Meditative moment of a war hero

Shaun Gladwell's portrait of Mark Donaldson VC. Picture: Australian War Memorial Source: Supplied

IN 2008, the year before Shaun Gladwell toured Afghanistan as an official Australian war artist, SAS Trooper Mark Donaldson committed the act of extreme gallantry which would see him awarded the Victoria Cross.

He had run through enemy fire to rescue a comrade.

Gladwell and Donaldson did not cross paths in Afghanistan, although the Sydney-born artist did spend time with other members of the elite SAS.

So when the Australian War Memorial, which runs the war artist scheme, commissioned Gladwell last year to create a portrait of Donaldson for permanent display in its Hall of Valour, the artist was well prepared.

Gladwell's response was a video artwork called Portrait Of Mark Donaldson VC.

The meditative, 20-minute piece is now on view at Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre in an exhibition of work from Gladwell's deployment in Afghanistan.

It is the first time Sydney has seen the Donaldson portrait. When the video is placed on permanent view in the Hall of Valour at the War Memorial in coming weeks, it will be the first screen-based portrait to be seen there.

The high-definition video was filmed by Gladwell's long-time collaborator Josh Raymond.

There is no soundtrack, Gladwell being loath for his work to dominate the hushed atmosphere where it will hang.

The single-screen video is "very simple", Gladwell says.

In full combat kit, Donaldson stares out the open door of a Black Hawk helicopter as it flies across the open landscape near Cultana military training base in South Australia. The idea came when Donaldson told Gladwell that he would meditate during the helicopter flights in and out of combat situations, using those moments as an opportunity to go into his own world rather than the one of stress and violence his job entailed.

"He sees the worst stuff before anyone," Gladwell says.

"He has the toughest job. Despite the immense pressure and trauma, he would find the helicopter ride a moment that would almost bracket the experience. (Donaldson would) prepare himself on the way in and let go on the way out."

Gladwell says Donaldson is easy-going and approachable but an "incredible individual" who is built like a top track and field athlete.

"The reality is he's a trained killer," Gladwell says.

"(But) he was awarded the VC for saving someone's life.

"I thought that was beautiful, almost a paradox."

Shaun Gladwell, Afghanistan includes other video works, photography and paintings from his time with the soldiers.

Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre, 1 Casula Powerhouse Rd, Casula; until May 12, free, 9824 1121, casulapowerhouse.com

View the original article here

Layla and Quade are on...

IT isn't everyone's idea of intimacy but, after all that talk of a blossoming relationship, this Instagram shot of Celebrity Apprentice starlet Layla Subritzky and rugby union player Quade Cooper proves that it's on.

The Queensland Reds player and the former beautician and reality show queen have been an item for over a month now, having been spotted out on a few dates together.

Neither party has commented on the romance, with Subritzky telling us last week: "There's nothing to say, really."

View the original article here

Four-car pile up causes traffic chaos

MOTORISTS are facing extensive delays after a "nasty? four car collision on the corner of Southern Cross Drive and O?Dea avenue in Sydney?s inner suburbs.

Traffic remains bumper to bumper for four kilometres - from the Aldi dealership to the airport tunnel at Botany Road.

Emergency services have freed a man who was trapped inside his car after a crash just before 9.23am and police have cleared the cars but warned motorists to expect delays.

Four patents were treated on scene for minor injuries and two have been transported to St Vincent’s Hospital in a stable condition.

 

View the original article here

The name's Murray - Andy Murray

Watch out Daniel Craig! Andy Murray emerges from the Miami surf on Sunday. Picture: Headlinephoto / Splash News
Source: news.com.au

TONED arms? Check. Sculpted six pack? Check.

Smouldering stare and skintight swimming shorts? Well. He couldn't have everything …

Andy Murray appeared to be doing his best James Bond impression as he emerged from the sea in Miami, Florida over the weekend.

And it wasn't a tribute to fellow countryman Sean Connery, whom he counts among his celebrity fans. Instead, he seemed to be emulating Daniel Craig, who became an instant heartthrob when he walked out of the ocean in Casino Royale, his 007 debut.

Murray, 25, was celebrating after he won the Sony Open on Sunday. His nail-biting three set victory over Spain's David Ferrer secured him the world number two spot, ahead of arch-rival Roger Federer.

Smiling and clearly enjoying his win, Murray posed on the sand with his trophy before stripping off and diving into the water.

Life's a beach: Murray turned heads with his impressive bod as he enjoyed some downtime in the waves. Picture: Splash Source: news.com.au

Craig can probably rest easy, however. While he ticks all the boxes as far as muscles are concerned, Murray might need to work on his style.

Instead of the "budgie smugglers" worn by Craig, Murray opted for knee-length swimming shorts which sagged rather baggily as he left the water. And his T-shirt tan lines meant his Bond moment was always going to be a pale imitation of the original.

While his face and forearms were tanned, his chest remained distinctly pasty - though the famously driven Scot was hardly going to be sunning himself on a beach with a tournament to win.

Still, the self-confessed "huge" Bond fan has plenty of his hero's coolness, saying becoming world number two has not changed his perspective on his career.

"For me, it doesn't change a huge amount, but the fact that I'm moving up the rankings is a good sign," he said. "I have been winning a lot of matches. My consistency has been better over the last few months.

"The rankings obviously reflect that. So I will try and keep working hard during the clay and hopefully, I can go higher."

Last year Murray won his first Grand Slam title, beating Novac Djokovic at the US Open in front of an audience that included Connery.

View the original article here

$339m winner pays $30,000 child support

Pedro Quezada the New Jersey man who just won a $338 million Powerball jackpot, listens to an interpreter during his appearance in state Superior Court. Source: DT Sport Alpha Magazine

THE man who won last week's $US338 million Powerball jackpot paid $30,000 in unpaid child support in advance of a court appearance to satisfy an outstanding warrant.

Wearing a zip-down gray sweater, Pedro Quezada entered a Passaic County courtroom that was buzzing with reporters and television cameras.

Quezada was flanked by eight men. Who they were could not be immediately confirmed. Quezada spoke through a Spanish-language interpreter during the brief hearing.

A Passaic County Superior Court judge had put a stay on a child support warrant for Quezada, 44, and ordered him to appear in court at 1:30pm Monday US time, said William Maer, spokesman for the Passaic County Sheriff's Department.

Quezada is the father of five and owed approximately $29,000 in child support, according to authorities. However, the child support payments were only for three of those children.

"You're a special person now because of the good fortune you've had. But invest in your children. That's the best investment you can make," said Passaic County state Superior Court Judge Ernest M. Caposela, who heads the Family Division.

Quezada nodded as the judge spoke.

Caposela noted that the sole purpose of Monday's proceeding was to review Quezada's past debt and bring it up to date.

Pedro Quezada the New Jersey man who just won a $338 million Powerball jackpot, listens to an interpreter during his appearance in state Superior Court.

Any modification to the current $141-a-week payment schedule must be requested through a separate legal motion, filed by either the children's mother or Quezada himself.

"The only purpose of this proceeding today was to collect the arrearage," the judge added. "I commend you for doing that today - for paying in full."

Quezada told the judge that the children at issue would be coming to live with him. The judge said if that is true, he needs his attorney to file a modification motion to address future support payments.

The children's mother was not present at Monday's hearing.

Outside the courthouse, Quezada's attorney, Paul Fernandez, told reporters gathered that the due child support was "behind him now."

"He's paid and overpaid the amount that was due," he said. "He is thankful this is over with. His children are with him. He's a family man and this is all concluded."

Fernandez said reports that Quezada will pay neighbors' rent on the street he and family members have run a bodega for years on Eighth Street are rumors. His client will not be paying rent for them.

He said his client plans to continue to take care of his children and protect them from unnecessary attention.

"He plans to do what is conservative and right for his family," Fernandez said. "His kids come first."

"We understand anxiety he's been through," he added. "He just wants to shelter his children from any needless attention."

Quezada, who emigrated from the Dominican Republic 26 years ago, has said his children range in age from 5 to 23 years in age, and that some live in North Carolina.

Quezada officially claimed his winnings in Trenton, N.J., last week, a day after verifying the winning ticket at Eagle Liquors the Passaic Street store where he had purchased the lotto ticket.

Judith Druker, spokesperson for the New Jersey Lottery, said last week that it takes between two and three weeks for the winner to receive their winnings. She said during that time a check is done for any unpaid taxes, liens, and child support owed. She said money owed is deducted from the prize given to the winner.

Quezada chose a lump sum payment, which would amount to $152 million a

View the original article here

Anti-CSG group demands Qld inquiry

THE Queensland government is facing calls for a full public inquiry into rushed CSG project approvals.

Former Queensland bureaucrat-turned whistleblower Simone Marsh claims approval for an $18 billion Santos project and a $20 billion Queensland Gas Company (QGC) project in 2010 was rushed through without crucial information.

The senior environmental specialist told the ABC's Four Corners program she and other decision-makers did not have information necessary to properly assess the environmental impact of the projects.

A spokesman for Deputy Premier Jeff Seeney says the claims are nothing new and are under investigation by the Crime and Misconduct Commission (CMC).

The government will not be commenting on the issue, he says, but green groups aren't holding back.

The Lock the Gate Alliance says the CMC should hold a public inquiry to address the issue.

"Any public servant who has signed an environmental authority for any of these projects has breached several sections of the Environmental Protection Act and, therefore, is likely to have committed official misconduct," Mr Hutton said.

"This situation came about because of improper political pressure that was placed on the public servants, as Simone Marsh has described."

Santos and QGC agreed with the government that the allegations had been aired previously.

They said they complied with all government requirements and did not try to influence the approvals process.

Industry spokesman Rick Wilkinson, who heads the Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association, told the program the right procedures were followed.

"And there were many checks and balances on the way through," he said.

Opposition Leader Annastacia Palaszczuk said as far as she knew, there was not a push to approve CSG projects under the former Labor government.

"I do not recall any pressure whatsoever," she said.

"I know we had strict environmental guidelines. I know that these guidelines were followed; however I was not the minister responsible.

"So I am not going to speak for the other ministers."

View the original article here

Crean 'prepared to cross the floor'

Labor MP Simon Crean says he opposes changes that could alter the tax treatment of people's superannuation.

DUMPED cabinet minister Simon Crean has signalled he could be prepared to cross the floor on superannuation changes, saying he will do "whatever I can" to stop any retrospective measures coming into place.

In his strongest comments yet on the lengths he is prepared to go to fight against flagged super changes, Mr Crean urged Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Treasurer Wayne Swan to reveal the detail on exactly what they plan do to the sector.

"The sooner they spell it out the better for all of us," Mr Crean told the Nine Network's Today program.

The Labor party elder, who was sacked by Ms Gillard from cabinet last month after calling for a leadership spill between her and Kevin Rudd, said he was open to "sustainable" changes to superannuation but would not back anything that raided contributions or earnings retrospectively.

Mr Crean said he had never threatened to cross the floor on an issue in his long parliamentary career, but did not categorically rule it out on superannuation.

“I have never threatened to cross the floor in my life and I am not starting now,” Mr Crean said.

Pressed further on if he was prepared to cross the floor on the important issue of superannuation Mr Crean said he was prepared to do whatever it takes to ensure the right balance on super.

"I am prepared to do whatever I can to make common sense prevail, certainty prevail and a belief back in people that in us they have a government that not only is committed to their superannuation, committed to growing it but committed to making it sustainable," he said.

"This has to be fought and it has to be fought on two fundamental grounds; one the test is, is it a retrospective application? If it is it needs to be rejected.

Simon Crean has said he could cross the floor to oppose superannuation changes. Picture: Mark Graham

"Second do we need to make it more sustainable? Yes, but also on the basis that we continue to grow the adequacy of the superannuation pool."

Speculation has mounted that Labor plans to raid the superannuation contributions and earnings of wealthy Australians in order to help pay for some of its key policies like the Gonski education reforms and the National Disability Insurance Scheme.

Defence Minister, and a member of the budget razor gang, Stephen Smith today said people needed to calm down on the issue of superannuation.

"I think people should take a cold shower," Mr Smith told ABC radio.

Former Howard advisor, now Liberal Senator, Arthur Sinodinos defended the opposition's stance that they may not be able to wind back any changes to superannuation if elected on September 14.

He said it was the Coalition's jobs to criticise the flagged changes and they would oppose any move to raid superannuation.

"As an opposition we have an obligation to look critically at all measures," he told ABC radio.

Tony Abbott this morning again reaffirmed his commitment to make "no adverse changes" to superannuation in a Coalition's first term of government.

Speaking at a roundtable discussion on superannuation Mr Abbott said the message to the government was "hands off super".

"This is a complete breach of faith with the Australian people," the Opposition Leader said.

"It is a betrayal of trust and we know it is coming because Simon Crean … has warned us it is coming.

"Why can’t this government leave anything that is working alone?"

View the original article here