Melbourne Observer. 120328A. March 28, 2012. Part A. Pages 1-26, Pages 39-46

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SOPRANO OF THE MOMENT Page 47

FR BOB LAUNCHES BOOK Page 6

‘FOOTY WEEK’ LATEST Page 62

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Observer ISSN 1447 4611

■ James Rohan is congratulated for his Commendation for Brave Conduct Award with fellow Johnny B. Goode crew members at Sandringham Yacht Club (back left) Patrick Chipp, Jarad Cavanagh and skipper, John Chipp. Missing from photo is Stephen Barker. Cheryl Threadgold has the full story on Page 9.

Photo: Malcolm Threadgold

STOP PRESS: LATEST RADIO RATINGS - PAGE 50

Page 2 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, March 28, 2012

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Melbourne Observer

W hen you lose someone you love you don’ don’tt need someone telling you how it is is..

You need ggenuine enuine empathy and sup port. support. ement details You need clear arrang arrangement details..

You need things done the way you want.

Most of all you need to ffeel eel included - lik amily. likee a ffamily.

How do we know?

Because that’ hat we do that’ss w what do..

T ender Moments - Tender Care

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Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, March 28, 2012 - Page 3

Breaking News

SNAKEBUSTERS MAN BUSTED: GOVT. SUSPENDS LICENCES ‘I am satisfied that the Applicant (Hoser) is not a fit and proper person to hold or retain the subject licence, authorsation and approval’ - Judge Pamela Jenkins

Soprano of the moment

● Siobhan Stagg will perform Pie Jesu at St Mark’s Anglican Church, Fitzroy, this Sunday. Julie Houghton has all the details on Page 47.

It’s All About You!

Melbourne

Observer In This 64-Page Edition

Proch Thoughts: Susan Riley ................ Page 4 News: Melb. lawyer fined $10,000 ....... Page 5 Melb. People: Fr Bob launches book ...... Page 6 Melb. Confidential: Priceless gossip ....... Page 9 Di Rolle: Why I love ‘Before The Game’ . Page 10 People Pix: Bakini-Laurent lunch .......... Page 11 Long Shots: Talking with the dead ........ Page 12 Yvonne Lawrence: Life and Style .......... Page 15 Melb. Extra: Normie Rowe profile ......... Page 16 Observer Readers Club: Latest news ..... Page 18 Observer Showbiz: Circus Oz ............... Page 47 Julie Houghton Cheryl Threadgold Jim Sherlock Aaron Rourke

Observer Showbiz

AFL, BANK IN COURT

■ The Australian Football League is listed in a Melbourne Magistrates’ Court case tomorrow (Thurs.) against Westpac Banking Corporation.

The ‘miscellaneous complaint’ application, case number C10683661, is due to be held at 9.30am.

Easter break ■ The Melbourne Observer will be published as normal on April 4. An edition will not be published on Easter Wednesday (April 11), allowing our news and advertising team to have a mid-year break.

● Raymond Hoser, as shown on his Smuggled.com website ■ Raymond Hoser has lost his application to have commercial wildlife licences suspensions lifted.

Hoser went to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal, and asked Vice President Judge Pamela Jenkins to overturn the suspensions put in place by the Department of Sustainability and Environment.

The DSE suspended Hoser’s wildlife demonstrator’s licence, authorisations to conduct venomous snake handling courses, and approval to use wildlife in a TV production.

The Department told the Tribunal that Hoser had been convicted of offences under the Wildlife Act, and breached licence conditions in a demonstration at the Melton Shopping Centre last year.

Hoser had “demonstrated a contempuous disregard for licence conditions over an extended period of time; has conducted his demonstrations with more regard for entertainment than education; and has placed his viewing public at unreasonable risk”.

The DSE relied upon expert opinion of Melbourne Zoo senior veterinarian Dr McCracken, wildlife manager Ronald Waters, photo and video footage, and a “continuing pattern of behaviour to earlier Tribunal and Court appearance”.

Hoser argued he was under control of his snakes at all times, that his demonstrations were not sensational, and he was in accord with licence conditions.

Vince Lovegrove

● Vince Lovegrove ■ I was very sad to hear of Vince Lovegrove’s passing, I remember him in the early days of Melbourne’s music scene.

Everyone knew Vince, and if they didn’t he made sure they did.

He loved rock n roll and the music scene loved him. He wrote for Go Set newspaper, and a magazine called Immedia, and he seemed to know everything about music.

He was a constant presence on the scene, at ATV-0 in those days, during the early teen shows and always at parties and being very active in the ‘scene’.

I remember he sang with Bon Scott and introduced him to the band. I remember he had a lot of sadness in his life losing his wife and child.

He wrote a book about Michael Hutchence and said a few things about my mate Paula Yates and I remember I distanced myself from him at that point.

He was in an intrinsic part of the music scene in Australia and was certainly a pioneer of those early days.

He had a great smile, Vince.

People like Vince Lovegrove only come along once. He was one of a kind.

Vale Vince and your passion.

- Di Rolle

Latest News Flashes Around Victoria

Facing rape charges ■ Darren McKenzie, 45, of Haddon, senior Army officer, has been bailed from Ballarat Magistrates’ Court on three charges of rape. McKenzie is also to face 20 other charges.

Prayers for parents ■ Prayers for the murdered parents of Wodonga priest Canon Glyn Rees were offered at a service at Holy Trinity Anglican Cathedral on Sunday.

Trevor and Laura Rees, both 84, were found dead last week at their home in Benoni, an old gold-mining town about 20 kilometres east of Johannesburg.

Mike McColl Jones

Top 5 THE TOP 5 SIGNS THAT MELBOURNE MIGHT BE BECOMING THE ‘CRIME CAPITAL’ OF AUSTRALIA. 5. Kids are taking violin cases to school and there's no music teacher 4. It's not unusual to find a ransom nore in an empty lunch box 3. Teachers stand behind shields 2. The local school paper has an obit column 1. Kids are taking a lawyer with them to Confession

Page 4 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, March 28, 2012

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Mark Richardson ♥

Straight from the heart

E-Mail: mark@localmedia.com.au

DEPUTY LORD MAYOR SUSAN RILEY Portico Thoughts SUSAN RILEY Deputy Lord Mayor ■ Susan Riley is the current and twice-elected Deputy Lord Mayor of Melbourne.

Married, mother of three and grandmother of nine, Susan is a successful businesswoman.

With a career in publishing and the media spanning some 25 years, Susan is highly regarded for her strategic thinking as part of the leadership team at Council that continually makes the City of Melbourne even more vibrant, liveable, safe and world-renowned.

Our Deputy Lord Mayor is without doubt one of the busiest people in Melbourne, and in true Susan Riley fashion, has made time for an exclusive Porch Thought interview for the Melbourne Observer on the grand 'Portico' at Town Hall.

You are the Deputy Lord Mayor and magazine publisher, how do you juggle your time?

I publish 16 magazines a year in total which includes 3004 News, 3008 Docklands and the City Living Guide.

I've always had the ability to manage my time well, and some days yes, I do throw all the balls in the air and catch one or two!

I believe one of my strengths is never to take life too seriously and always see the fun side.

This famous Portico overlooking Swanston Street is truly part of Melbourne's brilliant history. What is your most memorable occasion as Deputy Lord Mayor enjoyed on the Town Hall portico?

There are so many wonderful memories; I especially love the Melbourne Spring Fashion Week events on the Portico as the atmosphere is at its most vibrant. Another special memory is when the Lady Mayoress' Corporate Committee had their first Cocktail Party on the Portico late last year. To see the girls all frocked up and enjoying the ambience of the evening was just pure magic.

Looking out over the Portico at the Christmas decorations and hearing the trams dinging away, all add to the magic of our city.

Who would you most like to officially spend time with on the Town Hall Portico and why?

Princess Mary of Denmark, as

● City of Melbourne Deputy Lord Mayor Cr Susan Riley when she visited Melbourne last year many years of experience yet a youth- tors are reporting an impact on their businesses. she showed so much enthusiasm for ful business approach.

What is one key issue that is chalThe City of Melbourne inherited our city, I would enjoy showing her the precinct in the second decade of the view and pointing out the build- lenging you at the moment?

As with any new urban renewal its development, sometimes causing ings that you can see from the Porproject, we are facing challenges in frustration with the pace of change. tico.

We are working on community inWhat are you best known for in Docklands, but I definitely see a frastructure such as a new library, and your role as Deputy Lord Mayor? bright future ahead.

Although it is not a City of community development projects to My ability to engage with all people; I have an affinity and pas- Melbourne project, delays with the build a stronger sense of belonging, sion for Melbourne and I believe I observation wheel are proving diffi- but we must remember that it is only am an open-minded person with cult and retailers and tourism opera- half finished.

Because of its waterfront location - unarguably one of the finest in the world - I am confident it will turn around and flourish into a vibrant, thriving part of Melbourne in the future.

I understand you are a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Director of Procurement Australia and a Director of Tee Up for Kids. At the City of Melbourne, on what council committees do you regularly sit?

Off the top of my head, there are a few: Melbourne Spring Fashion Week Advisory Board, Melbourne Awards Advisory Board, Melbourne Retail Advisory Board, Melbourne Arts Trust Board, Police Community Consultative Committee, Inner South Metropolitan Mayors Forum, City of Melbourne Audit Committee, Moomba Advisory Board, and cochair of the Lady Mayoress' Committee.

Being part of these Boards gives me a great insight into how our constituents feel about our events.

I do have a couple of favourites I enjoy the Melbourne Awards and Melbourne Spring Fashion Advisory Boards.

Speeches and presentations are one of your core strengths; as Deputy Lord Mayor I understand on some days you are invited to make breakfast, lunch and dinner speeches. How do you prepare for such a day?

I am fortunate to have the assistance of a speechwriter and a PA who provides the background for the speeches and the research that goes into my preparation for these events.

Do people often stop you in the street and suggest ideas to present to Council?

Yes, they do! They see me as a Council representative who can cut through the red tape to get a quicker decision or to assist them in the issue they have.

I receive several letters requesting assistance and I always get a great deal of pleasure being able to help them.

What is your 'Porch' Thought of The Day? Being a Publisher and the Deputy Lord Mayor, the word 'deadline' takes on a new meaning.

I love deadlines and especially like the sound they make as they go whooshing by ... !

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, March 28, 2012 - Page 5

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Observer

Breaking News

Financial Planning

MELB. LAWYER FINED $10,000 Briefs John wins ■ John Hamilton won the lifetime achievement award at the Melbourne Press Club Quill Awards at the weekend.

The Gold Quill was awarded to The Age journalists Nick McKenzie, Maris Beck and Tom McKendrick for their exposé of the illegal sex trade.

● John Hamilton

■ Solicitor Rodney Lamplugh has been fined $10,000 after purporting to have witnessed mortgage documents when he had not done so.

Lamplugh faced the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal after proceedings were brought by Legal Services Commissioner Michael McGarvie.

As well as the $10,000 fine, Lamplugh was officially reprimanded, and ordered to pay$4183 costs.

VCAT Senior Member Jonathan Smithers heard that Lamplugh had purported to witness the signature of John Kettyle when he had not done so.

He had also purported to witness a statutory declaration ands a mortgagor’s acknowledgement, and had signed a solicitor’s certificate, certifying matters that were not correct.

The Tribunal heard that the documents were related to mortgage documents that John Kettyle andf his nephew Sam were purchasing at Hanslope Ave, Alphington.

Lamplugh pleaded guilty to four charges of professional misconduct.

The matter came to light when John Kettyle made a complaint several years later to the Legal Services Commissioner.

Melbourne

People John Spencer

● John Spencer ■ John Spencer, the Secretary-Treasurer of The International Sinatra Society, has passed away.

John purchased his first Frank Sinatra recording in the 1940s and remained a loyal fan of his music throughout his lifetime.

In the early 1970s John migrated to Australia from England. He joined the society in 1981, became a committee member in 1988 and took over the role of secretary-treasurer in 1995.

At the funeral service, the President of the Societ,y Mark Girdwood, paid tribute to this gentleman and his work in preserving the memory of Frank Sinatra.

John was made a life member in 2009.

The funeral was well attended and the family members spoke about their love for John. He was a Richmond supporter and the Tigers theme song was played along with two special songs by Frank Sinatra, Don't Worry About Me and From The Bottom Of My Heart.

There was a special story about how John couldn't get tickets for the sell out Tom Burlinson Sings Sinatra concert last year.

Tom heard that John was ill and arranged four complimentary tickets for him. Tom dedicated a Sinatra song to John during the show.

I had known John for many years and he will be sadly missed. He was constantly thinking of others.

Our sympathy is extended to his wife Rhonda and all the family.

- Kevin Trask

Music in Geelong with Jon and Andrew Rancie of Rancie McLean Financial Planning Level 4, 420 Collins Street, Melbourne Vic 3000 Phone: 9671 4990

Dollar Cost Averaging Does It Work?

● The Australian Youth Orchestra is returning to its roots when 55 of Australia's most talented young musicians descend on Geelong to particpate in the AYO Young Symphonists program.

Over eight days the musicians, aged 12 17, will work intensively on a variety of repetoire and then present one special concert on Saturday, April 14.

‘MISSED IT BY THAT MUCH’

■ Melbourne taxi driver Mahad Samatar has missed out on obtaining two taxi cab licences, because he was minutes late delivering a bank cheque to the Victorian Taxi Directorate.

Already the operator of two wheelcahir accessible taxi cabs, Samatar applied for further licences, and had met virtually all the phases of the application process.

The final stage of the process was to deliver the payment of the first annual instalment by 4.30pm on September 13.

Samatar arrived at the Level 23 office of the VTD, at 80 Collins St, a few minutes after 4.30pm. He was denied access and could not make his payment.

Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal Judge Timothy Ginnane and Senior Member Jonathan Smithers affirmed the decision to refuse the application by Samatar.

The Tribunal was told Samatar was to have paid $24,878 for each vehicle, the first of 10 annual instalments.

Samatar said he had trouble raising the cash at short notice, had obtained the bank cheque at Ascot Vale just after 4pm, and thought to VTD office was open until 5pm.

Samatar had already ordered the two cabs, and would have to sell them at a loss, it was argued.

Valuable lessons can sometimes be lost due to emotional responses created from short-term volatility and disruption. It can be so frustrating!

One of the most straightforward strategies that can be utilised to assist client portfolios in times of high frustration and volatility is that of dollar cost averaging.

Dollar cost averaging is an investment strategy that can be used with any investment. Dollar cost averaging involves investing equal monetary amounts regularly over specific time periods (such as $100 monthly) in a particular investment or portfolio.

By doing so, more shares are purchased when prices are low and fewer shares are purchased when prices are high. The point of this is to lower the total average cost per share of the investment, giving the investor a lower overall cost for the shares purchased over time.

The really interesting thing with dollar cost averaging actually works better in volatile markets rather than those that gradually increase.

As investors we all prefer markets like those from 2003 to early 2008 when despite the odd “market correction” along the way the overall direction was pointing up.

Since the start of 2008 and the global financial crisis volatility has been ever present. 1% to 2% swings on a regular basis have coursed a significant amount of stress but interestingly enough some of us have become a little conditioned to it!

That’s a discussion for another time.

An example of a dollar cost averaging strategy is where $100 is invested over five time periods.

The market price of the investment begins at $10, falls to $7.50, falls further to $5.50 before bouncing back to $11 before settling back at $10. In other words the market over the five investment periods has ended where it started.

The bad news about dollar cost averaging is that some times you will be buying into a market at high prices although you will also be buying in at low points, which is where you essentially make your money.

In this case, at the end of the period by dollar cost averaging the investment portfolio was worth $606. Keep in mind, $500 was invested and the market ended where it started.

Girls meet for lunch If you had invested the same amount in a market that rose steadily from $10 in $1 increments to $14, you would have had a portfolio worth close to $591.

The average cost of the dollar cost averaged portfolio was $8.25 compared to $11.83 for the gradually increasing market.

What we quickly learn here is less about the end portfolio value and more about overcoming our natural behaviour. We generally feel good about investing when markets are trending up steadily.

Markets that are volatile unsettle us and create doubt about the wisdom of investing and have us second-guess our decisions.

A disciplined investment approach like dollar cost averaging helps overcome that natural behavioural that wants us to try and time the market, which is fraught with danger.

As always, if you would like to review your personal financial situation we would be happy to meet with you initially, at our expense.

Jon & Andrew Rancie are Authorised Representatives of Australian Financial Services (AFSL: No. 297239)

● Rita Erlich and Clemence Harvey were pictured at the BakiniLaurent Perrier media luncheon. More pictures on Page 11.

Photo: Mark Richardson

Note: In this article we have not considered your personal situation nor your goals or objectives. You should not base your future investment decisions on the content of this article. Before you invest your hard earned money you should consult a Financial Adviser and have your situation reviewed, clarified and agree to a strategy for investing for the future.

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Page 6 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Greener way ■ Ballarat real estate agent Peter Greenaway has been appointed as Commercial Sales Manager for The Green Energy Shop, which specialises in supplying solar power, solar hot water, LED lighting solutions, domestic and commercial, pellet heating and wind turbines.

People Melbourne

Send news to editor@melbourneobserver.com.au

Ararat author thanks Archangel Michael

See you at the theatre

Fax: 1-800 231 312

Fore!

■ Victorian Authorised Newsagents’ Association members lined up last week for a Golf Day at the Keysborough Golf Course for an Ambrose Tournament.

VANA’s own Cameron Mullenger impressed with a shot from the 18th hole that landed onto nearby Hutton Road.

Zoe celebrates rowing heats

■ Production Company Chairman Jeanne Pratt will announce the 2012 season at a lunch-time invitation-only function being held at her Raheen masion in Kew today (Wed.).

Full details in next week’s Observer.

● Jeanne Pratt

● Wesley College student Zoe Castran (centre) competed in the heats of the Head of the Rowing rowing at the weekend, despite back injury. Zoe is pictured with her parents, Paul and Megan Castran.

Bella Notte ● Michael ■ Ararat author Lee Gibson says her book was written because the Archangel Michael kept nagging her to write it.”

The Last Pathway Home, published by Balboa Press, has a message “to always believe and to know you can do anything you wish, if you have faith in your angels”.

The Last Pathway Home is a self-help guide that takes readers through a spiritual journey to overcome difficulties and tragedies with the help of their angels. Readers are then placed on the pathway to love. Gibson labels herself as a ‘spiritual healer’.

■ Ben Clark, of The Ten Tenors, is fronting promotions for Ivanhoe Grammar School’s major 2012 fundraiser, Bella Notte at the Plaza Ballaroom, to be held on Saturday, August 25. We are told Bella Notte translates as ‘place to eat’.

Dance band Big City Beat will also perform on the big night.

● Frank Woodley caught up with 3AW’s Donna Demaio at the start of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.

Photo: Jim Lee

Masons invest Grand Master

Mousetrap

The Catholic Hour

● Bob Jones (centre) was installed as the Grand Master of Victoria’s 13,000 Freemasons at a ceremony held at the Dallas Brooks Centre, East Melbourne, on Friday night. He is invested into the office by Grand Secretary Peter Henshall and Past Grand Master Vaughan Werner. In a world first, the ceremony was broadcast live on the web, with Melbourne Tv man Barry Minister directing.

More details on Page 49.

■ The cast to play in Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap will include Robert Alexander,Travis Cotton, Linda Cropper, Nicholas Hope, Jacinta John, Gus Murray, Justin Smith and Christy Sullivan.

The show will run at Melbourne’s Comedy Theatre from August 30.

The classic ‘whodunit” opened on London’s West End in November 1952 and has since played more than 24,000 performances.

The Mousetrap is the longest running show of any kind in the world and continues to delight audiences to this day at London’s St Martin’s Theatre.

Tickets go on sale this week through Ticketmaster.

● Fr Bob Maguire last week launched a new book, The Postie And The Priest, written by his former postman Ron Burrows. The priest was pictured with Christian Wagstaff and Natalie Grosby at the Avenue Bookstore in Albert Park. Photo: Sue Deenim

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Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, March 28, 2012 - Page 7

Page 8 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, March 28, 2012

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Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, March 28, 2012 - Page 9

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Confidential Melbourne

Talk is cheap, gossip is priceless

The Observer’s Cheryl Threadgold tells a moving personal story

■ The distant cry "man overboard!" alerted skipper John Chipp to an emergency. He thrust the engines of his yacht Johnny B. Goode into full power and headed towards the cries for help.

It was the afternoon of September 29, 2010 and competitors were returning to the Sandringham Yacht Club in inclement weather after the weekly Wednesday Wonders race.

John's crew members Patrick Chipp and Jarad Cavanagh (both aged 14), Stephen Barker and James Rohan, were immediately assigned tasks to deal with this emergency.

James Rohan was spotter at the bow and saw a sole crew member on the yacht Kia Orana frantically pointing to the location of his skipper, Bernie McPhee, unconscious in the water, approximately 75 metres away.

John attempted to manoeuvre his boat close to Bernie, but the rough conditions risked running over him.

When Bernie's head became submerged, James Rohan requested permission to jump into the icy, choppy water to render assistance. This incredible act of bravery saved Bernie's life.

Last week the Australian Government recognised James's bravery by announcing he will be presented with a Commendation for Brave Conduct Award at Government House. The citation reads: On the afternoon of September 29 2010, during a sailing race, a man fell overboard into rough sea at Port Phillip Bay. The crew of a nearby yacht began a search.

After locating the man, one of the crew members, Mr Rohan, dived into the sea and swam about 20 metres to reach the victim, lifting his head out of the cold choppy water.

Mr Rohan assisted the man for about 15 minutes until he could grab a rescue rope for the man.

The crew then dragged the man back to their yacht and pulled him onboard. The rope was then thrown to Mr Rohan, who was also dragged onto the rescue yacht.

After returning to dock, Mr Rohan was treated for hypothermia and the victim was hospitalised for six days.

Bernie McPhee, skipper of the Kia Orana, is my brother. He had fallen overboard after being rendered unconscious by a blow to the head from the boat's boom.

He is only with us today because of the selfless bravery of James Rohan and the skilled, mighty efforts of John Chipp and his crew.

Congratulations to James on receiving a welldeserved Bravery Award. Our family also sends sincere and heartfelt thanks to all Bernie's rescuers. We are so grateful to you that he is still here.

- Cheryl Threadgold

DRUG GROWER LOSES BID FOR LESS PRISON

■ Vantin Marku, who pleaded guilty to cultivating and trafficking cannabis, and theft of electricity, has failed to have a minimum four-year jail sentence reduced.

Marku appealed to Supreme Court Judges Buchanan, Bongiorno and Williams, sitting as the Court of Appeal.

Marku admitted leasing a threebedroom house in Newcastle St, Preston, using the alias ‘George Papas’. He paid the rent monthly.

He fled when Police raided the property, but was arrested in a laneway beside the property.

Police found a sophisticated hydroponic plantation in two bedrooms. There were 14 female plants, ranging between 1.9 and 2.4 metres in height, with a net wight of 32.5 kilograms.

The flowering heads weighed about 14.3 kg, and about 3.6 kg air dried.

Police also found a bag containing cannabis with unidentified material.

The Court that Marku and accomplice Anna Karoutsis leased a property at Waterdale Rd, Bellfield,

Whispers

Passing

● Renee Scott ■ Melbourne’s entertainment world is in shock with news of the passing of St Kilda identity Renee Scott.

Toot! under false names. The house was also set up to grow cannabis hydroponically.

Police raided that house and found 25 cannabis plants weight 8.27 kg. An electrical by-pass was used to circumvent the meter, which meant that Australian Gas Company (AGL) was not paid for electricity it supplied.

Properties were also rented in Doncaster Rd and Wetherby Rd,

Doncaster. Police said some offences were committed whilst Marku was on bail.

The 46-year-old refugee from Kosovo, said he had been unemployed and smoked cannabis.

He complained that his sentence was manifestyly excessive. The cooffender received a lesser term.

The Judges said his circumstances were markedly different, and dismissed the appeal.

Rumour Mill Hear It Here First

Bitch Melbourne’s Secrets

Ricky’s Real Estate ■ Troubled ex-AFL player manager Ricky Nixon is promoting the sale of 15 apartments at The Habitat in Clarke St, Southbank. Nixon says he took out an option on 25, with the cheapest on sale for $395,000.

Nixon promises he can help by “providing immediate finance ... through Podium Finance”.

Black humour ■ Melbourne celebrity John Blackman had his own take on the Quuensland election held at the weekend: “What's the difference between the Queensland Labor Party and a Tarago?”

“Nothing - they both have only eight seats!” ● John Blackman

■ Fo o t s c r ay could have its own Puffing Billy style railway tourist attraction, according to the Maribyrnong Leader local paper. Two trains have been restored and enthusiasts want to run the service around former VLine tracks.

Telstra tracks complaints

To Oprah

■ Telstra appears to be admitting that many of its Bigpond clients just cannot get through by phone to its Technical Support team.

Telstra’s computerised answering system now recognises the phone numbers of customers who have been kept on hold, and hang up in frustration after long waits.

The system recgnises the number, whether it be unlisted or not, and puts those callers in a priority queue on their next attempts.

The Melbourne Observer has repeatedly tried to contact Bigpond Technical Support over the past week. On one occasion, Telstra shut down its system without prior warning for more than two hours overnight for an ‘upgrade’.

‘Upgrade’ ... or ‘up yours’?

● Megan Castran ■ Toorak woman Megan Castran has jetted to the US, to meet up with celebrity Oprah to attend the TV star’s ‘life classes’.

Quick Rumours ■ Hampton RSL sub-branch is struggling for revenue and members. There may be a merger with Beaumaris RSL. ■ Yarra Ranges Council looks likely to back down on the inroduction of a local law that would have restricted ownership of guinea pigs. Local kids would have been restricted to two per household.

■ The City of Greater Shepparton’s Cr Milvan Muto is being accused at VCAT of misconduct.

E-Mail: Confidential@MelbourneObserver.com.au

Ooops!

■ There were red faces after a local paper printed an ad that offered Chandon nonvintage bottles for $5 each at K Liquor. Price should have read 2 for $40.

Page 10 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, March 28, 2012

It’s Di Rolle’s birthday on Thursday!

To

Di Rolle is heard most Mondays with Andrew McLaren on 3AW, just after the 1am quiz.

Di

Footy’s religious fervour

I love my job!

For ‘BEFORE THE GAME, I LOVE IT!

■ In true Aussie spirit we farewelled Jim Stynes yesterday (Tues.).

No words can explain such a farewell.

The ritual itself spoke volumes. It was well deserved.

And this magnificent game of ours will continue on and how excited am I that Before The Game is back on air for this footy season.

Best show on television in my book, I love nothing better than settling down in front of the tele on a Saturday night after a hard week in the office at 6.30pm on Channel Ten. Is it all right for me to say that I tape it when I go out and can’t wait to see it!

It’s such a fun program, an intelligent program, and the panel just perfect and I don’t care what people say about Mick Molloy he makes me laugh a lot out loud.

Sam Lane is a font of AFL knowledge and her manner with the many footballers she interviews in the studio to be admired.

Always the lady.

So clever

■ In my book Dave Hughes just gets better and better and is a fabulous component of the Before The Game panel. In its tenth season are comedians Mick Molloy and Dave, the Stephen Fry of the Sports WorldAndrew Maher, the spunky and ever so clever with stats and knowledge like her father Tim Lane the lovely Age sports writer Sam Lane, the guy who is like everyone’s brother including mine, Ryan ‘FItzy’ Fitzgerald and the very bright Anthony ‘Lehmo’ Lehmann.

with leading Melbourne publicist DI ROLLE

● The Before The Game team: Andrew Maher, Anthony ‘Lehmo’ Lehmann, Sam Lane, Dave Hughes, Mick Molloy and Ryan Fitzgerald.

I’m for the pub to stay ‘Tool of the Week’ popular Lord Of The sometimes is a highlight for me Rings characters,like ashamed of the busi- open. and I for one would Frodo and Gandolf. ness I’m in. What They have promRecently Stella pointless self-defeat- ised Stella they will be like to nominate Jason Akermanis for last Roberts, the owner of ing bullying!” over to visit as soon as But it turned out Fry the film has finished! week’s ‘Tool of the the pub received a letter from the franchise- did a lot more than just Week’!

Now that’s the Set your timers rights owner to change post comments on Stephen Fry I know.

Saturday 6.30pm, Be- many of the pub’s fea- Twitter.

A marvellous man.

He and fellow Britfore The Game – tures or face legal action for infringing on ish thespian Ian Channel Ten, Must see viewing. Best copyrights and trade- McKellan paid the marks! franchise company show on tele!

Stella revealed that the money necessary ■ John Stewart and she couldn’t re-design the pub and also couldn’t afford the ex■ I can hear my edi- pense fee to keep the tor saying “Oh No Not name. another Stephen Fry” In other words, her story”. only option was to shut Last year when I the doors to the pub. worked with Stephen The outrage Fry, I was so enam- sparked a Facebook oured with him I was page, which now has forever writing about 60,000 followers and him. got the attention of soHaving not written cial media guru a Stephen Fry story all Stephen Fry, who is year I have one I can’t playing the Master of resist telling!

Laketown in The A few weeks ago I Hobbit movie being heard about a pub in shot in New Zealand.

England called The The actor sent a Hobbit. tweet for which he is Apparently it had most famous, he has been around for more over 3.5million Twitter than 20 years. followers, re the closIt has been serving ing of the pub. cocktails called after ● Fiona O’Loughlin It said” “Honestly,

Laughing

Enamoured

Stephen Colbert are men who make me laugh. Chelsea Handler and Fiona O’Loughlin are women who make me laugh.

When Alice Springs mother-offive Fiona O’Loughlin started doing comedy later in life than most comics, her hilarious stories of housewiferyand motherhood were an immediate hit.

Her first festival show, for example Fiona And Her Sister (And Some Weird Guy) earned her the Best Newcomer Award at the 2001 Melbourne International Comedy Festival (MICF as it is fondly referred to).

She’s been enjoying sell-out seasonson the festival circuit ever since.

In 2006 she took home the Piece of Wood, an MICF Award for funniest show as voted for by other comics.

In 2007 and 2008 she was nominated for the MICF’s prestigious Barry Award for Best Show.

Fiona has taken her story-based standup around the world, headlining LA’s worldrenowned Improv Comedy Club, playing repeat seasons in Hong Kong and performing at Edinburgh Fringe, Montreal’s invitation only Just For Laughs and the UK’s oldest, Leicester Comedy Festival.

Fiona’s also been a hit on the telly, she is currently co-hosting The Circle three days a week, she has had many guest appearances on Good News Week, Spicks and Specks, The World Stands Up and a heap of comedy galas including one next week prior to Melbourne International Comedy Festival 2012.

● Garry Lyon ■ I love football. I was raised in a house in which football was the glue really that kept my house sane.

My father loved the Tigers, my mother the Hawks, football was on television all the time.

Posters of Richmond footballers adorned by brother’s bedroom and names like Ron Barassi, Jack Dyer and Paddy Guinane, Brendon Edwards and Bob Davis were as familiar to me as if they were part of my family.

Just as I coloured in pictures of Jesus with his flock on Sundays at Sunday school, I knew the names of all the AFL captains, rucks and full forwards.

I think I knew what “chewy on your boot” and “a push in the back” was before I could say the alphabet!.

I loved it and wouldn’t have missed it for the world. It’s in our DNA, I jump to its defence when I am interstate and I relish explaining the game to visiting actors and rock stars.

I totally get the whole religious fervour of the AFL. The loss of Jim Stynes is palpable and its important – it allows grown men to grieve and heroes to be put in place.

It allows men like Garry Lyon speak as he did so eloquently in the opening of The Footy Show last Thursday night and speak from his heart.

There is something rather wonderful about seeing people like Garry Lyon speak their truth and show their vulnerability and sadness at the loss of someone they loved.

Really loved. Makes me proud of my fellow men, my Aussie male tribe.

Thank you Garry for speakingas you did.

It showed honesty and mateship in its rawest form.

The Divine Miss O ■ In more recent years and it’s no secret Fiona O’Loughlin has overcome a welldocumented ‘battle with the bottle’.

This, like the other aspects of her life, has become ‘material’ for her stand-up. She is a wonderful woman, and she is even funnier sober.

Comic, writer, broadcaster, presents her show in this year’s MICF 2012 The Divine Miss O Melbourne, I say to you this is your chance to see Fiona’s all new show.

I am so looking forward to this – so, she has deconstructed her style, borrowed a little from Bette Midler and Cher, and engineered a self-styled rebirth to emerge with a whole new lease on life!

All new material with an all new focus, this is Fiona’s first ‘premiere’ in Melbourne since A Wing And A Prayer toured Australia to critical and public acclaim.

2011 saw Fiona storm through Melbourne, Adelaide, Montreal and Edinburgh grabbing critical acclaim and sell out shows – I will not be missing this new chapter in her comedic body of work!

I always take away something from Fiona’s shows, she allows us so closely into her life in her performances, I learn something new each time.

Her reviews are brilliant – “Disgracefully funny show!” Chortle UK’ “Comedy gold …extremely funny” The List UK. “This is a must see show” Scotsgay.

Her dates are March 29-April 3, 9.45pm Forum Theatre (8.45pm on a Sunday). April 9-16; 9.45pm, The Hi-Fi Club (8.45pm Sunday) . All Mondays; 8.15pm, Melbourne Town Hall.

Tickets: $32 full/$25 concession (excl Saturdays) / $27 Laugh Pack 6 people or more / $24 Tightarse Tuesday / $22 preview shows.

Bookings: www.comedyfestival.com.au

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, March 28, 2012 - Page 11

Melbourne People

Bakini and Laurent Perrier Special Luncheon Photos: Mark Richardson

● Clemence Harvey, Albert Dadon and Jenny Brookes

● Paul Best and Christopher Hayes

● Blake Hutchison and Jess Glasson

● Maurizio Barrottu and Gilles Champanay

● Lyndall Tennant with Jenny Brookes

● Kate McGhie with Bakini owner Albert Dadon

● Head chef Richard Wills and Bevan Garrett

● Jane Rocca with Mark Richardson

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Page 12 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, March 28, 2012 Melbourne

Observer

The Best Columnists

TALKING TO THE DEAD Right hand man

Our Doors are Open!

Meet Freemasons Victoria Deputy Grand Master, Hillel Benedykt

■ Melbourne used to ridicule self-styled ‘clairvoyant, psychic and business consultant’ Tom Wards.

The Scot would offer his predictions in the Australasian Post magazine, and radio programs including Leigh Drew’s 3AK Nightwatch.

“I don’t understand how he keeps going when he’s nearly always wrong,” said one sceptic, after it was calculated Tom’s predictions had an 8 per cent success rate.

Tom claimed 85 per cent.

She did invite attendees to register for her newsletters.

And, of course, there is a website with DVDs ($20 plus postage), the Dedicated To The Afterlife book ($25), the Team Spirit Speaks book ($25), and the Trilogy Gift Box Set ($65).

Returning to theme: “first name personalisation” is available on all purchases.

arted her show by saying she had made a connection with ‘Mary’, and purported to offer evidence of Mary’s link with one of those present in the auditorium.

In the case of ‘Mary’, and every other contact, one of the audience members would volunteer that it was their relative ... often as distant as a grandfather’s sister.

There were tears and raw emotion as people believed they had made contact with departed loved ones living on in spirit form.

Big business

● Louise Hermann ● Tom Wards ● Hillel at the front of Freemasons Victoria HQ, East Melbourne One of the grandest ceremonies in Freemasonry took place last Friday evening, with the grand installation of Freemasons Victoria new leaders Grand Master MWBro. Bob Jones and Deputy Grand Master RWBro. Hillel Benedykt.

The installation was held at Freemasons Victoria headquarters, the Dallas Brooks Hall in East Melbourne (and in a first, broadcast live on the internet), where 1200 members of the public and Freemasons alike witnessed Western-suburbs born and raised business owner Bob Jones become Grand Master with IT executive Hillel Benedykt becoming Bob's right hand man as Deputy Grand Master.

Bob will serve a two-year term in office as Grand Master in which Hillel will automatically become Grand Master in 2014.

Hillel has been a Freemason since 1975 after his father's own membership sparked his interest.

Since becoming a member, Hillel has seen many changes in Freemasonry he is in favour of.

"We've really started to move away from the secrecy element that surrounds Freemasonry - a subject that is close to my heart," says Hillel referring to the mystique surrounding the Craft.

"Freemasonry used to be something that wasn't discussed openly, even among wives and partners," says Hillel.

"Today this is not the case. Before men are admitted, we make a point of asking whether their family members know and are supportive of their membership. The need for family support is known from the beginning."

Hillel points out that in this internet age, it is possible to find out anything and everything you want to know by doing a simple search.

"The flip side of this openness is, of course, the associated inaccuracies."

One thing is for certain: Freemasons Victoria is dedicated to educating the public and banishing myths.

In March - or as it is known to all Victorian Freemasons - 'the Masonic Month of Celebration,' the doors of Grand Lodge were flung open on more than one occasion.

"The Open Day held during the Labour Day Weekend was a great way to introduce interested members of the public - men and women - to Freemasonry and of course, for prospective members to ask the hard questions," says Hillel.

"On such an occasion it is very difficult to still say Freemasonry is a secret society - it's just not true."

Next week's column: The March Masonic Month of Celebration continues.

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

Spirit world ■ What amused us most about Tom was that he claimed to be able to connect with “the other side”, putting his paying customers in touch with their lost relatives.

“Is there a Maggie, a Heather, a Moira?” Tom would ask callers across the talkback radio waves.

Interestingly, most of the names had a Celtic heritage ... just like Tom. A similar thing happened on Saturday night when Sydney-based ‘psychic medium’ Louise Hermann conducted a two-hour public session in Carlton.

Most of Louise’s spirit world connections on Saturday night were Anglo with common names: Kate, Tom, Ted, Mary, John, Paul, Jen, Chris, Scott and Joe.

Leap of faith

● Jonas Nightingale

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”

■ In the Hollywood film Leap Of Faith, actor Steve Martin plays the role of faith healer Jonas Nightingale on his Miracles And Wonders bus.

He talks his way out of a speeding ticket by accurately guessing the name of Cathy, estranged daughter of the traffic cop.

Long Shots could not help but think of Jonas, when we handed over our $20 for Louise’s session at the quaint New Council Chamber at the Trades Hall.

There were less than 30 in the audience, only four or five of them being men.

‘Other side’ ■ Louise Hermann certainly could not have been doing it for the money on Saturday night.

She had taken out a quarter-page ad in an inner-city newspaper to promote the ‘mediumship event’.

The ad, hall hire, travel and accommodation for she and sister Tania would have been much more than the $600 takings.

Louise repeated consistently that she had completed more than 400 of these public demonstrations of ‘healing’.

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.

● ‘Team Spirit’

Vibrations ■ Louise Hermann started Saturday night’s session explaining that the departed worked on a different, faster frequency and that she was ‘clairaudience’ ... able to hear identities “on the other side”.

Hermann explained that all material things disappeared in the spirit world. Yet, surprisingly, one of the identities she introduced was a man in a military uniform.

In another contact, a woman was said to have “her own house” on the other side.

Connections ■ Louise Hermann st-

● Psychics Directory ■ Many of the audience seemed vulnerable. The women and her daughters who believed they had been living a ‘cursed’ life.

The mother who had lost her infant child, and wanted desperately to make contact.

The lonely.

But, as Louise Hermann explained, everyone in attendance was there as a result of their own free will.

Louise’s work takes her to the US and the UK later this year. It appears to be big business.

Observer Treasury Thought For The Week

■ “Hardening of the heart ages people more quickly than hardening of the artieries.”

Observer Curmudgeon

■ “Man is the only member of the animal kingdom that apologies - or needs to.”

- The Buloke Times

Text For The Week

■ “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

- Romans 8:38-39

Publishing arrangements ■ The Melbourne Observer will be published as normal on April 4. An edition will not be published on Easter Wednesday (April 11), allowing our team to have a mid-year break.

Free reader ads are available in the Melbourne Trader section of the ‘Melbourne Observer’

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, March 28, 2012 - Page 13

Page 14 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, March 28, 2012

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, March 28, 2012 - Page 15

Melbourne

Observer Life & Style

HOW SHOPPING HAS CHANGED ■ I don’t find any enjoyment in shopping these days.

Shopping with my mother when I was a kid was like going through the looking -glass with Alice. Great fun!

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

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

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

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

Yvonne’s Column

Mum dressed for an outing

with Yvonne Lawrence

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

Greedy landlords put up the rents to a ridiculous amount and the shopkeeper has no alternative but to vacate. It’s poetic justice that the shop often remains vacant for many months, and the landlord loses his rent.

So shopping has changed for me.

I miss the service that was all included.

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

Buying fish from a fishmonger is the way to go. I wanted scallops and instead of going to my fishmonger I thought I’d save time and buy them from the supermarket.

The fellow behind the counter sported a label on his uniform which told me his name and that he was the ‘Manager’, but when I asked him a question he replied, “ I wouldn’t have a clue, don’t know anything about fish” really set me back. This would never have happened a few years ago.

I always knew when my mother was going to town because the hat and gloves came out.

She dressed for the occasion.

Personal service galore ■ Two mechanics were on hand at all times. I sometimes wondered if they slept at the garage. Peter discovered that they did indeed work into the night doing mechanical repairs on the side.

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

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

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

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

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

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

It’s all changed. The specialty shops have gone.

The ham and beef shops, where the staff wore long white pinnies tied high up on their chest, gave way to the delicatessen. But the delicatessens have almost all disappeared and given way to a deli section in the supermarkets.

It’s just not the same anymore.

Nothing can beat the sight of salamis, hams and big fat sausages hanging up on hooks around those old delicatessens. And huge rounds of cheese sitting on marble slabs covered in white muslin.

You could ask for a taste, in fact, in most of those Italian delis in Carlton, you could chomp your way through not only different cheeses but wonderful salamis and Nona’s home-made lasagna.

yvonne.lawrence@bigpond.com

and only Chinese café in the area. I remember there was always a queue waiting for their orders. The homemade dim sims were simply a must.

It was never a chore to take your own saucepan.

Peter would go in the car and he’d make the selection.

I set the table, and boiled rice that would be ready when he arrived home.

It was an inexpensive meal, and oh, so delicious.

Nobody thought it strange to take your own containers.

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

I used to bump into Peter James from 3AW and we’d share a bit of goss.

Taste of nostalgia ■ That’s was living in 1970’s suburbia!

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

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

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

I don’t want to go all over the place looking for a cake shop, or in today’s lingo a ‘patisserie’. It’s not often I buy cakes, but sometimes, in a fit of nostalgia, I crave a vanilla slice or a lamington, and unless I make them myself I go without.

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

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

Standing with saucepan

Melbourne Observations

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

I used to buy a big circle of bread and by the time Peter and I arrived home we’d eaten half, so delicious and fresh it was.

Where have all the haberdashery stores gone?

I wanted some hooks and eyes the other day and I couldn’t buy any. The supermarket had cards of velcro, and the local two-dollar shop had press-studs, but not what I wanted.

Remember when we took our saucepans to the one

with Matt Bissett-Johnson

News Briefs ■ Tim McGowan, 44, of Clayton, has been fined $2000 after racially abusing Sri Lankancricketers, toppling one and punching another, at his 14-year-old son’s first senior game.

■ The Toolangi Forest Discovery Centre will close, as part of the State Government’s cost-cutting measures.

Is it a sign of age?

■ Shopping for butter and cheese when I went with her to her favourite ham and beef shop was terrific. I was told to stay still and keep quiet, but the lure of the sawdust on the floor was too much for me. I tried to make patterns with my foot, but the hands won. And Mum won because I was punished.

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

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

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

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

But soon an Aldi store will open. Whoopee!

Vale Jim Stynes May the road rise to always meet you May the wind be at your back May the sun shine on your face And rains fall upon your fields May God hold you in the hollow of his hand.

Jim was a Prince among men, an extraordinary man and a wonderful human being who made an incredible difference to all those he touched.

We mourn his loss and send love to his family in this their time of deep sorrow.

- Yvonne

News Briefs Nappies

■ It is not so many years ago that entire generations of mothers would use cloth nappies.

They would not dream of the disposable items.

The inner-city Stonnington Council will be holding a Cloth Nappy Information Evening tomorrow (Thurs.) to educate parents at East Malvern.

Go ahead

■ Supreme Cour t Judge Osborn has given the goahead for logging at three coupes at Toolangi. A Healesville-based conservation group contended that the logging was illegal and threatened the habitat of Leadbeater’s possums.

Old fella

● Rod Gregory ■ After winning national TV fame on Australia’s Got Talent, comedian Rod Gregory is on tour and will perform at The Heritage Bar and Grill REeceptions, 514 High St, Epping this Friday (Mar. 30) Bookings can be made on 0400 081 440.

Page 16 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, March 28, 2012

■ Normie Rowe has had the most fascinating career as a rock and roll singer in Australia. His life story is so interesting that a forthcoming stage musical has been written which is titled Normie.

He has not enjoyed great success overseas, but in Australia Normie Rowe is a show business legend.

Norman John Rowe was born in Melbourne in 1947 and began singing at an early age. Normie wanted to be a rock and roll singer after watching his idol Col Joye perform on the television show, Bandstand.

Normie formed a group in his teenage years and began singing at local dances. Like myself, he joined the PMG to train as a technician in 1963 and worked at the Brunswick depot.

I learned that arriving late for work in a taxi each morning and his long hair were issues that resulted in the decision to leave the PMG and concentrate on being a full-time singer.

I would catch up with Normie Rowe again in later life for radio interviews.

Normie was a regular performer on television shows such as Teen Scene and The Go Show.

Ivan Dayman signed Normie to Sunshine Records and his first single It Ain’t Necessarily So backed by The Playboys became a top 10 hit across Australia.

His recording success continued with hit songs such as Que Sera Sera, It’s Not Easy and Shakin’All Over.

In 1966 Normie went to the UK to try and

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Whatever Happened To ...

Normie Rowe

By Kevin Trask of 3AW and 96.5 Inner FM break into the pop scene. He recorded one of his big hit songs Ooh La La in London and toured with many of the famous singing artists in the UK. He also toured the US as a support act to Roy Orbison.

In 1967 Normie was called up for National Service in the Army and served in Vietnam.

Normie rose to the rank of Corporal and has been an advocate for Vietnam Veterans for many years. We are very proud of him and all those that served in the Vietnam War. When Normie was discharged in 1970 he resumed his singing career working in clubs and television.

He studied drama at The Ensemble Theatre

● Normie Rowe in Sydney which led to an ongoing role in the television series Sons and Daughters and guest roles in various television series over the years.

I saw him in the Sydney production of Les Misérables and I still say he was the best Jean Valjean I have ever seen.

He has performed in many stage musicals

during his career. In recent times Normie played Harold Holt in the telemovie The Prime Minister Is Missing.

Normie seems to generate his own publicity with the controversial fight with Ron Casey on The Midday Show in 1991 and then the recent supermarket television commercial when he sang Shakin’All Over.

Normie is a survivor in show business and lets hope he is around for many years to come.

He has been a great supporter and worker for The Variety Club. He has received many awards during his career and he was crowned Australia’s King of Pop at the age of 17.

Normie was awarded the Order of Australia (AM) in 1994. In 1998 his image was on a series of postage stamps to commemorate the greats of Australian popular music.

He was inducted into the Australian Recording Industry Association Hall of Fame (ARIA) in 2005.

Normie Rowe continues to tour Australia and has been the leading act on the successful Long Way To The Top and Go Show concerts.

- Kevin Trask The Time Tunnel - with Bruce & Phil– Sundays at 8.30pm 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.

ONLY IN THE NORTHERN TERRITORY

■ My phone rang just as I was about to dial out.

"Are you watching the ABC?" we said in unison.

"Absolutely!" from both of us.

It was Keith McGowan - we were both checking that we were watching the Lake Eyre special which culminated in the tragic helicopter crash.

Keith and Angie and I had been out to check on the lake on its first fill in 2009.

We were all in Coober Pedy at the same time, and had decided to witness this momentous event, so our first port of call was Peter Rowe, of ‘Mail Run’ fame, who knows the area intimately.

Unexpectedly he threw some keys to Keith, and, indicating the Land Cruiser: "On your way!"

So out we bumped, through William Creek, then another 60kms across a black soil plain until the track turned white and smooth and sandy, indicating the lake's proximity.

And there it was, birds aflitter, glistening and sparkling in the Outback sun! An icon I'd always learned about in Geography at Sorrento State.

I've seen more spectacular, more beautiful lakes elsewhere in the world, but to an Aussie with even a smidge of red sand coursing through his veins, this was it!

■ I've often spoken about the many town camps dotted around Alice Springs, their squalour and poverty, the parlous state of their dwellings, and the often hopelessness of their inhabitants.

And I've often read of, and sometimes been in, gated communities where there's an armed guard at the entrance to accept only residents or invitees.

What a juxtaposition - there's a call for this policy to be introduced to Alice Springs town camps.

The CEO of the Aboriginal health organisation, Congress, (our phone numbers were almost identical so daily I would receive calls from people in distress seeking assistance) just noted that the spate of recent serious assaults, plus a murder, needs to be met with some action.

"We believe that many town camps need to become gated - with security guards on the gate around the clock to ensure that unwanted alcohol and dangerously drunk people can't get in.

The Outback Legend

with Nick Le Souef Lightning Ridge Opals 175 Flinders Lane, Melbourne Phone 9654 4444 www.opals.net.au “We need tougher measures to reduce alcohol supply so people get less drunk less often."

It is so sad that this state of affairs seems to continue unabated. I've been witnessing all this for the past 20 years, and nothing's changed.

■ Alice Springs has always been a balloon mecca. Its still sunny mornings have always ensured this.

There always seems to be some lighter-than-air object soaring aloft!

When I was there Dave Liniger and his US ReMax real estate mates were intent on setting a world record by soaring to the stratosphere.

Luckily conditions were never perfect, because in hindsight they realised a certain death would have greeted them.

And morning after morning I would trot out to witness some weather or scientific balloon soar into the heavens.

Most of NASA's balloon research is done from Alice. There's a treaty which guarantees this, and it's just been extended for another decade.

Now the Japanese space agency,

JAXA, has moved in. They are securing a deal with Canberra to conduct their own research from Alice.

Their initial research will only last five weeks, but obviously there'll be more.

This particular episode will inject about $50,000 into the local economy.

Alice Springs traders love these visitors! They always needed to take some sparkling opal trinkets home with them!

Dave Liniger brought about 90 colleagues out with him, for about a month.

Now that was a prosperous few weeks!

■ Didn't take long! During his recent visit to the Top End, President Obama pledged that there would be more US troops stationed in the Territory.

And the first of these, about 250, arrive in the next couple of weeks.

And this will gradually increase to about 2500 by 2016.

Both Darwin and Alice Springs residents are accustomed to US personnel of some species or other being their near neighbours.

US citizens who are employed at Pine Gap in Alice generally stay for a couple of years, but some just never leave.

During their stay they are model citizens, and often the wife, or occasionally the husband, of the Base employee will seek employment elsewhere in town.

It's often the case that the voice at the other end of a phone enquiry to a local business or Government department will have a US accent.

They fit into the local social and sporting scene, and most locals will usually have some US friends.

Of course there are those who fear this ‘invasion’ - "a rise in sexual attacks and other violence," one Greens senator recently warned of.

I didn't notice much of this in my 20 odd years! Just quite a few good drinking buddies!

■ Australia-wide, police are often alerted to a possible traffic legal indiscretion by out-of-the-ordinary highway behaviour.

With respect to an over- indulgence in alcohol, the signs are all too often tell-tale - driving slowly and deliberately, erratically, windows wide open on a cold night with radio blaring, blinkers on.

● On the road to Pine Gap near Alice Springs

Mine was midnight with no lights on! However, in the NT the eccentric is often the norm.

In this particular case, the norm was exceeded - the 4WD in question was towing a dead donkey along the road!

The driver was Sam, the 13-yeardold son of a professional shooter, Leigh Kent, whose uncle had asked him to come up and shoot a few dingoes which had been attacking his cattle.

This father and son had been doing. Then the dead donkey was spotted - such an opportunity could not be let go to waste, so they planned to tow it to a nearby waterhole to set up as a ‘bait’ to entice the dingoes in.

So Sam left his dad at the station for a camp, and drove out to collect the donkey and reposition it.

Of course Sam was unlicenced, the 4WD was unroadworthy, and there were guns all over the place.

Sam was let off, but dad got a $1700 hammering!

- Nick Le Souef

From The Outer

Melbourne

Observer

kojak@ mmnet.com.au

With John Pasquarelli

■ The Coalition's Direct Action policy in respect of the environment looks like it was drafted with lots of help from Labor and the Greens.

So much has happened in the last few years in respect of 'global warming' and 'climate change' that a serious rethink is required.

Instead of pandering to academia, suburban trendies and the mainly left media, the Coalition should start dealing with 'real Australians'.

The farming community is treated with contempt by all parties when they are lectured and hectored about the environment. Successful farmers know exactly how to manage their industry but are treated like dills by MPs who wouldn't know which end of a shovel to use.

Much of our environment is threatened by ferals like camels, goats, brumbies, wild dogs and cats, rabbits and other pests as well as huge mobs of kangaroos that need culling.

What better way to get many young and older Australians off the bitumen than by properly organising the eradication and culling of the pests?

In cooperation with farmers, shooters and fishing organisations, a national eradication and culling programme could be established, making sure that where possible the skins and meat are properly processed commercially. Planting trees is cuddly stuff until the next bushfire.

- John Pasquarelli

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Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, March 28, 2012 - Page 17

Bennetts Boots - Marketing Feature

Page 18 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, March 28, 2012

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Observer Readers’ Club THe Way We Were

Melbourne Photo Flashback

100 Years Ago The Werribee Shire Banner Thursday, March 28, 1912 SUCH WIVES MAYRULE Women who aspire to control the. husbands should remember that the men who are most thoroughly under wifely influence are generally those who least suspect it.

To achieve this result requires a great deal, of tact, patience, and self control, and the woman who possesses these qualities shows by the same fact that she is fitted to act as the controlling influence in her husband's life.

But it is always. wiser for the woman who aspires to guide her husband to do so unobtrusively, so that to the outside world she appears to be following meekly in the wake of her lord ,and master,while. all the time actually "the power behind the throne."

APHORISMSABOUTMONKY. , Money, "the root of all evil," as it has beencalled, Is the subject of the following sayings, selected from the works of great writers: "Make all you can; save all you can; give all you can." " A wise man should have money in his head, but not in his heart."

"The use of money is all the advantage there is in having it” "Put not your trust in money; but put your money on trust."

IN PRINT: Read the Melbourne Observer every week.

Buy at your newsagent, or by mail subscription.

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Life’s Lessons

Reader Recipes

FAX: 1-800 231 312 E-MAIL: editor@ melbourneobserver.com.au

■ “Nothing succeeds like the appearance of success.”

- Christopher Lasch

Birthdays/Celebrations

Actually ...

■ Wednesday, March 28. Entertainer Tony Barber is 72. Observer reader Kylie of Glenroy is 34. Media personality Tony Charlton is 83 (1929). Peter Hauser of Yea celebrates today.

Accountant David Purcell of Healesville blows out the candles today.

■ Thursday, March 29. Toni Lamond (Patricia Lamond Lawman) is 80; Toni was the first female host of IMT. The late Billy Thorpe is remembered on his birthday (1946); Billy died in 2007.

■ Friday, March 30. Former VFL footballer Peter Knights is 60 today; he was born in Gippsland. Actor Alan Fletcher (Dr Karl Kennedy in Neighbours) is 53. Entertainer Debra Byrne is 55 (1957).

■ Saturday, March 31. Former Age executive Greg Taylor was born in 1931. Actor Paul Mercurio was born in Swan Hill in 1963 (49).

■ Sunday, April 1. April Fools Day.

■ “What is actual is actual only for one time.

And only for one place.”

- T S Eliot

Trivia Challenge ■ True or false? Australia’s first police force was a group of the 12 best behaved convicts.

Answer: True

A SMALL BOY'S OPINION OF GIRLS "Girls," remarked the small boy In his composition upon the subject, "is of several thousand kinds, and some. .Unless one girl can behave like several thousand girls. Some kinds of girls is better than some other kinds, but they ain't any of them up to boys. This is all I know about girls, and father says the less I know about 'em the better."

Join in our chat

Your Stars with Christina La Cross Aries (Mar 21 - Apr 20) Elderly people are liable to demand more of your time than usual. Try to be patient and understanding if you want to keep the atmosphere harmonious. Don't drain your energy, you'll need it.

Taurus (Apr 21 - May 21) Your actions may be slightly more restrained than usual and you will have to go along with what other people want. Is this a sacrifice worth making? Yes it is, and events tonight confirm this.

Gemini (May 22 - June 21) Don't say bad things about people you don't really know. You will regret it. You'd be far better to say nothing until you've seen all of the evidence. In fact, you have more in common than you think.

Cancer (June 22 - July 23) A change is indicated in your close surroundings which may prove a little unsettling for you. A good time for travel and for visiting people. New friends you make prove life long ones.

Leo (July 24 - Aug 23) Educational matters have a special significance. You should be feeling on top form and ready to forge ahead with your plans. A reassessment of your budget could see you being able to accept a travel offer.

Virgo (Aug 24 - Sept 23) Excellent signs are indicated in your romantic life, but first you need to be willing to open up a little more. The past was the past and things are different now. It's time to learn to trust again.

Libra (Sept 24 - Oct 23) A relative may contact you unexpectedly with news which is sure to bring surprise. Is it good? It can be, if you allow others to make their own choices in life and stop emotionally blackmailing.

Scorpio (Oct 24 - Nov 22) A personal ambition could come a step closer to reality. An important social function you are asked to attend around this time can help you to cut corners and make up for last weeks lost time.

Sagittarius (Nov 23 - Dec 21) Romantic affairs should be particularly harmonious and the difficult phase you have experienced is now well and truly behind you. News of babies and pregnancies give you reason to plan a trip.

Capricorn (Dec 22 - Jan 20) The home comes under the spotlight and you start to question the way you live your life. Don't make any drastic decisions without sleeping on them or you'll end up regretting it.

Aquarius (Jan 21 - Feb 19) New friends make this a really fun time in your life and you start to see some new sides to your character which bring out the more relaxed sides to your personality. Job interviews go well now.

Pisces (Feb 20 - March 20) Games are being played and it's vital you don't join in. You know you are better than that don't you? Things you buy at this time prove to family how much you're willing to commit now.

● Hot Cross Muffins Makes 12 Ingredients 135g dried cranberries 1 cup (150g) currants 2 1/2 cups (375g) self-raising flour 1/2 tsp bicarbonate of soda 2 tsp ground cinnamon 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg 2/3 cup (165ml) sunflower oil 1 cup (250ml) buttermilk 2 eggs 200g caster sugar, plus extra 2 tbs 80g icing sugar 1 tsp lemon juice Method Preheat oven to 200°C. Grease a 12-hole muffin tray and line with paper cases.

Soak dried fruit in just enough boiling water to cover for 10 minutes. Drain well, then pat dry with paper towel.

Sift the flour, soda and spices into a large bowl.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the oil, buttermilk, eggs and sugar until combined. Add to the dry ingredients and stir to combine. Gently stir in the fruit. Divide the mixture among muffin cases, then bake for 20-25 minutes until lightly browned and a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean. Cool completely on a wire rack.

Meanwhile, place the extra 2 tbs sugar in a pan with 2 tbs water and simmer over low heat, stirring, until sugar dissolves. Brush the glaze over the muffins.

Sift icing sugar into a bowl. Add lemon juice and just enough hot water to make a thick, pipable icing. Use a piping bag or drizzle from a spoon to draw a cross on each muffin, then serve.

Notes These are an easy alternative to hot cross buns, aromatic with sweet bun spices and decorated with a quick cross made of drizzled icing. Cranberries are not at all conventional, of course, but they give little bursts of flavour. Use whatever combination of dried fruit you prefer.

Just Remember ■ If you can’t see the brightside of life, polish the dull side.

Observer Young Adults Fellowship

● A contingent of the Young Observers gathered at the weekend for supper and dance instruction. A good time was had PHOTO: SUE DEENIM by all.

Helping Others

● Bill Armstrong and Keith McGowan were at The Como Centre on Monday for The Hush Music Foundation Centre cocktail party. More photos next week.

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Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, March 28, 2012 - Page 19

Antiques and Collectables

Page 20 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, March 28, 2012 Melbourne

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Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, March 28, 2012 - Page 21

Melbourne Observer

Page 22 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, March 28, 2012

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Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, March 28, 2012 - Page 23

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Page 24 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Melbourne Seniors News

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Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, March 28, 2012 - Page 25

Observer Classic Books

er

rv se US N Ob N IO BO CT SE

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Pride and Prejudice CHAPTER 29

Mr. Collins’s triumph, in consequence of this invitation, was complete. The power of displaying the grandeur of his patroness to his wondering visitors, and of letting them see her civility towards himself and his wife, was exactly what he had wished for; and that an opportunity of doing it should be given so soon, was such an instance of Lady Catherine’s condescension, as he knew not how to admire enough.

“I confess,” said he, “that I should not have been at all surprised by her ladyship’s asking us on Sunday to drink tea and spend the evening at Rosings. I rather expected, from my knowledge of her affability, that it would happen. But who could have foreseen such an attention as this?

Who could have imagined that we should receive an invitation to dine there (an invitation, moreover, including the whole party) so immediately after your arrival!”

“I am the less surprised at what has happened,” replied Sir William, “from that knowledge of what the manners of the great really are, which my situation in life has allowed me to acquire.

About the court, such instances of elegant breeding are not uncommon.”

Scarcely anything was talked of the whole day or next morning but their visit to Rosings. Mr. Collins was carefully instructing them in what they were to expect, that the sight of such rooms, so many servants, and so splendid a dinner, might not wholly overpower them.

When the ladies were separating for the toilette, he said to Elizabeth — “Do not make yourself uneasy, my dear cousin, about your apparel. Lady Catherine is far from requiring that elegance of dress in us which becomes herself and her daughter. I would advise you merely to put on whatever of your clothes is superior to the rest — there is no occasion for anything more. Lady Catherine will not think the worse of you for being simply dressed. She likes to have the distinction of rank preserved.”

While they were dressing, he came two or three times to their different doors, to recommend their being quick, as Lady Catherine very much objected to be kept waiting for her dinner. Such formidable accounts of her ladyship, and her manner of living, quite frightened Maria Lucas who had been little used to company, and she looked forward to her introduction at Rosings with as much apprehension as her father had done to his presentation at St. James’s.

As the weather was fine, they had a pleasant walk of about half a mile across the park. Every park has its beauty and its prospects; and Elizabeth saw much to be pleased with, though she could not be in such raptures as Mr. Collins expected the scene to inspire, and was but slightly affected by his enumeration of the windows in front of the house, and his relation of what the glazing altogether had originally cost Sir Lewis de Bourgh.

When they ascended the steps to the hall, Maria’s alarm was every moment increasing, and even Sir William did not look perfectly calm.

Elizabeth’s courage did not fail her. She had heard nothing of Lady Catherine that spoke her awful from any extraordinary talents or miraculous virtue, and the mere stateliness of money or rank she thought she could witness without trepidation.

From the entrance-hall, of which Mr. Collins pointed out, with a rapturous air, the fine proportion and the finished ornaments, they followed the servants through an ante-chamber, to the room where Lady Catherine, her daughter, and Mrs. Jenkinson were sitting. Her ladyship, with great condescension, arose to receive them; and as Mrs. Collins had settled it with her husband that the office of introduction should be hers, it was performed in a proper manner, without any of those apologies and thanks which he would have thought necessary.

In spite of having been at St. James’s Sir William was so completely awed by the grandeur surrounding him, that he had but just courage enough to make a very low bow, and take his seat without saying a word; and his daughter, frightened almost out of her senses, sat on the edge of her chair, not knowing which way to look. Elizabeth found herself quite equal to the

● Jane Austen scene, and could observe the three ladies before her composedly. Lady Catherine was a tall, large woman, with strongly-marked features, which might once have been handsome. Her air was not conciliating, nor was her manner of receiving them such as to make her visitors forget their inferior rank. She was not rendered formidable by silence; but whatever she said was spoken in so authoritative a tone, as marked her self-importance, and brought Mr. Wickham immediately to Elizabeth’s mind; and from the observation of the day altogether, she believed Lady Catherine to be exactly what he represented.

When, after examining the mother, in whose countenance and deportment she soon found some resemblance of Mr. Darcy, she turned her eyes on the daughter, she could almost have joined in Maria’s astonishment at her being so thin and so small. There was neither in figure nor face any likeness between the ladies. Miss de Bourgh was pale and sickly; her features, though not plain, were insignificant; and she spoke very little, except in a low voice, to Mrs. Jenkinson, in whose appearance there was nothing remarkable, and who was entirely engaged in listening to what she said, and placing a screen in the proper direction before her eyes.

After sitting a few minutes, they were all sent to one of the windows to admire the view, Mr. Collins attending them to point out its beauties, and Lady Catherine kindly informing them that it was much better worth looking at in the summer.

The dinner was exceedingly handsome, and there were all the servants and all the articles of plate which Mr. Collins had promised; and, as he had likewise foretold, he took his seat at the bottom of the table, by her ladyship’s desire, and looked as if he felt that life could furnish nothing greater. He carved, and ate, and praised with delighted alacrity; and every dish was commended, first by him and then by Sir William, who was now enough recovered to echo whatever his son-in-law said, in a manner which

Elizabeth wondered Lady Catherine could bear.

But Lady Catherine seemed gratified by their excessive admiration, and gave most gracious smiles, especially when any dish on the table proved a novelty to them. The party did not supply much conversation. Elizabeth was ready to speak whenever there was an opening, but she was seated between Charlotte and Miss de Bourgh — the former of whom was engaged in listening to Lady Catherine, and the latter said not a word to her all dinner-time. Mrs. Jenkinson was chiefly employed in watching how little Miss de Bourgh ate, pressing her to try some other dish, and fearing she was indisposed.

Maria thought speaking out of the question, and the gentlemen did nothing but eat and admire.

When the ladies returned to the drawing-room, there was little to be done but to hear Lady Catherine talk, which she did without any intermission till coffee came in, delivering her opinion on every subject in so decisive a manner, as proved that she was not used to have her judgement controverted. She inquired into Charlotte’s domestic concerns familiarly and minutely, gave her a great deal of advice as to the management of them all; told her how everything ought to be regulated in so small a family as hers, and instructed her as to the care of her cows and her poultry. Elizabeth found that nothing was beneath this great lady’s attention, which could furnish her with an occasion of dictating to others. In the intervals of her discourse with Mrs. Collins, she addressed a variety of questions to Maria and Elizabeth, but especially to the latter, of whose connections she knew the least, and who she observed to Mrs. Collins was a very genteel, pretty kind of girl. She asked her, at different times, how many sisters she had, whether they were older or younger than herself, whether any of them were likely to be married, whether they were handsome, where they had been educated, what carriage her father kept, and what had been her mother’s maiden name? Elizabeth felt all the impertinence of her questions but answered them very composedly.

“Your father’s estate is entailed on Mr. Collins, I think. For your sake,” turning to Charlotte, “I am glad of it; but otherwise I see no occasion for entailing estates from the female line. It was not thought necessary in Sir Lewis de Bourgh’s family. Do you play and sing, Miss Bennet?”

“A little.”

“Oh! then — some time or other we shall be happy to hear you. Our instrument is a capital one, probably superior to —— You shall try it some day. Do your sisters play and sing?”

“One of them does.”

“Why did not you all learn? You ought all to have learned. The Miss Webbs all play, and their father has not so good an income as yours. Do you draw?”

“No, not at all.”

“What, none of you?”

“Not one.”

“That is very strange. But I suppose you had no opportunity. Your mother should have taken you to town every spring for the benefit of masters.”

“My mother would have had no objection, but my father hates London.”

“Has your governess left you?”

“We never had any governess.”

“No governess! How was that possible? Five daughters brought up at home without a governess! I never heard of such a thing. Your mother must have been quite a slave to your education.”

Elizabeth could hardly help smiling as she assured her that had not been the case.

“Then, who taught you? who attended to you?

Without a governess, you must have been neglected.”

“Compared with some families, I believe we were; but such of us as wished to learn never wanted the means. We were always encouraged to read, and had all the masters that were necessary. Those who chose to be idle, certainly might.”

“Aye, no doubt; but that is what a governess will prevent, and if I had known your mother, I should have advised her most strenuously to engage one. I always say that nothing is to be done in education without steady and regular instruction, and nobody but a governess can give it. It is wonderful how many families I have been the means of supplying in that way. I am always glad to get a young person well placed out. Four nieces of Mrs. Jenkinson are most delightfully situated through my means; and it was but the other day that I recommended another young person, who was merely accidentally mentioned to me, and the family are quite delighted with her. Mrs. Collins, did I tell you of Lady Metcalf’s calling yesterday to thank me? She finds Miss Pope a treasure. ‘Lady Catherine,’ said she, ‘you have given me a treasure.’ Are any of your younger sisters out, Miss Bennet?”

“Yes, ma’am, all.”

“All! What, all five out at once? Very odd! And you only the second. The younger ones out before the elder ones are married! Your younger sisters must be very young?”

“Yes, my youngest is not sixteen. Perhaps SHE is full young to be much in company. But really, ma’am, I think it would be very hard upon younger sisters, that they should not have their share of society and amusement, because the elder may not have the means or inclination to marry early. The last-born has as good a right to the pleasures of youth at the first. And to be kept back on SUCH a motive! I think it would not be very likely to promote sisterly affection or delicacy of mind.”

“Upon my word,” said her ladyship, “you give your opinion very decidedly for so young a person. Pray, what is your age?”

“With three younger sisters grown up,” replied Elizabeth, smiling, “your ladyship can hardly expect me to own it.”

Lady Catherine seemed quite astonished at not receiving a direct answer; and Elizabeth suspected herself to be the first creature who had ever dared to trifle with so much dignified impertinence.

“You cannot be more than twenty, I am sure, therefore you need not conceal your age.”

“I am not one-and-twenty.”

When the gentlemen had joined them, and tea

Continued on Page 26

Page 26 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, March 28, 2012

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Observer Classic Books

From Page 25 was over, the card-tables were placed. Lady Catherine, Sir William, and Mr. and Mrs. Collins sat down to quadrille; and as Miss de Bourgh chose to play at cassino, the two girls had the honour of assisting Mrs. Jenkinson to make up her party. Their table was superlatively stupid.

Scarcely a syllable was uttered that did not relate to the game, except when Mrs. Jenkinson expressed her fears of Miss de Bourgh’s being too hot or too cold, or having too much or too little light. A great deal more passed at the other table. Lady Catherine was generally speaking — stating the mistakes of the three others, or relating some anecdote of herself. Mr. Collins was employed in agreeing to everything her ladyship said, thanking her for every fish he won, and apologising if he thought he won too many.

Sir William did not say much. He was storing his memory with anecdotes and noble names.

When Lady Catherine and her daughter had played as long as they chose, the tables were broken up, the carriage was offered to Mrs. Collins, gratefully accepted and immediately ordered. The party then gathered round the fire to hear Lady Catherine determine what weather they were to have on the morrow. From these instructions they were summoned by the arrival of the coach; and with many speeches of thankfulness on Mr. Collins’s side and as many bows on Sir William’s they departed. As soon as they had driven from the door, Elizabeth was called on by her cousin to give her opinion of all that she had seen at Rosings, which, for Charlotte’s sake, she made more favourable than it really was. But her commendation, though costing her some trouble, could by no means satisfy Mr. Collins, and he was very soon obliged to take her ladyship’s praise into his own hands.

CHAPTER 30

Sir William stayed only a week at Hunsford, but his visit was long enough to convince him of his daughter’s being most comfortably settled, and of her possessing such a husband and such a neighbour as were not often met with. While Sir William was with them, Mr. Collins devoted his morning to driving him out in his gig, and showing him the country; but when he went away, the whole family returned to their usual employ-

ments, and Elizabeth was thankful to find that they did not see more of her cousin by the alteration, for the chief of the time between breakfast and dinner was now passed by him either at work in the garden or in reading and writing, and looking out of the window in his own bookroom, which fronted the road. The room in which the ladies sat was backwards. Elizabeth had at first rather wondered that Charlotte should not prefer the dining-parlour for common use; it was a better sized room, and had a more pleasant aspect; but she soon saw that her friend had an excellent reason for what she did, for Mr. Collins would undoubtedly have been much less in his own apartment, had they sat in one equally lively; and she gave Charlotte credit for the arrangement.

From the drawing-room they could distinguish nothing in the lane, and were indebted to Mr. Collins for the knowledge of what carriages went along, and how often especially Miss de Bourgh drove by in her phaeton, which he never failed coming to inform them of, though it happened almost every day. She not unfrequently stopped at the Parsonage, and had a few minutes’ conversation with Charlotte, but was scarcely ever prevailed upon to get out.

Very few days passed in which Mr. Collins did not walk to Rosings, and not many in which his wife did not think it necessary to go likewise; and till Elizabeth recollected that there might be other family livings to be disposed of, she could not understand the sacrifice of so many hours.

Now and then they were honoured with a call from her ladyship, and nothing escaped her observation that was passing in the room during these visits. She examined into their employments, looked at their work, and advised them to do it differently; found fault with the arrangement of the furniture; or detected the housemaid in negligence; and if she accepted any refreshment, seemed to do it only for the sake of finding out that Mrs. Collins’s joints of meat were too large for her family.

Elizabeth soon perceived, that though this great lady was not in commission of the peace of the county, she was a most active magistrate in her own parish, the minutest concerns of which were carried to her by Mr. Collins; and whenever any of the cottagers were disposed to be quarrelsome, discontented, or too poor, she sallied forth

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into the village to settle their differences, silence their complaints, and scold them into harmony and plenty.

The entertainment of dining at Rosings was repeated about twice a week; and, allowing for the loss of Sir William, and there being only one card-table in the evening, every such entertainment was the counterpart of the first. Their other engagements were few, as the style of living in the neighbourhood in general was beyond Mr. Collins’s reach. This, however, was no evil to Elizabeth, and upon the whole she spent her time comfortably enough; there were half-hours of pleasant conversation with Charlotte, and the weather was so fine for the time of year that she had often great enjoyment out of doors. Her favourite walk, and where she frequently went while the others were calling on Lady Catherine, was along the open grove which edged that side of the park, where there was a nice sheltered path, which no one seemed to value but herself, and where she felt beyond the reach of Lady Catherine’s curiosity.

In this quiet way, the first fortnight of her visit soon passed away. Easter was approaching, and the week preceding it was to bring an addition to the family at Rosings, which in so small a circle must be important. Elizabeth had heard soon after her arrival that Mr. Darcy was expected there in the course of a few weeks, and though there were not many of her acquaintances whom she did not prefer, his coming would furnish one comparatively new to look at in their Rosings parties, and she might be amused in seeing how hopeless Miss Bingley’s designs on him were, by his behaviour to his cousin, for whom he was evidently destined by Lady Catherine, who talked of his coming with the greatest satisfaction, spoke of him in terms of the highest admiration, and seemed almost angry to find that he had already been frequently seen by Miss Lucas and herself.

His arrival was soon known at the Parsonage; for Mr. Collins was walking the whole morning within view of the lodges opening into Hunsford Lane, in order to have the earliest assurance of it, and after making his bow as the carriage turned into the Park, hurried home with the great intelligence. On the following morning he hastened to Rosings to pay his respects. There were two nephews of Lady Catherine to require them, for

Mr. Darcy had brought with him a Colonel Fitzwilliam, the younger son of his uncle Lord — — and, to the great surprise of all the party, when Mr. Collins returned, the gentleman accompanied him. Charlotte had seen them from her husband’s room, crossing the road, and immediately running into the other, told the girls what an honour they might expect, adding: “I may thank you, Eliza, for this piece of civility. Mr. Darcy would never have come so soon to wait upon me.”

Elizabeth had scarcely time to disclaim all right to the compliment, before their approach was announced by the door-bell, and shortly afterwards the three gentlemen entered the room.

Colonel Fitzwilliam, who led the way, was about thirty, not handsome, but in person and address most truly the gentleman. Mr. Darcy looked just as he had been used to look in Hertfordshire — paid his compliments, with his usual reserve, to Mrs. Collins, and whatever might be his feelings toward her friend, met her with every appearance of composure. Elizabeth merely curtseyed to him without saying a word.

Colonel Fitzwilliam entered into conversation directly with the readiness and ease of a wellbred man, and talked very pleasantly; but his cousin, after having addressed a slight observation on the house and garden to Mrs. Collins, sat for some time without speaking to anybody. At length, however, his civility was so far awakened as to inquire of Elizabeth after the health of her family. She answered him in the usual way, and after a moment’s pause, added: “My eldest sister has been in town these three months. Have you never happened to see her there?”

She was perfectly sensible that he never had; but she wished to see whether he would betray any consciousness of what had passed between the Bingleys and Jane, and she thought he looked a little confused as he answered that he had never been so fortunate as to meet Miss Bennet.

The subject was pursued no farther, and the gentlemen soon afterwards went away.

To Be Continued Next Week

Observer Crossword Solution No 8B A L L I GA T O G I A I O E MA L T GRU Y E R E O A S I D E MA R K D M I R I S H I V ODDN N E N E E D L E O R L AWN C WE B B E R S O R Y E P A U S E T L AG A POMP EM I R S P A I O L OD Y S S E Y E M G L B A DR AG E R E F I L L NONO T L U R TWA CR AG E N L E A RN T A P R OW I R E F N Y R A T I NGS L N T S E R F WE E C OGR E U E L S UN P I N A A M S H MA DR I D I O O T A B B I NORMA L G N T E N S S C E N E C T I D E K U A WA ND S L OB S T E R L L E A S E A O A M N E C E S S A R

R MA D AME OR A L L M I A N I MB L E N I N E U R D E N I M GE I L D D E T E S E CON E P E S S L MA R T OP S U P I S O E X T I NDOOR A R O OS T R S K I N Z O S NON E WH OV E RU S E S R X D M G T R A C E A B L E I C S R T N A T S POGO GE T H A I V R E G L E E OB E S E P R NG P A X E RUN I N E A A E T OS S AM S E R B P E S E S Y E T I R N G Y R O T H E RW I S E P A O N S L ONG I NGS A C A N E NO NOE L V A E D E EMP H E N S UR E Y O MA L RUMP L E E I ON U NON N OM I T T T A H P RO F I L A P S E E L A D Z E L N H I N L A ND OP E C N E Y Y R E A D E R

A V E T T E D DGE R S I V L I A I S E E V C A S NR E T O Y E T A T I ON L T GR EG T I A N U K O I MP E L I NC T A N E A T I N A C I SM N N L O NO E E L U S E R L S UR P R I YM N E F UN S E L F I UG W T C G R OW F E I E R A Z E R E N T U E S S E DD I S I R A G L E PO L K E X PO I U B A L MS A L SO MA ON T U M OV E RR E A I N L B S N A S S A S S D E S ONC E I T B E S A S I S E N N CRU T C A R I A H O MOB C A S L I P L P L E D AM T E E R E D M UD E F E V E B R U ON E I N S U L T R I E E GA S R A D I A L

C E A S E F I R K H W A N OV A L S C A P R E E N A C D GE E S E A AMA R OA K G M ON S E E Y E DU P S S P P E S E T MA YOR M G R N A B B E A S K S T L GO ME T E R MA R E D S E H A RD H WA I L OP A S H N O I E E A RMA R A R S T C R E P T E T N T OR A C L E E K C E DG F L E S H C N A S M T A U C ME E K E R T H E N D A N SON T B T A S S I S T C T D M U I R A N P UC I N MA T S K GA S P L A U S A L A D S P E D P W H X J A I L E OP T I C E P E GHOS T R E C I S E S I T S A L O O L E K C Y S R D A NC E L Y X F OR SOO MU F T I H L A I M I S A XOP HON

E D I T S T R A N D S

L K N A V E T A K E S K

P R E S E N T K I T E

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, March 28, 2012 - Page 39

Melbourne People

Freemasons Victoria Grand Installation Supper Photos: Mark Richardson

● Hillel and Sue Benedykt ● Lesley and Graham Dines

● Grand Master Bob Jones and Kerry Jones

● Merv Dyer and Justin Stark

● Barry Minster and Margaret Dikes

● Libby Dawson and Kyle Mankey

● Jim Puohotaua with John Molnar

● Roy Alderton and John Evans

● Garry Sebo and Vaughan Werner ● David George and Gordon Trotter

● Wes Turnbull with Frank Fordyce

● David and Irene Hendel

● Stuart Chalmers and Chrys Kypreos

Page 40 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, March 28, 2012

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Melbourne People

Orchestra Victoria First 2012 Free Concert Photos: Julie Houghton

Orchestra Victoria Concert ■ Orchestra Victoria returned to the Great Hall of the National Gallery of Victoria to a pcaked house on Friday for its first free concert of 2012.

The audience was treated to Brahms' Hungarian Dances 2 and 7, Beethoven's 4th Piano Concerto starring soloist Daniel de Borah and Brahms' Symphony No 3, all conducted by Nicholas Braithwaite.

A pre-concert luncheon was held for invited guests, including Orchestra Victoria board chairman Mary Delahunty, arts philanthropist Betty Amsden, and Maria van Damme and partner Ian Perry from Melba Recordings.

From Bendigo were Jenni and Russell Jenkins, representing Orchestra Victoria sponsor Bendigo Bank.

- Julie Houghton ● Jenni Jenkins, Russell Jenkins, Betty Amsden and June Gilmour

● Chris Quin, Gary Bartholomew and Alan Pearsall.

● Rosemary Wiltshire with Chris Ryan

● Kanesan Nathan and Lisa Wallace

● Rob Robertson, managing director of OV; Maria van Damme and Ian Perry of Melba Recordings

● Joel Murray and Sam Turley

● OV Board Chairman Mary Delahunty, Russell Jenkins and Jenni Jenkins.

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, March 28, 2012 - Page 41

Places To Go

361 Mt Dandenong tourist Rd SASSAFRAS 9755 1945 vibrant colour pots apart of our wide range

Seedawood plants & gifts See Da Wood Plant Nursery and Garden display in the middle of Sassafras and say hello to Craig for great deals and advice for all your gardening and landscaping, wonderful sandstone features, custom made metal arches and arbours an array of rare and specialty plants In store we have raised garden beds made to order culinary herbs flowers and feature maples. While you are there you can also browse our delightful gift shop. Give us a call or visit us on facebook for up coming events www.facebook.com/seedawoodplantsandgifts vibrant colour pots apart of our wide range

Metal orb part of our extensive made to order arches and arbours

Seedawood Nursery

Presents Cooking with Herbs Demonstration With Clive Larkman Owner of romantic nursery And Chef With: le toot ensemble {jazz band} SUNDAY 15 April From 11 am

Page 42 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, March 28, 2012

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Places To Go

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, March 28, 2012 - Page 43

Places To Go

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Page 44 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Weddings

M Video Motion Melbourne. 0410 093 281

○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

M Video Motion is boutique HD wedding video production specialising in cinematic style. They are determined to capture the story and emotions of your special day.

Using an unobtrusive, yet professional approach will ensure a smooth and pleasant video you will love to watch and be proud of, the range of packages and unbeatable specials will make you happy www.mvideomotion.com.au

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, March 28, 2012 - Page 45

Elegant Occasions

A Celebrity Inspired Wedding Elegant Occasions, a Melbourne-based company, proudly servicing clients throughout Victoria, has more than 25 years’ experience in the wedding and event industry.

The owner, Yelka, has just returned from Las Vegas and often travels overseas where she has classes with designers who work on celebrity weddings. Elegant Occasions creates the ‘wow’ factor with their designs in decor, cakes, personalised invitations and centrepieces.

Elegant Oaccsions organises bouquets, theming, linen hire, the lot. Appointments preferred as your day is important to us.

Candy buffet from $8 per person ELEGANT OCCASIONS CASE STUDY: BEFORE AND AFTER

Elegant Occasions proprietor Yelka took classes with celebrity wedding organiser Preston Bailey, a noted author of four books: “I showed him photos of my work and he said ..” If this is the sort of work you produce.you should be publishing your own book … and when I see you next year I want to hear that you are in the process of doing so”... I am inspired by his work and was overwhelmed by his comment.”

Elegant Occasions 4, 57-59 Melverton Drive, Hallam

1-800 246 884 or (03) 9796 3565 www.elegantoccasions.com.au

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Page 46 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Buying Guide

ALWAYS YOUNG

Frustrated by the lack of beautiful casual and special-occasion dresses available for hergrowing daughters, one mother came up with the idea of an online store that caters for the tween girl. Sourcing designs locally and internationally Always Young carries a wonderful array of designers and caters for all styles of budgets What started as an onlin boutqiue store has moved on to become a bricks and mortar shop in Williamstown.

The combination means that Always Young can reach out to youg girls all over Australia offering a broad range of truly unique, beautiful clothing and accessories, all in a one-stop shop.

Always Young 170 Ferguson Street Williamstown, Vic 3016 T: 03 9397 6446 E: info@alwaysyoung.com.au W: alwaysyoung.com.au