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
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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
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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.