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BARASSI SHOW RETURNS Pages 67

■ Poker pro Daniel Negreanu from Toronto, Canada, emerged yesterday (Tues.) as the winner of the inaugural 2013 World Series of Poker – Asia Pacific ‘Main Event’ collecting a whopping $1,038,825 in prize money.

Negreanu was presented with a custom made diamond-encrusted gold bracelet, representing the game’s ultimate achievement, said Crown Melbourne Media Relations Manager Natasha Stipanov.

The triumph was described as both a mental and physical marathon, after Daniel overcame a field of 405 entrants from all over the globe, who participated in the first World Series of Poker – Asia Pacific event.

The final duel was played in front of a packed house and a worldwide audience following the action over the internet.

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Page 2 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, April 17, 2013

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Mark Richardson ♥ Straight from the heart

E-Mail: mark@localmedia.com.au

STAN CASH IS BACK

■ In the 1980s, Rob Soek (also known as Stan Cash) was deemed by many to be a little 'out there' and possibly a tad crazy - but he captured our attention.

Whether we wanted to or not, we embraced our very own Tin Shed retail cowboy and his zany side-kicks through his earworm jingles, famous catch-cries and low-budget 'cheesy' television commercials. 'Who was that man?'

Rob was the retail and marketing brains behind the rise of Stan Cash that grew from one store to 20 in a decade; turning over in excess of a million dollars every week before selling the retail chain to Vox Odeon.

That was a lot of whitegoods, household furniture plus VHS tapes, walkmans, dual cassette players, digital watches and Michael Jackson velcro wallets priced at a 'crazy' $1.

Every 'advertising' quarter, Rob would don his blue cowboy hat, red and blue western shirt, white scarf, dark denim jeans and cowboy boots to front the agency cameras, television directors and the customers as 'Stan who?'

Stan Cash!

Together with business partner George Caval, the iconic Stan Cash is back, promising to take on the retail giants and has officially swung open the Tin Shed Superstore door along Geelong Rd in Melbourne's west in the suburb of Braybrook.

On the back of his horse alongside his grand opening side-kicks - Tommy

Tin Shed Porch Thoughts Hafey, Peter Daicos and singersong-writer Daryl Braithwaite (you guessed it, he sang his hit song The Horses), I caught up with Rob on his Tin Shed Porch to find out more about Rob and why he has tossed Stan's hat back into the retail ring.

Your family arrived to Melbourne from the Netherlands in 1955. What were your first impressions of Melbourne as a young child?

I couldn't understand anyone at first as I couldn't speak English. We lived in a one bedroom apartment in Fitzroy St, St Kilda. After my first day at primary school I decided not to go again.

I spent two months playing on the beach with an Italian boy until my mum saw us and made me go back to school.

You were quite the entrepreneur selling produce on the side of the road at jut 10 years-of-age.

What did you sell?

We moved from St Kilda to a 1000acre farm in Wheelers Hill. I began working on the farm and picked mushrooms and sold them on the side of Ferntree Gully Rd for 60 cents a bag. I ventured into chooks and sold eggs to make some pocket money.

Off The Porch Thought For The Day Tommy Hafey Former AFL Player and Coach "It is always good to get down to the grass roots of meeting people as they go about their daily business of life. The Stan Cash store is a vibrant place and reminds me of the energetic 80s. Great to see a business making a comeback something you see a lot in the entertainment industry."

Did you play 'Cowboys and Indians' around the farm?

Yes with my best friend Stanley Colby. When I started Stan Cash I went through a lot of names including Johnny Cash, but I thought that sounded silly for a cowboy. I settled for an unidentified name - Stan Cash. My mate Stan was probably in the back of mind.

What did you do before went into the retail industry?

I started out as a clerk at the Victorian Railways in Spencer St and from there became a Credit Manager in a transport company. My first retail job was at Billy Guyatts and from there went out on my own.

When you first launched Stan Cash you also gave motivational talks to high school students.

How did this eventuate?

It came into play through the Stan Cash advertising campaigns. A few of the local schools contacted me asking whether I would be interested in talking with their year 10 and 11 students about their career paths.

I was happy to oblige because I was doing something I had never imagined doing.

What did you talk about or present?

I was surprised to learn that out of a class of 30 students, only five or six had an idea what they wanted to do for a career. I reassured the other 25 students that it was 'OK' and not to be embarrassed by not knowing what direction to take.

I accidently fell into retail. I encouraged them to keep up their studies and further education as a backup.

Apart from the marketing, why do you think was another key behind your success?

Generally we were overstocked and I wouldn't have to order products on a regular basis. I deliberately overstocked so I could literally, 'Stack 'em high and watch 'em fly.'

Stan Cash was bought out and you went back to running one retail store in Knox City. Why the Stan Cash comeback now?

Over the past 2-3 years our economic times have changed and customers are constantly asking, 'are we guaranteed the lowest price?'

I started speaking with a few people who claimed weren't getting fair deals in the western suburbs. I researched into it and thought 'why not'. People want bargains and value for money. Stan Cash was fondly remembered and in a way is back by public demand.

● Stan Cash and kids Your grand opening in Stan Cash has moved into the Braybrook attracted hundreds of technological era having sighted people including some Austra- your YouTube News Flash. Will lian icons in their own right. Was there be a new modern-day it a sense of déjà vu for you? catch-cry from Stan?

It certainly was. We had bungy Yes our new website will be jumping, face-painting and pony rides launched in June and there will regufor the kids. lar Stan Cash News Flashes on Stan officially opened the store YouTube and giveaways on cutting three laps on his horse inside Facebook. the store which was both exciting and Stan's new catch-cry is, 'It's innerve-racking. It was a thrill to have store and online, same price, every Tommy, Peter and Daryl speak to time.' everyone about life in general and What is your Porch Thought their successes.

For The Day? Daryl sang The Horses and they The biggest risk in life is not takall took time to speak with customers ing a risk. and sign autographs.

- Mark Richardson

● Stan Cash directors Rob Soek and George Caval

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, April 17, 2013- Page 3

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City Desk

Melbourne

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The hottest news about Melbourne’s A-listers

The Buzz

Lust and betrayal

New Director

● Catherine McClements

● Jane Smith ■ Jane Smith has been appointed as inaugural Director of the new Museum of Australian Democracy at Eureka (M.A.D.E).

M.A.D.E is a spirited new education and cultural tourism centre in Ballarat. Jane aims to give it meaningful regional and national significance.

■ A tragic tale of forbidden lust, betrayal and revenge, Bell Shakespeare brings to life the rarely told French classic, Phèdre, starring acclaimed actress Catherine McClements, in Melbourne from May 17.

Also appearing are Marco Chiappi and Abby Earl.

The production will be at the Merlyn Theatre, The Malthouse.

Previews: May 17-21. Season: May 22 - June 2.

Bookings: malthousetheatre.com. au, 9685 5111

Great Scott, a song already!

WELL ORCHESTRATED

Big evening

● Julie Andrews ■ Extra tickets have been released for sale for An Evening With Julie Andrews, to be staged at Hamer Hall, at 8pm on Friday, May 31.

Tickets are available from $95.

The audience is taken on a journey through her career, from her London stage debut at age 12 to her defining roles in Mary Poppins, The Sound of Music, Victor/ Victoria and The Princess Diaries

Under The Clocks

● Bryn Terfel will appear in Melbourne next week ■ Two sold out houses and some of is really looking forward to being part the biggest names in musical history of such a momentous occasion,” said will welcome Sir Andrew Davis as MSO Managing Director André the Chief Conductor of the Melbourne Gremillet.

Symphony Orchestra on Friday and “To be given the opportunity to see Saturday (Apr. 26-27) next week. both Sir Andrew Davis and Bryn The concert, A Joyous Celebration Terfel in a concert of this repertoire is Gala – Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9, an absolute luxury for our audience, will celebrate the commencement of they are in for a real treat,” said Sir Andrew’s four-year term at the André. head of the Orchestra with a night of Sir Andrew and Bryn Terfel will music featuring a man described as one also be special guests at a Black Tie of the greatest singers of our time, Cocktail Function on Saturday, April Bryn Terfel.

27. Tickets to this function are still “The response from the Australian available and can be purchased through public to this concert has been over- the MSO Box Office on 9929 9600 whelming and I know the Orchestra as a standalone ticket.

The Australian Centre for the Moving Image is presenting the lat ★ est film from acclaimed Iranian director Abbas Kiarostami, Like Someone in Love. It will screen as a long play season from Sunday, May 26 The Victorian College for the Deaf has developed the Madcap Cafe ★ to develop revolutionary technology which allows for deaf students to work, interact and communicate with the non-deaf community.

The free ‘Ageing in Australia: Cultural Diversity In Aged Care ★ Expo’ will be held at the Melbourne Town Hall on Saturday, April 27 from 10am-4pm.

Melbourne Moments Preview day

Jack Awards

■ State Arts Minister Heidi Victoria will unveil the Hollywood Costume exhibition at the Australian Centre for the Moving Image, Federation Square, at 10am on Tuesday (April 23).

Guest-of-honour will be Deborah Nardoolman Landis. On show will be items from Marlene Deitrich, Judy Garland, Vivien Leigh, Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn, Elizabeth Taylor and Christopher Reeve’s body suit from Superman The Movie.

The exibition comes direct from the Victorian and Albert Museum.

■ Entries for the My Brother Jack awards - open to people who live, work or study in the City of Glen Eira have been called.

Short stories and poetry may be submitted in primary, junior secondary, senior secondary and open categories.

Photography is welcome in youth and open categories.

Winners will be announced at a ceremony on June 30, which will coincide with the closing of the annual Glen Eira Storytelling Festival.

Entries have to be lodged by 5pm, Monday, May 6. www.gleneira.vic.gov.au

● Heidi Victoria

● The Corrigan Brothers have written a song for Adam Scott ■ Adam Scott’s Masters Golf win on Monday has already produced a song by Irish band, the Corrigan Borthers.

The trio, already in the headlines for their There’s No One As Irish As Barack Obama, have penned Go Aussie, Great Scott.

The Corrigan’s Obama song has already reached almost 10 million You Tube hits.

Guitarist and songwriter with the band, Ger Corrigan, explains the song: “We are golf fans and we all play golf. All golfers have to be resilient and there is none more inspiring than Adam Scott.

“To lose a British Open the way he did and come back to win the Masters is proof that self-belief is so important. We are delighted for him and for golf in Australia.”

John Waters in ‘Adios’ at Colac ■ The premiere screening of Adios - described as “one man’s outrageous, enlightening, pointless journey into his own head” - will take place in Colac on Monday (Apr. 22).

Adios is a product of a 40-year friendship between industry veteran and Colac district filmmaker Luis Bayonas and acting legend, AFI Award-winner John Waters (Offspring, Breaker Morant).

Waters plays Marcus Smith, a well known singer/actor at the peak of his career, who leaves his home, wife and two children to go and live in a remote corner in the dark side of the bush for reasons he doesn’t know.

Local talent includes Lyn McLean, David McKenzie, Peter Daffy and Moira Nelson. It is produced by Jenny Sharp.

● John Waters

What’s On In Melbourne

Australian Commercial and Media Photographers are holding ★ a two-day ‘hands on’ write, shoot and edit video workshop in Melbourne on Saturday-Sunday (Apr. 19-20). It will feature presenters Benjamin Doudney, Ben McEwing, Simon Green, Ross Calia and Lisa Saad.

A craft beer and food pairing event will take place ay 6.30pm on Friday (Apr. 19) at The Bar at Orient East, Seasons Botanic Gardens, 348 St. Kilda Rd, Melbourne. Tiffany Waldron will share her in-depth knowledge about the beers and their brewers.

Gestuelles - the art of transmission by Aboriginal desert women is be ing held by Alliance Française de Melbourne at the Eildon Gallery, 51 Grey St, St Kilda until May 17. It opened yesterday (Tues.)

★ ★

Page 4 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Ozcar Award

● Gerry Ryan

■ Gerry Ryan is to be the honoured recipient of the eighth annual Ozcar Award to be presented by Alan Johnson at the Cellar Bar of the Newmarket Hotel, Inkerman St, St Kilda.

Alan is the Australian who is the President of the Ramada Plaza Hotel in West Hollywood.

The lunchtime presentation is being co-ordinated by publicist Anthony Healey.

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

People Melbourne

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At Ben Price’s comedy show PHOTO: FACEBOOK

● Megan Castran and Ros Nichol were pictured at Ben Price’s comedy show

Goody goody yum yum

■ Comedian, television personality, author, musician, composer, and wildlife enthusiast, Bill Oddie is a man of many talents.

His one-man show will hit Melbourne on June 22 and feature a live and unplucked reminiscence about his crazy days as one-third of The Goodies.

The show – An Oldie but a Goodie will also feature a video message from Tim Brooke-Taylor and Graeme Garden.

Footy Fever

Alex checks in from Hungary

● Shane Crawford ■ There is a new footy stadium in Melbourne.

Crown’s Super Box is showing the AFL game live, with an expert football panel discussing the moves.

Located in Pit 15 at Crown’s West End, the weekly panel will be hosted

by Shane Crawford, Coleman Medal winner Scott Cummings, 3AW’s Ralph Horowitz, and Damien Fleming from Fox Footy.

● Golden Days Radio manager Alex Hehr is holidaying in Europe, and is pictured at Nadasladany Castle a stately home once occupied by Count of Nadasladany

Extra shows for Joel Creasy ■ Melbourne Observer columnist Di Rolle says extra shows have been organised for Joel Creasy for the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.

He has added 11pm shows this Friday (Apr. 19) abd Saturday (Apr. 20) at the Melbourne Town Hall.

It has been a big month for Joel, including television appearances on the ABC’s Festival Show and the Opening Night Gala Concert.

Joel also appears tonight (Wed.) on Tractor Monkeys on ABC-1 at 8.30pm.

Di says Joel’s show, The Drama Captain, has been sold out, hence the extra shows this weekend.

“He got five stars from the Herald Sun with his 2013 show,” Di said excitedly.

Harvest

■ Hip-hop will be one of the attractions at the Collingwood Harvest Festival this Saturday (April 20) between 3pm-7pm.

There will be sporting activities, face painting, henna tattooing, and a fashion parade with recycled material.

■ 74 Harmsworth St, behind the 229 and 253 Hoddle St housing estates.

Fax: 1-800 231 312

Jason Cavanagh, - how it all started in theatre ■ Owner/Manager of Richmond’s Owl and the Pussycat Gallery and co-artistic director and founder of the 5pound Theatre Company, Jason Cavanagh, is a respected performer and director in Melbourne’s independent theatre scene, so how did his interest in theatre start?

Jason says that unbeknown to him in Year 10, his mother met his teachers over concerns about his painful shyness.

“I wasn’t really into sport and other such social activities,” says Jason, “So they conspired to encourage me along the path of theatre as a social exercise.”

Thinking it was his decision, Jason auditioned shortly after for the Interschool Shakespeare Festival and surprised himself at getting a part.

Jason recalls his first performance: “When I walked out on that stage and delivered that first line … actors often say you spend your entire career trying to recapture that first moment, and that is certainly true for me.”

He also remembers his parents’ faces after he walked off the stage that first time, having been nominated for the top prize, a trip to London.

“They walked up to me, with mouths open after the show, and just stood there in stunned silence. Then I believe my father said something along the lines of “Where the **** did that come from?!”

Jason was inspired to establish the Owl and the Pussycat Gallery after seeing art spaces around England, Berlin and Amsterdam.

“I found that over there, art and acting is not seen as a pastime or hobby, but more of a legitimate profession.”

He believes this is due to its broader and more entrenched role in society, formed over a long history, contrasting with the Australian attitude of it being a “brave lifestyle choice”.

Wanting to recreate one of those “wonderful little humble places that are just warm, welcoming and full of the most amazing and innovative artists and works”, Jason also established 5pound Theatre.

“With 5pound we are trying to have it both ways … to inform, reflect and advance society, but to also make it fun.”

Jason says he is currently finalising The Owl And The Pussycat’s first curated season from July to December, with “some great theatre makers involved”, and is also finalizing the cast for this year’s 5pounds of Repertory Theatre season in November.

“Again, we have some amazing directors and designers on board.” He is also about to direct another 5pound show called Two Short Russians.

Another premier independent theatre company, Mockingbird Theatre, opens on May 3 with Pauline Vogel’s play How I Learned To Drive, under Chris Baldock’s direction, with Jason playing the role of Uncle Peck.

“Basically in the play, my character is involved in a sexual relationship with a minor, for which obviously there is no justification or excuse”, he says.

“The play is clever in its depictions however … and without giving too much away, I think some people will find themselves challenged in unexpected ways.”

With so many different projects on the go, time has become Jason’s most precious commodity. His criteria for taking on a project these days includes the people involved, the play itself and his role, and he says Mockingbird Theatre’s How I Learned to Drive, ticks all these boxes.

Mockingbird Theatre’s How I Learned to Drive Performances: May 3-18 at 8pm Venue: The Brunswick Mechanics Institute Performing Arts Centre, Corner Glenlyon and Sydney Roads, Brunswick Tickets: $30 full, $25 concession Bookings: www.trybooking.com www.mockingbirdtheatre.com.au - Cheryl Threadgold

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Observer

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, April 17, 2013 - Page 5

Court Roundsman

It’s All About You!

Melbourne

LAWYER SUSPENDED AFTER Observer FAILING TO PAY $24,000 In This 80-Page Edition

Calendar Girls

● Meet Eltham Little Theatre’s Calendar Girls: Christine Muscat, Jo Warr, Jean Russell, Genevieve Ryan and Margaret Rawlinson opening on May 10.

Photo: Ian Clark ■ Tim Firth’s delightful play Calendar Girls global phenomenon by persuading one another is being presented by Eltham Little Theatre to pose for a charity calendar with a difference.

Tickets are $22.50 full price and $17.50 confrom May 10 – 25 at the Eltham Performing Arts Centre, 1603 Main Rd, Research. cession.

Bookings: 9437 1754 or eltboxoffice@ Directed by Gayle Poor, the story tells of a group of extraordinary women, members of gmail.com a very ordinary Yorkshire WI, who spark a - Cheryl Threadgold

■ Elias Rallis is being prohibited from practising as a lawyer, after failing to pay a $24,000 penalty to the Legal Services Commissioner.

Rallis has been working in a “legal capacity” for Consumer Affairs Victoria.

Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal Senior Member Jonathan Smithers said the $24,000 penalty dated back to July 2009. A further $3945 costs have to be paid by July this year.

VCAT heard that Rallis incurred the costs in a disciplinary hearing.

The Legal Services Commissioner had repeatedly contacted Rallis regarding the overdue payment.

Last year, Rallis sent an e-mail: “I am in the final stages of negotiating a financial settlement with my ex wife regarding a property settlement.

“I am hoping to be in a financial position within the next 60 days to be able to either pay the outstanding costs in full or at the very least make a substantial contribution towards its payment.”

VCAT was told Rallis made a first part-payment of $10,000 in August last year, and made a re-payment schedule.

Rallis wrote: “I undertake the payments will be made by close of business on the date specified and that failure to make any payment by the due date constitutes a breach of this undertaking. I acknowledge that a breach of this undertaking is a matter capable of constituting professional misconduct pursuant to the Legal Profession Act 2004.”

FINANCIAL ADVISER FACES COURT

■ Kevin Maxwell George Whitting, of Rosebud, has appeared in the Dromana Magistrates’ Court charged with 10 offences following an Australian Securities and Investments Commission investigation.

ASIC alleges the former financial adviser provided inappropriate advice to five investors who collectively invested over $684,000 in the Blue Diamond Deposits Trust No. 1 between 2008 and 2009.

Whitting faces a further five charges of providing false and misleading statements to three of the five investors.

At the time of the alleged offences, Whitting was an authorised representative of Kedesco Pty Ltd, an Australian financial services licensee, and was employed by Shel-

True Love

● Emily Goddard and Glenn van Oosterom in True Love Travels On A Gravel Road, playing at fortyfivedownstairs from May 15-June 2. More on Page 69.

Photo: Michelle Odgers

bourne Financial Services Pty Ltd which operated a financial services practice out of Mornington.

ASIC's investigation commenced after the collapse of BDT, a managed investment scheme in 2010. Traditional Values Management Ltd (in liquidation) was the responsible entity for BDT. Whitting was not required to enter a plea.

Whitting is to appear again in the Dromana Magistrates’ Court on June 13.

The Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions is prosecuting the matter.

In 2011, ASIC banned Whitting from providing financial services for a period of four years and also suspended Kedesco Pty Ltd’s AFS licence for three months.

Kedesco Pty Ltd has since ceased operating as an AFS licensee.

In late 2009, Geoff Handberg and Brent Morgan of Rogers Reidy Chartered Accountants were appointed as voluntary administrators to TVM. At the time of this appointment it was reported to creditors that the BDT had a net deficiency of $22 million.

TVM was placed into liquidation in February 2010.

Barassi stage show returns - see Page 67 for details

Exec jailed ■ Peter Couper, the former Chief Financial Officer of the parent company of Bill Express, has been jailed following an ASIC appeal against a suspended jail sentence imposed on him over his role in the collapse of the payments processor.

He has been sentenced to 22 months in jail, to be released after 60 days, and fined $10,000.

Mark Richardson: Stan Who? ..................... Page 2 Melbourne People: Been and seen ............... Page 4 Di Rolle: Gordon Bray is on the team ........... Page 6 Showbiz: History Boys at Brunswick ............. Page 7 Long Shots: At war with Telstra .................... Page 8 Melb. Confidential: Bankrupt lawyer fined ..... Page 9 Readers’ Club: Birthdays, recipes ................ Page 10 Yvonne Lawrence: Life and style ................ Page 11 Melb. Extra: A Death In The Family ............ Page 12 Magazine: Circus Oz anniversary ................. Page 13 Anniversary: CWA celebrates 85 years ........ Page 14 Barassi stage show Radio Confidential Movies, DVDs Local Theatre Latest

Observer Showbiz

Latest News Flashes Around Victoria

Ballarat cat mutilated ■ Police have issued a stern warning that cruelty to animals will not be tolerated, after a cat was found dead and dismembered in a Wendouree garden, reports The Courier.

Crims target gun owners ■ A covert Police operation in Geelong has uncovered a criminal network targeting farmers for their firearms, reports The Advertiser.

$400-a-day drug habit ■ Jarrod Victor Stevens, 27, of Eaglehawk, turned to trafficking methamphetamines to support his $400-a-day drug habit, a court has heard.

He is to spend another four months in jail.

Guilty of strangling ■ Rye woman Julie-Anne Rawlinson has been found guilty of aggravated burglary, intentionally causing injury and theft. A jury found Rawlinson, 42, guilty of strangling Jessica Anne Martin in her Horsham home. She is to appear in court on April 30 for sentencing

Sex with a horse ■ Noel Mitchell, 65, of Rokewood, has pleaded guilty at Ballarat Court to a charge of bestiality. Neighbours filmed him.

Weather Forecast ■ Wednesday. Partly cloudy. 10°-20°.

■ Thursday. Chance of rain. 8°-17°.

■ Friday. Mostly cloudy. 7°-21°.

Mike McColl Jones

Top 5 THE TOP 5 COMMENTS HEARD AROUND THE STABLES WHEN BLACK CAVIAR'S LITTLE BROTHER FETCHED $5 MILLION 5. "Five million bucks! I'm off to the Myer cosmetic department."

4. "She's a bit of a show-off getting a Porsche float.”

3. "Hey, can you drop the word to Redoute's Choice that I'm really very hot!"

2. "No guessing who's getting the ten dozen oysters in his chaff.”

1. "Hey Bluey, watch where you swing that rake. I don't want to be the one to tell the boss you gave him a vasectomy!"

Page 6 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, April 17, 2013

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

To

Di The Di Rolle Prize ■ I am so glad I am not a footballer or a comedian, I think both professions are terribly hard.

They are n the spotlight, right there for everyone to scrutinise. Sure they get paid for their talents, however they are tough professions and they earn every cent.

They really are true warriors the way they get up on stage and go on to the playing field and give it their all.

They get my Di Rolle Prize for being the bravest people this week. Both are tenacious ways of making a living.

In fact they are the gladiators of today. The audience either laughs or cheers, or supports them, or they don’t. No middle ground.

I admire each and every one of them.

Pure B.S. ■ With drugs in sport, it’s rather sad what is happening. thank heavens for Before The Game.

At least we can still laugh about the funny side and the serious side of our beloved game.

I was thrilled to see Strauchanie make his long awaited return to Before The Game on Saturday on Channel 10.

Before The Game had fan favourite Bryan ‘Strauchanie’ Strauchan, back on deck for the first time this season and what a show it was.

I do love the show, it gets better and better.

Kicking off his new At Home segment (think Ten Late News meets The Living Room), Saturday’s show saw Strauchanie bust into the private home of fellow AFL superstars to ask the tough questions usually avoided by media’s heavy hitters.

“First cab off the rank is ex-choir boy and music lover, Bulldog Robert Murphy,” said an elated Strauchanie.

I thought West Coast Eagles’ young gun Jack Darling was great, whilst Hughesy dropping in on a Collingwood training session to give them a Super Spray in the lead up to their game with Hawthorn was one of the funniest things I have seen on telly for a long time.

If you haven’t seen it, don’t miss the footy show the players love to watch when Dave Hughes, Mick Molloy, Anthony ‘Lehmo’ Lehmann, Andrew Maher and Neroli Meadows host Before The Game at 6.30pm on Saturday on Ten. I promise you I don’t get a free toaster for talking about Before The Game as much as I do, but they have invited me in to the audience one night!

● Bulldog player Robert Murphy and Strauchanie on Before The Game

I love my job!

● Robyn Cooney, Louise Cooney, Kristine Cooney and Jenny Cooney Carillo ■ A date I had circled for months was the date my dear friend Jenny Cooney Carrillo came home for her 50th birthday.

I have known Jenny for many years. A dear friend she made Los Angeles her home after meeting the late Phyllis Diller in Australia, and Phyllis offered her a job to move overseas.

Jenny and I have had a very strong friendship over the years and she married an American school teacher Andrew Carrillo.

They have a son Lucas who came to Australia with her on her trip to see family and friends. Loved by all who meet her, Jenny is as smart as a whip and I often beam with pride when I read her interviews in the daily papers here in Australia. She has interviewed everyone and made friends with a lot of stars along the way. ● Turn To Page 9

For GORDON BRAY JOINS TEN

■ I was really interested to see that the voice of rugby is back and on Channel 10.

I speak of course of Gordon Bray. He has a wonderful voice and he has joined Ten’s rugby commentators.

Network Ten announced Gordon as the latest addition to Ten’s rugby commentary team for the 2013 British and Irish Lions Rugby Tour and the Castrol Edge Rugby Championship.

Gordon, arguably Australia’s leading sports commentator, joins previously announced Wallaby legend Matt Burke, with the pair set to deliver rugby fans the most comprehensive expert commentary.

As the exclusive free-to-air television broadcaster of the Qantas Wallabies Test matches until the end of 2015, Ten will broadcast all games live nationally.

My father Peter had a beautiful voice and I miss it, so I appreciate wonderful voices.

Dennis Cometti has a great voice.

Brian Henderson has a great voice, so did Brian Naylor.

I used to think all was well with the world when I heard Brian Naylor read the news.

I also remember and liked Norman May’s voice. Coincidentally it was when his ABC colleague Norman May retired from television rugby commentary in 1980, that Gordon stepped into the role.

Over the next three decades Gordon Bray became known as Australia’s ‘voice of rugby’ and estimates he has called around 400 test matches.

He is arguably Australia’s leading sports commentator.

with leading Melbourne publicist DI ROLLE

With a career spanning more than 40 years in broadcasting across all the leading networks, Bray is rugby’s voice of experience and authority, further bolstering Ten’s commitment to the sport in what is set to be a huge year for the Wallabies.

Gordon said: “I am thrilled to be joining Network Ten as the chief rugby commentator, especially in this year of the Lions series.

“The Lions tour of Australia is held every 12 years so this is a once in a lifetime experience for the players.

“Having previously called the 1989 and 2001 series, I feel very privileged to be commentating on my third Lions campaign.”

Bray will make his debut on Ten’s live rugby coverage of the first Test between the Qantas Wallabies and the British and Irish Lions on Saturday, June 22.

● Gordon Bray I have circled my calendar for this event.

Gordon is a Member of the Order of Australia for services to sports broadcasting, rugby union and the community.

In 2000 he was awarded a Prime Minister’s Sports Medal.

her own hit show, Lisa Williams: Life Among The Dead, along with Voices From the Other Side and Lisa Williams Live.

All of these shows are now airing around the world.

She has also appeared on Anderson Cooper, Oprah, Good

MorningAmerica, The Today Show, Larry King Live and Jimmy Kimmel Live.

Lisa is the granddaughter of Frances Glazebrook, a famous British medium.

As I write this I am thinking of Don Lane, he would have loved this, he was a true believer.

As well as performing in front of large live audiences worldwide, Lisa also offers workshops and courses in medium ship, developing psychic ability and intuition.

She has recently launched Soul Connections, a website featuring spiritual advisors who have been personally trained and selected by Lisa to offer medium ship and psychic readings.

Lisa hosts her own weekly radio show on blogtalkradio.com, and writes regularly about her life and spiritual teachings on her website lisawilliams. com, where she interacts with the public as well as her site mem-

Beyond ...

■ Even though I am not quite sure about mediums and clairvoyants, even though they have proved me right many times, I am rather intrigued about internationally acclaimed medium and clairvoyant Lisa Williams.

She is coming to Australia with her Messages From Beyond.

Lisa returns to Australia in June after three sold-out tours, two in 2009 and her last in 2011.

Born in England, Lisa was discovered

by Merv Griffin and introduced to audiences through two seasons of

● Lisa Williams

bers. She is an accomplished author of books on medium ship and spirituality, including Survival Of The Soul and Life Among The Dead.

Lisa works with loved ones and spirit guides of the audience to help resolve past issues, inform them of situations that they may find themselves in and gives closure and healing.

Lisa shares these gifts through large audience readings.

Lisa is also a trained Reiki and crystal healer.

She lives in Southern California with her son, Charlie, and their two dogs.

I like the sound of her and have seen her television shows.

“When I was a little girl”, said Lisa, “I discovered I had a gift.

“Communicating with those who are no longer with us. Some people say what I do is scary; other people, say I change their lives.

“I just say what I hear and see – and I see a lot” she added.

“My personal ‘spiritual’ journey has been an exciting and rewarding one.

“I had to go through many life-changing experiences to understand what my calling was in life.

“However, my journey is far from over and I look forward to sharing my journey at my appearances on stage in Australia, Lisa said.

See her in Melbourne at Hamer Hall, on Thursday June 13. Book 1300 182 183 or www.artscentre melbourne.com.au or Ticketmaster I tend to get by OK by talking to my dear Mum and Dad, however I just might buy a ticket!

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, April 17, 2013- Page 7

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au Melbourne

Observer

Showbiz News

Media Flash ‘HISTORY BOYS’ AT BRUNSWICK Briefs 70 years

● Norm and Maisie Jones PHOTO: SUNRAYSIA DAILY

■ Norm and Maisie Jones (nee Halson) have celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary, reports the Mildura daily paper.

They were married after Norm was discharged from the Army.

New host

■ Award-winning theatre company Purely Pensive Productions presents Alan Bennett’s modern day classic The History Boys, on April 25, 26, 27 at 8pm and April 27 at 2pm at the Mechanics Institute Performing Arts Centre, Cnr Sydney and Glenlyon Rds, Brunswick.

Set in the exclusive boys’ school, Cutler’s Grammar, and under the direction of Mark Taylor,The History Boys follows the lives of students in their final year preparing for their university entrance exams.

Tickets: $20/$16 and $15 matinee. Bookings: www.purelypensive.com.au - Cheryl Threadgold

Inside news from TV, radio, press and online

Jazz Bell Awards

● Portraying the students in The History Boys, April 25-27 in Brunswick, are James Robertson (Dakin), Ryan Heath (Scripps), Sam Howard (Posner), James Caldwell (Timms), Paul Salvatico (Rudge), Jeremy Ives (Crowther) and Jaxson Garni (Aktar).

LUCKY 13

Swan Dive

● Julia Morris ■ The Nine Network has announced Julia Morris is to host the new series of Australia’s Got Talent.

X Factor ■ Dannii Minogue is joining The X Factor Australia judging panel. Her colleagues will be Ronan Keating and Natalie Bassingthwaite.

On radio ■ Derryn Hinch has joined MMM and Sydney station 2GB to deliver editorials.

Hinch is on 2GB every Wednesday.

● Chloe Cini (Patrice), Jordie Race-Coldrey (Evan) and David Youings (Archie) appeared in the Catchment Kids production of 13 earlier this month, at the Banyule Theatre, Heidelberg.

Photo: Johnathon White ■ A very successful Catchment Kids production of 13 was presented earlier this month at the Banyule Theatre, Heidelberg.

With a rock score by Jason Robert Brown, this grown-up story about growing up ,offered high energy entertainment for all ages.

The director/choreographer was Brad Fischer, with musical direction by Kelly Trenery.

For details about future productions being presented

by Catchment Players, visit the website www. catchmentplayers.org.au - Cheryl Threadgold

Best of Melbourne Observations with Matt Bissett-Johnson (From Nov.24,2010)

● Fran Middleton (left), Julia Sutherland and Dan Humphris in Swan Dive, a new play by Julia Sutherland.

Photo: Ryan Tews ■ What's On Production Company presents the premiere of Swan Dive at Theatre Works, St Kilda from April 26=May 4.

Written by Julia Sutherland and directed and designed by Paul Watson (Jersey Boys), Swan Dive is a play in verse, a living novel and an homage to music, inspired by the poetry of Leonard Cohen and Ani DiFranco.

Starring Dan Humphris (We Will Rock You, Flower Children), Fran Middleton (Duckhouse Theatre) and Julia Sutherland (Birthright, Oleanna).

Preview: April 25 at 8pm. Season: April 26 - May 4 (No Sun. or Tues.). Time: All shows at 8.00pm, except Sat May 4 at 5pm. Bookings: 9534 3388 or www.theatreworks.org.au/whatson

Psychologist suspended ■ A Victorian psychologist has been reprimanded, and had their registration suspneded for 18 months, after the Psychology Board of Australia made three allegations of unprofessional conduct and/or professional misconduct.

The matter was referred to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.

The allegation was made that the psychologist engaged in a close personal relationship with a former adolescent client, spanning eight years.

VCAT issued an order that the Tribunal proceedings not be reproduced except by permission, or by editing, to protect the identity of the person/s identified. www.austlii.edu.au/au/cases/ vic/VCAT/2013/395.html

■ The 2013 Australian Jazz Bell Awards have announce this year’s nominations with winners to be announced at a ceremony at the Regent Theatre Ballroom, Melbourne on Thursday May 2.

This year is the 11th Jazz Bell Awards and ● Graeme Bell one of great significance.

Graeme Bell, after whom the awards are named, passed away in 2012 and the night will feature a special tribute to this most respected and talented jazz musician. Nominations are: Best Australian Jazz Vocal Album ■ Chris McNulty - The Song That Sings You Here ■ Gian Slater/Jamie Oehlers - The Differences ■ Michelle Nicolle Quartet - Mancini Most Original Australian Jazz Album ■ Barney McAll - Graft ■ Yitzhak Yedid- Arabic Violin Bass Piano Trio ■ Marc Hannaford- Sarcophile Best Australian Contemporary Jazz Album ■ Jamie Oehlers Quartet Feat. Ari Hoenig Smoke And Mirrors ■ Stephen Magnusson - Magnet ■ Bernie McGann - Wending Best Australian Traditional Jazz Album ■ Flap! - A Great Day For The Race ■ Shirazz - Enjoy Responsibly ■ Zohar's Nigun - The Four Questions Best Australian Jazz Song of the Year ■ Barney McAll -Nostalgia For The Present ■ David Ades - Joe The Kid ■ Mace Francis - Land Speed Record Best Australian Jazz Ensemble ■ David Ades - A Glorious Uncertainty ■ Jamie Oehlers Quartet Feat. Ari Hoenig Smoke And Mirrors ■ Murphy's Law - Big Creatures & Little Creatures Young Australian Jazz Artist of the Year ■ Steve Barry - Steve Barry ■ Callum G'Froerer - City Speaks ■ Samuel Pankhurst - Sarcophile The winner of the Graeme Bell Hall of Fame – in recognition of an outstanding career – will be announced on the night.

The 2013 judging panel, made up of experts in their field, are from Australia and overseas. The panel comprises Adrian Jackson, Albert Dadon, Gerry Koster, Laurence Donohue-Greene, Martin Jackson, Michael Tortoni, John McBeath and Rob Burke.

Media forum at Geelong

● Tony Abbott to face forum at Geelong ■ Sky News is combining with the Herald Sun and Geelong Advertiser to host the first People’s Forum of this election year with Federal Opposition Leader Tony Abbott.

The Sky News coverage starts at 7.30pm tomorrow (Thu.). The Forum will begin at 8pm with questions from undecided voters chosen by Galaxy Research from the Corangamite electorate.

The event will also be streamed live at heraldsun.com.au and geelongadvertiser.com.au Sky News Political Editor David Speers will moderate the one-hour event to be held at the Geelong RSL and seen on Sky News National, channel 601.

Changes at The Oz ■ Chris Kenny has been appointed Associate Editor (National Affairs) after serving as Chief Editorial Writer. Glynis Traill-Nash has been appointed Fashion Editor.

Page 8 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Melbourne

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Observer AT WAR WITH TELSTRA

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Contact Us Office: 30 Glen Gully Rd, Eltham, Vic 3095 Postal: PO Box 1278, Research, Vic. 3095 Phone: +61 3 9439 9927 Fax: +61 3 9431 6247 Web: www.MelbourneObserver.com.au E-Mail: Editor@MelbourneObserver.com.au

Contact Us Publisher and Editor: Ash Long Media Director: Fleur Long Features Editor: Peter Mac Columnists: Len Baker, Harry Beitzel, Matt Bissett-Johnson, David Ellis, Rob Foenander, Christina La Cross, Julie Houghton, Yvonne Lawrence, Nick Le Souef, Mike McColl Jones, John Pasquarelli, Terry Radford, Mark Richardson, Di Rolle, Aaron Rourke, Ted Ryan, Jim Sherlock, Cheryl Threadgold, Kevin Trask, Veritas Distribution: Sam Fiorini, phone 9482 1145

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Melbourne

Observer

Ash On Wednesday

■ We have had enough of Telstra faults, poor service and arrogance.

Last month we had a grievance when the Telstra Bigpond service stalled to a snail’s pace.

It is pretty hard to run a newspaper these days without reliable internet.

We were told to take our urgent problem to Telstra’s ‘Live Chat’ service ... only to find their department was off the air for the night due to ‘maintenance’.

On Friday, our office phone lines were disconnected temporarily, even though our bill was paid.

We are sick of the stuffups. Telstra needs to be held to account. We start our Telstra testimonials section today on Page 74.

The little guy fights back.

Vale David

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with Ash Long, Editor “For the cause that lacks assistance, ‘Gainst the wrongs that need resistance For the future in the distance, And the good that we can do”

Thought For The Week ■ “If you don’t want your children to hear what you are saying, pretend you are talking to them.”

Observer Curmudgeon ■ “Prejudice is a great time saver. It enables you to form opinions without bothering to get the facts.”

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The Masonic Facelift at Gardenvale

Observer Treasury

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Long Shots

● David O’Halloran: school days, 1973 ■ We mourn the passing of school mate David O'Halloran.

We understand David suffered a heart attack whilst mountain-bike riding at Merimbula.

David was probably best known for his football career after Ivanhoe Grammar School.

He was a former Australian Rules footballer who played with Hawthorn in the VFL. ‘Rubber’ played in various defensive positions during his career and was a premiership player with Hawthorn in his debut season.

He was a member of a premiership side again in 1983. A Victorian representative, David was selected in the 1982 'Team of the Year' by the VFL. He was a good bloke.

Sincere sympathy to family and friends.

Text For The Week ■ “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going.”

- John 14:1-4

■ The Dja Dja Wurrung people have been recognised as the traditional owners to 266,432 of land in central Victoria. The land extends from Donald to near Mt Macedon.

The financial aspect of the package is $9.65 million, paid by the Victorian Government.

■ Dabra Byrne is appearing in Last Man Standing, a gospel rock opera, at the Frankston Arts Centre on Saturday, April 27.

■ Cr Sjirley Cornish of Moonee Valley Council has been placed on a 12-month behaviour bond for misusing her Mayoral position to grant a pay rise ex-CEO Rasiah Dev. The Melbourne Observer is printed by Streamline Press, 155 Johnston St, Fitzroy, for the publisher, Ash Long, for Local Media Pty Ltd, ABN 67 096 680 063, of the registered office, 30 Glen Gully Road, Eltham, Distributed by All Day Distribution.

Responsibility for election and referendum comment is accepted by the Editor, Ash Long.

Copyright © 2013, Local Media Pty Ltd (ACN 096 680 063).

IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT COURT REPORTS Contents of Court Lists are intended for information purposes only. The lists are extracted from Court Lists, as supplied to the public, by the Magistrates’ Court of Victoria, often one week prior to publication date; for current Court lists, please contact the Court. Further details of cases are available at www.magistratescourt.vic.gov.au The Melbourne Observer shall in no event accept any liability for loss or damage suffered by any person or body due to information provided. The information is provided on the basis that persons accessing it undertake responsibility for assessing the relevance and accuracy of its content. No inference of a party’s guilt or innocence should be made by publication of their name as a defendant. Court schedules may be changed at any time for any reason, including withdrawal of the action by the Plaintiff/Applicant. E&OE.

Free reader ads are available in the Classifieds

Freemasons Victoria's Deputy Grand Master Hillel Benedykt and Grand Master Bob Jones busy at work With Freemasons’ proud history in towns and suburbs across Victoria, in this edition of the Melbourne Observer we take a look behind the scenes of one of Freemason Victoria's biggest Masonic centre upgrades of the Gardenvale Masonic Centre.

"This refurbishment allows Freemasonry to be preserved and maintain visible in the local community," says Dayne Carmichael, who is Freemasons Victoria's Building and Projects Manager.

"The redevelopment of the Gardenvale Masonic Centre is well under way with a little help from the Grand Master Bob Jones and deputy Grand Master Hillel Benedykt (pictured above).

“The Grand Master and Deputy were in the area and inspected the beginning of the demolition of the property so I said ‘grab a sledge hammer and start helping’, I didn't think they actually would" says Mr Carmichael.

"This building will be a great and shining example of Freemasonry in the community" said Grand Master Bob Jones.

"The buiding that once occupied this site was tired, it had served its purpose for Freemasonry, and with our numbers increasing in the Gardenvale area it was time to give the old girl a new outlook on life.

“We are happy that this site will now house commercial oppertunities that will only boost the local area and furthermore house new business that will create new jobs for people in the Gardenvale and surrounding communities," Mr Jones explained.

Preliminary concept plans have been prepared, which outline a development scenario that includes a mix of Masonic and commercial facilities as well as adequate undercover car parking.

In simple terms the plans indicate a development of some 4,500 square metres with approximately 90 car spaces and roof top signage.

The Gardenvale site redevelopment is likely to be in the order of $15.6 million. It is proposed that this will be funded from the redevelopment and/or sale of the existing Masonic Centres in the District.

The project, once completed will generate sufficient net income to ensure adequate funds are retained for ongoing maintenance and refurbishment of the site and also community projects in the future.

Lodges that currently meet at the Gardenvale Masonic Centre have relocated to the Moorabbin, Sandringham or Brighton Masonic Centres, while the redevelopment is taking place, and then will return to the new Bayside Masonic Centre to once again enjoy Freemasonry.

In his closing remarks about the new Centre the Grand Master Bob Jones said "The new Bayside Masonic Centre will be a place where our members want to come, and a place where they want to introduce their friends to Freemasonry" .

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

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, April 17, 2013 - Page 9

Confidential Melbourne

Talk is cheap, gossip is priceless

‘Killing Fairfax’ book launch in August

■ Harper Collins will be publishing Killing Fairfax: Packer, Murdoch And The Ultimate Revenge this year.

It is billed as “an incisive, hard-hitting and utterly compelling exposé of media, powerful mates and multimillion-dollar deals”.

Written by Australian business journalist Pamela Williams, Killing Fairfax tells the inside ● James Packer and story of the decline of halLachl;an Murdoch lowed media company on the cover of Fairfax, publisher of The Killing Fairfax Age. Covering a decade and a half of lost opportunity and mismanagement, this story culminates in Fairfax’s catastrophic loss of the classified advertising market to the internet, as the famous ‘rivers of gold’ ran dry. The new companies came under the direct influence of two traditional media tycoons, James Packer and Lachlan Murdoch. ● From Page 00

Di Rolle’s column Nicole, Angelina, Tom, Brad, George, Ellen, Russell, Jennifer Aniston, Clint, Oprah, Arnold ... they all know Jenny.

An international entertainment and lifestyle journalist, Jenny Cooney Carrillo specialises in celebrity interviews.

In the 25 years she has been based in Los Angeles, Jenny has interviewed every major star in the world including the ones already mentioned and Barbra Streisand, Paul Newman, Robert Redford and the cast of television shows such as Lost, Desperate Housewives, Sex And The City and True Blood.

Jenny is the LA correspondent for TV Week Australia, TV Guide New Zealand and Total Film UK, and is former US Editor of Empire UK. She is also a regular contributor to the weekly Metro entertainment guide in The Sydney Morning Herald, and also writes for the Sunday edition, The Sun-Herald, and the Melbourne Age newspaper.

She is a great girl. She also includes other clients, Harper’s Bazaar Australia, Australian Women’s Weekly and occasional lifestyle publications covering everything from parenting to travel.

She is an Australian media specialist, able to put clients in touch with everybody they need to know Down Under and also does guest stints on E!TV and the TV Guide Channel.

She is also on top of all; this a great friend. Loyal and kind and ever present. It was wonderful to see her and be with her family.

It was gorgeous to catch up with long time mate of Jenny’s, Angela Bishop, who looked so beautiful in pink on the day.

Hard to get a beer ■ Oh I am such a city girl. I wanted to send my brother a dozen bottles of Carlton Draught for his birthday. He lives in Gippsland, I rang eight stores no one wanted to help me or deliver on a Saturday and I even offered one store $100 for the dozen bottles and I got a NO. Yet, I called a restaurant in New York for a bottle of wine to be delivered to a friend’s table on their birthday and in three minutes I had transaction done and dusted with a joyful “thank you Ma’am so great to speak to you in Australia “on the other end of the phone.

They took a birthday message down for my friend to accompany the bottle of wine!

- Di Rolle

BANKRUPT LAWYER REPRIMANDED, FINED

■ Bankrupt barrister Nigel Mark Turner has been reprimanded and fined $5000 over his failure to lodge income tax returns and GST activity statements.

Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal Member Gerard Butcher heard Legal Services Commissioner Michael McGarvie’s application for Turner to be disciplined.

Turner has been permitted to continue practising as a lawyer, after Mr McGarvie questioned whether Turner was a fit and proper person to engage in legal practice.

Turner must pay $5000 to the Legal Services Board, as well as its costs of $8223.76 by May 26.

Turner must notify the Board of his discharge from bankruptcy, within seven days of that discharge.

Mr Butcher heard that the matters revolved around Turner’s conviction in 2002, relating to non-lodgement of returns from 1996 to 2000.

Turner failed to comply with a Magistrate’s order to lodge returns within 60 days, VCAT was told.

A further for tax offences was made in 2007, relating to returns from

Whispers

Restricted

Gross fees

FILE IMAGE

1996 to 2005. BAS returns were not lodged for the quarters between 2002 and late 2006, VCAT heard.

Turner started practising as a barrister in 1979, although worked as a solicitor between 1987 and 1994.

Evidence was offered that in various years, Turner had tax liabilities of $24,707, ($5670), $2909, $28,917, $30,734, $40,677, $25,371, $31,938, $42,318 and $47,375.

GST liabilities in quarters from 2000-2006 totalled $6,460.

Turner became bankrupt on March 24, 2009. He gad made no adquate provision for payment of income tax on fees from 1996-97, and 1998-2006, VCAT was told.

Mr Turner’s lifestyle was far from lavish. His taxation ‘delinquincy’ arose from the break-

VICTORIAN BODIES TO LOSE STATUS ■ A numkber of Victorian associations will soon lose their incorporation status, advises Deputy Registrar David Betts: Diamond Valley Prostrate Cancer Support Group Inc.; Victoria Restaurant and Wine Business Association Inc.; Greater Green Triangle Region Association Inc.; Melbourne Gymkhana Cricket Club Inc.; Australasian Society for Infectious Diseases Inc.; Cards Australia Social Club Inc.; Victorian Communities Inc.; Friends of the Yiddish Press Inc.; Independent Computer Enthusiasts Inc.; Streetlight Ministries Inc.; Vietnamese Chamber of Trade & Commerce in Australia Inc.; The Guidance Network Inc.; Behind Rainbow Eyes; Indo Kabaddi Federation of Australia Inc.; Southern Organic Livestock Inc.; Tamil Library and Community Centre Inc.; Numurkah and District Machine Knitters Inc.; Development Associates International Inc.; Moonee Valley Peace Network Inc.; Amity Projects Inc.; Littlecroft Kindergarten Inc.; Warrnambool Swap Meet Inc.; Boxes for Doctors Inc.; Brother Bes Foundation Inc.; Dendy Park Association Inc.; Apollo Bay Fundraising Committee Inc.; Cassidy’s Wish Foundation Inc.; Mansfield Nordic Ski Club Inc.; Insieme Australia Inc.; The Truth TV Inc.; Moonee Valley Climate Research and Action Group Inc.; The Pakenham Games Inc.; Wimmera Bombers Supporters Group Inc.; Know Your Candidate Association of Australia Inc.; The James Cook Kindergarten Association Inc.; Church of Living Waters Inc.; Driftaway Caravan Club Inc.; Hills Festival Association Inc.; Yarra Valley Old Boys Cricket Club Inc.; Lyonville Events Group Inc.; Impact Ministries Inc.; Beat Members Group Inc.; Hamilton & District Poultry Club Inc.; Soul Fusion Inc.; Tall Poppies-Creating Opportunities Inc.; Gorgi Kotevski Sheleto Inc.; Singles Eliza Inc.; Art Gallery of Ballarat Foundation Inc.; Emanuelu Christian Fellowship Melbourne Inc.; The Maltese Television Consortium Victoria Inc.

■ VCAT was told that barrister Nigel Mark Turner received these gross fees for financial years ending June 30: ■ 1997: $112,324 ■ 1998: $132,840 ■ 1999: $133,327 ■ 2000: $119,960 ■ 2001: $120,477 ■ 2002: $142,584 ■ 2003: $113,415 ■ 2004: $131,200 ■ 2005: $143,034 ■ 2006: $167,992 marriage, and his allocation of the bulk of his available income to his wife and son, Mr Butcher said.

“Mr Turner engaed in a repetitive failure of his legal and civic obligations by not lodging timely tax returns and BAS returns or paying income tax and GST,” Mr Butcher said. He has since paid his taxes.

Numerous character witnesses testified to Mr Turner’s high repute, Mr Butcher acknowledged.

● An American Pit Bull Terrier ■ The decision of Monash Council to have Jade Applebee’s American Pit Bull Terrier declared as a ‘restricted breed dog’ has been afirmed by the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal. The unregistered dog Kerser is not desexed, VCAT heard.

Waves

Rumour Mill

Hear It Here First

Hitting the glass ceiling ■ 3AW night-time host Bruce Mansfield, 69 next week, spoke this month on air about his sons attending football at Etihad Stadium and at the MCG. It led Bruce to ponder out loud about bad weather affecting football at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Mansfield questioned why the roof at the MCG was not closed for the match. ● Bruce Mansfield

● Bruce wanted the MCG roof closed

E-Mail: Confidential@MelbourneObserver.com.au

■ Which radio network boss was overheard making a phone call in which he freely criticised two of his most senior executives?

And which radio executive was ordered to attend counselling sessions after allegedly yelling at a staff member?

Twit Mal ■ Former Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser has been noticed on Twitter social media at unusual hours over the past week.

Up very late ... or making an extremely early start to the day?

No money ■ Amanda Edmonds has lost her appeal against the Victim of Crime Assistance Tribunal’s decision to refuse her application for compensation after an assault eight years ago. Applications need to be lodged within two years.

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Page 10 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Observer Readers’ Club The Way We Were 100 Years Ago The Traralgon Record Friday, April 18, 1913 AN INTERESTING STORY OF A WICKED UNCLE In the early half of the eighteenth century Lord Altham, the grandson of the first Earl of Anglesey, bore the reputation of being one of the most dissolute noblemen in a dissolute age.

He had a young son, James Annesley, for whom 'he had no affection owing to the lad standing between him and some property.

James was sent to school, and when Lord Altham ceased to pay for him there he was turned adrift, and during the two years which elapsed before his father's death, the boy had to live as:best he-could.

James Annesley's uncle seems to have been more inhuman than Lord Altham; he appropriated the estates, kidnapped his nephew, and shipped him to America to be a slave.

The boy escaped; and managed to get on Admiral Vernon's ship as a sailor. The admiral was a kind-hearted man, and listened to and believed in the story of James Annesley's wrongs.

Influen tial friends of Admiral Vernon's were appealed to, and the boy's claim was brought forward.

The wicked uncle tried in every possible way to prevent a trial, and caused attempts to be made on his nephew's life; he even tried to involve him in a charge of murder through James having accidentally shot a poacher. The charge fell through, however, and after a trial which lasted for a fortnight, James Annesley's legitimacy was established, and he succeeded to the estates, but generously ceded the title to his uncle.

The title of Earl of Anglesey is now extinct, but perhaps some day a claim may be put in for its revival by James Annesley's descendants, and this forgotten romance of the peerage will be then revived again.

Melbourne Photo Flashback

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Life’s Lessons

Reader Recipes

■ “Instructions for living a life. Pay attention.

Be astonished. Tell about it.” - Mary Oliver

Birthdays/Celebrations

Word Of The Week ■ Asperity. Harshness of tone or manner; harsh qualities or conditions.

Observations ■ Bouffant is close to buffoon in the dictionary. And often, life. French theatre developed the bouffon, a mockery of life.

Your Stars with Christina La Cross ARIES (MAR 21 - APR 20) A This is a month when your financial situation may receive more of your attention than usual. Any changes in refinancing or borrowing or lending had best be done now to ensure success.

TAURUS (APR 21 - MAY 21) The possibility of good luck which has been in force in money matters disappears and you have to depend upon your own ability and brains to source finances. Can you do this?

Yes you can my friend!

GEMINI (MAY 22 - JUNE 21) Older people seem to be helpful to your emotions and you get along better with the faces who last month you couldn't seem to agree with. Think about what you wear. First impressions are important today.

CANCER (JUNE 22 - JULY 23) Long distance travel makes life more fun for you but be prepared to pay your own way if you want to ensure you gain respect. An ex can only irritate if you acknowledge them.

Call now to focus on what and who is really important this month.

LEO (JULY 24 - AUG 23) Confessions you hear and make this week, change your life and open up new options for your future. The chance to go somewhere you've always been curious about presents itself now.

VIRGO (AUG 24 - SEPT 23) You're frozen in the moment, not sure what to do. You have far more roads to proceed down from where you currently stand, as events over the coming seven days are waiting to prove to you.

LIBRA (SEPT 24 - OCT 23) I can see you have itchy feet, but don't be too quick to change your career. There is much to be gained by throwing your experience into the melting pot this month.

SCORPIO (OCT 24 - NOV 22) You think that you've ruined things with your recent behaviour when in fact you've simply proved that you're human. Talks, if you are willing to have them, prove this.

SAGITTARIUS (NOV 23 - DEC 21) Some sort of a worry which last week you could not get off of your mind, now seems to have been sorted out for good since you stopped the dramatics and dealt with the facts.

CAPRICORN (DEC 22 - JAN 20) Even though things may seem harder, this is in fact an ideal time to show those in power what you're really made of. Others listen when you talk now so use your power well.

AQUARIUS (JAN 21 - FEB 19) Anyone would think you were in a race the way you're rushing through life. You need to take your time. Tell new faces about yourself little by little, or there will be nothing left to unravel.

PISCES (FEB 20 - MARCH 20) Conversations with professionals boost your confidence. Don't rush, but go slow with all new relationships, especially those with a foreign link or twist. A secure base is necessary for success.

FAX: 1-800 231 312 E-MAIL: editor@ melbourneobserver.com.au

● Sausages and champ mash with eschalot gravy Courtesy: taste.com.au Ingredients 1.5kg potatoes (such as pontiac or desiree), peeled, chopped 1/4 cup (60ml) thickened cream 2 tbs Dijon mustard 150g unsalted butter 4 spring onions (pale part only), finely chopped 1 tbs each olive oil and plain flour 12 pork chipolata sausages (or 8 regular thin pork sausages) 8 eschalots (200g total), thinly sliced 1/2 cup (125ml) red wine 1 1/2 cups (375ml) good-quality beef stock (see note) Flat-leaf parsley leaves, to garnish Method Notes Step 1 Cook potato in boiling salted water for 12-15 minutes until tender. Drain, then return to pan with cream, 1 tbs mustard and 120g butter. Mash until smooth. Stir in onion and season. Cover and keep warm.

Step 2 Meanwhile, heat oil in a large pan over mediumhigh heat. Prick sausages with a skewer. Fry, turning, for 6-8 minutes until cooked through and browned. Transfer to a tray and keep warm in a 160°C oven.

Step 3 Drain all but 1 tbs oil from pan and return to medium heat. Cook eschalot and cook for 5 minutes until soft. Add flour, stir for 30 seconds, then add wine and stock. Bring to a boil, then simmer over medium-low heat for 10 minutes until thick.

Whisk in remaining mustard and butter until well combined. Serve sausages on mash, pour over gravy and garnish with parsley.

What’s On Around Town ■ '100 Years of Watercolour' will be presented by Without Pier Gallery at the Glen Eirta Council Gallery, Caulfield, from 6pm8pm tonight (Wed., April 17).

■ Arts Centre Melbourne and Opera Australia have announced a new partnership agreement to ensure the preservation of Opera Australia’s substantial archive of production, performance and company material.

■ Wednesday, April 17. TV and radio host Greg Evans is 60.

■ Friday, April 19. Observer reader Jeff Blades of Wantirna is 76. Deb Sukarna is 57. Journalist Mark Day was born in South Australia, 70 years ago. Radio man Graham Webb is 77. Businessman Lindsay Fox is 76.

■ Saturday, April 20. Rdaio man Max Rowley was born in 1937. Comedienne Julia Morris is 45.

■ Sunday, April 21. 3AW newsman Tom Andronas is 27. Ex-Premier John Brumby is 60. Queen Elizabeth II ((Elizabeth Alexandra Mary MountbattenWindsor) is 87 ■ Monday, April 22. Happy birthday Trevor Trevan.

■ Tuesday, April 23. Birthday honours for Kathy McCrum. 3AW newsman Denis O’Kane was born on this day. Actress Elaine Smith is 51.

Cheerios ■ We were extremely pleased to hear from Observer subscriber Ron Alderton this week.

Ron enjoyed the Eric Pearce story. “I was very blessed to work with him when Kerry Packer bought 3AK. Eric and I did a morning request program entitled A Call From Eric. Certainly a very gracious gentleman, and the man we all knew so well on the TV screen was exactly what you got ‘in person’.

■ Observer subscriber Dan Webb wrote us a note this week. He was impressed with Mark Richardson’s feature story on Don Kinsey.

Dan also had nice things to say about Don, whose life has included good deeds for the Royal Children’s Hospital.

■ Our thoughts are with Observer cartoonist Matt Bissett-Johnson, whose father has been seriously ill.

Trivia

1. In what year was Advance Australia Fair proclaimed as the national anthem by the Governor-General?

2. What animal featured on the 2 cent coin?

3. Who is on the front of the current issue $100 note?

4. How many albums did the late slim Dusty record?

5. Who painted the Nebuchadnezzar series?

6. How many ships were in the First Fleet?

7. What song played during Scott and Charlene’s wedding on Neighbours?

Answers: 1. 1984. 2. Frilled neck lizard. 3. Dame Nellie Melba. 4. 103. 5. Arthur Boyd. 6. 11. 7.

Suddenly

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, April 17, 2013 - Page 11

Melbourne

Observer Life & Style

WHO’S THE LEADER OF THE CLUB?

■ Isn’t it maddening when you hear a tune and for the rest of the day it is going around in your head, and you hum it non-stop?

It doesn’t matter how you try to think of something else, the song always comes first.

During the night I was listening to the radio news and I was so sad to hear that Annette Funicello, from Disney’s Mickey Mouse Club had died.

I woke the ‘keeper of the remote’ (KOTR) and told him the sad news.

We both started to sing the theme song to the series, and laughed because we both remembered it so well.

Remembered it! It was part of my life during those marvellous salad days.

And Annette was the star when we thought of the Mickey Mouse Club.

We all used to wish we looked like her, and indeed I tried to copy her hairstyle at one time.

A boy on whom I had an enormous crush told me that he thought she was beautiful, hence the copied hairstyle.

I hasten to add that I certainly didn’t look anywhere near as beautiful with Annette’s hairstyle.

Date day to F.T. Gully

■ We knew all the songs and longed to be old enough to go to the beach parties. Mind you, I had as much hope of going to any beach party as flying to the moon whilst Mum was on the home watch.

There was no point in going back to sleep because ‘KOTR’ and I were both in the mood to reminisce about television and things from our teenage years as well as Annette Funicello.

It seems boys are really not so different from teenage girls. The boys aspired to look like their favourite film star, and show off when any girl was in close proximity.

We laughed when we thought of our behaviour growing up and how different we were to the teenagers of today.

I remember that I was invited by a boy to go on a picnic to the National Park in Ferntree Gully.

His mate was going with him, and this necessitated a school friend for me.

Bursting to go

■ Permission was granted provided I agreed to a list of do’s and don’ts as long as the Magna Charta devised by Mum of course.

Thinking back how awkward we were had Peter and I laughing uproariously. And when I told him that I was bursting to go to the toilet and was too embarrassed to say, I just hung on until I got home to Brighton and the flood burst.

And then I was in trouble again because I should Melbourne

Observer

She was my own personal chaperone! I have never been to a public dance. Goodness knows what my mother thought went on at these dances.

The nuns taught us to dance as a social obligation but where was the fun being partnered with another girl from your grade?

If I remember we had a social about twice a year when the boys from another college were invited.

The nuns patrolled and if a couple looked like that they were too close, a hand would land on the girls shoulder and she would leave the floor.

I wonder what Mother Superior would say about the mini skirts, or the very short shorts of today?

Yvonne’s Column

Worse for Catholic girls with Yvonne Lawrence yvonne.lawrence@bigpond.com

have excused myself and gone. She forgot we were in the wilds of the bush and nowhere to go.

Well, not for young ladies anyhow.

I found out many years later, when Bruce and I met again at university that he and his mate just walked ahead of us and found a big tree. They wondered why we didn’t have a call of nature!

Mum’s treat at Hillier’s ■ Imagine that happening today? Men have such handy little gadgets to take on a picnic!

Cars were not a problem, because very few people had them. Young people used public transport and shanks pony.

But they did stand up to give a seat to an older traveller.

Who needed to binge drink when we had a milk bar in every suburb, and for special occasions there was Hillier’s in Collins St that made the most sensational egg flips.

It was the place to go, because behind the marble counter with all the glitzy fittings were young, extremely handsome fellows wearing American soda fountain uniforms with dinky little Air Force style caps on their heads, worn at a very jaunty angle.

I could only secretly drool because I was always with Mum. It was her treat, but I would have preferred to go with a school friend.

Strap-wielding nuns ■ I sometimes wonder how I grew up with any social skills at all because she watched me like a hawk. The strap-wielding nuns only exceeded her in strictness.

■ If I thought I had it tough I felt sorry for the kids who were at a Catholic College. The stories they used to tell us were horrific, much harder than my Anglican nuns.

I was home for holidays and found a copy of the Truth newspaper which Mum used to hide in case I read any part of it.

She assured me she bought it for the social pages. I believed her. But many wouldn’t.

I hid the paper and put it in my case to take back to school.

To say I was popular would be an understatement when I arrived back at school bearing this prize.

The only thing was we could never see what all the fuss was about because we couldn’t understand it.

I had the bright idea of looking up the words that puzzled us in the dictionary, but alas, we still couldn’t understand the meaning.

What a red-letter day it was for me to reach 13 and become, in my eyes, an adult.

Forbidden topics ■ Would you believe that my mother forbade me to discuss my menstruation with any girl?

I, of course, wanted to tell my school friends particularly those who already had their own ‘secret’.

I used to giggle every time in the math lectures when we were learning about mensuration.

Thinking back I would have been considered a geek by today’s standards.

Bubby young girl ■ I’d love to see The Mickey Mouse Club today on television.

What would I think I wonder?

All I know is that Annette Funicello was a bubbly young girl who could sing, act and dance and I’d love to have been like her.

● Annette Funicello Sadly she died at the age of 70 of multiple Sclerosis.

‘KOTR' and I had such a lovely time remembering our early years.

Maturing into an adult

■ There was a film I saw many years ago called Summer Of 42 about a young man growing up.

In one scene he finds his parents’ medical book and he and his mates sneak it outside to read. To them, it was like finding the Karma Sutra.

And the scene when he goes into the local chemist shop to buy condoms is priceless.

He came out with more toothpaste than he could possibly use in a lifetime.

I’m enjoying life now, but that experience of discovering new things belongs to the early years.

Somewhere along the way I matured into an adult without causing Mum any heart-stopping moments.

But when I look back, I wouldn’t have missed those years of growing up and the innocence of the 1950s and 60s as a fan of Annette Funicello and The Mickey Mouse Club.

- Yvonne Contact: Melbourne Observer P.O, Box 1278, Research 3095

News Briefs

Chestnut time ■ The annual Chestnut Festival in the township of Kalorama on Mt Dandenong will take place on Sunday, May 5.

The festival, which started as a fundraiser for the Mt Dandenong Pre-School, is now a feature tourism event in the Yarra Ranges, attracting visitors across the state to celebrate the gourmet nut.

Head JIm Sherlock’s 10 Unforgettables Head

Feed Melbourne ■ Our friends at Leader Community Newspapers have asked us to support their Feed Melbourne campaign.

It is an annual fundraising campaign which raises money to help Melbourne’s most vulnerable, hungry and isolated citizens.

People are asked to donate $7.50 lunch money next Tuesday.

■ Type ■ A 10-DVD pack is to be released soon, featuring Observer critic Jim Sherlock’s 10 Unforgettable Films. is Australia’s leading film ■Jim Type historian, with a love for classic movies. He has had an accomplished career in TV, radio and the movie industry spaningmore than 40 years, his knowledge and credentials are unmatched.

Perhaps best known for his current work as a classic film reviewer for the Fairfax Radio Network, his weekly shows reach a national audience of more than half a million.

Also having worked as a film publicist and TV presenter, he writes film reviews in the Melbourne Observer and is a member of The Society of Australian Cinema Pioneers.

A 10 Classic War Movies DVD Box Set is in pre-production.

● Jim Sherlock’s new 10 Unforgettable Films

Mrs Brown visits ■ Brendan O’Carroll, who stars as Agnes Brown in the Channel 7 series Mrs Brown’s Boys, is bringing the entire cast to Australia next year.

The Melbourne show will be held on Saturday, March 15, at the Plenary, Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre. Tickets go on sale next Monday through Ticketmaster.

At South Yarra ■ Peter Mackennal is exhibiting at the South Yarra Arts House, Alemeida Cres.

Sue Beavis says: “Peter comes from a long line of artists who left their mark on the Australian art world. His grandfather’s brother, Sir Bertram Mackennal, studied and majored in sculpture at the National Gallery of Victoria School of Art, alongside his colleagues Arthur Streeton, Frederick McCubbin and Tom Roberts.”

To face Court ■ Police prosecutor Philip Bibby is taking Casey Council to court to dispute a $86 fine for parking on his nature strip.

Miss Burlesque ■ Tickets for the Miss Burlesque Grand Final are now on sale.

Victorian contestant Becky Lou will compete against interstate winners. The final will be held at the Athenaeum Theatre, Collins St. on Saturday, May 25.

Open ANZAC Day ■ Arts Centre Melbourne will be open all day this ANZAC Day public holiday on Thursday, April 25. Iours and shows, including the Aperitivo Tours and Barassi, will be staged.

Page 12 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, April 17, 2013

■ During the 1950s my local picture theatre used to have special ‘horror nights’ where the film would begin at midnight and they would screen a Hollywood classic such as Frankenstein, The Wolf Man or Dracula.

Count Dracula was one of my favourites and we would try to imitate the accent of Bela Lugosi in my primary school playground.

Béla Ferenc Dezso Blaskó was born in 1882 in Lugos, which at the time was part of Austria-Hungary.

Bela dropped out of school and when he was 20 was performing small roles in stage productions.

In 1911 he was working with The National Theatre of Hungry in Budapest.

He served in the army during World War One where he became a captain and was awarded a medal after he was wounded at the Russian front.

Bela had small roles in 12 silent films in Hungary after the war.

In 1917 he married for the first time but the marriage only lasted for three years.

Bela fled his homeland during the Hungarian Revolution of 1919 and made his way to the US as a crew man on a merchant ship.

He started working as an actor under the name of Bela Lugosi; Lugosi was derived from his birthplace.

Bela appeared in several Broadway plays before landing his first American film role in The

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Whatever Happened To ...

Béla Lugosi

By Kevin Trask of 3AW and 96.5 Inner FM Silent Command in 1923 and he made a big impression on Fox Film Corporation.

He was performing in the play Dracula on Broadway in 1927 and this led to being cast in the 1931 classic horror film which made him famous throughout the world.

He played various characters in a string of Bgrade films over the next 30 years. He was naturalised as an American citizen in 1931.

His films included Murders In The Rue Morgue, White Zombie, The Black Cat, Son Of Frankenstein, The Ghost Of Frankenstein and Frankenstein Meets The Wolf Man. He was quite often cast opposite Boris Karloff and the studio publicity people would write fictitious stories about their rivalry.

● Bela Lugosi Bela became more reliant on drugs to ease the pain he was experiencing from his war wounds and this apparently led to a drug addiction.

In 1948 he reprised his role as Count Dracula in the comedy film Abbott And Costello Meet Frankenstein.

Although he had worked in films for most of his life he was a very poor man. When he was in

hospital his care was paid for by Frank Sinatra who was fan of his work.

Bela had been married five times in his life time and had one son.

In 1953 he was found living in obscurity by the film producer Ed Wood who resurrected his career by featuring Bela in some of the worst B grade films of all time.

I am a huge fan of the 1994 film Ed Wood starring Johnny Depp, and Martin Landau as Bela Lugosi.

Bela Lugosi died of a heart attack whilst lying on a couch at his home in 1956 at the age of 73.

His final film, Plan Nine From Outer Space, is a cult classic today and it was produced around a few small scenes shot with Bela prior to his death.

Ed Wood cast his wife's chiropractor as a double in the film, lurking around with a black cape over his face pretending to be Bela.

Bela Lugosi became typecast in Hollywood and was probably a fine character actor. But hey, everyone from the era remembers Bela Lugosi.

- Kevin Trask The Time Tunnel - with Bruce & PhilSundays at 8.20pm on 3AW That's Entertainment - 96.5FM Sundays at 12 Noon 96.5FM is streaming on the internet. To listen, go to www.innerfm.org.au and follow the prompts.

FISHERMAN RISKS LIFE FOR BET

■ You're never far from a crocodile in Darwin.

The other morning at about 3am, a one-metre salty was apprehended while strolling down the Stuart Highway.

He was successful apprehended, and is now happily ensconced in a local croc farm.

Then there is always an episode or two of stupidity.

An old friend of mine, snake-man Eric Worrell, once told me when I first began to milk tiger snakes of their venom: "Alcohol and snakes don't mix!"

The same equally goes for crocodiles. There is always such an incident happening in the Top End. One Keith Parry, in 2009, ran out of beer, so began a swim across the croc-infested Daly River to retrieve some more. Of course he never made it Then, last week, another foolhardy gentleman, who in the cold hard light of the next day decided to remain anonymous, was fishing in a tinny with his mates, also on the Daly River.

Liquor was passing lips, and there weren't many fish about, so a wager was suggested.

He was offered two cases of Jack Daniels to shed his clothes, and stand on a big log floating down the flooded river. Which of course he did.

"I'd enjoyed a few beers and it seemed like a good idea at the time!"

■ Dogs are always an issue in the Territory. From the packs of marauding and miserable mange-ridden camp dogs, known as ‘leatherbacks’, which roam around town in Alice scavenging whatever they can, to others, equally miserable, who live with their owners in the Todd River bed.

Their prime source of sustenance is the faecal matter deposited by their owners in the sandy river bed.

Then there are packs of dingoes and wild dogs which roam around the hills adjacent to town.

They're generally fit and healthy and well fed, often attacking and devouring roos and wallabies which hop around the ranges.

And then they come close into town, and attack domestic pets, both dogs and cats, and gobble them up.

This has now been recently happening in the Top End. They roam around Jabiru, and have attacked and devoured a few small Jack Russells and Shitzus of late, to

The Outback Legend

with Nick Le Souef Lightning Ridge Opals 175 Flinders Lane, Melbourne Phone 9654 4444 www.opals.net.au the extent that they're getting braver and coming closer into town, causing parents to fear for the welfare of their little kids.

Authorities are promising to cull their numbers, but bureaucracy seems to move slowly at the best of times.

I'd be getting my .22 out poste haste!

■ My oft-mentioned mate Rex Niendorf, the Alice Springs snake catcher, told me that business is dropping off a little now that the weather is cooling a little in the Centre.

He catches and relocates at least 500 snakes each year from Alice Springs properties, often inside homes. Usually Browns and King Browns, both extremely poisonous, high on the top 10 in the world.

And yet I never saw many in my 20 odd years there - certainly not more than two a year.

It's the same down south on the Peninsula. Last year I caught a huge tiger snake on Old Melbourne Rd, the biggest I'd seen since my childhood.

And a friend was cycling in the Quarantine last weekend and nearly ran over a huge brown snake.

Whilst I would occasionally encounter both tiger and copperheads down here, I've only ever twice seen a brown in all the years I have lived here, either as a local or a weekender.

It's the same with Red-Bellied Blacks. They can grow to a huge size, the record being a 12 foot monster from Gippsland, and I've heard reports of six footers at Sorrento, but I've never ever seen one.

Even though they're deadly, and can defend themselves, all snakes are smart enough to keep out of our way, no matter where they are!

■ My mate Ben Heaslip came to visit a couple of weeks ago.

He's a devotee of Bruce Springsteen, so he was hoping that a trip down from Alice Springs at the appropriate time may just result in a visit to the concert.

So, thanks to my roadie mate Chainsaw, this came to pass.

Ben was brought up on a cattle station, thousands of square miles, called Bond Springs, just north of Alice.

It's a sort of a dude ranch now, but still working with cattle roaming around, and Ben riding about on his quad bike rounding and mustering them up.

Bond Springs was begun in the 1870s, and now Ben and his wife Laura, and his folks, rent the quaint old heritage-listed rooms out to international guests.

He attended School-of-the-Air in a tiny little solid rock schoolhouse, along with his brother and sister.

A dear and close friend of both myself and my son Jonas - he does live up to the old adage - "You can take the boy out of the country but you can't take the country out of the boy!"

He's always a breath of fresh bush air when he comes down.

■ I have visited Bond Springs many times as a guest and a visitor - I've even taken Keith and Angie McGowan out there a few times.

It always amazes me how the pioneers survived. The original main ‘homestead’, still there large as life, was just a small building, one room, with a dirt floor, about 15 x 20 ft. All the living was done here.

The walls were slabs of timber, about half the size of railway sleepers, vertically stuck in the ground, with gaps of about an inch between them.

And there's still a primitive baby's cot and bath stand and the main rough

● Naked man risks croc death for booze. Photo: NT News old bed as well. I despair at the privaAnd surrounded by snakes and spitions which pioneer women must have ders, with nary a neighbour for many miles, must have been a nightmare. endured.

I can't imagine any modern day newLiving in such a primitive dwelling, lywed excited at the prospect in the intense summer heat, with the of suchgetting a life! husband away mustering cattle for - Nick Le Souef weeks on end.

‘The Outback Legend’

A Death In The Family ■ The Ward Theatre Company opens on April 20 with A Death In The Family and runs until May 25 at its very own theatre in the Docklands Cotton Mills, Footscray.

Directed by Wendy Ward, this original adaptation of James Agee's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel tells of a heart-warming celebration of the love between a boy and his parents in the midst of a family tragedy.

The show stars Petra Glieson, Andrew McPhedran, Darren Mort and Lee McClenaghan, with music by Helena Plazzer and Emma McKay. The Ward Theatre Company challenges audiences to bear more intimate witness to human events.

Founded by Wendy Ward in New York City in 2005, the Ward Theatre Company has recently been re-populated by an all-Australian cast and established its own multi-level theatre venue at the Docklands Cotton Mills in Footscray.

The company's signature piece, I Wish You A Boat, recently sold out at the Melbourne Fringe Festival and enjoyed a six-week extended season.

Performances: Opens April 20, then April 25 to May 25, Thu, Fri, Sat at 8pm (no performance May 18) Venue: Ward Theatre, Docklands Cotton Mills, 91 Moreland St, Footscray. Tickets: $30/$25. Bookings: trybooking.com/40254 Please note that latecomers cannot be seated. ● Petra Glieson, Andrew McPhedran and Darren Mort in A Death In The Family, opening at the Ward Theatre, Footscray on April 20.

Observer Magazine Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, April 17, 2013 - Page 13

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Melbourne

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www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

WHAT A CIRCUS!

■ The fourth annual World Circus Day on Saturday (Apr. 20), encourages families all over the world to celebrate the magic of the circus with a related activity.

This could include attending a circus performance, dressing up as a clown, or presenting a little circus at home, complete with pets.

Our own home-grown Circus Oz celebrates its 35th anniversary this year, and this wonderful company has come a long way since emerging in 1978 as a 'new wave' circus.

I recently had the pleasure of talking with Circus Oz co-founder and senior circus artist, Tim Coldwell, in the company's atmospheric offices situated in the former Port Melbourne Post Office.

The huge rehearsal space next door was formerly a Navy drill hall.

Tim has walked a high wire from the top of the Adelaide Festival Centre, across the Torrens River, and next year his company moves into a $15 million custom-built facility at 35 Johnston St, Collingwood.

Both are extraordinary accomplishments, so how and when did the circus world enter Tim's life?

Tim remembers seeing his first circus at age 10, and started DIY training in circus arts at age 20, with a friend in the backyard.

They bought a box of oranges and learnt to juggle, then bought unicycles, and tied a rope between trees to learn to walk the tightrope.

Tim's first job was with Ashton's Circus, where he drove trucks, put the tent up and worked as an elephant boy.

Tim says he learned by watching performers in action, and always asked questions. "If people saw you working hard and then you asked them questions, they would share their secrets."

● The Melantroppos: Jim Robertson, Michael Price, Tim Coldwell, Sue Broadway, Kelvin Gedye and Jack Daniels, in 1978.

Photo: Ponch Hawkes When the flying trapeze was left up four colleagues to perform high wire The Circus Oz first overseas tour at the end of shows, Tim would take over the heads of the audience . was in 1980, and since then the comthe opportunity to hone his skills, and The show was called Waiter, There's pany has performed in 26 countries, continued his backyard training when a Circus in My Soup, and combined across five continents, and enjoyed at home. high wire with solo juggling and uni- much overseas and local success.

After working for Circus Royale cycle acts.

Tim says in the early days when as a clown and ringmaster, Tim Meanwhile, at the Australian Per- the entire company went on tour, there founded the Adelaide-based, animal- forming Group's Pram Factory in was nobody back here working for Cirfree New Circus.

Carlton, future Circus Oz co- cus Oz, but things are different now.

Starting as street circus, the New founder, Laurel Frank, was performOnce thing that has not changed Circus went on tour after Tim ac- ing in the Pop-Eye Puppets and later since the inception of Circus Oz is quired and repaired some old trucks. became part of the newly-formed Soap the company's admirable strong belief John Pinder, who opened the Last Box Circus. in social justice.

Laugh Restaurant in Collingwood This six-member troupe of varied Tim says there has always been a in 1977, had circus connections, and talents used street and theatre perfor- conscious need for equal employment Tim came over from Adelaide with mance to express political views, and of women and, perhaps a legacy from their circus tricks included juggling and Pram Factory days, there is an pyramids. awareness of political issues, sympaThe late 1960s and 70s were an ex- thy for indigenous Australians and beciting time in Australia's emerging ing on the side of the oppressed. arts industry, with a vernacular voice Circus Oz ideology has always fodeveloping in locally-written works for cussed on offering circus theatre for the film, television and theatre. people, and Tim says this is still the Merging the traditional circus skill case today. talents of the New Circus performOne example is the company takers with the satire, music and theatrics ing shows to people in factory canteens of the Soapbox Circus, made a lot and industrial sites, to enable everyone of sense, and so the unique, animal free to enjoy a circus experience. circus with the Aussie-flavoured A long-standing connection with name, Circus Oz, was born in 1978. refugees and asylum seekers has seen Tim recalls designing the Circus Oz give workshops at detencompany's first tent to seat 600 people, tion centres, provide tickets, and also buying the material and hand-sewing invite audiences at the end of shows to the tent together with company mem- contribute towards helping this cause. bers in the Pram Factory basement. To date, $392,000 has been raised.

Other forms of engaging in issues When asked if this was a financially risky venture, Tim says "We pursued associated with social justice, and giving all a good time at the circus, ina passion, and made a living."

Their first gig was the 1978 clude benefits and tickets for those sufMoomba Festival then the Adelaide fering from AIDS, indigenous AustraFestival, followed by a 35-week stint lians, the Starlight Foundation, at the Last Laugh Restaurant in homeless shelters, victims of domestic violence, families living on housing 1979.

Tim performed in aerial acts, while commission estates, the Red Cross, fellow Circus Oz co-founder, Lau- the Royal Children's Hospital, rel Frank, designed and made the Angli-care Kids in Crisis and other ● Sosina Wogayehu, 2006. Photo: Ponch Hawkes similar programs.

● Circus Oz co-founder Tim Coldwell celebrates the company's 35th anniversary.

Photo: Malcolm Threadgold This thriving circus for the people often recruits new performers from smaller circus companies, where some may be NICA (National Institute of Circus Arts) graduates, or the youth-based Flying Fruit Fly Circus in Albury.

Tim says it comes in handy to play an instrument as well as perform circus skills.

Two indigenous Australian performers were in the current show, From The Ground Up, recently returned from an American tour, and will also be in the new show, Cranked Up. Over time, some performers join the management staff, while others have been known to move on to performing from operational work.

Tim's enthusiasm is evident when he talks about plans for the new Circus Oz headquarters at the former Collingwood TAFE, with the big move scheduled for January 24, 2014.

In typical generous Circus Oz style, Tim says the company also wants to share their new home with the broader community.

Turn to P14

● Tim Coldwell as Happy Simpson.

Photo: Ponch Hawkes

Page 14 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, April 17, 2013

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Observer Magazine

CWA celebrates 85th birthday

■ The Country Women's Association of Victoria has just celebrated 85 years of service to the community, and has launched a new cook book to mark the milestone.

"The capacity to adapt over time, evolving as the community evolved and going from strength to strength, was a real credit in the Country Women's Association of Victoria achievement of 85 years of community service," said Mary Wooldridge, State Minister for Women's Affairs.

Ms Wooldridge spoke at the State celebratory cocktail party, which included the launch of the CWA’s newest cookbook - Well Preserved - at the historic Umina building in Lansell Rd, Toorak, which serves as the Victorian Association's headquarters.

"Eighty-five years is a great achievement of service to the community. International Women's Day, came to Melbourne in 1931 but the CWA was here first in Victoria," Ms Wooldridge said.

"It is significant to recognise their engagement of women and their community service.

Over time there has been a lot of change for

● CWA State President Carol Clay with Mary Wooldridge MLA at the launch function

women and the CWA has been seen as the cornerstone in regional and rural communities especially, giving a sense of support for those who needed it.

"The breadth of leadership, community infrastructure and social connections as well as emergency response is underpinned by the Association's fundraising focus - embedded in an environment of advocacy.

"The Association's Ssate focus in 2013 is on ‘Family Violence - Taking Action’ and has joined with the Women's Health Network and Domestic Violence Victoria on the program of ‘What Can I Do?’ - a practical training program taken all around Victoria clearly sought to change community attitudes and change outdated mindsets on this issue,” Ms Wooldridge said.

She commended the “positive and practical” initiative taking place, given that the number one cause of death and disability for women under 45 years of age was domestic or family violence.

The celebration at Umina, attended by State CWA office bearers, the organising committee and VIP guests was one of the State's first cel-

ebrations to mark the 85-year milestone. More than 5000 members across Victoria within 285 branches will celebrate in various ways.

The cookbook launch of everything jams and preserves, with 85 recipes contributed by members statewide also celebrated and highlighted the talents and family recipes of the Association.

It contains traditional and modern recipes, and members' favourites, tried, original and tested.

State President Carol Clay was proud of the efforts of the 85th Birthday Committee in bringing all elements together for the celebration and spoke about the Association's many highlights over the years.

Ms Wooldridge commended the Association for its achievement.

"Eighty-five years is a real credit. It will be exciting for the group that will gather in this room in the 85 years to come."

The new Well Preserved cook book can be obtained by phoning 9827 8971 www.cwaofvic.org.au

CIRCUS OZ 35TH ANNIVERSARY

● From Page 13 The will be resenting public classes in circus skills for children and adults, workshop programs for community groups of all kinds, and a Spiegel Tent on the property will be available for community events.

More rehearsal space and resources will also be offered to smaller groups.

Tim says plans to celebrate the Circus Oz 35th anniversary include a cake, the Melbourne season of Cranked Up, a three month regional

Special Feature

by Cheryl Threadgold

tour, a tour to South Africa, then Sydney and America.

If you would like to enjoy this marvellous rock-n-roll, irreverent, animal free and big-hearted circus in action,

● Christa Hughes and Michael Ling, 2006. Photo: Ponch Hawkes

Cranked Up starts on June 19 and runs until July 14 at Birrarung Marr, near Federation Square.

And on World Circus Day, April 20, a young person with a passion to join the circus, just like Tim Coldwell so many years ago, may be practising juggling oranges in their backyard.

Let's hope, like Tim, their dream comes true.

Circus Oz 2013 show: Cranked Up. Season: June 19 - July 14 Duration: 2 hours (plus 20 minute interval) Venue: Circus Oz Big Top Location: Birrarung Marr, between Federation Square and Batman Avenue, Melbourne Tickets: $24 - $92 Bookings: ticketmaster.com.au - Cheryl Threadgold

● Kangaroos in Calton Hill, Edinburgh in 2008: Ben Lewis, Luke Taylor, Flip Kammerer, Paul O'Keeffe and Michael Ling.

Photo: Ed Jones, AFP.

● Judy Pascoe and Theresa Blake perform on the ropes, 1984. Photo Ponch Hawkes