celebrate your lifestyle!celebrate your lifestyle!

NOVEMBER 2011 –NSW/ACT Edition

The uniquely talentedJohn Waters. Story page 7

Lots ofgreat prizes

“Up For Grabs”see page 28

2

Novembe r 2011 3

Welcome to Hey! BoomersWelcome to the fi rst edition of “Hey! Boomers”. Hey! Boomers is a monthly publication celebrating the active lifestyle of people between the ages of 45 to 65. In general,todays Australian Boomers are passionate about their grandchildren and spend money on them accordingly. They also are now “spending the kids’ inheritance”.

Boomers are spending more time online doing research, chatting to family and friends and sharing information. Our objective here at Hey! Boomers is to inform readers of today’s trends in the marketplace, including Vacation Getaways, Beauty Products, Health, Entertainment, Finance, House and Garden, Telecommunications and Pet Ownership, and including stories of interest refl ecting todays Baby Boomers’ own generation.

Our fi rst edition kicks off with our cover story on the uniquely talented John Waters (page 7). Our travel section has the fi rst of three instalments on our “London Calling” story by guest travel writer George Kimpton and our It’s Entertainment section is jam packed with reviews, interviews and all the latest entertainment info.

Check out our “Up For Grabs” page for some great give aways, page 28.

For credit card donations go tosalvos.org.au or call 13 SALVOS.

CHRISTMAS IS EMPTY WHEN YOU HAVE NOTHING

Inside this issue...

EDITION 1 • NOVEMBER 2011

Don’t miss next months’ edition featuring The Grand Pacific Drive and Mogo Zoo

hey! Boomers is published byAdcom Publishing Pty Ltd.

Tel: 02 4334 7843Suite 169, 3 Holterman Street,

Crows Nest NSW 2065

DisclaimerThis publication is intended as an information source only and is not in any way an endorsement of any product or service mentioned. Every effort has been made to ensure the information in this publication is up to date and correct at time of printing. The publisher does not accept responsibility for an errors, omissions or inaccuracies. No representation is made as to the quality or suitability for any purpose of any goods or services offered by any organisations in this publication.

Interview with Alan Brough of “Spicks & Specks” fame – page 25

Opera on the Harbour – page 22

“London Calling” 3 part travel story – page 11

The Uniquely TalentedJohn Waters ....................... Page 7

Let’s Travel ........................ Page 10

It’s Entertainment ............. Page 17

“Up For Grabs” GiveAways Galore! .................. Page 28

Brain Benders puzzles ..... Page 29

4

Guide Dogs NSW/ACT has been helping people who have

a vision impairment improve their mobility for over 50 years.

Our services are provided free of charge to anyone who

needs them, and we receive no government funding.

Your generous gift will help us improve the mobility,

independence and quality of life of people living with

a vision impairment. Thank you.

We’ll give your bequest a good home.

For bequest wording, please contact us at:Guide Dogs NSW/ACT, 2-4 Thomas Street, Chatswood NSW 2067Tel: (02) 9412 9300. www.guidedogs.com.au

Baby Boomers are defi ned as people born between

1946 and 1965, Generation Y between 1981 and 1991, Generation X between 1966 and 1980, and Silent Generation 1945 or earlier.

There are 5.3 million baby boomers, making up 24 per cent of the population, with the oldest turning 65 this year.

With the end of World War 2 in 1945, Australia’s servicemen and women returned and family life resumed after an interruption of almost six years of wartime confl ict. Nine months later saw the start of a population revolution as childbirth rates soared - more than four million Australians were born between 1946-1965.

People born during this period became known as Baby Boomers who changed Australia (and the world) in the second half of the 20th century.

A look back1940’s - 1943 – Australia

wins its fi rst Oscar, with

cinematographer Damien Parer (pictured) honoured for documentary Kokoda Front Line! The Pharmaceutical Benefi ts Scheme is introduced in 1944 providing subsidised medicine to all Australians; In 1945 the Liberal Party of Australia is established with Robert Menzies as its fi rst leader; Australia becomes a founding member of the United Nations. In 1945 The Sydney-Hobart Yacht Race is held for the fi rst time, and in 1949 Construction of the Snowy Mountains Hydro-Electric Scheme begins and In January 1947 Bernard “Doc” Neeson frontman of Australian Music Legends – The Angels was born in Belfast England.

In the 1950’s baby boomers represented a new market whose needs were quickly met due to wartime advances in technology and a new economic optimism. In 1955 The fi rst vinyl LP (long playing) appeared with the release of Bill Haley’s Rock around the Clock -thus began a

new and different music called Rock and Roll. Australian bands like Johnny O’Keefe and Col Joye began playing the new music, Blue jeans and t-shirts became the fashion, Comic books were the literature of youth and the Hula Hoop started twirling. 1956 Television in Australia was launched and Hotels in New South Wales no longer had to close at 6 p.m., ending the “six O’clock Swill”. In 1953 AC DC’s Malcolm Young was born in Glasgow Scotland.

The 1960’s Jean Shrimpton shocked us in her mini skirt at the Melbourne Cup, and then rapidly became the fashion; the Peace Movement began -Woodstock 3 days of peace, love and music. Since the movement in the 1960s, hippy culture has been assimilated by mainstream society. Moratorium marches across Australia opposing the Vietnam War; Beatlemania hit Australian shores in 1964; Evonne Goolagong became a

world-beater in tennis; Great Olympians during the 1960s include Murray Rose and Betty Cuthbert and Dawn Fraser; Prime Minister Holt drowns and is succeeded by John Gorton; talkback radio is introduced; Ronald Ryan becomes the last person legally executed in Australia; On 14 February 1966 the Australian currency is changed to dollars and cents, with the Australian Dollar replacing the Australian

pound; In 1969 the Australian production of the rock musical Hair premieres in Sydney; top pop groups The Easybeats and The Twilights break up;

1970’s – Johnny Farnham was singing Rain Drops Keep Falling on my Head, Led Zeppelin had a Whole Lotta Love, Abbamania hit our shores in the mid 1970’s and Daddy Cool hit the No 1. Charts with Daddy Who? Daddy Cool.

Colour television was introduced in 1975, men wore fl ares, grew beards and sideburns and Disco was dancing. In 1974 the introduction of FM Frequency radio and in 1970 Adam Hill radio and TV personality was born.

From Hula Hoops and Pogo Sticks to Yo Yo’s and Frisbees, Disco and Line Dancing to the Twist, the Stomp and Rock n Roll – Woodstock and Flowers, Bikinis and Mini Skirts; Baby Boomers have generally lived through one of the best times of the 20th Century.

Who’s a boomer?For those of you born between 1946–1965, life’s no longer about growing old gracefully; it’s about living a passionate life in retirement and celebrating your lifestyle

Novembe r 2011 5

Movember (the month formally known as

November) is a month long, global charity initiative to raise awareness, support and funding for serious men’s health issues, specifi cally prostate cancer and male depression.

Men grow a Mo (moustache) for 30 days to become walking, talking billboards for our men’s health causes, and women support their Mo Bro’s efforts by registering and recruiting teams and fundraising.

Movember is the world’s largest non-government funder of prostate cancer research.

The Movember movement began in 2003 when friends in Melbourne Australia, decided to bring back the moustache. They soon realised their hairy upper lips sparked many conversations, so they decided to put their Mo-growing towards a cause.

To date, over 1.1 million Mo Bros and Mo Sistas across the world – from Hong Kong to Antarctica, Rio de Janeiro to Mumbai - have supported Movember, raising over $AUS 178 million to date. • There are offi cial Movember campaigns in 10 countries – Australia, Canada, Finland, Ireland, the Netherlands, New Zealand, South African, Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Men who support Movember, called Mo Bros, start by registering at Movember.com. Mo Bros begin Movember 1st clean-shaven, then grow and groom their Mo for the rest of the month, taking pride in their authentic, face-grown efforts.

Women who support Movember, called Mo Sistas, also start by registering at Movember.com. Mo Sistas champion the Mo by supporting

their Mo Bros, organising events, leading a team and spreading the men’s health message. They typically don’t grow a Mo!

At the end of the month, Movember hosts offi cial Gala Partés in major cities around the world. Gala Partés are a way for Movember to thank Mo Bros and Mo Sistas for all their outstanding work. Mo Bros and Mo Sistas come dressed to suit their Mo, Mo Bro or Mo Team and compete for coveted Movember prizes like, Miss Movember, Best Mo in Character, Lame Mo and the grand prize, Man of Movember.

If you’d like to know more, visit the website:

http://au.movember.com or call 1300 GROW MO

(1300 4769 66).

Welcome toGrow a Mo to help raise awareness, support and funding for serious men’s health issues

Local resident, Anne, read about the ‘paperless’ bidet toilet seat available

that had provided assistance and comfort to an arthritis sufferer who was experiencing problems with toileting.

Anne read that the bidet toilet seat simply replaced your existing toilet seat and provided warm seat, warm water wash and with just the push of a button, a gentle stream of warm air would dry you.

Curious, Anne rang The BIDET SHOP® and spoke with a very helpful gentle man by the name of Stephen. Anne mainly wanted to know whether the bidet seat would be able to assist her with some of the problems she has been experiencing with diabetes. With one of the symptoms being an excessive thirst, this has lead to increased number of visits to the toilet. The tingling and pain in Anne’s fi ngertips associated with her diabetes also meant using toilet paper could quite often be an onerous task, as well as leading to annoying and embarrassing skin irritations.

Stephen was able to advise Anne, that like the arthritis sufferer, many of Anne’s problems would be alleviated by the use of a bidet toilet seat. Stephen also mentioned that quite often the medications people

take for some illnesses can result in constipation and the functions available on the bidet seat were often able to assist in providing relief. Discussing Anne’s needs, Stephen was able to recommend a bidet seat most suited. Despite it being very easy to install, Anne felt more comfortable getting Stephen to organise installation.

The bidet was delivered and installed within days. Along with the warm seat, warm water wash and the warm air dry, Anne felt that the seat was even more comfortable than her old seat. Best of all...no more toilet paper!

Anne says her bidet is the best investment she has made in her personal health and hygiene in years and no longer fi nds going to the loo an issue.

For more info regarding bidet toilet seats: The BIDET SHOP specialises in the supply and installation of quality Coway bidet toilet seats. Call 02 8005 5730 (local) or 1800 243 387 (national) to discuss the range and options available. (Mention Offer Code: HB11 to receive discounts only available for a limited time!)

Does yourtoilet paper look

like this?

6

It was the end of more than 600 years of history. On a

recent Sunday evening, amid the cheers of fans and the bloody death throes of fi ght-ing bulls, Barcelona hosted its last-ever bullfi ght.

As dusk fell in the Cata-lan capital, sequin-clad local matador Serafín Marín dis-patched the last of six bulls on the sand of the packed La Monumental bullring – where touts had been offer-ing tickets at eight times their original price.

With bullfi ghting banned in Catalonia as of next year – and with Sunday’sfi ght mark-ing the end of the season in Barcelona – no Spanish fi ght-ing bull will be killed in the city in the name of sport or art for the foreseeable future.

Supporters denounced the ban as an infringement of civil liberties. Opponents de-clared it an enlightened move away from mindless barbar-ity.

“We have won the war, but today we will lose a bat-tle as six animals will die,” said a 32-year-old protester who gave only her fi rst name, Montserrat. “They are pigs,” said Antonio, 70, an elegant white-suited fan, pointing to the small crowd of animal rights protesters gathered outside La Monumental.

Either way, it was a histor-ic moment. An 18,000-strong crowd packed into the stands to watch the matadors in their shiny “suits of lights” step out for the last time to the sound of trumpets and a band play-ing pasodoble tunes.

There was huge demand for tickets from those keen to witness the end, while some fans allowed inside dug up handfuls of sand to take home with them as souvenirs.

“I have been queueing here since Thursday and have slept outside three nights run-ning,” said Jordi Piqué, who snapped up one of the few remaining tickets sold at the gate on Sunday morning.

Although bullfi ghting has

been on the decline in Cata-lonia for decades, Barcelona once hosted major fi ghts.

It was a sign of the dwin-dling local popularity of what Spaniards call their “national fi esta” that architect Richard Rogers had already turned the city’s other major bull-ring, Las Arenas, into a shop-ping mall.

Critics of the ban blamed the hand of Catalan national-ism. Deputies in the local par-liament, they said, had voted it through purely because bullfi ghting was emblematic of Spain and they wanted to differentiate Catalonia from the rest of the country.

“The parliament banned bullfi ghting because it is a Spanish fi esta, not to pro-tect animals,” Marín told El Mundo newspaper. Last night he and the other bull-fi ghters were greeted with cries of “Liberty! Liberty!” and chants against Catalan nationalism.

But activists and many locals said the ban refl ected the sensitivity of locals to the needless suffering of animals in the name of entertain-ment.

“We are glad that the torturing of bulls in Cata-lan bullrings is over,” said anti-bullfi ght protester Aïda Gascón.

The fi rst recorded bullfi ght in Barcelona was in 1387. In 1835 an angry crowd of fans rioted, burning down local monasteries and convents.

Thousands of bulls have died on the sand of La Monu-mental, a neo-mudejar style

building decorated with white and blue tiles, since it was built in 1915. Eight bull-fi ghters have reportedly also died after being gored here.

Spanish kings, the fascist dictator General Francisco Franco and regional Catalan presidents like Lluís Compa-nys are among those to have been guests of honour here.

José Tomás, a bullfi ghter loved by artists and leftwing intellectuals, was the star of a bill that included Marín and Juan Mora. The three bullfi ghters killed two bulls each.

Tomás lived up to his reputation as a hero to Bar-celona bullfi ght fans with his fi rst bull – being awarded the gory trophy of the bull’s ears as cheering fans waved white handkerchiefs to express ad-miration.

Later he and Marín were both carried out of the ring on the shoulders of fans who will now have to travel out of Catalonia to see them fi ght. The nearest working major bullrings are in the south of France and the neighbouring regions of Aragon or Valen-

cia.A taxidermist has already

been asked to preserve the head of the last bull to be killed. Other remains were set to be sold in butcher’s shops – where the meat of fi ghting bulls, or toros bravos, which live a free-range existence before they die, is prized by some clients.

La Monumental, which has also hosted concerts by The Beatles and the Rolling Stones, is expected to receive planning permission for a change of use.

Among the projects pro-posed for the site are an in-door market, a block of lux-ury apartments and a mosque fi nanced by Dubai.In the blood

Although the origins of bullfi ghting may stretch back to the gladiators and wild beasts in Roman amphithe-atres, the contemporary fi ght started in Spain in the early 18th century.

Horseback bullfi ghts had been popular in medieval times, but in 1726 matador Francisco Romero began fi ghting on foot with a cape

and a sword – sparking a new fashion. Rings were built to prevent fi ghter or bull get-ting cornered, with the old-est standing example the late 18th century La Maestranza, in Seville.

Matador Juan Belmonte, who shot himself in 1962, is credited with founding the modern school, drawing the bull dangerously close to his body with the cape.

Daredevil fi ghters like Belmonte helped fuel popu-lar enthusiasm for the fi ght and fascinated foreigners, with writer Ernest Heming-way displaying his obsession in Death in the Afternoon, The Sun Also Rises and The Dangerous Summer.

By the mid-20th century successful bullfi ghters were stars, and millions watched matadors like Manuel Benítez, El Cordobés on tele-vision.

Seen as an art form rather than a sport by fans, bullfi ght-ing is also popular in south-ern France and some South American countries. The big-gest ring, seating 48,000 peo-ple, is in Mexico City. But in Spain the number of fi ghts has fallen by a third over the past three years as the resi-dential construction bubble burst and Spanish town halls, which funded many fi ghts, lost income from building li-cences.

Some 1,700 fi ghts were registered in 2010 – and more than 7,000 bulls were put to the sword. At least 500 farms, including a handful in Catalonia, rear the bulls.

Spain ends bull fi ghtingBarcelona recently hosted its last ever bullfi ght, after 600 years of history...

Novembe r 2011 7

John Waters is an extra-ordinarily talented performer.

His background in music and theatre originated back in England where he appeared in school plays and listened to all genre of music from rock, pop, blues and soul including like every other young 16 year old, the music of The Beatles.

John’s fi rst passion when he was young was music and John said that “The music that I grew up with and still love is British Rock revolution, really, there were a lot of bands in Britian who had re-invented the American music. The Americans were only really allowed to listen to the white sanitised version of rock and roll like Pat Boone, Fabian and the Everly Brothers. The British discovered the real roots of the music. All the black performers came to the UK cause they could get arrested in the States and no one wanted to listen to the music of Muddy Waters and John Lee Hooker and all the old blues bands, it was quite an extraordinary phenonomen!” “I grew up listening to The Kinks, The Who, Mandfred Man and the Yardbirds.”

While hitchiking around France, John said “I met a street performer who was singing a beautiful song by a French singer called Jacques Biel who is very well known in France and Europe as a singer songwriter. “His music is very very french and his style is entirely different than that of the Rock and Roll that I am familiar with. Biel is a highlly passionate and dramatic performer - I love that style of performing.”

In 1968 at aged 19 John took the opportunity of the “Ten Pound” offer by the Australian Government. “I decided to come to Australia as it was a long way from home and after only 2 weeks, in desperation I contacted my Uncle who was a bookeeper. He gave me a contact which was the only contact I had in Australia and worked at an outback sheep station in Longreach Queensland. “I applied myself to be the best I could and had an extraordinary time. I arrived there in January which was 40 degress and after coming from London which was snowing, it was very hot, but loved it - This is what I read about in books! My love of Australia and life here is mostly to do with the climate which is a big driving force for me. I love living in Australia.

John was co-erced by Australian actor Helen Morse to audition for Hair The Musical and John said that “I took myself along and I got in - that was my introduction to the industry in Australia. It was a great unique show.”

John also mentioned of his wonderful time on Playschool “it was a pleasure, and to communitcate with the children is really very very basic. There is nothing done on Playschool you couldn’t do at home.” My children are grown up now but when they were young at the time I was always very happy to tell stories and draw pictures for them and doing all the kinds of things that we did on Playschool.”

In 1992 John and musician Stewart D’Arrietta co-wrote the musical production of “Looking Through A Glass Onion” – a homage to the music, mystery and memory of John Lennon which in 1993/94 he performed at Londons West End for a 4 month season which was a fi rst for any Australian artist with their own orginal production, “we received some fabulous reviews and was very successful”John said. Looking Through A Glass Onion has toured Australia several times including this year (2011) fi nishing at the State Theatre in Sydney on December 10th. John mentioned that “I would like to now do the show in New York City within the next couple of years.”

John talks of his tribute and homage to the late John Lennon as “I had this idea and Stewart and I got together and mapped it out.” “John Lennon wrote the song “A Glass Onion” which is on the Beatles double white album and I liked it as the title. The song holds the lyrics of a restropsective of the Beatles and John Lennon.” John loves performing in front of crowds and performs in front of many age groups including the Boomers who bring their kids and grandkids.

“Music is a great communicator and I feel really really lucky to be able to perform on stage and that people pay to come and watch and listen to me tell a story through song and words. It is a great gift and I will always love it.” John says.

“The concert is remembering the memories like a documentary, just grabs the history. Continual music and words, music and words all the way through. I’ts like a concert really, I just sort of talk as if I’m Lennon and responding to interview questions. That’s how I thought I would bring the music to people. The songs are auto biographical and the songs are life about the Beatles - it’s all there in the songs. Its a lot of fun.” John says in his uncanny John Lennon Character

John also brings a new element to the show with “Masterclass” which John explains as “I love meeting people and this is all about giving a real version of the industry. People can ask me questions and it’s a fantastic time to just interact with different people from regional areas and all walks of life. It takes hard work to be successful in this industry.”

John has also recorded a story

book which has recently been re-released for 8-10 year olds called “Pelican Pete and Chloe the Cocky” John said “It’s just a story I had told my children really and basically I went on to write them down and it is just stuff I made up about a drover who had a cocky. We recorded the album at festival records and includes a few songs”. If you would like to purchase a copy you can fi nd it at any CD shop.

Another of John’s credits is a release of his album “Cloudlands” which was recorded in Glebe at The Old Jacobsen’s studio. Cloudland has a blend of blues, roots, folk, country rock and the songs are strongly about John’s personaly journey. It is about love, regret

loss and inspiration. It is a CD that should be included in your collection.

John Waters at the wonderful age of 63 proves that age has no barriers with John being the 2nd oldest Australian Artist ever to release a debut solo originals album.

John mentioned of his future ambitions “I hope to be working hard on Australian Television and touring. I’m on a roll at the moment and in a good phase of my life. I acknowledge anything and will take any opportunity that comes my way.

John Waters is one of Australia’s most hard working and respected performers of today and his past credits include to mention a few are: Stage (Judas in Godspell, Hair the Musical, The Sound of Music and Rocky Horror) Film (Breaker Morant, The Getting of Wisdom, Ebbtide, late Shift), Television (Division Four, Homicide, All The Rivers Run, All Together Now, Underbelly -2010 and most recently Offsring)

John has also won Best Lead Actor at the AFI Awards for” Boulevard of Broken Dream”s and many more.

WIN..... A SIGNED COPY OF CLOUDLANDS. See our “Up For Grabs” page for details.

For further information on John Waters “Looking Through A Glass Onion” go to these links http://theaussiejohnwaters.homestead .com/Looking_Through_A_Glass_Onion.html

RSVP TO GIGS AND CHECK OUT SOME GREAT VIDEO’S ON THE GLASS ONION FACEBOOK PAGE OR ON THE OFFICIAL FANSITE PAGE.

The uniquely talented John Waters

Looking Through A Glass

Onion Tours Dates:

Fri Nov 25thQPAC Concert Hall 136 246

Sat Nov 26thTwin Towns Tweed Heads

1800 014 014

Fri Dec 9thCanberra Theatre (02) 6275 2700

Sat Dec 10thState Theatre Sydney

(with nine piece Winston O’Boogie Orchestra) 136 100

8

British comedienne Jennifer Saunders, whose comic creation Edina Monsoon, is planning the script for an

Ab Fab movie, which she hopes to write once she’s done working on the Spice Girls musical Viva Forever.

Sources reveal that the Ab Fab movie will open with Eddy and her bee-hived best friend Patsy (Joanna Lumley) waking up hung-over in the empty drifting yacht in the middle of the ocean and unable to get a signal on their mobile phones.

The series, which began in 1992 featured Saunders as Edina Monsoon, an alcoholic, drug-abusing PR agent who spends her time chasing bizarre fads in a desperate attempt to stay young and “hip”. Edina is joined in her quest by magazine editor Patsy Stone, her best friend and enabler, whose drug abuse, alcohol consumption, and promiscuity far eclipse Edina’s comparatively mild self-destructive behavior.

The show initially ran for three series on the BBC between 1992 and 1995, followed by a series fi nale in the form of a two-part television movie named The Last Shout in 1996. Creator Jennifer Saunders revived the show in 2001, and it ran for an additional two series from 2001 to 2003, including another television movie.

Absolutely Fabulous is ranked as the 17th greatest British TV show of all time by the BFI, and a scene from the show was included in the 100 Greatest TV Moments programme broadcast by Channel 4.

Seeing Eddy & Patsy on the big screen should be a blast...keep watching this space for more on AB FAB – The Movie.

Life is full of changes whether it be technical or otherwise

and we need to face up to them and make decisions. The only problem is, do we know enough to make an intelligent decision?

We are increasingly dependant on computer technology and the use of the Internet for such things as email, banking and shopping or paying bills.

Consequently many of you may be wondering is my computer too old, does it need upgrading to keep me in there with a chance. Do I need to update to Windows 7. Do I need to look at networking my home. Do I need Wireless networking or hard wiring.

Well in the next couple of issues I will try to make you at least a little wiser in these matters and whether you really need to worry about them.

First let me ask you a question, does your present computer do all you want and fast enough. If the answer is yes, then you don’t really need to upgrade except maybe just add a little internal memory or RAM if it is running slow.

Most old computers would be running on 512 MB of RAM and you can fi nd these details by right clicking on My Computer and then selecting Properties. This should be around 2 Gigabytes. Another thing that slows down a computer is what is called Fragging of the Hard Drive which simply means you have fi les scattered all over the drive. Defragging will fi x this and could save you lots of money.

OK so much for the old computer what will upgrading do for you. I would expect it would run much faster and upgrading the operating system or Windows will allow you to run lots of new software which may not run on your old computer. New Windows

will usually offer new services and tools to make using your computer easier to use and more effi cient. If you are into Video this would be the way to go.

As an example recently I was asked to help a lady change from dial up Internet to ADSL or broadband. She was running windows 98 which performed OK with the software she had, for all normal uses, but no way with the software for the Broadband Modem. In this case, no question, new computer and new Windows.

While our dollar is worth so much it is a good time to upgrade if you are serious about it. Most likely your old monitor will be good enough to go with the new computer but consider this, is it wide screen and how long have you had it? After around four or fi ve years of heavy usage the colour may be going off. It may not be capable of higher resolutions when working with graphics or photos and in some cases larger is much nicer.

Ok then, Plasma or LCD and Touch Screen is the choice at present.. Plasma is more expensive to run and LCD will give you basically all you need in a good bright sharp picture. Touch screens are a great way to go but you will pay for it and there is the question, who will use it. With care Touch Screen should last a long time but with kids, who knows. An LCD is the best all round bet and probably 21 inch, strangely non metric still.

Now the computer. First up I don’t recommend a brand name unless you are into laptops where you have no choice so choose a well known brand in this case. With brand names you are stuck with their prices, their service and their replacement parts at again their price. I always recommend a

well established computer tech or shop to build one for you because it can take virtually any parts and not as expensive.

What do you need in terms of hardware? I recommend you make two lists, one the must haves in terms of performance and the other a wish list plus a budget limit. The fi rst list is the things you really need to do such as high level gaming, Internet, photos etc and the second, things you might one day get into like the video editing if you are not into it yet.. The technician can then give price based on these limits and if you fi nd you can afford some of the wishes then by all means do it but the computer will be built to suit your needs and will be capable of being upgraded or expanded at minimum expense.

One other thing we might to look at in this issue is Laptop V Desktop. Laptops are very portable but have limited battery life so for a heavy user they are as portable as the nearest power point and this could become very limiting or annoying. Laptops are also very limited in terms of add ons

Yes desk tops are not mobile but they have one big advantage, they are expandable and add ons are virtually limitless, internal and external.

Now before you race off and buy, wait until next month when I will discuss details of upgrading and what to expect with a new Windows which will be Windows 7 and a very different kettle of fi sh to Windows XP or earlier which you may have now.

Feel free to contact George Kimpon on gkimp@westnet.com.au or 02 9634 5995.

Computers with George KimptonDo we need to upgrade?

LOOKING THROUGHA GLASS ONION

LENNONJOHN

In Word and Musicwith JOHN

WATERS

over 25,000 tickets sold… don’t miss out!

FRI 25 NOV QPAC, CONCERT HALL BRISBANEwww.qpac.com.au 136 246

SAT 26 NOV TWIN TOWNS, TWEED HEADS www.twintowns.com.au 1800 014 014

FRI 9 DEC CANBERRA THEATRE CENTRE www.canberratheatrecentre.com 6275 2700

SAT 10 DEC STATE THEATRE SYDNEY (with the 9 pce Winston O’Boogie Orchestra)

www.ticketmaster.com.au 136 100& Stewart D’Arrietta Band

Eddie & Patsy hit the big screen in Ab Fab movie

Novembe r 2011 9

ACT Chief Minister Katy Gallagher is inviting

the ACT community to nominate outstanding

Canberrans for the 2012 Canberra Citizen of the

Year Award.

The Award will be presented by the Chief Minister during the Canberra

Day celebrations in March next year. Nominations are open to individuals and groups in any fi eld, including the arts, health, education, community work, sport and business.

“There are many Canberrans who excel in their professional or personal lives,”the Chief Minister said.

“The Canberra Citizen of the Year Award is an opportunity to recognise their efforts and thank themon behalf of our community for the contributions they make.

“The award is open to outstanding people in all fi elds, so I would ask Canberrans to think about their colleagues, their friends and family, and consider the contributions they are making to our city and our community,” the Chief Minister concluded.

This year’s Canberra Citizen of the Year is Maureen Cane. Ms Cane was recognised for her contribution to the community as Chief Executive Offi cer of Communities@Work from 2001 to 2011.

To be considered for the 2012 Award, which is now sponsored by The Canberra Times, nominations must be received by 31 January 2012.

Nomination forms are available from Canberra Connect shopfronts and libraries. They are also available online at www.cmd.act.gov.au/communication/canbcitizen or by calling Canberra Connect on 13 22 81.

PRIME MINISTER AND CHIEF MINISTER

UNVEIL SCULPTURE OF CURTIN AND CHIFLEY

Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Chief Minister Katy Gallagher

recently unveiled a sculpture depicting two of Australia’s most respected Prime Ministers, John Curtin and Ben Chifl ey.

The artwork recreates an historic photograph from 1945 by Don Stevens which depicts Prime Minister Curtin talking with then Treasurer Ben Chifl ey as they walked together to Old Parliament House from the Kurrajong Hotel.

“John Curtin and Ben Chifl ey occupy a revered place in Australia’s political history and this sculpture in our national capital is an appropriate way for all Australians to honour them,” the Chief Minister said.

The ACT Government-commissioned work is by eminent Australian sculptor Peter Corlett and located as close as possible to where the original photograph was taken along the footpath next to Walpole Crescent, Parkes.

It appears to capture the two leaders

in a private moment of conversation and the Chief Minister said this informal approach encouraged a more intimate engagement with the fi gures which would excite curiosity in viewers about their lives.

“I am sure that this statue will become a much-loved feature of the Parliamentary zone and I hope it will inspire people to examine the legacy of these two men,” the Chief Minister said.

John Curtin and Ben Chifl ey were the 14th and 16th Prime Ministers of Australia respectively. John Curtin was Prime Minister when the Australian mainland came under direct military threat during the Japanese advance in World War II.

The Chifl ey Government was responsible for the post-war immigration scheme under Arthur Calwell, the establishment of Australian citizenship in 1949, the Snowy Mountains Scheme, overseeing the creation of airlines Qantas and TAA, and founding the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation.

Increase in Prize money for 2012 Archibald,

Wynne & Sulman Prizes

The Art Gallery of New South Wales recently announced an increase in

prize money for the 2012 Archibald, Wynne & Sulman Prizes.

Archibald Prize 2012from $50 000 to $75 000

Wynne Prize 2012from $25 000 to $35 000

Sulman Prize 2012from $20 000 to $30 000

The board of trustees of the Art Gallery of New South Wales has resolved to increase the prize money for all three prizes this year with a total amount of $140 000. In the last fi ve years the prize money for the Archibald, Wynne & Sulman has more than doubled.

Australia’s most extraordinary art event, the Archibald, Wynne & Sulman Prizes, is an annual exhibition eagerly anticipated by artists and the public. It never ceases to create lively debate amongst the arts community and wider public.

The Archibald Prize, fi rst awarded in 1921, is judged by the Trustees of the Art Gallery of New South Wales.

The Wynne Prize, fi rst awarded in 1897, is judged by the Trustees of the Art Gallery of New South Wales

The Sulman Prize, fi rst awarded in 1936, will be judged in 2012 by artist Susan Norrie.

Entries submitted: Monday 5 March – Friday 9 March 2012

Winners announced: Friday 30 March 2012

Exhibition dates: Saturday 31 March – Sunday 3 June 2012

‘ANZ is delighted to be principal sponsor of the Archibald Prize for a third year in 2012. Our brand is all about living in our customers’ world and the Archibald is Australia’s favourite portraiture prize,’ said ANZ Chairman, John Morschel. www.nilsnsw.org.au

NSW NO INTERESTLOAN SCHEME

– NILS®NILS® is a community managed

small loan program developed by the Good Shepherd Youth & Family

Service designed to assist low income people, i.e., receiving income support from Cenrelink. Loans for approx. $1,000 are for new essential

household items, medical goods and services.

Call

1800 509 9949:30am to 4:30pm

Monday to Friday exceptpublic holidays for

information/eligibility/schemes inyour local area.Unfortunately, as yet, there is not a scheme in every town

or suburb of NSW

NILS® is not for emergency relief, bond or rent,living expenses or debt

repayment. For help with credit & debt difficulties, please call

the Credit & Debt Hotline:Freecall 1800 808 488

e: sharpedesigns@bigpond.com

10

choose your adventure!choose your adventure!

T RAVELRAVELT RAVELRAVELlet’s

Image courtesy Travel Directors

0

Touring

Northern

Italy

page 12

Wild

Kimberly

page 14

London

Calling

page 11

Novembe r 2011 11

We are always drawn to see where we have come

from and many of us have our heritage in the British Isles. My heritage is England and Ireland with a pioneer grandfather and convict line for my grandmother and part of this trip was to track that down.

For others there is the magic of the monarchy, the old world charm of London and its history or the beautiful scenery of the Lakes District, Scotland or maybe the hope of seeing a magical Leprechaun in Ireland.

The British Isles literally reeks of history and just about any town or city you visit will date back centuries. In some cases back to Roman times with their city walls etc. It can be like you are stepping back in time!

What ever your reason, there are loads of magic places to visit starting with London. We spent best part of a week there before heading out with Insight Vacations to Stratford – on – Avon and beyond up into Scotland then down into Wales and across to Ireland.

But fi rst - a quick look at what London has to offer.

There are so many tours and places to see that you could easily spend two or three weeks in London itself. Just take a peek at Google on the internet and search for London, England and you will see what I mean.

You can pre book if you want to but, an experienced travel agent like Harvey World at Castle Hill which I use, can pick the best to see in a short time.

For instance we took a one day tour which included Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, Royal Albert Hall and many other places. We unfortunately arrived the same day as Barack Obama with massive traffi c jams. However we did get to watch lots of pomp and ceremony.

Then there are hop on, hop off, buses that follow a tourist route. We used these buses to visit Buckingham Palace again and this time saw the Changing of the Guard which was quite impressive with loads of colour and pomp. A tip though! Use the fountain opposite as a view point.

A River Cruise on the River Thames up to Greenwich is also a must with a magnifi cent view of the Tower Bridge as you fl oat under it and a great commentary

to make sure you know what you see.

Then of course there are the Tube trains. If they can’t get you close to where you are going then I don’t know what will. They literally criss-cross the city and it is an easy matter to change routes. Another good idea is to obtain an Oyster Card which covers both train and buses which is a very economical way of getting around and no lining up for tickets as you just scan and walk through. We used it to get from our base at Marble Arch Railway Station to Westminster Station for the River Cruise and the London Eye across the river on the Embankment.

The Eye takes about half an hour and offers magnifi cent views across London. Walking along the Embankment to The Eye you are entertained by many buskers and performers and you can detour to The Aquarium afterwards.

At this location you are also able to take in Parliament House and Big Ben plus Westminster

Abbey. There is so much to see and do within walking distance, even the famous Downing Street.

Depending on the day and hour of arrival the Abbey may have very long queues but there is St Margaret’s Church which is part of the Abbey and much easier to get into.

Trafalgar Square is easy to get to and it is worth the effort to just wander around and then there is Hyde Park. There are just so many places to visit and it is easy to get around providing you plan your route using the busses and Tube.

London Tower is a must to see and you can either take your own tour or a guided one. Buses drop you at the front gate and it

is a short walk inside. Exiting from the tower you get a great view of London Bridge and I believe it is possible to go up on to the upper bridge and take in the view.

If you choose your time right then there is the Chelsea Flower Show in Spring which is again a short bus ride out of the city. The fl owers and displays are mouth watering for gardeners. Different countries show displays and landscapes with different themes and there are loads of ornaments etc for you to take home.

Just to wander around London and see the beautiful Mews everywhere is a great experience especially out near the Natural History Museum, so

make time to wander and absorb the charm.

It is like stepping back in time. London has whole blocks three or four stories high of these Mews and beautifully maintained and treasured with beautiful fl ower boxes in many windows and balconies to add colour.

Just to wander around London and see the beautiful Mews everywhere is a great experience especially out near the Natural History Museum so make time to wander and absorb the charm. It is like stepping back in time. London has whole blocks three or four stories high of these Mews and beautifully maintained and treasured with beautiful fl ower boxes in many windows and balconies to add colour.

To add to a bit of royalty there is Windsor Castle which is just a short bus trip out of town and half a day well worth a visit. You get to wander a large portion of the Castle and see the crypts of past monarchs in the church.

Indeed everywhere in England they treasure their old buildings with townships going to great effort to maintain the old English character. When you go out into the countryside you don’t strike modern cities like here. Even new buildings must fi t in with the Old English character.

London callingGuest travel writer George Kimpton visits the royal capital. Here is the fi rst of his three part story...

12

Planning on exploring Europe and don’t know where to start? Or even

end for that matter? Can you fi nd an itinerary perfect for just you visiting all the places you wish to see and at your pace? Wouldn’t it be perfect if you could fi nd a holiday just like that where you could create your very own tailor made holiday around Europe.

Tailor made travel allows you to get exactly what you want from your holiday. Trying to fi nd an escorted tour that starts on a convenient date, covers the cities that you want to see and stays the right amount of time can be extremely diffi cult.

Creating your own itinerary gives you the chance to set your own pace so that you have time to explore independently and the fl exibility to do as little or as much as you want.

Rail travel is the ideal way to get around Europe on a tailor made tour. Train services are fast, effi cient and connect all major cities.

Start in one place and return from another, plot a journey through Europe combining rail travel and accommodation and perhaps even include a river cruise. Not only does this mean you are seeing more of the countries you visit but you are also getting a more authentic experience by travelling as the locals do.

You can also choose to have as much or as little organised before you depart. Add daytrips, excursions and transfers so everything is arranged before you go and you don’t have to worry about anything once you arrive. Alternatively, just plot a route with hotels and travel between cities and decide what to do once you get there.

Railbookers are specialists in tailor made European holidays by rail and can assist. They have an expert knowledge of the rail network and can suggest the best routes and offer a selection of handpicked hotels. Their expert advice can help you to really get the most out of your holiday. It’s great to be able to say, “I am going to be arriving in Europe on this date, with this amount of time and these are the places I want to visit”. And once you’ve got your perfect itinerary assembled, you can just sit back and relax, safe in the knowledge that everything is being arranged for you. Time to get planning!

Visit www.railbookers.com.au for inspiring itinerary ideas or to discuss your plans with a specialist consultant, call 1300 398 534.

Choose your adventureFrom Northern Italy to exploring Europe by rail... it’s your choice!

Be inspired by Northern Italy‘railbookers’

help you choose

Tour managed by Harvey World Travel (Mona Vale) Lic No. 2TA498, ABN. 15237311711Tour operated by The Albatross Travel Group, European Group Travel Specialists

Lic No. TAG1374, ABN. 45010565143

please contact Ian Johnstont. 02 9908 3225 m. 0404 369 386 e. disjoh@bigpond.net.au

FOR INFORMATION & TO RECEIVE A DETAILED BROCHURE,

Small group, suit first time & experienced travellers3 – 22 MAY 2012

COME ON AN INSPIRATIONAL JOURNEY THROUGH THEGARDENS, BUILT ENVIRONMENT & CULTURE OF

NORTHERN ITALY- coast to coast -

If you were to draw a loose arc on a map of Italy across the north it

is likely you would link the cities of Genoa, Turin, Milan, The Lakes - Maggiore, Como and Garda, and then Verona, Vicenza, Padua and Venice. Aside from Venice, northern Italy is often overlooked as a travel destination, being somewhat overshadowed by the power duo of Rome and Florence. And yet the north contains an abundance of treasures that contribute to the magic of Italy. Many of them UNESCO World Heritage listed.

Seaport Genoa dramatically hugs the shore of the Ligurian coast, and Turin is rich in cultural splendours such as the grand palaces of the Savoy royal family. Turin was also the site of the 2006 Winter Olympics and the location of the 1969 fi lm “The Italian Job”. Milan is home to Leonardo Da Vinci’s “The Last Supper” and it is also where you will fi nd Italy at its most stylish and cosmopolitan.

Formed by glacial action, Maggiore, Como and Garda are the largest of the northern lakes. There are many splendid villas and gardens along their shores thanks to the unusually mild climate. Lake Como also hosts sometime

resident and the not yet UNESCO World Heritage listed, George Clooney.

Heading east is the gently rolling landscape of the prosperous Veneto region and the cities of Verona, Vicenza, Padua, and of course, Venice. Verona in addition to being Romeo and Juliet territory boasts some superb Roman ruins. The many works of architect Andrea Palladio (1508-80) give Vicenza a unique cityscape while Padua is an old university town with magnifi cent frescoes by Giotto (1266-1337) in the Scrovegni Chapel (think an intimate Sistine Chapel and you’ll get the idea).

And then there is Venice. Nothing quite prepares you for the watery experience of Venice. You just have to go … and go again if you’ve already been.

small group escorted tours

www.Toursgallery.comOperating Japan Tours since 1983Phone Toll Free 1300 307 317 Brisbane 3359 6651 Email travel@toursgallery.com

Autumn Foliage ToursGarden Tours, Art Gallery ToursCherry Blossum Tours, National Parks ToursWinter Festivals Tours, Snow Monkey Tours

Pottery & Craft Workshop Tours

Visit Japan in April to see the best cherry blossoms. Springtime in

Japan presents picturesque gardens draped in pale pink cherry blossoms and bright green new foliage.

A fully escorted small group tour created by Toursgallery gives guests the opportunity to see some of the world’s great art treasures, as well as the best springtime gardens.

“To guarantee that our guests will see the best blooms we visit fi ve different climatic zones.” said Ken Osetroff, director of Toursgallery. “However, the best cherry blossoms are not always found in famous gardens.”

Visits to Hakone, the giant Buddha at Kamakura, Kurashiki canal, the ancient capital city of Nara, cherry tree forests of Hase Dera and Yokohama’s Sankeien Garden are all part of the programme.

Toursgallery also include visits to four of Japan’s most outstanding art galleries, displaying works by Henry Moore, Pablo Picasso and August Rodin in addition to Japanese artists.

Famous gardens to be visited include the serene Ryoanji Stone Garden, Ritsurin and Korakuen, Kinkakuji with it’s much photographed Golden Pavilion as well as Rikugien and Hama Rikyu in Tokyo.

Stay in a mixture of traditional style Japanese ryokans, spa resorts and fi rst class hotels, in addition to savouring the taste and visual sensations of fi ne Japanese cuisine.

Private luxury charter coaches as well as the famous Shinkansen bullet train are included for the comfort of tour participants. Toursgallery limit the number of guests on their tours to a maximum of 20 travelling in a 45 seat luxury coach, to guarantee personal attention and more intimate quality travel.

Commencing in Tokyo on March 31, this fully escorted tour is priced at $7,988.

Toursgallery also operate tours to Costa Rica, Russia and USA.

For details phone 1300 307 317 or send an email to travel@toursgallery.com. Website: www.toursgallery.com

Cherry blossom gardens and art

galleries in Japan

Novembe r 2011 13

Adventures of a Lifetimelet’s TR AV E L

FANTASTIC FIRST-TIMERS’ FREEBIE!The Legendary Trans-Siberian

& Himalayan Express

They are the world’s greatest train journeys – the longest and the highest – and you could win your trip free of charge! Simply book on a2012 Travel Directors’ Legendary Trans-Siberian orHimalayan Express tour and if you have nevertravelled with Travel Directors before AND youpay in full by 31 January 2012, you’ll go into a drawto win back the cost of your tour.This prize is worth up to $14,597!!

Prize worth

up to

$14,597!

One“First-Timer”travels free!

Lic. No. 9TA 00295

Call 1300 856 661 for more informationor visit www.traveldirectors.com.au

The Legendary Trans-Siberian –27/28 day tours priced at $13,947.

The Himalayan Express –25 days priced at $14,597.

Price includes: all flights & taxes, all accom in excellent hotels (twin share), all ground transport and transfers, all meals

except on trains (very cheap), expert guides, tour escort, all sightseeing and entrance fees, visas and courier fees, ALL TIPS AND GRATUITIES. Not inc: insurance and personal spending.

When it comes to small-group escorted tours,

Travel Directors are in a league of their own. The Perth-based company has more than twenty years experience in designing unique adventures that let you get under the skin of some of the world’s most spectacular destinations.

For the adventurous over-50s, Travel Directors offer a diverse range of escorted tours from the more main-stream to remote and little visited countries.

But whether it’s Europe or Africa, the Ancient Silk Road or South America, Tibet or Siberia, Travel Directors’ tours are jam-packed with adventure, surprises and unique experiences. Fancy lunch with a nomadic family in their traditional ger in Mongolia? A private classical concert in a Siberian mansion? Or how about an exclusive picnic in a turret on the Great Wall of China? These are just

some of the highlights in Travel Directors’ Legendary Trans-Siberian tour – a 27-day action-packed adventure through China, Mongolia and Siberia, taking in three of Russia’s iconic cities, Irkutsk, Moscow and St Petersburg. It’s priced at $13,947 – but you could win it free of charge if you have never travelled with Travel Directors before and you book and pay in full by 31 January 2012. This “First-Timers” offer applies to all 2012 departures on Travel Directors’ Legendary Trans-Siberian and also Himalayan

Express tours – extraordinary 25-day tours to China, Tibet, Nepal and Bhutan, priced at $14,597. So one lucky “First-Timer” will win a prize worth up to $14,597!

For more information call 1300 856 661 or visit:www.traveldirectors.com.au

Website helps you plan Aussie rail trip

The rail website www.railmaps.com.au was developed by

Australian Rail Maps to promote rail travel in Australia by providing an integrated and easily accessible source of information spanning all rail operators.

The site which was fi rst developed in 1996, and has been maintained and updated continuously since, is not affi liated with any rail operator or tourism operator.

The maps on the web site may be

used for non-commercial purposes and aims to provide a single nationally consistent and complete source of information on rail travel in Australia. All passenger train routes are illustrated, and all passenger stations are shown.

The site is intended as a fi rst port of call for the travel planner but doesn’t include timetables. If you fi nd the route you want - then click to view the detailed timetable. than tabular, and that a train timetable.

14

take a JOURNEYKimberly Magic with “Adventure Wild” SafarisThe trip was well named “Ad-

venture Wild”, every day was an adventure. We entered the Kim-berly on the tail end of the wet sea-son. A season that had been partic-ularly wet and storms had done a lot of damage.

We were warned before that there may be some changes to scheduled visits because of closed roads. It was a fascinating experi-ence to see the devastation nature can cause in rivers like the Pente-cost and brought home to you the power of nature and how puny we are when faced with it.

It became an adventure each day as our guides checked which roads were open and rearranged our schedules to suit but in spite of road closures we only missed Tun-nel Creek, Windjana Gorge and Mitchell Falls. We had an abso-lute ball. Chocky and Greg were top class guides and you couldn’t have asked for a better group of travelers. The food was top class too with Chocky wiping up some fabulous dishes using rather basic facilities.

First day saw us at the famed Prison Boab which has to be seen to appreciate what it would have been like to be incarcerated in those early days. Onward to the Fit-zroy River and the typically Aussie Wilaire Roadhouse, Derby and the magnifi cent 14,000 year old Boab. This tree really needs to be seen. It is massive and bears the scars of many graffi ti “artists” and is a trib-ute to nature and its tenacity.

Fitzroy Crossing, where we spent the night, has quite an in-teresting history and the old pub, while still there, has been replaced by a classy new hotel and camp-ing ground. Onward to the fabu-lous Geike Gorge with its freshies (Crocodiles) and magnifi cent cliff faces plus the fascinating Bill Aik-en, a local aboriginal gentleman with the gift of the gab and an as-tounding knowledge all things na-tive, as you cruise up Geike Gorge. He is quite a character and well

worth travelling with.Halls Creek, born of a gold rush

seems to come out of nowhere. A dusty little town where hardly a soul stirs in the heat of the day and on the outskirts a chunky, nat-ural wall meanders over the scrub-by hillside reminiscent of the Great Wall of China caused by a geologi-cal upheaval in the distant past.

Onward through Turkey Creek and its roadhouse to Wyndham. Later we will return to Turkey Creek as it is the stepping off place for Bungle Bungles or Purnululu to give it its native name.

Wyndham was a very busy port in earlier times but is now a sleepy little town with a giant croc in the main street where the local na-tive people gather to sell engraved Boab fruits.

These carvings are works of art and a very beautiful souvenir to say nothing of a small income for the locals. The view of the town and port is breathtaking from the look-out giving you some idea of the vastness of the Kimberley.

Since the road to the Bungles is closed we head for the famed El Questro. Tourist literature would suggest that there is little beyond the homestead and its accommoda-tion but in fact you can holiday in luxury at the homestead or in lesser style the “township” with its camp-sites and other accommodation.

Take a peek on Google and see just what is on offer.

On the way in is Emma Gorge, a truly beautiful place with magnifi -cent walks but you need to be rea-sonably agile on your feet but well worth a look or a stay with safari tent type accommodation. A great place to relax and chill out.

Also along the way is the beau-tiful Amalia Gorge and Zebedee Springs to have a dip on a hot day and cool off and it was fabulous to lay back in the warm spring water and savour the peace and quiet.

Helicopter fl ights and tours are also available. EL Questro can be a one stop holiday with plenty to do.

Next stop Home Valley Station and Bundoola Gorge for another dip to cool off.

With the possibility of the bun-gles road opening we head back to-wards Wyndham and Parrys La-goon and the Marlgu Bird Hide. This is an oasis in such a dry coun-try and the bird life is unbelievable and a must to see. This lagoon is positively alive with birds of many species..

There is so much to see in this area including the Grotto and a vis-it to the Zebra Rock shop where you can view these spectacular and ancient stones or feed the fi sh in the Ord River before going into Kununurra. This town is a breath of life after the dry wilderness of this

area and is the jumping off spot for the Ord River cruises, both on the lake itself or the river above town.

There is a lot of history here leading up to the experimental farming techniques and the build-ing of the initial weir. You can also see the old Ivanhoe River cross-ing that would have tested anyone brave enough to try and cross the Ord when in full fl ow.

Having previously enjoyed a sunset cruise on the lake I settled for the river cruise down from the dam wall. Anyone who enjoys rug-ged cliffs and spectacular scen-ery will spend a beautiful relaxing time climaxing in sunset over the rugged hills that enclose the river.

Finally the Bungle Bungles. To look at or just walk through these

magnifi cent ageless domes is awe inspiring but to take a helicopter fl ight over them is a mind blow-ing experience. They seem to go on forever.

To walk the trails to Picin-niny Creek. The Domes Gorges and Cathedral Gorge to say noth-ing of many other walks makes one feel so insignifi cant and in awe of nature. When you look at these domes, formed over millions of years, in these magnifi cent stripes of colours that defi ne the geology of this place you are at a loss to fi nd words as I am to describe the maj-esty of it all. A place you will nev-er forget.

Another place of interest is Wolfe Crater outside Halls Creek where an ancient meteorite crashed back in the dim distant past leav-ing a massive hole in the ground with thrust up sides as the land was forced away from the impact. This was not on our list but Greg was al-ways on the lookout for interesting places to add to our enjoyment.

Sure we didn’t get to see Wind-jana or fl y up to the Mitchell falls but it will be there to be seen by those who take the trip in future. The Mitchell Falls fl ight is great as I have been there before and the scenery from the air is spectacular making you wonder how those in-trepid cattlemen managed to fi nd their way or survive. You can also see the relocated Durack home-stead on the way to the Ord Riv-er dam.

There is so much to see and mar-vel at out here and the safari style of Adventure Wild is a great way to get a feel for this land and what makes it tick. The tour itineraries will vary sometimes depending of road conditions but rest assured you will thoroughly enjoy every minute of it and have great memo-ries and you can choose to sleep in a swag under the stars or in a tent. Adventure Wild will see to that.

Check them out onwww.adventurewild.com.au.

Novembe r 2011 15

let’s TR AV E LSee Menindee Lakes at it’s glorious capacityThe Menindee Lake scheme

consists of four large natural Lakes, Wetherell, Pamamaroo, Menindee and Cawndilla and several smaller interconnecting lakes. The Menindee Lakes scheme is located near the town of Menindee, 100kms south-east of Broken Hill.

The purpose of the storages when constructed was to:

– secure water for Broken Hill

– provide water for irrigation and farm supplies in the Lower Darling River downstream to Wentworth

– meet stock and domestic requirements along the Great Darling Anabranch

– supplement resources of the River Murray system, including the supply of water to South Australia

The scheme was constructed and is owned by the NSW Government and is now leased to the Murray Darling Basin Authority. It is a major storage used in the operation of the River Murray system.

Major Mitchell discovered the area around Menindee in 1835 calling the place Laidley’s Ponds. It was to become a major depot for later explorers, and was recognized as the “last outpost of civilization”, a jumping off place for the interior.

Charles Sturt travelled up the Darling from the Murray and arrived at the site of Menindee in 1844, during his exploration of the interior. Pastoralists, drovers and shepherds followed in the wake of the explorers.

The township of Perry

(Menindee) is said to have been founded by Tom Pain and his family who arrived in 1852, determined to establish a home and business on the river. He opened a pub on the Wurtindley sandhill, the following year.

With the growth of the river trade in the 1850s, the arrival of a police force and Pain’s presence, prospects for the settlement of the region improved. The runs (government grants of land) of the Central Darling were

offi cially surveyed and opened for tender in 1855.

Captain Francis Cadell, who pioneered the operation of paddle steamers along the Murray, established a store near the hotel at Menindee in 1856. Settlers began to pour into the region with news that the Darling was navigable.

A post offi ce opened Menindee in 1861 and the site was offi cially known as ‘Perry’ but locals protested

and the township was gazetted as Menindie in 1863 (it was changed to Menindee in 1918 to stop confusion with Mendingie near the river Murray mouth).By 1862 Menindee could boast a lock-up, a store, a post offi ce, a Pub and a few rough shanties. Some of the old buildings are still in existence or evidence today.

Why not take a tour to view the living history with Silver City Tours. Full day tour

includes Menindee township, Kinchega National park and a wetlands cruise.

Expert commentary is given on each trip, which includes information about:- the Barkindji people who once lived alongside the Darling River; birdlife, animals and fi sh that inhabit the wetlands area; tales of paddle-steamers that travelled from Goolwa on the Murray River to Bourke on the Darling.

“Why not take a tour to view the living history with Silver City Tours”

16

Novembe r 2011 17

“Thunder” Down Under“Thunder” Down Under

ENTERTAINMENTNTERTAINMENTENTERTAINMENTNTERTAINMENTit’s

Novembe r 20

Opera

on the

Harbour

page 22

The

Finale

page 24

Elvis

Festival

page 19

18

Ryan Kelly (aged 33) is a member of the Irish group

Celtic Thunder, a singing group composed of fi ve very handsome and talented male soloists who perform both solo and ensemble numbers.

Celtic Thunder debuted in August 2007 at The Helix in Dublin, Ireland. Since then they have released 7 studio Albums, and number 8 titled “Voyager” will be released in 2012. In December 2009, Billboard magazine named Celtic Thunder Top World Album Artist. Their fi rst three albums also placed in the Top 10 for World Albums.

They’ve now toured the US and Canada, coast to coast, four times with over 200 concert dates and 400,000 concert tickets sold, while their albums have sold well in excess of one million units

On their concert tours, and their live shows they are known for the use of dramatic effects via lighting and choreography as well as a stage set resembling an ancient stone pathway suggestive of those referenced in Celtic lore.

Q. Celtic Thunder’s producer Sharon O’Brien also was the producer for Celtic Woman how did Celtic Thunder come together?

Ryan: Back in 2007 in Ireland they were auditioning for a group of 5 men who could represent different stages in life

and after auditioning thousands of men I was lucky enough to be chosen and 4 years later we are still touring in North America and my life has luckily been changed forever. Celtic Thunder has been number 12 in Billboard chasing the likes of Lady GaGa which is a fantastic achievement.

Q. What type of show can our Australian audiences expect when you tour in 2012?

Ryan: Celtic Thunder is a show that all the family can see. We of course, cover many traditional Irish Songs and also bring a lot of modernism into our performance. The ages of our audience range from 8 years old to 80 years of age which is great. We have many people dancing in the aisles and singing along to their favourites. We love it when the audience interact. I love playing the “Dark Destroyer” as I love drama and theatre and I can role play and sing which is my passion. We have many dedicated fans called the “Thunderheads” which come to all our shows in North America and they even have their own T.Shirts! I believe that we have Thunderhead fans in Australia and it will be wonderful to see them at our shows.

Q. What is your passion Ryan?

Ryan: My passion is singing and theatre and whenever I get the opportunity I go to

live shows in New York and elsewhere and I hope to see some live shows when we tour Australia. I love the theatre and was involved in theatre prior to Celtic Thunder. My musical theater experience has led me to more song and dance routines in Celtic Thunder’s shows to date and I am delighted to return to musical roots with “Celtic Thunder.

I also love Gaelic Football and go to many games when I can, One of the highlights of my Celtic Thunder journey so far was the opportunity to perform the US National Anthem in the Bank North Garden in Boston for my team – Celtics and hopefully when in Australia

given the opportunity and time I will attend a football game as our Gaelic football is similar.

Q. Who designs your dandy clothes?

Ryan: Our producer Sharon O’Brien sometimes selects our clothes but mostly we choose our own and sometimes I have been told “Oh no that is just not suitable!”. Just yesterday I had to buy some really nice suits for tomorrow nights show( Mile One Stadium - Newfoundland Nth America “Heritage” tour).We all have our individuality and dress accordingly.

Q. Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?

Ryan: Hopefully still touring with Celtic Thunder, I just love

performing and touring with the group. I wouldn’t be anywhere else. I was originally a qualifi ed chartered accountant and thankfully I choose my music career over accountancy.

Celtic Thunder will tour for the fi rst time in Australia in February 2012 at Tamworth, Newcastle, Wollongong and Sydney.

This is a show that should not be missed.

For further information on Ryan Kelly and Celtic Thunder go to their website

www.celticthunder.iePictured top: Ryan Kelly. Pictured above: Celtic Thunder L-R Emmet Cahill, George Donaldson, Keith Harkin, Neil Byrne, Ryan Kelly.

One-on-one with Ryan Kelly – “The Dark Destroyer”

Novembe r 2011 19

it’s ENTERTAINMENT

It’s been 34 years since Elvis left the building, yet an expected 15,000+ Elvis

fans will gather in the Central NSW town of Parkes, doubling the population, to celebrate Elvis Presley’s birthday in January. Record crowds are expected for the 20th anniversary of the CountryLink Parkes Elvis Festival from 11-15 January 2012 with the theme ‘Follow that Dream’ proving popular.

A 5-day program of events will feature favourites including free main stage entertainment, look-a-like contests, Tribute to Elvis Competition, the Elvis Street Parade, displays of Elvis memorabilia (including Greg Page’s: The Kings Castle), Elvis Gospel Service, Cars of the Era Car Show and more than 150 unique Elvis-style events.

The Elvis Gospel Church Service has become a much-loved feature of the Festival program. This special interdenominational service pays tribute to Elvis’ fi rst love - gospel music. The Service sees standing room only as thousands of revellers join with parishioners to make the spiritual journey to the Big W undercover car park for this moving service, and prompting other churches to investigate similar ways to foster such spiritual understanding within their communities.

Loved up couples can renew their vows with an Elvis Celebrant at ‘Back to the Altar with Elvis’, and the TransTank Miss Priscilla Dinner will see the crowning of the lashy and luscious 2012 Miss Priscilla. Elvis fans who like a round of bowls, can take off their blue suede shoes for a game of casual

barefoot Elvis Lawn Bowls, while Culture Buffs can enjoy Elvis Art Exhibition, Film Screenings, The Kings Castle Collection (the largest collection of Elvis Memorabilia in the Southern Hemisphere) and an exhibition of photographs by Elvis’ Offi cial photographer from 1970-1977, Ed Bonja.

According to Parkes Elvis Festival Manager Maria Chetcuti, “The CountryLink Elvis Express train will set the Festival in motion, departing from Platform #1 at Sydney Central Railway Station on Friday 13th January en route to Parkes. Festival visitors will be rocking all the way onboard the Elvis Express, with an Elvis Tribute Artist electrifying carriages, prizes for best-dressed passengers and a grand Elvis-style platform welcome in Parkes, including a welcome by Mayor Elvis”.

“Parkes, a town which has been best known for its starring role in the movie ‘The Dish’, is increasingly becoming known for its penchant to party with Elvis. During this unique event, the town has a Graceland style make-over, with Elvii of all shapes and forms swarming the streets and many sightings of Priscilla’s and Lisa-Marie’s in the crowd. The Festival provides a huge boost to our economy and in fact the whole region in an otherwise quiet time of year” said Miss. Chetcuti.

For Information about the huge range of CountryLink Parkes Elvis Festival events visit www.parkeselvisfestival.com.au or phone Parkes Visitor Information Centre on 02 6862 6000.

Retro Fun for Everyone when CountryLink Parkes Elvis Festival

Turns 20 in 2012!Back by popular demand, Sing-A-

Long-A Sound of Music returns to its spiritual home the State Theatre for three performances ONLY (Friday 24 & Saturday 25 February, 2012 7:30pm), and due to popular demand a family friendly Matinee (Sunday 27 Feb 1.00pm).

Lovers of The Sound of Music (and what’s not to love?) join in an unforgettable interactive experience and tribute to the fi lm that continues to have millions of hearts swelling.

See the classic movie on the big screen, re-mastered to its original cinematic glory. Admit it, you know the words – and if you don’t there are song-sub-titles so EVERYONE can sing a-long! Sing-A-Long –A Sound of Music is an audience participation event where the celebrity host leads a vocal warm-up, gives a guide to the use of the interactive fun pack and accompanying actions and (with a little help from the audience) judges the Costume Parade - a highlight of the night that separates the die-hards from the dabblers!

An overwhelming force takes over, as delirious fans cheer on Julie Andrews, wolf-whistle Christopher Plummer, hiss the Baroness and boo the Nazis! And who could forget the glorious moment when Maria and the Captain fi nally kiss? Not to mention the experience of 2000 party poppers going off simultaneously as their lips touch!

The costumes are truly inspiring. A sea of black and white fl oods the foyer of the State Theatre year after year as fans eagerly dressed as nuns gather for the show and sing a few of their

favourite songs. Audience members have dressed as anything and everything from the movie.... Maria, girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes, Plumbers (Christopher Plummers!) the Alps, brown paper packages tied up with string, goats (with or without lonely goatherds), larks that are learning to pray – the possibilities are endless..... limited only by your imagination.

So what are you waiting for? Frock up for the ultimate musical affi rmation; a celebration of nature, spirituality, love, family, patriotism, and goodness, combined with perfectly pitched songs, and the screen presence of feisty, Julie Andrews.

Round up your favourite friends, take your vows, and tear down the curtains, clear your throats, fi ll your lungs and take your seats to become stars of the world’s favourite musical.

SHOW INFOMRATION:

VENUE: State Theatre, SydneyDATES: Friday 24th & Saturday 25th

February 2012 at 7.30pm and Sunday 26th February MATINEE at 1.00pm

START: 7:30pm /1.00pm– runs 4 hours

BOOKINGS: P: 1300 139 588;E: Ticketmaster.com.auW: www.singalonga.net

PRICES: Adults $52 / Group (8 or over) $47 / Concession $45 / Family

(2 Adults 2 Children) $150 / Child (under 15) $35

*When you know the notes to sing, you can sing most anythin

g!

yyoouuuu ccann ssiinnnggggnnn mmmooossssttt aaannyytthhiinnggn !

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★★★★★ Sing-A-Long-A SENSATIONAL!

www.singalonga.net facebook.com/singalonga.australasia

STATE THEATRE FRI 24 & SAT 25 FEB - 7.30PMPLUS DUE TO POPULAR DEMAND - SUN 26 FEB - 1PM MATINEE

BOOKINGS 1300 139 588 OR Ticketmaster.com.au*Ticket price includes GST. Booking & Transaction fees apply

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Aisles come alive with Sing-A-Long-A Sound of Music

20

PLAY 1 Australian Premiere from February 2

THE ACT by Richard Langridge Directed by Sandra Bates With Mark Kilmurry, Brian Meegan, Daniel Mitchell & Michael RossRichard Langridge’s THE ACT is a rediscovered classic from an age of wit, dark humour and intelligent dialogue.In unlikely circumstances, a comedy double act must face the Gestapo and perform a routine they haven’t written, all the while battling stage fright and their own demons. With a dynamic combination of musical hall comedy, powerful writing and a gripping story, THE ACT delves into world history and exposes the enduring nature of friendship.Director Sandra Bates: “ I fi rst read The Act maybe thirty years ago and it left the most powerful impression on me. What it’s about basically is friendship and the lengths that people will go to for a really good friend. It’s such a powerful, moving play and I am blessed with a stunning cast.”

PLAY 2 From March 15

THE GINGERBREAD LADY by Neil Simon Directed by Sandra Bates With Danielle Carter & Kate RaisonTHE GINGERBREAD LADY has all the ingredients that make for theatre at it’s best – recognizable characters who take us on a high stakes journey, where we ride with them through the fun times and the tough times. We laugh with them, we cry with them but most of all we care about them. Evy Meara, (Kate Raison) is a cabaret singer just returned from rehab to be met by her long-time friends and daughter Polly. What ensues is warm, witty, heartbreaking and life-affi rming. Director Sandra Bates: “Ensemble has a 53 year history – in that 53 years we’ve occasionally done a play twice because it’s been such a good play. Well for the fi rst time ever, we are doing a play for the third time.”

PLAY 3 Sydney Premiere from May 3

WHEN DAD MARRIED FURY by David Williamson Directed by Sandra BatesAlan is rich. Very rich. How he made his money is the subject of some debate, but as the main benefi ciaries of his will, Ian and Ben aren’t going to question their father’s ethics too closely. Ben’s wife Laura, however is a lefty with scruples, so Alan’s 75th birthday celebrations were never going to be confl ict free. When Alan introduces his new wife to the family, Fury proves to be a force to be reckoned with….after all, she’s beautiful, American, and – young! A searing black comedy from David Williamson set right on the religious and political fault lines of contemporary Australia. Director Sandra Bates: David Williamson’s done it again - I don’t know how he keeps writing these plays that are so timely, so about us. If you read his plays over the last 40-odd years you would get a history of middle class Australia right there in the most entertaining way. WHEN DAD MARRIED FURY is hilarious, but it’s got a lot to say as well. It’s simply

David at his best.

PLAY 4 Sydney Premiere from June 21

SKYLIGHTBy David Hare Directed by Mark Kilmurry With Katharine Cullen & Sean Taylor

In a cold fl at in London, Kyra (Katharine Cullen) has an unexpected visitor. Tom (Sean Taylor) is a fi gure from her past, her ex-boss, ex-confi dante and ex-lover. Tom has

come to revive the skeletons in their closet…But has Kyra moved on? Or are those dormant feelings about to engulf her once again? David Hare’s exquisitely crafted play examines the nuances of betrayal and guilt and the widening differences between two people in love.

Director Mark Kilmurry: David Hare’s SKYLIGHT was a huge hit on the West End and on Broadway and I think it’s because it’s a tantalising encounter between two

lovers who should be together and aren’t. Do you move forward? Do you forget the past and be friends, or do you

go and try again, which could be fatal? All these questions are raised in SKYLIGHT and it’s just a beautiful piece of

work.”

PLAY 5 Sydney Premiere from Aug 2

CIRCLE MIRROR TRANSFORMATIONby Annie Baker Directed by Shannon Murphy With Paul Gleeson2010 Obie Award for Best New American Play and voted one of the top ten plays of 2009 by The New York Times, Time Out New York, and The New Yorker.Over the course of six weeks, fi ve adults gather to explore themselves through the elusive and often hilarious medium of drama. Some of them are there to become stars, others to follow a long-lost dream, and some just yearn for a connection with their fellow classmates. Through a series of exercises, their teacher Marty leads them deeper into the sharing of their own stories. As the weeks pass, their real, offstage lives gradually infi ltrate the classroom, revealing insights and transformations, both humorous and heartbreaking. Director Shannon Murphy: What I love most about this play is every time I read it, I fi nd myself laughing out loud. It’s one of the most beautifully well written and humorous pieces of writing I have come across in a long time.”

PLAY 6 Australian Premiere from Sept 6

REDBy John Logan Directed by Mark Kilmurry With Colin MoodyMark Rothko (Colin Moody), a brilliant artist. Ken, his new assistant. A New York studio like the depths of a cell. The smell of paint. A canvas waiting for a splash of red. Rothko bullies, snaps, abuses, teaches. Ken listens, casually observes, causes arguments. Together they make and mix paint. Together they create art. Art for the new Four Seasons Restaurant. Is Rothko selling out? Or simply baring his soul?Director Mark Kilmurry: It’s a beautiful, beautiful piece of work, it’s very muscular, it’s very dynamic, but it’s also about life. The two men get covered in paint, the canvas gets covered in paint, the fl oor, the studio - it’s evocative of the way Mark Rothko is feeling about his art and his life and also about the beauty and the nature of his work. RED is a very exciting, brilliant play, deserving of its wonderful reputation.

The StageEnsemble Theatre announces 2012 Subscription Season

Novembe r 2011 21

it’s ENTERTAINMENTPLAY 7 Australian Premiere from Sept 20

A PICASSOBy Jeffrey Hatcher Directed by Nikki Selby With Danny Adcock and Sharon MillerchipParis, 1941. The heavy tread of Nazi jackboots on the streets outside. The underground bunker, where the celebrated painter, Pablo Picasso (Danny Adcock) has been detained. Picasso is visited by Miss Fischer (Sharon Millerchip), an attractive offi cer from the German cultural ministry and is faced with an impossible decision: in exchange for his life he must surrender one of his beloved works of art to the regime. A perilous game of cat and mouse ensues as Picasso attempts to outwit his dangerously beautiful opponent and save his masterpiece.Jeffrey Hatcher’s A PICASSO is part history lesson, part intriguing debate about art, politics, sexuality and love.Director Nikki Selby: “A PICASSO is about a very dynamic relationship with wonderful fi ery characters. Picasso is as you’d imagine him to be: he’s arrogant, he’s wonderful, he’s cheeky, he’s witty, he’s a womanizer - but Miss Fischer meets him head to head. It’s sexy and funny, it has tangible humanity, it’s about art, history and regrets, but ultimately it’s about the relationship between these two fabulous characters.”

PLAY 8 Sydney Premiere from Oct 25

BECKY SHAWBy Gina Gionfriddo Directed by Anna Crawford With Catherine Moore, Matthew ZeremesThe best laid schemes oft go awry. Max, a cynical straight-talking fi nancier, and Becky, highly strung and self-doubting, are hardly a perfect match. When Suzanne (Catherine Moore) and Andrew (Matthew Zeremos) set Max up on a date with Becky, no one could have predicted the horrifyingly hilarious outcomes. Sweet, funny and sharp, Becky Shaw is peppered with moments of schadenfreude as the variously dysfunctional characters careen towards the implosive fi nale. Director Anna Crawford: “When I fi rst read Becky Shaw I just wanted to put down the script and jump right into rehearsals, I was so excited. What struck me the most was the writing - it was almost like a new language, Gina Gionfriddo is so sparkly and crackly and contemporary. She writes for TV’s Law and Order and I think that element of suspense is built so beautifully into this piece that it just draws you in and doesn’t let you go.”

PLAY 9 World Premiere from Dec 6

MANAGING CARMENBy David Williamson Directed by Mark Kilmurry With Garry McDonaldBrent Lyall is a freakish young sporting talent. At the age of 23 he is already captain of one of the most powerful football clubs in the land. Managed by the legendary Rohan Swift (Garry McDonald), Brent’s blossoming career, and the millions that come with it, seem assured. But Brent has an explosive secret which is on the verge of becoming public. So Rohan hires the brilliant psychologist Jessica to fi nd out what Brent is trying to hide…but soon wishes he hadn’t. David Williamson’s brand new play is an uproariously funny comedy about football, identity and slingbacks.Director Mark Kilmurry: It’s almost an echo of The Club, going back to that territory that David’s very, very good at and knows very well. It’s a very funny, very poetic, beautiful comedy. It’s about gender and sexual politics, but in the end it’s also about who we are, who we are perceived to be and what we really want people to think of us.”

EXTRA From April 10

WE’RE GOING ON A BEAR HUNT! by Michael Rosen The classic children’s story adapted for the stage by MARK KILMURRY and ANNA CRAWFORDBased on the novel WE’RE GOING ON A BEAR HUNT by Michael Rosen. A boy isn’t frightened of bears! His sister says he is but he’s NOT! And to prove it he is...going on a Bear Hunt! He will catch a great big bear, so there. Dad will help. Baby will come and... Max the dog! Come on - let’s go! Wait a minute, says dad, let’s get out of our pajamas fi rst...Meanwhile, a lonely bear is waiting for some friends... With music, song and adventure, We’re Going On A Bear Hunt is school holiday fun for all the family.

EXTRA World Premiere from Aug 9

THE SPEAR CARRIER – now with brand new knee!Written and performed by Jamie Oxenbould Directed by Mark

KilmurryNathan (Jamie Oxenbould) is a brilliant actor, a star in the making, a perfect Hamlet! So why is he standing at the back of the stage holding a spear while the cast of Hamlet perform the Bard’s greatest play - without a proper part for him? And why doesn’t the lovely Ophelia, played by the dangerously curvy Veronica notice him?Jamie Oxenbould’s solo show is an hilarious journey in self-doubt, wild fantasy and brilliant leaps of faith. This is a spear carrier… with a mission.Director Mark Kilmurry: I can’t believe I am working with Jamie Oxenbould again. I was so relieved when he mangled his knee! Thank goodness I won’t have to put up with him anymore, I thought! I had already done two plays with him back to back… telling me all about comedy timing, acting and ‘character choices’! I mean! On and on he went… Poor Sharon Millerchip. Poor Casanova cast! And now – he’s recovered! I guess some people might fi nd his hilarious play funny and him an extremely talented and brilliant comic performer but frankly I’m not one of them. Anyway, enjoy. Bloomin’ knee repair people!

22

Opera on Sydney Harbour 2012Opera Australia announces stellar lineup for its most ambitious project yet

Fireworks, a harbour stage and a giant chandelier will

transform opera in Sydney like never before when Opera Australia presents La Traviata on Sydney Harbour for an exclusive three-week season starting 24 March 2012.

It will be the fi rst opera in Australia to be held on a tailor-made stage built over the water off the Royal Botanic Gardens and will be directed and designed especially for this unique outdoor staging. It is the Company’s most ambitious project to date, working in conjunction with Events NSW on behalf of the NSW Government to attract audiences from across the globe to be a part of this uniquely spectacular opera event.

Francesca Zambello will stage direct the production which will also feature sopranos Emma Matthews and Rachelle Durkin, and tenors Ji-Min Park and Gianluca Terranova as well as Jonathan Summers and Warwick Fyfe. Ticket prices range from $85 - $350 with full dining + show packages available.

A new sponsorship has been secured from The International Foundation for Arts and Culture under the auspices of Dr Haruhisa Handa, who is renowned for his passion and

support of cultural endeavours across the globe. Together with funding from Events NSW on behalf of the NSW Government, the IFAC sponsorship will enable Opera Australia to roll out three annual seasons of what will now be known as Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour.

Events NSW on behalf of the NSW Government, will work with Opera Australia to reach out to potential markets across Australia, New Zealand, Asia, Europe and the USA to stimulate tourism to coincide with this major opera event.

NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell said Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour is set to confi rm our place as one of the world’s most breathtaking cities.

“Opera on the Sydney Harbour will be a spectacular event and will focus national and international attention on Sydney. Sydney Harbour will once again become the stage, attracting people from all over the world. Supporting events like this which have such a bold vision is a key priority for our Government. The countdown is offi cially on, bring on 24 March 2012,” Mr O’Farrell said.

Adrian Collette, Chief Executive of Opera Australia said “a vision of this scale is only possible when it’s a vision shared and we’re very fortunate

to have such partners in the The International Foundation for Arts and Culture, and Events NSW on behalf of the NSW Government.”

“Unique, high-calibre shows of this level represent a creative and cultural landscape of which Sydney can be. Showcasing local talent on a world stage, Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour is something for us all to look forward to” said Lord Mayor Clover Moore MP.

Internationally-acclaimed director Francesca Zambello has been appointed to steer the fi rst production, bringing particular expertise in staging outdoor opera gleaned from Bregenz Festival in Austria, where she directed West Side Story on a fl oating barge in 2004.

She is currently the Artistic and General Manager of Glimmerglass Summer Festival and Artistic Advisor to the San Francisco Opera. She lives in London and New York.

“When Lyndon fi rst mentioned the prospect of doing something in such a unique and spectacular setting, it appealed to me immediately. The chance to work with Opera Australia and its wonderful performers to bring La Traviata to the stage is something that I would always consider an exciting undertaking. But staged on the

water, under the stars and with that iconic Sydney skyline as a backdrop, this is truly a special opportunity” said Ms Zambello.

Joining her on the creative team is award-winning set designer Brian Thomson whose recent work with Opera Australia has included La Bohème (2011) and Bliss (2010). Brian’s set design has been devised in close collaboration with the stage director and includes a giant chandelier so enormous it requires its own barge! The set design is complemented by a sophisticated lighting design by John Rayment which will create atmosphere through colour, projections, dazzling light displays and fi reworks. Costume designer Tess Schofi eld will transform Opera Australia’s singers, dancers and actors into a spectacular throng

of romantics and party-revellers, maintaining its glamour through to the heart-breaking fi nale. The Orchestra will be conducted by Opera Australia favourite, Brian Castles-Onion and the choreographer will be Stephen Baynes.

Lyndon Terracini, Artistic Director of Opera Australia said, “Opera is the most spectacular art form, and Sydney Harbour is the most spectacular cityscape. What could be better than combining these to create the ultimate event? Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour will become one of those ‘once in a lifetime’ events that you won’t want to miss..

Book at Ticketmaster.com.au or call 1300 723 038.

WIN TICKETS!See our “Up for Grabs”

section on page 28 for your chance to win tickets!!

Novembe r 2011 23

REACH OUT - A Journey Through Motown, starring SPECTRUM

draws upon the talent of four radiant voices and diverse personalities to form a fi rst class vocal quartet. After spending six stellar years recreating the sound and style of the Four Tops in Las Vegas’ multi-million dollar production shows American Superstars and Legends In Concert, the group has developed the versatility to credibly cover the music of groups from the Platters to the Temptations to Boyz 2 Men. It is this versatility that has propelled them to the status of headlining their own shows in which they perform stirring renditions of the all the best cover tunes.

Spectrum boasts four incredible singers, each with the voice of a solo artist, who combine their voices and dexterity to create the angelic harmonies and deft choreography that have become trademarks of the Motown sound.

Spectrum have starred in no less than six major production shows on the Las Vegas Strip and internationally; appeared on numerous television shows as special guests including the Today Show; appeared in motion pictures; performed the National Anthem at pro sporting events; and have performed and recorded with artists as varied as Tony Bennett, the Temptations, Blue Magic, Little Richard, the late Marty Robbins, the Platters, Frankie Lymon’s Teenagers, Doc Severenson and Fat Larry’s Band, to name a few.

it’s ENTERTAINMENT

Gray’s Scene Take a journey through Motown with Spectrum

By Darren Gray

Sat Dec 3rd Ettalong Bowling Club 4341 0087Sun Dec 4th Asquith Leagues Club 9487 1066Fri Dec 9th Souths Juniors 9349 7555Sat Dec 11th Bankstown Sports Club

Coffs Ex Services Club9722 9888

Fri Dec 16th 6652 3888Sat Dec 17th Rooty Hill RSL Club 9625 5500

www.abstractentertainment.net

“THEY SOUND EXACTLY LIKE THE REAL MCOY”

– Matt Garbutt, Pops conductor, San Diego Symphony

It’s an absolute pleasure to be writing this new entertainment column for

Hey! Boomers and I’ll begin with a round-up of recent events in England.

After years of campaigning by his fans the Queen has fi nally honoured veteran entertainer Bruce Forsyth with a knighthood. Bruce hit the big time as the host of Sunday Night At the London Palladium and I got to know him when I secured the Australian model Annalise Braakensiek with a job working as one of his Dolly Dealers on the game show Play Your Cards Right. At the age of 83 he continues to host the hit BBC series Strictly Come Dancing and after seventy years in show-business we can fi nally call him Sir Bruce.

Sadly actress Betty Driver has died aged 91. Betty played barmaid Betty Turpin in Coronation Street for over forty years and was still contracted to be programme at the time of her death. In the 1940s she was a renowned big band singer and worked with Henry Hall on his BBC radio show. Coronation Street airs in Australia on UKTV and Betty can be seen serving up her famous hot pot for some months to come.

Our fi nal bit of UK news concerns 79 year old Des O’Connor who is currently making his musical debut in Dreamboats and Petticoats at the Playhouse Theatre in London. O’Connor began life as a comedian before hitting the pop charts in the 1960’s with such tunes as 1-2-3 O’Leary and Dick-A-Dum-Dum. Des has released 36 albums which have sold in excess of 16 million copies and he has toured Australia several times. He spent over 45 years hosting his own television chat show which was broadcast worldwide. Des has just released a brand new album called Inspired which features eighteen brand

new songs and you can order this along with signed copies of his autobiography from www.desoconnornow.com

Over in the USA Barry Creyton, who starred in The Mavis Bramston Show, is on a winning streak with his adaptation of Noel Coward’s play Peace in Our Time being staged in North Hollywood. Barry has incorporated some of Coward’s lesser known songs into the production which is set during World War II. The plot offers us an alternative outcome to the war with the German’s winning the Battle of Britain and successfully invading England. I have no doubt that the show will make for compelling viewing.

PHOTO TOP: Darren Gray is pictured with Annalise Braakensiek (centre) and

Rebecca Ritters who played Hannah Martin in Neighbours. Annalise was one of Bruce

Forsyth’s glamorous Dolly Dealers. Photo by Louise Jefferson.

PHOTO BOTTOM: Des O’Connor is making his musical debut in London.

Direct from the USA

24

Back in 2007 Adam, Alan and Myf promised Australia that they would

tour the greatest ever stage show loose-ly based on a music trivia show. The Spicks and Speck-tacular was born, and played to more than 200,000 fans....

2011 is the year that will see the end of a television institution - a music quiz show that attracts an average weekly audience of 1.35 million viewers* and has been among ABC1’s top 10 pro-grams, based on series averages, each year from 2006-2010.

Hosted by Adam Hills and starring Myf Warhurst and Alan Brough, Spicks and Specks bought the whole family back around the TV - to play and laugh along with a show that never looked down on its audience.

After seven years, 277 episodes and more than 150 guests, the cast decid-ed they wanted the show to go out on a high and recorded a special fi nale epi-sode that will go to air on 23 November 2011, bringing one of Australia’s iconic television institutions to an end.

Now in homage to Whispering Jack himself, they are heading out on the road to say good bye for the fi rst time (and actually the last time). Spicks and Specktacular – The Finale is a brand new production, loosely based on a cer-tain music trivia show, putting Adam, Alan and Myf back on stage together with surprises, laughs, memories, live music and appalling choreography.

Kicking off in Sydney’s own Rock Temple, the Hordern Pavillion, the ‘tac-ular’ (as we hope it will be colloquial-ly known) will give fans a chance to say goodbye and for the cast to get to feel a little bit more like Bon Jovi (or at least Whitesnake).

The fi rst ‘tacular’ was a ridiculously entertaining smash hit.

The Finale is heading off to top the fi rst tour with an homage to stadium rock that will almost certainly involve pyrotechnics and a trip to Europe (the band not the continent).

The Specktors - Kit Warhurst, Gus Agars, Steve Hesketh - are once again on board to provide the toons as the trav-elling show makes its way from Sydney to Newcastle, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Wollongong, Canberra, Adelaide, Perth, fi nishing up in the place where it all be-gan, Melbourne.

“The last Spicks and Speck-tacular was a hoot,” said Adam Hills. “And this time we’ve pulled out all the stops to say farewell to our fans with a bang. It’s a great chance to say goodbye in per-son while pretending we’re rock stars. Of course, we’ll actually have real rock stars with us (The Specktors), so Alan, Myf and I will be desperately trying to keep up.”

THE F I N A L EMyf Warhurst looks forward to oth-

ers being in the hot seat: “What I love

about the live show is that it gives the audience the opportunity to answer the questions. It takes the pressure off me having to lose to Alan, AGAIN.

I think that’s brilliant.” Alan Brough said: “Very few people get to be part of something as wonderful as Spicks and Specks and even fewer people get to celebrate its conclusion with a live show that’ll make U2’s recent tour look like West Perth Primary School’s 1982 Eisteddfod entry.”

Tickets are on sale now across the country at ticketek.com.au

* 2010 series, ABC1 & ABC2 combined, Oz-Tam data

it’s ENTERTAINMENTAdam, Alan and Myf to hit the road with a national live tour to celebrate seven years of Spicks and Specks

TOUR INFORMATION:

SYDNEYVenue: Hordern Pavilion,Driver Ave, Moore Park

Date: Tue 15 – Fri 18 NovemberTime: Tue-Thu 7.30pm, Fri 7pmTickets: Specky Reserve $99,

Full $85, Conc $65,Preview (Tue 15) $65

NEWCASTLEVenue: Newcastle

Entertainment Centre,Brown Road, Broadmeadow

Date: Thu 24 & Fri 25 NovemberTime: 7.30pm

Tickets: Specky Reserve $99, Full $85, Conc $65

WOLLONGONGVenue: WIN Entertainment Centre, Corner of Crown &

Harbour Streets, WollongongDate: Thu 8 December

Time: 7.30pmTickets: Specky Reserve $99,

Full $85, Conc $65

CANBERRAVenue: National Convention

Centre Canberra,31 Constitution AvenueDate: Sat 10 & Sun 11

DecemberTime: Sat 7pm & 9.30pm,

Sun 6pmTickets: Specky Reserve $99,

Full $85, Conc $65

BOOKINGS:ticketek.com.au or 132 849

This November, CCEntertainment invites you to join some of Australia’s fi nest musical artists in

a celebration of the 40th anniversary of the release of the Rolling Stone’s classic album STICKY FINGERS.

1971 saw the landmark release of STICKY FINGERS: the ninth studio album by the Rolling Stones. Featuring the future classics ‘Brown Sugar’, ‘Can’t You Hear Me Knocking’, ‘Wild Horses’, ‘Moonlight Mile’ and ‘Sister Morphine’, as well as iconic album imagery conceived by the infamous Andy Warhol, STICKY FINGERS immediately went to #1 globally. Selling millions of copies around the world, the album cemented The Stones as one of the biggest bands of all time.

To celebrate this legendary release, CCEntertainment has assembled some of their favourite singers and musicians for two nights of sticky rock ‘n roll, Rolling Stones style! Guest vocalists including the inimitable Jack Jones (Southern Sons), Simon Meli (The Widowbirds),

Greg Agar (Syndicate), Zkye, Evelyn Duprai and Jason Walker will be joined by an emotionally charged 10 piece band, including brass section.

Guided by the creative direction of Joseph Calderazzo (guitars), this amazing ensemble will deliver stunning interpretations of STICKY FINGERS, track by track, followed by a second ‘Best Of’ set featuring even more classic Rolling Stones songs such as ‘Satisfaction’, ‘Angie’, ‘Jumpin’ Jack Flash’, ‘Ruby Tuesday’, ‘Gimme Shelter’ and many more.

Renowned for their world-class homage concerts such as the hugely successful Whole Lotta Love Led Zeppelin National Tour and The Beggars Banquet Rolling Stones Celebration Show (which has performed to sell out audiences since 2003) CCEntertainment is set to deliver another amazing musical concert experience with STICKY FINGERS - satisfaction is guaranteed! Tickets to the show at the Enmore Theatre are on sale now.

Celebrating 40 years of “Sticky Fingers”

Novembe r 2011 25

Alan has worked in fi lm, television,

on stage & radio as a writer, director, actor & stand-up comedian and best known as a team captain on ABC TV’s Spicks and Specks

Thanking you Mr. Alan Brough for transmitting your wit, charm and enigmatic knowledge of the entertainment and arts industry through the square box from ABC’s TV show Spicks and Specks to many thousands of loyal viewers. What do we, as loyal fans of the show do when our favourite personalities of Alan, Myf and Adam bid us adieu? Watch repeats of course!

Thank you Mr. Alan Brough for taking time out to have an informal chat with Hey! Boomers.

“I feel really good about the show’s ending. I don’t feel sad at all at the moment because it is still so much fun, it’s still on the TV and we are rehearsing for the Tour. I suspect at the end of the tour I may feel a bit sad. But at the moment it is fun and I enjoy doing the show. “

I asked Alan about his vast knowledge of the Entertainment Industry “ I don’t really know, I just retain things that I am passionate about. I didn’t know I knew that much until I started doing the show. One of the keys to the show is that it imparts knowledge and I think that is really important. “

I had to question Alan on his favourite segment and favourite guest in the show “Favourite segment would have to be the fi nal countdown which is the fast round at the end. I like it because it is very much like a quiz show, it’s fast, fun and furious. I really enjoy the quiz show vibe.”

On his favourite quest “I remember when I was attending Boarding school and my friend Neil and I memorised the entire Rocky Horror Picture show. We did the whole show just the two of us and did it quite regularly, and then we had as a guest Richard O’Brien who wrote the Rocky Horror Picture Show, so sitting and talking to him and doing the Time Warp with him was pretty extraordinary! For me that was just great. I got to meet a huge range of people and the good thing is that my favourites can change every day and I won’t run out for years!”

I asked Alan what the Spicks and Specktacular Final Tour will be like “It is going to be big event shows, with big stages, big audiences, lots of lights, loud and colourful. There will be dancing, costume changes and all of us will be dancing and singing. There will be costume changes and there will be smoke, you name it. It will be an arena style Specktacular.

“The main thing is that we are going to play the games and members of the audience will be the contestants” “It is going to be Interactive which means that we will pick members from the audience using a complex method and we will get the up to play the games and slowly be eliminated. We have a band called the Spectors lead by Myf Warhust ‘s brother Kit which is a 3 piece band who toured with us on our previous tour. It is going to be great fun.”

“If any of our readers want to be on the show - this is your opportunity. “

After Spicks and Specks Alan is unsure but has a few things that he wants to do….he is just concentrating on the tour and will probably surprise us all next year.

“I am continually trying to learn more every day”

If you’re a fan of Spicks and Specks or just a music buff this tour is the fi nal last ever chance to see the fantabulous team of Alan Brough, Myf Warhurst and Adam Hills together as the team from Spicks and Specks.

“One of the Boys”Enrico Mammarella

– Jersey Boys

JERSEY BOYS – The Story of Frankie Valli &

The Four Seasons opened in Melbourne on 4th July 2009 and in Sydney in September last year. JERSEY BOYS continues to delight audienc-es with every performance receiving cheers and standing ovations. All good things must come to an end and sadly the season of JERSEY BOYS here in Sydney fi nishes in December.

The musical is the story of the rise and break-up of the original Four Seasons. The show is separated into four sections, with each section narrated by different members of the band: Spring (Tommy DeVito), Summer (Bob Gaudio), Fall (Nick Massi) and Winter (Frankie Valli).

Original Australian cast member Enrico Mammarella plays the role brilliantly of (Angelo) Gyp De Carlo who was a member of the New York Genovese crime family who dominated loansharking operations in New Jersey during the 1960s. Tommy De Vito gets himself into a lot of debt, owing a loan shark $150,000, so Frankie approaches Gyp for help.

As a young lad, Enrico played in bands and one day he decided that he wanted to try acting, doing courses in Brisbane. He became involved in fi lm, T.V, stage, musical theatre both overseas and here in Australia. Then along came an audition for JERSEY BOYS, “They were looking for a smooth talking, mafi a looking sort of guy, and I thought I have fi nally found a part that I can grow old and disgracefully into” Enrico said.

Enrico explains about his role as Gyp De Carlo “He was known as a colourful, Italian business identity. He knew a lot of polititians who would do him favours and Gyp reciprocate favours. He was very important person to know in that time and place. Tommy DeVito was a junior member of the organization. Tommy along with other members of the group got into trouble from time to time and Mr. De Carlo was the guy that oversaw everything. Gyp thought that the members of The Four Seasons were nice boys and liked their music and wanted to look after them.”

“It has been a dream run for a performer to be gainfully employed in a show that I love which has such a great audience response and connection for a long period of time and has been a lot of fun.”

“From day one I was told that this is a different show, as it appeals to a completely different demographic - this is the only show that men encourage their wives to go and see and not the other way around and after the show when you see some of the people who are in the audience, like gentleman of a certain vintage who usually dont go to the thearte and some of the audience that I have observed are old truck drivers with tears in their eyes because they suddenly remember what is was like when they were 15 or 17 again courting their girlfriends, listening to the sounds of Frankie Vallie and the Four Seasons.”

Enrico recalled about one particular performance “after about the fourth or fi fth week in Melbourne when you get to meet some of the audience for autographs and such, a gentleman came towards me who was quite elderly and had the straightest whitest hair and teeth and the biggest smile and he walks up to me with the programme and pen in his hand and says in an Italian accent “Hey Buddy can you sign this for me?” and I say yeah sure, then he taps me on the shoulder and says “I gotta tell ya, you play a Jersey Mob Boss real good!” Enrico thinks after that “How exactly do you know?” then Enrico says “Behind him there was a small guy in a grey suit leaning up against the wall who just looked at me and nodded and I said “Gentleman, thank you very much! and I walked away”.

“I remember the Four Seasons fondly. Everybody knows the music!”

For tickets and further information please go to www.jerseyboys.com.au or showbiz www.showbiz.com.au

we interview three fab entertainers... Time for a ChatThanks Broughfor Spicks & Specks

Jack JonesSticky Fingers

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c tainment and arts industry

To celebrate the 40th anniversary

of The Rolling Stones legendary record Sticky Fingers, CC Entertainment have assembled some of their most respected singers and musi-cians for a night of sticky Rock and Roll including Jack Jones (aka Irwin Thomas).

Jack was the singer and lead guitarist of a great Australian Band “Southern Sons” and has since played to audiences not only in Australia but in-ternationally including a tour with his mate John Farnham to East Timor performing songs from John Farnham’s “Chain Reaction” Album which was a collaboration of lyrics with John and Jack. “I think John is awesome! It was really cool to be re-acquainted with my old mate – it was great fun.” Jack recalled.

Jack is now living in New York but will be back home in Australia for a very special performance of the celebration of the 40th Anniversary of the classic Rolling Stones Album “Sticky Fingers” at the Enmore Theatre on November 23rd.

Jack is very excited about returning to Australia to perform with his mate Joseph Calderazzo who is the Musical and Artistic Director for Contem-pree/Calderazzo Entertainment (CC Entertain-ment) “ I started working with Jo about 5-6 years ago, and the people that they collaborate with are really very respectful people and great artists.” said Jack.

I asked Jack about his Sticky Fingers perform-ance... “I will be doing a little bit of acoustic, bit of electric and going to run around like a fool.....I just love rock and roll!” “The show is all about a celebration of the 40th anniversary of Sticky Fin-gers...you only get one opportunity to do that and doing it before the year closes is really great!” “I am also going to perform a few solo shows which I am looking forward to a lot.”

Yes Jack we are also looking forward to seeing you again performing with Simon Meli (The Wid-owbirds), Greg Agar (Syndicate), Evelyn Duprai, Zkye and Jason Walker with an exceptional 10 piece band under the creative direction of Joseph Calderazzo, to passionately reinterpret the album track for track.

This concert will be world class Rock and Roll – Wild Horses Couldn’t Drag Me Away so Let’s Spend the Night Together ‘cause this concert will be Satisfaction guaranteed!

ABOUT THE ALBUM Released in 1971with the infamous ‘denim jeans’ cover by Andy Warhol, it shot to #1 globally, has gone on to sell millions of copies and become one of The Stones’ most popular and critically acclaimed albums.For further information about the Sticky Fingers concert – www.stickyfi ngerstour.com.auCC Entertainment – www.ccent.com.auJack Jones – www.theharbouragency.com/artist-profi le/jack-jones

he ys

dC

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Loaded with equal measures of ardent passion and provocative

observation, Merle Haggard’s Working in Tennessee, is a dazzling showcase for the Country Music Hall of Famer’s perpetually arresting brand of progressive honky tonk.

Produced by Haggard and right-hand man Lou Bradley and recorded at his Northern California Tally studio, the album’s swaggering, fl uid tone shifts from brooding introspection to bold editorial declarations to Haggard’s singular type of ironic, loaded levity.

The album is a rich mixture that refl ects the consistently self-possessed artistry which has long since elevated the California-born singer to country music’s apex and ranks Working in Tennessee, with its impressive spectrum of nuance, heat and communicative musicality, as a more than worthy addition to Haggard’s legendary body of work.

Working in Tennessee fi nds the singer as ornery, brilliant, tender and outspoken as ever. Willie Nelson and Haggard’s 17 year old son Ben are featured on a kicking re-make of the anthemic “Working Man’s Blues” and wife Theresa joins him for a duet on the Johnny Cash-June Carter classic “Jackson.” As Haggard said, “I was really close to Cash, if anybody could’ve been close to him, I guess I was. When he died, it really ended an age, an entire era, and we had to do something to show our appreciation.”

At age 74 and having successfully battled lung cancer, Haggard isn’t planning on going anywhere: “I’m doing good. I’m probably in better health than when was I was 70.” he said. “I’m lucky to be walking around--lung cancer is usually a death sentence. I thought it was all over, but I’ve had no further problems.”

Working in Tennessee is an impressively crafted example of the singer’s unfl agging creativity, a force that he intends to continue meeting head on. “I’m swinging back in full throttle right now.” he said. “Music, it keeps me alive. It makes me breathe better.”

In a career spanning 27 years, Billy Birmingham’s comedy creation -

“The 12th Man” - has become one of the most successful spoken-word recording artists in the world, with sales in excess of two million albums in Australia alone, and many more bootlegged worldwide.

The 12th Man’s much loved comedy masterpieces have mainly focused on cricketing and commentating legend Richie Benaud and his fellow channel nine cricket commentators Tony Greig, Bill Lawry, Ian Chappell and co.

Into their collective mouths, Birmingham has put words their mothers would probably have washed out with soap – as well as quips, comments, twists, stumbles, asides and observations that a commentator would never, ever dream of unleashing anywhere near a microphone. Such has The 12th Man cult become over the years, that many of his most inspiring utterances have become part of the language. Kids hurl them across playgrounds, adults across workplaces and sporting fi elds.

Now for the fi rst time in his long and illustrious career, The 12th Man is releasing a range of exclusive merchandise online. The range includes a Talking Bottle Opener, two types of Talking Can Cooler and a Talking Coffee Mug. No cricket session or social occasion will ever be the same again when you’ve got The 12th Man’s totally inappropriate commentary blasting out at you. The sound quality and clarity on these products is exceptional and they are a must-have for any lover of cricket or comedy.

In addition to the Talking Products, a range of T-Shirts, sporting classic 12th Man phrases, is also available.

“These talking products will provide punters with the perfect opportunity to hone their Richie, Bill and Tony piss-talking skills whilst dueting with The 12th Man’s Commentary Team” says Birmingham.

The 12th Man Merchandise is available online at www.the12thman.com and at selected retail outlets.

A Truly Australian Soundtrack

Shared by his wife Joy McKean – these are the songs and lyrics by

Australia’s country music legend, Slim Dusty.

A brand new CD compilation inspired by the new book of the same name, written by Slim Dusty’s song co-writer and wife…the remarkable Joy McKean. The album features a collection of Slim and Joy’s own compositions (many lesser known), songs they wrote and songs which held a very special and meaningful place in both their hearts and in Joy’s memories.

The lyrics of these 25 unique Slim and Joy songs capture the stories about the many places they visited together, the real characters they met, the old town halls and old showgrounds they played and about a life on the road together.

While the album predominately features Slim’s recordings, also included are two tracks from Anne Kirkpatrick (Joy & Slim’s daughter) and one classic track recorded by the pioneering Aussie country duo The McKean Sisters (featuring Joy with her sister Heather).

Slim Dusty, one of Australia’s most prolifi c recording artist has sold well over 7 million albums and is still recognised as one of biggest selling recording artists ever in Australia.

Slim passed away on September 19, 2003.

The Book: “I’ve Been There (and Back Again)” by Joy McKean

Through the lyrics of their much loved songs, Joy McKean takes readers into the life she shared at home, on the stage and on the road with her husband, country music legend Slim Dusty. Married for more than 50 years, Slim and Joy toured all over Australia singing, writing and performing.

I’VE BEEN THERE (AND BACK AGAIN) will include many never seen before photographs from Slim and Joy’s own family albums and also an extensive range by the internationally acclaimed photographer John Elliott, who has been photographing Slim and Joy, their band and family for decades.

Joy has been awarded six Golden Guitars for her song writing, and her skills as a writer and storyteller shine in this beautiful book.

EMI has released ‘Immersion’ and ‘Experience’ editions of Pink

Floyd’s ‘Wish You Were Here’, following on from the phenomenal success of the Immersion and Experience editions of the ‘The Dark Side Of The Moon’, which proved that pigs can fl y! This second phase of EMI’s imaginative Pink Floyd re-issues and extended releases, also includes ‘A Foot In The Door - The Best Of Pink Floyd’, with new artwork by Storm Thorgerson and the track listing personally chosen by David Gilmour, Roger Waters and Nick Mason.

‘Wish You Were Here’, Pink Floyd’s ninth studio album, was recorded at London’s Abbey Road Studios, and, when originally released in September 1975, it shot to the top of the charts in the UK, US and Australia. The mood of the album is one of absence, which includes one of the most majestic and poignant songs of all time ‘Shine On You Crazy Diamond’, a track inspired by former bandmate Syd Barrett.

‘Wish You Were Here’ ‘Immersion’ 5-disc edition, includes previously unreleased material from the band’s 1974 Wembley dates, including a 20 minute live rendition of ‘Shine On You Crazy Diamond’ and ‘Raving And Drooling’ and ‘You’ve Got To Be Crazy’, two tracks that didn’t make it onto the original album and which were subsequently reworked to become ‘Sheep’ and ‘Dogs’ on the ‘Animals’ album. ‘Immersion’ comes with an exclusive photo book edited by longtime Floyd photographer Jill Furmanovsky and a 36 page booklet designed by Storm Thorgerson. A must have for all Pink Floyd fans, the collection also includes the forgotten and unique recording of ‘Wish You Were Here’ featuring the legendary jazz violinist Stéphane Grappelli.

The ‘Experience’ edition of ‘Wish You Were Here’ will include the original studio album, digitally remastered by James Guthrie, along with a CD of previously unreleased live and studio recordings (identical to Disc 2 of the Immersion edition) and a new 20 page booklet designed by Storm Thorgerson, housed in a newly designed Digipak.

MERLE HAGGARD ‘WORKING IN TENNESSEE’

THE12TH MAN RELEASES TALKING

MERCHANDISE AND T-SHIRTS – “MARVELLOUS EFFORT THAT!”

What’s newSLIM DUSTY “I’VE BEEN THERE (AND

BACK AGAIN)”

PINK FLOYD ‘Immersion’ and

‘Experience’ editions of ‘Wish You Were Here’

Novembe r 2011 27

28

up for GRABS

Hey! Boomers has a double pass to see “Whirling Dervishes” on Sunday 20th November at 7:30pm at the Marconi Room, Sydney Town Hall (483 George

Street, Sydney) to give away, valued at $64.95 each. To win, simply write your details on the back of an envelope, along with the CODE WORD: WHIRLING

and post it the competition address at the top of this page.

hey!

For your chance to win any of the fantastic items “UP FOR GRABS”, your entry must include your name, address, contact telephone number.Write your details on the back of an envelope, along with the competition code word and post it to: Hey! Boomers Competitions Suite 169, 3 Holterman Street, Crows Nest NSW 2065.

Frank Sinatra CDHey! Boomers has 20 copies of “Sinatra: Best of the Best” valued at $19.95 each to give away.To win, simply write your details on the back of an envelope, along with the CODE WORD: FRANK and post it to the competition address at the top of this page.

John Waters CDHey! Boomers has x copies of John Water’s CD “Cloudland” valued at approx. $26.99 each to give away.To win, simply write your details on the back of an envelope, along with the CODE WORD: JOHN and post it to the competition address at the top of this page.

OperaHey! Boomers has 3 x double tickets in B Reserve to give away valued at $115 each for Thursday 22 March. This is the final Dress Rehearsal.To win, simply write your details on the back of an envelope, along with the CODE WORD: OPERA and post it to the competition adddress at the top of the page.

Pam AyresHey! Boomers has 2 tickets valued at $79 each to see Pam Ayres at the City Recital Hall, Angel Place Sydney on Thursday 24th November, 8pm as well as Pam’s DVD “Word Perfect” to give away.

To win, simply write your details on the back of an envelope, along with the CODE WORD: PAM and post it to the competition adddress at the top of the page.

Affinity Intercultural Foundation

proudly presentsAll the way from Turkey

Ticket available for purchase online.www.whirlingdervishes.com.au

WHIRLING

DERVISHESLive At the sydney Town Hall

WHIRLING

DERVISHESLive At the sydney Town Hall

483 George st, Sydney20 November 2011 Sunday, 7:30 PM

Novembe r 2011 29

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1. Bottle tops 4. Firmly 8. Take off (hat)11. Dead ringer, spitting ...13. Photo book15. Clutch17. Scold persistently18. Tolerate20. Rowing aid21. Moroccan capital24. Incompetent27. Golf ball holder28. Printing errors30. Amusing31. Rental contract33. Mammal or reptile34. Most cunning35. Actor, Harrison ...

36. Opposite of west39. Waltzed42. Components44. Woes45. Pins for hammering46. Starchy tubers48. Unforeseen outcome49. Native New Zealander50. Biblical fi rst man52. Dried (dishes)54. Ripped55. Bulldozed56. TV rerun57. Apiece60. Doubtful62. Removes from clothesline65. Rabbit tunnel network67. Vietnamese city

69. Bushwalker

70. Lewis Carroll character

72. Tearful gasp

73. Encounters

75. Make amends

77. Entire number of

79. Smell

81. Water outlet

82. 30s striptease artist on

Broadway, ... Rose Lee

84. Sidestep

85. Cheque recipient

86. Retain

87. Decreases in size

88. ... or false

1. Company emblem 2. Personal journal 3. Mobile phone message (1,1,1) 4. Belgrade native 5. Leguminous plant 6. Fingers & toes 7. Famous US university 8. Add soundtrack to 9. Leaves out10. Escape12. Chef’s garment14. Psycho setting, the ... Motel16. Relative amounts19. Actions22. Koreans & Japanese23. Rouse25. Stockings

26. More than enough29. Propelled canoe32. Had food35. Skirt frill37. Fire-lighting crime38. Economical40. Church table41. Actor, ... Niven42. Mouth sore43. Pacifi c nation44. Scientist, Sir ... Newton47. 007’s favourite cocktail51. Black/white bird52. Scales measurement53. Set sail54. Iran’s largest city58. Detest59. Attila the ...

61. Examines by touch

63. Caravanning retiree, grey ...

64. Female sibling

65. Fighting tool

66. Funeral poem

68. Residence

71. Escapade

72. Became submerged

74. Lambs’ mothers

76. Mishap exclamation

78. Ancient musical instrument

80. Floor cleaner

83. So far

POP QUIZWhich colour is at the bottom of a 1. rainbow?

Hercule Poirot is the creation of which 2. detective writer?

Mammals that lay eggs instead of 3. giving birth to live young are known as what?

Which city is home to the Swans AFL 4. team?

What is a group of owls called?5.

Name the singing sensation who was 6. runner-up to winning dance group, Diversity, in Britain’s Got Talent 2009.

Cheviot, Dorset and Merino are all 7. breeds of what?

3 triangles plus 3 rectangles have how 8. many sides in total?

Australia is home to nine of the ten 9. most poisonous snakes in the world. Which is the one not found there?

What is the last runner in a relay race 10. called?

Proudly supplied by:

Across

Down

brain BENDERS

30

The fi lm industry veteran has worked with some of

the biggest stars of the screen, including temperamental divas that kick, bite and if having a dummy spit regurgitate their stomach contents and hurl them at you.

But, Evanne Chesson says camels really are ‘lovely ani-mals’. She travelled with a mob of 29 ‘ships of the desert’ from Darwin to Innamincka on the South Australian/Queensland border to portray the cinematic journey of Burke and Wills.

“It was a real epic journey for us never mind Burke and Will’s”.

The 65-year-old has trained an arc of creatures for feature fi lms, television and com-mercials including Phar Lap, Breaker Morant, Ned Kelly, Australia, Holy Smoke and The Cup. Her work ranges from wrangling ants to the zookeeper of a menagerie of fury and feathered actors including dogs, horses, camels, lamas, kanga-roos, sheep, cows and birds.

Mrs Chesson’s prickliest talent was the echidna in the award-winning Antz Pantz “Sick ‘em Rex” commercial. She rehabilitated the injured marsupial and then trained him to follow a trail of ants (not in his diet) across a model’s under-pants in bed.

To coach the solitary animal to act in the sensual commercial was not an easy task. She trained him to come out of his shell by hand feeding him. And got him fi lm-set ready in her kitchen around clanking pots and pans so he was used to lights and noise.

Her latest production for the silver screen - The Cup is currently in cinemas. The fi lm directed by Simon Wincer and starring Stephen Curry tells the story of Damien Olivier’s win in the 2002 Melbourne Cup on Media Puzzle - days after his only brother Jason, played by Daniel Macpherson, died. The champion jockey blew a kiss to the heavens as he passed the winning post. His brother’s fatal race fall was hauntingly similar to the way their father died 27 years earlier.

The fi lm’s reduced budget due to the Global Financial Crisis allowed only 6 weeks to train the large stable of 65 thoroughbreds. Her daughter Jodie McKeone and a total of 16 staff including Rick

Page - Media Puzzle’s Cup day strapper, worked to get the herd race fi t. Whilst Mrs Cheeson directed the star ‘Spike’ to play the cranky Irish racehorse – Media Puzzle. The champion gelding was renowned for his bad temperament, he even had to be saddled in the vet box on the day of the iconic race.

“Ideally rearing is the last trick you want to teach a horse but I concentrated for hours and hours on getting Spike to rear and paw the ground,” she said. “Spike is so intelligent he made the movie.”

The fi lm’s racing scenes were well executed accord-ing to Louise Keller of Urban Cinefi le. “The lead up to the $4 million dollar horse race that stops the nation is well done and the climactic race has all the anticipation, thrills and ela-tion we expect.”

The wrangler’s ability to talk

to the animals has led her to rub shoulders with big names such as Russell Crowe, Hugh Jack-man, Nicole Kidman, Heath Ledger, Judy Davis and Meryl Streep. Mrs Cheeson supplied the yellow kelpies who played the dingoes in Evil Angels - the movie about Lindy Chamber-lain, which starred Streep.

The animal trainer met Crowe on the set of The Silver Brumby. She took eight special guests to his wedding to Dan-ielle Spencer – including the star who played the title role - a palomino named Blondie. Mrs Chesson won the Byron Kennedy award in 1993 for her work on the fi lm – the only animal trainer to win an AFI.

“I’ve had a good run in my time, the industry had been very good to me.”

The pioneer of Australian fi lm says the industry is in a ‘shocking’ way at the moment

due to the high Australian dol-lar. If only the Great Gatsby was set on horse back rather than in vintage cars.

Pictured clockwise from top: Spike as ‘Media Puzzle’, Dave Phillips (TOM BURLINSON) and brother Niall (BOBBY FOX) lead Damien Oliver (STEPHEN CURRY) and

‘Media Puzzle’ back to scale after winning the 2002 Melbourne Cup. The strapper is RICK PAGE who was Media Puzzle’s race day strapper in 2002, Hugh Jackman with ‘Jeddah’, A scene from “My Silver Brumby’, the Antz Pantz commercial, ‘Media Puzzle’ shows Dave Phillips (TOM BURLINSON) and Damien Oliver (STEPHEN CURRY) his spirit.

Her pupils say neighEvanne Cheeson is the talent behind the stars that kick, buck and bite. Story by Emma Browne

Novembe r 2011 31

PUZZLE SOLUTIONS

Terms & Conditions of GIVEAWAYS in Hey! Boomers1. Instructions on how to enter forms part of these Conditions of Entry2. Entry is open to all residents of Australia.3. Employees of Hey! Boombers, their advertising agencies, newsagents, sub agents, sponsors and their respective employees and families are not

eligible to enter.4. The competitions commence 10th November 2011, entries close 30th November 2011 unless otherwise stated.5. The winning entries will be drawn at the offi ces of Hey! Boomers on the fi rst working day following close of the competition.6. You may enter as often as you like but each entry must be on a separate stamped envelope.7. Prize winners will be notifi ed by mail within 14 days of the competition draw and published in the

December issue of Hey! Boomers.8. Prizes are not transferable or exchangeable and cannot be taken as cash.9. No responsibility is taken for late or misdirected mail.10. Where travel is involved in the prize, the winner will be responsible for meals, spending money, transport to and from departure and arrival

points, travel insurance and all other ancillary costs unless otherwise stated.11. Second Chance Draw – In the case of unclaimed prizes, after a 3 month waiting period a second chance draw will take place.

NSW TPL# LTPM/08/00116 ACT TP 08/03121

L I D S S O L I D L Y D O F FO I M A G E E I A L B U M LG R A S P R N A G L A B I D EO A R R A B A T I N E P T T E E

T Y P O S W I T T Y L E A S EI A N I M A L S L Y E S T D

F O R D A K O N E A S TL D A N C E D U N I T S R HO I L L S N A I L S Y A M S RU P S E T V C M A O R IN A D A M W I P E D T O R N FC A R A Z E D R E P E A T TE A C H G I P H I F F Y

B U N P E G S W A R R E N EH A N O I H I K E R A L I C E

S O B M E E T S A T O N E A L LA R O M A W T A P O G Y P S YN D O D G E E O P A Y E E RK E E P S H R I N K S T R U E

Quiz Answers:1. Violet 2. Agatha Christie 3. Monotremes

4. Sydney 5. Parliament 6. Susan Boyle7. Sheep 8. 21 9. Krait 10. Anchor

Diary Dates19–27th NOVEMBER: Social Inclusion WeekOrganisation: created by Dr Jonathon WelchSocial Inclusion Week is about encouraging communities to reconnect and be inclusive of all cultures, age groups, nationalities and the disadvantaged. Social Inclusion Week aims to help Australians feel valued and to give people the opportunity to participate fully in society. It’s about connecting with local communities, work mates, family and friends to build relationships and networks, addressing isolation and exclusion by supporting people who may be unable help themselves.Website: www.socialinclusionweek.com.au/index.cfm?contentID=21

19th NOVEMBER:Very Special Kids - A Fair to RememberOrganisation: Very Special Kids9am - 4pm There’s something for everybody at the annual Very Special Kid’s A Fair to Remember. You can snap up a bargain, do your Christmas shopping AND help raise money for Very Special Kids, supporting families of children with life-threatening illnesses. Some highlights of the Fair include:• Jewellery • homemade cakes • premium bottled wine • new summer clothing • fresh cut fl owers and plants • devonshire tea • fairies • massage • raffl e and spinning wheel prizes • coffee • kids corner crafts • preserves and jams • a gourmet sausage sizzle • fresh fruit and vegetables • santa • new toys and baby goods • Zodo the clown • face painting • live music • a lucky dip • delicious greek food • baby animal petting farm • jumping castle • crafts & homewares There will also be a special guest appearance from 3AW’s Gardening Guru, Jane Edmanson from 11am to 12pm. Email: mail@vsk.org.auWebsite: www.vsk.org.auAddress: Very Special Kids, 321 Glenferrie Rd, Malvern

25th NOVEMBER:White Ribbon Day Organisation: White Ribbon Foundation (Australia)The White Ribbon Campaign aims to raise awareness among Australian men and boys about the roles they can play to prevent violence against women. The campaign calls for men across Australia to speak out and take an oath swearing never to commit, excuse or remain silent about violence against women. Phone: (02) 9045 8444, Fax: (02) 9972 7121Email: admin@whiteribbon.org.auWebsite: www.whiteribbonday.org.au

28th NOVEMBER – 3rd DECEMBER:GiveNow Week 2011Organisation: www.ourcommunity.com.au with the support of Westpac Bank.Australian Giving Week 2011 will take place around the country from Monday 28 November - Sunday 4 December 2011. The aim of this annual event is to focus attention on the many ways that individuals, families, businesses, and groups can make a difference to the community in the lead-up to Christmas. It’s about helping people take some small, simple steps that open the way for a better supported, more inclusive, more vibrant community - not just during the Christmas period but all year long as well. National/State: NationalContact Phone: 03 9320 6800, Fax: 03 9326 6859Email: donations@givenow.com.auWebsite: www.givenowweek.com.auAddress: 51 Stanley Street WEST MELBOURNE VIC 3003

22nd – 29th NOVEMBER:Assistance Dogs AustraliaAwareness WeekOrganisation: Assistance Dogs AustraliaAssistance Dogs Australia was established as a non-profi t organisation in 1996 with a commitment to enhance the quality of life for people with physical disabilities Assistance Dogs Australia obtains, trains and maintains dogs in community settings to assist people with their disabilities, to give them more confi dence and to help them achieve a greater level of independence.National/State: NationalPhone: 02 6120 0600 Email: jmeredith@assistancedogs.org.auWebsite: www.assistancedogs.org.au/index.htmlAddress: PO Box 455 ENGADINE NSW 2233

1st DECEMBER: Red Ribbon Appeal Organisation: ACON SydneyThe Red Ribbon is the international symbol of HIV/AIDS awareness and is the original ribbon used to promote awareness and support of a worthy cause. The money raised through the Red Ribbon Appeal is vital to the work of ACON as it helps us prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS through education campaigns as well as to provide the services and facilities essential to the health and wellbeing of people living with and affected by HIV/AIDS across NSW.Phone: 1800 063 060Email: redribbon@acon.org.auWebsite: www.redribbonday.org.au/

3rd DECEMBER: International Day of Persons with DisabilitiesOrganisation: United NationsThis day aims to promote a better understanding of disability issues with a focus on the rights of persons with disabilities and gains to be derived from the integration of persons with disabilities in every aspect of the political, social, economic and cultural life of their communities.www.un.org/disabilities

3rd DECEMBER: Boardies day Organisation: Surf Life Saving FoundationBoardies Day is an annual fundraising initiative of the Surf Life Saving Foundation, who encourages all Australians to wear their boardshorts or other beach-themed attire to work or school and make a donation to help their volunteer surf lifesavers.Phone: 1800 642 925, Fax: 1800 782 020Email: boardiesday@lifesaving.com.auWebsite: www.boardiesday.com.au/Address: Surf Life Saving Foundation GPO Box 9950 IN YOUR CAPITAL CITY

5th –11th DECEMBER:Coastcare Week Organisation: CoastcareCoastcare Week occurs in the fi rst week of December each year, and recognises the work done by the 60,000 Coastcare volunteers in over 2,000 groups across Australia. With over 85% of Australians living within 50km of our Coastline, Coastcare Week also highlights the environmental issues impacting on our coastal and marine environments.Phone: 02 9412 1040Email: enquiries@landcareaustralia.com.au Website: www.coastcare.com.au/Address: Level 1, 6 Help StCHATSWOOD NSW 2067

Before you go... jot down these important dates!

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