semaphore junction

Test Photo

2011-07-15T21:16:00.001+10:00

Taken from Rail Replacement at Sunshine.

It's All Happening

2011-06-26T16:41:00.004+10:00

It's been a busy time of the year with the choir flying off to Ukraine in just under three months. The first concert of three for Melbourne was held at the Ukrainian Hall last Sunday (17th June). The crowd was smaller than expected but the reception from those who attended was great. With a bit of fine-tuning to do before the next concert at the Ukrainian Hall in Ardeer on the 24th of July, and for the final main Melbourne show at the Ukrainian Hall in Essendon on the 28th of August, with a few other smaller performances thrown in for good measure during this time.

Fortunate enough all the accomodation is booked and ready for Ukraine and in Germany. We're slowly gathering information about various attractions and other bits of information that will come in handy for when we're there.

Will keep you posted.

Testing mobile blogging

2011-06-20T22:03:00.001+10:00

Testing - Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Testing mobile blogging

2011-06-20T21:59:00.001+10:00

Testing mobile blogging - Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Tropical Cyclone Yasi

2011-02-01T23:09:00.005+11:00

It has been a few years since my last Tropical Cyclone update on Semaphore Junction. From Christmas 2010 to the beginning of 2011 has been an interesting time for Australia in regards to natural disasters. In the space of a month we've been able to break records of heat and floods and now we're waiting with bated breath of the largest cyclone to hit Queensland, that will signify distorted weather patterns throughout this nation as this monster bears down on the Queensland coast makes landfall. Currently a Category 4 Severe Tropical Cyclone, capable of wind gusts of 250km/h with a eye 100 kilometres wide and the storm approximately 500 kilometres wide. There is a possibility that this storm could indeed reach Category 5 strength before making landfall tonight (Wednesday 2 Feb) with wind gusts of up to 300 km/h. With 3/4 of Queensland already affected by the devastating floods, there is a strong likelihood that after TC Yasi, all of Queensland will have been affected by flooding during a short space of time.

Never has there ever been a storm especially of this size and magnitude to affect Australian shores, and right now the city of Cairns is currently being evacuated along with surrounding towns. Those who do wish to stay behind (along with storm chasers), I do wish a lot of luck and all my prayers and wishes go to everyone. This is a significant time of our lives as we try being to properly to comprehend how climate on his planet operates. One should not use climate change as an excuse for something that could be more natural than something that is man made. This planet has always changed to suit its needs in its place amongst the universe, she'll know how to fix herself, even if it means that the human race must learn from it to gain continued life from it in future.

Once again, I really wish all my prayers and wishes to those who will be affected by TC Yasi.

Severe Tropical Cyclone Yasi - Category 4

TC Advices Tropical Cyclone Advice #8

TC Map

news.com.au

I'm Going to Ukraine!!!

2011-01-29T17:42:00.002+11:00

I have never been overseas before, but when the opportunity arose for the chance to go to Ukraine with the combined choirs of "Cheremosh" and the Ukrainian Cathedral Choir, I really couldn't say no for this once in a lifetime opportunity. I rejoined the choir after an absence of about 5 years and performed with the choir for their 35th anniversary concert. It was a great feeling being back with the choir as I do love to sing. The moment came on Thursday, just past where the tickets for the tour would be booked, and booked they are much to my delight.

The choir will be leaving in September, but not before they do a few performances in Victoria. Starting off in Lviv in Western Ukraine, before touring Western region and then finally finishing off in the capital of Ukraine, Kyiv. The tour will go for a duration of 3 weeks, after which choir members are free to do what they wish in returning back to Australia. Over the coming months, I'll be taking you on a journey through Ukraine and will keep you updated on the choirs progress.

So stay tuned.

Back to Business

2011-01-25T18:15:00.008+11:00

It's time for me to get back into business and paying more attention to working on my website and not playing around too much on Facebook (I hear laughter). I did try to walk away, but then who was I kidding considering facebook is a handy site to advertise my own website. But I really need to show my serious and creative side by paying more attention to Semaphore Junction.

I'm back to working on updating the site and have decided to go back to using Frontpage since the code of Expression is to put it bluntly, Scheisshaus. Lets just keep things nice and simple. But I am still going to be updating pages. If i'm able to add new features to the site, then I'll just do my best.

Tomorrow, I'll be heading back to Glenorchy to check on how the town is going after the floods and to help out and see if how much the grass has grown on my own property. Some of the photos from the floods are available for viewing on the Northern Grampians Shire website.

http://www.ngshire.vic.gov.au/Emergency_Management/Emergency_Management/Flood_Recovery/Flood_Photos

New SJ Website Update: 3

2010-12-16T00:24:00.003+11:00

I've been doing a lot more work to the site over the past few days, just trying to fine-tune the design and work out any bugs before I start adding any interactive menus or picture slides (I'm still working out the programming for that). I have now added a Facebook, Twitter feature to every post, in which you can even link a post to your own sites. At the moment, you're only able to access individual posts via the side menu. But this might change in the next few days as I slowly clean up and bugs in the system. I've had some more fun personalising the menus on the right and hope to slowly reintegrate the other pages back into the site once I finish working on the new menu that will be compatible with Blogger.com. You will be able to access my Glimmera (Glenorchy) page from the main menu bar.

But till then, I hope to start adding a few photos that have been missing lately and a couple of videos using Silverlight.

Stay tuned, and all feedback is greatly appreciated.

Will xo

New SJ Website Update: 2

2010-12-12T14:35:00.002+11:00

Work is continuing with the new site. I've started implementing what the new design will look like and gradually I will be adding pages back to the site. Unfortunately my goal of moving the website to a new home has been delayed slightly, so I just have to work with resources I currently have.

New SJ Website Update: 1

2010-11-28T22:34:00.003+11:00

Yes, I wish to also apologise for all those who love Flash (except for Apple), but with the move over to MS Expression, I'm hoping to add a few Silverlight clips to the website. (Yet I don't think Apple like that either)

Apologies on Improving Site

2010-11-28T21:50:00.003+11:00

Hi All,

I'm now starting to play around with the design of the site. Eventually I will be migrating the site to a new web address, but the blog will be still staying where it belongs to keep any previous posts on-site, but will all be incorporated into the new design.

There will be occasions were graphics may appear and disappear, but this is all part of the process in migrating to a new site and design and learning a new updated web design program after all these years.

Please stay tuned.

Changes to Come

2010-11-15T11:37:00.002+11:00

It's been a while since I have posted on here. But I'm currently working on a using a newer web design program and hope to make a changes to the overall operation of the site to combine it more with my Glenorchy activities. Stay tuned.

Glenorchy Washed Away

2010-09-07T11:12:00.001+10:00

Glenorchy - Glenorchy residents realised their worst fears on Saturday night when the banks of the Wimmera River overflowed. The township was on high alert as floodwaters damaged homes and forced the Victoria State Emergency Service to issue an evacuation warning. Despite the efforts of many residents to sandbag their homes, the floods were too damaging.

The region was put on alert late Friday when heavy rain was forecast over the weekend. The Bureau of Meteorology issued the warning for areas including Glenorchy, to brace for a one in 50 year flood.

By late Saturday night, the reality hit, as floodwaters exceeded the major flood level of 4.9 metres early Sunday at Glenorchy. Earlier, the floods had peaked at a record high 8.3 metres at Glynwilln. The major flood level at Glynwylln is 5.7 metres.

It was the largest peak ever recorded in the Wimmera River at Glynwylln, with the river's level at 3am Sunday reaching 7.19 metres and rising. At Glenorchy, a peak of around five metres was larger than the September 1988 floods.

The SES had advised at 10pm Saturday night that all people in Glenorchy close to the Wimmera River and low lying surrounding areas to evacuate to higher ground immediately.

Northern Grampians Shire Council established a refuge at the Stawell Leisure Complex on Monday night to accommodate those residents who did choose to evacuate from the Glenorchy area. Several others decided to stay and protect their homes from the floodwaters.

- Marcus Marrow - Stawell Times

A Year Already

2010-07-24T00:08:00.010+10:00

It's unbelievable to think that a year ago today, I received that phone call and off I traveled with my Mum to pick up the keys to my new country abode in Glenorchy. After a couple of false starts in looking for a place that I wanted to escape to from the drudgery of suburban life, this wonderful looking house with massive shed has been the perfect addition to my life.

Straight away I went into the doing stage of adding some of my own personal touches to the house before my first guest would arrive on the next weekend. The most fortunate thing was that most of the furniture was left with the house, and that has made things so much easier. From the first coat of paint in the lounge room, that has slowly filtered throughout the rest of the house over the past year. The most major development was the kitchen. I knew from the photos and when I first saw the house, this would be the room to leave my mark.

The kitchen, well..... needed some life. Only two walls had a coat of yellow paint on the walls, whilst the remaining two walls were still bare Masonite, with the fridge in the corner and two lovely country styled kitchen cupboards at either end of the room with a laundry trough as the sink and a round table being the only place for you to actually prepare foods (yes this was an interesting and difficult task whilst it served that purpose.) Within the first couple of weeks, the new kitchen benches were ordered and were gradually put into their place, whilst a new colour was slowly taking over the kitchen (that gorgeous chilli red). As the months progressed, the cupboards were placed into position and the paint flowed on the remaining walls and a lovely new dining table also graces the room. There is still more work to do, but the main work has been completed.

The lounge room has had new life brought to it with a lovely lounge setting and coffee table and TV table. Finally this week, two walls that needed undercoat were finally painted and as of a day ago the first new colour was painted on the walls. I was hoping to have the 2nd coat on by today, but with the fun and games I had with the ride-on mower yesterday, took a little bit out of me. But I'm still happy. As for the township of Glenorchy itself. I have never felt so comfortable. The first few months were really hard, not really know any people in the town, so I didn't have anyone to connect with apart from just talking to family and friends over the phone. The moment came when I met a lovely, wonderful and fantastic couple the night after the renaming ceremony of the Giant Koala at Dadswells Bridge that things would really work out being here. From that night, I have met so many great people who live here, and even more that some of them actually know many of my friends in Melbourne that I really love being here.

Everytime that I'm here, I'm completely at peace. Mind you if I had a rich husband, or just a lot more money to play with then I'd be able to achieve a lot of the projects around the house in a more efficient manner, but then as they say, "Rome wasn't built in a day!".

I really look forward to many more great years ahead of myself here and I know it's just the tip of the iceberg on what I really can achieve.

Happy 1st Anniversary.

A Troubling Plague of a Problem

2010-04-21T23:13:00.001+10:00

After reading about several reports over the past year and even more recently about the current problems of Locusts infiltrating Victorian regional areas, I finally had a personal experience that may be closer to Melbourne than what others may expect. Due to the recent warm weather in Victoria this week, I noticed today that the plague is finally moving closer. I cleaned my windscreen before I left Metropolitan Melbourne and before I reached Ballarat, I already noticed a couple of "bugs" on my windscreen. It wasn't until I was on the final stretch to Glenorchy that I noticed the Locusts and how they impacted on the windscreen. I do fear that with the weather that has affected the state over the past week that what we were eventually expecting is really now finally here and that everything really must be done to protect our agricultural interests.

Even though I noticed quite a few Locusts south of Glenorchy, there were the occasional bugs flying through the town when I went for a walk today. Times are changing, and this is a problem we need to tackle now before there are major ramifications with the agricultural industry.

Stawell Easter 2010

2010-04-19T11:35:00.000+10:00

I've finally uploaded a selection of photos taken in Stawell during the Easter Festival and Gift. It was just an amazing weekend to just enjoy the atmosphere that made the town literally come alive. It was the biggest turnout at the Main Street Festival and they also had record crowds during the Gift, that ran all weekend with the finals on the Monday and the Stawell Cup. I hope to upload some photos taken at the Stawell Cup soon.

To see the photos just click here >>>

Mark Knight on Brumby VS Rudd

2010-04-15T17:18:00.001+10:00

- heraldsun.com.au

Approaching Thunderstorm 11 Feb 2010

2010-02-12T13:24:00.002+11:00

This was an amazing storm that eventually did go over my house, wreaking havoc over much of Melbourne with plenty of flash flooding. The final remnants of Ex-TC Olga, so it was a rare treat having a Tropical Storm going through Melbourne.

Black Saturday - Remembering 1 Year On

2010-02-07T01:22:00.000+11:00

Mark Knight : If Victorian's Had a Say

2010-01-29T11:06:00.000+11:00

- heraldsun.com.au - Mark Knight

In times of madness

2010-01-28T13:38:00.001+11:00

In a fit of madness, I've decided to reinstate all previous posts on Semaphore Junction. There are many posts that do include pictures and these will remain missing but will show that they were here. I may, in future reinstate some pictures on certain posts that require them. This will be a slow process since there are about 900 posts to go through.

Glenorchy Ballast Train

2010-01-26T14:43:00.003+11:00

Since July 2009 (When I first bought the Glenorchy property), the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) had begun upgrading the line from Serviceton (VIC/SA Border). It wasn't until November that they finally arrived at Glenorchy. At the beginning of January the Ballast train had arrived and was being station in the siding at Glenorchy.

> Click here to see the photos

Code red fire warning issued for first time

2010-01-11T01:34:00.000+11:00

A total fire ban has been declared for the entire state of Victoria for tomorrow.

Conditions are expected to be most dangerous in the Wimmera where Victoria’s first code red catastrophic day has been declared. The Country Fire Authority says all national state parks and forests in the district will be closed, in the interest of public safety. The CFA says fire danger is considered extreme in the Mallee, North Central, Western and Central districts including Melbourne. The organisation is advising people in high risk areas across the state to activate their bushfire plans.

Temperatures are expected to top 40 degrees across much of the state.

In the Wimmera region, holidaymaker and residents are being urged to leave as the area braces for the first catastrophic fire danger day in Victoria since Black Saturday. The warning came as a volunteer firefighter lost his life and four others were injured this morning when their truck rolled over on the way to do further blackouts after last week's Lake Mokoan fire.

While the Bureau of Meteorology will later today make the official announcement on fire danger ratings, fire authorities said it was important to get people moving out of danger zones as soon as possible.

The Wimmera fire danger rating is currently at extreme and conditions are expected to worsen. "This is about protecting lives and taking action,"Country Fire Authority chief officer Russell Rees said. "We want everyone to understand that you do not wait around for a fire and then get on the road. Being on the road during a fire is the most dangerous place to be." He said people in the Wimmera should activate their fire plans and those choosing to leave should leave as soon as today. "We're making this announcement and providing this information because we want the community to act now."

Rangers are today advising campers and other holidaymakers in state parks and forests in the Wimmera to leave the area and go to cool and safe places nearby, said Department of Sustainability and Environment chief fire officer Ewan Waller.

Mr Waller warned all Victorians not to go bushwalking or travelling in the bush tomorrow and campers to extinguish their fires immediately. Mr Rees said that on Tuesday, it was highly likely that north-eastern Victoria would also reach Code Red conditions.

And the rating for Melbourne and outer metropolitan regions, from Geelong to the Mornington Peninsula, is expected to reach extreme on Tuesday.

Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Simon Overland said deaths could be expected as a result of the extreme weather events, and the elderly and very young should stay out of the heat and drink plenty of fluids. He said all government agencies stood ready to deal with the catastrophic conditions but they needed people too co-operate too. "Personal responsibility has to be the key part of the process. People need to be thinking about what they need to be doing and keep themselves and their loved ones safe," he said.

The warning came hours after Hugh Monroe, a 61-year-old CFA volunteer from Tolmie died and four others were injured when the fire tanker they were travelling in rolled near Tatong in northern Victoria. The CFA crew had been called to a fire on Spring Creek Road and rolled near the Tatong Tolmie Road. Police and paramedics were called to the scene about 6.30am, after one or two of the injured made their way to a nearby house to raise the alarm. A local doctor and an off duty police officer were among the first on the scene, Ambulance Victoria spokesman John Mullen said. When paramedics arrived, they found the deceased driver trapped in the tanker.

A 42-year-old man was flown to Royal Melbourne Hospital with spinal and chest injuries and a 52-year-old man with neck, back and head injuries was flown to The Alfred. An injured man and woman were driven to Goulburn Valley Hospital in Shepparton. The police, coroner and the CFA are investigating the incident. Mr Rees and Acting Premier Rob Hulls extended their condolences to the family of the deceased man and said this was a time to reflect on sacrifices given by volunteers to protect the community.

With AAP - The Age- Selma Milovanovic and Kate Lahey

Website Update

2010-01-05T21:25:00.003+11:00

Work is progressing well with the separation of both sites. All I really need to do now is just add more information to Glenorchy Online and a little bit more to Semaphore Junction, and tinker a little bit with the design of the Semaphore Junction site. Apart from that, everything else has been changed over.

Back to Basics

2010-01-03T22:46:00.003+11:00

Okay, I decided that creating a full Grampians site by myself would be a very big project. So I decided to leave the main Semaphore Junction page as my main creative outlet and am reworking the Grampians page into a page for Glenorchy.

Both sites will be separted by the end of the week.

Stay tuned.

Rupanyup Barley Banquet

2009-10-24T14:28:00.002+11:00

More than 300 people are expected to don their black-tie best for the Rupanyup Barley Banquet tonight.

The charity event will be held in a marquee in the middle of a barley paddock. This year part of the proceeds will go to the McGrath Foundation for breast-cancer research.

- Kate Dowler - Weekly Times

- Photo - Rupanyup Barley Banquet organisers Ben Cordes, Emily Fagan, Matt Downer, Wayne Filcock, Brenton Hurley, Jenny Downer and Paul Oxbrow (on tractor), prepare for a big night tonight.

Dadswells Bridge Giant Koala renamed after Sam the Koala

2009-10-24T14:23:00.005+11:00

On Saturday the 10th of October 2009, the Giant Koala at Dadswells Bridge was renamed in memory of world-famous Sam the koala. Featuring speeches from the CFA Fire Fighter that is featured in the famous photo of Sam drinking from a water bottle, the Mayors of Northern Grampians and Wimmera Shires, Hugh Delahunty MP and John Forrest MP.

Owners Rob and Julie-Anne McPherson are partnering with the Southern Ash Wildlife Shelter, which cared for Sam until her death, to raise awareness of Australia's declining koala population

Sam became a symbol of hope amid the devastation of the Black Saturday bushfires after images of the burnt koala drinking water from the hands of Mirboo North CFA volunteer David Tree were broadcast and printed around the world.

Sam recovered from third-degree burns and lung damage in the Southern Ash Wildlife Shelter at Rawson but had to be put down on Thursday due to complications caused by Chlamydia.

Mr McPherson said the Giant Koala would offer information about the life- threatening disease, which affects 50 per cent of the koala population, and accept donations for the Southern Ash Wildlife Shelter.

He said he would also seek to develop an ongoing relationship with the CFA and was in the process of seeking permits to open a koala enclosure at Dadswells Bridge.

Updating in Progress

2009-10-15T00:42:00.002+11:00

Hi All,

I've been busy gathering more information and photos and am slowly updating various aspects to all pages. I also hope to have the photos of the renaming of the Giant Koala up this week.

Cheers, William

Canola fields of Glenorchy

2009-09-02T16:19:00.000+10:00

As you are driving towards Glenorchy on the Stawell-Warracknabeal Road, you will love the contrast of bushland from the Western Highway to the view of the Glenorchy flood plains. During this time of the year, you'll see the magnificent view of a sea of yellow, the Canola fields. It's amazing seeing the contrast as you drive along seeing the flood plains and then the Canola fields before Glenorchy. The view is even more amazing when you're leaving Glenorchy to go towards Stawell as you see the contrast of the Grampians in the background with the Canola flowers in the foreground. Just absolutely spectacular.

Welcome to Grampians Online @ Semaphore Junction

2009-08-25T21:24:00.006+10:00

I have decided to start fresh with a new look and new direction for Semaphore Junction. I have always intended to keep the name, but thought it was time to look towards different avenues.

The main part of the blog will inform readers to the happenings of the Grampians & Wimmera regions. Whilst on keeping on a personal note, I'll also take you on on a journey with some of my own personal experiences in the Grampians & Wimmera regions and my Glimmera section will inform you of the coming and goings happening around my new retreat in Glenorchy.

Stay tuned and I'll speak to you all very soon.

Starting from Scratch

2009-08-25T14:49:00.011+10:00

Well, we're going to be starting from scratch with this blog. All previous Semaphore Junction posts will be archived to make way for things that are happening around the Grampians and at my new property Glimmera and my town of Glenorchy.

I will keep you posted on how things work out. I will be leaving the first ever post listed on this blog.

A Continuing process

2009-07-16T16:29:00.004+10:00

Well I'm slowly starting to update things on the site. You might not be able to see much at the moment since I have to physically change every post back to black writing. Like I said before some pictures will start to disappear as I'm trying to make more space available.
Stay tuned...

Changes Coming

2009-07-06T19:39:00.005+10:00

Hi all, It's been a while since I've posted on here, but I will be making a few changes over the next few weeks to steer things in a different direction to what I've previously been doing in the past. A lot of pictures that have been previously posted on this site to free up some space for new developments. Stay tuned.

Make it so, No. 1 - Star Trek fans aflutter over film

2009-04-08T01:53:00.004+10:00

It was a film premiere, captain, but not as we know it. More than 1500 people filled the Concert Hall at the Sydney Opera House last night for the world premiere of Star Trek, a month before the film's Australian cinema release. Invited media may have been under a strict embargo from the production company Paramount Pictures - which has banned reviews of the film before April 21 to protect ticket sales for the film's release on May 7 - but that is not expected to deter the hundreds of fans, who paid $100 a ticket to attend the premiere and are expected to post their verdicts on websites and blogs today. One fan, Aurelia Cimino, 49, who had flown to Sydney from Melbourne with a group from the Austrek club,said fanclub ticket-holders had permission to publish opinions about the film but not plot spoilers. "I think people will start posting straight away," Mr Cimino said. Eric Bana, one of the film's stars, was unconcerned about the internet chatter - "I don't read that stuff" - including Paramount's controversial choice to hold the premiere in Australia. In Sydney yesterday with the director, J.J. Abrams, and the co-stars Zachary Quinto and Chris Pyne, Bana said he signed up to the prequel because "it was a fantastic script". "I liked the character. I thought: 'I can do something with this guy?"' Bana said of playing the film's baddie, the Romulan leader Nero. The 15th Star Trek film is Bana's first villain role since playing the real-life criminal Chopper Read in Chopper. While Bana's heavily tattooed Nero would not look out of place in a rebel motorcycle gang, he said working on Star Trek was more akin to working on the 1980s comedy sketch show Full Frontal. "What came into [Star Trek] was my time on Full Frontal. We used to spend a lot of time in prosthetics, playing with make-up … so it was like stepping back in time … I wanted to go for a walk down to the shopping centre as Nero." - smh.com.au - Emily Dunn

13 hours warning to meteor impact

2009-03-26T13:23:00.005+11:00

Stunned astronomers watched a car-sized asteroid explode into a brilliant meteor shower as it crashed into Earth's atmosphere.

They then went to a Sudanese desert to pick up the pieces of the asteroid, for which they had only 13 hours warning of impact. It was the first time that scientists recovered fragments from an asteroid detected in space, according to a study published in the British journal Nature on Wednesday. “Any number of meteorites have been observed as fireballs and smoking meteor trails as they come through the atmosphere,” said co-author Douglas Rumble, a researcher at the Carnegie Institution. “But to actually see this object before it gets to the Earth's atmosphere and then follow it in - that's the unique thing.” The drama unfolded like an overheated Hollywood script, according to a reconstruction of the event by Nature.

On October 6 last year, an amateur stargazer in Arizona submitted the coordinates of an asteroid he had spotted to the Minor Planet Centre in Cambridge, Massachusetts. It was a routine logging, one of hundreds. But the computer system mysteriously refused additional data, recalled the centre's director, Tim Spahr. “As soon as I looked at it and did an orbit manually, it was clear it was going to hit Earth,” he told the journal. The size and brightness of the asteroid - which, by this time, has been assigned the name 2008 TC3 - did not suggest danger, but Spahr followed standard safety procedure and called a NASA hotline. He also alerted the Jet Propulsion Laboratory's Steve Chesley, who did a rush calculation on the asteroid's orbit. The program indicated a 100 per cent chance of impact. “I'd never seen that before in my life,” he said. The program also showed that the hurtling mass of rock would hit Earth's atmosphere - with the force of one or two kilotonnes of TNT - in less than 13 hours. Suddenly, scientists accustomed to thinking in light years found themselves scrambling in real time to track the asteroid and figure out where its fragments might land. Their chatter burned up the internet and international phone lines. “IMPACT TONIGHT!!!”, wrote physicist Mark Boslough of Sandia National Laboratories in New Mexico to colleagues, Nature reported. Within minutes, it was determined that the asteroid would burst into pieces over the sparsely populated Nubian Desert in northern Sudan.

Tipped off by a meteorologist, a KLM passenger jet pilot flying from Johannesburg to Amsterdam spotted a brilliant flash about 1400km away as 2008 TC3 smashed into the atmosphere at 12,000 metres per second. Weeks later, Peter Jenniskens, an astronomer at the SETI Institute in Mountain View, California and the study's lead author, was still waiting for the first report of a 2008 TC3 meteorite find. Nothing came. So Jenniskens flew to Sudan in early December and teamed up with Muawia Hamid Shaddad of Khartoum University.

Together with a small regiment of students, they headed into the desert, asking local inhabitants along the way if they had seen a ball of fire in the sky. When they zeroed in on the likely crash zone, the researchers fanned out to comb the area. In three days, they recovered 280 fragments weighing a total of several kilograms. 2008 TC3 falls into a category of very rare meteorites - accounting for less than one per cent of objects that hit Earth - called ureilites, all of which may have come from the same parent body, Rumble said. Being able to match spectral measurements of 2008 TC3 taken before it disintegrated with chemical analyses of the rock fragments should make it easier to recognize ureilite asteroids still in space, he noted.

- news.com.au

Melbourne Shakes for the Second Time in 2 Weeks

2009-03-18T17:37:00.004+11:00

Melbourne shook for a short spell this afternoon after an earthquake measuring 4.6 hit the city.

A spokesman for Geoscience Australia said the earthquake was recorded at 4.28pm and there were no immediate reports of damage.

In a replica of the earth tremor on March 6, the epicentre of today's quake was at Korumburra, about 90 kilometres southeast of Melbourne. The first earth tremor also measured 4.6 on the Richter scale.

People have reported feeling today's quake in the CBD, Box Hill, Footscray, Heathmont, Warrandyte, Glen Waverley, Emerald, Port Melbourne, St Kilda, Warragul and Phillip Island.

A State Emergency Services spokesman said there had so far been no reports of damage.

Rachel Waycott was working in the Austral Hotel in Korumburra when the town again shook.

She said about 15 patrons in the pub looked at each other and expected the worst as the two-storey building began to move.

"It was as bad as the last one. I was sitting in the bar and serving and the whole pub shook. I was ready to run out as you hear things about whether the next one could be a big one,'' she said.

Ms Waycott said the earthquake on May 6 had been the talk of Korumburra and locals feared it was leading to a second larger quake.

"I have felt aftershocks over the last couple of weeks ... some people haven't felt them but one was in the middle of the night and was strong enough to shake my whole house and wake me up.''

Ms Waycott said this afternoon's quake lasted up to 10 seconds and was followed by a 10-minute blackout in the town.

"It was like a rumble as if a truck or something had hit the pub and you could see the building shaking,'' she said.

Dr Craig Gedye was at the Austin Hospital in Heidelberg when he felt the room shaking.

"I felt five seconds of light shaking and then one long thump about 4.30pm,'' he said.

He said he heard wood creaking but did not believe the tremor was strong enough to have caused damage.

"It's just another little tremor like we felt the other week,'' he said.

Narre Warren resident Ginnie Giles said her entire house shook about 4.30pm.

"It was the same as the other night when it happened,'' she said.

"It was for maybe three or four seconds but it felt longer than that. Our cat was lying down and he looked around as if to say 'what was that?'.''

Charles Envall, of Korumburra, was having a relaxing afternoon reading when the tremor hit and the power went off temporarily.

"A loud, rumbling noise went for about two or three seconds, it didn't seem to be as much vibration as the last one which shook the armchairs around a bit,'' Mr Envall said.

Geoscience Australia's website crashed after reports of the quake began to flood in but is now up and running again.

Anderson's Creek Primary School teacher Leah Canale was in a portable classroom in Warrandyte when the tremor struck.

"I was sitting in my classroom and all of a sudden the filing cabinet and desk started shaking, windows started shaking,'' she said.

"I thought 'Am I going crazy or is that another earthquake?'''

Ms Canale said she was thankful her grade 5 students had already left for the day as they would have "gone crazy''.

"I live in Kew and during the last one I was sitting on the couch and fell off. This time I was standing upright but it felt about equally as strong,'' she said.

The Seismology Research Centre said an aftershock sequence is expected to continue.

There have been no reports of damage and it is unlikely an earthquake of this magnitude and depth will cause any significant damage, the centre's website said.

State Emergency Service spokesman Alan Briggs said while there had been no reports of any damage, anyone facing any problems should turn off all gas, electricity and water and call emergency services.

- theage.com.au - Mex Cooper with Paul Millar, Larissa Ham and AAP

Queensland bracing for Cyclone Hamish

2009-03-08T15:33:00.002+11:00

Communities in north and central Queensland are bracing for Category 5 Cyclone Hamish which could be more destructive than Cyclone Larry.

Hamish, upgraded to a potentially deadly Category 4 storm yesterday, had winds gusting up to 230km/h last night but early today was upgraded to a more lethal Category 5 storm.

The bureau's warning said Hamish "poses a very significant threat to coastal and island communities between Bowen and Bundaberg".

"The cyclone is expected to maintain a southeast track parallel to the coast during the next 24 to 48 hours."

Yesterday, Emergency Management Queensland coordinator-general Frank Pagano said the menacing storm, lurking off Townsville last night, could hit even harder than Larry, which devastated Innisfail in March 2006.

"This cyclone will generate winds at the centre of between 225km/h and 280km/h," he said.

Whitsundays Disaster Management Group coordinator Senior Sergeant Steve O'Connell says emergency services have prepared as well as they can in the event the cyclone does come towards the islands.
He says the next 12 hours are critical.

Whitsunday Regional Council Mayor Mike Brunker says there are strong winds in the area but no reported damage yet.

Hamish is estimated to be 155km northeast of Hayman Island and 305km east of Townsville, moving southeast at 18km/h.

Premier Anna Bligh yesterday invoked powers allowing emergency personnel to order residents to evacuate towns under threat.

She warned that several major centres -- Innisfail, Townsville, Mackay, Rockhampton, Gladstone, Bundaberg and Maryborough -- were in the firing line.

"It is imperative we ensure everyone is out of the path of this extremely serious cyclone," she said.

In the Whitsundays, tourists and non-essential staff were evacuated from the smaller island resorts to the mainland and shelters on larger islands were being prepared.

Hamish will be the most severe storm to hit the region since Cyclone Ada, which devastated island resorts and left 14 people dead in January 1970.

Hamilton Island chief executive Glen Bourke said yesterday the 3000 tourists and workers were being upgraded to warning level yellow: cyclone imminent.

"We want people prepared before nightfall. We will move guests and staff to the Reef View Hotel, which has the best cyclone rating on the island," he said.

Hayman Island spokeswoman Sally Morgan said its buildings could withstand a strong cyclone and most of the 500 people there had elected to stay.

In Mackay, where householders were taping windows and stocking up on supplies, resident Alicia Keese said heavy rain had flooded some low-lying areas.

"If it gets worse, we will just hunker down at home with a mattress over our heads," she said.

Mackay had already received 148mm of rain between 10am and 2pm yesterday.

Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre deputy regional director Bruce Gunn said big systems like Hamish had a "momentum of their own" and it was too early to tell how far south it would track.

"This rain could reach as far west as Charleville," he said.

- news.com.au - Samantha Healy

4.6 intensity earthquake felt across Melbourne and Victoria

2009-03-08T15:32:00.002+11:00

Residents as far north as Bendigo and Seymour felt an earthquake hitting 4.6 on the Richter Scale that rocked Victoria last night.

Millions of Victorians felt the quake just after 9pm, with many waking to cracked walls and broken windows this morning. There was no major damage or injuries reported.

Residents of Korumburra - the South Gippsland town closest to the quake's epicentre - felt as many as five minor aftershocks, with the largest at about 3am.

Rumbles continued into the morning with many residents feeling a jolt at about 10.15am. Geoscience Australia said two of the aftershocks hit 3.1 on the Richter Scale.

The quake was the strongest in 36 years, according to Geoscience Australia.

The last time the earth shook with such force so close to Melbourne was in 1973, when a quake measuring 5 happened at Wonthaggi south-east of Melbourne.

In last night's quake, the epicentre was just north of Korumburra, 90km south-east of Melbourne, and was felt over several hundred kilometres.

State SES duty officer Tim Wiebusch said the volunteer crews spent most of the night assessing property damage across the city.

Mr Wiebusch said the size of the earthquake was significant, but only minor damage to property, mainly hairline cracking in plaster and walls, had been reported.

But he said there were dozens of calls for help from the SES late last night.

"An earthquake measuring 4.6 is certainly enough that people will get a very strong feeling of the earthquake. People in part of Gippsland have reported shaking of buildings,'' he said.

"It's certainly been quite some time since we've had a magnitude anywhere near that order.

"Specifically earthquakes in Victoria in recent years have been in the range of 2 -3.5 (on the Richter Scale).''

More aftershocks are possible today, but unlikely and SES believes the 30 calls they received last night will be the brunt of the damage.

But residents concerned about structural damange to their homes are advised to turn off gas and electricity appliances and contact the SES on 132 500.

The epicentre hit just north of Korumburra in South Gippsland, but the earthquake was powerful enough to shake buildings and cause some residents to fall off their couches in metropolitan Melbourne.

Some homes around Korumburra and Leongatha lost power for up to 10 minutes.

A Victoria Police spokeswoman said there were no reports of any injuries.

Phil Cummins, duty seismologist at Geoscience Australia, which monitors earthquake activity, confirmed the tremor measured 4.6.

"It was certainly a moderate earthquake that was likely to be felt across a wide area but is unlikely to have caused any damage, except possibly some minor damage near the epicentre,'' Mr Cummins said.

Balnarring resident Karl Rohner said the quake caused cracks in his ceiling and a broken window. He described the sensation of the quake as sitting on jelly.

Korumburra Hotel bar worker Kylie Luttrel said she thought the pub had been hit by a truck.

"We get lots of trucks through here, so when the earth started shaking, my first thought was that a truck was about to smash through,'' Ms Luttrel said.

But she said patrons remained calm, and nothing had been damaged.

"Nobody screamed, but everybody was a little anxious.''

Korumburra resident James Carter said the quake shook books off the shelves in his family home.

"There were also paintings falling off walls, power out, and the phone network down,'' Mr Carter said.

Gerry Davenport, 82, was sitting in his Scoresby home when he felt the tremor.

"I didn't know if someone had run into the house, because it was vibrating so badly,'' Mr Davenport said.

Langwarrin farmer Jenny Haig, 56, was watching TV when the windows started rattling.

"I jumped up to run to my husband when it happened, it was pretty scary,'' Ms Haig said.

Endeavour Hills resident Davide Andreotti said the episode was frightening.

"The room and coffee table started shaking for about 10 seconds,'' Mr Andreotti said.

I never thought to feel something like this in Melbourne!''

Where the quake has been reported:

Avondale Heights, Altona

Berwick, Bundoora, Bunyip, Bayswater, Bayswater North, Burwood, Boronia, Blackburn, Belgrave

Craigieburn, Camberwell, Cheltenham, Cranbourne

Druin, Dromana

Essendon, Elwood, Elsternwick

Fairfield, Frankston, Forest Hill, Ferntree Gully

Glen Waverley, Gembrook, Glenroy

Hastings, Heathmont

Ivanhoe, Inverloch

Kew, Kooweerup, Kylsythe

Lilydale, Langewarrin

Mt Evelyn, Mont Albert, Mt Martha, Mt Waverley, Malvern East, Macleod, Mooralbark, Mernda, Mt Dandenong

North Balwyn, Northcote

Olinda

Pakenham, Phillip Island

Rosanna, Ringwood East, Rye, Rowville

Sunshine, South Gippsland, South Morang, Springvale, Scoresby

Upwey

Wantirna South, Wonthaggi

Yarra Valley

- news.com.au - Jane Metlikovec, Brigid O'Donnell and staff writers

Vivien’s Final Curtain Call

2009-03-04T19:38:00.004+11:00

Drag performer Vivien St James has died following the removal of her life support system.

The long-time star of the Melbourne stage passed away in the Alfred Hospital at approximately 6am today, Wednesday, March 4.

Her death comes after an operation to remove a brain tumour earlier this year.

Fellow performer and friend Paris was the last to see Vivien at 11pm Tuesday evening.

Vivien’s friend Alan Mayberry told MCV the funeral was likely to be at Le Pine Funerals in St Kilda, close to the Greyhound Hotel where Vivien gave countless performances.

Mayberry said details of the funeral would be published under the name ‘Turrin’ or ‘Turrin-St James’ in the Herald-Sun.

A fundraiser for Vivien was held at The Peel Hotel last Sunday, with drag performers turning out to donate their talents.

The Peel’s Ben Maros said drag icons including Paris and Rita Le Coqueater performed as part of the benefit.

“We even had a drag queen from Peru who doesn’t even know Vivien and she donated her time,” Maros said.

“The drag community came together, it’s just inspiring and it blew me away.”

Maros said Vivien was “one of the original performers”.

“Every time we have asked Vivien to do anything for us, she has been there with bells and all.”

Maros said $500 had been raised at the event.

- MCV - Rachel Cook with Andrew Shaw

R.I.P Wendy Richards "Miss Brahms & Pauline Fowler"

2009-03-01T03:01:00.002+11:00

Mark Knight on Black Saturday Fires

2009-02-24T12:09:00.003+11:00

- news.com.au

The Muppets : Beaker in Ode to Joy

2008-12-03T14:37:00.003+11:00

Barack Obama realises great American dream

2008-11-06T12:02:00.002+11:00

Americans have emphatically chosen Barack Obama as their first black president in an election that promises to reshape US politics and the superpower's role on the world stage.

As he wrote himself into the history books, the Democrat leader told 240,000 euphoric supporters in his home town of Chicago that his victory proved anything was possible.

Flanked by his family, Senator Obama told the sea of supporters it was time to reclaim the American dream.

"If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible; who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time; who still questions the power of our democracy -- tonight is your answer," he said.

"Change has come to America."

Senator Obama, 47, will become the 44th US president when he moves into the White House on January 20.

The son of a black man from Kenya and a white woman from Kansas, he told the crowd "this victory alone is not the change we seek. It is only the chance for us to make change".

President-elect Obama inherits an economy mired in the worst financial crisis since the 1930s, two wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, and a nuclear showdown with Iran.

"The road ahead will be long; our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year or even one term, but America -- I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there," he said.

"I promise you -- we as a people will get there."

He also vowed to be a president for all Americans.

Hundreds of thousands of teary-eyed and jubilant supporters witnessed the new dawn of American politics.

Senator Obama's smile was broad, but his face also reflected the powerful emotion of the occasion.

He thanked his wife, Michelle, and told his daughters Malia, 10 and Sasha, 7, they had earned "the new puppy that's coming with us to the White House".

His triumph was greeted with euphoria across America and reverberated around the world.

New York's Times Square exploded in joy at a moment of healing for America's racial scars, and a crowd gathered outside the White House.

Senator Obama smashed a colour barrier in a way that was unthinkable a generation ago, when the Deep South was segregated and blacks were banned from voting.

Pessimistic about the crisis-ridden US economy, a record number of voters embraced a sweeping national mood for change, painting the American electoral landscape blue for the Democrats.

Riding a wave of energised first-time voters, Senator Obama swept through America's heartland, winning the working-class battlegrounds of Pennsylvania and Ohio right through to the western state of Colorado.

On a night when his gutsy Republican rival John McCain held on to a swag of southern conservative states but ran out of comebacks, Virginia fell to the Democrats for the first time since Lyndon B. Johnson's 1964 landslide.

Senator Obama trounced his adversary in major battlegrounds and poached states long considered to be Republican bastions.

He sealed his overwhelming victory by taking back Florida, the state that broke Democrat hearts in the court-contested election of 2000 between Al Gore and George W. Bush.

Several US news networks reported the popular vote as relatively close -- CBS called it 52 to 47 per cent -- after more than 104 million votes had been counted. A handful of states were still to report their results.

But in terms of the all-important Electoral College vote count, it was a blowout.

When counting stopped for the night, Senator Obama had secured an estimated 349 electoral votes compared with 162 for Senator McCain.

The candidate who reaches the threshold 270 out of 538 electoral votes nationwide is declared the winner.

It was the first time since Jimmy Carter in 1976 that a Democrat won the White House with more than 50 per cent of the popular vote.

Unlike the cliffhangers of the past two elections, the results unfolded quickly.

As soon as US networks called Pennsylvania for Senator Obama, tens of thousands of his supporters crammed into Chicago's sprawling Grant Park to watch big-screen TVs.

The euphoria exploded when Virginia fell, as supporters with tear-stained cheeks screamed, cheered, danced and chanted "Yes, we can".

After calling Senator Obama to congratulate him on becoming president-elect "of a country we both love", Senator McCain spoke to his supporters in Phoenix, Arizona.

"This is an historic election, and I recognise the special significance it has for African-Americans and for the special pride that must be theirs tonight," he said.

Senator McCain also thanked his controversial running mate, Alaskan Governor Sarah Palin, describing her as "an impressive new voice in our party".

President George W. Bush congratulated Senator Obama on his "awesome night".

And Democratic rival Senator Hillary Clinton promised her full support.

"American voters gave voice to their hopes and their values, voted for change, and refused to be invisible any longer," she said.

Senator Obama becomes one of America's youngest presidents behind big names including Theodore Roosevelt and John F. Kennedy.
He paid homage to his grandmother Madelyn Dunham, who died earlier this week from cancer.

"While she's no longer with us, I know my grandmother is watching, along with the family that made me who I am. I miss them tonight, and know that my debt to them is beyond measure," he said.

Scenes of joy also erupted in the US capital and across the country as crowds poured on to the streets, honking horns, dancing and singing.

A delirious crowd of about 2000 gathered around the White House chanting Senator Obama's name.

"La-la-la, la-la-la, hey-hey-hey – goodbye," they sang as President Bush watched events unfold on TV inside.

Among the throng was Ted Howard, a 64-year-old African-American who finally saw slain civil rights leader Martin Luther King's 45-year-old dream of racial equality come to pass.

"I never thought I'd see a day like this," said Mr Howard, who cast his first vote for president for John F. Kennedy in 1960 and witnessed the funeral procession of that leader after he was slain in 1963.

"It's more spiritual than political," he said.

"I am extremely emotional. Everybody's hugging each other. There's love in the air."

- news.com.au - Stefanie Balogh in Chicago

Kitty View : Cat in Motion

2008-10-31T00:06:00.003+11:00

Cat in Motion, originally uploaded by jciv.

Recession? Not in this gilded cage

2008-10-31T00:03:00.003+11:00

Baby grand pianos, crystal chandeliers, golden statues of Johann Strauss — this is the absolutely fabulous approach to belt-tightening in tough times at Flemington's Birdcage.

Despite some token cost-cutting, the Austrian-themed big top of Emirates will come alive with the sound of clinking and clicking when the first influx of imported and home-grown celebrities gather for Derby Day on Saturday.

Take a guided tour around Flemington's famous Birdcage as builders put the finishing touches to this year's exclusive marquees.

L'Oreal and Moet & Chandon baled out of the Birdcage this year, leaving their celebrity refugees scurrying for an invite at one of the neighbouring tents on "Millionaire's Row".

But yesterday at Flemington there was no evidence of the reduced line-up caused by 10 corporate drop-outs, with marquees expanding to fill the gaps.

James Packer's Ellerston Capital may have flown the coop, but Macquarie Bank's enclosure was getting all dolled up yesterday with a curious wall sprouting thick grass. The grass is always greener on the other side, perhaps?

Emirates trimmed its budget from $1.25 million to $900,000, but it was hard to spot any signs of subdued extravagance with the baby grand piano, imported $20,000 Swarovski crystal chandelier and replica golden statue of Johann Strauss taking their places yesterday.

Perhaps as a concession to stressful times, masseurs in an Emirates "spa room" will rub the feet, hands and shoulders of those tired of, well, rubbing shoulders.

The Lexus two-level emporium has flicked its floral chandelier of years gone by and gone for subtle glamour this time, with a metallic facade, copper pendant chandelier and mint-green seating.

Myer is banking on what comes around going around — and has increased its presence with a 20-metre trackside frontage decked out as an opulent carousel, complete with horses under a canopy of lights.

Saab has moved to a trackside position and yesterday trotted out imported Swedish songstress September to pose in front of its three-level marquee, which features an (unheated) sauna-themed karaoke bar where guests will be encouraged to lose their singing inhibitions but not their clothes.

Andrew McManus, a vocal opponent of the doom-and-gloomers, promises excess aplenty in his nightclub-style marquee, which this year features a roll call of imported music stars from all genres and generations.

With truckloads of Moet and a small army of celebrity chefs serving up miniature morsels in what remains Australia's most lavish corporate knees-up, despite the economic uncertainty, it may be a case of eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow we diet.

- theage.com.au - Lorna Edwards

Alexandra Hotel calls last drinks for Peggy the horse

2008-10-04T11:04:00.003+10:00

You can lead a horse to water, as the saying goes. But, given the option, this one preferred a pint of bitter - until recently.

For Peggy the beer-swilling horse has been barred from her local. Landlady Jackie Gray called time on the 12-year-old Dales pony after the Alexandra Hotel in Jarrow, South Tyneside, was refurbished.

"Although she is probably cleaner than some of my customers, I had to put my foot down and show her the door," said the landlady, 46.

Peggy's owner, Peter Dolan, 62, said he used to leave her tethered to a post outside when he went in for a drink. But, because her rope was so long, one day she walked in and stood at the bar. Peggy became a local celebrity overnight.

"No one even took any notice of her in the pub," said Mr Dolan, a retired rigger from Jarrow Slake. "Everyone just saw her as one of the locals."

But after two years drinking and munching her favourite beef-flavoured crisps, she's been shown the door for fear she'll leave hoof prints on the new carpet. She now stands outside looking in at her erstwhile drinking buddies.

Mr Dolan said: "She's such a beautiful horse, so well behaved. Everyone here thinks the world of her.

"She's a proper lady. Sometimes she's better than some of the ladies we get in here.

"She still gets her favourite John Smith's bitter now and again and loves her beef crisps, but she'll not be back in the pub."

- news.com.au - daily mail

Mum Demands Compo After Bunny Attack Injures Girl

2008-06-24T14:39:00.004+10:00

Darebin Council has rejected a compensation claim for a toddler bitten by a rabbit at a petting zoo.

Charlii, nearly 2, had to have plastic surgery after the rabbit nearly bit off the first joint of her left index finger during a visit to the council-owned Cooper's Settlement farm at Bundoora Park in April.

Charlii only pointed at the rabbit and did not touch it, her mother, Laura Perry, from Lalor, said.

"She pointed at it and it bit her finger. It nearly took the end of the finger off," she said.

"There was just blood everywhere."

The little girl spent a night in the Northern Hospital having emergency plastic surgery.

Her hand was in a bandage for two weeks and her finger is scarred.

"It was so disturbing for her. She's been having nightmares ever since it happened," Mrs Perry said.

"In my opinion, if you have a petting zoo which kids that age are allowed to go in, you've got a responsibility to make sure that they're OK."

The council rejected Mrs Perry's written request for compensation for pain and suffering.

Council risk services manager Liam McCarthy said the rabbit was immediately moved to a separate enclosure after the incident.

"All rabbits are subjected to a suitability and personality check before being made available for handling," he said.

He said signs at the enclosure clearly stated that rabbits may scratch or bite if handled roughly.

Mr McCarthy said animals that misbehaved were sold and six people had been pecked or bitten at the farm in the past year, out of more than 22,000 visitors.

Supervisory staff were present at all times, but signs stated that parents should supervise children.

Reservoir lawyer Barrie Woollacott, who specialises in public liability claims at Slater and Gordon, said the injury was probably too small to qualify for pain and suffering compensation.

- leadernews.com.au - Melinda Marshall

SJ Note: Maybe it was the dangerous rabbit from Monty Python's - The Holy Grail

me @ steamrail open weekend

2007-03-13T22:00:00.003+11:00

me, originally uploaded by semaphorejunction.

'mr humphries' dead at 71

2007-03-09T12:22:00.005+11:00

The camp star of British TV sitcom Are You Being Served? has died at the age of 71. John Inman played Mr Humphries, whose "I'm free!" became a catchphrase. His role as a camp, sharp-tongued sales assistant at the old-fashioned Grace Brothers department store won him numerous plaudits including being voted "Funniest Man On Television'" by British viewers.

But his limp-wristed character Mr Humphries - whose catchphrase was "I'm free!" - also provoked criticism from gay groups for its stereotypical portrayal of a theatrical homosexual. The sitcom may have come under attack for being crude and offensive, but the public loved it. One 1979 episode was watched by more than 22 million viewers in Britain.

Inman, 71, died in St Mary's Hospital in Paddington, west London, at 4am (1500 AEDT) today after being ill for some time, his manager Phil Dale said. "John, through his character Mr Humphries of Are You Being Served? was known and loved throughout the world," Dale said. "He was one of the best and finest pantomime dames working to capacity audiences throughout Britain. "John was known for his comedy plays and farces which were enjoyed from London's West End throughout the country and as far as Australia, Canada and the USA."

Wendy Richard, who played shopgirl Miss Brahms in Are You Being Served?, wept as she spoke about Inman. "John was one of the wittiest and most inventive actors I have ever worked with. He was a brilliant pantomime dame and an all-round brilliant actor," she told BBC radio. Inman starred in Are You Being Served? for its entire run, alongside Richard, who went on to play Pauline Fowler in EastEnders, as well as Molly Sugden, Frank Thornton and Trevor Bannister.

Seven years after the final episode, five of the characters returned for a sequel - Grace And Favour - in which the late "Young" Mr Grace has bequeathed all of his money to a charity for fallen women, and invested the staff's pension fund in an old house. They decide to move in and open it as a hotel. Mr Humphries still minced about declaring: "I'm free!", and there was as much double entendre and slapstick as before, although there were only two series, ending in 1993.

In 2004 Inman, who suffered from hepatitis A, cancelled the opening of a London pantomime because of the disease. In December 2005 he "married" his partner of 35 years, Ron Lynch, in a civil partnership ceremony at London's Westminster Register Office.

- news.com.au

cassini returns never-before-seen views of the ringed planet

2007-03-07T12:29:00.002+11:00

NASA's Cassini spacecraft has captured never-before-seen views of Saturn from perspectives high above and below the planet's rings.

- nasa

cyclone watch : tc monica update

2006-04-23T13:20:00.002+10:00

At 10 am CST SEVERE TROPICAL CYCLONE Monica CATEGORY 5 was located about 160
kilometres east northeast of NHULUNBUY, and 270 kilometres east of ELCHO ISLAND,
moving west northwest at 10 kilometres per hour. The cyclone should remain close
to its current intensity as it moves towards the west, just north of the north
coast during today.

The VERY DESTRUCTIVE core of SEVERE TROPICAL CYCLONE Monica with gusts to 320
kilometres per hour is expected to impact islands of northeast Arnhem Land,
including ELCHO ISLAND later this afternoon and tonight.

TC Advices

http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/wrap_fwo.pl?IDDP0002.txt

TC Threat Map

http://www.bom.gov.au/products/IDD65011.shtml

TC Forecast Map

http://www.bom.gov.au/products/IDD65811.shtml

cyclone watch : tc floyd

2006-03-21T13:03:00.003+11:00

A tropical low off the North Western Australian coast intensified to cyclone strength this morning. Currently a category 1 cyclone, TC Floyd currently does not pose a threat to the Australian coast and may intensify at a later stage.

TC Advices

http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/wrap_fwo.pl?IDW24000.txt

TC Threat Map

http://www.bom.gov.au/products/IDW60281.shtml

bloody hell! sensitive poms rein in our ads

2006-03-10T23:11:00.002+11:00

Trust the bloody Poms, they can dish it out but they can't take it. More than four centuries after the word "bloody" first appeared in English, British authorities have rejected its use in an advertising campaign to promote Australia as a tourist destination. The controversial $180 million campaign, which asks tourists "where the bloody hell" they are, has been deemed too blue to go to air. Australia's top tourism body will be forced to take the word out of TV ads and posters before its debut next week, a move that has delivered Tourism Australia something of a publicity coup. It is taking out full-page ads in the British press directing readers to the website where the full "uncut" version can be seen. Such is the anticipation around the ad that Tourism Australia is already claiming 100,000 British visitors to its website.

More than 700,000 Brits visited Australia last year, spending $3.4 billion, making Britain the most valuable market. Tourism Australia managing director Scott Morrison said the ban was a massive boost. "We thank the UK authorities for the extra free publicity and invite them to have a bloody good holiday in Australia, especially with the Commonwealth Games now on and the Ashes coming up later in the year," he said. But the agency behind the ad, M&C Saatchi, is less amused. One of its partners, Bill Muirhead, points out that the Broadcast Advertising Clearance Centre, which vets all British TV ads, has allowed ads from companies such as FCUK to go to air. "It's bloody pathetic," said Mr Muirhead, an Australian working in London. "When you look at what's on air generally (in programming) then look at the sort of ads that get through, then it's ludicrous. We are going to see if we can take legal action."

Next week he will join tourism executives to put pressure on the British TV networks to override the clearance centre's decision. Australia's high commissioner, Richard Alston, has already complained to the body. In Australia the ad has attracted some complaints on which the Advertising Standards Bureau will deliberate soon. At least four ads with the word bloody are on air in Australia. The bureau's chief, Fiona Jolly, said: "We've never upheld a complaint before, but we look at each ad on its merit." The ads had a $6.2 million research budget and were endorsed by focus groups in Britain, China, Japan, the US, India and Germany — as well as New Zealand, where they are already running. Mindful of possible cultural problems, Tourism Australia filmed alternatives to the phrase, including one in English asking: "So where the hell are you?" This will now be used in the British television commercials.

Macquarie Dictionary publisher Susan Butler said bloody's origins in English dated back to 1676, when it referred to someone who was a "drunk as a blood", colloquial for a noble. "Now that variations of the F-word have taken over from bloody, it's now considered mild and quaint," she said. Federal Tourism Minister Fran Bailey said: "The regulators have clearly misplaced their sense of humour — and this from a country that brought us Benny Hill, Two Ronnies and Little Britain."

- With AAP - By Julian Lee - theage.com.au

police unimpressed by pins

2006-03-09T15:46:00.002+11:00

Commemorative pins issued to police for their contribution to the Commonwealth Games effort have been described as a "slap in the face", with some already appearing for sale on the internet. Police Association secretary Paul Mullett was unimpressed with the decision to issue officers with the pins, while continuing to deny them compensation for being forced to work at the Games. The circular pins, which feature the Victoria Police logo and '2006 Commonwealth Games' on the top, are fetching close to $150 on online auction site eBay.

The first of the 12 pins on eBay was put up for sale last Thursday - the same day police received the pins in their payslips. By 11.40am today, the bids ranged from $1.25 to $142.50. A card which accompanies the pin states it has been issued "in recognition of your invaluable contribution to the biggest operation ever undertaken by Victoria Police". It also states that officers should wear the pin "with pride" directly under their name badge. But Sergeant Dave Spencer, of media liaison, said Victoria Police was not concerned that some officers had put the pins up for sale. "The bottom line is that we don't have a problem with it," he said. "It's not a uniform item, although they are authorised to wear it on their uniform if they choose to do so, but basically you can do with it what you will."

When told of the top bid of $142.50, Sergeant Spencer said: "We're glad to see that somebody appreciates it and places it under such high value." The identities of the sellers are not disclosed by eBay, although it does reveal that some live in Geelong, Clifton Springs, Yallambie and on the Mornington Peninsula. Senior Sergeant Mullett said the Police Association had been contacted by a "substantial" number of members angry at the issuing of the pins. "On one hand, the Victoria police force have had our claim for nearly two years ... and that was rejected. On the other hand, they get this pin thanking them for their commitment to provide resources for the Commonwealth Games, which in our view is a bit of a slap in the face," he said.

Senior Sergeant Mullett said he did not oppose officers selling the pins, provided it was not a breach of police guidelines.

- theage.com.au - By Jesse Hogan

comm games : thorpe girl power

2006-03-08T20:20:00.002+11:00

This is one headline you can play with courtesy of the HeraldSun. You could play to the fact considering our Thorpee is a male, yet they decided to have the girls say that we can do it, why not have a bunch of guys instead. Well there has been the issue for quite sometime that Thorpee is part of the sisterhood and this could only play with that general topic. Mind you I do find it rather disheartening that the girls do not have hope that our male swimmers will be able to perform properly since Thorpee won't be able to grace his presence in the water and that they will carry the hopes of swimmers instead.

You just never know what will happen in the pools or out of them. But as we know, the media love playing our minds. Thorpee is just one of the girls.

there's a whole latte love, but espresso's new buzz

2006-03-08T16:44:00.002+11:00

The sort of coffee you drink says a lot about who you are and where you're from. According to a report by industry analysts BIS Shrapnel, the caffe latte is the drink of choice in the inner, more affluent, suburbs of Melbourne, while the cappuccino is king in the outer suburbs. The hard-core espresso is preferred by young males and the flat white is more likely to be ordered by older drinkers. "When they go out, the older people tend to have the equivalent of what they are used to drinking at home, so a flat white is the equivalent of an instant coffee with milk," said report author Sandro Mangosi, leader of BIS Shrapnel's international food service study team. "There is a reluctance to change, which increases with age, while younger people get on with the new trend."

For those looking for the next coffee craze, Dr Mangosi tips the espresso. "It won't be long and we will see the introduction of variations with straight coffee," he said. "In Italy, there are at least five types of espresso, and this is gradually developing here." Dr Mangosi also predicts that coffee will cost $5 a cup in a few years. "In Australia, the coffee is still very cheap," he said. "The price is creeping up." His report, Coffee in Australia, 2006 to 2008, values the Australian coffee industry at $840 million — marking a 65 per cent increase in a decade. Dr Mangosi said the arrival of coffee chains such as McDonald's McCafe and Gloria Jeans had made a big impact on the industry, opening up additional sectors of the market.

But not all coffee chains are sharing the spoils of the nation's coffee addiction — each Australian consumes about 2.4 kilograms of the stuff a year. Dr Mangosi said the US chain Starbucks was suffering in Australia, its presence limited to 58 outlets. By contrast, the number of Gloria Jeans and McCafes doubled between 2001 and 2005, to 309 and 269 respectively. "It is possible that Starbucks didn't know the Australian market as well as the others," Dr Mangosi said. "The American formula, which had worked well for them elsewhere, for some reason didn't work here. The Australian market may be a bit small for a chain like Starbucks."

More than 1.2 billion coffees were served in Australian restaurants and cafes last year, the majority — 350 million — in cafes. But there are more coffee drinkers in Finland, Italy and Japan. The Finns consume 11.2 kilograms of coffee per head a year, the Italians 5.4 kilograms and the Japanese 3.3 kilograms. At Degraves Espresso Bar, which serves up to 400 coffees a day at its city store, the caffe latte is the most popular drink. "The elderly drink the cappuccinos and the teenagers to the 40-year-olds drink lattes," said assistant manager Sandor Gallus. "And men drink more long blacks than women." Business peaks in the morning, when city workers and students are making their way to the office and the campus, he said.

(I don't really think much of the wording for the next bit, but I'll leave it in, and I'm a latte lover with occasional times with espresso and I do play with flavours - Will)

WHO DRINKS WHAT:

WELL-OFF INNER-CITY FOLK

Caffe latte

POORER, OUTER-SUBURBAN FOLK

Cappuccino

YOUNG MEN

Espresso

YOUNG WOMEN

Caffe latte

OLDER FOLK

Flat white

TRENDY YOUNG THINGS

Variations on the espresso

Photo: Craig Abraham
By Bridie Smith

- theage.com.au

comm games : thorpe out

2006-03-07T17:15:00.002+11:00

Ian Thorpe has announced he will not compete at the Commonwealth Games. Citing ill health, the Olympic gold medallist informed the Australian team last night he had been unable to recover from a long running illness. Sounding hoarse and looking drawn and tired, Thorpe today told a press conference he had been struggling to recover after a bout of viral bronchitis and a blocked and runny nose. "It's been a very trying time, a very difficult time, as I realised how this was slipping away from me, trying to get back and get ready for the Commonwealth Games," Thorpe said in a prepared statement. "It's very frustrating, it's very disappointing that I can't be part of the team now competing in Melbourne. "It was difficult coming to terms with not being able to complete but in the end it was the only decision I could come to." "As of yesterday, I realised that, the position that I have on team, I'm actually going to be of very little, if any, benefit to the team."

Craig Stevens has been added to the Australian squad as a replacement.. Thorpe said he was pleased Stevens would have the opportunity to swim in Melbourne. "I know with the work that he's done, he'll do a very good job and I look forward to watching Craig swim," he said. Thorpe said he hoped to get to Melbourne to watch the swim meet but his main priority was his health. "I've never taken as many tablets as I have in the past few weeks...but I'm getting better, which is a good thing."

Last week, the Thorpe camp revealed the star swimmer has been battling a respiratory illness that has limited his ability train for the past two weeks. Thorpe, alongside Susie O'Neill, holds the record for the most gold medals in Commonwealth Games competition with 10. At the Manchester Games in 2002 Thorpe won seven medals including six gold. Thorpe hasn't represented Australia at a major meet since the Athens Olympics in 2004 where he became the first male swimmer in 100 years to win medals in the 100m, 200m and 400m freestyle. The loss of both Grant Hackett, to a shoulder injury, and Thorpe has left the under performing men's squad vulnerable.

Matt Welsh is the only other Australian male to muster a medal in an individual event at the past two world championships.

- theage.com.au

comm games : rebels urged to sing royal anthem

2006-03-05T01:15:00.002+11:00

By Chris Tinkler
05mar06

The Commonwealth Games opening ceremony could be thrown into chaos with tens of thousands of royalists launching into a full rendition of God Save the Queen. Australians for a Constitutional Monarchy are urging spectators to show their annoyance at the royal anthem's exclusion in the loudest way imaginable. Prof David Flint, convenor of the group, said yesterday there would be no shortage of royal cheerleaders to launch a rousing impromptu rendition. The Sunday Herald Sun last week revealed that M2006 had decided not to play the royal anthem at the MCG, even though the Queen will launch the Games.

The story made headlines across the world and prompted repeated calls from Prime Minister John Howard for the anthem to be played, in line with Australian protocol.

In a mini-backflip, Games Minister Justin Madden said eight bars of the anthem would be performed as part of a medley. But now the 100,000-strong crowd is being urged to take off from where the eight bars end for a barnstorming people's version. Even if only a third of the crowd sings the anthem, it is expected to drown out the remainder of the medley from opera singer Dame Kiri Te Kanawa and the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra.

The choir call echoes Mr Howard's comments when organisers of the Rugby World Cup tried to ban Waltzing Matilda from matches. "You try and stop 82,000 Australians singing Waltzing Matilda -- you'll only make their night," Mr Howard said at the time. Prof Flint said the rebel chants were to be expected. "Having said they weren't going to play the anthem, it seems ridiculous to then turn around and say they are going to play eight bars," he said. "It shows it can be done, so why can't it be done all the way through? "It seems perfectly understandable to me that if they stop after eight bars then the crowd should sing on right the way through. "It would be a way of people showing that they don't approve of others trying to muzzle them. "And it is in line with protocol. Who could blame them? We certainly support it."

National Party leader Peter Ryan has also called on spectators to sing the anthem.

- heraldsun.com.au

what are you playing?

2006-03-03T15:12:00.002+11:00

Well I got a bit of a surprise when I turned on the Foxtel pop radio station through my stereo only to discover that the music was different (well after the 2nd song it sounded different), so I went to turn on the TV to see what was happening and expecting to see a completely blank screen (this happened since Foxtel IQ was installed), except to see an actual picture on the screen saying 'Air'. Well I realised straight away they had performed an upgrade to the system, but only to the radio stations. I went to find the right channel and much to my surprise it now shows the song they are playing, so you can actually keep track. About bloody time.

Yes this is the only exciting thing to happen to me today so far.

hollywood hunks : josh duhamel

2006-03-03T14:34:00.002+11:00

For those who are familiar with the show 'Las Vegas', you would have noticed a very attractive, hot and yummy star who plays Danny McCoy (Josh Duhamel, “All My Children”), as he deals with card-counting cheaters, costly streaks of random luck and rival casinos stealing their big-money players as part of a surveillance team for the Montecito Resort & Casino.

Well enjoy.

comm games : opera star to sing god save the Queen

2006-03-03T13:30:00.002+11:00

Opera star Dame Kiri Te Kanawa will sing about eight bars of God Save the Queen in a musical tribute to Her Majesty at the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony. But ceremony organisers deny the move is a compromise following mounting calls, backed by Prime Minister John Howard, for the British national anthem to be played when Queen Elizabeth opens the Games on March 15. Games organisers have resisted the calls, saying they have the backing of Buckingham Palace to play only Advance Australia Fair.

However opening and closing ceremonies artistic director Andrew Walsh said the musical number, including the bars from God Save the Queen, had been decided months ago. "It's not something we've suddenly thrown in ... we just didn't reveal what she was doing," he told AAP. "(The Queen) is the head of state of Australia, and as such we want to respect that and we want to honour her pending status as an octogenarian. "So (Games chairman) Ron Walker wanted to acknowledge that she has a milestone coming up and acknowledge that she's head of state, and do it in an elegant and low-key manner."

Mr Walsh said the Australian national anthem would still take pride of place at the ceremony. "(God Save the Queen) doesn't replace Advance Australia Fair, so you might hear a few bars of the royal anthem as part of a tribute to the Queen, but it's not ever played in its entirety," he said. "There is probably eight bars of God Save the Queen ... it's part of a larger musical tribute." Mr Walsh said the tribute, which would be backed by the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, the Melbourne Chorale and the National Children's Choir Gondwana Voices, would run for about 90 seconds. He said organisers had decided to reveal the plan in the face of "so much chat" over the anthem. "We thought, it's better to have everybody understand what we are doing and there's less speculation and we can get on with what we are doing - which is producing one of the best ceremonies Melbourne and the world has ever seen," he said.

Yesterday, Mr Howard, backed by avowed republican Senator Vanstone, said playing God Save the Queen in the presence of the monarch was protocol and "just good manners". But Mr Walker stood firm, saying arrangements for the opening ceremony had been made in consultation with Buckingham Palace, following Commonwealth Games Federation protocol.

- AAP - theage.com.au

quake felt in canberra

2006-03-03T13:11:00.002+11:00

Canberra residents have been shaken a little but not stirred by an earthquake centred about 60 kilometres from the nation's capital. Measuring 3.5 on the Richter scale, the quake stuck at 5.15pm AEDT yesterday, and was centred 8km southwest of the earthquake-prone town of Gunning.

A tremor was felt in Canberra, but Gunning residents described a loud bang, and said the shaking lasted about six seconds. Australian Seismological Centre chief Kevin McCue today said the earthquake-prone area may be "waking up" after 20 years of seismic inactivity. "This is actually the second earthquake the area has had in two weeks," Mr McCue said. "The first one was very small, but I thought that it was interesting, because it was the first one the area has had in a fair while. "But this one was much bigger - it could indicate that the area is 'waking up' again. "We're not sure what's triggering the tremors, whether its changes in the ground water levels or just general tectonic tremors, but hopefully they don't keep growing in magnitude."

Gunning was partially damaged in 1934 by an earthquake measuring 5.5 on the Richter scale - roughly the same strength as the devastating 1989 Newcastle quake.

- AAP - theage.com.au

$2.4 million train upgrade

2006-03-01T21:58:00.002+11:00

Australian's longest-running interstate passenger train, The Overland, is to get a $2.4 million upgrade.

The Overland, which runs between Melbourne and Adelaide, will be refurbished in a joint effort by Great Southern Railways, the South Australian Government and the Victorian Government.

Victoria's Transport Minister Peter Batchelor said the changes would include a new cafe, seating and lounge cars and would be completed this year.

There is also a new timetable. The Overland will travel during daylight, which will give people greater flexibility and a chance to see the magnificent countryside, Mr Batchelor said.

- heraldsun.com.au

no smoking at rail, tram and bus stops

2006-03-01T21:56:00.002+11:00

Ashley Gardiner

Today marks another nail in the coffin for smoking in Victoria because having a puff under railway station shelters is now illegal. At midnight, smoking in covered tram and bus stops also became an offence.
Public transport ticket inspectors have the power to issue fines to offending commuters.

Bus Association of Victoria marketing manager Russell Coffey said the new regulations would be difficult to enforce at bus stops. He said the association had only four inspectors, while few bus companies had their own. "It's going to be hard to police because we don't have the coverage on the ground," Mr Coffey said. Bus drivers have not been instructed to remind offenders of the new ban, he said. But every bus shelter will have a no-smoking sign installed.

The new bans, passed by State Parliament last year, also outlaw tobacco promotion including so-called buzz marketing and non-branded tobacco advertising. Smoking and the sale of tobacco is also outlawed at under-age music and dance events from today. It also extends to enclosed workplaces, except for pubs and clubs, where smoking will be banned next year. Sole-operated businesses not frequented by visitors, the interior of vehicles, prison cells and exercise yards, immigration detention centres and Crown's high-roller rooms are exempt from the bans. Australian Hotels Association chief executive Brian Kearney said hotels were preparing for the introduction of further smoking restrictions on July 1 next year. Mr Kearney said hotels would have legal alternatives including balconies, beer gardens and courtyards. Smoking bans have had an affect on hotel business when introduced elsewhere. But Victorian hotels have had time to prepare for the new bans next year, he said.

- heraldsun.com.au

trams in the twilight

2006-03-01T21:34:00.002+11:00

Last week was a busy week for me doing the last of the organising for the first 'Trams in the Twilight' event at the Bylands Tramway Heritage Centre. Doing the last work on a couple of the new information display boards and sprucing up part of the display area and all the running around trying to get the new entrance sign and the new museum brochures, which unfortunately were not going to be ready for the event, thankfully the sign was ready and turned out a complete treat (well so did the brochures when I picked them up today). The night beforehand would turn into a real treat for myself. Thanks to the guys at Clockwork Media, they donated the use of three lights for the night. I decided to do a light test to see how I would determine what and where everything would go. The results of that night are shown by the photos below, but on the main night in general, I didn't take any shots.

The big day had arrived and it was going to be a busy day. Starting off with a working bee, most of the volunteers would be doing the emergency track work on the main line whilst I and anyone else would be cleaning the trams that would be in use in the event. Our main concern was the big black cloud that was fast approaching Bylands and after consulting the Bureau's radar, we had very limited time before the heavens opened up and put on a great show with a ripper of a storm, I myself lucky not to get hit by a lightning bolt but this storm opened up my eyes on how dangerous the place can be in a storm (no I couldn't take any shots). The unfortunate thing was that the storm hampered our activities in trying to prepare for the event. After surveying the area, I gave it the all clear that we would still be going ahead as planned, and much to my surprise people had already started to arrive (as the storm was still showing us it's delights quite close to us).

It wasn't long till we managed to get ourselves into gear and get into action as the cars arrived with many people to savour the delights of trams that they don't normally see in service or just the variety of trams that they can admire operating together. The rain came once again, but that didn't deter people from enjoying the BBQ inside the kiosk and having rides on the trams and taking photos of the trams and conversing with all the other patrons, until it was time for me to turn the lights to reveal a different atmosphere.

I've learnt and observed many things organising this event and I know that the next 'Trams in the Twilight' event will be even better. There were other things that I did want to do with this event, but couldn't go ahead due to the rain factor. But these are all obstacles that I will have to address for the next event.

This wouldn't have worked without the help and support of the volunteers and the patrons who made the effort to attend the first event. Now I can relax this week before heading back to work (hence the lack of posts).

the fattest big macs

2006-02-22T02:46:00.002+11:00

Hong Kong

Big Macs in Hong Kong contain more fat and cholesterol than those being served anywhere else in the world outside the United States, the fast food giant's website says.

Each Hong Kong burger weighed in at 560 calories, the same as in the US but 80 calories more than Australia, 67 more than Britain and 60 more than the Middle East, according to nutritional information on the company's website.

The Chinese territory's Big Macs had the highest cholesterol content at 85 milligrams each compared with 80 milligrams in the US, and total fat of 31 grams, also the highest in the world, it said.

Nutritionist Georgia Guldan warned against high fat diets that could lead to heart disease and high cholesterol.

"If you eat out ... try to learn something about nutrition recommendations," she said. "Don't just go out ignorantly and eat anything that's cheap."

AFP - theage.com.au

doggy patrol

2006-02-18T10:53:00.002+11:00

Dogged pursuit

Victoria Police have warned passengers to expect an increased police presence on public transport in the lead up to the Games – and that includes four-footed officers. A dedicated officer, ready to put his life on the line for our safety – and that goes for his human handler as well. Members of the Victoria Police Dog Squad will be conducting searches on public transport using highly trained ‘explosive detection’ dogs.

Officers from the Transit Safety Division will also be taking a much higher profile. “Transit Police are onboard public transport every day of the year,” said Superintendent Kevin Sheridan. “It you’re a regular public transport user you can expect to see more of us around in the lead up to the Games.”

Dog Squad officers put their canine partners through their paces last Tuesday to show public transport users how they operate on a train in service. They boarded a train at Flinders St, with media, and rode down to South Yarra.

If you’re wondering why dogs are so useful at detecting explosives, drugs and a packet of M&Ms being opened ½ km away … they have about 220 million scent cells in their noses, compared to about 5 million in humans. Depending on the breed and the scent being detected, their noses are between 10,000 and 10 million times more effective than ours.

- connexions

coming to a train, tram or bus near you

2006-02-17T19:35:00.002+11:00

From the new Victorian anti Tobacco legislation comes into effect from the 1st of March, 2006 smoking will be banned from all covered areas at bus and tram stops and train stations. It means that customers will be able to smoke on platforms but only in an unsheltered area. That effectively means there will be no smoking at Flinders Street or Southern Cross Stations. How it's going to be enforce, well we'll find out soon. The reaction by the public will be as interesting as the staff reaction. Time will tell.

wining on water

2006-02-16T20:30:00.003+11:00

Well I've been a little slow updating my happenings on here, mainly because I need to be more awake when I play with photos than playing around with news articles (but that's always the case when I'm on morning shift). Last Saturday I ventured down to Waterfront City in the Docklands for the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival, Wine on the Waterfront event. There was plenty of wine to taste and much more talent to look at. I even finally managed to meet the cute son who works at Pizzini since I did miss out on seeing him when I actually visited the winery a few years ago with a wine club. The unfortunate thing about the day was that I was there by myself. Everyone else was either busy, working, overseas or recovering from a hangover from the night before. However I did taste my fair share of wine and did enjoy myself until I had enough standing in the brilliant and warm sun, and restricted myself to buying only 3 bottles (one from Pizzini) and then made my way down to St Kilda to meet up with friends for more fun and entertainment for the night at the National Theatre.

These pics were taken on my phone (much better than the last phone since it has a better camera)

Stud from Pizzini

The Enterprize was just sailing around the harbor. This ship will also carry the Queens Baton for the Commonwealth Games. The HMAS Yarra will be its escort.

Yes it's me.

praise for $1.3bn rail sell-off

2006-02-14T18:34:00.002+11:00

Diversified industrial company Wesfarmers is to sell the Australian Railroad Group (ARG) for $1.3 billion.

Wesfarmers said on Tuesday it had reached an agreement with its joint venture partner, US-based Genesee & Wyoming, to sell ARG to investment group Babcock & Brown and to Queensland Rail (QR). Analysts welcomed the sale of the underperforming ARG, saying it created space on the diversified industrial's books for more acquisitions. Following the deal, Babcock & Brown will own and run ARG's rail business in Western Australia, mainly track and infrastructure, while Queensland Rail will own and run the rail haulage business and infrastructure.

Wesfarmers managing director Richard Goyder said on Tuesday the sale would create a second major national rail operator. "The increased capacity to be delivered by this transaction, bringing together as it does the second and third participants in the Australian freight sector, will provide the scale needed to be competitive in the national market," Mr Goyder said. Wesfarmers said the $1.3 billion price tag covered freight operations in Western Australia and contracted services operating in NSW and Victoria. It also included the remaining 43-year lease on the WA rail network.

ARG's South Australian freight services business, accounting for about 15 per cent of the business, would be separately sold to Genesee & Wyoming (G&W) for $20 million. G&W originally bought the SA rail network in 1997, combining it with the WA assets three years later to form ARG. "Wesfarmers' share of sale proceeds from the transaction after payment of debt will be approximately $425 million (subject to completion adjustments)," the company said. "And it will record a pre-tax profit of approximately $235 million on the transactions."

The deal, which is subject to the expected approval of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, is expected to be completed by the end of this financial year. Commenting, Shaw Stockbroking analyst Brent Mitchell said on Tuesday divesting the asset was a positive move for Wesfarmers. "We couldn't see too much in the way of synergies with the other business units," Mr Mitchell said. "It hadn't been a great performer - in fact it was a terrible performer." He said Wesfarmers had secured a good price for ARG. "The price they got was a lot higher than we'd expected from it," he said. Divesting ARG showed Wesfarmers was not afraid to sell assets which did not fit with the company, he added. Wesfarmers would either consider more acquisitions, he said, or put some of the cash towards capital expenditure programs.

DJ Carmichael industrial analyst Wendy Chesson said she would like to see the company bolster its energy division. "It is just a matter of time of what they are looking at doing and where they are going to grow next," she said. Wesfarmers is due to report its interim profit later on Tuesday with analysts tipping a jump in profit on the back of booming coal prices.

Meanwhile, Queensland Premier Peter Beattie said QR's end of the deal, worth $446.5 million, would be financed wholly through QR borrowings. He said this was the only move available to QR if it was to survive in the competitive national market. "If QR is to survive, prosper and continue to contribute healthy dividends back to Queensland taxpayers, it must look beyond traditional state borders," Mr Beattie said. "Rail is a national industry and QR must be able to take advantage of opportunities in the national marketplace in the same way that its competitors are doing. "With this acquisition, QR will become one of the major rail freight organisations in Australia, reinforcing our reputation as a hub for business and industry, and delivering a range of flow-on benefits to our economy." Mr Beattie said the deal assured future job security for QR staff, and he encouraged unions to embrace the deal. QR chief executive officer Bob Scheuber said the deal completed months of hard work and elevated QR into the top two rail freight haulers in the country, enabling it to challenge Pacific National, owned by the warring transport and logistics groups Toll Holdings and Patrick Corporation. "This strategic acquisition is a critical step in cementing QR's position as a truly national major player," Mr Scheuber said. "It helps ensure we can meet the needs of customers throughout Australia, who are increasingly looking for an alternative operator to provide seamless services from Cairns to Perth."

ARG's "above rail" assets include 121 narrow and standard gauge locomotives, more than 2000 wagons, terminals and depots in Western Australia, South Australia and NSW. About 820 ARG staff, mainly train crew, will also be employed by QR.

- aap - afr.com.au

QR to purchase ARG’S above rail business

rabbits defy roosters in year of the dog

2006-01-28T11:52:00.002+11:00

Every dog should have his or her day in the Year of the Dog beginning on Sunday, the Chinese New Year's Day.

But the outlook for three pretenders to high political office in Australia suggests that this won't be their year, according to the annual predictions from a Chinese Oracle in Hong Kong.

The Liberals' Peter Costello and Tony Abbott, and the ALP's Kevin Rudd were all born in 1957, a Year of the Rooster in the Chinese 12-year cycle.
And the Oracle, supplying his forecasts through the Hong Kong Tourism Board, has this message for Roosters: "Think before you speak and be more realistic in expectations of others, as well as your own ambitions. In an unforgiving period, it is better to live and let live while preparing for the future and gaining from experience..."

Meanwhile, for Rabbits such as Prime Minister John Howard, born in 1939, the Year of the Dog outlook is continuing fair. The Oracle writes of popularity and progress and opportunities for "career success" for Dogs, with exciting travel experiences. (Could this mean further meetings for Mr Howard with his friend US President George Bush, a Dog born in 1946?).
As for the ALP leader, Kim Beazley (1948) is a Rat facing "a challenging year ahead" but is counselled to "keep calm and disciplined".

Meanwhile, other prominent Australian Dogs include Ian Thorpe, preparing for the Commonwealth Games in March, and actor-comedian Barry Humphries, enjoying success in the United States with his alter ego, Dame Edna Everage.

The Oracle says good fortune "favours the brave Dog who seeks opportunities and a wealth of opportunities before they slip past ... earnings should swing up ..."

In sport, Mark Viduka, who will lead the Socceroos in their long-awaited World Cup bid in Germany, is a Rabbit, like Mr Howard.

Cricket's Shane Warne (1969) is another Rooster facing a year of challenge and may consider the Oracle's advice to "budget carefully in what could be an expensive year". His wife Simone, reportedly seeking a $10-million divorce settlement from the champion bowler is also a Rooster although born in 1970 - her birthday is in mid-January some days before the Chinese New Year, otherwise she would have been a lucky Dog.

Here are the Oracle's predictions for the Year of the Dog; the Hong Kong Tourist Board says that while it has endeavoured to ensure that the information is correct, "no warranty or guarantee, express or implied, is given to their accuracy":

For the full article click here. Shown are the dog and horse (being mine).

Dog:

birth years 1910, 1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994

This is your year and it holds excellent prospects, so man's best friend should forget past setbacks and seize the day. Good fortune certainly favours the brave Dog who seeks opportunities and a wealth of possibilities before they slip past. It is time to forget earlier disappointments, resist your temperamental mood swings and move forward. Also, encourage other members of your "pack" at home or work to share your ambitions. They can be a great help with valuable advice. Keep a keen eye on finances, however. Your earnings should swing up but stay vigilant and try to save. Travel opportunities are bright and you may even decide to move home. Your natural loyalty and honesty will win new friends and closer relationships. Both socially and romantically, your year is better favoured than it has been for a long time.

Horse:

1918, 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002

Your galloping spirit is well suited for the busy year ahead. Run swiftly at the front of the field to capitalise on exciting opportunities when they present themselves - but don't speed too far ahead of yourself or waste your energy on the latest craze. Sometimes you are too independent for your own good. Career prospects are especially promising and even though wealth holds little interest for you, finances are favourable so long as you are prudent with spending. Draw comfort and support from the companionship you crave. Both relationships and home life should make you appreciate what's in your own backyard, with some memorable highlights. Despite your roaming nature, curb restless tendencies - your life is active enough and the year is lucky if you accept the support of those closest to you.

- theage.com.au

picture of mum's dog Foxy.

strange but true

2006-01-13T23:42:00.002+11:00

Just a few interesting bits of trivia on this our most superstitious day.

• More than 80 per cent of high-rise buildings do not have a 13th floor.

• Gate 13 is missing from many airports. Melburnians are safe – gates at Melbourne Airport are numbered 1-12.

• Many aeroplanes don’t have a 13th aisle. For example Continental Airlines, Air France, AirTran, KLM, and Iberia.

• It’s not unusual for hotels to skip room number 13.

• Italians omit number 13 from their national lottery.

• House numbers in Florence jump from 12 to 14 – the number 12 ½ replaces 13.

• In France, a group calling themselves Quatorziens (Fourteeners), offer their services as 14th guests for dinner parties, should the guest total unexpectedly stop at 13. It was believed that the first person to rise from a table of 13 guests would die within a year, but could avoid this fate if all guests rose at the same time.

• NASA’s ill-fated moon mission, Apollo 13, was launched at 13:13 hours, from pad 39 (3 x 13), and aborted on April 13.

• Thirteen letters in a name brings the devil’s luck: Jack the Ripper, Charles Manson, Jeffrey Dahmer, Theodore Bundy.

• Lawmakers in Indiana once decreed that all black cats wear bells on Friday 13th.

• Friday was Hangman’s Day in Britain; hangmen were once paid 13 ½ pence, particularly if it falls on a Friday.

• One hundred years ago, in an attempt to abolish this maritime superstition, the British government commissioned a ship, named HMS Friday. Critical stages during its commissioning were conducted on a Friday: laying the keel, launch, and crew selection, including one Captain Jim Friday. HMS Friday embarked on her maiden voyage on a Friday, and was never seen or heard from again.

(Herald Sun)

melbourne threatened

2005-09-12T22:57:00.002+10:00

The government says a new tape claiming to be from a member of al Qaeda and warning of attacks on Melbourne and Los Angeles, appears to be authentic. Prime Minister John Howard says the threat should not interfere with next year's Commonwealth Games in Melbourne. Attorney-General Philip Ruddock says the content of the tape appears to be little more than anti-Western rhetoric, and should not be given too much weight. The video surfaced on the fourth anniversary of the September 11 attacks, and was sent to American broadcasters in Pakistan. It features a masked speaker, believed to Californian Adam Gadahn, who apparently converted to Islam at an Orange County mosque as a teenager. Meanwhile, Victoria's Premier Steve Bracks and Opposition leader Robert Doyle say Melburnians should not be worried by the threats mentioned on the al Qaeda video.

Don't panic about attack threat

Tape may be genuine, PM says

Ruddock takes threat seriously

Bolt on Chernobyl and New Orleans

2005-09-08T00:37:00.002+10:00

Yes I might get shot by some people, but I occasionally like Andrew Bolt's columns in the Herald Sun. One article I wish to show you that's quite close to my own cultural background, is about the 1986 Chernobyl Nuclear Disaster that raises many questions that I've read over the past few years regarding the reporting of deaths that have occurred at the accident and from the accident. I've also left a link to yesterday's (Wednesday) column on the handling of New Orleans before and after Hurricane Katrina.

Hurricane of lies - here

Chernobyl myth meltdown
Andrew Bolt
07sep05

THE hoax of the Chernobyl cataclysm must now surely be exposed, and the lessons learned.

The Chernobyl Project, a United Nations agency, reported this week that the known death toll from the 1986 explosion of the infamous Ukrainian nuclear power plant was just 56.

Not 56,000. Just 56.

What's more, the project's latest study says after almost 20 years of research, "we have not found profound negative health impacts to the rest of the population in surrounding areas, nor widespread contamination".

All this will come as a shock to people who trusted green activists to tell them the truth. As I've noted before, nothing about Chernobyl has been so extraordinary as the untruths told about it by zealots keen to scare us off nuclear power.

Greens city councillor David Risstrom, for instance, has claimed "thousands" died at Chernobyl.

Greenpeace said it was actually 2500. But Labor frontbencher and green activist Peter Garrett preferred to claim "the accident caused the deaths of more than 30,000 people".

ABC's PM program once put the predicted toll at "75,000 deaths from radiation" by 2001, while the Australian Conservation Foundation said "250,000 people have died as a result of the Chernobyl tragedy".

The truth? Just those 56, or fewer than the number of Chinese miners who die each month digging for coal.

Hmm. Makes nuclear power seem like it's safe or something. So shouldn't the greens be happy?

a new era beings and another nears its end

2005-09-08T00:13:00.002+10:00

After two fires and a much delayed opening time, Hoyts Melbourne Central opens today (Thursday). With 11 Cinemas, allocated seating with wider seats, two Directors Suites, Lounge 9 contemporary lounge bar and the Half pipe; the bean bag style cinema experience.

Hoyts Melbourne Central will replace the current Bourke Street complex, but there is no known date for this complex to close but it's not too far away, so for all you movie, theatre lovers this is the time to go see a movie or do whatever for the last time in Bourke Street and then upgrade yourself in Melbourne Central.

OPENING WEEK SPECIAL : $8

Just click on the pic for more info.

I will be taking shots of the Bourke Street complex and it's new replacement next week.

marriage bill approval

2005-09-07T23:54:00.002+10:00

Good news comes with an update, but click on the below link for more info and links.

California Legislature Approves Gay Marriage Bill

Let's hope Arnie approves.

tourism prospects

2005-09-07T23:22:00.002+10:00

This was an article I found in the Herald Sun today which may prove to be very beneficial if it comes to fruition. The site is perfect and there can be many developments achieved from this project including a rise in employment for the area. Just think about it, improved Jetstar services, Werribee to Geelong Rail Electrification, Bus service from Lara to Avalon, increased growth in Lara, the amount of business that would be generated from increased tourism and much more.

Disney wishes upon a Jetstar
John Masanauskas and Geraldine Mitchell
07sep05

AVALON airport is being considered as a site for a the first Disney World in Australia.

US Disney executives inspected Avalon last month as part of a tour of possible Australian sites.

Sources said the group, which was entertained by airport owner Linfox, was impressed with the location and the presence of cut-price airline Jetstar.

Jetstar flies to Sydney, Brisbane and Adelaide from Avalon, and hopes to carry one million passengers through the airport annually by 2008.

"A low-cost airline flying around families appealed to Disney," a source said. "This is the site that interests them the most."

It is believed other sites looked at were Docklands and Werribee.

Avalon airport manager Tim Anderson declined declined to comment.

A spokesman for Linfox chief Lindsay Fox also declined to comment.

Disney operates theme parks across the world, including in the US, France and Japan.

Its latest park opens in Hong Kong next Monday.

Treasurer John Brumby said global tourism and leisure companies such as Paramount, Warner Bros and the Walt Disney Corporation were constantly monitoring the Australian market for opportunities.

He said the State Government could not comment "at this time".

watching severe weather

2005-09-03T02:35:00.002+10:00

I normally view the Severe Weather website which comes under the responsibility of the World Meteorological Organization which tracks the many Cyclones, Hurricanes and Typhoons including other severe weather patterns. It's always interesting watching the progress of tropical storms during formation and when and if they do hit landfall. One image here is of Typhoon Nabi that could either hit southern Japan or even China, but the current infrared image of the Typhoon is spectacular with a perfect eye and a great radius. A wonder to see, but you really don't want to be anywhere near them, except for those who lovely photographing them.

California marriage bill clears Senate.

2005-09-02T13:53:00.002+10:00

Handing gay rights advocates a major victory, the California Senate approved legislation Thursday that would legalize same-sex marriages in the nation's most populous state. The 21-15 vote made the Senate the first legislative chamber in the country to approve a gay marriage bill. It sets the stage for a showdown in the state Assembly, which narrowly rejected a gay marriage bill in June. Will Gov. Schwarzenegger sign it if it passes? It doesn't look good so far. more

after katrina : the current situation

2005-09-02T13:30:00.002+10:00

New Orleans is slips into anarchy is rapes, shootings and dead bodies lying out in the open in the wake of the devastation left by Hurricane Katrina.

A detachment of 300 National Guard troops, who have served in Iraq, have been authorised to shoot to kill "hoodlums" in the hurricane-ravaged city of New Orleans.

Unfortunately many of the Aussies that are currently in the devastated area have as much luck as any other person in being evacuated.

It seems that this is getting a bit too much for George W Bush having called past US Presidents Clinton and Bush for counsel on the current situation that will take quite some time to resolve. But that's still not going help the slow response from Washington, even though Bush does insist that help is on the way. Much too late for many.

But anyone can help by showing their support to the Red Cross.

ty's out of fashion

2005-09-01T14:35:00.002+10:00

Ty's out of fashion
By FIONA BYRNE
28aug05 - Herald Sun

QUEER Eye For The Straight Guy's fashionista Ty Henschke has had a nasty dose of his own reality.

The star of 10's short-lived Australian version of Queer Eye is taking stock after his fashion label Ty and Melita was placed in the hands of an administrator earlier this month.

Henschke said the label was working to fill its final orders.

"Summer 2005 will be our last season. I imagine you will be seeing it (the range) until the end of the year – there are some fabulous pieces coming through," he said.

"It has been such a harrowing time. I want people to know with Ty and Melita, we really loved what we stood for, but business can be tough, especially in fashion these days.

"You definitely have not heard the last of me. It (fashion) is in my blood. I can't do anything else. I can't even pull a beer in a pub."

Henschke and his business partner Melita Turcsan founded the Prahran-based label four and half years ago.

The sexy, stylish, attitude-laden designs found instant fans among fashionistas, celebrities and the glossy magazines.

Lisa-Marie Presley, Paris and Nicky Hilton and even Jada Pinket Smith wore Ty and Melita pieces over the years.

The profile of the label and that of Henschke leapt when he was picked for the Carson Kressley role in the Australian version of Queer Eye For The Straight Guy last year.

Henschke admitted juggling the label and filming and promotional commitment for Queer Eye could have added to the downward spiral of the business.

"I think you could attribute elements to it," he said.

"But it was filmed at a time (December) where my role within the business was not as crucial as it would have been in, say, February-May when you are designing and putting ranges together.

"I don't regret my time at Queer Eye.

"When my year started off I was thinking it was going to be one thing, but it has evolved into something else. It has been a big life lesson for me to never take anything for granted and never bank on anything."

nsw politics : the on going drama

2005-08-31T12:50:00.002+10:00

NSW Politics is turning more into a drama as the days go by with the former Opposition Leader John Brogden, admitted into a hospital after attempting to commit suicide just days after resigning from the leadership of the NSW Liberal Party. After apologising for his behaviour at a function last night and labelling former NSW Premier Bob Carr's wife a mail-order bride, the Carr's refused to accept his apology. However after last nights events they've decided to forgive him and also mentioning that we're a forgiving society after sounding not so forgiving at the beginning of the week. Mr Carr today said Mr Brogden could still have a future in politics. It is a sad situation that someone would have to resort to trying to take their life to be able to achieve the recognition that they deserve, but then that's the sort of behaviour you do need to be careful of in politics. It raises the question of how tolerant and forgiving can people be just to raise a point.

More information is available here.

driving along the towleroad

2005-08-31T12:36:00.002+10:00

I've been meaning to post this article when I first looked through the August issue of DNA, but there is an article about one spunky blogger that many guys might come to appreciate. Well apart from those gorgeous brown eyes and well everything else that goes along with it, you'll find that certain style with his blog that attracts the readership it has today.

Andy Towle, former editor-in-chief of the national gay publication Genre, talks about the evolution of his blog towleroad.com and the various issues, controversy and other hot topics that forms the basis of his blog. He started out as a fiction writer and poet and having work published in various magazines and then working at 20th Century Fox in LA in feature film development and then working as a music editor for an Australian dot.com. Watching and reading news constantly and always making sure that his camera is with him to capture that one moment, he posts 7 to 6 posts daily with no end in sight.

The interview goes on to cover some general points about various legal aspects of his blog in relation to American censorship and of the big gay issues of the day and his anticipation of the movie Brokeback Mountain (stars Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal) and cruises past his previous experience in managing Splash bar and with his educational past. Finally ended on the gay culture being a generic brand and not really saying much on beards so not to offend any teddy bear he knows.

Overall, I am a constant visitor of his site and have always found a good piece of information whether it is juicy or just some clarification on other articles that I have read in other blogs or sites. You'll always find that element of photographic surprise that would lift your heart rate a beat to two more. It's good entertainment and of good value and well worth a read.

Click on the pic to go to his site.

beer, storms and a smashing ending

2005-08-30T23:52:00.002+10:00

It's great to be at home at this moment, but mind you it was a good night tonight. Having met up with a friend of mine going back to New Zealand in a couple of weeks after all these years living and working in Australia. Meeting up at the Victoria Hotel in Footscray, only just opposite the railway lines and perfect for the gunzel's and fans that would meet up there. I'm the type of person that wouldn't mind trying any beer that I might see on tap or in the fridge and one particular beer caught my attention for the rest of the night and that was Carlton Black. It had a nice taste, but unfortunately it's not so hard to find information of it online and it doesn't exist on the Fosters Group website. Moving on, my attention was focused on three guys playing pool and it seems that I did attract their attention but nothing much was achieved from that much to my disappointment.

Being an ordinary pub with a TAB and meals, pretty good meals from what I could see. I glanced at the menu on the blackboard trying to decide between the rissoles with mash or porterhouse with chips and salad. Well I eventually chose the porterhouse and it seems that she just could not program salad into the register properly so it would only arrive with a bun and chips and this small piece of meat that would be called porterhouse. I was severely disappointed, but at least it tasted good. Well one of the guys ended up ordering the rissoles and I regretted my decision even more when his plate turned up with two rissoles that were double the size of the porterhouse.

By this time I had received a call from my brother ringing up to say that the weather had turned foul and that if it was bucketing down in St Albans, it would be pissing down in Footscray and when I opened the door I saw it all. After having a couple more rounds and goggling over a couple of guys playing with the darts competition next to us, it was time to make a move and I had every intention of helping my friends home and not allowing them to go home in the conditions present outside. Well just racing to my car just directly on the other side of the street and I was soaked as soon as I entered the car. Dropping the both to their designated locations and seeing the occasional flashing of lightning and the constant thrashing of the wind and rain against the car, it was time for my interesting trek home. Well I haven't driven through this much rain since the February storms, but the wind was just shocking. Driving along Sunshine Road and going past the usual road block at Ashley Street from flooding and then driving around the growing gutters before reading the southern tip blackened out tip of Sunshine. That in itself was extremely dangerous and hazardous to drive through with water along vast stretches of the road and no ability to use high beams as that would affect the other drivers on the road.

Then there was light and the reassurance that everyone would see which side of the road they are supposed to be driving on. With half of St Albans Road flooded, I finally did arrive home much to my own relief and settled down to a cup of Vanilla, Honey and Nut tea.

Chatting away to a few guys online, there had been an issue of what I would be doing for my 27th in October. I have a couple of times ventured off to the Caulfield Cup for my birthday, but thought this year that that wouldn't be possible until I checked their website tonight and much to my relief I know where I'll be on the 15th of October and there may be an incentive this year in attending. But first things first, I still need to get past my niece/god daughter's christening and at the same time I need a new suit and also help organise the next blog slosh meet. Oh well, but that's part of the fun.

cafecruise : sabroso

2005-08-30T16:45:00.002+10:00

Seddon in Melbourne's West, is one suburb that has come up rather well in the past year or so as a little Mecca for a variety of entertainment. There never use to be much in this particular area of Seddon, just the usual shops, a dingy look bar and a few other odds and sods. Thoughts and views have changed and Seddon has a few gems just waiting for you. One of those particular gems is Sabroso.

Sabroso

Last time I was at Touks (formerly known as the Charles St Bar, review to follow later) with Warren, he mentioned that Sabroso had a very good Tapas menu, but wasn't sure whether they kept the menu since Sabroso changed hands but was keen to investigate. That night we left Touks to go for a walk around the shops in Seddon and to have a walk past Sabroso and I was pleased with what I saw. We decided that we'd meet up the next night to see what they have for offer.

Warren was already there and I ordered a Gin and Tonic at the front bar. Upon entering, you'll notice a big screen showing the football at that time on the wall to your right and a lounge area to your left with the main counter and bar facing directly in front of you. We decided that it was time to make ourselves comfortable in the dining area. The decor is really interesting with light brown curtains draped over the walls with lighting provided by maroon coloured light shades. Much to our delight, the new owners of Sabroso have kept the tapas menu along with certain items that Warren had sampled the last time he was here. Warren ordered two items and I ordered one more, giving us 3 delicious mouth watering items from the tapas menu. One of the items that I do recommend anyone to try is the Saganaki. This is pan-fried Greek cheese with lemon drizzled over for that extra tang. Moving from one piece to the other, enjoying each other's company and a glass of Sav Blanc, Sabroso has a lot to offer on their menu.

Service here was really good and the guys are always good for a chat, especially if your near the bar. They'll also be there to help you with any choices on the tapas menu or on the main menu itself. To top off a good feed, it's always good to end off with a nice latte. Don't forget the good touch of a candle on the table.

Whether your here just to relax and have a drink in the lounge and look at the TV or you want something light to eat, then the tapas menu is for you. But then if you really need a good feed, then you'll have plenty to choose from on the main menu. It's not so hard to find a place to park in the street, but just be careful that you may become very comfortable inside. The interesting thing is that Sabroso has also been featured in Qantas's in flight magazine a couple of months ago. Go for it.

coffee : piazza

sabroso : 2 gamon street seddon. t : 9689 0203

rating : 5 out of 5

cafecruise : spiga

2005-08-30T16:07:00.002+10:00

I've been a bit slack in this area, mainly because most of the time I would have to switch on my brain to do this, plus at the same time I've been to the usual haunts that I've already reviewed thus far.

There would be those who probably miss Diamaru leaving Melbourne Central, but then you have the people like myself who are really glad that it's gone and has allowed for the shopping precinct to be given a new clean breath of health. For the passionate coffee lovers, this has brought forward a few more cafes in every nook and cranny offering you that every piece of escape from the real world. This is where I'll show you part of that new world right here in various stages and personally, I've only been to a small handful myself but I know where they all are.

Spiga

Set at the beginning of Menzies Alley, Spiga is the first cafe you would come across coming from the railway station or from the northern end of the city. With the espresso counter greeting you right on the pathway with the lovely canisters of T2 tea, you walk into the cafe and observe the dark colours of the wood panelling directly behind the main counter. For those who love sitting with or on cushions in a cafe or a bar you'll adore the lime green cushions that are resting up against the window along the long black cushioned bench. I don't know whether it was a late Saturday afternoon, but it was fairly quiet in there, but if you walk past on a Friday afternoon you'll have fun trying to find a seat at times.

The main speciality at Spiga are the pizza's, but then at the same time you could enjoy that with a nice glass of wine, whatever takes your fancy. Unfortunately I wasn't able to have a look at the menu since I was only there for a latte, but I did notice a selection of cakes also available. The latte was of course just right and I just love it when they glam it up. My only problem was with the countless number of broken sugar sachets. Talk about a sticky situation.

Seating is available inside and outside the cafe, with the outside area fully covered. Sit back, relax and enjoy the atmosphere of shoppers and workers walking or rushing past you or just watch the people sitting down in the other cafe's as well.

I've been here on a few occasions and have found the staff to be quite friendly and no nothing for me to look at.

If you ever wanted to do a cafe crawl, well this is one cafe to be in.

coffee : genovese

Spiga bar cafe : shop 2, menzies alley, melbourne central 360 elizabeth street melbourne. t : 8676 7515

rating : 4.5 out of 5

work, info, play

2005-08-29T15:13:00.002+10:00

It started off as one of the most annoying but usual organisational skills with work, finding out at the last minute whether I had to go to the Metlink stall at the Latrobe Uni Open Day in Bundoora. Well considering I everyone else on my roster was starting at 10.30 and working at the Footy, I wasn't too fussed if I didn't need to go to the open day knowing that it was going to be a great day weather wise. Compared to a fortnight ago when I was at the RMIT Open Day, everything was organised through the work email and I knew everything that was supposed to happen. A couple of phone calls to my Team Leader and I was a 10am start at Latrobe. At that time I thought that I couldn't complain knowing that I would still get to finish early there, even better being a Sunday.

The day started quickly, giving myself only just less than 30 minutes to shit, shower and shave and race out the door to the glorious weather awaiting me outside. Knowing last time that I didn't need to wear the uniform, but have something displaying the logo. Last time I wore a good casual jumper, but this time I thought I'd take my name tag since it has the logo and my name on it of course (comes in handy for trade recognition for later), but I was silly enough to forget to take my name tag from work and wore the baseball cap instead. Arriving there much to my surprise there were people everywhere already carrying Latrobe bags and it wasn't even 10am, okay so I had to find the post office after referring to the map in the Melways and then I would have to ring Zoanne. Arriving there I was amazed on what they had to offer to the students in the range of services and there was no shortage of coffee, especially where my stall was located. Meeting up with Zoanne and noticing the disappointment that we were going to be inside and not outside in the lovely weather, I was introduced to Richard (in uniform) who's a Tram Attendant for Yarra Trams who'd be working with me today. Later (I forgot her name but she's a sweety), one of my colleagues from Malvern Depot arrived (in uniform) as well to help out at the stall. The weird thing about being inside were the tables where each individual stall was located on. Unfortunately that part of the room was still stuck in the 80's and I don't think where was any point of return, except to head back out the door. Expect trestle tables, we were greeted to hexagonal tables with seating attached to the table. So you did not have to the luxury to move the chair if you wanted to and the carpet matched with the decor.

As usual I would try to flirt with the cute guy at Caffeine which was just next to the staff and facilities stall next to ours, but not to much avail and I didn't stop trying (just smile a lot), but I did buy a few latte's there over the course of the day. We were provided with a lunch pack from the uni (catered for by The Union) that included a ham salad wrap, a small Greek salad, a muffin, mandarin and a juice, but nothing stopped me from being a bit adventurous later. During one of my breaks, whilst listening to Nova and their guys playing games with some of the kids, I decided to investigate the Indigenous stall's BBQ. For $2 you could purchase a simple hotdog or for an extra 50 cents you could be more adventurous and I had every intention of doing so and could purchase an Emu, Kangaroo or Crocodile sausage and bun. Well I've had Kangaroo meat before, so I was deciding whether to have Emu or Crocodile and chose the Emu. It was good and had an interesting aftertaste, but just tasted like a normal gourmet hotdog.

With heaps of information given to the many people enquiring how to get to the university from the many different directions, it was all worthwhile. The perve factor was extremely high as well, so I couldn't complain, especially of one of the staff volunteers who was just hot.

On one particular occasion whilst visiting Caffeine, I noticed a range of cartoons and photos of some signs. I managed to take a few pics of them with my phone, but there was one good one from the London Underground on display right next to the pick up counter.

after grogblog

2005-08-28T21:35:00.002+10:00

Pleasant company, good food and drink, internet gossip, transport info and cricket on TV, that was Melbourne Grogblogging 2. After a shaky start everything eventually worked out when we found a new location with plenty of room and good food to eat. It was good meeting up with a few people after reading their blogs, but it's always good to meet new people and some that I already knew. After heading to a Hotel on Cardigan Street, a small number of the group trek over to a pub in Peel Street before it was time for myself to retire and go to sleep to get some rest before work.

No there were no scandals, nothing raunchy or juicy, so no gossip for me to say.

a weekend of waiting

2005-08-27T00:34:00.002+10:00

All the Western Bulldogs needed to get into the eight was to beat Collingwood by 4 goals. They got their wish by beating Collingwood by 41 points and are in the eight but only just. To stay in the eight they'll need to rely on Melbourne, Brisbane and Fremantle losing for them to hold onto eight position. Mind you Collingwood need Carlton to lose for them not to get the wooden spoon for this year.

Time to keep our fingers cross.

Round 22

Western Bulldogs 21. 15. (141) def. Collingwood 14. 16. (100) at Telstra Dome

Scruffed: Magpie Scott Burns grabs Dog Matthew Robbins. Photo Courtesy Herald Sun

around the footscray wharf

2005-08-25T17:36:00.002+10:00

Driving past this particular area everyday going to and from work and many times on my days off going into town there are certain times where I wish to get a jump ahead of the traffic and will take some of the side streets to avoid the slow drivers on the road. Little would you know about some of the hidden treasures that are actually located in these streets and how much history there is in relation to the connection of the Maribyrnong (known at the time as the Saltwater River) River to the western suburbs and to Footscray. Today I decided to take my camera with me and would do a walkabout after I finished work. It turned out to be a lot better than expected with a beautiful sunny afternoon.

Here is just a sample of some of the pics taken.

absolut raspberry..... question time.

2005-08-24T20:52:00.002+10:00

Before I decide to actually buy a bottle of Absolut Raspberry, I'm just wondering whether any people have actually tried it and wonder what their opinion is of this particular version of raspberry. I have been told that there is another brand of raspberry vodka that doesn't actually have a great taste, but it all depends on how good the vodka is and of course the raspberry content.

One thing I can say is that Absolut Mandarin tastes really good.

Share me your opinion.

council eyes local trams

2005-08-24T17:21:00.002+10:00

From the Herald Sun.

Council eyes local trams
Matt Cunningham
24aug05

TRAMS could soon be rattling around the outer suburbs under council plans to fix public transport problems.

Wyndham City Council, in Melbourne's outer west, is considering a plan to establish its own tram network around Werribee and Hoppers Crossing.

Other councils have also floated the idea of using trams to ease transport woes.

Wyndham councillor Peter Hawkins proposed the tram service to improve public transport.

Cr Hawkins is in the US and could not be contacted. But in a written proposal he said trams would be a cost-effective solution for people without cars.

The council has formed a group to investigate the costs, funding and routes.

The proposed tram network would service shops, schools and train stations in Werribee and its surrounds.

A similar move is being considered by Hobsons Bay Council. A consultant suggested trams should run along two of Williamstown's main streets.

Town planner Peter Tesdorpf has recommended trams run down Ferguson St and Nelson Place as part of a wider extension of the council's light-rail network.

Mr Tesdorpf said fixed-rail was better than buses because it was permanent and attracted business.

Hobsons Bay councillor Angela Altair said the council needed to consider all transport options.

Mr Tesdorpf said the State Government needed to consider expanding its fixed-rail network across Melbourne.

"If the Government is serious about achieving its target of 20 per cent of trips on public transport by 2020 . . . they are going to have to invest a lot of money in new fixed-rail public transport in the middle and outer suburbs," he said.

a day at the movies

2005-08-24T17:09:00.002+10:00

Another animal interest story featured in today's Herald Sun.

Sshh, be quiet, it's about to start
Kylie Skotnicki
24aug05

LIKE most hard-working students, these seeing-eye dogs in training enjoy kicking back and watching a good movie -- especially one with a cunning canine as its star.

The flick that Qui Qui, Clover and Xavier are watching is a three-minute model-animation A Dog of a Day, a caper comedy starring Roger the Jack Russell terrier.

These 18-month-old labradors must learn to sit through movies as part of their seeing-eye dog schooling.

"Their control is amazing. I know my lab at home couldn't sit like that. It's all just part of their training," Seeing Eye Dog Australia spokeswoman Jenni Heenan said.

A Dog of a Day is funded by dog food company Schmackos and is directed by the company that makes its commercials.

Singer Kamahl, who is no stranger to animation after his voice was used in the Academy Award winning Harvie Krumpet, has a cameo role in this film.

"I'm not allowed to say what he does, but he steals the show," Schmackos spokeswoman Jane Brook said.

The animation will play before selected features at cinemas from September 1.

Qui Qui, Clover and Xavier and other dogs can be sponsored through SEDA. Call 1800 037 773 or visit www.seda.org.au.

risky media

2005-08-20T16:15:00.002+10:00

During my routine rounds of checking out websites for any interesting articles or just something that would catch my attention, I was glancing through the DNA Magazine website and noticed that a picture of last month's magazine had a censored sticker placed over the briefs of the guy. At this time I did not have a copy of the latest issue, but I did have the July issue. I purchased the August issue which showed the following apology and shared a bit of light on why the picture was censored. The interesting side to this was that there was also a picture of the July issue in the Letters to the Editor uncensored.

Last month's cover of DNA deeply offended people of the Hindu faith. As editor, I would like to sincerely apologise. Let me state very clearly that it was not my intention to deliberately cause offense, to antagonise or show disrespect to Hindus. I did not realise that the illustration on the garment depicted a Hindu deity.

As part of a story on last month's cover model, I secured a package of images and the picture was among them. We did not shoot the photograph ourselves.

In response to emails of complaint, we have changed the image on our website so that the offending garment is no longer visible. The issue is no longer on sale at newsagencies.

In answer to some of the frequently asked questions I received via email: Yes, I would have used the picture if the garment portrayed Jesus or a figure from another religion. I don't believe underpants depicting religious figures are indecent or derogatory. No, I am not offended by any part of the human body. Yes, I do have spiritual beliefs. I believe an individual's relationship with their god or gods is personal and that representations (whether a stained glass window, a statue or a part of underpants) is immaterial to that relationship. Let me also state emphatically that the image was not used as a publicity stunt to attract increase magazine sales.

I understand that I have offended the Hindu community, I regret this, and ask that my sincere apology be accepted. I respect everyone's beliefs and I will be more sensitive to these issues in future.

I would like to thank Rajwant Singh, editor of The Punjab Express, for his understanding and advice in this matter.

Andrew Creagh, Editor

It is understood on how certain items and issues can be offensive to some, but not all. In today's environment, we are exposed to a wide range of issues and entertainment and much has changed from what we were able to view in the past. However we as a society are also becoming more reserved about smaller issues compared to the big picture. Media is a medium that will allow itself to be creative, informative and unrestricted in what it can portray to a wider audience. To deny the right of what you can show or sell in a magazine should not be restricted due to the fact of religion or other cultural factors. Every individual has a right to themselves to be able to decide on what they want to see and do without being smothered by a community that would think it would be immoral to do so. Removing a magazine of the sack of one part of the community is something they should not have done, but you still are able to purchase the magazine through DNA if you haven't been able to do so.

We are not experts in the world on every issue or with knowledge of every religious or cultural item and we will also endeavour to ensure that we try our best as a media outlet on whatever that may be, to do what we can to appease the general audience. To restrict is to deny.

That's my thought anyway (and not of the magazines).

a gay boy in vermont

2005-08-20T02:58:00.002+10:00

This is a letter sent to me from a friend which I'd share with you.

The following is a very strong and moving letter written by the mother of a gay boy in Vermont ...

"Many letters have been sent to the Valley News concerning the homosexual menace in Vermont. I am the mother of a gay son and I've taken enough from you good people. I'm tired of your foolish rhetoric about the "homosexual agenda" and your allegations that accepting homosexuality is the same thing as advocating sex with children. You are cruel and ignorant. You have been robbing me of the joys of motherhood ever since my children were tiny.

My firstborn son started suffering at the hands of the moral little thugs from your moral, upright families from the time he was in the first grade. He was physically and verbally abused from first grade straight through high school because he was perceived to be gay.

He never professed to be gay or had any association with anything gay, but he had the misfortune not to walk or have gestures like the other boys. He was called "fag" incessantly, starting when he was 6.

In high school, while your children were doing what kids that age should be doing, mine laboured over a suicide note, drafting and redrafting it to be sure his family knew how much he loved them. My sobbing 17-year-old tore the heart out of me as he choked out that he just couldn't bear to continue living any longer, that he didn't want to be gay and that he couldn't face a life without dignity.

You have the audacity to talk about protecting families and children from the homosexual menace, while you yourselves tear apart families and drive children to despair. I don't know why my son is gay, but I do know that God didn't put him, and millions like him, on this Earth to give you someone to abuse. God gave you brains so that you could think, and it's about time you started doing that.

At the core of all your misguided beliefs is the belief that this could never happen to you, that there is some kind of subculture out there that people have chosen to join. The fact is that if it can happen to my family, it can happen to yours, and you won't get to choose. Whether it is genetic or whether something occurs during a critical time of fetal development, I don't know. I can only tell you with an absolute certainty that it is inborn.

If you want to tout your own morality, you'd best come up with something more substantive than your heterosexuality. You did nothing to earn it; it was given to you. If you disagree, I would be interested in hearing your story, because my own heterosexuality was a blessing I received with no effort whatsoever on my part. It is so woven into the very soul of me that nothing could ever change it.

For those of you who reduce sexual orientation to a simple choice, a character issue, a bad habit or something that can be changed by a 10-step program, I'm puzzled. Are you saying that your own sexual orientation is nothing more than something you have chosen, that you could change it at will? If that's not the case, then why would you suggest that someone else can?

A popular theme in your letters is that Vermont has been infiltrated by outsiders. Both sides of my family have lived in Vermont for generations. I am heart and soul a Vermonter, so I'll thank you to stop saying that you are speaking for "true Vermonters."

You invoke the memory of the brave people who have fought on the battlefield for this great country, saying that they didn't give their lives so that the "homosexual agenda" could tear down the principles they died defending. My 83-year-old father fought in some of the most horrific battles of World War II, was wounded and awarded the Purple Heart.

He shakes his head in sadness at the life his grandson has had to live. He says he fought alongside homosexuals in those battles, that they did their part and bothered no one. One of his best friends in the service was gay,and he never knew it until the end, and when he did find out, it mattered not at all. That wasn't the measure of the man.

You religious folk just can't bear the thought that as my son emerges from the hell that was his childhood he might like to find a lifelong companion and have a measure of happiness. It offends your sensibilities that he should request the right to visit that companion in the hospital, to make medical decisions for him or to benefit from tax laws governing inheritance.

How dare he? you say. These outrageous requests would threaten the very existence of your family, would undermine the sanctity of marriage. You use religion to abdicate your responsibility to be thinking human beings. There are vast numbers of religious people who find your attitudes repugnant. God is not for the privileged majority, and God knows that my son has committed no sin.

The deep-thinking author of a letter to the April 12 Valley News who lectures about homosexual sin and tells us about "those of us who have been blessed with the benefits of a religious upbringing" asks: "What ever happened to the idea of striving . . . to be better human beings than we are?"

Indeed, sir, what ever happened to that? "

a new home

2005-08-19T17:27:00.002+10:00

With a quick change of names the swap from darkseason to semaphore is now complete. All that leaves now is for everyone else to change their links and favourites. Semaphore Junction is now in it's new home. I do hope to be a bit creative on here and will post any unusual or usual postings so stay tuned and thanks heaps for you support.

semaphore junction

2005-08-17T13:22:00.003+10:00

This is something I've been thinking of doing for quite some time. I've been using the name DarkSeason for quite sometime, even during an on and off again situation a few years ago before reintroducing the name back on my then website. It's always been in the back of my mind to think of another name, and I have had part of the new name in my head and hadn't thought of the right way to introduce it. Well for once I'll have a name that won't be associated with a rock group in Europe and something that is more close to home for myself.

So what's with the new name? Since I do work for the railways and also have an association with them, there are many aspects on what you may like about them and I've always had the attraction with infrastructure. One piece of infrastructure that is vanishing from our scene is the Semaphore signal. With the advent of modern technology and the cost cutting measures of reducing staff and centralising signalling systems in one location, the many good yards and stations which housed signal boxes with at times many semaphore signals ever present are now fading into history.

sem·a·phore n. :

1. A visual signaling apparatus with flags, lights, or mechanically moving arms, as one used on a railroad.

2. A visual system for sending information by means of two flags that are held one in each hand, using an alphabetic code based on the position of the signaler's arms.

But why the Junction? Well I didn't want to have Semaphore just by itself and had always tried to think of a addition word to add to it and finally Junction popped up inside my head. The general aspect behind the name is a place to come together and exchange views and ideas (even though I'd have to start it off).

junc·tion n. : A place where two things join or meet, especially a place where two roads or railway routes come together and one terminates.

At the end of the week I will be changing the name of the address to this site to semaphorejunction.blogspot.com and the current address of darkseason.blogspot.com will not work. The only unfortunate thing is for the people who have not seen the change of name will not know what's happening, but that's a risk I'll have to take since I'd just like to consolidate things.

I do have things planned and this is just the beginning of something new and exciting hopefully for myself.

fundamental laws

2005-08-17T02:02:00.002+10:00

LORENZ'S LAW OF MECHANICAL REPAIR:

After your hands become coated with grease, your nose will begin to itch.

KOVAC'S CONUNDRUM:

When you dial a wrong number, you will never get a busy signal.

CANNON'S KARMIC LAW:

If you tell the boss you were late for work because you had a flat tyre, the next morning you will have a flat tyre.

O’BRIEN’S VARIATION LAW:

If you change queues, the one you have left will start to move faster than the one you are in now.

BELL'S THEOREM

When the body is immersed in water, the telephone rings.

RUBY'S PRINCIPLE OF CLOSE ENCOUNTERS

The probability of meeting someone you know increases when you are with someone with whom you would rather not be seen.

WILLOUGHBY'S LAW

When you try to prove to someone that a machine won't work, it will.

ZADRA'S LAW OF BIOMECHANICS

The severity of the itch is inversely proportional to the difficulty of the reach.

BREDA'S RULE

At any theatrical event, those people whose seats are furthest from the aisle will arrive last.

OWEN'S LAW

As soon as you sit down to a cup of hot coffee, your boss will ask you to do something which will last until the coffee is cold.

HOWDEN'S LAW

You remember you have to mail a letter only when you're near the mailbox.

Thanks Tony for this.

greg wins aussie bb05

2005-08-16T02:39:00.002+10:00

The winner of Australia's Big Brother 2005 is Greg with Tim coming in 2nd place. Greg initially entered the House under the clever guise of Logan, swapping places with his twin brother David at BB's will. After the twins spent lock-down being preened to look as identical as possible, Greg was swept away quietly to the Isolation Room whilst David was thrust into the limelight to meet the HMs. Keeping up the act proved too difficult for the twins and they failed to fool their HMs for the pre-determined two weeks. Greg was cornered by his fellow HMs who outright accused him of being a twin. BB allowed David to re-enter the House as Logan, and the twins continued life in the house as one entity. The object of both Kate and Christie's affections, Greg chose Christie to be his pashing partner throughout his time in the House. Their on and off again relationship confused Christie to no end but Greg seemed quite clear about his decision not to let it get too serious. Yet at there have been many times where Greg's heterosexuality had been question, even more so when he request a wand and hotpants.

The final moments in the BB house with Greg and Tim relaxing in the Rewards room and choosing their final outfit that they would wear that very night. It would be interesting to see how things will pan out with Greg out of the house. Stay tuned.

The only unfortunate thing was that I missed out on the whole show since I was at work.

open opportunity

2005-08-13T20:55:00.002+10:00

Well it's not always that I have the opportunity to have an interesting shift at work or be given the opportunity to have one good easy shift, well I hope it will be a good easy shift. Well tomorrow I have the opportunity to have easy shift giving information to new prospective tertiary students at the RMIT Open Day at the main City Campus. Working in the Metlink marquee with as far as I know a Yarra Tram and Metlink employee (hopefully someone good looking). So I'll have plenty of coffee opportunities and the perve factors should be nice and high. Hey I can only enjoy it one way or another, so if you've got nothing better to do tomorrow, why not come down to main City Campus between 10am and 4pm. Hope to see you there.