Pub spooked by mysterious spectre

By John Orr

Spirits have always been available at the Story Bridge Hotel for a century, but one in particular is causing staff some concern – it’s a ghost that dwells on the top floor.

Staff report and management confirm that an apparition makes its presence felt late at night in the Martini Bar Function Room after patrons have left and staff are locking up. “I’ve seen it – an apparition in the mirror; a shadow that seems to sprint when you confront it,” duty manager Andrew Thornton said.
“It is inexplicable, you lock your doors, you leave the lights on – in the morning they’re unlocked and they’re out – yet no-one’s been there.”
Functions room staff and management confirmed his account. One who preferred to be only known as “Sue” has been at the Martini Room since its 1996 opening and she stated: “When the people go and you close, things happen without reasonable explanation. There is a presence, it’s definitely male, but its not threatening. Unlike some men, I’ve never felt it predatory … just lonely. There is just extraordinary sadness and its tangible I kid you not, ” she said.
“I spoke to a psychic and she thinks it’s friendly – more like the cartoon character, Casper The Friendly Ghost than the Phantom of the Opera or the X Files, or like horror films with things that go bump in the night.”
She speculated it was a man with issues of injustice to resolve and could not move on until done so. “He’s feeling awful about something wrong or unsaid.”
The Martini Room is in the oldest section of the hotel – recently voted Australia and Queensland’s best – and until five years ago was used for accommodation, offices and storage. Reports from staff that cannot been unexplained have been constant since then Mr Thornton conceded some staff refused to be alone in the Martini Room after dark. H
e also confirmed that another duty manager had left the hotel after an encounter with the ghost. On condition of anonymity that manager who works at another prominent inner-city hotel told The Independent: “I was happy at The Bridge but I will not visit up there alone. I felt no menace but there is no question it is frightening. It seems to seek out company after the crowds are gone. It wants to communicate but can’t but it likes to be around you.”
Another duty manager, Andy “Capper” Johnston has been investigating and researching records as to deaths in the area at the John Oxley Library to attempt to establish the identity of the spirit form. “As a long-term KPR [Kangaroo Point Resident] I have two theories. It’s the miner Patrick Mayne allegedly butchered – murdered – in the abattoir adjacent to the hotel in the mid 1800s or Edwin John Baldock who used to drink here and was decapitated by the Vampire Killers.”
Mr Johnston also noted Kangaroo Point was the oldest part of Brisbane and had seen indigenous wars, massacres, been a jazz favourite of American soldiers in World War II and the favourite drinking place of the Painters and Dockers until they were disbanded after the Costigan Royal Commission into organised crime .
SBH chief manager Andrew Ford said he was not concerned about the ghost: “I’ve been fully informed of the issue. I’ve been the boss of a number of old Brisbane hotels – the RE, The Regatta, the Breakfast Creek before the Bridge and I’ve never seen anything like this.
“I’m reassured that all staff who have experienced this tell me it is benign not malign. There is no safety issue here. It only manifests itself at closing time and at extra cost we roster on double staff to close that room down at night. It’s a mystery is all I can say.
“The presence seems to be localised only to this room after everything is quiet. However, I will consult with the proprietor Richard Deery about that on his imminent return from Europe.”

Writer’s disclosure: Blessed with healthy scepticism, I asked and was permitted to enter the top floor alone, late after all had left. All was empty, doors locked, lights on. The air-conditioned room suddenly became very warm and I was absolutely certain there was someone looking at me. I turned and looked across at the city and the lights went out in the room and then in the city across the river. A gaseous human thing I understand is called an ectoplasm appeared – and then vanished – and the lights came on. I now believe in the Ghost of the Story Bridge Hotel. And as a lapsed, nay collapsed Catholic I again believe in the Father, Son and The Holy Ghost. I had not been drinking that night, but after writing this story, I headed out for a very large whisky.



Top: The famous Story Bridge Hotel. Above: the stairwell to that apparently haunted room.

Labor turns up heat over square

Brisbane City Council Labor leader Shayne Sutton has call on Lord Mayor Campbell Newman to take immediate action and re-think the design of King George Square, after its temperature reportedly reached over 50degC on Monday (January 18).

Councillor Sutton made the call yesterday at the Morningside Ward Office, Bulimba, where she displayed photographs of the “old” King George Square on hand.
“The new King George Square has been open for three months now, and it’s clear the design is not suitable,” Councillor Sutton said.
“Brisbane residents have clearly said the square is too hot and they would have preferred more green space in the final design –- and Labor councillors have always agreed.
“Cr Newman has been at the helm of this project from the start, but it’s time for him to swallow his pride and seriously re-think the stark, arid design of the square,” she said.

Be climate smart in 2010

Climate change is the single biggest environmental threat facing the world today. It’s affecting us all in the community and we need to start making changes in the way we do things, and Member for Brisbane Central, Grace Grace MP, is encouraging all households to register for the ClimateSmart Home Service program that can help save energy in and around the home as a great start to the New Year.

“This program is a great way for households to learn about what is using too much energy in their home and then making decisions on how to lower their usage,” Ms Grace said.
“For a $50 service fee, a qualified tradesperson will visit your home to conduct an energy audit, provide energy advice, install energy saving tools such as a household energy monitor and a water efficient showerhead, and also supply 15 compact fluorescent light globes.
“This service is a bargain as it is usually worth $250,” she said. One of the most important elements of the ClimateSmart Homes Service is the installation of a wireless household energy monitor. The monitor will provide you with real time data about your energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
“This means you can make informed decisions about how much power you are using at any time.” “Every little bit helps and the ClimateSmart Home Service program is a fantastic way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in your home for the environment’s future.”
To register for this service, complete your details at www.climatesmart.qld.gov.au/your_home/climatesmart_home or phone 1300 130 372.

HQ set to give Valley a big boost

Several thousand extra workers will provide a welcome boost to the Valley’s day economy when the massive HQ project on the corner of Wickham and Brookes streets opens in a few months.

And it will connect a few more dots on the way to making the area’s day economy stronger, according to Valley Chamber of Commerce CEO Carol Gordon.
“Approximately 3000 extra workers into the area from early April 2010 is definitely a positive input into the area,” Ms Gordon said. “It will provide connectivity and be complementary to the Emporium and the two Homemakers centres as well as James Street and service the RNA development and Waterfront Newstead development.
“Restaurants and eateries, takeaway food and convenience shopping will complement many of these adjoining retail and business precincts.”
Ms Gordon said the chamber had actively been seeking support for both the day and night economies in the Valley as they were vitally import ant. The chamber continued to submit letters to council, make government submissions and sought funding applications on a regular basis and worked with Commerce Queensland on business pulse surveys to gauge impacts.
The chamber continued to have councillors address many of the monthly meetings in the area and Lord Mayor Campbell Newman would address the chamber’s February luncheon meeting on his vision for the suburb and environs. Ms Gordon said the chamber had been actively pursuing the town planning process with the Valley Neighbourhood Planning process due for final approval now at the first council meeting for the year in February.
“It has always been the overriding objective to increase the number of office workers moving into the area as this is primary way of increasing the customer base for the day economy,” Ms Gordon said.
• The Lord Mayor’s address to the chamber luncheon is on Wednesday, February 3 from 12.30pm to 2pm. It’s in the executive function room Level 3, Cloudland 641 Ann Street Fortitude Valley . Tickets are $55 for chamber members and $60 for non members (plus booking fee) and includes a two-course lunch and glass of wine. Inquiries to Warren Wackerling on 3235 0128 or 0438 320 162 or via email to: wwackerling@valleychamber.com.au

Stepping out to a different Valley of old

Performance

Hey Scenester!
Visy Theatre, Brisbane Powerhouse
Thurs to Sat January 28-30
Tickets: Phine 3358 8600 or visit
www.brisbanepowerhouse.org


Want to take a peek at the Valley entertainment scene in the years before it became the throbbing, hobnobbing, flashy, trashy entertainment precinct that it is today?

Or in the words of Claire Marshall “before Fortitude Valley had become a boganised tourist attraction and district of megaclubs.” Claire is the driving force behind Hey Scenester!, a contemporary dance, pop culture inspired work, looking at ‘scenesters’ and Fortitude Valley’s nightlife and playing at the Visy Theatre at the Brisbane Powerhouse in New Farm later this month.
Choreographed by Claire Marshall in collaboration with dancers and drawing inspiration from research, interviews, and observations in the Valley over the past 20 odd years - and they were pretty odd years by all accounts - Hey Scenester! is a flash back to Brisbane alternative, and indie clubs in the early-mid 1990s and explores club culture in Brisbane when “corruption was rampant, but self-expression was permitted”.
Explains Claire: “Embracing the gritty, dilapidated clubs that once existed, clubs that a gust of wind could easily blow over, or the Dean brothers could knock down overnight, Hey Scenester! is a tribute to a scene now gone – that many claim to have been part of, but than no one can remember the exact details of.
“ If you remember Funkyard, Mass, Bleach, or Pop Scene (to name just a few), Hey Scenester! looks at the good, the bad, and the ugly side of club culture and human behaviour – which transcend time and an era of a club.”
Claire Marshall was a recipient of the Ausdance Queensland Brisbane Front Program Choreographic Residency, which saw the first development presented in November 2009 at the Judith Wright Centre shop front space.
Hey Scenester! sees the Visy Theatre transformed into a non-traditional theatre space for the second installment of the work.
Hey Scenester! is billed as an eye-opening look at changes in nightlife and club culture in Fortitude Valley, exposing the scene and not so seen!

Clint makes our day ... again

Films ... with Tim Milfull


Invictus (PG)
Director: Clint Eastwood
Stars: Morgan Freeman, Matt Damon
Rating: 4/5
133-minutes, screening from tomorrow, Jan 21

Veteran voice Morgan Freeman has been trying to make a film about legendary politician and leader Nelson Mandela for decades. Rather than documenting his entire life, Freeman chose a specific “chapter” to tell a larger story, which is becoming something of a tradition in the production of biopics.

In Mandela’s case, Freeman chose John Carlin’s book, Playing the Enemy: Nelson Mandela and the Game that Made a Nation, an account of South Africa’s road to victory in the 1995 Rugby World Cup. In the first few years after his release from Robben Island, the new President of South Africa, Nelson Mandela (Morgan Freeman) quickly realised that one of his biggest challenges was balancing the momentum of his people’s power – almost forty-million non-whites – with the risk of losing or entirely alienating the new minority: the former Afrikaans nation.
One of the key symbols of Apartheid power was the Springboks rugby team, with its flag, name, and colours. In fact, at international games non-whites in South Africa delighted in cheering on anyone but the ’boks.
So one of the first orders of business for the ANC was the renaming and rebadging of the national football team. In a far-reaching decision, Mandela intervened during the voting process, and convinced his government that such a move would be a mistake.
Mandela called on the captain of the Springboks – Francois Pienaar (Matt Damon) – to lead by example, and the somewhat befuddled captain initially struggled to galvanise his teammates into a winning style. In fact, the Springboks were only playing in the Cup because they were the host nation. This is a simple story with a complex background, and Freeman’s roles as executive producer and leading man are ably complemented by the elegant direction of his mate, Clint Eastwood. The result is a stirring, exciting, and inspiring triumph.




Director shines with loopy shenanigans

In the Loop (MA15+)
Director: Armando Iannucci
Stars: Peter Capaldi, Tom Hollander
Rating: 4/5
106-minutes, screening from Jan 21

A conflicting sense of disappointment and excitement comes with the discovery that something that’s been flying under my radar, and Armando Iannucci’s In the Loop is a perfect example – disappointed at the thought of having missed out on so much, and excited at the prospect of finding out what else he has made.

Iannucci has solid history in satire, writing, producing, and starring in his own comedies, and working alongside heavyweights such as Steve Coogan on The Alan Partridge Show, which is criminally difficult to find in Australia. In a series called The Thick of It, Iannucci revived a public passion for backroom shenanigans that was once glorified in Yes, Minister and Yes, Prime Minister. T
his mutant British version of The West Wing ignored all the gloss and glamour of politics and celebrity, concentrating on foul-mouthed powerbrokers like Whitehall Director of Communications, Malcolm Tucker (Peter Capaldi). Only Tucker makes the transition to the big screen, and even though he is such a larger-than-life figure, Tucker is now just one member of an ensemble cast.
The director’s latest minefield involves an incompetent junior minister – Simon Foster (Tom Hollander) – who inadvertently has let slip that an international coalition is planning to invade a Middle Eastern country. Sound familiar? Of course, the evidence justifying such action is a little more difficult to obtain, and Foster and his underlings are caught up in a maelstrom of political intrigue, as various shadowy figures manoeuvre behind the scenes.
As a series of innocuous comments from Foster are blown out of all proportion, Tucker is forced to spin the implications and splatter the walls of Whitehall, the West Wing, and the United Nations with his bitter invective.
Iannucci’s hilarious impression of Gulf War II features standout performances from James Gandolfino and David Rasche, but In the Loop will always be remembered for Peter Capaldi’s loathsome Tucker – something like Paul Keating on PCP.



Good idea blurred in making

Law Abiding Citizen (MA15+)
Director: F. Gary Gray
Stars: Gerard Butler, Jamie Foxx
Rating: 2.5/5
108-minutes, screening from Jan 28

Jamie Foxx has top billing in this action-vengeance thriller, but I think that the wrong character prevails in Law Abiding Citizen. Foxx plays Assistant District Attorney Nick Rice whose conviction rate is so close to perfect he’ll make all kinds of compromises to keep it from dropping.

When he tries a case involving the murder of a mother and daughter, Rice makes a plea bargain with the defence to put one man behind the bars and the other on death row. The problem is that the bereft husband and father – Clyde Shelton (Gerard Butler) – cannot come to terms with Rice’s machinations. In his view, both crims deserve the needle – there is no grey. Jump forward 10 years, and Rice is nearing the pinnacle of his career.
When the home invader he once put on death row experiences a particularly gruesome execution, the authorities quickly determine that the man was murdered by someone other than the state. Enter Clyde Shelton, who has been rather quiet in the last few years. It appears the aggrieved widower has a score to settle with anyone who stood between him and justice for his murdered family.
Unfortunately, Clyde is no ordinary hubbie – that much is obvious in the opening scenes when we see him wielding a soldering iron – the man is an inventor who has worked in some shadowy territory since the destruction of his family. And he plans to use all of his new skills to make everyone pay.
While Butler is treading a similar path to Charles Bronson here, the ethical implications in Law Abiding Citizen are unsatisfying and blurry. Director F. Gary Gray takes an interesting idea and overcomplicates it with explosions and intrigue.

Abbott knows a cunning stunt when he pulls one

By Mungo MacCallum


Tony Abbott’s planned private member’s bill to override Queensland’s Wild Rivers legislation may be, as his opponents claim, a political stunt. But they can hardly deny that it’s a bloody good one.

Not only does it wedge the Labor Party from two different directions, but like all the best stunts, it combines skill and daring with a core of plausibility. Premier Anna Bligh’s declaration that the Archer, Lockhart and Stewart river systems of Cape York should join six others already gazetted as wild rivers was itself seen as something of a stunt by many political cynics. According to this view, it was a straightforward deal with the Greens, trading the rivers for Green preferences at the last election.
Certainly it outraged the Aboriginal residents, in particular their charismatic leader Noel Pearson and his brother Gerhardt who had been putting together plans for the development of the area to provide employment and eventual self-sufficiency. Pearson denounced the decision as “foreclosing on a future for our people ... the state cannot rip the future out from under indigenous children's feet”.
Bligh has denied that this would be the effect of the law; development of a sensitive and sustainable kind will still be welcome, she insists. But there is no doubt that the gazettal has placed severe limits on the Pearsons’ options, nor that it has interposed another layer of bureaucracy between them and land which was found by the High Court’s 1996 Wik decision to be in traditional indigenous ownership.

There is a certain irony in the fact that the Wik decision was largely gutted by Abbott’s mentor John Howard, and that Abbott is now proposing to effectively reinstate it. But unlike Howard, Abbott has credibility on indigenous issues. Indeed it could be argued that no politician in the current federal parliament is better qualified to argue the Aboriginal case for Cape York.
Not only is Abbott a personal friend of the Pearsons, but he is a regular visitor to the peninsula and has done volunteer work at the troubled community of Aurukun at the mouth of the Archer River and inland at Coen. His private member’s bill may have a tinge of political opportunism about it, but at least he knows what he is talking about. Furthermore, although such a bill would almost certainly trigger a constitutional challenge, it is one the commonwealth would probably win.
The Opposition’s legal affairs spokesman, the lawyer George Brandis, made a convincing case for it last week. He notes the similarities to the 1983 case involving Tasmania’s Franklin River Dam, which the Commonwealth won, and suggests that much the same arguments would apply, but in the Queensland case they would be even more clear cut.
The commonwealth could invoke not only its constitutional power to make laws for people of the Aboriginal race, but also its External Affairs Power; only last year Australia signed the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, which, among other things, provides that “indigenous peoples have the right to own, use, develop and control the lands, territories and resources they possess by reason of traditional ownership or traditional occupation”.
At the time, of course, Abbott and Brandis vigorously opposed the government’s move. Now it looks rather handy. Abbott’s bill will, of course, not be passed; Kevin Rudd is not about to overrule the embattled Labor premier of his home state, especially if it involves setting what could be a far-reaching and potentially embarrassing precedent. But opposing the bill will bring its own problems.
One of Rudd’s first commitments as Prime Minister was to “close the gap” between indigenous and non-indigenous Australians. By refusing Abbott’s challenge to do something concrete and practical which has the support of some of Australia’s most active and respected Aboriginal leaders he risks being seen as putting political considerations ahead of good policy, and worse, of joining Bligh in sacrificing legitimate Aboriginal interests for more electorally valuable Green support. Not that Rudd owes the Greens anything after their contemptuous dismissal of his Emissions Trading Scheme, but their preferences could be useful at this year’s election, and in any case he will almost certainly have to deal with them after it. Very much a Catch 22, made worse by the fact that the issue will also divide two groups which both traditionally support Labor.
A cunning stunt indeed. In keeping with his carefully cultivated image as Action Man, Abbott has also thrown himself vigorously, if somewhat confusingly, into the whaling controversy; last week he seemed to be suggesting sending a gun boat (or at least the hapless Oceanic Viking) back to the Antarctic to interpose its body between the forces of Japan and Sea Shepherd. And he wants to set up some kind of workforce to look after the environment in general. He is, as promised, going in with all guns blazing.
But hang on a moment: just what are they blazing at? Surely Abbott was elected leader as a sop to concerns that the party under Turnbull was moving too far to the left, getting too close to Labor. Abbott was to take them back to their conservative grass roots. But last week all he seemed to worry about were Aborigines and whales, the darlings of the elitist bleeding-heart chardonnay-sipping lovey-doveys.
Come on man, get back to basics. Smash the unions! Tax cuts for the rich! What do we want? More profit! When do we want it? All the time! That’s the trouble with political stunts. No matter how clever they are, in the end they’re just distractions. Good fun, sure, but not like the real thing.

Moscato proves it has bite

WINE
With David Bray

Here is something to make all those of us who tend to be rather superior about moscato think again. Or at least go out and buy a bottle, cool it a bit, and sip.

Jacob's Creek Sparkling Moscato has won the National Australia Day Council's perpetual trophy for Best Australian Sparkling Wine - Aperitif Style at the 2010 Sydney International Wine Competition. Sydney International Wine Competition director Warren Mason tells us the wine is a crowd pleaser, great for celebrating big moments or enjoying quiet ones and makes a great wine ambassador for Australia Day on January 26. The Moscato was the competition judges' highest pointed Australian sparkling wine from among many high profile, higher priced methode champenoise Aussie sparklers. Moscato is the Italian name for wines made from the muscat grape in a style from the northern region of Piedmont, Italy.
“The Jacob's Creek sparkling moscato is low in alcohol, low in price, but not low in flavour! It is truly an all purpose wine of high quality which will appeal to a wide audience of Australian wine lovers on Australia Day and throughout the year," says Mason.
This is the first time a sparkling moscato has won the Australia Day trophy in the trophy’s 17 year history. “The fact that this wine has a rrp of $12.99, such a very accessible price point, makes it a truly pleasing Australia Day trophy winner."
At which point your correspondent would like to make the point that Jacob’s Creek is French-owned. It is part of the giant Pernod Ricard business, and none the worse for that, I guess.
The Sydney International Wine Competition is in its 29th year and is unique in that wines are judged alongside food. This year’s Australia Day “Sparkling Wine – Aperitif style” Trophy winner was judged against Smoked Salmon Timbales . Some of the judges’ comments from the final tasting: “Excellent straw green colour.
A nose of honeysuckle and ripej tropical fruits with a viscous mouth feel and loads of tropical flavours. The piquant nature of the food accentuated the riper fruits in this wine.” Ken Dobler, NSW “Honey jasmine and lime cordial notes on the nose. Dry on the palate with crisp acidity and good concentration.
A light to medium body and medium to long finish.” Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, Singapore “Pale lemon straw with a slight green hue. Green apple and greengage fruit on the nose. On the palate, well structured palate with medium body, more subdued fruit with a mineral edge and firm acidity at the finish.” Martin Williams MW, Vic “Ripe citrus tropical fruit characters on the nose with some banana/lolly characters. The wine is juicy in the mouth with ripe grapefruit flavours; the finish is a little hard but becomes more juicy and grapefruit like with the food.” Neil Hadley MW, NSW
This moscato won its trophy status from an original category of 74 sparkling wine entries.
The 17 finalists included wines from Champagne, Australia and New Zealand which included mainly straight chardonnays (blanc de blancs) and chardonnay/pinot noir/and or pinot meunier blends.


Here’s what the Jacob’s Creek drop went well with....

RECIPE Smoked Salmon Timbales
Recipe by SIWC chef Jacqueline Mason

Serves 6
600g Smoked salmon slices
2 gelatine Leaves
Dash of Tabasco
½ tsp Worcestershire Sauce
100ml fish stock
10g unsalted butter
150ml thick cream
4 tbsp olive oil
4 tbsp lemon juice
12 tbsp mixed fresh green herbs (parsley, chervil, basil)
Ground pepper

Soak gelatine in cold water for 5 minutes to soften. Heat the fish stock. Remove gelatine from water. Squeeze to remove water, then stir into the hot stock to dissolve. Cool lightly.
Line 6 x 120ml ramekins with one or two slices of smoked salmon (depending of size) leaving some overhang.
Place remaining smoked salmon in a food processor with butter and mix until smooth. Add stock mixture, Tabasco and Worcestershire sauce. Process until well combined. Add cream and process until smooth.
Divide mixture amongst the 6 ramekins. Fold the overhanging salmon over the mousse, cover and chill overnight.
Remove ramekins from the fridge 30 minutes before serving. Invert each mousse onto the middle of each plate. Mix olive oil, lemon juice and herbs. Spoon the herbed dressing over the mousse. Serve with toasts.

Seriously, give it a go. And be delighted.

Jube has the blues again

Where does the best part of two decades go! Blues afficianados might be alittle surprised to read that on Saturday, March 13, the eighteenth edition of the Brisbane Blues Festival will return to The Jubilee Hotel in Fortitude Valley.

The day will be like a gathering of old and new friends as the high powered Hipshooters (pictured) and harmonica ace Doc Span and guitarist partner Ross Williams return after many years away. T
he line-up will also include new acts to the festival stage, The Trophy Brides, Jimi Beavis & the 385s (winner of the Blues Association of Southeast Queensland’s 2009 live performer of the year) and red-hot Gold Coast act Bluesville Station. Old favourites Asa Broomhall going solo and The Mojo Webb Band will also be performing full sets. The event will also feature Doug Wilshire & the Tailspinners who will be launching Doug’s new solo album on the day.
The heritage-listed Jubilee Hotel has grown to be a mainstay on the local music scene and what better place to host this all day event. With its expansive covered outdoor courtyards and inside air-conditioned chill rooms, this venue really has what it takes to provide a great day and night out. Still featuring a two-stage format so the live music is non-stop from 4pm till late. The band times are sequenced so the punters can catch the complete set of every band on the bill.
The open-air venue also features a fine restaurant that will be open during the event. Doors will open at 3pmwith the first act from 4pm.
Tickets will be available at the door on the day and all day admission is only $20.
More information can be found at http://www.brisbanebluesfestival.com/

Get your hands on a winning cockie!

Leave your bedroom open tonight for there’s a very good chance the Makybe Diva of the insect world might just fly in and make you famous.

A little bit of training, chasing breadcrumbs tied to the end of a long piece of dental floss, and before you know it you could be holding up the Gold Cup at next week’s 29th Annual Australia Day Cockroach Races at the Story Bridge Hotel.
Training is one thing; thinking up a name that pleases the punters is another spray of Moretein entirely.
Past winners on race day at the Bridge have included Drainlover, Crawlin’ Hanson, Cocky Balboa, Ita Buttroach, Osama Bin Liner and Sir Roach-a-Lot.
All went on to even greater glory, to a very satisfying career at stud or under someone’s foot, whatever came first. Gates open at 11 am with a massive 12-race program. There’s DJS, a Miss Cockie competition and best stable costume competition where a group that takes a little bit of effort and imagination with their attire will win a $2000 party at the pub!.
Entry is my a gold coin donation, which publicans Jane and Richard Deery as is their custom each cocky raceday will donate to a worthwhile cause, and this year it’s Variety, the children’s charity.

Check the hotel’s website at www.storybridgehotel.com.au for more details.