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multicultural arts victoria guide to the arts 69

The Melbourne Ska Orchestra - Ska-Africa – P3

Inside: P.4 Cultural Events – YALLA – P.7 Theatre & Word - Mainteater – 40th Anniversary Celebrations of the Happy 1000…1000 Bahagia P.2 Editorial Turkish Community – 2007 northern notes Writers P.3 Music – New Scool Rulez – Do Festival closing event – 2007 National P.5 Dance – BB07 – Deepa- Archana the Right Thing – Suzuki Night Market Literary Awards – Ska-Africa – Rakini Devi P.8 Visy Multicultural Events P.6 Visual Arts – Georgia Metaxas Assistance – Viva Melbourne – Van Thanh Rudd

MAV folio November 2007- January 2008 Voodoo Vaudeville

Visy Mulitulctural Events Assistance Launch

According to the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission "The project supported by MAV, Wind in B Minor is also working internationally decision to cut African refugee numbers because they are not settling and involving artists from Indonesia. adjusting to the Australian way of life is at odds with the primary concern of MAV continues to work in partnership with our artists and stakeholders to the Refugee Convention - that is providing a safe haven for people who are make a difference to the cultural life of our community: The very successful fleeing persecution in their country of origin.” Queen Victoria Night Markets will continue in November, December, January At Multicultural Arts Victoria (MAV) we embrace all refugees and have worked and February every Wednesday night; the Turkish Community will launch their through our program toward helping refugees and asylum seekers rebuild their program celebrating 40 years of migration at the Immigration Museum; and

editorial lives by acknowledging, supporting, presenting and celebrating their arts and BBO7 Festival will be held in the Fitzroy Town Hall in November with the culture. People fleeing from war-torn countries need to feel accepted, as part support of MAV and Ausdance. of our community, and their contribution positively acknowledged. Australia has The profiling of diversity and the arts is at the heart of all we do and a fine record of settling refugees and newcomers. importantly our recent partnership program with the Arts Centre - Mix It Up Australians have long accepted that people should not be treated differently on was a winner in the corporate section in the Melbourne Awards. The the basis of their race, religion or ethnic origin. If people can maintain their Melbourne Awards, coordinated by City of Melbourne, identify and celebrate cultural pride it can greatly assist in alleviating many issues faced by emerging significant contributions which shape the future of Melbourne. The Awards refugee groups. MAV has worked hard to ensure the organisation embraces showcased the innovation, dedication and passion that help make Melbourne and supports new emerging artists and communities including African such a great city. It is a great achievement for our Mix It Up initiative, which communities, through our many programs - Emerge Cultural Network, The celebrates cultural diversity and our outstanding and inspiring artists and Emerge Festival and our Visible Mentoring program which celebrates the communities. unique contribution refugee artists and communities have made culturally to Finally, MAV is very proud to announce two very new initiatives firstly with Visy, our community. It is essential that we continue to invest in support structures the Pratt Foundation and secondly with Channel 31 and the Victorian for the settlement of refugees including an increase in the support for Multicultural Commission (VMC) that will greatly assist our multicultural multicultural arts programs. communities and artists. On December 9th once again we will be working in partnership with the Visy and Multicultural Arts Victoria launched a new pilot funding program VISY Melbourne City Council to raise awareness of the issues for Human Rights Day MULTICULTURAL EVENT ASSISTANCE on Thursday October 18th to assist with our youth event - “Do The Right Thing“. So we invite all Victorians To Do multicultural communities and organisations in the City of Hume. Chairman of The Right Thing and make a stance against racism and any form of Multicultural Arts Victoria, Mr. Stefan Romaniw, introduced this new diversity discrimination. MAV will be working closely with Hotham City Mission to initiative which was officially launched by Cr Gary Jungwirth, Mayor, Hume ensure Asylum Seekers and Refugees are part of the festival. City, at Visy Cares Learning Centre in Meadow Heights. Visy Multicultural Event MAV is leading the way in touring kultour artists internationally for the very Assistance will provide multicultural groups and community organisations with first time. The Tony Yap Company (TYC) will present "E1-Aether", a ritualistic financial assistance to use community spaces for multicultural events and dance-installation in collaboration with Japanese lighting designers Genta community celebrations for the benefit of all in the City of Hume. It is Iwamura and Rie Uomori at the 3rd Biwako Biennale in Shiga Prefecture Japan anticipated that this pilot funding initiative will extend to other specific targeted on 18 November 2007. TYC is a local ensemble of independently geographic areas in Victoria in 2008. MAV thanks Ian Allen from the Pratt accomplished professional artists including Malaysian born Australian dancer Foundation for his guidance, support and advice in establishing this initiative. Tony Yap, Japanese born Australian visual artist Naomi Ota, Australian Channel 31 and MAV have combined forces to produce a new TV show that Indonesian vocalist Ria Soemardjo and Australian born contemporary showcases the amazing talents we have in Melbourne - VIVA MELBOURNE. musicians Tim Humphrey and Madeleine Flynn. We congratulate all the artists We thank the VMC for the support and encouragement in bringing this involved and thank the Australia Council for their vision. Multicultural Arts initiative to life. Stay tuned for some great entertainment on Sunday evenings Victoria continues to support and host the kultour position and is about to say through November. farewell to Jane Carew-Reid, who is about to have her second child. Jane has worked diligently over the past few years with the national network of MAV will continue to encourage: access and participation in the arts by all multicultural arts organisations to tour high quality multicultural arts nationally cultures; acceptance and understanding of cultural diversity by all cultures; and now internationally. MAV and kultour welcome Rohini Sharma to the and excellence and innovation in multicultural arts practice kultour CEO position. Rohini brings a wealth of talent to this position and we Jill Morgan Executive Officer look forward to working with Rohini to further develop the touring of quality multicultural arts. MAV is working in partnership with kultour to tour Melbourne based visual artist Van Thanh Rudd in November. A cross-cultural theatre

MAV folio Page2 New Scool Rulez Connect cd music Kua Etnika New Scool Rulez Fri 2 Nov, 7-11pm, Civic Centre, 23 Edward St, Reservoir Sat 3 Nov, 7-11pm, Flemington Community Centre Melbourne Ska OrchestraNew Scool Rulez 25 Mount Alexander Rd, Flemington Bands and dance crews formed from workshops held earlier this year - as part of the New Scool Rulez program - will perform alongside well-known and respected local musicians in these all-ages events, proudly supported by AMES, Moonee Valley Council (Get Go project), Australia Council for the Arts, and the Victorian Multicultural Commission. In addition, MAV will launch the Connect CD on 10 Nov at the Flemington Community Centre. Connect is a project aimed at developing the confidence and self esteem of newly arrived refugee youth, engaging them in the arts and providing them with pathways to further education and employment in the arts. Multicultural Arts Victoria, Youth Officer and hip hop artist Khaled Abdulwahab has co- ordinated the project over three stages connecting youth from Flemington Housing Estate with each other and professional hip hop artists from their community through hip hop workshops, mentorship and performance development. Ska-Africa – The Melbourne Ska Orchestra Tickets: $5 Info: www.multiculturalarts.com.au Fri 7 Dec, 9pm HiFi Bar and Ballroom This project is proudly supported by AMES, Moonee Valley Council (Get Go project) Australia Council for 125 Swanston St, Melbourne (opposite Melbourne Town Hall the Arts, and the Victorian Multicultural Commission. A performance by the Melbourne Ska Orchestra is no mere gig - it's an event, a landmark, a roaring Ska/Reggae summit of biblical proportions. This Do the Right Thing ambitious venture, the brainchild of 3PBS announcer Mohair Slim, is led by Melbourne's irrepressible master of groove, Nicky Bomba and features a Signal, Melbourne City (behind Flinders Street station. veritable who's who of local Jazz, Reggae and Ska talent. including members Sun 9 Dec, 3-8pm of Skazz, Oiska, Red Sand Shuffle, The Trojan Horns, Nicky Bomba's red-hot Multicultural Arts Victoria presents Do the Right Thing held on Human Rights Day - mento outfit Bustamento, members of the Strange Tenants, Loin Groin, the event is to promote awareness and acceptance. Bringing together young people Commissioner Gordon, 99% Fat and the Ska Vendors. from different faiths and backgrounds to celebrate cultural unity and promote This special one off show will see the MSO join for the first time with some of harmony, through hip-hop, reggae beats and soulful sounds, it will be a non-stop the hottest local African and Caribbean artists including Diafrix MCs Azmarino music revolution for young Australians with all day boogying & sweat dropping for and Momo, Haitian born soul songstress Nadee, Senegambian griot musician peace. Jali Buba Kuyateh and the African Royal Drummers from Ghana, bringing new Young Australians hit the banks of the Yarra with revolutionary tunes to raise flavours and sounds to the genre. awareness through rock steadying the dance-floor under blue skies. A summer Tickets $25 + Booking Fee available at www.thehifi.com.au or from Missing celebration to get the whole city bouncing. Dynamic performers will get the party Link Records and Polyester Records. For more info call 9417 6777 started with hip-hop, reggae, funk and soul acts, as break-dancers warm up the floor Presented by Melbourne Ska Orchestra in partnership with Multicultural Arts with Grrilla Step, San Lazaro, Illzilla, Dili Allstars plus more! FREE Victoria & City of Melbourne. Suzuki Night Market Presented by MAV & ABC RADIO NATIONAL supported by City of Melbourne Wed nights 28 Nov - 27 Feb (excluding 26 Dec) 2008 Queen Victoria Market Cnr of Queen and Therry St, Melbourne A Deli Merry Christmas Experience the Suzuki Night Market when it returns on Wednesday nights throughout summer. Queen Victoria Market in association with MAV present Melbourne's best Fri 7 Dec @ 7.30pm ABC, Southbank Centre world music ensembles and dance artists on two stages between 5.30-10pm, Wed Ground Floor, Southbank Boulevard, Southbank 28 Nov, 2007 - Wed 27 Feb, 2008. This year's line-up features an extensive list of One unique concert. Four outstanding culturally diverse performances. quality, cultural entertainment on two stages including: San Lazaro, Mista Savona, Bookings & Info: [email protected] or 9417 6777. Musiki Manjaro, Sally Ford and the Pachuco Playboys along with infectious grooves from Babaganoush, Super Afro Mandkinko and Labjacd. FREE Program: http://www.qvm.com.au/night_market.php MAV folio Page3 cultural events 40th Anniversary Celebrations of the Turkish Community Sun 11 Nov 10.00 am - 4.00 pm Immigration Museum, Old Customs House, 400 Flinders Street, Melbourne.

Australian and Turkish Governments signed a migration agreement in 1967 and the first group of assisted migrants arrived in Australia in 1968. This year and next year mark the 40th anniversary of these two milestones for the 70,000 plus strong Turkish Community in Melbourne. The 40th Anniversary Committee has been formed, supported by 49 Turkish Associations and various government organisations including the Victorian Government, Victorian Multicultural Commission, Immigration Museum, VicHealth, Australian Government, Australian Multicultural Foundation, City of Melbourne and Multicultural Arts Victoria to organise and oversee a series of events, including festivals, exhibitions, concerts, seminars, football tournament etc throughout this year and next year. As part of the celebrations some artists will also come from Turkey at various times. The official launch of the celebrations will be with a Turkish Festival and Exhibition about the Victorian Turkish community at the Immigration Museum on 11th November 2007. There will be courtyard performances by Turkish classical and pop music groups, indoor presentations of films telling the story of Turkish migrants, displays of authentic Turkish artifacts, Turkish food demonstrations, belly dancing 40th Anniversary Celebrations of Turkish Community workshop and a talk on Turkish migration history.

YALLA 10 years of Middle Eastern Music and Dance FitzroySun 25 Nov, Doors open at 3pm, Fitzroy Town Hall, Napier St. Local ensemble Yalla formed ten years ago and has continued as one of the few groups specialising in traditional art forms, providing a unique platform for artists and audiences interested in Middle Eastern music and dance to explore and celebrate these rich cultural traditions. Yalla is holding a special event to celebrate and to also raise awareness of tolerance and cultural preservation of the communities that they represent in their music. The event will feature music and dance from past and present members plus many special guests including: Sanctuary Ensemble, Snake Sisters, Bohemian Nights, Underbelly, Daughters of Isis, Monkey Brigade, Brahim Benhim, Nashat Abdelesayed, Ben Last, John Norton & Pin Rada plus include free dance & percussion workshops, henna painting, Middle Eastern dance wear, books, cds & information stalls, food & beverage stalls and an open bar in the evening. Concert begins at 6.30pm Preshow: $16 full / $14 conc. Door: $20 full / $14 conc. For more info on workshops or to book contact: www.dancingisis.com / 0419 523 710 Supported by: Multicultural Arts Victoria, Underbelly, Ausdance, The Boite and the Victorian Multicultural Commission.

MAV folio Page4 Yalla BB07 – 7 minutes – 7 Deadly sins BB07 series has been directed, curated and facilitated by Tony Yap and Yumi Umiumare since 2001 to provide the local Butoh communities an opportunity to investigate, explore and stretch the limits of what we understand as the intrinsic meaning of Butoh. The long-term vision for this series is a grander scale festival encompassing all idiosyncratic interpretations of Butoh in performance from local and International artists.

In BB07, Tony and Yumi will curate ten selected short works of 7-minutes in length. This event will be site specific and performed in the very intimate space at the Reading Room in Fitzroy Town Hall. Contrasting from the huge space of BB06, a 6-hour performance last year will be a dozen 7-minute, private and deadly short works this year.

The Reading Room will be a shared space between both audience and performers in a seamless event of overlapping 7-minute performances.

Reading Room Fitzroy Town Hall, 201 Napier St Fitzroy Thurs 8 - Fri 9 Nov @ 8pm Bookings: MAV 9417 6777 $20/15

ARTISTS: Jarrod Benson, Tom Davis, Josephine Fisher, Janette Hoe, Geraldine Morey, Daniel Mounsey, Gabrielle New, Craig Peade, Alana Picone, Sharna Vrhowec, Megumi Sasaki, Yumi Umiumare, Tony Yap

pic: Josephine Fisher by ©2007 Michael Prior www.michaelprior.com dance

Rakini Devi Born in Calcutta of Indian and Burmese parents, Rakini trained in Bharata Natyam & Odissi Indian Classical Dance before immigrating to Australia and developing her practice in a rich multicultural environment. The content and research of her work involves hybrid theatre, dance choreography on cross- cultural techniques, creation of hybrid personas for her solo works, and spoken word texts based on her own cross-cultural identity and sense of race, age and gender. Rakini's work often explores notions of the "sacred" and "taboo" in relation to Rakini the social traditions effecting women in Indian society. Themes have included the arranged marriage, widow immolation and the social segregation of women, often celebrating the ancient texts of Hindu mythology. Her repertoire has incorporated text, live experimental music, film and video, and her own visual art. Her performance history includes over 100 solo works, performed nationally and internationally. In 2001 she was recipient of an Asialink Performing Arts Residency in Tokyo, creating a work for the 12 member company Dance 01. Rakini then met Guillermo Gomez Pena in 2003 during his tour to Sydney. At his invitation, she joined La Pocha Nostra for their performance in Las Palmas Canary Islands in 2005. Rakini is now a member of La Pocha Nostra's International troupe. Just returned from a three month Asialink residency in India, Rakini was artist in residence at Adishakti Performance Laboratory in Pondicherry South India. There she began her study of Kalariyapattu (Indian martial arts). She then Deepa-Archana spent time at Nrtiyagram (The Dance Village) where she studied Odissi 14 years ago. Her final weeks were spent in her birth city of Kolkata where she collaborated with Santanu Bose a performance artist and director of the Deepa- Archana National Film Institute at Kolkata. 10 Nov 2007, 5pm BMW Edge, Federation Square Now based in Melbourne, Rakini hopes to share the wealth of her cultural Corner Swanston & Flinders Street heritage and experience in cross cultural performance art with other artists who are interested in this genre of work. Presented by Tara Rajkumar's Natya Sudha Dance Company & School this is event celebrates the festival of lights with a dance extravaganza. "Questions that have arisen from my research may never be resolved in this With live music & a special Ramayana pageant with Erasmus school, life time, but the nature of hybrid investigation for me, is the risk and failure plus the launch of the Uluru Arts Project. that accompanies innovation, which in turn becomes a quest for perfection to Featuring Mohiniattam, Odissi and contemporary styles.All proceeds detail and a commitment to the process. " from this event go to the East West project to build an amphitheatre in a www.rakinidevi.iinet.net.au village in South India. Tickets: special reserved seating $50 or $30/$20 general admission Enquiries: 9763 5225 or 0407 076 167 MAV folio Page5 Georgia Metaxas Lower Your Ears 12 October - 2 December 2007 Opening: 3.00pm Sunday 14 October, 2007

Utilizing the conventions of portraiture, and evoking the aesthetic of early documentary photography, Metaxas has turned the humble haircut into a poignant moment of reflection.

Working in a social documentary context over several years, Metaxas is known for her work on issues of identity and belonging. Although these themes are still integral to her work, a recent shift has found her exploring a broader notion of ritual, examining the more universal aspects of life. The haircuts are in keeping with this and allow the transformation of the simple haircut into a dramatic event.

Monash Gallery of Art: 860 Ferntree Gully Road, Wheelers Hill Australian Beach - Van Than Rudd T: 9562 1569 E: [email protected] W: mga.org.au Tue-Fri: 10am-5pm, Sat-Sun: 12pm-5pm, Mon/public visual holidays: closed arts Van Thanh Rudd Visual artist Van Thanh Rudd is dedicated to exposing contemporary, culturally diverse art beyond the gallery scene to new audiences in public spaces. In The Carriers - Local Terrain, Van teamed up with four to six other culturally diverse artists to engage in the unique but practical method of carrying their paintings onto the ‘lower your ears’ by Georgia Metaxas streets, parks, trains, buses and trams throughout Melbourne.

Through this direct interaction with new and existing audiences, Van hopes to educate the public on the importance of multicultural issues such as war, racism, refugees and displacement. Rudd says “teaming up with various artists has hopefully strengthened a multicultural voice and provided much needed networking for future projects and professional development for all artists involved.”

Born in Nambour, Queensland in 1973 to a Vietnamese mother and Australian father, Van's artistic career was bound to question anxieties relating to war and refugees. His father, a soldier during the Vietnam War, has been a constant inspiration in questioning the injustices of war. His mother, who grew up a farmer in Ben Tre, South Vietnam, has also given valuable insight into the lifestyle of the Vietnamese and their attitudes towards the west.

Rudd points out “this type of exhibition has coincided with a change (in his work) that now explores quite directly, the emotional struggle of many Australians, from indigenous to current African refugees.”

Van's The Carriers project is being toured throughout Australia this year by the kultour touring network. For Van Than Rudd details go to: www.kultour.com.au

MAV folio Page6 mainteater happy4 - Cultural Exchange 2007 First showing (without So Sen) 2, 3,4 November, 7.30pm La Mama Theatre, 205 Faraday Street, Carlton Second and third showings (with So Sen) 9 November, 3pm and 6pm, Main Hall, Fitzroy Town Hall, Corner Napier and Moor Streets, Fitzroy The Wind in Bminor is a multi-lingual performance drawn from Australian, Indonesian and Japanese influences. What you see depends on where the winds of creative energy takes it. Sometimes a storm will be brewing and other times the performance will be soothing. This production forms part of La Mama Theatre's 40th Birthday Exploration Season and will be performed in counterpoint to a traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony with Master So Sen, Izumi Inadera. Bookings: Contact La Mama 03 9347 6142 and [email protected] Bookings: [email protected] Tickets: $10

Happy 1000…1000 Bahagia 8pm, 16 and 17 Nov The Crom, 138 Cromwell Street, Collingwood. Wheelchair accessible. With pathos and humour Happy 1000...1000 Bahagia captures a man's final moments before suicide. A journalist, reflecting on his life and his relationship with language, is shadowed by his personal interpreters, who sometimes interpret more than just his words. Performed in Indonesian, English and Auslan (Australian Sign Language), Happy 1000…1000 Bahagia is adapted from Austrian writer Peter Turrini's work Endlich Schluss. The piece is both monologue and physical theatre, interweaving visual and oral languages, improvised movement, song and sign singing whilst exploring the role of the interpreter in contemporary theatre. Bookings: [email protected] and at the door Tickets: $15/$10 Supported by Besen Foundation, Hothouse Theatre and Murray Arts theatre 2007 northern notes Writers Festival closing event & word Words that Sing in Spring - a multilingual celebration of poetry and songs. Sat 10 Nov 2-4pm Join poetry@fedsquare, a reading of poetry in translation in the Juliet Balcony, Federation Square, Melbourne featuring published poets, Dominique Hecq reading in English & French and Myron Lysenko reading in English and Ukranian. There will also be open readings by the Words that Sing in Spring workshops participants. FREE Tetet Cahyati Contact: Lella Cariddi, 0404329863. Email: [email protected] Presented by World Poetry. 2007 National Literary Awards Entries into 19 categories of the Fellowship of Australian Writers (FAW) Victorian 2007 National Literary Awards close on Nov 30. For further information please email: [email protected] or slow mail: Awards Coordinator, FAW 2007 National Literary Awards, P O Box 973, Eltham, Vic 3095. The entry form can be downloaded from www.writers.asn.au Poetry Reading, Mon 19 November, 1pm The Reading Room , Fitzroy Town Hall, Cnr Moor and Napier Sts, Fitzroy Hear a selection of readings by visiting Indonesian writers from Komunitas Sastra Dewi Sartika this November. Formed in 2000 by women writers, Komunitas Sastra Dewi Sartika (KSDS) Bandung, West Java, supports women in literature through its program of education and practice development. KSDS WIind in Bminor also presents writing workshops for poetry, short stories, novels, creative and critical writing public readings; forums and discussions and networking opportunities. Entry by donation. Bookings: [email protected] MAV folio Page7 Visy Multicultural Folio Editorial Team Events Assistance Editor-in-Chief Jill Morgan Sub-Editors Visy Multicultural Event Assistance was launched to provide Music Anita Larkin multicultural groups and community organisations with Dance Tony Yap assistance to use community spaces for multicultural events and Visual Arts Brooke Small community celebrations for the benefit of all in the City of Hume. Word Lella Carridi Multicultural Arts Victoria Chair Stefan Romaniw - "Multicultural Theatre Meg Larkin Arts Victoria is proud to work closely with Visy to bring to life this exciting new initiative. The Visy Multicultural Events Assistance Multicultural Arts Victoria Staff pilot in Hume will ensure greater participation of our Executive Officer Jill Morgan multicultural artists and communities in the cultural life of our Finance Officer Hung Nguyen community and reflect our State’s greatest asset - our diversity. Admin Officer Janette Hoe / Meg The Pratt Family have made an enormous contribution to our Larkin/Brooke Small multicultural community and are continuing to do so. " Project Officer Anita Larkin For more information or to apply to Visy Multicultural Event Youth Officer Khaled Abdulwahab Assistance: www.multiculturalarts.com.au or 9417 6777 kultour Jane Carew-Reid/Rohini Sharma Mix It Up coordinator Miriam Abud Graphic Design Tony Yap Photos Bill Poon, Georgia Metaxas, Josh Robenstone, Natasha Blankfield, Claudia Viva Melbourne Sangiori Dalimore On Sunday 21st October, C31 in association with Multicultural Arts Victoria brought the colour and excitement of Melbourne's Multicultural Arts Victoria cultural diversity to viewers, through a new variety television Fitzroy Town Hall show Viva Melbourne. The show will run for six weeks 201 Napier St Fitzroy broadcasting live at 7.30pm every Sunday. Each show will PO Box 2179 Fitzroy DC 3065 feature live performances and allow the audience to P 9417 6777 experience the cultural artistry and the wealth of performance F 9416 3342 artists that call Melbourne their home. E [email protected] Hosts Dieter Kahsnitz, of German origin and Namila Benson a W www.multiculturalarts.com.au proud Tolai gal hailing from Papua New Guinea's East New Britain province of Rabaul, are the viewer's guides on a journey of discovery of the customs, traditions and soul of each of the cultures featured on the show. Antenna Award winner Dieter produced and presented The C Word which screened on C31 and national community TV for 3 years and is currently screening in New Zealand the UK and Europe. Channel Nine viewers will remember Dieter from both The Car Show and The Boat Show, where he produced and presented segments. Triple R listeners know Namila from her current soul, Hip Hop and global show, Cocoa Butter and her current global music segment on ABC Radio Australia, Benson on Edge which explores exciting musical trends around Melbourne and features local DJs and music specialists. Namila DJ's performing as Sista Selekta, in her resident DJ role at Melbourne digital arts bar, Horse Bazaar and has performed in music festivals around Melbourne. Tune in to C31 on Sunday nights at 7.30 and experience an awesome line up of Melbourne's great talent on Viva Melbourne!