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WEDNESDAY, JULY 26, 2017
VICTORIA’S INDEPENDENT WEEKLY NEWSPAPER
48TH YEAR OF PUBLICATION $2.95
S TATE EDITION Vol 49 No 1674 SERVING VICTORIA SINCE 1969
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■ Melbourne TV-radio identity Bert Newton this week celebrates his 79th birthday. He is pictured with grandson Monty. Photo: Facebook/Patti Newton THE GREA T GREAT MUSIC OF THE ‘30s TO ‘60s Streaming through the Web PHONE: 9572 1466 ● See advert, back page
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Travel
MERIMBULA, NSW
2017 HOLIDAY VACANCIES AVAILABLE: ASK US!
BEACH STREET APARTMENTS
Set beside the sparkling waters of Merimbula Lake, you can watch the boats passing while eating breakfast. 1 and 2 bedroom fully self-contained apartments with spa and ensuite. Pool, BBQ and under cover parking. 2 minute walk to a safe swimming beach and shops, clubs and restaurants. Beautiful water views. 1 Beach Street, Merimbula, NSW 2548 Phone: (02) 6495 2205 E-mail: info@beachstreetapartments.net.au www.beachstreetapartments.net.au
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Places To Go
Carole Foster: On The Way To Noojee 86cm x 86cm framed acrylic
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Victoria Pictorial
with Kerry Kulkens
inc orpor a ting the Melbourne A d vvertiser ertiser incorpor orpora Ad ertiser,, Melbourne T ict orian Rur al Ne ws Trr ader ader,, V Vict ictorian Rural New and Melbourne Seniors News News..
Aries: (March 21- April 20) Lucky colour: Red Lucky day: Saturday Racing numbers: 9-5-3-8 Lotto numbers: 18-24-26-21-32-33 Attention to details during this period is vital and anything you sign should be looked into by professionals. Some problems could arise on the domestic sector but nothing you can't handle
Victoria’s Independent Newspaper First Published September 14, 1969 Every W ednesda y Wednesda ednesday
Contact Us Office: 30 Glen Gully Rd, Eltham, 3095 Postal: PO Box 1278, Research, Vic 3095 Phone: +61 3 9439 9927 Fax: +61 3 9431 6247 Web: w w w.MelbourneObserv e rr.. c om.au .MelbourneObserve or@MelbourneObserv e rr..c om.au E: E dit ditor@MelbourneObserv or@MelbourneObserve
Taurus: (April 21- May 20) Lucky colour: Light blue Lucky day: Wednesday Racing numbers: 2-9-6-3 Lotto numbers: 3-12-21-24-26-42 You could be more interested in having fun than doing what you should just now. Do the important matters first and then let yourself go and enjoy life. Some luck with a cancer person.
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 o rrd d ((C C ourt ewman (radio adio), Terry Radfo roundsman), Aaron Rourke (movies), Ted Ry an (r acing), Jim Sherlock Ryan (racing), (movies, DVDs), Cheryl Threadgold (local thea tr e), K e vin T sho wbiz), theatr tre Ke Trrask ((sho showbiz), Veritas, G a vin W ood (Holly w ood). Ga Wood (Hollyw Honorary Reviewers: Mark Briggs, Rita Crispin, Martin Curtis, Sherryn Danaher Danaher,, Barbar a Hughes, L yn Hurs t, K a thryn Barbara Lyn Hurst, Ka Keeble, Beth Klein, Deborah Marinaro, G rraeme aeme McC oubrie therine egor McCoubrie oubrie,, Ca Catherine therine,, McGr McGregor egor,, David McLean, Maggie Morrison, Jill P age ylie Rackham, Elizabeth Semmel. age,, K Kylie Distribution: Sam Fiorini, phone 9482 1145
● Emerald Hill. Circa 1875
Leo: (July 23- august 22) Lucky colour: Red Lucky day: Thursday Racing numbers: 1-5-6-8 Lotto numbers: 7-11-12-30-34-43 Surprising period in which nothing seems to work the way you expected it to. Not a time to plan anything long lasting as situations change rapidly. Some luck with a person from your past. Virgo: (august 23- September 23) Lucky colour: Black Lucky day: Tuesday Racing numbers: 2-4-6-9 Lotto numbers: 9-14-18-27-36-45 Money matters are very much in the forefront during this period. Decisions about investments or purchases to be made. In the domestic sector, you could do well with some tact and understanding.
● Emerald Hill Orphanage. Circa 1860-1879
If your local newsagent does not curr ently sstt ock the Melbourne Observ er currently Observer er,, why not place a weekly order with them, by using their ‘putaway’ service. Newsagents should contact All Day Distribution Pty Ltd, 169 Burwood Road, Hawthorn, Vic 3122. Phone: (03) 9482 1145.
Libra: (September 24- October 23) Lucky colour: Silver Lucky day: Monday Racing numbers: 1-6-7-9 Lotto numbers: 5-14-23-27-33-44 Do not let yourself be fooled by one lucky strike. Most of your money will have to be earned and worked for, also silly shopping is out during this period or something you have planned will not eventuate. Scorpio: (October 24- November 22) Lucky colour: White Lucky day: Friday Racing numbers: 6-5-3-2 Lotto numbers: 5-7-11-21-26-31 After a feeling of disappointment, you could get a nice surprise that will restore your faith in human kind. Relationship matters could be decided on and permanent arrangements made very soon.
Across The World
Sagittarius: (November 23- December 20) Lucky colour: Light green Lucky day: Sunday Racing numbers: 1-3-2-4 Lotto numbers: 2-16-18-19-26-28 For the young at heart and the unattached this could be a very exciting time, busy social life and many offers around. Financial matters might not work as well but little progress is evident.
Melbourne Observer Online 2. 2.11 million hits annually annually.. w w w.MelbourneObserv e rr.. c om.au .MelbourneObserve You can rread ead our paper fr ee on the free internet. Contact details for our advertisers are also available at our website.
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.
Gemini: (may 21- June 21) Lucky colour: Green Lucky day: Saturday Racing numbers: 3-5-4-2 Lotto numbers: 5-9-17-22-28-42 You could be in need of some kind of advice and when you get it make sure you use it wisely. Legal and real estate matters should be handled with care and by experts. Romance should be improving. Cancer: (June 22- July 22) Lucky colour: Red Lucky day: Monday Racing numbers: 2-7-8-9 Lotto numbers: 2-13-16-27-32-36 If you have been showing the best side of you to your superiors now could be the time when you can benefit from it. Something you did well in the past will bring rewards now.
Distribution Sta dition: Available w eekly a tatte E Edition: weekly att approx. 400 newsagents across the Melbourne metropolitan area, Mornington Peninsula, Geelong, Bellarine Peninsula, Surf coast, and Victorian regional centres. Recommended retail price: $2.95.
Your Stars
● New municipal buildings, Emerald Hill. 1879.
Independently Owned and Operated
Capricorn: (December 21- January 19) Lucky colour: Brown Lucky day: Tuesday Racing numbers: 6-7-8-3 Lotto numbers: 4-13-22-31-35-39 If you cannot do the job yourself make sure the instructions to others are clear enough, as mistakes are possible during this period. There is a possibility of some changes in your work situation. Aquarius: (January 20- February 19) Lucky colour: Fawn Lucky day: Wednesday Racing numbers: 1-5-6-8 Lotto numbers: 15-23-31-33-35-44 Some changes are needed but you must use tact in introducing them to other members of the household. A very lucky period coming up and travel is very much on the agenda for you.
The Melbourne Observer is printed under contract by Streamline PressPty Ltd, 155 Johns t, Fitzr o y, ffor or the publisher Johnstt on S St, Fitzro publisher,, Local Media Pty Ltd. ABN 67 096 680 063, of the registered office, 30 Glen Gully Rd, Eltham, Vic 3095. Distributed by All Day Distribution. Responsibilityfor election and referendum comment is accepted by Ash Long. Co p yright © 20 ocal Media P ty L pyright 2011 7 7,, L Local Pty Ltt d. ACN 096 680 063.
Pisces: (February 20- march 20) Lucky colour: Lemon Lucky day: Monday Racing numbers: 1-5-6-7 Lotto numbers: 2-16-18-23-29-44 Long distance planning should be done very soon as the time will come when your plans are needed. Changes will happen but they should not upset you too much. Be flexible in your time with loved ones.
● Presbyterian Church, Dorcas St, Emerald Hill. Circa 1860.
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 Observer - Wednesday, July 26, 2017 - Page 9
Showbiz Latest
It’s All About You!
Melbourne
FRANKENSTEIN IN ST KILDA Observer Review by Sherryn Danaher
The Best Columnists
■ This Victorian premiere of Lally Katz’s stage play of Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley’s classic gothic tale, Frankenstein, is staged on the bicentennial eve of the original publication, January 1, 1818. Katz’s shrewdly exploits the current day revival of gothic horror in this condensed, contemporary version of the story. Frankenstein’s creation, known only as The Creature, deviates from Shelley’s Monster being portrayed as a woman by Chantelle Jamieson. The Creature is an innocent who yearns for a normal life unencumbered by the fears that overwhelm her psychologically and physically. Rejected by her creator and father, The Creature is fraught with issues of body image, selfidentity and the search for acceptance and love. Chantelle gives a moving performance of a vulnerable modern-day teenager including a touching scene where she imitates bird call in the forest musing on an avian connection. Victor Frankenstein, played Michael McStay, is depicted as the disturbed creator who, after his creation is brought to life, immediately rejects her as being ugly, dismissing any fatherdaughter recognition. The duality of the creator/rejector character is cleverly enhanced by Michael’s gothic romantic costume, dark eye make-up and skilful acting and movement on stage. The two main characters are craftily supported by an onstage assistant stage manager wearing a second skin, head to toe, grey body suit melding him into the set. Director Phil Rouse returns to Theatre Works with this dark and powerful production exploring the central themes of parenting, body image, desire for love, guilt and gender issues. The impact of this production is boosted by accompanying 80s pop culture references and ballads, dramatic lighting, sound and smoke haze effects. Lally and Phil have admirably brought Shelley’s iconic story onto today’s stage with refreshed relevance. Performance dates: July 20-29 Venue: Theatre Works, 14 Acland Street, St Kilda Running time: 65 minutes Bookings: 9534 3388 Office: 9534 4879 admin@theatreworks.org.au - Review by Sherryn Danaher
Weather Forecast
● Chantelle Jamieson as the Creation in Frankenstein. Photo: Sarah Walker
Death of David Small
● David Small
■ Actor and 96.5 Inner FM broadvaster David Small has died suddenly at age 80. Melbourne Observer solumnist Kevin Trask said: “It is with deep regret that we announce the sudden passing of one our valued presenters and friends David Small. “David has been with 96.5 Inner FM since the beginning and presented the first Local Theatre program when we began official transmission in 1990. “For many years David presented Morning Magazine on a Thursday morning. “His popular Sunday morning programs Small Talk and Worship on the Wireless had a wonderful following. “Our sympathy is extended to his daughters and all the family. This is a great loss to our radio station,” Kevin Trask said. Born in England in 1938, a large slice of his life has been as an actor and director in nonprofessional theatre. ● Turn To Page 11
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Today (Wed.). Scattered showers. 4°-14° Thurs. Mostly cloudy. 7°-14° Fri. Partly cloudy. 8°-14° Sat. Cloudy. 8°-17° Sun. Scattered showers. 7°-14° Mon. Scattered showers. 6°-14°
Ash Long: Editor’s Column Matt Bissett-Johnson: Cartoonist Gavin Wood: West Hollywood Nick Le Souef: Outback Legend Kevin Trask: Whatever Happened Rob Foenander: Country Music Cheryl Threadgold: Local Theatre Aaron Rourke: Movie Reviews James Sherlock: DVDs, Top 10 Lists Ted Ryan: Observer Racingf Len Baker: Harness Racing Country Music Local Theatre Top 10 Lists Best Movies
Observer Showbiz
Latest News Around Victoria
Endangered lives
■ Two teens had their cars impounded in Mulgrave at the weekend after being caught driving at 90kmh over the speed limit. Police from Nunawading Highway Patrol clocked an Audi sedan travelling at 170kmh in an 80kmh zone on Wellington Rd. Shortly after they saw the vehicle get overtaken by a Mitsubishi Lancer, also recorded as travelling at 170kmh. The two vehicles were intercepted and Police discovered the drivers, an 18-yearold Rowville man and an 18-year-old Mulgrave man, were mates and en route to a friend’s place after visiting a local doughnut shop. Both vehicles were impounded for 30 days and will cost the drivers $925 and $879 respectively to recover them. They will also be charged on summons with an array of traffic offences including conduct endangering life.
.173 alleged
■ A 21-year-old man has immediately lost his licence following an incident in Maribyrnong. Footscray Police intercepted his vehicle on Raleigh Rd and the P2 licence holder told police he’d been with friends at a birthday party at a nearby licenced premises. Four of those friends were in the back seat of his vehicle, with one lying across the other three. None of the four were wearing seatbelts at the time. The Ascot Vale man also returned a positive preliminary breath test before recording a reading of 0.173 per cent BAC on an evidentiary breath test. As a provisionary licence holder, he is required to have a zero blood alcohol content and also exceeded the number of peer passengers he is eligible to carry.
Mike McColl Jones
Top 5
The man immediately had his licence suspended and will be charged on summons with an array of traffic offences.
THE T OP 5 TOP THINGS WE SHOULD NEVER EVER DO 5. Go swimming with Mick Fanning. 4. Stand between Christine Nixon and Jeff Kennett. 3. Ask Captain Hook to do up your zipper. 2. Look at a naked Greg Norman. 1. Play golf with O.J. Simpson - he has a nasty slice.
Page 10 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, July 26, 2017 Melbourne
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West Hollywood
You meet the nicest people in the Village ■ Hi everyone, from my suite at the Ramada Plaza Hotel and Suites comes this week's news.
Places to dine out
Meeting Dr Kildare ■ If you lived in or are just visiting West Hollywood you might run into Richard Chamberlain (Dr Kildare) on a daily basis as he goes for his walk around the beautiful tree lined streets of the village. George Richard Chamberlain is an American stage and screen actor and singer, who became a teen idol in the title role of the television show Dr. Kildare from1961 to1966. Since then, he has appeared in several mini-series such as Shogun (1980) and The Thorn Birds (1983), and many successful films, and he has performed classical stage roles and worked in musical theatre.
Abbey Stone’s release ■ Melbourne singer-songwriter Abbey Stone is back. Her star is on the rise. Slated for supports to some of the biggest names in show business, her music is reaching as far as Hollywood. Three years after releasing and touring with her debut EP Doorways, Abbey Stone is back with her new release Complete. Reflecting upon the themes of Complete, Stone says that this record is "less about someone else, and mostly about me. Coming off the back of Doorways, I wanted to write a body of work that reflected my personal and musical growth since I released that EP." Working out of a home studio in Point Cook, which was set up for the sole purpose of creating this EP (later named Still Here Studios, an homage to her debut). “We spent hours writing, producing and eventually engineering what would later become Complete. "I have worked in studios before but never this hands on. I wanted to learn about the trivial things that go into creating a record that you might not necessarily even think about as a listener." Complete focuses on the ideals of self-love, confidence and closure; something that Stone describes as "the perfect follow up to Doorways, because in that EP, I was writing about my longing for someone else, and now I am saying, "well, it wasn't meant to be and I am so much better for it." Complete was released last month.
$54.5 million mansion ■ Jay Z, Beyonce and their three kids are thought to be renting the huge estate for a jaw-dropping $400,000 a month since the superstar gave birth on June 12. Known as La Villa Contenta, or the happy house, the clan are thought to be settling in just fine and with the main mansion boasting 14 bathrooms, 10 bedrooms and a 25ft infinity pool there is plenty of room to potter around. It is thought the family and their huge entourage are renting the estate until the end of August as their other property in West Hollywood is renovated for the twins, believed to be a boy and girl. The new babies spent just over a week at the hospital before being allowed to leave. For a celebrity, La Villa Contenta is worth every cent of its cool $54.5m price tag, which includes a 'natatorium' or pool house “inspired by grand European follies”, a large office building and a staff housing complex. Relaxing walks can be partaken in the 6.3 acres of grounds including a rose garden with more than 1000 flower bushes and a landscaped desert area.
● Richard Chamberlain and Alan Johnson
GavinWood
From my Suite at the Ramada Plaza Complex on Santa Monica Blvd
Visit Sunset Strip ■ If you are considering a move to Los Angeles or just coming over for a holiday on the Sunset Strip 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
● Abbey Stone
www.gavinwood.us
Kitchen 23 Mix and mingle on the outdoor patio. One of the most desirable places to be seen in the WeHo LGBTQ scene (though, obviously, hetero friendly). Offers upscale comfort food, delicious drinks and a cool vibe, all at very reasonable prices. Alma at The Standard - West Hollywood. You'll love these imaginative, SoCal dishes centered on a singular sensation or feeling and focused on amazing textures and presentation. Prepare your senses for overload. Tower Bar at Sunset Tower Hotel - West Hollywood. Cosy up in this elegant, highbrow haven with sweeping vistas of the city. Splurge for a fancy night out (or in, if you're a hotel guest!) with a delicious meal influenced by northern Italian cuisine and French bistros, topped with California coastal notes. Sunset Strip. A stretch of glitz and glamour that connects Hollywood and Beverly Hills, the portion of Sunset Boulevard known as the Sunset Strip is today part of West Hollywood. For much of its early life the strip was an in-between landscape that welcomed the nightclubs, gambling houses and juke joints that could not survive the streets of more vigilantly patrolled Los Angeles. Just a mile and a half in length, the Sunset Strip is bigger than life, known for its enormous billboards, its star-making and star-studded clubs and its choice boutiques. To the north of the Strip are neighbourhoods that define the Hollywood lifestyle, from tidy bungalows and low-slung ranchstyle homes to magnificent traditional and contemporary estates. Narrow, winding streets rise up glens and canyons to evermore-impressive views over the sparkling lights of the Los Angeles basin below. The Strip drew an entertainment crowd from the earliest days of Hollywood Studios when casinos and back room booze offered respite from stricter city regulations. Glamorous nightclubs - Ciro's, the Mocambo and the Trocadero were the places to see and be seen. The Pacific Electric Railroad's Balloon Route Trolley travelled from Downtown L.A. through Hollywood to the beach and back. A pair of trolley cars plied the hilly dirt roadway of Laurel Canyon. Among the tourists were prospective land buyers. New restaurants and bars, clubs and boutiques crowded together along the covered boulevard, rising and falling and rising again in popularity with each trend in music, fashion and contemporary culture. The Strip found its way into songs and movies, television, books and newspapers. In 1984 when West Hollywood was incorporated as a city, The Strip, especially its western end became home to more hotels and office buildings. Even today, somewhat more dignified, the Strip is still a visual treat with billboards, neon and picturesque people clamouring for attention and sensational food, music and fashion rewarding visitors from around the world. It's just waiting for you to come and experience the Strip.
WeHo, foodie heaven Gracefully pig out at your choice of hundreds of restaurants and eateries in West Hollywood (WeHo). Foodies and gourmands book WeHo stays for seamless restaurant hopping (and, obviously, all the other attractions that make WeHo a dream vacation). Some of the best food is right in your hotel. Andaz - West Hollywood. Expect the unexpected. Dine on farm-to-table, Southern California-inspired cuisine while basking in the lights of the glammed-up Sunset Strip. Surround yourself with millennial rock-n-rollers, music industry insiders and tatted-up hipsters hankering for a hearty, market-fresh meal. Boxwood at The London - West Hollywood. Indulge at Boxwood to taste an innovative spin on New American food. Served in the classy Sitting Room or the luscious Rooftop West lounge, food comes with awesome views. Mardi Restaurant at Palihouse - West Hollywood. Chef Kris Tominaga is bringing a family-style shared plates menu with bold European flavours to Mardi Restaurant at Palihouse. Dine on big plates of roasted chicken, lamb ribs and butterflied fish while enjoying the summer weather in the cozy patio. Petit Ermitage - West Hollywood. Feel the magic and romance in a nooked away table or under the starry So-Cal sky. Relish unique fare that's a blend of California rustic merged with Italian, Japanese and Egyptian influences. While the cheese and charcuterie plating is a top menu item, the Gypsy Breakfast is worth the wake-up call.
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Vale David Small ● From Page 9 David came on board soon after 96.5 Inner FM first went to air. He was asked by Kevin Trask to join a panel of local theatre people in presenting local theatre on behalf of Heidelberg Theatre Co. He was instantly hooked on radio and was soon sharing other programs and covering for other presenters when necessary. Ron Lopes brought him in on his breakfast programs as news reader, and later included news and biogs on Saturday Express. He since produced and presented a variety of programs including Sunday Breakfast in Bed with Daviid Small, This Is The Week That Was and Weekend Magazine. His popular Small Talk program was on air since 1996. In 2001, as Rev Tom Douglas lay terminally ill, David took over his weekly program The Life Changing Hour, which became styled as Worship On The Wireless. Elected to the Management Committee, David served as Treasurer for several years during the 1990s, and produced a series of Saturday afternoon magazine-type programs. As an actor, David faced his first audience at the age of four and, like many thus smitten, was never really the same again. Retired from leading roles, he was a veteran of some 130 dramatic, comedy and musical productions spanning more than 70 years and was the recipient of many prestigious acting awards, including the inaugural VDL Gold Award (Drama) in its inaugural year (1997) and again in 2007. Among the occasional musical theatre roles he has played over the years are those of all three senior male leads in My Fair Lady, (Higgins, Pickering and Doolittle) – as yet unchallenged as a world record. Screen credits include a guest appearance in ABC TVs MDA and a variety of educational and training films and community documentaries. Directing credits, include Easter productions for Moomba (1967) and theAdelaide Festival of the Arts (1969). In 1987 he brokered and co-directed the world first full length, non-professional production of the Royal Shakespeare Company commissioned Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby which had 34 performances in Australia and New Zealand. For Easter 2006 he directed and narrated his fourth consecutive Annual Melbourne Passion Play, performed in Doncaster's Ruffey Lake Park. David was invited to join the judging panel for the 2009 VDL Annual Awards and continued in the position for four years, and later recruited for more of the same. David had three daughters and five grandchildren. He lost Joan, his wife of 46 years, to cancer in 2010. ■ John McGourty, who currently heads the News Corp Editorial Network, has been appointed Publisher, Commercial Operations for NewsLocal. He will be responsible for driving the editorial transformation of News Corp Australia's community publications while managing the commercial and operational areas of the NewsLocal business.
Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, July 26, 2017 - Page 11 Melbourne
Observer
Going ‘Incognito’ ■ The human mind is a majestically powerful yet fragile instrument. We shape our reality, delude ourselves, succumb to neurological conditions and attempt to make sense of the world through the facility of this organ. Nick Payne explores this capacity of the mind in his play, Incognito. The audience follows four actors (Ben Prendergast, Kate Cole, Jing-Xuan Chan, Paul Ashcroft) who move between interconnected scenarios that range over an extended period of time. The challenge this poses for the audience and cast is testament to the mind’s ability to transition and hold all the story strands simultaneously. It is not onerous. It simply requires concentration. The actors almost instantly change scenarios and character. Far from being disconcerting, their shift in tone or stance is enough to take the au This is acting of exceptional note. Variations in lighting could well have assisted this more to
● Ben Prendergast and Kate Cole in Incognito. Photo: Teresa Noble identify time and place ience is never bored. Ella Caldwell and but was, ultimately not Ostensibly, the ap- Brett Cousins have necessary. propriation of kept the direction The stage was rela- Einstein’s brain is the simple and immediate tively bare but for a deceit that drives the on Red Stitch’s small grand piano and a net- play; what compelled stage allowing the exwork, a neural net of the pathologist, how ceptional writing of the cords extending into unremarkable was the script and the actors’ the audience with actual brain, how interpretation to do the small lights for syn- memory can be lost, work. apses. how driven we can be Again, another Red Again, it is the act- by desire, how suscep- Stitch production ing that holds us over tible we are to love worth seeing. the one hour and 35- and\ how our indepenUntil August 13. minute duration of the dent lives can inter- Review by David performance. The au- sect. McLean
Nightdance at Arts House ● Nightdance by Melanie Lane. Photo: Jody Hutchinson ■ Two premiere dance shows are coming to Pile of Bones examines love, suppression, Arts House, North Melbourne in August. mutation and the uprising of inner demons work The first is the Stephanie Lake Company’s is combined with four remarkable dancers production of Pile of Bones from August 15 – (Marlo Benjamin, Samantha Hines, Harrison Ritchie-Jones and Jack Ziesing), and an origi19. nal composition by Robin Fox. The second production is Nightdance , choreographed by Melanie Lane, from August 24 – 27. Australia and Berlin-based choreographer and performer Melanie Lane coaxes us off the couch and into the club in Nightdance, a new work that investigates the physical experience of the nightclub and its seductive promise of transformation, primal temptation and sublime release. Transgressing the realms of traditional dance forms, Lane and her co-performers (Lilian Steiner and Gregory Lorenzutti) slide between exotic dance, techno, burlesque and pop as they navigate sound, space and light, and the social, sensual and cerebral offerings-up for consumption after dark. Times: 7.30pm Thu – Fri, 2pm and 7.30pm Sat, 3pm Sun Address: Arts House, 521 Queensberry St, North Melbourne Tickets: $25 – $35 Bookings: artshouse.com.au or 9322 3720 - Cheryl Threadgold
Melbourne Observations
with Matt Bissett-Johnson
Showbiz News
Melbourne Arts Kennedy Prize
■ Kennedy Art Prize co-ordinator, Mark Kennedy, is urging the submission of 2017 entries immediately online by the August 18 deadline to www.kenedyprize.com.au The 2016 Kennedy Art Prize was won by artist Deidre But-Hussaim from South Australia with a work entitled The Ineffable. Offered by the Kennedy Arts Foundation, open to all Australian artists, entries must be painted in any medium and must embody, comment on or celebrate beauty. Emerging artists are especially encouraged to enter the prize which is designed to showcase previously un-exhibited artists alongside established Australian luminaries. The winning artist will receive the 4th Kennedy Prize of $25,000. Their artwork will be acquired by the Kennedy Arts Foundation. The prize money is not the only benefit to entering the Kennedy Prize. The prize exposes artwork to new audiences especially for emerging artists. This year the Kennedy Arts Foundation is also awarding the Royal South Australian Society of Arts Portrait Prize of $10,000 which forms part of SALA. The Adelaide-based exhibition of the Kennedy Prize finalists for 2017 will run from Friday September 15 to Saturday September 23 (closed Sunday September 17) at Fisher Jeffries, 1/19 Gouger St. Adelaide. The Foundation's Choice, comprising of Foundation members' shortlisted selectio,n is part of the main exhibit. A Peoples Choice Award will be awarded to the public’s preferred entrant. All entries except the Prize Winner and Foundation Choice selections are eligible for the Peoples Choice Award. Voting is available at the exhibition up to and including Thursday September 21 and will be announced at 6pm Friday September 22 at the exhibition. All exhibited artworks, except the prize winner, will be available for sale at the exhibition. - Peter Kemp
Three Monks
■ China National Theatre for Children will present Three Monks at Arts Centre Melbourne, Fairfax Studio for two performances on Saturday, September 2. Adapted from an ancient Chinese legend, this beautiful, wordless production integrates traditional Chinese opera, martial arts and classic elements of Chinese culture in an exploration of philosophy of unity, cooperation and the harmony between man and nature. On top of the mountain, in a small temple, live an old monk master and his three students. They live together in peace, but things haven’t always been so easy. As each of the monks reflect on how they came together, they will take the audience on a heart-warming journey of laughter, anger and everything in between. Founded in 1956 and based in Beijing, China National Theatre for Children is the only national children's art troupe directly subordinated to the Ministry of Culture of the People's Republic of China. In the past 60 years, China National Theatre for Children has produced and staged a great number of exquisite works, from ancient to modern, in China and abroad. China National Theatre for Children says of the production and the upcoming Melbourne season, “We created this show in 2014 and since then it has travelled to 14 countries and been warmly received by audiences. “This show presents the spirit of Chinese traditional culture and emphasises to children the meaning and importance of cooperationa universal theme that has resonated around the world. “This will be the first time the show has been presented in Australia and we are thrilled to be bringing this production to Arts Centre Melbourne.” This program is supported by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Australia China Council. - Cheryl Threadgold
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Page 12 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, July 26, 2017
Local History
Murder at the Mountain Rush ■ The Argus newspaper, 155 years ago (May 30, 1862), reported on the inquest on a body discovered at the Mountain Rush, as the Kinglake district was then known: On Tuesday the district coroner held an inquest on the body of Edmund Cuckson, at Eltham, when the following evidence was taken :John Haynes, a miner at Smith's Gully, Caledonian Diggings, had known deceased for seven or eight years. On Saturday morning last, the 24th last, started at about ten o'clock with a pack-horse from Smith's Gully to go to the Mountain Rush. When about seven miles from Smith's Gully, near an old hut, witness's mare shied, and witness then saw the body of a man lying a little off the road, about ten or twelve yards from the old hut, close to a waterhole. Did not go up nearer to the body than ten yards. Could see the face of the man, but did not identify the deceased at the time. Was satisfied that the man was dead, as there were flies about the face, and because of the whiteness of the face. Did not touch the body at all. Then went to catch the mare. Caught her, and went on the journey. Met Mr Albert Nash about a mile further on, with Mr Herman Steinman, Mr Passarius, and another person, all walking. Asked them whether they had seen any one. They said they had met two persons, with swags, on the Mountain Rush, near Mr. Hirt's store. Told them there was a body lying on the road by the hill. They then went on in the direction of the body, and witness continued on to the Mountain Rush. The day before witness saw the body of the deceased, witness had left the Mountain Rush about 4 pm. Went on horseback from the Mountain Rush to Smith's Gully, and reached his own place about seven o'clock. The old hut near which the body was found was about three miles from the first creek of the Mountain Rush, and about seven miles from witness's hut. Saw only one person on the journey home; that was a man sitting on a swag close to the hut where the body was afterwards found. The man had made a sort of miami, and was boiling his billy at a fire he had made. On coming up to him, he said "Good evening mate," and witness answered "Good evening." The man then asked whether that was the road to the diggings, pointing to the road witness had come. He also asked whether it was a main cart track for Whittlesea. Told him it was not, but that there was a road from Second Creek to Whittlesea. He then asked how far some village was off the Whittlesea-road. Witness told him he had heard of the place. Then, pointing to the track witness was following the man asked «where that led to? After being told, he said, " You are going there tonight, then ?" Answered yes; and that witness went up every day with stores. The man said he had come through Queenstown, and was too late to make the Mountain Rush that night.
● A £100 reward was offered in the Victoria Government Gazette. June 1862. While talking, witness got off his with the man, and did not take any found was situated between the horse and took a sack from behind particular notice of how he was Queenstown and Smith's Gully the saddle to throw across his knees, dressed. roads, and very near where they met. Believed he could rccognise him and then refastenod the other bugs. After leaving the man, did not In doing this, witness stood on the by his voice and features, but did not meet anybody else on the road home, off-side of the horse with his back to take any particular notice of him, Went to Queenstown on Saturday the man; then got on the mare and beyond that he seemed to be a dig- afternoon in company with the ger. wished him good night. baker's man, and passed near the He could easily have robbed wit- hut. Had got about a mile on the road ness if he liked, because witness's home after leaving the man, Both went up to the body, and witThen witness heard the report of back was towards him, on getting ness then recognized the deceased. fire-arms coming from the direction from tho horse. The body was in the same position The hut where deceased was as witness had left it. he had left, Had not seen any gun
Excitement at the Caledonia Diggings ■ The Kilmore Free Press spoke of the Caledonia Diggings, in its issue of May 29, 1883: “Many years ago the old Mountain rush, or Caledonia diggings, ceated some excitement, and some rich alluvial gold was there obtained. “After a spurt the district, including what is now known as Queenstown, Panton Hill, &c., almost became deserted, although there were many who clung to the place, thoroughly believing in its highly auriferous nature. “This belief we feel convinced, from recent development, has beenfully justified. Several quartz claims have been tried from time to time, occasionally with success, but generally with indifferent results, mainly because no proper system of mining ,seems to have been pursued. “The prospecting on Reedy Creek up to a very recent date we looked upon as nothing better than rooting, but the old Caledonia diggings seems to have been scratchel over more lightly, a depth of one hundred feet being rarely attained whilst a depth of about fifty feet is the rule.
“The greatest novice in quartz mining knows that mere shallow scratching is no test of quartz veins, indeed in many cases lodes which are very poor on the surface beeome rich at a depth of a couple of hundred feet. Where such rich alluvial deposits were obtained in the district named it is but reasonable to expect that gold-bearing reefs exist; indeed the country for miles, from Kangaroo ground to Kinglake has on the face of it all the indications of being auriferous. “We had a run through the district named a few days ago, and, whilst many places give tokens of decay noticeable on most deserted diggings there are yet to be seen many cleanly homesteads with their compact front gardens, affording strong evidence of their owners intention to remain in the locality and look forward to better times. “At Kinglake what appears an excellent reef has been struck. It is on the selected land of Mr McMahon, with whom the new party called the Band of Hope Company has mads favorable terms. The reef is an outcrop on the surface, averages a foot in thickness to the depth tested already-about 410 feet-and is literally studded with gold.”
Did not seo the deceased on the Mountain Rush on Friday last. Charles Jesse, senior constable, stationed at Queenstown, heard of the body being found very late, on Saturday night. Early the next day procecded to the spot. Found deceased lying on his back, with one arm stretched out, and the right arm thrown above tho head. The clothes were gathered up towards his arm-pits, and the tail of the coat was under his head, as though he had been dragged by the heels. The shirt and undershirt were saturated with blood, partially washed out, apparently by the rain, Perceived a small hole in the neck of deceased, apparently a bullet wound. There were slight grazes of the skin on the back. Found a hole through the waistcoat and Crimean shirt, corresponding with the opening; in the neck of deceased.. There was no mark o£ powdersingeing round, the opening through the shirts. Found three penny-pieces and the pencil and knife (produced) near the body, and between it and the fire found the pipe and pencil (produced). Near the body found the portion of The Weekly Argus (produced), dated l6th May, 1862, with a piece torn out of the corner. It is stained with red marks, Albert Nash, a miner living on the Caledonia Diggings, corroborated Haynes's testimony as to meeting on the Saturday. Witness went on and found the body, with blood on the neck near the wound. Recognised deceased, but neither of the party touched the clothes, but left everything as it was. Noticed that the body had been dragged about eight or ten yards from off the track. Saw a pool of blood where witness supposed deceased fell, and near the blood found the pocket-book (produced). Went to Queenstown Police-station and gave information. Did not meet any person on the way to Queenstown. Mr. P. T. W. Ford, surgeon, described the appearance of the body and the nature of the injury. The cause of death was a gun-shot wound, lacerating the subclavian artery and the lungs, finally injuring the spinal cord. The deceased could not have inflicted the wound himself. Mr. Charles Hirt, storekeeper on the Mountain Rush, knew deceased, and last saw him alive at about four o'clock on Friday afternoon, the 23rd inst. He came on horseback to witness's store, spoke for a minute or two without alighting, and then went round the corner in the direction of Queenstown, saying he was going home. Witness asked him which track he was going by, and he said by the old hut, Did not recollect seeing any stranger on horseback that day on the diggings. Deceased was quite sober. He had a whip, and a poncho was rolled up in front of his saddle. The jury returned the following verdict: "That on the 24th May, 1862, on the Mountain Rush-road, Evelyn, Edmund Cuckson was found dead, having; died from internal injuries received from a leaden bullet," and the jury find " a verdict of wilful murder against some person or persons unknown."
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Observer
Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, July 26, 2017 - Page 13
Travellers’ Good Buys
with David Ellis
It’s all about ‘just dreamin’ at sea’ David Ellis is travelling, and this week fellow travel writer, Roderick Eime takes over his reins. If good things come in small packages, then when it comes to luxury cruising, SeaDream Yacht Club knows exactly what it’s all about. Launched just a couple of weeks before the calamitous events of 9/11, its founder, Norwegian-born entrepreneur Atle Brynestad, thought he was doomed. But against all predictions, not only did SeaDream Yacht Club survive, it flourished. I’ve had my eye on these ships (whoops, ‘yachts’) for years and when their ground-breaking Asian itineraries were announced last year, I pounced. It was a calculated risk for the regular Mediterranean- and Caribbean-operating line, whose growing legion of repeat guests were asking for new playgrounds to explore. Long time onboard Club Director, Richard Jones, now Thailand-based Business Development Director Asia, joined the Asia-push, overseeing the 13 first-time itineraries that included ports as distant as Yangon, Singapore, Hong Kong, Phuket, Langkawi, Bali, Bangkok and Cairns. Constantly lauded by the cruise industry’s independent arbiter, the Berlitz Guide, SeaDream has consistency ranked at or near the top of its tables for ‘Boutique Ships’ category -
● Seadream II with colourful local boats at Patong, Thailand. (Richard Jones)
Melbourne
Observer Wines & Liqueurs
with David Ellis
Taste of Spain in this Aussie drop ■ When Spanish winemaker Freixenet decided to look seriously at the Australian market and invested in the purchase of a mixed fruit farm on Victoria’s Murray River, it wasted no time in using the vineyards there to put out a couple of 2012 sparkling wines under its already internationally-recognised Azahara label. Both were an instant success, and Freixenet has now followed-up with a non-fizz Azahara Pinot Grigio and also a Shiraz, with winemaker Dr Phil Spillman delighted at their reflection of the character of the Victorian property’s orange groves (Azahara in fact is Spanish for orange blossom,) together with the avocado and mango plantations that are criss-crossed by the vineyard blocks. “We’re serious about having a good go at making something really special here,” a proud Dr Spillman says. “Wines in a style befitting the Spanish dining and entertaining experience, whilst still staying true to the qualities naturally expressed by the Australian farm.” The 2013 Azahara Pinot Grigio has certainly reflected that aim, with a wonderful palate of crunchy apples, fresh lemon and spiced pears, and a creamy mouth feel. Add some nice acidity and at $15 this makes a marvellous drop with Mediterranean-style salads, and seafoods like salt ‘n pepper squid or barbecued white fish fil-
One to note ■ Another rewarding vino from Victoria is a 2010 Shiraz from handharvested, low-cropped fruit off Toolangi Vineyard’s Dixon’s Creek in the Yarra Valley. The nutmeg, violets and varietal Shiraz peppery-spice aromas, highlighted from the inclusion of twenty per cent whole bunches in the ferment, are reflected nicely on the palate with complimentary finegrain tannins and a light acidity. With just 1,400 cases made, and at $20 a bottle, this is a quite lovely medium-bodied drop that goes well with rare eye fillet of beef, roast duck – or our favourite with this style of Shiraz, a freely herbsprinkled roast leg of lamb.
Pictured ■ Enjoy Mediterranean-inspired seafoods with this Aussie drop’s taste of Spain. ■ A favourite with this style of Shiraz is a freely herb-sprinkled roast leg of lamb.
– and against some pretty stiff competition. Chatting to repeat ‘SeaDreamers,’ many of whom count days aboard in the hundreds, they say it keeps coming back to service. Being treated like royalty with your every need predicted, but without being fawned-over or stifled. Our sommelier, Frank, a lively Hungarian with ten years with the company, would address we Australians cheerfully with ‘How ya going mayte?” then proceed to elaborate on the salubrious wine list for the evening’s fine dining menu in the main Deck 2 restaurant. But dining is not limited to Deck 2, and in the balmy evenings a pre-dinner G&T is a perfect prelude to a meal at Deck 5’s al fresco Topside Restaurant. From there, it’s but a meagre amble up to the Top of the Yacht Bar for outdoor nightcaps. There are three passenger decks on SeaDream with pricing working upward from Deck 2, but honestly, unless you’ve opted for one of the suites (and there are just two,) there is little difference except for staterooms on Deck 2 having twin portholes, and all others picture windows. The two suites are the Owners and the Admiral; all 54 others (called Yacht Club Staterooms) are identical, except for those portholes on Deck 2, and with some having inter-connecting internal doors. Another favourite of repeat guests was the all-inclusive beverages. Super quality wines, aperitifs and spirits are there for the asking. Okay, if you want Dom Pérignon, there’s a surcharge but the included drinks would satisfy most discerning tastes and many a late night was had at the Top of the Yacht Bar in entertaining company. SeaDream might sound like it’s only for well-heeled seniors, but on my sailing most passengers were middle-aged or older couples, some with young adult families enjoying true luxury time together. For active types ‘water toys’ included Jet Skis, kayaks, Hobie Cats and others, and there was a 30-course golf simulator. To find fault with this well-oiled offering is to appear churlish, but if pressed I would say the bathrooms are a bit tight (especially if you’ve been enjoying the cuisine) and simple, included shore excursions would be nice, such as city walks led by crew or staff members. The excursions on my itinerary were add-ons ranging from Shwedegon Pagoda ($49) to Bagan by air ($795.) The only included tour was a tender visit to the Sea Gypsy village. Voyages are typically seven days, some 10 to 14, and with early-booking discounts. SeaDream II and twin sister SeaDream I each carries a maximum 112 guests and 95 crew, and in the revered Berlitz Complete Guide to Cruising and Cruise Ships 2013, achieved the top two placings in the ‘Boutique Ships’ category (50-250 passengers.) SeaDream II is now in the Mediterranean for its Northern Summer season to October, and specialist cruise-holiday travel agency, Cruise Express has some exceptional prices during this time – for example seven nights from Athens to Rome in October with inclusions detailed above, six ports in Greece and Italy, plus historic Corinth Canal and viewing volcanic Mt Stromboli, starts from US$4726pp
Page 14 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, July 26, 2017
■ If you can remember back to the early days of television you may recall a program titled People Are Funny which introduced us to the American host Art Linkletter. People Are Funny was a quiz show with comedy stunts and it was in production from 1955 till 1960. Art Linkletter was born Gordon Arthur Kelly in Canada in 1912. He was abandoned by his natural parents and adopted by Mary and John Linkletter. In his teenage years, he moved to the United States and graduated from San Diego University. Art was going to be a teacher but began in radio in 1933 at the local radio station KGB where he was soon promoted to chief announcer. He was married to his wife Lois for 75 years and they had five children together. Art became a naturalised US citizen in 1942. Art Linkletter also presented the afternoon program House Party on American television which began in 1952 and ran for 25 years. In later years, he hosted Kids Say The Darndest Things. During his career Art interviewed more than 27,000 children on radio and television. He was the only person to have shows on the three major American television networks. He appeared in two films: People Are Funny and Champagne for Caesar . He was a personal friend of Walt Disney and
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Whatever Happened To ... Art Linkletter By Kevin Trask of 3AW and 96.5 Inner FM hosted the official opening of Disneyland in Anaheim in 1955. His co-hosts on that day were Ronald Reagan and Robert Cummings. Art was nominated as a ‘Disney Legend’ and was a ‘Gold Pass’ holder to Disneyland. He purchased a million acres of land in Esperence, Western Australia, for 15 cents an acre in the early 1960s on the recommendation of Harold Holt. Art came to Australia many times and at one stage he had 60,000 head of sheep on his farm. The property was managed by Australian farmer John Hagon whom Art regarded as the best employee in any of the businesses that he owned. Art published 28 books, including a book
● Art Linkletter
based on his experiences in Australia titled Art Linkletter Down Under. He appeared on a Channel 9Yooralla Telethon with my friend Philip Brady In 1969 his daughter Diane, who was just 20 at the time, jumped to her death from a sixth floor apartment in Hollywood. Art blamed the death on LSD, though the drug use was never confirmed. He became an ardent anti-drug crusader, releasing a hit record, We Love You, Call Collect, which won a Grammy Award. In 2005, at the age of 93, he was back at Disneyland to open the Happiest Homecoming on Earth as part of the 50th anniversary celebrations. I recorded a radio interview with Art Linkletter in 2009 and it remains one of my favourite interviews. In his later years Art was a guest on the television program Larry King Live and toured America giving motivational talks. Art Linkletter passed away in 2010 from a mild stroke at the age of 97. He was survived by his wife Lois, daughters Dawn Griffin and Sharon Linkletter, seven grandchildren and fifteen great-grandchildren. A life well led. 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. .
Road dangers in the Northern Territory
■ The national average of people killed on Australian roads each year is about five people per 100,000 - in the Northerm Territory it's about 20 per 100,000. And a couple of incidents occurred this month, twice in one day. Every so often I report on pedestrians being killed on Territory roads. A young woman stepped out onto the highway last week and was instantly struck by a passing bus. It seemed as though she was beginning to walk home to Mutujulu, about 20 kms away. Police haven't yet ascertained whether "alcohol was involved". And then, on the same day, another gentleman in Alice Springs was walking up from the river bed, and decided to have a sleep in the middle of the road. I often report on similar situations, virtually unheard of elsewhere. Sergeant Conan Robertson noted: "Here we understand that an indigenous male has walked up from the river, and for some reason he's laid down across the road surface. “It's something we tragically see in the NT. I can't explain it. If someone chooses to lie down on the road, they are really taking a big risk with their lives. He could have been intoxicated, but that hasn't been confirmed." And the police always recommend that if a driver is involved in such a situation, don't stop. Just drive round to the police station and report it. Stopping may involve an altercation with any witnessing relatives, blaming the driver. And indeed such incidents happen all too often. The policeman also noted that this is not only fatal for the victim, but leaves on-going trauma for the innocent driver.
■ There have been many and varied efforts to improve the lot and welfare of indigenous youth in Alice Springs but the last thing I would have thought of would be tennis. However, Evonne Goolagong Cawley and her husband Roger visited town to do just that. And they brought the Evonne Goolagong Foundation to town, coaches and all. "It's a program that my husband Roger put together when we came back from America in 1991. I wanted to do what the townspeople did for me. They gave me my first racquet, they
The Outback Legend
that these events were connected to his alleged behaviour. He asked the lawyer to explain how grief results in breaking into banks. He and his mates pleaded guilty to breaking into the ANZ, trying to steal some money, and then forcing their way into a Chinese restaurant, where they stole a small statue of a cat. Such a situation has just so far away from anything which I have ever experienced - I can't imagine the psychological impact of such an event on a mere child.
entered me into a coaching school for free, and they set me on my way really." So 106 local indigenous students attended the course for training, and to get their interest in the sport growing. And from them a handful of hopefuls will be selected to receive further coaching and free lessons. A worthy gesture on the part of one of Australia's past champions.
■ The Alice Springs Police have come up with a novel idea that is part PR, and part just plain old communication with the community. It's called Coffee with a Cop. Three local establishments are participating in this exercise. "It's a Territory-wide institution to engage with the community on a one-to-one basis," Superintendant Bradley Currie explained. So a few cops gather at these coffee spots from 9 till 11am on Thursdays, and locals are invited to join them for a chat about various matters which the police may be able to enlighten them on. "This is a chance for the community to speak directly to a police officer, and hopefully get some feedback about any concerns, and ask any questions," Bradley noted. I reckon it's a great idea. I can think of nothing better than to sit down with a local policeman or two here, and have a chat. They may have some background information for me, and I can get some inside goss on persons of interest who were helping police with their inquiries.
■ The Central Australian Aboriginal Legal Aid Service forwarded a complaint about the remarks which a judge had issued from his bench. The judge noted that "there had been a bit of a breakdown in his family". And he accused the boy of taking advantage of his mother's killing. "You've duchessed it. That means you have taken advantage of it," he said. The recipient of the comments was a 13-year-old boy whose mother had been brutally murdered few weeks prior to his alleged offences. And the boy's father was the primary suspect. But the judge was not convinced
■ Anyone who has ever visited Alice Springs has noticed many juvenile aboriginals, and many children among them, roaming around the streets, day and night. And obviously, especially at night, this can occasionally lead to various types of trouble. I once had an aboriginal mate at in Alice Springs whose job, as a full time employee of the town council, was to drive round at night and collect young kids who were aimlessly roaming the streets, and take them to a safe refuge for the night. Now there is an After Hours Youth Bus Service, run by the Central Australian Aboriginal Congress.
with Nick Le Souef Lightning Ridge Opals 63 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne Phone 9654 4444 www.opals.net.au
This is a worthy and helpful service, but there has been some concern expressed by the town council of late. There are two buses, and in May alone they carried 2202 children, picking them up from the streets and taking them back to their homes. On three nights there were over a hundred youths delivered to their homes and their parents.
Can one imagine if there were a couple of buses wheeling around the streets of Mornington, which is approximately the same population as Alice Springs, each night collecting 100 kids roaming the streets, and delivering them back to their homes? A total outcry, yet this is just the norm for the streets of Alice Springs. - Nick Le Souef ‘The Outback Legend’
OK. With John O’Keefe Rev radio
■ Crocmedia has announced yet another new concept for radio. Still in the development stages the program is all about motor racing and will be compared by touring car tragic Matt MacKeldren, along with V8 driver Steve Johnson. Stay tuned for announcement of network taking the track talk show.
Cram TV
■ Cash strapped Channel 10 has commissioned a new quiz show featuring Pete Helliar as host. Called Cram, it is a locally produced concept vaguey along the lines of Have You Been Paying Attention ? An on-air date and time slot yet to be announced. Pete Helliar was overheard to say “Ten might be paying my wages by way of Maccas vouchers.”
Sunshine on SBS
■ One program to watch on SBS later this year is Sunshine. Produced in and around the suburb of Sunshine it tells the story of a South Sudenese/ Australian basketballer making his way through the ranks of society. It is produced by Essential Films.
Madonna sues
■ Madonna has got her knickers in a twist and is threatening to sue a former friend for stealing certain personal items and getting a New York Auction House to sell them off to highest bidder. Personal items include her hair brush, letters and several pairs of her underwear.
Bert’s birthday
■ Bert Newton turns 79 this week. Part of his celebtations included a tribute to Bert on Channel Ten's Studio 10 with a roast from friends and former members of Good Morning Australia. From all accounts Bert is back to his cheeky best, and certainly hasn’t lost the gift of quick one line gags. - John O’Keefe
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Melbourne Obser ver - Wednesday, July 26, 2017 - Page 15
Observer Classic Books
r
e rv se US N Ob N IO BO CT SE
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Adventures of Huckleberry Finn I was sorry to hear Jim say that, it was such a lowering of him. My conscience got to stirring me up hotter than ever, until at last I says to it, “Let up on me — it ain’t too late yet — I’ll paddle ashore at the first light and tell.” I felt easy and happy and light as a feather right off. All my troubles was gone. I went to looking out sharp for a light, and sort of singing to myself. By and by one showed. Jim sings out: “We’s safe, Huck, we’s safe! Jump up and crack yo’ heels! Dat’s de good ole Cairo at las’, I jis knows it!” I says: “I’ll take the canoe and go and see, Jim. It mightn’t be, you know.” He jumped and got the canoe ready, and put his old coat in the bottom for me to set on, and give me the paddle; and as I shoved off, he says: “Pooty soon I’ll be a-shout’n’ for joy, en I’ll say, it’s all on accounts o’ Huck; I’s a free man, en I couldn’t ever ben free ef it hadn’ ben for Huck; Huck done it. Jim won’t ever forgit you, Huck; you’s de bes’ fren’ Jim’s ever had; en you’s de ONLY fren’ole Jim’s got now.” I was paddling off, all in a sweat to tell on him; but when he says this, it seemed to kind of take the tuck all out of me. I went along slow then, and I warn’t right down certain whether I was glad I started or whether I warn’t. When I was fifty yards off, Jim says: “Dah you goes, de ole true Huck; de on’y white genlman dat ever kep’ his promise to ole Jim.” Well, I just felt sick. But I says, I GOT to do it — I can’t get OUT of it. Right then along comes a skiff with two men in it with guns, and they stopped and I stopped. One of them says: “What’s that yonder?” “A piece of a raft,” I says. “Do you belong on it?” “Yes, sir.” “Any men on it?” “Only one, sir.” “Well, there’s five niggers run off to-night up yonder, above the head of the bend. Is your man white or black?” I didn’t answer up prompt. I tried to, but the words wouldn’t come. I tried for a second or two to brace up and out with it, but I warn’t man enough — hadn’t the spunk of a rabbit. I see I was weakening; so I just give up trying, and up and says: “He’s white.” “I reckon we’ll go and see for ourselves.” “I wish you would,” says I, “because it’s pap that’s there, and maybe you’d help me tow the raft ashore where the light is. He’s sick — and so is mam and Mary Ann.” “Oh, the devil! we’re in a hurry, boy. But I s’pose we’ve got to. Come, buckle to your paddle, and let’s get along.” I buckled to my paddle and they laid to their oars. When we had made a stroke or two, I says: “Pap’ll be mighty much obleeged to you, I can tell you. Everybody goes away when I want them to help me tow the raft ashore, and I can’t do it by myself.” “Well, that’s infernal mean. Odd, too. Say, boy, what’s the matter with your father?” “It’s the — a — the — well, it ain’t anything much.” They stopped pulling. It warn’t but a mighty little ways to the raft now. One says: “Boy, that’s a lie. What IS the matter with your pap? Answer up square now, and it’ll be the better for you.” “I will, sir, I will, honest — but don’t leave us, please. It’s the — the — Gentlemen, if you’ll only pull ahead, and let me heave you the headline, you won’t have to come a-near the raft — please do.” “Set her back, John, set her back!” says one. They backed water. “Keep away, boy — keep to looard. Confound it, I just expect the wind has blowed it to us. Your pap’s got the small-pox, and you know it precious well. Why didn’t you come out and say so? Do you want to spread it all over?” “Well,” says I, a-blubbering, “I’ve told everybody before, and they just went away and left us.” “Poor devil, there’s something in that. We are right down sorry for you, but we — well, hang it,
Mark Twain we don’t want the small-pox, you see. Look here, I’ll tell you what to do. Don’t you try to land by yourself, or you’ll smash everything to pieces. You float along down about twenty miles, and you’ll come to a town on the lefthand side of the river. It will be long after sunup then, and when you ask for help you tell them your folks are all down with chills and fever. Don’t be a fool again, and let people guess what is the matter. Now we’re trying to do you a kindness; so you just put twenty miles between us, that’s a good boy. It wouldn’t do any good to land yonder where the light is — it’s only a woodyard. Say, I reckon your father’s poor, and I’m bound to say he’s in pretty hard luck. Here, I’ll put a twenty-dollar gold piece on this board, and you get it when it floats by. I feel mighty mean to leave you; but my kingdom! it won’t do to fool with small-pox, don’t you see?” “Hold on, Parker,” says the other man, “here’s a twenty to put on the board for me. Good-bye, boy; you do as Mr. Parker told you, and you’ll be all right.” “That’s so, my boy — good-bye, good-bye. If you see any runaway niggers you get help and nab them, and you can make some money by it.” “Good-bye, sir,” says I; “I won’t let no runaway niggers get by me if I can help it.” They went off and I got aboard the raft, feeling bad and low, because I knowed very well I had done wrong, and I see it warn’t no use for me to try to learn to do right; a body that don’t get STARTED right when he’s little ain’t got no show — when the pinch comes there ain’t nothing to back him up and keep him to his work, and so he gets beat. Then I thought a minute, and says to myself, hold on; s’pose you’d a done right and give Jim up, would you felt better than
what you do now? No, says I, I’d feel bad — I’d feel just the same way I do now. Well, then, says I, what’s the use you learning to do right when it’s troublesome to do right and ain’t no trouble to do wrong, and the wages is just the same? I was stuck. I couldn’t answer that. So I reckoned I wouldn’t bother no more about it, but after this always do whichever come handiest at the time. I went into the wigwam; Jim warn’t there. I looked all around; he warn’t anywhere. I says: “Jim!” “Here I is, Huck. Is dey out o’ sight yit? Don’t talk loud.” He was in the river under the stern oar, with just his nose out. I told him they were out of sight, so he come aboard. He says: “I was a-listenin’ to all de talk, en I slips into de river en was gwyne to shove for sho’ if dey come aboard. Den I was gwyne to swim to de raf’ agin when dey was gone. But lawsy, how you did fool ’em, Huck! Dat WUZ de smartes’ dodge! I tell you, chile, I’spec it save’ ole Jim — ole Jim ain’t going to forgit you for dat, honey.” Then we talked about the money. It was a pretty good raise — twenty dollars apiece. Jim said we could take deck passage on a steamboat now, and the money would last us as far as we wanted to go in the free States. He said twenty mile more warn’t far for the raft to go, but he wished we was already there. Towards daybreak we tied up, and Jim was mighty particular about hiding the raft good. Then he worked all day fixing things in bundles, and getting all ready to quit rafting. That night about ten we hove in sight of the lights of a town away down in a left-hand bend. I went off in the canoe to ask about it. Pretty soon I found a man out in the river with a skiff,
setting a trot-line. I ranged up and says: “Mister, is that town Cairo?” “Cairo? no. You must be a blame’ fool.” “What town is it, mister?” “If you want to know, go and find out. If you stay here botherin’ around me for about a half a minute longer you’ll get something you won’t want.” I paddled to the raft. Jim was awful disappointed, but I said never mind, Cairo would be the next place, I reckoned. We passed another town before daylight, and I was going out again; but it was high ground, so I didn’t go. No high ground about Cairo, Jim said. I had forgot it. We laid up for the day on a towhead tolerable close to the left-hand bank. I begun to suspicion something. So did Jim. I says: “Maybe we went by Cairo in the fog that night.” He says: “Doan’ le’s talk about it, Huck. Po’ niggers can’t have no luck. I awluz ’spected dat rattlesnakeskin warn’t done wid its work.” “I wish I’d never seen that snake-skin, Jim — I do wish I’d never laid eyes on it.” “It ain’t yo’ fault, Huck; you didn’ know. Don’t you blame yo’self ’bout it.” When it was daylight, here was the clear Ohio water inshore, sure enough, and outside was the old regular Muddy! So it was all up with Cairo. We talked it all over. It wouldn’t do to take to the shore; we couldn’t take the raft up the stream, of course. There warn’t no way but to wait for dark, and start back in the canoe and take the chances. So we slept all day amongst the cottonwood thicket, so as to be fresh for the work, and when we went back to the raft about dark the canoe was gone! We didn’t say a word for a good while. There warn’t anything to say. We both knowed well enough it was some more work of the rattlesnake-skin; so what was the use to talk about it? It would only look like we was finding fault, and that would be bound to fetch more bad luck — and keep on fetching it, too, till we knowed enough to keep still. By and by we talked about what we better do, and found there warn’t no way but just to go along down with the raft till we got a chance to buy a canoe to go back in. We warn’t going to borrow it when there warn’t anybody around, the way pap would do, for that might set people after us. So we shoved out after dark on the raft. Anybody that don’t believe yet that it’s foolishness to handle a snake-skin, after all that that snake-skin done for us, will believe it now if they read on and see what more it done for us. The place to buy canoes is off of rafts laying up at shore. But we didn’t see no rafts laying up; so we went along during three hours and more. Well, the night got gray and ruther thick, which is the next meanest thing to fog. You can’t tell the shape of the river, and you can’t see no distance. It got to be very late and still, and then along comes a steamboat up the river. We lit the lantern, and judged she would see it. Up-stream boats didn’t generly come close to us; they go out and follow the bars and hunt for easy water under the reefs; but nights like this they bull right up the channel against the whole river. We could hear her pounding along, but we didn’t see her good till she was close. She aimed right for us. Often they do that and try to see how close they can come without touching; sometimes the wheel bites off a sweep, and then the pilot sticks his head out and laughs, and thinks he’s mighty smart. Well, here she comes, and we said she was going to try and shave us; but she didn’t seem to be sheering off a bit. She was a big one, and she was coming in a hurry, too, looking like a black cloud with rows of glowworms around it; but all of a sudden she bulged out, big and scary, with a long row of wide-open furnace doors shining like red-hot teeth, and her monstrous bows and guards hanging right over us. There was a yell at us, and a jingling of bells to stop the engines, a powwow of cussing, and whistling of steam — and as Jim went overboard on one side and I on the other, she come smashing straight through the raft. I dived — and I aimed to find the bottom, too, for a thirty-foot wheel had got to go over me,
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Observer Classic Books From Page 15 and I wanted it to have plenty of room. I could always stay under water a minute; this time I reckon I stayed under a minute and a half. Then I bounced for the top in a hurry, for I was nearly busting. I popped out to my armpits and blowed the water out of my nose, and puffed a bit. Of course there was a booming current; and of course that boat started her engines again ten seconds after she stopped them, for they never cared much for raftsmen; so now she was churning along up the river, out of sight in the thick weather, though I could hear her. I sung out for Jim about a dozen times, but I didn’t get any answer; so I grabbed a plank that touched me while I was “treading water,” and struck out for shore, shoving it ahead of me. But I made out to see that the drift of the current was towards the left-hand shore, which meant that I was in a crossing; so I changed off and went that way. It was one of these long, slanting, two-mile crossings; so I was a good long time in getting over. I made a safe landing, and clumb up the bank. I couldn’t see but a little ways, but I went poking along over rough ground for a quarter of a mile or more, and then I run across a big old-fashioned double log-house before I noticed it. I was going to rush by and get away, but a lot of dogs jumped out and went to howling and barking at me, and I knowed better than to move another peg. Chapter XVII. IN about a minute somebody spoke out of a window without putting his head out, and says: “Be done, boys! Who’s there?” I says: “It’s me.” “Who’s me?” “George Jackson, sir.” “What do you want?” “I don’t want nothing, sir. I only want to go along by, but the dogs won’t let me.” “What are you prowling around here this time of night for — hey?” “I warn’t prowling around, sir, I fell overboard off of the steamboat.” “Oh, you did, did you? Strike a light there, somebody. What did you say your name was?” “George Jackson, sir. I’m only a boy.” “Look here, if you’re telling the truth you needn’t be afraid — nobody’ll hurt you. But don’t try to budge; stand right where you are. Rouse out Bob and Tom, some of you, and fetch the guns. George Jackson, is there anybody with you?” “No, sir, nobody.” I heard the people stirring around in the house now, and see a light. The man sung out: “Snatch that light away, Betsy, you old fool — ain’t you got any sense? Put it on the floor behind the front door. Bob, if you and Tom are ready, take your places.” “All ready.” “Now, George Jackson, do you know the Shepherdsons?” “No, sir; I never heard of them.” “Well, that may be so, and it mayn’t. Now, all ready. Step forward, George Jackson. And mind, don’t you hurry — come mighty slow. If there’s anybody with you, let him keep back — if he shows himself he’ll be shot. Come along now. Come slow; push the door open yourself — just enough to squeeze in, d’ you hear?” I didn’t hurry; I couldn’t if I’d a wanted to. I took one slow step at a time and there warn’t a sound, only I thought I could hear my heart. The dogs were as still as the humans, but they followed a little behind me. When I got to the three log doorsteps I heard them unlocking and unbarring and unbolting. I put my hand on the door and pushed it a little and a little more till somebody said, “There, that’s enough — put your head in.” I done it, but I judged they would take it off. The candle was on the floor, and there they all was, looking at me, and me at them, for about a quarter of a minute: Three big men with guns pointed at me, which made me wince, I tell you; the oldest, gray and about sixty, the other two thirty or more — all of them fine and handsome — and the sweetest old gray-headed lady, and back of her two young women which I couldn’t see right well. The old gentleman says: “There; I reckon it’s all right. Come in.” As soon as I was in the old gentleman he locked the door and barred it and bolted it, and told the young men to come in with their guns, and they all went in a big parlor that had a new rag carpet on the floor, and got together in a corner that was out of the range of the front windows — there warn’t none on the side. They held the
candle, and took a good look at me, and all said, “Why, HE ain’t a Shepherdson — no, there ain’t any Shepherdson about him.” Then the old man said he hoped I wouldn’t mind being searched for arms, because he didn’t mean no harm by it — it was only to make sure. So he didn’t pry into my pockets, but only felt outside with his hands, and said it was all right. He told me to make myself easy and at home, and tell all about myself; but the old lady says: “Why, bless you, Saul, the poor thing’s as wet as he can be; and don’t you reckon it may be he’s hungry?” “True for you, Rachel — I forgot.” So the old lady says: “Betsy” (this was a nigger woman), “you fly around and get him something to eat as quick as you can, poor thing; and one of you girls go and wake up Buck and tell him — oh, here he is himself. Buck, take this little stranger and get the wet clothes off from him and dress him up in some of yours that’s dry.” Buck looked about as old as me — thirteen or fourteen or along there, though he was a little bigger than me. He hadn’t on anything but a shirt, and he was very frowzy-headed. He came in gaping and digging one fist into his eyes, and he was dragging a gun along with the other one. He says: “Ain’t they no Shepherdsons around?” They said, no, ’twas a false alarm. “Well,” he says, “if they’d a ben some, I reckon I’d a got one.” They all laughed, and Bob says: “Why, Buck, they might have scalped us all, you’ve been so slow in coming.” “Well, nobody come after me, and it ain’t right I’m always kept down; I don’t get no show.” “Never mind, Buck, my boy,” says the old man, “you’ll have show enough, all in good time, don’t you fret about that. Go ’long with you now, and do as your mother told you.” When we got up-stairs to his room he got me a coarse shirt and a roundabout and pants of his, and I put them on. While I was at it he asked me what my name was, but before I could tell him he started to tell me about a bluejay and a young rabbit he had catched in the woods day before yesterday, and he asked me where Moses was when the candle went out. I said I didn’t know; I hadn’t heard about it before, no way. “Well, guess,” he says. “How’m I going to guess,” says I, “when I never heard tell of it before?” “But you can guess, can’t you? It’s just as easy.” “WHICH candle?” I says. “Why, any candle,” he says. “I don’t know where he was,” says I; “where was he?” “Why, he was in the DARK! That’s where he was!” “Well, if you knowed where he was, what did you ask me for?” “Why, blame it, it’s a riddle, don’t you see? Say, how long are you going to stay here? You got to stay always. We can just have booming times — they don’t have no school now. Do you own a dog? I’ve got a dog — and he’ll go in the river and bring out chips that you throw in. Do you like to comb up Sundays, and all that kind of foolishness? You bet I don’t, but ma she makes me. Confound these ole britches! I reckon I’d better put ’em on, but I’d ruther not, it’s so warm. Are you all ready? All right. Come along, old hoss.” Cold corn-pone, cold corn-beef, butter and buttermilk — that is what they had for me down there, and there ain’t nothing better that ever I’ve come across yet. Buck and his ma and all of them smoked cob pipes, except the nigger woman, which was gone, and the two young women. They all smoked and talked, and I eat and talked. The young women had quilts around them, and their hair down their backs. They all asked me questions, and I told them how pap and me and all the family was living on a little farm down at the bottom of Arkansaw, and my sister Mary Ann run off and got married and never was heard of no more, and Bill went to hunt them and he warn’t heard of no more, and Tom and Mort died, and then there warn’t nobody but just me and pap left, and he was just trimmed down to nothing, on account of his troubles; so when he died I took what there was left, because the farm didn’t belong to us, and started up the river, deck passage, and fell overboard; and that was how I come to be here. So they said I could have a home there as long as I wanted it. Then it was most daylight and everybody went to bed, and I went to bed with Buck,
and when I waked up in the morning, drat it all, I had forgot what my name was. So I laid there about an hour trying to think, and when Buck waked up I says: “Can you spell, Buck?” “Yes,” he says. “I bet you can’t spell my name,” says I. “I bet you what you dare I can,” says he. “All right,” says I, “go ahead.” “G-e-o-r-g-e J-a-x-o-n — there now,” he says. “Well,” says I, “you done it, but I didn’t think you could. It ain’t no slouch of a name to spell — right off without studying.” I set it down, private, because somebody might want ME to spell it next, and so I wanted to be handy with it and rattle it off like I was used to it. It was a mighty nice family, and a mighty nice house, too. I hadn’t seen no house out in the country before that was so nice and had so much style. It didn’t have an iron latch on the front door, nor a wooden one with a buckskin string, but a brass knob to turn, the same as houses in town. There warn’t no bed in the parlor, nor a sign of a bed; but heaps of parlors in towns has beds in them. There was a big fireplace that was bricked on the bottom, and the bricks was kept clean and red by pouring water on them and scrubbing them with another brick; sometimes they wash them over with red water-paint that they call Spanish-brown, same as they do in town. They had big brass dog-irons that could hold up a saw-log. There was a clock on the middle of the mantelpiece, with a picture of a town painted on the bottom half of the glass front, and a round place in the middle of it for the sun, and you could see the pendulum swinging behind it. It was beautiful to hear that clock tick; and sometimes when one of these peddlers had been along and scoured her up and got her in good shape, she would start in and strike a hundred and fifty before she got tuckered out. They wouldn’t took any money for her. Well, there was a big outlandish parrot on each side of the clock, made out of something like chalk, and painted up gaudy. By one of the parrots was a cat made of crockery, and a crockery dog by the other; and when you pressed down on them they squeaked, but didn’t open their mouths nor look different nor interested. They squeaked through underneath. There was a couple of big wild-turkey-wing fans spread out behind those things. On the table in the middle of the room was a kind of a lovely crockery basket that had apples and oranges and peaches and grapes piled up in it, which was much redder and yellower and prettier than real ones is, but they warn’t real because you could see where pieces had got chipped off and showed the white chalk, or whatever it was, underneath. This table had a cover made out of beautiful oilcloth, with a red and blue spread-eagle painted on it, and a painted border all around. It come all the way from Philadelphia, they said. There was some books, too, piled up perfectly exact, on each corner of the table. One was a big family Bible full of pictures. One was Pilgrim’s Progress, about a man that left his family, it didn’t say why. I read considerable in it now and then. The statements was interesting, but tough. Another was Friendship’s Offering, full of beautiful stuff and poetry; but I didn’t read the poetry. Another was Henry Clay’s Speeches, and another was Dr. Gunn’s Family Medicine, which told you all about what to do if a body was sick or dead. There was a hymn book, and a lot of other books. And there was nice split-bottom chairs, and perfectly sound, too — not bagged down in the middle and busted, like an old basket. They had pictures hung on the walls — mainly Washingtons and Lafayettes, and battles, and Highland Marys, and one called “Signing the Declaration.” There was some that they called crayons, which one of the daughters which was dead made her own self when she was only fifteen years old. They was different from any pictures I ever see before — blacker, mostly, than is common. One was a woman in a slim black dress, belted small under the armpits, with bulges like a cabbage in the middle of the sleeves, and a large black scoop-shovel bonnet with a black veil, and white slim ankles crossed about with black tape, and very wee black slippers, like a chisel, and she was leaning pensive on a tombstone on her right elbow, under a weeping willow, and her other hand hanging down her side holding a white handkerchief and a reticule, and underneath the picture it said “Shall I Never See Thee More Alas.” Another one was a young lady with her hair all combed up straight
to the top of her head, and knotted there in front of a comb like a chair-back, and she was crying into a handkerchief and had a dead bird laying on its back in her other hand with its heels up, and underneath the picture it said “I Shall Never Hear Thy Sweet Chirrup More Alas.” There was one where a young lady was at a window looking up at the moon, and tears running down her cheeks; and she had an open letter in one hand with black sealing wax showing on one edge of it, and she was mashing a locket with a chain to it against her mouth, and underneath the picture it said “And Art Thou Gone Yes Thou Art Gone Alas.” These was all nice pictures, I reckon, but I didn’t somehow seem to take to them, because if ever I was down a little they always give me the fan-tods. Everybody was sorry she died, because she had laid out a lot more of these pictures to do, and a body could see by what she had done what they had lost. But I reckoned that with her disposition she was having a better time in the graveyard. She was at work on what they said was her greatest picture when she took sick, and every day and every night it was her prayer to be allowed to live till she got it done, but she never got the chance. It was a picture of a young woman in a long white gown, standing on the rail of a bridge all ready to jump off, with her hair all down her back, and looking up to the moon, with the tears running down her face, and she had two arms folded across her breast, and two arms stretched out in front, and two more reaching up towards the moon — and the idea was to see which pair would look best, and then scratch out all the other arms; but, as I was saying, she died before she got her mind made up, and now they kept this picture over the head of the bed in her room, and every time her birthday come they hung flowers on it. Other times it was hid with a little curtain. The young woman in the picture had a kind of a nice sweet face, but there was so many arms it made her look too spidery, seemed to me. This young girl kept a scrap-book when she was alive, and used to paste obituaries and accidents and cases of patient suffering in it out of the Presbyterian Observer, and write poetry after them out of her own head. It was very good poetry. This is what she wrote about a boy by the name of Stephen Dowling Bots that fell down a well and was drownded: ODE TO STEPHEN DOWLING BOTS, DEC’D And did young Stephen sicken, And did young Stephen die? And did the sad hearts thicken, And did the mourners cry? No; such was not the fate of Young Stephen Dowling Bots; Though sad hearts round him thickened, ’Twas not from sickness’ shots. No whooping-cough did rack his frame, Nor measles drear with spots; Not these impaired the sacred name Of Stephen Dowling Bots. Despised love struck not with woe That head of curly knots, Nor stomach troubles laid him low, Young Stephen Dowling Bots. O no. Then list with tearful eye, Whilst I his fate do tell. His soul did from this cold world fly By falling down a well. They got him out and emptied him; Alas it was too late; His spirit was gone for to sport aloft In the realms of the good and great. If Emmeline Grangerford could make poetry like that before she was fourteen, there ain’t no telling what she could a done by and by. Buck said she could rattle off poetry like nothing. She didn’t ever have to stop to think. He said she would slap down a line, and if she couldn’t find anything to rhyme with it would just scratch it out and slap down another one, and go ahead. She warn’t particular; she could write about anything you choose to give her to write about just so it was sadful. Every time a man died, or a woman died, or a child died, she would be on hand with her “tribute” before he was cold. She called them tributes. The neighbors said it was the doctor first, then Emmeline, then the undertaker — the undertaker never got in ahead of Emmeline but once, and then she hung fire on a rhyme for the dead person’s name, which was Whistler. She warn’t ever the same after that; she never complained, but she kinder pined away and did not live long. Poor thing, many’s the time I made myself go up to the little room that used to be hers and get out her poor old scrap-book and read in it when her pictures had been aggravating me and I had soured on her a little. I liked all that family, dead ones and all, and warn’t going to let anything come between us. To Be Continued Next Issue
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Melbourne Obser ver - Wednesday, July 26, 2017 - Page 17
Observer Crossword Solution No 7 A D U L T E R E R
D J U ND D R E R OS
E V Y S E C U O GR E A R R E C I Y T O T I N G CH A T A D R R E D V U ME A U R P E K R B A B E F L A U R DOC D H L E A I E D E C
U S P E R I A T Y E E P E R B U ON N E Y R E I N A D SO I N X E O E F F D AG I N S A Y T S N AM T O B F I L R E
T A G GO G Y P F L I O E N L K D R D E A B V E I L S J A RD S D A K I N L E Y E L G L E A L CO E P E R I E R A E N
B L U S T GR RO OU U S T D K H E A R B B I S M GU UN I D L A E N E E A S S E E A DR S K N E I C T H S E L O N I S
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D A S H SO T WOO L HUMP D I N S S A NG S P I T C A U S Y A RD R A C I S T E N T S A K I C I D S S Y ME L R EM I T SO L I C I A L T K E L F W R T R A Y S MA X I B F E E I D S L A A R L DH S E AM A WO E S S S A C K K S L A Y A I N RO T E E D T E V E R O E D AM S S K I L E R E L I T ON L O S D L N E D I T OUR GA DG I
O F L T U E Y E S T I P S C AO R A F R S T E L A I C I S T M A L R I T E U D E NC A I F T E S M CO A E T
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S CRUNCH I NG S H R O M O A A GR A B B E D D E R E R I D L GA R U S A B L E YOD E L E K E S S E A L S A DD S S S COOP E A D H Y DR A N T S I DO DOE R E L A D Y ME D A L S Y E A H N E T H U S K EW NO T A F T S AWN M V OA D TWO T I M E S C AM E S S OBOE L I E D B S AGO D A R I E N Y L ON R B R I P E OA T H M I N T GNU S P A NG A D O I NG B U L L I ON T S MA N E T H S L I NO D I V A ROS S D A N N J E T S F ORGE D I E S S I D E L L L K I NGDOMS T ME L E E E MA L L S MAMA MA I L S MA P F A NN Y HOOP L A I N S E R E R N A L UGGAGE E I L U S R S L E E V E L E S S
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Craft
Entertainment
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Retirement
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Rural News
See us at the FIELD DAYS
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Rural News
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Showbiz
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Golf
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Places To Go
Bellydance Kizmet offer classes in Bellydance and traditional dance styles from the Middle East at 2 locations (Murrumbeena and Box Hill) in a safe and friendly environment. Bellydance is a beautiful art form with universal appeal to all women, regardless of age, size or shape. Get fit, have fun, improve your core strength and fleibility learning this entrancing, fun dance form with the best. For more information visit our website www.bellydance kizmet.com.au or call 9849 2828
Page 26 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, July 26, 2017
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Places To Go
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Places To Go
“A true rarity. An all-weather waterside nature lovers’ playground and foodiues paradise ... proves delightfully decadent” Essentials 2015 An idyllic waterfront retreat and luxury accommodation just 90 minutes from Melbourne, is a private sanctuary along the Nagambie river ways. With white sand beaches. nature walks and vineyard, the retreat offers water sports, tennis and beach volleyball courts, full boating facilities, water trampolines, adventure playground and produce gardens. An impressive two-storey guesthouse for get-togethers with friends and family, has wood-fires, open-living, kitchens and private suites all with jawdropping water views. Sa tur da yA ge T ea tur e Satur turda day Age Trraveller ffea eatur ture
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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
Page 32 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, July 19, 2017
Victoria Pictorial
● Preston ‘Shire’ Hall. Circa 1920 or earlier.
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Preston. Historic Photo Collection
● Air raid shelter, Chifley Dr, Preston. 1941. Accommodates 12 people.
● Interior of Preston and Northcote Community Hospital. 1964.
● Preston Methodist Church. 1898-1906.
● ‘Vondo’. Queen St, Preston. Circa 1900.
● Northland Shopping Centre, East Preston. Circa 1967.
● Circle Theatre. 499 High St, Preston. 1940s.
● Preston Municipal Cricket Club. Circa 1929.
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Melbourne Obser ver - Wednesday, July 26, 2017 - Page 33
Local History
Strath Creek State School: 125 years on ■ 2017 marks the 125th anniversary of the opening of Strath Creek State School. Noreen Foster published A Century of Education at Strath Creek, 25 years ago, in 1992. She wrote: “From the time it was first suggested to the Education Board of Advice in Broadford in June, 1878, that a petition had been presented for a new school to be established in the district, considerable discussion took place as to the siting of the school, whether it be two part time school in two different locations, or a full-time school at one location. “In June 1878 a petition was presented to the Board ‘praying that a new school be established about one mile south of the Kerrisdale Home Station ... suggest reservation from sale or selection part of Allotment 54A ... a considerable number of selectors have taken up in the neighnourhood and unless a site is reserved it will be have to be purchased.” “Mr S. Lade, who had selected land at Strath Creek in 1879 that he had a family of nine children, seven under school age and was anxious that a school be located within a suitable distance from his selection. “It took the concerted effort of the Mitchell, Yorston, Sheppard and Pattison families with a majority of children eligible to attend school to have it finally built in 1881. “The site chosen was 5A, Parish of Kerrisdale on Yorston’s Lane, part of the present property Summerlea). Mrs Foster wrote: “The Board of Advice also noted to the department that land had been set aside on un-alienated land south of Allotment 98 (opposite S. Lade’s selection) in Falls Rd but owing to the rugged nature of the country, if a school was built there, it would be inaccessible. “At the time Mr Lade also suggested Allotment 94 (later to become the site of the township) as a possible site. “The Education Department felt that as Allotment 94, was only 2½miles from Allotment 54A, a distance far less than the practice in country schools, it should not be considered. “As well as the petition, many letters were sent to the Education Department in 1879, requesting the establishment of a school. “Families in the area within a twomile radius had 36 children of school age ‘some of them have been living here over 12 months and is forgetting what they have learnt through the want of a school’ (according to a letter from Richard Mitchell to the Department in 1879). Mrs Foster recalled that: “Mr Glover, squatter of Kerrisdale Station, also entered the debate saying where the school should go (the proposed site was part of his squatting run) even though he didn’t have any school aged children. “It was felt by selector John Yorston ‘that his motive is a selfish one and he is trying to injure the selectors by keeping the school from them’. “The Education Department finally decided to establish a full time school on Allotment 54A and leave in abeyance the question of providing school accommodation for Strath Creek. “Application was made to the Lands Department for a suitable site of five acres, but the land in quest-
● School children in 1918. Back row, from left: Fay Hillear, Linda Forbes, Sheila Hart, Jean Lade, Edna Daws, Eve Watson, Eileen Daws, Hilda Lade, Miss Phelan, Kate Forbes, Ted Keays, Daisy Richards, Laurence Mitchell, Bert Mitchell. Middle row: Charlie Watson, Greg Mitchell, Willie Forbes, Frank Keays, Reg Keays, Stephen Lade, Ella Forbes, Jean Daws, Mary Keays. Front row: Myrtle Keays, Connie Forbes, Ida Watson, Keith Keays. formed part of a block of 300 acres withheld under Section 102 of Land Act 1869 to protect a sheep wash. “The consent of the pastoral tenant had to be obtained. Mr Glover and Associates Pastoral tenants refused but the site was eventually gazetted on October 3, 1879. “In 1880 a portable classroom with quarters was authorised but, with wrangling about sites locally especially after arriving in Broadford, it was sent elsewhere. “Vocal antagonism between Mr Lade and others in the Strath Creek area who had 14 children able to attend school, and parents living near the gazetted site had 40 children able to attend, as to the final siting of the school was the problem. “Finally in June 1880 the Board of Advice Broadford recommended the erection of a school in the southeast corner of McLelland’s fortified block (5A). “The Education Department sent a memo to Mr Lade informing him that the department siting of the school had been guided solely by the desire to fix a site that would secure the largest attendance. “It regretted that owing to his comparative isolation from the other families, no better provision for his family could be made. “In the same year King Parrot Creek School (on the triangle roaqd) was closed and children could attend proposed Kerrisdale school. “Portable classroom with quarters was finally despatched in February 1881. The school was to be known as 2405 Kerrisdale. Head teacher was to pay £4 per year for residence. “Mr Josephn Evcans was the contractor to erect the school. Costs Building ................. £116.16.0 Desks, etc .................. £4.17.6 Paint white lead ......... £2.14.4 Carriage ..................... £23.0.0 Contract price including extras
for cutting, removing and burning trees £17.8.0 “Instructions to contractor included: Materials to be supplied - 42 best local hardwood stumps 5” x 5” sawn or 8” round average 3’ long stumps plus stumps for tanks. Stones or bricks for chimney foundations made into a solid bed for iron chimney. Solder for eaves and gutter, glue for furniture. Paint - outside woodwork 3 coats eaves, gutters, down pipes, 2 coats doors, windows, 1 coat inside and out. Tank set up. Closets put together.” Mrs Foster said: “Everything to put the building together was included. All timbers, windows, iron rails, screws coat hooks, putty, tap washers, coal tar, came in bundles and boxes, precut with instructions for assembly and position. “Included was two 400 gallon wrought iron ships tanks complete with overflows; 2 iron chimneys; 2 cast iron hearths, backs and gratings; 14 foot ladder; 2 out offices in parts. Furniture: 2 7’6” desks and seats 2 6’ desks and seats 2 6’ forms “The school was certified satisfactorily completed by travelling inspector of School Buildings, F. Findlay on May 12, 1881. “Arguments about and around the school continued. W. Richards had erected a post and two rail 3 wire fence in front of the school in 1881 and had been grazing his cattle on the school land since then. “He complained to Mr Lade that his children’s pony was wandering on his land while the children were at school. “Suddenly in 1887 when applying for his land lease, he tried to pressure the Department into fencing the other two sides of the school block to save him from the expense of fencing. Turn To Page 18
● Visit by the school dentist in the 1960s
● Parents of Strath Creek children were active in organising a local school. Broadford Courier, Jan. 15, 1892
Page 34 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, July 19, 2017
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Local History ● From Page 17 “As it was part of his licence agreement, he felt the previous fencing he had done warranted the Department doing the rest. “The Department agreed to pay half costs and the residents had to pay the rest - a novel way to get your selection fenced. “A concert was held in the Temperance Hall to raise funds to pay for the fence. 70-80 people attended. Miss Lade sand The Skipper And His Boy and We’d Better Bide A Wee with much sweetness and feeling. “Others to perform were Misses Craig, Fothergill, Holliday and McConchie, and Mr F. Lade. Dancing started at 11pm until the ‘wee small hours’,” Ms Forster quoted a local newspaper to say. “During 1888 Mr Cockrem who had been part-timing between King Parrot Creek and Doogalook Schools, was appointed to Kerrisdale school to part-time with King Parrot Creek. “He requested to teach thre edays at Kerrisdale and two at King Parrot Creek. There were 25 children attending Kerrisdale, with nine above third class, and 15 at King Paroot Creek with two above third class. “The Department was not desirous of change. He also felt the Kerrisdale school should be painted as it hadn’t been since it had been erected seven years previously granted. “As the school population altered, moves began to have the school resited. In July 1890 the Department decided to work 2405 Kerrisdale and the new school at Strath Creek temporary unclassified school (No 3044) on the half time system. “The number of children attending Kerrisdale school in June 1890 was 18. Diptheria had been prevalent in the district and parents were not keen to send their children to school, one family of five school age children, whose house was infected, hadn’t attended for three months. “The Broadford Courier reported on April 25, 1891, that ‘Since the opening of the public school unclassified as Strath Creek, the children have shown a marked improvement in most branches of learning. “A report of the State School Inspector visiting the unclassified school at Strath Creek in August 1891 shows that it was as the parents expected. “The all round improvement was phenomenal, the percentage was raised to 83 per cent for children in the senior division. A well deserved compliment was passed to teacher Mr Wilson.’ “It was reported in the Broadford Courier, Friday, January 15, 1892, that ‘Strath Creek School was closed at the commencement of mid summer holidays. Mr Wilson transferred and the children were to be transported at parents’ expense five miles to Kerrisdale school. “Although Strath is comparatively a new one and unclassified, Kerrisdale is government and long established. Strath Creek parents are said to be determined not to send their children away and thus the matter stand.’ “Mr M. Fitzgerald helped draw up a petition and it was sent to the authorities.” Mrs Foster’s A Century of Education at Strath Creek continued: “Mr Fitzgerald, W. Forbes, S. Lade and others were displeased that school No 3044 (temporary school) was closed and that there was an average attendance of 11 children. It was too far for the children to walk to Kerrisdale, and requesting the
Rich legacy in Noreen Foster’s work
● S.S. No 2405 in Yorston’s Lane prior to 1892 the removal of 2405. D.I. Gates in Green, 13; Thomas Green, 11; Ed- 2 black boards; 1 easel; 1 teachers April 1892 in an inter-department ward Green, 8; George Green, 7; desk and stool; 1 press and 2 chairs; nore recommending that Black 3 and Mary Green, 9; Charlotte Gooch, 11; 24 hat pegs; 2 tanks; 37 framed slates; 4 Crown Land between Fitzgerald Ellen Gooch, 7; Albert Gooch, 5; 16 leaden ink wells. and Ferguson Streets be obtained for William Richards, 6; George Rich“Maps included two of the world future requirements. No 3 was then ards, 4.” and Victoria and Europe. One each considered enough. “Inspector Eddy reported in July of Africa, Asia, America, Australia “In 1892, Wm. Fothergill, Sec. 1892 ‘that the Principal parent Green and Australasia. Board of Advice, sent another letter with four plkus children had the black“Royal readers 1 each of sixth, to Department re removal with a list smiths shop in the township and he fifth and second, 4 fourth, 3 third and of children who would attend the pro- takes milk to the creamery’. So he 8 first. The Empire History; Brodposed school at Flowerdale township. recommended removal of school rible - Manual of Health; Richard“D.I. Mr Gates reported on March and felt Green’s children wouldn’t sons Temperance lessons book; 12, 1892, to Department said 15 par- be disadvantaged by the removal of Hackwoods moral subjects. Parkers ents desired removal, 15 parents ob- the school. personal care of health; 3 books on jected to, and one family of three “People who offered to remove how to prevent drownings; Agricul(Gooch) it makes little difference ‘the School No 2404 free of charge were tural teacher; Manual of Needlecase for removal is put thus’. M. Fitzgerald, S. Lade Jnr, S.T. work; Mensuration 2; Animal Psy“The petitioners are prepared to Lade, T. McConchie, G. Forbes, A. chology; Stewarts Physical Primer; move the building free of cost ... all Forbes, John Robertson, Thomas 6 reading tablets; 2 sets of cards of the petitioners are brought within Munro and Lewis Cohen. the alphabet; 1 planisphere; Globe; reach and the families of Richards, “In September 1892, the head 13 table books; 23 copy books; Rolls Pattison and Sheppard are distant teacher was asked to close the school and Register. between two and three miles a immediately and supervise the re“Miss McDowell H.T. indicated creamery has lately been established moval of furniture to the hall lately that she would reside in the residence at the township and milk is brought used for school purposes until removal attached to the school but the new from Kerrisdale direction. teacher in 1894 didn’t occupy the of No 2405 is completed. “The families of Messrs. E. Green “It was reported in the Broadford residence. and Brace are but a little further dis- Courier (Sept. 30, 1892) that ‘quite “By 1900 the school population tant from No 1878 K.P.C. an army of men are engaged in mov- had increased greatly, George “On the other hand attendance of ing the school from Kerrisdale to Forbes wrote to the department re20 is not at all probable, all the fami- Strath. Miss McDowell has con- questing the enlargement of the lies of the petitioners except Lade verted the Town Hall (Good Temp- school as 50 children were in a buildand Fitzgerald who have four miles lars Hall) into a school room for ing designed for 30, some children to Kerrisdale would attend now with present. Those engaged feel it will were no attending due to overcrowdlittle inconvenience. ing and the teacher was unable to be erected in a fortnight’. “The road from E.Greens to No. “The temporary school began on have writing when all of them were 1878 is very bad in winterfrequently September 26, 1892. They stayed till in attendance. flooded. The Board of Advice think October 5, 1892, when they moved “A request for a verandah floor the removal should take place but to the re-elected building. Rent was made in 1904 as it was very with some hesitation I recommend charged to the Department by the dusty and muddy. From 1909 white Lodge for the use of the building was ants ine the school were a problem, nothing be done for the present. finally in 1916 after many requests “List of children to attend pro- 10/-.” SCHOOL No 3173 and complaints something was done. posed school at Flowerdale township: FLOWERDALE TOWNSHIP “The contractor for repairs reMargaret Fitzgerald, 12; Maria “Conveyancing allowances were ported that boards were falling off, Fitzgerald, 10; Michael Fitzgerald, 9; John Fitzgerald, 7; Mary Ann paid to parents whose children had very few sound boards were left in the lining and he found that all studs Fitzgerald, 6; Thomas Fitzgerald, 4; to travel long distances. “Mr Green received 6d per day were affected and useless and also Margaret Lade, 12; Mary Lade, 7; Leslie Lade, 5; Florence E. Bassett, for each child but his claim couldn’t some rafters were damaged. “Between June and September 5; Stewart Bassett, 4; John Forbes, be recognised as he was delivering 9; Archibald Forbes, 7; Annie them in a wagonette in the morning, 1917 the school was closed for four Forbes, 4; Eva Caton, 4; Charlotte and they were walking home in the months while repairs were carried Gooch, 12; Ellen Gooch, 7; Albert afternoon. They only recognised out, school was held in the local hall. E. Gooch, 7; Walter Sheppard, 10; claims if the children were conveyed The Department offered the hall committee 5/- per week rental but William Richards, 5; George Rich- both ways. “Unfortunately other than letters, this was refused a charge of 10/- was ards, 4; Josephine Pattison, 12; Charles Walter Bruce, 7; James there are limited records of the early finally agreed upon. “In December the same year the Bruce, 5; Ernest Dick, 12; and 12 days at the re-sited new school 3173. more children within school radius Department letters, reports in the H.T. Miss Phelan reported that the Broadford Courier and of a later date ants had re-appeared and destroyed under four years of age. “Others added to the list were: Pupil’s Register and District outside boards. A violent storm in Francis Robertson, 13; William Inspector’s Reports; however they December 1918 ripped the verandah Robertson, 13; Reginald Robertson, give us some interesting insights into completely off the school this was 7; Harry Robertson, 6; Frederick the development of Strath Creek partly caused by the white ant population. Robertson, 5; John Jackson, 6; Wil- School. BUILDINGS, FURNITURE “New desks with backs arrived liam Jackson, 4. ANDEQUIPMENT for the students who had previously “Those attending 2405 in July 1892 “During June 1893 an inventory sat on forms during 1920. In 1926 were: Aruela Sheppard, 14; Walter Sheppard, 10; Josephine Pattison, of school No 3173 was made. In the there were 19 desks in the school 2 13; Grace Mary Green, 13; Walter school there were 4 desks; 5 forms; size 7; 3 size 6; 3 size 5; 3 size 4;
■ Strath Creek has a rich heritage, painstakingly recorded by Noreen Foster, a former teacher at Strath Creek State School. Noreen published Whispers In The Valley, an 89-page local history, in 1985. This well-researched publication looks back on the area, dating back to 1838. The history studies aspects including squatters, selectors, farms and families, farming, mining, education, roads and bridges, the township, organisations and events, and sport. Noreen Foster also wrote the publication, A Century of Education at Strath Creek. The Local Paper has quoted extensively from Noreen Foster’s work for this special feature. We gratefully acknowledge her valuable research. 3 size 3; 2 size 2; and 3 size 1. Problems continued with white ants, finally after the school council reported in 1927 that the walls shook when the wind blew the Department took some significant action. “A department memo showed that repairs would cost £230, they recommended that a new building would cost about £480. P. Forbes was the contractor who built the new school for a cost of £492/8/7. “The new building was first occupied by H.T. James Ellis and students on Monday, November 26, 1928. “Tenders for the old building were called for. Steve Baker’s tender of £7/10 was the only one and was accepted. He removed the building and lean-to store room ny March 1929 to a stire on Falls Rd. “The new school building was 20’ x 20’ and although bigger in size still had its problems. With 29 children attending it became stuffy on hot days. “The shire supported the parents committees application in 1934 for more ventilation but the department felt that ‘as the building was of standard construction throughout the state being 1 3’ x 8’ window and door on the west side and 3 windows 8’ x 3’ with fixed middle sashes and lower sash opening inwards on the east, and ventilation had never been complained of, there was no justification for any action’. “The school committee erected a new shelter pavilion in 1940. D.I. Prictor noted that termites had attacked the bicycle shed in 1949. “D.I. Watson lent his support for the building of a teachers residence in the school grounds in 1952. “He felt there was enough room and the present enrolment of 24 would likely be maintained. “The Department recommended that as it was not an urgent case and not included in the 1949 survey for those schools requiring residences therefore consideration be deferred. “White ants have continued to be a problem, severe damage was repaired in 1977-78,” Mrs Foster wrote. “The last structural changes made to the school building were made in 1978 when finally after numerous representations aqbout pupil numbers in the available space were made. “The east wall was moved outwards, an extra 9 feet was added to the building. White ant infestation was treated yet again.”
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ver N ser O Ob TI C SE 3
Observer Showbiz
Radio: Muriel Cooper returns to radio ................. Page 36 tr e: Helpmann Awards ............................................... Page 36 Thea heatr tre: Country Music: Rob Foenanders; column .................... Page 36 Jim and Aar on: Top 10 lists, Aaron’s reviews .................... Page 38 Aaron: Cheryl Threadgold: Local theatre, shows, auditions ........... Page 37 OVATT”S MEGA CRO PL US THE LLO PLUS CROSSSWORD
THE GREAT GRABOWSKY Perfume Garden
● Sacha Joseph and Rajendra Moodley and Dancers in The Perfume Garden. ■ After 10 years, Rajendra Moodley’s hit play The Perfume Garden is returning to Melbourne for a strictly limited season at Chapel off Chapel's main stage from August 2-13. The show features nine dance numbers, presented as opulent fantasies, with a dance cast of 15, in Bollywood costumes from India. Choreographed by Jagritti Bhatia, featuring dancers from Ignite Bollywood and the Victorian State Ballet Company. The production is directed by Paul Watson with lighting design by Jason Bovaird. Set in an outer suburban spice shop, The Perfume Garden explores some of multiculturalism’s absurdities. Chitra and Satya want nothing more than to see their aging son Anand settle down, get married and take over the family business. His girlfriend Devi seems to be the perfect match: also 30+, Devi has also been dodging a bullet most of her adult life. The play opens on their ‘proposal day’ (the first part of an Indian wedding). However, Anand is reluctant to set a date for the engagement, let alone the wedding. His parents feel that time is running out: not just for Anand as a ‘catch’... but also for them as they become older and suffer ill health. They use Ayah as a metaphor for what lies ahead. Anand is hapless. A writer/ actor, who clearly has been unsuccessful in his career. He has moved back home. But for his own ‘independence’, he has relocated to the granny flat at the back of the shop. He lives his life in his head. His only escape from the mundane life of selling spices, is to fantasize about being in his own Bollywood movie. He dabbles with perfumes. Believing the Indian exotic oils his father used to sell, have both medicinal and magical powers. He is forced into looking after an old lady named Ayah. She is a distant relative (by marriage). Ayah is an 80year-old stroke victim. Through the magical perfumes, Anand releases Ayah as a genie. She tries to unleash the the aspects of him that have been supressed. Bringing the fantasy into reality. Her job is to ‘bring a blessing’ to him. She does this by making him see what is inside. Ayah unleashes havoc on the family: creating magical perfumes that have unusual side effects! The cast is made up of Indian (and Sri Lankan) actors. Vishwajeet Pradhan, a well known Bollywood actor will head the cast as Satya with Anshu Amol Adrekarportraying his wife Chitra. Rajendra Moodley plays their son Anand and his love interest Devi is performed by Sacha Joseph. The mystical Aya will be channelled by Khema de Silva. The Perfume Garden has been considerably reworked and rewritten since it last appeared in Melbourne in 2007. It is more topical and relevant to both the Indian community, and all migrant communities. The themes of identity and belonging, along with the themes of family, and love, are even stronger than ever. Performance dates: August 2 – 13 at 7.30pm: Tuesday – Saturday; 2pm Matinee Saturday and 6.30pm Sunday Venue: Chapel off Chapel, 12 Little Chapel St., Prahran Tickets: $59 Full, $49 Concession, $45 Saturday Matinee Performances, $39 Preview Performance August 2 Bookings: www.chapeloffchapel.com.au or 8290 7000.
The Association
● Paul Grabowsky ■ Paul Grabowsky , one of the most distinguished figures in Australian music, will perform a special solo show at Hawthorn Arts Centre on Sunday (July 30) The award-winning jazz luminary will draw from years of repertoire, featuring original material as well as his arrangements of classic jazz and pop standards. This year has seen Paul collaborate with such leading vocal artists as Vince Jones and Kate Ceberano, as well as singersongwriter Lior. This solo show, in the grand setting of the Main Hall, is guaranteed to be a special experience, with Paul to introduce the program as the night goes on. Paul has lived in Europe and the US and performed with some of jazz’s biggest names, including Chet Baker, Art Farmer and Johnny Griffin. He returned to Australia in 1986 and established a reputation as one of Australia’s leading jazz musicians with bands including his own trio and sextet. He formed the Wizards of Oz in 1987 with musicians Lloyd Swanton and Tony Buck – now of the world-famous The Necks. Not only a performer, Paul is a pianist, composer, arranger and conductor. He has written the scores for more than 20 feature films and has worked with filmmakers including Gillian Armstrong and Nadia Tass. He has won four ARIA awards, two Helpmann awards, several Bell Awards and a Deadly Award. He was the Sidney Myer Performing Artist of the Year in 2000, and received the Melbourne Prize for Music in 2007. In 2014, Paul was awarded the Order of Australia (AO) for services to music. Hawthorn Arts Centre presents an exciting and varied arts program and is home to performance, exhibition, workshop and events spaces. Visitors can enjoy refreshments at the Events Bar or explore Hawthorn and discover the area’s culinary delights. Venue: Hawthorn Arts Centre, 360 Burwood Rd, Hawthorn Date: Sunday, July 30. 7pm Tickets: $39 / $33 concession Bookings: www.boroondara.vic.gov.au/events/paulgrabowsky-0 - Cheryl Threadgold
■ A small number of people gathered at the rear of a suburban single fronted house after being met at the front gate and confirming our attendance for a meeting of their Association. All 12 of us waited patiently outside the back door as Office Bearers prepared us for entry to the house for what was being termed a secret women’s association meeting, a select group of women proclaiming “Unity is Strength” As an all female ensemble, Girls Act Good (GAG), comprises of writers, directors, actors and designers with a focus on giving creative opportunities for women to voice their stories that often go unheard and unnoticed. After assembling us, temporary members in the front lounge room, script writer Perri Cummings as Nancy, started the formal meeting with apologies, the swearing in of a new member Kelley Kerr Young as Joanne and then general business that included fundraising report, an update on the local Blood Bank shortage and the selection of the best homemade jam. All in keeping with the best traditions of the CWA well to a point as the meeting developed a more sinister reflection of marriage infidelity, submissive behaviours and disbelief amongst the members of the Association. A touch of the Stepford Wives syndrome. While claiming to draw upon Frankenstein the closest it got was with Samuel Burton as Patient Zero, a husband of one of the wives in another room hooked up with all manner of life support. Why? Was another story as the meeting went downhill from here and came to a somewhat abrupt ending after some terrifying moments of domestic violence. Naming of the actors character earlier in the piece would have helped and certainly not all the sequences could be shared equally because of the locality restrictions as we were moving from space to space as one does on a children’s excursion. The theme was there but a lot more tightening needed with less movement of the audience. Performance details: Until July 30 at 7.30pm and 9.30pm Venue: Number 64 (AnAssociation member’s home), 64 Pentland Parade, Yarraville Tickets: $23/$28 Bookings: www.trybooking.com - Review by Graeme McCoubrie
Nominated for AACTA ■ Australian short film Mrs McCutcheon by first-time filmmaker and theatre veteran John Sheedy has been nominated for anAFI/AACTA for best short fiction film The short film, which aims to give a voice to the thousands of trans and gender diverse children, has received acclaim at international film festivals including the 33rd Hamburg International Short Film Festival and the 63rd Oberhausen International Film Festival in Germany, where it received a special mention in the International Children’s Competition Award. Mrs McCutcheon captures the conflicts of 10-year-old Tom (Alec Golinger), who having always felt he was born in the wrong body, chooses the name Mrs McCutcheon rather than his birth name; he also prefers the flow of a dress over the cut of a pant. Now at his third schoolTom is once again having trouble settling in and finding acceptance amongst his peers – except for Trevor (Wesley Patten), a tough little charmer who himself experiences prejudice due to his Aboriginal heritage. With the school dance only days away Tom is thrust on a journey of self-discovery and sacrifices to find his own place in the world. Mrs McCutcheon was directed and conceived by multiaward-winning theatre director John Sheedy in his first foray into filmmaking and written by Ben Young, who last year premiered his debut feature Hounds of Love at Venice Film Festival to rave reviews. Turn To Page 37
Page 36 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, July 26, 2017
Observer Showbiz Country Crossroads
By Rob Foenander info@countrycrossroads.com.au
Lloyd on a roll ■ Berwick singer songwriter Lloyd Clarke is on a mission to get his music heard far and wide. The easy listening balladeer has found his niche in a country/folk genre that has already seen his own compositions make it into the country tracks charts. Lloyd's songs include interpretations of historical events. His current single Threading the eye of a needle is getting regular airplay amongst Australian and international radio presenters. More info http://facebook.com/Llwydod
Chris’s new show ■ Chris Newman will present his Roy Orbison, Neil Diamond and Everly Brothers show on August 25 at the Mornington RSL. The singer guitarist and entertainer keeps busy these days with the popular morning melodies and club circuit around Victoria. Chris is also a generous supporter of fundraising events often volunteering his talents and music. Show bookings at Mornington RSL: 5975 2106.
August at the Vale ■ Country Music for August at the Pascoe Vale RSL Friday August 4: The Guild Country Band plus Guests. Friday August 11: Rene Diaz and the Real Time. Friday August 18: Rough Cut. - Rob Foenander
www.MelbourneObserver.com.au
News around Victoria
Muriel Cooper returns ■ Muriel Cooper is making her radio comeback - from Wednesday, August 9, with a weekly show on the Mornington Peninsula community station RPP. Muriel, who left 3AW in 1991 after a 20year radio broadcast that included a stint at ABC 774 (3LO), will present a two-hour show from 9am until 11am on Wednesdays. Muriel became a psychologist after she left radio, and ran The Talking Room at Hawthorn. She and husband Russell made the move to Mornington last year.
Libby joins ACE
■ Libby Price will join the ACE Network as presenter of their rural program, Country Today heard on 3CS, 3YB, 3HA, 3WM and 3SH in September. Libby has worked as the editor of the Benalla Ensign newspaper in north east Victoria for the past three years but is best known for her 30 years working for the ABC. ■ BRIEFLY: 3AW is looking to appoint a casual journalist ... Jo and Lehmo (Gold 104.3) are looking to appoint an Executive Producer ... Coles Radio is dominating digital radio ratings.
■ American actress Vivian Vance, of I Love Lucy, was born in 1909. She died aged 70. US actor Jason Robards (he was a former husband of Lauren Bacall) was born in 1922. He died aged 78 in 2000. Ex-Prime Minister John Howard was born in 1939 in NSW (78).
● Muriel Cooper
R LOCAL THEATRE
Vessel, at Arts Centre
■ Outer Urban Projects present VESSEL from September 20 – 23 in the Arts Centre Rehearsal Room. A journey from one side of the world to another, through generations, time and parallel realities, VESSEL is a dance theatre work about giving birth and the circumstances you are born into – it spans street, cultural and contemporary styles with text and an original sound score. Outer Urban ProjectsArtistic Director and VESSEL director and composer, Irine Vela, explains that when developing this new work, the 2001 SIEV X (Suspected Illegal Entry Vessel X) tragedy came to mind – it was a dilapidated fishing vessel that sank carrying around 400 asylum seekers from Indonesia to Christmas Island.
r Obser vbeiz On This Day Show
Wednesday Thursday July 27 July 26
Mother’s Ruin
Radio
■ The late Ted Whitten, VFL legend, was born in 1933. The Footscray star died aged 62 in 1995. US actor Jerry Van Dyke was born in 1931 (86). He is the brother of Dick. American singer Maureen McGovern is 67. She sang in the blockbuster movie, Posiedon Adventure.
“The experience of the families that boarded the SIEV X was a stark contrast to the way we perceive the modern Australian family of 2.4 children. 353 people died in the SIEV X strategy, including 146 children, 142 women and 65 men. Some of the survivor testimonies are chilling and surreal. The words of one survivor are echoed in VESSEL by Iranian actor Sahra Davoudi,” said Vela. “The womb is a vessel that protects and nurtures an embryo to survive long enough to be born into life. Asylum seekers board a vessel to bring their families to safety and security. When and how does a parent let go of its child and the child of its parent?” questions Vela. VESSEL features an
intergenerational ensemble whose origins span five continents, including the Pacific Islands, the Middle East, South East Asia and Indigenous Australia. Director and composer: Irine Vela Choreographers: Thomas E. S. Kelly, Nebahat Eroplat and Demi Sorono Dancers: Victoria Canning, Tehyali Malone, Damian Seddon, Simone Etheve and Josephine Pelman Actor: Sahra Davoudi Season September 20 - 23 Times Wed – Thu 10:30am and 1pm, Fri 12:30pm and 7pm, Sat 3pm and 8pm Artist Q&A following morning and matinee performances Venue Arts Centre Melbourne, Playhouse Rehearsal Room
■ Celebrating all things gin, Maeve Marsden and Libby Wood, accompanied by Tom Dickins, were intoxicating with their stunning vocals and gin-ified lyrics in Mother’s Ruin: A Cabaret About Gin. It was a perfect fit for St Kilda’s Map 57 alcohol-themed Winter Garden festival. It’s no wonder they have enjoyed sell-out seasons at the Sydney Festival, Adelaide Cabaret Festival, Melbourne Cabaret Festival, the Perth Fringe World Festival and Hobart’s Festival of Voices. Mother’s Ruin, a unique and sometimes feverish cabaret, featured stories and songs about gin facts and myths from the 1700s to today. Gin’s reputation as a ‘depressant’ and cause of feminine madness is revealed as nothing but sexist and repressive misinformation. Well researched, this ode to gin includes fascinating stories about the history of women and alcohol - including the women who chained themselves to a bar in a pub in Adelaide because they were refused service, the female bartender who lost her job because ‘American’ men didn’t like women behind the bar, and the myth that the consumption of gin caused ‘female hysteria’. Written by Marsden, Wood and The Ginstress aka Elly Baxter, these gals know their stuff and by all accounts have sampled (swilled enthusiastically no doubt) every distilled variety across the globe - as their hilarious rewrite of I’ve Been Everywhere - I’ve Drunk Every Gin - yeah! attests. Directed by Anthea Williams, with musical direction by Jeremy Brennan, this spirited (literally) gusto production includes sensational duets and harmonies that showcase Marsden and Wood’s incredible vocal ranges. Dickins holds his end up with excellent accompaniment and solid vocals. Highlights (there are many) include Wood’s comic rendition of Fever and Marsden’s powerful and soulful cri de coeur by Martha Wainwright, complete with its explosive and potent title. Mother’s Ruin is hilarious and fun-filled with a biting commentary on women’s repression. I expect and hope we’ll see a lot more of these two. - Review by Beth Klein
Media People
■ Michael Smith has confirmed he is heading to Shanghai in January to be the AFR's new China Correspondent. He will take over from Lisa Murray andAngus Grigg after they wind up their China stint late this year, reports Telum Australia. ■ Joseph Hinchliffe recently started as a stringer for Reuters in Melbourne. Joseph was previously a journalist at the BendigoAdvertiser. ■ Benita Kolovos has joined AAP Melbourne. Benita had previously been a Guest Liaison and Production Assistant at Sky News in Melbourne. - Telum Australia Melbourne
Observer
Friday July 28
Saturday July 29
■ Children’s writer Beatrix Potter was born in London in 1866. She died aged 77 in 1943. Lt General Sir Peter Cosgrove was born in 1947 (70). Aboriginal artist Albert Namatjira was born in 1902. He died aged 57 in 1959. Actress Sally Struthers is 69.
■ Entertainment entrepreneur Kevin Jacobsen was born in 1934. Comedian Col Elliott was born in England in 1949 (68). The late Wendy Hughes was born in Melbourne in 1950 Comedian John Clarke was born in NZ in 1948. He died earlier this year at age 68.
Sunday July 30 ■ Motoring legend Henry Ford was born in 1863. He died aged 83 in 1947. Austrian-born actor Arnold Schwarenegger was born in 1947 (68). Model Karen Pini was born in WA in 1957 (60). US actress Lisa Kudrow (Friends) was born in California in 1963.
Monday July 31
■ American singersongwriter Lobo (Roland Kent La Voie) was born in 1943 (74). Singer Russell Morris was born in Richmond, Melbourne in 1948 (69). Ex-Victorian Premier Ted Baillieu is 62. Actor Ernie Dingo was born in Western Australia in 1956.
Tuesday August 1 ■ West Indies cricketer Sir Frank Worrell was born in 1924. He died aged 42 in 1967. English song-writer Lionel Bart (Begleiter) was born in London inb 1930. He died aged 68 in 1999. Socialite Lady Sonia McMahon (Hopkins) was born in 1932; died aged 77 in 2010.
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
www.MelbourneObserver.com.au
ShowBiz!
Melbourne Obser ver - Wednesday, July 26, 2017 - Page 37
Observer Showbiz
Winter Glow
■ The winter darkness is illuminated during the Glow Winter Arts Festival, across the City of Stonnington, from twilight until afterdark, August 10-20. Stonnington’s most iconic venues and public spaces will light up with glowing neon installations, architectural projections and larger than life illuminations. Now in its fourth year, the festival will kick-off with a spectacular opening night unveiling new commissioned works for the Festival and works never before seen in Victoria. See buildings transform before your eyes, discover illuminous butterflies on light posts, find glowing giant flowers and colossal mushrooms, journey through an enchanted village, discover multi-coloured and oversized neon glow letters in corners, parks and gardens across Stonnington plus much more. City of Stonnington Mayor, Cr Jami Klisaris, said: “This is an opportunity to discover our City in new ways. From our bustling streets of Chapel and Greville Streets to our magnificent gardens and heritage buildings remade with illuminations. Wander and discover the magical whimsy of these beautiful pieces.” Award-winning Melbourne-based, lighting and visual design firm, Mandylights, will transform Central Park with Alice’s Garden. Enormous flowers will bloom in fading, flickering rainbows, larger than life mushrooms will loom and little sprouts, not yet grown, will cover the landscape with trills of colour running between them. Dislocate will perform If These Walls Could Talk…?, an intricate mesh of slapstick theatre, astonishing circus skills and powerful story-telling. Projection artists NickAzidis and Rose Staff are set to work their magic, transforming historic buildings into a whimsical wonderland of light projections with Wonderlight. Emerging opera company BK Opera strip away the usual pomp and circumstance of this timeless art form to reveal the raw emotion at the heart of their performance Guerilla Opera. The Centre (for) Projection Art travels south to light up the nooks and crannies of Greville St while Sowinski/Cullen and Associates’ Untitled will challenge traditional notions of light, allowing us to re-think how we interact with objects in public and private spaces. James Voller’s Enchanted will spring you into a new imaginative world where you can interact with familiar places under a new light and Carla O’Brien’s work, Neon Glow, will see giant ‘glow’ letters finding homes around Stonnington. Advice From a Butterfly by Skunk Control sees a kaleidoscope of butterflies making the light posts of Stonnington their pulpit, whispering advice to passers-by. Glow WinterArts Festival, August 10-20. Full program details and to book www.glowfestival.com.au - Cheryl Threadgold
Auditions
■ Southern Peninsula Players: Three OneAct Plays on 30 July from 10.00am to 2.00pm in Rosebud. Directors: Brendan and Hannah Croft. One-Act Plays: A Couple of Bimbos Sitting Around Talkin (by Richard Vetere), We Regret to Inform You (by David C. Daheim) and The Birthday Present (by Charlie Schulman). Audition bookings and enquiries: 0467 889 ■ Sherbrooke Theatre Company: The Odd Couple (by Neil Simon), August 6 at 2.00pm at Factory 4, 22 Jesmond Rd., Croydon. Director: Michelle Swann. Audition Bookings: 0468 892572. ■ Strathmore Theatrical Arts Group (STAG): Charitable Intent/Face to Face (by David Williamson). August 20 at 6.30pm, August 21 at 7.30p, at the Strathmore Community Theatre, Cnr Loeman and Napier Sts., Strathmore. Director: Roderick Chappell. Audition bookings: 9718 0486.
TV, Radio, Theatre Latest Melbourne show business news - without fear or favour
Make ‘Em Laugh
● Mikey Halcrow is in Make ‘Em Laugh – the Untold Donald O’Connor Story. ■ Mikey Halcrow’s self-written cabaret Make including songs by Irving Berlin and George ‘Em Laugh – the Untold Donald O’Connor Story Gershwin and original arrangements by Radda is being presented at the Butterfly Club from and Halcrow. August 23 – 27. Both Halcrow and Radda are recent graduThis new cabaret showcases Donald ates from WAAPA’s Music Theatre degree and O’Connor’s life on the silver screen, starring have each had successful seasons at Perth alongside icons such as Gene Kelly, Debbie Fringeworld. Halcrow’s respect for Donald Reynolds and Ethel Mermen. O’Connor and his career, lead him to do extenThe show has songs from the golden age of sive research on the under-appreciated star and film, and tells an unknown history of under- create the cabaret in his memory. recognised, Golden Globe winning actor Starring Mikey Halcrow and Jens Radda and O’Connor. directed by Nick Eynaud. Bookings recomLoosely based around his life story, this caba- mended. ret and featuring Mikey Halcrow and Jens Dates: August 23 - 27 Radda, the show uses numbers from O’Connor’s Time: 7pm films to tell his life story. Cost: $25-32 Featuring elements of vaudeville and music Venue: The Butterfly Club, 5 Carson Place, theatre, this 50 minute cabaret is filled with hits Melbourne spanning 60 years of Hollywood and Broadway, Tickets: thebutterflyclub.com
LOCAL THEATRE REPORT
Shows
■ Aspect Theatre Inc: Into the Woods Until July 29 at the Shirley Burke Theatre, 64 Parkers rd., Parkdale. Director: Jane Court. Bookings: Bookings at https://www.trybooking.com/book/ event?eid=269335& ■ Sherbrooke Theatre Company: And the Big Men Fly (by Alan Hopgood) Until August 5 at the Doncaster Playhouse, 679 Doncaster Rd., Doncaster. Director: Tony Bird. ■ Frankston Theatre Group: A Sting in the Tale (by Brian Clemens and Denis Spooner) July 28 - August 6 at the Mt Eliza Community Centre, Canadian Bay Rd., Mt Eliza. Director: Keith Gledhill. Bookings: 1300 665 377. ■ PLOS Musical Productions: 9 to 5 the Musical, July 28 - August 5 at the Frankston Arts Centre. Bookings: www.plos.asn.au ■ The 1812 Theatre: Last of the Summer Wine (by Roy Clarke), August 3 - 26 at 3-5 Rose St., Upper Ferntree Gully. Director: Pip Le Blond. Bookings: 9758 3964 or www.1812theatre.com.au ■ Skin of Our Teeth Productions: A Room with a View (by Emma Louise Watson adapted from novel by E.M. Forster) August 11 - 26, at the Shenton Theatre, Cnr. Ryrie and Garden Sts., Geelong. Director: Christine Davey. Bookings: chriskppd@westnet.com.au ■ Peridot Theatre: Life After George (by Hannie Rayson) August 11 - 26 at the Unicorn Theatre, Lechte Rd., Mt Waverley. Director: David Lawson-Smith. Bookings:9808 0770. ■ The Basin Theatre Group: A Happy and Holy Occasion (by John O'Donoghue), August 11 - September 2 at The Basin Theatre, Doongalla Rd., The Basin. Director: Loretta Bishop. Bookings: 1300 784 668 (7.00pm 9.00pm only) ■ Beaumaris Theatre: August Osage County
82 Wells Rd.., Beaumaris. Director: Fred Pezzimenti. Bookings: www.beaumaristheatre.com.au ■ PEP Productions: Caravan (by Donald McDonald) August 17 - 26 at Doncaster Playhouse, 679 Doncaster Rd., Doncaster. Director: Lorraine Millar. Bookings: pep.productions06@gmail.com ■ Wyndham Theatre Company: The Vicar of Dibley August 17 - 26 at the CrossRoads Theatre, cnr Synnot St. and Duncans Rd., Werribee. Director: George Benca. Bookings: www.trybooking.com ■ Queenscliffe Lighthouse Theatre Group: Secret Bridesmaids' Business (by Elizabeth Coleman), August 11 - 19 at Queenscliff Uniting Church all, 83 - 89 Hesse St., Queenscliff. Director: Debbie Fraser. Bookings: www.qltg.org.au/p/buy-tickets ■ Strathmore TheatricalArts Group (STAG): The Female of the Species (by Joanna MurraySmith), August 17 - 27 at the Strathmore Community Theatre, Cnr Loeman and Napier Sts., Strathmore. Director: Mark Stratford. Bookings: www.stagtheatre.org ■ Lilydale Athenaeum Theatre Company: High Society (by Cole Porter from the book by Arthur Kopit) August 17 - September 2 at the Athenaeum Theatre, 39 - 41 Castella St., Lilydale. Director: Alan Burrows. Bookings: 9735 1777. ■ Brighton Theatre Company: The Garden of Granddaughters (by Stephen Sewell) August 17 - September 2 at the Bayside Cultural Centre, Cnr Wilson and Carpenter Sts., Brighton. Director: Andrew Ferguson. Bookings: 1300 752 126. ■ OCPAC (Old Carey PerformingArts Club): Sweet Charity September 1 - 23 at MGH, Carey Boys Grammar School, Bakers Rd., Kew. Tickets: $35/$30. Bookings: https://chook.as/ocpac/ sweet-charity www.ocpac.com.au
Nominated for AACTA ● From Page 35 ■ The short film also stars film and TV veterans Nadine Garner, Virginia Gay, Neil Pigot and Shareena Clanton. Mrs McCutcheon is produced by Andre Lima and Jenny Vila, with cinematography by acclaimed DOP Sky Davies and music score by multi-award winning composer Iain Grandage. John Sheedy is a multi-award winning Australian director whose work has been staged extensively throughout Australia. In 1998, John completed his Bachelor of DramaticArt at the National Drama School in Melbourne before completing his Masters of FineArts (Directing) at the National Institute of Dramatic Arts in 2002. In August 2010 John became the Artistic Director at Barking Gecko Theatre Company, delivering his final season for the company in 2015. Throughout his career, John has directed productions for Belvoir Street, Bell Shakespeare, Parramatta Riverside, Black Swan State Theatre Company, Sydney Opera House, Sydney Theatre Company, Griffin and Opera Australia. John’s work has been recognised with multiple nominations for Helpmann and Sydney Theatre Awards. He is currently the CEO and Artistic Director of Theatre Works, a hub for independent theatre in the heart of St Kilda. - Cheryl Threadgold
Djuki Mala
■ If you haven’t been to Map 57 – St Kilda’s Winter Garden, go. Until July 30. This unique venue hosts an experience and is ‘home’ to the amazing YouTube famous Djuki Mala. This Australian indigenous dance group are warm, funny and fit. They are on their feet for an hour with brief interludes of story telling. I laughed, cried, tapped my foot, cheered, smiled , watched in awe not expecting what I saw and heard. I learnt lots, though laughed more. My companion- who is about to buy tickets for all her family and friends, said ‘the show breaks down cultural beliefs.’ This is a very multi-cultural show. The Box theatre is not ideal, so best to be early, sit near the front as with no tiered seating and a ‘lowish’ stage some audience members were standing at the back to see. It is also bright near the back and annoyingly some people were getting up to use the bar. The sound system also lacked clarity. A more intimate space, perhaps cabaret style would be amazing. Nonetheless the show itself is brilliant. The dancers are talented performers, actors with charisma. The show entertaining and poignant, suitable for any age. A standing ovation along with demands for an encore were I believe warranted. Unfortunately one hour does not seem long enough. I will say no more, be surprised for yourself. - Review by Elizabeth Semmel
More shows
■ The Mount Players: The Full Monty August 18 - September 10 at the Mountview Theatre, 56 Smith St., Macedon. Director: Leo Vandervalk. Bookings: 5426 1892. \Phoenix Theatre Company: Rock of Ages September 8- 16 at Doncaster Playhouse. Bookings: www.phoenixtheatrecompany.org S ■ MLOC Productions Inc: Shout! October 13 - 21 at the Shirley Burke Theatre, 64 Parkers rd., Parkdale. Director: Rhylee Nowell; Musical Director: Tim Ryan; Choreography: Sabrina Klock. Bookings: www.mloc.otg.au or 9551 7514.
Page 38 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, July 26, 2017
Observer Showbiz What’s Hot and What’s Not in Blu-Rays and DVDs
FILM: KONG - SKULL ISLAND: Genre: Action/Adventure/Fantasy. Cast: Tom Hiddleston, Brie Larson, Samuel L. Jackson, John C. Reilly, John Goodman. Year: 2017. Rating: M. Length: 120 Minutes. Stars: **** Verdict: Set in the early 1970's of the Nixon era and the height of the Vietnam conflict, a secretive team of explorers and soldiers travel to a mysterious uncharted island in the Pacific, unaware that they are crossing into the domain of a myriad of creatures, including the mythic and legendary King Kong. Big budget B-grade creature-feature yarn is a thrilling "Jurassic Park" meets "The Lost World" (1925-1960) meets "The Land Time Forgot" meets "Apocalypse Now" adventure-thrill ride filled with wildly over-the -top action and throwaway humour! Breathtaking filming locations include Queensland, Vietnam and Hawaii with top notch production values and startling CGI effects, and the outstanding cast including Tom Hiddleston, Brie Larson, Samuel L. Jackson, the scene-stealing John C. Reilly and John Goodman are all in top form. Forget the pot-holes or logic, this creature-feature, along with few others, is well and truly a worthy addition to a formula that startled audiences as far back as 1925 with "The Lost World." Killer '70s soundtrack includes David Bowie, The Hollies, Jefferson Airplane, Black Sabbath and Creedence Clearwater Revival ... and lined with plenty of "Easter Eggs" for film buffs and fans of the genre! And watch right through the end credits. FILM: LIFE: Genre: Science Fiction Adventure-Horror-Thriller. Cast: Jake Gyllenhaal, Rebecca Ferguson and Ryan Reynolds. Year: 2017. Rating: MA15+ Length: 104 Minutes. Stars: ***1/2. Verdict: Six astronauts aboard the space station study a sample collected from a Mars probe that could provide evidence for extraterrestrial life on the Red Planet, but as the crew begin to conduct research, a life form emerges that could prove more intelligent than anyone ever expected. A crackling sci-fi, adventure, horror, thriller that pays homage to its origins with nail-biting thrills and chills thanks to a smart and lean screenplay, taut direction, claustrophobic setting, solid performances from a top notch cast and a creature that is sure to raise the hairs on the back of your neck. Clearly inspired by such greats as "IT! The Terror From Beyond Space" (1958), "Event Horizon" (1997), "Gravity" (2013), and most of all, Ridley Scot's ground-breaking "Alien" (1979) ... with a touch of "The Twilight Zone" for good measure. This knows exactly what it is doing, where this has been before and exactly where you it's going, and you would be doing yourself an injustice if you didn't take the journey. FILM: DUNKIRK: Genre: Drama/History/War. Cast: John Mills, Richard Attenborough, Bernard Lee. Year: 1958. Rating: PG. Length: 134 Minutes. Stars: **** Verdict: Top notch dramatization of the British Force's 1940 retreat to the beaches of France and the extraordinary home rescue seaborne evacuation by British civilians that saved it from utter destruction by Nazi Germany. Exciting and unforgettable recreation of one of history's most defining and heroic moments. Outstanding cast of British veterans all excel, along with taut and respectful direction by Leslie Norman (The Night My Number Came Up) and intelligent screenplay by David Divine and W.P Lipscom. Ranks along with such British WWII classics as "Reach For The Sky," "The Dam Busters," "Sink The Bismarck," "In Which We Serve" and "The Cruel Sea," to name a few. Thrilling and poignant all the way, and a wonderful tribute to those heroic civilian boat owners who helped save a nation and change the course of the war!
www.MelbourneObserver.com.au
Movies, DVDs With Jim Sherlock and Aaron Rourke
Rourke’s Reviews: Okja, To The Bone
Top 10 Lists JULY 23 to JULY 29. THE AUSTRALIAN BOX OFFICE TOP TEN: 1. SPIDER-MAN: HOMECOMING. 2. BABY DRIVER. 3. DESPICABLE ME 3. 4. CARS 3. 5. WONDER WOMAN. 6. DIARY OF A WIMPY KID: THE LONG HAUL. 7. TRANSFORMERS: THE LAST KNIGHT. 8. THE BEGUILED. 9. THE HOUSE. 10. MY COUSIN RACHEL. NEW RELEASES AND COMING SOON TO CINEMAS AROUND AUSTRALIA: JULY 20: DESCENT INTO THE MAELSTROM: RADIO BIRDMAN, DUNKIRK, PARIS CAN WAIT, WISH UPON. JULY 27 A GHOST STORY, A MONSTER CALLS, KIKI, LOVE TO LOVE, WAR FOR THE PLANET OF THE APES.
● Paul Dano and Steven Yeun help a very unusual friend in the unique Okja, now streaming on Netflix. ■ Okja (M). 120 minutes. Now ror, and adventure, and backs it up with a first-class production. streaming on Netflix. The cast are terrific, with After suffering at the hands of notorious U.S. producer Harvey Swinton, Ahn, and especially Dano Weinstein with his previous film particular standouts. Okja herself is an impressive Snowpiercer, which was cruelly held back from release for nearly creation, and the special effects two years while the two locked bringing her to life are outstanding. Okja is great entertainment, but horns over what should be final cut, director Bong Joon-ho’s follow-up it is that rare beast that offers viewfeature arrives with no such ers something to think about amongst all the excitement, trouble. A Netflix production, Okja humour, and drama. RATING - **** proves to be the exact opposite, available quickly to everyone via To The Bone (MA). 107 minutes. the popular streaming format. The story centres around young Now streaming on Netflix. Though not as confrontational or teenager Mija (Ahn Seo-hyun), who along with her grandfather hard-hitting as it could have been, Hee-bong (Byun Hee-bong), live a To The Bone is generally free of simple life on a farm located in the cheap melodramatics and a TV scenic mountains of South Korea. movie-of-the-week approach. The film introduces us to Ellen Amongst the usual chickens is a very unusual creature, a massive (Lily Collins), a young woman who has been suffering from anorexia super-pig named Okja. Sent there by the Mirando Cor- nervosa for a number of years now. poration, Okja is one of 26, sent to Recently kicked out from a rehavarious destinations around the bilitation centre, the latest in a long world as part of a competition to line of medical institutions who have raise the biggest and best super-pig, tried to help her, Ellen is accepted and if selected, will represent the into another, run by radical doctor company’s latest line of tasty meat William Beckham (Keanu Reeves). products. Here the combative newbie is When the intelligent creature is selected the winner by wacky TV introduced to her latest group of felpresenter ‘Dr’ Johnny Wilcox (Jake low patients, which include Brit Gyllenhaal), she is unceremoni- Luke (Alex Sharp), Megan (Leslie ously trucked to Seoul headquar- Bibb), Anna (Kathryn Prescott), and ters, but as such attracts the atten- Pearl (Maya Eshet), all of whom tion of an animal rights group headed suffer from the same disorder to by Jay (Paul Dano), who want to varying degrees. During her stay, living under free Okja from her corporate capsome unconventional rules, Ellen tors. Unimpressed with all this nega- will have the face her own fears tive attention is company CEO and addiction, while also slowly Lucy Mirando (Tilda Swinton), opening up to those around her, who who is slowly watching the perfect all want to conquer this crippling affliction. marketing strategy slip away. Writer/director Marti Noxon In the middle of all this is Mija, who wants her best friend back and (who penned I Am Number Four and the 2011 Fright Night remake) returned safely home. Bong (Memories Of Murder / thankfully underplays proceedings, Mother / The Host) combines a and doesn’t unnecessarily exploit number of different genres to tell the physical appearance of her his story, and confidently moves characters for cheap shock value. from comedy, drama, satire, hor- A former anorexia sufferer .
THE DVD AND BLU-RAY TOP RENTALS & SALES: 1. KONG: SKULL ISLAND [Action/Adventure/ Tom Hiddleston, Brie Larson, Samuel L. Jackson]. 2. LIFE [Science Fiction/Horror/Jake Gyllenhaal, Rebecca Ferguson, Ryan Reynolds]. 3. BEAUTY AND THE BEAST [Fantasy/Emma Watson, Dan Stevens, Luke Evans]. 4. T2: TRAINSPOTTING [Drama/Ewan McGregor, Ewan Bremner, Robert Carlyle]. 5. TABLE 19 [Comedy/Drama/Anna Kendrick, Lisa Kudrow, Craig Robinson]. 6. SHIN GODZILLA [Action/Hiroki Hasegawa, Satomi Ishihara]. 7. CHIPS [Action/Comedy/Michael Pena, Jessica McNamee, Dax Shepard]. 8. BOSS BABY [Animated/Family/Comedy/ Alec Baldwin, Steve Buscemi, Jimmy Kimmel]. 9. ALONE IN BERLIN [Drama/Emma Thompson, Brendan Gleeson, Daniel Bruhl]. Also: JASPER JONES, GENIUS, LOVING, THE SPACE BETWEEN US, A CURE FOR WELLNESS, POWER RANGERS, LOGAN, SILENCE, AFTERMATH, HIDDEN FIGURES. NEW RELEASE HIGHLIGHTS ON DVD THIS WEEK: DENIAL [Drama/Timothy Spall, Rachel Weisz, Tom Wilkinson]. U.S.S. INDIANAPOLIS: MEN OF COURAGE [War/Drama/Action/Nicolas Cage, Tom Sizemore]. GHOST IN THE SHELL [Sci-Fi/Action/Fantasy/Scarlett Johansson]. RESIDENT EVIL: VENDETTA [Horror/Matthew Mercer, Kari Wahlgren]. BURN COUNTRY [Drama/James Franco, Melissa Leo]. NEW RELEASE HIGHLIGHTS ON BLU-RAY THIS WEEK: U.S.S. INDIANAPOLIS: MEN OF COURAGE [War/Drama/Action/Nicolas Cage, Tom Sizemore]. GHOST IN THE SHELL [Sci-Fi/Action/Fantasy/Scarlett Johansson]. RESIDENT EVIL: VENDETTA [Horror/Matthew Mercer, Kari Wahlgren]. HEAT [1995/Remastered/Action/Crime/ Thriller/Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, Val Kilmer]. NEW & RE-RELEASE AND CLASSIC MOVIES ON DVD HIGHLIGHTS: HEAT [1995/Remastered/Action/Crime/ Thriller/Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, Val Kilmer]. NEW RELEASE TELEVISION, DOCUMENTARY AND MUSIC DVD HIGHLIGHTS: PRISON BREAK: Season 5. MURDOCH MYSTERIES: Series 10. GIRLS: Season 6. PRETTY LITTLE LIARS: Season 7 - James Sherlock
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Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, July 26, 2017 - Page 39
What’s New
Page 40 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, July 26, 2017 g y y Melbourne
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Lovatts Crossword No 7 Across
1. Portion 5. Appliance, ... cleaner 8. Gluttony 11. Coloured-tile design 14. Nit-picker 18. On the sick list 19. The U of IOU 20. Zigzag pattern 23. Chef's garment 24. Scandalous 27. Entice 28. Beeped (horn) 29. Debates 31. Fuzzy leather 32. Crush (fly) 34. Roof edges 36. Fantasise 37. Not even once 38. Toddlers 39. More unfriendly 41. Ardent 44. Certainly 47. Dance 49. Equally balanced 50. Gazed fixedly 52. Bill 54. Recess 56. Restaurant list 58. Throw out of house 60. Most awful 62. Young dogs 64. Rain heavily 66. Egyptian snakes 67. Avoided 70. Measuring rod 71. In control, at the ... 72. Singing voices 73. Finished 74. Cupid's shaft 75. Climbing vegetable 77. Armoured vehicle 79. Dominate (market) 83. Pummelled 85. Unusually 87. Exhaust (supply) 89. Wandering 91. Gratifying 94. Stressed 97. Declare 98. Scenes 99. Questionable 100. Court fine 103. Column 105. Custodian 107. General pardon 110. Pork cut, ... ribs 111. Relaxes 114. Renovate (ship) 116. Frosty 118. Exclusive 120. Expressing contempt 122. Hue 124. Screen collie 126. Vibrated noisily 129. Divides 132. Castle entrance 136. Borders 139. Falsify 140. Quantity of paper 142. Fracas 145. Edit (text) 146. Splendid sight 148. Halt 150. Chopped down 152. Outlook 154. Remain
Across 156. Ticket remnant 157. Become septic 159. Hand-make (jumper) 161. Eiffel Tower city 164. Surplus 167. Essential 169. Slightest 171. Canoodle 173. Happen 174. Periodic 177. Socially excluded 180. Anglican parish priest 183. In an unspecified way 187. Leaps over 190. Pencil rubber 192. Constant 194. Book publicity hype196. Ever 197. Of the sun 198. Musical pace 200. Peace offering, ... branch 201. Male sibling 203. Root vegetable 205. Sport, Rugby ... 207. Willingly 209. Drain 211. Improper 213. Undergarment 215. Powered bike 217. Ambience 220. Portable light 222. Lockjaw 224. Nobleman 227. Recognition 228. Welcoming 232. Kitchen flooring 234. Circuit-breaker 237. Leather strap 239. Golf club 240. Goodbye 241. Warm & cosy 242. Port style 244. Considering 245. Small religious group 247. Booming 250. Stimulates 251. Adversary 252. Type of bee 253. Depart 255. Packing boxes 257. Shattered 260. Skin eruptions 264. Comfort 266. Affixed with spikes 267. Judas' payment, ... pieces of silver 270. Astonish 273. Principles 274. Jetty 275. Craze 277. Not drunk 279. Treadle 281. Seethe 283. In force (of license) 285. Ledger entry 286. Annul 287. Dreary 290. Dries up 291. Follow 292. Salad dressing 293. Mongrel 294. Pose for artist 295. Loathes 296. Paper hanky 297. Sloop or ketch 298. Ice-cream dessert 299. Topic
Down
Down
1. Covering for feet 2. Pained expression 3. Orient 4. Duration of presidency 5. Long narrow prospect 6. Greatest 7. Glove 8. Cheer 9. Ghostly 10. Charismatic 11. Assaulted & robbed 12. Tranquil 13. Bring about 14. Price of passage 15. Aromatic herb 16. Advocate 17. Walrus teeth 21. Body's building blocks 22. Phantom Of The ... 25. Engine booster 26. Befuddle 28. Gently 30. Calming drug 33. Language 35. Compete 38. Toughen (steel) 40. Moral 42. Utter (cry) 43. Location 45. Tidings 46. Wheat tips 48. Guacamole ingredient 49. Furthest limits 51. Dashes 53. Mulish 55. Well-behaved child, little ... 57. Unmoved 59. Relinquish (land) 61. Ready for business 62. Pluto or Earth 63. Suggestion 65. Planned movement 66. * symbol 68. Hard Italian cheese 69. Dentist's tools 76. Likely 78. Much ... About Nothing 80. Fleur-de-lis 81. Jittery 82. Dog, cocker ... 84. Water tank 85. Matures 86. Dozes 88. Wicked 90. Approachable 92. Meeting schedule 93. Diaper 95. Rock or jazz 96. Scope 101. Rainbow shapes 102. Determined individual 103. District 104. Zone 106. Acting sovereign 108. North American deer 109. Prince Edward, ... of Wessex 110. Sluggish 112. TV studio filming area 113. Feminine pronoun 115. Excursion 117. Secretes 119. Pine or palm 121. Notion 123. Unnerve 124. Beach rescuer 125. Caustic 127. Docile 128. High hits 130. The same 131. Cheek whiskers 133. Wonderment 134. Nags 135. Grass colour 137. Deadly poison 138. Fury
141. Keenly perceptive 143. Raise (children) 144. Belonging to whom? 147. Hopeless wish, ... in the sky 149. Mountains 151. Labours 153. Is able to 155. Lovable 157. Room base 158. Bladder 160. Decorate with pictures 162. Tiny particle 163. Creep (towards) 165. Beast of burden 166. Here ..., gone tomorrow 168. French brandy 170. Additionally 172. Loose hood 175. Hanker after 176. Hatchets 178. Slothful 179. Dodge 181. Plant seed 182. Written material 184. Elect 185. Deciduous tree 186. Woodwind instrument 188. Second-hand 189. Suit-maker 191. Regal 193. Speaking to crowd 195. Fixed procedure 196. Ward off 199. Copious 202. Legacy 204. Traitor 206. Female relative 208. Hunger 209. Wound mark 210. Bombard 212. Residences 213. Beat up 214. Current units 215. Interim 216. Camera stand 218. Arm joints 219. Each person 221. Sped on foot 223. Flightless bird 225. Bore diameter 226. On fire 229. Lungs & liver 230. Plagiarised 231. Home (duties) 233. Single thing 235. Acidic 236. Civilian wartime prisoner 238. Honey drink 243. Heavenly spirits 245. Half 246. Blister-like pouch 248. Gambling chances 249. Extinct bird 254. Inaccurate 255. Free from blame 256. Allow in 258. Enigma 259. Serious-minded 261. State further 262. Undulating 263. Four-door car 265. Straddling 268. Pester 269. Minimise 271. Hosiery garment 272. Improvement (in economy) 274. Beg 276. Skilled 278. Fundamental 280. Die down 282. Flour cereal 283. Promises 284. Schoolboys 288. Geological eras 289. Handle
Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, July 26, 2017 - Page 41
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Page 42 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, July 26, 2017
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Page 44 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, July 26, 2017
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DINDI SAWMILL Supplying Quality Hardwood Timber • STOCKYARD RAILS • BRIDGE TIMBER • FENCING MATERIAL • BUILDING MATERIALS • SPECIALTY BIG END TIMBERS, UP TO 8 METRES
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Page 46 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, July 26, 2017
Alexandra
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Alexandra
UNDER CONTRACT
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Eildon
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SOLD
UNDER CONTRACT
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