Melbourne Observer. 121219A. Deember 19, 2012. Part A. Pages 1-14

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!

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■ Gerry Gee and Ron Blaskett, 90, make their last-ever public appearance today (Wed.) at a Probus Club meeting at the Knox Club. Blaskett started his career as a ventriloquist in his teenage years, then after military service, his life as an entertainer included the launch of GTV-9 in 1956.

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It’s All About You!

Melbourne

PSYCHOLOGIST ADMONISHED Observer AFTER SEX AFFAIR WITH PATIENT In This 56-Page Edition

Mark Richardson: Fr Bob Maguire .......... Page 4 Melbourne People: In the picture ........... Page 6 News: Professor reprimanded ............... Page 7 Di Rolle: Impressed by Otis ................. Page 8 Melb. Confidential: A shame, Shane ...... Page 9 Long Shots: Yes Virginia .................... Page 10 Yvonne Lawrence: Life and style ........... Page 11 Nick Le Souef: Outback legend ........... Page 14 Victoria Pictorial: Nostalgic photos ,,,,,, Page 21 Readers’ Club: Birthdays, fun ............. Page 22 Sulky Snippets: Len Baker reports ....... Page 35 Cheryl Threadgold James Sherlock Aaron Rourke Julie Houghton

‘Mum didn’t know she was old’

Observer Showbiz

● Phyl Foster with great-granddaughter Sammi ■ Phyllis Foster celebrated her 90th birthOBSERVER READERS day in August, but daughter Sue says, “Mum didn’t know that she was old, or if she did, she Aubrey was killed during a London air-raid. refused to acknowledge it. I’m sure that was After the War, Phyl and George Foster eventhe secret to her longevity.” tually started dating, married and moved back Born in South Africa in 1922, Phyl was to Victoria, living in Middle Park before setorphaned at birth and adopted by a couple tling in East Bentleigh in 1970, with daughters who had lost their newborn baby at the hospi- Susan and Ruth. tal around the same time.

Phyl later doted on granddaughter Melanie Phyl’s lifelong addiction to condensed milk and great-granddaughter Sammi. was acquired in South Africa after her doctor A talented artist, Phyl’s cartoons and cariprescribed it to reduce the risk of catching catures became a feature of her life. green dysentery, fatal to babies in the area.

She worked part-time at the Lady Nell SeePhyl always kept a stash of condensed milk ing Eye Dogs and continued when it became handy for ‘medicinal purposes’ throughout her SEDA. life, and it featured as a celebrated 90th birthIn the 1980s, George and Phyl joined the day present.

Dandenong Light Opera Company family, Her family sailed to England, but then with George performing in shows and Phyl supmoved to Australia in 1928 to avoid the cold, porting him by working in the ticket box and wet winters. front of house.

Phyl gained entry to the selective Sydney A passionate Richmond supporter, Phyl also Girls’ High School, excelling academically. loved her friendships with neighbours in SurHowever, when offered a CSR scholar- rey St, East Bentleigh and reading her weekly ship to undertake industrial chemistry in 1939, editions of the Melbourne Observer. she had to leave school to start work after the Phyl was remembered at her funeral last death of her mother, at the outbreak of World week as “a gentle, generous, easy going, strong, intelligent and talented woman, who always War II. She became engaged to Aubrey, a young found the good side in any situation and in evcadet reporter, who joined the RAAF as a wire- eryone”.

- Cheryl Threadgold less air gunner. Phyl grieved for years when

DRUG MAN OUT OF JAIL

■ Illegal drug manufacturer Jacques El-Hage has had his non-parole jail sentence reduced from two years to one year.

Supreme Court Judges Maxwell, Nettle and Redlich, sitting as the Court of Appeal, heard that El-Hage’s wife had severe mental illness, and that their children were effectively without parental care.

El-Hage had been jailed for his part in the ‘commercial’ manufacture of methylamphetamine.

The judges said this was a rare case where the high hurdle of ‘exceptional circumstances’ was surmounted.

El-Hae had served 356 days, so was due for release almost immediately.

The judges said El-Hae had prior convictions for intentional damage to property, conspiracy to defraud, and possessing a drug of dependence.

El-Hage’s wife suffered with bi-polar disorder, a 14year-old son suffered with

autism. The wife was a suicide risk, a psychiatrist told the Court.

Mrs El-Hae’s health had deteriorated significantly while her husband had been in jail.

A son tried to kill himself after being assaulted by an uncle, the Court was told.

The Judges said the wife’s suicidal tendency, and the son’s attempt at self-harm, were matters of “extremely grave consequences”.

The resort to support from other family members had been seriously counter-productive.

The test for “exceptional circumstances” had been met.

■ Psychologist Dr Frank Luzza has been found guilty of “infamous conduct” by the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.

The three-member panel comprised of R Davis, G Crawford and C Manning, heard Luzza had a long-term sexual affair with a woman he was treating, and had an ongoing social relationship with the woman and her husband, who he was also treating.

Luzza gave food and wine to the couple, visited them in their home, accompanied them to evening events, went on walks on a regular basis with the woman.

Dr Luzza surrendered his psychologist’s registration in February.

The Tribunal heard that Dr Luzza continued to have the affair with the woman, whilst he treated the husband for individual and relationship issues.

Dr Luzza treated the woman over a six-year period, as she complained of marital problems, anxiety, depression and a generally “weakened mental state”.

Dr Luzza commenced touching the woman when she was crying, with the contact becoming more intimate, as he would rub her back and shoulders.

During consultations, Dr Luzza and the woman spoke about her sex life, and a long-term sexual relationship commenced. Sexual contact took place in his consulting rooms at his home, and elsewhere.

The woman said that she was vulnerable, suffering from depression, and had low self-esteem when the sexual contact began. She felt powerless to stop her behaviour, and powerless to leave.

Dr Luzza said he went with the woman to a motel “for a coffee and a chat”.

The Tribunal said that under the olde legislation which the matters had been brought, it was unable to make more serious findings or a stronger determination.

Latest News Flashes Around Victoria

Ex-Mayor may stand ■ Diana Asmar, former City of Darebin Mayor, has been cleared to stand for election for the Health Services Union, even though she was not a financial member for the required time. Federal Court Judge Richard Tracey said Asmar tried to pay her fees, but deductions were not made by the Union.

Armed robbery charge ■ A Katunga woman, 26, has been charged with the armed robbery from a Shell service station at Shepparton. Police allege $270 cash was taken in the raid, where a knife was said to have been used.

Fr Kevin O’Donnell ■ Serious allegations against the late Fr Kevin O’Donnell, a Catholic Church priest, have been made by an Oakleigh couple to the Parliamentary Inquiry into child sex abuse. Allegations have been made about his bhehaviour in the 1940s, 1950s and 1980s.

Not at Boroondara ■ Do not expect Christmas decorations in inner-eastern suburbs such as Ashburton and Canterbury, because Boroondara Council has cut the usual $100,000 amount from its budget.

Bid for outstanding fees ■ Administrators for St Anthony’s Coptic Orthodox College, at Frankston North, hope to collect outstanding fees from parents. The college closed permanently last Friday.

Mike McColl Jones

Top 5 THE TOP 5 CHRISTMAS GIFTS FOR THE YEAR 5. Cut-price airfares for Franciscan monks who want to earn Frequent Friar points.

4. A gigantic collection of dirty jokes in a book called Fifty Shades Of Blue.

3. A Maria Venuti bra. This size is also known as ‘Ashton's’.

2. Alex Perry underpants. You wear them on the top of your head.

1. The Lara Bingle Doll. You wind it up and it does absolutely nothing!

Page 4 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, December 19, 2012

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Mark Richardson ♥ Straight from the heart

E-Mail: mark@localmedia.com.au

THE TRUE MEANING OF CHRISTMAS

■ Yes, it's that time of year again; with only six days until we wake on Christmas morning, the mad rush is officially on.

Amidst the colourful lights, dazzling street decorations and the jolly 'Ho, Ho, Hos' of shopping centre Santas beneath green glowing trees, time is fast running out to ensure everything on the shopping list is checked off before the big day arrives.

Late night shopping has made the Christmas mad rush more achievable, although if you start thinking like me, the word 'Christmas' has become synonymous with words such as 'gift cards'’, 'late night shopping', 'put it on the credit card', 'this is ridiculous' and 'never again.'

And that's just describing the leadup to Christmas Day. It's certainly not the case in every family, and I do enjoy giving gifts, but somewhere through all gift purchasing and hard work it's become, I started feeling I have lost sight on what the true meaning of Christmas is all about.

Growing up, Christmas seemed so different, more relaxed and as a family we enjoyed singing carols together, attended church and we always ensured that our older relatives were never alone on Christmas Day. My grandparents always set an extra place at the table for a neighbour or a member in their community who didn't have any family to enjoy Christmas Day with. I recall meeting someone new every Christmas, and although they were with us for the day, I never knew they were truly alone.

As a parent in 2012, all I seem to be focused on is reading store catalogues, buying an abundance of gifts and making sure I have an endless supply of AAA batteries and tiny screw-drivers on standby close by the Christmas tree.

With late night shopping, toys, rising credit card debt and batteries clouding my festive mind, I sought the Porch Thoughts from one of Australia's inspirational leaders, Father Bob Maguire.

Throughout his life, his goal has always been to provide a semblance of basic human relationships and trust to people who are alone in the world and has been an advocate for the poor and disadvantaged since the 1960s when he first began parish work.

The Father Bob Maguire Foundation was created in 2003 to raise funds to aid the underprivileged and homeless and with his innovation and vision to nurture disadvantaged people

Fr Bob’s Porch Thoughts from all walks of life, I believed Father Bob may have the answer I was searching for to help me reconnect with the true meaning of Christmas that I could share in some way with my children.

Father Bob was also happy to share his thoughts with everyone to ponder in the lead-up to Christmas. ★ Don't Curse the Darkness.

Light a Candle Churchgoers will be familiar with the Christmas song Glory To God In The Highest.

I would hope they would before Christmas becomes familiar with another Christmas song, which appeals more to me, Glory To God In The Lowest.

This last declaration seems to me to express, more clearly what I personally believe about the meaning of Christmas.

I want to recommend to all, the pressing need, in these confusing but exciting times, a clarion call to "Occupy Christmas".

By this I mean Christmas should not be left in the hands of priests, prophets and kings.

Christmas should be entrusted to shepherds, not religious, least likely spiritual advisors and offduty angels of our better nature.

Christmas, as many of us have experienced, can be the loneliest day of the year.

Our western culture has emphasised gift giving and profit making, as the key to the Christmas. Nothing could be further from the truth.

What the world, that is you and I, needs now is a full and frank disclosure of selves.

Wall Street and its local equivalent champion the former, while Main Street and its local equivalent champions the latter.

The deepest and most meaningful exchange of selves is what we call home.

My colleagues and I, here at the Father Bob Maguire Foundation, have incontrovertible evidence that most street people find Main Street can be as homely as they have experienced to date.

We moderns occupy at least two

worlds … One so called real, the other virtual or cyber space.

Christmas needs to make a home in both worlds, not only for its own sake, but also for ours.

2012 has seen many examples of cyber bullying and other weapons of personal and mass destruction.

During the same 12 months,

● Fr Bob Maguire however, many personal friendships have begun, even flourished, and many communities have successfully sought and found justice, if not peace.

Christmas is all about the Unknown god, risking everything by joining the human race as its most vulnerable member, a baby born dangerously close to an empty

home. Home is where you can go, when nobody else will have you.

Four walls do not make a home … people do … home is where the heart is.

Share yourself and heart with an unloved, even unlovely person, this Christmas, and give glory to Unknown god in the lowest.

- with Mark Richardson

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Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, December 19, 2012 - Page 5

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Page 6 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, December 19, 2012

People Melbourne

● Seen at the Golden Days Radio Sponsors’ Christmas Party were (from left) station manager Alex Hehr, Bob Horsfall and John Vertigan.

Signing at Eltham

● Jackie Kerin ■ Author Jackie Kerin will sit in the window of the Eltham Bookshop, signing copies of Lyrebird, from 3.30pm to 6pm on Sunday (Dec. 23).

Send news to editor@melbourneobserver.com.au

Fax: 1-800 231 312

Rock‘n Royalty

Carrots By Candlelight

● Tottie Goldsmith and Ross Wilson were spotted at Riva St Kilda in the crazy Christmas lead-up.

Photo: Facebook

● Serge Thomann, City of Port Phillip Council, met with Santa at the St Kilda Veg Out Community Gardens Christmas celebration at the weekend.

Kiss Me Kate

● Melbourne actress-model Kate Neilson has been spending time with the KISS rock group in Las Vegas ahead of their Australian tour in 2013.

Christmas party at Riva

● Melbourne publicist Helen Reizer was photographed with showbiz entrepreneur Andrew McManus at the Riva Christmas party.

Photo: Facebook

Promotion for Nicole

● Kate Stevenson ■ Nicole Bland’s promotion to Deputy Program Director means Kate Stevenson becomes Senior Producer of the Ross And John program.

Carols In The Cathedral

Headliners go here

● Andrew Wailes is pictured in front of the Australian Children’s Choir, which will perform at St Paul’s Cathedral this weekend. More details on Page 43.

● Thanking his mother for the rabbits, the ‘Human Headline’ Derryn Hinch was with ‘Human Deadline’ Suzanne Carbone at a public relations Christmas party in the City.

Photo: Sue Deenim

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, December 19, 2012 - Page 7

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PROFESSOR REPRIMANDED It’s Fiesta time!

Briefs

Listen to the Melbourne Observer on your radio WEDNESDAYS 1.15AM. Jim Sherlock discusses movies/ DVDs with Andrew McLaren. www.3aw.com.au

Bail granted

10AM. Editor Ash Long talks with Denis Scanlan on The Pulse 94.7 www.947thepulse.com

■ Corio man Travis Kelly, 25, who was allegedly found with $28,000 worth of drugs just months after promising a court he would clean up his act, has been granted bail by Magistrate Ron Saines, ahead of a County Court case.

Giaan at 9

● Giaan Rooney ■ Melbourne media presenter Giaan Rooney joins Channel 7 from this Sunday (Dec. 23), after six years at Nine. She will be a summer weather presenter, and appear in the network’s tennis coverage.

10PM. Rob Foenander presents Country Crossroads on Casey 97.7 FM www.3ser.org.au

■ Victorian paediatric surgeon Patrick Arthur Dewan has been reprimanded after being found guilty of unprofessional conduct of a serious nature.

A three-member panel of the Victorian Civil and Administrative Trubunal ordered that audits be conducted on Professor Dewan’s surgical practice, and that he undergo counselling and re-training.

Vice-President Judge Timothy Ginnane, Dr A Reddy and Dr B Burge ordered that Professor Dewan undergo instruction about appropriate communication between doctor and patient, or parent/guardian of a patient, informed consent, obtaining a second opinion, seeking non-surgical solutions, discussion of possible alternative diagnoses, and recording of patient histories.

THURSDAYS 9.15AM. Editor Ash Long talks with Bob and Judy Phillips on 3RPP. www.rppfm.com.au 10PM. Kevin Trask presents The Time Tunnel with Walter Williams www.4bc.com.au

FRIDAYS AM. Ted Ryan talks racing with Denis Scanlan on The Pulse 94.7 www.947thepulse.com

‘Not medically warranted’ The Tribunal heard that Professor Dewan operated on a patient, a young boy, “in circumstances when it was not medically warranted”.

Professor Dewan failed to advise the patient or parents after the operation that the patient did not have a disease that he had previously identified, the Tribunal found.

The Medical Board of Australia said that Professor Dewan’s actions demonstrated a lack of insight.

Prof. Dewan presented references from colleagues and other parents of patients.

‘Serious departures’ “The findings that the Tribunal made were of serious departures by Professor Dewan from appropriate conduct in the areas of history taking, communication with the parents of a patient, consideration of appropriate and surgical treatment and decision making concerning surgery,” Judge Ginnane said.

“The Tribunal accepts that even the most experienced practitioner may lapse in treatment of patients on a particular occasion.”

Forecast ■ The long range weather forecast for Christmas Day (Tues., Dec. 25) is mostly sunny and mild, with a low of 10° and a high of 24°.

Christmas Eve (Mon. Dec. 24) could have maximum of 31° and a low of 20°, the forecasters say.

Melbourne Observations with Matt Bissett-Johnson

● La Fiesta Opera Trio – Nadia Filianovskaia, Justin Corlevetti and Matthew Fagan appearing in Lorne on January 5 in A Night At The Opera.

■ La Fiesta invites audiences to come along on a musical voyage to experience exotic musical destinations through eras, countries and musical styles.

The Trio brings its virtuosic voices and guitar to opera hits, Broadway musicals, Italian, Neopolitan, Spanish, Celtic and international favourites.

The La Fiesta Opera Trio, comprising Nadia Filianovskaia (soprano), Justin Corlevetti (tenor) and Matthew Fagan (guitar) present A Night At The Opera on Saturday, January 5 at 8.30pm (meals 6.30pm) at Qdos Arts and Sculpture Park, 35 Allenvale Rd, Lorne.

Tickets: $25 cash or credit payment at door.

Bookings: 5289 1989 qdos@iprimus.com.au - Cheryl Threadgold

Merry Christmas to you ● This is the final edition for 2012 of the Melbourne Observer. Our first issue for 2013 is scheduled for publication on Wednesday, February 6.

Our office re-opens at 9am, Wednesday, January 30.

We take this opportunity to extend our best wishes to readers and advertisers, thanking all for their support in 2012.

I am joined by our editorial team - Len Baker, Harry Beitzel, Matt Bissett-Johnson, David Ellis, Rob Foenander, Julie Houghton, Yvonne Lawrence, Christina La Cross, Nick Le Souef, Mike McColl-Jones, Greg Newman,John Pasquarelli, Mark Richardson, Di Rolle, Aaron Rourke, Jim Sherlock, Ted Ryan, Cheryl Threadgold, Kevin Trask, Veritas - in wishing you a Merry Christmas.

- Ash Long, Editor

Teacher struck off ■ Victorian school teacher Vera Mincic has had her registration cancelled by the Victorian Institute of Teaching after being found guilty of “serious incompetence and not fit to teach”.

Anne Sarraos, Chair of the Disciplinary Proceedings Committee of the VIT, said the cancellation took effect on November 30.

Jail for thief ■ Unlicensed drunk motorist James Gilbert, 31, of Frankston, has been jailed for 73 days, fined $900, and banned from driving from 12 months, after pleading guilty to filling his care with petrol without paying. Police were watching as he drove off in a car with stolen plates. Gilbert has been granted bail under an appeal is heard in February.

2.30PM. Jim Sherlock talks movies/DVDs with Denis Walter on 3AW www.3aw.com.au

SUNDAYS 9AM. Mike McColl Jones talks the Top 5 with Bob Phillips on 3RPP. www.rppfm.com.au 12 NOON. Kevin Trask presents That’s Entertainment on 96.5FM. www.innerfm.org.au 8.20PM. Kevin Trask presents The Time Tunnel on Remember When. www.3aw.com.au

MONDAYS 2PM. Yvonne Lawrence presents Life And Style on 3WBC 94.1FM www.3wbc.org.au 8PM. Len Baker presents Harness Review on 97.9FM www.979fm.net 10PM. Kevin Trask presents Memories Are Made Of This on 4BC www.4bc.com.au

TUESDAYS 6AM. Rob Foenander presents The Big Breakfast on 88.3 Southern FM www.southernfm.com.au

ALSO BE LISTENING FOR Julie Houghton discusses the arts on 3MBS-FM, 3MBS Digital, Online www.3mbs.org.au

AND WATCH FOR Country Crossroads TV show on Aurora Channel 183, Foxtel www.aurora.tv

✔ IN PRINT: Your weekly newspaper, across Victoria ✔ ONLINE: Available worldwide ✔ ON RADIO: Online ✔ ON TV: On Foxtel

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Page 8 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Thank you everyone ■ As this is the last column for the year I want to thank some really special people.

First, my editor, who I am sure I drive completely crazy.

I am a total workaholic and take too much on. However I am working on this at the moment and plan to be a brand new person in 2013!

Secondly, I wanted to thank all the producers on radio stations who are just fabulous to work with when I ring them to book my clients on their shows.

Two of the best in the business are Desi Leary from 3AW who produces Denis Walter on 3AW, and Courtney Carthy O’Neill at the ABC on The Conversation Hour.

Both are fantastic radio producers.

I want to thank all my clients who are always teaching me lessons every day, despite the great job I do for them all year.

Thanks to Russell Brand for being the funniest performer I saw all year. And thanks to Jack White for being the best rock and roll show I saw this year.

A big ‘thanks’ to Paul Cashmere from NOISE 11 who is the smartest person about music in the world that I know.

I extend my gratitude to The Project for being The Project; it is must-see television along with The Daily Show and Stephen Colbert whose shows keep me going.

Thanks to all my mates and family who pulled me through this year when I lost my dear father Peter and dearest Mum Alyson who I miss so much.

Well done Rob Potts ■ Whilst I am talking about people I love and admire, I wanted to acknowledge Rob Potts.

Rob is a great guy and is an Australian country music promoter and in exciting news America’s CMA have announced re-election of Rob to the new CMA board.

CMA – also known as the Country Music Association of America - is a very prestigious organisation.

This announcement results in him now being the longest-serving International Director in the CMA Board ‘s 54 history.

Having served continuously since being first elected in 2002, this current appointment will see this CEO of Rob Potts Entertainment Edge, serve a new two-year term, commencing in January.

“Country Music in the USA is a multibillion dollar industry and the dominant radio format,” Rob said.

It is an honour to serve on the CMA Board, alongside some of the most powerful and forward-thinking music and entertainment industry executives in America.”

“I feel privileged to have the opportunity to fly the flat in country music’s biggest market, for Australia, New Zealand and other international territories.”

More than 11,000 music industry professionals and companies around the globe are members of the Country Music Association.

Formed in 1958, as the first trade association for a single genre of music, the organisation’s objectives are to serve as an educational and professional resource for the industry, while advancing the growth of Country Music around the world.

I congratulate Rob on this announcement.

It is time to learn ■ There are so many things on in Melbourne.

It is lovely to see everyone having such a great time at Luna Park’s 100 birthday celebrations.

I do love Lindsay Fox. He is a down-toearth man who loves his family and loves to see people having a great time.

Good times and laughter are badly needed at this time of the year. I am going to touch very briefly on the tragic 2DAYFM situation.

There are not many words that can be said really other than we all have such lessons to learn from it, to understand other cultures, to respect each other and to think of the family of Jacintha who died.

What a proud Indian woman she was.

My feeling is that the wrath of all powerful would have come down on her.

Too much to bear.

With all that in mind my column this week is going to be about fun and what is ahead.

Other things are out of our control.

I do sometimes firmly believe that there is something else in the world that draws a line in the sand to say … it is time to learn.

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

To

Di

I love my job!

Happy Christmas to you all.

Enjoy!

For STAY SAFE THIS CHRISTMAS

■ I want to wish all my readers a very Happy Festive Season and Prosperous New Year.

My most important promise to myself is to keep myself and those important to me - including my readers safe and loved.

Keeping that in mind, it is most important to look after all the littlies in pools.

With the summer and festive period well upon us now, I along with lots of Aussie families, are gearing up for pool season.

Needless to say, the importance of staying safe by the water is paramount.

Kids Can Drown Without A Sound!

To raise awareness about the importance of pool safety, Olympic swimmer and mother, Brooke Han-

● Brooke Hanson son and Clark Rubber have teamed to highlight some simple tips to ensure family’s pool time is safe and fun.

My gift to you are these safer pool tips: Supervision– Users of the pool must always be supervised by an adult who is a competent swimmer and knows pool rules and emergency procedures.

The supervisor must be in the pool surroundings at all times.

Austswim – Have your children taught to swim by AustSwim, teachers of swimming and water safety.

Swimming and water safety skills help save lives and add to the enjoyment of your pool fun.

Fence – The area should have a secure fence surrounding the pool with childhood locks to guard against unsupervised swim● Rob Potts, CEO of ming.

Rob Potts Entertainment Edge The gates should

with leading Melbourne publicist DI ROLLE

be locked at all times.

Faulty locks must be fixed immediately.

Make sure there is nothing that can be climbed on to open the gate or get over the fence.

Emergencies – Be prepared for emergencies. Have a long pole, a ring buoy with a throwing line and a first aid kit close at hand. Keep emergency numbers handy.

Get up to date training in lifesaving, first aid and CPR. Rules – Establish pool rules and post them near the pool.

Make sure all the family and friends know the rules. No exception!

Confident ■ I am also impressed with a young man by the name of Otis Elston.

His photo popped into my inbox this week in a Caribbean Pirates outfit ... and I thought I know that face!

Otis was born with theatre in his blood and can put his hand at anything to do with the theatre!

Born in Melbourne, Otis Elston started his career playing Portly in the Wind In The Willows for

● Otis Elston four years. He then began to stage manage in Willows.

Otis has played minor roles in many of Glenn Elston’s Shakespeare production, such as Romeo and Juliet and A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

Otis has been the Stage Manager for Wind In The Willows for four years, and is Assistant Director for the first time in 2012 – 2013.

He has also stage managed Lady Chatterley’s Lover at Ripponlea House and Gardens for two years and Walking With Spirits in the Northern Territory for six years.

Otis is the son of famed Australian the

atre producer and Artistic Director and Athenaeum Theatre management family member Glenn Elston.

Otis is quite a character, he even describes himself that way, a Taurus who loved creating theatre as a child in the backyard with his brother Arky, he told me that if he had a movie made about his life he would like Jon Hamm to play him or Jeffrey Morgan (comedian from Watchmen).

He said: “They are the only people who could give the character justice”.

Otis is a very confident young man and he is only 19!

- Di Rolle

● Glenn Elston

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, December 19, 2012 - Page 9

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Confidential Melbourne

Talk is cheap, gossip is priceless

PASSING OF TONY CHARLTON

Bitch Melbourne’s Secrets

That’s a shame, Shane

● Shane Healy ■ Sometimes the folk at Melbourne radio station 3AW get a tad self-important, and give the impression they are the only industry in town ... and its only player.

Radio station General Manager Shane Healy went on air to say one-in-five people in Melbourne were listeningto the Ross Stevenson-John Burns ‘breakfast’ program.

No, they’re not. One-in-five radio listeners might tune in for a slice, but not everyone is listening to radio between 5.30am-8.30am.

People now have many choices of media other than radio: breakfast TV, press, social media, iTunes, and other electronic sources.

In fact, only 54 per cent of the population listen to a bit of radio at breakfast-time, according to latest Roy Morgan research.

Healy, who is nicknamed ‘The Monsignor’ by staff at 3AW, would do well to heed the growing dissatisfaction of listeners to his own station.

One group, which conducts a Facebook page and has hundreds of members, includes criticisms of 3AW policies.

Listener ‘Bett’ spoke of programs which are now relayed interstate, such as the Australian Overnight program hosted by Andrew McLaren: “I am disgusted. As a listener I am not interested in hearing about local NSW stuff, as I am sure the NSW listeners don’t want to hear about Melbs. So, two lots of listeners only get half of what they are listening for and to.”

Jerome: “John Blackman is OK, but he talks over people too much. I also think eventually Mark (Petkovic) will be leaving overnights as he has now qualified as a personal trainer. As Andrew says, nothing stays the same. Grrrrrr.”

Julie: “I think there are going to be massive changes in 2013 and not good ones. Sadly I think Management sees us (loyal listeners) as creatures of habit and think (the) majority of us will continue to listen as our radios have been stick on 3AW. They think it will stay that way.”

■ Melbourne media pioneer Tony Charlton passed away on Monday, after battling bowel cancer. He was 83.

Tony Charlton first made his name in Mebourne media in 1952, at radio station 3AW, when he was chosen to work alongside Norman Banks who had crossed from 3KZ. They presented the station’s first football broadcast, an EssendonRichmond clash, played under sub-standard lighting at the Melbourne Showgrounds.

“There I was, frightened out of my wits, and not knowing the great Norman Banks had difficulties with his vision,” Charlton told reporter Ben Collins.

“When the players came close to the commentary point, he did the commentary; when they disappeared into the gloom of the showgrounds, it being a trotting track, not the inside area where the game was played, he handed over to me. Death by a thousand cuts, I nearly died that night.”

Charlton had a media pedigree. His father Conrad was one of the original broadcasters on ABC Radio, and his mother Hazel was a talented opera singer. His elder brother Michael was the first announcer on ABC-TV, and created the Four Corners TV program in 1961.

Tony Charlton was born in Sydney, and educated at Scotch College in Perth.

Tony Charlton went on to host The Kia-Ora Sports Parade and The London Stores Football Show on 3AW, produced by the John Clemenger Advertising organisation.

Charlton was at the forefront of the Melbourne Olympic Games coverage in 1956, working for Channel 9.

The new TV stations raced heavy cameras and production equipment from location to location, rushing to have them returned to their studios for later broadcasts in the day.

Tony Charlton was headhunted in the late 1950s by Channel 7 to front its first televised coverage of football in Melbourne.

“It was happening now and you either came up with the right words at

PGA Championship and the Victorian Open.

Tony Charlton’s CV includes coverage of the Olympics and Commonwealth Games, as well as 20 years of the Caltex Sports Star of the Year series.

From 1998 to 2008, Tony Charlton was MC of the Prime Minister’s Olympic Dinner, an event for the athletes. He has remained close to the Olympic movement, compering special anniversaries of the 1956 Games and other events for many years.

Tony compered the opening of the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame by then-Prime Minister John Howard in1996, and the MCG Media Hall of Fame induction dinners from 1999 to 2006.

Apart from his Alfred Hospital community work, Tony also assists the Victorian Olympic Council, the Australian Commemorative Plaques group, taking in the military involvements of Australians around the world.

As well as the AFL Hall of Fame honour, Tony Charlton was awarded an OAM in 1990, and an AM in 2003.

In 2008 he received the Order of Merit from the Australian Olympic Committee.

On top of all these decorations, Tony Charlton was a top bloke. We will miss him.

- Ash Long

● Tony Charlton. Photo: Ash Long the right time or you failed a heart transplant some 20 the test,” he told Ben years ago at The Alfred.

Collins.

He organises and hosts In 1960, the AFL (then charity events to raise VFL) pioneering days took money for the hospital. a jump when Channel 9 Tony Charlton’s sports made him an offer to call connections also extend to their football coverage, and tennis and golf. present a three-hour sports In 1951, he called the show, 48 weeks of the year. Davis Cup Challenge He recalls the horror of Round in Sydney, and in those years when the VFL 1953 he was perched atop were asking £2000 for TV a swaying scaffolding rights to broadcast the tower to cover the Davis games.

Cup at Kooyong.

Tony Charlton called From 1970 to 1983, he 12 VFL grand finals, and was promoter and Tournahis AFL ‘Hall of Fame’ ment Director of the Aushonour sits alongside simi tralian Open Golf, the lar distinctions from the Sports Australia and MCG Halls of Fame.

His football media career is probably best remembered by his exclusive interview with sacked Melbourne coach Norm Smith in 1965.

Smith was the reigning VFL premiership coach, but was sacked by a letter sent by courier to his Pascoe Vale home.

The Tony Charlton Football Show presented ‘electric’ coverage of the ● Tony Charlton hosts an early version of crisis, including appearthe Today TV program ances by players Hassa Mann, Brian Kennealy and John Townsend.

Smith was soon reinstated on the Tuesday.

Tony Charlton has been working five days a week as an unpaid volunteer, for The Alfred Hospital, to which he feels he owes “a personal debt”, according to an interview he gave the AFL BigPond Network.

This followed his daugh● The Observer’s Kevin Trask with ter Cathy receiving Tony Charlton at ‘The Surviviors’ luncheon

E-Mail: Confidential@MelbourneObserver.com.au

Whispers

Can’t see his lips move

● Gerry Gee, Ron Blaskett ■ Our front-page photo-story shows Gerry Gee and Ron Blaskett are to make their final public appearance today (Wed.) at a Probus Club meeting at the Knox Club.

The whisper is that a number of Ron’s Channel 9 workmates intended to go along to salute his showbiz career, but have been told it is a private club function.

Gerry Gee isn’t talking, but is said to be furious. Perhaps Ron might be coaxed to do a ‘Melba’ and do an ‘extra’ finale for his TV mates.

Fined ■ Rebecca SmithThompson of Mornington has been fined $800 at Dromana Court after her dog bit a woman on the back and leg.

To close ■ There is speculation that Fairfield’s landmark Grandview Hotel will close permanently because it has been refused permission by Darebin Council to install 50 poker machines. Owner El Fakhri will take the proposal to VCAT.

Banned ■ Billy King, of Mildura, has been banned from driving for three years after being caught motoring dangerously at Boort. He has previously served two jail terms for placing people at risk.

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Page 10 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, December 19, 2012 Melbourne

Observer

Ash On Wednesday

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Movember Effort Topples Expectations

Our Doors are Open!

The Moustache comes to Victorian Freemasons

Damien Hudson and his moustache this Movember.

In 2012, Freemasons from around the world did something new with their top lips.

They joined forces, to dedicate them to raising money and awareness for men's health issues.

Now, this was not the first year that a Freemason became a MoBro, but it was the first year that Freemasons came together in a single, national and global effort.

Freemasons Victoria's Movember team was thrilled to raise $30,000 for Movember.

Team member Damien Hudson says the decision to join the Freemasons Victoria's Movember team was an easy one.

“I've done Movember for the past few years, so when I heard that there was a team of Freemasons, it was a simple decision to get involved. For me, Movember is to promote and support men's health and help people to understand the huge contribution that Freemasonry makes to our community,” he said.

“Freemasons have a particular interest in helping when asked,” said Mr Hudson. “The big thing for me, now that it's all over, is Movember 2013. I'd like to see Freemasons Victoria make an even bigger splash next year!”

Freemasons Victoria's New Membership Outreach Coordinator and Movember team member Ben Quick says that anyone who knows someone with prostate cancer understands the important of the moustache immediately.

“I didn't realise how important my moustache was to someone until I found out they had prostate cancer in November,” said Mr Quick. “'I'm glad I went for a month with something on my lip to remind everyone that some of us are lucky, some of us aren't, but as long as we support each other that's all that matters.”

At the official closing of Movember 2012, Freemasons Victoria had raised $16,790. Since then, an additional $9,440 has been pledged by Freemasons and friends. On Wednesday, December 12, Freemasons Victoria's Board of Benevolence voted to bring the total donation to $30,000.

The Freemasons Australia Network, including Grand Lodges from across the country, raised $64,915.25 with the Movember Freemasons Global Network bringing in $72,030.58 for the cause. Other Masonic constitutions also contributed to the cause with their own networks.

Movember is just one of many ways in which Freemasons Victoria gets involved with the local community.

The organisation also supports Melbourne Youth Music, Variety Bikes4Kids, the Variety Christmas Party, Think Pink Foundation's Living Centre, Epworth Freemasons Oncology Department, Royal Freemasons, Ladder, Operation Newstart, Royal South Street Society, Acclaim Opera, East Melbourne and Jolimont Community Fiesta and other organisations in need.

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

■ Until twof years ago, our final edition for the year would be featuring photo souvenirs of one of the Observer-Overnighters Christmas parties.

Each event was attended by 200-300 people.

We held three or four of them each year, on the Sundays before Christmas.

Compered by Keith McGowan, and organised

by Brendan Scott, they included guest appearances by artists such as the late Darryl Cotton, Mike Brady, Dorothy Baker, John-Michael Howson and the incredible 'Harmonica Mavis'.

When Keith McGowan retired from radio, and the overnight program went national, the out-oftouch 3AW radio station, sacked local paying advertisers, abandoning the important get-togethers.

We haven't heard a word from them since.

Another half-smart radio station would realise that there is a goldmine of listeners out there ... just waiting to be engaged.

● Your Editor and Keith McGowan in 2006

Long Shots

Thank you ■ But Christmas is not a time for bitterness, although the mood at shopping centres in the lastminute countdown leads you to think otherwise.

This is our final edition for 2012. We do not publish in January, and our first edition for 2013 is scheduled for February 6. Our office re-opens Wednesday, January 30.

We extend our thanks to readers and advertisers for their continued loyalty.

With that appreciation goes our wishes for a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

I would also like to thank our ensemblé at the Observer: the distribution team headed by Sam and Colleen; Catherine Kouros, print; cartoonist Matt Bissett-Johnson; columnists Len Baker, Harry Beitzel, David Ellis, Rob Foenander, Julie Houghton, Yvonne Lawrence, Christina La Cross, Nick Le Souef, Mike McColl-Jones, Greg Newman John Pasquarelli, Mark Richardson, Di Rolle, Aaron Rourke, Jim Sherlock, Ted Ryan, Cheryl Threadgold, Kevin Trask, Veritas; freelancer Sue Deenim.

editor@ melbourneobserver.com.au

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”

Observer Treasury Thought For The Week ■ “Business is tough. If a man does something wrong he gets fined. If he does something right, he gets taxed.”

Observer Curmudgeon ■ “One of the best ways for some people to make others happy is to shut up and go home.”

- The Buloke Times

Text For The Week ■ “And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.”

- Luke 2:10 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, Copyright © 2012, 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.

Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus

● Virginia O’Hanlon ■ Eight-year-old Virginia O'Hanlon wrote a letter to the editor of New York's Sun, and the quick response was printed as an unsigned editorial Sept.

21, 1897.

The work of veteran newsman Francis Pharcellus Church has since become history's most reprinted newspaper editorial, appearing in part or whole in dozens of languages in books, movies, and other editorials, and on posters and stamps. ★ “Dear Editor: I am 8 years old.

Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus.

Papa says, 'If you see it in The Sun it's so.'

Please tell me the truth; is there a Santa Claus?

- Virginia O’Hanlon 115 West Ninety-Fifth Street ★ “Viorginia, your little friends are wrong. They have been affected by the skepticism of a skeptical age.

They do not believe except they see. They think that nothing can be which is not comprehensible by their little minds.

All minds, Virginia, whether they be men's or children's, are little. In this great universe of ours man is a mere insect, an ant, in his intellect, as compared with the boundless world about him, as measured by the intelligence capable of grasping the whole of truth and knowledge.

Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy.

Alas! how dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus. It would be as dreary as if there were no Virginias.

There would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence. We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight.

The eternal light with which childhood fills the world would be extinguished.

Not believe in Santa Claus! You might as well not believe in fairies! You might get your papa to hire men to watch in all the chimneys on Christmas Eve to catch Santa Claus, but even if they did not see Santa Claus coming down, what would that prove? Nobody sees Santa Claus, but that is no sign that there is no Santa Claus.

The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see.

Did you ever see fairies dancing on the lawn? Of course not, but that's no proof that they are not there.

Nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders there are unseen and unseeable in the world.

You may tear apart the baby's rattle and see what makes the noise inside, but there is a veil covering the unseen world which not the strongest man, nor even the united strength of all the strongest men that ever lived, could tear apart.

Only faith, fancy, poetry, love, romance, can push aside that curtain and view and picture the supernal beauty and glory beyond. Is it all real?

Ah, Virginia, in all this world there is nothing else real and abiding.

No Santa Claus! Thank God! he lives, and he lives forever. A thousand years from now, Virginia, nay, ten times ten thousand years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood.”

Free reader ads are available in the Melbourne Trader section of the ‘Melbourne Observer’

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au Melbourne

Observer

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, December 19, 2012 - Page 11

Showbiz Extra

HUGH JACKMAN NOMINATED FOR AWARDS

■ Hugh Jackman, Nicole Kidman and Naomi Watts are among the list of nominees for the 19thAnnual ScreenActors GuildAwards which will be broadcast live from 12 Noon, on Monday, January 28 on TV1.

Hugh Jackman is nominated for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role for his role as Jean Valjean in the upcoming theatrical release of Les Miserables.

Nicole Kidman is nominated for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Mini-series for her lead role as Martha Gellhorn in the Hemingway & Gellhorn, broadcast in Australia on Showcase.

Naomi Watts is nominated for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role for her portrayal of Maria in the upcoming

film about the Boxing Day Tsunami ,The Impossible.

Jacki Weaver is also nominated for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture for Silver Linings Playbook.

Subscription television programming continues to dominate the award nominations this year: Showcase‘s Game Change, Hemingway & Gellhorn, Game of Thrones, Boardwalk Empire, Nurse Jackie and Breaking Bad; Movie Extra’s Mad Men; Soho’s The Newsroom; FX’s American Horror Story: Asylum, Sons of Anarchy, Homeland and The Walking Dead; FOX8’s Modern Family and Glee; and The Comedy Channel’s The Big Bang Theory, Louie, and Parks and Recreation.

Among the TV1 nominations:

■ Julianna Margulies for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series for The Good Wife, soon to air on TV1 ■ Alec Baldwin for Outstanding Performance by a MaleActor in a Comedy Series for 30 Rock ■ Tina Fey for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series for 30 Rock ■ The casts of The Office and 30 Rock for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series Nominees for the 19th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards for outstanding performances in 2012 in five film and eight primetime television categories as well as the SAG Awards honours for outstanding action performances by film and television stunt ensembles were announced in LA..

● Hugh Jackman

Melbourne

Observer Life & Style

Travel Extra

HOW DID I MANAGE TO DO EVERYTHING?

Good life

■ The Christmas season always arrives about two weeks too early for me.

Now that I don’t have to be at work every day, I wonder how I managed to do everything when I had late night shopping every night and all day Saturday at Christmas.

That late night shopping was a killer.

Being an organised sort of person I wrote out a shopping list – even down to the menu for Christmas lunch so that nothing was forgotten.

It was very dog-eared by the end of the day, but I stuck religiously to it so that nothing went wrong with my plans.

Arriving at work very early allowed me to shop for an hour, and from then on every time I had the chance I’d buy something else.

The worst part was arriving home late at night and unloading the car, dragging it inside, and then the nightmare of putting it all away. It must be one of the worst jobs shopping for provisions.

Yvonne’s Column

No longer pride of place ■ You have to be ready to keep that Christmassy smile on your face because that’s the time that a domestic can erupt.

I still feel guilty about yelling at my husband when he tried to help me with putting things away in the pantry. I had everything in its place to make it easy when cooking a meal, and one thing out of place sent me into a hissy fit.

Of course, now that Peter does all the cooking because my back won’t allow me to bend or stoop. The state of the pantry doesn’t hold pride of place for my other half.

I just don’t look.

And because I feel so fortunate in having a loving and very capable husband who does everything, how disagreeable it would be of me to make any remarks.

By now we should have decorated the Christmas tree, but the thought of Moosh my cat climbing on the branches and pulling it over made me glad we decided against a real tree. In fact, we decided on no tree at all.

And seeing the Council will not allow you to put it out with your rubbish, where can you store a dried-up old pine tree?

Time for the pudding ■ One year we put up a beautiful real tree. We spent a few nights decorating it so that it was the focal point in our dining room.

We were tickled pink with the result.

It wasn’t long before the dried pine needles started to fall and it looked very tired and forlorn.

I think our dogs added to the look because they pulled decorations off the tree until the room was off limits to them.

But the damage had been done.

It looks as if Mekonnen and Meseret will spend Christmas Day with us, so I’ve planned a cold lunch with the exception of the traditional Christmas pudding which is utterly delicious and all the more exciting

Nothing but teeth marks ■ Making the dressing for the salad is as easy as a wink, but what to do when you forget to replenish the olive oil. Never one to let anything beat me I used caster oil one year and no one was any the wiser.

Peter did wonder why I was having uncontrollable fits of laughing when I was complimented on the salad.

Chocolates are another no,no for your pets.

They look at you with such pleading eyes that it takes a strong will to ignore them, but its for their own good. How do you explain that to them?

One year, we’d left a box of chocolates on the table when we went to say goodbye to our guests. We chatted at their car for a while, and when we came inside, Mr. Kahn, our Afghan hound had stood with two paws on the table, and somehow managed to lift the lid on the box with his nose, and was in the throes of devouring the entire contents. He left a couple he didn’t fancy, and left his teeth marks in them.

Supporting the Salvos with Yvonne Lawrence yvonne.lawrence@bigpond.com

because although I buy a large Rays pudding, when we stick a few threepenny pieces (which we keep from year to year) into the pudding before it is brought to the table with a flaming halo it looks as if we have slaved over it for days.

Sneaky dogs and cats ■ My recipe books are chockablock with bits of paper marking the recipes of special goodies that we hope to make.

By this time, the list on the fridge is as long as the Constitution, and I know that the closer it gets to the day, a few of the yuletide recipes will have been deleted.

Most dog owners will hang up their pets stocking.

Moosh has his own stocking and Santa brings him a couple of tins of sardines which he loves, a tin of crab meat, and a new collar with one of the three the gorgeous little bronze animals which 3AW’s Jane Holmes brought back for me when she was traveling the world with the TV series Talk To The Animals.’

I love them, and more so because she remembered me when she was stalking lions.

Remember that dogs and cats can be very sneaky when it comes to the rich goodies that abound on Christmas Day. They will sneak ham, which they shouldn’t eat, and if you are not careful, the cat will steal the chicken before you get it on the plate.

I tell you this because one year I had a hot chicken ready to cut into serving pieces and I was called to the phone. When I came back my cat (not Moosh I hasten to add) but his predecesor Hamish, the cat from hell, had it on the floor and was ready to demolish it.

I confess I wiped it off and served it, but I decided not to eat any.

■ The charities looking for donations have been running the phones ragged this December, and although you would love to give to every charity there comes a time when you have to draw the line.

So I was impressed when I received a bright red envelope addressed to me from the Salvation Army.

Their request for a donation was easy. Simply place a $2 coin in the round hole in the card and return it.

The card explained how the $2 can give hope for Christmas: $2 can help to provide soup and a sandwich – food and friendship. $2 can provide a train ticket, and the coin can start a chat over a hot cup of coffee that leads to shelter and safety.

And really, giving is what Christmas is all about.

You’ll have to wait until next year to find out how our Christmas went.

I’m sure it will be a great day, and if the temperature is 40 degrees as the weatherman predicts, well, we’ll grin and bear it and perhaps make it dinner at night and we’ll sit outside under a shady tree and drink mint juleps. But, we’ll be ready on time.

Thanks for good wishes ■ Sometimes when I’m writing my column I’m called away and by the time I arrive home it’s late, and I’ve lost my muse.

Ash Long, my editor, has never ever said one word about me filing the column in the early hours, because he knows I’ll always get it done.

He a nice man, and I wish he and Fleur and their offspring a terrific Christmas. Family is what Christmas is all about, and it will be even happier now that Ash has grandchildren.

Thank you for your good wishes and your interesting letters through the year. I wish you all the joys of Christmas, and a happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year.

- Yvonne P.O. Box 1278, Research 3095.

■ In his continuing search for the more weird, wacky and wondrous in the world of travel, David Ellis says a pint-sized doll in the shape of a gingerbread man – and appropriately named Gingy – looks set to become Australia’s most-travelled doll companion.

Travel industry publication Travel Daily broke the story of Gingy this month after its journalist, Matt Lennon ran into the little bloke in Fiji where he was attending a conference of Travel Managers travel agents with Brisbanebased Personal Travel Manager, Gayle Dawson – who’d come up with idea of sharing Gingy around members to help them network on a more personal level.

Gayle says Gingy has been inundated with offers of trips, and that in just a few months has been with Travel Managers members to places as diverse as Phuket, Egypt, Fiji and Nimbin … and is booked up for the next six months for jaunts to Hawaii, Hong Kong, Disneyland – and on a luxury ocean cruise.

And she says he insists that wherever he goes, a photo is sent back home to show agency members the wonderful time he’s having enjoying the good life.

Page 12 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, December 19, 2012

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

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Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, December 19, 2012 - Page 13

Page 14 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, December 19, 2012

■ My first memory of the Australian comedian Syd Heylen was on the television variety show Sunnyside Up which was compered by Bill Collins on Channel 7 in the early 1960s.

Syd was part of a comedy team which included Maurie Fields, Val Jellay, Honest John Gilbert and Syd Hollister.

Syd Heylen was a brilliant comedian, portraying the Australian larrikin.

When I first saw him I had no idea of his background or where he was going in the future.

Harold Charles Sydney ‘Syd’ Heylen was born in Renmark, South Australia, in 1922.

He was the only son of a carpenter and joined the army when he was 16.

Somehow he was nicknamed ‘Seyler’.

Syd served with the 39th Infantry at the Kokoda Track.

He later joined the entertainment troupe and was a real character.

The late Michael Pate recalled in his book An Entertaining War that Syd worked with artists such as Jim Davidson, Joe Latona, John McCallum and Ralph Peterson.

Apparently Syd ‘borrowed’ a truck during a Western Australian Army tour to visit his girlfriend but forgot that the truck was attached to a large generator and he finished up in a ditch.

After the war Syd became a professional comedian and worked in shows such as Jack And The Beanstalk, Thanks For The Memory and Starry Nights where he was billed as ‘Seyler

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

He was a regular cast member for 10 years on the television series Sunnyside Up which was produced at the Fitzroy tele-theatre and he was known as ‘Sydney from Sydney’.

Whatever Happened To ...

Syd Heylen

By Kevin Trask of 3AW and 96.5 Inner FM Heylen’. Syd worked at the famous Galleon Coffee Lounge in St Kilda for several years.

He was a regular cast member for 10 years on the television series Sunnyside Up which was produced at the Fitzroy tele-theatre and he was known as ‘Sydney from Sydney’.

Syd was married twice and had two children with his second wife Patti Brittain. Both children now work in the entertainment industry and Syd Jnr is a very popular comedian.

Syd Heylen worked as a comedian at the Britannia Hotel on the corner of Lonsdale St and Swanston St for many years.

He became an actor and had guest roles in shows such as Homicide, Matlock Police and A Town Like Alice.

● Syd Heylen

He did small roles in films such as Summer Of the Seventeenth Doll, Caddie, Ginger Meggs and Mad Max 2.

Syd was in the ill fated television series Arcadia but this led to his being cast as Vernon ‘Cookie’ Locke in A Country Practice.

He was with the series from 1982 till 1992 and gained international recognition for his work as a character actor.

Syd and Patti retired to the Gold Coast after A Country Practice finished production.

Syd Heylen died of complications following a stroke in 1996 at the age of 74.

He was named the Australian Variety Club's first national living treasure in 1994.

- 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

SEEING THE TODD FLOW THREE TIMES

■ Most of this year Central Australians have been anxious about another impending drought.

There's an old adage that you can't call yourself a local in Alice Springs till you've seen the Todd flow three times.

Last weekend this was brought closer for a few residents - a flash flood.

The sudden storm caused havoc around the town - trees and branches came tumbling down, fences were knocked apart, and power outages occurred.

And, as an addendum, an incident which I have never heard of before, but which I can't believe is too isolated - two people were trapped in the flow because they were too drunk to wade out.

A couple of policemen braved the torrent to rescue them.

Then there was a car washed away as it tried to negotiate a crossing.

As quickly as the river rises, it always falls just as speedily, so the urgency and excitement don't last long.

It always amazes me why the cultural and sacred sites issues can't be overcome, and a dam wall built south of the town, damming the water up to the north, alongside the town, so that, just like the Torrens in Adelaide, a permanent picturesque lake could exist - a literal oasis in the desert.

■ One Alice gentleman was recently particularly thirsty - he told police that he "needed more grog".

He had stolen a ute to reverse-ram into a local IGA, just to obtain two cartons of beer.

This particular incident caused about $30,000 worth of damage to the supermarket, and the magistrate noted that he had totally disregarded this aspect of his activities.

And this was the third time he had undergone such an adventure. Previously he'd used a hammer to break a hole into the same store, and climbed through and helped himself to some rum.

Another time he was interrupted in the act by the arrival of the police, and fled.

The magistrate noted that he had been incarcerated before, so that showed he could live without alcohol, and he had no choice to incarcerate him again for a couple of years.

This time he'll have quite a bit of time to contemplate his next drink.

The Outback Legend

with Nick Le Souef Lightning Ridge Opals 175 Flinders Lane, Melbourne Phone 9654 4444 www.opals.net.au He's also been ordered to pay $25,000 restitution for the damage could take a while.

■ Whilst I didn't know her, I often saw her around town. She was Jessie Fullerton, the daughter of Neil Fullerton, the Centre's Camel King, who founded the iconic Alice Springs Camel Cup years ago.

I had seen her ride in the Cup a few times, and indeed was a sponsor with its fundraising charity efforts for a couple of years.

It has grown so big that there are usually US riders coming over to compete in the event.

It's also a big deal with US Pine Gap residents who also often ride in the event.

Jessie had dwarfism, and according to Neil "had endured many operations, and been in a wheelchair for much of her life.

“The poor little bugger went through so much and never once complained. She was liked by everybody".

At 22, she was tragically murdered last week. Apparently she just happened to encounter another murder

underway and, as a witness, was herself attacked.

Tragic, and totally pointless as well.

A Quorn man has been arrested, and will soon face court.

■ I have noted this before, but I once read of a prominent Aboriginal lady, whose name I can't recall, saying that "we will never improve our life until we stop blaming everyone else for our woes, and take responsibility for ourselves".

This is exactly the message that Bess Price is also trying to get across.

I don't know whether this is a cultural phenomenon, or has been inculcated by well meaning advisers, that "whitefellas are always to blame for everything".

Police always advise drivers in Alice Springs that if they ever hit an Aboriginal pedestrian on the road, to never stop and help.

They must drive straight round to the police station to report the incident.

This is even if the victim has been lying asleep in the road, as unfortunately often happens, or has staggered out into the path of the vehicle.

It is regarded by friends and family that the situation is never the fault of the victim - the driver is always to blame and, if he or she stops, will be attacked with "pay back".

A lady driver was killed a few years ago in one such attack.

A fatal accident in Jabiru sparked a riot last week. A 22-year-old lady was killed in a rollover, and a male passenger critically injured.

Two clans, involving about 30 people, fought with each other.

"It happens all the time after accidents - communities always blame each other", one local reported.

■ No matter what anyone does, no matter the hand wringing, drinkers continue to drive. They just don't get it.

I know in Alice Springs I was breathalysed at least once a week whilst driving around town.

I always called a taxi home, and back the next day, even though this was an expensive exercise.

But I often thought that, if I lost my licence with the countless thousands of kms I drove, it would be a catastrophe - I would gladly pay the $20 a ride home cost me to get it back.

But it doesn't work that way - the inconvenience would have cost me

thousands of dollars. So I always got in first and got a cab.

Still do.

But there are others with a different perspective, and take a punt on not getting caught.

In Darwin, Senior Sergeant Gary Smith said: "It's disgusting - we're just shaking our heads".

One gentleman was 0.264. He was serving a five year disqualification for previous 0.202 and 0.226 readings.

Another 24 year old was 0.265. And d two more were so drunk they could hardly stand up.

Another was 0.166 speeding alongside kids on their way home from school.

And a couple of cars were seized drag racing in the city centre.

Nothing ever changes!

- Nick Le Souef ‘The Outback Legend’

● Todd River in flood

From The Outer

Melbourne

Observer

kojak@ mmnet.com.au

With John Pasquarelli

■ John Pasquarelli is in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. He is due to return sometime in the New Year.

- John Pasquarelli:, kojak@mmnet.com.au

&

Short Sharp ■ Victorian Opera is presenting Sleeping Beauty as a pantomime at Her Majesty’s Theatre from Thurs., Jan. 17 until Sat., Jan. 19. Tickets: Adult $42.50 Child: $32.50. Ticketek , 1300 795 012 ■ Some 14 new shows have been announced for 2013 Famous Spiegeltent Season taking place at Arts Centre Melbourne Forecourt from February 5 until April 21.

■ Ronan Keating has been signed by radeio station Smooth 91.5 FM to present Sunday morning sessions.