Last week an editor breezily mentioned that as I was coming up to a milestone decade would I perhaps like to write something about it? You know, is 60 the new 40? Why do you make those little noises when you get out of a chair? Am I considering getting a shed, or a cruise, or Velcro?
Continue reading AA Gill on turning 60
Volunteered this Christmas for the Exodus Foundation’s annual lunch for 3000 homeless and disadvantaged people.
A very hot day and fabulous atmosphere. Starts with a church service, then lunch (served for three huge groups of people at different times) in a big marquee. Great entertainers sang Carpenters, Nancy Sinatra and Johnny Cash songs.
The volunteers are fun to hang out with and we sang Christmas carols during our breaks. Father Christmas had a lovely decorated grotto and distributed donated presents. At the end of our shift, we got a free Christmas lunch of turkey and cranberry sauce, ham, veggies, salad and choc cake for dessert!
Our soiree involved watching Countdown (top of the pops) TV specials, famous for being the launching pad for ABBA’s success in Australia.
We fast-forwarded through rocker Jimmy Barnes’ clips, and slow-mo’ed to scrutinise Mark Holden shirtless in suspenders, singing “I Wanna Make You My Lady”. Lots of slow mo for Sherbet, Skyhooks and John Paul Young. ACDC were great, Little River Band, Marcia Hines. Mark Holden explained: “Countdown was a direct line to huge paydays, millions of dollars. My first album, pre-Countdown in 1974, sold 2000 copies. My 2nd and 3rd albums [promoted via Countdown in 1975] sold 80,000 copies each. That’s a hell of a lot.”
Nice to see Bjorn doing an interview re: how important Australia was in re-launching ABBA worldwide.
Watched Molly getting sozzled during the 100th Countdown special, and fluffing his lines with Prince Charles. Overall, too many rockers and not enough pop stars! Julie Zemiro always wonderful as a TV host.
ABBA fests are renowned for a sugary overload of lollies, but this time we ate healthier foods, chicken, fruit (and Swedish pastries)!
Went to this Marrickville Council forum, a “friendly all-inclusive panel discussion on LGBTIQ initiatives and emerging issues”, MCed by social justice advocate and former broadcaster Julie McCrossin.
Everyone was invited to make recommendations for Marrickville Council’s assistance.
Some highlights:
Cristyn Davies, co-chair of Twenty 10:
There should be changes in Early Childhood settings so children can express their gender in different ways eg. wearing different clothes. There should be gender-neutral bathrooms.
Marrickville Council should offer internships, so young people who have difficulties finding a job (because of their appearance), can get work experience. They should be asked which gender pronouns they would like to be used in the workplace.
Sujay Kentlyn, of Outrageous Ageing:
“A lot of couples are terrified of going into residential age care, afraid of being treated badly and not respected. But things have changed, thanks to people like David Urquhart and Lex Watson.”
Some retirement villages have a “Rainbow Accreditation”, look for the Rainbow tick on their website.
– McCrossin said in her last days “I want the values of the Sacred Heart Hospice”.
Teresa Avila: founder and director of Red Rattler venue in 2008 (not-for-profit incorporated arts association, often hosts alternative queer events).
Had a long list of recommendations, including that council publish a “Creative Spaces for Dummies” guide for local artists. Avila said it had cost about $200,000 to navigate council’s requirements to get the Rat up and running, which is a huge barrier for future artists thinking about opening a space.
When not imitating emoji faces and passing out in the heat, the 5 coaches of The Voice Australia dispensed their pearls of wisdom. Here’s what we learnt.
LIFE LESSON: Believe in and back yourself. Trust your instincts and, if you give it everything you’ve got, everyone else might go along with it too.
Continue reading 10 life lessons from The Voice Australia
Cotton Ward 