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Robert Hitchcock Bob Hawke Bust Story
[img src=http://www.gregross.com.au/wp-content/flagallery/robert-hitchcock-bob-hawke-bust-story/thumbs/thumbs_l1150075-001.jpg]70
Depending on his behaviour, as a boy growing up in Perth, Robert Hitchcock's mum would either call him her "Little Warragul," or her "Little Larrikin," so it was probably inevitable Robert would become a fan of Australia's most loved larrikin, Bob Hawke. Indeed as the boy became a sculptor and the other a union leader, then Prime Minister, their paths were to cross more than once.
Robert first met 'Hawky' working as a labourer on a construction site in the 1960s, years later, at the unveiling of a statue of the Melbourne Cup winning Hyperno, Bob Hawke remembered Robert and congratulated him on his work and the sculpture. Then in 1983, Robert's statue of Yagan was unveiled on Heirisson Island, Hawke couldn't attend and sent Aboriginal Activist Charles Perkins AO, as his representative, with a special message of congratulations for Robert, telling him Hawke remained a great admirer of his work.
And so the larrikin sculptor, now in his 70s, has been driven to create a bust in honour of Australia's larrikin Prime Minister, on his passing.
I caught Robert in his Morley studio the other morning, the bust is nearing completion, he's now meticulously working on the finer detail he's renowned for. Robert says he wants to catch that moment when Hawke would either be going to say something very funny, or politically very cutting – that aside we all remember when the eyebrows would raise and you knew the Larrikin was out.
There will be an edition of ten, all of course slightly different, as is the way when casting. Those interested in obtaining a bust, can contact Robert on: M: 0414 476 406 or E: hitchcock@conceptual.net.au I can't help but think the new Bob Hawke College in Subiaco would be the perfect place for at least one of the sculptures.
For those who are not aware of Robert's magnificent body of work, apart from the aforementioned statue of Hyperno and Yagan, there is his profound and moving set of lifesize statues in the Garden of Remembrance at the SAS Headquarters in Swanbourne. He created a series of Leonard Cohen busts and presented one to Cohen when he was performing in Perth. Cohen would later email him from his home in LA, thanking him for the gift and complimenting him as one artist to another.
Of particular relevance, with the imminent release of White Crow, (the film about Rudolf Nureyev), are Robert's intense studies of Nureyev and the fascinating story of how Robert became one of only two sculptors ever to travel with Nureyev – the other was the Italian sculptor, Enzo Plazzata.
Nureyev, touring Australia, was performing at the then Edgley owned Entertainment Centre, Robert tried to get in to see him, but couldn't get past security, so he went to the Perth Parmelia Hilton, where Nureyev was staying. Fortunately, a lady at the hotel told him Nureyev's habit was to walk to the Entertainment Centre from the hotel every day. Robert waited.
Heart in mouth, he approached Nureyev as he walked up to St George's Terrace, asking if it was possible to study him as he rehearsed, for a sculpture, pleading that surely somebody would have given Nureyev a helping hand at the start of his career. Rudolph grunted, saying nothing, but nor did he send Robert away. They continued in this fashion to the Entertainment Centre, Robert pleading for access and Rudolph grunting.
When they reached the stage door, security stopped Robert, but Nureyev said, "No, he's with me." Nureyev was notoriously tempestuous, but somehow Robert was able to tour Australia with him and create a fabulous series of statues, but that's another story in its own right. This one's about that Perth larrikin Little Warrigal and his sculpture of another Perth larrikin, Bob Hawke.
NEIGHBOURHOOD BULLY
Nobody could remain unmoved by the hideous morass of the Israel / Palestine conflict, a nightmare with no end in sight. The situation appears to be out of control, in terms of leader intransigence on both sides and that leads to the curious refusal of so many, to see the issue as anything other than Israeli bullying and warmongering, conveniently ignoring the stark reality that Arab nations have called for the extermination of Israel since it was founded and in various guises, terrorist organisations,most recently, the PLO and now HAMAS, have constantly sought to use terror attacks as their preferred methodology. That an Israeli warlord, such as Netanyahu should rise to power in the face of decades of terrorism, should surprise no one, yet Israel stands condemned, while HAMAS is almost seen as a peaceful organisation!
Seemingly intelligent thinking people appear completely blind to fact, choosing to see one side only. Pink Floyd founder, Roger Waters is perhaps the most prominent in portraying Israel as the 'Monster' of the conflict. His hatred of Jews and Israle is almost Nazi-like, yet here is a man, whose heart is undoubtedly in the right place – he cares about people, but he's blindsided by deep hatred. His position of power, as an incredibly gifted rock god, is adding to the shocking rise of anti semitism across the world. He calls for other musicians to boycott tours to Israel, failing to understand that the very people who attend those concerts, are not Netanyahu supporters, they are the very people best placed to help bring resolution to the situation.
There are no simple answers to conflict within the region – the English and the Americans, in recent times, aided by Australia, have contributed insanely to the on-going instability throughout the region, politics and oil have created bizarre, dangerous liaisons, with the western world, inevitably led by the US, prepared to overlook violence, as part of whatever deal is going, whether it be for oil or military access and bases. Yet Israel is portrayed as the violent regime of the region.
I call bullshit. Does anyone genuinely imagine they would enjoy the same safety, freedom and civil rights in Palestine, or Saudi Arabia for example, than in Israel? Next time you're on an Arab Airline, have a look at the screen in-flight maps, Israel does not exist. Imagine if you're an Australian, or English, or American and your country wasn't on the map, you'd be a touch stupid, if you didn't understand the subtext of the message.
I am not an Israeli, nor am I Jewish, I do have the pleasure and honour of having some lovely Israeli friends. I vividly remember holding the shaking arm of one friend, when she found it too hard to descend the many steps down the Nazi built Waldbuhne Stadium in Berlin. We were all there to see the wonderful Leonard Cohen in concert. She had come from Israel to see the concert, but the Nazi stadium was terrifying to her – the sound technicians were actually sitting in what was once Hitler's private box.
These are a people who desire peace, but having survived the unbelievable extermination practices of the Nazis, twill never allow themselves to be persecuted and murdered again, yet that is still the avowed goal of many Arab nations, certainly the leadership of the atrocious murderous thug organisation known as HAMAS.
Yesterday that same lovely, gentle lady reacted strongly to a Facebook post, accusing Israelis of being mass murderers, with the following post. An accusing, biased world needs to read her words and understand both sides of this conflict. This is her response, it was written on 23rd May 2019.
The finger on the "share button" is so easy, isn't it? It would be advised to take an unbiased stand and perhaps ask an Israeli what's the situation with Gaza — an Israeli would tell you that although Israel pulled out of Gaza in 2006, 13 years ago, to the last inch, The Southern part of Israel is under continuous shower of thousands of deadly rockets fired from Gaza.
An Israeli would tell you that it takes a rocket 15 seconds from launch in Gaza will it reaches Israel. 15 seconds to run for your life and find shelter. Day in day our, for 13 years.
An Israeli would tell you that a mortar shell takes only 10 seconds, and ask you to try and run for your life in 10 seconds.
An Israeli would tell you that upon pulling out of Gaza, Israel has left standing thousands of acres of fertile greenhouses, for the Palestinians to use for building livelihood and life. And then would ask you if you know that the Palestinians burnt them all down to ashes because they were "from the Jews"?
An Israeli would ask you if you know that the millions of Euros and Dollars of aid money pouring from all over the world to Gaza is used by Hamas, a terrorist organization which publicly calls for the destruction of Israel, to build infrastructure, but not the kind you have in mind. Not hospitals, not schools, no childcare clinics, no, only death tunnels, through which ammunition is smuggled to fire more rockets towards Israel.
An Israeli would send you to read about Hamas, and the Coup they launched in 2007, to take the reins from the Palestinian Authority, how they shot hundreds on the streets, through many other hundreds from the rooftops, and shot the knee caps of everyone whom they considered "a collaborator".
An Israeli would tell you how it hospitalizes hundreds of Gazans who need medical care and can't get it because money is used on death instead of life.
An Israeli would ask you, what would you do if you were sitting in your Florida home and Cuba fire rockets at you — would you be sitting in your home and do nothing or defend yourself?
This Israeli asks you to be more careful with the information you are sharing. I educate myself deeply about American politics before daring to comment on it. So please do the same. Thank you.
Addition: It's now 4pm in a 42C day. Since the morning, 15 burning flying kites have been launched from Gaza over the border, immediately igniting massive fires that burnt down the entire wheat fields of the area (harvest was due only next month) and they're so bad, they started evacuating homes.
I took my title from Bob Dylan's song, the lyrics herewith:
Neighborhood BullyB
Well, the neighborhood bully, he's just one man
His enemies say he's on their land
They got him outnumbered about a million to one
He got no place to escape to, no place to run
He's the neighborhood bully.The neighborhood bully he just lives to survive
He's criticized and condemned for being alive
He's not supposed to fight back, he's supposed to have thick skin
He's supposed to lay down and die when his door is kicked in
He's the neighborhood bully.The neighborhood bully been driven out of every land
He's wandered the earth an exiled man
Seen his family scattered, his people hounded and torn
He's always on trial for just being born
He's the neighborhood bully.Well, he knocked out a lynch mob, he was criticized
Old women condemned him, said he should apologize
Then he destroyed a bomb factory, nobody was glad
The bombs were meant for him. He was supposed to feel bad
He's the neighborhood bully.Well, the chances are against it, and the odds are slim
That he'll live by the rules that the world makes for him
'Cause there's a noose at his neck and a gun at his back
And a license to kill him is given out to every maniac
He's the neighborhood bully.Well, he got no allies to really speak of
What he gets he must pay for, he don't get it out of love
He buys obsolete weapons and he won't be denied
But no one sends flesh and blood to fight by his side
He's the neighborhood bully.Well, he's surrounded by pacifists who all want peace
They pray for it nightly that the bloodshed must cease
Now, they wouldn't hurt a fly. To hurt one they would weep
They lay and they wait for this bully to fall asleep
He's the neighborhood bully.
Every empire that's enslaved him is gone
Egypt and Rome, even the great Babylon
He's made a garden of paradise in the desert sand
In bed with nobody, under no one's command
He's the neighborhood bully.Now his holiest books have been trampled upon
No contract that he signed was worth that what it was written on
He took the crumbs of the world and he turned it into wealth
Took sickness and disease and he turned it into health
He's the neighborhood bully.What's anybody indebted to him for?
Nothing, they say. He just likes to cause war
Pride and prejudice and superstition indeed
They wait for this bully like a dog waits for feed
He's the neighborhood bully.What has he done to wear so many scars?
Does he change the course of rivers? Does he pollute the moon and stars?
Neighborhood bully, standing on the hill
Running out the clock, time standing still
Neighborhood bully.
Posted in News and Opinion, Politics	| Tagged Israel, Israeli Palestinian conflict
EUROVISION 2019 – Confessions of an out of touch Baby Boomer
It's on again, the queen of talent quests, in every sense of the phrase and as has become our custom, Ann and I took our wine and champers and propped in front of the TV to watch the spectacle.
SBS are using the same two commentators from last year, Joel Creasy and Myf Warhurst, I know it's completely non PC to say this, but Creasy's theatrical, self-admiring camp leaves me cold, Warhurst is a far better commentator, but she struggles to get traction with Look at me! Look at Me! Creasy. I'm sure he's a riot at a gay nightclub revue, but I wish they'd fuck him off. On to the acts, although even there, Creasy turns the performers appearances into cameos, while he plays "I'm the star here!"
First up was Neta, the Mickey Mouse girl from Israel, last year's winner. Dressed in something that looked like a vivid Picasso dropped from a great height, as a fat bloke, I had to admire somebody that size and that confident in terms of sartorial display. God knows what her song was about, it certainly wasn't about melody.
Cyrpus – Tamta. The tune was catchy, visually it seemed to about PVC bondage. Next.
Montenegro – D Mol. WTF? Describes my reactions best, being charitable, I think it was a local high school rehearsal.
Finland – Darude Feat. Darude's Disco, but great visually and excellent drama. I quite liked it.
Poland – Tulia. Different. If you can imagine an Asian girl singing in tune at karaoke that's sort of what it sounded like, I found it interesting.
Slovenia – Zala and Gasper. I really liked this, the intensity between the young couple was obviously genuine, though most of the time I couldn't work out why the guy was there – perhaps the lyrics were imprinted on his eyes, she kept gazing there.
Czech Republic – Lake Malawi. Totally manufactured bubble gum, been done to death decades ago, Goodbye.
Hungary – Joci Papai. Bloke about his dad. Intense, great drama and love, bloody fantastic, absolutely loved it.
Belaruse – Zena. Boring, boring! Same old, same old crap. Hot tart in hot pants.
Serbia – Nevena Bozovic. Great voice, great music, at last, a female singer who wasn't singing budgie in a disco cage. I really liked this.
Belgium – Eliot. Good visually, not a strong voice, but listenable.
Georgia – Oto Nemsadzi. Big emotional ballad, great voice, great drama, I really liked this.
Australia – Kate Miller-Heidke. Probably got a good voice, gimmicky – gave a new meaning to pole dancing – Kate Bush goes disco.
Iceland – Hatari. Music for a B grade Vampire movie, next.
Estonia – Victor Crone. Apparently he's an Aussie, or a Canadian? But he's learning the language, it just so happens the language is cross-over C&W.
Portugal – Conan Osiris. Interesting, Fado link?
Greece – Katerina Duska. Powerful voice, crap song, backdrop looked like the top of pink condom, very 90s, thanks but no thanks. Would like to hear her with decent music, maybe playing under the tree at Dousko's on Hydra.
San Marino – Serhat. Ageing gay bloke with no voice – sort of reminded me of those nightclub owners of old who insisted on taking to the stage at some stage in the evening, convinced the audience was there for them.
Whilst the people voted, a lady in red, Sharon Cohen aka Dana International, (the Israeli singer who won in 1998), pouted and slinked over herself in a mirror, before singing something which had all the gay couples kissing, but the hetro couples more hesitant
In conclusion, I don't think any of the acts I liked got through, too bad, I rank my top four, as follows:
Hungary – Joci Papai
Serbia – Nevena Bozovic.
Equal third: Georgia – Oto Nemsadzi, Slovenia – Zala and Gasper
Roll on Round 2.
EUROVISION 2019 – Round 2
Somebody at SBS must have had a quiet word to Creasey, he was far less intrusive. Righto, straight into it.
Armenia – Srbuk Loved it instantly, powerful voice, reminiscent of Adele's Skyfall, great song, great singer, great stuff.
Ireland – Sarah McTernan Sandy Shaw imitation without the catchy songs, bland, boring
Moldova – Anna Odobescu Bloody brilliant! Great voice, intense, dramatic, loved the sand mandala.
Switzerland – Luca Hanii Boring, boring, been done a thousand times, goodbye
Latvia – Carousel My sort of music, beautiful, not show stopping, but lovely.
Romania – Ester Peony I like this, even a Dracula reference (with the bats), a mad scene sprung to mind of a beautifully dangerous Russian agent who was going to kill you as she made to love to you, again touches of Adele, which is no bad thing.
Denmark – Leonora I liked this, great voice, quirky, catchy and no bloody disco, good stuff.
Sweden – John Lundvik Great voice, but the song slipped into 90s shit, been done a thousand equally boring times, shame, I think he's a better singer than this.
Austria – Paenda Breathless budgie, more disco, boring! Try yodelling, Goodbye.
Croatia – Roko I like this, visually interesting, great voice – Vangelis like, with a touch of Netflix Lucifer, without the wings.
Malta – Michela Walk Like an Egyptian … in an aquarium, more disco bullshit, goodbye.
Lithuania – Jurij Veklenko Boy band castrati disco, yuck.
Russia – Sergey Lazaref I like this, great tenor voice
Albania – Jonida Maliqi I like this too, great voice and passion
Norway – KEiino Disco, BUT, I liked it – sort of late 70s, bloody good.
Netherlands – Duncan Laurence No, sorry, more boy band crap, goodbye
North Macedonia – Tamara Todevska I really like this, great voice.
Azerbaijan – Chingiz Clever, sort of disco with robots, but ultimately formulaic boy band stuff.
As we waited for the voting and counting, an interesting Israeli group called Shalva Band played, they were excellent, with a lovely story – Shalva is a non for profit Israeli organisation that works with people with disabilities, it was lovely to watch and in a way, these young people were the real winners of the night.
I also realised my taste is leaning very much to the darker, stronger Nordic and eastern Europe songs and singers, but then apart from Ireland, which was disappointingly bland, we haven't yet seen the UK, France and Germany. The show is also reminding me that there is a whole world of manufactured bland, disco boy band, singing budgie entertainment out there, that millions enjoy.
My top Three:
Armenia – Srbuk
Moldova – Anna Odobescu
Equal Third Romania – Ester Peony and Denmark – Leonora
I can't not also mention Croatia – Roko
As for the actual votes, only one of my picks (Denmark – Leonara) made it, while Switzerland, Sweden and Netherlands all went through, which does show how out of touch I am.
And I've just learnt that Anna Odobescu actually did exactly the same song in a previous Eurovison … for another country? WTF? How can officials allow that to happen?
Roll on the finals!
EUROVISION – THE GRAND FINAL!
Great introduction, full kudos to Israel for fantastic production throughout the event, but this final was brilliant, fabulous spectacle.
What interested me, was seeing if I judged the singers and their songs differently on this second viewing, indeed, I found that some of the songs appeared quite different and I'd be half way through a song before I realised I'd heard it before, others, for example, the Aussie entry, were exactly the same. As I write this, I haven't reviewed my previous notes.
In order of appearance:
Malta – Michela Disco dance track, pleasant but been done to death a thousand times in the last 40 years, good voice, great legs.
Albania – Jonida Maliqi Fabulous voice, really good, dramatic and wonderful rhythm
Czech Republic – Lake Malawi 1980s bubble gum disco crap – Wiggles for 13yr old girls.
Germany – Sisters I really liked this, I know they're a manufactured duo, but it's an excellent ballad, they've got great voices, good drama and they had an obvious rapport.
Russia – Sergey Lazaref Great tenor voice, great song, dramatic, fabulous ballad, fantastic stuff
Denmark – Leonora Quirky, clever, light as a breeze at first, but one of those songs that sneaks up on you, very ironic, excellent voice.
San Marino – Serhat Rod McKeun on disco steroids, a sort of monotone Julio Iglesias.
North Macedonia – Tamara Todevska Fabulous voice, great song, backing arrangement was weak in places, bit overall, fantastic.
Sweden – John Lundvik If it was original, it would be good, but really, just another manufactured boy band piece, boring as bat shit.
Slovenia – Zala and Gasper These two are totally in their own little world of each other, great tender song, genuine, there's just something about the beauty of innocence here that makes it a lovely song and performance to watch and listen to.
Cyrpus – Tamta oh shit, the PVC bondage blonde again. Rave muzac, boring and tired repetitive crap, same old, same old.
Netherlands – Duncan Laurence Starts off well, presented a lot better than the previous time, I liked it this time
Greece – Katerina Duska Oh no! Not the pink condom again! Excellent powerful voice, reminds me of Toni Childs, but too much screaming and a crap song, but she's good, love to hear her sing something decent.
Israel – Kobe Marimi Pleasant, strange voice powerful at times, but weak at others and a bit too histrionic.
Norway – Keiino Boy band with a blond chic. Had its moments, towards the end, some fabulous singing by a bald guy, singing / chanting in Joik style, could have listed to that a lot more, but ultimately just another dance song.
UK – Michael Wright Pleasant, squeaky voice, sort of talent quest boy band singer, not convincing in any way.
Iceland – Hatari I realised this time around, they're taking the piss, in way, quite self – ironic and of course, very Viking, as well as being a vampire movie dance. A bit of fun.
Estonia – Victor Crone I liked it this time, struck me that the arrangement had been changed, but I could be wrong, 'though it's still crossover C&W.
Belaruse – Zena Hot chick in hot pants screaming disco, boring.
Azerbaijan – Chingiz Bloody formulaic, nothing to see or hear here, robot disco.
France – Bilal Hassani Not a great voice and just one more same old, same old, ordinary and boring. I was very disappointed, as at first, I thought she was going to do a female Jacques Brel, but sadly, no.
Italy – Mahmood Clever rap with a middle eastern flavour, it grew on me, although ultimately a dance track.
Serbia – Nevena Bozovic Incredible voice, love it! Drama, melody, a show stopper for me.
Switzerland – Luca Hanii Boring, boring, boring, yet another simpering boy band, yuck!
Australia – Kate Miller-Heidke Kate Bush on a Pole, great presentation, fabulous visuals, very Cirque du Soleil, the vocal gymnastics left me a touch cold, but it's obvious she can sing
Spain – Miki I liked this, exciting, not a great song, but infectious and feel good.
Interesting to see Australian voters placed Norway first, Australia second, Spain third and Azerbaijan fourth.
While we waited for the officials and voter judging to be made then collated, we were treated to past winners singing various songs, the segment was excellent, although confirming how much of a formula is applied to songs. Then the big guest announcement – Madonna!
Yes, there was Madge, thankfully not a pubic hair in sight. Visually a very impressive gothic church intro to Like a Virgin, but dear God, this was another Meatloaf at the AFL Final moment, She was flat, out of tune, obviously uncomfortable – couldn't really make any small talk with the presenters. In reality, she was outclassed and out performed by almost every entrant that night. One of the voting country representatives, as she awarded her country's points, said that Madonna was flat, it was a fair comment.
The real voting began and it was fascinating to see how the judges points went, as compared to the voting TV audience. It was laughable to see Cyprus and Greece and Russia and Azerbaijan supporting each other – pure politics, fuck all to do with judging, but what really shocked me, was the TV voting audiences refusal to give Germany any points at all. My German wife explained that nobody likes Germany and usually something like that happens. My thoughts were that there's a lot of growing up to do with the youth of Europe, I found it disquieting.
Then there was pandemonium, as the band from Iceland held up Palestinian support banners, an interesting moment, however things settled down and the winners were announced:
First was – Netherlands – Duncan Laurence
Second was – Italy – Mahmood
Third was – Russia – Sergey Lazaref
Me? I'd have chosen the following as winners:
Equal First: North Macedonia – Tamara Todevska and Serbia – Nevena Bozovic
Second: Russia – Sergey Lazaref
Third: Albania – Jonida Maliqi
Oh alright, I can't help myself, I'd have given equal fourth to:
Germany – Sisters and Netherlands – Duncan Laurence
Same time, next year … Holland!
Posted in Arts Reviews, Concert Reviews, News and Opinion	| Tagged #eurovision2019, Eurovision 2019, Eurovision reviews, music convert reviews, SBS
Night Falls on Supercars … And it's No Bad Thing!
There are three albums of event photos at the end of this blog.
I must admit to a degree of scepticism when Supercars announced the 2019 Perth round would be held at night under lights, I had questions about logistics, in terms of lighting the undulating track, public transport and added expense in terms of feeding corporate guests, along with the general public needing to buy more food (over the longer period of time). I couldn't work out what nights they'd run the event on – a Sunday night seemed out of the question (and so that proved to be).
When the opportunity came to pre purchase tickets, I discovered the event would be run over three days / nights – Thursday (practice), Friday Practice, Qualifying and Race 11, Saturday, Qualifying and Race 12, plus various support categories, although sadly Touring Car Masters were not coming over. The deal on pre purchased tickets was actually very good – $153.00 per person for the three days / nights, including General Admission and Paddock Access. We're fortunate enough to be long term guests of great friends who have a corporate box, so we don't need Grandstand or corporate marquee seats / packages. I wondered how on earth families were expected to pay for one day tickets for the Saturday – the per person Adult price, including Paddock access, was $184.00! Although I'm told it's just as bad at AFL matches, however from our point of view, $51.00 per day to watch a sport we love was very cheap.
As has become the norm in kicking off the Perth event, there was a Meet the Drivers late afternoon / early evening half hour event in the CBD at Yagan Square. I felt the location worked better than Forrest Place, with bars and cafes around where you could wait and get a drink. All drivers except Lee Holdsworth and Jack Le Brocq were in attendance, Supercars staff handed out posters and novelty gifts to people queuing and there was a replica 2018 Championship Cup on display, where people could have their photo taken holding the cup. A TV crew were in attendance (presumably from Fox), in fact they asked my wife Ann and I to pose with the cup. This event was very well run, however there weren't the crowds of people that normally attend, whether that was due to the mid – week, late afternoon scheduling, I don't know. Full marks to the drivers for their collective affability and friendliness to the fans.
We drove to Thursday's event, planning our arrival for the scheduled 11.00am opening, laughing when we read Scotty McLaughlin's Tweet re Supercars holding a Track Walk at 10.00am when nobody was around. In the past, it's been relatively quick to enter the raceway with pre-purchased tickets, but not this time. There was an ever increasing queue, as the gates were not open and there we stood in the heat for 30 minutes, but eventually we got in. Bag screening seemed to be haphazard – some got in with their bottles of water, some had to empty or even discard their bottle. The Programme tent wasn't open, nor was it open when we left around 7.30pm, indeed buying a programme proved quite a feat, until we finally managed to get one on the Saturday. Others also spoke of how hard it was to get a programme. It's interesting to note that the City of Wanneroo and the WA Sporting Car Club have disappeared from the programme cover as sponsors. We did discover that the car club had done a dry hire deal with Supercars, the car club having little or no input or control over the event. In that respect, the WA Sporting Car Club failed to properly look after their own corporate sponsors, leaving them to deal with Supercars, who of course, had no interest in them. I also felt that volunteers could have been better looked after, without them, the cost of such events would sky rocket (in terms of wages).
Thursday's programme commenced with Historic Touring Car practice and went right through until the finish of Supercars practice 1 just after 7.10pm. Other categories included Dunlop Super 2 Series, SuperUtes and Australian GTs, so apart from the missing Touring Car Masters, there was plenty of racing to enjoy, with an excellent field of cars in the GT series and a fantastic turnout of cars in Historics, serving to remind those of us old enough to remember, just how good it was to have different makes and engine capacities racing together. For those looking to meet drivers and get the prerequisite autographs, Thursday is an excellent laid back sort of day to achieve those aims. It was not a big crowd and consequently we drove quickly home in very light traffic.
Friday, we decided to have my son drop us off at the track and then use the free public transport (bus and train), to get home. After Thursday's queueing debacle, we timed things to arrive at 11.30am, which proved the correct decision, virtually no queue. Interestingly, the crowd was still light and we weren't directed to Flynn Drive, heading straight to the normal entry. It still wasn't possible to find a programme, however our hosts had found a box of programmes in the WA Sporting Car Club rooms downstairs and asked if they could have / buy one. The answer was yes, but they were like hen's teeth, so not to lose it! Incredible, there's money to be made selling programmes, fans love them as souvenirs, often asking drivers to autograph them, which does rather segue into the curious business of merchandising at Barbagallo raceway. Granted the track, by its design, separates into two areas, but all the merchandising is on the western side of the track, to buy anything, you have to walk over there. It's mostly a rough path, often covered in ankle twisting honky nuts and uneven sand and there is no reward for going there, all the action – pits etc is on the eastern side. Yes, there are excellent viewing points of the esses on the grass hill, but nothing else. If I was marketing team products, I'd want my stall close to the action, where the crowds are, where they've just come from pit lane. I know from our own decisions that we only went over once, as it was just too far and I'm sure the food stall owners must suffer as well. The race programme itself, was constant and well organised , with the first of the Supercars races starting at 6.45pm, by which time, it was well and truly dark.
The track lighting far exceeded my expectations, it was brilliant (excuse the pun), there were pyrotechnics in action and a couple of hundred Supercar members were ushered on to the starting line. The atmosphere was excellent. They had gone to the expense of installing large very high definition big screens and I appreciated that for once, they didn't have the public address system at ear piercing level.
The race started and it was a spectacle, really, really great to watch. Some cars were easy to distinguish – the two Red Bull cars stood out the most, the dark cars – the Monster Mustang and the two Penrite Holdens were the hardest to spot and surprisingly, unless they were right in front of you, it was quite difficult to pick out the two Shell cars, although the Pony grill emblems were lit up, so you could pick them that way. Many of the cars had under floor lighting and that looked good, but what was the best, in terms of lighting effects, was the floor pans scrapping along the raised curbing on pit straight. The effect was spectacular, with sparks flying from under the cars, sometimes trailing like red – embered rooster tails. The only downside was trying to photograph the cars racing at night, I gave up, realising you had have to be down near track level, with the track flood lighting shining on the vehicle's side, as the accredited photographers pics demonstrate.
The Supercars race finished around 7.50pm and we left the track about 8.20pm, catching the free bus to the station. There were plenty of buses waiting and leaving every five minutes or so, really well organised. The bus trip was relatively quick, although it is about a twenty minute journey to the station from the track, however at the station, we'd just missed a train and it was another twenty five minutes before the next train came along. Unfortunately, it was scheduled to stop at every station, which we quickly figured out, would make for about a forty minute journey to Perth, then we'd have a ten minute walk to the central station and quite possibly, another twenty five wait until a Midland train came along, with a twenty minute journey to our stop at Bassendean. All in all it was going to take us two and half hours for what was a forty minute journey by car. We rang my son and asked him to pick us up from Stirling Station – he drove from Bassendean to Stirling, arriving just five minutes after we got off the train. We decided to take the car on Saturday.
The final day, Saturday. Traffic wasn't really heavy, in the way that I remember it from the golden days of the 1980s and 90s, when the queue of cars would stretch for miles and we found we still weren't directed to Flynn Drive, but straight to the old track entrance, although there were a lot more cars than on the Friday, (this was at 11.30am). Certainly by qualifying time (around 2.45pm), the carpark looked very full and there were a lot of people at the track. What was very noticeable, was that drivers had become more accessible during this event. In recent years, driver signing sessions have been very limited and inter action between drivers and fans has bordered on non-existent. Somebody's obviously realised that such enforced separation was not good for the sport. It must be a pain in the neck to sit there and have to smile and keep signing, but fans are the foundation of any sport and deserve some time with their teams and drivers.
As with the previous days, the racing programme was constant, with some fabulous racing, whatever took your fancy, in terms of Historics, GTs, SuperUtes and Dunlop2, but it was the final Supercars race (12), that became the piece de resistance. This was entertainment on an AFL scale, pyrotechnics and crowds waving lights and the best driver intros (on the big screens), I've ever seen. And we loved the Indigenous 'Welcome to Country', visually exciting at night, it was far better than the normal standard singing budgies murdering the National Anthem,
The race started and immediately it was a promoter's dream – McLaughlin on pole, stuffed up his start (just as he'd done the night before) and Whincup passed him. The race was on! Now as I wrote earlier, it is quite difficult to pick which car is which until they're passing you, but the big crystal clear screens were a huge help. Hint! Take binoculars to read the vertical info bar on the left of the screen, in case you can't hear the commentary and let's face it, during day time races, you have to keep referring to the big or little screen to find out who's where at any point after the first stop.
I won't go into minute by minute race details, however suffice to say the crowd favourite, Scotty McLaughlin, won, Jamie Whincup was second and Cam Waters a well-deserved third. The other big winner, of both Friday and Saturday night, was Simona De Silvestro finishing 12th each time, moving up five and four places respectively from her starting positon. The losers were Chas Mostert with his Mustang dropping a piston, (very unusual) , Scott Pye with a DNF after an altercation with Andre Heimgartner and Rick Kelly, who came out second best on pit straight, taking out almost every corflute sign on the grass and finishing his own race, way down the back, in what could best be referred to as the Nissan Cup. And you have to feel sorry for James Courtney, a superb driver, absolutely nothing seems to fall his way of late, his day must be coming!
In corporate terms, the big winners were Ford, Shell, DJR Team Penske and Pirtek. Strangely, from a marketing perspective, I saw nothing branding the event as sponsored by Virgin, even the official programme has no Virgin ad, other than small titles on the top front cover and the bottom of each page. However the big loser has to be Holden, not because of Red Bull's struggles, but because Supercars constant nobbling of the Ford Mustangs sends a very strong subliminal message that Holden engineering is nowhere near as good as Ford's.
As McLaughlin crossed the finish line in first place, the pyrotechnics along pit straight went off, as did the crowd, then as soon as the trophies were presented and the champers cracked, there was an excellent, though reasonably short fireworks display on top of the hill. It was a fitting finish to a fantastic few days of racing. Full credit to Supercars, they got this one right, night racing at Perth, is a wonderful spectacle and well worth keeping, I suspect even non motor racing people would enjoy the night, albeit with earplugs and the kids that were there, all seemed to love it and be very excited. There's an added bonus, to the night format, in that more often than not, the Perth round falls on Mother's Day, which makes things difficult for many people, this way, the Sunday will be free and mums everywhere will be very happy – they might even agree to go to the racing on the Saturday night!
Here, the WA State Labor Government deserves credit for their support of the event, people tend to forget the financial commitment of governments to host big sporting events. The Hon Bill Johnston, Minister for Mines and Petroleum, Energy and Industrial Relations and more importantly, a great motor sport fan, was in attendance and presented the winner's trophy. I suspect he would have seen the inherent value and future possibilities of night racing.
As a long term motor racing fan – I used to watch Jim Richards in a Falcon at Pukekohe more years ago than I care to remember – I've become more and more dismayed at the policies of Supercars in recent times. The seeming abandonment of grassroots fans, with spiralling attendance costs and the virtual demise of free to air coverage of most races in favour of high cost pay TV strikes me as wrong in terms of long term support. Add to that the demise of the Falcon and Commodore and perhaps inevitably at some point, that great, wonderful, tribal battle of the red and blue armies, plus an apparent lack of interest in participation by other manufactures and young people no longer fixated on car ownership or driving, let alone motorsport, one wonders what the end game is.
Then there is the ongoing debacle over the Mustang engineering, I find it disgraceful, none of the explanations wash with me. In recent years, one team has completely dominated the sport, Red Bull, they were always one step ahead of every other team, aided by brilliant drivers, but rightly, nothing was ever done to noble the Red Bull cars, other teams were openly told to get over it and lift their respective games. But this season has seen the Ford backed Mustangs dominate, in the way that Red Bull has done previously, the famed Red Bull team is struggling, although if DJR Team Penske were not there, Red Bull would be dominating as usual, so it's not their drivers, Whincup and van Gisbergen are brilliant racers, it's patently obvious the problems are in their engineering / suspension development, at a guess, this is the first time they've really missed Ludo Lacroix, yet the Ford teams have now been penalised three times and one suspects, after the Perth round, there will be more nobbling. The taste is sour and the look is dreadful, it's all a bit under arm bowling. If I was another manufacturer, I'd be looking at the shenanigans and thinking "No thanks, this series is set up to ensure Holden success." Which segues into marketing.
I suspect the only game in town for Supercars, is Pay TV. As good as the spectacle was over this Perth weekend, my many years of marketing experience, tells me Supercars are not that interested in fans attending the races, rather far more interested in numbers watching at home on pay TV. But assuming (and hoping) that I'm wrong, there are then some puzzling holes in Supercars marketing.
I had the opportunity to talk briefly with quite a few of the drivers over the weekend, some are blessed with an outgoing personality, some are naturally reserved – think Peter Brock and Allan Moffatt, or Scott McLaughlin and Fabian Coultard. I hasten to add being quiet and reserved bears no reflection on driving ability! The lesson anyone following the sport over the years has learnt, is that outgoing charismatic drivers are a marketing dream – the Brocks, Lowndes and Richards are relatively rare. Currently, Supercars is blessed with four drivers any sponsor would kill for (read throw money at) – Scott McLaughlin, Chas Mostert, Dave Reynolds and Simona De Silvestro. They should be the faces of the sport, taking Supercars to a wider audience across Australia and New Zealand – while I'm at it, surely it's time for two race meetings whilst they're in Aotearoa?
In these days of conspicuous equality and acknowledgment of women as major purchasers and influencers of car sales, I'm at a loss as to why Supercars doesn't make more use of De Silvestro, a superb multi skilled driver, a very attractive woman, with a warm, fun personality. If I were her manager, I'd have done a deal with Supercars and Myer two years ago; she'd be a great 'Face' for Qantas or Virgin, or any other airline. A Ladies Day marquee at the track on the Friday, sponsored by Myer, Virgin or Qantas and Mumm champagne would be a great success.
A reasonably priced dinner with Scotty, Chas, Dave and Simona would be a fabulous event, perhaps held on the Wednesday night, it would bring great pre – race publicity. Oh hell, I could go on. I guess what I'm trying to say, is "Supercars, you got things spectacularly right with the night racing in Perth, you got it spectacularly wrong with the ongoing nobbling of the Mustangs and your lack of old school marketing utterly baffles me. I hope you get our much loved sport back on track".
Supercars May 2019
Apart from the first three or four photos of Scotty McLaughlin's car - he did win the weekend and we're long term fans, having followed him since his Volvo days with GRM - The photos are in no particular order, taken over the three days of the event, the day time pics were taken during qualifying runs.
[img src=http://www.gregross.com.au/wp-content/flagallery/supercars-may-2019/thumbs/thumbs_l1140916.jpg]00
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[img src=http://www.gregross.com.au/wp-content/flagallery/supercars-may-2019/thumbs/thumbs_imgp0288.jpg]00
[img src=http://www.gregross.com.au/wp-content/flagallery/supercars-may-2019/thumbs/thumbs_l1140923.jpg]00This guy's there every Perth round, same hat, dedicated fan!
[img src=http://www.gregross.com.au/wp-content/flagallery/supercars-may-2019/thumbs/thumbs_l1140911.jpg]00End of the first lap, Jamie in the lead, Scotty following
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GT3s Early May
I missed a lot of the GT3 action, which was a pity, as it's fabulous racing, with magnificent cars, but there are some photos here that hopefully are worth looking at.
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Historics Perth Early May
There's a lot of photos here, simply because the local racers don't often get pics taken, there's too many to put in orders, so they appear as they were uploaded.
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Posted in Motor Sport, News and Opinion	| Tagged Auto Action, Bill Johnston MLA, DJR Team Penske, Ford Australia, fox motorsport, motor sport, Supercars, Tourism WA, WA Labor, WA Sporting Car Club, WA Today, West Australian motor sport
Aotearoa and I Are Wounded.
This eve, I am wounded. Now and then, tears well in my eyes, all I can do, is find succor in beautiful music … at this point, the Duet from the Pearl Fishers is playing.
I have lived in Australia far longer than my birth country – Aotearoa (the Land of the Long White Cloud – New Zealand). Australia, many moons ago, became my home, I loved, and still love her. But in recent years, a tension of white supremacy and racism has reared an ugly, increasingly strident head. To the point where now and then, over the last three or four years, I've seriously given thought to travelling on a Kiwi passport, I had begun to be ashamed of being Australian.
I have watched, read and listened, as increasingly strident politicians, inevitably Liberal, National, or the hideous One Nation, sought attention for vile vilification of non white, or non Christian people. It sickened me.
Occasionally, people I called friends, even family, would espouse views that took my breath away, in terms of blatant, uninformed, biased racist, unfounded fear. Flames fanned by the right wing federal government, under the rabid Abbott, the principle abandoned Prince – Turnbull and, in recent months, the 'Onward Christian Soldiers' unforgiving 'nice uncle Morrison.
Increasingly, I've read incandescent shared posts (set up by Russian trolls), warning of our rights being trampled by Muslims and Africans. Meanwhile, white Catholic priests have been found to be buggering little boys for years, but the message stays on point – Muslims are taking Over, They Want Sharia Law! That's interesting, I wonder what the Sharia Law punishment is for sexually assaulting children?
I've been ridiculed, sometimes dropped, or blocked, for my "leftard fucking views". Sometimes, I've wondered myself why I bother. Then I think of my grandkids and know that I must try to leave them a better, beautiful world, which segues into today and the abominable horror that has locked down the City of Churches and now, the entire Kiwi nation, in horror and disbelief.
I don't care if you unfriend me – the Liberal / National parties, the Pauline Hansens and the ultra right wing Christian parties created the Christchurch killer, with their message of fear, venom and hate.
Those fucking bastards have blood on their hands – 40 souls and counting. Australia has bred, nurtured and empowered a killer to cover my country of birth in blood and darkness.
This peddling of filth and hatred must stop. NZ has never been perfect, but in it's own way, it's been naively pure, always striving to be better, but Australia, like Saudi Arabia, now exports terror and hatred.
As Australians, we all need to dwell on the sewer we are swimming in. As for me, I am wounded, as is my country of birth, but just as Aotearoa will overcome, my tears will dry and by God, I'll will work to turn this once magnificent nation around.
We are in grave danger of loosing our soul, we are no longer ANZACS, we breed white supremacist racist hatred and killers, all the while telling ourselves we're the nation of a fair go. Bullshit.
I would like to think that all across this wide, brown land, we are sitting stunned, shocked and ashamed, wondering how it came to this.
I am wounded, and so I suspect, are our nations and the World.
Posted in News and Opinion, Politics, Uncategorized	| Tagged Christchurch Terrorism, New Zealand, terrorism New Zealand, White Surpemacists
The WA Ballet … On Pointe with DRACULA
Dracula is potentially an artistic minefield, it can so easily tip into Hammer Horror farce, shattering audience illusion, however the WA Ballet company has taken Bram Stoker's iconic horror story and produced a masterpiece of dance and theatre.
Francis Ford Coppola, with his still stunning film Dracula (1992), understood the story was essentially that of lost love, despair and a corresponding descent into madness, Artistic Director Aurelien Scannella not only agrees with that interpretation, he's come out of dancing retirement to take on the role of the Old Dracula.
It's not often every element of theatre comes together in the way this production does – the sets, the lighting, the costumes, the music and of course, the dance. It's a meticulous attention to detail I've not witnessed since the late Leonard Cohen's concerts – perhaps there's a Prince of Darkness synergy there?
Costumes and sets inevitably establish an era and a mood, but Phil Daniels and Charles Smith have also managed to set character, a Dracula aficionado will instantly recognise the main players, and it has the effect of enhancing the choreography. There was no sense the costumes had had to be worked around, rather a seamless match of costume and dance giving life to character.
The sets were, as to be expected, gothic and brooding, brought to life by Jon Buswell's subtle, but evocative lighting, emphasising the collaborative thought and attention to detail throughout this production. Without in any way diminishing any particular set, the scenes that resonated for me, in no particular order, were the waltz scenes, the set reminding me of the Schönbrunn Palace interiors in Vienna, the power and sense of vastness in the interior of Dracula's castle, the carriage delivering Jonathan Harker to the castle, Renfield's asylum cell and the bed were Dracula's brides seduce Harker.
Scannella has chosen to use music predominantly written by the Polish composer Wojciech Kilar, (dec), in fact much of the music features excerpts from his score for Coppola's Dracula, if that sounds as if it was a simple task of matching film score to scene, nothing could be further from the truth. Kiwi arranger, Michael Brett has brilliantly matched diverse pieces to scenes, even including a little Chopin. Under the direction of Canadian conductor Judith Yan, the West Australian Symphony Orchestra is simply wonderful. As one might imagine, cellos are prominent, but special mention must be made of the piano – there was a keyboard passage that filled the auditorium with crystal clear emotion.
Ah, the dancers. It is after all, the WA Ballet. The cast were breathtakingly good, they were the characters, the illusion was peerless, whether it was the erotic danger of Melissa Boniface as Lucy appearing to float on pointe, or the innocence and sweetness of Carina Roberts in her dual roles of Elizabeth and Mina, the reasoned calm and comfort of Polly Hilton (Mrs Westenra), the studied, perfect, individual masculinity of Oscar Valdes (Jonathon), Gakuro Matsui (Arthur), Adam Alzaim (van Helsing), or Christian Luck (Doctor). Then there was the believable madness of Jesse Homes as Renfield, catching flies to eat, driven mad by the scent of his master. I don't know which dancers were playing Draculas brides, however they were equally stunning, the eroticism and sensuality of the bedroom scene with Jonathon Harker on the bed, and the graveyard dance of the hunted stood out, reminding us of the undertones of sexuality that make this tale so fascinating. Then there were the kids! Although not required to dance, Dante Pendergrast, Zac Bresland and Leuan O'Donohue added poignancy as potential victims pursued by Dracula's brides and in another scene, the lone child with his bereft mother who'd lost her baby to Dracula.
Then there is Dracula – two of! This was a masterstroke of creative thinking. Dracula withers without blood, without feeding he falls into decay and the monster is revealed. In other productions I've seen, Dracula drinks and gives some sort of power display, but in the WA Ballet's production, (a new work), he is truly transformed, it's both fascinating and beautifully done.
Aurelien Scannella plays the hungry decaying old Dracula, while Matthew Lehmann plays the young thirst quenched Dracula and they are two different beasts. Scannella's Dracula is decay, evil and dangerous. His performance is like watching a tiger stalk, at once both repellent and riveting. Then he feeds and the transformation is astounding. In a fabulous display of choreography, lighting and dance skill, Lenmann's reinvigorated youthful Dracula appears, whilst Scannella's decaying Dracula fades into the shadows. Lenmann's Dracula is not obviously a monster, he's a sophisticated suave seducer, but he is still Dracula, you really have to see the changes to understand just how clever it is. Fantastic stuff. The production has added two butlers to the story and they work in two ways, firstly we quickly understand their appearance is a prelude to Dracula arriving, secondly, they serve to remind us there is an undercurrent of homoeroticism to the story, in fact their costumes are near naked as the story becomes more intense.
I've really had to stretch to fault this production, only two things slightly jarred for me – the first when Elizabeth throws herself off the castle parapet, the dummy used just fell to the floor, making an unrealistic thud as it hit the dance floor and the second, when the nurse screams seeing Dracula outside the window. The scream actually ruined the illusion for a minute – as a ballet, it succeeds beyond anything I've witnessed, in terms of conveying the tale without speech, the scream was a rare corny moment – it would be far more effective if she put her hand over her mouth and collapsed on the floor. As for Elizabeth's suicide, I'd like to see the dummy float to the floor without the Hammer Horror thud – easy to do with wire. But that's really it, apart from those tiny two details, I can't fault the production.
Apologies to dancers I've not mentioned, I counted about 36 performers on stage as the cast took their bows, the audience on Friday night rightly could not stop clapping, my two adult daughters were as overwhelmed as I was with the production, the three of us agreeing, we'd like to go again, it is that good. You will not see a better ballet performance and production anywhere in the world. I hope at some stage they do tour this, European audiences would go wild over it.
Posted in Arts Reviews, Concert Reviews	| Tagged ballet, ballet reviews, dance performance, Dracula, Perth, WA Ballet, West Australian Symphony Orchestra, Western Australia
ON AIR – A Review of Mike Carlton's New Memoir.
"Hey Dad, I think you might enjoy this, something to read on the flight to Germany," my daughter Saraj handed me an Advance Proof of Mike Carlton's new autobiography.
Daughter knows dad. A long term fan of Mike Carlton's work, I could not put the book down, spending much of my time down the back of the Airbus, leaning against the bulkhead, totally engrossed.
Although I grew up in New Zealand, his early years memories mirrored mine so vividly, once or twice I found myself lost in warm nostalgia and as I'd flown across the ditch to live in Oz in the eary 1970s, everything post adolescence resonated as well, astoundingly so.
Fear not, although for obvious reasons there is much about Australian media, especially radio, throughout the memoir, it is fascinating background, however this is the definitive book every Aussie Baby Boomer has been waiting for, it's our history written in captivating detail, scene after scene of political history, from the disaster of Vietnam, through the experience of being a colonial in England, to the rambunctious pits of Australian business and politics.
As you would expect, Carlton is fearless and pulls no punches, one can imagine a few deflated, annoyed egos, will, (if they haven't already), drop Carlton off the soiree list, but for the rest of us, anyone remotely interested in post WWII Australian history will treasure this memoir.
524 pages long, in 12pt type, the paperback is substantial, a William Heinemann book, published by Pengun Random House we now have the perfect gift for family and friends. If you were around Oz in the 1960s, 70s, 80s, 90s and still here, this is the must-have book for your library. It is that good.
Posted in Arts Reviews, News and Opinion	| Tagged Australian Book Reviews, australian media, australian memoirs, Mike Carlton, new books, on Air, Penguin Random House
DEAR ETIHAD AND KLM … ALL I NEED IS SOME AIR TO BREATHE!
Now I must be honest, the return economy airfare of $1,136.00 Perth to Amsterdam was so ridiculously cheap, I have no right to comment about anything; on the other hand, it is an advertised service and the airlines involved have already sent me emails asking for comment.
I purchased the ticket from Air France in February this year and flew to Amsterdam on Tuesday 17th July. The first leg from Perth to Abu Dhabi was flown by Etihad and the second leg (Abu Dhabi to Amsterdam) was with KLM. Both airlines used Airbus A330s.
Although I'd been able to book my preferred seat with Etihad at the same time I booked and paid for the flight, there was no way I could book a preferred seat with KLM, which seemed strange, as Etihad was the code share airline, whereas KLM and Air France are the same company. The message on the KLM site was that I could book a seat 30hrs before the flight, however that also proved impossible, so in spite of completing onine boarding there was no choice other than to stand in the queue at the airport.
The very pleasant and helpful lady at the counter dealt with it, however I had to accept the window seat allocated on the KLM flight, there was no apparent way to change to my favourite ailse seat.
Compliments to the Perth border / customs – (God knows what they are called these days under the Turnbull / Dutton regime) – passage was thorough, but polite and quick. The finished departure lounge area is excellent, you can buy a drink, or a snack and there are now toilets everywhere. Time to board.
If you're travelling on an Arab airline, you know the plane will be the latest, in perfect condition and the seat will have USB and 240v power, plus a large screen, as indeed did our aircraft. After a lengthy period of post operation non activity, I've put on a bit (read too much!) weight, but I was surprised to find that doing up the seatbelt was a struggle. The seats are excellent, comfortable, even for a wide bum bloke like me, legroom is also fine, athough I'm only average (175cm) height; however, if the person in front puts their seatback down, you're stuffed, the only thing you can do is turn and apologise to the person behind, saying you have no choice but to do the same. I think if the airlines are going to cram people in like sardines, the time has come to axe seat recliners.
Worse was to come. I have no trouble doing long distance (10hr+) flights; however I am claustrophobic, and the first thing I do when I'm in my seat, is adjust the overhead air vent on to my head / face, that fresh forced air is a pyschological game saver for me. Unfortunately, the A330 has no personal air vents and to make matters worse, Etihad runs their cabin temperatures very warm, it must be 2c-3c warmer than other airlinines I've travelled on. When the meal had finished and the person in front had laid their seat back, I felt closed in, hot and trapped. In the finish, I spent the majority of the flight standing up at the back reading a book, only returning to my seat for turbulence and to relieve my aching legs.
The service on the flight was great and the cabin crew were really lovely – sometimes on Middle Eastern airlines, there is a reluctance to serve alcohol and service of anything can be slow; I always buy water to bring on board, as it can be up to an hour into a flight before you're served anything (in economy); but this flght was superb. However, the heat and lack of air vents, combined with the curse of the reclining seat, meant I hated the flight and couldn't wait for it to end.
It didn't get any better when we landed at Abu Dhabi. No terminal for us, we exited out on to the tarmac, queueing in midnight 36c heat for buses to take us to the terminal; but at least there was air conditioning, not so in the terminal.
It seems in Abu Dhabi, they either haven't got around to installing air conditioning in their terminal, or it might have broken down – but it was as hot as the desert and there are no automatic trains to transfer passengers across considerable distances, all in ridiculously high temperatures.
When I finally reached the gate for the next flight (KLM), I found utter chaos – the flight had started boarding, there was no orderly queue, rather half a dozen haphazard lines of people trying to pass through a two passport controller bottleneck and if anything, it was even hotter!
Of course it was, the doors to the outside of the terminal were wide open! Even when a bus filled up and left, the doors remained open waiting for the next bus. Eventually the bus pulled up beside the aircraft, but there we waited in the heat, as something was sorted out on board the aircraft.
Finally, we were welcomed on board the KLM Airbus A330, into fresh cool air, leaving behind the nightmare that was Abu Dhabi airport. For a major international airport, all I can say is they must be joking, it's the worst I've ever had the misfortune to find myself in.
Sliding into my window seat, I was pleasantly surprised to find there was quite a bit of arm room between the seat and the window and although the aircraft didn't have personal air vents either, there did seem to be some sort of airflow, coming down from the back of the overhead lockers, down past the window. I lent into it.
Compared to the Etihad A330, the KLM A330 was positively austere – no charging ports, a very small entertainment screen and the remote control tucked into the side of the armrest – I couldn't help but think we'd gone back a generation in cabin design. But hey, the crew were friendly, the seatbelts were a lot longer than the Etihad belts and my fellow passenger, a Norwegian sailor, was a lot of fun, the flight was only about seven hours, it should be OK.
The crew came around within minutes of take off, asking what we wanted to drink, very friendly, great people. All good, until the kid in front suddenly lent her seat back. The wine went everywhere. I thanked the Gods I was wearing dark jeans. My Norwegian mate and I discussed murder, he suggested a time honoured Viking method – apparently you wound the criminal, then place them in a cage with crabs. I stared ahead at the kid!
Shortley afterwards, the cabin crew came round with our meals. I looked at our steward and shrugged, pointing at the seat in front of me which was almost hitting my forehead. He nodded and talked to the parent and kid, up went the seat. He also gave us both more wine and told us to let him know if we needed more. We grinned.
Somehow, the kid refrained from laying back her seat while we ate and waited for the tray collection, but within seconds of her tray being collected, bang! I hadn't opened the wine, I also hadn't finished my coffee. Yes, coffee all over my jeans. "I give up," I said to my sailor mate, "I'm going down the back for a while."
One of the cabin crew asked me if everything was OK; I explained that the laid back seat, the lack of air and the wine and coffee spillages meant I felt more comfortable standing down the back. She smiled ruefully and poured me a wine.
Full marks to the KLM cabin crew and I must say, it's really good to see airlines like KLM, employing a mix of young and older staff. The Middle Eastern airlines appear very much fixated on pretty young things (male and female).
I tried sitting down a couple of times, but claustrophobia (no room, or air) got to me each time and within 30 minutes or so and back to the back I went.
Landing on a beautiful, clear, warm summer's morning in Amsterdam is soul pleasing and while in the last couple of years, Schipol has been a nightmare with all the renovations completed, they've got it right, it's a pleasure to pass through and it's airconditioned!
Less than an hour after landing, I was on the train out of the airport, heading for Germany, thinking just how comfortable and civilised long distance train travel is; compared to long distance air travel, it was a relief to get off both aircraft to the sanctuary of the train.
That's a pity and of course, you can overcome most of the issues I've written of; flying Premium Economy or Business, it is true that you get what you pay for. When push comes to shove, Etihad had the better equipped cabin, however both crews were great, the food on both was very good, but the lack of air vents is a killer for me. In future I will only fly with airlines that have personal air vents and I do think all airlines should stop Economy seats from being able to be laid back. Most of all, I wish I didn't have to go through the airport at Abu Dhabi again, the return journey will certainly be my last.
Posted in News and Opinion, Travel Blogs	| Tagged Abu Dhabi, airbus, airbus A330, Etihad airways, flying to Europe, KLM, Perth airport, The West Australian, Traveller.com, Traveller.com.au
Posted in News and Opinion	| Tagged Australian Telcos, customer service, Foxtel, telcos, Telstra, Telstra complaints
The Twitter Experience – Don't Dare Question, or Worse, Respond!
The world of social media, especially Twitter, has become an unwieldy Hydra, where the majority hide behind pseudonyms, belching out fire, disdain and character assassinations based on headlines, or worse, mob rule. Civilised debate is not tolerated and political correctness must be adhered to, or one can expect vilification to rain down. The point of a comment, or an article, is quickly consumed and lost by keyboard warriors and trolls grasping at what they consider to be the 'real' message.
I have learnt that the far left are as bad as the far right in any argument, both will assassinate you without a moment's hesitation, there seems to be a thrill in a perceived kill and the mob closes in, triumphantly retweeting whatever rocks their boat, most having no idea of what the original post may have stated, it's the dagger and the bullet response they love. The Romans knew the great unwashed loved the spectacle of slaying the beast and in some ways, there is little difference between gladiator auditoriums and Twitter. Except that on Twitter, there is no personal contact, the reality of sitting across from someone and calling them a "Nob" or "lacking emotional intelligence and empathy" and so on, is completely absent, it's just some vague name on a screen. Such comments are almost inevitably made from a position of remoteness and a complete lack of knowledge of the person they are defaming. It seems the more vacuous the accusation, the more the mob loves it and retweets without a care. Heaven help anyone who fights back.
There appear to be three major types of gladiatorial keyboard warriors – in the far right corner, it's usually men. Inevitably trolls, they have no interest in debate, they just want to kill and immediately punch out lines such as, "Lefty fairy," "dickhead," "you're an idiot," "What would you know fuckwit?", "Muslim lover" is a favourite and there, I must say, it's amazing how many Islamophobes want people killed, specifically, stoned to death. I always reply to them asking if they're from Saudi Arabia.
Then there's the far left. In that corner, sit a number of women with various crusading Amazonian agendas, plus a group of men, usually young, proudly displaying their feminism and desire to fight on the side of right. Now these two groups are not trolls, but as with trolls, they usually don't want debate and they do love to close in for the kill, what differs is that political correctness rules. One small hint that you're not towing the acceptable line and vicious retaliation thunders down. The saddest thing, is that usually, these people are championing a good and just cause, it's just that reason and understanding have no place when one is on a crusade.
The shocking rape and murder of the young comedian Eurydice Dixon, has justifiably created an increasingly resonating call from women (and men) across Australia, for an end to violence against women and for women to be respected and safe wherever they may be. Who in their right mind, would not support that call? However, as the days have gone on, the call has become a command to men everywhere, to change their behaviour, even to take responsibility as a group, for that and other terrible deeds. The fact that this particular murder was carried out by one individual has been lost in the message.
None of us know whether this person was in the grip of mental health issues, or drugs, or just plain evil, but the awful reality, is that there will always be people who go off the deep end and rape and murder, no matter what we do as a society. The Police were attacked for suggesting that women needed to be more careful. Now yes, that is a dreadful admission for any society to have to make, but it is the unpalatable truth. I certainly don't like it and I doubt many men do, it's not how most of us want things to be and that's the issue – screaming out that all men have to take responsibility is offensive to the majority of us who aren't insane and don't practice or condone violence against women or anybody. Protestations are met with howls of "This is not about you!" Yes, it is, the vilification is directed at every man. It's an all-encompassing very broad accusation brush.
Somebody needs to harness this genuine and right indignation and rage and create a message of inclusion, not accusation. There is little or no understanding of how men work, think and respond. Men generally work in black and white – This is the problem, what is the solution? Or when being accused, they baulk and argue if they are innocent. In the case of hideous crimes such as rape, murder and paedophilia, the instinctive reaction of most men, is black and white – "I hope they catch that bastard and string him up!"
The call should be along the lines of "Guys, we need your help to try and change things," rather than the strident ,"Men, you need to change!" But as long as the Voodoo Dolls and pins are out for any male who dares question the language and tone of the rhetoric, men will sadly, shut down and turn off from what is huge issue for all of us.
This sad divide has reached the stage where I've seen men called out for having said, or written that they have daughters and understand the issues women are confronted with. The chattering classes round on them instantly, screaming out that the man concerned is hiding behind the screen of his daughters. They're not, they're just explaining the process by which they have reached conclusions. However, they roll away, emotionally burnt , vowing not to get involved again. Better not to mention that you have daughters, a partner, or close female friends, indeed, men are learning it's better to keep quiet and say nothing. I will guarantee that there are a lot of men who have been following this particular Twitter thread, thinking, "Fuck that. I agree with the poor bastard, but I'm not saying anything." Anyhow, here's the Twitter thread.
This is the link to Claire Harvey's Article in the Daily Telegraph
Claire Harvey @chmharvey
Men don't need to change their behaviour for Eurydice's sake. https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/rendezview/this-isnt-victim-blaming-its-common-sense/news-story/541ed3a57862600398c43448a2
@GregWRoss
At last, some reasoned comment on this hideous tragedy.
Greg Ross added,
The rape and murder – any rape or murder – is hideous, sickening and inexcusable, but as a man, I don't need to change or be taught how to behave. I loath violence, but having testicles doesn't make any more guilty than the woman next door. @abcnews @SBS @GuardianAus
Lisa Elliot
Then it's not about you. ITS NOT ABOUT YOU. Omg why does it always have to be about you!!!! If you're not dangerous great, but women don't know that. Violent men can be very manipulative. So blame them not women for making you feel uncomfortable.
Replying to @Lisa11Elliott @chmharvey
Don't be absurd, all men are being targeted, or the message would be about violent individuals, you're painting with a broad brush and it's offensive.
Replying to @GregWRoss @chmharvey
It's not about you!!! Omg this is the problem, when a woman is attacked you say you are the victim. You see, you can't even empathise. Emotional intelligence is your problem and that of any man who can't find empathy for women.
eplying to @Lisa11Elliott @chmharvey
See there you go – telling me what my faults are. Consider this – mothers are held to be the major influence on children un formative years – ladies stop breeding murderers.
@realDeanCool
Replying to @GregWRoss @Lisa11Elliott @chmharvey
Mate, here's a man writing about why men need to change. You should read it, you might learn something.
Replying to @realDeanCool @Lisa11Elliott @chmharvey
Boys and girls – I've read it, I'm not in disagreememt, what needs to be understood is that your undergraduate enthusiasm and outrage is counter productive. I write to a journo thanking her for not blaming every man and suddenly I'm the problem? Bullshit.
FollowFollow @realDeanCool
You're part of the problem if you believe that men don't deserve the blame being heaped on them from everywhere else
5:02 AM – 18 Jun 201
Replying to @realDeanCool@Lisa11Elliott @chmharvey
Ah! There you go, men collectively. We're all lumped into one brand, the lynch mob ready to hang anyone who protests.
poet laureate @realDeanCool5h5 hours ago
The fact that you're taking personal offense to the suggestion that men, and the cultural impact of masculinity, need to change, shows that you're not actually considering what people are saying. You're reacting to your own assumptions.
Greg Ross @GregWRoss5h5 hours ago
May I put it this way: An Aboriginal guy steals an article from a shop, do I then brand all Aboriginal men as thieves, not to be trusted?
This is a cultural issue. Not a race or gender-oriented issue. The culture of masculinity is the problem. Deflecting and denying shows that you still don't understand what the problem is
Surely you understand that masculinity means different things to different cultures and societies. The culture one is brought up in, or lives in, affects behaviour.
Sadly, if we are to confront the horror of violence, we need to focus in the reality of recent studies showing Aboriginal men are 23 times more likely to be involved in domestic violence than other men.
Lisa Elliott @Lisa11Elliott
FollowFollow @Lisa11Elliot
Replying to @realDeanCool @GregWRoss @chmharvey
He proved to me he's definitely part of the problem, the part that doesn't believe there is a problem unless it's about him. Narcissistic characteristics. Nasty old guy.
Replying to @Lisa11Elliott @realDeanCool @chmharvey
There we go again – assumptions. You still can't see that I was attacked due to a Tweet I sent to a journo re an article she wrote, then people saw fit to attack me … and you don't like that I fought back.
You were "attacked" for making this about you. It isn't about the individual, it's about the collective. The individual can influence the collective, but both need to shift attitudes and behaviours.
You're resisting that because you appear to believe that admitting male culture is toxic would place blame on you for existing, rather than seeing that you, and I, are a small part of a much larger problem.
Where you are wrong, is in imposing your belief systems on me. Certainly our beliefs may match in some areas, however you are missing the point.
Lacking emotional intelligence? Read my first post properly, so far, you're demonstrating a sad lack of intelligence. Stop screaming outrage and let's all work together.
7:19 PM – 17 Jun 2018
Lisa Elliott @Lisa11Elliott19h19 hours ago
No thanks, you're not worthy.
Greg Ross @GregWRoss18h18 hours ago
Rushing into judgement, typical sm keyboard warrior, just read the headline, not the story. Grow up.
@NickSchwanck
FollowFollow @NickSchwanck
Nah, she's right. You're a complete nob.
Replying to @NickSchwanck @Lisa11Elliott @chmharvey
Oh dear! As is anybody who questions the outraged PC brigade. Insults, no reasoning, no engaging, just rage and abuse. Come back when you're an adult.
This isn't PC to women, sisters, daughters, mothers, wives, this is our reality. This is our existence. #metoo means we ALL have experiences of violence at the hands of men. Don't you dare call it PC. This is how we live every single day of our lives. Fool.
Rev. Dr Avril Hannah-Jones @DocAvvers
FollowFollow @DocAvvers
Good. All you need to do is not sexually harass, sexually assault, rape, or murder any woman. Since you don't do that, congratulations. You don't need to change your behaviour at all, except to tell your mates off if they do any of the above, which I'm sure you already do, too.
April Love @ApribLove16h16 hours ago
My Mum used the phrase, there are none so blind as those who don't want to see. Wasting our time saying the same things, to the same men not listening. Be part of the solution Greg, not part of the problem. Your confronting, condescending tone enables no positive dialogue.
Yes you are right, however if you follow the trail, I adopted the confrontation and condescension dished out to me, that seemed to be how these people communicate. You are the first to show reason.
Replying to @ApribLove @Lisa11Elliott and 2 others
This is what is rather frustrating – people are off point, assuming I don't agree with the push to stop violence. It's interesting to see people attacking me, then tell me it's not about me.
April Love @ApribLove5h5 hours ago
Greg no one is off point. We need to make this exactly about what it is, male violence towards women, factual. I'm sure you see recent event as heinous, so what can you do to positively lend support to our story?
Ah, I wouldn't dare – I've seen how other well – meaning men have been attacked for stating they have daughters and understand. The shut – down is brutal. However what I will do is time – line this thread with a story on my blog, people can then judge me with facts at hand.
And hours later, it's still going:
Gary Rockliff @GR_ComputRepair
FollowFollow @GR_ComputRepair
Shut your foul mouth you piece of shit.
12:36 PM – 18 Jun 2018 from Sydney, New South Wales
Greg Ross @GregWRoss5m5 minutes ago
Replying to @GR_ComputRepair @Lisa11Elliott @chmharvey
Grow up Gary!
Replying to @GregWRoss
You daft cretin.
HANDSOFFOURABC @FionaGillen2013 4m4 minutes ago
Get fucked you pathetic person
And there you have it, one person , April Love, with meaningful dialogue, asking for help, which I would gladly offer. There are lots more, but it's a wonderful example of the bullying which poses as debate on Twitter. Would the same screaming take place at a town hall meeting, or in a cafe? The barely suppressed violent anger in the subtext of so many of these Tweets, is an education.
Posted in News and Opinion	| Tagged @chmharvey, Political Correctness, Trolls, Twitter, Violence against women


The 3m Metal Astrodome is manufactured from laser cut panels of either 1.0 mm stainless steel or 1.0 mm zincalume and held together with stainless steel nuts and bolts. It has the advantage of not needing heavy lifting to erect and is flat packed for cheaper delivery and shipping.
The Astrodome comes with a motorised shutter and azimuth rotation. The shutter motor is a 12DC powered by a deep cycle solar charged 12V battery to eliminate expensive electrical slip-rings. The Azimuth drive can utilise 12dc, 220-240v or 110v motors depending on customer's requirements. The dome rolls on nylon or urethane wheels for smooth quiet operation and a rack and pinion set up is used is engineered for reliability and free of maintenance.The rack and pinion allows for accurate encoding of position if automation is added. Each motor is controlled with a control box that uses a soft start feature to eliminate the wear from jarring or the customer has the option have the dome automated.
A customer can choose to automate the dome themselves using a system of their choice. Or Astrodomes can install a Maxidome system to control the rotation only or also the shutter which allows full remote viewing. The dome can be slaved to the telescope allowing the dome to follow the telescope without the astronomer having to touch the controls.
It designed to be flat packed to drastically reduce shipping rates and can be easily assembled without the need for special tools.
Mount Tambourine Australia. Painted white by customer.


The ideologies which underpin the development of Childline Gibraltar are derived from two major national organisations in the United Kingdom – The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) and ChildLine UK.
On the 28th June 2006, at an event held at The Mount, Childline Gibraltar was jointly launched by Dame Esther Rantzen (ChildLine UK) and John Cameron (NSPCC). Eighteen months of research, consultations and hard work finally came to fruition when our Free Telephone Helpline went live that evening, at an office provided rent-free by Saccone & Speed.
Like the NSPCC and ChildLine UK, Childline Gibraltar was started by a group of individuals who believed that there was a need for this service in Gibraltar. The members of the original steering group, many of whom went on to become the first Board of Trustees, included – Lady Richards; the wife of the former Governor of Gibraltar Sir Francis Richards, Les Roberts, Barbara Sellors, Tita Stagnetto, Emily Olivero, Clare Borrell, Alison Parsons, Nalanie Chellaram, John and Marilyn Morris and the late Eric Pozo.
John Morris was a retired NSPCC Inspector who lived in Gibraltar at the time with his wife Marilyn. Many of us regard John and Marilyn, as the 'father and mother of Childline Gibraltar', for without his in depth knowledge and experience of child protection and Marilyn's meticulous attention to administrative details, Childline Gibraltar would have never got off the ground.
Building on the principles and experience gained by the NSPCC and ChildLine UK and maintaining close working links with both these organisations, Childline Gibraltar continues serving our local community and has responded to over 6.000 service users in its first 10 years of operation.


Comintelli® today launched intelligence2day® Enterprise, a new version of its award-winning software that enables innovative ways to access relevant information by aggregating content from internal and external sources, automatically categorizing and analyzing it, and finally distributing it through a coherent interface.
New Visual Analytics module enables visualization of Big Data by using graphical tools, such as line charts, geolocation, tag clouds, pie charts and heat maps.
Improved Text Analysis including automatic content classification with more intuitive navigation and information discovery.
Improved user interface to suit the modern and social work style of today's knowledge workers.
Responsive design that adapts to the user's device. An updated mobile interface allows users to both be equipped with the latest information, as well as easily add observations from the field on-the-go.
Even richer intelligence capabilities that will make selection and processing of information easier and faster, including creating reports, newsletters, dashboards and alerts.
The new intelligence2day® Enterprise will be available for implementation in the beginning of 2015 and will replace the previous Comintelli Knowledge XChanger™ brand. The Enterprise version scales to many thousands of user and is designed to easily integrate with third party applications and content.
In addition, intelligence2day® Professional is available for single users or smaller teams as a pure Software-as-a-Service solution.
The new platform will be launched at the Annual Strategic and Competitive Intelligence Professionals (SCIP) Conference in Amsterdam, Holland, on November 3-5, 2014.
Comintelli® is a leading provider of software for information access, with solutions for Knowledge Management and Competitive Intelligence. Comintelli's mission is to create order in information chaos by filtering information according to users' specific needs. Founded in 1999 and with extensive industry experience, Comintelli continues to respond to customers' needs, developing flexible solutions that save both time and money.


Имате въпрос към OYO 18388 L'heritage Riad?
When visiting Pondicherry, you'll feel right at home at OYO 18388 L'heritage Riad as it offers quality accommodation and great service. From here, guests can make the most of all that the lively city has to offer. With its convenient location, the property offers easy access to the city's must-see destinations.
Offering guests superior services and a broad range of amenities, OYO 18388 L'heritage Riad is committed to ensuring that your stay is as comfortable as possible. The property offers access to a vast array of services, including free Wi-Fi in all rooms, 24-hour room service, daily housekeeping, 24-hour front desk, room service.
All guestrooms feature a variety of comforts. Many even provide mirror, towels, internet access – wireless, fan, internet access – wireless (complimentary) to please the most discerning guest. The property's host of recreational offerings ensures you have plenty to do during your stay. Whatever your purpose of visit, OYO 18388 L'heritage Riad is an excellent choice for your stay in Pondicherry.


Abstracts (300 words max) are invited for a 3-day panel on ancient medicine, 'Behind and Beyond Hippocrates', at the Celtic Conference in Classics to be held at St Andrews, 11-14 July 2018. Papers can be either 20 minutes in length (with 10 minutes for questions) or 40 minutes in length (with 20 minutes for questions). Abstracts should be sent via email to Elizabeth Craik (ec★st-andrews.ac.uk) (★=@)by 31 January 2018. After consultation with some already confirmed speakers, a programme will be circulated soon thereafter. The languages of the Celtic Conference in Classics are English and French.
The main theme of the panel is the composition and early circulation of medical works, especially - but not exclusively - those of the 'Hippocratic' Corpus. Treatment of such questions as orality and literacy, language and dialect, interaction of genres may be considered.


Or you can now complete Travel Authorizations online. Go to http://prgoogle.info/ad/controller/forms.html and log in using your Novell username and password. Once completed it will automatically forward to the Purchasing Office.
Surplus sales are announced on the surplus web site - http://prgoogle.info/surplus/. If the University cannot make use of items they are sent to the State Surplus Department to be sold/disposed of.
Items can be obtained by SUU departments only during the hours of 2:00 - 4:00 PM every Friday. The Surplus webpage at prgoogle.info/surplus lists all items available for departments.
Call 111-5476 for the check distribution window. They can let you know if there is a check there for you. You can also call 111-7724 to have someone look up the payee and let you know if and when the check printed. If you are an employee and a check was printed for you, you should receive an e-mail letting you know that the check was printed. If you are waiting for a check that you requested be held for you, you will also receive an e-mail.


COSMIC aims to deliver the next generation of leading, entrepreneurial, and creative systems medicine professionals having expertise, skills, and experience to successfully combat complex human disorders. In COSMIC we will focus on B-cell lymphoma (BCL) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA), diseases that originate from abnormal functioning of immune cells.
COSMIC is a systems medicine project. Systems medicine recently emerged as a new concept added to the toolbox of clinical and biomedical research to address key questions in complex human diseases such as BCL and RA. It pursues an integrative and holistic approach by involving different sectors, integrating disciplines, and combining experimental and computational approaches. We focus on mechanisms of immunological memory and antibody formation as part of the adaptive immune system, and how these are involved in the pathogenesis of BCL and RA.
The adaptive immune system is a key component of our defence against pathogens and comprises highly specialised cells and processes. Its humoral component is responsible for memory B-cell formation and high-affinity antibody production resulting from affinity maturation in germinal centres (GC). GCs are specialised anatomical sites typically found in secondary lymphoid tissues where immune cells interact, differentiate and undergo antibody gene alterations. Perturbations of the GC reaction contribute to the emergence transformed/malignant cells that give rise to BCL, or clones expressing autoreactive antibodies involved in RA pathogenesis. Despite recent progress, a precise understanding of the dynamics of the GC reaction and its role in BCL and RA pathogenesis has yet to emerge. The complexity of the GC will be addressed by the development, application and integration of computational and experimental approaches. COSMIC aims to elucidate the cellular and molecular mechanisms of the GC reaction to understand the development and evolution of BCL and RA. This is expected to lead to the identification of markers that can be exploited for preventive, diagnostic, and/or (personalised) therapeutic purposes to achieve best outcome and leverage the cost-effectiveness of treatment.
We look for ESRs with a master degree in life sciences, immunology, bioinformatics, computational sciences, or similar. Precise requirements can be found with the 14 job descriptions on the website. The candidates should have a keen interest immunology, experimental and computational approaches, and systems medicine.
We accept applications from Early Stage Researcher (ESR) with less than 4 years research experience and no doctoral degree. Please read carefully the minimum eligibility criteria listed on the website.
The Marie Skłodowska-Curie (MSCA) programme offers a highly competitive and attractive salary and working conditions. The successful candidates will receive a salary in accordance with the MSCA regulations for early stage researchers. Exact salary will be confirmed upon appointment [Living Allowance = €37.320/year (correction factor to be applied per country) + Monthly mobility allowance = €600. An additional monthly allowance of €500 is applicable depending on family situation. In addition to their individual scientific projects, all fellows will benefit from further continuing education, which includes internships and secondments, a variety of training modules as well as transferable skills courses and active participation in workshops and conferences.
All applications proceed through the on-line recruitment portal on the COSMIC website. Candidates can apply electronically for up to three positions indicating their preference. Candidates are requested to provide all information regarding eligibility (ESR definition, mobility criteria, English language proficiency), plus a detailed CV, motivation letter, grades, and optionally 1-2 references. The deadline for on-line registration is shown on the website.
COSMIC organisations act in line with the principles of the European Charter for Researchers and Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers. COSMIC intends to hire an equal number of male and female ESRs. Selected ESRs will start within a couple of months after the interview date, and preferably no later than September 1st, 2018.


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Home News Briefs PE-backed Winchester acquires SPCT from Phoenix Chicago
PE-backed Winchester acquires SPCT from Phoenix Chicago
Winchester Interconnect Corporation, a portfolio company of Snow Phipps Group, has acquired China-based Shanghai Phoenix Communication and Technology, a producer of cable assemblies. The seller was Phoenix Chicago. No financial terms were disclosed.
Norwalk, CT – June 13, 2018 – Winchester Interconnect Corporation ("Winchester"), a portfolio company of Snow Phipps Group ("Snow Phipps"), announced it has completed the acquisition of Shanghai Phoenix Communication and Technology ("SPCT") from The Phoenix Company of Chicago ("Phoenix Chicago").
Headquartered in Shanghai, China, SPCT is a producer of custom high-mix, low-volume cable assemblies. SPCT helps customers across Asia, Europe and North America, design, manufacture and sell high-performing, innovative equipment and systems. The acquisition of SPCT increases Winchester's capabilities in Asia and adds to its existing product offerings in the medical and life sciences market.
Kevin Perhamus, CEO of Winchester, said "We are excited to announce the first acquisition in Asia in Winchester's history. The acquisition of Shanghai Phoenix further strengthens our capabilities and provides more access to the strategic medical and life sciences market."
John Pless, Partner at Snow Phipps, said "The acquisition of Shanghai Phoenix exemplifies Winchester's ability to acquire businesses strategic to their growth plans no matter where they are in the world. Winchester continues to be a market leader of connectivity solutions to customers across the globe."
ABOUT WINCHESTER INTERCONNECT CORPORATION
For over 75 years, Winchester has been a leading provider of custom engineered interconnect solutions for diverse, growing end markets requiring high reliability and application specific expertise. Winchester's world class design and engineering capabilities enable it to solve interconnect problems when downtime of the application can result in significant economic losses to the customer. The Company's complex, custom connectors and engineered cable assemblies transmit power and data to numerous global, blue-chip OEMs.
Winchester's strategic global footprint, supported by nine centers of excellence, provide local engineering and sales support to its customers. For more information about Winchester, visit http://www.winconn.com/.
ABOUT SNOW PHIPPS GROUP
Snow Phipps is a private equity firm focused on lower middle-market control investments with $2.4 billion of total capital commitments raised since its founding in 2005. The firm generally focuses on companies in attractive sub-sectors across the Industrials, Services and Consumer industries and targets platform investments with enterprise values ranging from $100 million to $500 million. The Snow Phipps investment team collaborates with its Operating Partners and portfolio management teams to create value through an operationally focused strategy often led by organic or acquisition-driven growth. Snow Phipps has made 23 platform investments and over 45 add-on acquisitions. The firm has been investing Snow Phipps III, L.P., with $913 million of total commitments, since 2016. To learn more about Snow Phipps, visit www.snowphipps.com.

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