Australian Times weekly newspaper | 26 February 2013

26 February - 4 March 2013 Issue: 452

NEW COLUMN

THE YARD GLASS YARN

Honeymooning Nomad

Bob Hawke’s drinking legend

FESTIVAL FEVER Start your planning early

UK LIFE P5

Entertainment P9

travel P10

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ANTARCTIC CONFLICT ESCALATES

Australian Liberals Abroad host UK campaign launch

n Sea

Shepherd’s confrontation with Japanese whalers has escalated in the Southern Ocean with more collisions reported.

The battle between Sea Shepherd activists and Japanese whalers reignited yesterday with more collisions in the Southern Ocean and the arrival of a Japanese military-style ship.

Over the past week, the conservation group Sea Shepherd have had a number of ships involved in conflicts with the Japanese whaling ship, the Nisshin Maru in the Australian Antarctic Territory.

The group have stated that Nisshin Maru rammed the Sea Shepherd’s vessel Bob Barker twice on Monday afternoon, causing it to collide with the Korean tanker, Sun Laurel.

This development is in light of similar allegations raised last week where the Bob Barker stated they were forced to issue a mayday distress call after being rammed repeatedly by the Nisshin Maru and losing all power.

Sea Shepherd founder Paul Watson claims that the Bob Barker had been trying to prevent the Sun Laurel from re-fuelling the whaling vessel when it was first

sandwiched in between two ships, and later rammed from behind.

Sea Shepherd says a Japanese military icebreaker, the Shirase, has arrived to assist the re-fueling operation.

The 12,500 tonne Shirase is capable of carrying 250 personnel and is operated by the Japanese Maritime Defence Force, tasked with the naval defence of the country. It is said to have used one of its helicopters to help the Korean tanker Sun Laurel gain access to the Nisshin Maru to allow it to refuel.

“The Nisshin Maru is attempting another illegal ... refuelling operation in Australia’s Antarctic Territory, with a massive Japanese Naval Ship, the Shirase, available for backup,” the group’s Facebook site said.

Director of Sea Shepherd Bob Brown has once again called on the Australian Government to intervene.

“There’s 120 personnel all up from 24 countries including ...continued on p3

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WITH the election a mere seven months away, both parties are gearing up for a tough campaign, both at home and overseas.

The UK branch of the Liberal Party, Australian Liberals Abroad, held their campaign launch on Wednesday 20 February in order to ensure they are election ready come 14 September 2013.

President of the Australian Liberals Abroad Jason Groves said the branch would be seeking to maximise the Liberal vote of Australians living in the UK in the lead up to the election.

“We can’t make any assumptions about who is going to win,” he said.

Mr Groves said they would be focussing on a broad range of issues ahead of the vote.

“Australians in London are generally young professionals, starting or advancing their careers here.

“They are concerned about issues that will affect them when they return to Australia, such as tax, the macro-economic situation, education and affordable housing.

“We want to ensure when people go back to Australia they are returning to an Australia which is

6/08/12 5:08 PM

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2 | News

26 February - 4 March 2013

Branson’s Aussie search for 70s mystery model n Entrepreneur Publisher: Bryce Lowry Editor: Alex Ivett Production/Design: Jackie Lampard News Editor: Paul Bleakley Business Editor: Sepi Roshan Contributors: Catherine Burrell, Tim Martin, Georgia Dawes, Phillip Browne, Michelle McCue, Erin Somerville, George Katralis, Lee Crossley, Chris Arkadieff, Bronwyn Spencer, Daniel Shillito, Mat Lyons, Nicole

Crowley, Alex Bruce-Smith, Sandra Tahmasby, Tyson Yates, Amber Rose, Jennifer Perkin, James Martin, Josh Reich, Shannon Loves, Charlie Inglefield, Kris Griffiths, AJ ClimpsonStewart, Thomas Jones, Anna Bow Advertising Manager: Dominic Young Directors: P Atherton, J Durrant N Durrant, R Phillips and A Laird

Additional content: Who are we?

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Richard Branson has launched a worldwide hunt for the iconic model that featured on Virgin’s original logo in 1970 created by Robert Dean, with the mogul believing that she may be living in Australia.

By Paul Bleakley ENTREPRENEUR Richard Branson has launched a worldwide hunt for the iconic model that featured on Virgin’s original logo in 1970 created by Robert Dean, with the mogul believing that she may be living in Australia.

Branson said that the unknown model had become an integral part of Virgin history, playing a role in the company’s branding in one way or another throughout Virgin’s period as a fledgling record label in the 1970s. He said that as the fortieth anniversary of Virgin Records approached in 2013 he was interested in paying tribute to the model’s contribution.

Branson posted on his blog: “’The model in the image appeared again and again as the logo evolved, starting off in our mail order record service when I was 20 years old. It was still present when we launched Virgin Records in 1973. However, we have sadly lost track of her. We think she is now living in Australia, and would love to track her down.”

The iconic image involved the model posing casually with her nudity covered only by shadows and the strategic placement of her limbs. It was used in a variety of styles as the Virgin brand evolved, with a cartoon rendering of the image perhaps the most recognisable image in the label’s

Your Say On: Hopelessly Devoted to Olivia Newton-John

It would be nice to see the Royal Albert Hall show filmed for a Blu Ray release – especially if ONJ is considering retiring from the tour circuit…

Danny

I saw Livvy at Manchester Apollo in 1978 and I am seeing her there again in March. I am so excited. It would be great to hear her sing some of the early UK hits, especially What Is Life. Danny, I totally agree a DVD of the Albert Hall gig would be great for us fans and a great memory for Olivia. She started her touring in the UK. Where else could she end it?

I’ve seen Livvy a few times but I’m more excited about this gig than any of the others.

Grace

We are going to see ONJ at Glasgow on the last night of her UK tour and can’t wait. We all will show her a good time. LOVE Olivia.

history.

Branson said that he would love to involve the unknown model in Virgin Records’ anniversary celebrations, perhaps revisiting the image that made her face recognisable across the world. Branson said: “Of course, she may not want a picture without her clothes on anymore! But it would be great to do another photo shoot four decades on.”

The Virgin owner took to his blog to appeal for assistance in locating the model. Australian media organisations became involved in the campaign to ‘find the Virgin model’ after Branson made the claim that his

information indicated that she could be living in Australia. Branson has not released any more information regarding why he believes that the model is in Australia.

Olivia still rocks! I have tickets for the Royal Albert Hall. Should be a unique experience and I can’t wait….

groups. Should be questions like “where is the closest pub to this exam centre?” and “where is the nearest pub?”

Duncan

I’ve loved Olivia Newton-John ever since I saw her opposite John Travolta in Grease.

Jane

On: Review blasts ‘toxic’ culture of Aussie London Olympics swim team

Coaching AND management staff certainly have some answering to do, however let’s remember the swimmers concerned are NOT 4 and 5 year olds, they are officially adults!! What ever happened to “Personal responsibility”?

Frank

On: British history and culture focus of new UK citizenship test

If you have information about the ‘Virgin model’ please contactinfo@ australiantimes.co.uk so we can help Richard Branson in his search.

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Aaron

On: Japanese whaling ship rams Sea Shepherd fleet in Antarctic incident The message the Australian government is sending out is that anyone with a small army is free to enter Australia, occupy it and take whatever they want to. Australians are even worse than the French at defending themselves and what belongs to them.

Kadajawi

On: Discovering Ireland’s County Clare Brought back some great memories. Must return….

Kathleen

I did this last year and it was total bollocks. “What % of those living in the UK originate from Iran?”

How irrelevant can you get?! More like an exercise in PC minority

Billy

?

What’s your view

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Japanese naval ship sent to 3 Aussies in UK Woman’s Hour Power List of the Tate.

Media Molecule in 2006 and won site of Sea Shepherd conflict By Michelle McCue Jay Hunt, aged 45, has been a Production Award for her work BBC Radio 4 Woman’s Hour Power List 2013 includes three native Sydneysiders: media exec Elisabeth Murdoch, TV exec Jay Hunt and leading light in the gaming industry, Siobhan Reddy.

The annual survey hopes to “shine a light on the top female politicians, business women and leaders in their field” and asks: “Who has the ability to inspire change as a role model or a thinker?”

The highest ranking Australian at no.5 is Elisabeth Murdoch, aged 44, who began her career in 1990 with Australia’s Nine Network. She is chair and founder of multi-million pound production company, Shine TV, sits on the Board of Directors of the UK Film Council and is a trustee

...continued from p1 Australia and Japan, but they’re not armed, they don’t have military wherewithal and they’re now up against a giant military ship from Japan,” Mr Brown said.

Federal environment minister Tony Burke issued a please-explain to Japan about the ship’s role, suggesting it was exploiting a loophole by assisting the Korean tanker rather than the Japanese whalers directly.

“Japan has told the government that the Shirase is not involved in supporting their so-called scientific whaling fleet,” Mr Burke said in a statement.

“It’s true that up until now the Shirase has been probably the only

large vessel Japan sends to the Southern Ocean with a genuine research role.

“But the reports today of helicopters flying from the Shirase to the South Korean tanker being used for the refuelling of the Japanese whaling fleet mean there is a further question to be answered.

“If there is no link or support to the Japanese whaling fleet, has there been a link, support or transfer of Japanese personnel to the South Korean tanker? “ ...The tanker is the life blood for the rest of this disgusting operation.

“Japan needs to confirm that there is no link between the Shirase and the tanker.”

By AJ Climpson-Stewart and AAP.

British history and culture focus of new UK citizenship test n Australians

applying for British citizenship or permanent residency will have to brush up on their British history and culture, after the Home Office proposed new changes to the Life in the UK test.

By Michelle McCue BRITISH history and culture will be at the heart of the new Life in the UK test according to the Home Office. The revised assessment will be introduced on 25 March for applicants for British citizenship or permanent residency. The 45-minute exam, taken on a computer, has 24 multiple-choice questions and a pass mark of around 75%.

Candidates will be tested on all sections of the new handbook, “Life in the United Kingdom: a guide for new residents (3rd edition)”, which covers British history; British values and principles; traditions and values from around the UK; the government; the law; and getting involved in your community.

Minister for Immigration Mark Harper said: “We’ve stripped out mundane information about water meters, how to find train timetables and using the Internet. The new book rightly focuses on the values and principles at the heart of being British.”

He added: “The new book and test will focus on events and people who

have contributed to making Britain great. This includes writers like William Shakespeare and Robert Burns, the great scientists Isaac Newton and Alexander Fleming, engineers and industrialists like Isambard Kingdom Brunel and Richard Arkwright and politicians including Winston Churchill and Clement Attlee.”

To test your understanding of life in the UK, try the sample test questions on the BBC website at news.bbc.co.uk.

Topics include what to do if you spill someone’s drink in a pub or what is “very important” to do when hiring a solicitor.

The Home Office advise that applicants should study the correct handbook for the test they are taking.

Candidates sitting the exam before 25 March, i.e. the older version, should study the second edition of the Life in the UK Handbook. Those taking the test after 25 March, i.e. the new version, should purchase the third edition of the handbook.

For more information see lifeintheuktest.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk.

Chief Creative Officer at Channel 4 Television since 2011. She started her career as a researcher at the BBC in 1989, was editor of daytime news bulletins and rose through the ranks to become Controller of BBC1 in 2007. She denied speculation last year that she had been interviewed for the position of BBC DirectorGeneral after Mark Thompson’s departure.

Siobhan Reddy, aged 33, is Studio Director of Media Molecule and a member of BAFTA’s Games Committee. She began her career at Spike Wireless in Double Bay, NSW, before moving to the UK aged 18, where she began work as a Production Assistant with Perfect Entertainment. She co-founded

on Little Planet at the first ever Microsoft Women in Gaming Awards in 2009.

The women were chosen by a panel of British journalists, politicians and authors based on Radio 4 listeners’ suggestions.

The station invited nominations of women who “have the greatest influence and ability to change the way we live our lives in the UK today.”

The List is headed by the Queen at no.1 and British Home Secretary Teresa May at no.2.

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4 | News

26 February - 4 March 2013

How to vote in WA Proposed UK bill would let Aussies elections in the UK queue separately at Heathrow n The

Government of Western Australia European Office will be receiving early votes and issuing postal vote forms for the WA Elections from 20 February until 8 March.

...continued from p1

still competitive in the global market.”

Mr Groves also intends to address issues which are of concern to Australians based in the UK to ensure the campaign has a “broader local flavour”.

The Australian Liberals Abroad have thrown their support behind a private members bill submitted

by UK Conservative MP Andrew Rosindell, the United Kingdom Borders Bill. Mr Rosindell was present at the launch to help kick off the campaign and promote his bill.

Noting the historic relationship between the UK and Australia, Mr Rosindell focussed on the strong links between the Conservative Party and the Liberal Party of Australia.

“These parties are two of the closest

parties globally in terms of values, outlook and reasons for existing.”

Mr Rosindell suggested it was idealistic of Britain to focus on the EU at what he saw was the expense of relationships with Australia and other Commonwealth countries.

“Britain needs to be less obsessed with its future in the continent and develop ideas for closer co-operation with the rest of the world.”

Mr Rosindell identified his bill as a means through which the historic relationship between Australia and the UK could be revitalised.

The bill proposes that subjects of Her Majesty’s realms should be allowed to enter the UK at international terminals and ports through a separate channel.

“It’s a shameful situation that Australians can arrive at Heathrow and be treated as aliens,” said Mr Rosindell.

“Does history mean nothing?”

Mr Groves gave his support to the bill, and said the Australian Liberals Abroad intended to raise the temperature on this issue in the lead up to the Australian election.

Conservative MP Andrew Rosindell and Liberals Abroad President Jason Groves

CALLING LONDON: Elections Manager David Payne hopes Australians will take advantage of London voting facilities on 9 March.

THE United Kingdom and Western Australia seem a world apart at this time of year, especially when it comes to the weather. But fiery or freezing, they’ll share one thing in common for the next fortnight – the WA State election.

Not surprisingly, given their historic connections, London is WA’s biggest overseas voting centre.

The Government of Western Australia European Office will be receiving early votes and issuing postal vote forms starting 20 February until 8 March.

Pre-polling will be available at overseas polling places, including in London at the Australia Centre (adjoining Australia House on the Strand). You will be able to vote in person between 0900 and 1700 during this period, and up to 1800 on Friday 8 March. You cannot vote at overseas locations on polling day.

WA Elections Manager David Payne says there is a special relationship between London and WA and hopes it will grow as overseas voting services expand.

“In 2005 we had less overseas offices, just nine, and now that’s almost doubled to 16,” he said.

“But London’s still the only voting

place we have in the UK so it’s very important.”

Despite a drop in London-based voters at the last poll in 2009 it’s hoped the global reach of social media will see an increase in 2013.

The popularity of the WA Elections Facebook, Twitter and YouTube sites have been growing rapidly.

“In 2005 we had 250 early votes cast and that fell slightly, to 237 early votes and 21 postal votes issued in 2009,” Mr Payne said.

Following the close of candidate nominations last week, London and other international voting offices have received their allocations of the 6.4 million ballot papers printed for the Western Australian election and are well prepared.

Australian travellers heading out from London can also vote at centres in Canada, China, France, Indonesia, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, Thailand and the United Arab Emirates.

Conservative MP Andrew Rosindell speaking on United Kingdom Borders Bill

For further details see the Government of Western Australia European Office at www.wago.co.uk or the WA Electoral Commission at www.elections.wa.gov.au.

Liberals Abroad President Jason Groves welcoming guests

Arts maestro Craig Hassall to return home as Opera Australia CEO

By Michelle McCue LONDON based NSW expat Craig Hassall has been appointed CEO of Opera Australia. He will relocate to Sydney later this year to head the largest arts company in Australia with over 300 permanent artists and staff.

Hassall told Australian Times that he had “loved living in London” these last eight years thanks to the “helpful” people and the positive way that Australians were “treated and perceived” in the UK. His time here has seen him enjoy acclaim as Managing Director of the English National Ballet (ENB) and Artistic Advisor to the London 2012

Olympics and Paralympics.

He added that the “can-do and flexible attitudes” of Australians were central to their positive perception and accomplishments.

He encouraged younger Aussies to embrace global opportunities.

“Don’t feel that you are trapped

by London or Australia,” he added.

Chairman of Opera Australia, Dr Ziggy Switkowski, said in a statement that Hassall had “leadership and an understanding of the international cultural environment in which Opera Australia is now operating.”

Hassall told Australian Times that his experience in London had given him “an objective view of the

Australian arts scene” and going away from Australia had given him “a different perspective.”

Hassall’s career began with the (then) Australian Opera in 1987 as a Planning Co-ordinator. He rose through the ranks, after a short stint away, to become Marketing Manager. His career highlights include becoming General Manager (Image, Special Events and Olympic Arts Festival) for the Sydney 2000 Olympics and then Deputy General Manager for the Sydney Theatre Company.

In early 2005, Hassall moved to London to take up his appointment at the ENB. On his departure in 2012, the ENB issued a statement

that the Australian had “overseen its most successful year to date”. Last year Hassall became Chief Operating Officer of international touring promoter, Raymond Gubbay, which has a longstanding relationship with the ENB.

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Grown-up Gap Year

n Meet the backpacking wife as she embarks on her own eat, pray, love style adventure.

Honeymooning Nomad Jacqui Moroney

Moving house and changing jobs can be a daunting experience for anyone.

But stuffing your life into a backpack and travelling halfway around the world to start again in another country is downright scary. School leavers do it for their gap year before starting university and many 18 – 24 year old Aussies and Kiwis make the voyage to the UK for a two year working holiday that seems to have become a rite-of-passage.

But what if you have just passed through your mid-twenties, graduated university many Jager bombs ago, and have just been hitched? Is it acceptable to follow the herd heading to the northern hemisphere with nothing but a smartphone, camera and backpack?

What age is ‘too old’ to experience

that traditional “gap year” or “working holiday”?

Unless you have been living under a rock for the last 10 years, you must know that Generation Y (those born 1981 – 1999) is shaped by constant social connectivity and known for living off credit. Work seems less fundamental and we are much more flexible about how we work, when we work and why we work. But Generation Y’s flexible work ethic and increased spending means that it is much harder to break into the property market or score a high paid management job in the hope of settling down. Instead, our CVs are overflowing with ‘life experience’ and our savings accounts have become overdrafts.

When faced with a life-changing opportunity Generation Y(not) have the ability but perhaps not the money to say “why not?”

Why not see the world at an age when you can better appreciate the

history and the culture, not just the cheap hostel beds and student drinking prices? Why not live out of a backpack and experience the world with my best friend? Why not move to London, jobless and homeless, in our first year of marriage?

We travel as a couple, share our expenses and together we are creating memories to last a lifetime. Travelling in a couple means that there is always someone to help carry your pack and there is someone to take a photo of you doing stupid poses at the leaning Tower of Pisa or on the back of an elephant.

In our case, it also meant that I had someone to cry with after my bag was stolen in Paris and I had someone to help me with the forms for our replacement passports. I also had someone to sit with me in hospital, waiting for X-rays, numerous doctors’ visits and surgery to fix my broken foot.

It doesn’t bother me that we missed out on the traditional “gap year”. Our one-way, round the world honeymoon has become an incredible adventure, and sharing the whole experience with my best friend made it much less scary.

This is 2013 and I am an (almost) 27 year old Honeymooning Nomad in our “honeymoon year”. It might not be a craze yet, but it will be.

The British Library; Look but don’t borrow n

Ever wondered where those books not sold at Waterstones are kept? It’s called a library, and London boasts one of the world’s best.

This week our resident adventurer embraces her inner bookworm and discovers #70 on the Timeout London Top 100 - the British Library.

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the don BRONWYN SPENCER

I have another confession to make.

Not only am I a Tube nerd, I am also a complete bookworm. I have adored visiting libraries since I was young, and I still visit my local library regularly – often coming out with my arms full of books I can’t possibly read before the due date.

With this in mind I was pretty excited to check out the British Library, one of the biggest in the world. At least I was until I found out you can’t actually borrow anything.

Well, that’s not technically true.

If you are a scholar, or professor, or someone pretty academic, you may be able to get hold of a reading card, which allows you access to those rooms where the books live.

Apparently they are so protective of the books you can only take in a pencil and paper in a clear plastic sleeve. Luckily, there is still a lot to see at the Library besides the reading rooms.

The permanent exhibit on the first floor is full of amazingly intricate old books from all over the world.

There are prayer books used by royalty in some crazy sort of ye old English, and beautifully bound books in all shapes and sizes. There are gold gilded paged books on display, including some special editions.

However, it’s not all about books.

There is also a section on music with original compositions of the Wedding March and original arrangements of songs written

by The Beatles. The exhibit also features many paintings, sketches and maps. One of my favourites was the before and after painting of the Great London Fire.

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For those interested in politics and history you can also gaze at the Magna Carta or ‘The Great Charter’; a historic document that was the first of its kind to set limits on royal authority. Signed in 1215, there are several clauses in the document still relevant and in use today.

The library often has different exhibitions and currently they have a feature on Mughal India and its art, culture and empire. They also feature an A-Z of Crime Fiction which is a small exhibit featuring tidbits and snippets of information about crime writers, their styles and the genre.

I’m not a massive fan of the genre, but I still found it really interesting to wander along and read about the different aspects of crime fiction.

I was surprised to learn AA Milne, author of Winnie The Pooh, also moonlighted as a crime writer under another name. Who would have thought?

Even though it was completely different from what I was expecting, it was still an interesting visit. I

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however still think books are for snuggling up with a cuppa and reading, not for looking at through glass cases.

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6 | UK Life

26 February - 4 March 2013

Edinburgh Expat

On Edinburgh Festivals

> Tyson Yates

Every day on …

So, a bit about me - I get around. No, not like that. Behave yourselves.

I’ve had a number of festival jobs.

That is all I’m saying. In a city with a cultural scene as vibrant as Edinburgh, finding work has been less challenging than one might expect.

The key is to be flexible. A suppressed gag reflex also helps. You will become overfamiliar with the base level of the food pyramid when your income ranges from nothing at all to a handful of free tickets. The pay is crap, but pasta is cheap.

Still, temporary festival work has its rewards - like the invaluable experience you gain in a variety of areas that will ultimately lead to a successful career in journalism and media, plus the chance to sniff William Friedkin’s neck.

Forget Christmas and its measly month of tinsel and turkey, Edinburgh’s festival season is a rock star in comparison, starting the party in March and continuing through until New Year’s. During this cultural binge the population doubles as Edinburgh hosts what is referred to as Edinburgh Festival - a collective term used to cover the variety of independent events that take place throughout the city each year. Despite being unrelated, the events at Edinburgh Festival make it the largest annual cultural festival in the world. Now, if you are particularly fond of such grandiose official taglines, then you’re in luck because here come the rest.

Kicking off the season each year is the Edinburgh International Science Festival. ‘The world’s first celebration of science and technology’, and the first festival in Edinburgh to have a website.

Then along comes the Edinburgh International Film Festival; ‘the world’s longest continually run film festival’, established in 1947. Also established in 1947 is the original Edinburgh International Festival,

offering you a dose of classical music, theatre, opera and dance.

Bringing down this high culture in the best of ways is The Fringe, ‘the world’s largest arts festival’, which shares the spotlight with the Edinburgh Book Festival, ‘the largest festival of its kind in the world’. There is also the Imaginate Children’s Festival, TuringInternational Technology Festival, and Edinburgh Military Tattoo, just to name a few.

Like a puppy chasing cars on a motorway, my 2012 experience with Edinburgh’s festivals was somewhat frantic as I found myself in pursuit of one event while three others passed me by. I began by driving around the Highlands, visiting schools and teaching wee ones how to play with Lego as part of the Science Festival.

I then found myself writing reviews and serving coffee at the Film Fest where Director William Friedkin was the special guest in attendance. While I may not have gotten close enough to sniff his neck, I almost certainly ate a canapé he discarded at the

opening party.

I got rejected for a job at the Book Fest, was kept awake each night by the Military Tattoo fireworks, wrote reviews at Edinburgh Fringe before finally cursing the tourists as they occupied the city for Hogmanay.

I tell you this, why? Because, it is with these flimsy qualifications that I will be brining first-hand accounts of the culture cluster that is Edinburgh Festival 2013. Sure it’s going to be tough and as I have learnt, covering all of these events will require plenty of energy. Value lasagne might be off the menu, but I will always have good old fashioned carbs to keep me going. Pasta, rice, bread - you know, the base level of the food chain.

Here we go again.

like The Only Way Is Essex and pseudo-celebrities like Rylan Clark for this boom in the popularity of man-scaping, but let’s be serious for a moment. This trend began long before TOWIE premiered and when Rylan was still working in a Take That tribute act in Tenerife.

Both Australian and British men man-scape because they have discovered the secret that has eluded our gender for eons: getting dolled up makes you feel good.

In the name of investigative research, my housemate and I discovered some waxing strips in the back of our sharehouse cupboard that appeared to be long-forgotten, and thought we would see what the fuss was all about. We heated the wax and delicately applied the sticky goo to our thighs.

Our female housemates gathered around, some cringing and others barely hiding their gleeful giggles.

We gave a masculine grunt as we pulled the strips off in sync, covered in enough hair to make a rather luscious wig.

They may have laughed at the time, but our female housemates were not laughing for long: our legs still sported the bare patches weeks later, and their jealousy at our ability to maintain our wax was obvious. Sorry girls, maybe us boys were just born to be glamorous.

Get More UK Life

AustralianTimes.co.uk/uk-life

Man-scaping madness SUBCULTURE SLEUTH > PAUL BLEAKLEY

Whether you are chav or posh boy, hipster or hooligan, Australian or Brit, there is one thing that men across the world have in common – image is everything, especially in a cultural melting pot like London.

A trend has emerged in recent times taking this urge to fit into society to another level entirely: man-scaping.

Dressing to match your chosen peer group is one thing, running the spectrum from tracksuit to top hat.

Man-scaping, however, focuses on the more delicate and subtle aspects of a man’s presentation. Plucked eyebrows and fake tan complement the frosted tips and, on occasion, ‘guyliner’ that has been carefully selected to ensure the modern man is at his aesthetic peak when facing the world.

It would be easy to blame overthe-top British television programs

Food & Wine | 7

AustralianTimes.co.uk

Coffee Cult visits: Marrow Roasted bone Caravan at Exmouth Market magic on toast row mar n

By Alex Ivett

It’s early Saturday morning in London and a look outside the window indicates the prospect of a long, cold, grey and bleak weekend. What’s more, I have £40 left in my bank account and a payday I know is far enough away to mean £30 of that amount needs to be set-aside for the good people at TFL. Clearly, the day should be spent indoors doing chores. Turning pants pockets inside out before the wash – searching for rouge tenners. Making cups of tea with reused teabags (one bag, five cups = still good), and ever so slightly off milk. A morning spent scrounging under couch cushions as I tidy, collecting loose pennies in little piles on the table until I have enough for a 39p can of chickpeas from the convenience store at the end of the street.

Or maybe instead I should take myself to Poundland and ensure I’m prepared for the coming days of poverty, stocking up on three for £1 baked beans and plastic bags of pillowy hotdog rolls. I’ll wander back through the empty streets of the wintery city, gazing forlornly into cosy cafes full of laughing people, my face pressed up against the foggy windows like a Little Match Girl longing for perfectly poached eggs on sourdough toast.

Unless the window I happen to press my face up against paints too inviting a scene to pass by. It might just be too full of coats and scarves being discarded as people press into the warmth, or have too many weekend papers wanting to be read in a pile on the bench. Or maybe I just won’t be able to resist the plate after plate of steaming breakfasts being weaved between the packed full tables and distributed to chatting customers.

In which case I might well throw caution to the wind and accept that transport to work and food for the week will be something Monday me can worry about, because Saturday me wants to spend her last pounds on a morning of delicious coziness at Exmouth Market’s Caravan.

The Craic Early enough to snag the last table before the hordes of crowds swarm upon Caravan’s corner location at the start of cobbled Exmouth Market, there feels like no better place to sit and watch passersby hustle through the gently falling snow outside than from a comfy bench seat inside. Despite the two walls of windows, Caravan feels warm, busy and intimate. Coupled with a view of red telephone boxes, and frequently passing double decker buses, it is a perfect mix of something uniquely London yet surprisingly familiar.

The Crucials If you’re going to indulge yourself on one last meal before a guaranteed week of stale biscuits surreptitiously stolen from roommates cupboards, then Caravan is the place to do it. The extensive brunch menu offers all your usuals, but with unexpected twists.

Banana caramel porridge, cornbread French toast with mashed avocado, or a big fry up with creamy soy mushrooms all sound extremely tempting.

However, I forgo my usual penchant for poached anything this time and take the recommendation of baked eggs. Two runny discs of deliciousness floating in bath of red pepper ragout and creamy yogurt, with thick bread to soak it all up. Add two smooth cappuccinos, and an impending week of baked beans is all but forgotten.

It’s at this point I leave.

Sensibleness kicks in, and I take my last pennies and head home. Or, I spot the specials board offering orange infused pancakes with berry compote and honeycomb butter, and I say – what the hell, I’ll walk two hours to work. Whoever said two breakfasts in three hours is unnecessary clearly hasn’t been to Caravan.

The Connection They know what they’re doing, these New Zealanders. Chef Miles Kirby and front of house Chris Ammermann have brought their Antipodean passion for unique flavours and knowledge of great coffee to bear, making Caravan an excellent choice for a lazy weekend breakfast. The service too deserves a special mention, with the increasingly chaotic buzz of waiting customers not detracting from the relaxed but efficient service of the staff.

The Conclusion It may mean I now face a week of leftover freezer party pies and the resurrection of the unused bike in our hall to ensure attendance at work, but it was worth it. The perfect place for a last meal on a cold winter’s day.

This week our man in the kitchen, Chris Arkadieff, works his magic with marrow, serving up a hearty unique dish.

chris’s

kitchen

> CHRIS ARKadieff

Roasted bone marrow has a very unique flavour, with a subtle, sweet taste and interesting texture. A favourite amongst steak lovers, this timeless classic is now popping up in restaurants across London.

The shinbone is the most favourable joint for roasting. Long slithers of buttery marrow are easily extracted and by far the tastiest.

Roasting bone marrow is simple and easy to do at home, or as the weather starts to warm up, laying a few across the BBQ grill will enhance the richness and flavor of chargrill steaks. Ask your butcher to slice in half lengthways.

Soaking them in cold water will help the marrow slide out of the bone.

Classically, bone marrow is served with spoonfuls of parsley sauce or fresh lemon and capers, both a tasty dressing worth trying. We will be roasting our bone marrows with slow cooked onion and baked with a parsley crust, adding texture to this delicacy.

What you need: • 300g fresh bone marrow • 2 sliced shallots • 1 clove of garlic • 2 tsp of freshly chopped tarragon • ¼ cup freshly chopped parsley • 1 cup of freshly toasted bread crumbs • Olive oil • 2 tablespoons of sugar • 1 cup of red wine • 3 tsp of red wine vinegar • 1 small loaf of sourdough What to do: • Turn the oven to 200°C. • Place a generous amount of olive oil into a small saucepan.

• Add the shallots and lightly sauté, then add the wine, sugar and vinegar.

• Lower the heat and allow to simmer until a jam consistency forms.

The Great ‘British’ Taste n REVIEW | The Great Taste Menu at the

Cadogan is a unique and sophisticated introduction to high quality British fare.

By Alex Ivett For any Australian, the stereotype of ‘British food’ conjures up images of stodgy plates of eggs and beans, a roast-laden plate at a local pub or heavily battered fish from the local ‘chippy’. Or, alternatively if you’re in a dessert mood, plates of thick doughy scones, jam biscuits and endless cups of milky tea may come to mind.

In any case, the overall theme is probably one of heaviness, or starch - of carbohydrates deep-frying in goosefat, and served under florescent lights.

It is not normally one of locally grown produce or innovative design. You don’t immediately picture ingredients of such high quality they are only sourced from the list of products making the cut of the Great Taste Awards, or meals dreamt up by restaurant critics, chefs and industry experts looking to impress diners with a unique and innovative twist on English classics.

The Great Taste Menu at the Cadogan restaurant is therefore a must for any Australian wanting to challenge their preconceptions of ‘English’ food, and enjoy a true food experience created and served with passion, vision and care.

The concept

Described as the ‘epicurean equivalent of the Booker prize’ the Great Taste Awards recognize and reward the

highest quality local produce in the UK. Each product making the cut is guaranteed to be of artisanal quality – the crème de la crème of food producers from across the UK. The Cadogan is touted as a ‘pop-up restaurant’ showcasing these wares, though the word ‘pop-up’ does not adequately capture the elegant and established fine dining room which plays host to the concept. Through a menu specifically designed by Head Chef Oliver Lesnik, in conjunction with guest contributors ranging from restaurant critics, chefs and industry insiders, diners are introduced to a number of innovative dishes, all containing ingredients sourced from the Great Taste list.

The experience

It is hard to see how the concept of serving good quality produce in bold and innovative twists on favorite English classics could go wrong. And, in my experience, it doesn’t.

The menu offers two course and three course options, and five choices listed within each course. It’s a difficult decision to choose, not least because the only problem with the use of artisanal ingredients is sometimes it’s hard to know what exactly is in the dish.

However, with the careful assistance of the helpful host, we’re recommended the entrées of Gizzard and Bacon Salad, with guanciale pig’s jowl, soft boiled

• Remove the pan from the heat and allow to cool.

• Using a small teaspoon remove the marrow from the bone and dice into 5cm cubes. Place in a mixing bowl.

Keep the bones to one side to use later.

• Add the garlic, tarragon, 2 tsp of olive oil, salt and black pepper and mix well. Place in the fridge for 1 hour to marinate.

• Using a food processor blend bread crumbs and parsley together.

• Take the marrow from the fridge and spoon the pieces back into the bones. Add the caramelized shallots on top of the marrow and sprinkle the parsley and bread crumb mixture over the top.

• Place on a baking tray and cook in the oven for 8 minutes.

• Remove and drizzle with olive oil.

• Serve with toasted sourdough bread. egg & cider dressing, and Jerusalem Artichoke Soup with Marybelle crème fraiche & griddled Irish soda farl. There may well be some incomprehensible inclusions in the dishes, but they are incredibly delicious nonetheless.

The soup in particular is amazingly light, perfectly complemented by the parsnip curls giving it a touch of crunch and the fresh crème fraiche adding a hint of strength.

Lightness is again the theme with the main of a Rack of Venison, celeriac puree and roasted golden beetroot. It is a perfectly cooked cut of meat, tender and juicy, with a blackberry sauce a welcome tangy accompaniment. For something on the sturdier side the other choice of Fish Pie comprises of a bouillabaisse broth of gurnard, haddock and prawns with a crispy leek and potato top.

Luckily the portions leave you satisfied, but not stuffed, so there is room for dessert. A Gooseberry and Elderflower ice cream shortbread is slightly underwhelming, with no distinctive flavours coming to the fore, but it is more than made up for by the Apple and Blackberry Crumble. Big clumps of juicy fruit, with a ginger and cashew nut crumble base, is the perfect way to finish the meal.

Set in the elegant dining room of the Cadogan in Knightsbridge, the Great Taste Menu is a unique and sophisticated introduction to high quality British fare, particularly for any Australian looking to challenge their palate beyond roast day at the local pub.

The Great Taste Menu is available for £23 for two courses, and £28 for three. The Cadogan restaurant is located at The Cadogan Hotel at 75 Sloane Street, Knightbridge.

8 | Entertainment

26 February - 4 March 2013

Postcards from Jimeoin

Into the Vortex

n Jimeoin is having so much fun on his UK n REVIEW tour he’s added another date at Hammersmith

| The revival of The Vortex Apollo on 23 November. He writes us at Rose Theatre Kingston captures Noël a postcard from the road, somewhere Coward’s depiction of a unconventional and inbetween Leamington Spa and Newcastle. intoxicating relationship between mother and son with energy and enthusiasm.

21 February 2013

Been on the road in the UK for a week now. Bit of snow which is a big difference from Noosa. Had a weekend in London doing shows and then did Soccer Am at Sky. I met Paul Dickov and Greg Rusedski on the show. I told them I watched soccer with the sound down and music on. They thought I was mad and then when I watched their highlight packages they had it all done to music. Oh yeah!

Had to kick a football at the end of the show and I went on my ass. Very funny but for all the wrong reasons.

Always the way.

Went and saw Django Unchained, Quentin Tarantino’s new film.

They’re always great. His films that is. Not always but most of the time.

I’m in Leamington spa. Home of real tennis, which is more like surreal tennis. I’m having a game today. I love it. It’s the maddest thing.

Off to Liverpool then onto Newcastle. Then Leeds and Preston.

There are a few other places but I’ll have them done before I get around to finishing this article.

I’m back later in the year and have just added Hammersmith Apollo on 23rd of November which will be a big night. Not to mention The Odyssey in Belfast on 26th October… Oh I just did. Well what is the point of these articles if you can’t get a plug in? And can I just add that the tour is going really well. This leg is pretty much all sold out. If you want tickets go to the Live Nation website (www.livenation.co.uk) Almost forgot to mention that I

went to Ireland on Monday on my day off to see my folks. That was great. But that was family stuff and not really part of this. Just trying to let you know I have a heart. And a home. I’m from Northern Ireland.

West side. It’s the North West coast in a little town call Portstewart.

East side. Right at the very top of Northern Ireland. In fact we couldn’t be any further north. The only thing further north that us is Donegal. But that is in the south.

I had some Northern Irish money to get ride of and it’s hard to off load in the UK. Even if it is legal tender.

I bought a pint in London and gave a Northern Irish tenner to the bar man. He said what is this. I took a drink of the pint and said “that’s your problem”.

Jimeoin is playing at venues from London to Glasgow in February and April, before heading to Edinburgh Fringe in August.

IkeNts W Tic

To win tickets to Jimeoin – What?! at Bloomsbury Theatre go to AustralianTimes.co.uk/win

By Georgia Dawes Drugs, sex and scandal.

Stephen Unwin’s theatrical revival of The Vortex, the play which made Noël Coward a superstar in 1924, will make you laugh whilst leaving you clinging to the edge of your seat through the hysterical madness.

The Vortex delves into the unconventional and intoxicating relationship of the decadent, drugaddicted Nicky Lancaster and his flamboyant, nymphomaniac socialite mother, Florence, played

by New Zealand born Kerry Fox. David Dawson steals the show in his role as drug dazed Nicky Lancaster. Perfectly combining cocaine-fuelled nervousness and manic intensity, Dawson delivers a meticulous and highly energetic performance.

Kerry Fox gives a wonderful performance as Nicky’s mother Florence. Swanning around on stage in divine flowing robes and exquisite dresses, Fox thoroughly explores Florence’s egocentricity and sexual neediness with great depth and gusto.

Fox brings passion, intensity and charm to the stage by the martini glass full. The climax in the last act beautifully shows both Kerry’s

and David’s strength in their character roles and their electric on-stage chemistry.

Comic relief is provided by theatre and television star James Dreyfus, who plays a middle-aged queen. He scores laughs with his ability to deliver fierce one liners with a ultra dry demeanour.

The entire supporting cast of The Vortex are brilliant. Rebecca

Johnson plays Florence’s frank friend who sheds light on Florence’s and Nicky’s problems, and offers support to both Nicky and Florence as they struggle to face reality. William Chubb beautifully plays Florence’s submissive husband who captures the pain of dealing with a nymphomaniac and self indulgent wife through the use of minimal lines and a plain personality.

Stephen Unwin’s revival is helped by Fin Walker’s dance arrangements, Peter Todd’s divine and decadent 1920’s costumes and Olly Fox’s period music choices that make even the audience want to get up and dance the Charleston. The superb Art Deco props designed by Neil Warmington are an absolute stand out. The big red lip invokes a touch of Angelina Jolie in the middle of Florence’s drawing room.

One of the only questionable elements of this production of The Vortex was the decision to include two intervals, even though it did give me two chances to get wine.

The Vortex is a highly intense play and it seems that the multiple breaks severed the momentum of the intensity.

So, for a night that will have you dancing the Charleston, clinging to the edge of your seat and leave you contemplating a career change to guidance counsellor to offer moral support to Florence and Nicky, go and see The Vortex.

Until 2 March at the Rose Theatre Kingston. See www.rosetheatre. org.uk for further information and tickets.

Get More Stage & Screen

AustralianTimes.co.uk/entertainment

Entertainment | 9

AustralianTimes.co.uk

What’s On The Rubens 27 February @ Scala Alison Jiear @2-3 March St. James Theatre Olivia Newton-John 13 March @ Royal Albert Hall Tommy Emmanuel 16 March @ Shepherd’s Bush Empire The Jezabels 22 March @Barfly Camden Equator’s Women of the World Film Festival 28 March @ Amnesty International Human Rights Action Centre, London Pam Ann 28-29 March @ Hammersmith Apollo Sarah Blasko 11 April @Barbican Centre Tame Impala 25 June @ Hammersmith Apollo

For full details... ...and more Aussie gigs go to: AustralianTimes.co.uk/entertainment

See what we are following this week on

Aussie Mens Relay Swim Team @paytenj If Hackett was still around at least some stuff would have got busted @NoPlaceforSheep oh please stop, wind rain thunder. I will sacrifice a new born child if you want. Or a swimmer? @adamliaw I missed the part in Senator Lundy’s speech where she said, “If you knock on somebody’s door and run away, we will catch you.” #swimming @Joe_Hildebrand Even when you tell the Australian swim team to go away it Stilnox on your door. #swimmingincrisis @BernardKeane No wonder we didn’t win in London. Our swimmers were too busy demonstrating how lamely Gen Y parties. @James_Jeffrey Have they started beheading the swimmers yet? @LaTrioli Young men behaving like stupid young men. Hold the presses

Follow us on Twitter @AustralianTimes

Our Country’s Good at St James Theatre n REVIEW

| The true story of a ragbag cast of convicts putting on a play in Our Country’s Good offers a unique perspective on a familiar slice of Australian history.

By AJ Climpson-Stewart It’s time for an admission. Before last Wednesday night, being the uncultured young man from Adelaide I am, I had never attended the theatre before.

It is not like I’ve never had the opportunity - every year Adelaide plays host to the Fringe Festival, showcasing plays and productions from all over the world. Somehow, despite this I always found myself at either one of the comedy shows, or one of the various outside bars .

Therefore, when the opportunity came up to see the play Our Country’s Good, based on the first European arrivals to Australia and their experiences, it seemed like the perfect first entre into the theatre world.

Our Country’s Good is written by Timberlake Wertenbaker and adapted from the book The Playmaker by Australian Thomas Keneally.

First brought to the stage 25 years ago at the Royal Court this ‘play within a play’ looks at the lives of the first convicts and officers who landed in Botany Bay. The opening scene of the convicts on a ship bound for Australia sets a mood of struggle and hardship. The play cuts to Arabanoo, an Aboriginal man who watches the arrival of the Convict fleet and recites his feelings through poetry.

This technique is used throughout the play to give us an insight into how the Aborigines may have felt towards European arrivals. However, it sometimes felt contrived in the way it romanticised indigenous Australians instead of attempting to explore the decimation of the indigenous population that resulted from early European settlement.

The rest of play was done to great effect. Through the use of a simple but well crafted set and drop down curtains the audience was transported from courtrooms through to prison cells and officers tents.

All the cast performed multiple roles,

including both officers and convicts, and convincingly portrayed just how hard life was for the first European arrivals to Australia. The officers as well as the convicts felt like they had been sent to a prison with no escape, and the actors captured just how imposing the landscape must have been, showing how they felt like the bush was constantly moving towards them.

The plot takes us through the endeavours of Second Lieutenant Ralph Clark to put on George Farquhar’s play The Recruiting Officer. His actors are the convicts, who range from overeager Robert Sideway convicted of stealing, to the hardnosed cockney Liz Moden. Her opening scene after the interval is one of the best of the whole performance.

Hawke’s Legend n ALP

Abroad are planning a day long pilgrimage to Oxford to visit the birth place of the ‘yard of ale’ legend that surrounds the former Australian Prime Minister, Bob Hawke.

THE legend of Bob Hawke’s world record - the fastest downing of a yard of ale (2 1/2 pints) whilst studying at Oxford - is one that lives large in the psyche of the Australian people.

Irrespective of one’s political allegiance, any Australian can acknowledge the impressive feat of sculling 1.4 litres of beer in just 11 seconds.

It is a record which has been recognised and celebrated in the birthplace of the legend – Oxford.

Turf Tavern currently lays claim to being the historical location where the legend was born in 1953, with a memorial to Hawke’s speed record prominently advertised on their walls.

However, Paul Smith, President of ALP Abroad, says it is not as clear cut as this and there are questions about the true location of Hawke’s famous scull.

“Interestingly, there is evidence from various sources which suggests

the competition actually took place on the grounds of the university, at a college,” he said.

To honour the 30th anniversary of the election of the Hawke Labor government, ALP Abroad will be conducting a pilgrimage to Oxford to find the true place where Bob Hawke set the world record.

“It is a quest to find the location of the holy grail,” said Mr Smith.

The trip will visit a number of locations that lay claim to a connection with the setting of the record, and at the end pronounce a verdict on the historical evidence presented during the day.

The pilgrimage is open to all, and the cost is £15 which includes a roast and a pint of beer at the Turf Tavern.

For more information and to join the pilgrimage see www.alpabroad.org.

The play uses comedy to great effect to break up the often overwhelmingly sombre scenes of desperation and despair, even poking fun at the audience at times. Although the audience is not left in anguish, Our Country’s Good manages to convey a sense of the brutalities of early Australian life, whilst exploring broader themes of human nature and justice.

Our Country’s Good is an excellent introduction for the uninitiated theatre-goer, and highly recommended for its insights into Australian history.

Our Country’s Good is playing at St James Theatre until 23 March 2013.

Tickets are from £25 - £50 and available from www.stjamestheatre.co.uk.

10 | Travel

26 February - 4 March 2013

St Patrick’s Day

Start your planning early Promotion

Whether you’re on your own or part of a group, travelling is all about meeting new people and sharing new experiences. Luckily this is what Gombo Adventures does best.

Tours go to numerous events throughout Europe including St Patrick’s Day in Dublin, La Tomatina in Valencia and the Running of the Bulls in Pamplona. These are once-

in-a-lifetime experiences. Attracting people from across the world and from all walks of life they are events not to be missed.

Gombo Adventures are here to help backpackers and travellers on a budget get to such events at affordable prices that still allow you to have an absolutely brilliant experience.

The logistics and planning are taken care of, taking the stress, hassle and expense out so you can focus on letting your hair down and enjoying your trip.

Here’s a look at the trips Gombo Adventures has coming up.

For further information or to book any of these tours go to www.gogombo.com.

March 15 - 18 Dublin’s St Patrick’s Day parade may have only began in 1996, but since then it has grown rapidly to become a five day festival attracting well over a million people.

The 2013 St Patrick’s festival runs from 14 — 18 March, with the highlight being the world famous St Patrick’s Day parade. Weaving past Dublin’s most notable attractions, this epic street party turns the nation’s capital into a sea of green.

There is no shortage of other sites to see either, as Dublin is home to the Guinness storehouse, a number of historical sites and the many pubs around Temple Bar. Gombo Adventures can’t wait to get to Dublin for St Patrick’s Day and they don’t want you to miss out on the fun, so come and join them in the Emerald Isle for Ireland’s biggest party.

£249

What’s included

• Return coach from London • City centre hostel dorm accommodation • Breakfast • Pub crawl with a free shot in each bar & free club entry • City walking tour • Guinness storehouse self-guided tour • Gift bag

What’s not included

• All food and drinks not mentioned above • Travel Insurance

Running of the bulls July 5 - 8

Back in the 14th century, a few men found they could move their cattle to market faster if they aggravated and chased their animals. This became a perilous race which, over the years, became a tradition which has made Pamplona, Spain the site of one of the world’s truly phenomenal events.

The annual Running of the Bulls is seven days of madness that form the centrepiece of the San Fermin Festival. From 7 to 14 July tens of thousands of people gather to watch brave participants pit themselves against six steers and six oxen on a race through the streets of Pamplona to the city’s bull ring.

The opening ceremony kicks off on 6 July in the form of a massive street party you won’t want to miss. It’s one of the most exhilarating and memorable events in the world.

The Pamplona Running of the Bulls is a singularly spectacular experience.

Whether you’re running for your life from the chasing bulls or watching the chaos unfold, it’s an epic event you’ll never forget.

Once the run is done and safety is restored to the streets of Pamplona, a massive, citywide party gets under way where you can celebrate long into the night.

£139

What’s included

• Camping accommodation • Transport to and from the campsite • Bull run • Gift bag

What’s not included

• Transport to and from Pamplona • All food and drinks • Travel Insurance

Travel | 11

AustralianTimes.co.uk

La Tomatina August 27 - 29

Winter Europe

What’s not included

Save up to £243*

FF 7.5% O Feb Ends 28th

Egypt

1973

2013

EBR

AT I N G 4 0 Y E

UP TO

20% OFF

8 DAY Ski Austria

Dep. 30 March 2013

£399

What’s Included:

Snow bike pub crawl, traditional Austrian Xmas Dinner on Xmas week, PLUS MORE!

EuroClub

18 DAY Winter Getaway Dep. 23 March 2013

Includes Paris, Rome, Salzburg, Prague, plus more!

WAS £1250

£1147

Includes £220 food fund

ANZAC SOLD

Favourite Big Tour Operator

10 DAY Spirit of Egypt

Favourite Ski/Winter Operator Favourite Tour Operator in Western Europe

Dep. 24 March 2013

WAS £742

£627

20% OFF

19 DAY Ultimate Egypt

£319

20% OFF

Includes US$345 food fund

4 DAY OUT ANZAC Raid 23-26 Apr 2013

£240

Visits Ypres, Lille, The Somme, VillersBretonneux & Amiens.

Visits Istanbul & Gallipoli.

5 DAY ANZAC Patrol

8 DAY ANZAC Sortie

22-26 Apr 2013

Dep. 2 April 2013

£653

3 DAY ANZAC Western Front 23-25 Apr 2013

Includes US$270 food fund

WAS £763

A

Ski Trips Austria

NOW

HU DON’T MISS OUT!

FROM

Europe Summer Sale RRY

NOW

• Transport to and from Valencia • All food and drinks not mentioned above • Travel Insurance

TOPDECK

RS

• Shared 4* hotel accommodation • Bus transfers to La Tomatina festival • La Tomatina tomato fight • Breakfast • City walking tour • Gift bag

NOW

From £119

What’s included

CEL

Every year, on the last Wednesday of August, the town of Buñol near Valencia turns red.

It’s the world’s biggest, messiest, most epic tomato fight.

How much mess are we talking about here? Try 40,000 people and 150,000 tomatoes.

This summer, Gombo Adventures is going to Spain for La Tomatina, so pack your goggles and gloves and get ready for war!

While Gombo Adventures other trips are about sport, running for your life from stampeding bulls or consuming huge vessels of heavy Bavarian beer, La Tomatina is all about having fun for fun’s sake.

It’s not just about the onehour, every man and woman for themselves food fighting frenzy.

Valencia is a stunning region and the trip gives you the opportunity to appreciate all its breath taking beauty.

£285

Visits Istanbul & Gallipoli.

19-26 Apr 2013

£450

Visits Istanbul, Bursa, Kusadasi, Ephesus, Pergamon, Bergama, Troy and Gallipoli.

14 DAY ANZAC Expedition 13-26 Apr 2013

£660

Visits Istanbul, Ankara, Cappadocia, Konya, Antalya, Saklikent Gorge, Fethiye, Pamukkale, Kusadasi, Ephesus, Pergamon, Bergama, Troy and Gallipoli.

www.topdeck.travel/times L8291 / Y2992

Call 0845 257 5411 Open 8am-9pm

*Terms and conditions apply. Prices quoted are for specific departures only. All trips subject to availability. Discounts are off the base trip price only, and do not apply to food funds and local payments. Flights not included. Egypt trip price includes local payment based on $1 = £0.618, which must be paid locally in USD. The 7.5% ’Early Bird Discount’ is valid for new bookings paid in full between 29 Dec 2012 and 28 Feb 2013 only. The 7.5% ’Early Bird Discount’ applies exclusively to all EuroClub, EuroHotel, EuroCamping, Explorer & Winter trips listed in Topdeck’s 2013 Europe brochure. The’ Early Bird Discount’ can be combined up to a maximum of 17.5% with any one of our standard brochure discounts with the exception of the ‘Early Payment Option’. The discount does not apply to Food Fund, Sailing Fund, local payment or pre/post accommodation. Normal cancellation conditions apply. Topdeck reserves the right to withdraw this offer at any time. The save up to amount is based on our Discover Europe trip in high season.

For full terms and conditions please visit www.topdeck.travel

12 | Travel

26 February - 4 March 2013

The Yorkshire Bucket List The coastal walk from Robin Heads Bay to Whitby (or reverse). Regular buses run between the destinations for the return journey.

By Anna Bow With a jaw-dropping coastline, rolling green countryside, charming pubs, and a splash of city glam, the county of Yorkshire in Northern England has a lot to offer. Get yourself on a train, prepare to rug up, and learn first hand why the locals call this ‘God’s country’.

Coastal Glory

ST PATRICKS DAY Included: • Return coach from London • City centre hostel accommodation • Breakfast • Pub crawl • City walking tour • Guinness storehouse tour • St Patricks Day parade • Gift bag

£249 MARCH 15-18

RUNNING OF THE BULLS LA TOMATINA Included:

• Camping accommodation • Pickup upon arrival in Pamplona • Regular shuttles to centre of Pamplona • Bull run • Gift bag

JULY 5-8

£139

Included:

FROM

£119

• 4 star hotel accommodation • Breakfast • City walking tour • Bus transfers to festival • Tomato fight • Gift bag

AUGUST 27-29 www.gogombo.com info@gogombo.com

Forget the deck chairs, white sand beaches and blue skies that come to any Aussies mind when thinking about a February coastal getawaythe Yorkshire coast has anything but. Instead, be prepared to gasp at both the majestic cliffs and the chilly bite of the east coast wind.

There is no better way to admire this stunning coastline and get some fresh country air than with a short hike. But don’t be alarmed by the suggestion. As someone whose outdoorsy vocabulary is more ‘sun baking’ than ‘bouldering’, I can safely say this walk is a piece of cake, and well worth the effort.

Start your adventure at Robin Hoods Bay, a charming former fishing village which was once a hot spot for pirates smuggling their loot onto the main land. After admiring the postcard-perfect fishing cottages on the coastline, head uphill from the town centre and through a pair of kissing gates to start the 12 km walk to a town called Whitby.

Muddy slips and fish ‘n’ chips

I confess that due to a bit of rain the ‘easy’ coastal hike referred to above was for me a bit more like the Tough Mudder than a garden stroll.

After three muddy stacks and sliding by old relics like Whitby lighthouse and the crumbling Abbey perched on a cliff top (which was an inspiration behind Bram Stoker’s Dracula), I arrived in Whitby.

As well as being host to a biannual ‘Goth weekend’, this small town is one of the UK’s biggest fishing harbours and rightly famous for its fish and chips. Bench the new year’s diet, and

feel that batter between your fingers.

I had no problems finding a B&B and, leaving a trail of mud behind me, traded the warmth of the local pubs for a night of board games and too much red wine.

A city break

If your idea of a weekend getaway doesn’t involve a tip to Kathmandu for a new pair of hiking boots, never fear. Simply trade getting down and dirty with nature for getting down and dirty with the York nightlife, where on Friday nights you’d be forgiven for wondering if you were caught in a scene from Geordie Shore.

With a bouncer on the door of every bar (what recession?), and patrons showing a bit too much skin for this time of year, you can’t help but relax and let loose on your small-town-bignight-out. You can even grab a kebab on the way home.

For you foodies who aren’t seduced by the idea of cheap cocktails and street meat, you will be pleasantly surprised by the culinary offerings of York. With a heavy emphasis on local produce, there is plenty of opportunity to pick up some delicious fare. Check out The Hairy Fig on Fossgate for an apothecary of specialty oils and aged balsamics, and pick up some treats for your journey home. I recommend the dark chocolate with violet.

The cherry on top of an already well rounded city is York’s rich sense of history and good old fashioned English charm. To experience both, grab a drink in one of the cozy local pubs before walking through the city’s winding, narrow back alleys (called ‘Snickelways’) for a taste of its medieval past.

End your day with a walk atop the old Roman wall that surrounds the city, whilst taking in the views of York’s majestic Gothic cathedral and the beautiful surrounding countryside.

Yorkshire. A slice of heaven in our own backyard.

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Drive through the countryside and stop in at a roadside farm shop for some fresh local food and a few jars of homemade chutney.

Admire York’s gothic cathedral.

Image by Andy Barrett

Take a walk at Whitby harbour, where Captain James Cook did his apprenticeship, and check out the 40% sized replica of the ship in which he ‘discovered’ Australia: The Endeavour. Ok… you’re forgiven if you pass on this one.

Professional Life | 13

AustralianTimes.co.uk

Calling all Aussie Dollar continues on bullish run nominations!

Dollar Review

By Saskia Johnston

n

Nominate your favourite outstanding Australian Woman in the UK. 2011 winner Skye Gyngell

Nominations are open for the sixth consecutive Qantas Australian Woman of the Year in the UK Award, which is supported by Australian Business and Qantas. The Award promotes, recognises and celebrates the achievements of Australian women in the UK and coincides with International Women’s Day. The Award is open to all Australian women living in the UK whether success has been achieved through business or personal endeavours.

Nominations can be made at www.qantas.com/ auswomanuk until 1 March 2013.

Australian Business Executive Director, Kim Dillon, said: “Australians are world leaders in many sectors all around the globe, but many may not realise the outstanding achievements by Australian women in the UK. We ask the Australian community in the UK to support the Award by nominating an outstanding Australian woman in the UK. If you know someone achieving great things in their field then please get in touch with us or nominate online.”

Past recipients include Theatre Producer Liz Koops, producer of Priscilla Queen of the Desert: the Musical (2012), Skye Gyngell, Michelin Star Head Chef at Petersham Nurseries (2011), Dr Margaret Mayston for her work with the UCL Institute of Child Health (2010), Gill Hicks, London bomb survivor and founder

of MAD for Peace (2009) and Glenda Stone, businesswoman and Founder of Aurora (2008).

The prize includes a return International Business ticket to Sydney or Melbourne flying with Qantas on the award-winning Qantas A380, a perpetual trophy to be housed in Australia House, as well as an ambassador role representing Qantas and Australian Business for the forthcoming year.

The winner will be announced at a special reception to be held on 13 March at the five star ME London Hotel and is expected to attract 200+ professional Australian expatriates and industry leaders.

Tickets for the Award reception can be purchased at www. australianbusiness.co.uk.

Qantas Regional General Manager for UK/Ireland, Eric Jelinek, said: “Qantas is delighted to be associated with such pioneering and inspirational Australians in the UK. Six years on and the awards continue to grow in stature. We are very proud to champion the vision, talent and qualities of the award entries.”

We welcome this year’s entries at www.qantas.com/auswomanuk.

Domestically, traders will now focus on the release of fourthquarter business investment data due to be released later this week.

Any renewed weakness in the Aussie Dollar could see talks of further interest rate cuts quickly reignited.

Analysts expect movements in the Aussie are likely to be driven by offshore factors although the trading range over the next few days is expected to be fairly tight. Many market participants are focused on the Italian elections; early results which will only be filtering in as Australian Times went to press.

Most analysts expect that a coalition government will be formed.

Exchange rates GBP/AUD: 1.470 EUR/AUD: 1.284 USD/AUD: 1.027 NZD/AUD: 1.227 07:30 GMT, 25 February 2013

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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By Anna Hardie

THE Australian Dollar began trading last week Monday around the 1.506 mark against the British Pound and 0.9708 to the US Dollar. The Aussie strengthened throughout the next seven days to open this week on 1.467 to the British Pound and 0.9680 to the US Dollar on Monday.

The continued strength in the Aussie currency can be partially attributable to the Reserve Bank of Australia’s (RBA’s) foreseen decision to keep the interest rate unchanged.

The Australian Dollar had experienced a spirited revival in strength over the preceding week, posting the largest 5-day advance in over two months. This rally came after RBA Governor, Glenn Stevens, talked down interest rate expectations throughout the week. Mr Stevens signalled a respite in the Reserve Bank of Australia’s aggressive year-long rate-cutting cycle, telling a parliamentary committee on Friday that interest rates were at an “appropriate” level for now.

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14 | Sport

26 February - 4 March 2013

Wing harder than No.15 for Folau: Cheika WARATAHS coach Michael Cheika has slammed suggestions cross-code superstar Israel Folau is too raw to be playing fullback, claiming wing is in fact the more difficult position to adjust to.

Folau struggled on debut in the Waratahs season-opening Super Rugby loss to Queensland, and playing the pressure position of fullback, was frequently found out by the Reds’ attack.

But asked whether it would be better for Folau’s development to be shifted to the wing to face Melbourne on Friday, Cheika hit back at the criticism and said the 23-year-old shifts between the two positions anyway.

“I don’t know why there seems to be a perception that the wing is easier to play than fullback. In my way of thinking ...

the wing is actually positionally much more difficult to play,” he said.

“I’ve said it probably about 50 times now. But we play with an interchangeable back three. So he sometimes plays on the wing, sometimes at fullback.”

Wallabies coach Robbie Deans says it was the right decision for NSW to throw their debutant into the deep end against Queensland and defended Cheika’s decision to back Folau in the No.15 shirt.

Deans says Cheika had every right to have confidence in his big-name recruit and predicted Folau would be better for the experience.

“It was a baptism of fire obviously. It was always going to be, but he’s a class footballer, and he’ll be back don’t worry

about that,” said Deans.

“It’s easy from the grandstand.

But he based his decision on a lot of background, from what he’d witnessed on the training ground and seen in preseason fixtures.”

The Australian Rugby Union on Monday started the 100-day countdown to the British and Irish Lions tour which kicks off on June 5.

By the time the first Test against the Wallabies rolls around on June 22, Folau would have had nearly a full season of Super Rugby under his belt.

Despite his shaky start, Deans said it was too early to make a call on whether Folau a Test debut against the Lions would be too much to ask of the former league and AFL star.

“We’ll make those assessments as we

go,” Deans said.

“There’s risk in every choice you make.

“He’s a huge talent and he can play fullback, he can play wing, he can play 13. He’s getting in-game experience week to week and the competition is getting tougher, getting him closer to Test rugby week by week. So it’s great, it’s good for him and good to us.”

Recovering Wallabies halfback Will Genia said Folau was more than capable of stepping up to Test standards inside four months.

Genia, who hopes to be back from his knee reconstruction for the Reds in round 5-6, said Folau had a lot to learn but was capable of adjusting quickly.

“I’m a massive fan of his. I hope he learns from it and becomes a better

FIRST TOUCH: Warratahs fullback Israel Folau (right) with his first touch of the ball in Super Rugby on Saturday. (AAP Image/Dave Hunt) player and I think if he does he can have a massive future in rugby,” he said.

By Ben Horne

Melbourne Storm win World Winter tag rugby Club Challenge in Leeds finals fever strikes ...continued from p16

running brilliance of Rob Burrow, they failed to complete their sets, demonstrating poor 5th tackle options and drop balls at crucial moments of the match.

Leeds fought back in the 29th minute via a last tackle tirade which saw winger Ryan Hall cross over in the corner. Sinfield added the extras, and another late penalty saw the match tied up at 8-8 into the half.

The visitors took control early in the second half, running in two quick tries. Storm Prop Jesse Bromwich beat four defenders to crash over the line in the 44th minute, followed by Cam Smith again adding the extras to take the Storm to a 14-8 lead. Almost as quickly as play was resumed a brilliantly played 50-metre sweep saw Tohu Harris in the clear and running for the line. Some further passing between Waqa and Chambers saw the rookie dive over for the try that inevitably sealed the game for Melbourne and gave them an 18-8 advantage.

However, Leeds responded with some magic of their own as Captain Kevin Sinfield kicked cross field, with second rower Jamie JonesBuchanan scoring and some creative

lobbing, batting and miracle passes from Hall and Moon taking the game to its final score of 18-14, with Sinfield adding the extras.

All in all it was a great game by two champion teams. Not only did the game provide the spectacle that fans across both Australia and the UK would come to expect from the two current rugby league premiers; the atmosphere of the crowd added to the event, with the stadium applauding their defeated heroes with pride and congratulating the victors with class and grace.

RFL hosted a spectacular match, and it was a great example of their skills as the professional body responsible for the smooth running of these matches, keeping rugby league alive in the UK and playing host to many visiting talents.

In addition to the World Club Challenge and the Super League competition, this year will see RFL play host to 14 nations, including Australia, for the Rugby League World Cup in October 2013.

Matches will be played across the UK, with the final at Old Trafford on 30 November.

With their passion and knowledge of the game equal to any in Australia, the RFL’s hosting of the Super League and upcoming

World Cup is guaranteed to rival that on offer back home. For those Australians having to resort to dodgy internet streams or early morning Walkabout visits for their League fix, I encourage you to consider a Super League match for the unrivalled live game feel. The only way the World Club Challenge would have been better is if it was 2011 and I could have seen St. George win.

For more information about Australia’s matches in the Rugby League World Club and to purchase tickets go to rlwc2013.com.

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The Speights are chasing the Bermondsey title and a place at the 2013 London Tag Rugby Championships With this year’s winter seemingly dragging on and on, the London Tag Rugby community have been eagerly awaiting the arrival of the spring season and with it, some warmer weather.

Before spring season can start however, the teams in the winter comp must battle it out for the first round of titles for the year.

To kick-start finals week Trip & Chase took on Scrum & Coke in the Tooting Bec Monday grand final. The last time these two sides met Trip & Chase managed to come out on top with a narrow 10-7 triumph, and were promising a cracker of a re-match.

Across to the west at White City on Wednesday the Aussie dominated Bush Rangers, led by the experienced Brett Underwood and Simon Rowe, will be looking to keep their undefeated record for 2013 in tact when they take on Shay Boom Bastic. These two sides met just three weeks ago with the result being an eight all draw.

Another nail-biting final!

To the south at Barnes on Thursday, the in-form Colin will take on Born to be Taggers in the grand final. Born to be Taggers feature London Australia representative Scott Crawley and are yet to be defeated in 2013.

The last final for the week will take place at Bermondsey on Thursday between the reigning champs, Speights and newcomers Shapow! When these sides met two

weeks ago the Speights came out on top. However, as we all know, two weeks is a long time in the world of sport.

All teams who made the finals in the Winter season will receive an invitation to the 2013 London Tag Rugby championships due to take place at the East London RFC on Saturday 17 August. This tournament will host teams from abroad, such as Ireland, Malta and New Zealand, alongside London’s best teams.

In other news, the spring season commences on Sunday 3 March at 11 venues across the capital. Over 100 teams are expected to take part, a spring season record. With a large number of teams set to return from their winter breaks, places at some venues will be extremely tight and will run at full capacity.

Spring competition registrations are now open with leagues taking place at the following venues: Balham, Barnes, Bermondsey, Borough, Finsbury Park, Highbury, Rotherhithe, Shoreditch Park, Southfields, Tooting Bec and White City.

New team and individual registrations are welcome and Tag Rugby is a great chance to develop a network of friends if you are new to London.

If you would like to register for a spring league, go to www. trytagrugby.com or email info@ trytagrugby.com for more details.

Sport | 15

AustralianTimes.co.uk

Barba to seek professional help for ‘personal issues’ ...continued from p16

Limited sources are reporting that these ‘issues’ are related to an alleged problem with gambling.

Bulldogs CEO Todd Greenberg spoke to media today, saying that the club had made the decision to suspend Barba from the team as a way of keeping him out of the public spotlight. He said that the club did not know whether “Ben will be back in six weeks or six months.”

Greenberg said: “Ben needs help. He needs professional help. As a club and as a game we need to focus on Ben Barba the person and not Ben Barba the player. This is not one issue. It is the manifestation of a number of issues stemming from the breakdown of a personal relationship.”

The Bulldogs CEO confirmed that Barba’s personal problems stemmed from his split from long-term partner Ainslie Currie during the off-season. He said that Barba had made the decision to notify the club that he was struggling in advance of his scheduled appearance at the official launch of the 2013 NRL season on Wednesday night.

Greenberg said: “By terminating his contract it doesn’t help him. What we

are trying to do is put support services around him and people around him to help him individually off the field. That is the sort of club we are, we help ours when they need it, but he needs to take a big step up here and if he doesn’t take that step up he won’t play. If he helps himself he will be a Bulldogs player for a long time but he needs to help himself.’’

Barba released a statement claiming that he felt that he had let down his family, friends and supporters by stepping down and was seeking professional assistance for personal matters that he faced “day to day”.

The statement said: “I’m incredibly sad to be stepping aside as I’ve been so blessed with what’s happened to me over the past few years, but I feel as though I would be wearing a mask if I didn’t confront the matters I’ve been dealing with until now. I feel it is best to deal with these problems front on and I believe that by doing so this will make me a better person and player in the future. This will be a step by step process for me and whilst I hope to return to football soon, I hope that through this next period you can respect my privacy so that sooner rather than

later I can return to playing rugby league as best I can. When I do, I hope that everybody sees a better person.”

NRL CEO David Smith said that he agreed with the Bulldogs suspending Barba, claiming that it highlighted the fact that rugby league players often faced “real-life challenges” and that they needed the support of both the fans and the code itself.

Smith said: “This appears to be a challenging set of circumstances for a young man in the public spotlight and it is a time for us all to give him and the club some room to find the best way forward. Players are heroes to millions of fans but they are also real people facing real-life challenges and like anyone there are times when they need support. Given the attitude of the Bulldogs there seems every reason to believe that Ben will emerge a stronger person and I think fans will respect him and the club all the more for the approach they have taken.”

The Bulldogs are scheduled to kick-off their 2013 campaign on Saturday 9 March against the North Queensland Cowboys.

By Paul Bleakley

AFL deems Casboult no case to answer ...continued from p16 one of the premiership season.

“I’m not sure about the severity of the bone bruising but that will really be determined by how it settles down,” Evans told Melbourne radio station SEN. “Sometimes you can play straight away and sometimes you might need to miss a few weeks, so we’ll see how that goes over the next couple of weeks.”

GWS posted a shock win over local rivals Sydney in Sunday’s pre-season triple-header at Blacktown, but Buntine was rushed to hospital after a crunching collision with Carlton forward Levi Casboult in their earlier match.

The 2011 No.5 draft pick needed his lung drained after it copped the full brunt of Casboult’s knee.

Despite the severity of the injury, the AFL’s match review panel deemed Casboult had no case to answer for. “(Casboult is) grabbing for the ball as he makes contact with his opponent. It was the view of the panel that Casboult was making a realistic attempt to gather the ball and the contact was accidental,” the

Ponting set for summer stint with Surrey Cricket Club ...continued from p16 batsmen of the modern area.”

Ponting said: “I’m really excited to be playing for Surrey this season.

They are a forward thinking and historic club – and play at one of the greatest grounds in the world.”

He added: “I’d like to think that I can contribute a significant amount to the club – on and off the field – and am looking forward to getting stuck in as soon as I arrive.”

England batsman Kevin Pietersen tweeted: “Smith and now Ponting, joining us at Surrey this season.

Wowza!! Hope I get to bat with both of them. #fireworks.”

Ponting made his One Day International debut against South Africa in Wellington in 1995 and his Test debut against Sri Lanka in Perth later that year. He was Australian team captain from 2004 to 2011.

He retired from International Test Cricket in December last year with 13,378 runs to his name, the second highest run scorer in Test history after Sachin Tendulkar.

Ponting has continued to play domestic cricket for the Tasmanian Tigers and recently hit an unbeaten 200 against New South Wales and 95

in a one-day game against Western Australia.

English county cricket is not new for Ponting. He had a month-long stint for Somerset in the build-up to the ICC Champions Trophy in 2004.

He is now likely to captain Surrey through the group stages of Surrey’s Friends Life t20 campaign and the Guildford Festival.

Surrey’s ground, the Oval, may hold bittersweet memories for Ponting. It was under his leadership there that Australia lost the ashes in 2005 and 2009. He is the only Australian captain to have lost three Ashes series.

By Michelle McCue

RUGBY LEAGUE ON YOUR DOORSTEP

HARD KNOCK: Carlton’s Levi Casboult collides with Matt Buntine of the Giants during their round 1 AFL pre season NAB Cup match on Sunday (AAP Image/Paul Miller) league said in a statement.

GWS coach Kevin Sheedy suggested his club would take a cautious approach with Buntine’s recovery.

“We’re not into the game of rushing these sorts of players back. We’ll just bring in another kid,” Sheedy said on

Sunday.

“He’s a pretty special sort of guy.

He’s going to be there for a long time and he reminds me a bit of Andrew McKay, who used to play at Carlton.

By Rob Forsaith

One-spinner strategy questioned BEFORE the first Test against India started on Friday, it would have taken a brave selection panel to separate the pace pairing of Peter Siddle and Mitchell Starc.

James Pattinson was included as the third quick, ahead of fellow squad members Jackson Bird and Mitchell Johnson who both have impressive Test records.

The 22-year-old Pattinson also has a fine CV and has added to it by claiming the third five-wicket haul of his eightTest career in India’s first innings of 572 on Monday.

Offspinner Nathan Lyon was not as

dangerous, conceding 3-215 from 47 overs.

Arguments have raged on Twitter about whether Australia should have included a second spinner -- Xavier Doherty -- ahead of one of their three quicks for the first Test.

Lyon’s lack of venom so far in this Chennai Test will add weight to arguments for those on both sides of the fence.

Would Lyon have bowled better with fellow spinner Doherty at the other end?

Or would Doherty -- whose Test bowling average of 102 isn’t pretty and neither is his Sheffield Shield average

this season of 80 -- have been heavily punished by MS Dhoni who thumped 224 off 265 balls?

Those calling for Doherty to play in Chennai would have been reluctant to exclude either Siddle or Starc, so Pattinson would have been the logical one to miss out.

Yet Starc and Siddle combined for just one wicket in India’s first innings.

The push for left-arm spinner Doherty to be recalled for the second Test could put pressure on Starc, but not Siddle who leads the attack.

By Greg Buckle in India

v HULL KR Saturday March 9th, kick-off 6:15pm at the Twickenham Stoop, TW2 7SX londonbroncosrl.com

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roncos

heB #Backt

FINALS FEVER

Tag Rugby wraps up the winter season P14

A PERFECT STORM

Ponting ups stumps to play English cricket SURREY Cricket Club has signed Tasmanian Ricky Ponting for a summer stint to cover for Graeme Smith. Ponting, 38, will play for Surrey in June and July this year and will be available for selection in all formats. South African Smith is likely to be involved in the ICC Champions Trophy from 6-23 June.

Surrey Team Director Chris Adams announced on the club’s website: “In Ricky Ponting, we have signed one of the greatest ...continued on p15

Bulldogs suspend the face of NRL

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WORLD’S BEST: Visiting team the Melbourne Storm emerged victorious at the World Club Challenge at Headingly in Leeds, taking out the cup in a nail-biting 18-14 against the Super League Champions, the Leeds Rhinos.

By George Katralis First up, a confession. I am a very proud and staunch St. George Illawarra supporter.

I have been bleeding red and white since I was old enough to breath. One of my earliest childhood memories is sitting with my Dad on the hill at Kogarah Oval. I think Jamie Soward is a God. My favourite song is ‘When the Saints go marching in’ and I cried tears of joy in 2010 when St. George took out the Premiership.

So, like any loyal fan, it is also with great amounts of passion that I hate, and I mean HATE, the Melbourne Storm.

Let’s be honest, 1999 still hurts.

The scars from the sight of Glenn Lazarus doing cartwheels at full

time are still yet to heal. Let’s not even mention the 70-10 score line in 2000.

However, in saying this, bloody hell - I still love watching them play.

As far as rugby league entertainers go, it doesn’t come much better than the sheer natural talent of the boys of the Melbourne Storm.

Therefore the opportunity to watch the likes of Cronk, Slater and Smith go head to head with their UK equivalents in the Leeds Rhinos – including 2012 Golden Boot winner Kevin Sinfield and teammates Ryan Hall and Rob Burrow – was too much for any rugby league fan to turn down.

On invitation from the Rugby Football League (RFL) – England’s governing league body – I went

to Headingley in Leeds on Friday, and took my seat for what turned out to be a cracking game between two very competitive teams with a history of strong international rivalry.

It ended with a nail-biting 18-14 score line, the Melbourne Storm only just running out with the 2013 World Club Challenge title and winning back another trophy previously stripped from them in 2010 along with their 2007 and 2009 NRL Premierships due to a salary cap scandal.

It was no easy win, with the host club – and 2012 UK Super League champions – the Leeds Rhinos, answering back confidently to everything the well-drilled Storm threw in their direction.

The Storm struck first in the 20th

minute through the slick brilliance of Clive Churchill Medal winner Cooper Cronk putting Ryan Hoffman into a gap, allowing Billy Slater the chance to post the first try of the match. Skipper Cameron Smith added the extras to give the Storm a 6-0 advantage. This soon became 8-0 after Smith landed an easy penalty goal from right in front.

Despite Leeds’ ability to chase the win all game, and keep Melbourne in check, it was clear from early on Storm had control of the match and the mental edge over a seemingly frustrated Leeds team. Although Leeds had more attacking flair, driven by the ruck ...continued on p14

The Canterbury Bulldogs have indefinitely suspended star fullback and Dally M winner Ben Barba claiming that the rugby league player had breached the club’s code of conduct and needed time to seek “professional help” for personal issues Barba was facing off the field.

Barba, whose stellar 2012 season included a grand final appearance and winning the NRL’s highest individual accolade, is believed to have approached his management and Bulldogs officials over the weekend with concerns regarding issues involving his private life. News ...continued on p15

GWS’s Buntine punctures lung, and breaks rib GWS GIANTS emerged as the biggest losers of the weekend’s AFL pre-season action, with defender Matt Buntine to miss up to eight weeks with a punctured lung and broken rib.

The news was better for Hawthorn’s Paul Puopolo, who landed awkwardly after a marking contest against Gold Coast and went to ground clutching his knee painfully.

Hawks football manager Mark Evans says Puopolo has bone bruising and could play in round ...continued on p15