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19 - 25 February 2013 Issue: 451

HOLLYWOOD HIGHaussie actress joins Dexter cast

UK business ties still strongAustrAliA’s newly appointed High Commissioner to Britain Mike rann has used a business lunch at Australia House to outline his vision for the future of Australian and British relations.

The speech identified an approach in which both Australia’s growing links with a prosperous Asia and our traditional ties with the uK could be accommodated to the mutual benefit of both Britain and Australia.

Hosted by Australian Business, Mike rann delivered his speech to an audience of approximately 150 attendees made up of prominent members of the uK Australian business community, including John Burton, Director of Development at Westfield, Agent-General for Queensland Ken Smith, Agent-General for WA Kevin Skipworth and the Hon. ros Kelly AO and Hon. shelia McHale.

Mr rann, who succeeded John Dauth in the post of High Commissioner to the united Kingdom on 3 December 2012, told the audience Australia could embrace both Asia and the uK.

“the two are not mutually exclusive,” he said.

Whilst acknowledging our traditional ties with Britain and Europe, Mr rann also recognised the

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Image by Michelle DayPriME Minister Julia Gillard says she isn’t losing sleep over the latest poll showing labor’s primary vote stands at just 30 per cent.

“We see a lot of opinion polls,” Ms Gillard told the Seven Network’s sunrise program on Monday.

“if i spent time worrying about them and commentating on opinion polls then i wouldn’t have the time to get my job done.

“so each and every day i just let that wash through and i focus on what i need to do as prime minister.”

Asked if her colleagues had given her a deadline to turn the polls around, Ms Gillard said: “Certainly not.”

Federal labor’s primary vote stands at just 30 per cent, down five points since December, according to the latest Herald/Nielsen poll published in Fairfax newspapers.

support for the coalition is up four points, taking its primary vote to 47 per cent - its highest level since just after the carbon tax began in July 2012.

On a two-party-preferred basis, labor’s support is at 45 per cent, well behind the 55 per cent for the coalition, according to voter feedback on the direction of second preferences.

Based on preference flows from the 2010 election, the two-party split is 44-56 in favour of the coalition.

Opposition leader tony Abbott has also overtaken Ms Gillard in the preferred prime minister stakes, with his support leaping nine points to 49 per cent compared with Ms Gillard on 45 - down five points.

the national poll of 1400 voters found the popularity of former prime minister Kevin rudd has also grown, with Mr Rudd favoured by 61 per

ABBOTT PREFERRED PM

SHE’S THE ONE THAT WE WANTWe talk to ONJ ahead of her UK tour | INTERVIEW P9

19 - 25 February 20132 | News

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Share your comments on these and more stories online: AustralianTimes.co.uk

Your say

What’s your view?

On: Aussie visa rules unfair to New Zealanders, says KeyWhat about the New Zealanders that have medical conditions, the Australian Government will still discriminate against New Zealanders by denying them rights to apply for permanent residence or citizenship.

Jay

i am a Kiwi and would have lived here longer than most Kiwis. Worked all my life, why would these people want things changed ? One reason only and that is why they changed the rules here. Complaining because you cannot get Australian citizenship. stick to where we were born and stay a Kiwi.

Michael

#NDIS is a clear cut case where New Zealanders are discriminated

against! the only components of the Australian population allowed to participate are citizens and permanent residents!

Marie

On: New Judeo-Christian party to mount challenge in Australian electionJust what racists in Australia deserve. A nutcase who blames weather and disasters on Kevin rudd lOl.

Ross

Well, in fact i have known this pastor since he escaped death from persecution at the hands of saudi Arabia for speaking about loving each other and he simply had a Prophetic dream 4 months before the fires occurred and shared it privately with some friends. the Kevin rudd comment actually came from a us citizen through an

Additional content:

email and not Daniel, so don’t believe everything you read.

Mike

On: “Keep Australia Australian”, says founder of new political partyIf God is behind the RUAP, nothing can stop it. God Bless Australia.

Gilchrist

i fully agree with ruAP “Keep Australia Australian!”

Erhard

Wow. What a horrible promotion of a terrifying trend in Australian politics. As someone who has been in the uK a long time i’m ashamed to be associated with such filth and am disappointed yet unsurprised this publication publishes such crap.

Grace

FEDErAl elections used to be marvellously ‘cold turkey’; like changing breakfast cereals.

snap! Call the election. Crackle! Blitzkrieg campaigning. Pop! A result – and the plebiscite is off the previous dope(s) and onto a new, or renewed, crunchy agenda.

Not this year possums. We’ve been consigned to a nine-month methadone programme of ennui, bluster, mud-slinging, dirt-digging, axings, promises-to-be-breached, reshuffles and plain old BS.

Why? Our Prime Minister chose a National Press Club lunch to announce the longest lead-up to an election in our history; a befuddling ploy that may have some imagined political advantage behind it, but has pissed off the entire electorate no end.

What the heck are they on in Canberra?

Just as Mark Twain averred that: “I have never let my schooling interfere with my education,” could it be that drugged-up politicians are interfering with the governing of Australia? it’s not necessarily performance-enhancing drugs we’re talking about here – in fact obviously not in most cases.

Anything from a few sly Gin & Tonics, to a cocktail of pharmacological euphorics, could explain the behaviour of some of the current Canberra crew.

there was the March 2010 photo of a sound asleep Peter slipper snuggled into the leather of Parliament House during an important address. in need of an afternoon nap?

Then, a couple of weeks ago NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell quipped on tV that politicians are full of the

Are there drugs in Australian politics? n With the nation reeling from the allegations of performance-enhancing drugs in major sporting codes, ANDY MCCOURT says it’s time for the net to be widened to eradicate this scourge once and for all. It’s time for politicians to be randomly tested for substance abuse. Evidence is empirical, but warrants further investigation.

Andy Asks

same stuff as found inside a baby’s nappy – and therefore need changing regularly. One can admire the candid honesty, but why had he suddenly become so self-effacing?

Bob Katter? Enough said. it grows faster in the tropics anyway. John Howard - a past user of human growth hormones; err maybe not? One of his ministers, Nick Minchin admitted toking the odd joint in his youth, but has sworn off it ever since. He even had Midnight Oil frontman, now Senator, Peter Garrett in the frame but ‘couldn’t be sure’ because ‘the room was too cloudy.’ lOl!

According to news mashers AFP, Gillard, Wayne Swan, Tony Abbott and Malcolm turnbull have all confessed to experimenting with ‘pot’ while at university. Kudos for truthfulness but how can we the voters be assured that the whacky-baccy has not played its part in whacky-policy? Only random drug tests on Capitol Hill will assure us of that.

During those excruciating late nights of debate in Parliament; often engineered to waste time and thereby prevent proper discourse; has any politician been tempted to consider an alternative means to stay awake and would this impair their judgement? Even a legit No-Doze could have implications and, as for the truck driver’s helper – a Cherry ripe with can of Coke – i wouldn’t want a decision made on an overseas military incursion while the big guns are on those.

look at Carbon tax – timothy leary would be proud of that trip.

‘Yeah, let’s be the only country in the world to impose a punitive tax on industry and consumers so we can hurt those people but ignore being

the world’s largest coal exporter as contributing to global warming because that coal is burnt elsewhere.’

same for the Mining tax – who was snorting the Haematite powder there?

‘Hey let’s alienate the industry that is keeping Australia from falling into a fourth-world economic slump by taxing the bejesus out of them!’

On it goes; i’m not saying all of our MPs and senators are zonked out, drinking their own Kool-Aid or otherwise surrendered to chemical influences, but we just need to be careful otherwise we could end up with laws such as in the uK where it is ‘illegal to die in Parliament’ and also to ‘Eat mince pies on Christmas Day.’ As for Eu laws, it must be dope, or how else did they legislate that there is no evidence that drinking bottled water can prevent dehydration? remember, this is the Parliament that has a 26,911 word regulation on the sale of cabbages, whereas the entire us Constitution, including amendments, is just 7,818 words. those us founding fathers were straight, man. Ours may have been a tad squiffier as the Aussie constitution is around 11,800 words, but still a fraction of Eu Cabbage regulations.

so bring it on. let’s be sure that tony’s ripped abs and pecs are genuine; Julia’s hair is steroid-free. Mandatory and random drug testing for Parliamentarians. Even if it proves nothing, it’s still such a pleasure to take the p**s out of them.

AustralianTimes.co.uk/news

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world. Previous winners have also included Skye Gyngell, Michelin stared Chef, and Gill Hicks, survivor of the london terrorist attacks.

Nominations are currently open and will close on the 1 March. Participants may nominate themselves or another woman living in the uK.

to nominate an outstanding woman in the uK go to www.qantas.com/auswomanuk

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Gillard not losing sleep over bad pollcent of respondents to just 35 per cent for Ms Gillard.

Commenting on continuing speculation of another leadership challenge by Mr Rudd, Ms Gillard said “all of these issues were resolved by the labor team in February last year”.

Nielsen pollster John Stirton said much of the support for Mr rudd as leader came from coalition voters.

“But when you’re behind on primary votes as much as labor is you need some of those voters to switch sides,” he told Sky News.

“so in a sense that makes that more significant than the fact that Malcolm turnbull is also the preferred leader over tony Abbott.”

He said the drop in labor’s primary vote hadn’t cancelled all the gains the party made last year but it had wiped out “a reasonable chunk”.

He thought part of Mr Abbott’s gain in the preferred prime minister stakes could be attributed to the opposition leader’s more measured performances in parliament during the first two sitting weeks of the year.

Also, Mr Abbott’s speech on the legislation to recognise indigenous

people got a bit of a run in the media.“that allowed some voters to see

a different side of tony Abbott than they’d seen previously,” Mr stirton said.

Labor MP Nick Champion put Mr Abbott’s gain down to his being “in hiding, wrapped up in cotton wool and not doing any interviews of any substance”.

liberal backbencher steve Ciobo said his party wouldn’t be taking anything for granted, even with such good poll numbers.

“Politics is volatile, things can change,” he told Sky News.

“We have got to campaign every single day.”

trade Minister Craig Emerson called for unity within the labor party.

“there have been diversions, there have been distractions, unity of purposes is needed,” Dr Emerson told ABC radio.

He said that is what the government must do in order to have the confidence of the Australian people that they are being listened to and working on policies, such as sunday’s innovation plan.

“this is a perfectly reasonable position on behalf of the Australian people,” he said. - AAP

Stricter gun laws a public safety issue: Howard tells USFOrMEr prime minister John Howard has again entered the debate on tightening gun laws in the united states.

In an interview with CNN, Mr Howard shared his experience in reforming Australia’s gun laws following the Port Arthur massacre in 1996 when a deranged gunman shot dead 35 people.

“This is not a left, right or -- to use American terminology -- a liberal, conservative issue,” he told CNN on sunday (us time).

“it’s really a public safety, common sense issue because that is the attitude that most Australians took.”

He spoke of the difficulty he faced in

Prisoner X ‘arrested over leaks to ASIO’SUSPECTED Australian-Israeli spy Ben Zygier is believed to have been arrested by his employer on suspicions he had informed Australia’s domestic intelligence agency of his work for Mossad, reports say.

the ABC says it understands Mr Zygier met Australian Security intelligence Organisation (AsiO) officers while visiting Australia, where he revealed details about several Mossad missions including a secret operation in italy.

Mr Zygier is said to have applied for a work visa in italy on one of his four trips to Australia before his death in an israeli jail in 2010.

He established a communications company in Europe for Mossad, which employed two other Australian Jews, the ABC reported.

Earlier on Monday, federal Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus said his department did not need to review what Australia’s spy agencies might have

known about the case of Mr Zygier.Foreign Minister Bob Carr has

ordered a review of his department’s handling of the mysterious case of the Melbourne man, after it emerged Australian diplomats knew about his imprisonment in israel before his death.

Mr Carr is also asking israel for some answers over Mr Zygier’s arrest by israeli authorities in February 2010, when he was held in a maximum security cell under a false name until he died, apparently by his own hand, in December 2010.

israel’s parliament says it will conduct an “intensive” inquiry into the arrest and death of the Australian-israeli man with Mossad links.

“the intelligence subcommittee of the (Knesset) foreign affairs and defence committee decided to hold an intensive inquiry into all aspects of the affair of the prisoner found dead in his cell,” the committee spokesman, Asaf Doron, said in a statement. - AAP

persuading state governments to agree to stricter rules around gun ownership.

“Most of the farmers ... supported our party,” he said.

“Many of them were angry at the ban but in the end we were able to use the power of public outrage.”

Mr Howard in January wrote about his successful push to overhaul gun laws in the New York Times, following the massacre of 20 children at Connecticut’s sandy Hook Elementary school in December.

us President Barack Obama has called for a ban on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines as well as universal background checks for gun buyers.- AAP

Qantas and Australian Business proudly sponsor the Qantas Australian Woman of the Year Award, supported by Australian times.

the award open to all Australian women in the uK, and focuses on the success of women within business or personal endeavours, the arts, sciences, professional disciplines, government, the community sector or any other field.

this will be sixth year the event has run, and will be hosted at the ME london on 13 March.

the winner will be decided by a panel of Judges, and announced at the reception.

Nominations open for Qantas Aussie Woman of the Year Award 2013

the selected winner of Qantas Australian Woman of the Year in the uK 2013 winner will receive one return international Business ticket to sydney or Melbourne flying Qantas, a perpetual trophy housed in Australia House, and become an ambassador representing Qantas and Australian Business at up to four promotional events throughout the year.

last years winner was liz Koops, owner and Managing Director of Back row Productions, which she started in 2000. liz has been at the forefront of theatrical production, putting on highly successful shows in Australia, the uK and around the

19 - 25 February 20134 | News

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n A new Christian political group running on the back of an anti-multiculturalism platform plans to field 64 candidates at the next federal election. ‘PAUL BLEAKLEY talks to the founder to learn more about who Danny Nalliah is and what is Rise Up Australia.PASTOR Danny Nalliah is a proud Australian. Born in sri lanka, an Asian nation ravaged by civil war, Nalliah came to Australia fifteen years ago on a mission to create a better life for his family. His goal for 2013 is slightly bigger: he wants to create a better life for all Australians with the help of his recently formed political party rise up Australia.

Nalliah, founder of the Catch the Fire Christian ministry, officially launched rise up Australia at the National Press Club this week in a speech that outlined the party’s political agenda. rise up Australia’s slogan says it all: “Keep Australia Australian”. the party aims to protect Australian society from the pervasive influence of other cultures, which Nalliah blames on a politically correct interpretation of multiculturalism.

Rise Up Australia will be fielding 64 candidates in the 2013 federal election, with Nalliah himself standing as one of the party’s 12 candidates for the senate. He told Australian Times that rise up Australia hoped to gain at least three seats in the federal upper house in order to take the balance of power in government away from the Australian Greens Party.

Nalliah said: “From what we have been hearing, most people are fed up with the Greens. Our first priority would be to replace the term ‘multicultural’ with ‘multiethnic’, meaning you can have people from many ethnic backgrounds but they are all Australian. Only in the West is multiculturalism even spoken about, you rarely hear about it anywhere else.”

the political movement that

“Keep Australia Australian”, says founder of new political party

would become rise up Australia was founded after Nalliah was sued by the islamic Council of Victoria under the state’s racial and religious Tolerance Act in 2002. The law- which Nalliah refers to as “subjective rather than objective”- required the pastor to prove his innocence at a substantial personal cost: Nalliah paid $600 000 defending himself while his law firm racked up another $1.2 million in pro bono fees.

Nalliah told Australian Times that this court case was the first step in the foundation of a political movement, with his fight against Victoria’s anti-discrimination legislation rallying support throughout Australia as an attempt to protect free expression. He says that the case “put me on a footing that i didn’t intend to be in” and made him “a household name as a man defending freedom of speech.”

Nalliah said: “I’ve travelled all around the country speaking to people, living in farmer’s homes, and i ask people ‘What do you think of the government?’ … i don’t want to repeat what they say but it is not good. they want the cry of the people to be heard… they are the silent majority.

“they think it is sad to have an unelected government that the people did not elect. People are disillusioned with both sides of politics, the Liberal-National coalition and the Labor-Greens coalition. Now we have come into politics the feedback has been amazing and people are saying that finally there is someone that speaks from our hearts.”

Nalliah believes that Australia’s Muslim population pose one of the greatest challenges to the country’s

culture, claiming that the islamic community are often the driving force in supporting multiculturalism in order to impose their own social values and legal standards within Western societies.

He said: “One of the greatest pushes for multiculturalism comes from Muslim people. David Cameron is the perfect example of someone who has said ‘multiculturalism has failed’. there are sharia courts starting all over the uK. if multiculturalism has been ineffective in Europe, why implement a failure in Australia?”

Nalliah is committed to seeing Rise up Australia become a force to be reckoned with in national politics. He says that as he has travelled across Australia spreading the party’s message they have developed a database of 12 500 supporters. Nalliah told Australian Times that he was prepared to dedicate the next twenty years of his life to rise up Australia in order to ensure that Australians were allowed to have their voice heard.

Nalliah said: “I remember I read a speech by John F. Kennedy where he said ‘Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country’. i asked myself how and what i can do for my adopted country of Australia. the whole country is losing rights at the cost of tolerance. there is only so much you can tolerate.”

Rise Up Australia will officially launch its campaign in Victoria on February 16. The party itself was launched in Canberra earlier this week, where Nalliah was joined by guest speaker lord Christopher Monckton.

shift of policy focus in Australia towards those nations in closer geographical proximity. this shift was recently articulated in the Government’s ‘Asian Century’ white paper.

He said Asia’s re-emergence as the world’s most dynamic economic region necessitated Australian engagement in this area.

“Our current and future prosperity is directly linked to the Asian growth story,” Mr rann said.

However, Mr rann reassured attendees this shift did not mean turning away from Britain and Europe.

“Our engagement with our Asian neighbours and with emerging markets in Asia will not distract us from our traditional allies and developed markets.”

instead, the focus for Australian

businesses in the uK should be on facilitating uK access to Asian markets, as Australia has unique advantages to offer in our understanding of business in Asia.

“What was once referred to as the tyranny of distance - Australia’s geographic remoteness from Europe and North America - has become the advantage of adjacency – with the world’s fastest growing economies on our doorstep,” said Mr rann.

Britain could provide a gateway for Australian businesses to access the heavily regulated Eu market, and Australian businesses could provide a unique perspective on, and access to, the markets of southeast Asia and China to uK companies.

Mr rann said the uK and Australia had a “virtually unparalleled relationship”, sharing aligned interests and perspectives as well as strong bonds of history, family and values.

Mr rann paid tribute to his own British heritage, noting as like PM Gillard and Opposition leader tony Abbott, he was born in the UK before emigrating to New Zealand and then to Australia.

“Fifty years to the day of my departure from British soil i returned as the Australian High Commissioner.”

‘Embracing Asia does not mean neglecting UK’, says High Commissioner

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UK Life | 5AustralianTimes.co.uk

is an iconic character in modern British culture. she is gorgeous with an edge, and it is her take-no-prisoners attitude that has endeared her to Australian men living in the uK who have only just realised what their British counterparts have known for quite a long time: it can be sexy to be a chav.

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i’M not normally one to jump to the defence of another in order to protect their honour.

However, that has all changed recently as i have found myself rapidly becoming a staunch advocate for a much maligned celebrity that has copped a relentless battering from the press.

there can be only one possible explanation for this change of attitude: I fancy Tulisa Contostavlos.

Maybe it is my fascination with the chav culture, or maybe i just like to support the underdog. Whatever the case may be, there is something about tulisa that has caught my eye since I first arrived in London a few months ago.

i am not alone in this opinion. Conversations like “How good

An Aussie love letter to Tulisan This week our Sleuth jumps to the defence of a newly discovered UK crush – Tulisa. did tulisa look on The X-Factor

tonight?” are a relatively common occurrence for Australian men only now discovering this British treasure.

tulisa has been called a chav by a wide range of people in the media, including her X-Factor co-star Louis Walsh, and the self-proclaimed ‘female boss’ seems to play up to the title. she is regularly spotted in tracksuits, has a thick North London accent and often refers to her urban roots as a hip hop megastar with Camden Town outfit N-Dubz.

tulisa is virtually unknown to Australian audiences, proving to be somewhat of a revelation to travellers finding her face plastered on the front page of every newspaper in the united Kingdom on a regular basis.

But being a chav is not all about appearances. there is an attitude demonstrated by chavs that oozes rebellion against authority and edginess. Perhaps that is what makes Tulisa so fascinating: she is feisty and is the quintessential girl next door (depending on where you live).

i do not know if my affection for Tulisa provoked my affinity for a certain subset of london culture, or if it was the other way around. Either way, i cannot help but think that the two are intrinsically connected.

tulisa has been lambasted in the media recently for her poor taste in men. Her last boyfriend recently pleaded guilty to growing cannabis and her latest squeeze is a Premier League footballer whose ex-girlfriend is pregnant with his child. it is the standard type of twisted web that you would find on The Jeremy Kyle Show and gives further credence to the media’s claim that tulisa is the Queen of the Chavs.

regardless of the negative media coverage of her love life, tulisa

In association with

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royal Opera House website is it lets you preview your seat, so you can see the view you will get. With a little extra effort, i found great seats – even though up in the nosebleed section – which were also affordable at around £40.

After waiting nearly six months, December finally rolled around and it was time to get into the Christmas spirit. the building itself is stunning, with an impressive history. the current facade, foyer and auditorium date from 1858, with a refurbishment in 1990 bringing new life to the other parts of the impressive theatre.

While i am no ballet connoisseur, i could tell the whole show was fantastic. As i watched the dancing i was completely enchanted by the costumes and stage setting. scored by tchaikovsky, the music was familiar as it told the story of the toy soldier and sugar Plum fairy. the famous dance of the sugar Plum Fairy didn’t disappoint, and i felt a renewed desire to put my tutu back on and become a ballerina.

the experience was worth the wait. i am now even keener to revisit the building for an Opera. I may not find it quite as exciting as ballet (after all, i didn’t sing Opera growing up), but it is at least another chance to visit this beautiful building.

AustralianTimes.co.uk/uk-life

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bron inthe don BronWYn spenCer

Ballet brilliance n Fancy getting up close and personal with men in tights, women in tutus, or is operatic performance more your thing? Our resident adventurer discovers the spiritual home of both, and takes in a performance of The Nutcracker, when she ticks off #98 on the Timeout London Top 100- the Royal Opera House.

DEsPitE its name, the royal Opera House is not only about Opera. it is also home to the royal Ballet and, with classics like The Nutcracker showing over the Christmas period, i couldn’t wait to go. like a lot of young girls i had ballet classes when i was younger, and i still have a soft spot for point shoes and tutus.

A couple of years ago i spotted posters on the tube in the lead up to Christmas for The Nutcracker by the royal English Ballet. Feeling in the festive spirit i decided to buy a ticket. Well, that was a rookie mistake. turns out any ticket with a decent view, or which was in my price range, was sold out. last year, i got in early and by July had booked tickets for the upcoming Christmas period.

One of the best things about the

19 - 25 February 20136 | UK Life

National Rail overground next to our underground. little did i know there was so much more for me to discover.

Balham tube station opened on 6 December, 1926 as part of the Mordern Extension – built only a few months earlier. He was designed by a fella called Charles Holden and in the second World War he was one of many deep stations designated to be used as a civilian air raid shelter.

On 14 October 1940 the road above his northern end was bombed, causing a large crater and leading a bus to crash and collapse onto the platform. There were 66 casualties and 70 injured. the Balham blitz tube disaster is commemorated with a memorial plaque in the station’s ticket hall.

it’s not all tragedy for this courageous man. He also had his 15 minutes of fame in the video clip for the single ‘Missing’ by Everything But The Girl and the bombing disaster is mentioned in the film Atonement.

Even though he has seen hard times, he keeps on chugging along and provides transport services to thousands of people everyday. He might be in Zone 3 but let me assure you he has all the qualities of a guy from Zone 1.

How much do you know about your local tube station? take a look, and you may discover things about your stop you could never have imagined.

the killing spree ended. the awkward moment was averted when the official tour group takes position on an adjacent corner. i chalk this up as a win for my first tour group in the notoriously competitive industry of ripperology.

the tour twists and turns its way through the streets of East london, stopping off at the increasingly brutal murder sites on White’s row (now a parking lot), Hanbury street (empty office space) and Durward street (renamed after the street’s original name ‘Buck’s row’ became synonymous with prostitution and murder). i have tried to cater for everything on my first ever tour as a ripperologist. We stop on Brick lane for the standard Bangladeshi curry and i have accounted for the time it would take for a pint at two separate ‘vintage’ pubs along the way.

Following the path of the ripper is the perfect, albeit disturbing, way to explore the rich history of london’s inner east. On a cold winter’s night it is easy to imagine the foggy alleyways that Jack would have walked, and the terror that would have been felt by every person living in the rough and tumble world of Victorian london.

A letter allegedly sent by the ripper to chief of the Whitechapel Vigilance Committee George Lusk challenged those in pursuit to “catch me if you can”. Over a century later, the hunt is still on. it is up to the amateur historians walking in the ripper’s footsteps to do the best they can. Answer the call, join the hunt. And get yourself a decent curry along the way.

tube talk> sanDra tahmasBY

AustralianTimes.co.uk/uk-life

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By Paul Bleakley

tO tHE uninitiated it may seem like the swarms of people furtively darting down a nondescript alleyway off Aldgate High street after dark are involved in the kind of nefarious behaviour that characterised the East End of old. Exploring the alley itself will not provide much more insight: all that is there is a cobblestoned square surrounded by office buildings and a school playground. the only thing particularly striking about it is that it is a dark place for, one can only assume, particularly dark deeds.

it is precisely this quality that makes Mitre square one of the City of london’s most abstract and beguiling attractions. straddling the border of the City and the eastern boroughs, Mitre square plays a central role in one of the most notorious stories in london’s sordid history. in the early hours of the 30th of september, 1888, the body of local prostitute Catherine Eddowes was found in Mitre square. she had been brutally butchered in a matter of minutes on the very cobblestones that cover the square to this day.

she was the fourth victim of the City’s most infamous serial killer of all time, Jack the ripper.

As gruesome as it may be, ‘dark tourism’ is a subsection of modern travel that has experienced rapid growth in recent years. there is something inappropriately fascinating about revisiting sites that hold such a history of terror and, depending on your views on morality, evil in its purest form. this is what makes a Jack the ripper walking tour through East london an essential aspect of many travellers’ to-do lists.

World-renowned Ripperologist Donald rumbelow, former curator of the City of london Police’s Crime Museum, leads one such walk departing from tower Hill underground station. rumbelow was the man chosen to instruct Johnny Depp on ripper lore in preparation

‘ripperologist’ for a nightn How to lead a Jack the Ripper walking tour of London’s East End.

for his role in the feature film From Hell and speaks with great authority on the wild variety of theories associated with the identity and motives of the murderer lurking in the shadows of 1888.

i took rumbelow’s tour of the ripper’s murder sites in the summer, at a time when i was far less confident wandering around areas like Whitechapel, stepney and Bethnal Green than I would become as the year went on. When my housemates made the passing comment a few weeks ago that they would love to do a ripper walk themselves, the solution became clear: I would lead my own tour of the East End. i would become, for the night at least, a ripperologist.

the rendezvous point for the inaugural Paul Bleakley ripper tour was at Crosswall, a stone’s throw from the tower Hill station and within walking distance of the first noteworthy sites associated with Jack’s reign of terror: the prostitute’s church St Botolphs-without-Aldgate and the place where Catherine Eddowes met her untimely end at Mitre square.

My unofficial tour has its first awkward moment on a corner in Goulston Street, the place where the ripper infamously left a piece of Eddowes bloody apron as he fled the scene of her death. it is on this corner, as i explain some of the more fantastical conspiracy theories related to the ripper legend, that we cross paths with an official walking tour consisting of around thirty amateur historians trying to crack the case of the Jack the ripper 124 years after

tHis week i am preparing myself to travel to Armenia, where my family originated. it’s a very exiting journey for me as i get to discover the country of my heritage.

Whilst packing a small suitcase for my journey abroad, i started to think about who i am and where i come from. strangely enough my mind drifted to thinking about my local tube station. Just like me, he too has a heritage, a history and a story to tell.

Although ancestry.com wasn’t too much help to me in this instance, i did stumble across a number of interesting facts on the World Wide Web. i’m a south london girl belonging to the northern line. Balham, to be precise. sW12 all the way!

Naturally, Balham tube station is where I find myself every morning and every night; travelling to and from work, social get togethers and fun adventures. i thought i knew all there was to know about this busy little station. like, there are two exits, that sometimes it’s faster to get to the platform by dodging the people on the wrong side of the staircase, and even that we have the

Tube am I?

Food & Wine | 7AustralianTimes.co.uk

shattered, just for an instant. Oh well, at least the coffees are

consistently delicious.

Bill Granger, obviously.Having conquered the well-heeled

sydney breakfast set with his three restaurants, expanding into Japan with four more, he is now making his mark in london with the same approach that has proved so popular in Australia.

the website, with its breezy photos of sydney harbour says it all. it is the easygoing glam of Eastern sydney, set in the stylish grace of West London. Not just a breakfast, but an immersive experience in another world.

Granger & Co, 175 Westbourne Grove, Notting Hill, London W11 2SB

A tip from a Sydneysider: there are really only three things you order off a Bill’s brunch menu: the sweetcorn fritters, roast tomato, spinach and bacon; the ricotta hotcakes, banana and honeycomb butter; or the very creamy scrambled eggs and sourdough toast. Everything else is just unnecessary eye candy. true for sydney and true for london.

The first time, it’s perfect. The corn fritters are crispy, corn stuffed and perfectly balanced with juicy roast tomatoes. the hotcakes are light, pillowy deliciousness, with the honeycomb butter giving that extra kick of sweetness that you might need after a long wait.

The second time, in true Groundhog Day style, i insist on the same. this time though, there’s just something not quite right. the hotcakes don’t have enough extras to soak up the doughy cakes, and the corncakes are undercooked and still have gooey batter in the middle. the illusion is

chris’s kitchen

> Chris arKaDieff

Tasty roasted whole lemon sole

Coffee Cult visits: Granger & Co. in Notting Hill

The Connection

The Conclusion

The Craic

The Crucials

By Alex Ivett

AT MAZE GRILL we roast our lemon sole in the charcoal-fired oven. the Josper oven crisps the skin ever so slightly while giving the delicate flesh a hint of open fire smokiness.

this simple technique is perfect when cooking in our ovens at home. lemon sole is one of the uK’s top fish. Closely related to turbot and plaice, they are packed full of

Say it with solen This week, our main man in the Maze Grill kitchen, CHRIS ARKADIEFF, shows us how to serve up a perfectly baked fillet of sole for a healthy and simple meal.

What you need• 2 medium lemon soles, clean and

washed• 1 small lemon thinly sliced• 1 bottle of good quality olive oil• 2 stalks of fresh oregano• 1 stalk of fresh basil leaves• sea salt• Fresh ground black pepper• 200g tender stem broccoli• 1 medium heat red chilli• 100g toasted flaked almonds

What to do• set the oven to 190 degrees Celsius.• Fill a saucepan large enough to

blanch the broccoli with water. Add salt and bring to a boil.

• Take a roasting tray for the fish and line with tin foil to create an envelope shape.

• Place the fish in the tray. Using a sharp knife gently score lines on the dark skin side of the sole.

• lightly drizzle olive oil over the fish. Season with black pepper and sea salt and gently massage the flesh working the seasoning into the score marks.

• sprinkle the herbs over and under

sweetness and flavour. One medium fish is large enough

for two. Ask the fishmonger to give the fish a quick clean and remove the innards and fins.

When i prepare this dish i serve the fish in a roasting tray at the table. this way all the juices are soaked back into the fish. I always serve it with large chunks of fresh bread, perfect for soaking up the lemony roasting juices left behind in the tray. tender steamed broccoli dressed with olive oil, and a few slices of mild red chillies are perfect accompaniment to a simple meal.

the fish and lay slices of lemon on top of each fish.

• take the edges of the foil and fold to enclose the fish and seal tightly.

• Place the fish in the oven and set the timer for 15 minutes.

• Next prepare the tender stem broccoli by trimming any tufts or woody ends of the stalks. Finely slice the chillies and set aside.

• When the timer on the oven has 5 minutes left add the broccoli to the rapidly boiling water. After 5 minutes check the stems with a knife and when the broccoli is tender remove from the water onto a large serving platter.

• season with salt and fresh black pepper, sprinkle the chilies, almonds and a good helping of olive oil to finish.

• Remove the fish from the oven and unwrap the foil being careful not to loose the juices.

• The fish is cooked when the flesh can be flaked away from the bone with ease. if not place back in the oven for 2-3 minutes.

• serves 4• serve with thick wedges of bread

and wine. Enjoy!

i First saw Bill Granger, Aussie celebrity chef and restaurateur, on his tV cooking show Bill’s Food. it painted a picture of a life full of pastel shades, throw rugs and streaming sunlight into an airy kitchen. Bill’s blonde ringleted spawn would be dressed in matching Osh Kosh Bigosh, adorably licking the batter remnants off the whisking spoons Bill had just used to casually whip up a banana butterscotch pudding.

His sydney restaurants, Bills in Darlinghurst, Woollahra and surry Hills, paint the same picture. Not just a café, but a lifestyle. A window into a Sydney world of affluent sun and long brunches after a morning swim before moving onto afternoons spent in designer boutiques.

Now, with Granger & Co in London, Granger brings his easy charm to Notting Hill. The sun may be gone but the affluence remains. Set amongst the white-washed, polished streets of Westbourne Grove, breakfast here offers the same window of opportunity – of access to a london i can’t afford, but at least can pretend to be part of for the length of a plate of scrambled eggs.

like his tV show, the set is light and airy. Big pane windows, blonde-wood tables and rattan backed chairs and a big marble bench occupying the right wall piled high with freshly baked muffins and cakes and pumping out fresh juices and coffees at record speed.

The first time I visit I’m early enough to avoid the famous queues and snag a table by the window, awkwardly pouring over the freely provided papers and sitting on one coffee waiting for a friend, whilst the building queue of glossed and sheened W2’ers eye me with ill-disguised hatred - coveting my table.

the second time, i graduate to the leather benches, surrounded by heavy-wool-knitted, iron-straight haired, Prada-bag-carrying ladies who lunch, discussing their weekends spent in some ‘shire’ somewhere, rambling around the English fields in Hunter wellies and sipping shiraz by the fire back at their country manor.

i covet their table.

Image by Granger & Co

Image by Granger & Co

Image by Granger & Co

19 - 25 February 20138 | Entertainment

tHE 18th World of Women (WOW) Film Festival will be held in london on 23 February and 28 March, presented by Equator’s WOW – Women of the World/World of Women Festival (uK) in collaboration with Australia’s WOW Film Festival.

the Australian based WOW event is celebrating 18 years of excellence in international women’s short films, and the uK event will screen a selection of the festival highlights at the Amnesty international Centre in london.

the uK part of the programme will showcase 30 films including 10 world premieres and 20 UK first showings.

the March programme is featured as part of international Women’s Month.

the event is designed to highlight the best of contemporary short films with key creative input by Australian and international women filmmakers. Fiction, documentary, animation and experimental cinema will all be included in part of the experience, as well as different storytelling and a unique perspective.

the slogan for the event is “seeing the world through the eyes of women”.

WOW has collaborated with Equator who bring international artists to the uK and France, performing music, theatre, arts and dance production from around the world.

to Australia for work. She said: “It is always wonderful to

come back to Australia, it is my home and i miss it. Any chance i get to have days off is great because i get to visit my old stomping grounds.”

The seventh season of Dexter will premiere on Fox on Sunday 24 February at 9pm. Strahovski’s film I, Frankenstein will be released in the UK on 13 September 2013.

AustralianTimes.co.uk/entertainment

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AUSTRALIAN actress Yvonne strahovski will tap into her dark side when she appears in the upcoming season of hit us television programme Dexter, due to launch its seventh season in the united Kingdom in late February.

strahovski, will join the popular drama series which stars Golden Globe winner Michael C. Hall as a serial killer with a conscience targeting criminals that have avoided justice through the legal system. the sydneysider will play the role of Hannah McKay, a woman with a troubled past that crosses paths with the programme’s conflicted protagonist and forms an unusual bond with the unassuming murderer.

the dark nature of her Dexter character was something strahovski enjoyed portraying on screen, looking to her fellow cast members as examples of how to successfully interpret a character with often unclear and twisted motivations. she joins the cast as a woman who was detained in a juvenile detention facility at 15 after going on a killing spree across America with her boyfriend. strahovski’s character is contacted by the police in order to assist in finding the bodies of her ex-boyfriend’s victims, putting her on a collision course with Michael C. Hall’s iconic serial killer character.

strahovski told Australian Times: “it’s great to be able to play different types of characters. Hannah is definitely a darker character for me than some of my other roles, and Michael C. Hall was a great inspiration in how to play a character that is dark but still likeable. He has the ability to change the dynamic where the audience is rooting for the serial killer to win.”

the actress, a graduate of the university of Western sydney, started in the Australian entertainment industry by taking on small roles in local dramas before moving to the united states of America and landing a role in the NBC spy-comedy Chuck. the show quickly attracted a cult following, with strahovski’s character CiA Agent sarah Walker appearing throughout Chuck’s five-year run.

Strahovski said: “When I got the role on Chuck everything happened so fast, it was like a steam train that didn’t stop. i was thrown into the deep end and didn’t know what to expect. I remember when I got my first fan mail i was so shocked. Chuck grew an enormously dedicated fan base… We were on the bubble constantly, but

Demonstrating Dexterity n INTERVIEW | Aussie actress Yvonne Strahovski is set to star in hit US show Dexter. She talks to PAUL BLEAKLEY about forming an unusual bond with a serial killer.

the fans stood by us and i am honoured by their dedication.”

the actress said that she was a fan of Dexter prior to taking on the role of Hannah McKay, watching all of the six previous seasons back-to-back before starting filming. She told Australian Times that working with the show’s cast and crew was an enjoyable experience and that she was thrilled to work on what is expected to be the award-winning programme’s penultimate season.

She said: “Being on Dexter is one of my favourite things that i have ever done and i am blessed to have had the opportunity to work with such a professional cast and crew. Michael C. Hall and Jennifer Carpenter are amazing actors, the set was very chilled out and i had a blast working with everyone on the show.”

After a 2011 season that received lacklustre reviews, critics have praised Dexter as having returned to form in the upcoming season which screened in the us late 2012. strahovski said that, while she had not read any reviews, the public response to her role on Dexter had been positive.

strahovski recently returned to Australia to film I, Frankenstein in Melbourne with British actor Bill Nighy. The film explores how classic horror character Frankenstein’s monster would act in a modern setting, with strahovski playing a scientist working in the laboratory run by Nighy. Since relocating to the us, strahovski has returned to her home country four times to work on film projects and said that she appreciated opportunities to return

Equator WOW Film Festival shows Aussie short film highlights

VENUE AND TICKET DETAILS

Saturday 23 FebruaryProgramme 1: 3pm-6.15pmProgramme 2: 7pm-10.15pmThursday 28 March Programme 3: 7pm-10.15pmThere will be a special programme of live world music during the intervals presented by ShivaNova. Ticket costs per programme£13 and £10 concessions in advance, or £14 and £11 on the door. Location:Amnesty International UKThe Human Rights Action Centre17-25 New Inn YardLondon EC2A 3EA See wow-womenoftheworld.com

UK-BASED Australian singer, actress and session artist Alison Jiear is bringing her one woman show, Under the Influence, to st James theatre in March. she will be performing music from the artists who have influenced her and her career. Alison will put her own jazz and opera twist on songs from great artists such as Ella Fitzgerald, Dusty springfield, Burt Bacharach and Joni Mitchell.

Alison has had a broad and accomplished career since coming to london with her Australian girl group the Fabulous singlettes

Alison Jiear is ‘Under the Influence’in 1987. she has performed in musicals in the West End, as well back in Australia, and has also performed roles on tV. On top of this, her music career has been illustrious, performing as both lone vocalist on tV shows and concerts, as well as backing singer and session musician. she has worked on albums for Will Young, robbie Williams and Kylie Minogue.

if you’re a fan of cabaret and jazz, or are well-versed within Alison’s talents, her shows are not to be missed. You can catch her at St James Theatre on 2-3 March

with tickets available at £12.50-£25.00.

Alison’s performances will be supported by Dave Arch on piano, Adam Goldsmith playing guitar, steve Pearce on bass and ralph salmins on drums.

See www.stjamestheatre.co.uk for details and tickets.

Festival Highlight:

ComfortableNice boy Andy and his adventurous girlfriend Sam are lost and struggling in the depths of something called ‘us’. A night of debauchery forces them to confront the truth. Stars Ashley Hunter and Megan Drury (Packed to the Rafters, Underbelly).This film picked up several awards at the Australian WOW Film Festival 2012 winning Best Australian Fiction Drama and Best Director Award.Screening on Saturday 23 February

Festival Highlight: PeekabooOn the train home, a stranger plays peekaboo with a young child. When the toddler goes missing, her desperate mother searches frantically. This thriller starring Justine Clark (Look Both Ways, Bastard Boys) played at both the Melbourne and Sydney Film Festivals and won the Audience Choice Award.Screening on Saturday 23 February

Entertainment | 9AustralianTimes.co.uk

is one that has produced 25 albums, 18 major tours, and a long list of television and film appearances.

With so many achievements tucked under her belt over the years, Ms Newton-John says there are no notches she regrets.

“i don’t like to go over failures, but i learn from them and keep going.”

Born in England in 1948, it wasn’t until the age of six that Ms Newton-John graced Australian shores when her family moved to Melbourne. Although sitting under a Californian sky, she tells Australian Times down the phone Australia is where she has called home ever since.

“How do you explain what you miss about home, it is just the little things.

“i like the feeling of freedom, the space, and hearing the birds sing in the morning. there is nothing like waking up to birds singing.”

Despite all her achievements, for many fans they will always be overshadowed by her legendary portrayal of sandy in the movie Grease.

so is Grease a blessing or a curse?“Definitely a blessing,” she said.“i’d be a fool if i felt it was a curse.

it is still making people happy, and if people remember me for that, then that’s a pretty good thing to be remembered for.”

Meanwhile, Ms Newton-John was unable to confirm rumours she and John travolta would be reuniting on screen for a Grease reunion after he recently teased press with the idea.

“I know nothing specifically, but he has said he has a couple of ideas.”

Ms Newton-John’s UK tour kicks off in March, and will give audiences a taste of why she has managed to stay in the game for over 40 years.

she admits this uK tour could very possibly be her last, as she looks to a future outside of performing.

“i’m not sure i will tour again.“Health

and well-being, that’s really my focus now.”

head. it’s an incredibly immersive

experience, and i’ve lost myself so completely by now that i’m oblivious to the other equally engrossed audience members.

We are transported to a New York club for the second phase of the production, where A History are performing in a sleazy club with tina in her green dress at the microphone. the band perform several songs as the dancers bump and grind, and the audience relaxes in the more familiar gig environment.

the band are hot; dark beats laced with shimmering glints of melody are a backdrop for magnetic singer Aquila rose to mewl and growl and coo - the Aussie/English/Spanish three piece are nothing if not sexy.

things get funky during the infectious ‘Boom Down’ as the dancers get hot and heavy, and drop down a notch for the moody ‘Howling’, which has echoes of Fever ray. single ‘Fox’ is their real diamond however, sneaking up on you with its hypnotic circuital guitar melody and gentle build up. it’s the kind of song you only need to hear once before you’ve got it stuck in your head.

We emerge from the vintage Big Apple to present day Big smoke thoroughly impressed, and slightly confused. still not exactly sure what it was, but we definitely want more.

For A History see tinainthegreendress.com, and for TwistedHip see twistedhip.co.uk.

WIN 2 TICKETS to an olivia newton-John show of your choosing.Go to australiantimes.co.uk/win

WINTickets

Equator’s Women of the World Film Festival 23 February & 28 March@ Amnesty International Human Rights Action Centre, London

The Australian PinkFloyd Show25 February@ London 02 Arena

The Rubens27 February@ Scala

Olivia Newton-John13 March@ Royal Albert Hall

Tommy Emmanuel16 March@ Shepherd’s Bush Empire

The Jezabels22 March@Barfly Camden

Pam Ann28-29 March@ Hammersmith Apollo

Sarah Blasko11 April@Barbican Centre

Tame Impala25 June@ Hammersmith Apollo

for full details...

...and more Aussie gigs go to: AustralianTimes.co.uk/entertainment

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Follow us on Twitter @AustralianTimes

see what we are following this week on

is it a gig? Is it theatre? No one is entirely sure what to expect ahead of the performance of Tina, in the Green Dress at the roundhouse. One thing’s certain however - they don’t waste any time. As soon as i hand over my ticket a lady in military fatigues barks at me to get in a queue. Before i can even think about a cloakroom i’ve been ordered to put on a set of headphones and pushed forward into a dark room as the sound of choppers surround me.

And so begins the journey.Tina, In The Green Dress is the

ambitious collaboration between emerging electro-pop group A History and theatre company twistedHip. the interactive show tells the story of tina, an American girl who is estranged from her lover Jimmy when he is drafted to Vietnam. it is based on a suitcase of real letters sent between the couple, which the band found at a market in Coney island.

the journey sees tina travel from to Mississippi to New York, but tonight we start firmly in Vietnam. there are soldiers everywhere and we are ushered through a bewildering maze of dark alleys - someone hands me a sandbag that i am to carry and deliver to a waiting soldier. there are snippets of action happening all around, heated exchanges and illicit encounters involving soldiers - and then tina appears in the middle of the room for a dramatic choreographed crescendo as the music floods my

n REVIEW | Tina, in the Green Dress at The Roundhouse

Theatre theatrics Image by Stephanie Rose Wood

Image by Stephanie Rose Wood

tO PiCK a standout moment of any career that has spanned forty years is no easy task. to ask that of someone who has had such a prolific and rewarding career as Olivia Newton-John, is a challenge in its own league.

Just her name itself indicates the presence of an Australian icon - setting off a blur of memories for any Australian like someone flicking through a photo album at high speed. it catches on pages from 1974, where she represented uK in the Eurovision song Contest against ABBA, and performance in Grease in 1978, before flicking through to her status as a golden country music swooner and tireless charity worker.

With such a thick portfolio, it comes as a surprise when Ms Newton-John is able to pick her stand out career moment so readily when asked by Australian Times.

“i think it was the sydney Olympics, singing with John Farnham,” she told us brightly.

“it is a highlight in my career, representing my country at the most important sporting event in the world.

Dancing with Gene Kelly, Greasing up the world’s theatres, and seeing Art Garfunkel accepting her Record of the Year Grammy from John lennon while she was away on the road, are also strong memories that crop up in the field of dreams she has harvested into a

career.the recent

announcement of Ms Newton-John’s 2013 uK tour, her first here since 1978, will celebrate four decades of song, and serve as a fitting tribute

to an impressive working life. it

Hopelessly Devotedn With a career spanning forty years, and highlights ranging from starring as Sandy in Grease to singing at the Olympics, every Australian would have their own favourite memories of Olivia Newton-John’s journey in Australian music. Ahead of her UK tour ERIN SOMERVILLE chats with an Australian icon and finds out her personal magic moments.

#valentinesday

Lax is Life @LacrosseProblemFace it, you have a better chance of scoring in lacrosse than in real life. #valentinesday

Greg St. James @St_Nasty92Anyone wanna drink and make bad decisions with me tomorrow #valentinesday

Nikhil Chinapa @nikhilchinapaGive back to someone who loves you unconditionally every single minute of their lives. Spend some time with your dog today. #ValentinesDay

Matt DeTreux @MDe_TruthJust called up McDonalds and made reservations for me and my girl tomorrow night #valentinesday

Bryant Ung @UngBryantToday I saw a sign at the gym that love was in the air... It smelt horrible. #valentinesday

Jer @Hildsy25To all November born, You were probably made on this day #valentinesday

Image by Michelle Day

Olivia Newton-John UK Tour 2013 dates:10 March 2013 - Cardiff Motorpoint Area11 March 2013 - Bournemouth Bic 13 March 2013 - London Royal Albert Hall 14 March 2013 - Brighton Centre 15 March 2013 - Birmingham NIA Academy17 March 2013 - Manchester O2 Academy 18 March 2013 - Glasgow Clyde Auditorium

Buy tickets to Olivia Newton-John live at ticketmaster.co.uk or livenation.co.uk

19 - 25 February 201310 | Travel

By Rowena Tuziak

PAris, Brussels, Rome. Names powerful enough to conjure images of European bliss, sipping latte under sun umbrellas on a paved promenade named Rue De something or Piazza della whatever.

rarely would the words invoke pictures of standing in the rain in an obscure airport waiting for an overpriced and overcrowded shuttle bus - unless you’ve experienced a budget airline first-hand.

However, if the lure of a 99p flight is all too tempting to resist, there is a solution. reject the European heavyweights in favour of a destination where the craic is mighty, the Guinness is creamy and trad music sessions will fill you with enough diddly-i music to last a lifetime.

Starting at Shannonshannon is in County Clare, the musical west of ireland. its close proximity to Bunratty Castle and the historical town of Ennis make it the perfect short stay escape.

Once a major re-fuelling stop for Trans-Atlantic flights and credited as the first international airport to offer duty free shopping, shannon Airport has lost some of its former glamour. As the town of shannon has become a magnet for international business profiting from tax incentives and Eu grants, the airport has been used significantly by industry.

However, with ryanair making shannon Airport a European hub, and the addition of more flights and budget airlines into the mix, shannon is fast becoming a gateway to ireland. it is now the third busiest airport in ireland after Dublin and Cork.

Breaking at Bunratty Castleshannon Airport is the perfect starting point for a weekend escape. A ten minute drive from the airport brings you to the austere grey stones of Bun Raite, or Bunratty Castle. looking down imposingly on the river ratty and the neighbouring motorway, this beautifully maintained

castle blends history with all the convenience of the modern world.

the combination of castle and kitchy folk park plays into the hands of culture hungry tourists, and is utterly consuming. it’s impossible not to be swept away by the nostalgia of thatched cottages, a blacksmith’s forge, old school house, farm houses and various other 19th century urban and rural dwellings.

The castle itself is significantly older. this site was home to Vikings and Normans before the first stone was laid on this site in the 1270s by thomas de Clare. However, it was not until the 1400s that the castle took its form. After centuries of neglect the castle was meticulously renovated in 1954, complete with furnishings and tapestries that add to the illusion of a journey into Medieval ireland. But if that seems a little too subtle, the twice-nightly Medieval banquets will overwhelm your kitch-o-meter. Snuff, mead, and buxom wenches aplenty, this riotous feast is a good-humoured way to indulge your historical fantasies.

Next stop Nellie’sif a drop of the black stuff is more to your liking, then any one of the numerous hostelries that encircle the Folk Park would be happy to oblige. Durty Nellie’s, one of Ireland’s oldest pubs, stands directly opposite the castle and is a perennial favourite. low ceilings, thick walls, sawdust covered floors and dark wood bar entice you to stay for a few rounds and join in the singsong that seem to emerge spontaneously every night.

it’s not just in the pubs where Guinness has the market cornered. Everything from bar runners to baseball caps that bear the Arthur Guinness insignia can be found inside the Bunratty Woollen Mills. this super-sized souvenir emporium caters

Image by KGlavin

ST PATRICKS DAYIncluded:• Return coach from London • City centre hostel accommodation• Breakfast• Pub crawl• City walking tour• Guinness storehouse tour• St Patricks Day parade• Gift bag £249 MARCH 15-18

Included:• Camping

accommodation • Pickup upon arrival

in Pamplona • Regular shuttles to

centre of Pamplona • Bull run • Gift bag

RUNNING OF THE BULLS

£139

JULY 5-8 Included: • 4 star hotel

accommodation• Breakfast • City walking tour • Bus transfers to festival• Tomato fight • Gift bag

LA TOMATINA

AUGUST 27-29

£119FROM

www.gogombo.cominfo@gogombo.com

DisCoVEriNg CoUNTY ClArE

Image by Meep

Image by kthypryn

Travel | 11AustralianTimes.co.uk

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to every budget and taste, whether you’re after Waterford Crystal or a dancing leprechaun.

Combing the countrysideif time permits, venturing further afield can yield unexpected rewards. From the backpacker haven of Doolin to the village of Ennistymon, where old style irish pubs host traditional music sessions complete with fiddles, bodhrans, banjos, and spoons.

Clare was the birthplace of such notable musicians as Willie Clancy, sharon shannon, and the stunning, a fact that the county holds dear to its heart. Even Clare’s major township of Ennis exudes irish musical charm.

it’s winding narrow streets wrap around pub after pub. irish music can often be found drifting into the populated streets, especially from pubs such as Cíaran’s Bar with its nightly sessions. Or if you prefer something a little more formal, there is the cultural centre of Glór where you can see anything from an Oscar Wilde play to an irish dancing spectacular.

Exploration into 6000 years of history at the Clare Museum can also provide a cultural high for the price of a pint. if you are after the kind of history you can walk around, experience and absorb, you don’t have to travel too far.

The barren Burren“A savage land, yielding neither water enough to drown a man, nor tree to hang him, nor soil enough to bury him”.

it’s hardly something to write on your postcard home. However, Oliver Cromwell’s impressions of the Burren are difficult to forget on first observations.

Karst limestone covers the land and could easily have painted a bleak picture for a conquering general. But the Burren’s splendour lies in its geological oddities and unexpected native flora.

White limestone fragments

scattered across an apparently barren landscape are reminiscent of a 1950s sci-fi movie. So alluring are these stones that visitors have difficulty resisting the urge to bring home a unique souvenir.

to combat this, the Burren already a special Area of Conservation, has recently sought and won prestigious European Geopark status. The area is so distinctive that anything that can be done to preserve its natural state is a worthy cause. the common sight of a farmer droving cattle along the road, an enjoyable traffic delay, tends to dispel any concerns that the practice is under threat.

Although, seemingly desolate, The Burren’s fissures and craggy rocks have a nutrient-rich soil which produces 75 per cent of ireland’s native wildflowers. Here you can uncover the rare wild orchid or one of the Mediterranean, Arctic, or Alpine plants that are nurtured by the gentle Atlantic climate. the Burren is so abundant that a local perfumery distils its own unique scents from these native flowers.

the Burren also boasts the greatest concentration of ancient burial sites in ireland, the most notable being the Poulnabrone Dolmen. this great slab of limestone resting across upright stones marks the site where up to 22 bodies were laid to rest over 5000 years ago along with jewellery, pottery and other valuables. set against the stark stony horizon, the Dolmen leaves a haunting reminder of an ancient civilisation. A visit to the Burren invites history to seep into your consciousness, at once disturbing and intriguing.

Little can be done about non-refundable tickets, lining up like cattle and paying a fortune for a sandwich. At least you can feel safe in the knowledge that bargain flights to shannon are frequent, cheap and worth the journey. Whether you’re absorbing culture, music, history or Guinness, the Emerald isle is a little gem.

Image by KGlavin

19 - 25 February 201312 | Travel

n The south-west of Ireland offers rolling hills, scenic vistas and wide open spaces, combined with some old-fashioned Irish hospitality. As GEORGIA DAWES discovers, counties Cork and Galway offer the perfect opportunity for a countryside getaway, with minimum fuss.

Galway, where potatoes and fantastic hospitality are never in short supply.

Galway is the perfect place to get your legs in motion and breathe in some fresh air. With skeletons of beautiful old castles heavily scattered across the county you are bound to cross one on your walking route. Who used to live there? How did they used to live? Your mind, like mine, will run wild with possibilities of what used to be.

Also, on your walking route you are bound to find, as I did, horses and cows and sheep doing ... well not much more than eating and making noise, but they are great to admire.

After a long day of walking i can guarantee that you will be more than ready for a few drinks, and if your legs aren’t too tired, a good old Irish gig. Galway has a number of great pubs featuring live music and a great party atmosphere. Head in early and grab a few drinks at a cosy pub before hitting the dance floor like a rock legend at a bar. Finish the night by heading to Galway’s own fast food restaurant Supermac where all the other late night revellers (and i mean All) will be enjoying a midnight snack.

if you are looking for a relaxed holiday where you will be extremely well looked after, and which combines outdoor adventures, history and some delicious beverages, County Cork and County Galway on the south-west coast of ireland are definitely for you.

i lOVE living in london but i must admit i really do miss that green stuff. You know - the green stuff that you walk on. You must remember it, it’s called...grass. if you miss grass as much as i do, you must visit ireland. trust me, they don’t call it the Emerald isle for nothing.

recently i packed my extremely small bag (i was trying to be thrifty and didn’t want to pay for baggage) and boarded a very early flight wedged very tightly between two other passengers. though, seeing as i was the penny pinching one that bought the cheapest ticket available, on the cheapest airline, i can’t complain. i was County Cork bound, and ready for some good old fashioned irish hospitality, fresh air and a pint too many of Guinness.

Gift of the gabsituated on the southern tip of ireland, County Cork is famous for the Blarney stone set into Blarney Castle in 1446. With just a little kiss on its cold stony ‘lips’, the Blarney stone promises the kisser the gift of the gab and is thus a must visit for those who love history, irish legends and a little smooch.

However, to obtain the gift of the gab there is a catch. Not only must you kiss the stone (no tongues please), you must also lay down on your back with your head and upper back hanging over the edge of a castle in order to kiss it. Don’t worry - there is always a muscle man or woman there to help you, though i suggest you stretch first.

Captivating CorkAfter receiving the Gift, head to Cork city centre for a spot of shopping. With your new found eloquence i assure you will that you will be to get yourself a great bargain.

there is also a wonderful food market called ‘the English Market’ which has a great range of delights, from fresh fruit to baked goods to keep you warm. if you are feeling a little weary after your shopping spree there are plenty of great cosy irish pubs within a stone’s throw to enjoy a cider or an irish coffee. it took only two hours of shopping until i found myself with irish coffee in hand.

Gorgeous GalwayAfter a few days of shopping, drinking, enjoying the countryside and sweet talking everyone in Cork, i headed north for County

Image by Gerry Lynch

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Sepi Roshan is Business Editor ofAustralian Times, and Director ofAstute Coaching & Development,helping Professionals becomefearless presenters and leaders.Find out more at www.astutecd.com.

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in london> sepi roshan

In association with Visit: AustralianTimes.co.uk/move-to-australia

By Saskia Johnston

Image by Gerry Lynch

WitH the recent revelations of drug use in Australian sport, a nation has stood reflecting about the prevalence of drugs in society. in the uK, Australians have been questioned about their reputation as the “great sporting nation”. these events have got me thinking: if our revered sporting profession is not immune to the effects of drugs, could it possibly mean that other workplaces and professions are also not immune?

The image of the 1980s cocaine-sniffing, Gordon Gekko yuppies may have disappeared as the millennium approached. Yet, there is evidence that drugs continue to infiltrate our home and working lives.

in 2010 around 15 per cent of Australians over 14 years old had used one or more illicit drugs in the past 12 months. According to a 2012 report by Australia 21, a think tank researching issues affecting Australia, the social cost of illicit drug use in Australia was last estimated at $Aus8.2 billion (2004/5). social costs included costs associated with crime, lost productivity and healthcare. in the UK, a 2011/12 Home Office survey found an estimated 8.9 per cent of uK adults had used an illicit drug over the previous 12 months. During the same period, three per cent of 16 to 59 year olds had used a Class A drug. Deemed the most dangerous type of drugs, Class A drugs carry the harshest punishments. the survey revealed that cannabis was the most commonly used type of drug (6.9 per cent), followed by powder cocaine (2.2%). While the figures have remained relatively stable over the last ten years, they reveal that drug use is undeniably a part of uK life.

Despite preconceptions, not all drug users are inactive members of society. According to a 2007 Chartered institute Personnel Development (CiPD) publication, “Managing drug and alcohol misuse at work: A guide for people management professionals” drug use does occur at work. A third of organisations reported that drug misuse had a negative effect in the workplace. Four out of ten employers found that alcohol consumption significantly affected employee absence and productivity – losing the uK economy £6.4 billion a year.

in the uK, under the Health and Safety at Work Act (1974), employers’ have a duty of care to provide a safe work environment and an obligation to ensure that employees are not

Drugs at workmisusing substances that can impair their ability to carry out tasks safely. And unless you fall within certain exceptions, it is an offence under the Misuse of Drugs Act (1971) for anyone to knowingly permit the production, supply or use of controlled substances on their premises.

Health and safety Executive, the national independent watchdog for work-related health, safety and illness encourages employers to adopt a substance misuse policy, in consultation with appropriate staff, including legal obligations (e.g. reporting to police). Employers who decide to adopt drug screening as part of their drug policy, are advised to carefully consider what they want the screening to do, and what they will do with the information produced.

rather than strict surveillance and punishment approach, a supportive workplace is more likely to help resolve issues. For example, consider:

• training and education about the implications of drug and alcohol abuse

• A consultative approach to policy development

• training and education about the workplace policy, including how it fits in with other work related processes and policies (e.g. sick leave, disciplinary actions)

• Confidential support and advice referral services

Drugs and alcohol are a fact of life. in any workplace, the possible negative consequences affect everyone. Employers risk losing their businesses due to the cost of absenteeism and reduced productivity. Colleagues are affected directly and indirectly as they pick up the slack or deal with behavioural implications. A work culture where appropriate policies, support and referral systems are in place, can help minimise the negative effects of drugs.

if you or your business are affected by any of these issues, please seek advice. Employers can contact the Health and safety Executive (www.hse.gov.uk) for more information and seek further advice about workplace drug testing from the European Workplace Drug testing society (www.ewdts.org). individuals are advised to seek assistance from their local GP.

tHE Australian Dollar began trading last Monday around the 1.511 mark against the British Pound and 0.9722 to the US Dollar. The so-called Aussie strengthened throughout the week to close on 1.4973 to the British Pound and 0.9661 to the US Dollar on Friday. As markets opened on Monday morning the Australian Dollar began to weaken on a lower gold price coupled with results from the G20 meeting held in Moscow over the weekend.

Investors expected the G20 to take action to negate the recent

Hiccup in the Aussie Bullish Runcontroversial expansionary policies of Japan. However this was not the case, which resulted in markets selling off the Yen. the corresponding weakening in the Yen resulted in the selling off and weakening of the Australian Dollar. this can be attributed to Japan being one of Australia’s primary export destinations, thereby resulting in the currency pairs being highly correlated.

the weakening Australian Dollar on Monday was supported by comments from reserve Bank of Australia (rBA) board member John Edwards, who made a significant remark at an Economics Forum in sydney. “the exchange rate is very high,” Mr. Edwards told the Wall street Journal on Friday. “it would be helpful if it was a bit lower.”

“the Australian dollar was mostly in demand into the weekend but was sideswiped midsession when rBA’s Edwards declared the Aussie to be ‘incredibly high,’” said sean Callow,

currency strategist at Westpac.looking at the week ahead; we

can expect market participants to be keeping a close eye on tomorrow’s release of minutes from the rBA’s February board meeting. Other domestic news to look out for this week will be RBA’s governor Glenn Stevens’ half-yearly appearance before a federal parliamentary economic committee on Friday.

19 - 25 February 201314 | Sport

Pace bowler Schutt, 20, finished the leading wicket-taker in the tournament with 15, just two months after making her ODi debut.

...continued from p16

Cameron hungry for more World Cup triumphs allrounder lisa sthalekar, 33, who announced her retirement in the aftermath of the final.

With the female version of the Ashes and the Rose Bowl - the symbol of trans-Tasman supremacy also in their possession - the Australian women have the kind of packed trophy cabinet their male counterparts can only dream about.

“it’s good to get one up on the men for once but, to be honest, they’ve been a great support throughout the tournament for our team,” Australian captain Jodie Fields said.

“it’s an unbelieveable feeling to

be the sixth time an Australian team has won a World Cup and, to do it in the same year that we’ve won the twenty20 World Cup, is really special.”

Australia’s next assignment is a tour of England in August when they will play a one-off Test, three one-day internationals and three t20 games.

Cameron again proved to be a big-occasion performer after also top-scoring in Australia’s World T20 final victory, winning player-of-the-match honours in both finals.

“the strongest thing about the Australian team at the moment is that we have a really good core group of players and certainly going through the next couple of

years together will certainly help us to win world cups,” Cameron said.

Her powerful innings built on an opening stand of 52 in 10 overs between Meg lanning (31 off 41) and rachael Haynes (52 off 74).

Australia faltered in their batting powerplay, losing 3-9 and slumped to 7-209, with 17-year-old spinner Shaquana Quintyne (3-27 off 10) bowling superbly.

However, Fields (36 off 38) and Perry (25 off 22) blasted 50 off the last 40 balls.

Perry twice pulled up before reaching the crease to bowl her first ball, sending a shiver through Australian supporters, who feared the ankle injury that kept her out of the last two games had not healed.

Perry, who felt under pressure to perform after replacing 17-year-old pace sensation Holly Ferling, said it had been touch and go whether she played in the final.

“i had a feeling it was going to be quite a long night after those two false starts for me,” Perry said.

When captain Merrisa Aguilleira (23 off 46) and powerful hitter Deandra Dottin (22 off 28) threatened a fightback, it was snuffed out by wily Sthalekar (2-20 off 10), who bowled both of them.

The West Indies lost 4-5 to crash to 8-114.

Megan Schutt (2-39 off 10), spinner Erin Osborne (2-26 off 7) and opening bowler Julie Hunter (1-18 off 4.1) swept through the tail.

Queensland wary of Folau threattHE Queensland reds expect former suncorp stadium favourite israel Folau to enjoy a Digby Ioane-like roaming role when he turns into a sky blue villain on saturday night.

Ex-Queensland State of Origin league star Folau makes an intriguing return to Brisbane’s “Cauldron” for the NSW Waratahs in Super Rugby’s interstate grudge match.

A near-capacity crowd of 50,000 is expected for what will be the 23-year-old’s top-flight rugby debut, coming after he left Brisbane and the NRL in 2010 for a failed GWS Giants stint in the AFL.

Already an instant trial hit for the Waratahs, it will be interesting to see what reception Folau receives at suncorp, even though few expect the same abuse dished out to another former Broncos winger, Wendell sailor, when he debuted for the Waratahs in 2006.

reds coaching boss Ewen McKenzie is planning to expose the code-jumper but admitted Folau, likely to start at fullback, was a definite dangerman for the Reds to contain.

“Obviously when he touches the ball, he’s pretty handy,” he said. “He can step off both feet and he looks electric in that sense.

“We’ll be making sure if he gets the ball, we won’t give him much space. And we’ll find other tactics to keep him busy.”

Folau showed his inexperience in the Waratahs’ final trial match against the Crusaders by batting a grubber kick over the dead-ball line instead of grounding it, resulting in a penalty.

But while the rugby novice isn’t yet up to speed with all the laws,

McKenzie believes NSW coach Michael Cheika will ensure he enters the big-stage debut in a relaxed state with a licence to roam.

“He’ll play pretty much unencumbered, probably not dissimilar to (Wallabies winger) Digby - with Digby, we just let him play,” he said.

“We’ve got plays and moves but Digby roams and that’s why he touches the ball more than anybody else in every game and breaks more tackles.

“Players like that, you want them to touch the ball.”

in a blow to the reds, they must face the all-Wallaby NSW forward pack without test skipper James Horwill whose long-awaited return has again been delayed by his ankle injury.

While Brumbies coach Jake White last week believed Horwill’s early omission before Queensland’s 24-6 loss was a ruse, McKenzie reiterated his skipper was “definitely” ruled out.

the Wallabies lock returned to running on thursday but won’t be risked at the start of a long season, instead acting as waterboy against NSW.

“it’s the start of a long season and we don’t feel it’s the right time to run guys who are semi-fit,” McKenzie said.

McKenzie did declare tough-tackling centre Anthony Faingaa fit to make his return from a hand injury and indicated he could replace James slipper as captain.

By Jim Morton

Winter Tag Rugby competition finals take place over the next fortnight in the capital

BY Phillip Browne

WitH the spring season just around the corner and leagues kicking off in two weeks time, the next fortnight will see semi-finals and finals take place across the capital for the winter season.

At Borough on Mondays, Au Putag and Tagtical Heroes are ahead of the pack in division one with Here for the Beer leading division two by three points.

the other Monday competition at tooting Bec has last season’s runners-up Trip and Chase equal top of the table with Scrum and Coke, with Must Tag Sally breathing down their necks in third position.

Across at rotherhithe on Wednesdays, the largest winter competition comprises of three divisions. The Furries, last season’s men’s runners-up, lead the men’s division, Chris-Cross are still undefeated in the social grade with Tagquila Shots and Double Scrum and Coke neck and neck in the lead in A grade.

At White City (Wednesdays), the predominantly Aussie outfit, The Bush Rangers are having a stellar season, still undefeated and two points clear of their nearest rival Shay Boom Bastic.

Over at Barnes on thursdays, Born to be Taggers remain undefeated and are in great form and are eyeing up the winter

Semi-finals showdown ahead of spring season

title. At Bermondsey defending champions Speights lead the competition with Phibbers and Shapow! not too far behind.

lastly, at Holloway on saturdays, fireisdangerous have been impressive this season and are favourites to take out the Holloway winter title.

in other news, the upcoming spring season commences from 3 March onwards at 11 venues across the capital, with an anticipated record spring season of over 100 teams expected to take part. With a large number of teams set to return from their winter breaks, places at some venues will be extremely tight and will run at full capacity.

spring competition registrations are now open with leagues taking place at the following venues: Balham, Barnes, Bermondsey, Borough, Finsbury Park, Highbury, rotherhithe, shoreditch Park, southfields, tooting Bec and White City.

New team and individual registrations are welcome as this is a great chance to develop a network of friends if you are new to london.

If you would like to register for a spring league, go to www.trytagrugby.com or email info@trytagrugby.com for more details.

tHE AFL crackdown on NAB Cup tribunal penalties will probably mean Geelong star Steve Johnson misses the round-one blockbuster against arch-rivals Hawthorn.

Johnson’s poor tribunal record means his swinging right arm to the midriff of Fremantle small forward Hayden Ballantyne last Saturday will cost him a one-match ban.

the league announced last November that all NAB Cup suspensions must be served during the regular season.

Geelong and Hawthorn will meet in round one for their now-traditional Easter Monday clash.

The incident happened in the first

Geelong’s Johnson banned for opening roundhalf of their round-one NAB Cup mini-game at Patersons Stadium.

the Dockers serial pest fell to the ground with the contact and the match review panel ruled it was intentional, low impact and body contact.

Johnson’s 80.38 demerit points from last season mean he cannot reduce the suspension to a reprimand with an early plea.

those extra points also mean if the Cats decide to go to the tribunal, they would risk a two-game ban.

Cats coach Chris scott had been confident after the game that Johnson would not be punished for the incident.

“there tends to be not too much friction in NAB one,” Scott said.

“i didn’t really see what happened and i know he (Ballantyne) was down for a long time.

“But i was more concerned with how quickly he got up to set up the next goal.

“He didn’t look too bad, did he?”Also on Monday, Essendon

key forward Michael Hurley was cleared of making contact to the face of Western Bulldogs midfielder Adam Cooney.

the panel looked at a medical report from the Bulldogs before ruling that the force used in the Friday night incident was not enough to warrant a charge. - AAP

Image by AAP/NZN Image/SNPA, Malcolm Pullman

Sport | 15AustralianTimes.co.uk

Jason Day drew former Masters champion Zach Johnson in the first round and, if he survives, could come up against south African Charl schwartzel, the man who beat Day and scott in the 2011 Masters.

World No.1 Rory McIlroy is also in Day’s bracket, although the pair wouldn’t meet until the quarter-finals should they both get that far.

Australia’s other participant, Marcus Fraser, will take on 2011 US PGA champion Keegan Bradley in the first round in a bracket with the likes of louis Oosthuizen, Ernie Els, Justin rose and Sergio Garcia.

No Australians are in the same bracket as tiger Woods who meets fellow American Charles Howell III in the first round.- AAP

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...continued from p16

Tony rea: Broncos must get better

Wildcats an easy six-point lead.With the sun shining on the Wildcats

supporters, it looked like it was going to be a long day for Bronco fans.

london managed to defend a strong opening ten minutes from the visitors before they settled into the half.

there was plenty of excitement with a big hit from Bronco Antonio Kaufusi, a former Queensland Origin player, and some strong attacks by the home side.

Captain Craig Gower was unable to capitalise on three penalties, bringing London within five metres of the try line before losing possession.

strong defensive pressure by fellow Aussie shane rodney kept the Wildcats at bay, stopping Cockayne right on the line from scoring with seven minutes to go before half-time.

Despite rodney’s pressure the visitors looked set to go into the break with an 8-point lead, after Alex Hurst gave away a penalty. lucky for the Broncos sykes missed the kick.

Broncos hopes of a strong start to the second half were dashed when the Wildcats opted to kick for a goal off a penalty in the first five minutes, giving them a 8-point lead.

the pressure lifted from here and there wasn’t a lot the Broncos could do to stop the Wildcats, with another converted try

minutes later.Despite some good work by Gower

both defensively and in attack, he was relatively unsupported and the Broncos allowed another try at the 21-minute mark.

this gave the Wildcats a comfortable 18 to 0 buffer. Kieran Dixon looked set to give the home crowd something to cheer about with a strong run down the field from his own 20 to the try line.

unfortunately the referee called a knock on, and play was brought back into Broncos own territory. it didn’t take long for the Wildcats to capitalise. they crossed the line again giving them a 22-point lead and ending all hope for london.

A final converted try from the Wildcats

with less than seven minutes to go sealed the victory, the visitors running out the game 28-0 as victors.

this is the third straight loss for the Broncos. Coach tony rea was pleased with some of the defensive work from the team, but felt they didn’t make the most of their chances.

“At times we were strong under pressure; we just need to be better when we get our good moments,” he said.

the london Broncos now have two away games, travelling up to Wigan next weekend.Tries: Cockayne (2), Kirmond, Fox, Mathers Goals: sykes (4)

By AJ Climpson-Stewart

Image by London Broncos

Bowling still a work in progressThe two-time Allan Border Medallist

is also waiting to resume his role as seam-bowling allrounder, but he says he’s taking it slowly and has ruled out bowling in the four-Test series in India.

“it’s nice to be able to open the batting,” Watson said after scoring 84 at the top of the order in Australia’s three-day game against india A in Chennai.

“it was something i’ve been looking forward to, opening the batting like i have in my comeback so far (including scores of 122, 76 and 0 in the last three one-dayers against the West Indies in Australia earlier this month).

“Playing in india is a really big challenge, especially against the reversing ball and the turning ball.

“i certainly do love opening but i also totally understand that I’ve got to fit into the best position for myself and the team as well.”

Watson, whose batting form can dip sometimes depending on his bowling loads in tests, says he’s determined to fight his way back to being a valuable contributor in both disciplines.

“there’s no doubt i will get back to (bowling), maybe in a smaller scale over the next six months,” he said.

...continued from p16

...continued from p16

“But in the short term, i’m just trying to stay fit and try to bat for a few months without getting injured to try to get some improvement and continuity.”

two test centuries is a statistic that has been thrown back at Watson in the past and his poor conversion rate is an issue for some but, for others, his consistency in getting starts indicates his value to the side, with 19 half-centuries in 38 Tests.

The NSW allrounder says not bowling in the indian series will help his batting.

“it already has,” he said.

“there’s no doubt there’s a big difference. Even on saturday not bowling, mentally it keeps you very fresh (for his innings on sunday),” he said.

“Hopefully throughout this test series, i can show how much of a difference it does make.

“My major goal is to be able to build up enough bowling so i can provide the role during the Ashes.”

By Greg Buckle

london gold medalists claim easy victory

of us could have hoped,” rechichi admitted.

“sarah has a great background in rowing but, to jump into a new sport and do so well, is impressive.

“We’ve shocked a few people with how we’re going at this stage and are feeling positive with where we’re at.”

it was just their third regatta together since teaming up in October.

the pair completed only two out of a possible 10 races at December’s sail Melbourne world cup on Port

Phillip Bay.Bad weather limited their racing there

and Cook had to leave the event early because of a prior commitment.

They also finished second at December’s sail sydney regatta.

Meanwhile, there were no surprises in the men’s 470 national competition, with london gold medallist Mathew Belcher and crewmate Will ryan securing an easy victory at Port stephens.

the duo have won all three regattas they’ve contested since teaming up in November, following the retirement of Belcher’s former crewmate, double gold medallist Malcolm Page.

And the signs are encouraging as the pair crank up their campaign for the 2016 Rio Olympics.

“it was nice to do more racing together and we feel that we’re communicating well,” Belcher said.

“We have a high standard to reach and we both want to get there as quickly as possible.”

Members of Australia’s sailing team, which won three golds and one silver at the London Games, are spending this week undergoing fitness testing at the Australian institute of sport.

By Miles Godfrey

Australia’s Shane Watson in action at the One Day International match against West Indies at the SCG (AAP Image/Dean Lewins)

ANTHONY Cherrington has become the third sydney roosters forward to depart the NRL club in the past two months after signing with rivals Penrith.

The 24-year-old backrower, who has endured a rotten run with season-ending injuries, agreed to a two-year deal with the Panthers on Monday and will join the club immediately.

Prop Mose Masoe was released from the roosters in December to join the Panthers and just two weeks ago, second-rower Brad Takairangi signed a three-year deal with Gold Coast.

it was inevitable the roosters would need to shed some players from their squad given the recent recruitment of big-names Sonny Bill Williams, Michael Jennings and luke O’Donnell.

Cherrington had a bright future at Bondi, a highly-rated local junior with the Paddington-Woollahra tigers.

But injury has been cruel to Cherrington, and successive knee reconstructions has restricted him to

Anthony Cherrington leaves the Roosters for Penrith

just 19 NRL games since his debut in 2008.

Cherrington tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in the 2010 pre-season then cruelly suffered the same injury to his left knee in the pre-season of 2011.

in 2009, Cherrington was charged for assaulting his then girlfriend.

it was believed Canterbury also showed interest in signing Cherrington, but he will play for Penrith for 2013-14.

“Anthony is an experienced player and we look forward to seeing his contribution to the

Panthers second row this year,” said Penrith’s general manager of football, Phil Moss.

Roosters chief operating officer of football Brian Canavan said Cherrington would leave a hole.

“the club has invested a lot of energy into Anthony following a lengthy period of repeated injuries and it is with sadness that we see him go,” Canavan said.

“But we feel that this move will reinvigorate him as he attempts to find his way back to the NRL.” - AAP

Anthony Cherrington in action for the Roosters. (AAP Image/Action Photographics, Jeff Crow)

scott gets tough draw at World golf ChampionshipsDEsPitE his high seeding, Adam Scott drew a tough first-round opponent in south African tim Clark for this week’s lucrative World Golf Championships Match Play in tucson, Arizona.

Clark, a friend of scott’s and a fellow long putter user, finished in a tie for ninth in his last two starts at the head-to-head, knock-out event before missing the last two editions through injury.

He has joined scott on three of his President’s Cup teams and was an assistant coach at royal Melbourne in 2011 when injured.

scott’s record at the match play event since it moved to the Arizona desert in 2007 is poor, never progressing beyond the second round.

if he can get past Clark, his route to get out of his bracket and on to the final could include 2010 champion ian Poulter and 2011 champion luke Donald.

John senden is also in the same bracket, facing a first-round match against American Bo Van Pelt.

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Wildcats wipe out london Broncos

TRY TAG FINALSWinter finals looming

for try tag rugby

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Cook wins first sailing title

Watson unsure of batting role

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TWO-TIME Olympic rower sarah Cook has swapped oars for awesome, winning her first national sailing title just five months after switching to the sport.

the Queenslander quit Australia’s “motley crew” women’s eight after the London Games to join the nation’s world-beating sailing squad.

the decision has paid fast dividends, with Cook and her Beijing gold medallist skipper Elise rechichi winning the women’s 470 dinghy national title off Port stephens, on NSW’s mid-north coast.

“things are going better than either

tHE london Broncos were no match for the Wakefield Trinity Wildcats yesterday afternoon, going down 28 to 0 at twickenham stoop.

Despite a wealth of talent and experience, including eight former Australian NRL players, the home side failed to fire.

less than a minute of play had passed when the visitors stormed through the Broncos defences to claim the first try of the day.

Ben Cockayne did the damage with the first of two tries, with Paul sykes converting the try to give the

AustrAliA’s vice-captain Shane Watson is waiting.

He’s waiting to see if he gets put back to his favoured opening role for the first Test against India in Chennai on Friday.

But he says if David Warner, who has a fractured thumb, is passed fit to play, he’s likely to bat at No.4 behind Warner, Ed Cowan and Phil Hughes like he did in the Boxing Day test against sri lanka.

that was before injury struck the 31-year-old again - which brings us to the other reason he’s waiting.

n The Australian women’s cricket team are double world champions after adding the 50-over title to the Twenty20 championship they claimed last year.

NSW WARATAHS RECRUIT, ISRAEL FOLAU: Folau has signed with the Waratahs on a one year deal after leaving AFL side the Greater Western Sydney Giants. (AAP Image/Paul Miller)

AUSSIE WOMEN ON TOP OF THE WORLDBy Adrian Warren

A YOUNG and vibrant Australian women’s cricket team is hungry for more success after reclaiming World No.1 status with a crushing World Cup triumph which means they hold the game’s major trophies simultaneously for the first time.

sparked by strong performances from two of their young champions, Jess Cameron (75 off 76 balls) and Ellyse Perry (3-19 off 10 overs), Australia won a sixth World Cup with an imposing 114-run victory over the West indies in the final in Mumbai, india.

Australia scored 7-259 after

winning the toss and dismissed the Windies for 144, winning with 41 balls to spare.

it came just over four months after a four-run victory over England in Colombo secured the Southern Stars back-to-back World t20 titles.

All but two of the team that

started the game in Mumbai were also part of the side that captured the World t20 crown.

six of them are 23 or under, as are three of the other four squad members.

the only player over 30 is

READY AND

WAITING Convert Israel Folau prepares for his Super

Rugby debut | P14