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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 27, 2018
VICTORIA’S INDEPENDENT WEEKLY NEWSPAPER
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● Nick Nickolas stars in Gobsmacked. Details on Page 9.
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Best Places
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Showbiz
It’s All About You!
Melbourne
Passing of TV writer Hugh Stuckey Observer
■ Legendary television writer High Stuckey died last Thursday (June 21) at age 89. Hugh Clifford Stuckey (born July 1, 1928) was a comedy and drama writer, with credits writing for television, film, radio and commercials in Australia and United Kingdom. He wasa published author, playwright, radio broadcaster, actor, Victorian state baseballer and his works are in the National Archives of Australia. Having started writing for 'in Melbourne Tonight in 1957 he was one of Australia's first television comedy writers. He wrote for In Melbourne Tonight, The Delo and Daly Show, Time for Terry, A Country Practice, Blue Heelers, The Flying Nun, Hey Dad, Neighbours, The Restless Years, The Two Ronnies, Dave Allen at Large, The Dick Emery
● Hugh Stuckey
Show, The Bill, plus various shows for comedy stars Stuart Wagstaff, Graham Kennedy, Bert Newton, Frankie Howerd, Noel Ferrier and Tommy Leonetti. Hugh was a life member of the Australian Writers' Guild of which he was Vice-President for many years and was a founding member. In his latter years he lectured at the Film and Television School and RMIT mentoring the next generation of writers. Hugh was honoured by the television industry by awarding him the 2005 Fred Parsons Award at the Australian Writers' Guild AWGIE Awards for his lifetime contribution to Australian comedy. - Contributed
In This Edition
Matt Bissett-John, cartoonist Mike McColl Jones, Top 5 Kevin Trask, Whatever happened Ted Ryan, Observer Racing Lan Baker, Sulky Snippets Cheryl Threadgold, Local Theatre Gavin Wood, West Hollywood David Ellis, Travel and Wine John O’Keefe, OK Peter Kemp, Melbourne Arts
Observer Showbiz
Local Theatre Top 10 Lists Movies, DVDs Auditions
Latest News
Richard Carpenter is Close To You ■ “Dulcet” aptly describes the remarkable tones of Karen Carpenter. Her melodious, velvety voice was exceptional. Most people are aware of her tragic death at 32 and her long battle with anexoria nervosa. But what of Richard, her sibling and partner?– He fought his demons too - depression and drug addiction. Nevertheless The Carpenters were fabulously successful, recording 10 albums over a 14 year career. During an hilarious and sometimes poignant hour, Matthew Floyd Jones, energetically channelling Richard Carpenter – always “to the left of (and slightly behind) Karen” – explores life with, and more pertinently, post Karen. Floyd Jones bounces onto the The Butterfly Club stage in a white satin shirt and green tiedied pants. He is bewigged in a sandy 1970’s bob. We are in for a ride as he jumps on the piano and parodies “We’ve only just begun”. “I vow to love you till one of us dies”, he croons, concluding the song cynically with the marriage breakdown. “On Top of the World” has President Nixon exclaiming that the Carpenters represented “all that is true in America”. We are left in no doubt that these Carpenters songs represent an idyllic “American apple pie” lifestyle that even its creators were not enjoying. We feel Richard’s pain as he attempts to forge a solo career – the spectre of Karen ever in the background. We share his humiliation as he agrees to his agent Druscilla’s (a wonderful characterisation) insistence that he participate in dreadful “shit sibling” and late night shopping shows, complete with Q & A’s -“Will Karen be on your solo album”? Poor Richard – as he protests - he wrote, produced and played the piano for all their songs! Floyd Jones’ singing and piano playing were excellent, and with wit and exuberance, he allows a portrait to emerge of a courageous man and his determination to succeed on his own terms - Richard – the “other” Carpenter. - Review by Juliet Charles
Around Victoria
Gobsmacked
■ Multi award winning magician Nick Nickolas presents his new family friendly show, Gobsmacked, from July 10 – 14 at the Melba Spiegeltent, Collingwood. Nick will use his one-liner jokes, sleight of hand and other baffling tricks to enhance his magic and wit. Nick began performing over 30 years ago as a magician on the streets of London and has gone on to become an international award-winning entertainer on the world festival circuit. He has headlined comedy clubs, supported rock bands and even performed for the Dali Lama, as well as entertained on luxury cruise liners. Performance Dates: July 10 - 14 Time: 7pm Venue: The Melba Spiegeltent, 35 Johnston St, Collingwood Cost: $18 - $25 Bookings: www.melbourne magicfestival.com
Sleeper theft
■ Yarra Glen Police are investigating after a group of men tried to steal $50,000 worth of timber, along with a truck, from a railway station. Investigators have been told a number of males arrived at the Yarra Glen Tourist Railway Station about 8.15pm on Sunday. It is understood the men arrived in an Isuzu flatbed truck and Mitsubishi flatbed truck with loading ramps and a bobcat. The men forced entry to the premises, where they accessed a prime mover and attached it to a trailer full of railway sleepers.
Mike McColl Jones
Top 5
THE TOP 5 PHRASES YOU'LL NEVER HEAR
● Matthew Floyd Jones as Richard Carpenter
5. "Thank you for your great service, Telstra*.” (*Optus works too!). 4. "Sophie Monk, welcome to Mensa.” 3. "Let's do the Christmas shopping early. See you at Toys R Us/” 2. "Clive Palmer, your audition for the Australian ballet has been successful.” 1. "Welcome to Democrats* HQ President Trump".” (*Republican works too).
Page 10 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, June 27, 2018
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Observer Old fashioned ideas inc orpor a ting the Melbourne A d vvertiser ertiser, incorpor orpora Ad Melbourne T ict orian Rur al Ne ws Trr ader ader,, V Vict ictorian Rural New and Melbourne Seniors News News.. Victoria’s Independent Newspaper First Published September 14, 1969 Every W ednesda y Wednesda ednesday
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Our Team Editor: Ash Long Features Editor: Peter Mac Columnists: Len Baker (harness racing), Matt Bissett-Johnson (cartoonist), David Ellis (wine and travel), Rob Foenander (country music), Kerry Kulkens (astrology), Nick Le Souef (outback Australia), Mike McColl Jones (life), Greg Ne wman (r adio ), T erry Radf or d ((C C ourt ewman (radio adio), Terry Radfor ord roundsman), Aaron Rourke (movies), Ted Ry an (r acing), Jim Sherlock Ryan (racing), (movies, DVDs), Cheryl Threadgold (local thea e ), K e vin T sho wbiz), theatt rre Ke Trrask ((sho showbiz), Wood (Hollyw Veritas, G avin W ood (Holly w ood). Honorary Reviewers: Mark Briggs, Rita Crispin, Martin Curtis, Sherryn Danaher Danaher,, Barbar a Hughes, L yn Hurs t, K athryn Barbara Lyn Hurst, Ka Keeble, Beth Klein, Deborah Marinaro, Gr aeme McC oubrie therine , McGr egor Graeme McCoubrie oubrie,, Ca Catherine McGregor egor,, David McLean, Maggie Morrison, Jill Pa g e ylie Rackham, Elizabeth Semmel. e,, K Kylie Arts: Peter Kemp. Distribution: Sam Fiorini, phone 9482 1145
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■ Long Shots obviously comes from ancient times. An era where churches distributed wealth to the poor, rather than the reverse. This week we have a story of the Anglican Church trying to seize an asset and millions of dollars of cash from an Alexandra community facility. This issue is dominated by the story of the Anglican Bishop of Wangaratta, John Parkes, trying to wrestle control of Kellock Lodge residential aged care centre. Bishop Parkes has a track record of trying to sell a retirement /aged care centre ... sales fell over for the St John’s Village, Wangaratta, to Benetas and MECWA Care.
Region cares ■ Last Friday saw a public meeting at Alexandra attended by 378 people, according to Murrindindi Council CEO Craig Lloyd. A number of Kellock Lodge residents come from outside the Alexandra township, including the Yea district. With a solitary dissenter, 377 voted to inform the Bishop of their objection to his move to merge Kellock Lodge with St John’s Village, 151 kilometres away at Wang-aratta. Is the Bishop a person who is likely to listen to the people of Alexandra and Murrindindi?
Effects ■ Bob Scott is a res-
Long Shots
good senses of the Bishop.
Attempt to sell
with Ash Long, Editor Previous winner, Victoria’s best local reporter
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ident at Kellock Lodge’s independent living units. He told Friday’s public meeting that 100 families were affected by the Bishop’s move to merge Kellock Lodge with the Wangaratta homes. Mr Scott, formerly a quality control consultant, said the Bishop’s move was an arrogant decision; the clergyman had not talked or engaged with the residents. He said the Kellock Lodge Board should be comprised of members of the community, not members of the church. Mr Scott recommended that an element of the Rotary Four Way Test - ‘Is it fair to all concerned?’
should be applied to the Kellock Lodge matter.
Fighting fund
■ Another local man, John Scott of Taggerty, suggested that a fighting committee be formed, with a fighting fund raised. He said an injunction could slow the process. Larry Fallon said that he had consulted a QC who said an injunction could cost $100,000, and that if the case was lost, a further $100,000 in paying the other side’s costs, was possible. The lawyer suggested that, instead, the public appeal to
■ Jim Kinniburgh of Alexandra, a former Vice-Chairman of Kellock Lodge, told the meeting that the Bishop had twice previously tried to sell St John’s Village at Wangaratta. He said the Bishop relied on the advice of consultants. The Bishop was said to have replied, when asked about staffing of a merged ability, that if an Alexandra resident fell, a mobile phone photo of the resident could be sent to a Wangaratta staffer for attention.
‘Big stick’ ■ Chris Peterson asked for the meeting to be given a historical context, so that it could understand why the church had such a “big stick” in the control of Kellock Lodge. Maurie Pawsey said that in 1984, the donation of the land by the Kellock family was given to the church, because it was thought the church would be a safe custodian of the community asset.
Local links ■ Mike Manning said that Kellock Lodge currently deals the businesses of Alexandra. If ownership went elsewhere, there would be economic and social outcomes.
Paddy celebrates her 92nd birthday
Your Stars with Kerry Kulkens ARIES: (March 21-April 20) Lucky Colour: Cream Lucky Day: Monday Racing Numbers: 7.8.3.4. Lotto Numbers: 1.13.23.34.45.5. This is a period in which you could meet the one and only but make sure your previous relationships are sorted out. Very busy socially and lots of fun should be had by all. TAURUS: (April 21- May 20) Lucky Colour: green Lucky Day: Tuesday Racing Numbers: 6.7.3.4. Lotto Numbers: 3.12.23.24.35.44 Time to get going and getting the jobs done that have been left till later. Some of your plans might not work as they were supposed to but things will settle down soon and your mind at peace. GEMINI: (May 21- June 21) Lucky Colour: Peach Lucky Day: Thursday Racing Numbers: 8.9.3.4. Lotto Numbers: 1.23.23.34.43.44. You could return to old paths and meet long lost friends. Most of your plans should work out well if you have done your home work and do not rely on others to get things going. CANCER: (June 22- July 22) Lucky Colour: Blue Lucky Day: Tuesday Racing Numbers: 8.4.5.6. Lotto Numbers: 6.7.23.34.41.33. Do not waste your time worrying about something that probably will never happen. Make sure you do the right thing about your health and then forget it. Something happy is about to happen. LEO: (July 23-August 22) Lucky Colour: Violet Lucky Day: Saturday Racing Numbers: 5.6.3.4. Lotto Numbers: 1.13.23.35.28.6. Many happy moments with loved ones and you could be a very sought after guest during this period. With your natural good humour and talent for diplomacy you will overcome problems. VIRGO: (August 23- September 23) Lucky Colour: Orange Lucky Day: Monday Racing Numbers: 8.4.5.6. Lotto Numbers: 1.13.23.34.35.7. Surprises and changes of direction could happen now. Your travel plans could be cancelled or deferred and you could be tempted to overspend when not so sensible. LIBRA: (September 24- October 23) Lucky Colour: Mauve Lucky Day: Thursday Racing Numbers: 8.9.4.2. Lotto Numbers: 1.15.24.37.45.9. People will be pleased if you tell how you feel about them communication is the key word for this period.You could find a way to improve your financial situation in a small way and this could keep you busy for some time. SCORPIO: (October 24- November 22) Lucky Colour: Green Lucky Day: Tuesday Racing Numbers: 8.4.6.7. Lotto Numbers: 5.7.23.34.33.44. You might be very important to someone and your help vital to this person in the future.Very good news from far away should boost your ego and your bank balance if handled well. Some good vibes from a Virgo. SAGITTARIUS: (November23- December 20) Lucky Colour: Blue Lucky Day: Monday Racing Numbers: 9.4.5.6. Lotto Numbers: 4.12.23.34.42.11. If you are planning travel make sure all your appointments and bookings are double checked as there could be some cancellations or deferrals. No good starting an argument with a well known pighead. CAPRICORN: (December 21- January 19) Lucky Colour: Yellow Lucky Day:Wednesday Racing Numbers: 8.3.5.4. Lotto Numbers: 1.14.23.34.45.22 Not a good period to exchange secrets if you want to keep something confidential you better keep quiet.You should be much more successful in your romantic life then you have been of late. AQUARIUS: (January 20- February 19) Lucky Colour: Cream Lucky Day: Thursday Racing Numbers: 7.8.3.4. Lotto Numbers: 1.3.23.25.34.44. You could be offered a holiday out of the blue and someone could show a special interest in your ideas. In business you might need to consult an expert for any problems you cannot handle yourself.
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. Copyright © 2018, Local Media Pty Ltd. ACN 096 680 063.
PISCES: (February 20- March 20) Lucky Colour: White Lucky Day: Thursday Racing Numbers: 7.8.4.5. Lotto Numbers: 1.13.23.24.34.35. Make sure you do a good job of special chores given to you by people in authority this could lead to something more profitable in the future. Someone is waiting to hear from you.
● Former Yea resident Paddy Bamford celebrated her 92nd birthday at the weekend. She is pictured with son Rupert at Ravenswood, Qld.
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Melbourne Arts Monash Gallery Legacy: Your Collection Our Story For over 30 years MGA's benefactors have been instrumental in the development of the only public collection solely dedicated to Australian photography, and it all started with a tapestry donated by Harry Seidler. Since its inception MGA has forged its own trailblazing path, never wavering from its commitment to champion and support Australian photography and its artists. MGA has long been praised for being progressive and innovative, especially in the early 1980s it took the bold, unfashionable and revolutionary step to focus on Australian photography. In doing so, MGA became the only public collection solely dedicated to Australian photography and soon came to hold one of the nation's most significant collections of Australian photographs. Now numbering over 3.100 Australian photographs, MGAs collection illustrates the story of photography in Australia and its development in no small part due to the generosity of donors. Legacy: Our Collection Your Story celebrates the impact benefactors have had on the development of one of the nation's most unique and important collections, a collection dedicated to Australian photography and its artists. Legacy teases out the fascinating and compelling stories behind the works and showcases significant works that chart the history of the MGA, from Joseph Albers tapestry donated by Harry Seidler, the architect of MGA's building, through to the most recent donated works by Australian luminaries Carol Jerrems, Max Dupain, Wolfgangt Sievers to name just a few. Exhibition: opened June 16 and is running until July 22. Topshots 2017-18. Celebrating emerging artists. Over the past ten ears MGA has celebrated work of emerging photomedia artists with the annual Topshots award and exhibition. Topshots showcases artwork produced by students studying the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) subjects of Art, Media and Studio Arts. Each of these subjects has a different focus within the broader course of arts, education offered to Victorian secondary school students, making the Topshots exhibition and exciting overview of different creative trajectories. The artworks displayed in this exhibition offer little more than a glimpse of the yearlong course of each of these young artists has undertaken. It would be remiss, not to mention the laborious nature of each of these subjects and the hours spent testing, refining and creating final pieces and documenting creative processes in visual diaries. Exhibition opened June 15 and runs until July 15. Monash Gallery of Art 860 Ferntree Gully Rd. Wheelers Hill - Peter Kemp
Melbourne Obser ver - Wednesday, June 27, 2018 - Page 11 Melbourne
Observer
Showbiz News
Standing ovation
● Irina Kolesnikova and company present the Black Swan Royal Scene in the St Petersburg Ballet Theatre’s production of Swan Lake. ■ The classic Swan Lake by St Petersburg Ballet Theatre had the Princess Theatre’s Opening night audience on their feet for a standing ■ Five performances of live music, conovation. temporary circus, sideshow and burlesque Konstantin Tachkin founded St Petersburg can be seen in St Kilda Royale, being preBallet Theatre almost 25 years ago. He has led sented from July 4 – 8 at the MEMO Muthe company in tours of France, South Africa, sic Hall, St Kilda. Australia, Taiwan, Singapore, Italy and Finland. St Kilda Royale is inspired by the EuroIt was a pleasure to see this version of Swan pean cabaret halls of the late 1800s and Lake with the addition of ‘friendly’ black swans early 1900s, and swing, jazz and boogie in the final scene and a happy ending with Odette band, The Shuffle Club draw upon a deand Siegfried living happily ever after, having cade of five-star reviews at the Edinburgh thwarted and killed the evil Rothbart. The lavish Festival, to back acts programmed by No set design and costuming filled the stage with Frills Cabaret. vibrant effects. St Kilda Royale will feature Joe Fisher, The Corps de Ballet seemed a little disjointed with varying degrees of technique and stage presvoted number 10 juggler in the world, ence. The Jester performed by Sergei Fedorkov Chan and Benj, internationally-renowned showed great agility and control, accompanied acrobatic roller-skaters; hula-hooper Anna by a delightfully whimsical character. Fisher and Ciara & Mat the fire eating duo Leading soloists, Yelyzaveta Barkalova, Olga that perform acrobatics. Pavlova and Mariia Tikhonova all gave strong MEMO Music Hall’s management team and elegant performances throughout. Aleksey Leticia Maher and Simon Myers said they Lisitsin was commanding in his role of the evil were delighted to bring this show to Rothbart, using great lines and strong technique MEMO, with its fusion of live music, for to accentuate his character. which MEMO is so well known, along with Bolshoi Ballet star, Alexander Volchkov performance. danced the role of Prince Siegfried. His perforMEMO is said to be the ideal venue mance was adequate but he underplayed his charfor cabaret, circus and burlesque perforacterization especially in Act One. His partnering mance on this scale, so in St Kilda – the work was good but he was completely overshadCircus is coming to town! owed by the sublime performance of Irina The performance on Sunday, July 8 will Kolesnikova. be a child-friendly event, and Burlesque Irina’s intoxicating performance of Odette/ performers will be replaced with Adagio Odile showed her brilliance as the Prima Balledancers for an afternoon of family-friendly rina with the company. As Odette, she displayed entertainment. amazing gentleness and sensitivity. Her Odile Performance Details: was convincingly evil and manipulative. Her Preview: Wed 4 July: Premium $35, sense of musicality, lithe agility and feeling for A Reserve $25 GA $15 Doors 7pm Show the role made her, the best Swan this reviewer 8pm has ever seen. Season: Thurs 5 July to Sunday 8 July The highlight of her performance was the preThurs 5 July Opening Night: Premium cision of the thirty-two fouette en tournants, per$55, A Reserve $40 GA $30 Doors 7pm, formed at record speed. Show 8pm Swan Lake will be at the Princess Theatre Friday 6 July: Premium $55, A Reserve until June 30. $40 GA $30 Doors 7pm, Show 8pm Performance Season: Until June 30 Saturday 7July: Premium $55, A Reserve Location: The Princess Theatre, 163 Spring $40 GA $30 Doors 7pm, Show 8pm St., Melbourne Sunday 8 July: Premium $55, A Reserve Bookings: Ticketmaster.com.au or 136 100 $40 GA $30, Children aged 5 and under www.st-petersburg-ballet.com free, 5 to 14 years are $15 Doors 2pm, - Lyn Hurst Show 3pm Tickets: www.memomusichall.com.au Venue: MEMO Music Hall 88 Acland Street St Kilda
St Kilda Royale
Melbourne Observations
with Matt Bissett-Johnson
● The Shuffle Club
What’s On Le Sacre ■ The inaugural collaborative presentation by NICA(National Institute of Circus Arts) and theAustralian Ballet School was a showcase of the future stars of circus and ballet performance. Le Sacre was co-directed by Zebastian Hunter (NICA Performance Co-ordinator), Meredith Kitchen (NICA Movement Studies Co-ordinator) and Simon Dow (Resident Choreographer, Australian Ballet School). This original creative work is based on the themes of Nijinsky’s, The Rite of Spring. The fusion between the two art forms presented a work centered on the concepts of oppression, sacrifice, empathy and joy. The striking set was designed by Stephanie Howe. Her costuming creatively portrayed the tribal chiefs and followers. Lee Stout’s sound design allowed each of the vignettes to form a cohesive element as part of the story of human life, friendship and sacrifice. Matthew Scott’s lighting design highlighted each element and creatively used the vast stage space effortlessly. The eighteen, second year, NICA students hailed from a variety of Australian states, New Zealand and USA. The students showed their prowess using tissu (aerial silk), ropes, aerial rings, tumbling, straps and hula-hoops. Incredible handstand contortions were performed by Troy Griffiths and Nicole Pienaar. The Chinese pole and Roue Cyr artists, Will Anton, Eric Quast and Reuben Pedlar, were also a highlight. TheAustralian Ballet School’s twenty-six Level 7 students showed strength, poise and agility as they performed beside and melded with the circus artists. They hail from various Australian states, New Zealand and Japan. Joaquin Thomas-Mourad and Emilia Dawe were two of the many highlights for this troupe. Overall the performance was a little long, but showcased the theatrical talents of all performers. The students, creative team and stage crew can be proud of this work and audiences should look forward to this type of collaboration in the future. Le Sacre was performed at the NICA performing space. - Review by Lyn Hurst
National Gallery Robert Hunter: Major retrospective of Australian abstract painter Robert Hunter. Renowned for his complex geometric white-on-white paintings, Robert Hunter (1947 - 2014) is being celebrated in a major retrospective at NGVAustralia featuring more than 40 works which traverse his more than 40year career. At age 21, Hunter was the youngest artist to participate in the landmark exhibition The Field at the NGV in 1968. This exhibition announced the arrival of late-modernist abstraction intoAustralia and opened the new NGV building on St Kilda Rd. By the age of 27, Hunter had established himself internationally and was invited to participate in major international exhibitions including Eight ContemporaryArtists at New York's Museum of Modern Art in 1974. Throughout his career, Hunter maintained an unwavering commitment to a singular aesthetic, creating complex patterns using everyday materials such as masking tape and white Dulux house paint. Each of Hunter's paintings took up to three months to create and test the very limits of visual perception, revealing clean, crisp geometries and subtle hints of colour upon closed inspection. Exhibition closes august 26. Venue: Ian Potter Centre NGV Australia. Federation Square Swanston St. Melbourne. National Gallery of Victoria 180 St. Kilda Rd. Melbourne
Page 12 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, June 27, 2018
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Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, June 27, 2018 - Page 13
Observer Magazine
Stateside with Gavin Wood in West Hollywood
TV host rides into WeHo ■ Hi everyone, from my suite at the Ramada Plaza Hotel and Suites comes this week's news.
Out and About
Studio 10 interviews
Zuckerberg under pressure
■ Studio 10 ss the morning talk show on Network 10. Sarah Harris, Joe Hildebrand, Denise Drysdale, Denise Scott and Angela Bishop front the show between 8.30am and 12 Noon weekdays. Craig Bennett is the showbiz presenter and this month he was in West Hollywood interviewing stars at the Ramada Plaza Hotel and Suites. Seen at the Ramada doing "hair and make up" for the interviews were Charles Shaughnessy who played ‘Mr. Maxwell Sheffield’in the Nanny, Michael Cole from Mod Squad and singer, dancer and television host Miss Paula Abdul.
Walt Disney Concert Hall ■ Each year, the LA Phil presents over 250 concerts at its two globally renowned venues: Walt Disney Concert Hall and the Hollywood Bowl. Both locations are iconic parts of the Southern California landscape tributes to the region's rich cultural history and Los Angeles' enduring commitment to fostering artistic excellence. Music and Artistic Director Gustavo Dudamel continues to ensure that Walt Disney Concert Hall and the Hollywood Bowl maintain preeminence among elite music venues worldwide, upholding a tradition maintained by his distinguished predecessors at the LA Phil. Architecturally innovative and acoustically magnificent, these spaces welcome hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. Self-guided audio tours and guided tours of Walt Disney Concert Hall are offered by the Music Centre most days. All tours are an hour long and begin in the Grand Avenue Lobby of Walt Disney Concert Hall. For your Insiders' Tour, please meet in the Grand Avenue lobby. Look for the sign, which reads "LA Phil Insiders' Tour Begins Here."
● Managing Director of the Ramada Plaza, Alan Johnson, and Craig Bennett shared an outrageous photo together in the Ramada media room in between interviews.
Brando wins the bedroom ■ Elvis Presley may have been The King onstage, but compared to Marlon Brando, the rock legend was a peasant between the sheets, says Rita Moreno. "Brando slayed me good 'cause he was the king of everything. Eeeeeeverything," Moreno, 86 said last week. "He was the king of movies and he was really one of the most sexual men on Earth. “It was one of those very tempestuous love affairs. It lasted eight years, on and off, on and off, on and off." The West Side Story star admitted that she'd wanted to marry Brando, but that he wouldn't have it but she kept going to bed with him regardless and was heartbroken when she realised he was still sleeping with other people.
3 top spots at a glance
Beverly Hills: Playground of the rich and famous, Beverly Hills is home to some of California's most opulent homes, hotels and personalities. Visitors flock to the Hills to experience world class shopping, fine dining and of course stargazing. Don't forget to visit Rodeo Drive. West Hollywood: WeHo is a trendy area known for its high-energy nightlife. The Sunset Strip features the Chateau Marmont, a swanky celebrity hideaway plus comedy clubs and live music venues like the legendary Whiskey a Go Go. Santa Monica Blvd is home to a number of bars, dance clubs and shops. The Ramada Plaza Hotel and Suites on Santa Monica Blvd, is entertainment central. Hollywood: A symbol of the entertainment business, Hollywood beckons tourists with landmarks like TCL Chinese Theatre and the star studded Walk of Fame. Highlights include Paramount Pictures, The Hollywood Bowl, the Dolby theatre (home of the Oscars) and so much more.
Plunging US birth rate
■ The US fertility rate plunged to its lowest point in four decades last year while birth rates also declined for almost all women under 40. Both the birth rate that is the number of births per thousand women and the fertility rate a lifetime average forecast fell in 2017, according to new figures from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Health Statistics. Donna Strobino of John Hopkins University said the change came down to women delaying having a baby for the benefit of their professional lives. "Women are becoming more educated, they are in the workforce, they are pursuing their careers," said Strobino. "And in the absence of policies that really help women who are working to really take some time off post-partum, you are probably going to see a continuation of this delay." While births decreased among younger women in the US last year, the rate rose in women aged between 40 and 44, the statistics reveal.
■ Facebook has been under pressure for its failure to remove violence, nudity, hate speech and other inflammatory content from its site. Government officials, activists and academics have long pushed the social network to disclose more about how it deals with such posts. Now, Facebook is pulling back the curtain on its efforts. The Silicon Valley company has published numbers for the first time detailing how much and what type of content it takes down from the social network. In an 86-page report, Facebook revealed that it deleted 865.8 million posts in the first quarter of 2018, the vast majority of which were spam, with a minority of posts related to nudity, graphic violence, hate speech and terrorism. Facebook also said it removed 583 million fake accounts in the same period, or the equivalent of 3 to 4 percent of its monthly users.
No more love for Brooke
GavinWood
From my Suite at the Ramada Plaza Complex on Santa Monica Blvd
Legendary store closes ■ In just a few years, the Ameoba Music store on Sunset Boulevard might be nothing more than a memory. New planning documents released describe in more detail what developer GPI Properties plans to build on the site: a glassy, 28-storey tower with 232 residential units and 7000 square feet of commercial space along the ground level. Ten of the units will be for very low-income tenants. Amoeba would be demolished to make way for the new tower. Amoeba tweeted that they planned to stay for the duration of their lease, which was "several years" long. They also said they planned to find a new storefront in Hollywood. The new documents suggest that it could all move pretty fast. The developer's plan is for the project is to begin with demolition in mid-2019 and to complete the building in 2021. Amoeba's commitment to "staying in Hollywood" could potentially mean that they will move to a new location in the borough following the end of their lease, which is "several years" away. Currently, however, such speculation is merely wishful thinking. Amoeba Music's current space at 6400 Sunset Boulevard was sold to GPI Properties in October 2015 for $34 Million.
www.gavinwood.us
■ Brooke Burke isn't giving future romance much thought after splitting from longtime husband David Charvet. "Will I ever date again? I don't know if I'll ever go on a date. I've just squashed every possibility." Burke filed for divorce in April, citing irreconcilable differences as the cause of the split. They had legally separated in late January.
Mel’s 10-year return trip ■ Ari Emanuel took a hard-line stance against and fired his then-WME client Mel Gibson after the actor's 2006 arrest following an alcohol-fueled, anti-Semitic and sexist tirade. Now, more than a decade later, sources say that the Endeavor CEO has been advocating for Gibson in recent deals. First, Gibson personally apologised to Emanuel some months back, says an insider. More importantly, Emanuel's prized client Mark Wahlberg bonded with Gibson during the making of Paramount's holiday comedy Daddy's Home 2, in which he starred as Wahlberg's father.
Come and visit us
■ If you are considering a move to Los Angeles or just coming over for a holiday then I have got a special deal for you. 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 and The Local Paper. Please mention 'Melbourne Observer' when you book and you will receive the 'Special Rate of the Day'. Please contact: Joanna at info@ramadaweho.com Happy Holidays, Gavin Wood
Page 14 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, June 27, 2018
www.MelbourneObserver.com.au
Special Report
Public rejects Bishop’s plans for Kellock Lodge
● Alexandra Shire Hall was packed on Friday for a meeting which voted to reject Bishop Parkes’s plans to merge Kellock Lodge with St John’s Village
EDITORIAL COMMENT Melbourne
Observer ■ The Anglican Church - and its Wangaratta-based Bishop John Parkes - appear likely to put a permanent stain on their standing in Alexandra and the northeast, if they persist in trying to force through a merger of the local Kellock Lodge with another of its aged care facilities, 151 kilometres away at Wangaratta. Bishop Parkes did not attend the public town meeting in Alexandra on Friday. But 378 concerned local people did attend. They voted unanimously (with one dissenting vote) to reject any moves to shift control of Kellock Lodge to a new company based at Wangaratta, controlled by the Bishop and his colleagues. Kellock Lodge is an aged care facility that was built by the people of Alexandra and district in the 1980s. Local people gifted the land. Local people donated the funds to build it. Local people have worked in the op shop that has given $2 million over the years to Kellock Lodge. Local volunteers - including Rotary and Lions have given thousands of hours over the decades to make Kellock Lodge a success. Kellock Lodge has about $6 million in the kitty. Bishop Parkes has been in charge of the troubled St John's Village at Wangaratta where 10 elderly people died last year after an influenza outbreak. Accreditation inspectors pointed to a number of areas where St John's failed standards. Under Bishop Parkes's leadership, St John's Village has had serious financial troubles, according to opponents of the merger. The critics say there is a financial black-hole of up to $40 million at Wangaratta. The Bishop disputes this. He says he is prepared to guide any member of the community through an analysis of the accounts. The Local Paper does not hold the Bishop's promise in high regard; he has failed to return our phone call
Church risks alienating Murrindindi community from more than a week ago. Speaker after speaker at the public meeting repeated the message that the Anglican Church had not put a single cent into Kellock Lodge during its stewardship of the facility. The property and facility was put in the name of the church because locals thought it would be in safe hands. The meeting was told that Bishop Parkes had tried to sell St John's Village on two recent occasions: first to Benetas, then to MECWA. Both sales fell over. The merger opponents believe that Kellock Lodge would soon be sold, if the merger was allowed to proceed. The locals say Kellock Lodge could bring a price of up to $15 million. The Bishop's handling of the matter, in this newspaper's opinion, has been woeful. He and some directors issued a public statement earlier this week, without the prior knowledge of Kellock Lodge's chairman, John Sharwood OAM. Churches were once built on etiquette, and due process as cornerstones. This seems quite extraordinary manners. So we have a Bishop who doesn't return calls, did not attend the public meeting, and - to date - has ignored an entire town's wishes regarding the future of its own aged care facility. The Bishop has the power to dismiss the Kellock Lodge board. The Anglican Archibishop of Melbourne, Philip Freier, did not want to intervene in the matter, the meeting was told. Speakers at the meeting were highly critical of the Bishop, Archbishop and the Church. In the era where churches wonder why they have lost standing, attendances and power, it is easy to conclude that they may have lost their way. Their focus on money is desperately sad. Lord, have mercy. - Ash Long, Editor
● Craig Lloyd, Murrindindi Shire CEO, was Chairman for Friday’s public meeting at Alexandra Shire Hall ■ The Alexandra public sent a clear Murrindindi Shire Chief Execumessage to the Anglican Church on tive Officer Craig Lloyd, as ChairFriday - ‘hands off Kellock Lodge’. man of the meeting, read a stateAbout 380 people attended a pub- ment from the Bishop. The statement is reproduced in lic meeting at Alexandra Shire Hall, and voted to communicate to Angli- full in this week’s Local Paper. can Bishop John Parkes: A copy of the statement was also ■ “That this public meeting of the forwarded late Friday to this newsAlexandra community rejects any paper by public relations consultant, moves to shift the control and man- Ingrid Svendsen of Grounded agement of Kellock Lodge and its Communications, on behalf of the assets out of Alexandra into a new Wangaratta Anglican Diocese. company based at Wangaratta. Kellock Lodge Director Mike ■ “That this public meeting requests Manning criticised Anglican Archthe Kellock Board to investigate bishop Philip Freier for not becomwhether any avenues exist for the ing involved. transfer of land to an appropriate Barney Zwartz, Communications Adviser for the Anglican Diocommunity based entity.” The public meeting was called cese of Melbourne, said: “"The Anafter Bishop Parkes and some of the glicanArchbishop of Melbourne, Dr Kellock Lodge directors foreshad- Philip Freier, has offered to bring owed a merger with the Anglican the parties together if they were Church’s St John’s Village at agreed to invite his involvement, but has no role in the governance or deWangaratta. Bishop Parkes did not attend cision-making about the future of Friday’s public meeting. Kellock Lodge."
www.MelbourneObserver.com.au
Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, June 27, 2018 - Page 15
Special Report: 2
● Some of the speakers at Friday’s public meeting. From left: Maurie Pawsey, Larry Fallon, Mike Manning, John Sharwood and Bill Rollason.
Clear message to Church officials ■ The public meeting on Friday attended by about 380 people showed “Alexandra in strength”, said former Kellock Lodge chairman Maurie Pawsey. Mr Pawsey said current Kellock Lodge Board members had been under an embargo, and had been unable to speak in public about the merger with St John’s Village, proposed by Bishop John Parkes. He said Bishop Parkes had had three attempts to merge the Alexandra and Wangaratta aged care facilities. The Board was divided on the issue. Currently voting for the merger were five of the eight members of the Board: Bishop Parkes, churchman Graeme Brown, pharmacist Ian Davis, Ann Hunter and Heather McLaren. “We do not know what the Bishop’s next move might be,” Mr Pawsey said. Mr Pawsey said that a merger could not occur legally without a ‘due process’ analysis being undertaken. The Bishop seemed to have a timing imperative of the merger taking place by June 30, so that combined financials could be reported for this accounting year, he said. Mr Pawsey said there was a legal question of whether the Kellock Lodge asset could be “given away”. There were questions in commercial law, questions about potential conflicts of interest, and the matter under Corporations Law of personal liability of Directors. Mr Pawsey said that the published financial statements of St John’s Village, Wangaratta, showed $40 million of liabilities, not all due immediately.
● It was ‘standing room only’ at the Alexandra Shire Hall for Friday’s public meeting about the future of Kellock Lodge. Mr Pawsey said the statements showed that St John’s Village Wangaratta had $3 million in cash. ■ If the Anglican Diocese forces He said their auditors had exa takeover of Kellock Lodge, then pressed caution over the past four sells the facility, a Federal Govyears over St John’s Village to trade ernment grant of $1.2 million ■ A meeting of the Kellock Lodge Board was atas a going concern. would have to be paid back, tempted on Saturday morning. “Who would want to merge with Maurie Pawsey told the public an entity on the verge of insolThree members – Rod Sloan John Sharwood meeting on Friday. vency?” Mr Pawsey asked. and Mike Manning – were present, so a quorum There were great advantages of of six was not achieved. Kellock Lodge having a board with There were apologies from the Bishop (in his local members. ■ Internet platforms such as letter from Friday) and verbal apologies from Mr Pawsey said the Bishop had Facebook have been alight with Heather McLaren and Ann Hunter. There were no written to the Opportunity Shop comments about Kellock Lodge. apologies from Ian Davis or Graeme Brown. (which has raised close to $2 million One Alexandra woman A Kellock Lodge source said that four Board over 34 years) to ask if it would supsummed up her feelings about the members did not attend the public meeting on port Kellock Lodge under a new Anglican Diocese of Wangaratta Friday: Bishop John Parkes, Graeme Brown, management structure. and their Bishop: Heather McLaren and Ian Davis. “In every aspect it seems they ● Continued on Page 13 need us more than we need them.”
Lack of quorum for Saturday Board meeting
Cash refund
Social media
Major donors ■ Alexandra businessman Larry Fallon told how sawmiller Doug Gould donated $250,000 towards Kellock Lodge in its early days. John Sharwood said the thenShire of Alexandra contributed $150,000 to the original appeal.
Little support
● Part of the 380-strong crowd at the public meeting held on Friday at the Alexandra Shire Hall.
■ The Anglican Church’s Wangaratta Diocese had given “very little support” to Kellock Lodge, is Chairman John Sharwood told Friday’s meeting. Maurie Pawsey was more direct about the contribution from the church. “Absolutely nothing. Not a single cent.”
Page 16 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, June 27, 2018
Observer Magazine
■ When Graham Kennedy's In Melbourne Tonight began on GTV Channel 9 in 1957 some wonderful local performers were introduced to the Melbourne television audience. Elaine McKenna was born in Melbourne in 1937 and had two sisters and a brother. Elaine was working as a receptionist when she auditioned for Channel 9. I can still remember the night Graham introduced Elaine McKenna to the viewers. There was this beautiful young 19-year-old singer, who had a marvellous personality, walking through the curtains arm in arm with Graham as he said, "I would like to introduce you to Miss Elaine McKenna." Elaine became a favourite and sang on the show for four years. She also appeared as ‘The Girl Next Door’ in the children's program, The Tarax Show. Gerry Gee and Ron Blaskett would talk to Elaine over the fence about topical events that were of interest to the young viewers. When Hugh O'Brien, the star of the popular television series The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp, did his cowboy show at the Princess Theatre in 1960, Elaine McKenna was selected to be the singer. At this time she was performing in night nlubs, balls and dance venues. Elaine did a lot of work for charity. Elaine also worked on the BP Super Show with Ken Delo and Jonathan Daly.
Whatever Happened To ... Elaine McKenna
By Kevin Trask of 3AW and 96.5 Inner FM
She won a Logie Award in 1961 for Best National Singer for her work on The Tarax Show. At that stage the program was hosted by Geoff Corke. It was edited and shown as the King Corky Show in Sydney. She released five songs on the W& G label with ArthurYoung's Orchestra and that recording is now a collector's item. In 1961 Elaine went to America to try her luck, and Patti McGrath took over the role as "The Girl Next Door' on The Tarax Show. Elaine appeared as a singer on many of the top American television shows including The Bob Newhart Show and Art Linkletter's House Party. Tim Evans met Elaine at a private swim-
● Elaine McKenna
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ming-pool in Houston. "I was the only one in swimming when he arrived," Elaine later recalled "I had no make-up on, and he wasn't a bit impressed. Simpatico!" "I looked like a 16-yea- old, but that night he heard me sing at the club. Little by little we discovered we were 'simpatico.' " Tim Evans came to Australia to appear on In Melbourne Tonight with a folk singing group The Wanderers Three. Tim and Elaine married in Texas in 1963 and the following year Philip Brady visited their home in Phoenix, Arizona. In 1967 Elaine was back in Australia awaiting the birth of the first of her three children. Her sister Julie McKenna was a popular singer also. Tim Evans had a good career in Australia himself, hosting television shows such as Almost Anything Goes and acting roles in Bluey and Tandarra. Sadly, Elaine McKenna passed away in 1992 at the age of 54. Tim Evans also passed away several years ago. Kevin Trask Kevin can be heard on 3AW The Time Tunnel - on Remember When Sundays at 9.10pm And on 96.5 FM That's Entertainment - Sundays at 12 Noon
Going down the lava tubes at Undarra
■ Slam, bang, bif, pow! I awake to unfamiliar sounds and cautiously pull up the blind. Oh, it's just two kangaroos having a 'friendly' stand-up fight just outside my window. There's nothing unusual about that at Undara, four hours or so by road from Cairns or Townsville. I'm rapidly discovering that very few things are considered unusual at Undara. The wildlife, the vegetation, the lava tubes and the railway carriage accommodation would all be considered very different elsewhere but here they are part of the amazing Undara Experience (www.undara.com.au ) It takes a while to sort out the Undara Experience. The whole package consists of accommodation, meals and facilities, tours and activities. You can cherry-pick bits and pieces but you will find that more is always better because this experience is very special. For accommodation, we choose the beautifully restored 100- year-old railway carriages. The rooms contain a comfortable double bed, old railway seats ceiling fans, and a bathroom. The carriages are unique, comfortable and romantic. We love them. Other options are the permanent swag tents, some of which have their own kitchen, the caravan park and camp ground, and self-contained airconditioned Pioneers Huts. We watch the sunset while enjoying sparkling wine and cheese and then are taken to the entrance of a lava tube at dusk to see pythons and tree snakes capturing a meal of micro bats as they emerge from the darkness in their thousands. Dinner at night is at the Iron Pot Bistro. The a-la-carte menu has beef, Georgetown sausages, chicken, fish, and vegetarian noodle stir fry dishes. Meals are large, delicious and filling.. After dinner, we relax around the campfire, enjoy the brilliant starry sky then wander back through the Australian bush to our railway carriage 'home' for a good night's sleep. It's morning. There are wallabies, wallaroos, parrots, kookaburras, currawongs and magpies all happily
OK. With John O’Keefe Bauer balances the books
■ Just as well Bauer Media has branches overseas so they can sell off assets to balance screw ups in other outposts. Whilst nobody is saying anything , Bauer has sold off 13 of their US magazines titles, some of which could help pay for the libel bill Bauer has racked up in Australia over Rebel Wilson. It makes you wonder why American Media Incorporated has purchased the titles considering news stands in the States have experienced a 20 per cent drop in sales over past 12 months.
Elvis’s drummer dies
■ The name 'DJ' Fontana may not roll off the tongue like Elvis Presley, but 'DJ' was the first drummer in the King's band. He was on board when Elvis recorded Hound Dog, Jailhouse Rock, Treat Me Nice and All Shook Up. Sad to report 'DJ' passed awa , aged 87.
TV Shark bait
■ With so much money up for grabs it's only reasonable to assume TV program Shark Tank - on Ten - comes in for its fair share of scrutiny and due diligence by the producers. Right now a big question mark hangs over a case where entreprenurial Shark Andrew Banks offered a record $2.5 million as seed money to a company with “substantial contracts” to make pods for coffee machines. Soon after shaking on the deal, on air the problem hit the fan. Industry spokespeople clubbed together claiming the original pitch was false and misleading. Andrew Banks claims his due diligence is ongoing and his investment is far from being watertight. Shark Tank has come in for its own sense of drama with certain panel members - the Sharks - having to step down because of their own financial problems.
Radio violence removed
● Train carriage accommodation We enter one of these depressions going about the business of eating. I and are surrounded by life. guess it is time for our breakfast. The dry savannah has given way Cereal, fruit, sausages, baked beans, eggs, sautéed vegetables, ba- to lush vegetation. Dozens of butterflies flit around our con and a variety of juices make for a heads. We are in a different world. great breakfast. We toast bread over the coals of The huge entrance to a lava tube is the fire and spread it with honey and straight ahead. Entering the tube is a wonderful exjam. Why do I eat so much more when perience. We come face to face with in a setting like this? It's 8am and we gather for the Arch- 190,000 years of history. Timber walkway Explorer tour. Lava tubes are the ways lead deep into the darkness. Our result of volcanic lava flowing down Savannah Guide gives us environdepressions. Eventually the surface mental, geological and historical incooled and formed a crust but under- formation on the region. - Len Rutledge neath the lava continued to flow.
■ Remember when we used to race to the wireless, listen intently to radio serials of an evening? Those were the days before TV and other electronic gadgets ruled our lives. Serials are now a thing of the past, apart from 3AW's overnight program. They're a regular segment in the wee small hours. Immediatly after the tragic death of comedian Eurydice Dixon in Carlton, 3AW pulled its serial from future air play because it featured explicit material portraying male violence against women. Even at the early hours station phones went into meltdown with protesters complaining.
Angry is happy
■ Still great secrecy as to who will be the headline act at the AFL Grand Final. Maybe it's time to recycle former presenters. We do know rocker Angry Anderson and Rose Tattoo are booked to fly from Europe to Jolimont. Angry last appeared doing wheelies at the AFL GF in 1991. He is booked to appear at the Corner Hotel in Richmond same weekend as the Big Dance.
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Antiques and Collectables
JACK’S ANTIQUES Open 7 Days
After 30 years of trading in Sandringham we have moved to a new showroom, jam packed with interesting quality items, and constantly changing items including lots of antiques and modern furniture, bronze, clocks, vases, displays, French, leadlight, lots of colourful art, etc. We always buy anything of quality. 368 Reserve Rd, Cheltenham Ring Jack on 9583 7099, 0419 303 861
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May's Sale Item is a ready-to-hang Limited Edition Art Print of Melbourne in 1882. This is a stunning Melbourne aerial view showing the historical development of the 1880's era. It is a beautiful reminder of our wonderful past and development.
Santorini on Mudjimba Beachfront accommodation on the Sunshine Coast 4 STAR ACCOMMODATION IN MUDJIMBA, SUNSHINE COAST, QUEENSLAND This four star resort offers you the opportunity to get away from it all. You can do as much or as little as your heart desires. Come and experience Mudjimba, the way the beach used to be. Just 5 minutes from Sunshine Coast Airport, Santorini Resort on Mudjimba Beach is a favourite for families, sporting groups and romantic escapes. The Mudjimba surf patrolled beach is on your doorstep and the parkland opposite comes complete with barbecues, shaded picnic areas and children’s playground. The beach captures the very essence of what makes the Sunshine Coast so special; with golden sands stretching as far as the eye can see. In keeping with its prime beachside location, Santorini on Mudjimba will meet all your expectations for a holi-
day to remember. The apartments are spacious and well appointed. Santorini’s onsite facilities include a resort style swimming pool, half court tennis and a large BBQ & entertainment area. The resort is a non-smoking facility. Come and experience this unique and convenient location on the Sunshine Coast’s pristine coastline. Mention this advert or visit our website for special direct booking discounts. www.santorinitw.com
Mattresses Galore open mon - fri 9am-5 pm saturday 9am-4pm sunday 10am-4pm Mattresses Galore supply a wide range of homeware products. including; Beds, Mattresses, Bedroom Furniture, Manchester
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10% EXTRA DISCOUNT FOR MENTIONING MELBOURNE OBSERVER Cnr High St & Tooronga Rd, Malvern, 3144 Phone: (03) 9822 9057. Fax: (03) 9822 9821 www.mattressesgalore.com.au info@mattressesgalore.com.au
FREE DELIVERY Melbourne Metro and Peninsula
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Homemaker
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Best Places
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Port Melbourne
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M & A McCormack FUNERALS Also trading as Bamfords F.S. Murrindindi 1800 080 909 Family owned and operated
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Eddy’s Towing and Transport
WE BUY AND SELL 20FT SECONDHAND SHIPPING CONTAINERS SHIPPING CONTAINERS A-Grade, Premium, B-Grade, C-Grade Truck, Motorbike, Ferrous, Non-Ferrous, Farm Clean Up Conditions apply Tractor Earth Moving Equipment, Caravan, Boats (Up to 4.5 tons) Full Tilt Tray Service TRADE TOWING METRO/COUNTRY P: 0407 849 252. E: eddystowing1@gmail.com 3877 Melba Hwy, Glenburn, Vic 3717 24 HOURS - 7 DAYS A WEEK
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Observer Classic Books
Hard Times - by Charles Dickens Mr. Bounderby stared with a bursting pride at Mr. Harthouse, as much as to say, ‘I am the proprietor of this female, and she’s worth your attention, I think.’ Then, resumed his discourse. ‘You can recall for yourself, Harthouse, what I said to him when you saw him. I didn’t mince the matter with him. I am never mealy with ’em. I KNOW ’em. Very well, sir. Three days after that, he bolted. Went off, nobody knows where: as my mother did in my infancy — only with this difference, that he is a worse subject than my mother, if possible. What did he do before he went? What do you say;’ Mr. Bounderby, with his hat in his hand, gave a beat upon the crown at every little division of his sentences, as if it were a tambourine; ‘to his being seen — night after night — watching the Bank? — to his lurking about there — after dark? — To its striking Mrs. Sparsit — that he could be lurking for no good — To her calling Bitzer’s attention to him, and their both taking notice of him — And to its appearing on inquiry to-day — that he was also noticed by the neighbours?’ Having come to the climax, Mr. Bounderby, like an oriental dancer, put his tambourine on his head. ‘Suspicious,’ said James Harthouse, ‘certainly.’ ‘I think so, sir,’ said Bounderby, with a defiant nod. ‘I think so. But there are more of ’em in it. There’s an old woman. One never hears of these things till the mischief’s done; all sorts of defects are found out in the stable door after the horse is stolen; there’s an old woman turns up now. An old woman who seems to have been flying into town on a broomstick, every now and then. She watches the place a whole day before this fellow begins, and on the night when you saw him, she steals away with him and holds a council with him — I suppose, to make her report on going off duty, and be damned to her.’ There was such a person in the room that night, and she shrunk from observation, thought Louisa. ‘This is not all of ’em, even as we already know ’em,’ said Bounderby, with many nods of hidden meaning. ‘But I have said enough for the present. You’ll have the goodness to keep it quiet, and mention it to no one. It may take time, but we shall have ’em. It’s policy to give ’em line enough, and there’s no objection to that.’ ‘Of course, they will be punished with the utmost rigour of the law, as notice-boards observe,’ replied James Harthouse, ‘and serve them right. Fellows who go in for Banks must take the consequences. If there were no consequences, we should all go in for Banks.’ He had gently taken Louisa’s parasol from her hand, and had put it up for her; and she walked under its shade, though the sun did not shine there. ‘For the present, Loo Bounderby,’said her husband, ‘here’s Mrs. Sparsit to look after. Mrs. Sparsit’s nerves have been acted upon by this business, and she’ll stay here a day or two. So make her comfortable.’ ‘Thank you very much, sir,’ that discreet lady observed, ‘but pray do not let My comfort be a consideration. Anything will do for Me.’ It soon appeared that if Mrs. Sparsit had a failing in her association with that domestic establishment, it was that she was so excessively regardless of herself and regardful of others, as to be a nuisance. On being shown her chamber, she was so dreadfully sensible of its comforts as to suggest the inference that she would have preferred to pass the night on the mangle in the laundry. True, the Powlers and the Scadgerses were accustomed to splendour, ‘but it is my duty to remember,’ Mrs. Sparsit was fond of observing with a lofty grace: particularly when any of the domestics were present, ‘that what I was, I am no longer. Indeed,’ said she, ‘if I could altogether cancel the remembrance that Mr. Sparsit was a Powler, or that I myself am related to the Scadgers family; or if I could even revoke the fact, and make myself a person of common descent and ordinary connexions; I would gladly do so. I should think it, under existing circumstances, right to do so.’ The same Hermitical state of mind led to her renunciation of made dishes and wines at dinner, until fairly commanded by Mr. Bounderby to take them; when she said, ‘Indeed you are very good, sir;’ and departed from a resolution of which she had made rather formal and public announcement,
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Bounderby took a glass of water. ‘Oh, sir?’said Mrs. Sparsit. ‘Not your sherry warm, with lemonpeel and nutmeg?’ ‘Why, I have got out of the habit of taking it now, ma’am,’ said Mr. Bounderby. ‘The more’s the pity, sir,’returned Mrs. Sparsit; ‘you are losing all your good old habits. Cheer up, sir! If Miss Gradgrind will permit me, I will offer to make it for you, as I have often done.’ Miss Gradgrind readily permitting Mrs. Sparsit to do anything she pleased, that considerate lady made the beverage, and handed it to Mr. Bounderby. ‘It will do you good, sir. It will warm your heart. It is the sort of thing you want, and ought to take, sir.’And when Mr. Bounderby said, ‘Your health, ma’am!’ she answered with great feeling, ‘Thank you, sir. The same to you, and happiness also.’ Finally, she wished him good night, with great pathos; and Mr. Bounderby went to bed, with a maudlin persuasion that he had been crossed in something tender, though he could not, for his life, have mentioned what it was. Long after Louisa had undressed and lain down, she watched and waited for her brother’s coming home. That could hardly be, she knew, until an hour past midnight; but in the country silence, which did anything but calm the trouble of her thoughts, time lagged wearily. At last, when the darkness and stillness had seemed for hours to thicken one another, she heard the bell at the gate. She felt as though she would have been glad that it rang on until daylight; but it ceased, and the circles of its last sound spread out fainter and wider in the air, and all was dead again. She waited yet some quarter of an hour, as she judged. Then she arose, put on a loose robe, and went out of her room in the dark, and up the staircase to her brother’s room. His door being shut, she softly opened it and spoke to him, approaching his bed with a noiseless step. She kneeled down beside it, passed her arm over his neck, and drew his face to hers. She knew that he only feigned to be asleep, but she said nothing to him. He started by and by as if he were just then awakened, and asked who that was, and what was the matter? ‘Tom, have you anything to tell me? If ever you loved me in your life, and have anything concealed from every one besides, tell it to me.’ ‘I don’t know what you mean, Loo. You have been dreaming.’ Charles Dickens ‘My dear brother:’ she laid her head down on to ‘wait for the simple mutton.’ She was like- suspected persons guilty, and sentenced them to his pillow, and her hair flowed over him as if she wise deeply apologetic for wanting the salt; and, the extreme punishment of the law. That done, would hide him from every one but herself: ‘is feeling amiably bound to bear out Mr. Bounderby Bitzer was dismissed to town with instructions there nothing that you have to tell me? Is there to the fullest extent in the testimony he had borne to recommend Tom to come home by the mail- nothing you can tell me if you will? You can tell to her nerves, occasionally sat back in her chair train. me nothing that will change me. O Tom, tell me and silently wept; at which periods a tear of When candles were brought, Mrs. Sparsit mur- the truth!’ large dimensions, like a crystal ear-ring, might mured, ‘Don’t be low, sir. Pray let me see you ‘I don’t know what you mean, Loo!’ be observed (or rather, must be, for it insisted cheerful, sir, as I used to do.’Mr. Bounderby, ‘As you lie here alone, my dear, in the melanon public notice) sliding down her Roman nose. upon whom these consolations had begun to pro- choly night, so you must lie somewhere one But Mrs. Sparsit’s greatest point, first and last, duce the effect of making him, in a bull-headed night, when even I, if I am living then, shall was her determination to pity Mr. Bounderby. blundering way, sentimental, sighed like some have left you. As I am here beside you, bareThere were occasions when in looking at him large sea-animal. ‘I cannot bear to see you so, foot, unclothed, undistinguishable in darkness, she was involuntarily moved to shake her head, sir,’ said Mrs. Sparsit. ‘Try a hand at backgam- so must I lie through all the night of my decay, as who would say, ‘Alas, poor Yorick!’ After mon, sir, as you used to do when I had the honour until I am dust. In the name of that time, Tom, allowing herself to be betrayed into these evi- of living under your roof.’ ‘I haven’t played back- tell me the truth now!’ dences of emotion, she would force a lambent gammon, ma’am,’ said Mr. Bounderby, ‘since ‘What is it you want to know?’ brightness, and would be fitfully cheerful, and that time.’ ‘No, sir,’ said Mrs. Sparsit, sooth- ‘You may be certain;’ in the energy of her love would say, ‘You have still good spirits, sir, I am ingly, ‘I am aware that you have not. I remem- she took him to her bosom as if he were a child; thankful to find;’ and would appear to hail it as a ber that Miss Gradgrind takes no interest in the ‘that I will not reproach you. You may be certain blessed dispensation that Mr. Bounderby bore game. But I shall be happy, sir, if you will con- that I will be compassionate and true to you. up as he did. One idiosyncrasy for which she descend.’ You may be certain that I will save you at whatoften apologized, she found it excessively diffi- They played near a window, opening on the gar- ever cost. O Tom, have you nothing to tell me? cult to conquer. She had a curious propensity to den. It was a fine night: not moonlight, but sultry Whisper very softly. Say only “yes,” and I shall call Mrs. Bounderby ‘Miss Gradgrind,’ and and fragrant. Louisa and Mr. Harthouse strolled understand you!’ yielded to it some three or four score times in out into the garden, where their voices could be She turned her ear to his lips, but he remained the course of the evening. Her repetition of this heard in the stillness, though not what they said. doggedly silent. mistake covered Mrs. Sparsit with modest con- Mrs. Sparsit, from her place at the backgam- ‘Not a word, Tom?’ fusion; but indeed, she said, it seemed so natu- mon board, was constantly straining her eyes to ‘How can I say Yes, or how can I say No, when ral to say Miss Gradgrind: whereas, to persuade pierce the shadows without. ‘What’s the matter, I don’t know what you mean? Loo, you are a herself that the young lady whom she had had ma’am? ‘ said Mr. Bounderby; ‘you don’t see a brave, kind girl, worthy I begin to think of a betthe happiness of knowing from a child could be Fire, do you?’ ‘Oh dear no, sir,’ returned Mrs. ter brother than I am. But I have nothing more to really and truly Mrs. Bounderby, she found al- Sparsit, ‘I was thinking of the dew.’‘What have say. Go to bed, go to bed.’ most impossible. It was a further singularity of you got to do with the dew, ma’am?’said Mr. ‘You are tired,’ she whispered presently, more this remarkable case, that the more she thought Bounderby. ‘It’s not myself, sir,’ returned Mrs. in her usual way. about it, the more impossible it appeared; ‘the Sparsit, ‘I am fearful of Miss Gradgrind’s taking ‘Yes, I am quite tired out.’ differences,’ she observed, ‘being such.’ cold.’ ‘She never takes cold,’ said Mr. Bounderby. ‘You have been so hurried and disturbed to-day. In the drawing-room after dinner, Mr. Bounderby ‘Really, sir?’ said Mrs. Sparsit. And was affected Have any fresh discoveries been made?’ tried the case of the robbery, examined the wit- with a cough in her throat. ‘Only those you have heard of, from — him.’ nesses, made notes of the evidence, found the When the time drew near for retiring, Mr. Continued on Page 30
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From Page 29 ‘Tom, have you said to any one that we made a visit to those people, and that we saw those three together?’ ‘No. Didn’t you yourself particularly ask me to keep it quiet when you asked me to go there with you?’ ‘Yes. But I did not know then what was going to happen.’ ‘Nor I neither. How could I?’ He was very quick upon her with this retort. ‘Ought I to say, after what has happened,’ said his sister, standing by the bed — she had gradually withdrawn herself and risen, ‘that I made that visit? Should I say so? Must I say so?’ ‘Good Heavens, Loo,’ returned her brother, ‘you are not in the habit of asking my advice. say what you like. If you keep it to yourself, I shall keep it to myself. If you disclose it, there’s an end of it.’ It was too dark for either to see the other’s face; but each seemed very attentive, and to consider before speaking. ‘Tom, do you believe the man I gave the money to, is really implicated in this crime?’ ‘I don’t know. I don’t see why he shouldn’t be.’ ‘He seemed to me an honest man.’ ‘Another person may seem to you dishonest, and yet not be so.’ There was a pause, for he had hesitated and stopped. ‘In short,’ resumed Tom, as if he had made up his mind, ‘if you come to that, perhaps I was so far from being altogether in his favour, that I took him outside the door to tell him quietly, that I thought he might consider himself very well off to get such a windfall as he had got from my sister, and that I hoped he would make good use of it. You remember whether I took him out or not. I say nothing against the man; he may be a very good fellow, for anything I know; I hope he is.’ ‘Was he offended by what you said?’ ‘No, he took it pretty well; he was civil enough. Where are you, Loo?’ He sat up in bed and kissed her. ‘Good night, my dear, good night.’ ‘You have nothing more to tell me?’ ‘No. What should I have? You wouldn’t have me tell you a lie!’ ‘I wouldn’t have you do that to-night, Tom, of all the nights in your life; many and much happier as I hope they will be.’ ‘Thank you, my dear Loo. I am so tired, that I am sure I wonder I don’t say anything to get to sleep. Go to bed, go to bed.’ Kissing her again, he turned round, drew the coverlet over his head, and lay as still as if that time had come by which she had adjured him. She stood for some time at the bedside before she slowly moved away. She stopped at the door, looked back when she had opened it, and asked him if he had called her? But he lay still, and she softly closed the door and returned to her room. Then the wretched boy looked cautiously up and found her gone, crept out of bed, fastened his door, and threw himself upon his pillow again: tearing his hair, morosely crying, grudgingly loving her, hatefully but impenitently spurning himself, and no less hatefully and unprofitably spurning all the good in the world. Chapter IX— Hearing the Last of It Mrs. Sparsit, lying by to recover the tone of her nerves in Mr. Bounderby’s retreat, kept such a sharp look-out, night and day, under her Coriolanian eyebrows, that her eyes, like a couple of lighthouses on an iron-bound coast, might have warned all prudent mariners from that bold rock her Roman nose and the dark and craggy region in its neighbourhood, but for the placidity of her manner. Although it was hard to believe that her retiring for the night could be anything but a form, so severely wide awake were those classical eyes of hers, and so impossible did it seem that her rigid nose could yield to any relaxing influence, yet her manner of sitting, smoothing her uncomfortable, not to say, gritty mittens (they were constructed of a cool fabric like a meat-safe), or of ambling to unknown places of destination with her foot in her cotton stirrup, was so perfectly serene, that most observers would have been constrained to suppose her a dove, embodied by some freak of nature, in the earthly tabernacle of a bird of the hook-beaked order. She was a most wonderful woman for prowling about the house. How she got from story to story was a mystery beyond solution. A lady so decorous in herself, and so highly connected, was not to be suspected of dropping over the banisters or sliding down them, yet her extraordinary facility of locomotion suggested the wild idea.
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Observer Classic Books Another noticeable circumstance in Mrs. Sparsit was, that she was never hurried. She would shoot with consummate velocity from the roof to the hall, yet would be in full possession of her breath and dignity on the moment of her arrival there. Neither was she ever seen by human vision to go at a great pace. She took very kindly to Mr. Harthouse, and had some pleasant conversation with him soon after her arrival. She made him her stately curtsey in the garden, one morning before breakfast. ‘It appears but yesterday, sir,’said Mrs. Sparsit, ‘that I had the honour of receiving you at the Bank, when you were so good as to wish to be made acquainted with Mr. Bounderby’s address.’ ‘An occasion, I am sure, not to be forgotten by myself in the course of Ages,’ said Mr. Harthouse, inclining his head to Mrs. Sparsit with the most indolent of all possible airs. ‘We live in a singular world, sir,’ said Mrs. Sparsit. ‘I have had the honour, by a coincidence of which I am proud, to have made a remark, similar in effect, though not so epigrammatically expressed.’ ‘A singular world, I would say, sir,’ pursued Mrs. Sparsit; after acknowledging the compliment with a drooping of her dark eyebrows, not altogether so mild in its expression as her voice was in its dulcet tones; ‘as regards the intimacies we form at one time, with individuals we were quite ignorant of, at another. I recall, sir, that on that occasion you went so far as to say you were actually apprehensive of Miss Gradgrind.’ ‘Your memory does me more honour than my insignificance deserves. I availed myself of your obliging hints to correct my timidity, and it is unnecessary to add that they were perfectly accurate. Mrs. Sparsit’s talent for — in fact for anything requiring accuracy — with a combination of strength of mind — and Family — is too habitually developed to admit of any question.’ He was almost falling asleep over this compliment; it took him so long to get through, and his mind wandered so much in the course of its execution. ‘You found Miss Gradgrind — I really cannot call her Mrs. Bounderby; it’s very absurd of me — as youthful as I described her?’ asked Mrs. Sparsit, sweetly. ‘You drew her portrait perfectly,’ said Mr. Harthouse. ‘Presented her dead image.’ ‘Very engaging, sir,’ said Mrs. Sparsit, causing her mittens slowly to revolve over one another. ‘Highly so.’ ‘It used to be considered,’ said Mrs. Sparsit, ‘that Miss Gradgrind was wanting in animation, but I confess she appears to me considerably and strikingly improved in that respect. Ay, and indeed here is Mr. Bounderby!’ cried Mrs. Sparsit, nodding her head a great many times, as if she had been talking and thinking of no one else. ‘How do you find yourself this morning, sir? Pray let us see you cheerful, sir.’ Now, these persistent assuagements of his misery, and lightenings of his load, had by this time begun to have the effect of making Mr. Bounderby softer than usual towards Mrs. Sparsit, and harder than usual to most other people from his wife downward. So, when Mrs. Sparsit said with forced lightness of heart, ‘You want your breakfast, sir, but I dare say Miss Gradgrind will soon be here to preside at the table,’ Mr. Bounderby replied, ‘If I waited to be taken care of by my wife, ma’am, I believe you know pretty well I should wait till Doomsday, so I’ll trouble you to take charge of the teapot.’ Mrs. Sparsit complied, and assumed her old position at table. This again made the excellent woman vastly sentimental. She was so humble withal, that when Louisa appeared, she rose, protesting she never could think of sitting in that place under existing circumstances, often as she had had the honour of making Mr. Bounderby’s breakfast, before Mrs. Gradgrind — she begged pardon, she meant to say Miss Bounderby — she hoped to be excused, but she really could not get it right yet, though she trusted to become familiar with it by and by — had assumed her present position. It was only (she observed) because Miss Gradgrind happened to be a little late, and Mr. Bounderby’s time was so very precious, and she knew it of old to be so essential that he should breakfast to the moment, that she had taken the liberty of complying with his request; long as his will had been a law to her. ‘There! Stop where you are, ma’am,’ said Mr. Bounderby, ‘stop where you are! Mrs. Bounderby will be very glad to be relieved of the trouble, I believe.’
‘Don’t say that, sir,’ returned Mrs. Sparsit, almost with severity, ‘because that is very unkind to Mrs. Bounderby. And to be unkind is not to be you, sir.’ ‘You may set your mind at rest, ma’am. — You can take it very quietly, can’t you, Loo?’ said Mr. Bounderby, in a blustering way to his wife. ‘Of course. It is of no moment. Why should it be of any importance to me?’ ‘Why should it be of any importance to any one, Mrs. Sparsit, ma’am?’ said Mr. Bounderby, swelling with a sense of slight. ‘You attach too much importance to these things, ma’am. By George, you’ll be corrupted in some of your notions here. You are old-fashioned, ma’am. You are behind Tom Gradgrind’s children’s time.’ ‘What is the matter with you?’ asked Louisa, coldly surprised. ‘What has given you offence?’ ‘Offence!’ repeated Bounderby. ‘Do you suppose if there was any offence given me, I shouldn’t name it, and request to have it corrected? I am a straightforward man, I believe. I don’t go beating about for side-winds.’ ‘I suppose no one ever had occasion to think you too diffident, or too delicate,’ Louisa answered him composedly: ‘I have never made that objection to you, either as a child or as a woman. I don’t understand what you would have.’ ‘Have?’ returned Mr. Bounderby. ‘Nothing. Otherwise, don’t you, Loo Bounderby, know thoroughly well that I, Josiah Bounderby of Coketown, would have it?’ She looked at him, as he struck the table and made the teacups ring, with a proud colour in her face that was a new change, Mr. Harthouse thought. ‘You are incomprehensible this morning,’ said Louisa. ‘Pray take no further trouble to explain yourself. I am not curious to know your meaning. What does it matter?’ Nothing more was said on this theme, and Mr. Harthouse was soon idly gay on indifferent subjects. But from this day, the Sparsit action upon Mr. Bounderby threw Louisa and James Harthouse more together, and strengthened the dangerous alienation from her husband and confidence against him with another, into which she had fallen by degrees so fine that she could not retrace them if she tried. But whether she ever tried or no, lay hidden in her own closed heart. Mrs. Sparsit was so much affected on this particular occasion, that, assisting Mr. Bounderby to his hat after breakfast, and being then alone with him in the hall, she imprinted a chaste kiss upon his hand, murmured ‘My benefactor!’ and retired, overwhelmed with grief. Yet it is an indubitable fact, within the cognizance of this history, that five minutes after he had left the house in the self-same hat, the same descendant of the Scadgerses and connexion by matrimony of the Powlers, shook her right-hand mitten at his portrait, made a contemptuous grimace at that work of art, and said ‘Serve you right, you Noodle, and I am glad of it.’ Mr. Bounderby had not been long gone, when Bitzer appeared. Bitzer had come down by train, shrieking and rattling over the long line of arches that bestrode the wild country of past and present coal-pits, with an express from Stone Lodge. It was a hasty note to inform Louisa that Mrs. Gradgrind lay very ill. She had never been well within her daughter’s knowledge; but, she had declined within the last few days, had continued sinking all through the night, and was now as nearly dead, as her limited capacity of being in any state that implied the ghost of an intention to get out of it, allowed. Accompanied by the lightest of porters, fit colourless servitor at Death’s door when Mrs. Gradgrind knocked, Louisa rumbled to Coketown, over the coal-pits past and present, and was whirled into its smoky jaws. She dismissed the messenger to his own devices, and rode away to her old home. She had seldom been there since her marriage. Her father was usually sifting and sifting at his parliamentary cinder-heap in London (without being observed to turn up many precious articles among the rubbish), and was still hard at it in the national dust-yard. Her mother had taken it rather as a disturbance than otherwise, to be visited, as she reclined upon her sofa; young people, Louisa felt herself all unfit for; Sissy she had never softened to again, since the night when the stroller’s child had raised her eyes to look at Mr. Bounderby’s intended wife. She had no inducements to go back, and had rarely gone. Neither, as she approached her old home now, did any of the best influences of old home de-
scend upon her. The dreams of childhood — its airy fables; its graceful, beautiful, humane, impossible adornments of the world beyond: so good to be believed in once, so good to be remembered when outgrown, for then the least among them rises to the stature of a great Charity in the heart, suffering little children to come into the midst of it, and to keep with their pure hands a garden in the stony ways of this world, wherein it were better for all the children of Adam that they should oftener sun themselves, simple and trustful, and not worldly-wise — what had she to do with these? Remembrances of how she had journeyed to the little that she knew, by the enchanted roads of what she and millions of innocent creatures had hoped and imagined; of how, first coming upon Reason through the tender light of Fancy, she had seen it a beneficent god, deferring to gods as great as itself; not a grim Idol, cruel and cold, with its victims bound hand to foot, and its big dumb shape set up with a sightless stare, never to be moved by anything but so many calculated tons of leverage — what had she to do with these? Her remembrances of home and childhood were remembrances of the drying up of every spring and fountain in her young heart as it gushed out. The golden waters were not there. They were flowing for the fertilization of the land where grapes are gathered from thorns, and figs from thistles. She went, with a heavy, hardened kind of sorrow upon her, into the house and into her mother’s room. Since the time of her leaving home, Sissy had lived with the rest of the family on equal terms. Sissy was at her mother’s side; and Jane, her sister, now ten or twelve years old, was in the room. There was great trouble before it could be made known to Mrs. Gradgrind that her eldest child was there. She reclined, propped up, from mere habit, on a couch: as nearly in her old usual attitude, as anything so helpless could be kept in. She had positively refused to take to her bed; on the ground that if she did, she would never hear the last of it. Her feeble voice sounded so far away in her bundle of shawls, and the sound of another voice addressing her seemed to take such a long time in getting down to her ears, that she might have been lying at the bottom of a well. The poor lady was nearer Truth than she ever had been: which had much to do with it. On being told that Mrs. Bounderby was there, she replied, at cross-purposes, that she had never called him by that name since he married Louisa; that pending her choice of an objectionable name, she had called him J; and that she could not at present depart from that regulation, not being yet provided with a permanent substitute. Louisa had sat by her for some minutes, and had spoken to her often, before she arrived at a clear understanding who it was. She then seemed to come to it all at once. ‘Well, my dear,’ said Mrs. Gradgrind, ‘and I hope you are going on satisfactorily to yourself. It was all your father’s doing. He set his heart upon it. And he ought to know.’ ‘I want to hear of you, mother; not of myself.’ ‘You want to hear of me, my dear? That’s something new, I am sure, when anybody wants to hear of me. Not at all well, Louisa. Very faint and giddy.’ ‘Are you in pain, dear mother?’ ‘I think there’s a pain somewhere in the room,’ said Mrs. Gradgrind, ‘but I couldn’t positively say that I have got it.’ After this strange speech, she lay silent for some time. Louisa, holding her hand, could feel no pulse; but kissing it, could see a slight thin thread of life in fluttering motion. ‘You very seldom see your sister,’ said Mrs. Gradgrind. ‘She grows like you. I wish you would look at her. Sissy, bring her here.’ She was brought, and stood with her hand in her sister’s. Louisa had observed her with her arm round Sissy’s neck, and she felt the difference of this approach. ‘Do you see the likeness, Louisa?’ ‘Yes, mother. I should think her like me. But — ’ ‘Eh! Yes, I always say so,’ Mrs. Gradgrind cried, with unexpected quickness. ‘And that reminds me. I— I want to speak to you, my dear. Sissy, my good girl, leave us alone a minute.’ Louisa had relinquished the hand: had thought that her sister’s was a better and brighter face than hers had ever been: had seen in it, not without a rising feeling of resentment, even in that place and at that time, something of the gentleness of the other face in the room; the sweet face with the trusting eyes, made paler than watching and sympathy made it, by the rich dark hair.
To Be Continued Next Issue
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Page 32 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, June 27, 2018
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Observer Crossword Solution No 4 T OP P L I NG P E R T UR B S H E R E O A E C EO O N R A K ED L P A S S E SON P ROV I SOS R I P E K S EM I S C WH A R F M U T P R A I S E V P U T D OWN L I C E A N MOA T S E R I S A AC N K NOCKON U P R I NC E M E N T I I T UMB L E N E S POU S E ON A S S I S U N I C E R L N PO T E O L A U T R A N S I T BOS S ANOV A L A R V A C U UN A P N B R A T S I T A L I AN V A L I D I T Y P Y T HON T T E N A I S U O E U F E T ED A R A N SOMS S UR E T I E S D I S T T O E X I T O S R L S U I L E I GH MA I MS R A R S E N A L I N K Y L I E D I C E S OU I AGA S S I A S U S A N NOB E L S I U MOB Y P ME L T O V A T A D V E R B O U P T O A S UND E R L I T D O HOCU S E U B MA CHO R P R I N T OU T E P I D I A N A P P Y M T U R G S R E A DOU T T A L K E R A GOB I N N N A I L S N E S T O N E X I ND I GO N S T AGS H I C K S M I T L A S ER D CH I K WE A B E D S I D E I ND I A OMEGA S R L P T Y T O A N R E E L MOROCCO A V EMAR I A F E RR B K L B N S T A CR I D E K I S S ED C L B E A P ER I T I F R N N C P A N E R E E N T E R D I S P E N S E R ME L B A S H A B M O O E A A P A S T I E S I MP A I R S P TW I C E E L H E E C MA DAME T R E S T Y L E E N T HR A L I S HY E S T U OR A S E N E E D S A L H I L L Y V ME T RE S X MUND A N E I AWA U A I MONO D P R E P E L R MA L I GN E D G L OS S I ER W I R I F E A I R E S C P O E NU B S UNDRE S S B E F UDD L E S T R E
D I T Y MOON B E AM N T UB U J I NE S S S E ED L E S S R P R E Y G C E D T E A U N E C T A R I MAMBO H B RA P N R I V A L R Y E HOA X E S R I L K A R W I Z A RD S I N C E D G CU T H E A R T E N E D POS Y R E I E I GMA J MB A RR I E R L C M V P R A C T HOS T AGE D I O T A U N S H I N E I MP L AN T N S C A R Y E I I GH T L R E A R E D S O OM I T R C ROCK O L ANC E D A H K N E E L L I EM I C D P L A I D L M OP R A H N N I R I S A MAGGOT T N A S I A A N E T HS T Z AMB I A E P I E C E M O C A L A E DD Y I NG M N A Z I E T H YMAN L E A K AGE A I I D L T A T EN UN S PO I L T E RGO G A C O A S E A R SON I S T S V C T K N U A R T M MA H A TMA I L E EWA Y P O L L Y A L I F T S U P O O L D E N L R RD E D R GA Y E S T G DR A B W T O N E S S MA R A T HON R F A B S E N S S ED S E AHORS E
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Observer Victorian Sport
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Super Series begins at Bendigo ■ The Vicbred Super Series for Two Year Olds over 2150 metres kicked off at Bendigo on Tuesday June 10, with the State's leading trainer Emma Stewart scooping the poll with no less than five winners on the night, the most impressive being Bettors Delight-Sugarland colt Hurricane Harley in the third Colts & Geldings heat. Leading out from gate four, Hurricane Harley was restrained to allow stablemate Centenario the red-hot $1.2 favourite to take over. With Centenario travelling strongly on the final bend he looked set for success, however Hurricane Harley when eased of his back on straightening finished full of running to score a runaway 6.4 metre margin in a rate of 1-56.7 with Young Rooster (three back the marks) third 18.6 metres away. Stewart's other winners were : Blissful Hall filly Kickit Sista, Bettors Delight filly Two Times Bettor, Art Major filly Kualoa and American Ideal colt Nostra Ideal. Other winners on the night were - Art MajorKiss Kenny filly Major Art for Euroa's David Jack and Big Jim-Foxy gelding Petes Big Jim for Sydney duo Shane and Lauren Tritton.
Did all the work
■ Kilmore hosted heats for the Three Year Olds on Wednesday and once again it was Emma Stewart who took the honours winning seven races, the most impressive being All The Magic colt Ride High in the second heat. Driven by Mark Pitt, Ride High starting outside the front line was trapped very wide into the first turn before going forward to park outside his illustrious stablemate Poster Boy the NSW Derby victor. Despite doing all of the work in the race. Ride High was too strong for Poster Boy at the finish, registering a tenacious half head margin in 1-57.7. Master Moonlight which trailed the leader was third 12 metres back. Stewart's other heat winners on the night were : Art Major colt Major Times, Somebeachsomewhere filly Nostra Beach, Shadow Play colt Liftntorque, Art Major filly Nostra Villa, Well Said filly Speak No Evil and Mach Three colt Konan, while Ahmed Taiba's Art Major filly Ghadastar and Geoff Webster's Art Major colt Kasbah Kid took the remaining heats.
Briliant rate
■ Stawell trainer Owen Martin combined with Bendigo's Chris Svanosio to land The Bendigo Club Pace for C5 to C7 class over 1690 metres at Kilmore with tough 8Y0 Dream Away-Jilliby Jasmine mare Hellovaway in a brilliant rate of 1-54.9. Beginning with a wing on every foot from outside the front line, Hellovawayy led throughout, running her rivals ragged to greet the judge 12.9 metres in advance of Hezatoff (one/one at bell) and Streamliner who was 5.8 metres away in third place after a cosy trip three back the markers.
Dramatic time
■ The 2150 metre United Petroleum Trotters Mobile at Yarra Valley on Monday June 18 created a great deal of controversy, with the winner Poseidon being disqualified. Leading easily from gate two, Poseidon trained by Andy Gath at Long Forest and driven by wife Kate was always travelling easily at the head of affairs, having the race well won on the home turn as he kicked away with a commanding lead. Things were to change in dramatic circumstances shortly after as Poseidon went in a wild gallop all the way to the wire with Kate trying to get him to regain his gait. As the wire was reached, Poseidon scored by a little over a length after going to record a 40-50 metre victory. Molly Pippin (Steve O'Donoghue - trainer and Bec Bartley - driver) was awarded the race after trailing, with Redason (three back the markers) second and Myrniong Rainbow third. The mile rate 2-03.8.
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Usual honest race
■ Anton Golino's 4Y0 Love You-Micro Chip mare Silicon Valley was on her best behaviour to land the Melton Saddlery @Seelite Redwood 2018 Trotters Mobile at Maryborough (home of the Redwood) on Thursday. Driven by John Caldow, Silicon Valley bred and raced by Yabby Dam Farms Pty Ltd began brilliantly from gate five to lead and was never headed, scoring by an easy three metres in advance of EndsinA Party which raced in the open from the bell, with Rockin Shiraz running her usual honest race for third after trailing the winner. The mile rate 2-00.8.
Took concession
■ Terang trainer Darren Cole's 5Y0 Jeremes Jet-Slip Slop Slap entire The Jet Player was tough in taking the Worlds Best Hoof Oil Pace for C1 class over 1690 metres at Maryborough. Taking a concession for Hamilton based Jackie Barker, The Jet Player raced exposed throughout from gate four, giving plenty in the run to the wire to record a 1.1 metre margin ahead of Underliner (three back the markers) in a mile rate of 1-56.1. Angus Bromac (one/one) was third 3.7 metres away.
Drove patiently
■ At Echuca on Thursday, youthful Bungaree area trainer Zac Steenhuis was victorious with talented 6Y0 Lawman-Alison Joy gelding Als Law in the Taylor Made Cows Trotters Handicap for T1 or better class over 2530 metres. Raced by a large syndicate of which Zac in a member, Als Law driven by Bendigo freelance Neil McCallum coming from 20 metres was driven a patient race mid-field in the moving line as the leader Maori Queen was given no peace at tghe head of affairs by a fierce racing Fatouce. Eased wide in the last lap, Als Law produced a withering burst of speed to dash away prior to the home turn and record a 9.5 metre margin in advance of the in-form Imamenace who was always handy, with ever reliable Scottish Sardius 2.1 metres away in third place. The mile rate 206.
Moved three wide
■ The pride of Sunraysia - 6Y0 Grinfromeartoear-Jennas Beach Girl gelding Murranji Track registered his 25th victory (17 at Mildura) when successful in the Zilzie Wines Pace for C6 or better class over 2190 metres at Mildura on Friday. Trained at Nichols Point by Colin Rogers, Murranji Track driven by Ellen Tormey started solo on the second line as the well backed Burnaholeinmypocket (gate five) crossed polemarker Somedan on the first turn. Moving three wide in the middle stages, Murranji Track was left posted as Rate Highly was over racing and pulling hard outside the leader unable to be restrained. In a stroke of luck, Brocks Territory (one/ one) galloped allowing Murranji Track to drop into the prime position. Setting off three wide entering the back straight on the final occasion, Murranji Track cruised up to Burnaholeinmypocket approaching the home turn and the pair drew away to fight out the finish. Showing his great will to win, Murranji Track gained the upper hand in the shadows of the post to record a two metre margin in a slashing rate of 1-56.6, with Somedan holding down third albeit 25 metres away.
Sulky Snippets This Week
■ Wednesday - Stawell/Shepparton, Thursday - Charlton/Geelong, Friday - Mildura/ Melton, Saturday - Kilmore, Sunday Cranbourne, Monday - Melton, Tuesday Bendigo.
Horses to follow
■ Streamliner, Luvthisone, Tangoingwithsierra, Anakena, Admiral, Mach Up, Scotlynn Beach, The Lone Dancer, Lils Angel.
Baker’s Briefs
■ Victorian superstar eight year old Lennytheshark has been retired to stand at stud (possibly in the Goulburn Valley) following his second to Ameretto at Tabcorp Park on May 26. A winner in excess of $3,000,000 including an Inter Dominion, Miracle Mile, two Victoria Cups and the NSW Derby in his 39 victories from 82 race appearances, Lenny trained by David Aiken since his 3Y0 days has been driven in the majority of races by Chris Alford. Group winning horseman Chris Lang is returning to the fray after an absence from the sport. Lang will in all probability will be based at Riddell in the Macedon Ranges occupying the stables of Nicole and Dean Molander who are likely to return to their home country New Zealand.The Emma Stewart stable provided another four Vicbred Super Sires Series winners at Ballarat last Friday with mares Tell Me Tales (Tell All) and Perfect Look (Art Major) and geldings Form Anylist (Bettors Delight) and Rocknroll Icon (Rocknroll Hanover) taking the $Y0 heats.
At Last - The Etta James Story ■ A story that will make you say – how did she do it, how did she survive during those turbulent years of her life? Heroin, cocaine, weed, amphetamines, deception, depression and a very dysfunctional childhood were part of Etta James’s life when she was down, but when she was up, it was her voice that stunned the world and was her saving grace. Back at the Arts Centre’s Playhouse for a limited season, Vika Bull narratively brings to the stage the story of those turbulent years and with the backing of a talented group of musicians we relived some of her golden songs, reminding us she was the “Queen of Soul”. Having world premiered in Melbourne in 2013, At Last-The Etta James Story has since toured the world to standing ovations and this was the case with this performance. Local blues and soul singer, Vika Bull’s voice is astonishing in range in that she can fill any space either indoors or out. She doesn’t try to be Etta, more as she told us she wanted only to bring to life Etta’s free spirit. How could you emulate Etta who started as a contralto, marketed as a R&B and doodrop singer through to traditional pop before her voice deepened becoming coarse in her later years with genres of soul and jazz.
Review by Graeme McCoubrie
● Vika Bull. Photo: Veronica McLachlin
Co- narrator Tibor Gyapjas, a vibrant trumpeter worked well with Vika bringing us stories of the highs but more of the lows of Etta’s life. Her many stints “in the can”, addictions and rehabilitation, her many men, penniless and much more leading to her final days in 2012. Bringing us out of these times was the golden moments of Vika’s powerful renditions of Tell Mama, All I Could Do Was Cry and Roll with me Henry and many many more finishing with a standing ovation after the final pulsating performance of Take it to the Limit, which summed up Etta’s life. The backing ensemble under the adept direction of pianist/keyboard musical director John McAll included some living legends and accomplished musicians. All giving the best kind of tribute to the irrepressible Etta James. At Last – the Etta James Story was presented at the Playhouse, Arts Centre Melbourne.
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Brian’s phone: 0412 138 726 Colleen’s phone: 0419 148 898 Email: info@killarneyviews.com.au
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ver N ser O Ob TI C SE 3
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Thea tr e: You Only Live Twice .................................. Page 55 heatr tre: Arts: Spirts of the Pumpkins ............................................ Page 54 Country Music: Rob Foenander is on leave Jim and Aaron: Instructions Not Included ......................... Page 56 Cheryl Threadgold: Private Lives ................................................ Page 57 OVATT”S MEGA CRO PL US THE LLO PLUS CROSSSWORD
CIRCUS OZ: PRECARIOUS The 3 Musketeers
● Scott Jackson, Victoria Haslam, Lore Burns and Angelique Malcolm in The 3 Musketeers. ■ Curious Cat presents The 3 Musketeers from August 1 – 11 at the Bluestone Church Arts Space, Footscray. The 3 Musketeers and their young friend D’Artagnan take a fast-paced romp through 17th-century France – a rip-roaring, gender-bending, breakneck tale of passion and intrigue, comedy and tragedy, with splashes of music. Embracing the classic novel’s themes of loyalty and camaraderie, The 3 Musketeers also delves deep into the dark side of one of its ostensible heroes, to present the ultimate swashbuckling adventure ... with an edge. Director Natasha Broadstock (Anno Zombie, demens, Do You Fear The Dark?) has cast this production genderblind. Pulling together an intriguing ensemble of eight actors, she cast the best person for each role – on the basis that gender is a facet of character, and that playing a gender is part of playing a role. Ultimately, only three actors were cast as characters who match their own gender. The 3 Musketeers features a cast of Melbourne independent actors including Green Room nominee Scott Jackson and Angelique Malcolm (winner of the Performing Arts WA Award for a significant contribution to professional theatre). Bookings highly recommended. Dates: August 1 – 11; Preview August 1 at 8pm; Opening Night August 2 at 8pm. Venue: Bluestone church Arts Space, 8A Hyde St., Footscrap Cost: $25-$36 Bookings: www.trybooking.com/VNTC - Cheryl Threadgold
■ An ‘Ensemble’ can mean parts contributing to a whole, a costume, or a cast pf performers. Ensembles can be humorous, tragic, mundane, puzzling, awful, or a delight. In this show Vaughan Prain explores various ensembles, human and otherwise, humorous and otherwise, coming together or not, clear or opaque. Exhibition: June 29 - July 17. Collingwood Gallery. 292 Smith St, Collingwood. - Peter Kemp
● Emily Gare, Lachlan Sukroo and Tara Silcock in Precarious. Photo: Rob Blackburn ■ In their 40th year, Circus Oz returns to Melbourne to premiere their new show, Precarious, under the heated Circus Oz Big Top. Across the winter school holidays the tent will be nestled within the trees of the Royal Botanic Gardens with three weeks of shows until July 15. ■ Red Stitch Actors’Theatre presents Antipodes from July Inspired by the garden surrounds, Precarious is a 70-minute 10 – August 12 at 2 Chapel St, St Kilda. non-stop spectacle of acrobatic mayhem for audiences of all Written by Annie Baker and directed by Ella Caldwell, ages. a top-notch writers’ room is in lock-down, in pursuit of the The Circus Oz ensemble will unearth innovative circus acts ultimate story. A tale about people telling stories about tellto create an exciting three-dimensional world that examines the ing stories. Who do we listen to and who do we not? fragility that exists between humanity and nature. Baker’s keen insight shines in this rumination on the The outstanding skills and talents of the Circus Oz ensemble paramount function of fiction amid the turmoil of human will include extraordinary foot juggling, jaw-dropping aerial rope experience. and tippy ring, mesmerising roué cyr, Chinese pole and hula Red Stitch continues its long-running relationship with hoop – all hilariously woven together with original music from Pulitzer Prize-winner Baker, following the company’s acthe live Circus Oz band. claimed Australian premiere productions of her earlier Circus Oz Artistic Director, Rob Tannion, joins forces with works The Aliens and Pulitzer Prize-winner The Flick. independent director, Kate Fryer, to craft Precarious and creThe Antipodes will feature ensemble members Ngaire ate the mayhem that is the ministry of nature – an absurd lo-fi Dawn Fair, Casey Filips, Darcy Kent, Ben Prendergast bureaucracy filled with phenomenal acrobatics, spectacular aeriand Harvey Zielinski, joined by guest actors Robert Menzies als, live music and physical comedy. (making his debut with Red Stitch), Edwina Samuels, ChrisBrought together by their shared love of storytelling in topher Kirby and George Lingard. recognisable, yet surreal worlds, Tannion and Fryer will conSet and costume design: Chloe Greaves. tinue to push circus innovation, extending expectations of circus Sound design and composition: Dan Nixon. skill and apparatus through collaboration with the Circus Oz Lighting design :Clare Springett and Bronwyn Pringle. Venue: Red Stitch Actors’Theatre, Rear 2 Chapel St, St ensemble, musicians and production team. Kilda The Precarious Co-Directors explain, “We are in precarious Previews: Tuesday, July 10 – Friday, July 13 times environmentally. How much more can our ecosystem Season: Saturday July 14 – Sunday August 12. take? Are we approaching the tipping point? Can humanity reQ and A Session following performance on Thursday, store the natural balance before it is too late?” July 26. Tim Entwisle, Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria Director and Times: Wednesday – Saturday 8pm, Sunday 6.30pm Chief Executive, comments: “We are delighted to be partnering Tickets: $15 - $55. with Circus Oz’s show Precarious. The show’s nature theme Bookings: 9533 8083 or www.redstitch.net perfectly complements the new location. We look forward to - Cheryl Threadgold welcoming its audience to the Gardens, and we hope to foster a strong, ongoing relationship together.” Season: until 15 July. Duration: 70 minutes (no interval). ■ Simon Marshall, former champion jockey and Simon Venue: Circus Oz Big Top. Location: Royal Botanic Gardens O’Donnell, cricket, VFL and racing identity, are the hosts Victoria, Southern Cross Lawn. Enter via the Observatory Gate on Birdwood Avenue (opposite the Shrine of Remembrance). of 1116 SEN’s The Odds Couple show. They are heard on Tickets: $35 – $60 (plus booking fees). Bookings weekends from 8am, reports Greg Newman of Jocks Jourticketek.com.au. Bookings: School and relax performances nal. artscentremelbourne.com.au - Cheryl Threadgold
The Antipodes
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Country Music, Radio, Theatre, Almanac Polygraph
● Lachlan Woods in Polygraph. Photo: Sarah Walker ■ Polygraph will be presented by the OpticNerve Performance Group from July 19-29 at Theatre Works in St Kilda. Directed by Tanya Gerstle and written by Robert Lepage, Polygraph is part murder mystery, part love story and part metaphysical thriller and is based on a series of interwoven true stories which unfold as personal and political perspectives shift. Six years after being suspected of the brutal murder of his closest friend, Francois sets out to make a film about the incident. Teaming up with Lucie, an actress, and David, a criminologist in charge of polygraph examinations, Francois uncovers a series of unanswered questions with dire implications for everyone involved. The cast includes Grant Cartwright, Lachlan Woods and Emily Thomas with stage design by Russell Goldsmith and Tanya Gerstle. In this era of Post-Truth Politics, does lying need to be disguised anymore? Is the notion of truth a reality or only a perception? In Polygraph, truth is on trial just as it is in our current political landscape. Melbourne independent theatre ensemble OpticNerve is committed to theatrical research; the investigation of performancemaking processes, the adapting of narratives from other media to the stage and the revisioning of original texts. In search of a dynamic, text-based physical theatre, its vision is to push the boundaries of theatrical form. The company aims for an experience where the audience is listening to a coherent and literary narrative but are seeing an altered world through the action of the actors. Where: Theatre Works, 14 Acland Street, St Kilda When: July 17-29, Wednesday to Saturday at 7.30pm, Sunday at 5pm, plus 2.pm on Saturday, July 21 and 28 Previews: Tuesday July 17 and Wednesday July 18 Opening: Thursday, July 19 Prices: $45 Full, $37 Conc, $33 Preview Bookings: theatreworks.org.au 9534 3388
Glen Eira Gallery Glen Eira Story- Telling Festival The Storytelling Machine is an immersive, interactive digital installation for all ages. The winner of the 2017 Victorian Premier's Design Award for Best Digital Design. The Storytelling Machine allows audiences to draw figures and feeds them to a custommade photo-booth. Participants can then sit back in ambient surrounds on benches and bean bags and watch as their characters are instantly animated across projected video world's including Glen Eira's newest venture park Booran Reserve. Created by PluginHuman (also known as Dr Betty Sargent and Justin Dwyer) and supported by RMIT'S Exertion Games Lab, The Storytelling Machine curates and delivers a large collectively-made story. It stores all drawings and text, so the more work is shown the bigger the collective story becomes. The work illustrates life in digitally connected automated cultures, where people move between geographic and virtual realities. June 21 - July 8. Glen Eira Arts and Culture Cnr Glen Eira Rd. & Hawthorn Rd.
Spirits of the Pumpkins ■ The National Gallery of Australia announces the acquisition of Yayoi Kusama's infinity room, The Spirits of the Pumpkins Descended into the Heavens 2015. The acquisition is possible through the generosity of Andrew and Hiroko Gwinnett for the JapaneseArt Fund. "The NGA's commitment to establishing an exemplary collection of contemporary art continues to be a priority," said Gerard Vaughan, NGA Director. “Andrew and Hiroko Gwinnett's visionary and generous gift allows this artwork to become a major destination at Australia's National Gallery". With a career spanning six decades, 88-yearold Yayoi Kusama has established an instantly recognisable signature aesthetic with her abundant use of polka dots. Kusama is among the world's most influential contemporary artists and has played a crucial role in the development of art in the late 20th and 21st centuries. The Spirits of the Pumpkins Descended into the Heavens is an immersive installation where the visitor peers into a world of endless reflection - both physically and conceptually - as distorted yellow pumpkins with black dots are endlessly reflected in the mirrors. The motif of the dots signify Kusama's belief that polka dots are a way to infinity as 'our earth is only one polka dot among a million stars in the cosmos', whilst the endearing yet grotesque form and swift growth of pumpkin transports her back to her childhood in her family's nursery. The Spirits of the Pumpkins Descended into the Heavens will be on display from December. National Gallery of Australia Parkes, A.C.T. - Peter Kemp
Opera Australia Madame Butterfly Australia's national opera company will mark its 600th National 2018 tour performances with John Bell's highly acclaimed production of Puccini's classic Madame Butterfly. Now in its 22nd year, the Opera Australia's national performances have become a celebrated fixture in the Company's performance calendar. Since 1996 it has presented fully-staged operas adorned with beautiful costumes, lighting and sets, featuring an array of talented singers and musicians, to more than 260,000 people and has covered more than 280.000 kms during that time. This year's production of Madame Butterfly will feature dome of Australia's finest singers. Chinese-born Sharon Zhai will make her Opera Australia debut in the role of Cio-Cio San, also known as Madame Butterfly, which she will share with rising star Danita Weatherstone. Matthew Reardon will also make his OA debut as Pinkerton, a lieutenant in the US Navy and will share the character with Martin Buckingham who reprises his role with OA. Regarded as the world's most popular opera and inspiration for the musical Miss Saigon, Madame Butterfly tells the tale of two lovers, separated between culture, oceans and time. Performance Dates & Locations. The Drum Theatre Dandenong/ Friday July 13 at 7.30pm. & Saturday July 14 at 7.30pm. Bunjil Place Narre Warren Tuesday July 17 at 7.30pm The Regent Theatre Yarram Friday July 20 at 7.30pm. St Pauls Anglican Grammar Warragul Saturday July 21 at 7.30pm The Lighthouse Warrnambool Tuesday July 24 at 7.30pm Wendouree Centre for Performing Arts Ballarat Thursday July 28 at 7.30pm Ulumbarra Theatre Bendigo Thursday July 26 at 7.30pm Mildura Arts Centre Mildura Tuesday July 31 at 7.30pm
Melbourne Arts Horsham Town Hall Horsham Thursday August 2 at 8pm Wangaratta Performing Arts Centre Wangaratta Saturday September 1 at 7.30pm - Peter Kemp
Heide Museum Art talk: Mary Featherston Mary Featherston and curator Denise Whitehouse discus a lifetime of design innovation included in the museum admission. Saturday June 30 at 2pm. Heide Drawing Workshop: Modern Methods This series of workshops is designed specifically for those new to drawing, lapsed draw ers, or those wishing to improve their skill set. In each class you will study the drawings of a renowned artist f the Heide circle and facets of the drawing process, enabling you to unlock your artistic potential. CostAdult $55, concession $50, Member 445 (includes museum admission) all materials provided including a glass of wine to finish. Saturday June 30. 1 - 40m. Saturday July 28. 1 - 4pm. Saturday August 25. 1- 4pm. Colour My Cushion. Taking inspiration from mid-century fabrics, work with pattern and design to create your very own cushion cover that reflects your personality. Cost: Child $38. Concession $35 Member $33. Tuesday July 3 at 10 - 12pm. Tweens Stencil It Street art meets fine art this workshop designed for older primary and early secondary aged students. Work with stencils and shapes to create your own street style artwork> Cost: Child $38. Concession 435. Member $33. Heide Museum of Modern Art 7 Templestowe Rd, Bulleen - Peter Kemp
Geelong Gallery 2018 Geelong Contemporary art Prize. Showcasing the best contemporary Australian painting practice this $30,000 acquisitive award and biannual exhibition is showing until Sunday August 19. Writing & Concepts @Geelong gallery - Louis Paramor. Meet 2018 Geelong Contemporary art prize finalist, Louise Paramor when she reflects on contemporary arts and cultural practice. A Free Event Bookings essential Thursday July 26 from 6pm. - 7pm. Brook Andrew and Jason Smith rethinking Antipodes/ Gallery Director and CEO Jason Smith discusses BrookAndrew- rethinking Antipodes in conversation with the artist. In 2016 Andrew undertook a comprehensive study of the collections of the Cambridge Museums, ad the extensive print collection of the British Museum, London as part of theAustralian Print Workshops Antipodes project. The resulting suite of eight photographs - acquired by Geelong gallery in 2017 - is on display in Brook Andrew- rethinking Antipodes. Join the Friends of Geelong gallery on from 10.15am for tea and scones and then move into the High Ground, Level 5, Geelong Library and Heritage Centre for the 11am Lecture. July 6 Geelong Gallery 55 Little Malop St. Geelong - Peter Kemp
Philtrum ■ North of Eight presents Anthea Greco’s play Philtrum from July 13-28 at The Portable in Brunswick. When a salt of the earth family is reunited with its favourite daughter, emotions run high as love, joy and rivalry ricochets around the seemingly iron-clad fortress of the nuclear home. At once the Clarke family reminisce upon and unwittingly rewrite their defining history, as through the chaos a finger is lifted from the philtrum. North of Eight’s production is directed by Peter Blackburn and the cast features James Cerche, Emma Choy, Louis Corbett, Stephen Francis, Anthea Greco, Faran Martin, Jessica Martin, Tasha Sanders and Annie Stanford. Peter Blackburn says: “Philtrum plummets its audience headlong into a world at once familiar and terrifyingly alien. “Philtrum offers a glimpse behind the curtains of suburban anywhere Australia and pulls no punches in what it reports.” Performance Season: July 13 – 28 at 7pm; 5pm on weekends. Venue: The Portable, 3 Dawson St., Brunswick. Tickets: $28/$22/Preview $15 Bookings: www.northofeight.com.au Content Warning: this play contains references to child abuse and strong coarse language. It is not suitable for persons under the age of 15. - Cheryl Threadgold
Wit Kids
■ This July, kids are climbing the walls with Wit Kids Funtopia FUNdraiser. Local theatre favourites wit incorporated are partnering with Funtopia Maribyrnong, to raise money for their children's drama program, Wit Kids For $25 kids can climb the exciting interactive walls, explore the multi-level playground and let their imaginations run wild. Parents can relax at Mr Spriggins cafe, inside the centre, or join in and have a go themselves! wit incorporated is working to raise $10,000 to keep the popular after-school drama program for 5 to 12 year olds afloat.. The classes have been running since the pilot program began in 2016, with students saying ‘It helps you with confidence’ (Abby, 9 years old), and that it is ‘fun and you can be yourself’ (Allanah 9 years). Term fees are kept down at $40 per student, so they are accessible to as many families as possible. These low fees do not cover costs, which is where corporate and private supporters come in. Previous and current supporters include: The Maribyrnong City Council, Braybrook Community hub, EM Frick Foundation, and Maribyrnong Community Centre. Without these sponsorship partners, the program wouldn’t be possible. Wit Kids founder, Belinda Campbell says, “We have 80 students enrolled right now. The importance of drama for children goes beyond academic benefits, like communication, literacy and language skills. There’s a level of camaraderie and closeness that’s necessary in drama class, that the children don’t experience in many other places,” she says. “Sport is competitive, school is about grades, but in drama class we all work together to create stories. It’s a very supportive environment. “We're so grateful to Funtopia Maribyrnong for hosting this special event and we really hope the community can come out, have some fun and support these kids.” - Cheryl Threadgold
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TV, Radio, Theatre
Ghetto Sharman
■ Adam Axford presents Ghetto Shaman from July 10 – 14 in Collingwood. Adam is a magician and wordsmith with a difference as he says he uses magic and language to influence positive change. “My work focuses heavily on Sustainability and Mental Health initiatives’, says Adam. ‘ I’m part of a team of finalists for “Best Business of the Year Award for Sustainability.” Adam’s busy schedule has included joining Channel 9 for the Gold Telethon where he entertained volunteers while money was raised for the Children’s Hospital. In July he travels to Melbourne to perform five intimate shows as part of the Melbourne Magic Festival. Ghetto Shaman speaks on social issues, aiming to inspire positive change within communities, including sustainability and recycling. Performance Dates: July 10 – 14 at 9.15pm Venue: Sawtooth Studio, 35 Johnston St., Collingwood. Bookings: www.ghettoshaman.com
Bipolar Karaoke ■ Getting this debut show before an audience has been a long time coming – not least that it was to be performed at La Mama’s Faraday Street theatre which tragically went up in flames – but also required the reappearance of its performer, Spescha Barakat, in the performing arts world after a long battle with bipolar disorder. This is Barakat’s life in song – a karaoke autobiography. Barakat’s performance is at times funny, tragic and deeply moving. Starting with wideeyed schoolgirl promise of a bright future accompanied by Olivia Newton-John’s iconic 70s disco cheese, Xanadu, Barakat’s world gets decidedly darker. Before her career was cut short by mental illness, Barakat had a promising career as a singer, appearing in a number of musical theatre shows and performing in a number of bands. We are given a lesson in the consequences of bipolar disorder – formerly known as manic depression – through karaoke. As the story unfolds we witness her descent into an abyss of lost years - think a glittering, sequin-festooned, hyper version of Frank Sinatra’s The Lady is a Tramp, followed by a moving portrayal of Amy Winehouse’s Back to Black. The song lyric, “I died a hundred times”, is a poignant reminder of the cost of mental illness when sung by a woman alone on a stage wearing a black garbage bag as a costume. Another standout was Barakat’s performance of Sia’s Chandelier. Again, when we have insight, the line “One, two, three – drink”, can be heart-breaking. This show is not perfect, it’s rough in parts and it really could do with tightening and some culling, for example, the lengthy explanation of the symptoms of the disorder. However, the karaoke really binds us to Barakat’s story and this is where Barakat shines. - Review by Kathryn Keeble
You Only Live Twice
● Danielle O’Malley as Nancy Sinatra. ■ The Bright Night Company, along with the her formative days and duets with Lee Melbourne Cabaret Festival, transported us Hazlewood. Studded with familiar hits such as Bang Bang, back in a blink to the 60s in Nancy Sinatra - You Something Stupid, Summer Wine, Sugar Town Only Live Twice at Chapel Off Chapel. Multi-talented chanteuse Danielle O’Malley and These Boots Were Made for Walking, we portrays Nancy Sinatra through song, story and were rocked by this physical and vocally strong, sexy performance. dance. Complete with Barbie-style hairdo, Danielle’s Danielle established The Bright Night Company this year and co-wrote this production to- three slick costume changes authentically emgether with Jeremy Stanford and Mark Jones, braced the era with ever so short dresses, skirts and it is under the direction of Jeremy and musi- and knee-high boots all in colours of white, beige and tan. cal direction by Mark. Attired in a patriotic red, white and blue striped The set was purportedly a television studio where Nancy was recording to a live audience. dress we were relocated to her concert for the This ingenious format gave scope for her to troops in Vietnam. Well supported by a pianist/vocal duet player, entertain and, during off-camera interludes, answer audience’ written questions as she regaled bass and percussionist, Danielle’s performance was playful, cheeky and interspersed with the us with background stories. Among revelations are the ‘truth’ about her misandristic humour of the time. She a performer in full control. and Elvis and her relationship with father Frank. A delight. Danielle brings Nancy out of the shadow of - Review by Sherryn Danaher her famous father as well as taking us through
Phillip Island Storytellers ■ Many of Australia’s leading storytellers including powerhouse rapper Adam Briggs, international acclaimed scientist Tim Flannery, social commentator Jane Caro, author of The Tattooist of Auschwitz, Heather Morris and esteemed lawyer and human rights advocate Julian Burnside will be telling their own unique stories at this year’s Literary Festival of Phillip Island from July 27-29. “Everyone has a story’ is the theme for the 2018 festival and according to Festival CoOrdinator, Stacey Shine, not only does everyone have a story but there’s also a story for everyone at this year’s event. “This is a festival for anyone who loves a good story – in any form, it could be a book, a film, spoken word, music or through visual art – we’ve made a conscious effort to capture all types of storytelling in this year’s program. “We’ve crafted a festival that celebrates local talent, showcases interesting ideas, challenges us to think differently but most importantly provides good old-fashioned entertainment,” said Ms Shine. Highlights of this year’s program include: Opening night (Friday, July 27) includes In discussion with Briggs, and dedication to former part-time resident of the Island, John Clarke, by ProfessorTim Flannery. Prof. Flannery will deliver The Good News for John's Birds a reference to the birds of Phillip Island, whose habitat John was keen to protect. Authors telling their stories include: Heather Morris (The Tattooist of Auschwitz), Stella Prize
shortlisted author Shokoofeh Azar (The Enlightenment of the Greengage Tree), and Helen Brown (Bono). Screening of Voyage of the Sun (Saturday, July 28) by Adventurer of the Year Michael Smith about his solo circumnavigation of the globe in an amphibious plane in 2015. Smith who is also owner of the Sun Theatre will be doing a Q&A after the screening. Women By The Sea is Ruby Rees's (Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries, Picnic At Hanging Rock) debut feature film. Set in Phillip Island, it will be one of the first films made in Australia to be employing an entirely female identifying cast and crew. Rees will talk about the trying to put women front and centre of film and TV industry – a chance to own the narrative. This year’s program includes a strong theme of encouraging Aboriginal Australians to tell their stories and to bring many untold histories into the light such as Aunty Fay Muir running an introduction to the Boon Wurrung language; Tunnerminnerwait and Maulboyheener the story of the first people to be hanged in Melbourne; and a panel discussion between well-knownAboriginal identitiesTammy Anderson, Patrice Mahoney and Steve Parker titled: What colour is an Aborigine? For tickets: Opening night adult $55, students $20, Saturday pass $50, Sunday pass $45, Weekend (Sat/Sun) pass $75, Voyage of the Southern Sun screening $12. Event Details: July 27 – 29 Venue: Philip Island
Masters of Choreography
■ Masters of Choreography will present their latest production Shakespeare – Tragedies and Comedies for one night only on July 14 at TheAthenaeum Theatre in Collins St. The show brings together 13 leading choreographers of various genres onto the one stage, allowing the audience to immerse themselves in a show that not only takes them on a journey of 13 Shakespeare plays such as Macbeth, The Twelfth Night and A Midsummer Night’s Dream, but also presents an unseen side of Shakespeare which exposes the audience to a variety of dance genres and entertainment. The Tragedies and Comedies that are the Shakespeare’s plays are portrayed on stage through numerous dance genres such as a contemporary version of Antony and Cleopatra, a jazz and classical fusion version of Romeo and Juliet, a ballet version of Macbeth and a hip hop version of The Comedy of Errors, with each play being presented through the vision of the chosen choreographer and their specialised genre of dance. Masters of Choreography Directors Jennifer and Milo say: “We want our audiences to be captivated and intrigued, to see the plays presented in a manner that they have never seen, all the while staying true to the story and respecting the words, emotions and vision of the legendary bard, William Shakespeare.” The show will feature over 200 performers in the two hour showcase,. The production house behind the show, Masters of Choreography, have toured their shows throughout the world from Australia and the UK, presenting over 100 shows in the past two years alone. They have showcased at venues such as the Palms at Crown, the Palais Theatre and the National Theatre. Masters of Choreographyhave also showcased at events including Australian Grand Prix’s opening night with Jay Sean at the prestigious Glamour on the Grid event. They have also been selected as the official Dance Partners of the 2018 and also 2019 Arnold Sports Festival Australia. Tickets are available at Ticketek and the Athenaeum Box Office from $48 - $73, with family and group packages available. Proceeds from the evening will support ‘The Footy Lady’Susan Alberti’s namesake foundation, The Susan Alberti Medical Research Foundation and their important efforts for diabetes research, prevention and ultimately to find a cure. Performance Details: Saturday, July 14, Athenaeum Theatre (188 Collins St, Melbourne) Doors open: 5pm and 8pm Approx. Finish: 7pm and 10pm - Cheryl Threadgold
Victorian Opera William Tell If there's one must-see production this year it is William Tell. Victorian Opera is bringing Rossini's masterwork to theAustralian stage for the first time in over a century with a production that will thrill modern audiences. Aa stellar cast of international and Australian singes, a full orchestra and 48 strong chorus. Season: July 14, 17, 19. July Venue: Palais Theatre St. Kilda.
Page 56 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, June 27, 2018
Observer Showbiz
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Movies, DVDs with Jim Sherlock, Aaron Rourke What’s Hot and What’s Not in Blu-Rays and DVDs FILM: LADY BIRD: Genre: Comedy/Drama. Cast: Saoirse Ronan, Laurie Metcalf, Tracy Letts, Timothy Chalamet. Year: 2017. Rating: MA15+ Length: 94 Minutes. Stars: **** Summary: Set in 2002, the story of Christine "Lady Bird" MacPherson, a high school senior from the "wrong side of the tracks," an artistically inclined seventeen-year-old girl who comes of age as she longs for adventure, sophistication and opportunity, but finds none of that in her small American town and Catholic high school. Writer-director Greta Gerwig has created a delightfully engaging and compelling coming-of-age comedy-drama thanks to a sparking and intelligent screenplay, compelled by a well deserved Oscar nominated performance by Saoirse Ronan as the rebellious heroine, and most notably, Laurie Metcalf (also in an Oscar nominated performance) as the tormented mother and Tracy Letts as the sympathetic father. For coming-of-age comedy/drama this is as good as it gets, a touching and sincere journey filled with intelligence, emotion perception, honesty, laugh out loud humour and heart-breaking reality, a fitting, respectful and ultimately touching tribute to adolescence and growing up to embrace. 2018 Oscar Nominations include Best Picture, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actress, Best Directing and Best Screenplay. FILM: WINCHESTER-The House That Ghosts Built: Genre: Biography/Fantasy/Horror. Cast: Helen Mirren, Sarah Snook, Jason Clarke, Finn Scicluna-O'Prey. Year: 2018. Rating: M. Length: 99 Minutes. Stars: **½ Summary: Inspired by true events. On an isolated stretch of land 50 miles outside of San Francisco sits the most haunted house in the world built by firearms heiress Sarah Winchester, widowed to William Winchester. Constructed in an incessant twenty-four hour a day, seven day a week mania for decades, it stands seven stories tall and contains hundreds of rooms, to the outsider it looks like a monstrous monument to a disturbed woman's madness, a building, a prison, an asylum for hundreds of vengeful ghosts, and the most terrifying among them have a score to settle with the Winchesters. Fascinating and intriguing things-that-go-bump-in-the-night haunted house ghost story fright-fest unfortunately fails to convince, hold interest or scare, doing little more than stranding a good cast and cinemagoers in a gothic labyrinth of tiresome jumpy schlock that delivers more dreadful than dread. Filmed in Melbourne and California, the presence of Helen Mirren as the obsessive Sarah Winchester is the only plausibility or plus factor, and the supporting cast that includes Australians Sarah Snook as her niece and Jason Clarke as the psychiatrist sent to check her mental state, they are padding in this fictionalized story to hang your hat on. A genuinely interesting story, and what should have been far more evocative, thought-provoking and entertaining, Co-writers and directors Michael and Peter Spierig (Undead/2003, Daybreakers/2009, Predestination/2014) fail in originality and the respectability of a genre in cinema that has been a highly regarded and inspirational formula since the beginning of film. The ant-gun stance point is prolific, but as far as ghosts stories go, the "Ghosts With The Most" on the screen are The Haunting (1963), Poltergeist, The Orphanage, The Shining, The Innocents, The Uninvited (1944) and The Others, to name a few. FILM: 2:22: Genre: Thriller. Cast: Teresa Palmer, Michael Huisman, John Waters, Sam Reid. Year: 2017. Rating: M. Length: 98 Minutes. Stars: ** Summary: A New York man's life (Dylan) is derailed when a strange pattern of events repeats itself in exactly the same manner every day, ending at precisely 2:22 pm, and when he meets Sarah, the two feel inexplicably linked, and they discover uncanny similarities with their current predicament and a double murder committed a generation ago, and with a grim fate looming, he must solve the mystery of 2:22. What begins immediately, but only momentarily, with a fascinating and enticing "Twilight Zone" alternate reality/time loop premise all too soon falls into an almost incomprehensible mind-numbing predictability, banality, cliché and disbelief on every level .... did anyone read the script before they committed to this? Stars Michael Huisman and Australian actress Teresa Palmer as the confused and time-tormented destiny bound love-birds both look puzzled throughout, and they're not the only ones, and along with Australian supporting cast including Sam Reid, Remy Hii, Maeve Dermody, John Waters and Kerry Armstrong, they give little more than an unconvincing effort at trying to avoid Australian accents. It would be time well spent if Australian director and producer Paul Currie and Aussie screenwriters Todd Stein and Nathan Parker could go back in time for a second chance at this disappointing effort. Australian financed (by Screen Australia), with a primarily entire (and solid) Australian Cast and Crew, filmed entirely in New York and void of any uniquely Australian, faces excepted, this would have served better and received much more respect had it been filmed here ... as one reviewer states: "Why a bunch of Australian actors (speaking in US accents) in an Australian funded movie would shoot a story based in New York is totally beyond me." As far as the plot goes, The Final Countdown, Groundhog Day, Edge of Tomorrow, Déjà Vu, Donnie Darko, Back to the Future (series), The Terminator (series), Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home, Time After Time and Somewhere in Time, are all time much better spent. And as far as time spent watching this movie, I want it back!
Rourke’s Reviews Instructions Not Included ■ (2013) (M). 122 minutes. Available on DVD. With the French remake hitting cinemas this week, now is the time to catch up with the source material that inspired it, and given how much of a misfire the reboot is, that could be a good thing, even though the original is incredibly uneven and overlong. Mexican superstar Eugenio Derbez plays Valentin, a renowned womaniser from Acapulco who is scared of anything to do with commitment. One morning, Julie (Jessica Lindsey), a past conquest who Valentin doesn't remember, turns up on his doorstep, handing him a baby she says is his, before taking off. Not wanting the responsibility, Valentin ventures to the L.A. hotel where Julie is supposed to work. While she's no longer there, he does meet film producer Frank (Daniel Raymont), who takes Valentin on as a stuntman. The good paycheck allows the would-be-father to stay in L.A. and raise his daughter Maggie (Loreto Peralta), who is now seven yearsold. But to cushion the blow of how he ended up with her, he creates a fantasy identity for Julie, and this make-believe world distorts Maggie's perception of reality. When Julie arrives back on the scene, wanting to attain full custody of Maggie, Valentin truly realises just how much Maggie means to him. Meshing the tone and spirit of Three Men & A Cradle (1985) and Life Is Beautiful (1997), star/cowriter/director Derbez (who will soon be seen in the remake of the 1987 Goldie Hawn comedy Overboard) takes a simple, if improbable, story and needlessly extends it, protracting what could have been a breezy, entertaining 92 minute comedy/drama into a 122 minute slog. This unnecessary padding makes its manipulative elements in the second-half seem particularly heavy-handed, and one of the main character's pivotal decisions seems cruel and unwarranted given the circumstances (its view of women too isn't exactly flattering). But when the movie does click, the chemistry between father and daughter is undeniable (Peralta is a definite scene-stealer), providing a genuine sweetness and charm that frustratingly, due to the film's excessive running time, dissipates one too many times. The set-up has the feeling of French farce about it, so it's not surprising that it was eventually remade in that country. RATING - ***
Two Is A Family ■ (M). 117 minutes. Opens in selected cinemas June 28. This remake of the 2013 Mexican hit has certainly taken its time to reach our shores, since its re-
lease in French cinemas in 2016, and when one sees how lead-footed and unfocused Two Is A Family is, one can see why. The basic premise remains the same, with Samuel (Omar Sy) discovering in the most surprising of ways that he is a father, with the baby unceremoniously dumped with him by one-night stand Kristin (Clemence Poesy). Chasing her to London, he becomes a stuntman, hired by gay film producer Bernie (Antoine Bertrand), and as such is able to offer Gloria, now seven, a comfortable, happy lifestyle. Kristin suddenly arrives back on the scene, and a custody battle for Gloria ensues. The original film, Instructions Not Included (2013), may have been flawed, but at least Eugenio Derbez laid down the various details professionally, allowing all the character arcs to effectively play out. On the other hand, co-writer/director Hugo Gelin (Just Like Brothers) trips over the story every step of the way, making the highly implausible material appear even more artificial and incredulous (this version is similarly overlong). Sy, who hit the big time after his impressive turn in the 2011 blockbuster The Intouchables, seems unable to bring this irresponsible character to convincing life, and is missing that vibrant charisma which brought him to audiences' attention in the first place. RATING - *½
Jurassic World - Fallen Kingdom ■ (M). 128 minutes. Now showing in cinemas, including IMAX 3D. With a scenario that can't help but provide more-of-the-same, this mega-successful franchise continues to thrive at the box-office, and while this latest entry doesn't stray from that formula, it does prove to be unexpectedly entertaining for most of its journey. The story begins when a volcano threatens the island where Jurassic World is located, so a plan is quickly organised to rescue the dinosaurs before everything is destroyed. Not everyone wants the creatures to survive, with Dr. Ian Malcolm (Jeff Goldblum, in what amounts to a glorified cameo) bringing up the topic of natural selection. Ailing billionaire Benjamin Lockwood (James Cromwell),who worked alongside John Hammond on the original Jurassic Park, has other ideas, and with the help of young business partner Eli Mills (Rafe Spall), sends a party to the island, which includes needed experts Claire Dearing (Bryce Dallas Howard) and Owen Grady (Chris Pratt). Of course, nothing goes to plan. Screenwriters Derek Connolly and Colin Trevorrow (Jurassic World) borrow from a whole slew of films. RATING - *** - Aaron Rourke
Top 10 Lists JUNE 24-30
THE AUSTRALIAN BOX OFFICE TOP TEN: 1. THE INCREDIBLES 2. 2. OCEAN'S 8. 3. TAG. 4. DEADPOOL 2. 5. SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY. 6. HEREDITARY. 7. RACE 3. 8. UPGRADE. 9. TEA WITH THE DAMES. 10. THE LEISURE SEEKER. NEW RELEASES AND COMING SOON TO CINEMAS AROUND AUSTRALIA: JUNE 21: BROTHER'S NEST, EDIE, FOXTROT, IDEAL HOME, LOBSTER COP, JURASSIC WORLD: FALLEN KINGDOM. JUNE 28: ADRIFT, BELLE & SEBASTIAN: FRIENDS FOR LIFE, PANDAS 3D, HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA 3, SICARIO: DAY OF THE SOLDADO, TWO IS A FAMILY. THE DVD AND BLU-RAY TOP RENTALS & SALES: 1. TOMB RAIDER [Action/Adventure/ Drama/Alicia Vikander, Dominic West]. 2. LADY BIRD [Comedy/Drama/Saoirse Ronan, Laurie Metcalf, Tracy Letts]. 3. 12 STRONG [Action/War/History/Chris Hemsworth, Michael Shannon, Michael Pena]. 4. SWEET COUNTRY [Western/Crime/ Drama/Hamilton Morris, Sam Neill, Bryan Brown]. 5. BLACK PANTHER [Action/Adventure/ Sci-Fi/Chadwick Boseman, Martin Freeman]. 6. RED SPARROW [Action/Thriller/Jennifer Lawrence, Joel Edgerton]. 7. WINCHESTER [Horror/Mystery/Thriller/ Helen Mirren, Jason Clarke]. 8. GAME NIGHT [Comedy/Mystery/Rachel McAdams, Jason Bateman]. 9. THREE BILLBOARDS OUTSIDE EBBING, MISSOURI [Drama/Frances McDormand]. Also: HANGMAN, 2:22, FINDING YOUR FEET, I TONYA, STRONGER, THE SHAPE OF WATER, MOLLY'S GAME, DEN OF THIEVES, THE COMMUTER, 15:17 TO PARIS. NEW HOME ENTERTAINMENT RELEASE HIGHLIGHTS THIS WEEK: PETER RABBIT [Comedy/Family/Adventure/ Domhnall Gleeson, Rose Byrne, James Corden]. THE MERCY [Biography/Drama/Colin Firth, Rachel Weisz, Ken Stott, David Thewlis]. THE BALLAD OF LEFTY BROWN [Western/ Action/Drama/Bill Pullman, Kathy Baker]. RENEGADES [Action/Adventure/J.K. Simmons, Charlie Bewley]. STRANGERS: Prey at Night [Horror/ Christina Hendricks, Lewis Pullman]. PROUD MARY [Action/Crime/Thriller/Taraji P. Henson, Danny Glover, Billy Brown]. EVERY DAY [Romance/Drama/Fantasy/ Angourie Rice, Justice Smith]. DVD AND/OR BLU-RAY NEW & RE-RELEASE CLASSIC MOVIES HIGHLIGHTS: MAMMA MIA!: The Movie - 10th Anniversary Gift Set]. NEW RELEASE TELEVISION, DOCUMENTARY AND MUSIC HIGHLIGHTS: FRANKIE DRAKE MYSTERIES: Season 1. SUITS: Season 7 - Part 2. - James Sherlock
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Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, June 27, 2018 - Page 57
Observer Showbiz
Local Theatre with Cheryl Threadgold and team CINDERELLA
● Kristen Ryan (Cinderella) and Asher Griffith-Jones (Prince Christopher) rehearse Cinderella, the Enchanted Edition. Photo: Tam Smith ■ The Diamond Valley Singers present eight performances of Rogers and Hammerstein’s Broadway show Cinderella, Enchanted Edition, from July 6-14 at the newly refurbished Warrandyte High School theatre. Directed by Tamblyn Smith and with musical direction by Lucas Wilson-Richter, this Enchanted Edition is based on the 1997 teleplay. According to director Smith, Rodgers and Hammerstein’s most unknown show brings to life this classic fairy-tale of Cinderella , “with a score like only they can write”. “I'm one lucky director, getting to work on this show, with this company, with this team and this cast,” says Tam, who explains that by using a limited colour palette and a minimalistic set, the focal point will be the story and actors. Cinderella is a musical show for all ages. The Diamond Valley Singers motto of “Acting locally and thinking Globally” will see proceeds from the performances being donated to International needs Australia, Open House in Ivanhoe and the Elizabeth Nursery School in Malawi. Performance Details: July 6, 7, 13, 14 at 8pm; July 7, 8, 11, 14 at 2pm Venue: Warrandyte High School theatre, Alexander Rd., Warrandyte Website: www.dvsingers.org
BROKEN HEEL FESTIVAL ■ The Broken Heel Festival is gearing up again and will take the ‘Silver City’ by glitter-filled storm from September 7 – 9. Coming off the back of the biggest festival to date in 2017, the ‘Heel’ is set to again visit Broken Hill and the red dust of Australia’s heartland. Festival Director, Esther La Rovere said she expects the fourth annual Broken Heel to build in momentum after the roaring success of last year’s ‘diva-laden disco-fest’. “Both the numbers and the atmosphere was just incredible last year’, said Esther. ‘We had world leading acts that drew crowds not just from around the country, but from international travellers as well. “It’s such a colourful event, and of course everyone can relate to the street scenes of Priscilla Queen of the Desert, so they already know Broken Hill and its welcoming culture. That pull of the red dust, mixed with the standard of acts make it well worth the trip…” Throughout the Festival’s three stages, audiences will experience plenty of comedy, cabaret, live music and social activities paying homage to the movie and stage musical. “The events we hold in the Town Square for the Main Drag In Drag street parade where the entire community of Broken Hill joins in on the celebrations, are also really popular,” says Esther. Event Dates: September 7 – 9 Location: Broken Hill, New South Wales Bookings: www.bhfestival.com - Cheryl Threadgold
The Coral Browne Story ■ Writer and director Maureen Sherlock pays tribute to Australian-born performer Coral Browne in Coral Browne: This F***ing Lady, being presented at fortyfivedownstairs from July 10 – 22. Coral left Australia as a 21 year old in the 1930s and forged a career first in the West End and later as a classical actor with The Old Vic and The National. Her many screen performances include Auntie Mame (as Vera Charles) The Killing of Sister George (as Mercy Croft), Dennis Potter's Dreamchild (as Alice Hargreaves) and Alan Bennett's An Englishman Abroad in which she played herself touring to Moscow with Hamlet and encountering the British spy Guy Burgess. This performance earned her a BAFTA award for Best Actress. Coral is said to have been well known for her bawdy wit, glamour, liberated attitude to sex, a string of famous lovers – including Paul Robeson and Maurice Chevalier - and her latelife marriage to horror-movie icon Vincent Price. In the Melbourne premiere of this onewoman play, Genevieve Mooy (The Dish, Frontline) brings Coral Browne to life and puts her back in the spotlight. Maureen Sherlock has previously written
● Gen Moy as Coral Browne popular comedy shows Alzheimer’s the Musical: A Night to Remember and Ada and Elsie: Wacko-the –Diddle-oh! Performance Details: July 10 – 22 (Preview July 10, Opening Night July 11) Time: Tues – Sat 7.30pm, Sun 5pm Venue: fortyfivedownstairs, 45 Flinders Lane, Melbourne Duration: 70 minutes Tickets: $30 - $40 Bookings: 9662 9966 fortyfivedownstairs.com
Latest shows, auditions SHOWS
SHOWS
■ Malvern Theatre Company: Morning Sacrifice (by Dymphna Cusack) Until June 30 at 29A Burke Rd., Malvern. Director: Loretta Bishop. Bookings: 1300 131 552. ■ Sherbrooke Theatre Company: The Old People are Revolting (by Devon Williamson) Until June 30 at the Doncaster Playhouse, 679 Doncaster Rd., Doncaster. Director: Emma Barber. Bookings: 1300 650 209, ■ Mordialloc Theatre Company: Season's Greetings (by Alan Ayckburn) Until July 7 at the Shirley Burke Theatre, 64 Parkers rd., Parkdale. Director: Martin Gibbs. Bookings: www.mordialloctheatre.com ■ The 1812 Theatre: 10 x 10 Minute Original Plays (by various playwrights) June 28 - 30 at 8pm, 2pm matinee on June 30 at 3 Rose St., Upper Ferntree Gully. Bookings: 1812theatre.com.au ■ Williamstown Little Theatre; Under Milk Wood (by Dylan Thomas) June 28 - July 14 at 2 Albert St., Williamstown. Director: Sandy Green. Bookings: www.wlt.org.au ■ Geelong Repertory Theatre Company: Barefoot in the Park (by Neil Simon) June 29 July 14 at the Woodbin Theatre, 15 Coronation St., Geelong West. Director; Kelly Clifford. Bookings: GPAC 5225 1200. ■ Frankston Theatre Group: The Communication Cord (by Brian Friel) June 29 - July 8 at the Langwarrin Performance Centre, Warrandyte Rd., Langwarrin. Director; David McCall. Bookings: trybooking.com ■ Ark Theatre Inc: The ARKadian Authentic All-Woman Old Time Music Hall the Second, July 5 - 14 at the Lilydale Heights College Performing Arts Centre, 17 Nelson rd., Lilydale. Tickets: $20. Booking enquiries: ark_theatre@yahoo.com.au ■ Heidelberg Theatre Company: Private Lives (by Noel Coward) July 6 - 21 at 36 Turnham Ave., Rosanna. Director: Karen Wakeham. Enquiries: www.htc.org.au or 9457 4117. ■ The Mount Players 15th OneAct Play Festival: July 6 - 8 at the Mountview Theatre, 56 Smith St., Macedon. Contact Leo on 9458 582 838. ■ Ballarat National Theatre: Mr Bailey's Minder (by Debra Oswald) July 7 - 14 at Her Majesty's Theatre, 17 Lydiard St., Ballarat. Director: Linda Davey. Bookings: 5333 5888.
■ Encore Theatre: The Weekend (by Michael Palin) July 13 - 28 at Clayton Community Centre, Cooke St., Clayton. Director: Dexter Bourke. Bookings: 1300 739 099. Or www.encoretheatre.com.au ■ Diamond Valley Singers: Cinderella (Rogers and Hammerstein's Broadway Show) July 6 14 at the Warrandyte High School theatre, Alexander Rd., Warrandyte. Director: Tam Smith. Bookings: www.dvsingers.org ■ The Mount Players 15th One Act Play Festival: July 6 - 8 at the Mountview theatre, 56 Smith St., Macedon. Entries: PO Box 216, Macedon. Phone contact: Lee Vandervalk 0458 582 838. ■ Dandenong Ranges One Act Play Festival: July 20 - 22 at The Gem Theatre, 19 Kilvington Drive, Emerald. Festival director: Sharon Maine. www.gemcoplayers.org/festivals/. Entries: Gemco Players Community Theatre Inc., PO Box 480, Emerald.
AUDITIONS ■ Eltham Little Theatre is holding simultaneous auditions for their Season Four and Five productions. On Golden Pond (by Ernest Thompson) June 27 at 7pm at the Eltham Performing Arts Centre, 1603 Main Rd., Eltham. Director: Roderick Chappel. Audition enquiries: roderickchappel@ozemail.com.au Loot (by Joe Orton) June 27 at 7pm at the Eltham Performing Arts Centre, 1603 Main Rd., Research. Director: Michelle Swann. Audition Enquiries: michelleswann65@gmail.com ■ Hartwell Players: Realism (by Paul Galloway) July 8 at 2pm and July 9 at 7.30pm at .Fleigner Hall, 31-39 Highland Avenue, Oakleigh East. Director: Samuel Chappel. Enquiries: 9513 9581. ■ Encore Theatre: Speaking in Tongues (by Andrew Bovel) July 15 at 2pm, July 16 at 6pm at Fleigner Hall, 31-39 Highland Ave., Oakleigh East. Director: Louise Woodward. Enquiries: 0416 777 356. ■ Peridot Theatre: Sylvia (by A R Gurney) July 23, 25 at 7.30pm at Unicorn Theatre, Lechte Rd., Mt Waverley. Director: Susan Rundle. Enquiries: 0416 298 136. - Cheryl Threadgold
PRIVATE LIVES
● Libby Kay (Sybil), Claire Benne (Amanda) and Ian McGregor (Elyot) rehearse Private Lives. Photo: David Belton ■ Heidelberg Theatre Company presents Noel Coward’s classic comedy Private Lives from July 6 -21 at 36 Turnham Ave, Rosanna. Directed by Karen Wakeham, the plot of this jazz-age comedy tells of loving couple Elyot and Amanda having hastily divorced and both married again to different spouses. Both new couples find themselves honeymooning in the same Deauville hotel in adjoining suites. The original pair discover that they’re still in love after all and flee to Paris, pursued in haste by new partners, Sybil and Victor. Coward's plays are said to have been written as vehicles for himself, and the witty language that characterises them is a reflection of his own crisp diction, vocal energy, and idiosyncratic tone. Performance Details: July 6 – 21 at 8pm; 2pm matinees on July 8, 15 and 21. Venue: Heidelberg Theatre, 36 Turnham Ave., Rosanna Tickets: $27 concession/concession $24, Group of 10 plus $22 per ticket. Bookings: www.htc.org.au or 9457 4117.
ARK THEATRE
● Julie Cunningham (left), Lorna Rens, Brooklyn Cullen and Sonia Agjee in ARK Theatre’s production of The ARKadian Authentic All-Woman Old Time Music Hall. ■ ARK Theatre presents the ARKadian Authentic All-Woman Old Time Music Hall (the 2nd) from July 6 – 14 at Lilydale Heights College Performing Arts Centre, Lilydale. Written for the Lilydale-based company by Geelong-based Colin Mockett and directed by Fiona Carter, this show will be a ‘fond reincarnation of the vaudeville and music hall shows of yesteryear’. This all-singing, all-dancing production is an all-woman show, with perhaps a few men to round out the numbers. Audiences will be treated to lively renditions of songs, many familiar favourites, and all are encouraged to sing along. Piano accompanist will be Miss Brooklyn Keybourne, and colourful characters in costumes will recreate the atmosphere and entertainment of a 1918 music hall. Chairman Ross will again offer a rendition of G and S favourites and it is said the show will move along at a rollicking rate. Performance Details: July 6, 7, 12, 13, 14 at 8pm; July 7, 14 at 2pm Venue: Lilydale Heights College Performing Arts Centre, 17 Nelson Rd., Lilydale (enter via Gate 2). Tickets: $20 each, incl. program and complimentary light refreshments Bookings: www.arktheatremelb.com or call Rosey on 0409 860 225.
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Page 58 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, June 27, 2018
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Observer
Lovatts Crossword No 4 Across
1. Overbalancing 6. Flusters 11. Genetic inheritance 15. Lunar ray 20. Company head (1,1,1) 21. Sloped backwards 22. Vat 23. Relays (6,2) 24. Stipulations 25. Maturity 27. Having no pips 28. Half 29. Quay 31. Hunter's quarry 32. Laud 36. Humiliating remark (3-4) 37. Chilled cuppa (4,3) 38. Honey drink 41. Defensive castle ditches 44. Scientist, ... Newton 45. Latin American dance 48. Rugby handling error (5-2) 49. Royal offspring 52. Trick into crime 56. Competition 57. Fall 58. Adopt (policy) 61. Pranks 62. Greek shipping magnate 63. Kinder 64. Spotted pattern, ... dots 65. Sorcerers 66. Passage (of goods) 67. Brazilian music style (5,4) 71. Undeveloped insect 73. Uncensored (movie) 75. Gladdened 80. Large rodents 82. Rome or Naples native 83. Nosegay 85. Authenticity 86. Comedy team, Monty ... 88. Puzzle 90. Peter Pan writer (1,1,6) 91. Honoured with party 93. Kidnappers' demands 94. Pledges 95. Draw attention away 96. Terrorist's captive 97. Leave room 99. Tiny amount 100. Arms cache 104. Actress, Vivien ... 105. Mutilates 106. Wine, ... Riesling 107. Surgical insert 111. Singer, ... Minogue 113. Glacial period, ... Age 114. Yes in French 115. Frightening 117. Tennis star, Andre ... 118. Revolving tray, lazy ... 121. Peace prize 122. Visual perception 125. Bred 126. Fabled whale, ... Dick 127. Liquefy 129. Wine barrels 131. Exclude 132. Verb modifier 135. As far as (2,2) 136. Ripped apart, torn ... 139. Boulder 140. Speared 144. Magician's ... Pocus 145. Rest on knees 146. Ultra manly 147. Hard copy (5-3)
Across
148. Contagious outbreak 149. Crisscross weave 150. Diaper 152. Chat-show hostess, ... Winfrey 154. Speaker 157. Mongolian desert 158. Announce (4,3) 162. Eye membrane 163. Legless grub 166. Timber fastener 167. Twig shelter 169. Immediately following 171. Oriental continent 172. Violet/blue 173. Male deer 175. Bumpkins 176. Skid Row drink 179. Lusaka is there 180. Cutting beam 182. Relaxation art, t'ai ... 183. Adult education group (1,1,1) 184. Portion 186. Doctor's ... manner 189. Ganges country 190. Last Greek letter 191. Milan opera house, La ... 192. Swirling 196. Stagger 197. Hitler follower 198. Casablanca is there 199. Popular hymn (3,5) 201. Boatman 202. Seepage 203. Harsh-tasting 204. Pre-dinner sherry 205. Touched with lips 208. Defeated 210. Unaffected 211. Sheet of glass 212. Go back in (2-5) 213. Consequently 215. Vending machine 219. Dame Nellie ... 221. Belittle 223. Criminal fire-starters 227. Pastry snacks, Cornish ... 228. Harms 230. Two times 231. Cardiac organ 232. Indian leader, ... Gandhi 233. Lady's title 234. Redesign (hair) 238. Manoeuvring space 239. Enchant 240. Most timid 243. By mouth 246. Raises (5,2) 247. Requirements 250. Mountainous 251. Ancient 253. Length measures 256. Day-to-day 257. Granted 258. Merriest 262. Single sound system 263. Drive off 266. Dowdy 268. Slandered 269. Sleeker 270. Slender toughness 271. Long race 272. Gist (of story) 273. Argentina's Buenos ... 274. Beatles, The ... Four 275. Summer frock 276. Bemuse 277. Accented 278. Curly-tailed marine creature (3,5)
Down 1. Extra serving (3-2) 2. Noodle food 3. Welsh vegetables 4. Non-coms (1,1,2) 5. Swiss city 7. Cockerel 8. Mythical horned horse 9. Junior Girl Guides 10. Waist ribbon 11. German Mr 12. Imposing buildings 13. Factor 14. Lethargy 15. Artefacts gallery 16. Comply with 17. Gentle prod 18. Expel 19. Skinflint 24. Time signals 26. Luncheon meat 30. Davy Crockett's fort 33. Collided with (3,4) 34. Cuts into 35. Passion 38. Louder 39. Absurd pretence 40. Condense 42. Burden of responsibility 43. Cylindrical 46. Social chaos 47. Concoct 49. Punishment 50. Become liable for 51. Sure 53. Sea god 54. Souvenir 55. Spectre 59. Mollifies 60. Ill-matched 67. German alpine state 68. Broken-limb supports 69. Et cetera (3,2,2) 70. Insensitively 72. Minor planets 74. Modernising (software) 76. Easy seat 77. Joins forces (5,2) 78. Buddhist heaven 79. Lowest (voice) 81. Last Supper guests 84. Briniest 87. Upstage 89. Nudist 91. Turns into alcohol 92. Break (partnership) 98. Portugal's capital 101. Inflexible 102. Eventuate 103. Hands on hips 108. Flowering shrub, crape ... 109. Commit to memory 110. Sister's daughter 112. Childbirth contractions (6,5) 116. Marzipan (6,5) 119. Most important 120. Adding up (to) 123. Hebrew 124. Vietnam's ... City (2,3,4) 128. Toils
,
g
Down 132. Let in 133. Outspoken 134. SE France river 137. Extremely 138. US naval port, San ... 141. Star, ... Centauri 142. Cymbals sound 143. Failed to (4'1) 151. Golfer, ... Palmer 153. Astonished 155. Cowgirl, ... Oakley 156. Fuses (of bones) 159. Somalia's neighbour 160. Receipt 161. Not moved (by argument) 164. Crippled 165. Pungent bulb 168. Intensify (of war) 170. December conifer (4,4) 173. Ceylon (3,5) 174. Letter recipient 177. Fellow players 178. Bridging 181. Vigorous exercise classes 185. Career barriers, glass ... 186. Blitz 187. Makes gloomy 188. Tilt 193. Expressionless 194. Sloping typeface 195. Slums 200. Gains entry to 201. Dirtily 206. Prisoners 207. Fabric retailers 208. More cocky 209. Stiffly 211. Financed in advance 214. Ground oats 216. Massive 217. Illegal hunter 218. Britain's 1066 invaders 220. Non-clergy 222. In vain, to no ... 224. Giving green light to 225. Unsuitably 226. Abnormal tissue growths 229. Bargain sell-off 232. Man 235. Heavenly 236. Bell-shaped flower 237. Government supporter 241. Rugby fending move (4-3) 242. Slipped by 244. Greed 245. Boarders 248. Second book in Bible 249. Air pollution 251. Betting chances 252. Stage-plays 253. Childhood swelling disease 254. Hawk's claw 255. Famous Swiss mountain 259. Flooded (of decks) 260. Anaesthetic 261. 1000 kg unit 262. The M of YMCA (3'1) 264. Canadian lake 265. Female sheep 267. Baseballer, ... Ruth
Solution on Page 39 g
Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, June 27, 2018 - Page 59
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Page 60 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, June 27, 2018
Observer Victorian Sport Melbourne
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Wine Column Tyrrell’s heritage
Nominations open for classic ■ Nominations for the rich and popular Epsom Handicap to be run at Randwick on September have opened with some top noms, for the feature event. Sportsbet has framed a very early market for the big one, won twice by former great Victorian galloper, Super Impose. The James Cummings, Godolphin entry, Kementari, is the early equal favourite at around $8. He is all class, and former great jockey, Darren Beadman, who is number two to James Cummings at the stables, has a very high opinion of the colt, turning four come August 1. He recently won the much sought after Hobartville Stakes, prior to that running a very good third to the mighty mare, Winx and Happy Clapper in the George Ryder another of the top events in Sydney. Equal favourite is another very good young galloper in D'Argento, prepared by Chris Waller, who is on the verge on cracking the one million dollar barrier having won four of his only seven starts. He finished a good third behind Kementari in the Hobartville and then won the Rosehill Guineas in good style. Top seasoned galloper, Happy Clapper, beautifully named being out of a mare named Busker, won the recent Doncaster in brilliant fashion prior to that he was a very good second to Champion mare Winx, in the George Ryder Handicap. One of the best milers going around he will give you a great sight or your money as honest as they come. Another who is very smart is the rising fouryear Australian Oaks winner, Unforgotten, who has now won over the million dollar mark and in the powerful Chris Waller stables. She has had nine starts for five wins and two minor placings and is all class as shown by her win in the Australian Oaks. On the next line is yet another smart type in Pierata, a nice colt by leading sire, former Golden Slipper winner, Pierro. Prepared by Greg Hickman at Warwick Farm, he has ten outings for four wins and four minor placings. This included a great win in the Magic Millions VO Rogue Plate at Doomben boosting his stakemoney to nearly $2.25 million. An interesting nomination is that of top filly, Alizee, who like all, will turn four come August 1st, is in good form having won five of her twelve starts with three minor placings. She won the Flight Stakes comfortably, and was a good third in the One Thousand Guineas at Caulfield last October. At her last outing she wasn't suited by the conditions, but tried hard for an unlucky sixth in the Surround Stakes. She has accumulated nearly $700,000 in earnings so far. One of the most consistent gallopers going around at the moment is the Kris Trained, Le Romain, who doesn't know how to run a bad race. He has competed in just about everything except the Melbourne to Warrnambool Bike Race. From his 25 starts he has won six with 10 minor placings, all always in top company, and half the time carrying the top weight. Back on April 21, he ran a great second to the T.J.Smith sprint winner, the very smart youngster, Trapeze Artist. One to keep your eye on is the Queensland Derby winner, Dark Dream, who is yet to miss a place from his ten starts. After an unlucky third in the Grand Prix Stakes in Sydney she towelled them in the Queensland Derby. Later an offer of $2 million was offered for the gelding, but the owners who love him so much, said no way. He is in the care of Kerry Parker at Kembla Grange who has done a great job with him. Another filly coming age on August 1st, Champagne Cuddles, with loads of ability as indicated by her strong third in the Stradbroke to Santa Ana Lane.
● Happy Clapper. Racing Photos She is very smart and will get in well in the gram, this change of classification will expand the reach of OTT, and open events up to a range weights department. I am sticking with the veteran, Happy Clap- of new competitors. Through the OTT program, RV has sponper if he goes around. sored more than 500 Equestrian events in which over 11,000 retired racehorses have competed. RV Executive General Manager-Integrity SerRacing Victoria has announced a change to vices, Jamie Stier, said the change to the classithe classification of It's Off Track (OTT) pro- fication is a strong indicator of how well the gram which will see the number of horses eli- OTT program is received in the Equestrian comgible to compete in OTT events increase by as munity. much as 25%. 'This is a huge step in the right direction for The OOT program promotes thoroughbred encouraging people to invest in the Off the Track horses to the Equestrian and pleasure industries, thoroughbreds."Stier said. and helps facilitate their placement in post-rac"The objective of this change was to create a ing careers. more inclusive community that enables a wider Effective fromAugust 1st, this year, any horse number of horses to qualify for the Off The bred to race that has been Stud Book-registered; Track events." either domestically with the Australian Stud Book With the change due to come into effect from or internationally, will be eligible to compete in August 1st, unraced OTT thoroughbreds comOOT events in Victoria. peting in the is year's prestigious Garryowen Historically, OOT events that have been re- event at the Royal Melbourne Show, in which stricted to thoroughbreds who had competed in retired racehorses have won the past seven a race or an official barrier trial. years, will now be eligible. Already a highly-successful pro Thoroughbreds are the ideal equestrian athletes and are suitable for a range of disciplines including eventing, showing, polo, pony clubs and other sport events. Racing Victoria has formed sponsorship arrangements with Equestrian Victoria (EV), THE Pony Club Association of Victoria (PCAV), the Horse Riding Clubs Association of Victoria (HRCAV) and others to ensure suitable incentives exist for re-educating and riding Off Track Horses. Racing Victoria acknowledged re-trainers are tasked with re-educating retired racehorses for second careers as performance and pleasure horses and are available to assist racing trainers and owners with the placement of their retired racehorses in their post racing life.
Off-track ops
Ted Ryan
Good friend gone I was saddened to hear of the recent passing of a good friend. The very popular Bookmaker, Eric Tymms, lost his battle at the good age of nearly 91. He was with the Victorian Bookmaker's Association for some fifty years, a former boxer, like myself a devout Catholic, who was instrumental in starting off the time honoured Racing Mass on the Sunday after the Derby, just prior to the Melbourne Cup. A lot of racegoers may not know that he also was very capable in the "House of Stoush" as a boxer who held more than his own, against the best. A great man gone, Sympathy to Eric's loved ones, he was one of the best.
● Bruce Tyrrell: currently in charge of the family ship. ■ John Rozentals considers the story of Tyrrells, one of Australia's oldest familyowned wine businesses. "160 years of family business is an amazing thing," said Chris Tyrrell. "We are lucky enough to make wine from vines planted by our great-great-grandfather in a time when they had no electricity or any of the luxuries we have today. It is an honour to work with these wonderful assets." He's quite right, of course, and the whole family should be immensely proud of that achievement. What Chris didn't mention was that the 160 years have been achieved with so few people in charge of the ship. Current head is fourth-generation Bruce Tyrrell. His great uncle Dan completed his last vintage in 1959, aged 88. The fifth generation, represented by Bruce's son Chris, might have to wait a few years yet before taking the reins. There certainly have been some memorable milestones in the Tyrrells story, including the launch in 1963 of their iconic Vat 1 Hunter Semillon, now one of Australia's most awarded white wines, and being the first Australian winery, in 1973, to mature chardonnay in French oak and enter it into a wine show - a controversial step indeed. WINE REVIEWS D'Arenberg 2014 The Sticks & Stones ($29): A blend of 37 per cent tempranillo, 36 per cent grenache, 25 per cent souzao, and a smidge of tinta cao. I had a handle on all of these 'alternative' varieties but souzao sent me to Google. It's a dense, deeply coloured Portuguese variety, which may go a long way to explaining this wine, which is big, full-flavoured and aridly dry. I'd be taking it along to match a meaty pizza. D'Arenberg 2014 Derelict Vineyard Grenache ($29): The Osbornes helped save grenache when its very future in McLaren Vale was threatened, and just as well, as this superb dry red shows. It's an absolute ripper and I confess to loving it madly. Warm, full, generous, rich, soft are all terms that come readily to mind. Drink with the heartiest of winter stews and you'll be well sated. WINE OF THE WEEK Tyrrells 2016 Rufus Stone Heathcote Shiraz ($25): The Tyrrell family have put just about as much effort into the central Victorian area of Heathcote as the have into their beloved Hunter Valley. Well, that might be stretching things a bit, but they certainly have given the area a fair bit of support - and it's paying off very nicely after more than 20 years. This is great plummy Australian shiraz just waiting for a juicy medium-rare steak.
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Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, June 27, 2018 - Page 61
Page 62 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, June 27, 2018
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Quantity Surveyors Property depreciation services Just Depreciation is always going the extra mile to help all our clients whenever we can. We have decided to answer some of our frequently asked questions to help give you some advice and get a better understanding of our services to save you time and money. If, for any reason, there are still questions you would like to ask us about our property depreciation services then don’t hesitate to call our friendly team who would be only too happy to help. My property is old is it worthwhile getting a report prepared? Yes, all properties regardless of age have some form of depreciation. The fixtures and fittings in the property must be valued at the date that you first make the property available for rental. Just Depreciation recommend reports for all residential properties no matter how old the building may be. I have owned the property for a number of years and not claimed any depreciation, have I missed out? No, we will start your report from the first date of rental and your accountant can apply to the Taxation Office to get previous returns adjusted. It’s never too late to claim any property depreciation. How long does the report last for? Our reports have 10 years of detailed information and enough detail for your accountant to expand on the individual items after this date so you won't have to arrange for a another report unless you carry out major reno vations or improvements. Do you guarantee your report will be worthwhile? Yes of course, and we guarantee that if you do not receive a deduction that is twice the amount of our fee in the first year, then the report will be free. We believe this is the fairest and best possible outcome either way for our clients. What is the process? Do I have to make appointments? No, we make the appointments on your behalf via your rental manager and liaise with tenants for a suitable time for the property inspection so you need not worry about a thing. What happens at the inspection? We measure the property, take photos, take note of all depre ciable items and any capital building write off deductions that may apply and then return to the office to calculate and process the report.
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Melbourne Obser ver - Wednesday, June 27, 2018 - Page 63
Page 64 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, June 27, 2018
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Melbourne Obser ver - Wednesday, June 27, 2018 - Page 65
Deck-Doc
Local company chosen as best in the world
For many years Deck-Doc has been supplying retailers throughout Australia with their premium range of timber and decking oils. For the past three years, Deck-Doc has been predominantly selling their products online to service the whole of Australia as well as international customers.
Deck-Doc was recently chosen over other companies to supply their oils to an international company and is in the process of sealing an agency agreement for exclusive distribution and selling rights in Sri Lanka and the Maldives. Deck-Doc timber oil is environmentally friendly and the business has been manufacturing unique, lanolin-based timber oil in Geelong for 15 years. The formula was developed by Robert Hylands to preserve the natural oils and tannins in the timber. The timbers oils and tannins determine the colour of the timber. If the tannins dry out, the timber will lose its own natural colour. The formula is made up of many different plant oils, waxes and lanolin and designed to stay soft and pliable when absorbed into the surface layers of the timber, therefore will not solidify and form a hard membrane of the surface. It will move with the timber during all weather conditions preventing water absorption and drying out of the tannins. Mr Hylands first developed the timber oil when he noticed there was nothing on the market that preserved the timber and protected the timber’s natural colour. Before his time at Deck-Doc, he gained experience when he owned a factory making hand carved, handpainted wooden decoy ducks for duck hunters. The timber used for the ducks had to maintain its natural colour and stay on the water without absorbing moisture. After extensive research, he found lanolin (wool grease) gave excellent water repellency as well as UV protection. Mr Hylands developed lanolin-based timber protection oil and found the water-repellent protection and preservative way far superior and says lanolin is “Nature’s natural UV protection”. Lanolin comes from the wool of sheep and is extracted from the fleece. It is a substance that waterproofs, insulates, and protects sheep from the cold, wind, rain and harmful CV sun rays. Deck-Doc uses the best merino wool to extract lanolin. Throughout history ancient mariners such as the Vikings used lanolin to protect, waterproof and preserve the wooden boards on their ships. Many of the ships were away from their home bases for many years and their ships were subjected to wild storms at sea. They survived thanks to the protection of Lanolin. Deck-Doc invites all to visit their showroom in Moolap for free advice in a number of important issues concerning timber care. There is a large selection of timber types that have been exposed to severe weather conditions, enabling people to understand the importance of choosing a suitable timber type. for the right application. Also know what happens to the different types of decking stains and coatings, how they weather, and the maintenance required. The friendly staff have useful hints for anyone preparing to build a new deck.
Page 66 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, June 27, 2018
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Rural News
WINTER IS HERE, ORDER YOUR TANK NOW
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Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, June 27, 2018 - Page 67
Page 68 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, June 27, 2018
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Learning to Ride
Balance Bikes from Ivanhoe Cycles Balance Bikes (also called training bikes) are pedalless bikes designed to provide fun and exercise and to teach the basic skills of steering, balance and co-ordination. They are suited to a child from 2 to 5 years of age. The child simply sits astride the balance bike and "walks" while steering with the handlebars.
It effectively allows them to learn balance without having to learn to pedal at the same time. It cuts the learning "gradient" down. They are also called pre bikes or first bikes. Balance bikes are becoming increasingly popular, as it is so much easier to learn to ride. Learning to ride can be achieved at their own pace. A less confident child can “walk� it around for as long as they like, then
when ready, they can gradually lift their feet and scoot along until they are ready to simply push off and just roll along. More confident kids will be flying around with huge smiles in no time at all. Because they have a sturdy aluminium or steel frame and well constructed wheels they are virtually trouble free, and can be passed down from child to child.
BYK E250L PURPLE $219
GIANT PRE BIKE - RED $199
Mongoose Lilgoose WNR Girls Balance Bike 12 Inch $179
Byk E250L Purple - Girls 14inch Balance Bike
12 inch boys balance bike that is a perfect gradient for learning to ride a real bike
The low stand-over height makes it very easy to get on and off the bike,
LIL ZOOMER BALANCE BIKE - GREEN $99
BYK E200L $189
Little Zoomer Balance Bike in any colour. A fun way to teach balance and coordination! Suitable 2-4 years.
Byk E200L. Balance Bikes make it so much easier for your child to learn to ride.
MONGOOSE LILGOOSE WNR BOYS BALANCE BIKE 12 INCH $179 The Mongoose Lilgoose Balance bike is not only one of the cutest designs we've seen on a training bike.