Melbourne Observer. March 16, 2016

Melbourne

Observer

$2

95

ISSN 1447 4611

NEW WBIZ ★ LIFES TYLE ★ TR AVEL ★ FEA TURES ★ BARGAINS ★ SPORT NEWSS ★ SHO SHOWBIZ LIFESTYLE TRA FEATURES

Melbourne

Observer

Ph 1800 231 311 Fx 1800 231 312

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 2016

47TH YEAR OF PUBLICATION

COMEDY FESTIVAL PREVIEWS $2.95

S TATE EDITION Vol 48 No 1630 SERVING VICTORIA SINCE 1969

including GST

THE END FOR NIGHTLINE? 3AW’s iconic show may close after 25 years ● Bruce Mansfield is unlikely to return permanently to the 3AW Nightline and Remember When programs.

The radio star, 72 next month, is seriously ill with prostate cancer.

Mansfield has been undergoing chemotherapy and other treatments.

● Bruce Mansfield is seriously ill with cancer.

The radio station installed broadcasting equipment at Mansfield’s north-east suburban home so he could talk on the nightly program without having to travel to the Docklands studio, but it has been rarely used.

Co-host Philip Brady told listeners that he had been permitted one 40minute visit to Mansfield since the illness escalated.

52-storey treehouse

● Sophie Kesteven (Jill), James Elliott (Andy) and Drew Livingston (Terry) star at the Arts Centre Melbourne from April 1-17 for the stage adaptation of The 52-Storey Treehouse.

Cheryl Threadgold reports that the world-famous ever-expanding treehouse has 13 new storeys, and is filled with fantastic inventions including a rocket powered carrot launcher, the Disguise-o-matic 5000 and even a Ninja Snail Training Academy.

Cheryl has more details in Observer Showbiz on Page 33.

TILCO

MERIMBULA, NSW

WHOLESALERS TO FARMERS AND CONTRACTORS

2016 VACANCIES AVAILABLE

Manufacturers and distributors of an extensive range of tillage equipment and components Phone: (07) 4633 0624 Mobile: 0422 399 544 www.tilco.com.au barry@tilco.com. au

BEACH ST APARTMENTS 1 Beach St, Merimbula, NSW 2548 Phone: (02) 6495 2205 www.beachs tr eetapartments.net.au .beachstr treetapartments.net.au

TURN TO ‘OBSERVER TRADER’

See ad in ‘Observer Trader’

THE GREA T GREAT MUSIC OF THE O ‘60s ‘30s T TO Streaming through the Web PHONE: 6 9572 146 1466

goldenda ysr adio goldenday sradio adio..com

Mattresses Galore

Cnr High St & Tooronga Rd, Malvern Phone: (03) 9822 9057.

Fax: (03) 9822 9821 www.mattressesgalore.com.au info@mattressesgalore.com.au 10% EXTRA DISCOUNT FOR MENTIONING MELB. OBSERVER Details: see ‘Observer Trader’

See Observer Trader

Page 2 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, March 16, 2016

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Travel Planner

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, March 16, 2016 - Page 3

Page 4 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, March 16, 2016

Victoria Pictorial

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au y, , g

Warracknabeal Nostalgic Photos Collection

● Warracknabeal. 1906.

● Yarrambiac Creek. 1906.

● Warracknabeal Post Office. 1917-1930.

● Scott St, Warracknabeal. 1941.

● The Bowling Green, Warracknabeal.

● Street scene, Warracknabeal

● Street scene, Warracknabeal

● Warracknabeal Hotel, Scott St.

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au Melbourne

Observer

Showbiz Latest

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, March 16, 2016 - Page 5

It’s All About You!

Melbourne

Juan two, Juan two Observer

■ Juan Vesuvius (alias Barnie Duncan) stars the second instalment in Juan’s mission to heal the world with Calypso. The show is called Calypso Nights, Juan Two? This new adventure in Caribbean music, politics and absurdism in one hour of comedy, is led by Juan, the outlandish Venezuelan DJ who takes the audience on a journey through his world – a world of love, dance and acceptance all proclaimed through the language of Calypso.

TV cameras at Palais for Comedy Festival opening

Part dance party, part modern clown, part history lesson, Juan, Two? explores what beautiful things are created when music, humans and cultures collide.

Juan Vesuvius is created by Barnie Duncan and Theatre Beating - a company co-founded by New Zealanders Duncan, Geoff Pinfield and Trgyve Wakenshaw (Squidboy/Kraken).

Barnie Duncan is an award-winning creator of genre-bending shows who has a long-standing background in physical comedy, ranging from silent slapstick to multi-character body morphing lunacy.

Over the past 10 years he has written, directed and performed in a number of festival-hit-shows.

He has many theatre and television credits to his name, and also DJs and produces radio documentaries under the ‘cunning alias’ Uncle Barnie.

Venue: Roxanne Parlour, 3, 2 Coverlid Place, Melbourne Dates: March 24 – April 17 Time: 9.45pm Tickets: $21-$27 Bookings: via Ticketmaster or www.comedyfestival.com.au - Cheryl Threadgold

Sad death of Jon English

In This 92-Page Edition

Victoria Pictorial - Nostalgic Photos - Page 4 Long Shots - The Editor’s Column - Page 6 Cartoonist Matt Bissett-Johnson - Page 7 Yvonne Lawrence - Life and Style - Page 8 Melbourne Confidential - Page 9 West Hollywood - Gavin Wood - Page 11 Kevin Trask - Whatever Happened - Page 12 Nation Review Feature - starts Page 13 Observer Classic Books - starts Page 15 Travel and Wine - Page 17 Observer Showbiz - starts Page 29 Radio: ‘Mott quits’ Sensuality in City Local Theatre Mega Crossword

Observer Showbiz Showbiz

Latest News Flashes Around Victoria

Body located

■ Homicide Squad detectives attended at a disused mine in Whroo, near Rushworth, investigating a suspicious death. Cause of death was not determined at the time but Police treated the circumstances as suspicious.

Court sequel

■ Four men - Aaron Burnie, Ryan Graham and the Savage brothers (Bruce and Selwin) have faced court charged over a shoot out which allegedly ended with one car crashing and another bogged in parklands, reports the Geelong Advertiser.

$521,000 collected

■ The Local Paper at Yea today (Wed.) salutes volunteer Cheryl O’Halloran who has collected $521,000 for the Royal Children’s Hospital Good FridayAppeal.

Masked robbers

■ Police are appealing for information after two masked offenders terrorised and robbed three German backpackers at Lorne, reports the Colac Herald. ● Melbourne Observer Editor Ash Long with Jon English in Melbourne ■ It is with great sadness that we report on the passing of Australian entertainer, Jon English, aged 66, after complications from surgery.

Jon first came to the notice of Melbourne showgoers for his 1970s performances in Jesus Christ Superstar. What an extraordinary loss.

CBD upskirter

■ Police are on the hunt for a man who filmed a woman in change rooms at a CBD sporting goods store.

Weather Forecast ■ ■ ■ ■

Today (Wed.). Mostly sunny. 17°-30° Thurs. Partly cloudy. 22°-32° Fri. Rain.. 13°-22° Sat. Mostly cloudy. 12°-21°

Mike McColl Jones ● David O’Doherty is performing at the Mel;bourne Comedy Festival ■ The Melbourne International Comedy bers who are there to have the time of their Festival Gala, which supports Oxfam Austra- lives, while also helping to save lives.

Pacquloa (Utopia, Offspring, Laid) leads lia, will air on Network 10 on Monday (March this year’s line up which includes: Rich Hall 21) at 7.30pm.

Among the host of names featured in this (USA), Dave Hughes, Tommy Little, David year’s Gala line-up are Rich Hall, Sammy J O’Doherty (IRE), Anne Edmonds, Stephen and Randy, Anne Edmonds, David KAmos (UK), Frank Woodley, Sammy J & O’Doherty, Matt Okine and Nazeem Hussain. Randy, Steen Raskopoulos, Urzila Carlson Melbourne International Comedy (SA), Matt Okine, Joel Creasey, Nazeem Festival’s annual Gala returns tonight (Wed.), Hussain, Joel Dommett (UK), Lawrence hosted by Australian comedian and actor, Mooney, Ivan Aristeguieta and more.

Network 10 ameras will be on hand to Celia Pacquola. record show in front of the live audience, This year the event celebrates two big birth- with thethe event broadcast across Austradays - 2016 is the Comedy Festival’s 30th an- lia on Monday being at 7.30pm, giving audiences at niversary. and also the 21st year the Gala has home an opportunity to contribute to the Gala supported the great work of Oxfam Australia. Appeal, by texting SMILE to 1996 77 77 to The comedy stakes are high as over 20 of donate $5. the funniest people from Australia and overThe Melbourne International Comedy seas take to the Palais Theatre stage to tickle Festival runs until Sunday, April 17. the funny bones of the 2800 audience mem- Cheryl Threadgold

Top 5

THE TOP 5 PHRASES THA T MEAN THAT THE EX ACT OPPO SITE EXA OPPOSITE 5. Australia's Got Talent.

4. “The entire club is behind the coach.”

3. “Yes officer, I've had two or three shandies.”

2. Gamble responsibly.

1. The Weather Bureau says no rain.

Page 6 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, March 16, 2016

Melbourne

Melbourne

Observer

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Observer ‘Local Paper’ hits the mark 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..

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

Contact Us Office: 30 Glen Gully Rd, Eltham, Vic 3095 Postal: PO Box 1278, Research, Vic 3095 Phone: +61 3 9439 9927 Fax: +61 3 9431 6247 Web: ww w.MelbourneObserv e rr..com.au .MelbourneObserve or@MelbourneObserv e rr..c om.au E-Mail: Edit ditor@MelbourneObserv or@MelbourneObserve

Our Team Director: Fleur Long Production Editor: Ash Long Features Editor: Peter Mac Associate Editor: Lisa Hodgson Columnists: Len Baker (harness racing), Matt Bissett-Johnson (cartoonist), David Ellis (wine and travel), Rob Foenander (country music), K yle G alle y ((g g rre e yhounds ), Chris tina La Cr os Cros osss Galle alley yhounds), Christina (as t rrology), ology), Y vonne La w rrenc enc e (lif e and sstyle tyle Yv (life tyle)) , Nick Le Souef (outback Australia), Mike McColl Jones (lif e ), Gr eg Ne wman (r adio ), T erry (life Greg Newman (radio adio), Terry Radford (Court roundsman), Aaron Rourke (mo vies ), T ed Ry an (r acing), Jim Sherlock (movies vies), Ted Ryan (racing), (movies, DVDs), Cheryl Threadgold (local thea e), K e vin T sho wbiz), V eritas, G a vin theatt rre Ke Trr ask ((sho showbiz), Veritas, Ga W ood (Holly w ood).

(Hollyw Honorary Reviewers: Geraldine Colson, Rita Crispin, Martin Curtis, Barbara Hughes, Kathryn Keeble, Beth Klein, Stephen Leeden, Deborah Marinar o , Ca therine McGr egor vid McL ean, Marinaro Catherine McGregor egor,, Da David McLean, Maggie Morrison, Jill Page, Elizabeth Semmel Distribution: Sam Fiorini, phone 9482 1145

Ash On Wednesday

■ Our new sister publication, The Local Paper, is proving to be quite a success in the outer-northern parts of Melbourne.

Based in the country town of Yea, the weekly paper has been averaging 32 pages, and is choc-abloc with local news and photos, just like local newspapers used to be.

The paper is distributed on Wednesday mornings, covering an area from Eltham, Hurstbridge and Whittlesea, up through the Kinglake mountains, as far as Yea, 105-km north of the GPO. The Local Paper is also distributed in the Yarra Valley, with distribution points in places such as Yarra Glen.

Melbourne Observer readers can access The Local Paper free online each week at www.Local Paper.com.au

Good Fri. Appeal

Ash

Melbourne People

We welcome Mark Briggs to the honorary the★ atre reviewers team of the Melbourne Observer, co-ordinated by Cheryl Threadgold.

Ross Broad advises of an Open Day being ★ held this Saturday (Mar. 19) from 9am-3pm at the Greensborough Masonic Centre, 23 Ester St.

There is a free sausage sizzle. The event is aimed towards people who would like to see inside a Masonic Temple.

● Today’s issue of The Local Paper.

Long Shots

Distribution S ta dition: A vailable w eekly a o x. 400 tatt e E Edition: weekly att appr appro newsagents across the Melbourne metropolitan area, Mornington Peninsula, Geelong, Bellarine Peninsula, Surf coast, and Victorian regional centres.

Recommended retail price: $2.95.

If your local newsagent does not currently stock the Melbourne Observ e rr,, wh y not plac ea Observe why place weekly order with them, by using their ‘putaway’ service. Newsagents should contact All Day Distribution Pty Ltd, 169 Burwood Road, Hawthorn, Vic 3122. Phone: (03) 9482 1145.

Mail Subscriptions You can ha ve y our o wn c op y of the Melbourne hav your own cop Observer delivered to your letterbox by A u sstt rralia alia P os t. W e dispa opies of the Pos ost.

We dispattch c copies Melbourne Observer to mail subscribers every week.

Subscription prices are: 15 issues, $99; 30 erseas rra a te s is sues, $198; 45 is sues, #29 7. Ov issues, #297 Overseas available on application. Pay by Credit Card: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, without surcharge.

Organise your mail subscription:

By Phone: 1800 231 311

By Fax: 1800 231 312 E-Mail: edit or@MelbourneObserv e rr..com.au editor@MelbourneObserv or@MelbourneObserve

By Post: PO Boc 1278, Research, Vic 3095. Pay by cheque, Money Order or Credit Card.

Available Across The World Melbourne Observer Online 2.

2.11 million hits annually annually.. w w w.MelbourneObserv e rr..c om.au .MelbourneObserve You can rread ead our paper fr ee on the int ernet. internet.

Contact details for our advertisers are also available at our website.

Back Copies Back Copies - Archives w ww .MelbourneObserv e rr..com.au .MelbourneObserve Back copies for 1969-89, 2002-15 may be inspected by appointment at the State Library of Victoria. 328 Swanston St, Melbourne.

Independently Owned and Operated The Melbourne Observer is printed under contract by Streamline PressPty Ltd, 155 Johns ton S t, Fitzr o y, ffor or the publisher St, Fitzro publisher,, Local Media Pty Ltd. ABN 67 096 680 063, of the registered office, 30 Glen Gully Rd, Eltham, Vic 3095. Distributed by All Day Distribution.

Responsibilityfor election and referendum comment is accepted by Ash Long.

Copyright © 2015, Local Media Pty Ltd. ACN 096 680 063.

● Travers Gascoigne and Ross Broad Sydney Dance Company returns to Melbourne’s Southbank Theatreon May 25, with a two-part program, CounterMove. From multiaward-winning young Swedish choreographer Alexander Ekman, the acclaimed Cacti; alongside new work from Sydney Dance CompanyArtistic Director Rafael Bonachela, Lux Tenebris, showcasing Australia’s finest contemporary dance ensemble at its most poetically fierce.

★

New tickets to the cult musical Little Shop of ★ Horrors have just been released. Starring Brent Hill and Esther Hannaford, the Melbourne season will be staged at the Comedy Theatre from May 4

Entries are being called for the My Brother ★ Jack Awards. They are open to people who live, work or study in the City of Glen Eira. Dead● Simone Lionetti ■ Simone Lionetti is the ‘face’ of the Royal editor@MelbourneObserver.com.au Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal next week with Ash Long, Editor (Fri. Mar. 28).

“For the cause that lacks assistance, Victorians last year ‘Gainst the wrongs that need resistance raised $17.1 million to help For the future in the distance, fund research equipment And the good that we can do” purchase at the hospital.

Long Shots is due to be tin-rattling for the Good Friday Appeal at the 7Eleven store, 1350 Pascoe Vale Rd, Coolaroo, from 9am-12.30pm.

We would love to see you there to help fill the tins, as part of the Uncle Bobs-Freemasons Victoria annual effort.

■ "Life’s a journey, not a race.”

Observer Treasury

Text For The Week

Short Shots

■ Sisters' Market is back at Brunswick Town Hall for the April 9 market (10am-4pm) with many new artisans. Sisters’ Market will feature up to 50 stalls, with items ranging from clothing, homewares, body products, jewellery, toys, artwork and stationery.

■ Film star Hugh Jackman will be in Melbourne to promote his new film Eddie The Eagle at Village Cinemas Crown, with VIP arrivals taking place from 6pm on Tuesday, March 29.

Text For The Week ■ "Now Jesus was going up to Jerusalem. On the way, he took the Twelve aside and said to them, We are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified. On the third day he will be raised to life!”

- Matthew 20:17-19 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.

line is 5pm, Tuesday, April 26.

‘Two Pairs of Shorts’ at Butterfly Club

● Peter Davey, Luca Roma, Clare Maree, Andrea Mentlikowski, Brendan Hawke, Elliot Cyngler, Thomas Midena and Andrew Oz in Two Pairs of Shorts.

■ The Butterfly Cluband Moreland Theatre Company present four short plays from two Melbourne writers: Disposition by EvangelosArabatzis (following a successful season in New York), and his drama Months, premiering in Melbourne. Matt O’Reilly presents his Crash Test award-winning play Stations, and premiers his newest comedy, Boot.

Kelly is trapped in a car boot with her ex’s best mate. An envelope gives three English gentlemen pause for thought. Two women try to connect after months apart … and what’s with all the pies?

The show is promoted as ‘an hour of comedy, drama, Pinteresque pauses and psychopathic petrol station attendants.’

Moreland Theatre Company was established in 1990. Their proud 26-year history is underscored by a commitment to developing and presenting the ideas and potential of all those interested in theatre.

Every year the company produce a season of new works which supports new and unknown writers, directors, actors and creative crew. Two Pairs Of Shorts is their latest offering, which encapsulates their focus on supporting arts practitioners and helping find new audiences for their work.

Dates: March 16 – 20 (No show on Friday). Time: 7pm. Cost: $25 - $32. Venue: The Butterfly Club, 5 Carson Place, Melbourne. Tickets: thebutterfly club.com - Cheryl Threadgold

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au Melbourne

Observer

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, March 16, 2016 - Page 7

Showbiz News

WWII story at Chapel Briefs Named

■ Members of the band for We Will Rock You tour, which includes the Regent Theatre Melbourne from August 30, have been named. They are to be led by led by musical director Dave Skelton.

Band members are James Barber and Simon Croft (guitars), Andrew Swann (drums), Mark Costa (bass), James Mack (percussion) and Michael Azzopardi (keyboards).

Million

■ One of Australia’s most successful international screenwriters, Shane Brennan, has announced that he will pump a million dollars of his own money into a joint venture with the Australian Writers’ Guild.

Hinch

■ Senate-hopeful Derryn Hinch is this week sending his Justice Party bus back to the signwriters after they used incorrect spelling for ‘Common Sense’ (Sence) and the word Its without an apostrophe. Hinch is set to stand for the Senate in a double dissolution election tipped to be held on July 2.

■ In the fall of 1939, at nine years old, Eleanor and her family left New York on the SS Hamburg bound for Germany.

A new job and a secure financial future awaited her father in Berlin.

Half-way across the Atlantic, Hitler declared war on Poland and a return to America became impossible.

This is the true story of Eleanor Ramrath Garner growing up as an American girl in Nazi Germany during WWII from ages nine to 16.

Adapted for the stage, this awardwinning autobiography details her youth struggling to maintain stability, hope, and identity in a world of terror and contrasts.

Her family faces hunger, Gestapo threats, carpet bombing, the final fierce battle for Berlin, the Russian invasion and the terrors of Soviet occupancy.

Eleanor’s Story is a one-woman show adapted and performed by granddaughter Ingrid Garner, who grew up hearing her grandmother Eleanor’s harrowing stories.

Upon receiving her Bachelor’s Degree in Drama from Cal State Fullerton (California), Ingrid chose Eleanor’s Story to be her first foray into playwriting and a world stage tour.

Ingrid spent hours conversing with Eleanor, who still lives in Southern California, to gain further insight into the events from the book, and to get a deeper understanding of her emotions at the time, including the culture-shock and post-traumatic stress of returning to the US after the war ended.

Eleanor’s Story is directed by Craig Tyriand produced by JallyEntertainment.

• Venue: Chapel off Chapel, 12 Lt. Chapel St., Prahran • Dates: Until Sunday, March 20 • Times: Tues- Sat at 7.30pm / Fri- Sun matinee at 3pm • Tickets: Full $28 / Conc & Group (10+) $23 • Bookings: Chapel off Chapel Ph: 8290 7000. Email: chapel@ stonnington. vic.gov. au

● Ingrid Garner, Eleanor’s real-life grand-daughter

‘Like this, like Dad’ ■ The dynamic and emerging Asian comedy scene is becoming popular with audiences at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, and this year performers from Hong Kong, Singapore, Korea, Malaysia, and even India are appearing.

A fast rising star from the region is Malaysian comic, Kuah Jenhan, who headlined the Festival’s Comedy Zone Asia last year, and is independently producing his first solo show in Melbourne, Like This, Like Dad this year.

Jenhan has featured at the Comedy Festival previously in 2012, as part of the sold out, five star revue, Best of Comedy Malaysia; and in 2015, Jenhan was the headline act in the Festival-produced showcase Comedy Zone Asia.

Like This, Like Dad is the sweet

Melbourne Observations

with Matt Bissett-Johnson

● Kuah Jenhan

and simple story of Jenhan’s relationship with his very traditional Chinese father.

Filled with Jenhan’s cheeky and wry observations of human quirks, audiences may recognise the mixture of love and cringe that Dads so often engender, in his story.

The show is performed entirely in English.

Venue: Forum Theatre – Ladies’ Lounge, cnr. Flinders and Russell Sts, Melbourne Dates: March 24 – April 17 (Previews March 24 and 27) Times: Tuesday – Saturday 8.30pm; Sunday 7:30pm Tickets: Full $24; Concession $21; Group (6+), Laugh Pack $19 Bookings: www.comedy festival.com.au Ticketmaster 1300 660 013 - Cheryl Threadgold

Damian Callinan in Swing Man

● Damian Callinan ■ Hey Boss presents three-time BarryAward nominee, Damian Callinan, in his new solo show Swing Man, making its debut in the Melbourne International Comedy Festival at the Malthouse from March 24-April 16.

Swing Man is about taking (mid) life by the horns.

It is Damian’s twelfth solo show and tells of Damian setting himself one goal to achieve before he turned 50: learn to Swing Dance!

The result is, he owns professional dance shoes but still can’t swing dance. As far as unfulfilled life goals go, it’s no modern day tragedy, but when you selectively narrow your life goals down to one thing and you don’t do it, it’s time for revision.

What else has Damo left off his list of goals? Can he meet his revised target of learning to swing dance by 51? Are his dance shoes tax deductible?

Having set himself the task of learning an entire dance style from scratch in time for the Melbourne Comedy Festival, Callinan soon falls for the history, fashion and culture that is luring a new generation to the charms of vintage dance.

Venue: The Coopers Malthouse Dates: March 24 - April 16 (not Mondays) Time: 8.15pm (7.15pm Sundays) Tickets: $21.50-$30.75 Bookings: comedyfestival.com.au - Cheryl Threadgold

Supernova stars visit

8 years’ jail for trader

■ Former Hanlong Mining managing director Hui Xiao has been sentenced to a total of 8 years and 3 months imprisonment on insider trading charges.

Mr Xiao had previously pleaded guilty to two ‘rolled up’ charges of insider trading, and formally admitted a third 'rolled up' charge, involving a total of 102 illegal trades in financial products related to Sundance Resources Limited and Bannerman Resources Limited in July 2011, while he was the managing director of Hanlong Mining Investment Pty Ltd. Xiao was sentenced to a non-parole period of 5 years and 6 months, an ASIC statement said.

● Ronnie Schell ■ Kevin Trask will be speaking with Hollywood actor and comedian Ronnie Schell about his memories of being a regular character in the hit television series Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C on That's Entertainment at 12 Non on Sunday (Mar. 12) on on 96.5 FM Ronnie Schell will be in Melbourne for the Supanova Pop Culture Expo at the Melbourne Showgrounds on April 16-17.

In 1959 Ronnie was the opening comedy act for Diana Trask for her debut in the US at the Blue Angel Night Club in NewYork. Ronnie has a happy memory of being congratulated on his act by Frank Sinatra that night.

The line-up for Supanova Pop Culture Expo also includes Dawn Wells from Gilligan's Island, Jack Gleeson from Game of Thrones and other famous stars from film and television. Tickets are now on sale at www.moshtix.com.au

Page 8 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, March 16, 2016

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Best laid plans of mice and men

Yvonne’s Column

■ Robbie Burns had it so right when he wrote the now classic quote, “the best laid schemes o’ mice and men often go awry, And leave us nothing but grief and pain for promised joy.”

My day was full of promised joy. It was a day out visiting a friend with the promise of lunch at a favourite haunt with my other half.

All started well. I actually sang under the shower, so happy was I with the thought of a terrific day.

My horoscope favoured a wonderful day full of pleasure for all Leos.

Like finding gold ■ I’d already planned on what I was going to wear, with the exception of my shoes.

Digging into my wardrobe I rediscovered a pair that had been a favourite, and would fit the bill perfectly – comfortable and smart for a steamy Melbourne day.

I’d bought them at a shoe sale in America, and loved the style so much I bought them in three colours. I don’t know what happened to the other two pair, but these had been my absolute favourites.

Delightedly I slipped my feet into them, and with a sigh of relief, paraded them in front of my husband. It was like finding gold, and I was ecstatic.

We set off in such a happy mood and even the ratbags who were acting like hoons and driving erratically around us didn’t spoil our sense of well-being.

We reached our destination and it was then my day started to go downhill.

Good cry of rage ■ I felt a sharp pain in my arm under my long sleeve blouse. Before I could investigate I looked in horror as my favourite vintage shoes were disintegrating before my eyes revealing a recent pedicure, and 10 naked red tipped toes.

Stepping out onto the footpath my shoes finally gave up the ghost. I had no option but to toss the remains into a nearby rubbish bin.

What to do now?

My hero of many years, bless him, suggested he find the nearest shop that sold footwear – anything that covered my feet. Off he

with Yvonne Lawrence

yvonne.lawrence@bigpond.com went. The carpet in the car was a mess. Leather, black soot-like rubber everywhere. And the pain in my arm was getting worse by the minute.

Ever felt like having a good cry of rage on a busy street?

Walking was not a possibility.

Smile through pain

■ Soon my hero returned with a look of triumph on his face, and a bag, which contained a new pair of shoes.

In fairness, they looked okay, and I was grateful for anything to cover my shoeless feet.

But I have to tell you; they were hell to just try on. I’ve never felt so much pain. But I had no choice but to persevere. They were as hard and as hot to wear as the hobs of hell.

I could only smile through my pain.

How could I even query my husband as to why he chose these particular shoes when he was so pleased that he had found something to cover my naked feet.

So between the shoes and an arm that had gone numb we decided to head home and forget our planned romantic lunch.

RACV to the rescue ■ Hobbling into the car and bracing myself so

that I could get my blouse off to discover the cause of my injury, the car decided not to start.

Our hell continued. The very pleasant young fellow from the RACV after bringing out some space age machinery assured us it was not the battery.

He left us and called a mechanic from base for further assistance. But before he left he gave each of us a bottle of iced water. A nice touch.

We waited and waited for this mechanic.

Peter phoned them again, only to be told that they had no knowledge of us being stranded, but would do their best.

So much for our smiling battery expert and the solemn promise that he would get further help.

See what I mean? Our best-laid plans had really gone awry again.

Tried usual things ■ After an hour, I hobbled, wearing my bone crushing shoes to the near Salon de sushi and bought take-away for our belated lunch.

Finally, the yellow van screamed to a halt next to us, and a very pleasant mechanic named David alighted.

He tried all the usual things to get us started.

He was sounding a bit deflated at not being able to do his magic, and started mentioning transmissions and all sorts of very expensive parts of the car.

We could be towed home providing we didn’t live more than 25-km away. They would give us $50 for a taxi home. Or we could travel with the tow truck. What was our pleasure?

I actually favoured the tow truck because it would be fun. My husband thought otherwise.

Spoilsport!

Spider bite

■ Perhaps it was the look of anguish on my face, but he stopped leaning on the window ledge and slid into the drivers seat.

He pressed a few things and one by one things started to come to life. But when he turned the steering wheel our Volvo purred into life.

The problem? Simple when you are a petrol head, but mind numbing when you know nothing about cars. And at the risk that a potential car thief is reading my tragic story I’m not going to tell anyone what the problem was.

However, the quick fix is indelibly imprinted on my mind in case it ever happens again.

Home at last. The pain in my very painful, red and swollen arm was indeed a spider bite of unknown species. The two big fang marks were easy to see. At least it wasn’t a white tail, because by this time my arm would have rotted away.

Can’t use my arm

■ The doctor agreed with me and told me to rest and take the painkillers he gave me.

I also have a sling to wear.

The next day our car was sprayed from top to bottom to rid it of any spiders that were intending to either give birth, or chomp on any unsuspecting humans that invaded its space.

I still can’t use my arm, but at least the red stripe that travelled up my arm has gone.

Robbie Burns, the master of the quote never spoke truer words, “ the best laid plans of mice and men often go awry.”

Good karma.

- Yvonne Lawrence

Ricky Nixon is SEN’s surprise writer Mark McConnell is all washed up At the Glamp Bar for the Comedy Festival ■ Irish-born Mark McConnell yearns for a more simple time when he didn't have to wait in line for service station coffee and shop lift on his bi-weekly grocery run.

Australia was supposed to be the promised land, the lucky country.

He now says “whoever coined that term is a moron.”

In his premiere Melbourne International Comedy Festival show Washed Up, Mark explores the depths of just how washed up a human being can become.

Following on from his successful Melbourne Fringe Festival show Be A Man, Mark takes a personal reflection on his short comings since abandoning Ireland and gracing the shores of Australia.

Mark says if you enjoy silly, dark, true, insightful, aggressive and downright weird stand-up comedy then Washed Up is your kind of show.

“Let’s be honest who doesn't love silly, dark, true, insightful, aggressive and downright weird comedy when you think about it?”

Venue: Glamp Bar, 267 Little Collins St, Melbourne Dates: March 29 – April 2 Time: 7pm Tickets: $15 Bookings: www.trybooking.com/JSFQ - Cheryl Threadgold

■ Radio station SEN publishes Inside Football magazine and decided to commission a story on the Garry Lyon-Billy Brownless bust-up.

Big question was “who you gunna get to write the piece?”

Who? No other than an expert in such issues - Ricky Nixon.

Ricky's article - 'How to survive a media storm ' - was surprisingly constructive, and levelled a lot of the problem on the impact of social media.

What a Croc ■ Crocmedia has won the rights to broadcast 10 exhibition games to be played in the AFL Women's League in season 2016.

Expect Crocmedia to be further involved in promoting the Women's League .

Dear Andy

● Mark McConnell

■ An accurate brief is usually behind most great pieces of communication.

Such example - a record album design- has come to life in a brief from Mick Jagger to Andy Warhol.

The etter is dated April 21, 1969 and typed on Rolling Stones Ltd letterhead.

Dear Andy, In my short, sweet experience, the more complicated the format of the album cover, e.g.more complex than just pages or foldouts, the more f***ed-up the reproduction and agonising the delays.

But having said that, I will leave it

in your capable hands to do what ever you want ...please write back saying how much money you would like.

Love, Mick Jagger

Wedding gift

■ Barry Humphries was a guest at the wedding of Rupert Murdoch and Jerry Hall.

Asked what he gave the happy couple Barry replied “I gave them a spare pair of jumper leads I got from David Beckham.”

Fast food

■ An American food company has withdrawn a new product - pre- peeled oranges.

Worse still the peeled oranges were packed in a plastic container. Social media went into overdrive and product pulled from supermarket shelves.

Makes you wonder what they were thinking.

Heritage fun

■ Lovers of all things historical will have fun times exploring the stories on radioheritage.net Here you'll find a treasure trove of well documented articles on radio stations around the world, including Australia. Plus bios of on-air stars. Unfortunately finances at radioheritage are not where they should be, so when you visit please leave a small donation.

- John O’Keefe

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, March 16, 2016 - Page 9

Melbourne

Confidential Talk is cheap, gossip is priceless

Hamlet and Juliet

Time to stop leaning on ‘Dad’ in big-time radio Kids’ permit refused

● Ryan Adam-Wells (Laertes) and Patrick Hercamp (Claudius) in the Fakespearean Mash-up Hamlet and Juliet.

■ Jally Entertainment presents Hamlet and Juliet from March 16-19 at Chapel off Chapel.

This ‘tragic Fakespearean Mash-up’ tells of Hamlet’s father’s ghost (as played by ‘Sean Connery’ under a bed sheet) telling the hero he has been murdered by Hamlet’s uncle, Claudius, in order to marry Hamlet’s mother and gain the crown.

While in his sad state, Hamlet’s friend Bernardo convinces him he’ll cheer up by going to the fete planned by Polonius Capulet, to celebrate the impending nuptials.

There, Hamlet espies Juliet Capulet, and later falls in love with her when he’s crept into her garden (which is said not to be a euphemism).

The cast includes Richard Maritzer, Patrick Hercamp and Ryan Adams-Wells.

Performance Season: March 16 – 19 at 9pm Tickets: 15 Full, $12 Concession/Group 10+, Child $10 (+transaction fee) Duration: 45 minutes (No Interval) Bookings: www.chapeloffchapel.com.au Seating: General Admission. The performance has a strict ‘Lockout Policy’ and latecomers will not be adrmitted - Cheryl Threadgold

Tommy Little to host Comedy state final

● Tommy Little ■ The year’s Raw Comedy Vic State Final will be hosted by Tommy Little, recently departed from Nova 100 breakfast.

Winner of the state final will compete in the National Grand Final in April as part of this year’s Melbourne International Comedy Festival.

Australia’s biggest and most prestigious annual open-mic comedy competition has been all over the country with more than 45 heats taking place nationally in a bid to bag comedy’s next big things.

Tommy Little burst onto the comedy scene in 2007. Sell-out shows and rave reviews at Melbourne International Comedy Festival and Adelaide Fringe have led to Tommy becoming a regular fixture on TV screens.

He has an ongoing guest role in ABC TV's acclaimed drama Time Of Our Lives; plus hosts two shows for Network Ten; the sporting panel show A League Of Their Own and late night series This Week Live - alongside Tom Gleeson, Meshel Laurie and Dave Thornton.

As well as continuously touring with his critically acclaimed comedy, Tommy continues to be the popular fill-in guy for the funny chair on Network Ten’s The Project.

Victorian State Final: Mon., March 21, 7.30pm.

(Doors 7pm), Howler, 7-11 Dawson St, Brunswick, Tickets $20 For further details and a list of all remaining heats, visit comedyfestival.com.au/raw - Cheryl Threadgold

● 3AW Drive host Tom Elliott with his father John Elliott ■ Tom Elliott has come such a Raf Epstein on 774 ABC, whose long way as a broadcaster in the past ratings are now 8.7 per cent. few years.

Other stations are hovering to The 3AW Drive broadcaster has grab every listener that they can: mastered the art of radiko Gold, 9.4.JJJ, 8.9. KIIS, 8.4. storytelling, as well as becoming as John Elliott, the Carlton Foota proficient ‘tease’ of segments ball Club identity, never far from coming up in his 3pm-6pm week- controversy, appears in the 5.30pmday show.

6pm slot on Fridays.

Tom Elliott last week recorded A 3AW talkback caller this month a 9.9 per cent ratings share in the told Tom Elliott that he watches 4pm-7pm timeslot measured by sur- John Elliott consume a bottle of vey company GFK wine before he goes to air.

Tom’s program was second to Tom refers to his studio guest as Hamish and Andy at Fox 101.9 ‘Dad’. At age 48, it’s time for Tom (10.5 per cent), and just ahead of to stand on his own two feet.

■ A man, 37, applying for a ‘Working With Children’ permit has been refused the authority, after an appeal to Judge Marilyn Harbison, Vice-President of the Victorian Civil and AdministrativeTribunal.

VCAT heard that the man’s criminal history record showed that he had been convicted of the offence of possessing a photo of a child depicted in a sexual manner.

The conviction tok place in September 2000, more than 15 years ago.

The pornography came to light when the man had taken his computer for repairs. Technicians found “1100 images of pornography and of those images approximately 200 depicted children obviously under the age of 16”.

The man is of ‘low end’ intellectual functioning.

Suspended after Rumour Mill secret filming ■ Greyhound trainer Bradley Keel has been disqualified for 18 months, with 15 months of that period of disqualification suspended for three years. He has been ordered to pay a fine of $750.

The Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal heard that Keel visited the Tooradin Trial Track in December 2014 together with a greyhound for the purpose of training.

“Unknown to him an unidentified person was secretly videoing the comings and goings at the trial track on that day,” said a determination by Judge Marilyn Harbison, VCAT Vice-President.

“Two video cameras were operating, each on separate angles but each facing the starting box. This clandestine surveillance was not it seems connected in any way with Mr Keel.

“Those preparing the footage were doing so in order to bring to public attention the issue of training greyhounds using live bait. Mr Keel was not involved at all in that activity.

“However Mr Keel was clearly caught on the video when he placed his greyhound in the starting box in preparation for its trial run. Each video showed him cocking his arm and bringing it down forcefully into the starting box.

“Although neither of the videos, each being taken from a different angle, clearly reveals this, Mr Keel was later to admit that during the course of placing the dog in the starting box he administered a punch or a slap to the dog’s head,” Judge Harbison said.

“The investigators were originally not concerned about following up on this issue, which had come up incidentally when they were viewing over 10 hours of footage of a far more serious nature.

“Mr Keel was ultimately charged in August 2015 with two charges arising out of this punch or slap. It appears that no action was taken by the investigators until after some unknown person put the footage of Mr Keel on the internet, and a social media campaign developed around it.”

Hear It Here First

Architect in strife

■ Architect Christopher McSteen has been found guilty of three charges brought by the Archtects Registration Board of Victoria. McSteen is to appear before the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal on Thursday, March 31 for a half-day hearing to consider the determinations from the findings brought down by VCAT Senior Member Jonathan Smithers.

Whispers

‘Pay up’

■ Clinton Keeshan has to reimburse $55.60 to his mother Christine Keeshan, after she took him to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal over a residential tenancy matter.

Bombers

■ Essendon Football Club has asked for a Melbourne Magistrates’ Court pre-hearing conference today (Wed>) when it is due to allege that a civil claim is owed by Land Source Australiua Pty Ltd for “monies due”.

Council ■ The Australian Press Council has approved the appointment of two new members: Matthew Ricketson, who will represent the Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance, and Anita Quigley, representing Community Newspapers Australia.

Hushed

The Price is Right

■ Macquarie Radio executives are likley to extend Steve Price’s national radio program from 10pm-Midnight on 3AW if Nightline co-host Bruce Mansfield does not return to the airwaves.

Earlier this year, the nightly Bruce MansfieldPhilip Brady program was abbreviated to two hours per night in favour of Price.

Industry observers suggest that Philip Brady, 77 this year, would be offered to continue the Sunday night Remember When program should he wish.

Ourselves ■ Next week is our pre-Easter issue of the Observer. We do not publish on Wednesday, March 30.

E-Mail: Confidential@MelbourneObserver.com.au

● Bill Duff ■ Melbourne entertainment industry A&R man Bill Duff says he is no longer nvolved with the Hush Foundation.

“I had 12 wonderful years with Hush and found Cathy Crock a most beautiful and inspiring person,” Duff said of the fundraiser institution for children’s hospitals.

g 10 - Melbourne Obser ver - Wednesday, y, March 16,, 2016 Page

PROMOTIONAL FEATURE

Freemasons support lung cancer research Lilydale supports a cure for MND

● Shane Mason presents a cheque to Motor Neurone Disease Information and Resources Officer Vanessa McTaggart, with John McElvogue (right) .

■ Motor Neurone Disease Information and Resourcing Officer Vanessa McTackett visited members at the Lilydale Lodge No. 108 to give a comprehensive presentation on the effects of MND. Lilydale Lodge has long supported MND research for a number of years, members being moved to act when previous Secretary Basil Wild died from MND. Members agreed to raise funds for research and development into the disease, and coordinated a Bunnings barbecue in November last year.

With a little help from the Freemasons Foundation, Lilydale Lodge was proudly able to donate $1280 to the Motor Neurone Disease Association of Victoria.

The cheque was presentation to Vanessa by Shane Mason and John McElvogue.

MND Victoria provides and promotes the best possible care and support for people living with Motor Neurone Disease. This includes a range of services to support people living with MND, their carers, family, friends and health professionals.

Motor Neurone Disease is an umbrella term used for a group of diseases that affect the functioning of motor neurones.

In Victoria approximately 300 people are living with the condition at any given time. To find out more about MND visit: www.mnd.asn.au

■ Lung cancer research at the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute will benefit from a $100,000 boost thanks to a donation from Freemasons Victoria's Lodge Amicus and the Freemasons Foundation Victoria.

The sum of $56,000 was raised by Lodge Amicus at the Venetian Carnevale Ball held on Saturday, February 6.

More than 450 guests enjoyed the night featuring the music of the Tony Cursio Showband and Dancers with 3AW's Tony Tardio as the MC for the evening.

The Freemasons Foundation Victoria supported the Lodge's efforts by contributing an additional $44,000.

An official cheque presentation, hosted by Don Reynolds was held at The Centre in Heidelberg on Wednesday March 9 which saw guests Mario and Dianne Zanetti attend along with Medical Oncologist Associate Professor Thomas John and Freemasons Foundation Director David Gibbs.

Later in the presentation, guests were joined by piano accordionist Angelo Marchese who added a Carnevale feel to the event, recognising the efforts of all of those who dug deep at the Lodge Amicus Venetian Carnevale Ball.

● Medical Oncologist Associate Professor Thomas John of the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute accepts the $100,000 cheque from Don Reynolds and Freemasons Director David Gibbs.

"We are incredibly grateful to the Centre would not be capable of proFreemasons and to Amicus Lodge for viding the research into the developthis generous donation", Thomas said. ment of new treatments for which it is "Without funding and support, the renowned."

Masons put smiles on faces ■ This month Camp Quality received a generous donation of $4900 from the Freemasons Public Charitable Foundation.

Kindly presented by Freemasons Foundation Director David Gibbs to State Manager of Camp Quality in Victoria, Lee Emberton .

Camp Quality's purpose is to create a better life for every child living with cancer through various programs that offer support at diagnosis, through to treatment and in remission or be-

Horsham Aeromedical Transfer Station ready for launch

● Stephen Wik from Lock Constructions, with the other tradies and volunteers who made the transfer station happen.

Photo: Samantha Camarri, Wimmera News ■ Victorian Governor Linda Dessau will officially resented the Horsham East Rotary Club. The transfer open the transfer station on March 19 at 9am, and will station will protect patients and ambulance members be joined by Freemasons Victoria's Grand Master Hillel from the elements while they wait for medical aircraft Benedykt and Freemasons Foundation Director Frank to transport them to metropolitan hospitals.

Fordyce.

Philip said there was an average of two medical transThe public is invited to attend the official opening. fers each day from Horsham.

Construction work on the Horsham Aeromedical "That includes direct and indirect flights," he said.

Transfer Station at Horsham Aerodrome has finished. "I've had personal experience as a patient, being transThe 10-month building project was a collaborative ported by aircraft to Melbourne for back surgery. effort involving dozens of Wimmera tradesmen and "When we started this process it was remarkable the women and community groups. In-kind support of more number of people that came forward with some perthan $160,000 saw the project to fruition. sonal experience about being transported from the aeroProject committee member Jenny Reid said the great- drome to a larger medical centre." est take away from the whole experience for her was Philip paid tribute to all of the volunteers who had the young tradies and the hours and days they spent contributed to the construction, but made particular menworking to get the project finished with no payment. tion of volunteer project manager Stephen Wik from "It's all been volunteer hours," she said. "I always Locks Construction. knew the community would get behind this. I never had "Steve had all the connections. He knew where the a doubt they would help make this happen." quality was and the capacity for people to volunteer and The project committee was made up of Ambulance donate their time," he said.

VictoriaAuxiliary's Paul Burton, Freemasons Victoria's "It's been a collaborative effort by all involved from Wimmera Lodge Philip Nicks, and Mrs Reid, who rep- the start right through to the finish."

reavement. Camp Quality takes a whole family approach, offering services for siblings, parents and of course the patient at hospital, at home, away from it all on camp and at school.

All of the programs are free of charge and are designed to build resilience and celebrate life based on the Camp Quality belief that laughter is the best medicine.

The donation from the Freemasons Public Charitable Foundation will go towards supporting five Primary School Programs which will benefit 1250 children in Victoria.

The Primary School Program sees the lively Camp Quality puppets visiting schools and day care centres all over Victoria presenting an engaging and age-appropriate puppet show that educates kids on cancer in a nonthreatening, fun environment.

This program is a valuable tool in assisting children to reintegrate back in to school after time off due to their cancer diagnosis as it has a strong anti-bullying message and gives kids practical tools on how to be a supportive and kind friend.

The puppets are so popular they

even receive mail from some of the kids they visit.

One such letter read "Hi Kylie, I really love how you made me feel so much better after a hard time. My best friend's mum died from cancer and your show made me feel better and helped me remember her, but in the best way".

Camp Quality also provides comprehensive materials to schools and teachers after their visit, including its recently launched app Kids' Guide to Cancer which is aimed at supporting kids ages 8-12 years old.

"We, at the Camp Quality Victorian office, are so very grateful for the generosity and support of the Freemasons Public Charitable Foundation and as we rely on community support to fund all of our programs we know that your kind contribution will truly assist us in brightening up the days of so many children here in Victoria," Lee said.

For more information on Camp Quality and the services it provides to families that find themselves in this situation please visit www. campquality.org.au or contact Lee Emberton on 9329 8660.

● Freemasons Foundation Director David Gibbs and State Manager of Camp Quality Victoria, Lee Emberton.

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, March 16, 2016 - Page 11

West Hollywood

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

Bye Bye Don McLean

Mayor’s 10 out of 10 ■ What a great surprise when the Mayor of West Hollywood, Lindsey Horvath, bestowed on the Ramada Plaza Hotel and Suites, West Hollywood, the Good Practices Award for Guest Service and Satisfaction.

The staff at the Ramada work very hard to make your stay an experience. Most of the staff have been with Alan Johnson over 25 years. With all that experience the award was a sweet victory.

At the Ramada the guests always come first and they pride themselves on repeat business.

There have been new beds installed and the pool area is going through a makeover just before summer.

When you are thinking of coming to California why not stay at the best, cost-efficient hotel that is central to everything?

Congratulations to the management and staff of the Ramada Plaza Hotel and Suites in West Hollywood.

Pictured at the presentation West Hollywood Mayor, Lindsey Horvath with Managing Director of the Ramada West Hollywood, Alan Johnson.

● West Hollywood Mayor, Lindsey Horvath with Managing Director of the Ramada West Hollywood, Alan Johnson

GavinWood

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

Obama’s job approval: highest in three years ■ I just thought I would throw this in about the President.

I never get political but this shows how much the current President of the United States is so popular.

Roughly 50 per cent of Americans currently approve of President Obama's performance as chief executive, marking his highest approval rating since 2013, according to a Gallup poll released last week.

The survey, which has about a 2 per cent margin of error, shows that Obama's approval rating is up by about 5 percentage points since the beginning of the year.

Compared to other presidents' final springs in office, Obama beats George W. Bush, who garnered about 32 per cent approval in March 2008.

Former President Clinton still tops them both, however, as he earned an approval of 63 per cent in March 2000.

Kiefer’s debut album ■ Former 24 star Kiefer Sutherland announced that he's releasing his debut album, Down In A Hole. The actor also said he will embark on a 26-date tour, beginning April 14.

Sutherland has dabbled in music in addition to his acting career. Notably, he launched the record label Ironworks, though he stepped away from the label in 2009.

Described as "folk-tinged," Down In A Hole is the result of collaboration with Sutherland's best friend, former Ironworks partner Jude Cole.

Sutherland called the album "the closest thing I've ever had to a journal or diary."

"All of these songs are pulled from my own personal experiences. There is something very satisfying about being able to look back on my own life, good times and bad, and express those sentiments in music," Sutherland said of the 11-track album. " As much as I have enjoyed the writing and recording process, I am experiencing great joy now being able to play these songs to a live audience, which was something I hadn't counted on."

Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg teaming

■ Just like those 3D paintings with the image hidden inside of them, back in the '90s, "Where's Waldo?" had a pop cultural moment.

Spawning multiple books, calendars, a brief television series, and even video games, the entire world was captivated with finding that glasses wearing dork in the striped shirt.

So naturally, Hollywood has been trying to make a movie out of the property for years. And though the biggest hurdle at the moment might be making anybody care about a Where's Waldo? movie, MGM are hoping to solve that riddle by hiring two people who've had a string of big, comedy successes.

Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg are in talks to produce the movie. The duo has their comedy stamp on Neighbors, The Night Before, and This Is The End among others, so it perhaps suggests that MGM are willing to take some risks.

But then again, Where's Waldo? was lucrative because it appealed to all ages, so it'll be interesting to see if Rogen and Goldberg pitch something raunchy, or take a creative turn towards something more broadly, mainstream friendly.

Kyle Hunter and Ariel Shaffir, The Night Before writers who are tasked to pen this project, may solve the answer to that riddle.

■ Attorney for American Pie singer's spouse cites "many abusive episodes resulting from his rage and controlling behaviour throughout the marriage" Looks like its bye, bye, Mrs Don McLean.

The wife of Don McLean has filed for divorce from her husband of 30 years, less than two months after the American Pie singer was arrested for domestic violence on Jan. 18.

According to Patrisha McLean's lawyer, the singer's wife has "gained insight away from his influence and control."

A statement from the attorney, Gene Libby, says that Don McLean "has been prohibited from contacting" Patrisha.

McLean, 70, acknowledged his marital difficulties shortly after his arrest, on Twitter, saying he is "not a villain" and adding, "What is occurring is the very painful breakdown of an almost 30-year relationship."

Michael Keaton joins American Assassin

■ Michael Keaton has seen an insane career renaissance over the last few years. Although the former Batman has starred in numerous movies since his time as the Caped Crusader made him a household name, the last few years have seen him star in not one, but two Oscar winners for Best Picture - Birdman, and Spotlight.

With such momentum behind him, the legendary thespian can star in just about any movie he wants. He seems to have found a meaty role in the upcoming adaptation of American Assassin.

A new report from Deadline indicates that Michael Keaton has officially been cast to portray Stan Hurley in Michael Cuesta's upcoming film American Assassin, based on the novel

by Vince Flynn. For those unfamiliar with the American Assassin series, Hurley is a shady and grizzled (yet ultimately badass) veteran of the Cold War who teaches green CIA recruits about the art of war.

The role was initially offered to Bruce Willis, but recent updates have now confirmed that Keaton has stepped in to portray the character. I think I speak for the entire Cinema Blend community when I say that seeing a former Batman brought into a new action franchise as a master of stealth and combat represents a major dream come true for any selfrespecting geek.

At this point Michael Keaton is the only actor confirmed for the project. Chris Hemsworth was reportedly offered the film's lead role in 2012, but no new information has come forward on that front.

Director Michael Cuesta spoke out regarding Michael Keaton's casting and praised his ability to inhabit a character like Stan Hurley.

Speak with Joanna

● President Obama

www.gavinwood.us

■ If you are considering a move to Los Angeles or just coming over for a holiday to see the sights or to check out the fabulous restaurants then I have got a special deal for you.

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 12 - Melbourne Obser ver - Wednesday, March 16, 2016

■ Phil Harris was a popular American bandleader, comedian, actor, songwriter and singer.

He was versatile during his lifetime and his ‘wise cracking’ character, which was basically himself, became famous throughout the world.

Wonga Phillip Harris was born in Linton, Indiana, in 1904 (same year as my father) and he was the only child of circus performers Harry and Dollie Harris.

Phil learned to play the drums at a young age in Nashville, Tennessee.

In his teenage years he became a professional drummer with an orchestra in San Francisco.

In 1927 Phil married the Marcia Ralston, an Australian actress, in Sydney and they adopted a baby boy who was named Phil Harris Jnr. Phil formed his own band The Dixie Syncopaters in 1932 and toured the south as a comedian, singer and bandleader.

During the 1930s he appeared a series of short films with his orchestra.

He became the musical director on Jack Benny's radio show in 1936 and also was a part of the cast portraying himself as a wise cracking comedian.

Through his association with Jack Benny he was cast in the comedy film Man About Town in 1939.

Phil divorced Marcia in 1940 and the following year married actress and singer Alice Faye.

Whatever Happened To ...

Phil Harris

By Kevin Trask of 3AW and 96.5 Inner FM

His films during the 1940s included Buck Benny Rides Again, Dreaming Out Loud, I Love A Bandleader and Wabash Avenue.

In 1942 Phil and his entire band enlisted in the United States Navy and they served until the end of World War II. He had a successful recording career with some big hits such as That's What I Like About The South, Deck Of Cards, Lazy River, Smoke, Smoke, Smoke and The Thing.

Phil co-starred with Alice in their popular radio show The Phil Harris-Alice Faye Show which ran for six years.

He played his first dramatic role in the 1954 film The High and the Mighty with John Wayne.

Phil Harris became famous for his ‘voice

Bob Hope wrote a letter to my cousin Diana Trask and commented: "Hope you have great success in Las Vegas. I'm sure you will if you can stay out of the way of Phil Harris's breath.

He melts scenery you know. " He made numerous guest appearances on television shows during the 1960s and 1970s such as The Kraft Music Hall, Burke's Law, F Troop, The Dean Martin Show, Fantasy Island, The Love Boat, The Hollywood Palace and other musical variety programs.

In later life he became a successful business man in Palm Springs. In 1981, he sang Back Home Again In Indiana before the Indianapolis 500.

Phil Harris passed away from a heart attack in 1995 at the age of 91. He was survived by Alice and his children Phyllis,Alice and Phil Jnr. Phil Harris had a favourite quote: "I can't die until the government finds a safe place to bury my liver."

In 1994 Phil had a Golden Palm Star on the ● Phil Harris Palm Springs Walk of Stars dedicated to him. work’ in animated films where he was the voice Kevin Trask of ‘Baloo the bear’ in The Jungle Book, ‘Little The Time Tunnel - with Bruce and Phil John’ in Robin Hood, and ‘Thomas O'Malley’ Sundays at 9.20pm on 3AW in The Aristocats.

That's Entertainment - 96.5FM He sang The Bare Necessities in The Jungle Sundays at 12Noon Book and it was a highlight of the film.

96.5FM is streaming on the internet.

He was a good friend of Bing Crosby and To listen, go to www.innerfm.org.au was a guest star on The Bing Crosby Television and follow the prompts.

Show.

Crayfish after getting lost in the Outback ■ When I first embarked on my career as an opal cutter, a few of my mates would accompany me to the various opal fields on some of my visits, and a few others would make their own forays.

Two such were Johnny Dawson and Peter (Fred) Miles, who approached me at one stage for some advice, and had decided to steer their

way northwards, along the dirt track which was then the Stuart Highway.

They made it all right, and hopped down a few old mines and started picking away. I can't recall what they found, but I don't think it was much.

However they hooked up with some of my local mates and a good time was had by all.

On the way back they took a wrong

turn and lost their way and ended up at the Mirikata Space Tracking Station, pretty quiet and secret in the scheme of things.

They didn't get many visitors out there, so they feted Dawso and Fred.

Because it was a government run enterprise, money was no object when it came to sustenance.

Oysters and crays and the finest fillets were washed down with the best of champagne and reds.

A happy encounter.

■ Living as an adolescent at Blairgowrie, I made friends with many of the kids whose parents had holiday houses thereabouts.

There were some from Ivanhoe, Brighton, Camberwell and a few other similarly "well-heeled" suburbs.

So I developed several groups of friends from these respective areas, and have retained them.

One was the "Ivanhoe Boys".

Dawso's dad owned a pub called the Sir Henry Barkly Hotel - Dawson's for short - so I quickly got to know all of his mates who always frequented the pub as they grew older.

Dawso ended up nearly at the top of the National Bank, then headed the Bank of Queensland, then became Queensland Government Charge d'Affaires in London.

Between Brisbane and London I didn't see much of him.

I had a call from him a couple of weeks ago: "I'm staying in Queenscliff for a while - why don't I catch the ferry across for a drink?"

So I called my mates Ray Punjer and Ken Stickland, and they gathered a few of the oldies together for a hearty afternoon at the Sorrento pub.

There were John Burns and Peter Hargreaves and Geoff Cohen and Robin Tuckerman and Gary Nicholas, with a brief Penny McBride, nee Pizzey.

As we recalled the adventures which we had once shared, time just sped by, and we were back in our teens once again.

■ Lately I’ve revisited a volume written by a good mate of mine, Len Cram - a detailed history of Lightning Ridge and its inhabitants.

Most of the characters I know, or knew, or knew of, and it was wonderful for me to drift back in my memory to my adventures of the past.

As with every settlement or village

The Outback Legend

with Nick Le Souef Lightning Ridge Opals 175 Flinders Lane, Melbourne Phone 9654 4444 www.opals.net.au hamlet the world over, everybody is always striving to make a quid. Some do, and some don't - there's always a hierarchy of prosperity depending on one's occupation or skills or socioeconomic position - the rich at one end and the poor at the other.

It's not like that at Lightning Ridge.

Because Lady Luck reigns supreme on this, and every other opal field, today's pauper may well be tomorrow's millionaire.

So the whole town is totally egalitarian - there is no social or economic hierarchy.

I was talking to my mate Tim the other day - he told me he'd made $187,000 on his third day at Lightning Ridge a few years ago.

My mate George and I were setting up an opal extravaganza for some wealthy Arabs a few years ago.I was astounded at some of the black opals - millions of dollars worth - which mysteriously manifested from under mattresses.

■ And, of course, such a community breeds unique characters. One Irish mate, a ship's captain, spent six

months of the year in the Atlantic; then a miner, and a drinker, at the Ridge for the other six.

Then there were local shearers many mates of mine, who squeezed a bit of mining in on the side.

Generally the policy was: eight hours sleeping, eight hours working, and eight hours drinking.

There were (and still are) retired academics and accountants, abattoir workers and builders' labourers.

If they're not from the start, they all quickly developed into bush mechanics. There's one cardinal rule on every field - you never throw anything away.

You may need it for repairs in the future, which of course often makes an opal field resemble a tip.

However this is of no concern to the intrepid residents.

Even though much conversation around the field, at barbecues or in the club or the pub, revolves around mining and opals, philosophy or physics or literature are not unknown amongst these gnarled old timers.

■ My mate Jim Glass, when he first moved up to Lightning Ridge, said to me: "I once used to look at old blokes and just concluded, with Bob Hawke, that they were just "silly old buggers".

How wrong I was!"

Jim quickly made friendships with some of these old timers, and generally found that they were mostly fascinating and interesting individuals, each with his story to tell.

My closest mates up there were two old timers in their sixties - I was about 20 - who had been mining and exploring and adventuring all their lives.

Sid and George Grahamhad drunkenly hopped on a ship in New Zealand one evening, in their twenties, and ended up in Australia, and stayed here.

They immediately headed to the bush, and found Lightning Ridge, and became miners.

However they found time to travel around the bush, always in the Outback. At one stage they had an order from the Royal Aviary in London to catch a few parrots on the Nullarbor.

Hearty drinkers and hearty raconteurs , I just loved sitting with them for hour upon hour, hearing the tales of the bush of yesteryear.

- Nick Le Souef ‘The Outback Legend’

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, March 16, 2016 - Page 13

Nation Review

Observer founder active in reform Rediscovering Nation Review: An independent media voice in Australian political and cultural affairs, from 1970 to 1980 Author: David Olds Flinders University Submitted as Thesis for the completion of a Doctorate of Philosophy in English Literature An examination of the Nation Review newspaper, an independent media voice in Australian political and cultural affairs, from 1970 to 1980.

Part 2 Continued from last week ■ Everingham quotes Judy Wallace, Push member and subsequent girlfriend of Barton, who suggests that Barton, as an aspiring capitalist, was not a good fit with the Push crowd, and not popular because of his Liberal Club connection.

Barton was initially attracted to the Push for its intellectual stimulation rather than any philosophy it might have espoused.

He was an inveterate polymath, however, and inevitably he was influenced by some of Anderson’s and other Push members’ arguments.

Barton found that self-employment was the most fulfilling option for him, and he focussed his energy on building up the transport business that became IPEC, the second-largest transport company in Australia.

By 1964, IPEC was ready, both financially and in terms of market power, to expand into transporting cargo by air.

Throughout 1965 and into 1966 Barton fought the government, in court, in the Press, and in Parliament, seeking permission to import aircraft and use them for freight-carrying purposes, in the face of the two-airline policy.

Ultimately losing to the government, Barton nonetheless learned a great deal about prosecuting a cause through all channels available to him as a wealthy and successful businessman.

At the end of 1965 Barton’s wife Vonnie was diagnosed with a severe brain tumour and given little time to live.

Barton resigned as IPEC’s managing-director and devoted his time to Vonnie.

When she responded positively to treatment, the family (Barton by now had a daughter) spent two months holidaying in eastern Asia.

During their travels, Barton began to hear about the Vietnam conflict, and, for once with time on his hands, he was able to examine the situation in detail.

Having lost a brother in the Second World War, Barton was unconvinced that war was an effective or moral means of resolving conflict, and Menzies’ rationale for involving Australia in this particular conflict seemed deeply flawed.

Already, in 1950, Barton, then a member of the NSW State Council for the Liberal Party, had caused consternation by eloquently and emotionally opposing Menzies’ Communist Party Dissolution Bill, on the grounds, not of sympathy for Com-

any case, the Labor position on the war was muddled. Judith Brett alludes to Donald Horne’s The Lucky Country: “In The Lucky Country Horne described the educated middle generation’s despair at the possibility of change.

“However, he ended the book on an optimistic note: ‘all the same something is going to happen’, a reformer with broad views of change was needed who would forget the present occupants of power and look to the future.

“There is no suggestion that Horne thought such a reformer would be found in the ranks of Labor; more likely he would be a dissident Liberal, someone like the Sydney business man Gordon Barton.”

LIBERAL REFORM MOVEMENT Francis James, with whom Barton had clashed within the Sydney University Liberal Branch over the Menzies anti-communism Bill, had been running an anti-war campaign through the newspaper that he ran (The Anglican).

James now contacted Barton to suggest running candidates for the election on an anti-war platform.

The idea gained momentum, and Barton began the necessary prerequisite organizational tasks.

Within two weeks of Barton’s letter, the Liberal Reform Group came into existence, complete with policy documents and the first six candidates.

By the time of the election, LRG was able to field 19 candidates for the House of Representatives, and one for the Senate.

No seats were won, but Barton’s primary aim: that of publicising opposition to the war and to conscription, had been highly successful.

The momentum for an anti-war and anti-conscription movement had by now become unstoppable.

Barton elected to continue the Liberal Reform Group, which had become too large to be described as a ‘group’, and had thus become simply ‘Liberal Reform’.

Furthermore, there were moves afoot to rename the Party in order to remove any reference to ‘Liberal’.

The name Australian Reform Movement was adopted in October 1967.

Barton remained active within the group, although he stressed that the group was not hierarchical, and he did not see himself as its leader.

Two significant elements emerge in this phase of Barton’s thinking: the need for higher-quality political representatives, and the development

● Gordon Barton, founder of the Melbourne Observer and Sunday Review newspapers munists, but because he saw the Bill awareness of what is involved. as unconstitutional and totalitarian, The letter has four main themes: claiming it would presage ‘a new Support for the war is not unanimous Australian era of thought police, in Australia (despite government purge trials and political concentra- claims that it is); the purported reation camps’. son for the war—stopping the spread In Barton then, a number of dis- of communism—is illogical, given parate threads had coalesced into an that it is creating exactly the condiindividual with the conviction that tions that engender communism; that Australian involvement in Vietnam war is futile and destructive, offering was wrong, who was scathing of no solutions and many problems; those whose policy it was, and who Australians do not like the war for possessed many of the means by humanitarian reasons. which he could express his disagreeBarton’s arguments are clear and ment. calmly-expressed, and rely primarily THE LETTER on logical argument to make the case.

While Barton was in Asia with The letter is a plea for common Vonnie, a solitary Tasmanian Sena- sense, and it resonated beyond tor, Reginald ‘Spot’ Turnbull, had Barton’s expectations. risen in the Senate to accuse the AusBarton had voiced the sentiments tralian government of trading the that were held by many people, and lives of Australian conscripts for pre- now he became the instant focal point ferred treatment by the US. for expression of their quiet anger Vonnie, despite her own precari- over Vietnam and conscription. ous health, had become passionately For the next few weeks, letters concerned for victims of the war, in and phone-calls flooded into particular the children.

Barton’s home and office, offering With the announcement of support and seeking advice about Johnson’s visit to Australia, both how to have their own voices heard.

Gordon and Vonnie were frustrated Barton felt obliged to maintain the by the notion that Johnson would re- sudden momentum his action had main unaware, because of the stance precipitated. of the media and both major political The upcoming election offered an parties, that not all Australians were opportunity to give voice to anti-war comfortable with the notion of ‘go- arguments, but the chances of effecting all the way’. ing any real change were remote, With his usual rational thinking, given that many Liberal voters, deBarton decided that the best way to spite fundamentally disagreeing with ensure that Johnson would hear the Liberal war policy, would never about dissent, would be through a vote for a Labor candidate, and, in personal letter, arguing also that, to ensure that the letter would reach Johnson, it should be published as an open letter in the Press.

After some hesitation by the Chief-of-staff at The Sydney Morning Herald, overcome by Barton’s hinting at powerful connections, the letter was accepted for publication, paid for by Barton at very high advertising rates.

Barton’s letter is polite and respectful in its tone. He opens with: “It is unfortunate that your welcome in Australia has been clouded by the deep disagreement in this country as to our part in the Vietnamese War. “I am concerned that the thought, comment and actions of our Government have reflected very little of this disagreement, nor indeed much ● Sir Robert Menzies, Australian Prime Minister

● Francis James of a defence capability independent of US support or dominance.

Everingham quotes Barton, writing in the Liberal Reform policy booklet: ‘We need better politicians … a well-qualified person who is concerned with meeting national problems with imagination and common sense and with regard to the priority of moral principles over selfish interest.’

On the subject of Australian selfassertion, Everingham quotes from a Bulletin magazine interview with Barton: ‘Our Vietnam policy must be to dis-identify ourselves from the Americans in the most convincing and obvious way.

‘We believe Australia should stand on its own two feet. We want to restrict foreign investment in this country and get rid of the political and financial influence of America.’

Barton was able to attract many prominent supporters, allowing the ARM to develop a capability to contest state and federal elections.

New policy stances were added to the primary anti-Vietnam war foundation, and the party, renamed the Australia Party in July 1969, enjoyed moderate success in the early 1970s.

The party was notable for its internally democratic organisation, and for publishing a journal, Reform, that set out policy positions and provided a medium for information and debate.

Barton took the view that the party’s main purpose was to engender informed debate and to offer alternative perspectives to those of the major parties, in a context of progressive policy innovation.

NEWSPAPER PROPRIETOR – THE SUNDAY OBSERVER Richard Walsh recalls a lengthy discussion with Barton in 1966, during which he (Walsh) asserted that political parties were severely limited in their ability to reach and influence people, and that, in any case, even the most progressive parties merely responded to material published in newspapers—‘[P]olitical parties, I remember saying, harvested the ideas that newspapers sowed.’

Walsh insisted that Barton would have a stronger, more influential voice through publishing a newspaper.

The contradictory elements of Barton’s make-up are particularly evident during this period of his life.

Barton, in partnership with Greg Farrell, had moved on from managing IPEC, to the formation of Tjuringa Securities.

The specific purpose of Tjuringa was to acquire underval● Turn To Page 14

Page 14 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, March 16, 2016

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Nation Review ● From Page 13 ued companies, and then on-sell them. In 1969 Barton directed some of the proceeds of his corporate raids towards the launch of a newspaper— the Sunday Observer.

The Sunday Observer was designed to exploit a gap identified by Barton.

The Victorian Government had issued amendments to the Summary Offences Act (Number 7786, 1 April, 1969), thus allowing publication of newspapers on Sundays.

Barton, exhibiting the acute awareness of the implications of legislation that would underpin his subsequent corporate exploits, moved quickly.

In the Melbourne market, no Sunday newspaper was yet being published, whereas Sydney had three, each with substantial circulations.

According to Everingham, Barton also deplored the fact that, at the time ‘[T]hree or four old families should control 85 per cent of Australia’s print and television media’.

Despite the vehemence of his political activism, Barton used considerable restraint in his proprietorial approach to the character, format and stance of the Sunday Observer, stipulating only that the paper ‘must have comics and a good sports section’.

Not one to do things by halves, Barton began by renting premises at Fishermen’s Bend in Melbourne.

Initially relying on rental of press capacity from local suburban newspapers, he nonetheless immediately set in motion the purchase and importation of a very large, modern (and expensive) Goss printing press, a commitment that deeply worried John Konstas, IPEC’s financial controller.

Barton engaged John Crew to perform some initial feasibility research, and then to handle the setting-up and organisation of the newspaper.

Michael Cannon, respected historian and journalist, was taken on in the role of editor, and charged with the responsibility of finding and recruiting a substantial staff of writers and journalists.

Cannon had been a contributor to Tom Fitzgerald’s Nation journal, and, along with Cyril Pearl, another Nation and Review contributor, had briefly joint-edited Murdoch’s thennew Sunday Mirror, until Murdoch sacked them both.

Michael Leunig was Barton’s personal choice as resident cartoonist. Ash Long writes: “The first Sunday Observer editions were black-and-white, with spot colour added.

“As Barton’s Goss Urbanite press became increasingly used, a pre-print with a full-colour comics section was added.

“Imprints advising of Barton’s ownership, and the print locations, usually appeared at the bottom of each of the front-page and back-page of each edition.

“As I remember, the cover price of the newspaper was 12 cents.

There was no back-office support, and no records for [paper rounds] round were sought.”

While the Sunday Observer was intended to attract a broad cross-section of readers, and thus was open to a small element of sensationalism, Gordon Barton had nonetheless seen a noble cause for the paper.

In an introductory piece for the inaugural (September 14, 1969) issue, Barton had written “[T]his country desperately needed better men and better ideas so we may cease to behave like frightened Americans abroad … So

Richard Walsh describes it as ‘a comfortable conspiracy between the Victorian newsagents (who did not want to get out of bed on a Sunday morning) and the proprietors of the Melbourne Herald and Age, who couldn’t see a buck in [Sunday papers].

Denied access to newsagents, Barton, in typically lateral form, devised a scheme whereby milkmen would be paid to deliver the Sunday Observer along with milk deliveries.

Smaller milk bars, not members of VANA, were also persuaded to sell the newspaper.

Additionally, Barton organised distribution, through IPEC, to an army of delivery boys.

Again in typical fashion, Barton was thorough and inventive.

He wrote personally to the parents of newsboys to assure them of the wisdom of involvement in the newspaper, and offered substantial incentives to encourage paperboys to increase sales.

One of these delivery boys was nearly-13-year-old Ash Long.

Ash was one of the earliest recruits, starting on September 28, 1969, in response to an advert placed

by Barton in the Sun News-Pictorial.

Barton had organised ‘area agents’ who acted as distributors to newsboys (and some girls) who were in turn assigned to specific ‘beats’.

Bundles of newspapers were delivered from the press via IPEC trucks to area agents, who in turn distributed quantities to individual newsboys.

In fact, the delivery mechanism was fragile, subject to printing delays, unreliable agents and sheer complexity, all occurring within the hostile context of VANA and the mainstream publishers.

Ash became one of the more successful newsboys (winning a watch for his efforts), and went on to involve his family in acquiring distribution agreements for the Sunday Observer and Nation Review.

Everingham recounts the ending days of the Sunday Observer.

Not only was the paper losing around $25,000 a week, but key operators within IPEC, Farrell and Konstas, were absorbing greater re-

● First issue of the Sunday Observer: September 14, 1969 that it becomes clearly understood bution, through the administration of that the purpose of government is to newsagents’ operations, making it a serve the people and not vice versa. powerful gate-keeper.

VANA was, in turn, manipulated “So that commonsense and humanity displace political dogmas and by the publishers of the major slogans in our national debate. So that Melbourne dailies, in a bid to lock we may again be proud to be Aus- out competition.

No Sunday newspaper was oftralians.”

Incitement of this character could fered by any of the major publishers hardly be expected to go unheeded in Melbourne.

The potential emergence of a by government and its surrounding Sunday paper was perceived as a bureaucracy.

According to Everingham, the threat to the circulation figures for Goss press was seen by ASIO as the the established Saturday offerings source of ‘some of the worst sub- from these publishers.

As an indirect gag on Sunday pubversive and trouble-making literature for the anti-Vietnam and anti-apart- lication, VANA member-newsagents heid and radical student movements.’ were forbidden to open on Sundays.

Barton had also supported, both financially and personally, several liberal causes, including assistance for journalist Wilfred Burchett, who had become stranded when the Australian government refused to replace his lost passport, in retaliation for Burchett’s scathing articles on the government’s foreign policy.

Ash Long offers some insight into the climate confronting Barton during the life of the Sunday Observer: “The Herald & Weekly Times Ltd and the Liberal State Government were keen to see the Sunday Observer fail, especially considering that Barton was taking a Leftleaning political approach in his editorial columns.

“The Herald & Weekly Times Ltd had much influence over the newsagents of Victoria at the time, and a close relationship with the Victorian State Government of the day, led by Liberal Premier Sir Henry Bolte, supported by Chief Secretary SirArthur Rylah.”

The habit of Sunday observance was deeply etched into social custom and activity in Victoria, where newsagents were closed on Sundays.

This provided Barton with an immediate practical difficulty – he needed to find retail outlets that were able to open and operate on Sundays.

The Victorian Association for Newsagents presented Barton’s first hurdle. VANA controlled every aspect of Victorian newspaper distri● Sir Arthur Rylah, Victorian Chief Secretary

● A colour cover on the Sunday Observer: September 29, 1970 sponsibility for managing IPEC, while Barton was dealing with the loss of Vonnie, and with the challenges presented by the Sunday Observer and the Australia Reform Movement.

To these men, everything about the Sunday Observer was anathema, and they pressured Barton continuously to close the paper.

As a final straw, Barton lost an injunction to force VANA to allow distribution of the newspaper, and the last issue was published March 7, 1971.

The 78 issues published had lost Barton around $2 million, a considerable fortune at the time.

THE SUNDAY REVIEW Meanwhile, distribution of the Sunday Review had been under way since October 11, 1970.

On the closure of the Sunday Observer, token representation was perpetuated by the inclusion, starting March 28, 1971, of the words ‘Incorporating the Sunday Observer’ in the masthead of the Sunday Review.

The March 28 issue carries an article, that reveals machinations by Max Newton (named in the abovementioned 1980 Inquiry, and, incidentally, the first editor—albeit briefly [July 1964-February 1965] of Murdoch’s Australian) in the week following the demise of the Sunday Observer.

According to Norgard, Newton had successfully recruited half of the ex-staff from the Sunday Observer, to produce a new Sunday paper called, with perhaps deliberate confusion, the Melbourne Observer.

His article claims that these people were told by Newton that the new paper would continue in the spirit of the old one, but that, in fact, Newton’s right-wing agenda was immediately initiated, to the consternation of the new recruits.

The article points out that Newton had the blessings of VANA, the NSW government, and Packer’s Consolidated Press, and free access to contributions intended for the Sunday Observer.

Gordon Barton(via IPEC) issued a writ to prevent Newton from using Observer in the title of his newspaper.

The Sydney Morning Herald briefly reports this event; Barton subsequently lost the case.

The Melbourne Sunday newspaper market had proven to be barred to any but the most powerful media owners, whose preferred strategy in any case was to promote their Saturday offerings and suppress the emergence of any Sunday papers.

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, March 16, 2016 - Page 15

Observer Classic Books

‘The Invisible Man’ by H.G. Wells Continued From Last Week At that precise moment Mr. Cuss and Mr. Bunting were in the parlour. They were seriously investigating the strange occurrences of the morning, and were, with Mr. Hall’s permission, making a thorough examination of the Invisible Man’s belongings. Jaffers had partially recovered from his fall and had gone home in the charge of his sympathetic friends. The stranger’s scattered garments had been removed by Mrs. Hall and the room tidied up. And on the table under the window where the stranger had been wont to work, Cuss had hit almost at once on three big books in manuscript labelled “Diary.”

“Diary!” said Cuss, putting the three books on the table. “Now, at any rate, we shall learn something.” The Vicar stood with his hands on the table.

“Diary,” repeated Cuss, sitting down, putting two volumes to support the third, and opening it.

“H’m — no name on the fly-leaf. Bother! — cypher. And figures.”

The vicar came round to look over his shoulder.

Cuss turned the pages over with a face suddenly disappointed. “I’m — dear me! It’s all cypher, Bunting.”

“There are no diagrams?” asked Mr. Bunting.

“No illustrations throwing light — ” “See for yourself,” said Mr. Cuss. “Some of it’s mathematical and some of it’s Russian or some such language (to judge by the letters), and some of it’s Greek. Now the Greek I thought you — ” “Of course,” said Mr. Bunting, taking out and wiping his spectacles and feeling suddenly very uncomfortable — for he had no Greek left in his mind worth talking about; “yes — the Greek, of course, may furnish a clue.”

“I’ll find you a place.”

“I’d rather glance through the volumes first,” said Mr. Bunting, still wiping. “A general impression first, Cuss, and then, you know, we can go looking for clues.”

He coughed, put on his glasses, arranged them fastidiously, coughed again, and wished something would happen to avert the seemingly inevitable exposure. Then he took the volume Cuss handed him in a leisurely manner. And then something did happen.

The door opened suddenly.

Both gentlemen started violently, looked round, and were relieved to see a sporadically rosy face beneath a furry silk hat. “Tap?” asked the face, and stood staring.

“No,” said both gentlemen at once.

“Over the other side, my man,” said Mr. Bunting.

And “Please shut that door,” said Mr. Cuss, irritably.

“All right,” said the intruder, as it seemed in a low voice curiously different from the huskiness of its first inquiry. “Right you are,” said the intruder in the former voice. “Stand clear!” and he vanished and closed the door.

“A sailor, I should judge,” said Mr. Bunting.

“Amusing fellows, they are. Stand clear! indeed.

A nautical term, referring to his getting back out of the room, I suppose.”

“I daresay so,” said Cuss. “My nerves are all loose to-day. It quite made me jump — the door opening like that.”

Mr. Bunting smiled as if he had not jumped.

“And now,” he said with a sigh, “these books.”

Someone sniffed as he did so.

“One thing is indisputable,” said Bunting, drawing up a chair next to that of Cuss. “There certainly have been very strange things happen in Iping during the last few days — very strange. I cannot of course believe in this absurd invisibility story — ” “It’s incredible,” said Cuss — “incredible. But the fact remains that I saw — I certainly saw right down his sleeve — ” “But did you — are you sure? Suppose a mirror, for instance — hallucinations are so easily produced. I don’t know if you have ever seen a really good conjuror — ” “I won’t argue again,” said Cuss. “We’ve thrashed that out, Bunting. And just now there’s these books — Ah! here’s some of what I take to be Greek! Greek letters certainly.”

He pointed to the middle of the page. Mr. Bunting flushed slightly and brought his face nearer, apparently finding some difficulty with his glasses. Suddenly he became aware of a strange

H.G. Wells feeling at the nape of his neck. He tried to raise his head, and encountered an immovable resistance. The feeling was a curious pressure, the grip of a heavy, firm hand, and it bore his chin irresistibly to the table. “Don’t move, little men,” whispered a voice, “or I’ll brain you both!” He looked into the face of Cuss, close to his own, and each saw a horrified reflection of his own sickly astonishment.

“I’m sorry to handle you so roughly,” said the Voice, “but it’s unavoidable.”

“Since when did you learn to pry into an investigator’s private memoranda,” said the Voice; and two chins struck the table simultaneously, and two sets of teeth rattled.

“Since when did you learn to invade the private rooms of a man in misfortune?” and the concussion was repeated.

“Where have they put my clothes?”

“Listen,” said the Voice. “The windows are fastened and I’ve taken the key out of the door.

I am a fairly strong man, and I have the poker handy — besides being invisible. There’s not the slightest doubt that I could kill you both and get away quite easily if I wanted to — do you understand? Very well. If I let you go will you promise not to try any nonsense and do what I tell you?”

The vicar and the doctor looked at one another, and the doctor pulled a face. “Yes,” said Mr. Bunting, and the doctor repeated it. Then the pressure on the necks relaxed, and the doctor and the vicar sat up, both very red in the face and wriggling their heads.

“Please keep sitting where you are,” said the Invisible Man. “Here’s the poker, you see.”

“When I came into this room,” continued the Invisible Man, after presenting the poker to the

tip of the nose of each of his visitors, “I did not expect to find it occupied, and I expected to find, in addition to my books of memoranda, an outfit of clothing. Where is it? No — don’t rise.

I can see it’s gone. Now, just at present, though the days are quite warm enough for an invisible man to run about stark, the evenings are quite chilly. I want clothing — and other accommodation; and I must also have those three books.”

Chapter 12 The Invisible Man Loses His Temper It is unavoidable that at this point the narrative should break off again, for a certain very painful reason that will presently be apparent. While these things were going on in the parlour, and while Mr. Huxter was watching Mr. Marvel smoking his pipe against the gate, not a dozen yards away were Mr. Hall and Teddy Henfrey discussing in a state of cloudy puzzlement the one Iping topic.

Suddenly there came a violent thud against the door of the parlour, a sharp cry, and then — silence.

“Hul-lo!” said Teddy Henfrey.

“Hul-lo!” from the Tap. Mr. Hall took things in slowly but surely. “That ain’t right,” he said, and came round from behind the bar towards the parlour door.

He and Teddy approached the door together, with intent faces. Their eyes considered.

“Summat wrong,” said Hall, and Henfrey nodded agreement. Whiffs of an unpleasant chemical odour met them, and there was a muffled sound of conversation, very rapid and subdued.

“You all right thur?” asked Hall, rapping.

The muttered conversation ceased abruptly, for a moment silence, then the conversation was resumed, in hissing whispers, then a sharp cry

r

e rv se US N Ob N IO BO CT SE

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

of “No! no, you don’t!” There came a sudden motion and the oversetting of a chair, a brief struggle. Silence again.

“What the dooce?” exclaimed Henfrey, sotto voce.

“You — all — right thur?” asked Mr. Hall, sharply, again.

The Vicar’s voice answered with a curious jerking intonation: “Quite ri-right. Please don’t — interrupt.”

“Odd!” said Mr. Henfrey.

“Odd!” said Mr. Hall.

“Says, ‘Don’t interrupt,’” said Henfrey.

“I heerd’n,” said Hall.

“And a sniff,” said Henfrey.

They remained listening. The conversation was rapid and subdued. “I can’t,” said Mr. Bunting, his voice rising; “I tell you, sir, I will not.”

“What was that?” asked Henfrey.

“Says he wi’ nart,” said Hall. “Warn’t speaking to us, wuz he?”

“Disgraceful!” said Mr. Bunting, within. “‘Disgraceful,’” said Mr. Henfrey. “I heard it — distinct.”

“Who’s that speaking now?” asked Henfrey.

“Mr. Cuss, I s’pose,” said Hall. “Can you hear — anything?”

Silence. The sounds within indistinct and perplexing.

“Sounds like throwing the table-cloth about,” said Hall.

Mrs. Hall appeared behind the bar. Hall made gestures of silence and invitation. This aroused Mrs. Hall’s wifely opposition. “What yer listenin’ there for, Hall?” she asked. “Ain’t you nothin’ better to do — busy day like this?”

Hall tried to convey everything by grimaces and dumb show, but Mrs. Hall was obdurate. She raised her voice. So Hall and Henfrey, rather crestfallen, tiptoed back to the bar, gesticulating to explain to her.

At first she refused to see anything in what they had heard at all. Then she insisted on Hall keeping silence, while Henfrey told her his story. She was inclined to think the whole business nonsense — perhaps they were just moving the furniture about. “I heerd’n say ‘disgraceful’; that I did,” said Hall.

“I heerd that, Mrs. Hall,” said Henfrey.

“Like as not — ” began Mrs. Hall.

“Hsh!” said Mr. Teddy Henfrey. “Didn’t I hear the window?”

“What window?” asked Mrs. Hall.

“Parlour window,” said Henfrey.

Everyone stood listening intently. Mrs. Hall’s eyes, directed straight before her, saw without seeing the brilliant oblong of the inn door, the road white and vivid, and Huxter’s shop-front blistering in the June sun. Abruptly Huxter’s door opened and Huxter appeared, eyes staring with excitement, arms gesticulating. “Yap!” cried Huxter. “Stop thief!” and he ran obliquely across the oblong towards the yard gates, and vanished.

Simultaneously came a tumult from the parlour, and a sound of windows being closed.

Hall, Henfrey, and the human contents of the tap rushed out at once pell-mell into the street.

They saw someone whisk round the corner towards the road, and Mr. Huxter executing a complicated leap in the air that ended on his face and shoulder. Down the street people were standing astonished or running towards them.

Mr. Huxter was stunned. Henfrey stopped to discover this, but Hall and the two labourers from the Tap rushed at once to the corner, shouting incoherent things, and saw Mr. Marvel vanishing by the corner of the church wall. They appear to have jumped to the impossible conclusion that this was the Invisible Man suddenly become visible, and set off at once along the lane in pursuit. But Hall had hardly run a dozen yards before he gave a loud shout of astonishment and went flying headlong sideways, clutching one of the labourers and bringing him to the ground. He had been charged just as one charges a man at football. The second labourer came round in a circle, stared, and conceiving that Hall had tumbled over of his own accord, turned to resume the pursuit, only to be tripped by the ankle just as Huxter had been. Then, as the first labourer struggled to his feet, he was kicked sideways by a blow that might have felled an ox.

Continued on Page 16

Page 16 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, March 16, 2016

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Observer Classic Books From Page 15 As he went down, the rush from the direction of the village green came round the corner. The first to appear was the proprietor of the cocoanut shy, a burly man in a blue jersey. He was astonished to see the lane empty save for three men sprawling absurdly on the ground. And then something happened to his rear-most foot, and he went headlong and rolled sideways just in time to graze the feet of his brother and partner, following headlong. The two were then kicked, knelt on, fallen over, and cursed by quite a number of over-hasty people.

Now when Hall and Henfrey and the labourers ran out of the house, Mrs. Hall, who had been disciplined by years of experience, remained in the bar next the till. And suddenly the parlour door was opened, and Mr. Cuss appeared, and without glancing at her rushed at once down the steps toward the corner. “Hold him!” he cried.

“Don’t let him drop that parcel.”

He knew nothing of the existence of Marvel.

For the Invisible Man had handed over the books and bundle in the yard. The face of Mr. Cuss was angry and resolute, but his costume was defective, a sort of limp white kilt that could only have passed muster in Greece. “Hold him!” he bawled. “He’s got my trousers! And every stitch of the Vicar’s clothes!” “’Tend to him in a minute!” he cried to Henfrey as he passed the prostrate Huxter, and, coming round the corner to join the tumult, was promptly knocked off his feet into an indecorous sprawl.

Somebody in full flight trod heavily on his finger. He yelled, struggled to regain his feet, was knocked against and thrown on all fours again, and became aware that he was involved not in a capture, but a rout. Everyone was running back to the village. He rose again and was hit severely behind the ear. He staggered and set off back to the “Coach and Horses” forthwith, leaping over the deserted Huxter, who was now sitting up, on his way.

Behind him as he was halfway up the inn steps he heard a sudden yell of rage, rising sharply out of the confusion of cries, and a sounding smack in someone’s face. He recognised the voice as that of the Invisible Man, and the note was that of a man suddenly infuriated by a painful blow.

In another moment Mr. Cuss was back in the parlour. “He’s coming back, Bunting!” he said, rushing in. “Save yourself!”

Mr. Bunting was standing in the window engaged in an attempt to clothe himself in the hearth-rug and a West Surrey Gazette. “Who’s coming?” he said, so startled that his costume narrowly escaped disintegration.

“Invisible Man,” said Cuss, and rushed on to the window. “We’d better clear out from here!

He’s fighting mad! Mad!” In another moment he was out in the yard.

“Good heavens!” said Mr. Bunting, hesitating between two horrible alternatives. He heard a frightful struggle in the passage of the inn, and his decision was made. He clambered out of the window, adjusted his costume hastily, and fled up the village as fast as his fat little legs would carry him.

From the moment when the Invisible Man screamed with rage and Mr. Bunting made his memorable flight up the village, it became impossible to give a consecutive account of affairs in Iping. Possibly the Invisible Man’s original intention was simply to cover Marvel’s retreat with the clothes and books. But his temper, at no time very good, seems to have gone completely at some chance blow, and forthwith he set to smiting and overthrowing, for the mere satisfaction of hurting.

You must figure the street full of running figures, of doors slamming and fights for hidingplaces. You must figure the tumult suddenly striking on the unstable equilibrium of old Fletcher’s planks and two chairs — with cataclysmic results. You must figure an appalled couple caught dismally in a swing. And then the whole tumultuous rush has passed and the Iping street with its gauds and flags is deserted save for the still raging unseen, and littered with cocoanuts, overthrown canvas screens, and the scattered stock in trade of a sweetstuff stall.

Everywhere there is a sound of closing shutters and shoving bolts, and the only visible humanity is an occasional flitting eye under a raised eyebrow in the corner of a window pane.

The Invisible Man amused himself for a little while by breaking all the windows in the “Coach and Horses,” and then he thrust a street lamp through the parlour window of Mrs. Gribble. He

it must have been who cut the telegraph wire to Adderdean just beyond Higgins’ cottage on the Adderdean road. And after that, as his peculiar qualities allowed, he passed out of human perceptions altogether, and he was neither heard, seen, nor felt in Iping any more. He vanished absolutely.

But it was the best part of two hours before any human being ventured out again into the desolation of Iping street.

Chapter 13 Mr. Marvel Discusses His Resignation When the dusk was gathering and Iping was just beginning to peep timorously forth again upon the shattered wreckage of its Bank Holiday, a short, thick-set man in a shabby silk hat was marching painfully through the twilight behind the beechwoods on the road to Bramblehurst.

He carried three books bound together by some sort of ornamental elastic ligature, and a bundle wrapped in a blue table-cloth. His rubicund face expressed consternation and fatigue; he appeared to be in a spasmodic sort of hurry. He was accompanied by a voice other than his own, and ever and again he winced under the touch of unseen hands.

“If you give me the slip again,” said the Voice, “if you attempt to give me the slip again — ” “Lord!” said Mr. Marvel. “That shoulder’s a mass of bruises as it is.”

“On my honour,” said the Voice, “I will kill you.”

“I didn’t try to give you the slip,” said Marvel, in a voice that was not far remote from tears. “I swear I didn’t. I didn’t know the blessed turning, that was all! How the devil was I to know the blessed turning? As it is, I’ve been knocked about —” “You’ll get knocked about a great deal more if you don’t mind,” said the Voice, and Mr. Marvel abruptly became silent. He blew out his cheeks, and his eyes were eloquent of despair.

“It’s bad enough to let these floundering yokels explode my little secret, without your cutting off with my books. It’s lucky for some of them they cut and ran when they did! Here am I . . . No one knew I was invisible! And now what am I to do?”

“What am I to do?” asked Marvel, sotto voce.

“It’s all about. It will be in the papers! Everybody will be looking for me; everyone on their guard — ” The Voice broke off into vivid curses and ceased.

The despair of Mr. Marvel’s face deepened, and his pace slackened.

“Go on!” said the Voice.

Mr. Marvel’s face assumed a greyish tint between the ruddier patches.

“Don’t drop those books, stupid,” said the Voice, sharply — overtaking him.

“The fact is,” said the Voice, “I shall have to make use of you. . . . You’re a poor tool, but I must.”

“I’m a miserable tool,” said Marvel.

“You are,” said the Voice.

“I’m the worst possible tool you could have,” said Marvel.

“I’m not strong,” he said after a discouraging silence.

“I’m not over strong,” he repeated.

“No?” “And my heart’s weak. That little business — I pulled it through, of course — but bless you! I could have dropped.”

“Well?”

“I haven’t the nerve and strength for the sort of thing you want.”

“I’ll stimulate you.”

“I wish you wouldn’t. I wouldn’t like to mess up your plans, you know. But I might — out of sheer funk and misery.”

“You’d better not,” said the Voice, with quiet emphasis.

“I wish I was dead,” said Marvel.

“It ain’t justice,” he said; “you must admit. . . . It seems to me I’ve a perfect right — ” “Get on!” said the Voice.

Mr. Marvel mended his pace, and for a time they went in silence again.

“It’s devilish hard,” said Mr. Marvel.

This was quite ineffectual. He tried another tack.

“What do I make by it?” he began again in a tone of unendurable wrong.

“Oh! shut up!” said the Voice, with sudden amazing vigour. “I’ll see to you all right. You do what you’re told. You’ll do it all right. You’re a fool and all that, but you’ll do — ” “I tell you, sir, I’m not the man for it. Respectfully — but it is so — ” “If you don’t shut up I shall twist your wrist again,” said the Invisible Man. “I want to think.”

Presently two oblongs of yellow light appeared through the trees, and the square tower of a church loomed through the gloaming. “I shall keep my hand on your shoulder,” said the Voice, “all through the village. Go straight through and try no foolery. It will be the worse for you if you do.”

“I know that,” sighed Mr. Marvel, “I know all that.”

The unhappy-looking figure in the obsolete silk hat passed up the street of the little village with his burdens, and vanished into the gathering darkness beyond the lights of the windows.

Chapter 14 At Port Stowe Ten o’clock the next morning found Mr. Marvel, unshaven, dirty, and travel-stained, sitting with the books beside him and his hands deep in his pockets, looking very weary, nervous, and uncomfortable, and inflating his cheeks at infrequent intervals, on the bench outside a little inn on the outskirts of Port Stowe. Beside him were the books, but now they were tied with string. The bundle had been abandoned in the pine-woods beyond Bramblehurst, in accordance with a charge in the plans of the Invisible Man. Mr. Marvel sat on the bench, and although no one took the slightest notice of him, his agitation remained at fever heat. His hands would go ever and again to his various pockets with a curious nervous fumbling.

When he had been sitting for the best part of an hour, however, an elderly mariner, carrying a newspaper, came out of the inn and sat down beside him. “Pleasant day,” said the mariner.

Mr. Marvel glanced about him with something very like terror. “Very,” he said.

“Just seasonable weather for the time of year,” said the mariner, taking no denial.

“Quite,” said Mr. Marvel.

The mariner produced a toothpick, and (saving his regard) was engrossed thereby for some minutes. His eyes meanwhile were at liberty to examine Mr. Marvel’s dusty figure, and the books beside him. As he had approached Mr. Marvel he had heard a sound like the dropping of coins into a pocket. He was struck by the contrast of Mr. Marvel’s appearance with this suggestion of opulence. Thence his mind wandered back again to a topic that had taken a curiously firm hold of his imagination.

“Books?” he said suddenly, noisily finishing with the toothpick.

Mr. Marvel started and looked at them. “Oh, yes,” he said. “Yes, they’re books.”

“There’s some ex-traordinary things in books,” said the mariner.

“I believe you,” said Mr. Marvel.

“And some extra-ordinary things out of ’em,” said the mariner.

“True likewise,” said Mr. Marvel. He eyed his interlocutor, and then glanced about him.

“There’s some extra-ordinary things in newspapers, for example,” said the mariner.

“There are.”

“In this newspaper,” said the mariner.

“Ah!” said Mr. Marvel.

“There’s a story,” said the mariner, fixing Mr. Marvel with an eye that was firm and deliberate; “there’s a story about an Invisible Man, for instance.”

Mr. Marvel pulled his mouth askew and scratched his cheek and felt his ears glowing.

“What will they be writing next?” he asked faintly. “Ostria, or America?”

“Neither,” said the mariner. “Here.”

“Lord!” said Mr. Marvel, starting.

“When I say here,” said the mariner, to Mr. Marvel’s intense relief, “I don’t of course mean here in this place, I mean hereabouts.”

“An Invisible Man!” said Mr. Marvel. “And what’s he been up to?”

“Everything,” said the mariner, controlling Marvel with his eye, and then amplifying, “every — blessed — thing.”

“I ain’t seen a paper these four days,” said Marvel.

“Iping’s the place he started at,” said the mariner.

“In-deed!” said Mr. Marvel.

“He started there. And where he came from, nobody don’t seem to know. Here it is: ‘Pe-culiar Story from Iping.’And it says in this paper that the evidence is extra-ordinary strong — extraordinary.”

“Lord!” said Mr. Marvel.

“But then, it’s an extra-ordinary story. There is a clergyman and a medical gent witnesses — saw ’im all right and proper — or leastways didn’t see ’im. He was staying, it says, at the ‘Coach

an’ Horses,’ and no one don’t seem to have been aware of his misfortune, it says, aware of his misfortune, until in an Altercation in the inn, it says, his bandages on his head was torn off. It was then ob-served that his head was invisible.

Attempts were At Once made to secure him, but casting off his garments, it says, he succeeded in escaping, but not until after a desperate struggle, in which he had inflicted serious injuries, it says, on our worthy and able constable, Mr. J. A. Jaffers. Pretty straight story, eh? Names and everything.”

“Lord!” said Mr. Marvel, looking nervously about him, trying to count the money in his pockets by his unaided sense of touch, and full of a strange and novel idea. “It sounds most astonishing.”

“Don’t it? Extra-ordinary, I call it. Never heard tell of Invisible Men before, I haven’t, but nowadays one hears such a lot of extra-ordinary things — that — ” “That all he did?” asked Marvel, trying to seem at his ease.

“It’s enough, ain’t it?” said the mariner.

“Didn’t go Back by any chance?” asked Marvel. “Just escaped and that’s all, eh?”

“All!” said the mariner. “Why! — ain’t it enough?”

“Quite enough,” said Marvel.

“I should think it was enough,” said the mariner.

“I should think it was enough.”

“He didn’t have any pals — it don’t say he had any pals, does it?” asked Mr. Marvel, anxious.

“Ain’t one of a sort enough for you?” asked the mariner. “No, thank Heaven, as one might say, he didn’t.”

He nodded his head slowly. “It makes me regular uncomfortable, the bare thought of that chap running about the country! He is at present At Large, and from certain evidence it is supposed that he has — taken — took, I suppose they mean — the road to Port Stowe. You see we’re right in it! None of your American wonders, this time. And just think of the things he might do!

Where’d you be, if he took a drop over and above, and had a fancy to go for you? Suppose he wants to rob — who can prevent him? He can trespass, he can burgle, he could walk through a cordon of policemen as easy as me or you could give the slip to a blind man! Easier!

For these here blind chaps hear uncommon sharp, I’m told. And wherever there was liquor he fancied — ” “He’s got a tremenjous advantage, certainly,” said Mr. Marvel. “And — well . . . ” “You’re right,” said the mariner. “He has.”

All this time Mr. Marvel had been glancing about him intently, listening for faint footfalls, trying to detect imperceptible movements. He seemed on the point of some great resolution. He coughed behind his hand.

He looked about him again, listened, bent towards the mariner, and lowered his voice: “The fact of it is — I happen — to know just a thing or two about this Invisible Man. From private sources.”

“Oh!” said the mariner, interested. “You?” “Yes,” said Mr. Marvel. “Me.” “Indeed!” said the mariner. “And may I ask — ”“You’ll be astonished,” said Mr. Marvel behind his hand. “It’s tremenjous.”

“Indeed!” said the mariner.

“The fact is,” began Mr. Marvel eagerly in a confidential undertone. Suddenly his expression changed marvellously. “Ow!” he said. He rose stiffly in his seat. His face was eloquent of physical suffering. “Wow!” he said.

“What’s up?” said the mariner, concerned.

“Toothache,” said Mr. Marvel, and put his hand to his ear. He caught hold of his books. “I must be getting on, I think,” he said. He edged in a curious way along the seat away from his interlocutor. “But you was just a-going to tell me about this here Invisible Man!” protested the mariner. Mr. Marvel seemed to consult with himself. “Hoax,” said a Voice. “It’s a hoax,” said Mr. Marvel.

“But it’s in the paper,” said the mariner.

“Hoax all the same,” said Marvel. “I know the chap that started the lie. There ain’t no Invisible Man whatsoever — Blimey.”

“But how ’bout this paper? D’you mean to say —?”

“Not a word of it,” said Marvel, stoutly.

The mariner stared, paper in hand. Mr. Marvel jerkily faced about. “Wait a bit,” said the mariner, rising and speaking slowly, “D’you mean to say —?”

“I do,” said Mr. Marvel.

Continued on Page 25

www.MelbourneObser ver.com.au

Melbourne

Observer

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, March 16, 2016 - Page 17

Travellers’Good Buys

with David Elilis

Kids measure up for their lunches

■ Wondering if the kids measure up to being taken out to a slap-up buffet lunch this Easter, will take on a whole new meaning at a hotel in Hong Kong’s Kowloon.

Because for the Harbour Grand’s spectacular annual Easter Buffet, up to two VIK (Very Important Kids) aged between 3 and 11 years and dining with their parents, will be charged for their meal according to their height – at a rate of HK$1(just 17 Australian cents) for every 1cm of height.

It makes us wonder how many mums and dads will see to it that their kids wear their flattest shoes possible for the occasion … and also brings to mind an observation once made by legendary Brisbane Courier-Mail columnist, Mike O’Connor of the behaviour of kids at the buffet aboard a South Pacific cruise he’d just undertaken.

According to Mike in his column, “the teams of children rampaging through the luncheon buffet each seemed capable of eating their own weight in food in a single sitting…”

Been there, done that so we know exactly what he meant.

■ The death this month of an old villager named Faole Bokoi high up in the Owen Stanley Ranges of Papua New Guinea, would seemingly be of little or no interest to anyone in this country.

● Spectacular entrance to the 5-star Harbour Grand Kowloon hotel - children from 3-11 will be measured up to decide how much their mums and dads will need to pay for the kids’ meals off this year’s Easter buffet.

Melbourne

Observer Wines & Liqueurs

with David Ellis

Flagship wine waves flag ■ Tim Adams’Aberfeldy Shiraz has long been an anticipated annual release out of South Australia’s Clare Valley, a drop whose league of followers are happy to pay $65 a bottle for – knowing they’ll not be disappointed when they present it to family or friends at that special celebration or event.

For as long as we can remember, Aberfeldy’s been a drop reflecting the best from old, dry-grown premium vineyards, with the just-released 2012 continuing that tradition (and Shiraz in fact having proven itself the star of a spectacular vintage in the Clare that year.)

Recognised as Tim Adams’ flagship wine, this one has distinctive aromas of cherry, plum, dark berries and chocolate, and on the palate it’s all about finesse married with full-bodied dark berry conserve flavours, nice oak, and a firm tannin and acidity.

While you’ll be well rewarded putting this on the table now with red meat dishes, it’s also a great wine that with proper cellaring will reward any time over the next 15 to 20 years.

Pictured ■ Enjoy this one now with red meat dishes, or anytime over the next 15 to 20 years.

■ Proudly Australian sparkling wine, not pretend Champagne.

One to note ■ Domaine Chandon Australia like to stress that despite their French ancestry, they do not pretend to be making Champagne in Australia – rather, they say, their gaol is to make the best-possible Australian sparkling wine.

A just-released 2012 Chandon Vintage Brut is a cracker, being made from fruit – Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier – from Victoria’s Yarra Valley, Whitlands Plateau and Strathbogie Ranges, areas whose elevations above sea level range from 250m to 820m, and which means for cool nights that help bring diverse flavour elements to the resultant wine.

At $41 this is a bubbly with an extremely fine bead and mousse, and flinty aromas ranging from quince to pine nut, citrus blossom and lemon zest. And in the mouth it’s all about primary flavours of tangy lemon curd and kaffir lime, followed by secondary fresh-baked pastry.

If you’ve a reason coming up to celebrate, put a bottle of this in the fridge now.

But the off-the-beaten-path that Faole lived along was the famous Kokoda Track of Pacific War history – and Faole was the last surviving member of the Track’s legendary hundreds of wartime Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels.

Word of his death flashed as fast as gunfire through many an RSL club, ex-services’ groups and amongst serving Army personnel across Australia, reigniting memories of the extraordinary efforts of those Angels in helping Australian troops during some of the bloodiest fighting against Japanese troops in 1942.

Its estimated Faole would have been in his late 80s or early 90s when he passed away, as he was a teenager when he joined fellow Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels in assisting wounded and sick Australian troops escape along the 96km Kokoda Track to Owers’ Corner, and ultimately Port Moresby and Australia.

Many of them carried those Australians on their backs, and others on makeshift stretchers through the torturous terrain, along tracks of calfdeep mud, across rushing jungle rivers, and through steamy, vine entangled forests.

Over 160 Australians died during the Kokoda campaign, but officials said at the time it would have been many more times this had it not been for the efforts of the Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels.

Faole Bokoi died peacefully in his village of Manari high in the Owen Stanley Ranges on March 2, surrounded by family and fellow villagers.

For more information about the Kokoda Track see Kokoda Track Foundation on www.ktf.ngo .

■ It pays to check that boarding pass before you get on your plane, or like a Taipei lady last month, you could find yourself in for a surprise.

Because she not only was given the wrong boarding pass, she was put on the wrong plane and the wrong airline – but did end up in the right city.

The 34-year-old lady’s Hong Kong boyfriend had booked her on a flight from Taipei to Hong Kong, but being an inexperienced flyer she went to the check-in counter of a different airline to the one she was booked on.

And somehow the clerk there happily accepted her ticket, and issued her with a boarding pass that was in the name of a male passenger booked on the same flight and who had the same surname as herself.

Bizarrely she was then able to pass through Immigration without anyone querying that she was a Ms travelling on a ticket in the name of a Mr, waited in the wrong airline’s passenger holding area, and was checked onto the wrong plane of the wrong airline by yet another clerk who also did not pickup that she was a Ms on a Mr ticket.

And because she arrived in Hong Kong at roughly the same time she would have on the flight she was supposed to be on, her boyfriend had no idea of what she had done… until the original airline in Taipei called on his mobile to tell him that his girlfriend had been a no-show and thus missed her flight.

To their surprise he told them that she was in fact standing right next to him then and there in Hong Kong.

Now both airlines and Taipei Immigration authorities are investigating how the lady could have got through Immigration and flown on the wrong ticket and wrong airline with so many discrepancies in her documentation .

Page 18 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, March 16, 2016

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, March 16, 2016 - Page 19

Homemaker

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Page 20 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, March 16, 2016

Homemaker

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, March 16, 2016 - Page 21

Homemaker

Greater Geelong

Page 22 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, March 16, 2016

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Buying Guide

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, March 16, 2016 - Page 23

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Page 24 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, March 16, 2016

Observer Victorian Sport Melbourne

Racing Briefs

Led throughout ■ Glen Park's Bassie Steenhuis was successful at Ballarat on Thursday with 4-Y-0 Courage Under Fire/ Presidential Rose gelding Game On Bro in the 14th race of the International All Stars Series over 1710 metres in 1-57.3.

With Chris Alford in the sulky, Game On Bro led throughout from gate five to score from Waychmaka Lombo (Jason Lee - three back the markers) and Carseblue (Corey Callahan USA - four back the markers).

Charged home ■ One of Melton's "good guys" Ken Tipped captured the 16th race of the All Stars Series with 5-Y-0 Gotta Go Cullect/Prestissimo mare Premier Rose at Supertab odds of $36.30.

Driven by Brett Miller (USA), Premier Rose moved from three back the markers to be on the leader Cams Victories back on straightening and when taken into the clear, charged home to prevail by 4.3 metres over Cee Goddess (Greg Sugars) which led on turning after shifting off the leaders back approaching the home turn. Pushinupdaisies (Anthony Butt) was third from mid-field. The mile rate 1-54.6.

Third success ■ Boiinda trainer Kari Males' most consistent Yankee Paco/Karaka Tooth filly Red Hot Tooth chalked up her third success in nine race appearances when successful in the Jims Mowing Geelong 3-Y-0 Trotters Handicap over 2240 metres at the Geelong fixture held at Tabcorp Park Melton on Monday March 7.

Driven on this occasion by Greg Sugars, Red Hot Tooth coming from 20 metres did a lot of chasing throughout the event after racing in the open, as the well supported Hedge Your Bet piloted the field from the pole.

Surging past the leader approaching the home turn, Red Hot Tooth scored impressively by 4.1 metres over her co-backmarker Shetland which made an early break before trailing the winner home, with Scottish Sardius (three back the markers) a distant third 39.2 metres away. The mile rate 2-03.7.

Perfect passage ■ Riddell trainer Nicole Molander produced a nice type by the name of Breach The Beach to land the Devcon Properties 2-Y-0 Pace over 1720 metres on debut, returning a mile rate of 1-59.3.

Driven by "Rocket" Rod Petroff, Breach The Beach a gelded son of Somebeachsomewhere and Catapult was given a perfect passage from the pole trailing the pacemaker Always Flashing (gate three), before running home along the sprint lane to blouse him by a nose in a tricky finish, with Yousaidit third after moving off the markers in the back straight on the final occasion to be three wide on the home turn.

The placegetters were also making their first race appearances.

Faultless trotting

■ Sutton Grange trainer Ross Graham snared the 10th race of the International All Stars Series, a T0 class Mobile Trot over 1690 metres at Maryborough on Wednesday with 4-Y-0 Tennotrump/Poets Glory mare Sonetto.

Driven by New Zealand's Dexter Dunn, Sonetto trotted faultlessly one/one after starting inside the second line, before racing clear on turning.

Looking all over a winner in the straight, Sonetto just lasted by a head on the wire from a flying Tobylin (Kerryn Manning) from three back the markers and Kyvalley Barney (Yannick Gingras USA) which led for the final circuit. The mile rate 2-03.1.

At Yarra Valley ■ Thursday trots were at Yarra Valley and Shepparton's Mark Lee was successful with 4-Y-0 Gotta Go Cullect/Tedious gelding Bring The Action in the CPM Electrical Trotters Mobile for T0 & T1 class over 2150 metres.

Geelong meeting at Tabcorp Park ■ Monday trots were held at Tabcorp Park Melton on March 7 on behalf of the Geelong HRC and the Bacchus Marsh/Melton area provided three winners during the day.

Bacchus Marsh trainer Wayne Freeman combined with Myrniong's Greg Sugars to land the Easywaste Waste Management Pace for R0 class over 1720 metres with Stickynose, a 4-Y-0 daughter of So Thats Life and Motion.

Given the run of the race from inside the second line trailing the poleline leader Missbeecake, Stickynose when eased away from the markers on straightening, ran home best to gain the day by 4.2 metres in a rate of 1-59.2 over the pacemaker, with first starter Kingdom third after following the pair.

Baker’s Delight

Harness Racing

This Week’s Meetings

■ Wednesday - Melton/Mildura, Thursday Maryborough/Cranbourne, Friday - Stawell @ Melton/Cranbourne, Saturday - Kilmore (Cup), Sunday - Boort (Cup), Monday - Hamilton, Tuesday Shepparton.

Horses To Follow Melbourne

Observer

len-baker@ bigpond.com

Plenty of work

with Len Baker

margin in advance of Zalta which followed him throughout when having his first outing on Australian soil. Jaccka Wilco finished third after always being handy. The mile rate 1-57.

By all reports Yackandanda will now head to Western Australia and join the Gary Hall ■ Melton's Sonya Smith camp - the main objeccombined with ace USA tion being the WA Derby. reinsman Yannick Gingras to snare the 2nd race of the International All Stars Series over 2240 ■ It's not often that a metres with in-form 5-Y-0 young reinsperson drives Santanna Blue Chip/Scar- a winner at his or her's first let Fire gelding Fiery Blue drive in a race, however Chip in a mile rate of 1- that was the case when 57.6. sixteen year old James Another to be given Herbertson was successevery opportunity from in- ful aboard father side the second row trail- Ashleigh's sometimes ing the pole leader unruly 6-Y-0 It Is I/ Comigal, Fiery Blue Chip Change Over gelding when extricated into the Tearitup in the Cervus clear on the final bend, fin- Equipment Vicbred Pace ished full of running to for C1 class over 1680 record a 10.2 metre vic- metres at Terang. tory in advance of the Starting inside the leader which had no an- second line, Tearitup was swer when challenged, taken away from the with Illawong Bella gain- markers shortly after the ing inside runs from last to start to settle three back finish third 1.7 metres in the moving line, with away.

Tidapar leading from gate two.

Sent forward four wide approaching the home ■ Tarneit trainer Jeff turn on the final occasion, Tabone's very smart Kiw Tearitup finished his race bred Bettors Delight/Lizzy off in fine fashion to score O'Shea gelding Yack- by a half neck from Black andanda purchased only a Cougar which followed week earlier for a high fig- him all through the race. ure by media personality Im Lonely battled on Gareth Hal on behalf of gamely to fill third place himself and some high after racing in the open. profile participants, was a The mile rate 1-56.3. brilliant victor of the 3rd race of the International Series.

With Terang young gun ■ Melton based trainer Jason Lee in the sulky, Steve Alexandrou was Yackandanda was given victorious with 5-Y-0 Lis time to balance from gate Mara/Virtuosy gelding three, settling mid-field in Black Magic Mara at the moving line with the Terang on Wednesday, lead changing several taking out the Cobden A times.

B Pace for R0 class over Easing three wide to 2180 metres with Ararat's follow Pantheon in the fi- Mick Bellman in the nal circuit, Yackandanda sulky. when taken four wide apGiven a sweet trip proaching the home turn, from gate two trailing the sprinted like a gazelle to pacemaker Love My leave his rivals standing Shark drawn outside him, and record a 10 metre Black Magic Mara when

Full of run

Unruly

Brilliant

Weaken

■ All In Your Hands, K D Muscles, Albietta, Amberlu Angus, Sluggem, Gozo Beach, Jilliby Gigi, Shell Green, Cool Machrista, Zalta, Kingdom, Yousaidit, Captain Bronzie.

eased off the leaders back on the home turn, finished best to prevail by 6.2 metres in a rate of 2-01.7 over Jinxed Lover along the sprint lane from four back the markers, with Love My Shark weakening to finish third. It was Black Magic Mara's first success in 29 outings.

In deep ■ Melton duo Maree and John Caldow were winners at Yarra Valley on Thursday when Mach Three/Kelly Maguire filly Fleshing greeted the judge in the Team Staffing Solutions 3-Y-0 Pace over 1650 metres in a rate of 200.6.

Sent forward from the extreme draw to park outside the leader Rosehill Rose Hill, John Caldow applied plenty of pressure to the pacemaker approaching the home turn and Fleshing dug in deep to prevail by a head in a two horse war all the way up the running. Shadow Affair (one/two) was third 9.9 metres away.

Overhaul ■ Matthew Falzon's reliable 4-Y-0 gelding Delta Safari snared the Hargreaves Hill Pace for C1 class over 2150 metres in a rate of 2-00.2.

Given an easy time three back along the markers from inside the second row, Delta Safari (Safari/ Pockedsizedelta) joined in three wide on turning and finished best to overhaul the pacemaker Millwood Brandy in the shadows of the post to score by 1.9 metres. Bad Boy Cullen was third after trailing the leader and using the sprint lane to no avail.

Harness Review

■ Listen to Len Baker on Harness Review, 8pm-10pm Mondays, on 97.9 FM, streamed in 979fm.com.au

■ Patrons attending Echuca trots on Tuesday were given a treat by witnessing some of the best drivers in the world competing in the second night of the International All Star Series.

Champion USA reinsman Brett Miller took the honours for the night after piloting two of the four winners, The night itself was a ripper for Echuca, Goulburn Valley and Bendigo which were successful in seven of the eight races on the program.

Brett Miller guided Rochester trainer Neville Pangrazio's 4-Y-0 Falcon Seelster/Apennyspent mare A Few Dollars More to victory in the 7th Heat over 1755 metres.

Given a sweet passage from the pole on the back of the pacemaker Uwillneva Get This which whizzed around the field for the USA's Corey Callaghan, A Few Dollars More was eased off the markers to challenge on the final bend and drew away in the straight to prevail by 5.7 metres over the leader in 1-57.4. Kadaminny (one/one at bell) was third.

Heat eight over 2160 metres saw an upset result, when Heathcote trainer Michael Mannix's 4-Y-0 Mr Aviator/Ramleighs Love gelding Ace Duigan saluted with Brett Miller in the sulky.

Despite doing plenty of work from outside the front line, Ace Duigan eventually crossed to lead and kept on giving to register a meritorious 6.8 metre margin in advance of Wheres Bub (one/one) and the heavily supported A Special Dream which never really got a look in after being buried four back along the markers after starting inside the second line. The mile rate a new track record of 1-57.2.

Victoria's Kerryn Manning snared the 5th Heat aboard Shepparton trainer Amanda Turnbull's exKiwi 5-Y-0 mare Millwood Pink Lady, a daughter of Ohoka Arizona and Millwood Katie Sue, leading throughout from gate three to easily account for Secret Wisdom (three back the markers) and Clicquot which trailed the winner. The mile rate 159.6.

Win at Maryborough

■ Echuca duo Peter and Steven Lindberg scored a strong victory with much improved 7-Y-0 Zooma/ Party Lights gelding Robbie Zuve at Maryborough on Wednesday, taking the Seelite Windows & Doors Trotters Handicap for T4 or better class over 2190 metres in a mile rate of 2-03.3.

Stepping cleanly from 10 metres, Robbie Zuve settled three back the markers prior to moving into the "death-seat", before taking the lead into the final circuit.

Although hotly pressed by Frances Annie approaching the home turn, Robbie Zuve refused to give in, scoring by 4.9 metres in advance of Gidah along the sprint lane after messing up the start and Frances Annie who's run had ended as the winning post loomed.

8 winners for the day

■ Wednesday was a huge day for the Western District and South East South Australia which provided a total of eight winners for the day - three at Maryborough in the afternoon and five at Terang in the evening.

- Len Baker

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, March 16, 2016 - Page 25

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Observer Classic Books From Page 16 “Then why did you let me go on and tell you all this blarsted stuff, then? What d’yer mean by letting a man make a fool of himself like that for? Eh?” Mr. Marvel blew out his cheeks. The mariner was suddenly very red indeed; he clenched his hands. “I been talking here this ten minutes,” he said; “and you, you little pot-bellied, leatheryfaced son of an old boot, couldn’t have the elementary manners — ” “Don’t you come bandying words with me,” said Mr. Marvel.

“Bandying words! I’m a jolly good mind — ” “Come up,” said a Voice, and Mr. Marvel was suddenly whirled about and started marching off in a curious spasmodic manner. “You’d better move on,” said the mariner. “Who’s moving on?” said Mr. Marvel. He was receding obliquely with a curious hurrying gait, with occasional violent jerks forward. Some way along the road he began a muttered monologue, protests and recriminations.

“Silly devil!” said the mariner, legs wide apart, elbows akimbo, watching the receding figure.

“I’ll show you, you silly ass — hoaxing me! It’s here — on the paper!”

Mr. Marvel retorted incoherently and, receding, was hidden by a bend in the road, but the mariner still stood magnificent in the midst of the way, until the approach of a butcher’s cart dislodged him. Then he turned himself towards Port Stowe. “Full of extra-ordinary asses,” he said softly to himself. “Just to take me down a bit — that was his silly game — It’s on the paper!”

And there was another extraordinary thing he was presently to hear, that had happened quite close to him. And that was a vision of a “fist full of money” (no less) travelling without visible agency, along by the wall at the corner of St. Michael’s Lane. A brother mariner had seen this wonderful sight that very morning. He had snatched at the money forthwith and had been knocked headlong, and when he had got to his feet the butterfly money had vanished. Our mariner was in the mood to believe anything, he declared, but that was a bit too stiff. Afterwards, however, he began to think things over.

The story of the flying money was true. And all about that neighbourhood, even from the august London and Country Banking Company, from the tills of shops and inns — doors standing that sunny weather entirely open — money had been quietly and dexterously making off that day in handfuls and rouleaux, floating quietly along by walls and shady places, dodging quickly from the approaching eyes of men. And it had, though no man had traced it, invariably ended its mysterious flight in the pocket of that agitated gentleman in the obsolete silk hat, sitting outside the little inn on the outskirts of Port Stowe.

It was ten days after — and indeed only when the Burdock story was already old — that the mariner collated these facts and began to understand how near he had been to the wonderful Invisible Man. Chapter 15 The Man Who Was Running In the early evening time Dr. Kemp was sitting in his study in the belvedere on the hill overlooking Burdock. It was a pleasant little room, with three windows — north, west, and south — and bookshelves covered with books and scientific publications, and a broad writing-table, and, under the north window, a microscope, glass slips, minute instruments, some cultures, and scattered bottles of reagents. Dr. Kemp’s solar lamp was lit, albeit the sky was still bright with the sunset light, and his blinds were up because there was no offence of peering outsiders to require them pulled down. Dr. Kemp was a tall and slender young man, with flaxen hair and a moustache almost white, and the work he was upon would earn him, he hoped, the fellowship of the Royal Society, so highly did he think of it.

And his eye, presently wandering from his work, caught the sunset blazing at the back of the hill that is over against his own. For a minute perhaps he sat, pen in mouth, admiring the rich golden colour above the crest, and then his attention was attracted by the little figure of a man, inky black, running over the hill-brow towards him. He was a shortish little man, and he wore a high hat, and he was running so fast that his legs verily twinkled.

“Another of those fools,” said Dr. Kemp. “Like that ass who ran into me this morning round a corner, with the ‘’Visible Man a-coming, sir!’ I can’t imagine what possess people. One might think we were in the thirteenth century.”

He got up, went to the window, and stared at the dusky hillside, and the dark little figure tearing down it. “He seems in a confounded hurry,” said Dr. Kemp, “but he doesn’t seem to be getting on. If his pockets were full of lead, he couldn’t run heavier.”

“Spurted, sir,” said Dr. Kemp.

In another moment the higher of the villas that had clambered up the hill from Burdock had occulted the running figure. He was visible again for a moment, and again, and then again, three times between the three detached houses that came next, and then the terrace hid him.

“Asses!” said Dr. Kemp, swinging round on his heel and walking back to his writing-table.

But those who saw the fugitive nearer, and perceived the abject terror on his perspiring face, being themselves in the open roadway, did not share in the doctor’s contempt. By the man pounded, and as he ran he chinked like a wellfilled purse that is tossed to and fro. He looked neither to the right nor the left, but his dilated eyes stared straight downhill to where the lamps were being lit, and the people were crowded in the street. And his ill-shaped mouth fell apart, and a glairy foam lay on his lips, and his breath came hoarse and noisy. All he passed stopped and began staring up the road and down, and interrogating one another with an inkling of discomfort for the reason of his haste.

And then presently, far up the hill, a dog playing in the road yelped and ran under a gate, and as they still wondered something — a wind — a pad, pad, pad, — a sound like a panting breathing, rushed by.

People screamed. People sprang off the pavement: It passed in shouts, it passed by instinct down the hill. They were shouting in the street before Marvel was halfway there. They were bolting into houses and slamming the doors behind them, with the news. He heard it and made one last desperate spurt. Fear came striding by, rushed ahead of him, and in a moment had seized the town.

“The Invisible Man is coming! The Invisible Man!” Chapter 16 In the “Jolly Cricketers” The “Jolly Cricketers” is just at the bottom of the hill, where the tram-lines begin. The barman leant his fat red arms on the counter and talked of horses with an anaemic cabman, while a black-bearded man in grey snapped up biscuit and cheese, drank Burton, and conversed in American with a policeman off duty.

“What’s the shouting about!” said the anaemic cabman, going off at a tangent, trying to see up the hill over the dirty yellow blind in the low window of the inn. Somebody ran by outside.

“Fire, perhaps,” said the barman.

Footsteps approached, running heavily, the door was pushed open violently, and Marvel, weeping and dishevelled, his hat gone, the neck of his coat torn open, rushed in, made a convulsive turn, and attempted to shut the door. It was held half open by a strap.

“Coming!” he bawled, his voice shrieking with terror. “He’s coming. The ’Visible Man! After me! For Gawd’s sake! ’Elp! ’Elp! ’Elp!” “Shut the doors,” said the policeman. “Who’s coming? What’s the row?” He went to the door, released the strap, and it slammed. The American closed the other door.

“Lemme go inside,” said Marvel, staggering and weeping, but still clutching the books.

“Lemme go inside. Lock me in — somewhere.

I tell you he’s after me. I give him the slip. He said he’d kill me and he will.”

“You’re safe,” said the man with the black beard. “The door’s shut. What’s it all about?”

“Lemme go inside,” said Marvel, and shrieked aloud as a blow suddenly made the fastened door shiver and was followed by a hurried rapping and a shouting outside. “Hullo,” cried the policeman, “who’s there?” Mr. Marvel began to make frantic dives at panels that looked like doors. “He’ll kill me — he’s got a knife or something. For Gawd’s sake —!”

“Here you are,” said the barman. “Come in here.” And he held up the flap of the bar.

Mr. Marvel rushed behind the bar as the summons outside was repeated. “Don’t open the door,” he screamed. “Please don’t open the door. Where shall I hide?”

“This, this Invisible Man, then?” asked the man with the black beard, with one hand behind him.

“I guess it’s about time we saw him.”

The window of the inn was suddenly smashed in, and there was a screaming and running to and fro in the street. The policeman had been

standing on the settee staring out, craning to see who was at the door. He got down with raised eyebrows. “It’s that,” he said. The barman stood in front of the bar-parlour door which was now locked on Mr. Marvel, stared at the smashed window, and came round to the two other men.

Everything was suddenly quiet. “I wish I had my truncheon,” said the policeman, going irresolutely to the door. “Once we open, in he comes. There’s no stopping him.”

“Don’t you be in too much hurry about that door,” said the anaemic cabman, anxiously.

“Draw the bolts,” said the man with the black beard, “and if he comes — ” He showed a revolver in his hand.

“That won’t do,” said the policeman; “that’s murder.”

“I know what country I’m in,” said the man with the beard. “I’m going to let off at his legs. Draw the bolts.”

“Not with that blinking thing going off behind me,” said the barman, craning over the blind.

“Very well,” said the man with the black beard, and stooping down, revolver ready, drew them himself. Barman, cabman, and policeman faced about.

“Come in,” said the bearded man in an undertone, standing back and facing the unbolted doors with his pistol behind him. No one came in, the door remained closed. Five minutes afterwards when a second cabman pushed his head in cautiously, they were still waiting, and an anxious face peered out of the bar-parlour and supplied information. “Are all the doors of the house shut?” asked Marvel. “He’s going round — prowling round. He’s as artful as the devil.”

“Good Lord!” said the burly barman. “There’s the back! Just watch them doors! I say —!” He looked about him helplessly. The bar-parlour door slammed and they heard the key turn.

“There’s the yard door and the private door. The yard door — ” He rushed out of the bar.

In a minute he reappeared with a carving-knife in his hand. “The yard door was open!” he said, and his fat underlip dropped. “He may be in the house now!” said the first cabman.

“He’s not in the kitchen,” said the barman.

“There’s two women there, and I’ve stabbed every inch of it with this little beef slicer. And they don’t think he’s come in. They haven’t noticed — ” “Have you fastened it?” asked the first cabman.

“I’m out of frocks,” said the barman.

The man with the beard replaced his revolver.

And even as he did so the flap of the bar was shut down and the bolt clicked, and then with a tremendous thud the catch of the door snapped and the bar-parlour door burst open. They heard Marvel squeal like a caught leveret, and forthwith they were clambering over the bar to his rescue. The bearded man’s revolver cracked and the looking-glass at the back of the parlour starred and came smashing and tinkling down.

As the barman entered the room he saw Marvel, curiously crumpled up and struggling against the door that led to the yard and kitchen. The door flew open while the barman hesitated, and Marvel was dragged into the kitchen. There was a scream and a clatter of pans. Marvel, head down, and lugging back obstinately, was forced to the kitchen door, and the bolts were drawn.

Then the policeman, who had been trying to pass the barman, rushed in, followed by one of the cabmen, gripped the wrist of the invisible hand that collared Marvel, was hit in the face and went reeling back. The door opened, and Marvel made a frantic effort to obtain a lodgment behind it. Then the cabman collared something. “I got him,” said the cabman. The barman’s red hands came clawing at the unseen. “Here he is!” said the barman.

Mr. Marvel, released, suddenly dropped to the ground and made an attempt to crawl behind the legs of the fighting men. The struggle blundered round the edge of the door. The voice of the Invisible Man was heard for the first time, yelling out sharply, as the policeman trod on his foot. Then he cried out passionately and his fists flew round like flails. The cabman suddenly whooped and doubled up, kicked under the diaphragm. The door into the bar-parlour from the kitchen slammed and covered Mr. Marvel’s retreat. The men in the kitchen found themselves clutching at and struggling with empty air.

“Where’s he gone?” cried the man with the beard. “Out?” “This way,” said the policeman, stepping into the yard and stopping.

A piece of tile whizzed by his head and smashed among the crockery on the kitchen table.

“I’ll show him,” shouted the man with the black beard, and suddenly a steel barrel shone over the policeman’s shoulder, and five bullets had followed one another into the twilight whence the missile had come. As he fired, the man with the beard moved his hand in a horizontal curve, so that his shots radiated out into the narrow yard like spokes from a wheel.

A silence followed. “Five cartridges,” said the man with the black beard. “That’s the best of all. Four aces and a joker. Get a lantern, someone, and come and feel about for his body.”

Chapter 17 Dr. Kemp’s Visitor Dr. Kemp had continued writing in his study until the shots aroused him. Crack, crack, crack, they came one after the other.

“Hullo!” said Dr. Kemp, putting his pen into his mouth again and listening. “Who’s letting off revolvers in Burdock? What are the asses at now?”

He went to the south window, threw it up, and leaning out stared down on the network of windows, beaded gas-lamps and shops, with its black interstices of roof and yard that made up the town at night. “Looks like a crowd down the hill,” he said, “by ‘The Cricketers,’” and remained watching. Thence his eyes wandered over the town to far away where the ships’ lights shone, and the pier glowed — a little illuminated, facetted pavilion like a gem of yellow light. The moon in its first quarter hung over the westward hill, and the stars were clear and almost tropically bright.

After five minutes, during which his mind had travelled into a remote speculation of social conditions of the future, and lost itself at last over the time dimension, Dr. Kemp roused himself with a sigh, pulled down the window again, and returned to his writing desk.

It must have been about an hour after this that the front-door bell rang. He had been writing slackly, and with intervals of abstraction, since the shots. He sat listening. He heard the servant answer the door, and waited for her feet on the staircase, but she did not come. “Wonder what that was,” said Dr. Kemp.

He tried to resume his work, failed, got up, went downstairs from his study to the landing, rang, and called over the balustrade to the housemaid as she appeared in the hall below. “Was that a letter?” he asked.

“Only a runaway ring, sir,” she answered.

“I’m restless to-night,” he said to himself. He went back to his study, and this time attacked his work resolutely. In a little while he was hard at work again, and the only sounds in the room were the ticking of the clock and the subdued shrillness of his quill, hurrying in the very centre of the circle of light his lampshade threw on his table.

It was two o’clock before Dr. Kemp had finished his work for the night. He rose, yawned, and went downstairs to bed. He had already removed his coat and vest, when he noticed that he was thirsty. He took a candle and went down to the dining-room in search of a syphon and whiskey.

Dr. Kemp’s scientific pursuits have made him a very observant man, and as he recrossed the hall, he noticed a dark spot on the linoleum near the mat at the foot of the stairs. He went on upstairs, and then it suddenly occurred to him to ask himself what the spot on the linoleum might be. Apparently some subconscious element was at work. At any rate, he turned with his burden, went back to the hall, put down the syphon and whiskey, and bending down, touched the spot.

Without any great surprise he found it had the stickiness and colour of drying blood.

He took up his burden again, and returned upstairs, looking about him and trying to account for the blood-spot. On the landing he saw something and stopped astonished. The door-handle of his own room was blood-stained.

He looked at his own hand. It was quite clean, and then he remembered that the door of his room had been open when he came down from his study, and that consequently he had not touched the handle at all. He went straight into his room, his face quite calm — perhaps a trifle more resolute than usual. His glance, wandering inquisitively, fell on the bed. On the counterpane was a mess of blood, and the sheet had been torn. He had not noticed this before because he had walked straight to the dressingtable. On the further side the bedclothes were

Continued on Page 26

Page 26 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, March 16, 2016

Observer Classic Books From Page 25 5depressed as if someone had been recently sitting there.

Then he had an odd impression that he had heard a low voice say, “Good Heavens! — Kemp!”

But Dr. Kemp was no believer in voices.

He stood staring at the tumbled sheets. Was that really a voice? He looked about again, but noticed nothing further than the disordered and blood-stained bed. Then he distinctly heard a movement across the room, near the wash-hand stand. All men, however highly educated, retain some superstitious inklings. The feeling that is called “eerie” came upon him. He closed the door of the room, came forward to the dressingtable, and put down his burdens. Suddenly, with a start, he perceived a coiled and blood-stained bandage of linen rag hanging in mid-air, between him and the wash-hand stand.

He stared at this in amazement. It was an empty bandage, a bandage properly tied but quite empty. He would have advanced to grasp it, but a touch arrested him, and a voice speaking quite close to him.

“Kemp!” said the Voice.

“Eh?” said Kemp, with his mouth open.

“Keep your nerve,” said the Voice. “I’m an Invisible Man.” Kemp made no answer for a space, simply stared at the bandage. “Invisible Man,” he said.

“I am an Invisible Man,” repeated the Voice.

The story he had been active to ridicule only that morning rushed through Kemp’s brain. He does not appear to have been either very much frightened or very greatly surprised at the moment. Realisation came later.

“I thought it was all a lie,” he said. The thought uppermost in his mind was the reiterated arguments of the morning. “Have you a bandage on?” he asked.

“Yes,” said the Invisible Man. “Oh!” said Kemp, and then roused himself. “I say!” he said. “But this is nonsense. It’s some trick.” He stepped forward suddenly, and his hand, extended towards the bandage, met invisible fingers.

He recoiled at the touch and his colour changed.

“Keep steady, Kemp, for God’s sake! I want help badly. Stop!”

The hand gripped his arm. He struck at it.

“Kemp!” cried the Voice. “Kemp! Keep

,steady!” and the grip tightened.

A frantic desire to free himself took possession of Kemp. The hand of the bandaged arm gripped his shoulder, and he was suddenly tripped and flung backwards upon the bed. He opened his mouth to shout, and the corner of the sheet was thrust between his teeth. The Invisible Man had him down grimly, but his arms were free and he struck and tried to kick savagely.

“Listen to reason, will you?” said the Invisible Man, sticking to him in spite of a pounding in the ribs. “By Heaven! you’ll madden me in a minute!

“Lie still, you fool!” bawled the Invisible Man in Kemp’s ear.

Kemp struggled for another moment and then lay still.

“If you shout, I’ll smash your face,” said the Invisible Man, relieving his mouth.

“I’m an Invisible Man. It’s no foolishness, and no magic. I really am an Invisible Man. And I want your help. I don’t want to hurt you, but if you behave like a frantic rustic, I must. Don’t you remember me, Kemp? Griffin, of University College?”

“Let me get up,” said Kemp. “I’ll stop where I am. And let me sit quiet for a minute.”

He sat up and felt his neck.

“I am Griffin, of University College, and I have made myself invisible. I am just an ordinary man — a man you have known — made invisible.”

“Griffin?” said Kemp.

“Griffin,” answered the Voice. A younger student than you were, almost an albino, six feet high, and broad, with a pink and white face and red eyes, who won the medal for chemistry.”

“I am confused,” said Kemp. “My brain is rioting. What has this to do with Griffin?”

“I am Griffin.”

Kemp thought. “It’s horrible,” he said. “But what devilry must happen to make a man invisible?”

“It’s no devilry. It’s a process, sane and intelligible enough — ” “It’s horrible!” said Kemp. “How on earth —?”

“It’s horrible enough. But I’m wounded and in pain, and tired . . . Great God! Kemp, you are a man. Take it steady. Give me some food and drink, and let me sit down here.”

Kemp stared at the bandage as it moved across the room, then saw a basket chair dragged across the floor and come to rest near the bed. It

Melbourne

ObserverLooking for a

Professional to run the show? ★ Compere/Host ★ Auctioneer ★ Promotions ★ A-Grade Journalist ★ Voice-Over Commercials ★ Race Caller All Sports, Race Nights ★ TV, Radio, Press ★ Respected Member of the Media

Ted Ryan Phone 9876 1652 Mobile: 0412 682 927 E-Mail: tedryan@australiaonline.net.au ted.ryan@optusnet.com.au

creaked, and the seat was depressed the quarter of an inch or so. He rubbed his eyes and felt his neck again. “This beats ghosts,” he said, and laughed stupidly.

“That’s better. Thank Heaven, you’re getting sensible!”

“Or silly,” said Kemp, and knuckled his eyes.

“Give me some whiskey. I’m near dead.”

“It didn’t feel so. Where are you? If I get up shall I run into you? There! all right. Whiskey?

Here. Where shall I give it to you?”

The chair creaked and Kemp felt the glass drawn away from him. He let go by an effort; his instinct was all against it. It came to rest poised twenty inches above the front edge of the seat of the chair. He stared at it in infinite perplexity. “This is — this must be — hypnotism. You have suggested you are invisible.”

“Nonsense,” said the Voice.

“It’s frantic.”

“Listen to me.”

“I demonstrated conclusively this morning,” began Kemp, “that invisibility — ” “Never mind what you’ve demonstrated! — I’m starving,” said the Voice, “and the night is chilly to a man without clothes.”

“Food?” said Kemp.

The tumbler of whiskey tilted itself. “Yes,” said the Invisible Man rapping it down. “Have you a dressing-gown?”

Kemp made some exclamation in an undertone.

He walked to a wardrobe and produced a robe of dingy scarlet. “This do?” he asked. It was taken from him. It hung limp for a moment in mid-air, fluttered weirdly, stood full and decorous buttoning itself, and sat down in his chair.

“Drawers, socks, slippers would be a comfort,” said the Unseen, curtly. “And food.”

“Anything. But this is the insanest thing I ever was in, in my life!”

He turned out his drawers for the articles, and then went downstairs to ransack his larder. He came back with some cold cutlets and bread, pulled up a light table, and placed them before his guest. “Never mind knives,” said his visitor, and a cutlet hung in mid-air, with a sound of gnawing.

“Invisible!” said Kemp, and sat down on a bedroom chair.

“I always like to get something about me before I eat,” said the Invisible Man, with a full mouth,

eating greedily. “Queer fancy!”

“I suppose that wrist is all right,” said Kemp.

“Trust me,” said the Invisible Man. “Of all the strange and wonderful — ” “Exactly. But it’s odd I should blunder into your house to get my bandaging. My first stroke of luck! Anyhow I meant to sleep in this house tonight. You must stand that! It’s a filthy nuisance, my blood showing, isn’t it? Quite a clot over there. Gets visible as it coagulates, I see. It’s only the living tissue I’ve changed, and only for as long as I’m alive. . . . I’ve been in the house three hours.”

“But how’s it done?” began Kemp, in a tone of exasperation. “Confound it! The whole business — it’s unreasonable from beginning to end.”

“Quite reasonable,” said the Invisible Man. “Perfectly reasonable.”

He reached over and secured the whiskey bottle.

Kemp stared at the devouring dressing gown. A ray of candle-light penetrating a torn patch in the right shoulder, made a triangle of light under the left ribs. “What were the shots?” he asked.

“How did the shooting begin?”

“There was a real fool of a man — a sort of confederate of mine — curse him! — who tried to steal my money. Has done so.”

“Is he invisible too?”

“No.” “Well?”

“Can’t I have some more to eat before I tell you all that? I’m hungry — in pain. And you want me to tell stories!”

Kemp got up. “You didn’t do any shooting?” he asked.

“Not me,” said his visitor. “Some fool I’d never seen fired at random. A lot of them got scared.

They all got scared at me. Curse them! — I say — I want more to eat than this, Kemp.”

“I’ll see what there is to eat downstairs,” said Kemp. “Not much, I’m afraid.”

After he had done eating, and he made a heavy meal, the Invisible Man demanded a cigar. He bit the end savagely before Kemp could find a knife, and cursed when the outer leaf loosened.

It was strange to see him smoking; his mouth, and throat, pharynx and nares, became visible as a sort of whirling smoke cast.

To Be Continued Next Issue

Observer Crossword Solution No 18 S N OW S T N V A U E MA GONDO L P D AM P A P A S S L A Y S Y V MA C L I MA X H L R E E X I S T S E D O S N A R E S D E P L E A MMO N I E B R AMB L O R A B S AME O EMBO MOD E U V N R MA I D P N E V A I I M I L D I A N CO Y N E S P I S T UN M S OV A E N OME N S E B E ME A N E R S D A E R E S U L T I E S A L E E K S D A S H A R A S H P L A N T E R G OM E I I ME D I C A

ORM A R OUC GMA T A N E I N S YO HORN O I T UR E S T SO F I T F N MA OG L E I N F A T A A B BON A Z I F S L E A E I R O T H E B Y E S S Y E P L A R E R V E X D A S N A T T RO T S B Y C I MP A R T I L R E S A S A T R I S YO YO R N A NC E P H P E C A P E D R B D E B T E S L E R ME E EGA T C T H E R T E S

C A C I A O B A DD I E H H I MCCO Y O MA N Y A I CH I T PO L Y P S M L A D A A P E T ON K E D S A ND S H E L E N P A R T N E R S H I P R A S POS E O I A N EW P C M I D T E RM E MA D P H I A E S P E S T E R ROS E T T E W A NN E R M R A B B L E O MY S T I C I SM A L I O B I N O B R A F T NN E DWE L T I RON C E I D L E N A S T ON I S H C O E T A A M S I V E SOU T MA NH A T T A N R K HO I D N O E R M I D I A L A N A NGS OP E N COB L AMB U S M AGR A L A S T S I A I T O L D E R UN T I L N BOA OA R R TW T R A MA D AM A V A I L I L A S S GAO L C E C A L M P E A F L A T S K S S EM I I F F Y S U S A F N RON I F T N U L S I V E S E CR E T I NG A T DD T E M L A P R A Y S A GRUMP I E R I E S MAMBO T E A T O E I U S A U T Y PO R DOGCO L L A R I R S S S E R N UNHO L Y P H A S I NG I K R I S H S N ME AGR E D A R T I S T E B A DD S E E N H O N A I L W A S S I M I L A T E D MA L A S T N AME D R E F E R T U C P O A E ND S OMA T O U PO T E N T P N R ME R I T E COS A E T Y P E E S A DD E R M

A Y E E A R UN P H E I A V A A L Y H C T A R P A U L I N R N V E N D E T T A U A

S T A C K S A O M L S S U A T CH E T D E R L S OA K S TW I S T R A R U UNC L A D S T I I T R I F L E U T S EMB E R A R D MA T A A E S U P T O N N O D A Y T I ME L N V L A L T O E T I N A K O TWE E NG O S E N A P S E T S I N I H ODD S E E S CROS S L Y H P E A N R E A L R E L Y R T O M N A V E L P Z G N MA N AGE E E L P T N E P H EW ND A O O S A N E R A N E C K B BO T H A L B I NOS R E E O A N S D W S S E U S E S

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, March 16, 2016 - Page 27

Nation Review

Start of the ‘Sunday Review’ ■ As a consequence of the accumulation of difficulties experienced by the Sunday Observer, it had become clear, by the middle of 1970, that the newspaper was already falling short of aspirations.

Despite the heavy financial burden of propping up the paper, and consequent opposition from financial management within IPEC, Barton remained committed to publishing.

Everingham points out that Barton had found his influence increased, through being a media proprietor, quoting John Konstas saying ‘He enjoyed the power it gave him … It opened a lot of doors to people who he had not been able to access previously.’

So, when John Crew pointed out to Barton that the excess Goss capacity could be used to print a ‘national’ Sunday newspaper, that could be distributed through the eastern states and A.C.T., using the regular IPEC transport facilities, Barton was easily persuaded.

From the outset, using lessons learned from the Sunday Observer experience, the new publication was conceived to be a high-quality, sophisticated journal, whose appeal would be directed towards an elite, influential sector of society.

To Mungo MacCallum, ‘Its model appeared to be the London Spectator; it was heavily weighted towards the arts and its social commentary was of the of the generalised, academic kind.’

The structure of the organisation was based on the notion of soliciting articles from freelance writers, rather than from a staff of journalists.

This was to serve both as a costcontainment strategy, and as a means of attracting a broad range of quality material from diverse sources.

As opposed to the somewhat mass-market positioning of the Sunday Observer, the new paper would cater to its more discerning readership through concentration on international news and informed domestic political coverage, backed by essays, special features and authoritative arts reviews.

Michael Cannon, who had left the Sunday Observer after only four months (unhappy with its rather populist stance), was persuaded to take up the duties of Editor-in-chief.

He oversaw arrangements to recruit a staff and some regular contributors, while engaging respected journalists and writers to provide the bulk of the newspaper’s content.

Behind the scenes, the complex distribution system was extended into the eastern seaboard states, and then on into South and Western Australia, and Tasmania.

Thus was born the Sunday Review, with the first issue emerging October 11, 1970.

To modern eyes, the cover appears rather fussy, consisting of a large, but plain banner, surmounting four headlines.

The banner contains the Sunday Review title, above the date, issue number (1) and the price (15 cents).

Each headline is approximately the same size, but utilizes a different typeface.

The top headline, ‘PROF. SAWER ON THE CONSTITUTIONAL ‘CRISIS’ is not suggestive of drama, while ‘LIFE UNDER THE SCREWS’ and ‘A PRIME MINISTER WHO KNOWS WHAT HE LIKES’, while somewhat ob-

When it became clear that the purchase would not proceed as agreed, Cannon resigned from the Sunday Review.

Walsh’s 1993 Ferretabilia account of the episode does not acknowledge this version of events, suggesting only that ‘[Gordon] Barton was pretty non-specific about the reason for [Cannon’s exit].

Cannon, when I met him for the first time some months later, simply claimed the job had not been to his liking.’

Mungo MacCallum was cementing his reputation as a good journalist at The Australian, where he had started as a junior reporter in 1969.

He regarded Adrian Deamer as ‘the best editor of his generation, and possibly the best ever’.

By 1970, however, MacCallum sensed that he was becoming ‘too much of a maverick for the Australian in any capacity. Murdoch was moving decisively to the right.

Deamer himself was in a tenuous position, with escalating disagreements threatening his relationship with Murdoch.

He suggested to MacCallum that he should start looking for alternative employment, ironically just prior to needing his own alternative.

Fortuitously for MacCallum, Michael Cannon was looking for a Canberra correspondent for the Sunday Review, and offered him the job.

MacCallum discussed the offer with Deamer, who advised him to accept.

Mungo took that advice, only to find that Michael Cannon had left,

● Press ad for the first issue of the Sunday Review, 1970 scure, do at least entice the potential reader.

The lower half of the cover is occupied by a Leunig cartoon, captioned, in the same size of typeface as the other items, ‘NIXON’S EGOPOLITICS’, suggesting an interest in foreign affairs.

Publisher’s information appears at the foot of the cover: ‘Printed by JOHN CREW for the publishers and distributors, IPECAustralia Ltd., 822 Lorimer Street, Fishermen’s Bend, Victoria 3207’.

With no allusion on the cover to the debut of the newspaper, there is a sense of the issue springing fullyformed into being.

Michael Cannon, for reasons that remain unclear, but pertain to some element of discomfort with his role, resigned after the fifth issue had been published.

Bill Green, Assistant Editor of the Sunday Review in 1970, was moved to respond in September 1979 to an article in Nation Review wherein John Hepworth had claimed rather too much credit, in Green’s opinion, for the formation of the Sunday Review.

Green asserts that Cannon ‘was the founding editor of both Gordon Barton’s Sunday Observer and Sunday Review.

Under his brilliant editing, the Observer reached a circulation of 150,000 and The Review reached 40,000.’

Green goes on to claim that Cannon resigned from the Observer ‘in disgust at what he claimed were the group’s amateurish methods’.

Green then states that Cannon agreed to joining the Sunday Review on condition that his own book-publishing company would be absorbed

by Angus & Robertson. ● Mungo MacCallum

and Richard Walsh was being recruited to replace him.

MacCallum, a committed believer in the Labor Party’s ‘Light on the Hill’, sensed that Walsh was essentially pragmatic, politically conventional and lacking in passion.

At the same time, he wondered if Walsh’s influence would alter the tone of the Sunday Review, producing a variant of the irreverent, but somewhat juvenile, satirical voice of Oz magazine.

His concerns were unfounded, as Walsh ‘let me have my head, and concentrated on rejigging the paper into the larrikin gadfly it became.’

Richard Walsh had started his publishing life early, seizing coeditorship of the University of Sydney student magazine Honi Soit.

Switching from Law to Arts and then to Medicine, Walsh was clearly struggling to establish a vocational niche, until his involvement in Honi Soit showed the way forward.

In April 1963 Walsh, in partnership with Richard Neville, Martin Sharpe and Peter Grose, launched Oz magazine.

Initially Oz was an unsurprising collection of undergraduate irreverence and satire, but talented contributors were able regularly to ruffle the feathers of the Establishment and to bring some refinement to the methods used to discomfit selected targets, sufficiently to culminate in notoriety and legal action.

Part of the effectiveness of Oz was the steadying hand provided by Walsh, who was able to steer the magazine close to the wind, while retaining professional-looking layouts, a credible editorial stance, and reliable publication, thereby lifting Oz above the amateurish efforts of some other underground and alternative offerings.

From Oz, Walsh went on to the relatively mainstream role of nurturing and editing POL magazine, a new, upmarket women’s magazine, that was intended to, and succeeded in, riding the wave of empowerment that had materialised for young, emancipated, professional women, who were looking for something outside the Kinder, Küche, Kirche mentality of traditional magazines like Women’s Weekly and Woman’s Day. Having established POL, Walsh turned his attention to advertising, working with Ken Done at the JWT Agency in 1969.

Walsh had planted the notion of starting a newspaper in Barton’s mind, at a chance meeting (at a party), in 1966.

Walsh’s view was that a newspaper would be a more effective tool than politics, in Barton’s quest to detach Australia from the Vietnam commitment.

Consequently, when Cannon resigned from the new Sunday Review, Walsh was an obvious successor, so Barton lost no time in contacting him and persuading him to take on the role of Editor, despite considerable personal inconvenience and a net reduction in pay for Walsh.

From the outset, the notion of soliciting contributions from independent writers and journalists proved effective, both as a means of minimising costs, and as a source of high-quality and outspoken material.

The first issue demonstrates the effectiveness of this strategy, counting Beatrice Faust, Rohan Rivett, ● Turn To Page 28

Page 28 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, March 16, 2016

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Nation Review ● From Page 27 Sol Encel, Richard Beckett, Geoffrey Sawer, Cyril Pearl, Max Teichmann and many others, among the list of contributors, as well as pieces by unattributed writers.

Topics were diverse, covering local state and federal politics, Southeast Asian, US and European affairs, technology, environment and medicine, as well as almost the full gamut of arts in the review section occupying the back half of the newspaper.

The absence of film reviews in these early editions is noteworthy.

Whereas other art forms, including new music recordings, were given their own columns, the first film review did not appear until December 20, 1970, when John Hinde reviewed Ken Russell’s rendition of Women In Love.

Film reviews appeared sporadically for the next few issues, written

by Hinde (except for December 27, 1970, when Don Egan wrote a review).

Bob Ellis made his Sunday Review debut February 7, 1971, when he reviewed David Lean’s Ryan’s Daughter.

Richard Walsh stamped his own identity on the newspaper immediately upon taking up the editor’s role.

The front page for January 10, 1971 has lost its former similarity to the London Spectator, with that paper’s dominant image, usually a political caricature or cartoon.

The list of tantalising headlines and contributors’ names has gone.

In their place is a very busy front page, harking back to more conventional newspaper layouts, similar in some respects to the New York Times, although in this case only one detailed article (about the upcoming Commonwealth Conference to be held in Singapore) occupies most of the page.

Walsh has added the bottom-page banner ‘The independent quality Sunday newspaper’.

By March 21, 1971, the cover had reverted to a neater version of the original approach, and for the October 8, 1971 issue (the first anniversary) the whole front page is absorbed by a large headline and dominant photograph (of Robert Kennedy’s 1968 assassination).

The ever-changing lower banner had by then become ‘The magazine that lurks within a tabloid’.

The Sunday Review shared the office space with the Sunday Observer, and remained there after that paper’s demise.

Walsh describes it as ‘a pale cream, partly fibro factory that squatted under a tin roof and baked all January in the summer heat. It was totally without windows or charm.’

Michael Leunig painted a trompel’oeil rural scene as a substitute for a window.

As part of the newspaper’s first anniversary celebration, Leunig made a cartoon of the Fishermen’s Bend office.

In the light of a dearth of contemporary records, this cartoon has perhaps become the most informative, and certainly the most evocative, record of the weekly production process and the people behind the creation of the Sunday Review.

The cartoon’s value (and humour) is enhanced by Leunig’s inclusion of a legend identifying the characters he has drawn.

The cartoon reflects the chosen operational model, built around a core production and writing staff, with an outer ring of independent contributors.

The image captures perfectly the mix of frantic flurry to meet deadlines, and the externally indolent

Emery very clearly reminds newsagents of the value to them of Sunday Mail business.

Suggesting with little ambiguity that a drop in Sunday Mail circulation would harm newsagents, Emery quotes from legal documents that imply that newsagents would be liable to legal action if they agreed to sell the Sunday Review alongside the Sunday Mail.

This less than subtle standover tactic proved effective; many newsagents chose not to stock the Sunday Review.

For similar reasons, advertisements announcing the launch of the Sunday Review were refused by major newspapers.

Distribution problems notwithstanding, Gordon Barton’s preparedness to accept financial responsibility for his newspapers allowed the Sunday Review to persist.

Barton’s title was ‘Chairman of Directors’, reflecting his intentionally arms-length association with the newspaper, and particularly its editorial stance.

John Crew, as ‘Managing Director’, handled the business elements of running the newspaper, although the financial underpinnings were dealt with by the IPEC financial operation, notably John Konstas.

Michael Cannon took editorial responsibility, including hands-on design and editing.

Bill Green’s title was ‘Assistant Editor’, a role that included liaison with contributors, editorial assembly of each issue, and provision of his own contributions to the content.

Richard Beckett, in addition to providing articles, designed the title banner.

The publisher was listed as IPEC Australia Limited, and the publisher’s address was 822 Lorimer Street, Fishermen's Bend, Victoria, the location of the office facilities, as well as the Goss press used for both the Sunday Observer and the Sunday Review.

Initially, the title banner was either black or coloured, forming a large box at the head of the front page.

A main headline appeared in larger print, while other articles, and contributors’ names, appeared in smaller print, usually in a column or at the base of the page.

As a unique identifier, a large image, in several cases a Michael Leunig cartoon, dominated the front page.

Michael Cannon left after issue number 4 (October 11, 1970), and his position was not immediately filled.

By issue number 12 (December 27, 1970), Bill Green had also left.

● Leunig’s cartoon of the first anniversary of The Review pauses while creative people devise of desperation, in his urgings to intheir material. Richard Walsh rushes crease circulation, to maximise exheadlong to deal with a writ, about to posure of the newspaper to customland on a banana skin, and trailed by ers, and to ensure that returns are Barry Watts, his business manager. handled correctly.

He writes, for instance ‘It is esMichael Costigan, literary editor, contemplates a picture of a nude sential that we do our utmost to inwoman, while a ferocious-looking crease our sales in the pre-ChristAssistant Editor Richard Beckett mas period as experience shows we can anticipate a decline in January dominates the foreground.

A bemused Leunig is in the cen- and February.’

From discussion in the memos, it tre, watching a dapper Assistant chief-of-staff John Hepworth hold- appears that a considerable quantity ing forth with the aid of a bottle of of copies usually went unsold, leading to a heavy emphasis on the reNapoleon brandy.

Ian Baker, Melbourne corre- turn of unsold papers, either for respondent, the only on-site journalist, distribution, or to avoid copies being later with no remuneralooks the part in his trench coat and distributed tion reaching the publishers. sunglasses.

The perennial problem of distriMichael Morris is the stereotypidifficulties was not restricted cal bearded student and part-time li- bution to Victoria. brarian. Finally, Leunig has included The first issue of the Sunday Re‘paste-up lady Heather’ and ‘mis- view includes an article describing cellaneous laboresses’. impediments to distribution in South Mungo MacCallum is depicted Australia, citing intervention by in his distant Canberra setting, drink- Murdoch’s incumbent Sunday Mail. ing (Victoria Bitter?) and dictating The article reprints in full a his copy by phone. lengthy letter from the Sunday Mail’s A shady character, representing circulation manager, C. J. Emery. those members of the Ferret public who were encouraged to provide scurrilous insider information, sidles into the office.

There is the typical disarray of a frenetic newspaper office, where speed supersedes all other considerations, and the multiplicity of functions that go into creation and production of a pre-computerization newspaper.

Ash Long notes that ‘The nature of a newspaper based on correspondents means that many never visited the office. This was pre-fax and preemail, so many items came by mail.’

Barton’s business manager at the time was Barry Watts. Watts had the responsibility of liaising with the distribution structure, which he did mainly through circulated letters, but also through formally-convened meetings.

Ash Long has retained the letters from Watts. These letters generally make for rather grim reading, with a salesman’s bonhomie sometimes ● Rupert Murdoch in 1971 failing to overshadow a certain sense

Richard Walsh’s first issue, as Publishing Editor, was that of January 10, 1971 (Number 14).

Prior to his arrival, John Hepworth was responsible for a regular column, ‘Notes of the Week’ (fore-runner to Walsh’s own ‘Continuity’ column).

As the final item for the December 27, 1970 column, Hepworth noted ‘Mr Richard Walsh has been appointed Editor of the Sunday Review.’ There followed a very brief factual resumé, with no expressions of welcome.

Walsh revised the cover design, using most of the space for a full article, supported by a modest-sized headline.

An unrelated, small image appeared, with three contents announcements.

Walsh instigated what was to become a standard aspect of the front page (except for certain periods)— a baseline slogan.

The first was ‘The independent quality Sunday newspaper’ (echoed in the publishing details imprint panel from issue 15), a pithy encapsulation of the key elements of what the newspaper intended to stand for.

Walsh also instigated some internal changes, notably placing John Hepworth’s regular column on the back page (January 10, 1971, renamed as ‘Outsight’), and bringing correspondence pages to the front of the newspaper.

In Walsh’s view, ‘I had always believed that a healthy publication should be the recipient of stunningly clever letters but to ferment this process the Letters page needed prominence.’

In fact, engagement with its readers (and its own internal narrative) perhaps led to a distorted tendency in Nation Review towards introspection and self-criticism, that sometimes created a confused sense of purpose, as will emerge in discussions of the changes that occurred over time.

Walsh used the first few of his issues to refine his sense of how the Sunday Review should look.

His initial preference was for a busy, text-heavy front page, ‘in the belief that the previous efforts had been a little too tasteful and “bookish”, and that we needed to create a sense of newsiness and urgency’.

In the earliest issues, the imprint panel included Winston Churchill’s words regarding the freedom of the Press as the ‘Fourth Estate’.

Issue 20 (February 21, 1971) replaced this with a quotation from Maxwell Newton,defining ‘true journalism’.

This was somewhat ironic given that a few weeks later Gordon Barton would be fighting Newton in court over the use of the name (Melbourne Observer) of Newton’s own Sunday newspaper.

In a double irony, or a subtle challenge, Newton’s words were replaced in issue 23 (March 14, 1971) by a quote taken from Jobson’s Investment Digest, a journal published

by Newton.

Newton had predicted the failure of Barton’s newspapers in a lengthy Jobson’s article, and Jobson’s had followed up with comments on March 3, 1971, suggesting that the Sunday Review was so elitist that it had alienated or confused almost everyone.

Walsh saw this as a badge of honour. Newton’s self-interested commentary was replaced the following week by a kinder quote from Sandra Dawson (Australian Book Review), and the following few issues used a variety of inspiring or tongue-in-cheek quotations.

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Melbourne Obser ver - Wednesday, March 16, 2016 - Page 29 e urn lbo Me

Every Week in the Melbourne Observer

ver N ser O Ob TI C SE 3

Observer Showbiz

Radio: ‘Graham Mott quits 1116 SEN’ ...................... Page 30 Theatre: Sensuality In The City ...................................... Page 31 Country Music: Rob Foenander’s weekly column ... Page 30 Jim and Aar on: Top 10 lisst. latest reviews ........................ P age 32 Aaron: Cheryl Threadgold: Theatre shows, people, auditions ...... Page 34 PL US THE LLO OVATT”S MEGA CRO PLUS CROSSSWORD

LOYAL TO LYRIC THEATRE Every Brilliant Thing

● Jonny Donohoe Photo:Michaela Bodlovic ■ In Every Brilliant Thing, a seven-year-old boy writes a list for his suicidal mother.

The list is of all the things he can think of worth living for, with just one rule – all items must be ‘genuinely life affirming and wonderful’.

These same words could be used to describe the play itself, which is indeed both genuinely life affirming and wonderful.

Every Brilliant Thing is a minimalist, one-man production, set in the round at the Malthouse Theatre.

The play proves that great theatre doesn’t need complicated lighting or grand set design. There is an elegance and brilliance in the paired-back simplicity of the production.

The elements of acting, writing and directing (by George Perrin) combine flawlessly to make for a stand–out play.

Actor Jonny Donahoe captures the essence of his character, through boyhood, adolescence and adulthood, where the list continues to be added to.

Donahoe seamlessly moves between script and improvisation. Key to the show’s success is audience participation (without giving too much away) and Donahoe orchestrates this skillfully.

Together with Donahoe, writer Duncan Macmillan has written a script which is both painfully sad and laugh-outloud.

Seldom is a play about depression so funny, yet not for a second does it lose respect for its subject matter. Every now and then a play comes along which lifts you up and makes you think about life differently.

Every Brilliant Thing is one of those plays and it’s booking up fast.

Season: Until March 20 Duration: 60 mins Ages: Recommended for ages 14+ Venue: Malthouse Theatre, 113 Sturt St, Southbank Tickets: Full $65 / Senior $60 / Conc. $50 / Student $35 Bookings: malthousetheatre.com.au or 9685 5111 - Review by Catherine McGregor

Showbiz Briefs ■ 3BA Ballarat wants to recruit a morning announcer with a nose for news, according to Greg Newman of Jocks Journal.

■ An afternoon announcer/image producer is also required at the ‘Rat, for 3BA/Power FM Ballarat.

■ Rumours of another national-based advertorial program for 3AW, to replace some local programming.

■ A journalist’s position is advertised for the Southern Cross Austereo radio hub at Albury.

■ A BC Mildura wants to appoint a breakfast announcer.

■ Tim Watson is returning to the breakfast show on SEN 1116, daily between 7am-8am.

■ Nova is ‘partnering’ with the RCH Good Friday Appeal.

By CHERYL THREADGOLD

● Marg and David Tattersall ■ David Tattersall had no idea his life would change dramatically when meeting school teacher Margaret Elliott at a Young Farmers’ Club meeting in Fairbank, South Gippsland, in early 1969.

Recently graduated from teachers’ college, Margaret had been posted to Leongatha Primary School and shared a flat with another school teacher.

David says: “We started going out for a couple of weeks, and then rehearsals started for Leongatha Lyric Theatre’s Naughty Marietta.

“Marg was busy being in the show, so I thought I had better go along and be part of it too.

“Now (47 years later) it has turned around and I am spending too much time at the theatre.”

Since 1969, four years after the company started, David’s dedicated commitment to the Leongatha Lyric Theatre includes serving on the committee for about 30 years, performing onstage, directing plays and musicals, set design and construction, lighting design and operation, program design and compilation, poster design, archivist and secretary.

David regards his best onstage role as Frank in Educating Rita.

Margaret and David married in late 1969. Their children have not been involved in theatre activities, but David’s mother Barbara was rehearsal pianist for the company during the 1970s, and Wardrobe Mistress for The Beggar’s Opera, which David directed.

David also organised the Leongatha Lyric Theatre Youth Group and Youth Drama Camps.

“Through that, I became involved with the Victorian Youth Theatre Association. It now no longer exists, but there were weeklong camps at Portsea and also we worked with the U25 for teenagers with disabilities,” he says.

David has researched and written two splendid publications which celebrate the company’s special anniversaries.

First, The Roar of the Greasepaint: the History of Leongatha Lyric Theatre Inc. 1965 – 2005, and 10 years later, Fifty Years of Theatre: The History of Leongatha Lyric Theatre 1965 – 2015.

In addition to his work for Lyric Theatre, David is also a founding member of the Annual Coal Creek Literary Festival, who later this year will be presenting their ninth annual Festival.

See www.coalcreekliteraryfestival.com Margaret has not only been a constant supporter of David’s activities with Lyric Theatre, but before the children arrived, her own involvement included serving on the company’s committee, performing onstage, and helping with costumes and front of house.

These days she is involved as front of house Manager, selling tickets and programs and, as seen in the above photo, helping at costume-making working-bees.

David and Margaret’s loyal and dedicated work for Leongatha Lyric Theatre has been recognised by David’s appointment as a Life Member in 1983, and Marg receiving Life Membership in 2014.

A combined terrific contribution to community theatre over nearly half a century. Take a bow, David and Margaret.

Leongatha Lyric Theatre’s next show is Mary Poppins in July. Visit www.lyrictheatre.net.au

Melb. Jazz Festival

● Eddie Palmieri ■ The 18th Melbourne International Jazz Festival runs from June 3-12 and will include 74 events, featuring 335 artists.

Artistic Director, Michael Tortoni and Program Manager, Melanie Pose have amassed international artists from USA, Israel, Japan, Ethiopia, Italyand Poland, along with celebrated Australian talents to create a showcase that aims to capture the ongoing ‘Evolution of Jazz’.

The Festival will celebrate jazz as a constantly evolving art form, ranging from golden-age icons to genre-bending innovators.

Audiences will be able to immerse themselves in the stunning program of unmissable headliners, intimate club gigs, late-night jams, close encounters, workshops, family events and free concerts.

Modern Masters program of the festival features icons of jazz including one of the pantheon of jazz greats Gary Bartz, the ground-breaking, spell-binding, ageless Wayne Shorter, Grammy Award-winning singer-composer bassist Esperanza Spalding and the exciting original improviser and composer Hiromi.

Melbourne-based, world-renowned artisan, Ben Pugilisi, is preparing individual bass guitars to the specifications of these international artists for use during the festival.

Explorations in Jazz program of the festival features among others, pianist Joe O’Connor, guitarist Lionel Loueke, Latin icon Eddie Palmieri, Australian vocalist extraordinaire Kristin Berardi and the unique sounds of Marcus Strickland.

Club Sessions will be held at Bennetts Lane Jazz Club in the city, Dizzy’s Jazz Club in Richmond, and Uptown Jazz Club in Fitzroy.

Notably, Bennetts Lane Jazz Club will feature a tribute to the late, great Allan Browne performed by Paul Grabowsky, Mirko Guerrrini and Niko Schauble.

Other events in the MIJF feature the Jazz Out West program that includes the popular Jazz-a-bye Baby with Mister Ott. Free concerts will be at Federation Square on the opening weekend, the Julliard Free Lunchtime Jazz on Bourke St and others, including individual Sound Portraits.

Los Cabrones will also play at the Winter Night Markets in a new collaboration with the Queen Victoria Market.

The festival is proud to showcase many outstanding Australian artists, with new works by Kristin Berardi, Stu Hunter, Barney McAll, Peter Knight’sWay Out West and Joe O’Connor.

This year’s MIJF has so much to offer those with a deep love of jazz as well as entice those who are new and curious about this ever-evolving artform.

Full details of ticketing and the programs offered can be found at melbournejazz.com - Lyn Laister

Page 30 - Melbourne Obser ver - Wednesday, March 16, 2016

Observer Showbiz

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

LOCAL THEATRE

Radio

Butt Kapiniski

News around Victoria

‘Mott quits SEN’

Country Crossroads info@country crossroads.com.au Rob Foenander

Lachlan ties the knot

■ Victorian Bluegrass specialist Lachlan Davidson married in Avenel last month.

Well known for his role as the fiddle/mandolin player in the Davidson Brothers duo, Lachlan married his sweetheart Jade Bentley in what he described as "the best gig of my life".

The event also profiled in the USA Bluegrass Today magazine. Congratulations to them both.Good Friday Appeal.

Steve, Russell on stage

■ Country rock artist Steve Eales and rock royalty's Russell Morris will share the stage at the Flowerdale Estate on March 27, commencing 5pm.

Tickets price of $90 and $30 for children includes a barbecue food festival dinner.

More info: phone 5784 9280.

New at the Vale

■ Jeremy Hanley's Honk A Tonk will make their debut performance at the Pascoe Vale RSL on Friday (Mar. 18).

The band is already a regular guest at some of Melbourne's iconic inner city country music venues, and promises a great mix of honky tonk country with some line dancing thrown in too.

- Rob Foenander

■ Greg Newman of Jocks Journal reports that Australian radio management supremo Graham Mott has quit Pacific Star Network (1116 SEN and 3MP) over “a difference in philosophy about the requirements of the role”.

Newman quoted a Herald Sun report.

Mott is a highly respected radio industry executive, having been General Manager of the Fairfax Radio group, and an ex-boss of 3AW-Magic 1278 in its best days.

Mott’s was appointed General Manager at Pacific Star’s radio assets in late October.

In that time, Colm O’Brien joined the company as a Director, and George Papadopoulos replaced Barrie Quick as Group CEO.

40 years

■ An art exhibition looking at 40 Years of 3CR opens at 6pm8pm this Friday (Mar. 18) at the Gerturde Contemportary Gallery.

The exhibition explores the station's history of radical

● Graham Mott broadcasting and how it has thrived in its endeavour to foreground the often unheard voices of Aboriginal people, women, workers, ethnic and GLBTIQ communities, people with disabilities, environmentalists, artists and musicians.

The exhibition will present a combination of recordings, technological hardware, photographic and textual documents from the station’s vast historical archive.

Newly commissioned artworks by local artists will interpret the station’s history.

Stubbs brothers on air

More Media Flashes

■ Caroline Schelle is now a reporter for the Wyndham Leader.

■ The Melbourne Press Club has announced the finalists for the Quill Awards for Excellence in Victorian Journalism, the Graham Perkin Australian Journalist of the YearAward and the inaugural Harry Gordon Australian Sports Journalist of the Year Award. Winners will be announced a dinner at Melbourne’s Crown Palladium on Friday (Mar. 18).

■ ABC morning radio newsreader John Logan has announced his retirement after more than 40 years.

■ Nathan Mawby has been appointed Real Estate Editor at Leader Community Newspapers.

■ Caroline Overington is returning to The Australian as an Associate Editor.

■ Nick Ross has been appointed Editor of PC World Australia and Good Gear Guide. Nick joins from the ABC, where he was Technology Editor for almost six years.

r Obser vbeiz On This Day Show

Wednesday Thursday March 17 March 16

■ US comedian and actor Jerry Lewis was born as Joseph Levitch in New Jersey in 1926 (90).

Actor Erik Esstrada was born in New York in 1949 (66).

Melbourne’s Botanic Gardens were established in 1846.

Actor, Leo McKern, was born in 1920.

■ St Patrick’s Day. US singer and jazz pianist Nat ‘King’ Cole was born in 1917. He died aged 47 in 1965.

Little Pattie (Amphlett) was born in Sydney in 1949 (67).

Actor Patrick Duffy (Dallas) is 67 today.

Actor Kurt Russell was born in Massachusetts in 1951 (65).

● Comedian Richard Stubbs (pictured right) spoke of his ABC 774 afternoon show days when he appeared with his brother Peter (‘Grubby’) and ‘Dee Dee’ Dunleavy on the Weekend Break on 3AW.

● Butt Kapinski (aka Deanna Fleysher) ■ Hey Boss presents Deanna Fleysher in her solo show Butt Kapinski for the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.

A Film Noir installation fantasy staring the entire audience, Butt Kapinski is promoted as being ‘funny, filthy, fullyinteractive and riddled with shadows, sin, sex, and violence just like any good murder mystery.’

‘Men become whores, women become abusers, as Butt puppeteers the audience on a gender-bending ride - lit only by the angler fish style lamp above the characters head.’

Deanna Fleysher will ‘smash through boundaries of gender stereotypes and what it means to be an audience member is this uniquely-staged ‘murder mystery’.

Butt Kapinski has performed in extensive seasons in the US and Canada, and a successful Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2015.

Deanna is a comedy artist, teacher and director. Inspired by clown, bouffon, improv and physical theater, she cultivates comedy that is interactive and brave. She currently tours with her award-winning solo show Butt Kapinski, and teaches workshops at comedy schools across North America, including the PIT in NYC and the Institution in Austin.

She is also the director/co-writer of Red Bastard, the internationally-acclaimed bouffon show and leads the ongoing Naked Comedy Lab in Los Angeles and around the world.

Venue: Tuxedo Cat. Dates: March 23- April 17. Time: 7.15pm. Tickets: $19-$24. Bookings: Tixnofee or www.comedyfestival.com.au

Cross Roads ■ Melbourne audiences will soon be treated to the premiere season of new Australian musical, CROSSxROADS, from April 15 – 30 at Chapel off Chapel.

Spanning over 10 years, CROSSxROADS follows the relationship of Amy and Rick, from their graduation at the start of a new millennium, to a day in Paris that might be the best or the worst of their lives. It’s a story of finding love and losing it.

A story that is uniquely theirs, but also one that belongs to us all.

This dynamic new work invites audiences on a journey into a world of sliding doors - where every path takes a very different turn. It’s a powerful exploration that answers the eternal, whispered question we all ask ourselves, “What if…?”

This world premiere season features new music and lyrics byAnthony Costanzo (Life’s a Circus - Green Room Award nominated), book by Peter Fitzpatrick (Flowerchildren: the Mamas and Papas Story - Green Room Award winner), and is performed by a cast of some of Australian musical theatre’s brightest stars.

Writer Peter Fitzpatrick talks about the evolution of the work: “I thought about the crossroads in my life - some that I didn't even know at the time that I was standing at … and I wanted to write about two relatively ordinary youngish people on that journey. I wanted to make people care about them, and the things that make them unique; but also to think what all of us might have in common on the rocky road of love.”

Turn To Page 39 Melbourne

Observer

Friday March 18

Saturday March 19

■ Black country singer Charley Pride is 78.

Soul singer Wilson Pickett was born in 1941. He died aged 64 in 2006.

Australian racing driver Larry Perkins was born in Cowangie (Vic.) in 1950 (66).

Singer Queen Latifah is 46 (1970).

■ Welsh comedian Tommy Cooper was born in Wales in 1921. He died aged 63.

Actor Patrick McGoohan was born in New York in 1928. He died aged 80 in 2009.

US actress Glenn Close is 69 (1947).

Actress Karen Robson was born in Malaysia in 1957 (59).

Sunday March 20

■ American actor, singer and director Carl Reiner was born in New York City in 1922 (94).

American actor Hal Linden was born in New York in 1931 (85).

US actor William Hurt is 66 (1950).

Singer Lady GaGa (Stefan Germanotta) is 40 today.

Monday March 21

■ Patsy Biscoe, singer noted for her Here’s Humphrey appearances, was born in India in 1946 (70).

Australian musician Paul ‘Pixie’ Jenkins, who appears with John Williamson, is 59 today.

Sydney comedian Vince Sorrenti was born in 1961 (55).

Tuesday March 22 ■ Irish actor Wilfred Brambell was born in 1912. He died in 1985, aged 72.

US actor Karl Malden (Sekolovitch) was born in Gary, Indiana, in 1913. He died aged 96 in 2009.

Mime artist Marcel Marceau was born in Strasbourg, France in 1923.

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, March 16, 2016 - Page 31

Observer Showbiz

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

#Improvilicious

Miss Julie

■ Young Australian director Kip Williams, brings Miss Julie to Melbourne Theatre Company, opening on Thursday, April 21 at Southbank Theatre, The Sumner.

Robin McLeavy (Hell on Wheels, Blinky Bill the Movie) takes on the lead role in this classic story of desire, choice and class warfare, starring opposite Mark Leonard Winteras Jean (Birdland) and Zahra Newman as Kristin (The Mountaintop).

Miss Julie marks the MTC debut of Kip Williams who, as Sydney Theatre Company’s Resident Director, has received critical acclaim for his recent revivals of Macbeth and Suddenly Last Summer, for which he won the 2015 Helpmann Award for Best Director of a Play.

Williams said: “Miss Julie is one of the canon's great psychological thrillers. It drips with an intoxicating sexual tension and a dangerous power play.

“For generations, theatre makers have been drawn to it to reinvestigate questions of class, gender, and sexuality.”

Miss Julie is wild again tonight. Midsummer’s Eve is her time, a night when rules are broken, when class barriers are set aside and the young mistress of the manor can dance with whomever she pleases.

She chooses Jean, her father’s valet, and for a few hours, through the long twilight, they play a dangerous game of What If? But the enchantment cannot last and soon the dawn will break.

Performance Season: April 16 –May 21 Opening Night: April 21 Venue: Southbank Theatre, The Sumner Bookings: MTC Box Office 8688 0800 or mtc.com.au - Cheryl Threadgold

Breaking The Cage ■ Thomas Dunn’s Breaking The Cage, as directed

by Alanah Guiry, fits the performance agenda of The Owl and Cat Theatre.

It is raw and challenging – a task the actors take to with alacrity. It is also a completely new work which is something the company champions.

Tara (Leticia Monaghan) invites her brother Nicky (Marcus Molyneux) and half-brother Paul (Sergej Arcaba) to meet ostensibly to discuss their father’s will but this turns out not to be the focus of Dunn’s script.

It could be about the prodigal Nicky’s return from jail – he has a violent past. It could be about substance abuse – Nicky and Tara have an intimate acquaintance with drugs and alcohol.

It could be about marital infidelity – their father had maintained two families and Tara thinks nothing of marrying a man for money.

Ultimately, rape becomes the prime concern and Leticia’s emotional and physical commitment to the challenge of this role is evident.

This is tied to the vague recollection she has of Paul molesting her when she was five. Indeed, the guilt she feels when involving Nicky in seeking retribution is the play’s dramatic apotheosis.

Dunn has not managed to juggle all these strands equitably. The discussions are too long and the voice of the playwright interferes.

As a student of literature, Tara quotes Keats and the counterpoint with her stark reality is apposite but her dialogue jars with the naturalistic delivery of the others at times, laced as it is with imagery and symbolism.

The actors should be congratulated. Their character portrayals were consistent and sustained showing a dedication to the craft.

On a minimal set, with little by way of technical support, this cast sustained my attention despite the meandering of the plot.

Performance Season: Until March 19 Venue: Owl and Cat Theatre, 34 Swan St., Richmond Bookings: www.owlandcat.com.au - Review by David McLean ● John Lehmann is the new Editor of The Australian. He is a former Editor-in-Chief of The Bulletin. ● Paul Bailey has been appointed Editor of The Australian Financial Review.

Sensuality in the City

■ Forest Collective return to the Melbourne Recital Centre to continue their successful 2016 season Birth, Death, Politics and Fairy Tales, with the premiere of Sensuality In The City on Wednesday May 18, as part of the Metropolis New Music Festival.

This suite of classical pieces focuses on sexuality and sensuality in metropolitan centres.

The works use music and visual elements to highlight the works of queer composers, accompanied by visual elements from Jake Preval, a Melbournebased artist working in a variety of mediums spanning sculpture, photography, installation and performance.

The evening will feature a range of performances including soprano Rosemary Ball with her cheeky rendition of Recitation No.5 (1977) by George Apherghis, and two Australian premieres by Philip Venables Forest Collective, led by Evan Lawson, Artistic Director, was established as an artist collective by a group

of emerging performing and visual artists in 2009 to facilitate cross-pollinating events in unorthodox venues and performance contexts.

This year sees the Forest Collective present their most daring program to date – with a range of ticketed and free events catering to children, adults and the most discerning lover of classical music and contemporary art.

Sensuality In The City will be a oneoff event.

Venue: Salon, Melbourne Recital Centre, Sturt St and Southbank Blvd.

Date: Wednesday, May 18 Time: 6pm Tickets: Full Price - $39. Concession - $29 (Student, Pension or Health Care Card. Parental guidance recommended (PG) Bookings: Tickets available online at www.melbournerecital.com.au Website: www.forestcollective. com.au - Cheryl Threadgold

52-Storey Treehouse ■ Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton are coming to Arts Centre Melbourne from April 1-17 for the stage adaptation of The 52-Storey Treehouse.

Their world-famous ever-expanding treehouse has 13 new storeys, and is filled with fantastic inventions including a rocket powered carrot launcher, the Disguise-o-matic 5000 and even a Ninja Snail Training Academy.

Arts Centre Melbourne presents a CDP production, a play by Richard Tulloch, adapted from the book by Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton.

The best-selling, award-winning series of books has inspired children across Australia to let their imaginations run wild.

The 52-Storey Treehouse takes place on a very special day. It’s Andy’s birthday, but Terry has forgotten. To make matters worse Mr Big Nose has mysteriously disappeared and Jill has fallen into

a deep sleep and they just can’t wake her up. Andy and Terry set off on a crazy adventure tackling a world of startling obstacles including a hungry caterpillar, an angry vegetable kingdom and a 100 year ninja-snail epic voyage. Will they solve the mysteries and survive the dangers that test even their ingenuity?

Andy Griffiths says he is thrilled and amazed to see the book faithfully reproduced on stage. “Five and a half (million) stars.’’

Performance Season: April 1, Sun 3, Wed 6, Thu 7, Fri 8, Sun 10 and Sun 17 April: at 11am and 2pm ; Tues 5 at 11am; Sat 2, Sat 9* and Sat 16 April at 10am, 12pm and 3pm ; AUSLAN-interpreted performance April 9 at 12pm Venue: Playhouse Recommended for ages 6+ Bookings: artscentremelbourne. com.au or phone 1300 182 183.

- Cheryl Threadgold

● Ben Russell and Cassie Vagliviello in Improvilicious: The Improvised Guide to the Internet.

■ Always Working Artists presents Improvilicious: The Improvised Guide to the Internet during school holidays at the Melbourne Town Hall.

This improvised comedy show for tweens and teenagers is a 50-minute crash-course in the tricks and traps of using Instagram, Kik, Snapchat, YouTube and other youth-oriented online social media. But not Facebook. Facebook is only ‘for old people.’

Improvilicious is improvised comedy for 9-15 year olds and their families, with two performers using random suggestions, audience participation and a cheese-grater to create informative yet ridiculous five-minute scenes and a new epic story every show.

No two shows are the same.

But every single one will be a totally non-digital, not-online, un-virtual and awesome #rofl :’) experience.

From the team that presented Improvilicious: The Improvised History of Theatre and Improvilicious: The Improvised Guide to High School, Improvilicious: the Improvised Guide to the Internet stars Golden Gibbo-nominee Ben Russell and kids’ favourite Cassie Vagliviello.

Students from Brunswick South Primary and Princes Hill Secondary schools have collaborated with Ben, Cassie and Brianna Williams (The Big Hoo Haa) to develop scenarios and scripted bits.

Loaded with jokes, slapstick and pop culture, Improvilicious is suitable for kids and adults.

Venue: The Powder Room, Melbourne Town Hall Dates: March 26 – April 10 Time: 12.15pm daily (except Mondays) Tickets: $20 Bookings: comedyfestival.com.au or ticketmaster.com.au - Cheryl Threadgold

The Other Side

■ Experimental musical theatre is a habit of James Clayden and again this piece of work is no exception. He has Helen Hopkins joining him in the dialogue and movement with the talented musician David Brown bringing it to life with musical and sound background.

The Other Side has evolved from a germ of an idea from performances of an earlier work by James Clayden in Substitute for The Mechanics’ Institute performed at La Mama in 2013.

This work sets out to be light hearted, flippant and even a little shallow at times interspersed with grabs of amusement. It explores many of life’s foibles acted out in word, vocal and movement in a darkened stage aided by shafts of light.

It may have been intentional that we were not able to see all the facial expressions and body movements during the dialogue that at times was overshadowed by the musical and sound background.

David Brown was exceptional on the Bandura, the national instrument of Ukraine, a 55-string instrument combining elements of the zither and lute.

This added weight to the dialogue with a range of sounds through the Bandura aided at times by an ebow producing continuous string vibrations and mimicking other instruments.

All three combined for vocals particularly with a sweet rendition of Goodnight Irene and as James Clayden who directed the work quoted, “there is nothing serious in this show”.

With many other serious works behind him, The Other Side adds another string to his bow or should I say repertoire. Certainly take in a performance of this premiere season.

Dates: March 16, 17, 18, 19, 20. Time: Wed 6.30pm: Thurs, Fri, Sat 7.30pm: Sun 4pm. Cost: $25/ $15. Venue: La Mama Theatre, 205 Faraday St. Carlton. Details: www.lamama.com.au - Review by Graeme McCoubrie

Page 32 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, March 16, 2016

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

● Legendary Point Blank, Deliverance and Excalibur filmmaker John Boorman returns with his long-awaited follow-up to his autobiographical classic Hope & Glory with Queen & Country.

FILM: QUEEN & COUNTRY: Genre: Drama/Comedy/Romance.

Cast: Callum Turner, David Thewlis, Richard E. Grant, Tamsin Egerton.

Year: 2014.

Rating: M. Length: 114 Minutes.

Stars: ***½ Verdict: Engaging sequel to director John Boorman's multi Oscar nominated autobiographical "Hope and Glory" (1987), picks up the story nearly a decade later as Bill (Boorman's alter-ego) is drafted in the early 1950s and begins basic training as the Korean War heats up. He is joined by a trouble-making army mate, and even though they never get to Korea, they engage in a constant battle of wits with their superiors and search for romance. This is an enjoyable journey during a part of the life of one of cinemas most revered, uniquely original and gifted filmmakers. The direction by John Boorman, production design, costume design, period detail and performances, most notably Richard E. Grant and David Thewlis as the army superiors, are all in top form. Brimming with humour and pathos, this a "breath of fresh air," a delightfully infectious film made on a small budget but with a big heart at its core, and an ending that will jolt film buffs in a way that only the legendary John Boorman can deliver.

FILM: THE HUNGER GAMES - MOCKINGJAY - PART 2: Genre: Action/Sci-Fi/Thriller.

Cast: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson, Donald Sutherland, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Julianne Moore.

Year: 2015.

Rating: M. Length: 137 Minutes.

Stars: ** Verdict: Following "The Hunger Games (20120, the sleep inducing "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013) and the woefully catatonic "The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1" (2014), our heroine and leader of the rebellion Katniss (Catnip) Everdeen returns in this final instalment, and as the war of escalates to the destruction of other districts by the Capitol, the reluctant leader of the rebellion, must bring together an army against the evil President Snow (Donald Sutherland). Though a cut above the bum numbing previous effort, the epic look, surprisingly impressive special effects, pyrotechnics and action, which all come in short bursts, can't save this (thankfully) final chapter that suffers from poor pacing, banal dialogue and wooden performances. Having said that, this is the best the series has to offer, and that's saying something. The great cast may look good and shine on the screen, but they cannot save its all too many short comings, another one that promises too much and delivers too little, the most interest coming from when you start thinking about your Christmas shopping list and root canal work.

FILM: SOME CAME RUNNING: Genre: Drama.

Cast: Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Shirley MacLaine, Arthur Kennedy.

Year: 1958.

Rating: M. Length: 137 Minutes.

Stars: **** Verdict: After a string of hit musicals including "Gigi," "An American in Paris," "Meet Me in St. Louis" and the acclaimed drama "The Bad and the Beautiful," Vincente Minnelli returned to drama with this searing and dark American tragedy of a troubled Army veteran and blocked author who returns to his Midwestern hometown after 16 years, to the discontent of his wealthy brother and others. Hugely underrated and under-seen complex character driven "Douglas Sirk-esque" (Imitation of Life) study grips like a vice as doesn't let go. Sinatra dominates the screen with firm psychological uncertainty and tightly wound intensity, but it is brilliantly touching and ultimately tragic Shirley MacLaine, and Dean Martin with unflinching grace and mean hard-edged menace that punches a whole right through the screen with performances that would establish their dramatic careers greatly. Based on the novel by James Jones (From Here To Eternity), superbly handled my director Vincente Minnelli, outstanding music score by Elmer Bernstein and breathtaking cinematography by William H. Daniels, all combine to make this a totally gripping and unforgettable experience!

Movies, DVDs

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

With Jim Sherlock and Aaron Rourke

Still Alice ■ (M). 101 minutes. Available Now on DVD and Blu-Ray. With author Lisa Genova having recently visited our shores for the Perth Writers Festival (as well as being interviewed for the ABC series One On One), it is the perfect time to revisit one of the best films that came our way during 2015.

Anchored by an extraordinary, Academy Award-winning performance from Julianne Moore, Still Alice is a delicately-handled, ultimately moving drama that rises above the disease-of-the-week TV movie formula.

Moore plays Alice Howland, a renowned linguistics professor and celebrated author who is at the peak of her career.

Married to John (Alec Baldwin), a lauded medical researcher, and with three grown children - Anna (Kate Bosworth), Tom (Hunter Parrish), and Lydia (Kristen Stewart) - everything seems to going perfectly for Alice.

Small lapses in memory start to affect Alice, both at work and at home.

When these incidents start to increase, a visit to a medical professional reveals that she is suffering the first stages of early on-set Alzheimer's, news that sends shockwaves through her family and work colleagues.

Working from the novel by Genova writer/directors Richard Glatzer and Wash Westmoreland keep proceedings natural and believable, never allowing the story to descend into cheap, manipulative melodrama.

The reactions from all the family members ring true, showing how hard it is to deal with this particular disease, where someone close will eventually forget who her loved ones are.

As stated, Julianne Moore (Maps To The Stars/ Short Cuts / The Big Lebowski / Freeheld) is exceptional as Alice, displaying a strength and intelligence that is being slowly eaten away by this insidious disease.

Moore, Glatzer and Westmoreland keep Alice a real human creation throughout, making her physical and mental decline harder to watch.

Moore is backed up by a strong supporting cast, with Baldwin, Bosworth, Shane McRaeand Stephen Kunken all delivering convincing performances.

Even Kristen Stewartis unexpectedly effective. Still Alice could have easily been another forgettable drama dealing with a certain affliction, but due to fine work on both sides of the camera, what we have instead is an emotionally involving experience that will touch the hearts of everyone who has had to deal with Alzheimer's one way or another.

RATING - ****

American Sniper (MA). 132 minutes. Available Now on DVD and Blu-Ray. It has been a quiet 12 months for Clint Eastwood, so it was great to rewatch his potent 2014 effort American Sniper, which became the most successful film of this iconic star's long and distinguished career.

Based on a true story (though some of the facts have been changed

● Alice (Julianne Moore) and daughter Lydia (Kristen Stewart) enjoy a tender moment in the powerful drama Still Alice. or dropped), the film centres on Chris Kyle (Bradley Cooper), a young, aimless Texan who would go to become an elite SEAL member in the US military.

Over numerous tours in Iraq, Kyle would attain the highest amount of confirmed kills as a sniper.

As the dark shadow of war begins to take hold of Kyle, we see the ripple effect it has on his family, especially his wife Taya (Sienna Miller).

Jason Hall's screenplay, based on Kyle's book, initially concentrates on what makes a person want to join the army, but then slowly switches paths to how war changes a person, and how it can distort their outlook on life and disconnect them from the people they love.

Hall is respectful towards soldiers and the sacrifices they make, but wants to give some kind of insight into how intense, bloody, and sustained combat can damage a human being, and how hard it can be to return from the heart of darkness.

The madness of war is also convincingly shown, as the prolonged conflict in Iraq now seems like a civil war between Allied soldiers and extremist militants, while the toll on civilians who get in the line of fire is both despairing and tragic.

Under the guidance of Clint Eastwood, every aspect comes to three-dimensional life, as he wants Kyle's home life and war encounters to be explored equally.

After heavy-handed, one-note war films like Fury and Lone Survivor, who want to present soldiers as nothing more than superheroes who remain ultra-tough and cool no matter what obstacle is thrown in front of them, it is refreshing to see a seriousminded movie that is prepared to delve deeper into a soldier's psyche, and that cruelty, violence, and death has genuine weight and consequence on their mind and soul.

Production values are of the highest order, with first-rate work from cinematographer Tom Stern and editors Joel Cox and Gary D Roach, both Eastwood regulars.

Like Matthew McConaughey, Bradley Cooper has been a revelation in recent years, proving his worth as a real screen presence in films such as The Silver Linings Playbook, American Hustle, The Place Beyond The Pines and Joy. This cemented Cooper's credibility as a dramatic actor, much in the same way Born On The Fourth Of July did for Tom Cruise back in 1989.

The whole cast however is wonderful. American Sniper is another sterling effort from a seasoned filmmaker who is still delivering work that provokes and challenges, making audiences think about and discuss the action that is happening on screen.

RATING - **** - Aaron Rourke.

Top 10 Lists THE AUSTRALIAN BOX OFFICE TOP TEN: 1. THE LADY IN THE VAN. 2. DEADPOOL. 3. GRIMSBY. 4. 10 CLOVERFIELD LANE. 5. HOW TO BE SINGLE. 6. ZOOTOPIA. 7. LOVE PUNJAB. 8. HAIL, CAESAR! 9. SPOTLIGHT. 10. BROOKLYN. NEW RELEASES AND COMING SOON TO CINEMAS AROUND AUSTRALIA: MARCH 17: LONDON HAS FALLEN, MIRACLES FROM HEAVEN, THE DAUGHTER, THE WITCH, ZOOTOPIA. MARCH 24: A BIGGER SPLASH, AMBARSARIYA , BATMAN V SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE, EYE IN THE SKY, KUNG FU PANDA 3, MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING 2, OUR LAST TANGO. THE DVD AND BLU-RAY TOP RENTALS & SALES: 1. SPECTRE [Action/Thriller/Daniel Craig, Monica Bellucci, Christoph Waltz, Lea Seydoux].

2. BRIDGE OF SPIES [Drama/ Thriller/Tom Hanks, Mark Rylance, Alan Alda].

3. MAN UP [Comedy/Romance/ Simon Pegg, Olivia Williams].

4. THE DRESSMAKER [Drama/ Comedy/Kate Winslet, Judy Davis, Liam Hemsworth].

5. THE MARTIAN [Sci-Fi/Adventure/Drama/Matt Damon, Jessica Chastain].

6. NO ESCAPE [Action/Thriller/ Owen Wilson, Pierce Brosnan, Lake Bell].

7. HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA 2 [Animated/Comedy/Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Mel Brooks].

8. BLACK MASS [Thriller/Drama/ Johnny Depp, Joel Edgerton, Benedict Cumberbatch].

9. THE WALK [Drama/Adventure/ Joseph Gordon-Levitt].

10. PARANORMAL ACTIVITY: THE GHOST DIMENSION [Horror].

Also: MISS YOU ALREADY, BURNT, CRIMSON PEAK, LEGEND, SICARIO, THE INTERN, THE LAST WITCH HUNTER, GRANDMA, THE NIGHT BEFORE, QUEEN AND COUNTRY. NEW RELEASE HIGHLIGHTS ON DVD THIS WEEK: THE HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY - Part 2 [Action/ Jennifer Lawrence].

KNIGHT OF CUPS [Drama/Christian Bale, Cate Blanchett, Natalie Portman].

SECRET IN THEIR EYES [Thriller/ Chiwetel Ejiofor, Nicole Kidman, Julia Roberts].

HE NAMED ME MALALA [Feature Documentary/Malala Yousafzai].

ABSOLUTELY ANYTHING [Comedy/ Kate Beckinsale, Simon Pegg].

THE PROGRAM [Drama/Ben Foster, Dustin Hoffman, Chris O'Dowd].

END OF THE TOUR [Drama/Jesse Eisenberg, Jason Segel, Anna Chlumsky].

NEW RELEASE HIGHLIGHTS ON BLURAY THIS WEEK: THE HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY - Part 2 [Action/ Jennifer Lawrence].

Turn To Page 37

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, March 16, 2016 - Page 33

Observer Showbiz

Local Theatre With Cheryl Threadgold

‘Alice In Wonderland’ at Altona NextTo Normal

● Stephanie Powell (Diana) in Next To Normal.

Photo: Cameron Gray ■ Off The Leash Theatre presents the contemporary musical Next To Normal in three different venues in Traralgon, Warragul and Emerald in April.

In the kaleidoscopic world of The Goodmans, a family like any other, struggling with its own unique pains and pressures, we meet Diana, Dan and daughter Natalie.

Their story of love, loss and fractured lives, struggling with the mayhem brought daily by Diana's bipolar disorder is moving, edgy, darkly funny and brutally honest.

Directed by Nicholas Kong with musical direction by Sally McKenzie, Next To Normal is cutting edge and billed as ‘far from being a Disney romp.’

Off The Leash Theatre will take the show on a tour encompassing performances at La Trobe Performing Arts Centre, Traralgon on April 2, the West Gippsland Arts Centre on April 8 and 9, and the Gemco Players Theatre in Emerald on April 23.

The cast includes Stephanie Powell (Dianna), Peter Garrat (Dan), Own James (Gabe), Lucinda Ventimiglia (Natalie), Steve Loftus (Henry) and Jacob Machin (The Doctors).

Latrobe Performing Arts Centre – April 2. 8pm West Gippsland Arts Centre – April 8, 8pm, April 9, 2pm and 8pm The Gem (Emerald) – April 23. 8pm Further details: www.offtheleashtheatre.com.au

HERE TO SAVE THE WORLD

● Maeve Marsden, Libby Wood, Anna Kat and Fiona Pearson. Photo: Patrick Boland ■ Lady Sings It Better presents their new show Here To Save The World in the Melbourne International Comedy Festival from April 12-17, performing at The Butterfly Club.

Promoted as ‘feminist cabaret, women in comedy’, Lady Sings It Better’s new show makes fun of misogyny in pop culture by reinventing offensive, funny or bizarre songs by wellnamed male musicians.

Here To Save The World has been titled as a way of mocking the debate around feminism and the way feminism is now marketed widely, with everyone thinking they have the solution.

This one-hour comedy show is said to be clearly all that is needed for gender equality.

Lady Sings It Better has just been nominated for a Green Room Award in Musical Direction – and, being highly collaborative, have listed their whole cast in the nomination!

Maeve Marsden says: “We build our musical arrangements in the rehearsal room, using our experience and skills in musical theatre, jazz, pop, improvisation and comedy to create unexpected medleys and mash ups.”

Performance Dates: April 12 – 17 Venue: The Butterfly Club, Carson Place, Melbourne Bookings: thebutterflyclub.com

Melbourne

Observer THE ODD COUPLE

SHOWS ■ Altona City Theatre: Alice in Wonderland Until March 19 at 115 Civic Pde., Altona. All tickets $7.00. Bookings: 0425 705 550 www.altonacitytheatre.com.au ■ The 1812 Theatre:Allo! Allo! Until March 19 at The 1812 Theatre, 3-5 Rose St., Upper Ferntree Gully. Director: Dexter Bourke. Bookings: 9758 3964.

■ Lilydale Athenaeum Theatre: The Vicar of Dibley (by Ian Gower and Paul Carpenter, adapted from the original TV series

by Richard Curtis and Paul Mayhew-Archer) Until March 19 at 39-41 Castella St., Lilydale. Director: Loretta Bishop. Bookings: 9735 1777.

■ Beaumaris Theatre: Grease Until March 19 at 82 Wels Rd., Beaumaris. Director; Debbie Keyt; Musical Director: Rhonda Vaughan; Choreographer: Camilla Klesman. Bookings: www.beaumaristheatre.com ■ Waterdale Players: Essgee's Pirates of Penzance Until March19 at the Rivergum Theatre, parade College, 1438 Plenty rd., Bundoora. Bookings: trybooking ■ Shepparton Theatre Arts Group:Dookie (by John Head) March 18 - 19 at the Dookie Memorial Hall, Mary St., Dookie.

Bookings: 5832 9511.

■ SLAMS: Disney's The Little Mermaid Until March 19 at the Alan RossCentre, Billanook College, 197-199 Cardigan Rd., Mooroolbark. Bookings: 9720 3205.

■ Melbourne International Comedy Festival: March 23 - April 17 Various venues. See www.comedyfestival.com.au ■ Melbourne Passion Play: The 20th Annual Melbourne Passion Play will be presented at Ruffey Lake Park, Doncaster on Palm Sunday, March 20 at1.30pm and at 10.00am on Good Friday, March 25. Enquiries: 0466 211 744.

■ Off the Leash Theatre: Next to Normal April 2 Latrobe Performing Arts Centre; April 8, 9 West Gippsland Arts Centre, April 23 The Gem Players Community Theatre, Emerald. Director: Nicholas Kong. Bookings and further details: www.offtheleashtheatre.com.au

AUDITIONS ■ BATS Theatre Company: Summer of the Seventeenth Doll March 17 and March 20 at New Holland Drive, Cranbourne East. Email icz6058@yahoo.com for further details.

■ Heidelberg Theatre Company: A Streetcar Named Desire (by Tennessee Williams) April 2 at 6.00pm, April 3 at 1.00pm at 36 Turnham Ave., Rosanna. Director: Karen Wakeham. Enquiries: 0489 552 043.

■ Malvern Theatre Company: And Then There Were None (by Agatha Christie) April 3 at 2.00pm, April 4 at 7.00pm at 29 Burke Rd., Malvern. Director: Nicholas Opolski. Enquiries: home@malverntheatre.com.au ■ Playhouse Players Inc: Measure for Measure (by William Shakespeare; Adaptation by Jonathon Bate and Eric Rasmussen) April 10 and April 17 from 2.00pm at East Malvern RSL, Stanley Grose Drive, East Malvern. Under the direction of Playhouse Players and Melbourne Shakespeare Society. Audition kit available from playhouseplayers@hotmail.com

● Andrea Staunton (Florence Unger) and Michelle Zintschenko (Olive Madison).in Frankston Theatre Group’s The Odd Couple.

■ Frankston Theatre Group presents the female version of Neil Simon’s The Odd Couple from April 15-24 at the Mt Eliza Community Centre.

Under the direction of Roy Thompson, the story tells of a group of women friends playing their regular game of Trivial Pursuit at the apartment of Olive Madison, a divorcee who freely admits to being a slob: "I leave a mess when I read a book."

Late to arrive is Florence Unger, a stickler for detail who would try the patience of a saint, and who has unfortunately just become separated from her husband. As life would have it, the slob and the fuss-budget decide to room together -- with hilarious results.

The Odd Couple will be presented in cabaret style. BYO drinks and nibbles.

Venue: Mt Eliza Community Centre, Canadian Bay Rd, Mt Eliza Dates: April 15, 16 at 8pm, April 22, 23 at 8pm, April 24 at 2pm.

Tickets: Full $28, Concessions, Seniors/Groups of 10+ $26, Students 16-20 $20, Children aged 10-15 $15, Children under 10 $10.

Enquiries and Bookings: 1300 665 377

STORAGE SPACE NEEDED ■ Playhouse Players Inc, an inner suburban based not for profit community theatre company, urgently requires storage space for hand and stage properties, limited costumes and administration files.

After many years within the City of Yarra, the store use has been re defined and PPI have had to vacate.

Any accessible space between 20-30 square metres would suit, and the company would be able to negotiate fees for a suitable shared or stand-alone location.

If you have space available, please contact PPI’s HonoraryAdministrator, Graeme McCoubrie on 0409 738 911, or email details to playhouseplayers@hotmail.com

Penny Aracde: Longing Lasts Longer

● Penny Arcade

■ Theatre Works and London Artists Projects, in association with Soho Theatre, present Penny Arcade: Longing Lasts Longer from March 24 -April 3 at The Famous Spiegeltent, Arts Centre Melbourne, as part of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.

Driven by her magnetic rock n’ roll energy, Arcade’s razor sharp satire is mixed live to euphoric soundscapes inspired by four decades of pop culture.

Outrageous and inspirational, Penny Arcade is said to be one of a handful of artists who created performance art as we know it today.

In 1967 she debuted with John Vaccaro’s explosive Playhouse Of The Ridiculous, and in 1969 became an Andy Warhol Factory Superstar.

A contemporary of Patti Smith and Debbie Harry, Quentin Crisp named Penny Arcade as his soul mate and the woman he most identified with.

Bookings: www.ticketmaster. com.au/Penny-Arcade-Longing-LastsLonger-tickets/artist/2202516

Page 34 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, March 16, 2016 Melbourne

Observer

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Lovatts Crossword No 18 Across

1. Blizzard 6. Wattle tree 11. Villain 15. Dried grass piles 20. Exclamation of pain 21. Genuine thing, the real ...

22. Numerous 23. Underground molten rock 25. Relaxation art (1'2,3) 26. Coral organisms 27. Dinners or lunches 29. Venice canal boat 32. Singer, ... Diamond 34. Famous British school 36. Type of spanner 39. Condemns to hell 41. Harnessed (oxen) 43. Rubs with emery 46. ... of Troy 48. Beneath 49. Dad 51. Hooter 52. Co-venture 55. Coarse file 56. Acorn bearers 59. Kills 61. Sit for portrait 62. Once again 63. Screw 64. Ripens 67. Halfway through pregnancy 68. Fortified wine 70. Culmination 71. Actress, ... Loren 72. Nag 73. Naked 74. Renovate (ship) 75. Rose-shaped award 77. Stop! (nautical) 78. Survives 79. Style 82. Mob 86. Jelly/sponge dessert 87. Eye lustfully 89. Belief in the supernatural 92. Pond plant 94. Capture 96. News 98. Floating log platform 100. Live coal 101. Computer input 103. Princess Royal 105. Resided 106. Press 108. Burn 111. Commoner 112. Very lazy (4,4) 114. Amaze 116. Spy, ... Hari 119. Bullets 120. German WWII fascist 121. Anticipated touchdown (1,1,1) 123. Freezes, ... over 124. As far as (2,2) 125. Omits (6,3) 126. New York borough 127. Blackberry shrub 130. The masses, ... polloi 131. Dawn to dusk 135. Alternate, every ...

138. Calf-length skirt 139. US astronaut, ... Shepard 141. Acute remorse 144. Unchanged, the ...

146. Cheerio!

147. Unfasten 148. Male swan 149. Young sheep 150. Uncle Sam (1,1,1) 151. Type of saxophone 152. Print with raised design 153. Taj Mahal city 155. Closing 157. Part of eye 158. Method 160. Braid 161. More ancient 162. Up to the time of 163. Overly cute 165. Less frequent 166. Snake, ... constrictor 167. Rowing aid

Across 168. Guitar sound 169. Servant 171. Accessory 172. Female title 175. In vain, to no ...

176. Light sleeps 179. Arid US state 180. Schoolgirl 182. Prison 184. Opens door to (4,2) 185. Balmy 186. Crooner, ... King Cole 188. Quiet 189. Pod vegetable 190. Dull 191. Snow-runner 193. Betting chances 194. Jogs 196. Match before final 197. Unreliable 198. Revolving tray, lazy ...

200. Modesty 205. AFL great, ... Barassi 207. Angrily 210. Impetuous 211. Concealing 212. Stupefy 213. Trading centre 214. Banned pesticide (1,1,1) 216. Irish sweater style 218. Actual 219. Ellipse 220. Repaints (vehicle) 224. Moodier 227. Depend 229. Space flight organisation 230. Tethers 231. Latin American dance 232. Nipple 233. Aware of 235. Prophetic signs 237. Go up 239. Printing error 241. Type of orange 244. Child's toy (2-2) 246. Pet's neck band (3,6) 249. Please reply (1,1,1,1) 252. Stingier 254. Former English cricket captain, ... Hussain 256. Outrageous 258. Arrange 259. Fuss, song & ...

260. Introducing in stages, ... in 263. Rest on knees 264. Outcome 265. Rot (of leather) 267. Paltry 270. Niece & ...

271. Avoided 272. Entertainer 273. Additional items 274. Welsh vegetables 277. Witnessed 279. Carpenter's spike 281. More rational 284. Hurry 286. Sum owed 288. Absorbed 292. Whisky ingredient 294. Kiss & cuddle 295. Fire remains 298. Smallest 300. Nominated 301. Mention, ... to 303. Monastery superior 306. Decorative shrub pot 308. Encounter 309. Concludes 311. Pink-eyed rabbits 314. Last Greek letter 315. Ketchup, ... sauce 316. Powerful 317. Fruit mash 318. After that 319. Deserve 320. Mafia, ... Nostra 321. Treats with drugs 322. Rewrite on keyboard 323. Unhappier 324. Muscle toning therapists

Down 1. Cosy 2. Furnace 3. Polynesian island group 4. Heart or lung 5. Complain 6. Movement 7. Blackboard marker 8. Drumming insects 9. Amongst 10. Fuel energy rating 11. Go around 12. Playful water mammal 13. Propel 14. Christian festival 15. Sacred song 16. Long (for) 17. Try out (food) 18. Cudgel 19. Obscene material 24. Charity offerings 28. Youths 30. Milky gem 31. June 6, 1944 (1-3) 33. Eagle nests 35. Equal (2,1,3) 37. Raven 38. Deer 40. Yelling 42. Geological division 44. Positive electrodes 45. Least moist 47. Fencing blades 48. Great disturbance 49. Prepared mentally, ... up 50. Sports ground buildings 53. Wed again 54. Impedes 57. Rescued by plane 58. Examines closely 60. Brighter 63. Temper fit 65. Hatchets 66. Settee 68. Cry weakly 69. Corrode 76. Outstanding 79. Fellows 80. Not anybody (2-3) 81. Lodge firmly 83. Boundary 84. Media tycoon, press ...

85. Pixie 88. Disadvantage 90. Team 91. Tiny amount 93. Skin irritation 95. Paradise garden 97. Flourish of trumpets 99. Friends star, Jennifer ...

100. Periods 102. Degrade 104. Kinder 107. From Italy's capital 109. Rectify 110. Arabian prince 111. Ode 113. Glancing 115. Summer footwear 117. Cousin's mother 118. Nuclear explosive, ... bomb 121. Morally sound 122. Friendly 127. Chest 128. Gave weapons to 129. Childbirth contractions (6,5) 132. In unison (3,8) 133. Relative by marriage (2-3) 134. Call up (feelings) 135. Vigilant 136. Magician's cry (3,6) 137. Idealists 138. Rissoles 140. Of course 141. Document summaries 142. Blameless

Down

143. Tent cover 145. Corrected (text) 151. Former IOC president, Juan ..

Samaranch 154. Wanders 156. Fragrance 159. Reproductive cells 164. Sixth sense (1,1,1) 169. Imitative performer 170. Wood surface design 173. Hoped (to) 174. Versus 177. South American mountains 178. Effeminate 181. Facility 183. Commissioned soldier 187. Random 192. Hopping marsupials 195. Office workers 199. Usefulness 201. Chooses 202. Weather feature, El ...

203. Milan opera house, La ...

204. Bright signal light 206. Seductress, ... fatale 207. Map 208. Nimble 209. Executive jet 213. Car race city, Le ...

215. Small plums 217. Advertising sign 221. Jetties 222. Incidental comment 223. Complacent 224. Soccer net 225. Policy reversal (1-4) 226. Courtyard 228. Ambassadors' residences 234. Loud-hailer 236. Hypodermic syringes 238. Charged particle 240. Enquire intrusively 242. Showy flowers 243. Poetic name for Ireland, ... Isle 245. Apple groves 247. Parentless kids 248. Boost 250. Blood feud 251. Mesh 253. Rodents 255. Copied 257. Former Italian money unit 258. Fix 261. Respiratory ailment 262. Shoe lining 265. Rounded stone 266. Brainwaves 268. Put up with 269. The Queen's third son 275. Sitcom, My Name Is ...

276. Ruler, Genghis ...

278. Tidal river mouth 280. Carbonated 282. Opposed to 283. Resound 285. Throat-clearing noise 287. Wobble 289. Wage 290. Polluted 291. Assumes (attitude) 292. Guru 293. Ready, willing & ...

296. Impassive person 297. Upright 299. Make reparation 302. Wooden barrier 304. Farm sheds 305. Overly fat 306. Prudish 307. Elderly 308. Rugs 310. Luncheon meat 312. Bobs head 313. Timber cutters

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, March 16, 2016 - Page 35

Solution on Page 28

MEGA

CROSSWORD No 18 1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

20 23 29

30

32 40

50

34 42

43

52

60

44

45

53

66

94

110

111

114 121

128

136

137

146

155

172

179

180

185

186

187

173

182

214 221

229

252

222

254

306

307

286

287

297

298

225

208

209

233

234

240

241

249

242

250

251

257

258

262

263 267

268

269

270

273 279 289

290

280

281

291

300

292 301

315

316 319

293

302 309

322

218

227

248

261

217

226

232

278 288

299

318 321

224

308 314

178

193

216

266

277

296

192

207

272

285

177

199

215

247

260

276

295

191

256

271

284

164

184

198

255

265

275

176

239

259

274

163

238 246

264

151

183

231

245

253

143

206

223

230

244

134

211

220

243

133

168

205

213

237

132

157

197

204

236

118

124

150

190

196

203

219

117

175

189

195

142

156

174

210

235

109

162

181

188

194

141

167

171

228

108

116

140

161 166

170

212

100

107

149

154

160

202

99

123

148 153

159

201

93

115

139

147

165

200

86

131

138

152

169

85

130

145

58

126

129 135

144

84

122

125

57

69

92

106

113

120

127

83

91

105

112

119

56

77

90

104

38

73

98

103

19

63

97

102

37

55

76 82

89

96

36

68

81

88

95 101

80

18

28

72

79

17

48

67

75

87

16

35

47

54

71

78

15

62

74

158

46

61 65

14

27

33 41

70

13

26

51

64

12

22

25

31

59

11

21

24

39 49

10

303 310 317

320 323

324

304 311

282

283

294 305 312

313

Page 36 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, March 16, 2016 Melbourne

Observer

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Sport Extra

Trial race blunder at Ballarat

■ Only a couple of weeks after the wrong dog was awarded a race at Bendigo, Stewards have had to enquire into another racetrack blunder.

At the Ballarat Qualifying Trials on February 27, greyhound Shot To Glory wore the wrong coloured rug and started from the wrong box in its event.

A Stewards enquiry determined that Shot To Glory, drawn to compete in event 17 from box five (yellow rug), actually started from box six wearing the green rug.

Qualifying Trials are held as non betting races, and the winners from each event then usually advance to a race Final at the track's next TAB covered race meeting.

Although betting is not conducted on the Trials, procedures must be followed to ensure the right greyhounds advance to the betting events.

Shot To Glory was disqualified from the event, and the box allocation for the Maiden Final the following Wednesday night had to be redrawn.

Stewards last week conducted an enquiry into the incident, however no warnings or penalties were handed down to any persons who officiated at the Qualifying Trials.

Greyhounds

with Kyle Galley

and husbaned Paul faced a tough decision regarding the future of their champion in the days after their Australian Cup win.

“Part of me felt we needed to keep running him because the sport has been through some hard times recently and he had such a big following. It was a really tough decision, but he deserves a break,” Jan said.

Boasting 31 wins and 15 placings from only 54 starts, Dyna Double One earned $1,160,316 in stakes, making him the third greyhound to pass the million dollar mark in Australian history.

His illustrious kennelmate Fernando Bale holds the stakes record.

When winning the Australian Cup he became the first dog since Tangaloa in 1980 to capture the Melbourne Cup/Australian Cup ■ Greyhound racing's latest million double. dollar earner, Dyna Double One, has Dyna Double One is expected to been retired after his recent Austra- create great interest at stud given his lian Cup victory. racetrack record, speed and determiA stud career beckons for Dyna nation.

Double One, who will soon join studmaster Tony Wiseman in New South Wales.

Part owner Jan Wheeler said she ■ Over 4000 spectators packed The

Now retired

Big odds

Meadows for a highly successfulAustralian Cup meeting.

Among the other feature events on the night was the $35,000 Vic Bred Maiden Final, won by Gippsland dog Gilberto.

At only his third start, Gilberto overcame box seven to score in strong fashion, and connections feel the dog will continue to improve with racing.

Owner Bill McMahon was delighted to win one of the feature events on such a big night.

“Winning this race means a lot because it’s the biggest maiden race in Victoria, so as breeders and trainers it’s the goldmine we all strive to win,” McMahon said.

The $145,000 Superstayers race saw an all the way victory to Star Recall for trainer Jeff Britton.

“I’ve never trained a greyhound with the talent and versatility that she has. She can sprint and she has nearly broken track records over the sprint and middle-distances, and now she’s a Group 1 winning stayer. She’s very special," Britton said.

Star Recall held off the fast finishing Esparza in a thrilling finish, while Lioness Lulu ran third at big odds.

Reappointed

■ Victoria's Racing Integrity Commissioner, Sal Perna, has been reappointed to his role for a another three years.

First appointed in March 2010, Perna has been active in numerous enquiries across the three racing codes since that time.

Last year Perna investigated allegations of live baiting and animal cru-

elty in greyhound racing, during a busy year in the role.

The Office of the Racing Integrity Commissioner gathers and investigates information relating to integrity matters across the three racing codes.

At Sandown

■ Semi-Finals of the Launching Pad series take place at Sandown Park tomorrow night (Thursday March 17).

Winners and second placegetters from last weeks Heats have progressed through to the second round, among them ex-Tasmanian dog Pagan Midnight.

The second of two qualifiers for top trainer Robert Britton, Pagan Midnight came across Bass Strait with a big reputation, despite an injury interrupted career.

Victorians dominated the heats, with only one interstate runner, Thirty Talks, tasting success.

The $220,000 Launching Pad Final will be staged on Thursday night, March 24.

Gold Rush

■ Bendigo takes the spotlight with their Gold Rush Carnival commencing tomorrow night, March 17.

Seven race meetings will be staged over 10 days, with the culmination being a feature meeting on Easter Sunday, March 27.

Among the highlights on that card are the Bendigo Stayers Cup and Easter Cup, Beau of Bendigo, Belle of Bendigo and the Gold Rush Maiden.

Interestingly, the Bendigo Cup won't be staged during the Gold Rush

● Sal Perna

Carnival, but there will still be plenty of entertaining racing regardless.

The Bendigo Greyhound Racing Association has a host of promotions and activities planned for spectators attending the carnival, and look forward to welcoming greyhound enthusiasts from across Victoria to their Lord's Raceway venue.

Upcoming race meetings

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

- Kyle Galley

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Observer Victorian Sport

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, March 16, 2016 - Page 37

Melbourne

Extreme hat trick ■ Leading Victorian trainer, Mick Price, has a grin like a Cheshire cat at the moment in the countdown to the rich Golden Slipper this coming Saturday.

Mick and his team will saddle up the two favourites, Extreme Choice, going for four wins on end and his stablemate, Flying Artie.

Extreme Choice won the Blue Diamond in great style, but Flying Artie was unlucky having drawn nearly the outside in the Diamond and getting knocked at the home turn, to finish second.

Prior to going to Sydney, Price galloped the pair the reverse way at Caulfield, and he liked what he saw.

He is warming to the second string, Flying Artie, who he thinks could turn the tables on his stablemate.

Extreme is the $2.80 favourite from Flying Artie at $ 6.50.

On the next line is the smart Gai Waterhouse youngster, Kiss and Make Up, whom she trains for leading owner John Singleton.

He lowered the colours of the early Slipper favourite, Capitalist, who put in a shocker to run second and has blown out the gate for the big one.

His trainer, Peter Snowden, said he didn't pull up well, as his performance was hard to believe and he has a strong belief in the youngster.

Don't write him off, he is much better than that.

He has blown out the gate in markets now $10, after being $3 favourite, before he had his colours lowered by Kiss and Make Up. I am going for Flying Artie to beat his stablemate and hopefully an improving, Capitalist.

Top day

■ At our latest media luncheon, the special guest for the day, was former great jockey, Brent Thomson, who spoke of his star-studded career in New Zealand where he dominated the scene as an apprentice, be-

Ted Ryan

Showbiz Extra ■ From Page 32

Top 10 Lists

THE HUNGER GAMES: The Complete Collection [Action/Jennifer Lawrence].

KNIGHT OF CUPS [Drama/Christian Bale, Cate Blanchett, Natalie Portman].

SECRET IN THEIR EYES [Thriller/Chiwetel Ejiofor, Nicole Kidman, Julia Roberts].

ABSOLUTELY ANYTHING [Comedy/Kate Beckinsale, Simon Pegg].

THE PROGRAM [Drama/Ben Foster, Dustin Hoffman, Chris O'Dowd].

END OF THE TOUR [Drama/Jesse Eisenberg, Jason Segel, Anna Chlumsky].

JACK IRISH (2016).

NEW RELEASE AND RE-RELEASE CLASSICS ON DVD THIS WEEK: THE HUNGER GAMES: The Complete Collection [Action/Jennifer Lawrence].

● Extreme Choice Photo by SLICKPIX, phone 9354 5754

NEW RELEASE TELEVISION, DOCUMENTARY AND MUSIC DVD HIGHLIGHTS: GAME OF THRONES: Season 5.

JACK IRISH (2016).

LIBRARIANS: Season 2.

GRAND DESIGNS AUSTRALIA: Season 6.

BARBIE: SPY SQUAD. BLUE BLOODS: Season 5.

DORA AND FRIENDS: FEEL THE MUSIC. - James Sherlock ■ From Page 30

Cross Roads

his four Cox Plate winners.

The first of his winning quartet was Fury's Order in 1975, and then he followed that up winning on Family of Man for the late and great trainer, George Hanlon, in 1977.

In 1978 , he recalled how he was three and four wide on So Called for another great trainer, the late Colin Hayes, saying he don't how the horse won as he was wide all the way over the 2040 trip.

Then came the outstanding galloper, Dulcify, the star of the Hayes team, Brent had the easiest ride in his life aboard the champion winning by just under eight lengths.

He later remarked that without a doubt he was the best horse he had ever ridden.

It's history now that the 1979 Melbourne Cup was his just for the asking.

Brent said he couldn't say for sure what happened on the far side of the course it happened so quickly.

Some said that the eventual winner, Hyperno, galloped on him, but he wasn't sure.

Brent was interviewed by former, Herald Sun Racing Editor, Keith Hillier, who took Brent under his wing as a young rider, and they have been great friends for a number of years.

On the day I had the pleasure of being with two young people, Jessica Moodie, and Conron Walsh, who have won scholarships

for the Black Caviar media presentations.

Overall an entertaining day, for all who attended at the Emerald Hotel in South Melbourne.

Golden Mile ■ The Bendigo Jockey Club is gearing for a big day at their Stand-alone Bet 365 Golden Mile at their picturesque track this Saturday.

The race, worth $150,000, is sure to attract the best of our 1600 metre gallopers, for the classic as in the past.

Also on the big card will be the $150,000 Listed Rich Enuff at Woodside Park Bendigo Guineas over 1400 metres with set weights and penalties.

On top of the two great events is the $250,000 AgVantage Vobis Gold Rush over 1000 metres for two year-olds at set weights.

The Club, one of the most progressive in their promotions, has come up with yet another winner for racegoers with their promotion of the Marilyn Monroeexhibition which will be a big highlight in the Gold town.

The City of Bendigo has gone mad for Marilyn and the Bendigo Jockey Club is going all out to incite even more Marilyn madness with an amazing competition on the Golden Mile Day. Patrons who come dressed as Marilyn will have a chance to

win a trip to Hollywood courtesy of Italktravel Bendigo.

The Bet 365 Golden Mile Day is when the stars of Victorian racing come out to play at Bendigo, vying for an amazing $1 million on offer throughout the day's program.

The Club is encouraging as many people as possible male or female - to come along for the Golden Mile Day as newest favourite Superstar, Marilyn Monroe.

The outstanding incentive for those willing to participate in this competition is an amazing five-night holiday in Hollywood -including return airfares with QANTAS and accommodation in the amazing Loews Hollywood Hotel, valued at $5000 ..

In announcing the promotion, Bendigo Jockey Club, Chief Executive, Jason Paech, said "All of Bendigo is abuzz in the lead-in to the Marilyn Monroe exhibition and indeed people from around the state and the nation are talking about what will be yet another incredible exhibition event in Bendigo".

● Observational Photo by SLICKPIX, phone 9354 5754 Mile Day will feature at 11am with the first all the elements you coming up at 12.25pm would come to expect and the last at 5.30pm. from a great day out The italktravel at the country races - Win a trip to Hollykids’ rides, live music, wood Competition and a variety of hospi- opens at 12 Noon, with tality packages. the judging of the finalThe action on the ists at 1.30pm. track will be firstAdmission is only class, with the 'Who's $20 for adults, $ 15 Who" of racing de- concession, with chilscending on Bendigo dren under 16, accomfor this Saturday's panied by parents or stand-alone meeting, guardian are Free. featuring the three Always a great day, classics as mentioned and I am looking forearlier amongst a card ward to working for of nine races. the Club.

The gates will open - Ted Ryan

Sulky Snippets

■ Heathcote part-owner/trainer Michael Mannix's 4-Y-0 MrAviator/Ramleighs Love gelding Ace Duigan saluted in 8th Heat of the International All Stars Series over 2160 metres at Echuca with the USA's Brett Miller in the sulky.

Despite doing plenty of work from outside the front line, Ace Duigan eventually crossed to lead and kept on giving to register a meritorious 6.8 metre margin in advance of Wheres Bub (one/one) and the heavily supportedA Special Dream which never really got a look in after being buried four back along the markers after starting inside the second line. The mile rate a new track record of 1-57.2.

■ Avenel's David Aiken was successful with first starter Artara, a filly by Art Major from Tara Royale in the Central Goldfields Shire 2-Y-0 Pace over 1690 metres at Maryborough on Wednesday.

Driven by David, Artara starting from gate two on the second line began swiftly to settle nice and handy before going forward racing for the to lead for the final circuit, accounting forGozo Beach and Nomi Malone who were both making their race debut. The mile rate 1-59.

- Len Baker

■ The show is directed by Tyran Parke, with musical direction by David Wisken and choreography by Michael Ralph. The cast features Alinta Chidzey, Stephen Mahy, Fem Belling, Joe Kosky, Bianca Baykara, Ed Grey, Maddie Featherby and Ryan Gonzalez.

Performance Season: April 15 – 30 (Preview April 15) Times: Mon – Sat 7:30pm, Sun 2pm, Sat Matinee 2pm (April 30) Venue: Chapel Off Chapel - 12 Little Chapel Street, Prahran Tickets: $49 Full, $39 Concession, Groups 6+ and Preview, $29 Under 30s Bookings: 8290 7000 or www.chapeloff chapel.com.au - Cheryl Threadgold

Mitch debuts

■ Mitch Alexander, vocalist of Eye of the Enemy, will be debuting his new hour of comedy, Diu Lei Lo Mo, at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival 2016 Mitch asks if we ever wanted a white, 20-something, male, art graduate’s hot take on the customs, cultures and quirks of Asia?

“Well want no more! In the middle of 2015, heavy metal comedian and vocalist Mitch Alexander toured with his band Eye Of The Enemy across Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, Korea and China, supporting Fleshgod Apocalypse, Psycroptic and Ne Obliviscaris through the first three countries, and headlining the last two.”

Mitch says this hour of stand-up comedy contains no moral lessons, no cathartic denouements, and no ideas on how to eradicate the poisonous assumptions of racial stereotypes that permeate the human condition.

“It does, however, contain plenty of brash and confronting jokes screamed into your face by a rather large vocalist-cum-comedian who doesn’t seem able to tone it down for just one second.”

Mitch has been performing comedy across Australia for “four long, inexplicable years, (dis)gracing the stages of music and comedy festivals alike, such as Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Melbourne Fringe, Adelaide Fringe, The Dead Of Winter, InvasionFest, and numerous clubs, pubs, and charity events.”

He’s also been asked to MC a few weddings, which have apparently always been disastrous on account of the open bar.

Venue: Belleville, Globe Alley (Off Lt Bourke St), Melbourne (wheelchair accessible) Dates: April 4 - 16 (no shows on Sundays). Time: 9:45pm Bookings: www.trybooking.com/JTLZ - Cheryl Threadgold

Page 38 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, March 16, 2016

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Trades and Services Guide Find the bes adespeople in the Melbourne Observ es Guide bestt trtradespeople Observer Services Guide.. TToo plac placee an ad, phone 1800 231 311 311.. er Tr ades and Servic Our Classifieds Departmen 30pm Monda rida or @MelbourneObserv er 9am-5.30pm Mondayy -F -Frida ridayy . Or email: edit editor or@MelbourneObserv @MelbourneObserver er..c om.au Departmentt is open 9am-5.

Or mail your ad to: Melbourne Observer, PO Box 1278, Research, Vic 3095.

Booking and ccoo ppyy deadline: 5pm FFrida rida erms and CConditions onditions - see our wwebsit ebsit ridayy s. Subjec Subjectt ttoo our TTerms ebsitee .

CONSULTING

BLUEDASH CONSULTING Bookkeeping, Accounting, BAS & Training 10% Discount on off-site work

CURTAINS, BLINDS

PHONE: 1800 231 311 FAX: 1800 231 312 EMAIL: editor@MelbourneObserver.com.au

PAVING

TAX TIME

BRICK PAVING SPECIALIST

☛ All aspects of paving including: Claym Brick, Sandstone Bluestone & Castlemaine Slate ☛ All aspects of landscape construction 25 years experience ☎ Glen

0412 516 936

PC /CC16

RELAXATION MASSAGE

Call Ben 0403 591 216 ben.hurree@ gmail.com BB /I I16

Promote your business statewide in the Melbourne Observer Trades and Services Guide

THE GREA T MUSIC OF THE ‘30s T O ‘60s GREAT TO Str eaming thr ough the W eb treaming through Web PHONE: 9572 1466

goldenda ysr adio goldenday sradio adio..com

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, March 16, 2016 - Page 39

Page 40 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, March 16, 2016

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au