Month: August 2009

No wonder they call them punchlines

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Admittedly the topic of how to put humour on the page was barely addressed in this session, but it delivered a barrel of laughs, writes Ryan Butler. One thing that stood out was the brutal honesty with which Imran Ahmad, Denise Scott, Michael Cathcart, and Tom Gleeson, address even the most taboo subjects. Simon Marnie, hosted the session. Denise Scott, has starred in shows such as The Big Gig, she is also a radio host and has a career as a stand-up comedian. Her new book is All That Happened at Number 26 is a revelation of her life, and those of others, at Number 26, where she still lives. During the period described in the book, her mother developed Alzheimers. Although this is a sad episode, it is not without its comedic inspirations for Denise. On one occasion, Denise took her dog to the hostel, it took a poo in the public dining and living room. “I leant down and apologised to an old lady sitting near by. She looked at me incredulously. ‘Why …

CuzCo taps into kids’ potential

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The philosophy employed by CuzCo  is one that they adopted from Brazil, where it’s been recognised that socially disadvantaged students require a more personal approach, writes Ryan Butler. But CuzCo have taken it a step further again however, aiming to eliminate the formality that can characterise student/teacher relationships by having both parties play each the role in turn. Who are CuzCo? They are Wire MC, who is a descendant of the Gumbayngirri nation (on the north east coast of New South Wales) with an Aboriginal conscience that acknowledges all First Nations across Australia. Wire MC sees hip-hop as the “modern day corroboree” for young Indigenous Australians, looking for a way to express themselves and their culture in a positive way, and Choo Choo. He is a hip-hop artist and rapper, born in Argentina and raised in Australia, who works and performs nationally and internationally with young people from many different cultural and linguistic backgrounds, showcasing his socially conscious lyrics. Kids teach them about their life experiences, and only then do Cuzco take the reins and …

Attractive men, Jane Austen, sensitive talk

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Well there was some, but not much, chat about Jane Austen in the session, Three very attractive men talk sensitively about Jane Austen, hosted by columnist Mark Dapin and featuring two of Australia’s most prominent authors: Tom Keneally, and Rob Drewe. Actually between Dapin’s tattoed biceps, the twinkle in Keneally’s eye and the merry sparring humour between the three men, there was a lot to be attracted to, writes Richelle Buckingham*. Both Keneally and Drewe talked about their working day, both admitting to early morning procrastination – several newspapers, and cryptic crosswords later, the serious business of writing would (hopefully) ensue. At 73, Keneally chuckled that he was very much ‘…seduced by the cryptic crossword and girls with walking frames.’ The authors also talked about the inherent loneliness of the writer; as Keneally says, ‘…the solitude of writing can be a problem in magnifying depression.’ But Drewe and Keneally both agree the accomplishment is worth it. With that twinkle in his eye, and that whiskery gnome like appearance that wouldn’t be out of place, fishing …

Why sport is not like life

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One can only marvel at the increasing audacity of the sporting world, its economic and business equations. While around the world people of all countries seal their wallets shut, companies go bust, governments issue stimulus packages, and GM receives $200,000,000 just to stay afloat, and within a period of one month, Real Madrid splashes out $A430 million on five players, writes Ryan Butler *. Cristiano Ronaldo being the most significant signing, the transfer fee breaking the world record with $A163 million. At the Masters of their game: a passion for sport and writing panel Roy Masters and Tom Keneally joined Colin Bowles. Observations gathered over years of working within the world of sport, both as a commentator and coach have made Roy Masters sympathetic to the realities faced by athletes, particularly the radically developing expectations that the public has of athletes. Masters is the author of three books, his latest being Bad Boys and is working on another on the great philosophical issues in sport. Speaking on the issue of sportspersons as role models, Masters …