Spectrum FM Radio

Hello Good Lifers. Well, last Monday was unusual in that I did not have an author interview - although one of our guests, Max Walker, has written a number of books, many of them humorous recollections of his time as a star bowler for the Australian cricket team.

After sharing a table with him at a Royal Flying Doctor lunch, at which he was the guest speaker, I thought he would make a wonderful guest for The Good Life. (As Lorraine Seeger from Eastern Regional Libraries says, I view everyone as a potential victim now!) I was delighted he happily accepted and was even more pleased and appreciative when his PA, Elaine, went to a great deal of trouble to organise for him to get to a phone for the interview, despite having an important meeting which unexpectedly clashed with our scheduled time.

His enthusiasm is wonderful and we chatted about all kinds of things, including his role as the next host of A Guide to The Good Life on Channel 7. (We enjoyed an unexpected bonus a few weeks ago when I spoke in the studio with Andrew Gaze, the current host, another lovely man!) Max has agreed to come back "any old time" for another session with us, so I'll keep him to that!

We also spoke with Miranda Sharp, who was a columnist for Age Epicure for a number of years. A well known Melbourne"foodie", her energies now go into running a small country property, looking after her husband and two boys and playing a major role in managing several Farmers' Markets, including those at the Collingwood Children's Farm and the Abbotsford Convent.

She is currently very much involved with the organising of a Farmers' Market Conference to be held over the weekend of 22nd - 24th August at Romsey. There will be a range of interesting speakers, both local and from overseas, and I know from previous experience that it will be a really enjoyable few days. Lovely food and wine, of course, and a great opportunity to meet interesting people and to network. For more details, check out the website www.vicfarmersmarkets.org.au

Our third guest was a 5th generation winemaker from the Burgundy region in France, Pierre Naigeon. I have seen photos of Pierre and he looks the way a French winemaker should look ... large, smiling, suntanned and happy! One interesting aspect of his winemaking is that he follows a long tradition of hopping naked into the vats each year to break and mix in the fermentation crust. (I hasten to add that he was fully dressed in the photos I saw!) He also spoke about the liaison between his own winery and that of the Yarra Valley de Bortoli vineyard. They exchange regular visits and work together to create a range of excellent wines from grapes grown on the de Bertoli property. Check out their website for further information.
www.debortoli.com.au

My final guests were Graeme and Meryl Watters, who produce splendid extra virgin olive oil on their Nuggetty Creek property 30 kms. outside Bendigo. They have 10,000 trees which have been established since 2002 and have plans to grow an additional 5000 trees. They give quality rather than quantity their priority and, because of this, harvest the olives very early. They have a low yield but the end product is full flavoured but delicate, and without the harsh, peppery finish which characterises so many quality Italian and Spanish olive oils. Perfect for the Australian palate! Graeme is interested in becoming a 3MDR sponsor, so we will be able to share his recipes in this column. (We have one for starters this week! Click on this LINK

Graeme distributes the oil exclusively through their website, which is www.nuggettycreekolive.com or you can contact them on 1300 233 455 or email <info@nuggetttycreekolives.com> They are currently in the process of setting up a new website, which will feature recipes using their olive oil.

I had a most enjoyable couple of hours last Sunday at the North Fitzroy Star Hotel, where Mirka Mora and Catherine Deveny (an occasional guest on our program) shared a most entertaining and very frank (!) discussion on "Sex and Creativity"! It was hugely appreciated by an audience consisting entirely of women of all ages.. except for three very brave men!

I have also been invited (on behalf of The Good Life) to attend an afternoon performance of scenes from two of Shakespeare's plays, at the Walmsley Friendship Retirement Village in Kilsyth. Four young actors from the Bell Shakespeare Company will be the performers and no doubt will give the show the quirky twist we associate with the Bell productions. It probably won't be as "racy" as the Mirka/Catherine show, (and I'm a bit worried they might think I am a resident trying to escape and detain me when I try to leave), but I am looking forward to an interesting afternoon. I hope to be able to record a few chats with residents and actors. I am currently exchanging emails with Catherine Deveny to organise a time for her to chat with us.

At this stage I have three author interviews confirmed for next week. One is with David Iggulden, co-author of The Dangerous Book of Heroes, another with James Castrission, one of two incredibly mad men who paddled a kayak between New Zealand and Australia (!), and the third with Steve Cannane, who has written a book about the childhood backyard cricketing experiences of some of our famous cricketers of past and present.

It was a very pleasant surprise last week when John Weeks produced a CD recorded years ago by last week's guest Toni Lamond and, to my delight, chose Georgia on My Mind to play! Thank you, John.....and for all your help!

I think it only fair to warn listeners that after having subjected you to Van Morrison, The Doors and Georgia on My Mind on numerous occasions, I have now acquired a 3-disc bargain special of another of my very favourite groups... The Moody Blues! So be warned that, as from next Monday, you can expect to hear The Moodys at least every second week!

Remember you can contact me at <provence@bluedandenongs.com.au>

Best regards, Ann

THE GOOD LIFE - 20 JULY 2009

Hello Good Lifers. I got off to a bit of a shaky start this week by having to postpone a scheduled interview because I just ran out of time to read the book! The other author I was to interview had written a crime novel that ran to 517 pages (!) and with a busy week otherwise, that took up all my reading time.

I am teaching two half days a week this term as part of the Garden to Table program between Pembroke College and Morrison Community House, so as well as my Year 10 students from Pembroke, I also have a second group of eight VCAL students. Planning recipes, shopping and doing some advance preparation does take time, so I don't have much to spare. Add to that, we had the Farmers' Market last Sunday and of course there is a lot of pickling, bottling and labelling for that as well!

I had the remarkable Toni Lamond as my first guest last Monday and she is as Vivacious as I'm sure we all remember her from the early days of TV. She spoke openly of the personal problems she had had and is obviously delighted to still be
so popular with audiences. She is performing in two weeks of burlesque at Fortyfivedownstairs, starting on the 24th of July.

She spoke of her early days in the theatre, on radio and in TV - a true trouper in the best sense of the word! Dancer, singer, comedian and now very much a philosopher as well. She was momentarily startled when I requested a bit of Georgia On My Mind, but she "tuned up" vocally and sang a verse for me. The perfect guest ....

Another show business trouper, Rod Quantock, was my next guest. Rod is opening 21st July) in his latest show called "Bugger the Polar Bears - This is Serious"! As usual, he is sending a pretty serious message in a humorous and entertaining format (a spoonful of sugar is his description) and it is obvious that he is deeply concerned about climate change and the effect it is having on our entire universe. But if you go to his show, don't expect a solemn sermon... alway lots of laughs and plenty of irreverent humour at the expense of the our politicians and decision makers!

"Bellaunion" at the Trades Hall.

I had been looking forward to speaking with Scottish crime writer, Stuart McBride, who has been in Melbourne for the Crime and Justice Festival. He writes HUGE books, full of black humour, gritty characters and some pretty gruesome crimes and crims. The book I reviewed, Blind Eye, was no exception! I had to contact him in Perth, and then the troubles started! Ten minutes wait listening to bad "hotel switchboard music", then a mobile then went to message bank, several calls to the publicist's Sydney office, no answer from his hotel room... it went on and on! It transpired that he and the publicist were in a "black spot" for her mobile, but eventually we had a fairly disjointed chat with his phone dropping out and fading .....so much for my reading his 517 page book and making a page full of notes and comments! But at least we did get to speak and discovered we both had Caldwell family in our background - my family name was Caldwell and so was his mother's, so maybe we are long-distant relatives!

BLIND EYE by Stuart McBride

Last night I went, with my daughter, to the preview of Beautiful Kate. An Australian production starring Ben Mendelsohn, Bryan Brown, Rachel Griffiths, it is quite bleak and set in the harsh country of the Flinders Ranges. The dorky teenage Ben Mendelsohn has matured into a very attractive man and his character in the film is Ben, a 40-year old writer returning to the outback home to visit his dying father, with whom he has had a poor relationship. He is accompanied by blonde Toni, his actress bride-to-be,and 20 years his junior.

His sister, still living on the homestead and taking care of their father, is played by the wonderful Rachel Griffiths.

There are early hints of dark secrets and family animosity and this is very gradually revealed as Ned begins to write a journal detailing episodes from the past that have shaped the present. We share this in flashback as his sibling relationship with his twin sister, Kate, changes to one of a sexual Nature and the guilt and confusion of adolescent sexuality is delicately explored. Then, Kate is tragically killed in a car crash and the family falls apart. It is to this dysfunctional background Ben returns to see his father, Bruce, for the last time and we watch the anger and frustration boil between Ben and Bruce, who is now totally dependent on his carer. He is an angry, embittered man who feels his whole life has been a failure.

Sally, played by Rachel Griffiths, sublimates by escaping into a Second Life character and into her work with aboriginal children. She is sympathetic and understanding of Ben's need to escape again and, in a sense, frees him to do this after the death of their father.

The actors are all excellent in their roles, which of course one would expect from actors such as Rachel Griffiths, Bryan Brown and Ben Mendelsohn, and the young actors also perform convincingly. The sense of isolation almost assumes the role of a character, and certainly plays a significant role in the film.

Directed by Rachel Ward, and co-produced by Bryan Brown and Leah Churchill- Brown, it is well worth seeing.

........

For years I was a weekly guest on 774 and then when I moved up to the Hills and Elaine Canty left the ABC, I gave it up. Then, my good friend and ABC producer, Helen Richardson took over the midnight to dawn programming, (which was national) and coerced me into doing regular live pre-dawn programs. It was broadcast from Newcastle and, although we didn't meet until she came to Melbourne this year, presenter Madeleine Randall and I became great mates. I would sit up in bed, phone in one hand and glass of water in the other, chat and take talkback. When Mady left the show, so did I...

HOWEVER, my friend Helen has coaxed me to do a live session on 774 next Sunday morning at 4.15 A.M. (!!) talking about Christmas in July! Helen's friendship comes at a high cost....

Back at the computer and I am sorry this page is so late this week! I have had problems trying to sort out guests. Max Walker had to postpone, I invited a replacement guest - who has been slow in replying - then I heard that Max was trying to adjust his schedule so that he COULD come on the program! Still waiting to see what will happen... we could have 3, 4 or 5 guests!

I do feel confident that we WILL have Miranda Sharp, food writer and one of the main organisers of Melbourne's major Farmers' Markets. Meryl and Graeme Watters, owners of olive plantations and manufacturers of high quality oil are coming to the studio for a chat and we are hoping they will become 3MDR sponsors! I will also be speaking with French winemaker Pierre Naigeon, a fifth generation Burgundian winemaker, whose wines will soon be available in Australia.

I must go... I am teaching today at Pembroke College!

AS ever, thanks to John Weeks for all his support!

Best regards, Ann

THE GOOD LIFE - 14 JULY 2009

Hello Good Lifers. Well, we feel The Good Life had a bit of a coup this week! Thanks to the assistance of one of the terrific publicists who look after us, we were able to have an interview with author Scott Frost. Scott, former screen writer for epic TV series sch as Twin peaks, X-Files, Andromeda etc. had arrived in Sydney only yesterday and admitted to me off air that he 'didn't really know where he was or what time of day it is'. Despite that, with the help of John - with his knowledge of sci-fi stuff and his insightful questions - we had a really interesting session with Scott.

I do feel the word "thriller" is overused in relation to crime novels, but Scott's book certainly deserves the description. There are so many twists and turns, an undertone of sinister activities within the Catholic church (including the possibility of an assassination of the Pope!), exploration of relationships.. all of which kept me turning pages very until late at night! His background as a screen writer shows in the strong visual images throughout the book, also in the terse dialogue. Well worth a read!

DON'T LOOK BACK by SCOTT FROST
.......

I also spoke with Australian author Matt Nable about his first novel. It is a bleak book, which follows the fortunes (and otherwise) of a group of families and neighbours over the years. Matt has also been involved in film making and acting and is currently negotiating a proposed project with Warner Bros. Films in America. The book has had excellent reviews. Matt writes of people we could know, but who make unexpected and life-changing decisions. Not cheerful, but a really thought-provoking book.

WE DON'T LIVE HERE ANY MORE by Matt Nable

...........

My chat with Serge Carnovales was much lighter! Serge had sent a new CD of a group who performs at his jazz club Paris Cat, and we played this before our chat. A former drummer, builder and author of a successful book on drumming (!), Serge realised his dream of opening a jazz bar about 3 years ago and was able to combine him skills by renovating and decorating the venue and offering enthusiasts the chance to hear great new talent in a perfect environment.

I had the pleasure of visiting Paris Cat for the launch of Hetty Kate's CD and loved it! Tucked away at No.6 Goldie Place, a little city lane, it IS very Melbourne. Perfect setting to hear a variety of jazz music, enjoy a glass of good wine and share a snack in most convivial surroundings.

Check out their program on < www.pariscat.com.au >

.......

As a bit of a footie fan (well, Hawks fan!) I enjoy listening to Grandstand on 774 and have always admired Stan Alves as a commentator and as a person. He is never spiteful or harsh, even when being critical, and is obviously well liked and respected by fellow commentators. I happened to find in an op shop a book he had written in 2002, and was so impressed with his approach to life that I asked him for an interview. He has certainly had more than his fair share of loss and disappointment.. especially the death of his 13 year old son 20 years ago. Despite that tragedy and a series of professional disappointments, he has an amazingly positive attitude and is in constant demand as a motivational speaker. I am pleased to be able to tell you that his book has just been reprinted and is available now. The title - one he doesn't care for - is Sacked Coach, a reference to his sacking from St Kilda FC, but the book offers a great deal more that this title would suggest.

I really enjoyed speaking with Stan and hope to be able to coax him back onto The Good Life later in the year.

.........

Next week's guests - at this stage! - include Rod Quantock, who will tell us about his new show at the Trades Hall, Toni Lamond, in Melbourne for her burlesque performance, and Stuart MacBride, Scottish author of raunchy blockbuster crime novels, visiting Australia for the Crime and Justice Festival to be held this weekend at the Abbotsford Convent! There could also be another author who has written about the experience of three generations of women and their men at war.

I had the hair raising experience last night of seeing my first Harry Potter film... AND in 3D on an IMAX screen! Wow! I spent the first 5 minutes ducking!!!! I'd read a couple of the books but felt I would have followed the plot more easily had I read more books or seen previous films. Nevertheless, I thoroughly enjoyed all 2-plus hours of it and am totally in awe of the 'special effects'! The characters are most satisfactory and I loved Michael Gambon in the role of Professor Dumbledore... such a wonderful voice! (Remember him in The Singing Detective?) And I loved the thrilling
aerial game of Quiddich!!!!! Harry Potter was lovably priggish, Ron was charmingly gauche and Hermione was just lovely! We were told that we were the first audience to see it in 3D on a giant screen - probably spin but it made us feel good!

Busy week ahead as I am teaching two half-days weekly at Pembroke this term, I have to get products ready for the Farmers' Market on Sunday and just keep the domestic wheels turning on a daily basis!

Hope you'll be listening on Monday and would love to hear from you if you have read any of the books I suggested. 'Listener Louise' has told me she really enjoyed The Elegance of The Hedgehog and, after starting to read The Better Woman - couldn't put it down until she had finished at 4 A.M.!!!!

< provence@bluedandenongs.com.au >

Hope you'll be around to meet our guests next Monday! John, as ever, thanks for everything - YOU ROCK!!!!

Best regards, Ann

THE GOOD LIFE - 7 JULY 2009

Hello Good Lifers... I'm just back from an enjoyable session at Croydon Library where we talked books! It was lovely to see a number of familiar faces there .. including my 3MDR listener Louise... and a couple of women who had come to my cooking classes in Blackburn half a lifetime ago! (One of them arrived clutching an exercise book into which she had pasted the class recipes, which she assures me she still uses.) There were also some locals who had visited our property,"Innisfree, when we used to have workshops, Teddy Bear picnics,herb festivals and other such activities. It was great to be in such a warm environment among so many friendly people and to be able to talk books as well!

(You'll find at the end of today's column a list of some of the books I've read and the authors interviewed on The Good Life this year.)

Last Sunday I went to the preview of Balibo.. and what a film it is! The cinema was packed but there was a moment's stunned silence when the film ended. It is truly shocking... as of course it has to be because of the horrific story it tells. It is a really powerful film, beautifully filmed, told with ruthless honesty and with the sensibilities of viewers never spared. The character of Roger East, played by Anthony Lapaglia, becomes very real and it is fascinating to see the significance of Jose Ramos-Horte in that phase of the East Timor struggle. It is a film which will... and should - create a great deal of discussion and probably some controversy.

Perhaps you'll recall I spoke with Tony Maniaty, author of Shooting Balibo, a couple of weeks ago, and he has been heavily involved throughout the making of the film. We also talked with Luigi Acquisto, who had been responsible for co-ordinating props for the film. He spoke of the difficulties of finding the battered old jeeps and trucks that feature quite prominently throughout the film and every time I saw one, I thought of him.

There was the opportunity to have a word with director Robert Connelly after the filming, and I am hoping to get him on the program to speak about another of his films, Lucky Country, when I have had a chance to see it.

We should have had four authors as guests on the program this week, but one of them - psychic Debbie Malone - seems to have been spirited away! Her publicist spent all morning trying to locate her, but to no avail!

However, I did enjoy the other three guests who were all available!

Janise Beaumont, Australian columnist who for years covered the social scene in London, Paris and New York, has written a delightfully honest memoir called "Charlie, At Last! A memoir". She has led a most interesting life and she shares a lot of her indiscretions with us as, with her, we seek the father of the son who was born after one of her liaisons. She writes with great warmth, humour and honesty and, as I told her, I'd really like to have her as a friend. (And there's lots of gossip about celebrities!)

'CHARLIE, AT LAST! A MEMOIR" By JANISE BEAUMONT

...........

Ivory Moon is a very different book, but Sally Henderson is another strong woman. An Australian, she had previously spent time in Zimbabwe and had developed a love for the country and a deep passion for the wild elephants. With her husband, she went back to Africa, (to Namibia this time), to manage a "luxury" wild life river camp, newly established in a most remote region. She expected hardships but not at the level she encountered. She also faced unexpected resentment and a patronising attitude towards women which seemed to exist both with the indigenous people and the Afrikaans. We share her absolute frustration, which she has to swallow, and which is compounded by her husband needing to assume the same superior attitude towards her- or risk losing face!

Despite this, she writes beautifully of the landscape, the wild animals (although there are some hair-raising incidents!) and, after their initial problems, of her relationships with the indigenous people with whom she worked. She writes less flatteringly of some of the wealthy and self-indulgent guests they entertained.....

This is not only a great "armchair travel" book but one which offers great respect and insight into the "Spirit of Africa", in which she firmly believes.

IVORY MOON By SALLY HENDERSON

..........

What a gorgeous cookbook this is - Snowflakes and Schnapps! Author Jane Lawson is also one of the publishers with Murdoch and it is obvious that nothing has been spared in the production of this beautiful book. Jane has always felt she belonged in a cold climate and has travelled the world collecting recipes suitable for a chilly Winter. The result is a really stunning book... enhanced for me because the photographer, Brett Stevens, is someone I have known for years. In fact we "did" a book in my home here about 12 years ago, when he was just starting in food photography. We have made contact again and he tells me he travels frequently on international assignments... which doesn't surprise me! The food styling and propping are of equally high standard, likewise the paper and the design.

The recipes range from simple to extravagant, but Jane has ensured that ingredients, or acceptable substitutes, are available in Australia.

As I told her, the danger is that this book is so beautiful that cooks will be seduced into just salivating over the pages and never quite get to the stove - which would be a shame!

SNOWFLAKES AND SCHNAPPS By JANE LAWSON

..............

Don't forget to check out local websites to investigate activities in places such as our Eastern Regional Libraries, Yarra Valley wineries and, of course, Burrinja, where something excitingly creative is always happening! Check out city websites such as Melbourne Museum, IMAX cinema and Paris Jazz Club to see what is happening in town. Closer to home, we have the Farmers' Market at Pakenham Racecourse next Saturday morning and the Farmers' Market at historic homestead Mont de Lancey, Wellington Road, Wandin.

I am hoping to go to a "red carpet, cocktail sipping, meet the stars" launch of another Australian film, Beautiful Kate next week, so more of that later.

Next week's guests include American author Scott Frost (I'm loving his book!), author Matt Nable, footie"legend" Stan Alves and Serge Carnovale, proprietor of Paris Cat Jazz Club. Serge says he has sent me a CD of some of his artists, so hopefully we will be able to play it on the program!

Love to hear from you on < provence@bluedandenongs.com.au >! It is always comforting to know that I have Louise as a listener and 'Sandra from Belgium' who checks in on the website!

Hopefully, over the next few weeks we can look forward to chatting with Rod
Quantock, Toni Lamond and Max Walker, as well as our usual complement of interesting authors and personalities.

Best regards, Ann Creber

COOKBOOKS:

SNOWFLAKES AND SCHNAPPS by Jane Lawson (This is sure to win overseas' awards!)

PETE'S TABLE by Pete Evans (Australian cuisine. Lovely bloke -restaurants in Brighton and Sydney)

SERENDIP by Peter Kuravita (Sri Lankan cuisine and stories of family as well)

COUSIN ROSA by Rosa Mitchell (Rosa is a well loved figure in the Melbourne foodies' world and her book is filled with nostalgic photos and wonderful Sicilian recipes.)

EATING FOR EYE HEALTH by Ita Buttrose & Vanessa Jones (Sounds a bit dull but recipes are excellent and Ita was fun to interview!)

FAVOURITE INGREDIENTS by Skye Gyngell (Some of her dishes are a bit exotic but a nice book to have.)
........

FACTUAL/BIOGRAPHICAL/HISORICAL/AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL

SHOOTING BALIBO by Tony Maniaty (Reads like a thriller despite our knowing the tragic ending.)

ON PATHS OF ASH Edited by Peter Townsend. (Graphic description of Japanese POW camps as taken from the diaries of an Australia prisoner. A hard read but very moving and the most graphic POW book I have read.)

ONE FOR THE ROAD by Janelle McCulloch. (Endearingly honest, funny but with a thread of sadness running through it. I love the way this Melbourne author writes and always enjoy our on air chats.)

ROOTS OF CIVILIZATION by John Newton. (A very beautiful book that traces the history of plants that changed the world! Wonderful illustrations!)

1788 by David Hill. (Perhaps the most comprehensive book written about Australia's earliest days. David details the sociological aspects of these early days and it makes fascinating reading.)

FOXEY'S HANGOUT BY CATHY GOWIE. (An easy and enjoyable read, interspersed with nice recipes. This is the diary of a year in the life of a "city slicker" journalist, who moves down the Victorian coast with her winemaker husband, Tony Lee, to run a vineyard and restaurant and rear her kids.)

STRANGE PLACES BY WILL ELLIOTT (Darkly funny and very honest, Will explores his years as a schizophrenic and his journey into happier times.)

THE ARTISTS' LUNCH (Published last year but my favourite for 2008!)

............

FICTION:

REUNION by Andrea Goldsmith (A book about intellectuals written by an intellectual! But not highbrow! Andrea writes beautifully and we follow the story of a group of Melbourne University students who have all been extremely successful in their chosen careers. They meet again in Melbourne as part of an ambitious international program established by the husband of one of the women. We share their moral and emotional dilemmas as time progresses... a really good read.)

THE GIRL ON THE LANDING BY PAUL TORDRAY (Perhaps my favourite for this year so far! Just read it!)

THE BETTER WOMAN BY BER CARROLL (Interesting story of two women from very different backgrounds who are competing for the same high-profile job in New York. We explore their lives from childhood until the final choice of candidate is revealed!)

THE LOST LIFE by Steven Carroll (I start with a bias because I enjoy T.S. Eliot! Based loosely on his long time love for "Emily", despite being married to another woman, we follow this love story as it juxtaposes with the budding romance of a young couple living in an English village. Very creative and romantic.)

CRIME:

I love a good crime novel and have been very impressed with the translations coming from Europe, including the Scandinavian countries. Many of these are women writers and they have a hard edge that our female crime writers often lack.

CLOSE UP By ESTHER VOERHOEF. (Translated from the Dutch, this is an erotic book with surprising twists and turns.)

DON'T LOOK BACK By Scott Frost (A former screen writer for such TV series as Twin Peaks, X-Files, Andromeda, Scott writes with a strong feeling for visuals as well as words. Haven't finished this book yet but finding it hard to put down! Just as well, as he is a guest next Monday!)

A BEAUTIFUL PLACE TO DIE by Malla Nunn. (Set in South Africa during the days of apartheid, Malla paints a gripping picture of the political and sociological mores of the day as well as presenting an intriguing mystery. A woman of mixed race herself, she has written a totally absorbing book, with a flawed police officer as its "hero".)

FRED VARGAS.... I recommend ANYTHING written by this French woman author.

POETRY:

PENGUIN ANTHOLOGY POETRY compiled by John Kinsella. (If you love poetry, just buy it!)

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE SOME OF YOUR FAVOURITE BOOK TITLES, PLEASE CONTACT ME ON MY EMAIL! I'LL BE HAPPY TO PUT THEM TO AIR.....

Ann

THE GOOD LIFE - 29 JUNE 2009

Hello Good Lifers. I'm getting in early this week in the hope that someone can take advantage of a generous offer from Pauline Leonard, one of yesterday's guests. This charming and dynamic woman conducts Italian cookery classes at the Victoria Market, hosts cooking sessions for corporate "bonding" (imagine 40 executives all making 'hands on' pasts - now THAT'S team building!) and also takes lucky tourists on gourmet tours of Italy!

Pauline is just starting her program of Winter and Spring cookery classes, which include an informative exploration of the Victoria Market and the opportunity of meeting stall holders. Not only will students create wonderful dishes in the class, but will be able to share the meal afterwards. Pauline has offered one of my listeners the chance to be part of this next Saturday morning as her guest! To book, or to find out more about her classes or travels, you can call Pauline on 0417 595 533 or check out <(www.cookingtheItalianway.com> But I'd advise you to be quick!

Our program took on a different personality yesterday as not only was Pauline with us in the studio, but also Trish Jonescu, a good friend and, until recently, owner of Herbicious Delicious in Olinda. Trish loves a challenge, and after creating her very successful business in Olinda, she has moved on to develop the Olinda Golf Course Café. She has already created a cosy venue, with good food and wine, but she has further ambitious plans for the business. These will include jazz every second Sunday, featuring the Puffing Billy Ramblers. She is also hosting a dinner with herb guru Ian Hemphill (also known as "Herbie) on Friday 24th July, which will be served as a buffet featuring herbs in every course. Ian will also conduct two spice workshops, one on Friday 24th and another on Saturday 25th. To book for any of these events or to check out other activities on offer at the Golf House Café, phone Trish on 9751 1399.

Trish has given us some complimentary passes for coffee for two, rounds of golf etc.,so send me an email (<provence@bluedandenongs.com.au>) with your address, and I'll be happy to post off your pass.

Trish also shared with us some interesting news about the proposed Spring Festival to be held in the Dandenong Ranges later in the year! It is a very ambitious project and is still in the early planning stages, but Trish has promised to keep the Good Life updated as to progress.

It was a great pleasure to have these two vibrant women chatting about food, love, life - and all that stuff! I think we might do it more often!

My other guest was Tony Maniaty, journalist and author of Shooting Balibo. Although we all know the tragic outcome for the 'Balibo 5', I found it almost impossible to put down this book! It is as suspenseful as any thriller, with the added poignancy of knowing that these five young men lost their lives in such tragic circumstances.

Tony was one of the last people to see the ill fated journalists alive, and in fact, advised Greg Shackleton and his crew to turn back. He writes very vividly both of the dramas of 1975 and also of his recent time there as a consultant on the making of the film Balibo. There are lovely little snippets of information sprinkled throughout the book... such as the fact that Kirsty Gusmao was engaged to high-profile restaurant owner Stefano De Pieri before she travelled to East Timor! It is a book I really do recommend - and I am looking forward to seeing the preview of the film this weekend.

Next week is all about authors and books, but covering a range of very different subjects. I'll be speaking with publisher/author/chef Jane Lawson who has written an amazing cookbook featuring cold climate foods! Called Snowflakes and Schnapps, it is quite beautiful and photography by Brett Sevens is brilliant. (I worked with Brett when he was just starting food photography and his work really is outstanding.)

I also hope to speak with Debbie Malone, one of Australia's best known psychics, who has been called in on many occasion to assist police in their investigations. She has written a spine-tingling account of some of her experiences and I am looking forward to hearing of them first-hand.

Janise Beaumont has lived and worked as a social columnist in some of the glamour cities of the world. She writes with devastating frankness about her "wild years", her colourful love life and of the famous personalities she has interviewed. She also comes across as a loyal friend, a very warm person and a lot of fun! In a sense, there is a subplot to the book and we will speak about this as well as her professional experiences. I'm sure this will be an interesting chat!

I have yet to read Ivory Moon, the book written by my other guest. Sally Henderson fell in love with Africa and became particularly involved through her concern for the elephant population, about which she writes in this book. I still have to do my homework on this one!!!!

Last week's interview with Sue Trethowan-Jones, author of Gems of a Generation, has created interest. If you are looking for the book, publisher is SID Hart.

On Thursday July 9th, I'll be the guest of Eastern Regional Libraries at one of their "literary luncheons", and will be speaking about books I have enjoyed this year. If you would like to share this occasion, bookings can be made with Croydon Library.

John was outnumbered yesterday by we three chattering women in the studio, but he coped nobly! Thanks, John!

Hope you'll be listening next week!

Ann Creber

THE GOOD LIFE - 22 JUNE 2009

Hello Good Lifers. This week all seems to have been something of a blur! I have been working really hard (REAL work!!) and trying to catch up with all the routine jobs I need to do around our property. My poor old husband spends a lot of time just sitting in his armchair all day and I was shocked to get a HUGE gas bill - mostly from heating expenses. Because of this, I am now lighting the fire every day, which of course means a whole sequence of jobs ... collecting twigs, small logs, cleaning the fireplace, lighting and tending the fire etc etc. We are without Wwoofers at the moment - very sensibly, they all go North during the Winter, so there are a lot more routine jobs to be done. Just as well I have The Good Life as a diversion!

I had the pleasure of seeing a lovely film preview this week. Entitled My Friends, My Loves it is a French film which tells the story of an "odd couple" living in the 'French Quarter' of London, known as Frog Lane. Both divorced husbands with custody of their children, they move in together with less than successful results. The fastidious parent, Antoine, is the smooth Pascale Elbe, and the scruffy Mathias is played by Vincent Lindon - with whom I feel in love, despite his predilection for wearing daggy velvet suits and trousers! (Maybe I'm influenced by the fact that he looks rather like a basset hound and my beloved old fella died last year!) This film is all about Life, Love, Sex ( quite a bit of that!), Relationships, Friends - and I do recommend it warmly. I particularly loved the background music, which unfortunately will not be available in Australia on CD. The film is in French with subtitles and I saw it at the Nova Cinema. MA 15+ rating.....Directed by Lorraine Levy

This week's guests covered a variety of topics. Unfortunately, Prof. Linda Hancock was "unavoidably detained" in England (!) so will join us at a later date. Author, journalist, socialite Sue Trethowan Jones was a most entertaining guest, and we chatted about her recently published book 'Gems Of a Generation'. Although this could have been little more than an extended"social column", it is actually quite a moving and illuminating series of short biographies about high profile Melbourne women -all self confessed"baby boomers"! We often tend to assume these are "the beautiful people" who glide through life on a silken carpet.... this book certainly dispels that myth. The thread that links these women is their common interest in beading and they meet every Friday at the home of former JAG identity Adele Palmer. Apart from providing a peek into the private lives of these well-known women, it offers a most interesting and honest read. (I asked Sue how much wine she had had to ply her friends with to get such frankness!)

As an added incentive to buy the book, all profits go to Cancer Research Foundation.

GEMS OF A GENERATION by SUE TRETHOWAN JONES

.............

I also spoke with Robyn Arthur, who offers something different in the way of lavish travel gifts! Visit her website to discover more about the 4000 different trips and treats she can offer in over 120 countries! Dinner at the Eiffel Tower is just one of these delights.... on the other hand, you can also give a friend the less extravagant pleasure of a weekend in the Yarra Valley! Check it out! Her website is www.giftwrappedtravel.com

........

It was a great pleasure to discover that my third guest, Wendy Lee, is actually an old friend! We were both members of the Food Media Club, and Wendy was the PR lady for the Pork Corporation. However, we weren't talking about that phase of her life, but of her early days when she was a child living at the Tivoli Theatre in Bourke Street. In fact, she still lived there after her marriage and she and her husband barely escaped the fire which destroyed the theatre in the mid-1960s. Wendy was guest speaker at the Melbourne Museum last Wednesday and there is memorabilia from the old Tiv on display.

We also spoke of her father's business ventures, including Val's Coffee Lounge, one of the first gay meeting venues in Melbourne. Val was a well known identity as she strutted around Melbourne dressed in a formal suit and tie. Ah, those were the days!
............

I have actually been trying to sort out next week's program while I have been writing this column! I have had all kinds of "hiccups" such as postponements, publicists who haven't sent books for review etc etc.

However, I am happy to be able to tell you that I CAN confirm that Tony Maniaty, author of Shooting Balibo, will definitely be a guest this time! (Well, fingers crossed!) And I can confidently tell you that Pauline Leonard, expert teacher in Italian cooking, tour guide and lovely lady WILL be a guest in the studio! Apart from that, who knows? We might just play a lot of Van Morrison!!

Other guests booked over the next few weeks include Max Walker, Toni Lamond, Stan Alves (774 football commentator and motivational speaker), and Janise Beaumont - social columnist (and very bad girl!) who has written her memoirs, including details of a long interview with Michael Jackson! She will be sought after by the media now but we have had her booked for several weeks! I'll also have as a guest author Scott Frost, who was one of the screen writers for Twin Peaks and The X Files. So keep listening...

And thank you, Louise, for your reassurance that I do have one regular listener!

Thanks, too, to John Weeks who plays such a vital role in The Good Life!

Best regards, Ann < provence@bluedandenongs.com.au >

THE GOOD LIFE - 15 JUNE 2009

Hello Good Lifers...Just when I thought I had next Monday's program lined up, I had an email from one of my proposed guests! She is in England and has to stay on for a couple of extra days... so back to the drawing board!

Fortunately no problems on Monday - well, after a hiccup when one of our authors was on a tight deadline and didn't answer her phone initially! This was one of my favourite guests, Janelle McCulloch, who had been guilty of this "crime" before! However, she is worth waiting for and we did have a nice chat about her latest book One for the Road. I love her writing and she is almost painfully honest! I suspect she is a workaholic... with four books last year, she has another three to complete this year, plus a novel she is currently writing for publication next year! I loved La Vie Parisienne, which she wrote last night, but her latest has a rather more serious, slightly sad thread throughout it. Warmly recommended!

ONE FOR THE ROAD by JANELLE McCULLOCH
..........

With a great deal of assistance from John Weeks, I also spoke with Genevieve Fahey, General Manager of ScienceWorks. Our topic was the Star Wars exhibition, currently showing until November, and not having seen even one of the films, I was seriously disadvantaged! However, I think we were able to pass on the necessary information and we finished with a discussion of alpacas...a subject with which I am much more familiar! My own three naughty lads escaped on Saturday and the saga of finding them and then bringing them home would fill this whole column if I detailed it!

I also spoke with Melbourne author Fran Cusworth, who has bravely combined fact and fiction in her book Hopetoun Wives. With her husband and young sons, Fran lived for a year in the mining town of Hopetoun in WA and experienced first-hand the resentment towards "the newcomers", the hierarchy that existed within the company, the "boom and bust" mentality of the town. She also fell in love with the landscape and the history and all this is skilfully woven into her book. We chatted about the actors who might play the various roles if the book became a film or TV series - and happily agreed on William McInnes as the surfer (the romantic interest ) and Nicole Kidman as the indulged wife of the mine manager. The story itself tells the story of three wives, all "transplanted", who open a café in the town and explores the relationships that develop. A good read!

HOPETOUN WIVES by FRAN CUSWORTH

Peter Thomson has edited an extraordinarily moving and graphic book telling of the experiences of an Australian POW who spent years in some of the most brutal Japanese camps. Robert Holman suffered terrible times during his years as a prisoner and filled a number of exercise books with his memories when he returned after the war. There is a copy of some of the actual pages from these diaries and the hand-writing is like that of a well-disciplined schoolboy.

It is the most absorbing POW book I have read and the copious notes provided by Peter Thomson add a powerful dimension to this book. It is quite painful to read but very rewarding.

ON PATHS OF ASH Edited by PETER THOMSON

Next week we turn to lighter topics! Sue Trenowath-Jones, journalist and socialite has written a book entitled Gems of a Generation. This offers brief biographies of 15 of Melbourne's prominent high profile women, from the media, the social scene and the world of big business. These women include Annette Allison (who is a guest on The Good Life from time to time), Rosemary Margan, Adele Palmer, Robin Bowles and others whose names are familiar to us. The link between all these women is that they meet on a regular basis to "bead" and they are, with one exception, baby boomers!! They share their views on life, love, Botox and other issues of great feminine interest. I sat next to Sue at a recent luncheon and she is most entertaining.

I'll also be speaking with a lady named Wendy Lee, who grew up living in the old Tivoli Theatre, where her father was employed. She will be holding a chat session on Tales of The Tivoli at Melbourne Museum at 2.00 p.m. next Wednesday (24th) and she will preview some of these tales with us on The Good Life.

Robyn Arthur has been in the travel and events industries for a number of years and has now come up with the idea of offering "gift packaged" holidays. She will tell us all about the options when we speak....

Associate Prof. Linda Hancock was to have been a guest but, as explained above, she will still be in England! I am still looking for another "victim", but if I can't find one, John and I will chat and play a lot of Van Morrison!

Thanks for all your help, John.. especially with the Star Wars chat this week!

Please feel free to contact me on <provencce@bluedandenongs.com.au> - even if it is just to complain about too much Van Morrison on the program!

Hope you'll be listening to next week's guests!

Best regards, Ann

THE GOOD LIFE - 8 JUNE 2009

Hello Good Lifers. For some odd reason my copy didn't go through to John last week, so I apologise for that!

We are experiencing a really cold day up here in the Dandenongs and I'd like to be sitting by the fire and reading for next week's program, but unfortunately there are the usual chores to be done! The chooks have to be fed early, as I am off tonight to the launch of Hetty Kate's new CD, A Late Brunch On Irwell Street. Hetty was our guest last Monday and we played several tracks from her CD. We also had a few words with Sam Lemann, who provides wonderful backing on the album. Hetty has spent the past 6 months working at luxury hotels around Hong Kong and, in fact, heads back for another 6 months there as from next Saturday.

The CD is being launched at a new and popular Melbourne jazz venue with the great name of Paris Cat. It is located at 6 Goldie Place in the city and you can check it out on the internet.

We also had as a guest Peter Edwards from the Victorian Jazz Archives. Peter came to the studio carrying a stack of CDs and we had the pleasure of sharing some of them with us. He is full of information about the offerings of the Archives and for any jazz enthusiasts, it sounds as though it would offer a treasure house of delights!

Peter assured us that they are always delighted to receive any new material for their archives, and these can be given as a gift or just left there "on loan". They are happy to accept records, cassettes, CDs, letters, programs, Memorabilia and all these are carefully processed by experienced archivists.

I was happy to be able to speak with film maker Luigi Acquisto who, with his partner Stella Zammataro, was production co-ordinator for the film Balibo, soon to be released on the opening night of the Melbourne International Film Festival. This was a monumental task and Luigi shared some of the problems they had experienced. With a strong personal connection to East Timor, Luigi has made two documentaries (screened on SBS) telling the story of a young woman, Rosa, widowed as a result of the conflict. He also intends to make another documentary in East Timor later this year, so I look forward to having him back as a guest.

It was disappointing that our guest,Tony Maniaty, scheduled for an interview at 4.30, was not available when we phoned! Tony has written a book entitled Shooting Balibo and his role during the making of the film in East Timor was as an advisor. He had been there in 1975 at the time of the killing of the Balibo 5 - or rather, he had just left, after warning them of the dangers. His book makes fascinating reading but his interpretation of the happenings of that fateful time has been savagely attacked by Shirley Shackleton, widow of one of the Balibo 5 TV crew who lost their lives at the hands of Indonesian soldiers.

His publicist has assured me that he will be definitely be available for an interview in a couple of weeks' time, (she sounded very tight-lipped!) so I hope we will be able to speak with him a little later.

Next week I hope to speak with Peter Thomson, a former diplomat who has authored a riveting book called Path Of Ashes. This is a memoir written by an Australia POW of the Japanese during WW2. Recorded in exercise books in meticulously neat handwriting, it provides painfully vivid yet understated tales of the horrors suffered at the hands of brutal soldiers of the Imperial Japanese Army. A typically wry thread of Digger humour is woven throughout the book, which makes it even more touching in many ways.

The diaries were kept by an Australian country boy turned soldier, Robert Holman, and Peter Thomson obviously felt privileged, after Robert's death, to be asked to edit the book. It is enriched by the copious notes Peter has provided.

I am also looking forward to speaking with Janelle McCulloch, Melbourne journalist and author, whose latest book is called On the Road... and it is an account of her search for happiness! In America - of all places! - and travelling for most of the time with her parents. I loved her last book. La Vie Parisienne, and really enjoyed our interview last year.

Another guest I am expecting to have is author Fran Cusworth, author of a book entitled Hopetoun Wives. It is the story of three women, from very different backgrounds, who become united in the joint venture of opening a café in an outback Western Australian gold boom town. I'm still reading the book, and it is really all about women and friendship in unlikely situations.

Now I have to admit that I will be totally out of my 'comfort zone" with this guest! Genevieve Fahey is general manager of ScienceWorks Museum and we will be speaking about the Star Wars exhibition currently on display. I have never seen a Star Wars film and and can't imagine now how I ever committed myself to this interview!! I had hoped to get to see the exhibition before the interview, but life has been just too busy. I will be relying heavily on John to help out with this one! If any listeners would like to send me a "briefing list" of intelligent questions to ask, please do! <provence@bluedandenongs.com.au>

Last night I had a fantastic time at Paris Cat Jazz Club. It is a brilliant venue for jazz (only lacked the smoky haze of the "old days") and provided the perfect setting for the launch of Hetty Kate and Sam Lemann's CD ( A Late Brunch on Irwell Street). A number of small tables provide comfortable
seating for early arrivals, but there was barely standing room last night. The music was great - Hetty perched on a tall stool and informally sang her way through most of the standards on the CD, plus a fantastic version of Salt Lake City Blues... can't wait for her to release an album consisting entirely of blues! Of course, the backup music was terrific and their talent was acknowledged by an enthusiastic audience. And you won't be surprised to hear that, for me, the highlight of the night was their grand finale performance of Georgia On My Mind - as Hetty had promised on Monday! LOVED IT!!!!!!

It is wonderful to know there is a atmospheric venue such as this tucked away in a Melbourne lane and I have invited the owner, Serge Carvovale, to come on The Good Life for a chat!

Don't forget you can have a peep into our 3MDR studio during Andrew Gaze's new series entitled Guide to the Good Life. (You'll see my cluttered kitchen too!) It goes to air at 5 p.m. on Channel 7 next Sat. (June 13th)
at 5 p.m.

Hope you'll be listening next Monday - and I'm really hoping for some help with that Star Wars interview, please!

Ann

THE GOOD LIFE 1ST JUNE 2009

HELLO GOOD LIFERS... Such a busy week! Recipes to develop for a calendar, 2 days of photography for it, 1/2 a day photography for George Foreman products and another half day teaching at Pembroke College! Fortunately I have only one book to read for The Good Life on June 8th .. I do most of my reading in bed in the morning with a large cup of coffee, but studio days mean getting up at 6 a.m.!

Last week I spoke with Campbell Mattison, who has written the 2009-2010 edition of his book all about red wines! He covers wines through the price range of $6 - $550 and writes entertainingly about all of them! He offers very practical and comprehensive advice and I strongly recommend that anyone who enjoys a drop of red should invest in a copy of Campbell's book.

THE BIG RED WINE BOOK by CAMPBELL MATTINSON & GARY WALSH
...............

Robert Carmack, Sydney food writer and stylist, phoned us from the Ambassador Hotel in Bangkok, for which the Hotel generously covered the cost. Robert and his partner Morrison host gourmet tours around South East Asia and were in Bangkok on the last stage of their trip to organise the last minute details of their next excursion. This trip to Northern Vietnam will include banquets, market visits, cooking classes and of course lots of wonderful regional food. Robert is an old friend and I know what great company and generous hospitality he and Morrison provide! (I have often stayed with them on visits to Sydney.) If you would like to know more about their upcoming trip - still time to book, but only just! - or to find out about future tours, check out the website.

Northern Vietnam July 12-22nd 2009 Yunnan Province, China January 2010

www.asianfoodtours.com OR info@globetrottinggourmet.com
................

I also had as a guest author Lorraine McGee-Sippel. Adopted as a baby and reared with an adoptive mother who showed her very little love, she first became aware of her "mixed" blood when a school bully taunted her as being a"half-caste". She asked her mother "Hey Mum, what's a half-caste"? and was shocked by the reaction it provoked. (This, in fact, became the title for her book.) After years of feeling a sense of displacement and isolation, Lorraine eventually discovered the truth of her birth and, after frustrating searching, was reunited with members of her Aboriginal family. She is now a respected elder of the Yorta Yorta tribe and has finally found the contentment she sought for so many years.

HEY MUM, WHAT'S A HALF-CASTE? By Lorraine McGee-Sippel
.............

During the program we listened to a track from Melbourne jazz singer Hetty Jane's about to be released CD " A Late Breakfast On Irwell Street". Hetty Jane sings a number of the classic blues and standard numbers popular with vocalists from an earlier generation, backed by her quintet, and the sound is great. Her CD will be launched at Paris Cat next Wednesday 10th June and Hetty Jane will be a guest on The Good Life on Monday 8th. And, of course, we'll play some tracks from the album!

HETTY JANE CD LAUNCH AT PARIS CAT, 6 GOLDIE STREET, MELBOURNE
................

Anther guest will be Peter Andrews from the Melbourne Jazz Archives, who will be with us while I am speaking with Hetty Jane. Peter will tell us more about the Society and will, I am sure, bring along some music for us to share. (Hopefully, yet another version of Georgia On My Mind! I was told the other day that Ross Hannaford did a fantastic rendition of it... anybody know that one?)

On a more serious note, we'll be discussing the story of murdered journalists who have become known as the Balibo Five. I will speak with author Tony Maniaty, who was in East Timor during the period of the killings and who recently returned to act as an advisor in the making of the film Balibo. He has written a book titled Shooting Balibo, which covers both his original time there and his recent return for the filming. It provides fascinating reading, asks many questions and paints vivid word pictures of people and places. His book has aroused a fierce response from Shirley Shackleton, widow of journalist Greg Shackleton, who has attacked it through Crikey.com
Can't wait to see the film, which is due for release in August!

SHOOTING BALIBO by Tony Maniaty

I will also have as a guest film maker Luigi Aquisto, who, with his partner Stella Zammataro, worked as production co-ordinator for the making of the film Balibo. Luigi's documentary Rosa's Journey was screened last year on SBS TV and he is also planning another film to be made in East Timor. I am sure Luigi will have many tales to tell and I look forward to speaking with him.

I hope you'll be sharing your Queen's Birthday with The Good Life tomorrow! (And remember you can contact me on provence@bluedandenongs.com.au) John Weeks is nobly giving up his holiday to come to the station and press those buttons, as he does every week.. thanks, John!

And don't forget, you can see ANDREW GAZE'S VISIT TO 3MDR on the new program A Guide to The Good Life on Channel 7 next Saturday 13th at 5 p.m.!

Regards, Ann Creber

ANN CREBER - THE GOOD LIFE - 18 MAY 2009

Hello Good Lifers. I really enjoyed my three guests last week and headed off home still thinking about the various conversations. I had just rounded the hairpin bend on the road from Monbulk to Olinda to be confronted by a huge branch which had fallen and completely blocked the road! It was raining and almost dark, and another woman coming in the other direction was faced with the same blockade. After a brief chat, we decided to try and drag it to one side so that we could creep through. After struggling for a bit, we were grateful to have a young man arrive, then several others pulled up from both directions and we finished up with a crew of about seven of us hauling it out of the way! Great relief .....

Because of a last minute postponement, we had three authors and they were all great guests. Melbourne author Andrea Goldsmith has written a wonderful book entitled Reunion. I described it as an "intellectual love story" but it is also about power, morality and ethics. The setting is Melbourne and it adds a certain fillip to read references to well-loved streets and landmarks. It is 400-plus pages and difficult to put down once you start reading! It gave me a few very late nights, but was well worth it. As Andrea told me it would take four years to write her next book, you will have plenty of time to finish this one! A terrific read....

REUNION by Andrea Goldsmith
........

I had to confess to Hugh Mackay that I had been unaware that as well as writing as a social researcher, he has also had several novels published. His latest Ways of Escape is really enjoyable and it is easy to feel very strongly about his characters. Set in a mythical street, Winter Close, we get to share the lives of some of its suburban dwellers. The main character is a dissatisfied and bored clinical psychologist, and we share his joys, insecurities and follies. The books leaves a major mystery unresolved but Hugh assured me there would be a sequel. In fact, the current book is the second in a trilogy and Hugh's publicist has kindly sent me the first book of the series.

A psychologist himself, as well as a social researcher and car lover, Hugh weaves these facets of his own life throughout the book and it all adds up to a good read!

WAYS OF ESCAPE by Hugh Mackay
..........

Jackie French's latest book The Donkey That Carried the Wounded tells the "true" story behind the well known and loved story of stretcher bearer Simpson and his donkey during World War 1. Researched with her usual meticulous attention to detail and authenticity, Jackie throws light on what is fact and what is romantic fiction - but still leaves us feeling good about the donkey and his life after the war. The prolific Jackie has another couple of books soon to be published - which gives us a wonderful excuse to chat on air again before too long! We do keep in touch by email, and you can also share Jackie's life and happenings on her website.

THE DONKEY THAT CARRIED THE WOUNDED BY JACKIE FRENCH
........
I'm really busy with "real" work at present and am finding it difficult to keep up with my reading! Three guests next week...I will be speaking with author Lorraine McGee-Seppel about her book "Hey, Mum! What's A Half-Caste?" This very touching autobiography tells of the confusion and sadness of her childhood and youth, until she discovered her aboriginal origin and found her real identity and happiness. I'm looking forward to speaking with Lorraine, who is now an elder of high standing in the indigenous community.

Last year we spoke with Campbell Mattison, author of a big book about red wines and he has done it again! Over 1000 reds (ranging in price between about $6 to $550) are included and the books is almost worth reading just for the florid and creative descriptions of some of the wines he sampled. Listen in and learn about good buys from the liquor store!

My third guest will be a very old friend - Robert Carmack. An American who has lived in Sydney for many years, Robert is a food writer, critic and stylist. With his partner Morrison Polkinghorne, Robert regularly hosts gourmet tasting and cooking tours around Asia. He is presently in Thailand planning their upcoming trip and will, in fact, be speaking from the Ambassador Hotel in Bangkok! The Hotel has very generously offered to pay for the phone call, and I look forward to chatting with Robert and to hearing news of my favourite Asian country. I have visited Thailand several times and spent a month travelling with photographer John Hay around the entire country as we worked on a cookbook to celebrate the 60th birthday of the Queen of Thailand. (Fingers crossed we get our timing right for the phone call!)

Last night I enjoyed a magnificent dinner at Rustic Charm Restaurant in Wandin North. Each of the four courses featured chestnuts and the food was wonderful. We enjoyed wines from Wild Cattle Creek Winery, which is on the same property, and it was a most convivial evening! (I was my own driver, so had to be very circumspect.) Our table consisted of owner Jeynelle Forrest, the two couples who own the winery and John Morton - President of Chestnut Growers Association and our guest of a couple of weeks ago - and his wife, and they provided very entertaining company.

Rustic Charm Restaurant is well named, with mellow candelabra lighting, warm terracotta tiled floor, a weathered wooden bar and a rustic brick wall featuring a huge painting by an Australian artist. It has a warm and welcoming atmosphere and Jeynelle and Scott Forrest are splendid hosts. Located at 470 Warburton Highway, North Wandin, accommodation is also available and I can recommend it for an excellent evening meal or weekend visit. Businesses are still suffering in the Yarra Valley and visitors are welcomed with open arms!

I must go... I have recipes to develop and test and a week of studio photography ahead! My usual warm thanks to John Weeks - without whom there wouldn't be The Good Life!

Best regards, Ann

P.S. We will also have a sneak preview next Monday of a CD to be launched on 10th June at Paris Cat. Singer is Melbourne based Hetty Kate who, with her quintent of musicians, performs classic standards in her own distinctive jazz style. I'm looking forward to the launch and Hetty will be a guest on The Good Life on June 8th. She has sent me her CD with a hand-written list of the songs and I'm loving it! (But no Georgia!)

ANN CREBER - THE GOOD LIFE - 18 MAY 2009

Hello Good Lifers. Well, Monday's program was full on and it started with an interview with the somewhat controversial Mary Moody! After appearing for several years on Gardening Australia as the quite conventional, almost "mumsy" gardener in a floppy hat, Mary fled to France when she turned 50 and 'found herself'. She wrote about this experience in her first book "Au Revoir" and we all envied her, although I did feel she wasted a lot of time in hanging around with other ex-pats instead of getting out there and experiencing the 'real' French lifestyle. In her second book "Last Tango In Toulouse" she shared, in great detail, her affaire with a married Frenchman and the subsequent repercussions with her husband and family.

Now I have no problem with her affaire - that is her own business, and I feel it should have remained that way, rather than her flaunting it in a book that became a best seller. Because of that, I chose not to read her next book "The Long Hot Summer". Her publicist contacted me with the offer of her latest book "Sweet Surrender", followed by an interview, and I accepted - somewhat reluctantly. Halfway through the book, I felt that I really needed the "bridge" of the third book I had declined, so asked for a copy. This was another very frank book but a different Mary was emerging
and I was glad I had asked for it. After reading it, and also Sweet Surrender, I asked for an interview with Mary.

It was challenging and I think I spent more time doing "homework" for it than any other interview I have done! I did enjoy our chat, she said she enjoyed our "robust" conversation and I have had good feedback from the interview! Phew!!!!!

Sweet Surrender by Mary Moody
.............

Will Elliott has written an absorbing book entitled Strange Places, in which he recounts his psychotic experiences as a young man. This is a factual account of the workings of the schizophrenic mind and we vividly experience Will's horrors and delights as he shares with us what becomes the horrifyingly, but almost seemingly logical sequence of events during these episodes. His best seller "The Pilo Family Circus" created great interest and won him several awards. He plans to follow up this with a series of "fantasy" novels.

It is encouraging to know that this important literary figure has survived such hard times and is willing to share them with us. It is a book I recommend.

Strange Places by Will Elliott
.......

My third author was Candy Cassidy, an English writer who has a devoted following among the sub-teen set. I have to say that if I had kids in that age group, I would be delighted to have them read these books. Not in the least "righteous", they nevertheless carry a strong "moral" message about friendship, loyalty and the importance of self-confidence. This book, entitled Angel Cake, embraces all those issues and without becoming "schmaltzy " carries a lot of very positive messages for young people. There seems to be almost a cult movement surrounding Candy's books, but it is a healthy one and I do encourage mums (and dads!) to introduce them into the family library! Candy has a website which should appeal to the young people for whom she writes.

Angel Cake by Cathy Cassidy.

....

Our final guest was Tammie Livingstone, a partner in Crumbs!, a Marysville bakery which, sadly, was destroyed in the recent fires. However, like so many others, Tammie, her partner Michael and her mum Debbie (who is the baker!) have not given in and they are now using the kitchen of a local
college to produce their delectable biscuits! Their business was a comparatively new one, and they had plans to open a small café in Marysville... and then the fires came. With a new baby and the shattering blow of losing their business premises, I think it is terrific that they have picked up the pieces and are 'back in town'! The really good news is that Debbie has been able to salvage her precious recipes and some treasured old metal cookie cutters!

Their products are available through the Yering Station Farmers Market (3rd Sunday in every month at Yering Station Winery, Yering) or give Tammie a call to find out where else they are available. CRUMBS 5962 2652

Michael (of Crumbs) also gave me details of a website designated to helping and updating those who have experienced hardship because of the fires. It is <editor@afterthefires.com>
...........

Next week I am looking forward to speaking with Jackie French, social researcher and novelist Hugh MacKay, Andrea Goldsmith who has created the beautifully written Reunion and, hopefully, Anges Zilla, founder of the Tourettes Syndrome Foundation.
..............

Listeners might recall that basketball hero Andrew Gaze spent a day here a few weeks ago as they filmed the first episode of a new series called "Guide to The Good Life". Andrew walked our alpacas, made pickles with me in my kitchen, did a live interview on 3MDR and then delivered a box of my relishes to RIPE Deli in Sassafras! (John took a photo at 3MDR and he might be persuaded to attach it to this email!) I have just heard that the episode will go to air on Saturday JUNE 13th at 5 p.m. on Channel 7. It should be worth watching just for Andrew's "relationship" with Aztec, an alpaca with attitude!!
............

I'm always happy to hear from listeners at <provence@bluedandenongs.com.au> and would be particularly interested to hear reactions to my chat with Mary Moody, which seems to have created divided opinions about Mary's romantic episodes in France!!

Best wishes for your personal Good Life! Ann

ANN CREBER - THE GOOD LIFE - 11 MAY 2009

Hello all Good Lifers... Sorry there was no update last week. "Real Life" got in the way and I just didn't have time to sit and chat via this page!

This week has been busy, too, but I'm determined to make some time to pass on news regarding our program.

This week's guests offered great diversity and I thoroughly enjoyed each interview. Our first guest was glamour boy chef/ restaurant owner/TV celebrity and cookbook author, Bill Granger. FEED ME NOW! is Bill's 7th book and in this he shares some readily achievable recipes suitable for a whole range of occasions. Bill was lovely, unpretentious, and full of enthusiasm! He now has three thriving restaurants in Sydney and recently opened one in Tokyo! I really enjoyed this book, both for its recipes and the photography, and I do recommend it!

FEED ME NOW! By Bill Granger

Our next guest, Lawrance (yes, that's the correct spelling!) Ryan, is President of the Great Breakout Association and we talked about this extraordinary event in Australia's wartime history. Over 200 Japanese POWs died in this futile escape attempt and several Australian soldiers were also killed.

Time has healed the wounds and anger and this graveyard has become a place of peace and tranquillity, with the bodies of many other Japanese who died in battle having been brought here for their final burial.

I have visited the Memorial Gardens and it really is a beautiful place, with superb Japanese style gardens, carp-filled pools with water lilies and a fascinating museum. For more information, contact Cowra Tourism Corporation on 02 6342 4333.

There is also a very interesting book on the breakout, written by Harry Gordon and published some years ago now, and entitled Die Like The Carp.

........

I had the pleasure of attending the Royal Flying Doctor Service luncheon at The Hilton this week as the guest of Annette Allison. Sporting legend Max Walker was the main guest speaker and sat at our table. He was most entertaining, both off and on stage, and I was delighted when he willingly accepted my invitation to be a guest on the Good Life! Now I just have to make a date....

I have also invited the other guest speaker, Trica Slee, (who heads up the RFDS 'On The Road' program) to speak with us and she has also agreed to chat. She has some great tales to tell about RFDS experiences in the outback of WA.

Another interesting woman I sat with is socialite/author Sue Threthowan-Jones, who has written a book about 15 influential Melbourne women (all 'baby boomers') who meet every Friday for a beading session. Appropriately, Sue has threaded together their personal stories in a book Called Gems of a Generation, which she kindly gave me. It is most interesting, and Sue will also be a guest on the program in a few weeks!

Unfortunately, one of our guests for next week has had to postpone, so sadly we won't have Joy Aimee with us on Monday. (Sorry, John!)

However, we will have Will Elliot, author of a fascinating but chilling book called Strange Places, in which he shares his experiences as a schizophrenic. This first-hand account of severe mental problems offers totally absorbing reading.

I will also be speaking with the controversial Mary Moody, whose recent books have polarised her readers. I have swung from being too cross to read her third book to feeling some sympathy and empathy for the Mary who has recently written Sweet Surrender. Still considering how to tackle this interview!!!!

Cathy Cassidy, popular writer of what I think is usually described as "chick lit", will also be our guest to speak about her recent book Angel Cake. I must confess I haven't yet read it, but I don't think it will be too demanding a read over the weekend!! A little light relief after the other two books I have read this week......

If anyone would like to contact me - comments, criticisms, suggestions -
Please just email <provence@bluedandenongs.com.au>

I'll also have 3 double passes to offer for a great Saturday afternoon stage performance at Burrinja on May 23rd! Hope you'll be listening!

And, as always, thanks to John Weeks for his help every week!

Regards, Ann

ANN CREBER - THE GOOD LIFE - 27 APRIL 2009

Hello Good Lifers....I have just read Jonathan Welch's autobiography and was looking forward to speaking with him. Best known as the founder of the hugely successful Choir of Hard Knocks, it was unfortunate that I felt I had to raise the issue of the dissension between some members of the Choir and the charity group, Reclink, with which it has been closely associated since its inception. Jonathan, together with most of the Choir members, is splitting from Reclink and becoming independent. However, thy are not able to use the name which with we have associated them, so listeners are invited to offer their suggestions for a new name. Jonathan liked John Weeks' suggestion of Choir of No Regrets.... who knows? Could well be their new title!

His book, Choir Man, is written simply and is very honest. He writes openly about his childhood, his ongoing difficult relationship with his father and some of his early failed gay relationships. The book is lavishly peppered with the names of operatic celebrities and we are reminded by these of Jonathan's own very successful career as an operatic tenor. He was an "easy" guest with whom to chat and even indulged me by singing the few lines he knew of Georgia On My Mind!

We wish Jonathan and "the choir with no name" all the best for the future!

CHOIR MAN by JONATHAN WELCH

Because of some confusion between the author and publicist, our next guest was not at the phone at the arranged time. It was fortunate that our studio guest, John Morton (who is President of the Chestnut Growers' Association), arrived early. He told us about the superior new varieties of chestnuts available now and explained the correct - and easiest - method of shelling and removing the inner skin from fresh chestnuts. We also spoke of the big Chestnut Festival held annually at the Cricket Ground in Kalorama.
on the Mt Dandy Tourist Rad, it is almost opposite Silvandale General Store and adjacent to Kawarra Native Nursery. It all happens next Sunday, (3rd May) so be there for a great day!

ANNUAL CHESTNUT FESTIVAL. Kalorama Reserve (Opp. Silvandale Store) Between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

(This is the slowest column I have ever written! So many interruptions ....just had to break off for half an hour to chase two wicked alpacas who had escaped and defied capture!)

I spoke then with Annette Allison, whom some of you will remember from the days when she co-hosted morning TV with Roy Hampson. As glamorous as ever, she is now the Public Affairs Manager for the Royal Flying Doctor Service and is a tireless worker for this cause. She told us about a fabulous lunch to be held at Hilton On The Park (192 Wellington Pde. East Melbourne) on Wednesday 13th May at 12 noon. The cost of $95 covers a delicious lunch, including all beverages, and the pleasure of being entertained by sporting legend Max Walker and also Tricia Slee, who has many entertaining tales to tell of her years in the Pilbara with the 'RFDS on the Road' team. Although in theory bookings have closed, still worth a try on 9521 2633!

Annette also outlined the itinerary of the annual 11-day trip she hosts for the RFDS. This one sounds to be a ripper... called 'From The Rock To the Reef' guests will travel from Uluru to Cairns, sharing all kinds of wonderful experiences en route. These include visits to a vast cattle station, another to view aboriginal cave paintings, a trip to the night-time craft markets of Darwin, a cruise over the Great Barrier Reef....but too many experiences to list here! For more details phone 03 9521 2633. As well as helping the RFDS, I can promise you'll have a great time with Annette as your hostess. (And you'll get to meet the pilots, doctors and nurses who staff this Service!)

Royal Flying Doctor Service (03) 9521 2633
..........
My final guest was author Sydney Bauer, yet another Australian female crime writer! I'm amazed by the number we have and asked Sydney about this... she had no explanation! With a background as a TV executive and a passion for slick American crime shows, it is not surprising Sydney writes books such as Move to Strike. This story is set in Boston, where her fictional serial hero, David Cavanaugh, works as a defence attorney. She admits to being a bit in love with this character - and it shines through the pages! Both Sydney's locations and the legal briefing and courtroom scenes are meticulously researched, so I was not surprised to read a whole page of acknowledgements and appreciation for the help she had received from "industry" professionals. And, as in all the best crime novels, there IS a twist at the end! A big
book but an easy read....

MOVE TO STRIKE by SYDNEY BAUER
.......
NEXT WEEK (All being well!) I am thrilled to be able to tell you that my first guest next week will be the wonderful Eric Bogle! Along with "I Was Only 19", "And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda" must be the most poignant and powerful protest against war ever written. I'm really looking forward to being able to talk with one of my musical "heroes"!

ERIC BOGLE

........
Since I reviewed her book Paper Cranes and interviewed her last year, Cheryl Koenig and I have kept in touch. This remarkable woman and her family fought to help restore a "normal" life for her son, who suffered a brain injury after a terrible accident, Her book tells of this 10 year struggle and of the incredible success they have achieved. She was a most worthy recipient of the title of NSW Woman of The Year 2009 and I thought it would be fantastic to have her as a guest just before Mothers' Day. I hope you'll be listening!
.....

Dimboola is a valiant country town that just won't die! Despite drought and all the other woes it shares with so many Australian towns, Wimmera-based Dimboola is fighting back. Erin O'Dwyer is a free-lance journalist who has written a lovely article in Australian Geographic about this town and the heroic people who live there. I have a very personal "soft spot" for Dimboola - and I'll tell you why when I speak with Erin!

DIMBOOLA! (NOT the stage play - although it will certainly get a mention!)

My final guest will be another author, Ber Carroll, who has written an interesting book called The Better Woman. Now I must admit that I usually tend to steer away from "popular novels" but I enjoyed this one. It follows the lives of two young women, from different backgrounds and in different countries, from the time of personal tragedies in their teenage years to when they are competing for a top international job... without ever knowing one another. Ber's characters are strong and these are interesting women who have to make difficult decisions throughout their lives. This would be a good present for Mothers' Day, which is one of the reasons I decided to speak with Ber next week!!

THE BETTER WOMAN by Ber Carroll

......

Another great choice for Mothers' Day would be Sharyn Munro's just released Bush Tails. A friend of The Good Life, Sharyn's warm and humorous style of writing makes all her books enjoyable, and people who love little furry critters (or even slinky slimy snakes and aggressive quolls!) will really love sharing these bushland experiences with Sharyn on her Wildlife Reserve.

BUSH TAILS by SHARYN MUNRO

Another Mothers' Day suggestion would be to treat mum to a night out at Mitchell's View Restaurant at Lilydale TAFE. Avoid the Sunday crush and book for either Tuesday or Wednesday night next week when a 3-course dinner will cost only $27.50. I've eaten there on many occasions and the food is always great and the student waiting staff incredibly helpful and enthusiastic! (Some of our city restaurant staff could take lessons from these kids!)

I could ramble on but there are chooks to be fed and other domestic duties performed! Hope you will be listening next Monday between 3 - 5 p.m.!

Ann Creber of The Good Life

Bookings (during office hours) on 9215 7047

ANN CREBER - THE GOOD LIFE - 20 APRIL 2009

Hello Good Lifers. As usual, we had a bit of a kerfuffle before the program started! Our 3.05 guest had forgotten to make arrangements to have his small son picked up from school, so a couple of frantic phone calls later, and another guest - dear Rosa Mitchell - had swapped times.

Rosa, an old friend, is a foodie icon around Victoria. One of the founders of Melbourne Slow Food chapter and a passionate cook, she is now senior chef in Rosa's Kitchen at the Journal Canteen, in Flinders Lane. Rosa's book, My Cousin Rosa, is much more than just another beautiful recipe book. In it she shares stories of the family history, both in Sicily and of the family's gradual migration to Australia..... one relative after another!

As well as a great collection of recipes, they brought many traditions with them and Rosa and her family still observe these. The annual salami making is a good example, and she includes recipes in her book.

Rosa's own warmth comes through on every page. She is one of those people whose name evokes a big smile and a comment about 'lovely Rosa' and when you read her book, you'll understand why!

MY COUSIN ROSA by Rosa Mitchell
.........

My next guest was Fiona MacIntosh, author of a blockbuster of a thriller Beautiful Death is the story of a serial killer who "steals" the faces of female victims and it has more twists than a corkscrew! (She and John had a bit of a chat about the other genre in which she writes - fantasy - as she had been a guest on his program on several occasions.) It was an absorbing read for anyone who enjoys a good murder - or three.

She also mentioned a Sisters in Crime seminar coming up in Melbourne and invited me to be her guest. Sure enough, next day there was an email invitation, and also to the dinner to be held beforehand. I am particularly delighted because the other guest speaker at the seminar will be Chloe Hooper, author of The Tall Man - one of the books I recommended last year as among my top favourites.

BEAUTIFUL DEATH by Fiona MacIntosh

.......

I had been looking forward to speaking with Steven Carroll, Melbourne based author of The Lost Life, so I was very pleased that a bit of time juggling had made this possible. Winner of 2008 Miles Franklin award, Steven is a lyrical writer who has the knack of capturing the feeling of conversational authenticity in his dialogue. This was explained when he told me he had originally been a playwright!

The story, set in the 1930s, is based on a romantic episode in the later life of famous poet T.S. Eliot and the love of his youth, academic Emily Hale. There is a parallel story of young lovers in the same country village, Catherine and Daniel, and the story is basically told as Catherine sees it unfold.

I have read a lot of Eliot over the years so it was great to be able to speak with Steven about some of his writing and its sometimes obscure interpretation. We had a good conversation, but he confessed off air afterwards that his "killer cat" had been savaging him throughout the entire interview! He coped very nobly!

THE LOST LIFE by Steven Carroll
.......

My final guest is the author of a very different book called Spirit Sisters. This tells of the supernatural experiences of a wide range of Australian women and, after reading this, it really is hard to deny the existence of "something" out there! My Scottish nanna, the 7th child of a 7th child, claimed to have "second sight" but unfortunately my mother always hushed her before she could tell me her "ghost stories"!

I've been waiting hopefully for a mystical visitor but after reading some of these chilling stories, I think I'll forego the experience!

SPIRIT SISTERS by Karina Machado

........

The Good Life program fills rapidly! We are fully booked until the end of May and have some interesting guests to look forward to. Next week I hope to have Jonathan Welch of the Choir of Hard Knocks, Annette Allison of the Royal Flying Doctor Service, crime thriller author Sydney Bauer and, in the studio, John Morton of the Chestnut Growers Association. ( And don't forget the monster Chestnut Festival to be held on 3rd May at Kalorama Cricket Ground on the Mt. Dandy Tourist Road.)

Over the next few weeks we'll speak with glamour boy chef and author, Bill Granger, with Cheryl Koenig (NSW Woman of the Year, Agnes Ziller from Tourettes Syndrome Foundation, social researcher Hugh MacKay, and Father Peter Kennedy, the "rebel" priest who has been obliged to leave his church because of his liberal views.

Last Sunday was a day of celebration at the old CWA Hall in Falls Road, Kalorama. (Now known as Farndon Hall) After a 3-year battle, it has been saved and renovated and will once again take its place as a valuable community asset. Over 250 people attended and we enjoyed a lavish afternoon tea that would have gladdened the hearts of those early CWA women who met there. (I think they were there in the background beaming and nodding in approval!) We have spoken to Jean and Ian Blencowe on The Good Life and congratulate these hard working crusaders, as well as all the others who have played such a significant role in saving this important local icon. As well as accommodating U3A classes, other local groups will share the available space and it will also be available for hire.

Well, I'll be off now to feed the chooks! As always, thanks for all your Help with those tricky buttons and knobs, John!

Best regards, Ann (The Good Life)

<provence@bluedandenongs.com.au>

P.S. Nutrition Australia will be hosting the launch of their new Green Light Eat Right program at the Queen Victoria Market next Thursday 23th April and Friday 1st May, between 11.30 and 2.30. All kinds of promotions and give-aways to share and all are welcome!

ANN CREBER - THE GOOD LIFE - 13 APRIL 2009

Hello Good Lifers... Despite my firm belief that my program was all organised for last Monday, one of the authors whom I called was not about! I was particularly disappointed as I love Janelle McCulloch's books and was really looking forward to speaking with her again. I have still not heard back from the publicist as to what happened... blame it on Easter, I guess!

There was also confusion with Richard Cornish who, for some obscure reason, thought our interview was to be at 1 o'clock and when I didn't phone then, he went out with his kids! Fortunately, he returned late afternoon and I was able to slip him into Janelle's slot, so all was well. He spoke about his new appointment with the Melbourne Food & Wine Festival and also told us of some of the culinary delights he had experienced during a recent 4-day visit to the Modern Food Festival in Madrid. Richard is co-author of the great Spanish cookbook Movida.

Look for Richard's articles in Age Epicure.... they always provide interesting and informative reading.

I did have a lovely chat - and no complications! - with Noeline Brown, our Ambassador for Ageing! She was a delight and we covered a whole range of topics in our conversation and, in fact, could have gone on considerably longer! We had been exchanging emails and she had suggested we could also talk a bit about cooking. We just ran out of time and she complained that we never did around to kitchen talk! Of course, that gives me a valid reason to have her back as a guest.

I also spoke with Robin Laurie, founder of Circus Oz and also involved with a range of other well known "physical" performance groups, such as The Flying Fruit Fly Circus. Her current venture is as director of Controlled Falling Project with ThisSideUp, which has toured and performed in a number of major cities around the word.

I had the pleasure of attending the first night of this amazing show and took my grand-daughter, who was a champion acrobat in her early teens, and we both thoroughly enjoyed the performance. Their skill- and seeming recklessness - is amazing!!!!! It was good to be able to meet the performers over a glass of wine afterwards. They all APPEAR to be perfectly sane.....

I saw the French film Summer Hours yesterday. Quite sad, but beautiful. It is of course sub-titled, but it was difficult to read some of the translations when it was white print against a pale background! Juliette Binoche is one of the three stars who play the roles of siblings whose mother has just died and whose estate, including the beloved but shabby old family home, must be settled. All live very different lives, in different countries, and we share their emotions as this is resolved. This involves sacrifices and compromises for all of them as cherished family heirlooms are sold. The Musee d'Orsay was involved in the making of the film and there certainly are some gorgeous antiques displayed!

Of course, I love all things French and the scenery in this is very beautiful, so I enjoyed it. (You will also come home thirsting for a glass of the red wine they drank in copious quantities throughout the film!)

At a quite different level, I was invited to a Business Breakfast this morning at which Peter Costello was guest speaker. Regardless of one's politics, he is a most entertaining speaker and was warmly received by the 100 plus guests who were there, mostly members of local Liberal Party branches. The function was held at Timbertop Conference Centre in Mooroolbark and I was surprised to hear that it is owned by Jim Penman of Jim's Mowing fame! A passionate admirer of Peter Costello, he donated proceeds from the entire function to the Liberal Party.

Next week's guests - touch wood! - are all authors, but of very different books. I hope to have Steven Carroll, winner of last year's Miles Franklin Award, who has written an intriguing story called The Lost Life. I'm also speqking with Fiona McIntosh about her blockbuster thriller called Beautiful Death, to chef Rosa Mitchell about her lovely cookbook My Cousin Rosa, and to Karina Machado, who has compiled a series of Australian women's paranormal experiences in a book called Spirit Sisters. I will have a copy of this book to send to a listener!

Guests I am trying to line up over the next few weeks include Jonathan Welch, founder of The Choir of Hard Knocks, hopefully Max Walker, cricket legend and raconteur, and also Father Kennedy, the rebel Queensland priest who has just been "evicted"from his parish church because of his radical
beliefs.

We will have the lovely Jackie French back in a couple of weeks, with yet another book, and also Sharyn Munro, whose book Bush Tails has just been published. Her first book, The Woman on the Mountain, has been hugely successful and she is currently finishing a book of short stories.

Please listen in and if you would like to contact me, I'm at >provence@bluedandenongs.com.au>

Best wishes, Ann

ANN CREBER - THE GOOD LIFE - 6 APRIL 2009

Hello Good Lifers... This is a bit late getting to you, but I thought I'd wait until I was able to report on a day spent with the lovely Andrew Gaze! Channel 7 is producing a new series with Andrew as the presenter and he and the crew spent the day here yesterday filming their first episode!

It was full on, with Andrew meeting the alpacas in the morning, then learning to make pickles in my kitchen. After that we headed off to 3MDR, and Andy Sneddon very kindly allowed us to "jump" his program so that I could do a "live" interview with Andrew. John Weeks also very generously gave up HIS time to come in and look after the panel and to have a bit of a chat with Andrew as well. After that we traipsed off to make a delivery of my pickles to Ripe Deli in Sassafras and Andrew created quite a stir among visitors and locals as he strode down the main street in the role of "delivery man"! Of course, it is hard to miss this very, very tall and recognisable basketball legend and he really is the loveliest man to work with..... funny and very good tempered. Even when one of our alpacas delivered a very wet, very smelly spit right in his face!

The series will appear later in the year and I'll keep you posted as to dates.

Last week's program offered a variety of guests as usual, and we started by speaking with Ron Delezio and Carolyn Martin, parents of Sophie, whose sad story we all know. You will recall that after being terribly burned in an accident when a car crashed into her child-minding centre, two years later Sophie was hit by a car and again suffered life threatening injuries. With the input of journalist Sally Collings, Ron and Carolyn have now published an intimate account of their experiences. This takes the form of private journals each kept and also letters they constantly wrote to Sophie.

Their strong faith, courage and support from friends, family and the community at large helped them maintain hope and to give Sophie the support she desperately needed. She is a remarkable little girl and this is an inspirational story.

As a footnote to this interview, you may recall my chat last year with Cheryl Koenig, author of Paper Cranes, mother of Jono who was very badly injured in a car accident ten years ago, and now NSW Woman of The Year 2009. Cheryl and I have kept in touch since our interview and I emailed to tell her of the interview I was to have with Sophie's parents. She wrote speaking of her own reaction to their tragedy and of the empathy she felt and inviting them to contact her if they wished to do so. I read this to Ron and Carolyn and have received an email asking for Cheryl's contact details. I think this is great and I am sure they will find encouragement in hearing first hand of Jono's amazing progress after his terrible injuries.

A LETTER TO SOPHIE By Rob Delezio and Carolyn Martin (with Sally Collings)

...............

Our next guest was Natilja Nesvadba ffrom Altzheimers Victoria. Now I can't do justice to the wonderful way in which Natilja pronounced her name in a throaty European accent. ( In fact, I commented to her that both the name and the accent suggested she might be a Russian spy in hr second life - she did deny that!) However, she does work with a a large number of ethnic communities in assisting families and individuals who suspect there might be some problems related to Alzheimers. We spoke of the differing attitudes between ethnic groups and of the significance of religious beliefs in some communities.

Natilja emphasised that a call to the Alzheimer Centre in Hawthorn will provide a wide range of services and advice.Their number is 03 9815 7800 or email: <alz@alzvic.asn.au> A call to the National Centre may be made on 1800 100 500 or check out the website <alzheimers.org.au> Interpreter Services are available to facilitate any enquiries.

..............

Our next guest was Richard Howden, President of the Yarra Valley Wine Growers' Association, and his news of happenings in the Valley was all good! Because of the fires, grape grazing was postponed but Richard assured us that it will be even bigger and better than in previous years. Despite the difficulties, vintage has been good and there are some magnificent wines to be tasted, great food to be consumed and brilliant entertainment to be enjoyed! Sounds the perfect way to spend a weekend! Twenty three vineyards will be participating so all tastes should be well catered for...

YARRA VALLEY GRAPE GRAZING 18th-19th APRIL www.grapegrazing.com.au

......................

Our last guest was to be Peter Kuravita, chef and owner of the renowned Flying Fish Sri Lankan Restaurant in Sydney. Peter has written a book about his family, his life and his food and there are wonderful stories, photos and recipes. Unfortunately, there was only a message on the mobile when we attempted to contact him at the appointed time! I did get a call at 5 p.m. from Peter, who apologised.... and blamed his kids (as we all do!). It IS a lovely book and we have agreed to have a chat in a few weeks time. In the meantime, I will include a recipe from his book in next week's column.

SERENDIP (My Sri Lankan Kitchen) by Peter Kuravita

............

I had the great pleasure of attending a book launch at Rosa's Kitchen, situated above the Journal Café in Flinders Lane. She has just published a book entitled My Cousin Rosa, and it offers family stories as well as wonderful Sicilian recipes! We sampled these and the food was delicious! Rosa will be my guest in a couple of weeks time... she is a warm and charming woman and a bit of legend in the "foodie" world, so I am really looking forward to speaking with her on The Good Life.

Next week's program has terrific guests! Noeline Brown (who needs no introduction!) , Richard Cornish, food writer and film producer, Janelle McCulloch, one of my favourite authors, and Robin Laurie, founder
of Circus Oz and currently producer of an "acro art" performance, which I hope to see next week!

Have a great Easter and please be listening on Monday! Ann

P.S John, thanks for everything!!!

ANN CREBER - THE GOOD LIFE - 2 APRIL 2009

Hello Good Lifers..This was a mixed program (March 30 - JW), with a couple of authors, a "foodie" and a very new publisher as my guests!

Rachel Watts is one of the publishers of a very new magazine (One issue so far!) called Barefoot, which is all about "gentle" parenting. The publishers claim it is NOT alternative, but it definitely leans in that direction- which I think is a good thing! It is a thought provoking magazine and features very intelligently written articles. This first issue focuses on "Mothering" but each subsequent one will feature
a different focus.

The cover shows a very beautiful little girl, wearing an embroidered white frock - and she is sitting in a puddle, covered with mud, and her chubby hands are clutching dirty, muddy leaves. I remarked on it during our interview and was deeply saddened today to have an email from Rachel, in which she told me that it was her little daughter, Iris, who very suddenly died 2 years ago.The coroner could find no reason for this tragic death.

She sent a copy of an article in the current issue of Meanjin magazine, in which she describes her painful journey over the last two years. Very moving, but well worth reading if you have the opportunity. Rachel will keep in touch and come back on the program in a few months to tell us about the progress of the quarterly magazine. We wish them every success and also send our best wishes to Rachel, who is 7 months pregnant and expecting a little brother for her 2-year old son Hugo.

To read more about Barefoot, go to the website <www.barefootmagazine.com.au>

Our next guest was Rita Erlich, celebrated food writer, restaurant critic and a very old friend. (In fact, matron of honour for my wedding No 3!) Rita's parents survived the holocaust and came to Australia from Poland. Rita still observes Jewish religious traditions and I have had the pleasure of sharing many Passovers and Jewish New Year celebrations with her family.

Rita spoke of the traditions of Passover and the significance behind them, as well as telling us about the foods that are served on these very special occasions. As well as being a very entertaining guest, Rita is always most informative and I am sure listeners found her explanations as interesting as I did. She DID agree to send through a Passover recipe, but I suspect we might have to wait until next week!

My next guest was an author I have never met but we have an entwined family history. (Cathy's mother-in-law and I shared our childhood as "cousins", were teenagers together and bridesmaids at each other's weddings.) Cathy Gowdie has written a delightful book about the winery, Foxey's Hangout, she and husband Tony Lee own at Red Hill. Foxey's Hangout has a long and somewhat macabre history, explained by Cathy in the book, which is written as the diary of a year in their lives and in the vineyard. Her passion for history shines through and we learn a great deal about the area and past and present inhabitants, as well as about the trials and traumas of starting a new winery! Cathy tells it "warts and all", but with great good humour and a very real love for the property and their new life.

It is a lovely book, interspersed with tempting recipes served in the dining room at Foxey's Hangout, and with wonderfully evocative photos. A great Easter present that would last much longer and give considerably more pleasure than the more conventional Easter gifts!

Personally, I can't wait to visit Foxy's, to try some of their wines and to enjoy Tony's kitchen prowess! (Yes, he is the cook as well as the winemaker!)

FOXEY'S HANGOUT by CATHY GOWDIE

FOXEY'S HANGOUT WINERY <www.foxey's-hangout.com.au>

My last guest was Peter McConchie, who has brought together the work of 16 photographers to create a beautiful book called Old Growth. It features the glorious ancient forests of Australia, many of which are under threat, and this is, in fact, a plea for us to try and save our heritage.

Just one fact from the book that shocked me was to read that since the European settlement of Australia, 92% of our ancient forests have been destroyed and of the 8% remaining, only 4% are in National Parks. I find this really frightening to contemplate. Peter lists the names of groups dedicated to saving these forests and gives contact details. The photographers involved also are given individual credits in the back of the book.

Peter's own background is an interesting one. After training as a fashion photographer in Milan and working in New York and London, he returned to Australia and developed a strong affinity with the land and with our indigenous people. This changed both his philosophy and his career and his work now is dedicated to conservation issues. This would be a wonderful book to send overseas and for all we locals who love Peter Cundall, there is the bonus of an introduction written by him!

A really beautiful book and Peter's sincerity and passion for his cause shone through as we spoke.

OLD GROWTH by PETER McCONCHIE

Next week I hope to speak with the authors of Sophie's Book, which consists of journal entries by Sophie's parents and letters written to her after the two horrific accidents she experienced. An amazing story!

I shall also be speaking with someone from the Alzheimers Foundation (Natilja) who looks after the needs of sufferers and their families in ethnic communities. A great number of different nationalities are covered in this program and we will hear more details on Monday.

On a lighter note, I will speak with Richard Howden, CEO of this year's belated Grape Grazing Festival in the Yarra Valley. We all appreciate the need for tourists to return to the Valley and Richard will tell us of some of the pleasures we can expect to share during this celebration of the vintage!

My final guest will be the author of a very glamorous Sri Lankan cookbook. Peter owns a successful restaurant in Sydney and I am looking forward to chatting to him about his Sri Lankan connections and also his restaurant and cookbook. Hope you'll be listening!

As always, thanks to John Weeks for all the support he gives The Good Life and I hope you'll be listening next week! And please feel free to contact me on <provence@bluedandenongs.com.au>

Best regards, Ann

P.S. Just had dinner at a local restaurant and have, I hope, picked up a great story to share with you! The owner and his partner ( a gay couple) have been to USA to arrange for and then to parent a baby! They have a beautiful 5 month old boy whom they obviously adore and who has totally changed their lives. I have invited the "house daddy" of the couple to come onto the program for a chat about this amazing experience and he has agreed to do this. I think this is so brave and yet so fulfilling for them - the degree of dedication involved is amazing! I hope this interview happens and I hope you will be listening if and when it does!

ANN CREBER - THE GOOD LIFE - 23 MARCH 2009

Hello Good Lifers. I was delighted to be able to speak with an icon, Ita Buttrose. She was bit startled when I compared her with a Hills Hoist, a lemon tree and a barbecue - all of which I regard as Australian icons, but she took it as the compliment it was meant to be!

We were speaking with Ita in her role as Patron of the Macular Degeneration Foundation and as co-author of a cookbook with recipes created to help prevent this serious eye condition, which is the greatest cause of blindness in older people. Ita's family have been victims and her own risk is high, so she follows the recommended preventative diet and has regular checks in an attempt to help avoid developing this condition.

Her co-author is a very experienced Sydney-based chef, Vanessa Jones, and, no doubt because of this, the recipes in the book are excellent and look really delicious. (Sadly, I find that often so-called "healthy" cookbooks offer pretty dull recipes!) Ita kindly agreed to allow me to pass on one these recipes to you in this column. She edited and tested many of them herself, and of course her previous role as editor of the Women's Weekly and of their numerous recipe books equips her well for this. I enjoyed our chat and do recommend this book.

EATING FOR EYE HEALTH (The Macular Degeneration Cookbook) by Ita Buttrose & Vanessa Jones

My next interview provided a new experience in that Alzheimer's Foundation organised for us to be able to speak with two guests in different locations. After a few nail-biting seconds, it proved to work beautifully and allowed us to speak both with Deb Cutts, General Manager for Development and Community Relations with Alzheimers Foundation, Victoria, and also Jay C. (aka Joseph Portelli), a young man of Maltese background, whose own father suffers from dementia. A singer and composer, Jay has written a song which will be the theme of a major campaign to be initiated by Alzheimers Foundation later in the year. (It is entitled Think Ahead to Go Ahead.) He has also written a touching song about his father's condition and another about his historical passion - The Great Siege of Malta! (Check it out on the internet - I did, and it is fascinating!) Jay goes to Singapore this week to present his song at the international conference on Alzheimers Disease.

Deb spoke to us about the Alzheimers proposed campaign, which will focus on keeping minds active and the importance of this in helping prevent or delay the onset of dementia related problems. She encouraged anyone with concerns, either personal or in relation to family members, to contact the Foundation and speak to a counsellor. I have visited their Centre and found it very moving but also most interesting.

Incidentally I had the pleasure of going to the launch of Jay C's new CD. It was held at Toffs of The Town, a trendy new bar in the city, and it was great. Jay C. and his group presented a number of songs from the CD and with so many Maltese friends and family there, I was reminded of some of the great family parties I attended when I worked for an Italian company. Jay's CD is entitled 1565 Patiently Waiting. If you would a copy of the CD or to know more about Jay C. check out <www.myspace/com/jaypofficial>

To contact Alzheimers Foundation, <www.alzheimers.org.au >or call the National Dementia Helpline on 1800 100 500.

My next guest was Sam Routledge, a performer from the group My Darling Patricia, who are currently performing in a very creative play entitled Night Garden. It has a short season from 15th - 20th March at Arts House, Meat Works, 5 Blackwood Street, North Melbourne, with two performances on Saturday. This is a world premiere presentation, which is always exciting. I was invited to the preview and was looking forward to it, but unfortunately a family issue prevented this at the last minute. The production has won a number of artistic awards and you can find out more about it on <www.artshouse.com.au> and bookings are on <arthouse.com.au> or 9639 0096. It sounds to be a brilliant and challenging production.....

Our last guest was the vivacious Joy Aimee, one of our "regular" guests and one of our favourites. She and John have great exchanges so I don't have to work too hard! Joy is an author, publisher, artist, creative writing mentor - and "girl about town"! Joy is great fun but she is also a philosopher who has a strong belief in the importance of spirituality in relation to life. She hosts a website, full of interesting information, so I suggest you check out <www.happyeverafterclub.com> Joy will be our guest on The Good Life every few weeks and we look forward to sharing future programs with her.

Last week was a busy one with the launch of Jay's CD, a film preview and the wonderful open air feast at Lilydale TAFE. The film was Elegy, starring Penelope Cruz and Ben Kingsley and is based on a story by renowned writer Philip Roth. In brief, it tells of an aged university professor - a serial seducer of young women - who finally falls desperately and possessively in love with a student more than 30 years his junior. Sensitively handled, it is quite a lovely film and Penelope Cruz plays a very different role from that which won her Academy Award in Cristina, Vicki, Barcelona. There are sub-plots of the dysfunctional relationship between the professor and the son who has never forgiven him for abandoning his family, and also of his strong friendship with the character played by Dennis Hopper, with strong acting from an experienced cast.

The outdoor dinner at Lilydale was most successful and almost 100 guests enjoyed the fine wine, food and entertainment we shared during the night. The weather co-operated and we did enjoy our feast under the stars! Congratulations to Brook Powell, all the Hospitality students who prepared and served the regional food and, in fact, to everyone concerned in the presentation of the night.

I met there a lovely young couple from California, who were most impressed with their weekend in the Yarra Valley. I am hoping to be able to introduce them to the pleasures of the Dandenong Ranges at some stage!

Next week ... hopefully author and photographer Peter McConchie and Cathy Gowdie of Foxey's Hangout Winery, who has written a delightful book about her family's "tree change". Also hope to speak with the author of a book called Leave to Remain (still reading it!) and maybe Rachel or Anna, local publishers of a new parenting magazine called BAREFOOT - their theme is "tread gently parent passionately" and it makes very interesting reading.

Hope you'll be listening next week! As ever, thanks to John Weeks for all his contributions to the program! (Mind you, a chat with Joy Aimee is his reward...)

Regards, Ann

Ann Creber

THIS RECIPE FROM "EATING FOR EYE HEALTH" IS OFFERED WITH THE GENEROUS PERMISSION OF THE AUTHORS AND NEW HOLLAND PUBLISHING.

POCHED SALMON & LEMON RISOTTO Serves 2

200gr poached salmon, flaked
1 tablespoon extra light olive oil
25gr butter
1 white onion, finely diced
Sea salt
300gr Arborio ice
Grated zest and juice of 1 lemon
600ml fish stock
2 TB fresh Parmesan cheese, grated
1/2 bunch flat leaf parsley, washed and chopped

Flake the salon into bite-sized pieces. Heat a large heavy saucepan and add oil, half the butter, the onion and salt to taste. Cook over a low heat until onion has softened but is not brown. Add the rice and sir for a few minutes to ensure all grains are coated. Increase heat to high, add lemon zest and juice.
Heat the fish stock in a separate saucepan ad gradually add the rice, stirring constantly until all liquid is absorbed. Add salmon, remainder of the butter and cook until butter melts and salmon is warmed through. The risotto should be quite wet and slightly runny. Sprinkle with Parmesan and parsley and serve at once.

ANN CREBER - THE GOOD LIFE - 16 MARCH 2009

Hello Good Lifers...What a way to start my program this week! Just into a chat with our first guest when John took a message from the wonderful Noeline Brown, who thought she was to be a guest that day as well and was awaiting a call! I was totally bewildered, as I had not had any confirmation from her publicist, and was not expecting to speak with her. I phoned back between interviews and we exchanged emails again last night, without really resolving what the problem had been! I had another email from her today - very apologetic, in that her PR persona had not thought she would get back from a speaking engagement in time for the interview, so not had booked it with me! I am very relieved and I do feel that when we chat in a week or so, we will have already broken the ice!

My first guest was David Potts, author of The Myth of The Great Depression, and for anyone interested in social history, it is a brilliant book. He certainly does not deny the reality of the Depression but refutes many of the "hard luck" stories other authors and historians have presented. There are a number of statistics... not dry, but illustrating and supporting his arguments about the general health and well being of our Australian society at that time. His theory is that it is really about "a state of mind" and I found it a most interesting and thought provoking book.

THE MYTH OF THE GREAT DEPRESSION by DAVID POTTS.

.......

My second guest was a delightful Melbourne-based author, P.D. Martin, who admits that having the same initials as P.D. James is no handicap for a crime writer! The Killing Hands, whose main character is Sophie Anderson, profiler with the LA Police Dept.,is the fourth book in the series and Phillipa (the P. from P.D.!) admitted that there are certain similarities between Sophie and her own character. Both organised, single-minded and very well qualified in martial arts....I had to confess that I was bogged down a bit in the early pages under all the acronyms associated with the various police departments, but once these were sorted, I found the book to be an absorbing thriller. Without giving away anything of the plot, there is a mole involved in the investigation - which adds a certain frisson. PD was delighted that I had not twigged as to who it was! If you like a good story, well written and with a few unexpected twists and turns - and especially if you have an interest in the martial arts - you'll really enjoy this book.

THE KILLING HANDS by P.D. MARTIN

.......

We moved on to a totally different subject next, although I did try to pin down author Lyn Bagnall as to how she "murdered" the snails she tells us how to entrap! (I must say she was quite evasive!) This is one of the most comprehensive books on organic and biodynamic gardening I have read. Great for both beginners and more experienced gardeners, it covers almost every aspect of organic gardening and with information relevant to biodynamic gardeners in our part of the world. An organic farmer herself, Lyn writes from experience and offers a wealth of practical advice. I did tease her a little about the highly specific times quoted in gardening by the phases of the moon, but she defended it quite convincingly - despite John Weeks' irreverent questions as to whether one needed to be naked! (Seems that is optional! And, I would think, weather dependent!).

I really would recommend this book to anyone seriously interested in becoming a successful and productive gardener, and also being concerned about the environment and the future of our fragile planet.

EASY ORGANIC GARDENING AND MOON PLANTING by LYNN BAGNALL

My final guest was Ross Greenaway, of the beautiful Balgownie Estate Winery and Conference Centre in the Yarra Valley. This is a great spot and together with Natskin Spa Retreat and Balloon Sunrise, they are offering R & R packages to people who have suffered through the recent fires. They invited regular guests to the winery to submit nominations for people they considered needed the kind of nurturing that was being offered. Within days they were swamped with applications and Ross said the Selection Committee members were totally overwhelmed with emotion by some of the stories they heard. Now they have the hard task of choosing "worthy" recipients, but he assured us that probably 75% of all nominations would receive recognition through some kind of gift or indulgence. It is good to know that our local businesses are showing this kind of concern for the hard times so many people have suffered.

Sometime my program is offered too much in the way of great guests - and this has happened for next week! For weeks I have avidly followed the passage of the Spirit of Mystery, a hand built 37ft wooden lugger, recreating the voyage of seven Cornishmen who made the same journey - successfully - 153 years ago! Skippered by Pete Goss, and without an engine or any modern electrical or navigational systems, the Spirit of Mystery is as true to the the original vessel Mystery as possible.

I became intrigued by this modern adventure when I read about a replica of the Mystery on display in the Melbourne Museum. I pursued the story behind it and discovered that Pete Goss and his valiant (if slightly mad!) crew were already afloat! I contacted the "English connection", who in turn passed me over to the Australian end of the operation.

I was convinced this wonderful and courageous voyage was one of the best kept secrets of the century - until crew member and Pete's brother-in-law Mark Maidment broke his leg and had to be airlifted - and then of course it was the leading item in the news every day!

Pete docked recently and of course has been feted ever since! I have been hoping for an interview for ages and today publicist Liz Hunt phoned to offer me a chat next Monday - and I can't manage to fit it in! (We do still have some hope of Pete being available on the 30th!)

I had also hoped to be able to go to Pete's public appearance and talk, but I doubt that I would ever FIND Williamstown or the Royal Yacht Club! There is an added dimension to the adventure (and my interest in it) in that Pete's voyage is sponsored by Talisker whisky... one of the most superb single-malts that Scotland has to offer! My ancestors came from the Isle of Skye in 1848 and settled in Tasmania and when I spent a month in Scotland a few years ago, I visited Skye and partook of generous quantities of this glorious single malt whisky, which is distilled there! (My listeners would know that I love a glass or two of wine but the only spirit I ever drink is single malt whisky!)

My son is in the liquor industry and several years ago he gave me a pack of three small bottles of Talisker, distilled a number of years apart, and that was a real revelation! ( If you get the chance to enjoy this taste
experience, jump at it!)

Because of this I am all the more disappointed not to be able to share in Pete's evening next Thursday. (There will be a dram or two of Talisker, of course!) If you can get there, please go - and do phone in and tell me about it! Details are as follows:

EVENT : Talisker Tales with Pete Goss
DATE: 19th March 2009
VENUE: ROYAL YATCH CLUB OF VICTORIA
120 Nelson Place, Williamstown 3016
COST: $65 with all proceeds going to the Red Cross Bushfire Appeal and the Australian Volunteer Coastguard Association.
Tickets: www.eventoffice.com.au/taliskertales

I do love a good swashbuckling story and I am really disappointed that I can't share this event. I am hoping we might eventually be able to read a book recounting this modern-day epic voyage!

Next week I hope to speak with the naughty Joy Aimee, who will tell us about life, love and the stars, Ita Buttrose (surely an Aussie icon!) who has co-authored a book about Macular Degeneration of the eyes, with recipes created to help prevent this condition. We'll also speak with Deb Cutts from Alzheimers Foundation and Jay P, Maltese born performer who has created a CD, the profits from which will go to the Foundation. (I am looking forward to its launch tomorrow night at a city bar!) I'll also chat with a guest from My Darling Patricia, a multi-award winning performance which commences at the Arts House (Meat Market) on March 24th. (I'll be at the preview next week and will report back!)

I am also going to preview the film Elegy at the Nova tomorrow morning, and share dinner under the stars at Lilydale TAFE on Friday night. There are still a few seats available for this fabulous night of food, wine and entertainment if you phone 9215 7049 or email <bpowell@swin.edu.au> It is part of the Melbourne Food & Wine Festival.

Charming restaurant Woods Sherbrooke also has a special offering as part of the Festival.. A delicious 2-course lunch with a complimentary glass of Yarra Valley wine is offered for $35 on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. I enjoyed this last week and can warmly recommend it! (I was a paying guest so no bias!)

Hope you'll be listening next week between 3 - 5 p.m.! And feel free to contact me on this email address <provence@bluedandenongs.com.au>.... Love to hear from you!

Ann Creber of The Good Life

ANN CREBER - THE GOOD LIFE - 13 MARCH 2009

Hello Good Lifers...I'm still busy with "real" (i.e paid) work! I have four author interviews next week, but fortunately two of these don't need close and detailed reading as one is all about organic and biodynamic gardening, about which I know a reasonable amount, and the other consists mainly of magnificent photos of Australia's dwindling ancient forests.

I am managing to fit in some reading of the other two when I go to bed and before I get up. I am a fast reader but as I take copious notes, that does slow me down! However, I'll get there....The authors I'll be speaking with are David Potts, who has written a fascinating book he calls The Myth of the Great Depression. He is not denying the reality of the depression, just the very dark and dire picture that has been painted as to its effect on those people who suffered hard times. He actually wrote the book several years ago, but has written a new introduction and also some revisions to make this book more relevant to the economic crisis we are currently facing. I'm looking forward to speaking with him.

Peter McConchie is the photographer and author of the book about our forests. Entitled Old Growth, as well as the magnificent photos Peter offers comments about those areas which are at risk of being destroyed by logging and an introduction by the wonderful Peter Cundall emphasises how important it is that we act now to save these seriously threatened 'national treasures'.

I have already outlined the subject of David Potts' book and recommend it.

Easy Organic Gardening and Moon Planting by Lyn Bagnall answers a lot of the questions we all ask about "alternative" gardening when we first contemplate exploring its possibilities. A certified organic farmer herself, Lyn practices what she preaches and I think this is an invaluable book to have in hand before you head off with spade in hand and sunhat on head! This is one of the most sensible and comprehensive alternative gardening books I have read.

I do love a good detective story and in Killing Hands, by Melbourne author P.D. Martin, we get an absorbing story, which escalates to an exciting climax. Her main character, Sophie Anderson, is a profiler and has been the main character in several other books - which I must confess I have not read. Set in LA, it is typical of its genre - except that Sophie has a kind of second sight. Which of course is a great asset if you are in her line of business! In some ways the character of Sophie seems to parallel Phillipa Martin's own persona, and I'll be interested to explore this when we speak.

Last Monday was unusual in that I did not have ANY author interviews! I spoke to Jeni Port, an old friend and expert wine writer for the Age Epicure. We discussed the effects of the recent drought and bushfires on the current vintage and it was most interesting to heard Jeni's knowledgeable views on this. Expect to pay more for your wines in a year or so!

I also spoke with Sam Gowing, former Melburnian who has moved now to Byron Bay to conduct her business as a healer, nutritionist and naturopath. She still visits Melbourne for regular cooking classes etc. at Prahran Market and, in fact, we spoke about a session she was conducting today! (Sorry about that!) To learn more about her activities and to become a subscriber to her website (free!) you contact her via www.foodandhealth.com.au OR info@foodandhealth.com.au - she has a couple of interesting (and free!)
DVDs on offer.

Our final guest was Peter Allen, Hills representative for Permaculture Melbourne and partner in Telopea Organic Farm in Monbulk. He told us about the tasting of heritage fruits to be held at Petty's Orchard, Templestowe on the last Sunday in the month. There will be demonstrations, orchard tours, sales of heritage fruit trees and a whole range of other organic activities on offer! Visitors will be able to taste a wide variety of heritage fruits and make their choice of the variety they would like to buy on one of the tree grafting days to be held later in the year. I'll be there helping on the day, so if you do visit, please come and say 'Hello'! If you would like more information, contact Pete on <petethepermie.com.au> or email me on <provence@bluedandenongs.com.au> Pete and his wife Silvia also offer a wide range of "alternative" activities and workshops at Telopea Farm, so it is well worth checking this out.

Apart from having a stack of books that I despair of ever getting to read, I have a couple of interesting guests scheduled over the next few weeks. One is the iconic Ita Buttrose, who has been involved in writing a book about the eyes, in particular with relation to the prevention and treatment of Macular Degeneration - a condition which affects the elderly. I have yet to receive the book, but we do have a firm date with Ita!

Another interview, secured with the assistance of a very supportive publicist, is with Jonathan Welch, choir master and initiator of The Choir of Hard Knocks! This will not be until the end of April, but the publicist alerted me that there would be a huge demand for him, so I am happy to say we have a confirmed interview!

I've been working on a variety of recipes for clients over the past couple of weeks and I'd love to share with you a delicious little snack I devised! Great with a glass of dessert wine.. Beaumes de Venise is my favourite! Or maybe Poires William to complement the pears!

To serve 2, very lightly toast a couple of slices of rye & walnut bread or any good grainy bread. Drizzle on a little extra virgin olive oil, then add a couple of slices of fruit paste (such as Maggie Beer's Quince or Plum Paste), top with slices of chilled, unpeeled pear. Slice a soft blue cheese fairly thinly, place onto the pear slices and grill only until the cheese just starts to melt. Cut slices in half and enjoy! It is luscious!!!

Hope you'll be listening next week! Thank you, John, as always.....

Ann Creber of The Good Life on 3MDR

STOP PRESS!!

Because of a family situation, photographer/author Peter McConchie has had to postpone our scheduled interview until 30th March. However, I have heard from Balgownie Estate (in the Yarra Valley) that they are offering some luxurious gift vouchers for a bit of R & R for bushfire victims and are inviting nominations for these to be awarded. An independent panel will select the lucky recipients, who will have 6 months in which to take advantage of this thoughtful offer.

I will be speaking to Ross Greenaway from Balgownie at 4.30 on Monday and he will give us all the details. Hope you'll be listening - especially if you have someone you would like to nominate!

Best regards, Ann

ANN CREBER - THE GOOD LIFE - 2 MARCH 2009

Hello Good Lifers...Last week was too busy for comfort and this week is looking much the same!

We have all been feeling apprehensive about today's fire threat and I postponed working in a photographic studio so that I could be at home, and am feeling very relieved that it seems to be much less threatening that we had feared! Let's hope it continues this way.....(This was written Tuesday!)

I was very pleased yesterday to have as a studio guest Nick Anchen, prolific young author, photographer and publisher! In fact, Nick has produced a range of seven books in the last 2 years! His latest offerings, Images of the Dandenong Ranges and Puffing Billy in the Modern Era, are beautifully photographed and presented and should have great appeal for both local residents and tourists. They are a convenient size for a backpacker to carry or to be posted overseas and would provide the perfect souvenir of a visit to the Dandenongs.

Nick has a very perceptive eye for photographic subjects and captures some unexpected but quite beautiful images of ancient sheds, pieces of machinery, train engine interiors and other quirky objects, which I find really appealing. Of course,as well there are the beautiful landscapes, the icons of the Dandenongs we all know and love and Puffing Billy photos which are enough to turn me into a train buff! Wonderful wildlife shots as well by "guest" photographer Alex Maisey.....

I do recommend these books very warmly and you can meet Nick and buy a signed copy of his books at Monbulk Newsagency next Saturday morning. They are also available at the Belgrave Book Barn, most local post offices or directly from Nick himself.

Nick, his wife and 10 month old daughter are heading off to travel across the country to W.A. and will be away for 4 months. There'll be a lot of camera clicking going on and I look forward to seeing the book that will inevitably follow!

IMAGES OF THE DANDENONGS & PUFFING BILLY IN THE MODERN ERA by Nick Anchen.
P.O. Box 8137, Ferntree Gully 3156. Email <sierra@netspace.net.au> or phone 0405 530 323.

I LOVE books and it is a delight to discover one such as The Roots of Civilisation by John Newton. It is truly beautiful and its wonderful cover - gorgeous exotic poppies on a matt black fabric background - hints at the treasures within. This is not just a book for gardeners or botanists or cooks, but for everyone who loves a bit of a peep behind the scenes and we are indulged with so many fascinating little snippets about the history of the plants John describes and also their association to certain people of past eras. Did you know Coca-cola originally contained cocaine as an ingredient? Just one of the things I learned from this meticulously researched book! And if the volume of information it contains isn't enough for you, here is an extensive bibliography.

John also speak about the future of our plant world and it makes sobering reading. This is not only a beautiful book, but one that is extremely informative and also thought provoking.

THE ROOTS OF CIVILISATION by JOHN NEWTON

I also read another terrific book this week! (Could well be my book of the year, although it is only March!) As the author lives in England, sadly I can't interview him so it should have had a low priority on my "homework" list. However, I started to browse and couldn't put it down! It is called The Girl on The Landing by Paul Torday and I loved it.

I also spoke this week with Brook Powell, Lecturer in Hospitality Studies at Swinburne TAFE Lilydale Campus. Last year's outdoor dinner with the theme of Wine, Women and Song was so successful that hospitality students from the College will be creating a similar offering this year. There will be a strong element of "place" and, in fact, the banquet is called "Pleasure, Place and Past - a Gathering to Feast". There will be emphasis on native foods and an important guest will be Aunty Joy Murphy, an Associate Professor at Swinburne and Senior Aboriginal Elder of the Wurrindjeri people.

A splendid 5-course meal will be served at long shared tables, accompanied by appropriate Yarra Valley wines. A performance by an aboriginal children's choir and operatic offerings from Deborah Cheetham will follow.

DATE: Friday 20th March at 6.30 for 7 p.m. start.
COST: $95 per person
CONTACT: Brook Powell
PHONE: 03 9215 7049
EMAIL: bpowell@swin.edu.au

Another significant dinner will be held March 9th at Rustic Charm Restaurant in Wandin. It will raise funds for the volunteers who worked so desperately and courageously during the recent fires. The Help for Wildlife team will also benefit from the proceeds of the event.

Cost is $75 per person and this includes a sumptuous 4-course Yarra Valley meal and beer, wine and soft drinks.

Contact Jeynelle on 5964 3694 or email <enquiries@rusticcharm.com.au>

We also had a brief visit to the studio from Christine Ross, owner of East Winds Rare Breeds Farm, where she breeds and rears the very old, threatened species known as Large Black Pigs! She also has a selection of "heritage" chooks and is dedicated to saving these species from extinction - event though this means breeding them for the table. If you are interested to know more, check out <www.largeblackpigs.com.au>

Because of Labor Day next weekend, we have only three guests next Monday. One is my long-time friend Jeni Port, wine writer and expert from Age Epicure. She will be speaking to us about the effect of the bushfires on regional wines and also of the long term implications of damage to so many vineyards.

Sally Hammond has been a guest on the program several times and we look forward to speaking with her again. The annual Regional Food Guide and the monthly Regional Food Guide which is sent by email is celebrating its 10th anniversary. Sally is also a very entertaining and informative food and travel writer and writes regularly about happenings on the Yarra Valley food and wine scene, so it will be great to catch up on her latest activities.

Sam Gowing is former Melburnian who has moved to Byron Bay to continue her alternative health practices. She is coming back to Melbourne to host a couple of events during the Food and Wine Festival, including a tour of the Prahran Market which will include visit to organic and biodynamic food producers. (We will ask her to explain the distinction between these different foods!) There will also be a cooking class afterwards. Sam owned a restaurant in Melbourne, so she has great culinary expertise to offer, as well as her broad knowledge of health and nutrition.

A local participant in the Food & Wine Festival is Woods Restaurant in Sherbooke. During the Festival, owner/chef Gillian Spurrier is offering a special lunch of 2 courses with a glass of Yarra Valley wine for only $35. Although it has been there for several years, this charming restaurant is still a bit of a secret, I suspect! Gillian cooks local foods but with an exotic Asian twist. I am having lunch there tomorrow - the first day of the Festival - and will give you a report on Monday. (No, NOT a freebie - I am a paying diner!)

I hope you are all enjoying this cool, damp weather as much as I am! I have a young Swiss Wwoofer staying with me and this afternoon she is wearing a hooded parka, with a waterproof jacket as well.....IN the house, with the heating on!

Thanks, as ever, to John Weeks, without whom we would not be able to share The Good Life!

Best regards, Ann

STOP PRESS! Just had an email from Cheryl Koenig, author of paper Cranes, and a guest on the program last year. We have kept in touch through emails and I knew she had been nominated for the award of NSW Woman of The Year. Have just heard from her that she is the winner and have invited her back onto the program to speak with us! ACC

ANN CREBER - THE GOOD LIFE - 28 FEBRUARY 2009

Hello Good Lifers... Sorry this is late and will also be somewhat abbreviated. It has been a very full week, starting with Monday's program being constantly interrupted by the screech of fire sirens, fire trucks careering out from the CFA next door to us and also by the need for 3MDR to regularly broadcast updates of the bushfire activities... which were much too close for comfort!

Sandra, Belgian Wwoofer who had back come to Australlia to experience an Australian summer, found she was getting too much of a good thing! She decided to flee so I drove her to the bus stop so she could catch a train to the safety of the big city. It was a very nervous night here and I listened until all hours to 774, worrying about how I would cope with David, two large dogs, 3 alpacas and a goodly number of ducks, hens and geese if we had to evacuate! Fortunately the need did not eventuate - at least on that occasion. Sandra is back in residence and we await the next drama....

We are also having serious water problems.... Seems to be a leak in our tanks plumbers can't find and we have had no water (either inside or in the yard) for the last 2 days. I have to say, it does make it hard when you are totally dependent on the tanks!

In addition to all that, I was busy with work for a new client who wanted 12 recipes using olive oil followed by 2 days of photography! Survived all that and now have the Knox Festival demonstration tomorrow.

I did find it hard to concentrate on last weeks interviews, I must admit. I spoke with Verna Wilson of Humane Society International about the tragic situation of the so-called dancing bears in India. She told us of the agony endured by these poor creatures, from the moment their mothers are killed and they, as cubs, are stolen and subjected to brutally cruel procedures to ensure they will experience the agony which causes them to "dance" (or, in reality, to writhe with pain ) when their "keeper" jerks the short rope that has been bord through their sensitive nostrils. It is a terrible story but Verna injected a note of optimism when she told us that the 500th bear had just been rescued and was being rehabilitated, which left "only" another 300 plus to be saved. To help this really worthwhile cause, which also helps re-educate the tribe which relies on this activity for its living, visit www.hsi.org.au or freecall 1800 333 737 to learn more about it. If, as I am, already totally convinced of its value, you can send a donation to HIS Inc., P.O. Box 439 Avalon NSW 2107.

My next guest Katherine Scholes has written a book called The Hunter's Wife which is set in Africa and which, while a love story in the best Hollywood tradition, also gives a fairly harrowing description of the killing of elephants by "game" hunters. It is set in the 1960s and although there is still considerable illegal killing of wild creatures, there are much stricter laws prevailing. Katherine's early years were spent in Africa, so she writes convincingly of the landscape and the lifestyle of the period. Katherine's books are best -sellers and if you like a well-written romance, this is for you!

Kat McGhie, Food Editor of the Herald Sun and author of a newly released cookbook called - simply - COOK, was my next guest. I've know Kate for years so we had a nice relaxed chat about her past activities and travels - both too numerous to detail! We also spoke about the Knox Festival to be held this weekend and of Kate's role as "culinary MC" for tomorrow's (Sunday) cookery demonstrations. She will be cooking herself and also will be available to sign copies of her book, which will be on sale.

(I'll be there, too, at 12.30 and hope some listeners might come up and have a chat!)

My final guest was another old friend, Christine Fyffe, local MP for Evelyn. We talked in general about the bushfires and their terrible consequences, the community efforts to help victims and the future regional plans to move forward.

All these conversations were to the background "music" of the fire engines and sirens... it was truly live radio!!!

Next week I am talking to a favourite guest, publisher Nick Anchen, who has produced two magnificent books of photographs of Puffing Billy and of the scenery of the Dandenong Ranges. We will also have author John Newton, whose magnificent book called The Roots of Civilization will certainly become a collector's item. It tells the history of the plant life on which we depend and the illustrations are superb.... a real coffee table delight.

Nearer to home, Brook Powell from Lilydale TAFE, will be trying to lure us - I'm already lured! - to share a special event at Mitchell's View Restaurant (at Lilydale TAFE). Entitled "Pleasure, Place & Past - a Gathering to Feast", it offers bubbly om arrival, a 5-course meal matched with Yarra Valley wines, with entertainment provided by a children's choir and followed by and 'under the stars' performance by operatic singer Deborah Cheetham. I attended last year's event and it was spectacular! A highlight of this year's event will be the "welcome to place" by highly respected Auntie Joy Murphy, an Associate Professor at Swinburne and a Senior Aboriginal Elder of the Wurundjeri people. Friday 20th March 6.30 for a 7 p.m.start and costing $95 per person, all inclusive.

Because I've been so buy, I haven't managed to follow up on a couple of other potential guests, but I'm sure we will have no trouble filling the time! As ever, my thanks to John Weeks for all his help.

Don't forget - you can contact me at <provence@bluedandenongs.com.au> and I would be very pleased to hear from you.

Best regards, Ann

ANN CREBER - THE GOOD LIFE - 19 FEBRUARY 2009

Hello Good Lifers. Although many of us are still living with the threat of the fires, those who have been personally affected by them - and there are so many people whose lives have been touched - are obliged to start thinking of the future. At present there is tremendous community support, which is wonderful, but we all tend to forget and drift back to living our own lives. The emotional scars so many have suffered will probably never totally heal, but may be we can help by just being available if someone wants to chat or to reminisce.

If anyone would like to share something with The Good Life, without our mentioning names on air, please feel free to contact me on <provence@bluedandenongs.com.au>

I found one appeal we mentioned on the program this week very touching. It was an urgent call for donations of men's suits.... this was to allow men who had lost everything to dress in a way they felt appropriate to attend the funeral of family or friends.If you can help, please contact S. Herbert of the Over 50 Group at <sherbert@overfifty.com.au>

Closer to home, the Monbulk Care Op Shop in the main street of Monbulk is happy to accept cash donations and will provide a tax receipt.

We had only two interviews again this week to allow time for community notices and I enjoyed them both. After a very pleasant chat with Kevin Johnson last week, I was brave enough to contact Doug Ashdown, a contemporary and sometime co-performer with Kevin. His wonderful Winter in America has of course become a classic! He answered my email with a phone call right away and seemed genuinely pleased to come on the show. He was lovely and we had a long chat on air, with John contributing all the right questions and comments.

He said off air that he had really enjoyed our chat and would be happy to come back at any time! ( Little does he realise that my victims are NEVER allowed to escape!) John Weeks very kindly burned a copy of one of Doug's best CDs for me from a cassette and we enjoyed several songs from it on air, including a couple with the blues sound Doug told us he enjoyed.

I was interested to hear that Doug will be performing at Brian Lizotte's Restaurant on the NSW coast. You might remember that Brian was our guest a few weeks ago when he published his beautiful and quirky cookbook.

My other guest was local author Ilsa Evans, who has written another very family-oriented book under the title Family Tree. Ilsa's books always have a ring of authenticity, which suggests she draws heavily on personal experiences for her material. The heroine, Kate, is an extremely likeable woman - whom I am sure resembles Ilsa herself! - who, after the dramatic death of her father, feels the need to leave her family temporarily and attempt to achieve her ambition of writing a best-selling novel. In her pursuit of this, Kate uncovers a lot of family secrets and also discovers facets of her own personality and life which she had smothered. A good read! Ilsa plans to walk the Kokoda Trail with a group of women of similar age (50is!) and they are in hard training. She has promised to come and tell us about this adventure when she returns.

Next week I hope to have as my guests Danielle Annisse, who works with an international group dedicated to stamping out the hideous practice of exploiting "dancing bears". Katherine Scholes, who was scheduled to a guest a couple of weeks ago, will be with us on Monday. Katherine is a best selling author and the book we will be speaking about is The Hunter's Wife.

I'll also be chatting with wine expert (and old mate!) Jeni Port of Age Epicure about the impact on the wine industry as a result of these terrible fires.

Incidentally, we have just received information that Grape Grazing in the Yarra Valley will be deferred until late April this year. More information as we receive it......

I have invited Christine Fyffe, State Member for Evelyn, to speak with us but have not yet had a reply. As political differences seem to have been buried during these tragic times, I thought it would be interesting to hear from her as to how the Opposition will be handling the ongoing situation. I also know Christine to be a very compassionate and intelligent woman who will speak from the heart.

Hope you'll be listening to The Good Life between 3 - 5 p.m. next Monday!

Best regards, Ann

STOP PRESS!!!!!!! I just had a call from Christine Fyffe's office to say she will be delighted to come on the program at 4.30! I'm very pleased to hear it......

ANN CREBER - THE GOOD LIFE - 12 FEBRUARY 2009

Hello Good Lifers. As I'm sure we are all were, I was still in a state of shock when we went to air on Monday. After a call to one of our authors, Katherine Scholes, the planned interview was postponed and Katherine was totally sympathetic and understanding. As the second author I was interviewing had written a very sensitive book about a young man suffering intense grief following the death of his mother, it seemed appropriate to speak with her.

Our first hastily arranged interview was with Professor Ken Hinchcliffe from the Faculty of Veterinary Science at Melbourne University. I was concerned to ask his advice as to how injured and traumatised domestic animals should be treated. We spoke about the delayed reaction often displayed by sheep, when it can be several days after exposure to intense heat before they show symptoms. He explained the difficulties of trying to handle the condition of horses with badly burned hooves and recommended that professional veterinary help be sought as soon as possible. He gave two numbers to contact for assistance and help is available 24 hours a day. (Equine Centre 9731 2268 Dogs & Cats 9731 2232)

Our second guest was social worker and counsellor, Steve White, who had just come from Yarra Glen where he had spent time with fire victims and those who had lost family members or friends. He stressed the importance of letting someone in this situation know that you, as their friend or neighbour, are there if you are needed. I asked him about his own coping techniques after a gruelling day such as he had had, and he told us that for him meditation was of enormous help. It might also be of help to others and perhaps you would like to read Pauline McKinnon's In Stillness Conquer, in which she offers techniques for successful meditation.

We also spoke with Lia Hills, author of The Beginner's Guide to Living. Although recommended for young adults - and it uses the language of contemporary youth - it is a sensitively written story of loss, grief and the struggle to find answers. The main character is 17 years old and trying to come to terms with the sudden death of his mother and readers share his pain, anger, frustration and follow his rough path towards finding some kind of inner peace. A strong debut novel by this talented writer.

THE BEGINNER'S GUIDE TO LIVING by Lia Hills
.......

Our next guest was Peter Andrews from the Melbourne Jazz archives, based in Wantirna. Peter spoke with great enthusiasm about the activities of the group, also their need for volunteers. They have a vast collection of jazz classics, both Australian and overseas artists, and invite anyone interested to visit them. To check out their opening hours contact 03 9800 5535. Their 'treasure house' is tucked behind a nursery, Melway ref. 63 C8. Peter brought a version of Georgia On My Mind (!),performed by the New Melbourne Jazz Group, and it was great!

He has offered to come back from time to time and I will certainly take advantage of his offer. We are already planning our next session, when we will devote the whole hour to jazz!

Peter stayed with us through our next interview, which was with the wonderful Kevin Johnson of Rock & Roll I Gave you the Best Years of My Life fame! I was quite overcome! He was very relaxed and we chatted about the success of this particular song (which has sold tens of millions of the many cover versions recorded over the years). He told us that he hopes to get back to Melbourne for a concert in the not too distant future, so I'm looking forward to that!

Kevin's latest album, Songs For a Troubled World, offers 12 songs that call for us to care for our environment and our wildlife. Copies available through his official website <www.rocknrolligaveyou.com> and you can also listen to Kevin's music on this site.

I also had two very different films to preview this week. Wednesday evening I saw The Reader, a very powerful film adapted from the l996 novel by German author Herman Schlink. It has a very powerful theme and stars Kate Winslet and Ralph Fiennes, both of whom act their roles sensitively and with great conviction. It has been nominated for a number of awards and already Kate Winslet has won the British Academy Award for her role.

I had read the book several years ago and was not disappointed with the filmed version. Rather more romanticised than the book, it has nevertheless maintained the tension of the story and the sense of loss suffered by the 15-year old boy, with whom the story starts, when his older lover abandons him. Well worth seeing!

The second film I saw was Easy Virtue, based on a very early play by Noel Coward. It offered so many things that I love - Noel Coward's dialogue, Colin Firth, music of the 20s & 30s by people such as Coward himself, Cole Porter and a couple of modern tunes given a "period" treatment, fabulous old cars, a classic motor bike and the setting of a grand English country home. The acting is excellent, with stars including Jessica Biel, Colin Firth, Kristin Scott Thomas and young actor Ben Barnes. A real gem is the performance of Kris Marshall as the cynical butler, Furber. I loved him when he played the elder son in the TV series My Family, and was also in Love Actually.

Directed by Australian Stephan Elliott (Priscilla Queen of the Desert is listed among his credits!) it tells of the inappropriate and unexpected marriage of a young Englishman, John Whitaker, who falls in love with an older American "blonde bombshell", Larita, who races sports cars. Jessica Biel plays the role well, is gorgeously "frocked up" and could pass for one of the famous movie stars of that era... maybe Carole Lombard or Norma Shearer. She handles the brittle, somewhat stilted Noel Coward dialogue beautifully, although a dishevelled looking Colin Firth, playing the father of the groom, has all the best lines!

When John brings his bride to the family estate, there is instant hostility from his mother, played by Kristan Scott Thomas, and this grows day by day. There is wonderful repartee, which is wickedly funny. However, the disillusioned character of Colin Firth brings a serious note as he and Larita form a friendship and he speaks of the death he saw during WW1 and of the sense of futility he feels.

The situation escalates when John's sisters also turn against Larita and unearth and expose secrets from her past. We sense the inevitable breakdown of the marriage and the fiery explosion of emotions at the end of the film is no surprise!

Basically a very witty comedy, there is a serious thread throughout the film and this makes it a very satisfactory experience. (And of course the presence of Colin Firth enhances ANY film!)

NEXT WEEK: Had a blinding flash and contacted the singer of my "other" favourite Australia song, "Winter in America", and I'm delighted to tell you that Doug Ashdown will be a guest on Monday!

I'll also be speaking with local author Ilsa Evans who has written another enjoyable book entitled "Family Tree". You might remember that we recently spoke to Ilsa about her book "Broken", which dealt with domestic violence. This book is quite different and tells of one woman's desire for self-fulfilment as an author and the unexpected "family skeletons" that emerge from the closet when she starts on this project.

I would love to hear from any listeners who would like to share their stories of the bushfires and there will be time on the program for this. Please do call in. Direct line to the studio is 5968 2727. My daughter, who is a social worker and counsellor has been working in the Yarra Valley over the past day or so, and I will share her feelings with you.

And of course I'll be playing some Doug Ashdown music, also some tracks from a CD I have been sent by another Wwoof host farmer!

Hope you'll join me between 3 - 5 p.m. Next Monday!

Ann Creber

ANN CREBER - THE GOOD LIFE - 2 FEBRUARY 2009

Hello Good Lifers. Seriously thinking of changing the name of the program to "The Wretched Life"! After several weeks of hard times, including a death in the family, two car smashes (including my own car being written off), my internet server HotKey went down last Sunday and has only just been partially restored!

Almost everything I do involves either car or computer, so you can imagine my frustration! I am HOPING this will go through for John to put up the website... fingers crossed!

The good news is that I have a replacement car...another pretty little Toy Boy Citroen of the same model as the one that was written off. It was the more expensive model, with fancy touches including mag wheels and a CD stacker in the boot! Colin, my fantastic car dealer/mechanic/friend (Alpine Affaire in Ringwood, which specialises in European cars!) picked me up when I returned the hire car and drove to VicRoads where we completed all the paperwork, including changing over to my own number plates (a surprise present from a friend several years ago. I love driving my own little Le Mans blue Citroen again and I am a woman in love - with TB 2, as Colin has christened it!

Last week's program was, as usual, varied, and included an interview with the author of a book I thoroughly enjoyed. It was called The Virtuoso and Melbourne author, Sonia Orchard, became enthralled by the true life drama of Melbourne-born pianist named Noel Mewton-Wood. A child prodigy,his ambitious mother took him to London before the war to pursue his musical career and he made an acclaimed debut under the baton of famous conductor, Sir Thomas Beecham. Based on these facts, Sonia has written a fictional story, set in 1945, of the romance between Mewton-Wood and an infatuated young man, who is the narrator of the story. Tragically, Mewton-Wood committed suicide by drinking prussic acid and died at the age of 31. Sadly, I have never learned to appreciate the great musical classics but this book is really inspirational and I am now
looking for a CD of one of Noel Mewton-Woods acclaimed performances. This book is also filled with wonderful snippets of gossip and cameos of the lives of those composers whose names we all know! A terrific read..... and, incidentally, in 2004 Sonia was listed as one Melbourne's 25 Sexiest People. As she had a baby 7 weeks ago, she said she was delighted to be reminded of this!

THE VIRTUOSO by Sonia Orchard
...........................
After a false start a couple of weeks ago, Katy Barfield of SecondBite was finally our guest! This dedicated young woman was responsible for initially setting up this program, which now provides fresh food for thousands of families who need a little assistance. It is an efficient non-profit operation which collects fresh foods from markets, manufacturers, supermarkets and then organises its distribution in refrigerated vans.

Since Katy's initial low-key beginning for the project, more than 100 tonnes of fresh fresh was distributed to 44 welfare agencies across the state last year. Deliveries are made 7 days a week because, as Katy, says 'people need to eat 7 days a week" and it is estimated that at least 312,000 families ran out of food at some time last year.

This is a wonderful cause and they deserve all the assistance they can garner. If you can assist in any way, check out their website on Www.secondbite.org

........................
Another guest was journalist Di Light, who has written a lengthy article in the current Australian Geographic ( which has become one of my favourite magazines!) in which she meets and visits many home and community gardeners. There are a number of interviews with these enthusiastic gardeners and colourful photographs to make any home gardener green with envy! This is just one of a range of really interesting articles in the magazine and I do recommend you check it out in your newsagency.

AUSTRALIAN GEOGRAPHIC MAGAZINE Jan-March edition No. 93
.....................
How To Give Up Shopping is a very practical little book in which author Neradine Tisaj recognises that over-shopping is akin to over-eating and needs much the same kind of treatment! A victim herself to this addiction, she sought help from financial counsellors and people in similar professions, only to find that they assumed the client already had financial resources they wanted to increase or that they recommended a Spartan regime that would have made life thoroughly miserable.

Neradine set about creating her own rehabilitation and she shares this step by step process with us throughout her very moderate, practical little book. She identifies the various compulsions that trigger these excessive shopping Bursts and suggests ways of handling them.

There IS a twist in the tail of the book, and she relates an incident which does put daily life into perspective for all of us. But I'll leave that for you to discover when you read the book!

HOW TO GIVE UP SHOPPING (or at least to cut down!) BY NERADINE TISAJ
...................

Apart from all the dramas of my past few weeks, I had a couple of pleasant happening this week. This week I went to the launch of a book by author Lia Hills. Called The Beginner's Guide to Living, it tells the pain of a 17 year old boy whose mother has died very recently after a car accident. In an effort to handle his stifled grief, he falls in love, has his first sexual experience, experiments with drugs and alcohol and indulges in train tunnel graffiti! He is seeking answers and finding none - except perhaps briefly when he is with the girl with whom he has fallen in love or seeking answers from the writings of the great philosophers.

Very sensitively written, this young author seems to have great understanding of the emotional needs of the grieving young man and she writes with great compassion. I am looking forward to speaking with Lia on Monday!

I will also be speaking with Katherine Scholes, a best selling author who has written The Hunter's Wife, a dramatic love story set in Africa. To be honest, I'm always a bit wary of "best selling" authors, who often seem to write to a formula but the publicist assured me that I would enjoy this book. I trust her - and she was right! This would make an absorbing film and I wasn't too surprised to read that Katherine's husband is a film director!

I'm also hoping to speak with Peter Clarke of the Melbourne Jazz Archives group. Peter had to cancel a previous interview and I'm waiting for him to confirm that he will be available on Monday. We'll see....

I HAVE had a phone call from Kevin Johnson today to confirm that he will be available for a chat on Monday and I am feeling like a stage-struck "groupie"! I am hoping fellow presenter The Ghost Rider will be able to provide a CD featuring Rock & Roll I Gave You the Best Years of My Life, as although I have a number of his cassettes, I don't have any CDs of Kevin's music.

On Thursday night I went to the Leonard Cohen concert and it was FABULOUS!!! Such a generous performer... and funny! He wouldn't go home and I was beginning to worry that I'd miss my last train! It was a great night and one I thoroughly enjoyed. More about that on Monday - and of course a bit of LC's music!

While I was at the book launch, I succumbed to the lure of a CD that was on "special". I love Gregorian chants and this is very beautiful... performed by a choir of monks in a French monastery, the voices absolutely soar! Perfect car company in this horrible hot weather. So, no Van Morrison on Monday BUT The Doors (who get a mention in Lia Hills book), Kevin Johnson (of course), some Leonard Cohen music and a bit of Gregorian chanting will all feature.

I hope you are handling this hot weather...my thoughts are with our CFA volunteers who risk their lives on days like this. They truly are Those Magnificent Men (and of course, Women!).

Hope you'll be listening next Monday!

Regards, Ann Creber

ANN CREBER - THE GOOD LIFE - 26 JANUARY 2009

Hello Good Lifers.. John Weeks is having a few days of what the ABC describes as "well earned rest", so this probably be a little late. Half his luck, I say! I hate the summer at any time and this weather is just vile!!

It has certainly not been helped by all my car problems and I was sad to be told that my little "Toy Boy" Citroen had been written off. The only bright spot is that the mechanic who has looked after my cars for years has an almost identical model for sale (different colour), so I am hoping to have that in a day or so. Lovely to be able to drive a manual car again!

Because it was Australia Day I concentrated on Australia music, with emphasis on an old favourite of mine, Kevin Johnson, who composed and performed Rock & Roll I Gave You the Best Years of my Life. I think some of his songs rate up there with Jimmy Webb's and, thanks to John who brought in some CDs, we were able to feature several KJ tracks on the show. I also sent an email to KJ's website, asking if we could have an interview! Next day I received an email saying that he would be "honoured"! I'm feeling like a teen-age rock fan and will arrange to chat with him ASAP!

We also spoke with Phil Hall, who "maintains" a website dedicated to Kevin Johnson and his music and we had a chat about some of Kevin's more recent tours and CDs as well as his early classics. My late husband and I were both great "fans" and never missed his performances at the old Troubadour in Fitzroy. Emboldened by a couple of glasses of wine, after dinner I went in on the KJ website and sent an email inviting him to be a guest on the program. To my amazement and delight, next morning there was an email say- ing he would be "honoured" to come on the program! So now I have to arrange date and times! Something to look forward to.......

We sometimes read stories of human endurance and wonder just how the person concerned managed to survive. This certainly was true of the dramatic tale told by Mark Smith, a Tasmanian seaman who, with his crewmate, managed to survive 11 nights and days in the South Chinas Seas on a very small inflatable life raft after their yacht sank... without food, directional instruments, flares or any water other than the sparse drops they collected from the occasional rainfall. It is a truly remarkable story, made all the more dramatic by the matter-of-fact, vernacular style of writing Mark uses to tell his story. It really is a "gripping yarn" in the true sense of the words and I was most impressed with the incredible strength of character Mark displayed displayed to survive this incredible ordeal. This is a recommended read! (Mind you, I think anybody who goes to sea has to be MAD - but that is a personal issue!)

My third guest was Brian Dixon, highly creative young producer of a performance which is to be part of the Midsumma Festival and which will be performed at Burrinja. The Midsumma Festival has become an important festival for Melbourne's gay community and Brian thought it was time for people living out of town to be able to share the celebrations.

His Group (reWorks) is staging Altered Musical Theatre, a reworking of some of the classic favourites from musicals and will be presented in cabaret style by three female performers -Ruth Bishop, Angela Lumicisi and Sally McKenzie. Food & wine will be available. Performances at 8 p.m. Friday/Sat. 30th & 31st January, also February 7th. On Sunday Feb. 4 there will be a performance at 4 p.m. Tickets are $21 and bookings can be made on www.midsumma.org.au

Check out the other activities at Burrinja - there are just too many interesting events to be listed!(tillab@burrinja.org.au)

Also look at the website of fortyfivedownstairs, another venue offering interesting and often offbeat events. Www.fortyfivedownstairs.com

And check out Scienceworks, IMAX at Melbourne Museum and the Immigration Museum! Aren't we lucky to have so much on offer in our city!

MY offering on The Good Life next week will include (hopefully!) an interview with Melbourne author Sonia Orchard, who has written a wonderful book - based on 'fictionalised fact' - called The Virtuoso. I'm really looking forward to this interview.

I'll also be speaking with Neradine Tisaj, who has written a book designed to help compulsive shoppers break their 'addition'. (Mind you, my daughter shuddered with horror at the thought!) It is a sensible, practical and very readable little book called "How to Give Up Shopping (or at least cut down)".

Through my own fault (wrote down her phone number incorrectly!) , I missed out on an interview with Katy Barfield a couple of weeks ago. However, Katy - of SecondBite - has forgiven me and will be my guest on Monday.

I also hope to speak with journalist Di Light, who has written a most interesting article for Australian Geographic magazine. It actually follows up on our chat with permaculture gardener Peter Allen in relation to the proliferation of "home vegetable gardens" and describes various gardeners and the community garden plots which are their pride and joy!

Love to hear from you if you have comments, requests etc. - send to email address <provence@bluedandenongs.com.au>

Best regards, Ann

ANN CREBER - THE GOOD LIFE - 19 JANUARY 2009

HELLO GOOD LIFERS.... Well, the 'good life' hasn't been happening for me over the past week or so! I DID write a column last week and THOUGHT I'd sent it through to John - it is saved on my screen - but I obviously didn't, and don't know how to retrieve to send it on!

The last week has been really horrible... all kinds of car problems (mechanical problems, then two accidents - including the rental car I was driving after the first accident!) I was the "innocent party" but that doesn't lessen the inconvenience of being without my own car!

Sadly, far worse was the death of my stepson from a previous marriage. He died last week after being diagnosed with melanoma late last year and the funeral was on his 46th birthday. It was a sad occasion but there many people there to celebrate his friendship and to contribute their own memories of a man who really loved life.

I have had great support from good people... even publicists and authors I know only through my program.. and this has been very comforting.

Despite the problems, life goes on and our program this week was interesting but challenging for me. Our first guest was guru Louix Dor Dempriey (also know as Pranananda) and I was a little uncertain as to how to approach the interview! Louix has an interesting background for a guru....degrees in Economics, Finance and Accounting and also a short career in Hollywood films. He has a devoted following and they have provided him with almost 60 stories of their life transformations which have resulted from meeting him and these have been compiled into a book, which he kindly gave to me. I am a sceptic, but it was an interesting conversation and you can learn more by accessing his website. Www.LouixDorDempriey

Our next guest, Peter Allen, was literally much more down to earth. Heavily involved with permaculture, which he and wife Silva practice at Telopea Farm, Monbulk, he is also passionate about the newly re-formed Heritage Fruits Group. We spoke on a number of different topics, including the movement towards "backyard gardening" (which my dad was practising 40 years ago), self-sufficiency workshops and also the upcoming day of tasting heritage fruits at Petty's Orchard. (more of that later!)

Telopea Farm runs a number of courses related to permaculture, animal management, cheese making and similar soul-satisfying activities. You'll find Pete the Permie if you google! And he makes a pretty nice sparkling apple cider from his heritage fruits! He brought a bottle and we enjoyed it, well chilled, that night! We hope to have Peter on the program on a regular basis to talk about organic gardening and related topics.

After my horrific week, I had a birthday yesterday -shared with the Channel 9 film crew and a bottle or two of apple bubbly! Channel 9 filmed a segment for Talk to the Animals, featuring our alpacas and our Wwoofers Sandra and Masa. Peter arrived with a couple of chilled bottles just in time for lunch and we enjoyed a little celebration. He is a burly bloke and we were grateful to have his help in handling our 'pacas as they were shorn. Hopefully , with the aid of Sandra's skills (Belgian Wwoofer!) I hope you might see some shots of this!

Another guest was Andrea Inglis, who has written a charming and informative book about the "hill stations" of the 1880s and early 1900s. These early B & Bs were hugely popular up here in the Dandenong Ranges and she covers some of these popular resorts in detail. I must admit I did tend to concentrate on our own area, but the book, entitled Summer in the Hills provides great entertainment and presents a different aspect of life in the Colonies!. It also adds another piece in the social history jigsaw of our early settlement days.

SUMMER IN THE HILLS by Andrea Scott Inglis

My final guest was another Barry O'Neill, who has also previously been a guest on our program, and he is director, publicist and actor with the Basin Theatre Group. This acclaimed local group is in the happy position of owning its own theatre and continues to thrive after many years of thespian activities.

This year's four plays offer great variety and sound quite challenging both for actors and audience. The first is a comedy "The Farndale Avenue Housing Estate Townswomen's Guild Dramatic Society's Production of MacBETH!!!!! And I understand the 'Townswomen' encounter a few problems
with their production! (12th February to 8th March)

"Playing Sinatra" is their second production and tells a fairly black tale of a brother and sister whose lives revolve around a passions for Frank Sinatra... until the sister meets a 'real life' man. Barry assures me there is plenty of Frankie's music in the play... so definitely one for the fans! (May 14th - 7th June)

The other two plays are Sandcastles and The Drawer Boy and I hope Barry will come back on the program later in the year to tell us a bit more about these productions. For more information and booking details etc., check out www.thebasintheatre.org.au

So far, we have only guest lined up for next week so I am hoping some of our listeners might take the opportunity of phoning in (5968 2727) and having a chat.

The good news is that I am just waiting to have day and time confirmed for an interview with the wonderful Noeline Brown over the next couple of weeks.

Other websites worth checking out for interesting events are www.fortyfivedownstairs.com - always something really creative on offer!

Burrinja has so much happening it is impossible to list all their activities, but an upcoming event worth investigating is 'Altered musical theatre', described as a variation on 'food, wine and classical cabaret theatre, performed by three women. For booking and more information check out www.midsumma.org.au

Look forward to chatting with you on Monday ... all being well! After driving nothing but French manual cars for over 20 years, my rented car is a big Japanese automatic Nissan and I am NOT falling in love with it!

Ann (The Good Life on 3MDR)

ANN CREBER - THE GOOD LIFE - 12 JANUARY 2009

Hello Good Lifer. I am sorry I am late with my ramblings about this week's program and upcoming interviews on the program. It has been a hard week with news that my stepson from my second marriage was not expected to live for more than a few days. He has been having treatment for cancer but suddenly it became rampant and he died yesterday, leaving a young wife and two young children. Sadly, he will be buried next Tuesday, on his birthday. He wanted his ashes to be interred in his father's grave so I have had to give permission for it to be opened and of course that will make the service even more painful.

To add to the stress of the week, my car is in for repair and I am HOPING I will have it back in time for me to be able to do next week's program!

This week we spoke with Brian Lizotte of Lizotte's Restaurant (about an hour North of Sydney) and he was a charming and easy guest - the kind we like best! I really enjoyed his cookbook, full of memorabilia, photos of the famous and a Who's Who list of celebrity musicians for whom he has cooked. The publishers describe it as a "coffee table" cookbook but this is a book I'll be using in the kitchen for its good recipes. Brian has kindly agreed to allow me to use one in this column.

LIVE & COOKIN' AT LIZOTTE'S by Brian Lizotte.

Another author we interviewed is Katherine Johnson of Hobart. She has written an interesting and entertaining book called Pescador's Wake and is a fictional tale based on an actual happening in 2003. The story involves the pursuit of a boat, bearing a Uruguayan flag, and fishing illegally for Patagonion toothfish in Australian waters. The boat is pursued by Australian authorities and although the chase itself plays a significant role, the real action involves the emotional impact of the chase on the crews of both boats, and the women in their lives. Katherine's own background as a marine biologist gives her writing authority in relation both to the laws of nature and of the sea.

PESCADOR'S WAKE by KATHERINE JOHNSON

We also spoke with Jeynelle Forrest of Rustic Charm Restaurant and Function Centre, Wandin. Jeynelle and her husband Scott, a well qualified chef, have worked hard to establish this successful venue and you can check out their Website to learn more about their activities, including monthly "special occasion" dinners. The next is a Great Aussie Barbecue and will be held next Friday 23rd January.

RUSTIC CHARM RESTAURANT WWW.rusticcharm.com.au 03 5964 3694

Unfortunately, because I had reversed two digits in her phone number (mea culpa!) I was not able to speak with Katy Barfield of Second Bite. I apologise for this and as Katy has kindly forgiven me, she will be speaking with me in a couple of weeks.

Now, IF I have a car next week, I hope we will has several studio guests and an author interview. Andrea Inglis has written a book of particular interest to those of us living up here in the Hills as she writes about the "Hill stations" (guest houses situated in the hills) that were so popular with city dwellers of the late 1800s and early 20th century. Of course the Dandenongs feature heavily, as well as the Blue Mountains and various hill resorts in Queensland and it provides quite fascinating reading.

I also hope to have in the studio "guru" Louix Dor Dempriey, who lives in California and who is in Australia to visit one of the ashrams he has established here. He has many "disciples" and it one of these devoted followers who has arranged for him to speak on the program. John Weeks will also be taking part in this conversation.

Two other "local" guests will be Barry O'Neill, a director and publicist with The Basin Theatre Group, and Peter Allen of Telopea Farm. Barry will tell us about the activities and upcoming plays of the Theatre Group and Peter, who is also involved with Permaculture and the Heritage Fruit Group, will speak about the happenings at his farm and about local events associated with The Hills Branch of Permaculture.

I hope you will be listening ... and, in fact, hope I'll be there too!

Best regards, Ann Creber (The Good Life on 3MDR)

RECIPE FROM LIVE & COOKIN' @ LIZOTTE'S! This recipe is from the section called "Mum's Home Cooked Favourites". Note the quirky substitutions for the more conventional "Ingredients" and "Method"!

Momma Lizotte's Wicked Chocolate Brownies Makes 30

INSTRUMENTS:
880gr castor sugar
200gr cocoa, sifted
500gr butter, melted
8 eggs
200gr plain flour
600gr dark chocolate
350gr pecans, crushed

RHYTHM:

Preheat oven to moderate (170oC) Gas Mark 4. In a bowl whisk together sugar, cocoa, butter and eggs until fully combined.
Fold in flour and add chocolates and nuts.
Spoon into a greased and floured 30cm (12") tray lined with baking paper.
Bake for 45 minutes or until it comes away from the sides. Allow to cool, then cut into 30 pieces.

NOTE: This is NOT a low kilojoule treat!!!!!! (My comment!)

ANN CREBER - THE GOOD LIFE - 7 JANUARY 2009

Hello Good Lifers... Talk about Dad's Army... this week's program was notable for its memory lapses, happily not just by me ( which could be blamed on a senior's moment), but also by John .. who regularly referred to our guest as "John" when his name is actually George! We also had lapses when neither one of us could remember who sang the theme for Ballroom Dancing (thank you, Louise - who phoned us and solved the problem!) and then we both went blank when I tried to recall the name of the long-time ABC cricket commentator, Alan McGilvray!!!! I blame it on the heat... I've had enough Summer... turn if off NOW, I say!!!!

Apart from these lapses, we had a bit of fun on the program. Sandra, My Belgian visitor, was with us again in the studio and also we had the pleasure of the company of George (AKA John on occasions!) Field, who for many years has been 'front of house', lolly bar host and projectionist at the charismatic Healesville Cinema. George's career in cinema started when he was a lad in Scotland and it is obvious his passion has never abated. He speaks with great enthusiasm and knowledge about both the technicalities and romance of the screen and has, in fact, sent me several emails since our chat listing some of his favourite films and their background stories.

We are delighted to know that he is happy to come back on the program and we will certainly look forward to a "repeat performance" from this "star" of the cinema!

I really enjoyed an interview with academic/poet John Kinsella, who was looking over the golden wheat fields of W.A. as we spoke. A lovely man, he was so interesting and enthusiastic about his subject and I felt we could have gone on talking for much longer than we did. The anthology of Australia poetry he has compiled is very accessible ...there is something to suit all tastes, right through from the days of the convict poet to contemporary 'slam/performance' poetry. For anyone with the slightest interest in poetry, this is a great anthology.

THE PENGUIN ANTHOLOGY OF AUSTRALIAN POETRY Edited by John Kinsella

My final interview was with Indian cricket commentator Kersi Meher-Homji, who was speaking to us from the Sydney Cricket Ground during the course of the third day of the test Match. Kersi writes most entertainingly for a number of different cricket magazines and provided us with a few insights into his opinion about current and past players. He has just written a book about the great cricketers of past and present and I am looking forward to receiving a copy, when I hope we can speak with him again.

One final note... it always seems to create interest when I play a track from the album by Tuck and Patti. Patti, the vocalist, has a great voice and although they weren't particularly well known, I love their sound. She is an impressive looking African-American woman and Tuck, who provides the musical backing, is a boyish looking man (well, he was back in the '70s!) with a mop of blonde curls! I found this particular CD in an op shop but no doubt it would still be available in "speciality" music shops.

Next week's guests, at this stage, include author Katherine Johnson, Katy Barfield, founder of the very worthwhile Second Bite organisation, Jeynelle Forrest co-owner of Wandin's Rustic Charm Restaurant/Winery/Reception Centre (who will tell us about some interesting upcoming events) and Brian Lizotte, former caterer to the stars (the list reads like a Whose Who of the musical world!) and currently proprietor of Lizotte's Restaurant, located on the Central Coast of NSW. He has written a great cookbook - I love it! - and I hope he might disclose a few snippets of behind-the-scenes gossip about some of those stars!

Hope you'll join me between 3 - 5 p.m. next Monday on 3MDR (97.1 FM)!

Best wishes, Ann Creber (The Good Life on 3MDR)

ANN CREBER - THE GOOD LIFE - 6 JANUARY 2009 - RECOMMENDED BOOKS 2.

Ooops, I just realised that I neglected to include the name of the Elizabeth George book I mentioned last week. The computer is upstairs, the book was downstairs!) It is entitled Careless in Red.

It is hard to go past any Jackie French book if you are looking for something that will delight children of all ages! (Even the very old ones!) Her Shaggy Gully creatures are all very fetching and there are sly, quirky little touches in the illustrations by Bruce Whatley which will appeal to the mums and dads reading to littlies. Her latest in this series, Emily and the Big Bad Bunyip, will appeal to all her fans. For older children and even adults, A Rose for the Anzacs, offers a moving story of World War 1 and the work of young volunteer nurses very close to the front line. Another interesting, as well as entertaining, read is her book The Camel That Crossed Australia, another version of the Burke & Wills story, told this time by one of the camels that travelled with them. Jackie's books are always researched with great accuracy and in infinite detail, so are really educational as well as entertaining.

A quirky little book I loved during 2008 is BBC publication Top Gear's Midlife Crisis Cars, complied by Matt Masters. Now I really like cars and have owned a succession of Rileys, Jaguars, Renaults over many years and currently drive a peacock green "toy boy" Citroen. (Favourite of all was a beautiful Fuego that I drove for 18 years!) This little book documents the aging of men and, as their hair recedes, claims their taste in cars becomes more extreme. Car fanciers will salivate at the sight of some of these beautiful old cars and get a giggle from the comments that accompany them! My own favourites were an Alpine A310 (manufactured by Renault between 1976 and 1984) and a Citroen SM (Between 1970 and '74). It even includes a Lamborghini Tractor, first manufactured in 1949 and still going strong!

Cook books abound and cover so many different cuisines that it would need to be a very long list to cover them all! I have included those I found most interesting and they are not in order of preference!

ESSENTIALLY JAPANESE by HIDEO DEKURA. This beautiful book covers every aspect of Japanese cuisine a cook could need. With moodily lit photographs and interesting and informative introductions to each chapter, this is a great book for anyone seriously interested in Japanese food.

SEED CAKE & HONEY PRAWNS* by COLIN BANNERMAN. Aptly sub-titled Fashion and Fad in Australian Food, this covers the history of our Australian cuisine since the early days of settlement. There are a few recipes typical of each era and there will be a feeling of nostalgia as readers recognise cookbooks from their mum's kitchen shelf! Worth having for it historical interest rather than for the recipes, but recommended for this reason.

EAT, ATE *by GUY MIRABELLA. This was one of my favourites! As I said to Guy, it is really a long love letter to his wife, interspersed with wonderful snippets of memorabilia and some delicious recipes from his restaurant. Long recognised as a leading book designer, Guy finally realised his ambition by opening a restaurant, with food inspired by his childhood. His Sicilian parents grew their own food on the property on the Victorian coast and he grew up with a passion for self-sufficiency. He shares this with us in his book, which contributes to the pleasure of reading it. Much more than just another recipe book!

PIZZA MODO MIO* by JOHN LANZAFAME. I admit that a recipe book of pizzas probably doesn't sound all that thrilling, but this is a really creative cookbook written by the world's champion pizza chef. (Truly!) I really liked John's book and you'll be inspired to experiment with all kinds of toppings you'd never have thought of using. Lots of handy tips for cooking a great pizza, however basic the topping.

MY FAVOURITE INGREDIENTS* by SKYE GYNGELL. A lovely book, written by an Australian chef who has been living and working in an award-winning restaurant in England for many years. She uses lots of lovely fresh ingredients, as you'd expect, and although some of the recipes are a bit complicated it is a great book to own.

CHRISTMAS* by MARGARET FULTON. What more can I say? Everything you need to know about Christmas cooking is here, all encased within a blue satin, beribboned cover and with charming illustrations taken from traditional Victorian Christmas cards. A MUST for any enthusiastic cook who wants to maintain the culinary traditions of Christmas.

MY LIFE MY FOOD* by MICHAEL JACKS. The story behind this book adds to the appeal of interesting but accessible recipes. Michael Jacks, well known former Melbourne restaurant owner and caterer, has fallen victim to Motor Neurone Disease and this book is a legacy he wants to leave for his family. A lovely book, with recipes interspersed with very personal family snippets.

BAMBOO* by SALLY HAMMOND. Not only a recipe book but a wonderful travelogue as well! Sally is a travel writer who collects and shares recipes she enjoys en route and we share her experiences as she travels through China with her photographer husband. Sally is a most entertaining writer and I'm sure you'll enjoy this book as much as I did. The recipes she offers are all comparatively simple and local cooks should have no trouble in finding the ingredients.

KOTO* by TRACY LISTER. KOTO stands for Know One Teach One, a wonderful program set up in Hanoi by Jimmy Pham. Young people living at risk on the streets were trained to cook and to carry out other restaurant duties,then employed in this now well-established not-for-profit restaurant. If you enjoy traditional Vietnamese food, you'll love this book. It was enhanced by me by the beautiful photography of Michael Fountalakis. Based in London now, Michael worked as an assistant in a photographic studio where I did a lot of work. He travelled to Vietnam, discovered the KOTO project and introduced me to it several years ago. It is great to see it evolve as it has and to know that Michael is still playing an important role.

EVERY DAY IN THE KITCHEN* by ALLAN CAMPION AND MICHELE CURTIS. This is a HUGE book and possibly the only one a new cook would need! These two experienced foodies have incorporated their previous books into one super-duper tome and you will probably find almost any recipe you might need tucked away somewhere between its pages! Another little book worth seeking out is their Foodies Guide to Melbourne for 2009, which sets out the specialty stores that offer those ingredients we can't always find in the supermarket.

NO TIME TO COOK* By DONNA HAY. I must confess that I have not been a great fan of Donna's books. I found them rather cold and uninviting ... all that white on white! However, this book is different, with a warmth the others lacked. This, I suspect, is because during our interview Donna admitted that she loves and collects old kitchenware and has used some of these as props in the book. The recipes look really good, not too difficult but interesting. This is a very useful book to have on the kitchen shelf.

MEAT!* By ADRIAN RICHARDSON. Famed for the high standard he sets for the meat he serves in his restaurant La Luna, Adrian shares his secrets with other cooks in this large book. As well as stacks of recipes, he offers all kinds of helpful suggestions as to selecting, storing and preparing meats to achieve the best possible results. Definitely not for the vegetarian!

MY TABLE* by PETE EVANS. I really liked this book... the photography is warm, the food inviting and Pete's writing modest and unpretentious. It offers a wide range of recipes for different occasions, none of them too demanding but all looking delicious. Pete owns restaurants in both Sydney and Melbourne and, in fact, pizza chef John Lanzafame, works for him. This is a cookbook I'll use.... a lot!

LIVE & COOKIN' @ LIZOTTE'S! by BRIAN LIZOTTE. I have not yet had the pleasure of interviewing Brian (that is scheduled for NEXT Monday!) but I have had great delight from his book! With a glamorous background as caterer to the musical world - his clients range from Frank Sinatra to Midnight Oil - he transferred his skills to his "performance restaurant" on the Central coast of NSW. It is a brilliantly designed book, with all kinds of interesting twists and quirks...such as the novel way of describing ingredients and preparation methods in musical terms. Likewise the various courses and accompaniments. The book was published late November, so this is my first chance to speak with Brian. I am really looking forward to that and also to cooking some of The delectable recipes he offers. I'm particularly interested to see his extensive use of indigenous ingredients and his support for the producers.

RISTORANTE FELLINI by TONY PERCUOCO. Based on recipes served in his restaurant, and also on the food from his Italian childhood, this is a book for the "serious" cook who likes to be a little more experimental in the kitchen. Photography is lovely (despite a lot of it being white on white!) and really invites one to cook the dishes! The book is sub-titled "Italian Cooking at its Best" and I think this is probably true!

A couple of last year's favourites were Botanical* by Paul Wilson and also French Lessons* by Justin North. Movida co-authored by Richard Cornish* and Frank Comorra. Still worth looking for....

I have read a number of other cookbooks, interviewed some of their authors, and I am sure there will be others I recall after I have "completed" this list, but these have been the ones I most enjoyed.

( * Indicates those authors who have been guests on The Good Life.)

If you would like to make your own comments about any of these books, or offer some suggestions of your own, I'd love to receive an email!

Happy cooking for 2009!

Ann Creber (The Good Life on 3MDR)

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John Weeks
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