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SEPTEMBER 29, 2011 • VOL 2, ISSUE 11

Melbourne City Newspaper

All eyes on the ball!

MCN’s Giveaways

This week Melbourne sets the stage!

Fringe Giveaways Galore! - pages 6 - 8

Whether it’s getting ready for Footy Fever at this year’s Saturday Grand Final, delving into Fringe performances - this issue is crammed with exciting happenings that are ready to make your week the best ever!

inside

Photo: Slattery Group

Undies for the Aussie Bloke - page 2

plus

Travel Melbourne by bike - page 15

Contortionist festival

page 8

Chocolate vs Coffee

page 10

Millinery Magic

page 5

Creative play for kids - page 9 Dancing out against rascism - page 13

MCN LOCAL NEWS

SEPTEMBER 29, 2011 • VOL 2, ISSUE 11

MCN Melbourne City Newspaper

Photo: CreativeCommons/David Jackmanson

APPROX: 65,000 COPIES MONTHLY Results of CAB Audit September-March 2011

Editor-in-Chief: Paul McLane Editorial: Dione Joseph Editorial Co-ordinator: Karl Shami Marketing & Media Manager: Heather Bloom Designer: Matt Hocking Marketing: Pummi Sooden, Abigail Chia, Neha Doshi Photographer: AP Guru Production Manager: Lisa Stathakis Publisher: Paras Australia Pty Ltd Distributor: Arrow Distribution and Private Distribution

CONTACT Toll free: 1300 80 40 33 Website: www.mc-news.com.au Postal Address: PO Box 582 Collins St West, VIC 8007 Address: 416-420 Basement Collins St, Melbourne CBD 3000 Next Issue on: 6 October, 2011 (Published every Thursday) Advertising: marketing@mc-news.com.au Events Listings: events@mc-news.com.au Freelance submissions: mail@mc-news.com.au General inquiries/feedback: info@mc-news.com.au

Disclaimer MC NEWS and web MC-NEWS. com.au due care in the preparation of the publication but is not responsible or liable for any mistakes, omissions or misprints. MC NEWS prints advertisements provided to the publisher, but gives no warranty and makes no representation as to the truth or accuracy of any description and accepts no liability for any loss suffered by any person who relies on any statement contained herein. MC NEWS reserves the right to refuse, abbreviate or delete any advertisement at any time. Advertisements are responsible for advertising copy by virtue of the Trades Practices Act and advertisements are published in good faith. All logos and trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Images are for illustrative purposes only.

Locals inspect the damage after the flooding in Brisbane

Flood victims blame house developments

lood victims have blamed recent housing developments for exacerbating the tragedy north of Brisbane earlier this year. Caboolture resident Lola Worthington and Juleia (Juleia) Murray, of Burpengary, have told the Queensland Floods Commission of Inquiry they believed the housing developments worsened the flooding. Ms Murray said the property she shared with her husband had been inundated four times in the past two years, despite a pre-purchase flood search of

the property showing no such events had been recorded there previously. Ms Worthington said she knew her local area had been flooded five times in the 1980s and 1990s but the water behaved differently this year. “We were getting hit from three different directions,” she told the inquiry on Monday. In her written statement to the inquiry, Ms Worthington said she believed the “massive amount of landfill” used in surrounding housing developments and the low position

Police bans won’t affect AFL night: chief

olice work bans will have no impact on Saturday’s AFL grand final celebrations, Victoria’s police chief says. Acting Chief Commissioner Ken Lay said Friday’s work bans by police would not affect policing of the grand final celebrations in Victoria. “I’m absolutely confident that we’ll have the number of resources we need both in the city and Geelong on Saturday night,” he told reporters in Melbourne on Monday. “The police ban will have absolutely no impact at all on how we police the grand final.

“We believe we’ve got the right numbers to deal with any contingency. “The police bans aren’t impacting in any way, shape or form on our rostering.” Police Minister Peter Ryan also said the police union bans would not affect policing of grand final celebrations on Saturday night. “We don’t believe there will be a problem,” he said. The Police Association is stepping up its industrial campaign over a pay dispute with the government with work bans starting on Friday. -AAP

of the nearby Bruce Highway, which she believed acted like a dam, had contributed to the flooding. Moreton Bay Council director of engineering and construction Anthony Martini said a report had shown the highway had contributed to flooding in the area, but the Department of Main Roads did not plan to upgrade that section until at least 2019. However, he said studies had shown developments in the area would have little impact on flooding. -AAP

Photo: CreativeCommons/Tim Moreillon

Jnr MasterChef ratings drop from last year

en’s Junior MasterChef didn’t quite get off to the great start it did with its premiere a year ago. The children’s version of the reality cooking show juggernaut premiered its second season on Sunday night with 1.129 million viewers and was the fifth most-watched show of the evening. The show did top its 7.30pm timeslot on Sunday, beating Nine’s 60 Minutes (1.113 million and sixth place), Seven’s

Wildboys (1.103 million and seventh spot) and ABC1’s Grand Designs (837,000 and ninth place). However, a little over 12 months ago the show premiered with 2.2 million viewers and easily topped the rankings for the night. Instead Sunday night’s ratings were topped by Nine’s crime franchise Underbelly Razor which had 1.397 million viewers. News and current affairs

programs continued to rate well with Seven news in second spot with 1.319 million, Seven’s Sunday Night in third with 1.304 million and Nine news in fourth position with 1.154 million. The other programs in the top 10 both belonged to Nine with reality cop show RBT in eighth place with 906,000 and the premiere of new US drama Person of Interest in tenth spot with 791,000 viewers. -AAP

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Steve Johnson gets a helping hand from Joel Selwood

Cats’ smooth ride no AFL grand final edge

eelong key forward James Podsiadly says the Cats don’t have an advantage over their AFL grand final opponents Collingwood despite their contrasting preliminary final victories. While the Cats cruised to a 48-point win over West Coast, the Magpies came from behind and scrambled to a last-ditch three-point victory over Hawthorn in an epic encounter. But Podsiadly says there’s no correlation between the margins and intensity of preliminary finals and grand final winners. “I don’t think its an advantage at all,” he said on Monday in Geelong. “If you look through history there’s probably teams who have just won the prelim final and come up and won

the grand final and teams who have won the prelim final by a heap of goals and have won the grand final. “There’s no difference, I think, but we’re happy with our preparation.” Podsiadly said the possible loss of Steve Johnson to a knee injury would be a big blow to the Cats. But he believed Johnson, who was in a hyperbaric chamber in Melbourne on Monday, would play on Sunday at the MCG. “He’ll do everything he can to get up for the game but I’m confident he will,” Podsiadly said of Johnson. “I think he’s our best forward and to win a grand final you need your best players out there.” -AAP

LOCAL NEWS MCN

SEPTEMBER 29, 2011 • VOL 2, ISSUE 11

the revelations, leaked to the blog coupfourandahalf.com, appear to indicate the airline is working to support the regime, which seized power in a 2006 coup. He said Qantas, as a major shareholder, had a responsibility to clarify Air Pacific’s role in devising the decree. “As a major shareholder, Qantas can’t been seen to be condoning such behaviour of Air Pacific management and it needs to make its position clear,” Mr Anthony told AAP on Monday. “Due to its connection, it has both a moral and a social responsibility to workers in Fiji to explain whether it will accept this behaviour or not, and if not, what it will do about it.” Qantas has not returned calls, but according to the Pacific Islands Report it has indicated it wants no involvement in the matter, saying it is for Air

Pacific to respond to. The new law, the Essential National Industries Employment Decree, severely limits a worker’s ability to protest unfair conditions without a permit, and unions can be fined up to US$56,000 for encouraging any “illegal” behaviour. The government argues the decree will make workplaces more efficient and will not exploit workers. Mr Anthony said it was an “awful backwards step for the people” and showed “utter disrespect towards Fijian workers and their rights to collective bargaining.” “It’s terribly sad, really, and the problem is we can’t see an end to it,” he said. The regime led by Commodore Frank Bainimarama has taken a number of steps to curtail public freedoms since gaining power five years ago. -AAP

Photo: CreativeCommons/Gavin Tapp

antas is under pressure to explain why its Fijian affiliate Air Pacific appears to be actively supporting Fiji’s military regime. Documents leaked to a blog site show Air Pacific, in which Qantas has a 46 per cent share, has paid a US legal firm $US24,000 to draft a government decree that limits union influence. The document shows Air Pacific’s chief executive David Pflieger commissioned the New York company Milbank, Tweed, Hadley and McCloy earlier this year. The decree was revealed by the Fijian regime earlier this month and has proved deeply unpopular with local and international unions and human rights organisations, who say it violates international conventions. Fiji’s Trades Union Congress leader Felix Anthony says

Dawn O’Neil with her Son, and Australian of the Year Pat McGorry

beyondblue chief quits

he chief executive of beyondblue, a national non-profit initiative to combat depression, has quit after just eight months in the job. beyondblue (beyondblue) provided no explanation for Dawn O’Neil’s decision, which chairman Jeff Kennett announced on Monday. A spokeswoman refused to comment on whether Ms O’Neil’s resignation was related to comments made by Mr Kennett in a newspaper opinion piece earlier this month. Citing For Kids’ Sake research commissioned by the Australian Christian Lobby, Mr Kennett said the best environment in which to raise a child is a stable, loving marriage between a man and a woman. His comments provoked anger in the gay and lesbian community. beyondblue is preparing to launch a campaign around

February or March next year to address the impact discrimination can have on the mental health of gay, lesbian and transgender people. The organisation has allocated about $1.3 million to research on mental health and the gay and lesbian community. After the article was published, Ms O’Neil moved to distance the organisation from Mr Kennett’s views. She said evidence showed it was the quality of parenting that makes a difference to children’s mental health, not the gender of parents or their marital status. Children who have a close relationship with their parents, whether they be of the same sex or opposite sex, adjust better to school and other social situations, Ms O’Neil said. “Jeff ’s fairly clear, that’s his personal view, he’s allowed that. Different board members might have different personal

views at different times,” she told AAP last week. “I just hope that the (gay and lesbian) community knows that the organisation is very, very supportive of them and doing all that we can to fight discrimination ... and further a greater understanding in the community.” Ms O’Neil resigned on Friday and the board accepted her resignation, Mr Kennett said in a statement on Monday. Friday will be her last day at beyondblue. “The board thanks Dawn for what she has achieved while with us and wishes her well in the future,” Mr Kennett said. Deputy chief executive Clare Shann was appointed acting chief executive. “The board and the executive team will work with Clare in completing the reorganisation of beyondblue, before we seek our next CEO,” Mr Kennett said. -AAP

Photo: CreativeCommons/Stuart Sevastos

Qantas called to explain Fiji decree Q

Qantas is under pressure to respond to accusations it has been indirectly funding a military regime in Fiji

Forestry payout cap a ‘rip off’: Abbott

move to cap payouts to contractors under the Tasmanian intergovernmental agreement is yet another rip off, federal opposition leader Tony Abbott says. Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Tasmanian Premier Lara Giddings last month signed the $276 million deal, which includes the protection of 430,000 hectares of native forests, and $45 million to help struggling contractors leave the

industry. The federal government is reportedly considering capping the money contractors can receive at $1 million. Mr Abbott said that would be unfair. “I think it’s important that any deal that government does has got to be honoured, and it’s got to be fairly honoured,” he told reporters in northern Tasmania on Monday. “The idea that there can be

yet another rip off of the forestry industry strikes me as quite wrong.” Mr Abbott said his party was still opposed to the agreement. “The Coalition is dead against paying people to get out of work,” he said. “We think if there’s any government money involved, it should be going to keep people in work or to create jobs, not to close them down.”

MCN WORLD NEWS

SEPTEMBER 29, 2011 • VOL 2, ISSUE 11

Gases provide clues to origin of earth

Photo: CreativeCommons/Joe Crimmings

US President Barack Obama

Israel policy may not move US Jewish vote A

merica’s obstruction of a Palestinian statehood drive at the UN has left President Barack Obama facing charges he watered down his Middle East peace push to appease disgruntled Jewish voters. But polling data and electoral history suggests that American Jews do not make a president’s relations with Israel a litmus test for their vote and seem unlikely to desert Democrats for conservative Republicans in the 2012 election. Still, experts say, Obama campaign aides, worried about any lost votes in what is shaping up as a close election, will be loathe to see the president spend more of his diminished political capital on a moribund peace process. Obama’s relationship with Jewish voters - a key Democratic voting bloc - has been in the spotlight as his White House feuded with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and pressured Israel on issues like settlements. Circumstantial evidence suggests he has paid a political price. In 2008, Obama captured 78 per cent of the Jewish vote and by the time of his inauguration, his approval rating with the community was 83 per cent. But his approval in the community had tumbled to just 54 per cent by September, according to a recent Gallup poll. A recent Republican victory in a fiercely Democratic district of New York where critics slammed Obama for “disparaging” Israel, left conservatives

scenting an opening with Jewish voters. “Don’t even think about throwing Israel under the bus,” said a Jewish voter in an internet ad run by the Republican Jewish Coalition after the election. In a Wall Street Journal opin-

“In 2008, Obama captured 78 per cent of the Jewish vote and by the time of his inauguration, his approval rating with the community was 83 per cent.” ion piece, commentator Dan Senor said Obama was “losing the Jewish Vote” because of the “most consistently one-sided diplomatic record against Israel of any American president in generations.” And internet news pioneer Matt Drudge splashed: “Revenge of the Jews.” Democratic leaders argued the race, in which conservative orthodox Jewish voters were prominent did not carry national implications. But Republican 2012 challengers sought to fan Jewish discontent with Obama: Texas governor Rick Perry accused him of appeasing Palestinians. So when Obama said last week at the UN that the US bond with Israel “is unbreakable,” after vowing to veto the

Palestinian statehood bid, some observers saw outside motivations. “Now is the time in which foreign policy makes way for domestic policy. Palestine-out; the Jewish voters in America-in,” said a commentary in the Israeli Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper. The White House said the veto threat was purely motivated by a belief that UN recognition will not bring a true Palestinian state, which can only be defined by negotiations with Israel, any closer. The case that Israel policy is hurting Obama among Jews especially, is undermined by the fact that many demographic groups, not just Jews, are souring on Obama, including another key Democratic constituency, Hispanic voters. And at 54 pe rcent, Obama is at least 10 points more popular with Jewish voters, than he is among Americans as a whole. Exit polls in 2008 suggested only around two per cent of voters nationwide are Jewish. However, in vital swing states like Florida and Pennsylvania they could wield disproportionate power in hard-fought counties, so Obama aides will be wary of alienating even a small sample of voters. “You have to neutralise as many of the possible negatives as you can,” said Daniel Levy of the New America Foundation, who argues Obama is now in a political box on Israel. Jeremy Ben-Ami, president of J-Street, a liberal pro-Israel group, said Obama’s aides may have drawn wrong conclusions.

“The idea that Jews are somehow fleeing in terms of their votes or their approval or support from Obama because of Israel -- that is simplistic.” “Unfortunately, I think that the way in which the Obama administration is approaching policy on this issue, is affected by their belief that they do have a problem.” A Gerstein poll for J-Street in 2010, suggested Israel was well down the list of concerns for Jewish voters, with only 7 per cent naming it as their top

“Unfortunately, I think that the way in which the Obama administration is approaching policy on this issue, is affected by their belief that they do have a problem.” - Jeremy Ben-Ami issue, compared to 62 per cent motivated by the economy. Ben-Ami also warned Obama aides may be overly influenced by powerful pro-Israeli lobby groups that he said do not reflect the entirety of American Jewish opinion. Netanyahu has also forged strong links with conservative Republicans, further constraining Obama’s room for manoeuvre. -AAP

alty water and gases sucked from the atmosphere may have been partly responsible for the formation of the earth, a study has found. The international team of scientists says inert gases trapped inside the earth’s interior reveal vital clues into how it formed as well as the evolution of the oceans and atmosphere. “Our findings throw into uncertainty a recent conclusion that gases throughout the earth were solely delivered by meteorites crashing into the planet,” lead author Dr Mark Kendrick from the University of Melbourne said in a statement. The team found that atmospheric gases were mixed into the mantle inside the earth’s interior during the process called subduction when tectonic plates collide and submerge underneath volcanoes. “This finding is important because it was previously believed that inert gases inside the earth had primordial origins and were trapped during the formation of the solar system.” Scientists recently suggested that most of the world’s gases came from meteorites because the composition of neon in the earth’s mantle is very similar to that in meteorites. “Our study suggests a more complex history in which gases

were also dissolved into the earth while it was still covered by a molten layer during the birth of the solar system.” Dr Hendrick said it was previously thought the gases escaped during the eruption of volcanoes.

“Our findings throw into uncertainty a recent conclusion that gases throughout the earth were solely delivered by meteorites crashing into the planet” “The new study shows this is not entirely true and the gases released from earth’s interior have not faithfully preserved the fingerprint of solar system formation.” The researchers collected serpentine rocks from mountain belts in Italy and Spain. The rocks were formed on the sea floor and were partly subducted into the earth’s interior before being uplifted to their current positions by the collision of the European and African plates. The findings have been published in the journal Nature Geoscience. -AAP

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feature story MCN

SEPTEMBER 29, 2011 • VOL 2, ISSUE 11

Melbourne’s Milliners’ tale

nce a “lost art,” the Melbourne fashion industry is bringing back the sophisticated style of hand crafted millinery masterpieces. No longer reserved for the queen during royal ceremonies, hats are an essential item for any wardrobe. Whether you’re covering a bad hair day or keeping the sun off your face, a well-made hat is the perfect accessory for any outfit. Two of Melbourne’s most respected milliners Peter Jago and Annette Sanfilippo share their wisdom and their fashion tips for the upcoming Spring Carnival. The owner of the largest private collection of hats in the world, Peter Jago is more than a collector; he is a connoisseur of the art of millinery. A national treasure, and a Melbourne icon, Jago has been designing hats to

adorn the heads of the country’s biggest and brightest stars since his first apprenticeship under head milliner for the Australian Opera, Vera Goleidge. After launching his own line of couture hats in 1986, Peter Jago Exclusive Hats, Jago was appointed at Harpers Bazzar where he helped to reintroduce the fashion world to the beauty and the brilliance of great millinery. Credited for re-introducing millinery courses back into the education system, Jago’s flamboyant style and incredible pieces have taken him around the world, and he has received three national grants and one international award for his creations. In 2003 Jago received the highest honor by being inducted into the Australian Millinery hall of fame. Of his works Jago says, “It’s very witty,

Photo: Millinery Magic

By Heather Bloom

Annette Sanfilippo

all my hats have names. I think they have a personality for the woman or client I’m fitting for.” Regarded as “The King of Hats” during the 1980s, Jago fondly remembers “the glamorous days when women would arrive in their Bentleys driven by a Chauffeur and finish the last sip of champagne before they alighted.” This is what Jago creates, a time and space where hats were

“You have to take a fascinator seriously these days. Milliners make headwear, and fascinators are headwear. They can be amazing, they can be art.” Photo: Millinery Magic

- Annette Sanfilippo the epitome of elegance and sophistication. The man who confesses “My life is a theatrical production”, has helped bring a bit of theatre into every spring carnival to date, and with a soon

Peter Jago fits one of his creations

Now you can be

to be released collaboration with MIMCO, Jago’s King of fashion status reigns supreme. Former school-teacher and fascinator champion Annette Sanfilippo is a woman that can’t say no… to a client that is. Her unique and impeccable designs often have her working nonstop for her celebrity customers who flock to her for their glamorous headwear. After working in the fashion industry for 20 years, Sanfilippo found her passion for millinery. “I fell into a creative and marketing events job for an international fashion label, and I saw they had no specific headwear to go with those beautiful garments. They inspired me to take what I was doing at home a little bit further, and I become their inhouse milliner.” Realising the impeccable fashion savvy of the Australian woman, Sanfilippo creates one off pieces for any occasion, tending to produce headwear that is distinctly romantic in its appearance. These lady like designs are created before your very eyes as Sanfilippo mocks up a hat that can be adjusted for any outfit or look you have in mind. Sanfillippo’s on-on-one ap-

proach to serving her clientele is another “lost art” of the modern world. She is someone

“It’s very witty, all my hats have names. I think they have a personality for the woman or client I’m fitting for.” - Peter Jago who respects and cares for her customers and is willing to go to extraordinary lengths to meet their every desire. Since becoming a milliner Sanfilippo hasn’t looked back, (nor has she had the chance to!) and has been creating her signature feminine pieces to the delight of her clients. She warns to avoid disappointment on Cup Day, to “try shopping early,” words of wisdom we should all take to heart. If you’re wondering whether to wear a traditional hat or the modern, and sometimes frowned upon fascinator (I blame Kath & Kim) this Cup Carnival, Sanfilippo has this to say.

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“I feel that people use the word fascinator to look at a fascinator and put it on a lower level than a hat. You have to take a fascinator seriously these days. Milliners make headwear, and fascinators are headwear. They can be amazing, they can be art.” So be wise this Cup Carnival, be prepared, be fashionable and be unique, but most of all don’t call Annette on the day of the race hoping to find the perfect piece. “I’ve never said no to anyone. I’ve had people ring me up on Oaks Day morning at breakfast time. I’ve literally pulled something out of the hatbox.” The bygone era of garterbelts, pill-box hats and impeccable tailoring is coming back into vogue with a vengeance. Ladies who love to dress like ladies rejoice, for the humble hat is more than an accessory. It is a statement, a piece of your personality you can show off to the world in fabulous style. There’s no need to wear your heart on your sleeve, make like the gorgeous creatures who sashay around the Spring Carnival and wear your heart on your head.

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L A S E R H A I R R E M O VA L

MCN EVENTS

Events Calendar For Kids Animated Kitty Cat Kids’ Flicks

Oct 5, 10am-11:30am and 1pm2:30pm Kids Space at the National Gallery of Victoria For more info call: 8662 1555 FREE

Sep 24—Oct 13, 11am-12:30pm ACMI FREE

Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters Pantomime Oct 4 & 6, 10am-1pm Queen Victoria Market For more info call: 9320 5822 Specifically designed for the open air and artsy vibe of the Queen Victoria Market area, this exciting twenty-five minute pantomime engages children of all ages. Shown twice a day on October 4th and October 6th, Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters combines storytelling, song and dance for an original twist on a beloved tale.

Northcote Kids Festival Sept 25 – Oct 9 For more info call: 9556 4440 For more info visit: www. northcotekidsfestival.com.au Over fifty exciting musical and theatrical shows and a myriad of free events are scheduled for the 2011 Northcote Kids Festival. Creative and engaging workshops abound in book illustrating, cake decorating, swing dancing and the art of storytelling amid others, and the Kidswrite competition offers children the chance to have their stories published.

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 for the next issue is Thursday October 4 at 5pm.

Live performance

Picture Plates Workshop

In this workshop at Kids Space the National Gallery of Victoria, kids will study the beautiful colours and intricate designs of china plate artwork. Artists will later talk about the importance of colour in developing an aesthetic. Later kids develop their own style as they decorate a china plate with porcelain markers.

SEPTEMBER 29, 2011 • VOL 2, ISSUE 11

Tailored for the school spring holiday crowd, Animated Kitty Cat Kids’ Flicks at ACMI gives young cat lovers a chance to revel in eight hilarious and endearing animated short films. Headlining the show is The Cat Came Back, an award winning animated short feature based on a classic folk song. Each daily showing begins at 11am. This event is free and open to the public.

Melbourne Fringe Festival The 2011 Melbourne Fringe Festival gives thousands of independent artists here in Melbourne the opportunity to forge connections with other artists, produce collaborative work, and introduce experimental venues to a broad audience. This exciting festival ultimately explores how art and culture both reflect and enhance our society. Performances and programs range from cabaret, circus, comedy, dance, live-art, music, visual arts and theatre, so there is something for everyone to enjoy.

Spring Garden Magic for the Kids Oct 4 - 5, 10am-11:30am Royal Botanic Gardens For more info call: 9252 2429 The Royal Botanic Gardens are fragrant and blooming and kids ages four to eight are welcome to join in the fun at the Ian Potter Foundation Children’s Garden. Youngsters can plant vegetables, dry lavender and hunt for insects on the budding foliage. Supplied materials give kids the chance to create their own garden-inspired artwork. Adult supervision is required.

Festivals Melbourne Circus Festival

Sep 26 - Oct 2 National Circus Centre at Swinburne University For more info visit: www.melbournecircusfestival.com Be a part of Melbourne’s first ever Circus Festival as over sixty contemporary circus troupes from England, Italy, France, and Russia perform world class circus cabaret, acrobatics, highwire, comedy and magic shows. Celebrating the tenth anniversary of the National Institute of Circus Arts, the Melbourne Circus Festival also offers a school holiday program for children with a variety of entertaining workshops, circus performances, movies and games throughout the week.

Fluffy Oct 8, 8pm, The Bendigo Hotel For bookings visit: www.melbournefringe.com.au or call: 9660 9666 Not for the faint-hearted, the Fluffy Freakshow is a menagerie of events that revel in the grotesque and strange. Hosted by local comedian, DJ and magician, Dr El Suavo, the show also features The Misfits Stunt Crew, a ‘Jackass’ style stunt crew and punk bands Fear & Loathing, Fluffy and Raw Spud. Rounding out this amazing show is Sabat Noir, two sisters blending punk and exotica in a belly dancing performance. Embodying the very concept of fringe, this is a must see – for anyone who can handle the shock of The Misfits.

General interest Australian Hip Hop Championship Final Oct 1, 7 - 11pm, Crown Entertainment Complex After months of preliminary competitions spanning across the greater part of Australia, the highly anticipated 2011 Australian Hip Hop Championship Final makes its way to the Crown in Melbourne. Junior and Varsity Crew finalists, along with wildcard favourites, battle for the coveted grand prize and title as Australia’s premier hip hop artists.

Rendered Bones

Mind Games: a mischievous cabaret about mental health Oct 6 - 9 The Butterfly Club, 204 Bank St South Melbourne For more info call: 9660 9666 or visit: www.reverbnation. com/joloth London Time Out’s critics pick of the Edinburgh Fringe. “experimental and captivating” (broadwaybaby.com) “4 stars, a brave piece of cabaret... uses the medium to it’s best” (ThreeWeeks, Edinburgh) Mind Games presents an irreverent take on depression and bi-polar disorder. Written and performed by Jo Loth, the show features a unique combination of original music; from torch songs to ballads to spoofs on opera, country and rap.

For more info visit: www.no-vacancy.com.au/gallery/rendered-bones/ For an informative and fascinating look into the past, come along to artist Joceline Lee’s show ‘Rendered Bones’. Sharing a series of her drawings of rare and extinct specimens from Melbourne Museum’s Invertebrate Palaeontology collection, the exhibition recreates bone structures in exquisite detail using ink and paper. Rendered Bones includes art based on subjects from the ‘no access zone’ in the Museum, giving an exclusive insight for the public from what is otherwise an ‘off limits’ area. The exhibit opens next Monday and can be found at Federation Square’s No Vacancy Project Space as part of the 2011 Melbourne Fringe Festival.

This acclaimed experimental show gives the audience the technological power to rewind, replay and review events from various perspectives on large screens making this ‘whodunnit’ mystery an unpredictable living force of collaboration.

Tom Tom Crew Dance Performance October 4 - 23 Forum Theatre, Melbourne For more info call: 9662 4242 After highly successful tours in Europe and North America, the Tom Tom Crew Dance Performance debuts a revolutionary show in Melbourne. International sensation percussionist Ben Walsh lends a beat in this thrilling acrobatic and hip hop fusion. Beat boxing extraordinaire Tom Thum astounds with a vocal performance like no other.

521 Queensberry St, North Melbourne 23 Sept to 8 Oct, 2011 For bookings visit: www.melbournefringe.com.au or call: 9660 9666 Hot off the success of her previous show, The Play About Nothing, Jessica Marsh returns to the Fringe Festival with a new show, ‘Less than <3 Three, Because I Heart U”. Chronicling the story of Kyle, the last emo, as he gets drawn into the world of hipsters, the show is a satire of the various cliques and trends over the last ten years. Combining traditional stage techniques and AV to recreate the feel of an independent film, Marsh has created yet another unique piece of contemporary theatre for this year’s festival. To win tickets email win@mcnews.com.au with the subject line “Because I Heart U” and your details.

Half-Real: A ‘Whodunnit Murder Mystery’ Sep 28 - Oct 8, 8pm-9:30pm Malthouse Theatre, Southbank For more info call: 9685 5111

Less than <3, Because I Heart U

Mercedes Benz… Awkwardly 27 - 30 Sept, 1, 2, 4 - 8 Oct 9pm, Sunday 5:30pm (60 mins) Revolt Melbourne - Studio 12 Elizabeth St Kensington Tickets: Full $18, Conc. $15, Tightarse Tuesday $15, Group $15. For bookings visit: www.melbournefringe.com.au Ever wondered what it would be like to be a stripper? Hannah Williams strips away the seedy image that most people have of the exotic dancing industry and celebrates the “funny, sad and cringe worthy moments we all endure”. The winner of the 2010 Short and Sweet Cabaret People’s Choice Award, this 50 minute show will have you laughing while challenging your assumptions of strippers. To win tickets email win@mcnews.com.au with the subject line “Mercedes Benz” and your details.

Red Hot Flush! Sept 29, Oct 1 @ 7:30pm, Oct 2 @ 2.30pm Venue: Drill Hall 395 Barkly Street West Footscray Wildly foolish antics of women who look good for their age but should know better! A physical performance revealing a quirky dissonance with all the fun of the fair and all the trouble of getting there! Suitable for the bold, the old, the beautiful and the brave; but all welcome. Directed by Debra Batton with Vivienne Halat, Barb Hubl, Krystyna Kynst, Rachel Morgan, Catherine Mc Mutrie, Carol Keating, Lynne Regan, Deb Lewis and Deb Ball. Red Hot Flush is followed by Dished Up @ 9pm, same venue!

EVENTS MCN

SEPTEMBER 29, 2011 • VOL 2, ISSUE 11

Mystic Bubblegum Oct 4 - 8, 9pm, Saturday 4pm (60 mins) The Workers Club 51 Brunswick St, Fitzroy Tickets: Full $18, Conc. $14 Tightarse Tuesday: $15 Group: $15 For bookings visit: www.melbournefringe.com.au or call: 9660 9666 Fans of electro music and visual spectaculars have had their wishes answered. Toxic Lipstick comes to the Fringe Festival with their sixth electro musical, ‘Mystic Bubblegum’, a visual and musical double-feature spectacle. Following two best friends who embark on an adventure through hyperspace and parallel universes, the musical incorporates original tracks from both local and international electronic artists such as Captain Ahab (USA), Ovenaxx (Japan), and of course, Toxic Lipstick. Ridiculous comedy, visual-pop and plenty of electronic music mingle with themes of puberty, friendship and life itself, in what is sure to be a hit outside the electro scene as well.

Verbatim

Volume

Oct 1, 4 - 8. Tue and Fri 7pm, Wed and Thu 8:15pm, Sat 4:30pm and 8:15pm (60 mins) Trades Hall - Old Council Chambers Tickets: Full $18, Conc. $13, Tightarse Tuesday $12, Preview: $15, Group: $12 For bookings visit: www.melbournefringe.com.au or call: 9660 9666

Melbourne violinist Sarah Curro Presents…. Volume 3 @ The Toff in Town 4th October 8.15pm Volume 4 @ The BMW Edge 21st November 8.15pm For more info visit: www.volumeconcert.com.au

Writers Miranda Harcuort and William Brandt bring a hard hitting show chronicling the aftermath of a homicide. Examining violent crime from the perspective of six people, and chronicling the ripple effect of one young man’s actions, ‘Verbatim’ stays true to its title, with each word in the show coming directly from transcripts of over 30 interviews with convicted murders, their families and the families of murdered victims. Following rave reviews in New Zealand, the UK and the USA, as well as performances to inmates around the world, this will be the first time it has been performed for general audience in Australia.

Close To You Sept 29, 30 and Oct 1, 2, 6-8 8:30pm at Cape Live Upstairs For more info call: 9660 9666

To win tickets email win@mcnews.com.au with the subject line “Mystic Bubblegum” and your details.

realeyes

Sexual Deviancy and the History of Country Music…Revisted Oct 4 - 9, 7pm (60 mins) Revolt Melbourne - Ballroom 12 Elizabeth St Kensington Tickets: Full $15, Conc. $10 Tightarse Tuesday: $5 For bookings visit: www.melbournefringe.com.au or call: 9660 9666 Straight from the Edinburgh Fringe Festival come The Kin F’Kin Hillbillies with an updated version of their hit show. Travis T. Merle and his idiot savant brother, George W. Merle examine the truth behind the glamour of Nashville and take on the heroic myths of the Wild West. The songs cover bizarre themes such as bestiality in the Wild West, gay orgies in S&M clubs with Eminem and songs about sex and disability.

Returning for the 4th year running, Melbourne violinist Sarah Curro returns for the 4th year running to perform her soloviolin show. Showcasing brand new Australian music from some of Australia’s finest music writing talent as well as presenting digital images, film clips, movies and costumes made just for the show. The volume series encourages music writers to diversify outside of their usual genres and will be playing at The Toff in Town on October 4th.

Close To You is a show concerning the impact Karen Carpenter had on a girl in parachute pants, a man in a nighty and a nanna with chops. Sometimes sharing a house is just too close to home. Written by Meg Pee with Dan Violato on drums.

Sept 28 - 30, Oct 1, 8pm, Saturday 2pm and 8pm (75 mins) Chapel Off Chapel, 12 Little Chapel St, Prahran Tickets: Full $25, Conc. $15 For bookings visit: www.melbournefringe.com.au or call: 9660 9666 Embracing the ideals of the fringe festival, realeyes is a portrayal of lives lived through the experience of disability. An ensemble group of eight actors with intellectual disability explore themes surrounding those with disabilities in a poignant manner. The rollercoaster theatre company was founded in 2006 after graduates of the Ignition Theatre training course (the only accredited theatre training course for people with intellectual disabilities in the country) found limited opportunities in theatre. Now, five years later, the company is putting on an emotional performance at Chapel Off Chapel. To win tickets email win@mcnews.com.au with the subject line “realeyes” and your details.

Marek Platek: The Adventures in the Blue Lycra Suit 29, 30 Sept and Oct 1, 2, 6 - 9 7.30pm, Donkey Wheel House, 673 Bourke Street Tickets: Full $15, Conc. $12 For bookings visit: www.melbournefringe.com.au or call: 9660 9666 Marek Platek is ready to bring his chiselled good looks to the Fringe Festival. Well, according to him at least. With a blue Lycra suit, plenty of drug abuse references and an alter ego named Domestos, Platek is bringing his unique brand of comedy and you can catch him at the Donkey Wheel House.

108 Smith St, Collingwood VIC 3066 Tel: 9417 7007 dine@pashas-melbourne.com.au Trading hours: 10.00 AM - 10.00 PM 7 days

Breakfast, lunch & dinner www.pashas-melbourne.com.au Facebook: Pashaʼs Melbourne

MCN OUT & ABOUT

SEPTEMBER 29, 2011 • VOL 2, ISSUE 11

Twisted new ways of thinking By Heather Bloom

propriately, bending their stuff. The festival, which is bringing the largest variety of contortionists into Melbourne from

“Contortion techniques have been taught behind closed doors and their secrets haven’t been available to the general public until now.” both local and international companies, includes medical mystery Christine Danton, the South Australian woman who has been contorting her body into impossible positions since she was 16 years old. Now at 67, Danton is the oldest working contortionist in the world. With the spine of a woman half her age, Danton is followed by a team of doctors marvelling at her strength and flexibility. “Christine has proven just because you’re older doesn’t mean you’re less flexible. She

never stops and is such an inspiration to me; she has such an inspiring story”, says McQueen. The Australian Contortion Festival is also offering workshops for the aspiring cont or t i on i s t amongst us, with all levels of flexibility and experience welcome. “People are coming from all different levels and backgrounds, from former gymnasts and dancers to people with limited flexibility. Our courses cater for anyone who’s interested to those who want to take their contortion skills to the next level”, says McQueen. The festival has grown from last year’s event in Coffs Harbour to the huge (dare I say) circus it has become. With appreciative Melbourne audiences set to pack out venues, the circus industry is booming and McQueen is doing everything possible to keep it that way. “This festival was created for contortion, we want to help grow the circus industry, and we want to help it thrive by promoting it on a global scale and getting people to try it for themselves.” Over two nights 15 different contortion and hand-balancing acts will be performed at current Melbourne hot spot and Fringe Festival venue Red Bennies.

Aerialicious

For a chance to win a double pass to The Contortion and Hand-balancing Spectacular held at Red Bennies, please email: win@mc-news.com.au with the subject “Contortion” in the heading and include your full name, address and phone number. Jacinta Rohan

Photo: Tony Brunt

e’ve all dreamt of running away with the circus at some point in our lives. Packing up, throwing away the suit and high heels and spending each day as a travelling gypsy. For many of us this remains an idle dream, but for those unique creatures who take up with the likes of contortionists, fire eaters, clowns and magicians this is life. Fortunately for us, they are bringing their wacky talent to the masses. 2011 will mark a world first in the Australian Contortion Festival history, with Melbournians privy to the first Contortion and Handbalancing Spectacular! Speaking with event organiser Andrew McQueen, he discusses the back bending and mind boggling performances we can expect to see at this year’s festival. In an industry that has often been kept away from prying eyes, contortion techniques have been taught behind closed doors and their secrets haven’t been available to the general public - until now. With circus sports’ popularity on the rise, contortion classes are becoming more common thanks in part to the accessibility of internet videos of performers strutting, or perhaps more ap-

Mim Conyers

FEATURE MCN

SEPTEMBER 29, 2011 • VOL 2, ISSUE 11

Child’s Play By Nicole Chapman

Unstructured play is open ended with unlimited possibilities. Playing with blocks is unstructured play. So is colouring, drawing or painting on blank paper. Deciding how to play with a toy airplane or teddy bear is unstructured play. Inventing a new game is an unstructured activity, as is running around the playground. Generally speaking, when your child is engaging in unstructured play, they are in the process of establishing their own objectives. The more children learn to entertain themselves, the better at it they become. By learning to amuse themselves through the development of their own imagination and creativity, children become better at concentrating on singular tasks as they are not subconsciously looking for the next distraction to entertain them. At first this can be difficult to implement, especially if children have been used to a constant stream of television and other ‘outsourced’

- Joanne E. Oppenheim

entertainment but the more they are encouraged to participate in unstructured play the more motivated they will become to find creative ways in which to entertain themselves.

Spend time watching your child play. By simply watching how your children play and noticing what they are drawn to play with you can gauge the amount of natural confidence and creativity they have when it comes to unstructured activities. It’s not necessary to join in, although that’s possible as long as you don’t try to take over. Allowing children to dictate the outcome of certain play activities is a great way to teach them decision making skills. When children control the flow of play and assign roles, they are learning the importance of creativity and consequence. These skills are far more important to your child’s development than learning to play a game within a set of dictated rules and guidelines.

• Build a cubby house under the dining table using bed sheets and pillows • Play with Play Doh • Build with Lego without using the instructions • Play in the sand pit • Play dress ups • Paint • Collect items from the garden to create an artwork • Allow your child to make pictures out of the clouds • Let your kids use musical instruments however they choose The beauty of unstructured play is that it doesn’t require a big investment in new toys or fancy games. In fact the opposite is true. A visit to the local Spotlight store can see you set up your home as an unstructured play Mecca. Pencils, paint, chalk, blocks, icy-pole sticks, glue, glitter. These are all items you can pick up rather cheaply in an effort to encourage more creative play in your home. The trick is to ensure you don’t get too involved and start to dictate the flow of the activity by suggesting “let’s draw a horse and paint it red”. Let your children learn to be leaders through empowering them with the idea that you trust them to make their own choices, no matter how out there or ‘silly’.

The Power of Daydreaming Daydreaming, like play, is a skill that must be cultivated. When it’s not cultivated and

Photo: Spotlight

What Is Unstructured Play?

“It is not an exaggeration to say that play is as basic to your child’s total development as good food, cleanliness, and rest.”

Unstructured Play Activities

Free play encourages creative developement

kids never learn how to play without rules or think without guidelines they are missing an extremely important part of their early development. Because today’s over-stimulated children are rarely bored, they have never learned to use their imagination to create their own fun. The ability to daydream gives a person the confidence to fill empty time and develop their own ideas and dreams. The majority of the world’s most groundbreaking ideas, be it artistic, scientific or academic, were born from a simple daydream. If you give a bored child no other choice, eventually they will turn to a book, or build a cubby, or pull out the paints and create. But kids need the guidance of parents and teachers if their boredom is to be constructive and lead to creativity. It is better to let your

Photo: Spotlight

oo many children in Australia have given up unstructured playtime in favour of digital babysitters. Sesame Street’s Elmo has coined the term “sometimes foods” for treats such as cakes and lollies. Even the Cookie Monster has become the “sometimes Cookie Monster”. Perhaps it’s high time we did the same when categorising certain digital based play as “sometimes play”. In order to develop socially, emotionally and cognitively, children need an abundance of unstructured, old-fashioned playtime.

Let your inner creativity ooze out

child be bored and learn to create their own fun than to feel you need to constantly be the source of their entertainment.

What about the screen? You wouldn’t allow another adult to spend 3-4 hours a day with your child exposing them to extreme violence, overtly sexual images and obscene profanities, so why is it O.K to passively allow this to happen through unsupervised and inappropriately age rated media? Today’s youths are being bombarded by images that are not suitable for their age group. It’s not news that kids emulate adult behavior; it’s been going on for hundreds of years with traditional role playing using dolls and dress ups. What is new, however, are the types of adult images our kids are being exposed to and in turn mimicking. You just have to turn on any music video show and you will see artists such as Miley Cyrus, whose music is pitched at under sixteens, prancing around practically nude, singing about “getting some”, but because it’s on at 9.30am on a Saturday morning we assume as parents that this is O.K for our six year old to watch. The irresponsible classification of certain toys, music and movies is dragging our kids through what is becoming an alarmingly shorter childhood. This is highlighted by the emergence of the term “tween”. In theory a tween is classified as an adolescent who is no longer a child but not quiet a teen. The problem with this idea is that it was invented by marketers for the sole purpose of being able to pitch adult like products to young children. A tween used to be defined as a child between the

ages of ten and thirteen. Now the tween-a-sphere has expanded to include children (mostly little girls) as young as six and seven. These ‘tweens’ have everything from lacey knickers to mobile phones aimed at them by companies trying expand their market share. The same theory works for the boys as well. How is it that a PG 13+ classified movie such as Spiderman can produce merchandise aimed at kids as young as three and four? When exactly are children supposed to have time for childhood?

Digital Learning Tools Marketing to parents in the media is based on the universal fear that your child will be left behind if they don’t have the latest high tech computer game or educational DVD. Parents, in a bid to help their children succeed have mistaken DVD style ‘learning’ products as teachers. The truth is your six month old will learn more spending five minutes trying to navigate their dummy into their mouth than they will from watching any ‘educational’ DVD. When they are watching these products things are happening ‘to’ them. They have no control over the music, sounds, colours, actions and outcomes. When they play, they are in control of what is happening, they learn risk taking and are improving their motor skills at all times. Don’t be fooled by the new wave of well marketed ‘kid genius’ products designed to make your child the next Einstein. Try making a sand castle or blowing bubbles in the park. They’ll have more fun, learn a significant amount more all whilst spending time with the best teacher they will ever have… you.

MCN FOOD & WINE

SEPTEMBER 29, 2011 • VOL 2, ISSUE 11

Is Chocolate Melbourne’s new Coffee? Let’s find out who’s got the beans...

Max Brenner in Melbourne

The question is, has chocolate become the new coffee in Melbourne? “I know a lot of people who don’t drink coffee,” explains Hills. “And they’ve got good reasons for why they don’t. Some of it might just be it’s one of those things you love or hate, like peanut butter. I very rarely come across someone who doesn’t like chocolate.” Like Koko Black, Max Brenner chocolate bars are seven years into their Melbourne life. Deputy General Manager in charge of Marketing and HR at Max Brenner, Junghyun Shin points out that chocolate offers a more nostalgic experience to that of coffee. “You might suddenly have a flood of memories from your childhood. Or it might be about how you engage with chocolate. I see a lot of businessmen walking into our chocolate bars and they’re rolling up their sleeves and they’re licking the plates with their fingers and I love the fact that you become playful and almost child-like.” Hills cites Roald Dahl and the imagination and fantasy

world of chocolate in ‘Willie Wonka And The Chocolate Factory,’ as an inspiration for Koko Black. “Think of the other foods people love and coffee might be one of them, but think of wine, or a nice piece of beef – what role would they possibly play in a feature film? Chocolate is on its own in that way, I think. One of the treats I give my two young girls is a tiny chocolate teddy bear on a stick and they really love it. I wouldn’t dream of giving them a coffee!” Amor suggests coffee is more of a daily ritual and chocolate is more of a treat. Chocolate is also a daily ritual in Melbourne, says Hills, however coffee still has a place at Koko Black. “A lot of our customers like having a coffee and it’s a service you need to offer. I think, in a lot of ways, coffee has replaced the cigarette as a ritual. People are after that in their lives – something that takes them outside of their everyday world.” Whether your preference is chocolate or coffee, lick your fingers clean; Melbourne has the best beans of both worlds.

Photo: Max Brenner

Chocolate at Max Brenner

Jackie Mach at Max Brenner Chocolate Bar

Belgian spoil at Koko Black

Photo: Koko Black

Photo: Max Brenner

Seeds, winner of Melbourne’s Best Coffee in The Age 2011 Good Café Guide Awards. “Coffee is a conversation starter. There is so much great coffee around. A number of great cafes serve a very high standard of not only espresso coffee, but filter coffee as well. There are more choices than ever.” As in coffee making, versatility is an essential ingredient in the chocolate game. Koko Black has been serving chocolate to Melbournians for the past seven years and founder Shane Hills believes one of his French chocolatiers summed chocolate up best, by calling it ‘the boss.’ “From the bean to getting a blend of chocolate, you’re talking about 20-plus techniques that are going to impact on the end product. It’s one of those beautiful crafts that demands your full attention.”

Photo: Koko Black

oth require beans and both require a little bit of magic to get it right. The chocolate and coffee fairytales playing out across Melbourne are attracting record numbers of customers eager for a fix. The recent ‘National Chocolate Report,’ conducted by Melbourne chocolate scene stalwart Max Brenner, revealed more people craved chocolate than sex. The report also found more people ate chocolate everyday, without fail, than they ate vegemite or drank beer. Over the past 10 years, new chocolate shops have sprung up all over the CBD, from Lindt to Koko Black and Ganache. In the face of what could be seen as a marketplace threat, Melbourne’s coffee culture has held its ground remarkably well. There are a number of reasons for this, according to Bridget Amor, owner of Seven

Photo: Max Brenner

By Dean Watson

Handmade chocolates by Koko Black

FASHION MCN

SEPTEMBER 29, 2011 • VOL 2, ISSUE 11

Tiny threads The latest kids fashion trends for Spring 2011

pring has arrived! It’s time to pack up the kids’ winter clothes and jump into the new season with a few quick wardrobe updates. We’ve lined up the latest children’s and baby’s clothing that isn’t too fussy and will have your little ones ready to hit the playground in style. It might be O.K for the Beckham kids to get around in their $3,000 Channel suits but let’s be serious, who wants to be chasing the little ones around

with a can of Preen? Springtime is for spontaneous trips to the park and bubblegum ice cream and your kids’ wardrobe should be ready to endure the same. The good news is that this season brings us plenty of wild patterns that will help hide all of those nasty grass stains. Mixing patterns is a huge trend this spring, with no combination too crazy. Polka dots and checks, stripes with florals the possibilities are endless. Once the weather warms up

kids are always on the go. The trick is to select pieces that are fun yet functional. Items such as slide-on sneakers are perfect for your busy boy or girl. They come in all different colours and patterns to fit every kid’s taste. The big trends for girls this season are bold brights, retro florals, smock dresses, bubble skirts and ballet flats. For boys it’s all about decorative board shorts, statement T-shirts, slip on shoes and v-neck designs.

Photo: Run Scotty Run

By Nicole Chapman

Check out the latest Spring Summer collection from Run Scotty Run

Major trend alert: Stripes

t’s official, stripes have become a recurrent favourite, both in and out of the playground. Summer is the perfect time to embrace stripes from pinstripe sailor shirts to bold beach towels. Stripes are the epitome of pulled-together style and are easy to dress up or dress down. Is there a kid in the world who doesn’t look cute in stripes?

Tips and tricks for wearing stripes

• Mix pinstripes with wide stripes for a bold statement • Add some fun to any look by combining stripes with clashing patterns such as florals or polka dots • Pair stripes with a neutral if you want to play it safe • Black and white is classic, but don’t be afraid of other combinations

1. Snugglebum, Apple Stripe Romper RRP $34.95 www.snugglebum.com.au 2. Alex & Charlie, Secret Squirrel striped tee RRP $34.95 www.babysgotstyle.com.au 3. Alex & Ant, Sailor Stripped Shoes RRP $29.95 www.babysgotstyle.com.au 4. Alimrose, Bunting Set RRP $39.95 www.alimrose.com.au

5. Baobab, Striped Pocket Dress $38.70 www.babysgotstyle.com.au 6. Eeni Meeni Miini Moh, Enfant Striped Hat from $34 www.eenimeeni.com 7. Alimrose, Sweet Georgie Giraffe Grab Rattle RRP $7.50 www.alimrose.com.au 8. Eeni Meeni Miini Moh, Short Boardie from $74 www.eenimeeni.com

Sleepy Time sleepwear caters for newborns right through to teenagers and was born from a dream to create a range of baby sleepwear that wasn’t stiff or scratchy and didn’t twist or ride up while sleeping. Check them out at www.snugglebum.com.au

Photo: Snugglebum

nspired by beautiful designs from Europe, Melbourne based design house Snugglebum have developed a range of comfortable sleepwear made with luxurious, super soft 100% cotton fabrics. Their beautiful range of childrens

Snugglebum, Confetti Shortjohn & Floral Shortjohn. RRP: $34.95

MCN ON STAGE

SEPTEMBER 29, 2011 • VOL 2, ISSUE 11

Photo: Australian Ballet

By Dione Joseph

Photo: Australian Ballet

he story of two starcrossed lovers is epic. The magic timeless. And when executed under the brilliant direction of Graeme Murphy we expect no less than the pinnacle of aesthetic satisfaction – but did it deliver? Romeo and Juliet opened to a packed house in the State Theatre at the Arts Centre and it was glorious to see the age of the audience range from the bright faces of the little ones through to teenagers, parents and grandparents, all collectively being mesmerised by the splendour of a masterpiece. Murphy’s work is undoubtedly well crafted and his precision and careful thought have contributed to creating an excellent start to the Australian Bal-

let’s 2011 season. Daniel Gaudiello as Romeo was both youthful and passionate, while the flower-like Juliet (Leanne Stojmenov) was light on her feet as she was in character. Together they were easily recognisable as the young pair of child lovers caught in an adult web of speculation and strategy. The Nurse, one of the favourite characters of the play, was not given the scope for humour that we so often expect from that role, and while this may not necessarily have been a negative, as there were other occasions of humour, it did seem a pity that guest artist Elizabeth Hill was portrayed as more of a staid matron than otherwise. Both the leading Lords and Ladies of the rival families, Montagues and Capulets, had strong characters and their respective companies brandished their

Ballet dancers meet bollywood!

Photo: Australian Ballet

Cross cultural ballet leaves audience questioning Stunnings costumes and sets

family favour with unwilting fervour. The fencing scenes were excellent and, against the majesty of the backdrops, painted a

“Murphy’s work is undoubtedly well crafted and his precision and careful thought have contributed to creating an excellent start to the Australian Ballet’s 2011 season.” visual feast for the eyes. However, despite the classic tastes depicted early in the ballet, it was clear that a few key departures had been made from the traditional production. The monk was, as the program pointed out, a Holy Man and he and his troupe of Buddhist monks dressed in yellow, of an advanced order. How successfully the characters, who we are introduced to in stylistic European garb and dancing to music of a classical tradition, then negotiate a landscape which is not only physically, culturally but also spiritually and emotionally very different from the landscape they have

just engaged, is debatable. And it may have worked had it only been those two different windows that we peered through – after all Shakespeare’s stories have been transformed and are transformed by people everywhere – but I wonder whether the move was necessary. But the key question I was left with was whether the elaborate sets and backdrops from Europe, China, India (where the marriage of our two lovers is joyously embraced by the community in a traditional Punjabi wedding) and the Middle East (where the final death scenes take place) actually contributed to a more meaningful version of this story that is relevant to audiences today – or perhaps was it more aligned with accessing the cultural resources of a variety of nations to produce a new ‘fresh’ work? Murphy’s work is compelling, and Romeo and Juliet is no different. The performances by the dancers (bar two minor slips on the night) were impeccable and the music transportive to a sublime realm. To be sure, Romeo and Juliet is a classic tale but the Australian Ballet have been brave enough to offer their own interpretation – one that despite potential flaws – still encompasses the universality of Shakespeare’s work across cultures and dance forms.

Photo: Bell Shakespeare

A Shakespearean feast for the senses!

Alex Menglet in his role as Julius Caesar

Caesar, stylishly executed! By Abby Chia

ell Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar is akin to watching a group of children bullying a helpless victim and while doing so, throw Mum’s kitchen flour at each other! What a fun, if vindictive childhood game – and well, politics is certainly no different.

“Symbolically, the dark suites were stained, not with blood but white flour” The cast provide an engaging experience from Alex Menglet’s suave Julius to Kate Mulvany’s Cassius, a male character convincingly performed in a female body and are suitably supported by Daniel Frederiksen, Colin Moody and KatieJean Harding. The classic setting was particularly effective with Roman garden meets modern parliament house framed by comfy chairs and a roman pillar surrounded by a little garden in the middle of the stage. The greenery added a spark to the

rigid ‘office’ setting, creating the perfect arena for one of the most epic assassinations of them all. Under the skilful direction of Peter Evans, the colour, tempo and rhythm, of beautifully choreographed movement allowed the ‘blood’ to flow. Symbolically, the dark suites were stained, not with blood but white flour. This interesting juxtaposition illustrated the disruption of harmony, the aftermath of betrayal and the shambolic remains of the guilt stricken rebels. However, while visually the production was captivating, the volume was at times quite unbearable, even though it must be noted that the actors themselves produced the sound effects, and also set the stage. Conspiracy, human nature and friendships are what Bell Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar artfully portrays and while the first act is dark and intense, the second act is much more lighthearted, with Marc Anthony’s ‘humorous’ conspiracy; and it was easy to see the audience preferred the latter. Overall, Julius Caesar is a brilliant and engaging play, out to charm the modern audiences with a stylistically innovative adaptation.

ON STAGE MCN

Photo: Melbourne Writers Theatre

SEPTEMBER 29, 2011 • VOL 2, ISSUE 11

By Dione Joseph

all of varying lengths and they cater to different tastes - but the artistic spectrum is huge. We move from downright absurd to some really fun plays (balloons are involved!) and we also have down and dirty re-

“Dedicated to ensure hands-on script development and work shopping as integral to the development of plays Melbourne Writers Theatre Committee members is composed entirely of writers” alistic pieces about power, and the of course we make room for the extremely bizarre.” With a cast of fifteen people, and most actors performing in more than one role, this is an excellent chance to experience the versatility of capable actors

as they embody different roles. “Directors are adding rehearsals on top of the shared group rehearsals in order to maximise precious time, so while everyone does try to rehearse together, ultimately it will come down to how much extra time each play can get.” On a personal note, this is also Triffett’s first foray into theatre, coming from a strong film background. “This has been a completely different process to what I’ve previous experienced in film – and I’m really enjoying the challenges. I find you’ve got to be open to everything so that the final output, which is so very different to film, is created through a process that does it justice.” Melbourne Writers’ Theatre has a range of members from experienced playwrights (Bruce Shearer, Jack Opie and Christine Croyden) to very new writers. Dedicated to ensure hands-on script development and workshopping as integral to the development of plays, Melbourne Writers’

Artistic Director Christine Croyden

Theatre Committee is composed entirely of members who are writers. Although many of the writers are also directors or actors, full membership is open only to writers, or aspiring writers. After almost thirty

years, Melbourne Writers Theatre has survived, grown, developed and the new season of MelBorn ReBorn is testimony to the breadth of work directed and performed by Australian writers.

Dancing against racism By Heather Bloom

Photo: Jeremy Angerson

Talented Tina DeMello lifts off

n October 3rd, the Anti- Racism Action Band (A.R.A.B) will present a high energy free performance to Melbourne City dwellers. Held at the cultural hub of our fair city, The BMW edge at Federation Square, audiences will be treated to a cultural performance from more than 150 performers from over 50 different nationalities. What’s more impressive is that this unique event will be cast, rehearsed and performed all in the space of one day. Fresh off their 17 successful performance installations in 2010, A.R.A.B is opening their doors to dancers, musicians and performers of every variety to show off their talents throughout the day in the ‘open lab drop zone.’ Performers who make the grade will then have the opportunity to perform in the evening’s free show. For those not game enough

to pop and lock on stage, you are welcome to enjoy the Breakin’, Krumping, Twearking and even Haka performances throughout the night from the safety of your chair. However, if the high-energy performers get you tapping your feet, you’ll be pleased to know audience members are invited to participate in the ‘open floor jam freestyle,’ at the conclusion of the event where you’re free to dance like nobody’s watching. A part of the Melbourne Fringe Festival, A.R.A.B on edge is a display of talented artists from across the city. Creative Producer, Jeremy Angerson says of the event, “We’ve got a very gifted group of performers on our hands, our aim isn’t just to harness the energy of our young ensemble, but to allow for spontaneous collaborations and artistic connections on the day.”

Photo: Jeremy Angerson

rtistic Director of Melbourne Writer’s, Christine Croyden is primarily a playwright but juggles her own work between teaching, being a mother, and also steering the iconic ship that we know today as Melbourne Writers’ Theatre. Having been on the committee for six years, and Artistic Director for two, Croyden is very proud to be a part of this inaugural initiative that was first established by a group of writers led by Jack Hibberd in October 1982. Housed within the neogothic building adjacent to the site of the old Pram Factory, the Carlton Courthouse on Drummond Street now proudly hosts its 80 guests in a very unique theatre space and this year’s season of MelBorn ReBorn 2011 is gearing up for what promises to be an exceptionally exciting season. “The use of a professional,

well-established dramaturge to select all our seasons is an institution that I began”, explains Croyden, “I have always felt it is unfair to allow writers to be in a position to select the plays of other writers for production. Furthermore, I also wanted to encourage members to try to write longer plays rather than promote the short play form. It certainly is a very popular form but I think can stymie writers and stop them from pushing to develop their writing.” This year Petra Kalive has made the selection from 200 plays and as part of the six week season there is a short play season as well as two long play seasons as part of MelBorn ReBorn. Production manager, Neil Triffet, is also a director for one of the plays and while he acknowledges the complex logistics of a very large project, he is delighted to be involved with so many talented and creative individuals. “We have a mixture of several different shows which are

Photo: Melbourne Writers Theatre

Melbourne Writers’ Theatre is reborn

Tina DeMello

Bringing together our brightest young stars at lightning speed, this free school holiday event is a perfect blend of culture, music, dance and fun that will have you dancing in the aisles. Bring the kids along and help celebrate

and support this pivotal cause against racism. A.R.A.B on Edge: BMW Edge Federation Square Performance: 7-8:30pm Dance & Music lab drop in zone 12:30-6:30 pm

21 MCN EducationFITZROY LOCALITY FEATURE SEPTEMBER 29, 2011 • VOL 2, ISSUE 11 MCN

FEBRUARY 2011 • VOL 1, ISSUE 12

The Bringbest yourof the old and the new in Melbourne’s oldest suburb kids to F work – 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. all the great pubs, By Besides Dean Watson shops, and cafes, this suburb, sitting on the traditional lands of the Woiworung tribe, still has some of the most beautiful all workplaces have bluestoneotcolonial architecture theincapacity to build to be found Melbourne. childcare And a from the facility. small Those that do rarely take action commercial-art galleries, for a number of reasons, but artist-run spaces and artist on this to occasion, the timing studios the thriving street was right and the Fitzroy outcome isa -art community, blessing parents. also homefor to working some of the most On the 19th ofaSeptember, the dynamic art in city of artists. Thinking Children Centre Here’s Kids a tiny snapshot of opened forsuburb businesshas in Parkville. what the to offer The month. centre marks the result this of a collaboration between Biotherapy company CSL Limited and Early Childhood Management Services (ECMS). From idea to completion was a period of five years, explains CSL’s Senior Vice President of Human Capital, Jill Lever. “It’s a big commitment financially and in terms of management time. Circumstances also worked in our favour – we’re on a site, so we had the option to consider using land. Obviously, if you’re leasing offices in the middle of

Rose Street Artists’ Market

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 Melbourne, your options are a Street, Fitzroy.” little different.

A 2006 survey of CSL

is prepared to put their money where their mouth is.” - Jill Lever

the previous five years were no longer with the company. “When we think of our existing staff, that could be male, female, it could be grandparents of little ones – we think if it’s something that’s valuable to them within

their employment, they would think twice before leaving that behind,” says Lever. “From a retention point of view, we think it’s a valuable thing to have.” The five million dollar, 114 place childcare centre is poolforemost itself is open firstTheand for every CSL day of the week, including employees, however its most role public in the holidays. community will be far With since its crystal clear reaching, the decision waters, indoor was made to cycle opentraining, up a yoga school, spa,tosauna and number of places the wider steam room, “You Fitzroy Poolhave has community. almost something for everyone any to be thinking of childat care time of year. before you start having the baby,” suggests Lever. “The queue for places Open at good quality Eco-House Day centres can be quite long. We at Street, hadHolden an employee who spoke at the opening who had just North Fitzroy

www.mc-news.com.au

Photo: Rose St Artists’ Market

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 Rose St Artists’ Market: artworks, jewellery, Rachel.Oliphant@yarracity.vic. fashion and home wares that you can’t findKids anywhere else enjoying the new Thinking Kids Children Centre gov.au

come back from the UK with leadership and the efforts of 2 children under 4. Of course, those involved on staff, has she wasn’t on a waiting list. She had a positive outcome for all couldn’t find anywhere at all. concerned. We had offered her a position “From the potential users of and it was an enormous boon the site, they really appreciate it’s the heat at the Pool to discover we hadBeat a childcare a Fitzroy purpose built, professionally centre about to open.” designed building that’s Parents need to find what’s spacious and beautiful – they right for them and options see the quality and that’s great. extend beyond childcare But I think the staff on the site, centres. A nanny can be in general, even if they have hired if one-on-one care is no children and no plans for 376 Brunswick Street desired, otherwise group care children, they actually feel quite options offer a less expensive proud. They think it’s a positive Fitzroy VIC 3065 alternative. gesture about who we are as a The existence of the company – that we embrace Now on theChildren brink ofCentre adoThinking Kids diversity, we want people to lescence, is cause this for Brunswick parents to Street sleep bar has knowing become a their Fitzroy icon.is easier, child seven of thefacility. week in aFor high classdays childcare its off ering of cheap pizza and Lever says the support from 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.

enjoy their work experience and we recognise people have got responsibilities outside their working lives. I think people are proud the company is prepared to put their money where their mouth is.” Lever concludes that she hopes the centre will generate an ongoing discussion in the community. “If people can’t necessarily open a centre, they might at least have been prompted to have a bit more of a discussion in their workplace about what they can do to support working parents.”

Learning conserving: Holden Street Neighbourhood House Kidsand enjoying the new Thinking Kids Children Centre

If you would like to Advertise in MCN Please call:

1300 80 40 33 Visit www.mc-news.com.au for Media Kit + advertising Rates

Postal Address: PO Box 582, Collins Street West, Vic 8007, E-mail: info@mc-news.com.au

Photo:Courtesy City of Yarra Photo: of CSL

107 employees who had taken maternityis leave over SoundWaves back again until the end of February at Fitzroy Swimming Pool. ernoon “I Every think Sunday people aft are from 1.00pm, poolside DJs provide to help take proudcool themusic company on the summer heat.

Photo: City of Yarra

Happy parents at the Thinking Kids Children Centre opening

staff found that 63% of the SoundWaves

Photo: Courtesy of CSL

every day!

TRAVEL MCN

SEPTEMBER 29, 2011 • VOL 2, ISSUE 11

Tyres to the road By Mitch Shepherd

You may think that’s a bizarre question to be asked since there’s an incredibly high chance you are situated in the city as you read this. But maybe it’s not. When did you last learn something new about the city? When did you last mingle with a stranger? When did you last spend time seeing the sights that you knew existed but never took the time to explore? One Melbourne local who travels our city on a daily basis is Michelle Brown, owner and guide of Melbourne By Bike, a local bike tour company. But despite living and breathing the city constantly, she continues to be amazed. “Although I’ve lived here

Photo: Melbourne By Bike

So who has travelled through Melbourne?

Exploring Melbourne has never been so easy

most of my life, I fall in love with Melbourne more each day. Clients of mine, especially international clients, wish their local cities had so much to offer tourists. The variety of rooftop bars and galleries opening up in the city is very exciting,”

explains Michelle. Because Melbourne is a large city with plenty to offer enthusiastic tourists, covering all worthy destinations would certainly be a squeeze in a four hour tour. Plus, not every attraction suits all personalities. Not every art buff would be interested in the CBDs grungy lanes and alleyways, similar to how someone interested in Melbourne’s parks and gardens may not be all that impressed by the St Kilda atmosphere. Rather than viewing the unlimited possibilities as a headache, Michelle sees these as a distinct advantage of her tours. “When I set off on a tour the destinations are never set in stone,” tells Michelle. “I ask everyone what they want out of

a tour. If they’re only seeking an overview of the city, then I’ll try to find out a little more about them and their interests so I can tailor the tour specifically to the group I have.” As the cultural centrepiece of Australia, there is so much more to Melbourne than even the most hardened locals possibly realise. While international visitors travel around the world to get a taste of this very city, it would only take a small effort by each of us to reap big rewards from the area we’re lucky enough to call home. Seeing and hearing things we never knew existed only nourishes and freshens our personal perspectives. “We all take Melbourne for granted and don’t often bother

Don’t forget your helmet and your smile!

to explore our own backyard,” says Michelle. “There is an aboriginal belief which I strongly agree with: if you don’t understand the history of where you are standing, you cannot fully appreciate where you are.” Travelling isn’t all that hard, especially through the town in which you live. In fact exploring is probably a more accurate word. Looking, listening, seeking, learning; whether it’s done on bike, foot, tram or train, it’s all out there waiting for us. For more information on Melbourne By Bike tours, visit www.melbournebybike.com

Photo: Melbourne By Bike

ravel has long been a favoured pastime. It is a source of pleasure, education, excitement and terror, and has provided inspiration for everything from wars and settlements, to art and romance. We dream about it, we think about it, we Google it, we plan for it, we save for it and sometimes we’re lucky enough to actually do it. It is interesting to think about why travelling makes us shiver with enthusiasm. Is it viewing beautiful and spectacular landscapes, meeting others from foreign countries, experiencing both the subtle and obvious cultural elements of a particular region, the escape from our routine realities, or simply everything put together? The list is never ending and everybody has their own reasons for doing it.

Who says cyclists are an angry mob

MCN ENVIRONMENT

SEPTEMBER 29, 2011 â&#x20AC;˘ VOL 2, ISSUE 11

Young gardeners bloom By Dean Watson

Vegecation runs from October 3rd â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 7th at Box Hill Centro

diminishing gardeningâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s role in the average family over the past 20 years. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think we went away from gardening as part of our standard family life. To - Dean Hall a certain extent people lost the skills,â&#x20AC;? says Saleeba. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think understanding waste minimisaitâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s having a bit of a resurgence tion practices, like composting now with community gardens.â&#x20AC;? and worm farms; it helps them A backyard is no longer the understand water conservaonly option. With community gardens, school programs and reality TV shows encouraging the use of fresh, home grown ingredients, thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a healthy environment for young people to take up gardening. Dean Hall, Manager of Fitzroy Nursery, believes gardening teaches kids to not take food for granted. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s about learning where your food comes from, how itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s actually grown and how long it takes to grow something. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s about the realisation 254 Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Neils Road Tabilk via Nagambie, VIC 3608 it doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t just come off a shelf.â&#x20AC;? (Melways Map Ref 610 M3) Hall says there are a few avid P: 1300 824 245 teenage gardeners that come F: 03-5794 2360 E: admin@tahbilk.com.au into the store on a regular baW: www.tahbilk.com.au sis. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We used to have one avid customer who used to come in every week with his mum and 254 Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Neils Road Tabilk via Nagambie, VIC 3608 money on plants.â&#x20AC;? (Melways Mapspend Ref 610 M3) Shepparton P: 1300 824 245 The way some gardening F: 03-5794 2360 products are marketed today E: admin@tahbilk.com.au also suggests there is a younger W: www.tahbilk.com.au demographic roaming the garHeathcote dening marketplace. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There Bendigo Shepparton are definitely more hand tools, NAGAMBIE gloves and brightly coloured things that are designed for Tahbilk young people,â&#x20AC;? explains Hall. Heathcote Brightly coloured tools cerBendigo NAGAMBIE tainly go a long way towards capturing the attention of Euroa Sydney young people and this can Tahbilk NAGAMBIE only be a good thing because, Y A W 90 as Nikki Saleeba points out, mins Seymour Euroa the gardenSydney is a great place for Melbourne MELBOURNE young people to be. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Of course, NAGAMBIE Y WA teaching kids how the idea of 90 ONLY 90 MINUTES FROM MELBOURNE Gardening teaches young people about sustainability mins to plant, how to mulch, how to Seymour

compost is important, but what we find through gardening, is it also opens up all sorts of social and educational outcomes. Children are in a safe environment â&#x20AC;&#x201C; itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not like being in the classroom. Sometimes shy kids or children who work in languages other than English can actually start expressing themselves and be able to make

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a contribution because they knew something from gardening at home.â&#x20AC;? People may have less time and backyards may be smaller, but so long as the next generation comes to learn the benefits of gardening, there will be food on plates. Kids, parents and grandparents can all be happy about that.

ONLY 90 MINUTES FROM MELBOURNE

Photo: Courtesy of Centro Box Hill

tion, it helps them understand concepts such as organic food and food miles, so that they really get a sense of where their food comes from and whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s involved in creating healthy food for them to eat.â&#x20AC;? Vegecation runs from the 3rd-7th of October at Centro Box Hill. Lives have become busier and backyards smaller, thus

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â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s about learning where your food comes from, how itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s actually grown and how long it takes to grow something. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s about the realisation it doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t just come off a shelf.â&#x20AC;?

Photo: Courtesy of Centro Box Hill

own vegetables and cook them to create delicious meals. Gardening is attractive to young kids for a number of reasons, explains Saleeba. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It teaches them practical life skills such as growing their own food and

ardening has traditionally been seen as something parents and grandparents do. Thanks to a number of factors, today, young people are taking up gardening in their masses. An organization such as The Gould League can take a significant portion of the credit for this. Founded in 1909, The Gould League is one of Australiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s oldest environmental education organisations. Over the last 30 years, they have been dedicated to sustainability education, in which gardening plays a significant part. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There is a growing focus on gardening in schools,â&#x20AC;? says Gould League Communications Manager, Nikki Saleeba. â&#x20AC;&#x153;An important way that kids are learning to garden now is through a range of school programs, including those that the Gould League provide.â&#x20AC;? One such program is Vegecation, a free, educational holiday program designed to teach kids how to grow their

CROSSWORD MCN

SEPTEMBER 29, 2011 • VOL 2, ISSUE 11

CROSSWORD 1

10 10

11 12

26 25

21 22

28 28

ACROSS: 1.Dampness, 5.Fearful, 9.Mature people (5-3), 10.Lovers' fling, 12.Fatefully, 13.Manicure board material, 14.Haemorrhaged, 16.State of emotional suspense, 19.Show of courage, 21. ... & aahs, 24.America, ... Sam, 25.Year-old animals, 27. Skin decoration, 28.Thought intensely, 29.Pleasure boats, 30.Stuns DOWN: 1.Fly larva, 2.Wryly appropriate, 3.Ballroom dance, 4.Rested, 6.15th, 7.Tutor or lecturer, 8.Soiling, 11.Body fluid lump, 15.Overlooks (6,3), 17.Suddenly, 18.Drug, 20.Banded gemstone, 21. Navels & Sevilles, 22. As one, in ..., 23.Incidental comments, 26. Local language

THE PUZZLE THAT MAKES YOU SMARTER !

EASY 2

+÷x-

12x

3÷

4÷

24x 4

Aries March 21 - April 20

Taurus April 21 - May 21

Gemini May 22 - June 21

Cancer June 22 - July 23

Leo July 24 - August 23

Virgo August 24 - September 23

Libra September 24 - October 23

Scorpio October 24 - November 22

Sagittarius November 23-December 21

Capricorn December 22 - January 20

Aquarius January 21 - February 19

Pisces February 20 - March 20

September 29 October 5, 2011

At the start of the forecast you may need to be calm in love and family finance matters, by the end of this forecast you may be helping a friend with the same. Good self-care and self-healing helps. You may still be clearing some deeper emotional processes, so love life should also start improving later in the forecast, as long as you avoid taking to task this weekend. Wait til you are clearer about why you really wanted to bring it up in the first place.

Horoscope

1. Fill in the numbers without repeating a number in any row or column.

Across: 8. TV’s residents of Erinsborough, 9. Maiden that could be a rock group or an unpleasant device from a medieval torture chamber, 10. Poe’s short story pioneering the genre of detective fiction, The Purloined ..., 11. Jazz and classical trumpeter, Wynton ..., 12. South American plant that is the source of cocaine, 13. Sunrise direction, 15. Ski run of compacted snow, 16. South African hero, ... Mandela, 18. Latin American ballroom dance (3-3), 20. Leonard Nimoy’s pointy-eared Vulcan, 22. Baby Spice, ... Bunton, 23. Weathercock, wind ..., 25. Cowboy star of books, radio, movies and TV,... Cassidy, 27. Spanish rice dish, 28. Jackson Pollock painting, ... Poles, 29. Oscar Wilde wrote of the Dickens character, “One would have to have a heart of stone to read the death of ... without laughing” (6,4) Down: 1. Thunderbirds Lady or Ms Cruz, 2. British crime writer,... Christie, 3. Cattle breed, ... Angus, 4. US Pacific island territory, 5. Classic Japanese animation figure, ... Boy, 6. Product of green and yellow vegetables or fish oil that’s essential for night vision, it’s also called retinol (7,1), 7. A revolutionary council of peasants or workers in pre-1917 Russia, 14. Clear part of blood, 17. Greek philosopher who taught Plato, 18. The name notorious in cricket for underarm (or was it underhand) tactics, 19. Hawaii’s capital, 21. Curly-haired dog breed, French ..., 23. The Spanish Riding School with its famous Lipizzaner horses is found in this Austrian city, 24. Australian gumleaf-eating marsupial, 26. Cold War Berlin’s Brandenburg ...

2. For a 4x4 puzzle use the numbers 1-4. 3. For a 6x6 puzzle use the numbers 1-6. 4. The numbers in each heavily outlined set of squares (cages) must combine to equal the number in the top corner using the arithmetic sign indicated. 5. Cages with just one square can be filled in straight away with the target number in the top corner. 6. A number may be repeated in a cage but not in a row or column.

MCN QUIZ 016 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

What is added to orange juice to make a Buck's Fizz? Queen Beatrix is the head of state of which country? In which fictional city does Superman live? What is the nickname of new UK PM David Cameron’s Party? The Oscar statuette depicts a what holding a crusader's sword? In which country was the piano music composer Frederic Chopin born? 7. How many US states have just one syllable? 8. In chess, which piece can only move horizontally and vertically? 9. What is another name for the Chinese gooseberry? 10. Which team won the most gold medals at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics?

SODOKU Rating:

Fill the grid so that every column, every row and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 to 9. The diagonal squares must also contain the numbers 1-9.

Fill the grid so that every column, every row and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 to 9.

2 5 4 8 4 2 7 8 1 9 2 5 4 8 6 9 6 5 4 8 8 6 3 2 9 4 9 6 5 5 1 8 2 5 3 For solutions visit our website at: www.mc-news.com.au

Rating:

7 9 1 4 6 7 4 3 9 5 6 2 7 2 8 6 4 1 4 7 3 9

Your luck should improve later in the week, but you should avoid taking anything for granted. You may even have a fortunate surprise from a stranger, however gratitude, common sense, independence, initiative, and self-awareness are all handy allies. Try to take gently and concisely voice your message as much may change over the next couple of weeks, and it is better to have thought and felt it out first. At work you are in the spotlight later in the forecast, do your best and be rewarded.

Your experience today results from what you did yesterday, just as what you have tomorrow results from what you do and think now. Keep your feet on the ground, have your facts straight and avoid acting or talking impulsively with authority figures or children, or the future may be less than desired. People vote with their feet, usually in reaction to behaviour they experience with you. Think before you act this week.

People often say there’s ‘no time’ until they are forced to make it for themselves. Stop, smell the roses, walk in nature, reflect, relax, recharge, and reassess your deeper emotional needs. Take things carefully at home, and be open and gentle with your partner or best friend around the 3rd and 4th when you may be very emotional and looking for something deeper. You may continue to experience changes at work, but now you should be starting to see the bigger picture.

Try not to ruffle feathers at home on the weekend. And while you may have been singing “I owe I owe, it’s off to work I go,” you could uncover a goldmine of deeper, hidden facts or meanings you might have ordinarily missed if you harness the focus possible later this week. Just carefully check findings before sharing so that you can make the most of results. Money matters, although initially explosive, should start getting easier after the end of this forecast.

While you are reassessing your values, Mars is coming to town next month. Will you have been bad or good? Mars is watching, and getting ready to get you moving. Make sure you are on the up and up, transform any attitudes or even spending habits that have outworn their helpfulness, and clear up loose ends. Harmonise the tensions between work and life balance. Failing that, just apply a cold washer to that head of yours, calling the doctor if symptoms persist.

A dream of fun in the sun or a mystery tour with an old pal may be just what you both think you need. But you may have limit your otherworldly enthusiasm to deal creatively with things a lot closer to home and recharge there as plans may suddenly change. Better use a detached, logical, clear headed perspective. Avoiding wasting energy on petty office politics, saving heart and mind space for those who matter most.

Chess is a game of strategy, patience, and knowing when and where to move, playing several moves ahead in your mind before moving anything at all. Pace yourself, take your best strides where it counts. Try not to sign anything, Scorpio, til after around the 11th of the month, or if you must, double check before proceeding. A lot is still going on through your mind, you should continue to take care of your health.

While new ideas may be on your mind, a clear, calm mind takes up best offers and makes the best decisions without it costing wellbeing. While apathy is never good, you may need to agree to disagree. And, because there are at least two sides to any story, sometimes helping others helps you gain true perspective. A good friend may help you see the many sides and gain fresh, inspired, creative understanding, but only if you are willing to listen.

Working 9 to 5, what a way to make a living…It may all be a bit much at the start of the forecast, try not to lose your mind. Could you run a business? Is there a better plan? Some ponderings... Try to stay on top of it as stress lifts later in the week. How you want to be seen may come up for reassessment. Hang in there, get in some stretches to regain flexibility and avoid being brittle.

You can initially be very sensitive about how your ideas and work are received at the start of this forecast. Tensions between what you want and what others want can remain a bit of an issue for some time, try to see it from their perspective, step back and think about how you have been putting forward your ideas and whether what you want to say is what is really needed for results. By end of this forecast you should be able to communicate your ideas far more easily.

“I see” said the blind man, but it is arguable as to what or how he saw, and what way he meant by it. Looking through filters we create can seem like a pretty stained glass window or having “kaleidoscope eyes,” it is easy to have a vastly different perception to others at the moment. But, you may need to deal with finances and family money matters, making hard decisions in a very practical manner whose affect lasts for quite some time. Note: There are 9 other major and numerous other minor planetary bodies in your chart besides your ‘sun’ and ascendant on which this forecast was made. For the most accurate results have your individual chart prepared. Jacquelene Close Moore, M: 0439 488 558 www.psychicstar.com.au

MCN SPORTS

WITH STUART HARRISON

SEPTEMBER 29, 2011 • VOL 2, ISSUE 11

TWITTER: @SPORTSJOURNOSTU

he Grand Final will take place this weekend, but the biggest struggle in footy has been taking place away from the field. Recently, the AFL Players’ Association rejected a revised Enterprise Agreement put to them by the AFL. The AFLPA agreed to accept key planks of the offer said to be worth $1.144 billion. But they are demanding a cut in the agreement period from five to three years and an improvement in the remuneration available to players whose images are used to market the game. The AFL’s latest offer also promises a lift in retirement benefits, hardship fund and rookie salaries. The AFL says they were “surprised and disappointed” the players had failed to accept the deal. “We are disappointed both from an AFL point of view and also on behalf of the entire football industry that thought a $1.144 billion offer that would deliver a player on an average salary $1.38 million over the next five years, was a fair and generous offer,” AFL CEO Andrew Demetriou says.

The AFL has been quick to shift the blame onto the players for denying funding to other parts of the game. “It is a generous offer. Some in clubs and in the wider industry think it is too generous but we genuinely believe it is the best offer the game can afford.” “We also believe it is an offer that balances the need to reward our players with the need to invest in the clubs, the grassroots, facilities and – most importantly – our supporters.” “We told the AFLPA there is no more money and today what they have come back with will cost the industry more money.” But the AFLPA has rejected this saying Demetriou should know more than most what kind of deal the players deserve. After all, he previously represented the players as the head of the AFLPA between 1998 and 2000. With the growth of the game, rich rewards have been made available. But the AFLPA says they are seeking to preserve this. While many fans baulk at players’ rising salaries, not

much thought is put towards payments available to the AFL bosses. One need not look past Demetriou , who saw his own pay packet rise to $2.2 million last season and received a $400,000 pay rise compared to the previous year. His base package was $1.35 million, with bonuses and an incentive payment amounting to a further $850,000. This gives him a weekly salary of over $40,000. Demetriou ’s salary has more than quadrupled since he took on the role in September 2003, in a deal worth $560,000 per year. It has been a sign of his growing prosperity that has seen him move into an exclusive $7 million mansion in Toorak. Demetriou ’s salary outstrips even the most richly rewarded AFL stars, whose prowess continues to bring fans through the turnstiles and buying merchandise. The AFL is undergoing its own boom in support having revenue of $335.8 million over the previous year with an

Photo: Flying Cloud/Flickr

AFL players fight to share league’s growth

The AFL recorded a record operating surplus last year.

operating surplus of $23 million. Clubs have also benefited thanks to record membership figures lead by Collingwood who now have over 70 million ticketed supporters on the books. TV rights deals have also continued to climb. Earlier this season, Demetriou signed off on a massive $1.25 billion broadcast deal. It is a strength the AFLPA are keen to see the players share in. In their current offer to the AFL, they have demanded a change to a three, rather than five year, deal. They hope this can be accepted by the AFL as a replacement to their original demand of a fixed percentage of income being allocated to players.

“It’s very difficult to predict the state of the AFL landscape in 2016,” AFLPA CEO Matt Finnis says. “In the interests of providing certainty for clubs and the game, the players have moved a long way to accommodate the concerns of the AFL. The players are not asking for more money. They are simply seeking to negotiate an agreement within the scope of what has been offered.” While some players are clearly benefiting from the growth of the game, the AFLPA sees its role as securing maximum funding for players that often have short playing careers. “The need for a shorter agreement is even greater in an industry where players have

very short careers compared to other workers,” Finnis says. The AFL, however, views this approach as skewed and says it will have a negative effect on the game as a whole. They have encouraged the players to sit down with their clubs to better understand the issues associated with the decision despite many players saying they had already done this. “I think it’s important for players to understand that those volunteers and local development managers or their TAC Cup or regional managers who have helped them to reach the AFL and who work enormous hours to develop the talent pathway for AFL players also need support and investment,” Demetriou says.

Soccer team makes big impact in the west

Photo: Andrea Drury

The Sunshine Heights Western Tigers in action.

soccer team mostly made up of Sudanese refugees has been making a big impact in their inaugural season playing in the city’s west. Before this season, the Sunshine Heights Western Tigers were just a dream. Many of the players were social participants in local parks, limited because the costs of establishing a new club are too great. But with the help of Sunshine Heights Cricket Club, who let them use their facilities, as well as funding through Brimbank City Council and Football Federation Victoria’s United Through Football program, the club was able to get registered and fitted out. FFV’s Unite Through Football program has invested over $110,000 and assisted 20 clubs and 3,000 recent migrants since it was established earlier this year. The club’s first season has seen them quickly adjust to the additional pressure of the Metropolitan League North-West, finishing the season in second position.

Playing coach David Nyuol Vincent says the team’s success has even been a surprise to many of the players. “We’ve underestimated our capabilities. It’s the first time we’ve played at this sort of level. Before, we played very casually so it was very exciting to win games in the official competition and even sit at the top of the ladder for a number of weeks. If we don’t win on Saturday, we’ll still end up in a respectable position,” he says. For many in the community sport plays an important part in bringing different parts of the community together. For the Tigers players, many of whom are new to Australia, this plays an important part in bridging divides created by misunderstandings around refugees and African migrants. “Winning encourages people to respect us and helps counter some of the negative perceptions of the Sudanese community. The effect on the Sudanese and broader African communities has been extraordinary. We just wish more would come to our games – it would be so good

for morale”, he says. “In the not so distant future, we’ll see some of the players reaching professional levels. Meanwhile, the biggest challenge is giving every one of our 25 registered players a game.” The teams’ success has even surprised their initial supporters. Sunshine Heights Cricket Club President Chris Hatzoglou says he has been surprised at the level of skill and celebration the players have brought to the league. “The Western Tigers are exceptionally fast, have great ball skills and bring a new flamboyance to the game - and I just love the way they get together for a celebratory dance when they score a goal,” he says. It is an experience Hatzoglou hopes will be replicated by other sporting teams in order to foster positive community relations. His club was awarded with the Community Club of the Year and Club Management of the Year at the Brimbank Sports Awards earlier this year. A young Sudanese cricket player was also named runner-up in the Junior Athlete of the Year Award.

“Getting a Sudanese soccer team on board has been one of the best things our club has ever done. A lot of us come from migrant families and were keen to ensure that some of the negative experiences of our parents weren’t repeated. I urge other sporting bodies and community organisations in Brimbank to consider reaching out to refugees and newly-arrived migrants.” Brimbank Council’s Chair of Administrators, Peter Lewinsky agrees. “It’s such good news for a community which has been through civil war and incredible hardship back in Africa and is still doing it tough here. Success on the field in sports-mad Melbourne paves the way for success in many other fields. “I can see it forging marvellous relationships between the Sudanese community and the broader Australian community. With so much talent, Sudanese players could reshape the game in Australia and could ultimately bolster the international competitiveness of the Socceroos.”

SEPTEMBER 29, 2011 • VOL 2, ISSUE 11

WITH STUART HARRISON TWITTER: @SPORTSJOURNOSTU

SPORTS MCN

Big, regretful book of Barry

Photao: Pier 9/Murdoch Books

t’s hard to say that Barry Hall is truly one of a kind when it comes to controversy on and off the field. Sports media today is often as much a witch hunt against players with aggressive styles and contrarian moral codes as it is about the game itself. Hall was a little different from many other players in this category in that he could never be accused of illegal drug use or promiscuity. Instead, it was often a case of his aggressive demeanor getting the better of him. This trait is covered extensively in his autobiography, Pulling No Punches, a collection of personal thoughts spanning his 15 year career. It starts with his upbringing in country Victoria, and tells the story of a man that chose to ignore multiple occasions to pursue a possible career in boxing. Hall instead focussed on a life as a footy player under the public gaze in the AFL, moving between the contrasting attention the code receives in Melbourne compared to Sydney. Hall repeatedly returns to his strained relationship with his father, who had wanted him

to pursue a career in boxing, and who allegedly distanced himself from the young Hall after his decision to quit. Hall speculates that this relationship could have played a part in his anger issues, though never fully apportions blame, claiming he is willing to take the “criticisms on the chin”. Despite Hall reflecting on the “therapeutic” benefits of writing the book, he doesn’t claim to have all the answers. Much of the book feels like an extended confessional session of admitting alleged wrongdoing and defending situations where he didn’t believe he was to blame, as well as reflecting upon his own means of self improvement. Hall, who was a columnist with The Age and Sydney Morning Herald during his playing days, seems to relish the opportunity to convey his own thoughts with the media filter removed. Hall is clearly a type the media love to loathe, as he seems to present many of the attributes the AFL claims to have eradicated from its shiny, clean league. Current Western Bulldogs

and former Sydney Swans coach, Rodney Eade, no doubt played the savior to Hall’s career on two occasions when the heat of the league’s gaze became too much. Ironically, Eade took Hall out of the media’s gaze to league-dominated Sydney, only to see him return to Melbourne a decade later. Hall was forced out of the Swans after throwing one too many on-field punches. Hall also speculates about his future after footy. His choice of situating most of these potential careers away from the intense glare of the sphere of professional sports is perhaps not surprising. Hall even admits that he doesn’t have the passion for watching the game that would allow him to easily jump into a coaching or media role. He prefers the quiet surrounds of working on cars to the life that has given him so much yet asked even more in return over the past decade and a half. Pulling No Punches by Barry Hall, Pier 9/Murdoch Books, $34.99 is out now

omentum towards the start of the National Basketball League season is starting to build, with big crowds watching the national Boomers and Opals sides qualify for the 2012 London Olympics after convincing wins against New Zealand. In the first Melbourne matchup, the game seemed to nearly boil over, with old fashioned biffo and animosity helping to electrify the soldout crowd at the Cage (State Netball and Hockey Centre). New Zealand Tall Black guard Mark Dickel was even sent from the court after going back for second helpings. With a ticket to London now in the bag, Boomers coach Brett Brown says his team are ready to take on the world. “I have relief, satisfaction, pride, a sense of accomplishment with the group. There’s been lot of work that went into this and to finally close this out and get it done is a great accomplishment,” he says. “I look forward to moving forward with a group that has

a lot of potential.” The Melbourne game was the first chance for local fans to see Melbourne Tigers recruit and Portland Trail Blazers point guard Patty Mills in action since 2009. With NBA players facing a lockout, Mills decided to return home rather than accept potentially more lucrative European contracts. Mills won the Gaze Medal for the best male international player in 2008 and 2010. He has signed a contract allowing him to return to the US should the lockout conclude before the end of the NBL season. Mills’ skills would have given the Melbourne crowd hope too, with an MVP performance netting 20 points for the winning side. Mills says he is looking forward to the challenge of rebuilding the Tigers into a champion team after the club’s disappointing 2010-11 season. “I am very excited about joining the Melbourne Tigers and playing back home in the NBL for a period while the NBA lockout is in place. The

Melbourne Tigers has a long history in basketball and I have followed former players such as Andrew Gaze in the past. I look forward to contributing to their program while I am in Melbourne”, Mills says. Basketball Australia CEO Larry Sengstock says the signing signals the further growth of the league. “Patty Mills is an NBA player in the prime of his career, and one of Australia’s best basketballers. For him to turn his back on much larger contracts in Europe in order to play here in Australia is an amazing vote of confidence in the iiNet NBL Championship”. “This is one of the most significant signings in NBL history and one which I have no doubt will help us record our third successive year of attendance growth”, Sengstock adds. “For fans to be able to watch a player of Mills’ ilk at the peak of their powers is a rare opportunity and one which I am sure plenty of people will take up either in person or via our TV broadcasts.”

Photao: TeamAdams/Flickr

Boomers headed to Olympics

Australian Boomers star Patty Mills