Melbourne Observer. 130424A. April 24, 2013. Part A. Pages 1-16

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City Desk

Melbourne

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The hottest news about Melbourne’s A-listers

The Buzz

Opening at Sofitel

Superheroes

● Clive Scott

■ Steve Lochran, Pan MacMillan representative, will be at Eltham Bookshop this Sunday (Apr. 28), 3pm-4pm, to talk about his books.

Afternoon tea will be served.

Cost: $15.00 per family, includes a signed copy of Vanguard Prime Wild Card. Prepaid early bookings are essential: 9439 8700.

■ Popular Sofitel Melbourne On Collins General Manger Clive Scott is featured in an exhibition of photos opening next week.

This exhibition is called Guest Relations and is the work of acclaimed Australian photographer, Robyn Stacey.

These works were created while she was Sofitel’s artist-in-residence in February.

Robyn used the hotel as the canvas for her camera obscura project.

The opening will be held in Sofi’s Lounge on Tuesday (Apr. 30).

Melbourne’s $6 million woman

BILL SIGNS OFF

Hollywood here

● Abbie Cornish ■ The Australian Centre for the Moving Image is announcing new additions to its displays to celebrate the Hollywood Costume exhibition.

Costumes by two awarded Australian costume designers, Janet Patterson and Catherine Martin, will be exhibited to coincide with the major exhibition.

When Hollywood Costume opens today (Wed.) visitors to ACMI will be able to view a stunning costume worn by Abbie Cornish in her turn as Fanny Brawne in the acclaimed period drama Bright Star.

Under The Clocks

● Bill Hutchison with Steve Cairns of Radio Sport National ■ Steve Cairns, Group Program Director of Radio Sport National, has paid tribute to the career of narness racing journalist Bill Hutchison.

Listener tributes included the comment that Bill was “one of the nicest guys in the industry”. Stuart Broadbent said: “I met him when i was a young child with my family at Moonee Valley trots”. acts have been announced for the Heart of St Kilda Concert to ★ActsFinal be held on Tuesday, May 14 at the Palais Theatre. include comedian Dave Callan, country musician Henry Wagons, comic Hannah Gadsby, show-off Frank Woodley, R&B band Saskwatch, singer-songwriter Rebecca Barnard, rocker Billy Miller, MC Brian Nankervis, the Graveyard Train choir, songbird Kate Ceberano, ventriloquist Darren Carr, comic Russell Gilbert, the Wishful trio, stand-up artist Rachel Berger, singer Lisa Miller, and the Even band. The night raises funds for the Sacred Heart Mission.

Melbourne Moments All that jazz

Award nominees

■ Bob Sedergreen’s Come Together Band will perform at the Stonnington Jazz Festival on Thursday May 23 at 8pm.

The Melbourne pianist has brought together musicians of different ages, states and musical backgrounds for what promises to be a unique and special concert at Malvern Town Hall.

These include guitarist George Golla, drummer John Morrison, singer Jacki Cooper, trombonist/arranger/band leader Dave Palmer, and Mal Sedergreen on saxophones.

Tickets available from Chapel Off Chapel, phone 8290 7000.

■ Cyril Jewell House (North Western Mental Health, East Keilor) has been nominated for the Team Innovation finals in the HESTA Australian Nursing Awards.

Janet Lees (Castlemaine District Community Health) has been nominated as Nurse of the Year for her outreach work with marginalised and vulnerable clients dealing with drug and alcohol issues.

Interstate finalists will be flown to Melbourne to attend an awards dinner on Thursday, May 9.

● Bob Sedergreen

● Betty Armsden ■ ‘Arts angel’ Betty Amsden this became the Arts Centre Melbourne’s ‘Six Million Dollar Woman’ with another visionary gift of $1 million.

Miss Amsden OAM has given again to further support and develop Arts Centre Melbourne programs for children, young people, families and the broader community.

Her overall financial commitment to Arts Centre Melbourne now totals $6.6 million.

It adds to the landmark $5 million pledge she made in 2009 to establish the Betty Amsden Arts Education Endowment for Children, and is hot-on-the-heels of her induction onto the Victorian Women’s Honour Roll .

Miss Amsden has also increased support of aspiring arts managers through the Betty Amsden Scholarship for Leadership in Arts Management, an annual $15,000 commitment announced last month.

Betty Amsden’s gift to Arts Centre Melbourne’s endowment fund is her gift to the next generation, providing an inspiring platform from which secure additional support to extend the role Arts Centre Melbourne plays in the cultural life of Melbourne.

Keen to see the impact of her support realised in her lifetime as well and highly supportive of Arts Centre Melbourne’s work in this area and the staff delivering it, she has added $1 million over the next four years to grow these programs even further.

A supporter since it opened and currently a Governor of the Arts Centre Melbourne Foundation, Betty Amsden wants to be involved and hands-on.

She wants to inspire others to make a difference too,” said Arts Centre Melbourne Chief Executive Judith Isherwood.

“She is a self-made woman whose fortune was not made through inheritance. Amazingly astute, she sees the potential in people and organisations and throws her efforts into encouraging those she supports to think big and realise their dreams.”

The bulk of Betty’s money was made through developing a series of nursing homes, an opportunity realised from personal experiences when she saw the need to lift the standard of nursing homes to create spaces for the elderly. She felt the centres gave more dignity and respect than what was being offered.

“The arts are for everyone and Arts Centre Melbourne belongs to the community of Victoria,” Ms Am,sden said.

“My desire through my philanthropy is to enable people, especially the young, to have the opportunities to experience the performing arts.

“I encourage others to follow my lead and to offer their own commitment and generous support for this vital connection to our future.

“To me children are very important because they are our future. It gives me great satisfaction to watch the people I support and the programs I make possible go forward and flourish and be the best they can be. It is the joy of knowing I am doing a little good somewhere.

“It is so easy to write a cheque and hand it over but I don’t think that is true philanthropy in actual fact. You need to know what the organisation it doing, why it is doing it, and whether it matches my charter and dream of helping others. I’m confident that Arts Centre Melbourne ticks the boxes in all these areas,” Ms Amsden said.

PHOTO: IKON IMAGES

Page 4 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, April 24, 2013

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Mark Richardson ♥ Straight from the heart

E-Mail: mark@localmedia.com.au

SOUNDING THE CALL OF RESPECT

■ In military terms, the Last Post is the bugle call that traditionally signified the day's end of a soldier's duty.

It is also sounded at military funerals to indicate that the soldier has gone to his final rest and at commemorative services such as ANZAC Day and Remembrance Day. Yet, it remains so much more.

As the grounds at the Shrine of Remembrance is blanketed by the single bugle sounding the first note at the Dawn Service Ceremony (timed to coincide with the landing of the ANZACs in Gallipoli, 1915) the Last Post will invoke tears, feelings of loss, humility, hope, love, honour and respect; often accompanied with a shiver down one's spine or a lump in the back of the throat.

The Last Post touches our souls, heavies our hearts and stills our bodies; whilst we reflect and connect with heroes who battled to win our freedom, honouring our servicemen who fell and did not return.

An expected 45,000 people will gather at the Dawn Service tomorrow at the Shrine of Remembrance to mark the 98th anniversary of the Gallipoli landing at ANZAC Cove.

Moments before the Last Post rings through the morning air, Able Seaman Andrew Bryce of the Royal Australian Navy Band, will hold steady his bugle, draw his breath before releasing the tune of respect, thanks and praise. 'Lest We Forget'.

Able Seaman Bryce has been a member of the Melbourne detachment of the Royal Australian Navy

The Last Post Porch Thoughts Band for 13 years that is located at HMAS Cerberus on the Mornington Peninsula.

Under the musical direction of Lieutenant Matt Klohs, Able Seaman Bryce was happy to take a short break from his Dawn Service rehearsals, where I learnt that he began playing the trumpet at the age of eight, having moved to Melbourne from Canada with his family when he was two years-of-age in 1975.

What inspired you to pick-up a trumpet?

When I was in kindergarten a trumpet player came to visit the school. He gave me the opportunity to blow the trumpet and I produced a note on the first try. From there the seed was planted and as soon as I was able, I began to play.

Were you a member of any performing bands or orchestras?

Prior to joining the Navy I was involved in various ensembles including school bands, local community concert bands, big bands and brass bands.

You furthered your musical studies at the College of the Arts and Box Hill TAFE, what musical career path did you have in mind before joining the RAN Band?

There was no path as such. I was

Each Bugle used by RAN musicians is engraved with the name of a former member of the RAN Band who paid the ultimate sacrifice during WWII.

Off The Porch Thought For The Day Mick Thomas

The ANZAC Dawn Service at the Singer/Songwriter Shrine of Remembrance is aAustralian moving Performs ceremony and many people have com- Gallipoli Rosemary mented that when the bugle firstANZAC sounds Day Caulfield RSL from 3.30pm it sends chills through them. What will Rosemary is a song about what "Gallipoli sounding the first few notes connects mean to us to the past. On the one hand there is you? a marble war memorial in a small country town we couldn't seem to find my Respect to the fallen. I want towhere honour grandfather's name - until my mother realised them in the best way I knowthe how by 'G' had letter faded and become a 'C'. On sounding the purest possible call. the other hand we have a family's handed down bush that had its origin in Gallipoli.

How will ANZAC Day beginrosemary for you?

They are both memorials of a sort but I guess the song we should never lose sight of I try to get an early night the night be- is saying the personal and practical in favour of the fore. I get up about 3am to begin warm formal ups and to get ready for the day ahead.grandiose statement."

You have sounded the Last Post at different ceremonies. What do the different atmospheres and mean to you?

just working towards being a better player and getting experience in as many different styles of music as possible. I also spent three years teaching instrumental music in the local community.

What is your Rank Able Seaman and what training did you undertake?

It's the first of the fully qualified sailor ranks in the Navy. I undertook the 12 weeks initial entry recruit training course which is mandatory for all sailors upon joining the Navy.

This was followed by six months on the job training within the RAN Band.

The Melbourne detachment currently has 32 members; apart from ANZAC Day, what role does the RAN Band play in educating the Australian community, particularly younger Australians?

We work most in the area of public relations and we fly the Navy flag in the Australian community. We also supply a high degree of training and ceremonial support to the RAN. How many hours do you train and rehearse on the bugle each week?

It varies from person to person but for me personally I do a minimum of about four hours per day of actual playing, but that will depend on what performances we have coming up.

You were selected and deployed to play at the Dawn Service at ANZAC Cove, Gallipoli in 2001. Can you describe that experience?

I remember that it was very cold.

It required a lot of focus but it was extremely memorable and was one of the proudest moments in my naval career.

Can you recall what went through your mind in the moments leading up to performing?

I played in the small band that year as I was only new to the Band.

It is a goal of mine to return to Gallipoli in the future to play the Last Post on this special occasion.

What are some of your other memorable performances in Australia?

The ANZAC Day match at the MCG in 2006. Others include performances with James Morrison and Don Burrows, as well as Jazz At The Vines where I had the

● The Royal Australian Navy at the Shrine of Remembrance chance to play an original composiAfter the Dawn Service I will tion of mine. be marching with the RAN Band The RAN Band has the privi- through the city. We will be doing the lege of sending a small contin- march twice this year. Following that gent to Gallipoli for the Dawn I will be doing another bugle call at Service every three years, what the Shrine of Remembrance for is the selection process? the Commemoration Ceremony The selection process focuses pri- after the march has finished. marily on instrumentation and the deThe RAN Band will celebrate sire to afford as many of our people its centenary on June 23 this year. as possible this once in a lifetime op- What other major events are you portunity. looking forward to being inIs there a particular signifi- volved with? cance to the actual bugle you will The International Fleet Rebe using on the day? view be held in Sydney in OcThe atmosphere at the MCG was tober will 3-11.

This will be a once in a electric and I tended to feed off the lifetime career opportunity for Navy crowd's energy. musicians Australia wide that will I actually find it easier to play the Last Post in front of large crowds welcome warships and bands from rather than just a few at a memorial around the globe. There is more information on our website service or funeral.

Nevertheless every time I play this www.navy.gov.au/IFR What is your Porch Thought call there is always an element of For The Day? nerves involved.

'To play a wrong note is insignifiWhat other official performances will you be involved with cant; to play without passion is incomfollowing this year's Dawn Ser- prehensible.'

- Mark Richardson vice?

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Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, April 24, 2013 - Page 5

Breaking News

It’s All About You!

Melbourne

HACKERS ATTACK CRIME FIGHTING Observer WEBSITE: MELBOURNE REPORTER In This 88-Page Edition

City Desk: Melbourne’s A-Listers ................. Page 3 From The Heart: Meet the ANZAC bugler ....... Page 4 Melbourne People: In the picture ............... Page 6 Di Rolle: Dolly Diamond’s new TV show ....... Page 8 Cartoonist: Matt Bissett-Johnson is back ..... Page 9 Long Shots: The Editor’s column ................ Page 10 Melb. Confidential: Rumour Mill, Gossip ...... Page 11 Kevin Trask: The Platters profile ................. Page 12 Magazine: Comedy Company flashback ..... Page 17 Travel and Wine: David Ellis reports ........... Page 69 Footy Week: Harry Beitzel reports .............. Page 81 Wayans Bros in Melb.

3AW in Afghanistan Latest Movies, DVDs Local Theatre Shows

‘Holidays By The Sea’

Observer Showbiz

● From left: Sam Hands (Friends of Cheltenham and Regional Cemeteries), Di Reidie, (President of Brighton Historical Society), Philippa Johnstone (Sandringham Historical Society) and Peg Gill (Friends of Black Rock House), revisit seaside history in preparation for Holidays By The Sea, an event being presented at Black Rock House on Sunday, May 5 from 10am to 5pm. Photo: Malcolm Threadgold ■ A celebration of Bayside’s historical relationship with the seaside will be presented as part of the 2013 National Trust Heritage Festival on Sunday, May 5 from 10am5pm at Black Rock House, 34 Ebden Ave, Black Rock.

Holidays By The Sea is being presented by the Friends of Black Rock House, with the support of Bayside City Council and the Bayside History Network.

Enjoy an historical exhibition, archival footage, entertainment from the Free Selectors Aussie Bush Band, Don Jones’s Punch and Judy Show, roving musician Catherine ● Mick and Matt on My Kitchen Rules McGregor, refreshments, face painting, ■ Channel 7 committed a major blunder on games, and guided tours of Black Rock House. At 2.30pm, those with memories Sunday night when it revealed Tasmanian of seaside visits in the past are invited to share father-and-son Mick and Matt would be in the them in a Sharing Recollections segment, to Grand Final. be recorded by an historian.

The development was blown when a staFree entry. Enquiries 9589 4912 tion promotion was aired 40 minutes into Sunwww.blackrockhouse.org.au day night’s two-hour episode. It also broke the - Cheryl Threadgold news early on Facebook on Sunday evening.

7 blows MKR secret

!

N I W

Mike McColl Jones

Top 5 THE TOP 5 COMMENTS HEARD IN THE NORTH KOREA WAR-ROOM 5. “Kim Jong - for the last time ... would you please go to Spec Savers” 4. “OK, next time let¹s make sure the rocket doesn¹t fall out of the Coke bottle.”

3. “Has anyone got a GPS. I¹m sure Washington is that way.”

2. “If you don¹t want to see our army marching like that, issue them with looser jockettes.”

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Latest News

● Brett Quine ■ Corrput forces have gacked into the crime-fighting website of independent journalist Brett Quine.

Quine co-authored a book, Kill The Morans, which has sold 12,000 copies. It is not available in Victoria because of current and ongoing court cases.

Quine points to the possibility that a corrupt group of Victoria police could be responsible for the ‘cyber-hacking’.

“The only people who have anything to really fear from its popularity are highly positioned corrupt police and officials,” says Quine, who also runs a bar in innersuburban Melbourne.

“I consider it far from a joke that certain charges were only laid after the script was sent to every publisher in Australia.”

Quine says he believes that corrupt journalists are possibly involved, as the book names “a few of the frauds”. He is soon to launch a new website: www.outlawsbulletin.com

Melbourne

Observer

To:

Flashes Around Victoria

$2500 fine for assault ■ Paul Gerard Loughnan, now 48, of Geelong West, acquitted of the 1988 rape and murder of East Geelong woman, Heather Joy Nelson, 29, has been convicted of a vicious assault on his former partner. Loughnan was convicted and fined $2500. He was 29 at the time Ms Nelson was strangled with a curtain cord in her Helmer Cres home.

Weather Forecast ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

Wednesday. Possible shower. 11°-20°.

Thursday. Partly cloudy. 11°-22°.

Friday. Partly cloudy. 13°-24°.

Saturday. Partly cloudy. 15°-24°.

Sunday. Partly cloudy. 16°-24°.

DOUBLE PASSES TO ‘LEGALLY BLONDE’ The Melbourne Observer has five double passes to give away for the 1pm show of Legally Blonde at the Princess Theatre, 163 Spring St, Melbourne, on Wednesday, May 15, 2013.

Legally Blonde stars Lucy Durack, Rob Mills, Helen Dallimore, Erika Heynatz and Cameron Daddo.

To enter, clip out the entry form, place in an envelope, and mail to Legally Blonde Competition, PO Box 1278, Research, 3095, to reach us by first mail, Monday, May 6, 2013. Winners’ names will be published in the Melbourne Observer on May 8, 2013.

Tickets will be mailed to winners.

Our usual competition rules apply.

READER COMPETITION

Legally Blonde Competition Melbourne Observer PO Box 1278, Research 3093

Entries need to reach us by first mail Mon., May 6, 2013

Name: ..................................................................................

Address: ................................................................................ ......................................... Postcode: ...............................................

Page 6 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, April 24, 2013

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

People Melbourne

● Observer reader John David Buckland (centre) was given a surprise 70th birthday at ‘A Boy Called Sue’ pizza restaurant, St Andrews, on Saturday. He is with owner Steve Simic and son John from Singapore.

Send news to editor@melbourneobserver.com.au

New album for Renee Geyer

● Melbourne performer Renee Geyer has released a new album, Swing, described as including “joyous, happy, upbeat music”.

Record broken

● Rue Skoba ■ The Bridgewater Lake Bowling Team at Roxburgh Park broke a 40hour endurance record this week, says sales manager Rue Skoba. Residents broke the Guinness Book of Records 36-hour record held by Arnos Bowling Club Southgate UK since April 2002.

Fax: 1-800 231 312

Leslie to perform at Kyneton

● Singer and pianist Leslie Avril will perform at the Pop Up Wine Bar at Ruby Cafe, Kyneton, on Saturday, June 1, for a special ‘Marcie Jones And Friends’ night to be held to assist the ‘Artists For Orphans’ group. Bookings: Ronim 0424 938 931.

Passing of Billie Karen

● Billie Karen in a 3AW press ad

■ A pioneer of Melbourne radio, ‘Billie’ Karen, has died. She was 93.

Joan Scott Karen passed away peacefully in Brisbane on April 13. She had been a resident of Jamboree Heights.

The former 3AW personality was a former wife of current affairs broadcaster Ormsby Wilkins.

She was mother of Christopher and Ormsby Wilkins, mother-in-law of Linda, and grandmother to Michael and Susan. She was great-grandmother of Mischa.

Billie Karen had been a presenter at 3AW when its studios were located at 382 La Trobe St. She was one of Geoff Manion’s regular commentators, and was producer for Muriel Cooper.

Billie understood the theatre of radio, and often presented as a prickly, opinionated on-air character.

In retirement, she was a keen bridge player.

A private cremation was held in Brisbane.

Arrangements were in the hands of K M Smith, Goodna.

● Mark O’Leary ■ One of the masters of the Melbourne choral scene, Artistic Director of Young Voices of Melbourne, Mark O'Leary, will be conducting Exaudi, a high standard choir of young adults. Julie Houghton has more details in the Observer Showbiz section.

Under the Southern Cross

Dream time

● Gordon Morrison and Jane Smith are pictured with the iconic Eureka flag, on display where it was hoisted more than 150 years ago. The Flag of the Southern Cross is the centrepiece of Ballarat’s new national Museum of Australian Democracy at Eureka (M.A.D.E), which is built on the site of the Eureka Stockade.

M.A.D.E opens on May 4.

● Paul Nicholson ■ Melbourne radio enthusiast Paul Nicholson has fulfilled a lifetime dream, attending the Grand Ole Opry this week in 650 WSM in Nashville.

“A life ambition realised including live read commercials but, oh, the cultural differences between the USA and Australia. I can't get over the amount of talking in the audience while the performers are on the stage.”

Love Is My Sin ● Jenny Lovell and Geoff Wallis ■ Arranged by English theatre legend Peter Brook, Love Is My Sin takes 29 Shakespeare sonnets and turns them into a duet that explores the anatomy of love, shining light on the vagaries of relationships, love, surrender, separation, jealousy and the changes wrought by time. Julie Houghton has more details on the Local Theatre page of the Observer Showbiz section.

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, April 24, 2013 - Page 7

Places To Go

Spring Racing our speciality

Page 8 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, April 24, 2013

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To

Motown royalty at Recital Centre

Di Feeling a thought ■ I collect quotes. I have for years. I can always put my fingertips on a quote that I think fits a particular situation.

If ever a good quote was needed it is now!

“I guess God made Boston on a wet Sunday,” wrote Raymond Chandler.

Next to Melbourne on a wet Sunday, Boston on a wet Sunday is something to behold.

I have been blessed to have experienced a Boston on a wet Sunday, walking along the roads and exploring the book shops and the coffee shops and the feel of Boston. There is nothing like it.

Boston is a beautiful city. It is our sister city, and so in honour of the Boston Marathon and the events of that day, my page today will be all things American ... with a touch of local content.

I spent many happy hours in Boston, visiting Harvard University, and tracking the history of JFK in his earlier years when he lived there and when he studied at the university.

Boston has long been associated with the arts like Melbourne and it revels in its fabulous concerts and classical music performances held in the many venues they have. They produced the Boston Pops after all!

So in honour of Boston I am going to talk about music. For in the toughest of times, music is the best healer.

As American lyricist E.Y.Hartburg: quoted “Words make you think a thought. Music makes you feel a feeling. A song makes you feel a thought.”

I love my job!

For DOLLY DIAMOND’S NEW TV SHOW with leading Melbourne publicist DI ROLLE

■ I want to mention a lovely Melbourne entertainer who I have a soft spot for – Dolly Diamond.

Dolly has a brand new television chat show that launched May 3.

This will be fun, trust me. Lights, camera, action!

For years, superstar Dolly Diamond dreamt of hosting her own weekly TV chat show. Well, finally her broadcast dream has come true.

Joy 94.9 FM, in association with Channel 31, is presenting The Friday Night Late Show with Dolly Diamond.

It's a chat show with fabulous guests and live music. Think Graham Norton, but with less make-up.

The Friday Night Late Show with Dolly

ments, and hopefully some embarrassing stories.

This UK comedy cabaret diva sings live, combining comic timing with a razor sharp wit.

Her sell-out seasons at Melbourne venues including Forty Five Downstairs, The Order of Melbourne, Chapel Off Chapel, The Butterfly Club and Red Bennies have seen Dolly Diamond build a loyal fan-base in her adopted hometown.

Book now

● Dolly Diamond Diamond plays every Friday night at the Eureka Hotel from May 3 to June 21.

A TV chat show format with music and guests, each week's show will be recorded for broadcast on Channel 31 (digital 44) beI can today hear Louis Armstrong or fore a live studio audiFrank Sinatra and smell my mother’s perence and podcast by fume. She adored them all.

Joy 94.9 FM. The timeless music offered hope of better days during the Great Depression, build morale during two world wars, helped build social bridges within our culture, and whistled beside ■ "Finally, my own us during economic growth. television chat show!"

My families along with countless others desays Dolly. fended their country, raised families, and built "I can't wait to start a nation to these songs. interviewing the rich, The songwriters of the Great American the famous and the Songbook translated positive values and an opfabulously unfortutimistic spirit into the soundtrack not only of nate."

American life, but life in other countries Dolly Diamond is across the world particularly Australia. thrilled to be interviewThese values are as true and applicable toing new guests every day as they ever have been. week on The Friday Melbourne Recital Centre is presenting Night Late Show. for the third time there highly successful AmeriFrom authors to accan Songbook Series. tors, musicians to morIn presenting this fabulous series of performticians, Dolly is lookers they hope to educate today’s youth and coming forward to poking munity about the relevance of the Great Ameriand cajoling her guests can Songbook and its connection to current into sharing some of popular music and our current culture. their memorable mo-

Wonderful music from Great American Songbook ■ American songwriters and lyricists and great singers have given us some wonderful music over the years.

I often hear the term the Great American Songbook, sometimes it is referred to as American Standards; it is the uniquely American collection of popular music from Broadway and Hollywood musicals.

As a child I remember our house was always full of music. My mother Alyson loved the American standards and we all used to dance to Frank Sinatra or watch Mum dance to Tony Bennett.

The music from the American Songbooks were usually prevalent from the 1920s to 1960s.

Familiar composers included George Gershwin, Irving Berlin, Jerome Kern, Cole Porter, Harold Arlen and Richard Rodgers Mum always knew who they were. She spoke of them as if they were neighbours and her best friends.

Singers include Frank Sinatra, Al Jolson, Louis Armstrong, Billie Holiday, Judy Garland, Bing Crosby, Ella Fitzgerald, Mel Torme and so many others.

■ Motown royalty and founding member of The Supremes, Mary Wilson is part of the American Songbook Series at Melbourne Recital Centre.

Mary will also be part of the2013 Melbourne Cabaret Festival in June as well.

Mary Wilson will perform Stormy Weather: The Lena Horne Project at the Elisabeth Murdoch Hall on Friday, June 28 at 7.30pm.

Mary stars in this epic production that follows the life and career of Hollywood’s first African America goddess, Lena Horne.

My mother Alyson would have loved this. Based on the celebrated biography by James Gavin, Stormy Weather follows Lena Horne’s career as singer, entertainer and civil rights activist.

This thrilling and moving production is peppered with insights by Gavin, who will be here on stage with Mary.

Rare audio and visual images and interviews with Horne herself, alongside Mary Wilson’s formidable renditions of Horne’s songs. What an evening it will be.

Expect heart-wrenching performances of Horne’s wonderful repertoire, including the ever melancholic Stormy Weather and poignant Bein’ Green – a perfect summation of Lena’s struggle as an activist for African-American rights.

Described by the New York Post in a review as “magnificent, gripping”. One performance only: 7.30pm, Friday, June 28. All details for the American Songbook at Melbourne Recital Centre can be found at www.melbournerecital.com or call 9699 3333.

New guests

■ Backed by her fabulous three-piece band and featuring musical director Cameron Thomas on piano, The Friday Night Late Show with Dolly Diamond is set to be the most entertaining and gorgeous Friday night late show in town.

Be part of something very special (and a little bit silly) - you might even get your face on TV. No-one is safe on Dolly Diamond's couch … even me!

This will become a show that will get a cult following – mark my word!

The Friday Night Late Show with Dolly Diamond. Fridays 8:30pm, weekly from May 3 to June 21.

Eureka Hotel, 1 Church St, Richmond (cnr. Victoria St) all tickets, $25 plus booking fee Bookings: www. greentix.com.au This show will do well. ● New York’s Lady Rizo will perform in Melbourne.

Turn to Page 75 in the Observer Showbiz section

● Poh Ling Yeow

Barb in the Salon ■ The highly acclaimed American Songbook returns to Melbourne’s Recital Centre this June.

Like America itself. the Songbook is a melting pot of traditions, cultures and histories – from the best of the Golden Age musical standards to the eclecticism of songwriters working in jazz, pop, rock, folk and country.

Come join me on an expedition through the glorious history of American song with gifted musical interpreters Barb Jungr from the UK, the Michelle Nicholle Quartet from Australia, Molly Ringwald from the USA, (yes that Molly Ringwald!), Mary Wilson (an original member of The Supremes who will also perform at the Cabaret Festival) , the brilliant Lady Rizo from New York, Mary Carewe and her fabulous voice from the UK, and our own Bernadette Robinson.

Melbourne loves Barb Jungr. Following her sold out performances in 2010, Barbara returns to Melbourne for another uplifting program of contemporary American song writing.

Long acknowledged as a unique interpreter of popular song, Barb Jungr brings her acclaimed interpretive skills to the music of some of her favourite American artists, including Bob Dylan, Hank Williams, Joni Mitchell, David Byrne, Jimmy Webb and Neil Diamond.

See Barb in the Salon which will be set up in cabaret mode for this event with food and beverages available to be purchased for all the performances in the Salon for this series.

Barb Jungr will perform Friday, June 14, at 7pm, and Saturday, June 15, with shows at 3pm and 8pm.

● Barb Jungr

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au Melbourne

Observer

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, April 24, 2013 - Page 9

Breaking News

CHRISSY AMPHLETT DIES, 53 People Carlotta Footy gods answer prayers

■ Jessica Marais will take the lead in the telemovie Carlotta for ABC1, which begins production on May 6.

Based on the life of the iconic Les Girls headliner and Australian transgender pioneer, Jessica Marais is set to star as Carlotta, one of the most beautiful women of her generation, but not a woman at all.

Also joining the cast are Caroline O’Connor, Alex Dimitriades, Anita Hegh, Eamon Farren and Paul Capsis.

It is a story about identity, family, tolerance and acceptance, Carlotta lays bare the life of a confused teenager named Richard, his flight into the hedonistic Kings Cross of the 60s and 70s and his transformation into Carol.

Against the threat of criminal prosecution and social rejection, the audience sees the emergence of the all conquering drag queen and performer Carlotta.

Spanning 40 years, Carlotta is said to be an uplifting celebration of finding a place in the world and making your mark – against all odds.

Carlotta was written

by David Hannam with story consultation

by Carlotta.

● Chrissy Amphlett ■ Geelong-born singer-dancer Chrissy Amphlett has died at the age of 53, after battling breast cancer and multiple sclerosis.

She died in New York. The Divinyls singer had lived in the US with her husband, former Divinyls drummer Charley Drayton.

She lived life to the fullest. She left home as a teenager and travelled to England, France and Spain where she was imprisoned for three months for singing on the streets.

She appeared in Monkey Grip and The Boy From Oz. Chrissy wrote of the illnesses that claimed her life: “Unfortunately the last 18 months have been a real challenge for me having breast cancer and MS and all the new places that will take you.

“You become sadly a patient in a world of waiting rooms,waiting sometimes hours for a result or an appointment and you spend a lot time in cold machines like MRI,CT machines,hospital beds,on your knees praying for miracles,operating rooms,tests after tests,looking at healthy people skip down the street like you once did and you took it all for granted and now wish you could do that.

“I have not stopped singing throughout all this in my dreams and to be once again performing and doing what I love to do.

“I have been writing the occassional song with a wonderful collaborator Kraig Jarret and two weeks ago we performed some of those songs in NYC in the West

● Chrissy: a life of passion and creativity Village.My illnesses have really exhausted this little body of mine that I have thrown from one end of a stage to another and performed thousands of shows thats sadly some of you missed.

“With that said I am getting stronger but there is still some fine tuning and work to be done on myself.

“It's a different self but my voice is strong and not affected by the MS as some reviewers have cruelly reported. I can walk altho sometimes I wobble but try to wobble with the beat.I look after myself and my husband has been through this with me every part of the way and I cannot imagine what I would have done without him and his kindness.I did something right.

“My lttle dog Holiday lays on the end of the bed when I am not feeling great and doesn't leave my side.I don't reach out to people and talk about what I go through as we are all going through something and for someone who once was fancy free I have all of this in my life "So I Know".I am grateful to have the knowledge that all of this has shown me and I feel privledged that I am strong enough to ‘know’.

POLICE HUNT FOR BASHER

● Victoria Police want to speak with this man

Melbourne Observations with Matt Bissett-Johnson

■ Police are appealing for public information after a taxi driver was assaulted by a passenger in Montmorency in the early hours of Saturday morning.

The taxi driver picked up two male and two female passengers outside a licensed premises on Maroondah Hwy in Ringwood around 4am.

The male front seat passenger was behaving erratically and swearing at the taxi driver.

The driver stopped in Montmorency just after 4.30am and asked the passengers to get out.

The front seat passenger then head butted the driver and punched him in the face causing his lip and nose to bleed.

The offender is described as being Caucasian, approximately 173cm tall, athletic build and short blonde hair.

He was wearing a grey singlet and blue jeans.

Anyone with information is urged to contact CrimeStoppers 1800 333 000 or visit www.crimestoppers.com.au

Free record search ■ Family history website, www. findmypast.com.au is allowing free access to its entire military archives between until Friday (Apr. 26) The comprehensive collection includes 3.6 million records from Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Britain and the United States Users have the opportunity to browse findmypast.com.au’s inaugural ANZAC Memory Bank, containing heroic stories, exclusive photos, and diary entries relating to Australian and New Zealand involvement in all wars.

Almost 200 users have submitted their personal and family stories.

In addition to the free access to all military records and the Anzac Memory Bank, findmypast.com.au and Inside History are announcing a collaboration to produce an exclusive free digital magazine.

■ Andrew Demetriou has had a rough start to this season so he prayed to the ‘football gods; to come down from their lofty heaven and spread the pure football sermon to the flock – have faith!.

Forget the ‘drugs war’! We are on hand to preach our fight is at ‘ground level’.

We’ve thrown away the ‘pop guns’ for the modern machine gun. We’re here to kill the ‘drug lords’. This is about unadulterated football magic.

They arrived on Friday night at the SCG, sleeves rolled up ready for work.

The message to the two major disciples was to demonstrate to your critics you have woken from your sleep and are not prepared from tonight to give any team a quarter start.

It was a fiery message. The faithful want excitement. You are ordained to give them excitement with ‘rapid fire’ goals.

The ‘footy gods’ message was answered from the first salvo. Fifteen goals in the first quarter! This was some shoot-out.

The Cats enjoyed their night time prowl and purred to a 21 points win. The ‘footy gods’ enjoyed their work.

And they stayed for the weekend after Andy D begged them to hang around until Sunday to stick some footy juice needles into the Demons.

It took time to get through to the drowsy Demons.

You see they had dropped off the faith – but the gods forgave them and eventually got through for a smashing 12 goals last quarter.

It was against the ‘new kids on the block’, GWS, who were Giants for three quarters and led by 19 points at the last change only to run out of legs and lose by 41 points.

I asked Sheeds if he was disappointed with the loss? On the contrary. He told me he had to return the phone message on his direct line to the ‘Footy Gods’ and was told they were impressed and to keep up the good work to his ‘babies’.

Actually Sheeds was a bit peeved because it took him ages to get through as the line was busy – Andy was thanking them!

After all it was a super football weekend with plenty more to come from ANZAC Day tomorrow (Thurs.).

Eh!, Andy D, would the ‘footy gods’ sanction a daily AFL comp?

- Harry Beitzel ● Continued on Page 74

Media Flash Howard as TV boss?

■ The Australian newspaper canvasses the rumour that former Australian Prime Minister John Howard heads a high-powered wish list of preferred candidates for the vacant Free TV Australia chief role.

NRL leads on signage ■ Tne National Rugby League is working at having ‘virtual signag’" superimposed on to football fields in TV broadcasts. Already there have been moves to replace images of fence signs with those computergenerated by the broadcasters.

Aaron’s short time at MIX ■ Aaron Chillcott has left Melbourne radio station MIX 101.1.

Greg Newman from Jocks Journal reports: “On Twitter Aaron announced: "Exploring life's next big challenge."

Aaron had joined the station in 2012 from Coast FM in WA. The station is now seeking a new Assistant MD and announcer.

■ Greg Newman interviews Ian McFadyen on Pages 13-14 of this week’s Melbourne Observer.

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Page 10 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Melbourne

Melbourne

Observer

Observer CALL ANSWERED

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

Contact Us Office: 30 Glen Gully Rd, Eltham, Vic 3095 Postal: PO Box 1278, Research, Vic. 3095 Phone: +61 3 9439 9927 Fax: +61 3 9431 6247 Web: www.MelbourneObserver.com.au E-Mail: Editor@MelbourneObserver.com.au

Contact Us Publisher and Editor: Ash Long Media Director: Fleur Long Features Editor: Peter Mac Columnists: Len Baker, Harry Beitzel, Matt Bissett-Johnson, David Ellis, Rob Foenander, Christina La Cross, Julie Houghton, Yvonne Lawrence, Nick Le Souef, Mike McColl Jones, John Pasquarelli, Terry Radford, Mark Richardson, Di Rolle, Aaron Rourke, Ted Ryan, Jim Sherlock, Cheryl Threadgold, Kevin Trask, Veritas Distribution: Sam Fiorini, phone 9482 1145

Distribution

Ash On Wednesday

■ Credit where it is due. The Melbourne Observer last week launched the first of its Telstra Testimonials pages where customers tell of their problems with the national communications giant.

The second Telstra Testimonials appears on Page 71 of today’s edition.

James Howe, part of the Telstra media team, was prompt in contacting the Observer: “It is sad to see the complaints from customers of times where we have let them down. The directive from David Thodey down has been one of putting the customer at the centre of everything we do. We know we have a history of bureaucracy and to turn this ship will take some time.

“We are starting to see improvements but, as evidenced by the feedback from yourreaders,there is still much work to do.”

Freemasons Lunch

Our Doors are Open!

● James Howe

IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT COURT REPORTS

Freemasons Victoria’s CBD Luncheon held at Morgans at 401 Have you ever wanted to do something a little bit different for lunch?

Freemasons Victoria's members in the CBD, have been having a ball with the quarterly Freemasons CBD Luncheon.

Hosted at the iconic Morgans at 401 in Melbourne's Collins St since November 2010, Freemasons, their friends and even family, have been able to crunch their appetite and quench their thirst for knowledge with some of Melbourne's most engaging speakers The ambience of the room at Morgans at 401 continually sets the scene for what has turned out to be an exceptional hour of friendship and discussions around the table.

"It has turned out to be a highlight of my calendar," said Peter Henshall CEO of Freemasons Victoria.

“This is a time where I can break away from the office for an hour, enjoy a satisfying lunch, listen to a speaker on a topic of interest, and return to work, feeling uplifted and motivated,” says Peter.

The success of the CBD Luncheon has now spread to the suburbs of Melbourne where there are just as many business people wanting to experience the same event.

John Millar a member of Freemasons Victoria has been a regular attendee of the CBD luncheon and wanted to take back that same excitement to his business community.

"This is a chance for me to show people the good nature of Freemasonry," remarks Mr Millar.

"I have enjoyed the events in the City and knew there was a real chance it could be just as successful in the Eastern region, I am proud to say we are hosting our second event at Nelsons restaurant in May," says Mr Millar.

We asked the Grand Master of Freemasons Victoria, Bob Jones, what has made these events so successful.

"The quality of the meal always makes a better lunch. It's a great chance to connect with old friends and make new ones, and the fact we keep a limit on the time, makes it easier to get back to work," says Bob. CBD Luncheon guest speakers have included Garry Morgan from Morgans Gallup Poll; Mark Bolton prominent footballer and CEO of Ladder; Simon McKeon 2011 Australian of the year; Charlie Bezzina former Homicide detective and author; Larry Sengstock, Olympian; and Paul Little OAM, founder of Little Property.

The next Freemasons CBD Luncheon will be held on June 11 and bookings can be made through Donna De La Rue at Freemasons Victoria on 9411 0111

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.

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

New left foot

Long Shots

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Independently Owned and Operated The Melbourne Observer is printed by Streamline Press, 155 Johnston St, Fitzroy, for the publisher, Ash Long, for Local Media Pty Ltd, ABN 67 096 680 063, of the registered office, 30 Glen Gully Road, Eltham, Distributed by All Day Distribution.

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Copyright © 2013, Local Media Pty Ltd (ACN 096 680 063).

■ My apology that the Long Shots has become a bit of a Hospital Hour in recent times.

Your scribe’s rounds this week included more attention at the Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital, and also at the Royal Talbot Rehabilitation Centre at Kew. We now have a new left boot: a walker equaliser ‘moon boot’ designed to help diabetic foot wounds.

I have to admit that I prefer my SAS shoes fromGilmours!

Poor hand

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

Observer Treasury Thought For The Week ■ “Strangely those who do the least are usually the most social in criticising those who do the most.”

Observer Curmudgeon Text For The Week ■ “And Jesus answered them, “Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ it will happen."

- Matthew 21:21

Mail to: Subs, Melbourne Observer PO Box 1278, Research, Vic 3095

Cheque/Money Order/Credit Card

with Ash Long, Editor

■ “With rights come responsibilities. We should make sure those demanding their rights are also informed of their responsibilities.”

Mail Subscription Form

Yes! Please organise a Melbourne Observer mail subscription for 45 editions for $213.75 (posted anywhere in Australia). I understand that the completion of the 45 editions, the subscription will be automatically rolled over, unless I advise otherwise.

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● Robert Louis Stevenson ■ “Life is not a matter of holding good cards, but of playing a poor hand well.”

- Robert Louis Stevenson.

The Melbourne Observer is printed by Streamline Press, 155 Johnston St, Fitzroy, for the publisher, Ash Long, for Local Media Pty Ltd, ABN 67 096 680 063, of the registered office, 30 Glen Gully Road, Eltham, Distributed by All Day Distribution.

Responsibility for election and referendum comment is accepted by the Editor, Ash Long.

Copyright © 2013, Local Media Pty Ltd (ACN 096 680 063).

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, April 24, 2013 - Page 11

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Confidential Melbourne

Talk is cheap, gossip is priceless

GENDER BENDER SHOW SALUTES ANNIE LENNOX

Bitch Melbourne’s Secrets

Sweet Charity cast named

● Williamstown Musical Theatre Company is staging Sweet Charity ■ Williamstown Musical Theatre Company yesterday (Tues.) announced its cast for its production of Sweet Charity.

Alana Kiely will appear in the role of Charity in the show that will be staged from Friday next week (May 3) until Saturday May 18, at the Williamstown Mechanics Institute.

Others in the cast include Ashley Tunan (Nickie), Ali Hickerson (Helene), Jasmine Purches (Ursula Marsh), Jessica Prinzi (Carmen), Philippa Chalke (Rosie), Martin Quinn (Oscar Lindquist), Blake Testri (Vittorio Vidal), Rick Howden (Herman) and Stuart Dodge (Daddy Brubeck).

The ensemble members include Nicole Black, Natlie Black, Beth Haywood, Steph Hickey, Brooke Kotsos, Anna Marinelli, Shannan Marino, Nathan McCaroon, David Postill, Josephine Pulitano, Melissa Quinn, Hannah Rodda and Brett Somerville.

The show includes songs including Big Spender and If My Friends Could See Me Now.

Rare sighting

● ABC overnight presenters Trevor Chappell and Rod Quinn are rarely seen in the same city ... let alone in daylight. They met in Melbourne to talk about their radio audience. They say they have some interesting plans ahead for Overnights in 2013.

■ Jersey Boys star Michael Griffiths is about to appear as Annie Lennox is a ‘gender-bending’ show as part of the Melbourne Cabaret Festival from July 3-7.

Publicist J P Bolton says Griffiths is coming direct from the direct from the Adelaide Cabaret Festival.

“No accent, costume or wig. Lyrics plumbed for new meaning, melodies reinterpreted, all peppered with candid musings and remembrances from the moody songstress herself.”

Sweet Dreams traces Lennox’s career from the gender bending early days as one half of 80s sensation Eurythmics through to her solo career, with her bittersweet lyrics sharing the confessions of her triumphs and her heartbreak.

Songs inclide like Why, Love Is A Stranger, Walking On Broken Glass and There Must Be An Angel (Playing With My Heart).

The show will be presented from July 3-7 at fortyfivedownsatirs.

Wednesday to Sunday 7.30pm Tickets: Full $35 Concession $30 Bookings: 9662 9966 www.fortyfivedownstairs.com

Whispers

Saddened

Go Your Own Way ■ Catherine Alcorn will present a show about the life of Christine McVie of Fleetwood Mac on June 27-28 at The Butterfly Club, Carson Place (off Little Collins St), City.

Thw show is written by James Millar; musical direction by Isaac Hayward; and is directed by Jason Langley.

Alcorn burst onto the Sydney cabaret scene just two years ago and ever since, she has been wowing audiences nationally and internationally with her smash hit show The Divine Miss Bette.

● Denis Walter ■ One person particularly saddened by the passing this week of singer Chrissy Amphlett is 3AW afternoon presenter Denis Walter. The pair attended high school together in Geelong.

Guilty

● Annie Lennox

DANGEROUS TOYS BREACHED LAW ■ A Moorabbin importer and its company secretary have admitted supplying toys that contravene mandatory safety standards.

Ji Dong Miao acknowledged that King Sky Group Pty Ltd had breached the Australian Consumer Law between January and July last year by offering, supplying or possessing the banned goods which contravened the mandatory safety standards.

In July last year , Consumer Affairs Victoria inspectors seized 534 banned items, including three kinds of wooden children’s pull-along toys: ■ 204 ‘Baby Supplies duck tractors’ ■ 30 ‘Wisdom Duck’ pull car wooden toys ■ 120 ‘Pull Along Dragon’ wooden toys, and ■ 180 ‘Wisdom Box Wooden Toy’ shape sorters.

The items contained small, removable parts that posed a choking hazard to young children.

King Sky Group Pty Ltd and Mr Miao, a 30 per cent shareholder, gave undertakings to the Director of Consumer Affairs Victoria, to: ■ refrain from offering, supplying or possessing goods which do not meet the requirements of a mandatory safety standard, interim or permanent ban order or information standard ■ voluntarily recall any banned goods sold or supplied pay for the publication of a public product safety warning and recall notice: on its website at each of the company’s business premises for three months in a local newspaper.

■ write/email, where possible, all consumers they sold the banned goods to, warning of their dangers and offering a refund ■ pay refunds to anyone returning the non-compliant goods ■ implement and maintain a compliance program designed to ensure no further contraventions ■ pay for the destruction of the seized goods.

● Catherine Alcorn

Rumour Mill

■ Steven James Hunter has pleaded guilty to the murder of Sarah Cafferkey, 22, at his Bacchus Marsh address.

Hunter is now due to re-appear at the Supreme Court on June 26.

Launch Hear It Here First

Making a Bolt for the door ■ Award-winning actor Lachy Hulme seems underwhelmed about being given the role of Andrew Bolt in the upcoming Power Games TV mini-series about the Packer and Murdoch families: “I'm portraying Andrew Bolt, a slackjawed convicted-in-court racist. It's a bit part.”

● Andrew Bolt

Wicked web they weave ■ First it was radio man Keith McGowan. Then it was John Blackman. Now a favourite Melbourne PR girl is being impersonated on Facebook. Don’t the hackers realise they leave computer IP ‘fingerprints’ with every keystroke? There is no such thing as anonymity on the internet.

New Governor-General ■ Top soldier Peter Cosgrove has emerged as the man most likely to replace Australia's first female Governor-General under a Liberal government.

E-Mail: Confidential@MelbourneObserver.com.au

■ Vietnam veteran Tony Bowden is preparing a book on the 29 men from the Whitehorse municipality who are buried at Gallipoli. Dr Steven Cooke has been engaged to head the project.

■ Whitehorse Council is also in the news. See ad on Page 19.

B Hines ■ Hot B Hines band will perform at the Burvale Hotel on Sun.day, June 2.

Page 12 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, April 24, 2013

■ I can clearly remember seeing the film Rock Around The Clock at the Majestic Theatre in Flinders St, Melbourne, in 1956.

During the film the teenage audience were dancing in the isles to the new sound of ‘rock and roll’.

I remember talking to my mate Peter Robinson on the way out. Peter was so inspired he went on to learn to play bass and sang with The Strangers and also The Seekers.

That was a momentous film - we were introduced to Bill Haley, Freddie Bell and the Bellboys and a sensational Afro-American singing group The Platters.

I couldn't wait to buy their latest records and hear the brand new songs.

The Platters were an American singing group originally formed by Herb Reed in 1953 but went through several changes to the line-up before becoming famous.

The title for the group came from records or ‘platters’ as many of the disc-jockeys called them.

They were signed to Federal Records and a management contract with songwriter Buck Ram. Only You, their first hit record for Mercury Records in July 1955, was originally written by Buck Ram for The Inkspots.

Their second hit song The Great Pretender is now regarded as one of the great classic rock classics of all time.

The members of the group in 1956 were Herb

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Whatever Happened To ...

The Platters

By Kevin Trask of 3AW and 96.5 Inner FM Reed, Tony Williams, David Lynch, Paul Robi and Zola Taylor.

In the film Rock Around The Clock they performed both Only You and The Great Pretender.

In the same year they appeared in their second film The Girl Can't Help It and performed You'll Never Know.

In 1957 The Platters were in Australia in the Lee Gordon Big Show and toured with Bill Haley, LaVerne Baker, Freddie Bell and The Bellboys and Big Joe Turner.

(I notice there is a mint condition program from that show for sale on the internet and they want $400 for it).

In the years that followed The Platters had more hit songs with My Prayer, Twilight Time,

● The Platters Harbour Lights and a wonderful version of Smoke Herb was the last surviving member of the Gets In Your Eyes. original Platters until he passed away in 2012.

The group had 40 hit singles on the Ameri- We went very close to getting an interview with can Billboard charts between 1955 and 1967 in- him for 96.5FM. cluding four number one hits.

The Platters were inducted into the Rock The Platters were the first rock and roll group and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990 and the Vocal to have an album in the top 10 charts.

Over the years The Platters appeared in 27 Hall of Fame in 1998.

- Kevin Trask films mainly in the soundtracks.

The Time Tunnel with Bruce & PhilThe members of the group continued to change Sundays at 8.20pm on 3AW over the years and as they left they formed their That's Entertainment - 96.5FM own Platters group.

Sundays at 12 Noon At one stage there were four Platters groups 96.5FM is streaming on the internet. To performing throughout the world. listen, go to www.innerfm.org.au and Herb Reed had his own group and did about 200 concerts each year. follow the prompts.

MOTHER NATURE’S TERRITORY WAYS

■ Mother Nature often presents us with plagues.

I've seen myriads of spider crabs invading the shallows at Blairgowrie, denuding all the piles of the jetty and the slipway; and tiny shrimps in millions in the shallows, to the extent that seagulls have gorged so many of them they can't fly.

Often whilst driving to Lightning Ridge I would see hordes of huge hairy caterpillars marching across the road in some areas in northern NSW; at other times legions of cockroaches.

And, of course, many locust plagues. Often they were so thick they'd block out the sun, and make it difficult to see the road ahead.

Then, in the Northern Territory, as soon as it rained, I would often encounter millions of frogs on the highway ahead of me. There was just a continuous pop pop pop! as I ran over them for mile after mile.

And at one stage, when in my childhood at Kyabram, my dad, an avid entomologist, would collect moths from the front porch light.

One particular species never reared its head in 10 years - not one specimen.

Except for one night, when about 10,000 of them festooned the front porch.

Right now poor old Darwin has a plague of hungry little beasts.

They are Ponciana caterpillars, small green ‘loopers’, which end up as grey moths, of the Noctuid family.

When they're disturbed, they rise up to almost their full length and shake their heads about, hopefully to scare away potential predators.

Another species is the Bogong Moth, which swarms around the High Country. These were an important source of sustenance for the aboriginal tribes in the area.

They are now crawling everywhere in their millions, stripping trees, and finding their way into houses looking for more morsels.

Just another Territory moment.

■ Currently, a person in the NT who is apprehended for being drunk, is taken into ‘protective custody’. Some 19,000 such orders were issued last year.

Often they are taken to ‘sobering up’ shelters. Last year one particular drinker was admitted 117 times!

Then almost immediately they're released back into the community to continue their drinking unabated.

Obviously the current system isn't working too well.

The Outback Legend

with Nick Le Souef Lightning Ridge Opals 175 Flinders Lane, Melbourne Phone 9654 4444 www.opals.net.au So the new government is about to implement a new plan. They're about to force such problem drinkers into rehabilitation centres for 12 weeks at a time.

These centres will be in Alice, Katherine Darwin and Nhulunbuy, followed shortly thereafter by Tennant Creek and the Tiwi Islands.

"Territorians are fed up with the anti-social behaviour and violence on the streets," said Robyn Lambleigh, Minister for Alcohol Rehabilitation.

Inhabitants will be taught ‘life skills’ and ‘work readiness’.

If a drunk is taken into custody three times in two months, in they go.

It is always so sad throughout the Territory to see the devastating effects of unabated alcohol consumption.

People with obvious talents, should these talents be allowed to surface; and the sadness of seeing bright eyed little kids, knowing the inevitability of them often growing up into hopeless and miserable drunks.

Hope it works.

■ It's unfortunate that many aboriginal inhabitants of Central Australia

deem that they need to ingest and inhale stimulants of various types just to survive emotionally.

They always chewed Pituri, a leaf which induces a mild state of euphoria, and often still do.

Then they discovered the ubiquitous and, to them often insidious, booze.

The taste for, and often reliance upon, has had disastrous results.

But more recently there is gunja rearing its head, and occasionally kava.

This is a sedative in the Pacific Islands, but used for inebriation in the Territory.

Then it was discovered that Listerine, then vanilla essence, contained alcohol, so they were swooped upon.

Pine-o-Cleen was even tried - to little effect!

And then the kids started sniffing petrol and glue and other solvents.

Now, unfortunately, they've discovered a new inhalant, and a new era has begun - deodorant sniffing.

When will it all end?

■ Because I've spent so much time in the Centre, I always like to try and present every aspect of it in a positive light. Unfortunately currently all too often a hopeless task.

Indeed the whole experience of the Outback has always been, and always will be, a great joy to me.

And, similarly, I always like to see if I can include positive aspects of the heart of the Centre, Alice Springs.

Again, because I've spent so much time there, have so many friends there, and have had many enjoyable adventures and experiences there.

So it generally saddens me to see that some of its inhabitants are hell-bent on breaking it down.

Thus it was last week in Alice in Elder St, a quasi-industrial area west of town.

Armed with rocks, gangs of kids just walked up and down the street chucking them through windows as they went along.

Office Nationals manager, Matt Strawbridge, reported that 12 of his windows had been smashed.

A similar tale came from another business, Alice Quality Foods. And another four businesses were broken into and vandalised.

The perpetrators of these acts don't seem to have any idea of the damage they do to the town in so many ways.

● Rex Neindorf

■ And, unfortunately, there's more.

There is a sacred site, Billy Goat Hill, just opposite Rex Neindorf's Reptile Centre. You would think that there may be some sacred behaviour occurring there.

No such luck!

There's plenty of drinking there, so that recently showers of rocks were aimed at Rex's, smashing four solar panels. This has also happened in the past, with 10 having been smashed in the past three years.

And to top this off, a full bottle of wine was aimed at Terry the crocodile. Luckily he was sunning himself out of the pool at the time, and the smashed bottle just sank into the water. However the pollution of his pool is not going to do him much good, and broken glass is always a problem.

Territorians become so exasperated at the behaviour of some Alice Springs residents, who just smash the town and its reputation.

- Nick Le Souef ‘The Outback Legend’

Empire closes on May 5 ■ Spiegelworld’s Empire has released the final tickets to its last performances in Melbourne. It will close on Sunday May 12.

Empire has announced extra performances on Thursday May 2 and Thursday May 9, with new session times of 7:30pm and 9:30pm. Tickets are available through Ticketek: www.ticketek.com.au This final Melbourne extension brings to a close a spectacular eight-week season held in the 700-seat antique Spiegeltent, featuring an intimate stage, and set on the Rooftop at Crown Melbourne.

Empire smashes the boundaries of circus, cabaret, variety and burlesque, reinventing the genres for a 21st century audience.

Spiegelworld first presented its annual summer season in New York City on Pier 17, South Street Seaport with acclaimed shows including Absinthe, La Vie, Gazillionaire’s Late Night Lounge and Desir.

For the world premiere season of Empire this year, Spiegelworld relocated to a premium vacant lot right in the heart of Broadway, the first time a tent show had ever been presented at Times Square.

Spiegelworld is currently presenting Absinthe in the forecourt of Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas, now in its 19th sold-out month, and recently extended through to 2015.

● Empire is performing on the Crown Melbourne roof-top

Observer Magazine Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, April 24, 2013 - Page 13

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Melbourne

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FUNNY BUSINESS

■ On the evening of Tuesday, February 16, 1988, the Ten Network debuted the popular Aussie sketch comedy series The Comedy Company.

The Melbourne Observer’s Greg Newman chatted with Ian McFadyen who was a writer and performer on the program.

Ian also talks about his current radio involvement with 3AW’s sister station in Brisbane, 4BC. What is your memory of that first Comedy Company program? I am just wondering, did you all sit around a TV set and watch the first episode?

We didn’t watch it collectively. I think we taped the show on Wednesday and it went to air on the following Tuesday. It started on a Tuesday night.

The first program we did was at 9.30pm on a Tuesday, which is bit of a dead zone . The first show you always have a lot of time to prepare as you have a few months lead-up to that.

It’s always the second show that you have only six days to prepare. We were fairly confident that the first one was all right, it is really the second, third, fourth, fifth that you start to worry after that.

You were the creator, so I assume as the brainchild you were the one to approach Channel 10.

How did it all come about?

The story about how it came about is one of those stories of serendipity, it was all very accidental.

I was not enthusiastic about doing sketch comedy. Myself and Mark Mitchell and Steve Vizard, MaryAnne Fahey and Glenn Robbins had done a sketch show on Channel 7 back in 1985 which was in Melbourne only.

So no one outside of Melbourne ever saw it. It was a show that went to air late at night.

It was on at 11 o’clock and went to air on a Friday night. It was called ‘The 11th Hour.’

It was written by myself, Steve Vizard, Peter Moon who was in the show and others - and in that show we developed a number of characters.

Glenn used to perform Uncle Arthur on stage and he did it in the show. Mary-Anne started to do some Kylie Mole pieces in the show.

There were a lot of things that we later did in Comedy Company that were in that program.

We did eight of those shows and it was actually funded by a grant from the government.

It was probably the best investment that the Australian government ever made in television.

It didn’t go on very long, but what that show did, it created credentials for myself, Mark Mitchell, Steve Vizard, Peter Moon, Mary-Anne and so on and essentially two other shows that came out of that, one was Fast Forward and the other was The Comedy Company because it really established in people’s minds that we

● The Melbourne Observer’s Greg Newman with Ian McFadyen could actually do sketch comedy. I show, comedy and talk. So Mark and sketch comedy show?” - and I sort of wasn’t that interested in doing sketch I went to talk to Channel 9 about do- sighed and thought “oh alright’, well comedy, but Mark Mitchell was al- ing a late night funny news show. we did it once before, I guess we can ways pursuing it.

Then Channel 10 found out about do it once again.”

He went to Sydney to do a sit-com it and said you are talking to Channel So what I knew from the experience Willing And Abel and in every oppor- 9 about doing a late night news show, of the 11th Hour program is that trying tunity he used to berate the Channel we want to do a late night funny news to write an hour of sketches a week was 9 executives about wanting to do late show, come and talk to us. almost impossible and it was too exnight comedy.

All of a sudden networks wanted to pensive.

There came a time when Channel speak to people who were comedy writWhy is that?

9 wanted a late night comedy show be- ers about doing some sort of late night One of the reasons sketch comedy cause Clive Robertson was on news show. didn’t work it that people would try to Channel 7 doing late night news and What of course happened is that write a sketch set in a western bar room it was Clive that started sending up the Channel 9 decided to go with Gra- and then a sketch in a police station, news and making funny comments and ham Kennedy to do Coast To Coast then a sketch set in heaven, then in a all of a sudden people were staying up and then Channel 10 later on decided sketch in a living room and so the whole late at night to watch Clive do his news that they didn’t want us, they wanted show became a logistical nightmare – commentary. Channel 9 got wind of Don Lane doing some sort of com- changing sets all the time. this and said did we have to have a funny edy show but Ian Gow who was the What I realised was two things and news show at 10.30pm at night and they head of Channel 10 said - “you guys that we had to have a show that was responded to Mark and said we are are good, you have some funny stuff, based on regular characters and it had looking for a late night funny news would you like to do a one-hour-a-week to be something that was shot very sim-

ply. Mark and I collected a range of a group of people that could do characters. We knew that Glenn had Uncle Arthur, Mary-Anne had Kylie Mole, Kym Gyngell had Col’n Carpenter and Mark had this character called Con the Fruiterer he wanted to do. So we based the show around that.

These were pretty simple to shoot.

So Kylie Mole sat behind a desk with some posters behind her and just talked facing the camera.

Col’n Carpenter and Mark were just in a flat talking to each other.

People would underestimate how important those practical logistical things that are in comedy.

The reason a lot of comedy shows fail is that they just are too expensive.

The other thing about having characters, is that once you have the characters working, that was something you can write for every week and probably about 55 to 60 per cent of the show were our regular spots which meant we knew what to write each week.

We weren’t sitting around saying what can we write about? We still had to come up with the other 45 per cent which would have to be of current affairs or sending up a funny ad or something funny is happening in Canberra other day etc.

We still had to come up with something of about 20 minutes of stuff that was satirical or topical.

When a show is 48 minutes long we had to find pretty much 45 minutes of comedy every week and we always knew we had about 25 to 30 minutes with our characters.

They came like little sit-coms because each week we heard the next episode of Kylie’s life or Con got into a thing about Marika being pregnant and was going to have twins.

We started to follow these stories through. So it became much, much easier for us to write each week. So it wasn’t so much a matter of me being the creative brains behind the show, the talent was really in the cast.

My job was to put the show together in such a way that it was sustainable and that we could keep doing it week after week without burning ourselves out after six weeks.

Ian, I had a chat to Mark Mitchell last year. He is doing all those very clever commercial radio spots as the ‘Radio Guy’. We talked about the Comedy Company and I asked if you guys were ever interested in getting together to perhaps do a stage show or a TV special. He said he would love to but he said that some weren’t interested and that was disappointing. Has there been ever any talks?

A couple of people said a few years ago that you should get back together.

My experience of those things is that it is always a let down because it is a bit like saying ... should the Monty Python people get back together and do another Monty Python? ● Continued on Page 14

Page 14 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, April 24, 2013

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Observer Magazine ● From Page 13 Well they are in their 60s. If people do something and they do it reasonably well, it is better to go out on a high.

There have been times when people have got up and done it. I remember when on Channel 7 about eight years ago and they did a charity gala and they talked to some people from those days.

I won’t be specific but they got some people from our show and a few other shows from that time to come back and do some of their characters and I when I looked at it on TV I thought - “oh they’re old”.

It was like 25 years on. It was OK for the Beach Boys to be touring and maybe the Rolling Stones, but I just think that we are too old to be doing that kind of comedy.

Well Mary-Anne wasn’t a teenager when she did Kylie, but she sure looked like a teenager when she put on that black wig and did that character.

She would of been about 32 when Comedy Company started and she could dress down. She even dressed down to a three-year-old.

It wouldn’t be offensive to say that she couldn’t do that now – you can’t do that when you are in your 50s or 60s.

Let’s talk a little bit about radio now. First of all, you moved to Brisbane quite a few years ago.

But you’re a Melbourne boy.

Victoria is pretty much the capital of comedy, I thought that was interesting your move to Brisbane.

Why the move?

Well television died in Melbourne in the early 90s. If you remember all the stations went out of business.

We were with Channel 10 when they went into bankruptcy and that was a very unpleasant time, because a lot of people didn’t get paid for a lot of work and there was no one in charge for a long time.

Channel 10 has always been in a mess, but it was in a particular mess then.

Channel 7 of course was in the Mirage Quintex group. Channel 7 survived pretty well as it. Steve Vizard was a very lucky man. He was very lucky, because the receiver of Quintex, David Crawford, decided than rather cutting Channel 7 to the bone to save money, that he would put some money in it to make it saleable.

Steve actually got some money to do things like Tonight Live to spruce the station up.

Channel 9 of course was owned briefly by Bond and then Packer and there was repeated changes there.

Virtually by ‘93, ‘94 television production in Melbourne almost came to a complete halt.

Crawford Productions had been one of the main stayers. Well I did a couple of productions with them. I think the last TV show which was a sitcom called Newly Weds was one of the last productions I ever did.

It pretty much closed down after that. It wasn’t due to what we did it was just the end of their run.

Simpson Le Mesurier stopped producing at that time, they did some Halifax movies with Rebecca Gibney and they have done nothing since and it was very sad.

Australia is a very Sydney-centric country. The media and television network is all very much done from Sydney.

When there is a contraction in the industry, it is the non-Sydney states that drop off first.

In boom times you might have had shows coming out of Sydney, Melbourne and even Brisbane. There were times that there were even kids shows and game shows coming out of Brisbane. As soon as there is a contraction, Brisbane stops producing and even Melbourne stops producing.

● Mary-Anne Fahey starred as Kylie Mole in The Comedy Company There are other things that happened They are the people that sort of shaped That is a very valid point. and that is that the government deregu- my generation, the sort of stuff that we Never thought about that. lated the advertising industry in the heard as children.

But I was never offered a million early ‘90s so for the first time AusWould you like to take perhaps bucks to go in radio, otherwise I probtralian television stations could show radio on full time? Would that be ably wouldn’t be in Queensland. ads from overseas – they didn’t have something that would interest you A lot of people were and it was sort to make their own ads and that gutted from Monday to Friday talk of the elephant’s graveyard for comethe Australian advertising industry shows anything like that? dians now. Even Steve Vizard is now and the TV advertising industry which You can probably tell that I can prob- filling in on 3AW and headed the MTR meant all the production houses and ably talk under wet cement. I have done morning show (now ended). people who worked on feature films and radio from time to time.

Ian you have been doing a lot TV drama in between time were workI started off before Comedy Com- of other stuff, so there are many ing on TV ads and that just disappeared pany doing breakfast radio in more strings to your bow. For inand so their work disappeared.

Melbourne. I should say in passing stance nowadays you also work as It was very lean times. And it wasn’t that to a certain extent radio is respon- a painter of landscapes and pormuch fun living in a cold wintery sible for the decline in television com- traits. You’ve written a book on Melbourne with no work. edy because radio as you would know psychology called Mind I think my phone didn’t ring for about in the 90’s was having comedians on cognitive Wars.

People can check out your a year and a part of me was saying air and the idea of having morning web site for more details. something has got to change, let’s go breakfast comedy, the crazy gang, The Yes I need to update that. All to sunny Queensland and we did and Cage etc. websites you start off with full of enit has been a lot nicer since we escaped It’s usually two guys and a dumb girl thusiasm and you update them and affrom cold penniless Melbourne. ‘you guys are shocking’ and ter a couple of years you think “gee I So you are doing radio stuff saying ‘you’re terrible’ - became the rage and updated my website for about on 4BC, so tell us about your in- what happened was a lot of the people haven’t months”. volvement at the Fairfax talk sta- who were most talented in television eight It’s going to be funny when some of tion. simply being bought by radio. this generation start to die but their On Saturday night (prior to the foot- were People like Wendy Harmer went websites will still be there. They’ll still ball season) we are having a bit of nos- to 2DAY FM and these people began have their websites going but no one talgia session for classic comedy and making a million bucks a year. There will think to cancel them. what we are doing is I am ferreting out It’s like Facebook. I know of a few some of the great comedy tracks that I is no way in the world of making that kind of money in television. people that have died but their was raised with, because back in the You may make a hundred thousand Facebook account is still going and it 40s, 50s and 60s there was still a lot of or two hundred thousand a year. appears that they are still alive. humour on radio.

People like Martin Molloy could Twenty years from now there People were still releasing comedy records in those days. There was still be on like a half a million each and will be literally millions of things like novelty songs because radio there is no way that television could Facebook and My Space pages for people that are dead and yet we’ll was a fairly full service medium then compete with that.

So a lot of people that you might be able to read all their messages and a lot of that stuff has been forgothave expected like Peter Moon and and plans for the future. ten.

That’s true. And I’ve got one For our listeners we are reviving a Tim Smith to do television comedy lot of those classic tracks we are bring- went into the vast empire of radio par- Facebook account that I want to pull ing back plus a lot of modern stuff as ticularly like drive time radio and down - and I’m alive - but I still can’t figure out how to remove from the web. well. But we are mainly looking back breakfast time radio.

They were never again to be seen I think if you are going to do a at the Golden Age of radio and comedy so things like the The Glums, Stan on TV except on panel shows. So it is black comedy these days it would Freberg, Bob Newhart, Lonnie partly television’s inability to compete be looking at the problem of someDonnegan – all that stuff that people with radio is why we don’t have a lot one dying but nobody knows any of TV comedy anymore. of their passwords. remember from their youth.

You’d have that situation with ringing up people and they’d say: “I have to ask you a security question, what was the name of your first pet?”

And you say: “I don’t know what first pet was or what street granddad was born in. I don’t know.” They then say “I’m sorry I can’t talk to you.” “But we have to get his money out of the bank!” And they reply : “Sorry”.

Are we right to assume all those Comedy Company episodes are sitting in your garage?

They are. Last week I made a trip to Sydney to acquire this huge old video tape machine, because these comedy tapes are on one-inch video reel-to-reel.

Almost nobody has that technology and television stations started getting rid of their reel to reel one inch machines back in the early nineties, but I tracked one down – and now I have this giant great Tardis sitting in my garage.

In the next six months, I am going to methodically in my spare time after work dub off all 80 episodes of the Comedy Company and other shows onto hard disk.

Then I can get rid of these crates and crates of huge old magnetic tape and then they will all go to the tip.

It will put me in a position where I can actually access the material and I will probably be able to access a lot of the material that I myself haven’t seen for about 25 years.

Of course we did put out some VHSs and DVDs. But there would be a sum total of about only three hours of a total of 80 hours of shows we did plus other shows that I did.

There is another 77 hours of rubbish for me to troll through, maybe I’ll find some hidden gems which maybe I can put on the internet or something like that.

Maybe get some more money from John Paige. I don’t know if you remember him.

Yes John was our first year voice over announcer.

When I see John, I jokingly say to him, “Mate you’d be getting huge amounts of money from all the royalties for voice overs of Comedy Company?”

Royalties yeah! The thing is, under the agreements, there was a one up front royalty for use.

They didn’t get more unless the show was getting more than a certain threshold. It did have some sales but they never got over the threshold of what people had paid and so in a sense they still came out ahead, they actually got paid more than the show ever made.

There was never in the way of royalties flowing. We got out a few specials like the Col’n Carpenter specials and so on, the royalties you make are only a few hundred dollars.

Remember we sold cut downs to Comedy Channel. I mean Comedy Channel on Foxtel they would pay $750 for a half-hour show and $1500 for an hour.

We did sell them some half hour cutdowns. And if you’ve got say 13 episodes of The Blood Run Free which I produced and sell them 13 episodes at $700 each, it is not a lot of money you know.

For a whole series you are getting about 10 grand and if you start dividing it up amongst all the people it’s not much.

By the time you pay writers and actors they are lucky if they are getting a cheque for say $80.

Good memories of a great show.

We look forward to the remastered, digitally remixed boxed set of the Comedy Company!

That’s right. Just 38 discs plus the steak knives can be yours for just $49.99.

- Greg Newman

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, April 24, 2013 - Page 15

Melbourne

Observer Life & Style

YVONNE’S CHILLY ‘NIGHT AT OPERA’

■ One of my enjoyments in life is opera. I look forward with excitement to every season.

Many years ago my friend Caroline ,and I, both huge fans, slept in the street outside Her Majesty’s Theatre to try and buy standing room only tickets to see Dame Joan Sutherland in Donizetti’s tragic opera Lucia di Lammermoor.

It was an experience, but we felt it worthwhile just to hear her perform the famous ‘mad scene’.

We had a plan to buy the allotted four tickets, and we knew we couldn’t miss because we were first in the queue. Then we’d sell the other two tickets to cover our costs.

Yvonne’s Column

We were mobbed

■ On the night we stood booted and caped by the ticket box and said quietly that we had two tickets to sell.

In a minute opera enthusiasts mobbed us like rock stars.

How could I sell a ticket to an aspiring singer who had travelled all night in the hope of a ticket?

He had been in the queue, but you had to be near the top of the line to be successful.

I gave him a ticket and he swore his undying love to me.

We had one left, and I have to tell you that I couldn’t resist the young girl who pleaded with us.

She also had been in the queue all night, so I gave her the ticket. She looked as if the price of the ticket was all she had to feed her for the week.

Friend not impressed

■ My friend Caroline wasn’t too impressed with my largesse, but we were in another world after the performance and she was pleased that the man to whom we had given the ticket came up and offered to buy us coffee.

I reasoned that if you slept out in the street all night, being sprayed with water as the street cleaning machine drove by, you deserved tickets to hear Dame Joan.

As I’m writing I’m recalling that night and the fun it was.

And my respect for the Police who let us kip there all night providing we didn’t get boisterous.

It was my first experience of negotiation with the Police and the crowd in the queue.

At the end of each act we rushed to sit down while the rest of the audience filed out for champagne and to stand up.

So sleeping out in the street for standing room only tickets, and too scared to shut an eye, will let you know how much opera means to me.

About Alice ...

■ I am a true opera lover. And then, this is where my awful conflict or dilemma comes in.

with Yvonne Lawrence yvonne.lawrence@bigpond.com

I love my Aunty Alice. I love visiting her at her house full of interesting things.

This wise woman helped me through the period after my mother died. In fact, it was as if mum was channelling Aunty Alice, because one look from her and I desisted from whatever devious plan I was plotting.

She’s not really my aunt, but when I was young, any friend of the family was always given the honorary title of aunty or uncle.

I don’t know if I would go along with that custom now, because giving a friend that title gives the child a feeling of confidence in aunt or uncle and stranger danger doesn’t apply.

Two different parties ■ Aunt Alice has been in my life forever, and I suspect she had a hand in my nurturing over the years.

And bless her. She didn’t think I should be sent to boarding school, and for a while it was a sore point between the two friends.

My letters to her were never the same as to my mother. In today’s parlance, she was a cool chick.

I always looked forward to a visit from her, and made sure that when she came for a meal at our house, the table over which we would linger and discuss the day’s topics was set to perfection.

Just to let her see I was keeping up their standards now I was married.

The only topic we didn’t touch was politics.

We were both active members of a party. She supports one party, me the other.

It was always a fascinating experience to talk to this dear lady.

... and farewell to Black Caviar

You can understand my conflict when I received an invitation to the opening night of Operamania and it was on the same night as aunt Alice’s 90th birthday.

Operamania features Moscow Novaya Opera soloists and orchestra with dancers from the Imperial Russian ballet.

Peter and I saw the Moscow Ballet last time they were in Melbourne, and I confess I didn’t see much of the performance because I kept making sideline glances at our neighbouring couple two seats down.

It was a strong rumour at the radio station that a senior executive and a staff member were having an affair.

You wonder how these rumours start, but this one was very strong around the Xerox machine.

Bursting the bubble ■ It was only mentioned in asides because we could imagine the consequences if he heard.

Well, there we were sitting in the front row with a program on my lap and I look to my left and to my horror there was the exec. holding hands with our work colleague.

To say I had a hot flush well before my time was an understatement.

Whispering to Peter that we would have to leave because of our neighbours, he told me not to look and enjoy the ballet. It was easier said than done.

The Exec knew that I had seen him and his paramour, and my fear was that someone would blab and he would think I had told. Pulling out my fingernails would not have made me fuel the rumour.

It took a while before someone caught them in an embrace, and then the bubble burst.

I would have walked to Hamer Hall to see Operamania, but how could I disappoint this dear old lady who had been involved in so much of my life.

Gifts for 90-year-olds ■ My husband will usually give me options and the decision is easy, but because he is also an

opera lover, and he simply adores Aunt Alice, he left the decision to me.

Aunty Alice won, and I hope that Operamania makes a return visit to Melbourne.

It was lovely to see all her friends gather at the party and of course how they paid court to her.

It’s hard to choose a gift for someone of her age, and one who is still as sharp as a tack.

I chose a pot of herbs because she still does all her own cooking, a couple of books and a few interesting bookmarks.

She loves books, and as I looked around at her overflowing bookshelves with tomes on every subject under the sun, I wondered who would have the task of sorting through her library, which will be one of mammoth proportions.

Knowing Aunty she will have stipulated who is to do what and what personal item she would like them to have.

We should all have an Aunty Alice in our lives.

Nelly’s Big Heart

■ I’m glad Black Caviar has been retired. I would have hated her to be injured or to be beaten.

And I didn’t want her to go overseas to race again.

I never saw her race, but followed her career via the media.

But I’m looking forward to when the owners tell us that she is with foal and going to be a mum.

So, dear Nelly, you have given us enjoyment, and now it’s time to retire and be happy for the rest of your life watching over your foals.

I’ll never forget you, and will talk about your winning streak just as those who saw Phar Lap run.

By the way Nelly, I don’t think you have a big bum despite what your trainers say. Just a big heart.

It’s a good move

■ Finally, I support gay marriage, and congratulate New Zealand’s decision.

Yvonne.

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Page 16 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, April 24, 2013

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