27 November - 3 December 2012 – Issue: 440
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FINDING A JOB
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CALLING KIWI AN AUSSIE WAS RACIST, RULES COURT n
Uproar after a woman is found guilty by a British court of racially aggravated public disorder for calling her New Zealand neighbour a “stupid, fat Australian”. By Paul Bleakley THE Czech-British woman found guilty of racial abuse last week after calling her New Zealander neighbour a “stupid, fat Australian” has told Australian Times that she plans to appeal her conviction. Macclesfield Magistrates Court, Cheshire, heard that Petra Mills and Chelsea O’Reilly, a New Zealander with dual British/New Zealand citizenship, had been neighbours for over 18 months prior to the incident, which began when Mills called the police as the result of a domestic dispute with her husband. Police arrested Mills’ husband and took a statement from O’Reilly in relation to the complaint, at which point Mills approached O’Reilly and branded her a “stupid, fat Australian”. Mills has denied that the insult was racially aggravated, and has insisted that she harbours no ill feelings towards Australians or New Zealanders. Mills told the court: “I shouted at her, but it had nothing to do with racism. I did not use the word “Australian”. I used to live with an Australian person, she was very nice.” O’Reilly told the court that she believed Mills’ prior knowledge of her New Zealand nationality proved that erroneously labelling her an ‘Australian’ was an insult purposefully designed as a hurtful slur. “She called me a stupid, fat Australian b****. Because of my accent there can be some confusion.
She knew I was from New Zealand. She was trying to be offensive. I was really insulted,” O’Reilly said. Police at the scene who witnessed the incident told the court they heard Mills say the word “Australian”. Mills was fined £110 for racially aggravated public disorder, £200 for assault and £500 in court costs. She was also order to pay £50 in compensation to each of the two police officers assaulted in the process of her arrest. Chairman of the bench, Brian Donohue, held the term “Australian” was used in a racially aggravated way. “The main reason it was used was in hostility”, the court held. Mills told Australian Times that she could not believe the global response that the case has attracted in the aftermath of her conviction. “The court case has proved disappointing for myself (sic) and my family. Most of the reports that have been quoted lack a disturbing amount of facts,” she said. “This case is going to be appealed due to the shear fact that it is not justice.” Mills conviction has sparked debate throughout the British, Australian and New Zealand media in regards to whether the term “Australian” could be used in a racially abusive manner. Mills’ appeal is set to test the United Kingdom’s strict racial vilification legislation. Is being called ‘Australian’ a racist slur?: page 2
End the smear and sleaze: Gillard PRIME Minister Julia Gillard has again tried to put an end to questions over her role as a union lawyer 17 years ago, accusing the coalition of trying to end the parliamentary year with a campaign of “smear and sleaze”. Before question time, Ms Gillard held a 48-minute media conference on Monday to answer journalists’ questions about the pro bono legal advice she gave in the 1990s to former AWU official Bruce Wilson, who was her then partner, and another official, Ralph Blewitt. Then a lawyer with Slater & Gordon, she advised the two officials on the establishment of the Australian Workers’ Union Workplace Reform Association. The association’s funds were later allegedly the subject of fraud, but no charges were ever laid. It was the second lengthy media conference in three months Ms Gillard has called to defend herself against claims that effectively question her integrity. “I think Australians are sick of it; sick of stories they don’t understand about events 17 to 20 years ago,” she said. Ms Gillard said the opposition was seeking a distraction because its anticarbon tax campaign was running out of puff. ...continued on p3
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27 November - 3 December 2012
Is being called ‘Australian’ a racist slur? nA
UK magistrates court has held that calling a NewZealander a “stupid fat Australian” constituted racial abuse. PAUL BLEAKLEY asks, is calling someone ‘Australian’ racist?
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To the Rt. Hon. Christopher Grayling, MP, on behalf of the Australian people, MY name is Paul Bleakley and I am writing to you in your capacity as Lord Chancellor of the United Kingdom, and thereby one of the foremost figures in the British judicial system. An incident has recently come to my attention that has chilled me to the bone, and should pose serious questions for every Australian living in your fine country. Czech-born Petra Mills was found guilty this week at Macclesfield magistrates’ court of racially aggravated public disorder after a drunken altercation with her native New Zealander neighbour Chelsea O’Reilly. Her crime? She called Ms O’Reilly a “stupid fat Australian”. The court determined that referring to her neighbour’s nationality (however erroneously) constituted a racial slur and was fined £110 as a result of her abuse. Lord Chancellor, when did being called an ‘Australian’ become a racial slur? Sure, Petra Mills used it as a part of her drunken tirade. That part of the story is not denied by anyone. But to claim that Ms Mills engaged in racial abuse
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Interesting piece. Good grist to my mill as we’re trying to get a TV series up, based on a novel I wrote called “To Love, Honour and Betray” about a Miranda Hart type moving to Australia with her football coach English hubby, only to be dumped. It’s a fish out of water comedy on the cultural clashes between our two nations. Kathy Lette
On: Is being called ‘Australian’ a racist slur? The only reason New Zealanders get teased for it [being called Australia] is because … [i]t is effective as a tease and that is why people do it. It’s nothing to do with Australia in terms of being a slur on Australians and everything to do with the fact that New Zealanders take it all quite seriously and are very easily baited on it. That’s my impression as a New Zealander who has lived in Britain and encountered it once or twice.
Ian Goldsmith
It is not the term that is racist, but the way in which it was used. The woman was deliberately called an
implies that term ‘Australian’ has negative connotations. I do not know how things stand in Macclesfield, but every Australian living in the United Kingdom would wear the title as a badge of honour (even if it was yelled at them by a drunken nemesis). Ms Mills claimed, in her defence, that she would not have abused Ms O’Reilly for being Australian as “(she) used to live with an Australian person. She was very nice.” Her lawyer argued that Ms Mills did not hate her neighbour for being Australian: she just hated her because she did not like her as person. I realise that the entire world is developing into a nanny state, but isn’t this verdict the epitome of political correctness gone mad? Lord Chancellor, we do not find the term ‘Australian’ to be an example of racial abuse. We wear it with pride, regardless of the manner in which it is used. At the least, it is merely a descriptive term. At the best it is the greatest compliment Ms Mills could have given to her Kiwi neighbour, even though that was not her intention. It is now a legal precedent that the term ‘Australian’ can be considered a racial slur in the United Kingdom. What is next? Will I be arrested and fined if I called someone an ‘English twit’
or a ‘dopey Welshman’? Will it be considered sexist if I call someone a ‘stupid boy’? This is not just a matter of Australian pride, Lord Chancellor. This is a matter of common sense. I put my hand on heart and proudly claim to be an Australian, the word that is apparently so abhorrent to the Macclesfield magistrates’ court. Do not get me wrong, I do not stand for racism in any form. But this is not racism, and Ms Mills should never have been convicted for using a term that none of us considers a slur. Lord Chancellor, explain to the Australian people why the British judicial system thinks it is so defamatory to be called an Australian. If you do not, we may have to take serious action. We may have to stop sending over the tapes of Neighbours and Home and Away. Then you will know that we are serious.
Australian, as she knew that as a New Zealander, this would hurt her.
On: Julie Bishop faces questions on CSR asbestos cases
Chris Butler
For most proud New Zealanders being called an ‘Australian’ would indeed be considered as racial abuse. I’m a proud Kiwi and to be called an Australian would be not be well received. If you were a Kiwi you would understand this was a racial slurr inferring that I was some sort of commoner/ lesser being. Steven McLachlan, Christchurch, NZ
Paul Bleakley, you do not speak for the Australian people and are being racist in claiming you do. The magistrates court wasn’t testing whether we are proud to be Aussies, but whether -in law- it’s OK to use racial distinctions when abusing someone.
Yours in good faith, The Australian people
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Good on you Julie, you are such an example of what decency is. Please keep up the good work and please show that other woman who is in charge what honesty is all about.
Rhonda Brind
No doubt Bishop will hide behind the law to defend underhanded tactics. What’s legal and what is morally defensible are two different things. Asbestos producers relied on a range of ‘professionals’ who were prepared to sacrifice morallity for a fist full of gold. Shame on her and the corrupt industry she defended. Stephen Powell
Clara St Kilda, London, UK
On: YouTube video of racist abuse captures Australia’s darker side
You used to like Crocodile Dundee… Here is Crocodile Dumbee. niculcilechecul
On: The major cities of Australia Remember that you get all four seasons each and every day in Melbourne – bring your umbrella, overcoat and sunscreen!
Rob
I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear. ~Martin Luther King, Jr. Said Jamali
? What’s your view Share your comments on these and more stories online: AustralianTimes.co.uk
News | 3
AustralianTimes.co.uk
Bishop says “this is just the beginning” Continued from p1... “They’ve got no positive plan for the nation’s future, so in those circumstances they’ve got to insert something in the vacuum and what they’ve determined to insert .... is smear and sleaze,” she said. Ms Gillard said her role was to provide “low-level” legal advice about the incorporation of the association. “I did not set up a fund. I did not set up a bank account,” she said. Ms Gillard said Mr Blewitt - who last week gave statements to Victorian police on three AWU-related matters - was a self-confessed fraudster variously described as a “sexist pig”, an “imbecile” and a “crook”. “His word against mine: make your mind up,” she told reporters. Ms Gillard said she had ended her relationship with Mr Wilson after hearing rumours about the Victorian branch of the AWU. “In those circumstances I came to a personal decision about ending my relationship,” she said. The prime minister was also asked about a claim by former union employee Wayne Hem that in July 1995 he deposited $5000 into Ms Gillard’s bank account at the request of Mr Wilson. Ms Gillard said she did not remember $5000 being put into her Commonwealth Bank account and her attempts to recover bank records had been unsuccessful.
Mr Wilson has said Ms Gillard did nothing wrong and knew nothing about any alleged fraud. In parliament, Deputy Opposition leader Julie Bishop used question time to reopen the issue, focusing on whether the prime minister had satisfied herself the establishment of the association did not breach AWU internal rules. Ms Gillard repeated her role was to provide legal advice to the two officials seeking to register their association, which was to be used for union election campaigning, and she had no dealings with the broader union executive. Opposition Leader Tony Abbott, who did not ask any questions in Monday’s question time, told reporters Ms Gillard owed the parliament a full explanation. “All we’ve had from the prime minister so far are increasingly shrill stonewallings, increasingly shrill denials,” Mr Abbott said. Workplace Relations Minister Bill Shorten, who led the AWU from 2001, told reporters Ms Gillard had no knowledge of the activities of the association and people wanted the government to focus on health, education and jobs. “No one is putting any allegations of specific wrongdoing by the prime minister,” Mr Shorten said. Labor frontbencher Simon Crean said the opposition hadn’t laid a finger on Ms Gillard. Ms Bishop later told Sky News: “This is just the beginning”. - AAP
Hey Dad! star to be extradited to Australia
THE British government has authorised the extradition of Hey Dad! star Robert Hughes, who is expected to face multiple child sexual assault charges on his return to Australia. Home Secretary Theresa May on Tuesday signed an extradition order for Hughes after a London magistrate in September determined that the 64-yearold return to NSW for questioning. Hughes consented to the order and indicated that he plans to defend allegations that he assaulted five children between 1985 and 1990 while staring on the popular family television sitcom. “On November 20, the Secretary of State, having carefully considered all relevant matters, signed an order brackets, be slightly smaller than the for Robert Hughes’s extradition to e last point. Australia,” a spokesman from Ms May’s ing office said in a statement. “Mr Hughes is wanted in Australia in connection with alleged sexual offences against children.” approval.
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Hughes has 14 days to appeal the extradition, but will otherwise leave the UK within four weeks in a transfer managed by British police on a date to be confirmed. NSW Police sought Hughes’s extradition after receiving complaints from five people, who were aged seven to 15 years at the time of the alleged abuse. Accusations against Hughes were outlined in court and included indecent exposure, kissing, and the touching of Hughes’s erect penis through clothing. “Rather than continue to suffer a trial by media, my client is keen to defend the allegations which he vehemently denies,” Hughes’s lawyer Robert Katz said after the most recent court appearance. Hughes had been living in London with his wife when he was arrested in early August. He played the central character Martin Kelly in the hit TV series. - AAP
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Fun?? ? Explaining the English: Facts ? ? Aunt Mabel reveals all
Why don’t UK postage stamps refer to the country of origin on them?
In 1840, following the Post Office Reforms, the first adhesive ‘postage’ stamp, the Penny Black, was introduced for use in a public postal system. It was the first time an adhesive stamp indicated pre-payment of postage, as prior to this it was normal for the recipient to pay postage on delivery. As England was the first country to introduce postage stamps, it today has the unique distinction of being the only postal system whose stamps do not contain written reference to the country in Puzzled by the Poms? Send your question to Aunt Mabel at editor@ which they’re produced. australiantimes.co.uk with subject heading ‘Explaining the English’
4 | UK Life
27 November - 3 December 2012
An open letter to my bicycle Dear bicycle, FROM the day I found you nestled in the shop, I’ve loved you. When the man in the shop said “I’ve found the perfect bike for you”, I had no idea how right he would be. Sure, I’ve had bikes in the past, but none of them even came close to you. Did they have baskets? Leather handles? No, no even close. There’s just one thing, dear bicycle. If you wouldn’t mind, could you please, you know, try your hardest not to get stolen? I’m too scared to let you out of my sight, let alone leave you at Hammersmith station for an entire, lonely day. What if I came home, and you weren’t there? What would I do? They say to buy a lock, so I went
and bought two. Still, it’s not enough. The streets of London are mean, dear bicycle. I’m afraid that out in the wild, you simply wouldn’t survive. So for now, I’ll take you on little journeys. We’ll ride around the park together, or pop to a nearby cafe. Maybe one day I’ll be able to leave you to fend (locks in place) for yourself, but for now, lets just keep it local, ok? Yours lovingly, Alex
Quirks and queries: Alex Bruce-Smith adapts to and adopts all things English. Next week - an open letter to Christmas
A European Christmas
Top Ten Christmas activities with a twist By Georgia Dawes THE temperature is dropping. Your fluffy slippers are out instead of your thongs and you have your trench coat on instead of your bikini. It’s winter time in London and it’s time for a different, more traditional and far chillier festive season. If you are planning on staying in London town over the festive season get ready to say “goodbye” to seafood, backyard cricket and fresh mango and “hello” to mulled wine, delicious roasts, log fires, ice skating and *fingers crossed* snow. As London lights up with dazzling Christmas lights and incredible Christmas displays, get involved in the huge array of Yuletide treats that will fill you with Christmas cheer (scrooges included). Here are our top ten of the off-the-beaten track London Christmas offerings: Meow Meow at Southbank Centre She is Australian, she perfectly combines humour and sex appeal and she is doing her own deliciously dark twist on a Christmas Classic. She is Meow Meow. Check out the UK premiere of Meow Meow’s Little Match Girl at Southbank Centre. Dates: 13 - 30 December. Cost: £15-£30. See: ticketing.southbankcentre.co.uk Christmas panto with a twist Love a Christmas panto but want to enjoy a (few) mulled wines whilst watching it? Check out Comatose Beauty at the Royal Vauxhall Tavern. The now legendary RVT Panto is back this December with a unique (and very adult) reworking of a British Panto Classic, starring Mz Kimberley, Myra DuBois, Lorraine Bowen, Alp Haydar, Holestar and Sharia Law. Date: 5 December Cost: £11.25 See: www.rvt.org.uk Christmas themed pop-up cinema Sing along with Jack Skellington, swoon over Johnny ‘Scissorhands’ Depp and scream “Santa... I know him!!” at the top of your lungs as you enjoy all the best Christmas films at this year’s Christmas pop-up Cinema in Brick Lane. Date: 18 December Cost: £14 See: www.popupscreens.co.uk Kick an elf out of the workshop, and make your own presents Don’t get your best friend socks this Christmas. Learn how to make Christmas presents fit for the Queen, such as Christmas themed cookies or homemade jam - just like Kate Middleton did for the royal family last Christmas. Dates: Various Cost: £40-£49 See: www.themakelounge.com Share the love this Christmas Spend Christmas under the mistletoe. Meet someone new at the annual Speed Dater singles Christmas party. With match up games and over 200 singles, you may end up having “All I want for Christmas is you” stuck in your head all Christmas. Date: 8 December
Cost: £12.95 See: www.speeddater.co.uk
Mulled wine magic Stuff your face with delicious bratwurst, warm yourself up with a glass (or ten) of mulled wine, stroll through the traditional German-style wooden huts along the river and catch up on any last minute Christmas shopping for friends gifts (and maybe a little something for yourself) at the South Bank markets. Dates: Until 23 December Cost: Free Skate the winter blues away Big fan of Blades of Glory? Get your skates on (and lycra if you are so inclined) and carve up some ice at the Somerset House ice skating rink. Not much of a skater? Never mind! Ice skating is also a really good spectator sport! Enjoy a glass of mulled wine and check out the skating talent. Dates: 16 November to 6 January Cost: £7-£14 See: www.somersethouse.org.uk Collectables and celebrities Fancy a festive season rummage and perhaps a little star spotting? Actors from popular TV shows including Doctors, Emmerdale and Coronation Street preside over this year’s annual Curtain Up Christmas market. Get your friends pressies that no one else will have and pick up a bargain for yourself. Choose from collectables, crafts, jewellery, bunting, handbags, cakes and more. Date: 9 December Cost: £1.50 See: www.curtainupevents.co.uk Run, pudding, run Have you ever seen a pudding run?? The Great Christmas Pudding Race is back on this year. Yippy! Watch as teams navigate themselves around a complex obstacle course whilst trying to keep a tasty Christmas pudding on a plate. Hilarious! A fun day out is guaranteed with entertainment and guest celebrities, all in the name of supporting cancer research. Date: 1 December Cost: Free to watch See: www.xmaspuddingrace.org.uk Delightful deer On Dasher and Dancer, Donner and Blitzen. They might not be able to fly or deliver presents all over the world in one night, but they definitely are real deer. Head to Richmond park to see beautiful deer frolic freely in the park. Dates: Any time Cost: Free See: www.royalparks.org.uk So go on, warm up those carolling vocal cords, bulk-up those shopping bag carrying arm muscles and stretch those stomachs to make room for all the feasting. It’s Christmas time: let the eating, drinking, shopping, film watching and ice skating fun begin.
Entertainment | 5
AustralianTimes.co.uk
Age will not weary her: Judith Lucy on age, spirituality and ... Vegas waxes n
REVIEW | Judith Lucy’s Nothing Fancy is irreverent, awkward, hilarious and uniquely Australian.
By Paul Bleakley JUDITH LUCY opened her routine at Soho Theatre by saying that the last time she did a show in London she received rave reviews for her performance. The reviewer, she claimed, had compared her to a “young Michelle Pfeiffer… if a tree had fallen on her”. If that reviewer was correct, then the tree did not do all that much damage to Lucy’s sense of comedy, because years later and her dry wit has only gone from strength to strength. The passage of time is a major theme of Judith Lucy’s Nothing Fancy, showing at Soho Theatre until 1 December. In fact, Lucy’s routine can basically be whittled down to three concepts: age, spirituality and… well, the female anatomy. Throughout the show, Lucy asks many of life’s most prominent unanswered questions: When is it okay to start acting like an ‘old person’? Why do young people feel the distinct urge to remove hair from all parts of their body? Why can males talk about their p*nis for half an hour and be considered a genius, while it is disgusting for women to do the same when it
comes to their private parts? If it is socially unacceptable for a woman to publically speak about her genitalia, Lucy does her very best to level out the playing field. Early in the performance Lucy describes her first experience with a ‘Vegas wax’, which she suggests is called that because combining hot wax with genitals is always a bit of a gamble. Funnily enough, it was the men in the audience that seemed to get the biggest laugh out of all of this talk of waxing and female genitalia. It goes to show the universal appeal of Lucy’s laconic Australian humour. Aside from all the discussion of women’s bits, Lucy ruminates on the process of aging and the individual’s inevitable attempts to ‘find themselves’. Last year’s ABC Television program Judith Lucy’s Spiritual Journey provided Lucy with significant material for her most recent routine, with tales of Buddhists that tried to set themselves on fire and Byron Bay hippies that compared her soul to that of Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan. Lucy has a reputation for being quite self-deprecating in her routines, and she does not disappoint in Nothing Fancy. At
one point she describes her time in a silent retreat, unable to speak or communicate with others for ten days. At the end of her ten days of isolation, a German woman approached her and asked what she did for a living. When Lucy told her that she was a comedian, the German woman was shocked and said that she had been observing her for two day and had decided Lucy must have been either a grave digger or an egg farmer. Lucy is nonplussed in telling these stories; however it is clear that they provide considerable fodder for her comedic performances. Lucy briefly touches on her family life, a subject which became one of Australia’s most prominent adoption stories with the release of The Lucy Family Alphabet in 2008. She found out that she was adopted when she was twenty-five years old, on Christmas Day. Lucy highlights the awkwardness of that situation in singing “jingle all the way, we’re not your real family, you’re real mother gave you away”. “Try writing that joke when you’re just starting out,” she tells the crowd, who have broken down in hysterics by this point.
Flying the Freemantle flag: WA indie outfit San Cisco go global
Judith Lucy has been a part of Australia’s comedy elite for decades. For all of her jokes about not being recognised as a celebrity, Lucy is an entertainment icon in Australia and drew a big audience to her show at Soho Theatre. As she points out, there is something quintessentially Australian to go to the other side of the world … just to see an Australian comedian perform. Lucy’s Nothing Fancy is irreverent, awkward and completely hilarious. She brings the best qualities of Australian comedy in her dry delivery and no frills approach to observational humour. Lucy is a welcome reminder of what makes Australians so funny with her uniquely sardonic manner. The show is titled Nothing Fancy and it truly doesn’t need to be anything fancy: it is perfect as it is. See ‘Nothing Fancy’ until 1 December. For tickets, go to SohoTheatre.com
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AustralianTimes.co.uk/entertainment
13 – 30 December
n
Whilst Australia has already discovered the pop-infused indie outfit San Cisco, the rest of the world is just about on the verge of catching on. Ahead of the UK release of their new EP, The Beach on 10 December, PAUL JUDGE catches up with the band as they tour the UK. As Jordi explains to Australian Times: “It’s all the extra stuff which is the worst, doing a photo-shoot, standing outside freezing for hours for a video, and travel, lots of travel.” The others all nod in agreement at the last one, and Jordi adds: “But it’s cool to have a day off somewhere you’ve never been before and of course when we get to play our music.” For Nick who is new to London and the UK, he’s been taking advantage of the opportunity. “I had a look around yesterday, we went to Abbey Studios and I saw that big clock.” The rest explode with laughter and yell “Big Ben”. It’s easy to see they are like a bunch of siblings spending a lot of time together, equally getting on each other nerves and having fun at the same time. Scarlett, the only girl in the band, says tension usually spills over in the form of pointless arguments. “We spent ages arguing about the safest car the other day,” rolling her eyes at the boys. “And they were arguing about why there are different power points [in different countries].” One thing there’s no disagreement about though is the love of playing music, and it’s easy to see for all the supposed glamour of touring, fame and the rock and roll lifestyle San Cisco are happiest when on stage or in the recording studio. When I ask what has been the highlight of the past 12 months, they all agree it’s the completion of their very soon to be released debut album. Josh, the quietest of the four, is happy to talk about this: “To have this big
Little Match Girl
piece of our work completed and all the work that went into it is great. We’re just excited for other people to listen to it.” And they just want to make more and more music. After the high success of ‘Awkward’ the band are looking to mature musically. Jordi says the band are ready to progress past their old music, but it played its part too: “It’s kind of the music cycle, we’re over it but playing Awkward drives us to make more music and it helped us get where we are.” It’s time for me to go; they’ve got a gig to get to and then are off to Berlin a few days later. It’s seems it’s all about to happen for San Cisco as they enter the next stage of their music careers on an international level. However, at this moment, they’re still the kids from Fremantle who just love playing music. Their self-titled debut album is set to release in May 2013. In the meantime San Cisco are releasing The Beach EP through Columbia Records in the UK on 10 December. For more information visit: Facebook.com/sanciscomusic
‘Witness the birth of a new star’ ★★★★★ (The Times)
Dress by Harvey B-Brown © Magnus Hastings
IT’S a pleasant, surreal moment to walk into the room and see the four smiling faces of San Cisco looking back at you. They’re laughing as they try to teach their English PR agent Australian lingo, and she in turn is teaching them some of her own. Which is why instead of “G’day” Jordi (vocals, guitar), Josh (guitar), Nick (bass) and Scarlett (drums, vocals) greet me with an attempted “Orright”. Not a bad effort at cultural adaptation for the WA kids who had only arrived in the UK a few days ago. Even better considering Nick has never even left Australia before. They’re not just here to learn new words though; they’re on a mission to introduce their music to an international audience. And with their massive popularity in Australia, it shouldn’t be too hard. For the minority of Australians at home and abroad who haven’t yet heard of San Cisco, they started producing some infectious pop tunes in Fremantle while still at high school and released their first EP Golden Revolver in 2010. However, it was in 2011 when it all really kicked off with the release of their second EP, multiple gigs and festivals across the country and number seven in Triple J’s Hottest 100 for the instant hit ‘Awkward’. 2012 and it shows no signs of slowing down, with completion of their selftitled debut item as well as their first shows in America and Europe. This also explains why we’re all sitting in a room in West London, and it would appear after a day of interviews and lots of coffee they are getting a bit of cabin fever.
Book tickets 0844 847 9910 Southbankcentre.co.uk/winter
6 | Entertainment
27 November - 3 December 2012
Lonerism by Tame Impala n
Album Review | Hypnotic second offering from Perth’s Tame Impala. By Haylee Slater LONERISM is the dizzying result of an impassioned Kevin Parker, leader of Australian band Tame Impala. Working in solitude in both Perth and Paris, the outcome is as much a personal exploration as a sonic one. Riskily devised mostly alone in his room, and self-produced by David Fridmann, it is Parker’s reckless abandon that makes this album such a welcome triumph. Steering away from the more direct Beatles benediction seen in brilliant debut Innerspeaker, Parker’s approach has matured. Sgt Pepper trips are turned to vanilla dreamscapes in
soulful ‘Music To Walk Home By’ and hypnotic ‘Feels Like We Only Go Backwards’ delivers the knock-out punch. Single ‘Elephant’ gives a slight peek into the power of Lonerism but cannot fully represent what this album as a whole achieves. Carefully employed 60s grooves and a unified vision push against a time when singles are consumed as readily as Big Macs. Tame Impala has embraced the truer spirit of musical experience with a return to the truest value of the album, a luxury enjoyed in one sitting. This is undoubtedly the stand out release of 2012. Five Stars.
Sound Bites
What’s On An Evening with Adam Hills 1 - 2 December @Pleasance Theatre The Cat Empire 10 December @ O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire Rolf Harris 8 February @ Royal Festival Hall Southbank Centre Wolfe Bowart’s Letter’s End 24-27 February @ Southbank Centre The Australian Pink Floyd Show 25 February @ London 02 Arena Olivia Newton-John 13 March @ Royal Albert Hall Tommy Emmanuel 16 March @ Shepherd’s Bush Empire
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...and more Aussie gigs go to: AustralianTimes.co.uk/entertainment
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Micheal Scholes @skulzy87 Faf Du Plessis and Peter Siddle have etched their names in Test Cricket folklore after today’s battle ABC Grandstand @ abcgrandstand “The body can go a little bit further but you need the mind to push you the extra couple of yards.” Faf du Plessis to @PeterAWalsh ABC Grandstand @ abcgrandstand Faf Du Plessis’ innings: 110 not out in 464 minutes, 376 balls, including 14 fours. Marathon effort...and it was on debut ESPN Cricinfo @ESPNcricinfo Adelaide Test: Michael Clarke 230 off 257, AB de Villiers 33 off 230. Both invaluable innings. Test cricket, you beauty! ABC Grandstand @ abcgrandstand It almost took Quiney longer to walk to the crease than it did to get out. Check out what we’re following this week on AustralianTimes.co.uk and follow us on Twitter @AustralianTimes
travel
Travel | 7
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tting This week we’re pu
Budapest ON THE MAP
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A twisting tree-lined maze of culture, history, beauty and bars – Budapest cannot disappoint. ALEX BRUCE-SMITH shares with us her definitive guide to making the most of this city’s hidden secrets.
BUDAPEST, sliced by the Danube River, is easily one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. Buildings from another era surround the tree-lined streets, and on every corner is another excellent bar to sit, have a drink, and watch the world go by. The buildings are adorned by bullet holes and peeling paint. This is not a city that has had a recent makeover, but one that has survived through Europe’s darkest history with scars to prove it. Budapest and her people are a testament to living with battle wounds and a greater appreciation for life because of it. Today, a vibrant underground nightlife blends in perfect harmony with relaxed, stop-to-smell-theroses kind of daytime. It is a city that needs a head in the clouds approach and a will to get lost.
Where to stay
Pest. For those of you who don’t know, Budapest is actually two cities: Buda – the castle district, the hillier side, and indeed where the wealthy live, and Pest – the home of the Hungarians who reside in this beautiful city.
How to get around
A bicycle is the best way to see the city. Unlike many cities, there is a healthy level of respect between cyclist and motorist. Cycle lanes run along the main streets, and all the main sites of Pest are easily reachable. If you feel less energetic, the trams are easy to work out, as are the trains. Whatever you do, do not jump in a taxi on the street. They will charge you ridiculous prices, take you long routes, and possibly scam
you hundreds of Euros. Or tens of thousands of Forints (the currency of Hungary). Wherever you are – bar, restaurant, ice cream stand – ask them to call you a taxi. Your wallet will thank you.
Where to drink
Instant Bar is a maze of knocked through walls, twisting staircases, and bathrooms in unexpected places. There is a craze in Budapest at the moment of ‘ruin bars’ – a collection of hipster bars in formerly abandoned buildings. Of these, arguably the best is Instant, a series of old apartments jammed together with a few bars chucked in. Oh, and just a few awesome artists who wandered in and left their mark in the random graffiti and trippy sculptures. The place is a maze, and you’ll spend half the night exploring it. They even have a giant owl flying over the indoor courtyard. I want to bring everyone I’ve ever known and actually like to this bar. Fridays and Saturdays – don’t expect to find a table.
Where to recover
The Szechenyi baths are some of the most beautiful (and well known) baths in Budapest. Unlike other baths there’s no gender segregation, so no need to check what days you’re allowed in – just turn up. This is not a nudie bath, although there’s plenty of those around if you need your fill of naked people. Think of the Szechenyi baths as a super luxurious swimming pool, only without small children. Head downstairs if you want a shock to the system – a sauna so hot they provide ice to hold onto, followed by a pool chilled to 15 degrees. It’ll wake you up better than a triple espresso, but I would
8 | Travel
27 November - 3 December 2012
recommend refraining if you have a weak heart or a baby in your belly. So would a doctor, probably.
How to do things differently
Check out the Hospital in the Rock, the underground military hospital in the Castle district of Buda. It’ll take some hunting to get there, but the reward is an experience like nothing you’ve seen before. During the WWII years, the government made use of an old series of tunnels by turning them into an underground, and therefore secret, hospital. During the cold war years, they turned it into a nuclear bunker. The tunnels have only reopened to the public in the last couple years – surgical equipment, gas masks, and various supplies still litter the hallways. Dozens of life size wax statues bring the hospital to life. Sound cheesy? Yes, I thought so too – until you actually go in. They go a long way to bringing the whole, horrific place to life.
Where to be cultural
The Opera House is definitely worth a look, not least because of its undeniable beauty. If the timing’s right go ahead and see an opera – it is some of the best in the world, and a good deal cheaper than more Western opera houses. If there’s nothing on that’s appealing, do a tour of the Opera house, and pay the slight extra to hear an aria at the end. The must-do-the-cultural-thing-insteadof-just-drinking part of your psyche will be happy, plus it has an interesting history. The muchloved, unbelievably vain, and ever-so-tragic Sisi of Austria had a private box at the front of theatre purely so the audience could watch her, instead of the opera.
What not to do
Ladies, you don’t have to worry about this one. Gentlemen, whatever you do, don’t go to a strip club. Just don’t. In fact, don’t follow the pretty lady to a cool
bar down the street either. It’s a common occurrence that men get dragged into strip clubs on false pretences, somehow have to buy the strippers drinks, and get beaten up or taken at knifepoint to an ATM when they refuse to pay the several hundred Euro tab. If you want strippers, go to Amsterdam instead.
What to eat
Lamb. The lamb is amazing. Just eat lamb all day, every day, and you’ll be happy. Note, this only works if you like lamb. There is also Goulash.
What to drink Red wine.
What to bring home Paprika.
What to remember
Your camera and good walking shoes - the pavements are hard work. But, don’t take my word for it. Go to Budapest yourself. Form your own opinions. And then get back to me.
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Jobs & Money | 9
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UR fired! LOL
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Dollar Review
Aussie Dollar holds ground on EU hope
of the key factors in being a successful leader is the ability to connect and build rapport with those around you. When it comes to effective communication, face-to-face will always win out over texts. By Elizabeth Britz
THE Australian Dollar held its ground last week, trading at 1.5357 to the British Pound on Monday and around 0.9667 against the US Dollar. By Friday the Aussie closed around 1.5347 GBP and 0.9632 USD, as the trades look optimistically towards the Greek funding solutions. Friday also saw positive economic data out of Germany with the IFO data being released beyond expectations. This week, China is due to release its industrial profits on Tuesday and its official manufacturing PMI on Friday. This is likely to be positive news for the Aussie if last month’s trend continues with a PMI reading over 50 index points. Investors are currently speculating a rate cut by the Reserve Bank of Australia. The
an astute aussie in london
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empathy and rapport. Putting a person behind the employee number, salary in a spreadsheet or headcount can change our behaviour. As leaders, we can make better decisions when we experience people, rather than a name or number on a screen. This is why Friday night drinks and team outings, rather than virtual meetings, build rapport more effectively. Leaders are often told to use emotional intelligence and lead with authenticity. One of the key factors in leading successfully is the ability to connect and build rapport with those around you. No amount of training can overcome a tendency to hide behind technology to pass on critical or sensitive information. Technology is a great tool. But hiding behind technology to avoid what can be perceived as difficult situations, tends to take away the humanity in being human. We all need to feel respected and visible. This can only be achieved when there is the right type of interaction. It takes a great leader to buck up and pass on a message without hiding behind a text.
market has not fully priced in the rate cut yet but as 4 December RBA decision draws near this will become the Australian Dollar’s focus point. Thursday will see the Australian capital spending plans released. The market fears there will be a sharp decline in spending as companies scale back in their expansion. If this should occur, the risk of higher future unemployment will play heavily on the Aussie.
Exchange rates GBP/AUD: 1.5310 EUR/AUD: 1.2390 USD/AUD: 0.9562 NZD/AUD: 0.7869 08:54, 26 November 2012
Note: The above exchange rates are based on “interbank” rates. If you want to transfer money to or from Australia then please register/login on our website, or call us on 0808 141 2335 for a live dealing rate. Make use of a Rate Notifier to send you alert when the Australian exchange rate reaches levels you are looking for.
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IMAGINE Sir Alan Sugar’s boardroom. Three nervous Apprentices sitting on one side, playing with their mobiles. Without a word, Sir Alan lifts his finger. But, instead of pointing and saying “You’re fired!” he silently pushes the send button on his mobile phone. Each Apprentice nervously waits to hear their phone go off. Not very compelling tv, but if the latest trend of firing by text continues, it could be the norm for workplace sackings. As technology becomes more prevalent at work, we need to start asking, “When is it a step too far?” A few years ago, I learnt that a leading firm was sending its graduates text messages to confirm interview times. From an efficiency point of view and keeping up with Generation Y, it seemed to make sense. I did raise an eyebrow, but caught myself before I started saying “In my day...” Last year an Australian company was criticised by the Fair Work Australia Commissioner for firing an employee via text message. The Commissioner pointed out that the employee had no right of reply and that hiding behind a text showed a lack of courage. Yet only a year later, when a similar case emerged the Commissioner’s stance was less critical. The Commissioner simply recommended that a face to face meeting might have been better. Despite the questions over the legalities and ethics of firing by text, it seems to be gaining popularity. What is a step too far? Employee appraisals by text? So much of what happens in our professional lives is now online or virtual. Our workplace habits then permeate into our personal lives. We send texts when we do not want to talk to people. We send e-cards instead of hand written notes of love and appreciation. However, when it comes to sharing important information, nothing beats face to face meetings. Sitting opposite someone and feeling their energy, seeing their body language and making eye contact all provide valuable information about what is being said. Face to face contact is important in building understanding,
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10 | Jobs & Money
27 November - 3 December 2012
Overqualified and undervalued: Surviving the job hunt in London
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The rat-race in London can literally be that, and Aussies looking for law jobs are often at the back of the pack.
By Anna Bow LET ME start by clarifying something: I’m smart. Really. I am. Perhaps not Oxford University smart. But smart enough to get a law degree from a good Australian University and graduate with a couple of prizes and an eyebrow raising GPA. Smart enough to land myself a postgrad job in Australia with a salary that allowed for the thoughtless indulgence in luxuries like weekly personal training, and upgrading my laptop to a MacBook Pro (which apparently has some pretty cool features if you’re a graphic designer). With this record of adequate success
and a legitimate expectation of its continuance, I set off for London assuming I would find a well-paid job in criminal law, a spacious share house in east London, and a modest disposable income. But that dream faded as fast as you can say “legal aid cuts”. Or “heathrow injection”. Both of which are terrifyingly real. Not only have I arrived in London during a double dip recession, but it would appear that every Brit born in or around the mid 80s wanted to be lawyers too when they grew up, and the determined bastards have done it. As a result there are now more out of work young lawyers in London
than rats in the underground. All of us competing for the same handful of jobs. And no, I do not intend to make a witty remark here about lawyers being analogous to rats. I should have preserved my dignity and jumped ship on the idea of a London legal career when getting an appointment with a legal recruiter turned out to be more biting and dark than my first English winter. I sent my CV to possibly every legal recruiter in the United Kingdom. I made follow up calls to check it had been received. I thought my prayers had been answered when earlier this year I randomly met a senior lawyer from my dream organisation in an elevator (yes,
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Thanks to Malaysia Airlines we have a pair of return tickets to Kuala Lumpur to be won!
The lucky winner and their companion will be travelling economy class from London Heathrow to the glittering KL, in the heart of exotic South East Asia. Flying on the new A380 aircraft, they will enjoy the latest in-flight technology and service from the 2012 SKYTRAX ‘World's Best Cabin Crew’. For full details and to enter this amazing competition, scan this QR code with your phone now, or go to:
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Take a luxury stop on your Australian hop Book your flights home with Malaysia Airlines and get a FREE five-star stopover in Kuala Lumpur! Malaysia Airlines has teamed up with Tourism Malaysia to offer passengers travelling from the UK to destinations in Australia, a free luxury stopover in Malaysia’s vibrant capital city Kuala Lumpur. Valid for a minimum of two people travelling together, passengers who book flights to Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane or Perth can indulge in a free overnight stay at the Berjaya Times Square Hotel. Located in the heart of the city, in the upmarket business and shopping district, Berjaya Times Square offers guests luxuriously appointed rooms overlooking Kuala Lumpur’s iconic skyline and five-star services and facilities. This exclusive offer can be enjoyed on any dates from 15 November 2012 to 30 June 2013 for flights booked in business or economy class via the Malaysia Airlines website or direct through the UK booking office until 31 December 2012. BOOK NOW www.malaysiaairlines.com 0871 423 9090
Free Luxury Stopover Offer Terms & Conditions The free one-night stopover at the Berjaya Times Square Hotel is valid for two passengers travelling together from the UK & Ireland to Malaysia Airlines’ destinations in Australia and New Zealand between 15 November 2012 - 30 June 2013 for flights booked between 15 November and 31 December 2012. The above free accommodation offers include all taxes and service charges but do not include any meals taken with the free stay. Passengers can decide whether to utilise their complimentary hotel accommodation either on their outbound or inbound stopover. Code-share flights and itineraries involving other air carriers are excluded from the offer, as are one-way journeys. This offer cannot be used in conjunction with any special fare promotion. Full terms and conditions apply.
this happened). After chatting about our mutual desire to protect the vulnerable and uphold justice, he admired my youthful enthusiasm, handed me his business card, and offered to act as a sounding board for my career development. I swiftly arranged a ‘networking’ coffee the following week, during which I received my most useful career advice to date: “Put your photo on your CV. I’d look at that.” Fortunately the London legal industry was spared my headshot after a friend referred me to a recruiter and I found employment in a paralegal position for which I am overqualified and undervalued. Being paid by the hour on a rate that barely rivals what I earned pulling beers in the local pub as a student has dramatically changed my vision of the London experience. I traded living in east London for south so I could afford the rent. I shop at Poundland more frequently than I care to admit. I have submitted uncountable job applications and have listed my ‘skills’ so many times I am starting to wonder whether I am sick for seeing the word ‘tit’ in ‘initiative’ after staring at it for too long. I used to see writing about my ‘interests’ in job applications as a shrewd opportunity to convey my passion for the field. I mean, who doesn’t love reading up on criminal
law and the need for penal reform? But recently, after a string of rejections and a deep internal questioning about who I am, I concluded that if potential employers aren’t baited by my interest in criminology, I need to stand out as an individual. ‘Humanise’ myself. I decided that in job applications I must paint myself as an intelligent, lively, cultured being, with hobbies so detailed that I spring to life from the page in a flurry of magic and charisma. According to my most recent job application, I am an avid reader of the early works of F. Scott Fitzgerald and a budding cook who characterizes myself as an ‘everyday gourmet’. I am also, according to this application, a keen musician. And I shared this with the selection panel by writing: “After hearing an acoustic rendition of Paulo Nutini’s song ‘Candy’ whilst travelling through Portugal last year, I was also inspired to take up learning the guitar. “Fortunately the song only has four chords and amateur guitarists have covered the market on free Youtube lessons, so I achieved a quick victory in learning to play it. I am now very slowly expanding my musical repertoire and greatly enjoying learning new music.” Oh yes, it happened. I’ve got this one in the bag.
Sport | 11
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Have half my pay, says Sonny Bill Williams Continued from p12... Francois Botha in Brisbane on February 8. “I would go as far to say as I would give him half my pay packet just to lure him across,” Williams said. “That’s not just words. I would really do that.” Cooper - sitting next to Williams at the Brisbane announcement quickly warmed to the idea. “He’s one of the top earning players in the world - you do the math,” he smiled. Cooper is considering a code switch after receiving a downgraded, incentive-based offer from the Australian Rugby Union. And Williams said a recent report that claimed no NRL club was interested in Cooper should be
Craig Gower extends London Broncos contract n
London Broncos have announced that Gower has signed a contract extension and will remain with the club until the end of the 2014 season. Continued from p12... you are here to work and get yourself prepared for the new season, it’s always tough, you just have to put the effort in and you’ll see the rewards later on. “For me it’s winning games, if we can win games it just makes life easier and more enjoyable.” London Broncos head coach Tony Rea believes signing Gower is a great sign for the club. “Craig displays terrific appetite for the game and towards training and
preparation,” said Rea. “Some people might query signing a player of his age but the fact he played every game apart from one last year is better evidence than his birth certificate. It’s not a risk, it’s calculated. The evidence is he is playing.” London Broncos season tickets are now available for the 2013 season. Ticket prices have been revised to offer supporters Adult Broncos season tickets at £175 with Junior Broncos (Under 19 years old on 1st January 2013) season tickets at £30. Concessionary priced
taken with a grain of salt. “I have been there when clubs have rung up and enquired about his services,” Williams said. “I have no doubt he can succeed in the 13-man game.” But the Roosters have not been calling, according to O’Sullivan. “Whether the NRL would look at that (Williams offer), there’s a million things to discuss before anything like that happened,” O’Sullivan told AAP. O’Sullivan saw Cooper, who grew up playing league with current Roosters centre Shaun Kenny-Dowall, as a prospective fullback. “But could he handle the high ball?” O’Sullivan said. “And at fullback there is fairly brutal contact. It’s a skill set he has never been tested at.
“He is an incredible talent but it is another thing being an NRL player.” Williams said he would discuss his offer with Roosters supremo Nick Politis but an NRL spokesman said it would only be seriously explored if the NRL club tabled it. “Players have to go under the salary cap at their true value,” he said. “I can’t rule anything in or out until someone puts it forward, but players can’t do that.” - AAP
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tickets of £105 are offered to students and supporters aged 60 or over. For season ticket purchases visit www.londonbroncosrl.com or call the ticket hotline on 020 8410 6000.
Both teams bruised and battered n
Australia call up three fast bowlers, including Mitchell Johnson, for the third Test in Perth which will decide the world number 1 ranking, as Michael Clarke’s side count the physical and mental cost of their desperately sapping draw in Adelaide. By Ben Horne in Adelaide WITH fast bowlers Peter Siddle and Ben Hilfenhaus facing a race against time to recover by Friday and James Pattinson now out for the summer, Australia have brought Mitchell Johnson back from the wilderness to bolster the stocks for his home Test at the WACA. Young NSW left-armer Mitchell Starc is set to replace Pattinson (side strain), while the uncapped John Hastings and Josh Hazlewood will join Johnson as cover for Siddle and Hilfenhaus - who bowled more than 117 overs between them in Adelaide. Siddle (4-65) looked completely broken at the death as he struggled to get through the final overs. Man-of-the-match Faf du Plessis (110no) scored one of the finest centuries made by a debutant to lead South Africa through a marathon nine hours and 148 overs at the crease to be 8-267 and deny Australia victory in a thrilling second Test which went right to the wire on day five. Australia can usurp the Proteas as the No.1 Test team with victory in Perth. But first they must pick themselves up off the canvas
both physically and emotionally and possibly with a significantly weakened bowling attack. “Hilfy and Sids have had a really heavy workload of bowling a hell of a lot in the last couple of weeks in both Test matches. I think we need that option once we get to Perth to see how the boys pull up,” said Clarke, who also announced the return of vice-captain Shane Watson at the expense of Rob Quiney. “(Johnson) has been bowling really well in Shield cricket and in conditions he loves up in Perth, where he’s had a lot of success, he’ll be doing everything in his power to try and get an opportunity. “They’re all very handy fast bowlers to be taking to Perth with Siddle and Hilfenhaus.” But the mental toll threatens to be just as tough to overcome. Australia smashed 482 runs on the opening day and then set the Proteas a world record fourth innings chase of 430 - but still missed a golden chance to take a stranglehold on the series and move one step closer to returning to the rankings summit. “It’s a great example of how much of a fight Test cricket is,” said Clarke. “Nothing is a given in this game
... and it’s even harder against the No.1 team in the world. “I’m confident we’ll be in a good place come day one of this crucial Perth Test match.” Only three times in history have teams held on for more overs than South Africa to earn a draw. AB de Villiers (33 from 245) and injured veteran Jacques Kallis (46) stuck by du Plessis for vital half-century partnerships to make Clarke (230), David Warner (119) and Mike Hussey’s (103) day one heroics null and void. First innings centurion Graeme Smith said it was excruciating watching du Plessis and ultimately Morne Morkel (8no) save South Africa - with fieldsmen surrounding and sledging the batsmen all day. Smith said his team must also freshen up before Perth, with Kallis (hamstring) in doubt. “I think both teams will be pretty battered and bruised after this game ... but we’re level pegging going into Perth,” he said. “And that is what we were fighting for, we wanted to go to Perth in that position and give ourselves a chance of doing something special and winning another series here in Australia.”
Southfield Sharks to take on Trip & Chase in the Tooting Bec final. By Phillip Browne THE excitement is building amongst the Great Britain and Ireland Tag Rugby World Cup squads, with only two weeks until the squads depart for New Zealand. The journey which started in February this year with open trials is now within reach. There will be an official launch night this Saturday 24 November for the Great Britain and Ireland Tag Rugby World Cup squads, starting at 7.30pm at the No.1 Sports Bar on City Road, Old Street. The No.1 Sports Bar will be for the exclusive use of the Great Britain and Ireland Tag Rugby World Cup official launch night, and will feature a monster raffle, pub quiz and karaoke during the evening. This will be the squads last fundraiser to help raise funds for their accommodation, kit and expenses for the World Cup. It will also be a chance for the London Tag Rugby community to come along and wish the squads well before they depart the following weekend. All are welcome to come along. The Great Britain and Ireland squads feature a large Australian
contingent who qualify through British or Irish heritage, including Brad Aird, Emma Becker, Jodie Bijorac, Phillip Browne, Arron Lombardo (coach), Sarah O’Neill, Tim Ross, Rachael Speare, Paula Thorn and Jay “Ringo” Wilkinson (coach). In other news, Try Tag Rugby has always strongly promoted the social element of the sport, holding regular social outings for all players to become well acquainted. One of the best social events of the year, the Try Tag Rugby Christmas party will take place on Friday 30 November at Phibbers, 203 Holloway Road in North London. All of the UK Tag Rugby community are invited to party the night away at Phibbers, exclusively available to Try Tag Rugby for the evening. The Christmas party will start at 7pm and can cater for up to 400 people. Come along, join in and party away in a welcoming, friendly and social environment to celebrate the year that was. If you would like to find out more about Try Tag Rugby, go to www.trytagrugby.com or email info@trytagrugby.com.
FINALS WEEK
Tag Rugby teams battle it out across London P11
COOGEE BOY TO CARDIFF
Gower stays on with Broncos GOWER previously played Rugby League with Penrith Panthers in the NRL and also represented New South Wales and Australia. In 2008 he switched codes to play for French Rugby Union club Bayonne where he remained until the end of 2011. Gower, 34, joined the Broncos for the 2012 season on a two year deal and made 28 appearances for the club in 2012, comprising of 26 Super League games and two Challenge Cup games. He scored four tries and 27 goals in his first season. “We’re settled here, I spoke to the club and they were willing to give me another year which was great,” said Gower. “Obviously last season was a tough season but we love being here and we’ve enjoyed it, even though it was a tough grind it’s just part of footy. I’m just looking forward to this year. “That’s the benefit of having a group that’s a year older and hopefully we can respond to that and play a lot more consistent football over the entire year. “It’s fine, pre-season is pre-season,
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NSW Waratahs halfback Brendan McKibbon has been summoned to join the Wallabies squad for the final Test of their European tour against Wales. BRENDAN McKibbin is making a hasty mental adjustment from pre-season training to Test debut preparation after being summoned to join Australia’s rugby squad in Europe. The goalkicking NSW Waratahs halfback woke in Sydney on Monday to a text calling him to Cardiff for the season-ending Test against Wales on Saturday after Brett Sheehan was ruled out by the ankle damage suffered in the weekend win over Italy. He still trained with the Waratahs in the morning before departing and is likely to fill a bench spot at Millennium Stadium, with Nick Phipps set to resume the starting halfback role. “I’ve spoken to (Wallabies coach) Robbie (Deans) a few times in the past year and I’ve been through the plays, policies and structure so I’m familiar with things, as much as I can be from the outside anyway,” said McKibbin. “It’s a bit of a shock to the system that I’ll be preparing for a game in a week when I was expecting to be preparing to run up the Coogee stairs and what not.” “That’s a bit of a change in mental application but it’s pretty full on at the Waratahs at the moment so I feel ready. “If given the opportunity I’m sure
I’ll take it with both hands.” Sheehan is to undergo an MRI scan with fears he has an ankle syndesmosis injury. The Western Force halfback was making his run-on debut for the Wallabies in Florence six years after his Test debut but it ended cruelly when he was replaced after 31 minutes after an Italian forward fell across his leg. McKibbin is the fourth Wallabies replacement on the four-Test tour following on from the Melbourne Rebels trio of Scott Higginbotham, Mitch Inman and Caderyn Neville. NSW Waratahs lock Kane Douglas has re-joined the squad after missing the Italian leg in order to stay near his ill mother in London while he continued rehabilitation from a knee injury. Douglas will be assessed by the Wallabies medical staff early in the week to determine his availability for the tour finale. His return would further bolster the second-row resources, which took a hit when Rob Simmons was suspended after the tour-opening Test in Paris. The Wallabies’ appeal against Simmons’ eight-game sentence will take place at Bristol on Tuesday night (Wednesday morning AEDT). - AAP
...continued on p11
SBW to lure Cooper to NRL
OH, THE PAIN And now for the decider | P11
IN AGONY: Peter Siddle went through the pain barrier in Adelaide to give his side hope with a courageous bowling effort, but it wasn’t enough. Can he recover for the third Test in Perth, starting Friday? (AAP Image/James Elsby)
PUTTING his money where his mouth is, Sonny Bill Williams has offered to give half his 2013 Sydney Roosters salary to Quade Cooper in a bid to lure the ex-Wallabies five-eighth to the NRL club. But Roosters recruitment boss Peter O’Sullivan, who almost signed Cooper to the Melbourne Storm in 2008, doubts whether the Queensland Reds playmaker can now cut it in league. Williams made the surprise offer after it was announced his good friend Cooper would make his professional boxing debut on the undercard of the ex-All Black’s WBA international heavyweight fight with South African veteran ...continued on p11