Ob 19feb14 az

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Short and Long Term Stays.

Phone 5965 2242 www.pawsandclawsresort.com.au

PHONE 0418 883 335 See Observer Trader P9 Grosvenor in Cairns Holiday Apartments

Fully Self Contained 1 and 2 bedroom apartments Looking to escape the cold this winter; then head on up to Cairns - always warm!

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

Glen Huntly, Heidelberg & Mitcham! 1800 819 936

or ring 1800 629 179

ISSN 1447 4611

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S TATE EDITION Vol 46 No 1546 SERVING VICTORIA SINCE 1969

■ Dolly Parton proved a hit at her Melbourne concert, and was pictured with Meg and John Williamson. Turn inside for lots more Melbourne showbiz news.

MERIMBULA, NSW

THE GREA T GREAT MUSIC OF THE ‘30s T O ‘60s TO Streaming through the Web PHONE: 9572 146 6 1466

2014 VACANCIES AVAILABLE

Details of 2014 packages on Page 2

www. darwinsbarrabase.com.au

BEACH ST APARTMENTS 1 Beach St, Merimbula, NSW 2548 Phone: (02) 6495 2205 w w w.beachs tr eetapartments.net.au .beachstr treetapartments.net.au

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goldenda ysr adio goldenday sradio adio..com

AFL TEAM FOR TASMANIA To AFL C ommis sion, Commis ommission, To AFL Commission, take notice

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

Door-to-Door delivery, Australia wide Open 9am-5.15pm Mon.-Sat, 10am-5pm Sun 243 Sea Kale Rd, Robinvale. Phone: 5026 3955 See Page 11, ‘Observer Trader’ section

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TILCO WHOLESALERS TO FARMERS

Mattresses Galore

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

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I just created a campaign: AFL TTeam eam ffor or TTasmania. asmania.

It would mean a lot to me if you took a moment to add your name in support.

Rex Mapley Sea Change Safety Cove www.safetycove.com

AND CONTRACTORS Manufacturers and distributors of an extensive range of tillage equipment and components Phone: (07) 4633 0624 Mobile: 0422 399 544 www.tilco.com.au barry@tilco.com. au Turn to Page 14 of ‘Observer Trader’ section

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Page 2 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, February 19, 2014

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Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, February 19, 2014 - Page 3

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Melbourne Observer Advertising Press+Online+Google+SocialMedia+Editorial Our advertisers are making news The Adventures Right Royal of Barry MCVilly welcome ■ Observer advertiser Barry MCVilly plays hosts to a number of international visitors to Victoria ... and last week he gave Laila and Christer Nordgren a six-star luxury break at Warrnambool.

Their stay, along with grandson Tom Blakeley, included dinner at the famed Breakers restaurant. Christer was so taken with the $1500 bottle of wine from Barry’s private cellar ... that we hear he took it back to the motel room for a nightcap.

■ Barry works as a professional hunter, and has just organised 21 young people to visit RUSA at New Caledonia. Normally the hunting expeditions cost between $7000-$9000, but Barry’s goodwill across the world means the young Australians were each able to access their hunts for just $2500.

Mavis says farewell ● Princess Natahlie of Denmark ■ We wonder Princess Natahlie of Denmark reads the Melbourne Observer. We hear that the royal visitor is training with our advertiser, Charlotte Blakeley of the Urong Equestrian Centre.

The pair are riding horses this week at Officer, near Pakenham.

Charlotte is also busy in working towards the next Summer Olympics, and most days include a 4am start.

■ Observer reader Mavis Ellis - known as ‘Harm Mave’ on the 3AW Overnighters program for many years - asks us to publish this tribute: “Farewell to a very dear friend Keith McGowan, sadly taken from us, December 22, 2013.

“Sincere condolences to Angela. Thinking of you Ange.

“Thanks for very special and treasured memories, they will last forever. I will never forget the fun and luaghter we had on stage.

The wonderful Christmas parties and the outings and especially your friendship. I will miss you.” .

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The Observer was established 45 years ago, and in that time has built a strong network of newsagents statewide.

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Melbourne

Observer

Ph 1800 231 311 Fx 1800 231 312

GREEN ROOM NOMS. Page 33

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2014

See our full-page ad, P10 of ‘Trader’

See our ad, Page 23 ‘Trader’

$2.95

including GST

GOLLY DOLLY

Boarding Kennel and Cattery Pick-Up and Delivery. All over Melb.

Short and Long Term Stays.

Phone 5965 2242 www.pawsandclawsresort.com.au

PHONE 0418 883 335 See Observer Trader P9 Grosvenor in Cairns Holiday Apartments

Fully Self Contained 1 and 2 bedroom apartments Looking to escape the cold this winter; then head on up to Cairns - always warm!

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

Glen Huntly, Heidelberg & Mitcham! 1800 819 936

or ring 1800 629 179

ISSN 1447 4611

S TATE EDITION Vol 46 No 1546 SERVING VICTORIA SINCE 1969

■ Dolly Parton proved a hit at her Melbourne concert, and was pictured with Meg and John Williamson. Turn inside for lots more Melbourne showbiz news.

MERIMBULA, NSW

THE GREA T GREAT MUSIC OF THE ‘30s T O ‘60s TO

2014 VACANCIES AVAILABLE

Details of 2014 packages on Page 2

www. darwinsbarrabase.com.au

Streaming through the Web PHONE: 9572 146 6 1466

BEACH ST APARTMENTS 1 Beach St, Merimbula, NSW 2548 Phone: (02) 6495 2205 w w w.beachs tr eetapartments.net.au .beachstr treetapartments.net.au

TURN TO ‘OBSERVER TRADER’ PAGE 8

goldenda ysr adio goldenday sradio adio..com

AFL TEAM FOR TASMANIA To AFL Commission, Commis ommission, To AFL C ommis sion, take notice

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

I just created a campaign: AFL TTeam eam ffor or TTasmania. asmania.

It would mean a lot to me if you took a moment to add

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

Fax: (03) 9822 9821 www.mattressesgalore.com.au info@mattressesgalore.com.au 10% EXTRA DISCOUNT FOR MENTIONING MELB. OBSERVER Details: see ‘Observer Trader’ Page 12

your name in support.

Rex Mapley Sea Change Safety Cove www.safetycove.com

Door-to-Door delivery, Australia wide Open 9am-5.15pm Mon.-Sat, 10am-5pm Sun 243 Sea Kale Rd, Robinvale. Phone: 5026 3955 See Page 11, ‘Observer Trader’ section

See Observer Trader P22

TILCO WHOLESALERS TO FARMERS

Mattresses Galore

AND CONTRACTORS Manufacturers and distributors of an extensive range of tillage equipment and components Phone: (07) 4633 0624 Mobile: 0422 399 544 www.tilco.com.au barry@tilco.com. au Turn to Page 14 of ‘Observer Trader’ section

See ad on Page 20 ‘Trader’

See ad on back page Page 17 ‘Trader’

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Advertisers’ Index References to ‘Trader’ denote the 24-page liftout in this edition All 4 Paws & Claws Resort ....... Trader P23 Mattresses Galore ..................... Trader P12 Barry MCVilly Pty Ltd ................ Trader P24 MCVilly Timber .......................... Trader P24 Beach Street Apartments ........... Trader P8 Metro Cinemas Boronia .............. Page 47 Braemac Energy ....................... Trader P19 Michael’s Trailers ...................... Trader P9 Burong Equestrian Centre ............ Page 45 Play DVDs/Rare Music ............... Trader P10 CMS International (Autosol) ..... Trader P13 Productive Gardens ................. Trader P15 Coolum Baywatch Resort ......... Trader P18 Robinvale Wines ...................... Trader P11 Darwin’s Barra Base ..................... Page 2 Scootersmart .......................... Trader P14 E-Cell ........................................ Trader P12 Sea Change Safety Cove ............ Page 48 Echo 4x4 ................................. Trader P25 SGI Consulting Group ................ Trader P22 Entertainment Australia ............ Trader P5 Formula Ford Experience Aust. .... Page 22 Shop Inside .............................. Trader P7 Golden Days Radio .................... Trader P16 Tilco ......................................... Trader P20 Grosvenor In Cairns .................. Trader P3 Tribute Funeral Services ........... Trader P6 Gutzbusta ..................................... Page 46 Tunit Australia .......................... Trader P17 Jenny Pihan Fine Art ................... Page 21 K & J Woolley’s Plumbing ......... Trader P4 Maroondah Sports Club ........... Trader P21 Wooling Hill Garden Estate ......... Page 23

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Page 4 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, February 12, 2014

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Mark Richardson ♥ Straight from the heart

E-Mail: mark@localmedia.com.au

Melbourne’s Black Pearl shines ■ Watching owner and sound engineer Yury Kogan in action, is just one reason why Black Pearl Studios has quickly become 'music to the ears' of major recording artists, musicians, television directors, radio and theatrical music producers.

Located in at the end of a string of factories in the bayside area of Moorabbin, it's hard to imagine when you first pull-up in car park, why the likes of Tony Gould, David Griffith, Vika Bull, ARIA and Grammy award winning musician, Gotye, Vince Jones, 30-piece jazz orchestras, 25-piece choirs and the producers of Chopper The Musical have all chosen to record and produce their projects beyond the small grey door.

For any untrained musical ear like mine, the mystery immediately unfolds when invited into the production studio to hear the quality of the music being produced by the team of internationally acclaimed sound engineers and producers, including Yury.

Taking a break from creating his latest studio masterpiece for an artist's CD, Yury proudly offered to show me around his state-of-the-art recording studio, pointing out the very backdrops that were chosen for various scenes

by Shine Australia's director, Andrew Prowse for the top ratings telemovie INXS - Never Tear Us Apart.

With more than 30 years in the music business as an audio engineer, Yury has professionally worked with a wide range of musicians including Paul Kelly, Allan Zavod, Jimmy Barnes, Sarah Blasko, Debrah Conway, Tim Rogers and the Gateway Plan. When Yury decided to bring to life his dream of creating a

Andrew Prowse Director INXS Never Tear Us Apart “We were looking for locations that were accessible, flexible and visually interesting. Black Pearl gave us the ability to realise the demands of the script without compromise. In the end we were able to shoot more that we had originally planned because the studio worked so well. The team were friendly and very helpful.

The added bonus was the fantastic range of period amps and instruments that made our art department's eyes light up the moment they saw them. A good experience all round.”

Studio Porch Thoughts

world class recording studio in Melbourne with his wife Galina, they didn't imagine word would quickly spread through the entertainment industry that Black Pearl Studios is where recording success often begins.

When did music come into your life?

From early age in St Petersburg. I was brought up with a steady diet of classical music and ballet. As a teenager I discovered rock music and all the social aspects of being in the band.

I learnt how to play guitar and set-off to rock and roll stardom. While studying at Melbourne University, I decided it wasn't profitable enough, so I played in wedding bands for over three years.

At what point did you decide to go behind the scenes to produce music?

My lifelong dream was to build a creative environment for musicians and engineers alike; where music of any style can be produced with world class quality. We have been fortunate that musicians and sound engineers

recognised that we have a one-stopshop that they can't seem to find anywhere in Melbourne to suit their professional needs.

Why is Black Pearl Studios now considered to be the most professional studio fit-out in Melbourne?

Our facilities complement any musical genre and sound. We have the space and instruments on hand for a 50-piece ensemble and the intimacy for rock, pop and hip hop bands. Additionally, we have a Yamaha C7 grand piano in the recording studio and many top-class instruments sought after for jazz and classical performers.

So I am right in assuming you have architecturally designed the studio with musicians foremost in mind?

Yes! Our recording spaces were specially designed for all musical types. We sought advice from one of the best theoretical acousticians in the world, and as a result we launched two of the best acoustic recording spaces I have ever been to in the past 30 years.

What do your clients say?

They believe the acoustic performances are second to none. We receive many comments that they are thrilled to now have access to a recording facility in Melbourne that matches the most internationally acclaimed studios.

What calibre of producers and sound technicians are offered to clients at Black Pearl Studios?

Our audio engineering and production team is made up of myself, Terry Hart and Julian Mendelson.

Julian has previously worked with likes of the Pet Shop Boys, Elton John, INXS, Bob Marley and Paul McCartney. He has an impressive count of 25 No. 1 hit tracks on the UK charts that he either recorded, engineered or co-produced. Terry has also worked with a number of Australian musicians and chose to base himself here as he loves the diversity and range of equipment that makes any genre and production possible.

I was amazed to see just how sophisticated and spacious the studio is when I worked through the door. Will you be adding any new dimensions in the future?

Yes. We will soon be upgrading with an additional third studio that includes a new post-production suite that will also be used for voice-overs, interviews and commercials.

● Yury Kogan What notable commercials have ing year. We also hope to work with been filmed or recorded in the stu- churches and youth groups, as well as schools with the facilities to record dio for radio or television?

We had Adidas executives shoot choirs and musical productions on a commercial, which was filmed for location or at Black Pearl Studios.

For any emerging artist, musiMTV. Also the prime time television commercial Coles with old Brit rock- cians or even companies wanting to ers Status Quo performing 'Down, do some voice over work for their Down Prices are down!'- We re- video productions, is it actually afcorded the catchy tune that appears fordable?

We have fantastic engineers with in several parts of the commercial.

Black Pearl Studios is becoming great experience and able to faciliknown for supporting and nurtur- tate any project with prices of a small ing local musicians. How are you to medium facility. In other words, we provide the affordability, experinvolved on a grass-roots level?

We were the major sponsor of tise, creativity and all necessary tools the '2013 Globe Battle of the Bands to make dreams come true. That is Competition'. We provided a three- our mission. We love what we can day recording session to both the achieve for all levels in all recording Victorian finalists as part of the ma- genres.

What is your Porch Thought for jor prize. We have also launched a competition 'Search for Pearls 2014' the day?

Music makes our life better. We to discover and promote local talent across six categories and music hope new generation of musicians are able to carry the torch and ingenres.

You are community focused with spire audiences like the generations numerous programs scheduled for before them.

To arrange a personal tour of 2014. What are some of the highBlack Pearl Studios or for lights we can look forward to hearmore information visit www. ing more about? blackpearlstudios.com.au We plan to host many school pro- Mark Richardson grams and workshops over the com-

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au Melbourne

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

Showbiz Latest

It’s All About You!

Melbourne

Exclusive: Green Room Observer nominations announced In This 72-Page Edition

Mark Richardson: Straight From Heart .... Page 4 Melbourne Observer: Ash Long reports .... Page 6 News: ‘Ita offered me $2000 cash’......... Page 7 Di Rolle: Welcome back Julian Clary ..... Page 8 Melb. Confidential: Dentist reprimanded .. Page 9 TV Memories: Early days of Channel 0 ... Page 10 Been and Seen: Pictorial feature .......... Page 11 Travel and Wine: David Ellis reports ...... Page 12 Yvonne Lawrence: Service with a smile .. Page 13 Gavin Wood: Live from West Hollywood .. Page 15 Kevin Trask: Whatever Happened To ..... Page 16 Jim Sherlock Aaron Rourke Julie Houghton Cheryl Threadgold

Atlantis In Concert

Observer Showbiz

Latest News Flashes Around Victoria

Defamation payout

● Gareth Keegan and Lucy Durack are in Atlantis In Concert the Sunday Creatives include Chris Parker, director; ■ Chapel Of Chapel will host Atlantis In Concert this Sunday (Feb. 23) at 6pm and Matthew Robinson, musical director; Tom Willis, lighting design; and Marcello Lo Ricco, 8.30pm.

With music and lyrics by Matthew Robin- sound design.

First draft of the show was workshopped in son, the cast includes Gareth Keegan, Lucy Durack, Kellie Rode, Anne Wood, Bert Perth in 2012, with two readings in New York LaBonte, Melissa Langton, Emily City, with developmental feedback from Langridge, Lisa-Marie Parker, Sophie Stephen Schwartz and representativesfrom Carter, Carmen MacDonald, Joel Parris and Disney Theatrical Productions.

- Ash Long Ben Nicholson.

Cabs licence despite fraud ■ Harjinder Singh Hothi bas won permission to operate taxis in Melbourne, despite incorrectly completing a form in which he represented he had no criminal convictions.

Judge Marilyn Harbison, Vice-President of the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal, was told that Hothi had been found guilty of five

counts of conspriacy. A National Police Certificate did not show these convictions.

Hothi and his son Jason Singh Hothi operate a taxi

business in partnership and asked VCAT to use its discretion to reinstate accreditation.

Hothi said he thought the certificate meant his offences had been expunged from the record as spent.

Hothi had participated in an illegal scheme of sham marriages in the Sikh community to obtain citizenship.

● Green Room Awards ■ The Green Room Awards Association yesterday announced the nominations for the Awards to be announced at a ceremony to be held on Monday April 28 at the Comedy Theatre, Melbourne.

The Awards are for performances presented between January 1 and December 31 last year.

"The third Tuesday of February is, as proclaimed by the City of Melbourne, Theatre Day and it has been our tradition for many years to mark the day by announcing our nominations," said Chris Thompson, President of the Green Room Awards Association.

"These 214 nominations for 50 Green Room awards represent the tip of the iceberg in terms of the many hundreds of performances that the Alternative and Hybrid Theatre, Cabaret, Dance, Independent Theatre, Music Theatre Opera and Theatre Companies panels see each year.”

This year sees the introduction of a new award honouring the achievements of choreographerShirley McKechnie.

The Betty PounderAward will be presented exclusively by the Music Theatre Panel.

The Green RoomAwards Association was established in 1982 by Blair Edgar and Steven Tandy. The first awards were made in 1984 in the foyer of what is now Hamer Hall. ● Full list of Green Room nominations, Page 33

■ Environment East Gippsland are receiving a settlement after comments were made

by State Agriculture Minister Peter Walsh, reports News Limited newspapers.

Corio smash, grab ■ Thieves have made off with $40,000 in goods from Harvey Norman’s Corio store during a smash and grab, reports the Geelong Advertiser.

Big bucks for Bank ■ Bendigo Bank has posted a half-yearly profit of $180.7 million, reports the Bendigo Advertiser.

AFL in Ballarat?

■ Carlton coach Mick Malthouse has backed Ballarat’s bid to host AFL matches for premiership points., says the Ballarat Courier.

Gas danger: CFA ■ Morwell residents could be exposed to elevated levels of the dangerous gas carbon monoxide for weeks, the CFA has warned, after levels spiked in the township at the weekend, reports the Latrobe Valley Express.

Weather Forecast ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

Today (Wed.). Chance of storm. 11°-22° Thurs. Chance of rain. 10°-17° Fri. Mostly cloudy. 12°-16° Sat. Mostly cloudy. 11°-20° Sun. Partly cloudy. 12°-23° Mon. Clear. 12°-27°

Mike McColl Jones

Top 5 THE T OP 5 QUES TIONS TOP QUESTIONS WE'D LIKE T OA SK TO ASK SCHAPELLE C ORB Y. CORB ORBY 5. "Will you buy a Jeep?"

4. "You mean you survived a lunch with Mike Willesee?"

3. "Ever considered making boogie boards?"

2. "To hell with the Corona ... here's a Crownie".

1. "Apart from everything else, how did you enjoy Bali?"

Page 6 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Heart Thy Neighbour

● Greg Pandelidis and Arta Mucaj ■ Melbourne Observer theatre critic Maggie Morrison’s are used in publicity for Heart Thy Neighbour by Camilla Maxwell.

Arta Mucaj has been cast in her first major Australian play. She will play Sarina for the premiere production.

Arta is an Albanian actor who has had a career performing throughout Europe.

Venue: Brunswick Mechanics Institute, 270 Sydney Rd, Brunswick.

Dates: April 9-12.Four nights only. Time: 7.30pm.

Tickets: Full $28, Conc $22, Group (8 or more) $22.

Bookings: ReAction Theatre Booking Line: 9378 8671 and at the door.

Launch

● Jeanne Pratt ■ Jeanne Pratt is due to announce the 2014 season for The Production Company at an invitation-only launch to be held at her residence, ‘Raheen’, Kew, on Tuesday, March 4.

Three shows are expected to form TPC’s 2014 season.

People Pars

● Cheryl Threadgold

Ash

■ Anne-Marie Corboy, CEO of the Health Employees Superannuation Trust Australia (HESTA), has been appointed to the Board of Netball Australia.

■ Richard Ennis, curator of the Incinerator Gallery, Moonee Ponds, will lead a panel discussion on Sunday, March 1, of arts practitioners including a curator, art director, visual artist and graphic designer, followed by an audience Q&A. The Careers In The Arts event is aimed at VCE students.

The Melbourne Observer 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

Umbilical Brothers

● Umbilical Brothers: David Collins, Shane Dundas ■ The Umbilical Brothers are returning to Melbourne with their new, adults-only children’s variety show The Umbilical Brothers: KiDShoW (Not Suitable for Children).

Part of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival from Thursday, March 27 – Sunday, April 13 at Arts Centre Melbourne, Playhouse Theatre, KiDShoW (Not Suitable for Children) flips the children’s television format on its head with an unhealthy dose of violence, sexual references, drug taking and very frequent coarse language.

Inspired by their time creating an actual children’s TV series, KiDShow (Not Suitable for Children) brings all the sketches, gags and ideas that were not suitable for actual children.

Satirising children’s entertainers and TV shows with their trademark comedy and slapstick, KiDShow (Not Suitable for Children) will see fictional TV hosts Dane (David Collins) and Shavid (Shane Dundas) at their all-singing, all-dancing best with some essential storytelling and audience participation.

Performing together for more than 25 years, Shane Dundas and David Collins have toured the globe. With four different shows in their repertoire, the pair most recently toured Europe where they performed for the Queen.

Performances: 7pm, Thursday, March 27 – Sunday, April 13 (6pm Sundays) Venue: Arts Centre Melbourne, Playhouse Theatre Tickets from $34 (children under 13 will not be admitted) For tickets and more information visit ticketmaster.com.au or call 1300 660 013, artscentremelbourne.com.au or 1300 182 183.

Stupid Liar

● Lawrence Mooney ■ The lies men tell themselves to stay alive will be revealed in Lawrence Mooney’s tell-all confessional Lawrence Mooney Is A Stupid Liar.

Part of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival from Thursday, March 27 – Saturday, April 12 at Melbourne Town Hall – Mini Main, Mooney’s stand-up will expose the white lies men spin to get through marriage, parenthood and their careers.

It’s Silvie

■ Silvie Paladino is one of the great Australian singing talents to find success not only in her own country but also overseas.

Silvie has won fame as a popular singer and stage performer in shows such as Les Miserables, Mamma Mia, Cats, Hair and Miss Saigon.

It is a joy to see Silvie performing on Christmas Eve in Carols By Candlelight.

Silvie Paladino will be performing in the Morning Melodies concert at Hamer Hall on Monday (Feb. 24).

- Kevin Trask

Passing of Barry Bosnich ■ Popular 96.5 FM presenter Barry Bosnich has died. He presented Midweek Country on a fortnightly basis for eight years.

He was a fan and friend of American singer Tom T Hall. Barry's country music program attracted listeners throughout the world.

He also worked a studio co-ordinator.

Prior to his retirement Barry worked in the printing and publishing industry. He fought a long and hard battle against his illness. Sympathy to Diane and all the family.

- Kevin Trask

● Barry Bosnich

Meet The Makers

In Brief ■ Victorian Opera’s Games of Love And Chance will be staged at Robert Blackwood Hall, Monash University (Clayton Campus) at 7.30pm on Saturday, March 29.

■ Istituto Italiano di Cultura Melbourne is hostinbg a photographic exhibition by Graziano Panfili, opening on Tuesday (Feb. 25).

Biennale

Arts awards at Cranlana

● Heidi Victoria ■ The Lorne Sculpture Biennale will open on the Lorne Foreshore from Saturday, Saturday, March 8 to Sunday, March 30.

Prominent sculptor, Inge King, is Arts Patron for the event. Performance artists include Climarte, Domenico de Clario, Tony Yap, and Ken and Julia Yonetani.

Lorne’s position as a regional arts centre was cemented last yearwith the announcement of a $75,000 grant for a permanent sculpture from the Victorian Arts Minister, Heidi Victoria.

■ Eddie Perfect will be MC at the Sidney Myer Performing Arts Awards which will be announced at a gala Garden Party at 6.30pm on Thursday, March 20, at Cranlana, Toorak.

The Judging Committee chaired by Carrillo Gantner with fellow members including Paul Dyer , Artistic Director of the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra; Brett Sheehy, Artistic Director of Melbourne Theatre Company); Hannah Skrzynski, Director of Creative Asia) and Sarah Neal, ● Eddie Perfect Executive Producer, Malthouse Theatre. The gala invitationonly event pays tribute to outstanding excellence in drama, comedy, dance, music, opera, circus and puppetry throughout Australia.

The Sidney Myer PerformingArts Awards include the group award with a cash prize of $80,000; an individual award, with a cash prize of $50,000; and the facilitator’s prize with a cash prize of $20,000.

The Sidney Myer Performing Arts Awards were established in 1984 by the Trustees of the Sidney Myer Fund, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the death of Sidney Myer, a passionate advocate and great friend to the arts.

The Judging Committee recognises past achievements and gives consideration to the potential of an individual or group to continue their contribution through the performing arts.

Honours ■ Melbourne Observer theatre columnist Cheryl Threadgold has been in Canberra for the Order of Australia conference.

Cherul received the Medal of the Order of Australia in 2010 “for service to the performing arts, particularly through the Mordialloc Light Opera Company, and to the community”.

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

● Bernadette Alibrando, curator of Meet The Makers 2014.

■ From March 27 – 30, Meet The Makers 2014 will give opportunity to explore the studios and independent art spaces of Fitzroy and Collingwood over a weekend of eight free, inspiring and accessible art events.

Curated by Bernadette Alibrando, Meet The Makers 2014 features visual art, iPad drawing, ceramics, stencilling, a weaving installation, an artist market and is supported by the City of Yarra.

While in New York City in 2006, Bernadette discovered Toast, a non-profit, artist-run corporation whose purpose is to support and promote the working artist of TriBeCa with innovative events designed to engage the public in an ongoing dialogue about the production, promotion and preservation of the arts.

In 2013, she decided to bring a small version of Toast to Fitzroy and Collingwood with the inaugural Meet The Makers.

The project is an opportunity to spread the word about unique individuals who make the City of Yarra cultural and diverse. It also provides audiences with knowledge of art practices and processes during programs and activities.

Provides participants an opportunity to meet the maker and gain a greater understanding of artists, art spaces and creative businesses.

Bookings are essential as places are limited. meetthemakers.net.au/ (from February 21) - Cheryl Threadgold

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, February 19, 2014 - Page 7

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au Melbourne

Observer

Court Roundsman

16 months jail for drug seller Celebration drinks

Briefs No panic

■ A fuel industry insidxer says motorists should not panic buy petrol after the Cootes fleet was sidelined because of safety concerns.

The most-affected service stations are likely to be BP and Caltex.

“Shell are largely unaffected with Scott's, Tolls and Linfox servicing those sites, United and APCO are unaffected,” the source said.

Maccas

■ A learner driver has been caught drink driving n Officer, claiming he wanted to get his hours of driving practice up.

Pakenham Police conducted a random intercept on the vehicle on Princes Hwy. The 16-year-old male L Plate driver and his 37-year-old female accompanying driver both returned positive preliminary tests.

The driver allegedly blew .051 and the accompanying driver, .083. Asked why he was driving, the LPlater said they were headed to McDonalds and he wanted to boost his hours

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

Sniff of bad old days

■ Convicted drug seller Velimer Markovski, 62, has been sentenced to a minimum 16 months jail by Country Court Judge Paul Grant. Maximum penalty for trafficking in a drug of dependence is 15 years imprisonment.

The Court heard that Markovski agreed to supply drug trafficker Brane Stankovski, of Melbourne’s northern suburbs, with 1.7 grams and 7 grams of methylamphetamine for on-sale.

Markovski was found with $5370 in cash, which now forfeited, as suspected proceeds of crime. The cash notes had been planted in a covert operation Markovski received a suspended jail sentence in 1997 for traficking heroin, and a minimum 3½-years in 2009 for traficking a drug of dependence. He was on parole when the latest offences were committed.

“Drug trafficking is pernicious behaviour that causes great harm to our community,” said Judge Grant.

“Those who choose to profit from such illegal activity must expect to pay a heavy price for their illegal behaviour.”

The Court was told that Markovski was not a drug user at the time of supply: “I can only conclude that your motivation for trafficking was a desire for financial gain.”

Markovski has serious health problems, the Court was told: type 2 diabetes with difficult control issues, arterial disease, vascular disease, has had heart surgery, and suffers from depression.

● Stefan Cassomenos ■ A new local ensemble Plexus, a new ensemble, isa launching itself at a concert on Monday (Feb. 24) at fortyfivedownstairs, 45 Flinders Lane.

Plexus comprises one of Australia's best young pianists, Stefan Cassomenos, violinist Monica Curro and clarinettist Philip Arkinstall, along with guest artists soprano Judith Dodsworth and cellist Michelle Wood.

Plexus takes its name from a word meaning the interweaving of entwined elements.

Monday’s concert promises a smorgasbord of melody, style and inspiration, with premieres from five Australian composers, as well as music from popular composers Khachaturian and Jennifer Higdon. There will also be the Australian premiere of a film by New York filmmaker Natalya Cohen.

Everyone attending the concert is also invited to celebratory drinks and supper after the performance.

Tickets are $40 for adults, $30 concession and $20 students.

Bookings: 9662 9966 or www.fortyfive downstairs.com - Julie Houghton

‘Ita offered me $2000’ ■ Melbourne entertainer Debra Byrne says that whilst she was at the depths of her drug use in the late 1980s, magazine publisher Ita Buttrose offered her $2000 cash for her life story.

Byrne says the cash was offered whilst she was seeking aqssistance at Odyssey House.

Byrne says she discovered that Buttrose was connected with the Friends of Odyssey, and ponders whether there was a conflict of interest by Buttrose.

Byrne has since gone on to be drug-free, rebuild her life, and become a carer for grandchildren and disabled members of her family.

Buttrose was last year named

Melbourne Observations with Matt Bissett-Johnson

● Debra Byrne

Australian of the Year, and has a media career that includes being a panel member on Channel 10’s morning program.

Debra Byrne says the cash offer came whilst she was suffering from one of the worst depressive episodes of her life.

Byrne’s comments came as she criticised Channel 9’s 60 Minutes broadcast a story that included tears from a victim.

“Did you see the delight in the reporter’s eyes when the man interviewed finally cried?

“I see the same horrid exploration of someone who is clearly depressed full of shame, regret and loathing.”

‘Kerri-Anne broke trust’ ■ Actress Peta Toppano says TV host Kerri-Anne Kennerley broke her trust when appearing on her Channel 9 show.

“I went on the Kerri-Anne show ages ago after my divorce from a prominent person,” said Toppano.

“I asked her specifically not to ask me about it and that was the first thing she did.

“I was gobsmacked and teary .I'll forgive but never forget.”

Toppano has been married three times. In the 1990s she was divorced from Kerry Stokes, the proprietor of the Seven Network.

● Police Chief Commissioner Ken Lay ■ Victoria’s top cop, Chief Commssioner Ken Lay, has a hard-earned reputation as one of the good guys.

He has worked diligently to keep Victoria Police out of the headlines.

But just for a moment over the past week, there was a sniff of a return to the bad old days of ex-Chief Commissioners Christine Nixon and Simon Overland.

Nixon landed herself in the headlines after being caught driving an unregistered car on the Mornington Peninsula.

She called it an “oversight”. She is expected to receive a $722 fine in the mail.

Ken Lay was in the spotlight after he blamed the Victoria Police computer system for not producing the arrest warrant information for Greg Anderson, who killed his 11-year-old son Luke Batty at Tyabb.

Information on five arrest warrants was delayed because of a computer programming shortfall.

"We need to get better at this. We need to invest in this," Mr Lay said.

Get your PIN ready

■ Signatures will no longer be accepted for purchases on credit cards and debit cards issued in Australia from August 1.

A PIN (‘Personal identification Number’) will be required to complete transaction. Contactless payments can be made for purchases under $100.

Barrel Bullets ■ Melbourne Observer reader Toni Giannarelli complained online about her $1600 purchase from Beverley May Hair Extensions of Prospect, South Australia. Her complaint seems to have quickly disappeared from the company’s Facebook site.

■ Derryn Hinch is scheduled to be released from jail in a fortnight or so. His personal assistant Annette Philpott posted online at the weekend: “He's hit the teens. 19 days left. Feeling fit but time is dragging on.”

■ Tina Hutchence, sister of the late Michael Hutchence, was blunt about INXS: Never Tear Us Apart (Channel 7) when she spoke with Nova 100’s Meshel Laurie on Monday morning: “I’m angry and sad for Michael, because I mean it’s a complete fabrication of our family.”

Page 8 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, February 19, 2014

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

To

Keith’s ‘Light The Fuse’ tour

Di Positions Vacant

● Julian Clary ■ It is with great joy I write about Julian Clary. He is a wonderful and very funny person; I have met him several times. He is always most charming.

With the recent news events, it’s good to write about someone that I know will bring smiles to my face and those all around me.

Julian Clary has long been a regular visitor to our shores. He likes coming here, and he has many friends here.

Back this time by popular demand, he is an international comedy treasure and selfproclaimed “Lord of the Mince’. His episode of Who Do You Think You Are is one of my all-time favourites.

Clary returns to us for his 8th Australian tour in April this year with a new show Positions Vacant: Apply Within.

Currently touring the UK, this has become one of Julian’s most successful shows to date.

“His persona of camp superciliousness is effortlessly amusing …Clary’s genius is to find sexual suggestion where the rest of wouldn’t t think of looking,” said The Guardian.

Gaining a whole new legion of fans following an incredible UK Celebrity Big Brother win, 2012 was a standout year for the sharp-witted and even sharper tongued comedian.

I, along with lots of fans, have flocked to see the flamboyant star in his element, delivering his now infamous brand of outrageous, no holds barred comedy.

Still unafraid to push boundaries, Position Vacant: Apply Within is not only a stellar night of comedy, but every evening Julian unashamedly flirts in the face of conformists everywhere by welcoming a selection of eligible bachelors onto the stage to win his hand in marriage. remaining a much loved entertainer, Julian’s popularity has endured across a three decade career in show business.

As much known for his television and radio profile as he is for stand-up, last year he appeared on television favourites such as Q.I. (on which I loved him) and the UK TV Live At The Apollo.

A best-selling novelist, his third book Brief Encountered, was published in 2012 to unanimous praise.

Needless to say Julian Clary cannot wait to return. He said about his show, dress code is smart but casual, although the rules about corduroy trousers still apply.

See him in Melbourne at Her Majesty’s Theatre on Saturday, April 19. Book at Ticketek 132 849 or www.comedyfestival. com.au visit Julian on www.julianclary.co.uk Tickets on sale Thursday February 20 at 9am.

I love my job!

■ Keith Urban is one of my favourite Australians. He is also one of Australia’s sons, and he is also fabulous on the current American Idol series on pay TV. Sensational on stage, he has announced his Light The Fuse tour in Australia. When it comes to an all-energy show with a showcase production, Grammy and ARIAAward-winning Keith certainly delivers.

The all-new show, when it tours in June, will not only feature first-time performances of new music from his number 1 album Fuse , but will boast a production size and scope that has become synonymous with Urban’s electrifying concert experiences.

If Keith’s previous tour of Australia, The Story So Far album tour is any indication (it was completely sold-out), then fans shouldn’t wait to buy tickets for this upcoming tour.

The Light The Fuse Tour Australia will see Keith Urban perform in Melbourne at Rod Laver Arena on June 25.

Tickets are on sale now from Ticketek www.ticketek.com.au I will not be missing this show.

For Building Bridges ■ The Melbourne International Comedy Festival is about to start.

It comes around so quickly each year.

The line-up of comedians this year is fabulous, and among them is Scotland’s biggest export on his first time in Australia.

Kevin Bridges is brilliant, I have seen him on Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow and always enjoyed him.

There is something about a comedian that comes from Scotland, particularly when he is their favourite standup comic!

He will tour Australia for the first time in March with shows in Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney.

Despite having not set foot in a comedy club before his first open, mic spot in 2004, Kevin’s natural gift for comedy ensured he quickly became a regular at major comedy clubs up and down the country.

In 2006 Kevin performed his first full length solo show at the Glasgow International Comedy Festival, to a sold out audience and much critical acclaim.

Moving into bigger venues every year, Kevin continued to sell out his hometown festival 2007, 2008 and 2009.

The Edinburh Evening News said: “Hilarious observations. One of the hottest properties on the stand up scene.”

As well as having a strong hometown following, Kevin has taken his style of observational, cutting edge comedy all over the globe. He appeared on The Worlds Stands Up and The Comedy Store (Com-

with leading Melbourne publicist DI ROLLE

It is very hard to get a good review with Chortle UK. Kevin is a great comedian. He continues to perform in packed houses around the world, and finally Australia will get the opportunity to see what everyone is laughing at!!

As Glasgow’s Evening Times said of Kevin: “Sickeningly talented young show stealer.”

I am hoping he appears on some of our television shows, particularly The Project.

Buy a ticket to see him at Trades Hall via Ticketmaster 1300 660 013. March 27 to April 20.

Or book direct on www.comedyfestival. com.au

● Kevin Bridges edy Central) which led to his first big TV break as a guest on the first series of Michael McIntyre’s Comedy ■ I think Torah Bright is an absolute delight.

Roadshow which aired to over 5 million What a breath of fresh air she is.

I just love her. Her dance is something that viewers. really captures my heart. I love watching the It led to Kevin being the fastest act to Sochi Games, with Torah giving it all she has. sell out all 28 nights of ■ It was great to catch up with Kerri-Anne his 2009 Edinburgh Kennerly who looked just amazing with her gorFestival run and add- geous smile at a friend’s engagement party in ing a staggering 15 Sydney.

Matt Simpson, long-time friend and former extra shows, which producer from Bert Newton’s Good Morning also sold out!

Not only a firm Australia .has become engaged to beautiful favourite with the punt- Double Bay lawyer, Helene Hansell.

Much fun was had at The Upper Duck in the ers but also the critics, Kevin received five- salubrious Sydney suburb Mosman.

It was good to see Leilani Abels from Thrive star reviews and a nomination for the PR at the party among the guests including all prestigious Edin- Matt’s work buddies from 2DayFM Breakfast burgh Comedy where Matt is Senior Producer for Jules Lund, Awards ‘Best New- Merrick Watts, Sophie Monk and Mel B. It was a great night! comer’.

“He’s the sort of everyman stand-up who makes everyone things they can be a comedian … So natural, so unaffected, is his style that it hardly seems written at all.”

“His bullshit detector is in full working order, and once identified, he can destroy ● Helene Hansell, Kerri-Anne his target with sharp Kennerly and Matt Simpson wit,” said Chortle UK.

People I like

● Keith Urban

Fat Penguin opens

● David, Marina, Frank and Jenny ■ Melbourne’s café community is buzzing as the results of the year-long transformation of the Fat Penguin – a family run business in Melbourne’s east – are unveiled.

The Kew East café, behind the renowned ‘blue door’ on High St, has had a makeover, and now boasts a new chef, a new courtyard, as well as a revamped kitchen and updated menu.

And key to the Fat Penguin’s growing success is its family base, headed by hospitality veterans Frank and Jenny Facciolo and their three children.

Son David is the head barista, another son, Michael works front of house as a waiter, and daughter Marina shares barista duties across the weekday and weekend rush.

“Working together as a family has always been a very important part of the Fat Penguin and now that every else is coming together – like the new staff and the revamp – we can’t wait to share it with everyone else,” Frank told the Melbourne Observer.

The latest appointment is Kyle Noll as head chef. Kyle, who honed his skills at the likes of the Lyceum Club in the CBD, the renowned Yarra Valley winery Yering Station, Port Melbourne’s Exchange Hotel and Duke’s Coffee in Windsor, has revamped the Fat Penguin‘s menu, adding a modern twist to its classic Australian fare.

Creating inspiring new meat dishes will be among the top priorities for Kyle, who is a lover of butchery.

Frank and Jenny’s love affair with hospitality began in the late 1980s, when they set up a sandwich shop called The Mitey Bite at Melbourne University.

This was followed by the opening of Frank’s Café, directly next door, in 1995.

The pair became institutions for students, with Frank’s Café renowned for its $1 pizza slices. The Facciolos bought the Fat Penguin, then known as Grazing Plates and Platters, in early 2011.

They renamed it 12 months ago - and have been revelling in a series of transformations ever since. The most recent improvement is the new, dog-friendly ‘blue’ courtyard, complete with a herb and potted garden, which is perfect for functions and capitalises on the Fat Penguin’s location in one of Melbourne’s leafiest suburbs.

Open seven days a week, the affordable fully licensed cafe has become a local, hotspot, with sporting legends including John Aloisi, Barry Hall, Stirling Mortlock and Travis Cloke counted among the regulars.

The menu is stunning, and can be seen by visiting www.fatpenguincafe.com.au or www.facebook.com/fatpenguincafe The Fat Penguin is located at 713 High St, Kew East, and is open Mon-Fri 7am-4pm; and Sat-Sun 8am-3pm. For information call 9859 3252. A must visit. My mouth is watering writing about it.

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, February 19, 2014 - Page 9

Confidential Melbourne

Talk is cheap, gossip is priceless

Dentist reprimanded, fined after record-keeping probe

Bitch Melbourne’s Secrets

Mini series on Molly ■ A TV mini-series on the life and times of Melbourne rock music guru Ian ‘Molly’ Meldrum is underway.

His life mirrors the progress of the Australian music scene since the 1960s, when he appeared on TV shows such as Kommotion Uptight, Happening 70 and Countdown.

He started as a writer for Go-Set magazine.

Discussions over the ● Molly Meldrum script were held in Melbourne over the weekend.

Meldrum, now 71, survived a life-threatening fall at his Richmond home in 2011.

Warlow, Prince tour

● Anthony Warlow, Faith Prince ■ Musical theatre star Anthony Warlow, will tour in June with Tony Award-winner Faith Prince in an concert event titled Direct From Broadway.

Prince is his Broadway co-star from the US production of Annie and a 30-piece orchestra under the musical direction of Alex Rybeck and the direction of Dan Foster.

Warlow’s credits include A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Doctor Zhivago: The Musical, Annie, The Phantom Of The Opera, Les Miserables plus Guys and Dolls.

Date: 8pm Friday June 20 and Saturday June 21 Venue: Hamer Hall, Arts Centre Melbourne Price: $99-$295 Bookings: www.artscentremelbourne. com.au or 1300 182 183 www.ticketmaster.com.au or phone 1300 136 166

Ban on credit work ■ The Australian Securities and Investments Commission has banned Anthony Bergin from engaging in credit activities for three years after an investigation found his company submitted seven home loan applications worth $3.2 million to a lender. It is alleged that the applications contained false or misleading information, including false payslips.

Bergin’s company, Equity Financial Management Pty Ltd (EFM), submitted the loan applications between 2011 and 2012.

ASIC found Bergin hwas not a fit and proper person to engage in credit activities.

■ Bentleigh dentist Dr Gholam Zehtab-Jardid has been fined $3000 and reprimanded after a record-keeping investigation was carried iut by the Dental Board of Australia.

Dr Zehtab-Jardid must also pay $5000 legal costs of the Dental Board of Australia.

The case went before the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal last month, and was heard by Vice-President Judge Marilyn Harbison, and members Dr Ross King and Dr Colin Riley.

The Tribunal was told the Australia Health Practitioner Regulation Authority heard allegations of insufficient record keeping.

Dentists are obliged to keep records about diagnosis, treatment planning, relevant dental and medical history, referrals to and from other practitioners, informed consent, details of advice provided, estimates and quotes of fees, and costing codes.

“This is not the first occasion that (Dr Zehtab-Jardid) has been the subject of disciplinary proceedings,” the Tribunal panel said,

Accountant pleads guilty Dr Zehtab-Jardid previously appeared on an unprofessional conduct complaint in respect of endodontic and orthodontic procedures.

He will now face an audit every sic months for a period of two years.

The auditor will select 10 recent patient records to review on each occasion.

The audits will take place at the expense of Dr Zehtab-Jardid.

The Tribunal heard that there was any recording of updates on medical histories.

“A detailed treatment plan was not recorded in any instance nor there was there evidence of advice being given to his referring doctor in the vase of the Medicare EPC Benefit Scheme.”

The 58-year-old entered Australia from Iran in 1985.

Surprise for Kevin ■ Melbourne Observer columnist Kevin Trask was accorded a This Is Your Life presentation on radio last week.

The tribute was given

by Walter Williams on Brisbane station 4BC, on which Kevin appears weekly.

Kevin also appears on 3AW’s Remember When, and conducts his own That’s Entertainment show on 96.5 FM.

● Kevin Trask

MP Geoff Shaw seeks apology ■ Maverick Frankston MLA Geoff Shaw is threatening to sue former Mayor Christine Richards for alleged defamation, reports the Frankston Times.

His solicitor Quinn McCormack reportedly notifies that damages and costs of $100,000 will be sought, if an apology is not forthcoming.

Ms Richards’s comments were published in The Age last month, along with statements from four other former Frankston mayors.

■ South Yarra accountant Mark Ronald Letten pleaded guilty to 27 criminal charges, including charges of operating 21 unregistered managed investment schemes, following an Australian Securities and Investments Commission investigation.

Letten, 60, the former director of LGH Holdings Ltd (in liquidation) and the principal of the accounting firm Lettens Pty Ltd, formerly The Letten Group, has also admitted to dishonestly using his position as a director (using investor funds totalling almost $550,000) and of carrying on a financial services business without an Australian financial services licence.

Letten is facing a maximum sentence of imprisonment. His conditional bail was extended and he is to reappear in the County Court on May 12.

Rumour Mill

Hear It Here First

What’s in a name?

■ The Saturday Age publishes its last broadsheet edition this Saturday (Feb. 22).

From March 1, the paper is converting to tabloid size, although the Age elitists would much prefer we avoid the Tword, and call it ‘compact’ instead.

The Life & Style section will be re-named as Spectrum, the same name as the lifestyle section in sister newspaper, The Sydney Morning Herald.

Rumour is that 70 per cent of the material will run common in both Sydney and Melbourne papers. So much for being a Victorian publication.

Moomba secret

● Geoff Shaw

■ The appointment of Bert Newton and Lucy Durack as Moomba (March 7-10) monarchs appears to be still one of Melbourne’s best kept secrets. Not a single media release has reached the Melbourne Observer newsdesk from Lord Mayor Cr Robert Doyle’s Town Hall office.

E-Mail: Confidential@MelbourneObserver.com.au

Whispers

Hold on ■ Glass House Dept. One Sunday Age scribbler wrote of the ‘Torana Youth Training Centre’. Naughty boys went to the ‘Turana’ centre at Parkville after stealing Toranas.

Off air

● Dan Lyons ■ Light FM Melbourne drive co-host Dan Lyons has left the station.

He joined the station last year, however his contract wasn't renewed for 2014.

Quits

● Tony Briffa ■ Cr Tony Briffa, an ex-Hobsons Bay Mayor, is quitting local politics. It is claimed she was the world’s first intersex Mayor. She wants to spend more time with her family.

Resigns

● Shaun Cox ■ Melbourne Water Managing Director Shaun Cox has resigned. Cox was in charge when $266 million had to be paid to customers because of overcharging for the costs of the Wonthaggi desalination project. The departure was by “mutual agreement”.

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Page 10 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, February 19, 2014

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Ash On Wednesday

■ Melbourne promoter Dennis Smith did it again at the weekend - assembling an entertainmentpacked show for two sellout audiences at Palms At Crown.

Host Johnny Young joked that it wasn’t the Village People, but the Retirement Village People.

Performing his old hits including Smiley, CaraLynn, All My Loving and The Real Thing, the former Young Talent Time host held together a brilliant night out.

Star of the show was Colleen Hewett, who just gets better.

The artist who started as a 12-year-old at the ‘YM’ in Bendigo, and had her break with Godspell in the early 1970s, wowed the audience with Day By Day, Wind Beneath My Wings (which she dedicated to her parents), and Dreaming My Dreams With You. The former Queen of Pop was followed by a favourite Melbourne son, Normie Rowe, who held the audience with Que Sera Sera, It Ain’t Necessarily So, Ooh La La, finishing with I (Who Have Nothing).

Normie’s fiancée, Penelope Perrin, with Rosie Conforto, performed as the backing group, the Rockelles.

A surprise for the night was the guest appearance of Ross D Wyllie, the star of Uptight and Happening 70, who performed The Star and Funny Man. Dennis Smith assembled a six-piece band, which grew to eight. There were plenty of laughs, a few tears, and a night full of sing-a-long fun.

Dennis is the man responsible for the Go! Show, which first went to air on Channel 0, some 50 years ago.

We can soon expect announcement of the very special 50 Year Reunion show, to be staged later this year.

Short Shots ■ A good pal, Melbourne publicist Julie Cavanagh, tells us that Disney On Ice is presenting Treasure Trove, a live celebration of Disney’s animated gems, at Hisense Arena from July 3-7.

■ While we’re talking about Walt Disney, we recommend Saving Mr Banks. Take your hanky.

■ Lucy Bright at Kerry O’Brien Publicity tells us that new tickets have been released for the Melbourne season of Wicked, from May 10 at the Regent.

■ Happy 90th birthday (Feb. 25) to Observer reader Pim O’Brien.

Melbourne TV Memories with K enneth Mulholland Kenneth

Breakfast-A-Go-Go

● Colleen Hewett with Ash Long

Long Shots

editor@melbourneobserver.com.au

with Ash Long “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 ■ “I've always been interested in people, but I've never liked them.”

- W. Somerset Maugham

Observer Curmudgeon ■ “There are people who have an appetite for grief; pleasure is not strong enough and they crave pain.

They have mithridatic stomachs which must be fed on poisoned bread, natures so doomed that no prosperity can sooth their ragged and dishevelled desolation.”

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Text For The Week ■ “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” - Philippians 4:6 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.

■ Tedd Dunn was Fredd Bear. As a cameraman, Ken Mulholland was meagre or poor. In other words, 'Thread Bare.'

I have a memory of Tedd walking down the corridor that used to lead to the front reception area at Channel 0.

It is eight o'clock in the morning. In Studio A at ATV-0 Nunawading it might be any time of the day or night.

The grey crane, camera platform lowered, ghosts through the clouds of dry-ice fog at a plodding speed. Ahead, right across the darkened studio floor, is a sand-bagged bunker.

The music softly steals in as James Pegler, cradling a rifle and costumed in military garb, begins his emotional rendition of Danny Boy. This is all to be accomplished in one long, single shot. The camera, and the thing its mounted on, slide past and around the singer, slowly circling, closer and closer, then again drifts away and up over the huddled figure, and returns in a sideways movement that ends in extreme closeup of the man's battle-grimed face. It is all timed to get to that point at the concluding moment.

Tears are welling in his eyes as his song and the plaintive, beautiful music ends. He ain't the only one. I feel the entire thing, even on the back end of the crane.

Barry Cross says nothing, just remains sitting motionless, his face hidden by the viewfinder. That's saying a lot. ★ Showcase. What a fine Crawford institution. It elevated the phrase 'talent quest' out of the mundane into the sophisticated and the elegant.

Three good reasons why.

Gordon Boyd: suave, debonair, articulated and accomplished, both as a host and as a singer.

Natalie Raines, the producer. Knew what she wanted and got it. I remembered her from Video Village when she got me on as 'The Mystery Voice.'

A very slick format that often dramatised the performers and the numbers, coupled with good, imaginative set design.

Is it any wonder that Showcase. beginning in 1965 ran on into the early 70s.

I'm at the back, wondering what he wants me to say. “Forget Chivers and Bowler. What do you want us to do! We are camera two, the crane! It's time for you to do more than drive this thing. It's time for you to be a part of what WE do!”

I've got my butt resting on the rear padded seat.

I'm not sure what he means. But what I do know is that the piano man is about to play Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto Number One. In we go. This is my answer. The crane crabs its way right into the keys and the hands of the pianist.

We rehearse. The music swells for this first section, and I know it very well...

“You've got to feel the music! That's what motivates you!”

Yes Barry. Now I begin to understand.

It was a liberation. At last I began to get it.

When that recording of Showcase ended, Barry got off the pointy end and came down to me, still sitting on the back of the machine.

“Now do you understand what ‘motivation’ is?”

First lesson. But only as a crane driver.

Barry Cross was a case study. He had the ability to create brilliant visuals with his insight.

One night on Young Talent Time, Bob Collins, the director, let Barry off the leash. Colleen Hewett was to sing Day By Day and Barry said he had a great idea as to how to light it.

Collins asked the lighting guys to co-operate and the result, using floods sitting on the floor was quite spectacular. ★ We're in Studio C. It's morning. Eight o'clock exactly. Mike McCarthy is standing at a microphone a metre-and-a-half away from the control room window, about to deliver the news. I am pointing the camera at him.

Barry has removed his headset, locked off his camera and sidled up to Mike's left hand, just out of shot.

Tedd, Judy and Colin are over on the right hand side of the set, huddled together, Tedd taking a welcome breather with the furry head on his lap, as they whisper away, sotto voce. Turn To Page 13

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, February 19, 2014 - Page 11

Victoria Pictorial

Historic Photo Collection

● Tourist steamer ‘Marion’ on the Murray River at Echuca, 1939

● Pleasure boat passing through Loch, Mildura. 1950.

● ‘The Gem’, Murray River, Mildura. 1950.

● Bridge over Murray River, Mildura. 1950.

● Victoria Street, Kerang. 1950.

● High Street, Echuca. 1939.

● The Bridge, Swan Hill. 1950.

● Torrumbarry Weir, near Echuca. 1950.

Page 12 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Melbourne

Observer

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Travellers’Good Buys

with David Ellis

5-star Crusoes - they’re Seadreaming ■ Ask the all-knowing Mr Google how many islands there are in Asia, and you’ll get an answer akin to asking how long is a piece of string?

So when SeaDream Yacht Club decided to embark on a first-ever season in Asia with its luxury SeaDream II, and knowing past guests’ fondness for the serenity of remote islands away from the rat-race, they took to their charts and the tens of thousands of islands from India to Indonesia (plus for one itinerary across to Far North Queensland, PNG and the Trobriand Islands,) with a fervour akin to that of planning a Moon Landing.

For here they found islands with no more than a handful of subsistence farmers-and-fishers, others with a couple of thatch-roof “resorts” beachside for more-adventurous holidaymakers, plenty with flashy 4- and 5-star hotels, and some others simply devoid of any human life whatsoever.

“We had the perfect scenarios for all occasions,” says the company’s Director of Business Development in Asia, Richard Jones who was a driving force behind the decision for this first-ever venture, and who scouted-out the best of island offerings with the help of local tourism offices, tour guides, village chiefs, resort own-

● Bar's open! Guests head for the Beach Party’s Surfboard Bar and Champagne and caviar.

Melbourne

Observer Wines & Liqueurs

with David Ellis

Bad Taste Amnesty’s free wine ■ In certainly one of the more quirky industry promotions – but one that’s sure to get plenty of attention – Western Australia maker The Fifth Leg is offering to swap that dodgy red or white that’s been gathering dust in the back of the kitchen cupboard for years, for a new-release $16.99 The Fifth Leg red, white or rosé … for absolutely free.

Saying that life’s too short to drink bad wine, from 1pm to 5pm on Saturday February 15 The Fifth Leg’s inviting anyone with a bottle of “suspect inferior plonk” (for whatever reason) to take it along to a First Choice liquor outlet anywhere in Australia, and swap it for a free bottle of The Fifth Leg – with a choice from their Crisp Chardonnay, Semillon Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz Merlot, Rosé or Shiraz.

For our part, red devotees shouldn’t look past swapping that dusty sus bottle with The Fifth Leg’s 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz Merlot, a soft, fresh and supple wine, whose nice juicy red and black fruit flavours make it a great match with red meat dishes.

There’s a limit of one swap per person under the amusinglynamed The Fifth Leg Bad Taste Amnesty; for more information, and the address of your nearest First Choice liquor outlet for February 15, check out www. fifthleg.com.au

One to note ■ Katnook Estate have released a Founder’s Block Chardonnay from the excellent 2012 vintage in Coonawarra, one that had slightly warmer conditions than usual, below average rainfall, and was one of the region’s earliest on record.

Winemaker Wayne Stehbens has created in this a wine that’s designed for enjoyment now, while also showing wonderful potential to reward buyers happy to tuck it away to mature nicely for anything up to six years.

With white peach, pear and citrus flavours and a rich and creamy mouthfeel, Wayne says to consider matching it with pan fried chicken breasts stuffed with finely sliced mushrooms and chorizo, and served with accompanying asparagus. At $18, it’s certainly a good suggestion.

Pictured ■ Swap that sus plonk with a great $16.99 Fifth Leg like this – for free.

■ Excellent-value Chardonnay from an excellent vintage.

ers and anyone else who could give him input.

And their choices have proven winners with the hundreds of guests who’ve sailed so far on mega motor-cruiser SeaDream II, including colleague Frank Linn who, with a handful of fellow travel scribes, recently did a week from Phuket in Thailand to Yangon in Myanmar (Burma,) and another from there back to Singapore.

So this week it’s Frank’s turn to do the writing, and here’s his story: While always a thrill to re-visit cities and towns across the region we’ve a fondness for from past meanderings – like frenetic Phuket, ever-delightful Langkawi, always-spotless Singapore, and Yangon (Rangoon) for a mindblowing first-time experience – it was our days ashore on smaller and remoter islands that won our hearts.

For here were specks on the maps we’d in many cases never heard of, or if we had, never had the opportunity to visit previously: rarely-visited places like the Similan Islands in Southern Thailand, Nyang Wee and 115 Island amid the remote Mergui Archipelago of Myanmar, Ko Lanta Yai in Thailand …

And while there may have been only our fellow SeaDreamers and crew on their sands, rather than confronting on-the-knees picnic tucker for the day, we were ferried ashore by the yacht’s inflatable Zodiacs to find roaring gas barbecues under shady trees, prawns (and locally-caught lobsters on one occasion,) steaks, chicken, sausages and lamb chops already sizzling away, nearby trestles loaded with salads… and just off the beach, a surfboard “bar” from which crew were dispensing Champagnes, wines and caviar to guests thigh-deep in the water.

All this 5-star Robinson Crusoe stuff having been ferried ashore from SeaDream hours earlier.

And on tiny Nyang Wee the company’s first-ever Night-time Beach Party, complete with a serenading guitarist who had us toetapping the sands to John Denver and Beatles’ numbers as we tucked into a gourmet barbecue under flickering flares … the night ending with the lighting of traditional Lucky Lanterns that drifted heavens-ward with our secret wishes (apparently for most, for another week aboard SeaDream).

Back onboard, the indulgences continued: 5-star dining with breakfast and lunch under shade on deck, no stuffy jackets or ties in the Dining Room for dinner (only “Country Club Smart Casual”,) no-charge drinks from the open bars, nightly cocktail gatherings, use of a 30-course golf simulator, a free state-of-the-art fitness centre, all staterooms with either a picture window or twin portholes…. and more crew (95) than guests (just over 70 on our sailing.)

And on two full-days at sea surprise midday poolside snack passaround’s with Bloody Mary’s, afternoon movies (including The Lady, the story of Aung San Suu Kyi and her fight for Democracy in Burma….)

Subsequent sailings have taken-in Thailand’s Ka Tarutao, believed to have been a first by any ship to this-now National Park that in the 1930s was a penal settlement for political prisoners, and Ko Lipe with its extraordinarily sparkling green waters.

SeaDream II stays in Asia until April when she’ll sail 15-days from Mumbai to Athens; for stillavailable Asia itineraries and the sailing to Athens, see travel agents or visit www.seadream.com

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au Melbourne

Observer

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, February 19, 2014 - Page 13

Melbourne TV Memories

By Kenneth Mulholland

Back to the early days of Channel 0 From Page 10 The News theme issues in Mike, who begins the five-minute bulletin.

Now, I know that Barry has had a past game, a challenge with Mike, trying to throw him off by doing all kinds of antics to break him up.

But Mike, being a professional, has refused to be broken, no matter the funny faces, the hand signs and naughty, provocative gestures etc.

It has become a matter of honour.

But this time, to my horror, it goes too far.

As Mike reads, Barry hovers off camera, his voice is just audible and what he says is unprintable.

Mike stoically reads on, clearly astonished but equally determined.

The other cast members realise what is taking place. At first they are transfixed, as am I. Then, when Barry

actually intrudes into the shot with Mike, Tedd has to be restrained from charging in and dragging Barry away.

Through all of this Mike doggedly keeps going, giving road and weather conditions, while Barry continues to mock him.

It is at this time that I hear the director laugh.

I suddenly realise that there is no control room turmoil. It is all a big joke on Mike and the other cast members.

The 7 o'clock news has been taped and replayed as if live to air.

Only Barry and Fred Johnson are in the know.

We finished the last hour with Tedd fuming, and the other cast members shell-shocked.

What the fall-out was for Barry and Fred Johnson I never found out,

● Fredd Bear, Tedd Dunn but I'm quite sure that Tedd, Judy and Colin would have had their say.

But Barry could be that way. He was as Yul Brynner sang, 'A puzzlement.'

He taught me, he threatened me, he bullied me (until I learned to stand up to him).

He tried to beat me at chess. There he lost a bet and bought, then brought me Glazunov's wonderful ballet The Seasons on disk.

I have the record to this day, and

every time I play it, it reminds me both of Pat Maloney (Seven's record librarian) and Barry, because it was used as theme music for Seven's first kids show Young Seven.

We both barracked for Fitzroy, and went to a couple of VFL games in the seventies, one where Di Rolle came along.

By quarter time she was looking for other diversions. Perhaps a kiosk that sold Women's Weekly or better still Cleo.

The diversion happened toward the end of the game when several of the supporters decided to have their own competitive engagement on the steps.

Barry baffled me at times. he was a staunch unionist and actively trawled the channel for possible candidates, enlisting me on the way.

I even talked Wally McRobie into

joining, as well as Robbie Weekes and, almost Bob Loxton.

One day, when we were shooting the races at Flemington, Barry asked me to take him (I had an FB Holden, which I preferred to drive to OBs rather than travel in crew cars) to Ascot Vale.

I asked him why, and he told me that he wanted to visit his adoptive parents.

I just did what he told me. Directed by him. we went to a very small singlefronted house.

There I met his folks: two very humble, elderly people. They gave us both a cup of tea and some biscuits.

We talked for a while and then said goodbye.

I've never forgotten.

A puzzlement.

- Kenneth Mulholland

Melbourne

Observer Life & Style

Taking saucepans for some ‘Chow’ ■ I don’t find any enjoyment in shopping these days. Shopping with my mother when I was a kid was like going through the looking -glass with Alice. Great fun!

And for a while after I was married and moved to the suburbs it was always enjoyable.

Mind you I didn’t have to go far. In our section of Canterbury Rd we had two grocery stores, two fruit and vegetable shops with very obliging Italian owners, a fish shop - and the Greek owner spoke very little English, but would cook the fish any way you liked and his potato cakes were out of this world.

A husband and wife team from Germany ran a terrific delicatessen. The wife would often cook a cake from her native Germany, and if you were in the know you could buy a piece.

And best of all, we had a garage that sold petrol and gave forecourt service.

‘Service’ stations ■ Two mechanics were on hand at all times. I sometimes wondered if they slept at the garage.

Peter discovered that they did indeed work into the night doing mechanical repairs on the side.

The owner wore overalls and sported a bow tie. He was front of house and served petrol, washed your windscreen, checked the oil and the air in your tyres.

It was wonderful because you never got out of your car to receive all this service, and always with a smile.

And I hasten to mention that if you were running low on petrol before payday you could ask for a couple of dollars worth of petrol to get you to work and back.

And, how could I forget the milk bar that stayed open until late? Late in those days was 8 o’clock.

It’s all changed ■ The elderly owners were so patient with the youngsters who came in with empty soft drink bottles to claim a refund, and then with great deliberation, spent the money on lollies from a well-stocked showcase.

I remember those lollies, wonderful big multicolour bolders, clinkers, black cats, bags of sherbet with a licorice straw and silver sticks. Imagine, all for a penny, and in those days helpful service as the kids agonised over their purchases costing at most three pence.

It’s all changed. The specialty shops have gone. The ham and beef shops where the staff wore long white pinnies tied high up on their chest, gave way to the delicatessen.

But the delicatessens have almost all disappeared and given way to a deli section in the supermarkets.

Yvonne’s Column

It used to be amazing who you would meet standing in the queue with saucepan in hand on a Saturday night.

I used to bump into local inhabitants, and often a friendship was made.

That’s was living in 1970’s suburbia!

Fit of nostalgia

with Yvonne Lawrence yvonne.lawrence@bigpond.com

Friends for life

■ Now, those Chinese cafés with bare laminex tables and bright neon lights are gone and replaced by decorator Asian restaurants with much more exotic menus.

And where once you would have a huge feed for almost nothing, it’s expensive nowadays, and they only take cash. So leave your credit card at home.

My local cake shop has disappeared and a tattoo parlour has replaced it.

I don’t want to go all over the place looking for a cake shop, or in today’s lingo a ‘patisserie’.

It’s not often I buy cakes, but sometimes, in a fit of nostalgia, I crave a vanilla slice or a lamington, and unless I make them myself I go without.

My mother would turn in her grave to see me make a cake from a packet mix.

Things have certainly changed, and not all for the best.

You will have noticed that there are many empty shops in your local shopping strip.

Greedy landlords put up the rents to a ridiculous amount and the shopkeeper has no alternative but to vacate.

It’s poetic justice that the shop often remains vacant for many months, and the landlord loses his rent.

■ Nothing can beat the sight of salamis, hams and big fat sausages hanging up on hooks around those old delicatessens.

And huge rounds of cheese sitting on marble slabs covered in white muslin. You could ask for a taste, in fact, in most of those Italian delis in Carlton, you could chomp your way through not only different cheeses but wonderful salami’s and Nonna’s home-made lasagna.

It wasn’t long before you were friends with the gregarious shopkeepers and our Saturday morning trip turned into a terrific experience, and of course, they had a customer for life.

I used to buy a big circle of crusty bread and by the time Peter and I arrived home we’d eaten ■ So shopping has changed for me. I miss the service that was all included. half, so delicious and fresh it was.

It has become a ‘take it or leave it’ attitude from many shopkeepers.

Buying fish from a fishmonger is the way to ■ Where have all the haberdashery stores gone? go. I wanted scallops and instead of going to my I wanted some hooks and eyes the other day and fishmonger I thought I’d save time and buy them I couldn’t buy any. The supermarket had cards from the supermarket.

The fellow behind the counter sported a laof Velcro, and the local two-dollar shop had bel on his uniform which told me his name and press-studs, but not what I wanted.

Remember when we took our saucepans to that he was the ‘Manager;, but when I asked him a question he replied, “ I wouldn’t have a the one and only Chinese café in the area?

I remember there was always a queue wait- clue, don’t know anything about fish” really set ing for their orders. The homemade dim sims me back. This would never have happened a few years ago. were simply a must.

I always knew when my mother was going It was never a chore to take your own saucepan. Peter would go in the car and he’d make to town because the hat and gloves came out.

She dressed for the occasion. the selection. I set the table, and boiled rice that Shopping for butter and cheese when I went would be ready when he arrived home.

It was an inexpensive meal, and oh, so deli- with her to her favourite ham and beef shop was cious. Nobody thought it strange to take your terrific.

I was told to stay still and keep quiet, but the own containers.

Take it or leave it

Saturday nights

lure of the sawdust on the floor was too much for me. I tried to make patterns with my foot, but the hands won. And Mum won because I was punished.

Great shops gone

■ It’s amazing the things we think of in the middle of the night when sleep eludes us.

Is it a sign that we are getting older when we remember things from days of yore?

I actually woke Peter in the middle of the night remembering something that happened when we were first married and he and I chortled together.

Now of course, all those great shops have gone and we have an op shop, an Asian newsagent, a Chinese restaurant, a huge selfserve petrol station and an Indian grocery shop.

And now an Aldi store has opened. Whoopee.

Loyalty pays

■ Just one thing whilst I’m on shopping. I wonder, if I asked nicely, would Aldi put up a notice that reads: Children of all ages must behave and use their indoor voices if they wish to be welcomed at Aldi.

It alarms me that there are so many empty shops, and that people prefer to shop online.

Remaining loyal to your local store will pay dividends in the end.

My friend Rob Richardson doesn’t agree with me, but I will never buy anything on the internet, although when he tells me about a super bargain he has bought I wonder if my strength will hold out.

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

Page 14 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, February 19, 2014

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

What really happens at a Grand Installation?

■ Ever wondered what happens at a Freemasons Grand Installation?

We would love you to come and see for yourself. Register now for this special biennial event where you will witness the installation of Hillel Benedykt into the chair of Grand Master.

How often can you say that you have been behind closed doors at a Freemasons ceremony?

This is a great opportunity to learn and understand the meaning behind Freemasonry and its principles and meet with people from all walks of life.

Don't hesitate to book your Grand Installation ticket through www.trybooking.com/65688 or contact Donna De La Rue for all other enquiries on 9411 0103 or email installation@freemasonsvic.net.au Registrations close Friday (Feb. 21).

Registration forms are also available on the Freemasons Victoria ● Grand Secretary Peter Henshall, Deputy Grand Master Hillel website www.freemasonsvic.net.au/ Benedykt and Grand Master Bob Jones. events/grand-installation-2014/

Scholarship enables vital research

Silver Jubilee of bursaries ■ This year marks the Silver Jubilee of the Tresco Masonic Lodge Bursaries which are presented annually to students residing in the Tresco Lodge No. 289 area who have completed year 12 studies and who are continuing on with tertiary studies.

The winners for 2014 were announced at the January Tresco Lodge meeting and presented to the successful candidates by Ted Finch, a member of Grand Lodge Board of Benevolence and the Worshipful Master of Tresco Lodg,e Stan Edelsten.

The bursaries are made available annually from funds provided by the Tresco Lodge Scholarship Trust,

● Zac Rundall-Gordon, Katie Hepburn, Ted Finch, Member of the Board of Benevolence, Samantha Oliver, all 2013 winners, The Mayor of Swan Hill Councillor Les McPhee, Feather Fellows, Tamra Hoare, Mollie Quin, all 2014 winners and Stan Edelsten, Master of Tresco Lodge.

which are augmented on an equal basis by a generous contribution from the Grand Lodge Board of Benevolence. This year the bursaries were of $6000 and $4000. These are open awards, to students proceeding on to any recognised tertiary study in Australia.

Scholarships awarded

● Tanehsa Rowe (left) and Emily Lamb have been awarded scholarships by Mooroopna Masonic Lodge. Pictured with member Barry Bolitho and Master John Canty.

■ Mooroopna Masonic Lodge reMaster John Canty said the Lodge cently presented two worthy students saw education within the community of Mooroopna Secondary College as an important factor.

"We believe education makes us a with scholarships that will assist them fit member of every well organised to continue their education.

Year 11 student Tanesha Rowe and society," he said.

"We've been involved in providing Year 10 student Emily Lamb were selected by the college as the most scholarships to students at worthy recipients to receive the $500 Mooroopna Secondary College for a long time, and Freemasons consider scholarships.

"The scholarships aren't necessar- education a priority."

Mr Canty said the students could ily awarded to the highest achievers but to the most worthy,” John Canty use the money for uniform or other school-related expenses. said.

These bursaries are not awarded on academic achievement alone.

Other considerations such as community activities and genuine need, are taken into account.

The winner of the major award this year was Mollie Quin (McKillop College) Bachelor of Health Science and Master of Speech Pathology -Latrobe / Bendigo. The other winners were Feather Fellows (Swan Hill College) Diploma of Music Theatre - Patrick Studios of Australia in Melbourne, and Tamra Hoare (McKillop College) Bachelor of Health Science - Deakin / Burwood.

The balances of 2013's awards were presented to Katie Hepburn (Swan Hill College) Bachelor of Health Science and Master of Physiotherapy - Latrobe / Shepparton, Samantha Oliver (Swan Hill College) Bachelor of Business Accounting Latrobe / Bendigo and Zac RundallGordon (McKillop College) Bachelor of Biomedicine - Monash University.

Tresco Lodge takes great pride in the success of these awards, one such recipient was Rhodes Scholar who has a Diploma of Philosphy. from Oxford University.

In the upcoming year the Trustees intend that, with increased funds available, the Tresco Lodge awards will be even more substantial, and will include a new bursary of $34,000 each year for the duration of the recipient's undergraduate degree course.

This will be an extra-ordinarily prestigious award and one of the largest single academic awards provided

by Freemasonry anywhere in Victoria. It will provide a significant contribution to the recipient's financial position.

All of this is not a bad effort for a Lodge of less than 20 active members - plus their ladies - almost all of whom - including the indispensable ladies - are close to or over 80 years of age. But it is a Lodge which takes pride in its achievement.

● Jennifer Squire (inset), a proud recipient of a $2000 Freemasons Victoria scholarship that has enabled her further education in Forensic Science.

■ Freemasons Victoria provides scholarships of every level each year to around 100 students, all of whom go on to achieve success within their studies and career. But it's not often a scholarship recipient appears in the press, is praised for their achievements, and given the opportunity to talk about their studies.

Jennifer Squire, grand-daughter of WBro. Trevor Power of St Andrews in the South Lodge No. 149 is one such scholarship recipient, who appeared in the Geelong Advertiser (Oct. 7, 2011), and spoke about her research into breast cancer treatment.

Jennifer had previously received a $2000 scholarship towards her studies in Forensic Science at Deakin University, and has since continued on to do her Doctorate.

Deakin University recruits research intensive academics each year to undertake their post-graduate and post-doctorate work in areas of interest, and in Jennifer's case, in the area of chemistry.

Jennifer was granted a Deakin Post-graduate Research Scholarship, working on a project titled A Promising Drug Delivery System for the Treatment of Breast Cancer. " When I finished my honours, I knew I wanted to go on towards a PhD, and I knew the area I wanted to work in,” Jennifer said.

Jennifer was quoted in the Geelong Advertiser as saying that she was passionate about finding a better way to treat breast cancer. She said that there is still no cure, only treatments like chemotherapy that destroys healthy tissue.

"I am aiming to develop a chemotherapy drug delivery system that will only target and destroy cancer cells,”Jennifer said.

Jennifer went on to explain that with her research, the very thing that gives cancer the competitive edge over healthy cells, could also ultimately bring out it's demise.

"I am trying to make a range of liposomes and micelles that have a chemotherapy agent, Tamoxifen, attached to the outside. The special thing about Tamoxifen is that it works by mimicking the hormone estrogen, so the receptors will grab and pull it into the tumour by mistake," she said.

"This is helpful as it acts like GPS for our liposome, guiding it directly into the tumour where it can release a second dose of the different type of chemotherapy agent that it's carrying.

"This delivery-system has the potential to deliver a high dose of chemotherapy directly into breast cancer tumours while also minimising side effects,”Jennifer said.

Jennifer was sent to London University and Paris as part of her studies with Deakin University, and she also visited her brother Brian, also a scholarship recipient through Freemasons Victoria, who gained his Bachelor of Computing and Mathematics.

Trevor's other grand-daughter Katherine Power, daughter of Trevor's son Randall Power - he himself receiving a Freemasons Victoria scholarship nearly 40 years ago, also received a $2000 scholarship six years ago.

For more information about Freemasons Victoria scholarships please visit the Freemasons Victoria website at www.freemasonsvic.net.au or contact 9411 0100.

● To find out more about Freemasonry, how to become a member, or attend upcoming public events, please visit www.freemasonsvic.net.au or ’Like’ our Facebook page, www.facebook.com/freemasonsvic for the most up to date information. ● Don't miss the 2013 summer series of Freemasons: The Inside Story, airing Monday nights at 8:30pm on Channel 31, or visit www.C31.org.au to watch it online, until February 24, 2014.

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au Melbourne

Observer

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, February 19, 2014 - Page 15

West Hollywood

Hollywood celebrities behaving badly OJ goes on hunger strike

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

Partridge family superstar told ‘It's Over’

Cruise, Foxx square off

● Tom Cruise and Jamie Foxx

● O J Simpson ■ Disgraced O.J. Simpson has gone on a hunger strike.

His body weight has blown up and recently he was charged with stealing chocolate cookies from the prison kitchen.

That is not the reason for the hunger strike. Simpson is so severely depressed he wants to "just sit down in a corner and die."

The American football star and accused killer, who is currently serving up to 33 years at Nevada's Lovelock Correctional Centre for armed robbery and kidnapping, is determined to end his life behind bars.

"O.J. is done" said one newspaper. “He's dropping weight fast and it's scaring the hell out of his few remaining friends.

“He just won't eat and you can tell by his voice that he wants to die. That's exactly what is going to happen to him unless some good news drops to cheer him up and give him a reason to live.

“However, that doesn't seem likely."

"They ain't ever going to let me out of here. I am not going to eat and I won't let the doctors in prison revive me in any way. I will fight it.

“I used to live my way and now I'm going to die my way!" Simpson said.

● Katie Holmes ■ Tom Cruise is furious and it's all because Jamie Foxx has hooked up with his ex-wife Katie Holmes.

Tom and Jamie have been good friends ever since teaming up in the 2004 big screen thriller, Collateral , but things are said to be tough between the pair after it was revealed that Foxx has been secretly seeing Holmes.

"Tom feels hurt and deceived," a source told the National Enquirer.

Katie and Jamie were desperate to keep their relationship under wraps.

"Neither of them wanted this affair out in the open," said an insider.

"Jamie wanted to keep it quiet because he figured Tom would consider it a betrayal of their friendship.”

● David Cassidy ■ Seventiess pop star David Cassidy's marriage is over. The star is being divorced by his wife of 23 years following multiple DUI busts.

Sue Shifrin-Cassidy is said to be filing for divorce from the former Partridge Family star.

Sue cited David's battle with alcoholism as a reason for the collapse of the marriage.

David, 63, was arrested last month for driving while intoxicated, making three DUI's in total across the USA. David's manager said of the recent arrest that Cassidy "was doing well in sobriety" before contentious lawsuits regarding owed Partridge Family royalties from merchandising supposedly drove him to drink. The couple have one son together, Beau, 23.

His daughter (with model Sherry Williams), Katie Cassidy, 27, stars in a new series on television called Arrow, a big hit here in the States. Ironically as a character battling substance abuse.

GavinWood

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

The Book of Mormon

Woody struggles

Nascar superstar ■ From Launceston to North Carolina, Marcos is following his father's footsteps with racing in his blood.

Marcos is a true superstar of the Nascar competition. We watched him conquer Mt Panorama and now he and his number 9 Stanley Tools Nascar is riding the wave of tense contests with the best drivers in the world.

Marcos can claim the title of the fastest man in Nascar in 25 years. He is poised for great success this year.

Marcos Ambrose spends his time away from the Nascar circuit with his family in the outdoors, panning for gold in the nearby North Carolina rivers.

New LA Mayor Eric Garcetti is getting it done

● Woody Allen ■ Woody Allen's new film is struggling to get picked up by a foreign distributor amid all the controversy.

According to the New York Post, foreign distributors at the Berlin Film Festival are weighing whether to buy Magic In The Moonlight, which stars Emma Stone and Colin Firth.

Sony Classics have US rights but some foreign firms are wondering about the wisdom of buying the movie.

Sources say they're also worried that if they cross Woody they'll never get another one of his films, which do well overseas.

■ I was very lucky to get a seat to the sold-out season of The Book of Mormon at the Pantages Theatre on Hollywood Boulevard.

I would just like to say that if you get an opportunity to go to the Pantages Theatre jump at the chance. It is one of the finest theatres I have seen with stunning walls and ceilings and there is not one pillar to peer around.

The show is a mega hit and it is not for the feint hearted. I noticed the Mormons in the audience picked up some jokes that the rest of the crowd didn't. Wow, what a show.

Watch out for the amazing leads in the LA cast, David Larsen, Cody Jamison Strand and the amazing voice of Denee Benton, they are future stars.

Shows coming up at the Pantages, so you can plan your trip, Green Day's American Idiot May 13-18. Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat June 3 to 22 and Ghost The Musical June 27 - July 13.

To book: www.pantagesgroups.com

www.gavinwood.us

● Eric Garcetti ■ He has been in the chair for seven months and Eric Garcetti is bringing back the movies to LA. I remember when I first moved here over six years ago, there were film crews all over LA. and the business was exciting, there was a ‘Hollywood Buzz’ around LA. The global financial meltdown and the ‘movie star’Governor Schwarzenegger saw film production wither away on the movie vine.

The Governor did nothing for the film industry that supported him over the years. Now there is a new energy in City Hall and you can now see the movie trucks back out on the street doing what they do best here in Hollywood.

Everyone is very happy with what they are hearing coming out of City Hall and the actions of new Mayor Eric Garcetti.

Special Holiday Offer

■ If you want to see the movie trucks, then I have a special holiday offer for you.

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

When planning your trip to Los Angeles, come and stay at the Ramada Plaza Hotel and Suites, 8585 Santa Monica Boulevard, 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 Happy Holidays, See you at the Ramada Hotel and Suites, Gavin Wood

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Page 16 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, February 19, 2014

■ Bobby Vee was a popular singer with a unique voice who was at the peak of his career in the early 1960s.

Rubber Ball, which became his biggest selling hit song in 1961, was written in the famous Brill Building in New York by Gene Pitney and Aaron Schroeder.

Robert Thomas Velline was born in Fargo, North Dakota, in 1943. He came from a musical family and as he grew up Bobby played guitar and sang with his brother.

At the age of 16 he had formed a band with five young members and they were looking for work.

On February 3, 1959, Bobby Vee was 16 and looking forward to the concert with Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and the Big Bopper in Moorhead, Minnesota.

When the news came on the radio that the trio had been killed in a plane crash he could not believe it.

There was an appeal for local acts to fill in and support the remaining artists such as Waylon Jennings and The Crickets.

Bobby and his group were selected and they performed in that show. Apparently they were not paid This was a sad occasion but also a turning point in the career of Bobby Vee. Bobby and his group The Shadows attracted a lot of attention and eventually went "on the road" in 1959 under the control of a professional manager.

Whatever Happened To ...

Bobby Vee

By Kevin Trask of 3AW and 96.5 Inner FM The Shadows hired and fired a young piano player who was then known as Bob Zimmerman - who later found fame as Bob Dylan.

Bobby eventually signed with Liberty Records and although he did have chart success with songs such as Suzie Baby, What Do You Want and Devil or Angel it was not until Rubber Ball was released that he became an international singing star.

Bobby Vee first came to Australia in 1961 and toured with Johnny Burnette, Donnie ● Bobby Vee Brooks, Col Joye and Connie Francis. Bobby On December 28, 1963 Bobby married has toured Australia on several occasions.

His hit songs included Run To Him, Take Karen Bergan at Holy Rosary Church in DeGood Care Of My Baby, Baby Face, The Night troit Lakes, Michigan.

Over 51 years the marriage has been happy Has A Thousand Eyes and my favourite Stayin

with the joy of three sons and a daughter.

I have had the pleasure of recording several radio interviews with Bobby Vee and have enjoyed seeing him in concert.

His sons became part of his stage act as his backing band The Vee's and have toured with him for many years.

I have met the boys Robby, Tommy and Jeff and they really love their dad.

During his career Bobby Vee has had 38 songs in the Billboard top 100 charts, six gold singles, 14 ‘Top 40’ hits and two gold albums.

Bobby Vee was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2011 and stopped performing.

Karen, his wife of 51 years said, "It has just been pure sadness for our family because he brings so much joy and music and fun."

But Bobby recently recorded a new album with his sons titled The Adobe Sessions which is a "loose jam session" featuring some of his favourite songs by Townes Van Zandt, Gordon Lightfoot and Ricky Nelson.

You can visit the Bobby Vee website at www.bobbyvee.net Kevin Trask The Time Tunnel - with Bruce & PhilSundays at 8.20pm on 3AW That's Entertainment - 96.5FM Sundays at 12Noon 96.5FM is streaming on the internet.

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

Melbourne, that’s not a heat wave

■ I once read a story in Time magazine" of a fellow who was journeying on the Trans Siberian Express.

The train had stopped at a village one night, and it was an icy 30 below, but he noticed a gentleman wandering around in a light tracksuit, so he questioned him.

"I live in northern Siberia where it's normally 60 below, so this is a

warm night for me!" Similarly I was in Woollies in Alice Springs a few years ago, when a young shop assistant helped me out to the car with my shopping.

It was about 50°, with a blistering northerly blowing. "Geez, it's not a bad day out here!" and he meant it.

During the past few weeks in Melbourne we have been "swelter-

News Around Victoria Local associations lose status ■ Application for the incorporated association status of Victorian organisations has been received by Deputy Registrar David Betts: The Western Suburbs Lapidary Club of Victoria Inc.; Poowong East/Mountain View Community Association Inc.; Wimmera Irrigators Association Inc.; Rosedale Ratepayers & ResidentsAssociation Inc.; The Thai Association of Victoria Inc.; Monash Division of General Practice (Moorabbin) Inc.; Warrnambool Zipper Health Support Network Inc.; Bosna & Hercegovina Islamic Building Noble Park Inc.; Attractions Bendigo Inc.; Banyule Pre-School Association Inc.; Friends of Wail Arboretum Inc.; Rosebud Kindergarten Inc.; Wellington Musicians Inc.; Millgrove T.O.W.N. Inc.; The Stork Club Inc.; North Shore Railway Station Meet and Greet Service Inc.; Glendonald Residents Group Inc.; The Torquay Froth and Bubble Literary Festival Inc.; Elizabeth Watkin Kindergarten Inc.; Yarracare Inc.; Multicultural Prime Timers Inc.; Corowa & District Darts Association Inc.; Southport Climbing Club Inc.; Bentleigh Pre-School Inc.; A House for Life Inc.; Merino and District Table Tennis Association Inc.; Geelong Calisthenics College Inc.; Euroa District Children Athletics Inc.; Marine Diving Group Inc.; The Vietnamese Parents’Association of Victoria (VPAV) Inc.; Moonlight on the Mountains Festival Inc.; Rhema Covenant Ministries Inc.; Heartbeat Victoria – West Gippsland Branch Inc.; Black Rock Action Group Inc.; Whittington Residents and Progress Association – Wrapa Inc.;

Keilor Radio Control Onboard ModelcarAssociation Inc.;Association of Ketzetlers Partisans and Fighters Inc.; Sharlea Ultra Fine Society Australia Inc.; Eastern Warriors Football Club Inc.; Sweeney Reserve Committee of Management Inc.; Skate Dandenong; Italian Youth Cultural Society of Victoria Inc.; Exaudi Youth Choir Inc.; DV East Inc.; Reaching High Inc.; NihongoKyoushitu Inc.; Circolo Pensionati Italiani Di St Ignazio Inc.; Lions Club of Knoxfield Inc.; Australian Institute of Urban Studies Victorian Division Inc.; The Lions Club of Somerville Inc.; Church of Christ Montrose Inc.; Charity Chooks Inc.; Guards Association of Victoria Inc.; Abantu Inc.; Alchemy Community Theatre Inc.; Greater Bendigo and District Pipes and Drums Inc.; Machination Theatre Ensemble Inc.; Alexandra & District Four Wheel Drive Club Inc.; Research of Educational Industry Modernisation Association Inc. Unless objections are received, Mr Betts advises that it is intended that the incorporated status be removed for these organisations: Melton Depression and Bipolar Support Group Inc.; Queen Victoria Market Retail Traders’Association Inc.; The Little Collins Street Precinct Inc

ing" at 38°, with an occasional venture up into the forties.

It's all relative!.

The hottest I've ever experienced was 54°outside my shop in Alice Springs - it was about 45° every day.

And I had a mate living in a caravan at the Mintabie opal fields, whose thermometer only went up to 57. It reached this every day for about a fortnight.

And a few years ago at Coober Pedy, there was a period of 33 days, when the temperature didn't go below 32, day or night, with the maximum 61.

So, Melburnians, to quote Mick Dundee: "That's not a heat wave!".

■ Even though Alice Springs residents can be seen panting their way around town in extreme heat, ironically this very heat does produce some benefits.

Not only do many car companies send teams of technicians up to test their new models in this environment, aeroplane manufacturers do the same.

Before the Boeing 777 was delivered into general service, there was a team sent out from Seattle to do just that.

About 30 US citizens arrived at our doorstep, complete with their sparkling new plane. At least it was sparkling on the outside.

Many of these chaps became our customers and friends, so we were invited on board to inspect this state-ofthe-art craft.

I knew nothing about such technical matters, but it was nevertheless of interest to check out all the dials and paraphernalia in the cockpit. We didn't get to fly the plane, but at least were shown how to do it.

But the most interesting feature of the whole exercise was the interior of the plane itself.

Because it was only in the experimental stage, of course it was never going to carry any passengers, so there was no need for any seating. So it was just a stark, bare, empty shell, with cables strewn everywhere.

Now it's happening again - there's a new team in town to test the 787, so everybody's hoping for a few Alice Springs scorchers.

The Outback Legend

with Nick Le Souef Lightning Ridge Opals 175 Flinders Lane, Melbourne Phone 9654 4444 www.opals.net.au products, and beat a path to my door in their seeking out of same.

And, as I've mentioned before, quite often I have visiting performers and their crews as visitors.

And last week a friend from Lynrd Skynrd dropped by, and I ended up at the concert. Their fans seemed to be a breed apart - at the height of their passion they were probably tattooed and tough and fit -now they are still tattooed, but the sharpness of the colours has faded a little, and their girth has increased somewhat with the passing of time.

This week there's the Dead Daisies, followed shortly thereafter by Bobby Rydell.

Now there's a name. I look forward to yelling my 70 year-old lungs out in his direction.

■ My mate Kraftie from the iconic Overlanders' Steakhouse in Alice Springs recently took a frozen camel leg down to Sydney to cook on national TV. ■ One of the benefits of being an opal It took about three days to thaw out, vendor is that individuals from all over and about 10 hours to cook - not ideal the world become entranced with my barbecue material.

When reviewing our Australian cuisine, it's a pity that we've gone down the path which we have.

Australia has been populated by kangaroos and emus for aeons.

These creatures have adapted to the local environment and grown up with it, causing no harm.

However, instead of us carnivores choosing to devour these creatures, we chose to stick to the time- honoured cattle and sheep, like our European ancestors.

Unfortunately these creatures have cloven hooves, which do a great deal of damage to our fragile environment, cutting up the ground and preventing many indigenous plants from growing.

But no, we stick to our steaks and our chops, to the detriment of the environment - the gentler footwear of the roo and the emu would have been much more appropriate.

And now Kraftie wants us to eat more camels! At least their feet are also much gentler on the ground.

■ My friends Phil Brady and Nigel Williamson have just set out on an adventure up to see the Northern Lights. An adventure which I would dearly loved to have joined.

Ever since I heard of the Aurora Australis and the Aurora Borealis, I've hankered to witness them. I generally love mysterious things in the sky, and even though these aren't mysterious, they would be spectacular.

One morning in Alice Springs I set my alarm for 3am, to stagger outside to witness a meteor shower.

Unfortunately the boffins had miscalculated, and no such spectacle.

However, I've often lain in my swag marvelling at the night sky.

And also, the occasional strange things which appear.

Whilst I love checking out the inevitable shooting stars and the slow circulating satellites, there are a couple of other things which I have seen which defy explanation.

Firstly while lying in my sleeping bag on the Kingoonya Station decades ago I observed a bright light zig-zagging its way across the sky.

Then, on another occasion, driving south along the Stuart Highway with my mate Ben, we noticed a stationary bright white light in the night sky, pulsing on and off.

I don't know what they were, but I know what they weren't.

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, February 19, 2014 - Page 17

Victoria Pictorial

Service Stations Historic Photo Collection

● Footscray Motors, Hugh Williams Pty Ltd. Hopkins St.

● Dalgety Service Station. Church St, Richmond.

● Ripponlea Service Station

● Discount petrol sold by George Ljubinkovic. 1968

● Shell Service Station.

● Adelphi Service Station. Cnr St Georges Rd and Nicholson St.

● Halls Gap

● Junction Petrol Station. St Kilda Junction. Circa 1934.

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Page 18 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Travel

Broome Beach Resort

Welcome Located in the picturesque suburb of Cable Beach, the 4 star Broome Beach Resort is premier family resort.

Situated only 6km from the town centre, 5km from the Broome Airport, experience all this incredible resort and its unique surroundings have to offer from the property’s prime location being 400 meters from Cable Beach.

Broome Beach Resort provides a great range of self contained unit options for families, groups, and couples on holiday as well as the business traveller.

Choose from 1,2 or 3 bedroom units, which are all fully self contained with full size kitchen, bathroom, washer & dryer, all your cutlery & crockery and linens provided.

Enjoy a refreshing dip in our outdoor heated swimming pool & kids pool, or cook up a feed on our onsite communal BBQs. Our serene location provides the perfect setting for any occasion, from weddings to birthdays to corporate functions, the versatility is limitless.

Distance from town centre: 6km. Distance from airport: 5km 1 bedroom units: 8 units 2 bedroom units: 12 units 3 bedroom units: 13 units Check-in: 14:00 Check-out: 10:00 Walk to some of Cable Beaches finest restaurants, experience the famous Courthouse Markets, and witness some extraordinary sites such as The Staircase To The Moon, Dinosaur Footprints, Horizontal Falls, Broome Camel Rides, and much more.

Discover the many uniquely Broome shopping options, with the world famous pearls galleries, and aboriginal art centers.

Take in a breath taking sunset overlooking Cable Beach, rated one of the top 5 beaches in the world.

Broome Beach Resort also provides secure, off-street parking, whilst a bus stop at the front door ensures easy and convenient access to the local sights and attractions.

Whether your visit is for business or pleasure, the diversity of Broome Beach Resort and its superb location will ensure a most memorable stay.

Broome Beach Resort 4 Murray Road, Cable Beach, Western Australia 6726 Phone 08 9158 3300 Toll Free: 1800 647 333 Email: info@broomebeachresort.com www.BroomeBeachResort.com