The Tote shuts up shop
Melbourne music institution The Tote will close its doors for the last time this weekend.
Licensee Bruce Milne broke the news today, calling a sudden "last drinks" for the legendary Collingwood hotel.
We ask you, in honour of the live music venue, to share your memories with us below.
Thanks for your comments. This forum is now closed.
- Posted at 3:28 PM
- Comments (136)
Women hear them roar
A poll in which over 60 thousand people voted has declared Aretha Franklin's Respect the greatest female song of all time.
Pink's So What came in at number two, followed by Gloria Gaynor's I Will Survive at number three.
But there have been some glaring omissions including from Nico, Joni Mitchell and The Supremes.
What do you think? Did Aretha deserve top spot? And who should and shouldn't have made the list? Have Your Say below.
- Posted at 10:41 AM
- Comments (10)
Time to go Rove?
Last night, Rove McManus announced the retirement of his Channel 10 variety show after more than a decade on air, effective immediately.
"It was a difficult call to make but after ten years it felt like time to step away from the show and take a break to properly reflect on what I want to do next as a performer," he said.
What do you think? Was it time for Rove to hang up the boots? Or did he have many more gags left to give? And who will take over now? Have Your Say below.
- Posted at 11:36 AM
- Comments (66)
Hey Hey uproar
Daryl Somers has been forced into unexpected damage control after a Hey Hey It's Saturday Red Faces blackface skit offended guest judge Harry Connick Jnr.
What do you think? Was the skit offensive? Did it go too far? Have Your Say below.
- Posted at 8:39 AM
- Comments (735)
Should Serena Williams be fined and suspended?
Serena Williams made an unceremonious exit (photos) from the US Open on Sunday when she lost her temper (YouTube video) with a lineswoman over a foot-fault call.
Williams was at the receiving end from Kim Clijsters when the incident occurred.
When a lineswoman called Williams for a foot fault to set up match point for Clijsters, Williams argued spitefully and then verbally abused the official.
She picked up a second code violation for unsportsmanlike conduct, but she had no points left to give.
At her media conference (YouTube video) later, she played down the incident and did not offer an apology for her behaviour.
Should she be fined and suspended from the pro tour? Or has she been penalised enough?
- Posted by YourSay at 11:03 PM
- Comments (116)
Magic Dirt's Dean Turner dies
Australian indie rock bass player Dean Turner has lost his battle with cancer. He was 37.
The former flame of lead singer Adalita Srssen leaves behind a wife and two young daughters.
Leave your condolences below.
- Posted at 9:34 AM
- Comments (91)
Running gag?
An Australian sports science expert has described as "impossible" the rapid improvement in the performance of controversial athlete Caster Semenya, who has gone from youth-level failure to world 800m champion in just 12 months.
At the IAAF world junior championships in Poland last July, Semenya was listed as having a 800m personal best time of 2 minutes 8 seconds. She failed to even progress past the heat stages at the event, clocking a sluggish 2 minutes 11.98 seconds to finish seventh.
Fast forward to August this year -- and Semenya is now a senior world champion, winning the women's 800m at Berlin this week in a 2009 world leading time of 1 minute 55.45 seconds.
Is such a rapid improvement possible? Or is Semenya's rapid progress simply the product of her dedication?
- Posted by Staff at 3:01 PM
- Comments (20)
Mean streets
Criminologists say the figures clearly highlight a close link between city violence and disadvantaged postcodes.
What are the solutions to this long-standing problem? More police on the beat? Closing down venues that breach liquor licences? Should there be more affordable and accessible entertainment in the postcodes that are disproportionately represented in the figures?
- Posted at 10:17 AM
- Comments (70)
Is the fee fair?
The State Government's Transport Ticketing Authority says the cards will expire after four years and there will be a number of introductory offers after the system is launched in Melbourne to make the card temporarily cheaper.
Is the $10 fee for the myki smartcard fair? Have you already used the new smartcard in regional Victoria? What were your experiences of it?
- Posted by YourSay at 2:18 PM
- Comments (23)
Open and shut case?
In a written submission to a parliamentary committee, the Melbourne Club says segregated clubs help sustain "emotional wellbeing". The Collins Street institution has entered the debate on male-only private clubs, comparing its activities to the "men's sheds" anti-depression initiative.
Attorney-General Rob Hulls has indicated he would like to change the situation when state cabinet considers a rewrite of the Equal Opportunity Act, passed in 1995. Major changes up for consideration include ending the automatic exclusion for private clubs and allowing the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission to initiate its own anti-discrimination actions.
Should associations like the Melbourne Club and Savage Club retain their exemption from anti-discrimination laws? Is it right that they are free to restrict membership on attributes including gender?
- Posted at 10:49 AM
- Comments (27)
Subscribe to the idea?
Rupert Murdoch says News Corp will start charging for access to the global media group's online news content after the success of the Wall Street Journal's subscription website.
Is this a good move or a massive gamble? Would you pay for access to news websites?
- Posted at 10:36 AM
- Comments (41)
Driven to distraction
Malcolm Turnbull has cast himself as victim of an outlandish sting by Treasury official Godwin Grech in the OzCar affair after an Auditor-General's report exonerated Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Treasurer Wayne Swan from giving special treatment to car dealer John Grant.
Is the Opposition leader's claim credible? Was it reasonable for Mr Turnbull to take Mr Grech's email at face value? Or has the OzCar affair irreparably damaged his reputation and made his position untenable?
- Posted at 10:31 AM
- Comments (39)
Masterchef Finale
Channel Ten's Masterchef finale was watched by 3.7 million Australians last night, making it the highest rating non-sporting television program since 2001.
New South Wales mother-of-three Julie Goodwin narrowly beat South Australian artist Poh Ling Yeow after three challenges, including a pressure test and an invention test, to take home the $100,000 prize and a cookbook deal.
What did you think of the finale? Were the results what you expected? Do the ratings surprise you? Will you watch next season? Have Your Say below.
- Posted by Staff at 10:40 AM
- Comments (179)
MasterChef's shock elimination
Were you surprised that Chris Badenoch was eliminated from MasterChef? Last night the show entered the final straight, when Fitzroy beer merchant Badenoch was eliminated, setting up Adelaide artist Poh Ling Yeow and excitable mum Goodwin for the ultimate bake-off on Sunday night's grand finale. Do you have any theories explaining Badenoch's shock elimination?
- Posted by YourSay at 10:03 AM
- Comments (237)
