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FUNNY BUSINESS

Page 10

EYE BALL

FOOTY WEEK LATEST

■ Imren Kuyucu-Sagdic with Renee Raharaha were at the ‘Eyes For Africa’ ball held at Docklands this week. More photos in ‘Melbourne People’ on Page 6.

Page 78

NOSTALGIA PHOTO SPECIAL Page 48

IT’S MAGIC!

Melbourne

Observer ISSN 1447 4611

■ Wayne Scott Kermond stars as Max Bialystock in The Producers, which will be staged in Melbourne from this Sunday at The State Theatre, Arts Centre. He stars alongside Christie Whelan as Ulla, and Brent Hill as Leo Bloom in this Production Company show.

■ Illusionist Cosentino is to undertake a national tour with performkances at Geelong (Oct.1 2), The Palms at Crown (Oct. 19-21), and Shepparton (Oct. 27).

DOCTORS BATTLE TO SAVE RADIO MAN’S VOICE - P3

Page 2 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, July 4, 2012

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Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, July 4, 2012 - Page 3

Breaking Showbiz News

DOCTORS BATTLE TO SAVE MELB. RADIO MAN’S VOICE EXCLUSIVE

It’s All About You!

Melbourne

Observer In This 80-Page Edition

Mark Richardson: From The Heart ......... Page 4 Melbourne People: At the ‘Eye Ball’ ....... Page 6 Di Rolle: Night with Hollywood royalty ... Page 10 Melb. Confidential: Lola’s baptism pix ... Page 11 Long Shots: Pet hates; editorial .......... Page 12 Yvonne Lawrence: Life and style .......... Page 15 Outback Legend: Nick Le Souef writes ... Page 18 TV Times: 8-Page Liftout, begins .......... Page 27 Classic Books: Les Miserables, begins .. Page 31 Readers Club: Birthdays, fun .............. Page 34 Victoria Pictorial: Nostalgic photos ...... Page 48 James Sherlock Aaron Rourke Julie Houghton Cheryl Threadgold

Observer Showbiz

Latest News Flashes Around Victoria

Robber with conscience ■ A burglar with a conscience has returned some of the loot stolen from a Mount Pleasant home late last week, reports the Ballarat Courier. Three pieces of jewellery were placed in the letterbox of the burgled home.

Jailed for incest ■ A Bendigo man, who cannot be named, has been convicted in the County Court of four counts of incest and sentenced to nine years’ jail.

Court: Soldier cleared ■ Soldier Daniel Anthony Byram, 28, facing sexual assault allegations at Wodonga, has been found not guilty.

Dimboola man jailed ■ Dimboola man Gary Texas Bradshaw,40,who bashed his teenage daughter, partner and brother has been jailed.

■ Surgeons are battling to save the voice of long-time Melbourne radio-TV man Bob Phillips.

Phillips, well-known as producer to most of Australia’s big TV-radio names, says the condition is “voice-threatening, but not life threatening”.

Phillips has been under the care of two senior specialists at Epworth Hospital, Richmond, and is due to undergo further tests at the Melbourne Voice Analysis Centre next week.

“Thankfully, it is not throat cancer, but appears to be polyps on the vocal cords,” Phillips told the Melbourne Observer yesterday (Tues.).

“The doctors are reluctant to operate, but it seems certain that I will need to undergo surgery within the next few months.”

Bob Phillips, and his wife Judy, front the popular Sugar And Spice program every Thursday morning on 3RPP, based at Mornington.

Phillips also presents The Late Late Brekky Show on Sunday mornings.

He has been experiencing some voice difficulties in presenting the radio shows, and sought medical advice after a few close associates described him as being “croaky”.

Phillips blames a busy public speaking schedule for the condition. He says he has often been forced to strain his vocal chords in public speeches to community groups, where an effective loudspeaker system has not been in place.

Phillips interest in radio started as a 12-year-old at the home of a disabled friend, whose parents had built a purpose-built radio studio.

He worked as a spool boy then theatre projectionist at theatres including the Waratah in Ascot Vale, Progress in Coburg, Circle in Essendon, the Trocadero in Footscray, and the New Malvern.

He became a projectionist in the early days of GTV-9 at Richmond, worked as Floor Manager for The Tarax Show, and became right-hand man to Graham Kennedy on In Melbourne Tonight.

Bob Phillips was instrumental in pioneering early morning television, and produced Fredd Bear’s Breakfast A Go Go, featuring Judy Banks, and Tedd Dunn (as Fredd Bear).

In the 1970s, Bob Phillips ran Television Entertainers of Australia, managing artists including Daryl Somers.

Mike McColl Jones

Top 5 THE TOP 5 COMMENTS HEARD FROM CRITICS ABOUT ‘BEING LARA BINGLE’ 5. "I watched it under a severe disadvantage. The TV set was on".

4. "This has even put radio back 20 years!".

3. "When she entered the room, you felt like someone had just left".

2. "Her performance reminded me of Blanchett.

Not Kate, Harry Blanchett, he has our local fish shop".

1. "The opening titles and the closing credits were too far apart".

Listen to the Melbourne Observer on your radio WEDNESDAYS 12.45AM. Cheryl Threadgold, community theatre writer, reports on 3AW. www.3aw.com.au 1.15AM. Jim Sherlock discusses movies/ DVDs with Andrew McLaren. www.3aw.com.au 10AM. Editor Ash Long talks with Denis Scanlan on The Pulse 94.7 www.947thepulse.com 10PM. Rob Foenander presents Country Crossroads on Casey 97.7 FM www.3ser.org.au

THURSDAYS 9.15AM. Editor Ash Long talks with Bob and Judy Phillips on 3RPP. www.rppfm.com.au 10PM. Kevin Trask presents The Time Tunnel with Walter Williams www.4bc.com.au

FRIDAYS

● Bob Phillips

FACT FILE

AM. Ted Ryan talks racing with Denis Scanlan on The Pulse 94.7 www.947thepulse.com 2.30PM. Jim Sherlock talks movies/DVDs with Denis Walter on 3AW www.3aw.com.au

SUNDAYS 9AM. Mike McColl Jones talks the Top 5 with Bob Phillips on 3RPP. www.rppfm.com.au ● Vocal cord nodules are benign (non-cancerous) growths on both vocal cords that are caused by vocal abuse. Over time, repeated abuse of the vocal cords results in soft, swollen spots on each vocal cord. These spots develop into harder, callous-like growths called nodules. The nodules will become larger and stiffer the longer the vocal abuse continues.

Phillips returned to GTV-9 as Producer of The Graham Kennedy Show, The Ernie Sigley Show, The Don Lane Show and Hey Hey It’s Saturday.

He also produced Tonight Live with Steve Vizard.

Bob Phillips commenced a professional interest in radio, enrolling with Lee Murray. He worked with Clark Sinclair on the St Kilda local station 3SA, also recording interviews for 3AW and Victorian country stations.

In 1988, Bob and Judy Phillips started the Studio City FM narrowcast radio station from their media museum at Mornington, later at Moorooduc.

He has been a major supporter of the 3RPP local radio station at Mornington.

Phillips’s current health dilemma means an uncertain future for his radio work. He has kept Station Manager Brendan Telfer fully briefed.

3AW ‘drive’ presenter Derryn Hinch faced a similar health threat to his voice in the 1980s.

Hinch underwent successful surgery for a similar problem, but was put out of action for six weeks.

Hinch used a small computer to communicate during the time in which he was not permitted to talk.

Phillips laughs: “I hope I don’t come out sounding like Derryn.”

12 NOON. Kevin Trask presents That’s Entertainment on 96.5FM. www.innerfm.org.au 8.20PM. Kevin Trask presents The Time Tunnel on Remember When. www.3aw.com.au

MONDAYS 2PM. Yvonne Lawrence presents Life And Style on 3WBC 94.1FM www.3wbc.org.au 8PM. Len Baker presents Harness Review on 97.9FM www.979fm.net 10PM. Kevin Trask presents Memories Are Made Of This on 4BC www.4bc.com.au

TUESDAYS 6AM. Rob Foenander presents The Big Breakfast on 88.3 Southern FM www.southernfm.com.au

ALSO BE LISTENING FOR Julie Houghton discusses the arts on 3MBS-FM, 3MBS Digital, Online www.3mbs.org.au Di Rolle discusses Melbourne entertainment on 3AW, overnights. www.3aw.com.au

AND WATCH FOR Country Crossroads TV show on Aurora Channel 183, Foxtel www.aurora.tv

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Page 4 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, July 4, 2012

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Mark Richardson ♥ Straight from the heart

E-Mail: mark@localmedia.com.au

THE FRENCH SINGING DETECTIVE ■ One of the most annoying commercial jingles I've ever heard is for The Blind Factory.

I guess that's the genius of it. See how popular you become if you download it as your mobile ring tone.

'The Blind Factory …The Blind Factory …The Blind Factory!' "Ah, shutter up!"

When Clayton Sinclair was five years of age, he stepped out of his Brighton back gate and was confronted by three elephants that had escaped from the circus in Elwood, inspiring him to pursue a life in the entertainment industry.

Little did he know that some 50 years on, a columnist would interview him about his successful writing, producing, acting, singing, music and voice-over career; including those notorious Blind Factory radio commercials. "Oh boy!"

Clayton's latest Morning Melody style production - The Singing French Detective is his one-man theatrical show set in modern-day Paris that he is preparing to perform around Victoria.

During rehearsals in his garage, Clayton explained how he created the French character Anatole De Latour following the way of the elephants outside the same back gate in his Brighton home.

First up Clayton, do you apologise for playing the part of Rodney in the 'Blind Factory' radio commercials?

Not at all, but please forgive me!

The elephants had a profound effect on you at such a young age, and I'm sure you dreamed of joining the Circus, what was your first job?

In a way, my life has been a circus. When I was 12 I wrote comedy pars from 'a woman's point of view' about men for New Idea magazine in their Mere Male section. I used my mother's name and was paid $1.00 for each one published.

You graduated from the prestigious William Bates Academy of Performing Arts, how did you break into the showbiz industry?

When I was 20 I worked in an underwear factory in Richmond and suggested to the CEO that I write a TV commercial with a catchy tune for their underwear sale.

I walked across the road to GTV9 and got them involved and made my first commercial with Brian Finch. From there I wrote commercials for Clifton Discount Warehouse which resulted in tripling their turnover.

Of recent times, what companies are you the voice-over for?

Barloworld, All 4 Pets, Chadstone Shopping Centre and The Blind Factory with Marcus Daw. I also write copy and do voiceover work for documentaries and provide professional performance

CATCHY PORCH THOUGHTS and voice coaching for actors, politicians and company CEO's.

What is one of the hardest tongue twisters that springs to mind?

'Unique New York' - try saying that three times fast!

Speaking of New York, in the 80s you worked there as a composer, singer and songwriter. Was it a hard industry to break into?

Extremely hard. I was bordering on being broke but was fortunate to be signed to the Casong label working alongside artists such as Tiny Tim and Charles Ward. I worked on 52nd Street near Broadway, and loved it!

Lachlan Murdoch and John Michael-Howson assisted you in Hollywood which led to working with A List producers, directors and writers, includingAcademyAward nominee producer Martin Brown (Moulin Rouge) and Rowan Woods, director of 'Little Fish' starring Kate Blanchett. What did you learn most about the film industry that guides your work today?

The high level of professionalism.

When I arrived in Los Angeles I was a novice. It's a serious business and it's all about numbers. I learnt about the casting process, the power of agents and the challenges of getting a film to screen. By learning the art of writing and pitching projects I was able to present to Paramount and Disney Productions.

You are returning to the stage in the musical mystery The Singing French Detective, what is your show about?

Is about the mysterious adventures of eccentric Interpol detective, Anatole De Latour and his quest to solve the one case that has haunted him for years. Working undercover as a busker on the Paris Metro he charms and entertains the audience (he considers to be travellers) with his intrigu-

● Clayton Sinclair ing story of how and why he came to where you have built your amazing be where he now finds himself. The Paris set, what do your neighbours show infuses a perfect mix of mu- think? sic, mystery, laughter, tears, silliness, In the lead-up to a show, I spend a songs and truth. few days rehearsing - working the How didAnatole De Latour come timing, tempo, music and shaping the to be? script.

Whilst walking my dog Lucy, I I am sure the neighbours think an heard a French voice almost blow- opera singer has moved in or there's ing in the wind and he developed a cat screaming on the hot tin roof. from there.

What is your Porch or Paris It was a creative process I fol- Metro thought of the day? lowed and I became the character.

"In all things be kind." Or as People thought I was nuts walking Anatole De Latour would say, "La around the streets talking in a French bonté en toutes choses." accent to myself.

Show enquiries: You rehearse in your garage enquiry@gawjusproductions.com.au

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Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, July 4, 2012 - Page 5

Page 6 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, July 4, 2012

$53.8 million deal

● Garry Dumbrell

■ Metcash has this week purchased the 75 per cent shareholding of Melbourne man Garry Dumbrell in the Autobarn group for $53 million.

Garry’s elder son, Paul, 29, continues as CEO, and maintains a 24.9 per cent holding in the company. Metcash has an option until 2017 to buy this stake.

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

People Melbourne

Send news to editor@melbourneobserver.com.au

At the‘Eyes For Africa’Ball

● Imren Kuyucu-Sagdic with Renee Raharaha at the ‘Eye Ball’ at Docklands

Stateside

Fax: 1-800 231 312

Playing with fire

● Alan Fletcher and Jennifer Hansen ■ Melbourne showbiz couple Alan Fletcher and Jennifer Hansen are in America today (July 4), celebrating Independence Day. The couple are on a three-week holiday, and have already visited Las Vegas and San Francisco.

Baptism ● Fire spinner Chris Costa of St Kilda East performed at Central Pier, Docklands, at the weekend

Production line

● Gene and June Raharaha were at the ‘Eye Ball’ at Peninsuka, Docklands

● Lola Welsh ■ Entertainer Patti Newton has released photos from the christening of her granddaughter Lola Welsh.

More photos can be seen on Page 11.

The colour pictures were released on the 3AW.com.au website.

In the UK

FILE PHOTO

● Imren Kuyucu-Sagdic with Fleur Long were members of one of tables of staff from the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital at the ‘Eye Ball’

● Paul Walsh ■ Normally at Ivanhoe Grammar School, Paul Walsh is in the UK, and broadcasting Wimbledon reports on Aussie radio.

● Melbourne journalists Ash Long and Suzanne Carbone were at this year’s Production Company launch at Raheen, Kew. This Sunday sees the opening of the first of three shows, The Producers. ‘Opening night’ is scheduled for Wednesday next week.

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Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, July 4, 2012 - Page 7

p +61 7 5492 666 free ph 1800 068 798 e info@norfolks.com.au www.norfolks.com.au 32 Queen of Colonies Parade, Moffat Beach, Caloundra, Qld

Page 8 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, July 4, 2012

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Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, July 4, 2012 - Page 9

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Showbiz News

Circus Oz at Birrarung Marr

CHANGES AT STEREO 974 Briefs Dumped

● Dr Andrew Rochford ■ The Ten Network has dropped Dr Andrew Rochford from its Breakfast program hosted by Paul Henry.

Dr Rochford will stay on the Network payroll.

The Block

● Lara Welham with Craig Huggins ■ Lara Welham and Brad Cranfield won The Block TV series this week after their South Melbourne terrace sold for $1.62 million. The couple were interviewed during the week by Craig Huggins of Gold 104.

■ John Paige has been appointed Station Manager of Brooklyn-based community station Stereo 974.

Paige has extensive media talents, combining radio broadcasting, television, and as a voiceover talent. He has worked with the 7, 9 and 10 networks.

His appointment is part of succession planning for the station.

Rod Boyd continues as General Manager.

John Paige's career spans over two decades with 15 years as an on air broadcaster with many radio stations across the east coast.

He has appeared as host on television with NBN TVs Friday night program Mystery and Imagination Theatre introducing horror movies, the weather man live to air each night on Southern Cross Network TVs National News.

‘Fat Swan’ returns to Melbourne ■ Trevor Ashley (pictured) will star in the adults-only panto, Fat Swan, returning to Melbournbe from September 26October 6.

The campy romp through ballet will be staged at the Fairfax Studio, Arts Centre, Melbourne, with tickets going on sale this Friday (July 6).

Ashley stars as a ballet dancer, Natalie Portly, who dreams of being a star with a psychotic mother, the choreographer from hell, and a lesbian ballerina with a dark side.

WHITLAM STORIES WANTED FOR TV SHOW

Speaker ■ 3AW’s Derryn Hinch will be a guest speaker at the Rural Press Club of Victoria’s seminar this month.

As the seminar keynote speaker, Hinch will look back on his 50 years in journalism.

● John Paige

● Bec Matthews (left), Carl Polke and Ania Reynolds can be seen in From The Ground Up, presented by Circus Oz until July 15 in the Circus Oz Big Top, Birrarung Marr, between Federation Square and Batman Avenue, Melbourne. Bookings: ticketmaster.com.au or 136 100 Photo: Rob Blackburn

● Gough Whitlam

Melbourne Observations with Matt Bissett-Johnson

■ ABC TV is calling for Gough Whitlam stories and memorabilia to feature in its new two-part documentary series, Whitlam researchers are seeking personal stories, photos and super 8 or video footage about Gough Whitlam, one of Australia’s most controversial Prime Ministers.

People who can help out are encouraged to contact the ABC website abc.net.au/tv/documentaries/whitlam or write to ABC TV Documentaries, GPO Box 9994, Sydney, NSW 2001.

Natalie Portly’s mother, Barbara Hershey-Bar, will be played by Genevieve Lemon. Brendan Moar and Jersey Boys’ Danielle Barnes will also appear.

Publicist Julie Cavanagh says the recent Sydney show introduced new jokes, new frocks and ruffled some feathers.

Opening night for the R-rated show will be on Thursday, September 27.

The first season of the show - packed with audience participation - at the Spegieltent, Melbourne, was a sell-out.

Nutcracker On Ice ■ The Imperial Ice Stars will open Nutcracker On Ice at the Arts Centre, Melbourne, opening on Wednesday, July 25.

The show is being presented by Lunchbox Theatrical Productions.

Special Observer Reader Offer

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Page 10 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, July 4, 2012

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To

Grace Knight to tour Victoria

Di Cut-throat TV biz

● Ann Curry ■ There’s “no business like show business” is the greatest truth. Even though I love what I do, it has its moments.

Because it involves being present and urgency on a continuous level, and meeting deadlines, it does have its funny moments and yes it gets very serious at times when newspapers want exclusives and my main aim is to make everyone happy especially the client !

At Channel 10, turning up with a superstar I was asked by the security person if I was there for work experience ... and he was serious!

It did however provide a day of laughter for me as I thought well maybe I still have a lot to learn.

Maybe that’s the way the man upstairs in the big PR office in the sky tells me these things!

It was sad to see Ann Curry leave the Today Show in America, shown here in Australia in the wee small hours of the morning usually around 4am, I have watched Ann over the years and she is a wonderful journalist and presenter and a good person.

I couldn’t help but feel that she was thrown under the bus at NBC! Her departure even made news services here in Australia.

I watched her last show, and she offered a tearful goodbye clearly distressed by the whole episode. She departed as co-host of NBC’s Today Show saying, “this is not as I expected to ever leave this couch.”

Her exit represents NBC’s most visible response to the popular morning show which won the ratings for two decades.

Good Morning America has crept up and beaten them four times in this past half of the year.

Ann took the fall - so Ann had to go.

I have a feeling that the real story behind the scenes is full of intrigue and of course that nothing seems at it appears screeches out over Ann’s departure.

I am sure she will be fine, rumoured to have received a $10 million payout. I am sure she will be fine.

However it’s a nasty ageist business – television and I am sure we will see Ann pop up over the Olympic Games coverage from London.

People who make those decisions I have found in my life eventually find that what goes around comes around, I have seen it happen too many times!

Go Ann. Will miss you in the wee small hours when I can’t sleep!

I love my job!

■ To celebrate the release of her new album Keep Cool Fool. Grace Knight will be hitting the road in August performing a range of shows in Victoria.

I will be there when Grace takes to the stage to perform everything from cool jazz tunes (I’m a Woman, Am I Blue, It Aint Necessary So) to classic nostalgia (Sentimental Journey) as well as her divine interpretation of Hank Williams classic track Your Cheating Heart.

Grace Knight is one of Australia’s finest vocalists with a stellar career spanning 25 years. Throughout her career Grace has embraced numerous musical genres demonstrating her skill and versatility.

She created a storm with the 1980s pop group, Eurogliders, where Grace achieved international success with the summer anthem of 1984 Heaven (Must be There).

Keep Cool Fool is Grace’s sixth solo album and is out now through ABC Music/Universal.

Grace’s tour dates are: Friday, August 3 and Saturday, August 4. Bennett’s Lane, Melbourne. Tickets www.bennettslane.com $4 Friday, August 24. Wellers, Kangaroo Ground. Tickets www.wellers.com.au – Dinner and Show $99 – Show only $39 – This is a terrific venue Saturday August 25. Caravan Music Club, Oakleigh. Tickets www.caravanmusic.com.au Tickets $35 and $28.

For more information about Grace visit www.graceknight.com.au

For MY NIGHT WITH HOLLYWOOD ROYALTY with leading Melbourne publicist DI ROLLE

■ I had wonderful night with Ben Vereen who performed at The Athenaeum.

He put together a great show and the crowd loved it.

It was good to see a great line up of people who came along to see him, including the wonderful Rhonda Burchmore who cried at seeing Ben perform some of his great songs.

A true song and dance man, he really was superb.

Apologies ■ Time is going so quickly and I apologise to readers for not coming good with an Amy Winehouse competition this week.

I have had a huge week and will stop making promises that I cannot keep.

Maybe that’s what the work experience lesson is that I have to learn.

Moon River ■ There are lots of good things happening on the entertainment scene in Melbourne, news of more festivals, I am very thrilled that the beautiful Michelle Nicolle and her Quartet are going to perform Moon River at Melbourne Recital Centre on Friday, July 27 at 7.30pm and Saturday, July 28 at 6.30pm.

When invited to create a program for the American Songbook Series at MRC, Michelle Nicholle immediately responded: ‘Well it just has to be Mercer and Mancini, Why? Moon River says it all.’

The gorgeous, Oscar-winning song was penned by lyricist

to hear anything from a well-known folk tune played in the styles of various famous composers plus an I-Pod mini(!), two different pieces played with different hands at the same time, and a medley of the 20 worst tunes ever written.

He is very funny, I have seen perform and his raconteurstyle send-ups of the ridiculous include true stories of bad pianos he’s had to play, sharpedged commentary on the celeb lives of Brittney Spears, Paris Hilton and Co, and equally topical digs at politicians, or whoever and whatever is making the news.

He does a wonderful tribute to Peter Cook during his show.

It’s a full show all this in a huge range of comic voices and accents, which have led to frequent comparisons to Robin Williams and Peter Ustinov, whilst his brilliant musical spoofs on the piano (as well

● Di Rolle with Ben Vereen Johnny Mercer and Salon, Melbourne and the critical accomposer Henry Recital Centre. Tick- claim that goes with Mancini for Audrey ets $45 ($530 conces- them.

Hepburn to sing in sion) melbourne Not surprisingly, Breakfast At Tiff- recital.com or phone David soon found himany’s.

9699 3333. self a regular on BritI always adore seeish TV and radio, in ing that film certainly addition to touring one of my favourites. widely to more than Moon River ep30 countries, and per■ It seems every itomises the very best forming with the likes of the American song- time we turn around of Cleo Laine, Eartha now in Melbourne writing tradition that Kitt, Ben Elton, Jay stretches back to there is another festi- Leno in LA, Norman val.

Gershwin and earlier.

The next major Wisdom and Patricia Moon River was festival is the Mel- (‘Hyacinth Bucket’) one of the few collaboRoutledge. rations between this bourne Cabaret FesIn David’s contival. pair, but between them certs you can expect One of my favthey are responsible ourite cabaret perfor thousands of entries in the American formers is David Songbook – Mercer Scheel.

David is a true Auswas as accomplished a composer as he was tralian success story, so much so that he is a wordsmith.

Michelle and her regarded internationband will survey hits ally as one of the finlike Days of Wine and est solo musical comRoses (another edy performers in the Mancini/Mercer col- world.

Born in Adelaide, laboration). That Old David first tasted sucBlack Magic (Mercer), cess in England, starMoonlight Sonata (Mancini), in a loving ring in the famous satribute to two geniuses’ tirical News Revue in work together and London’s West End. He then turned to apart.

Mancini was also devising solo shows, the favourite com- and the result was poser of one of Don’t Shoot Me, I’m Michelle’s influential Only The Piano Player.

An instant hit, sellAdelaide University out London perforteachers, the late jazz pianist/educator, Eric mances were folBryce. I will be in the lowed by three Edinburgh Festivals, ● David Scheel front row.

Festivals

● Grace Knight as his serious playing of the instrument) saw him dubbed the new Victor Borge very early on in his career.

The BBC Arts Review program described David as being “as funny as any, wittier than most, and, uniquely, a concert pianist of international stature …. he stands alone, in a class of his own.”

Similar accolades came from the US media when he made his American debut 12 years ago, and both the USA and Canada have been firmly on his annual itinerary ever since.

Most recently, David became the first classical musician to be invited to perform at major international comedy festivals, and his seasons at these have been regularly sold out.

As part of the Melbourne Cabaret Festival, David will perform threeconcerts at the iconic St Kilda Memo Theatre, on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, July 13-15 .

The Times, London, said of David: “A master of the keyboard” And the San Francisco Chrinicle added: “The only show in town that can satisfy lovers of classical music and stand-up comedy alike.”

For further information visit www. davidscheel.com

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, July 4, 2012 - Page 11

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Confidential Melbourne

Talk is cheap, gossip is priceless

Lola Welsh baptised ■ Bert and Patti Newton have released photographs from the baptism of their granddaughter LolaWelsh.

The christening took place at Our Lady of Victories Basilica in Camberwell, with Fr Gerard Dowling officiating.

● From left: Philip Brady, Lola and Lauren Welsh, Bruce Mansfield, Patti and Bert Newton.

Photos: 3AW Nightline

BULLYING, HARASSMENT CLAIMS MADE AGAINST SENIOR POLICE

■ A legal case, in which allegations were made against senior Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner Emmett Dunne, has been dismissed by Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal member Ian Proctor.

Former Police officer Gordon Charteris complained to Worksafe that he had been harassed and bulliede by then Divisional Superintendent Dunne, his superior officer.

Charteris had sought a VCAT order to access text from a confidential report, being the conclusions and recommednations of Worksafe Senior Inspector Toseland, who investigated the original complaint.

The Senior Inspector’s manager disagreed with Toseland’s views and closed the case.

Charteris was a Divisional Inspector for the Mornington Peninsula, and had made remarks in the Police Association Journal about inadequate policing resources in the area.

He repeated those claims at a public meeting. Supt Dunne requested a performance appraisal

● Assistant Commissioner Emmett Dunne of Charteris, who soon went on sick leave, never to return to work, being compulsorily retired by Victoria Police, for reason of ill health.

Charteris alleged that at a oneon-one meeting, he was bullied and harassed by Dunne. Charteris says his official complaint to Victoria Police was not properly investigated.

He complained about Dunne, and then-Deputy Commissioner Ken Lay, to the Office of Police Integrity.

WOMAN MUST PAY DIVORCE CASE FEES

The OPI found that Dunne had not followed Victoria Police policy, and exonerated Deputy Commissioner Lay. As Acting Chief Commissioner, Lay wrote a letter of apology to Charteris concerning incorrect public statements made, based on incorrect advice.

Dunne had told an investigator that he had “no issues with Gordon personally”, communications had been “pleasant and professional”, but that he did not believe Charteris had skills as an operational leader.

“He secribed Mr Charteris’s attitude to him as negative, lacking respect, and always disagreeing and arguing the point.

“The Assistant Commissioner denied that the meeting was form of retribution following the public meeting.”

Mr Proctor determined that disclosure of Senior Inspector Toseland’s opinions about Assistant Commissioner Dunne and potential witnesses interviewed would be contrary to the public interest He said disclosure would likley lead to unnecessary debate.

No longer just ‘local rag’ ■ The local newspaper has become a major player in choosing political candidates. Take the Frankston Standard-Leader. Its frontpage, headlined ‘Judgement day’, questions if troubled Liberal MP Geoff Shaw can win back the local electorate.

Observer Treasury Thought For The Week ■ “Some men achieve greatness, others are born great and a few have greatness thrust upn them. The rest of us just think we’re great.”

Observer Curmudgeon ■ “The reason that lovers never weary each other is because they are always talking about themselves.”

- François De La Rocherfoucauld

Text For The Week ■ “Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.”

- Proverbs 4:23

Unhappy newsagents ■ Joanna Kouskousis has been ordered to pay $8428.61 plus interest to S A MacGregor Pty Ltd, and counsel Ian McKechnie, for legal work in connection with a financial settlement with her ex-husband.

Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal Senior Member Jonathan Smithers heard that Ms Kouskouskis was unhappy with the work with a previous firm of lawyers, and terminated their services.

Ms Kouskouskis made it clear to MacGregors that she sought the work at minimised costs, as she had been charged about $80,000 by the previous lawyers.

Ms Kouskouskis prepared her own affadavit material, did her own photo-copying. Ms Kouskouskis refused to pay the $8428 bill sent by MacGregors, which included a $3791 component for solictors fees, and $4440 for counsel Ian McKecnhie.

Ms Kouskouskis told VCAT that the legal services provided were deficient, and made “numerous and wide-ranging allegations”.

&

Short Sharp ■ Two teams at Keilor Park Football Club are forfeiting games most weeks due to a lack of players.

■ Red Hill will be awash with scarecrows ahead of a festival in September, continuing until the Red Hill Market on October 6.

■ There were 559 dog-related hospital admissions in Melbourne in 2011. There were 786 attacks on dogs reported by Lort Smith Animal Hospital.

Embargo

● Moira Kelly ■ Were Victorian Of The Year organisers totally pleased that the Herald Sun broke the embargo over the announcement of Moira Kelly as its 2012 award winner?

Reporter Grant McArthur went online late Friday night with the story.

The oficial announcement by Lord Mayor Cr Robert Doyle was 11 hours later. He is not likely to made a media fuss in an election year.

Besties

Rumour Mill Hear It Here First

● Lola Welsh

Whispers

■ Victoria’s newsagents say they are unhappy with a 5 per cent increase in home delivery rates for the Herald Sun and Austalian newspapers allowed

by News Limited. A oneday-a-week delivery rises from 29c to 30c. A sevenday delivery rises from $1.20 to $1.26. The cover price for the newspaper will rise from $1.10 to ● Rupert Murdoch $1.20 on July 23.

Big names on ABC-TV ■ Some of Australia’s leading actors - Claudia Karvan, Justine Clarke, Shane Jacobson, William McInnes and Stephen Curry - will star in ABC TV’s drama series, The Time of Our Lives,

‘Toxic’ times at Fairfax ■ The work atmosphere at Fairfax Media has become “toxic”, says an anonymous journalist writing this week for Mumbrella. “Based on the atmosphere in the office, Fairfax won’t struggle to fill its 150 editorial redundancy target, in fact you’d swear there will be a race for the exit. It is just to be hoped those 150 won’t infect those of us who want to stay before they go.”

E-Mail: Editor@MelbourneObserver.com.au

● John Frost ■ Theatrical producer John Frost has written a personal letter of apology to veteran Melbourne showbiz couple Bob and Judy Phillips, after they were overlooked in the preopening launch for Annie The Musical.

Bob went to air on 3RPP this week saying Frost is the couple’s “new best friend”.

Leaving ■ After 18 years as General Manager of the Melbourne Theatre Company, Ann Tonks will be leaving later this year.

“After my break, I will be exploring a range of consulting, employment, research and teaching opportunities,’ Ms Tonks said.

Ms Tonks will continue in the role until a new appointee is named in the role.

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Page 12 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, July 4, 2012 Melbourne

Observer

Ash On Wednesday

Melbourne

MY PET HATES Observer

Checkerboards, the letter ‘G’ and aprons

Our Doors are Open!

Why symbolism in Freemasonry is still relevant today

■ It is our generation’s fault that we have not insisted on young shop assistants counting out the change in transactions.

Instead, these days, even with the well-trained supermarket cashiers, you are just awkwardly handed a collection of coins and notes that you are expected to assume is correct.

And don’t expect a ‘please’ or ‘thank you’. If you are lucky, you might get a “there you go”.

Even the Scottish restaurants which used to greet exiting patrons with “have a nice day”, have dropped the basic good manners.

EDITORIAL COMMENT

Conjurors at work

● Doesn’t anyone count out change?

Long Shots

Romper stompers ● Freemason Gavin Mann pictured inside a lodge room Like many elements of Freemasonry, the full depth of Masonic history is a topic of much debate as accurate and conclusive records of Freemasonry's beginnings do not exist.

Currently the most widely held belief is that modern Freemasonry evolved out of stonemasons' guilds in 17th century England.

Some may argue that today's Freemasonry has little relevance today but for some 12,000 Freemasons in Victoria, this couldn't be further from the truth.

"Much of the strength and attraction of Freemasonry lies in the diversity of its membership, with many men, deciding to become members as they enjoy the tradition and symbolism aspects of the fraternity," says Ben Quick, Freemasons Victoria New Members Liaison and an enthusiastic Freemason of 10 years.

One aspect, however that is not debatable, is that Masonic symbolism is drawn from medieval architecture, using tools of the operative stonemasons as allegories for important life lessons.

The square, for instance, reminds Freemasons that their actions in life should always be carefully measured and considered in relation to the effect they will have on our community and our world as a whole.

Likewise the level is a symbol of equality that reminds a Freemason that each of us is created equal, sharing the same earth, the same aspirations and concerns.

The traditional dress of Freemasonry, the apron, has its beginnings in medieval stonemasons' guilds.

Traditionally, medieval masons wore leather aprons while working in the quarries, cutting and shaping the stonework for their buildings.

The apron worn today, however, is predominately white, symbolising innocence, with decoration to show the wearer's progression within a Lodge.

Likewise, the white gloves worn are a symbol of equality amongst men; whether a man is a white or blue collar worker is unknown when the gloves are worn, reiterating the importance of equality.

At the centre of every Lodge room a letter ‘G’ is suspended, which reminds Freemasons that at the centre of all things there is a divine symmetry or geometry.

This symbolises a Supreme Being, or, in Masonic terms, the Great Architect of the Universe.

Likewise, the black and white chequerboard floor found in Lodge rooms represents the duality in the universe; yin and yang, masculine and feminine, goodness and evil.

"The beautiful part of Freemasonry is that we are men from all faiths, countries, backgrounds, and cultures," says Ben. "Freemasonry is the only vehicle which can unite all men together inside and outside of the Lodge room."

Learn more about Freemasonry and symbolism by taking a free tour of the Masonic Centre in East Melbourne where an experienced Freemason will be happy to answer your questions.

To find out more about Freemasonry, how to become a member, attend upcoming public events, or to take a tour of the Masonic Centre, please visit www.freemasonsvic.net.au or 'Like' our Facebook page, www.facebook.com/ freemasonsvic for the most up to date information.

■ Fashionable heels on ladies shoes can be a delight to see.

You have to admire some of the ladies who can wear heels with elegance and style.

Jane Hall of Mix 101.1 can be seen in a TV ad, gliding across the screen in great looking heels.

But our Absolute AllTime Pet Hate is the woman who cannot pull off the elegance, and stomps around in noisy heels (particularly on wooden floors), turning it into an unsightly sound show.

Let us know your pet hate. PO Box 1278, Research, Vic 3095.

Taxi!

■ Another pet hate is the taxi situation in Melbourne.

On Saturday night, we hailed a cab to take us from Docklands to the Marriott Hotel in Exhibition St, City.

The driver asked for instructions on where the hotel is located, and how to get there.

When Victorian Premier Ted Baillieu tok office in 2010, he instituted

editor@ melbourneobserver.com.au

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

a 12-month inquiry, led by Professor Allan Fels, into the taxi industry.

What inquiry needs 12 months? It seems that it was all to give an impression that something was being done by a do-nothing government.

In the 18 months that have elapsed, has anything actually changed with the taxi situation in Melbourne.

If Ted Baillieu isn’t careful, HE might be driving cabs!

● Prof. Allan Fels

Green MP?

● Senator Evans ■ Senator Chris Evans is the Labor Federal Government’s Minister for Skills, Science and Research.

You would think that with a Carbon Tax that aims at protecting the environment, Senator Evans should have learned by now not to send unsolicited faxes of news releases to newspapers.

What an absolute waste of paper.

IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT COURT REPORTS Contents of Court Lists are intended for information purposes only. The lists are extracted from Court Lists, as supplied to the public, by the Magistrates’ Court of Victoria, often one week prior to publication date; for current Court lists, please contact the Court. Further details of cases are available at www.magistratescourt.vic.gov.au The Melbourne Observer shall in no event accept any liability for loss or damage suffered by any person or body due to information provided. The information is provided on the basis that persons accessing it undertake responsibility for assessing the relevance and accuracy of its content. No inference of a party’s guilt or innocence should be made by publication of their name as a defendant. Court schedules may be changed at any time for any reason, including withdrawal of the action by the Plaintiff/Applicant. E&OE.

● Gina Rinehart ■ Hasn’t mining magnate Gina Rinehart come along at an opportune time for the board of the ailing Fairfax Media organisation?

The Fairfax Media directors, led by grocer Roger Corbett (being paid $420,000-a-year, thank you), have presided over the near-collapse of a oncegreat company. Its share price is a disgraceful onetenth of what it was a decade ago.

But instead of the spotlight being shone on the Fairfax Media board at a time when it is cutting 1900 employees adrift, there has been a skilful use of media to paint Mrs Rinehart as the demon.

Conjurors use a trick called ‘averting the eye’.

Magicians use it, usually with conversation, to take the focus off the trick being pulled.

Fairfax directors and journalists - and the usual political chatterers like Joan Kirner and Malcolm Fraser - have been protesting loudly about a Fairfax charter of editorial independence. Yet there is extraordinary media freedom in Australia.

Fairfax journalist Martin Flanagan cobbled together a weak piece at the weekend that lumped together his perceived idelogical enemies. These included Tony Abbott, Julie Bishop, Rupert Murdoch and, of course, Gina Rinehart.

However, Flanagan is not ashamed to be paid by the Fairfax/Rinehart interests for his critical piece.

Flanagan rings the fire bell, and says that Fairfax and the ABC are at peril if Mrs Rinehart invests her capital in the languishing media company. She already has made the investment, and the sky has not fallen.

Talk about re-arranging the deck chairs on the Titanic!

Flanagan says: “Within a few years, we could have a national mind dominated by Rupert Murdoch, Gina Rinehart, talkback radio hosts and tabloid newspaper columnists.”

He neglects to say the agenda is often currently dominated by boorish broadsheet scribblers.

Under his plan, Flanagan and his journalist friends are allowed to expressTHEIR opinions, but the owners of the media resources are not to be permitted the same opportunity?

There is a myth being perpetuated that anything produced from within the Fairfax stable is Holy Writ. That Fairfax is some form of public trust.

Wealthy commentator Eric Beecher, who sold his Text Media to Fairfax for $60 million, bleats loudly about “quality journalism” and independence.

Mrs Rinehart’s family (through her father Lang Hancock) and his business partner Peter Wright demonstrated admirably their talent as good media proprietors in Perth with the Sunday Independent.

It was a fair and fine newspaper for its time, operating from 1969 to 1986.

The Independent’s founding editor was Maxwell Newton, who was also foundation editor of The Australian Financial Review and The Australian.

He was also Publisher of the Melbourne Observer from 1971 to 1977.

It is sad to see the Fairfax board running scared.

That company has a proud heritage dating back to 1831 with The Sydney Morning Herald, and 1854 with The Age. Who would have dared tell Age owner David Syme that he was not entitled to have an editorial slant to his newspaper? He would have replied it was not only his right, but his responsibility.

The workers at the widget factorydo not have the ‘right’ to tell the boss how to make the widgets.

The same should apply at Fairfax.

- Ash Long, Editor

Free reader ads are available in the Melbourne Trader section of the ‘Melbourne Observer’

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Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, July 4, 2012 - Page 13

Buying Guide

Page 14 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, July 4, 2012

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Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, July 4, 2012 - Page 15

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au Melbourne

Observer

What’s On In Melbourne

Hell House - Provocation, Belief and Morality

■ Using a staged performance of the live theatre show Hell House as a catalyst for discussion, Geelong’s Back to Back Theatre, together with Arts House, are initiating three community forums on themes of provocation, belief and morality from August 3 – 5 at Arts House, Meat Market, North Melbourne.

Every year in American’s biblebelt, thousands of Christians engage in a unique form of community theatre via a modern-day morality play called Hell House written by Baptist

minister, Pastor Keenan Roberts.

Designed to scare young audiences into confirming their commitment to Christianity, Hell House takes the form of a haunted-house tour where each room is themed around a sin, including drug-taking, pre-marital sex, abortion, drink-driving and homosexuality.

Pastor Roberts’ Hell House presents a black-and-white moral world where a wrong decision will send you to hell.

Performed by 40 community ac-

INDEPENDENT THEATRE tors from Geelong and south-western Victoria, Back to Back Theatre will stage Hell House – Provocation, Belief and Morality as a museum would exhibit a cultural or religious artefact.

Presented as a recruitment drive for evangelical belief, Back to Back Theatre’s Hell House – Provocation, Belief and Morality will include three

facilitated forums, with the play as the catalyst for discussions.

The post-performance forums will be panel based with speakers from a diverse range of disciplines and opinions, creating an atmosphere of open discourse between the panel and the audience.

The forum topics and facilitators are Provocation with Scott Stephens (Friday, August 3), Belief with Dr. Rachael Kohn (Saturday, August 4) and Morality with Peter Mares (Sunday, August 5).

Venue: Arts House, Meat Market, 5 Blackwood Street, North Melbourne Season and forums: Friday, August 3 – Sunday, August 5 Time: Fri - Sat 7pm every 10 minutes with an 8.30pm forum; Sun 2pm every 10 min with a 3.30pm forum Duration: Performance 40 minutes and forum 60 minutes Tickets: Full $25 / Conc $20 including performance and forum Bookings: artshouse.com.au or 9322 3713.

- Cheryl Threadgold

Melbourne

Observer Life & Style

News Briefs

HAPPY NEW FREEZING YEAR

Judith

■ It’s crunch time. The dreaded July 1 arrived. Last Sunday was a dark day. It was cold too, but we couldn’t have the heaters blazing because we have to get used to becoming Scrooge when it comes to warming ourselves.

Remember when the Prime Minister said before the election that there will be no carbon tax under a Government which she leads, and then did a big back flip after narrowly winning and decided that we had to have a carbon tax after all?

I used to look forward to the beginning of the fiscal year. It was a bit like starting a new year at school. We were full of excitement with new teachers, new friends and new books.

It used to be like that whether you were in business or not.

It was a new start and we embraced July 1, the new fiscal year with enthusiasm and confidence.

We said goodbye to the old year and knew that we had done our planning and that it was going to be a bonzer year.

So what happened?

Yvonne’s Column

Time for savings

Christmas In July?

■ Well, most of my friends are facing the year with anxiety about the future. It seems that the Prime Minister’s rather obvious bribes haven’t done a thing to restore confidence.

We had a taste of what it could be like with disciplining ourselves with lights, cooking fuel and heating when last night the house was suddenly plunged into darkness.

It didn’t take long for the cold air to creep in and we snuggled down deeper into the doona. Fortunately power was resumed a few hours later but the house was so cold that I turned up the heating to full blast: most probably for the last time because we are being bombarded with literature telling us how to save after July 1.

For many years we used to celebrate Christmas in July with friends. We either went to a restaurant or took it in turns to hold a ‘big knees up’ in our own houses.

There was a turkey and some brave souls cooked a pudding complete with three-penny pieces. I used to freeze a Rays Pudding from the real Christmas and found the bag of three-penny pieces, which had been in service for years.

Ghost of Christmas Past

■ One year we went to the Glencoe Restaurant in Mont Albert.

Overnight it had been transformed into a Christmas chalet.

A piper piped us into the restaurant, and Joe Mardjetko, the owner, somehow took on the alter ego of Santa and dispensed gifts from a big sack slung over his shoulder.

The gifts were fun things and I still have the wooden mixing spoon, which he gave me. We were giddy with excitement and in no time it was like one big family night.

Glencoe closed last year when Joe retired and in its place is a block of very smart apartments, but I can never drive past without seeing the ghost of Christmases past.

I sometimes meet Joe and his charming wife Mel-

to save power, you would have to alter your thinking because the Councils are intending to charge the householder with the carbon tax.

Can’t you picture the Council workers furtively driving around looking for smoke curling from a chimney?

Is nothing sacred?

Looking at the energy –saving tips, which are appearing in magazines and even in the letter from my power server, doesn’t fill me with excitement.

with Yvonne Lawrence yvonne.lawrence@bigpond.com

issa and their huge and very handsome dog when we are out shopping, and we reminisce about those celebrity luncheons at Glencoe.

I think he misses it too, but Joe is very committed to Box Hill Rotary and I believe he has been installed as President last week. Congratulations Joe, and now you’ll be as busy as ever.

So much fun ■ One of our friends went all out to transform his house into a Christmas card picture.

He and his partner, both designers, lived in a working mans cottage in Albert Park and the decorations began at the front gate with piles of white styrene flakes banked up against the windows and front door to resemble snow.

After we had waded through a seven-course meal we retired to the sitting room for coffee and port and all that was missing were chestnuts roasting on the open fire.

The last dinner we had at Ian’s house was so much fun, we went home with our jaws aching from laughing. Johnny Ladd led off the charades and it was more fun than any television show in which he appeared.

We also played ‘open the parcel’, which can be loads of fun particularly when the eggnog hits the right spot.

Ian’s eggnog was a potent alcoholic beverage, and there should be a warning on the invitation to use a designated driver.

Where there’s smoke ...

■ It just wasn’t the same this year. Some of our friends had already left for London for the Olympic Games, and illness had struck others.

I’m hoping it’s just a wave of despair that most of us are feeling and it will lift after a time, and we can get back to fun and laughter and a warm house.

Someone was telling me that if you think you are being smart and planning on burning logs in a fireplace

■ We’ll have to prepare ourselves for higher costs for everything because most businesses are required to pay according to their greenhouse emissions and will incur additional costs as a result of the carbon tax.

So you don’t have to belong to the Mensa Society to know that everything has risen in price since Sunday.

That is except the Melbourne Observer. Editor Ash Long has reduced the price, Ash has reduced the price for each edition to $1.95 and to save even further, take out a year's subscription and it’s delivered to your mailbox.

We were delighted when the chandeliers were hung in our sitting room, dining room and bedroom.

One has so many lights; even a dimmer switch doesn’t reduce the power used. Never did we think that those lights, which look so grand, would turn into money grabbing fiends.

We do forget to turn off lights, but as it only takes three weeks to make a habit, turning off will have to become our mantra, if you want to survive.

● Judith Durham ■ Her Majesty’s Theatre is the venue for Judith Durham’s Colours Of My Life show this Saturday and Sunday (July 7-8).

Backed by a =five-piece band, audiences can expect to hear Seekers classics such as Georgy Girl and The Carnival Is Over, plus hits from her 10 solo albums including her most recent self-penned album Epiphany.

Engaged

Waiting for the execution ■ It’s been a sad and bewildering week with neither side of the Government giving an inch over a solution to the asylum seekers.

What a waste of time with the debate. Nothing was decided and as the pollies go on six weeks winter leave the refugees will continue to make a run for freedom in overcrowded rickety old boats.

The PM told us that she relaxes at night with her knitting. It brought to mind that's what Madame Defarge did as she worked the names of enemies into her knitting as she sat in the front row before the guillotine waiting for their execution.

Vale Nora Ephron ■ Vale Nora Ephron, author, screenwriter and director. She was a wonderful talent and a terrific person.

Think of her when next you watch Sleepless In Seattle and When Harry Met Sally.

Incidentally, Billy Crystal wrote that famous line in the diner scene“ I’ll have what she’s having” as Sally simulates an orgasm. It was his mother who was at the next table who spoke the now famous line when ordering from the waiter.

Okay rug up! Turn off your lights and turn down your heating and your hot water service. They tell us to replace the old globes with these ugly new power saving ones, but I can’t stand them so I’ll stick with the old globes and save somewhere else.

- Yvonne Contact: Melbourne Observer, P.O. Box 1278, Research 3095 Radio 3WBC 94.1 FM, P.O Box 159 Box Hill 3128

● Loretta Johns and Robbie Smith ■ Sky News reporter Loretta Johns and Robbie Smith (3AW production) are now engaged.

The couple met at 3AW nearly three years ago.

Watch ■ Justice Shane Marshall, in the Federal Court in Melbourne, last week expressed concern that Energy Watch was advertising again when the company had been put into liquidation.

New Energy Watch owner Danny Wallis bought The Block property for $1.4 million with private funds at the weekend.

Page 16 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, July 4, 2012

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Buying Guide

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Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, July 4, 2012 - Page 17

Craft

Angel Starshine Silk Scarf, available as kit only, price is $38.45 (this includes p&h with Aust), alternative colour choices available on Website.

Hearts and Flowers Patchwork Baby Blanket, available as kit only, priced at $68.50 (includes P & H within Aust).

Please check website, www.woolshed.com.au, for other blanket kits and products, or ring Woolshed @ Manuka: 02 6295 0061

Page 18 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, July 4, 2012

■ You won't see any of the old Blondie films played on television in ‘prime time’ these days.

You might see them on Channel 31 or on DVD but that's about it.

The films were based on the popular comic strip by Chic Young.

American actor Arthur Lake played Dagwood Bumstead in a series of 28 Blondie films between 1938 and 1950.

Arthur Silverlake was born in Corbin, Kentucky, in 1905. When he was three Arthur and his sister Florence joined their parents in a family vaudeville act.

Arthur made his stage debut when he was 12 in the pantomime Jack And The Beanstalk.

In 1924 he got a job at Universal Studios in a series of ‘two reelers’. His surname was changed to ‘Lake’ by the studio executives.

He appeared in some important films which included: Indiscreet (1931) with Gloria Swanson, Silver Streak (1934), Orchids To You and Topper with Cary Grant (1937).

In 1937 he married 18-year-old Patricia Van Cleeve. Shortly after the wedding Arthur was signed by Columbia Studios to play Dagwood Bumstead in the first Blondie film.

He actually looked like the character of Dagwood in the comic strip. Penny Singleton was cast as Blondie.

The first film was so successful that they immediately began working on the series. Some of the titles included, Blondie Meets the Boss,

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Whatever Happened To ...

Arthur Lake

By Kevin Trask of 3AW and 96.5 Inner FM Blondie Takes a Vacation, Blondie Brings Up Baby, Blondie Knows Best and Blondie Hits The Jackpot.

Many famous stars got their first screen roles in the Blondie series - Rita Hayworth, Larry Parks, William Frawley and Lloyd Bridges appeared in the films.

When the radio series began in 1939 it was panned by the critics but is was very popular and ran for 11 seasons.

In 1943 Arthur and Patricia had their first child Arthur Patrick and the following year their daughter Marion was born.

Although Arthur Lake was typecast as Dagwood he would say, "The only time I get to

● Arthur Lake eat regular is when I'm playing dopes, so why should I yell about being typecast. I'm grateful

to Hollywood. Where else could I make so much money as I do?"

There was a television series of Blondie in 1954 with Pamela Britton and Arthur Lake but it only lasted a year.

Will Hutchins, from the TV western Sugarfoot, was in a television revival playing Dagwood but it was not successful either.

Arthur had invested wisely and in retirement Arthur and Patricia were able to do a lot of travelling together.

Arthur Lake suffered a heart attack at his home in 1987 and passed away in the emergency room at the Eisenhower Medical Centre in Rancho Mirage.

Patricia passed away in 1993.

I fondly remember Dagwood running late for work and bumping into the mailman Mr Beasley as he dashed out the front door and his familiar cry of Blonnnndie!

Ah those were the days!

The Blondie comic strip is still running in newspapers throughout the world.

Anyone for a Dagwood Sandwich?

Kevin Trask The Time Tunnel - with Bruce & PhilSundays at 8.20pm on 3AW That's Entertainment - 96.5FM Sundays at 12 Noon 96.5FM is streaming on the internet.

To listen, go to www.innerfm.org.au and follow the prompts.

TRANSPLANTED FROM ALICE SPRINGS TO KEW

■ I can't imagine a greater juxtaposition than being plucked out of the Todd Mall and plonked into Kew. Yet that's what's just happened! I have heard that it has been occurring increasingly in recent years, and can only be a good thing.

A group of 16 girls from the Centralian Middle School was chosen, via school attendance, and work study and mentoring skills, to stay with host families from Ruyton Girls' School.

The Smith Family have organised this, in the hope of showing some Alice girls that they may wish to aspire to more than they had realised was possible.

They visited Melbourne Uni and the William Angliss School to get a glimpse of a few things that they may wish to pursue, particularly in tourism and mining.

There are so many barriers to the employment of any Aboriginal people in the Territory - the most glaring is that many don't even go to school, and so, being practically illiterate, have no hope of employment.

And unfortunately many parents have no interest in sending their kids to school, so it's up to whitefellas to force or bribe them in many cases.

So, to see how schooling works at Ruyton, and to see the opportunities education offers, cannot be a bad thing!

■ I've mentioned the Azaria case before, and now it seems to have been finalised.

I could never understand how a young mother could just casually leave a barbecue to brutally murder her newborn daughter, dispose of the body, and then casually wander back for a few more snags.

It beggared my belief!

And in subsequent enquiries, apart from the disbelief of this, it transpired that the local Aborigines knew of numerous cases where dingoes were responsible for attacking babies, and they knew, via tracks, of the individual actual dingo in this case.

I had a young daughter then myself, and, although she was older, I could empathise with the heartbreak of Lindy's situation and then, insult to injury, brutal baseless accusations.

So when the NT Coroner called for expressions of interest in the case, I sent her a letter outlining how I had seen, on one of my visits to the Rock,

The Outback Legend

with Nick Le Souef Lightning Ridge Opals 175 Flinders Lane, Melbourne Phone 9654 4444 www.opals.net.au a half-grown dingo effortlessly loping up a very steep sandhill with a huge freshly-killed feral cat clamped in its jaws. The cat was about the same size as an eight-week-old baby.

I hope this made a difference.

■ It's the same every year! "Who's going to win, the buggies or the bikes!"

Everybody in Alice grabs their swag, their toothbrush and plenty of beer, and piles into the four-wheeldrive and heads out to their favourite viewing possy in the bush, just beside the track.

The Finke is on again! Racing through the desert from Alice to Finke and back again.

Some 500 competitors from all over Australia, and thousands of viewers, leave a few million bucks behind, so everyone in town is happy.

And 10 spunky little grid girls swan around, scantily clad, to delight the revved-up petrol heads who strut around everywhere.

I haven't spent much of my life on a motorbike, and have never been in a buggy, and I doubt whether I'll ever be a passenger in one.

I remember one year when the Chief Minister, Claire Martin, hopped aboard one as the driver roared and bounced and bumped around the course for a photo op. Braver than me!

People keep camping out at the same spot, year after year, and set up their fridges and tables and chairs and couches to just sit and drink and observe and party!

That's what Outback life's all about!

■ And, as an addendum to the event, there was a Chinese connection this year.

A film crew for the Guandong Wolf Pack Motor Club came out to cover the event, and also had an entry in the race.

Local photographer Steve Strike has been regularly visiting China for the past few years, drumming up business for the Centre, and this is a result of his efforts.

The crew not only covered the race, but were guided around the various local attractions, such as the Desert Park and Glen Helen.

Not only is the TV coverage aimed at the 30,000 members of the club back in China, but will be a boost for Chinese tourism in Australia in general.

In my local opal store in Melbourne I have a map of the world, with a box of pins below.

Most of my customers are international visitors to Australia, and I invite each one to stick a pin in the map indicating their hometown.

I've run out of room for the U.S. and Europe, so have put new maps up.

But an interesting phenomenon has occurred - up to about two years ago China was devoid of any pins - empty.

Now, however, it's bristling with them. Tourism from China is now booming.

■ There is one problem, however, in all of this. To an Australian or American a price is a price is a price - not to the Chinese!

"A thousand dollars! I'll give you two hundred!"

Bargaining for hours - it drives me nuts!

I've never been much for the beanies, but Keith and Angie McGowan used to love them!

So, now the annual Beanie Festival, hot on heels of the Finke race, is

● Alice to Finke race on again.

It's got to the stage where these are It started in the 1990s, when Adi thousands of them on display, in biDunlop was working as a teacher in zarre styles, each one a work of art in Yuendumu, and she and the ladies of its own right, and people come from the community began to make these all over Australia to check them out. head coverings for themselves and Even though I don't wear one, and their families. probably never will, it's good to see a They had some leftover, so took bit pleasure coming from these crazy them into town to sell. They did, and headdresses!

- Nick Le Souef bingo, it all began!

‘The Outback Legend’

From The Outer

Melbourne

Observer

kojak@ mmnet.com.au

With John Pasquarelli

■ Mentors can play a huge part in one's life. My father came from Northern Italy to the Ingham canefields before WWI as a young boy and 'Weary' Dunlop became his mentor at Melbourne University where the two men graduated in medicine.

When I went to PNG in 1960 on the Sepik River, one of my mentors was Johnny Young, born in Cooktown who went with his family to PNG before WWI. A teenaged Young was picked up by a troopship at Samarai and became a crack shot and machine gunner in WWI. Gassed, he survived and returned to be a marine engineer, prospector and native labour recruiter and in the early stages of WWII he and his native crew hid out on the Ramu River until Australian commandos took him to Brisbane where he helped with reading aerial photos.

It was an honour to know so many coastwatchers who returned to PNG after the war and now most of them have gone.

Many of their mates were killed by the Japs and betrayed by treacherous natives - some being beheaded ironically on beautiful tropical beaches far from their homes and loved ones.

Against the real men that I knew, the antics of many of our politicians are simply shameful.

- John Pasquarelli: kojak@mmnet.com.au

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, July 4, 2012 - Page 19

Page 20 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, July 4, 2012

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Melbourne Seniors News

Twins Parks Village Boutique Retirement Living in Preston

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