Origin fans don’t come any marooner than Steve

Walking up the driveway, any lingering doubts about whether I’d arrived at the right address are immediately dispelled by the visually arresting maroon that smothers the front window of Stephen Swarts’ residence. I step through the doorway where I’m greeted by Swart, who’s donned his (what I imagine to be) characteristic Queensland jersey and beanie. We shake hands and the conversation instantly turns to his display. From the door to the extremities of the room, no piece... Read More

Young string players charm Brisbane Square

The Terzina String Trio entertained patrons with enchanting baroque music at the Brisbane Square library last week as part of the Fête de la Musique Brisbane festival. The two-year-old trio is made up of Queensland Conservatorium students – twin 19-year-old brothers Michael Poulton on violin and Phillip Poulton on viola and Camilla Tafra, 20, on cello. Michael said it was the first time they have been involved in the festival. “It’s a such a wonderful opportunity.... Read More

Hundreds march in protest at swearing fines

Hundreds of protesters marched in Melbourne on Saturday to protest against on-the-spot fines for offensive language in public. About 500 mainly young protesters chanted slogans demanding free speech not fines in the CBD. Yelling offensive words they marched from Flinders Street station and down Bourke St demanding the government scrap the legislation to fine people. Jesse Briggs, 19, said he attended the rally because he hates the idea of people paying for swearing: “I hate... Read More

Trio entertains in Fete de la Musique concert

Locals gathered at the Groove Train restaurant in Eagle Street Pier on Tuesday night to watch acoustic trio “Tony Mockeridge” perform for the Fete de la Musique-Brisbane, a non-for-profit , Brisbane City Council event. Established by the French Government in 1982, Fete de la Musique is celebrated on June 21 every year in more than 110 countries and 450 cities around the world hosting a range of musical genres including classical, country, rock, opera, latin, world and hip... Read More

Review: Oranges and Sunshine

Based on real events, Oranges and Sunshine gives a deeply moving account of the deportation of thousands of British children to Australia. Between 1947 and 1979 up to 130,000 British children were deported to different institutions around Australia, unbeknown to their families. The film centres on Margaret Humphreys (Emily Watson) a British social worker who discovered the illegal deportation while investigating a genealogy case in the mid-1980s. Set against the backdrop of... Read More

Dalai Lama brings tears and laughter to Brisbane crowd

On the final leg of his Queensland visit, the Dalai Lama spoke to a crowd of thousands about happiness, compassion and overcoming adversity. More than 5000 people gathered at Brisbane’s Riverstage, waiting eagerly in the hot sun to hear the thoughts of the Tibetan spiritual leader. Greeted with a standing ovation, the Dalai Lama had everybody at ease when he stood before the crowd with his sun visor and sunglasses, joking of having a burnt head from the Queensland sun. Retreating... Read More

Swearing law could be challenged in High Court

A new law to fine people on the spot for swearing will not be effective and may lead to a High Court case, according to legal academics. The Victorian Government has introduced legislation that will give police permanent power to give on-the-spot fines of up to $240 for those who use offensive language. Monash University Professor of Law Jeffrey Goldsworthy said a fine may be challenged in the High Court on the basis of the implied freedom of political communication. “The... Read More

Haunted by an image of atrocity

When you walk into a gallery you never expect to leave haunted by an image that you saw. South African photographer Jodi Bieber captured the very confronting image of a disfigured Afghan girl who had both her ears and nose cut off as retribution for fleeing her husband’s home. This photograph is so powerful in its simplicity, it not only filled me with emotion but it also captivated me with her sad and barbaric story. As uncomfortable as the photograph made me feel, I found... Read More

Press photography exhibition: capturing an instant in time

The combination of a great photo and explanatory text is powerful. The shock of the image stays in your mind in a way that even the most descriptive story never does. World Press Photo 11, the 54th annual World Press Photo exhibition of photojournalism is showing at Brisbane Powerhouse. It has been publicised with a startling image. The 2010 world press photo of the year, by South African Jodi Bieber, is the portrait of Bibi Aisha, an Afghan girl who had her nose sliced off by... Read More

Review: Faustus

Queensland Theatre Company and the Bell Shakespeare’s immersion into necromancy, incest, rape, and self-mutilation somehow makes for a good night at the theatre. Like Dr Faustus who in compact with Lucifer brings the dead to life, director Michael Gow has revived the Faust myth itself: that old and prolific parable of the spineless genius who wagers eternal damnation for lifelong debauchery. Such a moral lesson in divine doctrine, pure invention, and ultimate power would normally... Read More

Review: Snowtown

Snowtown is definitely not a movie for the faint-hearted. Directed by Justin Kurzel it’s based on the chilling murders in South Australia 10 years ago and show how the worst serial killer in Australia’s history manipulates those around him to believe the lies he tells. Lucas Pittaway plays Jamie Vlassakis as an unsuspecting teenager who sees his mother Elizabeth (Louise Harris) go from boyfriend to boyfriend eventually finding John Bunting (Daniel Henshall). Jamie,... Read More

Review: X-Men: First Class

This is an example of Hollywood’s worst commercial instincts and its continued decline from the heights of classic, original well-acted movies. It features generational audience targeting – the mocking of Gen Y’s intelligence – and a moronic storyline sparsely dotted with good acting performances but excellent special effects. Its interesting concept of human evolution that has been hijacked by crude cliques is a metaphor for the movie itself. Emma Frost sizzles... Read More

City whitens up for winter festival

Thousands braved the cold for Brisbane’s first “winter wonderland” to help celebrate the 2011 Australian Winter Festival. Following displays in Melbourne and Sydney, Brisbane’s King George Square is playing host to a myriad of different winter activities to give sub-tropical locals a taste of winter in colder climes. Brisbanites have the opportunity to hire a pair of skates and step out onto the 900m² ice rink. They can also enjoy gourmet food from over 20 different... Read More

Councillors come to a halt over bollards

Brisbane councillors are at loggerheads over the future of bollards in the Brisbane suburb of Richlands. A church wants bollards to slow down traffic, while motorists are driving around bollards on a nearby street. Labor deputy opposition leader Milton Dick copped a tongue-lashing from Infrastructure chairman Margaret de Wit at a recent council meeting. Cr de Wit accused Cr Dick, the councillor for Richlands, of sitting on the fence while residents, business owners and the Serbian... Read More

Ipswich mayor angry at snub over asylum plan

Plans to house almost 500 asylum seekers in an Ipswich jail should be revealed to the local community, Ipswich mayor Paul Pisasale said today. He was responding to reports that Ipswich’s Borallon prison could house 492 asylum seekers by the end of the year. Mr Pisasale said no-one had talked to him about the plan. “The most important thing to me is that no one has spoken to myself, or spoken to a state member,” he said. “If we’re going to do things like this, work with... Read More