Melbourne Observer. 130410A. April 10, 2013. Pages 1-16

Melbourne

Observer

TOP VALUE

$2

95

88 PAGES

Hinch charged with contempt - again. P76 NEWS ★ SHOWBIZ ★ LIFESTYLE ★ TRAVEL ★ FEATURES ★ BARGAINS ★ SPORT

Melbourne

Observer ASHER THE DASHER STATE EDITION Vol 45 No 1508 SERVING VICTORIA SINCE 1969

Ph 1-800 231 311 Fx 1-800 231 312

BARBARA EDEN FEATURE Pages 22, 67

88 PAGES

$2.95

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 10, 2013 www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Gold Logie winner

DRIVING MISS DAISY Page 74

including GST

Sheds BAYSWATERGarden CAKE KITCHEN 693 Mountain Hwy, Galore Bayswater 3153

www.bayswatercake.com.au and much, muchDesigned more All Cakes and Pastries Garden Sheds, Cubbies & Forts, and Cooked on the Premises Water Features Kennels, Hutches & Aviaries

CELEBRATION & NOVETY CAKES Water Tanks Garden PIES,Ornaments/Statues PASTRIES & SAUSAGE ROLLS 248 Centre Dandenong Rd Cheltenham, SANDWICH PLATTERS (Opp DFO) WEDDINGS & PARTIES CATERED FOR Open 7 Days 9583 3944 www.gardenshedsgalore.com.au John ParsonsSheds Galore for all your garden Garden PROPRIETOR & outdoor needsFax: 9720 3700 See our ad on Page88 bayswatercakes@i.net.au Office: 9720 3800

Tel: 9729 6904

See Page 5 Observer Trader

Phone Rudi 5784 3541 www.tuckertubonline.com Turn to P39 Observer Trader

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!

ISSN 1447 4611

■ Offspring star Asher Keddie won the Gold Logie at this week’s presentation held at Crown Melbourne. Asher was presented with her statuette by Bert Newton.

More photos inside: Pages 5, 11 and 75.

Any Time Tree Services No Job Too Big or Small

Tree Lopping, Tree Mulching Wood Splitting Fully Insured 20 Years’ Experience

0408 880 188

Shop 5, 401 St Kilda Road Melbourne VIC 3004 pH: 9866 1284 naturopath.mbp@live.com.au

See our ad on Observer Trader section

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

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

ring 1800 629 179 THE GREAT MUSIC OF THE ‘30s TO ‘60s Streaming through the Web PHONE: 9572 1466

goldendaysradio.com

Mattresses Galore

Turn to Observer Trader

PHONE 0418 883 335 Phone for details

Cnr High St & Tooronga Rd, Malvern, 3144 Phone: (03) 9822 9057.

Fax: (03) 9822 9821 www.mattressesgalore.com.au info@mattressesgalore.com.au

See Observer Trader

Turn To Observer Trader

VICTORIA’S INDEPENDENT WEEKLY NEWSPAPER

Page 2 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, April 10, 2013

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, April 10, 2013 - Page 3

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

City Desk

Melbourne

Observer

The hottest news about Melbourne’s A-listers

The Buzz At the theatre FILE PHOTO

Charlie Pickering, Waleed Aly join ■ Charlie Pickering and Waleed Aly have two more performances at the Capital Theatre as part of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.

Stop The Boats will be staged at 4.30pm this Sunday (Apr. 14). The comedians have their own ‘South Pacific solution’.

World Peace will be presented at 4.30pm on Sunday (Apr.21).

GOOD WITCH HEADS SOUTH

Olly to tour ■ British pop star Olly Murs is coming to Melbourne for his first official tour.

Performing with his band, he will be playing hits including Troublemaker, Army Of Two, and Heart Skips A Beat at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre on Thursday, November 14.

Bookings are available through Ticketek from Monday (Apr. 15).

Crown turns blue for autism ● Kristin Chenoweth ■ A former ‘Glinda the Good Witch of the North’, Kristin Chenoweth, is comeing south for her Australian debut in June.

Presented by Arts Centre Melbourne in association with Adelaide Cabaret Festival, Kristin Chenoweth will take to the stage at Hamer Hall at 8pm Wednesday June 12 as part of a national tour.

Kristin Chenoweth will traverse pop, opera and the Broadway classics that have made her a star.

Richard Finlayson is the new director of TV at the ABC. He has ★The been chief operating officer at SBS. Charity Nursery is attempting to beat four dog world records at ★ the Showgrounds on Sunday, April 28. Supporting the Lort Smith Animal Hospital and Lungta Sanctuary, the day seeks to set records for the largest dog obedience class, the most dogs wearing bandanas, the biggest dog massage session and for the humans - the most faces painted like dogs.

Melbourne Moments Train For Thought

Wrokdown radio ■ The Wrokdown TV program made popular by Melbourne entertainer Wendy Stapleton, isalso moving to net radio.

The streamed show is dedicated to promoting and selling new Australian music. The first three broadcasts are already online at wrokdownplus. com/store/ Wrokdown Television first went to air on Channel 31 in February 2008, and has gained a dedicated following over the years. Hosted by Wendy Stapleton, the show format includes interviews, new and old songs from veteran Australian artists.

MTC to stage ‘True Minds’ ■ The Melbourne Theatre Company has commissioned the premiere of Joanna MurraySmith’s new play, True Minds.

Directed by Peter Houghton, the story tells of Daisy excitedly preparing for her nuptials, having met the perfect man.

The one thing left to do is meet her future mother-in-law – a daunting task, considering her fiancé’s mother, played by Louise Siversen, is a coiffed, conservative iron lady with a very public profile.

First impressions count.

However, when Daisy’s care● Louise Siversen fully staged meeting gets derailed by her alcoholic ex-boyfriend and her uninhibited left-wing parents, it throws her future into doubt. But will Daisy get her man in the end?

In distinctive Murray-Smith style, True Minds puts middle-class values under the microscope and examines them with great passion. The result is a witty screwball comedy about love and family relationships.

Venue: Southbank Theatre, The Sumner Season dates: April 25 to June 8.

Opening night: Monday, April 29 at 8pm Tickets: From $58, Under 30s $33. Bookings: Southbank Theatre Box Office 8688 0800 or mtc.com.au - Cheryl Threadgold

● Jeanne Pratt ■ Spotted at Saturday’s opening night of Driving Miss Daisy at the Comedy theatre were Jeanne Pratt; Arts Minister Heidi Victoria and Donna Petrovich, Sue Nattrass, Neighbours’ Alan Fletcher and Jennifer Hansen, Colette Mann, Mal and Pauline Walden; Derryn Hinch, Darren James, Rhonda Burchmore, Debra Byrne, Judi Connelli, Marina Prior, Christie Whelan-Browne and Rohan Browne, Annette Allison, John Foreman, John Michael Howson, Red Symons, and John Frost.

● Olly Murs

Under The Clocks

● Wendy Stapleton

■ Some 2000 people, of all ages and fitness levels, will participate in a group fitness session at Lakeside Stadium in Albert Park at 10am on Sunday, May 19.

They will each pay $25 to be in the Train For Thought session to support Headspace, the National Youth Mental Health Foundation.

The session is the vision of Mel Hiatt, a fitness trainer and Step Into Life business owner.

“Our aim is to raise $50,000 to enable headspace to deliver healthy living and exercise programs to young people in Headspace centres”.

■ Crown Towers at Crown Melbourne was lit in blue lights last weekend (Apr. 6-7) as it participated in the annual Light It Up Blue and World Autism Awareness Day, supported by Amaze Autism Victoria.

Created to raise awareness of autism spectrum disorders, World Autism Awareness Day is recognised internationally on April 2 every year.

Iconic landmarks in Australia such as the Sydney Opera House, AAMI Park, Eureka Tower, Federation Square, as well as airports, bridges, museums, concert ● Greg Hawkins halls, restaurants and retail stores, and around the globe including the Empire State Building in New York City and Christ the Redeemer statue in Brazil were lit with blue light to help raise awareness and shine a bright light on autism as a growing public health concern. ““Light It Up Blue is an important initiative that is being marked in cities around the world and I am proud to announce Crown isshowing its support for a second year in a row,” said Greg Hawkins, Chief Executive Officer of Crown Melbourne.

What’s On In Melbourne

A film screening of Gallipoli From Above: The Untold Story, will take ★ place at the Shirine of Remembrance at 5.30pm on Wednesday, April 17. It will be followed by a talk and Q&A by writer and director Wain Fimeri.

The Town Mouse restaurant in Carlton opened its doors last week , led by operator, Christian McCabe of Matterhorn NZ fame. Chef Dave Verheul's dishes include crab and gurnard terrine, salted lemon curd, nori, pea leaves and crab essence The second luncheon for the show business ‘industry-only’ Marquee group is being at Toorak on Wed., April 24. Invitations can be requested through Jeff Joseph.

★ ★

PHOTO: IKON IMAGES

Page 4 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, April 10, 2013

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Mark Richardson ♥ Straight from the heart

E-Mail: mark@localmedia.com.au

GOLDEN TONSILS STILL ON TRACK

■ On a 'vox pop' assignment at the 2013 Grand Prix, I was introduced to Don Kinsey AM by a mutual friend Barry Minster.

I couldn't work out why at the time, but directly after I interviewed Don about compering the 60th anniversary of the 1953 Australian Grand Prix Cars Exhibition, I couldn't shake Don's familiarity.

With a little 'Google' research and a phone call to Barry the following day, I came to learn that Don left his profession as a mechanical engineer in 1956 to pursue a career in radio.

Don's decision would lead him to be appointed a Member (AM) of the Order of Australia in 2008 for service to the community through public speaking programs and a range of executive roles with charitable, child health care and educational organisations.

Don was a broadcaster and Senior Executive at the former Radio 3DB in Melbourne for 20 years and a relieving newsreader with HSV Channel 7.

A further period of 20 years from 1976 he spent as Director of Public Affairs at Melbourne's Royal Children's Hospital and prior to his retirement in 1996, (although he claims to be only retired from gainful employment), he enjoyed his role as the 'voice and face' of the hospital.

During his early years, Don was awarded a Conservatorium schol-

Compere Porch Thoughts arship and studied voice production and singing.

He founded 'Communicators Melbourne' in 1972 which still provides courses in effective speaking and business presentation.

At his home in Eltham, Don's voice became evident after explaining that I may have heard him for many years as the Chief Commentator at the Royal Melbourne Show. The penny dropped!

What is the historic car exhibition at the Grand Prix and how are you involved?

I have been part of the historical garage team for the past 11 or so years. I do TV commentary on the cars as they drive the circuit.

The exhibit showcases historic racing and sports cars from the 20s to the mid 70s. A number of the cars on display were actual competitors in the first Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park in 1953.

Do you have any historic cars yourself tucked away somewhere?

I am rebuilding a 1969 Midget MG that I bought for my 60th birthday 22 years ago. I also have a 1975 XJ 6 Jaguar.

Off The Porch Thought For The Day Barbara Eden US Actress - Stage, Screen & TV "On my Porch overlooking the cliffs of LA, when I think about Australia, I think it's a country with a sense of freedom, courage and genuineness. I believe the people of the United States appreciate that about Australia whether they have been there or not. To everyone in Australia on their Porches I share this Thought be cool and be happy!

More on Pages 22,67

What encouraged you to change lanes from mechanical engineering to radio?

As a young man I helped at the dances at our church in Hartwell.

I had a big voice and practised compering by saying, 'Take your partners for the barn dance, etc.'

I became associated with the band 'Keynotes'. Each year they played at a guest house in Phillip Island called 'Erehwon' ('Nowhere' spelt backwards) and we provided the entertainment.

The owner was usually the compere and in 1955 he announced that I would be the compere at New Year's Eve concert. People commented that I should be on radio.

How did you go about breaking into radio?

I called the Studio Manager at 3DB who said he liked the sound of my voice but commented I had a terrible Australian accent.

He suggested I buy the book - The Phonetics of English Pronunciation.

I read it, practised it and called him back. He offered me a job which lasted for the next 20 years.

Did you go straight to announcing on-air?

Yes. Maurice Callard, John Eden and Geoff McComas all gave me a hand and put me on track. After a couple of years I was made supervisor of 3LK - our country station in the Wimmera that broadcast from the Flinders Street studios.

I progressed to Program Manager, to Studio Manager and then to Senior Executive. I preferred management and teaching to performing.

How did you incorporate your teaching skills at 3DB? Whilst at 3DB people would ask me where they could learn to do what I did. I put my engineering hat on and started asking questions and did some study of what we did in terms of performance. What we did was speak naturally rather than trying to sound like radio announcers.

You took this to a new level through founding 'Communicators Melbourne' in 1972.

What was the program and your class teachings based on?

The first thing you think of is 'what is the subject of my talk.'

● Don Kinsey. Photo: Kon Iatrou: IKON Images Next you think, 'what words will usual October date. They went to see illustrate the subject?' Then, 'how can Sir Keith Murdoch and asked if I make these words sound effective?' they could use 3DB. He said, 'cerMost people concentrate on the sub- tainly, and all the staff will work for ject. They don't think about how they nothing.'

Some of your charitable sound.

How can you make the sound works include the Good Friday Appeal, the Mazda Foundation, of your voice more effective?

There are only five things you can a founding Committee Member do. Use tone, tune, pace, pause and of the Ronald McDonald House and a proud Freemason of 54 volume as appropriate.

How important is the pace of years. What do you think makes a successful fundraising camwords spoken?

People cannot absorb more than 120 paign?

The art of fundraising is the first words a minute. That's the pace that the really great NEWS readers like the three letters in the word - F.U.N. and late Brian Naylor, Sir Eric Pearce you must always give back to the people who support you. and Mal Walden read the news.

The Good Friday Appeal for exWhat were some of your caample is successful for two reasons. reer highlights at 3DB? Meeting people from all walks of First, the fun comes from all the aclife in all sorts of situations. In those tivities on Good Friday and people days on-air guys had to do everything. have fun raising money.

The second is people getting someCall the footy in the afternoon and compere a classical music concert at thing back by seeing the success of night. Also getting involved in the the Hospital's work. They can say, Good Friday Appeal was fantas- "we helped achieve that."

What is your Porch Thought tic.

How did the Appeal start at For The Day? American poet Longfellow 3DB before televised on HSV7 in stated; 'The lives of great men all re1957?

In 1942 four reporters from the mind us we can make our lives subSporting Globe suggested changing the lime and departing leaves behind us Appeal to Good Friday from its footprints in the sands of time.'

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au Melbourne

Observer

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, April 10, 2013 - Page 5

Showbiz News

It’s All About You!

Melbourne

‘MASKED BALL’ AT STATE THEATRE Observer Bert stars at Logies

● Bert Newton presented the Gold Logie to Asher Keddie ■ An audience of more than 1.093 million people around Australia watched the Logies Awards presnted on Sunday night from Crown Melbourne.

■ William Scriven, 34, of Traralgon, Actress Asher Keddie won the Gold who is facing a murder charge, will reappear Logie, with the statuette presented to her by in the Latrobe Valley Magistrates' Court TV legend Bert Newton, after midnight. for a contested committal mention in OctoThe night had seen Brian Henderson enter the Hall of Fame, after an introducber. tion by Ian ‘Molly’ Meldrum which inHe faced the court on Thursday via video cluded the F-word. The show was pre-taped, link from the Metropolitan Remand Cengiving producers a choice whether to include tre, reports the Latrobe Valley Express. the language.

"He has been charged with the murder of The Logies was preceded by a Red Car32 year-old Wayne Glenn Bayley in pet broadcast which attracted 1.8 million Traralgon just days before Christmas." viewers.

Accused of murder

AUSSIE PLAYS AT S’TENT

■ Two new Australian plays being workshopped in The Famous Spiegeltent this month.

Maude Davey takes on Kit Lazaroo’s surreal Bright, Shiny at 2pm Saturday (Apr. 13), and Kat Stewart will play the lead in Kylie Trouson’s Merman at 2pm Saturday, April 20.

Known for her exploits in Finucane & Smith’s The Burlesque Hour and ABC’s Summer Heights High, Maude Davey will join Jack Finsterer (Kokoda) in the rehearsed reading of Bright, Shiny.

Written by Kit Lazaroo, whose previous body of work includes the Green Roomnominated Hospital Of The Lost

● Kat Stewart

Coin, The Vanishing Box and True Adventures Of A Soul Lost at Sea, Bright, Shiny takes place in an alternate reality where the human world has been turned into a series of interconnecting snow-domes.

Kat Stewart from Melbourne’s Red Stitch Actors Theatre and TV’s Offspring and Mr & Mrs Murder will lead the cast of Merman.

Blending mythology and psychology, Merman is set in the mind of its protagonist Serena, a novelist suffering from writer’s block.

The series of rehearsed readings in The Famous Spiegeltent is presented as part of Arts Centre Melbourne’s artistic development program.

In This 88-Page Edition

● Diego Torre as Gustave and Jose Carbo as Count Ankarstrom ■ Opera Australia is in town to present the three operas that comprise its Melbourne Autumn season.

First to take over the State Theatre from Friday (Apr. 12) is a premiere season of Verdi's A Masked Ball.

It's a new take on Verdi's classic, from Spain's avant garde performing arts company La Fura dels Baus, for Opera Australia, and starring Mexican tenor Diego Torre as the lead role of Gustave III, Hungarian soprano Csilla Boross in her Opera Australia debut as Amelia, and Australian favourite José Carbó as Count Ankarström.

From April 22 Graeme Murphy's popular production of Verdi's grand opera Aida returns, with its grand sets, lavish costumes, silhouetted horses, chariots and boats and nearly 90 people on stage for the famous Triumphal March.

Italian soprano Daria Masiera takes on the title role of Aida, while Italy based Australian tenor Carlo Barricelli is Ramadès, and German-based Australian mezzo soprano Deborah Humble returns home as Amneris.

The Handel opera Partenope completes the autumn season when it enters the State Theatre on May 2.

Described as a baroque comedy, it features an impressive spiral staircase and the much-loved Australian soprano Emma Matthews in the title role, with support from Catherine Carby and Victoria Lambourn.

Other stars in what has been described as a witty battle of sex and love are Kanen Breen, Christopher Field and Richard Anderson.

Accompanied by Orchestra Victoria, A Masked Ball is conducted by Andrea Molino, Aida has Renato Palumbo with the baton, while Partenope is conducted by Opera Australia's Anthony Legge.

With three very different operas making up this season, there should be something to please everyone!

Book at www.opera-australia. org.au or on 9685 3700.

- Julie Houghton

Mark Richardson: Straight From Heart .......... Page 4 Melb. People: People in the picture .............. Page 6 Media Flash: Gold Logies leak fallout ............ Page 7 Di Rolle: “I love my job” ............................... Page 8 Melb. Confidential: Radio man cops blast ..... Page 9 Long Shots: The Editor’s column ............... Page 10 Logies 2013: Pictorial feature starts on ....... Page 11 Been and Seen: Don Crawford’s party ......... Page 13 Readers’ Club: Birthdays, recipes ............... Page 14 Yvonne Lawrence: Ups and downs .............. Page 15 Kevin Trask: Ross Higgins profile ................ Page 16 Logies Pictorial Latest Movies, DVDs Radio Confidential Country Crossroads

Observer Showbiz

Latest News Flashes Around Victoria

Search at mineshaft ■ Daryl Floyd has resumed his search for his missing brother Terry, who he believes was murdered in 1975 and his body dumped in an Avoca mineshaft., reports the Bendigo Advertiser.

Ballarat murder case ■ Homicide Squad detectives have charged a 29-year-old Sebastopol man with one count of murder following the death of a woman in Ballarat. The charge follows the discovery of a 29-year-old woman’s body inside a Doveton St house on Saturday. Jason Dinsley was due to appear at Ballarat Magistrates’ Court yesterday (Tues.) as we went to press.

Severe flu season ■ Doctors are encouraging people to get vaccinated ahead of a potentially severe flu season.

Medical professionals are expecting a severe flu season, following the trend of the northern hemisphere.

Benalla man arrested ■ A 39-year-old Benalla man who was being sought by Police has been arrested at Bathurst. He has been charged in relation to alleged car thefts.

Weather Forecast ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

Wednesday. Mostly cloudy. 11°-23° Thursday. Mostly cloudy. 13°-23° Friday. Chance of storm. 12°-25° Saturday. Chance of rain. 13°-29° Sunday. Chance of rain. 10°-21° Monday. Mostly cloudy. 7°-14° Tuesday. Chance of storm. 10°-17°

Mike McColl Jones

Top 5 THE TOP 5 COMMENTS HEARD AT THE LOGIES 5. "Even the waiters have TV experience ... a lot of them are ex-Channel 10 executives.”

4. "I know a German company now owns TV Week, but aren't you over-reacting forming an escape committee?"

3. "Things really are tough. It's BYO this year.”

2. "Brynne is taking her new role seriously.

I saw her in the foyer diving into the fountain.”

1. "I think Molly died and came back as Rodney Rude.”

Page 6 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, April 10, 2013

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

People Melbourne

● Slava Grigoryan (guitar) will perform in the 2013 Salon Series at the Melbourne Recital Centre. Cheryl Threadgold has details on Page 79.

Send news to editor@melbourneobserver.com.au

Fax: 1-800 231 312

Driving Miss Daisy PHOTO: MATT DELLER/FACEBOOK

● Angela Lansbury with Donna Demaio

Eddie’s back

■ Melbourne’s arts community has fallen head-overheels for theatre legend Angela Lansbury, who is starring in afive-week season of Driving Miss Daisy at the Comedy Theatre.

Ms Lansbury, 87, is pictured with 3AW arts and entertainment reporter Donna Demaio at the launch function held at the Sofitel.

A preview of the show was staged on Friday, with the opening night held on Saturday, also featuring James Earl Jones (see photo, below left) and Boyd Gaines. ● More about Driving Miss Daisy is in our feature on Page 74

Complimented by Niklas Pajanti’s striking lighting design and Milo Fisher’s effective sound design, Nicky’s expressive face captures every mood when relating her entertainingly perceptive dance-focussed story.

This tap dancing fan would have loved to see tap included in the demonstrated dance styles, and also for Nicky to take a seat and share more observational stories before the grand dance finale.

Another 10 minutes would add more substance to an enjoyable performance that ended too soon.

Congratulations to Nicky Marr for writing and performing this physically demanding monologue, and encouraging us to take a look at the role little dances play in our lives.

- Cheryl Threadgold

● Tracey Harvey stars in Pr!ck The Musical, playing at The Flying Saucer Club, Elsternwick from April 1214. Cheryl Threadgold has more on Page 83.

At Crown

Little Dances ■ Nicky Marr knows of invisible dances we do every day. She sees them everywhere, and proves it in her 30 minute one-woman show titled Little Dances, being presented as part of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival until April 14, under Peita Collard’s direction, at the La Mama Courthouse, Carlton.

Absurd it may be, but just think, there is the ‘You’re in my way’ dance, the ‘Waiting in the queue’ dance, and other little dances we do when nobody is looking.

Then there are dances performed when people are looking, including Nicky’s comedic approach to balletic and contemporary dance styles, social party dances and even martial arts, all expertly demonstrated.

Pr!ck The Musical

● Eddie Ifft ■ Comedian Eddie Ifft is back with a show at the Athenaeum Theatre, Collins St, Melbourne April 16-21.

Tickets: Tues $26; Wed, Thu and Sun $30 (conc $28); Fri & Sat $35 (conc $30) Times: 9.45pm (Sun 8.45pm) Bookings: www.comedy festival.com.au or 1300 660 013

■ Veteran TV newsman Brian Henderson (pictured) was in Melbourne on Sunday night for the Logies Awards held at Crown.

He entered the Logies Hall of Fame.

● Melbourne society photographer Jim Lee with James Earl Jones, starring in Driving Miss Daisy.

Legally Blonde The Musical

● Erika Heynatz and David Harris of Lgeally Blonde The Musical were delighted to be in the Princess Theatre on Monday during an advance public relations tour.

● The late Graham Kennedy, and Ross Higgins were pictured on the set of Kingswood Country. Kevin Trask profiles Ross Higgins this week on Page 16.

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au Melbourne

Observer

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, April 10, 2013 - Page 7

Showbiz News

Media Flash WHITACRE DELIGHTS MELB. FANS ‘Graham Clone’

People

Gold Logies leak fallout

Sacked

● Paddy Manning ■ Fairfax Media has sacked one of its senior business journalists Paddy Manning after he used Crikey.com. au to publicly criticise editorial practices at the Australian Financial Review and a new restructure at the publisher.

Legends

● Tommy Tycho ■ Music legends Tommy Tycho and Enzo Toppano have died. Both were involved in the early days of Australian television.

Guilty plea ■ Victorian lawyer Nabil El-Hissi’s practising certificate has been cancelled after he pleaded guilty to professional misconduct.

He has been ordered to pay $16,293 costs after admitting conflict of interest, false execution of mortgage documents, and breach of duty of candour.

El-Hissi faced 10 charges.

Inside news from TV, radio, press and online

● Trinity Choir conducted by Michael Leighton Jones ■ He's American, blonde, groovy looking and his work wins Grammy awards.

And he's a classical musician who composes music and conducts choirs worldwide - mention the name Eric Whitacre and there is likely to be a reverent gasp among choral fans.

Eric Whitacre hits Melbourne on Friday and Saturday (Apr. 12 and 13) to share his magic.

On Friday, at 7 pm, he will be conducting a huge choral workshop, open to everyone, at Robert Blackwood Hall at Monash University's Clayton campus. It's open to everyone but tickets must be booked in advance.

If you would rather hear Whitacre strut his stuff with one of Melbourne's best choirs, you can hear him in Robert Blackwood Hall on Saturday at 7.30 pm when he conducts Melbourne University's Choir of Trinity College, with cellist David Berlin and Monash Sinfonia.

Eric Whitacre is one of the most popular and performed composers of our time, a distinguished conductor, broadcaster and public speaker.

His first album as both composer and conductor on Decca/Universal, Light And Gold, won a Grammy last year, and became the number one classical album in the US and UK charts within a week of release.

His second album, Water Night, was released on Decca in April last year and debuted at no. 1 in the iTunes and Billboard classical chart on the day of release.

It features seven world premiere recordings and includes performances from his professional choir, the Eric Whitacre Singers, the London Symphony Orchestra and Julian Lloyd Webber.

Whitacre is also known for his groundbreaking Virtual Choir, Lux Aurumque, featuring 185 singers from 12 different countries.

It received more than one million views on YouTube in just two months. He has now conducted two further Virtual Choirs, each one bigger than the last.

Tickets for the concert on Saturday are from $43 $69, while the Friday choral workshop prices range from $25 - $40.

Bookings for both the choral workshop and the concert can be made on 9905 1111 or www.monash.edu/ mapa - Julie Houghton

Foxtel at Helpmann Awards ■ Foxtel’s Arena channel will be the broadcast partner for the 13th annual Helpmann Awards to be staged on Monday, July 29, at the Joan Sutherland Theatre at the Sydney Opera House.

The Helpmann Awards celebrate Australia’s vibrant live entertainment and performing arts industry, including musical theatre, contemporary music, comedy, cabaret, opera, classical music, theatre, dance and physical theatre.

Best of Melbourne Observations with Matt Bissett-Johnson (from March 7 last year)

● Michael Bodey acknowledges the leak ■ The Australian newspaper leaked the result of the Gold Logie winner Asher Keddie, before 10pm on Sunday.

Journalist Michael Bodey sent out urgent Twitter messages saying that his pre-written story being published was an error by the Production Department at the national newspaper.

“For good of the #logies13 can we not draw attention until midnight?Then pillory me all u like.”

In another: “Total stuff up by production team. For the good of sport, can we not RT (re-Tweet) or discuss? Beat me up after midnight.”

● Ross Daniels as Graham Clone ■ New Take presents Ross Daniels as Graham Clone in This Future Is Incorrect, running until April 20 as part of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, at Three Degrees: QV, Corner Swanston and Lonsdale Sts. Graham Clone: This Future Is Incorrect is the latest character comedy tour-de-force from Ross Daniels.

The synthetic musical odyssey serves up a finely crafted, hilarious narrative that taps into the zeitgeist fascination with all things retro … with scarily catchy original songs.

Versatile Ross Daniels is an actor, writer, comedian, improviser, voice-artist, film-maker and musician, who has been working and creating on Australian stage and television for more than 20 years.

One prominent director is quoted recently as saying “You cannot get rid of him.”

Performances: Until April 20 Times: Tues – Sat at 9.45pm Venue: Third Degrees: Front Bar, QV (corner Swanston and Lonsdale Sts) Tickets: $20 full, $15 concession www.rossdaniels.com - Eleanor Howlett ■ The Hollywood Costume season at the Australian Centre for the Moving Image begins on April 24. Curator Professor Deborah Nadoolman Landis has arranged talks at sessions, extending until August 18.

Charlie to tour

■ Albury Commercial Club will stage Charlie Landsborough’s show on Friday, May 17. Arriving direct from the UK with his five-piece band, Charlie will also perform at Warrnambool (May 23), Kyabram (May 24), Geelong (May 25), Bendigo (May 26), Frankston Arts Centre (June 1), and Warragul West Gippsland Arts Centre (3pm, June 2).

● Charlie Landsborough

● The Australian’s story at 9.15pm Sunday

Complaint upheld ■ The Australian Press Council has upheld a complaint about part of a report in the online version of The Daily Telegraph of comments by the head of the European Commission at the G20 Summit in 2012.

The article was headed “PM Julia Gillard 'slapped down' at G20 summit by the President of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso”.

The Council considered part of Mr Barroso’s comments may have been a veiled reference to Ms Gillard amongst other leaders. But his words were too measured, and their target or targets were too vague, to be accurately reported as a public slap down of her.

The Telegraph is published by News Limited.

Axe for weekday papers?

■ A former Age Associate Editor has pondered about the future of the weekday editions of that newspaper.

Writing in the Business Spectator, Stephen Bartholomeusz said: “The next big decision will come when the printing of ● Stephen Bartholomeusz the metros moves to the regional presses and the Chullora and Tullamarine plants are shut down and sold. At that point (Fairfax CEO Greg) Hywood will have to confront the decision as to whether to continue printing the loss-making Monday-to-Friday papers or to shut them down and move to a digital-only presence outside the weekends.

It appears a forgone, albeit very painful, conclusion.”

Australian Newsagency blogger Mark Fletcher said: “The current daily sales of the Fairfax dailies is lower than US titles that have either gone 100 per cent digital or stopped printing on some days.”

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Page 8 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, April 10, 2013

To

Di For

I did it in Deni ■ I celebrated a birthday over Easter, and what a birthday it was, I was in Deniliquin, fondly known as Deni.

It was great to be there for the inaugural Deni Blues and Roots Festival and what a lot of fun I had. Hard work but fun.

It was two days of incredible music in perfect conditions. The inaugural Deni Blues and Roots Festival proved a timeless and adventurous Easter Weekend event.

The trucks rolled in, the two stages were in place, the amps were set up, guitars were plugged in and the Deni Blues and Roots took off.

The sun shone on the town. I even came home with a suntan! Iconic musicians from the US and the UK, including Santana, Status Quo, Jason Mraz, Chris Isaak, Bonnie Raitt, Zac Brown Band and Newton Faulkner descended on Deni for the first time for the fabulous two-day event.

Michael Chugg, Chairman of Chugg Entertainment; Rob Potts, CEO of Rob Potts Entertainment; and John Harvie, GM of Deni Play on the Plains Festival Ltd. presented the event which took world–class music to inland Australia.

The first Deni Blues and Roots Festival went without a hitch.

Artists were transported from Sydney and Melbourne into Deniliquin and the NSW-Victoria border with every act arriving on time and playing on time. It was seamless.

“We are incredibly proud of the success of the inaugural Deni Blues and Roots Festival,” said Mathew Lazarus-Hall, Chief Executive Officer Chugg Entertainment, “We and thousands of happy punters were lucky enough to see some of the world’s most legendary acts perform under blues skies on the famous Deni Ute Muster site.

“We had a great team in place who came together to deliver an incredible event and both Michael and I are pleased and humbled to have heard nothing but positive reports from the acts and the audience. We can’t wait for it to be bigger and better next year”.

The Easter weather that Deni is famous for was in evidence, and the festive site on Conargo Road was a superb landscape for eager music lovers from Melbourne, Queensland, Adelaide and Sydney who came over the border to have the time of their lives.

“It was an incredible line-up to be found in a country town,” said Rob Potts, CEO, Rob Potts Entertainment.

“The Deni Blues & Roots Festival delivered a real wow factor and has certainly found a permanent home.”

John Harvie, General Manager, Deni Play On The Plains Festival Ltd, said, “We are ecstatic at the success of the inaugural Deni Blues and Roots Festival. It was a fantastic Easter Weekend and we can’t wait for 2014.’

Bonnie Raitt was singled out by many in the audience including me as favourite for her tight, R&B laden set on Saturday evening, described the festival as one of the ‘most chilled and vibiest’ she’d ever played.

She also managed to take in a drive around the town before she arrived to join her band before the show. She praised the eclectic line-up which included her old friends and fellow legends Tony Joe White and Chris Isaak, and said it was “great to be part of such a festival bill on the other side of the world”.

Bonnie sat round backstage after her performance and caught up with other acts both local and international that had been performing on the festival line-up.

Chris Isaak, who closed out the program in inimitable style on Saturday night, joked to the audience that he had been working his way up to the event his whole career.

“You start out playing the small towns, Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane and if you keep at it, eventually you’ll make it to Deni.”

● Di Rolle with Morgan Evans

I love my job! with leading Melbourne publicist DI ROLLE

● Di Rolle and Helen O'Malley

LOUDEST BAND IN WORLD

■ The Saturday program at the Deni Blues and Roots Festival featured contemporary stars Jason Mraz, Newton Faulkner, and the Zac Brown Band, the latter receiving a wildly enthusiastic welcome from the crowd on their first visit to Australia.

The festival, kicked off with local newcomers Howlin’ Steam Train, who got the crowd fired up with a high energy set.

The weekend showcased some of the best rising stars of local roots music scene, who were thrilled to perform alongside many of their idols.

“Getting to play between Zac Brown Band and Bonnie Raitt is the kind of thing you can only dream of when you start out,” said singersongwriter Morgan Evans, who incidentally is a great talent.

He is a name to remember, he performed to a warm and very popular reception on both days.

The crowd numbers swelled further on the Sunday, buoyed by wildly positive reports through word of mouth and on social media from festival performers and audience members thrilled at the calibre of musicianship on display.

From reggae legend Jimmy Cliff, whose bright yellow outfit and wild dancing captivated the crowd, through the tight harmonies of the Steve Miller Band, the brilliant guitar virtuosity of Santana who I thought was the best band of the whole weekend.

What a sound he makes with that guitar, like no one else, and the chugging rock’n’roll of the mighty Status Quo who are the loudest band in the world

Prahran celebrating American regional cuisine month.

Great food, great wines and terrific company.

I caught up with publicists Erin Jameson and Helen Malley from Erin’s office.

It has been so hectic with the Melbourne International Comedy Festival , being in Deni, and turning another year older, it was lovely to sit down in a beautiful restaurant with some great people and relax, despite turning a year older , I have never felt better in my life!

The Fog table was wonderful. I spotted Peter Alexander and Tony Reynolds dining at a nearby table for two.

At my table designer Peter Curnow and stunningly talented painter Gavin Brown (whose latest work Urban Display was on display at fortyfivedownstairs) added colour to the table.

Travel writer, jour-

● Santana performs at Deni and proved it at Deni; Paul Cashmere, there were more clas- Noise 11.com web sic hits performed than site.

“If remote areas you can count. like Deniliquin can become touring destinations for major inter■ The two-day festi- national artists like val is unique for south- Santana and Bonnie ern NSW, utilising the Raitt then the opportumassive Deni Ute nity for more major Muster site, which tours to route through has had millions of dol- inland Australia gives lars of permanent stag- more incentive for ining and lighting infra- ternational acts to visit structure installed in the country.” recent years.

Both events have been underpinned by overwhelming commu- ■ I had a wonderful nity support, with an night at Fog restaurant army of volunteers, in Greville St contributions from local businesses and great vision from the steering committee that established and built the site.

Festival organisers hope the addition of the Deni Blues and Roots Festival to the calendar will help make Deni a major concert destination through the year.

The response from the crowds would indicate they are well on the way!.

Looking around at the number plates on the cars it appears a lot of people went to the event from Victoria!

“The Deni Blues and Roots Festival has now changed the touring dynamic for ● Bonnie Raitt loving it on stage Australia.” wrote

Dynamic

Birthday

nalist Julietta Jameson and author of the newly published Cliffy book – the story of Cliff Young.

It is always nice to see Julietta and great to meet food and restaurant writer David Hagger, founder of The World Loves Melbourne website.

David knew his food and was of every food morsel on the table and wine labels.

Model Rohan Maclaren was there, as was Blake and Flor Hutchison, a lovely couple, Blake is founder of The Agenda Daily.

It was a wonderful night.

Whilst I was there I noticed a flyer for Tuesday Taco night.

Loving a taco I thought that would be fun one evening.

Six tacos of your choice on soft white corn tortilla, $36 pair, with a Corona or a margarita.

I have a feeling I will be going back to Fog! ■ 142 Greville St, Prahran. Book now, 9521 3155.

Ruby Wax

■ I had quite a week and couldn’t miss seeing Ruby Wax at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.

She was great. I laughed and I cried.

An honest night of speaking her truth about her ups and downs with mental illness.

The audience loved her. It was wonderful to see her.

It was a show that when I left I couldn’t stop thinking about it and have been ever since.

Go Ruby.

- Di Rolle

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, April 10, 2013 - Page 9

Confidential Melbourne

Talk is cheap, gossip is priceless

Cal Wilson Is Guilty

■ A cowboy, shot in the legs. His horse, shot in the face … all because the cowboy refused to replace his horse with a Datsun 120Y. This is the first in a series of sketches that are seamlessly constructed in Sketch-ual Healing, part of the 2013 Melbourne International Comedy Festival.

Award-winning stand-up comedians and improvisers, Jimmy James Eaton (2009 Australian Best and Fairest Improviser, The Big Hoo Haa Melbourne) and Jason Geary (SkitHouse, Thank God You’re Here, Micallef, Impro Melbourne) join forces for an hour of scintillating sketches, clever characters and random hilarity.

The story revolves around themes such as murder, justice, intrigue, terror, friendship, love, curiosity, and believing in the unbelievable. As the plot thickens you will meet sex detectives, an evil librarian, a centaur, Christopher Walkin, David Bowie, a somewhat realistic acting teacher, suburban road workers in love, and the occasional vulture circling to compliment the story unfolding.

It may sound like there is a lot going on in one hour, and there probably is, but it all ties together at the end to form some kind of resolution that left the audiencecheering,laughingandgenuinely wanting more.

Jimmy and Jason work together fabulously. Their bodies sweat and transform as the overtly expressive faces of both performers become more and more captivating to watch.

The show includes the clever use of mime and man-made sound effects which bring together many threads of this epic adventure.

This show is cleverly written. Although seemingly spontaneous at first, each sketch is wonderfully crafted to create a hilarious and well-rounded performance.

Jimmy and Jason are certainly a pair of creative comic minds that collaborate amazingly to bring you all the laughs you could handle in a mere one hour.

Season: Until April 19. Times: 7pm (No shows Mondays, or Sat April 13). Venue: The Imperial Hotel: Cnr Bourke and Spring Sts, Melbourne. Tickets: $15 Full, $10 Concession, Tuesdays, Groups 10+ Bookings: 1300 660 013, www.comedyfestival. com.au or on the door (subject to availability)

Happiness Is A Bedside Table ■ You may know Hannah Gadsby as Adam Hills’s offsider from In Gordon Street Tonight, but she is much more than an offsider. She is a true comedic force that can stand alone with the best of them.

In Happiness Is A Bedside Table, Hannah delves into her own self and explores how her confidence became shattered from an early age.

A childhood trauma at the beach, a troubling tale involving fake tan, bathers and a waterslide, and a turning point in her life involving a rip at a supposedly secluded nudist beach.

It may sound kind of tragic, but it’s not all sad by any means. Hannah shares her hilariously uncomfortable tales in a quick and quirky manner that makes her audience laugh alongside her.

The show is really about becoming an adult and overcoming all the mess that got us there in the end, a journey that any adult should be able to relate to.

Throughout the confessional-style show I was captivated and engrossed in her raw appeal. Hannah doesn’t just tell one-liners, she is a true story teller who is comfortable and at ease on stage.

She’s genuine, undisguised, self-deprecating, and charming and uses anecdotes from her funny, often poignant, personal life in a clever and concise manner.

Do yourself a favour and get down to Melbourne Town Hall to find out about the lowest points in Hannah’s life, including how she really feels about her hips, and discover how she eventually found happiness in a piece of furniture.

Season: Until April 21 Times: Tue-Sat 7pm, Sun 6pm (No shows on Mondays) Venue: Melbourne Town Hall - Supper Room Tickets: $24 - $35 Bookings: 1300 660 013, www.comedyfestival. com.au or on the door (subject to availability) - Reviews by Stephen Leeden

GERALD QUIGLEY COPS ‘MEDIA WATCH’ PASTING

■ Popular Melbourne pharmacist Gerald Quigley has come fire from ABC-TV’s Media Watch TV program.

The 15-minute program, which employs some 30 people, questioned if Quigley had a conflict of interest, holding a number of consultancies which he declares at his website.

In a lengthy segment last week, Media Watch asked if the 3AW and Magic 1278 should have declared these interests in his radio spots on the Melbourne and interstate Fairfax Radio stations.

Quigley, who is a master herbalist and author, is a commentator on health issues on radio stations across Australia.

He provided prompt and detailed answers to a series of questions posed by Media Watch researcher Xanthe Kleinig.

Kleinig asked if Quigley had received consideration for recommending Bloom’s health products on 3AW and Perth station 6PR on a number of occasions.

Media Watch named six occasions in which Quigley recommended

Oy vey!

Warne The Musical returns

● Gerald Quigley Bio Revive on the Victorian and Western Australian stations.

Quigley said all consumer enquiries are referred to his website where commercial disclosures are made.

Topical Taps

■ Shane Warne The Musical 2013 will play at Hamer Hall, for two shows only on June 20 and 21.

Eddie Perfect heads up a cast, including Lisa McCune, Shane Jacobson, Verity Hunt-Ballard and Christie Whelan Brown.

Director Simon Philips leads this new production with Eddie's updated score, musically directed

by Iain Grandage.

Shane Warne The Musical premiered in 2008, becoming an instant smash hit with critics and audiences alike, picking up Helpmann, Green Room and Premier’s Literary Awards.

Venue: Hamer Hall, Arts Centre, Melbourne.

Dates and Times: Thursday June 20 and Friday June 21 at 7.30pm Tickets: Premium $95; A Reserve Adult $86, Conc/Group/ ACM Arts Card $65.

Rumour Mill

Melbourne media enthusiast Chris Keating says the Logie Awards performed a “qua★ druple back-flip (with pike) over an entire school of sharks’ with Joel Madden judged as ‘Best New Talent’. “Definitely not ‘new’, and the ‘talent’ bit is well open to debate.”

Entertainer Kerri-Anne Kennerley has joined in the criticism of Madden’s win, saying the ★ award to the US judge was ‘stupid’. KAK was in the news herself this past week after a report of her being ‘over-refreshed’ at a Dubai function.

★

Be wary of an e-mail claiming to be from Sydney Credit Union Ltd and which contains references to Australian Securities and Investments Commission Chairman Greg Medcraft.

new insult of the 21st Century will be "Go delete yourself!” ★The Ooops! Entertainer Patti Newton told her 3AW ★ audience on Monday night that she did not know why she was not invited to the opening night of Driving Miss Daisy. She told the Nightline show that she and husband Bert intend seeing the show at The Comedy Theatre.

An allegation of unprofessional conduct by a Victorian doctor has been heard. A panel heard ★ the doctor had a close personal relationship with a former adolescent client spanning eight years.

A woman has died in hospital following a seri ous collision at Seymour. The 38-year-old from ★ Caulfield North was travelling north on the Hume

Hear It Here First

● Angela Lansbury ■ Which Melbourne radio host had publicists cringing when he referred to British-born actress as Angela ‘Lansberg’?

Derailed

● Denis Napthine ■ An election promise to build a new $25 million train station at Grovedale in the State Government's first term is unlikely to be honoured, reports the Geelong Advertiser.

The promise was made by Ted Baillieu, who has been succeeded by Dr Denis Napthine.

Farewell

No time for the Demons ■ Prominent Melbourne Football Club identity Garry Lyon says he won't step in and help fix the Demons, saying he doesn't have the time. The Demons legend made the comments on Channel 9 on Monday, after the 148-point loss to Essendon at the weekend.

Push for Kevin Sheedy ■ There is a push for Kevin Sheedy to be recruited to assist the Demons, after his Greater Western Sydney stint is finished ... which could be sooner rather than later.

UFO park to be set up ■ A 'UFO park' to commemorate a 1966 Clayton South sighting is to be established by a suburban council.

Freeway when her vehicle was struck from behind by a semi-trailer. Police will prepare a report.

Not-so-sunny outlook

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission has banned accountant, Nicho★ las James Ellis from providing financial services

■ Are things as happy as they should be on the set of the Seven Network’s Sunrise program? The Rumour Mill hears the tom-toms increasingly sending signals about David Koch, Melissa Doyle and Natalie Barr.

for six years.

Whispers

E-Mail: Confidential@MelbourneObserver.com.au

● Annette Funicello ■ Mickey Mouse Club star and actress Annette Funicello has passed away at the age of 70. She was seen in the early days of HSV-7.

On TV ■ Financial Review Sunday, a TV program, will be launched next month

by Channel 9. The 30-minute show will be hosted by Deborah Knight.

It is to be produced by Mark Calvert.

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Page 10 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Melbourne

Melbourne

Observer

Observer EGO IS NOT A DIRTY WORD

Victoria’s Independent Newspaper First Published September 14, 1969 Every Wednesday

Contact Us Office: 30 Glen Gully Rd, Eltham, Vic 3095 Postal: PO Box 1278, Research, Vic. 3095 Phone: +61 3 9439 9927 Fax: +61 3 9431 6247 Web: www.MelbourneObserver.com.au E-Mail: Editor@MelbourneObserver.com.au

Contact Us Publisher and Editor: Ash Long Media Director: Fleur Long Features Editor: Peter Mac Columnists: Len Baker, Harry Beitzel, Matt Bissett-Johnson, David Ellis, Rob Foenander, Christina La Cross, Julie Houghton, Yvonne Lawrence, Nick Le Souef, Mike McColl Jones, John Pasquarelli, Terry Radford, Mark Richardson, Di Rolle, Aaron Rourke, Ted Ryan, Jim Sherlock, Cheryl Threadgold, Kevin Trask, Veritas Distribution: Sam Fiorini, phone 9482 1145

Distribution STATE EDITION: Available weekly at approx. 400 newsagents across the Melbourne metropolitan area, Mornington Peninsula, Geelong, Bellarine Peninsula, Surf Coast, and Victorian regional centres.

Recommended retail price: $2.95.

If your local newsagent does not currently stock the Melbourne Observer, you can place a weekly order with them.Use their ‘putaway’ service.

Newsagents contact: All Day Distribution Pty Ltd, 1st Floor, 600 Nicholson St, North Fitzroy, Vic. 3068.

Phone: (03) 9482 1145. Fax: (03) 9482 2962. Distribution Manager: Sam Fiorini.

Mail Subscriptions You can have your own copy of the Melbourne Observer delivered to your letterbox by Australia Post.

We dispatch hundreds of copies of the Melbourne Observer to mail subscribers every Tuesday afternoon.

Subscription price for 45 copies is $213.75, prepaid, to anywhere in Australia. Overseas rates available on application. Pay by Credit Card: Visa, Mastercard, American Express Organise your mail subscription:

BY PHONE: 1-800 231 311

BY FAX: 1-800 231 312 E-MAIL: editor@MelbourneObserver.com.au

BY POST: PO Box 1278, Research, Vic. 3095. Pay

by Cheque, Money Order or Credit Card.

Available Across The World MELBOURNE OBSERVER ONLINE 2.1 MILLION HITS ANNUALLY ON THE WEB: www.MelbourneObserver.com.au You can read our paper free on the Internet.

Contact details for all our advertisers are also available at our website.

Back Copies BACK COPIES - ARCHIVES Back Copies for 2012-13 editions of the Melbourne Observer are all available at our website. Back copies for 1969-89, 2002-11 may be inspected by appointment at the State Library of Victoria, 328 Swanston St, Melbourne.

Ash On Wednesday

■ Reviewer Janine Chugg has been to see My Ego I s Better Than Your Ego, by Tom Ballard.

“Comedy is a very subjective medium. How a person perceives material as funny or not funny is influenced by many things,” Janine says.

“Tom Ballard’s material in his 2013 Comedy Festival offering is substantively rooted in the issues of today and his Gen Y status, with this being reflected in the predominance of Gen Y audience members at his packed-out show at the Swiss Club.

“Being one of only a couple of “old people” (as we are referred to by Ballard) in the audience did mean a little of the humour was lost on me.

“There are several references to people who are obviously very familiar to other audience members, but who mean nothing to me.

“That said, however, Ballard’s one hour show is very funny. It is loosely based on the premise that Ballard has an ego that has to be fed by audience adulation.

“Such a premise allows a myriad of situations and issues to be explored, from families to gender preference to hens’ parties and beyond, but all topics of relevance to his age group.”

Performance Season: Until April 21 (except Mondays) at the Swiss Club, 89 Flinders Lane.

Bookings: Tickets available comedyfestival. com.au or ticketmaster 1300 660 013

Half truths ■ Beware the half-truth.

You may have hold of the wrong half.

Long Shots

Lights, Camera, Action!

Our Doors are Open!

Freemasons Victoria's Grand Installation Ceremony Broadcast to the Public

Peter Clarke, Don Rainey, Peter Julier and Wes Turnbull

● Perfecting the ‘skinny arm’, 1973 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”

Back-To book Plane silly ■ A Back-To Charlton event was held over the Easter weekend.

A book, Charlton: Celebrating 150 years: 18632013, has been released.

It was compiled by Carolyn Olive and Grace Cadzow.

It is 340 pages, with more than 500 photos.

The publication was launched by former Charlton Tribune owner Ian Cameron.

The book is on sale for $45. It was published against constraints caused by recent floods.

Independently Owned and Operated The Melbourne Observer is printed by Streamline Press, 155 Johnston St, Fitzroy, for the publisher, Ash Long, for Local Media Pty Ltd, ABN 67 096 680 063, of the registered office, 30 Glen Gully Road, Eltham, Distributed by All Day Distribution.

Responsibility for election and referendum comment is accepted by the Editor, Ash Long.

Copyright © 2013, Local Media Pty Ltd (ACN 096 680 063).

Observer Treasury Thought For The Week ■ A man is a failure if he goes through life earning nothing but money.

- The Buloke Times

Mail Subscription Form Mail to: Subs, Melbourne Observer PO Box 1278, Research, Vic 3095 Yes! Please organise a Melbourne Observer mail subscription for 45 editions for $213.75 (posted anywhere in Australia). I understand that the completion of the 45 editions, the subscription will be automatically rolled over, unless I advise otherwise.

Cheque/Money Order/Credit Card Name: .........................................................

Address: ..................................................... ......................... Phone: .............................

Credit Card: .........................................................

Expiry: ..........................

Subject to subscription terms and conditions

Observer Curmudgeon ■ Charity often consists of a genrous impulse to give away something for which we have no further use.

Text For The Week ■ “Now fear the Lord and serve him with all faithfulness.”

- Joshua 24:14

■ Long Shots was asked to book an aeroplane ticket for someone this week.

The Jetstar website tried nine add-on sales.

You had to be agile on the computer, otherwise the extras could have been added automatically: ■ Baggage: 15 kg for $18.50.

■ A copy of the itinerary sent by SMS to a mobile phone. 99 cents.

■ Best seat available option. $6.

■ Insurance. $12.95.

■ A rent-a-car at the destination. $63.61 per day.

■ Tickets to the Melbourne Aquarium. $34.90 each.

■ Airport transfers.

■ Carbon offset. $3.28.

■ A donation to the Star Kids charity.

Fortunately, they also sell airline tickets.

Wise advice ■ “See everything; overlook a great deal; correct a little.” - Pope John XXIII

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

The 2013 Grand Installation was an enormous success, enjoyed by not only those who attended, but the thousands who were able to view the ceremony around the world via live internet broadcast.

"It was such a success last year (live streaming), that we had to do it again," says Freemasons Victoria's Grand Master Bob Jones. "In years gone by, only those in attendance would get the chance to see what happens at this important event.

“In fact, some of our regionally based members had never seen the Grand Installation up until now!

“Thanks to technology, Freemasons, their families and any member of the public, no matter where they are located around the world, are able to tune in to the Grand Installation," said Mr Jones.

But despite the fact he was on the 'world stage', nerves were not a problem for the Grand Master or his support team of ceremonial officers.

Well-rehearsed, the team confidently executed the ancient Masonic ceremony with precision and finesse, proclaiming Bob Jones as the Grand Master for another year.

Darting through the crowd were two film crews - one to produce vision for the internet broadcast and the other to capture footage for the highly successful community television program Freemasons - The Inside Story, which airs every Monday night on Channel 31 at 8.30pm.

The soon-to-be aired 'Grand Installation episode' will feature exclusive, behind-the-scenes footage of the Grand Installation, snippets of the ceremony and interviews with Freemasons attending and participating in the occasion.

"It's an episode not to be missed," said Grand Master Jones.

The Installation ceremony finished with the reinstated Grand Master thanking sponsors Mirvac, Charter Keck Cramer, Little Residential and KPMG, as well as Lodges for taking on the challenge to be 'loud and proud' about promoting Freemasonry in the community.

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

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, April 10, 2013 - Page 11

Showbiz People

TV Week Logies Awards At Crown Melbourne Courtesy: Channel 9 More photos on Page 75

● Asher Keddie

● Rebecca Gibney

● Johanna Griggs

● Lachy Hulme

● John Foreman

● David Campbell

● Ian ‘Molly’ Meldrum drops the F-bomb

● Bert Newton takes to the Logies stage

● Deborah Mailman

● Shane Bourne

● Adam Hills

● Anthony Hayes

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Page 12 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Melbourne People

Crown Melbourne visits Sydney.

Luncheon hosted by Erica Packer and Gretel Packer

● Helen Coonan and Kerry Chikarovski

● Lisa Wilkinson and Gretel Packer

● Ann Peacock and Louise Waterhouse

● Bronwyn Hogan and Claire Harvey

● Samantha Armytage, Melissa Doyle, Natarsha Belling

● Sonia Del Piero and Terry Biviano

● Jo Hunter and Sanchia Brahimi

● Melissa Hoyer and Skye Leckie

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, April 10, 2013 - Page 13

Melbourne People

Easter party at the home of Don and Iris Crawford Photos: Gigi Hellmuth

● Dave Richard and Lynne Gough

● Sylvester Kroyherr, Judee Horin and Howard Rowe

● Allan Pennant enjoyed the Good Friday get-together

● Caryl Perry Bowen with Ron Gallagher

● Pam and Howard Rowe

● Mr Easter Bunny (Franco Vitello)

● Rachel Sandey and Sylvester Kroyherr

● Sheila Whitson

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Page 14 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Observer Readers’ Club The Way We Were

Melbourne Photo Flashback

IN PRINT: Read the Melbourne Observer every week.

Buy at your newsagent, or by mail subscription.

FACEBOOK: Follow our updates, and post your own coments at www.facebook.com/ MelbourneObserverGroup TWITTER: Follow our updates, and post your own Tweets at www.twitter.com/ MelbourneObs

BY POST: Mail contributions to Observer Readers’ Club PO Box 1278, Research, Vic 3095

100 Years Ago Williamstown Chronicle Saturday, April 12, 1913 A relative of the late Mr William White forwards us a copy of an election address delivered by him in the Mechanics' Institute just 24 years ago, in which he advocated the very works that are now being carried out in the Bay. It was he who pointed out to Sir George Verdon the site for the dock (before it existed), but Sir George always got the credit for it. The late MrJohn Morgan and Mr White were like brothers.

They first met in Williamstown at the age of 28 (there being only a few months' difference in their ages). We extract the following from the address : ' I propose to build a breakwater on Gellibrand's reef, extending beyond the lightship.

This can easily and cheaply be done, as we have plenty of stone lying on the back beach. My plan would be to build two walls and fill in between them with the dredged material from the Harbor Trust; here we could make 160 acres of land which would be of great value for the storage of wheat for shipment. Inside the breakwater three or four piers could be built, and the largest steamships could go alongside at once.

The Alfred Graving Dock must be lengthened 100 feet. It should have a centre caisson and other improvements. On the Harbor Trust I was persistent in getting wharfage accommodation at Greenwich and the reclamation of the foreshorethis, with the aid of the Council and other centlemen I was enabled to do, which works are now in pro gress, and I have no doubt will be continued down to the Gem pier. This, when the bay in front of it is dredged to 26 feet deep, will again form a grand harbor and place for dis charging ships, and lead to the construction of the tunnel under the Yarra."

Join in our chat

● Old Police Station, Russell St, Melbourne. 1949.

Word Of The Week

Reader Recipes

■ Misanthrope: a person who hates or distrusts humankind

Birthdays/Celebrations

Personals ■ Bon voyage to Golden Days Radio General Manager Alex Hehr who is touring Europe for five weeks.

■ Observer reader Paul Nicholson is touring Southern California - by public transport. A true busman’s holdau.

■ Melbourne publicist Michael J Wilkie has returned after a 10-day vacation in Hawaii.

Your Stars with Christina La Cross ARIES (MAR 21 - APR 20) You can give those you love advice but that doesn't mean they will take it. You've done your part Aries, now back off. At least you can say you were there when they asked, which you were.

TAURUS (APR 21 - MAY 21) If close ones are moaning about the things you and I know they can't be bothered to change then leave them to it. With an array of activity in your own social sector you have bigger fish to fry.

GEMINI (MAY 22 - JUNE 21) Don't cancel plans through emotional blackmail. Someone has something on you, or so they think. Truth be told what they have is your ticket to freedom. Better out than in for you my friend.

CANCER (JUNE 22 - JULY 23) Family only want what's best for you but unless you tell them what's really been going on then the advice they give you will not suit you. Blind dates for work and pleasure go well now.

LEO (JULY 24 - AUG 23) A stubborn frame of mind could see you setting out to deliberately stop something happening in the family. Concentrating on you today can avoid this happening. Making a phone call regarding your love life ensures it.

VIRGO (AUG 24 - SEPT 23) Computer work or emails sent give you the go ahead on something you didn't dare dream about this time last year. Be nice to all new faces you meet. Those who hold power are the ones you'd least expect to.

LIBRA (SEPT 24 - OCT 23) You've been really touched by someone's influence in your life but you may have problems trying to work out in what way. Don't rush it. Time shows you what they mean to your future.

SCORPIO (OCT 24 - NOV 22) A more childish side is in play which could see you saying things just to get a rise out of those close to you. Careful of letting it cross over into business. Not everyone gets your humour today.

SAGITTARIUS (NOV 23 - DEC 21) Laying your cards on the table can get you what you want but if you continue to tell useless lies then you could end up losing the very thing you were trying to keep. Heart to hearts help.

CAPRICORN (DEC 22 - JAN 20) Don't play ignorant to avoid the blame as others already know what you know. You can't see it yet but the corner you've got yourself into enables you to find what really makes you happy.

AQUARIUS (JAN 21 - FEB 19) Try to spread yourself around your friends a bit more as you're getting a reputation by association at the moment. Sad news from a distance gives someone close to you more freedom in their life. Ring me now so I can explain your stars in detail.

PISCES (FEB 20 - MARCH 20) It appears that close ones are judging you when they have done far worse themselves.

Do you bring that up? No, you're far more mature than that aren't you? Unless they push you tonight that is.

FAX: 1-800 231 312 E-MAIL: editor@ melbourneobserver.com.au

● Polenta Fish and Chips Courtesy: Taste.com.au Super Food Ideas Polenta fish and chips with tartare sauce Make gluten free fish and chips with polenta used in the coating instead of flour.

Ingredients 1 cup polenta 1 teaspoon garlic powder 2 teaspoons finely grated lemon rind 1 egg 4 (150g each) firm white fish fillets 4 radishes, trimmed, thinly sliced 1 avocado, chopped 80g mixed salad leaves 1 tablespoon lemon juice 1/3 cup Alfa One rice bran oil Oven-baked potato chips, to serve Tartare sauce 1/2 cup reduced-fat whole-egg mayonnaise 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon rind 1 teaspoon finely chopped capers 2 gherkins, finely chopped 1 tablespoon chopped flat-leaf parsley leaves Method Notes Step 1: Make Tartare sauce: Place mayonnaise, lemon rind, capers, gherkins and parsley in a small bowl. Season. Stir until well combined. Refrigerate.

Step 2: Combine polenta, garlic powder and lemon rind on a plate. Season with salt and pepper. Whisk egg in a shallow bowl.

Step 3: Dip 1 piece of fish in egg. Coat in polenta mixture. Place on a plate. Repeat with remaining fish, egg and polenta mixture. Refrigerate for 10 minutes.

Step 4: Meanwhile, combine radish, avocado and salad leaves in a bowl. Drizzle over lemon juice and 1 tablespoon oil. Toss.

Step 5: Heat remaining oil in a deep frying pan over medium-high heat. Cook fish, in two batches, for 3 to 4 minutes each side or until golden and cooked through, adding more oil if needed. Transfer to a plate lined with paper towel to drain. Serve with salad, tartare sauce and chips.

Personals ■ Excellent to see Observer reader Dan Webb so prominently featured by Channel 7 in the Good Friday Royal Children’s Hospital appeal. He has been associated with the hospital since its days in Carlton.

■ Wednesday, April 10. Former Anglican Archbishop Peter Hollingworth is 78. Entertainer Jane Clifton is 64. Football commentator Brian Taylor is 51.

■ Thursday, April 11. Observer reader John Taylor is 56. Footballer Peter Bedford is 66.

Former Victorian Governor Peter Landy is 83.

Entertainer Magda Szubanski is 52.

■ Friday, April 12. We remember the birthday of the late Melbourne newspaperman Don Brown. Another newspaperman with birthday honors in Bryan Patterson.

■ Saturday, April 13. Weekly Review Geelong executive Kate McMurrich is 35. Ventriloquist Ron Blaskett is 91.

■ Sunday, April 14. Athlete Jane Flemming is 48.

■ Monday, April 15. Actor Kym Gyngell is 61. Country singer Lee Kenaghan is 49.

■ Tuesday, April 16. Radio news hound Kate Murphy celebrates today. So does entertainer Colleen Hewett. Observer friend Linda Weber is 53.

Cheerios

■ Cheerio to new Observer reader Rue Skoba.

■ Cheerio to Catherine Shelley of the Melbourne Equestrian Centre at Melton, who is now a Civil Celebrant.

Readers’ Photos

● Thanks to an Observer reader for sending us this clipping. Radio man Rob Curtain is seen in a brochure for Colac radio station 3CS, billing itself as broadcasting to “Westoria’. Rob is loisted as the ‘early afternoon’ presenter. In 2013 he is the National News Director for Fairfax Radio.

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au Melbourne

Observer

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, April 10, 2013 - Page 15

News Briefs

Glue spill fine ■ Advanced Moulds of Bayswater has been fined $6000 for a spill of diluted glue into a Knox stormwater drain. It has 28 days to pay the fine, seek an internal review or have the matter dealt with in court.

Puppy theft ■ A Hampton East couple has been charged with theft of a staffiecross from a shelter, moments after they surrendered three kittens.

They will face Dandenong Court in July.

Shop pair retire ■ Ivan Mason, 73, has joined partner Noel Alexander in retirement after years at their Eaglemont IGA store.

Saddles stolen ■ More than $20,000 of saddles and equipment has been stolen from Williamstown Horse and Pony Club in Maddox Rd. Thieves drove across paddocks to reach a float.

Bouncer sacked ■ The Bay Hotel Mornington has sacked a bouncer after a fight in which a man was refused entry to the nightclub. Closed circuit TV footage has been posted on Facebook.

Fined $45,000 ■ The Dingley International Hotel has been fined $45,000 after a problem gambler was able to withdraw $84,950 from an EFTPOS machine in a month.

Magistrate Rodney Crisp said the Dingley International’s actions were “highly reckless”.

$120,000 bill ■ Monash Council has failed in a bid to force local resident John Sidney Schmidt pay a $120,000 legal bill after a court battle over a dog attack.

Schmidt had to pay $40,840 in costs, and $1177.20 in compensation to Lisa Arnott over the attack which happened at Ashwood College Reserve.

Taxation claim ■ The Deputy Commissioner of Taxation has served a County Court writ on publisher Ashley Lawrence Long, claiming $109,180.15.

“Our legal advisers are currently negotiating a settlement with the Australian Taxation Office,” says Long. “It is business as usual.”

GP’s misconduct

MP’s gay U-turn

■ Dr Haissam Nailm will return to VCAT for sanction arguments after being found guilty of misconduct over internal examinations of a female patient.

■ Liberal candidate Kelly O’Dwyer has made a political Uturn, and is now supporting samesex marriage. O’Dwyer seeks to win the Federal seat of Higgins.

$700 stray fine

Offender filmed

■ Victorian veterinarians have been warned they face fines of up to $700 if they do not pass on stray animals to municipal pounds.

College abandons ■ Wesley College is abandoning plans for apartments on the eastern edge of its Glen Waverley campus.

The College will instead offer 26 vacant blocks of land for sale on Rose Ave. It is expected to be the biggest land release in the Glen Waverley area for years. The school has owned the land for 60 years.

■ A Brighton man, 50, has been placed on the sex offenders’ register after filming family members at three addresses over 11 years.

Braggers out ■ Two Manningham Council contract workers have been sacked for allegedly bragging on Facebook about how little work they did for $50 an hour.

Joel Ben Bennett and Zac Troiano were working on the Mullum Mullum trail.

Melbourne

Observer Life & Style

UPS AND DOWNS OF MY HOLIDAY BREAK ■ Having a couple of weeks of freewheeling days off at Easter with no deadlines and only necessary call-outs, has its ‘ups and downs’.

I took stock when my break was over and saw that my positive days far outweighed the negative.

I have to confess that I ‘whooped’ with joy when I turned back the clock and I was back into God’s time.

I’d been waiting for the luminous hands on my clock to turn to the designated time for the changeover.

I celebrated the end of daylight saving with a cup of Chai and a biscuit.

Being deprived of an Easter egg gave me the confidence to eat a chocolate biscuit.

My winter clothes are out and ready for the gorgeous autumn weather or the cold, snow, and rain and anything else Melbourne decides to dish out.

Even the trees are agreeing with me by shedding their glorious coloured leaves, and the spring bulbs are waiting below the soon to be ice- covered ground.

Beverley tired of life

Yvonne’s Column

Seeing Cinderella

with Yvonne Lawrence yvonne.lawrence@bigpond.com

feeling very sad at the loss of a wonderful person, but after reading about ‘Amanda’ the friend who sat with her until the end, somehow my sadness left me.

‘Amanda’ said she respected Beverley’s choice and felt no need to try and stop her.

Beverley told ‘Amanda’ that she could have done it alone, but she was so glad ‘Amanda’ was with her.

As Beverley started to eat a chocolate frog – a favourite, she slowly drifted off to sleep forever. ‘Amanda’ talked to her the entire time.

I did shed a few tears for a life well lived and a death well planned.

Isn’t it time society started openly talking about voluntary euthanasia, especially now that people are living so much longer?

Vale Beverley.

■ Reading the beautiful story of a life well lived and a death well planned turned out to be a positive for me, and not a downer.

Eighty-two-year-old Beverley Broadbent deciding to end her life on her own terms was an emotional read.

It was such a hard read because she voluntarily decided to exit the world in her own time and alone.

She was tired of living and feeling the effects of growing old, and therefore couldn’t do the things that were part of her very active and interesting life.

In her wisdom, she made her decision after a deal of thought, and didn’t want to end up in a nursing home where she would have no choice for a peaceful and dignified ending.

It wasn’t as if she didn’t have loads of friends, but she felt she didn’t have the right to ask them ■ At last we’ll see a Royal Commission into to be with her, and besides, helping a suicide is a child sexual abuse. Hopefully it will give some criminal offence in Victoria and carries a jail closure to those who suffered.

We have to remember however; it wasn’t only term. the Catholic Church who was responsible for such heart breaking suffering.

Not just the Catholics

Drifting off to sleep

■ She even made arrangements for Lucy, her much loved dog to be away for the night.

I believe in voluntary euthanasia. A person should have the right to end their life while they have the ability to do so.

Because I will know when it is my time to exit the gene pool I was secretly applauding Beverley, but it was an emotional read.

Until I read a follow-up in the newspaper from a friend who sat with Beverley at the end I was

Melbourne and hadn’t driven down so I could get behind the wheel of my beloved car once more.

I miss my car so much, in fact, any car to be honest.

Missing my car ■ One of another of the real highs was breaking bread with my Sydney-based sister who was spending Easter in Melbourne.

It was amazing to find we had so few things in common really, but we both became very animated when we talked about gardening and books.

I gave my sister my car, and I was just a bit disappointed she and her husband flew into

■ If you are into ballet you will have sat transfixed as Li Cunxin danced with amazing grace and such creativity.

Known as Mao’s last dancer, his story will absorb and excite you.

I was broken hearted when he retired and we would not see him on stage again.

There was a great review of Li in the Australian Review. If you missed it try theaustralian. com.au/review And if it’s the last thing I do I’ll do my best to get to see Cinderella at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre, April 5-20.

Li is now Director of the Queensland Ballet. He will bring his magic and creativity to this Ballet Company and it is his hope to make it world famous.

Vale Richard Griffiths ■ All these great ‘up’ things I was experiencing on my unplanned holidays. Heavens I’m almost giddy to think of it all.

There was some great television during Easter, but you had to really look at the programs with the scrutiny of a tax auditor to find the gems.

Foxtel Classics had some terrific old blackand-white films. Some I don’t remember ever having seen, but it is always fun to see my old friend Bill Collins and hear his introduction and review of the film, plus a bit of gossip about the star to boot.

One of the series that we always enjoy is Pie In The Sky, starring Richard Griffiths who plays the rotund crime-solving detective/ chef Henry Crabbe.

He also played Harry Potter’s mean spirited Uncle Vernon Dursley, if you can’t quite bring him to mind.

Richard was 65 and died following complications following heart surgery.

Tonight we have a treat because there are two episodes of Pie In The Sky back to back, and my other half and I will toast Henry Crabbe’s memory with a bottle of our finest red.

We’ve also watched Kangaroo Dundee on the ABC and I fell in love with him and his mob of kangaroos.

What a terrific program.

What a catch Dundee would be for a woman who would enjoy being with him in his kangaroo sanctuary.

I’ve written to him and suggested he might think about taking a few animal lovers to camp out in the sanctuary.

Biggest Loser

■ I’ve talked about my ups and downs during my break, and it has been mainly the enjoyable highs except for one piece of television that still has me boiling mad.

It was quite by chance that I witnessed this brutality.

My keeper of the remote was searching for another program and he scrolled into `the detestable Biggest Losers and the little piece that I saw compelled me to watch the entire program to see how such trainers can get away with bullying and humiliating the people who are desperate to lose weight.

I was hoping that one of them would have the energy to give the female trainer a tongue-lashing.

I’ve never watched this program, and nor would I ever watch it again. I just hope that enough people will write to the station and demand that it be taken off air.

If not taken off air, then there should be a warning that no teenager should be allowed to watch such a hideous program.

Obviously the trainers do little research into the causes of obesity. Not every person who stacks on weight gorges on food.

There are many reasons, and humiliating some one is not necessarily the way to encourage them to change their eating habits.

Time for woolies ■ I’ve given you the good, the bad and the ugly, but I enjoyed my break and feel ready to rewrite War and Peace.

Get out your winter woolies and check for any moth holes. I found one in a favourite jumper which definitely wasn’t a high note for me!

- Yvonne Contact: Melbourne Observer P.O. Box 1278, Research 3095

Tribunal awards $1300 ■ Kean Steinkellner has been awarded $1300 special financial assistance, in a decision by the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.

VCAT set aside a decision of the Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal.

Steinkellner, then 26, a Constable with Victoria Police, broke his ankle after being pushed down a flight of stairs, in the course of his duty at Collingwood.

The earlier decision said Steinkellner had not shown that he had suffered any significant adverse effect as a direct result.

VOCAT is also to pay Steinkellner’s legal costs.

Page 16 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, April 10, 2013

■ Ross Higgins was born in Armadale, NSW, in 1931. At the age of 16, Ross became a cadet announcer at 2GB and within a year he had his own national radio show.

In the late forties Ross Higgins was a cast member of The Jack Davey Show, and was singing on The Ford Show.

The first time I became aware of Ross was through his work in the radio series Laugh Till You Cry. Ross was one of the resident vocalists and played character roles with Harry Dearth, George Foster and Keith Smith.

His radio work included six years as president and MC of the Coca Cola Radio Show.

When television arrived he was the compere of the ABC television series Children's TV Club.

He was also performing in theatre and getting a lot of voice work.

In 1958, at the invitation of Bryce Courtney, Ross became the speaking voice of ‘Louie the Fly’ in the popular Mortein commercials and continued in that role for the next 50 years.

He could also be heard in the Snap, Crackle and Pop, Coco the Monkey and Mr Sheen commercials.

Ross worked with Hayes Gordon for several years in the musical shows at the Music Loft Theatre Restaurant in Sydney.

Ross was a guest star in television shows such as Skippy, Division Four, Rush, Animal Doctor, Certain Women and Riptide.

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Whatever Happened To ...

Ross Higgins

By Kevin Trask of 3AW and 96.5 Inner FM During the 1970s he was cast in The Naked Vicar Show with Kevin Golsby and Noeline Brown.

He is best remembered for his role as Ted Bullpitt in the situation comedy Kingswood Country.

He introduced the famous lines such as "The Kingswood! You're not taking the Kingswood!" and "When I was a boy ..."

The series was a spin-off from an earlier sketch in The Naked Vicar Show.

Kingswood Country was in production from 1979 till 1984 and it is still popular on television today. It won two LogieAwards for the Most Popular Comedy program.

Some of the guest stars included Graham

● Ross Higgins

Kennedy, Noeline Brown, Ray Meagher and Bruce Spence.

When the series finished Ross auditioned for the part of Alf Stewart in Home and Away but the role went to Ray Meagher.

In 1988 Ross played a straight dramatic role in the television series Richmond Hill and then did a season of Late For School.

In 1997 Ross Higgins reprised the character of Ted Bullpitt for the follow-on series Bullpitt.

Ted was living in a retirement village and still getting into trouble. Bullpitt was in production for two years.

His feature films included Fatty Finn and Ginger Meggs.

Ross was seen in the television series Pizza in 2001 and is still occasionally called on to provide the voice for Louie the Fly. Ross Higgins is one of those genuinely nice people and has had a marvellous career in Australian showbusiness.

- Kevin Trask The Time Tunnel - with Bruce & PhilSundays at 8.20pm on 3AW That's Entertainment - 96.5FM Sundays at 12 Noon 96.5FM is streaming on the internet. To listen, go to www.innerfm.org.au and follow the prompts.

NOTHING LIKE EASTER IN THE BUSH

■ It's a common sight in Alice Springs - young pre-teen kids roaming the streets, often hungry, because they've got nowhere else to go.

Mum and dad, and often many of their relatives, are drunk at ‘home’, and so the kids just stay and hang around with their mates.

And unfortunately trouble often arises via vandalism and crime.

Two kids, 11 and 12, were recently arrested for stealing a car.

They were caught because they were having trouble driving a manual.

And then last week, in a related incident, one Christella Stafford was wheeling her seven-month-old baby along the bike path.

She was so drunk that she collapsed, and the baby, which had both legs in plaster, fell out of the pram, face down on the track, until Police came by half an hour later and noticed the distressed infant.

Mum was charged with ‘exposing the child to harm’, and as a side issue, also with recently stabbing her mother.

Looks like that particular child has a promising future.

■ During the past couple of years there's been a deterioration in Alice from several perspectives.

Many more visitors are coming into town from outlying dry communities so that they can drink with impunity, filling the streets and the existing housing.

As a result, there's been a lot more ‘anti-social behaviour’, and now tourists are warned not to go near the Todd Mall at night.

This information not only filters around town, but speeds throughout the tourist industry, with the overall result that tourism to the town is dramatically down.

Alice is fighting back, and promoting itself more than ever, emphasising the positive aspects of the town and its magnificent surroundings.

Part of this push was the welcoming of a delegation of national and international tourism operators a couple of weeks ago, to show them how safe Alice was, and to emphasize its positive points.

As their bus drove through one of the river crossings, it was attacked by a mob of river dwellers, hurling rocks.

About $10,000 damage was caused to the bus with its terrified occupants cowering inside.

Really helped, that did.

The Outback Legend

with Nick Le Souef Lightning Ridge Opals 175 Flinders Lane, Melbourne Phone 9654 4444 www.opals.net.au ■ Good Friday is generally a very quiet day for most businesses, except maybe pubs, and opal shops don't expect much trade.

However, I needed to cut a few special stones, and was surprised to be inundated with American citizens - all roadies from visiting bands.

My son Jonas and I had befriended the bass player from the Steve Miller Band earlier, so went along to see him as he supported Santana at Rod Laver Arena.

Then shortly thereafter, my mate Chainsaw, whom I have previously mentioned in thsi column, swept into town.

He's a guitar tech, and is generally with Billy Joel and Jackson Browne, but this time was with Bruce Springsteen.

So of course he invited us along to see his mate, also at Rod Laver.

Then he had a few mates with Paul Simon, so we trotted along to see him as well.

A few nights of ringing ears, and a lot of opals heading off to the US!

mainstream press about ‘ratting’ at Lightning Ridge.

A ‘ratter’ is an individual who lives on the opal field, and is involved in mining for his own opals, but who keeps his eyes and ears open for any unusual patterns of behaviour in his fellow miners.

So if he spies any sense of jubilation or any indication of a reversal of financial status, such as a brand new car or machinery, he will interpret this as the possibility that a particular individual may be ‘on opal’.

So he will, in the dead of night, descend the individual's mine with his pick, and feverishly dig out any opal which may be sitting in the face of the mine.

The miner will come down his hole the next morning to discover a big hole where his opal had been the day before.

And it's often the case that there are chips of precious opal all over the place which the ratter has smashed in his haste.

Of course ratters are regarded by all and sundry has very low forms of life, and in the past have been dealt with accordingly.

At the very least they'll be just run out of town. But there are many stories on all fields of such individuals not emerging from mines that they have been caught in.

A few plugs of gelly dropped down after them, or a bear trap set to grab them as soon as they step out at the bottom of the shaft, or ladders tied together with string designed to break when they're halfway down the shaft.

There are many tales on every opal field of the bones of such individuals resting peacefully at the bottom of shafts.

The fellow recently reported on at Grawin, near Lightning Ridge, seemed to get off lightly - he allegedly just had his fingers chopped off!

Maybe folklore and rumours, but maybe not!

■ Easter is always a time of frivolity in the bush, here and there.

There's always an Easter Opal Festival at Coober Pedy, and the Easter Races at Lightning Ridge.

I've attended both of these, and one of the highlights at the Ridge was the annual Goat Race, for which feral goats from near the Queensland border were caught and ‘trained’ to pull small buggies, each containing a small■ There was a recent write-up in the ish person.

● Todd Mall, Alice Springs And, 130 kms north of Alice, there's However, a TV crew filmed this event a few years ago, and it was dis- the Aileron Bush Weekend, with its covered, for all the world to see, that Mexican donkey race, gymkhana, and the goats weren't treated as humanely rodeo and ‘rough stock’ events.

There's ‘walking the plank’, ‘spitas may have been desired, so that was ting the dummy’, the ‘Ladies' Boot’, the end of that tradition! and the Kids' clown contest.

Now it's people dressed up as goats Nothing like Easter in the bush! pulling the carts, and wheelie bin races.

- Nick Le Souef Sounds like fun.

‘The Outback Legend’

‘Hello Bitches’

■ When a comedian is well known through radio and television and has received awards and accolades through the years, one expects a show of high standard in terms of ideas for content, presentation, the ability to ‘play’ an audience, timing, creativity, and of course the humour.

Tom Gleeson succeeds on all counts.

Tom demonstrates his command of his craft by beginning the show bantering with a couple of audience members.

He bounces off their answers to his questions effortlessly, immediately drawing in the whole audience before launching into his prepared material.

He returns to audience interaction later in the show which cleverly engages everyone again before the finale.

The title of the show gives no indication as to what the show will include, and apart from the use of the term as an opening greeting to the audience, there is no other reference to it throughout the show.

Instead we are taken through a number of topics that allow Tom to show case his view of the world, and judging from the audience’s reaction, it is a view that resonates with many others.

Issues such as frustrations dealing with rules and regulations of life, becoming a father at a stage later than many others, trying to cope with views held by others that differ from his own – all have the audience laughing from beginning to end.

There are certainly adult themes and coarse language in this show but it is obvious that Melbourne audiences are sophisticated enough to deal with this while laughing at some very clever and funny material. This show is highly recommended.

Performance Season: Until April 21 at the Supper Room, Melbourne Town Hall, Cnr Swanston & Collins Sts, City Times: Monday 8.15pm, Tuesday – Saturday 9.45pm, Sunday 8.45pm Price: Full Saturday $35, full Wednesday - Friday and Sunday $28, Conc, Group, Laugh Pack (N/A Friday & Saturday) $26.

Bookings: Tickets available comedyfestival.com.au or ticketmaster 1300 660 013 - Reviewed by Janine Chugg