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STATE EDITION Vol 45 No 1525 SERVING VICTORIA SINCE 1969 Ph 1-800 231 311 Fx 1-800 231 312

112 Observer PAGES Melbourne

WEDNESDAY, JULY 31, 2013 www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

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■ Christie Whelan-Browne and Eddie Perfect were co-hosts for the Helpmann Awards for live theatre, held on Monday night. The full list of winners starts on Page 3.

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Page 2 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, July 31, 2013

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LEO BAECK CENTRE FOR PROGRESSIVE JUDAISM, E.KEW

www.lbc.org.au

Activities include: Regular Shabbat and Festival services, Monthly Soul Shabbat Jazz service, Early service for young families Our services are in Hebrew and English

We are a friendly Jewish community that's been serving the Eastern Suburbs for more than 60 years.

Our Rabbi, Jonathan Keren-Black, has been with us for 10 years and has special interest in Jewish education, interfaith and environmental work Come and join us!

COMMUNITY PARTNER AND RESOURCE We are proud to be part of the wider Boroondara community, and see ourselves as a local resource. U3A meets at our centre, as does the Zalman Orchestra - and we have great facilities for hire.

Some of our activities such as Israeli dancing and our 'b'Yachad' singing group are open to anyone, whether interested in being part of the community or not.

Shared meals, Fine Wine and Music, Varied Adult Learning, Care Group Social events, Netzer Youth Activities Trips and visits, Healthy Aging group Social Issues, Civic Service, Kew Festival START THE NEW YEAR WITH US Rosh Hashanah 5774 is September 4-5 SUNDAY SCHOOL CLUB

The emphasis at our Sunday School Club is not only on learning about Judaism and Hebrew, but on having fun and making friends in a Jewish environment.

We are also proud to be part of the wider Jewish community, Progressive Judaism Victoria, and the regional Union for Progressive Judaism.

Anyone wishing to learn more about Judaism can join our on-line 'Introduction to Judaism' course.

If you've got kids in grade 3 and up, bring them along to try us out! And because we treat girls and boys equally, we celebrate both Bar and Bat Mitzvah at 13 - you won't believe what these kids can achieve!

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, July 31, 2013 - Page 3

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

City Desk

Melbourne

Observer

The hottest news about Melbourne’s A-listers

The Buzz On red carpet

● Lucy Durack

● Sarah Murdoch on the Helpmann Awards red carpet

HELPMANN WINNERS ■ Melbourne theatre personalities scored well in the Helpmann Awards presented at the Sydney Opera House on Monday night. The presentations, shown on the Arena pay-TV channel, were co-hosted by Christie Whelan-Browne and Eddie Perfect.

Three productions were equally big winners, with five awards each.

The Secret River received awards for Best Play, Best New Australian Work, Best Original Score, Best Male Actor in a Supporting Role in a Play and Best Direction of a Play.

Legally Blonde took out the awards for Best Musical, Best Female Actor in a Musical and Best Female Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical, plus two awards for Jerry Mitchell,for Best Direction and Best Choreography.

In addition to the previously announced Outstanding Theatrical Achievement for the design, creation and operation of King Kong – the creature, King Kong made a sweep of design and technical awards forSound Design, Lighting Design, Costume Design and Scenic Design.

Opera Australia’s Salome followed with four awards for Best Opera, Best Female Performer, Best Male Performer and Best Female Performer in a Supporting Role.

Bangarra took out two awards, Best Ballet or Dance Work and Best Female Dancer,for Terrain.

Best Musical Legally Blonde The MusicalHoward Panter for The Ambassador Theatre Group & John Frost Best Play The Secret River- Sydney Theatre Company in association with The Confederation of Australian International Arts Festivals, Sydney Festival, The Centenary of Canberra, Perth International Arts Festival Best Opera Salome - Opera Australia Best Male Actor in a Play Colin Friels - Death of a Salesman - Belvoir Best Female Actor in a Play Alison Bell - Hedda Gabler - State Theatre Company of South Australia Best Male Actor in a Musical Geoffrey Rush - A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum John Frost Best Female Actor in a Musical Lucy Durack - Legally Blonde The Musical - Howard Panter for The Ambassador Theatre Group & John Frost Best Symphony Orchestra Concert Das Rheingold by Richard Wagner (concert performance), Hamburg State Opera with the Hamburg Philharmonic Orchestra - Queensland Performing Arts Centre & Tourism and Events Queensland Best Regional Touring Production Circa - Circa, toured by Performing Lines for Road Work Best Male Performer in a Supporting Role in an Opera José Carbó - Die Tote Stadt - Opera Australia

● Christie Whelan-Browne pictured prior to the Helpmann Awards on Monday night Best Female Performer in a Supporting Role in an Opera Jacqueline Dark- Salome -Opera Australia Best Chamber & / or Instrumental Ensemble Concert Jordi Savall & Andrew LawrenceKing-MelbourneRecital Centre Best Scenic Design Peter England - King Kong - Global Creatures. More on Page 10

● Tina Arena

● Silvie Paladino with Mark Gogoll in Concert: Que Reste-Il? at the FaBest Costume Design Roger Kirk - King Kong - Glo- mous Spiegel Garden and Toulousebal Creatures Lautrec Cabaret and Curator Dinner Best Presentation at The National Gallery of Australia for Children Best Direction of an Opera School Dance - Windmill TheAlex Ollé - Un Ballo in atre Maschera- Opera Australia Best Individual Classical Best Direction of a Play Music Performance Neil Armfield - The Secret Simone Young conducting River - Sydney Theatre Company in the Hamburg Philharmonic association with The Confederation Orchestra - Das Rheingold by Ri- of Australian International Arts Feschard Wagner (concert perfor- tivals, Sydney Festival, The Centemance) Hamburg State Opera with nary of Canberra, Perth International the Hamburg Philharmonic Orches- Arts Festival tra & Symphony No. 2 in C Minor, Best Direction of a Musical Resurrection by Gustav Mahler, Jerry Mitchell - Legally Blonde Soloists from the Hamburg State The Musical - Howard Panter for Opera with the Hamburg Philhar- The Ambassador Theatre Group & monic Orchestra and Brisbane John Frost Mahler Chorus - Queensland PerBest Male Actor in a forming Arts Centre & Tourism and Supporting Role in a Musical Events Queensland Russell Dykstra - The Addams Best Choreography in a Family - Rodney Rigby, Stuart Oken, Musical Roy Furman, Michael Leavitt , Five Jerry Mitchell - Legally Cent Productions, Eva Price, Silvio Blonde The Musical - Howard Salom, Stuart Ditsky/Adam Ditsky, Panter for The Ambassador Theatre James Herbert, Arthur Hershaft, Group & John Frost Cheryl Lachowicz, Mary Khoury, Best Lighting Design Mary Lu Roffe and Gian Christian Peter Mumford - King Kong - by special arrangement with ElGlobal Creatures ephant Eye Theatrical Best Choreography in a Best Female Actor in a Dance or Physical Theatre Supporting Role in a Musical Production Helen Dallimore - Legally Antony Hamilton - Black Blonde The Musical - Howard Panter Project 1 & 2 - Antony Hamilton for The Ambassador Theatre Group Projects, Arts House & Insite Arts & John Frost Best Visual or Physical Best Male Actor in a Theatre Production Supporting Role in a Play S - Circa & Brisbane Festival Colin Moody - The Secret River Best Sound Design - Sydney Theatre Company in assoPeter Hylenski - King Kong - ciation with The Confederation of Global Creatures Australian International Arts FestiBest Special Event vals, Sydney Festival, The CenteWhite Night Melbourne - Victo- nary of Canberra, Perth International rian Major Events Company on be- Arts Festival half of the State Government of Best Female Actor in a Victoria Supporting Role in a Play Best Music Direction Amber McMahon - School Iain Grandage - The Secret Theatre River - Sydney Theatre Company Dance - Windmill Best Australian in association with The ConfederaContemporary Concert tion of Australian International Arts Neil Finn & Paul Kelly - Neil Festivals, Sydney Festival, The Finn, Paul & Live Nation Centenary of Canberra, Perth Inter- AustralasiaKelly by arrangement with national Arts Festival Artist Voice Best International Best Original Score Contemporary Concert Iain Grandage - The Secret Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band Wrecking Ball 2013 - River - Sydney Theatre Company in Bruce Springsteen & The E Street association with The Confederation Band and The Frontier Touring of Australian International Arts FesCompany in association with tivals, Sydney Festival, The Centenary of Canberra, Perth International Jacobsen International Arts Festival Best Cabaret Performer More on Page 10 Robyn Archer - Robyn Archer

PHOTO: IKON IMAGES

Page 4 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, July 31, 2013

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Mark Richardson ♥ Straight from the heart

E-Mail: mark@localmedia.com.au

ELVIS IF I CAN DREAM

■ As a young boy in his Adelaide family home, Mark Anthony may not have had lamb-chop sideburns, yet his ears and eyes were introduced to the music and styling of Elvis Presley through his father's vinyl record collection and by watching VHS tapes for hours on end.

Although Mark immersed himself in everything Elvis and soon found he had a natural talent for imitating the 'King', he was never convinced he should publicly portray Elvis out of respect and admiration for his childhood hero.

In 2004, when one of Mark's family members was diagnosed with leukemia, he headed to his local costume shop, hired an Elvis jump-suit and took to the stage to help raise much-needed funds.

Word quickly spread about his compelling performance and he received more requests to perform at more charitable events - and he has not stopped performing Elvis ever since.

After winning the first competition he entered The South Pacific Ultimate Elvis Grand Champion in 2007, Mark went on to win a further eight major championships around the world.

In 2011, Mark was placed in the Top 5 professional Elvis tribute artists and voted the winner of the first ever 'Spirit of Elvis' award presented

by Elvis Presley Enterprises in Memphis, Tennessee.

Having just returned from a sold out

Tribute Porch Thoughts

Wh

tour of the US and the UK, Mark is set to perform his Elvis If I Can Dream at The Palms at the Crown Casino on August 16 and 17.

Mark's show will feature a huge 16-piece live band, five costume changes, four dancers and a video screen displaying historical images capturing the timeline of Elvis's hits.

Melbourne's Friday night show will coincide with the 36th anniversary of Elvis's passing on August 16, 1977. in Memphis, Tennessee, United States.

This year also marks the 40th anniversary since satellites beamed Elvis's Aloha From Hawaii concert live around the world in January 1973; Mark will pay special tribute with highlight footage during the show.

On his rehearsal Porch in Adelaide, Mark offered some insight on his successful career that followed after he realised he should be turn professional to keep Elvis' memory alive.

Off The Porch Thought For The Day Joe Moscheo,The Imperials (Toured with Elvis from 1969 - 1972) Mark Anthony is one of today's best Elvis Tribute artists. It's fun for me to watch Mark perform, because he reminds me so much of my old friend Elvis Presley - the greatest entertainer this world has ever known.

Mark's show pays tribute to Elvis for all the right reasons, and brings back memories of when we were there on stage with the man himself! Keep up the great work Mark your friend in Nashville, Joe.

● Mark Anthony: performing at The Palms At Crown on August 16-17

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, July 31, 2013 - Page 5

Mark Anthony - interviewed by Mark Richardson

As a fan of Elvis, you never wanted to professionally portray him. What changed?

As I got older it dawned on me there is a place to perform Elvis respectfully, with dignity and be able to take his music to new audiences around the world.

There's a certain energy you get from seeing a live performance. As long as there's energy and I don't perform half-heartedly, it will have the same amount of energy and warmth that Elvis gave his fans.

After deciding to turn professional, what was your first step in your plan?

Before entering professional competitions, I watched very closely at what other Elvis's were doing out there. The ones taking it seriously were performing full time for a living and they were in it for the right reasons and not for personal gain.

What is the difference between the two?

Keeping Elvis's memory alive with respect and engaging the audience is paramount. Other less professional performers are simply in it to make money. There is a huge difference.

With this in mind, what did you do next?

In 2007, a competition was brought to my attention that Elvis Presley Enterprises and Graceland were holding in Memphis. One of the preliminary rounds was held in Queensland. I thought I would give

it a shot and I actually won.

Then I was flown t to Memphis to represent Australia. I ended up winning the competition two years in a row and I've been over there every year since representing Australia. This led to performing in major shows around the world.

What is it like being backstage surrounded by hundreds of Elvis impersonators?

It's really weird. It's just a room full of sideburns and black hair. Sometimes I just stand in the back corner and giggle thinking, look at what Elvis has done. I once competed in Canada where there were over 100 entrants and the room was full of jumpsuits and black hair. It was quite funny.

Is it a macho and competitive environment backstage at competitions?

No, it can be quite feminine at times.

It's not catty but generally we talk about the best kind of make-up to use on stage and compare hair straighteners, mascara and eye-shadows. When I stop and think it, it's quite hilarious.

One would imagine you are all on the same competition circuit each year. Do you all stay in touch?

The past seven years has happened fast and I've made so many wonderful friends. It's almost like a brotherhood.

Some of my closest friends are Elvis tribute artists from the USA, UK, Canada and here in Australia too.

My band members are my only 'nor-

mal' friends these days, but apart from them, I only have Elvis related friends. I'm crying out for 'normal' friends.

Elvis Presley Enterprises presented you with the first ever 'Spirit of Elvis Award' in 2011.

What is the basis of the award and what did they present to you?

It's presented each year to someone who represents or embodies the true spirit of Elvis. Elvis was a humble guy who enjoyed a good time and was always helping people.

It's up to the other professional Elvis tribute performers to vote on performances, the person off stage, how they connect with and treat their fans, and who most embodies the qualities of Elvis. I was presented with a guitar in Memphis which I still use today.

What is Elvis Presley Enterprises and what governance or control do they have over your shows?

It was established by Elvis and it's a corporate company like any other. Its mission is to keep Elvis's memory or legacy alive - in conjunction with Graceland. They control which CDs and videos are released and they control what we do to an extent. We must always remember that we are not Elvis. We are just guys who put on shows. I always become me again as soon as I walk off stage.

Your shows are full of non-stop energy. Is it hard to maintain the

high level of fitness required?

It's difficult for me to get out of bed the next morning after a show. I'm not 18 anymore! It's also a challenge to stay fit and maintain a healthy diet on the road. There is little time to hit the gym but if I run during the day, I find I have the fitness levels to keep going night after night.

You wrote this show foremost for Elvis's fans and have managed to take the spotlight off yourself and put the spotlight back on Elvis. What is the concept of the show in terms of achieving this?

The show relives Elvis’s journey from the 50s rock 'n' roller, his movie years to his 1968 comeback tour and the Aloha Special in the 70s.

How does the story in the show begin?

We paint the picture of a young Elvis and his rise to fame. The audience gets a feel for a young, excitable Elvis through an explosive rockabilly set with live dancers jiving.

We then make the transition and perform his hit songs from his Hollywood movies.

How do you tell the story about his comeback in 1968?

We see Elvis return to his rock 'n' roll roots in clad in black leather, showing the sexy masculine side.

Then it's a journey to Hawaii to relive his Aloha concert and we have created the sounds of the big band.

This is where his famous American eagle jumpsuit comes into the show.

What else will we see on the big screens?

The show is also about what was happening in Memphis at the time along with other photos of California, Vegas and other places where Elvis visited.

We wanted to show how important it was for Elvis as he travelled and the people he met and the places that helped shape his career; and the history of music.

What is your favourite song to perform in the show?

If I Can Dream. It was very poignant for the times when it was released in 1968. The world was in turmoil with the Vietnam War and if you listen to the words, on many levels, the words written for that time, still ring true today.

There's a lot of emotion in that song; and being the last song I perform in the show, I give it everything I've got.

What is your Porch Thought For The Day? When opportunities arrive, always say yes first. If you say no to start with, you can't say yes later as people move on and they get somebody else.

For more information and online preview of Mark Anthony's Elvis If Can Dream visit www.himselvis.com.

Bookings at The Palms at Crown Casino August 16 and 17 www.ticketek.com.au

Page 6 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, July 31, 2013

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Melbourne People

● Sofitel Melbourne On Collins GM Clive Scott presents Marianna Boin with Belle of Ballroom trophy

■ The Southern Cross Dance Sport Championship, held at the Sofitel Melbourne On Collins on Saturday night, attracted 440 dancers, including some of Australia’s elite international dancesport representatives, who competed in categories including New Vogue, Latin and Standard.

The event was held in the Sofitel Grand Ballroom and was an evening of colour and movement combined with extraordinary skill and grace.

A highlight of the night was the Adult Open Latin which saw Annalisa Zoanetti and Sigurdur Thor Sigursson named the Southern Cross Dance Sport Adult Open Latin Champions for 2013. The trophy was presented by Clive Scott, General Manager, Sofitel Melbourne.

Annalisa and Sigurdur have only been dancing together since March. Sigurdur is from Iceland. The pair were the highest ranked Australian couple in the coveted British Rising Star Latin competition held in the UK in May. They will head back to Europe in the next few weeks for more competitions.

The Southern Cross Dance Sport Championship is run by the Australian Dancing Society www. australiandancingsociety.com.au

Southern Cross Dance Sport Championship Sofitel Melbourne On Collins Photos: Fiona Hamilton

● Kirstie Kiraham, Cameron Campbell and Michelle Jenkins

● Robyn Miles and Patricia Moran

● Adult Open Latin winners Annalisa Zoanetti and Sigurdur Thor Sigurdsson in action

● Kevin Keurntjes and Grace Leong

● Thomas Werner and Stephanie Kane

● Australian Dancing Society CEO Margaret Lonsdale with National President, Barry Wall.

● Mark Wilson, one of the judges (and former Dancing With The Stars judge) with Shirley Lin

● Australian Dancing Society life members Jack and Edna McPerson.

● Michael and Belinda Mitchell

● Shirley and Philip Keon

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au Melbourne

Observer

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, July 31, 2013 - Page 7

Court Roundsman

It’s All About You!

Melbourne

COUNTRY CHEMIST LOSES COURT Observer BID TO SHUT OUT COMPETITOR In This 112-Page Edition

City Desk: Helpmann Award winners ............ Page 3 Mark Richardson: Straight from the heart .... Page 4 Melb. People: Dance Sport Champ’ships ...... Page 6 Pictorial: Cavalia Opening Night .................. Page 8 The Barrel: Handling the rejection slip .......... Page 9 Long Shots: The Editor’s column ................ Page 10 Melb. Confidential: Gossip is priceless ......... Page 11 Gavin Wood: Live from West Hollywood ....... Page 13 Kevin Trask: Ruta Lee profile ..................... Page 14 Classic Books: Les Miserables ................... Page 15 Victoria Pictorial: Nostalgic photos ............. Page 17 ‘Tune In Tomorrow’ In search of Harry The Spoiler at work Local Theatre

New take on ‘The Collector’ ■ Adapting a novel for performance on the stage is a Herculean task, particularly when one is handling a genre piece.

The difficulty of such a challenge however reaches a truly terminal point when one is dealing with a novel largely considered to be one of, if not the first modern psychological thriller.

The subject, John Fowles's The Collector, was first published in 1963-a densely plotted and intricately written tale of a downtrodden loner who seeks to attain that which he most covets.

In any adaptation of a literary medium to the screen or stage, one sacrifices the linguistic nitty-gritty of the original work.

Words that act as triggers to shock and induce suspense in the audience cannot be as readily employed.

It is thus a testament to Kristina Brew's skill as a playwright that her adaptation of Fowles's book not only possesses the thrills and suspense of the source material, but introduces an entirely new take on Fowles's book.

Directed by Ben Pfeiffer and starring Tristan Meecham as the lonely protagonist Frederick Clegg and Kristina Brew as the object of his desire, Miranda Grey, this new production is imbued with both an empathy and a certain romanticism, albeit a dark one, that is not as present in Fowles's work.

The story of Frederick's abduction of Miranda after a chance lottery win is beautifully transmuted from an allegory for class warfare to a dark and twisted romance.

Playing in Collingwood's highly contemporary Underground Arts Park, the Artisan Collective have put together a production that is both thoroughly modern and immensely gripping.

Meecham and Brew present fully realised characters who are broken, morose, lustful and thus, ultimately human.

The Collector will live on inside the imaginations of all who see it-niggling in the back of your mind for years to come.

Performance Season: Until August 3 Time: 7:30pm. Tickets: $25 each Bookings: Online via www.trybooking. com.au and at the door (subject to availability) Venue: Collingwood Underground Arts Park, 44 Harmsworth St, Collingwood - Review by Greg Moskovitch

Observer Showbiz

■ Kilmore pharmacist Simon Yu has lost his latest Court action aimed at stopping competitors Steven Barlow and Shane Weller from opening in his onechemist town.

Yu took the Australian Community Pharmacy Authority, and the potential competitors, to the Federal Court.

Barlow and Weller claimed the Court had no jurisdiction to consider Yu’s application to prevent them opening in the country town, about one hour north of Melbourne.

Judge Tony Pagone heard that until September 2011, only one pharmacy was permitted to dispense prescribed benefits.

At that time the rules changed, and both Yu, and Barlow and Weller, sought to win approval for the second pharmacy.

At one stage, the matter went before Federal Health Minister Tanya Plibersek, but her decision was put aside because a Court determined that it lacked procedural fairness.

Execution

● Kristina Brew in The Collector, playing at the Collingwood Underground Arts Park until August 3.

Photo: Bronwen Kemp

CASH BONUS FOR FEV

■ Cash totalling $5096 awaits AFL legend Brendan Fevola, in a list of unclaimed money just released by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission.

The sum is listed in a special ASIC Gazette, which lists the cash being owed to Fevola at a Beaumaris address.

The money is owed as a result of shares in African Iron Ltd being compulsorily acquired by Exxaro Australia Iron Investments Pty Ltd. Fevola, and other people lsited as being owed money, should apply to Link Market Services in order to receive the money.

Marc Murphy, of 5B Council St, Doncaster, is listed as being a similar amount for sale of the shares.

● Brendan Fevola Surfar Pty Ltd, for the Vermar Superannuation Fund, of 17-19 Napier St, Eaglehawk, can claim $2850.

Andrea Marie Witty, whose last known address is listed as 3/178 Matthews Rd,

Corio, may claim $6370, the ASIC Gazette shows.

Convor Freight and Custome Consultants Pty Ltd, of PO Box 11, Watsonia, is due for $2030, after shares it owned in Bill 50 Ltd were compulsorily acquired by Harmony Gold WA Ltd. Nick Fitipaldi, of 42 Broadmeadows Rd, Tullamarine, may claim $2900.

An amount of $1932 is available to Lee Wan Lin, last known at 18 George St, Doncaster.

Nearby, at Unit 2, 346 George St, Doncaster, is the most recent address for Marie Teresa Mennees, who is owed $316.

Gordon Charles tuck of Sandown Rd, Springvale can claim $1932.

■ Leonard Borg is to serve 24¾-years in jail, increased by four years, for the “cold blooded execution” of Peter Rule at Campbellfield, to protect Borg’s marijuana cultivation.

The Director of Public Prosecutions took the matter to the Court of Appeal, claiming the earlier sentence was “manifestly inadequate”.

Supreme Court Judges Buchanan, Nettle and Osborn heard the appeal.

Latest News Flashes Around Victoria

Drug raid at Ballarat ■ Police yesterday (Tues.) arrested two people for major drug and robbery offences after raiding their property. A 41-year-old man and a 29year-old woman were arrested in relation to drug trafficking and armed robbery offences, reports the Ballarat Courier.

4-year ban for woman ■ A Swan Hill woman who refused a Police breath test in Kerang has lost her licence for four years. Sarah Jane Smyth, 41, was driving from her home when she tried to reverse her Mercedes through an intersection, reports the Bendigo Advertiser. Smyth narrowly avoided hitting other vehicles behind her.

$½-mil pokies loss ■ The Albury-based SS&A Club faces a debt of $500,000 for 40 Victorian poker machines licences it bought at an auction in 2010.

It had intended to use them at its Wodonga golf club but can no longer afford to do so.

7-Day Weather ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

Today (Wed.). Partly cloudy. 4°-13° Thurs. Partly cloudy. 7°-15° Fri. Chance of rain. 4°-15° Sat. Mostly cloudy. 7°-13° Sun. Chance of rain. 8°-16° Mon. Partly cloudy. 8°-16° Tue. Partly cloudy. 9°-18°

Mike McColl Jones

Top 5 THE TOP 5 COMMENTS HEARD WHEN THE PRIME MINISTER AND THERESE REIN ARRIVED IN AFGHANISTAN. 5. "Look, it's Virgil from The Thunderbirds!"

4. "Whatever happened to the red-headed sheila?"

3. "No Therese, there's no duty-free shopping!"

2. "He should keep the flak jacket on.”

1. "If you really want to boost morale, how about visiting our Test cricket team?".

UNHAPPY JETSTAR CUSTOMERS HAVE THEIR SAY - PAGE 98

Page 8 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, July 31, 2013

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Melbourne People

Cavalia ‘White Big Top’ Opening Night. Docklands Photo Regina Manger, Karon

2000 at ‘Cavalia’ night

● Kate Langbroek and husband Peter Lewis

■ A packed audience of 2000, including a vast number of celebrities celebrated the Melbourne premiere of equestrian spectacular Cavalia: A Magical Encounter Between Human and Horse.

The opening night marked Cavalia's 100th performance in Australia since the tour began in Queensland in March.

Under the gleaming White Big Top, spectators were thrilled by the unique blend of equestrian and performing arts.

The horses stole the spotlight during this unique theatrical performance.

A mix of special guests were spotted including Ron Barassi, Zoe Tuckwell-Smith, Hugh Sheridan, Tim Campbell, Pia Miller, Trent Cotchin, Tex Perkins, Travis Cloke and Stephen Curry. About 400 VIP patrons were treated to a buffet dinner and sumptuous desserts prepared by Cavalia head chef Pierre-Yves Caisse in the Rendez-Vous tent, sipping on beer, wine and champagne.

After the show, they were invited to a stable tour to meet the 48 magnificent horses, followed by a reception at the impressive Cavalia village, capping off the magical premiere.

● Susie Ahern and Tim Campbell

● Hugh Sheridan and Melanie Vallejo

● Cherryl and Ron Barassi

● Brooke Kennedy and Trent Cotchin

● Marc Murphy and Jessie Habermann

● Stefan Dennis with Carla Bonner

● Tiffany Cherry and Giaan Rooney

● Lillian and Richard Frank

● Arts Minister Heidi Victoria, daughter Charlie

● Damien Oliver and Stephen Curry

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, July 31, 2013 - Page 9

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au Melbourne

Observer

Showbiz News

‘WHODUNNIT’ AT DONCASTER Briefs Teamed

● Deborah Conway ■ Debroah Conway will team with husband Willy Zygier to perform at the Glen Eira Town Hall Auditorim, Caulfield at 2.30pm on Sunday (Aug. 4).

Missing ■ Police are calling on public assistance to help locate a lorikeet, ‘Munchkin’ stolen from a house in Newton St, Reservoir last Saturday.

No other items were taken.

To tour

● Leonard Cohen ■ Entertainer Leonard Cohen will perform at the Rod Laver Arena on Wed., Nov. 20; and a day on the green at The Hill Winery, Geelong, on Sat., Dec. 7. Tickets go on sale to the general public on Mon., Aug. 12.

■ A new ‘whodunnit’ has arrived in town.

Melbourne playwright Cenarth Fox’s latest play, Agatha Crispie, is being presented by the Sherbrooke Theatre Company at the Doncaster Playhouse until August 10.

Set just after World War I and loosely based on the life of mystery writer Agatha Christie, Agatha Crispie threads the famous writer’s familiar titles and recognisable characters throughout the entertaining script.

Like her real counterpart, the fictional Agatha Crispie (Stephanie King) is a mystery story writer hoping for publication.

She is ridiculed by her husband Archie (Chris Lawson), her formidable mother-in-law Lavinia (Shirley Cattunar) and obnoxious social-climbing step-daughter Elvira (Brittany Testro), who believe that women should not work.

A body suddenly appears and disappears and there are some hilarious goings-on.

Thankfully, amateur detective Miss Mead (Lynne ElphinstonGray), investigative dapper foreigner Grey-Cells (Andrew Ferguson), Chief Inspector Sap (Bob Bramble) and retired policeman Henry Dithering (Tom Travers) arrive to help solve the mystery.

● Miss Mary Mead (Lynne Elphinston-Gray) and Hercules Grey-Cells (Andrew Ferguson) in Cenarth Fox’s Agatha Crispie, at the Doncaster Playhouse until August 10.

Photo: Cenarth Fox Under Cenarth Fox’s bookshelf-walled set de- and cleverly humorous play first-class direction, the sign is by Sue Moon and results in a highly recomstrong cast delivers terrific sound and lighting design is mended evening of fun enperformances, with spot-on by Cenarth Fox and tertainment.

The friendly, smartly-atcomedy timing. Patricia Craig Pearcey respectired front-of-house staff do McCracken almost tively.

The well-appointed, great work too. steals the show at times Season: Until August with her lively portrayal of modern-day Doncaster Pimms the maid, and Playhouse once com- 10 at 8.15pm, Sunday at bravo to Lynne prised the infant grade 5.15pm.

Venue: Doncaster Elphinston-Gray on her classrooms of Doncaster first stage play appear- Primary School (estab- Playhouse, 679 Doncaster ance. Tom Trav-ers’s lished 1860s). In a nice Rd, Doncaster.

Tickets: $25/$23. smooth, well-measured twist it is coincidentally Bookings: 1300650209 performance is a delight. also the site of Cenarth Bronwyn King has Fox’s first appointment as www.sherbrooketc.org.au - Review by designed the attractive, au- a school teacher.

Cheryl Threadgold This well-researched thentic costumes, the

■ Cho Cho will be performed at the Arts Centre Melbourne from Oct. 2-6.

Based on the tragic tale of Giacomo Puccini’s operatic masterpiece Madame Butterfly, Cho Cho is a bilingual drama set in Shanghai about the heroine’s life that combines music and theatre as well as poetry and puppetry.

Presented by the National The-

Melbourne Observations

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

The rejection slip

Cho Cho comes to Arts Centre

with Matt Bissett-Johnson

THE BARREL

atre of China, Arts Centre Melbourne and Playking Productions, Cho Cho’s (then Cho Cho San) first incarnation was as a puppet play by playwright Daniel Keene and Handspan in 1984 before it was picked up by Playbox in 1986 and subsequently presented in Australia and China in 1988

by Playking Productions.

This latest version, which pre-

miered in Beijing in January 2013, was directed by Peter Wilson (Puppetry Director for King Kong, The Dragon Child) and is a reimagined production which features a reworked script, completely new score and new design.

Polish / Australian actor/director Lech Mackiewicz is the rehearsal director for the Australian production.

Kidnap claim ■ Witness Gary Cropley has told how he was asked to help kidnap his daughter's boyfriend Nathan Rourke from Geelong Law Courts over an alleged unpaid $3500 debt.

Former lawn bowls champion and accused drug trafficker Travis Kelly had been chasing Rourke for money owed over a car, reports the Geelong Advertiser.

Kelly, 28, formerly of Geelong West, is facing more than 20 charges including trafficking methamphetamine, handling stolen goods, conspiring to kidnap, attempted kidnapping, theft of a motor vehicle and intentionally causing serious injury.

The hearing, before Magistrate Michael Coghlan, was continuing when the Observer went to press.

■ As a newspaper, we receive hundreds of e-mails and letters every day from people who want to see their words in print.

The Melbourne Observer is run by a private company. Our space is our inventory. It is ‘readership real estate’. There is no commercial future in giving away our space without charge.

Every week, there are some general news items pitched to us which make the grade. Plus we have more than a dozen regular columnists every week, whose honorary contributions complete our unique publication. So, we already have more than enough to include in our newspaper, which runs more than 100 pages each week.

Therefore, we have to say ‘no’ frequently.

More people accept this with grace. A handful have difficulty with rejection. One or two react in an agitated and troubled way.

‘No thanks’

■ Take the case of a person signing themselves ‘Fonda Zenofon, freelance joournalist (sic)/ poet laureate. Award winning poetry and prose’.

Fonda wanted us to print his article about the death of an eel. “I am sending this to you first. If you are not interested, I will send it elswhere (sic).”

Fonda wanted to know how much we would pay.

Not our type of story. So we promptly replied: “You can take your idea elsewhere. Thank you for giving us first option, but we will decline. We have no budget for wordage.”

Most people take the hint, but Fonda was insistent: “When I mentioned payment for wordage, this is a standard line I place in all my submissions. Sorry that you can't pay, but I am willing to still offer you the below mentioned article gratis, to help you out.”

We had to be a bit firmer: “No thanks Fonda.

Find someone who will pay you.”

Fonda thought he would reply in words that we guess were aimed at being threatening, harassing and insulting: “You know, let us tell you a fact. We have communicated together three times now. And every time you have been vulgar, rude and aggressive.

“I have reported your thrice rude and unprofessional actions to my team. They told me to be patient and to wait for your responce (sic) ... you have chosen the wrong person to throw your discrimination at.

My sister is a lawyer. I seek an apology and for you to rectify the injustice you are dishing out on me.

“You have chosen the wrong person to challenge.

I have spoken to: AJA - and soon will be in contact with other - and they said they can list a report in a publication of theirs for all to see,” Fonda said.

“You have clearly broken the journalists' code of ethics. I seek compensation before I go to the AntiDiscrimination Board, social media, radio and TV. etc. You know mate, it is against the law to discriminate. I have also been the victim of your psychological, emotional torture and harassment. What are you trying to prove with your diminishing, small circulation paper?

“If all this gets out, win or lose, you know which paper will suffer. You are making bad business mistakes. Firstly you are grossly unprofessional, Secondly, don't you know that printed newspapers are a dinosaur and dying out,” Fonda advised.

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Page 10 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Melbourne

Melbourne

Observer

Observer KYLIE HONOURED

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

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

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

Distribution STATE EDITION: Available weekly at approx. 400 newsagents across the Melbourne metropolitan area, Mornington Peninsula, Geelong, Bellarine Peninsula, Surf Coast, and Victorian regional centres.

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Phone: (03) 9482 1145. Fax: (03) 9482 2962. Distribution Manager: Sam Fiorini.

Mail Subscriptions You can have your own copy of the Melbourne Observer delivered to your letterbox by Australia Post.

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Ash On Wednesday

■ Melbourne’s own Kylie Minogue was honoured at the Helpmann Awards held on Monday night.

Minogue and arts philanthropist David Blenkinsop were co-recipients of the JC Williamson Award.

Live Performance Australia recognised the apir for an outstanding contribution to the Australian live entertainment industry.

Both recipients were specially honoured at the ceremony with jazz great James Morrison performing in honour of David Blenkinsop and his tireless work and passion for live performance.

Michael Gudinski paid tribute to Kylie Minogue and her unparalleled achievements in the Australian and international live entertainment arena.

■ Yamba Angus advertises in The Land newspaper: “Unlike Kevin, we are not show ponies, we are bulls of substance.”

■ Bulla Dairy has bought the Choc Top firm, Rowena Foods.

■ Congratulations to Channel 9 on Underbelly: Squizzy, especially for old Melbourne scenes recreated, complete with old trams and steam trains.

Mail Subscription Form Mail to: Subs, Melbourne Observer PO Box 1278, Research, Vic 3095 Yes! Please organise a Melbourne Observer mail subscription for 45 editions for $213.75 (posted anywhere in Australia). I understand that the completion of the 45 editions, the subscription will be automatically rolled over, unless I advise otherwise.

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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

BACK COPIES - ARCHIVES Back Copies for 2012-13 editions of the Melbourne Observer are all available at our website. Back copies for 1969-89, 2002-11 may be inspected by appointment at the State Library of Victoria, 328 Swanston St, Melbourne.

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

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

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

Long Shots

Short Shots

Back Copies

Independently Owned and Operated

● Kylie Minogue

Thought For The Week ● Jared Daperis as Squizzy Taylor

Ourselves ■ Country Crossroads columnist Rob Foenander returns into print this week following his WA road tour.

■ Di Rolle is on midyear leave, with a trip to Bali. Her next column is due in the August 13 issue.

■ With a bit of luck, Yvonne Lawrence will be back in print next issue (Aug. 6).

■ Harness racing columnist Len Baker is taking a short break. His column is in this week’s issue, and he will return on Aug. 13.

■ An eminent scientist has announced that, in his mopinion, intelligent life is possible on several of our planets - including the earth!

Observer Curmudgeon ■ iPads will never take the place of newspapers, because you can’t swat flies with them.

Text For The Week ■ "Give strong drink to the one who is perishing, and wine to those in bitter distress; let them drink and forget their poverty and remember their misery no more."

- Proverbs 31:6-7

● From Page 3

Helpmann Awards

● Helen Dallimore and Pippa Grandison Best Contemporary Music Festival The 24th Annual Bluesfest Byron Bay Bluesfest Best New Australian Work Kate Grenville, An Adaptation for the Stage by Andrew Bovell - The Secret River - Sydney Theatre Company in association with The Confederation of Australian International Arts Festivals, Sydney Festival, The Centenary of Canberra, Perth International Arts Festival Best Comedy Performer Julia Morris - Julia Morris - No Judgement Fox in the Snow Outstanding Theatrical Achievement for the design, creation and operation of King Kong – the creature Creature Designer: Sonny Tilders; Aerial Director and King’s Men Movement: Gavin Robins; Puppetry Director: Peter Wilson; Kong’s Voice: Harley Durst; The King’s Men: Lincoln Barros, James Brown, Adam Davis, Simon Fairweather, Josh Feldschuh, Brett Franzi, Nathan Jones, Nathan Kell, Russell Leonard, Brent Osborne, Troy Phillips, Mike Snow, Maxwell Trengove, Tayo Wilson; Kong Voodoo: Harley Durst, Danny Miller, Jacob Williams (Kong Captain), Steve Coupe (Puppetry Captain and Voodoo Understudy) and Circus Captain: Leigh-Anne Vizer Best Male Dancer in a Dance or Physical Theatre Production Alisdair Macindoe - Dual - Stephanie Lake & Arts House Best Female Dancer in a Dance or Physical Theatre Production Deborah Brown - Terrain - Bangarra Dance Theatre Best Ballet or Dance Work Terrain - Bangarra Dance Theatre Best Male Performer in an Opera John Wegner - Salome - Opera Australia Best Female Performer in an Opera Cheryl Barker - Salome - Opera Australia ■ Presenters at Monday night’s Helpmann Awards included Tina Arena, Baz Luhrmann, Sarah Murdoch, John Waters, Hugh Sheridan, Marcus Graham, Elizabeth Debicki, Patrick Brammall, Chloe Dallimore, Erika Heynatz, Ashley Zukerman, Miranda Tapsell, Rob Mills, Sharon Millerchip, Toby Schmitz, Alison Bell, David Harris, Wayne Scott Kermond, Lynette Curran, Christen O’Leary, Russell Dykstra, Esther Hannaford, George Souris, Ewen Leslie, Jennifer Vuletic and Helen Thomson.

Show highlights included live performances by Tim Minchin, the casts of Grease and Hot Shoe Shuffle, Sydney Dance Company, Silvie Paladino and the Sydney Children’s Choir, Emma Birdsall and Timomatic.

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

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

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

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

● Chloe Dallimore and John Waters

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, July 31, 2013 - Page 11

Confidential Melbourne

Talk is cheap, gossip is priceless

Beware Melbourne’s media mafia: Harry

■ The Melbourne Media Mafia (MMM) has won its first major scalp with Essendon’s President David Evans’s resignation.

They have two to more in their sights: Andrew Demetriou who has made their well paid jobs possible; and coach James Hird who has thwarted all the publicity, accusations and innuendo to guide the Bombers to top four status.

But the ‘MMM’ has managed to infiltrate and knife the ‘triangularisation of the Dons Dynasties families - Evans, Watson and Hird - covering six generations who now are in a battle of survival pitted against one another after lifetime trust.

All due to the daily incessant snide reporting of the ‘MMM’.

Since February 7 the ‘MMM’ has attacked, nonstop, a daily barrage war of words which promote the ASADA, WADA and the ACC theme that the AFL and the Essendon Football Club’s coach, administration and players are guilty of ‘drug cheating’.

All this blurb without any official, published evidence and charges. Where is the accepted ‘code of honour’from these publishers and media hacks which should apply the rule, “no one is guilty until legally charged, evidence produced and proven” ?

To date the media moguls and publicity ‘big-noter’ staff have enjoyed a bonanza boost in circulation hiding behind two words: ‘allegedly’ and ‘exclusive’.

The effect on the ‘media accused villains’ is horrendous. It has damaged personal and family lives, businesses, and professional reputations are destroyed or put on hold and in some cases ruined.

Staying specifically with the Essendon Club and not hiding behind ‘allegedly’ I ask you to consider what has this ‘MMM’ witch-hunt done to the families of David Evans, James Hird, Tim Watson, Dean Robinson, Steve Dank, Ian Robson, Danny Corcoran and others.

No public proof yet of any legal wrong doing.

Only innuendo stirred up by the ‘MMM’ group who have now turned this proud club into three factions fighting each other: Evans, Hird and Demetriou.

Where is the due process and the official legal challenge and evidence? All over “performance enhancing drugs”, allegedly used in 2012.

They didn’t work ... as the club missed out on the finals, finishing 11th. But this year, ‘squeaky clean’ they have been top four since Round One! I’m not entirely naive but I have experienced this media treatment and I know many people believe what they read, hear and view – that is why we need to update the saying “the pen is mightier than the sword”.

To strike an apt analogy media-wise our AFL is like our current political scene. It has grown into a largesse corporation of incredible numbers. It is an industry or professional union in itself.

The great pity is Saturday’s shock news hits the family who has arguably done more to promote the expansion and growth of our AFL football and the Essendon Football Club for the past 55 years than any other dynasty.

The patriarch, Ron, served our game as a player with Essendon from 1958 to 1962 winning the club’s and the John Coleman Medal as top goal-kicker in 1959 and 1960. He transferred for business reasons to WA in 1963, played with West Perth and topped the club and state goal-kicking.

He was Essendon President from 1988-92 and in 1993 he was enticed to join the AFL Commission becoming Chairman from 1998 – 2007 when ill health forced his retirement. He died in 2008. Much loved and respected by family, business and the football community.

The ‘MMM’ are not to be confused with the chocolate coated sweets variety. These are bitter and vicious ... with an open agenda to kill-off James Hird, the Essendon FC, Andrew Demetriou and his plan for GWS Giants to one day be accepted in Western Sydney.

I ask them a simple question. What have you done to positively promote AFL? After all you earn your living from your involvement with the AFL. Despite all your raving reports The AFL is still the envy of all the country’s other sports groups. And Andy D is still acknowledged the best CEO. - Harry Beitzel

SCI FI NIGHT AT NORTH MELB

Rumour Mill

Step down

Hear It Here First

Footy report ‘early’

● There will be dance performances by Sadie Soho, Lord of Mis-rule, Atlanta-Eve, Constance Hunter and other stars of Club Voltaire ■ The Final Programme, an evening of science fiction art, dance, music and micro-theatre is being staged from 7pm-10pm on Thursday, August 8 at Club Voltaire, 14 Raglan St, North Melbourne.

The evening features Sci-Fi and Fantasy Art Gallery Launch and Exhibition by Dakeno Mark, with exclusive signed prints available on the night .

Deepdene most favoured ■ The suburb name ‘Deepdene’ could expand to take over much of Balwyn, if a Boroondara Council plan gets the go-ahead. The municipality is asking residents if the Deepdene name should be extended to Belmore Rd to the north, and Balwyn Rd to the east.

● James Hird, Essendon coach ■ Hot rumour is that the ASADA report into the Essendon Football Club could be released as early as this weekend.

● Margaret Lonsdale ■ Australian Dancing Society CEO Margaret Lonsdale announced during the weekend’s Dance Sport event she was stepping down from her role. She has been involved with the society for the past 30 years.

Howzat!

Most trusted brands ■ Guide Dogs Australia is one of thye kmost trusted brands in the nation. The 2013 Reader's Digest Trusted Brand poll of more than 3000 Australians placed GDA at number six on their list.

Girls’ School to close ■ Preston Girls’ High School looks likely to close after 85 years. The College, which opened in 1928, blames low enrolments for the decision.

WARNING ABOUT CON ARTISTS PRETENDING TO BE FROM ASIC

■ Consumers are again being urged to be wary of cold callers claiming to represent the Australian Securities and Investments Commission and MoneySmart.

Offshore cold callers are claiming that people’s credit union, building society or bank have overcharged them and ask for personal bank details.

These calls are a scam, and ASIC warns anyone who is contacted to hang up.

“If you think you have been a victim of this scam or believe your account may have been compromised, you should contact your credit union, building society or bank immediately,” said Warren Day, ASIC Senior Leader, Stakeholder Services.

“We suspect this is a follow-up scam intended to trick you into providing your personal details.

“We ask the public to be cautious of calls like these. If you receive an unexpected call from someone in these circumstances, no matter who they claim to be, the best protection is to simply hang up.

“If you receive a phone call or email out of the blue requesting your

Whispers

■ The MCG has trumped Sydney and New Zealand to host the 2015 Cricket World Cup final. One billion people are likely to tune in for the final, to be played in late March 2015.

RSL fight

Children’s Panadol off shelves

personal or banking information, hang up or delete the email and block the sender.

“Never send money or give your financial details to someone you don’t trust or know.

“If the caller or sender claims to be from a government agency or financial institution, remember that government departments and financial institutions would never ask you for your personal details via cold calls, email or text message.

“If you’ve provided your bank account or credit card details to a scammer, contact your bank or financial institution immediately.

■ The makers of Children’s Panadol, GSK, this week confirmed that their Children’s Panadol 1-5 years suspension range would be out of stock for a limited period, due to a competitor patent challenge.

While Children’s Panadol 1-5 years suspension is unavailable, parents should seek advice from their doctor or local pharmacist about other Children’s Panadol products that may be a suitable alternative for their child.

Vincent Cotard, General Manager Consumer Healthcare ANZ said that there are no safety, efficacy or formulation issues with Children’s Panadol 1-5 years suspension.

“We are working hard to ensure that Children’s Panadol 1-5 years suspension is available again as soon as possible,” Mr Cotard said.

E-Mail: Confidential@MelbourneObserver.com.au

■ Hampton RSL sub-branch, said to be $500,000 in debt, may have to sell its Holyrood St property in the coming 12 months, and relocate to Cheltenham. Local press speculation says the land could be worth up to $12 million.

Dissolved ■ The business partnership between Sandra Joan Beltran and Eulogio Rafael Beltran, which traded under the name of Cardinia Farm, was dissolved last month.

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Page 12 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, July 31, 2013

The Hitch-Hikers Guide to Freemasonry Freemasons - Then And Now

Motorcyclists United Lodge number 939

● Brenda Hughes (centre) with David Cash, Viv Cash, Gary Power, Richard Griffiths, Glenda Power, Billy Kidd, Brian Sanders, Craig Elliot, Keith Fulstow and Colin (Taxi) Fletcher

● A 10-part series. Chapter 4. By Justin White, Manager, Member Operations ■ Freemasons belong to an organisation that through the years was that you had to be invited can justifiably claim to be one of the oldest fra- to become a Freemason; this theory persisted ternal organisations in the world. for a long time.

The precise date of their formation is by no In fact, the man interested in Freemasonry means certain. has to make the initial inquiry to start the proTheories that Freemasons originated at the cess to becoming a member. time of the building of King Solomon's temple If a man doesn't know anyone who is a Freehave been largely superseded by a more likely mason to make the inquiry, it's never been claim that they arose out of guilds of stonema- easier to now find out how, by simply checking sons who built the cathedrals and castles of the out Freemasons Victoria online at Middle-Ages. www.freemasonsvic.net.au Medieval stonemasons traditionally built This free flow of information destroys antheir lodges on the south side of building sites other myth - that the Freemasons are a secret so the sun could warm the building stones. society. The most secret aspects of modern Contemporary members still employ many Freemasonry are methods of recognition beof the symbols of the stonemason's tools, prin- tween members or certain aspects of the cercipally the square and compass, as is the em- emonies at Lodge meetings. blem of Freemasonry universally and right Many Freemasons wear lapel pins or frahere in Victoria. ternity rings, and carry business cards.

Freemasonry was brought to our shores Freemasons generally hold their Lodge right from the first ships that landed in Botany Bay and is a worldwide organisation. At the Meetings on a monthly basis. There are ceremotime, Freemasons often met in a local tavern or nial elements to the meeting, as well as discussion of Lodge business, but mostly these meetother meeting place with a private room.

Freemasonry now exists in all parts of the ings are about friendship, brotherhood and conworld in various forms with millions of mem- necting with mates.

The Freemason fraternity in Victoria, and bers. Several famous, notable people were Freemasons, including Prime Minister Sir indeed right across Australia today, is widely Robert Menzies, and many other high rank- involved in many community-based activities, including fundraising for charitable causes - loing state and national politicians.

Most Masonic Lodges now consist of cal, national and international.

For more information about becoming a Freemembers who live and work in the local communities near their Lodge. Each Lodge elects mason or to fill out an application, contact the members to hold official positions in order to Freemasons Victoria membership team at carry out the Masonic functions of the Lodge. membership@freemasonsvic.net.au or Interestingly, one myth that developed call 1800Freemason today!

First Leaders of Freemasonry in Victoria Sir Henry Weedon

■ Since the formation of the Victorian Masonic Motorcycle Association (VMMA) by a few keen bike riding Freemasons, the group has been active in supporting groups such as the Ionic Coaching Service, Very Special Kids, Canteen and Cystic Fibrosis Victoria (CFV) as well as many individuals and families in their time of need.

In March the VMMA once again undertook another ride around Victoria to raise awareness for CFV and to thank those who have supported us in the past, during the trip they were supported by the brethren and ladies of the Rutherglen, Cohuna and the Cosmopolitan Lodge of Queenscliff, all of whom have been very generous and helpful.

While in Cohuna, CFV contacted the group and informed them of a special lady who lives in Ballarat, Brenda Hughes, who has suffered with Cystic Fibrosis all of her life.

She has faced many ups and downs but has been supported by a very loving family and kept a bright, positive attitude. When she heard that there were some big bad bikies coming to take her for a ride she didn't know what to think or expect, but was looking forward to meeting the VMMA just the same.

Brenda, who was very keen to jump on the back of VMMA President, Taxi's bike, was picked up and the group took her for a ride.

After the ride and a bite to eat it was time for the group to head off but it seemed that Brenda was really taken with her new bunch of friends and followed them to Queenscliff for an auction night which, without the support of CFV, Queenscliff Bowls Club, Cosmopolitan Lodge, Grand Lodge and the Borough of Queenscliffe, would not have been the success that it was.

The group later found out that Brenda was to celebrate her 72nd birthday (a remarkable event

for a Cystic Fibrosis sufferer) in early July, so thought "what better way to help Brenda celebrate this milestone than taking her for another ride and out to lunch!"

Brenda was once again happy to be back on the bike and with her new friends from the VMMA .

It never ceases to amaze the group, when visiting a lodge or at a social occasion, just how many of the older Freemasons (and their wives) come up and start reminiscing about the days when they used to enjoy getting on their bikes and going for a ride.

There's a glint in their eye when they start remembering their favourite bike of long ago, and given the chance, some would probably be back on the bike reliving their youth!

Grand Lodge Victoria has recognised the work that the VMMA has done over the past fourteen years in raising the awareness of Freemasonry throughout the community and has now granted the VMMA a travelling warrant.

On August 31 the VMMA will become the latest Lodge to be consecrated under the jurisdiction of Freemasonry Victoria.

It will formally be known as the Motorcyclists United Lodge number 939, and this auspicious occasion will take place at Phillip Island and be conducted by the Grand Master and his team.

VMMA membership is approximately 160 and very diverse. It includes non-masons and ladies who ride and some that don't; they come from all areas of the state such as Stawell, Lakes Entrance, Myrtleford, Phillip Island and all places in between and beyond.

So if in the future you come across a group of motorcyclists having a cuppa and a cream cake at your local bakery it may just be the VMMA / MUL members spreading the word and having some fun along the way.

● Sir Henry Weedon laid the foundation stone at the Melbourne Town Hall ■ Sir Henry Weedon was born on March 26,

By Gabrielle Forman 1859 in Melbourne. At the age of 21 he was employed as a decorating contractor and undertook work on Parliament House and its library, the Melbourne Town Hall, Government ■ The Freemasons Public Charitable House and the Victorian Court.

Foundation and the Kyneton Lodge No. An able businessman with a talent for finan192 have combined efforts and presented cial organisation, Weedon was a managing partcheques totalling $9200 to R.M Begg Kyneton ner of the successful Talma Photographic StuAged Care. dios of Sydney and Melbourne.

Funds donated will assist the facility to purElected in 1899 to the Melbourne City chase Overhead Mobile Hoists for patient Council for Albert Ward which he continued care. to represent until his death, Weedon was Lord Over a period of 35 years the Kyneton Lodge Mayor in 1905-08. has raised over $40.000 for charitable The foundation stone of the Melbourne Town organisations and community groups such as Hall was also laid by him.

Camp Quality, for schools and hospitals on Sir Henry Weedon was initiated in the Duke the island of Makira in the Solomon Islands, of Manchester Lodge on March 13, 1895 and and have provided bursary awards for the past was Master of the Lodge in 1889.

13 years to students in grade six who are enterHe was successfully balloted as Grand Treaing secondary education. surer, for the United Grand Lodge of Victoria The Lodge has also assisted numerous in 1895. young or disadvantaged individuals to pursue a Sir Henry was held in such esteem he was better quality of life or to further their educa- conferred with the rank of Past Deputy Grand Mastion. ter in 1918.

Kyneton raises more than $40,000

● 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. ● ‘Freemasons: The Inside Story’ airs every Monday night at 8.30pm on Channel 31, with replays throughout the week on Thursdays at 12.30am, 3pm and Saturdays at 12.30pm. Or catch up online at www.c31.org.au and follow the links.

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, July 31, 2013 - Page 13

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au Melbourne

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From my suite at the Ramada Plaza Hotel and Suites comes this week's news.

Special holiday offer

■ I have managed to secure a terrific holiday deal. For all readers of the Melbourne Observer this deal is for you.

When you are planning your trip to California, come and stay at the Ramada Plaza Hotel and Suites, 8585 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood.

Please mention 'Melbourne Observer’ when you book and you will receive the SPECIAL RATE of the day.

Contact: Joanna at info@ramadaweho.com

Must be doing something right ■ General Manager Bill Karpiak (left) and Assistant GM Maria Lordache (middle) and Alan Johnson, Managing Director, each celebrate 20 years at Ramada Plaza Hotel and Suites West Hollywood this year.

A great testament to executive management, Managing Director, Alan Johnson (right) says: "We are so pleased to have longevity with our employees and this exceptional team of individuals.

“I am grateful for their commitment and hard work. It's the employees of Ramada Plaza that make this a great West Hollywood experience."

Comedy legend Mel Brooks gets the gong

30 years of support

● North Melbourne Football lub Ruckman Corey McKernan presents a Roos guernsey to Gavin Wood.

■ Dual premiership ruckman for North Melbourne, Corey McKernan presented a North Melbourne Football Club jumper to me for mysupport of the Kangaroos for more than 30 years.

I was honoured to receive the jumper from Corey, one of my favorite players.

Corey stopped over at the Ramada Plaza Hotel and Suites to see former N.M.F.C. Director Alan Johnson regarding information for his ‘Ultimate Events’ Company Tours to the USA for sporting, travel and entertainment.

Check out Corey's website at www.cmultimateevents.com

Beach Boys Brian Wilson drama

● General Manager Bill Karpiak, Assiatant Manager, Maria Lordache and Managing Director, Alan Johnson.

● Mel Brooks ■ The 41st annual AFI Life Achievement Award - the highest honour for a career in film was awarded to comedy legend Mel Brooks at a fun filled evening here in Hollywood.

Many luminaries turned out to pay tribute to one of its most celebrated artists at the Dolby Theatre this week.

Brook's career runs the gamut as a director, producer, writer, actor and composer.

The entertainment opened with Martin Short in a musical dance piece celebrating Brooks' body of work.

Heartfelt and very funny offcolour comments were offered in person from Larry David, Cloris Leachman, David Lynch, Carl Reiner, Gene Wilder and film makers George Lucas, Steven Spielberg and Clint Eastwood.

Robert De Niro and Morgan Freeman poked fun at Brooks for irreverent references to both of them in his films. The show concluded with Martin Scorsese handing the award" to Mel Brooks for his mastery as a filmmaker and director.

My favorite movie of all time is History of the World Part 1 and in true Mel Brooks humour there will never be a Part 2.

● Gene Wilder

■ The iconic California sound of the Beach Boys lives again with the production of the Brian Wilson bio drama, Love And Mercy, which tells the story of the legendary co-founder of the Beach Boys.

The biographical drama is shooting in the Hollywood area as well as in various locations around southern California.

John Cusack, Paul Dano, Elizabeth Banks and Paul Giamatti co-star in the story of the legendary musician, songwriter and producer who helped create the iconic California sound that made the group famous in the 1960s.

The Beach Boys album Pet Sounds was compared to the Beatles Sgt. Peppers album. I think the Beatles won.

L.A. feature film production year to date has been up slightly compared with the same period last year. Overall local television production is also still up so far this year, approximately 15 per centcompared with the same period a year earlier.

It is refreshing to see the studio /movie production trucks back out on the streets again.

Abbey Stone: from Melb. to NY

■ Ever since 18-year-old Abbey Stone was 13 she has dreamed about living and writing songs in New York and Nashville.

While she was in the States, Abbey wrote and recorded material for two albums after renting an apartment on 5th Avenue, Lower Manhattan and a house in Nashville with a grand piano.

In L.A. and Hollywood last week Abbey relaxed and mixed tracks with her Manager before heading home to Melbourne.

Abbey says: "I have a lot of things I want to sing about.

America is just part of my dream. I'm not afraid to drive myself hard to make my dreams come true. My guitars and road cases are already packed!"

Abbey hopes to release the tracks early next year and you can see some live performances on You Tube; keep an eye and an ear out for Abbey Stone.

L.A’s DNA

GavinWood

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

www.gavinwood.us

■ The Natural History Museum's new Becoming Los Angeles exhibition outlines the city's 240-year evolutionary journey. The golden hills of California have not always been so golden. A new exhibit at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County offers explanations for the golden hills of California (fertilizsd by cow droppings), the evolution of diversity in Los Angeles (fueled by the Gold rush and 44 Mexican settlers) and the reason Hollywood became the centre of the entertainment industry (cheap land and diverse backdrops).

Check out: Natural History Museum of Los Angeles, 900 Exposition Blvd, Los Angeles. Open 9.30am - 5pm daily.

Cost: $12. www.nhm.org

Till next week, Happy Holidays, Gavin Wood

Page 14 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, July 31, 2013

■ I love the 1954 film Seven Brides For Seven Brothers. It is a classic musical from the MGM Studios and who could have imagined that I would actually be interviewing one of the stars from the film almost 60 years after it was made?

I am pleased to advise that Ruta Lee will be our special guest on That's Entertainment, at 12 Noon on Sunday (Aug. 4) on 96.5 FM thanks to the fabulous work of our producer David Miller.

Ruta was in Seven Brides For Seven Brothers under her real name of Ruta Kilmonis and played one of the beautiful brides.

But what happened to Ruta during those 60 years? - please read on.

Ruta Mary Kilmonis was born in Montreal, Canada, in 1936 and was the only child of Lithuanian immigrants.

Her mother paid for her singing and dancing lessons in the hope that Ruta would become another Shirley Temple.

Her first professional appearance was on the television series The Burns and Allen Show.

In 1953 Ruta was cast in several television shows, The Roy Rogers Show and an episode of Superman.

When Ruta got the role in Seven Brides For Seven Brothers she was only 17 and looks back on it as a great experience working with some of the best singers and dancers in the business.

In the early 1950s Ruta adopted the stage name of ‘Ruta Lee’.

In 1957 a major event occurred when Ruta

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Whatever Happened To ...

Ruta Lee

By Kevin Trask of 3AW and 96.5 Inner FM attended the opening of a nightclub where Frank Sinatra was performing and film producer Arthur Hornblow Jnr was in the audience.

Arthur spotted Ruta and offered her an audition for a role in his film Witness For The Prosecution, in which Ruta was eventually cast.

Several years later Frank Sinatra was having a film night at his home with invited guests and the film they watched was Witness For The Prosecution.

During the screening Sinatra turned to film producer Howard Kotch and suggested Ruta for a role in his forthcoming film Sergeant's Three and as a result Ruta got the part.

So indirectly Frank Sinatra was responsible for Ruta landing two major film roles.

● Ruta Lee Over the years Ruta appeared in many television productions including Perry Mason, Wagon Train, Bat Masterson and Maverick.

She was dubbed the ‘Queen of the Warner Brothers Lot’ and by 1964 had been cast in 33 television guest roles.

Members of her family had been deported to Siberia after the Second World War and her grandfather perished on the train trip to the internment camp.

In the early 1960s Ruta managed to get her grandmother out of Lithuania by appealing to Russian President Nikita Khrushchev.

To make a long story short, Ruta did save her

grandmother and when she finally landed in America her grandmother dropped to her knees on the tarmac, kissed the ground and with tears in her eyes said "Hello America".

In 1976 Ruta married Webster Lowe Jnr, they spend time together in Hollywood and at their home in Mexico.

Ruta has starred in a number stage shows including a production of Showboat for the San Francisco Light Opera Company.

One of my favourite films is Funny Bones where Ruta plays opposite Jerry Lewis.

For more than 50 years Ruta has worked tirelessly for The Thalians with her friend Debbie Reynolds.

The Thalians have done tremendous work to raise money amongst the Hollywood community to assist in the area of mental health.

In 2006 Ruta received a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame in front of Grauman's Chinese Theatre, where she once worked as an usher.

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

TOP SECRET STUFF AT PINE GAP

■ During the 50 odd years I've been opal mining, I have taken many American friends up to the various opal fields to scratch around and experience Australia's Outback, and to get to meet a few genuine Outback characters which they never encounter in the boardrooms or hotel lobbies in the city.

And they all love it.

Deb and Tim Kotlarek, friends from the American Women's Association, always claimed it was the highlight of their two-year stay in Australia.

And there was Barb Ely, the then boss of Pine Gap, who I took down from Alice Springs for a weekend.

She couldn't believe it.

And another friend from the Base, "G", who was on the security staff.

Radio man Keith McGowan was there at the same time with me, and asked G what he did.

Only half jokingly, he replied with the old adage: "I could tell you, but then I'd have to kill you!"

Then years ago I took Ben and Paul from Dallas up to Lightning Ridge; on the way I outlined some of the ‘critters’ they may encounter.

I vividly remember Ben's reply, in his broad Southern accent: "By what proportion is Australia's population annually decimated by these nasty little devils."

Then my mate Dave Moss, a Rolling Stones roadie, added a couple of days to his tour to come and join me in Coober Pedy.

A bit of a change to his lifestyle.

■ I've always put a pick and shovel in their hands, and taken them out to my claim.

Some had a cursory interest and scratched around for a while, while others became like men possessed, picking away feverishly, expecting the next blow to unearth the mother lode.

So now I'm shortly organising another trip for more American friends and visitors, and their Aussie mates, replicating the recent journey I described a couple of months ago.

The drive to Adelaide isn't too exciting - wheat fields and flocks of sheep.

But after Port Augusta the Outback kicks in, and it's off to the sleepy and picturesque fishing town of Streaky Bay on the Great Australian Bight.

I love this little town, with its plump

The Outback Legend

with Nick Le Souef Lightning Ridge Opals 175 Flinders Lane, Melbourne Phone 9654 4444 www.opals.net.au fresh oysters and its friendly bush locals.

But the Gawler Ranges track across the Nullarbor up to lunch at the historic little pub at Kingoonya is a fascinating journey.

Some 300 kms of bush track with plenty of Australian wildlife hopping and slithering and flying about.

And then on to Coober Pedy for a couple of nights sleeping underground, exploring the town, and scratching around for beautiful opals.

If you've got any overseas visitors who may be interested, please give me a call - it's BYO vehicle.

All free, except for a bit of a donation to the Royal Children's Hospital coffers.

■ I'd been a resident of Alice Springs for a couple of years, and had just experienced a huge mouse plague when I suddenly realised that I hadn't seen any rats.

And I discovered that Rattus Rattus doesn't live in Alice Springs - climate I suppose. However there are a couple of their local cousins which do scuttle about occasionally.

The first one, the Long Haired Rat, is a native to Australia, and usually confines itself to the Darling Downs, where it's very plentiful.

However, in flood times it mysteriously spreads out over the desert, and it's recently excited some scientists with a brief presence in Alice.

And then there's the Central Rock Rat - a different story. Only eight have been caught in the last four years.

"They're on the point of extinction", says Matthew Crowther, of Wildlife Management, "one decent fire could wipe them out."

Bloody cats and foxes again!

■ While small native rats and other little marsupials are an issue in the current Centre, millennia ago ferocious mega-beasts roamed around the desert.

I recently mentioned a fossil find at Alcoota, 200 kms north-east of Alice Springs. In recent days they've struck paydirt.

Originally they'd found the bone of a ‘Territory Tiger’, which roamed around about eight million years ago, and remnants of a giant Dromornis bird.

Adam Yates, a fossil curator from Alice, is leading the expedition and he's unearthed a ‘super site’ just a few days into a four week expedition.

Now there are plenty of new bones rearing their heads. Not only more Tiger and bird bones, but those of a marsupial lion, a prehistoric crocodile, a huge kangaroo, and a bevy of turtles as well. And they're also looking for a mystery wombat.

As I've also previously mentioned, as I lie in my swag at night the most ferocious creature I can imagine encountering is a sniffing dingo.

Glad these lions and tigers and crocs aren't still galloping about.

■ Living on the Mornington Peninsula, I get to see the result of many a decision for a Sunday drive: "Let's go down to Sorrento." With the new road it's an hour away.

Then I reflect on such activities in Alice Springs. In five minutes you're in the bush, with all its attendant birds and beasts and distant purple hills and white ghost gums, just out of a Namatjira painting.

However, my favourite drive was also about an hour out of town Trephina Gorge, through which a dry riverbed ‘flows’.

I've been there often, sharing with

● Trephina Gorge

friends, and there have been a few poignant moments.

One was with my mate Phil Howe, the official photographer and artist for the Australian cricket team, who was staying at my place whilst in Alice photographing the people and highlights of the Indigenous Cricket Cup a few years ago.

He told me that he'd like to "payback" in return for my hospitality - a painting.

So I decided on Trephina.

Whilst I dozed in the warm sand, and would occasionally splash into the delicious coolth of a pool left over from last flood, he painted away for a couple of hours.

He finally presented me with a warm and wonderful Gorge, which now proudly hangs near to a southern seaside, far from the searing Centre.

- Nick Le Souef ‘The Outback Legend’

Observations Salomé season

Theo and the Lion

■ Salomé, a gender bent re-imagining of the Biblical tale about religion, sexuality and the desire to be different, will be staged at the Malthouse Theatre from August 30-September 14.

Little Ones Theatre is presenting Oscar Wilde’s cult offering as a part of the 2013 Malthouse Helium Season.

■ Patch Theatre Company is presenting Theo And The Lion at the Arts Centre Melbourne, Fairfax Studioat 11am and 2pm on Saturday September 7; and 10am and 1pm Tuesday-Friday, September 3-6.

Tickets: $18 / $16 Groups 4+.

Ages 4 – 8. All kids must be accompanied by an adult; all adults must have a ticket.

Movie times

Dental Week

■ Anew cinema website movietimes.com.au has been launched by the movie industry.

This single digital destination will have competitors listed side-by-side.

Moviegoers will no longer have to search through a variety of websites to find and compare cinema sessions at major cinemas across Australia and some smaller cinemas.

■ Dental Health Week 2013 will be held from August 5-9, and will focus on young adults aged 18- 30 years., says the Australian Dental Association.

‘Age’ to stay: CEO ■ Fairfax CEO Greg Hywood has emphatically denied there are plans to shorten the timetable for the closure of print editions.

This follows specfulation that Monday-Friday print editions of The Age may soon close.

Clumsy thief ■ Knox Police reckon that a thief trying to rob a milk bar at The Basin must be Melbourne’s clumiest offender.

The burglar tried to steal money from the milk bar cash register, but tripped on the cord. He ended up running from the store.

Police are looking for a man who later went on to steal a cash register from a Mountain Gate fish and chip shop.