On with the show-Showbiz News – Entertainment Industry-Australian Entertainers

Teeing off for another year
 
On With the Show's
Flashback to Variety Today 1992

By SHIRLEY BROUN

SINGALONG star Max Bygraves has put down even deeper roots in Australia (having spent every summer here for the past 20 years) and has now applied for a permanent resident's permit to save applying each year. This move gives him the right to retire in Oz but will not effect the 69-year-old entertainer's British citizenship.

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Mystery surrounds our lovable larrikin

By SHIRLEY BROUN

THE countdown is on for the return of quick-witted lovable larrikin Craig McLachlan to our television screens but his new role is one of mystery and murder.

On February 1, the ever-versatile McLachlan, 47, will star in the 10-part murder mystery series `The Doctor Blake Mysteries', airing for the first time on ABC1, February 1 at 8.30pm.

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Slim De Grey brought smiles when life was a struggle
On With the Show's
Flashback to Variety Today 1992

By VALERIE JONES

IT'S hard to believe there could possibly have been a `funny side' to life as an inmate of Singapore's notorious Changi Prison under Japanese rule during World War II. But an Australian entertainer who was there at the time is about to assure the world there was.

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Flashback to Variety Today 1993
 
By SHIRLEY BROUN
IN painting murals at the Prince of Wales Hospital in Sydney, Rolf and Olaf Harris have carried on a family tradition.
Rolf's aunty and Olaf's sister, Pixie O'Harris, was renowned for the hundreds of murals she painted in hospitals throughout the country. She would travel hundreds of miles in her quest to bring happiness to hospital patients, particularly children, with her colourful murals - many depicting elves, gnomes and pixies for which she was renowned.… Members read the rest!

Final session in Studio `A'
91st album inspires a Note from Slim ...
Flashback to Variety Today 1996

LEGENDARY country singer Slim Dusty was so inspired by his 1996 album release that he wrote the following note to all his fans and supporters.

"NINETY One albums! It's a bit hard to believe, but I must say it's been great doing them all, Slim wrote.

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Away from the Spotlight

HAVE you ever wondered what entertainers do in their `spare time'?

Well there is something to be said for performing in a group because immediately there is a `team spirit' to inject into outside activities, putting a `group' a step ahead.

Such was the case for this soccer `super group' - namely, three members of The Four Kinsmen (Robert Pearson, Graham Wilson and Scott Radburn) - seen here kicking around a soccer ball as part of the Gold Coast's Jupiters Casino Soccer team in the 1990s.

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Tamworth Salutes songwriter
who dares to be different
Variety Today 1992
By Shirley Broun

KEITH URBAN is leading the charge of a new breed of performer who commands the attention of music lovers across the board.

Sure - to date his major recognition has come from the Country Music arena, but anyone who has seen this talented 24-year-old peforming `live' will know his songwriting and musical abilities extend far beyond the `country' tag.

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Flashback to Variety Today 1991
By Shirley Broun

DREAMS do come true ... just ask nine-year-old Wade Robson, of Brisbane, who recently packed all his worldly possessions and moved to America to dance with his idol, International superstar Michael Jackson.

Wade, who won National acclaim on popular talent show Starsearch, has worked with Michael previously. the star was so impressed with the young dancer that he issued an invitation for him to return to the United States to work with him on a number of projects that will see Wade sharing the screen with his idol.

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Donald O'Connor tours Australia (1994)
By Shirley Broun

WHEN it comes to screen legends, few would surpass dancer, singer and actor DONALD O'CONNOR whom I had the great delight of meeting, along with his wife Gloria, during his Australian tour at Easter in 1994.
This multi-talented performer was a childhood favourite of mine. I was always ready to pull up a chair in front of the television to watch any movie in which O'Connor was featured.

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It's very hard to convince people that we're working when we tell them we're doing a cruise. Even though it's a very, very nice way to make a living, we still work hard to make sure that a cruise audience of possibly 3000 over 4 or 5 shows gets our very best. But it's also our living and not a holiday so we have to keep an eye on our budget.

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