and ethical standards, but also her honesty in answering questions of recent times at press conferences about the AWU scandal,” she said.

Labor was trying to deflect attention away from questions of Ms Gillard in relation to the AWU, Ms Bishop said.

“I think it’s fairly transparent.” - AAP

UK Life P5eNTeRTAiNMeNT P8 NeWS P2

20 - 26 November 2012 – Issue: 439

LONDON CALLING

Aussie actress on Hollywood vs UK

BUSH BASHING

Celebrities take on the Australian jungle

Age sued for Bali stress A forMer Age photographer is suing the newspaper for job trauma, claiming it failed to provide a safe working environment.

The Walkley-award winning photographer, who cannot be named for legal reasons, said she suffered depression, anxiety and post traumatic stress disorder after covering the first anniversary of the 2002 Bali bombings.

She is suing the newspaper for loss of earnings of an estimated hundreds of thousands of dollars for breaching its duty of care and failing to provide a safe workplace.

Tim Tobin SC, for the photographer, told the Victorian Supreme Court on Monday that in a period of less than a month, she had been involved in covering 21 interviews with grieving family members of bombing victims.

She often ended up in tears from the assignment and went on to suffer nightmares related to the tragedy.

Mr Tobin said her mental health went downhill and since 2005 she had been “totally incapacitated”.

He said the culture at the

...continued on p3

MISOGYNY IN MEDIA

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DepUTy opposition Leader Julie Bishop says questions raised about her conduct as a lawyer are a transparent attempt by Labor to deflect attention away from Prime Minister Julia Gillard’s role in establishing a union slush fund 17 years ago.

Labor frontbencher Brendan o’Connor said on Sunday Ms Bishop should answer questions about her conduct as a lawyer in the 1980s when she defended CSr.

Ms Bishop was involved in proceedings in the 1980s concerning compensation for asbestosis sufferers resulting from their work at CSr’s Wittenoom mine in Western Australia.

“Clearly, there’s been some matters arising out of her role as a lawyer at CSr where she used, allegedly, procedural tactics to deny victims of asbestosis their day in court,” Mr o’Connor told ABC television on Sunday.

“She wants to go around spending her entire time not involving herself in foreign affairs as she’s supposed to as shadow minister, but instead seek to smear the government and the prime minister with unsubstantiated allegations.

“I think there’s some questions she should be answering.”

Ms Bishop said she was perfectly happy to answer any questions about her professional and ethical conduct during her time as a lawyer.

“So far Brendan o’Connor made some vague allegations today, but I’m happy to answer any specific allegations about any case I’ve been involved in a 20-year legal career,” she told AAp.

BISHOP UNDER FIRE

Ms Bishop has led the coalition attack against the prime minister over her role establishing what Ms Gillard described as a “slush fund” for the Australian Workers Union (AWU), which was allegedly used to defraud the union.

Ms Gillard has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing and held a lengthy press conference in August to address the issue.

The prime minister has refused to

be drawn on new allegations that surfaced last week about a $5000 deposit made into her account at the direction of her former boyfriend and union official Bruce Wilson.

Ms Bishop said the questions raised by Labor would not deter her from pursuing further answers from Ms Gillard on the issue.

“I’ll continue to ask legitimate questions of the prime minister, not only about her professional

n Labor frontbencher Brendan O’Connor says Deputy Opposition Leader Julie Bishop has questions to answer over her part in defending CSR in asbestos claims.

20 - 26 November 20122 | News

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On: The major cities of Australiaremember that you get all four seasons each and every day in Melbourne – bring your umbrella, overcoat and sunscreen!

Rob

Thanks for the article and website – but if you’re listing Capitals by population size, you should list perth before Adelaide. The latter was larger until 1980 when perth overtook Adelaide as the 4th largest State Capital.

Greta

On: The power of football: An Aussie convertsGood on ya mate! My dad and I did the exact same thing when we lived in London back in the late 90s. We chose Millwall too, back then they had Tim Cahill, Lucas Neil and Jason van Blerk so managed to tie it to home nicely. Loved your piece, took me right back. Cheers

Sam

On: Australia’s solar eclipse: Watch the live streamAbsolutely marvelous. Thanks for the tip off.

Dan

On: Proteas take early lead against Aust in Gabba 1st TestThe home team always celebrates when a tight no ball call favours it. Today the team suffered the same fate and didn’t like it. personally, I believe Siddle has got away with this in the past. Today he wasn’t so lucky. As the saying goes, if it’s good for the goose, it’s good for the gander. Well done S.A.

Pat Williams

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By Paul Bleakley

forMer newsreader Jo pearson knows very well just how sexist the media industry can be. Working in television news broadcasting during the somewhat less politically-correct period of the 1980s, pearson was a witness to (and victim of) the “boys’ club” attitude that pervaded the business of journalism.

This was an industry run by men who did not attempt to hide their blatantly sexist attitudes in the workplace and, in fact, revelled in them. on the contrary, pearson claims that in a room full of senior staff members a particularly well-known television executive responded to criticism of the industry by a prominent Australian woman with the ‘witty’ quip: “Who cares? Who’d want to **** her anyway?”

Jo pearson was a senior newsreader with Channel Ten throughout the 1980s and early 1990s, during which time she experienced first-hand the type of misogyny that continues to fester under the glossy surface of the Australian television industry.

This chauvinistic sexism has claimed a number of illustrious scalps in the years since pearson worked in the Australian media, with a roll call of the alleged victims of misogyny in the workplace reading like a list of the nation’s finest media talent: Jessica rowe. Christine Spiteri, Tracey Spicer.

each of these women have spoken out about the treatment that they received throughout their career in television media, describing in detail the culture of chauvinism they say exists when the camera’s stop rolling.

Spicer made waves last month with a speech to Women of Letters entitled “Dear Mr Misogynist” that was syndicated in a number of Australian newspapers after her presentation.

In this speech Spicer attacks the chauvinist patriarchy of the television industry as having “archaic beliefs, intellect of a pygmy” and a small…

Does the culture of misogyny still continue in Australian media?n Allegations of a prevalent misogynistic culture in Australian media newsrooms continue to circulate, with UK based former Australian newsreader Jo Pearson confirming her similar experience in the “boys’ club” media world of the 1980s and 1990s. Do these attitudes still continue, and could the answer lie with the BBC?

well, read the letter in full to finish that sentence.

Suffice to say, Tracey Spicer does not hold back in her withering criticism of the men that told her regularly to lose two inches off her hair and two inches off her buttocks.

Jo pearson, now a Hertfordshire-based operator of production house and communications consultancy Media Strategies, was recently in Australia when she read the “Dear Mr Misogynist” letter and was driven to publically affirm Spicer’s portrayal of the Australian television industry.

She claims that there were significant differences in the attitudes towards male and female newsreaders during the fifteen years that she worked in broadcast journalism.

pearson told Australian Times: “Television newsrooms have been notoriously ‘politically incorrect’ workplaces, which was a part of their culture. Women were supposed to be attractive and young, and men could be unattractive and older.

“Some senior television executives - male, of course - would openly talk about a woman needing ‘sex appeal’ to work on television, whilst the men were ‘credible.’

“Their excuse was always that ‘television is a visual medium,’ and ‘the viewers don’t want to watch unattractive older women - they don’t rate.’”

pearson recalls the struggle for female journalists in the 1980s to break traditional cultural barriers by covering stories that were usually considered the domain of their male colleagues, including crime and sport. Management of network news departments, and the television networks themselves, were almost exclusively male and their decisions reflected the widely-held view that the Australian public preferred to receive their information from distinguished older men and attractive young women.

“We were told that viewers didn’t like to watch older or less attractive women. Like fashion models, women in television were not supposed to be representative of most women, but to merely represent a visual ideal,” pearson says.

“female reporters, newsreaders and occasional female producers were touted as being evidence of true female representation, but in many cases it was little more than window-dressing, or a concession to appease.”

pearson hopes that an increase in the amount of women in senior management positions at Australian television networks will aid in the rehabilitation of the misogynistic culture of broadcast media in the nation, although she points out that in the past women had “tended to reach management positions only if they subscribed to the dominant male culture”.

permanently based in the United Kingdom, pearson points to the BBC as a model for Australian television networks to emulate in order to achieve greater gender-balance in their news broadcasts.

She says: “It is great to see more senior women presenting news on the BBC, with their maturity adding to their credibility as newsreaders and presenters. News-reading is an area where experience really counts. This is an area where public broadcasters can and must set a standard, with proactive hiring policies, like the BBC’s.

“There do seem to be more mature women in front of the camera in the UK, thanks to the BBC’s policies – although SBS in Australia has also been proactive area, giving excellent broadcasters like Jenny Brockie prime time responsibilities.”Bluebird Care

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“Both Minister Burke and the Australian government have told us what we can’t do - we want them to tell us what we can do.

“We wrote to the ministers Burke and Joe Ludwig directly, seeking their assistance and direction as to alternative solutions.

“But we heard nothing back.”Mr Burke and fisheries Minister Joe

Ludwig will now establish an expert committee to study the environmental impact of super trawlers over the next two years.

once the panel has assessed the science, the Abel Tasman could in theory begin fishing if given the all-clear.

The Greens and environmental groups, who mounted a massive campaign against the ship, welcomed the news.

“Australia should be setting international standards for fisheries management and sustainable industries, and today’s announcement from Minister Burke is a step towards that,” Greens senator rachel Siewert said.

Greenpeace said overfishing of the world’s oceans needed to be addressed.

“Monster boats like the Abel Tasman have no place in our waters,” spokesman Ben pearson said.

“Australia must make it clear that super trawlers have no place here, or anywhere.”

The federal opposition’s fisheries spokesman richard Colebeck said Mr Burke had put politics before science.

“All of the credible science ... supported the sustainability of this fishery,” he said.

“That Mr Burke constructed his own ‘uncertainty’ by not talking to any of these leading institutions is yet another indictment on the decision-making processes of this Gillard government.” - AAP

Continued from p1...

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Trauma made me “incapacitated”, says former Age photographer

newspaper was that you had to be strong and get the job done without emotion.

“you’ve got to be tough. you’ve got to get on with it. you have to be somebody out there achieving,” he told the court.

“Journalists were taught that they had to be above the story and not emotional. If they so reacted to the story, they were thought to be weak.”

Mr Tobin said The Age did not have a proper peer-support program in place where colleagues could look out for others affected by traumatic stories.

Mr Tobin said the woman was transferred to The Sunday Age to reduce the stress of the daily grind but was still given stressful assignments.

However, Jack rush QC, representing the Age, argued the

company did not breach its duty of care to the former employee.

“Insofar as media outlets are concerned, it was at the forefront of looking after its employees,” Mr rush said.

He said the company had an employee assistance program in place offering staff confidential counselling if necessary.

The woman’s brother told the court she was a highly esteemed photographer.

“She typified a professional,” he said.

“She lived for the job.“She was never without a camera.“She was very independent, very

vibrant, very passionate about the area she worked in.”

He said she told him she was “having problems with the Bali bombing”.

The civil trial continues on Tuesday. - AAP

SeAfISH director Gerry Geen has pleaded for “a fair go” after environment Minister Tony Burke exercised new powers and stopped the giant factory ship trawling Australian waters while the potential impacts are assessed.

A legal challenge now looks likely once Seafish has consulted with Dutch joint venture partner parlevliet & Van der plas over the 142m vessel, formerly known as the Margiris, which is stranded at port Lincoln and costing its backers tens of thousands of dollars a day.

“All options will be on the table,” Mr Geen said in a statement.

“people reckon we have copped a raw deal.

“We followed all AfMA’s (Australian fisheries Management Authority’s) rules and regulations and were given the green light ... but then at the last minute the Australian government pulled the rug.”

Mr Burke conceded a court battle could result from his announcement, made 60 days after legislation was tabled to increase his ministerial powers.

“The company have made clear, (in) public and personally, that if they thought they needed to they would pursue all legal options available to them,” Mr Burke told reporters in Canberra.

But he said the government was on “completely strong legal ground” to counter any compensation claims or legal challenges.

Seafish Tasmania had attempted to appease the government by offering to use less than half the factory ship’s freezing capacity and to move on from fishing areas once a certain tonnage was caught.

Mr Burke said his department remained dissatisfied with the “genuine uncertainty” around the vessel.

Mr Geen said he had received little response to his company’s offer of concessions.

“All we want is a fair go,” he said.

Super trawlers consider legal action against ban

Ringo and All-Starr Band to tour Down UnderrINGo Starr says Australian audiences will see a lot more of him when he returns Down Under next year.

The ex-Beatles drummer will tour Australia with his newest All-Starr Band in february.

The supergroup is the twelfth incarnation of the All-Starr Band and includes Steve Lukather from Toto, Gregg rolie of Santana and Journey fame, Mr Mister’s richard paige, Gregg Bissonette, who played drums for Dave Lee roth, and multi-instrumentalists Todd rundgren and Mark rivera.

While the likes of yellow Submarine and I’ll Get By With A

Little Help from My friends are regularly dusted off during an All-Starr tour, the show also sees each band member perform hits from their own career.

Starr hasn’t played an instrument in Australia since the Beatles twisted and shouted their way across the world on their legendary 1964 tour.

He remembers the “screaming atmosphere” and says he can’t wait to return for longer shows than The Beatles’ historic performances.

“In those days we only played thirty minute shows so people will definitely be getting a better deal this time round,” Starr told AAp from Los Angeles.

“people were really excited that The Beatles were in town and it was a really amazing time. If you saw it you were blessed I suppose.” - AAP

Image by AAP Image/Tracey Nearmy

n Jilted super trawler operator Seafish Tasmania says all options are on the table, in response to the federal government’s two-year ban on the Abel Tasman.

20 - 26 November 20124 | UK Life

An open letter to Tony AbbottDear Mr Abbott,

We’Ve never spoken, but your name has cropped up in my conversations often enough. I’ve never had much desire to contact you in any way. I’m writing now because ever since I heard of Barack obama’s re-election, it’s been your name that keeps coming to mind.

How did you feel when you heard obama was voted back in? What was the first thought through your head? Joy? resignation? Defeat?

I won’t pretend to know all there is about politics, but I do know that the female vote was significant in this year’s US elections. I also know that during Mitt romney’s campaign, ‘women’s issues’, like abortion and contraception, were brought up

numerous times. I know romney and his party do not believe in abortion, sex before marriage, or even in the legitimacy of rape.

romney’s views lie eerily close to yours, Mr Abbott. As I recall, you believe abortion is “the easy way out”.

Mr Abbott, you and I can argue till we’re blue in the face about immigration, carbon tax and gay marriage, but the moment you decide to have a say in what happens to my own body, the conversation is over.

I believe you’ll find many women feel likewise, Mr Abbott. Abortion is not something anyone wishes to experience, nor is it an easy decision to make. It is, however, every woman’s rightful option should she choose to take it.

WHeN living in the United Kingdom there are a number of things that are typically found on an Australian traveller’s to-do list. Going to watch a professional ‘football’ match is a common feature of these lists: despite their best efforts many Australians tend to ‘go native’ over time and begin to actively follow the premier League, starved of the sporting stimulation normally derived from the AfL and rugby league. Names like rooney, Van persie and podolski become almost as familiar as that of Jonathon Thurston or Buddy franklin in the mouth of the Australian living abroad.

football is such an integral part of British culture that, in order to truly understand the mind of an authentic Brit, it is vital to soak up the atmosphere of a match in person at some point while living overseas. It is easy for Australians to forget the pure joy that comes from being a die-hard supporter of a football team, forced to lethargically stumble to the Walkabout on a Saturday morning to even catch a glimpse of their favourite teams in action. Sitting in the terraces of a British football stadium immediately reignites that sense of passion and it is hard to deny the power of football as a unifying force bring people of all ages, social and ethnic backgrounds together under one banner.

one of the major issues facing an Australian wanting to experience a British football match is the prohibitive process that often mars any attempt to acquire tickets to the premier League. Costs are usually quite high to visit well-known stadiums like Arsenal’s emirates Stadium or Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge. With the high demand for tickets to see these popular teams in action, sales are often restricted to club members or corporate partners. As a result it can be difficult for Australian travellers to even find where to purchase tickets, with many resorting to dodgy online resale websites that have a reputation for failing to deliver tickets or charging exorbitant booking fees.

In making the decision to go to a football match, my housemates and I decided to avoid the inflated prices and suspicious resale outlets of the premier League and take a chance on seeing a team playing in the Championship. Although the Championship is only one division below the much-lauded premier League, the price to see a match was only £26 and we thought that we

The power of football: An Aussie convertsn Deprived of the live atmosphere of his favourite Australian sports, PAUL BLEAKLEY explores the UK alternative at Millwall FC.

would be able to experience a far more authentic atmosphere than at one of the larger and more commercial stadiums. So it was decided: we were headed to The New Den. We were going to see Millwall f.C.

Shortly after booking tickets, my housemates began to come home from work with slightly disconcerted expressions on their face. They had told the english folk that they worked with about their weekend plans to go to the Millwall-Derby County game at Millwall’s home stadium, and were warned off visiting a club that had a long reputation for hooliganism stretching back into the bad old days of the 1970s when football rivalry often erupted in outbreaks of violence.

The thuggish reputation of Millwall fans was further immortalised in the cult film Green Street Hooligans, which cast the club’s hooligan firm as dastardly villains against their equally violent West Ham rivals. Things had changed, we assured our concerned housemates; though news reports of a thirteen year old Millwall fan being banned indefinitely for racial abuse that broke in the week before our visit did not assist in efforts to make them feel safe.

The reality of visiting a Millwall match is different to what any of us ever imagined. The stadium, tucked down a side street near South Bermondsey rail station, has all of the atmosphere of a local sports club, with stalls selling merchandise and sausages lining the approach to the grounds. It is very much a family affair at Millwall, with fans ranging from toddlers to older geezers wrapped tightly in blue and white scarfs as they reminisce about the club’s glory years.

Millwall managed to beat Derby County 2-1, the crowd erupting in waves of joy as The Clash’s London Calling blasted over the stadium speakers in celebration. The atmosphere of the match was festive rather than aggressive; the heavy police presence provided a sense of security, even though the crowd erred more towards bantering than battering.

Millwall fans often shout their unofficial anthem “No one likes us, we don’t care” from the terraces during a match; it is this attitude that makes community football something special. The Millwall fans do not care what anyone else thinks. They just care about football, and the love of the game. Any Australian can relate to that.

So let us get back to obama’s re-election. Did it worry you that a politician whose views on women’s rights align with your own, failed to be elected? Did you feel nervous? I would, if I were you.

The female vote (can we still be considered a minority?) was a major power player in the US elections and you can be damn sure it is in Australia. When you bring up the topic of abortion, women will often vote with their uterus.

We vote no. No to anyone, man or woman, having a say in what happens to our bodies.

And that should make you very worried indeed.

Kind regards,Alex

UK Life | 5AustralianTimes.co.uk

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THere are some aspects of British culture it’s fine for Aussies to embrace when moving to the UK. Multitudinous cups of tea, turning translucent in winter, and Sunday roasts are amongst these.

There are some that are more questionable but borderline ok – such as the habit of adopting a faux english accent and peppering your speech with “darhling”, and “yo-gurt”.

And then there are some that should never, in any circumstances, be adopted – even if one is merely only doing so as a sociological study, in a vain effort to better understand the cultural curiosities of our new home and participate in those English office water-cooler conversations that otherwise seem incomprehensible.

There is really only one in this category, and that is the I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here bandwagon. An insipid, boring exploitation of Australian bush stereotypes playing on the overblown fears and reactions of a bunch of dullards wearing Akubra Hats and khaki cut-offs.

I lasted one episode.for those not yet au fait with

the concept of sending 10 living embodiments of the word ‘tumbleweed’ into the Australian “jungle” to variously be covered in cockroaches and then eat them, whilst still finding time to “shower” in the buff under a “waterfall”, then let me walk you through the first offering that screened on Sunday night.

The Sunday Night Première With a “we say g’day” from the interchangeable hosts Ant & Dec (I will call them Dant) so it begins. ominous shots of wriggling snakes, pouncing spiders, overhead shots of dense jungle, and crescendo music like the final scenes of an epic war film.

except instead of a valorous charge into battle, we get Dant doing a virtual fistbump and making Dad jokes about David Cameron’s Xmas list as they introduce the contestants.

There’s all the usual soap opera stars: Blondie, the other blond and the older blond (Tell me, is there anyone still left over on eastenders getting knocked up or accidently marrying their adopted brother?)

There’s a very old ‘Dr Who’ – no, not the oddly hot floppy haired one, but another one the producers dragged back from the edge of time in a tardis.

There’s the American ex pussycat doll (I think she was the one that got 2 seconds of airtime when Nicole was busy gyrating against a car mirror), the Boxer and the Darts player (not two sports that should generally be played against each other), the Mp causing all that hoopla, and then there’s the one from Made in Chelsea that’s famous for being rich and posh and cheating on other rich and posh people.

oh, and the “comedian” who emerges from his giant letter on the beach, spills his welcome drink, and then makes a joke to clearly no-one because he’s the only one there. Besides the waiter holding the lurid orange cocktail confection, but he’s quickly shafted to the side for a close up look at the spilled drink.

Blondie (the one with the cleavage) says she thinks she’ll struggle in the jungle because she normally can’t even brush her own hair. perhaps her ample

Celebrities, spiders, tears and fears in the Aussie bush: Yawn.

bosom gets in the way.The older blondie struts out. And with

her, cue first mention of Kangaroo penis. At this point would it be un-Australian to admit I had never really even thought about the fact Kangaroos had such equipment?

Boxer flexes, and admits he has a phobia of losing. Wow, that must be debilitating. Like agoraphobia, I’m sure.

Cut to pussycat doll, and cue second mention of Kangaroo penis.

old Dr Who says he’s treating this like a fat camp. except since all “celebrities” get an alleged £40,000 appearance fee, it’s a 3 week fat camp he doesn’t have to pay for. old Dr Who is growing on me – that’s just good business sense.

Tory Mp comes out to disparage David Cameron’s ‘posh boy’ connections, before proceeding to immediately establish her neighbourly proximity to, and social links with, the king of posh – Chelsea boy.

And they’re off….And then they’re off – racing around an “island” on their first “challenge” – finding a Helicopter with a GPS system. I’m sorry, excuse me? I face a harder challenge in London trying to get to a tube station using Google Maps. And I have to do it without cute matching yellow socks and a wide-brimmed hat.

Cue 1st stereotyping of blondes joke.Cue faux concern for health of old Dr

Who, when his need for a sit-down and a cuppa seems to lose team 2 the race.

Team 2 head to ‘bush camp’ where they roll out their inflatable mattresses and thick swags, and allege the worst night of their collective lives because they had to listen to “the sounds of the Australian bush.”

Damn you cicadas. Damn you all to hell.

“Brutal” says posh boy. really? More “brutal” than a Big Issue seller holding you up outside Mahiki Bar and you missing out on the last Verve Clicquot Treasure Chest?

Now helicopters pick them up and whirl them into the “jungle” where they must “trek” along clearly marked and signposted paths into camp.

Ahhh, but not before one team encounters …… dum dum dum ….. a wooden walkway across a valley. And the other, a leaky boat.

Blondie looks at the wooden walkways (albeit floating walkways) like someone has just announced they’re going to torture her pet pomeranian in front of her.

Turns out: #firstworldproblems: walking across wooden walkways with a crew of 700 ensuring your every move is 100% safe with an elaborate harness and pulley system.

Actually #firstworldproblems: your mascara running right down to your chin whilst you’re doing it.

I feel oddly satisfied at this point, as I sit eating chocolate Hobnobs and judging.

I won’t even go back to the boat, it’s too dull.

At the point where the Boxer and the posh one battle it out for “food” for their team, I become mildly interested. excellent, hungry celebrities always makes for better viewing.

Then, at the point where Dant announces the losing team will be “forced” to eat rice and beans I quit caring altogether.

I just ate rice and beans. for dinner. By choice.

THIS week I am going to hit the market stall in search of my favorite ingredient for my classic Tuscan soup. I’m one the hunt for an Italian delicacy “cavolo nero”, otherwise known as black cabbage. for years Italians have grown and eaten this versatile vegetable, well known for its source of healthy benefits.

English Cavolo Nero Tuscan Soup n Maze Grill’s top chef, Chris Arkadieff, shows us how to create the tasty Tuscan classic Cavolo Nero Tuscan Soup, with seasonal English ingredients to really warm your cockles up.

england is also renowned for growing spinach, curly kale and cabbage and prides itself on their ruby chard. Cavelo nero with its waxy broad leaf has adapted well to the conditions in the UK, and is a great alternative to mainstream spinach.

When buying your cavolo nero look for healthy crisp leaves with unblemished stalks. Buying your cabbage with a healthy layer of soil also ensures freshness and quality. Give the cabbage a quick rinse off outside and then a deep wash in the

kitchen. The bitter sweet taste of cavolo nero

is perfect with slow roasted joints of meat or fresh pan-fried monkfish tail to share with friends. If you cannot use all you cabbage in one meal, quickly blanch any left over and freeze for when a hearty soup is next on your menu.

This week’s recipe is a simple take on a Tuscan soup. I have added Borlotti beans to give the soup a real hearty appeal. A great soup to sit back and enjoy with friends.

What you need:• 200ml olive oil• 3 stalks of celery diced small• 3 medium carrots diced small• 2 small red onions• 4 cloves of garlic finely chopped• 3 small tins of whole peeled

tomatoes• 1 bunch of fresh cavolo nero

washed and course stalks removed

• 2 cans of Italian borlotti beans• Salt and fresh cracked pepper• ½ cup of flat leaf parsley

chopped• 3 cups of vegetable stock or

water

What to do:• Take a pot large enough to hold all

the ingredients (approx. 5 ltr). on a medium heat add the olive oil, celery, onion, carrots and garlic.

• Sauté until the vegetables are aromatic and have no colour. reduce the heat if ingredients begin to colour.

• Crush the tomatoes in a bowl and add to the pot. If you haven’t already, reduce the heat and add half the stock, cook for 25 minutes or until the soup begins to thicken.

• Add 1 can of beans and cook for a further 10 minutes.

• Using a sharp pair of scissors, snip

the leaves and stalks of the cavolo nero into the soup and cook for a further 15 minutes.

• Take the remaining beans and puree with a blender. Add the puree to the soup, which will help give the soup body and season with cracked pepper.

• Serve with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and rubbed ciabatta for that added texture.

• enjoy!

20 - 26 November 20126 | Entertainment

his overall development as an artist, and his presentation to the public eye.

This is reflected in his latest album I Will Love You at All, with a return to a simpler style.

“I wanted to make something simpler musically, more folk chords, less instruments, all to let the lyrics come through.

“I’ve been just singing the songs over and over with a guitar and kind of sculpting them out bit by bit. It feels more pure, organic and truer somehow.”

It is also reflected in the conscious effort Darren makes to create an original artwork for each album cover. It is an approach he adopted in 2006’s Fingertips and Mountaintops, which sported a very brightly painted artwork for the cover, and has followed ever since.

“I’d come around to the idea that every album cover from here on should have original artwork, something created especially (for it).”

for a man who was doing quirky-indie well before it was famous or cool to be a geek, Darren is humble in his approach to his own work and place in history.

When asked if he felt he was ahead of his time he quipped, “no way! I try not to think of who deserves what. everyone has their place.”

for me, I’m personally not as humble as Mr Hanlon. It’s the real ones, the ones who aren’t in it just for a while, or because it’s cool, or something to do. rather it’s the ones who just can’t help themselves but do what they do because they love it.

They to me have that lasting quality that the world deserves to see and hear, and that’s where Darren Hanlon shines most bright. What you see, is exactly what you get.

By George Katralis

I CAN clearly remember the first time I heard of Darren Hanlon, an Australian urban folk singer and songwriter.

It was 2003, and a girl I worked with, with such incredible taste in music it could make Molly Meldrum stand up and take note, started talking to me about an up and coming artist by the name of Darren Hanlon.

She described him as a quirkier version of a banjo playing russell Crowe, producing songs that would make me laugh, cry and dance all at the same time. Naturally I was intrigued, as I love doing two of the above three mentioned things.

I snatched myself up a copy of his Early Days ep and instantly I was hooked.

Nine years, five albums, and a whole lot of creative lyrical concepts later, Darren and I are well and truly invested in a long term and committed relationship… even if he doesn’t know about it.

for those who are unfamiliar with his work let me be the first to tell you – Darren Hanlon is the real deal.

What Darren does, and does well, is sees the little things in life that we all usually miss. When we’re heads down on the bus looking at the floor, or rushing through the weekend shoppers trying to find a gap in the crowd, Darren is observing it all. examining the elements that make the world what it is, and then channeling his incredible gift for lyric and melody to turn those elements into words.

However, don’t expect his tone to be entirely dedicated to one concept only. Quite the contrary – on each album you could expect to hear a heartfelt love song that would rival anything written by an accomplished crooner, coupled with a song about couch surfing and followed by one about accidentally grazing elbows with a famous actress.

“I wasn’t drawn to music, it was drawn to me. I couldn’t escape it,” says Derren to Australian Times about his beginnings in the Queensland town of Gympie.

Inspired by many mix-tapes provided by cousins, and live musical performances from his neighbours, he formed a very ‘about a boy-esq’ relationship with a music teacher from a rival high school. It was here a young Darren Hanlon was treated to a wealth of musical knowledge at a formidable age.

“every afternoon would be a revelation. In his living room I heard for the first time REM, The Clash, The Triffids, The Go-Betweens, Sex Pistols and many other key acts.

“But just as important to me at the time were the lesser-known bands he put on the stereo. I loved the Honeys, the

Skolars, the particles, Wild pumpkins at Midnight, lots of Australian Ska bands...so much stuff.”

It was these influences that led Darren to study music and join a few bands himself. Notably, and probably the biggest influence on his emerging career, Darren played guitar with The Simpletons – a very ‘Smiths’ sounding group, lead by songwriter Shane Gelagin.

“Shane and the band had a real buzz about them.

“I did love being part of a team. It was really exciting. I miss that part of the process the most these days.”

However, below the surface was a growing curiosity for the lyrical side of it all.

“I was in awe of Shane’s words, but was happy to be his guitarist. I remember wondering why I couldn’t do it.

“I knew I could sing ok, but songwriting didn’t come naturally. I think I got addicted to travel and adventure and I soon realised I’d need to start writing (songs) myself if I wanted to continue.”

As the clock saw out the 1990’s Darren turned his hand to songwriting, although shying away from the type of writing of many of his peers that tried to capture the voice of a generation.

Instead, Darren decided to sing songs about falling in love with his hairdresser, sneaking into the movies, or personifying a Beta video machine. An element of unique quirkiness that would soon become the cornerstone of his twelve year career.

“I don’t set out to try and be funny,” says Darren.

“They’re all true things in my life. Most people have different sides to their personality. I’d feel strange if I just wrote songs from one part of mine, especially if it’s all serious and introspective.”

As the years have progressed, so has Darren’s outlook and approach. Not only towards his music and writing - but

Darren hanlon: The real deal

AustralianTimes.co.uk/entertainment

Read the full interview

online

By Alex Bruce-Smith

DoeS an individual have the power to change the world? or are we incapable of changing even ourselves?

These are the questions posed to the audience in ordinary Darkness, a funny yet poignant new play from New Zealand-born Sarah robertson and directed by Stella Duffy.

four characters - a dreamer, a schemer, a player and a banker - are thrown together in a party (of sorts) at a derelict mansion where three of the characters are squatting. Can you guess who doesn’t live there? If you selected anyone other than ‘the banker’, I’m afraid you’ve lost this round.

flic, Becca and Max (played by Lauren Cooney, Constance Tancredi-Brice and Sam Webster respectively) live in their fantasy world of pure escapism and no responsibly.

flic is the angry youth overwhelmed by all that is wrong with the world, yet powerless to change even her own situation. Her best friend Becca is a curious mix of hyper sexuality and childishness that leaves her dancing high somewhere in the middle. The manipulative Max assumes the role of the girls’ caretaker and ringleader in their misguided acts of rebellion.

Here we have the classic boyfriend-sleeping-with-the-best-friend-scenario, but if you think this is your typical love triangle tale, guess again.

Into this dysfunctional corner of London comes Mr Banbury (played by Jonathan Bidgood), a banker wanker, a “Square Mile with a pulse”,

who is everything flic, Becca and Max despise. Mr Banbury’s presence will force the three to confront truths about what they believe in, the power they think they hold, and the most dangerous truths about themselves.

All in all, it makes for a highly entertaining evening.

Duffy steers ordinary Darkness from being roaringly funny to twisted and dark with aplomb. one moment you’ll be laughing as though a friend made a witty comment at a dinner party, while the next you’ll be wondering just how exactly you found your way into someone else’s twisted nightmare. The balance between hyper reality and the absurd is carefully navigated, and nothing is what it seems.

Duffy’s talent lies in bringing the audience along for the ride. We are included in the discovery process, jumping to conclusions as the character do, and quickly finding out we are wrong. The intimate feel of the theatre works to ordinary Darkness’ advantage; we could almost be fellow squatters at the derelict mansion, silent flatmates observing our fellow occupants.

robertson’s painting of these characters is excellent. She reveals to us just what we need to know and nothing more, feeding us tantalising pieces of information. Not one of the characters can be described as wholly innocent or wholly responsible for the events, and in these flawed characters we see pieces of ourselves emerge - although (hopefully) not to the same ends.

At times the flow can feel somewhat clunky, and the focus falls on the characters internal struggles rather than the wider issues they face. At one point, the characters don full-faced masks, making the process of deciphering the dialogue hard work.

ordinary Darkness will leave you with more questions than you can answer, and feel all the more enlightened for doing so.

Ordinary Darkness is running at The Hen and Chickens Theatre until 1 December. Tickets are £12.50, to book head to www.ticketweb.co.uk or call 08 444 771 000.

Ordinary Darkness n REVIEW I Ordinary Darkness at Hen and Chickens Theatre in Highbury.

Entertainment | 7AustralianTimes.co.uk

By Erin Somerville

LIKe many great ideas, the latest up-and-coming label grabbing the attention of wine lovers everywhere all began over a simple glass of wine.

for calorie-conscious Nicole Lambe and Tanya Grant, it seemed like a simple idea: a great drop of wine without the calorie-laden guilt.

Little did they realize that their casual musings at their London local would soon come to fruition as the diet-friendly and delicious Golightly label, and that they themselves would be at the helm of the business making it happen.

Already, Golightly is looking to be a hit.

Just ask businessmen richard reed, who has thrown down £50 000 in support of the four young entrepreneurs behind the label, Kiwis Logan Taylor and Steve Harrop, Canadian Tanya Grand and Australian Nicole Lambe.

golightly Wines onto a winnern It’s every Aussie’s dream. Starting your own business in the UK that guarantees you not only a free-flow of diet-friendly and delicious wine, but also earns you the attention of Richard Reed and Richard Branson. For Aussie entrepreneur Nicole Lambe, this dream is now a reality with Golightly Wines.

Not to mention richard Branson has personally tasted Golightly’s produce and given it his seal of approval.

Not feeling the pressure of high expectations, Nicole Lambe has said the businessmen’s’ support has instead spurred on their motivation.

“It’s given us more credibility,” she told Australian Times.

“Meeting richard Branson was incredibly inspiring and we are excited to bring innovation to the UK wine industry and challenge the status quo.”

A Golightly wine has 30 per cent less calories than a standard glass of the same varietal, thanks to a filtering process that reduces the alcohol content down to nine per cent.

In a society where many drink to get drunk, the Golightly team isn’t deterred from releasing a product that is lower in alcohol content than other wines.

“We are finding quite the opposite,” Nicole says. “Market research is showing people are moving towards lighter wines due to tax breaks and more health benefits.”

The Golightly team first threw their brand into the spotlight on BBC3’s show Be Your Own Boss, where their quick wit and individual thinking helped the team stand out from the competition.

proving a sense of humour can pay off, they draped Mr Reed’s office with a banner promoting their label and snagged his financial support.

Golightly’s success hasn’t come overnight, however.

The team has put in countless hours to deliver a product low in calories without skimping on quality.

“It has been a long and slow process,” Nicole told us.

“It was something we were doing on the side of our jobs, and it evolved in the evenings and over weekends brainstorming, doing market research, and product development.”

The first Golightly product sources New Zealand’s famous Marlborough region Sauvignon Blanc, and the team have further plans to swiftly expand the range.

Nicole says the company would be sourcing produce based on its quality, rather than dealing exclusively with regions.

She has already hinted on what Golightly lovers can expect to hit their palate in the near future.

“We are planning on an Italian pinot gris and rose.

“We are not defined by any region, we want to find the best wines from the best regions that we can.”

By Will Fitzgibbon

IT CAN be safely assumed that not many young female opera singers harbour a conscious desire to interpret the role of a portuguese yellow sofa. Mozart’s Queen of the Night, perhaps. La Boheme’s Mimi, almost definitely. But not garish Iberian home furniture.

But as outlandish as the idea seems, it is exactly what Australian mezzo-soprano, Lauren easton, did with authenticity and musical virtuosity last week at London’s royal opera House.

easton was one of a small band of singers and musicians who performed British composer Julian philip’s 2009 opera The Yellow Sofa at the opera House’s Lindbury Studio as part of the Glyndebourne opera Tour 2012.

The 2012 Tour is currently making its way through nine UK destinations and the programming also includes operatic hits The Marriage of Figaro and Rusalka in its repertoire.

philip’s The Yellow Sofa is based on a novel by 19th Century portuguese literary hero eca de Queiros. The story is perfect operatic fare; blundering lovers, misunderstandings, comic bit-players and ultimate reconciliation. In de Queiros’s tale, a drab husband returns home to find his wife in the arms of another man – in flagrant delit on his yellow sofa.

It is here that easton, the personification of the sofa, emerges from the stage’s darkness. Dressed in

Mezzo-soprano Easton on song at Royal Opera Housen Australian mezzo-soprano Lauren Easton sings as part of Glyndebourne Opera’s 2012 Tour.

matching yellow, easton sings as both narrator and ethical conscience while the tragi-comic events whirl around her.

“It’s a few steps away from Mozart but it contains the same amount of melodrama”, easton told Australian Times in a recent interview.

easton makes the role enchanting, even sensual, as she moves carefully along caressing the wooden back of the sofa while relating the unhappy sort of the portuguese husband.

perhaps an Australian childhood of watching cheesy melodrama through Neighbours and Home and Away helped give easton the creative edge.

All the action took place on the stage of the Lindbury Studio, including the chamber ensemble of 14 musicians. philips’ score successfully weaves contemporary

techniques with indulgent and evocative traditional portuguese folk singing, or fado.

Glyndebourne opera, one of the biggest names in the industry and one with a strong reputation for recognising Australian musical talent, is taking its big and small productions across the UK as part of an educational mission to bring opera to a wider audience.

The 2012 Glyndebourne Tour continues until 8 December.

20 - 26 November 20128 | Entertainment

more and more popular as it’s becoming easier to make money off advertising on the net,” Lawrence said.

“I think it’s great that there’s another opportunity for actors to work. The more the better, I say!”

Lawrence recently completed work on a British TV pilot, and will begin filming on horror movie The Hunted next year. She has also written the script for a black comedy which she hopes to have produced in the new year.

Convention of the Dead, written and directed by Kelvin Beer, has yet to announce a release date although it is expected that the film will be distributed in early 2013.

Check out what we’re following this week on AustralianTimes.co.uk

and follow us on Twitter @AustralianTimes

the Cat Empire10 December@ O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire

rolf Harris8 February@ Royal Festival HallSouthbank Centre

wolfe Bowart’s Letter’s End24-27 February@ Southbank Centre

the Australian PinkFloyd Show25 February@ London 02 Arena

Olivia Newton-John13 March@ Royal Albert Hall

tommy Emmanuel16 March@ Shepherd’s Bush Empire

Pam Ann28-29 March@ Hammersmith Apollo

for full details......and more Aussie gigs go to:

AustralianTimes.co.uk/entertainment

what’s On

oVer the years, actress Ashleigh Lawrence has become used to fighting off brain-dead creatures on the beaches. The difference is that, on this occasion, the Gold Coast native has traded in the metaphorical zombies of her hometown with the real deal in upcoming independent film Convention of the Dead.

Currently wrapping up filming in Bournemouth, Convention of the Dead is a horror-comedy in which the un-dead monsters overrun a comic book convention, leaving the fate of humanity in the somewhat inept hands of the convention’s awkward attendees. Lawrence plays an aspiring comic book writer that

From Down Under to the Un-dead: Aussie actress’s zombie embracen INTERVIEW I Ashleigh Lawrence talks to PAUL BLEAKLEY about filming in Bournemouth, honing her craft in LA and how ‘webisodes’ could be the making of young Aussie actors.

AustralianTimes.co.uk/entertainment

Get MoreStage & Screen

falls in with the film’s protagonists and unwittingly becomes a part of the effort to prevent a zombie apocalypse.

Lawrence says: “The cast and crew on Convention of the Dead are amazing. There has been some really long shooting days and nights, but when we finish then we have a chance to hang out and I’m really happy that they’re all great people.”

Convention of the Dead is the most recent project in what has already been an action-packed career for Lawrence, with her dream to become an actress originally taking her to the entertainment mecca of Hollywood before her move to the United Kingdom. Lawrence lived in Los Angeles for just over a year, honing her craft at the renowned Ivana Chubbuck Studios while pursuing roles.

“I was extremely lucky while living in LA in that I actually got quite a bit of work. I did a TV pilot, and also worked on a comedy variety series,” she told Australian Times.

“But it’s living in London that has definitely pushed my career further. I do miss home sometimes, but I know that there aren’t the same opportunities for film roles in Australia as there is internationally.”

Lawrence’s love of acting began at age nine, when her parents enrolled her in drama classes and she became heavily involved in local theatre work. After “doing the smart thing” and completing an accounting

degree at university, Lawrence realised that her desire to act had not disappeared. That was when she quit her job, moved to Hollywood and did not look backwards.

She warns aspiring actors and actresses that it is a tough industry, and that having experience is the best way to ensure success in the entertainment sector: “Sometimes I don’t get a single day off in months, and then there will be weeks at a time where I’m not doing anything. It’s so unpredictable and if you want to be an actor you have to accept that.”

Lawrence also advises young actors that it is important to learn to cope with rejection: “After you leave the audition room, forget that you ever did it! Don’t wait around by the phone for something you can’t change.”

“If you hear back, that is great! If you don’t, don’t worry… There will always be the next audition.”

Lawrence believes that the evolution of new media within the entertainment industry provides actors and actresses with a greater level of opportunity to showcase their talents than ever before. She has recently been involved in the production of ‘webisodes’: short episodes of original content distributed exclusively on the internet.

“entertainment mediums have changed a lot over the past ten years, and I’m sure they will continue to change. Webisodes are becoming

See what we are following this week on

#thingsMorePopularthanAbbott

Mitt Romney’s Facebook page@Apologetic Alan

The carbon tax (it actually is)@Stephen Koukoulas

Warm Fanta@Mikey Robins

Breaking Dawn part 2@Fellicia Stanzah

Gravel Rash@Aussie Ranting

Brynn Edelsten’s TV show@Rusty

Gluten free bread@Jonathon Smith

Climate change research grants@Danderson

The Green Lantern movie@MrRabbitt

The introduction of Crocs as footwear@ Thomas Atherton

Fosters beer@Kurt Harrison

St Johns College@Paul Christensen

Lord Voldermort@ Jade Tyrrell

By Jennifer Perkin

THere’S a lot of love for Aussies in the north-west of the UK at the moment, as just last week Liverpool experienced a mass exodus of fans keen to catch the Tame Impala show in Manchester.

This was followed by Brisbane’s rocktastic duo DZ Deathrays heading to the area – after their support slot for pulled Apart by Horses was cancelled last minute they quickly scheduled in a host of regional slots instead. The tour included a show in historic Chester – spitting distance from Liverpool – and not a city known for being particularly rock and roll.

So naturally Australian Times had to head down to check it out and chat with Shane (guitar/vox) and Simon (drums) beforehand at the venue, The Compass pub.

Unfortunately, it would be an evening plagued by issues as sound was cutting in and out during the support acts and by the time the DZs get on stage it was beyond hope – with their set eventually cut short as the band are electrocuted by the pA.

Gigs with technical difficulties can be a bit of a litmus test for bands – the clearly talented Silver/Back/Club struggle, as their ambitious, noodly and emotive tunes lose the fight to technology. We’ll definitely seek them out again though.

A warm-up act, Bear of Wolves, seem to thrive on the tension and knocked one out of the park – another dynamic duo, they won the crowd over with sheer force of personality

REVIEW | Deathrays @ The Compass, Chester

and irrepressible energy. rock n roll pure and simple and

an ideal appetizer to the DZs, who despite playing for all of 20 minutes prove that not only are they troopers but also that they have that je ne sais quoi – and a presence that is more than the sum of their parts.

on the night, even with malfunctioning sound, they are at once totally mindless and subtly genius. Until they get electrocuted of course.

You guys are one of those rare bands where all the cool kids are saying the right things AND the press haven’t said a bad word. How have you managed that?

(Shane) We try and stay as neutral as possible! We don’t want to p*ss anyone off…

You guys seem to be in Europe all the time. Have you ever thought about basing yourselves here?

(Simon) Not really…it’s too expensive.

(Shane) At the moment we’re only really in oz for the summer, we are just always on the road. We don’t really have homes in Australia, we’ve just got all our gear at our girlfriends and parents and stuff.

How have the crowds differed between Oz and UK?

(Simon) It’s getting pretty weird actually, like we’ll do a show like tonight with like 20 people and then we’ve also played with the Killers and stuff to thousands of people. And then we went back and did tiny little club shows in the UK and then went back to Australia and played Splendor to thousands of people again.

Do you prefer the intimate shows?(Simon) When you have a good

intimate show it’s the best coz you don’t know what’s gonna happen. With the big shows it awesome because you’re playing with so many people but you know nothing crazy is gonna happen.

(Shane) Well I don’t know about that, I’d say Splendour was pretty insane. I mean the weather turned on us and it was hailing outside. There was water pouring off the side of the tent and right onto the stage and all over us. We were pretty angry actually afterwards, and then we realized it was ok because….we didn’t die.

You guys seem to have come out of nowhere, at least in the UK. How did you start?

(Shane) Six years ago we played in a band together, Velociraptor. That split up and 4 years ago we started play, and Simon had to learn the drums.

(Simon) yeah I wasn’t much of a drummer, kind of like Meg White. We

just started because we wanted to play house parties and you don’t have to be very good – just entertaining I guess.

You’ve toured with Foo Fighters, the Killers and are about to play with Blood Red Shoes and Sleigh Bells. Any dream supports?

(Both) The Bronx!

Any Aussie bands us expats should know about?(Shane) one big one is Last Dinosaurs.

Ok your essential house party record?

(Simon) Motely Crue best of!(Shane) Andrew WK…(Simon) oh and the Bronx number

one..(Shane) yeah you can drink a beer to

every song!

Keep a look out for DZs on their return next year or get the band’s latest album Bloodstreams at www.dzdeathrays.com.

DZ Deathrays: Totally mindless and subtly genius

Travel | 9AustralianTimes.co.uktravel

ON THE MAP

This week we’re putting

Croatia

n Dubrovnik in Croatia is well known as a mecca for tourists in the busy summer months. However, as NICOLE CROWLEY discovers, the low-season offers a unique opportunity to discover the cities hidden gems and hilltop highs, without the crowds.

LAST week I had the poor judgement to log on to the Huffington Post. What I saw hardly filled my winter socks with warmth: “UK Weather: Wild Winter on The Way With forecasters predicting Snow And Sub Zero Temperatures.” fortunately, I happened to be reading the headlines from the Luton airport lounge, smugly en route to Dubrovnik, which famously boasts 300 days of Croatian sunshine each year. It was au revoir rain boots.

The Great EscapeWhile Dubrovnik has rightfully earned its crown as a summer tourist goldmine, the reality of a sunshine escape in late october is perhaps slightly ambitious. However, one need not be deterred. Many of the summer travel stresses – heightened prices, unbearable heat, over-crowding and heavy queues – are alleviated during the low season, presenting a unique opportunity to soak up the local culture and explore the country’s ancient history at your own pace.

Return flights to Dubrovnik from London Luton came in at just under 140 pounds, while old Town Ivory Apartments in the heart of the city (highly recommended) were a steal at 168 pounds per person for three nights. I gave Google a quick run for its money and found many of the cities summer-famed attractions - Dalmatian beaches, brunches at the Gradska Kavana, two kilometres of City Walls, boat trips along the angelic archipelago and cocktails in the city’s best bars - could all still be enjoyed.

The words that had burned my retinas, “Britain is not expected to have a mild winter” seemed to melt away.

Touching down in Dubrovnik’s only airport, the first big adjustment is the currency conversion. While most of the country accepts euros, the national currency is the Croatian Kuna.

Calculating in advance how much Kuna you get for your hard-earned pound is advised. once I realised 1 Kuna (HrK) is approximately only 0.10 GBp, withdrawing 1200HrK didn’t seem too extreme, 35HrK for a shuttle into Dubrovnik old Town seemed reasonable and 12HrK for a Coke Zero didn’t seem so absurd. As they promise, Dubrovnik is extremely well priced.

From up highThe quickest and easiest way to become well acquainted with your new travel hotspot is to take the Zicara Cable Car to the top of the Srd Hill. for 87HrK return (alternatively, you can trek down the hill in good conditions), you will be transported to one of the highest viewing points and rewarded with panoramic views of the entire old City of Dubrovnik, the crystal clear Adriatic Sea, and numerous islands.

Admittedly, the summer months do equate to clearer days and clearer views. However, despite some fog and rain mist on the day, the enormity of history and culture that fills the ancient walls and stretches out below

will not fail to impress. Although there isn’t much at the

top of Srd Hill to write home about (a small shop and café where the Cable Car arrives), the War Museum is a definite must. Just a short walk away, the old fortress is currently housing an incredible exhibition packed with information on war in the region.

Image by Jimmy Harris

20 - 26 November 201210 | Travel

of beautiful mountains from across the lake. Just a few kilometres up, a guided tour presents the medieval town of Kotor, which is enclosed by stunning lakes (crystal green even in the cooler months) and stonewall fortresses (a UNeSCo World Heritage Site).

A little further south, the bus drives along the bay offering passing views of Sveti Stefan, an exclusive resort occupying an entire small island. The bay is also rumoured to be the set of the latest Bond movie.

Budva is next on the agenda, Montenegro’s main town developed around a small peninsula. While in summer Budva is infamous for its over-crowded beaches, never-ending nightlife and carnival atmosphere, late october resulted in a rather different impression, with mellow walks along the marina, yacht watching and a fresh seafood finale.

Panorama with a difference

of course, no trip to Dubrovnik should be complete without a stroll around the Dubrovnik City Walls, the second UNeSCo World Heritage site to tick off the list. for 70HrK, a walk through the 1940 metres of uninterrupted paths, forts and towers is by far the most inspiring way to connect with the history and culture of the Mediterranean.

The walls date back to the 13th century and are an average of six metres thick, providing tourists with 360-degree views of the deep blue Adriatic Sea, surrounding islands and an entire overview of the hilltop town. Spend an hour or more exploring the crevices and forts, and your fitness will thank you as much as your camera.

Although summer has its perks, avoiding destinations heralded as tropical hotspots until June and July really has little merit. Dubrovnik has plenty to offer during the quieter months and why not discover the “Jewel of The Adriatic” while prices are reasonable, the heat is controlled, crowds are low and the city’s beauty is still shining.

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While a day of rain delivered a blessing in the form of no queues or crowds, it also meant that many of the boat tours famous for island hopping shenanigans and glass bottomed bliss were not running due to poor weather and low capacity. Not to despair. This is the perfect opportunity to take advantage of the geographical proximity of Dubrovnik to Mostar or neighbouring country Monenegro, and garb a bargain on a day tour.

As Dubrovnik lies perfectly on the southern tip of Croatia, all you need is your passport and a full day to pop over the border further south into Montenegro. We snapped up a 12-hour tour for 360HrK (or approximately 48 euro). perhaps one of europe’s best-kept secrets, the coastal drive into Montenegro is well worth the 8am departure, producing scenes of exceptional natural beauty and historical commentary.

The bus routinely stops for some truly unique photo opportunities where you find small villages complete with terracotta rooftops adorning the foothills

Travel | 11AustralianTimes.co.uk

on the banks of the Thames by folly Bridge, just down from Christchurch College, it takes its name from the famous boat race against Cambridge. And if there’s one thing oxford takes seriously, it’s a boat race.

you can see the oxford University boathouses from the Head of the river, and more often than not crews training relentlessly, regardless of season or temperature. In summer you’ll be hard pressed to find a table outside here, for though the prices at the bar reflect the quality of the view, it’s worth every penny.

even in winter it’s a charming place to visit, with plenty of outdoor heaters and glimpses of the river from the windows inside if freezing to death isn’t your thing.

Eagle and ChildNext on the list is the eagle and Child, or Bird and Baby if you want to make like a local. owned by the University, it has previously been home to a writer’s group which included The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe author C.S.Lewis, along with J.r.r.Tolkien.

It has been refurbished over the years, and no longer has “the rabbit room” where the writers would once meet, but is still quaint enough to give you a feeling for what those times might have been like.

The Bear Innfinally The Bear Inn, or just “the Bear”, rounds out my list of quintessential oxfordian pubs. It claims to be the oldest pub in oxford, which seems a flimsy claim as it is now in a different building from the original coaching inn it once was.

Nonetheless, it is worth visiting for its other claim to fame, a collection of over 4,500 neckties which line the walls and the (very low) roof of this tiny pub. for whatever reason, the tradition started in the 1950s when the landlord began exchanging half pints of beer for the snipped end of a customer’s tie. Before you get any ideas about free beer, and head to oxford wearing twenty odd ties, it’s worth noting that this tradition no longer carries on today.

The Bear has also featured in Inspector Morse, as has the Turf, the Head of the river and the eagle and Child – that bloke sure liked his pubs.

I strongly suggest you follow in Morse’s footsteps, and let your own feet take you along the well-trodden pub trail of oxford. Though I wouldn’t as strongly suggest following Bob Hawkes example … unless your time in the mother country has really, really given you a taste for ale.

ON THE MAP

This week we’re putting

oxford

oxford A patron’s delightn Our Aussie Oxford local, AMBER ROSE, shows us the best places to have a pint and a punt around town.oXforD is known as the city of dreaming spires, and I really couldn’t think of a better sentence to describe it.

from the cobbled streets of the city to the hidden quadrangles of the ever-present University, it is the kind of place where dreams are made, dreams are lived, or dreams float away without ever being realised.

In summer, punts are lazily steered down the Isis (what the locals call the Thames) in a haze of sunshine and pimms, with the sound of University cricket matches punctuating the drone of fat bumblebees.

Come winter and the city hides her secrets away, behind the doors of low-roofed public houses hidden in alleyways, but not so well-hidden that the local students or odd antipodean can’t seek them out.

As home to the oldest University in the english-speaking world, oxford is inevitably steeped in history, and has been home to many significant individuals and colourful characters over the years.

from Alice in Wonderland to the Lord of the rings, Inspector Morse to Henry the VIII, radiohead to Harry potter, there is something to capture everyone’s imagination amongst the magnificent architecture of Oxford city.

one thing to keep in mind is that you’ll not be the only one hoping to experience some of the magic that oxford has to offer. Just like London, it is Always Busy. full of tourists, students, dons and locals at all times of the year, not to mention the occasional celebrity and film crew. The streets are always teeming with people.

one way to avoid the crowds is to do what many have done before you, and duck into a local pub to mull the day away over a pint. oxford has its fair share of pubs, as do most english cities, but there are four I recommend you not to miss.

Turf Tavernfirst on the list is the Turf Tavern, self-proclaimed to provide “An education in Intoxication”.

The Turf is tricky to find, so head to another oxford favourite (and great photo opportunity) - the Bridge of Sighs, and you will see the alleyway tucked away to the left.

Should you be fortunate enough to find the alleyway that leads to the Turf, you will be able to follow in the footsteps of one of Australia’s national treasures, our very own Bob Hawke, who in 1963 entered the Guinness World Book of records for drinking a yard glass of ale in 11 seconds at this very establishment.

for those not yet familiar with their imperial measurements, a yard glass holds the equivalent of two and half pints. Not a bad feat. Have a hunt in the beer garden for a chalkboard commemorating our Bob’s great achievement.

Head of the Riverfor a bit of a different, yet still very oxford vibe, the Head of the river gives the clue in the title. Located

Image by Eagle & Child pub, Oxford

Image by Head of the RiverEurope in winter

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an astute aussie

in london> SePi ROSHAN

WHAT does it mean to be a leader? We hear the word leader bandied around a lot. for example, “business leader”, “political leader”, “thought leader”. Not all leaders are in the public eye. They are in our offices, our schools and our social clubs. The best leaders communicate their vision and inspire others to action. Without the ability to move from vision to action, we are simply a person with an idea. one thing leaders must have is excellent communication skills.

Leaders use speeches, presentations and updates to share their vision. When Julia Gillard made “that” speech in parliament last month, her vision of politics became clear. politics based on factual debate and dialogue rather than misogynistic opinions or personal attacks. The most fundamental role of a leader is to communicate. Having a vision or idea is a starting point. Speaking with other entrepreneurs and business owners, it is becoming increasingly clear that ideas are not enough. A leader must be able to scan the environment, make sense of a mass of data, translate it and share their vision.

once the vision is clear, a leader inspires people to action. Simon Sinek, who specialises in how leaders inspire, uses Apple as an example. Sinek repeats Apple’s stance:

“everything we do, we believe in challenging the status quo. We believe in thinking differently. The way we challenge the status quo is by making our products beautifully designed, simple to use and user friendly. We just happen to make great computers.”

The call to action is to buy Apple products and to spread the word. effectively communicating a clear vision, whether about an ethos, product or action, is what makes a leader stand out. Manipulating people

leading the way: Tips and traits for future leaders n The key to being a great leader is a clearly defined vision. Once the vision is clear, a leader inspires people to action.

to get what you want, is not the same as leadership. Leaders create and develop loyalty so their team wants to perform.

As a leader, consider the following when communicating your ideas:Be clear: ensure you have a clear objective in mind. If you are not sure why you are speaking or what you want your audience to do, they will be confused. Misinterpretation and misunderstanding can lead to flared tempers and discontent. A leader without an objective is like a gadget without a purpose – nice to have, but ineffective: sooner or later, it gets lost in the cupboard.Be flexible: everyone takes in information differently. Some people like to see the picture. other people like to listen to the words. Some like to get a feel for it. A leader ensures that they do what they can to get their message through. people cannot read your mind. Be dedicated to ensuring that everyone understands your vision by using targeted communication tools and techniques.Accept feedback: The mark of a great leader is an ethos of continuous improvement. Be open to feedback so you can learn how to get your message across. feedback helps leaders share their vision while keeping one foot on the ground.

Great leaders are not the ones with the best titles or fancy offices. Great leaders are those that share their vision and inspire people to execute it. In a world where we wonder whether anyone is listening, better communication from leaders is needed more than ever.

“The best leaders communicate their vision and inspire others to action.”

By Saskia Johnston

THe Australian Dollar began trading last week Monday the 12 November 2012 at around 0.6535 British pounds and 1.0395 US Dollars.

The Aussie then weakened throughout the week to close at GBp 0.6504 and USD 1.0313 on friday. The currency reached a three-week low after risk appetite decreased among speculation of a worldwide

Aussie weakens on further signs of global slowdowneconomic slowdown.

Concerns about eurozone risks, in conjunction with the escalating conflict over the Gaza Strip, has resulted in decreasing stocks which catalysed global risk aversion.

The eurozone has succumbed to the reality that it is in fact in a

recession for the second time in four years. “There was plenty of bearish news to depress markets,” Sean Callow, a senior currency strategist in Sydney at Westpac Banking Corporation stated.

Looking ahead, the Australian Dollar is expected to gain against the yen on speculation of the Japanese elections next month will result in an opposition party that advocates

increased monetary stimulus.Trading this week opened with

signs of strengthening in the Aussie, largely due to deficit reduction talks in the US lifting market sentiment. Investors will be keeping a keen eye on any information coming from the ‘open talks’, regarding tax hikes and spending cuts, expected in the US over the upcoming weeks.

The key local event to look out for this week is the release of the rBA’s November board meeting and speech by rBA’s Governor Glenn Stevens.

AUD/GBP: 0.6511/1.5358AUD/EUR: 0.8115/1.2322AUD/USD: 1.0364/0.9648GBP/USD:  1.5909/0.6285at 09:00 19 November 2012

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THe Australian dollar is overvalued by as much as 10 US cents and is likely to stay that way for the next couple of years.

Since it was first floated in 1983, the Australian dollar’s fate has been closely linked to commodity prices.

When the price of goods like iron ore, copper and coal go up, so does the Aussie dollar.

When they go down, it goes down as well.

That still happens, according to ANZ foreign exchange strategist Andrew Salter, but the Aussie dollar has jumped to a higher level recently largely as a result of foreign central banks buying the currency.

He says the dollar, currently worth more than 103 US cents, is overvalued to the tune of about 10 US cents.

“I actually think the fair value of the Aussie dollar is somewhere between 90 and 95 US cents, based on commodity prices and interest rate differentials,” he said.

The dollar has fallen from its high point of more than 108 US cents earlier this year, but has remained stubbornly above the 100 US cent mark.

That’s despite commodity prices falling more than 19 per cent in the past year, according to the reserve Bank of Australia (rBA).

At the same time, the rBA has cut its cash rate (currently at 3.25 per cent) by 1.5 percentage points since November 2011, which should push the Aussie dollar lower because it makes it less attractive for foreign investors to deposit their money here.

Mr Salter says one thing inflating the value of the currency is demand from international central banks - the rBA’s foreign equivalents - and sovereign wealth funds.

Central banks are not typically risk takers, they put their money where they think they can get safe and reliable returns and typically that has meant places like the US, Japan, the UK and europe.

But those economies are either in recession or struggling to gain traction, forcing central banks to look further afield.

“They want to get rid of their US dollars, they want to get rid of their yen, their euro and their pounds and they want to invest it in other markets,” he said.

“Australia is one of those but so are markets like New Zealand, Taiwan, Korea and the Scandinavian countries.”

Mr Salter says the current state of affairs is part of a de-leveraging cycle; governments, households and banks in many developed economies are paying back the huge amounts of debt amassed prior to the global financial crisis.

“To do this they are spending less elsewhere so returns in the economy in general are low,” he said.

And he warns the current cycle could last many more years, possibly even decades and while it continues it is likely to keep the Aussie dollar higher.

“We see it lasting for a long period of time.”- AAP

Aussie dollar is overvalued, says strategist

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By Alex Ivett

IT WAS referred to as ‘the push’, a heady fraternity of Australian artists, intellectuals and journalists who weaved their way towards London and the UK in the 60s and 70s, making a mark on the culture and fabric of UK society that would have reverberations both here and back home.

Starting as a loose movement of talented and energetic individuals based in Sydney, including John olsen, robert Hughes, frank Moorhouse, Brett Whitley, Clive James and Germaine Greer, the group soon chaffed against the perceived conservatism of an Australia only just emerging from the shackles of a staid and homely 50s and a colonial past.

They fled, in the direction of liberal europe and UK to become part of the creative film, music and theatre ‘scenes’, rarely to return to Australia’s sunny shores again.

The move can best be personified by the journey of the Oz – a psychedelic, underground, counter-culture commentary in the form of a magazine. Initially produced and distributed in Sydney in the early 60s, it made the journey with its co-editor richard Neville to London in 1966. Here it, and its editor, stayed, attracting regular contributions from the rest of ‘the push’.

It is a journey that has been replicated by countless Aussies in the generations since, the two year working holiday in the UK almost becoming a rite of passage for under-30s Australians. particularly in the giddy days of the 2000’s, before the financial crisis, the exodus reached a peak with Aussie’s looking to capitalize

Britain’s “Brain Drain” flows towards Australian The once steady stream of Aussies to London and the UK, seeking culture, challenge and, in later years, money seems to be on the verge of reversing fortunes. UK Home Office research released last week shows that a distinct trend in UK professionals pursuing opportunities abroad.

on currency conversion rates that turned pounds into liquid gold back home.

Now, it seems, the flow has slowed, and may even be shifting in the opposite direction, with new research produced by the UK Home office demonstrating key trends in the long-term emigration of UK residents.

The findings have led to fears of a possible ‘brain drain’ from UK professional industries of British workers to countries perceived to have greater economic opportunities for skilled employees.

The proportion of emigrants in professional or managerial roles has increased from 37% in 1991 to nearly 48% in 2010. The report identifies that a key driver of emigration in recent years is to find work or pursue an already established job opportunity. 72% of emigrants from the UK in 2011 identified they were leaving for work-related reasons. The loss of workers with valuable knowledge and experience has led the report to warn of significant “implications for the availability of skills in the UK”.

one of the most popular destinations within this emigration flow is Australia, and there are now 1.2m (out of an estimated 4.7m) UK-born emigrates living Down Under. Australia is the top destination for emigrates aged 44 years and under.

over the period 2000-2010 Australia has received 22% of British nationals who have emigrated, and according to the report Australia “has consistently been the most popular destination for British emigrants over the last

few decades”.It also seems that once the British

head Down Under, it’s not just for a week’s holiday on Bondi Beach. Almost half (49%) of British citizens migrating to Australia planned to stay for more than four years, and 41% for at least one to two years.

It seems Australia is now exerting more of a pull than a push.

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20 - 26 November 201214 | Sport

Continued from p16...

Continued from p16...

Attitudes must change, says Jones

“I think the rest of the world should be a little bit scared that Swimming Australia is going through this phase because we will be world beaters,” said Jones, who will take part in the review.

“We might have needed a shock to the system.

“And the young swimmers coming through learned a lot from London - they will be pretty scary in the future.”

Leading swimmer Libby Trickett and ex-champion Susie o’Neill were critical of the team’s attitude in London.

There were also revelations of misbehaviour at a pre-olympics camp.

Jones - Australia’s only four-time olympic swimmer - said, as a team leader, there was nothing she could have done to have avoided the London debacle.

“I can’t change anything personally. It is a group that has to change,” said Jones, who confirmed her retirement on friday.

“I can’t be the old grandmother pointing and yelling. Kids don’t listen to that.

“We’ve actually got pretty good values. We just have to get back to them.

“That’s why things went off course - we have to realise what we are there for.”

The review’s findings will be handed down by february. - AAP

Slater laments Parkinson’s lossmore likely scenario is that it will come down to parkinson v Slater.

A win for parkinson at pipeline guarantees him the title; anything else opens the door for his two rivals.

parkinson could have secured the title earlier this month at the Santa Cruz round in California, but he was knocked out in the quarter-finals.

“It’s a huge opportunity lost for Joel,” Slater said at the time.

But parkinson said that was nothing more than trademark Slater gamesmanship.

“I just shrug it off - I blew an opportunity, he blew an opportunity, he lost earlier than me, Mick blew an opportunity,” parkinson told AAp.

“We move onto the next one, we’ll just see.

“you can’t really get into what Kelly says.

“I’ve been on tour with Kelly enough to know that he plays some real tricks and mind games.

“I’ve seen it all before.”pipeline is part of Hawaiian

surfing’s famed Triple Crown, which parkinson has won three times.

parkinson is currently at home on the Gold Coast and has missed the opening Triple Crown event, the Hawaiian pro, so he can rest and prepare for pipeline from December 8 on the North Shore.

He is yet to win a tour event this year, but has been remarkably consistent and said the only priority at pipeline would be to secure the world title.

“It’s better than being last,” he said of leading the tour rankings.

“you go on the tour to be in the lead.

“I’ve been trying all year to get to this position.

“I wouldn’t care if somehow we all lost out early - the goal is the title.”

parkinson is a three-time world tour runner-up, most recently to Slater last year.

He said the fifth placing at Santa Cruz was not a “terrible” result and noted he had still gained valuable points.

“I’d love to be further in the lead, but a lead is a lead,” he said.

“I’ve had a really great, relaxed approach all year and I’m going to make sure I take it into the last event.

“Nothing has changed and if it isn’t broken, I’m not going to fix it.

“I know exactly what frame of mind I have to be in and I’m a way better competitor when I’m relaxed.” - AAP

NRL clubs are set to find out if the shoulder charge will be rubbed out of the game on Tuesday, with the ArL Commission expected to announce a decision at the monthly chief executives meeting in Sydney.

Brian Canavan, who is now employed as Sydney roosters Ceo, was handed the task of submitting findings from research into the effects of the shoulder charge.

He said clubs are keen to know where they stand going into the 2013 season.

Canavan, who undertook the review before being re-appointed by the roosters last month, said

Quade Cooper set to quit the Wallabiesn Wallaby flyhalf Quade Cooper has rejected an incentive-based contract offer by the Australian Rugby Union and may pursue other opportunities, local media has reported.By Alex Ivett

CHANNeL Nine has reported that Quade Cooper is quitting the Wallabies after being offered an incentive-based contract, the type of contract usually reserved for international rookies.

Although Cooper is under a Super rugby contract with Queensland, that agreement requires a contract to be entered with the game’s governing body – the Australian rugby Union.

The ArU and Quade Cooper have experienced a difficult working relationship over the past few months, following comments from Cooper on the “toxic” environment in the Wallabies under coach robbie Deans.

These comments earned Cooper a code-of-conduct hearing that resulted in a $40,000 fine and a suspension from playing. There is speculation that following this hearing the contract offer to

Cooper was amended to the current incentive-based offer.

further reports suggest Cooper is considering offers overseas in union, league opportunities in Australia, or may even take up professional boxing.

Cooper has offered no hints on his Twitter account, with the most recent tweets being pictures of himself with his parrot paulie, and a photo taken with Mike Tyson posted to Instagram.

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NRL clubs await shoulder charge decisionthere is no conflict of interest and the review did not contain any recommendations.

“It was a full analysis which involved injury data, performance data and GpS data,” Canavan told AAp.

“It sought opinion from prominent people in the game. The clubs and players were provided the opportunity to provide feedback.

“So it become an evidence-based report, it was not findings.

“I didn’t make recommendations and it’s now the property of the NrL.

“I was given a deadline to hand the report in and we should hear

tomorrow, which is good as I am sure coaches are keen to find out so they can get the players ready for the new season.”

In addition to the shoulder charge, clubs are still waiting to discover what the salary cap will be, with a collective bargaining agreement still to be rubber-stamped by the rugby League players Association and the ArLC.

“We were told about three weeks ago to work to a benchmark figure and we’ve all done that,” Canavan said.

“I am sure it will be high on the list of things to be discussed.” - AAP

wINtickets

ThE MAgIC of ThE MASTErS: Tennis greats to play at royal Albert hallAUSTrALIAN tennis aces pat Cash and Mark philippoussis will be taking on fellow legends John Mcenroe, Ivan Lendl, Goran Ivanisevic, Tim Henman and more at the royal Albert Hall this December in the Statoil Masters Tennis. The season-finale to the ATP Champions Tour, this event brings together a host of former tennis world no. 1’s and Grand Slam Champions as they relive some of the greatest rivalries of all time.

The ATp Champions Tour is a tour for former tennis greats who have since retired from mainstream professional tennis touring, but still have the passion and enthusiasm to play some hard-fought matches and put on an entertaining show for the crowd. for a player to be eligible for play on this tour, he must be in the year of his 35th birthday or have been retired from the ATp World

WIN 4 tickets to an afternoon of the StatoilMasters action. Go to: AustralianTimes.co.uk/win

Tour for two years or more. each player must have either been a world no.1, a Grand Slam finalist, or a singles player in a winning Davis Cup team.

The Statoil Masters Tennis is one of the jewels in the ATp Champions Tour crown, and has been held at the royal Albert Hall since its inception in 1998. The event is also the ATp Champions tour’s longest-running tournament, and attracts the biggest names and personalities to play

competitively in both singles and doubles.

former world no. 1 and eight times Grand Slam Champion, John McEnroe, has been confirmed to return to the Albert Hall this year. Mcenroe joins fellow Wimbledon Champions Goran Ivanisevic and pat Cash. The all-star line-up also includes Britain’s Tim Henman, 2003 Wimbledon finalist Mark philippoussis and the ever-popular french trio, Henri Leconte, Mansour Bahrami and fabrice Santoro. And just announced, former world no.1 and coach to this year’s olympic and US open champion Andy Murray, Ivan Lendl, will be taking to the court.

on Dec 6 there will be a special ‘Ladies Night’ celebrating women in sport, with top British players Heather Watson and Anne Keothavong competing in a doubles match. on Dec 8 the ‘Winter Whites Gala’ will welcome celebrity guests at a special event in aid of youth

homelessness charity Centrepoint.In addition to the action on the

court, the majestic setting of the royal Albert Hall makes this one of the greatest tours for spectators. The royal Albert Hall is one of the most historic and prestigious arts venues in the world. The venue plays host annually to the proms, and was the location for the first ever Sumo Wrestling tournament to be held outside of Japan.

The six-day tournament will take place from Wednesday 5 December - Sunday 9 December 2012. Tickets are on sale now from £17.50 per person. Go to www.royalalberthall.com for further information and to purchase tickets.

Sport | 15AustralianTimes.co.uk

Continued from p16...

Continued from p16...

De Villiers denies sledging puts South Africa off gamethe drawn series opener in Brisbane wasn’t premeditated.

The fast bowler claimed Smith’s wicket in the second innings after a sustained verbal attack.

“I don’t know whether it was the sledging because Smith is a pretty cool customer and has been around for quite a while, whether it was just good bowling or whether it was something else,” he said.

“The one thing going into Brisbane, we didn’t have a plan to go out there and give them stuff.

“When you go out there and purposely try and do stuff like that, then sometimes it does backfire. It’s all about reading the conditions, reading what is happening in the game and then going from there.”

Pattinson claimed five wickets in the Brisbane Test from 53 overs, with no Australian bowling more in the match.

Hussey dismissed suggestions Australia stole momentum from South Africa by finishing stronger at the Gabba.

He drew a warning from the Ashes

series against england two years ago, when a drawn first Test in Brisbane was followed by an Australian loss in the second match in Adelaide, when the Australians lost three wickets in the initial half an hour.

“I think what has happened in Brisbane has gone and it doesn’t really matter,” said Hussey.

“What matters is that first hour, that first half an hour of this Test match.

“We have got to start better than we did a couple of years ago against england.”

Hussey admitted he was uncertain whether sledging had an impact on the proteas.

“A lot of players in the past have used it as a mental battle against batsmen and it has probably worked in the past as well,” he said.

“But whether it works on these individual South Africans batsmen, I don’t know.

“They have shown that they have been a great team for quite a period of time now - they don’t get to No.1 in the world without enduring these sorts of things before.

“But as I said, once you get over that white line and the competitive

spirit between bat and ball starts, there is always going to be things that are said.

“But as long as it doesn’t go too far and players cross the line, then I think it’s fine, it’s no worries.”

De Villiers said the South Africans accepted they would be sledged by the Australians, and would return verbal fire.

“There is always a bit of chat around,” De Villiers said.

“It’s obviously two very good teams that want to win the game so you do whatever you can to get a few wickets.

“ ... It’s a matter of playing the big moments better than the opposing side and whatever you can do to get an edge over the opposing team, you will go through with.”

The Australians arrived in Adelaide on Sunday with ongoing concern about vice-captain Shane Watson’s calf injury after he missed the first Test.

Watson was named in a 13-man squad and trained with the Australians on Monday in a bid to prove his fitness.

from 22nd place to championship chasehim to 22nd place, powering his way back to a podium spot and gaining enough points to guarantee the title.

But Whincup wasn’t ready to follow the fight of his life with the night of his life.

He and his Team Vodafone refused to celebrate the title win yet, preferring to ensure the trophy is in his hands after the final race in Sydney before breaking open the champagne.

“Don’t worry, we’ll be celebrating ... so why not bottle it all up until the last race on the last day and let it all rip after that,” Whincup said.

“I’ll just bottle the emotion, do everything right in Sydney, and make sure everything is signed, sealed and delivered.”

Whincup’s season started days after the death of his father David, and his mental strength shone through with a race one victory at Adelaide’s Clipsal 500.

But Team Vodafone was challenged

heavily by ford performance racing’s Mark Winterbottom and Will Davison during the first half of the year, and following a mid-season lull, Whincup and his team refocused and regrouped.

What followed has been complete domination.

Whincup and teammate Craig Lowndes won 17 of the past 18 races - Lowndes winning on Sunday as Whincup’s heroics went on behind him.

Whincup credited his team for providing a fail-proof car.

“I had an excellent car which allowed me to come through the field.

“As a team, (the win) would be right up there. As a driver, I didn’t do anything out of control today.”

The championship chase looked certain to stretch to Sydney when Whincup was penalised on lap 26 for spinning his wheels while his car was up on jacks in pit lane.

That meant a drive-through penalty, which dropped Whincup from the

lead to 22nd place.He fell even lower during pit stops.But he launched a stunning assault

through the field, eventually climbing to third with four laps remaining to ensure his only rival Winterbottom cannot catch him.

He now holds a 317-point championship lead over ford’s Winterbottom, with only 300 points left on offer.

Whincup adds this year’s title to his 2008, 2009 and 2011 championships, and is just one behind the record five Australian touring car titles won by Dick Johnson, Ian Geoghegan and Mark Skaife.

Winterbottom admitted defeat in the title race and he was concentrating on retaining the season runners-up spot with Lowndes still a chance of catching him.

“obviously the championship is over, but I’d like to split the Triple eight cars and we’re in the right position to do that now,” Winterbottom said. - AAP

FFA rule out A-League expansionn Multi-million dollar free-to-air broadcast rights deal revealed, as FFA chairman Lowy rules out any further A-League expansion. fooTBALL federation Australia chairman frank Lowy ruled out any A-League expansion for at least four years as he hailed the sport’s long-awaited multi-million dollar broadcast rights deal.

Lowy described it as a “bloody good day” and admitted there was a huge sense of relief as he unveiled the $160 million four-year deal on Monday.

“The former sleeping giant of Australian sport is awake. He’s out of bed, he’s in the street and now has some cash in his pockets,” new ffA chief executive David Gallop declared.

The deal will bring the A-League to free-to-air television for the first time with the rights to be shared between

foxtel, fox Sports and SBS.Beginning from the 2013/2014

season, SBS will show one live match every friday in the deal that ends on July 1, 2017.

The deal delivers $148 million in cash to the game, with $12 million in advertising and marketing, and also means all Socceroos’ World Cup qualifiers will be shown on SBS.

The new funds will also allow the ffA to raise the grant it gives each club to cover the full $2.5 million cost of the salary cap, up from the current $1.9 million they receive.

Lowy however insisted A-League expansion was not on the cards anytime soon, saying keeping the current 10 clubs sustainable was the ffA’s priority.

He hailed the success of new side Western Sydney but admitted “we paid our price” after expansion clubs folded in both North Queensland and the Gold Coast.

“Unless some big present appears from somewhere we wouldn’t be increasing the teams between now and 2017.”

Lowy also foreshadowed a hard line in negotiations with the players’ union over a new collective deal, insisting that the “existing salary cap arrangements will not change.”

“As I understand, the current average salary is about $110,000. I don’t think that will increase greatly,” he said.

“They (players) have to do their own jobs ... and not to try to gouge

more from here and there ... there’s not enough money for that.”

But with the current collective deal set to expire in April next year, the professional footballers Association boss Nick Holland remains “hopeful that when we embark on negotiations, there will be a good investment in supporting the players, who have contributed significantly to this outcome of this broadcast deal.”

Gallop revealed after seven rounds this season, the average crowd figures are up 32 per cent from last season with a 35 per cent increase in average TV audiences.

“This announcement comes at a time when the A-League is showing its true potential as the shop window of Australian football,” he said.

While big-name marquees like Italian star Alessandro Del piero, former Liverpool striker emile Heskey and Japanese playmaker Shinji ono are a big part of the attraction, fox Sports’ boss patrick Delany insists they were not a factor

in getting the deal over the line.He did, however, say that having a

team in Sydney’s west played a role.“We were done before all that

(marquees) came,” Delany said.“It was very important to serve

western Sydney so, yes, it was a factor.”

Lowy said some of the funds will be spent on arranging various international friendlies like the Socceroos’ recent game against South Korea in an effort to prepare the new crop of players coming into the national fold.

By Phillip Browne

THe excitement is building amongst the Great Britain and Ireland Tag rugby World Cup squads, with only two weeks until the squads depart for New Zealand. The journey which started in february this year with open trials is now within reach.

There will be an official launch night this Saturday 24 November for the Great Britain and Ireland Tag rugby World Cup squads, starting at 7.30pm at the No.1 Sports Bar on City road, old Street.

The No.1 Sports Bar will be for the exclusive use of the Great Britain and Ireland Tag rugby World Cup official launch night, and will feature a monster raffle, pub quiz and karaoke during the evening.

This will be the squads last fundraiser to help raise funds for their accommodation, kit and expenses for the World Cup. It will also be a chance for the London Tag rugby community to come along and wish the squads well before they depart the following weekend. All are welcome to come along.

The Great Britain and Ireland squads feature a large Australian

Try Tag rugby kicks off the festive season

contingent who qualify through British or Irish heritage, including Brad Aird, emma Becker, Jodie Bijorac, phillip Browne, Arron Lombardo (coach), Sarah o’Neill, Tim ross, rachael Speare, paula Thorn and Jay “ringo” Wilkinson (coach).

In other news, Try Tag rugby has always strongly promoted the social element of the sport, holding regular social outings for all players to become well acquainted.

one of the best social events of the year, the Try Tag rugby Christmas party will take place on friday 30 November at phibbers, 203 Holloway road in North London.

All of the UK Tag rugby community are invited to party the night away at phibbers, exclusively available to Try Tag rugby for the evening. The Christmas party will start at 7pm and can cater for up to 400 people. Come along, join in and party away in a welcoming, friendly and social environment to celebrate the year that was.

If you would like to find out more about Try Tag Rugby, go to www.trytagrugby.com or email info@trytagrugby.com.

The Great Britain and Ireland Men’s Tag Rugby World Cup squad have the World Cup within reach.

FFA chairman Frank Lowy

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Aussies will rule the pool

Parkinson vs Slater

JOIN tHE PArtYTag Rugby World Cup

Launch Night

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WorLD surfing tour leader Joel parkinson is unfazed by Kelly Slater’s observation that the Australian had lost a golden chance to wrap up his first series title.

parkinson leads Slater, the American 11-time world champion, ahead of next month’s final round at the Pipeline Masters in Hawaii.

Australian Mick fanning also remains in the running, but the

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V8 Supercars win Whincup

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WHeN Jamie Whincup eventually decides to celebrate his fourth V8 Supercars championship, he will realise it’s been perhaps the hardest-fought of them all.

The Holden driver sealed the 2012 title with one of his most amazing race performances to finish third at Winton on Sunday, ensuring the final round of the series in Sydney in a fortnight is merely academic.

The 29-year-old overcame a mid-race drive-through penalty which robbed him of the lead and dropped

reTIreD great Leisel Jones believes rivals should be scared that Swimming Australia (SA) has organised a review of the team’s culture.

Jones admitted it looked like “doom and gloom” after Australia claimed one swimming gold medal at the London olympics.

But she predicted the team would rule the pool again after consultancy firm Bluestone edge’s review.By Steve Larkin

AUSTrALIA’S cricketers are pledging to keep sledging South Africa in a bid to steal their mantle as the world’s best Test side.

But as evergreen batsman Mike Hussey signals more verbal attacks in the second Test in Adelaide, proteas linchpin AB de Villiers says the Australians are kidding themselves if they think it will help them.

“They thought so in 2008 as well and it didn’t really happen that way,” de Villiers told reporters on Sunday.

“So hopefully we can prove them wrong again.”

Hussey said the Australians would again adopt an aggressive approach in the Adelaide Test starting on Thursday, following the drawn series opener in Brisbane.

“It’s part of the game,” Hussey told reporters on Sunday.

“once you get out in the middle and emotions start to rise, it’s good for the game to see a bit of competitive spirit out there between the two teams.”

However, aggressive paceman James pattinson has said that Australia’s crickets don’t go in with a plan to sledge, it just comes naturally.

“It’s not really spoken much about in the inner sanctum of the team,” pattinson told reporters on Monday.

“It’s just one of those things that happens when you get out there.

“If you can see a way in by sledging someone when you’re out there then definitely, by all means it’s probably a good thing.

“But one thing we don’t do is purposely go out there and say we’re going to get in the ear of this batsman or that batsman.”

pattinson said his sledging of proteas captain Graeme Smith in

AUSSIE PLEDGE TO SLEDGE SA

Image by AAP Image/Dave Hunt

SEt tO qUIt Cooper rejects slap in the face ArU contract offer | P14

n As Pattinson claims the sledging just comes naturally, South Africa vows it won’t put them off their game.