pp/pn apply up to and including Sun., April 17 and after April 26. Festival patrons only.

Pre bookings. Phone Lynne 07 4168 0168 for details.

Sorry no EFTPOS available.

Bring your own mug and get free tea and coffee.

Bush camping available General inquiries and bookings Phone caretakers 07 4168 0159

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Travel Planner

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Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, November 25, 2015 - Page 37

Travel Planner

Page 38 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, November 25, 2015

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Places To Go

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Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, November 25, 2015 - Page 39

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SOCIAL MEDIA FAMILY Continued from previous column André Haermeyer, Claire Halliday, Kate Halliday, Fiona Hamilton, Jennifer Hansen, Rod Hardy, Wendy Hargreaves, Barbara Harper, Carolyn Hartmann, John Hay-Mackenzie, Brett Hayhoe, Anthony Healey, Tanya Healey, Jacqueline Healy, Lissi Heffernan, Alex Hehr, Gigi Hellmuth, Meg Heres, Chris Herrod, Matt Hetherington, Melissa Hetherington, Colleen Hewett, Victor Hiah, Glenn Hodges, Shannon Holloway, JaneHolmes, Julie Houghton, Gavin Howard, Andrew Howarth, Frank Howson, John-Michael Howson, Craig Huggins, Alex Hutchinson, Chris Ilsley, Judith Ann Jacques, Neil James, Ross James, Harry Jenkins, Mark Jenkins, Loretta Johns, Cheryle Johnson, Bob Jones, Marcie Jones, Jeff Joseph, Cris Jubb, Helen Kapalos, Warren Kay, Sandy Kaye, Frank Kendall, Jane Kennedy, Chris Keating, Julie Kiriacoudis, Robert Kirwan, Peter Klages, Mark Knight, Imren Kuyucu, Michael Lallo, Yvonne Lawrence, Nathan Lay, Nick Le Souef, Jim Lee, Alison Lee-Tet, Julie Leeming, Sam Lewin, Adam Long, Anne Long, Daniel Long, Dominique Long, Greg Long, Jaide Long, James Long, Kieran Long, Linda Long, Pat Long, Sarah Long, Neil Longdon, Lucy Loprete, Diane Luxmore, Gary Mac, Joan Mac, Wayne Mac, Helen Macdonald, Lachlan Macdonald, Fiona Mackenzie, Trent Mackenzie, Jan Maher-Martin, Jacki MarconGreen, Benjamin Marks, Jeanette Martin, Chrissy Massingham, David Masson, Ian Maurice, Dana McCauley, Sandra McCurdy, Angela McGowan, Shane McInnes, Jane McLaren, Margaret Mclelland, Sue McPhee, Gary McQuade, Marney McQueen, Ross McSwain, Ric Melbourne, Mike Menner, Maria Mercedes, Peter Mery, Rosie Moffat, Jamie Mollard, Wayne Motton, Kenneth Mulholland, Craig Murchie. Kate Murphy, Mary Murphy, Laura Musial, Kate Neilson, Rick Newbery, Greg Newman, Gary Newton, Spencer Nicholls, Paul Nicholson, Georgina Nickell, Rick Num, Libby Nutbean, Kerry O’Brien, Eddie Olek, Maris O’Sullivan, Simon Owens, Mick Pacholli, Silvie Paladino, David Palmer, Andrew Pante, John Parker, Simon Parris. John Pasquarelli, Bill Passick, Dawn Patterson, Marcus Paul, Allan Pennant, Penni Perrin, Ali Perris, Libby Petrella, Elise Petty, Judy Phillips, Felix Pindato, Angela Pippos, Greta Polonsky, Tony Porter, Gene Price, John Price, Cindy Pritchard, Robert Pullin, Howard Purcell, Joan Purcell, Ben Quick, Jamie Redfern, Helen Relph, Dean Reynolds, Don Reynolds, Mark Richardson. Rob Richardson, Kim Richter.

Christine Ridd, Glenn Ridge, Annie Roberts, Wendy Roberts, Clive Rodda. Di Rolle, Libby Ross, Rena Ross, David Rouch, Norman Rowe, Maria Rowland, Lisa Rudd, Pete Rudder, Lisa Millar Ruggerio. Sally Russell, Chris Ryan, Denis Scanlan, Tom Schouten, Brendan Scott, James Scott, Mark Scott, Adam Shand, Janet Shaw, Jim Shomos, Glenys Sigley, Matthew Sigley, John Silvester, Phil Skeggs, Ruta Skoba, Damian Sleep, Frank Slevin, Deborah May Small, Judy Small, Dennis Smith, Justin Smith, Deb Sorrell, Susan Spagnolo, Ken Sparkes, Maddy Sparks, Jim Spreadborough, Garry Spry, Victoria St John, Michelle Stamper, Artie Stevens, Ian Stewart, Natasha Stipanov, Bruce Stockdale, Richard Stockman, Deb Sukarna, Liz Sullivan, Anne Swinstead, John Tamb, Jason Taylor, Rachel D. Taylor, Nui Te Koha, Phil Teese, Lyndall Tennant, Serge Thomann, Gaylene Thompson, Jenny Thompson. Alan Thorley, Greg Tingle, Ellice Tobin, Kevin Trask, Penny Tregonning, Sue ThrethownJones, James Tulk, Judy Turnbull, Robin Turner, Les Twentyman, Hans Van Bloemendaal, Peter van Hauen, Michelle van Raay, Michael Vaughan, John Vertigan, Heidi Victoria, Steve Vizard, Christian Wagstaff, Mal Walden, Paul Walsh, Zoe Walsh, Geoff Ward, Cecily Waters, Rob Watts, Linda Weber, Nicki Wendt, Paul Weston, Kelvin Weston-Green Christie Whelan-Browne, Marilyn Whitelaw, Michael J Wilkie, Eric Williams, Helen Williams, Lisa Williams, Gavin Wood, Ian Wright, Roni Wildboer, Michelle Zydower.

More names to be added in next issue

Page 40 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Victoria Pictorial

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Toorak Historic Photo Collection

● Toorak House, residence of Colonel Allan Spowers, 21 St. Georges Rd. 1956.

● Toorak Post Office, circa 1920s

● Toorak Cricket Club. 1920.

● Scotsburn, 554 Toorak Road, Toorak. Circa 1937.

● Drawing room in Dr Buller Murphy's house, Toorak. 1936.

● Boys at ‘Glamorgan’ school in Toorak, conducted by Miss I. McComas.

1909.

● Toorak Station, early 1900s

● Toorak Village. 1907.

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Every Week in the Melbourne Observer

ver N ser O Ob TI C SE 3

Observer Showbiz

Radio: Will 3NE be sold to ACE Radio? .............. Page 42 Theatre: Meet David McLean .......................................... Page 43 Country Music: Sandie Dodd’s new CD ........................ Page 42 Jim and Aar on: Top 10 lists, movie/DVD reviews .......... Page 44 Aaron: Cheryl Threadgold: ‘First Things First’ at Doncaster .......... Page 45 PL US THE LLO OVATT”S MEGA CRO PLUS CROSSSWORD

MUSIC VICTORIA AWARDS ‘Tiptoe Through The Tombstones’ at Frankston ■ This production opened with the appropriate ‘spooky’ music with cast members emerging from the back of the auditorium and walking through the audience pausing as if to ‘check’ who was present.

This sets the scene for Frankston Theatre Group’s Tiptoe Through The Tombstones, a very funny mix of ‘whodunit’ and The Addams Family.

Written by Norman Robbins and directed by Joyce Sedunary, this comedy thriller presents us with an array of colourful and strange characters, who are all members of the Tomb family.

They have been gathered together in the gloomy old mansion by Mortimer Crayle, the old family lawyer, who it appears has plans to murder all the Tombs so he can claim the family inheritance.

However things do not proceed as planned and the narrative unfolds with many twists and turns.

Secret passages, a dark foggy night, mysterious strangers appearing , a house sheltering family secrets – all the elements of a good “ whodunit”.

Then throw in some “ red herrings”, dead bodies, poison, a bloody meat cleaver and revolvers.

This hilarious romp is lots of fun, and obviously enjoyed by the audience in cabaret style seating.

Mortimer Crayle (Roy Thompson), Vernon Prewitt (Michael Clayton), Larry Lewiss (Mark Moore), Zoe Mapleton (Mary Bedford), Edna Honeywell (Tenee Schneider) and the Tomb family- Augustus (Dave Wearne), Athene(Carolyn Waddell), Octavia(Christine Davies), Henrietta(Lynne Elphinston-Gray), and Fabia(Annie Laurenson) all give strong performances.

The production team headed by director Joyce Sedunary have combined with the cast to present a most enjoyable night’s entertainment and a rollicking good laugh.

Performance Dates: November 27, 28, December 4, 5 at 8pm; November 29, December 6 at 2pm Venue: Mt Eliza Community Centre, Canadian Bay Rd., Mt Eliza Bookings: www.frankstontheatregroup.org.au - Review by Jill Page

3AW’s basketballers

● 3AW’s Nightline program now has a sports team.

Emily Mansfield, grand-daughter of co-host Bruce, played basketball for Ivanhoe Knights. Her opponent: Felicity Owens, is daughter of program producer Simon playing for the Nunawading Vikings.

Photo: 3AW Nightline, Facebook

God of Carnage

● Bill Armstrong ■ Bill Armstrong, of Melbourne’s historic Armstrong Studios, was welcomed into the Music VictoriaAwards Hall of Fame by his longtime friend, Normie Rowe on Friday night.

3AW radio personality Billy Pinnell inducted the late Stan ‘The Man’ Rofe. Stan’s brother, Roy Rofe, accepted the Award on behalf of Stan and his extended family.

The 10th Anniversary of Music Victoria Awards sawthe induction of 10 Victorian music icons into the Hall of Fame at a concert presentation at the Palais Theatre, St Kilda.

The evening commenced with a VIP cocktail party where the first four Hall of Fame Awards were presented. First inductee was Tex Perkins.

An icon Award was presented to Sunbury Festival by Brian Cadd and accepted by its founder, John Fowler.

Uncle Jack Charles welcomed the audience to country.

RocKwiz’s Brian Nankervis introduced Grinspoon’s Phil Jamieson and Vika Bull who paid trobute to the Palais Theatre by performing The Rolling Stones’ Gimme Shelter.

Musical backing was provided by The EG Allstars featuring Bill McDonald (musical director), James Black, Ash Naylor and Ben Weisner.

The Thunderbirds were inducted into the Hall of Fame by their former lead singer, Marcie Jones, after Paul Williamson took to the stage to perform their 1961 hit, Wild Weekend.

David Mann of 3AW accepted the Award on behalf. of The Seekers. Kate Ceberano played musical tribute to the iconic fourpiece with her version of I’ll Never Find Another You. Olivia Newton-John was able to attend due to her concert schedule and accepted the Award via video link. She was inducted by her old friend, Barry Gibb, also via video after Angie Hart paid tribute by performing A Little More Love.

Next inductee was Archie Roach, who this year celebrated the 25th anniversary of his debut solo album, Charcoal Lane.

Archie was joined onstage for a live performance of two of his most poignant songs - Took the Children Away and We Won’t Cry – by Paul Kelly and Craig Pilkington.

Kingswood’s Fergus Linacre andAlex Laksa, along with Vika Bull, performed the AC/DC smash, Highway to Hell.

Music Victoria CEO, Patrick Donovan, inducted the band into the Hall of Fame.

Final induction of the night was made to John Farnham , by his lon-time friend, Denis Handlin, Chairman and CEO of Sony Music Entertainment Australia.

John and his nine-piece band, complete with a cameo from two bagpipers, then took to the Palais Theatre stage for a 30minute set featuring That’s Freedom, Pressure Down, You’re The Voice before returning to the stage for the encore of AC/DC’s anthem It's a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock 'n' Roll).

The Music Victoria Awards are the largest publicly voted music awards in Australia.

The sum of $5 from every ticket sold was donated to the event’s charity partner, Support Act Limited, to help musicians in need.

● Claire Benne (Veronica Novak), Alayne Wright (Annette Raleigh), Bruce Hardie (Michael Novak) and Barry Lockett (Alan Raleigh) in God of Carnage.

Photo: Helen McIntosh ■ Peridot Theatre presents Yasmina Reza’s satiric comedy God of Carnage until December 5 at the Unicorn Theatre, Mt Waverley.

Tim Long’s first-class direction and a quartet of four skilled actors treat audiences to a most entertaining show.

The narrative is also at times unnerving, because we are reminded that lurking close to the surface of our courteous veneer of civility is a savagery which, when liberated, can reveal uncharacteristic, aggressive behaviour.

Veronica and Michael Novak (Claire Benne and Bruce Hardie) have asked Annette and Alan Raleigh (Alayne Wright and Barry Lockett) to their home to discuss an after school altercation between their two 11-year-old sons.

The Novak’s son, Henry, is now minus two teeth after being hit with a stick by Benjamin Raleigh.

The audience is quickly made aware of this after-school episode, and throughout the play enjoys simmering tension and conflict – sometimes politely restrained, sometimes physical or outrageously rude – as the parents recriminate to protect their sons.

It is a real joy to see a play where every word is delivered articulately and clearly heard at the back of the theatre, and this is the case with Peridot’s God of Carnage.

Bravo to the actors.

Director Long commendably ensures that while each character is unique, the even performance levels of his fine cast mean no actor outshines the other.

This strengthens a sense of truth and believability for the audience as these four urbane, ordinary every-day people encounter a situation which brings out the worst in them.

Congratulations to Tim Long for the effective sound and set designs and to Peridot Theatre for another enjoyable quality theatre production.

Performance Season: November 25-28, December 2 5 at 8pm, 2pm matinee November 28, 4pm twilight matinee November 29 Venue: Unicorn Theatre, Lechte Rd., Mt Waverley.

Bookings: 9898 9090 (if using a mobile) or email peridotboxoffice@yahoo.com.au - Review by Cheryl Threadgold

Showbiz Briefs

■ Actress Christie Whelan-Browne broke down in the first preview of Jerry’s Girls on Saturday. She said she was crying instead of singing, overwhelmed by appearing in a cast that included Nancye Hayes, Rhonda Burchmore, Sylvie Paladino, Virginia Gay, Claire Lyon, Kirby Burgess, Chelsea Gibb, Debra Krizak, Josie Lane, Natalie O'Donnell and Brent Hill .

■ Showbiz identity John Michael Howson says it is a pity that the Turnbull Government has dropped knighthoods: “I'd love to see Dame Jeannie Pratt, Dame Nancy Hayes and Dame Jill Perryman , Sir John Bell, Sir Hugh Jackman.Sir Barry Humphries, etc. “ Howson made the comments after the Jerry’s Girls opening night.

Page 42 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Observer Showbiz

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Radio Confidential News from stations from around Victoria

ACE tipped as buyer for 3NE

Country Crossroads

Radio rumours

info@country crossroads.com.au Rob Foenander

Sandie’s new CD

● Sandie Dodd ■ Rowville artist Sandie Dodd has released her new album.

More To Love is a follow-up to Sandie's first EP Burning Memories from 2011. It is sure to keep her ever growing fan base very happy.

The 10-song track list includes songs written by veteran musician and songwriter Bernie O'Brien, plus there are some evergreen country songs.

Jasmine nominated ■ Jasmine Rae has been nominated for 'Single of the Year' and 'Female Artist of the Year' for the 2016 Golden Guitar Awards.

The Melbourne-based singer-songwriter has been on a national tour of late and will head to Tamworth Country Music Capital in January for the awards presentation.

■ The ACE Radio Network is said to be interested in buying the 3NE Wangaratta and 2QN Deniliquin radio stations.

Radio Confidential understands that an offer of approximately $12 million was rejected by North East Broadcasters Pty Ltd. It is understood that the asking price might be closer to $17 million.

3NE remains as Victoria’s only independent radio station.

It has relay stations at Mt Hotham, Mt Beauty, Mt Buffalo and Myrtelford.

The company operates The Edge FM station at Wangaratta, and Classic Rock FM at Deni.

3NE takes 3AW programs for most of the day including shows presented by Neil Mitchell, Ross Greenwood, Dwayne Russell, Luke Bona, Bruce Mansfield and Philip Brady. The local breakfast show presenter is Paul Konik.

North East Broadcasters is associated with the Mott and Roberston families.

To SEN ■ Francis Leach is about to re-join 1116 SEN, taking over the breakfast program, in a move engineered by the

Selby Folk Club ■ Promoted as the best kept secret in the Dandenongs, the Selby Folk Club has been meeting on the first Friday of every month (except January) since 1978.

An evening entertainment next week kicks off with spot acts from the audience then the invited guest artist closes the evening. The December 4 concert will feature The Leigh Slogett Duo. Selby Community House, 1 Minak Rd, Selby.

- Rob Foenander

r Obser vbeiz On This Day Show

● Francis Leach

● Press reports said that former A Current Affair reporter Elise Elliott would not reveal much about the possibility of a Ford Mustang car in the family.

Elise and husband Tom, 3AW’s Drive host, were certainly in 1970s mode at the weekend when they posed for this photo on social media ahead of the Allanah and Madeline Foundation ‘Starry Starry Night’ at Crown Palladium. Tom’s footwear is described as Photo: Facebook ‘goldfish platforms’. station’s new General Manager, Graham Mott.

Leach will partner with David ‘The Ox” Schwarz.

Kevin Bartlett stays in the morning timeslot.

Andy Maher will take over a new afternoon program, SEN Lunch Break. His on-air partner Andrew Gaze becomes a station contributor.

Daniel Harford and Mark Allen iwill host The Run Home from 3pm-7pm.

SEN Evenings with Mark Fine continues.

Mott is concerned that the station’s ratings have dropped from 5.5 per cent to 4.0 per cent in 1q2 months.

He is looking to broaden the content and appeal of the sports station.

Briefs

■ Lesley Yeomans is to reduce her five-day-a-week role with AIR News which provides an independent news service to stations across Australia.

Proprietor Artie Stevens is looking to appoint a news presenter from January 12, working three afternoons a week.

■ Veteran Jim Murphy introduced himself to the Survivors luncheon on Saturday as author of the Country Callsigns column of the Listener-In. ■ 3CR is holding a benefit concert this Saturday (Nov. 28) at the Lomond Hotel, East Brunswick as a centenary tribute to Joe Hiil, as part of the union movement.

● Barrie Quick ■ Yet to be confirmed, Radio Confidential hears that after a long-term as CEO of Pacific Star Network (SEN, 3MP), Barrie Quick has joined the advertising sales team at 3AW Melbourne.

People

■ Macquarie Media (3AW, Magic 1278 in Melbourne) has announced the appointment of Ariel Sivikofsky, Acting Chief Financial Officer, as an additional company secretary.

■ Brigitte Duclos has been axed from the Gold 104.3 breakfast show line-up for 2016. The change took place just one week after Sam Thompson was named as Content Director for Gold.

■ Former 3AW General Manager Shane Healy, now working as Director, Media and Communications for the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne, was reportedly surprised to see broadcaster Derryn Hinch as an observer at the child abuse inquiry at State Parliament House.

Healy was in the GM’s chair at 3AW when Hinch was sacked.

■ 96.5 Inner FM will conduct its 25th anniversary concert this Saturday (Nov. 28) at the Banyule Theatre.

Melbourne

Observer

Sunday Monday Tuesday Friday Saturday Wednesday Thursday November 25 November 26 November 27 November 28 November 29 November 30 December 1 ■ Australian Presbyterian Minister, the Rev. John Flynn, was born in Victoria in 1880. He died aged 70 in 1951.

Cricketer and ABC commentator Kerry O’Keeffe was born in 1949 (66).

Singer Amy Grant was born in Augusta in 1960 (55).

■ Peanuts creator Charles Schulz was born in 1922. He died aged 77 in 2000.

Singer and actor Robert Goulet was born in 1933. He died 2007.

Tina Turner (Annie Mae Bullock), the singer, was born in 1939 (75).

TV presenter Jacki McDonald is 62.

■ British comic Ernie Wise was born in England in 1925. He died aged 73 in 1999.

American kung fu movie star Bruce Lee was born in 1940. He died aged 32 (1973).

TV host Simon Townsend is 70 (1945).

TV news reader and reporter Tracey Curro is 52 (1963).

■ Cricketer keith Miller was born in Sunshine, Victoria, in 1919.

He died aged 85 in 2004.

Famous Essendon footballer John Coleman was born in 1928.

He died in 1973, aged 44.

Musician Beeb Birtles was born in Amsterdam in 1948 (67).

■ UK author C S Lewis was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland, in 1898. He died aged 64 ion 1963.

Singer-songwriter Brian Cadd was born in Perth in 1946 (69).

Australian TV and radio comedian Michael Veitch was born in Melbourne in 1962. He is 53 today.

■ Author Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens) was born in Florida in 1835.

He died aged 74 in 1910.

British Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill was born in 1874.

He died aged 90 in 1965.

US TV host Dick Clark was born in 1929, died aged 81.

■ English singer Matt Monro (Terrence Parsons) was born in 1932. He died aged 53 in 1985.

Actor, director and writer Woody Allen (Allen Konigsberg) was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1935 (80).

American actress Bette Midler was born in Honolulu in 1945 (70).

Thanks to GREG NEWMAN of Jocks Journal for assistance with birthday and anniversary dates.

Jocks Journal is Australia’s longest running radio industry publication.

Find out more at www.jocksjournal.com

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

ShowBiz!

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, November 25, 2015 - Page 43

Observer Showbiz

MSO 2016 season

● Jacqueline Porter ■ Melbourne Symphony Orchestra has announced a packed 2016 season, with something to please a wide variety of musical tastes.

Chief conductor of the MSO, SirAndrew Davis, is urging Melbourne music lovers to join him in the adventure that is next year's season.

"The sheer breadth and variety of our concerts is amazing - we truly reflect the great diversity of cultural life in our great city and enrich it," he enthused.

Kicking off the MSO season in February are concerts centred around the work of Alfred Hitchcock and the film music of Bernard Hermann, conducted

by Benjamin Northey, followed the next week by a special East Meets West concert to celebrate Lunar New Year.

The Sidney Myer free concerts are a Melbourne institution, and next year they will feature Dvorak, Adams, and Gershwin on February 17, with more Dvorak and Tchaikovsky added in the concert on February 20. The February 27 concert will feature the famous guitar playing Grigoryan brothers, in a Spanish-South American program with the orchestra.

The final free concert, on March 4, will feature Dvorak's New World Symphony and Sibelius' Finlandia.

Back inside Hamer Hall in March, the MSO will present Mahler's Symphony No 5 and Ravel's Piano Concerto for the Left Hand.

Thursday March 31 pays tribute to Nino Rota's music for the film The Godfather, while inApril the MSO returns to its classical roots with a concert featuring Schubert's unfinished Symphony and Faure's Requiem, featuring well-loved Melbourne soprano Jacqueline Porter.

Later in April, the MSO will feature the complete Bach Orchestral Suites in one concert.

May brings the Metropolis New Music Festival, featuring music that has been written through the ages around the theme of cities and streets.

Brahms claims the orchestra's attention at the end of May, with a performing of Brahms' Fourth Symphony, accompanied by Mussorgsky's Night on Bald Mountain and Rachmaninov's famous Piano Concerto No 2, well known as the music for the film Brief Encounter, and excerpts of Prokofiev's ballet Romeo and Juliet.

June brings concerts featuring Mendelssohn, Straus and Stravinsky, plus Rachmaninov's loved Paganini Rhapsody, as well as a return to Brahms, with violinist Vadim Gluzman featuring in Brahms' Violin Concerto.

Mahler returns to the podium at the end of June, when SirAndrew Davis conducts Mahler's Symphony No 6.

In July, the MSO goes to the circus, with the orchestra playing Cirque de la Symphony, along with a host of internal circus performers.

- Continued in right column

TV, Radio, Theatre Latest Melbourne show business news - without fear or favour

Meet David McLean

■ David McLean is a devotee of the stage. He can still remember how the director cut his smoking scene and first stage kiss from the script when he was cast as the romantic lead in the local church drama society.

These days David says it isn’t much different.

He no longer gets cast in romantic roles – he’s too old – and smoking is socially unacceptable.

Between that first role and his current roles, David has performed on the amateur theatrical and drama stages around Melbourne.

Amongst his credits is a best actor award from the Victorian Amateur Drama League for playing Frank in Educating Rita and a best supporting gong from the Victorian Music Guild for his portrayal of Alfred P. Doolittle.

The role of a disillusioned and drunken English teacher wasn’t too much of a stretch given David’s 30 years in front of blackboards, then whiteboards, and then projector screens.

He headed English departments and once chaired the heads of English in independent schools.

This has given David tremendous perspective on all types of theatre both historically and stylistically.

He has read, taught, directed and written about all forms of theatre.

Today, David’s role is still in education and literature.

He’s currently one of the hosts on 3CR’s Published or Not, where he talks to national and international authors.

He has authored sev-

● David McLean eral books including Find- topical educational mating Coaby, a young adult ters including why masnovel about depression, sive theatre complexes in and the Riddle-Quest se- certain schools are anathries for adolescents where ema to how the profesevery chapter centres on sional world of theatre a riddle. actually works in real life.

David is regularly in- Topping all this off, he still vited into schools to run generates educational rewriting workshops, give sources for schools that revision lectures – which are sold nationally and intend to have a bit of theat- ternationally. rical flair to them – and At the time of writing, provide professional de- David was playing the velopment for teachers. character role of Victor David has also been Velasco in Neil Simon’s known to challenge any- Barefoot in the Park. He one attending these ses- says he is thinking of sions to get up and partici- adopting one of Simon’s pate. He says this is due classic lines as his motto. both to his advocacy of “I wish I was 10 years active learning, but also to older. Dirty old men seem the fact that performance to get away with so much seems to be in his blood. more.”

Education has also David will obviously be been at the forefront in part of Melbourne’s theDavid’s writing as well. atrical scene for a little There have been sev- while longer.

- Staff Writer eral articles in The Age on

Hit with Hot Notes ■ Triplets Wendy, Sue and Deb studied tap dancing as youngsters, and this year put their tap shoes back on to join other tappers in Hit Me With A Hot Note, the Isabelle Academy of Tap’s annual performance on Sunday, December 6.

Directed and choreographed by Isabelle Ryan and Megan Ellis, this sparkling tap smorgasbord will feature routines from absolute beginners to more seasoned tappers, strutting their stuff in two performances at the intimate Collingwood College Theatre.

Performances: Sunday, December 6 at 2.30pm and 7.30pm Venue: Collingwood College Theatre, Cnr Cromwell St. and McCutcheon Way Tickets: $35 ($30 concession matinee only) Bookings: tapminx@hotmail.com or phone 9415 7157.

● Triplets Wendy Smith, Sue Scully and Deb Wadsworth rehearse Hit Me With A Hot Note in Collingwood on December 6.

Photo: Megan Ellis

Review: Lady Shot

● The Girls Act Good Ensemble in A Lady Shot.

Photo: Darren Gill ■ Girls Act Good can act. Each performer in their current show A Lady Shot at La Mama had something to say and said it with conviction.

It is inspiring watching seven women transform themselves into various interactions as they share the stories of famous women in history and the views of women today.

This original piece of theatre appeared to be a work in progress. Some performances were more polished than others.

I was particularly mesmerized with the intensity of the director Jennifer Monk’s performance, she was focused and engaging throughout.

The set and costuming were quite different to the photographs used in the promotional material which advertised the show looking more opulent and polished.

Whether it was monetary, space or time constraints or a conscience decision to dress as an ensemble I think this show would have been more appealing if it had some semblance suggested by the flyer.

Photographs of a period setting with a touch of colour looked intriguing, the costuming on the night was not as inspiring although used creatively.

I would recommend doing some pre-reading on the historical figures, there is an assumed prior knowledge.

Although most of the characters whose tales were told are well known, this piece moves fast and it is easy to get a bit lost.

This is a highly energetic, thought provoking piece encouraging women to speak up, not play the victim and appreciate what they have to offer society as well as taking the time to celebrate who they are, and what role the man ‘prop’ plays in their life.

- Review by Elizabeth Semmel ● Continued from left column

MSO 2016 season

To mark Shakespeare's 400th anniversary of death, the MSO will perform two concerts in July with music from countless composers who were inspired by the bard, while at the end of July, Beethoven's popular Fifth Symphony will be performed by the MSO in its original home of Melbourne Town Hall.

August brings concerts of Elgar and Bach, plus Mendelssohn's Italian Symphony, and at the end of the month, Beethoven's Missa Solemnis will feature the orchestra, vocal soloist and the MSO Chorus.

September concerts bring Mozart to the fore, before a series of Beethoven & Beyond concerts, featuring Beethoven piano concerts 1-5.

Respighi and Schumann are the composers of the moment in the early October concerts, before the MSO takes off into space with Holst's The Planets on October 21.

November brings Dvorak's Cello Concerto, as well as a program of music from Sibelius and Shostakovich.

In December, renowned expatriate Australian conductor Simone Young returns to conduct a concert of Wagner and Bruckner, before the orchestra finishes its year with two rousing performances of Handel's Messiah on December 10 and 11. www.mso.com.au - Julie Houghton

Page 44 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Observer Showbiz What’s Hot and What’s Not in Blu-Rays and DVDs

● Listen To Me Marlon, the spellbinding autobiographical documentary feature with screen legend Marlon Brando in his own words.

FILM: LISTEN TO ME MARLON: Genre: Documentary/Biography.

Cast: Marlon Brando.

Year: 2015.

Rating: PG. Length: 103 Minutes.

Stars: ****½ Verdict: An exemplary feature length documentary that utilizes hundreds of hours of audio that screen legend Marlon Brando recorded over the course of his life to tell his story. No talking heads, just a uniquely, superlatively crafted and revealing no-hold-barred highs and tortured lows journey by Brando from his life as a boy, his parents, movies, marriages and children. Directed, co-written and edited by Steven Riley, this is filled with striking images from never-before-seen home movie and privately filmed footage, and additional news footage. Whether you are a Brando fan or not, a newcomer, or simply in search of something unique or special, this richly textured, intimate and ultimately haunting, unforgettable and totally unmissable making, unmaking and remaking self portrait of a 20th century legend is an offer you just can't refuse.

The best autobiography never written.

FILM: INSIDE OUT: Genre: Animation/Comedy/Drama.

Cast: Amy Poehler, Richard Kind, Diane Lane, Frank Oz, Kyle MacLachlan.

Year: 2015.

Rating: PG. Length: 94 Minutes.

Stars: **** Verdict: Engaging Disney-Pixar story of a young girl who is uprooted from her comfortable mid-western life and moved to the big city, San Francisco, where her father is to start a new job, but her emotions - Joy, Fear, Anger, Disgust and Sadness, constantly conflict on how best to navigate her in the new city. This is a most welcome addition to the already classic Disney-Pixar stable. The screenplay is intelligent and brisk, though at times dark, the pacing fluent and the animation is outstanding. Brimming with energetic spark and humour, this will be as enjoyable for adults as it is for children. Though not entirely original, reflective of Woody Allen's 1972 adult comedy "Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex, But Were Afraid to Ask" and the early 1990's U.S. series "Herman's Head" with Hank Azaria, "Inside Out" though is an entertaining, inventive, multi-layered coming of age adventure.

FILM: THE HOBBIT: Extended Versions: Genre: Fantasy/Adventure.

Cast: Martin Freeman, Ian McKellen, Richard Armitage, Christopher Lee, Orlando Bloom, Cate Blanchett, Hugo Weaving, Ian Holm, Stephen Fry. Years: 2012/2013/2014.

Ratings: M .

Lengths: Assorted Running Times.

Stars: ****½ Verdict: The extended versions of Peter Jackson's epic series Hobbit series are here and fans won't be disappointed! Join our adventuresome Hobbit Bilbo Baggins, the wizard Gandalf and dwarf leader Thorin (and Company) with even more action and adventure on their journey and battles to keep the terrifying dragon Smaug and array of combatants from acquiring a kingdom of treasure in the Lonely Mountain from falling into the hands of a rising darkness. Battle after battle, the sheer spectacle of it all is simply jaw-dropping with groundbreaking and unprecedented special effects. Pure edge-of-your-seat excitement from beginning to end. This is what cinema was created for, and if legendary filmmaker Cecil B. De Mille was making movies today, these would be it!

Movies, DVDs

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

With Jim Sherlock and Aaron Rourke

Wolf Totem

● A majestic moment from the epic adventure Wolf Totem, from Academy Award winning director Jean-Jacques Annaud.

■ (PG). 117 minutes. Coming Soon.

French film-maker Annaud has alDespite a rather rose-coloured ways been fascinated with nature and view of Chinese history, Wolf Totem man's place in it, and his beloved 1989 is a generally gripping movie from a family feature The Bear is still one of film-maker who knows how to cap- the best animal films ever made. ture nature's wonder and resilience.

While Wolf Totem is not in the same Set in 1967 during the early years league, it does offer moments of genuof the cultural revolution, the story cen- ine awe and wonder, aided immeatres on two Beijing students, Chen surably by the stunning work of cinZhen (Shaofeng Feng) and Yang Ke ematographer Jean-Marie Dreujou (Shawn Dou), who along with thou- (The Dance Of Reality / Two Brothsands of others, are sent far and wide ers / Man On The Train). It also conto teach other nationalities how to read tains one of James Horner's final and write in Mandarin. music scores before his tragic death Chen and Yang are stationed with in June of this year, and it is an olda nomadic tribe in Inner Mongolia, fashioned composition, very much in where they are taken under the wing the tradition of Maurice Jarre of group elder Bilig (Ba Sen Zha Bu). (Lawrence Of Arabia).

Overseeing their progress is ChiRATING - ***. nese government official Bao (Yin Zhusheng), who wants to see both the land and its people conquered and transformed by the communist state.

Representing the cultural and environmental balance are the wolves ■ Begins on Thursday November 26 who roam the area, and will play a (the opening film being The Emperor large part in Chen's change of heart. In August) and concludes on Sunday Based on the best-selling novel by December 6 (with the much-acJiang Rang and his experiences dur- claimed drama 100 Yen Love).

The continual popularity of the fesing the cultural revolution, the screenplay unfortunately feels like a gov- tival sees over 50 films scheduled this ernment-sanctioned presentation of year, with a stand-out mix of comedy, the frequently brutal scheme, with drama, thriller, and anime. teenagers freely volunteering to teach There are a number of highly anthe uneducated tribes the value and ticipated films screening, including power of communicating in Manda- the live-action adaptation of the hit rin. manga series Assassination ClassThe $40 million production was room (the series is currently showing largely Chinese funded, so I guess it on SBS 2); the spirited comedy/drama restricts the film-makers in telling a Kakekomi, directed by Masato more truthful story.

Harada (who also helmed the openA much better film dealing with the ing night film); Being Good, from the subject is Joan Chen's underseen di- director of last year's excellent The rectorial effort Xiu Xiu, The Sent Light Shines Only Here; Princess JelDown Girl (1999). lyfish; Love And Peace, from the proJean-Jacques Annaud (Quest For lific Sion Sono (Tokyo Tribe); the Fire / The Name Of The Rose / Seven oddly titled Pieta In The Toilet; and Years In Tibet) is an astute director Fires On The Plain, Shinya though, and even if the adventure playing out in front of us doesn't fully Tsukamoto's punishing remake of the convince, he layers the images and classic Kon Ichikawa war film.

Mr Tsukamoto will be here as well various confrontations enough to into participate in a Q & A. vite a metaphorical interpretation of For more information, please call China's attempt to invade and push their own history and language on ACMI on 8663 2583 or check online at www.acmi.net.au, Hoyts other civilizations.

There are particular scenes that Melbourne Central on 1300 357 357, powerfully symbolise this. In spite of or at www.japanesefilmfestival.net.

Ratings of the films I've seen : its political ambiguity, Annaud still delivers a sweeping epic, full of gor- Takashi Miike's As The Gods Will geous landscapes and some terrific (***½); Midnight Diner (***½).

- Aaron Rourke set-pieces (a night-time chase involving herdsmen, horses and wolves DVDs and Blu-Rays kindly supplied

by Video Vision, 177-179 Carlisle while a snowstorm rages is a definite Street, Balaclava. Some of Jeanhighlight).

Jacques Annaud's films are The non-professional cast, though limited in their dramatic range, de- available on DVD. For information liver effectively naturalistic perfor- on these titles please call 9531 2544, mances, but of course the real stars or check online at are the wolves themselves.

Japanese Film Festival

Top 10 Lists THE AUSTRALIAN BOX OFFICE TOP TEN: 1. SPECTRE. 2. THE DRESSMAKER. 3. THE MARTIAN. 4. PREM RATAN DHAN PAYO. 5. BRIDGE OF SPIES. 6. THE LAST WITCH HUNTER. 7. SCOUTS GUIDE TO THE ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE. 8. PARANORMAL ACTIVITY: GHOST DIMENSION. 9. THE INTERN. 10. ODDBALL. NEW RELEASES AND COMING SOON TO CINEMAS AROUND AUSTRALIA: NOVEMBER 19: 99 HOMES, ABSOLUTELY ANYTHING, SECRET IN THEIR EYES, THE CROW'S EGG, THE HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY PART 2.

NOVEMBER 26: BY THE SEA, CREED, HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA 2, LOVE THE COOPERS, THE PROGRAM. THE DVD AND BLU-RAY TOP RENTALS & SALES: 1. TRAINWRECK [Comedy/Romance/Amy Schumer, Bill Hader, Brie Larson].

2. INSIDE OUT [Animated/Adventure/Diane Lane, Bill Hader].

3. JURASSIC WORLD [Action/Adventure/Sci-Fi/Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard].

4. SAN ANDREAS [Action/ Dwayne Johnson, Paul Giamatti].

5. SELF/LESS [Thriller/Matthew Goode, Ben Kingsley].

6. THE HOBBIT: TRILOGY Extended Edition.

7. LOVE & MERCY [Music/Drama/ John Cusack, Paul Dano, Paul Giamatti].

8. FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD [2015/Carey Mulligan, Michael Sheen].

9. SPY [Comedy/Adventure/Melissa McCarthy, Jude Law, Jason Statham, Rose Byrne].

10. MAGIC MIKE XXL [Comedy/ Channing Tatum, Matthew Bomer, Amber Heard].

Also: TERMINATOR GENISYS, MAD MAX: FURY ROAD, THE AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON, POLTERGEIST, WOMAN IN GOLD, FAST & FURIOUS 7, DANNY COLLINS, TOMORROWLAND, PITCH PERFECT 2, SHAUN OF THE SHEEP. NEW RELEASE HIGHLIGHTS ON DVD THIS WEEK: TED 2 [Comedy/Mark Walhberg/ Amanda Seyfried, Morgan Freeman, Seth MacFarlane].

TED + TED 2 [Comedy/Mark Walhberg/Amanda Seyfried, Morgan Freeman, Seth MacFarlane].

MADAME BOVARY [Drama/Mia Wasikowska/Paul Giamatti/Ezra Miller].

INSISIOUS: CHAPTER 3 [Horror/ Dermot Mulroney/Stefanie Scott].

HOW TO MAKE LOVE LIKE AN ENGLISHMAN [Comedy/Drama/ Pierce Brosnan].

NEW RELEASE HIGHLIGHTS ON BLU-RAY THIS WEEK: TED 2 [Comedy/Mark Walhberg/ Amanda Seyfried, Morgan Freeman, Seth MacFarlane].

TED + TED 2 [Comedy/Mark Walhberg/Amanda Seyfried, Morgan Freeman, Seth MacFarlane].

Turn To Page 51

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Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, November 25, 2015 - Page 45

Observer Showbiz

Local Theatre With Cheryl Threadgold

‘First Things First’ at Doncaster Accomplice

● Gregor McGibbon (Director) with actors Steven Carroll, Sarah King, Elise D’Amico and Stephen Barber in Accomplice.

Photo: Gary Fevreau, Photosense ■ The Basin Theatre Group is currently staging a thoroughly enjoyable production of Accomplice, a whodunit with so many dizzying twists and turns you don’t know what’s the truth, or even what is real, “until the final curtain”.

Throwing the audience straight into the action, the play opens with a bored, sex-starved woman trying to murder her dull, predictable husband in their English holiday house.

Or is it just a rehearsal of the real event for the woman and her lover? More and more questions arise as the play unfolds.

Who will murder whom and how? The ultimate question is: who is the accomplice?

The excellent script by Rupert Holmes is deliciously cheeky and keeps the audience laughing as well as it keeps them guessing. It has a speedy pace punctuated only by some very slow scene changes.

A talented cast of four rise to the challenge of a tricky plot.

As the action unfurls, it becomes apparent just how talented they are.

Stephen Barber is most exciting to watch, with his polished characterisation and endless energy. A very natural performer, he easily portrays charming yet brutal, frigid yet affable, all simultaneously.

Steven Carroll is also engaging, and masterfully deceptive. He creates distinctly different characters that are each utterly convincing. Sarah King does cold and cruel very well and Elise D’Amico is delightful.

The impressive set, designed by director Gregor McGibbon, is enticing and looks skilfully constructed, though it isn’t quite as well utilised as it promises at lights up.

However, there are some extremely clever and exciting moments when it comes to its design.

Performance Season: Until December 5 Times: Thurs-Sat 8pm; Sun 2pm (Sat Dec 5 matinee only) Venue: The Basin Theatre, Doongalla Rd, The Basin Bookings: www.thebasintheatre.org.au or 1300 784 668 - Deborah Marinaro

L A MAMA THEATRE

● Sandy MacGregor ■ As the show started at La Mama I wondered “who is this woman and will I care about her?” By end I did care. I jumped on my phone, texting, ‘you’ve got to see this show”.

Sandy Macgregor is mesmerising. She is a brilliant story teller with a story to tell. Whilst I did not know her or her work I knew of the shows she had been in and some of the famous people she had associated with.

To hear her tell of her highs and lows as an actress in Australia and the US was fascinating. Nothing is needed other than the woman herself.

Rather than another actor telling her story, she does so brilliantly, reliving every second and taking the audience with her on a powerful journey.

For seventy minutes I followed her story, visualising every joy as her eyes lit up and feeling the pain as she reminisced about the low times. I cried, I laughed and it was genuine.

Shit Happens deserves to be on the stage with a full house and Sandy Macgregor in full glory telling it, to anyone interested in the world of entertainment or anyone who likes a generous well told, honest human interest story. This woman is unique.

- Review by Elizabeth Semmel

Melbourne

Observer BAREFOOT IN THE PARK

SHOWS ■ Sherbrooke Theatre Company: First Things First (by Derek Benfield) Until November 28 at the Doncaster Playhouse, 679 Doncaster Rd., Doncaster. Director: Annie Blood. Tickets: $25/ $23. Bookings: 1300 650 209.

■ Brighton Theatre Company: Barefoot in the Park (by Neil Simon) Until November 28 at the Brighton Arts and Cultural Centre, Carpenter St., Brighton. Director: Lesley Batten. Bookings: 1300 752 126 www.brightontheatrecompany.com ■ Torquay Theatre Troupe: Away (by Michael Gow)_ Until November 28 at 16 Price St., Torquay. Director: Stacey Carmichael. Tickets: $20/$17. Bookings: 5261 4218.

■ The Basin Theatre Group: Accomplice Until December 5 at The Basin Theatre, Doongalla Rd., The Basin. Director: Gregor McGibbon. Bookings: www.thebasintheatre.org.au 1300 784 668.

■ Beaumaris Theatre: Fawlty Towers (by John Cleese and Connie Booth) Until November 28 at Beaumaris Theatre, 82 Wells Rd., Beaumaris. Tickets: Director: Georgy Charles. $25/ $22. Bookings: www.beaumaristheatre.com.au ■ Williamstown Little Theatre: Over the River and Through the Woods Until December 5 at 2-4 Albert St., Williamstown.

Director: Helen Ellis. Bookings wlt.org.au or 9885 9678 ■ Geelong Repertory Theatre Company: Daylight Savings (by Nick Enright) Until December 5 at 15 Coronation St., Geelong.

Tickets" $26/$24. Bookings: 5225 1200 www.geelongrep.com ■ Peridot Theatre: God of Carnage (by Yasmina Reza) November 25-28, December 2-5 at 8pm, 2.15pm matinees on November 22, 28, 4.00pm twilight matinee November 29 at the Unicorn Theatre, Lechte Rd., Mt Waverley. Director: Tim Long.

Bookings: 9898 9090 (if using a mobile) or by email to peridotboxoffice@yahoo.com.au ■ Frankston Theatre Group: Tiptoe Through the Tombstones (by Norman Robbins) Until December 5 at 8pm, 2pm matinees November 29, December 5 at Mt Eliza Community Community Centre, Canadian Bay Rd., Mt Eliza. Tickets: $28/$26 Ch 10-15 $15, Under 10 $10. Cabaret style seating. BYO nibblies and drinks.

Bookings: 1300 665 377.

■ The 1812 Theatre: Moonlight and Magnolias (by Ron Hutchinson) Until December 12 at 3-5 Rose St., Upper Ferntree Gully. Director: Loretta Bishop. Tickets: $27. Bookings: 9758 3864 www.1812theatre.com.au ■ Adelphi Players: Little Red Riding Hood Panto (by Fred Rome) December 6 - 13 (Matinees 1.30pm and 3.15pm) at Booran Road Hall, 264 Booran Rd., Ormond. All tickets $10. Bookings: 9690 1593.

AUDITIONS ■ Essendon Community Theatre: Five Women Wearing the Same Dress (by Alan Ball), November 29 at 6pm and December 1 at 7pm at the Bradshaw Street Community Hall, Bradshaw St., West Essendon. Director: Natasha Boyd. Audition bookings essential: 0413 188 513.

■ Off the Leash Theatre: Next to Normal November 28. Director: Nicholas Kong. Enquiries: www.offtheleash theatre.com.au ■ Sunshine Community Theatre: Fawlty Towers November 29 at 2pm.. Director: Alan Barratt. Enquiries: 0407 172563.

■ Eltham Little Theatre: The Ten Minute Play Competition November 29 at 7[pm at the Eltham Performing Arts Centre, 1603 Main Rd., Research. Producer: Pauline Armstrong. Enquiries: www.elthamlittletheatre.org.au ■ Malvern Theatre Company: Cash on Delivery November 29, 30 at 2A Burke Rd., Malvern. Director: Ewan Crockett. Bookings: 0414 991 141.

■ Frankston Theatre Group: The Odd Couple (Female) (by Neil Simon) December 13 at 1pm and December 14 at 7pm at The Shed, Cnr Somerset and Overport Rds., Frankston. Director: Ray Thompson. Audition bookings: 0419 304 650.

THE PROCESS

■ The Process, a razor-sharp satire on Australia’s refugee policy is being presented from December 2 -6 at the Metanoia Theatre, Brunswick.

This play about refugees ‘in five dubious acts’, is written by Ian Robinson and directed by John Gauci.

Performers include Rajendra Moodley, Jessica Muschamp and Paul Watson.

Performance Season: December 2-6, Wed/Thurs/Fri at 7.30pm, Sat at 2.30pm and 7pm, Sun at 7pm Venue: Metanoia Theatre, 270 Sydney Rd., Brunswick Tickets: $30/$25.

Bookings: 9387 3386 or http://metanoiatheatre.com

● Aimee Sanderson (Corie), Marc Jongebloed (Paul), Julie Arnold (Mrs Banks) and David McLean (Victor Velasco) in Brighton Theatre Company’s Barefoot in the Park.

Photo: John Shelbourn ■ Paul and Corie Bratter are newlyweds in every sense of the word. He’s a straight-as-an-arrow lawyer and she’s a free spirit always looking for the latest kick.

Their new apartment is her most recent find - too expensive with bad plumbing and in need of a paint job.

After a six-day honeymoon, they get a surprise visit from Corie’s loopy mother and decide to play matchmaker during a dinner with their neighbour-in-the-attic Velasco, where everything that can go wrong, does.

Paul just doesn’t understand Corie, as she sees it. He’s too staid, too boring and she just wants him to be a little more spontaneous, running ‘barefoot in the park’ would be a start ...

Brighton Theatre Company’s production is directed by Lesley Batten.

Performances: Until November 28.

Venue: Brighton Arts and Cultural Centre, Carpenter St., Brighton.

Bookings: 1300 752 126 www.brightontheatrecompany.com

THEATRE WORKS ■ Theatre Works is looking to recruit a CEO/Creative Producer. This leadership role is a remarkable opportunity for a creative leader with significant producing and programming experience to lead one of Melbourne’s premier independent theatre organisations.

The CEO/Creative Producer is the public face of the company, and has overall responsibility for the development and delivery of the company’s artistic vision and is accountable to the Board for the financial and business management of the company.

If meeting the following selection criteria and wanting the opportunity to lead Theatre Works into its next stage of development, they would love to hear from you.

This a full time position for a three-year term.

Selection Criteria: Essential Minimum of five years industry experience and two years in an equivalent position.

Evidence of successful artistic program development and delivery in independent theatre, contemporary performance, arts festival or other relevant industry sector(s).

Demonstrated knowledge of the independent theatre sector in Melbourne and Australia.

Demonstrated familiarity with current developments in contemporary performance in Australia and internationally.

Strong local, national and international networks.

Evidence of successful development and management of relationships with key stakeholders, sponsors and funding partners.

Demonstrated capacity in: strategic planning, financial management, fundraising, marketing, ability to work collaboratively in a team, and compliance management.

Desirable Demonstrated dramaturgical/outside eye experience on productions.

Experience in leading a venue based organization.

Experience in implementing policies to maximise organisational and programming, diversity and inclusion.

Experience in reporting to a committee of management or board of directors or similar.

Appropriate graduate or postgraduate qualification. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/ 1MLEqauCAqiZlT2RHjgTPuFWv_hpUC9D1NGTvihpFQYM/ viewform

Page 46 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, November 25, 2015 Melbourne

Observer

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Lovatts Crossword No 16 Across

1. Promotion & advertising 6. Job path 11. Double bike 15. Messenger 20. Jump 21. Laughing scavenger 22. Labyrinth 23. ResumĂŠ, curriculum ...

25. Victory cup 26. Of sound mind, compos ...

27. Holy city 29. Letter 32. Forbidden activity (2-2) 34. Neither ... nor that 36. Careworn 39. Pre-Soviet emperors 41. Talks wildly 43. Roof overhangs 46. Lessens 48. More recent 49. Lion's neck hair 51. Stack 52. School principals 55. Love excessively, ... on 56. Louts 59. Awkward 61. Deities 62. Body fluid lump 63. Baby night bird 64. Anger, raise someone's ...

67. Favours 68. Shaggier 70. US coin 71. Odour 72. Perfume sampler 73. Lithe 74. Enthused 75. Red blood cell deficiency 77. Letter cross-stroke 78. Desires 79. Unmask 82. Lettuce side dishes 86. Widen (pupils) 87. Famous volcano 89. Illegal passengers 92. Former 94. African antelope 96. SE Arabian sultanate 98. Sets (table) 100. Smells strongly 101. Slightly open 103. 60s pop dance (2-2) 105. Become more active (3,2) 106. Symbolic picture 108. Brass instrument 111. Wordless play 112. White ants 114. Cannier 116. Citrus peel 119. German Mrs 120. Walkway 121. Non-com (1,1,1) 123. Was in debt to 124. Shrill bark 125. Name one by one 126. Vortex 127. Chair wheels 130. Came first 131. Wasted time 135. Record's secondary track (1-4) 138. Spoils 139. ... out a living 141. Countries' pennants 144. Economise, scrimp & ...

146. And so on 147. Infantryman, ... soldier 148. Crazy 149. Bread bun 150. Exercise club 151. Retained 152. Swallow up 153. The B of NB 155. Soviet Union (1,1,1,1) 157. Numerals system 158. Enclosure 160. Futuristic fiction (3-2) 161. Unsuitable 162. Ultra-virile 163. Which 165. Building block 166. Jug rim 167. ... Baba & The 40 Thieves

Across

Down

168. Mexican dip 169. Dispatch by post 171. Suspect's defence 172. Naval rank, chief ... officer 175. Rare pleasure 176. ... & hearty 179. Dried grape 180. Asian sauce bean 182. Knuckle of veal stew, ... bucco 184. Magazine subscriber 185. Cramped (space) 186. Perish 188. Sir ... Coward 189. Chest bone 190. Ancestry diagram, family ...

191. Wheel-shaft projection 193. On cloud ...

194. Swaggering walk 196. Fashion guru, Christian ...

197. Christmas carol, ... In A Manger 198. CDs, compact ...

200. Declare approval of 205. Olympic Games body (1,1,1) 207. King's title, Your ...

210. Resettlement 211. Bludgeoned 212. Pull heavily 213. Indian garment 214. Slimy substance 216. Red-rind cheese 218. Steer 219. Tibetan oxen 220. Employees 224. USA (5,3) 227. Snout 229. Abominable snowman 230. Antlered beast 231. Mutilates 232. Isolated 233. Towards interior of 235. Plentiful 237. Require 239. Wood-trimming tool 241. Of warships 244. Relaxation routine 246. Waffles 249. Child's guessing game (1,3) 252. Press down (4,2) 254. Toppled (over) 256. Group of six 258. Stuns 259. Sea rhythms 260. Foot arches 263. Queen's dog 264. Jogger 265. Ludicrous failure 267. Flowing away 270. Marmalade fruit 271. Spins 272. Mental stress 273. Leakage 274. Map book 277. Small car 279. Ready money 281. Circular 284. Ayes & ...

286. Security lapse 288. Rev counters 292. Measure of distance 294. Composer's work 295. Islands 298. Illumination 300. Orchestra section 301. Hymn, Ave ...

303. Hoisted (flag) (3,2) 306. Idolise 308. Engage (gears) 309. Lazily 311. Thug 314. Spanish friend 315. Salt, ... chloride 316. Conforming, ... the line 317. Without company 318. Filled pastries 319. Unruly children 320. Bug 321. Preaches 322. Phases 323. Electronic payment for goods 324. Tearing into strips

1. Cripple 2. Salesmen 3. Singer, ... Presley 4. Bury 5. Scottish valley 6. Short sleep 7. Kitchen garment 8. Uncovered 9. Corresponded in sound 10. Swiss lake 11. Most submissive 12. Convent 13. Utters 14. Pulped 15. Confines, ... in 16. Frill 17. Public profile 18. Festival 19. Street 24. Tennis ace, ... Lendl 28. Cries like crow 30. Ayatollah's land 31. Pace 33. Makes speech 35. Pressure line on map 37. Enlarge 38. Widespread 40. Wonkiest 42. Prickle 44. Single-celled organism 45. Respect 47. Donkeys 48. Proximity 49. Tiny fish 50. NSW industrial city 53. Tarmac surface 54. Bliss 57. New Zealand Rugby Union team (3,6) 58. Immersed 60. Into that place 63. Aperture 65. Regrettably 66. Eyelid inflammation 68. Group of cattle 69. Writer, ... Blyton 76. Stretchy tape 79. Smash into 80. Snake poison 81. Royal racecourse 83. Up & about 84. Grant 85. Watch covertly 88. Compass point 90. ... & ahs 91. Current units 93. Study of zodiac 95. Moist 97. Become beached, run ...

99. Music style, rock ... (3,4) 100. Sudden attack 102. Denim trousers 104. Yields, ... in 107. Prison rooms 109. Raise (livestock) 110. Region 111. Mongrel dog 113. Originate 115. Female calves 117. Tinted 118. Mirth 121. Journalists 122. Admitted guilt (5,2) 127. Undemanding (job) 128. Disjoin 129. Refits 132. Magician's chant 133. Bloodsucker 134. Military overthrow, coup ... (1'4) 135. Makes acquaintance of 136. Torvill or Dean (3-6) 137. Able 138. Organised for action 140. Communal bedroom

Down 142. Disbelievers 143. Portable weapons (5,4) 145. Closing tactics 151. Food-preparing room 154. Chilly 156. Remains 159. Also known as (1,1,1) 164. Afflict 169. Pancake topping, ... syrup 170. Aggravated 173. Lobe ornament 174. Cigar leaves 177. Ram star sign 178. Abrasive paper 181. Actor, Laurence ...

183. Substitute (5-2) 187. Listing down 192. Music colleges 195. Raise standard of 199. Treated badly (3-4) 201. Police informer 202. Debauched party 203. Delete 204. Milk coffee style, ... latte 206. Hi! 207. Intended 208. Model, ... Macpherson 209. Serving platter 213. Wiry-haired dog, ... terrier 215. Rich 217. Earth's satellite 221. Browned off (3,2) 222. Grind down 223. Polluted air 224. Expends, ... up 225. Terminate 226. Execute (law) 228. Entertainingly 234. Enlivening (7,2) 236. Mooches 238. Dine 240. Spot 242. Fan 243. Scotsman's pouch 245. Work clothes 247. Stupid 248. Concentrated scent 250. Autocue 251. Mounts 253. Actor, Robert De ...

255. Pigmented eye membrane 257. Great ages 258. Eagerly expectant 261. Higher in rank 262. Banishes 265. Girl 266. Actor, Will ...

268. Brazilian dance, ... nova 269. Affable 275. Filled tortilla 276. In present state (2,2) 278. Singer, ... Cole (3,4) 280. Side of sofa 282. Oh dear!

283. Starkers 285. Slight 287. Caresses with lips 289. Nuclear devices (1-5) 290. Distress signal 291. African disease fly 292. Small insects 293. Unknown author 296. Baby wrap 297. Long films 299. Phantom 302. Beatles drummer 304. Love 305. Plumbing trap pipe (1-4) 306. Heat up 307. Crowd sound 308. Sponges 310. Root vegetables 312. Cab 313. Phoned

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, November 25, 2015 - Page 47

Solution on Page 22

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Page 48 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, November 25, 2015

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Page 50 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, November 25, 2015 Melbourne

Observer

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Sport Extra

Dailly wins the Melbourne Cup ■ It was a win for trainer Andrea Dailly in the Melbourne Cup at Sandown Park last Friday night - but not with her champion Fernando Bale.

Fernando Bale turned in his usual top performance, but he missed the start slightly, and had to work overtime to claim the lead turning out of the straight the first time.

He was a sitting shot, and kennelmate Dyna Double One peeled off his back and ran down Fernando Bale to claim victory in the last couple of strides.

Connections had stated previously that Dyna Double One was capable of running down Fernando Bale if the cards fell his way as they did on Friday night.

Dyna Double One is no slouch in his own right, having set a track record at Brisbane's Albion Park circuit.

Black Illusion, trained by Angela Langton, clocked in third, helping create history as the ladies trained the Trifecta for the first time.

Despite the cool and damp weather conditions throughout the day, it was still a full house at Sandown Park for the Melbourne Cup meeting, with excellent racing and entertainment seeing the patrons head home please even if they didn't back a winner on the night.

Cup Final ■ Fernando Bale will continue his racing career for now - even though it had been publicised that the Melbourne Cup Final could have been his last racetrack appearance.

Connections have elected to keep

Greyhounds

with Kyle Galley the champ racing while he is winning - which is great news for the Ballarat Greyhound Racing Club but not so good for those looking forward to a Fernando free Ballarat Cup series.

The Cup heats are on tonight (Nov. 25) and Fernando Bale has drawn box three in the third heat, race number seven.

Two up-and-coming chasers in Fabstar (five wins from eight starts) and Over Limit (14 wins from 20 starts) could provide some opposition to Fernando Bale but both have to overcome wide box draws.

There are eight heats in total, no doubt as many trainers thought Fernando Bale would not be competing.

Still, the champ has to win his heat to qualify for the Final, and, as they say, all good things can come to an end! Next week's column will feature a preview of the Final, which will be an outstanding event.

Go Brendan ■ It was pleasing to see young caller

Brendan Delaney given his chance in the spotlight as course commentator for the Melbourne Cup meeting at Sandown Park.

Delaney has plied his trade on the country circuit for several years, as well as being "off-sider" to gallops caller Greg Miles on the city tracks.

A natural with an easy to listen to style, and a nice guy to boot, Brendan Delaney looks set for a lengthy career in the broadcast box.

Radio ■ Greyhound Racing Victoria is seeking nominations for their newly established Industry Consultative Body (ICG).

This body will advise and provide direct feedback on industry matters to the GRV Board.

A 12-member panel will comprise participants such as trainers, greyhound educators, rearers, breeders and owners.

The Industry Consultative Group will meet every second month, and the panel will be chaired by the GRV CEO. Major reforms are taking place in greyhound racing courtesy of the well publicised animal welfare issues seen this year, and the ICG will form a crucial part of a new direction for the sport in the future.

Nominations for the ICG will close on December 15 and more information can be obtained by calling Greyhound Racing Victoria on 8329 1100.

Vale Steve

■ Well travelled racing media man Steve Cairns passed away in Brisbane on November 15.

Steve was well known in the racing industry in Victoria - before moving to Brisbane to head Radio TAB earlier this year, he had spent 19 years in management of Melbourne's RSN Racing and Sport radio station.

He developed numerous programs while at RSN, and oversaw the launch of digital radio, and digital services such as Carnival, which provides an in depth coverage of major Melbourne greyhound race meetings year round.

Overall Steve worked in racing radio for more than 30 years, both onair and behind the scenes.

He had the respect of all within the three codes in each city in which he worked.

Along with so many others, Steve gave me my first taste of on-air race calling in 2008, by calling greyhound meetings as a casual.

Many racing broadcasters on air today owe a lot to Steve Cairns, who had a keen eye for talent on the airwaves.

On the job ■ Greyhound Racing Victoria has scored somewhat of a coup with the addition of one of Victoria's most experienced police detectives to its ranks.

Charlie Bezzina has been appointed as GRV's Senior IntegrityAdvisor.

Bezzina joined the Victoria Police

Force in 1972 and held positions in the Criminal Investigation Branch, Bureau of Internal Investigations and Drug Squad, along with the Homicide Squad and a stint as head of an Armed Robbery Task Force.

Since retiring from the force in 2009, Bezzina had worked as a private investigator and security liaison officer for the Australian Cricket Team, while also pursuing media commitments.

Racing Minister, Martin Pakula, welcomed the appointment of Bezzina to this critical role with Greyhound Racing Victoria.

“The Andrews Labor Government congratulates GRV for appointing someone as highly regarded as Mr Bezzina to such an important integrity role within the industry.”

- Kyle Galley

Upcoming race meetings ■ Wednesday: The Meadows (Day), Bendigo (Twilight), Traralgon (Night), Ballarat (N); Thursday: Shepparton (T), Sandown Park (N), Warrnambool (N); Friday: Warrnambool (D), Bendigo (T), Geelong (N); Saturday: Traralgon (T), The Meadows (N); Sunday: Sandown Park (D), Healesville (D), Sale (T); Monday: Ballarat (D), Traralgon (T), Shepparton (N); Tuesday: Geelong (T), Horsham (T).

- Kyle Galley

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, November 25, 2015 - Page 51

Observer Victorian Sport Melbourne

Pakenham primed ■ As the Racing Carnival comes to a close, executives, committee and staff at the Pakenham Racing Club are eagerly looking forward to the Bruce Clough Mazda, Pakenham Cup to be run this Sunday (Nov. 29)..

This is the second year the Cup has been run at the Club's new track at Tynong; with once again a big crowd, expected.

Events Manager, Hayley Conn, has been working her little heart out organising the big day, with plenty of attractions for young and old on the day.

Among the many highlights is the popular Fashions on the Field.

There are several categories including the Lady of the Day, the Mature Lady over 40, and the Best Dressed Gentleman.

On top of this a new section, that of the Best Dressed Family.

Besides all the great racing, Hayley and her team have come up with Longest Lunch to be held on the day, with the opportunity of buying a ticket for the lunch, you get one free of charge.

The way it works is this: purchase one $ 30 members or $ 55 public pass, and get the second free.

Enjoy a great day out in the home straight longest lunch, which includes racecourse admission, a race book, a one drink voucher, and a reserved seat on the longest lunch table and a sumptuous roast carvery lunch.

If you are looking for a great day's racing and a lot of fun at a very good price, give the Cluba ring on 5940 6600.

Ted Ryan

VRC win ■ The Melbourne Cup Carnival was once again declared the winner of the Major Festivals and Events category for the third consecutive year at the Victorian Tourism Awards.

The third straight win for the celebration that stops a nation saw it inducted into the Victorian Tourism Hall of Fame.

The Victoria Racing Club commits to deliver the Melbourne Cup Carnival annually, which in turn contributes more than $370 million to the Victorian economy and $ 700 million to the national economy each year.

More than 325 racegoers attended the 2014 Melbourne Cup Carnival at Flemington, including visitors from 43 countries, generating $28.38 million in accommodation.

Mahuta ■ The man with the Midas touch, Darren Weir, has produced another class galloper in Mahuta, after his brilliant win in the Sandown Guineas.

Mahuta continued his meteoric rise when he strolled to his fourth straight win in the Sandown Guineas.

He overcame a three wide trip to win the day's feature in great style, no mean effort up the uphill straight at Sandown.

Mahuta is a son of Danehill's winning son Flying Spur, and was purchased for the bargain basement price of only $35,000 from the draft of Redbank North at the 2014 Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale at Morphettville.

Earlier sold by Glastonbury Farms at the 2013 Magic Millions National Weanling Sale, Mahuta is one of three winners for the 100 per centwinner, Vahine.

An unraced Zabeel three quarter sister to Group One winner,

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- James Sherlock

Sulky Snippets

● Mahuta Photo by SLICKPIX, phone 9354 5754

Gates will open at 1am. Hope to see you there. .

■ From Page 44

● Prince of Penzance Photo by SLICKPIX, phone 9354 5754 Isolda, Vahine is also when checked on the Joining him on $21 the dam of Anlon, a home turn, but couldn't is top Sydney mare Magic Millions gradu- have beaten the win- First Seal who also ate, who won seven ner. has had her share of Rising star Turn niggles. races including the Chester Manifold Me Loose in the care The Caulfield Stakes and earned of top New Zealand Guineas winner, trainer, Murray Press Statement, with over $285,000.

Mahuta rounds off Baker, won the Emir- Chris Waller, is the his first racing prepa- ates Stakes in great one I am warming to ration with four wins fashion on the last day early, as he looks the and a second from of the Melbourne ideal type. only six starts, with Cup Carnival.

Then we have the Turn Me Loose is international winner of earnings of $ 362,000.

Darren Weir and being quoted at $18. the McKinnon Stakes On the next line at at Flemington, Gailo his connections have a big opinion of the $21 is Alpine Eagle, in Chop, and the colt and feel he could the care of leading Victoria Oaks winner, be a Cox Plate horse. South Australian Jameka both at $26. trainer, Tony McMy early tip, Press Evoy, the four year-old Statement, looks the suffered a leg problem ideal type for the 2040■ Leading corporate just prior to the metre trip at the Valbookmakers Betstar Melbourne Cup and ley, come October have wasted no time had to be pulled out. next year. in framing a market for the Cox Plate at Moonee Valley next year.

They have champion mare, Winx, who won the coveted event this year in record time on top, at $8.

■ Victoria’s Sunshine Heights Cricket Club Winx is prepared has won the national 2015 Good Sports

by Australia's leading Club of the Year Award for embracing trainer, Chris Waller, multiculturalism and putting the welfare of and he is keen to go their players before alcohol. again even this far The Good Sports Awards recognise comfrom home. munity clubs and people who show leaderOn the next line is ship in encouraging healthy behaviours to Cox Plate and Meltackle alcohol, obesity and mental health bourne Cup placeissues through sport. getter, Criterion, The club, located in Melbourne’s westtrained by David ern suburbs, was announced as the naHayes and Tom tional winner at the iconic Melbourne Dabernig at Euroa.

Cricket Ground in front of a 300-strong He is listed at $16, crowd which included politicians and sport● Tooleybuck Kid and was very unlucky ing identities.

Photo by SLICKPIX, phone 9354 5754 in the Plate this year

Betting

Good sports award for cricket club

■ At Bendigo on Thursday, Ardmona's Donna Castles was successful with 5-Y-0 On The Attack/Our Girl Claire mare Declaring in the Aldebaran Park Vicbred Platinum Country Series (Heat 2) for trotters T0 & T1 class over 2150 metres.

Given an easy time just off the speed from gate five, Declaring ran home best to register a 14.8 metre victory over Eurasian Hanover and Aldebaran Midnite in a rate of 2-02.4.

■ Echuca duo Mick McMahon (trainer) and Steven Lindberg (driver) combined to land the Ron Pocock Memorial Pacers Handicap for C1 or better class over 2150 metres with Current Assessment, a 5-Y-0 gelded son of Modern Art and Pleasure Machine.

Settling three back in the running line, Current Assessment made a forward move in the last lap, proving too strong at the business end of proceedings for the leader Attentiontodetail and Make A Fuss which trailed the pacemaker. The mile rate 201.2.

■ Moama based duo Tony Peacock and Damian Wilson scored a huge victory with exciting 5-Y-0 Bettors Delight/Classy Sheila gelding Barimah at Tabcorp Park Melton on Friday, taking out the 2nd heat of the Gordon Rothacker Memorial Championship for M0 class over 1720 metres.

Starting from the extreme draw, Barimah settled at the tail of the field, with Loong Nien taking over from Magic Moment Lombo shortly after the start.

Gaining a three wide trail home in the final circuit on the back of Maddies Mate, Barimah despite making the home turn right off the track, exploded to the front on straightening to record a most impressive 6.7 metre margin over Magic Moment Lombo along the sprint lane and Loong Nien in a rate of 1-54.9.

- Len Baker More Harness Racing on Page 52

Review: Middletown

■ Red Stitch’s final offering for the year is Middletown by Will Eno. Middletown is a small American town where nothing much happens. The narrative of the play revolves around Mary, a newcomer, as she interacts with the town’s inhabitants – the cop, the librarian, the drunk and the underachieving local handyman, Bob, which whom she forms a friendship. Interspersed with the narrative are various quite confusing vignettes which include, among others, a conversation between an astronaut and ground control and, just before interval, five cast members as an ‘audience’, discussing the merits of the play to date. After interval the play takes a more conventional path (an American Indian tribal dance aside) as one life ends and another begins.

Eno’s writing is lyrical and occasionally humorous. He aspires to tackle the big questions of life, (and they don’t get much bigger than birth and death), but he actually doesn’t tell us anything we don’t know. We never really get to the heart of Mary and Bob so are unable to empathise with them.

Characters come and go without offering anything to the debate and the play concludes exactly as one expects it to. With a running time of over two and a half hours, this play takes a very long time to say very little.

The play is well-directed by Alice Darling and the ensemble cast of Jordan FraserTrumble, Chrissy O’Neil, Gareth Reeves, Evelyn Krape, Edwina Samuels and James Wardlaw is excellent. This is a very wordy play and they all handle it with aplomb, slipping effortlessly between their multiple characters.

Emily Collett’s clever set design gives the effect of a giant shadowbox from which furniture and props are plucked as required.

James Lipari’s lighting design is slick and effective. Middletown runs until December 19 at Red Stitch Actors Theatre, St Kilda - Review by Barbara Hughes

Page 52 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, November 25, 2015

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Observer Victorian Sport Melbourne

Racing Briefs

Inter Dominion in WA ■ The biggest harness racing carnival in the Southern Hemisphere - the Inter Dominion kicks off at Gloucester Park Perth on Friday.

With further heats at Bunbury and Gloucester Park the following week and the $1.3 million dollar Grand Final on Sunday December 13. Victoria has a great chance of pulling off the major prize with Lennytheshark and Philadelphia Man.

Started from inside ■ Concongella (Stawell) owner/trainer Owen Martin's smart six year old Dream Away/Jilliby Jasmine mare Hellovaway was victorious in the Gippsland Racing Training Centre Pace for C2 to C4 class over 1720 metres at Tabcorp Park Melton on Friday.

With son-in-law Michael Sullivan in the sulky, Hellovaway starting from inside the second row, was given a charmed passage trailing the poleline leader Brigit Buafai and travelled kindly throughout.

Easing to the outside on turning, Hellovaway finished strongly to register a 6.7 metre margin on the wire over the pacemaker in a slick mile rate of 1-55, with Liv Lavish third after following the winner.

Taken back at start ■ Riddell co-trainers Nicole and Dean Molander were winners at Lord's Raceway Bendigo on Thursday. when ex-Kiwi Bettors Delight/Larissa Rose 4Y-0 mare Joannes Delight greeted the judge in the Henry McDermott Memorial Pace for C0 class over 2150 metres.

Coming into the race on terrific terms as she has won stakes in excess of $192,000, Joannes A Delight was taken back at the start by Chris Alford to settle near last, before making a lightning move to park outside the leader Chevron Excites when the pace slackened.

Surging to the front prior to the home turn, Joannes A Delight defied all challengers to score by 3.5 metres from Takeachanceonharry (one/one last lap) and first starter Who Wokem which trailed the leader.

The mile rate 1-58.1.

Fairer sex joy ■ Bendigo (Maiden Gully) trainer Maree Campbell's 4-Y-0 Union Guy/Ally Shazamm mare Union Ally returned to her best form when victorious in The Standard Vicbred Platinum Country Series E for C1 class over 1680 metres at Terang on Tuesday.

Raced by a large group of the fairer sex under the banner of Girls Unite Syndicate, Union Ally with Grant Campbell in the sulky, was restrained from gate two, settling near last, with the speed a cracker being set by Keayang Kallisto.

Moving forward with a three wide trail in the final circuit on the back of Citysneak ahead of her, Union Ally despite being four wide on the home turn, finished at a great rate to blouse Keayang Kallisto by a half head in a tricky finish, with Citysneak third 1.7 metres away. The mile rate 1-56.8.

Victory at Swan Hill

■ At the Ouyen meeting held at Swan Hill on Wednesday, Shepparton (Kialla) duo Stephen O'Donoghue and Bec Bartley scored a terrific victory with 4-Y-0 Village Jasper/Goodwill Girl mare Gran Lema Girl in the Menglers Quality Hay Ouyen Pace for C0 class over 1750 metres.

Coming off an eye catching second at Shepparton on November 14, Gran Lema Girl was trapped wide from gate four, before settling outside the pacemaker Jaspers Tavern on debut.

Looking to be under pressure on the final bend as Part Time Paradise (four wide) and Smooth Mikaela (three wide after trailing the leader) ran past her, Gran Lema Girl rallied in straight to come again and score by 3.1 metres over Architecture from last and Smooth Mikaela in a mile rate of 1-57.

- Len Baker

Dougie driving in style ■ Bannockburn owner/ breeder Doug Webster would have been all smiles following the victory of his very consistent Jeremes Jet/Winsome Glory filly Dougs Limousine in the Bertocchi Smallgoods 3Y-0 Pace over 2180 metres at Terang on Wednesday.

Trained by brother Geoff, Dougs Limousine driven by Nathan Jack was given a sweet passage from gate two, trailing the well supported first starter Truth And Courage from the local stable of Marg Lee. Using the sprint lane, Dougs Limousine finished best to register a head margin over another first starter in King Of Rocknroll which faced the breeze for the majority of the trip, with The Jet Player (one/three - three wide last lap) a head away in third place.

It was Dougs Limousine's first success at start number 13, returning a mile rate of 2-02.7.

As is usually the case at Terang, horses trained in the Western District were prominent during the night, with 4-Y-0 Art Major/Landsita entire Keayang Squizzy scoring a most impressive victory in the Agrimac Pace for C0 class over 2180 metres when making his first race appearance.

Trained by Marg Lee, Keayang Squizzy driven by son Jason led throughout from the pole, winning by an untouched 6.2 metre margin in a rate of 2-00.4 from Echo Rising from last after galloping away from gate five and Atticus which trailed the winner.

Woorndoo trainer Bob Mahncke snared the Directwear Pace for C1 class over 2180 metres with Kiwi bred Live Or Die/Regina Coeli 4-Y-0 gelding My Mojito in a rate of 2-01.

A winner first up on Australian soil at Ararat on October 21 followed by a third at Terang on November 15, My Mojito with Ararat based Mick Bellman in the sulky, led throughout from gate two, accounting for Bad Billy (one/one - three wide home turn) by four metres, with the heavily backed Ritsy Fitz seven metres away in third place after facing the open.

Inverleigh trainer Bob Kuchenmeister received a tonic when 7-Y-0 Modern Art/Kyrsta gelding Im Notta Trotter greeted the judge in the Terang CRT Store Trotters Mobile for T0 & T1 class over 2180 metres.

Driven by Brooke Sadler as Bob has been laid after following a track

Baker’s Delight

Harness Racing

This Week’s Meetings

■ Wednesday - Bendigo, Thursday - Charlton/ Kilmore, Friday - Ballarat, Saturday - Melton, Sunday - Shepparton, Monday - Warragul, Tuesday Ararat.

Horses To Follow

Melbourne

Observer

len-baker@ bigpond.com

with Len Baker

accident, Im NottaTrotter spent most of the race three back along the markers from gate four, moving to race outside the pacemaker The Counsellor for the final circuit.

Striding clear approaching the home turn, Im Notta Trotter safely held the hot favourite Sunofatrump which followed him home by 1.2 metres, with The Counsellor holding down third 13.5 metres away. The mile rate 2-04.4.

Ararat owner/trainer/ driver Emma Hamblin landed the Terang HRC Life Members Pace for C2 & C3 class over 2180 metres with 8-Y-0 Village Jasper/Ive Got Rhythm gelding Broadway Classic, leading throughout from gate two in scoring by 1.8 metres from Im Intense (one/three - three back the markers) and Adams Express which trailed the winner. The mile rate 1-59.8.

The all conquering Smythes Creek (Ballarat) stable of Emma Stewart landed a double at the meeting, 4-Y-0 Art Major/ Lombo Little Dippa mare Chequeitout (Nathan Jack) leading all of the way in 2-03.7 to snare the Book For New Years Eve Pace for C0 class over 2180 metres and in-form Jeremes Jet/Hawthorne 6-Y-0 gelding Our Missionary Man (Jason Lee) taking over with a lap to travel in the Dick & Anne Box Pace for C4 to C6 class over 2180 metres to account for Narre Boy from last and No Bettertime (one/one) in 157.2.

Bendigo (Maiden Gully) trainer Maree Campbell's 4-Y-0 Union Guy/Ally Shazamm mare Union Ally returned to her best form when victorious in The Standard Vicbred Platinum Country Series E for C1 class over 1680 metres.

Raced by a large group of the fairer sex under the banner of Girls Unite Syndicate, Union Ally with Grant Campbell in the

sulky, was restrained from gate two, settling near last, with the speed a cracker being set by Keayang Kallisto.

Moving forward with a three wide trail in the final circuit on the back of Citysneak ahead of her, Union Ally despite being four wide on the home turn, finished at a great rate to blouse Keayang Kallisto by a half head in a tricky finish, with Citysneak third 1.7 metres away. The mile rate 156.8.

Debut ■ At Lord's Raceway Bendigo on Thursday, Ararat part-owner/trainer Phillip Ralph and partners landed the Bruce Morgan Rothacker Medalist 3-Y0 Trotters Handicap over 2150 metres with Tennotrump/Sharendoo Lass filly Love The Aces.

Making her race debut, Love The Aces with Neil McCallum in the sulky, enjoyed a lovely trip from gate two trailing Bella Fenton outside her, with the favourite Rift Valley moving to face the breeze after coping a severe check shortly after the start.

Using the sprint lane, Love The Aces prevailed by a half head over a game Rift Valley and Bella Fenton in a mile rate of 2-10.6.

Double

■ Chris Alford brought up a driving double at Bendigo, with his own charge Tabanan taking the Les Pratt Memorial Pace for C5 & C6 class over 1650 metres.

A 5-Y-0 gelded son of Four Starzzz Sharl and Panas bred by Chris and David Pettman, Tabanan led throughout from the pole, defeating a deathseating Farmersntradies by a head in 1-54.8, with Artoc a head away in third place after following the winner.

■ King Of Rocknroll, Pocket Of Fortune, Major Jamane, Citysneak, Echo Rising, Black Cougar, Bella Fenton, Ritzy Fitz, Jeremes Bonus, Columbias Deejay, Who Wokem, Hinault,

Going great guns ■ Merrigum trainer Brett Bunfield has 6-Y-0 Righteous Hanover/Dawn Bromac mare Bromac Del Mar going great guns since returning from a Riverina campaign, bringing up two wins in succession on the Swan Hill circuit by taking the Greggs Electrical Ouyen Pace for C2 to C4 class over 2240 metres.

Given a sweet trip by Ararat's Michael Bellman one/one trailing the well supported Sunraysia hope Whenmechief, Bromac Del Mar when eased three wide approaching the home turn, joined the leader on straightening and did best to register a 3.6 metre margin in advance of Isajet which trailed the leader and third placegetter One Knight Stand. The mile rate 1-59.7.

Wasted no time ■ Junortoun's Scott Dyer used a concession for Zac Phillips aboard 4-Y-0 Shadow Play/Kateeshar gelding Sheer Strength who greeted the judge in the Ouyen Community Club Pace Final for C1 class over 1750 metres.

Quickly away from inside the second line to slot handy, Phillips wasted no time in sending Sheer Strength forward to cross the leader Graceful Art and after being rated a treat, coasted to the wire 1.3 metres ahead of Graceful Art which had every opportunity to run him down in a mile rate of 1-56.2.

Streamliner ran home late from near the rear to fill third place.

Owners delighted ■ Charlton trainer John Tormey's 6-Y-0 Four Starzzz Shark/Wemen Bess gelding Staress was successful in the Landmark Ouyen Pace Final for C0 class over 2240 metres, much to the delight of the large number of owners who race him.

Driven by daughter Ellen, Landmark led virtually throughout from gate five, accounting for Jeremes Bonus along the sprint lane from five back the markers and Live In Abby (one/three). The mile rate 2-02.1.

Led all the way ■ Bolinda trainer Brent Lilley landed the Hilltop Motel Vicbred Platinum Country Series G (Heat 1) for C1 class over 1750 metres with Iceobar, a 4-Y0 gelded son of Courage Under Fire and Trammell.

Driven by Anthony Butt, Iceobar led all of the way from gate five, scoring by 4.8 metres over Couta Rocks which raced outside him, with Royal Icing third after trailing the winner. The mile rate 1-56.9.

Raced in the open ■ Deep Lead owner/trainer Marnie Bibby's Kiwi bred 6-Y-0 Holmes Hanover/Divine Lustre gelding Our Bold Lustre was a tough winner of the Mallee Building & Outdoor Camping Ouyen Pace for C2 & C4 class over 2240 metres.

With Zac Phillips in the sulky, Our Bold Lustre raced in the open throughpout from outside the front line, proving much too strong for Lombo Pacemaker (three back the markers) and Superstar Express (one/one) in a mile rate of 2-00.2.

■ Listen to Len Baker on Harness Review, 8pm10pm Mondays, on 97.9 FM, streamed in 979fm.com.au

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