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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19, 2014

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ISSN 1447 4611

S TATE EDITION Vol 46 No 1550 SERVING VICTORIA SINCE 1969

See our ad, Page 23 ‘Trader’

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

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

or ring 1800 629 179

■ Melbourne’s own Ian ‘Molly’ Meldrum is to be presented with the prestigious Ozcar Award by businessman Alan Johnson at a ceremony on April 1. More details on Page 8

MERIMBULA, NSW 2014 VACANCIES AVAILABLE

Details of 2014 packages on Page 2

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See our full-page ad, P10 of ‘Trader’

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TURN TO ‘OBSERVER TRADER’ PAGE 8

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

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See Observer Trader P22

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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’

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

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

Melbourne Observer Advertising Press+Online+Google+SocialMedia+Editorial Advertisers’ Index References to ‘Trader’ denote the 32-page liftout in this edition A & A Holidngs .................................... Page 23 Mandalay Apartments .................... Trader P27 All 4 Paws & Claws Resort ....... Trader P23 Maroondah Sports Club ........... Trader P21 Barry MCVilly Pty Ltd ................ Trader P24 Mattresses Galore ..................... Trader P12 Beach Street Apartments ........... Trader P8 MCVilly Timber .......................... Trader P24 Black Forest Farm ............................. Page 34 Metro Cinemas Boronia .............. Page 55 Blockage King ................................... Page 28 Michael’s Trailers ...................... Trader P9 Braemac Energy ....................... Trader P19 Paramount Pest Control ................... Page 29 Burong Equestrian Centre ............ Trader P29 Parkwood Motel and Apartments ..... Page 54 Clay Busters ............................... Page 32 Plant-A-Genda ................................... Page 25 CMS International (Autosol) ..... Trader P13 Play DVDs/Rare Music ............... Trader P10 Coolum Baywatch Resort ......... Trader P18 Productive Gardens ................. Trader P15 Darwin’s Barra Base ..................... Page 2 Rangeview Soils .................................. Page 24 DP Refrigeration ............................... Page 26 Remington Country Store .................. Page 32 E-Cell ........................................ Trader P12 Robinvale Wines ...................... Trader P11 Echo 4x4 ................................. Trader P25 Entertainment Australia ............ Trader P5 Run On Sun Australia ......................... Page 27 Formula Ford Experience Aust. .... Trader P32 Scootersmart .......................... Trader P14 Fulton Bricks & Paving Supplies ...... Page 30 Sea Change Safety Cove ............ Page 56 Gilmour’s Comfort Shoes ............. Trader P25 SGI Consulting Group ................ Trader P22 Golden Days Radio .................... Trader P16 Shop Inside .............................. Trader P7 Grosvenor In Cairns .................. Trader P3 The Thread Studio .............................. Page 53 Gutzbusta ....................................Trader P28 Tilco ......................................... Trader P20 Hunter Marine ................................... Page 33 Tribute Funeral Services ........... Trader P6 Into Shooting .................................. Page 31 Tunit Australia .......................... Trader P17 Ivanhoe Cycles .................................... Page 5 Uralla Woolroom ............................... Page 52 Jenny Pihan Fine Art ............................ Page 6 K & J Woolley’s Plumbing .......... Page 3 Jenny Pihan Fine Art ................... Trader P30 K & J Woolley’s Plumbing ......... Trader P4 Kemizo Entertainment Centres ........ Page 51 YLAD Living Soils ............................... Page 24

Our advertisers are making news The Adventures Have fun at of Barry MCVilly Kemizo Centres ■ You will have fun at Kemizo Entertainment Centres, which specialise in birthday parties, corporate functions, team building, community groups, mothers’ groups and schools.

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Turn to Page 51 for more details.

■ Observer advertiser Barry MCVilly reports that Burong Equestrian Centre enthusiast Charlie Blakeley returned to Winchelsea from Sydney yesterday (Tues.) after competing.

Charlie (pictured below) is helping to design the new cross country jumps course, which is being constructed in three stages.

Burong Equestrian Centre was a busy place at the weekend for duck hunting, with several Italian families attending a friendly barbecue ... and going home with blue-blood rabbits, ducks, fish and peacock.

(The families are returning the compliment by hosting Barry MCVilly and Charlotte Blakeley this weekend.)

Duck season opened at the weekend. Hunt■ The Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show is about tio bloom at the Royal ing advertisers this week include Into ShootExhibition Buildings and Carlton Gardens. ing, Clay Shooters, Hunter Marine and It will run from Wednesday, March 26 until Remington Country Store.

Sunday, March 30.

As the largest horticultural event in the Southern Hemisphere, MIFGS sees some of Australia’s best landscape designers, florists and suppliers decorate the heritage-listed site with incredible displays attracting more than 110,000 visitors annually.

The Show sees Observer advertisers thinking about all matters ‘garden and green’: ■ Rangeview Seeds, Page 24 ■ YLAD Living Soils, Page 24 ■ Plant-A-Genda, Page 25 ■ DP Refrigeration, Page 26 ■ Run On Australia, Page 27 www.melbflowershow.com.au ● Charlie Blakeley

Flower and Garden Show

Get your gas heater serviced before the winter rush Gas Safety Check. It's really important.

Special Price for March-April: $125 Beware the silent killer. You can’t see it and you can’t semm it, but if you have a gas heater in your home then your family could be at risk from carbon monoxide poisoning.

Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odourless, colourless gas that can be produced by faulty, unserviced gas heater. K & J Woolley Master Plumbers can check the gas safety in your home - with a special $125 offer from March and April.

Carbon monoxide can be produced in large quantities if your heater does not completely burn the gas it uses. This can happen for a number of reasons but the most common causes are faults, lack of servicing or a blocked flue.

Carbon monoxide can be fatal, but it’s easy to protect your family from this silent killer.

Victoria’s gas safety regulator, Energy Safe Victoria, and the Plumbing Industry Commission, recommend getting your gas heater serviced at least every two years to keep your family safe.

The vdanger is greater when the carbon monoxide is spilling into a bedroom where the door and windows are tightly sealed, or a confined space such as a toilet or bathroom.

Landlords and their agents have particular responsibilities under the Residential Tenancies Act 197 to ensure gas appliances in rented accommodation are safe to use and properly maintained.

Carbon monoxide poisoning can be fatal.

Nine Victorian lives were claimed between 2000 and 2011, while dozens more people have been treated in hospitals. Call K & J Woolley Plumbers today to organise your Gas Safety Check. It’s really important.

Phone 0432 380 886 or 9499 8222.

Phone 0432 380 886. Head Office: 9499 8222

ARC No 33651 Plumbing Licence No 35847

PHOTO: IKON IMAGES

Page 4 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, March 19, 2014

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Mark Richardson ♥ Straight from the heart

E-Mail: mark@localmedia.com.au

The perfect way to begin ■ When I hear conversations between people who have worked or met Australian radio and television host Greg Evans, instant descriptions such as "good bloke", "true professional", "down-to-earth" and "the guy never seems to age," are usually accompanied by glowing smiles and nods of absolute agreement.

As Greg continues to rate a high compatibility score with those he meets along his professional and personal travels, his jovial and somewhat quirky sense of humour mixed with his natural ability to connect with people from all walks of life, is perhaps why he has become Melbourne's most sought after marriage celebrants.

With his seeming ageless looks (unless working alongside his former television robot presenter - Dexter in Domain real estate ad campaigns), highly professional compare and presenting skills and passion for being part of a couple's magical day, I caught up with Greg on his Celebrant Porch to learn why "I do's" have become his sweet sound of perfection.

What inspired you to become a marriage celebrant?

Kevin 'Bloody' Wilson asked me to marry his daughter because she was a fan of Perfect Match.

I did and realised it was a very enjoyable experience to be part of two people's lives at such an important moment.

Some years later I met Dally Messenger III who ran the 'International College of Celebrancy.'

Dally is a great man and a doyen of the industry, he taught me everything I know and like me, constantly strives for perfection.

With your long-running radio and television background in mind, what do you think your biggest strength is that you bring to wedding ceremonies?

A wedding ceremony is very similar to a 30-minute television show.

The bride and groom are the stars of the show and me being the compere.

The guests are the audience and they come to enjoy the show, so why not present a good ceremony that people thoroughly enjoy.

With my 40 years experience in radio and television I am able to bring professionalism to the table and have the confidence to conduct an enjoyable ceremony.

What should couples consider foremost when seeking a marriage celebrant?

Celebrant Porch Thoughts

Firstly establish that the celebrant is competent and most importantly that you are comfortable with their personality. Don't ever choose someone you cannot relate to.

You have the gift of making people laugh. What does a splash of humour bring to a ceremony?

Enjoyment! There is nothing wrong with having a splash of good natured humour included in the service to compliment the seriousness of the ceremony.

Although you have a professional presenting background, what are some of the common 'cringe factors' that make for a less fairy-tale start during a ceremony?

I once went to a wedding where the best man handed out chewing gum just before the bride arrived.

As she walked down the aisle all the groomsmen were chewing. The celebrant in charge should have made sure that did not happen.

Attention to detail and preparation are reportedly just two of your greatest attributes that you bring to weddings. What are some common tips you provide members of wedding parties at rehearsals to ensure everyone is prepared?

Attention to detail and preparation are part of my DNA. When you host a national television programme everything has to be right.

When you host a wedding the same applies. I have many specific tips which I impart at the rehearsal to the entire bridal party and the parents.

The most common tip is to proceed slowly with everything.

As a celebrant, what is your secret of helping couples tap into their emotions to help them express their feelings who may be struggling to do so on their 'big day'?

Yes it is true that some people are very shy and do not like to be the centre of attention as they are on their wedding day. All I can say is try to smile and not show your nerves.

How important is it for couples to involve family and friends during their ceremony?

I consider the involvement of family and friends a crucial part of a wedding ceremony. Life is all about family and friends as is love.

Speaking of family, have you married any of your children and, if so, how did you feel wearing two hats as a celebrant and a proud dad?

Yes, I married my son Jason to his beautiful wife Jaysha. It was one of the proudest moments of my life. It is not often a dad gets to marry his son and be standing right beside him at this momentous time in his life. We both slightly teared up!

What words of advice do you offer grooms whilst they anxiously wait for their bride?

Don't drink alcohol before the ceremony and if you do have a quick sip … take some breath fresh mints! Also don't take your eyes off the bride for one second as she walks down the aisle, it should be

● Greg Evans one of the finest moments of your life.

What 'awkward' moments have you've seen during a wedding ceremony; and how did you work with it to keep the proceedings flowing?

Firstly, one bride got a blood nose just before she walked down the aisle.

When I went to see how she was her mother and friends had ice packs on her nose and neck. Her mother said she always has a blood nose when she is nervous. She recovered like a trouper.

The second was the occasion when the bride who was one hour late for her wedding because as she was leaving the house with her father.

The front door slammed shut trapping her dress and no one had a key.

On both occasions I encouraged the guests to support the bride with a cheerful smile and a thunderous round of applause.

As a celebrant, what's one of the weirdest requests from a bride and groom that you've received?

To get married in The Old

Melbourne Gaol under the gallows where Ned Kelly was hanged.

(Maybe they were swingers!)

Who is one of our showbiz couples you have enjoyed marrying?

My former Perfect Match hostess, Debbie Newsome to her husband Mark.

What makes a wedding memorable for you on the marriage celebrant side of the fence?

Every ceremony is as unique as the couple involved. A few weeks ago I married a couple in their 70s, it was beautiful to see them so in love and their guests so happy for them.

What is your Porch Thought for the Day? It's advice my dad gave me many years ago; 'The more you put into something, the more you will get out of it.' ♥ To discover more about Greg's Premier Marriage Celebrant Service for your special day, visit www.gregevans. com.au

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

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

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

MARKETING FEATURE

Jenny Pihan Fine Art: Special Feature Premier art exhibition opens Wed., March 26 ■ You are invited to a premier art exhibition which opens at 6.30pm on Wednesday, March 26, ta the Glen Eira City Council Gallery, Cnr Glen Eira and Hawthorn Rds, Caulfield. (Phone 9598 9588.)

Staged by Jenny Pihan Fine Art, the exhibition features the work of Peter Smales, Do Noble, Fu Hong and Patricia Moran.

Peter Smales is a contemporary true impressionist. The economy of his calligraphic brush strokes imbues each picture with an indicidual fluidity and narrative uncommon in much of contemporary art

Peter Smales: the impressionist ■ "I came out to Australia as an 8-year-old and I suppose it's that thing of seeing a new landscape.

“We lived in Canterbury, which fortuitiously had two or three artists lived in nearby streets.

Sir William Dargie, the famous portrait painter, he lived in the next street.

“My father was on to things, he said there's a painter around the corner you should take some of your paintings and show him and that's sort of how I first got interested in it.

“I did a Bachelor of Education, teaching secondary art at Melbourne State College and I spent a couple of years with two of Max Meldrum's pupils, Ron Crawford and Allan Martin, who both studied with Meldrum.

“Most people are looking at painting for the subject, for the narrative in it.

“Most art today is conceptual, it's about ideas, and really as a practitioner I'm still in the mould of painters paint, it's colour balance and harmony, it's painting for pure aesthetic, there's not a message in it as such.

“All paintings are an abstraction and you start off being more imitative and then when you have more experience the more abstract qualities come to the fore.

“You can look at my paintings and they're basically scenes, but they're not a photographic licence, more of a poetic interpretation.

“In the end is it about paint, it's about colour it's about balance, firstly what strikes you is the charm of the paint.

“It could be taken as a painting that's not of any consequence, because I haven't got an axe to grind, or I'm trying to be satirical or political or anything else, it's kind of art for art's sake.

“A painting should draw you from across the room, you know what it's like when you walk into the national gallery you see something and go “oh , that's caught my eye, there's something about it”, that's what you're after really.

“Whether the painting has some sense of balance of warm and cool, some sort of charm quality.

“In a way Cezanne painted his pictures from nature yet they were some of the most contrived paintings he always said Nature has everything there and you pick and choose out of it and make your own subject.

“I still love it, it's been 40 years or something, and you don't grow out of it. I often have this with some of my students, where they have this sense of dissatisfaction with their own ability, and Monet had the same thing, no matter how good you get it's always an elusive thing.

“You're always looking for some sort of masterpiece and it rarely comes" - Peter Smales, 2014

Do Noble has a fearless use of joyous colour and inventive technique. Fu Hong is an outstanding realist painter with impressionist leanings working in his own distinct mmaner. Patricia Morgan captures every joy and delight a still life can hold, speaking in mellow tones of all that is good in life, of abundance, of beauty. Her work is timeless, elegant and beyond fashion ... it is beautiful forever.

This exhibition is open daily, 10am-5pm, from Thursday, March 27 until Sunday, April 12. See the online gallery at jennypihanfinearts.com.au

Interview with Patricia Moran Do Noble ■ Born in the Philippines, Do Noble was a recognised art teacher and award-winning artist before migrating to Australia in 1988.

Do's award-winning works have been noted for both their unique and individual style, and for the vivid effects of vibrant colours whether in oil, pastel or watercolour.

His artwork has been formally recognised in several solo and group exhibitions and art competitions, for which he has won more than 600 awards during his career.

With an active background in the arts, along with his notable success in competitions and exhibitions, Do is regarded as an expert in his field.

His background includes teaching at the Philippine Women's University and the Technological University of the Philippines.

Do has formerly served on the Board of Directors for a prestigious art group, the 'Art Association of the Philippines'.

He has previously served as President of the art group, 'Spectrum', a membership group with teachers and students from art schools in Manila.

His works has also been published in various books, magazines and newspapers.

Do's art is now on show in private and public collections all over the world. His work appears in local and regional galleries, Rotary clubs, schools and various art organisations and corporations in the Philippines, Australia, England and America. ★ Interview "I finished fine arts in the Philippines before I came here. Ten years teaching in Philippines before I arrived here, my sister advised us to migrate to Australia I said ‘why not?’"

Why does Autumn inspire you?

"I like the colours, the happy colours, bright colours warm colours to brighten your day (laughs) I like happy colours.""

What sort of routine do you have?

"Almost paint every day, almost every day, I paint up to 10 hours a day “I finished Bachelor of Fine Arts in the Philippines, after that I taught at the University of Technology of the Philippines, in the School of Fine Arts" Which artists inspire you?

"Mostly French artists, impressionists, that's the group that inspired me to paint.

“The paintings of artists Pissarro, Gaugin, Monet like that, those are the ones that inspired me then and continue to inspire me daily."

Anything apart from landscapes?

"I paint still life, children at the beach.”

■ "I am driven, it called me, I had no choice in the matter.

“I started because I loved portraits, I loved landscapes, but I absolutely love the flowers, I love beautiful flowers, I don't do ugly.

“I've been very lucky because with the stilllifes even though it's traditional you can move with the times. I keep my eyes open on colour movements; you see them in magazines in shops, beautiful vases, a lot of places.

“I've never ever had a mental block … I've got things popping out of my head like a little fountain all the time.

“And the only thing that stops me is the flu, or I'll fall over or if I get heat stroke (laughs) I don't get heat stroke I made that up.

“I only go for things that are just beautiful, I don't try to make mundane things beautiful, I go for things that are truly beautiful.

“I love beautiful china, I love beautiful cloths, but most of all I love beautiful flowers.

“I am called a flower painter, but I really paint flower-scapes, it's not just a matter of plonking a vase down with a bunch of pink flowers and painting it, I like sophisticated designs especially in the big paintings where you've got room to move if you know what I mean.

“I hate them by the time I am finished with them, I'm sick of them, then I see one in a house and I think, oh that's not too bad.

“When you set up a bit painting it's a balance of lights and darks, warm colours and cool colours and in a large painting you can set something up and counterchange the light.

“You have to make sure that there's a lot of love in the painting too, you can't be slick or sloppy or overworked, pedantic or anything, the painting has to have qualities that will always attract you to the painting.

“If something's painted with love and with due care, not being pedantic, it doesn't tire, only a bad painting tires.

“I never ever work from a photograph, working from a photograph you're not getting the love, you're just a slave to the picture in front of you. Anything that you work at with love is going to work.

“Some work better than others but I usually make sure the ones that are not working you have to work twice as hard to make them work.

Persevere, and perseverance doesn't mean making them 'tight' or overworked, it must still look fresh.

“Sometimes you can have something you love and paint it for twenty years without tiring of it.

“I have been painting flowers for a long time now and you have to be sure that each set up is something that inspires you.

“You can't do anything, you can't go churning paintings out - that's the surest way to kill everything, including your soul."

50 years an artist: Fu Hong ■ "For the customer, for the people, all want a good painting, everybody wants memorable pieces.

“Good piece starts with a good subject, like a flower. My favourite flower is a sunflower and I like lillies, poppies, I like that, I can show my colours.

“It's colourful, which is my technique. So many artists do 'traditional', but my painting style is original. Looking like a traditional but actually original. Still something new in my paintings, my personal style.

“I have sold more than 500 pieces of flowers, 300 paintings of nude.

“I show the true subject, like a figure, like flowers, if you like flowers OK, you have many choice.

“I can paint many things, including landscapes, but for this exhibition I focus on the flowers and the nude, I like to show how beautiful women are, how beautiful flowers are."

- Fu Hong, 2014

● Girl with Tulip, oil on canvas, 152cm x 122cm

● Corner, oil on canvas 122cm x 122cm