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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5, 2014

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ISSN 1447 4611

S TATE EDITION Vol 46 No 1548 SERVING VICTORIA SINCE 1969

See our ad, Page 23 ‘Trader’

Boarding Kennel and Cattery Pick-Up and Delivery. All over Melb.

Short and Long Term Stays.

Phone 5965 2242 www.pawsandclawsresort.com.au

THE GREA T GREAT MUSIC OF THE ‘30s T O ‘60s TO Streaming through the Web PHONE: 9572 146 6 1466

goldenda ysr adio goldenday sradio adio..com

PHONE 0418 883 335 See Observer Trader P9 Grosvenor in Cairns Holiday Apartments

Fully Self Contained 1 and 2 bedroom apartments Looking to escape the cold this winter; then head on up to Cairns - always warm!

Visit www.grosvenorcairns.com.au or email info@grosvenorcairns.com.au

or ring 1800 629 179

FILE PHOTO

BY ASH LONG

■ Rhonda Burchmore will star in La Cage Aux Folles alongside Todd McKenney and Simon Burke, in one of the three Production Company 2014 shows announced yesterday by Jeanne Pratt. P7

MERIMBULA, NSW 2014 VACANCIES AVAILABLE

Details of 2014 packages on Page 2

www. darwinsbarrabase.com.au

BEACH ST APARTMENTS

See our full-page ad, P10 of ‘Trader’

1 Beach St, Merimbula, NSW 2548 Phone: (02) 6495 2205 w w w.beachs tr eetapartments.net.au .beachstr treetapartments.net.au

TURN TO ‘OBSERVER TRADER’ PAGE 8

AFL TEAM FOR TASMANIA To AFL C ommis sion, Commis ommission, To AFL Commission, take notice

146 ARGUS ST, CHELTENHAM VIC 3192 TEL: 9585 2822 FAX: 9585 2422

Door-to-Door delivery, Australia wide Open 9am-5.15pm Mon.-Sat, 10am-5pm Sun 243 Sea Kale Rd, Robinvale. Phone: 5026 3955 See Page 11, ‘Observer Trader’ section

See Observer Trader P22

TILCO WHOLESALERS TO FARMERS

Mattresses Galore

Cnr High St & Tooronga Rd, Malvern Phone: (03) 9822 9057.

Fax: (03) 9822 9821 www.mattressesgalore.com.au info@mattressesgalore.com.au 10% EXTRA DISCOUNT FOR MENTIONING MELB. OBSERVER Details: see ‘Observer Trader’ Page 12

AND CONTRACTORS Manufacturers and distributors of an extensive range of tillage equipment and components Phone: (07) 4633 0624 Mobile: 0422 399 544 www.tilco.com.au barry@tilco.com. au Turn to Page 14 of ‘Observer Trader’ section

See ad on Page 20 ‘Trader’

I just created a campaign: Make seachange to AFL TTeam eamyour ffor or TTasmania. asmania.

It would mean a lot to me if you took a moment to add today Tasmania your name in support.

Rex Mapley Land for sale Sea Change Safety Cove www.safetycove.com Back See adSee on back page Page Page 17 ‘Trader’

Page 2 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, March 5, 2014

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www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, March 5, 2014 - Page 3

Melbourne Observer Advertising Press+Online+Google+SocialMedia+Editorial Advertisers’ Index References to ‘Trader’ denote the 32-page liftout in this edition All 4 Paws & Claws Resort ....... Trader P23 Mandalay Apartments .................... Trader P27 Australian Greyhound Muzzles ........... Page 51 Maroondah Sports Club ........... Trader P21 Barry MCVilly Pty Ltd ................ Trader P24 Mattresses Galore ..................... Trader P12 Beach Street Apartments ........... Trader P8 MCVilly Timber .......................... Trader P24 Braemac Energy ....................... Trader P19 Metro Cinemas Boronia .............. Page 55 Burong Equestrian Centre ............ Trader P29 Michael’s Trailers ...................... Trader P9 Carbon Farmers of Australia ............. Page 29 Play DVDs/Rare Music ............... Trader P10 CMS International (Autosol) ..... Trader P13 Coolum Baywatch Resort ......... Trader P18 Portagrazer ....................................... Page 33 Darwin’s Barra Base ..................... Page 2 Productive Gardens ................. Trader P15 E-Cell ........................................ Trader P12 Resurrection Records ........................ Page 27 Echo 4x4 ................................. Trader P25 Riverbend ........................................... Page 6 Entertainment Australia ............ Trader P5 Riverboat Postman ........................... Page 28 Everyday Health Solutions ................. Page 24 Robinvale Wines ...................... Trader P11 Experstone ......................................... Page 25 Scootersmart .......................... Trader P14 Formula Ford Experience Aust. .... Trader P32 Sea Change Safety Cove ............ Page 56 Gifted Homewares ............................ Page 26 SGI Consulting Group ................ Trader P22 Gilmour’s Comfort Shoes ............. Trader P25 Shop Inside .............................. Trader P7 Golden Days Radio .................... Trader P16 Tilco ......................................... Trader P20 Grosvenor In Cairns .................. Trader P3 Tomkinson Group Dressage .............. Page 34 Gutzbusta ....................................Trader P28 Hair Testing Laboratory ...................... Page 54 Tribute Funeral Services ........... Trader P6 Ivanhoe Cycles .................................... Page 5 Tunit Australia .......................... Trader P17 Jason Dins Dressage ........................ Page 33 K & J Woolley’s Plumbing ......... Trader P4 Jenny Pihan Fine Art ................... Trader P30 Wolf Eyes ........................................... Page 31 Lionia ................................................ Page 23 Woodleigh Bullets ............................ Page 30 Lone Pine Fencing ............................ Page 32 Wooling Hill Garden Estate ......... Page 54

Our advertisers are making news The Adventures Special screening of Barry MCVilly

■ Tom Schouten is a good friend of the Melbourne Observer. He and his family operate the Metro Cinemas Boronia, one of the great ‘independents’ in Melbourne.

Tom is organising a special advance screening of Cuban Fury: Real Men Dance, at 6.50pm on Tuesday, March 18.

The event is being held as a fundriaser for the Tony, Emma and Varli Recovery Fund.

One hundred per cent of the ticket sales will be donated to the Fund.

Three members of Victoria Police were badly injured in an explosion in Middle Park on January 5.

As a sign of support, Metro Cinemas is joining with Studio Canal, to screen this new release.

Tickets, at $15 per person, include the movie ticket, a small popcorn and a small drink.

Show your support for the members of Victoria Police who put themselves in harm’s way every day to ensure we live in a safe and secure community.

Metro Boronia is at Dorset Square, 216 Dorset Rd, Boronia. Phone: 9762 8744.

● Charlie Blakeley ■ Observer readers have been introduced to Tom Blakeley ... now meet his brother, Charlie, pictured at the Burong Equestrian Centre.

Regular advertiser, Barry MCVilly, tells us that Charlie, 16, is a keen enthusiast of show jumping and polo.

He is a student at Geelong College, and has just obtained his L-plates. He is active in building a 40-jump cross country course at Burong, where his mother Charlotte is in charge.

Charlie is a member of Colac Pony Club, and has been a frequent visitor to America.

Horses feature ■ Turn to Pages 32-34 for our Horses Feature including advertisements from Tomkinson Group, Jason Dins, Portagrazer and Lone Pine Fencing.

Page 4 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, March 5, 2014

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

PHOTO: IKON IMAGES

Mark Richardson ♥ Straight from the heart

E-Mail: mark@localmedia.com.au

Flying high for charity

● Michael Paul

Lord Mayor Robert Doyle Rebecca McIntosh ■ (Research scientist at Phillip Island Nature Parks) - Penguin Noodle Sloop “The Birdman Rally is a chance to achieve something no penguin has ever managed - flight!

“I've got the support of Phillip Island's 32,000 penguins. (Oddly enough, none of them volunteered).”

■ “Birdman is one of Moomba's oldest and most treasured traditions.

Thousands flock to the banks of the Yarra each Labour Day weekend to enjoy the spectacle of competitors swathed in homemade contraptions leaping off the Birdman platform into the river. Jumpers will also raise money and support for their nominated charity. The entrants with the most cash raised will be rewarded with extra metres added to their flying distance.”

■ If you are among the thousands of Moomba Festival revellers expected to enjoy watching the many water activities along the Yarra River, at 12 Noon on Sunday ( March 9), as you look four-metres up into to the sky at Birrarung Marr, you may find yourself uttering the question …”Is it bird? … Is it a plane?”

“No! Just another belly-whacker!”

The City of Melbourne's iconic Birdman Rally has again attracted many would be super-heroes with a mix of home-made gliders, hang gliders and human-powered aircraft that range from the very serious aircraft to mere colourful costumes to leap off a purpose built four metre high platform to win cash prizes and raise funds for their nominated charities.

A string of Hawks (serious long distance competitors) and Penguins (the less serious participants) will gear up before taking a deep breath and embracing their few of minutes of fame by flying several metres or flopping directly into the Yarra River with a mighty splash.

I caught up with the reigning Birdman Rally champion - 44 year-old Michael Paul from Carrum Downs, who will be celebrating his 10th year competing as a Hawk with his latest

Ann Hansen ■ (Veterinarian Guide Dogs Victoria) - The Bone Mobile “The Birdman Rally combines all the things l love: being part of an iconic Melbourne festival, thinking up a crazy costume (a flying bone, creating it using recycled materials - paper mache) and raising some much needed funds for Guide Dogs Victoria.”

Birdman Porch Thoughts

flying machine, 'Hi Hopes' before asking competing Penguins (Rebecca McIntosh and Ann Hansen) and Melbourne's Lord Mayor, Robert Doyle thoughts about the 2014 Birdman Porch How many Birdman Rally titles do you currently hold?

I've won seven Moomba Birdman titles winning my first in 2005.

The Birdman Rally was not held in 2006 due to the Commonwealth Games, and in 2011 I lent my best mate one of my crafts and he beat me by one metre and took the title.

Why were you first drawn to the Birdman Rally?

I grew up watching the event on television and like most kids I was always drawn to the possibility of flying.

I was around 10-years-of-age when I built my first flying machine.

How much money have you raised over the years and for which community groups?

Over the years I've raised in excess of $17,000 for the CFA, WaterAid Australia, Starlight Children's Foundation and Cancer Council Victoria.

This year I am raising funds for MS Australia, although this year has been a struggle to raise funds as so many people I know are struggling themselves.

Why did you nominate MS Australia this year?

My younger brother was diagnosed with MS three years ago. He suffered with an MS attack and had a stroke.

Through my brother's journey I've learnt more about the condition and it was a natural decision to raise much-needed funds for the society.

You currently hold the record for the distance travelled off the 4 metre ramp of 22.5 metres. What happened to the 8 high metre high ramp - where the unbeaten record stands at 55 metres that was achieved in 1990?

The 8-metre high ramp was replaced by the 4-metre ramp due to Occupational Health and Safety Regulations after South Australian George Reekie (also known as the 'Man Who Could Fly') won the title.

It's harder now to achieve those distances with half the take-off height.

Taking that into account, how have your 'flying machines' evolved over the years?

Hawks refer to our flying machines as Aero Foils. Over the years our crafts have become wider, longer and lighter.

This year we have built a more refined craft from the ground-up that we believe will be more stable in flight.

It has taken two of us around 30 hours to build after five hours to design it. We believe if all goes to plan, I will exceed 25 metres.

What sort of training program do you undertake to test your Aero Foils?

I generally run around paddocks to find the centre of lift which is the most important technical component to work out.

Most of our competitors have great looking crafts but don't have the balance right and nose-dive straight into the water.

You mentioned you have struggled to raise funds this year.

How can we support your effort this year?

I am hoping to beat last year's grand total of $5000 that we raised.

If anyone would like to make a donation, please visit https://birdmanrally2014. everydayhero.com/au michael-paul or they can email me direct michael_paul@bigpond.com with questions about making a donation.

What is your Birdman Porch Thought for the Day? Build a craft that will hold together. Get the take-off right and then hold your breath as you'll be meeting the Yarra River in a couple of seconds - hopefully feet first.

■ For more information about the 2014 Moomba Festival (March 7 10) including links to learn how you can support all competing Hawks and Penguins in the 2014 Birdman Rally, visit www. thatsmelbourne.com.au - Mark Richardson

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, March 5, 2014 - Page 5

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