www.MelbourneObserver.com.au Melbourne
Observer
Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, September 10, 2014 - Page 7
Showbiz News
It’s All About You!
Melbourne
Bradman opens, baroque-style Observer In This 100-Page Edition
Try To Love Everyone
● Magic Steven
■ Magic Steven presents Try To Love Everyone on September 17 and 18 at Tuxedo Cat and on October 5 at the Toff In Town, as part of the Melbourne Fringe Festival. Relying on a series of pocket notebooks, within which he attempts to honestly record the intricate details of his daily existence, Magic Steven illuminates our shared inner landscape, shedding light on fundamental truths of the human experience. His colourful, poetic and deadpan spiritual stories are poignant in their observation of life’s minutiae, as he determines to uncover the awkward hidden contents of the subconscious mind. With Try To Love Everyone he explores the challenges involved in meaningfully connecting with others, while living in what seems to be an increasingly disconnected human society. Performances: September 17 – 18 at 7.15pm at Tuxedo Cat, 17 Wills St, Melbourne October 5 at 8.00pm at The Toff in Town, Level 2, Curtin House, 252 Swanston St., Melbourne. Tickets: $12 Bookings: melbournefringe.com.au or 9660 9666.
Legally Blonde at CLOC ■ Celebrating 50 years and 101 shows, CLOC Musical Theatre’s next audience treat is Legally Blonde, presented from October 3-18 at the National Theatre, St Kilda. Based on the hit movie of the same name, Legally Blonde follows blonde and bubbly Elle Woods, who has been dumped by her boyfriend Warner Huntington III for not being ‘serious’ enough. Elle enrols in Harvard Law School in an attempt to win him back, taking her lovable chihuahua, Bruiser, with her. On this journey of selfdiscovery, she makes new friends, gains the respect of her peers, realises her potential and proves to herself and the world that she is more than a ‘dumb blonde’. Legally Blonde is directed and choreographed by James Rooney, with musical direction by Andy McCalman. This unapologetically fun show keeps a twinkle in its eye, is great entertainment, and will leave audiences with a smile on their faces, a fondness for chihuahas and a new found love of pink! Performances: October 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 15, 16, 17, 18 at 8pm; Oct. 5, 11,12 at 2pm Location: The National Theatre, St Kilda Tickets: $52/$47/$36 Bookings: 1300 362 547 or online at www. cloc.org.au ● Melanie Ott (Elle Woods) and Bruiser the Chihuaha (Taco) Photo: Richard Crompton
The Observer: Waking Up Dead ............. Page 8 News: Legend of the Skies .................. Page 9 Love This City! Fiona Byrne reports .. Pages 10-11 Been and Seen: Hummingbird lunch ..... Page 12 Melb. Confidential: Idecency case ....... Page 13 TV Memories: A minute passed ........... Page 14 Yvonne Lawrence: Spring cleaning .......Page 15 Gavin Wood: Kim Kardashian West ....... Page 17 Victoria Pictorial: Nostalgic photos ...... Page 18 Trask Profile: Carole Lombard story ..... Page 20 44-page Observer Trader liftout Local Theatre Radio Confidentia; Movies, DVDs Top 10 Lists
Observer Showbiz
● Greta Bradman ■ The name Richard Bonynge immediately commands respect and attention amongst classical music lovers. Bonynge and his late wife Dame Joan Sutherland were a magnificent musical team, and Bonynge continues to delight the music world internationally as a conductor. Add in household musical names such as Greta Bradman, Michael Lewis, Fiona Janes, Liane Keegan to the mix and the coming performance of opera Rodelinda promises to be a smash hit. Saturday October 3 sees the premiere of this baroque opera, which also stars tenor John Longmuir and soprano Lorina Gore, who are well known to Opera Australia audiences. This one-night only opera will be conducted by Maestro Bonynge at Elisabeth Murdoch Hall at Melbourne Recital Centre, and is a gala charity performance to raise fund for the Joan Sutherland and Richard Bonynge Foundation for young singers. On top of her successful recordings for ABC Classics, Greta Bradman won the 2013-14 Australian International Opera Award and has recently returned from advanced study at the Wales International Academy of Voice. This will be Greta's debut in the title role of Rodelinda. Handel has given a story of love, revenge, power and the quest to find freedom - elements that are always present in every realm of history. Rodelinda is packed with glorious arias and duets, and the performance coincides with the release of a new ABC Classic recording of Rodelinda Selected Arias. www.melbournerecital.com.au or 9699 3333 - Julie Houghton
Latest News Flashes Around Victoria
Costly ice habit ■ Craig Phillips, 40, of Colac, who stole war medals to fund his ice addiction was later found with $65,000 worth of stolen goods in his bedroom. He will be sentenced at a later date, reports the Geelong Advertiser.
Ghosts in Mildura ■ Mildura and District Psychic and Paranormal Investigation Group has conducted “investigations” at Wentworth jail, Chaffey House and district cemeteries. It has also located an “Aboriginal massacre area” which acts as “highways” for spirits to travel, reports the Sunraysia Daily.
Man in custody ■ A Latrobe Valley man has been remanded in custody after being charged with 12 sexual offences. The charges relate to alleged incidents including four charges of sexual penetration with a child under 16.
Arrests at Ballarat ■ Drug charges have been laid against Ballarat residents following a statewide Victoria Police operation targeting ice, reports The Courier.
Weather Forecast ■ ■ ■ ■
Today (Wed.). Partly cloudy. 9°-17° Thurs. Chance of rain. 5°-16° Fri. Chance of rain. 8°-13° Sat. Chance of rain. 6°-13°
Mike McColl Jones
Top 5 THE T OP 5 UNLIKELIES T TOP UNLIKELIEST PAIRINGS FOR THE BIG BRO THER HOUSE. BROTHER
5. Brynne Edelsten and Gabi Grecko. 4. James Hird and Caroline Wilson. 3. Clive Palmer and Jenny Craig. 2. Humphrey Bear and Skippy. 1. Geoff Shaw and anyone.
Page 8 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, September 10, 2014
The Last Confession
Speech by Maxine
www.MelbourneObserver.com.au
Melbourne Observer The Showbiz Bible Editor Ash Long is heard: ● 8.45am Wed., with Ron Burke, 3NRG-FM Sunbury ● 10am Wed., with Denis Scanlan, Pulse 94.7 Geelong ● 9.15am Thu., with Bob and Judy Phillips, 3RPP Peninsula
● David Suchet ■ David Suchet is the star of The Last Confession, which is now playing at the Comedy Theatre. He is famous for his portrayal of Hercule Poirot in the television series which ran for 25 years. This touring production has already been to Los Angeles, Toronto and is now in Australia. It deals with the events in the Vatican City after the sudden death of Pope John Paul I in 1978. David plays Cardinal Giovanni Benelli. It was wonderful to meet David and record a short radio interview with him. The cast of 20 includes Australian actors John O'May, George Spartels and Kevin Colson. John O'May said he had checked the number of years that each actor had been working professionally and there is more than 600 years of acting experience onstage in this production. Sheila Ferris, who is the wife of David Suchet, is in the cast as Sister Vincenza. Richard O'Callaghan who is playing Cardinal Albino Luciani was in several of the Carry On films during the 1970s. The Last Confession is playing at the Comedy Theatre for three weeks and cannot be extended. Tickets available via Ticketmaster on 1300 111 011. - Kevin Trask
New show ■ The Sound of Waves will be staged from October 312 at fortyfivedownstairs 45 Flinders Lane, Melbourne. soundofwaves.com.au
Enrico IV ■ Mimmo Mangione appears in Enrico IV at La Mama Theatre. Maggie Morrison’s review of the program is on Page 00.
● Mimmo Mangione in Enrico IV at La Mama Theatre.
● Maxine McKew ■ Journalist, author and former federal member for Bennelong, Maxine McKew examined the state of Australian education when she delivers the 2014 Stephen MurraySmith Memorial Lecture last night (Tues.) at the State Library of Victoria. After the speech, a question-and-answer segment was conducted by Jill Singer.
Waking Up Dead
ONJ Gala
■ The Olivia Newton-John gala concert was held at Flemington Racecourse on Friday (Sept. 5). Newton-John shared the stage with John Farnham. Celebrity attendees at the charity event included ChristineAnu,Alisa Camplin, Tottie Goldsmith, Deborah Hutton, Richard Wilkins, Kamahl, Shane Jacobson, Wendy Matthews, Michael Caton, Glenn Shorrock, Deborah Conway, Sam Stynes, Wally Lewis, Lincoln Lewis and Harrison Craig.
Opera Plus
Screenings ■ The Melbourne Cinémathèque will screen films by Sam Peckinpah (1925-1984) from September 17 to October 1. The Melbourne Cinémathèque is dedicated to screening of rare and significant films in their original format. Screenings are held at ACMI (at Federation Square) on Wednesday nights. Admission is by monthly or yearly membership.
● Caroline Lee in Waking Up Dead. Photo: Andy Turner Caroline Lee plays a wife ■ Inspired by the infamous ‘death by swinging’ case of trying to make sense of the sormillionaire businessman, did and tawdry details revealed Herman Rockefeller, Waking after the disappearance of her in this one-hander Up Dead is a new play written husband about infidelity, deception and by actor and playwright, Trudy betrayal. Hellier. Rockefeller, like his fictitious doppelganger, was an arch manipulator who managed to compartmentalise his life; husband, lover, marathon runner, swinger. Lee manages a remarkable performance. The audience is attune to a range of emotions throughout her depiction. From the pathetically naive student through to the scorned wife, we comprehend her realisation of a life built on lies, her anger bubbling just under the surface. And while this anger is controlled, her frustration is palpable. Directed by Susie Dee, Lee’s exceptional performance evokes sympathy for her character despite the audience realising that her naivety ● A Four-Eyed Guide To The Galaxy is being presented quickly transforms into selfat the North Melbourne Town Hall. For more details, delusion. Sound designer Ian turn to the Observer Showbiz section. Moorhead grounds the performance with an intermittent soundscape of police interviews, inquest results and news reports reminding us of the infallibility and pretence of memory. Award-winning artist Callum Morton’s deceptively simple yet brilliantly clever stage design - a paper backdrop that transmutes into a proscenium arch - has Lee sketching out the chapters of a lifetime in pictures spent with a man who would ultimately turn out to be a stranger. Waking Up Dead is on at fortyfivedownstairs until September 14. Duration: 55 minutes, no ● The Wedding Singer is being staged by interval Cardinia performing Arts Company. Robbie Hart Tickets: $35/$25 (David Ray), Holly (Nicola Bull), Julia (Hayley Bookings: 9662 9966 or Fyfield) are featured in this photo, by Wayne www.fortyfivedownstairs.com.au Smith. Cheryl Thredagold has all the details in - Review by the Observer Showbiz section. Kathryn Keeble
Four-Eyed Galaxy Guide
The Wedding Singer
● Belinda Prakhoff ■ China is proving fertile ground for Australian classical musicians going on tour. As part of the Asia-Pacific region, it makes sense that Australia should be the country to fill this thirst for opera and orchestras. The Melbourne Bach Choir will late this month tour China, with a series of five concerts featuring some of the greatest opera choruses and arias ever written. But before they head off overseas, Melbourne audiences will have a chance to hear this concert as well, at a pre-tour concert called Opera Plus on Saturday (Sept. 13) at 8pm. The visit to China will be the first international tour for this young choir, which was formed for a 2006 performance of Bach's St Matthew Passion and has specialised in Bach and oratorio, but now it is branching out with a program focusing on opera. "This is the perfect opportunity to strike out in a new direction and explore some repertoire that is rather different from out usual fare." said the choir's founding Musical Director, Rick Prakhoff . The program will feature arias, ensembles and choruses from operas including Carmen, La Traviata, Rigoletto and The Marriage of Figaro. Choral masterpieces from the 18th-21st centuries will also be included, including Australian composer Iain Graindage's Bush Songs. The chorus will be joined by soprano Kerry Gill singing the well-known aria, O My Beloved Father, and Belinda Prakhoff, will be a passionate Carmen. Opera stars tenor Henry Choo and baritone Andrew Jones will join together in the famous duet from The Pearlfishers, and the four soloists will also sing other individual arias, trios and quartets. One of Melbourne best accompanists Pam Christie will be at the piano and Rick Prakhoff will conduct. Opera Plus will take place in All Saints, Chapel St, East St Kilda. Full details at www.mbc.asn.au and bookings at www.trybooking.com - Julie Houghton
● Kerry Gill
www.MelbourneObserver.com.au Melbourne
Observer
Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, September 10, 2014 - Page 9
Showbiz People
Legends of the Skies Briefs Expecting ● From left: Ciume Lochner, Jennifer Innes, Tara Rankine and Emma Smith in The Great God Mogadon.
Great God Mogadon ● Kate, Duchess of Cambridge ■ Prince William and his wife Kate are expecting their second child. Kensington Palace this week announced the Duchess of Cambridge was suffering from acute morning sickness as she did with baby Prince George. It is believed Kate is not yet 12 weeks pregnant.
Headline chaser
● Derryn Hinch ■ Broadcaster Derryn Hinch’s insatiable appetite for a headline peaked this week with a question to his online followers: “"How to put delicately: Should the beheadings of a couple of white male journalists push the west to war?" We know the answer if the white male journalist’s surname was Hinch.
● Legends of the Skies Series 2 artistic director Maggie Morrison. Photo: Tallulah Morrison ■ Life has never been dull for Maggie Morrison since legends and their machines. retiring as a successful drama teacher across three conFollowing the success of last year’s show, Maggie is tinents - the UK, South America and Australia. again artistic director for this year’s Legends of the Skies A 1968 award-winning exit student from London’s Series 2, opening at the Australian National Aviation Guildhall School of Music and Drama, Maggie’s Museum at Moorabbin Airport on October 8. memorable achievements include introducing a TravSeries 2 will include a focus on World War I, with elling (Medieval style) Theatre at Mentone Girls’ Sec- various plays featuring a cast of 19 actors. ondary College, a finalist Teacher of the Year 1999, Maggie says her vision for Legends of the Skies Sestate winning school director in the National Globe ries 2 is to engage a wide audience with the passions Shakespeare Competition, and a Monash Middle Years and pains of early pioneer activity in Australia, and to Drama Competition finalist teacher. alert the public to the treasures of the history of AustraAs well as acting and directing in her retirement, lian aviation that abound in the volunteer-based AustraMaggie is often a guest reviewer for the Melbourne lian National Aviation Museum. Observer, a volunteer with City of Melbourne Tour“Also to pay tribute to lives lost during the developism, a Talbot Awards judge for Beaumaris Theatre, ment of the Australian aviation industry, and by those occasional motivational speaker, a tour guide and per- who defended Australia through two world wars,” says former at Black Rock House, lecturer in Performing Maggie. Arts at RMIT Bundoora, enjoys sessional volunteer Legends of the Skies Series 2 is being presented on drama work at Parktone Primary School, and of course October 8, 9, 10, 16, 17, 18 at 7.45pm for 8pm sharp loves grand-parenting. performance, at the Australian National Aviation MuLast year Maggie collaborated with local writer/di- seum, 1 Second Ave, Moorabbin Airport. rectors Jim Williams and Cheryl Threadgold to fulfil Tickets: $20 incl. performance and light refreshher vision for an on-site performance project at the ments. Australian National Aviation Museum. Titled Legends Bookings are essential: www.trybooking.com/97781 of the Skies, the sell-out production paid tribute to air Enquiries: 9589 4912.
Roy and HG’s Festival of the Boot ■ Roy and HG will hoin ABC News Radio to cover the AFL and NRL Grand Finals. This year’s banner for the Festival of the Boot is ‘Team Australia, Operation Sink the Slipper'. The AFL Grand Final broadcast will be from 2pm, Saturday, September 27, live from the MCG. The NRL Grand Final, 7pm,
Melbourne Observations with Matt Bissett-Johnson
Sunday, October 5, live from the Olympic Stadium. H.G. Nelson believes “2014 could be the best Festival ever. With everyone rooting for Team Australia, the nation is united as never before, under the banner of the Boot”. ABC NewsRadio is on air, online, on digital radio and the ABC Radio app
■ The Great God Mogadon is being presented as part of the Melbourne Fringe Festival, from September 23 – October 5 at The Owl and the Pussycat, Richmond. Artistic director Phil Rouse takes Barry Oakley’s classic Australian radio play about the treacherous world of male politics, and reimagines it with an allfemale cast, who use Oakley’s test to poke fun at, jibe and critique the arrogance and ignorance of Australian politics. Presenting this provocative, political comedy wrapped in cheeky feminist theatre is Don’t Look Away, a company dedicated to mounting invigorating, imaginative and exploratory reactions to classic Australian plays. The Great God Mogadon is a fine example of the way the company resuscitates quality Australian theatre with their full palette of performance colours. The story tells of Edward Searle, an unimportant cog in the public service machine. Mid 40s, balding and living alone, he has never been important to anyone. That is, until one Sunday evening there is a knock at his door and he is told he must in the national interest stand in for an ailing prime minister. A lightning induction, whirlwind tour and whispers of a secret society see Searle fleeing an assassination attempt – all in a 40 minute radio play. The implausible scenario is made all the more sinister as Searle is painted as a lamb put to slaughter by the government that is supposed to be protecting him. The entire female cast in this show will present an experimental theatrical form, directly talking to the audience while telling the story of Edward Searle. This allows the audiences’ imagination to take flight as they present tightly orchestrated chorus work, revelling in Oakley’s writing. Performance season: Preview September 23, Opening night September 24, then Sept 25-28, September 30 – October 5 at 9.30pm. Venue: The Owl and the Pussycat, 23 Swan St., Richmond. Tickets: From $11. Bookings: melbournefringe.com - Cheryl Threadgold
Henry IV stars at La Mama ■ Works of Luigi Pirandello, one of the greats of 20th century Italian literature are not often performed in Melbourne, but how apt that his Enrico IV should find production in ‘Little Italy’ (Carlton) at La Mama, Courthouse. Sometimes labelled a “philosophical” playwright, Pirandello’s complexity of writing is well evidenced in Enrico IV – an engrossing tale of a seeming madman. Enrico has been voluntarily restrained in an elaborate 11th century castle for the previous 18 years, surrounded by costumed servants of that era, hired to accommodate his confused state of being, following a fall from his horse, when he was portraying Enrico. Reality, escape from reality, time and ageing, voluntary wearing of masks to control or allow control ... such issues are explored vividly here through stylized period costumes, comedic artistry, freakish makeup , original music and caricature.
Designer/director/actor Mimmo Mangione leads performers Cristina Siciliano, Guilia Campomizzi (also choreographer), Frank Minniti, McGregor Rose, Nic Panajotis, Jacob Antolini, Alexander Parisi (also musician), Toni Cuomo and Marisa Quercio to successfully imbue Pirandello’s strange story with colour, life and mystique. This production is presented almost equally in Italian and English , with some surtitles used in the second half, enabling clarity of argument. It is certainly worth struggling through the difficult to follow purpose of the first half to share the heavy, dramatic disclosures of the second. This is unusual, colourful, and often engrossing theatre at La Mama until Sunday (Sept. 14).. Tickets: 9347 6948 lamama.com.au. $25/ $15
Page 10 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, September 10, 2014
www.MelbourneObserver.com.au
ollins ■ The HM A Aw Sofitel Collins w a rrd d s were held in S y d n eeyy on Friday evening with Sofit el Melbourne On C on V an Den winning two categories. The hotel was awarded Best Environmental Program and Ant Anton Van Brink was recognised with the Hotel Engineer award. Congratulations to the entire team (of which el Melbourne On C ollins w ar ds recognise the leading staff, properI am a part) at Sofit Sofitel Collins ollins. The HM A Aw ards ties, brands and chains in the accommodation industry in Australia, New Zealand and Fiji Fiji.
● Catriona Rowntree
● David and Annie Mann
● Margaret Zita and Helen Kapalos
Magic of France
● Olivia Wells
● Angela Pye and Lorra eNicholson
■ The magic of France was celebrated at Sofitel Melbourne On Collins on Wednesday, September 3 with Atout France hosting a Tour De France themed cocktail party. Vibrant sunflowers, road bikes and miniature yellow jerseys dotted the room as 250 guests, including Catriona Rowntree, Helen Kapalos, Margaret Zita, Olivia Wells, Emily Power and Bree Laughlin enjoyed champagne and an array of French culinary delights. The evening also saw the opening of an exhibition of photographs celebrating 101 years of the Tour de France. The exhibition will be on show at Sofitel Melbourne until September 30. Photos by Fiona Hamilton
● Laurenna Toulmin and Richard Cawthorne
● Patrick Benhamou, Myriam BoisbouvierWylie and Gabriel Gate
If They Could See Me Now ■ The talented, feisty and utterly unique Shirley MacLaine is heading to Melbourne in December with her show If They Could See Me Now. MacLaine, 80, has been a show business presence for decades and recently found a new fan base thanks to her turn as Martha Levinson in the hit TV series Downton Abbey. Watching MacLaine and Dame Maggie Smith play off each other on that show was such a delight for viewers. A further delight for fans will come on December 4 when MacLaine takes to the stage at Hamer Hall for an evening of celebrity tales, showbiz stories and movie memories. For bookings go to artscentremelbourne.com.au or 1300 182 183 or ticketmaster. com.au or 1300 136 166
● Shirley MacLaine
Julia Gillard at The Regent ■ The Wheeler Centre is a terrific organisation in Melbourne that encourages the sharing of ideas and conversations. It is a literary hub that presents a diverse yearly program of speakers. I am certainly looking forward to hearing former Prime Minister Julia Gillard speak about her life, career, politics and her autobiography, My Story, as part of the Wheeler Centre's October program The ‘In Conversation'’ with Gillard will take place at the Regent Theatre on Tuesday, October 7. Regardless of which side of politics you sit, Gillard's story is sure to create great interest. She was Australia's first female Prime Minister and the Rudd/Gillard years were an extraordinary period in Australian politics. Gillard will be interviewed by Kate Langbroek at the event. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster.
Di Rolle takes a break
● Kate Bates, Scott McGory
● Gabriel Gate and Inge Fransen
● Tour de France Director Christian Prudhomme with Sofitel GM Clive Scott
● Fiona Byrne and Di Rolle at Bronte ■ I was so shocked when my Melbourne Recital Centre are: dear friend Di Rolle told me she ■ The location right in the heart was taking a break from her of the Southbank Arts Precinct; Melbourne Observer column. ■ Blondie Restaurant, which is I loved reading Di's thoughts situated next to the Recital Centre on Melbourne, celebrity, TV, and is perfect for a pre or post books and happenings around performance catch up; town. ■ You never know who you will When the idea was floated that meet in the well-appointed Audi perhaps I could do a few guest Foyer; columns, I knew exactly who I ■ The program at the would include in my first report: Melbourne Recital Centre. It is the one and only Di Rolle. diverse, vibrant, interesting and So Di and I caught up on Satur- always entertaining from the day for a chat in the beautiful Great Performers Series to the Sydney beachside suburb of American Songbook Festival; and Bronte where she updated me on finally one of her great loves, the ■ The front of house staff. They Melbourne Recital Centre. are always happy, always smiling For the record, according to Di and always so helpful. the five best things about the Thanks Di! ● Fiona Byrne is a former journalist and is the Public Relations Manager at Sofitel Melbourne On Collins. Fiona@fionabyrne.com.au
www.MelbourneObserver.com.au
Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, September 10, 2014 - Page 11
Love This City! with with
Fiona Byrne
Ashley Hart, new face of fashion
Guest Columnist
Dancing With Stars ■ Look out for Ashley Hart on the new series of Dancing With The Stars. Hart is one of 11 celebrities who will be vying for the much admired mirror-ball trophy. She is up against singer Ricki-Lee Coulter, Olympic snowboarding champion Torah Bright, model Kyly Clarke, actor April Rose Pengilly, Home and Away favourite Lynne McGranger, Olympic swimmer Eamon Sullivan, NRL player Matt Cooper, AFL player David Rodan, Home And Aawy’s Tai Hara, and singer, producer, lawyer and former reality TV judge Mark Holden. Dancing With The Stars is one of those shows it is impossible not to like. As live TV it has its share of unscripted dramas - remember Fifi Box falling down the stairs, Patti Newton proving to be a heck of a groovy granny, Molly Meldrum not quite walking like an Egyptian, Todd McKenney becoming a TV villain by awarding Nikki Webster just one point for her Tango, and Kerri-Anne Kennerley turning a piggyback into a tumble - but at its heart is fun, familyfriendly viewing. It is a show that has endured. This will be its 14th season. Bring it on, I can't wait!
Tour de France
● Kyly Clarke, April Rose Pengilly, Ricki-Lee Coulter, Ashley Hart, Lynne McGranger and Torah Bright will star in Dancing With The Stars ■ Spring got off to a colourful start last week with Melbourne Spring Fashion Week bringing the centre of the city to life through a series ■ A truly great theatre experience of stunning runway presentations. has left Melbourne with Wicked celThe shows at the Melbourne Town Hall were ebrating the end of its season on beautifully styled and showcased terrific AusSunday. tralian fashion. This production of Wicked was Most importantly what you saw on the runmagic. Lucy Durack and Jemma way were current collections that are in stores Rix, as Glinda and Elphaba, were now. fabulous and Reg Livermore was so memorable as The Wizard. Spring Fashion Week is geared to stimulate The show had a glittering openand support retail in Melbourne and works ing night at the Regent Theatre on around the idea of see it, love it, buy it. May 10 and during its run the lights There seemed to be a greater sense of occaalong Collins St were turned green. sion around Melbourne Spring Fashion Week It was a lovely way to acknowlthis year and it was certainly noticeable each edge the show. It was a show well evening in Collins St how many stylish young worth seeing. men and women were heading to the Town Hall After bringing so much joy to theto see the nightly shows. atre fans in Melbourne Wicked will Organisers also backed a winner by selecthead to Sydney. ing Ashley Hart as the Melbourne Spring FashThe countdown has now started for Once, the next major musical ion Week ambassador. theatre production to open in Although she now spends the majority of her Melbourne. The opening night of time overseas, Hart is a proud of her Melbourne Once will be at the Princess The● Glinda (Lucy Durack) and Elphaba roots and is one of the most delightful people atre on Saturday, October 4. (Jemma Rix). Photo: Jeff Busby you could meet.
‘Wicked’ says farewell to Melbourne
● Scott McGory, Myriam BoisbouvierWylie, Andrew Cannon and Kate Bates at Sofitel Melbourne ■ There was plenty of French flair at Sofitel Melbourne On Collins last Wednesday, with Atout France hosting a Tour de France themed cocktail party. The evening celebrated France as a key tourism destination for Australian travellers, with the Tour de France highlighted as a must attend sporting and cultural event. Vibrant sunflowers, road bikes and miniature yellow jerseys dotted the room as 250 guests, including Catriona Rowntree, Helen Kapalos, Margaret Zita, Olivia Wells, Emily Power and Bree Laughlin enjoyed champagne and an array of French culinary delights in Sofi's Lounge. Tour de France director Christian Prudhomme, in Melbourne for less than 24 hours, addressed guests and revealed that there would be a stage in the 2015 edition of the great race that would further strengthen ties between Australia and France. The course for next year's race will be announced on October 22. A highlight of the evening was Honorary Consul General of France, Myriam Boisbouvier-Wylie, and Honorary Consul General of Monaco, Andrew Cannon, taking on former champion cyclists Scott McGory and Kate Bates in a mock time trial. The evening also saw the opening of an exhibition of photographs celebrating 101 years of the Tour de France. The exhibition will be on show at Sofitel Melbourne On Collins until September 30.
Page 12 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, September 10, 2014
Melbourne People
ywww.MelbourneObserver.com.au
Hummingbird Luncheon At Sofitel Melbourne On Collins Photos: Fiona Hamilton
Hummingbird Spring-Summer Luncheon
● Coral Knowles and Jenny Thurston
■ The Hummingbird Ambassadors luncheon was held on Friday (Sept. 5) at the Sofitel Melbourne on Collin. It featured a Spring/Summer fashion parade by Shirley Keon. Guest speaker was David McCombe from the O'Brien Foundation. Main aim is to raise funds for research, equipment and building infrastructure for the O'Brien Institute. Only with the help of funds raised by the O'Brien Foundation can the Institute maintain its international leadership and continue to advance microsurgical knowledge through hard, laboratory based work and clinical programs. - Fiona Hamilton
● Andrea Cox, Christine Dunn and Kathy Pandelides
● Susie Coulson and Jenny Martinaich
● Annette Allison, David McCombe and Julie Leeming
● Sharon Keon and Carol Leslie
● Jo Tuddenham, Julie Gaudion and Clara Lethlean
● Sally Browne and Harrison Craig
● Thelma Peterson and Wendy McLean
● Vicki Poupounaki and Helen Reizer
www.MelbourneObserver.com.au
Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, September 10, 2014 - Page 13
Confidential Melbourne
Talk is cheap, gossip is priceless
Topical Taps ■ Nissan Skylines and Pulsars are the cars of choice by thieves in the Croydon area, say Police. ■ A boy has been remopved from a Bayside school after allegedly holding a knife to his own throat, hanging another boy’s head against then ground, and trying to strangle a classmate. ■ The Order of Australia medal for the late Keith McGowan, 3AWpersonality, was presented to his widow, Angela, at Government House last week. ■ Bookkeeper Allison Shipley, 34, of Pakenham, has been sentenced to 18 months’ jail after stealing $30,000 from her employer Petromech. She is free, having appealed the sentence. ■ The Glen Iris railway crossing at Burke Rd is to go underground one year earlier than planned.
Persecution of Pink Triangles
Indecent treatment of children halts permit
■ A man has denied that he committed offences against girls aged 11 and 14, but has unsuccessfully sought a ‘Working With Children’ permit. Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal Deputy President Heather Lambrick heard that ‘NKJ’ had been found guilty in 2001 at Rockhampton District Court of the “indecent treatment” of the two girls. The man, whose name cannot be published for legal reasons, applied to the Department of Justice late last year for the permit, but was refused. ‘NKJ’ called one family friend as a character witness, and submitted some written testimonials. Ms Lambrick said the legislation aims to protect the sexual and physical health of children. “I need to satisfied that giving an Assessment Notice would not pose an unjustifiable risk to the safety of children,” Mrs Lambrick said. “I also need to be satisfied that a reasonable person would allow his/ her child to have direct contact with NKJ that was not directly supervised
and that his engagement in any type of child-related work would not pose an unjustifiable risk to the safety of children and that it would be in the public interest for NKJ to work with children.” Ms Davidson, Counsel for the Department of Justice, argued that NKJ had placed insufficient material before VCAT to enable it to safely conclude that the man did not pose an unjustifiable risk to the safety of children. Ms Davidson warned that granting an assessment notice would give that man “unlimited abiloity to work unsupervised with children”. The Tribunal heard that in 1999 a complaint was made to Rockhampton Police Station in which a girl said a person known as ‘Craig’ attended their residence and
School goes to Court ● Christopher Brown and Eddy Segal in Bent, at Theatre Works. ■ Presented by Cut Lunch Productions at Theatre Works in St Kilda, Bent, a play by Martin Sherman, is a potentially powerful story of the persecution of gays, 'The Pink Triangles', at the hands of the Nazis. A little-known yet internationally renowned piece which has been nominated for a Pulitzer Prize and a Tony Award, Bent is set in Germany between 1934 and 1936. It was a time of both pre-war decadence and horrific intolerances in Nazi Germany for the better known sufferings of socialists, Jews and political figures, now bringing to light the plight of homosexuality in its time. It is a confronting, yet celebratory play which attempts to assure us that even in the harshest of environments; love endures in the most unlikely of settings. Although internationally renowned, this latest production to come to Melbourne, directed by Eddie Segal, doesn’t quite hit the mark in terms of evoking the emotion and provocations that is the purpose of the story. The acting is mediocre (there are moments of powerful performance but they are few and far between), the storyline seemed to be delivered in a very stagnant manner; the set design is weak, and the overall production quite disappointing. Bent is an okay night out at the theatre, but nothing to write home about in my opinion. The show has potential to move you, speak to one’s heart and to break through boundaries of traditional theatre, but failed to do so on this occasion. Season: Until September 13 Time: 8pm, Venue: Theatre Works, 14 Acland St, St Kilda Tickets: $25 Full , $20 concession and under 30, $20 Groups of 8+ Bookings: www.theatreworks.org.au or 9534 3388 - Review by Stephen Leeden
■ Brighton Grammar School has requetsed a Melbourne Magistrates’ Court hearing tomorrow (Thurs.) where it is due to allege a civil claim against Rachael Ollov Sleeman for “services rendered”. The open court hearing is set down for 9.30am.
Yes, Minister
and placed his hand up her T-shirt and on her breasts and attempted to undo her pants. The other girl said the man placed his hand on her breast and tried to kiss her on the lips. Neighbors requested that ‘Craig’ leave the residence after the first girl raised the alert. The man said he had joined the Army after Year 11 schooling, but was discharged after nine months because of a knee injury. He drank a lot at the time, explored the drug scene, was introduced to marijuana which led to heavier drug use. He became a drug addict, and used speed, heroin and cocaine, costing $300 per week. He was also with an outlawed motorcycle club. As evidence at the Tribunal progressed, he was adamant that the offences had not been committed. “I accept that the offences occurred as descibed in the Police information,” Ms Lambrick said. “Any sexualised offending against a child is serious and clearly relevant to child-related work,” Ms Lambrick said.
Rumour Mill
Inquiry
■ The Melbourne Cricket Club membership pass of dead man Michael Alfred Starkey is alleged to have been used by Sydney lawyer Denis Manning Anderson,78, reports The Sydney Morning Herald. Anderson is facing the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal on an allegation of misconduct.
Arrest
■ Ryan Thomas, of Fitzroy, 22, was arrested by Police at the weekend, following alleged indecent assaults near Rushall Railway Station and the Merri Creek Trail. He is due to face Court this week.
Charged Hear It Here First
Trader Tag anger ■ Trader Tag, the Thursday newspaper established to take the place of Trading Post, is on the nose with some Victorian newsagents, according to Mark Fletcher’s Australian Newsagency Blog. “Newsagents have received advice advice from Fairfax owned IPS (Integrated Publication Solutions) that they have been incorrectly billing for Trader Tag magazine since August 2012, giving newsagents considerable more concession than should have been the case,” Fletcher says. “Without consultation or consideration, Fairfax clawed back the commission ... the company’s poor management of the situation and the lack of reasonable consideration has damged their reputation.”
Any objections? ● Fashion designer Shirley Keon was pictured with Arts Minister Heidi Victoria at the Hummingbird Ambassadors luncheon at the Sofitel Melbourne On Collins. Photo: Fiona Hamilton
Whispers
■ Save The Planet is being registered as a political party in Victoria, according to a notice published in the Government Gazette on Thursday. Warwick Gately of the Victorian Electorial Commission says objections may be lodged until Octobet 6.
E-Mail: Confidential@MelbourneObserver.com.au
■ Matthew Newman, 31, of Berwick, is accused of stealing four Royal Children’s Hospital and Cancer Council charity tins. He is also accused of threatening to rape a woman.
‘Debt’
■ St Michael’s Grammar School has requested a Melbourne Magistrates’ Court prehearing conference for tomorrow (Thu.) morning where it is due to allege a civil claim of “debt” against Frank Anthony Mlikota.
www.MelbourneObserver.com.au
Page 10 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, September 10, 2014
Melbourne
Observer
Victoria’s Independent Newspaper First Published September 14, 1969 Every Wednesday
Melbourne
Observer
Ash On Wednesday
Last Man Standing
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 Director: Fleur Publisher and Long Editor: Ash Long Production Editor: AshLong Long Media Director: Fleur Features Editor: Editor: Peter Features Peter Mac Mac Columnists: Len Len Baker, Baker, Harry HarryBeitzel, Beitzel,Matt Matt Columnists: Bissett-Johnson,David DavidEllis, Ellis,Rob RobFoenander, Foenander, Bissett-Johnson, Kyle Galley, Christina Cross, Julie Houghton, Christina La Cross, JulieLaHoughton, Yvonne Yvonne Lawrence, Nick LeMike Souef, Mike McColl Lawrence, Nick Le Souef, McColl Jones, John Jones, TerryTerry Radford, Mark Richardson, Di Rolle, Pasquarelli, Radford, Mark Richardson, Di Aaron Aaron Rourke, Ted Ryan, Jim Sherlock, Cheryl Rolle, Rourke, Ted Ryan, Jim Sherlock, Threadgold, Kevin Kevin Trask,Trask, Veritas, Gavin Wood. Cheryl Threadgold, Veritas Distribution: Sam Sam Fiorini, Fiorini, phone phone 9482 9482 1145 1145 Distribution:
Distribution
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, pre-paid, 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.
● Steve Vizard’s Last Man Standing ■ Steve Vizard has penned a play, Last Man Standing, which will be staged by the Melbourne Theatre Company from November 6-December 12 at the Southbank Theatre, The Sumner. Tasked with saving the all-singing, all-dancing Gallipoli Centennial Concert, Australia’s most decorated soldier, Colonel Raymond Hope, discovers the last remaining Gallipoli digger is still alive, and might be the ultimate showstopper. The play will be directed by Roger Hodgman. Music has been written by Paul Grabowsky.
Long Shots
New girl
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 Copies BACK COPIES -- ARCHIVES BACK ARCHIVES BBack a c k copies C o p i efor s f2012-14 o r 2 0 1 2editions - 1 3 e dof i t i the ons of the Melbourne Observer all available at ourat our Melbourne Observerareare all available 1969-82, 2002-11 may website. Back copies for 1969-89, may be inspected by appointment at State the State be inspected by appointment at the Library Library, 328 328 Swanston St, Melbourne. of Victoria, Swanston St, Melbourne.
Independently Owned and Operated The Observer is printed by Streamline Press, TheMelbourne Melbourne Observer is printed by Streamline 155 Johnston St, Fitzroy,St, forFitzroy, the publisher, Long, for Press, 155 Johnston for theAsh publisher, Local PtyPty Ltd,Ltd, ABN ABN 67 096 063, of the regisLocalMedia Media 67680 096 680 063, of the registered office, 30Road, GlenEltham, Gully Road, Eltham. tered office, 30 Glen Gully Distributed by byAll AllDay DayDistribution. Distribution. Distributed Responsibility for election and referendum Responsibility for election and referendum comment comment accepted by Ash Ash Long. Long. is acceptedisby the Editor, Copyright © ©2013, 2014,Local LocalMedia MediaPtyPty Copyright LtdLtd (ACN)096 096680 680 063). (ACN 063).
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
with K enneth Mulholland Kenneth
A minute passed
Contact Us
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.
Melbourne TV Memories
● Lee Stamps ■ Lee Stamps has been appointed as the new drive announcer and Music Director at KRock Geelong, reports Greg Newman of Jocks Journal. Lee left SEA FM Hobart in May. She replaces Aiden Grant.
Observer Treasury Thought For The Week ■ “Because you can't argue with all the fools in the world. It's easier to let them have their way, then trick them when they're not paying attention.” - Christopher Paolini
Curmudgeon Sky News ■Observer “Don't be afraid of being scared. To be afraid is a
■ Sky News is launching an international television news service in November to replace the ABC’s Australia Network, reports The Australian newspaper.
Glass House Dept ■ One errant keystroke changed the context of the Long Shots ‘thanks’ to columnist Di Rolle last week. The word ‘run’ changed to ‘ruin’. The typo could have ruined our report ... but thankfully our readers and Di knew the spirit in which we expressed our gratitude.
sign of common sense. Only complete idiots are not afraid of anything.” - Carlos Ruiz Zafón
Text For The Week ■ “That fiftieth year shall be a jubilee for you; in it you shall neither sow nor reap what grows of itself nor gather the grapes from the undressed vines. For it is a jubilee. It shall be holy to you. You may eat the produce of the field.” - Leviticus 25-12 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.
■ And then a minute, that seemed like an hour, but was really only a minute, passed ... slowly. Just as the Monty Python comedy sketch 'A Minute Passed' leaped into Flying Circus legend, so did the minutes pass on 24 Hours. Unfortunately it passed not into legend but distant, faded memory. The year 1974 saw Mike Willesee arrive at Channel 0-10 to take the helm in News and Current Affairs. 24 Hours was hosted by John Bailey, and backed by Claudia Wright and Mike Carlton. From memory I didn't work on it, but I would have had to be swift. The five-nights-a-week program, beginning in June was gone by August. I do recall the aftermath: an empty office on the mezzanine floor, (that would later become the studio for Carson's Law), some empty glasses, some full ashtrays, and a lazy fly. And then, a minute passed ... Sadly this was not an isolated scene. For every super, brilliant, popular, star-making, audience-loving show, there are many programs that simply don't work. Sometimes they are just terrible, sometimes they are before their time or after their time, maybe they have the wrong people or the wrong style. Often they are outgunned by rival shows, wrong time-slots or perfidious backers. Some just require persistence: And that is why Neighbours lives on to this very day. But that is a tale that awaits us in the future. Hotel Story was another short-lived blip on the TV radar. Originally slated for 26 episodes, only seven were actually made before the plug was pulled. And they hadn't gone to air at that point. Crawfords produced, and the interiors of the show were mostly recorded in Studio B. I worked on the initial couple of hours. Graeme Arthur (my old 'Chief' at 7) was the director, along with John Barningham. My memories are brief: As was the show. The set fairly filled Studio B. I seem to recall revolving doors leading into a reception area and some interior hotel rooms. The reception area seemed to me to be much more a movie set than a conventional three-wall TV set. I don't know who the designer was, but it was certainly solid with lots of stained wood and plush fittings. I can't recall how many days I worked on it, although it seems now like only a couple at most. The only thing I can recall was June Salter's performance, which eventually won her a Sammy for Best Actress in a Single Television Performance. Not only did she stand out to me because of her role as a high profile executive and lesbian, but also because I had met her personally some 12 or 13 years previously in Sydney when she was married to John Meillon. At least The Bluestone Boys got to air before being cancelled. I think we did the first episode, which acted as the pilot, in Studio A, directed by Ian Crawford. The show went to air in August 1976 and featured Eric Oldfield, Carla Hoogeveen, Gary Meadows, Brian Blain and George Spartel. Later, it was directed by Charles Tingwell and others. Apparently there were 26 eps. made, but apart from Chuck Faulkner, who had appeared in Division 4, there is not a great deal that I recall. Sadly it did not have the empathy, as well as the English humour and writers of Ronnie Barker's Porridge. By 1977 the News department saw a new broom wielded by Max Grant and Jeremy Cornford. Max was a Herald chief-of-staff, and Jeremy an ex-HSV7 producer. Hardly had a minute passed before they were replaced by Michael Shildberger, and by October 1979 he and Peter Hanrahan were the new faces of 0 news. The skittles continued to tumble and in February 1980 they too were gone. A new decade: January 20, 198,0 brought a new call sign. ATV-0 was also gone. ATV-10, a new frequency, was born. In that February, John O'Loan as new, new, new news editor, ushered in another team, David Johnston and Jana Wendt. All the minutes of the Seventies had passed, some slow, some swift, many fleeting
www.MelbourneObserver.com.au Melbourne
Observer
Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, September 10, 2014 - Page 15
Sports Extra
By Len Baker
Curtain falls on Smoken Up ■ Harness racing's favourite standardbred of the modern era, Smoken Up, faced the starter for the final time in an illustrious career at Tabcorp Park Melton on Saturday (Sept. 6). Victorian fans, plus numerous interstate visitors, turned out in force to say goodbye. Although not a fairytale ending, the old boy at 12 years of age gave those in attendance something to cheer about as trainer-driver Lance Justice wasted little time in sending him forward from a one/one spot entering the straight at the bell to tackle Exciteusinthecity for the lead, but was unable to do so. Not shirking the issue, Smoken Up refused to give in, finishing a gallant fourth, with only Kotare Legend (three back the markers - behind winner home turn) and Savesom-
atimetodream which came from last to finish third.The mile rate 1-53.9 (last half - quarter ) It was always going to be a task for the champ from gate two on the second line, with the gate speed of Exciteusinthecity a telling factor. A Kiwi bred gelding by Tinted Cloud from Carnlough Bay, Smoken Up leaves the racetrack boasting 74 wins and 54 placings from 153 race appearances. While all eyes were focussed on Smoken Up, the victory of Exciteusinthecity could not be denied after defying all challengers. A Metropolitan/Excite gelding raced and trained by Terang publican Darren Cole and driven to perfection by youthful stable reinsman Tim McLean, Exciteusinthecity has been no slouch since first gracing the
tracks, recording 17 wins from 81 outings. ■ Fully American bred Ken Warkentin/Kovel eight-year-old rig My High Expectations continued his dominance in the trotting ranks when successful in the $20,505 (Group 3) True Roman Trotters Free ForAll over 2240 metres, much to the delight of Avenel owner/trainer/driver David Aiken, last season's leading metropolitan trainer. Leading easily from gate six, My High Expectations coasted at the head of affairs to score untouched by four metres in a mile rate of 1-59.3 (last half 58.4 - quarter 28.7) from the outsider Trappers Puzzle which ran the race of his life after trailing. Tender Don used the sprint lane from last on the markers to finish third. ● More on Page 50
● Winners of The Block TV program, Chantelle Ford and Steve O’Donnell, were pictured at the Spring and Summer fashion parade held by the Hummingbird Ambassadors at the Sofitel Melbourne on Collins. Photo: Fiona Hamilton
Melbourne
Observer Life & Style
Turning back the hands of time ■ The time has come for my husband and me to seriously talk about shifting house. It happens I suppose at some stage of everyone’s life. I’m always amazed when talking with friends who tell me they are about to move house again for the sixth or seventh time. I can understand if they are in the military and follow the camp, or in a job that requires moving every few months. But, I find it strange, just for the sake of shifting. My other half and I are not movers you see. That includes jobs, interests that give us pleasure, and certainly houses. The two of us are stayers, not movers. We moved into our house when we came back from our honeymoon. And we’ve been happy and contented ever since. However, we have decided it is time to move into a smaller house or at best an apartment.
It’s on the books ■ Wandering Jew was winning in the garden, and pruning the trees was risky when a ladder was involved. Besides, we didn’t need so much space. The only reason we didn’t move when we first thought about it was that I have quite a pet cemetery in the back garden. ‘ I know where every pet is buried, and under which rose bush his or her ashes are scattered. How could I leave that? Well, as the walrus said,” the time has really come”. I’ve started to pack my enormous library of books. I thought it would just be a matter of picking each book off the shelf and packing them in a box. Not so. I didn’t realise what each book meant to me and what memories they hold. Quite frankly, I can’t bring myself to part with any of them. But I must, and there are hundreds to go through.
Perversion, vice ■ So far I have a huge pile of ‘saves to be reread’ on the floor, towering over a few ‘give aways’. My husband has joined me in this task, and on the threat of divorce, has made me promise not to touch any of his books. Many years ago I went through a stage of devouring the robust historical novels of Jean Plaidy who also writes under the pseudonym of Victoria Holt. I found a bundle, and I just have to re-read every one again. The first one I came across was Beyond The Blue Mountains, a vivid and convincing story of England and Australia in the late 18th and 19th centuries.
Yvonne’s Column
with Yvonne Lawrence yvonne.lawrence@bigpond.com
Jean really recreates the perversion, vice and cruelty of that age. She wrote this book in 1964, so unless you have a pile of her novels stacked away somewhere you may it hard to find a copy. Every one of her novels is a real page-turner, and I’d try the op shops, or someone like me who is clearing out her library. I’m not getting very far with my decluttering for our shift because I keep on stopping to read.
Good memories ■ It seems that everything I look at with a view to giving away or selling, has memories that compels me to stop. Consequently, the afternoon passes and all I’ve done is relive wonderful memories. Intending to have a break from the book clearance, I decided on clearing out the top of the linen press. This top shelf held an assortment of items, mostly to do with Christmas gifts that I had bought and forgotten about, and odds and ends of knitting wool, needles and pattern books, But I did find an electric pokerwork machine. It belonged to my mother and would have been used for craftwork in the 30s. That’s where my time went that day. I just had to plug it in and have a go at burning the needle into some wood to see how it worked. That was another afternoon gone. One friend encouraged me to go away on a holiday and whilst I’m gone have professional packers to come in and have everything ready for moving when I returned. What a ridiculous idea. I’m loving my memories, and finding things that I had forgotten.
Our collectables ■ Moosh, my cat, has also loved me sitting on the floor going through boxes, and together we are wasting more time, but who cares. Playing music while I work also fills me with nostalgia. There are many tunes that remind me of people long forgotten, or some terrific experience from many years ago. I’d forgotten that when I was first married I collected tea towels and aprons. They were put away in the linen press and for some reason collecting fell out of favour with me, so they were pushed to the back of a shelf. Finding them was like finding gold. Tea towels in every shape and size, some still in pretty wrapping, and aprons from all around the world. I managed to bring back a pinny from most of the restaurants where I ate simply by admiring the waiter’s aprons. Peter wears some very butch aprons from France when he’s cooking something that could be a bit messy. Now how could I not take time to think about where they all came from and in what circumstances they had been acquired. Our problem is that we are both collectors. I refuse to use the term hoarders because we don’t look at it like that. Peter has magazines from all over the world from the 60’s. He was often pictured in the social pages with a socialite draped over his arm. These have given us much mirth, and also the wish that we could remain as we were. But it doesn’t happen like that, and any lines on my face I’ve earned, and I wear them with pride, plus a dab of wrinkle -free day cream
If I had a problem, I would throw it open and many times a solution was suggested by a staff member I would have least expected. So good were they at finding a solution I gave a couple of theatre tickets to any member who came up with the idea. They were encouraged that before they complained about something, they had to have a solution. It worked every time, and together we solved many seemingly unsolvable problems. I always try to ‘walk the mile in the Indian’s moccasins’ before I make a decision. It’s so easy to voice an opinion on something when one doesn’t know what it is really about. A listener rang the open line one night and told me about her violent partner who was bashing her at every chance. I wondered why she didn’t leave him. And I suggested she hide a bit of money, no matter how small, so that she would have some money to at least get a taxi. That brought an avalanche of letters from women who were suffering from domestic violence in silence.
Short on answers
Photo flashbacks
■ Listening to Parliament while fossicking through drawers and boxes, I really think the cold winter weather in Canberra has got to them. I’ve never listened to such utter nonsense. The Opposition repeats questions over and over again, and I wonder why Opposition Leader Bill Shorten is refusing to accept the answers. He never gives us a solution to any problem, only brickbats to any plan suggested by the Government. I want to be able to compare the Government and Opposition’s proposals, I won’t even mention the Senate. I turned the radio off because I couldn’t stand the interjecting and babble of noise blocking out question time.
■ I was invited to attend a meeting with them. Never have I wished that I had not tried to offer a solution when really I knew nothing about domestic violence, and to what extent these women were so brutally abused. So, I walked the mile in their shoes, and listened. I changed my views, and when I became a counsellor, I knew exactly what the women were telling me and why. I became a good listener. I wished I’d kept some of the poems that they sent me. Heart-breaking to read, but admiration for each of the women who wrote them. I’m looking forward to cleaning out the drawers in my office desk and sorting through hundreds of old photographs, which are sure to evoke more memories. Good karma - Yvonne Contact: Editor, Melbourne Observer P.O. Box 1278, Research, 3095
Walk a mike ■ When I was managing a shopping centre I would hold monthly meetings with my staff, and anything could be raised without fear or favour.
Page 16 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, September 10, 2014
New research essay competition
● Tony McMahon of Chisel Lodge and Murray Treseder, Secretary of the Chisel Scholarship Trust, the winner of the award Nakeya Mountjoy from the Loddon P - 12 College and Ted Finch a member of the Freemasons Victoria Board of Benevolence, who make a considerable contribution to the award prize. ■ This year marked the third year that The Chisel Lodge (Research) No. 434 Essay Competition was conducted. This Lodge, which is one of only two Masonic Research Lodges in Victoria, has just recently moved its meeting place to Swan Hill. The award is presented annually to a student in years 9 through to 12 who attend any of the 16 secondary schools in the catchment area of Lodge. The successful entrant of the 2014 competition was Nakeya Mountjoy, a year 9 student of the East Loddon P-12 College situated at Calivil, whose topic " A History of Bear's Lagoon " made for a most interesting and thoroughly readable account of the Bear's Lagoon district, where she resides, and its history. The result was announced at a special meeting of the Lodge when the winner read her original paper to Lodge members, visitors and most significantly to her whole family, who travelled all the way from Bear's Lagoon to attend the presentation. The award was presented to the successful applicant by Tony McMahon, the Worshipful Master of The Chisel Lodge and Ted Finch, a member of the Freemasons Victoria Board of Benevolence. Competition entrants were required to write an original research essay of 2,500 words on an historical topic of their choice for their district. The winner received a cheque for $1,000 and a special award certificate. This prize is made available annually from funds provided by The Chisel Lodge from funds that it has set aside for this specific purpose. These funds are augmented on an equal basis by a generous contribution from the Freemasons Victoria Board of Benevolence.
Heart starter for Swan Hill
● Heather Grant of Bendigo Bank presents the defibrillator to Bob Renfrey, Chairman of the Centre Management Committee. Looking on are representatives of Swan Hill Lodge, Tresco Lodge, and Order of the Eastern Star. ■ A defibrillator was presented to members at the Swan Hill Masonic Centre on Monday September 1 following a generous offer from the Bendigo Bank All members who meet in the Centre were offered this machine on the condition that they contribute $100 towards it, with Bendigo Bank making up the shortfall. A truly generous gift from our own local Victorian bank. Thanks Bendigo!
www.MelbourneObserver.com.au
Reginald Gregory’s memory lives on at the Shrine ■ Approximately 70 students from two schools; Westbourne Grammar School and The Grange College, visited the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne to attend the Annual Reginald and Laura Gregory Memorial Lecture. The lecture, Kokoda Leadership Day for Students, was held on Monday September 1. The lecture was presented by Charlie Lynn, MLC who has been running treks along the Kokoda Track since the 1980s, and in October will complete his 74th trek of the Track. The Freemasons Public Charitable Foundation funds this annual presentation in memory of both Reginald and Laura Gregory, who were both significant contributors to the Foundation. In June of this year, The Freemasons Public Charitable Foundation donated $4000 towards the continuation of the lecture which is a significant inclusion in the Shrine's educational calendar year. The lecture includes an orientation and audio visual viewing of the Shrine, a tour of the Shrine, a service of remembrance in the Sanctuary, a memorial lecture and a viewing of a brief documentary about Punchbowl students walking the Kokoda Track. Reginald Gregory, born in 1911, served in the Victoria Militia Forces from the 1920s where he learnt the importance of communication, discipline, coordination and leadership. In the Second World War, he served as an Air Raid Warden and did voluntary part-time work as an accountant at the Victoria Barracks. Reginald Gregory was an outstanding Freemason in Victoria for a period of 80 years. He served as a Grand Master from 1978 to 1980 and was always ably supported by his wife Laura throughout his Masonic career. For further information please contact the Shrine on 9661 8107 or visit www.shrine.org.au
● Shrine Presenter, Charlie Lynn, MLC. Photos: Contributed
● Chief Executive, Shrine of Remembrance, Denis Baguley.
● Students visit the Shrine of Remembrance tour.
■ Members of the Melbourne High School Lodge are hosting a Speyside Whisky Tasting function in aid of Project 661, on Sunday, September 21. Melbourne High School educates many regional students who currently travel long distances to get to and from school. Project 661 aims to raise enough funds to contribute towards the building of a multi-storey apartment complex that will enable regional students to stay in Melbourne during their schooling. The event will offer two of the best-selling malt whiskies in the world, the Glenfiddich and the Glen Grant, both from Speyside, the famous whisky producing region in Scotland. With a lovely selection of food and other beverages; gin and vodka for tasting, this is a wonderful opportunity to visit the school in South Yarra for this very special fundraiser. All tasting selections are available for sale at a discount and also include two Balvenie options for those who prefer something a little more mature. To attend the tastings, please pre-pay $70 per head. Bookings close and payment is required by September 14. Those who have volunteered as 'designated drivers' can attend at $35 per head and will automatically be entered into a raffle to win a one-litre bottle of 10year-old Isle of Jura whiskey. Please note that due to liquor licencing laws this event must be pre-paid, payment will not be taken on the day. Please contact Jonathan Krane on jonathanlkrane@live.com.au or call 0422 55 112 to register now.
● 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. ● Don't miss Series 2 of Freemasons: The Inside Story, airing Monday nights at 8:30pm on Channel 31, or visit www.C31.org.au to watch it online.
www.MelbourneObserver.com.au Melbourne
Observer
Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, September 10, 2014 - Page 17
West Hollywood
Ramada Plaza and Suites fully booked From my suite at the Ramada Plaza Hotel and Suites comes this week's news.
Prime-time Emmy time
■ As traditional and digital T.V. networks step up their original productions and attract more Hollywood A-listers, the Emmy Awards have become more important for both artistic and financial reasons. MTV Video Music Awards have reached a new high. Diva extraordinaire Beyonce showed all her colleagues how it is done.
Molly’s 50 years
■ I was interviewed about my good friend Ian ‘Molly’ Meldrum and his his 50 years in showbiz. Molly's career spans a half-century as a record producer, presenter, writer, performer and interviewer. Along the way he has interviewed many of the world's top rock stars including The Beatles, Madonna. Rod Stewart, Bette Midler, Sir Elton John and Michael Jackson. It was indeed a pleasure to talk about his amazing body of work. With all the award shows and interviews it is not hard to run into many celebrities around Hollywood. Seen dining at one of the hot spots in West Hollywood, Cicconi's, was Sharon Stone, Kelsey Grammer and Kris Kardashian.
Lord Richard, dead at 90 ■ The respected actor, producer and director and Academy Award-winning director of Gandhi, the multiple Oscar-winning best picture of 1982, passed away at the age of 90. Lord Richard Attenborough had been in poor health after a fall in 2008. Over more than six decades he appeared in more than 70 films including The Great Escape, The Flight of the Phoenix, The Sand Pebbles and Doctor Dolittle, just to name a few. He directed Sir Ben Kingsley to his Oscar-winning performance as Gandhi. Sir Ben was heartbroken with the loss of such a fine, fellow actor and director. Sir Ben Kingsley has his LA residence behind the Ramada Plaza in the Suites in Westmount St.
● Sir Ben Kingsley with Alan Johnson
Everly Brothers honoured
● Pictured is Sharon Stone with Managing Director of the Ramada Plaza Hotel and Suites, Alan Johnson. I was behind the camera for this shot.
■ The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame will salute the Everly Brothers on October 25 at the annual Music Masters tribute concert with an all-star line up. Already signed to perform Everly Brothers songs are Emmylou Harris, Vince Gill, Graham Nash, PeterAsher and Shelby Lynne. Don and Phil Everly were among the original 10 artists inducted into the Hall of Fame upon its formal opening in 1986. Their list of hits, built around seamless sibling harmonies, includes Cathy's Clown, When Will I Be Loved, Bye Bye Love and Wake Up Little Susie. Phil Everly died back in January this year at the age of 74 from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease caused by many years of cigarette smoking. Tickets for the tribute concert will be available to the general public starting Friday (Sept. 12). It will all happen in Cleveland. For more info check out: tickets.rockhall.com
She's Kim Kardashian West, Don't You Forget It ■ "It's Kim Kardashian West." Emphasis on the West. In case you didn't hear, the reality star took her husband Kanye West's surname around the beginning of August when she snapped a new passport photo and announced to the world, "#Mrs. West #NameChange." British GQ editor Dylan Jones, apparently missed that Instagram post, and Kim needed to correct him when he presented her with the award for GQ's Woman of the Year. "She is quite simply one of the most famous women in the world. She's glamorous, omnipotent and beautiful. She's properly Coca Cola famous. Who else could we give it to this year? Ladies and gentleman, please give a huge GQ round of applause for our Woman of the Year: Kim Kardashian." Yes, even after a glowing introduction such as that, Kim found a way to be irritated because, "It's Kim Kardashian West," damn it.
● The Everly Brothers
Next Pirates to sail in 2017?
GavinWood
From my Suite at the Ramada Plaza Complex on Santa Monica Blvd
Mariah Carey starts divorce ■ It sounds like the end of Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon's marriage could be near. Following lots of marriage drama and countless reports they're headed for a split, a source close to the couple's rocky relationship says, "Mariah has started the divorce process. She's getting all her ducks in a row." "Nick recently asked if she wanted to bring in a marriage counsellor" to help them with their issues but Carey is still upset about Cannon's comments to the press regarding their troubles. "She won't be caught off-guard again, She was devastated when he spoke out about their issues. She's started the proceedings to make sure the ball is in her court from now on." ● Kim Kardashian West
De Rossi joins Scandal ■ Portia de Rossi is joining Scandal when the ABC series returns on September 25. The news about De Rossi's casting first broke when her wife Ellen DeGeneres tweeted: "So annoying when people brag on Twitter and that's why I'm not tweeting that Portia just signed on to do a top secret role on Scandal. Oops." It's the ones closest to you that you have to worry about.
Usher’s arena tour ■ Usher announced his first tour in three years. The multiplatinum Grammy winner is prepping an arena tour that will take him to 27 cities across North America. Kickoff is November 1 in Montreal and stops include the Staples Centre in Los Angeles on November 21. It has been a long time since he has toured Australia but I believe negotiations are underway to get one of the most exciting performers downunder.
www.gavinwood.us
■ The fifth instalment of Disney's blockbuster Pirates Of The Caribbean franchise starring Johnny Depp has been scheduled for release mid-2017. The new film, often referred to with the secondary title Dead Men Tell No Tales, is being directed by Norwegian filmmakers Joachim Ronning and Espen Sandberg, and written by Jeff Nathanson. Pirates 5 will come six years after the most recent instalment, On Stranger Tides. The four Pirates movies have a combined gross of $3.73 billion worldwide. That's with a ‘B’
For sale at $150 million ■ The Manor, the former Candy and Aaron Spelling estate that British heiress Petra Ecclestone, daughter of Formula 1 billionaire Bernie Ecclestone, brought before her marriage in 2011 for $85 million, is being shown privately at an asking price of $150 million. The 56,500 square foot mansion has 14 bedrooms and 27 bathrooms. It sits on 4.7 acres in Holmby Hills next door to Beverly Hills. Built in 1991, the mansion is about 1500 square feet larger that the White House.
Coming to Los Angeles?
■ If you are considering a move to Los Angeles or just coming over for a holiday then I have got a special deal for you. We would love to see you at the Ramada Plaza Hotel and Suites, 8585 Santa Monica Boulevard, West Hollywood. I have secured a terrific holiday deal for readers of the Melbourne Observer. Please mention 'Melbourne Observer' when you book and you will receive the 'Special Rate of the Day'. Please contact: Joanna at info@ramadaweho.com Happy Holidays, Gavin Wood.
Page 18 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, September 10, 2014
www.MelbourneObserver.com.au
Victoria Pictorial
Balwyn Nostalgia Collection
● Balwyn Road, Balwyn. 1939.
● Early photo of homes at Balwyn
● Balwyn Road, North Balwyn. 1966
● Balwyn Cinema, 1974
● Whitrehorse Rd, looking west, Balwyn, 1989
● Balwyn Junior Football Club. 1917
● Balwyn/Deepdene, looking west. 1917
● Dr Inglis’s Surgery, Balwyn, 1927
Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, September 10, 2014 - Page 19
www.MelbourneObserver.com.au
Melbourne People
● Christine, with Terry Donovan and Belinda Visser
‘The Carer’ Opening Night at the Lawlor Theatre Melbourne Theatre Company Photos: Tony Healey
● Chris and Finci de Kretser
The Carer opening night
● Olga Florenini and Annie Will
■ Alan Hopgood starred in his one-man show The Carer at The Melbourne Theatre Company's Lawler Theatre at the weekend. The play is a heart-warming tale of a man rediscovering joy after the death of his wife. It is one of 10 plays Hopgood has written that bring art and health together and take on challenging health issues. They came about after he adapted his own story of prostate cancer into the surprising comedy, For Better, For Worse. Hopgood, who just celebrated his 80th birthday, chose The Carer to start the season and to honour the memory of Charles 'Bud' Tingwell, who, at 82, first performed the play, touring Australia twice giving 260 performances. Hopgood says the plays inspired by true-life stories provide theatregoers with an entertaining look at everyday health issues, says Hopgood. HealthPlays are now touring nationally. To find out more, go to www.healthplay.com.au - Tony Healey
● John Wood and Terry Donovan
● Marshall Segan, Alan Hopgood and Stephen Davis
● Gay and Alan Hopgood with Margot Knight
● Ilena and Tim Swallow
● Sue and Dr John Tickell
www.MelbourneObserver.com.au
Page 20 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, September 10, 2014
■ Carole Lombard was one of the highest paid film stars in Hollywood during the 1930s. I wonder how many people still remember her. Carole died before I was born but I love watching her old films - she was beautiful and very good in her comedy roles. Jane Alice Peters was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana in 1908. When Jane was six, her parents separated and her mother took the children to Los Angeles. At the age of 12, she was spotted by a Hollywood director as she played baseball in the street. She had a small role in the silent film A Perfect Crime. Her first lead role came in 1925 when she starred in Hearts and Spurs using the stage name of Carol Lombard. Carol was in a car accident in 1925 which resulted in a scar on her left cheek which was noticeable throughout her life. She made a series of short films with comedy director Max Sennett. When the ‘talkies’ arrived Carol made the transition with great success. She signed a contract with Paramount Studios and when they spelt her name incorrectly in a film credit she liked the change and from that point was known as Carole Lombard. In 1931 Carole co-starred with William Powell in Man of the World and they and married in the same year. Powell was 18 years older than Carole and the marriage lasted only two years but they re-
Whatever Happened To ... Carole Lombard By Kevin Trask of 3AW and 96.5 Inner FM mained friends over the years and still co-starred together in comedy films. In 1934 she was cast opposite Bing Crosby in We're Not Dressing and the film was a box office smash. Carole was madly in love with the singer Russ Columbo until his untimely death as the result of an accidental gunshot. Carole had a reputation for straight talking and was not afraid to stand up for her rights. In 1936 she was nominated for an Academy Award. Carole worked with Hollywood's leading men and her films included My Man Godfrey, In Name Only, Nothing Sacred, They Knew What They Wanted and Mr and Mrs Smith. Carole and Clark Gable had worked together in silent films as extras but became romanti-
● Carole Lombard cally linked in 1936. They married in 1939 and lived on a 20-acre ranch at Encino, California, where they enjoyed the outdoors together. Her final film was To Be or Not to Be with Jack Benny which satirised the Nazi takeover
of Poland. In the early hours of January 16, 1942, Carole, her mother and her publicist boarded a plane in Indiana, where Carole had been participating in a war bond rally. The plane crashed into a mountain in the Las Vegas area and the22 people on board were killed instantly. Clark Gable was inconsolable but flew to the site of the crash to identify the bodies. He was present at the launch of the SS Carole Lombard in 1944 which was named in her honour to mark her extraordinary work to raise money for the war effort. As her death was only a few weeks after America entered the war Carole was posthumously awarded The Medal of Freedom by President Franklin D. Roosevelt as the first woman killed in the line of duty in WWII. When Gable died in 1960 he was buried beside Carole in accordance with his wishes. The platinum blonde actress from the golden days of Hollywood lives on in her films and we can still enjoy her great talent. Kevin Trask The Time Tunnel - with Bruce & PhilSundays at 8.20pm on 3AW That's Entertainment - 96.5FM Sundays at 12Noon 96.5FM is streaming on the internet. To listen, go to www.innerfm.org.au and follow the prompts.
Dubious distinctions in the Territory
■ There are various activities which the youth of Australia indulge in to relieve the tedium and boredom of their lives. Down here we regularly read of graffiti ‘artists’ sneaking around railway yards to ply their insidious trade amongst moving trains. Then there are those who hop on to the backs of trains and trams to hitch
rides as they trundle down the tracks one young fellow was recently electrocuted. In Alice Springs, it's often just throwing rocks. These missiles are regularly used as weapons , often being thrown by warring parties and individuals. Obviously if they're big enough, projected with force and accuracy,
For $99 a year, have the Observer home delivered to your letterbox Observ er Melbou rne
Don’t miss a single issue of the Melbourne Observ er Observer er.. For a discount ed pric 9 (a ounted pricee ooff $9 $99 (avvailable for a short time only only)) w wee will mail erbo wn ccop op o yyour our lett your oown opyy tto letterbo erboxx us tr alia). Or ganise (an Organise (anyywher wheree in A Aus ustr tralia). by phone or mail ttoda oda odayy.
Phone 1800 231 311 and pay by Credit Card Or mail to Observer Subs, PO Box 1278, Research, Vic 3095 and pay by cheque, money order or Card (V, M, AE) Yes! Please or ganise a Melbourne Observ er mail subscrip tion ffor or organise Observer subscription 45 is sues ffor or $99 (normally $213. tand the subscrip tion issues $213.775). I unders understand subscription will be automatically rolled over unless I advise otherwise. Name: .................................................................................................................................. Postal Address: .............................................................................................................. ............................................................ Postcode: ....................................................... Phone: .......................................................................................................................... Cr edit Car d (V Credit Card (V,, M, AE): ....................................................................................... Expiry: ..................................................
Subject to standard subscription terms and conditions
they do some serious damage. So a movie maker, Raymond Walker, has been working on a documentary to try and discourage kids from this activity, often stoning passing and stationary cars, smashing windscreens and causing heaps of other damage. It's a story showing a young kid being hooked up in peer pressure, chucking rocks from the top of Anzac Hill at cars passing below. He ends up killing his grandfather, and the rest of the documentary emphasises, via messages from police and ambulance drivers and past victims, the damage these kids can do with this deadly pursuit. Hope it does some good. ■ The Territory has the dubious distinction of having three times the national per-head alcohol consumption. So it is likely that there will be a few incidents which reflect this. Last week a gentleman was charged with driving with an unrestrained five year old in his car. However he did have a seatbelt restraining his slab of VB. And then there was a drunken sailor who was driving back to the Larrakeya Naval Base at about 2am, when he decided to do some texting. He crashed through a fence, and then staggered out of his car and fell over a cliff. He was discovered on the rocks below, happily alive, by joggers the next morning, and his reading was still 0.130 at 9am. Then another driver had decided to perform a burn-out in front of a police car at a pub in Nightcliff. He was 0.132. But some magistrates tend to be a little lenient. One, a few years ago, told a drinker who registered 0.172: "Actually I'm surprised - your reading is quite low for these parts." Then last week in Tennant Creek another driver was caught burning out - it was his 15th drink driving offence, and his 18th driving while disqualified. He's serving some time this time, so this may slow him down. ■ And then a couple of young ladies in Darwin who have come to the attention of police. The first lost the plot recently when she set fire to a car. She bashed in all the windows with a brick, and then set it on fire, running around screaming. "She's a little bit upset about some-
The Outback Legend
with Nick Le Souef Lightning Ridge Opals 175 Flinders Lane, Melbourne Phone 9654 4444 www.opals.net.au thing," said Constable Nick Carter. Then Jocelyn Gakamann had been in a pub in Marara and drank about a bottle of vodka. Her partner then drove her from the pub and an altercation ensued, so she tried to jump out at about 80kmh. The partner managed to prevent this and stopped the car. She then proceeded to rip out the gear stick, perform a bit more damage, and bit him several times. And apparently a month earlier she had smashed the car's windscreen with rocks after she was evicted from his unit. Now a bit of time inside to cool off. ■ In Victoria if someone is reported to have been bitten by something, it's usually a dog of some description often a pit bull or its vicious ilk. And occasionally a horse will give someone a nip, and even, which happened to a friend of mine a few years ago, a cat. This was a diseased feral, and because he had AIDS, complications set in, and the bite was fatal. But in the Territory there is another possibility - bats. And this just hap-
pened to Debbie Riley at Roper River. She was just returning home when she heard a noise on the roof, "and the next thing I know there is a bat just aiming at me through the sky and he just bit on to me. “He peed all over me, and I grabbed its wings and pushed it off". Of course there are always warnings current about being bitten by a rabid dog, or a bat, so Deb needed instant attention from this perspective. "These disgusting things carry lyssavirus and tetanus and rabies," she said, so she got a quick shot for all of these. I don't think I'll be I'd be particularly welcoming to a big flapping bat sinking its teeth into my leg.
■ I have often seen some strange sights as I trod around the Centre. Just witnessing Starlady, whom I mentioned last week, roaming the streets of Alice was a bizarre sight. And I have seen a tough old tattooed truckie riding a bike along the Stuart Highway towing a micro road train containing all his goods and chattels, wearing a dress. And some hospital patients being wheeled along the Mall in wheelchairs by their mates - still in their pyjamas and still hooked up to a drip. And many a drunk exhibiting eccentric drunken behaviour, often an inappropriate bodily function performed in public in the cold hard light of day. This incident, from about three years ago, which I reported upon then, has just belatedly gone viral. Police had pulled over an old battered ute to routinely breath test the driver. But in this case, circumstances were a little more unusual from the run-of-the-mill test. Firstly, the driver was a 13-yearold boy. Secondly he had firearms in the car - a loaded .22 rifle, a 20 gauge shotgun, and a high powered .243 rifle as well, and heaps of ammunition. But probably the most unusual aspect of the situation was that he was towing a full grown dead donkey along in the dust behind the ute. Never seen that down here. - Nick Le Souef ‘The Outback Legend’