Melbourne Observer. June 7, 2017

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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 7, 2017

VICTORIA’S INDEPENDENT WEEKLY NEWSPAPER

48TH YEAR OF PUBLICATION $2.95

STATE EDITION Vol 49 No 1669 SERVING VICTORIA SINCE 1969

CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG including GST

Babirra Music Theatre’s hit show

■ Tony Burge (Caractacus Potts), Michelle Eddington (Truly Scrumptious), and rear passengers Thomas Waterworth (Jeremy Potts) and Lucy Sonnemann (Jemima Potts) in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang at the Whitehorse Centre until June 17 revives childhood memories for the young at heart, and introduces a new fantasy adventure to younger generations. Presented by Babirra Music Theatre under the superb artistic direction of Alan Burrows, this magical musical based on Ian Fleming’s story is adapted for stage by Jeremy Sams, with music and lyrics by Richard and Robert Sherman. When inventor Caractacus Potts buys an old racing car to restore for his children, it becomes a wonder car which swims, flies and saves the day. As we follow the adventures of the Potts family, there’s romance, villainy, and canine stars including Edison the family dog. Continued on Page 9

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Travel

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Showbiz Latest

It’s All About You!

Melbourne

Lawyers join in the Conversation Observer In This Edition

Matt Bissett-Johnson, cartoonist Mike McColl-Jones, Top 5 Gavin Wood, West Hollywood Kevin Trask, Whatever Happened Nick Le Souef, Outback Legend Mark Twain, Observer Classic Books Rob Foenander, Country Music Cheryl Threadgold, Local Theatre Jim Sherlock, Top 10 Lists Aaron Rourke, Movuie Reviews Ted Ryan, Observer Racing Radio Confidential Local Theatre Top 10 Lists

Observer Showbiz

Latest News AroundVictoria

Taking a break

■ There will be no issue of the Melbourne Observer as we take a break for the Queen’s Birthday Holiday. ● Meet the all-lawyer cast and crew of A Conversation: (Back row) Leon Fluxman, Max Paterson, Kylie Weston-Scheuber and Lyndal Ablett; (Front row) Eliza Trembath, Rachel Delaney, Olivia Bramwell, Mark Robins, Liz King and Evelyn Tadros.

Bloomsday in Melb.

■ Bottled Snail Productions, Melbourne's only theatre company for lawyers, will be staging Australian playwright David Williamson's iconic play A Conversation at the Meat Market in North Melbourne, from June 13-17. Directed by Olivia Bramwell, the audience is invited to bear witness to the moving and dramatic meeting between the family of a young woman brutally raped and murdered, and the family of the man convicted of murdering her, as they struggle for justice and understanding. Bramwell says the themes throughout the play will resonate with all audience members. “A Conversation is fundamentally a play about truth and forgiveness, yet the more sinister content surrounding violence and crimes against the person is painfully relevant for all Australians given events in recent years.” Bottled Snail Productions is a charitable organisation run by legal professionals for the benefit of the legal community (and everyone else). Their 'think outside the bottle' mission aims to promote awareness and positive policy change around the mental health issues facing our community while facilitating creative outlets and opportunities for both participants and audiences via high-quality musical and theatrical projects. BottledSnail was awarded the 2017 Law Institute of Victoria President's Award in recognition of their contribution to the legal community. Dates and Times: June 13 – 17. 7pm doors for 8pm show. (Pre-show drinks available for purchase). Venue: Meat Market, 5 Blackwood St., North Melbourne. Tickets: Adults $35, Concession $27. Bookings: www.bottlednsail.com/ a-conversation or via Ticketbooth - Cheryl Threadgold

Police crackdown

■ Police and detectives continue to crack down on crime in Heidelberg West and Heidelberg village by executing two targeted operations, Operation Influx and Operation Juggernaut, resulting in dozens of arrests.

Tag team probe

■ Police are investigating after more than 30 buses were targeted by graffiti artists at an Oakleigh South bus depot, leaving a large clean-up bill.

‘180-kmh chase’

■ A 31-year-old woman has been charged after her engine blew out during a pursuit in in Melbourne’s south. Somerville Highway Patrol members detected a silver Mitsubishi without number plates allegedly travelling at 125kmh in an 80kmh zone along FrankstonCranbourne Rd in Langwarrin. Police say the vehicle sped up when theyu attempted to pull it over on Peninsula Link, at speeds of up to 180kmh.

Forecast ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

Today (Wed.). Mostly sunny. 6°-13° Thurs. Partly cloudy. 8°-14° Fri. Mostly cloudy. 8°-14° Sat. Partly cloudy, 7°-14° Sun. Mostly sunny, 6°-14°

Mike McColl Jones ● Christina Costigan. Photo: Bernard Peasley ■ A new steampunk play based on James 16 to celebrate the day on which the action of Joyce’s masterpiece Ulysses is being pre- the book takes place. This 24th production sented by Bloomsday in Melbourne from June explores the smelly world of James Joyce’s 14-18 in Collingwood’s Melba Spiegeltent. Dublin in 1904. Directed by Wayne Pearn and featuring For the first time, Bloomsday in Melbourne Brisbane’s Tatty Tenors, Bloomsday in comes to Collingwood’s Melba Spiegeltent, Melbourne’s scriptwriters have created a new the home of Circus Oz. (said to be “bizarre” and “confronting”) adDirector Wayne Pearn says: “We have aptation of Ulysses – Getting Up James Joyce’s created a steampunk aesthetic for the producNose. tion which works wonderfully with a novel set “Today, James Joyce’s Ulysses is a in 1904. It’s spectacular, and it could really classic,”says Dr Frances Devlin-Glass, the only happen at the Spiegeltent, which also Joycean who leads Bloomsday in Melbourne, lends itself to a touch of circus and vaude“yet when it was first published in 1922, it ville. I can’t wait to see how it gets up the was banned across the world for its sexual noses of a live audience.” explicitness and literary daring - for offending Performance Dates: June 14 – 18 taste in every way, not least in how it deals Venue: Collingwood’s Melba Spiegeltent with bodies that smell”. Bookings and further details: Since 1994, Bloomsday in Melbourne has www.bloomsdayinmelboourne.org.au joined Joyce fans around the world on June - Cheryl Threadgold

Top 5

THE T OP 5 PRODUCT S TOP PRODUCTS THA T DIDN'T THAT MAKE THE CUT 5. The Rolls Royce ute. 4. Vegemite Coca-Cola. 3. Cream pies available on QANTAS flights. 2. The Nick Kyrgios meditation course. 1. Trump hair gel.


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Observer Couple devoted to veterans inc orpor a ting the Melbourne A d vvertiser ertiser, incorpor orpora Ad Melbourne T ict orian Rur al Ne ws Trr ader ader,, V Vict ictorian Rural New and Melbourne Seniors News News.. Victoria’s Independent Newspaper First Published September 14, 1969 Every W ednesda y Wednesda ednesday

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Our Team Editor: Ash Long Features Editor: Peter Mac Columnists: Len Baker (harness racing), Matt Bissett-Johnson (cartoonist), David Ellis (wine and travel), Rob Foenander (country music), Kerry Kulkens (astrology), Nick Le Souef (outback Australia), Mike McColl Jones (life), Greg Ne wman (r adio ), T erry Radf or d ((C C ourt ewman (radio adio), Terry Radfor ord roundsman), Aaron Rourke (movies), Ted Ry an (r acing), Jim Sherlock Ryan (racing), (movies, DVDs), Cheryl Threadgold (local thea e ), K e vin T sho wbiz), theatt rre Ke Trrask ((sho showbiz), Wood (Hollyw Veritas, G avin W ood (Holly w ood). Honorary Reviewers: Mark Briggs, Rita Crispin, Martin Curtis, Sherryn Danaher Danaher,, Barbar a Hughes, L yn Hurs t, K athryn Barbara Lyn Hurst, Ka Keeble, Beth Klein, Deborah Marinaro, Gr aeme McC oubrie therine , McGr egor Graeme McCoubrie oubrie,, Ca Catherine McGregor egor,, David McLean, Maggie Morrison, Jill Pa g e ylie Rackham, Elizabeth Semmel. e,, K Kylie Distribution: Sam Fiorini, phone 9482 1145

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■ This week we have a good word for Greg and Annie Carterwho run a retreat near Bairnsdale for ex- and serving defence personnel. The friendly couple run Cockatoo Rise Retreat, near Bairnsdale on the Gippsland Lakes. The retreat provides space and time for defence veterans. There is a golf course, horses, on the 50 acres, providing a relaxed environment for those who need it. Some stay for days, others have made it their home for longer. There is a dedicated camping and caravan area, a museum, a vegie garden and spectacular views.

Real care for vets

■ Cockatoo Rise offers real supports for veterans, particularly those confronting Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. It offers peace, quiet and solidarity. “We’ve basically been able to give them a home to give them a better feeling about themselves, and to socialise more,” Greg explains. “When they leave they are quite different in attitude,” Greg says of their visitors. To stay at Cockatoo Rise requires no payment, but you must be a veteran of war and bringing your own accommodation is necessary. cockatoorise. com.au

Your Stars with Kerry Kulkens Aries: (March 21- April 20) A Lucky day: Tuesday Racing numbers: 5-2-4-3 Lotto numbers: 8-13-17-21-23-26 A period of careful planning and consideration or you could find yourself in a problem relationship. Also, care must be taken in health and travel. Taurus: (April 21- May 20) Lucky day: Monday Racing numbers: 3-6-4-5 Lotto numbers: 1-17-21-24-30-34 Some possible family celebrations coming up and someone special could surprise you. Love life should be a breeze and good luck in business and career matters.

● Greg and Annie Carter run Cockatoo Rise, and invite exand serving defence personnel and their partners to their Retreat situated about 6 kms from Bairnsdale. under the eye of theatre review coordinator Cheryl Threadgold at Chitty Chitty Bang Bang at the Whitehorse Centre. David performed excellently, but it was Shine (who played Edison) who stole the show!

Long Shots

Best wishes

■ Special wishes for the week ahead to Mike McColl Jones, Patti Newtonand Cate Blanchett. edit or@MelbourneObserv er editor@MelbourneObserv or@MelbourneObserver er..c om. om.aa u

with Ash Long, Editor “For the cause that lacks assistance, ‘Gainst the wrongs that need resistance For the future in the distance, And the good that we can do”

David in show

■ One of the Observer’s honorary theatre reviewers David McLean came

Magical acting

■ “Acting is magical. Change your look and your attitude, and you can be anyone.”

Observer Treasury Thought For The Week ■ “Acting is all about honesty. If you can fake that, you've got it made.” - George Burns

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

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Independently Owned and Operated

Text For The Week ■ "“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” – 2 Corinthians 5:17

The Melbourne Observer is printed under contract by Streamline PressPty Ltd, 155 Johns o y, ffor or the publisher Johnstton S t, Fitzr 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. C op yright © 20 ty L opyright 2011 7 7,, L ocal Media P Pty Lttd. ACN 096 680 063.

● Greg Carter, serving in Vietnam, all those years ago.

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.

Gemini: (May 21- June 21) Lucky day: Wednesday Racing numbers: 1-4-9-8 Lotto numbers: 9-17-26-35-40-41 Look after your health and you will be able to enjoy your special time with loved ones. It might be the right time to make some changes in your life and diet. Cancer: (June 22- July 22) Lucky day: Sunday Racing numbers: 5-4-9-3 Lotto numbers: 6-12-22-25-39-44 You could be very lucky during this period so take care that you are in the running. Charm and diplomacy will help you to get much further than you hoped for in the first place. Leo: (July 23- August 22) Lucky day: Tuesday Racing numbers: 6-3-7-5 Lotto numbers: 4-13-22-24-34-36 Communication is the key to success during this period. If unsure about loved one's intentions, you better ask as getting the wrong message cold be crucial to your future. Virgo: (August 23- September 23) Lucky day: Thursday Racing numbers: 3-4-7-1 Lotto numbers: 11-13-22-25-31-40 A period in which romantic intentions could occupy you mind a lot. You should be feeling good and looking great and your self-confidence should be sky high. Time to act. Libra: (September 24- October 23) Lucky day: Wednesday Racing numbers: 4-5-7-1 Lotto numbers: 9-18-27-36-44-45 People from your workplace will be able to give you a useful cue on how to approach your superiors for favours. Good luck should be in all your aspect as and love blossoms. Scorpio: (October 24- November 22) Lucky day: Sunday Racing numbers: 4-1-5-6 Lotto numbers: 7-11-16-19-30-40 If fancy free and ready for action this is the time to strike. For the already married there should be a time of renewed interests and fun and a little bit of luck also. Sagittarius: (November 23- December 20) Lucky day: Monday Racing numbers: 4-3-2-1 Lotto numbers: 2-13-22-24-25-32 You might not have much time for fun but what there is of it you will enjoy. In career matters things are moving fast and you should be able to get more done in shorter time. Capricorn: (December 21- January 19) Lucky day: Friday Racing numbers: 7-2-6-3 Lotto numbers: 6-9-11-16-22-27 Everything should work out well, your work is progressing smoothly and your love life is better than ever, so what are you worried about? Enjoy it and be happy. Aquarius: (January 20- February 19) Lucky day: Sunday Racing numbers: 1-2-7-3 Lotto numbers: 13-28-31-33-37-44 There could be some plans in the pipeline that include a trip to distant places. Your mind is too much in the future and you might forget to enjoy life as it is today. Pisces: (February 20- March 20) Lucky day: Saturday Racing numbers: 4-3-7-2 Lotto numbers: 5-11-15-29-37-43 Both in business and in your personal life you should be happy and ready for some more of the same. Try not to get too involved in other people's problems or they will ruin your good period.

Visit Kerry Kulkens Magic Shop at 1693 Burwood Hwy, Belgrave Phone/Fax 9754 4587 www.kerrykulkens.com.au Like us on Facebook


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Melbourne Arts Dialogue in Dark

■ An experience like no other. This is the only way to describe participation in Dialogue in the Dark. Presented by Guide Dogs Australia on the first level of Harbour Town Shopping Centre, Docklands, participants experience a realistic approach to what life is like for blind and vision-impaired people. Melbourne has joined the other 139 cities in the world to present this unique experience. Australia is the 40th country with this installation, which challenges sighted participants and immerses them in a world where all other senses are heightened. Founded in Frankfurt by Andreas Heinecke of Dialogue Social Enterprises, this innovative program aims to increase awareness, tolerance of others and promote greater understanding and communication. This endeavour also creates job opportunities for blind or vision-impaired people and gives them the opportunity to strengthen their skills and continue to grow personally. Tour guides, who are blind, take a small group of participants into a darkened space and progress around simulated popular Melbourne sites. The senses of touch, hearing, smell and speech become all important. At first, even walking with the cane given to participants needs getting used to. Listening to cars, trams, market stallholders, birds, water and people direct one along the paths. The different footpaths including cobblestones and stairs can be deciphered and negotiated by using the sensitive cane. As one negotiates around corners, onto trams and finally into a home, an awareness of a new found confidence and willingness occurs. Dialogue in the Dark also caters for corporate workshops, which would no doubt have many challenges for all. This unique, yet safe, experience leaves one with an enriched appreciation for what it is to live without sight. Address: Harbour Town Melbourne, Level 1, 29-31 Star Crescent, Docklands Melbourne Tickets: Adult $43.30 / Child (9-15 years) $19.50 / Concession & Student $32.10/Groups 4 pax $24.85 Times: Tues-Thurs 10am-6pm. Friday 10am-9pm. Saturday 10am-6pm, Sunday 10am-5pm. Tour Info: Tours run every 20 min. Tour duration 1hr. Max 8 guests per tour session Booking: www.ticketmaster.com.au/ dialogueinthedark Phone: 1300 889 278 For more info: www.dialogueinthedark. com.au 9854 4444 - Review by Lyn Hurst

Len takes a break

■ There is no Sulky Snippets column this week. Len Baker is taking a break. His column will return on June 21.

Survivors meeting

■ Thefirst of the twice-a-year Survivors luncheons for the group of TV-radio-recording industry veterans will be held at South Melbourne on Saturday, June 17.

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, June 7, 2017 - Page 11 Melbourne

Observer

Out of Earshot ■ Kage’s latest production, Out of Earshot, is a partnership between dancers Anna Seymour, Elle Evangelista, Gerard Van Dyck and Timothy Ohl, and highly praised New Zealand-born jazz musician Myele Manzanza who draws on his African roots to create a scorching drum score. In the classic novel On the Road, Jack Kerouac described witnessing a jazz performance as “the peak of a wonderfully free idea, a rising and falling riff … blasted along to the rolling crash of drums”. The ghost of Kerouac is manifested in the performance of Out of Earshot. Sounds, rhythms and pulsating light are used to compel dancers in a flow of music and ideas unencumbered by the usual conventions of narrative and storytelling. Starting tap-tap-tapping on bodies before moving to his drum kit at centre stage, Manzanza plays with an all-encompassing bass syncopation as the dancers connect and disconnect kinetically as if they are electrons spinning around a nucleus. The music is punctuated by silence and a light installation designed by Paul Jackson, Stephen Hawker and James Paul, which acts like an electrocardiograph providing tangible evidence of the sound and movement radiating from the stage. There is humour too. The performance is capped with a frenzied rendition of Nicki Minaj’s Super Bass with vocals supplied by dancer Elle Evangelista. Developed by Kage artistic director Kate Denborough in collaboration with dancer Anna Seymour, the performance uses percussion to reach all audiences, both hearing and hearingimpaired.

● Timothy Ohl and Elle Evangelista in Out of Earshot. Photo: Jeff Busby This ground-breaking and award-winning company suffered a devastating Australia Council funding cut last year. An iconic company in Australian dance theatre for the past 20 years, this collaboration, staged as part of the Melbourne International Jazz Festival, is another winner. Season : Until June 10. Times: 7.30pm Tue – Fri; 3pm and 7.30pm Sat Duration: 60minutes (no interval). Venue: Chunky Move, 111 Sturt St., Southbank Tickets: $35 - $40 plus transaction fee Bookings: kage.com.au or trybooking - Review by Kathryn Keeble

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang ● From Page One It’s a tough gig for adult performers to work with children, well-trained dogs and a car described as ‘fantasmagorical’, but this wonderful cast’s impressive musical theatre talents hold their own. Rarely do patrons sing show songs when exiting at interval, but musical director Ben Hudson and his fabulous orchestra achieved exactly that. Bravo too for not missing a beat amid smoke effects billowing into the orchestra pit. Choreographer Di Crough’s innovative, beautifully executed dance routines were another standout, from the quirky to Samba, visually complemented by David Dare’s set. and Chloe Thomas’s colourful costumes. Charismatic Tony Burge is perfectly cast as Caractus Potts, and Michelle Eddington presents an exquisite portrayal of Truly Scrumptious. Lucy Sonnemann (Jemima Potts) and Thomas Waterworth (Jeremy) deliver stellar performances, as does David McLean as regimental Grandpa Potts. Phil Lambert (Baron) and Nicole Kapiniaris (Baroness) entertain and particularly sizzle in the Samba, while comedic vaudevillian duo Cody Baldwin (Boris)and Colin Morley (Goran) are terrific.

Melbourne Observations

with Matt Bissett-Johnson

Showbiz News

What’s On Circus Oz

■ Circus Oz presents Model Citizens from June 20 – July 16 at the Circus Big Top, Birrarung Marr. Circus Oz Artistic Director, Rob Tannion says, “If you think you know Circus Oz, you might be surprised. Come and experience Model Citizens for yourself. We dare you.” Following a three-month Australian east coast tour, Circus Oz presents the first show for the company directed by Rob Tannion – Model Citizens – when it has its Melbourne premiere under the Circus Oz Big Top at Birrarung Marr. “For the Circus Oz Big Top premiere, Model Citizens will be specially adapted from the current touring production model for traditional proscenium arch theatres to a show that is expanded to fill the generous dimensions of the large Big Top space. This will include increasing the ensemble to 15 by introducing five new artists,” said Tannion. “To enhance the audience’s experience within the gorgeous Big Top, we want to go large. More flavour. More mouth-watering circus. More spectacular moments. A bigger set. More original music. More stunning lights. And importantly, new acts from incredible national and international artists,” explained Tannion. Joining the Circus Oz Model Citizens artists will be cellist Michelle Johns, aerialist Tania Cervantes Chamorro, Spanish slack rope performer and violinist Alexander Weibel Weibel, acrobat Lachlan Sukro (who joined the Model Citizens ensemble early in the tour) and veteran Circus Oz performer, Matt Wilson, will return as the spruiker and join the band on stage. Model Citizens blends the risk and beauty of breathtaking physical improbability with theatricality, choreography and Circus Oz’s distinct brand of Australian humour. Acrobats back-flip off a giant vertical clothes peg, scale an eight foot safety pin, roll bowling balls haphazardly, unzip giant zippers, gracefully evade knives or fire, balance on a house of enormous credit cards and fly high in an enormous pair of aerial undies! Exposing circus skills in unconventional ways, Model Citizens will present dynamic group acrobatics with a twist: a ten-pin roué cyr act, quirky ball juggling out of a box, diving through giant scissors, hard-core hulahoops and hanging pyjama escapism. Season 20 June – 16 July Duration 2 hours (including 20 minute interval) Venue Circus Oz Big Top Location Birrarung Marr, Melbourne (between Federation Square and Batman Avenue) Tickets $30 – $95 (plus booking fees) Bookings ticketek.com.au - Cheryl Threadgold

Intimate Mozart

● David McLean (Grandpa Potts) and Shine (Edison, the Potts’ family dog) Congratulations to Gabrielle O’Brien for her voice acting and singing on opening night.. Nick Rouse (Toy Maker), Anthony Julian (Child Catcher) and Peter Levey (Sid) complete the strong cast of principals, supported by dynamic, talented adult and children’s ensembles. This splendid show should run for months, but finishes on June 17. Don’t miss it. Performances: Until June 17 (see www.babirra.org.au for performance times) Venue: The Whitehorse Centre, 397 Whitehorse Rd., Nunawading Tickets: $44/$40, Group (10+) $40, Child (under 15) $36, Family (2 adults and 2 children) $152 Bookings: 9262-6555, Monday to Friday, 10 am to 4:30pm, www.babirra.org.au or In person at the Whitehorse Centre box office - Review by Cheryl Threadgold

■ Kristian Bezuidenhout – the virtuoso pianist known as ‘Mozart reincarnated’ – will reunite with the Australian Chamber Orchestra next month on a nationwide tour from June 24 to July 9. Born in South Africa, raised in Australia, and educated in the US, Bezuidenhout rose to fame at the age of 21, winning first prize at the prestigious Bruges Fortepiano Competition. He is known internationally as one of the world’s leading performers of Mozart. Bezuidenhout, who grew up in the Gold Coast before moving abroad to study at the Eastman School of Music, credits his upbringing in Australia as being ‘truly remarkable’ in shaping his musical development and outlook, and relishes every opportunity to return to the country.

Award for Richard

■ Richard Tognetti ,Artistic Director of the Australian Chamber Orchestra, will be the recipient of the 2017 JC Williamson Award. The announcement was made at rehearsals with the orchestra. The Award will be presented to Tognetti at the 2017 Helpmann Awards Ceremony on Monday July 24 at the Capitol Theatre, Sydney.


Page 12 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, June 7, 2017 Melbourne

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West Hollywood

30 years of WeHo hospitality

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

Together for 3 decades

■ It was 1987 after a North Melbourne-Sydney Swans match n Sydney that changed Alan Johnson's life. The CEO and Managing Director of Hoteliers Corporation was informed about a under performing hotel in West Hollywood. Always ready to jump at opportunities, Alan Johnson was on the first plane to West Hollywood. The rest is hotel history. The Ramada Plaza Hotel and Suites has won numerous local and nternational awards for its performance. Some staff has been there all those years including a very young William Karpiak pictured with the new Managing Director of the Ramada Plaza in West Hollywood back in 1987. The other picture is 30 years on in 2017 and they are still a formidable force in the West Hollywood and Los Angeles accommodation markets. Congratulations must go to Alan and William for 30 wonderful years of giving service to Australian travellers, American travelers. and tourists from all around the world that have stayed at the Ramada Plaza Hotel and Suites. How are those apples?

ABC shuffles the deck

● Alan Johnson and Bill Karpiak, three deacdes together at the Ramda Plaza Hotel and Suites

■ Superheroes, a rapping mayor, a celebrity kids version of Dancing With the Starsand more are all coming to a reshuffling ABC (US) network. Ahead of its upfront presentation to advertisers at Lincoln Center in New York, the Alphabet Net revealed its 2017-18 prime time lineup, which included a clutch of new shows and time-slot switches for several returning series. The new shows - seven dramas, three comedies and two reality shows premiering both later in the year - include Marvel's Inhumans, The Mayor and Dancing With the Stars Junior. Also touted in the release are two live musical event specials, The Wonderful World of Disney: The Little Mermaid Live! and Rolling Stone 50 and another new alternative series, The Bachelor Winter Games. The network also announced that Jimmy Kimmel will return as the host of the Academy Awards in 2018. Premiere dates, including for the return of American Idol, will be announced at a later time.

Man sues date over texts

■ According to the Austin American-Statesman, 37-year-old Brandon Vezmar of Austin is suing a Round Rock woman for texting during their movie date last week. He's seeking $17.31, the price of a ticket to a 3D screening of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. Describing the outing as "a first date from hell," Vezmar told the newspaper that his date began texting about 15 minutes into the movie. According to a petition filed in small claims court, Vezmar's date "activated her phone at least 10-20 times" until he asked her to stop. When he suggested she go outside to text, the woman departed the theatre altogether and left Vezmar without a ride home, he said. Vezmar said the woman subsequently refused to reimburse him for the ticket, and his petition described her behaviour as "a threat to civilisd society." Reached by the American-Statesman, the woman asked not to be identified by name and said she wasn't aware of the claim against her. "Oh my God," she said. "This is crazy."

Heave-ho for ‘bad’ people

■ Illegal immigration arrests shot up 38 pe rcent in the first three months of the Trump administration compared with the same period last year, one of the first clear indications that the president's hard-line policies are being carried out on a grand scale. While President Trump's more attention-grabbing ideas have been blocked or stalled, like building a border wall and temporarily stopping travel from some Muslim-majority countries, the statistics released by Federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement suggested that the more street-level aspects of his mmigration agenda have achieved significant results, and quickly. From January 22 to April 29, ICE officers arrested 41,318 people, at a rate of more than 400 people per day, compared with 30,028 over roughly the same period in 2016, the data showed.

● Alan Johnson and Bill Karpiak, 30 years ago

Girls are rockin’

GavinWood

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

■ Miley Cyrus is once again atop the pop charts, doing a hoedown dance on the beach in her new music video for Malibu, a whimsical song showing off the softer side of a singer who for several years projected an image that was anything but soft. Gone are the nipple pasties, naked wrecking ball riding, and that infamous masturbating foam finger from the 2013 Video Music Awards. Instead, we now see a turtleneck sweater, floating balloons and the manicured fingers of a 24-year-old pop star who has reinvented herself by going back to the mainstream roots that made her a Disney darling in the mid-to-late 2000s. Selena Gomez has just released the single Bad Liar after teasing the track for days on social media. The Instagram queen posted lyrics and clips to get her fans around the world hyped up for the highly anticipated single and she definitely didn't disappoint. Acclaimed jazz singer Sarah Partridge's performance at the legendary ‘Bitter End’ in NYC was sold-out and reviewed with raves. Partridge and her six-piece band debuted their new album, which is a tribute to legendary singer - songwriter Janis Ian.

■ West Hollywood (aka "WeHo") is one of LA's top neighbourhoods,:from famed streets like Sunset and Robertson Boulevards to its vibrant gay community. The Sunset Strip has it all, including entertainment venues like the House of Blues and the Comedy Store, the lively Saddle Ranch Chop House and fine dining at Herringbone. Robertson Boulevard is famous for its high-end fashion boutiques. The Schindler House is located on Kings Road and considered to be the first house built in the modern style. WeHo is home to Southern California's largest LGBT community, and is the site of the annual Gay Pride parade in June, and the Halloween Costume Carnaval, which attracts hundreds of thousands of partiers. The Abbey is the most famous of WeHo's numerous bars and clubs, mainly located on Santa Monica Boulevard. Browse the top West Hollywood hotels and experience this endlessly entertaining region.

● Miley Cyrus

■ If you are considering a move to Los Angeles or just coming over for a fun holiday 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

Lots of WeHo fun

Special Holiday Offer

www.gavinwood.us


www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, June 7, 2017 - Page 13

Melbourne

Confidential Talk is cheap, gossip is priceless

Consumer Watch Beware of scams

■ The Australian Taxation Office is reminding Australians to stop and think before giving their personal details or hard-earned money to scammers this tax time. Assistant Commissioner Kath Anderson said 48,084 scams were reported to the ATO between July and October last year. “We have already seen a five-fold increase in scams from January to May this year and typically expect further increases during the tax time period,” Ms Anderson said. “Already this year, the ATO has registered over 17,067 scam reports. Of these, 113 Australians handed over $1.5 million to fraudsters with about 2500 providing some form of personal information, including tax file numbers. “One victim lost $900,000 to scammers over the course of several months, even borrowing money from family and friends. “The large number of people lodging their tax returns means scammers are particularly active, so it’s important to keep an eye out for anything that looks suspicious and protect your private information.” Ms Anderson said Australians are generally good at catching and reporting scams, but some scams are harder to spot than others. “Scammers locate genuine ATO numbers from our website and project these numbers in their caller ID in an attempt to legitimise their call – a form of impersonation known as “spoofing”. “While we do make thousands of calls per week to the community, our outbound calls do not project numbers on caller ID. If one appears, it’s most likely a scam. “People should be wary of emails, phone calls and SMS during tax time that claim to be from the ATO, even if it seems legitimate. “If you’re ever unsure about whether a call, text message or email is genuine, call us on 1800 008 540. If it’s real, we will connect you with the right area of the ATO.” “If you think you or someone you know has fallen victim to a tax related scam, call the ATO on 1800 008 540 to make a report.” For more information on how to verify or report a scam, visit ato.gov.au/scams or for updates on the latest scams, visit Scamwatch. Top tips to avoid tax time traps 1. Be aware of what you share You should only share your personal information with people you trust and organisations with a legitimate need for it. 2. Stay secure Keep your mobile devices and computers secure by changing your passwords regularly, keep your anti-virus, malware, and spyware protection software up-to-date and don’t click on suspicious links. 3. Don’t reply Don’t reply to any SMS or email with your personal or financial information. 4. Recognise a scam If someone asks you for your bank account or personal details, or demands money, refunds or free gifts, be cautious. Also avoid requests in emails or SMS requesting you to click on a link to log onto government or banking digital services. 5. Report scams If you think you or someone you know might have been contacted by a scammer, or have fallen victim to a tax-related scam, contact the ATO on 1800 008 540.

Taking Poetic Licence

■ Outer Urban Projects presents Poetic Licence from June 20-24 at fortyfivedownstairs. Once upon a time, a god believed that he could save an ancient city from ruin by bringing a dead poet back to life. Now in 2017 the need has again arisen – our world, our city, our neighbourhood is in need of poetry and a great poet to save it: a leader, an inspirer, an orator. Poetic Licence takes Aristophanes’ ancient Greek comic masterpiece The Frogs as its inspiration to ask and debate the timeless question – can the spoken word really move and inspire? Can it change anything? Poetic Licence integrates text, music and poetry to create a performance work that crosses generations and is of its time. Following sell out seasons during the Melbourne Writers Festival (2014) and at Darebin Arts (2015), Poetic Licence returns with a cast and surprise guest artists assembled by director and performer, Irine Vela. Underscored by harpist Genevieve Fry, Poetic Licence features 15 year-old poet Dante Sofra who must hold his own with wordsmiths and performers who span seven decades, including pioneer of Australian comedy and social activist Rod Quantock; singer, writer, weaver and orator Grace Vanilau; speed rapper and beat box champion Kevin Nugara (aka Spitfire); alternative jazz vocalist and neo-beat poet Ileini Kabalan; poet performer Koraly Dimitriadis; and hip hop artist Mahmoud Samoun (aka Babz). The evening shows will also feature guest performances by ARIAAward winners the haBiBis, with traditional and contemporary music from Greece, Anatolia,

Lifestyle radio fails to attract any listeners

● Dancer Anna Seymour with drummer Myele Manzanza in Poetic Licence. Photo: Jeff Busby Balkans and the Eastern Mediterranean. This season of Poetic Licence will launch the Outer Urban Projects 2017-2018 artistic program. Performance details: Season: June 20-24 (Opening Night Wed Jun 21) Times: 11am Tue, 11am and 7pm Wed – Fri, 7pm Sat Artist Q&A following 11am shows The haBiBis perform following the 7pm shows Venue: fortyfivedownstairs, 45 Flinders Lane, Melbourne Tickets: $35 Full / $25 Concession / $12 11am matinee shows Bookings: 9662 9966 or fortyfive downstairs.com - Cheryl Threadgold

Rumour Mill

Hear It Here First ■ The Melbournje radio station formerly known as Magic 1278 has been reduced to an outlet that virtually has no listeners at all. \ Ratings released yesterday (Tues.) indicate that Talking Lifestyle has an audience of 0.5 per cent of available people aged 10-and-over. That equals 1-in-200 people, a figure not seen since the awful days as 3AK as a talk station, then under the control of Mal Garvin. Magic 1278 presenters such as Peter Van and Kevin John were axed in favour of advertorial segments, mostly relayed from the Sydney sister station 2UE. Similar low figures have occurred in Brisbane, where the Talking Lifestyle format was adopted on station 4BH.

Lady Macbeth

■ Melbourne Women in Film Festival presents a special advance screening of the highly-anticipated Lady Macbeth, coupled with a panel discussion, highlighting the roles of women and importance of gender equality in the film industry. The film's production was driven by talented producer Fodhla Cronin O'Reilly, screenwriter Alice Birch, and Australian cinematograhper Ari Wegner. Cameo Theatre, Belgrave. 4pm, Sunday, June 25.

Executive banned ■ The Australian Securities and Investments Commission has banned Sean Nofal from providing financial services for three years. ASIC found that on two occasions Mr Nofal's conduct fell far short of the standard that would reasonably be expected of a competent financial services provider. ASIC also found that Mr Nofal did not have sufficient judgment or skill to meet the demands of a position with the duties and responsibilities of a responsible executive, or the level of competence required for roles in the financial services industry. His conduct had the potential to contravene the financial services laws .

New principal

■ Dr Deborah Priest has been appointed as Principal of Ivanhoe Girls’ Grammar School following an extensive national and international search process.

Countdown ■ There are only 27 more Melbourne Observers until Christmas.

E-Mail: Confidential@MelbourneObserver.com.au

Finest Wines One our cleverest winemakers

● John Cassegrain ■ Cassegrain Wines has just about the perfect location for those travelling between south-east Queensland and Sydney - right on the Pacific Highway, not far from Port Macquarie and just about at the journey's midway point. Add to that the spectacular beauty of the winery grounds, an excellent restaurant and some exceptional wines and it quickly becomes an almost obligatory stop. But John Cassegrain is one of Australia's cleverest winemakers and he has realised that his coastal NSW home base is a tad too humid and warm to consistently product toprate wines. Hence he has increasingly sourced his grapes from cooler, higher climes such as Orange, in the NSW Central Ranges geographic area, and New England, just south of the Queensland border and virtually an extension of the Granite Belt, widely recognised as the Sunshine State's premier wine-producing district. I find John's Edition Noir range particularly interesting because it allows him and Alex, his son and now senior winemaker, to go out on a limb and produce some quite edgy wines, though inevitably ones with elegance and the potential to reward cellaring. For more information: www.cassegrainwines.com.au WINE REVIEWS Cassegrain 2016 Edition Noir Three Tiers ($28) is a Rhone-style dry white blended from viognier, marsanne and rousanne. It's dominated by apricot flavours but its greatest appeal lies in how food-friendly its mouth-filling complexity really is. It has the palate structure and length to match well with quite full flavoured white-meat dishes. A richer seafood dish would be my first choice, however. Cassegrain 2016 Edition Noir Sangiovese ($28) provides plenty of evidence why this Italian red variety is gaining a serious following amongAustralian winemakers - and even the proudly Gallic John Cassegrain isn't immune from its considerable charms. Dark red fruits, especially black cherries, some to the fore but there's also some lovely mouth-drying tannin that works a treat in balancing foods with plenty of natural protein. Try it with hard cheddar-style cheese, or better still a piece of really good steak. WINE OF THE WEEK Blue Pyrenees Estate 2014 Merlot ($26) provides a very pleasant departure from many Australian mainstream merlots, which have long had the American sweet tooth in mind. This Central Victorian red, like good Bordeaux merlots, is completely dry and shows the intensity of varietal flavour that comes from knowing about clones, soil types and aspect, as well as winemaking. For more information, visit www.bluepyrenees.com.au - John Rozentals


Page 14 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, June 7, 2017

■ Warren Misell was born in Stoke Newington, London, in 1926. He was of Russian Jewish descent. Warren was taking acting lessons from the age of seven. When he was at University he met Richard Burton and several years later they served together in the Royal Air Force during the World War II. In 1951, he married Constance Wake and they had three children. Warren did two weeks as a Radio Luxembourg disc jockey using his real name. He was advised to change his surname so he chose Mitchell. Warren started getting bit parts in television series and films. He established himself as a character actor and was getting regular work in shows such as Hancock's Half Hour, The Avengers and The Saint. \ It was the role of Alf Garnett in the television series Till Death Us Do Part in 1965 that made Warren Mitchell famous throughout the world. The outrageous character ofAlf Garnett was a conservative, bigoted cockney West Ham United supporter and captured the imagination of the television viewers. The series ran for nine years. Warren won a best actor BAFTA award for his portrayal of Alf Garnett and reprised the character in two films. He also starred in two other popular television series, In Sickness and In Health and Jabberwocky.

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Whatever Happened To ... Warren Mitchell

By Kevin Trask of 3AW and 96.5 Inner FM

Warren was a successful stage actor and won two Olivier Awards for stage performances on London's West End. Warren loved performing on stage and did many shows in Australia. I met Warren Mitchell during a radio interview with Ken James for the Melbourne Theatre Company production of I'm Not Rappaport. We finished recording the interview and Ken kindly invited Warren to join us and introduced me to him. I remember seeing Warren in stage productions in Melbourne over the years including Orphans with Colin Friels and as Alfred Doolittle in My Fair Lady - his rendition of Get Me to the Church on Time was a showstopper.

● Warren Mitchell

Lewis Fiander played Henry Higgins in that production in 1988. Although his home was in London, Warren loved Australia and spent every English winter in Sydney between 1968 and 2007 and was given dual citizenship. He starred in the Australian television series The Dunera Boys in 1985. I also met Warren's son Daniel at the opening night party for the play Out of Order which starred Donald Sinden and Ronnie Corbett at the Comedy Theatre Daniel had a small role in that production, he is a professional actor and lives in Sydney. Warren Mitchell died in London in 2015 at the age of 89 after a long illness. He was survived by his loving wife Connie and their three children Rebecca, Daniel and Anna. There was a memorial service held at the Ensemble Theatre in Sydney and everyone was surprised when Mel Gibson walked onstage to deliver a tribute. Early in his career Mel had played Biff opposite Warren as Willy Loman in the stage play Death of a Salesman and he never forgot his mentor and the lessons he learned from him. Kevin Trask Kevin can be heard on radio The Time Tunnel - on Remember When - Sundays at 9.10pm on 3AW That's Entertainment - 96.5FM Sundays at 12 Noon 96.5FM is streaming on the internet. www.innerfm.org.au

Returning to good ol’ Coober Pedy ■ I'm about to embark on a further journey to Coober Pedy, so I shall reflect on a few past trips to various opal fields over the years. I was at a family Christmas party years ago chatting to Uncle Bill, who I hadn't seen for a while. He was telling me of a recent trip he had made to Coober Pedy, where he was mining for opals, and had taught himself to cut and polish them; and he told me of the hundreds of thousands of then pounds some of these miners were making from these sparkling gem stones. "This is for me," I thought and immediately began to plan a trip to this mythical mystical spot. I was then currently an arts student at Monash, so grabbed a couple of uni mates and we decided to head out to the desert. So, armed with a small pick and a mini shovel strapped to my old army sausage bag, we caught the Overland from Spencer St. one evening. and arrived bleary-eyed into Adelaide the next morning, having sat up all night. Then to Port Augusta that evening, and Pimba the next day. ■ Our plan was to alight at Pimba, just next to the Woomera Rocket Range, and catch Tuesday's mail run out to Andamooka. "Catching" meant sitting on a pile of mail bags on the back of a flat tray truck for 90 bumpy miles on a corrugated dirt road. However this was not to be. An eight-year drought had just broken, and the whole desert country-side was a total quagmire, so the next nine days were spent in the mud in a dusty old shed at Pimba - a settlement of about a dozen houses on the edge of the desert. Happily the road dried sufficiently to accept the truck, so we spent 14 hours to go the 90 miles into Andamooka, cajoling the truck out of bogs all the way. Then, here we were in Andamooka with our tent pitched and digging our first mine. We got so to meet some quite fascinating rough old characters who had spent their foraging around down holes - some had made fortunes, others not. Three Adelaide uni students had just left before us, and had found about 50,000 pounds in a couple of weeks. On current values, approaching a million bucks. That kept us interested.

The Outback Legend

with Nick Le Souef Lightning Ridge Opals 63 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne Phone 9654 4444 www.opals.net.au ■ Then my next visit was to Lightning Ridge. I caught a train to Sydney, once again armed with my sausage bag and pick and shovel and sleeping bag. Then another train to Walgett, and then out with my thumb. Not so long thereafter a worthy motorist stopped: "Where are you going mate?" "Lightning Ridge"; "Then jump in." It turned out it was a fellow called Len Cram who is a close friend to this very day. He is not only a miner, but has written most of the definitive books on the history of each of the Australian opal fields. So I hopped off at the most appropriate spot in town for information the pub. There I spotted an old timer and began chatting to him. Of course I asked him where I should camp for a start, and then mine the following day. He guided me to a camp site, and suggested I visit his brother George, who turned out to be a similar withered and wizened weathered old timer as Sid.

So I set up my "camp' - a sleeping bag in the clay - and next morning off to locate George in the fields.. I found him, and kindled a 30-year friendship. And my love of and for Lightning Ridge black opals was born there and then. ■ And the next of my early trips was to Coober Pedy. With two mates, Mike Headberry and Lindsay Clack, off we went. And once again the train from Spencer St. to Adelaide, but this time on to Kingoonya, another tiny railway town on the then Stuart Highway, a dusty lumpy old road heading hundreds of miles into the bush. Off we hopped, into our sleeping bags by the roadside and then thumb out the next morning. Which is where we remained most of the day. However a bit before dusk a large empty car-carrying semitrailer pulled up: "Hop on boys." The only problem was that it was winter and we were outside on the top of the empty trailer on a freezing cold night, bumping along a very rough road with dust swirling around us, so we needed to climb into our sleeping bags from the cold, and stuck right inside away from the dust. Then, a few freezing and jarring hours later - Coober Pedy. ■ At about age 18, just after I'd learned about these gemstones, one of my dad's mates at Blairgowrie decided to give this opal mining a go, after having spoken with Uncle Bill also, and he headed off to a small Queensland mining town, Yowah. He visited there a few times and became quite enthusiastic about a particular type of opal which was mined there. It's called Queensland boulder opal matrix, a unique colourful mixture of brown ironstone naturally mixed in with superb colourful opal. Good quality matrix is truly spectacular in colour, and it's quite valuable. I recall the first pieces which turned my head - I was smitten. It was totally different in appearance to any other opal which I'd ever seen. Even though I had been cutting and mining and selling the product for many years I had never been to Yowah, so decided to wander off for a look around. First it straight up the Kidman Way, dodging the goats and the kangaroos,

through Bourke and Cobar and on to Cunnamulla, then a left along to Yowah. I had arranged to meet Keith and Angie McGowan there, so we caught up and slept in an old railway car

riage and roamed around the town checking out these magnificent opals. Keith was never much for my products, but Angie just loved them. - Nick Le Souef ‘The Outback Legend’

OK. With John O’Keefe Jamie Oliver transacts

■ The founders of Fat Lemon film production company, London, have bought out interests of Jamie Oliver. The deal is part of Oliver divesting his sahreholding in a number of interests within the Jamie Oliver franchise. Commercials produced by Fat Lemon include the Christmas spots for Woolworths that graced Aussie TV screens in 2014 featuring Jamie and a cast of fair dinkum Aussies.

EON Sports dream fades

■ Financially strapped EON Sports has called it quits on broadcasting live content. Last reports are that all on-air staff have been dismissed. Glenn Wheatley is no longer associated with the station which commenced last July in a blaze of PR, postioning itself as Australia's only 24/7 sports station. The dream has faded to black

Trriple M prank

■ The insane media chase for an interview with Schapelle Corby reached fever point when she landed in Brisbane. ABC News crew high tailed a black SUV after spotting a person, covered with blanket hiding in the back seat. Could it be a scoop for Aunty? Nope, just Triple M's Luke Bradnam playing a prank .

Shark tank scrutiny

■ The Shark Tank series on Ten featured busloads of aspirants who pitched their start - up businesses to a panel of successful entrepreneurs. Majority of fledgling businesses cleared first base - others flopped. One contestant, Her Fashion Box, has come under the eye of federal watchdog authorities for allegedly underpaying staff.. Not the sort of publicity a newbie wants.

Australian Survivor being shot

■ No lack of applicants to join the new series of Australian Survivor 20,000 in fact. Meanwhile the new series is underway - being shot in Samoa and scheduled on Ten later this year. Successful candidates include a mish mash of plumber, doctor, adventurer,Olympic athlete,marraige celebrant, international poker player. Jonathan La Paglia is presenter. - John O’Keefe

Archer at Kew Court House

■ Archer is a young musician with an old soul, and with his acoustic guitar and earthy voice, he will grace the stage of the Kew Court House for one night of old-style folk, country and blues on Saturday, July 1.


Observer Classic Books

Adventures of Huckleberry Finn And so for three days and nights. No difference — just the same thing. But the next day I went exploring around down through the island. I was boss of it; it all belonged to me, so to say, and I wanted to know all about it; but mainly I wanted to put in the time. I found plenty strawberries, ripe and prime; and green summer grapes, and green razberries; and the green blackberries was just beginning to show. They would all come handy by and by, I judged. Well, I went fooling along in the deep woods till I judged I warn’t far from the foot of the island. I had my gun along, but I hadn’t shot nothing; it was for protection; thought I would kill some game nigh home. About this time I mighty near stepped on a good-sized snake, and it went sliding off through the grass and flowers, and I after it, trying to get a shot at it. I clipped along, and all of a sudden I bounded right on to the ashes of a camp fire that was still smoking. My heart jumped up amongst my lungs. I never waited for to look further, but uncocked my gun and went sneaking back on my tiptoes as fast as ever I could. Every now and then I stopped a second amongst the thick leaves and listened, but my breath come so hard I couldn’t hear nothing else. I slunk along another piece further, then listened again; and so on, and so on. If I see a stump, I took it for a man; if I trod on a stick and broke it, it made me feel like a person had cut one of my breaths in two and I only got half, and the short half, too. When I got to camp I warn’t feeling very brash, there warn’t much sand in my craw; but I says, this ain’t no time to be fooling around. So I got all my traps into my canoe again so as to have them out of sight, and I put out the fire and scattered the ashes around to look like an old last year’s camp, and then clumb a tree. I reckon I was up in the tree two hours; but I didn’t see nothing, I didn’t hear nothing — I only THOUGHT I heard and seen as much as a thousand things. Well, I couldn’t stay up there forever; so at last I got down, but I kept in the thick woods and on the lookout all the time. All I could get to eat was berries and what was left over from breakfast. By the time it was night I was pretty hungry. So when it was good and dark I slid out from shore before moonrise and paddled over to the Illinois bank — about a quarter of a mile. I went out in the woods and cooked a supper, and I had about made up my mind I would stay there all night when I hear a PLUNKETY-PLUNK, PLUNKETY-PLUNK, and says to myself, horses coming; and next I hear people’s voices. I got everything into the canoe as quick as I could, and then went creeping through the woods to see what I could find out. I hadn’t got far when I hear a man say: “We better camp here if we can find a good place; the horses is about beat out. Let’s look around.” I didn’t wait, but shoved out and paddled away easy. I tied up in the old place, and reckoned I would sleep in the canoe. I didn’t sleep much. I couldn’t, somehow, for thinking. And every time I waked up I thought somebody had me by the neck. So the sleep didn’t do me no good. By and by I says to myself, I can’t live this way; I’m a-going to find out who it is that’s here on the island with me; I’ll find it out or bust. Well, I felt better right off. So I took my paddle and slid out from shore just a step or two, and then let the canoe drop along down amongst the shadows. The moon was shining, and outside of the shadows it made it most as light as day. I poked along well on to an hour, everything still as rocks and sound asleep. Well, by this time I was most down to the foot of the island. A little ripply, cool breeze begun to blow, and that was as good as saying the night was about done. I give her a turn with the paddle and brung her nose to shore; then I got my gun and slipped out and into the edge of the woods. I sat down there on a log, and looked out through the leaves. I see the moon go off watch, and the darkness begin to blanket the river. But in a little while I see a pale streak over the treetops, and knowed the day was coming. So I took my gun and slipped off towards where I had run across that camp fire, stopping every minute or two to listen. But I hadn’t no luck somehow; I couldn’t

Mark Twai seem to find the place. But by and by, sure enough, I catched a glimpse of fire away through the trees. I went for it, cautious and slow. By and by I was close enough to have a look, and there laid a man on the ground. It most give me the fantods. He had a blanket around his head, and his head was nearly in the fire. I set there behind a clump of bushes in about six foot of him, and kept my eyes on him steady. It was getting gray daylight now. Pretty soon he gapped and stretched himself and hove off the blanket, and it was Miss Watson’s Jim! I bet I was glad to see him. I says: “Hello, Jim!” and skipped out. He bounced up and stared at me wild. Then he drops down on his knees, and puts his hands together and says: “Doan’ hurt me — don’t! I hain’t ever done no harm to a ghos’. I alwuz liked dead people, en done all I could for ’em. You go en git in de river agin, whah you b’longs, en doan’ do nuffn to Ole Jim, ’at ’uz awluz yo’ fren’.” Well, I warn’t long making him understand I warn’t dead. I was ever so glad to see Jim. I warn’t lonesome now. I told him I warn’t afraid of HIM telling the people where I was. I talked along, but he only set there and looked at me; never said nothing. Then I says: “It’s good daylight. Le’s get breakfast. Make up your camp fire good.” “What’s de use er makin’ up de camp fire to cook strawbries en sich truck? But you got a gun, hain’t you? Den we kin git sumfn better den strawbries.” “Strawberries and such truck,” I says. “Is that what you live on?” “I couldn’ git nuffn else,” he says. “Why, how long you been on the island, Jim?” “I come heah de night arter you’s killed.”

“What, all that time?” “Yes — indeedy.” “And ain’t you had nothing but that kind of rubbage to eat?” “No, sah — nuffn else.” “Well, you must be most starved, ain’t you?” “I reck’n I could eat a hoss. I think I could. How long you ben on de islan’?” “Since the night I got killed.” “No! W’y, what has you lived on? But you got a gun. Oh, yes, you got a gun. Dat’s good. Now you kill sumfn en I’ll make up de fire.” So we went over to where the canoe was, and while he built a fire in a grassy open place amongst the trees, I fetched meal and bacon and coffee, and coffee-pot and frying-pan, and sugar and tin cups, and the nigger was set back considerable, because he reckoned it was all done with witchcraft. I catched a good big catfish, too, and Jim cleaned him with his knife, and fried him. When breakfast was ready we lolled on the grass and eat it smoking hot. Jim laid it in with all his might, for he was most about starved. Then when we had got pretty well stuffed, we laid off and lazied. By and by Jim says: “But looky here, Huck, who wuz it dat ’uz killed in dat shanty ef it warn’t you?” Then I told him the whole thing, and he said it was smart. He said Tom Sawyer couldn’t get up no better plan than what I had. Then I says: “How do you come to be here, Jim, and how’d you get here?” He looked pretty uneasy, and didn’t say nothing for a minute. Then he says: “Maybe I better not tell.” “Why, Jim?” “Well, dey’s reasons. But you wouldn’ tell on me ef I uz to tell you, would you, Huck?”

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Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, June 7, 2017 - Page 15 y y

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“Blamed if I would, Jim.” “Well, I b’lieve you, Huck. I— I RUN OFF.” “Jim!” “But mind, you said you wouldn’ tell — you know you said you wouldn’ tell, Huck.” “Well, I did. I said I wouldn’t, and I’ll stick to it. Honest INJUN, I will. People would call me a low-down Abolitionist and despise me for keeping mum — but that don’t make no difference. I ain’t a-going to tell, and I ain’t a-going back there, anyways. So, now, le’s know all about it.” “Well, you see, it ’uz dis way. Ole missus — dat’s Miss Watson — she pecks on me all de time, en treats me pooty rough, but she awluz said she wouldn’ sell me down to Orleans. But I noticed dey wuz a nigger trader roun’ de place considable lately, en I begin to git oneasy. Well, one night I creeps to de do’ pooty late, en de do’ warn’t quite shet, en I hear old missus tell de widder she gwyne to sell me down to Orleans, but she didn’ want to, but she could git eight hund’d dollars for me, en it ’uz sich a big stack o’ money she couldn’ resis’. De widder she try to git her to say she wouldn’ do it, but I never waited to hear de res’. I lit out mighty quick, I tell you. “I tuck out en shin down de hill, en ’spec to steal a skift ’long de sho’ som’ers ’bove de town, but dey wuz people a-stirring yit, so I hid in de ole tumble-down cooper-shop on de bank to wait for everybody to go ’way. Well, I wuz dah all night. Dey wuz somebody roun’ all de time. ’Long ’bout six in de mawnin’ skifts begin to go by, en ’bout eight er nine every skift dat went ’long wuz talkin’ ’bout how yo’ pap come over to de town en say you’s killed. Dese las’ skifts wuz full o’ ladies en genlmen a-goin’ over for to see de place. Sometimes dey’d pull up at de sho’ en take a res’ b’fo’ dey started acrost, so by de talk I got to know all ’bout de killin’. I ’uz powerful sorry you’s killed, Huck, but I ain’t no mo’ now. “I laid dah under de shavin’s all day. I ’uz hungry, but I warn’t afeard; bekase I knowed ole missus en de widder wuz goin’ to start to de camp-meet’n’ right arter breakfas’ en be gone all day, en dey knows I goes off wid de cattle ’bout daylight, so dey wouldn’ ’spec to see me roun’ de place, en so dey wouldn’ miss me tell arter dark in de evenin’. De yuther servants wouldn’ miss me, kase dey’d shin out en take holiday soon as de ole folks ’uz out’n de way. “Well, when it come dark I tuck out up de river road, en went ’bout two mile er more to whah dey warn’t no houses. I’d made up my mine ’bout what I’s agwyne to do. You see, ef I kep’ on tryin’ to git away afoot, de dogs ’ud track me; ef I stole a skift to cross over, dey’d miss dat skift, you see, en dey’d know ’bout whah I’d lan’ on de yuther side, en whah to pick up my track. So I says, a raff is what I’s arter; it doan’ MAKE no track. “I see a light a-comin’ roun’ de p’int bymeby, so I wade’ in en shove’ a log ahead o’ me en swum more’n half way acrost de river, en got in ’mongst de drift-wood, en kep’ my head down low, en kinder swum agin de current tell de raff come along. Den I swum to de stern uv it en tuck a-holt. It clouded up en ’uz pooty dark for a little while. So I clumb up en laid down on de planks. De men ’uz all ’way yonder in de middle, whah de lantern wuz. De river wuz a-risin’, en dey wuz a good current; so I reck’n’d ’at by fo’ in de mawnin’ I’d be twenty-five mile down de river, en den I’d slip in jis b’fo’ daylight en swim asho’, en take to de woods on de Illinois side. “But I didn’ have no luck. When we ’uz mos’ down to de head er de islan’ a man begin to come aft wid de lantern, I see it warn’t no use fer to wait, so I slid overboard en struck out fer de islan’. Well, I had a notion I could lan’ mos’ anywhers, but I couldn’t — bank too bluff. I ’uz mos’ to de foot er de islan’ b’fo’ I found’ a good place. I went into de woods en jedged I wouldn’ fool wid raffs no mo’, long as dey move de lantern roun’ so. I had my pipe en a plug er dog-leg, en some matches in my cap, en dey warn’t wet, so I ’uz all right.” “And so you ain’t had no meat nor bread to eat all this time? Why didn’t you get mud-turkles?” “How you gwyne to git ’m? You can’t slip up on um en grab um; en how’s a body gwyne to hit

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Observer Classic Books From Page 13 um wid a rock? How could a body do it in de night? En I warn’t gwyne to show mysef on de bank in de daytime.” “Well, that’s so. You’ve had to keep in the woods all the time, of course. Did you hear ’em shooting the cannon?” “Oh, yes. I knowed dey was arter you. I see um go by heah — watched um thoo de bushes.” Some young birds come along, flying a yard or two at a time and lighting. Jim said it was a sign it was going to rain. He said it was a sign when young chickens flew that way, and so he reckoned it was the same way when young birds done it. I was going to catch some of them, but Jim wouldn’t let me. He said it was death. He said his father laid mighty sick once, and some of them catched a bird, and his old granny said his father would die, and he did. And Jim said you mustn’t count the things you are going to cook for dinner, because that would bring bad luck. The same if you shook the tablecloth after sundown. And he said if a man owned a beehive and that man died, the bees must be told about it before sun-up next morning, or else the bees would all weaken down and quit work and die. Jim said bees wouldn’t sting idiots; but I didn’t believe that, because I had tried them lots of times myself, and they wouldn’t sting me. I had heard about some of these things before, but not all of them. Jim knowed all kinds of signs. He said he knowed most everything. I said it looked to me like all the signs was about bad luck, and so I asked him if there warn’t any good-luck signs. He says: “Mighty few — an’ DEY ain’t no use to a body. What you want to know when good luck’s acomin’ for? Want to keep it off?” And he said: “Ef you’s got hairy arms en a hairy breas’, it’s a sign dat you’s agwyne to be rich. Well, dey’s some use in a sign like dat, ’kase it’s so fur ahead. You see, maybe you’s got to be po’ a long time fust, en so you might git discourage’ en kill yo’sef ’f you didn’ know by de sign dat you gwyne to be rich bymeby.” “Have you got hairy arms and a hairy breast, Jim?” “What’s de use to ax dat question? Don’t you see I has?” “Well, are you rich?” “No, but I ben rich wunst, and gwyne to be rich agin. Wunst I had foteen dollars, but I tuck to specalat’n’, en got busted out.” “What did you speculate in, Jim?” “Well, fust I tackled stock.” “What kind of stock?” “Why, live stock — cattle, you know. I put ten dollars in a cow. But I ain’ gwyne to resk no mo’ money in stock. De cow up ’n’ died on my han’s.” “So you lost the ten dollars.” “No, I didn’t lose it all. I on’y los’ ’bout nine of it. I sole de hide en taller for a dollar en ten cents.” “You had five dollars and ten cents left. Did you speculate any more?” “Yes. You know that one-laigged nigger dat b’longs to old Misto Bradish? Well, he sot up a bank, en say anybody dat put in a dollar would git fo’ dollars mo’ at de en’ er de year. Well, all de niggers went in, but dey didn’t have much. I wuz de on’y one dat had much. So I stuck out for mo’ dan fo’ dollars, en I said ’f I didn’ git it I’d start a bank mysef. Well, o’ course dat nigger want’ to keep me out er de business, bekase he says dey warn’t business ’nough for two banks, so he say I could put in my five dollars en he pay me thirty-five at de en’ er de year. “So I done it. Den I reck’n’d I’d inves’ de thirtyfive dollars right off en keep things a-movin’. Dey wuz a nigger name’ Bob, dat had ketched a wood-flat, en his marster didn’ know it; en I bought it off’n him en told him to take de thirtyfive dollars when de en’ er de year come; but somebody stole de wood-flat dat night, en nex day de one-laigged nigger say de bank’s busted. So dey didn’ none uv us git no money.” “What did you do with the ten cents, Jim?” “Well, I ’uz gwyne to spen’ it, but I had a dream, en de dream tole me to give it to a nigger name’ Balum — Balum’s Ass dey call him for short; he’s one er dem chuckleheads, you know. But he’s lucky, dey say, en I see I warn’t lucky. De dream say let Balum inves’ de ten cents en he’d make a raise for me. Well, Balum he tuck de money, en when he wuz in church he hear de preacher say dat whoever give to de po’ len’ to de Lord, en boun’ to git his money back a hund’d times. So Balum he tuck en give de ten cents to de po’, en laid low to see what wuz gwyne to

“Well, what did come of it, Jim?” “Nuffn never come of it. I couldn’ manage to k’leck dat money no way; en Balum he couldn’. I ain’ gwyne to len’ no mo’ money ’dout I see de security. Boun’ to git yo’ money back a hund’d times, de preacher says! Ef I could git de ten CENTS back, I’d call it squah, en be glad er de chanst.” “Well, it’s all right anyway, Jim, long as you’re going to be rich again some time or other.” “Yes; en I’s rich now, come to look at it. I owns mysef, en I’s wuth eight hund’d dollars. I wisht I had de money, I wouldn’ want no mo’.” Chapter IX. I WANTED to go and look at a place right about the middle of the island that I’d found when I was exploring; so we started and soon got to it, because the island was only three miles long and a quarter of a mile wide. This place was a tolerable long, steep hill or ridge about forty foot high. We had a rough time getting to the top, the sides was so steep and the bushes so thick. We tramped and clumb around all over it, and by and by found a good big cavern in the rock, most up to the top on the side towards Illinois. The cavern was as big as two or three rooms bunched together, and Jim could stand up straight in it. It was cool in there. Jim was for putting our traps in there right away, but I said we didn’t want to be climbing up and down there all the time. Jim said if we had the canoe hid in a good place, and had all the traps in the cavern, we could rush there if anybody was to come to the island, and they would never find us without dogs. And, besides, he said them little birds had said it was going to rain, and did I want the things to get wet? So we went back and got the canoe, and paddled up abreast the cavern, and lugged all the traps up there. Then we hunted up a place close by to hide the canoe in, amongst the thick willows. We took some fish off of the lines and set them again, and begun to get ready for dinner. The door of the cavern was big enough to roll a hogshead in, and on one side of the door the floor stuck out a little bit, and was flat and a good place to build a fire on. So we built it there and cooked dinner. We spread the blankets inside for a carpet, and eat our dinner in there. We put all the other things handy at the back of the cavern. Pretty soon it darkened up, and begun to thunder and lighten; so the birds was right about it. Directly it begun to rain, and it rained like all fury, too, and I never see the wind blow so. It was one of these regular summer storms. It would get so dark that it looked all blue-black outside, and lovely; and the rain would thrash along by so thick that the trees off a little ways looked dim and spiderwebby; and here would come a blast of wind that would bend the trees down and turn up the pale under side of the leaves; and then a perfect ripper of a gust would follow along and set the branches to tossing their arms as if they was just wild; and next, when it was just about the bluest and blackest — FST! it was as bright as glory, and you’d have a little glimpse of tree-tops aplunging about away off yonder in the storm, hundreds of yards further than you could see before; dark as sin again in a second, and now you’d hear the thunder let go with an awful crash, and then go rumbling, grumbling, tumbling, down the sky towards the under side of the world, like rolling empty barrels down stairs — where it’s long stairs and they bounce a good deal, you know. “Jim, this is nice,” I says. “I wouldn’t want to be nowhere else but here. Pass me along another hunk of fish and some hot corn-bread.” “Well, you wouldn’t a ben here ’f it hadn’t a ben for Jim. You’d a ben down dah in de woods widout any dinner, en gittn’ mos’ drownded, too; dat you would, honey. Chickens knows when it’s gwyne to rain, en so do de birds, chile.” The river went on raising and raising for ten or twelve days, till at last it was over the banks. The water was three or four foot deep on the island in the low places and on the Illinois bottom. On that side it was a good many miles wide, but on the Missouri side it was the same old distance across — a half a mile — because the Missouri shore was just a wall of high bluffs. Daytimes we paddled all over the island in the canoe, It was mighty cool and shady in the deep woods, even if the sun was blazing outside. We went winding in and out amongst the trees, and sometimes the vines hung so thick we had to back away and go some other way. Well, on every old broken-down tree you could see rab-

bits and snakes and such things; and when the island had been overflowed a day or two they got so tame, on account of being hungry, that you could paddle right up and put your hand on them if you wanted to; but not the snakes and turtles — they would slide off in the water. The ridge our cavern was in was full of them. We could a had pets enough if we’d wanted them. One night we catched a little section of a lumber raft — nice pine planks. It was twelve foot wide and about fifteen or sixteen foot long, and the top stood above water six or seven inches — a solid, level floor. We could see saw-logs go by in the daylight sometimes, but we let them go; we didn’t show ourselves in daylight. Another night when we was up at the head of the island, just before daylight, here comes a frame-house down, on the west side. She was a two-story, and tilted over considerable. We paddled out and got aboard — clumb in at an upstairs window. But it was too dark to see yet, so we made the canoe fast and set in her to wait for daylight. The light begun to come before we got to the foot of the island. Then we looked in at the window. We could make out a bed, and a table, and two old chairs, and lots of things around about on the floor, and there was clothes hanging against the wall. There was something laying on the floor in the far corner that looked like a man. So Jim says: “Hello, you!” But it didn’t budge. So I hollered again, and then Jim says: “De man ain’t asleep — he’s dead. You hold still — I’ll go en see.” He went, and bent down and looked, and says: “It’s a dead man. Yes, indeedy; naked, too. He’s ben shot in de back. I reck’n he’s ben dead two er three days. Come in, Huck, but doan’ look at his face — it’s too gashly.” I didn’t look at him at all. Jim throwed some old rags over him, but he needn’t done it; I didn’t want to see him. There was heaps of old greasy cards scattered around over the floor, and old whisky bottles, and a couple of masks made out of black cloth; and all over the walls was the ignorantest kind of words and pictures made with charcoal. There was two old dirty calico dresses, and a sun-bonnet, and some women’s underclothes hanging against the wall, and some men’s clothing, too. We put the lot into the canoe — it might come good. There was a boy’s old speckled straw hat on the floor; I took that, too. And there was a bottle that had had milk in it, and it had a rag stopper for a baby to suck. We would a took the bottle, but it was broke. There was a seedy old chest, and an old hair trunk with the hinges broke. They stood open, but there warn’t nothing left in them that was any account. The way things was scattered about we reckoned the people left in a hurry, and warn’t fixed so as to carry off most of their stuff. We got an old tin lantern, and a butcher-knife without any handle, and a bran-new Barlow knife worth two bits in any store, and a lot of tallow candles, and a tin candlestick, and a gourd, and a tin cup, and a ratty old bedquilt off the bed, and a reticule with needles and pins and beeswax and buttons and thread and all such truck in it, and a hatchet and some nails, and a fishline as thick as my little finger with some monstrous hooks on it, and a roll of buckskin, and a leather dog-collar, and a horseshoe, and some vials of medicine that didn’t have no label on them; and just as we was leaving I found a tolerable good curry-comb, and Jim he found a ratty old fiddlebow, and a wooden leg. The straps was broke off of it, but, barring that, it was a good enough leg, though it was too long for me and not long enough for Jim, and we couldn’t find the other one, though we hunted all around. And so, take it all around, we made a good haul. When we was ready to shove off we was a quarter of a mile below the island, and it was pretty broad day; so I made Jim lay down in the canoe and cover up with the quilt, because if he set up people could tell he was a nigger a good ways off. I paddled over to the Illinois shore, and drifted down most a half a mile doing it. I crept up the dead water under the bank, and hadn’t no accidents and didn’t see nobody. We got home all safe. Chapter X. AFTER breakfast I wanted to talk about the dead man and guess out how he come to be killed, but Jim didn’t want to. He said it would fetch bad luck; and besides, he said, he might come and ha’nt us; he said a man that warn’t buried was more likely to go a-ha’nting around than one

that was planted and comfortable. That sounded pretty reasonable, so I didn’t say no more; but I couldn’t keep from studying over it and wishing I knowed who shot the man, and what they done it for. We rummaged the clothes we’d got, and found eight dollars in silver sewed up in the lining of an old blanket overcoat. Jim said he reckoned the people in that house stole the coat, because if they’d a knowed the money was there they wouldn’t a left it. I said I reckoned they killed him, too; but Jim didn’t want to talk about that. I says: “Now you think it’s bad luck; but what did you say when I fetched in the snake-skin that I found on the top of the ridge day before yesterday? You said it was the worst bad luck in the world to touch a snake-skin with my hands. Well here’s your bad luck! We’ve raked in all this truck and eight dollars besides. I wish we could have some bad luck like this every day, Jim.” “Never you mind, honey, never you mind. Don’ you git too peart. It’s a-comin’. Mind I tell you it’s a-comin’.” It did come, too. It was a Tuesday that we had that talk. Well, after dinner Friday we was laying around in the grass at the upper end of the ridge, and got out of tobacco. I went to the cavern to get some, and found a rattlesnake in there I killed him, and curled him up on the foot of Jim’s blanket, ever so natural, thinking there’d be some fun when Jim found him there. Well by night I forgot all about the snake, and when Jim flung himself down on the blanket while I struck a light the snake’s mate was there, and bit him. He jumped up yelling, and the first thing the light showed was the varmint curled up and ready for another spring. I laid him out in a second with a stick, and Jim grabbed pap’s whiskyjug and begun to pour it down. He was barefooted, and the snake bit him righ on the heel. That all comes of my being such a fool as to not remember that wherever you leave a dead snake its mate always comes there and curls around it. Jim told me to chop off the snake’s head and throw it away, and then skin the body and roast a piece of it. I done it, and he eat it and said it would help cure him. He made me take off the rattles and tie them around his wrist, too. He said that that would help. Then I slid out quiet and throwed the snakes clear away amongst the bushes; for I warn’t going to let Jim find out it was all my fault, not if I could help it Jim sucked and sucked at the jug, and now and then he got out of his head and pitched around and yelled; but every time he come to himself he went to sucking at the jug again. His foo swelled up pretty big, and so did his leg; but by and by the drunk begun to come, and so I judged he was all right; but I’d druther been bit with a snake than pap’s whisky. Jim was laid up for four days and nights. Then the swelling was all gone and he was around again. I made up my mind I wouldn’t ever take a-holt of a snake-skin again with my hands, now that I see what had come of it. Jim said he reckoned I would believe him next time. And he said that handling a snake-skin was such awful bad luck that maybe we hadn’t got to the end of i yet. He said he druther see the new moon over his left shoulder as much as a thousand times than take up a snake-skin in his hand. Well, I was getting to feel that way myself, though I’ve always reckoned that looking at the new moon over your left shoulder is one of the carelesses and foolishest things a body can do. Old Hank Bunker done it once, and bragged about it; and in less than two years he got drunk and fell off of the shot-tower, and spread himself out so tha he was just a kind of a layer, as you may say and they slid him edgeways between two barn doors for a coffin, and buried him so, so they say, but I didn’t see it. Pap told me. But anyway it all come of looking at the moon that way, like a fool. Well, the days went along, and the river wen down between its banks again; and about the first thing we done was to bait one of the big hooks with a skinned rabbit and set it and catch a catfish that was as big as a man, being six foo two inches long, and weighed over two hundred pounds. We couldn’t handle him, of course; he would a flung us into Illinois. We just set there and watched him rip and tear around till he drownded. We found a brass button in his stomach and a round ball, and lots of rubbage. We split the ball open with the hatchet, and there was a spool in it. Jim said he’d had it there a

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Homemaker

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Opportunities


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Showbiz


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What’s New


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Healthy Living

What’s New


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The Country Club Hotel, Yea, has been turned upside down, burnt, rebuilt, and is NOW OPEN. per. www.LocalPa

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Places To Go


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Golf


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Caravans,Camping,Touring

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Places To Go

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Places To Go


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Places To Go

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Places To Go


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Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, June 7, 2017 - Page 33

Observer Classic Books From Page 14 long time, to coat it over so and make a ball of it. It was as big a fish as was ever catched in the Mississippi, I reckon. Jim said he hadn’t ever seen a bigger one. He would a been worth a good deal over at the village. They peddle out such a fish as that by the pound in the markethouse there; everybody buys some of him; his meat’s as white as snow and makes a good fry. Next morning I said it was getting slow and dull, and I wanted to get a stirring up some way. I said I reckoned I would slip over the river and find out what was going on. Jim liked that notion; but he said I must go in the dark and look sharp. Then he studied it over and said, couldn’t I put on some of them old things and dress up like a girl? That was a good notion, too. So we shortened up one of the calico gowns, and I turned up my trouser-legs to my knees and got into it. Jim hitched it behind with the hooks, and it was a fair fit. I put on the sun-bonnet and tied it under my chin, and then for a body to look in and see my face was like looking down a joint of stove-pipe. Jim said nobody would know me, even in the daytime, hardly. I practiced around all day to get the hang of the things, and by and by I could do pretty well in them, only Jim said I didn’t walk like a girl; and he said I must quit pulling up my gown to get at my britches-pocket. I took notice, and done better. I started up the Illinois shore in the canoe just after dark. I started across to the town from a little below the ferry-landing, and the drift of the current fetched me in at the bottom of the town. I tied up and started along the bank. There was a light burning in a little shanty that hadn’t been lived in for a long time, and I wondered who had took up quarters there. I slipped up and peeped in at the window. There was a woman about forty year old in there knitting by a candle that was on a pine table. I didn’t know her face; she was a stranger, for you couldn’t start a face in that town that I didn’t know. Now this was lucky, because I was weakening; I was getting afraid I had come; people might know my voice and find me out. But if this woman had been in such a little town two days she could tell me all I wanted to know; so I knocked at the door, and made up my mind I wouldn’t forget I was a girl

Melbourne

.Chapter XI. “COME in,” says the woman, and I did. She says: “Take a cheer.” I done it. She looked me all over with her little shiny eyes, and says: “What might your name be?” “Sarah Williams.” “Where ’bouts do you live? In this neighborhood?’ “No’m. In Hookerville, seven mile below. I’ve walked all the way and I’m all tired out.” “Hungry, too, I reckon. I’ll find you something.” “No’m, I ain’t hungry. I was so hungry I had to stop two miles below here at a farm; so I ain’t hungry no more. It’s what makes me so late. My mother’s down sick, and out of money and everything, and I come to tell my uncle Abner Moore. He lives at the upper end of the town, she says. I hain’t ever been here before. Do you know him?” “No; but I don’t know everybody yet. I haven’t lived here quite two weeks. It’s a considerable ways to the upper end of the town. You better stay here all night. Take off your bonnet.” “No,” I says; “I’ll rest a while, I reckon, and go on. I ain’t afeared of the dark.” She said she wouldn’t let me go by myself, but her husband would be in by and by, maybe in a hour and a half, and she’d send him along with me. Then she got to talking about her husband, and about her relations up the river, and her relations down the river, and about how much better off they used to was, and how they didn’t know but they’d made a mistake coming to our town, instead of letting well alone — and so on and so on, till I was afeard I had made a mistake coming to her to find out what was going on in the town; but by and by she dropped on to pap and the murder, and then I was pretty willing to let her clatter right along. She told about me and Tom Sawyer finding the six thousand dollars (only she got it ten) and all about pap and what a hard lot he was, and what a hard lot I was, and at last she got down to where I was murdered. I says: “Who done it? We’ve heard considerable about these goings on down in Hookerville, but we don’t know who ’twas that killed Huck Finn.” “Well, I reckon there’s a right smart chance of people HERE that’d like to know who killed him. Some think old Finn done it himself.”

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“No — is that so?” “Most everybody thought it at first. He’ll never know how nigh he come to getting lynched. But before night they changed around and judged it was done by a runaway nigger named Jim.” “Why HE—” I stopped. I reckoned I better keep still. She run on, and never noticed I had put in at all: “The nigger run off the very night Huck Finn was killed. So there’s a reward out for him — three hundred dollars. And there’s a reward out for old Finn, too — two hundred dollars. You see, he come to town the morning after the murder, and told about it, and was out with ’em on the ferryboat hunt, and right away after he up and left. Before night they wanted to lynch him, but he was gone, you see. Well, next day they found out the nigger was gone; they found out he hadn’t ben seen sence ten o’clock the night the murder was done. So then they put it on him, you see; and while they was full of it, next day, back comes old Finn, and went boo-hooing to Judge Thatcher to get money to hunt for the nigger all over Illinois with. The judge gave him some, and that evening he got drunk, and was around till after midnight with a couple of mighty hard-looking strangers, and then went off with them. Well, he hain’t come back sence, and they ain’t looking for him back till this thing blows over a little, for people thinks now that he killed his boy and fixed things so folks would think robbers done it, and then he’d get Huck’s money without having to bother a long time with a lawsuit. People do say he warn’t any too good to do it. Oh, he’s sly, I reckon. If he don’t come back for a year he’ll be all right. You can’t prove anything on him, you know; everything will be quieted down then, and he’ll walk in Huck’s money as easy as nothing.” “Yes, I reckon so, ’m. I don’t see nothing in the way of it. Has everybody quit thinking the nigger done it?” “Oh, no, not everybody. A good many thinks he done it. But they’ll get the nigger pretty soon now, and maybe they can scare it out of him.” “Why, are they after him yet?” “Well, you’re innocent, ain’t you! Does three hundred dollars lay around every day for people to pick up? Some folks think the nigger ain’t far from here. I’m one of them — but I hain’t talked it around. A few days ago I was talking with an

old couple that lives next door in the log shanty and they happened to say hardly anybody ever goes to that island over yonder that they call Jackson’s Island. Don’t anybody live there? says I. No, nobody, says they. I didn’t say any more, but I done some thinking. I was pretty near certain I’d seen smoke over there, about the head of the island, a day or two before that, so I says to myself, like as not that nigger’s hiding over there; anyway, says I, it’s worth the trouble to give the place a hunt. I hain’t seen any smoke sence, so I reckon maybe he’s gone, if it was him; but husband’s going over to see — him and another man. He was gone up the river; but he got back to-day, and I told him as soon as he got here two hours ago.” I had got so uneasy I couldn’t set still. I had to do something with my hands; so I took up a needle off of the table and went to threading it. My hands shook, and I was making a bad job of it. When the woman stopped talking I looked up, and she was looking at me pretty curious and smiling a little. I put down the needle and thread, and let on to be interested — and I was, too — and says: “Three hundred dollars is a power of money. I wish my mother could get it. Is your husband going over there to-night?” “Oh, yes. He went up-town with the man I was telling you of, to get a boat and see if they could borrow another gun. They’ll go over after midnight.” “Couldn’t they see better if they was to wait till daytime?” “Yes. And couldn’t the nigger see better, too? After midnight he’ll likely be asleep, and they can slip around through the woods and hunt up his camp fire all the better for the dark, if he’s got one.” “I didn’t think of that.” The woman kept looking at me pretty curious, and I didn’t feel a bit comfortable. Pretty soon she says” “What did you say your name was, honey?” “M— Mary Williams.” Somehow it didn’t seem to me that I said it was Mary before, so I didn’t look up — seemed to me I said it was Sarah; so I felt sort of cornered, and was afeared maybe I was looking it, too. I wished the woman would say something more; the longer she set still the uneasier I was. But now she says: “Honey, I thought you said it was Sarah when you first come in?” To Be Continued Next Issue

Observer Crossword Solution No 26 C O I F F E O R A P A K I S T E T E S A D I S T T N R A T I S H O A P O S C R I M P H R E D E T E R R R E E M E A S U R E W N A L L Y I N N E O S H R I N E E N V S M U D G E I I N U N E A S E N R O D M U R A L O O C E T H R A S H U N O S M O K E R I L E A D V E R S D E E M I N D F U I D E R O O F R A E R E D I S P E N M R U E M B A L M E N B C R O C H E S E R M E S S E S I A X M A N D A R I T L C R A F T I

U T A H

R D R A A E U N R A S O S E T F N E E E F I T R O N W E N E D G E S I L Y C L E N T F A N S H E D E S A D D R T R C R E G I T C H S S W A S E R S A E E Y E S I C K N O S H U D L Y A L I N S T E T C C P I N A T S N E O G L N D U P E E P A C G O G O T L S Q U E I R C K T O I T T E R N S E R A G E N S A G I A D D I E T L S C E L E T U E H A B M A K E I I N E X C T E N L E R O V E

G S Q P U A D L O I R C I N E R C L E S E P R T E S E S T O I Q U R E T T E E S T E R A A N G L E I L N F T E R A R I T I I S T R S

T E M T I S E S I D O I N G R A E S H S P E R I M E E V G A A L Z E R T T I E M P I A R T D E D D R E E S C S U P P E N U E L I O P E E

R T A A Z E S N A B T A R E R S N G O T U O C E N S A I N I N T V E A R P E S I E N N Y S S O S K O T T O U H O D K A I M S O R A U O S G L A U N I E S D W R I S E O A E C U R Y I R I N O I N G S S A L I S R G I E N C E I S T A R R E O U N S E P A R G O N U N O L L S N P E

J M A E R T P I A B L E M O O A U N S H E P R E T O I C U S N C O W U T H O U F T M O E D E A D M N I E S I T Y R E L A D F E R R S

A H O D E D N O W O N L D E E R A D O V A A N T R A G R E H O R D E R S I R A N W E I L L I B U V I L F T U N G G I E F Y F E N C T I S

A L E N E U T S G A N L I L E F E L U O S T C E R S S E G Y R E D G A Q T E D E L E P L E N C E O D Y N E S O S P U L O E D

S S E E X P E A D N G O R I L O Y E

I C O W O Y O D S W O D R K B E R A S A P

H E T I H I C K A L A V W E R A T T S S

H O W G I A I D L E P H A O E H P R O O L Y N O R A T I R A H E M P E R I G U D M O U N U N M B R A C A U I S H R I V K O I E M A I L D Y M R A B I G I U A G E N E D E O N O O A P E K U S E S N Z A Z U R I E L L N E W Y O A E A B L A C K L T T I T H E R N E E G E R S E L U M A P S O E T P L I N E A T O C N A T U S N N E I G N I E E T M A L L E

R L U N T E F S I N G D O R U T H A E S S E L E E D V E S R T S W S E E U P L C H E R K A E R A T O K Y E O U T N G E E R E I N G H S T


Page 34 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, June 7, 2017

Victoria Pictorial

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Nostalgia Collection

● Lower Malvern Road, Glen Iris. 1920s.

● High Street, Glen Iris. 1920s.

● Interior of St James Church, cnr High St and Burke Rd. 1960.

● State Savings Bank. 1394 Malvern Rd, Glen Iris.

● Ranfurlie Cres., Glen Iris. 1973.

● Dundonald St, Glen Iris. 1974.

● Glen Iris Fruit Supply. 1949.

● Tooronga Rd, new bridge. 1915.


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Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, June 7, 2017 - Page 35 e urn lbo Me

Every Week in the Melbourne Observer

ver N ser O Ob TI C SE 3

Observer Showbiz

Radio: News from around Victoria ...................... Page 36 Theatre: At Bird’s Basement ............................................. Page 37 Country Music: The Dylan Songs ..................................... Page 36 Jim and Aar on: Wonder Woman reviews ........................... P age 38 Aaron: Cheryl Threadgold: Local theatre auditions, shows ........... Page 39 PL US THE LLO OVATT”S MEGA CRO PLUS CROSSSWORD

ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO’S NEST Callea joins MSO ■ Melbourne vocalist Anthony Callea will perform a special concert with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra on Friday 8 September to coincide with the release of his new album, Aria Number 1 Hits In Symphony, recorded with the MSO. Callea will be performing iconic songs from the record including Nothing Compares 2 U, Rain, Jesus To A Child, Right Here ● Anthony Callea joins Waiting and I Swear the MSO amongst others alongside the MSO in the Melbourne exclusive performance at Hamer Hall, Arts Centre Melbourne on September 8. One of Melbourne’s top musical directors John Foreman will conduct the performance and produce the 12track record. Callea said: “As a singer who craves the art of live performance, I could not think of anyone else I would want to collaborate with than the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, not only for their grandiose live concert experience, but also a stunning recorded body of work. “With one of the finest orchestras in the world conducted by my dear friend and album producer John Foreman and collaborating also with my own incredible band members, these iconic ARIA Number #1 hits will be presented in a way you have never experienced before. “Songs that have not only been part of my musical landscape for the past 30 years but have resonated with so many of us – the ARIA charts don’t lie.” Aria Number 1 Hits In Symphony is the next chapter in an Callea’s career, which launched in 2004 with his multiPlatinum self-titled album release, and delivered the Highest Selling Australian Single, 4 X Platinum The Prayer. In 2016 Anthony Callea enjoyed another career milestone with his sixth album, Backbone rocketing straight to #1 on debut in the ARIA album charts. With a string of multi-Platinum, Gold, Number 1 and Top 40 releases spanning more than a decade, sold out national tours and touring with the likes of Celine Dion, Whitney Houston, Diana Ross and Mariah Carey, Aria Number 1 Hits In Symphony is Anthony’s definitive album that is made for the stage. No stranger to collaboration, the MSO engages more than 2.5 million people each year through live performances, recordings, TV and radio broadcasts and live streaming. As a global orchestra, the MSO collaborates with guest artists and arts organisations from across the world. Aria Number 1 Hits In Symphony is available on Friday September 1 through Sony Music Entertainment Australia. SONG LIST All Of Me Bleeding Love Save The Best For Last I Swear (Everything I Do) I Do It For You Jesus To A Child It Must Have Been Love Nothing Compares 2 U Right Here Waiting Rain Someone Like You End Of The Road Anthony Callea with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra Date: Friday, September 8, 8pm Venue: Hamer Hall, Arts Centre Melbourne Bookings: mso.com.au or 9929 9600

● Mike Robins (McMurphy), Catherine Glavicic (Nurse Ratched) and Paul Morris (Aide Warren) in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. ■ With memories of Nicolson and Fletcher in my head, I entered The Lawler Theatre to relive my experience of McMurphy and Ratchet in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. Greeted with a small orange bottle of pills, we were immediately thrown into the world of a 1960’s lunatic asylum, with characters already going about their day and security guards monitoring us as we took our seats. In Dale Wasserman’s play directed by Carl J. Sorheim, Randle McMurphy is transferred to an asylum instead of serving the rest of his prison term. Instead of an easy ride, he finds an environment where the other inmates are emasculated and repressed. Mike Robin’s portrayal of McMurphy had the perfect balance of boyish enthusiasm and rebellious behaviour and his presence on the ward incites others to question authority, eventually leading to an inevitable tragic conclusion. This tragedy is made all the more poignant by the wonderful ● Jenny Wynter portrayal of Billy Bibbit by Nicholas Denton, who ensured that ■ Fully Made Up is being presented at The Butterfly Club the audience cared deeply about his character. from July 4 – 9. His management of his stutter and twitching was exceptional In Fully Made Up, described as ‘the Blankety Blank of and his naïve innocence captivated us. It was impossible not to cabaret’, comedian Jenny Wynter, plays a veteran cabaret rejoice as he embraced new experiences, and impossible not to starlet performing her greatest glittering career hits in an evening of stories, monologues, memories and songs, all of feel saddened and angered at his demise. which are composed on the spot, based on her audience’s Catherine Glavicic delivered a solid performance as suggestions. McMurphy’s nemesis, Nurse Ratched. For example, in an off-Broadway cabaret bar in NYC, She demonstrated excellent timing but occasionally lacked a (Insert name), has performed onstage with the likes of (Instrength or a harshness I suspect may have improved the balsert impressive list of famous people). Her heartbreaking ance between the two. story of (Insert story) has led her from (Insert place) to Troy Larkin as Harding, and Eddie Muliaumaseali’l as (Insert other place), leading her to ultimately experience Chief Bromden were strong performers amongst an admirable emotion. ensemble of 16. The show is the brainchild of award-winning comedian Particular mention should go to lighting designer, Jason Crick, Jenny Wynter (Award for Excellence in Cabaret, Melbourne whose subtle and at times not so subtle effects, underscored the Fringe, Green Room Award nominee for Best Cabaret growing unease in Act Two. Writing). In particular the sickly yellow glow of the rapid scene Most recently Wynter was awarded Best Variety Show changes, accompanied by the sound design work of Robert at New York's United Solo Festival, where she travelled John Sedky, set the mood and created tension and apprehen“to work with the only people I could find in the world who sion in the audience. are regularly performing spontaneous cabaret. I came back One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s nest is playing until June 11, and so completely inspired and chomping at the bit to create my if you’re holding back for fear that it won’t live up to the memory own flavour of it. It's definitely the most fun I've ever had onstage.” of the film, don’t.You won’t be disappointed. Dates: July 4-9. Time: 8.30pm. Cost: $25-32. Venue: Until June 11 The Butterfly Club, 5 Carson Place, Melbourne. Tickets: Southbank Theatre, The Lawler. thebutterflyclub.com - Cheryl Threadgold - Review by Kylie Rackham

Fully Made Up


Page 30 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, June 7, 2017

Observer Showbiz Country Crossroads

By Rob Foenander info@countrycrossroads.com.au

The Dylan Songs ■ A Series of Dreams - the songs of Bob Dylan - will showcase at the Memo Music Hall, St Kilda, on Friday-=Saturday, June 1617. For the third consecutive year renowned guitarist and producer Shane O'Mara has assembled an eclectic line-up and killer band for the shows. They'll perform individual interpretations honouring the work of music's greatest poet and latest Nobel Laureate, says the media release.ood Friday Appeal.

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Mad Hatter’s Party

Radio News around Victoria

Latest radio ratings ■ Yesterday’s radio ratings saw some predicatble results for commercial station 3AW which topped the survey. But there were some shocks for other stations. AW’s sister station, Talking Lifestyle, registered just 0.5 per cent market share of the total audience of people aged 10 and over, measured from 5.30am-12 Midnight, Monday-Sunday. That means that only one in every 200 listeners is tuned into the 1278 frequency that once had Magic. On the FM band, Smooth FM continues its extraordinary performance with 9.3 per cent share. In Sydney, its sister station challenged for top position. Other FM stations included: Fox, 9.8. Gold, 8.1. Nova, 7.6. KIIS, 7.0.Triple M, 6.3. Triple J, 4.2. Melbourne sports station SEN 1116 was steady with 3.9 per cent. The battle between talk stations 3AW and ABC Melbourne was won by the commercial station: 15.5 to 9.2. Ross Stevenson and John Burns (3AW Breakfast) produced a mammoth 21.1 per cent result. Neil Mitchell (17.1) trounced Jon Faine (11.1). Claire Bowditch (ABC afternoons) was only about to manage a 6.8 per cent result.

● Ross Stevenson and John Burns

Classic 100

■ ABC Classic FM will reveal the nation’s favourite classical music of love this weekend in Australia's favourite classical music event, The Classic 100. Beginning at 9am on Saturday, The Classic 100: Love – music of passion and heartbreak will celebrate the greatest of human experiences through the drama of the opera, the romance of the ballet, the longing of a love song and the orchestral soundtracks from our favourite romantic movies.

RADIO FLASHBACK

Adam, Bec at Crown ■ Australian country music favouritesAdam Harvey and Beccy Cole will bring the Great country Songbook Volume 2 tour to the Palms at Crown on July 28. The award-winning duo are taking the popular show around the country with an Alist of band members that includes Melbourne guitarist Mark D'Rozario. Tickets at Ticketmaster. - Rob Foenander

Showbiz Briefs

■ David Thomas: Colouring Impermanence brings together more than 100 works from over four decades to RMIT Design Hub, Friday July 28 until Saturday, September 23. ■ Katrina Strickland has started as Editor of Good Weekend magazine. Katrina had previously been Editor of the Australian Financial Review Magazine since 2014. She had been with the AFR for 11 years. ● Philip Brady and Simon Owens of 3AW Nightline unearthed some 3KZ photo-

graphs from that station’s football era. Jack Dyer is seen at centre. r Obser vbeiz On This Day Show

Wednesday Thursday June 8 June 7

■ Actress Jessica Tandy was born in London in 1909. She died aged 85 in 1994. US singer and actor Dean Martin was born in 1917. He died aged 78 in 1995. Singer Tom Jones was born in Wales in 1940 (82). Actor Liam Neeson was born in 1952 (65).

■ We remember. American comedienne Joan Rivers was born in New York in 1933. She died in 2014, but legal action over her death has just concluded Singer Nancy Sinatra was born in 1940. She recorded Something Stupid

Friday June 9 ■ US songwriter Cole Porter was born in 1891. He died aged 72 in 1964. Motoring writer Peter Wherrett was born in 1946. He died aged 72 in 2009. Actor Michael J Fox is 56 (1961). US actor Johnny Dep was born in Kentucky in 1963 (54).

Saturday June 10

■ Judy Garland was born as Frances Gumm in 1922. She died aged 46 in 1969. New Zealand-born TVradio comedian Tony Martin was born in 1964 (53). Radio man Kyle Sandilands is 46. Fashion designer Paula Stafford was born in 1920 (97).

Sunday June 11 ■ French scientist Jacques Cousteau was born in France in 1910. He died aged 87 in 1997. Irish actor Richard Todd was born in Dublin in 1919. He died aged 90 in 2009. Actor Gene Wilder (Jerome Silberman) was born in 1935.

● At the Funatorium ■ Direct from their Sydney Opera House season, Flamingo, March Hare, Cheshire Cat, Caterpillar and Tweedle invite Melbourne’s little hatters to the maddest party in town at St Kilda’s MAP 57 these winter school holidays. Inspired by Lewis Carroll’s classic tale Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party is a cabaret for kids filled with circus, singing, dancing … and roller skates. Featuring tricks, characters and catchy tunes, this immersive party experience is for ages five and over.. The Mad Hatter’s Tea Party, directed by former Circus Oz Artistic Director Mike Finch, features a collection of talent from the worlds of circus and cabaret. Led by a flamboyant Flamingo played by Alicia Rose, the production features the precision juggling of everyday objects by Daniel Gorski, comic hula stylings of international festival comedienne Eloise Green, hand-balancing of Casey Douglas and the aerial surrealism of Marianna Joslin. The finale is framed by the strength and nerve of ex-Circus Oz rope artist, Stuart Christie. Together this handpicked cast of eccentrics will turn this event into - as Alice might say - the stupidest tea-party ever. The party is set in the Aurora Spiegeltent within St Kilda’s pop up arts precinct MAP 57, situated next to the Palais. MAP 57 is St Kilda’s Winter Garden, packed with food stalls, savvy small bars for big hatters, an ice skating rink and sideshows amongst sparkling lights and roaring fires. The event is presented by the company that presents the award-winning Garden of Unearthly Delights in Adelaide. Season Dates: June 28 – July 9 (excluding Mondays) Show Times: Wed. June 28- July 2 and Thu -Sun July 6-9: 11am and 2pm Tue.- Wed July 4-5: 2pm Venue: Aurora Spiegeltent at MAP 57 St Kilda’s Winter Garden Jacka Boulevard (next to The Palais Theatre) Prices: Adult: $38 Child (12 and under): $30 GA Family (2 adults /2 children): $110 how duration: 65mins Bookings: map57.com/what-s-on/ funatorium-mad-hatter-s-tea-party - Cheryl Threadgold Melbourne

Observer

Monday June 12

■ The late Bob Davis, Geelong football identity, was born in 1928. He died in 2011 aged 82. American singer and actor Jim Nabors was born in 1932 (85). Australian actor Tom Oliver was born in Hampshire, England in 1938 (79). He plays Lou in Neighbours.

Tuesday June 13 ■ Australian actor June Dally-Watkins was born in 1927. Country singer Slim Dusty was born as David Kirkpatrick in K empsey, NSW, in 1927. He died aged 76 in 2003. TV vet Dr Harry Cooper was born in 1942 (75).

Thanks to GREG NEWMAN of Jocks Journal for assistance with birthday and anniversary dates. Jocks Journal is Australia’s longest running radio industry publication. ■ Melbourne Find out more at www.jocksjournal.com


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ShowBiz!

Melbourne Obser ver - Wednesday, June 7, 2017 - Page 37

Observer Showbiz

Book of Revelations

■ Fortyfivedownstairs presents The Book of Revelations from July 19 – 30. Written and performed by Alison Richards, The Book of Revelations invites audiences into a space where everyday reality dissolves. Alison Richards, Black Hole Theatre Director Nancy Black and designer Dagmara Gieysztor, deliver a new approach to immersive performance which delves into the world of dementia. Part contemporary opera, part art installation, this is an event where cutting edge technology meets visual theatre. Ada’s world, the one audience’s now inhabit, has become quite strange. Familiar objects shift, time bends and angels sing. Audiences pick their way amidst wonder, terror and joy, sharing one woman’s experience of dementia from the inside out. This is a journey with no beginning, moving towards an unseen end, oddly familiar with surprises along the way. Wearing individual headphones and moving freely around the space, each audience member will weave a unique experience and emerge with a greater sense and understanding of what it is to live with this very human condition. Black Hole Theatre is known for creating original, cross-disciplinary performances around often dark and challenging subjects. With Alison Richards’The Book of Revelations, we leap into a mind stirred by dementia. Performance Details: July 19 – 30 (Opening Night July 21) Times: Wed – Sat at 7.30pm, Sun 5pm. Venue: fortyfivedownstairs, 45 Flinders Lane, Melbourne. Duration: 50 minutes Bookings: (03)9662 9966 or fortyfivedownstairs.com Please note: Some performances are on a loop. To experience the full show, enter before 8:30pm. - Cheryl Threadgold

Review: Ode

■ A snippet of French chanteuse, Edith Piaf, plays in a loop as if the record is stuck in a groove. A woman in blue satin pyjamas singles out an audience member. “Tea, yes? Milk? Sugar?” And, as if she is also stuck in a groove, she returns to this familiar ritual throughout the performance. Teacups begin to accumulate on a small table. Awkwardly she pulls and twists a pair of tights over her pyjamas; then a shirt and a skirt. At one point, she pulls on a swimsuit and begins to lather herself in sun screen over her clothes. She lathers up her teddy bear and basks in the imaginary sun. Voices and sounds from her past overlap with those of the present, intermingling and occasionally building to a cacophony of noise. These discordant sounds echo the discordance of the woman’s thought processes. Ode is an absurd performance of a woman suffering the debilitating effects of Alzheimer’s. Conceived by Karen Sibbing and inspired by her grandmother’s own experience with the ravages of the disease, we watch as the woman’s condition deteriorates from memory loss to increasingly strange behaviour, all the while observing her frustrations and fear. Co-created and directed by Samara Hersch, with an emotive soundscape by Dutch musician and visual artist Joost van Dijk, all the jarring elements pull together to create this incongruous and often bizarre performance. Sibbing is exceptional in her portrayal of a woman losing herself. However, this is not an easy performance to watch. Despite its comic moments, it is also purposely confusing and often harrowing. Ode was presented at La Mama Theatre. - Review by Kathryn Keeble

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

At Bird’s Basement

■ The Bird's Basement International Jazz Festival runs until June 25 featuring world-class artists playing every night. Bird’s is also offering a Festival Pass which gives access to every show, every night. Established musicians in their own right, these artists have worked with Jazz Lords Miles Davis (Bill Evans), Herbie Hancock and Sonny Rollins (The Cookers), King Crimson and David Bowie (Adrian Belew) and Thelonious Monk (his son, T.S. Monk). Performance details are: The Cookers: June 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11; Adrian Belew: June 13, 14, 15. 16, 17 and 18; T.S. Monk: June 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 and 25 Venue: Bird’s Basement, 11 Singers Lane, Melbourne. Tickets for all shows are available at birdsbasement.com - Cheryl Threadgold

Media Flashes ■ The ‘Australian Radio’ page on Facebok, administered by the Melbourne Observer, now has more than 2000 members. ■ Perceived conflicts of interest of new Auistralian Press Council member Carla McGrath has been dismissed by that organisation. ■ Leon Sjogren has been appointed Executive Producer at Fox FM’s breakfast show, Fifi, Dave, Fev and Byron

■ Yarraville Laughspresents two NYC comedy and cabaret icons, Bridget Everett and Murray Hill live in one show on the Yarraville Club stage on Wednesday, June 7 as part of their Australian tour: The crowned Queen and (drag) King of NYC cabaret, are finally joining forces to tour down under and will take their special brand of comedy across the Westgate. The pair is returning to our shores off the back of their last visits where Murray toured with Dita Von Teese and hosted Club Swizzle, and Bridget appeared at the Sydney Mardi Gras Comedy Festival. There are options for dinner and show, or reserved seating without dinner. Ticket Options: Dinner and Show Section A $99(+b/f), Section B $94(+b/f) (Doors open at 7pm). Reserved Seating C $60(+b/f), D $50(+b/f), E $40(b/f) (Doors open at 8pm) Performance Date: June 7 Venue: Yarraville Club, 135 Stephenson St., Yarraville Audience: 18+ years Bookings: www.yarravillelaughs.com - Cheryl Threadgold

Girl You Want

● T.S. Monk performs at Bird’s Basement from June 20.

Album for father, daughter ■ Father-daughter folk ensemble Davies West will be launching their debut album, The Big Drift, at Bella Union on Saturday , June 10. The night will be focused on exploring stories from the album, from youth, to love and loss. Davies West is a Melbourne-based folk outfit comprised of a father, daughter and trio of long-time friends. Alexandra and her father Ross have been singing together since before she can recall. It all began years ago when her family bought a property on Davies Road West in Gippsland, and she remembers shivering during, starlit sing-a-longs on an outstretched verandah. This southern region of Victoria has played a prominent role in the entire band’s lives, from camping at Walkerville North to frolicking through the picturesque scenes of Wilson’s Prom. Fittingly, they named their debut album, The Big Drift, after one of these nostalgic spots. It is a concept album that explores the journey and experiences that shape a lifetime. Davies West will be joined for their launch by the emerging singing trio, and some of their best friends, The Charlie’s. Davies West The Big Drift album launch: Saturday, June 10 Venue: Level 1, Trades Hall, Cnr Lygon and Victoria Sts., Carlton Tickets: $13/$10 plus booking fee. Bookings: www.bellaunion.com.au/ event/1181/

Laughs tonight

● Folk ensemble Callum Edwards, Daniel Berry, Alexandra Attrill, Ross Attrill and Ace Reunis .

Review: Disgust ■ Theatre performance in the round provides for an all-inclusive close experience as we sit on the four sides of an acting space allowing us, also to gaze past the actors to the opposite side audience. Such was the case with Disgust, performed in the box room of the Bishops Place part of the Abbotsford Convent’s historical building. It is not one of the best places for a theatrical experience once you find the Place through the cloistered courtyard. While steeped in secular history Bishops Place is a bare and a non-traditional performance space.

With its extraordinarily high ceiling its vastness without a lighting or sound grid, left the producer Robert Frantzeskos to improvise with lighting designer Darren Lever by providing floor lighting. A circle of standard lamps large and small with A-line drum shades encircled the central space that had a number of scattered chairs. With one I could see on its side left me thinking that all was not well and this was yet to be revealed. As a one act play essentially about long term relationships and the cracks that can appear and destroy the bond between two people it succeeded. Turn To Page 39

■ Tessa Mitchell has written this semi-autobiographical series of monologues depicting the life of a seventeen year old growing up in Auckland’s Freeman’s Bay/Ponsonby area in the 1980s. Primarily a Maori community, hers is one of only two pakeha, or white European, families living in their street. This one-woman show sees Tessa play at least 10 characters whose accents, character types and gestures she slips in and out of seamlessly. The main character seeks independence from her alternative-living and loving parents, especially her work-worn mother whose means of connecting with her daughter is offering escapism through a shared joint. Tessa has an out-there female Samoan cousin and confidante who she reveres. We live through her naive yearning for excitement as she experiences life in her first out-of-home digs, first job and encounters with the Polynesian punk King Cobras band at the Gluepot nightclub in Ponsonby. We slowly see her aspirations slide away. Tessa writes and performs this piece with commendable veracity as she manoeuvres us through a welter of emotions enhanced by a progression of switching dance movements. She is a talented actor who embraces the audience projecting her voice and body with ease and strength. This engaging performance is complemented by multi-media under the skilful direction of Vanessa Chapple and lighting and sound designer Jason Crick. Tessa derived this script from a collaborative piece I Wanna Be Na Nah Na Nah Nah which she co-wrote with Stephen Bain and which received the Auckland Fringe Award 2015 . Girl You Want celebrates Tessa’s 20-year year connection with La Mama where she performed her first solo show Drowning Flounder in 1996. - Review by Sherryn Danaher

Showbiz Briefs

■ The ABC has launched a new podcast, It's Not A Race, to look at the issues of race and identity in Australia. ■ Cirrus Media has announced it has sold its Money Management and Super Review titles. ■ The ABC's Fact Check unit, now a collaboration between ABC News and RMIT University, has re-launched this week. ■ Samantha Hutchinson is now Victorian State Political Writer for The Australian.


Page 38 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, June 7, 2017

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

● Delightfully quirky and compelling mockumentary thriller that manages pull off the outrageous and goofy concept with great effect. FILM: OPERATION AVALANCHE: Genre: Mockumentary/Thriller. Cast: Matt Johnson, Owen Williams, Josh Boles. Year: 2016. Rating: M. Length: 94 Minutes. Stars: ***½ Verdict: At the height of the Cold War, in 1967, the CIA suspects there is a Russian mole inside of NASA sabotaging the Apollo program, so they send two young agents to go undercover, posing as documentary filmmakers to capture NASA's race to the moon, but what they discover is far more shocking than soviet spies - that they may be hiding a secret about Apollo that could define the decade, and the White House will stop at nothing to silence anyone who learns it. Delightfully quirky and compelling mockumentary-dramathriller that actually manages pull off the outrageous and goofy concept with great effect. The limited budget works a treat in creating much fun and suspense as they weave and fumble their way through a complex labyrinth of spy vs. spy lies, deceit, paranoia and thrills. Writer, Director and Star Matt Johnson has created a well crafted, infectious and uniquely entertaining film-within-a-film Cold War romp that will put a smile on your face and have you thinking for long after it's over. Would have made a great second feature to Peter Hyams' gripping 1977 conspiracy thriller "Capricorn One." FILM: MISS SLOANE: Genre: Drama/Thriller. Cast: Jessica Chastain, Mark Strong, John Lithgow, Sam Waterston. Year: 2016. Rating: M. Length: 132 Minutes. Stars: ***½ Verdict: Elizabeth Sloane is the best in the high-stakes world of political power-brokers, the most sought after and formidable lobbyist in Washington D.C. However, when she takes on the most powerful opponent of her career, the NRA, she finds that trying to win may come at too high a price. Tense, smart and compelling political thriller, brimming with sharp machine gun monologues and superb performances. Sadly, this comes across like a verbal 'Rocky' and eventually tries too hard to out-smart itself. Nonetheless, there is plenty to enjoy and enough to grip. Jessica Chastain gives a stellar performance as the tireless, cold, emotionless, quite unlikeable but determined Miss Sloane, yet you root for her cause, depending on your side of the issue. Superb supporting cast, including Mark Strong, John Lithgow and Sam Waterston, all excel as she chews the scenery .... think the equally cold and unlikeable, yet superior, Faye Dunaway in Paddy Chayefsky's "Network." Not a total loss by a long shot, even though it ultimately comes across like the pilot of a TV movie than a cinema experience. FILM: SLEEPLESS: Genre: Action/Crime/Thriller. Cast: Jamie Foxx, Michelle Monaghan, Scoot McNairy, Dermot Mulroney, T.I. Year: 2017. Rating: MA15+ Length: 95 Minutes. Stars: ** Verdict: Action pot-boiler starring Jamie Foxx of an undercover Las Vegas cop who is caught in a web of corruption and the mob, as a cocaine heist goes wrong, and the gangsters kidnap his son, and in one sleepless night he sets out to rescue his son. Stylish but tediously thin and highly predictable good cop/ bad cop/the mob/internal affairs thriller loses energy and interest all too soon due uninspired direction, poorly executed action sequences and overall cliché. Major disappointment in that the screenplay was written by Andrea Berloff, whose previous credits include the superior World Trade Centre (2006), an Oscar nominated screenplay for Straight Outta Compton (2015) and the action-crime-drama Blood Father (2016) starring Mel Gibson. Oscar winner Jamie Foxx is always a bright light here on screen, however, just seems to be going through the motions, as are a good supporting cast. This has little or nothing new to offer that hasn't been told and executed far better in all too many numerous other thrillers before it ... including Black Rain with Michael Douglas, Taken with Liam Neeson, Training Day with Denzel Washington). Would have made an average TV movie of the week.

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Movies, DVDs With Jim Sherlock and Aaron Rourke

Rourke’s Reviews: Wonder Woman

● Diana (Gal Gadot) interrogates a mysterious guest under the watchful eye of her mother, Queen Hippolyta (Connie Nielsen), in Wonder Woman ■ (M). 141 minutes. Now show- look like sex objects from a Van ing in cinemas everywhere, in 2D Halen music video. and 3D. Despite Jenkins's honourable Maybe I'm becoming just a little efforts however, it is largely underjaded, but the non-stop parade of cut by a sub-standard script (that superhero movies seems to be hav- noticeably attempts to ape the ing a noticeably wearying effect on framework and tone of the far sume. perior Captain America : The First With Suicide Squad still a re- Avenger), which is full of cliches cent, ugly memory, and Spider- and is corny beyond belief. Man: Homecoming about to hit cinIt's viewpoint on war and the conemas, Wonder Woman, the latest sequences it has on everyday citilarge-scale comic book adaptation zens is overly simplistic and obvito get the lavish studio treatment, ous, the cinematic equivalent of a arrives on our screens. crayon drawing sketched by a six Set on the paradise island known year-old child. as Thymiscera, we are introduced A talented supporting cast, into the tight-knit community of Ama- cluding Danny Huston (Ivansxtc, zon warriors whose location is sur- Children Of Men, Birth), David rounded by a protective mist, keep- Thewlis (Naked, The Big Lebowski, ing it hidden from the outside world. The New World), Said Taghmaoui Amongst these well-trained sol- (La Haine, Three Kings), and Ewen diers is eight year-old Diana (Lilly Bremner (Trainspotting 1 and 2) Aspell), the daughter of Queen aren't given much to do, surprising Hippolyta (Connie Nielsen), who given the film's bloated running wants to be trained like the strong- time. willed women around her, particuWith no multi-universe building, larly Antiope (Robin Wright), or connections to other heroes and army commander and sister of the future sub-plots, this could have Queen. easily lost 30 minutes or so. Against Hippolyta's wishes, As the title character, Gadot is Antiope trains the young girl how incredibly wooden, offering no to fight, and as she reaches adult- range, warmth, or nuance, unable hood (and now played by Gal to bring this famous comic book Gadot), Diana is by far the great- creation to life. est warrior on the island. Gadot may look the part, but Their secret world is shattered whenever she opens her mouth, she when a young American WWI pi- makes already awkward dialogue lot, Steve Trevor (Chris Pine), crash sound even worse, and is reminislands nearby, and who is saved by cent of those martial arts champia quick-thinking Diana. ons who tried to become action Unfortunately Trevor also brings stars back in the 1980s and 1990s. with him a fleet of German solLynda Carter, from the 70's TV diers, who introduce Diana to war incarnation, had an energetic, likeand death for the first time. able personality and offered better Seeing this as a sign that the God comic timing, but Gadot is just dull, Of War has returned to wreak making it hard to care as she comhavoc on Earth, Diana accompa- pletes her epic journey. nies Steve back to London, deterIn fact, as the movie went on, I mined to locate and defeat the fallen wished that the film was made 20 God, and therefore bring an end to years ago, as Nielsen, who plays the War To End All Wars. Diana's mother here, would have To start with the positive, the best been the perfect actor to play the thing Wonder Woman has going for spirited warrior. it is the central intention of director As Hippolyta, Nielsen has real Patty Jenkins (who hasn't helmed presence (as does Wright as a feature film since the Oscar-win- Antiope), easily overshadowing ning Monster in 2003), who wants the painfully clunky Gadot. to make her main female characThe plentiful CGI is surprisingly ters genuinely strong, confident, and uneven, with some sequences takintelligent. ing on a video game-like style. Under her guiding hand, the isWonder Woman isn't the worst land of perfect Amazons is pre- superhero film out there (and is sented as a thoughtfully governed probably the best of the recent DC society, with its striking female oc- entries, which is faint praise), but cupants shown as independent hu- despite Patty Jenkins's valiant man beings, rather than sexualised, early endeavours, eventually besurface-level objects. comes just another product to fall One shudders at the thought if off the superhero factory line. this were directed by someone like RATING - **½ Michael Bay, where they would all - Aaron Rourke

Top 10 Lists JUNE 4 to JUNE 10. THE AUSTRALIAN BOX OFFICE TOP TEN: 1. PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: DEAD MEN TELL NO TALES. 2. KING ARTHUR: LEGEND OF THE SWORD. 3. GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 2. 4. JOHN WICK: CHAPTER TWO. 5. SNATCHED. 6. ALIEN: COVENANT. 7. VICEROY'S HOUSE. .8 A DOG'S PURPOSE. 9. GET OUT. 10. THE SHACK. NEW RELEASES AND COMING SOON TO CINEMAS AROUND AUSTRALIA: JUNE 1: 20TH CENTURY WOMEN, BAYWATCH, HOUNDS OF LOVE, WONDER WOMAN. JUNE 8: CHURCHILL, MY COUSIN RACHEL, THE MUMMY. THE DVD AND BLU-RAY TOP RENTALS & SALES: 1. HIDDEN FIGURES [Drama/Taraji P. Henson, Janelle Monae, Octavia Spencer]. 2. THE GREAT WALL [Action/Matt Damon, Willem Dafoe]. 3. XXX: RETURN OF XANDER CAGE [Action/Vin Diesel, Toni Collette]. 4. GOLD [Drama/Matthew McConaughey, Bryce Dallas Howard]. 5. MANCHESTER BY THE SEA [Drama/Casey Affleck, Kyle Chandler, Michelle Williams]. 6. FIST FIGHT [Comedy/Ice Cube, Tracy Morgan, Charlie Day]. 7. FIFTY SHADES DARKER [Drama/Romance/Jamie Dornan, Dakota Johnson, Kim Basinger]. 8. LION: 2 Disc Extended Australian Edition [Drama/Dev Patel, Nicole Kidman, Rooney Mara]. 9. FENCES [Drama/Denzel Washington, Viola Davis]. Also: LA LA LAND, SPLIT, SLEEPLESS, PATRIOT'S DAY, RINGS, AQUARIUS, MOONLIGHT, A UNITED KINGDOM, A STREET CAT NAMED BOB, ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY. NEW RELEASE HIGHLIGHTS ON DVD THIS WEEK: MISS SLOANE [Drama/Jessica Chastain, Mark Strong, John Lithgow]. RED DOG: TRUE BLUE [Drama/Bryan Brown, Josh Lucas, Rachael Taylor]. LOGAN [Action/Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart, Dafne Keen]. COLLIDE [Action/Anthony Hopkins, Felicity Jones]. TONI ERDMANN [Comedy/Drama/Peter Simonischek, Michael Wittenborn]. NEW RELEASE HIGHLIGHTS ON BLU-RAY THIS WEEK: MISS SLOANE [Drama/Jessica Chastain, Mark Strong, John Lithgow]. RED DOG: TRUE BLUE [Drama/Bryan Brown, Josh Lucas, Rachael Taylor]. LOGAN [Action/Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart, Dafne Keen]. COLLIDE [Action/Anthony Hopkins, Felicity Jones]. THE SENTINEL [1977/Horror/Ava Gardner, Chris Sarandon, Christopher Walkin]. NEW & RE-RELEASE AND CLASSIC MOVIES ON DVD HIGHLIGHTS: CARNAGE [Comedy/drama/Jodie Foster, Christoph Waltz, Kate Winslet, John C. Reilly]. THE SENTINEL [1977/Horror/Ava Gardner, Chris Sarandon, Christopher Walkin]. NEW RELEASE TELEVISION, DOCUMENTARY AND MUSIC DVD HIGHLIGHTS: DAVID LYNCH: The Art Life. THE RIN TIN TIN Collection. DOMINION: Season 2. GOTHAM: Season 2. THE RIVER: Season 1. THE DEEP: Secrets of the Sea. 60 DAYS IN: Season 2. THE FAMILY. THE NANNY: Seasons 1-3. GLEASON. BLEACH: Complete Series.


www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, June 7, 2017 - Page 39

Observer Showbiz Take A Seat

● (From top left) Hannah Vanderheide, Ryan Schmidt-Stewart, Emily Scerri, Melina Wylie, Aaron James Campbell, Adrian Quintarelli, Kotryna Gesait, Shrut Parmar, Carmelina Di Guglielmo, Wahyu Kapa, Isabella Le, and Alexander Gavioli in Take a Seat. ■ If you thought waiting for a doctor’s appointment was bad enough, try waiting to find out how you will spend the rest of your eternity ... Take A Seat makes the idea of purgatory a painful and challenging reality for eleven conflictingly familiar strangers. After a sold out first season at The Butterfly Club, Take A Seat is returning at the end of August to perform a week-long season at Chapel Off Chapel. I first reviewed Take a Seat last year, and commented that the thought-provoking play deserved another longer season, so this year’s reworked version of the show at Chapel off Chapel is great to see. Written and directed by British writer and actor Kieran Gould-Dowen, and performed by local Melbourne talent, the original play is set in a courthouse waiting room. The twist? You’re dead. With a heavenly amount of heart and a hellish amount of journey, the story explores many dark themes from today’s society that each of us can relate to in some way, taking an imperfect picture of the human race. The two-hour long story develops the original one-act show about 11 Australian characters from all walks of life, including a Muslim refugee, a self-loathing soldier, an obnoxious money grabber, a dancer with depression, a father and son trying to forgive each other, and even the occasional sociopath. Guided by their bemused, angelic usher, all eleven characters challenge each other on right and wrong, their beliefs, and finding common ground in the only thing they have in common: death and the impending unknown. Dates: August 30 – September 3 Time: 7.30pm Cost: $30-$35 Venue: Chapel Off Chapel, 12 Little Chapel Street, Prahran Tickets: chapeloffchapel.com.au - Cheryl Threadgold

DISGUST ● From Page 37 Having arrived home from a dinner party, Lelda Kapsis as Em and Julian Dibley-Hall as Ben endeavour to recollect the surreal events of the evening, the mental health issues that were exposed with the underlying subtext of sexual experiences. At times dimly lit the performance was highlighted by Em’s control over Ben as she raised many questions over his sexual dalliances. Scripting by playwright Kat Moritz was often dark, delving into a world of depressive self-pity. Both cast handled the script well while it did leave us with some questions and perhaps more workshopping. - Review by Graeme McCoubrie

Local Theatre With Cheryl Threadgold

‘True West’ at Mt Macedon SHOWS

SHOWS

■ The Mount Players: True West (by Sam Shepard) Until June 10 at The Mountview Theatre, 56 Smith St., Mt Macedon. Director: Travis Handcock. Bookings: www.themountplayers. com or 5426 1892. ■ The Basin Theatre Group: Forget Me Knot (by David Tristram) Until June 10 at The Basin Theatre, Doongalla Rd., The Basin. Director: Gregor McGibbon. Bookings: 1300 784 668. ■ Lilydale Athenaeum Theatre: One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest (by Dale Wasserman) Until June 10 at the Lilydale Athenaeum Theatre, 39-41 Castella St., Lilydale. Director: Catherine Garside. Bookings:9735 1777. ■ Williamstown Musical Theatre Company: Seussical Jr June 9 - 25 at the Williamstown Mechanics Institute, Cnr Electra and Melbourne Sts., Williamstown. Bookings: www.wmtc. org.ai or call 1300 881 545. ■ Peridot Theatre: The Female of the Species (by Joanna-Murray Smith) June 9 - 24 at the Unicorn Theatre, Mt Waverley Secondary College, Lechte Rd., mt Waverley. Director: Natasha Boyd. Bookings: 9808 0770 or www.peridot.com.au ■ 1812 Theatre: Beyond Reasonable Doubt (by Jeffrey Archer) Until June 17 at 3 Rose St., Upper Ferntree Gully. Bookings: www.1812theatre.com.au or 9758 3964. ■ Beaumaris Theatre Inc: A Night of Dark Intent Until June 10 at 82 Wells rd., Beaumaris. Director: Lyn Laister. Bookings: www.beaumaristheatre.com.au 9583 6896. ■ Wonthaggi Theatrical Group: Miss Saigon Until June 11 at the Wonthaggi Union Community Arts Centre, 96 Graham St., Wonthaggi. Director: Wayne Maloney. Bookings: www.wtg.org.au ■ Babirra Music Theatre: Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Until June 17 at the Whitehorse Centre, Nunawading. Director: Alan Burrows. Bookings: www.babirra.org.au or 9262 ■ Gemco Playerrs Community Theatre: Space Captain Smith Until June 24 at The Gem Theatre, Kilvington Drive, Emerald. Bookings: www.gemcoplayers.org 0411 723 530

■ Malvern Theatre Company: The Memory of Water (by Shelagh Stephenson) June 16 July 1 at 29 Burke Rd., Malvern. Director: Gayle Poor. Bookings:www.malverntheatre.com.au 1300 131 552 ■ Windmill Theatre Company: Chicago June 17 - July 2 at The Drum Theatre, 226 Lonsdale St., Dandenong. www.windmilltheatre.com.au 8571 1666 ■ Williamstown Little Theatre: Vincent in Brixton (by Nicholas Wright) June 29 - July 15 at 2-4 Albert St., Williamstown. Director: Shirley Sydenham. Bookings: www.wlt.org.au 9885 9678 ■ Mordialloc Theatre Company: Australia Day (by Jonathan Biggins) June 30 - July 15 at Shirley Burke Theatre, 64 Parkers Rd., ,Parkdale. Director: Martin Gibbs. www.mordialloctheatre.com 9587 5141 ■ Fab Nobs Theatre: Shrek Jnr July 7 - 16 at 7:30pm at The Fab Factory, 33 Industry Place, Bayswater. Bookings: www.fabnobstheatrecom. au Anne 0401 018 846 ■ Peoples Playhouse Inc: The Little Mermaid July 7 - 15 at the Cranbourne Community Centre, Brunt St., Cranbourne. Bookings and further details: www.peoplesplayhouse.com

AUDITIONS ■ Melbourne French Theatre: Every Trick in the Book! (Le Systeme Ribadier) by Georges Feydeau, Saturday, June 17 at 2.00pm, and Monday, June 19 at 7.00pm at La Maison de Maitre Building", 203-205 Canning Street, Carlton [corner Canning & Neill Streets], Director: Alec Gilbert, Producer: Michael Buba, Audition bookings on website www.mftinc.org or 9349 2250 ■ Essendon Theatre Company: Baby with the Bathwater (by Christopher Durang), June 25 at 6.00pm, June 29 at 7.30pm at the Bradshaw Street Community Hall, Bradshaw St., West Essendon (enter off Buckley St). Director: Drew Mason. Audition bookings: drew.mason@optusnet.com.au or 9382 6284

Balnaves Foundation winner ■ Gamilaroi woman Megan Wilding was announced as the winner of The Balnaves Foundation Indigenous Playwright’s Award 2017 at an event at the Belvoir St Theatre during National Reconciliation Week. The award was presented by Hamish Balnaves, General Manager of The Balnaves Foundation. The Balnaves Foundation Indigenous Playwright’s Award is a $25,000 award which is comprised of a $15,000 commission to write a new play and a $10,000 cash prize. She wins a commission to write a play about an Indigenous woman who takes violent revenge against a man who sexually assaulted her as a child. Megan Wilding is a graduate of the acting program at the West Australian Academy of Performing Arts and will appear on stage at Belvoir in The Rover in July. She also co-ordinates Belvoir’s Writers Group forWomen of Colour. “Being chosen as the recipient of The Balnaves Award means the world to me,’ said

● Megan Wilding Wilding. “‘I'm so grateful to The Balnaves Foundation and to Belvoir for believing in me and giving me the platform and support to strengthen and explore my voice, just like it has done for all the phenomenal previous winners. On behalf of the judging panel, Anthea Williams (Belvoir’s Associate Director – New Work) said: ‘Megan Wilding is a fierce young theatre maker from Western Sydney who we’re thrilled to have back in NSW after four years in Perth at WAAPA. Megan is a writer and actor

and she runs the Writers Group for Women of Colour at Belvoir. She is a force, a unique voice with excellent writing craft and a passion for telling contemporary stories. We are thrilled to have this opportunity to work with her thanks to The Balnaves Foundation.” The Balnaves Foundation Indigenous Playwright’s Award was established to encourage the telling of indigenous stories with the aim of fostering understanding and reconciliation between indigenous and non-indigenous Australians. “One of the objectives of the Balnaves Award is to investigate stories of indigenous experience,” said Hamish Balnaves. “As white Australians we have to accept that much of this will be confronting. It takes brave playwrights like Megan to shine a light on the distressing reality of indigenous trauma. Megan’s play will make for uncomfortable viewing, but we must understand and acknowledge these indigenous experiences to move closer to reconciliation.”

Melbourne

Observer 1984

● Tom Conroy (Winston) and Ursula Mills (Julia) in 1984. Photo: Shane Reid ■ A new performative adaptation of George Orwell’s dystopian novel 1984, is playing at Melbourne’s Comedy Theatre until June 10. Playwrights Robert Icke and Duncan MacMillan’s direction ensures artistic fulfilment for their onstage vision, achieving an impressive melding between dialogue, visual performances and technical effects, in a seamlessly staged production. Projected images effectively create intimacy for love scenes. This interpretation focuses on the 4000 word Appendix of 1984, describing the principles of the Newspeak language, believed to be integral to the novel and ‘crucially reframes the action’. The fine cast of local actors includes Tom Conroy who is terrific as Winston, the brave, quiet Oceania editor who rebels to seek objective truth. Ursula Mills (Julia) skilfully alternates moods between Party official, rebel and lover, and Terence Crawford (O’Brien) presents a powerful performance as the conservatively dressed, sadistic antagonist. Performances enjoyed from Paul Blackwell (Parsons), Renato Musolini (Martin), Guy O’Grady (Syme), Yalin Ozucelik (Charrington), Fiona Press (Mrs Parsons) and Tayla Bozelle (Child). include wellsynchronised movement. In its own right, this interpretation works well, starting and finishing many years postpublication of Orwell’s novel in 1949, with a literary group discussing the text. I think it is risky, however, for modern-day practices of deconstructing and re-adapting existing texts to lose or overshadow originally intended messages. For example, I did not sense the ominous, all-seeing presence of Big Brother, symbolically prominent in Orwell’s text, and bursts of flashing lights and loud sound effects shattered sensing citizens’ repression and fear. Personally, I prefer original works to those piggy-backing on someone else’s writing, but Icke and MacMillan’s perspective of using the novel’s Appendix is different and commendable. 1984 is again a best-selling book, and Orwell’s vocabulary can translate to modern times, such as ‘alternative facts’, ‘fake news’ and various political contortions of truth. The informative theatre program generously shares Icke and MacMillan’s reasons “to rip up the theatrical rule book” and explains the play’s language and ideology. Go see the show and make up your own mind – until June 10. Performance Season: Until June 10 Venue: Comedy Theatre, Lonsdale St., Melbourne Bookings: ticketmaster.com.au - Review by Cheryl Threadgold

Our reviewers

■ Cheryl Threadgold heads our team of honorary reviewers including Mark Briggs, Rita Crispin, Martin Curtis, Sherryn Danaher, Barbara Hughes, Lyn Hurst, Kathryn Keeble, Beth Klein, Deborah Marinaro, Graeme McCoubrie, Catherine, McGregor, David McLean, Maggie Morrison, Jill Page, Kylie Rackham, Elizabeth Semmel.


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Page 40 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, June 7, 2017 Melbourne

Observer

Lovatts Crossword No 26 Across

Across

1. Hair-stylist 6. Straight-line racing car 11. Famous Indian mausoleum (3,5) 15. Nightclub dancer 20. ... kwon do 21. Labyrinths 22. Aegean or Caspian 23. Lahore is there 24. Mad Russian monk 25. NE Scottish seaport 27. Jumbo animal 28. Watering tube 29. Fixed gaze 31. World fair 32. Cruel person 36. Pins & ... 37. Prolong (4,3) 38. Checks (text) for errors 41. Renovate (ship) 44. Metal bar 45. Unfortunately 48. Sneeze noise (1-6) 49. Oddball 52. Rectangular 56. Addressing crowd 57. Anxious (2,4) 58. Perfumed burning stick 61. Goat's wool 62. Economises, ... & saves 63. Fibbing 64. Naomi Campbell is one 65. Imperial ruler 66. Collided with (3,4) 67. Disincentive 71. Absurd comedy 73. Of the ear 75. Windbag 80. Clarify, ... light on 82. Hone 83. Disobey 85. Gauges 86. Befuddles 88. Labourer's tools, pick & ... 90. Welcomes 91. British coin 93. Taking sides 94. Climbing plants 95. Female voices 96. Wither 97. Tingle 99. Mark as correct 100. Holy places 104. Rubbish 105. School maxim 106. Track down 107. Sent via Internet 111. The other way around, vice ... 113. Observe 114. The masses, ... polloi 115. Disorderly 117. Smear 118. Affirmative replies 121. Russian spirit 122. Mustard & ... 125. Canine disease 126. Shaving cut 127. Roman dress 129. Pulpy, soft food 131. Yoga master 132. Apprehension 135. Feng ... 136. Unplaced competitor (4-3) 139. Wild party 140. Representatives 144. Strangely 145. Scandinavian 146. Wall painting 147. Underwriters 148. Glared

149. Gallows rope 150. Group of eight 152. Hang loosely 154. Flog 157. Fluid unit 158. Minutest 162. Iran's neighbour 163. Exhausts supply of (4,2) 166. Porridge cereal 167. Pour with rain 169. Slow down! 171. Car pioneer, Karl ... 172. Tobacco user 173. Leers 175. Lever (off) 176. Single 179. Swiss banking centre 180. Come to rest (3,2) 182. Liqueur, ... Maria 183. Towards stern 184. Blackboard stand 186. Negative 189. Harness-racing horse 190. Return (of symptoms) 191. Epic movie-maker, Cecil B De ... 192. Big Apple city (3,4) 196. 60s pop dance (2-2) 197. Dad 198. Heedful 199. Spend extravagantly 201. Not fit for consumption 202. Gloomier 203. Performing 204. Car-top luggage frame (4,4) 205. Worked hard 208. Guidance 210. Up to this time 211. Aquatic bird 212. Pragmatism 213. Vein of ore 215. Vending machine 219. Nimble 221. Small & efficient 223. Striped brown gem (5'1,3) 227. Biology or physics 228. Mummifies (corpse) 230. Donations 231. Scorch 232. Charts (course) (4,3) 233. Villain 234. Arrogant newcomer 238. Power outlet 239. Knit with hooked needle 240. Scratch 243. Eagle nests 246. Ancestry 247. Lease again 250. Naming words 251. Greek philosopher 253. Muddles (up) 256. Frequent visitor 257. Mischievous 258. Character 262. Manufacture 263. Florida's Key ... 266. Is in debt to 268. Citrus fruit 269. Surgical removal 270. Not enclosed (of land) 271. Ruling (monarch) 272. Decimal unit 273. Opinion surveys 274. Corroded, ... away at 275. Slyer 276. Supervised 277. Perseveres 278. Least

Down 1. Manages 2. Annoyed 3. Abstains from food 4. Salt Lake City state 5. Absconded (3,3) 7. Severely simple 8. Seedy conditions 9. Discharge 10. Talk wildly 11. Muscle rupture 12. Fire-resistant material 13. Of war 14. Country dance 15. Leaked slowly 16. Aura 17. Windscreen cleaner 18. Rocky Mountains state 19. Early guitars 24. Tenant's fee 26. Fish traps 30. Quarrel 33. Document bag, ... case 34. Evoke 35. Cavalryman 38. Triangular-sided building 39. Constantly busy (2,3,2) 40. Learn (4,3) 42. Great ages 43. Charges with crime 46. Furiously 47. Beliefs 49. Properly nourished (4-3) 50. Frostier 51. Stray 53. Bewails 54. More mature 55. Biblical sea 59. Oil paintings 60. Skittles 67. Lowers (oneself) 68. Fishing boat 69. Ex-pupils' get-together 70. Invigorate 72. Residential locations 74. Score after deuce 76. Exposed 77. French N-Test region, ... Atoll 78. Rude 79. Pestered 81. Cargo door 84. Unnerves 87. Strong coffee 89. Nonconformists 91. Primitive 92. Japan's second largest city 98. Recording room 101. Restrict (3,2) 102. Asian cricketing nation 103. Flattened 108. Countless number 109. Saturate (with colour) 110. Turn inside-out 112. Remembered 116. Carpenters 119. Brightening up 120. Proper behaviour 123. Now Zimbabwean 124. Set apart 128. News-sheet 130. Ill-bred 132. Unfulfilled

Down

133. Inaccuracy 134. Songs for one 137. Actress, ... Sarandon 138. Scoundrel 141. Heredity units 142. Cosy corners 143. Clean with broom 151. Household jobs 153. Riddle 155. Hot & moist 156. Lower leg joint 159. Revealed (knowledge) 160. Foolishness 161. Inducting, ... in 164. Too soon 165. Open wound 168. Alienate 170. Unfashionable 173. Reverse 174. Giving university talk 177. Soundly constructed (4-5) 178. Worsened (of crisis) 181. Leaves uncared-for 185. Permitting 186. Liked 187. Retailers 188. Football umpire 193. Sun or rain 194. Acorn bearer (3,4) 195. Sing-along entertainment 200. Prayer beads 201. Official emblems 206. ... & lemons 207. Wear best clothes (5,2) 208. Human rights group, ... International 209. Modesty 211. Large pedal 214. Moral 216. Dip in liquid 217. Capers 218. Numerals 220. Conclude 222. Toadstools 224. Great joy 225. Questionable 226. Junior 229. Fully satisfy 232. Liquefy 235. Actress, ... Cruz 236. Straighter 237. Reaction 241. Changing booth 242. Picasso & Monet 244. Library patrons 245. Belongings, personal ... 248. More meagre 249. You 251. Walk with heavy steps 252. Turns away 253. Imitate 254. Father Christmas 255. Praise highly 259. Divine messenger 260. Combine 261. Roman VIII 262. Small tick 264. Unknown writer 265. Swallow noisily 267. Appear


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Page 42 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, June 7, 2017

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Melbourne

Observer Victorian Sport

Queensland Derby wide open

■ Queensland galloper, Order Again, has firmed into each way odds favorite for Saturday's Queensland Derby after a nose win over the Darren Weir Trained Volatile Mix. Volatile Mix was coming off a win in the South Australian Derby beating Victorian Colt, Ruthven. Order Again, a nice type, won the Grand Prix Stakes over 220 metres on a heavy track at Eagle Farm, which came under fire from a number of trainers with runners on Grand Prix Day. So bad; that the last meeting in Queensland, had to be moved to Doomben, from Eagle Farm, due to the state of the track. The trainers of the New Zealand colt, Shocking Luck, likened the track to their horse's name, saying they should not have raced. He is sure to make amends with a better run coming up over the longer trip; he will appreciate the extra 200 metres of the Derby. On the next line, is the Victorian colt, Ruthven, prepared by leading young trainer, Ciaron Maher, is very smart and putting a few good runs together, going down narrowly to Volatile Mix, in the South Australian Derby recently. He is sure be to right in it and is improving with each run. He has had only nine runs for two wins and five seconds, so he is a model of consistency and in the right camp. Ruthven will go around at about the $9 mark. An interesting nomination is, Mongolian Wolf, the former New Zealander, who is now in the powerful Darren Weir camp. He was heavily backed at Caulfield last start and looked hard to beat; but put in a shocker and was eased out of it, when he failed to put in. Don't write him off he has plenty of ability. Another runner who showed a bit of form in the Grand Prix over the 2000 metre trip was Volatile, who ran a good third and is not out of it. Yet another Weir runner is Victorian galloper, Rock star Rebel, coming off a Benchmark 70 win at Ballarat. He is nicely bred by former Victorian Derby winner, Rebel Raider. He had had 10 starts for two wins and three placings and shows promise. Joining him on odds of $ 15.00, is the Chris Waller runner, who ran 12th in the Grand Prix, and would need to improve rapidly. Black on Gold has won a Benchmark 78 race in Sydney recently before his unplaced run in the Grand Prix. Could it be another big race win for the top versatile jockey, Irishman, John Allen, who excels over the jumps and on the flat?

Sale boost

■ Top galloper, Clearly Innocent's good win in the Kingsford Cup at Eagle Farm, gave his Sale bound half-sister a timely boost. In a powerful performance, Clearly Innocent sent his earnings soaring past $1.5 million when he beat a classy field in the Group One feature by three lengths. It is the second straight success for the Kris Lees trained gelding since the catalogue was printed for the 2017 Magic Millions National Broodmare sale. Clearly Innocent's half-sister, Champagne Kisses, a daughter of Onemorenomore, has like her famous brother also won twice was catalogued as Lot 676 for the Gold Coast based Auction. Champagne Kisses was presented by JDV Thoroughbreds. She was one of the hundreds of Quality race fillies and mares that went under the hammer.

● Nurse Kitchen sold for $1.7 million. Racing Photos

Ted Ryan record day's gross for Magic Millions at any auction in the Company's history. The average price of $176,143 was up on last year's smaller session while the clearance rate was an excellent of 85%. Presented by Bhima Thoroughbreds on behalf of former leading trainer, Peter Moody and his wife, Sarah, Nurse Kitchen was the pin up act with her sale for $1.7million. She was a winner of the Group two Moonee Valley Fillies Classic, and a close runner-up in the Group One Vinery Stud Stakes. Nurse Kitchen was knocked down to Michael Wallace for the China Horse Club. Wallace said" Obviously she is a filly that we think has great racing upside". For Peter Moody, who bred and raced the filly with his Wife, the price paid for the top filly was a great result. "We always held her in high esteem from her very days "Moody said. "It's a dream result. We need those". "She's a filly that Sarah and I bred, and Sarah ultimately raced with David Brideoake who did a tremendous job with her". Moody said " We've got Mum and the full sister weanling at home, so it is time to cash in and move on and let's hope the full sister can do the job for us". • Best wishes to Ted Ryan who is currently on the sick list.

Healthy start

■ The early part of the Magic Millions Broodmare Sales got off to a flyer with the sale of top filly, Nurse Kitchen. The Group-Two winning three year-old filly by Savabeel, sold for $ 1.7 million and was one of three lots on the day to sell over $1 million. Those purchases and the sale of 255 lots for almost $45 million on a big day's selling saw a

● Promising colt Ruthven. Racing Photos

Media Extra Press Council under attack

■ The Australian Press Council is clarifying some issues involving its processes and how it adjudicates complaints and handles perceived or actual conflicts of interest. These issues have arisen in the reporting and commentary on the recent appointment of Ms Carla McGrath as a public member. Upon receipt of a complaint, Press Council staff undertake a triage process, making an initial assessment and analysis of each complaint received. “The vast majority of complaints are resolved without formal adjudication, such as through a correction or agreement to publish a letter to the editor or an op-ed piece,” said the Council statement. “Decisions at this stage are made by the Executive Director exercising powers conferred on him by the Council—there is no involvement of Council members. “n Adjudication Panel usually comprises the Chair (or one of the two Vice-Chairs), two public members and two independent journalists. It is important to note that publisher members never sit on Adjudication Panels. “Ms McGrath is now one of 10 public members. In any given year, a public member could expect to be asked to sit on one or two Adjudication Panels, subject to availability, and the absence of any conflicts of interest. “It is routine for the Press Council to consider any actual or perceived conflicts of interest that may arise. “For example, in recent times, the Press Council identified a perceived conflict of interest involving a Council member. A news organisation that had previously expressed concern about his appointment was the subject of a complaint; the member did not sit on this adjudication. “In another instance, a public member who had previously published an op-ed piece on an issue that involved broadly the same subject matter declared this conflict and, erring on the side of caution, stood down from consideration of that complaint. “The Press Council will apply the same rigorous principles in future to any Adjudication Panels on which Ms McGrath might be available to serve in future. That is, she will not sit if the Press Council or Ms McGrath considers there is a real or perceived conflict of interest involving the complainant or the publisher, the subject matter of the complaint, or the activities of the numerous organisations with which she is or has been associated. “In the normal course of events, Ms McGrath would not be asked to sit on an Adjudication Panel for at least the next 612 months. “Ms McGrath's duties as public member will also require her to attend quarterly meetings of the Press Council. She is one of 26 members of the Press Council and, therefore, her voice will be one of 26 around the table. “The Press Council has deliberately sought to add diversity to its membership, representing a wide range of viewpoints and backgrounds. It should go without saying that the Council does not apply any litmus test in relation to a potential member's religious, political or other views. “The Press Council notes its previous statement that, in relation to the appointment of Ms McGrath as a public member, Australian Press Council Chair Professor David Weisbrot specifically flagged the issue of perceived or actual conflicts of interest as a result of her multiple Board and leadership roles and her long history of community engagement and advocacy on a range of issues, including Indigenous and youth affairs. The issue was canvassed at length at the “Following discussion at the May meeting of Council, the overwhelming majority of the Council Members were satisfied that Ms McGrath was eminently appointable and that any potential conflicts of interest would be successfully managed,” the statement said.


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Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, June 7, 2017 - Page 43

Horses


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Page 44 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, June 7, 2017

Horses


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Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, June 7, 2017 - Page 45

Real Estate


Page 46 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, June 7, 2017

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Taggerty

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Alexandra

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