Ob 05nov14 bz

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Observer

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, November 5, 2014 - Page 9

Showbiz News

It’s All About You!

Melbourne

Fan fury over 3AW changes Observer to Bruce and Phil’s program In This 132-Page Edition

Been and Seen: Water Rat Hotel opens ... Page 8 Around Town: Monologue at La Mama ... Page 10 Court: History of violence, dishonesty ... Page 11 Pictorial: Derby Day fashion ............... Page 12 Fiona Byrne: Love This City! ................ Page 13 In The Picture: Aussie Boys perform ..... Page 16 Melb. Confidential: Our town’s secrets .. Page 17 Long Shots: Golden Days veterans ...... Page 18 Yvonne Lawrence: Beauty of poetry ...... Page 19 West Hollywood: Gavin Wood writes ..... Page 21 Trask’s Profile: Peter Lawford ............. Page 22 Country Music Local Theatre Movies, DVDs Top 10 Lists

Marta presents awards

Observer Showbiz

● Marta Dusseldorp (pictured as Janet King) will present the 21st Scarlet Stiletto Short Story Awards on November 21.

Photo: Ben Timony ■ Sisters in Crime Australia has announced (Seven Network); Devil’s Dust, the awardthat Marta Dusseldorp, star of Janet King winning mini-series After The Deluge; and Hell and Crownies, will present its 21st Scarlet Sti- Has Harbour Views. letto Short Story Awards at a gala dinner from Leigh Redhead is the author of the award 6.30pm on Friday, November 21 at Thorn- winning Simone Kirsch private eye series. bury Theatre.

She has also contributed a chapter to the A record 207 stories competed this year compilation If I Tell You…I’ll Have To Kill for awards offering a record $8800 in prize You: Australia’s Leading Crime Writers Remoney, plus the coveted stiletto trophy for the veal Their Secrets (Allen and Unwin). overall winner.

Date: Friday, November 21 from 6.30pm At 8pm, prior to the award presentations, Venue: Thornbury Theatre, High Street, Dusseldorp will discuss her ‘life in crime’ with Thornbury crime author Leigh Redhead.

Sit-down dinner: $60 ($35 concession for Dusseldorp’s criminal past includes the shortlisted authors only). Drinks available at critically acclaimed Janet King and its predebar prices.

Men or ‘Brothers in Law’ welcessor Crownies (ABC), three telemovies opposite Guy Pearce in Jack Irish and the six- come.

Seats only (no dinner) from 8pm: $15 (no part Blackjack telemovies opposite Colin concession) Friels.

Bookings close Monday, November 17.

Other key television roles include two sea- Cheryl Threadgold sons as Sarah Adams in A Place To Call Home

JP removed from office ■ William John Watson McAuley has been removed as a Justice of the Peace in Victoria.

A notice was published in the Victoria Government Gazette on Thursday, signed by Yvette Carisbrook.

Ms Carisbrook is Clerk of the Executive Council. The notice was co-signed by Victorian Attorney-General, Robert Clark.

The notice removing Mr Auley from office is part of a process undertaken by the

Governor-in-Council, which is headed by State Governor, Alex Chernov.

The action was taken under the Honorary Justices Act. The removal of Mr McAuley as a JP took immediate effect.

● Bruce Mansfield and Philip Brady of 3AW’s Nightline ■ Fans of top-rating Victorian nighttime radio pair Bruce Mansfield and Philip Brady are furious that the duo are being dropped from 3AW’s main frequency whilst cricket broadcasts are aired over summer.

Mansfield and Brady, now in their 25th year of presenting Nightline and Remember When, have been relegated to 3AW’s digital channel.

Industry sources say that only about 10 per cent of listeners, at most, have access to digital radio sets.

3AW’s digital signal is weak in the Werribee-Geelong region, a stronghold of the veteran entertainers.

Fans have flooded the 3AW switchboard with complaints, ahead of the first cricket broadcasts commencing today (Wed.).

Nightline fans are being asked to either switch to a digital radio, or listen to the show on their computer through the 3AW.com.au “I am not going to bed with a computer under my pillow,” said Alma Johnston of Murrumbeena. “I have been listening to the ‘boys’ since 1990.

“I don’t know why 3AW are treating their loyal fans in such a shabby way.”

Station management are believed to have signed a contract which requires them to broadcast the summer cricket matches on the main frequency for five years.”

Last summer, saw Nightline’s ratings fall from 18 in the final 2013 survey, to 12 in the first 2014 ratings figures.

The cricket matches do, however, provide an advertising revenue boom for the station.

3AW’s programming woes will provide a boost for community stations such as Golden Days Radio 95.7.

Latest News Flashes Around Victoria

Stars at Flemington ■ Amongst the celebrities invited to the Melbourne Cup festivities at Flemington yesterday (Tues.) were Gigi Hadid, Ronn Moss, Jordan and Zac Stenmark, Kate Waterhouse, Frances Abbott and Spandau Ballet at the Emirates marquee; Erykah Badu at Lavazza; Rich Sommer at Bar Schweppes; Lleyton and Bec Hewitt at Swisse; Cadel Evans at House of Boag’s; and Bambi Northwood-Blyth at G.H. Mumm.

Stabbing arrest ■ Ab 18-year-old man has been arrested following an Ocean Grove stabbing. A man in his 40s suffered multiple stab wounds and it is understood he may have been trying to protect a house under construction, reports the Geelong Advertiser.

Hot spot for thieves ■ Ballarat is the worst place in regional Victoria for both bicycle and car thefts, reports The Courier.

‘Threat to Australia’ ■ Morwell political candidate Jacqueline Rose claims the acceptance of non-Christian immigrants into Australia has caused a threat to the nation, reports the Latrobe Valley Express.

Weather Forecast ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

Today (Wed.). Partly cloudy. 7°-17° Thurs. Cloudy. 8°-22° Fri. Mostly cloudy. 13°-26° Sat. Partly cloudy. 12°-29° Sun. Chance of storm. 9°-22°

Mike McColl Jones

Top 5 THE T OP 5 C OMMENT S TOP COMMENT OMMENTS O HEAR TO WE’D ALL LIKE T FROM BIG BRO THER BROTHER 5. “OK, who piddled in the pool?”

4. “Sonia, please change your clothes.

You look like you¹ve squeezed into a sausage skin.”

3. “Skye, I think you¹ve used the wrong lipstick.

It looks more like Dulux!”

2. “There have been some complaints about the stir-fry, and where’s the other dog?”

1. “Housemates, you will be required to stay here indefinitely one of you has tested positive to Ebola.”

Page 10 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, November 5, 2014

Death of Mike Dorsey

● Mike Dorsey ■ Actor Mike Dorsey has died.

The Television.au website says Dorsey was best known for playing Reg ‘Daddy’ MacDonald in Number 96.

Born in England, Dorsey migrated to Australia in the mid-1960s and soon started appearing in guest roles in various TV series including Hunter, Skippy The Bush Kangaroo, Catwalk, Homicide, Contrabandits, Riptide, The Rovers, Boney, The Link Men, Spyforce, Silent Number and Matlock Police.

Dorsey then went on to an ongoing role in soapie The Young Doctors before taking on the part of amusement parlour owner Vic Marshall in the short-lived series Arcade, the website says.

“In 2010, he reunited with other former Number 96 stars at the apartment building that became the famous fictional address for the 90th birthday of colleague Johnny Lockwood.

Dorsey’s most recent credited role was as ‘Pop’ in Lockie Leonard in 2007.

Charity luncheon ■ The Mental Health Foundation of Australia (Victoria) is holding a Charity Luncheon on Tuesday, November 25, at Union Dining, 272 Swan St, Richmond.

Speaker is Professor Michael Ackland , Acting Chief Health Officer, Department of Health, Victoria who will address on ‘Public Health in Victoria’.

This event is sponsored by Professor Graham Burrows.

Proceeds will support people with mental illness.

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Ash

Melbourne Observer The Showbiz Bible

Editor Ash Long is heard: ● 8.45am Wed., with Ron Burke, 3NRG-FM Sunbury ● 10am Wed., with Denis Scanlan, Pulse 94.7 Geelong ● 9.15am Thu., with Bob and Judy Phillips, 3RPP Peninsula

Monologue success

● Kirsty Hillhouse, Nicholas Denton, Charlie Strugeon and Louise Cox in Monologue for a Murderer.

Photo: Dorine Blaise ■ It is not often that the iconic Review by La Mama Courthouse Theatre Catherine McGregor is completely unadorned.

Yet the inside of this gothicShe reminds us that what’s style building has been stripped happening is fictional, she back to its bones for the production of Monologue For A grapples with the morality of writing a play about the event Murderer.

There is nothing but a and even tells us at times that trestle-table, a blackboard and she hates her work.

It’s a fascinating, intentionthose high, arched windows ally jarring device, for just as and alcoves; giving the spinethe audience gets absorbed into chilling effect of being in an old the realism and horror of the school building.

Monologue For A Mur- narrative, they are jolted out of ● Marion Potts derer is a play about the mass- it.

Monologue For A Murshooting at a German high ■ Applications are now open for Malthouse Theatre’s 2015 derer is a rightfully sombre school in Erfurt in 2002.

Female Director in Residence.

A former student, Robert production, but not without The program, which provides funding for an emerging female theatre director to work closely within the Malthouse Steinhauser, gunned down 16 moments of appropriately Theatre organisation, is the only program of its kind in Auspeople, most of them teachers. placed humour. tralia.

It’s a difficult theme, It’s the stuff of nightmares, Providing an intensive career development opportunity and handled with great depth of and according to AWGIE paid support, one selected female artist will be immersed in award-winning playwright Kate thought. the day-to-day activities of the company over a six-month The well-written script is Rice trying to recreate it posed period and receive individual mentoring from Malthouse done justice under the fantasdeep ethical challenges.

Theatre’s Artistic Director Marion Potts.

To overcome these chal- tic direction of Jeremy Rice and “Malthouse Theatre is privileged to continue its Female lenges Rice has written a play by the excellent cast of actors.

Director in Residence Program in 2015”, said MsPotts, Kate Rice wrote “I dreamed which is two fold – a “The first of its kind in Australia and the only program to reimagining of the shooting and up a story in the arrogant hope offer a paid position within an organisation, Malthouse Thea sharing of her own ethical that it would mean something.” atre is committed to providing full-scale support and career In this, she has surely sucdevelopment for female directors and artists launching their struggle to tell this story. careers.”

The talented Nicholas ceeded.

This year’s Female Director in Residence Clare Watson Season: Until November 9 Denton plays Robert has been appointed as Artistic Director of St Martins Youth Time: Wednesday 6:30, Steinhauser on his rapid downArts Centre and will present Fitter. Faster. Better in the Thursday – Saturday 7:30, Sunward spiral.

Cooper’s Malthouse forecourt as part of Malthouse Theatre’s Frau Doktor, the troubled day 4pm.

2015 season.

Duration: 75 minutes, no headmistress, is performed by Previous recipients of the Female Director in Residence interval the wonderful Kaarin Fairfax. include Roslyn Oades, who presented her work Hello, Venue: La Mama CourtBut there is another main Goodbye And Happy Birthday as part of Malthouse Theatre’s character in the play the playhouse, 349 Drummond St, 2014 season and the recent Melbourne Festival; Adena Jacobs wright herself, superbly acted Carlton (Persona, On the Bodily Education of Young Girls); and Anneby Kirsty Hillhouse.

Tickets: $25 Full, $15 ConLouise Sarks (Stories I Want to Tell You in Person, The HayFrom the beginning and cession loft Project) both of whom have since been appointed as dual Resident Directors at Belvoir in Sydney. consistently throughout the Bookings: www.lamama.

Applications for the 2015 Female Director in Residence play, Hillhouse pops up on com.au or 9347 6142 close on Monday (Nov. 10). stage to address the audience.

- Catherine McGregor

Forms in by next week

Speak Out

■ Fifty artists who work or live in Moreland have assembled to celebrate the tradition of public debate at the annual Moreland SummerArt Show, Speak Out, opening at the Counihan Gallery In Brunswick on Thursday, November 20.

This year’s theme of ‘speak out’ reflects the spirit and outlook of artist Noel Counihan.

Some of the artists involved are Wendy Black, Megan Cope, Nick Devlin and Jordan Marani and talents like Rushdi Anwar, Janelle Low, Steaphan Paton and Belinda Wiltshire.

Jazz at Wesley

● Dave Drummond will play in Jazz At Wesley on November 9.

■ Enjoy an afternoon of traditional jazz at Wesley of Warragul on Sunday, November 9 from 2pm to 4pm.

Jazz at Wesley is presented by Vision Australia, with all proceeds going towards funding Vision Australia’s blindness and low vision services in Gippsland.

The Rampart Street Jazz Band will entertain with Graeme Bell style jazz, made popular in the 1940s and early 50s.

The band consists of piano, drums, bass, banjo, cornet, trombone and clarinet, and has played at many premier events in Gippsland, including the Walhalla Goldfields Railway.

Rampart Street Jazz Band member Dave Drummond said the seven-piece jazz band had supported Vision Australia’s Jazz at Wesley fundraiser for several years.

Warragul is approximately a one hour drive from Melbourne, travelling along the Monash Freeway.

Time: 2pm-4pm Venue: Wesley of Warragul, 62 Victoria St., Warragul Tickets: $20 includes entertainment and afternoon tea Bookings: 5623 0100 or Vision Australia, 2a Mouritz St., Warragul.

Random Observations ■ Tickets for Vision Australia’s Carols By Candlelight have gone on sale.

■ Disability film festival, The Other Film Festival, returns in its sixth edition, for five days of screenings and events. Specially curated programs of features and shorts, documentaries and dramas will screen December 3-7 at the Melbourne Brain Centre in Parkville.

■ Malthouse Theatre is spreading its wings internationally, premiering of two of its most well received productions in cross-cultural collaborations with arts organisations in China and India. Malthouse Theatre’s 2014 production The Good Person of Szechuan last week made its Chinese premiere in Beijing. This will be followed by an Indian remount of Marion Potts’ bi-lingual adaptation of Blood Wedding in Bangalore, India in March.

■ Rick Milne will hold his next Peoples Paraphernalia auction on Sunday, November 23 at the Carlton Football Club, Royal Parade, Parkville. View: 9aqm-10.30am. Auction: 10.30am-3.30pm.

■ Nova breakfast radio team Meshel Laurie and Tommy Little will broadcast live from America from Monday-Friday December 1-5 from 6am to 9am.

■ The Iranian Film Festival Australia returns to Melbourne at ACMI from November 6-9.

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au Melbourne

Observer

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, November 5, 2014 - Page 11

Court Roundsman

History of violence, dishonesty Star on 96.5FM

Briefs ‘Blew .17’

■ Police picked up a 25-year-old Ocean Grove man for alleged drink driving in the city.

The man was intercepted after ignoring a ‘no entry’ sign on Swanston St around 1am.

He was taken to the Melbourne East police station for a breath test and is alleged to have returned a reading of 0.175.

His licence was immediately suspended.

Charged

■ Mansfield Police and Benalla detectives have had success with the recovery of stolen goods and the arrest of a 17-year-old local youth over the theft and fire at Café Connect, reports the Mansfield Courier. The youth is to face Court in 2015.

■ Reda Shohany’s history of violence and dishonest y offences was detailed at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal when Deputy President Heather Lambrick heard his case last month.

Shohany successfully appealed against the Department of Justice’s refusal to grant him a ‘Working With Children’ permit.

Shohany told the Tribunal that he is rehabilitated, and is now a “very different man now to the drugafected man who committed the offenecs”.

Shohany told VCAT that he wishes to work as a personal fitness trainer and improve the lives of those around him.

The Department of Justice said insufficient time has passed since his last offences in 2012.

Shohany was convicted of “recklessly cause serious injury” in 2008.

Shohany pleaded guilty in the County Court in 2009 of recklessly causing serious injury to Yousef Hami at Broadmeadows, after Shohany directed some offensive remarksto the victim.

Shohany was carrying a knife. The victim was stabbed in the right hand and left thigh. Shohany denied any involvement in the incident when interviewed by Police.

In 2009, he was engaed in a spate of thefts, burglariesm weapons, driving and drug offences.

Ms Lambrick said Shohany would not pose an unjustifiable risk to the safety of children, and a reasonable person would allow his or her child to have direct contact with him.

● Bob Baines ■ Bob Baines, who plays Les Kendall in the forthcoming production of Strictly Ballroom The Musical, will be interviewed by Kevin Trask during That's Entertainment at 12 noon this Sunday (Nov. 9) on radio station 96.5FM. Baines has starred in many stage, television and film productions over the years.

He is best remembered for his ongoing role in the television series Home and Away.

Strictly Ballroom The Musical opens at Her Majesty's Theatre in January.

They’re racing at Healesville

● Children took to the track for running races and other fun at Healesville Amateur Racing Club on Saturday for the opopular Debry Day meeting. It was a big day for family picnics under the shady trees at the course, which has its next meeting on Saturday, November 22. Inset: Club President David Purcell makes a presentation at Saturday’s event. Photos: Roland Deighton

Melbourne Observations with Matt Bissett-Johnson

‘Never pick a fight with a man who buys ink by the barrel and paper by the ton.’

Bert deserved better

Control ■ North Albury Sports Club has returned to the control of its members, following more than two months in voluntary administration, reports the Border Mail.

THE BARREL

Justices appointed ■ Victoria has 19 news Justices-ofthe-Peace: Noel Douglas Austin, Benigno Boccabella, Douglas Cordell, Pei Yuan Going, Barry William Hutchinson, Josephine Johns, Kola Kennedy, Gregory Keyes, Brendan McKenzie, Murray McInees, Neil Mesley, Hussein Nur Haraco, Kenneth Raymond Peters, William Phelan, Noel Read, John Robertson, Gregory Walcott and Jason Woodhart.

The appointments were confirmed last week by State Attorney-General Robert Clark.

The announcement was made in Thursday’s edition of the Victoria Government Gazette.

● Bert Newton ■ How many people were interviewed and quoted for the new376-page book on media personality Bert Newton, authored by actor Graeme Blundell?

Not many it seems, according to Blundell’s own ‘Endnotes’. The $45 book, published by Hachette Australia, is largely a cobbled-together collection of press clippings, which Blundell has assumed are correct in content.

Blundell lists that he had a conversation with Bert’s childhood friend Tom Warne, a chat with actor Frederick Parslow, and interviews with TV pioneers Ernie Carroll, Don Bennetts, Bob Phillips, Ron Blaskett and Hugh Stuckey.

Blundell, best known as film fantasy Alvin Purple, records that he spoke with Michaela Boland and Jim Pike, make-up artist ‘Lisa’, publicist Di Rolle, presenters Chris Lilley, Shaun Micallef and Rove McManus, producer Maurice Murphy, and writers Douglas Aiton, Tony Fawcett, John-Michael Howson and Frank Crook.

Apart from these 19 people, the book appears to have been assembled by Blundell with the help of research assistants Natika Polka, Andrea Black, Katie Flack, Jacquie Brown and Jo Kurosawa. Further assistance was given by Sharon Berriman and Lurline Campbell.

In his bibliography, Blundell says that he also spoke with Deborah Jones, Alan Finney, Tom Malone, Paige McGinley, David Mitchell, Mike Munrom Colin Purnell, Andrew Robinson, Tony Sattler, Diana Simmonds, Errol Simper, Rob Sitch, Bruce Spence and Deb Withers.

An important conversation that seems to be missing is one with Bert Newton. Blundell’s work is an unauthorised biography. Why? It seems almost impossible that a history of Bert Newton would not include chats with Good Morning Australia comrades Philip Brady and Bruce Mansfield, whose links go back to the early In Melbourne Tonight programs. Neither Brady or Mansfield crack it for a mention in the book or index.

The Barrel understands that Mike McColl Jones, confidante and writer for Bert for many years, was not approached for Blundell’s book.

However, Mike’s books are mined for quotes.

So too is Bert Newton’s own book, published by Gary Sparks back in 1977. Blundell’s production quotes from the book almost verbatim.

As a writer on The Australian, Blundell appears to have enjoyed deep access to the News Corporation clippings library.

Yet, there seems to be precious little from Melbourne’s own showbiz bible of the early days, Listener-In TV; it is quoted just once. The Sunday Observer and Sunday Press newspapers, which provided so much showbiz news of the 1970sw and 80s, are not referenced at all.

Of the press clippings, Blundell says: “I have assumed their accuracy in most circumstances.”

A $45 book (already discounted to under $30 at Target) on Australia’s most enduring media star deserved far more energy and application.

- The Barrel ● Graeme Blundell will be interviewed by Bob Phillips and Judy Banks on RPP-FM 98.7 in their program which commences at 9am on Thursday (Nov. 6). The program can be heard online at rppfm.com.au

Page 12 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, November 5, 2014

Melbourne People

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Derby Day Flemington Racecourse Photos: Fiona Hamilton

Celebrities galore at Flemington

● Chris Hemsworth

■ Melbourne Cup Week wasoff to a glamorous start with the running of the AAMI Victoria Derby on Saturday.

The celebrity and social set made a beeline to the famed Birdcage enclosure at Flemington to frolic in various corporate marquees.

Guests commanding the most media attention were former Home and Away star Chris Hemsworth at the Johnnie Walker marquee, and Solange Knowles, the sister of hit maker Beyoncé, at the Lavazza marquee.

Myer model Jennifer Hawkins was once again beautifully presented in a striking Alex Perry dress.

The wet and windy weather conditions that prevailed in the morning did not deter racegoers with more than 90,000 people flocking to Flemington to witness a terrific day of racing.

- Fiona Byrne

● Laura Dundovic

● Ashley Hart

● Lisa Wilkinson and Samantha Armytage

● Daniel McPherson

● Pia Miller and Megan Gale

● Jennifer Hawkins

● Peter Janson

● Solange Knowles

● Kerri-Anne Kennerley

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, November 5, 2014 - Page 13

Love This City! with with

Fiona Byrne Guest Columnist

Melbourne Cup party time

● Miss World Australia 2014 Courtney Thope, Alex Hecker, and Miss Universe Australia 2014 Tegan Martin ■ What a delight it was to meet Courtney Thorpe, the Miss World Australia 2014 titleholder at the homecoming of the Melbourne Cup Trophy Cocktail Party at No35 at Sofitel Melbourne On Collins.

Courtney leaves for London this week to take part in the Miss World 2014 international final.

The pre-judging for the competition takes place over three weeks from November 20.

Courtney, 24, hails from Brisbane.

She has been in Melbourne for the Cox Plate and stayed on to attend the homecoming of the Melbourne Cup Trophy with her great friend, Alex Hecker, and the Victoria Derby.

Alex was runner-up to Courtney in the Miss World Australia national final.

It was great to see Miss Universe Australia 2014 Tegan Martin warmly welcome Courtney to the homecoming event.

The ladies will be great ambassadors for Australia at the international finals of their respective pageants.

Tegan will compete for the Miss Universe title in Miami in January while the Miss World winner will be announced in London on December 14.

The ‘Big Yin’ is back

● Billy Connolly ■ It's official, Australia cannot get enough of Billy Connolly, writes Di Rolle.

Melbourne particularly loves Billy. He always draws a huge crowd to his shows in Melbourne, and it is great news that he is finally bringing his High Horse Tour to Australia.

Tickets for Billy's tour continue to sell like hot cakes with Duet Productions adding a fourth Melbourne show (February 3) to the schedule.

Billy will perform at Hamer Hall on January 28, 30, 31 and now February 3.

I get the feeling that people who work close to him find it humbling to work with him. Stories abound as to what a joy he is to work with and the support he receives from his audiences in Australia is sensational.

To say that Billy is just a comedian is inadequate. Inadequate because not only does he have an innate gift to make people laugh at the most ordinary observations of everyday life, but his talent has extended to many fields – playwriting and acting among them.

Billy has been wowing Australian audiences with his stand-up shows since 1978.

This time round will be no exception. He’s funnier than ever and he’ll be on his very high horse as he regales audiences with the humour that’s filled his head since his last visit.

Like no other, Billy turns our everyday life experiences into stunningly funny situations, carrying his audience from one irreverent story to another.

I will be there at one of the shows in Melbourne, I wouldn’t miss him for quids!

Bookings: www.artscentremelbourne. com.au or phone 1300 182 183.

Welcome Baby Cav

● Miss Universe Australia Tegan Martin and Miss World Australia Courtney Thorpe with the 2014 Melbourne Cup

■ Super sprinter Black Caviar is taken to motherhood as she took to racing – quickly!

Black Caviar, who is in foal to Golden Slipper winner Sebring, gave birth to a lovely strong filly by Exceed and Excel on September 13.

Part-owner Jill Taylor said the filly was “amazing’’.

“She is perfect and her mum took to her so well,’’ Jill said at the homecoming of the Melbourne Cup Trophy Cocktail Party at No35 at Sofitel Melbourne On Collins last week.

The filly is yet to be named.

“We have just nicknamed her Baby Cav for now,’’ Jill said.

“We have not really started thinking about names yet.

“We still have a couple of years before she is racing on the track, so we have plenty of time.

“I am sure everybody is coming up with ideas. Everyone will put their thoughts forward and we will take a vote.

We have a nice voting system in place.’’

Jill said Baby Cav won’t be sold.

“We are very happy. It has

been a wonderful experience and she (Baby Cav) is sort of an extension to our family.’’

Jill said the interest in Black Caviar’s first born took her by surprise.

“I knew it would be a big deal when she gave birth, but I probably did not consider how big a deal it would be,’’ she said.

“But that was like when we went to Ascot.

“I knew it would be big but I did not realise how big it would be until we got over there. It is the same with our little baby now.’’

Page 14 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, November 5, 2014November 5, 2014 Page 14 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday,

Love This City!

Symphony Gala ■ The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra hosted a stunning Symphony Gala at the Melbourne Town Hall last week.

The evening saw the divide between the orchestra and audience erased, with the orchestra performing in and around guests seated at tables in the Town Hall.

It was a beautiful experience that captivated the guests who already had a great passion for the orchestra.

Another highlight was a marvellous performance by two wonderful ‘divas’’ – Rhonda Burchmore and Trevor Ashley.

Trevor, who is currently starring as Monsieur Thenadier in Les Miserables also mced the evening, appearing after each break in a different diva disguise.

He then dazzled as Shirley Bassey, belting out Diamonds Are Forever and Goldfinger while backed by the MSO. Mossgreen’s Paul Sumner presided over the most elegant live auction I can remember.

Guests at the Symphony Gala included Harold Mitchell, Geoffrey Rush, Naomi Milgrom,Ann Peacock, Patricia Ilhan, Lady Potter, Margaret Jackson, Maureen and Tony Wheeler, Clive Scott, Linda Britten and Dean Cleaver.

Dreamworks leaves Melbourne ■ More than 220,000 people visited the fascinating DreamWorks Animation exhibition at the Australian Centre for the Moving Image at Federation Square during its seven month season on Melbourne.

The world premiere exhibition closed last Sunday and will now embark on a five-year international tour.

DreamWorks Animation: The Exhibition, ACMI's largest ever exhibition, featured over 400 items including, never-before-seen concept drawings, interviews, models and original artworks, and interactive experiences.

It was a must-see for film buffs and animation fans.

Curated by ACMI in collaboration with DreamWorks Animation, the exhibition brought together Melbourne-based curators and creatives, in addition to the animators, artists and producers of the Los Angeles studio.

Its opening in Melbourne coincided with the studio’s 20th anniversary.

Across three sections, Character, Story and World, the exhibition showcased DreamWorks Animation’s four major film series: Shrek, How to Train Your Dragon, Madagascar and Kung Fu Panda, along with early hand-drawn and hybrid 2D and 3D animations, such as The Prince of Egypt (1998) and Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron (2002).

The entire back catalogue of 29 DreamWorks Animation feature films was represented in the exhibition, including The Croods (2013) and the most recent theatrical release, Mr. Peabody & Sherman (2014).

Alongside the exhibition, ACMI presented a seven month program of events including talks, workshops, screenings, and late night entertainment as well as an extensive education program that collectively attracted 13,000 attendees.

ACMI has wasted no time securing its next blockbuster exhibition.

As part of the 2015 Melbourne Winter Masterpieces series ACMI will present David Bowie is.

This exhibition that charts the genius, impact and legacy of David Bowie will open at ACMI on July 16, 2015. ● Fiona Byrne is a former journalist and is the Public Relations Manager at Sofitel Melbourne On Collins.

Fiona@fionabyrne.com.au

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

with Fiona Byrne

I just adore the Cup Carnival ■ The day may have started out wet and windy, but the somewhat trying conditions did not dampen the spirits of racegeoers attending Victoria Derby Day at Flemington on Saturday.

I adore the Melbourne Cup Carnival.

It is such a special time of year in our great city, a time when everyone is focussed on having a great time.

I always feel there is real sense of pride in Melbourne at this time of year as we welcome interstate and international visitors to the Carnival. And Derby Day always gets a stunning week of racing off to a stylish start.

I spent Derby Day in the famed Birdcage enclosure welcoming guests to the Sofitel marquee, with the likes of Olympian Andrew Hoy, Miss World Australia Courtney Thorpe, Lee Chan, and Bree Laughlin popping in to say hello.

It is the 10th year that Sofitel Melbourne’s General Manager Clive Scott has hosted a Birdcage marquee, making the hotel one of the true ‘stayers’ in the Birdcage.

The theme for this year’s marquee was ‘Blue Moon’ with designers Turner Dietze Creative and project manager Nicole Rosewarne creating an elegant and refined space for Sofitel’s corporate guests.

Stand-out features included a glorious original 1930 Art Deco chandelier and six life-size, hand-drawn silk images depicting floral and equine elegance by silk screen artist Anne Leon.

The marquee also featured custom-made wooden interior walls with smoked glass panels and vintage couches and arm chairs.

The Birdcage is an extraordinary place to visit during Cup Week.

What during the year is a carpark, turns into a village of lavish corporate hospitality enclosures for the Melbourne Cup Carnival.

And the celebrity and social set flock to the Birdcage like moths to a flame.

Spotted on Saturday were Jennifer Hawkins looking flawless at Myer, Chris Hemsworth looking dapper at Johnnie Walker, Solange Knowles (better known as Beyonce’s sister) at Lavazza, Jamie Durie charming guests at Lexus, and Ashley Hart looking fresh and fun at Swisse.

With a black-and-white dress code for ladies, Derby Day really does see the return of elegant racewear.

And who can resist a man in a morning suit?

They look so stylish and smart.

The one thing, however, I will never understand is why young ladies insist on going to the races in whisper thin summer frocks when rain is falling and a chill wind is sweeping across the Flemington lawns.

Despite their spray tans, I saw some young ladies shivering and covered in goosebumps as they made their way on to the course mid-morn-

● Fiona Byrne at the Sofitel marquee ing on Saturday. Surely they could have wrapped It was great to see Sydney trainer Chris themselves in a coat or jacket to protect them- Waller win the Victoria Derby with Preferment, selves against the conditions rather than solider but my favourite winner for the day was Brazen on towards a certain cold?

Beau in the Coolmore Stud Stakes.

While it may have been cold on course the Thank you Brazen Beau, you paid for my racing action was hot. cab fare home!

Prinnie returns to the stage

● Prinnie Stevens

■ The Voice star Prinnie Stevens will make her return to musical theatre with a starring role in Thriller Live.

Prinnie, who was a fan favourite on the first season of The Voice and co-hosted The Voice Kids, started her professional performing career at 17 in the musical Rent.

In that show was MiG Ayesa, her co-star in Thriller Live.

“Do you know what is crazy? The very first show I did was with Miguel. It was Rent. I was just out of school. I was very, very young and he was very much like an older brother to me,’’ she said.

“All the guys, they really took me under their wing.

“I started with him in my musical career, and now here I am back working with him. We are so insanely excited to be working together.’’

Thriller Live will also provide Prinnie with her first experience on stage in London’s West End. “This is the first time I have done the West End, but this is why you do all the years of dancing, acting and singing. I was born for this stuff,’’ she said.

“I am so looking forward to getting to London and getting started.

“The current West End cast will have two weeks off and

we, the Australia cast, will step in. Then we will head back home to Perth to start our national tour.’’

Thriller Live is a concert spectacular that celebrates the music of Michael Jackson.

Asked to name her favourite Michael Jackson song, Prinnie opted for The Way You Make Me Feel.

“I also love Bad and so many others. There are so many eras to Michael - the 70s, 80s. 90s.’’

Thriller Live will play at the State Theatre, Arts Centre Melbourne, from January 28 – February 8, 2015.

For tickets go to www.artscentremelbourne. com.au or call 1300 182 183.

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Melbourne Melbourne Observer Observer - Wednesday, November 5, 2014 - Page 15

Melbourne People

Melbourne Cup Trophy Homecoming At No35, Sofitel Melbourne On Collins Photos: Fiona Hamilton

■ The stunning Melbourne Cup Trophy was celebrated at No35 at Sofitel Melbourne On Collins on Monday evening as the Melbourne Cup tour arrived in town.

Around 150 guests were treated to champion trainer Gai Waterhouse recalling the excitement of winning the Cup last year with her star galloper Fiorente.

MC Mark Beretta also drew some stirring Cup memories from leading racecaller Bryan Martin and the former Chief Steward of Racing Victoria, Des Gleeson.

Miss Universe Australia Tegan Martin was joined by Gleeson and Martin in handing over the 2014 Cup to VRC Chairman - Fiona Byrne

● Racecaller Bryan Martin, Miss Universe Australia 2014 Tegan Martin and Racing Victoria former Chief Steward Des Gleeson with the 2014 Melbourne Cup trophy

● Leading trainer Mark Kavanagh and his wife Isobel at the Homecoming of the Melbourne Cup Trophy Cocktail Party at No35 at Sofitel Melbourne On Collins.

● Monika Clarke and Ed Lower at the Homecoming of the Melbourne Cup Trophy Cocktail Party at No35 at Sofitel Melbourne On Collins.

● Black Caviar’s part owners David and Jill Taylor at the Homecoming of the Melbourne Cup Trophy Cocktail Party

● Bree Laughlin and Melina Bagnato at the Homecoming of the Melbourne Cup Trophy Cocktail Party at No35 at Sofitel Melbourne On Collins.

● Lisa Tan and Angela Menz at the Homecoming of ● Emelia Jackson from MasterChef with Danni Sevas the Melbourne Cup Trophy Cocktail Party at No35 at at the Homecoming of the Melbourne Cup Trophy Cocktail Party at No35 at Sofitel Melbourne On Collins.

Sofitel Melbourne On Collins.

● Mark Beretta interviews former Racing Victoria Chief Steward Des Gleeso

● Bryan Martin with Bob Skelton who won the 1976 Melbourne Cup on Van Der Hum.

● Laurenna Toulmin and Richard Cawthorne at the Homecoming of the Melbourne Cup Trophy Cocktail Party at No35 at Sofitel Melbourne On Collins.

● David Hauser with Sue Lloyd Williams at the Sofitel Melbourne On Collins

Page 16 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, November 5, 2014

Melbourne People

● Barbara Hughes and Brian Christopher

● Sam Armstrong, Andrew Ronay-Jenkings, Ben Gillespie – The Aussie Boys

● Julie and Gerard Smith

● David McDonald and Neville Dixon

● Todd Jacobsson and Rhonda Burchmore

● Janine Stacey and Adam Stafford

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Aussie Boys The Palms At Crown

● Richard Jenkings, Dennis Smith, Liz Jenkings

● Michael J Wilkie and Rhonda Burchmore

● Ibrahim Mustafa and Tezer Huseyin

● Janis, Erica and Therese Hosking

● Tim Maddison and Daniel Price

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, November 5, 2014 - Page 17

Confidential Melbourne

Talk is cheap, gossip is priceless

Hughesy and Kate join Mix, Chrissie to leave?

Bitch Melbourne’s Secrets

Want ad for Blackers

■ Former Nova 100 breakfast cohosts Dave Hughes and Kate Langbroek appear to have been signed by the rival Australian Radio Network, to host a drive-time program on the re-branded Mix 101.1 FM station.

ARN lloks likely to re-brand Mix in Melbourne as KIIS, and will probably use Hughes and Langbroek to present a national drivetime show.

They are likely to start early in 2015, giving them a half-year advantage over Hamish and Andy who are set to take on the same shift on Fox from July next year.

● Chrissie Swan

■ John Cole, 35, of Bright, is to face the County Court next year after admitting he was drink driving in a crash that killed his friend. He has been in custody since the crash in April.

Sounds like stronzate ■ One Melbourne social wannabe is over-playing their self-description of an Italian pedigree. They were raised in the suburban streets of Hadfield.

Religious instruction ■ Melbourne Confidential understands that many people took yesterday’s Melbourne Cup quite seriously ... for many reasons.

But should Google have classified the 1983 racing movie, Phar Lap, showing at Palace Cinemas Balwyn, as “religious”?

Abuse

■ Former St Colemans priest and teacher John Anthony Skehan has pleaded guilty of sexually assaulting a 13-year-old student in 1970, reports the Shepparton News. He was also found guilty of one count of an indecent act with a child under 16.

Listen ● Kate Langbroek and Dave Hughes Moves at the Richmond-based The concerted eforts by the Mix Mix 101.1 station may not be good (KISS), Nova, Fox, Triple M and for the current breakfast show co- Gold stations look set to put preshost Chrissie Swan. sure on 3AW which has traditionThe influentiual Radio Info ally held top spot in the early mornwebsite speculates that Swan will be ing timeslot. dumped, to be replaced by former The new national formats, whilst Fox breakfast co-host Matt Tilley. never popular in Melbourne, mean He is expected to join Jane Hall, that the radio stations advertising that has been consistently losing lis- teams will need to adopt different teners in recent months. approaches with their clients.

Permanent ban on finance man ● John Blackman ■ Popular media man John Blackman has broadcast thousands of advertisements for clients over the years ... so it seems only natural when he is cashing some work, he has placed an ad on social media.

Blackers, best known as the Hey Hey It’s Saturday voiceover guy, and for his radio work, told his Facebook contacts this week” “My card is free in December if anybody needs my services - voice overs, golf days, corporate gigs, radio locum (with my own landline).”

Blackers still has his trade-marksense of humour.

He finishes the ad with: “Please don’t rush - form an orderly queue.”

Whispers

■ The Administrative Appeals Tribunal has affirmed a decision to permanently ban former Astarra Asset Management Pty Ltd director Eugene Liu from providing financial services.

AAT Senior Member Jan Redfern said: “There is no evidence to suggest that Mr Liu has reformed or that he admits and is remorseful about his conduct.

“He takes no responsibility for the significant losses of investors in ASF (Astarra Strategic Fund).”

The AAT’s decision was handed down on Friday (Oct 31).

The Tribunal upheld the Australian Securities and Investments Commission’s decision following Liu’s request for a review of his ban.

ASIC removed Liu from the financial services industry in March last year for his role in the collapse of AAM in December 2009. Liu was AAM’s chief investment strategist.

Rumour Mill

Hear It Here First

Mal ‘back in saddle’

Misleading conduct

ASIC’s investigation alleged that Liu engaged in dishonest conduct and conduct that was misleading or likely to mislead.

ASIC Commissioner John Price said: “The AAT’s decision confirms our findings that Mr Liu, through his actions, has no right to deal with the public.

“Australian investors should be confident and informed, and ASIC will act against those individuals who attempt to disrupt this in any way.”

AAM was one of the groups caught up in the collapse of Trio Capital.

ASIC’s investigation into the collapse saw more than 11 people either jailed, banned from providing financial services, disqualified from managing companies or removed from the financial services industry for a total of more than 50 years.

The AAT was not satisfied that Liu himself “carried on a financial services business” and therefore found that he did not breach the Corporations Act.

● Mal Garvin

■ Mal Garvin, the religious leader who left his Fusion Group role abruptly several years ago following a Derryn Hinch report, is telling his Facebook friends that he is “back in the saddle again”. He says he is involved with a group of 50-60 students who want to be youth leaders.

Hall of Fame tip ■ One of the world’s great aviators, the late Harry Hawker, is set to be named as a member of the AustralianAviation Hall of Fame at a dinner to be held this Saturday (Nov. 8) at Wagga. The Moorabin-born flyer helped design the Sopwith aircraft used in World War I.

● Harry Hawker

E-Mail: Confidential@MelbourneObserver.com.au

● Bruce Mansfield ■ Radio man Bruce Mansfield enjoys ghiving his listeners a chuckle, but not when it is at his owne expense.

One caller phoned 3AW to tell the story of her son who was born in 1970. “So how old is he?” the hapless Bruce kept asking. It was a bad night. He credited Jack Nicholson with the wrong movie, and praised film producer Steven Spielberg for filming Duel in blackand-white. It was, of course, in glorious colour.

To Court

■ Fowles Auctions and Sales Pty Ltd has asked for a Melbourne Magistrates’ Court session today (Wed.) as it makes an application for substituted service against Danny Osbaldeston. The company, which has a 9.30am hearing, is due to allege that there are “monies due’. The case is due to come before a Magistrate.

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Page 18 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, November 5, 2014

Melbourne

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Golden Days ● Golden Days Radio is a Melbourne community radio service that can be heard on 95.7FM. It has a music format that has broad appeal for people of any age who have an affection for the nostalgic sound of radio as it used to be from the 1930s into the 1960s. Tune in: www.goldendaysradio.com

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● Barry Day ■ Two long-term volunteer presenters are leaving Golden Days Radio after significant voluntary service over many years Barry Day has been at the station since 1998 and became a presenter from 2000.

He presented a threehour weekly Friday program including Showtime Curtain Up. His final program was on Friday (Oct., 31). The station was flooded with phone calls and e-mails, thanking Barry for his contribution over some 16 years.

Retiring this Saturday (Nov. 8) is Paul Mason, together with his wife Elaine who is his receptionist.

Paul has been a regular presenter on Saturday evenings for 11½ years.

All three - Barry, Paul and Elaine - have received their 10-year service badge and certificates in past years.

Station President Larry James says the trio will retire to enjoy some other activities and, of course, to listen to the station too.

My word!

■ When Long Shots was a junior newspaper scribe, we were taught to write 19-word paragraphs.

In that conext, we dips our lid to movie columnist Aaron Rourke who pens a 248-word paragraph in today’s issue. We have preserved it in its original form on Page 66.

Birthday honours ■ Myra Healey, 98 years young, celebrated her birthday with just a small gathering of friends at the TarraWarra Winery at Yarra Glen late last week.

Close to 60 people attended the special celebration.

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● Myra Healey

● Elaine and Paul Mason

Long Shots

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”

Observer Treasury Thought For The Week ■ “The task in front of you is not as great as the power behind you.”

Observer Curmudgeon ■ “Ulcers do not come from what you eat; they come from what is eating you.”

Text For The Week ■ "For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do."

- Hebrews 6:10 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.

■ The Fourth Wall is the one you don't see. That's where the cameras and booms and floor lighting and crew are.

The Fourth Wall can be exactly that in a set constructed of a back wall and both side walls, as in cells, recreation and dining rooms, Governor's office etc.

And it can also be the end of corridors when the camera tracks backward and boom operators go with it.

As they move, they are the rolling Fourth Wall.

Some times, if a director has the time, a scene can be shot from several angles including the Fourth Wall.

What happens is that it is shot from front on, then a real Fourth Wall is brought in by staging and one or even two of the other walls are removed and the scene can be wholly re-shot, or re-action shots only, later to be edited in.

Memorable examples of The Fourth Wall 'Exposed.'

After something like nine or 10 years, the American series Happy Days came to an end.

At the conclusion of the final episode Tom Bosley turned to the camera to deliver a fond farewell. He was speaking directly to the vast audience of fans.

The Fourth Wall was breached and every fan of the show was suddenly on personal terms with the cast.

The 1960 s film Alfie, starring Michael Caine, had his character Alfie looking directly into camera through the picture and actually speaking to the audience, drawing them in as co-conspirators. The technique worked very well for that film.

It did not and could not work for Prisoner. That simply was not the way the series was devised.

However, there were one or two Prisoner directors who had no idea of the concept.

One instance I vividly recall was when two sets were side by side, and the characters had to walk from set to set through a doorway with a camera tracking them as they walked.

Now, if the set had been constructed so that the camera could have revealed only the inside of the doorway behind them, all would have been well.

But it was not. What the Director wanted the camera to do was to track past the open end of the middle wall, thus exposing it to be a hollow construction of pinewood.

An obvious creation of the set designers and carpenters.

Now occasional wobbly walls, flitting boom shadows, lighting flares and such apart, Prisoner maintained its integrity by never giving away its 'Fourth Wall.'

On that day, I'm pretty sure it was Jenny Williams, D.A. (Directors Assistant) and Switcher, (vision mixer on multi-cam scenes), who intervened and cautioned the Director as to his error.

This, with Jenny, was not unusual. She was a very experienced lady who had worked in her capacity on many programs before Prisoner and she was destined to save many Director's 'bacon' over the course of the years.

I first met her during the 1970's on The Box series, made at Channel 0-10.

I enjoyed her sense of humour, and that continued throughout the years.

Looking back, I think that Jenny was a little like me. At the time she seemed to only have a modest desire to push further up the film or television tree.

Jenny's close friend Juliana Foch was a different lady. She had the passion and the daring to aim higher.

She wanted to be a Director and made that dream come true. But the dream was shattered during a holiday in Bali when she was thrown from the pillion seat of a motorbike and died.

And Jennifer? She was inconsolable. She had lost a dear friend.

Sometimes, on the other side of The Fourth Wall, lies the cruel reality of life.

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au Melbourne

Observer

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, November 5, 2014 - Page 19

Theatre Extra

By Barbara Hughes

Aussie Boys have the G-factor: reviewer ■ What better way to spend a cold, blustery Melbourne night than watching The Aussie Boys at The Palms at Crown.

This vocal trio of Andrew RonayJenkins, Benjamin Gillespie and Samuel Armstrong, all of whom have backgrounds in musical theatre, has gained an international following with a repertoire that consists mostly of much-loved Australian songs.

These young men are terrific.

They are talented, good-looking, funny and incredibly charismatic.

From the moment they began the opening song, I Am Australian, the audience was entranced.

The well chosen song-list of 17 numbers ranges from The Seekers to Kylie, and includes such classics as Waltzing Matilda, Down Under, The Carnival Is Over, Pressure Down and

● The Aussie Boys on stage at The Palms. From left, Benjamin Gillespie, Andrew Ronay-Jenkings and Samuel Armstrong. and clever.

I Still Call Australia Home. Vocally, estly Love You is really beautiful.

Broadway musical director Jordan But these guys play to their Andy Ronay-Jenkins takes the honours and his rendition of I Hon- strengths and their harmonies are tight Bennett’s arrangements are

easy on the ear if occasionally a little predictable.

Backing comes by way of an eight-piece band consisting of piano, drums, two guitars and a fine four piece brass section.

The choreographer is not credited which is a shame because this is a real highlight of the show.

Bringing to mind the boy bands of the 50s and 60s, the choreography is sharp, high energy, perfectly executed and more than a little sexy.

This is an appealing, professional, cabaret show with great production values.

By their own admission The Aussie Boys have the G Factor – they appeal to Girls, Gays and Grans, all of whom thoroughly enjoyed this most entertaining show.

- Review by Barbara Hughes

Melbourne

Observer Life & Style

I am not there, I do not sleep ■ Poetry has always given me great pleasure.

In fact, all you need on a lovely sunny day is a shady tree, a book of verse, a parasol, Mr Darcy and a bottle of vino to take you into another world.

Thank you Jane Austen for Pride and Prejudice and the very hot Mr.Darcy.

My mum loved poetry, it was natural that I grew up to enjoy and appreciate it too.

My interest increased, not only from Mum, but also from a terrific schoolteacher at the rural school I attended who was just as passionate.

He would read us a poem, and then he would throw it open to the class for discussion, and it wasn’t long before we knew the poem off by heart.

It wasn’t real grown-up stuff at first, but lovely poems about rabbits and a sweet one I remember about wanting a mouse.

Death and dying ■ I can still recall the class standing by their desks and learning a poem by rote. But by then we had discussed the work and understood what we were learning.

It wasn’t until I was at university and Death and Dying was a topic for discussion during my course that I was introduced to the teaching and thoughts of Elizabeth Kubler Ross on dying.

And that’s when I heard a poem by Mary Elizabeth Frye that made such an impression.

Do Not Stand at My Grave and Weep is a consoling Holocaust poem.

It has stayed with me.

Emotions run over ■ I use it as a counsellor, and it helps me when I console a friend who is grieving over the death of a loved one.

The other night I was watching Judge John Deed, one of my all time favourite television series. It was a particularly poignant episode, and as he recited the poem, Do not stand at my grave and weep, at a church service for a young boy who had died, my emotions ran over.

The words, and the scene in which they were used have been running through my mind ever since watching that episode.

I can’t get it out of my head.

Wanting to know more about the authou]r I searched the internet and found some interesting facts.

I just wish I had known this woman.

Orphaned at 3 ■ Mary Elizabeth Frye, a Baltimore housewife with no formal education died in 2004.

She wrote the poem in 1932.

Do Not Stand at my Grave and Weep was

Yvonne’s Column

with Yvonne Lawrence yvonne.lawrence@bigpond.com

most probably the only poem she wrote.

And what makes it all the more poignant is that Mary was orphaned at three, and moved to Baltimore when she was 12.

Despite her lack of education, and her deprived childhood, she was an avid reader, and possessed a remarkable memory.

In a British poll, her poem was named the most popular with the public.

Mary was inspired to write after she was told of the plight of a young German Jewish woman who was staying with her at the time.

Her houseguest had been deeply concerned about her mother, who was too old and crippled to leave Germany. She was unable to go to her aid because of the anti-Semitism that was erupting.

It was later to be known as the Holocaust.

To ‘Loved ones’ ■ When told the news that her mother had died, the heartbroken woman told Mary that she never had the chance to “ stand by my mother’s grave and shed a tear”.

This inspired Mary to write her poem, which she circulated privately. It was never copyrighted.

The poem was introduced to many Britons when it was read by the father of a young soldier who was killed by a bomb in Northern Island.

The soldier’s father read it in remembrance of his son, after having found it in an envelope addressed “ To all my loved ones” in his son’s personal effects.

For those who are not familiar with the poem, I’ve written it so you can read it, keep it, and be moved by the experience.

Perhaps use it yourself at an appropiate time.

Do not stand at my grave and weep, I am not there; I do not sleep.

I am a thousand winds that blow, I am diamond glints on the snow, I am the sun on ripened grain, I am the gentle autumn rain.

When you awaken in the morning’s hush I am the swift uplifting rush Of quiet birds in circling flight.

I am in the flowers that bloom I am in a quiet room I am the birds that sing I am the soft star-shine at night Do not stand at my grave and cry I am not there; I did not die.

What is going on?

■ The poem is often read at funerals, and other memorial services, including those of the Challenger space shuttle, the Lockerbie bombing, and the 9-11 terror attack on New York ‘s twin towers.

How does one finish a column after involving oneself in such a poem?

Usually the words flow, and whatever comes to mind is what I write.

But somehow everything seems superfluous after those words.

I could talk about the childish, often rude and boorish behaviour of some of our politicians in Parliament.

You would think that this is the one place where deciding what’s best for the nation is their prime concern.

But no. Let’s get out head on the telly and let everyone think how smart we are.

I feel so sorry for Bronwyn Bishop, the Speaker of the House. She must go home wondering what she is doing there.

Days numbered

■ As I keep on saying. Increase the quota of women, and see if that raises the standards.

Mind you, not just any women. There is a couple in the Senate who would have to be excluded.

And I could have a bit of a grumble about the massive advertising telling us that from August this year we must know our personal identification number ( PIN) on each of our current Credit or Debit cards.

I was a bit worried about this because sometimes numbers don’t come to mind, and we were warned, on the point of death, that we were not to write these numbers down on anything.

I liked signing, but the banks told us to forget our signatures, the PIN was the way we must go.

Sign of the times

■ After preparing ourselves for the change, we tried to use our PIN. It didn’t work.

Our purchase was declined. My other half insisted, that the salesperson either try again, or we sign.

He signed, and we came away with our purchase.

But here we are into November, and our PIN number is still being declined every time. And when we sign, our usual way, all is tickety boo.

Now we will have to get a new set of numbers from the bank, and hope that they work.

In the words of that old American country philosopher “Life gets tejus (sic) don’t it”.

Enjoy your week, - Yvonne Contact: Editor, Melbourne Observer P.O. Box 1278, Research, 3095.

Page 20 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, November 5, 2014

Colour my run

● James Thompson, of Swan Hill Lodge, looking rather ‘unscathed’ as he participated in the district’s Colour My Run event ■ James Thompson of Swan Hill Lodge isn't afraid of a bit of colour!

Along with 1000 other runners, James participated in the Colour My Run event on Sunday, October 19.

Starting at Riverside Park, all of the runners, wearing white, began the walk/run marathon with the aim of raising much needed funds for charity group 'Women Touched by Cancer'.

Based in Swan Hill, the Women as to where they can go for help, adTouched by Cancer group was formed vice and where to seek funding. in October 2007, and is made up of With all participants being preactive women who are focused on pared to cop every colour under the bringing services to women and fami- sun, most got the end of the run looklies touched by cancer within the lo- ing much more like a rainbow - all in cal community. the name of fun and fundraising.

An important component of the It is estimated that $10,000.00 was support group's role is to guide people raised this year - a fantastic effort

Field of Remembrance

■ It's hard to miss the sign out the front of the Dallas Brooks Centre on Albert St, East Melbourne - Freemasons Victoria is looking forward to its Field of Remembrance event on Thursday, November 13.

Freemasons have a long and proud association with the armed forces and throughout Australia's involvement in wars and peace-keeping operations, Freemasons Victoria members have been ready to serve and defend their country.

That trend continues today with many of its younger members being active Air, Navy or Army personnel.

On Wednesday, November 12, the lawn out the front of the building will be transformed into a sea of red poppies in remembrance of those servicemen and women who have paid the ultimate sacrifice.

Poppies can be purchased for only $20, with proceeds being directed to the RSL and the Shrine of Remembrance.

Those who buy a poppy are also encouraged to write a personalised message on a tag which will be hung on a Remembrance Wall.

Freemasons Victoria would like to invite members, families and friends to take part in this fundraising event, and on Thursday, November 13, are welcome to watch the wreath laying service on the steps of the Centre.

A moving Ceremony of the Unknown Soldier will be performed before a morning tea is served.

The Ceremony of the Unknown Soldier, performed now across the country and around the world, is a symbol of the ultimate sacrifice made by those who could not be returned to their loved ones or laid to rest, and who gave their lives in the name of their country.

Please contact Freemasons Victoria on 9411 0100 to buy a poppy or alternatively pop in and order your poppy at the reception counter during normal office hours from 9am - 5pm, Monday to Friday.

PROMOTIONAL FEATURE www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Freemasons support Blue Ribbon charity ball ■ The Victoria Police Blue Ribbon Foundation held its annual Charity Ball at the Palladium at Crown on Friday, October 24.

Freemasons Victoria, represented by members of the Grand Team, who accompanied Grand Master Hillel Benedykt and his wife Sue, were there to support the event.

The Ball, hosted by well-known television personality John Deeks, was a fabulous night of entertainment, reflection and fundraising, held in the name of police officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty.

The event is the Foundation's major fundraiser for the year with proceeds going to the Epworth Hospital's new Urgent Care Centre, which will benefit many Victorians and be named in the memory of a fallen Police Officer.

Bill Noonan, Chairman of the Victoria Police Blue Ribbon Foundation, opened the evening, recognising all of the generous supporters who had contributed towards the auction and raffle, and made special mention of all of the volunteers who had made a special effort to enable the event.

"It's wonderful to see so many supporters gathered together to celebrate two very special groups in our community, the Victoria Police and the Epworth Hospital,”Bill said.

Ken Lay, Chief Commissioner, Victoria Police, gave a video presentation that included messages from prominent Australian's such as Eddie McGuire, Lisa McCune and social campaigner and youth outreach worker Les Twentyman , who were unable to attend.

Guests enjoyed the sweet sounds of Mint26 over dinner, and Babba (an Abba tribute band), made sure all were up and dancing the night away.

The major auction, managed by Stockdale and Leggo, was a great success, raising more than $60,000 with items such as Kokoda Track adventures, Bali accommodation packages and interstate cycling trips up for grabs.

The raffle included a Suzuki Swift GL Navigator, a Fisher & Paykel refrigerator, luxury houseboat cruise and a wine package.

A silent auction, with all items lining the perimeter of the room included football guernseys, jewellery, concert tickets and beauty packs just to name a few.

A highlight of the evening was the motor display at the entrance to the ballroom. A police vehicle, equipped with all matter of tracking and communication devices was on display for guests to see and sit in, as well as two police motorbikes, the larger of which Grand Master Hillel Benedykt 'tried out'.

"It's remarkable just how much bigger the bikes appear up close,” he said. "There is a lot of machine to steer and control.”

Myles King, who was there with his wife Isabella, said that the event was very special.

"The night was a great example of what can be achieved when people and organisations work together for a common purpose.

“Funds raised from the event will contribute to establishing a new emergency area within the Epworth Hospital network with the community being the benefactors. The generosity of the attendees was truly amazing and gave clear demonstration of philanthropy in its purest form."

● Grand Master Hillel Benedykt; Erin Olsen, Events Manager; Gabrielle Forman, Communications Manager; and Sue Benedykt.

● Mya G. Grayly with Deputy Grand Master Don Reynolds

● Myles King, Victoria Police and Lodge Observance No. 654, with his wife Isabella.

Thank you meal for Koo-Wee-Rup

● Caitlin Barrat, Lauren Booth, Taylar Burr, Irie Demoor, Greg Interlandi, Monique Preece, Rhys Turley, Dale Villella and Adele Wheeler ready to serve.

Photo:Ben Cameron, Pakenham Gazette ■ Koo-Wee-Rup Secondary College Year 10 and 11 students were plating up last week as they put on a special meal for members of Koo-Wee-Rup Lodge No. 323.

In completion of their first year of their VET hospitality course 'Certificate II in Kitchen Operations', the students planned and prepared the meal as a thank you to Lodge members for their contributions to the school which include providing breakfast for students once a month, money for scholarships and lunch for students and staff at the end of the year.

Koo-Wee-Rup Lodge has been donating funds towards the educational needs of Koo-Wee-Rup Secondary College since 2003, and has so far donated a total of $20,000. In the past funds have not only assisted hospitality students, but have also gone towards music and the library.

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au Melbourne

Observer

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, November 5, 2014 - Page 21

West Hollywood

Halloween hits West Hollywood From my suite at the Ramada Plaza Hotel and Suites comes this week's news.

Jane Lynch divorce: $1.2m plus royalties

Monsters and mayhem ■ The Ramada Plaza Hotel and Suites hosted its traditional 'Monsters, Mummies and Mayhem' Halloween celebrations.

The largest Halloween street party in the world with more than 450,000 Halloween revellers celebrating on Santa Monica Boulevard to enjoy the craziest, most eccentric costume creations.

Lisa Vanderpump was Queen of the Carnival. Past Carnival Queens include Queen Latifah, Rihanna, Ricki Lake, Chelsea Handler and Prince Poppycock.

Lisa Vanderpump is best known for her role in the hit Bravo TV shows, The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills and Vanderpump Rules, her time on Dancing With The Stars in 2013 as well as her local restaurants, SUR, PUMP and Villa Blanca.

The City of West Hollywood's Halloween Carnival was launched in 1987 and is rooted in the foundation of the City of West Hollywood's diverse culture and community.

The event has grown year by year into an annual gathering of phenomenal costumes, entertainment, culture and self-expression with a myriad of observers, revellers, exhibitionists and performers.

People come from all over Los Angeles and surrounding counties and even travel from domestic and international spots to take part in all the fun.

Seen at party central, right outside the Ramada, the Ramada staff love to get into the spirit and enjoy the celebration.

■ Jane Lynch's divorce is final and it's resulted in some lighter pockets.

When the Glee star finalised her divorce to Lara Embry this week, it was announced that she'd have to pay $1.2 million in a property settlement spread over a two-year period.

In addition, Lynch has to pay Embry, a psychologist, half of their assets and half of all royalties from Jane's appearances on Glee and other TV shows.

The funds are no small pittance: half of their bank and trust accounts amounts to $847,485 and half of the super totals $315,079 and half of the tax refund is a sizeable $56,810.

Despite having to pay up, the pair is said to be "very civilised" and Jane has kept a cool head about the whole ordeal.

● Ioana Ciocan, Ramada Sales Manager; Alan Johnson, Managing Director, Ramada Plaza; and Cristina Cazan, Guest Relations Manager.

LA’s tallest building ■ The tallest building in Los Angeles announced that it would be getting an observation deck open to tourists with a restaurant and dancing floor as well.

The US. Bank Tower is in downtown Los Angeles and is 72 floors high. Overseas Union Enterprise, the company that owns the tower, has just filed documents with the city planning department.

The plans are to open a restaurant, bar and lounge on the 69th and 70th floors. The 71st floor will have an outdoor observation terrace and a dance floor.

The whole project will take up 19,000 square feet but there is no timeline for construction just yet. The downtown area is now getting populated with many loft dwellers and apartment owners.

There are restaurants and shopping boutiques and the whole area is getting a well-needed facelift. This observation deck will bring new tourists to the area, which has always been a wasteland for a very long time.

More Elton John ■ Elton John will extend his run in Las Vegas for three years and will cover some of the dates that Celine Dion had been scheduled to perform.

Tickets are on sale now for Elton's ‘Million Dollar Piano’ shows for 23 newly announced performances between January 16 and April 14.

On six of those nights, he will replace Celine, who cancelled all of her scheduled shows at Caesar's Colosseum through at least March 22, citing the health of her husband and manager Rene, who is battling throat cancer.

It is unknown when Celine might resume performing. She had been scheduled to appear there on New Years Eve and a replacement has not been named.

● Jane Lynch

GavinWood

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

Lady Gaga in Malibu

Something for you ■ If you are considering a move to Los Angeles or just coming over for a holiday to see all the wonderful attractions LA has to offer 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, .

I have secured a terrific holiday deal for readers of the Melbourne Observer.

Please mention 'Melbourne Observer' when you book and you will receive the 'Special Rate of the Day'.

Please contact: Joanna at info@ramadaweho.com Happy Holidays, Gavin Wood.

■ A special food team from Australia is conducting tests this month at McDonald's Headquarters near Chicago on how to incorporate a customised gourmet burger into the restaurant.

Inside a nondescript warehouse some 30 minutes from McDonald's headquarters, uniformed Aussie crewmembers cook burgers and fries and hand food to customers.

Welcome to the Innovation Centre in Romeoville, Illinois, where the world's largest fast-food operator studies, dissects and tweaks current routines as well as proposed ideas that could quicken the operations of some 34,000 McDonalds restaurants around the world.

Spending up 5 per cent

I Am Woman: Helen ■ Helen Reddy was back centre stage at the Catalina Jazz Club, 6725 W. Sunset Boulevard Hollywood for two nights, November 1 and 2.

I am looking forward to seeing our Helen here in LA.

McDonald’s fast lane

● Lady Gaga ■ Lady Gaga has shelled out $23 million to bowl in Malibu.

Set on an ocean view six acres, the gated Mediterranean style villa she brought was built in 2005 and features open concept living and dining rooms, high ceilings with exposed beams, numerous chandeliers and a two-lane Brunswick bowling alley.

Above the main floor is a master suite with a terrace, duel closets and bathrooms and a safe room. The lower level has two bowling lanes, a home theatre, a game room and an 800bottle wine cellar.

There are five bedrooms and 12 bathrooms in 10,270 square feet of living space.

A saltwater swimming pool with a spa and a bocce ball court sit on the Pacific Ocean view side of the property. An eight-stall stable, a dressage ring and a guest cottage complete the grounds.

I hope she will be happy there.

www.gavinwood.us

■ International travellers have spent $150 billion visiting the US in the first eight months of the year, a 5 per centincrease over the same time last year, the US Department of Commerce has reported.

Spending by Australian travellers has been at an all time high for the Ramada Plaza Hotel and surrounding businesses like the upscale Beverly Centre Shopping Mall on Beverly Boulevard, which launched a new tourist bus service for international shoppers this year.

Other tourist attractions include The Grove and Farmers Market, the film studios tours, Disneyland and Knott's Berry Farm.

● Helen Reddy, see story at left

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Page 22 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, November 5, 2014

■ Peter Lawford was a Hollywood actor and a member of the famous Las Vegas Rat Pack with Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jnr and Joey Bishop.

Peter Sydney Ernest Lawford was born in 1923 in London.

Peter grew up in France and was tutored at home, as a result he never attended public schools.

At the age of seven he made his film debut in the English film Poor Old Bill which was directed by Monty Banks, who later married Gracie Fields.

In 1938 at the age of 15 he was under contract to MGM Studios and cast in his first Hollywood film Lord Jeff.

His next role as a snobbish English schoolboy in A Yank At Eton won him international recognition.

Peter suffered an arm injury as a child and this prevented him from serving in World War II. He played a young soldier in The White Cliffs Of Dover which led to his first leading role in Son Of Lassie and that film virtually launched his career.

He first worked with Frank Sinatra in 1947 when they co-starred in It Happened In Brooklyn.

Although he was not a trained singer or dancer Peter was cast opposite June Allyson in Good News.

Whatever Happened To ...

Peter Lawford

By Kevin Trask of 3AW and 96.5 Inner FM This led to a series of musical films which included Easter Parade, On An Island With You and Royal Wedding.

He acted in two of the classic films of the 1940's The Picture Of Dorian Gray and Little Women.

Peter Lawford came to Australia to film Kangaroo in 1952 and he played the romantic interest opposite Maureen O'Hara. Chips Rafferty and Bud Tingwell were also in the cast.

In 1954 he married Patricia Kennedy, the sister of John Kennedy who later became president of the United States.

During the 1950s he worked in television productions and played Nick Charles in his own series The Thin Man for three years.

● Peter Lawford In 1960 Peter became an American citizen and worked on his brother in-law's campaign to become president.

He was a member of The Rat Pack in Las Vegas and cast in the film Ocean's Eleven.

As the world later discovered, there was lots of scandal going on behind the scenes at that time.

In 1962 Peter was the person to introduce Marilyn Monroe onstage to sing Happy Birthday to President John Kennedy.

When Sinatra was banned from seeing the President over his suspected ties with the Mafia he blamed Peter and never spoke to him again.

He was dropped from the film Robin And The Seven Hoods and replaced with Bing Crosby.

Peter and Patricia divorced in 1964, they had four children during their marriage.

Peter was to marry again three more times in his lifetime - his last wife was 17 years old.

In his later years he became addicted to drugs and alcohol which seriously affected his health.

Don Lane recalled, in his autobiography, picking up Peter and his wife from the airport and Peter was "under the influence".

Don devised a comedy sketch to do ‘live’ with him on The Don Lane Show that night and the audience were not aware of the famous actor's condition.

In his later years Peter was a guest star on many of the popular television series such as The Love Boat, The Doris Day Show and Fantasy Island.

In 1984 Peter Lawford died of cardiac arrest on Christmas Eve whilst in hospital in Los Angeles - he was only 61. His ashes were scattered in the Pacific Ocean Kevin Trask The Time Tunnel - with Bruce & PhilSundays at 8.20pm on 3AW That's Entertainment - 96.5FM Sundays at 12Noon 96.5FM is streaming on the internet.

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

Outback snakes are going berserk ■ I've often shared snippets about the Todd River in the past.

Although it's known throughout Australia as an icon, this river that flows through Alice Springs, usually dry and sandy and occasionally flowing and flooding, but there's more to it.

It does have, in reality, a second story, which is not so iconic.

In the past it's generally been home

to many itinerant and homeless Alice Springs residents who have camped and drunk and littered and worse all over the sandy bed and so, instead of a pristine outback dry waterway, it has often been an eyesore, with plenty of anti-social activity thrown in as well.

Now, however, that seems to have changed.

There were no public offences

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noted in the river by police for the month of September. This has not happened in years. Police have specifically been targeting the area with daily, and sometimes more, runs up and down to clean out campers and drinkers.

Now, hopefully, we won't need to wait for a decent flood to wash away the flotsam and jetsam - it'll be nice and pristine in the first place.

■ My mate Rex Niendorf, the local snake man, is rarely out the news in Alice Springs, or here for that matter.

"Snakes are just going berserk at the moment", he said last week.

He was giving specific warnings to children to stay away from injured and dead snakes: "When they're injured they get very cranky." One brown snake was reported last week as thrashing around biting everything in sight.

And he had four calls about dead snakes, with kids gathering round to inspect one.

And of course if they touch its head, there's still venom in the fangs, he warned.

Then, also last week, he was called to the local Memorial Club, where a large Perentie goanna was hanging around.

Rex needed to stop passing traffic and shoo it back to the safety of the river bed.

He warned people about their often violent habits. They appear harmless and friendly, but they have very sharp teeth, and claws, and an arrogant attitude - they're not scared of people, so they're worthy of a wide berth.

I have heard many a tale of unhappy encounters.

■ Unfortunately one can't look at a week in Alice Springs without encountering a little anti-social behaviour.

There was a "small disturbance" in Yuendumu last week. This settlement is renowned for its disturbances, and not all of them small.

There's been many a full grown fracas. Over the past few years there's been quite a list of trouble one way or another - some drama between two families caused many inhabitants to move down to Adelaide to squat in a few local parks.

And then there was a situation with the footier Liam Jarrah, causing him to lose probably millions of dollars in

The Outback Legend

pay him any attention - he'd be regarded as just another old drinker of little account.

No one would give him the time of day.

Here he is a bushman and miner and raconteur respected by all who know him - a beloved and revered and important character.

These individuals, and not always men, are an integral and important part of Australia.

I have encountered dozens of them and, as time goes by, they are not always older than me now.

My mate Ozzie from Alice Springs is a perfect example.

He was born on the back of a truck in the bush near the Rock, never went to school, and roamed around the bush all his life.

What tales these individuals have to tell. How important they are in Australia's overall heritage.

with Nick Le Souef Lightning Ridge Opals 175 Flinders Lane, Melbourne Phone 9654 4444 www.opals.net.au

■ One of the most colourful and unique sights one can encounter in the NT is the thorny devil.

However, not far behind, is the Frill-necked Lizard.

As one drives along the Stuart Highway towards the Top End, there are countless termite mounds beside the road.

Some of them are huge, metres high, but many are just a foot or so.

Then, on closer inspection, one or two don't seem quite right.

That's because they're not termite mounds - they're Frill-necks trying to look like termite mounds.

Whenever I'm driving up there I always stop at the first one I see to take a closer look.

I hop out of the car, and slowly approach. The lizard watches me intently, stock still, and when I'm too close for comfort, off he'll bolt, running on his hind legs with his tail waving from side to side, his front legs tucked up in front.

He'll find the nearest tree, and climb up a way, always on the side away from me, out of my sight, and stay there, again stock still.

And I'll slowly creep around and grab his tail, holding him out from my body as he flares his frill out and opens his mouth, trying to bite me.

I'll check him out for a minute or two, then release him for another quick waddle to the trees again.

- Nick Le Souef ‘The Outback Legend’

potential future earnings. It's all calmed down a bit but now, but last week eight people were charged in Alice Springs with being armed and causing damage to property and vehicles, and a policeman.

And then three cars were firebombed in a motel car park, and another one set on fire outside the Hilton, including a new $80,000 Patrol.

The last thing you expect when you bed yourself down for the night in the motel is to be woken up in the early hours by your car being fire bombed.

■ My mate Gero from Coober Pedy once said to me: "You know Nick, we used to talk about the old timers around the town - guess how those young fellows now talk about us!"

My mate Ted Egan once sang a song about the Characters of the Outback .

One of my city mates was with me in Lightning Ridge years ago, and noted of one of my close mates, Old George.

"If George was in the city with the lifestyle he has up here, no-one would