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Observer EMERGENCY STATE EDITION Vol 45 No 1532 SERVING VICTORIA SINCE 1969

Ph 1-800 231 311 Fx 1-800 231 312

GRAND FINAL WEEK Page 3

Melbourne

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2013 www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

3AW STAR PHILIP BRADY FALLS, BREAKS HIP, UNDERGOING SURGERY IN HONG KONG

WELCOME BABY MACK

■ Radio icon Philip Brady is in the emergency ward of a Hong Kong hospital, after falling down 30 stairs at his hotel.

Brady, 74, was due to be undergoing surgery as the Melbourne Observer went to press late yesterday (Tues.).

Brady has been on a three-week holiday. He was filming a TV spot at his hotel, and had his eye at a camera viewfinder.

He did not see the hotel’s marble stairs and tumbled down 30 steps.

He told the Observer that he was surprised he did not break his spectacles, camera or teeth in the fall.

Doctors put Brady on pain killers, and were due to operate on him. He expects he will have to undergo rehabilitation and is unsure of when he will be able to return to Melbourne.

John Blackman will fill in for Brady on 3AW’s Nightline show.

Page 3

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Page 2 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Nathan is in charge

Marina stands in for David

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Ash

Chris back at Butterfly Club

server b O e n r u o lb e M e h T

● Nathan Copsey ■ Nathan Copsey, 29, will oversee operations and around 20 staff at the new Tune Hotel Melbourne in Swanston St, Carlton, which is set to open November 1. Tune is an international brand. Nathan will be one of their youngest bosses.

PRs gather for gongs

Editor Ash Long is heard: ● 8.45am Wed., with Ron Burke, 3NRG-FM Sunbury ● 10am Wed., with Denis Scanlan, Pulse 94.7 Geelong ● 9.15am Thu., with Bob and Judy Phillips, 3RPP Peninsula ● Marina Prior ■ Marina Prior tookcentre stage at the Morning Melodies concerts on Monday thios week (Sept. 23) at Hamer Hall.

Prior stood in for headliner David Hobson who is unwell and unabe to perform.

Prior played Christine in The Phantom Of The Opera, and her Morning Melodies performance included songs from Phantom, Cats and Les Miserables.

Morning Melodies began nearly 29 years ago. It brings its loyal patrons together 10 times a year for musical variety from the country’s leading musical theatre, opera and classical musicians.

Condolences to Horsfall family ● Lawrence Money ■ Age columnist Lawrence Money was MC for the Public Relations Institute of Australia state awards for excellence at the Gala Night in the Ballroom at the Royce Hotel, St Kilda Rd. PRIA Victoria's President Alain Grossbard said the awards took a new approach this year.

State winners now go on to the PRIA's National Conference at the Adelaide Convention Centre from November 17-19.

Pesel and Carr set itself as the most fashionable PR agency in Melbourne.

Consumer Marketing Commended award to Fee Townshend for the 'State Trustees Will Week' by PR Edge Health Organisations Melanie Wilkinson for the 'BreastScreen Victoria Recruitment Campaign' by Fenton Communications Public Affairs Allison Murphy for the 'My Cover Matters' campaign

by Red Stick Best Use of Analytics Highly commended award to Simon Troeth for 'Justice Website Transformation' by the Department of Justice Victoria Government Sponsored Campaigns Award to Peter Kent for the 'Stay Smart Online: National Cyber Security Awareness Week' by Porter Novelli In-house PR Team of the Year Nicole Lovelock and The Australian Ballet Low Cost/ Pro Bono Highly commended award to Barbara Pesel for 'Bringing Opera to the People' by Pesel and Carr.

● Bob Horsfall ■ We are sad to share the news of the passing of Elaine Horsfall (nee Goding), 90, wife of 63 years of Victorian showbiz identity Bob Horsfall.

The Horsfalls, of Bentleigh, including son Cole,

have a long association with show business. Bob began entertaining in 1936 at the Tivoli Theatre as an acrobatic dancer. He was the Australian Tap Dancing champion for 18 years. At the South Street Ballarat’s competitions he was boy soprano champion under 16 for three years. He was well known on GTV9 and HSV7.

The funeral service for Mrs Elaine Carrie Horsfall, will be held at WD Rose/Joseph Allison Funerals, 139 Marriage Rd. Brighton at 2.30pm on Monday Sept. 30.

and Wisconsin. She has also worked as the National Account Manager at Baskow and Associates in Las Vegas.

Nicole will be based in Victoria in her new role, which will focus on improving the sales and marketing performance of Wyndham Hotel Group and Wyndham Vacation Resorts Asia Pacific across the South Pacific.

Open Gardens in Beaumaris

Guest speaker ■ Eddie Micallef, Deputy Chair of the Ethnic Communities’ Council of Victoria, was guest speaker on Monday (Sept. 23) at Deakin University’s media mentoring program developed in conjunction with broadcaster SBS.

● Chris Wallace ■ Chris Wallace is returning to the Butterfly Club.

Les Femmes is the newest cabaret musical featuring songs by Chris, opening at club from Tuesday, October 15 to Sunday, October 20.

Chris has had a string of shows that goes back to Hollywood, beginning with six incarnations of Greatest Hits and continuing with Tall Poppy Blues in 2011. His musical Nothing To Wear had two seasons at the Fairfax Studio Theatre, Arts Centre Melbourne.

John Gabriel Borkman

Nicole wins job promotion

● Nicole Hill ■ Wyndham Hotel Group in the South Pacific has appointed Nicole Hill to the role of Business Development Manager.

Nicole’s previous position was General Manager at a Victorian golf resort. Prior to this she worked as Director of Sales and Marketing at Phillip Island Nature Park and Director of Sales at hotels in Geelong

‘You better shape up’

PHOTO: JIM LEE PHOTO

● Olivia Newton-John greeted Melbourne photographer Jim Lee at the ONJ Gala at the Plaza Ballroom, The Regent Theatre. The event was held in support of Austin Health and the Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Centre.

● Pauline Reynolds ■ Family Life will present its annual Open Garden Day on Sunday, October 13, when six bold gardens in Beaumaris will be open to the public.

The community event raises money to deliver a broad range of services to vulnerable families and people at-risk, with the aim of transforming lives.

The selection ranges from established native gardens to new architecturally landscaped gardens, at the following Beaumaris locations: ■ 5 Bellaire Court ■ 6 Bellaire Court ■ 451 Beach Road ■ 2 Stayner Street (Devonshire Tea) ■ 22 Lang Street ■ 2 Point Avenue ■ 13 Point Avenue (BBQ only) Guests can enjoy live music provided by local school groups, informative exhibits from local nurseries and sponsors, activities for the children, courtesy transport from garden to garden in vintage cars and culinary delights from the BBQ and Devonshire tea stands.

Family Life Volunteer Open Garden Day Convenor, Pauline Reynolds, said this is the event's 12th year .

"We are once again extremely grateful to our garden hosts who have agreed to share their gardens with us for the day," she said.

Entry: $25 adults, $22 concession, Children are free.

Call Family Life on 8599 5433, or visit www.familylife. com.au.

● Jim Daly in John Gabriel Borkman at La Mama Theatre until September 29.

■ It is always interesting to see what an experienced director and a cast willing to take risks can do with a play. This production of Henrik Ibsen's play is certainly an intriguing interpretation.

Gunhild and her twin sister Ella fight for the affections possession, really - of Gunhild's adult son Erhart, nicely portrayed by Will Freeman as the damaged product of a dysfunctional family.

In the attic above paces John Gabriel Borkman.

Gunhild is his wife, Ella his mistress. John Gabriel has been in the attic since his release from jail eight years before.

He is visited daily by his friend Vilhelm Foldal, whose daughter Frida is friendly with Erhart. Erhart is also friendly with Fanny Wilton.

Director Peter King has cast males dressed in suits in all roles in this very fast paced and physical production, with Will Freeman and Russell Walsh playing multiple characters.

Once the identity of each character is established, none of this is an issue.

I found the fast pace of the dialogue delivery actually enhances the poetry of Ibsen's writing, so that it becomes almost mesmerising. However the stylised and exaggerated physical movements, especially in the scenes between John Gabriel (Jim Daly) and Foldal (Russell Walsh), add a comic element that is somewhat confusing at times.

As with every Ibsen play, this is a very ‘wordy’ piece, with surety of lines and confidence in delivery being imperative.

Ezel Doruk's portrayal of Ella was not as strong in this area as the other actors on the night of my attendance, while Cory Corbett as Gunhild was passionate and forceful.

Experience and professionalism shone through in Jim Daly's performance. Russell Walsh portrayed two very different characters well which minimised role identity confusion.

A very thought provoking evening of theatre.

Performance Season: Until September 29 Time: Thurs, Fri, Sat 8.30pm, Sun, Wed 6.30pm.

Venue: La Mama Theatre, 205 Faraday St, Carlton.

Price: $25 Full ;$15 Concession Bookings: Tickets available online www.lamama.com.au or 9347 6142 – Review by Janine Chugg

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, September 25, 2013 - Page 3

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

City Desk

Melbourne

Observer

The hottest news about Melbourne’s A-listers

The Buzz

Prince Harry to visit

Welcome Mack

● Prince Harry ● Mack Klesman ■ We’re excited! Observer columnist Cheryl Threadgold has become a grandmother again.

Mack Albert Kimbell Klesman was born on Wednesday last week (Sept. 18) at Cabrini Hospital, weighing 3.99 kg, the son of Camilla and Emil.

Grandma Cheryl's family name McPhee is acknowledged in Mack's name, and tradition continues with Albert paying tribute to grandpa Malcolm's grandfather, and Kimbell is a family name belonging to Mack's nanna, Margaret. Mack is little brother to George.

GRAND FINAL

Do Something!

● Brynne Edelsten at Monday’s Bronwlow Medal Photo courtesy: AFL Photos

● Pat Cash ■ Former Wimbledon champion Pat Cash is launching the ‘DoSomething Sporty!’ initiative. ‘ DoSomething Sporty! will encourage people to give back to their community by getting involved with a local sporting club.

■ Prince Harry will visit Australia next month.

It will be the first official visit by the fourth-in-line to the throne, said Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott. He came here in 2003.

‘Captain Wales’, 28, will attend numerous events held to mark the centenary of the first entry of the Royal Australian Navy's Fleet into Sydney, including the harbour city's International Fleet Review.

It is not yet known if the Prince’s visit will include engagements in Victoria.

■ The Australian Football League Grand Final between Hawthorn and Fremantle will be held this Staurday (Sept. 28) at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Melbourne Observer football columnist Harry Beitzel says: “The big functions are the Carbine Club luncheon in which the Brownlow winner was honoured, the Friday Street Parade, the Saturday North Melbourne/AFL Grand Final Breakfast and of course the Grand Final itself followed by the premiers and runner-ups dinners. And every day at Federation Square, AFL is on the agenda. It is a big week!

“This Grand Final could be the toughest and roughest if whoever the umpires decide to ”let it go”.

“Neither Hawthorn or Fremantle will shy away from the all-in body tackling. The commentators and the crowd will love it -a s the footy fans of all codes like to see raw courage and blood in the Grand Finals.

“I’m sticking with Hawthorn as I’m convinced no matter the ferocity of Freo the Hawks have the players to kick a winning score.”

have already gone on sale for previews of Wicked to be staged at the Regent Theatre, Melbourne, on May 7-9 next year. ★Tickets Children’s book and television favourite Angelina Ballerina will per form live in a brand new stage Mousical at the State Theatre, January ★ 15-19 at Arts Centre Melbourne.

Commonwealth Bank staff yesterday (Tues.) awarded Guide Dogs Victoria with a grant of $7800 as part of its 2013 Community Grants ★ Program.

National Police Remembrance Day will be staged on Friday (Sept.

27), with a service to be held at 9am at the Victoria Police Memo★ rial - Kings Domain, St Kilda Rd. will make art to the sounds of a paint-rock duo at the Incinerator Gallery, Moonee Ponds, from 2pm-4pm on Friday, Oct. 4. ★Children

Melbourne Moments Hinch case

Art Deco on show

■ Broadcaster Derryn Hinch clearly violated a Supreme Court suppression order and constituted a contempt that "scandalised" the Court, prosecutor John Langmead SC told the Victorian Supreme Court on Monday.

Hinch is facing two contempt charges before Justice Stephen Kaye.

The charges relate to publication of material on the Human Headline website about rapist and murderer Adrian Bayley. The hearing entered its second day yesterday (Tues.) as the Observer went to press.

■ The National Gallery of Victoria will showcase the glamour and modernity of the Art Deco period through the work of fashion’s influential photographer Edward Steichen from October 18.

Stunning Art Deco fashion garments and accessories will be on show.

The exhibition Edward Steichen and Art Deco Fashion is the first Australian survey of Steichen, widely considered to have created the first modern fashion photo.

It will feature more than 200 of Steichen’s vintage photographs.

● Derryn Hinch

Under The Clocks Edelsten denies ‘con artist’ slur ■ A Florida County Circuit judge Carlos Rodriguez has ordered Melbourne bsuinessman Geoffrey Edelsten to be brought before the court to show cause why he should not be held in criminal contempt after allegedly trying to use an Australian company to grab control of property in Ohio caught up in the dispute with the Mawardi family.

Edelsten's Miami lawyer, Robert Klein, said: ''We have cause to challenge the legitimacy of those allegations, and fully plan to do so if the allegations are not withdrawn''. He said the description of his client as a ''serial con man'' was ''preposterous''. It is unlikely that the opposing parties or their counsel will be pursuing further claims, he said.

● Geoffrey Edelsten

Glenn Archer, Hollywood producer

● Glenn Archer ■ Melbourne Observer columnist Gavin Wood writes: “Last week, while I was in Melbourne, one of our football champions arrived in Hollywood.

“Glenn Archer, North Melbourne premiership player and 1996 Norm Smith medallist and now movie executive producer, walked the red carpet for the American debut of Blinder.

“The movie was released last year in Australia. Shot around Torquay, the film is about a legendary former local footballer, Tom Dunn of the Torquay Tigers.

“Once embroiled in a major scandal, Dunn returns home after10 years away, to clear his name and pull the club back together. Thank goodness nothing like that happened at the North Melbourne Kangaroos.”

What’s On In Melbourne

Liberal challenger Donna Petrovich has conceded defeat to ★ Labor’s Rob Mitchell in the Federal seat of McEwen. His winning margin appears to be about 345 votes.

The Echuca Heritage Family Festival will be held on Saturday★ Sunday, October 4-5. It will include steam engines, trotting horses with carriages, old cars and vintage tractors.

Square will host a culinary tour event with a progressive dinner ★Fed to be launched on Tuesday, October 15.

The Victorian Artists Society and Fed Square have announced a ★ special activity for Seniors Week on Sunday, October 6, when painters and art teachers will be painting in The Atrium.

PHOTO: IKON IMAGES

Page 4 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, September 25, 2013

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Mark Richardson ♥ Straight from the heart

E-Mail: mark@localmedia.com.au

Imagination builds at Eastland ■ Some of the most imaginative Australian inventions such as the wine cask (very handy, thank you Thomas Angove from Adelaide) were created in the 1960s.

During this particular decade, Australia also welcomed a surge of international company representatives to our shores.

In 1962,one keen English sales representative, John Peddie, packed his suitcase full of colourful bricks, tiny doors and plastic windows and made his way to Australia to introduce the Danish invention, LEGO, into our Aussie way of life. (Thank you, John!)

Five decades on and LEGO has stood the test of time. It's not uncommon to hear stories that children (and their parents who profess to still be young at heart but just teaching the kids how to build), are choosing to create brick LEGO masterpieces over playing digital video games in lounge rooms.

Melburnian Ryan McNaught, also known internationally as 'The Brickman' from Down Under, is one man who admits that he never quite grew up when it comes to LEGO. The difference between Ryan and anyone else in the Southern Hemisphere (he is the only one), and is one of the 12 LEGO Certified Professionals in the world.

In other words, he is paid to travel the world to create and showcase spectacular LEGO masterpieces.

Among his estimated five million bricks in his single garage at home which he transformed into a workshop studio he proudly calls, 'Garage Mahal', I caught up with him as he was strategically placing the final blocks to complete one his many creations that are on display at the LEGO Brick Zone at Eastland Shopping Centre until Sunday, October 6.

When did your journey with LEGO begin?

I grew up in Bendigo where my Nanna bought my first LEGO set when I was 3-years-of-age. I went on to read store catalogues and enjoyed building trains, space ships, castles and cities. I stopped playing LEGO when I was 13. I didn't get into LEGO seriously until much later in life.

Looking back to your school days, was there a particular class that has helped you with professional LEGO building?

Definitely maths! All those crazy maths methods you thought you would never use again in life. Who knew?

You are a LEGO Certified Professional, what is the process of

LEGO Porch Thoughts obtaining this qualification?

It's a long and arduous process.

There are only 12 of us in the world (there used to be 13 but one recently retired). It involves lots of interviews, some tests and most importantly being able to interact very well with the public.

Did you have to build a construction to qualify, or are there LEGO scouts on the prowl looking for new talent at LEGO conventions?

There is no 'one' build to qualify, but I did get noticed by LEGO after building a giant LEGO Airbus A380 at the LEGO Brickworld convention in Chicago.

It required approximately 16,000 bricks including the LEGO Mindstorms technology I built which had a touch screen computer to make things happen in the plane. It took a couple of months to build.

One of the largest models you've ever built is the LEGO Love Boat model that is on display at Eastland. How many bricks did that model require to complete?

I used just over 250,000 LEGO bricks! At 4m long, it's a monster.

What does a LEGO Certified Professional actually do?

● Ryan McNaught, ‘the ‘Brickman’ from Down Under Where do you see LEGO poI have a few roles. I am the guy Sometimes we work on builds and that builds the store display models projects together. My closest col- sitioned in another 50 years, parthat you see in department stores; I league is in Singapore, so it gets ticularly in light of digital mebuild interesting models for events tough with the distance between us. dia and electronic games for chiland specific locations such as muse- Each year we all head to LEGO HQ dren?

Given that electronic games have ums, and I also write a column in the in the city of Billund in Denmark LEGO club magazine which is a lot for training and to catch up with each been around for a long time now I don't see much change. LEGO has of fun. other.

I recall squabbling with my mates What do you find most re- already integrated very well into that building LEGO constructions in our warding about building master- media so the crossover is already very strong. lounge rooms. Do LEGO Certified pieces?

What is one thing you've Professionals help each other out on The favourite part of my job is projects or is there brick envy? when a model that I've been working haven't built, but is on your wish on for months is unveiled. There is list?

I have a huge list of things I'm itchnothing better than seeing the looks on kids and parents faces when they ing to build, but like always there is see something cool made from LEGO. never enough time. I've been workWhat is your most memo- ing on a really big Sydney Opera House for a few years. I would like rable builds?

Last year I built a large version of to finish that.

What is your Porch Thought the Colosseum out of LEGO. It was amazingly difficult to build but For The Day? I do like to start really early and it's probably one of my favourites.

What is the common miscon- get a lot done, so carpe diem - seize ception about being an adult the day. ❑ playing with LEGO? The LEGO Brick Zone is callMost people think I play with bricks all day, which is only a half ing all builders and lovers of LEGO truth. There is a lot of planning and of all ages to experience hands-on, process before we even start picking minds-on fun of building with LEGO up a brick on a project. Generally I during the school holidays.

The LEGO Brick Zone is a work about 50-60 hours a week. My 6m tall Saturn V rocket for ex- must see free event that will capture ample, took about six weeks to build. the imagination and creativity through What does 50 years of LEGO interactive displays, building and in Australia mean to Austra- learning areas complete with LEGO video games and the chance to meet lians?

I think it's safe to say that its part Max the LEGO Mascot.

For more information and session of the family now, everyone has it, and chances are that everyone's par- times visit www.eastland.com.au - Mark Richardson ents had some too.

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, September 25, 2013 - Page 5

Page 6 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, September 25, 2013

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

To

Di Nina Simone Show ■ Nina Simone has always been a favourite of mine and it was interesting to see the production at Chapel Off Chapel.

Ruth Rogers-Wright was very well cast to perform as Nina.

An Art Events Australia production, it explores the music of Nina Simone from 1958 to 1965.

Shows are at 8pm, $35 a ticket. It’s worth seeing. It finishes on September 28.

Visit www.chapeloffchapel.com.au or book at box office by phoning 8290 7000.

Tempest At Drop-In

● Eric Bana ■ I was interested to receive information on a feature length documentary called Tempest At The Drop-In. The world premiere screening of this documentary will be shown at the famed Astor Theatre, 1 Chapel St, St Kilda on Tuesday, October 8 at 7pm.

Narrated by Eric Bana and co-produced by Brian Nankervis, I thought that this looks very interesting.

I am a great admirer of Brian Nankervis.

I read further. All proceeds will go to the St Kilda Drop in Centre to help continue their important work.

Tempest At The Drop In is a feature length documentary that follows a group of professional actors staging a production of Shakespeare’s The Tempest with members of the St Kilda Uniting Care Drop In Centre, who suffer from serious psychiatric illness.

Filmed over 12 months, I have been told the film is a wonderful mixture of life, art, mental illness and love, wrapped up with humour, heart and poignancy.

Edited by Uri Mizrahi and produced and largely financed by Sue Thomson and her partner Brian Nankervis, the documentary was made on a shoe-string budget with assistance from Cabrini Health and filmed entirely by Sue Thomson.

Tempest At The Drop In is an intimate and unique insight into the daily lives of people living with serious mental illness.

Tickets: $25, Concession & Kids $10, Families $60 Pre-movie entertainment and MC: Brian Nankervis.

Bookings at www.TryBooking.com or by calling St Kilda Drop In on 9525 5478 – this is something well worth supporting.

I love my job!

■ It was fun night bumping into the Big Brother evictees at Speakeasy restaurant in Chapel St, sitting at a big table.

It was a bit like The Truman Show, seeing the group sitting together having seen them on the television. They formed a fun and happy group.

I went up and said ‘hi’ to them.

I was at Speakeasy for a quick bite with mates before we headed off to see Nina Simone Black Diva Power at Chapel Off Chapel.

I must say the food at Speakeasy was great and service quick. Happy waiters made for a lovely environment to be in.

Speakeasy is situated at 359 Chapel St, South Yarra. If you blink you miss it.

Created as a nod to the speakeasy culture of illegal drinking dens set up during American prohibition of the 1920s and early 1930s, Speakeasy (completely legal) hasn’t been much a well-kept secret, already sparking the interest of locals and businesses.

The small entrance, the shopfront on Chapel St is only three metres wide – is a deceptive one.

As you move through the space, designed by Eon architects, a smart dining room and large wooden outer-terrace reveal themselves. And there are some good looking patrons amongst the crowd, certainly on the night I was there. And that was just on my table!

For ROS DROPS ‘F...BOMBS’

■ A friend mentioned at dinner how she didn’t like Steve Jobs and what he had done to communication.

With people all so pre-occupied with their mobiles and computers – we have lost the art of communication.

I can see what she meant when you look at people out at restaurants and families sitting and using their mobiles and computers and not talking to each other.

It’s plain rude apart from anything else.

And as my friend pointed out manners flew out the window.

Yes certainly etiquette flew out the window at the introduction of social media.

Well, another friend of mine, Ros Marsden has written a book about this very subject. F…Bombs!

The handy manners guide to make your life easier’ introduces 101 etiquette essentials.

“The hardest job kids face today is learning good manners without seeing any.” said Fred Astaire.

Emily Post, whose famous book Etiquette in Society, which she wrote in 1922 and became a best seller, is among my most treasured of my book collection.

My father gave the book to me many years ago, I just love it. I often refer to it if I have been badly behaved!

Emily Post wrote in 1922: “Manners are a sensitive awareness of the feelings of others. If you have awareness, you have manners, no matter what fork you use’ I think that is gold.

One thing of which author Ros Marsden is certain is that young people today are smart, informed and love learning new stuff.

with leading Melbourne publicist DI ROLLE

represents her and accentuates her porcelain skin and luscious red locks. Good luck to her.

Homeland returns

● Ros Marsden They take risks like Ros has worked for never before, but she The Age in Melalso knows how easy it bourne and in a numis to put your foot in it ber of management powithout even realising, sitions across Fairto say or do the wrong fax’s vast Australian thing when the proper regional division. etiquette and manners She has particular are required. interest in promoting a F...Bombs! is for strong self-image for people who don’t young women. realise or haven’t been For more informashown why things are tion about the book visit done a certain way. w w w. w i l k i n s o n Manners make life publishing.com.au a whole lot easier and this handy guide was written so you don’t go red with embarrassment at saying the wrong thing or go home ■ It’s not every day a thinking you were an girl gets a lipstick idiot because of some- shade named after her, thing you wishes you (no it’s not me) but having recently been hadn’t done.

F…Bombs! offers crowned Miss Buran A-Z smattering of lesque Australia things to think about, 2012, Melbournemore than 100 tips that based star , The Strawhelp with that mysteri- berry Siren can now lay ous word called eti- claim to that honour.

Once described as quette.

They’re uncompli- “the Tarantino vercated morsels you can sion of burlesque … read in a minute, an sexy and dangerous”, hour, over a few weeks the divine redhead and return to it again knocked her peers out of the park when she and again.

Just as Essential took out the Miss BurBaby is the bible for lesque Australia young mums, crown earlier this year.

Winning the covF…Bombs! will be the bible for teens and adult eted title has led Miss Strawberry Siren to alike!” said Ros. Ros has worked in collaborating with the media all her adult life, recently launched Ausstarting out at the 10 tralian lipstick deNetwork in Mel- signer, RED Burbourne as a re- lesque, developing a searcher and producer. colour that beautifully

Lipstick honour

■ As if there isn’t enough to watch on television, now the wait is over and Homeland will be fast tracked on Channel 10 with Season 3 premiering 8.30pm on Monday (Sept. 30).

The much anticipated, multi-award winning blockbuster Homeland will seeAustralian audiences will catch up on all the action a few hours after the show airs in the United States.

Starring Claire Danes, the fabulous Damien Lewis and Mandy Patinkin, this heart-pounding series is better than ever.

Three months have passed since America’s “Second 9/11”, the horrific terror attack that decimated the US intelligence apparatus and prompted a global manhunt for the

■ Mornington Peninsula based station 3RPP-FM is looking for additional presenters to host programs in its new Spring/Summer line up.

Vacancies exist in breakfast, morning and afternoon magazine programs, easy listening and modern genre music programs. The station provides full training and can provide an opportunity for those taking their first step in the media.

3RPP-FM is based at Mornington with a broadcast footprint that covers Frankston and the Mornington Peninsula, Melbourne’s southern suburbs, Dandenong, Northern Gippsland and the Geelong area transmitting on 98.7 & 98.3 FM. All enquiries to Brendon Telfer, station manager, on 5975 2650.

● Mandy Patinkin world’s most wanted terrorist, Nicholas Brody (Lewis).

As Carrie (Danes) and Saul (Patinkin) begin to pick up the pieces of their shattered professional and personal lives, they are swept up in the political and media firestorm surrounding the terror attack and the subsequent search for Brody.

Meanwhile, humiliated and abandoned by the Marine Corps, the Brody family struggles to cope with daughter Dana’s (Morgan Saylor) destructive behaviour.

I best get my skates on as I haven’t finished ● The Strawberry Siren.

Photo: Neil Scarlett Season 2 yet!

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au Melbourne

Observer

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, September 25, 2013 - Page 5

Court Roundsman

It’s All About You!

Melbourne

BASHED MAN TO RECEIVE $6300 Observer AFTER LEGAL CASE IS REVIEWED In This 116-Page Edition

Choir prepares for Seniors Week

● Vivace Voices choir members rehearse at the Mentone RSL. From left in back row is David Davies, John Mackay, Peter Woodhouse, Theo Breeuwer, Herta Dingjan Audrey Phillips, Wendy Reid, Jane Austen, Ruth Hallett, Rosemary Thorpe, Monica Maxfield, Jill Page (conductor), Margaret Pearson, Tony Murphy, Joan Spiers, Helen Curry, Barbara Bugeja, Jackie McInroy, Jenny Henry, Joyce Young, Yvonne Mansfield, Pat Wright, Bronwyn Cooper, Brenda Wylie, Laurel Brew and Margaret Gleadall.

■ The Kingston U3A Choir, Vivace Members are also busy rehearsing for Voices, is busy rehearsing for an upcoming Christmas, as they will be performing conconcert program. certs at many venues in and around Kingston.

The choir’s first performance will be on SunA website and Facebook page was recently day, October 6 at 11.00am at Deakin (formerly launched. See www.vivacevoices.org BMW) Edge, as part of the Combined U3A New Vivace Voices members are welcome.

Festival, and the second performance is on Friday, October 25 at 2pm at the Clarinda Li- If interested in joining, please contact the brary as part of the City of Kingston Se- choir’s conductor, Jill Page, on 9551 2710.

- Cheryl Threadgold niors’ Week.

■ Shaun Egan will receive $6300 from the Victims Of Crime Assistance Tribunal after he was punched in the face, and struck in the head with a brick and wrench.

Heather Lambrick, Deputy President of the Victorian Civil and Administrive Tribunal, awarded $200 for damage to clothing, $5000 for special financial aqssitance, an amount of $1100, plus medical, psychological and dental expenses.

Mr Egan, who now lives in Queensland, was rendered unconscious and sustained multiple injuries including a fractured skull, broken eye socket, broken nose, broken jaw, broken cheekbones and broken ribs in the attack.

Mr Egan unsuccessfully sought $1800 air fares for his children, $2000 spending money, $900 airline fares for his parents, $3300 for accommodation, $3000 for petrol to visit his children in Kunnunurra, $1391 for a computer to communicate with his children by Skype.

Mr Egan suffered “fairly major brain damage”. He lost $800 woth of jewellery in the act of violence.

Mr Egan is concerned about travelling to Victoria because the perpetrator lives here.

ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION NOT DUE TO WAR SERVICE: TRIBUNAL

■ War veteran Gordon Knight has lost a legal case in which he blamed depression by cigarette smoking and erectile dysfunction was caused by his military service in Vietnam in 1970 and 1971.

Knight took the Repatriation Commission to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal of Australia, with the case heard in Melbourne, and the decision handed down by Senior Member John Handley on Friday.

Knight served on HMAS Sydney in two limited periods, with each voyage into Vung Tau harbour described as being of “very limited duration”.

Many other non-service events contributed to smoking and alcohol consumption, Mr Handley said.

Knight, 65, took the earlier refusal of the Veteran Review Board to the AAT, which refused his application of the conditions of hios depressive disorder and alcohol abuse, as warcaused.

Knight receives a 90 per cent after serving in the Royal Australian Navy between 1965 and 1974. His service on HMAS Sydney was between May 1970 and March 1971.

The two periods of operational service were 22 days and

18 days respectively, the Tribunal was told. He served as an electrician, serving as a radio operator, and he had to undertake periodic inspection in the boiler and engine rooms.

Knight said that some of his service on-board Sydney required him to work below the waterline.

He heard explosions whilst in the watertight boiler room. He feared they might be the explosion of a Viet Cong mine, and that he thought he risked being drowned .

He said the sound was deafening: “It produced a vibration like a 10 ton truck coming through”. He was “scared witless”.

Knight said he suffered nightmares until the 1980s.

Whilst he was a member of HMAS Stuart earlier, he was advised to take up cigarette smoking as it would keep him awake awake whilst on watch.

He smoked up to 50 cigarettes a day before quitting in 1994. He resumed smoking between 2004-2006.

Knight said he first suffered symptoms of erectile dysfunction in the late 1980s and early 1990s. He was then married to his first wife.

Treatment by his general practitioner and a specialist urologist by medication and injections were unsuccessful.

Knight said his importence imposed an enormous strain of his marriage. His wife, and his mother-in-law, accused him of having an affair with another woman.

“Despite his persisting denials, his relationship with his wife deteriorated, they ceased communicating and eventually divorced,” the Tribunal noted.

Knight said he suffered a complete breakdown last year, whilst working as a salesman of industrial chemicals.

He drinks 1-1½ bottles of wine, 3-4 days a week, sometimes daily.

The Tribunal heard medical reports from doctors Phillip Mulcare, Paul Collier, Albert Kaplan and Norman Rose.

■ The AAT says there is no evidence that HMAS Sydney was under attack at any time that Gordon Knight was on duty.

■ The AAT accepted that Knight experienced a life-threatening event.

■ The AAT decided that Knight’s alcohol and smoking habits were wellestablished prior going in a war zone.

Ash Long: The Melbourne Observer .............. Page 2 City Desk: Melbourne’s A-listers .................. Page 3 Mark Richardson: Straight from the heart ..... Page 4 Di Rolle: Ros drops ‘F...Bombs’ ................... Page 6 Yvonne Lawrence: Life and style ................ Page 8 Barrel: Be careful what you wish for ............ Page 9 Long Shots: So long Ron .......................... Page 10 Melb. Confidential: Underpaid $56,000 ........ Page 11 Kevin Trask: Rory Calhoun tribute .............. Page 12 James Sherlock: Baz Luhrmann chat ......... Page 15 Footy Week: Harry Beitzel reports ............... Page 114 Herald Sun Aria Vale Paul Dix Movies, DVDs, Top 10 Local Theatre

Observer Showbiz

Latest News Flashes Around Victoria

Dog causes nasty crash ■ A dog which lept on to its owner's lap while she was driving at Norlane has caused a freakish chain of events that has left a mother of three in hospital, reports the Geelong Advertiser.

10 years jail for bashing ■ Two men who brutally bashed and almost killed a Wendouree man have had their appeals for a lighter sentence quashed. Paul Andrew Arthars, 39, and Corey John Plater, 42, were jailed for 10 years in the County Court at Ballarat following an attack which left Michael Green, 49, with an acquired brain injury, limited speech and post traumatic epilepsy, reports The Courier.

Drug bust at Wangaratta ■ Police have stopped $100,000 worth of ice, GHB and amphetamines from hitting Wangaratta’s streets after seizing the drugs from a car. Morwell man, Ioannis Aristidou, 33, remains in custody.

CWA sec. stole $24,000 ■ Kate Lougheed, 66, former secretary of the Sale CWA, found guilty of stealing $24,000 from the branch, has escaped a jail sentence.

Weather Forecast ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

Today (Wed.). Partly cloudy. 8°-21°.

Thursday. Chance of rain. 5°-16°.

Friday. Mostly cloudy. 8°-22°.

Saturday. Chance of rain. 9°-16°, Sunday. Mostly cloudy. 10°-19°.

Mike McColl Jones

Top 5 THE TOP 5 UNUSUAL WAGERS TAKEN BY SPORTINGBET THIS WEEK 5. An asylum seeker's boat to enter the Sydney to Hobart yacht-race.

4. Julia Morris to complete an entire edition of Australia's Got Talent without looking like Luna Park.

3. John Tomic to be appointed head of Neighbourhood Watch.

2. Clive Palmer to take over from Pat Rafter promoting Bonds underwear.

1. AFL club to hold "Mad Monday" at the Hopetoun Tea Rooms.

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Page 8 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, September 25, 2013 Melbourne

Observer

Melbourne TV Memories

Kenneth Mulholland

Meillon and McKenzie at the Tele-theatre

■ It's been some time now since Robert Meillon passed away: June 3, 2012 And listening to The Brandenburg Concertos recently took me back to my early years of television in the beginning of the 1960s.

The name Meillon first came to my notice before I met Robert (or Bob, as he was known back then.)

The television series My Name's McGooley, What's Yours? starred Gordon Chater, Judi Farr and John Meillon.

Of course I had no idea that the man playing the part of Wally Stiller had a brother, and the brother was to have a great impact on my life through some three decades.

In fact I didn't make the connection even when the same name appeared on our staging roster. I remember wondering exactly how the name was pro-

nounced: Meelon? Maylon?

Miillon?

I first encountered Bob Meillon at the Fitzroy Tele-theatre one late afternoon. I distinctly recall the dust motes swirling in the sunshine that beamed through the back loading doors and Bob, in a white open-necked shirt stepping over the ground-row.

Even then he had the modest beginning of a beer-belly. He was part of the relieving afternoon shift. I said 'Hi', he said 'G'day', and that was it. (We were not to know that 30plus years later that brief salute was much the way our relationship would end.)

It took a few weeks before we got talking. Bob was fresh from the UK where he had spent time working as a barman/driving instructor with another Sydney expat Stuart Kinchin.

Both had worked at a Sydney TV channel (I can't remember if it was TCN 9 or ATN7.) Peter Hind tells me it was ATN7.

In any event, one memorable day, having finished our shift, the staging crew adjourned to 'The Baron's (Alan Ruthven) Hotel' near the Tele-theatre.

Over several beers, Bob and I got to talking and realised that we had much in common, especially a love of classical music, even if our youthful tastes differed.

The fact that I had a desire to write, based only on school magazine articles and a number of short stories, and Bob had a voice and some basic training on how to use it produced an hour audio documentary entitled Bach, Beethoven and Berlioz, complete with musical background.

All done in one night at Bob's flat, with his record player, my tape recorder, many beers and cigarettes.

From that night on me and Bob were solid pals. He and a number of other 7 bods had a flat down in Brighton. Various people and transient nurses frequented the place: Paul Dethridge, a fellow stage-hand and later major influence on me; John Haddy (who would go on to be a valued film cameraman); Joe Wharton from Birkenhead UK (rumoured to have jumped merchant ship in Melbourne) who was a cameraman at 7; and a bloke named Stuart McKenzie, who also had come down south from television in Sydney.

Stu was some kind of mesmerizing loose cannon/likable larrikin, bumming his way around and bordering on the early fringe. Eventually he moved

on. But he became the beginning of a very strange invention from Bob and I. Later, when and I were travelling north, McKenzie transformed into a character of our imagination. Bob and I used the travelling time to create mind images that amused us and so we created a character based on Stuart McKenzie.

He was known just as 'McKenzie', smoked Camel cigarettes, carried a small revolver (a bit like the Beatles Maxwell's Silver Hammer) with which he killed people on whim, and was inclined to recite his own version of poetry and song.

A lot of rough rhyme, a lot of swear words, a lot of very bad form. , a decade later, at the Burvale Hotel in Nunawading our work mates would witness Bob and me 'playing McKenzie'. Turn To Page 104

Melbourne

Observer Life & Style

READ IT WITH ASBESTOS GLOVES ■ The last couple of weeks I have experienced some good times and some sad times, and I didn’t even leave the house.

So who needs a busy social life to exist?

Election night was a must for us. Peter had prepared his usual feast and we watched the entire night on Sky News channel.

It was the first time we didn’t have friends around to watch as the results came in.

The next morning we were bleary eyed, and apart from a few phone calls to congratulate some and commiserate with others, it was a day of reading and relaxing – and no television till later that night.

Yvonne’s Column

Turbulent childhood

Big night for Rob ■ My one big disappointment of the week was not being able to attend Rob Richardson’s installation as Master at the Freemasons Lodge in Altona.

I’m still house bound and confess I did think of using the wheel chair, but it’s still too early to go gallivanting around no matter how important.

But I was disappointed at not attending, and I know Rob was disappointed I wasn’t there too.

We’d been talking about it for so long, I almost knew the formalities by heart.

Rob and I go way back to my 3AW days and we have kept in touch through various other stations. He was my on- air partner at 94.1 FM and rang through from America weekly to the station on his recent trip.

He believes in the Freemasons and we were very excited when the Grand Master Vaughan Werner agreed to be a guest on my program.

Like father, like son ■ Most of my relatives were Masons and I’d watch, as they would meet at our house so that they could all go in the one car to their meeting.

Anyone looking through the window would have been forgiven for thinking Phillip Island penguins had come to the country; there were men in dress suits as far as the eye could see.

One of the proudest people at the Installation was Rob’s mum. Marjorie is 97 years of age and is as lively as a cricket.

She would have been so proud (look on page 116 of last weeks Melbourne Observer and see a happy Rob and Marjorie Sculley, his mum, at the Installation.) Rob’s father, Noel, was a lifelong member at Altona; in fact, he was installed 57 years ago. So, of course, his presence was felt everywhere on the night.

Veil of secrecy lifted ■ I’m pleased that the veil of secrecy of the Freemasons has been lifted to some extent.

I would, however, love to interview the author, and ask about her research.

with Yvonne Lawrence yvonne.lawrence@bigpond.com

■ Many of my relatives belonged to the Craft and I was instructed not to ask questions. And never to look in the black attaché-case which was kept at the bottom of the wardrobe. And you know, I never did.

The more I learn about Freemasonry, the more I admire the charities it supports, and the good work it does.

So Rob, congratulations, and soon I should be able to guest on your program on 88.9 FM some Monday between 3pm and 5pm.

50 Shades of Grey ■ How can I go from talking about the Freemasons to talking about a book which I read during my enforced bed rest?

A friend sent me a copy of Fifty Shades of Grey by E L James.

I didn’t buy it when was first published because romantic erotica is not my bag. But how could I refuse to read a gift. Besides I knew Jenny would want to talk about it.

I reached page 110 and I was beginning to feel like a voyeur with the turning of every page. Then I stopped reading.

But I did something I have never done before when reading a book, I turned to the last page to see how it all ended.

And be warned. It is not the book to be reading on the train or tram to work, or for the electronic books either.

It’s erotica with a capital E and should be read with asbestos gloves.

If you haven’t read Fifty Shades of Grey I wouldn’t leave it lying around on your coffee table.

And don’t lend it to your maiden aunt. It’s all that the critics say it is.

■ The other book I did read and enjoy although it did take me back to my school days, was The Mill on the Floss by George Eliot which we had to read.

I enjoyed it so much more this time. In fact. I could have been Maggie Tulliver. George Eliot describes Maggie’s turbulent childhood with a sympathetic engagement that makes the early chapters of the Mill among the most immediately attractive she ever wrote.

It’s hard to believe that The Mill On The Floss was first published in 1860. If you have not read it, I would try a book shop that sells classical literature.

It took me a while to get over Fifty Shades Of Grey and I put the book away because my mind was thinking about two people who died during the week; both gentlemen and both the top of their profession.

Memories of Raymond ■ I mourned the death of a friend and an extraordinary restaurateur, Ray Tsindos, Ray was such a gentle person and he was charm himself when he greeted you at the door of his restaurant.

We used to head for Tsindos Collins St restaurant when we worked back to order his Italian-made sausages with garlic and potato mash and rich onion gravy. Sometimes he’d get the kitchen to cook it especially for us if it wasn’t on the menu.

Such a darling man, and June his wife, just as charming. June was one of the first to take an interest in the Lost Dogs Home, and we’d talk about our love of dogs.

June was a friend before I met Ray, and I cherish the fun times we had.

Vale Keith Dunstan ■ What can I say about Keith Dunstan, a Melbourne icon. Keith was required reading every day with his A Place In The Sun column.

His books were always a great read and I’m so pleased I have most of them on my book shelves. He was a wordsmith and he could turn an ordinary experience into something to remember. We will miss him.

Distressing phone call ■ A phone call from a dear friend distressed me.

The friend has been part of our family since he

was a baby, in fact I used to bath him. If he had any problems he came to Peter and me. We became very involved in his life.

The girl he married was a delight and they were so happy – or so I thought.

So to be told that they were separating was such a shock. I didn’t ask the reason, just gave him our love and support.

The next day I was lying in bed and Moosh, my elderly cat jumped on the bed, sat on my chest and gazed into my eyes.

I was looking back at him, and I’d never really looked at him as closely before. His coat was not so sleek, his jaw was a bit slack showing gaps where teeth had been extracted and his little red tongue was peeping out. He was looking really old.

But his eyes were still as blue as cornflowers and as bright as a button. He may forget sometimes where his food bowl is, and he loses his way in the hallway, but every now and then he gallops up the stairs like a herd of elephants and leaps on the bed just to check I’m still there.

Nana meets Jennifer

■ I remember when Peter and I took over his shop and we discovered that cats roamed freely in the lane ways behind us.

One day while setting up the shop, furniture was being brought in through the back entrance when in sailed an elderly imperious, grey Persian feline lady.

She did a tour of inspection of the shop, graciously acknowledging our presence with some soft meows.

A ccording to our neighbours she would have been over twenty years of age and would have had about a hundred kittens in her time as she roamed the byways of Prahran.

She was called Jennifer. She became a regular visitor and would accompany customers around the shop, and then curl up in the window to catch the afternoon sun.

Jennifer dined on fillet steak from the restaurant next door, but decided that this was where she would live out her days.

Peter’s grandmother made a special trip to the shop one day to say goodbye as she felt her life was coming to an end.

Her mind was still as sharp as ever but her body was worn out, she said.

As she sat in the chair at the desk, Jennifer strolled up and sat at her feet gazing up at her and purring loudly.

When Peter told his grandmother Jennifer’s history and her age, Nana said “well Jennifer, I wonder which one of us will go first.”

As it happened Jennifer went first. She appeared one morning dragging her leg, and I put her in a box and drove to my vet. It was obvious a car had hit her.

Turn To Page 115

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, September 25, 2013 - Page 9

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Fear Of Missing Out

Melbourne

Observer

Court Roundsman

GRAND PRIX FIGHT Briefs Fashion

● Zoe McDonald (centre), with alter egos Lauren (left) and Anita (right) in FOMO. Photo: Sarah Walker ■ FOMO is a modern day catch cry, but what does it really mean? FOMO: The Fear of Missing Out is being performed as a solo show by Zoe McDonald and presented in collaboration with Bryce Ives and the Present Tense Ensemble as part of the Melbourne Fringe Festival on September 25-29 and October 1 - 5 at 69-71 Errol St, North Melbourne.

Commentators say we are disconnected from authentic human interaction due to social media. But is it more than that? Zoe is trying to make sense of it all, so terrified of excitement and excited by terror, she goes on a journey with only her alter egos for company.

Directed by Bryce Ives, FOMO is part comedyfantasy and part absurdist cabaret. The characters range from crazy cat ladies and Brazilian waxers to Hollywood screen sirens, and even Mel B from the Spice Girls.

Standing in the middle of it all, is a woman wanting to be an authentic human being, even if it's a little complicated. Deviser/performer Zoe McDonald is a multi-disciplinary theatre maker and core member of Present Tense.

She graduated from VCA (Music Theatre) in 2008 and has performed in works for the Melbourne Cabaret Festival, Adelaide Fringe Festival, Castlemaine State Festival and Theatreworks seasons "FOMO is both a love letter and a piece of hate mail to the world. It is an exploration of the panic we create and the choices we make in an age of duplicity and expectation.

“The fear of death, perfection, the 'plug-in' generation and an over-abundance of options," says McDonald.

Director Bryce Ives was Executive Producer of the ABC's Heywire and is Associate Creative Producer of Theatre Works, St Kilda and Artistic Director of the Present Tense Ensemble. He has taught theatre-making at the Ballarat Arts Academy and the Monash Academy of Performing Arts.

Performances: September 25 - 29 and October 1-5. Time: 8pm, Sunday 7pm. Venue: Fringe Hub Upstairs at Errol's, 69-71 Errol St, North Melbourne Duration: 50 minutes. Tickets: Full $23, Concession $18, Tuesday $15, Group $15. Bookings: melbournefringe.com.au or call 9660 9666.

- Cheryl Threadgold

Melbourne Observations with Matt Bissett-Johnson

● Bobby Galinsky ■ Bobby Galinsky, former Hollywood producer s attending the Spring Fashion and Beauty Series being held tomorrow (Thu.) at 6pm at the Queen Victoria Building Women’s Centre.

New Year ■ Marina Prior and James Morrison will be the headline acts at the New Years Eve concert at Hamer Hall being staged by the 65-piece Australian Philharmonic Orchestra.

Judge ■ Former 3AW presenter Steve Price, who failed with the Melbourne Talk Radio experiment, took Friday night off from his Sydney radio program on 2GB, making way for Andrew Bolt’s first solo show. Price was a judge for the AFL Media Association awards (see Footy Week).

■ Members of Save Albert Park Inc have lost their legal case against the Australian Grand Prix Corporation.

Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal Senior Member Ian Proctor said that evidence fell well short of that would could support a finding that the Corporation had engaged in illegality, impropriety, sharp practice or wrongdoing.

Allegations could not be sustained that the Grand Prix Corporation sought to mislead the public or anyone wlse in estimating Grand Prix attendances.

Save Albert Park Inc joined Joan Logan in the action. Mr Proctor noted that the Albert Park roadway was originally designed as a racetrack, then used as a local road, with the Grand Prix race held every year since 1996.

Local residents had complained about the presence of the race, trafic congestion, barricading of the area for the duration of the event, ad loss of amenity through the “ear-splitting” noise of the Formula One cars.

Ms Logan applied under the Freedom Of Information Act for details on how the Grand Prix Corporation estimated crowd numbers, and details of staf involved and their qualifications.

Save Albert Park Inc says the event is a waste of public money and that fewer people attend that is stated.

Peter Hough said the methodology in calculating crowds was “secret”. He said competitors aiming at discretionary spending of consumers included organisers of football, tennis, soccer, rugby league, V8 supercars and horse racing.

Visit to MyMP

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

‘Be careful what you wish for’, Clive ■ Those Australians who regarded Clive Palmer as an arrogant boof, may be entertained by the news that he has won the first count for the Federal seat of Fairfax by 36 votes.

So, if the re-counts confirm this, Clive will be Canberra-bound, and be obliged to meet the responsibilities of an MHR. He will need to file a register of pecuniary interests, and be expected to actually attend every bor● Clive Palmer ing sitting of Parliament.

Cold-old Canberra will be his home for 18-20 weeks of the year while Parliament sits, on average 11 hours a day. His annual base salary will be $195,130, quite a demotion from his current hourly rate. With the Federal Coalition holding its majority, his personal vote and voice can afford to be virtually ignored ... except if the Palmer United Party vote is not needed in the Senate.

Clive Palmer will be one of 150; a backbencher, not the main man. He cannot delegate his attendance in the Parliament to an employee. His Parliamentary term would be expected to be over three years.

Do you reckon Clive will last the distance?

■ The Kilmore-based North Central Review tells its readers that “all items submitted for consideration for publication in Thumbs Up, Thumbs Down must be signed and include the address and telephone number of the writer. This information is not for publication but is required under the Newspaper Act.” The Barrel has tried but cannot find any such legislation under that name.

Melbourne-wide

● Steve Price

● Diana Trask was a guest on Glenn Ridge’s MyMP radio program last week. Diana called in on Glenn at the Richmond studios that house MyMP and SEN 1116.

News Briefs ■ Rolf Harris, 83, will plead not guilty to nine counts of indecent assault of two underage girls in the 1980s. He is accused of digital penetration of both victims, and oral sex with one, as well as touching a victim's body not in the genital area. He appeared in Court in London on Monday.

■ Gippsland’s Garden and Home Expo will be held at L ardner Park, Warragul, from 9am-4pm on Saturday-Sunday, October 12-13.

■ The New Melbourne Jazz Band will perform at The Victorian Jazz Archive, 15 Mountain Hwy, Wantirna, at 1pm on Tuesday, October 8.

■ A 62-year-old Clayton angler has been nabbed by plain clothes Fisheries officers at Mordialloc.

They allege the fisherman had an illegal snapper haul.

■ Melton Mayor Cr Kathy Majdlik is cancelling the annual Mayoral Ball, and donating the budgeted $20,000 to charity.

■ Warrants have been issued for City of Port Phillip residents owing fines. The value of the warrants exceeds $55 million.

■ Dendy Village Dental, and director Julie Parker, have been fined $20,000 for underpaying junior Cassie Norrish.

Mr Francis Thistleton ■ We are saddened to report on the passing of Mr Francis Aloysius Thistleton of Albury on Saturday (Sept. 21). His family were by his side at Mercy Palliative Care Centre, Albury.

He was husband of Kath. He was father of Terry and Michael, Anne and Greg, Janet and Rob, John and Karenne, Barbara and Pat. He was grandafther of Bridget, Patrick, Elizabeth and Dara. Daniel, Timothy and Dominique, Patrick and Jaide, Caitlin and Kieran. Amy, Stephanie, Jonathon and Georgia. Erin, Claire and Nich. Ben, Timothy, Liam, Lily and great-grandfather to Grace.

Mass will be celebrated at St Patrick's Catholic Church, Smollett St, Albury at 2.30pm on Friday, (Sept. 27). The cortege will leave for Glenmorus Gardens Lawn Cemetery, Union Rd, North Albury.

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Page 10 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Melbourne

Observer

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

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Melbourne

Observer

Ash On Wednesday

SO LONG RON

■ Collingwood Football Club has lost life member Ron Richards at age 85.

He was a past player, assistant coach, match chairman and Magpies Board member.

Ron had a bit to do with the Observer when our offices were at Newton St, Richmond.

Ron ran the nearby Prince Alfred Hotel in Church St. In those days it was normal for Observer reporters to have a sevencourse lunch: at least six beers and a pie.

Ron always struck me as an even more canny businessman than his brother, Lou, who ran the Phoenix Hotel in Flinders St, close to The Herald & Weekly Times Ltd.

In the bag

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

Cheque/Money Order/Credit Card

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● Ron Richards

Long Shots

editor@melbourneobserver.com.au

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

Observer Treasury Thoughts For The Week

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.

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

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

Save Vic. Police bands

Give us our daily bread ■ The Fair Work Ombudsman is targeting Victorian bakeries in its latest campaign to ensure workers are being paid correctly.

Fair Work inspectors will audit 160 independent and franchisee-operated retail bakeries including in Ararat, Ballarat, Bendigo, Colac, Daylesford, Echuca, Geelong, Gisborne, Horsham, Inverloch, Lorne, Mansfield, Mildura, Mornington Peninsula, Ocean Grove, Phillip Island, Shepparton, Sale, Traralgon, Wangaratta, Warrnambool and Yarrawonga, a source revealed.

■ Long-time Long Shots readers know that we are fans of paper bags.

Recyclable paper bags make much more environmental sense that plastic bags.

But even the simple paper bag have become ‘statements’. Ferguson Plarre Bakehouses now have this message printed: “We have taken a positive step towards global warming by choosing to use Australian-made carbon neutral certified paper for this bag.”

Isn’t the fight against global warming aimed at reducing ‘hot air’?

Observer Mailbag

■ “It is nice to be important, but it is more important to be nice.”

■ “We can give advice but we cannot give the wisdom to profit by it.”

Observer Curmudgeon ■ “A committee of three gets things done if two don’t turn up.”

Text For The Week ■ “This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

- Psalm 118:24 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).

IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT COURT REPORTS Contents of Court Lists are intended for information purposes only. The lists are extracted from Court Lists, as supplied to the public, by the Magistrates’ Court of Victoria, often one week prior to publication date; for current Court lists, please contact the Court. Further details of cases are available at www.magistratescourt.vic.gov.au The Melbourne Observer shall in no event accept any liability for loss or damage suffered by any person or body due to information provided. The information is provided on the basis that persons accessing it undertake responsibility for assessing the relevance and accuracy of its content. No inference of a party’s guilt or innocence should be made by publication of their name as a defendant. Court schedules may be changed at any time for any reason, including withdrawal of the action by the Plaintiff/Applicant. E&OE.

■ The announcement by the Police Media Unit on Friday, September , of 'cuts' to the Victoria Police Bands has taken many people by surprise.

In fact it's fair to say, it was probably timed to be eclipsed by the Federal Election coverage minimising community awareness, public scrutiny and official probity.

I contacted Victoria Police Executive Management for an explanation.

Inspector Margaret Lewis responded with an incredulous story of tight budgets, frontline demands, mission statements and current environments.

The truth is the Victoria Police have record staffing levels, the largest Budget in their history and are better resourced, equipped and trained than in any time in it's history.

Sadly it appears Police Executive Management are grossly 'out of touch' with the invaluable service that Victoria Police Bands provide in fostering excellent public relations, engaging communities, fundraising for charities and supporting crime prevention programs.

The decision by the Executive Management was undertaken without due consultation with the Victorian Government, Police Association members, Police bandsmen or the public.

The Victoria Police bands amount to less than 0.3 per cent of Police personnel and if wrongly sacrificed, would not in any way improve crime statistics or public safety.

The issue is to discussed and reviewed in the coming weeks by the Minister for Police, Kim Wells, and Police Commissioner, Ken Lay. It's hoped the unpopular, unjustified and unnecessary decision will be reversed by the end of the month.

- Thomas Quinn 1 / 1 Park Avenue, Morwell tmmquinn@live.com.au ■ Editor replies: Perhaps, in line with other government departments and major corporations, it is time for Police members with an interest in music to provide it to the public in their own time. Nothing stops Police members forming their own private bands whether they be mainstream, pop or pipe - and even sourcing sponsorship funds from the public. I am sure there would be public-spirited people likeTom Quinn prepared to put their money where their trumpet is.

Short Shots ■ An Observer reader says she bought a bag of three magazines from her local newsagents: Scrapbooking Basics, Australian Scrapbook Creations and Scrapbooking For Beginners. The Universal Magazines publication were advertising events in 2010!

■ Some 34 complaints have been lodged against Melton Shire Councillors in the past four years. None have resulted in prosecution.

■ The Bendigo Weekly has a series of ‘house’ advertisements with the theme: “Your Local, Bendigo jobs, not Indian.”

■ Glen Eira’s sporting organisation, GESAC, is suing building contractor Hansen Yuncken for $3 million.

■ The old-fashioned use of ferrets is being successful in ridding historic Werribee Park of rabbits.

■ Facebook stories about abductions in Epping and Mill Park are a hoax, according to Police.

■ And social media stories about dogs being stolen for fights in Seaford and Dromana are also thought to be bogus.

■ Scotchmans Hill Group winemakers have been placed into receivership, reports The Weekly Times.

■ Stock and Land rural newspaper is to celebrate its centenary in 2014.

■ Owners at the car meet held at Caribbean Gardens Scoresby were surprised to receive defect notices from Police.

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, September 25, 2013 - Page 11

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Confidential Melbourne

Talk is cheap, gossip is priceless

RETAIL WORKER UNDERPAID $56,000: OMBUDSMAN

Bitch Melbourne’s Secrets

‘Coach’ revealed

■ The Fair Work Ombudsman has launched legal action against the owner-operators of a Melbourne industrial clothing business, alleging they underpaid a young employee more than $50,000.

Facing Court is Greenvale couple Fardin Soleimani and Beverly Janet Soleimani, who operate a number of building and construction clothing retail outlets in Melbourne under the name 'Bad Workwear'.

It is alleged the couple underpaid a young fulltime employee who worked predominantly at the Bad Workwear outlet at the Northland

● ‘Bad Workwear’ facing legal action Shopping Centre, in store manager. It is alleged Preston, $56,850 between the underpayments are the May 2010 and November result of the employee being paid flat hourly rates 2012.

The employee was aged ranging from $10 to $16 for 18 to 20 at the time and all hours worked, despite worked as a junior sales regularly working more person for several months than 50 hours per week, inbefore being promoted to cluding performing 12-hour shifts without a meal break and working weekends and public holidays.

The payments allegedly were below the minimum hourly rate and led to underpayment of penalty rates

NEW POLICE UNIT MONITORS SPORT

for weekend, evening, public holiday and overtime work.

It is also alleged the employee's laundry allowance, annual leave entitlements and superannuation entitlements were underpaid.

A Fair Work Ombudsman investigation identified the alleged underpayments following a complaint from the employee.

Fair Work Ombudsman, Natalie James, said the large amount involved and the fact that the allegations relate to a young, vulnerable worker and the failure of the employers to rectify the alleged underpayments were key factors in the decision to commence legal action.

A directions hearing was listed in the Federal Circuit Court in Melbourne last Thursday (Sept. 19).

Rumour Mill

Whispers

Claim

■ An award of damages has been made to former prisoner, Jason Craig Wilkinson, in a claim against a private prison operator.

The award money, excluding legal costs and medical expenses, has been paid into the Prisoner Compensation Quarantine Fund, where it will be held for a period of 12 months.

To Court

■ Foster’s Australia Ltd has requested a Registrars’ pre-hearing conference to allege a civil claim of “monies due” against Luke David McKird.

The hearing is scheduled to be held today (Wed.) at 10.30am at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court.

Leaving ● ‘Coach’ (Geoff C Field) ■ Have you ever wondered about the identity of ‘Coach’, the enthusiastic radio newsman who reports on sports events around the nation.

Meet Geoff C Field, based in Melbourne, has who has been an integral member of FM station news teams across Australia. Geoff is orginally from Forbes.

“Coach out.”

Cardigan wearers beware ■ Mark Baker, The Age's Editor-at-Large, has told Crikey newsletter that he rejects an adverse Australian Press Council ruling on his reporting.

The Press Council adjudication found Baker erred by not contacting Slater and Gordon for comment on serious allegations.

"This finding is flawed and illogical - like so much of the work of the ● Mark Baker Press Council."

"While the Council prohibits reporting of its meandering deliberations ... the council would be greatly improved if they banned people with a preference for cardigans and twin-sets from membership," Baker said.

Hear It Here First

Press Council into action

● Det Sgt Kieran Murnane with Racing Victoria’s Special Investigations steward Tim Robinson.

■ With the Spring Racing Carnival just around the corner, Victoria Police has established the Sporting Integrity Intelligence Unit to work with other agencies to investigate issues across all codes.

The unit is part of the State Intelligence Division Intelligence and Covert Support Command, says Police Life magazine.

Det Sgt Kieran Murnane says there is a growing sense of vulnerability about sporting identities and illicit drugs, and performance- and image-enhancing drugs.

“Analysis tells us that of all the identified Victorian sporting players and club employees, four per cent have a criminal history recorded within the state, with 24 per cent of the offences committed being assault related,” Det Sgt Murnane said.

“Elite athletes are vulnerable to organised crime infiltration and we have seen examples of sporting identities from interstate and internationally being involved with illicit drugs, performance and image enhancing drugs, and having links to organised crime.”

■ The Australian Press Council jumped into uncharacteristic fast action when the left-wing Independent Australia reported that the APC judged Fairfax had “fabricated” stories over the AWUGillard report (see Mark Baker story, at left). The Press Council fired into action this week, saying “some websites” had misrepresented the APC.

Warning on scammers ■ Melbourne newsman Artie Stevens says one of the latest scams by bogus door-to-door salespeople is to ask for the ‘NMI’ number on your electricity bill.

Having this number allows the crooks to transfer your account to another power provider without your permission.

One householder, Irene, says her mother received a bill from Electricity Australia, without ever signing with them.

● Hamish McDonald ■ Newsman Hamish McDonald’s departure from Network 10 is perhaps not as “amicable” as it has been publicised.

‘Damages’

● Artie Stevens

E-Mail: Confidential@MelbourneObserver.com.au

■ Bev Marks Chadstone Pty Ltd is due to allege a civil claim of ‘damages’ against North Lodge Holdings Pty Ltd, at a pre-hearing conference scheduled from 9am today (Wed.) at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court.

Page 12 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, September 25, 2013

■ When I was working as a ‘lolly boy’ at the Grand Picture Theatre in Coburg during the early 1950s I thought that Rory Calhoun was the most handsome man in films.

He was a rugged, tall, blue eyed hero with jet black hair. Rory Calhoun was great in the cowboy films.

Francis Timothy McCown was born in 1922 in Los Angeles, California, and was of Irish descent.

When he was 13 he stole a revolver and then committed a series of crimes which led to a threeyear prison term.

He was in San Quentin before he was released in 1933. Francis later credited the Catholic priest, Fr Donald Kanally, with changing his life for the better.

He worked at a number of jobs before being spotted by Susan Ladd who was an agent and also the wife of the famous actor Alan Ladd.

In 1945 he began working in films at Twentieth Century Fox and his first line was delivered in the Laurel and Hardy film The Bullfighters.

His big break came in 1945 when he was cast in the film The Great John L. where he played the boxer Jim Corbett - at that time he was billed under his real name of Frank McCown.

His stage name was originally changed to Troy Donahue before he settled on Rory Calhoun.

He was cast in films such as Adventure Island, That Hagen Girl and ATicket To Tomahawk

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Whatever Happened To ...

Rory Calhoun

By Kevin Trask of 3AW and 96.5 Inner FM as his popularity continued to grow. He apparently had a stormy relationship with the French actress Corinne Calvert and one stage they were talking about getting married.

Although Rory was a ladies man in his younger years he did marry the Mexican singer Lita Baron in 1948.

He played the pilot in With ASong In My Heart and said in later years that he learned a lot from working with Susan Hayward.

Rory made two major films with Marilyn Monroe: How To Marry A Millionaire and River Of No Return.

Rory was cast in many films and eventually formed his own production company. In 1957 he starred in the highly successful television series

● Rory Calhoun

The Texan. In 1971 he married the Australian journalist Sue Rhodes after being interviewed

by Sue in London.

Toni Lamond was a friend of the couple and made Rory his first Christmas pudding at a thanksgiving dinner at the Calhoun's home in Los Angeles during 1975.

Toni also appeared in an episode of the television series Starsky and Hutch with Rory.

Over the years Rory Calhoun guest starred in hundreds of American television shows.

Sue and Rory divorced in 1976.

His last film role was in the 1992 country music film Pure Country.

Rory Calhoun died in California in 1999 at the age of 76 from emphysema and diabetes after being hospitalised for 10 days.

He was the father of five daughters.

His funeral service was held at the Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Beverly Hills.

- Kevin Trask The Time Tunnel - with Bruce & PhilSundays at 8.20pm on 3AW That's Entertainment - 96.5FM Sundays at 12 Noon 96.5FM is streaming on the internet. To listen, go to www.innerfm.org.au and follow the prompts.

THORNY DEVIL IS MY FAVOURITE ■ There are a couple of joyous events to witness in the Centre with the arrival of Spring.

First, Winter has gone, and days are just glorious before the summer heat.

And those halcyon days are the harbinger of another wonderful event.

They lure the lizards out.

They think that the black bitumen of the highway is a big warm rock, ideal for sunning oneself on as the sun greets the desert day.

They're not very road-wise, but fortunately most motorists are, so they carefully avoid them - it's only an occasional squashed reptile that's encountered.

Apart from the odd snake, there are Central Australian blue-tongues, bearded dragons, tiny desert dragons, a couple of species of goanna, including the huge and proud Perentie, and, of course, the thorny devil.

He's my favourite! They slowly walk along with a distinctive jerky movement, on their way to locate a few thousand more ants, and are easy to spot against the black bitumen.

I'm sure I became somewhat of a hero amongst their ‘tribe’ when I was there. Every time I saw one on the Lasseter Highway on my way out to the Rock, I would stop the car and carefully place it in the desert out of harm's way!

I even encountered one pair mating in the middle of the road on one journey, with a third one looking on - I felt it was my duty to be a spoil-sport and interrupt this reptilian orgy, and duly relocated them.

■ I have often seen chain gangs at work in American movies - with miscreants out of their jail cells, chained together in groups, working on the rural roads, watched over by a shotguntoting guard.

The same thing, to a lesser extent, happens in Alice Springs. The prisoners who are seconded for this activity are a bit less recalcitrant, because they're not chained together.

However, they are let out in groups to work on the roads, picking up litter and tidying parks. The guards don't wave guns around though!

It's interesting to see that they always seem to be glowing with good health, mainly because they are fed well and don't drink inside, whereas members of their extended families on the outside usually look anything but healthy, and are often the worse for wear from the grog.

The Outback Legend

with Nick Le Souef Lightning Ridge Opals 175 Flinders Lane, Melbourne Phone 9654 4444 www.opals.net.au Now it has come to pass that the NT Government has initiated its ‘Sentenced To A Job’ scheme, whereby low security prisoners can work on public and private projects.

So some are being trained up to work at the potash mine at Curtin Springs, 250 kms south west of Alice, just before the Rock.

Apparently the company had been struggling to find workers, so this has worked well.

It also gives the prisoners a bit of self-esteem, they reckon, which also isn't a bad idea.

They get $60 a week spending money; the rest goes into a trust fund to use when they are released.

Working in the salt mines in the NT - great idea.

■ Last year I reported on a controversy involving John Mcdouall Stuart, the famous inland explorer of the 1800s, after whom the highway is named.

Artist Mark Egan, Ted's son, was commissioned by the local Freemasons, one of whom is my mate Les Pilton, to celebrate the 150th anniversary of his achievements.

It was to be finally displayed on the Council lawns, but a glitch immediately arose, and protests were organised.

It's still unclear what the protest was about. It seemed to be white/black/stolen land related, because many of the protesters were Aboriginal, but it was never properly spelled out.

Then there may have being a firearm issue -he is holding a rifle in the statue. "He lived off the land, shooting his food," noted Mark. "So his gun's an integral part of his story."

Whatever the reason, he's still in Mark's yard, and political procrastination still goes on and on.

"They can leave him!" said Mark "He looks quite good standing there."

■ Further on from last week there is good news. There's been a photo taken by a remote sensor camera - a Central Rock Rat! It's on the Critically Endangered List and had been presumed extinct, but he was snapped out at Haasts Bluff.

It hadn't been seen there are since 1960, and there are hopes that there may be more of them on other remote Aboriginal lands.

And, again in the same vicinity, there is evidence of the rare Blackfooted Wallaby, not seen since 1991.

Again, an important find.

There's a consortium of groups getting together to employ more local Aboriginal rangers to carry out further investigative work.

The Central Land Council, the Department of Land Resource Management - Flora and Fauna Division, and the Anangu Luritjiku Rangers are teaming up to undertake a predator baiting program next year.

The target?

What else - bloody cats!

■ Bureaucracy again. The Ghan railway runs twice a week, and there are other freight trains regularly on the same line. These services are worth about $100,000,000 annually.

And this is not to mention the tourism goodwill from overseas visitors, and the knock-on effect of tourism business in Alice Springs.

Part of the line runs through the Woomera Prohibited Area, which is needed by the Defence Department for its activities. So what do they want to do? Close the whole area, including the railway line, for 70 days a year, completely disrupting everything

and everyone! One would think that there'd be a way of organizing things so that a mere train running briefly through at 100-kmh could be worked around.

Maybe set a bomb off a few minutes later, or away from the track a bit.

The whole prohibited area that they have got to work with is 124,000 square kilometres -that's about the size of

bloody England. So you'd reckon they've got a bit of room to manoeuvre!

Before the recent Federal Election there were concerns expressed by the then shadow minister concerned, so hopefully this can be nipped in the bud with the change.

How mind-numbingly stupid.

- Nick Le Souef ‘The Outback Legend’

Victorian Whip-Around

Foul smell at Long Forest ■ Long Forest residents are again battling a noxious smell in the area that they are attributing to Victoria Wool Processors, reports Kate Taylor of The Moorabool News.

Wangaratta Council sacked ■ Satte Parliament has given bi-partisan support to the Rual City of Wangaratta Council’s sacking, passing the Bill through both houses of Parliament last week, meaning councillors will cease acting in their roles within two weeks, reports the Wangaratta Chronicle. Mayor Rozi Parisotto and her six fellow councillors can keep their titles for the time being and will act in a caretaker capacity until the Governor makes their sacking official.

Embattled clubs face ultimatum ■ Tatong, Swanpool and Goorambat Football Netball Clubs have been given the choice to merge or bow out of next year's Ovens and King Football Netball League competition, reports the Benalla Ensign.

Ex-Colac player in AFL Grand Final ■ Former Colac footballer Luke Hodge has booked a spot in his third AFL Grand Final after leading Hawthorn to a preliminary final victory, reports the Colac Herald.

‘Ice’ addiction warning at Warragul ■ Magistrate Clive Alsop has warned the West Gippsland community it is are facing a "sociological catastrophe" if the use of addictive drug ice is not curbed, reports the Warragul Gazette.

RSPCA disappointed with penalty ■ An Echuca man who failed to provide appropriate treatment to his sick dog was not punished enough, according to the RSPCA. Robert Wesley Symons pleaded guilty in Echuca Magistrates' Court to failing to provide appropriate treatment to a sick dog, reports the Riverine Herald.

On bond for growing marijuana ■ Bruce Rae, 69, of Norlane, grew seven cannabis plants so he would have a supply of marijuana when he moved into a retirement unit, a court has heard. He has been placed on a bond and ordered to pay $500, reported the Geelong Independent.