Ob 22oct14 bz

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Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, October 22, 2014 - Page 9

Showbiz News

It’s All About You!

Melbourne

Church chases Debra Byrne Observer for up to $130,000 in rent In This 124-Page Edition

Top award for 3AW show

Melbourne People: Think Pink ............... Page 8 Red Ball: Fiona Hamilton’s photos ........ Page 12 Fiona Byrne: Deborra-lee praises Mum .. Page 13 Been and Seen: People in print ....... Page 14-16 Melb. Confidential: Healy leaves 3AW ... Page 17 Long Shots: Gough Whitlam’s legacy .... Page 18 Yvonne Lawrence: Life and Style .......... Page 19 West Hollywood: Gavin Wood reports .... Page 21 Outback Legend: Nick Le Souef .......... Page 22 Showbiz: Happy People in concert ........ Page 59 Radio: All the award winners .............. Page 60 Radio Awards Local Theatre Movies, DVDs Show reviews

Observer Showbiz

● Debra Byrne ■ Former Queen of Pop Debra Byrne says she is being chased by a church group for $5000 a month for premises she leased in Coburg to run a talent school.

“St Paul’s Diocese ... want $5000 a month until they they re-lease, or until the three years is up,” Byrne said online.

Byrne vacated the Sydney Rd premises several months ago, after taking on a lease at the start of the year for her Born To Perform School.

Byrne says she is broke, and her car has been repossessed.

“Two weeks ago, our car was repo’ed because I could not afford to continue car payments,” Byrne said on Facebook.

“I live on parenting payments. I have three children in my care. One is homeschooled, one is not, one attends special education developmental school.”

Byrne, who has starred in stage shows including Sunset Boulevard, Mary Poppins and Cats, says she has only one entertainment engagement booked for the remainder of the year. “(It) is not much more than the parenting payment I receive and (it) will impact on the parenting payment when I report the earnings.”

Byrne struggles with anxiety: “It only takes a little phone call from a stranger telling me I have to attend mediation to talk about the lease etc., when I feel like running and hiding and crying and screaming.

“I take my medication daily. I have mental illness and the Mental Health Week did not a thing for me.

“I am still alone, still struggling with sucidal thoughts, still feel like runing, still feeling like a failure.

“We canb only do our best and sometimes that’s not good enough for the world we live in.”

Byrne said strangers at Northland had made cruel comments when her grandson had a “meltdown”. ● Kate Stevenson and Cushla Travers, producers of the 3AW breakfast program, accepted the best on-air metro award for AM broadcasters on behalf of Ross Stevenson and John Burns at the Commercial Radio Awards held at the Melbourne Exhibition and Conference Centre on Saturday. Turn to Page 60 for all the winners’ names, and pages 62-63 for a photo feature from the awards.

Photo: Andrew Jarvie

Claim against Dr Kumar ■ Suppression orders which prevented the naming of Dr Vinay Kumar have been set aside by the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.

The Medical Board of Australia has taken Dr Kumar to VCAT over an alleged failure to keep clinical notes.

The Board accused Dr Kumar, a psychiatrist, of “unprofessional conduct” after he “failed to document the nature and extent of any cognitive behaviour therapy administered to the patient”.

A Tribunal panel comprising VCAT Deputy President Heather Lambrick, Dr B Collopy and Dr E Fabris, heard two other allegations were withdrawn.

“Where medication was provided to the patient, on occasions, Dr Kumar failed to

specifically document whether the medication was provided by way of script or sample pack.

“Where the patient was seen for appointments on consecutive days, the clinical necessity for such consecutive appointments was not documented.”

Dr Kumar failed to inform the patient’s general practitioner of the patient’s re-commencement of a drug Lexapro.

Turn To Page 17

Latest News Flashes Around Victoria

Publishing delay ■ Production of this issue of the Melbourne Observer was delayed. Delivery to some outlets was up to 24 hours later than usual. Apologies to our readers and advertisers for any inconvenience.

Stunt goes wrong ■ A Motocross rider was badly injured when a stunt went wrong at the Royal Geelong Show.

The man suffered leg, pelvic, chest and query spinal injuries, reports the Geelong Advertiser.

‘Bong house’ case ■ William Atkinson and brothers James and Keith Carey are appearing at Bendigo Magistrates Court for a committal hearing over an alleged violent home invasion at a renowned "bong house" in Kennington. The case continues, reports the Bendigo Advertiser.

Almost unscathed ■ A 40-year-old Mulwala man was standing beside his rolled ute having a smoke when an ambulance drove past his car which had rolled on a straight section of the Murray Valley Highway near Bundalong. The Toyota dual cab was severely damaged after rolling three times, but the driver was relatively unscathed, reports the Wangaratta Chronicle.

Weather Forecast ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

Today (Wed.). Chance of storm. 12°-27° Thurs. Chance of rain. 10°-20° Fri. Partly cloudy. 15°-26° Sat. Mostly cloudy. 12°-31° Sun. Chance of rain. 13°-29°

Mike McColl Jones

Top 5 THE T OP 5 TOP COMMENT S HEARD A T OMMENTS AT A SCHOOL REUNION 5. "Sally....er.....weren't you Bruce?".

4. "My dear, you haven't aged one day ...

Oh, I am sorry ... you're a waitress".

3. "No need to ask what you've been doing ... I can see the electronic device on your ankle?".

2. "Wasn't she pregnant at school? No wonder she won Show and Tell!"

1. "Yes, that's Ash ... he used to be Long - now he's Wide."

Page 10 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, October 22, 2014

Melbourne People

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Ivanhoe Boys’/Girls’ Grammar Schools 40-Year Reunion. The Centre, Ivanhoe Photos: Ash Long More photos on Page 16

Ash

● Alyson Taylor and Steve Cropley

■ More than 70 people attended the 40-year reunion held for Ivanhoe Grammar School and Ivanhoe Girls’ Grammar School at The Centre, Ivanhoe, on Friday.

Guests included Tim Armstrong, Rob Ashworth and partner Victoria, Richard Ballantyne, Glenn and Yvonne Bear, Andrew Blankley, Alan Bliss, Peter Champ, Karen Cochrane, Victor Cooley, Sue Craker, Steve Cropley, Roger Crosthwaite, Noel Crouch, Peter Dawes, Mark Dempsey, Lisa Engelander, Lyn Farrington, John Findeisen, Sally Freemantle, Frank Gibson, Lynette Gillespie, Helen Godfrey, Maurice Golden, Pam Green, Leigh Halkyard, Sheryl Harris, Steve Hook, Andrew Howarth, Chris Herrod, Julie Irwin, Neill Kaminga, Robert Kirwan, Neil James, Jennie Jones, Jamie King, Ken Lee, Suzanne Lees, Ash and Fleur Long, Fiona Mackenzie, David and Sharyn Masson, Doug McCallum, Don McColl, Sandy Pate,Anne Pearce, Peter Pearce, Roger Pollard, John and Phyllis Price, Helen Relph, Bela Rice, Bruce Richards,Annie Roberts, David Rouch, Grant Scale, Barry Schippers, James Scott, Murray Scott, Rick Simpson, Cathy Smith, David Stevenson, Peter Swain, Russell Sweet, Rowan Tatchell, Alyson Taylor, Jenny Thompson, Dale Tieman, Hans Van Bloemendaal, Rob Watts and Chris Wood.

● Karen Cochrane, Barry Schippers, Sally Freemantle

● Frank Gibson and Rick Simpson

● Richard Ballantyne and Andrew Blankley

● Jenny Thompson and Neil James

● Glenn and Yvonne Bear

● Peter Swain and Dr Don McColl

● Bruce Richards and Neill Kaminga

● David Stevenson, Lyn Farrington, Rob Watts

● Rob Ashworth and Andrew Howarth

● Noel Crouch, Julie Irwin and Peter Pearce

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au Melbourne

Observer

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, October 22, 2014 - Page 11

Showbiz News

Aussie Boys to perform at Crown Briefs New rail

■ Dennis Smith and Barry Bell Artists are presenting The Aussie Boys at The Palms At Crown on Saturday, November 1.

The three talented young men perform Australian hits, and return to their homeland from the United States, Europe and Pacific region.

The trip has returned from cruise work including Queen Elizabeth, Queen Victoria 2 and Oasis Of The Seas.

The Aussie Boys are Andrew Ronay-Jenkings, Benjamin Gillespie and Samuel Armstrong. Andrew has worked in Legally Blonde; Ben was in Singing In The Rain, and Sam in the Off Broadway Group.

They have also featured in shows such as South Pacific, Kismet, The Producers, 42nd Street, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and many more.

Charged

On-land within Australia they have performed at some of the most prestigious events on the social calendar from the World Dance Sport Championships at Rod LaverArena to Susan Alberti’s Medical Research Foundation Signature Ball at the Crown Casino Palladium Ballroom.

Andrew is a music theatre graduate from the Ballarat Arts Academy. Currently Andrew has been performing as the lead male guest entertainer as part of The Aussie Boys, created by Barry Ball Artists (USA) Prior to this he performed the role of Carlos in the Helpmann award winning Australian national tour of Legally Blonde – The Musical.

Ben Gillespie started classical ballet at the age of three. Over the years he then grew to love adapting to new styles of dance along with singing and acting also.

After graduating from the National Academy of Singing and Dramatic Arts in Christchurch, Samuel moved to Melbourne, to work professionally in television and theatre.

Performance: The Palms At Crown. Sat., Nov. 1. ● Aussie Boys: Andrew Ronay-Jenkings, Ben Bookings: 1300 795 012 Gillespie and Sam Armstrong ticketek.com.au

Caulfield Cup winning action

■ A Transit Protective Service Officer has been charged with drink driving in Tasmania.

The male PSO was intercepted and an evidentiary breath test indicated a reading of .101per cent.

He has been suspended with pay and will appear in a Hobart Court on Nov. 24.

It’s mine ■ Discovering if there is a mining licence over a property has become easier with the State Government launching Australia's first web tool specifically designed to help locate mining and exploration activities quickly and easily.

50 years

■ A gathering of original cast and crew for the Homicide TV series was held on Sunday (Oct. 19).

The Observer would have liked to have brought you a photo souvenir, but it seems the photogenic became photo shy.

Our invitation must still be in the mail!

● Admire Ratki, with Zac Purton aboard, won Saturday’s Caulfield Cup. Sharon Chapman from Fast Track Photography caught the race action. Photographer Fiona Hamilton captaured the social action on Page 14. And Observer Racing Editor Ted Ryan writes about the latest gallops info on Page 72.

Symphonic Pink Floyd ■ I thought I should check in with the Melbourne Observer's great friend Di Rolle to see what was coming up at the Melbourne Recital Centre.

Di has told me not to miss Symphonic Pink Floyd. After sell-out concerts in Europe, acclaimed Australian conductor Michael Woods returns with the Melbourne Ballet Orchestra to perform ‘Jaz’ Coleman’s Symphonic Pink Floyd.

Join them for a magical evening of orchestral colour and excitement tonight (Wed., Oct. 22) or Saturday, November 1 at the Elisabeth Murdoch Hall.

Many people will recall the original concert in Berlin, The Wall - Live In Berlin in July 1990, eight months after the fall of the Berlin Wall in December 1989.

The Wall – Live in Berlin was a live concert performance by Roger Waters and numerous guest artists, of the Pink Floyd studio album The Wall, itself largely written by Waters during his time with the band.

The concert was held on a strip of land between the Brandenburg Gate and Leipziger Platz – on vacant terrain between Potzdamer Platz and the Brandenburg Gate, a location that part of the former ‘no-man’s land’ of the Berlin Wall.

Tickets are available from the Melbourne Recital Centre on 9699 3333 or book online at melbournerecital.com.au - Fiona Byrne (more on Pages 12-13)

with K enneth Mulholland Kenneth

Freelancing at GTV-9

Love performing

● Denis Napthine ■ Liberal Premier Dr Denis Napthine yesterday (Tues.) promised $700 million towards a rail extension from South Morang to Mernda.

Yan Yean Rd will be duplicated at a cost of $95 million.

The State Election is due to be held on Saturday, November 29.

Melbourne TV Memories

Teacher struck off ■ Diane Marie Brimkble has been disqualified from teaching in Victoria.

On October 9, Ms Brimble was convicted of the sexual offence of one count of an indecent act with a child under 16 years.

The Education and Training Reform Act requires the Victorian institute of Teaching to disqualify a registered teacher and cancel the registration or founjd guilty at any time in Victoria or elsewhere, of a sexual offence.

A notice of the disqualification was published in Thursday’s edition of the Victoria Government Gazette.

■ Taking a break from Prisoner, here are a few memories of my brief stint working freelance for GTV-9. in the late 70s, early 80s.

A lady crew agent by the name of Cathy Lomas somehow got my name and contacted me at ATV. looking for anyone who might be interested in work at 9 as a camera freelance.

I thought it over and had enough pull to get myself rostered off on days where 9 wanted me.

And that is how I came to work on a handful of Sullivans episodes shot at the old Abbotsford studio.

Pancho, Laurie Levy (could that huge Zapata moustache have anything to do with his nick-name?) was there on the first morning. That was a moment still vivid in my mind.

I found my way to Abbotsford and walked through the studio door. It was probably 7.3am. Instantly, I was transported back into the early 1940s.

The set before me was a bar. Reg Gorman played the barman. Vikki Hammond was in the scene and possibly kit-bag toting Michael Caton ('G'day, G'day, G'dayyy!') as Uncle Harry.

Can't be sure, but Phil Lambert might have been floor manager, although 9 had a confusing situation where Pancho sometimes floored from his camera.

Me. I was somewhat subdued, even though I thought I had a little Prisoner cred that might have seen me right.

Not a bit of it. Laurie, looming over me, both physically and with drooping moustache, barked, “You're on camera three!” Then lumbered off to sort out other problems with his camera, which was equipped with an antiquated, monstrous, outside broadcast lens that should have been employed surveying the MCG. Camera three had to negotiate around one or two concrete pillars to actually get a shot of the characters in the first scene.

The studio, in name only, had been a factory floor in another incarnation.

And so, I came to grips with different camera equipment, a different crew. Big Hugh and Drew Whitehead come to mind and a different way of approaching the work. The props buyers and floor guys were brilliant. I was constantly amazed at their contribution.

The look of times past, (and my memory as a child takes me back to 1947 at least) even the smell of Reckitt's Blue, Solvol, and Velvet bar soap.

Those few days, over a number of months, are fond memories. But hard work with dud gear.

Paul Cronin, as Dave Sullivan, had a scene in which he said he would have a mind problem.

“This bloke's name is Steven Granger. I'll bet it comes out as Stuart Granger!” (an English film actor of the time.)

He won his bet. We did it several times before Paul could finally get it out.

I do recall that the episodes I worked on were after Grace had gone to England during the war, never to return. 1979 was when Grace exited Sullivans, so it must have been 1979-80.

I had to wait for Carson's Law (somewhere around 1982) at 10, but didn't work on that either, so Lorraine Bayly’S character was a fey creature for me even then.

One last shot was working on a 9 telethon, directed by Ray (The Tout) Punger, again with Pancho, This was pror to his dedication to saving wild life. and meeting up with Laura Bence nee Collins, Makeup, and a former 7 lass who I dated a couple of times in the 60s.

She later came out and worked at 10.

In those days Tip Top might have been the bread of all 'good Mums' but TGTV-9 was still 'The One' and their crews believed it implicitly.

They had been raised on the tradition of the Kennedy/Newton and continuing Don Lane years, those decades that defined and honed 9 as the pinnacle of Melbourne/Victorian television.

The others: Seven, Two and that late-comer O10, were to be disparaged.

And in that, they were most likely correct.

Nine, with The Sullivans, still held sway.

Yet the Godzilla that was Prisoner was rising.

- Kenneth Mulholland

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Page 12 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, October 22, 2014

Melbourne People

● Jackson Thomas from The Voice with Ann Peacock.

● The Block judge Shaynna Blaze with her husband Steve Vaughan

Melbourne People The Red Ball ● Kerry Armstrong

Photos by Fiona Hamilton

● Contestants from The Bachelor 2014: Laurina Fleure, Sam Frost, Chantal Hryniewski and Zoe O'Brien.

■ Over its 22-year history the Red Ball has earned its place as one of Melbourne's great charity nights.

There is always such good will, generosity and support in the room and the money raised each year in aid of the Fight Cancer Foundation is substantial.

This year was no exception. The event was beautifully designed and managed by Trumpet Events and David Campbell was a suave host.

The highlight was the surprise attendance by Fight Cancer Foundation patron Deborra-Lee Furness. Deborra-Lee made a quick trip home to support her mother Faye Duncan, a driving force behind the Red Ball.

Jean Paul Gaultier at Gallery

● Alexandra Agoston, Jean Paul Gaultier and Andreja Pejic at the opening of The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier at the National Gallery of Victoria. Photo: Fiona Hamilton ■ What a fascinating exploration of the creative genius of French fashion designer Jean Paul Gaultier!

The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier: From the Sidewalk to the Catwalk exhibition opened amid a storm of glitter at National Gallery of Victoria on Thursday evening.

With Jean Paul as the guest of honour, the event attracted a fashionable guest list including Roz Packer and her stunning grand-daughter Francesca Packer, Heidi Victoria, Geoffrey Rush, Ron and Carol Minogue, Yeojin Bae, Toni Maticevski, Richard Nylon, Lisa Barron, Magda Szubanski, Alex Perry and Cheyenne Tozzi.

Having Australia’s Next Top Model film a challenge at the event added that little bit of extra entertainment to the night.

It was anything but small party, with the guest list hitting 2000.

Jean Paul’s enthusiasm for the project saw him spend five days in Melbourne doing scores of interviews, media calls and several in conversations.

He seemed genuinely touched by the way he had been embraced by the city and with the huge interest in, and reverence for, his work.

The exhibition is well worth seeing if you have any interest in fashion, celebrity, photography, or art.

There are some crowd pleasing pieces on show including the iconic corset worn by Madonna during her Blonde Ambition world tour.

New to the exhibition is a section on Jean Paul’s Australian muses.

Included in this chapter are gowns and costumes worn by the likes of Nicole Kidman, Kylie Minogue, Cate Blanchett, and models Andreja Pejic, Catherine McNeil and Gemma Ward.

The exhibition has previously been shown in Paris, New York and Madrid. Melbourne is its only stop in the Asia-Pacific region.

It is on show at the NGV until February 8, 2015.

Karise’s sad story unfolds ● Alyce Platt

● Red Ball MC David Campbell with Fight Cancer Foundation patron Deborra-Lee Furness.

● Sigrid Thornton

■ Karise Eden, the winner of the first series of The Voice Australia, broke her silence on the breakdown she suffered after being thrust into the spotlight, and positioned as a role model for troubled teens, with dignity on Australian Story last week.

In an insightful and moving interview, Karise revealed why she had disappeared just months after her reality TV victory in 2012 when she seemingly had an open door to a successful career.

Her beautiful bruised voice had won her a huge fan base, and had also won the respect of her TV mentor, UK singer, Seal. It had brought with it chart success - she had four of the top five songs on the ARIA singles chart the week after her win on The Voice.

But instant success and the incessant spotlight did not sit well with the fragile 19-year-old who had survived a dysfunctional childhood, had been a ward of the state, had been moved between refuges as a youngster and had a history of self harming.

Just a handful of shows into her heavily promoted national tour she suffered a breakdown and immediately withdrew from the public.

"I just lost myself and I didn't know who I was expected to be," Karise told Australian Story.

"So basically I hit rock bottom and I had a breakdown."

Times appears to have been a great healer and as a viewer it was heart warming to see Karise speaking of her joy of being pregnant, with her son due in December.

She is now engaged and owns a home in Queensland. And she is ready to once again share her musical talent.

That voice that has been silent for the past two years will be heard again on Karise's new album Things I've Done.

"I definitely feel like I've been living under a rock and I'm finally crawling out," she told Australian Story.

"I'm excited, I'm pumped. Nervous, but I'm pumped, I'm ready."

This episode once again underlined the strength of Australian Story. The team week in, week out manages to gain the trust of some extraordinary Australians and tells their story - whether it be a story of success, hope, loss or tragedy - with great integrity. It is Australian TV at its best. ● Fiona Byrne is a former journalist and is the Public Relations Manager at Sofitel Melbourne On Collins.

Fiona@fionabyrne.com.au

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, October 22, 2014 - Page 13

Love This City! with with

Fiona Byrne Guest Columnist

Deborra-lee owes it all to Mum

■ Over the past 22 years The Red Ball has cemented itself as a must-attend event on Melbourne’s social and fundraising calendar.

Raising funds for the Fight Cancer Foundation, the event was co-founded more than two decades ago by Fay Duncan and it enjoys genuine and passionate support from the Foundation’s patrons Deborra-lee Furness and her husband Hugh Jackman.

Deborra-lee made a surprise 11th hour trip to Melbourne to support her mum Fay and attend the event.

“This has been her passion and she has worked unbelievably hard and created something amazing,’’ Deborra-lee said of Fay. “I remember this starting with sausage sizzles and selling cookies.

“It is so reassuring to think that you can start so small and that you can see something grow so big. This is like an icon in Melbourne now.

“My mother was one of the co-founders of this and I am so proud of her, what she has achieved, and what she is still achieving.’’

The Fight Cancer Foundation provides care, treatment and support services to cancer patients and their families and funds significant cancer research projects.

The Red Ball is one of the foundation’s major fundraising activities.

“What is amazing is because of this Ball how many children benefit (thorough) the awareness, the cord blood, the stem-cell research, and the accommodation centres – there are now three accommodation centres - and the Back On Track program,’’ Deborra-lee said.

While dedicated to the continued growth of the Fight Cancer Foundation, Deborra-lee has also made significant impact with another cause close to her heart – adoption. She founded National Adoption Awareness Week in Australia and has pushed the government to change the restrictive current adoption laws.

She is now preparing to take the campaign global.

“We have got an amazing, awesome group together, we have just signed on a CEO, and we are about to launch a huge international campaign to shine a light on how many kids in the world need a permanent family,’’ Deborra-lee said.

“It is pretty damn big. I am just a little busy.’’

Busy, but not daunted. ``I think the greatest thing we can do is be of service to others,’’ she said.

“That is why we are here. We are all one. I am a great believer in that `I am, because you are’ philosophy.

“It is part of my DNA and I learnt it all from my mum.’’

● Red Ball patron Deborra-lee Furness. Photo: Fiona Hamilton

Did you watch Dancing With The Stars last night? I did.

■ The perils of live TV were all too clear for viewers to see when former pop star and reality TV judge Mark Holden lost the plot during a performance while dressed as a creepy clown on Dancing With The Stars last week.

It was a bizarre moment - that stretched on for several minutes – as Mark goofed around during the dance and then heckled the judges ● Mark Holden on DWTS while host Daniel MacPherson did his best shut He received a total of 4 points from the him down.

You could not help but feel sorry for Mark’s judges – a record low score.

However Mark did not miss a trick the morndance partner Jessica Prince, a professional dancer who obviously takes great pride in her ing after the show, hitting the media trail to work and was clearly disrespected by Mark’s explain his performance.sleeve.

In doing so he nabbed the spotlight from antics.

April Rose Pengilly who had been eliminated from Dancing the night before and Kyly Clarke who had withdrawn from the show on the same night after sustaining hamstring injury.

As mad as his performance was last Tuesday, Mark managed to fire up social media and get the public talking about Dancing, a show that now in its 14th season is very much in the veteran category.

Channel 7 quickly turned Mark’s meltdown into some brilliant promos for this week’s episode. Why waste a watercooler moment?

And you know something, as uncomfortable as it was to watch Mark last week, I tuned in last night (Tues.) to see what he had up his sleeve.

MiG back with Thriller Live

● MiG Ayesa as Michael Jackson ■ The music of Michael Jackson keeps bringing stage star MiGAyesa back to Thriller Live.

MiG first performed in the celebration of Jackson’s music in 2007 and has gone on to reprise his role three times.

“We did it as a UK tour workshop in 2007 just to formulate the idea and see whether it was worth doing. The response from the audience was great so they decided to bring it to the West End,’’ MiG said.

“It opened on the West End in 2009, and then that same year Michael died. When Michael passed away, suddenly ticket sales went through the roof because people saw it as an opportunity to remember and celebrate him.

“I did it (the show) again in 2012 for six months and I could really feel people in the audience watching every move. People know the music and the moves so well. They are passionate fans. It is not something you can fluff.

“And that is the challenge of this show.

We have to be careful not to be imitators, we don’t want to do that. There are five singers, there are 16 dancers, there is a nine-piece band. We are playing ourselves singing the songs of Michael Jackson.’’

Born in Manila and raised in Sydney, MiG found a huge following when he took part in the US TV show Rockstar INXS in 2005.

He finished third on the show that was designed to find a new lead singer for the Australian band INXS. “That show has been able to open lots of doors for me. I don’t ever regret doing it,’’ MiG said.

“There are lots of things I wish I had done differently, but things are so much easier in hindsight. I was very proud of the show, proud of the work I did on it and very proud to be Australian.’’

Thriller Live will bring MiG back to the stage in Melbourne for the first time since 2002, although he has performed key roles in We Will Rock You and Rent on the West End and in Rock of Ages, and Burn the Floor on Broadway.

He promises the show won’t disappoint.

“In London there are sound restriction at the Lyric Theatre. There is a decibel reading we have to keep down which annoys me because with Michael’s music it has to be `Bam, Bam, Bam’ from the first moment,’’ he said.

“We don’t have those sound restrictions in Australia at the moment, so it is going to be loud. We are dialling it up to 12.’’

Thriller Live will play at the State Theatre at the Melbourne Arts Centre from Wednesday, January 28 – Sunday February 8, 2015.

Tickets are available from the Arts Centre on 1300 182 183 or artscentremelbourne. com.au

Page 14 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, y October 22, 2014

Melbourne People

● Catriona Rowntree

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Caulfield Cup Photos: Fiona Hamilton

● Chris and Rebecca Judd

● Emma Freedman

● Bianca Spender and Carla Zampatti

● Montana Cox.

● Rachael Finch

● Simon Callahan

■ Plenty of famous faces enjoyed the running of the 137th Caulfield Cup at on Saturday. Department store giant David Jones hosted a lavish marquee and brought to town its brand ambassadors Jessica Gomes, Montana Cox and Jason Dundas to add some celebrity sparkle to the day. Not to be outdone, the Melbourne Racing Club hosted the Pegasus Marquee. Moving between the two were the likes of Chris and Rebecca Judd, Catriona Rowntree, Melanie Vellajo and Channel 7 reporter Rachael Finch.

- Fiona Byrne ● Melanie Vellajo

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, y October 22, 2014 - Page 15

Melbourne People

VIP Night at Legends of the Skies Series 2 at the Australian National Aviation Museum, Moorabbin Airport.

Photos: Malcolm Threadgold

● Josh Dunne with Writer Jan Storey

● Kaye and Neil Follett, a writer

● Tamsin Bearsley and Graham Whitehead

● Chris and Judy Hawker

● Dale Hawker and David Inglis

● Joan Krutli (Golden Days Radio) and Lesley Batten

● Marie and Lt Col Garry Spencer

● Writer Colleen Dewis and Martin Hopper

● Sally and Bree Dewis

● Sue Williams with sister Robyn Morris

● Rita and Alan Crispin

● Keith Morgan with Paul Ditchbur

● Jeremy Keyt with Trevor Osburn

● Colin Prossor and Barbara Mendleson

● Maggie Morrison and Cheryl Threadgold

Page 16 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, October 22, 2014

Melbourne People

● Helen Godfrey and Anne Pearce

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Ivanhoe Boys’/Girls’ Grammar Schools 40-Year Reunion. The Centre, Ivanhoe Photos: Ash Long

● Back row: Helen Godfrey, Helen Relph and Anne Pearce. Front row: Cathy Smith, Lyn Gillespie, Sue Craker, Karen Cochrane, Fiona Mackenzie

● Dr Steve Hook and Prof. James Scott

● David and Sharyn Masson

● Hans Van Bloemendaal and Peter Dawes

● Cathy Smith and Sue Craker

● Chris Herrod and Russell Sweet

● Dale Tieman and Roger Pollard

● Chris Wood and David Rouch

● Roger Crosthwaite and Vic Cooley

● Mark Dempsey and Alan Bliss

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, October 22, 2014 - Page 17

Confidential Melbourne

Talk is cheap, gossip is priceless

Sudden departure for 3AW boss Shane Healy

Bitch Melbourne’s Secrets

Just a jump to the left

■ The departure of Shane Healy as General Manager of Fairfax Radio’s Melbourne stations 3AW and Magic 1278 will take place in exactly one month, following last week’s surprise announcement.

It comes as Fairfax Radio boss Adam Lang puts his stamp on the network and prepares it for the most competitive year ahead.

Lang took over as Chairman of the industry association, Commercial Radio Australia, on Friday and is keen to dramatically lift the performance of the Fairfax stations which include 2UE in Sydney, 4BC and 4BH in Brisbane, 6PR in Perth.

Healy admitted that aftyer 10 years, the station needed fresh management.

“It’s right that the business needs to be refreshed and have new ideas, so it’s time for me to pass the baton to a new leadership,” Healy said on Wednesday last week.

He has spent 10 years in the 3AW-Magic role, and has previously been GM at 6PR Perth, as well as marketing roles in the radio group.

● Shane Healy Healy joined 3AW as Sports Director in 1989, and called football matches with Rex Hunt for six years.

He was formerly a school teacher, calling footy matches on Bendigo radio in his spare time.

He is a director of Xavier College.

“It is of course with a touch of sadness that I am leaving 3AW and Magic because I have loved my job, however both are enjoying excellent ratings and good revenue growth, so now seems like the right time to go,” Healy said.

“My plan is to have a short sabbatical and then look at doing something new that will challenge and stimulate me in the next phase of my

In the pink ● Bert Newton ■ Melbourne showbiz legend Bert Newton will don the fishnet stockings to appear as the narrator in next year’s Sydney season of The Rocky Horror Show.

Newton, 76, is signed to reprise his role of Vince Fontaine in the return Melbourne season of Grease at the end of this year at the Regent Theatre, before heading to the harbour city in April to appear alongside Craig McLachlan in Rocky.

Pormoters Howard Panter and John Frost have signed Newton to appear from April 11 in Sydney.

“We are both thrilled and a little bit nervous to have the great Bert Newton play the Narrator and dance the Time Warp with us.”

Former Rocky narrators include Stuart Wagstaff, Derryn Hinch, Red Symons and Tommy Dysart.

career”. There was speculation at last week’s Comercial Radio Australia conference that the timing of Healy’s departure was deliberately made by Fairfax Radio to indicate that it is a serious player.

It comes as Hamish and Andy are negotiating to conduct a national breakfast radio program on opposition station Fox 101.9, operated by Southern Cross Austereo.

There is also speculation that Mix 101.1 may also have a national competitor in the breakfast session with Kyle Sandilands and Jackie O relayed into Melbourne.

Under that plan, the current breakfast team, Chrissie Swan and Jane Hall, would move to the Drive shift, replacing Tim Ross.

As speculated in the Rumour Mill (see below), there isw talk of Steve Price returning to Melbourne radio on an opposition station.

There is even talk of Fauirfax Radio teaming with John Singleton’s Macquarie Network and piping in the Sydney-based Alan Jones and Ray Hadley programs to Melbourne, possibly using the Magic 1278 frequency.

Rumour Mill

● Gough Whitlam ■ Latrobe Uni students yesterday (Tues.) used the name of Gough Whitlam to justify chaining themselves to the ViceChancellor’s office, protesting about his support of the Abbott Government’s deregulation of education.

Student Ahmed Yussuf, one of the locked-on, said, “I’m doing this so that my four sisters in school can one day go to uni. I don’t want my mum to have to go into debt and pay hundreds of thousands to put them through university. My dad’s a refugee and we’re not rich, but we still deserve an education,” he said.

Hear It Here First

‘Kevin Dennis’ action ■ John Vaina has requested a Melbourne Magistrates’ Court application for re-hearing tomorrow (Thurs.) against Kevin Dennis Motors (Victoria) Pty Ltd, in a civil case alleging “work and labour done and material supplied”. The case is scheduled for 10am tomorrow (Thurs.).

Gold-Price rumour

● Emily Moriarty and Adrian Kramer were pictured at the Think Pink funrasier held at Coppin Hall, Windsor, on Saturday.

● Comedians Marty Fields, Glenn Robbins, Dave O’Neill and Hung Le were all on the same plane out of Tullamarine on Saturday ... flying to perform at different venues. Was this some kind of joke?

Chains

To Court

How funny is this?

PHOTO: MARTY FIELDS/ FACEBOOK

Whispers

■ From Page 9 Dr Kumar has been cautioned by the Tribunal panel. Audits are to be undertaken quarterly for two years, and the audit costs have to be paid by Dr Kumar. After three of four satisfactory audits, an order will be discharged.

■ One of the rumours circulating at last weekend’s radio conference is that Steve Price will return to Melbourne airwaves as co-host opf the Gold 104.3 breakfast program, replacing ‘Lehmo’ (Anthony Lehmann). Gold is keen to replicate its Sydney success of sister station WS-FM breakfast pair Amanda Keller and Brendan Jones. ● Steve Price Price is currently the night-time presenter on Sydney’s 2GB. He appears on The Project (Network 10). He was an architect of the ill-fated Melbourne Talk Radio and is a former 3AW Program Director.

E-Mail: Confidential@MelbourneObserver.com.au

■ Melbourne Girls’ Grammar School has requested a Melbourne Magistrates’ Court session on Friday (OCt. 24) where it is due to allege a civil claim against Andrew Rice for “breach of contract/ agreement (non payment), The “application to attach earnings” is due to be heard at 9.15am.

Oops ■ The Age has included an ad for the opening of a McKinnon massage parlour in its theatre listings.

Online users quip about raising the curtain and if there is a happy ending to the performance.

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Page 18 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, October 22, 2014

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Ash On Wednesday

■ There are plaudits aplenty for Gough Whitlam, the former Australian Prime Minister, who died yesterday (Tues.) at age 98.

Whitlam was PM for just three years, 1972-75, and they were turbulent, heady times.

For many, he represents a time of huge society upheaval and change.

For others, Edward Gough Whitlam represented chaotic government and financial irresponsibility that took many years to repair.

All are valid observations. Long Shots was a teenager, at school, and working part-time at the Observer.

Whitlam’s era coincided with a boom for the Observer which saw one Grand Final edition print run peak at 240,000 copies.

A May 1974 election saw us produce five editions with headlines going from ‘Go-Go Gough’ to ‘Phew!’ when there was a clifhanger result.

Publisher Maxwell Newton was accused of blasphemy in December 1975, on the day after Malcolm Fraser defeated Whitlam at the general election, with his headline (see below).

Whitlam had been dismissed as PM in the previous month by Governor-General Sir John Kerr. Heady days indeed.

We will remember 24 per cent interest rates, the loans affair, Aboriginal land rights and infrastructure. For many he was a hero. Vale Gough.

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● Gough Whitlam died yesterday, aged 98

Long Shots

editor@melbourneobserver.com.au

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

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Thought For The Week ■ “Don’t forget that today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday.” ● Some believed that the Sunday Observer 1975 front-page, the day after Gough Whitlam was defeated, was blasphemous. The Observer was then published by Maxwell Newton.

Sad news ■ Volunteers at 96.5 Inner FM, the community radio station based at Heidelberg, are mourning the passing of their comrade Norma Longsmith.

Saturday Express host Ron Lopes, presenting his 18th anniversary show last weekend, made the announcement of the death of Norma, who had in recent times been at the Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital.

Thanks for good wishes

Observer Curmudgeon ■ “People often spend money they haven’t earned to buy things they don’t need to impress people they don’t like.”

Text For The Week ■ "Then I heard a voice from heaven saying, "Write this: Happy are the dead who die from now on in the Lord." The Spirit says, "Yes, they will rest from their hard work, and the reward of all they have done stays with them."

- Revelation 14:13 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.

● Observer Editor Ash Long, 58, with Pam Billing (now Green) at a 40-year school reunion at Ivanhoe on Friday Photo: Murray Scott ■ Thanks to everyone who sent birthday wishes on Sunday (Oct. 19) and made me look more popular than I really am.

It was a busy weekend with a 40-year school reunion, a charity event, some news happenings, and some time with family.

Thanks to many people ncluding but not limited to: Jenny Adams, Merryn Aldous, Kathleen Amarant, Gill Andrew, Dominic Barbuto, Glenn Bear, Ian Bell, Hillel Benedykt, Craig Bennett, Rod Boyd, Philip Brady, Bec Brown, Cheryl Brown, Geoff Brown, Jenchurai Brown, Barry Browne, Kristi and Paul Bryant (and Jack), Debra Byrne, Jai Kai Cameron, Megan Castran, Julie Cavanagh, Patricia Chriss, Debra Cooper, Muriel Cooper, Jen Cron, Matt Crosina, Pete Coulin, Terry Davis, Donna De La Rue, Victoria Dinic, Chez Donoghue, Jan Downes, Virginia Dowzer, Leigh Drew, Alfonso Duran, Helen Eastwood, Rob Elliott, Lisa Engelander, Jenny Evans, Tony Featherstone, Caroline Ferguson, Rob Foenander, Des Ford, Steve Frew, Toni Giannarelli, Mya G Grayly, Peter Greenaway, Sal Grimshaw, Natalie Grosby, Anthony Hadj, André Haermeyer, Claire Halliday, Rod Hardy, Carolyn Hartmann, Brett Hayhoe, Anthony Healey, Kim Healey, Tanya Healey, Alex Hehr, Gigi Hellmuth, Chris Herrod, Victor Hiah, Jim Hilcke, Glenn Hodges, Frank Howson, Colleen Hewett, Mark Holmes, John-Michael Howson, Craig Huggins, Semra Hussein, Kon Iatrou, Chris Ilsley, Marlene Jackson-Bersace, Larry James, Neil James, Mark Jenkins, Dianne Johnston, Bob Jones, Cris Jubb and family, Malchi Jubb, Chris Keating, Bronwyn Kemp, Paul and Mary Kitsi, Warren Koglin, Mary Levick, James Liotta,Adam and Linda Long (and family), Fleur Long, Greg and Anne Long, James and Sarah Long (and Emma and Madison), Kieran Long, Marjory Long, Lachlan Macdonald, Fiona Mackenzie, Jan MaherMartyn, Judith Marrow-Dix, Chrissy Massingham, David Masson, Mike McColl Jones, Sandra McCurdy, Angela McGowan, Denise Meikle, Mike Menner, Wayne Motton, Kenneth Mulholland, Laura Musial, Libby Nutbean, Maris O'Sullivan, Eddie Olek, David Palmer, Debbie Palmer, Simon Parris, Gary Parsons, Janette Paterson, Bryan and Dawn Patterson, Elise Petty, Bob and Judy Phillips, Tony Porter, Cindy Pritchard, Greta Polonksy, John Price, Stephen Ralph, Liz Redfern, Mark Richardson, Rob Richardson, Ralphe Rickman, Annie Roberts, Harry Rogers, Di Rolle, Libby Ross, Lisa Millar Ruggiero, Chris Ryan, Gavin Ryan, Ted Ryan, Julie Scott, Tom Schouten, Trevor Sinclair, Phil Skeggs, Ruta Skoba, Garry Spry, Bruce Stewart, Artie Stevens, Natasha Stipanov, Bruce Stockdale, Liz Sullivan, Kate Swifte, John Michael Swinbank, John Tamb, Rachel D Taylor, Gaylene Thompson, Jenny Thompson, Sue Trethowan-Jones, Isobell Tunzi, Judy Turnball, Gary and Deborah Turner, John Vertigan, Belinda Visser, Christian Wagstaff, Dennis Wall, Paul Walsh, Cecily Waters, Michael Wilkie, Lisa Williams, Val Wishart. Gavin Wood and Ian Wright

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au Melbourne

Observer

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, October 22, 2014 - Page 19

Showbiz Extra

By Julie Houghton

Choir joins with theatre royalty on Sunday

● Jonathan Welch

■ Put 400 voices on the stage of Melbourne Town Hall, add some of Australia's best loved music theatre and opera singers and a big brass band and you have a recipe for happiness.

So Jonathon Welch of the School of Hard Knocks is presenting a concert appropriately entitled Absolutely Everybody Loves Broadway at Melbourne Town Hall at 6pm on Sunday (October 26).

Jonathon has enticed music theatre/opera royalty Judi Connelli and Suzanne Johnston to take to the stage, along with a young lady with a Shirley Bassey voice, Danielle Matthews.

Footscray-Yarraville City Band and the Absolutely Everybody massed choir, with Dr Kathleen McGuire and organist David

● Judi Connelli and Suzanne Johnston

Johnston round out the bill, making this a concert with something for everyone.

Conducting the musical fun and hosting the event is School of Hard Knocks founder Jonathon Welch, so a good time should be had by all.

Proceeds to supporting the School of Hard Knocks, which provides artistic opportunities for the less fortunate in our wealthy society, so by booking a ticket you get some wonderful entertainment and a nice warm glow that you are doing something for somebody else.

Book your tickets at www.schoolofhardknocks.org.au or call 0402 973 244 for more information.

- Julie Houghton

Melbourne

Observer Life & Style

Tragedies affect ambo staff too ■ It was heartbreaking to watch Emmy’s mother relate in detail, the tragic death of her three-year-old child who drowned in the bath.

I’m sure every mother watching would have shared her grief.

But I was so disappointed as the interview on television continued to hear the mother accept no responsibility for her death. All blame was directed at the ambulance that took 20 minutes to arrive.

Mrs Boyle had run the bath, then left Emmy standing beside the bath and unattended while she ran upstairs to get a special bath towel that Emmy wanted.

Emmy drowned while mum was upstairs.

A neighbour performed CPR, but to no avail.

It was too late.

Yvonne’s Column

Animals in distress

Magnificent job ■ What really disappoints me is that little thought was given to the feelings of the distressed paramedics when they realised they had arrived too late.

Mrs Boyle spent the entire interview blaming the late arrival of the ambulance.

From my experience, the paramedics do a magnificent job.

Imagine how they would have felt at the scene. The death of children is tragic in any circumstances, but it takes a special person to tell a parent that their child couldn’t be revived, especially when they have children themselves.

But the cardinal rule with children is never leaving them unattended in a bathroom where the bath has been run. Children have a fascination with water, and it’s fun time for them. In fact, a three year old should never be left unattended - ever.

It’s doubtful if Mrs. Boyle will ever get over the death of her beautiful baby girl, but the blame should not be put on the ambulance drivers. I hope they have been offered counselling.

Princess in making ■ I sometimes wonder if I should ever watch a news service. And being an animal lover, and a cat owner, I was again disappointed whilst watching the news on television.

There was a beaming couple that had included their cat Tiffany in the sale of their house.

How could they?

It was their son’s cat, not theirs to sell. And nor was the son consulted.

Who cares if the bidders daughter fell in love with the cat during an inspection? And shame on the estate agent for negotiating the deal.

It says a lot for the doting parent who offered the money for Tiffany to be included in the hefty purchase price, just to please his daughter.

Is this another little Princess in the making?

come out and play and get rid of some of the winter flab.

Go along to Barks In The Park and meet other dogs.

It’s a great way for your dog to socialise.

Besides, it’s a terrific way for you to meet other local dog owners and compare canine stories.

I t’s being held in Sparks Reserve opposite the Blackburn Vets clinic on Friday (Oct. 24) at 6.30pm-7.30pm.

All dogs are welcome and light refreshments will be provided.

Just remember to bring your dog’s lead.

More details about Barks In The Park from The Blackburn Vet. 296 Middleborough Road, Blackburn. Phone 9897 4222.

with Yvonne Lawrence yvonne.lawrence@bigpond.com

Rightful owner ■ And what happens to poor old Tiffany if something else comes along that appeals to the “daughter who has whatever she wants”.

The son, who had bought Tiffany with his own money from a pet shop because he felt sorry for her, didn’t look happy himself when he faced the cameras.

It was his cat, for goodness sake.

Sorry. But Mr and Mrs Perceval went too far.

I wouldn’t sell, Moosh, my cat for all the tea in China. Your animals are part of the family.

I only hope for Tiffany’s sake that the daughter doesn’t fall out of love with Tiffany when she fails to respond because she misses Sam, her previous owner.

But then, it may turn out to be her good fortune if she ends up back with Sam, her original, and rightful owner.

Money is measure ■ Mrs Perceval said it was hard to part with Tiffany. But greed got in the way it seems.

And it was difficult for me to watch, because everything seems to be measured in money these days.

Perhaps the Percevals would like to donate the money, which they accepted for Tiffany to the RSPCA to help pet owners who have handed in their animal because they can’t afford to feed it any more. It’s heartbreaking to see them leave without their beloved pet.

But there are some good animal stories around.

Daylight saving is with us again, and that means it’s time for your four-legged friends to

■ Whenever I think about our local pets I also give a thought to World Animal Protection.

There are so many animals in the wild that live in distress.

One of the persecuted animals is the big, and very intelligent elephant – a favourite of mine.

How could I not help when I hear about baby elephants being trained to amuse humans?

The little elephant is snatched from her mother as a baby, and will endure a lifetime of pain and suffering.

She’s beaten with bamboo sticks that have been studded with nails.

She’s starved and deprived of sleep for up to a week at a time. She’s tortured like this to crush her spirit and make her submit to carrying people on her back.

How could I not help stop this cruelty? Her suffering continues for the rest of her life.

Important to us ■ She will be chained up, deprived of social interaction and forced to entertain tourists for nine hours a day, seven days a week.

If she refuses to perform out of fear or stress, she will be punished into submission.

This beautiful elephant will be in pain and distress for the next 50 years.

And it’s a cruelty she will never forget. But she is not alone. She’s only one of 16,000 captive Asian elephants around the world living in misery in tourist centres, zoos and circus shows.

A donation to the Wildlife WorldAnimal Protection will help protect elephants currently in captivity from further cruelty.

Elephants used in the tourism industry desperately need our help to protect them from cruelty. Let’s keep wildlife animals in the wild, where they belong.

If you can help call Wildlife Protection on 1300 139 772 and donate over the phone.

Animals are so important to us all.

Better life ■ And now here’s some good news about bears.

Two bear bile facilities in Ha Long Bay in Vietnam have now been permanently closed to tourists.

It was our support for this campaign that has lead to a better life for the 80 long suffering bears at these facilities.

You can visit the World Animal Protection at www.worldanimalprotection.org.au It’s hard to donate to any animal organisation in these tough times, but it doesn’t have to be an enormous amount, And if you can’t spare a cent then there are other things you can do to help our own homegrown animal shelters.

How about looking out some wool that you have tucked away and knit some blankets for the dogs. All shelters will be grateful for some donated time.

Old age is sad ■ One of the great ways to help is by taking a dog for a walk. The Lost Dogs Home will tell you about it and what is required. I imagine a good pair of legs equipped for walking a couple of blocks would prove to be a benefit to both parties.

I just wish our two blokes were still alive.

The leaves on the elm trees have unfurled, which used to tell them it was walk time in the park.

Poor Moosh is an old man now, and he walks only as far as the mail box and finds a sunny spot to while away his day.

I don’t care what anyone says – old age is sad whether it be an animal or a human.

Enjoy your week.

Give your animals an extra hug, and remember, never leave your youngsters unattended, and especially in cars with summer just around the corner.

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

Page 20 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, October 22, 2014

Exercise aids development

● Ross Broad, District Co-Ordinator for the Northern District 116, with student Roberto Carlos at the Broadmeadows Special Development School.

■ Broadmeadows Special Development School is now the recipient of a $5000 donation from the Freemasons Public Charitable Foundation to assist in ongoing improvements to exercise equipment for their students.

Ross Broad, District Co-Ordinator for the Northern District 116 presented the cheque to Sarah Hillard, Leading Teacher, on behalf of the Charitable Fund.

Sarah explained to Ross that it is through exercise that the students develop more social skills and use their imagination to invent games that others take for granted. Students also burn off excess stamina which assists with concentration in class.

Ross remarked on just how happy the whole campus felt. "It was a happy, bright, well organised environment with enthusiastic staff. It's a very large campus taking students from as far away as Preston and nearly all the Northern District, with ages ranging from 5 to 18 years old. It felt wonderful to be able to help with their development,” Ross said.

We’re growing our mo’s

● Ben Quick has been a great mo advocate in the past.

■ Did you know that prostate cancer is the most common cause of cancer in Australian men and the second most common cause of cancer deaths in men?

One in nine men in Australia will develop prostate cancer in their life time and around 20,000 cases of prostate cancer are diagnosed every year in Australia.

These are staggering figures, and have prompted Freemasons Victoria to once again, put the call out to all members to take part in Movember this year.

The annual Movember campaign aims to raise awareness about men's health that leads to men taking action to remain well and prostate cancer-free.

By growing your moustache during the month of November, you are pledging your support for the campaign, and by encouraging sponsorship from friends and family, you are helping to raise funds towards the treatment of this awful disease.

Freemasons Victoria has launched a web page in support of Movember 2014. Jump on and register your participation at http://au.movember.com/ mospace and grow those mo's!

In the past Freemasons Victoria has raised thousands of dollars in support of this campaign - let's do it again.

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Bendigo Freemasons celebrate 125 years at Capital Theatre

■ Freemasons in Bendigo have celebrated 125 years of Freemasonry in Victoria with a special event at the Capital Theatre - Bendigo's Performing Arts Centre.

Held at the Bendigo Bank Room on Friday,October 10, the event saw almost 100 members from the Bendigo area turn out to a ceremony and dinner.

The event was hosted by Bendigo City Lodge, which was founded on October 27, 1951, and led by its current Worshipful Master John Crimmins.

John thanked the City of Greater Bendigo for its assistance in allowing the Freemasons to utilise the facility and staff at Capital Theatre.

Bendigo City Lodge member Richard Penna said that overall the event was very pleasing and also included a second-degree ceremony for a new candidate, Jack Pierce.

Richard said Freemasons from various Bendigo Lodges as well as Lodges in Kyneton, Trentham, Heathcote, Inglewood, Echuca and Gisborne attended the event.

"The Bendigo Bank Room in the Capital Theatre was the original meeting room for members who were part of the Golden and Corinthian Lodge 125 years ago,” Richard said.

He described the event as a homecoming for many members because the room had been 'purpose built' for Freemason activities.

"The restorations that have been done to the building are absolutely tremendous, no expenses have been spared. It was like coming back home," he said.

"Bendigo-based Freemasons hadn't had a ceremony at the premises since 1990,” Richard said. "The move came about because the cost of maintaining the building was beyond us," he said.

"As building regulations changed, it required a lot of money to maintain it. We're glad the state government took over however, because it was able to bring it back up to the wonderful standard it is today,” he said.

Current membership of Bendigo City Lodge is positive and has been active in recruiting younger men for the past three years.

● Jim Puohotaua joins in the fun of Movember

● Bendigo City Lodge Worshipful Master John Crimmins (front, centre) with Freemason members from around the Bendigo region on the steps of the restored Capital Theatre.

● Freemason members in the Bendigo Bank Room at the Capital Theatre.

Rare find of heritage

■ Brian Parkinson, member of Old Melburnians Lodge has come across a rare find - a postcard dated 1908 of the arrival of the United States Fleet.

This postcard, found among his late Grandfather's belongings is significant in that it signifies involvement in one of the largest public events in Australia since Federation commenced. The event was on August 20, 1908.

Brian said that he was sifting through some of his Grandfather's things when he found the post card tucked inside a 2004 edition of National Library of Australia News, August 2004.

The edition featured a four-page spread titled 'Welcoming the Fleets', and detailed the kinds of ephemera collected by the library, relating to the event.

Their files include 150 individual items; invitations, programs, menus and tickets as well as post cards, similar to that of the one his Grandfather, Basil John Parkinson had faithfully held on to until his death in 1957.

The card was handed on to family, and now Brian realises he is in the possession of a special piece of history.

Sixteen American battle ships with seven auxiliary ships bearing 14,000 officers and men steamed into Sydney Harbour. Ten days later the Great White Fleet, as it became known, sailed south to Melbourne.

On September 11 it stopped briefly in Albany in Western Australia for coal refuelling before sailing on to Asian waters.

It was this visit that Brian's Grandfather was either aware of, or had taken part in. The postcard, produced by the Commonwealth of Australia was among a series of cards all elaborately designed with both American and Australian flags, maps and Australian signifiers; flora, fauna and state shields.

One remarkable piece of ephemera, housed within the National Library is the Program for the Reception to 'Meet Freemasons of the American Fleet', at the Masonic Hall in Melbourne on September 1, 1908.

Brian explained that although his Grandfather was not a Freemason at the time, he was in fact a high profile solicitor and may have been invited to an event of this level simply due to his status within the Melbourne legal community.

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au Melbourne

Observer

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, October 22, 2014 - Page 21

West Hollywood

50 years for Dan Tana’s From my suite at the Ramada Plaza Hotel and Suites comes this week's news.

Glenn Close returns to the stage

More celebrations on Santa Monica Boulevard

■ Hot on the heels of the Palm Restaurant closing its doors after 45 years, another Hollywood institution celebrated it's 50th anniversary.

Dan Tana's restaurant on Santa Monica Boulevard, just one block away from the Ramada Plaza Hotel had all the Hollywood elite toasting their success.

50 years ago

■ Bob Dylan's popularity increased during a year of social protest and he is still touring. October 24, 25 and 26 at the Dolby Theatre at the Hollywood and Highland Centre.

The Beatles appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show Zorba The Greek and My Fair Lady ruled the box office.

Movie tickets cost 30 cents, as did an ounce of gold.

A breakfast of two eggs, bacon or sausage, hash browns and a biscuit set you back 69 cents, a burger 95 cents (a slab of cheese a dollar extra), and a turkey dinner ran up a tab of $1.49.

1964 was the year Martin Luther King Jr. was awarded the Nobel peace prize, and the entrepreneurial Dan Tana opened his eponymous restaurant in a yellow clapboard shack (vintage 1938) at 9071 Santa Monica Boulevard (near the Ramada where it stands today).

It was previously a counter-only joint named Black's Lucky Spot Café in what Dan Tana claims was a tough neighbourhood.

Dan Tana's wasn't easy. He remembers empty dining rooms until several diners were joined by a Los Angeles Times newsman, who loved the food, and went overboard with his rave.

Another reminder, indeed, about the power of the press which Dan respected.

The restaurant has been jammed ever since, selling out nightly.

Two intimate rooms with red leather booths and a bar where regulars wolfed down the sturdy martinis.

Hollywood royals from John Wayne and Fred Astaire to Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, Don Henley and Glenn Frey from the Eagles (who wrote the lyrics to Lyin' Eyes there), Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Angie Dickinson, Don Rickles indulged in the clubby atmosphere.

As have recent 'celebs' like Cameron Diaz, who says Dan Tana's was the first grown-up restaurant she was taken to. Today's fans include Amy Poehler, Channing Tatum and Sandra Bullock.

Dishes are named for loyalist like the veal cutlet Milanese a la George Clooney. To host his private post-Oscar party, George took over the place.

Dan Tana arrived to huge applause during the 50th Anniversary celebration of his amazing restaurant in West Holly.

There to enjoy the celebrations were Ira Klienrock, General Manager of Le Parc Suite Hotel ; Managing Director of the Ramada Plaza Hotel and Suites, Alan Johnson; and Dan Tana with the first dollar he made from his restaurant.

● Ira Klienrock, General Manager of Le Parc Suite Hotel ; Managing Director of the Ramada Plaza Hotel and Suites, Alan Johnson; and Dan Tana

GavinWood

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

Rock n Roll ‘Hall of Fame’

The Who turn 50 too

■ The Who, who first stormed Los Angeles in 1967 in a debut gig at the Hollywood Bowl have announced a 50th anniversary North American Tour.

Extending through much of 2015, The Who Hits 50! tour (actually occurring during the band's 51st year) will feature founding members Pete Townsend and Roger Daltrey.

After a first leg that's set to begin in mid-April and extend through the South, Midwest and Eastern seaboard, the band is scheduled to arrive at the Staples Centre in a little less than a year- September 21 2015.

I remember the first song I played on radio was I'm A Boy by The Who, way back in 1973.

83 nations chase Oscar

■ A record 83 countries submitted movies for consideration in the foreign language film category for the 87th Academy Awards marking the third consecutive year the field has set a new high.

It's a deep field and academy members who volunteer to serve on the nominating committee have their work cut out for them.

Now that's a lot of popcorn and many hours in front of the television.

● The Who's Roger Daltrey and Pete Townsend ■ Velvet Underground founding member Lou Reed, punkpop band Green Day, industrial dance-rock group Nine Inch Nails and 80s Brit-pop group The Smiths are among the 15 music acts that appear on the final nominees ballot for Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction in 2015.

They're joined by Sting who is already a Rock Hall member as front man of The Police, along with such repeat nominees as the Paul Butterfield Blues Band, disco group Chic, hard rocking Joan Jett and The Blackhearts, influential German electronic group Kraftwerk and Compton, LA rap collective NWA. This year's nominee list is rounded out by the Motown R&B vocal groups Marvelettes and the Spinners, Texas blues singer-guitarist Stevie Ray Vaughan, R&B band War and popR&B singer-songwriter Bill Withers.

Final selections as determined by some 700 of the Rock Hall's voting members will be announced in December.

www.gavinwood.us

■ "She's like royalty," says actor John Lithgow, who appeared with Close in 1982's The World According To Garp and now is her co-star in the upcoming Broadway production of Edward Albee's A Delicate Balance, which begins previews this week at New York City's Golden Theatre.

"There's something very regal to her, distinguished. She has a native blue-bloodedness. It seems to come from good breeding. There's a patrician elegance about her."

The play brings Lithgow and Close together for the first time onstage in a much-anticipated 18-week run that will push each to the limit in one of the most intellectually and emotionally daunting works of the repertoire.

Albee's 1966 drama of domestic disintegration centres on a suburban, upper-class couple, Agnes and Tobias (Close and Lithgow), and follows them across one night and day as they deal with the intrusion of family and friends as well as their own troubled past.

Close has trouble believing it has been 20 years since her last theatrical production; when she won her third Tony, for playing silent screen star Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard.

Glenn's larger-than-life father, William Taliaferro Close, spent years in Congo, at one point as Congolese leader Mobutu Sese Seko's personal physician, and who swept his daughter and family into a right-wing religious cult that gobbled up their lives.

The cult's impact was so great, says Close, that for years "I wouldn't trust any of my instincts because (my beliefs) had all been dictated to me."

Why the ban on Joan?

■ After all these years, why did former Tonight Show host Jay Leno keep up Johnny Carson's ban on Joan Rivers?

"I didn't want to do it while Johnny was alive, out of respect for Johnny - I don't think he wanted to see her on the show," Leno said.

It wasn't a promise made personally to Carson: "No, no, it never came up, nothing was ever said, we just didn't do it."

Carson and Rivers "broke up" after the comedienne was offered her own late-night show, following multiple appearances on The Tonight Show.

Rivers returned to The Tonight Show under Jimmy Fallon's reign earlier this year, for the first time in 25 years.

After Carson passed, "It got a little awkward - by that point, Joan was going on and on about me," Leno explained, noting that he personally liked Rivers, and she was the first autograph he ever got. He doesn't regret the decision, though. "No, I don't have regrets about anything."

Leno - who is set to host a prime-time series on CNBC - also spoke about the late Robin Williams, whom he saw audition at The Improv and always joked with Jerry Seinfeld that the three of them would be making fun of each other into their old age, similar to Mel Brooks and Carl Reiner.

"It would be great fun to be 85 years old and sit with Jerry and Robin, and that's not gonna happen," he said.

"I love Robin - he was a good comic, never trashed other comedians, never got involved in any trash talk or that kind of nonsense," Leno said of Williams.

"He was very supportive, always helped out young performers, and homeless people, and he was a really, decent, decent guy who obviously had a lot of demons. He fought that fight every day, but you only have to lose that fight once."

On the move to LA?

■ If you are considering a move to Los Angeles or just coming over for a holiday then I have got a special deal for you.

You just might see Jay Leno driving around LA in one of his incredible cars.

We would love to see you at the Ramada Plaza Hotel and Suites, 8585 Santa Monica Boulevard, West Hollywood.

I have secured a terrific holiday deal for readers of the Melbourne Observer.

Please mention 'Melbourne Observer' when you book and you will receive the 'Special Rate of the Day'.

Please contact: Joanna at info@ramadaweho.com Happy Holidays, Gavin Wood.

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Page 22 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, October 22, 2014

■ Eugene Klass was born in New York City in 1919. His parents were musical and young Gene became a violin virtuoso in his younger years.

He also performed in shows as a baritone singer. At the age of 23, Gene was appearing on Broadway in a leading role in a revival of the stage musical New Moon using the stage name of Gene Barry.

He was quoted as saying - "My earliest dreams were of acting, and I have never considered anything else."

In 1944 Gene married Betty Kalb and their marriage lasted until her death in 2003, the couple had three children.

After many years of working as a stage actor Gene drifted into television productions in the early 1950s.

His first feature film was Atomic City and my first memory of seeing him in films was in War Of The Worlds in 1953.

His films during the early 1950s included Those Redheads From Seattle, Red Garters, Alaska Seas and Naked Alibi.

Gene Barry was a regular in the television series Our Miss Brooks with Eve Arden.

In 1958 he was cast as Bat Masterson in the western series Bat Masterson - for those who can remember the theme song, the lyrics went something like this Back when the west was very young, There lived a man named Masterson.

He wore a cane and derby hat,

Whatever Happened To ...

Gene Barry

By Kevin Trask of 3AW and 96.5 Inner FM They called him Bat, Bat Masterson. and so it continued.

Gene almost turned down the role but when he looked at himself in the mirror wearing the suit, derby hat and gold cane he realised that he knew exactly how to play the character.

The series was very popular and ran for three years. Philip Brady recalled working as a booth announcer at Channel 9 and having a rare lapse when he introduced the next program as Matt Basterson.

Gene Barry went straight into another hit television series Burke's Law as Amos Burke the millionaire captain of the Los Angeles Police Homicide Division, who was chauffeured around to solve crimes in his Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud

● Gene Barry

II. His next hit series was The Name Of The Game and Gene co-starred with Robert Stack and Tony Franciosa.

In 1983 Gene returned to Broadway to star in the musical La Cage Aux Folles where he costarred with George Hearn. There is a story (and I wonder if it is true) that during rehearsals Gene was considered to be adequate but not in full command of the role. There was talk of firing him until the director pulled the two stars to one side and told them to look into each others eyes for the whole time they were onstage.

Gene Barry went on to receive a Tony nomination for his performance in the show. His last cameo film role was as the grandfather in the 2005 remake of War Of The Worlds.

Gene Barry died of heart failure in a retirement village in California in 2009 at the age of 90. He is survived by his children and grandchildren His sister lives in New Zealand.

Although Gene Barry was not a major film star I was a big fan. I'm happy to report that the Bat Masterson series is available on DVD via the internet.

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.

Statue’s gun is wrong symbol: locals ■ I have mentioned a couple of times previously about the statue of John McDouall Stuart, and the controversy which it has engendered.

It was commissioned by the Alice Springs Freemasons, via my mate Les Pilton from Barrow Creek, a couple of hundred kilometres up the road.

It was made by Ted Egan's son,

Mark, who recently claimed he was "fed up" with all the controversy.

The main bone of contention is the fact that he's got a gun in his hand, and that represents the violence which aboriginal people have experienced in the history of the NT, according to detractors.

That's nonsense, says Mark - he included the gun because it's a sym-

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bol of the fact that to tame the land the early settlers needed to provide food for themselves, and all settlers everywhere the world over needed initially thus to do.

In this case mainly birds and kangaroos. Thereafter it was grazing and farming, but hunting was always the beginning.

So now there's been another protest led by an aboriginal activist, Barbara Shaw.

"Your statue is a bad influence on our children - we do not want our children to play around guns at all."

Apparently the appalling domestic violence towards aboriginal women, and often constant drunkenness, admitted, lamented and bemoaned by all aboriginal leaders, is quite OK. ■ Because Alice Springs is such a famous iconic settlement in Australia, it not only attracts many visitors from the four corners, but many a conference and convention is held there, giving participants the opportunity to explore and experience the Red Centre, often the first time for them.

Last week it was the Ecological Society of Australia.

A University of Queensland young lady, Jamie Heiniger, outlined her research on Northern Quolls.

Probably to most men-in-the-street this would hardly be riveting, but to anyone with an inkling of curiosity about the natural world, particularly in Australia, it's of great interest.

She studied a colony of 200 Quolls on Groote Eylandt, in the Top End, and proceeded to outline their habits to her colleagues.

These creatures were once common across much of Australia -in fact a friend of mine had discovered a small colony in the Warby Ranges at Glenrowan - but the cane toads and the inevitable cats and foxes have put paid to most of them in the Territory.

It turns out that the male Quoll only lives for about a year, and during that time he desperately searches for a mate, has to fight off competing males, and then dies just after mating.

Pretty stressful life!

■ Mother Nature often moves in mysterious ways. As anyone knows, porch lights often attract a passing moth or two, particularly in the bush, where there is often still an abundance of trees and grass and shrubs upon which the caterpillars feed.

The Outback Legend

with Nick Le Souef Lightning Ridge Opals 175 Flinders Lane, Melbourne Phone 9654 4444 www.opals.net.au My dad was an avid entomologist, so always, wherever we lived, invited such specimens literally to his door.

One night in Kyabram, literally thousands of one particular species of moth descended upon our porch. He had never seen even one before, and there was never another one afterwards - just one swarm in 10 years.

A similar situation occurred in Alice Springs last August, which I reported on at the time, with cotton web spinner moths. Millions of them descended upon the town, to the delight of local birds, who revelled in this welcome and unexpected feast.

And a couple of enterprising individuals saw this as an opportunity CSIRO ethnoecologist Dr Fiona Walsh, and St Philip's College student Ruby Robertson decided to make a film of the event, just released, looking at the many contributing features, and the significance of the relationship between people and creatures.

"Our analysis revealed a complex food web involving shrubs, nectar flowers, people, cars, magpie larks, and whistling kites - all connected with the cotton spinner moths!" Good on 'em.

■ In 1928 a dingo trapper named Fred Brooks was killed by aborigines at a spot known as Yurrkuru, in the Tanami Desert, just near Yuendumu.

This, given the time and its particular sentiments, led to inevitable reprisals. This action was led by Constable George Murray, who was responsible for many aboriginal deaths across the region, collectively known as the Coniston Massacre.

The Aboriginal Land Commissioner recommended in 1992 that this square mile of land be granted back to the traditional owners. However the farmers of surrounding Mt. Denison cattle station bitterly opposed this, and it took 20 years for a resolution in favour of the aborigines.

They were originally planning to set up a small settlement there, but there's not much water about, so they abandoned that plan.

Now they've just built a shelter for passers-by, with information on the massacre itself, indicating its importance to present day aborigines.

"The loss of so many people during the massacres is still causing a lot of sadness across our region", Mr. Francis Kelly, Central Land Commission Chairman said.

■ I was about to relate a couple of instances of note - as ever, conveying the over-indulgence in alcoholic beverages; firstly a driver was discovered by police just sitting in his car with the engine running.

His reading was 0.310 - he said it was his mother-in-law's fault - he'd just had a fight with her and that made him drink.

Then there was another gentleman in the car park of a block of flats - he was 0.270.

And another man in another complex had backed into a tree - 0.170.

Finally a man asleep in yet another car park, with his seatbelt on - 0.118 Then I checked the date - this was all a couple of years ago.

And yet, just last week a young chap was in a Maccas car park awaiting his burger, when he passed out, complete with a bottle propped up between his legs.

He was ‘non-compos’ for about an hour, so staff called police. With no insurance or registration on his vehicle, he was removed to the watchhouse in a drunken state.

"He was not happy with the situation", a policeman noted.

Nothing's changed.