Melbourne Observer. 120718A. July 18, 2012. Part A. Pages 1-18

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ARE ALL WOMEN UNFAITHFUL? Opera asks poser

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LAWYERS DEMAND APOLOGY

■ Lawyers acting for Guildford Lane Gallery owner Robert Cripps, and Redleg Museum Services Pty Ltd, have demanded that the Melbourne Observer prints an apology over publication of excerpts of a Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal determination by its Acting President Judge John Bowman. ● Report on Page 3

BUILDER MUST PAY $74,310

PAM ANN LANDS Page 10

LOCAL THEATRE LATEST

■ ‘Butt The Builder’ has been ordered to pay $74,310 “forthwith” for defective work on a Craigieburn home, VCAT Senior Member Margaret Lothian has ruled. ● Report on Page 5

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■ Cosi Fan Tutte means ‘Women are like that’. The question of ‘are all woman unfaithful?’ is posed in Melbourne Opera Company’s 3¼-hour production of Mozart’s work being staged tonight (Wed.) at the Athenaeum Theatre, and also on July 31 at the Alexander Theatre, Monash University. More on Page 39.

■ Pictured: Victoria Lambourn as Dorabella and Phillip Calcagno as Guglielmo

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Page 2 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, July 18, 2012

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Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, July 18, 2012 - Page 3

Court Roundsman

ART GALLERY MAN’S LAWYERS DEMAND OBSERVER APOLOGY ‘We do not doubt that following discovery, interrogatories and subpoenas, the real motivation for this article will be readily inferred and our clients will be entitled to aggravated damages’ - Tao Jiang Lawyers, acting for Guildford Lane Gallery operator Robert Cripps

Voice Of Our Time

● Imogen Manins, Gian Slater and Tony Gould present A Voice Of Our Time on Friday, August 3 at 7pm at the Melbourne Recital Centre ■ Imogen Manins and Tony Gould present new work, there is always a breathtaking crethe third in their series of concerts, A Voice Of ative, spontaneous element.

Our Time with Gian Slater, on Friday, August Slater's voice matches perfectly the piano 3 at 7pm at the Melbourne Recital Centre - and cello - and like the other three concerts in Salon. this series, the trio will exploit the unusual comThis trio concert highlights Gian Slater, bination of cello, piano, and guest instrumenone of Australia's most wonderfully gifted sing- talist. ers.

The intent remains performances of high With a voice of uncommon beauty and spirit and beauty of sound. Limited seating. surety of pitch. her repertoire is extensive and Tables for 2 – 4 people with wine available. whether she is singing a glorious ballad from Bookings: 9699 3333. the American Popular Song era, or a original - Cheryl Threadgold

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang ■ Her Majesty’s Theatre will be the venue for Chitty Chitty Bang Bang from January 30.

The stage musical is based on the novel by Ian Fleming, and features music and lyrics by the legendary Sherman Brothers, composers of Mary Poppins. The 1968 film starred Dick Van Dyke.

Tickets, ranging from $55.90-$129, have gone on sale through Ticketek.

Mike McColl Jones

Top 5 THE TOP 5 STUPID QUESTIONS 5. How come a lot of jockeys sound like Michael Jackson?

4. When Bill Gates flew, did he always have a Windows seat?

3. If Skippy were found dead would police look for jumper leads?

2. Did ancient Roman golfers yell IV? 1. Has Katie Holmes had the cruise control removed from her car?

DEFAMATION CASE IN SUPREME COURT ■ Lawyers acting for Guildford Lane Gallery owner Robert Cripps have demanded that the Melbourne Observer prints an apology for publishing excerpts of a Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal determination by Acting President Judge John Bowman.

Tao Jiang Lawyers of Suite 1005, 530 Lt Collins St, Melbourne, faxed a ninepage ‘concerns’ letter to Observer Editor Ash Long, demanding that the newspaper remove a May 30 article about the case from the Observer website.

The report quotes Judge Bowman’s summary of proceedings between Mr Cripps and Redleg Museum Services Pty Ltd , against Demetrios Vakras and Lee-Anne Raymond.

Mr Cripps has taken out defamation proceedings in the Supreme Court against the pair, alleging that comments made by them at their website have defamed him.

Judge Bowman declined the application of Vakras and Raymond to have some of the issues heard by VCAT. Lawyer Tao ‘Jean’ Jiang requested an urgent response from the Observer, claiming that the newspaper report was “not accurate and it is not fair” “The pretence of reporting the VCAT proceedings has clearly been used as no more than a fig leaf to cover a deliberately damaging article.”

In her ‘Notice of Concerns’, Ms Jiang contends the Observer misunderstood court proceedings.

‘Defamation matter will be contested vigourously’ ■ “In the May 30, 2012, edition, the Melbourne Observer published a report of proceedings in the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal between Mr Demetrios Vakras and Ms Lee-Anne Raymond on one side and Mr Robert Cripps and Redleg Museum Services Pty Ltd on the other.

“The report referred to allegations being made in those proceedings and related Supreme Court proceedings for defamation.

“Those proceedings are at an early stage and Mr Cripps and Redleg wish to make it clear that they reject the accusations being made against them and will contest the matter vigourously.”

Latest News Flashes Around Victoria

Nixon to face charges ■ Troubled football player manager Ricky Nixon is due to face Court on Friday (July 20) to face charges of intentionally causing serious injury, false imprisonment, and assault with a weapon.

Attack at Bendigo ■ Jack Howarth, 21, of Bridgewater, and Jayden Ryan, 22, of Golden Square, have been given suspended jail terms after they bashed a man in his own home.

Page 4 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, July 18, 2012

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Mark Richardson ♥ Straight from the heart

E-Mail: mark@localmedia.com.au

BROOKSY IS OUT THERE

■ Since rising to fame in the late 80s on Hey Hey It's Saturday, the front man and founder of the The Music Men, David Brooks (aka 'Brooksy') continues to entertain audiences as a corporate MC and comedy performer around Australia.

In his rich and self-proclaimed whinging 'Pommy' accent, he continues to opens each gig singing, "I am the music man, I come from down your way ... what can you play?"

Brooksy proudly took the Australian citizenship oath in 2002 and is a fully fledged legal Aussie, and being so Aussie now that, together with performer Steve Callahan, he continues to tickle the nations' funny bones with zany humour, skits, songs and sendups of entertainment icons, politicians, the Poms, Kiwis and even Collingwood's golden jacket hero Joffa.

When Brooksy isn't performing and encouraging audiences to sing along to his latest songs, he is a committed member of the Brighton Icebergers Club.

Each day Brooksy braves Port Phillip Bay's winter temperatures and swims in his bid to keep the title of being 'out there'.

I caught up with Brooksy on his mission to 'stack on the pounds' to help him stay in the water longer and overcome the onset of hypothermia in preparation for his upcoming 1.2km Icebergers swim.

Turning back the clock to 1988,

CHATTERING PORCH THOUGHTS

● David Brooks how did the Music Men first form?

By getting together with a group of 'like-minded' ex-pats at social events. We appeared on Red Faces for a bit of laugh.

It turned out to be a 24-year laugh and we're still milking it! If you think about it, we are Australia's oldest (and ugliest) longest running boy band, performing longer than The Wiggles.

Being the front man, you took the brunt of the judge's comments.

What comment stood out the most?

Cricketing legend Max Walker said, "I'd like to give them 10, but the bloke out the front is not a full bob so I will give them 9 and a half."

You left England in 1981 to play soccer on a 3 year contract in Australia, who did you play for?

In England I played for Bury FC from 1970-1975 and Barrow in 1976.

In Melbourne I played for Ringwood, Box Hill, Richmond and Doncaster in 1980. I continued playing for Caulfield City from 19811995.

You are still a passionate sports enthusiast, what sports do you follow?

Cricket, especially when The Ashes are played here. I love the AFL, its players, shows and supporters.

It's a great game and I've met some incredible people through football including singing with the 'Great' Jim Stynes OAM. The Music Men performed during half time at the 2012 E.J. Whitten Legends Game.

You are a committed member of the Brighton Icebergers, swimming in freezing temperatures in the bay, what is an 'Iceberger' club?

It's a group of hardened, crazy, fanatical cold water swimmers who enjoy the challenge of swimming in freezing cold water in Port Philip Bay off Brighton Pier and in Middle Brighton Baths.

There are two Icebergers clubs in Melbourne - Royal Brighton Yacht Club Icebergers with 80 members and the Brighton Baths Icebergers with 50 members.

What is the history of the 'Brighton Bath Icebergers?

Brighton Baths were first built in 1881 as the English who just settled where terrified of sharks (and obviously bathing!)

It has been destroyed twice by storms once in the 1930s then in 1985 and was rebuilt due to the Mayor John Locco who was an Iceberger enthusiastic at the time.

Who is the longest serving member?

Doug Wier is the oldest Iceberger at 81 who still swims each day at 6am.

He joined with his dad in 1934 at the Brighton Baths.

Why did you become an 'Iceberger?'

I joined in 2010 and constantly question myself, why? This morning at 7am, it was dark and only 9.5 degrees. Why? Overall, it's about conquering the fear before I jump in.

When I'm in the freezing water, I

● Brooks ‘Iceberging’ immediately think about surviving retain heat. and the steam room for the resurWhat does your weight gain diet rection and the pure happiness that consist of? will follow. I experience many emo- Plenty of regular eating starting with tions in one hour. organic porridge with raw honey, alApart from the ever changing sea monds and fresh fruit for breakfast. conditions, swells, currents, winds Twice a day I have protein drinks and avoiding stingrays, what other with coconut oil and banana flaxseed challenges do you face? oil with organic milk.

I swim with experts but I have I am eating plenty of steaks, brown written my Will four times as it's rice and vegetables. I'm also eating strictly a 'No Wetsuit Policy'. buckwheat pancakes with maple The group knows the weather syrup four times a day and snacking patterns and plan each swim. The on fruit, chicken, vegetables, healthy biggest challenge is avoiding hypo- muffins and nuts. thermia.

I understand you're filming a I swim up to twice a day either at documentary with the movie trailer 7am, noon or 8pm. The water ranges promoted on YouTube. Is about in temperature in winter from 7 to 12 your Iceberging? degrees and in summer up to 22 deYes, it's titled The Icebergers. I grees. have been filming for the past 18 After two years as an 'Iceberger', months. how long can you stay in the water It's about Icebergers and my jourfor? ney from Bury in England to My body can take 25 minutes Brighton and becoming an during winter before hyperthermia 'Iceberger'. sets in. My feet and hands are numb The documentary will highlight my when I come out. journey of becoming an official Why are you trying to gain 'Iceberger' - that is to complete a full weight to swim the 'Winter Pier To winter and a long swim without a Pub' over 1.2k in August? wetsuit.

My doctor believes I am underI am currently negotiating with the weight for swimming longer dis- Dendy Theatre in Brighton and plantances in cold water. I weigh 75kg ning to release it later in the year. which allows for 20 minutes in the What is your Porch Though of water before hyperthermia sets in. the Day? I need to achieve 40 minutes in Try cold water swimming. It's the water, so I met with a dietician to more than life itself! help me gain weight as body fat will - Mark Richardson

● Brighton Icebergers

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Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, July 18, 2012 - Page 5

Breaking News

BUILDER MUST PAY $78,310 What’s Coming

Briefs

Listen to the Melbourne Observer on your radio WEDNESDAYS 12.45AM. Cheryl Threadgold, community theatre writer, reports on 3AW. www.3aw.com.au

Final show

1.15AM. Jim Sherlock discusses movies/ DVDs with Andrew McLaren. www.3aw.com.au

● Yusuf Islam ■ The final show of Moonshadow at the Princess Theatre will be staged on August 5.

The show by Yusuf Islam (Cat Stevens) opened on May 31, and promoted a 12week season.

Dispute ■ Brighton East property owner Rita Schulberg is taking legal action after real estate agents Bennison Mackinnon allegedly let her townhouse without collecting $6500 bond or $5214 first month’s rent for her townhouse. The agency says it has done nothing wrong, and that fake receipts were provided by a conman.

Off to poll ■ Residents of the ‘dry’ area of North Balwyn are to vote on whether Epoch Restaurant, of 117 Bulleen Rd, should be licensed. Voting concludes August 13.

■ Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal Senior Member Margaret Lothian has ordered Mohammad Yasin Butt, trading as ‘Butt The Builder’, to pay $78,310 “forthwith” over a defective job on a Craigieburn house.

Ms Lothian inspected the single-storey house built for Emmanuel Satyaseel Choudhury and Poornima :avanya Bahadursha. The couple had claimed $84,314, plus an additional sum for continuing delay.

Butt was claiming for the allegedly unpaid contract sum of $46,235.

Ms Lothian heard that the couple had refused to take possession of the property until the VCAT inspection was completed.

In a matter not directly related to the claim, Ms Lothian said: “We were met by a spectacle both shocking and puzzling.”

“It was shocking because so many of the plaster walls have large holes in them. It is no mystery how the holes were made, because the shoe print of the person who kicked them is clearly visible in more than one place, and the height and shape of some of the holes is consistent with a person standing on one foot facing away from the wall and kicking backwards with the other.

“The holes are such that substantial areas of plaster will need to be removed and replaced, with the consequent impact on finishing trades.

“The spectacle was puzzling because there was no damage to anything except the plaster and one window at the front of the home.

“No fittings appear to have been removed or damaged; no copper pipe stolen; no tiles or other glass broken.

“It was not obvious how the person who caused the damage gained entry. There was no obvious sign of a forced entry.

“Identification of the person responsible for the damage is a matter for the Police.”

Glenn Miller Orchestra coming ■ The 1940s sound of the Glenn Miller Orchestra will be on tour for bthe first time in Australia with shows to be performed at Hamer Hall on Saturday, November 10 at 2pm and 7.30pm.

Publicist Michelle Guthrie says the show will include Chattanooga Choo-Choo, In The Mood, Tuxedo Junction, A String Of Pearls, Moonlight Serenade, Little Brown Jug and Pennsylvania 6-5000.

Musical Director is Rick Gerber.

Melbourne Observations with Matt Bissett-Johnson

10AM. Editor Ash Long talks with Denis Scanlan on The Pulse 94.7 www.947thepulse.com 10PM. Rob Foenander presents Country Crossroads on Casey 97.7 FM www.3ser.org.au

THURSDAYS 9.15AM. Editor Ash Long talks with Bob and Judy Phillips on 3RPP. www.rppfm.com.au

● Alexandra Harrison, Dancehouse Housemate artist-in-residence has created and curated What’s Coming - a Futures Festival being presented from July 31 – August 4 at Dancehouse, Carlton North.

Photo: Steven R. DeLuzuriaga ■ Dancehouse presents What’s Coming – A Futures Festival from July 31 – August 4 at Dancehouse, 150 Princes S, Carlton North.

For more than two years, Alexandra Harrison the current Dancehouse Housemate artist-in-residence who indulges in prophesying on the future of dance - created and curated What's Coming - A Futures Festival that observes the patterns of the past to read the future.

What's Coming - A Futures Festival is a wry prophecy for the future of dance and performance comprising a series of multi-disciplined events on a rotating schedule that engage professional artists and community members.

As a multi-faceted and excitingly unique approach to dance as an art form, What's Coming - A Futures Festival is a site-specific, multi layered and a multi-nuanced prophecy that speculates how current movement and space situations actually identify future practices and processes.

Season: July 31 - August 4.

Time: 6.30pm installations open; 7pm performances.

Venue: Dancehouse, 150 Princes St, Carlton North Tickets: $25 full price, $20 concession, $15 Dancehouse members Bookings and full details: www.dancehouse.com.au - Cheryl Threadgold

Kelly tours Australia

10PM. Kevin Trask presents The Time Tunnel with Walter Williams www.4bc.com.au

FRIDAYS AM. Ted Ryan talks racing with Denis Scanlan on The Pulse 94.7 www.947thepulse.com 2.30PM. Jim Sherlock talks movies/DVDs with Denis Walter on 3AW www.3aw.com.au

SUNDAYS 9AM. Mike McColl Jones talks the Top 5 with Bob Phillips on 3RPP. www.rppfm.com.au 12 NOON. Kevin Trask presents That’s Entertainment on 96.5FM. www.innerfm.org.au 8.20PM. Kevin Trask presents The Time Tunnel on Remember When. www.3aw.com.au

MONDAYS 2PM. Yvonne Lawrence presents Life And Style on 3WBC 94.1FM www.3wbc.org.au 8PM. Len Baker presents Harness Review on 97.9FM www.979fm.net 10PM. Kevin Trask presents Memories Are Made Of This on 4BC www.4bc.com.au

TUESDAYS 6AM. Rob Foenander presents The Big Breakfast on 88.3 Southern FM www.southernfm.com.au

ALSO BE LISTENING FOR Julie Houghton discusses the arts on 3MBS-FM, 3MBS Digital, Online www.3mbs.org.au

● Kelly Clarkson ■ Tickets have gone on sale for an arena show to be staged by Kelly Clarkson at 8pm on Monday, October 1 at the Rod Laver Arena.

Chugg Entertainment is promoting the tour of the American singer who won the inaugural American Idol series in 2002.

Di Rolle discusses Melbourne entertainment on 3AW, overnights. www.3aw.com.au

AND WATCH FOR Country Crossroads TV show on Aurora Channel 183, Foxtel www.aurora.tv

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Page 6 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, July 18, 2012

At Rupertswood ■ Wendy Stapleton (pictured) will perform at Rupertswood Mansion, Sunbury, as part of a twocourse meal and show on Saturday, August 11.

Aneta Malicevski, General Manager at Rupertswood, says that tickets are selling fast for the event.

Phone 9740 5020 to book for the Dusty, Doris and Me show.

People Melbourne

Send news to editor@melbourneobserver.com.au

Fax: 1-800 231 312

Collection cocktails night

● Actress Maryanne Niceforo with James Pidgeon and Yianna Stavrou at The Collection Cocktail Bar in Richmond.

Photo: Antony Young

‘Boy From Oz’ at Altona

● Peter Allen

● Melbourne publicist Julie Cavanagh was delighted to catch up with music man John Foreman at the opening night of The Producers at the State Theatre.

Radio plays at Bayside Festival

Dusty

● Bayside Literary Festival co-ordinator Jessie Doring with 88.3 Southern FM presenter/producer Terri Adams were pictured on Saturday, during the recording of radio plays. More photos on Page 40.

● Tamsin Carroll ■ Melbourne writer JohnMichael Howson will fly to the United Kingdom next year for the opening of Dusty The Musical at the Churchill Theatre in Bromley. It will star Tamsin Carroll.

A Dusty show produced

by Paul Prescott toured the UK in the year 2000.

■ Altona City Theatre is celebrating its 40th anniversary with The Boy From Oz being staged until July 28.

Cast includes David Postill (Peter Allen), Hayley Coyne (Liza Minelli), Lauren Elise (Judy Garland), Helena Chayna (Marion Woolnough) and Christopher Weldon (Greg Connell). Other cast include Christine Snosnowski, Patt Ryan, Matt Sauvarin and Lauren Grieve.

Farewell Stephanie

● Workmates gathered at Mr Hive Restaurant and Bar, then Nobu Restaurant, Crown, on Friday to farewell Stephanie Taylor who is leaving Melbourne for 12 months to work in New York.

A Garden Of Money

Back from Top End

● Anthony Halliday in A Garden Of Money ■ Pianist Anthony Halliday performs in A Garden Of Money, by composer Noel Fidge, opening on August 23 in Melbourne.

Fidge describes the work as a “biting and witty play”, performed entirely acoustically and virtuoso piano accompaniment. It is to be performed at the Lithuanian Club, Errol St, North Melbourne.

Cast members include Jenna Roubos, Kate Amos, Adam Lyon and Christopher Nye. Tickets: $38 (full), $29 (conc./students). www.trybooking. com/26772 www.agardenofmoney.com.au

● Close friends Suzanne Carbone and John Parker celebrated his homecoming from Darwin at the West End, Crown, on Thursday night.

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Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, July 18, 2012 - Page 7

Page 8 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, July 18, 2012

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Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, July 18, 2012 - Page 9

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Confidential Melbourne

Talk is cheap, gossip is priceless

Whispers

West End at Crown

Nerves

Bitch Melbourne’s Secrets

● Shane Crawford with Jesinta Campbell

● Mark Hawthorne and Bronwyn Gillespie

Cruisin’ for a bruising ■ Patti Newton, mum of troubled actor Matthew, has been stoic about the media spotlight on her family’s woes ... but she has lamented on her 3AW Monday night spot that she wishes the media would move on.

So ... it was especially surprising that Patti last week ventured into an in-depth chat ● Patti Newton about the personal preferences of actor Tom Cruise, and the circumstances regarding his separation from wife Katie Holmes.

Tom Cruise has proven to be an energetic follower of commentary in the media on his private life. He has successfully sued the Daily Express in Britain, is chasing America’s National Enqurier, and litigating against other media outlets.

■ Patti regurgitates much of the gossip from the Monday morning glossies, calling each of the stars annoyingly by first-name only. It’s all about Nicole, Keith, Brad, Jennifer, Angelina, etc etc.

● Andrew Holden ■ The new Age Editor-in-Chief, Andrew Holden, starts at Media House this week. There are nerves in the newsroom for how some rounds will be reassigned. Some scribes will be ejected from their comfort zone.

Hacked

● Christian Wagstaff with Greta Polonsky

● Elise Petty with Josh Klein

■ Eric Beecher’s Crikey website was hacked at the weekend. Users were at risk of having their computer infected by a virus.

Rumour Mill

Justin Beiber eyes Di

Hear It Here First

By-election blues ■ International music star Justin Beiber (above) spotted Melbourne Observer columnist Di Rolle from his suite at the Olsen Hotel in South Yarra at the weekend. Di (inset) lives nearby.

“Justin Bieber came out on penthouse balcony before I looked straight at him from my window! Hilarious !! We are delighted to have him in Map 58,” Di told Facebook friends.

Beiber’s three-day stay in Australia includes tonight’s appearance on the Australia’s Got Talent Grand Final (7.30pm, Seven) where the winner will take home $250,000.

● Matt Hetherington sings

● Sam Ludeman entertains

Unbelievable, says Bruce ■ 3AW Remember When co-host Bruce Mansfield told a Sunday night listener that it was “unbelieveable” that theatre tickets to big shows were more than $100. Sounds like Bruce hasn’t PAID for a ticket for some time.

Is Bruce, 68, still in touch? He offered a Dingley International prize to a listener who lives in far-away Deniliquin.

■ Prime Minister Julia Gillard is already rehearsing the line to use next Sunday that it was a State By-Election, not a Federal poll.

But the ALP is concerned that it will lose the Melbourne state seat that it has held for more than a century. ● Steve Bracks This Saturday (July 21) sees Labor’s Jennifer Kanis line up against the Greens’ Cathy Oke. Labor research showed that leader Daniel Andrews is on the nose, and so is former Premier John Brumby ... so they have wheeled out Steve Bracks to be the public face of the ALP.

Queen not amused ● Jack Rush with Virginia Dowser at the West End opening night ■ Contestants from The Voice enter- the new Common Room area, part of tained at this week’s opening of the West the $90 million development at Crown.

End at Crown.

There are 15,000 square metres of Michelle Seet-Cursio, Sam Lude- plush gaming salons, world-class restauman, Matt Hetherington and Chris rants The Merrywell and Cotta, and the Sebastian performed on the public cocktail bar, Lumia. stage, in front of a VIP audience of more On the guest list were Mark Skaife, than 600 people.

Jason Coleman, Lehmo, Brad Sewell, The Russell Robertson Duo sang in Nick Bracks, Ralph and Emma Carr. ● Bruce Mansfield

■ Queen Lear actress Robyn Nevin is said to be not amused at Cameron Woodhead’s review of the MTC production at the Sumner Theatre, which started: “It is no tragedy to fail at Lear. That happens more often than not. The play is notoriously difficult and has a chequered performance history.

“What is tragic is that the state’s largest subsidised theatre company could stage a production as dull as this. It’s the kind of show that harms the art.”

E-Mail: Confidential@MelbourneObserver.com.au

Page 10 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, July 18, 2012

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To

Di Leap of faith ■ Here I was working away, swearing that the world is going faster and not enough hours in the day ... and I find out we actually have gained a second!

Called the ‘leap second’ it explains why a lot of people had computer problems on June 30.

A ‘leap second’ occurred and among the major businesses that had problems were Qantas .

Explains a lot!

What is this leap second I asked?

A ‘leap second’ is a real occurrence, it is a one-second adjustment that is occasionally applied to UTC Coordinated Universal Time in order to keep its time of day close the mean solar time.

The most recent leap second was inserted on June 30 at 23.59.60 UTC. Did it mean we had more time and the earth slowed down? I had to find out!

I had a leap second to find out!

Well it did for ‘a leap second’.

The main reason for the slowing down of the Earth’s rotation is tidal friction, which alone would lengthen the day by 2.3ms/century.

So I found it wasn’t enough time to do the filing or catch an extra cup of coffee, but it was there.

And I found out that Google was right across it. Instead of inserting a leap second at the end of the day, Google servers implement a leap smear, extending seconds slightly over a time window prior to the leap second.

All this was going on while I was preoccupied with what Katie Holmes was going to do next with her throwaway mobile phone and how that was going to all play out.

She is a smart cookie.

I am not going to write anymore as I believe Tom Cruise is reading everything that is written about it!

I love my job!

For HAPPY LANDINGS FOR PAM ANN

■ I was thrilled to hear Pam Ann is coming back like a boomerang in August in a National Tour of Pam Ann’s Around The World.

Coming to the Athenaeum on August 1718, Pam is the alter ego of Australian ex-pat comedian Caroline Reid.

Caroline has been performing as Pam Ann since 1996 after dreaming her up at a costume party.

She returns this year with a brand new show having completely sold out her last tour in 2010.

New York-based Reid's sense of humour has been likened to that of Lenny Bruce, and her portrayal of the outrageous air hostess Pam regularly takes her literally around the world.

She has featured in advertising campaigns for BritishAirways and is currently the celebrity spokeswoman for Heathrow's Sky Team Terminal 4.

Pam has also appeared in promotions for KLM/Air

with leading Melbourne publicist DI ROLLE

that I miss her new live show Around The World this August at my peril – like a kangaroo or an ostrich, she’s for France,ever moving forward!

“To spend an hour or so in Pam Ann’s vampish company is like being held hostage on a plane filled with laughing gas,” wrote The Daily Telegraph.

Pam Ann is one of a kind.

I am preparing to buckle my seat belt.

Melbourne’s dates for Pam Ann: Friday– Sunday, August 17-19, 8pm. The Athenaeum Theatre.

Book at Ticketek 132 849 or www. ticketek.com.au

● Pam Ann JetBlue, Lufthansa, Mardi Gras live TV Qantas in-flight pro- broadcast airing to gramming, SAS and more than two million even the low cost car- viewers. rier EasyJet use her From boarding to videos in their training. landing, First Class, In Australia, Pam Business or up the Ann starred in her own back in ‘Cattle’, pretelevision talk show, pare to be flown like The Pam Ann Show you’ve never been on Foxtel and has flown before. twice hosted Sydney's I have been told

Lady Julia Morris: No Judgement

● Julia Morris

● Molly Meldrum with Cosentino ■ Lovely to see Molly Meldrum out and about.

He caught up with Cosentino and had a great photo taken. It’s really a miracle that we have Molly with us.

Cosentino is currently touring Australia, and continues to take the country by storm.

For more information on his tour I did myself a favour and visited his website www.cosentino.com.au He goes from success to success.

■ In the ‘leap second’ I did manage to catch up on what is coming up in Melbourne and one lady who never skips a beat is the fabulous Julia Morris.

I have watched her for years and laughed at her quirky sense of humour.

Lady Julia Morris: No Judgement is the name of the show. It is coming to the Athenaeum Theatre, Melbourne on Saturday, November 3.

Trying not to judge others is extremely hard work.

Having them not judge you is even harder.

Julia says,:“Every single day I try to give up judging again. To be a better person. Everything’s fine until I nearly get taken out by another white Range Rover driver at the school drop off and I’m back to square one. Mummy’s home!”

Australia’s first Celebrity Apprentice, Lady Julia Morris gets the job done in No Judgement – a very funny evening of stories and songs about our daily frustrations and not to kill someone.

I have always found Julia a very courageous comedienne and smart as a whip!

Visit www.juliamorris.com.au and find out more about this show.

I know Stephen Fry loves her, he told me so!

I know the UK loves her, her reviews are great – “… when Julia Morris is in full verbal flow on an stage, it’s as though Joan Rivers. Germaine Greer and Betty Boop are all living inside the same body.

Phew, she’s a scorcher,” wrote The Herald , Scotland.

At the Athenaeum Theatre. Book on www.ticketek.com.au or phone 132 849.

Grievous ■ Another woman I really admire is Denise Scott.

I heard her on the Conversation Hour with Ita Buttrose and it was one of the best radio interviews I had heard for a long time.

Having known Denise for many years now, I have always loved her. She is a great talent.

She has a talented son by the name of Jordie Lane and he is starring in his own show. Grievous Angel: The Legend of Gram Parsons, the original cosmic cowboy which will premiere in Melbourne on Friday (July 20).

Jordie is a much celebrated performer and he is set to tackle the role of the man who, to this day, is hailed as the patron saint of alt–country and roots .

“Gram was everything you wanted in a singer and a songwriter” said Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones, I was very im-

● Jordie Lane at Joshua Tree for Grievous Angel pressed by that com- that. I really admire ment and what about that and totally get it.

Jordie even rethem being with us for 50 years, bless them leased one of Gram’s songs I Just Cants all.

Grievous Angel: Take It Anymore.

That is a passion of The Legend of Gram Parsons tells the fas- an artist for another cinating story of a man artist.

“Gram Parsons who lived fast and has been a huge infludied young.

Gram Parsons was ence over my journey just 26 when he died, as a musician,” says overdosing on mor- Jordie Lane.

“He inspired me to phine and tequila.

His death, and the not let genre stereoget in the way bizarre theft of his types making good mubody by his road man- of ager and its subse- sic.“It’s a great honour quent burning in the and privilege to be desert turned Par- playing him on stage.” sons’ life and music The Grievous Aninto legend. gel: The Legend of Jordie Lane’s con- Gram Parsons is writnection to Gram Par- ten and directed by sons runs deep.

Michael Bate, the last He wrote much of man to ever record an his latest album in interview with him (in Room 8 at the Joshua March 1973, six Tree Inn in California months before he where Gram died. died).

I found out that if I The theatrical conwanted to go and stay cert gives a unique inthere it would cost me sight into Gram’s Room 8 for $100 a thoughts and passions night, the room as on life and music, as been left as it was expressed in his final when Gram died in it. interview.

This is the sort of “All the Gram Parthing I would do for sons books, films and Bob Dylan. tributes have been told I would stay in the from the outside lookroom Dylan had in the ing in. We never Chelsea Hotel – that heard Gram’s voice, would be absolutely his version of events,” amazing, so this was says Michael Bate.

Turn To Page 13 Jordie’s equivalent of

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, July 18, 2012 - Page 11

A-List People

Opening Night: 2012 Season The Production Company Arts Centre, Melbourne

Mike Lattin

December 20, 1949 - July 13, 2012

● Silvie Paladino with Antoinette Bekos

● Judy and Bob Phillips of 3RPP-FM

● Cast members Rohan Browne and Christie Whelan

● Julie Cavanagh with Trevor Ashley

● Carol Smith and Dennis Smith

● Wayne Scott Kermond with Jeanne Pratt

● Alfie Duran with Annie Mann

● Annette Allison with Jan Kain

■ Media man Mike Lattin, who had strong Melbourne links as Channel 10 programmer, at Optus, then GlobeCast, died on Friday (July 13).

GlobeCast Australia reported the passing of Mike , who retired this month after leading the company as Chief Executive Officer for nine years.

Mike died peacefully at St Vincent’s Hospital in Sydney surrounded by his family after a courageous battle against illness.

Sympathy has been extended to Mike’s wife, Barbara, his children Anthony, Avril, Victoria and Charlotte, his son-in-law Fred, daughter-in-law Katherine, and granddaughter Mila Grace. GlobeCast issued this: “Mike was an iconic figure in Australian broadcasting and helped shape the industry during a career that spanned more than 45 years. His trademark was building enduring personal relationships based on trust and loyalty.

“His rapier wit and sense of humour were unique and will be sadly missed by all.

Mike Lattin will be farewelled at a private family funeral, according to his wishes.

GlobeCast Autralia is arranging a separate memorial gathering.

Peter Cosgrove, GlobeCast Australia Chairman, said: “Mike was a wonderful man to work with, there was never a dull moment and we are all going to miss him so much.

He inspired so many young people and brought the best out of everyone.”

Bernard Curran, GlobeCast Australia Director, said: “Mike was one of the great broadcasters of his generation, a passionate leader who gave 100 per cent and inspired the same from those he worked with. Mike will leave a tremendous legacy through the many careers he has launched and the young people he has mentored. The world will be a less colourful place without Mike. My thoughts are with Barbara and Mike’s family”.

Kim Williams, News Ltd CEO and former Foxtel CEO said: “I adored Mike - a friend, colleague and adviser who flew high like the big bird he was!”

Angelos Frangopoulos, CEO of Australian News Channel Pty Ltd which produces the Sky News Australia and New Zealand group of channels, said: “I’m so deeply saddened by the passing of my dear friend and mentor. Mike was an extraordinary man who loved and celebrated people and life. A true giant of our industry. My family shares the deep feeling of loss with Barbara and his beloved children.”

Mike started as a cameraman at CTC in Canberra, where he went to school. Mike went on to hold senior management and programming roles at each of Australia's commercial TV networks, held similar roles internationally, and was Head of the Optus Television subscription TV platform. He is a former Chairman of ASTRA, the subscription television industry group. In 2003, Mike was appointed CEO of of GlobeCast Australia and served on the International Committee of the GlobeCast Group.

As the CEO of GlobeCast Australia, Mike led the company to become the leading broadcast services provider covering Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands. During Mike’s nine years, the company’s revenue quadrupled and the number of television channels it managed rose from less than a handful to more than 100.

He developed an international fibre network that connected Australia and the international broadcasting community.”

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Page 12 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Monash Lodge consecrated

Melbourne

People Mrs Joan Gillespie

Small Acts Of Kindness

Our Doors are Open!

It's the little things that Freemasons do that make a big difference

● Observer columnist Mark Richardson is a proud Freemason and was in attendance on Saturday night when Monash Lodge No 938 was consecrated. Mark photographed Deputy Grand Master Hillel Benedykt, Monash’s Gordon Trotter and Grand Master Bob Jones.

Melbourne

Observer

Ash On Wednesday

SOCIALLY AWKWARD?

● Max Reynolds Photo: Kirstie Reynolds Whilst Victorian Freemasons are responsible for many large scale charitable projects, like the construction of the Freemasons Hospital in 1935 and a donation of $1.2 million to the Black Saturday Bushfire Appeal, it is the many small deeds that Freemasons quietly and unassumingly perform that make a big difference to their local communities.

The practice of benevolence is a core belief of Freemasons everywhere and the membership has a proud history of assisting those who have fallen on hard times.

During ceremonies that reflect on the ancient principles of Freemasonry, members are reminded of the importance of being active in their communities, believing that the values of cooperation, care and trust can best be demonstrated by actions.

In one such example, the Traralgon Masonic Lodge recently donated 'trauma bags' to the Sexual Offence and Child Abuse Investigation Unit at Morwell Police Station.

The trauma bags, filled with toys and books, are used to distract and comfort victims of child abuse and sexual assault during investigations at the station.

The station's Detective Senior Sergeant Craig Gye said, "The children we see, aged anywhere from three to 16, are traumatised and anxious when they come to us. To be able to provide them with a small gift reminds these vulnerable children that they are supported and cared for by the community."

Also helping children in need is Freemason of 60 years and Wantirna resident Bruce Pennicott, who leads a group of volunteers dedicated to crafting specialised wooden furniture for children with cerebral palsy.

Bruce estimates he and his crew have handmade over one thousand custom pieces; items such as chairs, tables, exercise units and educational toys designed to help the children gain independence, physical strength and importantly, inclusion in the classroom.

"I get a lot of pleasure out of seeing improvement in the children and parents. To be able to help a child stand up, or sit straight, or allow them to participate alongside other children in kindergarten is all the thanks I need," said Bruce.

Three-year-old Max Reynolds is another recipient of Masonic kindness. Earlier this year, Bayside District Freemasons rallied to raise funds for Max, who due to a malfunctioning lymphatic system, was PEG fed since birth and required costly overseas treatment to cure a severe oral aversion.

Recently returned, Max has "overcome his fear of food," according to mum Kirstie, and "is eating just like anybody else" after a scary loss of weight at the beginning of the program.

Freemasons not only assist disadvantaged members of their communities, but through their Board of Benevolence, support hundreds of worthy causes as well as care for Freemasons and their widows who experience hardship or illness.

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

■ How are you with small talk in social situations with strangers?

Long Shots is invited to many functions, and it can be difficult to consistently strike up a brilliant conversation.

Sometimes I am shy and awkward. How do get around that? Dame Elisabeth Murdoch suggests the best question is: “What do you do?”

This week, Matthew Anderson sent a complimentary e-mail to us: “Thank you for the BEST function conversation EVER! I know what we will be discussing next time we see each other!”

The topic: Favourite TV programs, specifically Prisoner from the 1980s.

Thanks Lizzie Birdsworth!

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”

● Lizzie Birdsworth

Thanks Gav ■ Gavin Wood sends us a message from Hollywood: “LOVE the Melbourne Observer. When you live in L.A. it keeps me in touch with my favourite city. Keep up the great work Ash.”

Observer Treasury Thoughts For The Week ■ “Philanthropy is the refuge of rich people who wish to annoy their fellow creatures.”

- Oscar Wilde ■ “Just about the time a woman thinks her work is done, she becomes a grandmother.”

Observer Curmudgeon ■ “Some people never get interested in anything unless it’s none of their business.”

Text For The Week ● Gavin Wood

■ “He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.”

- Proverbs 25:28

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.

● Joan Gillespie ■ It was a sad day at radio station 96.5FM on Saturday (July 14) when we learned of the passing of one of our beloved presenters, Joan Gillespie.

Joan was with 96.5FM for around 20 years and presented a variety of programs with her great selection of nostalgic music.

Joan contracted polio when she was five months old and was in an iron lung for many years. Her good friend June Middleton remained in an iron lung for her entire life.

Joan was cared for by her wonderful husband John and she lived life to the full. She was always thinking of other people. Joan enjoyed going to see the stage musicals and told me she loved the current production of Annie.

Joan worked as a volunteer at the Austin and Repatriation Hospitals and went from ward to ward cheering up patients with her little dog on the step of her wheelchair.

How could anybody feel sorry for themselves compared to Joan who was almost completely paralysed?

Joan received the Veteran Community Award, at Government House, from Premier Ted Baillieu last year as a lead up to the Victorian Seniors Festival. Joan was also invited to a luncheon with Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II during the Queen's last visit to Melbourne.

We all admired the courage and spirit of Joan Gillespie and are saddened by her loss. Joan died in hospital from pneumonia the day before her 75th birthday. Her birthday party was cancelled when she became ill.

She would always have a little present for me.

On the last Sunday she was in the studio she said, 'Here Kevy this is for you.' and she gave me a Bobby Darin CD because she knew I was a big fan of his work.

She was the same with everyone. Joan was also a big fan of Bruce Mansfield and Philip Brady on 3AW and said that they kept her company at night.

Bruce and Phil had planned to make a surprise appearance at her birthday party.

In recent years Joan guest-hosted Sunday With Sandra for Sandra McCurdy and the program became Sunday With Joan and we heard the beautiful music that she loved so much on a monthly basis.

Joan would e-mail her up-coming program ‘play list’ to friends throughout the world.

Her husband John was her ‘panel operator’ and they spent happy hours together in the studios. Many listeners were not even aware that Joan was handicapped. I never heard her complain and she was always cheerful and optimistic.

We are blessed to have known Joan and I guess she was fortunate to have lived to be almost 75 - but that does not heal our grief.

Our sympathy is extended to her husband and ‘rock' John Gillespie and all the family.

- Kevin Trask

Free reader ads are available in the Melbourne Trader section of the ‘Melbourne Observer’

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, July 18, 2012 - Page 13

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Melbourne

Observer Life & Style

News Briefs

BITTER-SWEET MEMORIES

Taxi rip-off

■ I’ve temporarily lost my mojo.

It was a challenge to write my column this week.

Like most Australians I’ve succumbed to the flu or something very similar.

So with the smell of Vicks permeating the air, cough mixture instead of coffee at the ready, and Chef-inResidence (CIR) keeping me topped up with a mixture of lemon, honey and his secret ingredient I’ve staggered to the computer.

Yvonne’s Column

Fun-filled nights ■ A couple of issue’s ago I talked about the fantastic Christmas in July we used to throw with our friends.

In particular I talked about Ian and Bruce, both designers who used to go to the most extraordinary lengths to make us believe it really was Christmas.

Bruce did the cooking and produced an amazing Christmas feast. Ian was in charge of the entertainment and our night was always filled with laughter.

When Johnny Ladd died I recalled that he was a bobby dazzler at games that we all played. It takes a British person to remember these childhood games because the Brits are so good at parlour games.

Filled with wonderment ■ There’s nothing like a head full of cotton wool to allow your mind to just travel where it will, and I have to say that when I heard the news that Darrell Lea had gone into voluntary administration I almost had a relapse.

How could this happen to a wonderful exciting business that had kept my lolly jar filled to the brim and had always been part of my life from an early age?

My mother used to take me into the City shop when, like most kids, just looking in their stock- filled window filled me with wonderment, and was even better than going to the film we were about to see.

And then to actually enter the shop and seeing the very friendly sales girls wearing colourful smocks and huge pussycat bows at the neck filled me with awe.

Would the nuns enjoy it?

■ I vowed then that I when I grew up I would become a Darrell Lea lolly girl.

But better still was the way the girls made youngsters feel so important as they made their selection by themselves, no matter how long it took.

And then, without fail, you were slipped a taste of something new, unseen by my parent and you were transfixed with your jaws working overtime.

It was love and I became a DL customer forever.

My mother used to buy us a selection of sweets before we went to see a film at the Regent Theatre.

I could always rely on an assortment packed into my food parcels, which she posted to the nuns for me at school. I often used to wonder with schoolgirl cynicism if the nuns would sneak a taste of the confectionery that we were not supposed to eat.

Part of my Melbourne ■ My CIR and I used to shop at the Swanston Street store and stack up on Buttered Brazils and Nutty Nougat and I bought yards of their fresh and very black Licorice.

We remember with affection the Rocklea Road and Marshmallows covered in toasted coconut. Oh, I almost forgot the nut filled brittle toffee. One piece almost lasted the entire first half of a film.

I used a little silver hammer to break the toffee into bite-size pieces. I still have it and I’ll keep it forever just to remind me of those delicious jaw-breaking delights.

Darrell Lea was part of my Melbourne and I almost felt qualified as a devout customer to tell them that they had made a mistake when the staff discarded the smocks and big bows. It was part of their marketing, but it seemed that I was the only person to miss the old style uniform.

Melbourne

Observer

they first opened in the City.

I hope that if I reach the age of ninety-six I enjoy life and can discuss things with as much enjoyment as Marjorie. Of course, she has a very caring and loving son, and I have the good fortune to include him as a colleague and good friend.

with Yvonne Lawrence yvonne.lawrence@bigpond.com

But it was a big part of my childhood. I loved those uniforms.

It seems a pity that there is no real loyalty now when it comes to shopping habits. The supermarkets that place confectionery at the checkout and right at childheight must take some blame for the predicament Darrel Lea is in.

It was easier to buy the sweets with the weekly shopping than take their child to Darrell Lea and give them the delight and wonder of being in a confectionery wonderland.

Darrel Lea didn’t leave my life because they were one of my tenants at the shopping centre I managed. I still loved to look in their chocolate filled window and have their friendly staff fill my office lolly jar.

The lolly jar contents was to sooth the lost children who seemed to forever fill the office, and of course my staff, including myself use to dip into the jar now and then.

And now those nostalgia-invoking shops may close.

It’s almost too much to think about when one is poorly.

Up-to-the-minute woman ■ Well, I’m going to Marjorie Richardson’s 96th birthday party on Sunday if the Vicks vapour rub does its job, and I may wear a mask so that my germs aren’t spread around.

I think that Marjorie would enjoy a box of Darrell A bit like Brussels Sprouts; they always tasted so much better when eaten in England. They knew how to cook them, or at best, they had the touch.

Darrell Lea confections used to feature in our July nights, and so of course those fun filled nights with friends was also in my mind.

Lea assorted chocolates with Rocklea Road included just so that I can hear our birthday girl reminisce.

Marjorie is a very erudite, up-to-the minute woman and I’m sure will know all about Darrell Lea and when

During the week we were so saddened to hear that Ian had died whist driving with Bruce to their beach house.

There was a private funeral and somehow I feel that I should have been allowed to say goodbye to him.

My heart goes out to Bruce, Ian’s life partner and I hope that he will organise a memorial for Ian because there will be hundreds who would want to say goodbye and thank him for the enjoyment that he gave us.

Matters of ‘closure’ ■ Many people scoff when you tell them that closure is an important part in the grieving process when a loved one dies, but it really is.

When my friend Marsha died unexpectedly in hospital I grieved. She was a journalist and a survivor of Auschwitz.

A few of us got together and decided that we would hold our own little wake. It never came to pass. I couldn’t even think about her without tearing up.

On the Sunday before her specialist appointment next day, Peter took us to afternoon tea at the Regent and when Marsha said goodbye as she got our of our car she said that it would most probably be the last time we would see her. It was.

It wasn’t until I was invited to a Jewish ritual 12 months later beside her grave that I had closure.

Jews mark the visit to the grave of a loved one by placing a small stone on top of the headstone. As I placed my stone I said goodbye to my dear friend and found closure.

It was a moving experience for me, and although her funeral was so sad, it was after this ceremony that I could think of Marsha without being reduced to tears.

Fond memories ■ I didn’t mean to end my column with sadness, but just writing about my friends has brought back some sad, but wonderful warm memories.

They still live on in my mind.

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

What’s On

● Charles Jenkins will be among performers entertaining at the Winter Ball fundraiser on July 21 at The Corner Hotel, Richmond.

● André Haermeyer ■ Former Victorian Police Minister André Haermeyer was mistaken for a tourist by a Melbourne taxi driver on Sunday night.

Mr Haermeyer had ordered the cab to take him from Port Melbourne to Spencer St. Once the journey was underway, the driver three times quoted $100 for the journey.

When told that the he was the former Police Minister, the driver said he was “only joking”.

The matter has been reported to the Victorian Taxi Directorate.

Slimefest ■ Australia’s first music festival created especially for tweens has been announced by Foxtel channel, Nickleodeon.

The September 15 event will feature Jessica Mauboy, Reece Martin, Justice Crew, Stan Walker and Johnny Ruffo.

Axe falls?

■ The Leader reports that several Councillors have spoken anonymously about their fears that the State Government will sack the Darebin Council at Northcote-Preston, because of perceptions that it is dysfunctional.

● From Page 10

Winter Ball at Corner Hotel

■ Charles Jenkins and The Zhivagos haveannounced the line up for the fourth annual Winter Ball fundraiser at The Corner Hotel, 57 Swan St, Richmond, on Saturday, July 21.

This year's performers include Melbourne soul queen Suzannah Espie, Rock n' Rolla Joel Silbersher, the fabulously dreamy Orbweavers, new kid Alex Lashlie and surf western genius Mikelangelo.

Chanteuse Angie Hart, debonair Jon Von Goes, luxe lady Linda Dacio, balladeer Cash Savage and Pony Face plus more will also decorate the stage on the night.

Each year the Winter Ball elves magically transform the Corner Hotel into a Winter Wonderland, adorning the stage with sparkling snow-

flakes and blue velvet and guests come from near and far in their finery to witness the glory and the surprises that have made this event the stuff of legend.

Now in its fourth year, it is an annual fixture on Melbourne's entertainment and social calendar and an epic night of rock n roll.

Tickets are $25 plus booking fee presale or $30 at the door if available.

This year’s charity fundraiser is Support Act, providing relief and assistance in times of medical/financial hardship to workers in the Australian music industry.

For bookings call 9427 9198 between 10.00am and 8.00pm, Monday – Saturday.

- Cheryl Threadgold

Di Rolle’s column ■ “So I decided to write a theatrical concert and tell the story through Gram’s own bloodshot eyes. Some of the script is based on the interview from ’73, some is an imagining of events in Gram’s life.”

Australia’s song stress Clare Reynolds has been cast to play Emmylou Harris.

Emmylou Harris was an unknown singer when Gram first saw her singing in 1971 in a club in Washington, he loved her voice.

Harris said of him: “It’s terrible that Gram died so young but I’m grateful that our paths crossed.”

July 20-20, The Athenaeum Theatre, 188 Collins St, book through ticketek.com.au or phone 9650 1500.

- Di Rolle

Page 14 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, July 18, 2012

■ When I was a boy, I went to the Saturday afternoon matinees at the local picture theatre to see all the screen heroes in action.

The Westerns were always a favourite and they even had a ‘Ranch Night’ on Wednesday nights where two western films were shown.

We spent a lot of time cheering the ‘goodies’ and booing the ‘baddies’.Boy, it was fun.

We were thrilled when the news went around the neighbourhood that Roy Rogers was going to be on. We liked Roy Rogers because he had the best horse and looked good in the saddle.

Leonard Franklin Slye was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1911. Leonard grew up on a farm and learned to ride a horse at an early age.

He worked in a shoe factory with his father in his teenage years and the family spent many difficult financial years during the great depression of the early 1930s.

When they moved to California, Leonard decide to become a ‘country and western’ singer.

He formed a singing group with Bob Nolan and Tim Spencer and they performed as The Sons Of The Pioneers.

The group had a series of hit songs which included Tumbling Tumbleweeds and Cool Water. He married his first wife Lucile Ascolese in 1933 but they divorced in 1936.

The Sons Of The Pioneers made seven singing appearances in various films before Leonard drifted into acting.

He married Grace Wilkins in 1936 and they

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Whatever Happened To ...

Roy Rogers

By Kevin Trask of 3AW and 96.5 Inner FM had three children. His first major acting role was in 1938 when he appeared in the film Under Western Stars using the ‘stage name’ of Roy Rogers.

He rode his horse Trigger in the film and continued to ride him in all of his film and television roles.

Trigger had been ridden by Olivia De Havilland in The Adventures of Robin Hood.

At that time Gene Autry had walked out on his contract with Republic Pictures and the studio groomed Roy to be the new ‘Singing Cowboy’.

A series of western films were produced starring Roy Rogers, ‘The King of the Cowboys’.

He became a sensation and was getting in ex-

● Roy Rogers with Dale Evans cess of 70,000 fan letters a month. Roy went on to star in more than 100 films which included The Arizona Kid, Red River Valley and San Fernando Valley.

In 1944 he appeared in the film Hollywood Canteen and introduced the famous Cole Porter song Don't Fence Me. In. His ‘sidekick’ in the westerns was mainly George ‘Gabby’ Hayes, who was one of my favourites and provided the comedy relief.

Roy Rogers was a good businessman and secured the rights to the merchandising of his own image. Sadly his wife Grace died during childbirth in 1946.

The following year Roy married Dale Evans and they were together until his death. Roy and Dale adopted four children.

They both starred in The Roy Rogers Show which was a very successful television series and it was in production from 1951 till 1957.

Dale wrote the closing song, Happy Trails.

Roy and Dale retired to Apple Valley but continued to run the Roy Rogers Museum in Victorville, California.

Trigger ‘The Wonder Horse’had died in 1965 and a 24-foot high statue of the palomino was a great attraction at the museum.

Roy passed away in 1998 of heart failure at the age of 87 and Dale Evans died in 2001.

Their son Roy Rogers Jnr moved the museum to Branson, Missouri, in 2004 but it has now closed down and the treasured items have been sold.

Times have changed, we have all grown up and the Saturday afternoon matinees are a thing of the past.

But lets give one final cheer for Roy Rogers, ‘The King of the Cowboys’.

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.

TERRITORY MOMENTS AT HUMPTY DOO

■ There's a saying amongst those whose youth is fading - they claim that some events, or incidents, are "senior moments".

When I lived in Alice Springs, I have often encountered what I termed as "Territory Moments".

These were incidents which Territorians just took in their stride, but which would stop a Southerner in his tracks!

One such incident occurred last week in the Humpty Doo pub.

A local lady, Wendy Haddon, who was about to celebrate her nuptials, was kicking up her heels with her rowdy girlfriends for her ‘hens' night’.

Whether there were some male strippers invited, or expected, was a moot point, but the girls had decided to begin their own festivities, removing items of clothing from any male in the pub.

They became so rowdy that the Police were summoned, mistakenly being informed that there was a confrontation, but it proved to just be the girls in high spirits.

Whether they mistook the arriving Police for a strip troupe no one is sure, but they descended on them anyway, and proceeded to attempt to denude them.

Luckily the Police did take it all with good humour and managed to retain their almost fully clad dignity!

■ Even though I do like a medium rare camel fillet at the Krafty's Overlanders' Steakhouse, as I have previously mentioned, I don't like the actual beast itself!

They smell, and have disagreeable temperaments.

A mate of mine, Nick Smail, ran a camel farm in Alice for a long time -he would run safaris, and even had a ‘Take a Camel to Dinner’experience, whereby tourists would ride a camel a few kilometres along the Todd River bed to a local restaurant.

I've tried the restaurant, but never rode a camel; but it was always a hit with the tourists.

Now subsequently the operation has moved out to the Rock. It's now got new owners, three cameleers, and business is booming.

They've increased their herd from five to 40 animals, and for the first time at the Rock camel races are planned as part of the upcoming ‘Outback Week’.

I often went to the Camel Cup in

The Outback Legend

with Nick Le Souef Lightning Ridge Opals 175 Flinders Lane, Melbourne Phone 9654 4444 www.opals.net.au Alice - it was always a highlight on the calendar, with the locals preparing for the event for the whole year.

Many Pine Gap personnel would take part as jockeys, and U.S. camel riders would often come out just for the event.

■ Last year's Miss Universe Australia was Sherri Biggs. Before she left on her overseas journey for the final crowning, which unfortunately was not to be for her head, she visited our shop and chose one of our beautiful opals, which we donated for an auction at the event.

A few thousand dollars was raised for charity.

Then, lo and behold, another beauteous young lady just popped in last week - she just happened to be Jessica Kahawaty, who has just been crowned Miss World Australia.

She chose some opals, which we again donated, to take with her to the overseas crowning ceremony - each contestant is required to bring some gemstones from their own country, to be made into a large sculpture.

This will raise money again for

charity. So a few of our gems will grace this structure.

She was actually chosen for the Aussie crown at the Rock last week, and $52,000 was raised for charity by the 24 Australian entrants in the competition.

‘Bikes for Life’ was involved and presented 20 such to the kids of the local Watarrka School.

Also the Miss World Australia organisation is a great charity which combines these activities with the pageant.

These events often receive criticism, but I'll bet the critics never give any money to kids in need!

■ I've never been a great fan of bureaucracy!

Some places don't even tolerate it!

In Coober Pedy bureaucrats generally stay away because the residents are very independent and reputedly ferocious, and they sometimes throw sticks of gelignite about.

Highway Patrol police cars have been known to blow up, as has the local courthouse on a few occasions!

And recently in Alice Springs a bureaucratic decision has greatly angered the town.

There is a local football competition and a team from Papunya, an outlying Aboriginal settlement, the MacDonnell Districts, were scheduled to play a local town team, the Souths.

To get to town for the game they needed to drive 280 kms, much of it on a bumpy dirt road.

So last Saturday they turned up, but unfortunately were 10 minutes late.

They had changed into their footy gear on the bus, and were ready to play.

The Souths team was also ready and willing.

But some faceless bureaucrat, who wouldn't even venture out of his office, declared the game a forfeit!

So the Papunya team had to climb back on the bus and drive the 280 kms home!

You can imagine the reaction of the Papunya Elders who are always trying to encourage their young Aboriginal charges to a better life!

■ Mention two creatures, rats and possums, to a Melburnian, and "endangered" doesn't spring to mind!

However, it's a different story in the MacDonnell Ranges!

The Central Australian Rock Rat was thought to have recently become

● Humpty Doo Hotel extinct because of fire and drought. It volunteer survey in the West hadn't been spied for about eight years. Macdonnell National Park to check Then some healthy specimens on the once widespread Common were noted near Mts. Gillen and Giles Brushed Tailed Possum.

Just last year, after they hadn't been in a survey last year, so it was at least seen for years, some specimens were still around those areas.

Careful and controlled burning by photographed at Ormiston Gorge, as Parks and Wildlife rangers made sure I've previously mentioned, which there was no build-up of undergrowth meant they were also still about.

It seems that they could do with a for a fierce scrub fire which decifew more, so they can have some of mates these creatures.

And last week the Department of ours- we've got plenty to spare!

- Nick Le Souef, Outback Legend Natural Resources started a weeklong

From The Outer

Melbourne

Observer

kojak@ mmnet.com.au

With John Pasquarelli

■ With Labor and the Greens now locked in battle why are the Libs and the media not going in as hard as they should be?

Has everyone forgotten Graham Richardson's role in preferencing the Greens back in 1990 and the silly Liberals who fell over themselves following suit?

The Greens must have embraced each other with glee as Liberal federal and state directors demonstrated they were morons by not understanding what the Greens were really on about.

Liberal and Labor once preferenced against the Communist Party but now the totalitarian Greens are much stronger than the Comms ever were - just look at the mess we are in due to the treachery of our worst ever PM? How many Liberals are still inclined towards the Greens and where does Malcolm Turnbull and other members of the 'broad church' stand?

An Abbott Government will have one hell of a job cleaning up the mess before it can get down to the real work of sensible government.

Sooner rather than later the Coalition must let ordinary Australians know where it stands on the Greens and there are many starting to question its Direct Action policy which seems to allow plenty of accommodation for Greens and their followers.

- John Pasquarelli: kojak@mmnet.com.au