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FEBRUARY 2011 • VOL 1, ISSUE 12

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Results of CAB Audit April-September 2010

Melbourne City Newspaper

Website: www.mc-news.com.au • Postal Address: PO Box 582, Collins Street West, Vic 8007 • Toll Free: 1300 80 40 33 • E-mail: info@mc-news.com.au

Cabbies call for reform By Chiara Macfarlane

inside

s balmy summer nights bring more people into the CBD for late night revelry, the taxi industry has once again come under fire from consumers fed up with long wait times for an available taxi. On any given Friday or Saturday night during the hours of 2.00-5.00am, there are hundreds of people wandering Melbourne’s streets desperately trying to get a taxi home. The situation has become so desperate that consumers claim drivers are refusing short fares during peak times, leaving intoxicated people stranded in the city. Many are forced to walk home or wait for the morning public transport system. However, the taxi industry has hit back by saying that they are under increasing demand to service the public, without the wherewithal to do so. David Samuel, Executive Officer of Policy and Communication at the Victorian Taxi Directorate (VTD), believes there needs to be a combined approach between the public transport system and the taxi industry to move the numbers of people stuck in the CBD on weekends. “You can’t rely on taxis alone,” he says. “They are not mass people movers.” Samuel agrees the taxi sys-

tem is in a critical state, supporting calls for a reform of the entire industry. They claim that the recent government initiatives have failed to address the critical issues in the sector, and say that unless the poor working conditions are resolved, and effective initiatives implemented, the entire system is on the brink of becoming unsustainable. The Victorian taxi industry is an essential part of our transport system, playing a key role in the economic and social fabric of our city. With over 4, 120 taxis servicing Metropolitan Melbourne, the taxi industry carries some 47 million passengers each year; with over 27 million hire annually. Although demand for taxi services is increasing as the community responds to anti drink driving messages, and almost half of all inner city residents not owning cars, the taxi industry – like other public transport systems – is struggling to meet this rising demand. Over the Christmas festive season, the industry experienced a severe shortage of drivers, with some fleet owners having 20 per cent of their fleet sitting idle. Bruce Tootell, taxi driver and owner, has driven taxis for (Cont. on page 2)

plus Julia Zamiro

- page 5

Public art of Melbourne - page 10

Food and Wine Festival

page 4

International Comedy Festival

page 8

Australians on screen

Special Fernwood offer, see page 11

page 9

Events Calendar

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Young fashion designers on - page 14 show

MCN COVER STORY

FEBRUARY 2011 • VOL 1, ISSUE 12

Greens’ State Candidate Brian Walters

MCN Melbourne City Newspaper

Editor-in-Chief: Paul McLane

Cabbies call for reform

Features Editor: Rebecca Ponsford

By Chiara Macfarlane

Editorial Assistant: Kimberly Yu

(Cont. from page 1)

Designer: Matt Hocking Advertising: Tracey Webmaster: Ryoko Morimore Marketing: Pummi Sooden Photographer: AP Guru Production Manager: Lisa Stathakis Publisher: Paras Australia Pty Ltd Distributor: Arrow Distribution and Private Distribution

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35 years. He blames poor driver and operator remuneration, and appalling working conditions for the driver shortage. “Taxi drivers in Melbourne get paid less than their counterparts in Sydney - usually earning around $7-$10 per hour. That’s lower than the legal minimum wage in Australia,” he says. As contractors, taxi drivers receive no holiday pay or superannuation, endure long hours and shift work. “Drivers are also liable for the costs of cleaning the taxi at the end of the shift, and must reimburse owners for their share of a fare where the customer has done a runner,” states Tootell. “All of this, combined with rising depot and licensing fees, as well as increased infringement fines from the excessive use of speed cameras and police presence, has created a situation where a driver can’t support himself – let alone a family on his wages,” he says. Tootell believes these factors are the reason the taxi industry has such a high percentage of foreign drivers. “They are the only drivers who are willing to work the fourteen hour shifts, seven days a week for such a pittance.” Tootell says he has seen most of the long term, local drivers he used to work with forced out of the industry, to seek more viable employment. Brian Walters, state candidate for the Greens in the last election called for an overhaul of the industry as part of his election campaign. “There needs to be a full enquiry by the Government, with clear goals that can initiate the much needed revolution of a dying industry,” he says. “The enquiry needs to be made in consultation with

those in the field,” he says, echoing the belief that that the government hasn’t consulted the industry in their recent initiatives aimed at reviving the taxi industry. Many taxi drivers believe the recent Government initiatives aimed at reviving the industry (such as Super Taxi Stops) are a waste of money as they don’t address the real factors affecting those on the ground. These initiatives were made without consultation with the taxi industry; rather they were developed from the Essential Services Commission’s recommendations in its recent independent review of the taxi fares and the industry. One such initiative made by the Government last year saw an additional 200 Metropolitan taxi licences and 330 WAT (Wheelchair Accessible Taxi) licenses available for sale.

The Government says the extra licences are needed to service the growth in demand. Samuel says the VTD didn’t believe the additional licenses were necessary, and was not the best thought out policy. “The increase will only serve to reduce driver remuneration,” he says. Tootell believes this one act could cripple the already teetering industry, further reducing driver and operator income. Walters says the exorbitant cost of taxi licences has provided a market for licence brokers, who illegally sell taxi licences for profit. Sceptics within the taxi sector claim the additional taxi licences are more a means of raising government revenue than addressing the critical issues in the industry. A VTD transmission last

Taxi’s lined up in the CBD

“There needs to be a full enquiry by the Government, with clear goals that can initiate the much needed revolution of a dying industry,” Brian Walters

September states that the exorbitant cost of the licensing purchase will see the Government receiving an immediate injection of revenue around $36 million. The WAT licences will add an revenue stream for ten years of around $4 million per annum. “This is just one example where the Government has acted without consultation with the taxi industry,” says Tootell. He believes that new drivers should be on a restricted licence for at least 24 months to enable long term drivers to earn a proper income. “Allowing new drivers to work during peak hour shifts on Friday and Saturday nights ensures there are enough taxis to service high demand times” he says. “With an additional two hundred licences, the competition for work increases. These extra licenses should only be allowed drive on weekend peak hours. But they should not be allowed to work the non-peak times of Monday – Friday. This will allow long term drivers to earn a decent wage without competing against opportunistic drivers who leave within a few months.” Most industry stakeholders believe the first solution is to immediately increase fares. While this may not be popular among customers, many believe it’s the only way to salvage

the industry. In August 2010, the VTD made two submissions to the Minister for Public Transport. The first called for changes to the regulatory framework around licence assignments, and the second called for taxi fares to increase by between 25 and 29 per cent. Tootell also says that the overcrowded road system contributes to long wait times. “One of the main reasons passengers are stranded in the CBD is because taxis can’t get into the CBD during peak night-time hours.” He believes the industry should look to Amsterdam and Zurich for a solution. “These cities allow taxi’s to use the tram network to ensure ease of access and consistent speed into the CBD area. Melbourne needs a similar concept. Tram lines such as St Kilda Rd, Nicholson St, Latrobe St, William St and Elizabeth St have the infrastructure and are relatively quiet to enable taxis to have a streamlined approach into the city. He acknowledges that busy tracks such as Collins St and Bourke St are not able to be used during the day, but says the time when people have the most difficulty getting a taxi - after 1.00am on Friday and Saturday nights – are the times when trams have stopped using these clear ways into the CBD. Brian Walters agrees that the tram lines would provide an alternative solution to congested roads and allow taxis to service demand. As industry groups wait for a significant circuit breaker to bring about a rebalancing of costs, revenue and reward for drivers and operators, initiatives such as these need to be heard by those implementing the changes to ensure a viable and vibrant taxi service.

OUR CITY MCN

FEBRUARY 2011 • VOL 1, ISSUE 12

Old-school social networking as popular as ever organise a group of mates for a day out. This has only fuelled Melbourne’s passion for live music, good food, and a day out with friends and thousands of other revellers in pursuit of

This is the season of massive public events, from the big-ticket music fests to the more low-key arts and culture festivals, and the crowds show no sign of abating.

There’s a festival to capture every aspect of life in Melbourne

down for at least one. Here is a selection of some coming up: Melbourne Food and Wine Festival As the name suggests, March 4 to14 will feature foodie events in and around the city, from special degustation menus in the city’s top restaurants to food trails all over regional Victoria for the more devoted. Maitreya Festival Described as a “celebration of life”, this annual event will be held at a campsite in the Pyrenees Ranges from March 11 to 14. Creative expression is very much encouraged, and a chance to reconnect with nature and oneself is pretty much guaranteed.

St Kilda Festival – celebrating the eternal summer

Brunswick Music Festival Oozing inner-city style, this festival has roots in the world music and folk scenes. Going from March 16 to 27, the event features the free Music for the People Concert at the Coburg Town Hall and Sydney Road Street Party. Don’t forget your dancing shoes!

Moomba’s world famous Birdman Rally pushes new boundaries every year

Melbourne International Comedy Festival Give your stomach muscles some exercise as you laugh it up at this month-long event. From March 30 to April 24, the city will be taken over by stand-up comedians of every kind. Pick some names out of a hat or go to see old favourites.

Photo: City of Melbourne

the ‘eternal summer’. The St Kilda Festival had a peak single day attendance of 400,000 in 2005, and maintains a steady following. Moomba averages 700,000 revellers and the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival brings in 400,000. Big Day Out squeezed 50,000 people through the gates at Flemington, and other music festivals bring out a gamut of music fans in their thousands.

There has also been a return to a sense of wholesome enjoyment, with many free festivals being alcohol-free and familyfriendly. Smaller niche events have also gained a following, with festivals like SLAM (a national beach volleyball cum music party) and Maitreya (an alternative lifestyle weekend camping trip) attracting a few thousand every year. “We like to keep focused on being approachable. We encourage people to come and have a chat,” SLAM festival organiser Andrew Lemon said. “About 75 percent of people live within an eight kilometre radius from the beach, so it’s still got a small community feeling.” SLAM festival organisers also have a good management plan. “Tickets are not sold to people willy-nilly, so we don’t get the wrong crowd in there,” Mr Lemon said. “I think it’s all about the responsible service of alcohol too. Corona, our major sponsor’s theme is ‘from where you’d rather be’. By this, we’re saying that we don’t want any trouble, we want people to have a couple of drinks, enjoy the sun and music, and chill out,” he said. Punters have also commented that this year’s iconic Big Day Out had returned to its roots, with a line-up of artists to the left of mainstream. With an endless number and variety of festivals, there is little excuse not to put yourself

Photo: City of Melbourne

ccording to a recent Nielsen study, nearly one in two of us uses social media in some form or another. Over the last year, we’ve almost doubled the amount of time devoted to Twitter and Facebook with the average user now spending around five-and-a-half-hours a day ‘socialising’ across the ether. The phenomenon has given rise to the perception of Australians, particularly the younger generations, as a group of pallid recluses who’d rather hit ‘like’ buttons on a glowing screen than meet and mingle face-to-face. But the assumption is challenged every summer when thousands of people flood the streets, parks and beaches for the various festivals in and around Melbourne. This is the season of massive public events, from the big-ticket music fests to the more low-key arts and culture festivals, and the crowds show no sign of abating. Far from eroding interest in the real world, online social networking makes it easier to

Photo: City of Melbourne

By Kimberly Yu

Beach party meets volley ball tournament at the 10th annual SLAM festival

MCN LOCAL NEWS

FEBRUARY 2011 • VOL 1, ISSUE 12

Rediscover the treasures on our doorstep

Photo: MFWF

n a few short weeks Melburnians embark on their annual rediscovery of the rich culinary culture that brings thousands of “food tourists” to the city every year. For nearly twenty years the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival has been hosting fun, friendly programs where anyone can learn how to get more pleasure out of food thanks to tips from world standard professionals. “The festival is a vibrant expression of Victoria’s food and wine industry and we encourage everyone to support our local restaurants, producers and

This year’s theme is “heritage and tradition”

wineries by participating in festival events – it’s a fantastic way to experience Victoria’s buzzing culinary culture and have some fun along the way,” says festival CEO, Natalie O’Brien. From an exploration of the finer points of preserving and pickling in the Lost Arts program to the celebration of the legacy of the ancient spice trade embodied in Stars of Spice, Festival 2011 has something for everyone. Food is ultimately about nourishment and connection and the festival embraces children and families with a range of offerings including the spec-

tacular Family Foodie Fun Day on the Federation Square Forecourt. “We feel it’s really important to nurture children’s natural curiosity for food and cooking so they can develop valuable skills and be food lovers for life,” says O’Brien. So, whether you consider yourself a “foodie”, or you are just curious about finding more pleasure in this most everyday of activities – relax, taste, sample, tipple, ask questions and discover the treasures at our doorstep.

Photo: MFWF

By Rebecca Ponsford

Celebrating Victoria’s culinary culture: The Stars of Spice Gala Dinner

Simplicity and seasonality “Sometimes the simplest can be the most sophisticated” By Rebecca Ponsford

Photo: MFWF

Rachel Allen

achel Allen’s reputation as the “queen of Irish cooking” has been built through years of producing best-selling cooking books, delivering top-rated television cooking programs, and teaching, year-in-year-out, at Cork’s famous Ballymaloe Cooking School. When all is said and done though, the extremely busy mother of three is known best for her passion for showing anyone from anywhere how to prepare beautiful food for the whole family by replacing stress and fuss with proven skills. “I’m not saying you have to cook a two-star Michelin dish every night,” she says.

“All you need is a good, decent, honest dish you can put on the table and say, ‘I made this’. People make this mistake with entertaining, too. They think is has to be restaurantstyle. But a beautiful red wine casserole served with a big bowl of creamy mashed potato and some good wine can be fantastic. “Sometimes the simplest can be the most sophisticated,” she says. Her accessible, down to earth manner, combined with the extraordinary expertise gleaned from years of handson teaching at one of the best cookery schools in the world mean Allen can make even the

most nervous first-time cook feel happier in the kitchen. “It’s very easy for us who do cook to just say that it’s easy – but it’s not easy if you haven’t been taught how,” she says. In addition to her mouth watering recipes for grownups, Allen has a swag of real-life tips for drawing the whole family into the great food adventure. Her own children, Johsua, 11, Lucca, 8 and, Scarlett, 2, are not only her most trusted taste testers, but eager budding bakers and basters. “Getting together in the kitchen is great entertainment and a great bonding activity,” she says. “When you can make a batch of pancakes in half an

hour it’s crazy not to make the time.” Crucial tip: “If you have two boys in the kitchen make sure you have two wooden spoons.” Rachel Allen is appearing twice during the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival: Chef MasterClass Weekend Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 March, 9.30am to 5.00pm The Langham, Melbourne, 1 Southgate Avenue, Southbank Bookings: melbournefoodandwine.com.au or Ticketmaster 136 100 Circa, the Prince, 2 Acland Street, St Kilda 9 March, 7.00PM 03 9536 1122

The changing landscape of Australian cheese “Cheese and wine are natural partners – when you get a good match you can hear the angels sing” By Rebecca Ponsford “When you get a good match you can hear the angels sing.” Just in case you think this may be some sort of overstatement, try these two matching recommendations from the Cheese Master:

“I’ve spent my whole career looking for the best cheeses & the best benchmarks” His television tour through the great cheeses of the world, Cheese Slices begins its fifth series in November, and his engrossing book of the same name is a virtual bible for both beginners and experts. “In the master class we’ll be helping people find the very finest example benchmark cheeses; show them how to serve them in optimum conditions; and tell them how to match them up with wines,” he says.

Photo: MFWF

nternationally renowned Cheese Master, Will Studd will be helping de-mystify the unnecessarily vexed issue of cheese and wine matching as part of the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival Master Class weekend. He’s certainly the man for the job. In the 80s Studd came to a land of waxy yellow blocks in supermarkets and patiently, passionately – and surprisingly quickly – transformed the Australian cheese landscape forever. Through his tireless efforts to explain the great benchmarks of Europe, he’s helped a generation of Australian’s appreciate the great pleasures of farmhouse and artisan cheeses.

Cheese Master, Will Studd

The latter, he explains, comes back to appreciating the distinctive flavour of individual cheeses. Studd says he can teach people “how to recognise

cheese and once they recognise it, they will understand how to serve it and what to serve it with”. “Cheese and wine are natural partners,” he adds.

• •

Roquefort & sauterne Genuine Normandy camembert & cider

Will Studd recommends simple steps to start your cheese journey: • Find a good cheese shop you can trust and ask for a sample • Buy little and often • Wrap the cheese in wax paper • Always serve at around 14 degrees

• Remove any plastic cover and wrap it in a damp cloth Cheese Slices is published by Hardie Grant Books. Will contributes his wisdom with fellow panellists, Australia’s pinot gris pioneering wine maker Kathleen Quealy and cheese maker, Richard Thomas as part of the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival Master Class series. Perfect Match: Cheese & Wine 10.00am to 12.30pm, Saturday March 12 Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre 2 Clarendon Street, Southbank Bookings 136 100, Ticketmaster

melbourne profile MCN

FEBRUARY 2011 • VOL 1, ISSUE 12

Our favourite hostess explores new territory H

er wit, intelligence and off-beat glamour have made veteran actress and comedian Julia Zemiro the perfect host for SBS’s iconic Rockwiz. She recently took on the job of steering one of the most riotous annual nights of comedy when she compered The Short and Girly Comedy Gala fundraiser for the Victorian AIDS Council (VAC). She’s a big supporter of the trail blazing organisation that’s been helping Victorians prevent, deal with and survive the deadly illness for over 20 years. While the gala event was “one-night-only” the work of the VAC is ongoing and Zemiro’s awareness of the importance of their public education and prevention programs was further honed during the

filming of the upcoming SBS documentary series, Sex: An Unnatural History. Zemiro will be the viewers’ tour guide through the sixpart series exploring the last 50 years of Australia’s sexual landscape. “It’s not a ‘how to, series,” she laughed. “It’s looking at where we are with sex in Australia right now and exploring where we might go in the future.” “I was interviewing the most extraordinary people: doctors, lay Anglican ministers, academics. “We looked at things like virtual sex, even robots, but the consensus seems to be that no matter how rapidly technology develops, human beings still want to be close. “That’s what makes being a young person trying to come to terms with all this so difficult. Sex has always been fast and

Breakthroughs in the last two years have renewed hopes in some circles that scientists may be closer to developing a vaccine for HIV furious. It’s often impulsive, particularly when you’re young and we’re human,” she emphasised. It’s an important point. We all know, for example, that condoms are the best protection against STIs. But, as Zemiro points out, we also know we should always wear hats in the Australian sun – and we don’t do that either. Zemiro’s empathy for the much maligned Generation Y was possibly forged during her stint with Bell Shakespeare’s

school touring company when she first graduated from Victorian College of the Arts (VCA). “They only had one touring company at the time and I was really thrilled to be selected. It’s still on my list as one of my top five jobs of all time ... the teachers and the kids were all pretty great,” she said. Breakthroughs in the last two years have renewed hopes in some circles that scientists may be closer to developing a vaccine for HIV, but Zemiro’s duties on Sex: An Unnatural History also brought her face to face with the complex realities of medical research. “It just takes so much money and so much time. There’s so much unavoidable trial and error,” she said. For more information, or to donate to Victorian AIDS Council: www.vicaids.asn.au Sex: An Unnatural History airs on SBS later this year.

Melbourne’s favourite hostess, Julia Zemiro

Zemiro’s Melbourne

Photo: Tourism Victoria

By Rebecca Ponsford

Photo: TSPublicity

While the gala event was “one-night-only” the work of the Victorian AIDS Council is ongoing

emiro’s considered Melbourne home since 2003, but it was an eventful and colourful journey that led her here. She was born in Aix-enProvence and was brought to Australia at the age of two and a half when her parents settled in Sydney. It was the early 90s before she came to Melbourne for the first time to complete her acting training at VCA, and then spent several years moving back and forth for her work in theatre, film and television. She really feels like this is home now though, and loves her favourite haunts in cafe -dense Fitzroy. “I like to hang out in Brunswick Street,” she says, and rattles off the wealth of cosy venues on and near the famous

route: Joe’s Garage, Rumbarella’s, Mario’s, Cafe Easy, Min ... As a dedicated “public transport girl” she loves the proximity to the city. “When I’m working or rehearsing in the city I just have to walk through the Edinburgh Gardens and I’m there,” she says. The cafes strips along the Yarra, though, are the clear favourites. “I love the riverside,” she says. “Southbank has its ups and downs and it can be a bit commercial, but it’s as close to Europe as you’ll find in Australia. “At night time with the lights – it’s just beautiful. I love going for a drink down there, and it’s a wonderful place to walk.”

As close to Europe as you can find in Australia

w w w.cliveclinics.com.au

MCN EVENTS

Events Calendar

FEBRUARY 2011 • VOL 1, ISSUE 12

Welcome to our new style events calendar, packed with arts, entertainment, eco-events, social gatherings and stimulating public discourse. Our month at a glance directory is your gateway to fun in the city. Event listings are free and subject to space availability. Email up to 50 words to events@mc-news.com.au, or stand out with a photo for only $80. Cutoff date is 5pm, March 7, 2011.

Festivals

Return to Terroir Mar 14, 12.00pm to 3.00pm, Mar 14, 4.00pm to 7.00pm Zinc at Federation Square, Flinders Street, Melbourne $65.00 per session, includes Reidel glass to take home Book online or call Ticketmaster on 136 100

Melbourne Food & Wine Festival 2011 L’Oréal Melbourne Fashion Festival Mar 14 to 20 Bookings through Ticketmaster www.lmff.com.au The L’Oréal Melbourne Fashion Festival is one the world’s largest consumer fashion events offering a diverse range of activities that embrace and promote fashion, the creative arts, community and commercial outcomes.

Mar 4 to 14 www.melbournefoodandwinefestival.com.au The Melbourne Food and Wine Festival invites fun-loving foodies to prime their tastebuds and clear their diaries as the countdown begins to Australia’s pre-eminent celebration of food and wine.

L’Oréal Melbourne Fashion Week, Red Carpet Runway Event with Alex Perry Royal Exhibition Building, Carlton 7.30pm, Wed Mar 16 Bookings through Ticketmaster LMFF Red Carpet Runway is a new premium addition to the LMFF Program featuring one of Australia’s most renowned designers, Alex Perry. For the first time Alex Perry will unveil his collection exclusively at LMFF.

Bright ’n’ Sandy Food & Wine Festival Sun Mar 6 from 11am to 6pm at Green Point, Brighton

Cellar Door and Farm Gate

LMFF Graduate Showcase presented by Sportsgirl Wed 16 Mar, 6.30pm Peninsula, Central Pier 161 Harbour Esplanade, Docklands Bookings through Ticketmaster 136 100 Collections from 12 of Australia’s most impressive fashion graduates go on show at LMFF. See design spirit at its purest and witness the arrival of Australia’s newest design visionaries.

Moomba Fri Mar 11 to Mon Mar 14 Alexandra Gardens, Birrarung Marr and the CBD. Presented and organised by the City of Melbourne. Moomba Festival draws thousands of people into the city every year as Australia’s largest community event. Enjoy a spectacular festival atmosphere of colour, culture, dance, music and performance for the 56th Moomba Festival

Mar 5 and 6, 12pm to 5pm South Wharf Precinct $35.00 per day, includes wine tastings. Book online or call Ticketmaster on 136 100 Melbourne’s original riverside marketplace of boutique Victorian wineries. Taste the breadth of Victoria’s wine country in a single day. Rally your friends to the grassy South Wharf Precinct, just a hop, skip and jump along the river from Cellar Door’s former home. Bask in an afternoon of alfresco tasting as more than 60 of the best boutique wineries bring their cellar doors to you, joined by Victorian specialist brewers. Take a break from sipping and experience more of regional Victoria’s bounty when you pick up a tasting plate of Victoria’s great cheeses or artisan nibbles from the adjoining Farm Gate.

Raw Comedy Festival See www.comedyfestival.com. au for details Bright young comedians are performing all over Melbourne in the country’s biggest open mic competition. Start plugging for your favourite now as we count down to the finals on April 10.

The beautiful bay and the Brighton Beach boxes set the scene for a day where foodies young and old can indulge in some of the best farm to table food and wine, home-grown music, roving entertainment and hands-on activities for the kids to enjoy. Kids Cooking will focus on the process of cheese making and, using the award-winning buffalo mozzarella with Kirsty Laird, La Latteria, cooking with Bayside’s Junior Masterchefs and gingerbread decorating.

From moon cakes to hungry ghosts Mar 5 to 13: 11.00am to 12.15pm, 1.00pm to 2.15pm, 3.00pm to 4.15pm Chinese Museum, 22 Cohen Place, Melbourne 03 9662 2888 www.trybooking.com Sweet lotus paste round cakes filled with a whole egg yolk signifying the moon, bamboo leaf-wrapped dumplings thrown into the river, and banquet offerings made to appease the hungry ghosts, are all rituals and celebrations that are part of the lives of Chinese families. Discover these exotic celebratory foods, learn how to make them and taste them with Melbourne author and presenter (and Melbourne Food and Wine Festival Legend) Elizabeth Chong. Chinese Australians who have had these traditions handed down to them through generations will provide you with insights into the role they play in their family’s annual celebrations.

This Langham Melbourne MasterClass will bring you everything you wanted to know about the fascinating art of food, wine and beverage matching. Discover which drops go well with favourite foods and adventurous flavour profiles, and leave with a repertoire of matches for your next dinner date.

A Behanding in Spokane The MTC Theatre, Sumner Feb 5 to Mar 19 MTC Theatre Box Office 8688 0800 or www.mtc.com.au Long ago, when he was a young man, Carmichael had something snatched from him. For getting on fifty years now, he’s searched for it, as the turning world rubbed against him and his resolve calloused into obsession. His quest leads to a dingy motel room, where Toby and Marilyn, two desperate chancers, claim they got what he’s looking for. But woe will follow wrath if the merchandise isn’t genuine. From the author of The Beauty Queen of Leenane.

Live performance

Melbourne International Comedy Festival Wed Mar 30 to Sun Apr 24 The 2011 Melbourne International Comedy Festival celebrates its 25th Anniversary this year with over 400 shows from the best comedians from Australia and the world.

Food &Wine Matching Sat Mar 12, Sun Mar 13 Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, 1 Convention Centre Place, South Wharf $160.00, single ticket Book online by selecting your sessions below or call Ticketmaster 136 100

London, New York, Tokyo, Sao Paulo, and now Melbourne! This extraordinary gathering of international winemakers has sparked hype as they’ve moved around the world with their Return to Terroir tasting. Meet them here in March and taste their revered wines at Melbourne Food and Wine Festival, an Australian exclusive. Try some of the purest wines on the planet as you roam the room – visiting many of the winemakers themselves – at this special tasting. Return to Terroir is a group of 176 top international biodynamic winegrowers who hail from all corners of the globe – France, Spain, Italy and other European wine regions, to Chile and California, to South Africa and Australia. More than 50 of these exciting winemakers will gravitate towards Melbourne for this special event.

MICF Opening Night Comedy Allstars Supershow Palais Theatre, Mar 30, 7.30pm The Comedy Festival’s 25th birthday celebrations come together in The Opening Night Comedy Allstars Supershow. This explosive event is the ultimate valentine to the comedy-committed, featuring the world’s best comedians.

Comedy of Errors Playing until Mar 12 Royal Botanic Gardens Alexandra Avenue www.australianshakespearecompany.com.au Bookings through Ticketmaster The Australian Shakespeare Company returns to the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne, performing Shakespeare’s funniest play, The Comedy of Errors, an enthralling farce of mayhem and mistaken identity. The spectacular outdoor setting of the Royal Botanic Gardens, complemented by director Glenn Elston’s playful approach to theatre makes this unique and critically acclaimed production a summer theatre must see.

Tis a Pity She’s a Whore Feb 11 to Mar 5 Malthouse Theatre 113 Sturt Street, Southbank 9685 5111 Contact theatre for performance times www.malthousetheatre.com.au At the beating heart of this sizzling satire of moral treachery lies a pair of forbidden young lovers: Annabella and Giovanni. Beautiful young Annabella has many devoted admirers, but none compare to her elder brother Giovanni. A play more frequently banned than performed, `Tis Pity She’s a Whore features some of the most audacious scenes of passionate love ever written for the stage.

EVENTS MCN

FEBRUARY 2011 • VOL 1, ISSUE 12

Film

Visual Dreams Come True: The Art of Disney’s Classic Fairy Tales

The dream life of butterflies The MTC Theatre, Lawler Studio Mar 2 to Apr 2, MTC Box Office 03 8688 0800 or www.mtc.com.au The Lawler Studio is the perfect space for the audience to closely follow Raimondo Cortese’s intricate characters and their slowly emerging pasts. Adding to Cortese’s distinct style of writing is harpsichordist Anastasia Russell-Head, who will punctuate the sisters’ conversation with melodies from baroque operas.

Focus on Linda Lin Dai

Sebastian LangLessing Conducts Beethoven Fri Mar 18, 7.00pm The Australian National Academy of Music, South Melbourne Town Hall 210 Bank Street www.anam.com.au www.ticketmaster.com.au or 136 100 The Orchestra of the Australian National Academy of Music (ANAM) will perform the Beethoven Symphony No. 3 in E flat major Op. 55 Eroica for one night only in March. They will be led by Sebastian Lang-Lessing, Chief Conductor and Artistic Director of the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra. Since beginning his international career in Paris at the Opéra Bastille Lang-Lessing has led major orchestras all over the world. The program includes the Webern Variations for Orchestra Op. 30, and the Ledger Trumpet Concerto, performed by David Elton.

2011 Indian Film Festival: Bollywood & Beyond Mar 11 to 20 Hoyts Melbourne Central www.indianfilmfestival.com.au 8662 3555 Following the success of the inaugural festival in 2010, IFF returns to Melbourne to showcase the best of Indian cinema. The festival features over 30 films and celebrates both the vivid fantasy of traditional Bollywood and the depth of contemporary Indian cinema.

Comedy@Spleen

Eminent art historian Kristin Miller has had a firebrand life. Radicalised early, she took to the streets of Paris in ’68 and just kept storming through the years, not losing a degree of her leftist fervour. Characteristically, she holds back nothing in her best-selling autobiography – except the inconvenient fact that she has two children. On her birthday the sons arrive for dinner armed with their own versions of her story.

Every Monday night at the top of Bourke Street household favourites like Fiona O’Loughlin, Charlie Pickering, Greg Fleet, Elliot Goblet, Lawrence Mooney, Justin Hamilton, Tom Gleeson, Greg Fleet, Adam Richard, Mike Wilmot, and Corinne Grant join in with the best of the up-and-comers.

Spleen Bar 41 Bourke Street 0438 660 836 www.comedyatspleen.com

The Wrong Night Softbelly Comedy Thu at 8.30pm, Sun at 6.30pm 367 Little Bourke Street 0438660836 softbellycomedy@y7mail.com twitter.com/softbellycomedy Softbelly Comedy is Melbourne’s newest quality night of comedy. Every Thursday and Sunday night in the city, Softbelly features some of the biggest names in Australian comedy, in a funky inner-city surrounding. Get out of the house on Thursday or Sunday nights, get dinner, then get in to watch big TV and radio names, plus some of the best new Melbourne faces.

Next night: March 15 The Order of Melbourne Level 2, 401 Swanston St Visit The Wrong Night on Facebook Rekindling the tradition of week-night comedy at The Order of Melbourne, The Wrong Night is back again and going strong with great standup on offer the third Tuesday of every month.

Superstar actress Linda Lin Dai was the queen of 50s and 60s Hong Kong cinema and winner of four Best Actress Asian Film Awards. Her star shone brightest at the legendary Shaw Brothers studios, where she made a broad range of films, from historical epics to beloved folk operas to dazzling musicals. Enjoy the highlights of a brief but remarkable career in our special tribute season.

The Australian Centre for Moving Image is hosting a major international exhibition celebrating over 70 years of Disney animation, Dreams Come True: The Art of Disney’s Classic Fairy Tales. Originally conceived as a cultural gift to the people of post-Katrina New Orleans showcases Disney’s much-loved adaptations of traditional European fairy tales. “Visitors of all ages will love seeing their favourite Disney characters as they were first imagined, seen through the creative process of the talented artists who transformed the works from idea to reality,” said ACMI Director Tony Sweeney.

Community and Charity

Love in the Mourning @ Death be Kind Feb 15 to Mar 6 Fri 6 to 8pm Opening 6.00pm Tue Feb15 Sat + Sun 2.00 to 6.00pm Death be Kind Upstairs @ The Alderman 134 Lygon Street, East Brunswick 0401 346 520 deathbekind@gmail.com www.deathbekind.com Curated by Helen Johnson, this exhibition arose from an interest in ‘the end of painting’ and, more specifically, what it means to be working as a painter in a contemporary context, with some distance from the narratives of modernism. It is grounded in the consideration of all the baggage, debates and difficulties becoming a part of the medium itself what can be done today with all of this stuff?

CARE Australia information seminar

Apologia Arts Centre, Fairfax Theatre Feb 18 to Apr 9 The MTC Theatre Box Office 03 8688 0800 or www.mtc.com.au Arts Centre 1300 182 183 or www.theartscentre.com.au

Feb 17 to 28 ACMI Cinemas, Federation Square www.acmi.net.au

Running until Tue Apr 26 Exhibition open daily 10.00am to 6.00pm ACMI, Federation Square www. acmi.net.au

Long Play: Uncle Boonmee and Le Quattro Volte Uncle Boonmee: Feb 22 to Mar 14 Le Quattro Volte: Mar 6 to 15 ACMI Cinemas, Federation Square www.acmi.net.au Australian Centre for the Moving Image is presenting two standout films that screened in Cannes earlier this year: Thai director Apichatpong Weerasethakul’s latest feature and winner of this year’s Palme d’Or, Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives, and Italian director Michelangelo Frammartino’s second feature and surprise discovery of the 2010 Cannes Directors’ Fortnight, Le Quattro Volte (The Four Times).

Alliance Francaise French Film Festival Mar 9 to 27 Participating cinemas: Palace Cinema Como, Balwyn Cinema, Westgarth, Kino Cinemas and, for the first time, Palace Brighton Bay The 22nd annual Alliance Française French Film Festival is only a few weeks away. The Official Gala Opening Night selection is Francois Ozon’s stylish hit Potiche starring Catherine Deneuve. In all, the 2011 Festival will present 45 new features, including three films suitable for all ages.

Queen Victoria Women’s Centre 210 Lonsdale Street 99210878 inforequests@wire.org.au www.trybooking.com/7189 Lyrian Fleming from CARE Australia will give a presentation on how the face of poverty is a woman, and how empowering one woman can help lift another four out of poverty. She will share her knowledge and personal experience on how CARE currently works towards empowering women and girls in 70 developing countries around the world in an effort to overcome poverty. Lyrian Fleming is the Development and Education Coordinator at CARE Australia.

Leukaemia Foundation World’s Greatest Shave Sign up at www.worldsgreatestshave.com or call 1800 500 088 Sign up for The Leukaemia Foundation’s World’s Greatest Shave and be part of one of Australia’s biggest and most popular fundraising events! Join more than 125,000 people who will shave or colour their hair March 10-12, 2011. The money you raise will fund blood cancer research and free services to support the 10,000 Australians projected to be diagnosed with leukaemias, lymphomas, myeloma or related blood disorders this year. Organise your own event at home or work, or check our website for details of public events near you. Be brave & shave!

Variety Splash Feb 24 to 27 Port Phillip Bay 8698 3900 info@varietyvic.org.au By taking part in this wonderful social event, not only will you have the time of your life but also you will be instrumental in helping bring sunshine into the lives of many very special children. Hosted by leading children’s charity, Variety, The Variety Splash is a three day rally on Port Phillip and is open to all sail and power boats, commencing at Waterfront City, Docklands with a gala opening night dinner.

2011 Clean Up Australia Day Sun Mar 6 Register at; www.cleanupaustraliaday.org.au 1800 282 329 Everyone is welcome to join in Australia’s largest community -driven environmental event. Last year one in fifty Australians took part-588,000 volunteers in total. Together, they collected more than one hundred thousand bags of rubbish at 7073 registered sites across Australia. For a hands on way to help the environment register now.

Simmering Passions II 11.00am to 5.00pm daily Steps Gallery, 62 Lygon Street, Carlton South Febr 24 to Mar 8 Opening: Feb 23, 6.00pm joecalleri@netspace.net.au; 03 9486 2222. Six photographers including a Gippsland doctor, a Melbourne lawyer and a veterinarian display their passion for photography in Simmering Passions II. They bring inspiring vision and individual style, creating an eclectic and inspired collection to suit all tastes.

Luminous Cities This free exhibition is running until Mar 13 10.00am to5.00pm, closed Tuesdays National Gallery of Victoria 180 St Kilda Road Melbourne www.ngv.vic.gov.au This exhibition, drawn from the collection of the NGV, considers various ways in which photographers in the 19th and 20th centuries have viewed cities as historical sites, bustling modern metropolises and architectural utopias. These lyrical images describe the physical attributes of cities, offer insights into the creative imaginations of architects and photographers and embody the zeitgeist of their times.

MCN ON STAGE

FEBRUARY 2011 • VOL 1, ISSUE 12

Melbourne International Comedy Festival

n its 25 years the Melbourne International Comedy Festival has grown from “promising local event” to take its place alongside The Edinburgh Fringe Festival and Montreal’s Just for Laughs as one of the major comedy festivals of the world. This important anniversary year will see the CBD transformed once again into a giant comedy hub bubbling with anarchy and hilarity.

Local favourites, including Josh Thomas (who was born the same year the great Barry Humphreys and Peter Cooke launched the very first MCF), and Rod Quantock (who performed at the first Festival and has had us chuckling just about every year since), will be among the hundreds of first-rate performers from Australia and the world who make this the place to be in April.

March 30 to April 24 For more information and bookings please visit: www.comedyfestival.com.au

Rod Quantock

Hannah Gadsby

Denise Scott

Josh Thomas

Claudia O’Doherty

The Insane Asylum, You’re Standing In It Trades Hall, March 31 to April 24

Mrs Chuckles Swiss Club, 89 Flinders Lane, March 31 to April 24

Regrets Victoria Hotel, March 31 to April 24

Everything Ever Arts Centre Playhouse, April 1 to April 17

What is soil erosion? Melbourne Town Hall, March 31 to April 24

Wil Anderson’s long term relationship Fresh from success on the US television and comedy circuit, Wil Anderson talks about his 15-year connection with the Melbourne International Comedy Festival By Rebecca Ponsford “I do think doing the Comedy Festival every year helps. It’s such an accelerated learning experience. Especially early on you tend to learn more about comedy and audiences in that one month of doing shows than you do in the other 11. And still today every year manages to surprise me and teach me

“The only reason any young comedians would be looking up to me is if they are incredibly short, or I am standing on a ladder” something and I try to take that approach into my work overseas,” he says. I thought he’d have an epiphanous memory or two from his debut in the famous arena, but he explained ... “Your first MICF is a little like what they say about Woodstock, if you can remember it, then you weren’t there. If people want to try and replicate the experience at home, get drunk on the cheapest alcohol you can find for a month, tell some jokes to family members or disinterested strangers as they walk by, and then flush around $6000 down the toilet.

Anderson loves the international festivals too, and is looking forward to performing in New Zealand and Kilkenny later this year. “...but Melbourne is my home festival. It is where it started and I can’t imagine my year without it. For someone who lives out of a suitcase it has been the one constant in my life for the last 15 years, I always know where I will be in April, telling dick jokes in Melbourne,” he says. Anderson’s a regular performer on four continents and has a unique perspective on audience variation across Australia, UK, Canada and now the US. “Someone described the differences between the attitudes of audiences in the US, Australian and UK as: “In the US, the audiences say ‘yes you can’; in Australia the audiences are more ‘bet you can’t’; and in the UK they are ‘fuck you for trying’.” “But the truth is that, in my experience, audiences tend to vary more night to night in the same place than they do from state to state or country to country. Every night is different, which is one of the things that keeps it interesting.” Wil will be performing his new show, Man vs Wil, from March 29 to April 24 at the

Athenaeum Theatre in Collins Street. He’s working hard to make sure it will contain “about 70 minutes of the funniest sh** I could think of said in a row”.

Photo: Token

Wil Anderson is a very modest man. Entertainment writers repeatedly refer to the sharp intelligence and acute wit that have made him one of the foremost comedians in the country. His ABC TV show, The Gruen Transfer is a runaway success, he won last year’s Helpmann Award for Best Comedy, and his current sojourn in the US has already brought regular gigs on the highly competitive local television and comedy circuit. Yet, according to the former financial journalist, “The only reason any young comedians would be looking up to me is if they are incredibly short, or I am standing on a ladder.” He suggests young comedians look for inspiration from the people he is “learning from all the time, like Louis CK or Dylan Moran or Sarah Silverman, or local people doing amazing things like Tom Gleeson and Justin Hamilton”. This year’s show Man vs Wil will be Anderson’s 16th for MICF and mark his 15th Festival (one year he did two solo shows). He’s said in the past that if money had been his first priority he’d have stayed in journalism, but he’s grateful for the part MICF has played in his development as a comedian.

Wil Anderson

ON SCREEN MCN

FEBRUARY 2011 • VOL 1, ISSUE 12

Truth really is stranger than fiction Photo: Hopscotch Films

The co-directors of the documentary thriller Catfish talk about the film that grew from video “snapshots” of an intriguing online friendship into an enthralling exploration of the complexities of 21st century life By Rebecca Ponsford moving and highly original documentary that began when Nev received an email from Abby, an eight-year-old girl from a small town in Michigan, asking for permission to paint one of his dance photographs. The arrival of those early emails; the growing rapport between the metropolitan artist and the small-town child; even the steady arrival of Abby’s paintings, which eventually covered the walls of their production office, were all captured on film. “We didn’t think this would end up being a feature film that we’d submit to Sundance. We thought this would be a short film and one day Neve and Abby would have a joint show

Ariel (left) and Nev Schulman, in a scene from the documentary Catfish

and we’d screen the film there,” Ariel explained. But one suspects he’d have tried to capture his brother’s newfound happiness even if he hadn’t sensed the possibility of a film. “We loved the mutual inspiration,” he added. “[Abby] was inspired by his photos and [Nev] was inspired by her paintings. He was taking more and more photos. He was going to dance performances every night and posting them for her. “We saw our friend developing as an artist because he was inspired by this eightyear-old girl,” Henry added.

Australians on screen 2010 was a landmark year for Australian film artists, with Jacki Weaver, Geoffrey Rush, Nicole Kidman and Toni Collette nominated for Golden Globe Awards and Animal

Kingdom awarded Best First Feature by the New York Film Critics’ Circle. In the next few months audiences can look forward to a great range of projects showcasing some of our

most seasoned and respected artists alongside the dazzlingly talented members of the “new generation”.

Before long, Nev had 16 new Facebook “friends”, all connected in some way with Abby. When he was contacted by the child’s beautiful older sister Megan, a talented dancer and musician, the affinity was almost instantaneous. Henry and Ariel realised they may be filming a different sort of story after all, and their treatment of a sensitive, sincere young man falling hopelessly in love amounts to excellent cinema – in any genre. But what set these filmmakers apart was their response after a rapid succession of stomachlurching revelations signalled that all may not be as it seemed with the fascinating family in Michigan. Suddenly, while cooped up in a tiny hotel room halfway between New York and Ishpeming, they realised that, whatever was going on and whoever these people were,

Photo: Hopscotch Films

ilmmakers Ariel Schulman and Henry Joost share more than a cramped Brooklyn office with Ariel’s brother, photographer Yaniv (Nev). For one thing, all three are compulsive visual diarists, using cameras still and moving to record moments of their daily lives the way a novelist uses the obligatory crumpled notebook. They’re also all committed balletomanes, and at an important level it’s the love of dance – that purest expression of all that is possible for human beings to achieve – that lit the spark for one of the most intriguing films of 2010. Catfish is a compelling,

Megan Faccio’s facebook profile

they were not filming a love story. Their drive to find the truth, and the intelligence and compassion with which they dealt with some of the very surprising realities they uncovered, is what audiences from Sundance to Sydney have found so compelling about Catfish. After all, Ariel said, “The paintings were real”. “I said to Neve, ‘Do you want to live the rest of your life and never know who has been

painting these paintings all along?’” It’s doubtful any script writer could have dreamt up a conclusion as original and thought-provoking as the reality the trio discovered when they finally arrived in Ishpeming. Catfish is screening at selected cinemas throughout Melbourne. Nev’s photographs can be viewed at yanivschulman.com

Charlotte Rampling and Geoffrey Rush in The Eye of the Storm

British actress Emily Watson as Margaret Humphreys in Oranges & Sunshine

Ryan Kwanten as the eponymous lead in Griff the Invisible

The eye of the storm

Oranges & sunshine

Griff the invisible

Thanks to Patrick White’s Nobel Prize-winning novel The Eye of the Storm, Fred Schepisi has just directed his first film in Australia since 1988’s Evil Angels. It took years to translate White’s compelling tale of the privileged and troubled Hunter family for the screen but the internationally acclaimed director of The Chant of Jimmy Blacksmith and Last Orders

believes it was worth the wait. “The script and the cast and crew are absolutely world class, so this is an incredibly exciting project to be making in this country,” Schepisi said during shooting in Melbourne. The film brings together a stunning cast that includes Academy Award winner, Geoffrey Rush; and multi-award winning actresses Judy Davis and Charlotte Rampling.

David Wenham, Hugo Weaving and Tara Morice star with British actress Emily Watson in Oranges and Sunshine, the highly anticipated tale of Margaret Humphreys, a Nottingham social worker who uncovered one of the most significant social scandals in recent times: the forced migration of 130,000 “children in care” from the United Kingdom. In a practice that continued

until 1967, children as young as four were told their parents were dead and shipped to the other side of the world, including Australia, where many were subjected to appalling abuse. Oranges and Sunshine recounts Humphrey’s courageous battle to reunite families and bring worldwide attention to an extraordinary miscarriage of justice.

Three seaons on HBO’s True Blood may have made Ryan Kwanten a household name in the US but it’s his central performance in the Australian film, Griff the Invisible that is earning him acting accolades around the world. The off-beat film in which he plays a shy office worker who imagines himself an afterhours super hero won high praise when it premiered at the

Toronto Film Festival last year and is screening at the Berlin Film Festival next month. Also featuring AFI-nominee Maeve Dermody from Beautiful Kate, the quirky comedy has been described as “Kick Ass meets Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind”. The debut feature from Australian writer- director Leon Ford opens in Australia on March 17.

MCN OUT & ABOUT

FEBRUARY 2011 • VOL 1, ISSUE 12

Photo: City of Melbourne

Exploring the public art of Melbourne A fascinating insight into the life and history of the city only public icon in the world featuring, when all is said and done, a transvestite. From Public Figures to Public Sculpture: Sculpture in Central Melbourne, the latest exhibition at the City Gallery, provides Melburnians with a chance to explore and celebrate the extraordinary range of sculpture in the city’s heart. Future Melbourne (People and Creative City) Committee Chair, Councillor Jennifer Kanis said Melbourne’s public places provide a unique gallery. “The outdoor art collection of the City of Melbourne boasts one of the most impressive outdoor collections in the country with 160 sculptures, memorials, monuments and fountains.

Working Model of Vault, 1979, Ron Robertson-Swann

“This exhibition provides a fascinating insight into how this collection has changed over time,” she said. The exhibit is curated by Ken Scarlett, one of the world’s foremost exponents of the art form, who welcomes the attention for our local artists. “I’ve visited the UK, US, China and New Zealand, and I think Australian sculpture stacks up very well,” he said. He encourages exhibit visitors to use the catalogue as a map for a personal walking tour to see some of the works in situ around the city and he’s sure even life-long Melburnites

will see their streetscape with new eyes. How many of us, for example, have glanced at the livestock fresco at the Queen Victoria Market and never realised it is also the work of iconic sculptor, Charles Summers?

Photo: City of Melbourne

elbourne has a proud and intriguing history of public artwork, and has played an important role in the development of Australian sculpture. Charles Summers 1865 monument to Burke and Wills was the first bronze casting commissioned and executed entirely in Australia. It’s been moved twice so far but even to jaded 21st century-eyes it can still evoke a sense of anguish at the fate of the early explorers. We’ve come a long way from late-Victorian sensibilities, though. Ron RobertsonSwann’s enigmatic Vault is finally attracting the admiration it deserves and down at Docklands, Fitzroy sculptor Peter Corllett’s life-sized evocation of Dame Edna Everage may be the

February 3 to April 12 City Gallery, Ground floor Melbourne Town Hall 9658 9658 eddbut@melbourne.vic.gov.au

Resting Place, 1994, Bronwyn Snow

Food and film under the stars

Photo: Penney Logan

Yasar Akpence and Harem’de – bringing electrifyingly authentic gypsy music all the way from Istanbul

Get your Balkan on for Karavan!

ost of us will agree with the insightful organisers of the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival: “food and art make lovely bedfellows’’. Throughout the festival couples and families can enjoy free films under the stars every Wednesday night as part of MFWF’s HOSTPLUS Foodie Film Nights. From the whimsy of Julie Julia to the gastronomic extravagance of Eat Drink Man Woman, the unique mini-festival presents a hand-picked collection of food-flavoured films from around the world. The evenings will kick off

at 5.30pm with multicultural performances and lively dish demonstrations from the likes of La Luna’s Adrian Richardson and Bistro Vue’s Andy Harmer. March 9 is likely to be a major drawcard for families, with a Michael Lambie demonstration followed by a screening of Ratatouille. But the kids can really let their hair down for Family Foodie Day. Some of the best cooks in town will provide demonstrations on the main stage while the plaza hosts a range of hands-on and learning activities to captivate all ages. Family favourite feature

films including Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory and Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs will play on the big screen throughout the day. HOSTPLUS Food & Film Festival Federation Square 5.30pm to 9.30pm, Mar 3 to Mar 11 Family Foodie Day 10.00am to 4.00pm, Sunday, March 9 98236100 info@foodfest.com.au www.melbournefoodandwine. com.au

The best from Prague, Istanbul and right here at home are throwing the gypsy celebration of the year in Prague in one of the headline international acts, Gipsy.CZ. They’ll be ably supported by Harem’de, Turkey’s foremost gypsy percussion ensemble. Lead by international sensation Yasar Akpence, Harem’de takes gypsy music right back to its roots as it searches for the next twist in the age-old style. Karavan! also brings together the best of the local gypsy bands. It’s a great opportunity to hear the Russian criminal songs of Vulgargrad; revel in the raw emotive power of Australia’s leading flamenco

ensemble, Arte Kanela; and be transfixed by the unique Middle Eastern-Balkan fusion of Melbourne’s Babaganoush. The inaugural festival sold out well in advance last year so book early ... and bring your dancing shoes. Karavan! International Gypsy Music Festival, Feb 26. The Corner Hotel 9427 9198 www.cornerhotel.com

Photo: MFWF

aravan! 2010 is on record as one of the best parties of the year and Melbourne audiences will again be treated to some of the best gypsy music from Australia and around the world when the International Gypsy Music Festival arrives at the Corner Hotel at the end of the month. Effervescent rapper and all-round entertainer Radoslav “Gipsy” Banga has joined forces with renowned Czech gypsy violinist and singer Vojta Lavicksa to head up some of the best young gypsy musicians

Food and film and deck chairs under the stars

HEALTH MCN

FEBRUARY 2011 • VOL 1, ISSUE 12

ustralian researchers are probing the way hormonal changes in older women can provide a “stimulus” for ovarian cancer, in the hope of finding a new way to combat the tough-totreat disease. Despite medical advances, the survival rate for women five years after an ovarian cancer diagnosis is still just 40 per cent and it remains the most lethal of the gynaecological cancers. As part of the effort to improve this, Dr Deborah Marsh and her research colleagues have focused on the cancer’s interaction with a hormone known to be at elevated levels in post-menopausal women. “These are hormones called gonadotropins which have perfectly normal roles in healthy reproduction and are involved in helping you ovulate,” Dr Marsh told AAP on Friday. “But as women get older the levels of these hormones become elevated and this correlates with an increasing risk of ovarian cancer. “... We’re not saying that gonadotropins cause ovarian cancer but we are saying that we think it can contribute to it.” The research, undertaken at the Kolling Institute of Medical Research at the Royal North Shore Hospital and University

of Sydney, studied the interaction between ovarian cancer cells and gonadotropins in a cell culture. The hormones were seen to dramatically “speed up” the growth of the cells and also change the way they moved, making them more likely to “migrate”. “It’s a stimulus that doesn’t normally exist,” Dr Marsh said. “We’re finding out how the hormones are working in the cell and this phenomenon of speeding up growth ... to work out how you can then best stop that over-growth.” The research could ultimately point to a therapy that targets gonadotropin levels, or interrupts the hormone’s interaction with cancer cells, in a bid to switch off its accelerating effect. It is a far-off prospect, but such a therapy could be used alongside existing ovarian cancer treatments to improve their potency. Around one in 77 women will develop ovarian cancer by the age of 85, compared to one in eight for breast cancer which has around a 90 per cent survival rate at five years post diagnosis. Ovarian cancer is also tough to treat because it was often not detected until it was well ad-

Photo: Getty

Ovarian cancer ‘stimulus’ probed

Heather Thorne (national manager at kConFab) and research officer Amber Willems

but they might be brushed off as just common, everyday (problems) like abdominal bloating, constipation, heart burn, back pain,” she said.

vanced, a problem Dr Marsh said Australian women could help to turn around. “It’s not really a silent killer - women are getting symptoms

“Women know their own bodies the best and if you feel something is wrong, go see the doctor.” February is Ovarian Cancer

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MCN RED CARPET

FEBRUARY 2011 • VOL 1, ISSUE 12

Theatre lovers Gerard Veltre, Marissa Bennett, and Simon Morrison-Baldwin

Mietta Gornall, Benedict Kazlauskas (who stars in Lady Chatterley), and Vanessa Gornall

A fantastic show under the stars The grand opening of the Australian Shakespeare Company’s Lady Chatterley’s Lover was attended by scores of TV stars and theatre buffs alike. A sudden wintry chill did not dampen the enthusiasm, as picnic rugs and munchies

were laid out on the lawns of Ripponlea Estate on February 8. The cast did not disappoint, delivering an enthralling rendition of the classic novel. Lady Chatterley will run until March 17. Photos by Kimberly Yu Chilling out: Geoff Cox and his wife Vivien

Melissa Hetherington and Marianna Moszczynski

Elise James, Nathan Reizer, and Dr Melissa Meehan

Annette Maloney, Linda Loose, and Simone Marshall

Errick Hide, Jess Hunichen, James Pidgeon, and Helen Raizer

Catherine Cervasio and Beata Bozzo Chef Jimmy Siu with his carved watermelon

Sam Stosur

Serve it up!

Helena O’Brien and Helen Raizer

Hundreds of foodies and tennis fans packed into the Grand Hyatt on the eve of the Australian Open to sample creations by Melbourne’s top chefs and restaurateurs. The annual Taste of Tennis combined great food, great wine, and great tennis players for the benefit of the

Starlight Children’s Foundation. Entertainment included cooking demonstrations by tennis stars Sam Stosur and Caroline Wozniacki, guided by the all-knowing Pete Evans, Guy Grossi and Jason Camillo. Photos by Kimberly Yu

Caroline Wozniacki cooks up a storm with chefs Guy Grossi and Jason Camillo

RED CARPET MCN

FEBRUARY 2011 • VOL 1, ISSUE 12

Suite Synergy New Australian dance company Mod Dance Company launched their upcoming national tour of Graeme Murphy’s Suite Synergy, with a cocktail party at The Cullen Hotel in Prahran last week. Suite Synergy is a dynamic creation by Australian dance icon and Chief Patron of Mod

Dance Company, Graeme Murphy who was there to celebrate alongside a who’s who of Australian contemporary and classical dance. Photos by Wayne Quilliam Photograpy

Michelle Velkovski with Mod Dance Company directors, Nadasha Zhang, Michelle Grace Hunder and Linda Alescio

Leo Frank, Dale Baker, and Colin Peasley of the Australian Ballet Dancer Mietta Gornall, Miss World Victoria 2010 and Suite Synergy dancer, Caleb Bartolo Nic Hyland, Samantha Yearwood and John Noble from Coruscade, the Commercial Management team for Mod Dance Company

Chief Patron of MDC and Choreographer of Suite Synergy, Graeme Murphy with former Australian ballet principal dancer, Steven Heathcote

Nic Hyland, Samantha Yearwood and John Noble from Coruscade, the Commercial Management team for Mod Dance Company

The Verses band members enjoyed the evening alongside QV Team members

Kate Ceberano singing Happy Birthday to the NGV, with the Australian Youth Choir

NGV turns 150

Hip to be square... In demand Melbourne artists The Verses, featuring siblings Ella and Jesse Hooper formerly of Killing Heidi, kicked off the season launch of the QV Summer Concert Series with a free concert in QV Square. The music continues throughout February as artists perform every Friday evening and on Saturday and Sunday

Suite Synergy costume designer, Jennifer Irwin and Michael Askill the company’s music director

afternoons. The exciting line-up includes former Australian Idol star Bobby Flynn, Jess McAvoy, Nick Barker, Blackeyed Susans, Ryan Meeking, The Fauves, Charles Jenkins, Custom Kings, Nicholas Roy, Red Ink and The Hello Morning. Photos by Greta Donaldson publicity

Kate Ceberano and the Australian Youth Choir sang happy birthday and a bevy of Melbourne artists, designers and art lovers were on hand to kick off the official 150th birthday year for the National Gallery of Victoria.

Akira Isogawa, Katie Somerville and Rosslynd Piggott

The NGV was actually founded on May 24, (Queen Victoria’s birthday) but the celebrations will continue all year long with a highlight being a weekend-long festival the last weekend in May. Photos by NGV

MCN FASHION

FEBRUARY 2011 • VOL 1, ISSUE 12

Young designers on show Photo: AMPR

Supporting the next generation of Australian design talent By Kimberly Yu

Another piece from Kate Sala’s Spectrum range

his year’s L’Oréal Melstriction. On the outside, they bourne Fashion Festival look like wearable, functioning promises the usual mix garments,” she said. of style, creativity, and cutting“I’ve exploited what I know edge design. For a select few, [about tailoring] to push the the festival also provides an boundaries. I manipulate what opportunity to launch their ca[the audience] is seeing and reers at the National Graduate push the idea of hindering Showcase. Sponsored by clothing label Sportsgirl, the annual “In Australia, we event features the collections don’t get the same of twelve of the country’s most promising design graduates. opportunities [as RMIT graduates Kate Sala European graduates]. and Jason Hewitt praised the organisers of the event. It’s harder to break “In Australia, we don’t get into the industry. the same opportunities [as European graduates]. It’s harder The Showcase gives us to break into the industry. [The a chance to show our National Graduate Showcase] work, not bound by gives us a chance S to show our IN INS OLLLLbound work,LT C not by finanO financial constraints, TC cial Lconstraints, before we’ve before we’ve started started [our careers]. “People are starting to reour careers.” alise that we should be nurturing young talent,” Hewitt said. RMIT Graduate Jason Hewitt “We’ve been given amazing support and media opportunities. We couldn’t do it on our movement.” own.” “It’s a conceptual collection. Sala’s collection Spectrum This is the last collection [of focuses on the reality and pubmine] where there is no need to lic perception of mental illness. justify the commercial value,” She was inspired by media reSala said. E N LLA NE ports on the lack of funding for Hewitt’s collection Armour S A R EERS D N psychological problems. and Veil challenges Western I D FLIN “I think social issues are re-FL perspectives on clothing and ally important,” she said. being clothed. Growing up in For her, textiles and tailorSouth Africa and Hong Kong ing become mediums “to debefore moving to Australia, pict the external and internal Hewitt has experiences what he viewing of mental illness”. describes as “a mish-mash of “Internal constructions are cultures”. used to provide methods of reHis designs are visually

confronting and feature clashing prints and textures. “I’m communicating my ideal of something. It harks back to the days when fashion was what the designer wants and it’s not influenced by the market.” “As designers, we are constantly looking for new ideas. The net we cast is broader and as far away from the box as possible,” Hewitt said. In spite of early success in Australia, Sala and Hewitt both spoke of a desire to work in the fashion houses of Europe. “French fashion is more inspired by contemporary design. They’re pushing the idea of what clothing is. It’s a really exciting and moving industry,” Sala said. Hewitt agreed. “Design students are the feature in the European fashion industry. They [the students] are not bound by commercial reality so they push things past existing limits,” he said. The young designers agreed that the Australian fashion landscape was changing for the better though. “People are starting to realise that they need to nurture young talent and that the public needs to see them,” Hewitt said. “The industry has really progressed. There’s room for creatives to work. As long as you show passion, you’re given an open door. If you have something to say, whatever platform you use it’s acknowledged,” Sala said.

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Jason Hewitt’s Armour and Veil collection reflects the influence of his childhood in Hong Kong and South African

Smart women do weights

undreds of women pass through the doors of Fernwood’s friendly, convenient gyms in Carlton and the Melbourne CBD every week. The managers at both sites think it’s a good sign that more and more of their visitors are stepping up to the challenge of weight training. Many women avoid working with weights for various reasons, but Caroline Milczuk, manager of Fernwood’s Flinders Lane, says they can gain fantastic results with just 30 minutes of strength training a week. “There are many misconceptions about this but the truth is strength training is very important for women,” she says. Kristin Bick, manager of Fernwood Carlton, agrees.

See offer on page 11

“It’s an area where it’s really important to sort out the fact from the fiction,” she said. Strength training will not make women ‘bulk up’, for example. In fact, by building muscle women can actually increase their metabolic rate and consequently burn more fat … even while they sleep! But not all strength training is equal and Fernwood is proud of its commitment to helping women get the best results in the shortest amount of time. Their weight machines are all designed to allow steady progression through the crucial early stages of weight training, and the gyms provide a great range of free weight (dumb bells and bar bells) equipment so members can take their workout to the next level.

EDUCATION MCN

FEBRUARY 2011 • VOL 1, ISSUE 12

The right course for the right career With the academic year about to begin this is a decisive time for anyone considering a course of study in 2011. In late March, the National Careers & Employment Expo will offer an unparalleled opportunity to explore the options available for anyone interested in updating their skills, learning a new craft, or just enrolling in a course they have always wanted to do.

“Students want the choice and not to be locked into one pathway” Taylors College in Melbourne also offers an innovative route into university via

Trade qualifications Catering, hospitality and hair dressing graduates are currently much in demand and Melbourne also offers many options for those interested in pursuing trade qualifications. Some apprenticeships can be completed within a year, and many offer appealing career paths. For Caterina Di Biase, Artistic Director at Heading Out Academy in Fitzroy, hairdress-

Students are encouraged to take advantage of career guidance advisors

ing qualifications have lead to a career that has taken her all over the world. An official ambassador for L’Oréal in Australia, she currently leads the award-winning Heading Out hair salons. “Hairdressing is one of those great careers - I’ve been in it for over 20 years. It opens so many doors to so many different fields,” she said. “This is an industry that you can fast track your career in because you can study and work in the same field so it’s relevant

to what you are learning and working towards,” said Ms Di Biase. Ms Di Biase said Heading Out Academy students have gone on to work in film, make -up, fashion and photography and are unlikely to have any trouble finding a job. “Australia has a shortage of skilled workers and hairdressing is one of those trades. It’s challenging and suited to someone that really applies themselves,” she said. Trade courses generally offer programs that incorporate practical and theoretical components and provide students the opportunity for hands-on experience throughout their studies. It’s an appealing combination for career-minded individuals who may not find a purely scholastic environment appealing. Many, like Heading Out, also provide job placement assistance to their graduates.

Hands on experience

Those Big Decisions Those finding the choices overwhelming can take heart from the advice of Kaye Nolan, CAE’s Team Leader for Learner Services. Nolan believes that younger

use a gap year to get ahead: undertaking volunteer work or enrolling in a short course or a certificate in hospitality or business administration are all ways to offer employers useful and practical skills. “It also shows that you’re

Photo: CAE

For those intent on a university education, there are now a variety of avenues available. The Centre for Adult Education (CAE), for example, offers single VCE subjects for students who need to boost their ATAR scores, or for those seeking a pathway in tertiary study. Their Diploma of Liberal Arts has become a popular choice for students of all ages, particularly for those aiming for an arts or humanities degree.

Heading Out students preparing for entry into the industry

Photo: HeadingOut Academy

University

intensive preparatory programs where the college links students directly to university entry. The course options currently allow students to enter second-year university courses in the areas of business and IT after completing a one year diploma spread across three trimesters. Taylor’s Director of Student Recruitment, Gabriel Providel, said, “This is a relatively new concept for Australia. Students can gain a generic skill set in preparation for university as well as critical thinking”. The choice and flexibility of the course are key elements, said Mr Providel. “Students want the choice and not to be locked into one pathway - we offer that choice and variety in locations and university options,” he explained.

Photo: CAE

With the introduction of e-learning options and the expansion of the vocational education sector, the selection of learning pathways is broader than ever before. With careful planning, people from all ages and educational backgrounds can find a way to work toward their preferred career.

Photo: HeadingOut Academy

Sharon Green Twitter: @SharonJGreen

People of all ages and backgrounds are finding pathways to university study

“If people are stuck and don’t know what to do, get advice. Don’t make the decisions by yourself.” students in particular can benefit from a gap year before making “those big decisions”. “Taking the scenic route can offer them [students] much more experience that is just as valuable as going straight to university,” she said. The experience gained by students who can afford to travel abroad or undertake a working holiday, for example, can reflect well on students’ ability to be independent. But Nolan emphasised that all prospective students can

being proactive in reaching your goal,” she said. Most institutions also offer career counselling services for those seeking further guidance. “If people are stuck and don’t know what to do, get advice. Don’t make the decisions by yourself,” Ms Nolan said. The 2011 National Careers & Employment Expo will provide a host of information on graduate, apprentice and trainee opportunities as well as employment and training seminars. Leading local and interstate organisations will exhibit at the event and full-time and part-time job opportunities will be on offer.

Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre, 2 Clarendon Street, Southbank March 25 and 26 www.eocexpo.com.au

MCN ENVIRONMENT All timber fire station heralds a new era for CFA 16

or many Victorians the onset of another fire season rekindles memories of the devastating Black Saturday fires of 2009. Entire communities were razed to the ground in a conflagration that resulted in the state’s highest ever loss of life from a bushfire. In all, 3500 structures were destroyed and as the Federal Government and the Country Fire Authority (CFA) face the massive task of rebuilding community structures and fire stations, they have had a unique opportunity to explore new and innovative building materials. With bushfire incidence predicted to rise as a result of climate change, the CFA is under pressure to investigate modern building materials that provide higher protection from fire, are sustainably sourced and are also economical to meet funding requirements. The Bushfire Royal Commission allocated an extra $382.4 million to enable the CFA to explore alternatives to the high-energy materials traditionally used for fire station construction.

Steel framed and clad buildings have been the norm for rural fire stations, a practice rooted in the outdated belief that these materials provided the highest fire protection and could best ensure overall structural integrity in the event of a blaze.

Innovative Victorian fire station could be the template for the country Steel and concrete were also the most cost effective products for large scale structures. The opening of a new ‘integrated’ fire station in North Warrandyte built from engineered wood (EW) heralds the dawn of a new era for the CFA. Built from EW supplied by Timber Engineered Structures (TES), the new station has the potential to become a template for modern fire stations around Australia. As the first fire station built from this innovative material, the structure is an Australian first – made to ecofriendly design principles and sourced from sustainable timber plantations.

Discussing local interest in the new station, Rohan Thorton, Captain of the North Warrandyte Fire Brigade says “Both the community and the brigade feel very secure as a result of not pursuing traditional and less safe construction options.” The advantages afforded by modern timber engineering techniques have seen an increase in the material’s use throughout the building industry. “The ability to create a building product with specific and enhanced properties is what attracted the attention of the CFA,” says Bell. “Our products have defined and predictable properties, which is desirable in building fire-resistant buildings,” says Bell. “The ability to manipulate timber allows us to create superior load-bearing roof beams, which are a safer option for use in large timber structures such as fire stations and large community structures such as schools.” Bell says it is common knowledge that fire fighters prefer to enter timber struc-

CFA, Photo: Keith Pakenham

By Chiara Macfarlane

FEBRUARY 2011 • VOL 1, ISSUE 12

Steel loses 50 per cent of its structure at 550 Celsius

Bell believes that engineered timber products should be the first choice for rebuilding the large community structures and building the additional fire stations recommended by the Bushfire Royal Commission. Each year, around 29 million hectares of Australia’s 7.7 million square kilometres are burnt by fire. With climate

tures than steel structures in event of fire. “Steel beams lose 50 per cent of their strength at 550 degrees Celsius, which leads to warping and the disintegration of the structure,” says Bell. “On the other hand timber chars, which slows the actual burning time dramatically to about 40mm per hour.”

change predictions pointing to a hotter, drier planet, the search for building products with enhanced fire protection has become urgent. As the recommendations of the Bushfire Royal Commission are implemented in the near future, this unique fire station may become the template for modern fire stations around Australia.

Spreading the word on climate change A Melbourne father of two is teaching the country how much one person can do By Rebecca Ponsford

elbourne father of two John Knox is convinced that everyday Australians can succeed where our politicians have failed and have a decisive impact on climate change. On his website, Ride the Talk, thousands around the country have followed his six month, nearly 7,000 kilometre solo cycling journey

In 2008, Knox went back to school to study renewable energy and the expert knowledge he gained is the foundation for his belief that significant change is possible if enough of us heed the message. His thirteen-year-old daughter and eleven-yearold son have been his inspiration as he pedals up one hill after another. “I realised that a nest egg wasn’t going to be much use

Photo: PlanBig

I realised that a nest egg wasn’t going to be much use if my family had to fight for their physical survival

Climate change activist John Knox used a six month solo bike tour around Australia to spread his message of action

to provide the insights any individual can use to reduce their carbon footprint. He’s taken the message to small towns from the Northern Territory to Coastal NSW, and he set off after Christmas with his family to complete his last 1,000 kilometres across Tasmania. “I try to make people aware that we have the potential to save 25 to 30 per cent of our energy consumption. If you realise that potential and then engage three others and they engage three others then it will make a difference,” he said.

if my family had to fight for their physical survival,” he said. He’s been helped along the way by many of the 5,000 members of the Alternative Technology Association (ATA), a not-for-profit organisation that has been promoting sustainability for over three decades. He’s also been grateful for the support of web-based networking organisation PlanBig, which is linking up community-minded cothinkers around the country. “They gave me my first online presence,” he said.

BUSINESS MCN

FEBRUARY 2011 • VOL 1, ISSUE 12

Paid parental leave gets people talking Clearer guidelines needed for crucial scheme

“Kids who have more time with parents tend to do better socially because they’re much more comfortable within themselves”

Photo: APP

As a result, small businesses or businesses without a designated HR department might suffer because they will not have systems and procedures in place to take full advantage

Prime Minister Julia Gillard visits new mum Anjana Hirani, 29

of the scheme. “Employees don’t know how they are going to receive the money the information is there but people expect it to be marketed more,” she added. Australia’s first national Paid Parental Leave scheme commenced this year. Fully funded by the Australian Government, the scheme provides up to 18 weeks of Parental Leave pay at the National Minimum Wage, currently $570 a week before tax, to eligible parents of children born or adopted from 1 January 2011. The Government expects 148,000 Australian families will be eligible for Paid Parental Leave each year. Already more than 7,500 families expecting babies early in 2011 have applied for the payment. National Association for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (NAPCAN) CEO Rosanna Martinello believes the legislation will have an impact upon generations of Australians. “Paid parental leave will allow more parents to care for their babies when they are very young. This will positively affect their development and the adults they become.” Ms Andi Green, child psychologist from Psychology Melbourne, agreed that children’s early development years are a crucial time for parents to “learn about their kids and what makes them tick”. “Kids who have more time with parents generally tend to do better socially because they’re much more comfortable within themselves,” she said, adding that the early bonding also helped form a child’s morality.

Crucial years for development

Lisa Phelan agrees with the importance of early childparent bonding for the development of individuals and families, but also points out the potential economic benefits of the program for the society as a whole. Because we are all responsible for our children, said Phelan, “we need to ensure that those children are going to be the ones looking after all of us”. In some ways the significance of the scheme is clearest for people like Bayside resident and new mother, Amanda Ferguson. She gave birth to her daughter on 20 December, 2010 and missed out on qualifying for paid parental leave by two weeks. She agrees the scheme would have created conditions for her to spend longer at home with her daughter. A personal trainer who runs her own business, Ms Ferguson now faces strong economic pressure to return to work

Photo: Expect a star

hildcare and child welfare agencies have welcomed the introduction of the Paid Parental Leave scheme but concerns persist that both employees and employers remain confused about their rights and responsibilities in respect of the program. Family Services Manager from child care provider Expect A Star, Lisa Phelan said, “They [employers] don’t realise they need to register with the government to understand how they are going to receive the funds. Logistics of how they will receive the money to pass on to the receiver need to be clearer,” she explained.

Photo: iStock

By Sharon Green

Family Services Manager, Expect a Star, Lisa Phelan

sooner than she would like. “I want to be there when she first smiles, walks and talks,” she said. Ms Phelan emphasised that the move is a positive one and is certain future parents will welcome the support. “This is something we need to be thinking about and talking about,” she said.

An official statement released by the Government said the scheme will help women stay connected to the workforce, and will help employers attract and retain valuable and skilled staff. Ms Phelan agrees and says it therefore places a responsibility on the workforce, encouraging employers to think about ways they can sustain business for the future in relation to a paid parental leave structure. “Businesses are now thinking about what more they can offer to attract employees,” notes Phelan. “It’s a really positive step and there’s so much more we can do.”

For further information, visit: www.familyassist.gov.au

Medical Research’s Virtual Leader By Angela Fidele

recent conference hosted by the Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne underlined the crucial role being played by digital communications technology in the development and dissemination of scientific and medical research. Designed to explore severe eating disorders in infants and young children and discuss approaches to assessing and treating feeding difficulties, the conference enabled specialist health workers around the country to access and discuss the latest research via live video conference. The event was made pos-

sible through the expertise of AARNet (Australia’s Academic and Research Network) a notfor-profit organisation dedicated to leading edge research and education services. Their most recent Ozeconference was established in collaboration with The Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne and included keynote speakers from the medical field. Major hospitals including the Women’s and Children’s Hospital Adelaide, Princess Margaret Hospital for Children Perth and the Alice Springs Hospital participated in the crucial discussion. Recent US studies estimate

that 25 to 35 per cent of young children experience some form of feeding problem, with incidence rising as high as 70 per cent among those born prematurely. The one to three per cent of infants experiencing true eating disorders face serious and long-term health consequences if the condition is not remedied. Infant and early childhood eating disorders are extremely complex and difficult to treat, generally requiring dietary, behavioural, social, and psychological intervention by a multidisciplinary team of health professionals.

The national video conference enabled specialist health professionals to witness practical demonstrations of the latest treatment methodologies and participate in a networking virtual environment. AARNet CEO, Chris Hancock said, “Part of AARNet’s role as enabler to the Australian science and research communities is to drive leading-edge initiatives including the study of e-health, ensuring doctors and medical associates from around Australia have the ability to share knowledge and collaborate on important medical topics.” AARNet CEO Chris Hancock

MCN MOTORING

FEBRUARY 2011 • VOL 1, ISSUE 12

Audi A5 Sportsback I

s it me or is Lady Gaga about as appealing as a bucket of drain hair? Somewhere in America, a village is looking for its idiot. Seriously, the girl wore meat to an award show! I would have loved to have seen one of the security guard dogs get off the leash and literally eat the clothes off her back. It’s a shame too because she actually has a brilliant voice. Why do talented people need to go Gaga when they could easily be well recognised and acknowledged for the things they’re good at. Unfortunately, Audi has done the same thing with the A5 Sportsback. You see, Audi needed a twodoor, sporty, dynamic coupe to tackle the BMW 3 series coupe and the Mercedes CLK. The A5, in tow-door version, does that superbly. Then, a bean counter with a large moustache decided they could sell a few more units by adding a few extra doors and a lift back boot and called it an A5 Sportsback. It’s uglier than an A5 and costs considerably more than an equivalent A4, which does a perfectly fine job of being an attractive and dynamic four door. In Gaga style, they went all “different” for no real reason. Sure I can see the appeal of having easy

Photo: Audi Australia

access to the rear seats and the advantages of being able to fold the rear seats, but just like Lady Dingbat, they’ve ruined the overall appeal of a very sexy coupe for the sake of selling a few more units. Now, we know that Lady Gargoyle looks and acts completely ridiculous, but underneath, she still happens to have a tremendous voice. Same goes for the A5. If you forget about the Sportsback four-door nonsense, you’ll soon find that underneath, this is an otherwise brilliant car. Let’s start by saying the A5 is extremely comfy. I mean sofastyle, sitting-on-tissue, asleep -in-a-bed-of-ladies-panties type comfy. The seating position and overall ride quality are excellent. Inside, it’s typical Audi. Perhaps best in business build quality and nice, meaningful ergonomic gadgetry. The press vehicle I tested was fitted with the $4550 nav and entertainment system, which is excellent for a super geek like me, but made my fiancé break out into uncontrollable fits of screen abuse. It is rather complex. Besides that, the inside is spacious and a brilliant place to be. Yet again though, just like

The Audi A5 Sportsback

Photo: Audi Australia

By Mark Di Iorio

For the gaga - the Audi A5 Sportsback

Lady Gonghead, Audi have tried to appeal to everybody with its engine selection. The car I drove is the two litre TFSI

Let’s start by saying the A5 is extremely comfy. I mean sofa-style, sitting-on-tissue, asleep -in-a-bed-of-ladies panties type comfy.

with multitronic transmission. This is the absolute base model with 132kw and a 0 to100 time of 25 hours. But seriously, the A5 had such a beautiful range of engines from turbo petrol and diesels, not the mention the magnificent S5 and ballistic RS5, why Audi felt the need to introduce a detuned version of their 155kw TFSI engine is beyond me. The boffins at Audi will say it’s to compete with the likes of BMW and Merc who also have cheaper versions of their coupes. But in the same

way sleeping with the sweaty social outcast at high school ruined my chances with the school hotties, introducing an underpowered A5 variant can compromise the overall desirability of the entire range. The multitronic transmission is similar in principle to a CVT transmission and again unsuited to the otherwise brilliant chassis. It’s a bit jerky at stop-start driving but once moving, it does an admirable job to compensate for the lack of engine power to make the A5 feel brisk. ish. The rest of the range gets the absolutely brilliant seven-speed dual clutch S tronic. On the road, the base model is without the famous Quattro four-wheel drive, yet it still feels sporty and comfy but not exactly dynamic. You see, at low speeds, the steering is so assisted you could turn it with your eyelash. This is excellent when parking or if you have an arthritic elbow. As speed increases, the steering is electronically altered to stiffen up the wheel and give the sensation of firmness and feel. Unfortunately though, it feels fake and

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can be rather unsettling. Most cars have this system these days but in the Audi, they’ve made the limits too extreme. All this points to the same thing. Audi have made the A5 Sportsback 2.0 TSFI multitronic as an entry level model for people with bald spots and large bellies. This is fine but it means people with long locks of flowing hair and chiselled features may now stay away

from the other brilliant engine and transmission combinations. If you’re like me and love the look of the A5 and find two door coupes manageable, then buy an A5 two litre Quattro, the wonderful three litre diesel or the brilliant S5 or RS5. If however you are clinically insane, by which I mean you make Lady Gumnuts look like Susan Boyle, then the entry level Sportsback is for you.

At a glance Type

Audi A5 Sportsback 2.0 TSFI

Transmission

Multitronic

Drive

Front

Seats

Tare Mass

(kg) 1530

Engine Size

(cc) 1984

Cylinders

Power

132kW @ 4000-6000rpm

Torque

320Nm @ 1500-3900rpm

Type

Turbo Diesel

Airbags

Front and Side, front and rear

Fuel Consumption (Combined)

(L/100km) 7.2

Price

$68,900 + charges

Find previous reviews and more on my Facebook page Mark Di Iorio motoring reviews

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SPORTS MCN

FEBRUARY 2011 • VOL 1, ISSUE 12

New club promotes fan-centred football

-League clubs have been warned - respect your fans or expect to

fail. With falling crowd numbers and at least two clubs facing financial turmoil this season many have tried to look for answers to the slide in the league’s fortunes. When Melbourne Heart entered the A-League this season, they promised a new kind of football club, both on and off the field. “It’s sort of like a big club with a small club mentality”, said Lachlan Wight, media manager of the club’s supporter association Red and White Unite. “One thing they talked about was the kind of style they wanted to play, the kind of recruiting they were doing with local players, the way they want to promote the game, and get a community atmosphere going.” Red and White Unite promotes itself as a group of supporters broad enough to cater for hardcore and casual fans alike. They provide a space for fans to interact with the players and chat about the game whether online, at their home

pub the Imperial Hotel or at games. Wight believes the players play an important part in the club’s community feel. “The players they recruited are not only good players but really good people,” Wight said. “The guys who aren’t playing literally sit with the crowd, sign autographs throughout the match, take photos, and really open up and chat to fans”. These factors, Wight believes, have been missing in clubs like Gold Coast FC and Newcastle Jets who have faced financial turmoil during this season. “Gold Coast seems to do no community work It typifies the kind of arrogance that if they build a strong team people will want to watch them. “What they have to realise is football clubs do not belong to their owners, they belong to the fans and without the fans the owners do not exist”. One of the Heart’s biggest challenges has been competing with Melbourne’s other ALeague side, Victory, who entered the league in 2005. Wight says that many fans

Photo: Getty

By Stuart Harrison

Melbourne Heart fans sing their praises

used the first derby to decide whether they would adopt the Heart as their favorite club. “Winning the first one gave us a way to sit back and listen

to all the Victory fans lose their voices and stop hearing that ‘one team in Melbourne’ chant for a while,” he said. While the Heart won’t qual-

ify for the finals in its inaugural year, Wight believes that this is all a matter of time. “We’ve got a good squad, but given that we’ve taken a lot

of time to push up [the ladder] and get our tactics going, it’s gonna take us a bit of time to really consolidate ourselves as a finals side”.

Tomic aims for the top By Stuart Harrison

Photo: Getty

oung tennis star Bernard Tomic is hoping for a big year after making the third round of the Australian Open last month. Tomic proved to be one of the bright hopes for Australian tennis at the tournament. “I want to break the top hundred”, he said. “I think it’s tough. But if I play more tournaments this year, I’ve got a good shot”. Tomic comes from a tennis family, with his dad coaching the 18-year old from their base on the Gold Coast, after moving to Australia from Germany

at age three. He is currently ranked 182nd. He was unlucky to lose to World Number One Rafael Nadal in the third round after entering the open as a wildcard. Tomic said he learnt a lot from his match against the tennis ace. “Physically wise he’s a machine. He just wears you down,” he says. “That’s where I’m going to need to improve on in the next few years.” After the match Nadal told him to keep working hard in the future and it’s a message Tomic will seize in the coming months. “That’s something I’ll

take from a player like that. He’s a true champion. Very nice to get that advice from him”. Tomic however admitted that the reason there are no teenagers in the top 100 showed the competitive nature of modern tennis. “It’s tough, especially now in the last three years, for such a young player to come in the top hundred,” he said. “There’s a lot of players now that are so physically strong that tennis is becoming so hard. It’s just going to continue to get harder. If you’re not physically fit and strong, you['ve] got no chance.”

Melbourne Rebels players celebrate a try

By Stuart Harrison

t may seem outright wrong to some footy fanatics but for former AFL CEO Ross Oakley, taking the reins at Melbourne’s newest sports franchise proved too great an opportunity to miss. Oakley believes the Melbourne Rebels will flourish in the city’s bustling sporting landscape. “It’s about the magic of a new franchise starting up in what we all think is the sports capital of the world many of the players who have come here to Melbourne to represent the Rebels have come for that reason, to just see what this city

that they’ve heard about is all about”. The Rebels begin their inaugural season of Super Rugby on February 18 against New South Wales Waratahs at home ground AAMI Park. Super Rugby, previously Super 14, is an international rugby union competition involving 15 provincial and state-based sides from Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. Despite a crowded sporting landscape dominated by AFL, Oakley believes the team will be ready to prove what they can offer sports lovers of Melbourne. “We’re going to be playing in an international competition

and I think that adds a huge excitement element to what we’re about,” he says. The Rebels has already played three pre-season trial games in the lead-up to the season, with games taken to Morwell and Ballarat. The Rebels’ efforts have continued to improve but they are well aware of the challenges in front of them. “It’s a unique challenge, but one I’m looking forward to,” Rebels captain Stirling Mortlock said. “We’re very lucky in this team that we’ve got a lot of guys that have experience leading and it’s a matter of utilising that and making it a strength of ours.”

Photo: Getty

Rebels on the march

Bernard Tomic plays a backhand in his first-round mixed-doubles match at the Australian Open

MCN SPORTS

FEBRUARY 2010 • VOL 1, ISSUE 12

Sports stars help flood appeal S

ports stars have helped raise millions of dollars in support of flood victims across Queensland, northern New South Wales and Victoria. Many Australian communities revolve around their sporting clubs. They help neighbours become friends and foster the kind of society we can all feel a part of. When disasters occur it is often the sporting club and its facilities that can act as the centre for relief. Recent floods along the Eastern seaboard have put towns under water and destroyed lives. At least 22 people have died with numerous more injured. This has been further accentuated by Cyclone Yasi that has devastated Queensland’s north. This cannot be separated from sport with sporting facilities and those that play sport, at both amateur and professional levels, being among the casualties of the floods. Brisbane’s iconic Suncorp Stadium was just one of the infrastructural casualties of the

floods. The stadium was closed after the field turned into a pool, causing permanent damage to the field of play, change rooms and other facilities. As Australian tennis whiz Samantha Stosur said, “We love what we do, but there’s far greater things going on in the world. So if we can all come together and support something like [relief from] these floods, I think it’s great”. Stosur was one of the stars that took part in Rally for Relief, a tennis fundraising event that attracted a sold out crowd to Rod Laver Arena on January 16. Tennis stars including Rafael Nadal, Kim Clijsters, Roger Federer helped raise over $1.5 million towards the flood effort. Professional and amateur sporting teams and players across Australia have organised fundraisers and pledged donations. With the 2011 football season almost upon us, the Australian Football League and its 18 clubs contributed $500,000 to the relief appeal. The AFL will also donate 20 per

Photo: Getty

By Stuart Harrison

Melbourne Heart fans sing their praises

cent of gate takings from the first round of the pre-season NAB Cup. AFL Players Association president Luke Power announced a $150,000 donation from the league’s players. Racing Victoria will donate $100,000 and the Victorian Jockeys Association

has pledged to give direct support to disadvantaged trainers and jockeys. New Super Rugby club Melbourne Rebels used their pre-season game against Canterbury Crusaders to help raise funds with Chairman Harold Matthews donating $100,000 to kick off the appeal.

Rugby League club Melbourne Storm and A-League soccer clubs Melbourne Heart and Victory have also organised online auctions of signed merchandise and “once in a lifetime” experience auctions in order to raise funds. Cricket Australia and the Australian Cricketers Associa-

tion have also chipped in with over $1 million raised from player payments, gate receipts and collections. Baseball club Melbourne Aces and basketball team Melbourne Tigers also donated a portion of takings and helped collect funds for flood relief.

Stosur aims to break drought By Stuart Harrison

Photo: Getty

orld number five Sam Stosur has been hailed by many as the player most likely to break Australia’s recent failure to win a tennis grand slam. No Australian has won a grand slam tournament since Lleyton Hewitt’s Wimbledon win in 2002, the last woman Evonne Goolagong Cawley won Wimbledon in 1980. Despite crashing out of the recent Australian Open third round to in-form Czech Petra Kvitova, Stosur is optimistic that her time will come. “It’s one of those things, yes, I’d love to do it, all that, but it’s

not something I can go to bed thinking about each night. You have to think about all of the things you have to do to get to that point rather than the end result. I guess it’s work in progress,” she said. “At the end of the day, I’ve got to play good matches, and I’ve got to do seven of them to win the tournament.” Stosur’s form has continued to improve winning her first WTA singles title in Osaka last October. Stosur says that her ability to handle the pressure of increased exposure and concentrate will be key to any

breakthrough. “The top players, they get used to it and handle it better, get through different scenarios. That’s why they’re the best”. Despite the pressure, Stosur believes herself to be at an important stage in her career and is trying to strike a healthy balance in her approach to the game.

“I think I want to make a conscious effort to enjoy it while it’s actually happening,” she said. “I love what I do and I know it’s not going to happen forever. I guess it’s a fine line between really getting to do that and not going overboard and still doing what you have to do”.

World number five Sam Stosur

Melbourne Tigers woes boil over

elbourne Tigers have delivered major changes and are threatening more as the team limps towards the end of the season. The Tiger’s decision followed the club’s January 26 loss to the bottom-placed Sydney Kings. Two time championship winning coach Al Westover faced a forced departure and key import Eric Devendorf was axed from the side on February 1. While he could not comment on what was said in the boardroom, majority owner

and club Chief Executive Seamus McPeake’s anger and disappointment boiled over as he spoke via phone. “There was no effort on the court with the players. We said they had lost direction,” he said. “If you are in a position and you have got directions and you are not performing your duties. I don’t care what business, club, whatever you’re in. Your employer will make changes”. Assistant Coach Darryl McDonald has been hoisted into the head coaching position and

will have the rest of the season to prove his ability. McPeake says the team will be placed on notice and are likely to be playing for their contracts until the end of the season. “We are going to review the whole playing staff and coaching staff at the end of each game,” he said. “My personal opinion is that it would be hard for it to worse than it has already been”. In the midst of the huge changes, following a disappointing season only bettered

by a quick three victories in a row in a post-Christmas rush, morale may understandably be an issue for the club. McPeake believes, despite admitting to receiving complaints from players and others, this can only be helped by better on court performances. “At the end of the day you create your own morale. If I’m down and I’m depressed, I’ve got an issue or whatever, I’m going to bust my ass to try and get myself out of it and do something to be positive about.”

Photo: Getty

By Stuart Harrison

Tigers coach Darryl McDonald talks to his team

fitzroy Locality Feature MCN

FEBRUARY 2011 • VOL 1, ISSUE 12

The best of the old and the new in Melbourne’s oldest suburb

New Pizzas

Rose Street Artists’ Market

SoundWaves

Photo: City of Yarra

Every Saturday and Sunday, over 140 of Melbourne’s best emerging artists and designers showcase their work at one of the coolest markets around – the Rose Street Artists’ Market Saturdays are for established artists and Sundays are for the up and coming newcomers. This is where you can find artworks, jewellery, fashion and home wares that you can’t find anywhere else. You can find it between 9.00am and 5.00pm, at 60 Rose Street, Fitzroy.

SoundWaves is back again until the end of February at Fitzroy Swimming Pool. Every Sunday afternoon from 1.00pm, poolside DJs provide cool music to help take on the summer heat.

Beat the heat at the Fitzroy Pool

The pool itself is open every day of the week, including most public holidays. With its crystal clear waters, indoor cycle training, yoga school, spa, sauna and steam room, Fitzroy Pool has something for everyone at any time of year.

Photo: Rose St Artists’ Market

Eco-House Open Day at Holden Street, North Fitzroy

www.mc-news.com.au

Rose St Artists’ Market: artworks, jewellery, fashion and home wares that you can’t find anywhere else

North Fitzroy’s Holden Street Neighbourhood House will open its doors on Saturday February 26 for its second EcoHouse Open Day. Experts will show visitors everything that can be done to conserve energy use in even the oldest weatherboard houses, from solar panels, opening skylights, solar light tubes, passive heating and ventilation system, and insulated blinds. The day will include tours of the house by staff from the Enviro Shop, community stalls, free bike checks, children’s activities and lots more. Saturday February 26, 11.00am to 3.00pm at 128 Holden Street, North Fitzroy. Or call Rachel Oliphant, Sustainability Officer, City of Yarra on 9205 5769 Rachel.Oliphant@yarracity.vic. gov.au

376 Brunswick Street Fitzroy VIC 3065 bimbodeluxe.com.au

facebook.com/luckybimbo Now on the brink of adolescence, this Brunswick Street bar has become a Fitzroy icon. For seven days of the week its offering of cheap pizza and unique entertainment can be called upon from midday until well into the early morning. $4 gourmet pizzas accompany a diverse range of beer, wine and spirits to be enjoyed amongst the lounges or in the rooftop courtyard. The warmer weather will see live bands take to the outdoor stage beneath Moroccan lights. While downstairs on any given night you can find some of Melbourne’s most talented DJ’s mixing an array of music styles from Hip Hop to Disco, House and techno, Rock, Soul and Funk. Within its walls has been forged an atmosphere of comfort matched with down-toearth service and an ‘anything goes’ attitude. Make Bimbo Deluxe your inner city entertaining lounge room.

$4 Pizza Times Sun-Thur 7-11pm Weekdays 12-4pm Saturday 7-9pm

Photo: City of Yarra

itzroy was Melbourne’s first official ‘suburb’ and it exemplifies that fantastic marriage of the best and the old and the new that have makes this city such an exciting place to live. Brunswick Street and Gertrude Street are the dual hearts of Fitzroy, and they pulsate with possibilities for anyone interested in shopping, eating or entertainment. Besides all the great pubs, shops, and cafes, this suburb, sitting on the traditional lands of the Woiworung tribe, still has some of the most beautiful bluestone colonial architecture to be found in Melbourne. And from the small commercial-art galleries, artist-run spaces and artist studios to the thriving street -art community, Fitzroy is also home to some of the most dynamic art in a city of artists. Here’s a tiny snapshot of what the suburb has to offer this month.

Learning and conserving: Holden Street Neighbourhood House

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MCN TECHNOLOGY

FEBRUARY 2010 • VOL 1, ISSUE 12

Photo: Getty

Facebook Messages heads for mainstream

Mark Zuckerberg announcing the new Facebook Messages service

acebook fans hungry for an @facebook.com address, get ready. The much-ballyhooed Facebook Messages, where email, text messages and instant messages are linked in a “social inbox,” will be offered to a majority of the more than 500 million Facebook users over the next two months. “The reason we’re taking our time with it is we’re not starting from scratch. We’re starting from being one of the top messaging systems on the internet,” said Andrew Bosworth, the Facebook engineer who leads the team that, with extensive input from Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, developed the new Messages product. “This is a new product with 500 million existing users.” Messages was launched in November, amid media buzz that it would be a “Gmail killer” that would render traditional email obsolete. Initially, however, Facebook gave relatively few people ac-

cess to the new product. Over the past two months, the California-based company has been painstakingly moving ex-

“Zuck, most of all, realised that the thing we were trying to do is connect people across media and devices and make it really easy and simple to talk to a person,” Facebook engineer, Andrew Bosworth

isting content over to the new service, a transition that will ultimately encompass more than 100 terabytes of data - or about half the total digital archive held by the US Library of

Congress. Bosworth said Facebook software has been checking every character within every message, scanning for discrepancies as each user is switched over to the new service, and assigning an engineer to manually check every error it discovers. “We have billions of messages in the existing system that we have to move over to the new system,” he said. “These are intensely meaningful, personal messages that people expect to have access to, and we have to do this with some care.” The new service treats every communication between people as part of an ongoing conversation that began with their first interaction on Facebook a string that in many cases goes back for years. “Facebook is not just about what’s happening right now; it’s also the history of what we’ve done before,” Bosworth said. The system is intended to allow people to carry on a sin-

gle conversation over a variety of devices, perhaps starting an interaction on email through their office desktop computer, then moving to text message on their phone as they head outside, or moving into instant message as they come back to their office PC. Zuckerberg took a direct role in shaping the new Messages product, starting with a series of conversations with a group of teenagers in 2009, where the younger people told the Facebook CEO that they favoured text messages because email is “too slow.” “That was the catalyst,” Bosworth said, and his team held extended weekly meetings with Zuckerberg in 2010 as it built prototypes of the new service. The night before the service launched in November, Zuckerberg even camped out with the Messages team, working through last-second bugs.

“Zuck, most of all, realised that the thing we were trying to do is connect people across media and devices and make it really easy and simple to talk to a person,” said Bosworth, who has known Zuckerberg since he was the Facebook CEO’s teaching assistant at Harvard. Messages has not been universally well received by analysts, who say it is not functional enough for business and other uses. Matt Cain, an analyst who follows email trends for research firm Gartner, believes Facebook is working on a new version of Messages that would incorporate many of the features of Google’s Gmail, Yahoo Mail and Microsoft’s Hotmail, such as subject and “cc:” and “bcc:” lines. Cain said that because email remains such a big source of time spent online, and Facebook wants people to spend more time on its network, a

more functional email service is a business imperative. “It would be a truly bad business decision on the part of Facebook not to aggressively go into the full-blown email market, because they can immediately capture a very substantial chunk of the consumer email population,” Cain said. “There are tremendous monetising opportunities.” Other than saying Facebook is “always working on ways to improve the system and make it so people can send messages faster,” a spokeswoman declined to comment on whether it is working on another generation of Messages with more features. But Facebook has begun offering Messages to users outside the United States, and over the next month, an increasing number of users in all countries will be offered the service. AAP

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31 31

MCN BRAIN TRAIN MCN BRAIN BRAIN TRAIN TRAIN MCN MCN BRAIN TRAIN

23 DECEMBER ••VOL 10 DECEMBER2010 2010 VOL1, 1,ISSUE ISSUE 10 MCN BRAIN TRAIN DECEMBER 2010 • VOL 1, ISSUE DECEMBER 2010 • VOL 1, ISSUE 10 10

31 FEBRUARY 2011 • VOL 1, ISSUE 12 31

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Forsolutions, solutions,visit visitour ourwebpage webpagewww.mc-news.com.au www.mc-news.com.au For For solutions, visit our webpage www.mc-news.com.au For solutions, visit our webpage www.mc-news.com.au

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March 21really - April DecembersNew New Mooncan can really fanthe the20 Ariesflame. flame.It’s It’sininyour yourfellow fellow Decembers Moon fan Aries March 21 - April 20 Decembers New Moon can really fan the ame. It’sworld in your fellow fireelement, element,which which literallycan canhave have you feeling more homeflflwith withthe the world and fire literally you feeling more atatAries home and Decembers New Moon can really fan the Aries ame. It’s in your fellow fiwithin re element, which literally have you feeling more atofof home with the world and within yourself. The entryofcan ofMars Mars into your career sign Capricorn suggests youexcel excel yourself. The entry into your career sign Capricorn suggests you fire element, which literally have you feeling more atof home with the world you and within yourself. The entry ofcan Mars into your career sign Capricorn suggests excel in competition vocationally. This is an area where there will be a lot of things finally in competition vocationally. This is an area where there will be a lot of things finally within yourself. The entry of Mars into your career sign of Capricorn suggests you excel in competition vocationally. This is an area where there will are be lot of finally afterprevious previous deliberation. Remember the planets areaahigh high yourchart chart settled, after deliberation. Remember the planets ininthings your atat insettled, competition vocationally. This is an area where willare be lot of things finally settled, after previous deliberation. Remember thethere planets high inforyour chart atyour themoment, moment, whichcan can callforformire mire publicinvolvement. involvement. Not timefor sitting the which call public Not a atime sitting ononyour settled, after previous deliberation. Remember the planets are high in your chart at the moment, which can call for mire public involvement. Not a time for sitting on your hands. hands. the moment, which can call for mire public involvement. Not a time for sitting on your hands. hands.

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String (5) 11.(5), Michael Hutchence film, Dogs ... (5) The English one 12.Women’s Women’s gymnastics apparatus, ...In (6),12. 13. The ofG AD (4), (3), 12. ...(7), bars (6), 13. The AAof AD (4), Barbarian (5), 10. Person from Lhasa (7), 11. Bach’s ...16. On A AD Glinks String 12. gymnastics apparatus, ... bars (6), 13. The AIllegal of (4),the(3), separates that nation from France the Chunnel, which two 15.Women’s Business messages, before the(unlike fax machine (7), position on 15. Business messages, before the fax machine (7), 16. Illegal position on 12. Women’s gymnastics apparatus, ... bars (6), 13. The A of AD (4), 15. messages, before the machine (7), 16. Illegal position on theBusiness fieldin insoccer soccer (7),18. 18. Charlotte, Emily, Anne and Branwell, the (7), the field (7), Charlotte, Emily, Anne and Branwell, the ......Cole (7), by rail) (7) 13. Kentucky horse racefax (5) 15. Baghdad native (5) 17. 15. Business messages, before the fax machine (7),the 16. Illegal position the field in soccer (7), 18. Charlotte, Emily, Anne and Branwell, the ... ... (7), 20.Tchaikovsky’s Tchaikovsky’s piece from The Nutcracker Suite, the Waltz21. Of The ...on (7) 20. piece from The Nutcracker Suite, Waltz Of The (7) Porter song, ...The Beguine (5) 20. US golfing body (1,1,1) Lennon’s the field inare soccer (7), 18. Charlotte, Anne and Branwell, ... (7), 20. piece from The Nutcracker Suite, Waltz Ofthe The ... (7) 21.Tchaikovsky’s What are supposed to23. justify theEmily, means (4),23. 23.the In this Spanish city 21. What supposed justify the means (4), In27. this Spanish city the widow, artist Yoko ... (3)to Bowler’s approach (5) Radio code for Athe 20. Tchaikovsky’s piece from The Nutcracker Suite, the Waltz Of The ...by (7) 21. What are supposed to justify (4), 23. In this Spanish city the Royal Palace now stands onthe thethe site ofthe theAlcazar Alcazar that was destroyed by Royal Palace now stands on site of was destroyed (5) 30. Durable twilled cloth used tomeans make suits (5)that 32. Hungarian stew 21. What are supposed to justify the means (4), 23.that In this city by the Royal Palace now stands on the site ofcapital, the Alcazar wasSpanish destroyed firein inlots 1734 (6), 24. Cold War Russia’s secret police (1,1,1), 27. Horatio fire 1734 24. Cold War Russia’s secret police (1,1,1), 27. Horatio with of(6), paprika (7) 33. Ethiopia’s Addis ... (5) 34. Purgative, ... Royal Palace now on the siteholder ofsecret theofof Alcazar that was destroyed by fire in 1734 (6), 24.stands Cold War Russia’s police (1,1,1), Nelson was, Britain’s most famous this naval rank27. (7),Horatio 28. Tarka Nelson was, Britain’s most famous this naval rank (7), 28. Tarka salts (5) 35. 20th century poet, Sirholder Stephen ... (7) 36. New East European fire in 1734 (6), 24. Mijbil Cold War Russia’s secret police (1,1,1), 27. Horatio Nelson was, Britain’s most famous holder of this naval rank (7), 28. Tarka or Gavin Maxwell’s Mijbil from Ring Of Bright Water (5),29. South African or Gavin Maxwell’s from Ring Of Bright Water (5),29. South African republic, Kiev is its capital (7) 37. Romantic waterfall between the US and Nelson Britain’s most famous holder of this naval rankclassic, (7), 28. Tarka or Gavin Mijbil from Ring Of Bright Water (5),29. South African golfer, ...Maxwell’s Els(5), (5),30. 30. Frances Hodgson Burnett’s children’s classic, ... golfer, ...was, Els Frances Hodgson Burnett’s children’s ... Canada (7) orGarden Gavin Maxwell’s fromHodgson Ring Of Bright Water (5),29. classic, South African golfer, ...(3,6). Els (5), 30.Mijbil Frances Burnett’s children’s ... (3,6). Garden golfer, ...(3,6). Els (5), 30. Frances Hodgson Burnett’s children’s classic, ... Garden Garden (3,6). Down:1. 1.Muslim Muslimholy holy cityininSaudi Saudi Arabia (5),2.2.Low Lowkeeps female voice suchas as Down: city Arabia (5), female Down: 1. Homeless woman, so-called because she allvoice her such Down: 1. Muslim holy city inMarian SaudiAnderson Arabia (5), 2. female voice such as thatofofKathleen Kathleen Ferrier Anderson (9), 3.Cervantes’ Cervantes’ Spanish that Ferrier ororMarian (9), 3.Low Spanish possessions in these supermarket containers (3,4) 2. Batter who’s first to Down: 1. Muslim holy city inSesame Saudi Arabia (5), 2.3.Low female voice such as that of Kathleen Ferrier or Marian Anderson (9), Cervantes’ Spanish hero (3,7), Jim Henson’s Sesame Street creatures (7),5. 5.Glass Glass maker hero (3,7), 4.4.Jim Henson’s Street creatures (7), face the bowler (6) 3. Best-selling US thriller writer, Tom ... (6) 4.maker Shipping that of Kathleen Ferrier Marian Anderson (9), 3.ofof Cervantes’ Spanish hero (3,7), 4. Jim Henson’s Sesame Street creatures (7),design 5. wine, Glass maker René Lalique was oneofor ofthe the earliest proponents this design style the René Lalique was one earliest proponents this style ofofthe route, especially through congested waters (3,4) 5. Italian a hero (3,7), 4. Jim Henson’s Street creatures (7), 5.Capital Glass maker René Lalique was one of theSesame earliest proponents of design style 20sand and 30s (3,4), Raisin sponge dessert, rum (4), Capital ofof 20s 30s 6.6.Raisin sponge rum ......this (4), 7.7. of favourite for(3,4), Hannibal Lecter (7) 6. dessert, Breakfast cereal that originated in the René Lalique was one of earliest proponents this design style 20s and 30s (3,4), 6.(5), Raisin sponge dessert, rum of ...capital (4), 7. (9), Capital of of the Louisiana, Rouge (5), 8.Residents Residents England’s capital (9),nation Louisiana, ...... Rouge 8.the ofofEngland’s Switzerland (6) 7. The capital of Zambia (6) 8. North African where 20s and 30s 6.from Raisin sponge dessert, rum (4), 7. Capital of Louisiana, ... (3,4), Rouge (5), 8. Residents of England’s capital (9), 14.Crossover Crossover point from the South Atlantic the... Indian ocean (or vice 14. point the South Atlantic toto the Indian ocean (or vice Albert Camus’ L’Étranger was set (7) Sydney tourist spot, Bondi ... (5) Louisiana, ... Rouge (5), 8. of14. England’s capital (9), 14. Crossover point from theResidents South Atlantic to the Indian ocean (or vice versa), the Cape ... (2,4,4), 15. Dishes, plates and cutlery (9), versa), the Cape ... (2,4,4), 15. Dishes, plates and cutlery (9), 16.Crossover Brazil’s ... point Janeiro (3,2) 17. Sandy ridge an estuary (or (3) vice 18. 14. from the15. South Atlantic toacross the Indian versa), the Cape ... (2,4,4), Dishes, plates and cutleryocean (9), 17. Performer such as Torvill, Dean or Stephen Bradbury, the luckiest 17. Performer such as Torvill, Dean or Stephen Bradbury, the luckiest Juniperthe flavoured frequently taken with and toniccutlery (3) 19.(9), 40 winks (3) versa), Cape ...spirit, (2,4,4), 15.Dean Dishes, plates 17. Performer such as Torvill, or Stephen Bradbury, the luckiest winner the 2002 Winter Olympics (3-6),19. The sort woman who’s winner ofofthe 2002 Winter Olympics (3-6),19. The sort ofofwoman who’s 22. Largest member the stork family (7) 24. Tiny Tim’s instrument (of 17. Performer suchWinter asof Torvill, Dean or Stephen Bradbury, the luckiest winner of the 2002 Olympics (3-6),19. The sort of woman who’s held to be notoriously immoral (7), 20. List of the biggest companies held to be notoriously immoral (7), 20. List of the biggest companies torture?) (7) 25. Idi Amin, for example (7) 26. Shipping danger zone, ... winner of the 2002 Winter Olympics (3-6),19. The sort of companies woman who’s held toUS, be notoriously immoral (7), 20. List of the biggest in the US, ... 500 (7), 22. Evil spirit or jinn (5), 25. Prince’s raspberry or in the ... 500 (7), 22. Evil spirit or jinn (5), 25. Prince’s raspberry or Triangle 28. (7), Elton John Don’t Shoot Me I’m Only companies The Piano or ... (6) held toUS, be(7) notoriously immoral (7), 20.(5), List26. of Shallowest the biggest in the ... 500 22. Evilhit, spirit or jinn (5), 25. Prince’s raspberry a commando’s green headwear item (5), 26. Shallowest of the five a commando’s green headwear item of the five tennis Andre ...item (6) 30. 26. Nepalese guideoffor in29. theVeteran US, ... (4). 500 (7),star, 22. Evil spirit or(5), jinn (5),Shallowest 25. Prince’s raspberry a commando’s green headwear themountaineers five or Great Lakes (4). Great Lakes 31. Putin’s nationheadwear (6) a(6) commando’s item (5), 26. Shallowest of the five Great Lakes (4).green Great Lakes (4).

77 7 7

55 5 5 88 8 8 6 3 1 6 3 1 6 6 3 3 1 1 9 9 9 9 4 4 4 4 5 66 5 5 5 6 6

5 55 5 5

Fill thegrid gridso sothat thatevery every Fillthe the grid so that every Fill Fill the grid so row that every column, every row and column, every row and column, every and Fill the grid so that every column, every row and the every 3x3 boxcontains contains the every3x3 3x3 box contains every box column, every row and the every 3x3 box contains the 1 to 9. digits 1 to 9. digits 1 to 9. every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 to 9. digits 1 to 9.

Rating: Rating:

5 11 5 1 1 5 5 8 8 8 8 6 6 6 6 9 33 2 2 9 9 9 3 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 5 5 5 5 9 9 9 9

Fillininthe thenumbers numbers 1.1.Fill 1. Fill inrepeating the numbers without repeating without aa 1. Fill in the numbers without a oror numberrepeating anyrow row number ininany without repeating number any rowaor column.in column. number in any row or column. column. 2.For Foraa4x4 4x4puzzle puzzleuse use 2. 2. For a 4x4 puzzle the numbers 1-4. use the numbers 1-4. the numbers 1-4. 2. For a 4x4 puzzle use the numbers 1-4. the numbers 1-4. The numbers ineach each 3.3. 3.The Thenumbers numbersinin each 3. The numbers inset each heavily outlined of heavily outlined ofof heavily outlinedset set 3. The numbers in each heavily outlined set of squares (cages) must squares (cages) must squares (cages)set must heavily outlined of squares (cages) must combine equal the combine toto the combine(cages) toequal equal the squares must combine to equal the number in the top corner number in the top corner number in the top corner combine to equal the number inarithmetic the top corner using the arithmetic sign using the sign using the arithmetic sign number in the top corner using the arithmetic sign indicated. indicated. indicated. using the arithmetic sign indicated. indicated. Cages with justone one 4.4. Cages with just 4.Cages Cageswith withjust just one 4. one square can be filled square can be filled inin square can be filled 4. Cages with just one square can bewith filled inin straight away with the straight away the square can be filled in straight away with the straight away with the target number inthe the top target number inin top straight away with thetop targetnumber number the top target in the corner. corner. target number in the top corner. corner. corner. numbermay maybe be 5.5.AAnumber 5.AAnumber numbermay maybe be 5. repeated in a cage but repeated in a cage but 5.repeated A number may bebut acage cage but repeated ininaor notininaarow row or column. not column. repeated in a cage but not in a row or column. not in a row or column. not in a row or column.

4 44 4 4

1515 15 15

28 2828 28 28

8+ 8+ 4x 8+ 8+

16 1616 16 16

EASY ++÷÷xx-EASY EASY + ÷ x EASY +11÷ 1 x1 1

3 33 3 3 9

1111 11 13 11

27 2727 27 27

2÷ 22÷ 2÷ 2÷

2 22 2 2

99 9 10 9

13 1313 13 13

25 2525 25 25

24 2424 24 24

6 66 6 6

Perfecting the art of compromise – finding– the win-win situations –accept knowing who totally on either. your side. This ismay your mission should you choose to that’s it.And Andit’sit’s notis impossible either. The ballmay theother other person’s court,but but that’s it. not impossible The ball bebe ininthe person’s court, knowing who is totally on either. your side. This is your mission – should you court, choose tothat’s accept it. And it’s not impossible The ball may be in the other person’s but wonderful you’re looking fresh input. December month attraction, and can wonderful if ifyou’re looking forforfresh input. December isisother a amonth ofofattraction, and can it. And it’s not impossible either. The ball may be in the person’s court, but that’s wonderful if you’re looking for ne fresh input. December is a month ofnot attraction, and can beaversion aversion too,asas youredeﬁ redefi nepartnerships. partnerships. Justensure ensure you’re notgiving givingsomeone someone be too, you Just you’re wonderful if too, you’re looking forne fresh input. December is a month ofnot attraction, and can be aversion as you redefi partnerships. Just ensure you’re giving someone toomuch much power pedestals canalso alsobebecastles castles theair. air. else too power – –pedestals can ininthe beelse aversion too, as you redefi ne partnerships. Just ensure else too much power – pedestals can also be castles in theyou’re air. not giving someone else too much power – pedestals can also be castles in the air.

44 4 4

CANCER June June22 22- -July July23 23 CANCER CANCER June 22 July 23are Lookslike likeyou’ve you’vegot got somework work-to do.There There aretwo twoways waysofofgoing going Looks some do. CANCER June 22 - toJuly 23are Looks like you’ve got some work to do. There two ways of going aboutit.it.You Youcan canget getallallﬁred firedupupand andthrow throwyourself yourselftotally totallyinto intothe the task. That’s fineif if about task. That’s ﬁne

you’ve gotthrow someyourself work to totally do. There are two ways of going about it. You canLooks get alllike fimotivated. red up and into the task.breaking That’s fithe ne youhave have trouble getting motivated. Oryou youyourself canconstantly constantly chip away, breaking theififload load you trouble getting Or can chip away, about it. You can getting get all fimotivated. red up andOr throw totally into the task.breaking That’s fithe ne you have trouble you can constantly chip away, load down intotrouble smaller manageable chunks. Each day willappear appear lessdaunting, daunting, andyou’ll you’ll down into smaller manageable chunks. Each day it itwill less and you have getting motivated. Or you can constantly chip away, breaking the load down into smaller chunks.and Each day it will appear less daunting, and you’ll begetting getting betteratmanageable attime timemanagement management and effi ciency. The second way willbebebetter better be better efﬁ ciency. The second way will forfor down into smaller manageable chunks.and Each day it will appear less daunting, and you’ll be getting better atthe time management effi ciency. The second way will be better for your health, and sanity of those around you. your health, and the sanity of those around you. be getting better at time management and effi ciency. The second way will be better for your health, and the sanity of those around you. your health, and the sanity of those around you.

55 5 5

LEO July July24 24- -August August23 23 LEO LEO July 24can - August 23upupwith Sometimes ourlives lives can getsosotangled tangled withobligations obligationsand and Sometimes our get LEO July 24can - August 23up with Sometimes our lives get so tangled obligations and concernsthat thatwe weforget forgetwhat whatliving livingisisfor. for.You Youknow knowthat thatsituation situation andwant want out.This This concerns – –and out.

Sometimes ourliving livesiscan get tangled up with obligations and concerns thatprovide we forget for. Yousoknow that situation – andwith want out. This weekshould should provide escape route, meaning that you’re swimming with the tide week ananwhat escape route, meaning that you’re swimming the tide concerns thatprovide we forget what living is for. You know that situation – andwith want out. week should an escape route, meaning that you’re swimming the tideThis rathershould thanagainst against Therefore it’simportant important drop preconceptions - remember the rather than it.it.an Therefore it’s totothat drop preconceptions -with remember the week provide escape route, meaning you’re swimming the tide rather than against Therefore it’s important dropapreconceptions -my remember the wisewords words Markit. Twain. Hesaid, said, worriedto about alotlotofofthings thingsininmy life– –90% 90% wise ofofMark Twain. He ‘I ‘Iworried about life ofof rather than against it. Therefore it’s important to dropa preconceptions - remember the wise words of Mark Twain. He said, ‘I worried about lot of things in my life – 90% of which neverhappened’. happened’. which never wise words Mark Twain. He said, ‘I worried about a lot of things in my life – 90% of which neverofhappened’. which never happened’.

66 6 6

VIRGO August August24 24- -September September23 23 VIRGO VIRGO August 24 - September 23ofofaaNew Rightatatthe thebase base yoursolarscope, solarscope, thelaser laserlike likebeams beams NewMoon Moon Right ofofyour the VIRGO August 24 - September 23of a New Right at the base of your solarscope, the laser like beams Moon cutthrough throughyour yourpersonal personalfoundation foundationstones. stones.How Howgrounded groundeddodoyou youfeel feelininyour yourcurrent current cut

Right at thefoundation base of your solarscope, the laserdolike a New Moon cut through your personal stones. How grounded youbeams feel inofyour current environment? Who canyou you reallyrely rely your deepest and even darkest moments? environment? Who can really ononininyour deepest and even darkest moments? cut through your personal foundation stones. Howdeepest grounded doeven youdarkest feel in your current environment? Who can you really rely on in your and moments? Areyou youbeing beingWho nurtured, yourely oweyourself yourself some favors? These arethe the kindofof Are nurtured, orordodo you owe favors? are kind environment? can you really in yoursome deepest and These even darkest moments? Are you being nurtured, or do you owe on yourself favors? questions you’ll asking, and getting answerssome this week.These are the kind of questions you’ll bebeasking, and getting answers ononthis week. Are you being or and do you owe answers yourself some questions you’llnurtured, be asking, getting on thisfavors? week. These are the kind of questions you’ll be asking, and getting answers on this week.

77 7 7

LIBRA September September24 24- -October October23 23 LIBRA LIBRA September 24 - October 23 Youare areheading heading intoa abusy busyand andproductive productive timearound around You into time LIBRA September 24 October 23 You are heading into a busy and productive time communications, meetings andnegotiations. negotiations. Mercury, Mars andaround Plutoallallmoving movinginto into communications, meetings and Mercury, Mars and Pluto

You are heading into a busy and productive time aroundall moving into communications, meetings and Mercury, and yourhome homeand andfamily family zone, arenegotiations. suggestingthat that thingsMars could getPluto rather hectic the your zone, are suggesting things could get rather hectic ononthe communications, meetings and negotiations. Mercury, Mars and Pluto all moving into your home and family zone, are suggesting that things could get rather hectic on the domestic front. Somehow you’ll have to factor work demands in with this. But if you domestic front. Somehow you’ll have to factor work demands in with this. But if you your homefront. and Somehow family zone, arehave suggesting that things could get rather hectic the domestic you’ll to really factor work demands insome with this. But ifonyou cangrab graba atemporary temporary break, thenit itwill will reallyhelp helpyou youachieve achieve some constructive can break, then constructive domestic Somehow you’ll toreally factor work demands with this. But if you can grab afront. temporary break, thenhave itand will help you achieveinsome constructive conclusions regarding the home family situations. conclusions regarding the home and family situations. can grab a temporary thenand it will really help you achieve some constructive conclusions regarding break, the home family situations. conclusions regarding the home and family situations.

SCORPIO SCORPIO 88 SCORPIO SCORPIO 8 8

October24 24- -November November22 22 October

October 24from - November 22now, Youcan canbebeseeing seeingthings things verymuch much from yourown ownviewpoint viewpoint now, You very your October 24 - November 22now, You be seeing verywhen much from your own viewpoint andforfora avery verygood goodcan reason. Therethings aretimes times when we have greater self-awareness, and reason. There are we have a agreater self-awareness, You can be seeing things very much from your own viewpoint now, and for anecessarily very good being reason. There are times when wesh’. have greater self-awareness, without beingwhat what you might brand ‘selfi sh’. It’saamore more matter knowing without you might brand ‘selﬁ It’s a amatter ofofknowing and for necessarily a necessarily very goodbeing reason. There are times when wesh’. have greater self-awareness, without what youswayed, might brand ‘selfi It’sby more a matter ofyou. knowing your own direction, and not being swayed, or manipulated, by others around you. your own direction, and not being or manipulated, others around without necessarily being what you might brand ‘selfi sh’. It’s more a matter of knowing your own direction, and not swayed, or manipulated, by others around you. When faced withmatters matters choice, youultimately ultimately havetotocome come back what right When faced with ofofbeing choice, you have back totowhat isisright your own direction, and not being swayed, or manipulated, by others around you. When faced choice, you ultimately have to come back to what is rightand foryou. you. Thewith Newmatters Moonisof is also providing practical material focus around finances and for The New Moon also providing a apractical material focus around ﬁnances When faced with matters of choice, you ultimately have to come back to what is right for you. Theforfor New Moon is also providing a practical material focus around finances and purchases December. purchases December. for you. TheforNew Moon is also providing a practical material focus around finances and purchases December. purchases for December.

SAGITTARIUS SAGITTARIUS 9 SAGITTARIUS 99 SAGITTARIUS 9

November23-December 23-December21 21 November

November 23-December 21 Theseeds seedsofoforiginal originalinitiatives initiatives arefertilized fertilizedbyby theDecember DecemberNew New The are the November 23-December 21 seeds ofstarting original initiativesup, are fertilized bycould the December New Moon.If Ifyou’re you’reThe thinking of something up, your timing could hardly be better. It’s Moon. thinking of starting something your timing hardly be better. It’s The seeds of original initiativesup, areyour fertilized by the December New It’s Moon. Ifideal you’re thinking of starting something timing could hardly bemoving better. also an ideal time for travel, or laying out the itinerary, early this week. Mars moving into also an time for travel, or laying out the itinerary, early this week. Mars into Moon. If you’re thinking of starting something up, your timing could hardly be better. It’s also idealhouse time for travel, or of laying out theisitinerary, early thisplenty week. youran money house therest rest ofDecember December isliable liabletoto provide plentyofMars offive fivemoving aroundinto your money forfor the provide around also an idealhouse time for or of laying out theisitinerary, early thisplenty week. into your money fortravel, theThe rest December liable to provide ofMars five moving around money and possessions. The downside can be the impulse that accompanies thefire fire money and possessions. downside can be the impulse that accompanies the your money house for theThe restdownside of December is liable to provide plenty of five around money and possessions. can be the impulse that accompanies the fi re planet,when when comestotocurbing curbing desireand andimmediate immediate gratifi cation. planet, it itcomes desire gratifi cation. money and possessions. The downside can be the impulse accompanies the fire planet, when it comes to curbing desire and immediate gratifithat cation. planet, when it comes to curbing desire and immediate gratification.

0 00 0

CAPRICORN December December22 22- -January January20 20 CAPRICORN CAPRICORN December 22the -theJanuary 20 Ifyou’ve you’vefelt feltlike likeyou’ve you’vebeen been swimmingagainst against tidelately lately- you’re - you’re IfCAPRICORN swimming tide December 22 January 20 felt like you’ve swimming lately - from you’rethe probably right Ifinyou’ve that assumption. But been motivating Mars against moving the intotide Capricorn

88 2 22 8 8 2 66 6 6 11 1 1 8 8 8 8

probably right inIfthat assumption. But motivating Mars moving into Capricorn from the you’ve felt like you’ve been swimming againstinto theCapricorn tide latelyfrom - you’re probably righttotoinswing that assumption. motivating Marsway. moving the 8thisisabout about swing thataround aroundinBut ina avery verypro-active pro-active way. Schedule talksorormeetings meetings 8th that Schedule talks probably right in that assumption. But motivating Mars moving into Capricorn from the 8th is about to swing that aaround in a very pro-active way. talks or meetings where youhope hope make adifference, difference, toward theﬁrst first halfSchedule ofthis thisweek. week. That’s when where you totomake toward the half of That’s when 8th is about to swing that aaround in a very pro-active way. Schedule talks or meetings where you hope to make difference, toward the fi rst half of this week. That’s when communicative Mercury penetrating Plutohelp help make theconvincing convincing speaker, communicative Mercury and penetrating Pluto make you the speaker, where you hopeMercury to makeand aand difference, toward rst halfyou ofyou this That’sspeaker, when communicative Plutothe helpfiand make theweek. convincing capableofofswaying swaying others yourown ownviewpoints viewpoints andpurpose. purpose. capable others totopenetrating your communicative Mercury and penetrating Pluto help make you the convincing speaker, capable of swaying others to your own viewpoints and purpose. capable of swaying others to your own viewpoints and purpose.

AQUARIUS AQUARIUS - AQUARIUS -AQUARIUS -

January21 21- -February February19 19 January

January 21 - February Scientistscan candebate debatethe the existenceofoftelepathy telepathy prophetic19 dreams, Scientists existence ororprophetic dreams, 21 - February 19 Scientists can debate theJanuary existence of telepathy or prophetic dreams, butyou youknow knowthey they exist. We simply don’t have answers on everything. The people who but exist. We simply don’t have answers on everything. The people who Scientists cansimply debatedon’t the have existence of telepathy or prophetic dreams, but they exist. We answers on everything. The people youyou areknow attracting around you noware arethe the likeminded mindedwho who areononyour your path. Keepwho you are attracting around you now like are path. Keep but you know they exist. We simply don’t have answers on everything. The people who you are you nowofof are the like minded who are on your path. Keepwill open this,and andtoaround tothe theprospect prospect joining groups organizations, teamwork will open totoattracting this, joining groups orororganizations, asasteamwork you are attracting around you now are the groups like minded who are on your path. Keep open toyou this, and the prospect of can joining oronon organizations, as teamwork will takeyou now.to Farther thanyou you canpossibly possibly yourown. own.Social Social invitations may take farfarnow. Farther than gogo your invitations may open to this, and to the prospect of joining groups or organizations, as teamwork will take you far now. Farther than you can possibly go on your own. Social invitations may also hold a fated quality about them – and lead to the right connection. also hold a fated quality about them – and lead to the right connection. take hold you far now.quality Fartherabout than them you can possibly onright yourconnection. own. Social invitations may also a fated – and lead togothe also hold a fated quality about them – and lead to the right connection.

PISCES PISCES = PISCES = PISCES = =

February20 20- -March March20 20 February

February 20 - Places March 20 Thiscan canbebea avery very publictime timeforfor you. Placestotogo, go,people peopletotomeet meet– – This public you. - Places March 20 This canpervading be a veryFebruary public time for20 you. tokind go, meet – thatkind kindofofenergy energy pervading your solarscope. And it’s the kind offocus focusto that you it’sit’sthat your solarscope. And it’s the ofpeople that you This can be a very public time for you. Places to go, people to meet – it’s that kind of energycareer pervading your solarscope. And it’s the kind of focus that you can use in achieving career related objectives too. The ancient zodiacal area of honor, can use in achieving related objectives too. The ancient zodiacal area of honor, it’s that kind of energycareer pervading your solarscope. And it’s the kind of focus that you can use in achieving related objectives too. The ancient zodiacal area of honor, status and reputationcareer Pisces highlyactive. active. The December NewMoon Moon can spell status and reputation forforPisces isishighly The December New can spell can use in reputation achieving related objectives too. The ancient zodiacal area of spell honor, status and Pisces is highly active. The December New Moon freshstarts starts here,and andfor status changes. And withMercury, Mercury, Marsand andPluto Pluto your social fresh here, status changes. And with Mars allallcan your social status and reputation for Pisces is highly active. The December New Moon can spell fresh starts here, and status changes. And with Mercury, Mars and Pluto all your social house newfriendships friendships maycome comeout outofAnd ofit.it.with Mercury, Mars and Pluto all your social house new may fresh starts here, and status changes. house new friendships may come out of it. house new friendships may come out of it.

ByEd EdTamplin Tamplin| |(02) (02)95341081 95341081| |www.edtamplin.com www.edtamplin.com By By Ed Tamplin | (02) 95341081 | www.edtamplin.com By Ed Tamplin | (02) 95341081 | www.edtamplin.com

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