Melbourne Observer. July 20, 2016

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CLASSIC WINNER

■ Soprano Laura King was awarded first prize at the finals of the Mietta Song Competition on Sunday at the Australian National Academy of Music, South Melbourne.

The Mietta Song Competition is a biennial contest for classical singers and pianists.

It is dedicated to promoting the performance and wider appreciation of Art Song This year's judging panel consisted of Professor Mel Waters, Dame Felicity Lott, Peter Coleman-Wright and Caroline Almonte.

In addition to the $5000 awarded for first prize, Laura won the O'Donnell family prize and the Arnold and Mary Bram prize for best Australian song.

Receiving second prize was soprano Zoe Drummond.

The Hugh D. T. Williamson prize of $5000, for the first prize pianist, was awarded to Laura's accompanist Jonathan Wilson.

Ssecond placed pianist was Benjamin Burton, who accompanied Zoe. The audience choice prize went to Melbourne countertenor Max Riebl.

The awards honour Mietta O'Donnell.

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Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, July 20, 2016 - Page 3

Court Roundsman

It’s All About You!

Melbourne

Tribunal hears misconduct Observer claim: principal cleared In This Week’s Edition

Most Wuthering Heights Day Ever

● Lara Bogacz Kirk. Photo: Beth Klein ■ More than 1000 Kate Bush look-a-likes Adam Francis, put the wanna-be Kates amassed on the Sidney Myer Music Bowl and through the moves.

King’s Domain on Sunday (July 16) for the This was a glorious celebration of Kate Most Wuthering Heights Day Ever.

Bush’s iconic 1978 debut hit Wuthering Melbourne smiled down on the sea of red Heights and a deserving tribute to one of the with a glorious sunny day as the crowd busted most original, ground-breaking, talented mutheir best-Bush moves.

The atmosphere was euphoric as Kates con- sic artist ever.

Proceeds from the event go to SafeSteps, gratulated and laughed with other Kates on their Family Violence Response Centre.

Kateness in a spirit of community rarely seen.

- Beth Klein Choreographer Cathy Stevens, assisted by

■ An allegation of misconduct against Aquinas College Principal Anthony O’Byrne has been set aside by the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.

Judge Marilyn Harbison, Tribunal Vice-President, and Member Trish Harper, this month set aside a decision of the Informal Hearing Panel.

The complaint had originally been heard by the Victorian Institute of Teaching.

The Tribunal heard how Mr O’Byrne handled a complaint after an inappropriate comment was said to have been made by another teacher to two students in a Year 11 business management class at Aquinas College.

The female student reported the incident to the Year 11 co-orinator, Wayne Forrest.

The complaint was that the female student and her boyfriend had been singled out in a class, with the teacher saying “I know you would love to be stroking her leg.”

The female student said the class began laughing and mocked she and her boyfriend.

The Tribunal was told that the teacher had been the subject of previous complaints of using inappropriate language to other students.

Mr O’Byrne launched an investigation into the teacher’s behavior, unaware that Mr Forrest was also interviewing several students.

The female student was upset at how the interview with the Principal was conducted, VCAT heard.

Mr O’Byrne was upset with the inference that complaints had been made but not investigated satisfactorily.

The Tribunal also heard about an email sent to the College by the father of the female student.

The other teacher was stood down, with Mr O’Byrne saying it was the first time in his 28-year career that he had ever stood anyone down. He was uncertain of the process.

There was no manual prepared by the Catholic Education Office to assist in such a situation, the Tribunal was told.

Mr O’Byrne’s letter to the teacher included requirements that the teacher undergo a physical check-up, as well as psychological and neurological assistance.

The teacher is said not to have accepted all of the allegations, and denied making sexually suggestive comments.

Turn To Page 4

Long Shots: Christina leads Rotary ......... Page 4 Showbiz: Organ event at Brighton .......... Page 5 Victoria Pictorial: Early Gembrook ......... Page 7 Wine and Travel: David Ellis reports ........ Page 8 Freemasons Victoria: Promotion feature .. Page 10 Outback: New highway project ............ Page 12 Classic Books: Little Women .............. Page 13 Observer Showbiz: Abigail 1702 .......... Page 21 Country Music: Rob Foenander ............ Page 22 Theatre: Nigella Bites review ............. Page 23 Movies, DVDs: Top 10 lists ................. Page 24 Cheryl Threadgold James Sherlock Aaron Rourke Rob Foenander

Observer Showbiz Showbiz

Latest News Flashes Around Victoria

Max on sick list ■ Entertainer Max Merritt has contacted a Golden Staph infection during a routine hospital visit in the US, says friend Normie Rowe.

“This has jeopardised Max's return for the upcoming Go!! Show Gold concert tour beginning in Brisbane next Saturday night,” Normie said.

No death charge ■ Shane Bausch, 53, of Bell Post Hill, the accused drug-driver at the centre of a horror smash west of Geelong that caused the death of an unborn child has avoided a culpable driving charge, reports the Geelong Advertiser.

Hunt for shooters ■ Wangaratta Police are continuing joint operations seeking to stamp out any illegal shooting activity, particularly spotlighting for deer, within the King Valley, reports The Chronicle.

Guilty plea ■ Former AFL player Nick Stevens was to plead guilty yesterday (Tues.) to two charges of causing injury to his former partner.

The former Carlton and Port Adelaide midfielder was due to appeal his eight-month jail term in the County Court for abusing his former partner, reports AAP.

Weather Forecast ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

Today (Wed.). Scattered showers. 7°-15° Thurs. Scattered showers. 13°-18° Fri. Showers. 7°-16° Sat. Partly cloudy. 6°-12° Sun. Showers. 7°-11°

Mike McColl Jones

Top 5

THE TOP 5 COMMENTS HEARD WHEN VICE PRESIDENT BIDEN A TTENDED ATTENDED THE MC G ON SUND AY. MCG SUNDA

● Kates of all shapes and sizes gathered on Sunday Photo: Beth Klein

5. "Sit down ya mug!"

4. "No Sir ... that's not Donald Trump, that's the roof on AAMI stadium".

3. "The Vice President is upset.

Apparently his Pokeman is lost in Bay 13.”

2. "Big deal Joe. You go home on Airforce 2 ...

I catch a Number 48 tram".

1. "Sorry mate ... I don't care who you are ... no Pass Out ... no come back in!"

Page 4 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, July 20, 2016

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Christina is Rotary leader

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Melissa Iaria has changed rounds at Austra★ lianAssociated Press in Melbourne and is now covering courts.

Owl and Cat Theatre, Richmond, is aim ★The ing for non-profit registration.

Esther Stewart has won the 2016 Sir John Sulman Prize for her painting Flatland. Some ★ of her other works are on display at the Kerry ● Zumba performance. From left Adam Simpson, Patti O'Hara and President Christina Chia of Rotary Club of Manningham ■ Some 150 Rotarians and guests from around the world were given a high energy start to their new year at the Rotary Club of Manningham.

A team of dedicated Zumba dancers entertained as part of the celebration of the achievements of the past year and to introduce the new President Christina Chia and her Board of Directors.

Christina told the story of her migration to Australia in 2005 seeking a better future for herself and her two young daughters.

It was challenging for a single young mother, but she was touched by the generosity of the people editor@MelbourneObserver.com.au they met and by the spirit with Ash Long, Editor of community that continues.

“For the cause that lacks assistance, Having established ‘Gainst the wrongs that need resistance herself as a dynamic For the future in the distance, leader, Christina is comAnd the good that we can do” mitted to serving humanity through Rotary and to enlisting more young people to join her and experience the power of community or at least to get fit Zumba dancing.

Long Shots

ONJ ■ Olivia Newton-John will return home to Melbourne this September to raise funds for her beloved Olivia NewtonJohn Cancer Wellness and Research Centre at the Austin Hospital.

Olivia will host her renowned annual ‘ONJ Gala’ on Saturday, September 17, where she will be joined by Australian rock singer-songwriter, Jimmy Barnes in an exclusive performance.

Before the much anticipated ‘ONJ Gala’ celebrations kick off, Olivia will once again lead ‘The Wellness Walk’on Sunday September 11, as well as launching the first ‘Research Run’ which will be led by former Olympian, Steve Moneghetti.

Observer Treasury

Gardner and Andrew Myer Project Gallery at the Heide Museum of Modern Art, Bulleen, until September 11.

A number of regular features have been held ★ over from this week’s issue of the Melbourne Observer due to production problems.

The second half of this year's Dancehouse ★ (North Carlton) program continues to focus on the practices of thought of some remarkable artists.

Housemate artist in residence Matthew Day will premier his new work, Aeemblage #1 in late November.

Jon Gray, who has designed book jackets for ★ some of the biggest names in literature, will be in conversation with WH Chong at The Wheeler Centre on Monday, September 12.

774 ABC Melbourne’s Mornings program is ★ being presented this week by Patricia Karvelas.

Melbourne journalist, Wendy Tuohy, is hosting the Evenings program until Thursday August 4 during Lindy Burns’s secondment working with ABC regional radio presenters.

Melburnians will be able to walk in the foot ★ steps of Australia's most famous artists when the Victorian Artists' Society becomes part of the 2016 Melbourne Open House Weekend on July 3031. ● From Page 3

Misconduct claim: principal cleared

Thought For The Week ■ “Giving up doesn't always mean you are weak, sometimes it means that you are strong enough to let go.”

Observer Curmudgeon

● Aquinas College, Ringwood ■ “Promises mean everything, but after they are .

The teacher expressed resentment at the the family broken, sorry means nothing. “ for making allegations against him.

The Trinbunal heard that a Victorian Institute of Teaching panel exonerated the teacher.

“This proceeding concerns disciplinary action ■ Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good brought against the Principal for his part in investigating character.”

- 1 Corinthians 15:33 the offending teacher’s behaviour and communicating with parents ... It is said by the VIT that in doing so he Contents of Court Lists are intended for information purposes committed an act, or acts, of professional misconduct.” only. The lists are extracted from Court Lists, as supplied to the Mr O’Byrne appealed to the Tribunal against the public, by the Magistrates’ Court of Victoria, often one week prior to publication date; for current Court lists, please contact the earlier decision to find him guilty, and reprimand him.

Court. Further details of cases are available at The Tribunal found that Mr O’Byrne’s corresponwww.magistratescourt.vic.gov.au The Melbourne Observer shall in dence was “unnecessarily confusing and obscure” no event accept any liability for loss or damage suffered by any The VCAT determination said Mr O’Byrne had a person or body due to information provided. The information is provided on the basis that persons accessing it undertake respon- past excellent record of communication. sibility for assessing the relevance and accuracy of its content.

“We do not accept that the lapse in communication No inference of a party’s guilt or innocence should be made by between the principal and (the) parents, though regretpublication of their name as a defendant. Court schedules may be changed at any time for any reason, including withdrawal of table, is properly to be characterised as an act of misconduct,” Judge Harbison and Ms Harper said. the action by the Plaintiff/Applicant. E&OE.

Text For The Week

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Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, July 20, 2016 - Page 5

Showbiz News

‘King of instruments’ at play

Briefs Killed

■ A pedestrian has died in hospital after being struck by a car in Wantirna on Monday afternoon.

Investigators from the Major Collision Investigation Unit have been told a car stopped to let the 60-year-old Ringwood woman cross at a zebra crossing at the intersection of Mountain Hwy and Boronia Rd. A small truck has rear-ended the car, causing it to hit the woman.

Charged

■ Police have arrested and remanded three teenagers following a series of aggravated burglaries and car thefts in Narre Warren South, Pakenham and Berwick over the past week. Incidents which occurred in Botanic Dr P a k e n h a m ; Cassandra Ct, Berwick; and Amhurst Drive, Narre Warren.

● Tony Fenelon and Thomas Heywood ■ Melbourne Theatre Organ and Concert Organ In- organ.

Then after a 100 metres walk up Church St, each ternational are celebrating two magnificent examples of the ‘King of Instruments’ in a single Brighton con- will play the mighty Dendy Wurlitzer theatre pipe organ. cert on Sunday, August 7.

There will be a grand piano duet in the mix!

The special event has two organists - Tony Fenelon The musical extravaganza will include light clasand Thomas Heywood - playing at two venues only a sics to the more jaunty songbook standards has been hundred metres apart.

The Dendy Theatre was built in Church St in 1940. made possible by of Palace Cinemas and St Andrew’s About 100 years earlier St Andrew’s original church Church for this once only Sunday afternoon performance. was built nearby.

Where: StAndrew’s Church Brighton and then PalEach now contains a magnificent example of pipe ace Dendy Brighton Cinema Four organs.

When: 2:30pm Sunday, August 7 Fenelon and Heywood are two worldrenowned Melbourne Theatre Organ is part of the notforprofit masters of the keyboard with different musical styles.

In this "double feature" event each will play, first, on group of volunteers maintaining and presenting the St Andrew's Brighton Davis andLaurie concert Melbourne’s few remaining theatre pipe organs.

Narky types in Limbo

■ Krows Bar Kabaret presents Narky Types in Limbo, at The Butterfly Club from August 9 -14.

With songs and direction by Ella Filar, the show is set in the übertrendy hairdressing salon Limbo, where it is business as usual.

Assorted archetypes are primping and bristling under the blow dryers, The Mother, The Son and The Bitch.

The scent of hair spray impregnates Limbo.

Performers include Linda Cookson, Rhonda Wilson, Bruce Langdon, Hemi Titokuwaru, Jonathan Sinatra, Martin Zakharov and Ali Jarman.

The show is nspired by Left-ofBerlin European post-war musicology and performance.

Performance Season: August 9 – 14 at 8.30pm Venue: The Butterfly Club, 5 Carson Place, Melbourne Tickets: $32 (full), $28 (conc.) $25 (group) www.thebutterflyclub.com - Cheryl Threadgold

Melbourne Observations

with Matt Bissett-Johnson

● Jonathan Sinatra and Rhonda Wilson in Narky Types in Limbo.

Salonga returns ■ Tony and Olivier Award winning star Lea Salonga will return to Australia next February, performing concerts at Arts Centre Melbourne with Orchestra Victoria.

Lea will perform at Hamer Hall at Arts Centre Melbourne on TuesdayWednesday, February 7-8.

Melbourne tickets go on sale on Friday (July 22) via Arts Centre Melbourne.

Lea will wow audiences with Broadway hits and movie greats including hit songs from Les Misérables, Miss Saigon, West Side Story, Aladdin, Mulan, Frozen and A Little Night Music amongst others.

Actors highly vulnerable to mental illness

● Australian actors face a wide range of threats to their mental wellbeing ■ New research is raising the curtain on the not-soglamorous aspects of being a professional actor, with psychology experts finding that Australian actors experience a wide range of threats to their mental wellbeing.

Researchers from the University of Adelaide’s School of Psychology conducted in-depth interviews with a group of 20 Australian professional actors, after realising that little had been done to understand the psychological experience of the acting profession in this country.

The results are now published online ahead of print in the journal Australian Psychologist.

"There are many positives associated with acting, such as feelings of personal growth and a sense of purpose in the actors' work,” says lead author Alison Robb, who has been conducting this research as part of her PhD in Psychology at the University of Adelaide.

“Many of them see it as a 'calling' and couldn't imagine doing anything else professionally; they feel driven to do it.

"However, we also found that actors are highly vulnerable to depression and symptoms of anxiety.

"Their mental wellbeing is threatened in a range of ways, such as: a lack of autonomy in their profession, lack of control over their employment and general working environment, complex interpersonal relationships, a high level of self-criticism, a high level of criticism by family and friends for their choice of profession, and a heavy drinking culture.

"Actors also report experiencing vicarious trauma through their acting experiences – they are so emotionally, intellectually and physically engaged in their roles that it can be difficult to switch off. Some report having nightmares and intrusive thoughts related to their roles," she says.

Ms Robb – who herself is a former theatre director – says acting has a false reputation of being a glamorous profession.

"Many professional actors find themselves out of work for long periods of time. This creates a high level of instability in their lives, adding to feelings of anxiety," she says.

"They usually have no control over whether or not they get a particular role. If they aren't successful, they can feel demoralised and humiliated. When they do find work, it's often for very little money."

Ms Robb says these findings are relevant to both the acting profession and to psychologists.

"Quite opposite to the Hollywood stereotype of the attention-seeking, neurotic actor who is always in therapy, our research has found that Australian actors are extremely unlikely to seek help for the problems they're experiencing.

"As clinicians, psychologists need to think about how to apply their services to people with particular needs.

“Actors are such a group, and our recommendation is that psychologists find a way to reach out to them in a meaningful way," she says.

Harry Potter launch

■ Eltham Bokshopwill open the boxes of the newest book, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child at at 9:01am, Sunday July 31.

This magical morning will include entertainment by the Warrandyte Theatre Group.

Automation denied

■ Limelight magazine suggests ABC Classic FM radio station could be facing its most radical restructure ever with automation, but Classic FM says the publication has got it wrong.

Page 6 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, July 20, 2016

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Pages From The Past

Melbourne Obser ver - Wednesday, July 20, 2016 - Page 7

Gembrook - Early Days From the extensive files of The New Fres Press

● Palmer’s Hut, Gembrook

● Mr Godfrey’s Estate, Gembrook

● The Railway Station, Gembrook. Circa 1910-1926.

● Harvesting. Gembrook. 1898.

● The Hotel, Gembrook. Prior to 1954.

● Carting timber at Gembrook

● Looking back towards Gembrook from Emerald

● Picnic at Gembrook. 1927.

Page 8 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, July 20, 2016

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164A Elgar Rd, Box Hill South. (03) 9808 1614.

BRIAR HILL, 3088. Briar Hill Newsagency. 111 Mountain View Rd, Briar Hill. (03) 9435 1069.

BRIGHTON, 3186. Gardenvale Newsagency. 168 Martin St, Brighton. (03) 9596 7566.

BRIGHTON EAST, 3187. Highway Newsagency.

765B Hawthorn Rd, Brighton East. (03) 9592 2054.

BRIGHTON EAST, 3187. East Brighton Newsagency.

613 Hampton St, Brighton. (03) 9592 2029.

BRIGHTON NORTH, 3186. North Brighton Authorised Newsagency. 324 Bay St, North Brighton. (03) 9596 4548.

BRUNSWICK, 3056. Lygon Authorised Newsagency. (03) 9387 4929.

BRUNSWICK WEST, 3055. Melville Newsagency.

418 Moreland Rd, West Brunswick. (03) 9386 3300.

BRUNSWICK WEST, 3055. Theresa Newsagency.

34 Grantham St, Brunswick West. (03) 9380 8806.

BULLEEN, 3105. Bulleen Plaza Newsagency. Shop 29, Bulleen Plaza. (03) 9850 5521.

BULLEEN, 3105. Thompsons Road Newsagency.

123A Thompsons Rd, Bulleen. (03) 9850 1882.

Every Wednesday - at your local newsagent

BUNDOORA, 3083. Bundoora Centre Newsagency.

Shop 3, 39 Plenty Rd, Bundoora. (03) 9467 1351.

BUNDOORA, 3083. Bundoora Newsagency. 1268 Plenty Rd, Bundoora. (03) 9467 2138.

BUNYIP, 3815. Bunyip Newsagency. (03) 5629 6111.

BURNLEY, 3121. Burnley Newsagency. 375 Burnley St, Burnley. (03) 9428 1669.

BURWOOD EAST, 3151. East Burwood Newsagency. 16 Burwood Hwy, Burwood East.

(03) 9808 7284.

CAMBERWELL, 3124. Burke Road Newsagency.

(03) 9882 3671.

CAMBERWELL, 3124. Burwood Newsagency. 1394 Toorak Rd, Camberwell. (03) 9889 4155.

CAMBERWELL, 3124. Camberwell Centre Newsagency. 628 Burke Rd, Camberwell. (03) 9882 4083.

CAMBERWELL, 3124. Camberwell Market Newsagency. 513 Riversdale Rd, Camberwell.

(03) 9813 3799.

CAMBERWELL, 3124. Zantuck Newsagency. 732 Riversdale Rd, Camberwell. (03) 9836 4953.

CAMBERWELL EAST, 3124. East Camberwell Newsagency. 188 Through Rd, Camberwell. (03) 9836 2495.

CANTERBURY, 3126. Canterbury Newsagency. 104 Maling Rd. (03) 9836 2130.

CARISBROOK, 3464. Carisbrook Newsagency. (03) 5464 2293.

CARLTON, 3053. Lygon Authorised Newsagency.

260 Lygon St, Carlton. (03) 9663 6193.

CARLTON NORTH, 3054. Princes Hill Newsagency.

607 Lygon St, Carlton North. (03) 9380 1419.

CARLTON NORTH, 3054. Rathdowne Newsagency.

410 Rathdowne St, Carlton North. (03) 9347 2630.

CARNEGIE, 3163. Carnegie Newsagency. 58 Koornang Rd, Carnegie. (03) 9568 5256.

CARNEGIE, 3163. Patterson Newsagency. (03) 9557 5794.

CARNEGIE, 3163. Southern Distribution & Delivery Service. 669 North Rd, Carnegie. (03) 9576 7044.

CARRUM, 3197. Carrum Newsagency. 514 Station St, Carrum. (03) 9772 7696.

CARRUM DOWNS, 3198. Bayside Distribution. (03) 9782 6333.

CAULFIELD EAST, 3145. Caulfield Newsagency.

14 Derby Rd, Caulfield East. (03) 9571 6194.

CAULFIELD NORTH, 3161. Junction Newsagency.

69-71 Hawthorn Rd, Caulfield North. (03) 9523 8546.

CAULFIELD SOUTH, 3162. Booran Road Newsagency. 177 Booran Rd, Caulfield South.

(03) 9578 3195.

CAULFIELD SOUTH, 3162. South Caulfield Newsagency. 792 Glenhuntly Rd, Caulfield South.

(03) 9523 8701.

CHADSTONE, 3148. Supanews. Shops A42 and A49, Chadstone. (03) 9569 5858.

CHADSTONE, 3148. Holmesglen Newsagency.

637 Warrigal Rd, Chadstone. (03) 9569 7365.

CHARLTON, 3525. Charltopn Newsagency. (03) 5491 1680.

CHELSEA, 3196. Chelsea Newsagency. 403 Nepean Hwy, Chelsea. (03) 9772 2621.

CHELTENHAM, 3192. Cheltenham Newsagency.

332 Charman Rd, Cheltenham. (03) 9583 3276.

CHELTENHAM, 3192. Southland Newsagency.

Westfield Shoppingtown, Cheltenham. (03) 9584 9433.

CLAYTON, 3168. Clayton Authorised Newsagency.

345 Clayton Rd, Clayton. (03) 9544 1153.

CLIFTON HILL, 3068. Clifton Hill Newsagency. 316 Queens Pde, Clifton Hill. (03) 9489 8725.

COBURG, 3058. Coburg Newsagency, 481-483 Sydney Rd, Coburg. (03) 9354 7525.

COLAC, 3250. Blaines Newsagency, Colac. (03) 5231 4602.

COLDSTREAM, 3770. Coldstream Newsagency.

670 Maroondah Hwy, Coldstream. (03) 9739 1409.

CORIO, 3214. Corio Village Newsagency. Shop 27, Corio Village, Corio. (03) 5275 1666.

COWES, 3922. Cowes Newsagency. 44 Thompson Ave, Cowes. (03) 5952 2046.

CRAIGIEBURN, 3064. Craigieburn Newsagency.

Shop 9 Mall, Craigieburn. (03) 9308 2132.

CRANBOURNE, 3977. Cranbourne Newsagency.

105 High St,Cranbourne. (03) 5996 8866.

CRANBOURNE NORTH, 3977. Thompson Parkway Newsagency. Cnr South Gippsland Hwy, Cranbourne North. (03) 5996 0055.

CROYDON, 3136. Burnt Bridge Newsagency. 434 Maroondah Hwy, Croydon. (03) 9870 6140.

CROYDON, 3136. Croydon Newsagency. 158 Main St, Croydon. (03) 9723 2001.

CROYDON NORTH, 3136. Croydon North Newsagency. 5 Exeter Rd, Croydon North. (03) 9726 6030.

DANDENONG, 3175. Lonsdale Newsagency. 250 Lonsdale St, Dandenong. (03) 9792 1897.

DANDENONG, 3175. Lucky Winners Lotto. 118 Hemmings St, Dandenong. (03) 9792 4628.

DANDENONG, 3175. Doveton News & Lotto. (03) 9792 4937.

DEER PARK, 3023. Deer Park Newsagency. 823 Ballarat Rd, Deer Park.(03) 9363 1175.

DENILIQUIN, 2710. Deniliquin Newsagency and Bookstore. (02) 5881 2080.

DIAMOND CREEK, 3089. Diamond Creek Newsagency. 62A Hurstbridge Rd. (03) 9438 1470.

DINGLEY VILLAGE, 3172. Dingley Newsagency.

79 Centre Dandenong Rd, Dingley Village. (03) 9551 1184.

DONCASTER, 3108. Shoppingtown Newsagency.

Shop 34, 619 Doncaster Rd, Doncaster. (03) 9848 3912.

DONCASTER EAST, 3109. East Doncaster Newsagency. 74 Jackson Ct, Doncaster East. (03) 9848 3174.

DONCASTER EAST, 3109. Tunstall Square Newsagency. Shop 4, Tunstall Square, Doncaster East. (03) 9842 2485.

DONCASTER EAST, 3109. The Pines Newsagency.

Shop 35, 181 Reynolds Rd, Doncaster East. (03) 9842 7944.

DROMANA, 3936. Dromana Newsagency. 177 Nepean Hwy, Dromana. (03) 5987 2338.

DROUIN, 3818. Burrows Newsagency, Drouin. (03) 5625 1614.

DRYSDALE, 3222. Drysdale Newsagency. High St, Drysdale. (03) 5251 2776.

EAGLEMONT, 3084. Eaglemont Lucky Lotto, News & Post. 68 Silverdale Rd. (03) 9499 2589.

EDITHVALE, 3196. Edithvale Newsagency. 253 Nepean Hwy. (03) 9772 1072.

ELSTERNWICK, 3185. Elsternwick Newsagency.

348 Glenhuntly Rd, Elsternwick. (03) 9523 8335.

ELSTERNWICK, 3185. Elsternwick Office Supplies.

433 Glenhuntly Rd, Elsternwick. (03) 9523 6495.

ELSTERNWICK, 3185. Ripponlea Newsagency. 78 Glen Eira Rd, Elsternwick. (03) 9523 5649.

ELTHAM, 3095. Eltham Newsagency & Toyworld.

958 Main Rd. (03) 9439 9162.

ELWOOD, 3184. Elwood Newsagency. 103 Ormond Rd, Elwood. (03) 9531 4223.

EMERALD, 3782. Emerald Newsagency. Main St, Emerald. (03) 5968 5152.

EPPING, 3076. Dalton Village Newsagency. (03) 9408 8877.

ESSENDON, 3040. Essendon Newsagency. 15A Rose St, Essendon. (03) 9337 5908.

ESSENDON, 3040. Roundabout Newsagency. 94 Fletcher St, Essendon. (03) 9370 5305.

ESSENDON NORTH, 3041. North Essendon Newsagency. 1085 Mt Alexander Rd, North Essendon. (03) 9379 2243.

FAIRFIELD, 3078. Fairfield Newsagency. 99 Station St, Fairfield. (03) 9481 3240.

FAWKNER, 3060. Fawkner Newsagency. 54 Bonwick St, Fawkner. (03) 9359 2046.

FAWKNER, 3060. Moomba Park Newsagency. 89 Anderson Rd, Fawkner. (03) 9359 1595.

FERNTREE GULLY, 3156. Ferntree Gully Newsagency. Shop 2, 69 Station St, Ferntree Gully. (03) 9758 1343.

FERNTREE GULLY, 3156. Mountain Gate Newsagency. Shop 9B, Ferntree Gully. (03) 9758 4427.

FERNTREE GULLY UPPER, 3156. Upper Ferntree Gully Newsagency. Shop 3 Ferntree Plaza. (03) 9756 0171.

FITZROY, 3065. Fitzroy Newsagency. 337 Brunswick St, Fitzroy. (03) 9417 3017.

FITZROY NORTH, 3068. North Fitzroy Newsagency.

224 St Georges Rd, Fitzroy North. (03) 9489 8614.

FOOTSCRAY WEST, 3012. Kingsville Newsagency.

339 Somerville Rd, Footscray West. (03) 9314 5004.

FOREST HILL, 3131. Brentford Square Newsagency. 29-31 Brentford Sq., Forest Hill.

(03) 9878 1882.

FOREST HILL, 3131. NewsXPress Forest Hill. Shop 215, Western Entrance, Forest Hill. (03) 9878 2515.

FOUNTAIN GATE, 3805. Fountain Gate Newsagency. Shop 1157 (Level 1), Fountain Gate. (03) 9704 6408.

FRANKSTON, 3199. Beach Street Newsagency.

239 Beach St, Frankston. (03) 9789 9736.

FRANKSTON, 3199. Foote Street Newsagency. c/ - Bayside Distribution Services. (03) 9783 4720.

FRANKSTON, 3199. Frankston Newsagency. 5 Keys St, Frankston. (03) 9783 3253.

FRANKSTON, 3199. Karingal Hub Newsagency. c/ - Bayside Distribution Services. (03) 9776 7744.

FRANKSTON, 3199. Young Street Newsagency. 78 Young St, Frankston. (03) 9783 2467.

GARDENVALE, 3186. See Brighton.

GARFIELD, 3814. Garfield Newsagency Pty Ltd. 77 Main St, Garfield. (03) 5629 2533.

GEELONG, 3220. Geelong Newsagency & Lotto.

139 Moorabool St, Geelong. (03) 5222 1911.

GEELONG EAST, 3219. East Geelong Newsagency.

78A Garden St. (03) 5229 5109.

GEELONG WEST, 3218. Manifold Newsagency.

Shop 2, 132 Shannon Ave, Geelong West. (03) 5229 5897.

GEELONG WEST, 3218. Murphy's Newsagency. PO Box 7133, Geelong West. (03) 5229 1973.

GISBORNE, 3437. Gisborne Newsagency. Shop 20, Village Shopping Centre. (03) 5428 2632.

GLADSTONE PARK, 3043. Gladstone Park Newsagency. Shop 164. (03) 9338 3921.

GLEN HUNTLY, 3163. Glenhuntly Newsagency.

1164 Glenhuntly Rd, Glenhuntly. (03) 9571 2551.

GLEN WAVERLEY, 3150. Glen Waverley News.

Shop L2, 65 Glen S/C, Springvale Rd, Glen Waverley. (03) 9802 8503.

GLEN WAVERLEY, 3150. Kingsway Newsagency.

65 Kingsway, Glen Waverley. (03) 9560 9987.

GLEN WAVERLEY, 3150. Syndal Newsagency. 238 Blackburn Rd, Glen Waverley. (03) 9802 8446.

GLENFERRIE, 3122. See Hawthorn.

GLENROY, 3046. Glenroy Newsagency. 773 Pascoe Vale Rd, Glenroy. (03) 9306 9530.

GRANTVILLE, 3984. Grantville Newsagency. Shop 4, 1509 Bass Hwy, Grantville. (03) 5678 8808.

GREENSBOROUGH, 3088. Greensborough Newsagency. Shop 4-5 Greensborough. (03) 9435 1024.

GREENVALE, 3059. Greenvale Newsagency. Shop 4 & 5, Cnr Mickleham & Greenvale Rds, Greenvale. (03) 9333 3154.

GROVEDALE, 3216. Grovedale Newsagency. 19 Peter St. (03) 5243 1480.

HADFIELD, 3046. Hadfield Newsagency. 120 West St, Hadfield. (03) 9306 5007.

HAMPTON, 3188. Hampton Newsagency. 345-347 Hampton St, Hampton. (03) 9598 1239.

HAMPTON EAST, 3188. Hampton East Newsagency.

412 Bluff Rd, Hampton East.(03) 9555 2821.

HAMPTON PARK, 3976. Hampton Park Newsagency. Shop 3, Park Square, Hampton Park. (03) 9799 1609.

HASTINGS, 3915. Hastings Newsagency. 56 High St. (03) 5979 1321.

HAWTHORN, 3122. Glenferrie Newsagency.669 Burwood Rd, Hawthorn. (03) 9818 2621.

HAWTHORN EAST, 3123. Auburn Newsagency. 119 Auburn Rd, Hawthorn East. (03) 9813 4838.

HAWTHORN EAST, 3123. Auburn South Newsagency. 289 Auburn Rd, Hawthorn East.

(03) 9882 2009.

HAWTHORN WEST, 3122. Hawthorn West Newsagency. 44 Church St, Hawthorn. (03) 9853 6098.

HEALESVILLE, 3777. Healesville Newsagency.

(03) 5962 4161.

HEIDELBERG, 3084. Heidelberg Newsagency. 128 Burgundy St, Heidelberg. (03) 9457 1098.

HEIDELBERG WEST, 3081. Heidelberg Heights Newsagency. 35 Southern Rd, Heidelberg West.

(03) 9457 2063.

HEIDELBERG WEST, 3081. The Mall Newsagency.

Shop 18, Heidelberg West. (03) 9457 4244.

HIGHETT, 3190. Highett Newsagency. 2 Railway Pde, Highett. (03) 9555 1010.

HIGHTON, 3216. Highton Newsagency. 7 Bellevue Ave. (03) 5243 4824, HOPPERS CROSSING, 3030. Hoppers Crossing Newsagency. 31 Old Geelong Rd, Hoppers Crossing. (03) 9749 2652, HUNTINGDALE, 3166. Huntingdale Newsagency.

291 Huntingdale Rd, Huntingdale. (03) 9544 1175.

HURSTBRIDGE, 3099. Hurstbridge Newsagency.

800 Main Rd. (03) 9718 2045.

IVANHOE, 3079. NewsXPress. 194-196 Upper Heidelberg Rd, Ivanhoe. (03) 9499 1231.

IVANHOE EAST, 3079. East Ivanhoe Newsagency.

262 Lower Heidelberg Rd, Ivanhoe East. (03) 9499 1720.

KEILOR, 3036. Centreway Newsagency. 59 Wyong St, Keilor East, 3033. (03) 9336 2451.

KEILOR, 3036. Keilor Newsagency. 700 Calder Hwy, Keilor. (03) 9336 7930.

KEILOR DOWNS, 3038. Keilor Downs Newsagency.

Shop 3, Keilor Downs Plaza, Keilor Downs. (03) 9310 9955.

KEW, 3101. Cotham Newsagency. 97 Cotham Rd, Kew. (03) 9817 3840.

KEW, 3101. Kew Newsagency. 175 High St, Kew. (03) 9853 8238.

KEW NORTH, 3101. North Kew Newsagency. 93 Willsemere Rd, Kew. (03) 9853 9383.

KEYSBOROUGH, 3173. Parkmore Newsagency.

Parkmore Shopping Centre, Kensington. (03) 9798 4311.

KILMORE, 3764. Kilmore Newsagency. 41 Sydney St. (03) 5782 1465.

KILSYTH, 3137. Kilsyth Newsagency. 520 Mt Dandenong Rd. (03) 9725 6218.

KINGSVILLE, 3012. See Footscray West.

KNOX CITY. See Wantirna South KNOXFIELD, 3180. Knoxfield Newsagency. (03) 9764 8260.

KOO-WEE-RUP, 3981. Koo Wee Rup Newsagency.

44-48 Station St, Koo Wee Rup. (03) 5997 1456.

LALOR, 3075. Lalor Newsagency. 364 Station St, Lalor. (03) 9465 2698.

LARA, 3212. Lara Newsagency. 44 The Centreway, Lara. (03) 5282 1419.

L AVERTON, 3028. Laverton Newsagency. 12 Aviation Rd, Laverton. (03) 9369 1426.

LEOPOLD, 3028. Leopold Newsagency. 45 Ash Rd, Leopold. (03) 5250 1687.

LILYDALE, 3140. Lilydale Newsagency. 237 Main St. (03) 9735 1705.

LOWER PLENTY, 3093. Lower Plenty Newsagency.

95 Main Rd. (03) 9435 6423.

LOWER TEMPLESTOWE, 3107. See Templestowe Lower.

MALVERN, 3144. Malvern Newsagency. 114 Glenferrie Rd, Malvern. (03) 9509 8381.

MALVERN, 3144. Malvern Village Newsagency.

1352 Malvern Rd, Malvern. (03) 9822 3761.

MALVERN, 3144. Winterglen Newsagency Malvern Lotto. 167 Glenferrie Rd, Malvern. (03) 9509 9068.

MALVERN EAST, 3145. Central Park Newsagency.

393 Wattletree Rd, Malvern East. (03) 9509 9842.

McCRAE, 3938. McCrae Newsagency, 675 Point Nepean Rd. (03) 5986 8499.

McKINNON, 3204. McKinnon Newsagency. 148 McKinnon Rd, McKinnon. (03) 9578 4478.

MELBOURNE, 3000. Mitty's Newsagency. 53 Bourke St, Melbourne. (03) 9654 5950.

MELTON, 3337. Melton Authorised Newsagency.

383-385 High St, Melton. (03) 9743 5451.

MELTON, 3337. NewsXPress. (03) 9743 5451.

MENTONE, 3194. Mentone Newsagency. 24 Como Pde, Mentone. (03) 9585 3494.

MERLYNSTON, 3058. Merlynston Newsagency. (03) 9354 1532.

MIDDLE BRIGHTON, 3186. Middle Brighton Newsagency. 75-77 Church St, Middle Brighton.

(03) 9592 1000.

MIDDLE PARK, 3206. Middle Park Newsagency.

16 Armstrong St, Middle Park.

MILDURA, 3500. Klemm's Mildura Newsagency.

(03) 5302 1004.

MILL PARK, 3082. Mill Park Authorised Newsagency. Stables Shopping Centre, Cnr Childs Rd & Redleap Ave, Mill Park. (03) 9436 4400.

MITCHAM, 3132. Mitcham Newsagency. 503 Whitehorse Rd, Mitcham. (03) 9873 1108.

MOE, 3825. Yeatman's Newsagency. 3A Moore St, Moe. (03) 5127 1002.

MONT ALBERT., 3127. Mont Albert Newsagency.

42 Hamilton St, Mont Albert. (03) 9890 1140.

MONTMORENCY, 3094. Montmorency Newsagency.

41-43 Were St. (03) 9435 8893.

MONTROSE, 3765. Montrose Newsagency. 912 Mt Dandenong Rd. (03) 9728 2057.

MOONEE PONDS, 3039. Puckle Street Newsagency.

45 Puckle St, Moonee Ponds. (03) 9375 2264.

MORDIALLOC, 3195. Mordialloc Newsagency.

574A Main St, Mordialloc. (03) 9580 5141.

MORDIALLOC, 3195. Warren Village Newsagency.

87 Warren Rd. (03) 9580 3880.

MORELAND, 3056. See Brunswick.

MORNINGTON, 3931. Mornington Newsagency. 97 Main St, Mornington. (03) 5975 2099.

MORNINGTON, 3931. Scribes Newsagency. Shop 1/10, Mornington Village, Mornington. (03) 5975 5849.

If your local newsagency is not listed, and you would like them to stock the Melbourne Observer, please ask them to contact All Day Distribution, phone (03) 9482 1145.

MORWELL, 3840. Morwell Newsagency. 176 Commercial Rd, Morwell. (03) 5134 4133.

MOUNT ELIZA, 3934. Mount Eliza Newsagency.

102 Mount Eliza Way. (03) 5974 2347.

MOUNT MARTHA, 3934. Mount Martha Newsagency. 2 Lochiel Ave, Mount Martha. (03) 5974 2347.

MOUNT WAVERLEY, 3149. Pinewood Newsagency.

Shop 59, Centreway Shopping Centre, Mount Waverley. (03) 9802 7008.

MOUNTAIN GATE, 3156. See Ferntree Gully.

MT EVELYN, 3658. Mt Evelyn Newsagency. 1A Wray Cres. (03) 9736 2302.

MULGRAVE, 3170. Northvale Newsagency. 901 Springvale Rd, Mulgrave. (03) 9546 0200.

MULGRAVE, 3170. Waverley Gardens Newsagency. Shop 44, Waverley Gardens, Mulgrave. (03) 9547 5773.

MURCHISON, 3610. Murchison Newsagency, Murchison. (03) 5826 2152, MURRUMBEENA, 3163. Murrumbeena Newsagency. 456 Nerrim Rd, Murrumbenna. (03) 9568 1959.

NARRE WARREN, 3805. Narre Warren News & Tatts. Shop 1 Webb St, Narre Warren. (03) 9704 6495.

NEWCOMB, 3220. Newcomb Newsagency, Geelong. (03) 5248 5434.

NEWMARKET, 3031. Newmarket Newsagency. 294 Racecourse Rd, Newmarket. (03) 9376 6075.

NEWPORT, 3015. Newport Newsagency. 6 Hall St, Newport. (03) 9391 2548.

NIDDRIE, 3042. Niddrie Newsagency. 455 Keilor Rd, Niddrie. (03) 9379 3840.

NOBLE PARK, 3174. Noble Park Newsagency. 22 Douglas St, Noble Park. (03) 9546 9079.

NOBLE PARK, 3174. Variety Newsagency. 1268 Heatherton Rd, Noble Park. (03) 9546 7916.

NORTH BALWYN, 3104. See Balwyn North.

NORTH MELBOURNE, 3051. See West Melbourne.

NORTH MELBOURNE, 3051. Haines Street Newsagency. 46 Haines St. (03) 9328 1195.

NORTH MELBOURNE, 3051. News On Errol. (03) 9326 3744.

NORTHCOTE, 3070. Croxton Newsagency. 509 High St, Northcote. (03) 9481 3624.

NORTHCOTE, 3070. Northcote Newsagency. 335 High St, Northcote. (03) 9481 3725.

NORTHCOTE, 3070. Northcote Newsplaza. (03) 9481 7130.

NUNAWADING, 3131. Mountainview Newsagency.

293A Springfield Rd, Nunawading. (03) 9878 7887.

NYAH, 3594. Nyah General Store. (03) 5030 2230.

OAK PARK, 3046. Oak Park Newsagency. 120 Snell Grove, Oak Park. (03) 9306 5472.

OAKLEIGH, 3166. Oakleigh Newsagency. Shop 61-63, Oakleigh. (03) 9563 0703.

OAKLEIGH EAST, 3166. Oakleigh East Auth.

Newsagency. 190 Huntingdale Rd, East Oakleigh.

(03) 9544 4322.

OAKLEIGH SOUTH, 3167. Oakleigh South Newsagency. (03) 9570 5833.

OCEAN GROVE, 3226. Ocean Grove Newsagency.

82 The Terrace, Ocean Grove. (03) 5256 1779.

PAKENHAM, 3810. Pakenham Newsagency. 99 Main St, Pakenham. (03) 5941 1243.

PARKDALE, 3195. Parkdale Newsagencxy. 238 Como Pde. (03) 9580 1724.

PASCOE VALE, 3044. Pascoe Vale Central Newsagency. 110 Cumberland Rd, Pascoe Vale.

(03) 9354 8472.

PASCOE VALE, 3044. Coonans Hill News/Tatts/ Post Office. 67 Coonans Rd, Pascoe Vale South.

(03) 9386 7465.

PASCOE VALE SOUTH, 3044. Paper N Post. Pascoe Vale South. (03) 9354 1432.

PEARCEDALE, 3912. Pearcedale Newsagency.

Shop 14, Pearcedale Village Shopping Centre, Pearcedale. (03) 5978 6343.

POINT COOK, 3030. NewsXPress. (03) 9395 0424.

POINT LONSDALE, 3225. Point Lonsdale Newsagency. 99 Point Lonsdale Rd. (03) 5258 1159.

PORT MELBOURNE, 3207. Port Melbourne Distribution. (03) 9681 8122.

PORTARLINGTON, 3223. Portarlington Newsagency. Shop 1, 60 Newcombe St, Portarlington. (03) 5289 2892.

PRAHRAN, 3181. Prahran Market Newsagency.

Shop 3A Pran Central, Prahran. (03) 9521 1200.

PRESTON, 3072. Northland Newsagency. Shop 3, Northland Shopping Centre. (03) 9478 2693.

PRESTON, 3072. Preston Newsagency. 377 High St, Preston. (03) 9478 3001.

PRESTON, 3072. Preston Town Hall Newsagency.

411 High St, Preston. (03) 9470 1630.

PRINCES HILL, 3054. See Carlton North.

QUEENSCLIFF, 3225. Queenscliff Newsagency. (03) 5258 1828.

RESERVOIR, 3073. Reservoir Newsagency. 22 Edwardes St, Reservoir. (03) 9460 6317.

RESERVOIR, 3073. Broadway Newsagency. 279 Broadway, Reservoir. (03) 9460 6510.

RHYLL, 3923. Rhyll Newsagency. 41 Lock Rd, Rhyll.

(03) 5956 9205.

RICHMOND, 3121. Swan Street Newsagency. 108 Swan St, Richmond. (03) 9428 7450.

RICHMOND, 3121. Vernons Newsagency. 308A Bridge Rd, Richmond. (03) 9428 7373.

RINGWOOD EAST, 3135. Ringwood East Newsagency. 52 Railway Ave, Ringwood East.

(03) 9870 6515.

RINGWOOD NORTH, 3134. North Ringwood Newsagency. 182 Warrandyte Rd, North Ringwood. (03) 9876 2765.

ROBINVALE, 3549. Robinvale Newsagency. (03) 5026 3264.

ROCKBANK, 3335. Rockbank Newsagency. (03) 9747 1300.

ROSANNA, 3084. Rosanna Newsagency. 135 Lower Plenty Rd, Rosanna. (03) 9459 7722.

ROSANNA EAST, 3084. Banyule Newsagency. 55 Greville Rd, East Rosanna. (03) 9459 7027.

ROSEBUD, 3939. Rosebud Newsagency. 1083 Nepean Hwy, Rosebud. (03) 5986 8359.

RYE, 3941. Rye Newsagency. 2371 Point Nepean Rd, Rye. (03) 5985 2013.

SANCTUARY LAKES, 3030. Sanctuary Lakes Newsagency. Shop 16, 300 Point Cook Rd. (03) 9395 4055.

SALE, 3850. Sale Newsagency. (03) 5144 2070.

SAN REMO, 3925. San Remo Newsagency. 105 Marine Pde, San Remo. (03) 5678 5447.

SANDRINGHAM, 3191. Sandringham Newsagency.

58-60 Station St, Sandringham. (03) 9598 1246.

SEAFORD, 3198. Carrum Downs Newsagency. (03) 9782 6333.

SEAFORD, 3198. Seaford Newsagency. 124 Nepean Hwy, Seaford. (03) 9786 1220.

SEDDON, 3011. Seddon Newsagency & Lotto. 74 Charles St, Seddon. (03) 9687 1919.

SEVILLE, 3139. Seville Newsagency. 654 Warburton Hwy. (03) 5964 2236.

SHEPPARTON, 3630. Lovell's Newsagency. 246 Wyndham St, Shepparton. (03) 5821 2622.

SOMERVILLE, 3912. Somerville Newsagency.

Shop 24, Plaza, Eramosa Rd West, Somerville.

(03) 5977 5282.

SOUTHBANK, 3006. Melbourne Centra Newsagency. 292 City Rd, Southbank. (03) 9690 3900.

SOUTH MELBOURNE, 3205. Clarendon Newsagency. 276 Clarendon St, South Melbourne.

(03) 9690 1350.

SOUTH MELBOURNE, 3205. South Melbourne Newsagency. 358 Clarendon St, South Melbourne.

(03) 9690 7481.

SOUTH MORANG, 3752. South Morang Newsagency. 17-19 Gorge Rd. (03) 9404 1502.

SPRINGVALE, 3171. Springvale Newsagency. 321 Springvale Rd, Springvale. (03) 9546 9235.

ST KILDA, 3182. Esplanade Newsagency. 115 Fitzroy St, St Kilda. (03) 9525 3321.

ST KILDA, 3182. St Kilda Junction Newsagency.

52 St Kilda Rd, St Kilda. (03) 9510 1056.

ST KILDA, 3182. Village Belle Newsagency. 161163 Acland St, St Kilda. (03) 9525 5167.

ST LEONARDS, 3223. St Leonards Newsagency.

Foreshore Rd, St Leonards. (03) 5257 1604.

STRATHMORE, 3041. Napier Street Newsagency.

313 Napier St, Strathmore. (03) 9379 2603.

STRATHMORE, 3041. Strathmore Newsagency. 15 Woodland St, Strathmore. (03) 9379 1515.

SUNBURY, 3429. Sunbury Authorised Newsagency. 14 Brook St, Sunbury. (03) 9744 1220.

SUNSHINE, 3020. Sunshine Newsagency. 3/282 Hampshire Rd, Sunshine. (03) 9312 2654.

SUNSHINE SOUTH, 3020. South Sunshine Newsagency. 22 Tallintyre Rd, Sunshine. (03) 9312 1629.

TAYLORS LAKES, 3038. Watergardens Newsagency. Shop 92, Bay B (Near Safeway), Taylors Lakes. (03) 9449 1122.

TEESDALE, 3328. Teesdale Newsagency. 1071 Bannockburn Rd. (03) 5281 5230.

TEMPLESTOWE, 3106. Templestowe Newsagency.

122 James St, Templestowe. (03) 9846 2486.

TEMPLESTOWE LOWER, 3107. Macedon News & Lotto. 25 Macedon Rd, Lower Templestowe. (03) 9850 2720.

THORNBURY, 3071. Normanby Newsagency. 703 High St, Thornbury. (03) 9484 2802.

THORNBURY, 3071. Rossmoyne Newsagency. 406 Station St,Thornbury. (03) 9484 6967.

TOORADIN, 3980. Tooradin Newsagency. 94 South Gippsland Hwy, Tooradin. (03) 5996 3343.

TOORAK, 3142. Hawksburn Newsagency. 529 Malvern Rd, Toorak. (03) 9827 3569.

TOORAK, 3142. Toorak Village Newsagency. 487 Toorak Rd, Toorak. (03) 9826 1549.

TORQUAY, 3228. Torquay Newsagency. 20 Gilbert St, Torquay. (03) 5261 2448.

TOTTENHAM, 3012. Braybrook Newsagency. 127 South Rd, Tottenham. (03) 9364 8083.

TULLAMARINE, 3045. Tullamarine Newsagency.

199 Melrose Dr, Tullamarine. (03) 9338 1063.

UNDERA, 3629. Undera Newsagency. (03) 5826 0242.

UPWEY, 3158. Upwey Newsagency. 18 Main St, Upwey. (03) 9754 2324.

UPPER FERNTREE GULLY, 3156. Upper Ferntree Gully Newsagency. (03) 9756 0171.

VERMONT, 3133. Vermont Authorised Newsagency. 600 Canterbury Rd, Vermont South.

(03) 9873 1845.

VERMONT SOUTH, 3133. Vermont South Newsagency. 495 Burwood Hwy, Vermont South (03) 9802 4768.

WALLAN, 3756. Wallan Newsagency. 59 High St. (03) 5783 1215.

WANDIN NORTH, 3139. Wandin North Newsagency. 18 Union Rd. (03) 5964 3339.

WANTIRNA SOUTH, 3152. Knox City Newsagency.

Shop 2080, Shopping Centre. (03) 9801 5050.

WANTIRNA SOUTH, 3152. Wantirna South Newsagency. 233 Stud Rd.. (03) 9801 2310.

WARRAGUL, 3820. Heeps Newsagency. 6 Victoria St, Warragul. (03) 5623 1737.

WATSONIA, 3087. Watsonia Newsagency. 93 Watsonia Rd, Watsonia. (03) 9435 2175.

WATTLE PARK, 3128. See Box Hill South.

WERRIBEE, 3030. Werribee Newsagency. 16 Station Pl, Werribee. (03) 9741 4644.

WERRIBEE, 3030. Werribee Plaza Newsagency.

Shop 37, Shopping Centre, Werribee Plaza. (03) 9749 6766.

WEST MELBOURNE, 3003. North Melbourne Newsagency. 178-182 Rosslyn St, West Melbourne. (03) 9328 1763.

WESTALL, 3169. Westall Newsagency. 148 Rosebank Ave, Westall. (03) 9546 7867.

WHEELERS HILL, 3150. Brandon Park Newsagency. Shop 28, Wheelers Hill. (03) 9560 5854.

WHEELERS HILL, 3150. Wheelers Hil Newsagency. 200 Jells Rd, Wheelers Hill. (03) 9561 5318.

WHITTLESEA, 3757. Whittlesea Newsagency. 59 Church St. (03) 9716 2060.

WILLIAMSTOWN, 3016. Williamstown News & Lotto. 16 Douglas Pde, Williamstown. (03) 9397 6020.

WINDSOR, 3181. Windsor Newsagency. 71 Chapel St, Windsor. (03) 9510 2030.

WONTHAGGI, 3995. Wonthaggi Newsagency. 27A McBride St, Wonthaggi. (03) 5672 1256.

WOORI YALLOCK. Woori Yallock Newsagency. (03) 5964 6008.

YARRA GLEN, 3775. Yarra Glen Newsagency. (03) 9730 1392.

YARRAVILLE, 3013. Yarraville Newsagency. 59 Anderson St, Yarraville. (03) 9687 2987.

YEA, 3717. Yea Newsagency, 78 High St. (03) 5797 2196.

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Melbourne

Observer

Melbourne Obser ver - Wednesday, July 20, 2016 - Page 9

Travellers’Good Buys

with Michael Osborne

Paradise and the islands of the Pacific

■ How many millions of words have been written? From early explorers such as Captain James Cook. From early travel writers such as Robert Louis Stevenson. And so many more.

We have had a fascination on tropical islands with crystal lagoons inside pounding reefs.

Green mountains staining towards the heavens. Mostly friendly were the Polynesian and Melanesian peoples, well, some didn't like the idea of strangers trying to take over their part of paradise.

Over this period, one of the most visited groups has been the Fiji Islands.

So when the invitation came from Blue Lagoon Cruises to come and explore some of these islands, surrounded by the comfort and safety of one of their specially designed expedition style small ships - we were off.

Blue lagoon Cruises The Four Night Wanderer Cruise Our itinerary includes - The Sacred Islands - Blue Lagoon - Sawa-iLau Island and Drawaqa Island.

A morning coach ride allows us to meet some of the other passengers, as we head to embarkation from Port Denarau, where we will be transferred to the Fiji Princess.

To link with the Fiji Princess, we are ferried in a high-speed catamaran. While enjoying the wonderful islands and reefs as we glide along, we

● Enjoy a meke and Fiji traditions

Melbourne

Observer Wines & Liqueurs

with David Ellis

Versatile Hunter Merlot ■ Margan Family Winegrowers has released a 2014 Merlot that reflects just how good was that year for reds in the Hunter Valley, this one absolutely exploding with wonderful firstup flavours of ripe red berries, spiced plums and cassis.

Made from fruit off vines growing on their own roots in the red volcanic soil of the Broke region, rather than having been grafted onto other stock, this is a great early-drinking style vino whose vibrant fruit and subtle use of oak is nicely rounded out with savoury characters and a good balance of its spicy characteristics.

Best summed up as a medium bodied, softer fruit-driven style with subtle integrated oak, its drinking excellently now but has all the indications of being a drop with great aging potential.

Well priced at $25, you’ll find this 2014 Margan Hunter Valley Merlot a great match with tomato-based pasta or other tomato-based Italian dishes, with beef, pork or chicken barbecues… and as a mate does, a fantastic base for rich red wine sauces.

One to note

■ Pper’s Brook on Tasmania’s north-east coast, Australia’s coolest and southernmost wine region, has released a stunner of a Gewurztraminer from 40 year old vines that are amongst the lowestyielding of any Australian vineyard region – but of absolutely exceptional flavour and character.

And while this wine’s from a 2015 vintage that was somewhat bumpy with a windy and warmer than usual winter and spring and a mild and occasionally damp summer, the result is a drop with a wonderful palate of gingerbread confection, quince paste and lime/citrus, coupled with a fruit sweetness that’s intense but at the same time balanced by low natural residual sugar.

Chief Winemaker Rene Bezemer says at $34 this is amongst the company’s best-ever Gewurztraminers, and ideal with Thai, Indian, Malay and Vietnamese dishes.

Order online www.pipersbrook. com.au

Pictured

■ Wonderful match with tomatobased Italian dishes – or an Aussie barbie.

■ Tassie Gewurztraminer that’s got Thai, Indian, Malay or Vietnamese food-matches written all over it.

are able to enjoy some welcome onboard 'bubbles' and snacks.

As we slow down to navigate a crossing into a large bay, there she is, out home for the next four days, Fiji Princess.

If you are looking for the 'high end' of cruising luxury, then this is not the vessel for you! But if its comfort and a small ship, designed to allow access to magical islands and bays, well, please read on.

Island Time Fiji works on Fiji/island time Fijians live their lives on 'Fiji time' with family and friends as their first priority.

If something doesn't happen now, the Fijians don't worry at it is sure to happen sooner or later.

This can take a bit of getting used to if you are accustomed to westernstyle service where drinks arrive at the snap of a finger and tours are run with military precision.

However, one of the best things about visiting Fiji is that it reminds you to slow down and focus on what is really important: spending time with those you love.

Switch into 'Fiji time' and you will quickly embrace the Fijians' 'don't worry, be happy' vibe.

Guests on board Fiji Princess are enchanted into slowing down, enjoying the moment.

The crew are amongst some of the most courteous and loveable you will meet.

They quickly remember your name and your preferred beverage. Nothing is a trouble.

The ship is very clean and the cabins, although small are well fitted out and the pod coffee maker was a boon for Australian's who enjoy a real tasting coffee.

Meals are delightful, with a great variety of fresh dishes presented on the festive board.

Each of the islands and beaches the various cruises land at have been specially researched by Blue Lagoon, thus allowing passengers the perfect opportunity to enjoy the beauty and to appreciate a Fijian way of life.

A Blue Lagoon Cruise is the perfect place to capture those very special memories, ones that will last a life time.

Usually we try and highlight a special part of the experience, but for this cruise, we couldn't separate them: The arrival in Fiji and the excitement of boarding the ship.

Our first sight of the Fijian Princess.

The Bula welcome.

Sailing around the islands.

The meals and friendliness of the crew.

The Fijian BBQ's on the beach.

Having our own private beach to enjoy.

The entertainment by the crew.

Visiting the schools.

Exploring the islands.

What we can highly recommend is that you contact Blue Lagoon Cruises: www.bluelagooncruises.com and take advantage of the special deal below, or your licensed travel agent today.

Bula!

- Michael Osborne

Page 10 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, July 20, 2016

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Freemasons Day Procedure Centre opens Masonic scholarships to Ringwood Secondary College

● Lachlan Griffith, Mrs Iris Hollingsworth, Maroondah Daylight Lodge's Doug Alkemade and Les Johns with Lily Hualngo.

■ Two Keith Hollingsworth Masonic Scholarships, each valued at $500, were presented to two Year 10 students from Ringwood Secondary College on Tuesday, July 12.

The scholarships, awarded to Lily Hualngo and Lachlan Griffith, were presented by Mrs Iris Hollingsworth, the widow of the late Keith Hollingsworth.

Funded by the Maroondah Daylight Lodge and the Freemasons Foundation, the scholarships are intended to assist in providing further educational opportunities to the recipients.

Lily Hualngo has made the most of her opportunities at the college since coming from a refugee background, has shown a high level of dedication and enthusiasm towards her studies, and her friendly approach has assisted students with a similar background to embrace the many challenges of starting school in a new country.

Lachlan Griffith began in 2016 with a renewed passion. He regularly shows new students around the school and helps them get settled at the college, has a great attitude, focus and determination towards his studies and a high awareness of collective responsibility, upholding the values of the college.

The scholarships are named after Keith Hollingsworth who was the Foundation Master of Maroondah Daylight Lodge.

He was greatly respected in Masonic circles, particularly in the field of research. Keith had an extensive history in education and at the time was the youngest person to be appointed to the position of school principal.

He later became involved in education in the Ringwood area having set up the Ringwood Coaching College which operated successfully for many years.

Because of this connection, the scholarships were directed to Ringwood Secondary College.

■ Freemasonry is proud to announce its partnership with Australian Prostate Cancer Research.

Through the support of the Freemasons Foundation Victoria, Freemasonry has committed $750,000 over three years to Australian Prostate Cancer Research, which will be applied to expand services related to the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of prostate cancer provided to patients at the Day Procedure Centre, located at APCR's Prostate Cancer Centre in Blackwood St, North Melbourne.

The 'Freemasons Day Procedure Centre' was officially opened on Wednesday, July 13.

The event was well attended by Directors of the Freemasons Foundation including Chairman Andre Clayton, joined by Freemasons Victoria's Grand Master, Don Reynolds.

CEO of APCR, Mark Harrison, said he was excited to be working with Freemasonry in educating men and their families around male health, which is a topic most men are reluctant to discuss.

Professor Tony Costello of APCR said he was thrilled that the Centre had been chosen as a recipient for a Freemasons Foundation grant.

"This generous donation will directly fund the new procedure wing at our North Melbourne clinic and provide equipment that will allow us to perform procedures in a single visit, fast tracking diagnosis and treatment thereby reducing the anguish men would typically experience from multiple visits," he said.

Freemasons Victoria's Grand Master Don Reynolds said that many thanks need to go to Foundation Di-

● Freemasons Foundation Chairman Andre Clayton with the $750,000 cheque, joined by Grand Master Don Reynolds and Australian Prostrate Cancer Research Professor Tony Costello. rector Ted Finch who has been inCurrently in Australia, one in fikve strumental in ensuring this donation men will be diagnosed by the age of was made.

85 with prostate cancer, with more "Freemasonry is an organisation than 20,000 new cases diagnosed of good men who care and are pas- each year. sionate about the welfare of the comAustralian men and their families munity, their friends and family. This are now able to be treated for prostate donation is very important, and we are cancer in a holistic one-stop-shop enpleased to support APCR in providing vironment. these critical services," he said.

Men in a public outpatient setting After the presentation, guests were in Victoria today will wait up to eight given a tour of the new ward by Vol- months for their first consultation with unteer Program Co-ordinator Penny a specialist.

Costello, and nurses, Bob Hale, Mia Through APCR's research, educaPercy and David Gray who provided tion and treatment, it is making a sigan overview of the services currently provided in terms of consultancy and nificant impact for men with prostate assessment processes, as well as cancer and their families, particularly equipment and facilities for client those who do not have access to expert treatment. treatments.

For more information on the speAPCR is a not-for-profit organisation whose vision is that 'no man cialist services of APCR please visit www.prostatecancerresearch.org.au dies of prostate cancer'.

Knight in shining regalia ■ Victorian Governor Linda Dessau this month admitted 75-year-old Freemason Dr Iain Nicolson, of Gippsland Lodge, as a Knight of the Order of St. John for his services, which include a stint during the 2009 Black Saturday fires.

Dr Nicolson is only the third Victo-

What is the Blue Lounge?

■ When you're asked to join the 'Blue Lounge', visuals of dark blue velvet arm chairs may come to mind, in possibly an underground club in the seedy back streets of the city somewhere … but you'd be sadly mistaken.

Actually, the Blue Lounge is one of the brightest initiatives that has come out of Freemasonry in a number of years, and is an open and honest way of meeting like-minded individuals in a relaxed environment.

Three years ago, two young Freemasons identified a path, that by bringing the younger members of a number of Lodges together, a critical mass is created whereby activities have a far greater chance of success.

They decided to create events that they would want to attend, their friends would want to come along too, and with a focus on their own age group.

Their intention is to grow and extend the Blue Lounge, first throughout the metropolitan area and then into regional Victoria.

One of their initiatives is that they are supporting young members as they progress through their Freemasonry journey, firstly, by attending the

● Members of The Blue Lounge at a Masonic event important ceremonial nights and then partners/friends/family and enjoy an by making a presentation and inviting informal social environment where questions of a masonic nature can be them to join the Blue Lounge.

The Blue Lounge aims to engage asked freely.

If you are a young Freemason and members with educational forums that maintain their interest in Freemasonry wish to interact with other younger and provide social nights for Freema- members in a more informal environsons under the age of 55 where they ment, don't hesitate to contact The have the opportunity to get to know Blue Lounge at blueloungevic@ each other outside of a Lodge setting. gmail.com or call the Blue Lounge They can get to know each other's President on 0449 589 277.

● Victorian Governor Linda Dessau admits Dr Nicolson as a Knight of the Order of St. John for his services as a volunteer.

Photo: St John Ambulance rian and the 10th Australian to be be- Gippsland.

"Volunteering however," Dr stowed with the honour.

He said it was an "enormous privi- Nicolson said, "was the first step tolege" to receive the honour, which wards being accepted as a local in gets the final nod of approval from Victoria" "I have a very simple view," he the Queen herself.

"Without wishing to sound corny, said. "I derive my income from the it couldn't have been without the help community and therefore I like to give to the community." of my family, and the support of my back And give back to the community wife, and working with a really top- he did, volunteering for St John Amgrade team," Dr Nicolson said. bulance for the past 28 years. RetireThe award, a St. John cross and a ment, he said, was not a word in his "breast jewel", will "sit quietly at vocabulary. home" while Dr Nicolson goes back Dr Nicolson continues to practice to work. medicine as well as lecture at Monash Dr Nicolson, who moved from En- Rural Health East Gippsland. gland with his wife to Victoria 39 He said it was every doctor's reyears ago, took up a medical practice sponsibility to pass on their skills to as a country GP in Toora, South the next generation.

To find out more about Freemasonry, how to become a member, or attend upcoming public events, please visit www.freemasonsvic.net.au Or ‘like’ our FaceBook page www.facebook.com/freemasonsvic for the most up to date information.

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au Melbourne

Observer

Melbourne Obser ver - Wednesday, July 20, 2016 - Page 11

West Hollywood

Everyone comes to West Hollywood ■ Hi everyone, from my suite at the Ramada Plaza Hotel and Suites comes this week's news.

10 free things to do in Hollywood

Former AFL boss visits ■ Andrew Demetriou, former North Melbourne player, Australian businessman, sports administrator and former CEO of the Australian Football League, arrived during the week to catch up and reminisce with former Director of North Melbourne Football Club, Alan Johnson.

Between them, they have played 103 games for the mighty Kangas.

Andrew certainly moved the goal posts and achieved great success at the AFL as CEO. He oversaw the expansion of the league from 16 to 18 clubs, the restructuring of the tribunal system and the brokering of two new television rights deals.

Season 3 for Bloodline ■ Over its first two seasons, the well-received show has been nominated for a number of Emmy, Golden Globe and WGA awards.

We can't wait to see what the next chapter holds for the alltoo-human Rayburns.

Said family has a shared, once-buried secret that resurfaces and disrupts their lives in the Florida Keys.

Kyle Chandler, Sissy Spacek, fantastic Aussie actor, Ben Mendelsohn, Linda Cardellini and Andrea Riseborough star in Bloodline, which first premiered in March of last year.

Some 23 episodes have aired so far, with the next batch expected sometime in 2017.

● Andrew Demetriou is pictured with Ramada Managing Director, Alan Johnson, out front on Santa Monica Boulevard outside the Ramada Plaza Hotel and Suites.

Eyed for Frankenstein ■ No Country for Old Men Academy Award winner, Javier Bardem is in talks to star as Frankenstein in Universal's classic monster movie series.

It's currently unknown which monster feature Bardem would first appear in. Tom Cruise and Russell Crowe's The Mummy, the first film in the monster series, is nearly done with filming.

Universal is also developing a Bride of Frankenstein feature, but sources indicate that Bardem's Frankenstein would likely appear in another monster pic first with the possibility of getting a spin-off down the road.

Bardem was most recently seen in Sean Penn's The Last Face and is currently filming Darren Aronofsky's untitled film opposite Jennifer Lawrence. He also has Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales which bows next summer.

Big days for Dory ■ Finding Dory surpassed Captain America: Civil War to become the highest-grossing domestic film of 2016.

With an estimated $423 million to Captain America's $406.2 million, Finding Dory is now the biggest movie of the year in North America and one of only 24 films in history to hit that $400 million mark.

Dory and her fish friends are also close to hitting a second domestic record: After less than a month in theatres, Finding Dory is the second highest-grossing animated film in domestic box office history. That record still belongs to Shrek 2 with $441.2 million.

Globally, Finding Dory boasts an estimated $643 million total and it hasn't even opened yet in markets like Mexico, Japan, the UK, Italy and Germany.

Dory's domestic success is just the latest box office win for Disney, which hit the $5 billion mark at the global box office this weekend, setting a new speed record for the industry.

To put that in perspective, Disney hit $5 billion last year on Dec. 20. This year, Disney already holds four of the top five domestic films of 2016: Finding Dory, Captain America, The Jungle Book and Zootopia.

It would be beyond Walt Disney's wildest dreams.

Ask for Joanna ■ If you are considering a move to Los Angeles or just coming over for a holiday to explore all the great sights then I have got a special deal for you.

We would love to see you at the Ramada Plaza Hotel and Suites, 8585 Santa Monica Boulevard, West Hollywood.

I have secured a terrific holiday deal for readers of the Melbourne Observer.

Please mention Melbourne Observer when you book and you will receive the 'Special Rate of the Day'.

Please contact: Joanna at info@ramadaweho.com Happy Holidays, Gavin Wood

GavinWood

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

Lifestyles under review

● Chaka Khan ■ Chaka Khan is going into rehab as the legendary soul singer fears she'll die like Prince.

The Tell Me Something Good diva added that her sister would be joining her in entering a drug rehab program to beat their addictions.

Chaka said: "The tragic death of Prince has had us both rethinking and reevaluating our lives and priorities. We knew it was time to take action to save our lives. My sister and I would like to thank everyone for their support, love and prayers."

Joe Perry, the legendary guitarist of the band Aerosmith, collapsed during a concert with his side project in Coney Island, police sources said.

The 65-year-old rocker was playing alongside actor Johnny Depp and frontman Alice Cooper with his super-group the Hollywood Vampires when he apparently went into cardiac arrest around 9.30pm.

Perry was taken to Coney Island Hospital, where he was listed in stable condition.

www.gavinwood.us

HOTEL MUSIC SERIES: Listen to free acoustic music in an awesome setting. The Andaz's Under The Covers series happens monthly on Wednesday nights. The Roxy Theatre owner Nic Adler handpicks the featured cover musicians, and conducts a pre-show interview with them in an Andaz hotel room (hence the name, Under the Covers. For a poolside setting, visit The Standard Hollywood's weekly Wednesday night series, Desert Nights.

You'll listen to acoustic performances in the intimate, candlelit Cactus Lounge and sip drinks by The Standard's expert bartenders.

BOOK SIGNINGSAT BOOK SOUP: Meet your favorite author, listen to a reading and get an autographed book or a picture at Book Soup in West Hollywood. The famous bookstore features author readings most nights a week, and admission is always free.

GET HEALTHYONYOUR SPECIALDAY: Why celebrate turning another year older by stuffing your face with cake and champagne? Add even more years to your life by claiming your free class and gym usage at Lift West Hollywood! The gym wants to give you the very special birthday gift of fitness, so mark your calendar on your birthday.

PERSUE THE SUNSET STRIPFARMER'S MARKET: Relax after work or bring the family on an adventure Thursday nights at the Sunset Strip Farmer's Market. Every Thursday night, the famous street hosts a nighttime farmer's market full of produce, dairy and meat, food vendors and entertainment. While purchasing groceries for dinner costs money, there is often live music and entertainment, which is always free for attendees.

REMODELYOUR HOMEATTHE PACIFIC DESIGN CENTER: The Blue Building of the architecture masterpiece that is the Pacific Design Center is home to countless interior design showrooms. Bring a sketchpad, a camera and your questions: spend the day browsing for ideas for your current house or future dream home.

GETACELEBRITY'SAUTOGRAPH (ANDATASTY TREAT)AT MILLIONS OF MILKSHAKES: Take a walk down the red carpet at Santa Monica Boulevard's Millions of Milkshakes. You never know who'll stop by. Kim Kardashian, Miley Cyrus, Heidi and Spencer, Mario Lopez and more have all stopped by the store to sign autographs, meet fans, take pictures and, of course, create their own drinks! Stop by on a regular day for a delicious celebrity-created treat. Or find out when a star is coming to town and get in line.

TAKEASTROLLDOWN FAMOUS SANTAMONICABOULEVARD: Santa Monica Boulevard in West Hollywood is also known as the world-famous Route 66 (which runs from the pier in Santa Monica beach to Chicago, Illinois). In West Hollywood, the street's medians are home to larger-than-life modern art installations, grand fountains and greenery. West Hollywood is California's most walkable city, after all, so test out that claim for yourself by burning calories and taking in the sites. If you get hungry on your 1.9 mile adventure, Santa Monica Boulevard is home to world-renowned gay bars and delicious cafes.

HAVEAFAMILY DAYAT THE WEST HOLLYWOOD LIBRARY: Reading is fun for the whole family at the West Hollywood Library. Bring your kids to the free weekly Toddler and Family events, featuring storytime, songs, fingerplay and more. Go to an author visit and book signing. Learn how to use a computer. Attend a seminar on the U.S. Constitution. Join an LGBT book club. All West Hollywood Public Library events are free to the public.

PEOPLE WATCHATTOWER BAR AT THE SUNSET TOWER HOTEL: Tower Bar at the Sunset Tower Hotel is known for having famous guests. You'll catch the stars you read about in the tabloids having lunch, as well as current and former rock stars grabbing a drink at the bar. The hotel itself has a ton of Hollywood history - take a look around and explore.

GETCULTUREDAT MOCAAT THE PACIFIC DESIGN CENTER: Everyone knows about Los Angeles' Museum of Contemporary Art located on Grand Avenue. But few know that the museum also has a branch inside the Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood. Best of all, the WeHo location always has free admission! Tuesdays through Sundays, you'll find rotating exhibitions, which revolve around contemporary design, architecture and specialty shopping.

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Page 12 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, July 20, 2016

■ Clint Walker is best remembered as the star of the western series Cheyenne which was on television in Australia almost 60 years ago.

I spoke to Clint Walker several years ago in a radio interview and I am pleased to report that according to the latest reports he is in good health.

Clint Walker was born in Hartford in Madison County, southwestern Illinois, in1927 along with his twin sister Lucille.

During the depression years the family was forced to move from town to town to find work.

Clint began his own wandering at the age of 16 when he left school to work in a factory. He later worked on the local riverboats before joining the Merchant Marines at the age of 17.

After a stint in the oil fields of Brownwood, Texas, Clint moved to Long Beach, California.

He also had a job as a deputy sheriff at the Sands Hotel in Las Vegas.

At the suggestion of Van Johnson, he went to Hollywood to try his luck as an actor.

Clint had a small role in the Cecil B DeMille film The Ten Commandments and then got his big break in 1955 as the star of the television series Cheyenne.

It was a popular Warner Brothers series alternating with two other productions, Sugarfoot starring Will Hutchins, and Bronco starring Ty Harden.

Clint had a faithful horse throughout the series named Brandy who lived to be 26 years

Whatever Happened To ...

Lorne Green

By Kevin Trask of 3AW and 96.5 Inner FM

old. As part of his contract with Warner Brothers Clint starred in two successful films, Yellowstone Kelly with Edd Byrnes, and Fort Dobbs with Virginia Mayo.

Cheyenne ran for eight years and Clint continued working in films and television for another 30 years.

He co-starred with many of famous film stars during his career in Send Me No Flowers with Doris Day, None But The Brave with Frank Sinatra, and Pancho Villa with Telly Savalas.

In 1967 Clint had a role as a native American Indian in the classic The Dirty Dozen and that is the film for which he is most remembered He recorded an album of hymns and he has a nice

● Clint Walker singing voice. In 1973 Clint was accidentally stabbed in the heart with a ski pole on Mammoth Mountain in California. He told me he was saved because there was a doctor nearby and he received immediate attention.

As he lay on the ground he believes he had an "out of body experience" and he was given another chance at life.

Two months later he was back in front of the

cameras. Clint was married three times and has one daughter, who became one of the first female airline pilots in the United States.

The Cheyenne series is out on DVD and Clint has a great website on www.clintwalker.com There is a personal note on his website: My wife Susan and I run the website ourselves without outside help.

We do read all the mail, and I dictate the answers and she types them.

Everything is personally autographed by me, and we do all the packaging and shipping ourselves.

Thankfully our business is growing but it also eliminates the possibility of answering all the email, letters and enquiries, though we do read them all.

In 1998 Clint joined some of his former costars from The Dirty Dozen to do voices for the film Small Soldiers.

I wish we had a seniors’ channel on free to air television in Australia - wouldn't it be great to see some of the old television series such as Cheyenne again?

Kevin Trask The Time Tunnel - on Remember When - Sundays at 8.10pm on 3AW That's Entertainment - 96.5FM Sundays at 12 Noon 96.5FM is streaming on the internet.

To listen, go to www.innerfm.org.au and follow the prompts.

Instant outback icon in the making ■ There are some fabled train journeys in the world - the Trans Siberian, the Orient Express. And some worthy and famous drives - Highway 1from LA to San Francisco, and Route 66 in the U.S. And of course in Australia the Stuart Highway fromAdelaide to Darwin, the Great Ocean Road, and the Nullarbor crossing.

And there's another one - The Outback Way, from the east coast to the West.

But unfortunately, at the moment, 2800 kms of this is just dirt track, so it's hardly legendary status yet, apart from among intrepid four-wheel drivers.

But it seems that now that's about to change.

Successive governments have been discussing this ever since I can remember, but now the Coalition has made a commitment to spend $100m to complete the bitumen.

This will indeed be a notable journey when it's finished.

I have been along bits of it here and there, and overall I'm familiar the terrain of Outback NT and Queensland. It is spectacular.

The NT section is through desert sand-hills and gibber plains, the Queensland quotient is often driving through many mesas and buttes. And these are also spectacular sights, reminiscent of Wild West movies.

Once it's finished, it will indeed become an instant icon.

The Outback Legend

■ Even though I've never liked cats much, either as vicious predators to our wildlife, or pampered moggies they're too independent and unresponsive and aloof for me - I do like dogs.

They're friendly and responsive; all of mine have always been a part of the family.

But that can be taken a little too far.

In the NT, the dog population is basically out of control.

There's been a recent grant of $1.8 million to the Animal Management in Rural and Remote Indigenous Communities Group.

The problem stems from hordes of dogs roaming around these remote Aboriginal communities.

The CLP member for Lingiari, Tina McFarlane, announced the grant, saying "there are clear health issues associated with starving and diseased dogs fighting over food with children, and sharing living quarters with people."

There are about 100 pathogens which can be passed from dogs to humans. And many of these mutts are called "leatherbacks" because of their severe mange.

So there will be a desexing program, along with treating dogs for parasites, and, of course euthanasia.

The last one always seems to work.

These kids come to town once a term to socialise with their equally remote mates.

But the kids obviously can't organise themselves for all of this, so the cattle stations employ girls from all over the world as governesses to help mothers, and help out with the schooling.

One of these visits coincides with theAlice Springs Show, and the Govies all come to town as well.

I have been to a couple of Musters - this one's a barbecue at the Gillen Club, where they will gather to let their hair down and jump around all night.

And of course the ringers from the stations are attracted to the fray as well, so a good time is always had by all.

■ Its on again - The Govie's Muster.

There's the School of the Air in Alice Springs, whose broadcast covers 1.3 million square kilometres, and is vitally important in the Outback.

It goes out to 150 students in the remote areas of NT, SA and WA living on cattle stations and remote outposts.

■ And the NT Natural Resource Management has a new five-year plan - to strengthen feral animal management, and stop the spread of weeds.

There are rabbits and camels and donkeys and horses which are running amok and causing "substantial degradation" to the whole of Central Australia.

with Nick Le Souef Lightning Ridge Opals 175 Flinders Lane, Melbourne Phone 9654 4444 www.opals.net.au

"They can substantially reduce pastoral values by damaging pastoral fence lines, degrading pasture and impacting on rotational grazing programmes aimed at managing native pasture resources".

And that's just the animals.

Then there are the plants - athel pine, cactus, parkinsonia and rubber bush. Athel pines proliferate around often dry watercourses, soaking up any available moisture, so native species of flora just die off from thirst.

There are other feral animals which fall outside this plan. The larger ones are easier to see and easier to control than their smaller cousins. And affect different areas.

This management plan is mainly for primary industries, and, as such, is highly admirable.

However there remains the ever present menace of foxes and cats.

While these creatures don't damage fences and pasture, they certainly destroy Australia's native wildlife heritage, and it's equally important that they are eradicated too.

■ Years ago, there were no rules or regulations regarding the capture and captivity of reptiles.

Nowadays licences of many types abound, and woe betide those flaunting these.

I grew up always with a lizard enclosure in my backyard in Kyabram.

On every trip away with my dad, collecting butterflies and moths, we would always encounter many a reptile in the bush. So I would always grab a few stumpy-tailed lizards and load them into the car and bring them home.

I would always have a dozen or so in a "run" outside, with plenty of places for them to hide and hibernate during the winter months.

Then upon my leaving the Goulburn Valley to relocate to Blairgowrie, they came with me. And, with a new environment, I added some blue-tongues to the collection.

There were always plenty of snails about to collect and present to them.

They were their favourite food. But they also liked a dish of milk and bread and mashed up banana as well. They were easy to feed.

No such luck with a friend in Alice Springs who was keeping thorny devils. They only eat ants and need a steady supply all the time - not so easy.

- Nick Le Souef

Melbourne Obser ver - Wednesday, July 20, 2016 - Page 13

Observer Classic Books

Little Women (or Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy) Continued From Last Week “I understand, Mother, and quite agree, but I’m disappointed about Meg, for I’d planned to have her marry Teddy by-and-by and sit in the lap of luxury all her days. Wouldn’t it be nice?” asked Jo, looking up with a brighter face.

“He is younger than she, you know,” began Mrs. March, but Jo broke in . . .

“Only a little, he’s old for his age, and tall, and can be quite grown-up in his manners if he likes.

Then he’s rich and generous and good, and loves us all, and I say it’s a pity my plan is spoiled.”

“I’m afraid Laurie is hardly grown-up enough for Meg, and altogether too much of a weathercock just now for anyone to depend on. Don’t make plans, Jo, but let time and their own hearts mate your friends. We can’t meddle safely in such matters, and had better not get ‘romantic rubbish’ as you call it, into our heads, lest it spoil our friendship.”

“Well, I won’t, but I hate to see things going all crisscross and getting snarled up, when a pull here and a snip there would straighten it out. I wish wearing flatirons on our heads would keep us from growing up. But buds will be roses, and kittens cats, more’s the pity!”

“What’s that about flatirons and cats?” asked Meg, as she crept into the room with the finished letter in her hand.

“Only one of my stupid speeches. I’m going to bed. Come, Peggy,” said Jo, unfolding herself like an animated puzzle.

“Quite right, and beautifully written. Please add that I send my love to John,” said Mrs. March, as she glanced over the letter and gave it back.

“Do you call him ‘John’?” asked Meg, smiling, with her innocent eyes looking down into her mother’s.

“Yes, he has been like a son to us, and we are very fond of him,” replied Mrs. March, returning the look with a keen one.

“I’m glad of that, he is so lonely. Good night, Mother, dear. It is so inexpressibly comfortable to have you here,” was Meg’s answer.

The kiss her mother gave her was a very tender one, and as she went away, Mrs. March said, with a mixture of satisfaction and regret, “She does not love John yet, but will soon learn to.”

ChapterTwenty-One Laurie Makes Mischief, and Jo Makes Peace Jo’s face was a study next day, for the secret rather weighed upon her, and she found it hard not to look mysterious and important. Meg observed it, but did not trouble herself to make inquiries, for she had learned that the best way to manage Jo was by the law of contraries, so she felt sure of being told everything if she did not ask. She was rather surprised, therefore, when the silence remained unbroken, and Jo assumed a patronizing air, which decidedly aggravated Meg, who in turn assumed an air of dignified reserve and devoted herself to her mother. This left Jo to her own devices, for Mrs. March had taken her place as nurse, and bade her rest, exercise, and amuse herself after her long confinement. Amy being gone, Laurie was her only refuge, and much as she enjoyed his society, she rather dreaded him just then, for he was an incorrigible tease, and she feared he would coax the secret from her.

She was quite right, for the mischief-loving lad no sooner suspected a mystery than he set himself to find it out, and led Jo a trying life of it. He wheedled, bribed, ridiculed, threatened, and scolded; affected indifference, that he might surprise the truth from her; declared he knew, then that he didn’t care; and at last, by dint of perseverance, he satisfied himself that it concerned Meg and Mr. Brooke. Feeling indignant that he was not taken into his tutor’s confidence, he set his wits to work to devise some proper retaliation for the slight.

Meg meanwhile had apparently forgotten the matter and was absorbed in preparations for her father’s return, but all of a sudden a change seemed to come over her, and, for a day or two, she was quite unlike herself. She started when spoken to, blushed when looked at, was very quiet, and sat over her sewing, with a timid, troubled look on her face. To her mother’s inquiries she answered that she was quite well, and Jo’s she silenced by begging to be let alone.

“She feels it in the air — love, I mean — and

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and meant to tell you, then I remembered how you liked Mr. Brooke, so I thought you wouldn’t mind if I kept my little secret for a few days. I’m so silly that I liked to think no one knew, and while I was deciding what to say, I felt like the girls in books, who have such things to do. Forgive me, Mother, I’m paid for my silliness now.

I never can look him in the face again.”

“What did you say to him?” asked Mrs. March.

“I only said I was too young to do anything about it yet, that I didn’t wish to have secrets from you, and he must speak to father. I was very grateful for his kindness, and would be his friend, but nothing more, for a long while.”

Mrs. March smiled, as if well pleased, and Jo clapped her hands, exclaiming, with a laugh, “You are almost equal to Caroline Percy, who was a pattern of prudence! Tell on, Meg. What did he say to that?”

“He writes in a different way entirely, telling me that he never sent any love letter at all, and is very sorry that my roguish sister, Jo, should take liberties with our names. It’s very kind and respectful, but think how dreadful for me!”

Meg leaned against her mother, looking the image of despair, and Jo tramped about the room, calling Laurie names. All of a sudden she stopped, caught up the two notes, and after looking at them closely, said decidedly, “I don’t believe Brooke ever saw either of these letters.

Teddy wrote both, and keeps yours to crow over me with because I wouldn’t tell him my secret.”

“Don’t have any secrets, Jo. Tell it to Mother and keep out of trouble, as I should have done,” said Meg warningly.

“Bless you, child! Mother told me.”

“That will do, Jo. I’ll comfort Meg while you go and get Laurie. I shall sift the matter to the bottom, and put a stop to such pranks at once.”

Away ran Jo, and Mrs. March gently told Meg Mr. Brooke’s real feelings. “Now, dear, what are your own? Do you love him enough to wait till he can make a home for you, or will you keep yourself quite free for the present?”

“I’ve been so scared and worried, I don’t want to have anything to do with lovers for a long while, perhaps never,” answered Meg petulantly. “If John doesn’t know anything about this nonsense, don’t tell him, and make Jo and Laurie hold their tongues. I won’t be deceived and plagued and made a fool of. It’s a shame!”

Seeing Meg’s usually gentle temper was roused and her pride hurt by this mischievous joke, Mrs. Louisa May Alcott March soothed her by promises of entire silence she’s going very fast. She’s got most of the symp- Laurence will help me to some good place, and and great discretion for the future. The instant toms — is twittery and cross, doesn’t eat, lies then, my sweet girl, you will make me happy. I Laurie’s step was heard in the hall, Meg fled awake, and mopes in corners. I caught her sing- implore you to say nothing to your family yet, into the study, and Mrs. March received the culing that song he gave her, and once she said but to send one word of hope through Laurie to, prit alone. Jo had not told him why he was wanted, fearing he wouldn’t come, but he knew ‘John’, as you do, and then turned as red as a “Your devoted John.” poppy. Whatever shall we do?” said Jo, looking “Oh, the little villain! That’s the way he meant the minute he saw Mrs. March’s face, and stood to pay me for keeping my word to Mother. I’ll twirling his hat with a guilty air which convicted ready for any measures, however violent.

“Nothing but wait. Let her alone, be kind and give him a hearty scolding and bring him over to him at once. Jo was dismissed, but chose to patient, and Father’s coming will settle every- beg pardon,” cried Jo, burning to execute im- march up and down the hall like a sentinel, havmediate justice. But her mother held her back, ing some fear that the prisoner might bolt. The thing,” replied her mother. sound of voices in the parlor rose and fell for “Here’s a note to you, Meg, all sealed up. How saying, with a look she seldom wore . . . odd! Teddy never seals mine,” said Jo next day, “Stop, Jo, you must clear yourself first. You have half an hour, but what happened during that inas she distributed the contents of the little post played so many pranks that I am afraid you have terview the girls never knew.

When they were called in, Laurie was standing had a hand in this.” office.

Mrs. March and Jo were deep in their own af- “On my word, Mother, I haven’t! I never saw by their mother with such a penitent face that Jo fairs, when a sound from Meg made them look that note before, and don’t know anything about forgave him on the spot, but did not think it wise up to see her staring at her note with a fright- it, as true as I live!” said Jo, so earnestly that to betray the fact. Meg received his humble apolthey believed her. “If I had taken part in it I’d ogy, and was much comforted by the assurance ened face.

“My child, what is it?” cried her mother, run- have done it better than this, and have written a that Brooke knew nothing of the joke. ning to her, while Jo tried to take the paper which sensible note. I should think you’d have known “I’ll never tell him to my dying day, wild horses Mr. Brooke wouldn’t write such stuff as that,” shan’t drag it out of me, so you’ll forgive me, had done the mischief.

Meg, and I’ll do anything to show how out-and“It’s all a mistake, he didn’t send it. Oh, Jo, how she added, scornfully tossing down the paper. could you do it?” and Meg hid her face in her “It’s like his writing,” faltered Meg, comparing out sorry I am,” he added, looking very much ashamed of himself. hands, crying as if her heart were quite broken. it with the note in her hand.

“Me! I’ve done nothing! What’s she talking “Oh, Meg, you didn’t answer it?” cried Mrs. “I’ll try, but it was a very ungentlemanly thing to do, I didn’t think you could be so sly and maliMarch quickly. about?” cried Jo, bewildered.

Meg’s mild eyes kindled with anger as she pulled “Yes, I did!” and Meg hid her face again, over- cious, Laurie,” replied Meg, trying to hide her maidenly confusion under a gravely reproacha crumpled note from her pocket and threw it at come with shame.

Jo, saying reproachfully, “You wrote it, and that “Here’s a scrape! Do let me bring that wicked ful air. bad boy helped you. How could you be so rude, boy over to explain and be lectured. I can’t rest “It was altogether abominable, and I don’t detill I get hold of him.” And Jo made for the door serve to be spoken to for a month, but you will, so mean, and cruel to us both?” though, won’t you?” And Laurie folded his hands Jo hardly heard her, for she and her mother again. were reading the note, which was written in a “Hush! Let me handle this, for it is worse than I together with such and imploring gesture, as he thought. Margaret, tell me the whole story,” com- spoke in his irresistibly persuasive tone, that it peculiar hand. manded Mrs. March, sitting down by Meg, yet was impossible to frown upon him in spite of his “My Dearest Margaret, scandalous behavior.

“I can no longer restrain my passion, and must keeping hold of Jo, lest she should fly off. know my fate before I return. I dare not tell “I received the first letter from Laurie, who didn’t Meg pardoned him, and Mrs. March’s grave your parents yet, but I think they would consent look as if he knew anything about it,” began face relaxed, in spite of her efforts to keep so if they knew that we adored one another. Mr. Meg, without looking up. “I was worried at first Continued on Page 14

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Observer Classic Books From Page 13 ber, when she heard him declare that he would atone for his sins by all sorts of penances, and abase himself like a worm before the injured damsel.

Jo stood aloof, meanwhile, trying to harden her heart against him, and succeeding only in primming up her face into an expression of entire disapprobation. Laurie looked at her once or twice, but as she showed no sign of relenting, he felt injured, and turned his back on her till the others were done with him, when he made her a low bow and walked off without a word.

As soon as he had gone, she wished she had been more forgiving, and when Meg and her mother went upstairs, she felt lonely and longed for Teddy. After resisting for some time, she yielded to the impulse, and armed with a book to return, went over to the big house.

“Is Mr. Laurence in?” asked Jo, of a housemaid, who was coming downstairs.

“Yes, Miss, but I don’t believe he’s seeable just yet.”

“Why not? Is he ill?”

“La, no Miss, but he’s had a scene with Mr. Laurie, who is in one of his tantrums about something, which vexes the old gentleman, so I dursn’t go nigh him.”

“Where is Laurie?”

“Shut up in his room, and he won’t answer, though I’ve been a-tapping. I don’t know what’s to become of the dinner, for it’s ready, and there’s no one to eat it.”

“I’ll go and see what the matter is. I’m not afraid of either of them.”

Up went Jo, and knocked smartly on the door of Laurie’s little study.

“Stop that, or I’ll open the door and make you!” called out the young gentleman in a threatening tone.

Jo immediately knocked again. The door flew open, and in she bounced before Laurie could recover from his surprise. Seeing that he really was out of temper, Jo, who knew how to manage him, assumed a contrite expression, and going artistically down upon her knees, said meekly, “Please forgive me for being so cross.

I came to make it up, and can’t go away till I have.”

“It’s all right. Get up, and don’t be a goose, Jo,” was the cavalier reply to her petition.

“Thank you, I will. Could I ask what’s the matter? You don’t look exactly easy in your mind.”

“I’ve been shaken, and I won’t bear it!” growled Laurie indignantly.

“Who did it?” demanded Jo. “Grandfather. If it had been anyone else I’d have . . . ” And the injured youth finished his sentence by an energetic gesture of the right arm.

“That’s nothing. I often shake you, and you don’t mind,” said Jo soothingly.

“Pooh! You’re a girl, and it’s fun, but I’ll allow no man to shake me!”

“I don’t think anyone would care to try it, if you looked as much like a thundercloud as you do now. Why were you treated so?”

“Just because I wouldn’t say what your mother wanted me for. I’d promised not to tell, and of course I wasn’t going to break my word.”

“Couldn’t you satisfy your grandpa in any other way?”

“No, he would have the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. I’d have told my part of the scrape, if I could without bringing Meg in.

As I couldn’t, I held my tongue, and bore the scolding till the old gentleman collared me. Then I bolted, for fear I should forget myself.”

“It wasn’t nice, but he’s sorry, I know, so go down and make up. I’ll help you.”

“Hanged if I do! I’m not going to be lectured and pummelled by everyone, just for a bit of a frolic. I was sorry about Meg, and begged pardon like a man, but I won’t do it again, when I wasn’t in the wrong.”

“He didn’t know that.”

“He ought to trust me, and not act as if I was a baby. It’s no use, Jo, he’s got to learn that I’m able to take care of myself, and don’t need anyone’s apron string to hold on by.”

“What pepper pots you are!” sighed Jo. “How do you mean to settle this affair?”

“Well, he ought to beg pardon, and believe me when I say I can’t tell him what the fuss’s about.”

“Bless you! He won’t do that.”

“I won’t go down till he does.”

“Now, Teddy, be sensible. Let it pass, and I’ll explain what I can. You can’t stay here, so what’s the use of being melodramatic?”

“I don’t intend to stay here long, anyway. I’ll slip off and take a journey somewhere, and when

Grandpa misses me he’ll come round fast enough.”

“I dare say, but you ought not to go and worry him.”

“Don’t preach. I’ll go to Washington and see Brooke. It’s gay there, and I’ll enjoy myself after the troubles.”

“What fun you’d have! I wish I could run off too,” said Jo, forgetting her part of mentor in lively visions of martial life at the capital.

“Come on, then! Why not? You go and surprise your father, and I’ll stir up old Brooke. It would be a glorious joke. Let’s do it, Jo. We’ll leave a letter saying we are all right, and trot off at once.

I’ve got money enough. It will do you good, and no harm, as you go to your father.”

For a moment Jo looked as if she would agree, for wild as the plan was, it just suited her. She was tired of care and confinement, longed for change, and thoughts of her father blended temptingly with the novel charms of camps and hospitals, liberty and fun. Her eyes kindled as they turned wistfully toward the window, but they fell on the old house opposite, and she shook her head with sorrowful decision.

“If I was a boy, we’d run away together, and have a capital time, but as I’m a miserable girl, I must be proper and stop at home. Don’t tempt me, Teddy, it’s a crazy plan.”

“That’s the fun of it,” began Laurie, who had got a willful fit on him and was possessed to break out of bounds in some way.

“Hold your tongue!” cried Jo, covering her ears. “‘Prunes and prisms’ are my doom, and I may as well make up my mind to it. I came here to moralize, not to hear things that make me skip to think of.”

“I know Meg would wet-blanket such a proposal, but I thought you had more spirit,” began Laurie insinuatingly.

“Bad boy, be quiet! Sit down and think of your own sins, don’t go making me add to mine. If I get your grandpa to apologize for the shaking, will you give up running away?” asked Jo seriously.

“Yes, but you won’t do it,” answered Laurie, who wished to make up, but felt that his outraged dignity must be appeased first.

“If I can manage the young one, I can the old one,” muttered Jo, as she walked away, leaving Laurie bent over a railroad map with his head propped up on both hands.

“Come in!” and Mr. Laurence’s gruff voice sounded gruffer than ever, as Jo tapped at his door.

“It’s only me, Sir, come to return a book,” she said blandly, as she entered.

“Want any more?” asked the old gentleman, looking grim and vexed, but trying not to show it.

“Yes, please. I like old Sam so well, I think I’ll try the second volume,” returned Jo, hoping to propitiate him by accepting a second dose of Boswell’s Johnson, as he had recommended that lively work.

The shaggy eyebrows unbent a little as he rolled the steps toward the shelf where the Johnsonian literature was placed. Jo skipped up, and sitting on the top step, affected to be searching for her book, but was really wondering how best to introduce the dangerous object of her visit. Mr. Laurence seemed to suspect that something was brewing in her mind, for after taking several brisk turns about the room, he faced round on her, speaking so abruptly that Rasselas tumbled face downward on the floor.

“What has that boy been about? Don’t try to shield him. I know he has been in mischief by the way he acted when he came home. I can’t get a word from him, and when I threatened to shake the truth out of him he bolted upstairs and locked himself into his room.”

“He did wrong, but we forgave him, and all promised not to say a word to anyone,” began Jo reluctantly.

“That won’t do. He shall not shelter himself behind a promise from you softhearted girls. If he’s done anything amiss, he shall confess, beg pardon, and be punished. Out with it, Jo. I won’t be kept in the dark.”

Mr. Laurence looked so alarming and spoke so sharply that Jo would have gladly run away, if she could, but she was perched aloft on the steps, and he stood at the foot, a lion in the path, so she had to stay and brave it out.

“Indeed, Sir, I cannot tell. Mother forbade it.

Laurie has confessed, asked pardon, and been punished quite enough. We don’t keep silence to shield him, but someone else, and it will make

more trouble if you interfere. Please don’t. It was partly my fault, but it’s all right now. So let’s forget it, and talk about the Rambler or something pleasant.”

“Hang the Rambler! Come down and give me your word that this harum-scarum boy of mine hasn’t done anything ungrateful or impertinent.

If he has, after all your kindness to him, I’ll thrash him with my own hands.”

The threat sounded awful, but did not alarm Jo, for she knew the irascible old gentleman would never lift a finger against his grandson, whatever he might say to the contrary. She obediently descended, and made as light of the prank as she could without betraying Meg or forgetting the truth.

“Hum . . . ha . . . well, if the boy held his tongue because he promised, and not from obstinacy, I’ll forgive him. He’s a stubborn fellow and hard to manage,” said Mr. Laurence, rubbing up his hair till it looked as if he had been out in a gale, and smoothing the frown from his brow with an air of relief.

“So am I, but a kind word will govern me when all the king’s horses and all the king’s men couldn’t,” said Jo, trying to say a kind word for her friend, who seemed to get out of one scrape only to fall into another.

“You think I’m not kind to him, hey?” was the sharp answer.

“Oh, dear no, Sir. You are rather too kind sometimes, and then just a trifle hasty when he tries your patience. Don’t you think you are?”

Jo was determined to have it out now, and tried to look quite placid, though she quaked a little after her bold speech. To her great relief and surprise, the old gentleman only threw his spectacles onto the table with a rattle and exclaimed frankly, “You’re right, girl, I am! I love the boy, but he tries my patience past bearing, and I know how it will end, if we go on so.”

“I’ll tell you, he’ll run away.” Jo was sorry for that speech the minute it was made. She meant to warn him that Laurie would not bear much restraint, and hoped he would be more forebearing with the lad.

Mr. Laurence’s ruddy face changed suddenly, and he sat down, with a troubled glance at the picture of a handsome man, which hung over his table. It was Laurie’s father, who had run away in his youth, and married against the imperious old man’s will. Jo fancied he remembered and regretted the past, and she wished she had held her tongue.

“He won’t do it unless he is very much worried, and only threatens it sometimes, when he gets tired of studying. I often think I should like to, especially since my hair was cut, so if you ever miss us, you may advertise for two boys and look among the ships bound for India.”

She laughed as she spoke, and Mr. Laurence looked relieved, evidently taking the whole as a joke.

“You hussy, how dare you talk in that way?

Where’s your respect for me, and your proper bringing up? Bless the boys and girls! What torments they are, yet we can’t do without them,” he said, pinching her cheeks good-humoredly.

“Go and bring that boy down to his dinner, tell him it’s all right, and advise him not to put on tragedy airs with his grandfather. I won’t bear it.”

“He won’t come, Sir. He feels badly because you didn’t believe him when he said he couldn’t tell. I think the shaking hurt his feelings very much.”

Jo tried to look pathetic but must have failed, for Mr. Laurence began to laugh, and she knew the day was won.

“I’m sorry for that, and ought to thank him for not shaking me, I suppose. What the dickens does the fellow expect?” and the old gentleman looked a trifle ashamed of his own testiness.

“If I were you, I’d write him an apology, Sir. He says he won’t come down till he has one, and talks about Washington, and goes on in an absurd way. A formal apology will make him see how foolish he is, and bring him down quite amiable. Try it. He likes fun, and this way is better than talking. I’ll carry it up, and teach him his duty.”

Mr. Laurence gave her a sharp look, and put on his spectacles, saying slowly, “You’re a sly puss, but I don’t mind being managed by you and Beth.

Here, give me a bit of paper, and let us have done with this nonsense.”

The note was written in the terms which one gentleman would use to another after offering some deep insult. Jo dropped a kiss on the top of Mr. Laurence’s bald head, and ran up to slip the

apology under Laurie’s door, advising him through the keyhole to be submissive, decorous, and a few other agreeable impossibilities. Finding the door locked again, she left the note to do its work, and was going quietly away, when the young gentleman slid down the banisters, and waited for her at the bottom, saying, with his most virtuous expression of countenance, “What a good fellow you are, Jo! Did you get blown up?” he added, laughing.

“No, he was pretty mild, on the whole.”

“Ah! I got it all round. Even you cast me off over there, and I felt just ready to go to the deuce,” he began apologetically.

“Don’t talk that way, turn over a new leaf and begin again, Teddy, my son.”

“I keep turning over new leaves, and spoiling them, as I used to spoil my copybooks, and I make so many beginnings there never will be an end,” he said dolefully.

“Go and eat your dinner, you’ll feel better after it. Men always croak when they are hungry,” and Jo whisked out at the front door after that.

“That’s a ‘label’ on my ‘sect’,” answered Laurie, quoting Amy, as he went to partake of humble pie dutifully with his grandfather, who was quite saintly in temper and overwhelmingly respectful in manner all the rest of the day.

Everyone thought the matter ended and the little cloud blown over, but the mischief was done, for though others forgot it, Meg remembered.

She never alluded to a certain person, but she thought of him a good deal, dreamed dreams more than ever, and once Jo, rummaging her sister’s desk for stamps, found a bit of paper scribbled over with the words, ‘Mrs. John Brooke’, whereat she groaned tragically and cast it into the fire, feeling that Laurie’s prank had hastened the evil day for her.

Chapter Twenty-Two Pleasant Meadows Like sunshine after a storm were the peaceful weeks which followed. The invalids improved rapidly, and Mr. March began to talk of returning early in the new year. Beth was soon able to lie on the study sofa all day, amusing herself with the well-beloved cats at first, and in time with doll’s sewing, which had fallen sadly behind-hand. Her once active limbs were so stiff and feeble that Jo took her for a daily airing about the house in her strong arms. Meg cheerfully blackened and burned her white hands cooking delicate messes for ‘the dear’, while Amy, a loyal slave of the ring, celebrated her return by giving away as many of her treasures as she could prevail on her sisters to accept.

As Christmas approached, the usual mysteries began to haunt the house, and Jo frequently convulsed the family by proposing utterly impossible or magnificently absurd ceremonies, in honor of this unusually merry Christmas. Laurie was equally impracticable, and would have had bonfires, skyrockets, and triumphal arches, if he had had his own way. After many skirmishes and snubbings, the ambitious pair were considered effectually quenched and went about with forlorn faces, which were rather belied by explosions of laughter when the two got together.

Several days of unusually mild weather fitly ushered in a splendid Christmas Day. Hannah ‘felt in her bones’ that it was going to be an unusually fine day, and she proved herself a true prophetess, for everybody and everything seemed bound to produce a grand success. To begin with, Mr. March wrote that he should soon be with them, then Beth felt uncommonly well that morning, and, being dressed in her mother’s gift, a soft crimson merino wrapper, was borne in high triumph to the window to behold the offering of Jo and Laurie. The Unquenchables had done their best to be worthy of the name, for like elves they had worked by night and conjured up a comical surprise. Out in the garden stood a stately snow maiden, crowned with holly, bearing a basket of fruit and flowers in one hand, a great roll of music in the other, a perfect rainbow of an Afghan round her chilly shoulders, and a Christmas carol issuing from her lips on a pink paper streamer.

The Jungfrau to Beth God bless you, dear Queen Bess!

May nothing you dismay, But health and peace and happiness Be yours, this Christmas day.

Here’s fruit to feed our busy bee, And flowers for her nose.

Here’s music for her pianee, An afghan for her toes, A portrait of Joanna, see,

By Raphael No. 2, Continued on Page 19

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Observer Classic Books From Page 14 Who laboured with great industry To make it fair and true.

Accept a ribbon red, I beg, For Madam Purrer’s tail, And ice cream made by lovely Peg, A Mont Blanc in a pail.

Their dearest love my makers laid Within my breast of snow.

Accept it, and the Alpine maid, From Laurie and from Jo. How Beth laughed when she saw it, how Laurie ran up and down to bring in the gifts, and what ridiculous speeches Jo made as she presented them.

“I’m so full of happiness, that if Father was only here, I couldn’t hold one drop more,” said Beth, quite sighing with contentment as Jo carried her off to the study to rest after the excitement, and to refresh herself with some of the delicious grapes the ‘Jungfrau’ had sent her.

“So am I,” added Jo, slapping the pocket wherein reposed the long-desired Undine and Sintram.

“I’m sure I am,” echoed Amy, poring over the engraved copy of the Madonna and Child, which her mother had given her in a pretty frame.

“Of course I am!” cried Meg, smoothing the silvery folds of her first silk dress, for Mr. Laurence had insisted on giving it. “How can I be otherwise?” said Mrs. March gratefully, as her eyes went from her husband’s letter to Beth’s smiling face, and her hand carressed the brooch made of gray and golden, chestnut and dark brown hair, which the girls had just fastened on her breast.

Now and then, in this workaday world, things do happen in the delightful storybook fashion, and what a comfort it is. Half an hour after everyone had said they were so happy they could only hold one drop more, the drop came. Laurie opened the parlor door and popped his head in very quietly. He might just as well have turned a somersault and uttered an Indian war whoop, for his face was so full of suppressed excitement and his voice so treacherously joyful that everyone jumped up, though he only said, in a queer, breathless voice, “Here’s another Christmas present for the March family.”

Before the words were well out of his mouth, he was whisked away somehow, and in his place appeared a tall man, muffled up to the eyes, leaning on the arm of another tall man, who tried to say something and couldn’t. Of course there was a general stampede, and for several minutes everybody seemed to lose their wits, for the strangest things were done, and no one said a word.

Mr. March became invisible in the embrace of four pairs of loving arms. Jo disgraced herself by nearly fainting away, and had to be doctored

by Laurie in the china closet. Mr. Brooke kissed Meg entirely by mistake, as he somewhat incoherently explained. And Amy, the dignified, tumbled over a stool, and never stopping to get up, hugged and cried over her father’s boots in the most touching manner. Mrs. March was the first to recover herself, and held up her hand with a warning, “Hush! Remember Beth.”

But it was too late. The study door flew open, the little red wrapper appeared on the threshold, joy put strength into the feeble limbs, and Beth ran straight into her father’s arms. Never mind what happened just after that, for the full hearts overflowed, washing away the bitterness of the past and leaving only the sweetness of the present.

It was not at all romantic, but a hearty laugh set everybody straight again, for Hannah was discovered behind the door, sobbing over the fat turkey, which she had forgotten to put down when she rushed up from the kitchen. As the laugh subsided, Mrs. March began to thank Mr. Brooke for his faithful care of her husband, at which Mr. Brooke suddenly remembered that Mr. March needed rest, and seizing Laurie, he precipitately retired. Then the two invalids were ordered to repose, which they did, by both sitting in one big chair and talking hard.

Mr. March told how he had longed to surprise them, and how, when the fine weather came, he had been allowed by his doctor to take advantage of it, how devoted Brooke had been, and how he was altogether a most estimable and upright young man. Why Mr. March paused a minute just there, and after a glance at Meg, who was violently poking the fire, looked at his wife with an inquiring lift of the eyebrows, I leave you to imagine. Also why Mrs. March gently nodded her head and asked, rather

abruptly, if he wouldn’t like to have something to eat. Jo saw and understood the look, and she stalked grimly away to get wine and beef tea, muttering to herself as she slammed the door, “I hate estimable young men with brown eyes!”

There never was such a Christmas dinner as they had that day. The fat turkey was a sight to behold, when Hannah sent him up, stuffed, browned, and decorated. So was the plum pudding, which melted in one’s mouth, likewise the jellies, in which Amy reveled like a fly in a honeypot. Everything turned out well, which was a mercy, Hannah said, “For my mind was that flustered, Mum, that it’s a merrycle I didn’t roast the pudding, and stuff the turkey with raisins, let alone bilin’ of it in a cloth.”

Mr. Laurence and his grandson dined with them, also Mr. Brooke, at whom Jo glowered darkly, to Laurie’s infinite amusement. Two easy chairs stood side by side at the head of the table, in which sat Beth and her father, feasting modestly on chicken and a little fruit. They drank healths, told stories, sang songs, ‘reminisced’, as the old folks say, and had a thoroughly good time. A sleigh ride had been planned, but the girls would not leave their father, so the guests departed early, and as twilight gathered, the happy family sat together round the fire.

“Just a year ago we were groaning over the dismal Christmas we expected to have. Do you remember?” asked Jo, breaking a short pause which had followed a long conversation about many things.

“Rather a pleasant year on the whole!” said Meg, smiling at the fire, and congratulating herself on having treated Mr. Brooke with dignity.

“I think it’s been a pretty hard one,” observed Amy, watching the light shine on her ring with thoughtful eyes.

“I’m glad it’s over, because we’ve got you back,” whispered Beth, who sat on her father’s knee.

“Rather a rough road for you to travel, my little pilgrims, especially the latter part of it. But you have got on bravely, and I think the burdens are in a fair way to tumble off very soon,” said Mr. March, looking with fatherly satisfaction at the four young faces gathered round him.

“How do you know? Did Mother tell you?” asked Jo. “Not much. Straws show which way the wind blows, and I’ve made several discoveries today.”

“Oh, tell us what they are!” cried Meg, who sat beside him.

“Here is one.” And taking up the hand which lay on the arm of his chair, he pointed to the roughened forefinger, a burn on the back, and two or three little hard spots on the palm. “I remember a time when this hand was white and smooth, and your first care was to keep it so. It was very pretty then, but to me it is much prettier now, for in this seeming blemishes I read a little history.

A burnt offering has been made to vanity, this hardened palm has earned something better than blisters, and I’m sure the sewing done by these pricked fingers will last a long time, so much good will went into the stitches. Meg, my dear, I value the womanly skill which keeps home happy more than white hands or fashionable accomplishments. I’m proud to shake this good, industrious little hand, and hope I shall not soon be asked to give it away.”

If Meg had wanted a reward for hours of patient labor, she received it in the hearty pressure of her father’s hand and the approving smile he gave her.

“What about Jo? Please say something nice, for she has tried so hard and been so very, very good to me,” said Beth in her father’s ear.

He laughed and looked across at the tall girl who sat opposite, with an unusually mild expression in her face.

“In spite of the curly crop, I don’t see the ‘son Jo’ whom I left a year ago,” said Mr. March. “I see a young lady who pins her collar straight, laces her boots neatly, and neither whistles, talks slang, nor lies on the rug as she used to do. Her face is rather thin and pale just now, with watching and anxiety, but I like to look at it, for it has grown gentler, and her voice is lower. She doesn’t bounce, but moves quietly, and takes care of a certain little person in a motherly way which delights me. I rather miss my wild girl, but if I get a strong, helpful, tenderhearted woman in her place, I shall feel quite satisfied.

I don’t know whether the shearing sobered our black sheep, but I do know that in all Washington I couldn’t find anything beautiful enough to be bought with the five-and-twenty dollars my

good girl sent me.”

Jo’s keen eyes were rather dim for a minute, and her thin face grew rosy in the firelight as she received her father’s praise, feeling that she did deserve a portion of it.

“Now, Beth,” said Amy, longing for her turn, but ready to wait.

“There’s so little of her, I’m afraid to say much, for fear she will slip away altogether, though she is not so shy as she used to be,” began their father cheerfully. But recollecting how nearly he had lost her, he held her close, saying tenderly, with her cheek against his own, “I’ve got you safe, my Beth, and I’ll keep you so, please God.” After a minute’s silence, he looked down at Amy, who sat on the cricket at his feet, and said, with a caress of the shining hair . . .

“I observed that Amy took drumsticks at dinner, ran errands for her mother all the afternoon, gave Meg her place tonight, and has waited on every one with patience and good humor. I also observe that she does not fret much nor look in the glass, and has not even mentioned a very pretty ring which she wears, so I conclude that she has learned to think of other people more and of herself less, and has decided to try and mold her character as carefully as she molds her little clay figures. I am glad of this, for though I should be very proud of a graceful statue made by her, I shall be infinitely prouder of a lovable daughter with a talent for making life beautiful to herself and others.”

“What are you thinking of, Beth?” asked Jo, when Amy had thanked her father and told about her ring.

“I read in Pilgrim’s Progress today how, after many troubles, Christian and Hopeful came to a pleasant green meadow where lilies bloomed all year round, and there they rested happily, as we do now, before they went on to their journey’s end,” answered Beth, adding, as she slipped out of her father’s arms and went to the instrument, “It’s singing time now, and I want to be in my old place. I’ll try to sing the song of the shepherd boy which the Pilgrims heard. I made the music for Father, because he likes the verses.”

So, sitting at the dear little piano, Beth softly touched the keys, and in the sweet voice they had never thought to hear again, sang to her own accompaniment the quaint hymn, which was a singularly fitting song for her.

He that is down need fear no fall, He that is low no pride.

He that is humble ever shall Have God to be his guide.

I am content with what I have, Little be it, or much.

And, Lord! Contentment still I crave, Because Thou savest such.

Fulness to them a burden is, That go on pilgrimage.

Here little, and hereafter bliss, Is best from age to age!

Chapter Twenty-Three Aunt March Settles the Question Like bees swarming after their queen, mother and daughters hovered about Mr. March the next day, neglecting everything to look at, wait upon, and listen to the new invalid, who was in a fair way to be killed by kindness. As he sat propped up in a big chair by Beth’s sofa, with the other three close by, and Hannah popping in her head now and then ‘to peek at the dear man’, nothing seemed needed to complete their happiness. But something was needed, and the elder ones felt it, though none confessed the fact. Mr. and Mrs. March looked at one another with an anxious expression, as their eyes followed Meg. Jo had sudden fits of sobriety, and was seen to shake her fist at Mr. Brooke’s umbrella, which had been left in the hall. Meg was absent-minded, shy, and silent, started when the bell rang, and colored when John’s name was mentioned. Amy said, “Everyone seemed waiting for something, and couldn’t settle down, which was queer, since Father was safe at home,” and Beth innocently wondered why their neighbors didn’t run over as usual.

Laurie went by in the afternoon, and seeing Meg at the window, seemed suddenly possessed with a melodramatic fit, for he fell down on one knee in the snow, beat his breast, tore his hair, and clasped his hands imploringly, as if begging some boon. And when Meg told him to behave himself and go away, he wrung imaginary tears out of his handkerchief, and staggered round the corner as if in utter despair.

“What does the goose mean?” said Meg, laughing and trying to look unconscious.

“He’s showing you how your John will go on byand-by. Touching, isn’t it?” answered Jo scornfully.

“Don’t say my John, it isn’t proper or true,” but Meg’s voice lingered over the words as if they sounded pleasant to her. “Please don’t plague me, Jo, I’ve told you I don’t care much about him, and there isn’t to be anything said, but we are all to be friendly, and go on as before.”

“We can’t, for something has been said, and Laurie’s mischief has spoiled you for me. I see it, and so does Mother. You are not like your old self a bit, and seem ever so far away from me.

I don’t mean to plague you and will bear it like a man, but I do wish it was all settled. I hate to wait, so if you mean ever to do it, make haste and have it over quickly,” said Jo pettishly.

“I can’t say anything till he speaks, and he won’t, because Father said I was too young,” began Meg, bending over her work with a queer little smile, which suggested that she did not quite agree with her father on that point.

“If he did speak, you wouldn’t know what to say, but would cry or blush, or let him have his own way, instead of giving a good, decided no.”

“I’m not so silly and weak as you think. I know just what I should say, for I’ve planned it all, so I needn’t be taken unawares. There’s no knowing what may happen, and I wished to be prepared.”

Jo couldn’t help smiling at the important air which Meg had unconsciously assumed and which was as becoming as the pretty color varying in her cheeks.

“Would you mind telling me what you’d say?” asked Jo more respectfully.

“Not at all. You are sixteen now, quite old enough to be my confident, and my experience will be useful to you by-and-by, perhaps, in your own affairs of this sort.”

“Don’t mean to have any. It’s fun to watch other people philander, but I should feel like a fool doing it myself,” said Jo, looking alarmed at the thought.

“I think not, if you liked anyone very much, and he liked you.” Meg spoke as if to herself, and glanced out at the lane where she had often seen lovers walking together in the summer twilight.

“I thought you were going to tell your speech to that man,” said Jo, rudely shortening her sister’s little reverie.

“Oh, I should merely say, quite calmly and decidedly, ‘Thank you, Mr. Brooke, you are very kind, but I agree with Father that I am too young to enter into any engagement at present, so please say no more, but let us be friends as we were.’”

“Hum, that’s stiff and cool enough! I don’t believe you’ll ever say it, and I know he won’t be satisfied if you do. If he goes on like the rejected lovers in books, you’ll give in, rather than hurt his feelings.”

“No, I won’t. I shall tell him I’ve made up my mind, and shall walk out of the room with dignity.”

Meg rose as she spoke, and was just going to rehearse the dignified exit, when a step in the hall made her fly into her seat and begin to sew as fast as if her life depended on finishing that particular seam in a given time. Jo smothered a laugh at the sudden change, and when someone gave a modest tap, opened the door with a grim aspect which was anything but hospitable.

“Good afternoon. I came to get my umbrella, that is, to see how your father finds himself today,” said Mr. Brooke, getting a trifle confused as his eyes went from one telltale face to the other.

“It’s very well, he’s in the rack. I’ll get him, and tell it you are here.” And having jumbled her father and the umbrella well together in her reply, Jo slipped out of the room to give Meg a chance to make her speech and air her dignity But the instant she vanished, Meg began to sidle toward the door, murmuring . . .

“Mother will like to see you. Pray sit down, I’ll call her.”

“Don’t go. Are you afraid of me, Margaret?” and Mr. Brooke looked so hurt that Meg thought she must have done something very rude. She blushed up to the little curls on her forehead, for he had never called her Margaret before, and she was surprised to find how natural and sweet it seemed to hear him say it. Anxious to appear friendly and at her ease, she put out her hand with a confiding gesture, and said gratefully . . .

“How can I be afraid when you have been so kind to Father? I only wish I could thank you for it.”

Continued on Page 20

Page 20 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, July 20, 2016

Observer Classic Books From Page 19 “Don’t think of me at all. I’d rather you wouldn’t,” said Meg, taking a naughty satisfaction in trying her lover’s patience and her own power.

He was grave and pale now, and looked decidedly more like the novel heroes whom she admired, but he neither slapped his forehead nor tramped about the room as they did. He just stood looking at her so wistfully, so tenderly, that she found her heart relenting in spite of herself.

What would have happened next I cannot say, if Aunt March had not come hobbling in at this interesting minute.

The old lady couldn’t resist her longing to see her nephew, for she had met Laurie as she took her airing, and hearing of Mr. March’s arrival, drove straight out to see him. The family were all busy in the back part of the house, and she had made her way quietly in, hoping to surprise them. She did surprise two of them so much that Meg started as if she had seen a ghost, and Mr. Brooke vanished into the study.

“Bless me, what’s all this?” cried the old lady with a rap of her cane as she glanced from the pale young gentleman to the scarlet young lady.

“It’s Father’s friend. I’m so surprised to see you!” stammered Meg, feeling that she was in for a lecture now.

“That’s evident,” returned Aunt March, sitting down. “But what is Father’s friend saying to make you look like a peony? There’s mischief going on, and I insist upon knowing what it is,” with another rap.

“We were only talking. Mr. Brooke came for his umbrella,” began Meg, wishing that Mr. Brooke and the umbrella were safely out of the house.

“Brooke? That boy’s tutor? Ah! I understand now. I know all about it. Jo blundered into a wrong message in one of your Father’s letters, and I made her tell me. You haven’t gone and accepted him, child?” cried Aunt March, looking scandalized.

“Hush! He’ll hear. Shan’t I call Mother?” said Meg, much troubled.

“Not yet. I’ve something to say to you, and I must free my mind at once. Tell me, do you mean to marry this Cook? If you do, not one penny of my money ever goes to you. Remember that, and be a sensible girl,” said the old lady impressively.

Now Aunt March possessed in perfection the

art of rousing the spirit of opposition in the gentlest people, and enjoyed doing it. The best of us have a spice of perversity in us, especially when we are young and in love. If Aunt March had begged Meg to accept John Brooke, she would probably have declared she couldn’t think of it, but as she was preemptorily ordered not to like him, she immediately made up her mind that she would. Inclination as well as perversity made the decision easy, and being already much excited, Meg opposed the old lady with unusual spirit.

“I shall marry whom I please, Aunt March, and you can leave your money to anyone you like,” she said, nodding her head with a resolute air.

“Highty-tighty! Is that the way you take my advice, Miss? You’ll be sorry for it by-and-by, when you’ve tried love in a cottage and found it a failure.”

“It can’t be a worse one than some people find in big houses,” retorted Meg. Aunt March put on her glasses and took a look at the girl, for she did not know her in this new mood. Meg hardly knew herself, she felt so brave and independent, so glad to defend John and assert her right to love him, if she liked.

Aunt March saw that she had begun wrong, and after a little pause, made a fresh start, saying as mildly as she could, “Now, Meg, my dear, be reasonable and take my advice. I mean it kindly, and don’t want you to spoil your whole life by making a mistake at the beginning. You ought to marry well and help your family. It’s your duty to make a rich match and it ought to be impressed upon you.”

“Father and Mother don’t think so. They like John though he is poor.”

“Your parents, my dear, have no more worldly wisdom than a pair of babies.”

“I’m glad of it,” cried Meg stoutly.

Aunt March took no notice, but went on with her lecture. “This Rook is poor and hasn’t got any rich relations, has he?”

“No, but he has many warm friends.”

“You can’t live on friends, try it and see how cool they’ll grow. He hasn’t any business, has he?”

“Not yet. Mr. Laurence is going to help him.”

“That won’t last long. James Laurence is a crotchety old fellow and not to be depended on.

So you intend to marry a man without money,

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position, or business, and go on working harder than you do now, when you might be comfortable all your days by minding me and doing better? I thought you had more sense, Meg.” “I couldn’t do better if I waited half my life!

John is good and wise, he’s got heaps of talent, he’s willing to work and sure to get on, he’s so energetic and brave. Everyone likes and respects him, and I’m proud to think he cares for me, though I’m so poor and young and silly,” said Meg, looking prettier than ever in her earnestness.

“He knows you have got rich relations, child.

That’s the secret of his liking, I suspect.”

“Aunt March, how dare you say such a thing?

John is above such meanness, and I won’t listen to you a minute if you talk so,” cried Meg indignantly, forgetting everything but the injustice of the old lady’s suspicions. “My John wouldn’t marry for money, any more than I would. We are willing to work and we mean to wait. I’m not afraid of being poor, for I’ve been happy so far, and I know I shall be with him because he loves me, and I . . . ” Meg stopped there, remembering all of a sudden that she hadn’t made up her mind, that she had told ‘her John’to go away, and that he might be overhearing her inconsistent remarks.

Aunt March was very angry, for she had set her heart on having her pretty niece make a fine match, and something in the girl’s happy young face made the lonely old woman feel both sad and sour.

“Well, I wash my hands of the whole affair!

You are a willful child, and you’ve lost more than you know by this piece of folly. No, I won’t stop. I’m disappointed in you, and haven’t spirits to see your father now. Don’t expect anything from me when you are married. Your Mr. Brooke’s friends must take care of you. I’m done with you forever.”

And slamming the door in Meg’s face, Aunt March drove off in high dudgeon. She seemed to take all the girl’s courage with her, for when left alone, Meg stood for a moment, undecided whether to laugh or cry. Before she could make up her mind, she was taken possession of by Mr. Brooke, who said all in one breath, “I couldn’t help hearing, Meg. Thank you for defending me, and Aunt March for proving that you do care for me a little bit.”

“I didn’t know how much till she abused you,” began Meg. “And I needn’t go away, but may stay and be happy, may I, dear?”

Here was another fine chance to make the crushing speech and the stately exit, but Meg never thought of doing either, and disgraced herself forever in Jo’s eyes by meekly whispering, “Yes, John,” and hiding her face on Mr. Brooke’s waistcoat.

Fifteen minutes after Aunt March’s departure, Jo came softly downstairs, paused an instant at the parlor door, and hearing no sound within, nodded and smiled with a satisfied expression, saying to herself, “She has seen him away as we planned, and that affair is settled. I’ll go and hear the fun, and have a good laugh over it.”

But poor Jo never got her laugh, for she was transfixed upon the threshold by a spectacle which held her there, staring with her mouth nearly as wide open as her eyes. Going in to exult over a fallen enemy and to praise a strongminded sister for the banishment of an objectionable lover, it certainly was a shock to behold the aforesaid enemy serenely sitting on the sofa, with the strongminded sister enthroned upon his knee and wearing an expression of the most abject submission. Jo gave a sort of gasp, as if a cold shower bath had suddenly fallen upon her, for such an unexpected turning of the tables actually took her breath away. At the odd sound the lovers turned and saw her. Meg jumped up, looking both proud and shy, but ‘that man’, as Jo called him, actually laughed and said coolly, as he kissed the astonished newcomer, “Sister Jo, congratulate us!”

That was adding insult to injury, it was altogether too much, and making some wild demonstration with her hands, Jo vanished without a word.

Rushing upstairs, she startled the invalids by exclaiming tragically as she burst into the room, “Oh, do somebody go down quick! John Brooke is acting dreadfully, and Meg likes it!”

Mr. and Mrs. March left the room with speed, and casting herself upon the bed, Jo cried and scolded tempestuously as she told the awful news to Beth and Amy. The little girls, however, considered it a most agreeable and interesting event, and Jo got little comfort from them, so she went up to her refuge in the garret, and confided her troubles to the rats.

To Be Continued Next Issue

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E S M I M R S Y A S GH M N A K OS OB N I T O N P A E R C I E L A L E D T R U L T H A OM O I L L QU S C D S Y L P A NG

S E D I SON N I L E H O A O F GOOD P I P E W O T E R S E F RC S P RO F H ROS S T E D R T I D E B T OR L A I N CR I T I C L O N S H I E S A U L R I L I S A I COS T UME S E O D P S T R E AM I N T A N S E NN Y MON R E E Y E D G S ME A L E T GO N C E E ROD C A R T A R T D B E E V E A U L D A DD Y E DG N R T Y DR AMA T I S A U C N L EGG I NGS I H A T E N S E T S V I E N E EMP D E S I R E S X N I MAGGO T I EM N HO T SOHO R A B M I L L L OR E N I A S I A D B Y L I V E L Y E X E S R A R E A SON S

B G L OS S Y V A R Y P MA N RU P E E S D A O A S L I N T SOR E I T E E R E D R S W I DO L B E T A N U R O O GORGE N I NGS E N UN S A F P S H A P E B T M S NO R AQ I T E E N L D E S E R T I L K V R H G NO I S I N E N E E D E G O EWE R MO B B C N E RO L A S T I L YMP H M I L A I MP I A V E N O F F A F P E A S I F B I ME T E E GR A S DO CUR Z M V T A T ON EME S AM N R R M E S P R E S OB L Y H Y D E L R A GE T I N E S S A N P E A R L AGA R A O F R N I CO L F FMA N U L A I E A RN I ME T R E S Y R I S H R E C A M A O OP I WA S HU P RCD E O P E S DU L L E D

S T OC K A D E S L L P I A E ON E A L M E A P R I NGE R S S MA R S H I I CO S E A CH D N ME L E E EMOR S E B L S R N A P A L M K A P U T T E E I GA RR E T ME L D X O S UN R E U S E GAME S E R ONC E F OM I T MA AM S S S M W S T I D Y I NG D EM N N R A DO G MA R E U NORMA N E N O E ME A D T I L E D M L L I I O I L S E TWE E T S W SOH N H A V E S E S T A A S U S E DC A R N T R I I ROB S MA D E SO A L OE S GE N E S R E WA T CH ON E S S R F Y I MA D AME I NN E R M R E S NUMB E R U S T F U L L E R E E J E C T OG I S OR E S P N A P P Y N E C P U L S A T E HORD E U L T E I A R M F I L MS T A R S

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Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, July 20, 2016 - Page 21 e urn lbo Me

Every Week in the Melbourne Observer

ver N ser O Ob TI C SE 3

Observer Showbiz

Theatre: Nigella Bites review .................................... Page 23 Country Music: Rob Foenander’s news .................. Page 23 Jim and Aar on: Top 10 lists, movies, DVDs ................. Page 2244 Aaron: Cheryl Threadgold: Local theatre shows, auditions ..... Page 25 PL US THE LLO OVATT”S MEGA CRO CROSSSWORD PLUS Followed by Sport: Greyhounds, Racing, Harness Racing

ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS Abigail/1702

● Emma Caldwell in Abigail/1702.

Photo: Rebekah Kamsky ■ Boutique Theatre’s production of Abigail /1702 by Roberton Aguirre-Sacasa is a well-crafted and wonderfully performed drama.

It picks up from where Arthur Miller’s The Crucible left off and is effectively an ambitious and slightly long-winded sequel.

It’s 10 years since the harrowing 17th century Salem witch trials and Abigail, the malicious youth whose testimony of witchcraft caused the hanging deaths of 20 people, has escaped from Salem to the outskirts of Boston.

She is living under an assumed name, practicing natural medicine against the outbreak of the ‘pox’ (plague).

While the Abigail in Miller’s play is cunning and manipulative (and depicted living out her days as a prostitute), Aguirre-Sacasa’s Abigail is remorseful and desperate to atone for her former ‘sins’.

When a young sailor knocks on her door with the fever, she is able to heal him of his sickness but not her own stricken conscience.

She eventually succumbs to his affections but the love she finds is cut short when the devil appears to make good on a promise.

A wonderful cast brings this quasi-supernatural tale to life. The role of Abigail is intense and demanding and Emma Caldwell is formidable. Her’s is an immersive and sympathetic depiction of the tormented and troubled Abigail Williams.

Pat Moonie plays John Brown with a conviction that makes his character believable. Both maintain their accents consistently.

Despite its darkness there are subtle moments of humour, most notably in the devil himself (Rob Gaetano).

Director, Elizabeth Millington, has been clever with the space and gathered a talented crew - Clare Springett (lighting), Mischa Grunenberg (sound) and Nick Casey (set and costume design), to create an authenticity that transports the audience to the superstitious and puritanical New England of the 17th century.

Performance dates: 8pm Thursday to Saturday until July 30 Venue: Old Council Chambers, Victorian Trades Hall, 54 Victoria St, Carlton Cost: $32, $28, $25 Bookings: boutiquetheatre.com.au - Review by Beth Klein

Simon Taylor

● Jennifer Saunders and Joanna Lumley ■ Jennifer Saunders and Joanna Lumley will be in Melbourne next month to promote their movie.

Jennifer and Joanna will attend the Melbourne premiere of Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie at Village Cinemas Crown on Tuesday, August 2.

In the movie, Edina Monsoon and Patsy Stone are still oozing glitz and glamour, living the high life they are accustomed to; shopping, drinking and clubbing their way around London's trendiest hotspots.

But when they accidentally push Kate Moss into the river Thames at an uber fashionable launch party, Eddy and Patsy become entangled in a media storm surrounding the supermodel's untimely demise and are relentlessly pursued by the paparazzi.

Fleeing penniless to the glamorous playground of the superrich, the French Riviera, they hatch a plan to make their escape permanent and live the high life forever more.

Playing for Melbourne

● Simon Taylor ■ Simon Taylor returns from the US to present Simon Taylor does A Whole Bunch of Cool Stuff, presented at The Butterfly Club from August 2 – 6.

After writing and filming a TV pilot for Comedy Central, singer, actor, dancer and magician Simon is back on stage to lay out his talents in this new one-hour show.

Dates: August 2-6 at 8.30pm Location: The Butterfly Club, 5 Carson Place, Off Little Collins St, Melbourne Tickets: From $25-$32 Bookings: TheButterflyClub.com

‘Two’ at The Hut

■ The 1980s come to Hurstbridge when Theatre 451 presents the comedy/drama Two by Jim Cartwright, from July 21-24 at The Hut. One night, one typical Northern pub, and two actors play the Landlord and Landlady and all the customers on one busy Saturday night.

Directed by Lisa Inman and featuring Tref Gare and Amanda McKay, Jim Cartwright’s Two features 14 diverse characters (played by two actors), as various members of the local community pull up a stool and let us into their lives. It’s about people and the strength of the human spirit.

Design credits include lighting by Meika Clark, sound

by Julia Hanna. set by Lisa Inman and costumes by Sarah Eliades.

Venue: The Hut, 31 Cherry Tree Road, Hurstbridge.

Dates: July 21 - 24 Times: 8m, Sun 3pm, Doors open 30 minutes prior to each show Tickets: General admission $25, Concession $22 Bookings: www.trybooking.com/KHAU or contact info@theatre451.com - Cheryl Threadgold

Media Flashes

● James Ehnes ■ Canadian violinist James Ehnes returns to the MSO for two programs this winter.

In the first, Ehnes presents a diverse concert of four of the finest works for strings by Elgar, Bach, Puccini and Dvorák, as he leads the MSO at the Melbourne Recital Centre and Costa Hall in Geelong on August 4, 5 and 6.

In the second, Ehnes reunites with his friend and colleague Sir Andrew Davis to perform Strauss's youthful Violin Concerto. Also on the program is Elgar's In the South and Mendelssohn's Symphony No.4 Italian that gives this program its title.

■ Diana Simons is filling in at Bay FM 93.9 in Geelong.

She can be heard on the morning shift 10am-2pm for the next three months while Mark Hyland is on long service leave, reports Greg Newman of Jocks Journal.

■ Tex Perkins’s Far From Folsom show at Old Melbourne Gaol is breaking records. Organisers have announced a third show on Sunday, October 30.

■ The world’s best stand-up comedians are more likely to die than comedic and dramatic screen and stage actors, according to a landmark study published in the International Journal of Cardiology.

■ Whitehorse Council this week voted to grant heritage overlay for the former ATV-0 studios in Nunawading.

Page 22 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, July 20, 2016

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ShowBiz!

Melbourne Obser ver - Wednesday, July 20, 2016 - Page 23

Observer Showbiz

Fiery Maze

● Musician Tim Finn ■ The Fiery Maze is being presented at the Malthouse Theatre from August 18 -September 4.

The Fiery Maze brings together the music of internationally acclaimed musician Tim Finn and the poetry of the late writer Dorothy Porter.

Originally conceived by Porter and Finn in 1995 as a rock concert album, this collaboration of two incredible artists has finally found its way to the stage of an intimate performance of songs about love, sex and obsession.

Finn performs onstage alongside Abi Tucker and Brett Adams under the direction of Anne-Louise Sarks.

Opening Night: Saturday, August 20 Season: Until September 4.

Venue: The Coopers Malthouse, Beckett Theatre, 113 Sturt St., Southbank Tickets: $65-$35 Bookings: Boxoffice@malthousetheatre.com.au

Servant of Two Masters

■ Waiting in the intimate former magistrate’s room at La Mama Court House I knew from the sounds of the cast warm up emanating from the court room that something special was about to happen and we were not disappointed.

Rosa Campagnaro, director and translator, adapted the 18th century Carlo Goldoni’s original work for Make A Scene Theatre which specialises in performances in the theatrical tradition of Commedia deli’Arte.

Set and costume design by Eloise Kent provided an acting area defined by a classic carpet square with a curtained rear wall allowing the characters to enter and exit in comical fashion, often for a quick costume change.

Costuming was outstanding in detail and complimented with grotesque Venetian style leather masks provided just the right schema.

Christian Bagin as The Servant of Two Masters, Truffaldino, half masked and in traditional harlequin attire was engaging and pivotal with his improvisation, witty and faultless timing of the physical comedy.

When confronted with a whipping he engaged an audience member for her to receive the whipping on his behalf.

Dual roles of Florindo and Il Dottore played by Darcy Kent, and cross dresser Beatrice played by Lelda Kapsis, were impressive while young lovers, a somewhat idiotic yet sophisticated Silvio played

by Roby Favretto and rebellious feminist Clarice played by Freya Pragt, were finally united after working through all the mayhem that was The Servant of Two Masters.

All cast including Sharon Davis as lustful servant Smeraldina and Irene del Pilar Gomez as the miser Pantalona, and also responsible for choreography, gave adept, physical performances, delivered skilfully with precision timing whether it be word, facial or body movement.

A captivating performance in true tradition that you should not miss.

Dates: Until July 31 Cost: $15/$25 Venue: La Mama Court House, 349 Drummond St, Carlton Bookings: www.lamama.com.au - Review by Graeme McCoubrie

TV, Radio, Theatre Latest Melbourne show business news - without fear or favour

The Book Club ■ The Book Club, starring Amanda Muggleton, is being presented at The Lawler Theatre, Southbank for a limited season from July 23.

No-one ever talks about men going through menopause, but they do.

It’s called ‘manopause’.

That’s what Deborah Martin’s husband is going through.

He is on a mission to regain his youth and it does not include his wife, Deb. Finding herself with an empty nest and no-one to share it with, she disappears into her books, fantasizing about all the great writers and what she’d like to do with them.

One of her friends talks her into joining their book club, something she had tried to avoid for years.

It proves to be the making of her in more ways than one.

Not only does she meet a fabulous group of women from all different ethnic and social backgrounds, but she actually fulfils one of her fantasies.

Directed by award winning director Nadia Tass, The Book Club is full of eccentric, loveable and infuriating people of different ages class and race. Let the fireworks begin.

Amanda Muggleton is a doyenne of the Australian entertainment industry with a career spanning more than four decades.

She’s best remembered for her role as Chrissie Lathamon Prisoner from 1979-83.

Amanda has more than 50 theatre, film and television credits to her name.

Most recently she appeared as Velma Von Tussle in Hairspray (in Melbourne in 2017), as Anna in Boston Marriage for QTC and as Miss Hannigan in the national tour of Annie.

Performance Details: From July 23 for a limited season Venue: Southbank Theatre, The Lawler, 140 Southbank Boulevard Southbank Tickets: $44.90 $85.75 (transaction fees may apply) Bookings:www.south banktheatre.com.au Phone: 8688 0800 - Cheryl Threadgold

● Amanda Muggleton

Country Crossroads Rob Foenander

info@country crossroads.com.au

Davidson Brothers ■ Victorian bluegrass brothers Hamish and Lachlan Davidson will team up with legendaryAustralian band The Black Sorrows for two shows.

The Bundalaguah and Myrtlebank Hall in Gippsland will be the venue for this music extravaganza on July 30-31. The Davidsons’ Facebook page says they are “privileged to work alongside such seasoned veterans of the Aussie music scene".

Contact: Barry Walker, 0419 340 738

Col goes country ■ Col Perkins has been busy in the studio lately with two new CD releases sure to be well received by his many supporters.

Gone Country collection has the popular Melbourne entertainer singing the classic hits of John Denver, Kenny Rogers, Alan Jackson and others whilst the Duets CD includes his singing partner Sandie Dodd. Together they cover the popular songs of some of country music's legendary performers.

C’wood Casanovas ■ The Collingwood Casanovas play a mixture of original country music and classic bluegrass to get your toes a-tapping and your hearts a-breaking, says their promo.

The band - James Gilligan, Fiddle; Ben Harrison, mandolin and fiddle; Louis Oliver King, guitar; Grant Arthur, banjo; and Jono Brown , bass, are all inner city dwellers and can be seen and heard at one of their regular gigs at The Rooks Return in Fitzroy on Saturdays from 4pm-6pm.

A new album release is due out toward the end of the year.

- Rob Foenander

3AW, Magic move ■ Nick Randall, Macquarie Media National Sales Manager, has tendered his resignation. Randall joined the company in 2013 as National Sales Director after 13 years with SCA.

Nigella Bites ■ Raelene Isbester is deliciously saucy in her portrayal of the at home cook Nigella Lawson.

She plays Lawson with a look and sound cleverly resembling the woman herself, with perhaps a touch more ‘wiggling’ and ‘innuendo’.

Written by Isbester, with music by Shannon Whitelock, Nigella Bites touches on the controversial aspects of Lawson’s fame, her heartbreak with the loss of her first husband, the devastating results of her second and her amusement at why the public are so fascinated with her and her private life.

She loves eating food, talking about food and in this production being quite naughty with food and what it can represent.

There were some aspects of this production that director Simon Trevorrow overlooked.

Isbester is loud, The Butterfly Club is a small venue. Some of the intimacy was lost with her use of a microphone for dialogue.

Whilst this was necessary with the piano accompaniment as she belted out various songs, more voice projection and some quiet moments could have enhanced the performance. This could also have distinguished between the ‘TV’ Nigella from the ‘real’ Nigella.

This show is fun, smart, includes the audience and despite some annoying audience ‘call outs(probably from friends of the actor) very entertaining whether a fan of the famous Nigella Lawson or not. Isbester and the team are talented, I look forward to their next portrayal.

- Review by Elizabeth Semmel

Creating a climate for change ■ Melbourne Playback Theatre Company and Darebin Climate Action Now present Creating A Climate For Change on Thursday, August 11 at 7pm at the Northcote Town Hall.

Playing as a part of National Science Week, Creating A Climate For Change is the fourth compelling Q&A event in the 2016 series.

With three sell-out shows already this year, during International Women’s Day, National Reconciliation Week and Refugee Week, this one-off evening will explore climate solutions, action, and what it means to live in a warming world.

Featuring esteemed panellists Professor Rob Adams (Director City Design and Projects, City of Melbourne), Lucy Best (Communications and Community Engagement Manager at Positive Charge), and Dr Stephen Bygrave (CEO of Beyond Zero Emissions) Creating A Climate For Change will look at how current climate solutions can change our lives and communities in positive ways; not just at a purely environmental level.

The discussion will then be followed by an interactive performance with Melbourne Playback Theatre’s ensemble of professional actors, musicians, and MCs. Melbourne Playback offers unique, one-off theatre performances which are created from the audience’s stories, experiences, and perspectives.

These are brought to life on stage by a skilled team of performers, mediated by a facilitator.

Creating A Climate For Change offers an exclusive forum that intersects science, performance and robust conversation.

Joining the discussion and speaking to the Melbourne Playback facilitator is completely voluntary and audience members also have the option to simply sit back, and watch. These events have proven to be funny, playful, poignant, and insightful.

Melbourne Playback Theatre Company has been entertaining audiences for more than 30 years with their unique form of improvised theatre; transforming shared, real-life events into stories on the stage.

Performance: Thursday August 11, 7pm – 9.15m Tickets: $25 Adult, $18 Concession, $15 Student and Under 18 Bookings: Venue: Northcote Town Hall - 189 High St, Northcote Bookings: 9481 9500 or online at www.melbourneplayback.com.au/whats-on/climatefor-change www.melbourneplayback.com.au - Cheryl Threadgold

Page 24 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, July 20, 2016

Observer Showbiz What’s Hot and What’s Not in Blu-Rays and DVDs

● Disaster at sea in The Finest Hours starring Chris Pine and Casey Affleck, based on an extraordinary true story.

FILM: THE FINEST HOURS: Genre: Action/Drama/History.

Cast: Chris Pine (Coast Guard), Casey Affleck (Chief Engineer), Ben Foster, Eric Bana.

Year: 2016.

Rating: PG. Length: 117 Minutes.

Stars: *** Verdict: Well intentioned biographical disaster movie that chronicles the true account of the 1952 United States Coast Guard rescue of the oil tanker the SS Pendleton, after it split apart during a massive storm off the New England coast. Good cast all earn their money in this is an old fashioned survival romp that sticks to a well established formula and stereotypes, reminiscent of other memorable tales as "The Wreck of the Mary Deare" (1959), "The Poseidon Adventure" (1972), Ridley Scott's "White Squall" (1996) and "The Perfect Storm" (2000). Plenty of special effects eye-candy, set and 1950's production design are a standout.

Hammy in spots, simple and predictable, but the disaster movie genre has a rich history, and though not the best of the genre, it's certainly an impressive enough effort and well worth the dip.

FILM: Genre: Cast: Eisenberg, Diane

BATMAN v SUPERMAN - DAWN OF JUSTICE: Action/Adventure/Fantasy.

Ben Affleck, Henry Cavill, Amy Adams, Jesse Lane, Jeremy Irons, Laurence Fishburne, Holly Hunter, Kevin Costner.

2016.

M. 151 Minutes - Theatrical Version. 182 Minutes - Ul-

Year: Rating: Length: timate Edition.

Stars: ** Theatrical Version and Ultimate Edition.

Verdict: Following a trail of destruction by Superman, Batman takes on the man of steel, but while Batman and Superman battle it out, a new threat, Doomsday, is created by villain Lex Luthor, so it's up to Superman and Batman to set aside their differences, and along with Wonder Woman, they join forces to stop Luthor and Doomsday from destroying Metropolis. What gets off to a good start soon spirals out of control into an insanely long, loud, humourless, pretentious, cliché after cliché lumbering mess. Ben Affleck and Henry Cavill lumber confused through the banal narrative, and Gal Godot as Wonder Woman pops up from nowhere, and are all secondary to the ear thumping music score and headache inducing special effects. With what must be one of the longest, uninspiring and self important conclusions in recent cinema history, all in all, this is an intensely soul-less and shallow multi-million dollar misfire.

FILM: THE THIRTY-NINE STEPS: Genre: Adventure/Thriller.

Cast: Robert Powell, David Warner, John Mills, Eric Porter, Karen Dotrice.

Year: 1978.

Rating: PG. Length: 102 Minutes.

Stars: ***½ Verdict: In Britain in1914 and Richard Hannay, a Mining Engineer, is shocked when one of his neighbours bursts into his rooms one night and tells him a story of foreign agents planning to pre-start World War I by murdering a visiting foreign minister. However, his neighbour is murdered and he is framed for the death. Fleeing to Scotland he attempts to clear his name and to stop the agents but not only is he is chased by the police but by the agents as he attempts to foils the assassination.

Third big screen adaptation of John Buchan's classic novel is a good old fashioned ripping yarn filled with plenty of thrills, humour and excitement, most notably the Big Ben climax. No match for Alfred Hitchcock's 1935 landmark spy masterpiece, but a great fun ride!

Movies, DVDs

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

With Jim Sherlock and Aaron Rourke

Ghostbusters

■ (M). 116 minutes. Now showing in cinemas everywhere. Also screening in 3D. Battered with what has been one of the most unusual and uncomfortable hate campaigns in cinema history, this reboot of the beloved 1984 smash hit finally hits our screens, and the big question is, did cast and crew deserve all the vitriolic ectoplasm thrown at them? The answer is no.

Did we need another remake/ reboot/re-imagining? The answer is also no.

You know the set-up. Three scientists, Erin Gilbert (Kristin Wiig), Abby Yates (Melissa McCarthy), Jillian Holtzmann (Kate McKinnon), and one civilian, Patty Tolan (Leslie Jones), form a paranormal capture agency, as New York is inundated with ghostly apparitions.

The source of the disturbances is Rowan (Neil Casey), who uses these restless spirits to cleanse the world of the living.

Attempting to help the group save the day is their dim-witted secretary Kevin (Chris Hemsworth).

Ghostbusters 2016 follows the template of the original closely, notably in the second half, and Feig seems obligated to pay homage at any and every given opportunity, as if there is some nervousness about fooling around with such iconic material.

While the cameos and references are welcome, they, along with the noticeable adherence to the story we all know and love, makes this redux feel increasingly unnecessary.

The overstuffed finale, which comes across as nothing more than a facsimile of the one witnessed 32 years ago, is needlessly protracted.

It is fascinating how this reboot has been savaged by fans (before it has even been released), with some (not all) displaying an ugly, misogynistic streak that is completely unwarranted.

Why pick this film out specifically, when hundreds of other remakes have escaped a similar wrath?

I am one who deplores Hollywood's present day creative bankruptcy, but picking on this production in such a personal manner is both hurtful and counter-productive.

Performances are uneven.

McCarthy, like so many modern comedians, loves to be loud and puerile, so it is somewhat of a relief to see her more subdued here, surprisingly in tune with the script's genial nature.

Wiig is a far more likeable presence, and her winning, low-key persona provides some of the film's best moments.

On the other hand, McKinnon (who seems to be trying to channel Parker Posey), and especially Jones, just don't click, as if they are trying too hard to impress on a big stage.

Hemsworth,obviously enjoying the

Job wanted ■ It is sad to say that I have recently lost my paid, full-time occupation.

For eight years I was employed at the renowned DVD rental store Video Vision, located in Balaclava, a job I treasured and enjoyed.

But now I am in need of new employment, so if anyone in Melbourne has a position available (if it is movie-related then I have years of experience and wonderful movie knowledge), please contact the paper online at editor@melbourneobserver.com.au, and I will be happy to reply asap.

It is a joy to write for the Melbourne Observer, which I have been doing so for eight years also, and has shown without a doubt my love for film. I thank you for your continued support, and hope to hear from you soon.

- Aaron Rourke chance of playing an idiot, is also amusing.

Again, due to director Feig's love for improvisation (as witnessed in Bridesmaids and The Heat), this endeavour feels overlong and underdeveloped, with entire scenes running hot-and-cold.

Too many gags fall flat, hindering the actors' comedic continuity and overall effectiveness.

This in turn shows up Feig's lack of discipline as a film-maker, unable to make the decision when to trim or cut scenes that aren't working, and for such a light-hearted comedy, it is jawdropping to discover that Feig's original cut went 255 minutes.

He, along with Judd Apatow (Funny People / The 40 Year-Old Virgin), are perfect examples of current directors who are turning what should be lean, efficient, potentially funny films into bloated, unfocused messes.

The original cast managed to have fun without it getting in the way of the plot.

Here the tomfoolery seems to take up too much screen time, pushing the story and any interesting developments to the sidelines.

Ghostbusters isn't the disaster as expected, but only goes to confirm that so many of these remakes are totally superfluous, shamelessly keeping the Hollywood wheels turning until they can come up with something original. That will be a great day indeed.

The original series, Ghostbusters (1984, (PG), ****) and Ghostbusters 2 (1989, (PG), ****), are currently available on DVD and Blu-Ray. RATING - *** - Aaron Rourke

Top 10 Lists THE AUSTRALIAN BOX OFFICE TOP TEN: 1. FINDING DORY. 2. THE LEGEND OF TARZAN. 3. THE BFG. 4. CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE. 5. MIKE AND DAVE NEED WEDDING DATES. 6. ICE AGE: COLLISION COURSE. 7. INDEPENDENCE DAY: RESURGENCE. 8. ME BEFORE YOU. 9. SULTAN. 10.

HUNT FOR THE WILDERPEOPLE. NEW RELEASES AND COMING SOON TO CINEMAS AROUND AUSTRALIA: JULY 14: DEMOLITION, GHOSTBUSTERS, OUR KIND OF TRAITOR, OUR LITTLE SISTER, SING STREET, SWISS ARMY MAN. JULY 21: LIGHTS OUT, LOVE & FRIENDSHIP, STAR TREK BEYOND. THE DVD AND BLU-RAY TOP RENTALS & SALES: 1. 10 CLOVERFIELD LANE [Thriller/Mary Elizabeth Winstead, John Goodman].

2. HAIL, CAESAR! [Comedy/ George Clooney, Josh Brolin, Scarlett Johansson].

3. MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING 2 [Comedy/Romance/Nia Vardalos, Michael Constantine].

4. 13 HOURS: THE SECRET SOLDIERS OF BENGHAZI [Action/ Drama]. Ineson, Anya Taylor-Joy, Kate Dickie].

6. ZOOTOPIA [Animated/Adventure/Ginnifer Goodwin, Idris Elba, Jason Bateman].

7. THE LADY IN THE VAN [Comedy/Drama/Biography/Maggie Smith].

8. TRUMBO [Biography/Drama/ Bryan Cranston, Diane Lane, Helen Mirren].

9. BROOKLYN [Drama/Romance/ Saoirse Ronan, Domhnall Gleeson, Julie Walters, Jim Broadbent].

10. THE DANISH GIRL [Drama/ Alicia Vikander, Eddie Redmayne].

Also: LONDON HAS FALLEN, GRIMSBY, GODS OF EGYPT, DIRTY GRANDPA , 45 YEARS, SON OF SAUL, LOOKING FOR GRACE, CONCUSSION, DEADPOOL, PRIDE AND PREJUDICE AND ZOMBIES. NEW RELEASE HIGHLIGHTS ON DVD THIS WEEK: EYE IN THE SKY [Thriller/Helen Mirren, Alan Rickman].

THE FINEST HOURS [Drama/Chris Pine, Casey Affleck, Ben Foster].

BATMAN v SUPERMAN: Dawn of Justice [Action/Ben Affleck, Henry Cavill].

NEW RELEASE HIGHLIGHTS ON BLURAY THIS WEEK: EYE IN THE SKY [Thriller/Helen Mirren, Alan Rickman].

THE FINEST HOURS [Drama/Chris Pine, Casey Affleck, Ben Foster].

BATMAN v SUPERMAN: Dawn of Justice [Action/Ben Affleck, Henry Cavill].

BATMAN v SUPERMAN: Dawn of Justice - 3D [Action/Ben Affleck, Henry Cavill].

THE HUNT. OCCUPIED: Series 1.

Turn to Page 29

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Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, July 20, 2016 - Page 25

Observer Showbiz

Local Theatre

An Inspector Calls TrackYouth Theatre

● Track Youth Theatre’s Ed Bailey with James Megalakakis, Ky Bennett, Lochlan Bennett, Violette Gabriel, Rebecca Klvac and Eliska Mitchell.

Photo: Melissa Dioguardi ■ Track Youth Theatre presents No West for the Wicked, its 50th production written by Ed Bailey, on Friday, August 19 and Saturday, August 20 at the Renaissance Theatre, Kew. Directed by Sophie Jevons, this special milestone for Ed and Track Youth Theatre is set in Deadwood City in the ‘wild west’, and includes Ed’s original humour and added twists to delight all ages.

The main saloon is owned and run by the Mayor, a mean bad-tempered critter. The bar is filled with raucous gamblers and exuberant can-can girls. The Mayor won’t have a bar of anyone other than his can-can girls performing in his town.

Back at their prairie camp a travelling troupe, The Twobit Players, are captured by Indians, with a great performance saving them from going up in smoke.

The Chief is delighted by the group and offers to help them perform in Deadwood City. As the Twobit Players and Indians burst into the saloon to demand a performing space, the Mayor tells them to shove off. Guns are drawn by everyone.

But Kitty, the saloon hostess, suggests each side picks a champion to shoot it out.

All children performing are aged 9-16 years old.

Performances: August 19 and 20 at 7.30pm Venue: Renaissance Theatre, 826 High St., East Kew Running Time: Under two hours.

Tickets: Adults $15, Conc $10 Bookings: trybooking/LPVN

THE WOMAN IN BLACK ■ New independent theatre company Redfox 3 presents The Woman in Black in Warburton and Healesville, between August 20 and September 4.

The Woman In Black takes a trip through time into a tragic and ghostly world, where the horrors of the supernatural combine with the power and intensity of live theatre.

In this adaptation of Susan Hill’s horror novella, a traumatized man recruits a young actor to help him exorcise the ghost of the Woman in Black. As the two men perform the story, they combine some of the oldest theatrical techniques with modern cinematic styling.

The show’s actors, Chris McLean and Kieran Tracey, are recreating their lauded 2013 roles for the newly established Redfox 3 Theatre Company, which director Justin Stephens has proudly established in the Yarra Valley region.

Adapted for the stage by Stephen Mallatratt, The Woman in Black has been produced in over 40 countries, and thrilled audiences the world over.

Redfox 3 is a new theatre company presenting productions in the Melbourne metropolitan and regional area. The company aims to create work that is entertaining, engaging and speaks honestly to audiences.

This is RedFox3’s first production and Justin hopes to establish an exciting and accessible local theatre company.

"I love to be scared, and this story is truly creepy," says Justin.

"The show can be truly terrifying to watch, one that you can't look away from, even though you wish you could. It's this kind of Theatre that fascinates me."

Performance Dates: Sat 20 August - Sun 4 September Performance Venues: Warburton and Healesville Upper Yarra Arts Centre, Warburton Saturday, August 20 at 7.30pm Sunday, August 21 at 2pm Address: 3409 Warburton Hwy, Warburton The Memo, Healesville Saturday, August 27 at 7.30pm. Sunday, September 4a 2pm Address: 235 Maroondah Hwy, Healesville, Tickets: $28 Full $24 Concession $20 Group 6+ Bookings: Online: http://goo.gl/9foF06 Phone: 1300 368 333 Email: boxoffice@yarraranges.vic.gov.au

Melbourne

Observer

With Cheryl Threadgold

WENDY DROWLEY

SHOWS ■ Encore Theatre Company: An Inspector Calls Until July 23 at the Clayton Theatrette, Cooke St.., Clayton. Bookings: 1300 739 099.

■ BATS Theatre Company: Summer of the Seventeenth Doll (by Ray Lawler) until July 24 at Brunt St., Cranbourne. Director: Sharon Maine. Tickets: $22/$20/$16. Bookings: www.trybooking Enquiries: 0422 096 768.

■ PLOS Musical Productions: Miss Saigon July 22 - 30 at the Frankston Arts Centre, Davey St., Frankston. Bookings: plos.asn.au ■ CentreStage Geelong: The Addams Family July 22 - August 6 at 7.30pm at the Geelong Performing Arts Centre (GPAC). Tickets: $45/$41/$39. Bookings: http://gpac.org.au ■ Aspect Inc: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat July 22 -30 at the Shirley Burke Theatre, 64 Parkers Rd., Parkdale.

Director: Rhylee Nowell; Choreographer: Robyn Walker; Musical Director: Malcom Huddle.

Bookings: www.aspecttheatre.org.au ■ Williamstown Musical Theatre Company (Junior Group): Shrek the Musical Jr, August 5 - 21 at the Williamstown Mechanics Institute, Cnr. Electra St. and Melbourne Rd., Williamstown.

Tickets: $35/$31 Bookings: 1300 739 099.

■ Sherbrooke Theatre Company: The Importance of Being Earnest (by Oscar Wilde) August 13 - 26 at the Doncaster Playhouse, 679 Doncaster Rd., Doncaster. Director: Emma Barber.

Bookings: www.trybooking ■ Track Youth Theatre: No West for the Wicked (by Ed Bailey) August 19 and 20 at the Renaissance Theatre, 826 High St., East Kew. Directed by Ed Bailey. Bookings: www.trybooking or at the door.

■ Malvern Theatre Company: In the Garden (by Sarah Gmitter) August 26 - September 10 at 29a Burke Rd., Malvern. Director: George Werther. Tickets: $20. Bookings: 1300 131 552.

■ Mordialloc Theatre Company: Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks ((by Richard Alfieri) September 2 - 17 at Shirley Burke Theatre, 64 Parkers Rd., Parkdale. Director: Eric Heyes. Bookings: 9587 5141 or www.mordialloctheatre.com ■ Heidelberg Theatre Company: A Streetcar Named Desire (by Tennessee Williams) September 9 - 24 at 36 Turnham Ave., Rosanna. Director: Karen Wakeham.

AUDITIONS ■ Mooroolbark Theatre Group: Out of Order (by Ray Cooney) July 21 at 7.00pm. Director: Louise Woodward. Enquiries: 0416 777 356.

■ Frankston Theatre Group: 'Allo 'Allo (by Jeremy Lloyd and David Croft) July 25 and July 26 at 7.30pm. Director: Rob Lister.

Enquiries: 0431 150 551.

■ Sunshine Community Theatre: Once Upon a Rhyme (Written and directed by Faye Lockwood-Rourke). July 30 and August 6 at 2.00pm at 82 Phoenix St., Sunshine. Audition bookings: sctmail@zoho.com ■ Beaumaris Theatre: One for the Pot (by Ray Cooney and Tony Hilton) August 7 at 2.00pm, August 8 at 7.00pm at 82 Wells Rd., Beaumaris. Director: Keith Hutton. Audition bookings: 0430 032 332.

■ Encore Theatre: Table Manners (by Alan Ayckburn) August 7 at 2.00pm, August 8 at 2.30pm at Fleigner Hall, 31-39 Highland Avenue, Oakleigh East. Director: Deborah Febbro. Audition enquiries: 0416 141 838.

■ Wyndham Theatre Company: The Lyons (by Nicky Silver) August 14 at 9am at the Crossroads Theatre, Cnr. Synott St and Duncan's Rd., Werribee. Director: Robert Harsley. Audition enquiries and bookings: 0515 917 381.

■ Warrandyte Theatre Company: Speaking in Tongues (by Andrew Bovell) August 21 at 7pm and August 24 at 8pm at the Warrandyte Theatre Mechanics Hall, Yarra St., Warrandyte.

Director: Susan Rundle. Contact susan@psrundle.com or phone 0416 2981 36 ■ Lilydale Athenaeum Theatre: Yes, Prime Minister August 22, 25 at 7.30pm at 41 Castella St., Lilydale. Director: Alan Burrows.

Audition bookings: emcarter.productions@gmail.com

● Wendy Drowley ■ In 1953, Wendy Drowley’s mother took her 14 year old daughter to their local theatre company, the Heidelberg Repertory Group. Wendy performed in shows at the East Ivanhoe Church and the Rechabyte Hall, until the company purchased the bus depot at 63 Turnham Avenue, Rosanna, and became Heidelberg Theatre Company.

Over time, the theatre became Wendy’s life, and she began to help build and decorate sets.

‘I have lived my life here,’ she says, ‘blood, sweat and tears!’

When Wendy started dating husband-to-be, Ted, she was rehearsing a Scottish play, and her accent was so good he thought she was Scottish! Ted quickly found out that to be part of Wendy’s life he had to be part of the theatre, and soon became involved behind the scenes.

Since 1953, Wendy has performed in and directed many shows, and even when bringing up her children, never left the theatre company, but instead sewed costumes and worked on the committee.

Admitting to having a good eye and liking things ‘to be right’, Wendy always designs her own sets when directing, and loves working on costumes. For Tom Jones she did the costumes and husband Ted built the set.

Her first play as 14 year old Wendy Finch in 1953 was Lace on Her Petticoat, and Wendy played Elspeth McNairn. Many more plays followed, and in 1971 Wendy directed her first production, The Love of Four Colonels.

Wendy says one of her worst moments on stage was getting undressed at the wrong moment in A Man for All Seasons.

Also, in 1959 in Come Back Little Sheba, she became stranded off stage.

‘I had to cut through a canvas (thankfully) flat to appear out of the bedroom door with my lover,’laughs Wendy.

The company’s impressive costume collection is stored in a building known as ‘Wendy’s Shed’, located at the rear of the theatre. In 1996, Ted stepped in to coordinate the completion of this deserving home for the costumes, and Wendy proudly says “I never throw anything out”!

Wendy’s invaluable contributions to Heidelberg Theatre Company, in particular as costume and set designer, performer, director and committee member, were recognised by the company in 2012, when Wendy received The President’s Award.

Sadly, Wendy’s beloved Ted passed away in October last year to a dementia-related illness.

Thankfully, in 2014, he visited Government House to share Wendy’s honour at receiving an Order of Australia Medal (OAM) for Service to the PerformingArts.

Just a few weeks after Ted’s death, the wardrobe mistress for the current show had an accident and Wendy got the call to come in and take over. She did, and says she felt ‘back home’ again.

‘Home’is Heidelberg Theatre Company’s stylish, comfortable and well-equipped theatre, where each year patrons enjoy quality productions.

Wendy is now officially semi-retired, but when asked if she will be back soon directing or performing, there was a pause, followed by a knowing smile - which patrons and company members will definitely hope means ‘Yes!’.

Congratulations to Wendy Drowley on a marvellous contribution to Victorian community theatre. www.htc.org.au

AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS ■ Ellis Productions and Aleksandar Vass present the Australian premiere of Around the World in 80 Days, commencing August 23 at The Alex Theatre, St Kilda.

Adapted for the stage by Toby Hulse, based on the novel by Jules Verne and directed by Terence O’Connell, Around the World in 80 Days stars Ian Stenlake, Pia Miranda and Grant Piro.

Three actors, thirty-nine characters, seven countries. Stampeding elephants!

Raging typhoons! Runaway trains!

Fearless adventurer Phileas Fogg and his faithful manservant Passepartout set out to win an outrageous wager by circling the globe in an unheard of 80 days.

At their heels is a relentless Scotland Yard detective. At stake, surviving adventures across India, China, Japan and America – beating the clock – and winning the bet.

This is no movie, this is theatre, with danger, romance and comedy.

Producer Helen Ellis comments, "We are delighted to be producing the Austra-

lian premiere of this new adaptation of a classic story told in a completely unexpected way. Audiences are going to be taken on an extraordinary trip around the globe without ever leaving St Kilda."

Performance Season: August 23 – September 4 Theatre: Alex Theatre, St Kilda Bookings: www.aroundthe worldin80days.com.au - Cheryl Threadgold

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Page 26 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, July 20, 2016 Melbourne

Observer

Lovatts Crossword No 13 Across

Across

1. Shabbiness in dress 6. Light-bulb inventor 11. Shiny 15. Forts 20. Egyptian river 21. Reproductive organ 22. Shopping precinct 23. Lead dancer, ... ballerina 25. South Africa's Cape ... Hope (2,4) 26. Pakistan currency units 27. Actor, Ryan ... (1'4) 29. Likable 32. Tube 34. Without delay (1,1,1,1) 36. Look-alikes, dead ...

39. Caravan rover 41. Brief 43. Sparking stone 46. Boils or ulcers 48. Low wetland 49. London's ... Mall 51. Curving lines 52. Exploited 55. Territory, Puerto ...

56. Every 59. Composer, Andrew ... Webber 61. Antarctic inlet, ... Sea 62. False god 63. Crowd brawl 64. Corrected (wrong) 67. Dalai Lama's nationality 68. Bitter regret 70. Very keen enthusiast 71. One who owes money 72. Overeats 73. Firebomb liquid 74. Of punishment 75. Batting spell 77. Broken down 78. Resounded 79. Theatre reviewer 82. Hazardous 86. Loft 87. Peace prize city 89. Spick & span 92. Merge 94. Get up 96. Biblical son of Isaac 98. Naming word 100. Recycle 101. Mongolian desert 103. Painting, Mona ...

105. From Baghdad 106. Adolescent 108. Sports match 111. Autograph 112. Actor's outfits 114. Rat 116. A single time 119. Droplet 120. Location 121. Kind 123. Leave out 124. Madam (2'2) 125. Flowing 126. Loudness 127. Grand house 130. Born as 131. Cleaning up (room) 135. English coin 138. Not stereo 139. Large jug 141. Computer/phone link 144. A lot of 146. I am, you ...

147. Looked up & down 148. UK national broadcaster (1,1,1) 149. Mad Roman emperor 150. Fuss 151. Female zebra 152. German emperor 153. Repast 155. Drink, ... spumante 157. Golfer, Greg ...

158. Unseat 160. Release (3,2) 161. Sprite 162. Italian city 163. Honey liquor 165. Brother's daughter 166. Souped-up car, hot ...

167. Scamp 168. Laid slates 169. Upper-class 171. Document, Magna ...

172. Glossy black bird 175. Entrails 176. Lubricates 179. Breakfast dish 180. Cow flesh 182. Flowers, sweet ...

184. Chirps 185. Castle water ditch 186. 24 December, Christmas ...

188. ... Lang Syne 189. US anti-crime agency (1,1,1) 190. Measure (out) 191. Fifth musical note 193. Own 194. Father 196. Verge 197. Fiesta, Mardi ...

198. Medicine amounts 200. Unhappiest 205. Vicious dog 207. Second-hand vehicle (4,3) 210. Playwright 211. Reparation 212. In a frenzied state 213. Grass skirt dance 214. USA nickname, Uncle ..

216. Steals from 218. Created 219. Prepare (newspaper) 220. Tights 224. Coffee style 227. Spiky plant, ... vera 229. From Bangkok 230. Abhor 231. Gallantly 232. Dr Jekyll & Mr ...

233. Heredity unit 235. Out of order 237. Solidifies 239. Actor, Richard ...

241. Timepiece 244. Forewarning 246. Blankness 249. ... & twos 252. Depletes 254. Crave 256. Heaven's ... Gates 258. French Mrs 259. Pins for hammering 260. Romantic US falls 263. Internal 264. Lump of gold 265. Legless grub 267. Actress, ... Kidman 270. Digit 271. Funeral Mass 272. Actor, Dustin ...

273. Lewd 274. Loses (hair) 277. London nightspot 279. Make (wage) 281. Throw out 284. Only fair (2-2) 286. Crustacean with nippers 288. Small distance measures 292. Yoga master 294. Raw metals 295. Domestic servants 298. Screen legend, Sophia ...

300. From Emerald Isle 301. Sum up 303. Baby's skin problem, ... rash 306. Bashfulness 308. Japan & Korea are there 309. Oil-exporting cartel 311. Throb 314. Mushy 315. Energetic 316. Do the dishes (4,2) 317. Throng 318. Former spouses 319. Paris landmark, ... Triomphe (3,2) 320. Tennis ace, ... Sampras 321. Urges 322. Sense 323. Blunted 324. Movie actors (4,5)

Down 1. Renovate (2,2) 2. Become distorted 3. Suggest 4. Kuwaiti rulers 5. Clean break 6. Flees to wed 7. Delay 8. Bathroom fixtures 9. Fall asleep (3,3) 10. Brigand 11. Revolve on axis 12. Stood against 13. Smudge 14. Palestinian chief, ... Arafat 15. Pour carelessly 16. Aida or Carmen 17. Potters' ovens 18. Pantomime lead 19. Observes 24. Rebukes, ... over the knuckles 28. Put on ... & graces 30. Spoken 31. Hideous 33. Irritated the skin 35. Incidental comments 37. Clarified butter 38. Curry & ...

40. Face veils 42. Physical activity 44. Portugal's capital 45. Scientist, Sir Isaac ...

47. Stench 48. Elevated railway 49. Drainage tradesman 50. Extortionate lender (4,5) 53. Largest bird 54. Calls (5,2) 57. Ancient Mariner's seabird 58. Protective headwear 60. Cloth retailers 63. Cleaver 65. Frosted (cake) 66. Expensive 68. Coral bank 69. Cosy 76. Set up (machinery) 79. Long-leafed lettuce 80. Nunavut native 81. Eastern faith 83. Twig shelters 84. Cartoon strip, Li'l ...

85. Flightless bird 88. English cheese 90. Fleur de lis plant 91. Among 93. Riveted 95. Easter gifts 97. Unplaced competitor (4-3) 99. Constantly busy (2,3,2) 100. Hire 102. Pungent bulb 104. Largest African nation 107. Uncanny 109. Wet 110. Vocal solo 111. Jet-baths 113. Soapie session 115. Obvious 117. TV award 118. Young deer 121. Contemptibly 122. Patella 127. Nonsense, ... jumbo 128. Razor cuts 129. Bits & pieces (4,3,4) 132. Recipe components 133. Stupid 134. Avarice 135. Packaged 136. Dilapidated 137. 24 hours ago 138. Unforgettable 140. Enforces once more 141. Pacified 142. Courageous

Down

143. Huge stone blocks 145. Tomahawk 151. Enormous 154. Men's Singles champion, ...

Agassi 156. Lustre 159. One, numero ...

164. Totally 169. Cougars 170. Steam burn 173. Influences 174. Short, witty remark 177. Author, ... Asimov 178. Take oath 181. Whirling (of water) 183. Women warriors 187. Wantonly destroy 192. Female hormone 195. Current of air 199. Supervise 201. Points gun 202. Anti-flood embankment 203. Genuine fact 204. Implicit 206. Gay 207. Non-rural 208. Cheap, a ... a dozen 209. Lends a hand to 213. Smacks 215. Strolling 217. Killed 221. Helium & hydrogen 222. Not ever 223. Cut with scissors 224. Charlotte Bronte novel, Jane ...

225. Withdraw, ... out 226. Poet, ... Allan Poe 228. Legal trade bans 234. Phone security device 236. Wrongdoers 238. Terminate 240. Singer, ... Orbison 242. Normally (2,1,4) 243. Peculiarity 245. Mussels or clams 247. Peppermint essence 248. Nut fastener 250. Scientist, Albert ...

251. Weasel-like animals 253. Overfill 255. College test 257. Recline lazily 258. Restaurant list 261. Lovers' fling 262. Military forces 265. Valuable ores, precious ...

266. Garden ornament 268. Hex 269. The Continent 275. Jolly laugh (2,2) 276. Rounded roof 278. Hampers 280. Pressurised spray 282. Delights 283. Dollar division 285. Properly positioned, in ...

287. Steam generator 289. Tripoli citizen 290. Impersonates 291. Melted 292. Barked shrilly 293. Potato 296. Colorado ski resort 297. Writer, ... Thomas 299. Obtain (funds) 302. Two-door car 304. ... Fools' Day 305. Earnest requests 306. Crown Princess of Denmark 307. Opera singer 308. Yes votes 310. Head cook 312. Charismatic air 313. Spreading trees

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, July 20, 2016 - Page 27

Solution on Page 20

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Page 28 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, July 20, 2016 Melbourne

Observer

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Sport Extra

Fate of grwyhounds uncertain ■ Members of the New South Wales Police Force will be required to kill unwanted greyhounds after racing ceases in that state in July next year.

On July 7 the NSW Government announced it would seek to pass legislation to ban greyhound racing.

In a document titled Transition to Closure of the NSW Greyhound Racing Industry, numerous questions regarding the preferred closure and the issues surrounding it are answered.

The Government states that current figures indicate there are 6809 registered greyhounds in NSW. The document fails to acknowledge that many greyhounds may not be able to be rehomed through an adoption program or through the efforts of the NSW RSPCA. It further states: "The Government will provide the RSPCA and the NSW Police Force with the means to oversee the humane treatment of greyhounds as the industry is shut down."

While the industry awaits a proposed timeframe for the desired winding down of greyhound racing until July, many supporters of greyhound racing have been on the front foot, organising petitions, meetings and publicity campaigns to keep the issue in the public eye, and to build a case to tackle the government's plans head on.

It will be a David versus Goliath struggle, but perhaps people power will win out in the battle to save the greyhound sport in New South Wales.

Suspended ■ Greyhound racing at Kempsey in northern New South Wales has been

Greyhounds

suspension of racing at other venues that do not have off-course betting coverage, citing similar track safety issues.

nstead it was a gale force wind which caused a window in the track grader cabin to shatter, littering the sand racetrack with shards of glass.

Stewards were unsatisfied that the safety of competing greyhounds would not be compromised due to the ■ A purpose built greyhound adop- broken glass, and racing was cantion centre will be established in Tas- celled after one event. mania.

As strange as this sounds, it is not With a 35 per cent increase in grey- the first time such an incident has ochound adoptions in Tasmania over the curred. last 12 months, demand has meant that I recall a similar situation a handa dedicated facility is needed. ful of years ago at a Geelong meetThe facility, at a location yet to be ing. determined, will include areas for administration and a caretaker, along with space for prospective carers and adopters to meet greyhounds.

■ Queensland's popular Ipswich Despite the recent announcement track will relocate as the industry by the New South Wales State Gov- progresses forward despite the proernment that it plans to ban greyhound posed ban on New South Wales racracing from July next year, the Tas- ing.

A long standing joint proposal bemanian Government has indicated it will not automatically follow those tween the Ipswich Greyhound Racplans, instead preferring to await feed- ing Club and Ipswich Turf Club looks back from a parliamentary commit- to have gained key government suptee enquiry into the industry before port, and the greyhound's could be on making further comment. the move from the local A report is due on September 22. Showgrounds circuit to the infield of Tasmanian Greens leader Cassy the nearby thoroughbred track.

O'Connor has stated she will not supQueensland RacingMinisterGrace port the draft study into Tasmania's Grace and local MP Jennifer Howard greyhound racing industry, and will support the dual track proposal, which instead prepare her own report. has the backing of both club committees.

Funds for capital works look set to be released from a $100 million in■ The Devonport race meeting in dustry fund for statewide infrastrucTasmania last Tuesday week (July ture upgrades.

12) ended abruptly due to bad Under the proposal, expected to weather. cost $14 million, a greyhound racing But it wasn't rain, hail or snow that track would be constructed inside the halted the afternoon's proceedings - gallops track, and much needed up-

Tassie move

with Kyle Galley suspended indefinitely, and may not resume before a proposed Government ban on the sport from July next year.

The state's controlling body, Greyhound Racing New South Wales, has announced that greyhounds are prohibited from competing at the track until issues regarding track safety are adequately addressed.

An inspection by GRNSW staff identified a range of safety issues with the track surface, running rail and catching pen which have the potential to put competing greyhounds at risk of serious injury.

Race meetings will not be reinstated until the required maintenance works are completed and satisfactorily pass an inspection.

In a press release GRNSW said that "the future of greyhound racing in NSW is dependent on safeguarding greyhound welfare and that includes making difficult decisions in order to prevent or substantially reduce the risk of on-track injuries and related euthanasia."

GRNSW have also announced the

To relocate

Abrupt end

grades to facilities at the course would also take place.

Importantly, the greyhound track would be a "one turn" circuit, as opposed to the circle tracks that now operate at Ipswich and Albion Park.

One turn racing was staged at long closed tracks at Gold Coast and Toowoomba, and a replacement track at the Bundamba Racecourse would fill a void for south-east Queensland trainers.

Ipswich Greyhound Racing Club President Merv Page said with such a focus on animal welfare, it makes sense to build such a track, which is generally safer for competing dogs.

He also explained that facilities a the Ipswich Showgrounds are in bad need of upgrading, and that the club has outgrown the arena.

Greyhound racing at Ipswich began over 30 years ago.

Upcoming race meetings

■ Wednesday: The Meadows (Day), Bendigo (Twilight), Cranbourne (Night), Ballarat (N); Thursday: Shepparton (T), Sandown Park (N), Warrnambool (N); Friday: Bendigo (T), Geelong (N), Traralgon (N); Saturday: Longwood (D), Ballarat (T), The Meadows (N); Sunday: Longwood (D), Healesville (D), Sandown Park (D), Sale (T); Monday: Ballarat (D), Traralgon (T), Shepparton (N); Tuesday: Geelong (T), Horsham (T).

- Kyle Galley

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Observer Victorian Sport

Melbourne Obser ver - Wednesday, July 20, 2016 - Page 29

Melbourne

Lining up for the Blue Diamond ■ At the close of entries for the rich two-year old classic, the Blue Diamond, to be held at Caulfield in February next year, a new eight year high of entries was established.

There were a total of 1372 yearlings nominated for the $1.5 million Ladbrokes Blue Diamond.

The leading nominator was Caulfield trainer, Mick Price, who has entered 102 yearlings in a bid to respect the deeds of previous stable winners, Samaready back in 2013, and this year Extreme Choice.

The total number of entries represents an increase of 30 up from last year.

Among the top nominators were Godolphin with 94, the Hayes-Dabernig team (84), ahead of top Sydney trainer, Gai Waterhouse with 80.

They are along with the father-son combination of Peter and Paul Snowden, who have entered 71 yearlings, as they chase a third Blue Diamond having won with Sepoy in 2011 and the filly Earthquake in 2014.

Leading sire Snitzel heads the top stallion list from the second time with 73 of his progeny nominated, followed by a sire of previous Diamond winners, Exceed and Excel with 60.

Some of the key highlights include the 2012 Caulfield Guineas quinella, All Too Hard ( 52) and Pierro (59), having their first nominations for the juvenile feature, with one All Too Hard nomination being a daughter of triple Melbourne Cup winner, Makybe Diva.

Yearlings nominated from the Blue Diamond gain automatic entry for the 2017 Group 3 Catanach's Jewellers Blue Sapphire Stakes, a $350,000 1200 metre race for three year-olds to be run during next year's Caulfield Cup Carnival.

Victoria tops the list of State of Origin entries with 727, then New South Wales (523), Queensland with (37), Western Australia (7) and internationals (10).

Welcome news ■ Great to see a good friend of mine, and a former work colleague, joining the ranks of the Racing Victoria Stewards.

Glenn Fish, the Chairman of Stewards at Greyhound Racing Victoria, has joined the

■ From Page 24

Top 10 Lists

NEW RELEASE AND RE-RELEASE CLASSICS ON DVD THIS WEEK: None Listed for This Week.

NEW RELEASE TELEVISION, DOCUMENTARY AND MUSIC DVD HIGHLIGHTS: THE HUNT. MOM: Season 2.

DIAGNOSIS MURDER: Season 5.

OCCUPIED: Series 1.

QUEEN VICTORIA'S LETTERS. MURDER, SHE WROTE: Season 12.

MURDER, SHE WROTE: Final Movies Collection.

Agatha Christie's MISS MARPLE: COLLECTION 1.

Agatha Christie's MISS MARPLE: COLLECTION 2.

LION GUARD: Return of the Roar.

- James Sherlock

OK: John O’Keefe

Magic entries open ■ The Magic Millions promise to breeders is to continue to keep it real in 2017, in pursuing the very best sale ring outcome for yearling vendors.

As a result of the support of breeders in Australia and New Zealand, Magic Millions had the distinction of delivering the largest and highest grossing yearling sale in 2016.

Whether it be the Gold Coast in January, March or June, Perth or Launceston in February, or Adelaide in March, the Magic Millions Yearling Sales series has a market for every level of yearling.

A growth of almost $34 million (24 per cent) in overall, yearling sales gross illustrates the depth of the buying bench, they are able to assemble across the board, and therefore bring real competition tom the sale ring.

Conducting six yearling sales across four states of Australia, the Sale Series offers the world's richest and most innovative Race Series featuring an annual $10 million raceday, as a real marketing benefit for selling yearlings through Magic Millions.

Breeders are invited to participate in the Southern Hemisphere's most progressive and fastest growing yearling sale series.

Entries close on Friday August 12th,.

For further information contact Magic Millions Bloodstock on (07) 5504 1200 or email them on bloodstock@magicmillions.com.au 2017 Magic Millions Yearling Sale Series: Gold Coast Yearling Sale, January 11-17, Tasmanian Yearling Sale, February 16, Perth Yearling Sale, February 20-21, Adelaide Yearling Sale, March 13-15, Gold Coast Yearling Sale, March 20-21, Gold Coast National Yearling Sale, June 6-8

Showbiz Extra

● Extreme Choice ( D.Oliver) winning the Blue Diamond Stakes at Caulfield.

A champion bloke in every way he has been with the GRV for more than 20 years and has been Chairman for the past six years.

The aim of the secondment is to provide Glenn insight into Racing Victoria's integrity processes.

This includes the control room and Compliance Assurance team methodology.

It is not only a great opportunity to share the stewarding techniques with another racing discipline, but also an opportunity for horse racing stewards to learn from Glenn and his vast experience with Greyhound Racing.

I am looking forward to catching up with him shortly at the track.

Good luck Glenn.

Ted Ryan

Decent whack

■ I was sorry to hear of a bad accident at a friend of mine stables recently, when popular Flemington trainer, Steve Richards, was double barrelled, kicked by both feet from one of his up and coming youngsters in his stables.

He spent two days in intensive care, lost his spleen and broke three ribs.

Steve is slowly recovering and we wish him all the best, we have been good friends for a horse racing panel on a 12-month secondment. number of years and he has always been obligGlenn and I go back a fair way when I worked ing if you wanted to know anything about his for a time at the then Greyhound Racing Board team at Flemington. as Editor of the Greyhound Adviser.

Good Luck Mate.

■ BOLT OUT OF BLUE: What a dream job to cast the talent for a TV spot to launch a new sports shoe insole. With a brief of 'money no object' why not ring Usain Bolt and better still, he said yes. Bolt appears in the spot as well as doing the voice over for Enertor sports insole. Placement will launch pre-Rio Games in the UK. Fascinating to know what price his appearance fee.

■ BOY FROM BENDIGO: Seven 's News chief in US, Mike Amor has been awarded TV Journalist of the Year (USA). Award wes announced at Los Angeles Press Club and judges noted Amor's coverage on the Charleston Church massacre,, and the Paris terrorist attacks were exceptional. Amor leads a team of seven reporters in the US for the Seven Network. He has previously won a swag of awards for journalism, including two Quills.

■ BERT'S BUCKET LIST: Bert Newton celebrates his birthday later this month - he turns 78. On his bucket list of gifts he'd love is to drive a Melbourne tram. Behind the scenes people are working to make his wish come true, it's called wheels within wheels. Happy Birthday Bert. From trams to traina, Kerrie-Anne Kennerley's husband John has returned home after a serious accident. John is now reunited with his dog, and his model trains and track that give him immeasurable pleasure.

■ CAAA TALKFEST: Guest speaker at forthcoming Community Broadcasting Conference is Brian Nankervis of Rock Wiz fame, and co-host of 774's Friday Review. The conference will be held in Melbourne in November. Brian's love affair with radio began with on-air gig on Triple M in 1979 .

■ LECKIE RESIGNS: The re-born, highly energised Channel 7 consultant David Leckie has left the channel he helped transform over his 13 years employment. Big question mark hangs over his job, or maybe, maybe he could retire but that's a word David fails to understand. In his time with 7 he helped raise their ratings where every rating point is valued at $ 33 million in revenue.

■ GET IN THE BOWL: A TV commercial that touches my funnybone is the M & M ad featuring a man asking the M & M's to get into a bowl. The smart arse red M & M harmlessly throws a few pieces of fruit at the man and says 'you get in the bowl'. Viewers found the TVC offensive and it incited danger. They complained to the ad censor.

Fortunatly the censor found 'no cause' for action. The nanny nation we live in is getting too precious and stifling creativity.

■ NICE EARNER: For all the inaccurate comments running around that claim You Tube is built on the back of of free, stolen music content, the facts are clear. You Tube has paid $3 billion to the music industry to date, Check facts first.

■ BYRNE BACK: Newsbreaking journalist Fiona Byrne has quit her PR job at Sofitel and returned to work as a journo with the Herald Sun. Apart from her duties at Sofitel Fiona wote her popular page for the Melbourne Observer, and was an on-air reporter for 3AW's Nightline. All the best of luck, Fiona.

Page 30 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, July 20, 2016

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Observer Victorian Sport Melbourne

Racing Briefs

Kilmore winners ■ Bolinda trainers Lisa Miles, Kari Males and Brent Lilley were winners at last Friday's Kilmore fixture - Miles taking the Hero-Life After Racing Trotters Handicap for T2 or better class over 2150 metres with Jeter, Males the Northern Fascia Pace for C1 class over 1690 metres with Bella Sainz and Lilley the Kelly Sports Pace for C0 class over 1690 metres with trotter Charming Lavra.

Jeter was a trifle slow to begin from 20 metres, settling three back in the moving lane as two of the roughies Kains Boy and Mister Oz the only two off the front line led and trailed.

Easing three wide racing for the bell, Jeter was accommodated by the hot favourite Sammy Charles (one/one) coming out ahead of him in the back straight to join a death-seating Parallen Lines running into the final bend.

As soon as Sammy Charles reached the lead in the straight, Girls Go First (onetwo) switched down to the sprint lane and dashed clear looking the winner, when Jeter rallied out wide to claim victory by a neck, with Sammy Charles a neck away in third place when having his first outing since May last year.

A 6-Y-0 gelded son of Great Success and Safe On First, Jeter returned a mile rate of 2-05.7 when chalking up his 7th victory in 42 outings.

Bella Sainz a Sportswriter/Bella Aurora mare bred and raced by media personality Rob Auber and partners, began swiftly from outside the front line to lead throughout with Tania Ward taking a concession, scoring by 5.2 metres from the favourite Vae Victus (one/three - three wide last lap) and Art Prevails which followed the winner. The mile rate a slick 157.4.

In form 4-Y-0 Cr Commando/Lavra Miriam mare Charming Lavra driven by Greg Sugars was far too classy for her rivals, going forward from near last racing for the bell to park outside the pacemaker Travelnfast for the final circuit.

Always looking the winner, Charming Lavra did only what she had to do, gaining the judge's nod by a neck over perennial placegetter Bridie Hanover (four wide home turn from mid-field) and Travelnfast in a mile rate of 2-00.8.

Model of consistency ■ Five year old entire Messini Art Major-Mesmerizing) has been a model of consistency throughout his 55 start career and notched up his 20th victory when an easy winner of the C6 or better class feature over 2190m at Mildura on Friday.

First up since finishing fifth in the Kilmore Cup back in March, Messini trained by Brent Lilley with Anthony Butt in the sulky was restrained from outside the front line, before going forward to assume control with two laps to travel.

Never out of second gear, Messini coasted to the wire untouched 2.7m clear of Beachstar which parked outside him in a MR of 1.56.9.

This Week’s Meetings ■ Wednesday - Stawell/Bendigo, Thursday Kilmore/Melton, Friday - Shepparton, Saturday Melton, Sunday - Swan Hill, Monday - Yarra Valley, Tuesday - Ballarat.

Horses To Follow ■ Highview Christina, Husdon Bay, Angus Invasion, Skyelind, Dentona, All Perfection, Metroincharge, Watts Up Rainbow, Kaarnapali, Sukovia, Gnotuk, Saint Davids Field, Mustang Shelly, Tarin Kowt.

■ Listen to Len Baker on Harness Review, 8pm10pm Mondays, on 97.9 FM, streamed in 979fm.com.au

Second win for Kiwi import ■ Four year old ElsuInnsbruk mare Lady Stanza chalked up her second success in 40 outings (33 in Oz) since crossing the Tasman and first since January at Junee (NSW), when victorious in the Artavilla Emporium Pace for C0 class over 2170m at Cobram on the Murray on Monday July 11.

Trained by youthful Brett Chapman at nearby Yarrawonga and driven by Kilmore based Robbie Walters, Lady Stanza from the pole enjoyed a sweet passage trailing the leader Hettivale (gate four). Extricated away from the markers in the last lap to be poised one/ one, Lady Stanza was taken into the clear on the final bend and ran home best to record a 2.6 metres margin over Innovate from mid-field in a mile rate of 2.04.8.

Easy win ■ At Bendigo on Tuesday, quality 3-Y-0 Changover-Motu Fantasy colt Motu Gatecrasher which was placed in the S-A Derby earlier in the season, had nothing more than a "stroll in the park" to land the C.V. Batteries Pace for C2 & C3 class over 2150 metres.

Trained and driven by Bannockburn's Geoff Webster, Motu Gatecrasher led throughout from the pole, winning easily by 12m in advance of Nickys Idol (three back the markers) using the sprint lane to no avail and Bernie Winkle (one/two) in an all ex-Kiwi trifecta.

The mile rate 1.59.3.

Leader

Harness Racing

Wine Extra Howls of scorn

Melbourne

Observer

len-baker@ bigpond.com

with Len Baker

NSW, Im Alex now in the care of Isabel Walsh in the Goulburn Valley, settled mid-field in the running line with Gavin Lang in the sulky as polemarker Glory Daze retained the front running.

Despite making the final bend four wide, Im Alex in a punishing finish prevailed by 2.1m over another ex-Kiwi Bushrod from last in a MR of 2.00.5. It was Im Alex's 17th victory in 147 outings.

Dynamic Bromac was a tough winner of the tab.com.auThree Year Old Pace over 2240m at Melton.

Sent forward to shadow Iam Aw Sam from gate five, Dynamic Bromac dashed to the front on the home turn, holding a margin all the way up the running to gain the day by 6.9 metres in advance of exKiwi Proficient in a MR of 1-59.2.

Sprint

■ It was an all New Zealand finish to the Claimer at Charlton on Thursday, with 8Y0 Whatagain-Belles N Roses gelding Yeah Right recording his 19th victory, defeating Electric Ollie and Jaccka Lonny in 1.59.9.

■ Ballarat trainer Anton Golino combined with Kerryn Manning at Melton to land the Two Year Old Trotters Mobile over 2240m at Melton with Sval Queen, a daughter of Muscle Mass and Bohemian Queen in a MR of 2.04.4.

Taking a trail on (Our) Regal Love first up in Oz for Breckon Farms Ltd after leading out, Sval Queen finished hard along the sprint lane to defeat Watts Up Rainbow (one/two at bell) by 3.3m, with Our Regal Love just weakening over the concluding stages to be 1.9m away in third place.

■ Avenel based David Aiken's Rocknroll Hanover-Electrofying Franco g Hot To Rock led throughout in the Bendigo Party Pace 3-Y-0 Pace over 2150m at Bendigo, scoring by 1.8m from Pay ■ Melton trainer Sonya Rise (one/two) in 2.01.5. Smith and partner Anthony Butt were also Melton winners when Metropolitan-Like A ■ Millionaire developer Calder gelding Calder Greg Brodie who has Knight snared the Three raced champions in the Year Old Trotters Mobile past such as multiple over 2240 metres in a Derby winner Courage comfortable 2.02.5.

Under Fire and Inter DoGiven an easy time at minion placegetter Warrior the head of affairs from Khan, was successful with gate four, the full brother home bred 7Y0 Courage to Blitzthemcalder, Under Fire-Alegria g Im scored by 2.1 metres Alex at Tabcorp Park from Brent Lilley's Melton on Wednesday, Kyvalley Tinman which taking the Join The Pe- trailed and Anton Golino's gasus Club for C5 to C7 Hudson Bay which faced class Pace over 2240m. the open.

Commencing his career in the Deep South, before transferring to Australia in 2013 where he ■ Josh Aiken's Bromac tasted almost immediate Lodge bred Live Or Diesuccess by winning in Diana Bromac gelding

Winners

Champs

Shadow

Kiwis

Sharp ■ Boom six year old Art Major/Ciccio Star g Major Star finally broke his maiden status in Australia, when winning the Aon Business Insurance Geelong Pace for C4 & C5 class over 2100m at Geelong on Thursday.

Driven by Alex Ashwood for Andy Gath, Major Star possied three back in the moving line, sprinting sharply in the last lap to lead on the home turn, accounting for old time Artoc which led by 10.4 metres in a MR of 1.58.6.

Big win ■ The biggest win of the night came about in the Glenn Craven 30th July 3Y-0 Pace over 2180 metres, when Rocknroll Hanover/Saabette colt Gottashopearly (Zac Phillips) trained by Adam Kelly at Melton travelled three wide solo from last to defeat a death-seating from the bell Kaanapali by 2.1 metres in 2-01.6, with Castor Troy a disappointing third after leading.

■ Listen to Len Baker on Harness Review, 8pm10pm Mondays, on 97.9 FM

■ One night at a dinner with colleagues in Victoria back in the mid-1990s, Queensland businessman Terry Morris mentioned how he’d recently enjoyed a great wine from Queensland’s Granite Belt – and was almost laughed out of the room amid cries of there being “no such thing as a great wine from Queensland.”

It was the proverbial red rag, and on returning home the entrepreneurial Terry immediately searched that Granite Belt, bought a substantial parcel of land, and established vineyards and a winery that are today not just amongst the most successful in Queensland, but indeed in Australia.

Terry named his venture Sirromet Wines and in 2000 launched his first reds and whites out of this cool-climate region in high country three hours south-west of Brisbane. The rest, as they say, is history… and guess who’s laughing now?

Particularly rewarding is his 2013 Sirromet Signature Collection Chardonnay, a must-have for Chardy buffs that’s beautifully rich-bodied with creamy green apple and pear flavours, suggestions of cashew paste and ripe rock-melon, and a finishing touch of lime acidity.

At $35 it’s a perfect pairing with steamed or grilled fish, or a Winter’s chicken pot pie.

■ One to note: It’s over half a century now since winemakers in the Clare Valley started putting together a blend of 70 per cent Cabernet Sauvignon and 30 per cent Malbec, one that as the Valley’s Tim Adams says has come to represent for many serious wine lovers the “Holy Grail” of Clare red wine production.

Indeed some of the greater vintages have seen the style attain almost mythical status, with Tim Adams’ own just-released 2012 blend an absolute ripper. Tim’s Cabernet Sauvignon can always be counted on as an outstanding wine, and the addition of Malbec to the 2012 has given texture and richness to a resultantly wonderful, full-bodied drop.

At $26 it’s a perfect match with grilled chorizo sausages.

Sales boom

■ Amongst the fastest growing wines in terms of new plantings in Australia is Tempranillo, an easydrinking medium-bodied and fruity red that was first planted here in the early 1900s, waned, and was resurrected again with more serious intent around the 1980s.

Today this native of Spain is grown in all major Australian regions by some 200 or more producers, with one to look for being the NSW Riverina’s Calabria Family Wines’ Cool Climate Series that’s made from fruit from the Hilltops area near Young.

Full of varietal cherry and plum fruit flavours, a touch of leatheriness and with a mild clove spiciness, it’s an excellent example of just why Tempranillo has really taken off amongst drinkers in the past five years or so.

Winemaker Bill Calabria used only hand-harvested fruit for this drop that’s so well-priced at just $15. Enjoy it simply with tapas or other light snacks, or main courses of anything from chorizo sausages to roast chicken or rack of lamb (as it is in its homecountry Spain,) or even think more-Mexican tacos, nachos or burritos.

■ One to note: We’ve long had a fondness for Sauvignon Blanc, and while most think of it as a purely summer-drinking wine, there are plenty of reasons to put it on the table with winter-time meals too. Or simply enjoy it on its own.

A full-of-flavour Sauv Blanc that’s currently on the shelves is Blossom Hill’s 2015 made from fruit sourced from across South Eastern Australia. All about crisp and zesty fresh citrus flavours, this one’s nicely accompanied by tropical and passionfruit aromas that make for a rewarding drop at just $13 a bottle.

An ideal match is with Thai green curry, while you’ll also find it pairs well with Greek and Mexican dishes that have plenty of tomatoes, green onions, olives and feta.

And even simply with fish and chips.

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Melbourne Obser ver - Wednesday, July 20, 2016 - Page 31

Page 32 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, July 20, 2016

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