Melbourne Observer. August 9, 2017

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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 9, 2017

VICTORIA’S INDEPENDENT WEEKLY NEWSPAPER

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S TATE EDITION Vol 49 No 1675 SERVING VICTORIA SINCE 1969

RADIO DEATH FIASCO including GST

■ David McGee, long-time 3AW broadcaster, was wrongly named by the station on Monday as having died.

Simon Owens and Philip Brady yesterday (Tues.) aired retractions after the station was contacted by the McGee family. ● The 3AW team at the Macedon Hotel in 1983, pre

Owens and Brady went to air in good faith after being contact by a usually reliable radio source.

Industry figure Ray Lawrence paid tribute to David McGee on air, only for news to emerge on Tuesday that McGee is very much alive.

David McGee’s early radio days were at 3BA Ballarat, ane he rose to become Chief Announcer at 3AW.

senting a cheque after the Ash Wednesday fires. From left: David Mann, Ray Taylor, David McGee, station technician, Neville Wragg, Bruce Mansfield and Derryn Hinch behind the local publicans, John Blackman, Brian White Dennis O’Kane, Helen Jackson, Graham Walton and the Rev. Alex Kenworthy, flanked by a banjo player.

Photo: Ash Long ● Clive Stark, long-time ABC Radio presenter, has died aged 81. Clive presented the Sunday program on 3LO, and then 774, for many years. Before that he had presented classical music on the 3AR breakfast program and a program called Baroque and Beyond.

UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT OPEN DAY THIS SATURDAY AUGUST 12

■ Congratulatory letters from the Essendon Football Club, the Queen, Governor-General and Prime Minister were on display at Rivers Yarrambat for the 100th birthday party for Vera Pittaway on Saturday.

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Travel

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Ash OnWednesday

Observer A date with Calendar Girls inc orpor a ting the Melbourne A d vvertiser ertiser, incorpor orpora Ad Melbourne T ict orian Rur al Ne ws Trr ader ader,, V Vict ictorian Rural New and Melbourne Seniors News News..

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

Contact Us

TAURUS: (April 21- May 20) Lucky Colour: Yellow Lucky Day: Wednesday Racing Numbers: 1-2-3-3 Lotto Numbers: 1-6-12-13-26-41 Most will be making the right moves to improve the financial picture. A romantic and passionate period is indicated. A missed career opportunity will come back.

Our Team

Distribution S ta dition: A vailable 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.

If your local newsagent does not curr ently sstt ock the Melbourne Observ e rr,, currently Observe 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.

Across The World Melbourne Observer Online 2.

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

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

by All Day Distribution. Responsibilityfor election and referendum comment is accepted by Ash Long.

C op yright © 20 ty L opyright 2011 7 7,, L ocal Media P Pty Lttd.

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with Kerry Kulkens ARIES: (March 21-April 20) Lucky Colour: Rose Lucky Day: Wednesday Racing Numbers: 2-4-3-5 Lotto Numbers: 2-14-22-23-33-41 Health should be good, however a lot of upheaval going on around you, and although it should not involve you personally it will have an effect. Travel is indicated and should be romantic.

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: ww w.MelbourneObserv e rr..com.au .MelbourneObserve or@MelbourneObserv e rr..com.au E: Edit ditor@MelbourneObserv or@MelbourneObserve

Editor: Ash Long Features Editor: Peter Mac Columnists: Len Baker (harness racing), Matt Bissett-Johnson (cartoonist), David Ellis (wine and travel), Rob Foenander (country music), Kerry Kulkens (astrology), Nick Le Souef (outback Australia), Mike McColl Jones (life), Greg Ne wman (r adio ), T erry Radf or d ((C C ourt ewman (radio adio), Terry Radfor ord roundsman), Aaron Rourke (movies), Ted Ry an (r acing), Jim Sherlock Ryan (racing), (movies, DVDs), Cheryl Threadgold (local thea e ), K e vin T sho wbiz), theatt rre Ke Trrask ((sho showbiz), Wood (Hollyw Veritas, G avin W ood (Holly w ood).

Honorary Reviewers: Mark Briggs, Rita Crispin, Martin Curtis, Sherryn Danaher Danaher,, Barbar a Hughes, L yn Hurs t, K athryn Barbara Lyn Hurst, Ka Keeble, Beth Klein, Deborah Marinaro, Gr aeme McC oubrie therine , McGr egor Graeme McCoubrie oubrie,, Ca Catherine McGregor egor,, David McLean, Maggie Morrison, Jill Pa g e ylie Rackham, Elizabeth Semmel. e,, K Kylie Distribution: Sam Fiorini, phone 9482 1145

Your Stars

● Calendar Girls is to play at the Athenaeum Theatre, Melbourne ■ Tottie Goldsmith via the Monash University website or by will join the cast for the calling 9905 1111.

Melbourne producLohengrin stars intion of Calendar Girls ternational Wagneto be staged at the Athrian Marius Vlad, enaeum Theatre from who returns to the ReSeptember 27. gent Theatre to perPublicist Michael form the title role folWilkie saysCalendar lowing his celebrated Girls is based on an performance as inspiring true story that Tannhäuser. is both poignant and Marius Vlad is hilarious. considered one of only A group of extraor20 voices worldwide dinary women, memthat are capable of bers of a very ordinary singing the powerful Yorkshire Women’s and demanding title Institute, spark a gloroles in Wagner’s opbal phenomenon by eras. persuading one anAustralian opera other to pose au star Helena Dix is renaturel for a charity turning to her homecalendar with a differedit or@MelbourneObserv er editor@MelbourneObserv or@MelbourneObserver er..com. om.aa u town to perform the ence. leading female role of with Ash Long, Editor As interest snowElsa von Brabant. balls, the Calendar For the first time in “For the cause that lacks assistance, Girls find themselves 14 years, Helena will ‘Gainst the wrongs that need resistance revealing more than grace Melbourne auFor the future in the distance, they’d ever planned. diences with the voice And the good that we can do” Michael says it is a that carried her outheartwarming, come111 011. Tickets for standing international dic tale which tells the the performance at career to Europe’s true story of friendship, Robert Blackwood most celebrated opera hope and determinaHall can be houses. tion.

■ Our theatre coordinator Cheryl Threadgold tells me that Melbourne Opera is presenting Richard Wagner's romantic ■ When Annie’s hus- drama Lohengrin on band John dies of leu- August 10 and 12 at kaemia, she and best the Regent Theatre friend Chris agree to and on August 19 at raise money for the the Robert Black- ■ “Doesn’t expecting the unexpected make Leukaemia Research wood Hall, Monash the unexpected expected?”

Fund in order to pur- University.

■ “I don’t have an attitude problem, you have chase a new couch in Following the great a perception problem.” the local hospital wait- critical and public sucing room where they cess of Tannhäuser spent so many uncom- last year, Melbourne fortable hours.

Opera has returned to ■ “Man is the only living being who cuts trees, They manage to the Regent Theatre to makes paper, and writes ‘Save Trees’ on it.” persuade fellow WI stage a new producmembers to pose dis- tion of Wagner's magcreetly nude with them nificent romantic opfor an ‘alternative’ era Lohengrin, not ■ "Teach me to do your will, for you are my calendar, with a little performed in Mel- God; may your good Spirit lead me on level help from a hospital bourne for 15 years. ground.” porter and a local ama- Psalms 143:10 Melbourne teur photographer.

Opera’s second sea- Contents of Court Lists are intended for information purNews of the son for 2017 will see only. The lists are extracted from Court Lists, as women’s charitable an extended company poses to the public, by the Magistrates’ Court of venture spreads like of over 160 singers supplied Victoria, often one week prior to publication date; for wildfire, and hordes of and musicians fill the current Court lists, please contact the Court. Further media soon descend Regent Theatre with details of cases are available at on the small village of the powerful sound of www.magistratescourt.vic.gov.au The Melbourne Observer Knapeley in the York- opera for the second shall in no event accept any liability for loss or damage suffered by any person or body due to information proshire Dales. time in history. vided. The information is provided on the basis that perThe calendar is a Tickets for the Re- sons accessing it undertake responsibility for assessing success, but Chris and gent Theatre perfor- the relevance and accuracy of its content. No inference Annie’s friendship is mances are on sale of a party’s guilt or innocence should be made by publicaput to the test under the now via the tion of their name as a defendant. Court schedules may strain of their new- Ticketmaster website be changed at any time for any reason, including withfound fame. or phone line: 1300 drawal of the action by the Plaintiff/Applicant. E&OE.

Long Shots

Romantic drama

Put to the test

Observer Treasury

Thought For The Week

Observer Curmudgeon Text For The Week

GEMINI: (May 21- June 21) Lucky Colour: Green Lucky Day: Tuesday Racing Numbers: 1-2-3-2 Lotto Numbers: 1-12-23-32-40-44 A romantic and busy period although family could create a problem. Old friends get in touch and a contact from you past may annoy. Health should improve.

CANCER: (June 22- July 22) Lucky Colour: Grey Lucky Day: Monday Racing Numbers: 1-2-1-2 Lotto Numbers: 1-11-20-29-30-37 A very important period coming up; those in a position of responsibility or authority may have to speak their mind to keep control. Don't listen to gossip or pass it on.

LEO: (July 23-August 22) Lucky Colour: Peach Lucky Day: Friday Racing Numbers: 3-8-3-2 Lotto Numbers: 3-10-12-21-30-42 A friend you helped in the past could surprise you with a reward career; opportunities are around; some could have hidden talents. An important person could take a big interest in your ideas.

VIRGO: (August 23- September 23) Lucky Colour: Ivory Lucky Day: Thursday Racing Numbers: 2-4-9-3 Lotto Numbers: 2-5-14-23-30-41 Unwise to take people into your confidence. However, keep your ears tuned in to all around you. Luck is on your side and the past will have a big impact on your future decision making.

LIBRA: (September 24- October 23) Lucky Colour: Pink Lucky Day: Thursday Racing Numbers: 1-4-1-9 Lotto Numbers: 1-11-14-28-37-40 This should be a very good period for money and love; perhaps a new romance could bring exciting highs. A surprising upturn in career, news.

SCORPIO: (October 24- November 22) Lucky Colour: Yellow Lucky Day: Tuesday Racing Numbers: 1-6-2-8 Lotto Numbers: 1-16-28-36-38-44 A partner could disagree with your point of view and another's plans may have to be considered. Don't take sides to avoid being caught in the middle of trouble.

SAGITTARIUS: (November23- December 20) Lucky Colour: Green Lucky Day: Tuesday Racing Numbers: 12-1-10-1 Lotto Numbers: 20-25-30-33-4043 A very busy period and happy time among friends and family. In career affairs you will soon be making progress and people could be taking a lot of notice so be on your guard and your best behaviour.

CAPRICORN: (December 21- January 19) Lucky Colour: White Lucky Day: Tuesday Racing Numbers: 5-1-1-4 Lotto Numbers: 5-11-27-35-42-44 Could be a frustrating period and be very careful when out driving; travel plans may have to be deferred or altered. Career plans made now will have a big impact later this year.

AQUARIUS: (January 20- February 19) Lucky Colour: Mauve Lucky Day: Sunday Racing Numbers: 2-7-6-5 Lotto Numbers: 6-16-22-23-36-37 Many will be improving their love relationships and career prospects look better also; taking more control of your life and finding out where your future lies.

PISCES: (February 20- March 20) Lucky Colour: Peach Lucky Day: Tuesday Racing Numbers: 5-10-9-4 Lotto Numbers: 2-12-18-27-36-40 Important people are more likely to support you. Exciting days when the unexpected could happen and improve your finances. Many could be in for a complete change of life style.

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

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, August 9, 2017 - Page 7

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Melbourne

‘Coming Back Out’: free for LGBTI elders Observer In This Edition

Long Shots: Editor’s Column ....... Page 6 West Hollywood: Gavin Wood ....... Page 8 Cartoon: Matt Bissett-Johnson ..... Page 9 In The Picture: Freemasons night . Page 10 Melb. Confidential: Joel Solomon . Page 11 Whatever Happened: Kevin Trask .. Page 12 Outback Legend: Nick Le Souef ... Page 12 Observer Classics: Mark Twain ... Page 13 Harness Racing: Len Baker ........ Page 27 Observer Racing: Ted Ryan ......... Page 28 Observer Trader section James Sherlock Aaron Rourke Rob Foenander Cheryl Threadgold

Observer Showbiz Showbiz

Latest News Around Victoria

Variety Bash

■ The Variety Vic Bash begins in Epping on Friday, August 18. Within the first 24 hours,more than $160,000 in equipment will be presented to schools, individuals and organisations throughout regional Victoria. Presentations will take place in 12 different locations

■ A social event celebrating Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) elders will be held on Saturday, October 7 at 6pm at the Melbourne Town Hall.

Hosted by Australian arts icon Robyn Archer, The Coming Back Out Ball will be presented as a premiere event of the 2017 Victorian Seniors Festival in association with the 3rd National LGBTI Ageing and Aged Care Conference.

Created and produced by All The Queens Men, this night-of-nights will blending showbiz bells and whistles, community celebration, heartfelt story telling, dinner and dancing.

● LGBTI Dance Club The evening will be free for LGBTI elders 65 + (booking essential); each guest will receive three-course dinner and drinks, with entertainment by leading LGBTI performers including Robyn Archer, Carlotta, Deborah Cheetham, Toni Lalich, Gerry Connolly, Lois Weaver supported by an orchestra and conductor Kathleen McGuire.

This premiere event has been augmented with social transformation projects including LGBTI Elders Dance Club and New Moves High Tea. LGBTI Elders Dance Club is held every month

Interview this Sunday

Car impounded throughout 2017 and 2018 at the Fitzroy Town Hall.

The long-term vision is that The Coming Back Out Ball becomes a regular event on Melbourne’s social calendar – understood for its inclusivity and cultural significance.

The aim is to empower LGBTI elders to assert their social agency, value and worth within a mainstream and ageist paradigm.

The Coming Back Out Ball is inspired by pioneering research revealing that some LGBTI elders conceal their sexual orientation or gender identity when they access aged care services – because they believe they are not safe.

With so much change over the course of their lifetime, some LGBTI elders have lived through a period when being LGBTI could result in imprisonment, enforced medical cures, loss of employment and rejection by family and friends.

For this generation, many who fought for LGBTI equality, impending old age may mean going back into the closet, or the risk of being deprived companionship or quality care when they need it most.

The Coming Back Out Ball augments research and social services – it’s a public celebration and declaration to LGBTI elders of their worth and value, acknowledging their rich lived experiences.

- Cheryl Threadgold

■ A Corio driver has had her car impounded after she was caught not wearing a seatbelt during a Geelong police operation, reports the Advertiser. The 28year-old was nabbed during Operation Share, and had her car taken for having similar prior convictions for driving without a licence. The car was impounded until September 1 and she will have to pay $972 to have it returned. She will also now face driving charges.

45 days jail

■ A man who breached an intervention order by sending 107 text messages to try and encourage his partner to drop assault charges has been jailed for 45 days. Jason Maltby, 37, of Kenna Ave, Hamilton, pleaded guilty in the Warrnambool Magistrates Court to breaching both his bail and an intervention order. He was jailed for 45 days, reports The Standard.

Forecast ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

Today (Wed.). Mostly sunny. 11°-17° Thurs. Scattered showers. 8°-17° Fri. Mostly sunny. 9°-14° Sat. Showers. 7°-15° Sun. Partly cloudy. 9°-17°

Mike McColl Jones ● Michael Ball, the Melbourne Observer’s Kevin Trask and Alfie Boe ■ Two great singing stars from the UK who touring together. They are both successful rehave both appeared in stage musicals on cording artists and their new CD Together was London's West End and Broadway are to been a best seller in the UK. The CD is availperform in Melbourne. able in Australia through Universal Music.

Michael Ball has won two Best Actor I saw Michael Ball in concert in 2003 in Olivier Awards for his performances in Melbourne and it was one of the best shows I Hairspray and Sweeney Todd. have seen. Both of these outstanding artists Alfie Boe starred in the Tony Award win- have performed for the Royal Family on sevning musical La Boheme in 2003 under the eral occasions. direction of Baz Luhrmann.

Hear my interview with these singing legI was a bit in awe of both performers who ends on 96.5 FM at 12 noon on Sunday (Aug,. have both played roles in Les Misérables on 13) during That's Entertainment. the West End - but when we recorded a radio Michael Ball and Alfie Boe will be appearinterview we did nothing but laugh and have a ing at Hamer Hall in Together for one show lot of fun. only on Saturday, October 7. Tickets can be The pair met during a production of Kismet booked by telephoning 1300 182 183. many years ago and came up with the idea of - Kevin Trask

Top 5

THE T OP 5 CLA USES THA T TOP CLAUSES THAT FINALL Y RESOL VED THE LENG THY FINALLY RESOLVED LENGTHY CRICKET DISPUTE 5. Steve Smith to bat left-handed.

4. Clive Palmer to wear a white suit and roller skates when used as a sight-board.

3. Badly-worn pitches to be invigorated by using Advanced Hair.

2. There will now be replays of replays of replays or replays.

1. The MCG to take advantage of Bill Lawry's nose as a boom gate.

Page 8 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, August 9, 2017

Melbourne People

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Freemasons Victoria Installation Night at Ivanhoe Grammarians Photos: Ash Long

● Wayne Motton and Kathryn Ruddick

● Geoffrey Davey receives a surprise presentation from Don Reynolds

● At back: Michael Davey, 70-year jewel receipient Geoffrey Davey, Alan Davey, Don Reynolds, Simon Browning. Seated: Caroline Davey, Helen Davey and Wendy Browning.

● Mya G. Grayly and Ash Long

● Rahim Samat and Steve Latimer

● Wendy and Philip Du Guesclin

● Simon and Wendy Browning

● Hillel and Sue Benedykt

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Melbourne Arts Kingston Arts

■ Artz Blitz, a 24- hour visual art and creative writing competition, with $4000 worth of prizes to be won, is being held by Kingston Arts.

The competition will begin when a secret theme is announced on Friday (Aug. 11) from which artists will have 24 hours to create an artwork (2D. 3D, digital and literary) and deliver it to Kingston Arts Centre, 979 Nepean Hwy, Moorabbin. ★ Visual Artworks and Creative Writing: Saturday August 13, 4 - 6pm Exhibition: Monday August 14 - Saturday September 2.

Entry Fee: full $25. Conc. $20, Youth $15.

Junior $10.

Entry Details: phone 9556 4440. arts@kingston.vic.gov.au ★ Canteen - The Joy of Cutlery.

Chris Aspland presents her first solo exhibition, Canteen - the Joy of Cutlery which explores shape, shadow and movement through the patinas of aged surfaces made unique by everyday wear and tear.

The focus of Aspland's is a collection of old-fashioned silver and bone cutlery.

Aspland seeks to captivate the age and individuality of each piece reflected through passages of time.

Aspland finds a sense of light-heartedness and intimacy in the relationship between each piece and the owners who might otherwise discard these precious objects.

Exhibition from Friday, August 18 - September 16 at G3 Artspace, Shirley Burke Theatre, 64 Parkers Rd, Parkdale. ★ Callout for Exhibitions at Kingston Arts in 2018 Kingston Arts is currently seeking applications for both solo and group art exhibitions in 2018.

Kingston Arts aim to provide a dynamic program of visual arts by local, emerging and established artists to explore contemporary art in a supportive environment, which pioneers thought-provoking and professional exhibitions.

Eligible artistic practices include paintings, drawing, sculpture, ceramics, installation, video, performance and sound.

Applications close October 18.

For more information and to apply go to kingstonarts.com.au/exhibitions - Peter Kemp

Saturday Art Clinic

■ With a focus in traditional and contemporary approaches to art-making, this monthly workshop ay Heide is led by practising artists and art education specialists.

All materials supplied.

Drawing, Build ADrawing Machine Discover how science and art work together as you make a range of simple Constructivist drawing machines to take home. Suitable for children aged 6 - 12.

BYO smock, snack and drink.

Saturday August 26. 10am-1pm.

- Peter Kemp

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, August 9, 2017 - Page 9 Melbourne

Observer

Hunt for all-time Bond

■ Shaken plunges head first into over 50 years of James Bond iconography, pitting the seven James Bond actors against each other in a race to determine, scientifically, which of them is the all-time Bond.

Winner of the Ballarat Cabaret Award and nominated for Best Cabaret at Melbourne Fringe 2016, Shaken is packed with some of the greatest Bond themes, trivia, and anecdotes from the last 55 years.

Including hits from Shirley Bassey, Tom Jones, Gladys Knight and Tina Turner, Shaken is an entertaining, and light hearted look at the man known simply as 007.

Written and directed by Green Room Award nominee and WA Academy of Performing Arts graduate Charlie D.

● Charlie D. Barkle and Oliver Clark.

Barkle, Shaken fea- tee. Join Barkle and ber 15 8.30pm – tures Charlie along- Clark as they stir up 9.30pm side Melbourne’s the audience, shake Venue: The ButterOliver Clark, a multi- up their martinis, and fly Club 5 Carson skilled entertainer. belt Bond.

Place, Melbourne (off The show is suitThe Man. The Lt Collins Street) able for new converts Number. The LiTickets: $32 (gen), to Bond movies cence. His name is $28 (conc), $25 through Craig or Bond, James Bond. (groups of 6) Brosnan, fans of the Performance Bookings: the kitschy Moore era, or Dates: Tuesday Octo- butterflyclub.com - Cheryl Threadgold classic Connery devo- ber 10 – Sunday Octo-

What’s On Killers

● Terry Jones ■ The Owl and Cat Theatre in Richmond presents Killers until August 26 at 8.00pm.

Written by Kevin Armento and directed

by Gabrielle Savrone, Killers explores the stories of a girl called Miranda and a nameless woman.

As these stories unfold side by side, they reveal intricate links – between each other and our basest urges.

Killer breaks down theatrical boundaries, exploring a world of language and images.

Performance Season: Until August 26 Venue: Owl and Cat Theatre, 34 Swan St, Richmond Bookings: www.owlandcat.com.au - Cheryl Threadgold

Chamber Choir

MSO pays tribute ■ Continuing its 50th birthday celebrations, Melbourne Youth Orchestras presents two showcase concerts at the Elisabeth Murdoch Hall, Melbourne Recital Centre on Sunday, September 17.

Homages with the Melbourne Youth Orchestra will pay tribute to great German composers, before three of Melbourne’s best and brightest young musicians take to the stage to compete in the Virtuosity Grand Final with the Percy GraingerYouth Orchestra.

Directed by guest conductor and MYO alumnus, Paul Fitzsimon, Homages opens with R. Strauss’s striking Vienna Philharmonic Fanfare for a large brass ensemble and timpani, and continues with the rarely performed and virtuosic Symphonic Metamorphosis of Themes by Carl Maria von Weber by Hindemith.

Brahms’ Violin Concerto in D major – a work dedicated to the violinist Joseph Joachim and composed in homage to Beethoven’s Violin Concerto – will round out the concert featuring Berlin-based MYO alumnus Michael Brooks Reid as soloist.

MYO Chief Executive Officer, Dorian Jones, explains MYO’s 50-year history continues to enrich young lives through the power of music: “Since 1967, we have offered an inclusive and inspiring range of artistic and social activities

Melbourne Observations

with Matt Bissett-Johnson

Showbiz News

● Emma Morrison designed to instill a love of ensemble music playing for all Victorian music students which often leads to life-long orchestra engagement and opportunities.”

MYO associate concertmaster Emma Amery, 18, will play violin in Homages; she lives on a farm in Thoona in north-east Victoria and with assistance from an regional student travel bursary, makes the 500km return journey each week to rehearse with the Melbourne Youth Orchestra.

The Virtuosity Grand Final is a concerto soloist competition, offering young musicians aged 15-25 professional development and mentorship opportunities with some of Australia’s best musicians, cash prizes and invaluable performance experiences.

Now in its fourth year, this year’s Virtuosity finalists include 18-year-old Sam Beagley (trumpet), 22-year-old Emma Morrison (bassoon) and 23-year-old Eliza Shephard (flute).

Date: Sunday, September 17 Times: 2:30pm Homages with the Melbourne Youth Orchestra; 7pm Virtuosity Grand Final with the Percy Grainger Youth Orchestra Venue: Melbourne Recital Centre, 31 Sturt St, Southbank Tickets: $22 – $29 per concert (booking fees apply) Bookings: 9699 3333 or melbournerecital. com.au - Cheryl Threadgold

● Australian Chamber Choir ■ The Australian Chamber Choir presents their critically acclaimed concert By the Waters of Babylon on Saturday, August 19 at Church of the Resurrection in Macedon; and on Sunday, August 20 at Basilica of St Mary of the Angels, in Geelong.

Founder and Director Douglas Lawrence has curated a program that brings together the newly commissioned works of Australian composers, Luke Hutton andTom Henry alongside the compositions of Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750), Herbert Howells (1892–1983), Jacob Handl also known as Jacobus Gallus (1550 – 1591), Frank Martin (1890–1974), Richard Dering (1580–1630), William Byrd (1542/3–1623) and Orlando Gibbons (1583–1625).

From the text of the title work relaying the exile of a people from their homeland, to the text for Tom Henry’s work, which has been written by asylum seekers awaiting their cases to be assessed, The Waters of Babylon is a poignant, relevant thematic soundscape.

The Choir undertook a three-week European tour of By The Waters of Babylon performing 16 concerts across Italy, Austria and Germany.

Macedon – Saturday, August 19 at 3pm Tickets: $20- $50. Address: Church of the Resurrection, Cnr Mt Macedon Rd and Honour Ave Macedon Geelong - Sunday, August 20 at 3pm. Tickets: $25 - $30. Address: Basilica of St Mary of the Angels, 136 Yarra St, Geelong Bookings: www.auschoir.org - Cheryl Threadgold

Heide Art Babies

■ Heide introduces a new art program dedicated to babies (0 - 18 months) and their carers that focuses in the important role art plays in infant development.

Join one of Heide's art educators on the Moonboy baby rug for 30 minutes of sensory play in the gallery, looking, thinking and talking about art.

Call of the Avant-garde: Constructivism andAustralian Art. Tuesday August 15. 10am-10.30am.

Tuesday September 5. 10 am-10.30am Tuesday September 19. 10am-10.30am

Page 10 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, August 9, 2017 Melbourne

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West Hollywood

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

Stars Out And About

Shane Ramsay in the neighbourhood

■ Australian actor Peter O'Brien lives in West Hollywood. I remember when I was working on the Channel 10 program Nightlife back in the eighties, Peter and I spent much of our spare time opening discos around Australia.

Peter left Australia for success in England where Neighbours was being shown twice a day on television. Peter was quite successful in many productions in England and also came back to Australia and appeared in the Underbelly series.

Two Logie awards sit proudly in the O'Brien West Hollywood house.

Managing Director of the Ramada Hotel and Suites, Alan Johnson, is supportive of Australians trying to make it here in Los Angeles.

With Alan's support, Peter was able to hire out the Ramada boardroom for acting rehearsals. Pictured in front of the Jamie Cooper painting commissioned by the Victorian Variety Club Tent 77 of The 100 Australian Artists of the Century is Alan Johnson with Peter O'Brien.

● Alan Johnson and Peter O’Brien

Big Money Tours Grossing $151.5 million, Guns N' Roses' Not In This Lifetime tour leads the list of top tours during the first six months of 2017, according to the mid-year report from live entertainment trade Pollstar.

The concert industry pulled in an estimated $1.97 billion worldwide so far this year.

U2's The Joshua Tree anniversary trek came in second with $118.1 million, which was good enough to land them at the head of the class for North America, where music tour grosses were up 11 per cent for a record of $1.64 billion.

Steve says ‘I do’ ■ Stevie Wonder is officially off the market. The Grammy Award winning singer, 67, and father of nine children, tied the knot for the third time with long-term fiancée Tomeeka Robyn Bracy at the Hotel Bel-Air in Los Angeles.

The reception was packed with stars. It was a beautiful wedding and the ceremony was lavish and very romantic.

There were celebrity guests including John Legend. Family is important to Stevie and all of his kids were involved in the wedding.

Film firm opportunity ■ Interested in investing in an Australian cilm company in Hollywood please contact me at: gavin@countdownmotion pictures.com We have many exciting projects and after eight years in Hollywood we are now gaining momentum in the competitive world of film.

I would love you to become part of my journey here in Hollywood.

GavinWood

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

Will’s wife has secret ■ Jada Pinkett Smith revealed that she was dealing drugs when she met close friend Tupac Shakur for the first time.

The Girls Trip actress opened up on SiriusXM's Sway in The Morning about her relationship with the late rapper, saying, "It's kind of hard because I haven't really told the whole story.

“One of the things that's very interesting that I've never really said before is that when I first met Pac, I was a drug dealer."

"That's how we started," she said. "Then as I was coming out, something very bad happened to me. As I was coming out of the life, he was coming more into the life."

Tupac was gunned down in 1996, the year before Pinkett Smith tied the knot with current husband Will Smith. The nature of Pinkett Smith and Tupac's relationship has long been a subject of scrutiny.

"Pac and I's relationship was about survival," she said. "That's how it started. I know that most people want to always connect it in this romance thing and that's just because they don't have the story.

“It was based in survival, how we held each other down and when you have somebody that has your back when you feel like you're nothing, that's everything.

“There are a lot of components to our story that we've never shared for a very specific reason. I just decided that this one little piece was important to share finally because it gives more insight to who we were. It was about survival and it's always been about survival between us.”

The Donald, not so popular President Donald Trump's approval rating has tanked to 36 per cent as he approaches six months in office, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll.

Up five points since April, 58 per cent of Americans now say they disapprove of Trump's performance as president, while 48 per cent "disapprove strongly" a number never reached by Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, and only once by President George W. Bush.

The poll also found that nearly half of Americans do not trust Trump in negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin, while the same percentage of Americans believe the US's standing in the world has weakened since Trump became commander-in-chief.

Stars Stories.

Lindsey Vonn still holds a special place in her heart for Tiger Woods. The Olympic skiing champion revealed she contacted her golf-superstar ex following his arrest in Jupiter, Florida, to offer her support.

"I reached out and I hope he's doing well," Vonn told Extra at theESPY awards as she walked the red carpet with boyfriend and Rams assistant coach Kenan Smith.

Vonn, 32, and Woods, 41, ended their relationship in May 2015, citing their "hectic lives" as the reason for the split. ★ Charlie Sheen is consuming a different type of plant these days.

The Two and a Half Men alum is a vegan now. The 51year-old actor, who revealed he was HIV-positive in 2015 in an interview with Matt Lauer, is living a healthier lifestyle with girlfriend Julia Stambler.

In addition to following the meat and dairy-free diet, Sheen is also reportedly waking up to work out, turning to yoga and swimming to keep in shape.

Hollywood Museum

Special Holiday Offer ■ If you are considering a move to Los Angeles or just coming over for a holiday to see the Hollywood Museum 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

■ Jessica Alba had dinner at Toscana in Brentwood. Martin Short checked out The Grill on the Alley. Jeffrey Katzenberg had breakfast at Jean-Georges Beverly Hills in the new Waldorf Astoria.

On a different day, Arnold Schwarzenegger lunched on the hotel's rooftop. Andy Cohen and producer Jason Blum were at The Palm in Beverly Hills.

On another day, Brian Grazer sat with Robert Kraft and Ron Meyer. Macy Gray was at Wally's Beverly Hills. Daniel Radcliffe enjoyed Cavatina at the Sunset Marquis.

Woody Allen, Soon-Yi Previn and Diane Keaton had lunch at the Giorgio Baldi. Steve Carell had a family dinner at Barton G. and Director James Burrows was at Nerano.

Mel B checked in to Soho House for lunch. Julia Roberts was at Soho House's Little Beach House Malibu outpost.

● Stevie Wonder

www.gavinwood.us

■ You can see 10,000 authentic show business treasures spanning more than 100 years of Hollywood history.

Located next to the world famous Hollywood Walk of Fame, the Hollywood Museum in the historic Max Factor Building houses the largest collection of entertainment memorabilia on display in the world.

It is home to thousands of costumes, props, photographs, posters, celebrity automobiles and other treasures from some of the most iconic films and TV shows ever made.

See Hollywood legends - past, present, and in the making.

The museum attracts thousands of fans from around the world and was recently named one of the top tourist attractions by LA Weekly and by Trip Advisor, and was voted one of the Top 10 Museums in LA by the Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board.

The ultimate destination for tourists and movie fans, The Hollywood Museum is located in the historic Max Factor Building. www.TheHollywoodMuseum.com - Gavin Wood

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Melbourne Obser ver - Wednesday, August 9, 2017 - Page 11

Melbourne

Confidential Talk is cheap, gossip is priceless

Arts Extra

■ Red Stitch revealed its 2017 “mystery play” last week, announcing that it will present the Australian premiere of Joanna Murray-Smith’s American Song in October.

Commissioned in the United States and first produced there in 2016 to great acclaim, American Song reaches beyond national or cultural borders, in an intimate exploration of parenting, love, and the question: What could I have done differently?

Directed by Tom Healey, American Song is a provocative and profound tour-de-force for one actor, performed by Red Stitch ensemble member Joe Petruzzi.

This will be the second of MurraySmith’s works to be produced by the company, following the critically acclaimed, sellout season of Day One, A Hotel, Evening in 2011.

The addition of American Song to the Company’s line up creates a showcase of three new works by Australian female playwrights as the final productions of Red Stitch’s 2017 season, and half of the year’s plays by local writers.

The other two productions - The Way Out

by Josephine Collins and Desert, 6:29pm by Morgan Rose - are both premieres developed through the company’s ground-breaking INK new writing program.

Red Stitch has been developing newAustralian writing since 2006, and the company’s commitment to local writers took an exponential leap with the introduction of INK in 2014.

From 2015, premieres developed by Red Stitch have comprised 25 per cent of the company’s performance seasons, including multi- award-winning productions such as Jurassica (Dan Giovannoni) and Dead Centre (Tom Holloway).

Artistic Director Ella Caldwell says developing new Australian writing and producing it alongside premieres of international work places our writers' work exactly where it ought to be - alongside the best in the world.

“Our INK program is defined by the bespoke, writer-centric development opportunities offered to our artists over an extended time-frame, and the ongoing relationship between our ensemble and playwrights,” said Ms Cardwell “We believe this ongoing collaboration is pivotal in taking new work to its full potential.

“There is an inherent risk in making art, and through INK we offer one of the most important ingredients that make it possible belief.

“I’m thrilled to be working with so many exceptional playwrights at all stages in their careers. The ensemble and our audiences are inspired by their work.”

The Way Out, the first full length play by Australian playwright Josephine Collins, is directed by Penny Harpham.

It is set in a darkly imagined Australian future, and examines family loyalty and the mercurial nature of the moral stance.

Desert, 6:29pm by Morgan Rose is directed by Bridget Balodis, returning to the company following her Green Room nominated work on Jurassica by Dan Gionvannoni.

Desert, 6:29pm deftly explores the political through the deeply personal.

- Cheryl Threadgold

Burrinja Gallery

■ Disposition. Growing Pains Initiative.

Creative people put a lot of themselves into their work, be it visually, emotionally and physically, Disposition invites you to step into the minds of artists and see what makes them who they are and how they tick. Disposition artists reveal their process, energy, skin and emotions in a way that is fresh and raw. See work by emerging artists: Baaqiy Ghazali, Shima Halima, Quall Ezzouhri, Brendan Hartnett, Katherine Reynolds.

Joel recognised for 40 years service

■ Joel Solomon has been actively involved in the local community and an influential member of the Freemasons Victoria Taskforce.

The fraternity raises money for charity by participating and helping run events all over the state including annual fundraising for the Royal Children’s Hospital Good FridayAppeal.

In recognition of his lifetime of achievements, Don Reynolds, Grand Master of Freemasons Victoria, presented Joel with the Grand Master’s Order of Service in front of a crowd of supportive Freemasons at Coppin Hall in Melbourne.

“There is no doubt that you have given many organisations excellent service, but in particular Freemasonry and education for nearly 40 years,” Don Reynolds said.

“On behalf of Freemasons Victoria I want you to accept this award from a grateful Grand Master and an indebted organisation.”

When Joel is not promoting and supporting Freemasonry, he is involved in the Manningham Promoting Character Committee which he has been part of for 11 years.

He is also involved in the Manningham branch of Neighbourhood Watch, which has expanded into Whitehorse.

● Don Reynolds and Joel Solomon In his well-earned spare time, he also enjoys playing lawn bowls, cooking at home and driving classic cars for weddings Joel and Ruth Solomon have been married for 52 years. They have a son Phillip and a daughter Janette , and four grandchildren.

Undoubtedly, one of Joel’s largest achievements was when he was awarded Medal of the Order of Australia in 2007, which came from his contribution as Foundation President of the Cleft Palette and Lip Society.

Rumour Mill

● Pile of Bones ■ The Stephanie Lake Company’s production of Pile of Bones is being presented at Arts House, North Melbourne from August 15-19.

Pile of Bones examines love, suppression, mutation and the uprising of inner demons work is combined with four remarkable dancers (Marlo Benjamin, Samantha Hines, Harrison Ritchie-Jones and Jack Ziesing), and an original composition by Robin Fox. Choreographed by Stephanie Lake, Pile of Bones examines love, suppression, mutation and the uprising of inner demons and angels. Bodies are encrusted with fluttering armour and caught in sticky webs.

From crystal cut precision to wild abandon, Pile of Bones is a visceral and eccentric choreographic and audio-visual exploration of the intricacies of our closest relationships.

Performance Dates: August 15 – 19 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

Heide Art Kinder

■ Formerly known as Heide Art Bubs, this interactive guided tour for parents and carers with toddlers (2 - 5 years) is followed by meaning tea from Café Heide.

Thursday August 17. 10am-11am.

- Peter Kemp

Hear It Here First

Dion at National Gallery of Vic. ■ In celebration of the 70th anniversary of the House of Dior, one of the world's most prestigious couture houses, the National Gallery of Victoria presents The House of Dior: Seventy Years of Haute Couture.

Exclusive to Melbourne, this exhibition is collaboration between NGV and the House of Dior and includes a sumptuous display of more than 140 garments designed

by Christian Dior Couture between 1947 and 2017.

The House of Dior explores the story of the fashion house through a series of themes, featuring works by the seven designers who have played key roles in shaping Dior's renowned fashionable silhouette: Christian Dior, Yves Saint Laurent, Marc Bohan, Gianfranco Ferré, John Galliano, Raf Simons and Maria Grazia Chiuri.

OpeningAugust 27 and running to November 7.

■ Radio man Alan Jones is threatening to stand for Parliament against Minister Alex Hawke. Jones is not a member of the Liberal Party.

Countdown ■ There are only 18 more Melbourne Observers until Christmas.

E-Mail: Confidential@MelbourneObserver.com.au

What’s On Burrinja Gallery: Climate Change

■ Global in nature, national in scope and local in action, the Burrinja Climate Change Biennale provides a platform for evens addressing one of the most pressing topics of our time.

Uniquely situated in the temperate rainforest micro-climate of the Dandenong Ranges, its location offers the perfect backdrop for local and global community knowledge networks to share, learn and expand through the Biennale's wide-ranging public program and macro-themes.

At the centre of the Biennale is its Award Exhibition, which provides a space for artists to engage creatively and imaginatively with aspects if climate change.

The exhibition invites and encourages the collaboration of science and the arts, of critical thought and creative practise.

By tackling the theme every two years, Burrinja's Biennale is building a valuable archive that documents creative responses, attitudes and intentions, in doing so it provokes and investigates long term and cultural conversations around environmental, political, scientific, social and cultural aspects of climate changer.

Observing how local and global perceptions, representations and actions around climate change shift over time, it tracks our choices and action in the ranges and beyond, as we work towards a more sustainable planet.

Art Prizes The award exhibition will be on display at Burrinja Gallery from November 11 to February 11. $7,500 Acquisitive Award. $1000 Young Artist Award (artist under 25). $500 People's Choice Award. Online submissions: burrinja.wufoo.eu/forms/x1uk9m4/1jmmx1g/ $30 application fee can be paid here https:// tickets.burrinja.org.au Official Opening and Award Ceremony: Sunday November 12 at 2pm.

- Peter Kemp

Blender Studios

■ Harbour Town Melbourne is welcoming Melbourne urban and art pioneers, Blender Studios, to the Docklands Centre.

To celebrate the move from its Franklin St location of nearly 17 years to its new home in the Docklands Art Precinct, the creative mindsz behind Blender Studios have hosted an official opening party.

With the new premises encompassing well over 1000 sqm, guests were invited to explore a labyrinth of studios, galleries and strangely activated spaces, including the famous research-based gallery, Dark Horse Experiment.

Formerly Michael Koro Gallery, Dark Horse Experiment has been the forefront of contemporary Australian research for nearly 10 years and has shown some of Australia's most important artists including John Kelly, famous in Docklands for his Cow up a Tree.

Also launching on the night was the new Blender Pop Up Space. The pop up space features a collection of merchandise from many of Melbourne's most famous and notorious artists as well as a curated group show celebrating a selection of the younger Blender talent. The Studios were fully open for guests to explore, featuring the works of over 25 of Melbourne's leading street artists, sculptors, installation artists and painters.

Following a six-month hiatus the reopening of the Blender Studios were headlined by an all-star line up of artists presenting individual spaces for both the event and two exhibitions.

- Peter Kemp

Page 12 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, August 9, 2017

■ I was watching an old MGM musical on cable television and I became fascinated with a little character actor named Charles Winninger.

He is the type you see in the old films but never really know his name.

The film was Ziegfeld Girl and he played the father of Judy Garland’s character. I thought it might be nice to write a piece about him - so here we go.

Charles J. Winninger was born in Athens, Wisconsin, in 1884. He left school at the age of eight to tour with his parent's vaudeville family act which was called Winninger Family Concert Co. Upon his parents' retirement, he and his five brothers went off to play in various stock and repertory companies. Charles Winninger honed his skills in vaudeville.

At the age of 28 he appeared in his first Broadway show The Yankee Girl at the Harald Street Theatre.

His specialty was musicals and he directed two during his career. His Broadway productions included The Cohan Revue of 1916, The Cohan Revue of 1918, The Passing Show of 1919, Ziegfeld Follies of 1920, No, No, Nanette, Oh, Please and Yes, Yes, Yvette.

He created the role of ‘Captain Andy Hawks’ in the original stage production of Show Boat in 1927.

Whilst performing on Broadway he also starred in silent films.

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Whatever Happened To ...

Charles Winninger

By Kevin Trask of 3AW and 96.5 Inner FM One of his early sound films in 1930 was Soup to Nuts where he co-starred with The Three Stooges.

In 1936, he played CaptainAndy in the film version of Showboat and starred opposite Irene Dunne, Allan Jones, Helen Morgan, Hattie McDaniel and Paul Robeson.

I think this is the best film version of the Broadway show. This film established Charles as a character actor and he appeared in some outstanding films such as Three Smart Girls, Nothing Sacred and Destry Rides Again.

Charles teamed with Judy Garland for three films: Babes in Arms, Little Nellie Kelly and Ziegfeld Girl.

As I mentioned, I watched Ziegfeld Girl and

● Charles Winninger in that film Charles does a comedy song and dance act with Al Shean and they sing the old vaudeville song Mr Gallagher and Mr Shean.

Charles was married twice during his life

time and although he never had children himself Charles was generally cast as a grumpy father in films.

He played ‘Abel Frake’ who was the father ofJeanne Crain and Dick Haymes in the Rogers and Hammerstein musical film State Fair.

This was the only Rogers and Hammerstein musical written specifically for a film.

Charles played his only leading role in the film The Sun Shines Bright in 1953.

He was a guest in an episode of the television series I Love Lucy in which he played an old vaudevillian partner of Fred Mertz(William Frawley).

In the show the two, who once billed themselves as ‘Mertz and Kurtz’ sing: Oh By Jingo and I Want a Girl Just Like the Girl Who Married Dear Old Dad. He also joins the entire cast for a musica revue at Ricky's Tropicana Club, where the songs included On the Boardwalk to Atlantic City, By the Beautiful Sea and I Found a Peach on the Beach.

His final film was Raymie in 1960. Charles Winninger passed away in 1969 at the age of 84 after a long illness.

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

Proud moment for Outback ladies ■ With all the not-so-wonderful news about, trying to address ongoing concerns about the youth of Alice Springs, and what to do about it, there occasionally arises a story which is indeed of a feel good nature.

There will be a full-length documentary shown soon at the Melbourne International Film Festival.

This film tells the story of the Central Australian Aboriginal Women's Choir.

This group sings ancient hymns, introduced to them by the early German missionaries who first ventured into Central Australia to such places as Hermansburg.

The hymns were translated into original Aboriginal languages.

A gentleman from Alice Springs, Morris Stuart, was operating a choir in town, Asante Sana, and some of these Outback ladies approached him to form the Aboriginal choir, so thus it was born.

They even travelled to Germany for a Boomerang Tour in 2015 to show the locals where their music and ended up.

So the choir is off to Melbourne to perform at the Film Festival with the presentation of the film.

This would indeed be a proud moment for these Outback ladies.

The Outback Legend

ture back to the children." Minawarra Japangardi Dixon, also an elder, said: "They just fly in, looking at the children no respect, and even the elders, they don't come and let us know.

“Extended family members could look after children who cannot remain with their parents.

“Welfare taking that kid not only is taking away that kid, it's taking his culture away and taking his songline and land."

You'd think that there'd be a national uproar about this, after the previous ‘Stolen Generations’ hue and cry, but nary a peep.

■ When asked in a police interview why he had punched his partner, Carson Brown, of Yuendumu, replied that "when you're hungry you've got to tell your wife to cook a feed."

He was sentenced to two years in jail for breaking her jaw.

They were at the Walpiri Camp when she made a 000 call. Police rewith Nick Le Souef sponded, but they couldn't find her.

In a second call, about three hours Lightning Ridge Opals later she told the operator: "He is prob63 Elizabeth Street, ably looking for me - if he finds me I Melbourne can't do anything."

Phone 9654 4444 Fortunately for her they did find her www.opals.net.au this time, and off he went to prison.

The judge in this case noted that ■ There's always been absolute con- he had an appalling record of drunk ■ I don't like hats much, and since troversy about the stolen generations and unlicensed driving. my Sea Scout sailors hat, and an oc- of ages past, when Aboriginal chilHe'd apparently given up hard licasional Ivy League cap from my dren were removed from their parents. quor, but still had a real problem with teenage years in the fifties, and an Often this occurred because the the booze. occasional wide brim for a summer Aboriginal communities didn't want "Men like you must understand that fishing day on the bay, I've fastidiously non-full bloods in their communities, when they are violent against their avoided them. and invited authorities to come and wives, they will be sent to jail."

And especially beanies, which I remove them.

As I've walked the streets of Alice find offensive to my sensibilities. I've And in other cases they were re- Springs I have noticed that there seem never worn one and don't ever envis- moved because the authorities to be many men who are indeed vioage that this will happen. I find them deemed that the parents weren't able lent towards their wives - many women highly unattractive on anyone display- enough to look after them. have freshly covered and bandaged ing such apparel.

And in other cases they were just wounds, or healed scars from ancient However theAlice Springs Beanie taken. violence perpetrated towards them.

Festival is on again. Whilst I have Always a sad and depressing sight.

Now in this day and age there is never visited, it admittedly does bring still controversy. many visitors to town, and attracts In the remote town of Larjamanu ■ When I was just a child, and in my many devotees to its unique oddities. child protection workers from else- youth, my mum and dad bundled me About 7000 beanies are in Alice where are currently removing chil- up into the stalwart old Ford Prefect, for the festival. Spectacular pieces are dren from their homes and the com- and off we'd go. on show. Some just for exhibition, but munity.

Dad liked to collect butterflies and most for sale. There's one piece from "Kids being taken away, it's like beetles and moths, and so he would Titchikala - a bowl filled with bush you're taking the loss of his whole soul, seek out places where these creatures Tucker. One visitor even donated whole future, whole identities, culture, lurked, and would scurry after them. some hairs from his beard to add to all the skills, family, relations, communiSometimes they'd be flying around the other materials involved in its ties," said an elder, Andrew Dowardi. as fully fledged specimens, and at manufacture.

"It's just like carving those things other times they'd just be caterpillars Imagine wearing such a monstros- from the kid's life. It's completely hiding away beneath the bark of trees, ity on your head. gone. We've got to try and bring cul- or building their little homes in grass

leaves, or even deep within ants' nests.

We'd grab these and bring them home and feed them until they hatched out and fluttered around the lounge room.

These spots of interest encompassed Victoria, but we often ventured forth to farther fields.

I never got to the NT with my dad that came later.

Now all this is replicating itself not the butterflies though, just the travelling. My son Jonas is spreading his

wings every so often, bundling his own kids into his car and heading off tofar-flung spots.

Just recently it wasDarwin and Alice Springs and the Rock and Coober Pedy.

And a little further back they were up to Lightning Ridge, camping amongst the mullock heaps.

Plenty of adventure and extracurricular education.

- Nick Le Souef ‘The Outback Legend’

OK. With John O’Keefe Romper Stomper

■ Some 25 years ago, the Aussie production of Romper Stomper starring Russell Crowe, was a huge box office success.

Fast forward to today and another Aussie film production company has picked up the story lines to produce a six-part series for TV. Big names have signed on including Lachie Hume and David Wenham.

Series is scheduled for airplay on ABC later this year.

Ronny returns

■ If you enjoyed the recent ABC series Ronny Chieng; International Student you will be pleased to know the series has been sold to BBC. Ronny is currently writing and due to star in a new series about Ronny being a junior journo.

Copy cat for Ninja Warrior

■ The enormous success of Nine's Ninja Warrior series has prompted the Seven Network to search the world for an even better example of human endevour and determination.

Rumour is that Seven are keen to secure rights to the US produced Spartan Endurance Challenge.

Burnso the prankster

■ John Burns, aka Burnso of 3AW's top rating brekky duo, played a photo bomb prank when on location in the snowfields at Mt Buller .

Burnso burst into a couple of vox pop clips when Channel 7 was filming for The Front Bar. Talking about footy shows The Front Bar gets better, funnier and more entertaining as the weeks pass. Why Eddie McGuire wants to risk his reputation on trying to rescue The Footy Show only Eddie and his ego know.

The Front Bar is a great example where a good idea is more important than a big budget. \ Production costs are near zero, and the format has shades of the old World of Sport, and those old film clips are priceless, The surprise package of the three presenters is Sam Pang with his razor quick humour and friendly banter.

Gynge on the lookout

■ The one time chief of the Nine Network, David Gyngell, has shown signs in investing in the up for grabs Channel Ten. Gyngell is considering joint involvement with Oaktree Capital and has dismissed any suggestion of running day-to-day operation. Watch this space as to which of the 10 offers will win the rights to operate Ten. - John O’Keefe

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, August 9, 2017 - Page 13

Observer Classic Books

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www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

Poor Emmeline made poetry about all the dead people when she was alive, and it didn’t seem right that there warn’t nobody to make some about her now she was gone; so I tried to sweat out a verse or two myself, but I couldn’t seem to make it go somehow. They kept Emmeline’s room trim and nice, and all the things fixed in it just the way she liked to have them when she was alive, and nobody ever slept there. The old lady took care of the room herself, though there was plenty of niggers, and she sewed there a good deal and read her Bible there mostly.

Well, as I was saying about the parlor, there was beautiful curtains on the windows: white, with pictures painted on them of castles with vines all down the walls, and cattle coming down to drink. There was a little old piano, too, that had tin pans in it, I reckon, and nothing was ever so lovely as to hear the young ladies sing “The Last Link is Broken” and play “The Battle of Prague” on it. The walls of all the rooms was plastered, and most had carpets on the floors, and the whole house was whitewashed on the outside.

It was a double house, and the big open place betwixt them was roofed and floored, and sometimes the table was set there in the middle of the day, and it was a cool, comfortable place. Nothing couldn’t be better. And warn’t the cooking good, and just bushels of it too!

Chapter XVIII. COL. GRANGERFORD was a gentleman, you see. He was a gentleman all over; and so was his family. He was well born, as the saying is, and that’s worth as much in a man as it is in a horse, so the Widow Douglas said, and nobody ever denied that she was of the first aristocracy in our town; and pap he always said it, too, though he warn’t no more quality than a mudcat himself. Col. Grangerford was very tall and very slim, and had a darkish-paly complexion, not a sign of red in it anywheres; he was clean shaved every morning all over his thin face, and he had the thinnest kind of lips, and the thinnest kind of nostrils, and a high nose, and heavy eyebrows, and the blackest kind of eyes, sunk so deep back that they seemed like they was looking out of caverns at you, as you may say. His forehead was high, and his hair was black and straight and hung to his shoulders. His hands was long and thin, and every day of his life he put on a clean shirt and a full suit from head to foot made out of linen so white it hurt your eyes to look at it; and on Sundays he wore a blue tail-coat with brass buttons on it. He carried a mahogany cane with a silver head to it. There warn’t no frivolishness about him, not a bit, and he warn’t ever loud. He was as kind as he could be — you could feel that, you know, and so you had confidence. Sometimes he smiled, and it was good to see; but when he straightened himself up like a liberty-pole, and the lightning begun to flicker out from under his eyebrows, you wanted to climb a tree first, and find out what the matter was afterwards. He didn’t ever have to tell anybody to mind their manners — everybody was always good-mannered where he was. Everybody loved to have him around, too; he was sunshine most always — I mean he made it seem like good weather. When he turned into a cloudbank it was awful dark for half a minute, and that was enough; there wouldn’t nothing go wrong again for a week.

When him and the old lady come down in the morning all the family got up out of their chairs and give them good-day, and didn’t set down again till they had set down. Then Tom and Bob went to the sideboard where the decanter was, and mixed a glass of bitters and handed it to him, and he held it in his hand and waited till Tom’s and Bob’s was mixed, and then they bowed and said, “Our duty to you, sir, and madam;” and THEY bowed the least bit in the world and said thank you, and so they drank, all three, and Bob and Tom poured a spoonful of water on the sugar and the mite of whisky or apple brandy in the bottom of their tumblers, and give it to me and Buck, and we drank to the old people too.

Bob was the oldest and Tom next — tall, beautiful men with very broad shoulders and brown faces, and long black hair and black eyes. They dressed in white linen from head to foot, like the

Mark Twain old gentleman, and wore broad Panama hats.

Then there was Miss Charlotte; she was twentyfive, and tall and proud and grand, but as good as she could be when she warn’t stirred up; but when she was she had a look that would make you wilt in your tracks, like her father. She was beautiful.

So was her sister, Miss Sophia, but it was a different kind. She was gentle and sweet like a dove, and she was only twenty.

Each person had their own nigger to wait on them — Buck too. My nigger had a monstrous easy time, because I warn’t used to having anybody do anything for me, but Buck’s was on the jump most of the time.

This was all there was of the family now, but there used to be more — three sons; they got killed; and Emmeline that died.

The old gentleman owned a lot of farms and over a hundred niggers. Sometimes a stack of people would come there, horseback, from ten or fifteen mile around, and stay five or six days, and have such junketings round about and on the river, and dances and picnics in the woods daytimes, and balls at the house nights. These people was mostly kinfolks of the family. The men brought their guns with them. It was a handsome lot of quality, I tell you.

There was another clan of aristocracy around there — five or six families — mostly of the name of Shepherdson. They was as high-toned and well born and rich and grand as the tribe of Grangerfords. The Shepherdsons and Grangerfords used the same steamboat landing, which was about two mile above our house; so sometimes when I went up there with a lot of our folks I used to see a lot of the Shepherdsons there on their fine horses.

One day Buck and me was away out in the woods hunting, and heard a horse coming. We

was crossing the road. Buck says: “Quick! Jump for the woods!”

We done it, and then peeped down the woods through the leaves. Pretty soon a splendid young man come galloping down the road, setting his horse easy and looking like a soldier. He had his gun across his pommel. I had seen him before.

It was young Harney Shepherdson. I heard Buck’s gun go off at my ear, and Harney’s hat tumbled off from his head. He grabbed his gun and rode straight to the place where we was hid.

But we didn’t wait. We started through the woods on a run. The woods warn’t thick, so I looked over my shoulder to dodge the bullet, and twice I seen Harney cover Buck with his gun; and then he rode away the way he come — to get his hat, I reckon, but I couldn’t see. We never stopped running till we got home. The old gentleman’s eyes blazed a minute —’twas pleasure, mainly, I judged — then his face sort of smoothed down, and he says, kind of gentle: “I don’t like that shooting from behind a bush.

Why didn’t you step into the road, my boy?”

“The Shepherdsons don’t, father. They always take advantage.”

Miss Charlotte she held her head up like a queen while Buck was telling his tale, and her nostrils spread and her eyes snapped. The two young men looked dark, but never said nothing. Miss Sophia she turned pale, but the color come back when she found the man warn’t hurt.

Soon as I could get Buck down by the corn-cribs under the trees by ourselves, I says: “Did you want to kill him, Buck?”

“Well, I bet I did.”

“What did he do to you?”

“Him? He never done nothing to me.”

“Well, then, what did you want to kill him for?”

“Why, nothing — only it’s on account of the

“What’s a feud?”

“Why, where was you raised? Don’t you know what a feud is?”

“Never heard of it before — tell me about it.”

“Well,” says Buck, “a feud is this way: A man has a quarrel with another man, and kills him; then that other man’s brother kills HIM; then the other brothers, on both sides, goes for one another; then the COUSINS chip in — and by and by everybody’s killed off, and there ain’t no more feud. But it’s kind of slow, and takes a long time.”

“Has this one been going on long, Buck?”

“Well, I should RECKON! It started thirty year ago, or som’ers along there. There was trouble ’bout something, and then a lawsuit to settle it; and the suit went agin one of the men, and so he up and shot the man that won the suit — which he would naturally do, of course. Anybody would.”

“What was the trouble about, Buck? — land?”

“I reckon maybe — I don’t know.”

“Well, who done the shooting? Was it a Grangerford or a Shepherdson?”

“Laws, how do I know? It was so long ago.”

“Don’t anybody know?”

“Oh, yes, pa knows, I reckon, and some of the other old people; but they don’t know now what the row was about in the first place.”

“Has there been many killed, Buck?”

“Yes; right smart chance of funerals. But they don’t always kill. Pa’s got a few buckshot in him; but he don’t mind it ’cuz he don’t weigh much, anyway. Bob’s been carved up some with a bowie, and Tom’s been hurt once or twice.”

“Has anybody been killed this year, Buck?”

“Yes; we got one and they got one. ’Bout three months ago my cousin Bud, fourteen year old, was riding through the woods on t’other side of the river, and didn’t have no weapon with him, which was blame’ foolishness, and in a lonesome place he hears a horse a-coming behind him, and sees old Baldy Shepherdson a-linkin’ after him with his gun in his hand and his white hair a-flying in the wind; and ’stead of jumping off and taking to the brush, Bud ’lowed he could out-run him; so they had it, nip and tuck, for five mile or more, the old man a-gaining all the time; so at last Bud seen it warn’t any use, so he stopped and faced around so as to have the bullet holes in front, you know, and the old man he rode up and shot him down. But he didn’t git much chance to enjoy his luck, for inside of a week our folks laid HIM out.”

“I reckon that old man was a coward, Buck.”

“I reckon he WARN’T a coward. Not by a blame’ sight. There ain’t a coward amongst them Shepherdsons — not a one. And there ain’t no cowards amongst the Grangerfords either. Why, that old man kep’ up his end in a fight one day for half an hour against three Grangerfords, and come out winner. They was all a-horseback; he lit off of his horse and got behind a little woodpile, and kep’ his horse before him to stop the bullets; but the Grangerfords stayed on their horses and capered around the old man, and peppered away at him, and he peppered away at them. Him and his horse both went home pretty leaky and crippled, but the Grangerfords had to be FETCHED home — and one of ’em was dead, and another died the next day. No, sir; if a body’s out hunting for cowards he don’t want to fool away any time amongst them Shepherdsons, becuz they don’t breed any of that KIND.” Next Sunday we all went to church, about three mile, everybody a-horseback. The men took their guns along, so did Buck, and kept them between their knees or stood them handy against the wall. The Shepherdsons done the same. It was pretty ornery preaching — all about brotherly love, and such-like tiresomeness; but everybody said it was a good sermon, and they all talked it over going home, and had such a powerful lot to say about faith and good works and free grace and preforeordestination, and I don’t know what all, that it did seem to me to be one of the roughest Sundays I had run across yet.

About an hour after dinner everybody was dozing around, some in their chairs and some in their rooms, and it got to be pretty dull. Buck and a dog was stretched out on the grass in the sun sound asleep. I went up to our room, and judged

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Observer Classic Books From Page 13 I would take a nap myself. I found that sweet Miss Sophia standing in her door, which was next to ours, and she took me in her room and shut the door very soft, and asked me if I liked her, and I said I did; and she asked me if I would do something for her and not tell anybody, and I said I would. Then she said she’d forgot her Testament, and left it in the seat at church between two other books, and would I slip out quiet and go there and fetch it to her, and not say nothing to nobody. I said I would. So I slid out and slipped off up the road, and there warn’t anybody at the church, except maybe a hog or two, for there warn’t any lock on the door, and hogs likes a puncheon floor in summer-time because it’s cool. If you notice, most folks don’t go to church only when they’ve got to; but a hog is different.

Says I to myself, something’s up; it ain’t natural for a girl to be in such a sweat about a Testament. So I give it a shake, and out drops a little piece of paper with “HALF-PAST TWO” wrote on it with a pencil. I ransacked it, but couldn’t find anything else. I couldn’t make anything out of that, so I put the paper in the book again, and when I got home and upstairs there was Miss Sophia in her door waiting for me. She pulled me in and shut the door; then she looked in the Testament till she found the paper, and as soon as she read it she looked glad; and before a body could think she grabbed me and give me a squeeze, and said I was the best boy in the world, and not to tell anybody.

She was mighty red in the face for a minute, and her eyes lighted up, and it made her powerful pretty. I was a good deal astonished, but when I got my breath I asked her what the paper was about, and she asked me if I had read it, and I said no, and she asked me if I could read writing, and I told her “no, only coarse-hand,” and then she said the paper warn’t anything but a book-mark to keep her place, and I might go and play now.

I went off down to the river, studying over this thing, and pretty soon I noticed that my nigger was following along behind. When we was out of sight of the house he looked back and around a second, and then comes a-running, and says: “Mars Jawge, if you’ll come down into de swamp I’ll show you a whole stack o’ watermoccasins.”

Thinks I, that’s mighty curious; he said that yesterday. He oughter know a body don’t love water-moccasins enough to go around hunting for them. What is he up to, anyway? So I says: “All right; trot ahead.”

I followed a half a mile; then he struck out over the swamp, and waded ankle deep as much as another half-mile. We come to a little flat piece of land which was dry and very thick with trees and bushes and vines, and he says: “You shove right in dah jist a few steps, Mars Jawge; dah’s whah dey is. I’s seed ’m befo’; I don’t k’yer to see ’em no mo’.”

Then he slopped right along and went away, and pretty soon the trees hid him. I poked into the place a-ways and come to a little open patch as big as a bedroom all hung around with vines, and found a man laying there asleep — and, by jings, it was my old Jim! I waked him up, and I reckoned it was going to be a grand surprise to him to see me again, but it warn’t. He nearly cried he was so glad, but he warn’t surprised. Said he swum along behind me that night, and heard me yell every time, but dasn’t answer, because he didn’t want nobody to pick HIM up and take him into slavery again.

Says he: “I got hurt a little, en couldn’t swim fas’, so I wuz a considable ways behine you towards de las’; when you landed I reck’ned I could ketch up wid you on de lan’ ’dout havin’ to shout at you, but when I see dat house I begin to go slow.

I ’uz off too fur to hearwhat dey say to you — I wuz ’fraid o’ de dogs; but when it ’uz all quiet agin I knowed you’s in de house, so I struck out for de woods to wait for day. Early in de mawnin’ some er de niggers come along, gwyne to de fields, en dey tuk me en showed me dis place, whah de dogs can’t track me on accounts o’ de water, en dey brings me truck to eat every night, en tells me how you’s a-gitt’n along.”

“Why didn’t you tell my Jack to fetch me here sooner, Jim?” “Well, ’twarn’t no use to ’sturb you, Huck, tell we could do sumfn — but we’s all right now. I ben a-buyin’ pots en pans en vittles, as I got a chanst, en a-patchin’ up de raf’ nights when —” “WHAT raft, Jim?”

“Our ole raf’.”

“You mean to say our old raft warn’t smashed all to flinders?”

“No, she warn’t. She was tore up a good deal — one en’ of her was; but dey warn’t no great harm done, on’y our traps was mos’ all los’. Ef we hadn’ dive’ so deep en swum so fur under water, en de night hadn’ ben so dark, en we warn’t so sk’yerd, en ben sich punkin-heads, as de sayin’ is, we’d a seed de raf’. But it’s jis’ as well we didn’t, ’kase now she’s all fixed up agin mos’as good as new, en we’s got a new lot o’ stuff, in de place o’ what ’uz los’.”

“Why, how did you get hold of the raft again, Jim — did you catch her?”

“How I gwyne to ketch her en I out in de woods?

No; some er de niggers foun’ her ketched on a snag along heah in de ben’, en dey hid her in a crick ’mongst de willows, en dey wuz so much jawin’ ’bout which un ’um she b’long to de mos’ dat I come to heah ’bout it pooty soon, so I ups en settles de trouble by tellin’ ’um she don’t b’long to none uv um, but to you en me; en I ast ’m if dey gwyne to grab a young white genlman’s propaty, en git a hid’n for it? Den I gin ’m ten cents apiece, en dey ’uz mighty well satisfied, en wisht some mo’ raf’s ’ud come along en make ’m rich agin. Dey’s mighty good to me, dese niggers is, en whatever I wants ’m to do fur me I doan’have to ast ’m twice, honey. Dat Jack’s a good nigger, en pooty smart.”

“Yes, he is. He ain’t ever told me you was here; told me to come, and he’d show me a lot of water-moccasins. If anything happens HE ain’t mixed up in it. He can say he never seen us together, and it ’ll be the truth.”

I don’t want to talk much about the next day. I reckon I’ll cut it pretty short. I waked up about dawn, and was a-going to turn over and go to sleep again when I noticed how still it was — didn’t seem to be anybody stirring. That warn’t usual. Next I noticed that Buck was up and gone.

Well, I gets up, a-wondering, and goes down stairs — nobody around; everything as still as a mouse. Just the same outside. Thinks I, what does it mean? Down by the wood-pile I comes across my Jack, and says: “What’s it all about?”

Says he: “Don’t you know, Mars Jawge?”

“No,” says I, “I don’t.”

“Well, den, Miss Sophia’s run off! ’deed she has. She run off in de night some time — nobody don’t know jis’ when; run off to get married to dat young Harney Shepherdson, you know — leastways, so dey ’spec. De fambly foun’ it out ’bout half an hour ago — maybe a little mo’— en’ I TELL you dey warn’t no time los’.

Sich another hurryin’ up guns en hosses YOU never see! De women folks has gone for to stir up de relations, en ole Mars Saul en de boys tuck dey guns en rode up de river road for to try to ketch dat young man en kill him ’fo’ he kin git acrost de river wid Miss Sophia. I reck’n dey’s gwyne to be mighty rough times.”

“Buck went off ’thout waking me up.”

“Well, I reck’n he DID! Dey warn’t gwyne to mix you up in it. Mars Buck he loaded up his gun en ’lowed he’s gwyne to fetch home a Shepherdson or bust. Well, dey’ll be plenty un ’m dah, I reck’n, en you bet you he’ll fetch one ef he gits a chanst.”

I took up the river road as hard as I could put. By and by I begin to hear guns a good ways off.

When I came in sight of the log store and the woodpile where the steamboats lands I worked along under the trees and brush till I got to a good place, and then I clumb up into the forks of a cottonwood that was out of reach, and watched.

There was a wood-rank four foot high a little ways in front of the tree, and first I was going to hide behind that; but maybe it was luckier I didn’t.

There was four or five men cavorting around on their horses in the open place before the log store, cussing and yelling, and trying to get at a couple of young chaps that was behind the woodrank alongside of the steamboat landing; but they couldn’t come it. Every time one of them showed himself on the river side of the woodpile he got shot at. The two boys was squatting back to back behind the pile, so they could watch both ways.

By and by the men stopped cavorting around and yelling. They started riding towards the store; then up gets one of the boys, draws a steady bead over the wood-rank, and drops one of them out of his saddle. All the men jumped off of their horses and grabbed the hurt one and started to carry him to the store; and that minute the two boys started on the run. They got half way to the tree I was in before the men noticed. Then the

men see them, and jumped on their horses and took out after them. They gained on the boys, but it didn’t do no good, the boys had too good a start; they got to the woodpile that was in front of my tree, and slipped in behind it, and so they had the bulge on the men again. One of the boys was Buck, and the other was a slim young chap about nineteen years old.

The men ripped around awhile, and then rode away. As soon as they was out of sight I sung out to Buck and told him. He didn’t know what to make of my voice coming out of the tree at first.

He was awful surprised. He told me to watch out sharp and let him know when the men come in sight again; said they was up to some devilment or other — wouldn’t be gone long. I wished I was out of that tree, but I dasn’t come down.

Buck begun to cry and rip, and ’lowed that him and his cousin Joe (that was the other young chap) would make up for this day yet. He said his father and his two brothers was killed, and two or three of the enemy. Said the Shepherdsons laid for them in ambush. Buck said his father and brothers ought to waited for their relations — the Shepherdsons was too strong for them. I asked him what was become of young Harney and Miss Sophia. He said they’d got across the river and was safe. I was glad of that; but the way Buck did take on because he didn’t manage to kill Harney that day he shot at him — I hain’t ever heard anything like it.

All of a sudden, bang! bang! bang! goes three or four guns — the men had slipped around through the woods and come in from behind without their horses! The boys jumped for the river — both of them hurt — and as they swum down the current the men run along the bank shooting at them and singing out, “Kill them, kill them!” It made me so sick I most fell out of the tree. I ain’t agoing to tell ALL that happened — it would make me sick again if I was to do that. I wished I hadn’t ever come ashore that night to see such things. I ain’t ever going to get shut of them — lots of times I dream about them.

I stayed in the tree till it begun to get dark, afraid to come down. Sometimes I heard guns away off in the woods; and twice I seen little gangs of men gallop past the log store with guns; so I reckoned the trouble was still a-going on. I was mighty downhearted; so I made up my mind I wouldn’t ever go anear that house again, because I reckoned I was to blame, somehow. I judged that that piece of paper meant that Miss Sophia was to meet Harney somewheres at halfpast two and run off; and I judged I ought to told her father about that paper and the curious way she acted, and then maybe he would a locked her up, and this awful mess wouldn’t ever happened.

When I got down out of the tree I crept along down the river bank a piece, and found the two bodies laying in the edge of the water, and tugged at them till I got them ashore; then I covered up their faces, and got away as quick as I could. I cried a little when I was covering up Buck’s face, for he was mighty good to me.

It was just dark now. I never went near the house, but struck through the woods and made for the swamp. Jim warn’t on his island, so I tramped off in a hurry for the crick, and crowded through the willows, red-hot to jump aboard and get out of that awful country. The raft was gone!

My souls, but I was scared! I couldn’t get my breath for most a minute. Then I raised a yell. A voice not twenty-five foot from me says: “Good lan’! is dat you, honey? Doan’ make no noise.”

It was Jim’s voice — nothing ever sounded so good before. I run along the bank a piece and got aboard, and Jim he grabbed me and hugged me, he was so glad to see me. He says: “Laws bless you, chile, I ’uz right down sho’ you’s dead agin. Jack’s been heah; he say he reck’n you’s ben shot, kase you didn’ come home no mo’; so I’s jes’ dis minute a startin’ de raf’ down towards de mouf er de crick, so’s to be all ready for to shove out en leave soon as Jack comes agin en tells me for certain you IS dead.

Lawsy, I’s mighty glad to git you back again, honey.”

I says: “All right — that’s mighty good; they won’t find me, and they’ll think I’ve been killed, and floated down the river — there’s something up there that ’ll help them think so — so don’t you lose no time, Jim, but just shove off for the big water as fast as ever you can.”

I never felt easy till the raft was two mile below there and out in the middle of the Mississippi.

Then we hung up our signal lantern, and judged

that we was free and safe once more. I hadn’t had a bite to eat since yesterday, so Jim he got out some corn-dodgers and buttermilk, and pork and cabbage and greens — there ain’t nothing in the world so good when it’s cooked right — and whilst I eat my supper we talked and had a good time. I was powerful glad to get away from the feuds, and so was Jim to get away from the swamp. We said there warn’t no home like a raft, after all. Other places do seem so cramped up and smothery, but a raft don’t. You feel mighty free and easy and comfortable on a raft.

Chapter XIX. TWO or three days and nights went by; I reckon I might say they swum by, they slid along so quiet and smooth and lovely. Here is the way we put in the time. It was a monstrous big river down there — sometimes a mile and a half wide; we run nights, and laid up and hid daytimes; soon as night was most gone we stopped navigating and tied up — nearly always in the dead water under a towhead; and then cut young cottonwoods and willows, and hid the raft with them. Then we set out the lines. Next we slid into the river and had a swim, so as to freshen up and cool off; then we set down on the sandy bottom where the water was about knee deep, and watched the daylight come. Not a sound anywheres — perfectly still — just like the whole world was asleep, only sometimes the bullfrogs a-cluttering, maybe.

The first thing to see, looking away over the water, was a kind of dull line — that was the woods on t’other side; you couldn’t make nothing else out; then a pale place in the sky; then more paleness spreading around; then the river softened up away off, and warn’t black any more, but gray; you could see little dark spots drifting along ever so far away — trading scows, and such things; and long black streaks — rafts; sometimes you could hear a sweep screaking; or jumbled up voices, it was so still, and sounds come so far; and by and by you could see a streak on the water which you know by the look of the streak that there’s a snag there in a swift current which breaks on it and makes that streak look that way; and you see the mist curl up off of the water, and the east reddens up, and the river, and you make out a log-cabin in the edge of the woods, away on the bank on t’other side of the river, being a woodyard, likely, and piled by them cheats so you can throw a dog through it anywheres; then the nice breeze springs up, and comes fanning you from over there, so cool and fresh and sweet to smell on account of the woods and the flowers; but sometimes not that way, because they’ve left dead fish laying around, gars and such, and they do get pretty rank; and next you’ve got the full day, and everything smiling in the sun, and the song-birds just going it!

A little smoke couldn’t be noticed now, so we would take some fish off of the lines and cook up a hot breakfast. And afterwards we would watch the lonesomeness of the river, and kind of lazy along, and by and by lazy off to sleep.

Wake up by and by, and look to see what done it, and maybe see a steamboat coughing along upstream, so far off towards the other side you couldn’t tell nothing about her only whether she was a stern-wheel or side-wheel; then for about an hour there wouldn’t be nothing to hear nor nothing to see — just solid lonesomeness. Next you’d see a raft sliding by, away off yonder, and maybe a galoot on it chopping, because they’re most always doing it on a raft; you’d see the axe flash and come down — you don’t hear nothing; you see that axe go up again, and by the time it’s above the man’s head then you hear the K’CHUNK! — it had took all that time to come over the water. So we would put in the day, lazying around, listening to the stillness.

Once there was a thick fog, and the rafts and things that went by was beating tin pans so the steamboats wouldn’t run over them. A scow or a raft went by so close we could hear them talking and cussing and laughing — heard them plain; but we couldn’t see no sign of them; it made you feel crawly; it was like spirits carrying on that way in the air. Jim said he believed it was spirits; but I says: “No; spirits wouldn’t say, ’Dern the dern fog.’”

Soon as it was night out we shoved; when we got her out to about the middle we let her alone, and let her float wherever the current wanted her to; then we lit the pipes, and dangled our legs in the water, and talked about all kinds of things — we was always naked, day and night, whenever the mosquitoes would let us — the new clothes Buck’s folks made for me was too good to be comfortable, and besides I didn’t go much on clothes, nohow.

To Be Continued Next Issue

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g 26 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, y, August g Page 9,, 2017

Melbourne

Observer

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Travellers’Good Buys

with Michael Osborne

Beach runaway by the sea ■ Folks who’ve taken themselves out to delightful Barra Island in Scotland’s beautiful Outer Hebrides and want to do it again, find that when they start checking for the same arrival and departure times as they took last time, these appear to have been simply removed and replaced with others that can be up to hours different from before.

And it’s not because of bureaucratic reviewing or rearranging – or worse still, even bungling – but more bizarrely is the work of Mother Nature, and her daily changes in the times of the island’s tides.

Because while Barra’s airport terminal building and control tower are located on the island’s “mainland,” its three runways are in fact simply the sands of the fringing ocean beach alongside – making for the only airport in the world where scheduled 7day-a-week flights use a beach as the runway.

And because they are flooded by the sea every high tide, these runways can only be used by STOL aircraft (Short Take Off and Landing,) and only during daytime low tides, as there are no facilities for night-time operations other than emergencies.

As well, as tide times change daily, it means flight times change pretty regularly too, so beachgoers need be prepared to make a move with the Esky and towel when the warning

signals go off advising that a plane’s about to land or take off.

● A plane comes in to land on Scotland’s Barra Island airport runway – simply the beach next to the terminal buildings and control tower, the world’s only such beach runway for 7-day-a-week scheduled flights.

Melbourne

Observer Wines & Liqueurs

with David Ellis

Smiles in the Clare Valley ■ There were plenty of reasons for smiles in South Australia’s Clare Valley this 2017 vintage, amongst grapegrowers because of highest prices they’d enjoyed for years – coupled with above-average quantities of fruit off their vines – and amongst winemakers in having fruit they’ve lauded as the best in three decades.

Plus there’ll be smiles to come amongst wine buffs too, as the outstanding wines of this vintage start coming onto the market.

And one you’ll find already on the shelves is Tim Adams’ 2017 Clare Valley Pinot Gris, a drop of outstanding structure, flavour and acid profile, and reflecting a vintage that Tim ranks in the Top Five in his 40-odd years as a winemaker and vigneron.

With rich and robust fruit characters on the palate and bright acidity, pair this one with fish, prawns, lobster or oven-roasted chicken.

And at $22, there’s reason to smile at the price, too.

Pictured ■ Here’s a drop that makes for a great pairing on the table with fish, prawns or lobster, or with oven-roasted chicken.

■ At just $13 a bottle, some Merlot buffs wonder if this one’s perhaps a little under-valued considering its quality and flavour.

One to note ■ Those who compile the figures tell us that the second-most popular red wine in the world today after Cabernet Sauvignon is Merlot, with sales in Australia putting us amongst those making it the current hit that it is.

With a velvety softness on the palate and less tannin than Cabernet, Merlot has an ability to prove a great match with just about any food – just dodge anything highly spiced, or fish or leafy greens.

Amongst those it proves perfect with are grilled lamb chops, roast chicken, pork loin with a mushroom sauce, tomato-loaded Italian dishes, casseroles it can also be tossed into during cooking, barbecued steak, and beef or veal burgers.

And one label ideal with all of these is Logan Wines’ 2013 Apple Tree Flat Merlot from the Central West of NSW, where altitude and cool climate see it develop abundant yet soft flavours of blackberry, plum and black olive, and which winemaker Peter Logan sums up as “a deliciously fruity, soft and fun mealtime drop.”

Only query is the price – some buffs wonder if at just $13 it’s not perhaps a little under-valued?

■ When President Ronald Reagan proclaimed July of 1984 to be National Ice Cream Month, and the third Sunday of that month to be National Ice Cream Day, there were those who suggested that maybe the President had lost the plot.

But it was, in fact, the result of some very clever political lobbying by the American dairying and ice cream industries, both of which were hurting from then-tough economic times, and desperately needing a kick-start to help them get moving again.

And it paid off. Sales of ice cream and frozen dessert products across America skyrocketed – not just during 1984’s National Ice Cream Month and Day, but for years to come, ballooning from a modest 3,357 million litres of their products worth the equivalent of 4.6 billion in Aussie dollar terms back in 1984, to an astonishing 5.8 billion litres of sales worth a staggering AU$51 billion this year.

That’s right, billion. And in a year.

The industry dreamed-up new flavours too, so while old-faithfuls like vanilla, choc chip, Neapolitan and rocky road will always be there, in America you can also tuck into such bizarre unknowns to us as bacon flavoured ice cream, crab, garlic, oyster, squid ink, strawberry-rhubarb, honey roasted peanut butter, grape and nut, and caramel cheesecake flavoured ice creams – to name a few.

And one of the most off-beat of all, Superman Ice Cream that was created in a store in Michigan in the super-hero’s colours: a swirl of blue, red and yellow, with the blue being vanilla flavoured, the red cherry flavoured and the yellow banana flavoured.

All whipped together and served rainbow-like in a cone or cup, or as a separate scoop of each piled into those cones or cups.

■ An auction in London has just seen 152,750 pounds (around AU$262,680) paid for a case of near-30 years old French wine that the buyer’s going to no doubt spend plenty of time looking at, but in no way pull a cork.

The vintage 1988 Pinot Noir came from the Domaine de la RomanéeConti vineyard in Burgundy, which at a mere 1.8ha (4.5 acres) is one of the smallest estates in France, and was first worked seriously by monks from a local abbey back in 1232.

Today it produces on average just 450 cases a year of Pinot Noir from a single strain of vines, that wine being described variously by connoisseurs as “the scarcest, most expensive and frequently best wine in the world,” “a perfection of aroma and taste” and “the peak of Pinot Noir.” And if you want one of those cases of the latest vintage, it’ll cost you around AU$17,200 – IF there are any left.

Horses are still used in the vineyard to avoid tractors compacting the soil, fertiliser for the vines is a homemade compost of crushed vine roots, grape skins and residues from fermentation, and grape yields are kept low through severe early season pruning to remove substandard fruit and concentrate flavour in the remainder.

And on picking, every grape is hand examined for health and condition, meaning it can take the total fruit selected from up to three vines to make just one bottle of wine.

www.MelbourneObser ver.com.au

Observer Victorian Sport

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, August 9, 2017 - Page 27

Melbourne

Stable double for Lance Justice ■ Yarra Valley was the venue for Monday racing on July 31 and Melton trainer Lance Justice snared a stable double during the afternoon with two of the fairer sex..

Shadow Play-Our Waltzing Mathilda filly Miss Victoria led virtually throughout from gate six to capture the Hargreaves Hill Brewery 2Y0 Pace over 1650 metres. Rated to perfection, Miss Victoria chalked up her first success in 13 outings, accounting for Muscle Up Major which raced outside her by a head, with Monterei Duke 3.8 metres away in third place after leading out, then taking a trail. The mile rate 1-56.1.

Four year old Bettors Delight-Rosemary Grace mare Rosehill Rose Hill driven by stable Melbourne foreman Jason Hackett greeted the judge in the Observer De Bortoli Pace for C1 class over 2150 metres. len-baker@ Trapped three wide from gate four, Rosehill bigpond.com Rose Hill was able to angle to the back of the with Len Baker front runner Machli shortly after the start to enjoy the run of the race. Using the sprint lane, Rosehill Rose Hill prevailed by a head over Machli and a death-seating Tejays Candyman in a rate of 1-59.9.

■ Broken Hill trainer Matt Shembri was victorious at Mildura, when On Wheels, a Mach Three-Filly Won gelding snared the DNR Logistics 3Y0 Pace over 1780 metres, a race full ■ At Ballarat on Tuesday, local Snake Valley of intrigue and confusion. The reason being was trainer/driver Damien Burns dealt quaddie punt- that Ironbark Fella (Ellen Tormey) fell on the ers a severe blow after winning the second leg - first turn and the warning siren sounded shortly the Flying Horse Bistro 2Y0 Pace over 2200 after with racecaller Craig Rail announcing that metres with Metropolitan-Princess Dilinger geld- the stewards had called the race off, however ing Idle Times, paying Supertab odds of $50.90. all drivers continued in the race.

Restrained from outside the front line be burDriven by Mildura local Jake Kerridge, On ied four back along the markers, Idle Times Wheels ran home nicely from a fair way back when extricated into the clear on straightening, to gain the day by 4 metres in advance of rattled home at 100 miles an hour to blouse Code Pearlescent and Grinfaron. After a long delay, Black which raced in the open for the final cir- the race was then declared an event and the all cuit by a head, with the favourite Jilliby Navajo clear was given. There was no time taken. a disappointing third 1.5 metres back after leading. The mile rate 2-00.4.

Harness Racing

Untouched win

■ Outstanding Ponder-Wya Mya Macray gelding Tee Cee Bee Macray made mincemeat of his rivals when recording a brilliant untouched victory in the 1720 metre Alabar Pace for M2 to M4 class at Tabcorp Park Melton on Friday. Trained at Bacchus Marsh

by Alan Tubbs for breeder Ian Kitchin who races him in partnership with Brian and Paul Dobson, Ken Adams and Boris Salivin, Tee Cee Bee Macray driven by Alan's son-in-law Greg Sugars began brilliantly from gate two on the second line to possie three back in the running line as Gotta Go Henry showed explosive speed to lead.

Easing three wide in the final circuit, Tee Cee Bee Macray coasted to the lead on straightening, easily accounting for It Is Billy which followed him all of the way by 5.8 metres, with Ideal Success 2.2 metres away in third place after trailing the pair. The mile rate 1-54.3 (last half mile 57.3 - quarter 28 even.

Tee Cee Bee Macray will now have a week off with his next outing being the $60,000 Breeders Crown Graduate Free For All at TP on Friday August 25.

Back on Rail

■ Trots followers are thrilled to hear the dulcet tones of Craig Rail back calling the races.

Craig who is extremely passionate for the sport, had been on extended leave before returning in July. He can now be heard at Mildura without doubt his favourite track on a regular basis.

New calendar ■ Harness Racing Victoria's colourful new season calendar in now available at all tracks throughout the state for the price of $8. Should you wish for a copy to be posted, contact HRV (8378-0200) and they will mail one out to you for a $10 fee.

Great night out ■ Looking for a great night out - then why not come along to the annual Harness Racing ‘Hall Of Fame’ Dinner to be held at Tabcorp Park, Melton.

For the cost of $90, you will receive a three course meal, plus drinks and entertainment during the evening which commences at 6.30pm.

There will be six inductions into the H-OF on the night, plus a former inductee will be elevated to Legend Status.

For all information, contact Bianca Walker at Tabcorp Park (8376 0600).

This Week

■ Wednesday - Stawell/Kilmore, Thursday - Ballarat, Friday - Mildura/Bendigo, Saturday - Melton, Sunday - Cobram, Monday - Yarra Valley, Tuesday - Terang.

Horses to follow ■ Muscle Up Code Bailey, Major, Machli, Eureka Encounter, Campaign Drive, Hes The One, Kissme Elvis, Lets Save The Day, No Transactions.

- Len Baker

Intrigue, confusion

In the clear

Never a danger

Select field ■ The feature race at Ballarat - the www.ballarattrottingclub.com.au Pace for C5 to C7 class attracted a small but select field with two former Kiwi's Star Of Memphis ($2.40) and Mr Mojito ($1.70) dominating the betting. Leading out from the pole, the heavily supported Star Of Memphis (Kate Gath) led, with Mr Mojito (Kerryn Manning) immediately dropping to his back.

Moving away from the markers with a circuit to travel, Mr Mojito drew level approaching the home turn, however Star Of Memphis had a kick left, holding a margin all the way to the wire, scoring by 2.2 metres in a rate of 2-02.1 (last half mile 55.7 - quarter a sizzling 26.3.

Spiritwriter was 9.7 metres away in third place after an easy time four back the markers.

A three year old Rock N Roll Heaven-Star Of Venus gelding trained by Andy Gath, Star Of Memphis recorded his 8th victory in 12 outings to date.

Great record

■ South Australian border hoppers kept up their great record at Mildura on Wednesday, winning two races on the 11 event card.

Leading reinswoman Danni Hill trained and drove 4Y0 Julius Caesar-Lily Princess mare Missdirected to an all of the way victory from gate three in the Ritchies Stores Pace for C0 class (mares) over 1790 metres, defeating Anniechickenstalker which trailed by 6 metres, with Swaffham Water off a three wide trail third 1.2 metres away in an all S-A trifecta. The mile rate 2-02.3.

Aaron Brown combined with ex-Victorian reinsman Haydon Gray to land the Ritchies Rewards Pace for C2 class over 2190 metres with 5Y0 gelding Heza Rummage, a son of Sands A Flyin and Delving Atom, returning a rate of 200.4. Settling near last in the running line from inside the second line, Heza Rummage gained a sweet three wide trail home from the bell to score by a head from Did It Alone which followed him throughout. Parisian Ruler (three back the markers) was third.

■ Mattie Craven's Terang stable have been on fire of late and former Kiwi 5Y0 SundonZandara mare Suns Invasion brought up two wins in succession by taking the DNR Logistics Trotters Handicap for T0 or better class over 2200 metres at a wet Horsham on Thursday.

Coming from 20 metres, Suns Invasion was always handy as stablemate Mr Oz was sent forward by stable foreman Chris Svanosio to assume control mid-race. Dropping to the back of the leader for the final circuit, Suns Invasion with Mattie driving very confidently, cruised past Mr Oz over the concluding stages to record a virtually untouched 1.4 metre margin in a rate of 2-05.3.

Somebuddylikeyou was 12.3 metres away in third place after breaking gate approaching the home turn without ever looking a danger.

Win for Melton ■ The feature event at Horsham - the $7,000 Alabar Guineas went the way of Melton based Kevin and Alison Chisholm's Four Starzzz Shark-Cherie McTago colt Whats The Catch, a former Kiwi. With Alison in the sulky, Whats The Catch was caught in the open from gate four after Lets Save The Day, another ex-New Zealander drawn inside him led. Crossing to the front mid-race, Whats The Catch was too strong at the finish, just lasting to nose out Lets Save The Day on his Australian debut, with Deadly Assassin 13.4 metres back in third place after racing exposed for the last half of the journey.

The mile rate 1-56.6.

Multiple wins ■ Multiple driving victories were the order of the night at Mildura on Wednesday Melbourne's John Caldow providing a treble (Coolncalm & American Tour for Ouyen's Mal Retallick, plus Our Amazing Grace for local Frank Merceica. Jake Kerridge a double (On Wheels - Matt Shembri and Mister Shelby (Frank Cavallaro).

- Len Baker

Wine Column ■ I've long had a soft spot for Taylors. After all, it was the Clare Valley winery's first release, a cabernet sauvignon from the 1973 vintage, that helped convince me to cast aside my writing job and start studying to be a winemaker.

It might have gone full circle now and I'm back writing, but it's certainly with a lot more wine knowledge than before and I can still remember the velvety, rich yet quite firm flavours of the particular wine.

And I was certainly not the only one knocked over by the quality of that wine, which won the Montgomery Trophy for best red at the Royal Adelaide Wine Show and confirmed the belief of the Taylor family well established Sydney wine merchants that the 180-or-so hectares that they had purchased in 1969 and begun planting in South Australia's Clare Valley was ideally suited to their pursuit of great wine.

The Promised Land range takes its name from the Taylor family's description of the country where they'd established their winegrowing venture.

The wines themselves comes from a variety of South Australian regions and comprise, I guess, what the Taylors would term their 'everyday wines' - bottles that retail for about $14 at full mark-up, but that can be found on special for as little as $10.

But don't be fooled by the relative cheapness of these wines. I've recently tried most of the range and reckon that it offers some exceptional value, especially if you're prepared to buy six or 12 bottles to take full advantage of any deals.

Visit www.taylorswines.com.au.

WINE REVIEWS Taylors 2016 Promised Land Shiraz ($14): This is a dry red with much more of the juicy flavour of dark berries and ripe plums than you've a right to expect for the price. There's also a hint of spiciness to the wine and just enough tannin to ensure that you know you're wrapping your gums around a true red wine.

Enjoy it with a hearty stew while the weather is cold, and also have a glass as things warm up and you start firing up the barbie.

Taylors 2015 Promised Land Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon ($14): I guess that this red blend developed in Australia many years ago because of the relative shortage of cabernet sauvignon fruit but it has certainly been successful enough justify its long-term existence. Add the cabernet varietal flavour of cassis to the shiraz flavours I've described above and you'll see why I reckon this wine offers such good value.

WINE OF THE WEEK Samuel Wynn 2016 The Man from Nowhere Shiraz ($19): The Wynn name is an exalted one these days in the annals of Australian wine but it certainly wasn't one early last century when young Samuel Wynn fled Europe and started making his mark here as a wineshop owner, whole wine merchant and later as a winemaker. I like this fruit-driven dry red a great deal and reckon it delivers great drinking for your hard-earned, especially with some prime steak.

- John Rozentals

Page 28 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, August 9, 2017

Observer Victorian Sport Melbourne

Classic Memsie Stakes ■ Million-dollar stake winner Black Heart Bart heads the charts for the weight-for-age Memsie Stakes to be run at Caulfield on September 3.

The former Western Australian classy performer has done everything right since joining the Darren Weir team and is one of the best gallopers going around.

At present he is showing just a point over each way odds, with some smart gallopers entered for the rich event.

On the second line is the good four year-old mare, Yankee Rose, who ran a sensational race as a three-year old to run third to Winx in the Cox Plate last year.

She is being quoted at around the $7 mark, and will run well.

Another Sydneysider, Impending, was a good winner of the Stradbroke Handicap in Brisbane at big odds for the Godolphin team and is always around the mark.

He is being quoted at around double each way figures.

On the next line is the Australian Guineas winner over 1600 metres at Flemington in Hey Doc, who is prepared by South Australian Leading trainer, Tony Mc Evoy.

He is around the $9 mark.

Also on the same line is Newmarket Handicap winner, Redkirk Warrior, in the care of astute trainers, David Hayes, his son Ben, and Tom Dabernig.

Another good galloper from New South Wales, in Astern, joins them.

You will recall that it was stable rider, James Mc Donald, who had a small wager on him when he won, which is a no-no.

Jockeys are not allowed to bet, and he received an 18-month suspension.

Next we have the consistent galloper, Le Romain, from the Kris Lees camp, good on his day and well in this.

Tosen Stardom from the Darren Weir camp is next, quoted at $11 and is a smart former international beaten in The Futurity last year by stablemate Black Heart Bart.

It is a tough one to judge early, will follow the race up closer to the race date.

Friction in camps

■ All is not happy in the camp with Racing Victoria and New South Wales Racing, going all out to capture the best horses and the biggest crowds over the Caulfield Cup Carnival.

Racing Victoria Chief Giles Thompson has been open with his criticism of New South Wales racing, raising the anti in stakemoney for the rich carnival over the same period as Caulfield's big week in October.

New South Wales top man, Peter V'landys, has openly quoted that is every state for itself.

He openly stated the $10million classic race named the Everest over 1200 metres is out to catch the best sprinters from all over the globe.

Australian champion, Chautauqua, is the ruling favourite, for the inaugural classic with the New South Wales body trying to entice top sprinters like Carvaggio from overseas.

V'landys didn't mess around when he told racing station RSN that "like it or not, we are in competition".

Thompson said RV's position was to respects RA's committee, which devises the national feature race program' "We were very disappointed to hear Peter's comments regarding New South Wales view of the pattern and its role in the future".

Melbourne Racing Club Chairman Mike Symons is naturally not happy about the clash with his Club's top three year-old race, the Caulfield Guineas on the same day as the Everest in Sydney.

● Black Heart Bart. Racing Photos an increased return to breeders of almost $54 million in just two years.

“The impressive growth of Magic Millions Yearling Sales in 2017 began with the real support of our vendors".

"Again our achievements this year are a direct outcome of their trust and patronage", Managing Director Vin Cox said.

“Since 2012 the overall Australasian Yearling Market has grown 58 per cent.

“Over the same period breeders supporting the Magic Millions Yearling Sale have enjoyed an 86 per cent increase".

With six yearling sales across four states, the sales series is complemented by the world's richest race series featuring the $10 million annual Gold Coast raceday.

Entries are now open for the following auctions: "■ Gold Coast Yearling Sale. January 10-16, 2018.

■ Tasmanian Yearling Sale. February 15, 2018.

■ Perth Yearling Sale. February 19 and 20, 2018.

■ Adelaide Yearling Sale - March 13-14, 2018.

■ Gold Coast March Yearling Sale - March 19 and 20, 018.

■ Gold Coast National Yearling Sale - June 57, 2018.

Entries close on Friday August 11.

Contact bloodstock@magicmillions.com.au - Ted Ryan

Ted Ryan

Magic Million Sales

■ Magic Millions is announcing entries are now open for the 2018 Yearling Sales Series around Australia.

The Southern Hemisphere's leading thoroughbred sales company is coming off a record 2017 series when over $196 million was grossed,

● Yankee Rose. Racing Photos

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Travel Extra Now or Never ■ What do you do with a 55 years old executive jet that’s sat idle in the open-air in New Mexico for the past 30 of those years, and which has no engines, needs a totally new cockpit, is unlikely to ever be given airworthiness certification again, and for which you have just paid US$430,000?

Most people would probably say kiss your money goodbye, until you add that, oh yeah, it was also owned by Elvis Presley at the time of his death 40 years ago this month.

Presley owned three jets, two of those – a customised Convair 880 he named Lisa Marie after his daughter, and a customised Lockheed Jetstar dubbed Hound Dog II after one of his most famous songs – plus a second Lockheed Jetstar that is the one that’s sat idle all those years in New Mexico.

The Lisa Marie and Hound Dog II are now on display at Gracelands in Memphis, Tennessee that was Presley’s home and is now a museum visited by 500,000-plus people a year.

The Lockheed Jetstar in New Mexico was bought privately many years ago from the Presley estate, and put up for auction this month by that buyer after not being flown for 30 years.

The person who has just paid the US$430,000 at auction for it declined to say just why they’d bought it – but whatever the reason, they seem to have got a bargain, as “experts” had valued the old aircraft at between US$2 million and $3.5 million.

The plane’s interior was custom-designed to Presley’s own instructions, including gold fittings in the marbled toilet/washroom, red velvet covered armchairs, red carpeting and even a red velvet cover over the toilet seat.

The big question now for Elvis fans is just where, and when, will they possibly see their idyll’s old flying machine pop up next?

Best-kept secret ■ It was once a New York City well-kept secret, a long-abandoned rail station deep below the famed Waldorf-Astoria Hotel at which American presidents, giants of industry and matrons from highest society, would be dropped from their very own private trains and whisked by elevator to dine or overnight in the five-star Waldorf hotel above.

And if they wished, have their limousines that they had brought with them aboard those personally-owned trains, off-loaded by their chauffeurs and taken by separate elevators to the hotel’s carpark, instantly ready for further travels and appointments around the city.

Today, the old subterranean station that was first used in 1938 and then mostheavily through the 1940s, is known simply as Track 61 and largely gathers dust between occasional filming usages and some off-beat product launches.

And it’s acquired something of a “holy grail” status amongst so-called urban explorers, those engaged in a constant battle of wits with its owners, the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel above, as they leave personal marks proving their success in breaking into this dark, dank and supposedly impenetrable cavern.

And to also boarding an historic rail car still down there to leave further marks alluding to their visit, a rail car which once would have been hooked-up to the train of President Franklin D Roosevelt – with his various luxury and first-ever armour-plated presidential limousines, that would have been carried aboard and be hauled by elevator to the street above while the President dined in the Waldorf.

Like President Roosevelt’s personal passenger carriage (which is now in Miami’s Gold Coast Rail Museum) the rail car that carried his limos has 15mm thick steel armour-plating, 76mm thick glass windows, and two escape hatches.

President Roosevelt used the private train extensively as he suffered from polio, and rail gave him a more comfortable means of travel with his wheelchair and other aids as he criss-crossed America, addressing vast crowds from the observation platform of the train’s last carriage.

- David Ellis

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Melbourne Obser ver - Wednesday, August 9, 2017 - Page 29 e urn lbo Me

Every Week in the Melbourne Observer

ver N ser O Ob TI C SE 3

Observer Showbiz

Radio: 3NE, 2QN join ACE Network ...................... Page 30 Theatre: The Perfume Garden - preview .................... Page 31 Country Music: Tommy Emmanuel in Melb. ................. P age 30 Jim and Aar on: Top 10 lists, best DVDs ............................... P age 32 Aaron: Cheryl Threadgold: Local theatre shows, auditions ........... Page 33 PL US THE LLO OVATT”S MEGA CRO PLUS CROSSSWORD

SCANDAL IN THE WEIMAR Bill Nye, Science Guy

● Bill Nye ■ Scientist, Netflix star, author, comedian and inventor, Bill Nye - the Science Guy – will bring his live show to Australia for the first time in October.

Fresh from filming series two of his global world-wide smash on Netflix, Bill Nye Saves The World, Bill Nye Live in Australia heads to Melbourne’s Hamer Hall on October 10, for two exclusive shows.

Tickets available from tomorrow (Thurs., Aug. 10).

This will be Nye’s first time in Australia. Using the trademark earnest, intellectual charm and humour that has kept him a household name for the past 30 years, Nye’s live show uses footage, photos and experiments to give audiences the low down on the cosmos, evolution and how we fit into it - and you won’t need a doctorate to understand it.

Bill Nye is a man with a mission: to help foster a scientifically literate society, to help people everywhere understand and appreciate the science that makes our world work.

Making science entertaining and accessible is something Bill has been doing most of his life.

After leaving University with a degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1977, Bill packed up and moved to Seattle to take up a job with Boeing as an engineer.

It was in Seattle that Bill began to combine his love of science with his flair for comedy, when he won the Steve Martin look-alike contest and developed dual careers as an engineer by day and a stand-up comic by night.

After leaving his engineering day job, Bill made the transition to a comedy writer and performer on Seattle’s homegrown ensemble comedy show Almost Live in 1986.

This is where “Bill Nye the Science Guy” was born.

While working on the show, Bill won seven Emmy Awards for writing, performing, and producing.

The show won 18 Emmys in five years. In between creating the shows, he wrote five children’s books about science and is currently writing another on space exploration.

Performance Date: Tuesday, October 10 Venue: Hamer Hall, Arts Centre Melbourne Bookings: www.billnye.com or www.livenation.com.au - Cheryl Threadgold

● Jennifer Piper, Ebony McGuire and Emma Choy in A Scandal in the Weimar.

■ Audiences can get carried away to an underground Berlin cabaret with AScandal in the Weimar by Wit Incorporated from August 25 to September 9 at the Bluestone Church, Footscray.

A reimagined Lady Sherlock Holmes and her companion, Dr Jean Watson, travel to Berlin to track down Irene Adler and retrieve sensitive information.

■ Swinburne University of Technology’s Media and The play has all the action and mystery of a Sherlock Holmes Communication Department is to sponsor Sisters in story, with the seduction and wonder of an underground 1930s Crime’s 17th Davitt Awards for best crime books by Auscabaret. tralian women.

See it at Bluestone Church Arts Space from August 25 to Dr Carolyn Beasley, the acting department chair, deSeptember 9 as part of Due West Festival. clares it is a neat fit.

Written by Jennifer Piper and Claire Bowen, and directed by “The Davitt Awards have become an institution on the Belinda Campbell, this is the latest offering in the company's crime writing scene and are an essential recognition of the commitment to creating a year of works by women, with a focus role that women play in the Australian literary landscape,” on representation.

Dr Beasley said.

"It's really important to us that we're telling stories that repre“Ellen Davitt (after whom the Awards are named) battled sent the world around us," says actor and writer Jennifer Piper. many of the challenges women writers still face today, so "This is not just about getting women on stage – it's about it’s with great pride that Swinburne University of making sure those women (and the characters they play) are as Technology’s Writing Department offers sponsorship for diverse and as interesting as the women we see on the street. the award.

"So our characters have differing cultural backgrounds, hab“We are thrilled to be able to support the tireless work its, sexualities and political views. They are flawed and human that Sisters in Crime do to lift the profile of Australian and so much more than whatever their tick-box on a census women crime writers.” would be."

Swinburne University was one of a number of sponsors The characters are based on those in SirArthur Conan Doyle's who responded to Sisters in Crime’s appeal though the short story, A Scandal in Bohemia. Any other characters are Australian Cultural Fund. historical figures, including villain, Diana Mosley, whose husThe sponsorship will be used to pay for the trophies, band was the head of the British Union of Fascists. accommodation and travel for winners, promotion and other "It's a fun night out," says Piper. "We might comment on the costs associated with the awards. Swinburne’s donation state of world and the darkest sides of human experience, but means that the $5000 target has been just pipped. this is not a philosophy lecture. You can dress up and feel like Jacqui Horwood, the Davitt Judges’ wrangler, said that you're part of the underground resistance, or just show up and Swinburne University of Technology sponsorship really enjoy the show." hits the target.

As part of Due West Festival, audiences can join the “Crime is phenomenally popular on the page and screen Kabarettisten after the show for der Kabarett and be part of but it’s only been in the last couple of decades that we’ve Berlin's cabaret scene in the 1930s. been able to enjoy crime stories that are about Australia, Performance season: August 25 to September 9 (Preview August 24)

by Australians and speak to Australian preoccupations in Times: 7.30pm Thursday to Saturday, 3pm Sunday a language which is all our own,” Horwood said.

Venue: Bluestone Church Arts Space, 8A Hyde Street, “There has never been a better time for students and Footscray emerging writers more generally, to turn their hand to crime Tickets: $25 full, $10 preview, $5 der Kabarett – in the creative sense, of course. witinc.com.au/whats-on/scandal Turn To Page 30 - Cheryl Threadgold

Hitting the Target

Page 30 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, August 9, 2017

Observer Showbiz Country Crossroads

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Hitting The Target

Radio

● From Page 29

News around Victoria

3NE joins ACE network

By Rob Foenander info@countrycrossroads.com.au

Tommy in Melb.

■ Australia's world-acclaimed acoustic guitar icon Tommy Emmanuel returns to Melbourne for a concert on September 28.

Tommy is only one of five guitar players in the world to be given the honour of CGP (Certified Guitar Player), a title bestowed on him by the late music legend and his childhood hero Chet Atkins.

Special guest and fellow CGP Steve Wariner will open Tommy's show at the Arts Centre. Tickets at the Arts Centre: www.artscentremelbourne.com.au G

Caravan closing

■ Sad news for Melbourne music lovers is that the Caravan Club in Oakleigh is to close at the end of 2017.

The Oakleigh Carnegie RSL which owns the building were not able to find a mutually agreeable position with the club to enable the iconic music venue to continue.

For 10 years the club has hosted some of the world's finest bands and musicians together with the cream of our local and interstate artists.

Sonali’s new band

■ Sonali Lindsay will rock Menzies Hall, Dandenong, on Saturday, August 12. The event has been co-ordinated by her to showcase her new band Cloud 9 whose members are a well known and respected list of Melbourne's Sri Lanka music community.

More info and tickets: 0403 069 083 or 0411 700 742 - Rob Foenander

Rob Foenander

● Rowly Paterson and Dave Robertson ■ Rowly Paterson’s ACE Radio Network is Sale of stations taking over radio stations in Victoria’s northat Wangaratta east, and southern NSW, from November 1.

ACE will become owners of 3NE and Edge and Deniliquin FM at Wangaratta, and 2QN and Edge FM at Deniliquin, after acquiring the majority major shareholders of the radio stations from November 1. shareholding of Dave and Ann Robertson.

Dave Robertson, 69, will be General ManNewspaper owner Walter Mott and his daughter Lisa Belokozovski are currently listed ager of the Deniliquin interests. Owen Godenzi as two of the four directors of North East Broad- will be GM at Wangaratta. Lui Zacher will be casters Pty Ltd, which also operates a subsid- Content Director. iary, Rich Rivers Radio.

“I’m looking forward to being part of the ACE The Melbourne Observer newspaper specu- group and working with the Chairman Rowly lated in late 2015 that a sale of the four radio Paterson, CEO Mark Taylor and the ACE stastations could attract a price tag between $12 tion,” Mr Robertson said.

The Mott family had earlier sold its shares, million and $17 million.

These figures may exceed market value. held by Linear Pty Ltd, in the radio business to Robertson previously had radio interests at companies associated with the Robertson fam4KGand West FM in Longreach, Queensland; ily. Their interests include Radio Outback Pty Ltd, and Robrad Pty Ltd. and 2BH and Hill FM at Broken Hill, NSW. In 2014, the Australian Communications ACE Radio network operates 17 regional radio stations. and Media Authority determined that Rich RivTheir radio stations are located at Traralgon, ers Radio Pty Ltd breached several licence conWarrnambool, Horsham, Swan Hill, Colacand ditions after the Mott’s Linear Pty Ltd sold its shares to the Robertson’s Robrad Pty Ltd. Albury-Wodonga.

“The share transfer was between shareholdRowly Paterson married Judy Handbury, niece of Rupert Murdoch. The Handbury ers that were existing shareholders in North East family have been prominent graziers in Broadcasters Pty Ltd with no new shareholders coming into existence.

Victoria’s Western District.

“Accordingly we continued to conuct busiAs well as their radio interests, they operate the Weekly Advertiser newspaper business at ness in the same manner as it had been for many Horsham. years and were not alerted to notify change in Mr Paterson says that ACE will become control,” Rich Rivers Radio told the ACMA.

r Obser vbeiz On This Day Show

Wednesday Thursday August 10 August 9

■ Author P L Travers was born in Maryborough, Qld, in 1899.

Born as Helen Lyndon Goff in 1899, the Mary Poppins author died in 1996 (96).

Singer Whitney Houston was born in 1963. She died aged 48.

Actor Eric Bana (Banadinovic) was born in 1968 (49).

■ American singer and actor Eddie Fisher was born in 1928. He died aged 82 in 2010.

US singer Ronnie Spector was born in 1943.

Spanish actor Antonio Banderas was born in Mexico in 1960 (57).

Australian actress Emily Symons was born in 1969 (48).

● Hilary Bonney Publishers and producers are always looking for compelling stories that meet the huge and growing appetite for top-notch crime.

Women, of course, add an extra dimension to the genre.

“And the Davitts do make a difference.

After Emma’s Viskic’s debut novel, Resurrection Bay, won three Davitts last year (plus a Ned Kelly Award the next day), there was an immediate spike in sales. It is just about to go into its third reprint.”

Some 99 books are in contention this year.

The shortlist includes five in the adult fiction and true crime categories, four in children’s fiction and three in Young Adult. All debut shortlisted books – eight in total – vie for the best debut prize.

The Davitt Awards will be presented by Australian true crime writer, barrister and television producer, Hilary Bonney, at a gala dinner at Melbourne’s Thornbury Theatre at 7pm on Saturday, August 26.

After talking about her ‘life in crime’ with Professor Sue Turnbull, Bonney will present six awards: Best Adult Novel; Best Young Adult; Best Children’s Novel; Best Non-fiction Book; Best Book (any category); and Readers’ Choice (as voted by the 600 members of Sisters in Crime Australia).

The Davitts, named after Ellen Davitt, the author of Australia’s first mystery novel, Force and Fraud, in 1865, cost publishers nothing to enter.

The awards are handsome carved polished wooded trophies featuring the front cover of the winning novel under perspex. No prize money is attached.

The judging panel for 2017 comprises Sisters in Crime national co-convenor, Michaela Lobb; former convenors Jacqui Horwood, Maggie Baron and Sylvia Loader; forensic specialist Debbie Stephen; and Readings Bookshop bookseller and writer, Deborah Crabtree.

Davitt Awards Dinner bookings: https:// www.sistersincrime.org.au/event/17th-davittawards-and-gala-dinner/ Melbourne

Observer

Friday August 11

Saturday August 12

■ Author Enid Blyton was born in South London in 1897. She died aged 70 in 1968.

Lady Florence Bjelke-Petersen was born in 1920.

US actress Arlene Dahl was born in 1935.

The late Australian actress Megan Williams was born in 1956.

She died in 2000.

■ Tennis legend Harry Hopman was born in 1906.

He died aged 79 in the year 1985.

Newspaper cartoonist WEG (William Ellis Green) was born in 1923. He worked for The Herald. He died aged 85 in 2008.

Australian singer Merv Benton was born in Melb. in 1941 (76).

Sunday August 13 ■ British film director Alfred Hitchcock was born in England in 1899. He died aged 80 in 1980.

Australian Rules legend John Nicholls (Carlton) is 78.

Actress Dee Smart is 51 (1966).

Ex-Olympic swimmer Matthew Klim is 40 (1977).

Monday August 14

■ Author Bryce Courtney was born on this day in South Africa in 1933; he died in 2013.

American actor Steve Martin was born in Waco, Texas, in 1945 (72).

Musician Reg Mombassa is 66 (1951).

Politician Peter Costello was born in 1957 (60).

Tuesday August 15

■ US songwriter Jimmy Webb is 71 (1946).

Anne, the Princess Royal, was born in 1950 (67).

ABC TV newsreader Ian Henderson was born in 1952 (65).

Actor Ben Affleck is 44 (1973).

US actress Rose Marie was born in 1925

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!

Observer Showbiz

Butterfly Club

■ Hidden from view at the end of a dimlylit alleyway off Little Collins St, a small bar and theatre is punching above its weight in bringing new shows and talent to Melbourne.

The Butterfly Club’s Spring Season explodes in September with an eclectic mix of theatre, cabaret, comedy, sketch, vaudeville, burlesque and live music, each show featuring its own bespoke cocktail.

Using a complicated algorithm and their finely tuned data processing and problemsolving skills, Charlie D Barkle and Oliver Clark have calculated who played Bond the best. Sip on an Aston Martini and hear them sing the joys of their spreadsheet.

Alternatively, you could join Jordan Barr in a nightclub toilet cubicle as she contemplates all things sexy.

Sip on a Quack Addict and enjoy a reimagined version of the fairy tale Disney forgot. Karla Hillam plays Duckie in a fractured hairy tale: less dreams come true, more the Ugly Duckling meets Carrie Bradshaw and the Kardashians.

Enjoy a Piaf-ter Dinner Mint and take yourself back to the street corners of Montmartre to witness the beginnings of two of the great icons of the last century: Piaf and Aznavour.

Head back to the millennium to meet millennial, Louisa Wall, for a night of comedy and song and possibly desolation musing on modern conundrums such as bogan baby names. Melbourne-based, internationally acclaimed singer/song writing diva Lisa Crawley trawls her life story for hilarious late night encounters playing piano in hotel bars while you down a Gin Fizzabeth.

With a new show and a new cocktail each week running from September to November, the Butterfly Club’s Spring Season is sure to go gangbusters.

- Kathryn Keeble

God of Carnage

■ Redfox3 Theatre Company presents God of Carnage in Warburton, Healesville and Upwey from September 9-23 as per performance details listed below.

Two sets of parents meet for the first time to settle their sons' nasty playground tangle.

Tensions quickly emerge around the best way to raise a child.

The meeting progresses, the alcohol flows, and the gloves come off in this viciously funny comedy of bad manners. This sharp satire of social mores and the minefields of modern marriage is a gift for actors and audiences.

Redfox3 is an independent theatre company based in and presenting productions in Healesville and surrounding communities.

Established in the Yarra Valley region, the company aims to create work that is entertains everyone.

In 2016, Redfox3 presented sell-out seasons of Women In Back and this year present the hilarious Tony and Olivier Award winning smash God of Carnage.

Founding member and Artistic Director, Justin Stephens, believes in utilising traditional theatre techniques, subtly introducing new technology, and showcasing local talent.

Justin is a passionate, high energy professional whose aim is to bring theatre to a new audience and surprise and delight established patrons.

Justin has been commissioned by a number of companies with a strong history of excellent reviews and directed productions at Chapel off Chapel andLa Mama Courthouse.

Performance Dates: Sat. September 9-23, Upper Yarra Arts Centre, Warburton; Burrinja Theatre, Upwey; Upper Yarra Arts Centre, The Memo - Healesville Bookings: goo.gl/qodxk0 Phone: 1300 368 333. Email: boxoffice@yarraranges.vic.gov.au - Cheryl Threadgold

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, August 9, 2017 - Page 31

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

The Perfume Garden

● Laura Lattuada as Chitra in The Perfume Garden. Photo: Mike Harris ■ Thirty-something Anand (Rajendra Bollywood treatment.

Moodley) still lives at home with his parents And just like any good Bollywood comedy working in the family spice shop. romance, there is dancing – lots of it. Interspersed It’s his proposal day. Today he is getting en- throughout the show the stage transforms into gaged to Devi (Sacha Joseph), a girl his parents sparkling fantasy choreographed by Jagritti have brought from India.

Bhatia with dancers from Ignite Bollywood and Problem is Anand has decidedly cold feet. the Victorian State Ballet Company resplendent He hates his life. His dreams of being an actor in flashing colour and glitter. and a writer are fast disappearing as he preThere are nine dance numbers with 15 dancpares to take on the dual burdens of a wife and ers onstage and each number presents a new the ailing spice shop. costume fabulousness with costume and dance The family also care for Ayah (Khema de based on Hindu tales of gods and goddesses.

Silva), Anand’s mother’s brother’s wife’s Directed by Paul Watson (We Will Rock You, mother, who has been paralysed by a stroke and Jersey Boys), The Perfume Garden is a romspends her days in a catatonic state in a wheel- com with a magic realist twist and lots of bling. chair.

Performance Season: Until August 13 Vishwajeet Pradhan and Laura Lattuada Times: 7.30pm Tues – Sat., 2pm Saturday are both very good as Anand’s much suffering and 6.30pm Sunday parents.

Venue: Chapel off Chapel, 12 Little Chapel The action can be a little up and down – the St, Prahran. voiceovers are a little confusing and occasionTickets: $59 Full, $49 Concession, $45 Satally some scenes need a faster pace. urday Matinee Performances, $39 However, there are also lots of laughs to be Bookings: www.chapeloffchapel.com.au or had. With two previous seasons under his belt, 8290 7000. comedian, playwright and actor Moodley, has Website: theperfumegarden.com.au reworked the production and given it the full - Review by Kathryn Keeble

Sting in the Tale ■ It is interesting to note A Sting in the Tale co-written by Brian Clemens and Dennis Spooner is about co-writers Forbes and Goodman.

I wonder if this is a play of life imitating art, imitating life imitating art.

Intriguing? Perfect, that is just what this play produced by Frankston Theatre Company evokes, confusion and intrigue.

This is not a ‘who dunnit’ more like a ‘when will it happen , how and will anyone get caught. It is a fast talking, comedic look at the art of writing mystery plays with a tribute to the best writers in this genre.

Director Keith Gledhill has assembled a fine cast, each actor creating an interesting character.

Most are quick with the cues and keep the play moving at a good pace.

● Jonty Reason and Joyce Sedunary in A Sting in the Tale.

The leads Michael scenes, yet overall there is atRedmond (‘Nige’ Forbes) and tention to detail and little to comJonty Reason (Goodman) are plain about.

It is great to have a drink particularly well rehearsed.

They are easy to listen to and a nibble whilst sitting back which is important with so to enjoy some local talent and much dialogue. The set is real- waiting to find out ‘will they get istic, perhaps too detailed, and away with it?’ the lighting not right in some - Review by Elizabeth Semmel

The Way Out ■ Red Stitch Actors Theatre presents The Way Out from August 30 to September 24 at Red Stitch Theatre, Rear 2 Chapel St, St Kilda.

Written by Josephine Collins and directed

by Penny Harpham, In a dystopian future Australia, Helen and her civil war veteran father sell moonshine to a broken town, struggling to survive in a poisoned landscape.

Helen sees a way out, but no-one is listening.

The fragile world they’ve constructed is thrown into crisis when a government inspector arrives on the same day as a black market salesman, forcing Helen to confront the darker side of their family history.

The Way Out is an allegorical tale, both playfully imaginative and cautionary, where quirks and oddities give way to dangerous truths, and where the last glimmer of hope is growing in a little pub in regional Victoria.

The Way Out has been developed through the Red Stitch INK program, which is defined by the bespoke, writer-centric development opportunities offered to artists over an extended time-frame.

Past INK productions include the multiaward-winning Jurassica (Dan Giovannoni) and Dead Centre (Tom Holloway).

The Way Out is Josephine Collins’s first full-length play, although her work to date includes short stories, cartoons, animation scripts and songs.

The cast features Red Stitch ensemble members Kevin Hofbauer, Rory Kelly, Grace Lowry, Olga Makeeva and Dion Mills.

Making their Red Stitch debuts, the company is delighted to welcome Sahil Saluja in the role of Harry, and Khisraw JonesShukoor, sharing the role of Ryan with Kevin Hofbauer.

Venue: Red Stitch Theatre, Rear 2 Chapel St, St Kilda Previews:August 22 - 29 Opening Night: Wednesday, August 30.

Season: August 30 – September 24 Time: Tuesday – Saturday 8pm, Sunday 6.30pm Tickets: $15.00 - $49.00 Bookings: 9533 8083 or www.redstitch.net - Cheryl Threadgold

Navy Pier

■ The third production of North of Eight’s 2017 season is the Victorian premiere of John Corwin’s psychological thriller, Navy Pier, previewing from August 15.

Asking fundamental questions about selfrepresentation, and the exchange of information, Navy Pier challenges how we, as individuals, can lose our sense of self.

Navy Pier plays from August 15 to September 2 at award-winning performance space, The Courthouse Hotel, North Melbourne.

Martin and Kurt are old college friends and aspiring writers.

They share inspiration, ideals and ambition until Kurt, the superior talent, gets a break with the publication of his story in The New Yorker.

Soon Kurt is heading for the big smoke and success, taking Martin’s girlfriend with him.

Navy Pier is directed by North of Eight Co-Artistic Director, Phoebe Taylor, produced by Dean Worthington and stars Pat Mooney, Mark Salvestro, Tasha Sanders and Jessica Stanley.

Performance Season: August 15 – September 2 Venue: Courthouse Hotel, 86 -90 Errol St., North Melbourne Bookings: www.northofeight.com.au - Cheryl Threadgold

Page 32 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, August 9, 2017

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

● Kong: Skull Island 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: ***½ 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: Dunkirk, Apes ■ (M). 106 minutes. Now showing in cinemas, including IMAX. Smothered in technical brilliance and convincing location work, the latest mega-production from director Christopher Nolan (the Dark Knight trilogy) forgets to implement the most important ingredient; a genuine human connection.

Using three different time periods (an approach favoured by Nolan), the film covers the plight of around 400,000 British, Belgian, and French soldiers trapped on the beaches of the title location, and the extraordinary lengths both servicemen and civilians went to to ensure survival under extreme conditions.

Despite Nolan expansively capturing on film (combining 35mm and IMAX formats) real planes, boats, ships, and beaches (some of which was actually filmed at Dunkirk), as well as hundreds of extras, it becomes apparent very quickly that the emphasis is on spectacle, as every character remains paper-thin throughout.

Nolan obviously wants to throw the audience into the heat of battle, but there has to be a modicum of character definition and depth to draw us into to each person's horrifying experience, leaving a lasting impression and strong dramatic impact.

All the technical wizardry in the world can't compensate for Nolan's anaemic, underwritten script, which shows more interest in various ship and plane types than providing distinctive human characterisations.

He even employs the same, cameras-attached-to-planes visuals Tony Scott made famous in Top Gun 30 years ago.

Hans Zimmer's ever-present score ranges from effective to distracting, while high praise must go to the fine work on display by cinematographer Hoyte Van Hoytema (Let The Right One In / Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy).

Christopher Nolan continues to frustrate me; he loves film, deserving respect in wanting to continue and preserve the classical, practical way of making films.

Nolan's films always feel like monumental technical achievements, but however always falter and fall on flimsy foundations, unable to fully develop people or ideas well-enough that can break through his admittedly bravura production values.

For a truly unique, exquisitely immersive meditation on war, human conflict, and nature, Terrence Malick's sublime The Thin Red Line is still hard to beat.

RATING - **½

War for the Planet of The Apes (M). 140 minutes. Now showing in cinemas in 2D and 3D. After the disappointment of Dunkirk, which was based on a real-life event, what then surpris-

ingly becomes the most poignant, emotionally involving war movie playing now is a story about mu tated apes fighting militant humans in a crumbling, dystopian future.

After years of fighting humans, which have lead to a depletion in their numbers, the ape community, lead by Caesar (Andy Serkis), have retreated to a remote forest location.

Amongst this close-knit group are longtime survivors, such as Maurice (Karin Konoval), Cornelia (Judy Greer), Rocket (Terry Notary), and Luca (Michael Adamthwaite).

Unfortunately the respite doesn't last long, as they are attacked by human soldiers, who are aided by gorilla defectors who formally served Koba, Caesar's simian nemesis in the previous film.

Though they manage to fend off the ambush, the apes suffer major casualties, and have to move to a new location quickly.

As the colony make their way to an unknown land that promises salvation, Caesar chooses a different, Hearts-Of-Darkness-style path, one that will exact revenge on the man only known as the Colonel (Woody Harrelson), who leads a God-like existence at a depressingly familiar military compound.

The new series of Ape films have been a huge surprise, particularly after Tim Burton's awful 2001 remake of the 1968 classic, and what's even more incredible is that each successive entry has improved on the last (even the original series didn't manage that feat).

Co-writer/director Matt Reeves, who helmed the obnoxious, vomitinducing Cloverfield, and the utterly pointless Let Me In (a remake of the excellent Let The Right One In), has excelled since joining the franchise. Like Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes, Reeves brings this bleak world and the tortured souls that inhabit it with a style that is beautiful, intelligent, and purposeful.

It is so refreshing to see a big budget Hollywood film take the time to develop and explore its gallery of characters and the themes behind the story being told, using its lengthy running time effectively.

It is also rather odd that two blockbuster ape films this year have openly referenced Francis Ford Coppola'sApocalypse Now. Performances are all terrific, with Serkis once more proving a tower of strength as Caesar, and should finally garner him the recognition he deserves at next year's Oscars.

Harrelson wonderfully walks that fine line between flawed individual and brutal despot, and cleverly plays with Brando's memorable image of Colonel Kurtz.

The motion capture work and effects are absolutely astonishing, and always makes the audience feel that what they are watching is real. War For The Planet Of The Apes is dark, absorbing, moving, and dramatically satisfying, while also providing moments of action and excitement that normally saturate Hollywood films such as these.

RATING - ****½ - Aaron Rourke

Top 10 Lists

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. 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

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, August 9, 2017 - Page 33

Observer Showbiz La Mama: 50 years ■ A world premiere season brought Australia’s most successful playwright back to La Mama for the celebration of 50 years of the iconic institution.

“La Mama was the making of me,” says David Williamson. “I am truly excited by the chance to be back here again”, in addressing the audience at the end of the premiere performance of his new play Credentials.

Williamson’s first full-length play The Coming of Stork, premiered at La Mama Theatre, Carlton in 1970, followed by The Removalist and Don’s Party in 1971.

Credentials was written recently especially as a thank you to La Mama, its founder Betty Burstall and for the past 40 years its artistic director and now CEO, Liz Jones.

Billed as a darkly comic play set in Sydney, two families from either side of the socioeconomic spectrum each have similar discord with their daughters.

Chrissie Marston played byKayla Hamill has been a paramedic for five years, however her boss Stephen Shore played by Geoff Paine has just found that her credentials are fake and she faces losing the one thing for which she has lived.

Chrissie challenges Stephen to see her in a different light as she explains to him and us her dysfunctional upbringing by an abusive father Bruce Marston played also by Geoff Paine.

On leaving home she struggles with drugs and prostitution and a fiery relationship with boy-friend and drug user Rick Edmonds played by Zak Giles-Pidd. The out pouring of Chrissie’s life struggles brings boss Stephen to account for his own daughter Jessica Shore played by Yvette Turner.

With private school education, and the privileges of a stable middle class family, a loving mother Rosy played by Nell Feeney, Jessica is unhappy and leaves home.

She pursues several challenges ending in “retail” where eventually marrying a client, Mack Hansen played by Paul Bongiorno.

The acting is superb, the theme richly Australian, David Williamson once again writing about us in this, a milestone work that he has personally supported in every way in the premiere season at La Mama.

- Graeme McCoubrie

Local Theatre With Cheryl Threadgold

9 to 5 The Musical

● Sage Pahos (left), Courtney Smyth, Sarah Ginsberg, Elise Stevens and company in 9 to 5 The Musical. Photo: Mike Fletcher ■ The 1980s returned to the Frankston Arts aphy was innovative and well-rehearsed, delivCentre when PLOS Musical Productions pre- ered in polished style by the dancers, while Brett sented their terrific interpretation of 9 to 5 The Wingfield’s era-authentic costume designs enMusical. hanced the show’s aesthetics.

With music and lyrics by Dolly Parton, book The cast were wonderful, and space does

by Patricia Resnick and based on the 1980 Cen- not permit commenting on everyone, but bravo tury Fox movie, the show reflects its era as to all performers for strong acting and vocals three women join forces to protest against work- that clearly expressed Parton’s clever lyrics. place and societal discrimination, sexist attitudes Standouts were Courtney Smyth’s powerand equality for women. ful performance as no-nonsense widowed mum Social commentary does not override com- Violet, Sarah Ginsberg who was delightful as edy, and the most unlikely combination of rat victim of unfounded rumours Doralee, Sage poison, marijuana, kidnapping, and a corrupt Pahos sensitively portrayed Judy in her first job boss add to the mix of fun entertainment. ever, Mario Mohorko as sleazy boss Franklin PLOS traditionally excels with technologi- Hart Junior and Janet Reid’s performance as cal effects and 9 to 5 The Musical was no ex- Roz, obliviously obsessed with her egotistical ception. Congratulations to those involved with boss. projection programming and operation, and per9 to 5 The Musical was a good choice of fectly cued appearances of Dolly Parton her- show for PLOS to present, providing a window self, chatting to the audience as part of the show. into the 1980s era for today’s generation.

Joel Batalha’s expert direction brought the The show is a different performance genre script alive to appeal to modern-day audiences compared to past blockbusters such as Wicked in an almost seamlessly staged production, and and Mary Poppins, but was presented in PLOS’s musical director Phill Scanlon’s orchestra did usual first-class, audience friendly style. great work rendering the catchy tunes.

Congratulations to all.

Mon and Tess Sabbatucci’s slick choreog- Review by Cheryl Threadgold

Last of the Summer Wine A

SHOWS

SHOWS

■ The 1812 Theatre: Last of the Summer Wine (by Roy Clarke), Until August 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 August 18 - September 2 at Beaumaris Theatre, 82 Wells Rd.., Beaumaris. Director: Fred Pezzimenti. Bookings: www.beaumaris theatre.com.au ■ PEP Productions: Caravan (by Donald McDonald) August 17 - 26 at Doncaster Playhouse, 679 Doncaster Rd., Doncaster. Director:

gmail.com : https:// www.trybooking.com/ QMNR ■ 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 Theatrical Arts 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.

■ The Mount Players: The Full Monty August 18 - September 10 at the Mountview Theatre, 56 Smith St., Macedon. Director: Leo Vandervalk. Bookings: 5426 1892.

■ 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 ■ Track Youth Theatre: Superheroes September 1 at 7.30pm, September 2 at 2.00pm and 7.30pm at the Renaissance Theatre, 826 High St., East Kew. Tickets: $20/$12.50. Bookings: www.trybooking.com/QJDK ■ Phoenix Theatre Company: Rock of Ages September 8- 16 at Doncaster Playhouse. Bookings: www.phoenixtheatrecompany.org S ■ Heidelberg Theatre Company: The Club (by David Williamson Heidelberg Theatre Company The Club by David Williamson Director Gavin Williams September 8-23 Bookings 9457 4117 www.htc.org.au ■ Williamstown Little Theatre: The Seafarer

by Conor McPherson Director Bruce Akers September 7-23 Bookings 9885 9678 www.wlt.org.au - Cheryl Threadgold

Melbourne

Observer HAPPY, HOLY OCCASION ■ The Basin Theatre Group presents A Happy and Holy Occasion from August 11 to September 2 at Doongalla Rd, The Basin.

Written by John O’Donohue and directed

by Loretta Bishop, the play is set in 1942 in Newcastle just before the fall of Singapore in World War II. It tells the story of a family gathering in the home of the working-class Irish-Catholic O’Mahon family.

The ‘happy and holy occasion’ is the farewell dinner for the eldest child before he leaves to train for the priesthood.

The play takes a snapshot of that era covering racism, sexual mores, misogyny, domestic violence, and understanding of the Catholic Church as it was back then – all fear, rigidity and repression.

The end result is an evening far from a happy and holy occasion.

Performance Dates: August 11 to September 2 Venue: The Basin Theatre, Doongalla Rd, The Basin.

Tickets: $27 incl. program, pre-show sherry, tea/coffee and biscuits at interval and supper with the cast after the show.

Bookings: www.thebasintheatre.org.au or 1300 784 668

IF THESE WALLS COULD TALK ■ If These Walls Could Talk…? by Dislocated is being presented from August 17 – 20 at Chapel off Chapel, South Yarra..

This intricate mesh of slapstick theatre, circus skills and story-telling is part of the Glow WinterArts Festival.

It brings to life the stories inhabiting a single apartment – a place of birth and death, joy and despair, the mundane and the beautiful – as lived by six generations of tenants.

Bristling with humour, physical prowess and deep theatrical ambition, this is an affecting portrayal of life, mortality and the things we leave behind—an astonishing, affecting new work from one of Australia’s foremost independent physical theatre companies.

Dislocate is an independent ensemble founded by Kate Fryer and Geoff Dunstan.

They sought to establish a vehicle to create physical theatre that broke boundaries and was visually exciting.

Their productions contain a mix of circus, satirical comedy, romance and movement.

The collaborative ensemble is committed to training and the evolution of well-honed skills, building these into new and risk taking areas of performance.

If These Walls Could Talk…? by Dislocated at Chapel off Chapel, 12 Little Chapel St, Prahran from Thursday, August 17 until Sunday, August 20. Bookings: www. chapeloffchapel.com.au

AUDITIONS ■ 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.

■ Encore Theatre: Cactus Flower (by Abe Burrows) August 13 at 2pm, August 14 at 7.00pm at 31 Highland Ave., Oakleigh East.

Director: Ewen Crockett.Audition bookings: 0414 991 141.

■ Williamstown Little Theatre: The 39 Steps (by Patrick Barlow) September 3 at 2pm and September 4 at 7pm at 2 Albert St., Williamstown. Director: Barbara Hughes.

Audition bookings: 0458 134 469.

■ Essendon Theatre Company: Unnecessary Farce (by Paul Slade Smith) September 19 at 7.30pm and September 24 at 2pm at the Bradshaw St. Community Hall, Bradshaw St., West Essendon. Director: George Benca. Audition bookings: georgebenca@gmail.com 0419 591 517.

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Page August 9, 2017 g 34 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, y, g , Melbourne

Observer

Lovatts Crossword No 11 Across

1. More droopy 6. Dig 11. Legendary gold city (2,6) 15. Having a poor ear for pitch (4-4) 20. Relations 21. Undue speed 22. Pen name, ... de plume 23. Gleefully chuckles 24. Tent supports (3,5) 25. Jesus' home town 27. Singing with trills 28. Prima donna 29. Writer, ... Thomas 31. The O of PTO 32. A wolf in ... clothing (5'1) 36. ANC hero, Nelson ...

37. Within house 38. Lovely 41. Dutch centre of govt, The ...

44. Fishing-line fibre 45. Sample 48. Way of life 49. Very busy 52. Goose & ...

56. Out-of-vogue star (3-4) 57. Small stone 58. Most uptight 61. Arduous experience 62. Foretold 63. West African nation, Sierra ...

64. Warms 65. Fools 66. Cleaver 67. Without artifice 71. Toadstools 73. Silly 75. Catastrophes 80. Ignore 82. Ice-cream desserts 83. Globes 85. Acting as go-between 86. Treat cruelly (3-3) 88. African disease fly 90. Nourishing drinks (3,5) 91. Bible song 93. Current flow rating 94. Interjectors 95. Ski headwear accessory 96. Military flying facility (3,4) 97. No part 99. Burial vault 100. Removed from power 104. Hoist (flag) 105. Cat cry 106. Of sheep 107. Leaseholders 111. Slightly wet 113. Crab's pinch 114. Have 115. Wrath 117. Pitch tent 118. Should, ... to 121. Tribal post, ... pole 122. Moved slowly 125. Field 126. Jump high 127. The ... of Capri 129. Assistant 131. Opposed to 132. Releases grip (4,2) 135. Among 136. Emerald Isle 139. Hordes 140. Scolded 144. Eagle's nest 145. Chick's call 146. Aimed 147. Disengage (train carriages) 148. Splendid (mansion)

Across

Down

149. Public square 150. Lacking originality 152. Customary 154. Baton races 157. Flying saucers (1,1,2) 158. Blabs 162. Matching outfit 163. Meagre 166. Flag down (cab) 167. Speech defect 169. Butterfly catchers 171. Biblical you 172. US moon rocket 173. Composer, Andrew ... Webber 175. Cloth fold 176. Chock 179. Culminate in (4,2) 180. Wash lightly 182. Recline, ... down 183. Repetitive strain injury (1,1,1) 184. Grind (meat) 186. Powder, ... of Paris 189. Thread 190. Peace pact 191. Sense receptor 192. Said 196. Tenant's payment 197. Bellow 198. Vermouth cocktail 199. Remnants 201. Playing for time 202. Harvesters 203. Roof overhangs 204. Last Russian tsar 205. Entangle 208. To the rear 210. Bridge designer 211. Sector 212. Outdoors (4-3) 213. Sinks in middle 215. Unfavoured horses 219. Lead-in 221. Sunday joint 223. Not perfumed 227. Juvenile 228. Ambassador's office 230. Move with effort 231. Cut wildly 232. Pillages 233. Mutilate 234. Admire 238. Delighted 239. First 240. Meal 243. Approval 246. Loosen 247. Dough ingredient 250. Corn husks 251. Out of style 253. Laughing scavengers 256. Frequent visitor 257. Female betrothed 258. Cease 262. Spy, ... Hari 263. Steak cut (1-4) 266. Ark builder 268. WA wine-growing region, ... River 269. Business income 270. Artist's medium (3,5) 271. Sewer coverings 272. Born as 273. Man-made fabric 274. Raises (the ante) 275. Climbs down 276. London/Edinburgh express, Flying ...

277. Lacy robe 278. Roomy

1. Confronts 2. Holed atmosphere layer 3. Erect (3,2) 4. ... out a living 5. Coming up (of sun) 7. Red pepper spice 8. Brutal 9. Michael Flatley's Lord of ... (3,5) 10. Simple 11. Famous volcano 12. Inclinations 13. Continually (2,3,2) 14. Phenomenal 15. Turrets 16. Actor, ... Sharif 17. Fire fragment 18. Remove from home 19. Misty 24. Pastime 26. Multitude 30. Lounges about 33. Barn dance 34. Distinguished 35. Actor, Sam ...

38. Ringing (of bell) 39. Nudged 40. Drama venue 42. Afresh 43. Unties 46. Junkies 47. Compared to 49. Cooperative 50. Top of head 51. List down 53. Non-believer in God 54. Roman moon goddess 55. Staff schedules 59. Proximity 60. Able to be rubbed out 67. Uncared-for 68. Traffic jam (5-2) 69. Undoes (envelope) 70. Sly suggestion 72. Opening 74. Telling 76. Debatable 77. Energies 78. Copy 79. Siblings 81. Until now 84. Mattress frame 87. Paint thinners 89. Called 91. Autocue 92. Insane lady 98. Fireplace shelf 101. TV host, ... Dingo 102. Egg shapes 103. Give work to 108. Stoat 109. Colloquial language 110. Inspire 112. Inventiveness 116. Feared Mongolian ruler (7,4) 119. Inattentive 120. Grotesquely 123. Small coffee cup 124. Welcoming 128. Clinging gastropods 130. Hero-worship

Down 132. Feebler 133. Fish commercially 134. Survive (3,2) 137. Turn out 138. Disgust 141. Granny Smith fruit 142. Cogwheel set 143. Personal memoirs 151. On dry land 153. Lucky charm 155. Dismiss (from college) 156. Map book 159. Desire for food 160. Tethered (4,2) 161. Pleads 164. Swiftly 165. Fluid unit 168. Laziness 170. Glimmers 173. Unused portion 174. Public referee 177. Filth 178. Coming into view 181. Water (pasture) 185. River flows 186. Allspice 187. Orange/pink shade 188. Libya's capital 193. Afternoon break 194. Vote back into office (2-5) 195. Wanted 200. Uniformity 201. Divide 206. Not either 207. Car horns 208. Takes into custody 209. Type of spanner 211. Appoints 214. Sultan's wife 216. Sissy 217. Austere 218. Disappoints 220. Hobo 222. Conscious (of fact) 224. Held tenderly 225. Subtleties of meaning 226. Infinite 229. Famous US university 232. Army dining room 235. And so forth (2,6) 236. Greek philosopher 237. Coffee drug 241. Legal trade ban 242. Lawsuits 244. Surgical blade 245. Kissing & cuddling 248. Eases off 249. Which 251. Repressed, ... up 252. Postage stickers 253. Hot & damp 254. Gains 255. Proverb 259. Moral principle 260. Eskimo hut 261. Cricket matches 262. Fix 264. Roughage 265. Midday 267. Padlock clasp

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, August 9, 2017 - Page 35

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Page 36 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, August 9, 2017

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

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Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, August 9, 2017 - Page 37

DINDI SAWMILL Supplying Quality Hardwood Timber • STOCKYARD RAILS • BRIDGE TIMBER • FENCING MATERIAL • BUILDING MATERIALS • SPECIALTY BIG END TIMBERS, UP TO 8 METRES

5797 8349 Myles Road, Murrindindi Vic 3717 Fax: 5797 8499

Page 38 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, August 9, 2017

Alexandra

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Alexandra

Alexandra

SOLD

Superb Family Hobby Farm:• Renovated brick home on 20acres • 5 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms • Huge lock-up colorbond garage

• 150 est. olive trees, fruit trees, hot house • Water bore, dam and magnificent views $695,000

Alexandra Alexandra

Alexandra

Impressive Country Home offering:• 3 double bedrooms with built-in robes, 2 bathrooms • Open plan living with undercover outdoor area • Double lock-up colorbond shed and double carport • Concrete drive and established gardens • Adjacent to Goulburn River $485,000

Great Investment, Low Maintenance • 3 large bedrooms, 2 way bathroom • Open plan living with split system • High ceilings and timber dado features • Lock-up garage and workshop • Leased for $270.00p.w. to great tenants $279,500 View By Appointment

Alexandra

NEW

Work From Home! :• 3 bedroom home with commercial 2 zoning • Large shed with concrete floor, roller door & power • Approx 864sqm with a double carport • High ceilings and original sash windows $239,000

Ideal Rural retreat:• 2 Acres of vacant land ready to build • Town water and power connected • Large concrete floor shed • Beautiful views $249,000

Perfect Country Home • 4 Bedroom 2 bathroom home on 15 acres • Master bedroom with BIR and ensuite with spa bath

Sales Specialists I Belinda Hocking 0418 115 574 Sales and Property Services I Jessica Bates 0437 533 236 Property Management I Sarah Brockhus - 0457 537 222 Yea

5 The Semi Circle, Yea This exquisite Period Cottage has been tastefully renovated, is located opposite the parkland in the heart of Yea. An inspection would reveal the charm of a bygone era with all modern facilities. There are two generous sized bedrooms, family bathroom and open plan living encompassing kitchen with modern appliances and stunning vaulted ceiling, dining space behind an exposed chimney and living with fireplace, Nectre wood heater and rev cycle airconditioner. There are Baltic Floor boards, High Ceilings and doors to match the period.

Outside is a wonderful "Chardonnay" deck to watch the world go by, trees, mature planting and off street parking space. Location Location Location! Downsizer?-Investor? -First homebuyer- then this one will suit. For sale $385,000.

Yea

11 Hill Street, Yea This three bedroom cottage offers sublime views over the Yea Village and glorious surrounding countryside. The home features a lovely kitchen, cute sitting and dining room. A new split system was installed just twelve months ago. Outside is a lock up, single garage. Currently rented with good return, this house is a must see for the canny investor or anyone looking for a cottage style residence to either move straight in to, or stamp with your own style. For sale $248,000.

• In ground Swimming pool and beautifully landscaped gardens • large sheds two fully lockable and Cattle yards. $760,000

Landmark Harcourts Alexandra 56 Grant Street, Alexandra I 5772 3444 Gobur

1520 Yarck Road, Gobur Set on approx. 82 acres of native flora and fauna, this comfortable 2-3 bedroom house has been built for comfort and with all the little conveniences such as a slow combustion wood fire, cathedral ceilings and wrap around veranda. This is an unfinished project that any DIY enthusiast could complete. Offering open plan living, dining and kitchen area with exposed beam gable ceilings, separate bathroom, separate indoor toilet plus a traditional outback loo. There is also a large work shed / Garage, Solar power with backup generator, pumping rights from Godfrey creek plus over 20,000 litre rain water tanks. This very cool bush hideaway has a seasonal Brook running though it plus a permanent creek that native wildlife enjoys a drink from. Ideal property for anyone wishing to live out of town on bush acreage (literally 5 hills make up this property )or B&B opportunity. - it's your choice! It's laid backbush at its best. For sale $395,000.

Yea

UNITS 2 & 3/29 Anne Street, Yea Suitable for elderly parents, young couples, First home buyers or investors are these recently completed one bedroom units. Having a well- designed floor plan, the units have a wide entrance hall with storage cupboards opening to a large open plan modern kitchen- living area overlooking a north facing backyard. The bedroom has a semi- ensuited bathroom and there is a separate lavatory and laundry area. With remote single car garage, with direct access to the interior, it is just a short walk to shops and facilities. The units are already leased with long term tenants. Current lease return is $953 per calendar month. This represents a shrewd investment.

For sale $255,000 each

Landmark Harcourts Yea 56 High Street, Yea I 5797 2799

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Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, August 9, 2017 - Page 39

Page 40 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, August 9, 2017

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