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Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, May 28, 2014 - Page 9
Showbiz News
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Melbourne
Cash boost for Rob Guest Observer Endowment Awards In This 104-Page Edition
Mark Richardson: From the Heart ......... Page 4 Showbiz: Joy FM radiothon begins ........ Page 11 Di Rolle: I’m loving The Voice ............. Page 12 Melb. Confidential: Blistering pace ...... Page 13 TV Memories: Geoff Raymond ............. Page 14 West Hollywood: Gavin Wood reports .... Page 17 Travel and Wine: David Ellis’s reviews ... Page 18 Yvonne Lawrence: Welcome back! ....... Page 19 Kevin Trask: Gene Kelly tribute .......... Page 20 Classfieds: Free Ads .................. Pages 60-61 Harry Beitzel: Farewell Tommy Hafey ... Page 62 Local Theatre Movies, DVDs Radio Confidential Showbiz Features
Comedy on Sunday night
Observer Showbiz
Latest News Flashes Around Victoria
● Tegan Higginbotham performs on Sunday (June 1) at Crown’s Groove Live Bar and Lounge. June 15. Cal Wilson, Brad Oakes, Kate ■ Australia’s most popular comedians and fresh industry talent can be enjoyed in Funday McLennon and Rob Hunter June 22. Josh Earl, Justin Hamilton, Nights at Crown’s Groove Live Bar and Michael Chamberlin and Tommy Dassalo Lounge on Sundays until June 29. June 29. Justin Hamilton, Lawrence This Sunday Night Comedy Showcase will have a stellar line-up, guaranteed to kick-start Mooney, Mick Nevin and Anne Edmonds Doors open: 7pm for 7.30pm show the working week. Tickets: $12 available at door Performers include: Telephone: 9292 8888 June 1. Lehmo, Adam Richard, Karl ChanFor more information www.crown dler and Tegan Higginbotham. June 8. Dave Hughes, Adam Rozenbachs, melbourne.com.au/Groove-Live-Bar - Cheryl Threadgold Geraldine Hickey and Steele Saunders
Guests on Perry tour
■ Australian singersongwriter Betty Who, and Sweish pop artist Love To, will be special guests on the Katy Perry ‘Prismatic World Tour’ Aussie leg later this year. Betty Who will appear in the Melbourne concerts on November 14, 15, 18 and 19. LoveTo is booked for the Melbourne concerts on December 4, 6, 7 and 10. Perry has eight concerts at
● Katy Perry
Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne, six in Sydney, five in Brisbane, and two in each of Adelaide and Perth. The tour is supporting Perry’s Prism album, which has since been certified triple platinum. It includes the singles Roar and Dark Horse. Betty Who has an EP Slow Dancing which peaked on the iTunes pop charts, and a single Somebody Loves You.
● Rob Guest ■ Two new awards for the Rob Guest Endowment have brought the prize pool to more than $45,000. The Rob Guest Endowment Award, now in its sixth year, is awarded annually to an emerging musical theatre performer selected by a panel of industry experts. It seeks out Australia’s brightest and most talented young rising stars by putting them through a gruelling audition process. Six finalists showcase their talents at the Rob Guest Endowment Gala Concert, and this year the 2014 winner will take home $20,000, an $8000 increase on the 2013 prize package. Runners up will each take home $1500. Past winners and finalists are performing in lead roles in musical theatre around Australia, including Gretel Scarlett (Sandy in Grease), Ed Grey (Boq in Wicked), Euan Doidge (Marius in Les Miserables) and Francine Cain (Frenchy in Grease). This year also sees the introduction of two exciting new categories opened to competitors recognizsing further excellence in the field of musical theatre. The Sue Nattrass Award is a $10,000 cash prize intended to help a current member in a technical department of musical theatre fund the tuition and experience needed to help them become a leader in their field. The Brian Stacey Award, also a $10,000 cash prize, is intended to help a current musician in the musical theatre genre fund the tuition and experience needed to help them become a leader in their field. The Rob Guest Endowment Gala Concert will be held on Monday, October 13 at the Capitol Theatre, Sydney.
Funds for accused ■ A Portarlington supermarket raised money to support pickaxe killer and former employee Angela Maree Williams, the Supreme Court has heard, reports the Geelong Advertiser.
Chance of jail ■ Ballarat man Dean Speedie, who was on the run from Police for more than seven years after leaving his pregnant partner in a pool of blood after viciously assaulting her, may be jailed on June 10, reports the Ballarat Courier.
$670,000 giveaway ■ A $670,000 project to revive Morwell's business sector will see each of the town's households receive $100 to spend within the town. Hazelwood Power Station owner GDF-SUEZ will provide gift cards to all residences who can then purchase any product excluding alcohol and cigarettes or gambling purposes, says the Latrobe Valley Express.
Jailed for 8 months ■ Shepparton councillor Milvan Muto, who threatened to release embarrassing secret recordings of and about the Acting Chief Executive Julie Salomon, unless she withdrew a misconduct complaint against him, has been jailed for eight months. Muto was as found guilty by a jury of attempting to pervert the course of justice. Judge Frank Gucciardo said jail was the only answer in this case.
Weather Forecast ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
Today (Wed.). Partly cloudy. 9°-20° Thurs. Clear. 8°-21° Fri. Clear. 8°-20° Sat. Partly cloudy. 11°-19° Sun. Chance of rain. 10°-19°.
Mike McColl Jones
Top 5 THE T OP 5 SIGNS TOP THA T ALL IS NO T RIGHT THAT NOT AT NETW ORK TEN NETWORK 5. Mass For You At Home has started taking up a collection. 4. Wake Up is now Gone To Sleep. 3. Nobody Gives A Rats About Raymond. 2. TBA - five nights a week . 1. The South Yarra Video-Ezy has asked for all their movies back.
Page 10 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, May 28, 2014
Sisters in crime ■ Sisters in crime, Kathryn, Kylie and Candice Fox, will hold Fox Hunt at the Rising Sun Hotel, South Melbourne at 8pm on Friday, June 20. Kathryn Fox, a medical practitioner with a special interest in forensic medicine, is the author of seven internationally bestselling and critically acclaimed thrillers. Her debut novel Malicious Intent won Sisters in Crime’s 2005 Davitt Award for adult fiction. Her latest, Fatal Impact (Pan Macmillan), is a gripping mystery about genetically modified foods set in Tasmania. kathrynfox.com Candice Fox, who lectures in writing at the University of Notre Dame in Sydney, already has fans (and critics) in pursuit following the publication of her dark, compelling and original thriller, Hades (Random House), the first in her Bennett/Archer series. candicefoxauthor.com Kylie Fox co-wrote Arrabella Candellarbra and the Questy Thing to End All Questy Things (Clan Destine Press) with Amanda Wrangles under the pseudonym of A.K. Wrox. She won thirdrd prize in Sisters in Crime’s Scarlet Stiletto Awards last year. Tickets: $10 (members/ concession)/$15 (non-members). Dinner upstairs from 6.30pm (no lift). Men or ‘brothers-in-law’ welcome. 10 per cent discount for members from Sun Bookshop stall. No need to book, Info: Carmel Shute, National Co-convenor: 0412 569 356; cshute@internode. on.net sistersincrime.org.au
Gangsters Ball soon ■ The Gangsters’ Ball will bring to life the fashion, style, humour and classic merriment of the 1930s and 40s This years headline acts include MC Chanteuse Madame Leila, burlesque beauty Frankie Faux, juggler Mr Gorski, contortionist Ruby Rubberlegs, sword swallowing strongman Gordo, and acrobatic group Headfirst. The Melbourne event will take place at the Forum Theatre on Saturday, September 13.
Jazz Festival opens Sat. ■ Publicist Prue Bassett advises that the Melbourne International Jazz Festival opens this Saturday (May 31). The Festival runs for 10 days, and many events are free. Ali McGregor will perform at the opening celebration concert at Federation Square at 5pm on Saturday (May 31). She will be joined by jazz saxophonist/flautist Korge Pardo, swing band Ultrafox,American outfit Chris Dave and The Drumheadz.
‘King and I’ cast named
● Lisa McCune ■ John Frost and Opera Australia have this week announced the 39 children who have been cast in roles for the Melbourne season of The King and I, playing at the Princess Theatre from June 10. The principal role of Prince Chululongkorn will be shared by Joshua Ding, George Missailidis and David Tan, and the principal role of Louis Leonowens will be shared by Jack Lyall, Campbell MacCorquodale and Beau Woodbridge. The 33 children who will play the young princes and princesses of Siam are Soren Adkin, Mahalia Bangit, Riana Cassar, Tylah Cox,Adam de Leon,Aston Droomer, Jeremiah Duncan, Catherine Hess, Gabriel Ingram, Jade Ingram, Anabelle Lam, Elliot Li, Shanice Lim, Jorji Loutas, Maisy Lu, Madison Lu, Tara Lyon, Jessica Mark, Honey Maui, Thierry Mendoza, Alex Missailidis, Hana Mitchell, Ethan Nhan, Lily Paopiamsub,Amali Place, Kayli Pollard, Jonathan Retuta, Jamie-Lee Rodrigues, Jevon Santoso, Venetia Teisini, Sienna Wang, Michael Wang and Hilda Wheatley. Associate Producer for Opera Australia, Adrian Storey said that the company is delighted with the children it has cast for the Melbourne season of The King and I. “This production had a specific brief in that we were looking for children to portray Thai Princes and Princesses who are children of the King of Siam. “Therefore they all needed to be of any Asian ethnicity, with the exception of the son of English governess, Anna Leonowens, who needed to be of Caucasian decent. The children also were required to be aged around 4-10 years old, to have charm and individual character, and be able to sing and act. “We were very impressed with the talent we found in our auditions, so had no trouble in casting three separate casts of children. We are looking forward to Melbourne audiences getting to know these wonderful young children as they appear in several scenes throughout the show. “For many of them this is their first ever musical, but I am sure for all of them it will be a thrill to have the chance to be on stage alongside artists of the calibre of Lisa McCune and Jason Scott Lee.”
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Ash The Melbourne Observer Editor Ash Long is heard: ● 8.45am Wed., with Ron Burke, 3NRG-FM Sunbury ● 10am Wed., with Denis Scanlan, Pulse 94.7 Geelong ● 9.15am Thu., with Bob and Judy Phillips, 3RPP Peninsula
Windmill Theatre ■ Windmill Theatre Company is performing Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at the Drum Theatre, Dandenong, in June. It is the he Biblical saga of Joseph and his coat of many colours Lyrics by Tim Rice; music by Andrew Lloyd Webber. Tickets: Adults : $40. Concession : $36. Family : $140 (2 adults/2 children under 15) Bookings: phone 9771 6666 drumtheatre.com.au
Death of Gordon Willis
● Filmmaker Gordon Willis has died. Melbourne Observer eviewer Aaron Rourke pays tribute on Page 56.
Around town ■ Melbourne Theatre Company is promoting a website that combines a night aty the theatre with accommodation, dining and travel. makeadatewith melbourne.com.au ■ American soprano Kiera Duffy will present Mahler 4 and Sibelius 6 with the Australian Chamber Orchestra on June 22-23 at Hamer Hall. ■ The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra has this week announced the appointment of American violinist, Eoin Andersen, to one of its two Concertmaster positions and a three-year extension to its contract with Australian conductor Benjamin Northey. ■ Georgie Gardner announced on the Today Show this weekg that she will be leaving the program to take up a broader role at the Nine Network..
Short Shots ■ For the first time in 24 years, Australia’s kids science TV program, The Curiosity Show has created a new episode to educate parents and their children about breakfast nutrition. Hosts and creators Dr Deane Hutton and Dr Rob Morrison were regulars on Aussie television airwaves from 1972 until 1990. The new program is being sponsored by Kelloggs. ■ An evening of Italian style in being held tonight (Wed.) at the Collins St boutique of Ermenegildo Zegna. ■ The Nine Network announced this week that it is already casting for the 2015 season of The Block. More details are available at www.theblock.com.au ■ Garland Jeffreys has cancelled his upcoming Australian tour. Ticket holders should contact the venue for a full refund.
Douglas Lawrence directs
Jim Sherlock on ‘Inside Llewyn Davis’
Big shoot ■ Tourism Fiji has beaten other high-profile international destinations to partner with Australian retailer Myer for its new Spring Summer 2014-15 fashion campaign shoot. The campaign is being shot in a variety of locations throughout Fiji including the InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa, Plantation Island Resort, Tokoriki Island Resort, Likuliku Island, Cloud9 surf break and Vomo Island.
● Oscar Isaac and friend in Oscar winning filmmakers Joel and Ethan Coen's beautifully crafted Inside Llewyn Davis. Jim Sherlock has more details on Page 56.
● Douglas Lawrence will direct the Australian Chamber Choir with Music From The Basilica of San Marco Venice. Di Rolle has more details on Page 12.
Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, May 28, 2014 - Page 11
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Observer
Showbiz News
Joy FM radiothon starts Friday Navy boss on radio
Briefs Siphoned
■ Ruth Northway, 41, of Heyfield, who stole $270,000 from her employer, has been convicted of eight counts of theft. Northway siphoned the money from Valley Fire and Security, the Gippsland Times reports. She must serve an 18 month community corrections order.
Cat burglar ■ A man charged with assaulting police in a Cobram street has also been questioned over a burglary during which a pet cat was drowned, reports the Cobram Courier.
Bankrupt ■ Celebrity agent Robyn Gardiner has been declared bankrupt, owing $28 million
In Court
■ Former Brighton Secondary College business manager Kristie Lee Katis is due to appear at Moorabbin Magistrates’ Court on June 19 to face a charge of theft in relation to the alleged misappropriation of school funds.
■ Melbourne community radio station Joy 94.9 kicks off its annual week-long radiothon on Friday (May 30). The 2014 membership drive theme has major sponsors and is running under the theme ‘That’s So Joy’. The theme is a positive take on the often negative connotation of That’s So Gay. Joy 94.9 is a community beacon for Gay-LesbianBisexual-Transgender-Intersex people across Australia. It is available on air, online and on the Joy 94.9 app. The station is elebrating 20 years of continuous broadcasting. Joy 94.9 is one of only four full-time radio stations in the world catering to the diverse gay and lesbian market. Volunteers and presenters range in age from 18-80, and cover all corners of cultural, gender and sexual diversity. The station broadcasts a variety of special interest programming, alongside popular music, breakfast and drive programs every hour of the year. Subscribers who purchase or renew memberships during the week long Tradiothon are in the running to win a Smart Car, an international cruise or one of a raft of prizes totalling almost $40,000 in value. Station President, Jed Gilbert, 30, said: “We have amazing diversity here at Joy 94.9. We are powered by the commitment of more than 250 volunteers, including 130 presenters across a broad range of specialist and music programs, a team of news readers, podcasters, producers and program supporters, who give their time, skills and energy to keep our station alive. We rely on our annual membership drive to fund the ongoing operation of the station.” www.joy.org.au
● Bob Phillips; Capt Steve Bowater, Commanding Officer of HMAS Cerberus; and Judy Banks-Phillips, at the 3RPP live broadcast from High St, Hastings. Photo: Rab Siddhi ■ One of the Royal Australian Navy’s most senior officers, Capt. Steve Bowater, made a special appearance on Mornington Peninsula radio station 3RPP’s Sugar and Spice program on location from High St, Hastings on Thursday. Capt. Bowater is the Commanding Officer of HMAS Cerberus Naval Base and has served in many areas of Naval command. He was Commander of HMAS Arunta in 2008 and supervised the rescue of a missing French solo yachtsman deep in the Southern Ocean, he told show hosts Bob and Judy Phillips.
VCAT Member Elizabeth Wentworth said Horak had a long and serious disciplinary history. His practising certificate had also been cancelled in 1990 and 1998. Horak wanted to continue to work as a lawyer. His counsel said he had improved his office administration, engaged a mentor, and was seeing a psychologist in relation to depression and anxiety.
Best of Melbourne Observations with Matt Bissett-Johnson
‘Never pick a fight with a man who buys ink by the barrel and paper by the ton.’ It’s astounding!
7 charges: lawyer guilty ■ Lawyer Jan Horak has been found guilty of seven charges of professional misconduct, and one charge of unsatisfactory conduct. His practising certificate has been cancelled, and he has been disqualified from being granted a certificate for six years. Any certificate gained thereafter must be an employee prctising certificate. The Victorian Civil and Administrtaive Tribunal is making application to the Supreme Court that Horak’s name be removed from the roll of roll of local practitioners. Horak admitted breaches of his obligations as a legal practitioner in wide-ranging areas.
THE BARREL
The Tribunal heard Horak had negotiated on a matter for a client, Mrs Ginzburg, seeking a settlement that included a condition that a Mr Hellman withdarw his complaint about Horak. Ms Wentworth said this conduct was “entirely inappropriate”. Dr Patrick O’Sullivan had complained about Horak’s legal costs. Horak failed to produce documentation to his client or authorities. The Tribunal heard that Horak made a withdrawal of $49,574 against a $58,500 cheque received for a client, Leonard Crosswell. Crosswell sued Horak’s firm, Horak Frankovich Rose and Cross, of which Horak was sole director.
● Kole Dysart steals the show ■ The Rocky Horror Show continues its box office-smashing run at the Comedy Theatre, with Craig McLachlan leading a cast that is filling audiences with fun. But let’s take a flashback - “if I may” - to the early days of Rocky Horror at the HSV-7 teletheatre in Johnston St, Fitzroy. Leading Melbourne actor Tommy Dysart was the narrator, and wife Joan Brockenshire plaued a dual roles of the ice cream girl and Magenta. Their young son, Kole, then 4, wanted to get into the act, so he was dressed as a miniature of his Dad, right down to the greying hair and formal black dinner suit. Kole walked on stage, hand-in-hand with his father, and audiences gave him a standing ovation. “It was incredible,” said Tommy. “He didn’t even have to say anything and when you think of all the years we’ve been training and working ... I’ve said it before but this time I mean it ... I’ll never ever play opposite kids or animals!” Fast forward to 2014, and Kole has just completed a music clip, directed by Frank Howson. The clip supports Kole’s about-to-be released single, Hong Kong Lover.
Reprimanded
Barrel Bullets
■ Lawyer Joseph Katz has been reprimanded by Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal Senior Member Joanthan Smithers. Katz faced a charge of professional misconduct after it was alleged he failed to return documents promptly to a client. Katz was fined $8000, and must also pay $4340 costs of the Legal Services Commissioner. He had previously been fined $4000. Katz has practised for 38 years as a solicitor. He said that during a particular period he found things getting on top of him. “Delays of this type harm the reputation of the legal profession. This is contrary to the public interest,” said Mr Smithers, imposing the penalty.
■ Observer reader Helen Letos writes: “Thankyou for the article in Radio Confidential re Justin Smith. It's good to know how he is going on radio in Sydney. I miss Justin on 3AW, when he, on occasions, filled in for Neil Mitchell. I thought it was a huge mistake for AW to let him go. He should have been given his own program, preferably on '’drive'. He is forthright, informative, entertaining and has a great rapport with his callers. Melbourne's loss, Sydney's gain.” ■ One local scribbler continues to cling to perceived friendships with Real Housewives Of Melbourne types after previously losing many of her own pals. The ex-mates agree she is taking the ‘real’ word far too literally. ■ The hassles of being a star. Entertainer Anthony Callea sent a Facebook messgae out to his friends on Sunday: “I'm currently having the worst leg wax in history... She has no clue, somewhat bruising me and is rude as hell! I'm about to grab that spatula out of her hand in a sec and piff it!” ■ The Rosstown Rascals will perform tomorrow (Thurs.) at the Rosttown Hotel, Carnegie. They are a select group of Melbourne’s top pianists.
Page 12 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, May 28, 2014
www.MelbourneObserver.com.au
To
New exhibition at NGV
Di For
Music From The Basilica ■ This event sounds absolutely wonderful and not to be missed, The Australian Chamber Choir, directed by Douglas Lawrence, will present Music From The Basilica of San Marco Venice. San Marco, with its golden domes, dominates the profile of the ancient island city of Venice. Out of this majestic edifice has come some of the most beautiful and awe-inspiring choral music ever written. The Australian Chamber Choir will recreate some of the magic of San Marco, performing works by Monteverdi, Schütz, Willaert, Lotti and Gabrieli in their second concert of 2014, This will be a stunning performance to attend. Adding to the aural magic, the 18-member Choir will be accompanied by an array of early instruments including cornetto, rackett, curtals, sackbuts, baroque violin and chamber organ. Director Douglas Lawrence has devised a program that brings together San Marco’s greatest composers. It is a program of grandeur, but also ravishing intimacy. Seated at the middle point between the altar and the organ gallery, instrumentalists to the right and singers to the left, and a quartet of magnificent soloists centre stage, audience members will be transported to San Marco – albeit for an afternoon. The architecture of San Marco provides many galleries from which singers and instrumentalists can perform. But its vast interior also adds a long reverberation making it difficult for singers or instrumentalists in different galleries to sing or play together. Adrian Willaert (1490–1562) solved the problem by writing antiphonal music, where opposing choirs would sing successive phrases, often contrasting, coming together for climactic ‘surround sound’ finales. This is a rare case of the architecture of a single building influencing the development of a new musical style. The ACC will demonstrate this exciting sound in Willaert’s Sacro fonte regenerate and in Monteverdi and Gabrieli’s compositions for cori spezzati, literally ‘separated choirs’. Antonio Lotti's Crucifixus demonstrates an intensely intimate later style, which contrasts with the grandiose multi-choral works on this program. Guest countertenor soloist, Ian Travers, will lend the alto solos in authentic 17th century Italian colour. The audience will see instruments and hear sounds they may never have heard before: Heinrich Schütz, possibly Gabrieli's best-known student, was particularly fond of the racket, a double reed instrument, which will be played by Simon Rickard. MSO principal player, Brock Imison, will join Simon Rickard to play alto and bass curtal respectively whilst Matthew Manchester gives the ensemble a virtuoso soprano line on the most important solo instrument of the 16th and 17th centuries, the cornetto. A further change of texture is provided when Elizabeth Anderson plays an interlude on a Dutch chamber organ. The work is by Andrea Gabrieli, uncle of Giovanni Gabrieli, and the first internationally renowned composer of the Venetian school. Douglas Lawrence, as famous for his organ concerts as for his choral conducting, has played organ concerts in St Mark’s and conducted a choral concert in the piazza with the Basilica as a magnificent backdrop. He studied organ at Melbourne University with Venetian organist, Sergio de Pieri, who is the older brother of celebrity chef, Stefano de Pieri. Sergio also taught Douglas to cook. Lawrence has chosen the spacious and resonant acoustic of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Middle Park and Macedon’s Church of the Resurrection for Music from the Basilica of San Marco Venice. Music from the Basilica of San Marco Venice - Macedon, Sunday June 1 at 3 pm. Church of the Resurrection, Cnr Mount Macedon Rd and Honour Ave, Macedon. Melbourne: Sunday, June 8 at 3pm Our Lady of Mount Carmel, 216 Richardson St, Middle Park, tickets: $40, $35 and $25. Primary and secondary school students free with a paying parent or guardian when you book online. Booking: www.AusChoir.org or tickets available for purchase at the door. This is a brilliant chance to see some of Australian finest performers in action.
I love my job! with leading Melbourne publicist DI ROLLE
■ The Italian Masterpieces from Spain’s Royal Court Museo del Prado exhibition opened last week at the National Gallery of Victoria, showcasing works of some of the great masters and most revered names of the art world. Sofitel Melbourne On Collins hosted a private viewing of this extraordinary exhibition on a lovely Melbourne evening for 50 guests. It was a real treat for guests including well connected Melbourne publicity dynamos Joanna Finney from Channel 7, and Kelly Black from Black and White Publicity. The NGV has a huge hit on its hands with this magnificent exhibition on loan from the Museo del Prado in Madrid. Drawn from the Prado’s exceptional collection, this exhibition of more than 70 paintings and 30 drawings presents a rich selection of works spanning 300 years of Italian art, from the early 16th to the 18th centuries. The exhibition features works by Raphael, Titian, Correggio Claude Lorrain, Nicolas Poussin and Salvator Rosa. The works are very powerful and beautiful. Each tells its own story. The exhibition, part of the very successful Melbourne Winter Masterpieces series, is on until August 31. The NGV is a really special place in Melbourne and well worth a visit, even if you are not into Italian Masters. There are regularly changing exhibitions throughout the year as well as some fantastic programs for children. If you haven’t paid the NGV a visit lately, I suggest you do. It is well worth rediscovering the treasures of this marvellous Melbourne institution.
Ghost Dances for Paul ■ Distinguished pianist and composer Paul Grabowsky has to be one of the busiest musicians in the country. He is also one of the nicest. His latest CD, Crossing Roper Bar Volume 2 – The Ghost Dances, has been launched with a rare performance featuring indigenous musicians David and Daniel Wilfred fromArnhem Land, Paul and the acclaimed Australian Art Orchestra. At the launch, held at Bennetts Lane, one of the best venues for jazz music in Melbourne, Paul was able to introduce the new CD and explain that Crossing Roper Bar is a visionary of jazz and the mystic traditions of Australia’s first people. Through a series of regular exchanges that began nine years ago in 2005, Crossing Roper Bar brings together two diverse cultures in a very contemporary and yet spiritual musical fusion. The event marked only the second time that the collaborators have performed in Melbourne, the first in 2007 and follows critically acclaimed appearances at the London Jazz Festival, the Musee du Quai Branly in Paris and Cambridge University. Paul Grabowsky, who initiated the project, said the collaboration is based on equal exchange of knowledge through a dialogue centred on music. The resulting intersection of jazz and traditional indigenous music is an electrifying marriage of the very old with the very new, and a celebration of country, ceremony,
● Jo Finney, Fiona Byrne, Kelly Black
Loving ‘The Voice’ ● Paul Grabowsky and the power of mu- Roper Bar is the point sic to build enduring where it’s possible to bridges across cul- cross the river and go tures, time and space. on to Ngukurr. Music is integral to The crossing over Aboriginal ceremony, seems not only a poculture and to their etic but also a fitting whole social system metaphor for the coland the ancient song laboration, Crossing cycles of the Manikay Roper Bar. are in real danger of I love all this knowlbeing lost unless they edge about our counare picked up and pre- try and land. served by future genThe CD was reerations. corded in 2012 and The Roper River is features the Young a magnificent water- Wagilak Group from way flowing from the Arnhem Land led Mataranka, 100 kms by Benjamin Wilfred south of Katherine, and AAO musicians, and out across the Erkki Veltheim (violand of the Mangarayi lin), Paul Grabowsky and Yungman people. (piano), Tony Hicks, Before it reaches the (saxophone/flute), Gulf of Carpentaria it Philip Rex (bass) and passes the remote Niko Schauble town of Ngukurr, (drums). which is isolated by the Crossing Roper wet for several Bar Volume 2 – The months of each year Ghost Dancers CD is (November to Easter) available for purchase when the Roper en- from www.aao. gulfs all but the high- com.au est land. Congratulations At other times, Paul
● Robyn Archer, see story on Page 51
■ I have to admit I am not a big viewer of The Voice, but a lot of people are. They love it! Twitter goes crazy with updates of The Voice and who it has on it. I don’t know why I don’t watch more of it as I am a huge fan of Will.I.Am. So I was very interested to hear about a brand new track launched on iTunes, titled The Antidote by Gavin Campbell, featuring Soli Tesema, who won the hearts of Australian TV audiences when her blind audition on The Voice resulted in her filling the final spot on Team Will.I.Am. Razor Recordings announced the iTunesonly release. Soli is the girl whose soulful rendition of Beyoncé’s Halo turned Will.I.Am’s chair on The Voice, completing his team and setting social media buzzing. I did see this and it was fabulous. With a powerful voice that already has Australia captivated, Soli positively shines and leaving you no doubt that she is a superstar in the making. Razor Recordings is the new incarnation of seminal 90s dance label, Razor Records, which was home to the globally successful remix of Treaty by Yothu Yindi and Hunters and Collectors’ remixed Talking to A Stranger. Both such great songs. The label remains true to its underground dance roots, with Campbell’s debut single The Saboteurs coming shortly. The Antidote is a limited, iTunes-only release from Razor Pop, well and truly celebrating and declaring they are on Team Soli. Great works guys. I am on team Soli too!
● Soli Tesema
www.MelbourneObserver.com.au
Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, May 28, 2014 - Page 13
Confidential Melbourne
Talk is cheap, gossip is priceless
Blistering pace for Hinch’s ‘Jail 2 Justice’ marathon
Bitch Melbourne’s Secrets
‘Ghosts’ spooks reviewers
● Coral Drouyn; Gale Edwards ■ Melbourne theatre critic Coral Drouyn probably had herself wiped from the Christmas card list of director Gale Edwards this week. Drouyn, a leading reviewer for Stage Whispers, said Edwards’s direction of Ghosts was a mess. Ghosts opened at the Southbank Theatre, and Drouyn’s revie was scathing: “Subtlety, it seems, is not the director’s forte; and so the nuances and undercurrents of a beautifully structured play are forsaken for loud declamation without insight. “Moreover, reducing a three act play to one 90minute act means that the play isn’t allowed to breathe, subtext is strangled, and what remains is exposition. “What should have been a multi-layered feast ended up more like a storm (or is that a Gale?) in a teacup,” Drouyn wrote. ■ Drouyn has paid her dues in show business. She is an accomplished writer and actress, with credits including Prisoner and Home And Away. She is the daughter of the late Terry O’Neill (Time for Terry, HSV-7).
Positions vacant ■ The Australian Security Intelligence Organisation is advertising in the Australian Teacher magazine for ‘Intelligence Officers’. ASIO is offering packages of between $68,568 to $87,300, plus superannuation, for the Canberra-based positions. The officers are expected to investigate “patterns and anomalies, solve complex problems and produce high-quality advice for governments”.
Familiar TV faces
PHOTO: FACEBOOK
● Brooke Tabberer, daughter of Maggie, is pictured with Maria Venuti at Noosa.
■ Broadcaster Derryn Hinch and his partner Natasha Chadwick suffered painful blistering on their ‘Jail 2 Justice’ walk from Langi Kal Kal Prison to Parliament House, Melbourne, which concluded on Monday (May 26). Hinch and Chadwick organised the walk to promote their petition demanding national public register of convicted sex offenders. The 160-km walk attracted hundreds of well-wishers. The petition has been signed by more than 100,000 people. PHOTOS: NATASHA CHADWICK/FACEBOOK
● The blistered feet of Derryn Hinch and his partner Natasha Chadwick
● Derryn Hinch (at right) on his marathon walk Hinch had five months under house arrest after naming two offenders in public, who were protected by a Court suppression order. Hinch served a 50-day jail sentence after he declined to pay a $100,000 fine for contempt of court. Chadwick, a former police detective, has been working as a Channel 7 researcher-producer. “The current register is a Clayton’s register,” said Hinch, who ● Natasha Chadwick is also employed by Channel 7. with Derryn Hinch
Life-time ban on finance broker
Rumour Mill
■ The Australian Securities and Investments Commission has permanently banned Sunshine finance broker, Ms Kieu Thi-Thanh Huynh, from engaging in credit activities after she was convicted of serious fraud offences. Ms Huynh has also been disqualified her from managing a corporation for five years as a result of her conviction. Ms Huynh is the former sole director of St Andrews Mortgage Solutions Pty Ltd , which was authorised to engage in credit activities as a credit representative for a number of Australian credit licensees between July 2010 and March 2013. Ms Huynh pleaded guilty and was convicted in the Supreme Court this year of 27 charges of obtaining property by deception and one charge of attempting to obtain property by deception. Ms Huynh was sentenced to four years imprisonment, to serve a minimum of two years before parole. The proceedings were brought by Victoria Police. The charges arose from Ms Huynh’s involvement in the creation of false payslips which she then submitted to various credit providers in support of loan applications on behalf of clients.. The 27 successful loan applications fraudulently created with the assistance of Ms Huynh resulted in her clients obtaining home loans totalling $9,411,688.30. Ms Huynh received up-front commissions of $41,231.14 and trailing commissions of $14,510.85, totalling $55,741.99. Ms Hunyh also received cash payments of up to $10,000 from the recipients of the loans arising from the creation of the false payslips.
Hear It Here First
Partnership over ■ The partnership between Neil Bakker and Graham Frederick Beckworth, trading as Australian Fire Arms Company, has been terminated, effective last month.
Whispers
Bob returns
● Bob Dylan ■ Legendary Bob Dylan, 73, will perform at the Palais, St Kilda, on Monday-Tuesday, August 18-19.
Box watch ■ A Thornbury phone box, at the corner of Benjamin and High Sts, has been under Police surveillance.
Attack
■ Ben King, 40, of Carnegie, has been fined $1500 for attacking a neighbour. King, a shift worker, used a wooden pole, after the neighbour noisily bashed his trailer into recycling bins.
Drugs quiz
Around The Traps ■ A new political party, People Power Victoria No Smart Meters, is applying for registration with the Victorian Electoral Commission. Marco Florio of East Keilor is making the application. ■ The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra’s debut appearance at the BBC Proms in London this August, under the baton of chief conductor Sir Andrew Davis, has sold out in less than 48 hours. ■ Hayden Bell, 33, of Cranbourne, has been jailed for four years after crashing into a car, killing a man. Bell blew .113, after driving at 120kmh in a 70-kmg zone.
Sex charges doubled ■ Kenneth Charles Marshall, 61, former railway worker, of Ferntree Gully, will now face additional sex offences. He is due to face a Melbourne Magistrates’ Court committal hearing on June 13 to face a total of 110 charges, reports the Knox Leader.
E-Mail: Confidential@MelbourneObserver.com.au
■ The Burnet Institute, a medical research body, is advertising in the street paper. Beat, for users of the drug, esctasty, to participate in a study. The Institute tells the young readers that it wants to also examine the use of related drugs such as ‘speed, crystal meth and cocaine amongst party people’. Participants are reimbursed for their time and expenses.
www.MelbourneObserver.com.au
Page 14 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, May 28, 2014
Melbourne
Observer
Victoria’s Independent Newspaper First Published September 14, 1969 Every Wednesday
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Ash On Wednesday
Celtic Thunder ■ Celtic Thunder is one of the popular Irish singing groups to find international success in these times. The group is starting their third national tour in Australia, and will be playing in Melbourne early next month. Colleague Kevin Trask interviewed Emmet Cahill, one of the outstanding singers. Kevin takes up the story: “George Donaldson, who was a key member of Celtic Thunder cast recently died from a heart attack at the age of 46. “Emmet had left the group to pursue a solo singing career but has returned for the Mythology tour to pay homage to his friend George. “Emmet said the highlight of his career had happened in Melbourne on their first tour. Emmet had paid for his family to fly out to see him perform. To have his family sitting in the audience along with relatives from Melbourne made it an emotional night he will never forget. “The tour will also feature strings, guitar, percussion, whistles, pipes, guitars and more in the eightpiece Celtic Thunder band. The tour's musical director is David Munro, who also plays keyboards in the show. “There will be only one performance at The Plenary. Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre on Saturday, June 7. Tickets are available through Ticketek.” Long Shots hopes with the luck of the Irish to be in the audience.
‘Time to retire’
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with K enneth Mulholland Kenneth
Adventures at ‘0’
● Emmet Cahill from Celtic Thunder
Long Shots
editor@melbourneobserver.com.au
with Ash Long, Editor “For the cause that lacks assistance, ‘Gainst the wrongs that need resistance For the future in the distance, And the good that we can do”
Observer Treasury Thought For The Week ■ “Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passions, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence.” - John Quincy Adams ■ “Might as well keep your mouth shut. If you talk about yourself you’re a bore, and if you talk about others, you’re a gossip.”
Observer Curmudgeon ● Marcie Jones ■ Entertainer Marcie Jones says she is ready to retire after she and The Cookies appear at the Go! Show reunion concert on Saturday, August 2 at the Palais, St Kilda. “We are all ready to retire. I want to work of my children’s books (GeorgeAnd Charlie),” Marcie. She is working with illustrator Shannon Trottman, son of the drummer for Normie Rowe and the Playboys. “I will be 70 next year, so I think that is a good time to do something else.”
Melbourne TV Memories
■ “You can’t blame nudists for being the way they are. They were born that way!” ■ “An efficiency expert is smart enough to tell you how to run your business, and too smart to start one of his own.”
Text For The Week ■ "I can do all things through him who strengthens me." - Philippians 4:13 Contents of Court Lists are intended for information purposes only. The lists are extracted from Court Lists, as supplied to the public, by the Magistrates’ Court of Victoria, often one week prior to publication date; for current Court lists, please contact the Court. Further details of cases are available at www.magistratescourt.vic.gov.au The Melbourne Observer shall in no event accept any liability for loss or damage suffered by any person or body due to information provided. The information is provided on the basis that persons accessing it undertake responsibility for assessing the relevance and accuracy of its content. No inference of a party’s guilt or innocence should be made by publication of their name as a defendant. Court schedules may be changed at any time for any reason, including withdrawal of the action by the Plaintiff/Applicant. E&OE.
● Geoff Raymond ■ The year 1970 saw the end of Uptight and the beginning of Happening 70. Ross D. Wyllie continued as compere and later Jeff Phillips took on the role of host. Happening was shot in Studio A where we saw The Pink Zoot, The Masters Apprentices and various other groups. We also became more aware of a bloke who was gradually gaining a nickname and eventually would don a distinctive hat and a persona: “Do yourself a favour ...”. Meanwhile, a dark-haired young woman, Helen O'Grady, began to host a program shot in Studio C, The Marvellous Munchkin Show. A New Zealander, her story is quite remarkable. Talk about a self-made woman. Studied at Sacred Heart Girl's College Christchurch, Christchurch Teacher's College, Canterbury University and Trinity College, trained at the Globe Theatre School in Dunedin, became an actress and a presenter of children's shows. After arriving at 0 she became the producer and presenter of the national pre-school Munchkin show which ran for two or three years. From memory, she pretty much did it all, including Ollie Octopus. All we had to do was follow the action. No rehearsal, just don't doze off. The year 1974 saw her go to 9 in Perth to do a show called Zoom. The Helen O'Grady DramaAcademy has been her legacy with thousands of students passing through her doors. Somewhere in all this I had convinced myself that I should begin researching and writing a kind of fantasy tale akin to Lord Of The Rings, in length, if not in quality. By that stage I had not only read LOTR but also manually word-counted a sample of chapters, averaged them out to get a page count of words, and multiplied to give me a chapter figure, multiplied to give me an overall number. That number was 500,000 words. Half a million. Uummph. Lots of lists, lots of hand-written, book researched info. Lots of LOTR desection. How many times do the Hobbits bed down to sleep at the end of chapters? How much plot exposition by Gandalf in the beginning? Compare that with The Hobbit, with introduction of the dwarves? Look at character's introductions: Bob and Nob. Look at the relevance to the ongoing plot of Tom Bombadil and The Barrow-Downs. Make a conscious decision as to whether animals will speak: which will, which won't. OK. So. I am looking to create something. To write and illustrate and map and ... what? By this time, the reign of Head Cameraman Barry Cross is over. He has been moved on and Kevin Crawford, who was already Camera Supervisor, a position created solely to relieve Barry of control, becomes the Head Honcho. Bob Meillon has come over from HSV-7, Maria and I are married and I have committed myself to a course that will change our lives. In 1972 a new-look Eyewitness News arrived, (also known by some as I Missed It News) headed up by Geoff Raymond. Geoff was the man who had reported on Maria and I, as lost in the Grampians, when I was still working at 7. Also there were Mickie de Stoop, billed as Wondergirl reporter, Phil Gibbs, Wayne Tregaskis, Tom Jones and John Sorell. I already had a lot of respect for Geoff after my time at 7, and when we met up again at 0 that grew. Geoff had been a heavy smoker at HSV, so much so, at 50-60 a day, that his fingers had that nicotine suntan. Turn To Page 19
www.MelbourneObserver.com.au
Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, y May y 28, 2014 - Page 15
Victoria Pictorial
Eltham For our nostalgia collection
● Eltham. 1945.
● Eltham. 1907.
● Eltham. 1907.
● Eltham. 1901.
● ‘Montsalvat’, Eltham. Circa 1939-45.
● Eltham. 1935.
● Lloyd’s Store, Eltham. Circa 1916-1922.
● Eltham Tennis Club. 1890.
www.MelbourneObserver.com.au
Page 16 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, y May y 28, 2014
Masquerading for Think Pink Freemasonry in Numurkah
■ In recent times Freemasonry in Numurkah has undergone some major changes. Numurkah Lodge has, unfortunately had to return its Warrant (the authority to run a Lodge, under the United Grand Lodge of Victoria) and join its "mother" Lodge in Rupertswood. While this was a sad occurrence for its members, they now see the merging into one Lodge a real positive for Freemasonry in the local area. The Numurkah Lodge was formed some 58 years ago, and was born out of the need to accommodate existing and prospective members. This was as a result of the opening up of Soldier Settlement farms in the area so steps were taken to enable as many young men as possible to join this wonderful organisation. Right up until its closure, Numurkah Lodge was still involved in a number of community projects and had a grand association with the Scouting movement and these will all be continued, and hopefully enhanced, with the merge of the two Lodges. Shortly after the last meeting of the Numurkah Lodge, the first combined installation was held, involving new and old members alike, together with their ladies, and all enjoyed a great night of Freemasonry at the new 'Rupertswood Numurkah' Lodge. District Coordinator for the Goulburn area, David Blake, commented on how pleased Freemasons Victoria is that a smooth transition had taken place. "125 years of association and presence in the local community will not only continue, but hopefully go from strength to strength,” David said. David added that if there was anyone interested in finding out more information about this wonderful organisation, they can contact Freemasons Victoria on 9411 0100 or visit the Freemasons Victoria website at www.freemasonsvic.net.au
● Past Grand Master Bob Jones, Dr Sally Cockurn, and Kerry Jones enjoying the Think Pink Masquerade Ball.
■ For the past four years Freemasons and their partners across the state have been raising funds for Breast CancerAwareness and the Think Pink Foundation. On Saturday, May 17. Past Grand Master Bob Jones and his wife Kerry, joined other Freemasons Victoria representatives at the annual Think Pink Masquerade Ball held at the Crown Palladium. It was a fabulous night full of glitz and glam and of course a touch of pink, with choreographed performances by dancers from Patrick Studios Australia and the stunning voice of 16-yearold. Thanks to the generosity of individuals and companies there was plenty to tempt at the silent and live auctions, lucky key competition and raffles. Along with the help of the MC "Money Collector" for the evening Dr. Sally Cockburn aka Dr. Feelgood, the evening raised much needed funds for the Think Pink Foundation. While the Think Pink Foundation receives generous in-kind support throughout the year, the greatest source of return comes from the sale of these prizes at this main fundraising event for the year. Irene Hendel, Chair of the Foundation and founder of the Living Centre on St Kilda Rd, shared beautiful words of thanks and appreciation towards Freemasons Victoria, and the continued support over the years in funding the salary of a specialist Breast Care Nurse and programs such as 'Days of Indulgences' and the wig salon. "We are grateful for the relationship we share with you, it is valuable to us in making a difference enabling an easier journey through breast cancer," Irene Hendel said. It was a wonderfully inspiring evening and brought home the impact the Think Pink Living Centre has on patients and their families. So dust off your pink hats, bow ties and tutu's and prepare yourselves for another successful Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October.
● Think Pink Foundation Founder Irene Hendell speaks about the good work of the Foundation and the wonderful support Freemasons Victoria has provided.
From little things, big things grow ■ In the 1990s George Entwistle lived in a small country town where he had lovely neighbours with a bunch of lovely kids. One little girl would knock on his door regularly raising funds by holding walkathons, lamington drives and school raffles. You name it she was selling it for her school or the Girl Guides. She also saved, for her own benefit, 5-cent pieces so of course, George and his wife saved them for her too. Tragically, at the age of 12 this little girl was diagnosed with Myeloid Leukaemia. Collecting 5-cent pieces continued to be her little 'thing to do' and George kept it going as well. Unfortunately this dear child did not make it to her 16th birthday. George has continued to save his 5- cent pieces, which he donates to a children's cancer project every year. The first time he asked his fellow members at his Lodge if they would save along with him, they raised $180 which was donated to the Freemasons Victoria car that was entered in the Charity Bash in 2006. When George joined Gippsland Lodge No. 51, he again requested that Lodge members save their 5-cent pieces to donate to a worthy cause for cancer each year.
Over the past four years, not only members of George's Lodge but members from Lodges throughout Gippsland have saved their 5-cent pieces, and George has made it his mission to gather them all up at Lodge meetings. The money raised in the first two efforts was donated to the Freemason's Motorcycle Club on their great ride for Cystic Fibrosis. A total of $295 was donated. Next was $520 donated to a boy with quadriplegia in Traralgon. The funds raised assisted his family to look after him at home, after remodelling. You may be surprised at the amount that can be raised from that 'little 5 cent piece'! If you would like to assist George, contact him at georgeentwistle@bigpond.com or call 0427 580 625.
● To find out more about Freemasonry, how to become a member, or attend upcoming public events, please visit www.freemasonsvic.net.au or ’Like’ our Facebook page, www.facebook.com/freemasonsvic for the most up to date information. ● Don't miss Series 2 of Freemasons: The Inside Story, airing Monday nights at 8:30pm on Channel 31, or visit www.C31.org.au to watch it online.
Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, May 28, 2014 - Page 17
www.MelbourneObserver.com.au Melbourne
Observer
West Hollywood
Birthday boys choir turns 50 From my suite at the Ramada Plaza Hotel and Suites comes this week's news.
Batman vs Superman
Many happy returns ■ The National Boys Choir of Australia, whose boys feature in the highly acclaimed QANTAS commercials, celebrates 50 years of song this year. The choir has toured internationally, performed for Prime Ministers, Presidents and Royalty and has shared the stage with celebrities from the Three Tenors to André Rieu. For all the G'Day USA Gala Dinners every January here in Los Angeles, the choir always stays at the Ramada Plaza Hotel and Suites. Alan Johnson, Managing Director of the Ramada West Hollywood, has always been a keen sponsor of the event.
Not happiest place on Earth
● Walt Disney ■ Accusations of conspiracy, mental incompetence and financial misconduct, plus insinuations of kidnapping and incest, fly faster than Frozen merchandise off shelves as Brad and Michelle Disney Lund go to battle over their inheritance Before Walt Disney's youngest daughter, Sharon Disney Lund, died in 1993 of breast cancer at age 56, her three grown children gathered in a North Hollywood office and were told about the vast fortune that awaited them. Brad and Michelle were the then-23-year-old twins from Sharon's second marriage to Bill Lund, the real estate developer who scouted the 27,000 acres in Orlando that later would become Disney World, Walt's second "Happiest Place on Earth" after Disneyland in Anaheim. And then there was Victoria Disney, then 27, the daughter adopted by Sharon (who herself was adopted) with her first husband, Robert Brown. All three already lived comfortably. But this was a whole other level of wealth on the table. Per the terms of their combined trusts - today worth about $400 million - Walt Disney's grandchildren were to receive 20 percent distributions, a good portion of it in Disney stock. The payouts were to be dispensed to the three children at the ages of 35, 40 and 45, once amounting to about $20 million (and now closer to $30 million) for each every five years. But there was one important caveat: Sharon empowered three trustees -- including, at the time, ex-husband Bill and older sister Diane Disney Miller - to withhold distributions in the event the children did not demonstrate "maturity and financial ability to manage and utilize such funds in a prudent and responsible manner. Since Walt Disney died in 1966 at age 65, his two children, Diane and Sharon, shied away from Hollywood. Diane had seven children of her own, while Sharon - who briefly became a model and actress (she had a small role in the 1957 film Johnny Tremain) - settled into a comfortable life as a mother of three kids. Says Jim Korkis, who now writes for an all-things-Disney site called Mouse Planet: "When I worked at Walt Disney World and asked about Walt's grandchildren, the response was, 'They spend their time managing their portfolios.' Walt was adamant about keeping his children and grandchildren away from the business." With the exception of Walt's nephew, Roy, who helped bring in Michael Eisner as CEO in 1984 to revitalise the company -- and later fought unsuccessfully to remove him -- the family largely has stayed away from corporate affairs, choosing to exert their wealth and power in other ways, including philanthropically. Not surprisingly, the legal fight isn't over. In the event that the ruling is final, Sherry promises an appeal. Plus, the guardianship petition over Brad still is pending. And soon will come another big birthday: Next year, the twins turn 45. Trustees once again will vote on whether to turn over tens of millions of dollars to Walt Disney's grandchildren. And all that might be a prelude to the battle over the hundreds of millions that Brad hasn't received. Can he bequeath it to his stepsister Rachel? That's why the trustees believe Sherry is trying to adopt Brad. Whatever courtroom they meet in next, it will be far from the happiest place on Earth.
● National Boys Choir of Australia
GavinWood
From my Suite at the Ramada Plaza Complex on Santa Monica Blvd
Sandra settles
● Sandrra Bullock ■ Sandra Bullock has settled a lengthy lawsuit against jewellery vendors who created a watch that used the actress' name to increase sales. The 49-year-old Oscar winner filed a lawsuit against ToyWatch two years ago after the company advertised a watch with a diamond-encrusted, white band as the timepiece the brunette beauty wore in The Blind Side, even dubbing the wristwatch the ‘Bullock Watch’. The suit has been settled, although the terms have not been revealed. In the suit, Bullock reportedly cited privacy laws as well as publicity statutes, which protect the actress' name, image and likeness, highlighting her many accolades as well as a survey, which puts Bullock ahead of Oprah Winfrey in terms of her popularity with the American public. According to the suit, the actress "will not voluntarily appear in print or other media for a company or product unless she carefully selects and believes in the company and product, and unless the compensation she receives is commensurate with the value of the exploitation of her name, image, identity, and persona." While Bullock's legal troubles are behind her, Halle Berry is still battling a similar lawsuit against ToyWatch's Italian branch. Last year, the actress filed a $1.2 million suit against the company for associating her name and image with merchandise.
www.gavinwood.us
● Ben Affleck ■ Warner Bros. unveiled the title Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice just as production got underway in Michigan. Zack Snyder is directing the film, which stars Henry Cavill in the role of Clark Kent/Superman and Ben Affleck as Bruce Wayne/Batman. Dawn of Justice refers to how the movie sets up the Justice League movie, which Snyder and the studio are already developing. That movie could bow as soon as 2017. Dawn of Justice also stars Gal Gadot as Diana Prince/ Wonder Woman, Jesse Eisenberg as Lex Luthor, Jeremy Irons as Alfred and Holly Hunter in a role newly created for the film. Amy Adams. Laurence Fishburne and Diane Lane are reprising their roles from Man of Steel. The movie is shooting at the Michigan Motion Picture Studios and on location in and around Detroit. It will also shoot in Illinois, Africa and the South Pacific. Chris Terrio writes Dawn of Justice from a screenplay by David S. Goyer. Charles Roven and Deborah Snyder are producing, with Goyer, Benjamin Melniker, Michael E. Uslan, Wesley Coller and Geoff Johns serving as executive producers. Set to open worldwide on May 6, 2016, Dawn of Justice is based on Superman characters created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, Batman characters created by Bob Kane and Wonder Woman created by William Moulton Marston, appearing in comic books published by DC Entertainment.
Hollywood stars do it tough
■ In case you were wondering just how much money entertainers like Miley Cyrus, Matthew McConaughey, Beyoncé and more are pulling down, wonder no more. So how does the average Joe's paycheck compare to the likes of, say, Justin Timberlake? Well, not surprising, there's no comparison. Thanks to his 20/20 Experience album being the top seller of the year, J.T. raked in $63 million in 2013. However, that's nothing compared to the whopping $76.5 million that Miley Cyrus pulled in. And while some other singers didn't generate quite as much moola as the Wrecking Ball songstress, their numbers are still pretty impressive nevertheless. Surely nobody's sneezing at Beyoncé's $57 million and Bruno Mars' $38 million. Acting-wise, Sandra Bullock generated $63 million for herself stemming from such hit flicks as The Heat and Gravity, while newly minted Oscar winner Matthew McConaughey earned $19 million. As for brothers Chris and Liam Hemsworth, there's quite a big monetary gap, with the two taking in $58 million and $1.75 million respectively. But hey, with the recent arrival of twin boys, Chris does have more mouths to feed, right?
Happy, happy holidays
■ If you would like to rub shoulders with the stars that live in West Hollywood then I have a Special Holiday Offer for YOU. I have managed to secure a terrific holiday deal for all readers of the Melbourne Observer. When planning your trip to Los Angeles come and stay at the Ramada Plaza Hotel and Suites, 8585 Santa Monica Boulevard, West Hollywood. Please mention 'Melbourne Observer' when you book and you will receive the Special Rate of the Day. Please contact Joanna at info@ramadaweho.com Happy, Happy Holidays, Gavin Wood
Page 18 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, May 28, 2014
Melbourne
Observer
www.MelbourneObserver.com.au
Travellers’Good Buys
with David Ellis
Airline thinks small to succeed big ■ While many a corporation has foundered as a consequence of talking big, but fatally thinking small, one that’s conversely proven the success of talking big, and then very deliberately thinking small, is Middle Eastbased airline Emirates. First taking to the skies in 1985 with just two leased aircraft, Emirates in less than 30 years has built-up a fleet of more than 210 wide-bodied passenger aircraft – and has orders in for an extraordinary 377 more that’ll cost it an almost mind-paralysing 162-billion US dollars. And today it flies to more than 140 destinations in 80 countries – including 84 services a week from Australia that go either direct from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth, or via Singapore, Bangkok or Kuala Lumpur, to its Dubai homebase, and onwards world-wide from there. And it also has 29 flights a week from Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane to New Zealand as well. While all this perhaps suggests that Emirates is purely about all things big, and yes it does have whole departments doing just that to constantly expand its operations world-wide, it equally has others figuring answers to very-much smaller questions. Such as answers to what special little treats it can offer those business and holiday travellers between meal-
● Hundreds of movie, TV, music and other channels are available for children, families and adults to while-away the longest flights.
Melbourne
Observer Wines & Liqueurs
with David Ellis
Rewards of 12 years hard work ■ You’ve possibly never heard of Cherry Tree Hill wines, but take note because here’s a small maker in the Southern Highlands of NSW that’s on the go – after twelve years of hard work it’s now got a half-dozen topquality varietals and blends, of which over half already have a barrel-full of rewards from major shows, regional events and even an International Challenge. Gabi Lorentz and his family established a family farm at Sutton Forest in the Highlands after landing in Australia 30 years ago, and with fond memories of riding through his famous grandfather’s vineyards back in Hungary by horse-and-cart as a boy, decided in 2000 to start growing grapes himself in this newest of Australian wine regions. Cabernet Sauvignon and Riesling were followed by Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay, with highlyrespected local makers Anton and Mark Balog contracted to turn this fruit into grand drops now available online – and with an interesting Wine Club that gives members up to 30% in discounts, and a Cellar Door to open in Spring. Until then you can buy as little as a single bottle online: if you love a Chardonnay, go for the 2011 Cherry Tree Hill Diana that abounds with varietal citrus and grapefruit, almond nougat, butterscotch and a toasty elegance – and absolutely ideal with shellfish. Great value at $35 (plus $12 freight for any number from 1 to 48) with Club discounts reducing it to just $24.50. Www.cherrytreehill.com.au or phone Dave Lorentz 0414 366 000.
One to note ■ Great enjoyment as the nights get colder is a 2012 Chandon Heathcote Shiraz from Central Victoria, a wine with loads of berry fruit flavours and nice varietal spiciness that goes so well with a range of cooler to colder weather foods. The Heathcote region has a reputation for Shiraz that show marvellous concentrations of flavour, and this is the time of year to enjoy it to its fullest: being medium-bodied this one makes for nice easy drinking without overpowering the foods its matches best – think about a good lamb roast with rosemary potatoes or black pepper beef. At $31 you’ll find it really rewarding buying for that next dinner party.
Pictured ■ NSW Southern Highland label that’s on the go, with this Chardonnay a winner wherever it heads. Enjoy it with all kinds of shellfish. ■ One for making the most of colder nights: share it with friends over lamb roast with rosemary potatoes.
times in plusher First and Business Class cabins in the “pointy end” of its planes – while at the same time, how best to entertain, amuse and occupy all from toddlers to teens, mums, dads, grandparents and solo travellers “down the back” in Economy during long hours in the air. To make possible the huge number of flights it has, Emirates has spent US$87.3 billion in the past six years alone to make it the world’s largest operator of the massive double-deck Airbus A380, with 45 of these giants currently in service and another 93 on order, while its also got no fewer than 124 Boeing 777s in service, 59 more on order, and options for another 20 on top of this. Yet the breath-taking enormity of all this is balanced by the effort it puts into, in its own thinking, a very special group of passenger. And that’s its youngest guests, from the tiniest of bubs to toddlers and teens … those that it hopes will grow up to become life-long Emirates aficionados and frequent-flyers for decades to come. For the wee-est of these guests the airline carries everything aboard from milk formula and baby bottles to two types of jar food, nappies and bassinets, and for their mums and dads it has fleets of strollers on-hand to help those arriving into Dubai with toddlers. At the same time to keep kids of all ages amused inflight, widescreen in-seat digital entertainment systems feature a-near-dozen new release children’s movies, scores of Disney classics, 30+ dedicated kid’s TV channels, 60 hours of others like Sesame Street, Dora the Explorer, Fireman Sam, and perennial favourites Tom & Jerry… with special children’s-size headphones for a snug fit. There’s even a dedicated Quiksilver channel of surfing and skating programs for teens. Plus hundreds of music channels feature favourites from One Direction, Demy Lovato and Taylor Swift , to Olly Murs, Little Mix and Justin Timberlake, and for a change in pace, free Inflight Activity magazines called 3,2,1 for pre-school travellers and ekids for older children that are packed with games, quizzes, stories, puzzles and colour-ins. Pre-schoolers also get their own ‘Fly With Me Monster’ toys from a choice of a dozen wrapped around soft polar fleece children’s blankets that they can snuggle up with on long flights, (and dubbed Blanket Buddies) or clipped onto seatbelts to encourage safety (Seat Belt Critters.) Kids can take these Buddies and Critters home to start their own Monster Toy collections at flights-end…Emirates giving away an amazing 3.5 million since 2012. And kid’s meals include regular favourites plus Asian and vegetarian options (and dietary meals that can be ordered 24 hours before flights,) with cabin crew trained to assist parents with children, particularly those with several, however they can. And young passengers can even (with parent’s or guardian’s permission) sign up to their own frequentflyer program, earning their very-own points towards free future flights, Apple iPods, games, and the latest fashion accessories. For more information about flying Emirates with kids, see travel agents, phone 1300 303 777.
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Observer
Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, May 28, 2014 - Page 19
Melbourne TV Memories
By Kenneth Mulholland
‘Welcome to the Roy Haystack Show’ ● From Page 14 Geoff Raymond’s cigarette habit was not to be wondered at: here was a man that had not only had the pressures of a nightly radio and television newsreader, but also of a man who had flown fighter planes during World War II/ When I met him in Studio D after those intervening years, I noticed that his fingers were no longer stained. He told me he'd given up cigarettes, and I asked him how. His answer: “Cold turkey Ken. Only way to do it.” A lovely, lovely man. There was also another show that came out of Studio C. I think Tedd Dunn produced it. Titled Building Today, the compere was a chap by the name of Murray Jones, a very affable fellow who was also quite knowledgeable about his subject mat-
ter and wasn't afraid to get stuck in. On a smaller scale of hammer and nail, drilling, saw-dust and gluing this little program was one of the early fore-runners of all the build it, make it, transform it or renovate it shows that blokes like Scott Cam, who was probably in kindy back then, tell us about today. The rap party at Murray's Hawthorn home was memorable because Murray insisted on showing us all of his renovations. And then there was The Roy Hamper/Haystack/Hoystead/Hamstead/ morning program. I believe it began in 1967 before I arrived and was known as Morning Magazine with Roy and Katrina Pye. This evolved into Roundabout which transmogrified into The Roy Hampson Show, In Melbourne To-
day, Everyday, and Good Morning Melbourne all the way through to 1988, finally to be replaced by the Sydney-based Til Ten. Well, what can I say about Roy? I always thought that he would have been an ideal late-night host for a cool jazz program with some singing star guests. Just a laid back show that he could have devoured. Not to be. Roy, retired now, is still the master up-stager. Somewhere along the line, Brian Finch, who was a cameraman at 7 when I was there), directed a new kids show out of Studio B. I think it was his homage to The Magic Circle Club and perhaps too, Adventure Island. It starred Judy Banks and Fredd Bear, who probably had a paw in the production, along with Jack Perry as
'Happy Jack’. The thing I recall was a fabulous tree, one of the most complicated and beautiful creations of the design, art and carpentry departments, that towered over the foreground of the set. The show was titled The Wonderful World Of The Young. I think it had an audience of children and adults, and that's about all I recall. I know I only worked the first one or two shows, and alas, the program was rather short lived. 1974 saw me working on The Box and Matlock Police in Studio B. then.) in the Brian Finch-produced and directed show It's Magic. A Lewis-Young one-hour program. I'm pretty sure Steve Mann (later to become a very good director) was one of the camera crew. I never worked it but with the combination of Hewett,
Farnham and Finch the result must have been entertaining Magic indeed. I'd been working at my attempt to write something. The word got around a little bit and I was approached by Geoff Grant one day outside the pay office. He told me that he was going to direct three programs at the Myer Music Bowl featuring a broad range of Sunday light classic and pop for the people, I think with the Hector Crawford Orchestra, to be compered by Garry Meadows. The musical selections for each one-hour concert had been chosen, but required researching: Who was the composer, what was the kind of composition, what was its background and format, its country of composition, date and type? ● Turn To Page 20
Melbourne
Observer Life & Style
Back in the chair, and on the air ■ Do you believe in the Law of Threes? I think the saying is “ disasters always come in threes’. After a disastrous four weeks where nothing went right I’m a firm believer. To start , my computer went haywire and nothing was working. A friend who is supposedly a computer expert happened to call in and I naturally told him of my problem. He looked at it. Fiddled a bit and then told me it would have to go to his workshop. Who was I to say it wasn’t so?
Yvonne’s Column
‘Ratfink’ ■ I’m absolutely computer illiterate, and seeing he was a friend and an expert, I believed him. However I’ve been in business a long time and know that one should always get a receipt from the repairer when he/she takes possession of the goods. It should also state that I would be informed of the estimated cost of the repairs before work is started if I decide to go ahead. It also means you have proof that the goods were given to the repairman in case of loss or damage for your insurance company. It all sounds terribly cold and business like when dealing with an old friend, so I didn’t because of course I trusted him. I waved goodbye to him as he left with my computer under his arm. He promised that it would be back in working order within a couple of days at most. The ratfink didn’t tell me he was going on holidays and I was snookered. He brought it back and was very cavalier when I went for his jugular. He is now an almost ex-friend.
Recommendation ■ A good friend recommended an excellent company that would help me. So now I’m recommending to you the PC Repair Centre. A delightful technician arrived right at the time he promised, and it seemed that in no time at all he had me back on line. Not only that, he went even further than the service for which I was paying by cleaning up other things that needed attention. By the time he left my PC was in pristine condition and I knew a lot more about computing. He was more than prepared to explain what he was doing so that my limited computing skills were greatly improved. I was more than delighted by the result. So much so I’ve asked him to return and get me started with the laptop that Peter bought me for Mother’s Day.
with Yvonne Lawrence yvonne.lawrence@bigpond.com
The consultant who arrived on this errand of mercy was Chris M (never did get his surname) and it was a pleasure to have him in my office. The PC Repair Centre is situated in 662 High St, Kew, and you can phone them on 9859 9935.
Tired of life ■ One down two to go. I’d had a piece of grit in my eye and nothing would remove it. Dark glasses or drops didn’t help. It was there to stay. A bloodshot eye was the testament to my suffering. Plus of course I was grizzling a lot. I was beginning to see a pattern forming. What next? A friend rang me in a very depressed state and told me that she had rung to say goodbye. She said she couldn’t cope with life one minute longer. Her husband had died last year and since then she had breast cancer and a heart attack. Of course I donned my other hat and we talked.
New interest ■ And I’m still talking with her. In fact, the computer that her husband used is lying idle in his office and I’ve got her interested in having lessons from Michael. So who knows what this new interest will do for her state of mind. Meantime I received a phone call from Meseret, wife of Mekonnen, our Ethiopian family, telling me was in hospital suffering from a heart attack. Things come in three’s they say, but my disasters are coming thick and fast.
But to balance it up. Mekonnen is out if hospital and is recovering. I was watching the very emotional 1942 film of Blossoms In The Dust and as the tears flowed, so did the grit that had been ripping into my eye all week and driving me insane. But worst of all, my dispute with the Macquarie Bank raged on, and I was determined to win the battle because they were wrong, so wrong. And I did. And managed to turn a huge negative into a positive.
Name and shame ■ Couldn’t believe that I had actually won a round with a bank, and all without calling on my solicitors to bring in the big guns. It was a real case of David versus Goliath Will I receive a letter of apology for all the heartburn they caused me? So far there has been no communication except a phone call to tell me that they were looking into the matter. What matter? It came to a conclusion days ago, and in my favour. I sometimes wonder if the banks ever talk with their other departments so that everyone knows what is going on. Keeping file notes on every document is a must. And although I sometimes can’t locate a document immediately because it is under a pile of papers on my desk, I will find it. When you are making file notes be sure to put the date, time of phone call, the name of the person with whom you are dealing and anything that is said that you feel may be important. It really pays off. Now I’m ready to face the world again.
Dementia ■ Poor old Moosh, my elderly cat, is coping with his dementia.
He’s learning to work with hand signals. A loud “NO” doesn’t seem to work with him anymore. He yells back at me with an ‘in your boot’ voice. If he’s like your cat he’s most probably looking forward to the winter and curling up in front of the heater and sleeping the day away. But because he is elderly it is important that he gets the proper care and attention. The Blackburn Vet Centre is holding a free pet first aid information night on Wedneday, September 18. I’m telling you now so that you can circle your diary. I’m pleased to see a return to this pet first aid information night again.
Book your seat ■ You will learn how to respond with confidence to illnesses and injuries related to your pet with first aid knowledge. How to respond to an emergency, household toxins and safety in first aid and more. Friends and family are welcome. To reserve your seat/s phone the Clinic on 9850 1600. Alternatively, you can register on line- manningham vet.com.au/news/free-petfirst-aid-information –night-Wednesday-18thseptember. The venue is Manningham Vet Clinic and the time is 6pm to 7pm. Light refreshments will be served as well. I urge you to take advantage of this free night, because a deadly virus is a risk in Melbourne, and besides, responsible pet owners should know how to help their pet in an emergency. Give them a call now and reserve your seat. Enjoy the Indian summer while it last. We’ll talk again next week. Good karma. - Yvonne Contact: Editor, P.O. Box 1278, Research, 3095.
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Page 20 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, May 28, 2014
■ Gene Kelly was a dancer, actor, choreographer, director and producer in a career that spanned over 60 years. He was responsible for creating a style of dancing that provided the world with wonderful entertainment during the "golden days" of Hollywood musicals. I would watch his films at the Plaza Theatre in Coburg during the 1950s. I was in awe of this talented performer with his incredible precision, skill and imagination. At the same time he seemed to be a charming and likeable man. Eugene Curran ‘Gene’ Kelly was born in Pittsburgh in 1912. He was the third son of Harriet and James Kelly and he had two sisters. The children performed as ‘The Five Kellys’. His father was Al Jolson's ‘Road Manager’ in the 1920s. Gene had a tricycle accident when he was six which left him with a scar on his left cheek. Several years later he went to dance lessons with his brother James but soon gave it away after being teased by his peers. In 1931 he was enrolled at the University of Pittsburgh where he became involved in student stage productions and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in economics. When his family established a dance school Gene worked as a dancing teacher before moving to New York City in search of work as a choreographer.
Whatever Happened To ... Gene Kelly By Kevin Trask of 3AW and 96.5 Inner FM His two brothers Fred and James were also dancers. In 1938 Gene was cast as a dancer in the Broadway show Leave It To Me. He appeared in several other productions before landing the lead role in Pal Joey in 1940. Others in the cast included June Havoc, Stanley Donen and a very young Van Johnson. Gene Kelly was signed to a film contract with MGM Studios and his first film was For Me And My Gal where he starred opposite Judy Garland. He married Betsy Blair in 1941 and they had a daughter. In 1944 Gene enlisted in the US Naval Air Force and worked at making film documentaries for the war effort.
● Gene Kelly He continued his Hollywood career during the war years. His musical films included Cover Girl, Anchors Aweigh, Take Me Out To The Ballgame, The Pirate, On The Town, Summer Stock and Brigadoon. In 1951 Gene starred opposite Leslie Caron in An American In Paris which won the Academy Award for Best Picture that year. The film featured a creative 16-minute ballet sequence. In 1952 Gene Kelly starred with Debbie Reynolds and Donald O'Connor in one of my favourite musicals Singin' In the Rain. During a recent radio interview Debbie Reynolds told me that Gene was a hard taskmaster but he got results. His dramatic film roles included The Black Hand, The Cross Of
Lorraine and Inherit the Wind. Following his divorce from Betsy Blair he married Jeanine Coyne in 1960 and they were married up to her death and they had a son, Timothy. Gene was agnostic but played Father O'Malley in the television series of Going My Way. He directed the film version of Hello Dolly and his last film appearance was in Xanadu. Gene did not wed again till 1990 and was happily married to Patricia Ward for the rest of his life. In his later years Gene made guest appearances in television shows such as The Love Boat. The Three Tenors performed Singin' In The Rain in his presence during a concert in 1994 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. Gene received many awards during his career and he was highly respected by his peers and his fans. Gene Kelly died in his sleep in February 1996 after suffering complications with two strokes. His body was cremated and there was no funeral service. Kevin Trask The Time Tunnel - with Bruce & PhilSundays at 8.20pm on 3AW That's Entertainment - 96.5FM Sundays at 12Noon 96.5FM is streaming on the internet. To listen, go to www.innerfm.org.au and follow the prompts.
Dicko’s first visit to Alice Springs ■ A mate of mine, Dicko, called me recently and informed me that his wife had set her heart on an Alice Springs visit, so what should he do when he got there? I have been along the Stuart Highway countless times, and the whole journey has become second nature to me now, so I don't even think about it. Similarly with spending time in
Alice Springs. However, he's a good mate, and I wanted to make sure that I gave his enquiry my best. And I suddenly realised that I'm about to give him a great gift which may well turn out to be his holiday of a lifetime. It certainly was with Keith McGowan when he first came up to stay with me in Alice Springs. So I've put a fine tooth comb over
Melbourne TV Memories ● From Page 19 ■ In other words, all the background required for a compere to use before each selection. I was, at first, astonished and then intrigued. Me, a lowly cameraman, was being asked if I might research and write up some kind of informational script as a base for three onehour programs to go to air a few weeks away. As it turned out I was to take a week or two on leave mid-year. I always worked through Christmas, and so, on the spur of the moment said yes. Geoff warned me that there was little budget. In fact there was zero budget I was being paid something like $48 a week back then, which was an average salary for a manual worker, which we were considered to be, and so I suggested that for a week's work for the three shows a nominal fee of $15 per show would suffice. Geoff agreed. The deal was done without so much as a handshake. But a word is a bond. In the early 1970s businesses had telephones, but individuals varied. Some had wall phones, other poorer homes didn't and relied on telephone booths. There was no internet. If you needed to research, then only the library or some other local information repository was available. I spent almost a week camped in the Camberwell Library dragging out books from the shelves and trawling through their pages to dig out little nuggets on ditties like The Flight Of The Bumblebee, Tara's Theme from Gone With The Wind, Clair de lune, On The Trail, from The Grand Canyon Suite, Country Gardens and Londonderry Air, Hoe Down, from Billy The Kid, Ritual Fire Dance, Rakoczy March, and some more
obscure such as The Little Train of the Caipira. Having grubbed out all I could I took my notes home and wrote them up in long hand forms that suited straight narration. These went to one of the director's assistants, possibly Kay Hennessy or perhaps Di Rolle, to be typed up then integrated into the program. I'd already totalled the lengths of the musical numbers in each program and allowed sufficient time to include the introductions. From memory, these concerts didn't have commercial breaks. The shows went live to air and not being rostered camera on them I watched some as a viewer. Much to my surprise and satisfaction Gary Meadows used my words pretty much verbatim. Came my pay packet (back then it was a physical packet with money inside) I discovered that my usual weekly salary and my payment for the extracurricular writing had been lumped together, netting me the princely sum of $13 after tax. I saw red, stormed around to Geoff's office and was told that there was nothing he could do about it. Very sorry. On your bike. I was on my bike with a vengeance. My unicycle propelled me around to the office of Phil Gibbs, the production manager. I stormed in, made my case and threw my pay packet on his desk, then stormed out. Poor Phil must have been stunned by this popinjay who was prepared to take nothing rather than a pittance. As far as I was concerned, I was a cameraman and paid as such. This however was different. I was something else and had agreed to work for a set sum. Word = Bond. A week later I got my money, but it was a sign of the early seventies that the only facility by which they could pay me was via petty cash. - Kenneth Mulholland
the journey in response to his request. Granted, there's basically sheep and wheat paddocks to Port Augusta, apart from pretty little Adelaide, but then there is the Stuart Highway proper, with Woomera, Lake Hart, the wonderful sand hills and gibber and salt bush plains, teeming with wildlife. There's the fascination of Coober Pedy, like no other settlement in the world. And then on to Alice Springs. ■ Again, because I have had lived there for so long, I tend to become blasé about it - and have a often looked at a few of its downfalls from a visitor's point of view, such as the antisocial and drunken behaviour of some of the inhabitants. However, I have reflected, and realised, there's so much more. Most overseas and local visitors wax lyrical about the Outback, and rightly so. Alice Springs per se is a larger Australian country town with stuff of interest, such as the Aboriginal art shops, and a couple of touristy items the Reptile Centre and the Desert Park, the Flying Doctor, and the historic Telegraph Station. But in the desert beyond there are a plethora of gorges and chasms - my favourite is Trephina Gorge, just before Ross River, about 80 kms east of town. I love tramping through the sand of the dry riverbed, with the flocks of budgies and finches winging by, and the ageless rocks glowing in the setting sun. And, over to the other side of town in the west, is Glen Helen with its balmy waterhole and its palms and its towering rocky crags. And then there's the desert with its wild flowers, its red sand dunes and Spinifex, its majestic desert oaks and its hardy Mulgas. And there are the ancient dry riverbeds - the Finke supposedly being the world's oldest. I'd love to go back for another visit myself - and I haven't even started on the Rock. ■ And talking about palms reminds me of my visit to Palm Valley. Keith and Angie McGowan were staying with me, and I had never been out there, so we decided that a visit would be in order. So, we bundled into my four-wheel drive, off we trotted.
The Outback Legend
with Nick Le Souef Lightning Ridge Opals 175 Flinders Lane, Melbourne Phone 9654 4444 www.opals.net.au We firstly visited Hermansburg and inspected its famous buildings and its Namatjira history and its beautiful church. And then on to Albert's original house just out of town. And then on to Palm Valley. I had heard that the road was particularly rough, so even though I had a four wheel drive it was with a bit of trepidation that I bumped along the first part of the track in the valley between the beautiful purple glow of distant hills dotted with pure white ghost gums. Which jumped straight out of any Namatjira painting. And then, with just a few kms to go, here were the serious bumps. We just entered the last part of the track, which was an old river bed. Most of it in low-range first gear four wheel drive. However, then the Valley - magnificent in the morning sun with its waterholes and palms and soaring rocks on either side. What a climax. ■ I've got a mate, Malcolm Barrow, who with his wife Cheryl, has just
moved down here to the Peninsula a couple of years ago. "What am I going to do?" he wondered. Golf, fishing, croquet, sailing, bowls? Some of which he's availed himself of. And there's a new little pursuit - birdwatching! Even though he's never even noticed a sparrow before, he's just joined the local club, and off he wanders over meadow and bush and swamp, armed with his binoculars, along with a fellow band of intrepid hunters. There are plenty of our feathered friends down here to spy upon. But the Peninsula falls into insignificance in comparison to the Centre. It's a birdwatcher's paradise. There are many such individuals who make their way from far flung lands to visit Alice and the Outback to ply their trade. And what a trade. Myriads of finches and wrens, honeyeaters and flycatchers; from the beauty of tiny little blue desert wrens, to the scarlet chest of the mistletoe bird, to the large bumbling emus. Fodder for binoculars for years! ■ I have previously broached the topic of unique Territory culinary delights. The most popular for my palate have been buffalo and emu and, especially, camel. But now comes one to top this - it's never even crossed my mind - cane toad legs. What a great idea. Although they do have a poison gland in their back, generally the toxin stays there, and only disseminates through the body if it's stressed out. So the secret, according to Emma Lupin, is to "catch them by the back legs and whip them into a bag, ensuring they remain calm", then into the freezer. After a stint in there, out into the world again for a quick thaw, then off with the legs with a cleaver. Emma, and a few of her culinary mates have now created several dishes with these delicacies. "They're marinated first in soy, garlic, ginger and chilli. I then sautee them in sesame oil and serve them with heaps of local and random salad grass, including sweet leaf and rosella leaves. Yum! - Nick Le Souef ‘The Outback Legend’
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Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, May 28, 2014 - Page 21
Page 22 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, May 28, 2014
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Victoria Pictorial
Camping Historic Photo Collection
● Wattles Camping Ground, Bright. Early 1960s.
● Whiters Camping Ground, Lakes Entrance. 1950s.
● Plumridge’s Camping Park, Marlo.
● Camping grounds, Yea. 1950s.
● Point Nepean Road, McCrae.
● Mallacoota, 1962.
● Camping grounds, Lorne. 1949.
● Camping area, Wangaratta. 1947.