5 - 11 March 2013 Issue: 453
Say Cheese
Without a Trace
World Photography Awards
Find yourself in Bermuda
CEO of the Opera Exclusive with Craig Hassall News P4
ENtertainment P8
travel P9
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SCALES TIP IN ‘STUPID FAT AUSTRALIAN’ CASE By Paul Bleakley
The woman at the centre of the “stupid, fat Australian” case has won an appeal against her 2012 conviction after a north-west England court determined that it would not be in the public interest to uphold the court’s original verdict. Czech-British woman Petra Mills was found guilty of racially aggravated public disorder and assault by Macclesfield Magistrates Court in Cheshire last November after an incident involving her New Zealand-born neighbour Chelsea O’Reilly. It was alleged that Mills had called her a “stupid, fat Australian” during a neighbourhood dispute with the intention of racially abusing O’Reilly, who she knew was a New Zealander rather than an Australian. The “stupid, fat Australian” case made international headlines after Mills was found guilty, with questions being raised regarding whether being called “Australian” constituted a racially-motivated attack. O’Reilly said that she had been “really insulted” by Mills referring to her as an Australian and that she believed that Mills had used the term intentionally for that reason. Mills told Australian Times that her legal team had tried on several occasions to persuade O’Reilly to drop the charges of racially aggravated assault prior to the appeal going to court. She said that the other charges of assault had been dropped by police. Mills said: “Crown court judges made pressure on CPS (Crown Prosecutor Service) to drop all
matters as this is not in the public interest. But there was still the victim demanding £50 compensation. My solicitor tried to drop this charge four times.” The conviction was overturned on appeal last Friday based largely on the frivolous nature of the allegations, with the sitting judge expressing dismay that police had deemed the claims serious enough to be brought before court in the first instance. Mills told Australian Times: “The judge asked CPS if he seriously thought that calling a lady from New Zealand a ‘fat Australian’ was racism and belonged in this court. Common sense prevailed.” As a result of Mills’ conviction being overturned O’Reilly will not be awarded the £50 compensation that was awarded by chairman of the bench Brian Donohue during the original hearing. Mills told Australian Times that she is currently investigating her ability to pursue malicious prosecution action against Cheshire Police and the Crown Prosecution Service. Mills said that she was grateful for the support she had received from people around the world, and hoped to receive apologies from a number of media organisations that she felt had portrayed her unfairly. Mills also said that she was upset by claims made during the court proceedings that she had harmed O’Reilly’s dog, and hoped to receive an apology from her former neighbour.
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STORMING THE STAGE Aussie Steven McRae
Australian Tourism hiring Down Under Cold Chisel’s Flame Trees played out of a pop-up surf club in the middle of Waterloo Station on Monday morning as part of Tourism Australia’s launch of a new campaign, the ‘Best Jobs in the World’ initiative. A lifesaver and woman in a bikini braved the cold to distribute flyers to young commuters, encouraging them to apply for one of six positions available Down Under. The initiative follows the successful Tourism Queensland ‘Best Job in the World’ campaign in 2009 which attracted 34,000 applicants from over 200 countries for a ‘Caretaker’ position at the Great Barrier Reef. Now Tourism Australia, in partnership with six State and Territory offices, are looking to recruit six new employees to work in each corner of the continent. Each position comes with a sixmonth contract and salary package worth AUD$100,000. Tourism Australia Managing Director, Andrew McEvoy said the promotion will entice more young people from around the world to come to Australia to holiday and work. ...continued on p3
praised for new performance | P8
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2 | News
5 - 11 March 2013
Misuse of prescription drugs
Do Aussie swimmers have a case to answer? n The Stilnox scandal currently engulfing Australian swimming 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, Jacqui Moroney, Will Fitz-gibbon, 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 Climpson-Stewart, Thomas Jones, Anna Bow, Justin Ng, Richard Powell Directors: P Atherton, J Durrant N Durrant, R Phillips and A Laird
Additional content: Who are we? Australian Times is written and compiled by young Australian journalists living in the UK. Contributing on a volunteer basis, they are uniquely placed to reflect the interests, opinions and attitudes of our community. If you would like to join us, contact info@australiantimes.co.uk Address: Unit 7C, Commodore House Battersea Reach, London SW18 1TW Tel: 0845 456 4910 Email: info@australiantimes.co.uk
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has attracted public attention because of the Men’s Relay team’s ‘door-knocking’ antics. PAUL BLEAKLEY asks, is it just a case of ‘boys being boys’ or does it raise more important questions about the misuse of prescription drugs in our society? The fiasco that has engulfed Swimming Australia has sparked a major debate within the Australian public. Many have queried whether the men’s relay team had been seriously inappropriate at the London Games, or if it was simply a case of “boys being boys” with our Olympians embracing the spirit of the typical Aussie larrikin. The community appears to be evenly divided. Some, perhaps still bitter from the perceived embarrassment of Olympic failure, believe the muchlauded men’s relay team were not taking their jobs seriously enough. Others believe that the boys’ prank calls and late night door knocking are nothing more than a storm in a teacup. At their press conference last week five out of the six members of the men’s relay team admitted taking the prescription sleeping medication Stilnox, a substance banned by the Australian Olympic Committee yet legal to use if you have a doctor’s prescription. Veteran swimmers Eamon Sullivan and Matt Targett had such a prescription. Stilnox is the Australian trade name for a medication called Zolpidem, a non-benzodiazepine drug designed to induce drowsiness. It had regularly been used by swimmers to regulate their body clock during competitions, prior to the recent regulation against its use by the sport’s governing body. Sullivan claimed that he had used Stilnox for years as a member of the Australian swim team, and said that it had never impacted upon his performance in the pool. Zolpidem, known as Ambien in the United States of America, is a prescription drug in virtually every country in which it is available. It is considered a Class C drug in the United Kingdom. This means
Your Say On: Honeymooning nomad: On a grown-up gap year
This made me smile as I am getting hitched mid March and we land in London for our own two year working honeymoon on 1 April! yay! Melissa
On: Melbourne Storm win World Club Challenge against Leeds Rhinos Good article, George!! Melbourne look like they’ll be very difficult to keep from winning the competition this year, unfortunately. Hopefully you’ll be able to pop over here and head to Limerick for Australia vs Ireland in the RLWC in November…
Ben
? What’s your view
that it is available when prescribed by a doctor, however supplying it to someone without a prescription can incur serious penalties. So what are the penalties for supplying or possessing a Class C substance without a prescription in the UK? According to legal sources charges for possessing a Class C substance are usually waived by police, however penalties of up to two years in prison and fines are still technically possible. For supplying a Class C drug without a prescription, the penalties are far more severe: up to fourteen years in prison, plus the possibility of an unlimited fine. That is all well and good for the British, I thought to myself, but perhaps regulations are less stringent in Australia? After all, Stilnox is just a sleeping medication isn’t it? Not according to the Therapeutic Goods Amendment Act of 2006. In Australia, Stilnox is considered a Schedule 4 substance. Just like in the UK, it is only available after obtaining a short-term prescription from a doctor and is not intended for long-term use due to the drug’s considerable side-effects. The Australian government typically does not engage in criminal prosecution of individuals or groups that supply Schedule 4 medication without a prescription, however serious civil penalties apply that may result in individuals that unlawfully supply Stilnox incurring court-mandated fines of up to $850 000. It is likely that the swimmers involved in the now infamous Stilnox-fuelled bonding session had no idea that they were doing something wrong when they let their team mates use medication that was not prescribed to them. When we contacted Greater Manchester Police, they told Australian
Times that there was no record of an incident taking place involving the Australian swimming team and said that “given the nature of the allegations, it could well be the sporting bodies themselves who may have dealt with it.” Have they? Have Swimming Australia or the Australian Olympic Committee “dealt with” the fact that some of Australia’s most elite sportspeople have acted in a way that appears to go beyond just being young and foolish? While the men’s relay team is scheduled to face an integrity commission established by Swimming Australia, they have not been stood down or suspended pending the outcome of the investigation. Swimming Australia may not condone the men’s behaviour, but they don’t seem to be taking it with the seriousness that it deserves. The use of prescription medication for recreational purposes has been cited by professionals as one of the biggest issue facing law enforcement agencies. It surpasses traditional narcotics like heroin and cocaine as the most commonly abused type of drug in the world. Using Stilnox as a way of “bonding” is not simply damaging for the swimmers involved. It shows a callous disregard for the positive work of anti-drug campaigners by some of the nation’s most recognisable and (until now) respected athletes. The debate has been about whether the Australian men’s relay team was part of a ‘toxic culture’ or merely irresponsible boys trying to have some fun. Let us not forget that the most ‘toxic’ thing that happened that night was a sleeping pill washed down with a gulp of Red Bull.
On: Aussies crushed by India on day five of the first Test
Australia claims those particular Antarctic waters as hers. It seems strange that the Australian authorities are unwilling to send the Australian Navy in to protect the country’s maritime claims. Normally any S.E. Asian or Chinese boats caught fishing in Australian waters are apprehended. Here they seem to want to let Sea Shepherd keep the issue alive in the media while taking all the risks. Another negative for this government come election day in September.
When India tours Australia they too make changes to pitch to favour India or they like to have fast pitches to support their fast bowlers (for example at Perth). The pitch point which Australian media is making is pointless. Indian pitches are known to support spin so why so much fuss? Australia should include two spinners if they can instead of whining about the pitch condition. Chaitanya
On: Smith rules out sending Navy to Antarctic whaling protest incident
Konkrate
Australia has basically sanctioned lawlessness and piracy. Australia does not seem to care to fight crime and terrorism.
Larry
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‘FBI-style’ taskforce ‘Best Jobs’ in Oz up for grabs to tackle gang crime ...continued from p1
“We’ve taken one of the most successful tourism campaigns in recent times – ‘Best Job in the World’ - and made it bigger and better by coming up with a competition which represents our breath-taking landscapes, our unique wildlife, great food and wine and, of course, our huge sense of fun.” One of the roles available in NSW is titled ‘Chief Funster’. Job requirements include reviewing festivals and events, and tweeting and posting thoughts on living the life of a Sydney VIP. The initiative also seeks to encourage awareness of the work opportunities available to visitors outside of Australia’s major cities.
By Paul Bleakley PRIME Minister Julia Gillard has announced a new joint taskforce designed to crackdown on gangrelated crime across the country, with police directed to seize the assets purchased with the proceeds of crime in an effort to cripple organised criminal networks operating within Australian society. Gillard joined Home Affairs Minister Jason Clare and Australian Federal Police Commissioner Tony Negus in confirming the new taskforce, which she said was closely modelled on the FBI’s Violent Gangs Safe Street Taskforce which has made over 55 000 arrests since its inception in 2001. The Prime Minister said that she believed that a joint taskforce was needed to combat the growing issue of organised crime, with the most significant criminal syndicates operating across a number of different state and federal jurisdictions. The taskforce was formed based on the recommendation of Commissioner Negus, who advised Gillard that the best way to combat organised crime was through the fostering of closer relationships between government agencies. The Home Affairs Minister Jason Clare told The Sunday Telegraph that it was important to implement an asset forfeiture element to the $64 million taskforce’s operations, claiming that stripping criminals of their material possessions would serve as a disincentive to become involved in illicit activity. Clare said: “Money creates power in the criminal underworld and if police have more power to seize assets it will shift that balance. The more power police have to seize their cars, their cash, their jet skis and their houses will make a real difference. People don’t care which level of government is responsible for what - they just want this problem addressed.” Asset forfeiture has become a standard practice for law enforcement agencies in the USA, where the funds obtained from confiscating goods acquired through criminal activity is usually given directly to the police force responsible for investigating and arresting the individuals involved. Police agencies may receive up
to 80% of the profits from asset forfeiture programs. Police in the United Kingdom also utilise asset forfeiture schemes in their fight against organised crime. Leicestershire Police last week listed a lightaircraft that had been used for importing cocaine on auction site eBay for £12 000 and claimed to have earned over £600 000 from selling goods confiscated from criminals. Detective Inspector Greg Maides said that the profit made through these sales was typically funnelled into community projects ranging from law enforcement to social services. Maides said: “It is relatively common to confiscate a criminal’s car, but it’s not often that we make an application to seize a plane so we can’t really predict how the bidding is likely to go. That said, whoever does buy it will do so knowing that their money is being put to good use.” The joint taskforce will establish strike teams in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane with liaisons in place in the other state capitals. It will involve around 70 members from a range of government agencies including the Australian Federal Police, the Australian Crime Commission, Customs, the Department of Immigration, Centrelink, the Australian Tax Office and state police. The establishment of this joint taskforce comes days after collaboration between federal agencies and the NSW state police led to the seizure of a record 585 kilograms of methamphetamines worth around $438 million. Clare pointed to the success of this joint operation as an indication that the government’s moves to improve inter-agency cooperation would have a significant impact in combatting organised crime. An Australian Crime Commission report released this week noted the insidious nature of organised crime in Australian society, claiming that members of the Rebels bikie gang had infiltrated “positions of trust” in a number of government agencies including the Department of Defence.
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The ‘Taste Master’ in Western Australia will eat their way around the state, foraging out the finest produce and uncovering the best bars and restaurants to share online through blogs and tweets. “For many young people, Australia’s Working Holiday Maker visa programmes provide the economic means to fund travel plans. We recognise the high levels of youth unemployment in the UK and Ireland, and encourage young people from both countries to apply for one of the roles and to find out more about experiencing our country on a Working Holiday visa” Mr McEvoy said. Working Holiday Visas are available to UK applicants between the ages of 18-30 to live and work in
Australian for a period of 12 months. A one year extension to the Working Holiday Visa is available if applicants work in regional Australia for at least three months doing specified work. Ben Southall, from Petersfield, Hampshere won the original ‘Best Job in the World’ in 2009, working as a ‘Caretaker’ on the Great Barrier Reef. “Unfortunately for me, my time is up. But luckily for the world ‘The Best Job in the World’ is back. This time there’s not one, but six amazing jobs in Australia up for grabs,” he said. By Thomas Jones
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4 | Exclusive Interview
5 - 11 March 2013
The UK Experience Craig Hassall
n
Aussie expat and newly-appointed CEO of Opera Australia, Craig Hassall, shares his career highlights, mentor’s advice and networking tips with MICHELLE MCCUE. “You are only as good as Craig Hassall is a down-toearth embodiment of the Aussie can-do attitude and openness, qualities which he himself attributes to the success of Australians living in the UK. Having recently been appointed CEO of Opera Australia after a stint in the UK which included heading up the English National Ballet, Hassall is well placed to comment on success. Hassall says about the city that eight million people call home: “Somewhere like London knocks you down a few pegs. “If you are feeling a bit grand about yourself, one trip on the Central Line at 8 o’clock in the morning will soon bring you back to earth. “It has been quite a humbling place to be… so many people here achieve incredible things”. This unassuming philosophy is from the man who will return home to head Australia’s largest arts organisation. The UK influence can be seen in Hassall’s vision for Opera Australia to become national without necessarily embarking on a “road trip”. He also foresees more co-productions, having learnt from experience that “the arts scene is truly an international one”, and will encourage “the possibility of British firms having a higher presence in Australia in terms of sponsorship”. Hassall’s journey to arts supremo began at age eleven with a scholarship to The Scots College in Sydney, where an inspiring English teacher went far beyond his obligations organising outings to see contemporary dance, opera, ballet and theatre. This led to initial acting aspirations, but Hassall soon realised that there was no money in that. Instead, he gained a Bachelor of Economics from the University of Sydney and began as a Planning
Coordinator at Opera Australia in 1987. Donald McDonald, who was then head of Opera Australia at the time, became a life-long mentor and role model of “how to be a CEO”. Hassall progressed to General Manager of the Bell Shakespeare Company, returned to Opera Australia as Marketing Manager and then became Deputy General Manager at the Sydney Theatre Company. His next career move was the game-changer. He was appointed General Manager of the multi-disciplinary portfolio: Image, Special Events and Olympic Festivals for the Sydney Olympic Games.
“Being an Aussie… there is a sense that we are quite can-do and seem to be perceived as up for anything.” It was at this point he received invaluable advice; keep horizons wide and remain open to opportunities. Hassall began to contemplate a move overseas. In 2005 he relocated to London to become Managing Director of the English National Ballet (ENB). He explains: “I was headhunted for the job at the Ballet and I suspect that part of the attraction was my Olympics experience, because if you (only) have local experience, it is hard to translate that abroad.” He embraced London life with zeal, trying to see every play, concert and exhibition until he realised that he did not have enough time or money to do so. Now he recommends joining whatsonstage.com for offers and previews; and signing up to “every email bulletin that you can”. Most importantly, he advises “jump in there” as shows sell-out quickly.
Visit: AustralianTimes.co.uk/move-to-australia In association with
your last meeting and your life before you came here is not so relevant. You can reinvent yourself; you can be whatever you want to be.”
Hassall’s creative thinking was to enable the ENB’s participation in the tribute Concert for Diana in 2007 alongside Elton John, Lily Allen and Tom Jones, hosted at Wembley Stadium. The concert’s organisers, Prince William and Prince Harry, were keen for the ENB to perform as the late Princess of Wales was its patron. Hassall says: “Normally in ballet, we would say that this is impossible because we don’t perform in a stadium and we need a sprung floor … but we put our heads together and decided that this (opportunity) is too good to pass up.” With imagination and drive, the ENB re-adjusted the choreography for a steel deck concert platform with linoleum and adjusted the dancers’ lifts to avoid “too much jumping up and down”. The full ENB orchestra was brought to Wembley to recreate the magic of the ten minute Swan Lake finale for the concert which was broadcast on the BBC. This entrepreneurial spirit was honed during the Sydney Olympics. Hassall recalls: “There were a lot of people who were doing this for the first time. There were huge expectations. “A lot of the time (you were) flying by the seat of your pants.” His best career advice came from the then Lord Mayor of Sydney: “It is easier to apologise afterwards than to seek approval.” Ten years later, the British working culture was to prove very different. “Can I say this?”, he asks diplomatically, “it is a little bit more bureaucratic here”. He was appointed Artistic Advisor to the London Olympics and found the checks and balances and layers of approval involved “a little frustrating at times”. Although he was impressed by both Olympics cultural offerings, he felt in London that “it took a lot longer to get there”. Hassall’s current role - Chief Operating Officer at touring promoter Raymond Gubbay - has taught valuable him lessons for the future. “Raymond is incredibly vigilant about cost control and at the same time keeps prices as low as possible and has a very populist approach to presenting classical music and ballet.” A further influence has been Tony Hall, the new BBC Director-General. Hassall enthuses: “Every time I meet him, he always has time for a chat and he’s obviously hugely busy with all he does but you never feel that you are rushed along.” In fact, it is a philosophy Hassall seems to have personally adopted, as he has been patiently and politely answering all my questions even though our interview time has run over. On his imminent return to Sydney to take up his new appointment, Hassall has learnt “to be confident in your sense of place, the importance of your identity”. He adds “most people over here view Australia so positively – friendly people, fantastic work ethic, great landscape – so we as Australians should be capitalizing on that idea and not trying to be another Manhattan or Notting Hill. I’ve realised that you need to be very clear of your cultural assets.”
Career Advice On networking
“Pretty much all the jobs that I’ve had in my career were through someone I knew. I wouldn’t be afraid to cold call people. “I am always thinking how can I help you; how can you help me; how can we find a project that is mutually beneficial. And you have to kiss a lot of frogs metaphorically as well.”
On London
“It can be daunting coming to a big city like London. You are only as good as your last meeting and your life before you came here is not so relevant. You can reinvent yourself; you can be whatever you want to be.”
On being yourself
“Be fairly open and incredibly honest. There is no point pretending to be someone you are not.”
On the Arts scene
“Volunteering is very helpful, providing advice to the industry, going along to industry seminars at (places
like) the Arts Council. You have got to be actively involved. Just get to know other people in whichever way you can and it’s incredible how that leads to other opportunities.”
On Australians
Employers appreciate “a sense of commitment, willingness, flexibility and leaping in boots and all. The Australian work ethic is really much appreciated in the UK. “Being an Aussie, there is a sense that we are quite can-do and we seem to be perceived as up for anything. We call a spade a spade and that really serves you well when you are interacting with people here.”
On Europe
“Keep your horizons wide. Don’t limit yourself just to the UK, look to Europe as well. Don’t think that London is the be-all and end-all, you have major centres in the UK with brilliant career opportunities: Manchester, Salford, Bristol, and Edinburgh... These cities are bigger than most Australian cities.”
UK Life | 5
AustralianTimes.co.uk
London: Challenge Accepted Honeymooning Nomad Jacqui Moroney
In my experience, you can’t fully appreciate travel unless you take part in the entire process - from wringing out your dirty socks and undies in the hotel shower to finding an incredible patisserie in Paris for a quick afternoon tea, and some people watching. I feel the same way about living in a new city. The excitement I have when exploring London is the same that I would have as a traveller in any other city or country. Even though we
moved to London six months ago, I feel like we are still tourists, albeit without the need to wash clothes in the shower. I have decided to make the most of our next 66 weekends here (yes, I counted) and be a live-in tourist rather than just another ex-pat that simply lives in London. Each week I try to do something new or discover a place I have never been. To share the views of Napoleon Bonaparte “Impossible is a word found only in the dictionary of fools”. So I am not going to say it is an impossible task… I am simply going to say that I have set myself a task. So, in the effort to achieve my task, this past weekend we learned all about the body snatchers of the early 1800s, the 1666 Great Fire of London and horrendous effects of the Black Death at the Museum of London. Then, on Sunday, I enjoyed the most delicious afternoon tea on the 8th floor of the Oxo Tower with some lovely ladies. We watched the sun disappear behind the London Eye at sunset. Other weekends I have found myself on a scavenger hunt through Southbank, rummaging through the various markets scattered across the city and testing my fear of heights on the London Eye and the newly opened Shard (a Valentine’s Day surprise for our first V Day as “honeymooners”). With so much happening in London every month, it is no wonder tens of thousands of people flock here every year, despite
the dreary weather reports and tales of pompous English. I am determined to experience as much of London as I possibly can in the limited time we have. It will take something extraordinary for us to experience all that London has to offer before our time is up. My trick is to accept the challenges in front of me and say ‘yes’ to as many things as possible (within reason). I have a feeling that this theory will be both good and bad – by saying ‘yes’ I have been able to experience so much of London already. It also means that I have somehow committed myself to a to a dip in the Serpentine. In the words of my favourite sitcom character, “challenge accepted”.
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A rivalry as old as time, the London cross-city divide, takes on a whole new dimension when you add Australians to the mix.
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It is a rivalry that is as old as time itself. The dispute has caused conflict and untold heartache. It has divided former friends down partisan lines, and has imposed an invisible yet impenetrable barrier straight through the centre of one of the world’s oldest and most culturally rich cities. It’s the east-west divide. It’s most significant impact, however, can be felt within the Australian community in London. It is only a matter of days after arriving to try your luck in the United Kingdom before you are forced to answer the question that will define your London experience: are you an east London person or a south/west London person? You can find Australians scattered throughout Greater London, from Wimbledon in the south to Enfield in the north, and from Dagenham in the east to Hounslow in the west. Despite our proliferation throughout the city, we have traditionally been found in two distinct enclaves: the southern region around Clapham and the western region constituted by the Hammersmith, Fulham and Acton bubble. Comparisons made by native Londoners are usually between the more affluent west London and the working class (yet increasingly trendy) east London. It would be a crucial mistake to think about the Australian community in London in this way: to ignore the bustling
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community around Clapham would be to ignore the realities of modern London where you could throw a stone in south London and hit three Australians wearing shorts in the middle of winter. You cannot underestimate the division that even the south/west rivalry can cause in a group of friends. A night of cheap beer at the Belvedere could not lure a Clapham local to Acton, and getting home from Infernos is enough to put any Fulham resident from having a late night in the south. However, add the east of the city to the mix, and you might as well be talking about Glasgow in the eyes of some Australians. I was speaking to an Acton-based friend recently and
mentioned that I was considering a move to Bow or Bethnal Green to try out the eastside of the city. She said it was unfortunate, because we wouldn’t ever get to hang out. I was flummoxed, and told her I was only going to the other side of town, a mere Tube journey away. “In a city like London, the east might as well be on a different planet,” she said. The walls have gone up around the Australian enclaves in London, and it seems that living outside the West London bubble or Clapham is tantamount to finding yourself excommunicated from the Aussie community. Choose your sides wisely, fellow traveller.
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6 | UK Life
5 - 11 March 2013
Hypochondriacs Beware
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Feeling sick? Usually you’d make a doctor’s appointment. However, as our resident adventurer discovers, there may just be an alternative if you’re the self-diagnosis type; #96 on the Timeout London Top 100 – the Wellcome Collection. bron in
the don BRONWYN SPENCER
Every day on …
THE Wellcome (not a misprint) Collection, number 96 on the Top 100, is advertised as ‘a free destination for the incurably curious’. As someone who has been diagnosed with a serious case of curiosity, a visit to this place was just what my doctor prescribed. Tucked next to the Wellcome Trust on Euston Road, the Wellcome Collection is a museum which explores the connections between medicine, life and art in the past, present and future. On the ground floor there is a space for temporary scientific or medical themed exhibitions. Last year they displayed an exhibit called Superhuman, which showcased all forms of human body enhancement, from prosthetics to lipstick. Up until recently, the space was occupied by the aptly titled Death: A portrait. If the idea of an open casket freaks you out, don’t worry, this exhibit is not what you expect. Rather than portraits of corpses, it is more an exploration of how different cultures deal with death. As I wandered into the morgue… I mean, the exhibit… I was happily surprised to see beautiful paintings and sculptures, historical artefacts including
skulls, and scientific specimens. The highlight was a massive info graphic that showed the fatality rates of various causes of death and how they are linked. It surprised me that certain types of cancer were less deadly than things like heart disease. At the end of the exhibit was a spiral staircase with the sign Medicine Man. It was time to peek into the life of Sir Henry Wellcome, who the museum is named after. Sir Henry devoted his life to discovering, exploring and collecting everything related to medicine. From a collection of scientific beakers to statues of ethnic dolls, this random collection made me question whether Sir Henry was in fact a hoarder? There were however, a few things that were amazing to see.
Ready, set, Pret n
Abundance: a very large quantity of something. London is all about abundance. Buses, pubs, people, and Pret A Manger’s.
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By Thomas Jones When I first visited London, I was staying at a hostel, walking distance to Oxford Street. My first impression of the city? The weather? No. The shopping? No. The architecture? No. F*@& there are a lot of Pret A Manger’s? Yes. Would you believe there is a ‘Find a Pret’ section on their website? Slightly superfluous, given they are everywhere, on every block. You can’t turn a corner without seeing that maroon deco
typeface, bookended by two fivepointed stars. They also offer a delivery service, which I find completely absurd. How lazy do you have to be to organise a delivery from a shop already at your doorstep. It’s almost as senseless as asking a colleague sitting right next to you a question via email. However, since it was first established almost 30 years ago, this convenience has been key to both the company’s ethos, and their products. The first shop was opened in
Two of my favourites were Florence Nightingales moccasin slippers – still with intricate beading – and Napoleon Bonaparte’s toothbrush, bizarre but historic none-the-less. From here we wandered into the section on modern science – my favourite part of the museum. With so much to see, it was hard to know where to start. The human made out of fat, or artworks made out of pills? Oh, decisions! Interestingly, this section explained the way modern science has aided, and in some cases hindered the human body. It was also quite interactive, a welcome change from just gazing at objects through glass. Like all good places the Wellcome Collection had a café, which was an ideal place to sit and reflect on this curious place. Hampstead, northwest London, in 1983 by the founder of Food & Drink Innovation Network, Jeffrey Hyman. Together with a group of stakeholders from ad agencies and the showbiz industry, they created an outlet focussed on food that was gourmet and readyto-eat. The shop, the design, and the food were all about sophistication and convenience. I stopped learning French in year 7. Therefore ‘manger’ to me was still the crib where Jesus slept. So when I first invited a friend to lunch at ‘Pret A Manger’ my pronunciation was vulgar to say-the-least. The name itself, which I have since learnt is French for ‘Ready to Eat’, was coined by Hyman’s sister Valerie, a fashion Guru, who morphed the title from Pret A Porter, meaning ready to wear. The correct pronunciation is Pret a Man Jay. For those less confident, ‘Pret’ will suffice. When the original store closed, the company was sold to college friends, Sinclair Beecham and Julian Metcalfe, who have built and expanded Pret A Manger into a company which turns over around £380 million a year. Only upon visiting one of the approximately 230 stores in the UK did I alter my mindset from ‘why are there so many’, to ‘thank god there are so many’. At lunchtime they are all packed. Workers are in and out in zero time with a ready-to-eat sandwich, baguettes, wrap or salad. The demand is extremely high. And the supply is delicious.
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Food & Wine | 7
AustralianTimes.co.uk
Worth its salt Coffee Cult visits Pimlico Fresh in Pimlico
By Alex Ivett
I have a long commute. Well, not long by Sydney standards, but long enough in London to make Tube travel on the weekend an unfavorable prospect. Every weekday morning I head off along the Victoria line, chugging along amongst a sea of bobbing heads, mentally ticking off a now familiar litany of stations. Somewhere after the moshpit of Highbury Islington, out empties half the carriage at Oxford Circus, another half again at Victoria. Then we pull into Pimlico, and nothing much happens. No one really gets on, and no one gets off. Commuters carry on to be transported across the river, oblivious to the goingson above ground at this quiet station. So come the weekend I’ve decided to venture further afield than the usual 2km radius from my house, and better understand the route I take every day to work. The harried commuters are gone, although Oxford Circus is still abuzz with the comings and goings of weekend shoppers. Pimlico arrives, and I venture forth. A lone soul seeking out the curiosities that lie above.
The Craic Pimlico is a small slice of the suburbs in the heart of a big city. Ordered streets, well-tended gardens, and a set of shops with a decidedly local neighbourhood feel. It brings to mind the structured surburbia of Sydney. The set of shops forming the focal point of the local community, radiating out from the centre. Hit the circumference and you’re at once amongst the busy construction site of Victoria station, or the well-todo shopping streets of Belgravia.
n
This week Maze Grill’s Head Chef Chris Arkadieff shows us the secret to locking in flavour – baking in a delicious salt crust.
chris’s
kitchen
> CHRIS ARKadieff
Baking in salt involves burying food in a sand-like mixture of salt and egg white. The salt insulates the food, cooking it gently and evenly. The technique of baking ingredients in salt has been around for centuries, and is used to enhance the flavour of vegetables and fish. This week we will prepare a salt baked celeriac, which will hold centre stage on the table. This dish is perfect for sharing and produces a However, back at its heart, it’s just locals buying their weekend camembert from the cheese shop, and artichoke slices from the market. Small wonder then that buzzy Pimlico Fresh is very much a local deli/casual café. Residents stopping by for a fresh salad from the deli counter and takeaway coffee, or crowding into the few seats with their babies, and dogs; spreading their bags and newspapers across the main communal table before considering the options chalked up on the wall.
flavor which is hard to beat. The salt crust dries out under the heat of the oven and forms a baked clay-like cocoon, protecting and locking in the flavours of what’s inside. Mix in a generous handful of fresh herbs such as rosemary and thyme to add extra flavor to the dish. When the dish comes out of the oven crack open the hardened, golden salt shell to unearth the buried treasure. This cooking method can be used on fish, potatoes, game and fruits. The crust recipe remains the same but the cooking times need to be adjusted depending on what is inside.
Celeriac baked in a salt crust
The Crucials The coffee is … pretty. Can I leave it at that? The flat white has a perfect rosetta, but is slightly burnt and bitter. Perhaps a one off, as Pimlico Fresh has all the hallmarks of a place that should know what they’re doing in the coffee department. The menu is not extensive, but has the basics covered. Eggs on toast and baked eggs, porridge and French
toast all feature. No bells and whistles really – just big plates of hearty breakfasts, served up with efficiency. In fact, so much efficiency that there’s barely enough time between placing my order at the counter, and having a creamy plate of scrambled eggs on thick slices of toast placed in front of me to cover with my companion the two introductory topics of any UK conversation – the weather, and the means of transport used to arrive at said location. I manage to cover both in between polishing off my entire meal, plus half of hers – soft avocado salsa and cherry tomatoes smushed onto grainy bread.
The Connection Australian. Finally. Weeks of being shown up by New Zealanders, and Coffee Cult is back on track. Pimlico Fresh is Australian owned (though we weren’t able to source a name) and entirely staffed by Australians and New Zealanders – apparently admired by the owner for their work ethic.
The Conclusion If I were a local, I’m sure this would be a favourite. So much so that the mainly Aussie staff would know my name and coffee order without asking. I would hide on the small back table with my weekend papers, and dwell over big plates of fresh eggs brought to my table with smiling efficiency. As it is, I’m not a local. So I’ll leave these Pimlicans to their canines and chatter, and whiz back up to the nor-east with a full belly and a story to tell of my adventures down south.
What you need
• 2 small celeriac • 550g of plain flour • 600g of salt • 9 egg whites • 300ml of water
What to do
• Preheat the oven to 160˚C. • Wash the celeriac and trim off any roots. • Combine the flour, salt, egg whites and water, and mix thoroughly to form a paste. • Place a small amount of the paste on a baking tray to act as the base for the celeriac.
• Place the celeriac flat side down on the paste base and spread the remainder over the celeriac, making sure each piece is completely covered. • Bake in the oven for 3 hours. • After 3 hours, or once the pastry forms a hard, golden crust around the celeriac, remove from the oven. • Use a strong metal spatula to loosen the base of each of the celeriac before lifting it from the baking tray. • Use the heel of a knife to make small cracks around the top of the crust to expose the celeriac. • Remove from the salt crust and enjoy.
8 | Entertainment
What’s On
5 - 11 March 2013
Six Australians shortlisted for the Spankingly good ballet 2013 World Photography Awards n One of Australia’s most recognisable
ballet stars is back on stage this month at London’s Royal Opera House.
Alison Jiear @2-3 March St. James Theatre
By Will Fitz-gibbon
Olivia Newton-John 13 March @ Royal Albert Hall Tommy Emmanuel 16 March @ Shepherd’s Bush Empire The Jezabels 22 March @Barfly Camden Pam Ann 28-29 March @ Hammersmith Apollo Sarah Blasko 11 April @Barbican Centre Xavier Rudd 24 June @Koko Tame Impala 25 June @ Hammersmith Apollo Ben Harper & Charlie Musselwhite 16 July @ Shepherd’s Bush Empire
For full details... ...and more Aussie gigs go to: AustralianTimes.co.uk/entertainment
See what we are following this week on
Hugh Jackman to the rescue @nicolejeffery Rescued by Hugh Jackman, who continues to make life harder for all other men. @mo_brady I’d trip over my dress too if it meant Hugh Jackman leapt to his feet to help me up. @thomaslennon Hugh Jackman just did exactly what Jean Valjean would have done. @Molly23 JLaw! When Hugh Jackman runs to help you up, YOU STAY DOWN UNTIL HE GETS TO YOU.
Beneath the Horizon: © Nathan Wills, Australia, Shortlist, Travel, Open Competition 2013 Sony World Photography Awards
By Thomas Jones The 2013 Sony World Photography Awards brings together the very best in international photography and showcases the world’s finest emerging and established photography talents. This year six Australians have been shortlisted in a number of categories. Recognised as the leading global photographic awards program in existence, this year saw 122,000 entries from 170 countries – the highest number of submissions since the awards was launched in 2008. Selecting a shortlist was a long and arduous process. Chairman of the Honorary Jury Catherine Chermayeff described the three days of judging as “invigorating”. “I think we all, the jurors, began this process and felt overwhelmed. I am delighted to say that by day three each group proudly presented and argued for our respective shortlists. Closer examination and debate resulted in surprising strength in the shortlist submissions across all categories.” The judges selected a shortlist of photographs that stood out beyond all others for their impressive high quality, originality and modern appeal. Amongst the Australians selected in the Professional Category is Adam Pretty. Pretty, who has previously worked as a sports photographer for Getty Images, now takes photos for advertisements for brands including Adidas and Nike. He submitted a series of images from the London
© Michael Wilkie, Australia, Shortlist, Environment, Youth 2013 Sony World Photography Awards Olympics capturing the Australian diver Melissa Wu, as well as the Men’s 100m final. Nathan Wills, a landscape photographer who has been taking photos since 2010 was shortlisted in the Open Competition for his photo Beneath the Horizon. “My partner was getting her flippers on and I was already prepared and ready to get in so I swam out to see if I could get this shot, I could have never imagined that in a million years I would have a turtle just cruising by at the moment I stuck my head under. How blessed.” The awards for the Open Category and Professional Category are announced in March and April respectively. The 2013 Sony World Photography Awards Exhibition will display the work of all shortlisted photographers at Somerset House from 26 April – 12 May.
Steven McRae, Principal with The Royal Ballet, is currently performing in one of a three-piece spectacle at Covent Garden. The flame-haired dancer from Sydney, with a penchant for drag racing, features in the new work 24 Preludes by Russian choreographer Alexei Ratmansky. Critics have praised McRae’s performance and at last Saturday’s matinee it prompted some of the loudest applause. Ratmansky’s 40 minute composition is his first for The Royal Ballet. Each of the 24 preludes, to the music of the same name by Frederic Chopin, is choreographed. Some dances are stronger than others and towards the end a collective thought bubble of “quality over quantity” seemed to appear above the audience’s heads. But the dancers are uniformly spectacular. Many of the short dances, some as brief as half a minute, are impressive occasions for well-sculpted calf muscles to be displayed. Ballet-goers in Australia should keep an eye out for Ratamansky, who is set to choreograph a new version of Cinderella for The Australian Ballet at the end of this year. Aeternum, the second premiere of the night, is a new creation by British choreographer Christopher Wheeldon. It uses the mesmorising Sinfonia da Requiem of Benjamin Britten, in homage to the 2013 centenary of the British composer’s birth. The Royal Opera House is well down the path of bringing ballet to
n
Aussie teen sensation Cody Simpson wowed fans at London’s IndigO2 on Friday 1 March as he tours the UK and Europe.
For more information, visit worldphoto.org.
Bolted: ©Adam Pretty, Australia, Finalist, Sport, Professional Competition, 2013 Sony World Photography Awards/Getty Images
@melissadoyle Gentleman award goes to @ RealHughJackman for stepping forward to help Jennifer Lawrence as she stumbled! Awww
Follow us on Twitter @AustralianTimes
Fish out of Water: © Ryan Pierse, Australia, Finalist, Sport, 2013 Sony World Photography Awards/ Getty Images
Apollo/Aeternum/24 Preludes continues until 14 March. See www. roh.org.uk for more information.
Cody Simpson at IndigO2
@itscarinae I fell in love with Hugh Jackman even more for sprinting to Jennifer Lawrence’s side after she fell @nessienakivell When Hugh ran to help Jen he was the biggest Hugh Jackman this world has ever seen. He out Hugh Jackmaned himself to the highest degree.
a larger audience by taking events beyond the halls of Covent Garden to cinemas and outdoor locations. One particular success relating to this current performance is the Royal Ballet’s use of YouTube. Before or after the performance, watching videos of rehearsals of Aeternum and 24 Preludes can help break down the specialised world of ballet. “Don’t pose yourself and spank it,” says Wheeldon to his dancers during a rehearsal for Aeternum. But the performance’s draw card is the 85 year-old classic Apollo. With music by Stravinsky and choreography by Balanchine, the output of this creative duo beats anything made on this season of My Kitchen Rules. Apollo is as close as this current production gets to the classical tutu wearing of popular imagination; a man in a white leotard strums an ivory lute while three attractive women approach him en pointe. Its mythological inspiration allows for significant drama and for spectacular movement, generously offered by the four main dancers.
Images by Justin Ng
Travel | 9
AustralianTimes.co.uk
n
Remember the sun? It’s not just a myth, as RICHARD POWELL discovers in balmy Bermuda. A tropical paradise in the North Atlantic Ocean, Bermuda is an ideal place to relax and defrost.
In a room that wouldn’t look out of place in an English stately manor, a portrait of a young Queen Elizabeth II hangs high, reigning over all who pass through security at Bermuda’s LF Wade International Airport – a royal welcome for visitors to Britain’s oldest overseas territory. Arriving on the Bermuda Islands or ‘Somers Isles’ is an experience all of its own; the airport’s runway sits seemingly inches above the waves on reclaimed land at the north-east point of the volcanic archipelago, providing a spectacular ocean landing. Upon arrival visitors pass through a time-warped gateway echoing colonial days past, built with cutting-edge engineering, into a giant clubhouse where some of the wealthiest people on the planet live, and play. It’s an easy choice, if you can afford it. The average cost of a house on any of the eight main islands is around a million dollars (US). Closer to Canada than the Caribbean (and just a
90-minute hop from New York’s JFK), Bermuda’s winter-busting climate is kept warm by the Gulf Stream. So, while the US east coast was lashed by Superstorm Sandy, New Yorkers with money to burn were golfing or paddling about in a pool here, taking care to avoid sunstroke.
Rolling out the pink sand Patches of coastline that do not contain an adjoining jetty crampacked with luxury yachts are a rarity, though un-spoilt beaches can still be found. Perched on limestone cliffs overlooking its own secluded beach, the family-run The Reefs Spa Hotel provides a relaxed island welcome. It’s located at the opposite end of the ‘mainland’ (Bermuda actually comprises more than 300 islands) from where the airport is situated. The transfer is brief: the entire landmass being just 21 square miles. The Reefs offers privacy and outstanding views of the
pink-sand coastline. Bermudians take great pride in their unique rose-tinted beaches, which are formed from pulverised corals and mollusc shells. Locals even defied royal protocol and paid tribute to the sands, by rolling out a pink, not red, welcome carpet for the Queen on her last visit. My arrival at the Reefs, while minus the pink carpet, was capped off with a deftly prepared Dark ‘n’ Stormy highball, the national drink of choice, accompanied by a warm sea breeze and ocean views. Home quickly felt like an eternity away. Serving the local catch and imported steaks, the hotel’s Royston’s restaurant (one of three restaurants at the hotel) is a European-style grill house with an open kitchen, allowing diners to watch the chefs do their thing from the comfort of tables... by the fireplace. For a sub-tropical island, fireplaces are a common quirk in restaurants and hotel lobbies, installed for aesthetic purposes only. It’s hard to imagine Bermudians huddling around the fire, rubbing their hands together for warmth on any day of the year. Pampering features highly at The Reefs, and when you’re not letting your afternoons drift by in the cliffedge infinity pool (a sweet spot at sundown), or swimming in the sea, you’ll be in and out of the hotel’s spa centre taking advantage of some seriously relaxing holistic treatments. From a smorgasbord of head-to-toe elixirs, I opted for a lime and ginger salt glow rubdown. A men’s facial at
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10 | Travel
5 - 11 March 2013
Head to Hamilton
the Mandarin-operated Elbow Beach Hotel down the road in Paget parish, also proved invigorating and expertly administered in five-star surroundings.
A private Oasis
Though the island nation remains British, proximity to the US means there are strong connections to both sides of the pond. Local currency is pegged to the US dollar, which can be used interchangeably. And many Bermudians even speak with American accents – perhaps gained during periods of study there, as Bermuda has no universities. Bermuda’s visitors are mostly stateside residents and guests coming to enjoy the sub-tropical climate. Famous US residents you might see strolling along The Front in Hamilton could include New York City Mayor (and billionaire) Michael Bloomberg, and actor Michael Douglas with his wife Catherine Zeta-Jones. But many of the island’s wealthiest people are largely anonymous, profiting from its status as a leading global business centre for insurance and offshore financial services. This industry supports Bermuda’s soaring per capita income, which is among the highest in the world. A tight network of exclusive private members’ clubs exists across the islands allowing the high rollers of this sector to interact out of sight, and earshot of the common tourist. One such venue, undoubtedly the most beautiful, and sprawling, is the Bermuda Run Country Club, renowned for its 36-hole international championship golf course. The club represents to the island what the Wentworth estate is to Virginia Water in Surrey; a private oasis within another, supposedly public, island.
As the capital of Bermuda since 1815, Hamilton is home to many of the island’s shops, restaurants and almost all of its nightlife (except on Sunday nights, where it’s The Cellar at the Fairmont hotel). Within the town’s centre, the 350-year old Waterlot Inn Restaurant is the jewel. Its steak-tasting trio of Prime Rib Eye, Niman Ranch Filet Mignon and Wagyu Striploin come highly recommended. Hamilton’s seafront promenade offering views across the new harbor is the perfect way to walk off a heavy lunch.
What to do?
The island is a cinch to explore on two wheels. By simply hiring a scooter from a shop by the hotel, soon you will be careering along coastal roads, bathed in a golden glow with the blue expanse of sea and sky at your side: a truly life-affirming experience... even if everyone else seems to have the same idea. It can often seem that there are more mopeds on this small island than there are bicycles in all of Amsterdam. Driving on the left, along narrow roads originally built for horse carts, may not be suited to all visitors, especially for those from the US, or any other country that drives on the right and is used to lanes-a-plenty. Thankfully though, strict island rules on engine sizes mean you’ll never see a Humvee barrelling towards you, guzzling the island’s precious fuel supplies or hogging both lanes on the road. Once you’ve had your fill of scooter excursions, there are many other ways to explore the island’s scenic interior. For more secluded strolls, the island’s disused ‘railway tracks’ offer silent, shady trails. The rails have long been pulled up to leave lush bridleways and footpaths. There is the mile-long path in Paget, which resembles a
Travel | 11
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veritable herbal garden. Dr Kuni Frith-Black, a former Miss Bermuda, can guide you and explain how the vast array of flora that grows in this area can be used to cook all manner of dishes, and cure common ailments. For horse-lovers seeking al fresco action, Spicelands Riding Centre in Warwick provides a scenic hack across the tranquil south shore. The ride passes the picture-postcard Jobson’s Cove and Chaplin Bay, where sparkling waters crash against circles of rocks to form sandy secret gardens. For more experienced riders, to avoid an hour-long plod with newbies, be sure to book a private ride which will give you the opportunity to gallop along the sandbanks. Lovers of the life aquatic will also enjoy the hands-on Dolphin Quest, offering visitors the chance to touch, swim with, and even kiss a dolphin. Swapping the surface of Bermuda for the world beneath, the stunning Crystal Cave – found by chance a hundred years ago by boys searching for a cricket ball – is a must. Descending into the depths, a floating pontoon pathway carries you over deep azure pools to inspect its 30-millionyear-old chandelier clusters, hanging majestically at every turn.
Barracks is the true success story of this neglected area’s painstaking renovation. Fully-restored to its former splendour, the building now houses an elaborate museum allowing visitors to take in the island’s rich history. A must-see inside the museum is the Hall of History by Bermudian artist Graham Foster. The grand mural of the nation covers 1,000 square feet of the basement walls and took the artist three years to complete.
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Richard Powell is a freelance journalist who also works for the Press Release Distribution, Media Monitoring and Public Relations firm, Presswire, but does not work with or for any of the parties mentioned in this article.
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12 | Professional Life
5 - 11 March 2013
Why would anyone buy a property overseas? n
The current combination of world property market, foreign currency rates and economic factors are presenting a unique opportunity for those considering purchasing property overseas. your money
> Daniel Shillito
Why do people buy property overseas today? Do you want a holiday home at your favourite ski or beach location? A regular escape to the place you dream of one day calling home – at least more often? Many of us would like to own or keep in the family that second home in a country where parents or other relatives still live. Buying a family property could help those relatives live better in retirement, and keep family connections alive. In the past these were the major reasons people bought overseas, however increasingly today more people are buying for investment purposes. In the current economic times several unique factors have converged at once to make the overseas purchase decision an even more compelling and attractive one. If you have been looking at property for some time, or you have a favourite overseas destination that you love and keep going back to, or even if you have considered retiring there one day, then now is a compelling time to act.
“Property prices, like share prices and economic conditions, all move in cycles, so that prices don’t usually stay the way they are for too long, in attractive locations.”
Why? Well, let’s consider this rare situation that is occurring today, particularly for the Australian investor overseas.
The Exchange Rate
The Australian dollar is enjoying unprecedented highs against the US dollar, the Euro and the Sterling, to name but a few of the major currencies. Against the US dollar it has never been this high, generally speaking, since deregulation of the monetary system in the early eighties. What this means effectively is your Australian dollar will buy roughly 30% more US dollars or English pounds than it ever has before. This means the property you find will actually cost you around 30% less than what it would have cost you before the great appreciation in the dollar. This means more attractive buying conditions and a faster route to property wealth now, compared to 4-5 years ago, for any given property overseas, especially in these major markets.
Property prices overseas
It’s no secret that property in Europe and the US has taken a battering over the last 4-5 years as a result of the credit crisis. At the same time the Aussie dollar is strong, property prices in overseas markets like France, Spain, Italy and the UK, are depressed. As a result if property prices were depressed by 30% according to a real estate expert in the market you choose, then together with the currency effect, you could be buying property at 60% less than prices 4-5 years ago. Property prices, like share prices and economic conditions, all move
in cycles, so that prices don’t usually stay the way they are for too long, in attractive locations.
“In the current economic times several unique factors have converged at once to make the overseas purchase decision a compelling and attractive one.” Australian prices and current trends
Whilst continents like Europe and North America have suffered greatly from the credit crisis, Australia and Asia to date have remain largely unscathed, prompting some experts to rename it the “Northern Hemisphere financial crisis” rather than a global one. Australian property has not experienced across the board declines of 30 or 40%. Relative to these northern hemisphere markets then, Australia is seen as expensive to many experts. This would seem to indicate potentially better buying conditions elsewhere. Of course, just like any kind of investment, every property opportunity is not the same, and one cannot assume that simply buying “anywhere” in a depressed market will guarantee high growth and great value.
Interest rates
Australia has some of the highest interest rates in the Western world, and this is a reflection of our comparatively sound economic situation. Rates on average can be
between 2-3% higher than equivalent mortgages for property in Europe and the US. Hence the largest ongoing cost of maintaining a mortgaged property is clearly much less if buying overseas. This translates to a significant saving in interest compared to buying the same value property at home in Australia.
Australian tax benefits
There will be some tax considerations for any international purchase. You must seek advice as to how your property will be treated, for instance, if you rent it out, or if you decide to sell the property (capital gains tax treatment for example). However since Australians are taxed on their worldwide income, this means that whilst any rental income is assessable here, all your interest costs and property maintenance costs will also be tax deductible as well, in accordance with Australian law.
Summary
The current combination of world property market, foreign currency and economic factors is quite extraordinary, and it’s a combination that may never be repeated again. Of course you may not ever have a need or desire to own property offshore, in which case these factors are simply a curious phenomenon right now. However for those who either have specific needs like family overseas or otherwise are looking to diversify and grow their wealth, now is the time for reviewing plans in light of present opportunities, and the time for taking action. You need to be aware that Australian lenders will not lend you money to buy property overseas. This is primarily because they are either
unable or unwilling to take the property as appropriate security for the loan. There may be legal complications in claiming and selling property overseas in the case you default on your mortgage and these are risks banks may not be prepared to take – risks they do not encounter at home in Australia. Hence you need an overseas bank active in the market of your choice to grant you a loan. This lending process is similar to Australian lending in some respects, like the fact there are limits based on maximum loan amounts compared to property value. However it is different in other respects, like the nature of the process, costs involved, property law, and the time it takes to obtain the mortgage. Not all countries have an efficient mortgage market. It is for this reason that it is imperative you talk with a professional early on in your purchasing process, to make sure finance is ready and not a roadblock when it comes time to settle on your overseas purchase. Daniel Shillito is an overseas mortgage broker, CPA and Expat specialist at Aussie Finance and Property Group. Daniel can be contacted on Ph. 020 3239 0479 or visit www.aussiefpgroup.com Daniel and his company My Financial Life are Authorised Representatives (AFS number 306941 and 387510) of Patron Financial Services Limited, AFSL 307379
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Slater & Gordon plan UK expansion n
Slater & Gordon intend to expand their UK presence, after first half revenue figures recorded a 61% increase in net profit.
By Thomas Jones AFTER releasing encouraging revenue and profit figures, Slater & Gordon, one of Australia’s most successful and well-known plaintiff law firms, are looking to cement their recent expansion into the British market. The firm’s revenue for the first half increased 46.5% to $145.7 million. The UK offices generated
The sky's the limit! Get the inside track on life in the UK including help with British citizenship exams. Call Steve on: 07710 692550 or Email: ward.stephen@sky.com
almost a quarter ($34.3 million) of this total figure. Overall, the net profit for the period was $19.1 million, 61 per cent higher than the previous corresponding period. Slater & Gordon have decided that these promising figures are a good indicator that greater and more aggressive expansion in the UK is possible. Founded in 1935 in Melbourne Slater & Gordon have a long history as a big player in the legal market in Australia, specialising in insurance claims, commercial, family and asbestos-related law. Prime Minister Julia Gillard famously worked for the firm in the nineties. Their first foray into the British market was the $53.8 million acquisition of Russell Jones & Walker in April 2012, less than 12 months ago. Today, Slater & Gordon employ 400 staff across 10 offices within the UK. Since the changes in October 2012 to Australian and UK laws allowing law firms to be owned by non-legal practitioners, in addition to recent changes to conditions around personal injury legislation in the UK, Slater & Gordon believe
they are well placed to expand their operation into this market. The UK legal market is more than four times the size of Australia. Managing Director Andrew Grech says, “It’s a market which is undergoing quite a lot of regulatory change at present and we see that change as auguring in some real opportunities. “We have positioned ourselves to be at the forefront of those changes and certainly intend our growth and expansion there to be quite aggressive over the next few years to take advantage of those opportunities. “Given the size and scale of the UK market our expectation is that within the next few years the UK business will be 50 per cent of (our total) revenues.” In Australia, the increase in revenue has also been attributed to the ‘Not a Problem’ advertising campaign, which was designed to significantly change the way the company communicated with potential clients and other stakeholders. The successful campaign saw a double digit increase in new client enquiries.
Professional Life | 13
AustralianTimes.co.uk
International Women’s Day
A fair go for all > SEPI ROSHAN
The status of women in many societies has significantly changed over the last century. Relative to the 1900s, more women are entering the boardroom, there is greater equality in legal rights, and an increased female presence in all aspects of society. However, many women around the world continue to face varying degrees of discrimination and difficulty. In developed nations, women are still subject to inequality in terms of pay, representation in business and politics, education and health. For example, the OECD reports that women in rich nations still earn, on average, 18 percent less than men. In the early 1900’s, a somewhat radical idea developed – that women deserve equality. As more and more women found their voice, a debate roared about gender equality and the role of women in society. Women in America actively campaigned for changes such as shorter working hours, better pay and voting rights. In 1909 the first National Woman’s Day was observed across the United States on 28 February. Today, International Women’s Day is celebrated on 8 March – a global day of recognition and celebration. Throughout the world, events are held to honour women’s advancements and continual shift towards equality. Through equal access to education, for example, many women have become empowered to make their own choices. We celebrate the successes and achievements of women who have moved into boardrooms, led countries, and continue to speak out against inequality. In professional life, women are making some strides. In the UK, for example, women currently make up approximately one third of management. However, despite equal access to education and skills, a wage gap between women and men remains. In her 2011 Gender Equity Summit speech, Elizabeth Broderick, Australia’s Federal Sex Discrimination Commissioner, stated that among the key management personnel in ASX 200 companies, the pay gap is 28.3% - more than 10% higher than the current national average pay gap. In the UK, the wage gap is approximately 15%. Female representation in society is only creeping towards the ideal.
According to a briefing prepared by Parliament in the UK, women make up 51% of the UK economy, yet make up only 22% of MPs; 22% of judges and 31% of local councillors. The Women’s Enterprise Policy Group (2011) found that while 15% of businesses are owned by women they are still largely underrepresented in today’s business forums. By 2015, FTSE 100 companies are aiming to have women represent 25% of their boards. The EU is currently proposing rules that will force larger listed companies to have women represent 40% of their non-executive directors, with harsh penalties for breach. As more women enter business and public life, these changes affect the dynamics of the work environment. Traditionally male-dominated roles are injected with the skills and influence of a more diverse workforce. So what are some of the benefits of a workplace having more, qualified women around? Greater talent pool – in having more skilled labour available, organisations are able to benefit from high quality individuals who are a better fit. Stops group think – groupthink occurs when the desire for group consensus overrides an individual’s desire to present alternatives, critique a position, or express an unpopular opinion. Greater diversity in experience and opinion can provide greater choice and an increased probability of success. New leadership demands – as workplaces change and economies evolve from hard to soft industries, demand for diverse leadership styles increases. A greater talent pool with diverse leadership styles can help propel an organisation forward more effectively. Equality and a fair go for all is certainly the Australian way. Yet there is still a way to go when it comes to gender equality. As our understanding and appreciation of the importance of diversity increases, we move slowly towards the ideal of equality between women and men. Together, we are more than the sum of the parts. The bottom line is that both women and men need to work together for the greater good of us all.
Aussie Dollar ducks and dives By Matthew Cridge IN the week up till 4 March the Australian Dollar fetched between 1.020 and 1.033 US Dollars and traded between 0.673 and 0.681 British Pounds. The Aussie started off the week slightly firmer, increasing half a cent against the USD as the Reserve Bank adopted a wait-and-see approach to its cash rate after seeing how the interest rates would flow through the economy. Going into mid-week, the Australian currency weakened back down to 102 US cents after the Italian elections failed to produce a clear winner, causing some uncertainty in the European Markets. “We’ve been very much dominated by offshore events,” Robert Rennie from Westpac said. “The suspense that now exists in Italy as we wait to see whether a coalition can be formed and, if so, how sustainable it is, is something that continues to weigh.” Towards the end of the week the
local currency started to regain some lost ground as the mining boom peak is expected at a later date than initially expected. After touching a 6 month low of 101 cents to the US Dollar the Aussie Dollar bounced back to 102.43. The start of the new week wasn’t a great one for the AUD as it dipped to its lowest point in 7 months against its currency counterparts as investors pulled their profits out before the release of key economic indicators data such as inflation. The next direction for the Aussie Dollar will be driven mainly by the capital expenditure data from the Australian government due for release next week.
Exchange rates GBP/AUD: 0.678 EUR/AUD: 0.783 USD/AUD: 1.021 10:00 GMT, 3 March 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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14 | Sport
5 - 11 March 2013
Big Merv takes Focus on Folau in fullback big catch in India ...continued from p16
Merv Hughes retired from Test cricket long ago but you can’t keep a good big man down. When Australia’s opening batsman David Warner hit a six at Hyderabad in the second Test against India on Monday, the last person he expected to catch the ball was Big Merv. The former Test quick and exnational selector was sitting in the stands at long-on with a tour group when Warner drove straight towards the most famous moustache in Australian sport. Big Merv snapped it up like it was a chocolate cake at afternoon
tea during his playing days and his former Test captain Allan Border could barely contain his excitement. “That is the miracle of Hyderabad,” TV commentator Border said. “If he was wearing a white shirt he would be a sight screen.” By Greg Buckle in Hyderabad
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Grand finals fever
down there, otherwise they might give us a touch-up,” said coach Michael Cheika. Folau looked shaky at fullback in the round one loss to the Reds, but when shifted to the wing halfway through the Rebels match, the NRL and AFL convert suddenly looked in his element. A player with Folau’s size and freakish skill can’t be ignored by Deans, but it’s essential he has time to feel comfortable in one position at Super Rugby level if he’s to be considered for a meteoric Test debut. The early signs suggest wing is that spot. Despite his damaging work on the flank on Friday, setting up two tries, Folau is set to at least start at fullback against the Brumbies meaning he’ll go head-to-head with the exciting Jesse Mogg. However, Cheika has stated all along that his back-three are transferable and there’s no doubt Folau will spend plenty of time out wide. If Berrick Barnes can return from a knee injury, his passing game at No.12 should further enhance Folau’s involvement in attack. Deans will also be interested to
AAP Image/Dave Hunt
see the result of the George Smith effect at the Brumbies. The veteran openside flanker is set to face the Waratahs, as an impact player off the bench. Smith won’t play for the Wallabies again, but Deans will be hopeful his presence will push the Brumbies superstar No.7 David Pocock even further and also inspire young Australian opensides, like NSW’s Michael Hooper. “I’d love to play against him. He was really good for me down in
Canberra (when Hooper was at the Brumbies), and it’s exciting for Australian rugby,” Hooper said. “Apparently he’s still at the top of his game so it will be nothing but positives.” Queensland will start favourites against Melbourne, but were lucky to get out of jail last week against the Hurricanes. Queensland are hopeful Ben Lucas and Anthony Faingaa will be passed fit, but captain James Horwill again seems unlikely.
Kangaroos coach has eyes on Rugby League World Cup
By Shannon Loves
The White City winter season champions The Bush Rangers
By Phillip Browne This week will see the remaining winter league finals take place, as well as the new spring season competition kicking off across London. At Borough on Monday evening, there will be a grand final of epic proportions in division one, with Au Putag taking on Tagtical Heroes. Both teams are undefeated this year and the last time these sides met, less than a month ago, the result was an 8-8 draw. This title could definitely go either way. In division two at Borough, the grand final will be contested between Fifty Shades of Tag and Here for the Beer. Fifty Shade of Tag would have to go into this match as favourites as they are still unbeaten this year and managed a narrow 11-10 victory over Here for the Beer when the two sides last met in late February. Across at Rotherhithe on Wednesday, the mixed A grade final will be contested between two of London’s powerhouse teams, Tagquila Shots and Double Scrum & Coke. Both sides were equal on points leading into the semi finals. Their last two encounters have seen a 14-14 draw and a 12-8 win to Double Scrum & Coke. The men’s grade will see the predominately Aussie outfit The Furries take on The Hardy Boyz, who will make up the majority of England’s men’s squad. This match should be a cracker. In the Mixed social grade, Chris-
Cross takes on the French side Garlic Breed in the final. Having not lost a match all season, ChrisCross will go into this match as favourites. The last winter final to take place will be between Phibbers and fireisdangerous at Holloway on Saturday. Phibbers have only lost the one match all season, which was a narrow 8-6 defeat to fireisdangerous, so this final will be yet another nail biter. All teams who make the finals in the winter season will receive an invitation to the 2013 London Tag Rugby Championships that will take place at the East London RFC on Saturday, 17 August. This tournament will see London’s best teams, as well as many from abroad – such as Ireland, Malta & New Zealand – compete for the title. In other news, the spring season commenced on Sunday 3 March at 11 venues across the capital. It’s not too late to register for a spring competition 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 as this 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.
In October 2013, Australia will compete in the fourteenth Rugby League World Cup Tournament, hosted by England. The Kangaroos, coached by Tim Sheens, are being billed as early favourites to take the title. When Australian Times asked Sheens how this hype will affect the team, and whether players risk becoming complacent knowing they are entering the competition as favourites, he was quick to stress that this will not be an issue. “There’s no chance of us becoming complacent. We’re not the world champions to start with, New Zealand hold the trophy. As far as England is concerned, they beat New Zealand both times in the last two Four Nations over here. “Being a competition favourite, that’s one thing, but that’s not going to win us the competition. It’s interesting to pick us as the favourite months before the team is even picked because anything can happen.” The World Cup is important in developing rugby league as a strong international sport. The so called big three, Australia, New Zealand and England, are expected to field strong sides. Sheens refuses to dismiss any teams as possible contenders for the title. “It will be hard to say until the teams are selected. Based on the selection criteria available now, I can see it being one of the strongest World Cups that we have seen in rugby league for a while.” While selection is still months away, the Australian team who played in last year’s Trans-Tasman Test should make up the majority of the squad. There are never any certainties in representative football though,
Image by SW pix
with Sheens hinting that some of the younger players are being watched closely by selectors and may make a bid for a surprise selection. “The Australian players do still get picked on reputation, so if they are playing well we will pick around the side that played last year. In saying that, it will be interesting to see if any young players come through and impress enough to make the test sides.” Sheens has been head coach of the Australian team since 2009. However this is the first year he will be coaching without the added pressure of the NRL. He parted with NRL club Wests Tigers at the end of 2012. “Preparing for an NRL season is very different to preparing a representative side. You can’t micromanage a representative side. “By that I mean you only get them for a short period of time, you’ve got to get them to come together very quickly, you’ve got to simplify things very much and as quickly as possible build a team spirit that in a club side you can build over a long
time.” Sheens has travelled to the UK to visit the venues of Australia’s matches and begin preparations for what will be the longest tour for an Australian representative team since the mid 90s. “It’s the same for all the teams, even England are in camp that long. Everyone is separated from their family and friends, which is always difficult. We just need to focus on ourselves and peaking at the right time.” If Australia do make it to the semi finals, two of the games will be played at Wembley stadium in London. Sheens is hopeful the Australian population living in London will make an effort to support their team. “Last time we played in London, we had a lot of support. It creates a great atmosphere for the players.” The Rugby League World Cup kicks off 26 October 2013. To buy tickets visit www.rlwc2013.com.
Sport | 15
AustralianTimes.co.uk
Chairman apologises for Essendon mistakes ...continued from p16 Evans has also announced an independent review of the club as a result of the crisis. The anti-doping investigation is likely to take months, meaning it will hang over the Bombers for much of the season. “I understand the way you look at me tonight, looking for reassurance our beautiful place will be okay,” Evans said. “I promise you that it will be. “The hurt of the past few weeks is still raw, but it is this room that gives me
strength - given how you all have stood behind the club in its hour of need. “We will get through this and we will be a better, stronger organisation.” Evans also apologised for the circumstances that led to the crisis. “Mistakes have been made and I sincerely apologise that they have occurred,” he said. “We will get to the bottom of what happened, we will make sure those mistakes never happen again. “While we know some things, there is so much we don’t know, and we’re continuing to piece together a long and complicated jigsaw puzzle.
“I commit to you that we are making progress.” Hird said it had been humbling to coach the team in the past few weeks, adding the players had stayed focussed and disciplined. “My family and this football club means everything to me and I will do everything that is in my power to get the club through this difficult time,” he said. “That means being the best coach I can be to this wonderful team of young men who wear our colours so proudly.” By Roger Vaughan
RUGBY LEAGUE ON YOUR DOORSTEP
Big names in women’s surfing chasing win in Roxy Pro ...continued from p16 and needed some of her best to beat Hawaiian pocket-rocket Coco Ho. Her two-wave score of 17.96 out of 20 in the third round, including a near-perfect 9.73, showed the fivetimes world champion is in good form as she chases a win to begin her title defence. “We haven’t competed for a few months but I love doing this,” Gilmore said. “I always feel pretty fresh. It’s just like going for a (recreational) surf. “To start at home with your family, your friends, in your own bed, in your own house, it’s a wonderful experience.” Gilmore takes on Alana Blanchard in the last eight after the Hawaiian went on to eliminate Ho in another close finish in the fourth round. Joining Gilmore in the last eight will be fellow Australian Sally Fitzgibbons but the three-times world championship runner-up had a tougher route. The 22-year-old from NSW was surprisingly upstaged by South African rookie Bianca Buitendag in their third-round heat, with Buitendag pulling out a 7.33 wave in the dying
Four times ASP World Champion Stephanie Gilmore at Roxy Pro on the Gold Coast (AAP Image/ASP, Steve Robertson) seconds to pinch the win. That left Fitzgibbons to face a fourth-round eliminator against American Lakey Peterson and the Australian set-up a last-eight rematch with Buitendag by scoring 16.47 to Peterson’s 12.80. Another Australian, Tyler Wright, overcame an ankle injury to move into the quarters with victory in the third round and will meet American Courtney Conlogue.
The last quarter-final pits Hawaii’s former world champion Carissa Moore, who posted a whopping 18.43 out of 20 in her third-round heat, against France’s Pauline Ado. Attention should switch to the men’s season opener, the Quiksilver Pro, on Tuesday with the first round expected to be held if conditions hold. By Ed Jackson
v HULL KR Saturday March 9th, kick-off 6:15pm at the Twickenham Stoop, TW2 7SX londonbroncosrl.com
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Teams head for Collingwood v Carlton pre-season final
oncos
...continued from p16 technically make the final. There will be a massive buildup to round two in the regular season, when arch rivals Collingwood and Carlton clash. Malthouse coached Collingwood to the 2010 premiership but, a year later, resigned rather than stay under a negotiated succession plan. Buckley took over after serving as a player and assistant coach under Malthouse. Relations between Malthouse and the Magpies have been strained at best since he left the club. Malthouse has made a successful start at Carlton after a year’s rest, the Blues having sacked Brett Ratten. Last month, Malthouse confessed at Carlton’s family day he knew exactly when he would coach against Collingwood during the regular season. But Buckley continues to refuse to buy into the hype. Asked on Monday if he would like to go up against Malthouse in the NAB Cup final, Buckley made a point of talking about the teams, not the coaches. “Do Collingwood want to play Carlton? ... I haven’t even thought about it,” he said on 3AW. “We have an opportunity against Brisbane and we’re trying to get game time and find out our round-one team.”
THE NRL IS BACK & IT’S BIGGER THAN EVER EVERY GAME
EVERY ROUND
FROM INCLUDING THE GRAND FINAL Image by AAP/PAUL MILLER
The Magpies will host the Lions on Saturday at Etihad Stadium, while Carlton play in Adelaide on Friday night against the Crows. Buckley said Collingwood will make around five changes to their team, with All-Australian defender Ben Reid one of the definite outs. Reid suffered bone bruising in Sunday’s win over West Coast, although he was cleared of serious damage to the joint. The `Pies are confident the injury will not dramatically affect his preparations. Buckley has also commented on
the AFL’s interchange controversy, saying the league should consider a cap of around 150 per team per game. Malthouse led a chorus of disapproval from coaches over the weekend, when the AFL started trialling a cap of 80 rotations. “If you’re worried about it going exponential again, then just cap it at 150,” Buckley said. “No-one can go over the top of that, it’s not going to go any further. “The game is in pretty good shape as it is.”
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SEEING OUT THE SEASON
Try Tag Rugby catches grand finals fever P14
BEALE AND COOPER SET FOR SUPER SHOWDOWN n
This week’s five-eight clash between Queensland’s Quade Cooper and Melbourne’s Kurtley Beale is one of the most eagerly awaited match-ups of the Super Rugby season.
By Ben Horne ROBBIE Deans has a lot of numbers to crunch before the first Test against the Lions in June, but the Wallabies coach will learn plenty about his key personnel this weekend. With early-season cobwebs hopefully now out of the way for the local players, there will be nowhere to hide in round four
as the best from the Australian Conference go head-to-head in Super Rugby. On Friday night, Melbourne host Queensland, pitting good mates Kurtley Beale and Quade Cooper against each other at five-eighth. Both candidates have some significant points to prove to Deans if they’re to wear the No.10 for Australia against the British and Irish Lions.
Beale must show he can fire despite the burden of a shoulder injury, and Cooper needs to rediscover his form of 2011 if he’s to be a chance of regaining the coach’s trust. On Saturday, Deans will look on in interest as Israel Folau heads to Canberra anxious to take another stride towards an unlikely Wallabies debut by making a statement against the red-hot Brumbies.
The Waratahs’ 31-26 win over the Rebels on Friday night shapes as something of a breakthrough moment for both NSW and their star recruit Folau. “We’re obviously headed down to the No.1 team in the conference next week and we’ve got to make sure we’ve got a better grasp around (our game) before we go ...continued on p14
Buckley plays down rivalry with Mick Malthouse Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley has brushed aside talk of going up against his old AFL boss Mick Malthouse three weeks earlier than planned. Depending on results this weekend, the Magpies could play Malthouse’s Carlton on 15 or 16 March in the pre-season cup final. Carlton, Collingwood, Brisbane and North Melbourne are the three unbeaten teams, while Geelong, Richmond and St Kilda could also ...continued on p15
Surfing’s top women reach quarter-finals
It’s a new year but the women’s world surfing season-opener on the Gold Coast has a familiar look at the quarter-final stage. Last year’s top five female surfers have all reached the last eight at Rainbow Bay after rounds two, three and four were all completed in clean, one-metre waves on Monday. Reigning world champion Stephanie Gilmore has looked comfortable on her home break ...continued on p15
Bombers will get through scandal, promises Evans
NOT WORLD CHAMPS .... YET
Image by SW pix
Interview | TIM SHEENS P14
Chairman David Evans has promised Essendon fans that the AFL club will come through their doping crisis as a stronger organisation. Evans and coach James Hird made emotional speeches on Monday night at the Bombers’ season launch, thanking the players and fans for their support. The club is under a joint Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority and AFL investigation for supplements that the players used last season. ...continued on p15