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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 14, 2013 www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

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■ Simone Callahan and Lydia Nunnes were part of the Opening Night crowd at Hot Shoe Shuffle at Her Majesty’s Theatre on Saturday night. More photos on Page 13.

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Page 2 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, August 14, 2013

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Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, August 14, 2013 - Page 3

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City Desk

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The hottest news about Melbourne’s A-listers

The Buzz Etta James Story returns Election fever

● Kevin Rudd in last Sunday’s televised debate ■ The countdown is on to the September 7 Federal election. Both leaders, Kevin Rudd and Tony Abbott, have included Victoria on their itinerary in the lead-up.

The Australian Electoral Commission has issued a reminder that anyone interested in running as a House of Representatives or Senate candidate in the has until 12 Noon tomorrow (Thurs., Aug. 15) to nominate.

■ There have been reports of a scam where senior citizens have been telephoned, with an offer to vote by phone.

● Vika Bull

Under The Clocks Lawrence’s amazing book launch

BOMBERS CHARGES

Fisk performs

● Gene Bradley Fisk ■ Country music artist Gene Bradley Fisk will perform at Ruby’s Pop Up Cafe, 111 Mollison St, Kyneton, from 7pm on Saturday, September 7.

Organiser Roni Wildeboer, phone 0424 938 931, says tickets are available for $30 each, and proceeds will go towards Artists For Orphans. ● Free publicity is available for events.

E-mail info to editor@ melbourneobserver.com.au

■ At Last: The Etta James Story is returning to Melbourne’s Athenaeum Theatre from November 12-17, following seasons at the Sydney Opera House and major theatres around the country.

The show features the powerhouse talent of Vika Bull, one of Australia’s most respected, powerful soul singers, At Last has garnered standing ovations and rave reviews throughout its Australian tour, according to publicist Rain Fuller. Tickets go on sale tomorrow (Thurs.).

● James Hird

■ Essendon Football Club were reportedly to gace charges yesterday (Tues,.) from the Australian Football League.

When the Observer went to press in the late afternoon (Tues.), there had been no news of any charges having been delivered.

The AFL is to said allege that supplements were improperly used by the Bombers last year.

Some media reports said that James Hird, the Essendon coach had been in secret talks. He denied this, and said that he had been reading stories to his children at his home.

There had been expectations of a media conference at 9am yesterday.

Hird forecast the Bombers would fight any charges handed down by the AFL over the supplements saga.

“I think we all find it hard to believe that charges can be laid on individuals or the club when none of our players have (been) shown to take performance-enhancing drugs, none of our players have shown that they’ve been harmed by anything that’s been given.”

Tickets have gone on sale for Carl Barron’s A One Ended Stick ★ Exclusive DVD Launch Show at the Princess Theatre on Tuesday, October 22.

Close friends have asked that it be noted that Melbourne master mil ★ liner Paris Kyne died of a fatal heart attack. Some newspapers have added Lifeline messages causing erroneous speculation that he took his own life.

Melbourne-based and Brixton-born jazz diva, Ruth Rogers-Wright ★ will appear in Nina Simone: Black Diva Power at Chapel Off Chapel from September 18-28.

Melbourne Moments Click go shears

Show, expo

■ Former 3AW Overnighters host Keith McGowan (pictured at right) has an appointment with Williamstown hairdresser Steven Heath this week.

McGowan adopted the wild and woolly look after his son Nathan asked why Keith was using No 2 clippers in his retirement.

Keith grew his hair, vowing not to cut it until his son made another remark. Nathan did, last Sunday.

The hair cut appointment has been set for tomorrow (Thurs.) afternoon.

Steven is known as a ‘hairdresser to the stars’.

■ Fishing, boating and water-sport enthusiasts will be kept busy at next week's National 4x4 & Outdoors Show and Fishing & Boating Expo at the Melbourne Showgrounds, August 23-25, with hundreds-of-thousands of products on display and masses of show specials.

Metro Trains will run a special train service on the Saturday and Sunday for show patrons with trains running every 20 minutes from Flinders St, stopping at Southern Cross and North Melbourne stations, then express to the Showgrounds.

● Keith McGowan

● Derryn Hinch was photographed with Observer columnist Di Rolle at the launch of Lawrence Money’s latest book, Amazing Aussie Bastards, at Corrie Parkin’s My Bookshop. Di’s report in on Page 10.

Darebin Music Feast goes online ■ The 2013 Darebin Music Feast program will be available online from today (Wed.). Explosive and imaginative aural pleasures are on offer at www.musicfeast.com.au, says publicist Michelle Buxton.

Melbourne's music community comes together to celebrate songwriting and music in all its forms at the Feast.

There is a diverse collection of musical events of all genres, built on the philosophy that music brings people together.

The 2013 Darebin Music Feast runs from Wednesday-Sunday, September 18-29 and presents more than 150 events, in over 25 venues throughout Northcote, Westgarth, Preston, Thornbury, Reservoir, Bundoora and Fairfield, including loads of free events.

The City of Darebin has committed new funds to the annual Music Feast in order to deliver a new curated program, and to grow the diversity of music projects with the festival. Some initiatives for 2013 include the creation of a festival hub bar.

Named The Bain Marie, the 200-capacity bar will be housed in the Northcote Town Hall Civic Square. Entrance to the bar will be free and will present a broad selection of music, kid-friendly lunchtime gigs, open decks vinyl sessions, community participation and music comedy.

A blend of craft brewers, spirit and wine makers have been selected to stock the bar and are excited to deliver educational tastings and showcases of their tailor made products.

Partners include East 9th Brewing Co. with Doss Blockos, Fog City Red Sangria, Lick Pier Ginger Beer, Golden Axe Cider, West Winds Gin, 666 Pure Tasmanian Vodka and Tequila Tromba.

Artists performing will include Howlin Steam Train, Quarry Mountain Dead Rats, Royal Jelly Dixieland Band, Chris Russell Chicken Walk, Chook Race, The Tiger; plus soul, gypsy and folk acts.

What’s On In Melbourne

Daffodil Day will be held by the Cancer Council on August 23. ★ The 2013 range includes pens $6; daffodil pins $5; Chef Dougal Bear $10, rugby ball $7, daffodil magnet $4, keyring $7 and fresh daffodils cost $7 per bunch.

Country Racing Victoria has this week announced the four final ists for this year's Centrebet Victoria Country Racing Club of the Year Awards. They are the Cranbourne Turf Club, Dunkeld Racing Club, Swan Hill Jockey Club and Wangaratta Turf Club.

The first ever Australian Women’s Health Week is taking place from September 2-6. Ambassadors including Deborah Hutton, Simone Buchanan and Melinda Schneider.

★ ★

PHOTO: IKON IMAGES

Page 4 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, August 14, 2013

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Mark Richardson ♥ Straight from the heart

E-Mail: mark@localmedia.com.au

STILL ARTISTIC AS ANYTHING

■ If you've joined in the debate that links exists between genetics and sibling creativity; and you need two living examples to close your affirmative argument, then, like me, you could simply point out the talented O'Doherty brothers.

With their feet planted firmly in the music and art worlds, New Zealand born brothers, Peter O'Doherty and Chris O'Doherty (better known by the pseudonym Reg Mombassa) were the founding members of Aria Awardwinning Australian band Mental As Anything, and are celebrated awardwinning visual artists.

Peter specialises in still-life works; domestic, suburban architecture, landscapes of urban scenes and streetscapes; whilst Reg is well renowned for his idiosyncratic work for Mambo Graphics and as a fine artist.

When they take a break from creating art and their exhibitions, together they continue to spearhead the Dog Trumpet band they created before leaving the Mentals in the late 1990s.

Continuing along parallel career paths, the talented siblings have released Dog Trumpet's sixth album Medicated Spirits in Australia, United States and Canada, on the Toronto-based Orange label.

Recorded and mixed by Peter in Sydney at his Big Brain Studio over the past three years, the double album CD and vinyl hosts a stellar line up of guest musicians.

Dog Trumpet Porch Thoughts

Travelling by car from Sydney to Melbourne along with bass player Bernie Hayes and drummer Iain Shedden, the four-piece band will perform shows in Melbourne and throughout Victoria.

Caught between an afternoon of rehearsing and painting, on his artistic Porch in Coogee (near Randwick), Peter was more than happy to share his thoughts on art, Dog Trumpet's music and the inspiration behind their latest collaboration.

In reference to genetics and creativity, how much of your and Reg's creative ability do you attribute to your parents?

Certainly our Dad's Irish background and musical talents, and our Mum's love of singing, amateur theatre and performing in choirs certainly played a part. Reg and I are fortunate to have been able to follow our musical passion, where our father unfortunately couldn't.

Off The Porch Thought For The Day Bernie Hayes Singer/songwriter/Bass This tour we are travelling by car. Stop the car; photograph that tree; hillside; house; horse and tractor as inspiration for Pete and Reg's canvasses. These trips also provide subject matter for their songs like our rolling countryside drive down to Apollo Bay with The Kinks (best of album) for inspiration. Experience on the road has brought calm. Dog Trumpet is laid back. It's a good mood. It's like a family holiday - so just shut up in the back seat.

What are your first memories of arriving in Australia from New Zealand?

I remember sailing into Sydney when I was 10. The Opera House was under construction and we settled in the northern beaches area, which looked a bit like Auckland in those days.

As founding members of the iconic band -'Mental As Anything', why did you and Reg form Dog Trumpet while still with the 'Mentals'?

We hadn't recorded a Mentals album for a while, and the process had become a bit cumbersome. At the same time, I was expanding my visual arts work. We thought it was a good time for us to go back to creating our own music, in a more relaxed way, at our own pace.

How did the name Dog Trumpet name come about?

We had been throwing a few names around, including Dog Trumpet, which was a reference to Reg's artwork. As we were finalising our first tracks for the new act, 'Dog Trumpet' stood out as the most workable. It's a bit like naming a child. Once it's decided, the name sticks!

Dog Trumpet's unique sound reflects an affection for classic 1960's pop and whimsical psychedelia - mixed with quirky lyrics that at times, can border on being a-political. Do you enjoy pushing the political envelope?

We do sometimes express an opinion or observation through our music. We realise that it's just our perspective on a particular issue, though, and we also enjoy listening to other people's expressions and outlooks.

What is the meaning for the album title Medicated Spirits?

It's based on the track Methylated Spirit . Reg was reflecting on his observation of a homeless person who appeared to be medicating himself with spirits. It seemed relatable for few different reasons.

I can even see how it fits with Vincent van Gogh, whose biography was an insightful read.

Medicated Spirits is quite an inventive album with seventeen songs and two instrumentals featuring a range of guest musicians. Who did you and Reg invite to be part of the album?

Amanda Brown (Go Betweens) on violin, Bernie Hayes (who contributes to the song Camel

● Reg Mombassa and Peter O'Doherty Rock) on backing vocals, Sharon New sounds can also come from Finn on backing vocals, Rob Woolf unexpected sources, such as my on piano and organ, Jonathan Siamese cat, whose vocals were reZwartzon double bass, Iain corded unintentionally in the early Shedded, Hamish Stuart, Jess days in our track Antisocial TendenCiampa and Declan O'Doherty cies. on drums.

Being Sydney based, do you Peter Mitchell performs har- have a particular place in monica and Ken Allars is on trum- Melbourne which appeals for pet. Even though I enjoyed the record- creative inspiration? ing process with our many talented I enjoy the culture and atmosphere guest artists, I'm very much looking of the St Kilda area. Melburnians forward to playing live with Iain and have a great appreciation for both art Bernie. and music. Sometimes our creative Medicated Spirits is quite an inspiration comes at times and from imaginative and poetic journey. places we least expect it to. Once, Do you feel you've been able to during a drive to the Otways, we maintain complete musical free- heard Ray Davies and the Kinks dom in an increasingly demand- on the radio, and Reg quickly came ing music business? up with a new track that's featured We've been very fortunate to have on the album. experienced both the pace and presWhat is your Porch Thought sure of working to high music-busi- For The Day? ness expectations, as well as to be There's no point agonising over able to work independently for our- having everything ready to start a creselves at a more flexible pace. ative project - just keep your hands Sometimes we've found our own busy and see where it takes you. By individual expectations have been the same token, don't leave too much higher than any we've encountered in time between creations - it can take our 'Mentals years', but we're ex- some time to 'scrape off the rust'! tremely happy with the completed ■ Dog Trumpet will perform live at Medicated Spirits project.

Barwon Heads Bowling Club on 16 With over three decades in the August, their Album Launch at professional music industry, is Caravan Music, Oakleigh RSL on there a new style or genre you Saturday August 17, and Old would like to experiment with? Hepburn Hotel Sunday August 18, I enjoy a wide range of styles and and two in-store signings at Title I do like to try different instrumenta- Stores in the CBD on August 16 and tion in collaboration with other musi- 17. For times and bookings visit cians. www.dogtrumpet.net

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PATIENT INFATUATED WITH Observer DOCTOR: TRIBUNAL HEARS In This 120-Page Edition

Show will stir emotions

● Mark Wilson (Shlomo Herzl) in Mein Kampf at La Mama, Carlton until August 25. Photo: Sarah Walker ■ Mein Kampf has arrived at La Mama The- ers with perfect timing, Glenn van Oosterom atre in Carlton and is sure to arouse the was a real stand out playing the role of Hitler. senses, stir emotions, and will make you laugh, His portrayal of this powerful, provocative love, cry, and squirm in your seat. and hated dictator is done in such a way that you Directed by Beng Oh and featuring a cast are able to emphasise with him while at the same of dedicated and inspiring players, the show time feel a deep sense of disgust at the words takes you through the full plethora of emotions coming out of his mouth and the way he uses his as you lay witness to the early life of Adolf Jewish friend Shlomo (Mark Wilson) for Hilter. his own benefit and personal gain.

The result of this dark comedic portrayal is I was left with a lot to think about as I left the a play that is part history, part biography, and a space; God, love, lust, mortality, friendship, complete and utter fabrication. guilt, death, Jewishness, and of course Hitler As always, the space at La Mama has been himself and the terrible atrocities that came to effectively designed by Peter Mumford and pass. gives you a sense of being in a desolate slum Well done to the entire cast and crew on a off the back streets of Vienna, wherein Hitler well-rounded, in your face, shocking and engagbefriends a Jewish man and at the same time begins to form his own strong ideals about the ing new production.

Season: Until August 25 world around him.

Times: Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat 8.30pm, Sun 6.30 The show is very dialogue heavy and at times Venue: La Mama Theatre, 205 Faraday St, I found myself tuning out, but all in all the highs and lows throughout this production complement Carlton Tickets: Tickets $25 Full, $15 Concession each other to form a well-rounded and compelBookings: www.lamama.com.au or 9347 ling piece of theatre.

Although the entire cast deserves praise for 6142 - Review by Stephen Leeden the way in which they delivered their charac-

Ban on ‘sexualised advertising’ ■ The Australian Christian Lobby has welcomed the decision by the Melbourne City Council to push for the banning of ads that sexualise women.

ACL spokeswoman Wendy Francis says the initiative is a muchneeded step towards dealing with the objectification of women in outdoor advertising.

“ACL congratulates Lord Mayor Robert Doyle for his stand against offensive and sexist imagery in Melbourne’s public spaces,” Mrs Francis said.

■ Victorian consultant physician and geriatrician John Barry Myers has been found guilty of a number of allegations of unprofessional conduct of a serious nature.

A Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal panel comprising E Wentworth, Dr B Burge and Mr B Davis, heard that Myers failed to terminate a relationship where the patient with a complex psychological history became extremely infatuated with him.

Dr Myers denied an allegation that he had sexual intercourse with the woman at her home. That allegation was not proven.

The Tribunal heard that Dr Myers made frequent and regular house calls, including out of hours and at night. A total of 127 home visits were made.

The patient - suffering from social problems, depression, osteoporois, and partial thyroidetcomy - had been referred to him

by Dr PaulinePahtsivanidis.

The patient had received psychiatric treatment, had attempted suicide, and expressed feelings of love and affection to Dr Myers.

She wrote more than 300 pages of poems and letters, provided two framed declarations of trust, gave him an engraved plaque, and an audio-tape of love songs.

Dr Myers kept the items in her file, and returned the audio tape.

The professional relationship ended with the patient told Dr Myers to leave her home: “get the hell out of here”.

The patient had accused Dr Myers of having sex with her on a Friday night.

Dr Myers denied this. He said he was a devout orthodox Jew, and that he was observing the Sabbath. Rabbi Chaim Vtzvi Groner gave supporting evidence.

Dr Myers obtained his medical qualifications in 1972, and entered private practice in 1985.

A further one-day hearing is being organised to conclude the case.

SPECIAL PENSION FOR VETERAN WHO HAD STROKE

■ Builder John Ian Hagar has won his bid to be paid at above 100 per cent veterans’ pension rate after suffering a stroke.

Graham Friedman, Senior Member of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal of Australia, sitting in Melbourne, heard that Hagar had been employed as a teacher in building from 1972 until 1995.

He was then self-employed as a builder until 1999 when he suffered a stroke.

The Repatriation Commission fought the vase, saying that there were reasons other than his war-caused diabilities that account for him not working in the assessment period that started in 2009.

The Commission argued that Hagar had not suffered a loss of earnings by no longer working.

Hagar, born in 1945, was called up for military service in

Breaking News: Bombers charged ................ Page 3 Mark Richardson: Straight from the heart .... Page 4 The Melbourne Observer: Go! Show Gold ...... Page 6 News: Swapped odometers ......................... Page 9 Politics: André Haermeyer’s pollwatch ......... Page 9 Di Rolle: Contemplating my vote ................ Page 10 Melb. Confidential: Jail for broker, 69 .......... Page 11 Pictorial: Hot Shoe Shufle opening night ... Page 13 Yvonne Lawrence: Celebrating a birthday .... Page 14 Victoria Pictorial: Old Collingwood .............. Page 15 Live from West Hollywood: Gavin Wood ....... Page 16 Radio nominees Local theatre news The Spoiler Top 10 Lists

Observer Showbiz

Latest News Flashes Around Victoria

Knifepoint kidnap ■ A couple was threatened at knifepoint, kidnapped then dumped on the side of the road after their $30,000 car was hijacked from a Lovely Banks lookout, reports the Geelopng Advertiser.

Sgt Rod Lloyd said the man and woman in their early 20s were sitting in their ute at a lookout near Tower Hill Drive about 2am on Saturday ``looking at the lights of Geelong'' when the frightening incident occurred.

Costly dog attack ■ A Strathdale resident said he was $500 out of pocket after a dog attack by a bulldog in June.

The Bendigo Advertiser says the man had to cover doctor and optical bills. The man reported the incident to the City of Greater Bendigo and the dog’s owner was charged. The owner is yet to pay costs, the report said.

Phone box bombed ■ A 3-year-old old girl was asleep in the front room of a Lydiard StNorth home in Ballarat when a bomb exploded in a Telstra phone box outside her window at the weekend, reports The Courier. A large unkown explosive was used in the incident.

Weather Forecast ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

Today (Wed.). Rain. 6°-17° Thursday. Partly cloudy. 8°-17° Friday. Partly cloudy. 8°-17° Saturday. Chance of storm. 6°-15° Sunday. Chance of rain. 4°-12° Monday. Chance of rain. 5°-10° Tuesday. Chance of rain. 6°-11°

Mike McColl Jones 1965-67, later working with the Victorian Education Department, then started a family building company which was profitable. He worked at least 60 hours a week, and intended to work to at least 65.

The Tribunal was satisfied that Hagar had a war-caused injury or disease.

His company had an annual tradiing profit as high as $206,036 in 1998, but it made a loss after his stroke.

The Tribunal set aside aq decision made by the Commission and determined that Hagar is eligible to receive a disability pension at the special rate, back-dated to April 2009.

Top 5 THE TOP 5 THINGS THAT PROBABLY WON'T HAPPEN IN THE IMMEDIATE FUTURE 5. Warnie and Lillian Frank to open a ‘Finihing School’ 4. Queensland MP Peter Dowling to become a wine taster 3. Cardinal George Pell and Professor Allan Fels to enter the Big Brother house.

2, Pokies to be installed in the Myer Mural Hall.

1. James Hird to be appointed CEO of Odyssey House.

Page 6 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, August 14, 2013

Julian returns to news desk

Standing ovations for Colleen

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Ash

Super Julie!

server The Melbourne Ob

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 ● Julian Clarke ■ Melbourne newspaperman Julian Clarke has assumed the role of CEO as News Corp Australia, taking over from Kim Williams who leaves the job after just 20 months.

I first met Julian when we both had hair! He was then Advertising Manager at Standard Newspapers, which became the suburban newspaper arm of The Herald & Weekly Times Ltd. Julian won his job as office boy at Standard’s Cheltenham headquarters after attending the job interview as a 16-year-old in his Brighton Grammar School uniform.

He rose through the ranks, eventually becoming MD at Standard, then working at HWT and its sister Queensland group.

Julian Clarke is an intelligent, level-headed, ethical businessman. He is committed to serving local communities: I recall him starting a local paper, The Town Crier, at Mount Eliza, to serve the local residents.

He used to attend night school to help mentor young business students.

Julian retired three years ago, with a gala farewell held at the National Gallery of Victoria, with one of the attendees being the late Dame Elisabeth Murdoch.

Julian Clarke will lead the News Corp publications around Australia. I am hoping he will lend strength to the Leader group of local papers across Melbourne, which have lost a deal of their bulk in recent months.

Good fortune, Julian.

John Boland ■ We have lost newsman John Boland, at age 84.

The former 3XY, 3DB HSV-7 and GTV-9 journalist was husband of Julia, father of Ant and Sophie, and father- in- law to Nerida and Justin. He was Grand Dad to Leo, Ben and Daniel.

A Funeral Mass wasoffered at St Joan of Arc Church, Brighton last Thursday (Aug. 8).

The Funeral procession proceeded to Springvale Botanical Cemetery.

Boland was a skilled TV producer, as well as being a news-breaking police, political and general reporter.

Roll’d rocks ● Colleen Hewett ■ It is rare for an entertainer to receive a standing ovation as she enters the auditorium.

It happened on Saturday night in Melbourne when Colleen Hewett made her entrance to the Palais Theatre, St Kilda, for the Go! Show Gold reunion concert staged by promoter Dennis Smith.

Colleen, who spends much of her time living in Fiji, was one of the stars of the show that played in Melbourne and Adelaide.

Fans loved her numbers including Superstar, Dreaming My Dreams With You, The Wind Beneath My Wings and Day By Day. Colleen is a Facebook mate, and I told her that the standing ovation at the start is rare anywhere in the world.

She deserved it ... as she did with another one at the end of her set.

● Ronnie Charles, Ross D Wyllie and Colleen Hewett at the Go! Show Gold Reunion Concert. This is a fuzzy photo of the Finale from seat F18 at the Palais Theatre, St Kilda, on Saturday night. thanked Dennis Smith, Jeff Joseph and Steve Kelson of Syndal Music.

Most moving was Ross’s tribute to wife Eileen, with four of his five grandchildren in the audience, giving them a lifetime memory. He received two standing ovations.

My association with the Wyllie family was 35 years ago. I was a young Centre Manager at Bayswater Village Shopping Centre, and they ran a record store at the complex. ● Dinah Lee Dinah delighted the full house with Don’t You Know Yokomo, I’m Walkin’ and Reet Petite.

■ Dinah Lee reminded us She had been preceded by that it was 49 years since the ● Ross D Wyllie Tony Worsley, 71, who ■ Emotion ran high as co-host Go! Show first went to air on laughed it was the first time he ATV-0 at Nunawading.

Johnny Young (sharing MC had been invited back Johnny Young joked that duties with Ronnie Burns) anywhere! the original meaning for the introduced Ross D Wyllie, With high kicks, Tony sang suburb name was ‘low best known to audiences as Talkin’ About You, Velvet Waters host of Uptight and Happening ratings’. and Just A Little Bit. In fact the show ran for 222 70. episodes with four different Performing numbers including Funny Man and The hosts: Alan Field, Ian Turpie, Johnny Young and Star, Wyllie said he had not ■ Other highlights of the Ronnie Burns. performed for 30 years, and show included Johnny Young with crowd favourite All My Lovin’ and Caralyn; Ronnie Burns with Age of Consent and Smiley; Brian Cadd solo (Don’t You Know Its Magic, Gingerman), and duets with Ronnie Charles (Woman You’re Breaking Me, Such A Lovely Way) and Glenn Shorrock (Arkansas Grass, Lttle Ray of Sunshine).

Glenn also sang What’s Wrong With The Way I Live, Cathy Come Home and Needle In A Haystack.

Normie Rowe won the ● Normie Rowe and Frank Howson share some after- crowd over with I Who Have Nothing and Shakin’All Over. show fun at Phamish Wine Bar, St Kilda on Saturday

Tears as Ross steals show

● Clemence Harvey ■ Melbourne publicist Clemence Harvey tells me about Bao Hoang, his cousin Tin Ly and schoolmate Ray Esquieres opening a small hawker-style, Vietnamese eatery in a Goldsbrough Lane in Melbourne’s CBD. The boys were delighted as the Roll’d store was mobbed daily. It was not uncommon to serve 800 customers during a lunch trade.

From humble beginnings and a $180,000 investment 14 months ago, Roll’d is satisfying an ever increasing demand for an alternative to the standard salad roll, beige salad or greasy take-away.

The boys opened four more stores and are achieving monthly sales of $500,000.

● Julie Cavanagh ■ We like Melbourne publicist Julie Cavanagh.

She simultanenously handled Saturday’s launch of Hot Shoe Shuffle at Her Majesty’s Theatre ... Go! Show Gold at the Palais ... and next week’s Singin’ In The Rain at the Arts Centre.

We can only imagine how she felt when the company that provides the server for her e-mail had a major meltdown late last week, extending over two days. Ever the trouper, Julie marched on.

Annie is New York bound

■ Delightful Annie Mann is soon to travel to New York for an international conference of hairdressers.

Annie runs the awardwinning Ann Maurie Salon at Gisborne, and attends these conferences annually to learn about the latest trends.

It is Annie’s first trip to the ‘Big Apple’. She only has a seven-day journey to discover everything about the city that never sleeps.

‘Bon voyage’ Annie!

James leads airline growth

Dinah’s 49year career

● Annie Mann

Grain Store

Gold stars

● James Hogan ■ Coburg-bred James Hogan, the world President of Etihad Airways, is stunning the aviation world by announcing double-digit growth for the Abu Dhabi-based carrier.

“We will continue to work with other airlines to broaden our network," he said at the Australia Pacific Aviation Summit last week.

“With China, we need to build (a partnership). South America and America, we need to build (a partnership).”

James and I attended school together at Ivanhoe ... and no, I have never asked him for a free flight!

■ Chef Ingo Meissner, and front-of-house managers Annika Kreusel and Melanie Slope, are working hard to promote their Flinders St eatery, The Grain Store.

They are using ‘slow and low’ coking technqiues at the ‘West End’ restaurant, and they are serving list of almost entirely local beers and wines.

A winter menu item that sounds splendid is Coq au Vin Milawa free range chicken with silky mash potato, double smoked Istra bacon and wintery mushrooms ($27).

Or try Nicola potato gnocchi and locally sourced tomme style cheese, mushroom talleggio cream, brown butter and broccoli ($21).

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

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Travel Recommendation

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Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, August 14, 2013 - Page 9

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au Melbourne

Observer

Court Roundsman

‘SWAPPED ODOMETERS’

André Haermeyer

Gotta pick a pocket

Briefs Dog shot

■ The man charged over the fatal shooting of a family’s pet husky near Yallourn North has escaped conviction.

The Latrobe Valley Express reports the man admitted to shooting the dog once in the neck as he believed it to be a wild dog.

Magistrate Brian Clifford said a Siberian husky was “hardly likely to be feral” The accused was fined $1000, without conviction.

Arrested

■ Police arrested a man following a seizure of over $130,000 worth of cannabis in Ferntree Gully.

The 40-year-old Ferntree Gully man has been charged with cultivating and trafficking a commercial quantity of cannabis and theft.

Adam Rawdanowicz was remanded in custody to appear at Ringwood Magistrates’ Court.

A significant amount of cannabis, believed to weigh around 118 kg, was allegedly located at the Gaydon St property .

■ Victorian man Ali Iftiaz has been ordered to undertake 12 months of unpaid community work after substituting the odometer in a car.

Consumer Affairs Victoria alleged Iftiaz replaced a car’s odometer with another with a lower reading in order to sell it.

In April last year, Iftiaz bought a 2004 Volkswagen Golf with an odometer reading of about 188,329 kms.

He then sold the vehicle through Pickles Auctions with an odometer reading of 92,804km.

André Haermeyer is the Observer’s guest commentator for the 2013 Federal Election.

André is the former Commissioner to Europe for the State of Victoria, and is a former Victorian Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Minister for Manufacturing and Export, Minister for Small Business and Minister for Financial Services

Criminal Offence

"Odometer tampering is a fraud on consumers and a serious criminal offence,¨ said Consumer Affairs Victoria Director Claire Noone Penalties for odometer tampering are severe, with fines of up to $34,646 and up to two years imprisonment for individuals.

Fines increase to upto $144,360 for a body corporate.

The Magistrate ordered that in addition to 250 hours unpaid community work, Iftiaz undertake 12 months of supervision by a community corrections officer and complete offending behaviour treatment to address his dishonest conduct.

● Richard Green plays Fagin in CPAC’s production of Oliver! opening on August 17 at the Cardinia Culture Centre, Lakeside Boulevard, Pakenham. For bookings call 0407 090 354 or visit www.trybooking.com Photo: Lee Moulton

NEW PLAY ABOUT ‘RUPERT’

■ Melbourne theatre audiences and David Williamson seem to suit each other.

And when you have a new Williamson play about a media giant everyone knows, the prospect of seeing his latest work Rupert is tantalizsing.

It is often said that true fame is when you don't need a last name think Madonna, Kylie … and Rupert. As in Murdoch.

Williamson's play is described as a political fantasia that sees Rupert forging his destiny and making history.

It isalso claimed that this will be one of the most discussed plays of the decade, and that doesn't seem to me to be a wild claim, especially at the moment when the name Rupert seems to be hitting the papers in the midst of an election campaign.

The play sees Rupert as many things - right-wing demigod, charismatic businessman, devoted father and news baron with printer's ink running in his veins.

Like him or loathe him, he does

Melbourne Observations with Matt Bissett-Johnson

● Rupert Murdoch

● David Williamson

have an image of always being in our media consciousness.

In this production, the young Rupert is played by Guy Edmonds, while the mature Rupert is Sean O'Shea, acting as narrator and looking back over his life so far.

Also in the cast are Marg Downey, Daniela Farinacci, Simon Gleeson, Bert La Bonte, HaiHa Le and Scott Sheridan, with Lee Lewis as director.

Rupert opens in Melbourne on August 24 and runs until September 28 at the Playhouse at Arts Centre Melbourne. It already has an international tour booked.

American audiences will see the play about one of their own citizens at Washington's John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in March next year.

Melbourne audiences only need to get as far as St Kilda Rd to enjoy what America will get next March. www.mtc.com.au - Julie Houghton

Pension fight won ■ Former Australian Army soldier Sherrie Fox has won her Veterans’ Appeals Division fight for a pension at the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.

Dr P McDermott and Dr M. Sullivan, sitting in Melbourne, found that lumbar and knee conditions were related to military service from 1982 to 1985.

The injuries came about from a parachuting activity overseen

by Major John Brien of the Special Action Forces. Fox collided with another parachutist on her maiden jump, and she was rendered unconscious on landing.

The payment will take effect from 2009.

■ One of the factors that is already distinguishing this election is an unprecedented focus on the role of the media, for a number of reasons.

Firstly, there will be a growing focus on the role of ‘social media’ - mainly Facebook and Twitter etc.

Secondly, there is the growing influence of digital media, at the expense of print media.

Because it is relatively easy for almost anyone to have an Internet presence, without the high-cost barriers to entry and financial risk of hardcopy newspapers, the major dailies are under increasing challenge from the presence of a plethora of online newspapers, journals and blogs.

Thirdly, because, for the first time, the Murdoch press, which owns 70 per cent of the mastheads in the country, has not just thrown its editorial support behind one party or other, but has decided to use its news reporting and its front pages to aggressively campaign for the Coalition.

There is no such thing as a bias-free media. We all have our biases. If you have an opinion, the bias towards that opinion comes through in what you report no matter how hard you try.

So, it is with our media, who have always had their biases, but mist have attempted to maintain some at least some sense of balance and fairness in their reporting.

The blatant front page headlines we have seen, last week, in the Murdoch papers - most notably the Ssydney Daily Telegraph and the Brisbane Courier Mail make no attempt at balance, or fairness or objectivity.

It is not so much designed to affect the what people think, but to create an emotional backdrop - a mood if you like - which becomes a prism through which people process their political information.

Most people do not sit down and carefully weigh the choices.

65 per cent to 70 per cent of the electorate will usually vote for the same party, come what may.

The undecided, or swinging voters that determine election outcomes do not all sit down and carefully calculate which party's polices are best for them and their families.

More often than not they tend to vote on a gut instinct - as much and emotional as a rational one.

With that in mind, the type of campaign being waged by the Murdoch papers can be very damaging to its intended victims.

It is a style of journalism more at home in Fleet Street in the UK than Australia, so it will be interesting to see what the ultimate political impact of the Murdoch media's strategy is.

The approach of the Telegraph and the CourierMail appears to be so over the top, electronic and other media are now starting to treat it with ridicule and derision.

One social media commentator referred to the Telegraph and Courier Mail as “channelling Mad magazine”.

Whilst ultimately, they may be successful in thwarting the Rudd Government's quest for re-election, they run the risk of making themselves, rather than the Rudd Government the issue.

They also run the risk of seriously damaging their long-term credibility, circulation and accelerating their loss of relevance to alternative media Clearly Rudd believes that calling them out and casting the Murdoch press as a "player" for the other side, people are invited to be more skeptical of what they read in the Murdoch papers.

Turn To Page 00

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To

Di Amazing Aussie Bastards

● Lawrence Money ■ I set out on a chilly Melbourne night to attend the book launch for one of my favourite people in journalist land, Lawrence Money.

Lawrence is the author of a new book, Amazing Aussie Bastards and it’s a damned fine read too.

An extraordinary collection of tales from some of the most colourful and dynamic men in Australia.

Lawrence is one of the longest-serving newspaper columnists in Australia, starting in 1979 with the Melbourne Herald’s In Black And White column and going on to write the daily Tattler, the Sunday Age Spy column and Diary in the daily Age. He is, of course, more recently well known for his Money’s Melbourne in The Age. Lawrence began his career as a copyboy on the Sun News Pictorial (now Herald Sun).

The elder son of the late Doris Van Der Hagen, The Weekly Times’ longest–serving Miranda columnist, Lawrence has twice won the Melbourne Press Club’s Quill Award for Victoria’s best columnist.

He has been on the professional speaking circuit, a regular on ABC and commercial radio for many years, has written four books and invented a board game called Holiday. He also writes a monthly column in the RACV magazine, Royalauto.

The book launch was one of the best I have ever been and I have been to and run a few in my time, Corrie Perkin played host at her fabulous bookshop My Bookshop, 513 Malvern Road, Hawksburn and the Lord Mayor launched the much in demand book.

Lawrence spent a lot of the time at the launch signing copies for guests who included Bruce Guthrie, Fiona Byrne and Derryn Hinch looking marvellous.

Princes, paupers, prime ministers … and bastards. Here in this book is a selection of 25 amazing men from all walks of life and from all around Australia.

It’s a terrific read and as usual Lawrence knows how to put his pen to paper – Lawrence has assembled a collection of Amazing Aussie Bastards who truly stand out from the crowd, immune to critics and detractors, undaunted by illness or financial setback, they have done what writer Somerset Maughan so admires – ‘moulded life to their own liking’.

Out now on book shelves, published by Allen and Unwin, RRP $29.99. Remarkable true tales from magnates, moguls and other Australian mavericks.

I can’t wait to find out what the title of his book will be if he writes a book about the dames he has met!

I love my job!

● Wonderland: from left, Jessica Tovey (Dani), Michael Dorman (Tom), Brooke Satchwell (Grace) and Anna Bamford (Miranda) ■ Not a day goes by that I don’t hear about a new show starting on Channel 10! Wonderland is the next one, a local drama series it will launch on Ten on Wednesday next week (Aug. 21) at 8.30pm and it sounds like fun!

Set in an apartment building on the doorstep of the of Australia’s, most beautiful beaches Wonderland is a warm, light-hearted and engaging relationship drama revolving around four couples at very different stages of life. I like it.

A fabulous cast includes Michael Dorman, Brooke Satchwell, Ben Mingay, Jessica Tovey and the fabulously talented Tracy Mann.

It sounds good. I look forward to it!

For CONTEMPLATING MY VOTE

■ I always like to do something nice the night before an election day.

After all is a most important day. I always vote and always feel proud to vote.

Australian women first voted in a federal election on December 16, 1903.

The first woman’s newspaper, The Dawn, started by Louisa Lawson employed all female labour and continued for 17 years.

With thanks to the Dawn newspaper, I represent these words in honour of the great woman who came before me to fight for the right for us to vote and to my marvellous mother Alyson who taught me everything I know about politics and politicians. What a passionate interest it can be.

Titled The Notable Sixteenth, the article describes some of the emotions associated with the event of women getting the vote in Australia.

It was written January 1, 1904. It reads: “The sun rose on the morning of the sixteenth upon the greatest day ever for woman in Australia for, apart from the pleasure of exercising the just privilege so long denied her, that of taking an active and direct part in the election of lawmakers, she had also blessed satisfaction of being seen as she is – not through the glasses of her suppression.

“It has been admitted by Press and people that her attitude upon polling day came as a surprise, and ought to be the means of making her reckless critics exercise great care as self-appointed judges of what she would or would not do under certain conditions.

with leading Melbourne publicist DI ROLLE

‘I will think of these women written about in this time when I vote on September 7’

● Clotilde Rullaud “At present they from an action in have and will have in which her enemies for future to speak for interested reasons unthemselves, as women duly involved her: and have now the opportu- last, but not least, being a self-supportive nity of doing.

“Apparently those woman she spent little who have forced opin- for electioneering purions on an unthinking poses.

“The marvel thereand over credulous public for so long have just fore is that under these one tag of comfort to untoward circumflutter, and that is the stances she won the allegation that women support she did in the are not in favour of re- face of a hostile Press.

“As a matter of turning one of their sex principle we are proud to Parliament.

“No really repre- to acknowledge that sentative woman be- we supported her, as sides Mrs.Mattel of- we would, and will in fered herself, and she future, support any did not make up her woman seeking a seat mind until three weeks in our Legislature before the contest took whose life is clean and place. and by that time whose principles are all the women’s lead- sound.

“With desolation ing leagues who pledged to support the this world is desolate; ones selected, who in- because woman has undated the State with not thought a right; becirculars, besides hav- cause the voice of ing the support of the woma has not been metropolitan press as a heard in our senate or means of unlimited ad- in our judgement halls; because woman has vertisement.

“Added to this Mrs allowed her personalMartel suffered much ity, her individuality of misrepresentation mind and body to be

enslaved, to be made subject altogether to a creature like unto herself, because shame of all shames – she has permitted injustice, cruelty, immortality, to walk the earth rampant while she has lowered her head – which ought to have been lifted high, hushed her voice – which ought to have resounded through the earth, to the indignity and damnation and man-enforced and selfenforced silence.”

I will think of these women written about in this time when I vote on September 7.

The night before (Friday, September 6) I will enjoy a glass of red wine, some cheese and listening to fabulous French chanteuse Clotilde Rullaud in the Salon at Melbourne Recital Centre at 7pm.

For anhour and 45 minutes, including interval, I will ponder who I will vote for.

In cabaret mode tickets are $45 - $40 concession.

Rullaud creates a world where Serge Gainsbourg meets Bill Evans, where Sting wonderfully adapts to jazz, and where the landscapes of Africa and the scents of South America do not let go.

Heading a hugely talented jazz quartet this will be the perfect place to be on Voting Day eve!

Bookings: visit melbournerecital. com.au or phone 9699 3333.

One of the greats

● Joan Baez ■ I saw Joan Baez in concert in Melbourne. It was fabulous, her voice was superb and the shadow of Bob Dylan was ever present around her like an aura.

There is sadness though at what age does to beautiful women. Joan is still beautiful and still a great talent – she was fragile at times and far ahead of the audience in her political commitment to refugees.

An activist to her soul, she remains one of the greats, a pleasure and privilege to be in her audience, and her final song on the night, a rendition of John Lennon’s Imagine remains with me for all time.

● Di Rolle with Lawrence Money (see report, at left)

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, August 14, 2013 - Page 11

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Confidential Melbourne

Talk is cheap, gossip is priceless

VIC. BODIES LOSE STATUS

■ A number of Victorian associations are to lose their incorporated status, advises Deputy Registrar David Betts: Australian Grand Prix Hydroplane Club Inc.; Montrose Pre-School Inc.; Off The Rails Gallery Inc.; Australian United Ex-Services Association Inc.; Extreme Lan Inc.; W.I.Parents and Friends Inc.; Premier Builders Display Villages Inc.; Baai-Bor Women in Australia Inc.; Australian Professional Practitioners Association Inc.; Darsana Cultural Inc.; Wellington Sustainability Group Inc.; Interchurch Outreach Australia Inc.; Boort Scallywags Playgroup Inc.; Tatong Walker Inc.; Kids Cancer Foundation Inc.; Craigieburn Toy Library Inc.; Jobs – A New Approach (Ballarat) Inc.; Wangaratta Harriers Athletic Club Inc.; Ng & Sc Acrobatics Inc.; Nunawading Sports Club Inc.; Project Earth Inc.; Lakes Christian Church Inc.; South Gippsland Football League Inc.; Moyston Boxing Day Sports and Gymkhana Committee Inc.; Caving Club of Victoria Inc.; Lancefield Arts Association Inc.; 4 X 4 Bros Inc.; Waverley Aikido School Inc.; Nanneella Sports Association Inc.; Alawi Islamic Youth Group Inc.; Ballarat Country Tennis Association Inc.; St. Aidan’s Music Society Inc.; A.S.S.E.R.T. (Vic.) Australian Society of Sex Educators, Researchers and Therapists Inc.; Australia Greening Arunachala Inc.; O Potential Inc.; Horsham & District Commerce Association Inc.; Woori-I Parents and Friends of Korean Children Inc.; Ellinbank Recreation Reserve Inc.; South Eastern Redbacks Rugby League Football Club Inc.; The Hellenic Foundation for Culture Inc.; Church Excel; Geelong Buddhist Group Inc.; Yackandandah Horsemans Association Inc.; Victorian Infection Control Professionals Association Inc.; Raising Dust Inc.; Ballarat Organisation of Animal Rights Inc.; Plant Craft Cottage Group Inc.; Melbourne Child Survivors of Holocaust Inc.; Australian Cymbidium Society Inc.; West of the Docklands Wodl’s Inc.; Made For Love, Love Is Victory Inc.

Bitch Melbourne’s Secrets

Vic. teacher stuck off ■ The Victorian Institute of Teaching has cancelled the registration of Asha John Ganser aqfter he was found guilty of serious misconduct and not fit to teach. Anne Sarros, Chairman of the Disciplinary Proceedings Committee, Victorian Institute of Teaching, made the announcement in the Victoria Government Gazette on Thursday.

Maiden name status ■ Bitch has seen an increased number of internet references to Terry Bracks, partner of ex-Victorian Premier Steve, as Terry Horsfall.

JAIL FOR BROKER, 69, WHO SENT PAYMENTS OVERSEAS

■ A former Victorian insurance broker was sentenced to 18 months jail following an Australian Securities and Investigations Commission investigation.

Bruce Lawrence Wickett, 69, was sentenced in the County Court to 18 months in jail with a non-parole period of eight months.

Wickett pleaded guilty to three charges of theft after an ASIC investigation found he stole $662,198.31 between August 2010 and March 2011.

Wickett was the director of Wickett Investments Pty Ltd and Wickett Insurance Broking Pty Ltd, through which he operated his insurance broking business.

ASIC's investigation found that Wickett stole the money, which represented insurance premiums paid by clients to his insurance broking business, instead of passing the funds on to the relevant insurance companies as required.

ASIC alleged that Wickett sent the money overseas to a person he had met online, and with whom he subsequently developed an online relationship.

Whispers

To Court

Case dismissed

FILE IMAGE

ASIC Deputy Chairman Peter Kell said that as a result of Wickett failing to pass on to the relevant insurance companies the money he held on behalf of his clients, there existed the potential for clients to be exposed to losses because they had no insurance cover.

“Putting individuals at risk of potential losses by blatantly stealing money for personal benefit will not be tolerated”, Mr Kell said.

The Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions prosecuted the matter.

TRIBUNAL HEARS BOWLS CLUB BID

■ Allegations that representations were made by an accountant that he would guarantee the purchase of a chiropractic business and advise as to its financial viability have been dismissed by the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal because a factual basis not proved.

Maureen Therese Gregory trading as Allied Sunshine Chiropractic Clinic took TWB Accounting and Consulting Pty Ltd to VCAT. The case was heard VCAT Member Dr Rebecca French. On day one of the hearing, Dr Gregory, resolved her dispute with the second respondent, Jake Kawecki, a lawyer.

Rumour Mill

■ Have we reached a level of red-tape craziness where a Government Tribunal has to sit to hear whether a group of men can play a male-only game of bowls?

A panel of the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal was convened to hear the application by Kyabram Bowls Club to organise two men-only tournaments, the Master Pairs Tournament and the Honour Board Fours Tournament.

VCAT Member Anna Dea granted an exemption.

A copy of the application had to be sent by the Tribunal to the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission.

The Master Pairs Tournament commenced in 1966. It is an invitation-only event for men who are men’s singles or pairs champions.

“The tournament is regarded as being highly prestigious,” Ms Dea heard. This tournament is next scheduled to be held from November 24-29.

The Honour Board Fours Tournament commenced in 1955 and is also an invitation-only tournament.

It is scheduled to be held on February 9.

“The club is in its centenary year and currently comprises 67 male members and 27 female members. All members participate in all other events and there have been no complaints regarding these tournaments or otherwise as to gender,” VCAT was told.

The Club is in the process of formulating a similar women-only event and that matter will be discussed further this month.

■ Sources at The Age say that the Postcode 3000 daily page which suddenly disappeared at the end of the financial year, will reappear in weeks to come.

Writer Suzanne Carbone is set to resume her name-dropping collection of clauses, with special repeated attention given to mates including Natalie Grosby, Christian Wagstaff, Ronnie Di ● Suzanne Carbone Stasio, Megan and Paul Castran, Fr Bob Maguire, George Calombaris, Nicki Wendt and Helen Reizer.

Gay-only pub approved

Age paywall avoided

■ The Laird Hotel in Gipps St, Abbotsford has been granted exemption approval to operate as a pub for gay men only. VCAT heard that for the past 30 years the venue has provided a safe environment for male homosexual patrons where male sexual health issues are emphasised and where patrons can relax, socialise and pursue relationships without inhibition.

Hear It Here First

Column inches back

■ Westbourne Grammar School has requested a Melbourne Magistrates’ Court session on Friday (Aug. 16) to allege a “monies due” civil action against Jemal Abawajv. A Registrars’ pre-hearing conference is scheduled for 10.30am.

Who?

● Helen Kapalos ■ At Channel 7, they are still talking about the night that Today Tonight host Helen Kapalos through to Melissa Doyle in London for the Royal birth story, calling her ‘Melanie’. Mel starts her 4pm and 7pm news bulletins this month.

Drugs galore ■ Entertainer Ross D Wyllie joked about the days of ‘sex, drugs and rock n roll’ when he appeared at the Go! Show Gold concert at the Palais on Saturday night.

He said there were plenty of drugs back-stage, including Warfarin (a blood ‘thinner’), and Viagra (“to stop you rolling out of bed”).

■ According to one computer expert, The Age paywall - where readers are charged to inspect stories online - is being avoided by savvy users.

“It appears that The Age is charging $15-$25 per month for a digital subscription,” he said. “Alternatively, if you start Internet Explorer with In Private Browsing, it costs you nothing.”

E-Mail: Confidential@MelbourneObserver.com.au

● Ross D Wyllie

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Bairnsdale community to enjoy the All Abilities Playground with a little help from Freemasons Lodges

Freemasons Public Charitable Foundation helps maintain standard of care

● Freemasons members Stan Collins, Bob Mallows, Phil King and Graeme Martin presenting the cheque to All Abilities Playground Committee member Linda Pendergast at the playground construction site.

■ Bairnsdale Freemasons on Monday handed over a $10,000 cheque to the East Gippsland All Abilities Playground Committee for the ongoing construction of the playground, an East Gippsland first.

Local Freemasons lodges, Union Lodge of North Gippsland, Mitchell River and Bairnsdale Daylight raised half the funds by holding a monster raffle before Christmas and selling tickets at Sunday markets and similar events. The amount was then matched dollar-fordollar by the Freemasons Victoria Board of Benevolence.

"We think it's a worthy cause, it will benefit parents and children of Bairnsdale and the All Abilities Playground will be a great recreation facility for all to enjoy," Bob Mallows said.

First Leaders of Freemasonry in Victoria ● Bill Kee from Freemasons Victoria presents Cassie Pronk, Director of Nursing at Hillview with a cheque to purchase medical instrument washer and steriliser. Looking on is Roger Dickinson, President of the Board of Management at Hillview Bunyip Aged Care.

Photo courtesy: Roman Kulkewycz ■ The Freemasons Public Charitable today, there is a great need to decrease any conFoundation donated $11,300 to Hillview tamination risk, such as gastroenteritis, through Bunyip Aged Care, which will enable the fa- multi-use equipment," Ms Pronk said.

"Such specialised medical equipment helps cility to purchase a medical instrument washer Hillview maintain its already high standards of and steriliser.

Hillview's director of nursing Cassie Pronk care."

The cheque presentation was made by Bill said the washer and steriliser will allow staff to clean and disinfect equipment that is used in the Kee from Yarram. Mr Kee is a member of day-to-day care and running of the nursing home. the Freemasons Victoria Public Charitable "Due to the high care nature of aged care Foundation Board.

Sir William Clarke

■ Sir William John Clarke was a landowner, stud-breeder and philanthropist.

He was born on March 31, 1831 at Lovely Banks, Van Diemen's Land.

He was educated at Bonwick's Academy, Hobart Town, and later at Whitchurch Grammar School in Shropshire, England.

On his return in 1850 William spent some years on his father's Victorian properties and then went to Tasmania to manage estates there.

On August 23, 1860, he married Mary Walker and moved to Victoria, lived at Sunbury, had a town house at St Kilda and took over the manBy Gabrielle Forman

Supporting Children with Special Needs ■ In July the Yarrabah School for children with special needs was presented with a donation of $1000, with equal contributions from the Freemasons Victoria Board of Benevolence and Alpha Victoria Sovereign Chapter under the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry for Australia.

The school provides specialised education and programs based on life skills to 132 students of school age, and an additional 60 requiring early education.

The dollar-for-dollar support of the Board of Benevolence, acknowledges how Freemasonry as a whole is working to assist those in need.

The presentation on behalf of Alpha Victoria and Freemasons Victoria was made to Judith White, Principal of the school, by Rahim Samat of Alpha Victoria.

The presentation was made in the presence of students Joel, Brianna, Darcy and the resident occupational therapist, Anna Garland.

agement of his father's estates. His father died in 1874 and William inherited all the Victorian properties worth about £1,500,000, becoming the largest landowner in the colony.

From this time William spent money on a lavish scale, starting to build the mansion, Rupertswood, at Sunbury in 1874, travelling abroad in style and becoming a leader in colonial society.

He was the first president of the Victorian Football Association in 1877 and president of the Melbourne Cricket Club in 1880-86.

William was a prominent Victorian Freemason and was elected provincial Grand Master of the Irish Constitution in 1881 and district Grand Master of both the Scottish and English Constitutions in 1884, a unique record at that time.

In 1889 he became the first Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of Victoria, an amalgamation of the three branches.

In 1885 he had largely financed the building of the Freemasons' Hall at 25 Collins Street.

Sir William suddenly died from a heart attack on May 15, 1897. He left an estate that later realised well over £1,000,000.

The funeral was one of the largest ever seen in Victoria. Sir William is commemorated in a statue in the Treasury Gardens, Melbourne.

■ Excerpts taken from http://adb.anu.edu.au

● Sir William John Clarke

● 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. ● ‘Freemasons: The Inside Story’ airs every Monday night at 8.30pm on Channel 31, with replays throughout the week on Thursdays at 12.30am, 3pm and Saturdays at 12.30pm. Or catch up online at www.c31.org.au and follow the links.

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, August 14, 2013 - Page 13

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Melbourne People

Hot Shoe Shufle Opening Night Her Majesty’s Theatre Photos: Jim Lee Photo

● Hawthorn coach Alistair Clarkson and his daughter Stephanie

● Patti and Lauren Newton

● Pip Mushin and Bindy Edelman

● Jason Coleman

● Debra Byrne with his son Oliver (front), nephew Joseph (left) and student Caleb (right).

● Amanda Harrison and John Foreman

● David Atkins, Jaz Flowers and Bobby Fox

● Travis Jackson and Lynda Kinkade

● Stefan Dennis and wife Gail

● Nicole Livingstone and daughter Ella Smith

● David Atkins with original cast member Ann Stanford (nee Wilson)

● Winner and Losers actor Damien Bodie with his girlfriend Amy McDonald(left), brother Corey, and mother Maurene

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Page 14 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, August 14, 2013

Melbourne

Observer

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

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Melbourne

Observer

Ash On Wednesday

HIGHLY STRUNG

■ The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra has this week announced the appointment of violinist Dale Barltrop to one of its two Concertmaster positions.

Barltrop will take up the role from 2014 filing the position left vacant by Markus Tomasi in 2009.

In his first year he will share the Concertmaster responsibilities with Wilma Smith who has recently announced she would be retiring from the MSO at the end of 2014.

Barltrop is currently Concertmaster of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, a position he will continue to hold.

“Dale is a fabulous musician who, through the past few seasons visiting us as a Guest Concertmaster, has shown all the signs of being a great leader,” said MSO Managing Director André Gremillet.

“He has made a huge impression on the Orchestra, conductors, and audience alike and we are thrilled to be welcoming him to the MSO family.”

"It is a huge honour to be given the opportunity to lead this great orchestra and I'm thrilled to be working with Sir Andrew Davis, Diego Matheuz, Ben Northey and the entire MSO team,” Barltrop said.

“I have loved my visits to Melbourne over the past few years and look forward to building an even stronger relationship with these wonderful musicians in the years ahead.”

Barltrop performs regularly across North America and Australia and was appointed Concertmaster of the VSO in 2009, where is has appeared as both soloist and director.

Prior to his appointment in Vancouver, he served as Principal Second Violin in the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra for six years.

During this time, Barltrop appeared regularly as soloist with the SPCO, including a performance of his own orchestration of Schubert's Rondo in B minor.

He began his violin studies in Brisbane, made his solo debut with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra at the age of 15 and was concertmaster of both the Queensland and Australian Youth orchestras for many years. He moved to the United States in 1998 to attend the University of Maryland and continued his studies at the Cleveland Institute of Music.

● Dale Barltrop

Long Shots

editor@melbourneobserver.com.au

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

Observer Treasury Thought For The Week ■ “There is one thing to be said for ignorance - it causes a lot of interesting arguments.”

- The Buloke Times

Observer Curmudgeon ■ “Few people get dizzy from doing too many good turns.”

Text For The Week ■ “My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline and do not resent his rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.”

- Proverbs 3:11-12 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).

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.

Early Melbourne

● Robyn Annear ■ “Just a little way down Collins St, beside Henry Buck's, is a perpetually dark but sheltered laneway called Equitable Place.

“Here you'll find a number of places to eat and drink. Settle yourself in the window of one, shut your eyes, and picture this scene of yore ..."

In celebration of Melbourne Day, Victorians are invited to travel back in time and explore the village that was early Melbourne, as the Royal Historical Society of Victoria presents Bearbrass .

To be held on Friday, August 30, at 12.30pm, author Robyn Annear will take guests on a journey through her engaging book, Bearbrass - from the arrival of white settlers in 1835 until the first gold rushes shook the town.

“Bearbrass was one of the names by which Melbourne was known in its early days - apparently a mis-rendering of Birrarung, meaning ''river of mists'' in the language of the Wurundjeri people,” explainsRobyn.

“What prompted me, 20 years ago, to write Bearbrass was a simple curiosity about place in general and Melbourne in particular.

“I hoped to capture a sense of what life was like when we were not there to experience it.

“And in doing so, I overlaid my reinvention of Bearbrass with my own impressions and experiences of Melbourne’s modern city.

“My talk – on the anniversary of the day Melbourne was founded - will aim to get guests to imagine the early township and remind themselves of the rich history that lies beneath today's modern metropolis.”

■ Robyn Annear is the author of A City Lost and Found; Bearbrass; Nothing But Gold; The Man Who Lost Himself; and Fly A Rebel Flag. She writes regularly for The Monthly magazine. She is a past member of the Library Board of Victoria and was one of the State Library’s inaugural Creative Fellows.

Date: Friday, August 30 Time: 12.30pm – 1.30pm (tea/coffee from 5.15pm) Vanue: Royal Historical Society of Victoria, 239 A’Beckett St, Melbourne Cost: Free Enquiries: 9326 9288. E-Mail: e: office@ historyvictoria.org.au w: historyvictoria.org.au To celebrate Melbourne Day, guests are also invited to a book launch of Crescy Cannan’s book The Iron House: Jane Cannan and the Rush to Melbourne, which will be held at the RHSV from 12pm – 12.30pm. The book features Jane Cannan’s animated descriptions of Melbourne in the 1850s and her fine sketches.

André Haermeyer This is not without some risk, as former Age and Herald Sun editor, Bruce Guthrie pointed out in a weekend article.

Yet a Newspoll published in The Australian on Monday, shows that Coalition leads the ALP (2PP) by 52 to 48. That is exactly the same as it was a week ago.

So far the Murdoch campaign seems to have made no impact on peoples voting intentions.

Whether Rudd can withstand another four weeks remains to be seen.

Moreover, although he can win with less than 50 per cent 2PP, depending on swings in individual seats, he will probably need to gain at least some support to win.

- André Haermeyer

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, August 14, 2013 - Page 15

Melbourne People

Collingwood Historic Photo Collection

● Hoddle St, Collingwood. 1886.

● Stanley Arms Hotel, Collingwood. Circa 1890.

● T K Bennet and Woolcock, family butcher, Collingwood. Circa 1913.

● Interior. T K Bennet and Woolcock, family butcher, Collingwood. Circa 1913.

● Waterloo Road, Collingwood. 1934.

● Workers at the Collingwood Sewerage Farm. 1894.

● Glasshouse St, Collingwood. 1935.

● Little Oxford St, Collingwood. 1935.

Page 16 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, August 14, 2013 Melbourne

Observer

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

West Hollywood

Ramada Plaza Hotel and Suites wins major award

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

Special Holiday Offer

Ramada: ‘Best of 2013’ ■ Ramada Plaza Hotel and Suites at 8585 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood, has been awarded the prestigious ‘Best of 2013’ Hotel Award.

Alan Johnson, Managing Director, says, "Winning an award such as this is the culmination of many years of hard work, dedication and teamwork by all our management and staff."

This is the fourth time Ramada West Hollywood has won this converted award providing an exceptional customer experience, a dedication to high quality accommodation and consistent brand performance.

Pictured, receiving the award, (seated) General Manager William Karpiak and Managing Director Alan Johnson.

■ I have managed to secure a terrific holiday deal for all readers of the Melbourne Observer.

When you are planning your trip to California, come and stay at the Ramada Plaza Hotel and Suites, 8585 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood.

Please mention 'Melbourne Observer' when you book and you will receive the SPECIAL RATE of the day.

Please contact: Joanna at info@ramadaweho. com

Tribute to Marilyn Monroe ■ The Hollywood Museum presented two events in tribute to Marilyn Monroe's 51st anniversary memorial and to highlight Marilyn Monroe: The Exhibit, the largest exhibit of items representing Monroe's illustrious life.

Marilyn Monroe Memorial Weekend culminated with the annual Marilyn Remembered memorial service at Westwood Mortuary, Hollywood's best kept secret and worth a visit when you are here in L.A. Co-sponsored by the Hollywood Museum, the event takes place on the anniversary of her death.

Tony Bennett at the Bowl ■ Singing legend Tony Bennett returned to the Hollywood Bowl for the first time since 2005.

The 17-time Grammy winner, who helped shape the Great American Songbook, performed some of his most popular hits and was backed by the Tony Bennett Quartet.

Refreshing Starbucks ■ Starbucks refreshes its food line up.

Known for its many blends of coffee, the number one coffee chain in America is now adding more flavours in the food area.

You will find the number one Starbucks in California located at the Ramada Plaza Hotel and Suites in West Hollywood.

Now Starbucks opens in the lobby of the Hotel with La Boulange Café and Bakery.

Starbucks at Ramada is unleashing a new food line up that share more with the artisanal fare at an intimate country café than the cookiecutter products it currently serves at some 19,000 stores in 63 countries.

A regular when in town at Starbucks at the Ramada is Keith Urban.

Great news for Keith Urban is that he will be back for another season on the judging panel when American Idol returns next season.

Fox Entertainment confirmed that the Aussie singer is returning for Season 13 along with Jennifer Lopez who is reported to be making $15 million for her guidance and expertise.

● Marilyn Monroe

Diana Ross at the Bowl ● Ramada General Manager William Karpiak (sitting) and Managing Director Alan Johnson.

● Al Pacino

■ I was very lucky to see Diana Ross perform last weekend at the Hollywood Bowl.

I had fond memories of her performance at the Tennis Centre in Melbourne back in the 80s where she was amazing and her many costume changes were spectacular.

Now aged 69 there was certainly no slowing down as Diana took us back to the Motown days and all those great hits and memories.

Her big hit Upside Down got the capacity audience on their feet whooping and clapping for a true superstar.

Chicago at the Greek ■ After seeing Chicago many times when they toured down to Australia I was thrilled to see them at the Greek Theatre. The last time I had been to the Greek was back in 1982 where I saw Air Supply in concert.

This night was going to be special. The first half was classic Chicago and then what I thought was going to be intermission became a film set.

The producer wanted crowd scenes from a concert for the up coming movie Imagine starring Al Pacino.

We were instructed to fist pump to the music and sing along to the lyrics on screen. THEN ... Al Pacino came out on stage and sang to the song.

It was the true Hollywood dream. Pinch me, YES, Al Pacino at the Greek. Not in anyone's wildest dreams would you imagine that happening.

Al then disappeared and Chicago went on for the second half of the show with all the great hits, Hard To Say I'm Sorry, 25 Or 6 To 4, If You Leave Me Now, Saturday In The park ... THEN, the last song Al Pacino came out to sing with the band.

He told us: "You made a boy from the south Bronx very welcome." WOW, what a night.

Naomi Watts as Princess Diana

GavinWood

● Keith Urban

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

www.gavinwood.us

■ Naomi Watts is a regular at Body & Soul and now Flywheel at the Ramada Plaza Hotel and Suites in West Hollywood.

Naomi who earned Oscar nominations for The Impossible and 21 Grams, now tackles the role of in a drama that examines the last two years in the Princess of Wales's life.

Watts knows the challenges of celebrity, but "it doesn't match what (Diana) went through on a daily level."

Look out for the release of Diana in October this year.

Till next week, Happy Holidays, Gavin Wood

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au Melbourne

Observer

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, August 14, 2013 - Page 17

Melbourne News

Centre opens

● Monika Pilekic, Chris Paranthoiene, and Katrina Steel

■ Victoria welcomed its seventh Lifestyle Communities Limited affordable housing community on Friday (Aug. 9), with the grand opening of Lifestyle Chelsea Heights.

The site, containing 106 homes, represents a $20 million investment by the company.

Aimed at the over-55s, Lifestyle Chelsea Heights was officially opened by Managing Director James Kelly and the MLA for Carrum, Donna Bauer.

Mr Kelly said the new community, 30km south-east of the CBD, was proof of the success of the company’s “land lease model” - where customers buy their home and lease the land on which it sits.

A 90-year lease provides total security and allows homeowners to free-up cash to do more with their lives. ● More photos on Page 100

● Maureen Van and Margaret Cawkill

Melbourne

Observer Life & Style

BIRTHDAY GREETINGS FROM MOOSH

■ Birthdays are nice, especially if you are celebrating with friends or a loved one. Only problem is a birthday usually means, as the saying goes, another birthday another bulge!

Since I’ve been lolling around in bed after the mega fall in the bedroom, I’ve noticed that I’ve gained weight due mainly to the terrific meals, which the ‘master of the house’ has been preparing for me.

And with no exercise, the inevitable has happened. It also means that you’ve added another milestone to your already ‘not so young’ body.

Yesterday I found a whisker on my chin. A sure sign that the years are creeping by.

I massage moisturiser into my arms every night, but on closer inspection there is a definite flabby bit forming at the top of each arm.

This means of course that I can never wear sleeveless tops in the summer ever again.

Breakfast with flowers

■ There was not much physical celebrating I could do this year seeing I’m recovering from an injury brought about by not paying attention to what I was doing.

It also shows me that I’m not as young as I thought I was when I couldn’t give a hop, skip and a jump and avoid the furniture, which grabbed my legs.

It frustrates me that I couldn’t balance on one leg until I could stand up. It makes me mad that I can’t hop on one leg any more either.

I did have a lovely birthday however. It started early morning when the ‘chef extraordinaire’, came into the bedroom with a breakfast tray on which sat a posy of flowers from our garden a beautifully wrapped gift and piping hot eggs Benedict.

Moosh, my cat was very vocal with his birthday greetings and jumped onto the bed.

There nothing more exciting than opening gifts and mine were just what I wanted and simply beautiful: a stunning Italian pure silk scarf and a make-up purse, which I had coveted in a magazine.

Physically beyond me

■ Moosh gave me a pair of the latest oversized sunglasses with the double C on the arms. I’m going to look like an Aussie version of Audrey Hepburn next summer.

Peter had planned a quiet lunch at our favourite restaurant, but it was physically beyond me, so he said he would take me out for dinner when I could manage a couple of steps down the driveway. He told me to relax, and he’d take care of lunch.

And take care he did.

We had a birthday picnic lunch in the bedroom.

Yvonne’s Column

Surprise visitor with Yvonne Lawrence yvonne.lawrence@bigpond.com

He spread one of my mum’s special cloths, which she used for picnicking over the bedspread, and set it for two.

He said he was sorry it was during the day because he would like to have lit candles.

It was strange to be sitting in a wheel chair beside the bed and dining adieux.

No escape from broccoli ■ The meal, which he served, was straight out of Maxims in Paris. I suspect the ingredients were almost as expensive but nothing was too good for the birthday girl.

As an entrée we had tiny pimento tomatoes, stuffed with goats cheese, followed by crab patties with avocado salad, freshly baked bread rolls and something he’s made using broccoli.

We’d read in one of the magazines that broccoli is a superfood that combats the effect of aging. It is also believed to protect against heart disease and cancer.

He’s been stuffing me with Broccoli since we read it, and there was no escape even on my birthday. Although I must admit, I’ve always liked broccoli.

And seeing I’d found definite signs of aging it was time to bring out the big guns.

He bought a cake from Zimt, our neighbourhood coffee and patisserie and stuck in the middle of an obscenely gorgeous rich cream cake was just one, very large candle.

We reminisced and laughed a lot. Champagne always makes Peter laugh. And I was as giddy as a teenager on my mineral water.

■ I planned to write my column in the afternoon, but first I’d have a snooze.

It seemed that no sooner was I in the arms of morpheus than Peter came into the bedroom announcing a friend had dropped in with her young daughter.

I entertained in my boudoir and Tiffany thought she was in heaven. She sat up in bed with me, and couldn’t wait for afternoon tea.

Clutched in her hand was a stack of swap cards.

I hadn’t thought of swap card since I left school. I amassed a few hundred with doing just that, negotiating a swap with mates.

I’m sure that’s where my negotiating skills were honed. I’d remember what cards the other kids wanted, and take it from there.

I had my stack of cards taken off me by teachers for shuffling them under the desk.

Tiffany had never had an adult so interested in her cards.

Pack mentality ■ Of course my friend left late and I knew I wasn’t going to file my column on time, so I phoned Ash to explain.

He’s very understanding, and said I can take all the time I want providing it’s in that night. And it was.

I felt a bit mean not giving her a couple of cards from a pack of French playing cards which I had, but as one my favourite past times is playing cards, I didn’t want to destroy the pack.

There is no way I can get Peter interested.

He thinks it’s like watching grass grow, but he’s happy to attend to the music, and get the supper when a couple of my cronies come around for a night of gambling.

No money changes hands, but I use three-penny pieces, which I’ve kept, in a jar. They give them

back at the end of the night, and the winner will win a bottle of something.

Picking up card skills ■ My skill with the cards came from playing cards with the Italian builders at lunchtime at Greensborough shopping centre.

I went down to the site at lunch time to see how the work was progressing and a bunch of them were playing cards.

It wasn’t long before they asked me to join in, and it wasn’t long before I was eating salami sandwiches or a pasta dish, which they brought, from home.

They also taught me some Italian words too.

In fact when I told one of my Italian friends about playing cards with the builders at lunchtime and I said some of the words I’d heard them say. She was shocked. And so was I when she translated.

Ingredients for birthday ■ I’ve filed my copy and it’s back to the television and the latest on the election run-up.

We have received postal voting information and the forms to fill out. But I rather go to the booth and get a feel as to what the people are thinking.

It seems I’m thanking so many people lately, but it was lovely to receive birthday wishes.

Gigi phoned me and we had a long chat. And dear Peter (Pom Pom Gordon) never forgets.

As usual a lovely card arrived from him.

If you’ve never had a picnic in your bedroom, plan it for your next celebration. Just don’t go to the lengths I did to have this simply fabulous meal.

But one thing to keep in mind. If you intend to have a wonderful birthday in your boudoir, you must have a wonderful husband with the imagination and the love to make your special day happen.

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

Page 18 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, August 14, 2013

■ Clark Gable had an interesting life and will always be remembered for his role as Rhett Bulter in Gone With The Wind.

Clark was a very handsome man and was dubbed the ‘King of Hollywood’ in the 1940s.

Over the years I have conducted radio interviews with people who knew the famous actor.

Even ‘Clark Kent’ in Superman was named after him.

William Clark Gable was born in Ohio in 1901. He started out as a stage actor and then worked in small roles in silent films before landing supporting roles at the MGM Studios in the early 1930s.

At that time the young actor changed his name to Clark Gable.

In 1932 he was cast opposite Jean Harlow in Red Dust and the world started to take notice of him.

Clark was considered to play Tarzan The Ape Man but lost out to Johnny Weissmuller.

He was reluctant to accept the role in It Happened One Night opposite Claudette Colbert but it earned him his only Academy Award in 1934.

The following year he was again nominated for an Academy Award for Fletcher Christian in Mutiny On The Bounty.

I spoke to Judy Lewis who was the daughter of Clark Gable.

Judy told me the amazing story of how Clark and Loretta Young fell in love on the set of The

Whatever Happened To ...

Clark Gable

By Kevin Trask of 3AW and 96.5 Inner FM Call Of The Wild in 1935. When Loretta fell pregnant they decided that the scandal would ruin their careers and an elaborate cover story was developed.

Loretta went through the charade of pretending to adopt Judy from an orphanage and never told her who her real father was.

Judy only met Clark Gable on one occasion but found out after his death when a boyfriend told her, "Oh you're Clark Gable's daughter, everyone knows that!"

Sadly Judy passed away in 2010 but thankfully she had resolved her differences with her mother Loretta Young.

Clark's war record is amazing; he joined the US Army Air Forces in 1942 and trained as a

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

● Clark Gable pilot. He was eventually promoted to Captain and flew over Germany in bombing raids. Clark was awarded the Air Medal and the Distinguished Flying Cross for his service during WWII. The notable films of Clark Gable included Red Dust, It Happened One Night, San Francisco, Mogambo and Soldier Of Fortune.

In 1957 he starred opposite Doris Day in one of my favourite films Teacher's Pet. Sir Donald Sinden co-starred with Gable in the 1953 film Mogambo. When I asked him what he thought of Clark Gable his response was, "Oh Clark wasn't an actor at all. He was a superb technician, he looked lovely and the girls loved him.

“He knew all about making films but that doesn't mean he was an actor."

Clark was married five times but the love of his life was his third wife actress Carole Lombard who was killed in a plane crash in 1938.

His final film role was in The Misfits and many say it was the strain of making this film that led to his early death.

It is said he did smoke three packets of cigarettes a day.

Gable was working with Arthur Miller, Marilyn Monroe and Montgomery Clift and he was quoted as saying: "The title sums up this mess. Miller, Monroe and Clift - they don't know what the hell they're doing. We don't belong in the same room together."

Clark Gable never worked in television productions.

Hollywood author James Bacon told me that the minute he heard that Clark had suffered a heart attack he raced to the Hollywood Presbyterian Hospital and arrived just as Clark was being wheeled in.

Clark said to James: "How's the food in this joint?"

Clark Gable died in the hospital 10 days later on November 16, 1960 at the age of 59.

Five months later his wife Kay gave birth to his only son John and Marilyn Monroe attended the christening. John Clark Gable is now 52 and has inherited his father's good looks.

- 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.

SCOOTER FROM DARWIN TO ADELAIDE

■ When I was a kid living in Kyabram, I used to have a scooter, long before I ever rode a bike. It was mandatory for all us kids.

Now, decades later, the tradition is being replicated, with little kids buzzing all over the footpaths.

They are a little more compact than ours’ were, with tiny wheels - but they still seem to love them though.

However, it's now come to pass that there are a couple of Frenchmen scooting their way from Darwin to Adelaide!

Granted their particular scooters are much bigger than ours ever were, about the size of normal bikes, with bike tyres.

They've got all their camping gear stowed on board, and they're towing little trailers behind for the rest.

I can think of nothing worse! I used to look askance at lone motor bike riders going for hour upon hour along the Stuart Highway, and despair at the intrepid push bike riders valiantly pedalling on in the heat.

But scooters - no thanks!

Frederick Benoist, a sports professor from Paris, and Bernard Deniaud, a TV presenter from Saint Nazaire, have just arrived in Alice for a few days' rest.

They've met "all kinds of interesting people along the way", and no doubt the sentiment was reciprocated; "even a group who was a little bit crazy who wanted to run around Australia", they reported.

Scooting from Darwin to Adelaide not a little bit crazy?

■ There are always plenty of stories of alcohol imbibement around the Northern Territory.

Firstly, the new CLP government passed a new law requiring problem drinkers to undergo mandatory alcohol rehabilitation treatment.

If they have been taken into protective custody three times, then they're automatically transferred to a special facility.

This seems to have been working well until now - the first escapee was recorded last week. Not only once, but thrice - scaling the walls and scarpering each time!

And then there was a gentleman parked in his car in Mitchell St in Darwin, also last week.

He had fallen asleep with the engine still running and the officer couldn't wake him up.

A few of his mates came to help,

The Outback Legend

with Nick Le Souef Lightning Ridge Opals 175 Flinders Lane, Melbourne Phone 9654 4444 www.opals.net.au and back at the station the driver couldn't summon up enough breath to provide a sample.

Then another gentleman in Alice Springs, whose car was fitted with an alcohol lock, which he had obviously circumvented, blew 0.233.

Followed by a further incident when a driver was noted driving erratically by going round and round on a roundabout and not turning off. He was 0.181 ■ Back in the sixties there was a popular pastime - entering into the Guinness Book of Records.

One such feat was to see how many people could squash into a Mini. The record was 26.

Driving around Alice Springs I often saw old jalopies festooned with passengers. Not 26 mind you, but plenty all the same.

Last week in Barrow Creek there was a young lady with a similar bent.

She had six kids in her vehicle, all without seatbelts. To add to this she wasn't licensed, was driving an unroadworthy and unregistered vehicle, and wearing no seatbelt herself. The small mercy was that she wasn't drunk.

Not so the second man, at Tennant Creek. Not only was he drunk, but had nine unrestrained kids, and six unrestrained adults in his car.

A mystery how he even guided the car on to the road.

■ I have previously noted how my dad, an avid entomologist, counted thousands of one particular species of moth clustered around the porch light at our house in Kyabram one night. He had never seen even one in the previous 10 years.

I have also seen a plague of Bogong Moths as they enveloped the high country - in years past a feast for the local Aboriginal tribes.

And I have often encountered plagues of moths and beetles and tiny gnats in the bush.

One night in the Lightning Ridge pub we all had to hold our hands over our glasses on the bar to stop millions of these winged little creatures flying into our drinks.

And a couple of plagues of ‘stink bugs’ in Alice - larger iridescent green beetles scurrying everywhere.

I remember watching my mate Krafty, and his mate Monty the Channel 9 weatherman, sweeping them out of the William Creek pub in their thousands.

And one night driving into Kulgera I could see millions of moths flying around the spotlight at the road stop.

It amazed me how they didn't crash into each other and just fall to the ground.

Now a sea of moths has just descended upon Alice. Myriads of them are fluttering around in broad daylight, disrupting shoppers in the CBD. ■ The NT taxpayers celebrated the recent Royal birth by presenting His Highness with a crocodile, which they named Prince George, born on the same day.

Of course George will be retaining his home in Darwin, awaiting a visit by his owner at some distant date.

However, the Alice Springs Reptile Park has its own Prince George, caught slithering round the ‘poo ponds’ at the sewerage works on the day of the birth.

It's a 1.5 metre king brown snake, which is showing a remarkable degree of attitude, according to Justin Rutherford, Rex Niendorf's fellow snake handler.

It's a she, and she's "a royal pain in

the bum", according to Justin. This reminds me of one of the tiger snakes which I once owned; every other snake I've ever had - tigers, copperheads, blacks and browns, would always tame down in a week or so, and be docile enough to handle with impunity.

Not this one - Peter Mirtschin, who sold it to me, warned me: "It's just

mental, so don't try to the handle it".

So I didn't.

According to Justin: "If her finishing school doesn't polish her up, she'll have to go!" so she'll probably shortly be slithering around back in the wild and Prince George will have to roam around in the desert to try and find her!

- Nick Le Souef ‘The Outback Legend’

Observer Mailbag

More on George Coppin ■ Wonderful that you gave George Coppin such space in your Freemasonry column in the Melbourne Observer last issue (Observer, Aug. 7).

It is time Australia (and particularly Melbourne) knew more of George Coppin and the money he devoted to charitable causes.

George Coppin was the son of strolling players who trained their child (George) to entertain the crowd while they (Mr and Mrs Coppin) got changed for their next act.

Coppin came out here to Australia where he reformed the Sydney Theatre from 1843-1845.

Then George Coppin went to Hobart where the theatre he revived still stands.

He formed a theatrical company which journeyed to Launceston before bring the company to Melbourne in 1845 where he revived the theatre.

Hearing about Adelaide and the Old Queen's Theatre there, Coppin bought a yacht, Apollo ... (there was no road to Adelaide and no airline then).

That's where Apollo Bay got its name - Coppin agreed to Capt.

Loutit anchoring there overnight.

Coppin sailed into Port Adelaide next day.

All migrant ships bound for Adelaide anchored off Port Adelaide in those days.

Coppin used to signal ships to see how many passengers were aboard hence the name Semaphore.

Anyway, Coppin revived the theatre there and invested in recently discovered copper and went broke.

When gold was discovered in Victoria (1852), Coppin caught a barque back to Melbourne and walked to Castlemaine.

In 1853, Gov. LaTrobe

● George Coppin authorised Coppin to build a theatre in Geelong where he entertained gold miners.

He made money and sailed back to England.

Not only did Coppin bring back top actors ... he introduced roller skates and hot air balloons to Melbourne.

Coppin built the Haymarket Theatre on the south side of Bourke St. In 1874 Coppin was elected MLA for East Melbourne. In 1889 he was defeated but was elected MLC for Melbourne Province.

Coppin died in 1906 having first build the Old Settlers Cottages at Rushall (Melways Map 30 D12).

He founded Coppin Homes in South Yarra and built Coppin Hall, for years used for Sun Aria finals.

There's lots more I could tell you about George Coppin ... there are boxes and boxes of material stored in the Public Library and a collection of manuscripts too.

I'm a great fan of Coppin's and the more people know how generous he was the better.

No wonder more than 14 sreeets are named after him.

Wonderful that you have publicly recognised George Coppin.

- Cheers, Dan Webb