Australian Times weekly newspaper | 22 May 2012

22 - 28 May 2012 – Issue: 413

AUSSIE GUITAR GODS

For those who have rocked, we salute you

ENTERTAINMENT P9

LONDON PRIDE

Getting the lions share in Regent’s Park

DUNKING THE GAMES PLAN Boomers in disarray over pre-Olympics schedule

VOICES P6

SPORT P15

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EUROPE, AUSTRALIA IS WATCHING YOU: SWAN n

Australia will act as an economic watch-dog to some of the world’s most financially important countries after Australian Treasurer Wayne Swan said he would ensure European leaders stick to their promises and continue to concentrate on growth.

TREASURER Wayne Swan has vowed to use international forums such as the G20 (Group of 20) to keep European leaders to their word in pursuing policies that grow their economies and encourage employment.

Asian financial markets were somewhat more stable on Monday after this weekend's Group of Eight (G8) summit, held at US President Barack Obama's retreat Camp David, which acknowledged that growth and jobs must be the "imperative" for the global economy.

The G8 includes three countries in the eurozone - Germany, France and Italy.

The Australian sharemarket rose this week, after dropping sharply last week on renewed fears that Greece might be kicked out of the single currency union, while the Australian dollar made a modest recovery to 98.55 US cents on Monday after hitting a sixmonth low 97.95 cents on Friday.

Mr Swan said the global economy faced "very profound" challenges that had been underscored in recent weeks by further events in Greece and across the European community.

"The prime minister and I will continue through the G20 to ensure that European leaders meet their commitments and they do put jobs and growth to their forefront of their decision-making," Mr Swan told parliament on Monday.

He reiterated that the government had forecast a 0.75 per cent contraction

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Thomson says he’s a victim of a lynch mob FEDERAL MP Craig Thomson claims he’s the victim of a lynch mob unleashed by Opposition Leader Tony Abbott, after factional enemies in the Health Services Union (HSU) smeared him with claims he misused members’ funds.

More than three years after claims were first raised that he used a unionissued credit card to pay for escorts and lavish meals, the MP for the NSW Central Coast seat of Dobell launched an emotional attack on the opposition, Fair Work Australia (FWA) and the media in parliament on Monday.

“You have unleashed the lynch mob,” Mr Thomson said, pointing to the opposition benches, after reading out death threats he had received, including one telling him to cut his wrist or hang himself.

“And you (the media) have fanned it.”

Mr Thomson also questioned the integrity of the FWA investigation of the allegations, saying it was biased and selective and that the organisation’s vice president, Michael Lawler, was the partner one of his main accusers.

During an hour-long statement to parliament, Mr Thomson, who was HSU national secretary from 2002 until his election as an MP in 2007, ...continued on p3

beautiful city on Earth | P10 in Europe this year in the budget.

He said Australia was not immune from the global instability.

"But we do need to remember that we have some of the strongest economic fundamentals amongst developed economies," he said.

Economic growth and jobs had been

the government's "imperative" from day one of the global financial crisis, he said.

Commonwealth Securities chief economist Craig James said fear rather than fundamentals had driven financial markets over the past two months.

"Investors remain worried about how the European crisis will play out, and are especially fearful about the risk of Greece exiting the euro area," he said.

However, from Australia's ...continued on p3

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2 | News

22 - 28 May 2012

Ricky Nixon’s contribution to popular culture: spare us all

n

Publisher: Bryce Lowry Editor: Tim Martin Production/Design: Jackie Lampard Australia Editor: Ashlea Maher Music Editor: Paul Judge Contributors: Bianca Soldani, Shannon Crane, Kate Ausburn, Sara Newman, Justin Ng, Phill Browne, Kristy Kenny, Carmen Allan, Mario Hannah, Amy Fallon, Rose Callaghan, Lesley Slade, Simon Kleinig, Kris

Griffiths, Guy Logan, Nathan Motton, JP Breytenbach, Cameron Jenkins, Will Denton, Leigh Johnston, Lee Crossley, Shane Jones, Adrian Craddock, Liam Flanagan, Emily Banyard, Mel Edwards, Raquel Messi Advertising Manager: Dominic Young 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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Ricky Nixon is, contrary to his personal view, not a celebrity.

Far from it. He’s just an average man who has made all kinds of serious errors of judgement. He’s what some would refer to as a D-grade celebrity, a man clearly possessing an over-inflated sense of self-importance. So why turn his life into public viewing? the hard word > NATHAN MOTTON

RICKY NIXON is one Australian who has seen his fair share, and then some, of controversy.

Here’s a man who was arrested following an alleged altercation with current fiancée Tegan Gould in February. Witnesses claimed to have seen the disgraced former AFL player manager naked on his Melbourne apartment balcony, throwing clothes onto the street below. Nixon is believed to have then become involved in an altercation with police, before he was arrested. He was later released without charge.

Here is a man who was suspended by the Australian Football League Player’s Association last year for an “inappropriate personal relationship” with 17-year-old schoolgirl Kim Duthie. The story received national coverage for a number of weeks, not only because of the nature of what the teenager claimed were sexual dalliances in hotel rooms, but because of his standing as one of the most highprofile agents in Australian sport.

A man who, once a high-flyer in Australia’s national sport, has suffered one of the most public and extraordinary falls from grace. A fall which would make this scribe want to

Your Say On: Australianisms – teaching the Poms to speak ‘Strayan

Let’s see – cracked the shits, spewin, jacked off, stacked it, bloody oath or f*cking oath possibly just WA sayings. After 6 years in the UK I still have a giggle when anyone says they’re having a root or going to root around childish yes but I don’t care.

Mother in law has stopped saying it now lol.

Alioops78 AustralianTimes.co.uk/voices

On: Epic sets, nasty dunnies and an Aussie music feud

Callea won that battle by a mile.

She may not have understood what her role on the panel was to be, but nevertheless some of her responses to the questions made me cringe, and yes, she was an embarrassment to Gen Y. Deb AustralianTimes.co.uk/entertainment

?

What’s your view

Every day on …

crawl away and hide.

But alas, not Nixon. Seemingly unafraid of public humiliation, the 49-year-old looks set to launch an online reality series featuring none other than Nixon and 27-year-old Gould. The series, called Ricky and Tegan Get Real, will give an insight into their lives and their daily challenges.

Does this man have no sense of selfworth?

It’s not about kicking the man while he’s down, but hasn’t he seen enough vitriol spat in his direction for a lifetime? Their relationship has attracted all kinds of criticism, much of it entirely unfair. Clearly the pair have their differences, like all couples, but one questions why Nixon of all people would insist on opening himself up to even more criticism by continuing to play out his life in a very public way.

Nixon is, contrary to his personal view, not a celebrity. Far from it. He’s just like the rest of us, an average man who made all kinds of serious errors of judgement. He’s what some would refer to as a D-grade celebrity, a man clearly possessing an over-inflated sense of self-importance.

The Hard Word sees this series akin to Wayne Carey, another publicly disgraced figure, embarking on a selfindulgent portrayal of his ‘new life’.

Frankly, I wouldn’t watch this nonsense if I was paid. The thought of

watching this or other putrid realitybased programs like Lara Bingle’s proposed Being Lara Bingle series are such an insult to those actually trying to make some sort of contribution to popular culture.

Who genuinely cares what these attention-seeking-wannabecelebrities are up to?

While some will undoubtedly follow the series closely, it’s hard to see how allowing the cameras into Nixon’s home will have anything other than a negative impact of their relationship.

The pair have already declared their commitment to each other and seem genuinely happy. And good for them.

I for one believe in second chances and hope Nixon can put his turbulent 12 months behind him. But why, oh why, this?

Of course one could say the same thing about all celebrities, whether they be at the top of Hollywood’s A-list, or from the pile of Australia’s ever-expanding D-list. And yes, given the nature of what they do, their every move is the source of constant media attention.

But the majority of them don’t consciously decide to turn their lives into pointless weekly viewing. Pass me the remote, I’m changing the channel!

On: When being Australian is about more than just Foster’s

boring your friends about how awesome London is :-) Sarah AustralianTimes.co.uk/voices

Bonnie Doon. Now there’s a place I haven’t heard about in ages. Agree 100% mate, but I do love those Fosters ads.

Dan AustralianTimes.co.uk/voices Word around town is that Fosters was bought out by the British. It’s their spin not ours.

Brigitte West AustralianTimes.co.uk/voices

On: Angry Rebekah Brooks ‘baffled’ by UK ‘witch hunt’ charges Is she asking for our sympathy?

Surely she know, criminals should be prosecuted.

Robert AustralianTimes.co.uk/news

On: Are expat Aussies missing out on the best bits of London?

Well said, completely agree. All too soon are you home (like me) thinking of all the things you didn’t do… and

AustralianTimes.co.uk/voices

Bloody oath mate! There’s so many cool things to do in London and it feels like so little time. You have inspired me, I am going out this evening and trying to see some sights I have so far missed.

Andy Fox-Russ AustralianTimes.co.uk/voices

On: Marvelling magnificent Malta

in

An interesting write up about Malta and what you said is all true. I was abroad for many years but retired in my country – Malta.

Alfred Grech AustralianTimes.co.uk/travel

On: Chopper reveals he has cancer on Twitter

Get well soon Chopper, you are and always be an Aussie LEGEND. Grant Stephenson AustralianTimes.co.uk/news

Share your comments on these and more stories online: AustralianTimes.co.uk

News | 3

AustralianTimes.co.uk

Europeans must stick to commitments: Swan Continued from p1...

perspective the latest euro crisis has thrown up some positives, he said.

While consumers would bemoan a weaker currency, it was a major positive for the business sector.

"Not only has the dollar weakened, but business and home loan borrowers will benefit from a drop in fixed-term lending rates to historic lows," he said.

Financial markets are also betting on the strong chance of variable rates being cut further.

Markets are priced for a 70 per cent chance of the cash rate being cut by another 50 basis points, to 3.25

per cent, when the Reserve Bank of Australia meets on 5 June.

However, the government shouldn't expect borrowers will be rushing to thank it if rates are cut again.

The latest weekly Essential Research online poll found that 35 per cent do not believe the government should take credit for the recent fall in rates, while 27 per cent said they should take "a little" credit.

Only 19 per cent said it should take a fair amount of credit, while a slim seven per cent said it should take "a lot". - AAP AustralianTimes.co.uk/news

Newman supports Bee Gees statue tribute Queensland Premier Campbell Newman says he is in favour of building a statue to honour pop icons the Bee Gees, as long as the state government doesn't have to pay for it.

His comments come after the death of singer Robin Gibb, who lost his long battle with cancer on Saturday.

In a statement released over the weekend, Gibb's UK-based family announced his death with "great sadness".

Gibb, 62, who had undergone intestinal surgery, notched up dozens of hit songs with brothers Maurice and Barry - as performers and writers - and sold more than 200 million records.

The brothers grew up in Redcliffe, north of Brisbane, and went on to win acclaim around the world.

Mr Newman says he would be in

favour of a Bee Gees statue in Brisbane or Redcliffe, but the decision would ultimately rest with the mayors of those cities.

He says funding for the statue would not come from the state.

"I'd prefer to see a public appeal. This has got to come from the heart," he told reporters in Brisbane on Monday.

"If people want to recognise the brothers in this way, it's a great thing and we'd be very supportive."

Redcliffe MP Scott Driscoll on Monday paid tribute to Gibb.

"On this sad day we reflect on an extraordinarily talented musician and performer who will be missed by so many people, not only in Redcliffe but right around the globe," Mr Driscoll said in a statement. - AAP

Thomson conspiracy claims in ‘kangaroo court’ Continued from p1...

argued he had strong alibis for three of the seven occasions he was accused of paying for escort services.

He did not explain how his mobile phone number was used to make calls to escorts, but he argued FWA did not look at alternative theories.

“I don’t have an explanation ... to definitively explain what happened,” he said.

“But that shouldn’t be unusual.”

Mr Thomson claimed under parliamentary privilege that HSU union official and factional enemy Marco Bolano had threatened to “set me up” with “hookers” to end his budding political career.

He told MPs he had filed a complaint to other officials, including now national secretary Kathy Jackson, who is Mr Lawler’s partner.

Ms Jackson said Mr Thomson’s claim was “complete fantasy”.

“We learned nothing new today,” she told reporters in Sydney.

Mr Bolano said the claim was totally false and challenged Mr Thomson to take it to police.

“It disturbs me to watch Mr Thomson drowning in a river of delusion,” he said.

Mr Thomson also questioned what role, if any, Mr Lawler had in the eventual FWA findings.

“The question the deputy president has to answer is, what influence did he have in relation to the writing of the report?” he told parliament.

Ms Jackson said the question was “false and wicked”. FWA declined to comment when contacted by AAP. Labor frontbencher Anthony Albanese

said Mr Thomson’s statement was “very comprehensive” and called on the opposition to recognise his right to the presumption of innocence, given no charges had been laid and no conviction carried.

“If they are correct he should face the full force of the law, but he is entitled to the presumption of innocence and he is also entitled to parliament not determining legal questions,” he told reporters.

Crossbench MPs Tony Windsor, Rob Oakeshott and Bob Katter all agreed MPs should not act as “judge and jury”.

House leader of opposition business Christopher Pyne rejected claims the coalition was trying to turn parliament into a “kangaroo court” and that it had unleashed a lynch mob on Mr Thomson.

The coalition will spend the next few days studying Mr Thomson’s speech, which it has described as unconvincing.

“If it emerges that (it) is not a complete telling of the truth, or in fact the unbelievability of it suggests he has misled the parliament, then of course the opposition will take appropriate action,” Mr Pyne said.

He has already written to the powerful house privileges committee asking it to consider penalising Mr Thomson for failing to update his pecuniary interest register in a timely manner to include the payment of his legal fees by the NSW ALP. HSU acting president Chris Brown said the matter of Mr Thomson could only be resolved by a court.

“Until that happens we are not going to know,” Mr Brown said. - AAP AustralianTimes.co.uk/news

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4 | News

22 - 28 May 2012

After a “difficult period”, Aussie Man and Van moves forward

By Will Fitzgibbon THE London-based removal company Aussie Man and Van is back working the capital’s streets. After having collapsed in late 2011, Aussie Man and Van has been reborn thanks to the skill of its many Antipodean employees and the backing of a new owner in the form of British removal and storage heavyweight firm Anthony Ward Thomas.

Aussie Man and Van started life as the rag to riches success story of Australian Brian Burgess. But by late 2011, the company had run into serious financial trouble. As Australian Times reported in February this year, the company had entered into administration on 23 December 2011 and some clients had not heard of their goods since.

“The reality was that the business didn’t have enough cash to keep things going,” recalls Charles Rickards, who led purchase negotiations to take over the company and is now Director of Aussie Man and Van. After Rickards and his team assessed the benefits that Aussie Man and Van’s instantly recognisable black and yellow trucks could bring to the wellestablished high-end removal company Anthony Ward Thomas, the deal with Burgess was done with fulgurous speed over a few days in February.

“Things were moving at a pretty high speed. The risk was high and the reward was high,” says Rickards.

In the months that followed, the management team at Anthony Ward Thomas set to work rebuilding Aussie Man and Van’s reputation and setting the company on a sure commercial footing. Older vans were given a refurbishment and were joined by 11 new four-wheeled team members.

Rickards and others began by repairing relations with Aussie Man and

Van staff, some of whom had not been paid for months, and disgruntled clients.

The company is confident that the victims of Aussie Man and Van’s recent “turmoil” have been addressed.

According to Mark Prout, the new Aussie Man and Van Managing Director: “everything has been rectified that we know about. The only thing we don’t know about is that if people haven’t got back to us.”

Brian Burgess is no longer an employee of the company, says Rickards, but an ad hoc adviser for the new owners.

A customer who had contacted Australian Times regarding his consignment of Internet servers after the original story appeared has since confirmed that Rickards has been in touch with him personally and a resolution is in sight.

Today, Aussie Man and Van has left the chaos of 2011 behind it. At their new offices in West London, chirpy Kiwi “bros” and Aussie “mates” mingle energetically under a mizzling mid-May sky. The staff say they are excited by the new changes and by the sparkling new vans that are coming off the production lines.

With the arrival of summer, London’s busiest period for removals, Aussie Man and Van is readying for business.

“We had the equivalent of 40 [vans] on the road last week,” says Prout, who finds himself in the enviable position of managing a highly-sought after company with an A-grade contact list.

In addition to Aussie Man and Van’s client base of young professionals, the company also has had Buckingham Palace, supermodels and the Mayor of London Boris Johnson knock on its door.

Rickards reports that sales more than doubled over the two months from the

time of acquisition in February 2012 and he is hoping for still stronger growth.

For Rickards, the company’s Australian and New Zealander employees are central to the company’s success.

“They tend to be very hard working, diligent, good on their feet,” he says.

“The fact that they’ve come travelling and come to the other side of the word suggests they’ve got something about them. They tend to be well-educated and good with customers. To use an Aussie phrase, they’re very ‘can do’ people.”

And if that sounds like recruitment speak, it may well be. Aussie Man and Van is currently hiring and looking for new employees, in preparation for what it hopes will be its busiest summer yet..

AustralianTimes.co.uk/news

AUSSIE MAN & VAN: Mark Prout, the new managing director for Aussie Group and his hard-working staff.

The Australian Garden of the Chelsea Flower Show n

The Aussies are back again for London’s prestigious RHS Chelsea Flower Show and this year’s Australian entry will have visitors missing the very best bits of home.

By Tim Martin THE only competitive Australian showing at the world famous Royal Horticultural Society’s Chelsea Flower Show for 2012 comes in the form of the exquisite ‘Australian Garden’. Designed by Aussie television presenter and landscaper Jason Hodges, who is better known for his on-screen exploits with Channel Seven’s Better Homes and Gardens, this year’s Australian Garden pays homage to Jason’s home town of Sydney.

“The garden has an unusual mix of native and sub-tropical plants coexisting with introduced trees and shrubs from Europe and beyond,” says Jason, who has been in the UK preparing the stunning showgarden for the past two weeks.

The garden makes reference to

Sydney and the city’s iconic structures through the use of materials, including the Sydney Harbour Bridge which Jason says he saw everyday as he grew up in the suburbs surrounding the harbour.

“Corrugated iron brings a sense of rusticity, as this characteristic Australian material is used in housing, fences and shedding everywhere from suburban cities to the great Outback.”

This year’s garden is designed in association with Trailfinders as well as Fleming’s Nurseries, the Aussie company who have been supporting Australian Gardens at Chelsea for the last eight years.

“It just wouldn’t be Chelsea without the Aussies,” says Wes Fleming, director of Fleming’s Nurseries.

“We have been told that the show just wouldn’t be the same without us. [We like] driving the poor

Royal Horticultural Society mad with requests for everything from live performances with didgeridoo players, open flames, Japanese chef demonstrations, bikini clad bronzed girls and lifesavers – we like to showcase how the Aussie gardens can come to life.”

And he reckons this one could be one of the best ones yet.

“We are very excited about Jason’s design this year as it is a true representation of Aussie life – and the lovely thing is, that it doesn’t try to be anything it’s not.”

The Australian Garden will feature a barbeque, wood-fire pizza oven, heated plunge pool and picturesque open patio as well as some traditional Aussie plants (and a secret outdoor bath out the back) and is set to be one of the most exciting gardens of the entire show.

“Our experience at Chelsea has taught us that one of the major elements that sets Australian gardens apart from other gardens at Chelsea is that they are designed to live in.

Visitors to the show can imagine themselves being in the garden and interacting with elements of the garden.”

Trailfinders and Fleming’s have sent a team half-way around the world to build and design this year’s entry for the prestigious ‘showgarden’ category and going on past results, they might just be in with a shot. The team are

going for their eighth medal in eight years, after picking up silver in 2011 and gold in 2010.

“Our Australian Gardens at Chelsea have generated enormous positive media attention for the Australian Horticultural Industry on the world stage as well as within Australia.

The Australian presence has added significantly to the profile of the Chelsea Flower Show within Australia and we believe that Australian’s add a unique element to the Chelsea Flower show itself.”

But it’s not all fun and flowers - a fair bit of hard work goes into creating each year’s entry and the

team will spend over 14 hours a day meticulously working on the product, for almost three weeks.

However with the prospect of meeting the Queen and bagging another gold medal along the way, it’s all in a day’s work for our Aussie green thumbs!

Don’t miss the Australian Garden at The Chelsea Flower Show from 22 – 26 May AustralianTimes.co.uk/news

AustralianTimes.co.uk

Voices | 5

6 | Voices

22 - 28 May 2012

Lions and tigers and Flies - oh my, it’s Regent’s Park! n

With summer on its way (or so we are told!) our resident adventurer set off to explore #78 on her London Top 100 list.

bron in

the don BRONWYN SPENCER

MANY of my park experiences in London are in those lovely green spaces found close by to my house or my good old favourite Hyde Park. However, last summer I explored a little further afield and got to check out Regent’s Park. It’s a gem of a place and if we ever get a summer this year, here are a few recommendations!

Knowing that I wanted to go to The Globe for a bit of outdoor theatre a friend recommended the Open Air Theatre at Regents Park so we decided to check out The Lord of The Flies. It was such a great night out and one of my favourite experiences in London. With a BBQ dinner included in the ticket price, we managed to have a great time eating and drinking in the sun before settling down at dusk to watch the performance so we didn’t miss a moment of summer sun. The show itself was so well done with such a small set and the wilderness certainly added to the atmosphere. This year there is a wide programme of shows to see including A Midsummer’s Night Dream which will give you your Shakespeare fix even if you can’t make the Globe.

The Open Air theatre isn’t the only summery event you can do at Regent’s Park as it is also home to the London Zoo. This icon is actually #4 on my London Top 100 list, so it’s another adventure for another time, but I can recommend getting a ticket to Zoo Lates. Last year I went with a big group of friends and even dressed up in leopard print for the occasion.

Going from 6pm - 10pm it doesn’t give you a lot of time to check out

the Zoo but its plenty of time to have a quick look at a couple of exhibits before heading back to the main area for some food, Pimms and silent disco The park itself is a great place to go for an event but is also perfect for a picnic in the sun in one of the many wide open grassy spaces. Or if you’re in the mood for a walk it’s best to wander through all the different gardens featuring gorgeous flowers and plants and the odd statue or two. You can even stop for a rest on many of the benches or even one of the striped deck chairs for hire.

While the gardens are pretty to look at, the best view is from the top of Primrose Hill. It is not too much of a climb (although it did get me puffing) but I can recommend the view at the end! If it’s a clear sunny day (they do happen!) you can see the vast expanse of the park in the foreground with London spread before you in the background.

There is much more to The Regent’s Park (as it is officially known) than just the scenery and I am sure with the Jubilee and the Olympics coming up there will be plenty of things to see and do, we just need some sunny days! (Oh – Regent’s Park also has an Aussie flavour too. You will often find the North London Lions AFL team training here during the week.

Marks in the park, oh my!)

AustralianTimes.co.uk/voices

A special taste of the Canary Islands chris’s

kitchen > CHRIS ARK

HAVING just returned from the Canary Islands I can safely announce that the local culture and cuisine is indeed alive and thriving there. After many years of avoiding the region, thinking it a Brit Eurotrap, an opportunity to surf some awesome breaks with friends has changed my opinion that the Canary Islands are not just a haven for the Poms and their fry ups but in fact something a little bit special.

For those that are not familiar with the Canary Islands, let’s have a quick history lesson to update us on the unique region. The Canaries are a group of islands located off northern Africa, drenched with a sub tropical climate. The latitude and location mean they are perfect for growing a diverse variety of foods and they’ve got a coastline abundant with seafood.

The Canaries were discovered by the Spanish in the 14th century and quickly became a stopover port for returning ships from the Americas. This had a knock on effect for the region, the cuisine and the crops that were introduced to the area. Influences from Spain, central and southern Americas and Latin America were married with the abundance of seafood and the appetite of the European explorers.

Goats and sheep were introduced and have today lead to some first class cheeses being served in Tapas bars and restaurants.

So, what does this mean for us Aussies? Basically, it’s a great destination to go to for endless beaches and fabulous food. A list below is a few dishes to look out for in the tapas bars and restaurants. A handy tip is to look for a restaurant without anything written in English and then pluck up the courage to avoid the stares of locals when entering this eatery solely dominated by locals. Let me tell you, it’s well worth the effort!

Here is my quick fire list of ingredients and dishes I tried out while enjoying the warmer weather.

Mojo sauce (yep - as it is written) and Canarian Potatoes – Papas Arrugadas. Similar to our new potato, these are cooked in seawater and then baked dry producing and tasty tapa.

Puchero Canario – Hearty chickpeabased stew with pork, peppers and vegetables.

Truchas de Navidad – Small pies with sweet potato and almond filling.

Bienmesabe - a tasty almond cream dessert made of honey, ground almonds, cinnamon and egg yolks.

Almogrote – Hard cheese and garlic eaten on bread.

Not only is the food full of flavour but don’t pass up the opportunity to try a few local wines from Tenerife which were honestly really good. (Oh, the surfing was pretty sick too!) Enjoy…

AustralianTimes.co.uk/voices

Voices | 7

AustralianTimes.co.uk

Barbie mates and Peering through the looking backyard etiquette glass at life back home

By Liv Hambrett

By Bon8 A bloke who has two hobbies in life is very blessed, and therefore so I am.

My first love is of the BBQ – a man’s domain. Backyards are full of them in Oz and I am currently designing a beautiful brick one in my backyard in Hampshire. It’s going to have the works: power, water, internet, fridge and of course a roof for those long wet summers. Standin’ at the plate tossing burgers, beer in hand whilst watch Carlton flog Collingwood at the “G” in my Pom-urban back yard is the ultimate in extreme sports.

My other passion is beer. I miss Aussies beers (but in truth it’s probably just nostalgia). I am always on the hunt for something new and Europe never fails to please.

So, when I get the chance to fuse my hobbies together like Hayden and Langer (that most reverential partnership of Australian cricket’s legendary opening pair) I am truly in heaven. Sometimes though, things get a bit out of hand. Recently I put on a barbie for the locals. The usual UK suspects turned up, you know, the champagne set and chardonnay sippers. Charles and Caramello (Koala), William and Katrina, Lord such and such and Baroness what’snot. Typical comments flew of the blue blood tongues like ‘where’s the charcoal old chap?’ or ‘that’s not a real barbeque’ and of course, ‘can you hustle things a long dear boy, Elisabeth is getting a tad hungry!’

So, head down, crack another stubby and keep the food simmering away.

The problem is that after five or six beers I’m doin’ a bit of a dance and

urgently need to see a man about a wallaby.....if I was at home I would just quickly duck behind the lemon tree and be back in 45 seconds, no one’s the wiser. But here there’s no lemon tree, no orange, grapefruit or mandarin. The hike to the dunny via the kitchen and the salad makers is three-four minutes at least, and in that time the barbie could be up in flames and with it my rep as the ‘barbie king’.

At home I could just toss the tongs to Jazza, Wazza or Dazza and it’d be all sweet. Under extreme circumstances I could even hand control over to Shazza (definition of extreme: 4th quarter of the AFL Grand Final).

But here there’s no way out here!

That sixth beer is applying pressure like Gillard’s knee in Rudd’s back.

I am in pain and it’s not the smoke that’s causing tears to stream down my face. And it is then that I catch the eye of Pommy Dan. He spent a year backpacking in Oz - he learnt the ways and customs, he brings his own stubby holder and he’s immediately in the zone. The tongs change hands like a baton in the 100m relay and I’m off. When I return all is well and Dan steps aside gracefully relinquishing control and gets himself a well earned beer. Whew - disaster averted...

So basically, what I am trying to say is - every chance ya get, encourage the young Poms to visit our sunburnt country and learn our ancient ways because one day, when you least expect it, they could just save your life!

AustralianTimes.co.uk/voices

SOMETHING you hear often, when living away from home, family and friends, is ‘don’t worry, nothing around here ever changes’. It is said, usually in soothing tones, in response to a request for news, a fear of missing out or just an expression of disconnectedness. Even my Mum said, the last time I was face down in a pool of sticky, stodgy, self pitying homesickness, ‘Australia will always be here’. And in many ways, they’re right – Mums always are anyway.

You go home after a little while and there are still the same faces behind the counter at the local deli and the same potholes to avoid when you drive over to visit your Nana. The Harbour Bridge is still in the same place and Kyle F*cking Sandilands is still on the radio. The places to be seen may have changed, but the kind of people frequenting them haven’t. Home, wherever it may be, is always home.

Indeed its greatest comfort lies in the fact it doesn’t change.

But, and there’s always a but, change can wear a different costume. It doesn’t always look sudden and different and scary. It most often looks quite normal.

Just like life. And life, as we well know, goes on, regardless of where you are, leaving its lines and marks, taking what it needs, sparing what it doesn’t. And sometimes, one of the more difficult aspects of living abroad, is watching life march on from a distance. Peering through that magic looking glass and watching everyone go about their daily business in Sydney, working, studying, moving out, getting married, having kids, getting older. Part of you, the greedy part, wants to eat the cake. You want the constant challenge and wonder and opportunities of a life abroad … and you want to be at home, in the thick of it, not just watching it all happen, but feeling it all happen around you.

My parents are getting ready to sell our family home. It is the house I grew up in, the only one I ever lived in, in Sydney. My Mum writes to me daily, letting me know what she is doing, how she is progressing with the mammoth task of preparing a two hectare property for sale. And I reply ‘don’t sell it, don’t sell it, don’t sell it’. Then I pour a glass of wine and roll around in nostalgia for a while. Just like I did when the time came for my parents to sell my car – my first and only, dearly beloved car – because it was doing nothing but collecting dust in the garage. These fixtures of life in Australia are being chivvied along by time, passing hands, moving on and I am not there to say goodbye, not there to feel the mixed bag of emotions that are endof-eras. I’m not there by choice – I chose to leave, I chose to move to Europe and ultimately I chose to wind up where I am, here, on the other side of the world. But the illogical part of me tries valiantly to ignore the part my choices have played.

The illogical part of me says, ‘leave me and my nostalgia alone’.

The oxymoron of being on this side of the looking glass is everything changes at the same time as nothing does. I’m going home at the end of this year, for a visit. My car won’t be there and perhaps Christmas won’t be at the family house. My Dad will have celebrated a big birthday, a milestone, and I will have missed it. There will be new relationships, new engagements, new jobs, new achievements, new apartments. But all of this newness will have happened to the same people. I will talk about all of his newness into the early hours of the morning with the same

people I talked about life as I knew it into the early hours of the morning when I lived in Sydney.

Life keeps marching on, on both sides of the looking glass. Eras come to an end. It’s just that sometimes you wish you could be there to give them

a bit of a standing ovation.

Read more of Liv’s articles at A-BigLife.com AustralianTimes.co.uk/voices

8 | Entertainment

22 - 28 May 2012

Throw another tune on London's Aussie music BBQ Australia’s Last Dinosaurs serve up a Hoxton Kitchen treat n Aussie BBQ, Cargo Bar, Sunday 13 May Review by Paul Judge HAS it been a year already? The Aussie BBQ is an annual tradition in London which doesn’t involve downing snakebites and heading to the Walkabout.

Although we did see some people getting round in Tiger suits but apparently that was in honour of one of the bands.

Fresh (or more likely hungover) from Brighton’s Great Escape music festival, around a dozen Australian bands and artists stopped in to play the stage and show us some new Australian music.

I was disappointed to only catch the last song of 10 piece group Inland Sea’s set. The multi-harmony sing-a-long style seemed to have everyone smiling.

The best thing about this day is the

bands come in all shapes and sizes covering all the genres. For the next few hours we swayed to Ben Salter, bopped to Oliver Tank and downright danced to The Killgirls who provided some intense beats and a killer rendition of Beastie Boy’s ‘Sabotage’.

The sun stayed out for the duration making it a change from a normal rainy London BBQ and with burger and beer in hand and with the noise of Aussie accents in the beer garden you could easily have mistaken it for a pub in Sydney or Melbourne rather than inner city London.

Jackson Firebird were an electric and awesome duo who filled the stage with a lot of energy and fun (seeing their drummer totally buggered and spent but

bashing on regardless was priceless).

The bands played on into the night with popular acts Husky, Sietta and Bonfire Nights rounding off the evening but our standout pick for the day were Jinga Safari who bounced all over the stage in a calamity of multiple drum beats and energy which infected the crowd. You've got to get out and see this enthusiastic Aussie five-piece, they are simply awesome!

So, another great Aussie BBQ, showing the Brits how it’s done in their own backyard.

Did you go to the Aussie BBQ at Cargo in London? Tell us who you loved at

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When Australian Times roving reporter JONATHAN WALDHEIM heard Aussie band Last Dinosaurs were coming to town, for some reason unbeknownst to him, he got excited. After reviewing their infectious Hoxton show and chatting to the band, he now knows why. He’s here to tell you why you should get excited about this fresh and enthusiastic new Australian band.

AustralianTimes.co.uk/entertainment

Want to make a difference?

Starting date: 28th May and 18th June 2012

n

BRISBANE band Last Dinosaurs performed an excellent set to an enthralled (and surprised) London audience last week at the Hoxton Bar and Kitchen in trendy east London.

Newcomers to the UK scene, yet vastly experienced when it comes to touring Down Under, Last Dinosaurs are a five piece band lead by brothers Sean and Lachlan Caskey. Catchy riffs, jazzy drumming and bass line’s that run as well as walk, the Dinos (as they are fondly known back in Oz) have the talent at their disposal to become a huge success.

As soon as their set began, bohemian Londoners who had come to the venue to see headliners Electric Guest, were enthralled by these confident Australian newcomers. As the set went on, heads began to nod and there was a genuine feeling of excitement from an audience who couldn’t believe they had stumbled upon this gem of a band.

With a mid-set medley of Modjo’s ‘Lady (Hear Me Tonight)’ and Groovejet’s ‘If This Ain't Love’, the crowd began to sing along and by the time their lead single ‘Time And Place’ was being played the band had won over the watching crowd.

Lead singer Sean gave a shout out to a fan that had approached them earlier in the evening, genuinely happy to have fans in the UK. Speaking to bassist Sam Gethin-Jones after the gig it became clear that their current European tour has the sole aim to win new fans and build up their reputation on a new continent.

Guitarist Lachlan Caskey summed up the dream by saying that they just wanted to “make a living doing what I love”.

Synth player Stephen Kempnich spoke to us about how happy the band were to be in London and Europe, acknowledging London’s happening atmosphere and the positive vibe he had got from the gig. Overall, Last Dinosaurs didn’t disappoint, Hoxton Bar and Kitchen served up a great atmosphere as well as great food and the ‘Dinos’ were successful in their quest to win over some more fans!

Sean Caskey - Last Dinosaurs lead singer and rhythm guitarist

Australian Times: Who are your main sources of inspiration?

Sean Caskey: I would say definitely Twin Shadow! Also Pogo – he’s this guy from Perth who remixes Disney songs and has a great sense of melody.

Also, ultimately, Foals. They have just an awesome sound.

How do you handle mistakes during a performance?

Generally we don’t handle it very well, which is why we work so hard on our performances. We practice all the time to get our sound perfect!

Is anyone more of a perfectionist than any of the others?

I wouldn’t say any one of us is any more OCD than the others, we all just work really hard to do what we do well.

What is your favourite album of all time?

Personal Pitch by Panda Bear (Animal Collective’s Noah Lennox).

It’s an unbelievable album! I must have listened to that a thousand, maybe 1500 times in the two years that I’ve owned it! Recently I’ve also been really into an album by a band called Twin Sisters.

Who are your major influences from the Australian Music Scene?

I would say generally, our friends in other bands in Brisbane- Dune Rats are making some great music at the moment and every time we hear their songs we think ‘F*ck! That’s good!’ and we have to push ourselves to make something better.

How are you enjoying your trip to the UK? Absolutely amazing! Brighton is by far the nicest city I’ve visited in my life, it’s everything that Australia wants to be and we had a great time there playing The Great Escape festival.

If you had a chance to collaborate with anyone in the world of music who would it be?

Well I think that there are a couple of people, firstly Bradford Cox from the band Deerhunter, although I’ve heard he might be quite difficult to work with.

Otherwise Tom Verlaine who was in the band Television, he would be an awesome producer to collaborate with.

What are your plans for the coming year?

We’re continuing our European tour, going to Hamburg, Paris, Amsterdam and Berlin. Release wise - I’m not sure, we let the PR people deal with business - we’re just the monkeys playing guitars!

When will you be back in London?

I think we’re heading back at the end of August. Looking forward to it!

Have you seen these cool new Aussie players? What do you reckon? Tell us at AustralianTimes.co.uk/entertainment

Entertainment | 9

AustralianTimes.co.uk

What we’re following #Origin

@FireUpOnFBI

We've got Origin momentum says Stuart. I've got a pet unicorn says Fire Up @oherrol

worst thing about Origin time is seemingly normal people reveal themselves to be filthy Queenslanders. u suddenly reconsider friendships @MightyRoosters

Stuart keen to get Origin started: NSW State of Origin coach Ricky Stuart says he is desperate for Wednesday to arrive @GrillTeam

State Of Origin stars are pushing for a payrise.

Currently they are earning $20,000 per game. They want $50,000 per game. #Origin#NRL

Empire of the slow, new indigenous talent and a salute to Aussie guitar heroes music from the

motherland > PAUL JUDGE

Hurry up already

LIKE the proverbial carrot being dangled under our noses, Empire of the Sun’s second album is progressing along slowly with demo’s being provided to their record label EMI and a new single planned by the end of the year.

The super-duo of PNAU’s Nick Littlemore and Luke Steele from Sleepy Jackson hit the world stage with their electro pop release ‘Walking On A Dream’ in 2008 before an awesome show at 2010’s Glastonbury Festival where the Motherland danced away happily on the hill.

Fast forward to 2012 and the boys are still laying down the work in the studio while fans are patiently waiting and EMI are no doubt impatiently looking at their watches outside the studio.

Check out what we’re following today on AustralianTimes.co.uk and follow us on Twitter @AustralianTimes

finding new music across Australia with the announcement of their partnership with the National Indigenous Music Awards (NIMA) to find Australia’s newest Indigenous music star.

The awards, which are held in Darwin every year, recognise the best Indigenous music in Australia. The unearthed award will be decided by public vote and then by a panel of judges and will give an unsigned act an opportunity to gain national coverage and also perform at the awards in August.

A nod to the best shredders of Oz

Australian Guitar Magazine has given us another list to debate and poke holes at - with the release of their 50 Greatest Australian Guitarists. Taking the gold, silver and bronze was Angus Young (AC/DC), Tommy Emmanuel and Ian Moss (Cold Chisel) in that order.

Chris Cheney from The Living End and Rick Brewster from The Angels rounded off the top five while going past the top 10, the guitarists are listed in no particular order (must have got bored after 10).

What’s On Temper Trap 21-22 May @ KOKO, Camden Pond 22 May @ Cargo, Shoreditch

Hermitude 2 July @ Barfly, Camden

It’s a big surprise this eccentric duo managed to get one album out let alone two so we should view it as a bonus.

Steele is a renowned music control freak having sacked previous Sleepy Jackson members including his own brother.

Littlemore is just random, having not appeared at numerous live shows then disappearing for a month in 2010, only to surface in America with the excuse he’d lost his phone after falling in a pool in Las Vegas. Totally rock and roll!

But they’ve got back to together and hopefully will (finally) have some more music for us soon. We’re just thankful we’re not the suits at EMI watching their watches.

Hilltop Hoods 4 July @ Electric Ballroom

Triple J to unearth Indigenous music talent

Inland Sea 23 May @ Nambucca, Holloway Bonfire Nights 26 May @ The Victoria, Dalston Christa Vi 12 June @ Zigfrid von Underbelly, Hoxton

Wolfmother 6 July @ IndigO2, North Greenwich Cold Chisel 11 July Hyde Park @Shepherd’s Bush Empire Xavier Rudd 8 August @ Koko Darren Hayes 24 September @ IndigO2, North Greenwich

For full details...

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

The love an unearthing around the Triple J offices, don’t they just? It’s become a brand in itself, what with the launch earlier this year of Unearthed radio as well as the popular website for bands and artists to post their new music in the hope of getting noticed.

Now they’ll continue their good work of

Actually it’s a pretty comprehensive list with most classic Australian bands and solo artists represented. It would have been nice to see some more female players with only Adalita (Magic Dirt & solo artist) getting props. Surely Mia Dyson deserved a nomination?

Oh well, that’s about all the controversy we could find. Looks like the laziness has hit us too.

AustralianTimes.co.uk/entertainment

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10 | Travel

tting This week we’re pu

Venice ON THE MAP

22 - 28 May 2012

Casanova to vivacious Venice

n

Every traveller has different priorities when travelling to ‘the floating city’, but on the list for NINA McGRATH was to take a gondola ride, see St Mark’s Basilica and visit the Doge’s Palace.

I HAD pictured a gondola ride in Venice as a romantic experience; my husband and I reclining in the gondola in the bright sunshine, the gondolier joyfully serenading us as we gently glided along the Venetian canals. In reality our experience was a little different.

Venice by gondola

For a start it was at night, part of a ‘Venice by night’ walking tour which was to complement seeing Venice by day. It started to drizzle as we were split into groups of six for each gondola. The gondola seemed very unstable, rocking wildly as we each clambered on board. The gondolier looked on, bored, as we struggled to stay out of the drink. He then pushed off, whipped out a mobile phone and spent the entire trip shouting into it while steering with his other hand.

Romantic it was not, but there was a sense of camaraderie as our flotilla

swept along the canal, calling to each other and waving to the people on the bridges as we passed beneath them.

Not all the gondoliers were sullen, one of them broke into ‘That’s Amore’ and we all joined in, our voices echoing in the quiet canals. Back at the dock we tentatively climbed out of the rocking gondola and were pleased to discover that not one of the tour group had ended up in the canals. We followed the guide through deserted Venetian streets and suddenly emerged into an almost empty St Mark’s Square (Piazza San Marco).

San Marco and his square

“Take a good look at Piazza San Marco,” called the guide. “It will look much different to you when you see it tomorrow filled with people.”

The next morning I discovered that she was right! Venice by day was a totally different experience. We had all day to wander around, and what better place to wander around than Venice, ‘the city of bridges’. Narrow streets led on to bridges and every bridge seemed to have picturesque views of the canals in both directions. Gondolas glided past us, water buses, taxis and private boats chugged along. The streets suddenly opened into piazzas of all sizes, with drinking fountains or wells in the middle.

We visited St Marks Basilica and quickly saw why it was nicknamed Chiesa d’Oro (Church of Gold). The interior absolutely glitters with the gold from the Byzantine mosaics.

The Venetians were wealthy and they weren’t afraid to show it. We climbed up to the bronze replicas of the four horses of St Mark for a bird’s eye view of St Mark’s Square. The original horses are kept in the museum, probably a good idea given their penchant for travelling.

They were stolen from the Hippodrome of Constantinople by one of the Doges of Venice in 1204, then taken to Paris

by Napoleon in 1797, retuning to Venice in 1815. They appear to be deep in conversation, and I suspect they’re planning their next trip.

Travel | 11

AustralianTimes.co.uk

doors if necessary until they passed down the golden staircase. They found the main door locked and were unable to break through it. Casanova stuck his head out a window and convinced a man standing in the courtyard that he had been locked in by mistake on the previous day and sent him to get the porter. When the porter unlocked the door, Casanova and the monk dashed out, ran to the canal and jumped into a gondola to Mestre.

Nobody expects an Italian Inquisition

It’s a Doge’s life

On to the white limestone and pink marble Doge’s Palace (Palazzo Ducale), the official residence of the Doge (‘the most serene prince of Venice’) and the seat of the republic of Venice’s government. We arrived early and managed to get tickets for the ‘Secret Itineraries’ tour which takes you through concealed doors and hidden passageways to the cells from which Casanova escaped.

We stopped at a stone carving in the wall of a face. The face was framed by a headscarf gathered in bunches at the temples. Its piercing eyes glared out from below a monobrow as wild as a line of breaking surf. The mouth was open, a hole through which a letter could be slipped. This was the Bocca di Leone, a mailbox in the wall of the Doge’s palace to post accusations to the magistrates.

Words carved in the stone below translated to “Secret denunciations against those who conceal bribes to officials or will collude to hide the true revenue from [the authorities]”.

Essentially it was where you could dob someone in for tax fraud.

We climbed the magnificent Scala d’Oro, (golden staircase) and then slipped through a door to start the ‘secret’ part of the tour. The offices of the doge’s secretary, the keeper of the secret archives and even the grand chancellor were remarkably spartan compared to the lavish and ornate decoration of the rest of the palace. We passed through the torture room where a single rope hung ominously from the roof into the centre of the room and climbed up to the piombi (the leads), half a dozen cells in an area under the lead roof of the palace. This was the original prison (before the new prison across the Bridge of Sighs was built) and continued to be used for certain offenders, typically political prisoners.

Making like Casanova in Venice

Casanova was imprisoned in the piombi following his arrest in 1755, when he was accused of being a freemason, spreading antireligious propaganda and dabbling in magic, all of which appear to have been true. He was sentenced to five years imprisonment, but fifteen months later on Halloween night 1756 he made a daring escape which he detailed in his memoirs “The story of my escape from the piombi”. During his daily exercise in the prison attic he found a metal doorbolt which he shaped into a chisel using a small slab of black marble and kept hidden in an upholstered armchair he had been allowed to bring into his cell.

His first attempt at escape was to dig through the floor of his cell, concealing the hole with his bed. Just as he was nearing completion, he was moved to another cell and had to bribe and blackmail the gaoler, Lorenzo, to keep his secret and fix the hole. He managed to keep his chisel but Lorenzo checked the walls and floor of his new cell daily making a second attempt using the same technique impossible.

After complaining of a lack of reading material, Casanova was given permission to exchange books with the prisoner above him. By exchanging notes concealed in the books, he and the prisoner, a monk named Marino Balbi, generated an escape plan.

Casanova slipped the monk the chisel by concealing it in the spine of a particularly large bible. The monk dug a hole in the floor of his cell, which was the ceiling of Casanovas, and a hole in his wall which he hid behind a religious poster. A few hours after Lorenzo had completed his rounds on Halloween night, Casanova climbed into the monk’s cell and together they climbed out the hole in the wall onto the roof, and by breaking a small lattice window, into another room. From this room they worked their way through various rooms, breaking locks to open

Next on our tour, we passed through the Inquisitors Room (Sala degli Inquisitori). The Inquisitors for the Maintenance of State Secrets (Inquisitori alla Propagazione dei Segreti dello Stato) were a sort of secret police, a shadowy body of three men tasked with protecting state secrets. This is the room Casanova would have dropped into has his original escape attempt been successful, punching straight through the beautiful ceiling of the room, decorated by painter Tintoretto.

But that is nothing compared to the Hall of the Great Council (Sala del Maggior Consiglio), which is absolutely huge and lavishly decorated.

It took us a moment to find the frieze of paintings of the Doges, and locate the painted black curtains that are in place of the 55th doge, Marino Faliero.

Faliero was caught planning a coup and the black curtains are part of ‘damnatio memoriae’, whereby all traces of a person are expunged from history or memory. Beheading and mutilating him wasn’t considered punishment enough.

This is the last good-sigh

Leaving the Palace, we crossed over the Bridge of Sighs (Ponte dei Sospiri) to the prisons. The bridge was built in 1602, but its current name wasn’t coined until the19th century by Lord Byron.

He suggested that prisoners would sigh sadly as they looked out the tiny window at their final view of Venice before being taken down to their cells. Not sure what name the bridge went by for the first two centuries, but it is one of the most famous bridges in all the city and commands quite a crowd.

Reaching our daily limit of history and culture we exited, pausing to gaze out of one of the gift shop windows.

The window provides a view of the Giant’s Staircase, where the Doges were crowned, partially obscured by the large marble buttocks of a statue of Neptune who stands unaware at the top of the staircase.

Venice, this watery Italian wonderland, is truly wonderful.

What’s in it for you...

AustralianTimes.co.uk/travel

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12 | Travel

22 - 28 May 2012

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Five Tips for Travelling in Argentina

1)Tuck into a “jugoso” Argentinean steak

Argentina has the world’s second highest per capita consumption of beef. Most of the beef is reared in the famous and fertile Pampas region - home of the “Gaucho” (Argentinean Cowboy).

But why do you need to eat Argentinean beef while in Argentina? Well, the national government applies a 15% tax on beef exports purposely to ensure that best cuts are sold domestically.

Make sure you order your beef “jugoso” or medium rare - to do otherwise would be a crime.

2)Complement your steak with a Malbec

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Malbec, whilst originally from Bordeaux, now well and truly calls Argentina home. After more than 100 years of nurturing the local variety, it has truly come into its own.

Malbec grapes are quite small but dark and juicy. The grape is also sensitive to differing climates and therefore the flavours are varied between many of Argentina’s wine growing regions. Some famous but climatically different regions include Mendoza (a high altitude plateau in the Andes) and Salta (a stunning but arid desert region in Northern Argentina).

3)Try some SpanishArgentinean Style

As in the English speaking world, Spanish accents vary around Latin America and indeed the world.

Argentina, however, probably takes the title for the most different variation - you could say they are the Spanish speaking world’s equivalent of the Aussie slang language.

In Argentinean Spanish even basic words can be completely different to the rest of the Spanish speaking world. For example the world for “you” in Spanish is tú - but not in Argentina where they for some reason use the entirely different “vos” (pronounced “boss”).

You’ll also need to make some

other changes. The very common “ll” should be changes from a “yo” to a “sho” sound. So “pollo” (chicken) is pronounced “posho”.

4)Dance the tango

The tango began in the working class La Boca region of Buenos Aires, in the late 19th century. The dance soon overtook bars, cafes and courtyards of suburban Buenos Aires.

From there tango spread to become universally popular within Argentina before spreading to the rest of the world.

The tango was so popular in London and New York in the early 20th century that it even contributed to changing western fashion. Women hastily abandoned the Victorian corset to enable them to better master the dance.

More modern Nuevo Tango halls are very popular with the younger generation and are littered all over Buenos Aires.

5)Eat ‘Bife de Lomo’

This may be the second meat related ‘must do’ on the list, but after all, this is Argentina!

‘Bife de Lomo’ isn’t really a strange cut of meat, in fact it’s essentially what we in Australia would call a Filet Mignon. As a dish though it’s completely different!

Traditionally the serving size is around 400 grams and is two inches thick.

Cooking such a large piece of beef is an art in itself but it’s an art the Argentinean’s are well versed in. Cooked correctly the meat is notoriously tender - you shouldn’t even need to bother with a knife!

You will see ‘Bife de Lomo’ on restaurant menus throughout Argentina - and sometimes costing as little as $10.

These travel tips are provided

by Chimu Adventures, a travel company who are offering an eight day rugby package to Argentina, led

by Wallaby greats Elton Flatley and Richard Harry. For further details, call or 0207 403 8265 or email UK@chimuadventures.com today.

Jobs & Money | 13

AustralianTimes.co.uk

Dollar Review

Australia sees signs of ‘Dutch Disease’ THE Eurozone crisis continues to dominate the markets as the Aussie recovered from its weakest trading day on Tuesday where it closed out at 1.612GBP/AUD. The Aussie traded at 1.5907 GBP/AUD on Friday down from the 1.6033 AUD on Monday.

There is growing fear in the Australian Economy that the ‘Dutch Disease’ is creeping in and threatening the economy’s labour market. The ‘Dutch Disease’ stems back to the 1959 giant natural gas discovery in Holland. This is where the currency appreciates on the back of a booming commodity industry that is mainly capital-intensive which threatens the survival of labour-intensive industries. Australia’s biggest trading partner, China is one of the biggest driving forces behind this market shift as their need for raw materials (iron ore, coal and natural gas) continues to rise and with it the demand for Australian Dollars. This creates a ‘duel economy’ where mine workers real salaries rise and the rest of the economies real wages stagnate due to a rise in the cost of living.

The uncertainty in the Eurozone prevails as the fate of the Greek-

Eurozone relationship will not be decided for some time as they prepare to hold secondary elections in a few weeks’ time according to Minori Uchida, chief analyst at the Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ. With the opinion polls showing signs of a deadlock between political parties, the fate of Greece hangs in the balance.

International news will dominate the Aussie dollar this week as the market will closely follow the Eurozone

crisis. Thursday will see China’s release of HSBC purchasing managers index (PMI) for May. GBP / AUD: 1.6073 EUR / AUD : 1.2986 USD / AUD : 1.0159 NZD/ AUD : 0.7687 Exchange rates as of 08:22, 21 May 2012

Composed by Elizabeth Britz Note: The above exchange rates are based on “interbank” rates. If you want to transfer money to or from Australia then please register/login or call us for a live dealing rate. Make use of a Rate Notifier to send you alerts when the Australian exchange rate reaches levels you are looking for.

Ask the Experts

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The only exception to the above rule is the 10year concession. With a 10-year concession you would need to prove 10 continuous years (not more than 90 days out of the UK in 10 years) of lawful residence in the UK. Time spent on a student visa would count as part of the 10 years.

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14 | Sport

22 - 28 May 2012

Little AFL Jack full of rugby league enthusiasm Continued from p16...

of Origin before,” Jack told AAP. “We go around to someone’s house and watch the game unfold.

“They see the passion that the players play with, so they really enjoy it.

“The following year, they say to me ‘I can’t wait for Origin to come around again’.

“It’s something that starts to ingrain in them and they really enjoy the concept.”

The AFL abandoned State of Origin after 1999, but Players’ Association president Luke Ball said recently players were interested in reviving the concept or an AllStar game similar to that in the NBA. A ‘Dream Team’ of non-Victorian players took on Victoria in 2008, while

h c t a w o t s u Join

. . . n i g i r O State of

.

State vs State Mate vs Mate

NSW vs QLD Wednesday, May 23rd Doors open for breakfast at 9am Live at 11am The Larrik Inn Replay at 6pm 425 New Kings Rd, Fulham, SW6 4RN

Bookings welcome

Tel: 0207 371 9585 Email: enquiries@thelarrikinnfulham.com

NSW played under ‘the Allies’ banner in the 1990s alongside Tasmania, Queensland and Northern Territory.

While many draftees have limited knowledge of Origin fixtures, Jack knows the power of the format - albeit in another code.

The 24-year-old would relish the chance to play representative football - whether it be for his state or a more arbitrary group.

“I’ve grown up with the Origin concept that ‘state versus state’ mentality,” he said.

“The emphasis is on winning AFL premierships and clubs get upset if they lose their players.

“It’s a real balancing act but, for me personally, I’d love to do it - whether it be representing NSW or something like that.

“I’ve seen dad do it for so many years.

And heard the stories and experience he got from doing it as well - it’d be pretty special.”

Jack is hopeful he’ll be among a group of up to 20 Swans watching the Origin opener on Wednesday night.

But even those teammates who miss the gathering will be keeping an eye on the game.

“Even if they don’t come, most of the boys will watch it on TV and they’ve always been sending me texts when Queensland have been winning and scoring tries,” he said.

“NSW haven’t been going that well over the past few years, so they like getting stuck into me.” - AAP AustralianTimes.co.uk/sport

Top of the table clash for AFL London Continued from p16...

said his side were under no illusion they are unbeatable despite two huge wins in the first two rounds.

“We’re aware our biggest challenge awaits us with Wandsworth away,” he said.

“We’ve got some important players coming back but I’m sure they’ll be strong too so we’re looking forward to it.”

Demons coach Jarryd Browne believes his side has what it takes to overcome the Wildcats but admitted his side would be the underdog.

“Obviously they’ve come out firing and they are going to be favourites,” he said.

“They had the edge over us last year but we’ve changed our team set up and we’ve got a lot of confidence in our structure.

“If we play smart footy we’ve got the fire power to come back at them hard.

He said his players always find a bit extra against their arch-rivals.

“It’s pretty fierce; it’s a love-hate relationship,” he said. “We up the ante at training for the week and know they are the benchmark.

“We like beating them more than any other team.”

A shoot-out beckons for punters keen to venture to Clapham Common with both sides possessing potent forward lines. Mark Brescacin bagged eight on the weekend, as did West London’s Jason Broadbent.

Browne was full of praise for Brescacin who has stepped up to be captain this year.

“I can’t think of a player in AFL London who’s better than him,” Browne said.

In other Premiership division results, the close one was at Putney Heath, where Putney downed North London in the last kick of the day to win 14.15 (99) to 14.9 (93).

The Lions led for most of the first half but lost key players Luke Stevenson

Image by Mathew Scudds

COOKED SWAN: Swans ruckman Chris Laidlaw is wrapped up by the Wildcats’ Harry Triggs as Paul Richards looks on. (quad) and Jake Spiteri (shoulder) before halftime to injury, both sidelined for the rest of the match.

The Magpies took the ascendancy in the third stanza, before the tight final term in which the home side prevailed in a nailbiter.

Levi Fernandez again acquitted himself well in the Lions’ midfield, his ball use improving by the week, while Todd Grima, brother of North Melbourne’s Nathan, and ‘Kiwi Jimmy’, also played well.

Lions co-coach Adam Littlechild said he was impressed with his team’s efforts after their big loss to the Wildcats in Round 1.

“They really got on top of us in the third and left us for dead a bit,” he said.

“But overall, it was good to get so close given what happened in Round 1 and hopefully that shows we’re not far off it.”

Putney’s Jacob Bailey and Greg Clapman were prominent for the winners, and are looking the goods.

AustralianTimes.co.uk/sport

Sport | 15

AustralianTimes.co.uk

Aussie derby with it all at stake Continued from p16...

“That game against the Reds is one we bring up a lot at team meetings so far as we don’t want that happening again,” Mowen told AAP. “There was a lot that we weren’t happy about, and our attitude was off.

“We were outplayed by a desperate Reds side then and they’re definitely going to be better this week - they’ve played themselves into form and they’ve got Quade Cooper and Digby Ioane back.

“So (Saturday night) is a match that we’ve been looking forward to.”

That night Brumbies coach Jake White paid the price for leaving gun open-side flanker Michael Hooper on the bench as Reds tackle jackals Liam Gill and Beau Robinson dominated the breakdown battle.

A cited Hooper (dangerous tackle charge) is in doubt for this weekend’s pivotal clash - where the Brumbies can all but seal top spot in the Australian conference - but Mowen insists the problem in round seven was not due to his absence.

“Our breakdown work was average at best and it was an area the Reds had a real focus,” he said. “We were outplayed and were off on the night and not because Hoopy wasn’t there.”

The Reds have prepared to attack the Brumbies, with or without Hooper, at the tackle area again as Robinson (ankle niggle) was given a rest from the 34-20 win over the Lions to ensure he was 100 per cent for the crucial battle at Canberra Stadium.

Brumbies flanker Colby Faingaa, whose brothers Saia and Anthony play

for Queensland, is coming back from his own ankle injury and looms as Hooper’s back-up.

The Reds have their own worry with utility back Ben Lucas struggling with a groin injury and rested from training on Monday afternoon.

But coach Ewen McKenzie remains confident Lucas can recover from the problem and line up for the defending champions’ last match before their mid-season break.

Renowned as a versatile attacker and a reliable tackler, the 24-year-old started at fullback in the win over the Lions but played a key defensive role in the front line instead of returning playmaker Quade Cooper. - AAP AustralianTimes.co.uk/sport

Blues eyeing perfect Origin effort over ‘crook’ Qld Continued from p16...

Stuart knows what's gone on before will have no impact on what happens on Wednesday night - and what is the benefit of reminding his players that the Blues have lost a record six straight Origin series.

"I don't look back at the past. It's something that's there and we know it," said Stuart, who was at the helm when the Blues achieved their last series win in 2005.

"We're on the right track ... I can't look back at the past and I can't expect these young boys to be looking back at the past - they haven't been involved in it.

"They've got a great opportunity to create the future."

Meanwhile Queensland coach Mal Meninga insists he has no plans to bring in a shadow player for skipper Cameron Smith who is quarantined while suffering flu-like symptoms just

days out from the rugby league State of Origin series opener.

Smith was one of several Queensland players displaying what team doctor Roy Saunders described as upper respiratory tract viral infections.

"Some players like Dave Shillington and Billy Slater are coming out of it while others like Cam Smith are going into it," Saunders told AAP. "We've put Cameron into isolation to keep him away from the other players and we're continuing to monitor the progress of the players displaying symptoms."

Meninga said there was no thought of calling in an extra hooker even though his squad does not contain a back-up for skipper Smith.

"He's just got a touch of the flu," said Meninga, playing down concerns after his skipper was replaced by Sam Thaiday at Monday's media conference for the Queensland and NSW captains and coaches at Etihad Stadium.

"This is more precautionary to make sure we get on top of things early," said Meninga.

Smith, who has played 24 of the past 25 Origins, is set to make his Queensland captaincy debut at Melbourne's Etihad Stadium on Wednesday night after taking over from Darren Lockyer.

Meninga admitted if Smith was still ill on Wednesday morning, he would have to look at his options.

"We haven't got that far yet.

"I'm very confident he (Smith) will be fine," said Meninga." - AAP

THE

RUBDOWN

Shining a light on Aussie Rules footy

By Will Denton

SPOTLIGHT. Whether it’s for the right or wrong reasons, if you’re an AFL player or coach you don’t want it focusing upon you. Obviously if you’ve just lost the unlosable to Port Adelaide, as the Kangaroos did, then a fair whack of negative candlepower has to be thrust upon you. IT WAS PORT ADELAIDE. Fair play to the Power though who have had been suffering from third degree sunburn from the said spotlight, had simply had enough death threats from angry family members and remembered how to play footy for five minutes. Spotlight 1 though, is now firmly on NMFC. Spotlight 2 goes to Carlton. Last Monday they got towelled up by the Saints and got a lesson in working class football. This week it was the Crows who belted them left, right and centre. Blues coach Brett Ratten was unsure what to next, as his usual threat of ‘no hot stone massages for a week’ wasn’t doing the trick. Marc Murphy’s gilded shoulder went bung, Jarrod Waite lost his keys and Blues fans had strangely disappeared from the

ground. The Crows however shone like a beacon and are now the team to have Spotlight 3 in their sights.

Flying under the radar of Essendon, West Coast and Hawthorn, Adelaide (for this week at least) are the team to beat. With all this energy being used, there isn’t much left for poor old Melbourne as they got humiliated further, this time by the Swans by about a million points.

Yep they’re still rubbish.

Brisbane had a rare win at home, although the Giants after one win have decided to ‘tank’ the rest of the season.

Saints star Lenny Hayes forgot to pack the charger for his bionic legs and had limited effect in their loss to the Eagles.

Freo forgot to pack anything including a game plan in their drubbing by the Hawks down in Launceston. Ross Lyon could only offer ‘it looked nice in the brochure’ as an excuse. Finally, the Pies got a win over Geelong although the Cats certainly are on the slide. I’m sure the toothless army will take that one though!

AustralianTimes.co.uk/sport

Tag Rugby for charity in London

AustralianTimes.co.uk/sport

Spurs’ NBA run to cut into Boomers program

THE San Antonio Spurs' all-conquering NBA play-off run could be a curse for the Australian men's Olympic basketball team.

The Spurs are the hottest team in the NBA, eliminating the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday night 102-99 in just four games after also sweeping the Utah Jazz in the first round.

The Texan team have won 18 consecutive games and are on track to represent the western conference in the NBA Finals, expected to be completed in late June.

The problem for the Australian Olympic squad is its two most important pieces, head coach Brett Brown and chief playmaker and scorer Patrick Mills, are members of the Spurs and will likely miss Boomer training camps and warmup series against China and Greece.

Brown is a Spurs assistant coach while Mills is back-up point guard.

But Brown is confident he and Mills can juggle the two commitments.

"It's difficult, but I don't feel shortchanged at all," Brown told AAP. "I feel we are giving both programs

the attention they need and we have it completely under control.

"The Boomers are definitely on track.

"We have a senior group with plenty of international experience and I think we will surprise a lot of people in London."

The final NBA championship game is scheduled to be played as late as 26 June, just a month before the London Olympics begin.

The Boomers have a training camp in Perth from 3-8 June, a three-game series against China in Western Australia from 9-13 June and three more friendlies with Greece across Victoria from 24-27 June.

The Olympic preparations have already been rocked with the Boomers' biggest star, centre Andrew Bogut, ruled out by a serious ankle injury and the resignation of Brown's assistant coach Shane Heal.

Brown remains positive, pointing to the experience of Heal's replacement, Adelaide 36ers coach Marty Clarke, who will run the camps and lead the Boomers if the Spurs continue their winning way.

The Boomers have named a squad of 25 players, with the group cut to a 12man roster by 20 June.

Brown said the final squad will likely be filled by many of the players he took to Turkey for the last world championships so they will be familiar with each other and the style of play.

Just as Brown and Mills are committed to the Spurs until the NBA season is complete, other key Boomers also have commitments with clubs across the world that will delay their arrivals in Australia.

"We text, email, telephone," said Brown, describing the way he keeps in touch with players and his assistants while travelling with the Spurs.

"We have been doing it for many years now.

"Through technology we have at the Spurs I can watch all of the games.

"I was watching David Barlow (playing in Spain) two nights ago, Brad Newley (in Spain) and Matthew Nielsen in Russia.

"We're looking good." - AAP

COUNTDOWN TO THE

LONDON OLYMPICS 9 weeks to go

AustralianTimes.co.uk/sport

Unforgettable Australian Olympic moments Sydney 2000: Aussies smash the Americans like ‘air’ guitars Who can forget Ian Thorpe, Michael Klim and co strumming their air guitars on the pooldeck after Australia beat the US in the 4x100 freestyle relay at the 2000 Olympics. Before the race, American swimmer Gary Hall Jr said the US would “smash [the Aussies] like guitars”. But in an epic race, Australia came out on top to inflict America’s first ever Olympic defeat in the event and the victorious Aussie swimmers strummed some sweet notes on their imaginary air guitars to rub the Yanks noses in it. Australia 1 - USA 0!

MIND OVER MATTER: Players supporting the mental health charity Mind at the Tag Olympics in Hyde Park on Sunday.

Mind and I’m nearly there!”

ON Sunday (20 May), a member If you would like to make a of the Buffalo Soldiers team in the donation to Jade’s Just Giving page, White City Tag Rugby competition, visit: Jade Elias, staged an event called www.justgiving.com/tagOlympics the Tag Olympics at London’s Hyde Meanwhile, Late Summer Tag Rugby Park with all proceeds going towards registrations in London & Reading are mental health charity, ‘Mind’. now open. Late Summer competitions Jade - the niece of New South commence in late June/early July Wales State of Origin legend Benny and are expected to break the current Elias - contacted Try Tag Rugby to record season (Early Summer 2012) see if they were interested in getting participation figures of 142 teams! involved with the event and without Leagues will take place at; Acton, hesitation, Try Tag Rugby agreed Balham, Canada Water, Finsbury Park, to support the Tag Olympics which Highbury, Hoxton, Reading, Richmond, was raising money for a great cause.

Rotherhithe, Southfields, Wandsworth Try Tag Rugby CEO Phillip Browne Town, West Ham & White City. commented: “The day was a big If you would like to get involved success with everyone involved having in one of the fastest growing sports a great time and plenty of money was in London, new team and individual raised for the mental health charity, registrations are welcome. This is a Mind. Jade has done a wonderful job great chance to develop a network of organising this event and we are glad friends if you are new to London. that we could contribute towards it.”

To register for a Try Tag Rugby The Tag Olympics organiser, Jade, competition or event, go to www. added: “I’m really appreciative to Try trytagrugby.com or email info@ Tag Rugby for supplying the Rugby trytagrugby.com for more details. equipment such as balls, markers, tags, tag rugby shorts and the referee for the event as well as helping to spread the AustralianTimes.co.uk/sport word. My target was to raise £1,001 for

LENDING A HELPING TAG Charity on the Mind for Tag Rugby in London P15

ORIGIN FEVER

n The State of Origin rugby league series kicks off in Melbourne on Wednesday and NSW are hoping to deny their bitter Queensland rivals a seventh straight series victory. Despite a flu sweeping through the Maroons squad, Blues coach Ricky Stuart knows only the best from his side will see them edge the important opener.

PERFECTION. It's an extraordinary target to aim for but, according to NSW coach Ricky Stuart, nothing else will be good enough to beat Queensland in Wednesday's State of Origin rugby league opener.

It's a statement testament to the juggernaut the Blues are up against at Etihad Stadium - a Queensland team rated among the best assembled striving for seven straight series wins.

"We won't win if we don't," Stuart said when asked if the Blues had to play perfect footy to beat Queensland.

"I'm really happy with the individual we picked in the team ... the type of individual player that we've got coming through.

"We've got to wait and see now.

"I don't think of winning. I just think of getting the players to the game in the best physical shape and making sure that the group of us have our strategy and plan in place.

"You don't think of winning even when you hit the park.

"It's a matter of getting the first set of six out of the way and then getting through the next set of six."

It was a philosophy the Blues bought into at ANZ Stadium last year - when they completed 34 of 38 sets to beat Queensland 18-8 - NSW's only win in their past six Origin matches.

"Their performance last year was sensational - in game two, they completed nearly 90 per cent which is fabulous at any level," Maroons' coach Mal Meninga said.

"To complete at nearly 90 per cent at State of Origin is super human really - the best game of rugby league you could play."

But while Stuart could use that game as proof of what the Blues are capable of, he has made a point of not relying on history to help motivate his players to bring down the Maroons' dynasty. ...continued on p14

AAP Image/Julian Smith

Aussie Rules showdown set for London

THE scene is set for a cracking AFL London Grand Final rematch this Saturday at Clapham Common with both West London and Wandsworth going into the Aussie Rules blockbuster undefeated and with a head of steam.

The Wildcats, in their first hit-out at home this year, were 107-point winners over London on Saturday at Barn Elms, while the Demons defeated Wimbledon at Motspur Park by 31 points.

The results put West London and Wandsworth first and second on the ladder.

Wildcats co-coach Dan Prigmore ...continued on p14

Brumbies want revenge against Reds

GOOD FRIDAY was hardly that for the Brumbies this year.

A painful 20-13 loss to an injuryravaged Queensland Reds cut so deep that the Brumbies have been looking forward to the Canberra rematch on Saturday night, and making amends, ever since.

Despite a season of surprise highs, skipper Ben Mowen revealed their one big low point at Easter time, when outmuscled at Suncorp Stadium, has been held up as an irritating example of passive play that won’t be tolerated again. ...continued on p15

Swans on edge for league’s Origin: Jack

STATE vs STATE MATE vs MATE

Stand-in Queensland skipper Sam Thaiday and NSW captain Paul Gallen fire-up at Melbourne’s Etihad Stadium ahead of Wednesday’s State of Origin opener.

WHILE debate over whether the AFL should restore interstate fixtures continues over the next month, one club will be cheering State of Origin with unbridled passion.

The rugby league edition, that is.

Under the leadership of Kieren Jack, son of former NSW fullback and Balmain legend Garry, the bulk of Sydney’s list has taken a shining to league’s showpiece.

“I’ve got a lot of the boys into it. A lot of the boys come from Melbourne - they haven’t really experienced State ...continued on p14