People

The former logging township of Noojee is about 110 ks from Melbourne in West Gippsland and is now a tourist area.

About 4 yrs ago the General Store was purchased by Marie Hammond who very quickly proved to be the Storekeeper from hell.  Her abusive and malicious nature soon alienated her from most of the town residents, and her behaviour towards tourist customers has ensured that the General Store has almost gone broke.

The Australia Post licience was removed last year when Hammond was found guilty of several offences, concerning the misuse of Australia Post Funds.

She has now embarked on a campaign against town residents by using the Intervention order system by making fabricated applications for these orders.  At present she has applied for ten and is in the process of seeking another 21.

The Justice system apparenly allows anyone to apply for an intervention order without any criteria being applied as a result people have to attend court at least 5 times to protect their reputation.

She is abusing the system which does not appear to have any safeguards to prevent this person from conducting her own personal vendetta against anyone in the Township that she considers to blame for the problems caused by her own toxic nature.

d’Italia – Exclusive Designer Fabric, French Lace and Dressmaking – www.ditalia.com.au

Australians can now have access to the finest Italian designer fabric and French Lace for wedding gowns, formal dresses and cocktail gowns. d’Italia, a store located in Malvern, Victoria, offers a range of exclusive fabric directly imported from Italy and France.

Ranging from classy casual to very formal, the fabric comes from European manufacturers who also provide for top fashion labels like Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana, Prada, Escada, Chanel and Balenciaga.

All of the fabric is of the finest quality, and is used mainly for the creation of wedding gowns, formal and cocktail dresses, ladies’ suits, and smart casual wear. The textiles are available in a variety of colours and prints. The main textures offered are pure Italian silk and wool, and French silk and cotton lace.

Besides the high quality products offered, d’Italia also provides extensive in-house support for the creation of the perfect dress or suit. Customers often enter a store with an idea of what they are looking for, but with no specific details of how to achieve that. D’italia staff are able to provide recommendations of suitable style, colours, and the exact amount needed. In-house stylists or referrals to an elite team of qualified professional dressmakers are also available.

Formal Dresses/Cocktail Gowns:

From young soon-to-be high school graduates to mothers-of-brides, women need to feel and look the finest on their special day. D’Italia specialises in assisting these women create the perfect dress for any memorable occasion. D’italia staff are trained to provide the highest quality assistance in choosing the right combination of prints and colours. When appropriate, the staff also give recommendations on alternative options and styles.

Hundreds of Australians now wear creations originating from d’Italia. Models and celebrities prefer the fine quality of the fabric that d’Italia provides, and professionals find that the fabric makes for easy alterations and creation of designs. Schoolgirls and young ladies enjoy the economical option of purchasing high-quality European fabric at local rates.

Wedding gowns:

d’Italia has built up a reputable name for its extensive range of designs for the entire wedding party. Fabric and designs are available for the bride, bridesmaids and mothers of the bride and bridegroom. The store provides divine pure silk satins, dupion, voiles, georgettes and chiffons, and French silk laces and beadings, as well as referrals to some of the most highly-regarded tailors and couturiers in Australia. Out of the seven seamstresses that d’Italia has, only three are specifically qualified in bridal couture. Their elaborate and intricate technical expertise in the creation of exclusive, tailor-made wedding gowns have provided many brides with the perfect finishing touch to their wedding days.

Suits / Professional wear / Casual Smart clothing

D’Italia provides an extensive range of fabrics for professional and casual smart clothing. The store is widely-renowned for its top-quality wool, and boasts seamstresses who are able to tailor perfectly-cut suits for any body shape and size. Women who generally have trouble finding the perfect pair of trousers have found that d’Italia never fails in the tailoring department. The store also provides comfortable, fine quality fabric that is suitable for casual smart clothing and everyday wear.

Racing Season Dresses:

The highlight of any Melburnian fashionista’s year is the Melbourne Cup races. D’Italia has always been at the forefront of racing season fashion, providing exclusive Italian silk for the most fashionable and eye-catching dresses. Race-goers now frequent d’Italia to have the latest design tailor-made in the finest fabric. Many of the designs created are individualistic and adventurous, to suit the spirit of the excitement of Melbourne Cup races.

Tailor and seamstress services should be booked in advance (especially for wedding couture).

Melbourne is known as Australia’s Cultural and Sporting Capital and there’s a good reason why. All the major Music Acts that visit Australia invariably play somewhere in Melbourne and all of Australia’s major sporting events seem to be held in Victoria’s capital city.

Notable sporting events that occur yearly in Melbourne are the ever popular Australian Formula One Grand Prix, the circuit of which is in Albert Park.  The Australian Grand Prix has been held in Melbourne since 1996 and is the first race on the Formula One Calendar. The Melbourne Cup, known as “The race that stops a nation” and is now also a recognised public holiday throughout Victoria and even Australian Capital Territory, is held annually on the first Tuesday in November, and literally does stop the nation in it’s tracks when nearly everyone places a bet on who they think will be the winner.

In addition to The Melbourne Cup and Australian Formula One Grand Prix, two of the most popular Australian sports have their home in Melbourne.
Australian Rules Football, a sort of mix of traditional football and rugby with a few random rules thrown in (and played on an oval pitch!) definitely has it’s spiritual home in Melbourne. The first “Aussie Rules” matches were played in Melbourne and the Australian Football League has it’s headquarters at The Telstra Dome. Melbourne is also host to the yearly Final.
The first ever cricket Test Match was played at Melbourne cricket ground and it’s the largest cricket ground in the world.
And don’t forget the Australian Open held every January in Melbourne Park.

But Melburnians are not just huge sports fans, they’re cultured too!

Apart from the interesting and diverse architecture, think Flinders Street station and directly opposite it Federation Square, Melbourne attracts major Music Talent from around the world and has even produced a few big names too, Kylie Minogue, Nick Cave, Missy Higgins, John Farnham and Olivia Newton John to name but a few. The big events tend to be held at The Arts Centre, Sidney Myer Music Bowl but there are also some fantastic smaller venues that show off new talent, many of these being around the Fitzroy suburb of Melbourne, in particular Brunswick Street.

Melbourne is internationally known for being an extremely cosmopolitan city as well as for it’s sporting, music and other major events. Three times Melbourne has been voted as The Worlds most livable city by The Economist magazine so it’s no surprise that it’s a mecca for international travellers and backpackers. There are so many accommodation options in Melbourne to choose from ranging from seriously deluxe hotels to budget hotels and backpackers hostels. Backpackers Hostels tend to be located in the St Kilda area of Melbourne but there are a couple in the city centre.

Being such a popular place to visit and having so many major events happening in the city it’s vital to book your accommodation early!

Melbourne is the capital of the state of Victoria in Australia. It is one of the largest cities in the world boasting in excess of over four millions residents. Originally founded in 1835, Melbourne quickly grew into one of the wealthiest cities in the world thanks to the popularity of the Victorian gold rush.

It is well known that “Melburnians” love to party and enjoy their sports. As a result, there are many entertainment venues and attractions dotted throughout the city offering a multitude of entertainment options spanning several genres and types.

A prominent venue etched into the city’s recent image is the Etihad Stadium. Considered one of the largest and technologically advanced stadiums in the world, it plays host to a plethora of events throughout the year.

Conceived in 1997, the stadium was opened to the public in 2000. The complex features a retractable dome roof and a varied seating capacity of up to 74,000 depending on the event.

The stadium is the permanent home of Australian Rules Football (AFL), the initial concept of the stadium was in part due to the growing needs of the AFL Federation as a result of growing spectator capacities. In addition to the AFL the stadium also hosts Rugby and Cricket events.

Along with being a sports mecca, the Etihad Stadium is a popular venue for other entertainment events such as congregations and most frequently musical concerts. The likes of U2, Green Day and KISS have all performed to sell out crowds.

Ensuring visitors remain refreshed and comfortable; the stadium provides ergonomic seating and a host of facilities to ensure that spectators are well catered for. From innovative restaurants to your favourite franchise fast food brands the stadium offers a range of refreshment options.

Visitors interested in accommodation in the surrounding vicinity will find there is a vast array of options. But for those seeking a touch more class and style mixed with luxurious elegance, then there is only one Melbourne hotel for you. The Langham Melbourne belongs to a select group of Melbourne hotels that can be considered to be imbued with a sense of historic sophistication and glamour. The Langham Melbourne has become synonymous with the Melbourne cityscape, offering unparalleled luxury coupled with warm hospitality.

There’s something always happening at St Kilda, the seaside suburb just four miles from downtown Melbourne. After all, it’s the beach resort of choice for Melburnians so the place is buzzing all day long. But St Kilda is also home to many major annual events which give the resort an extra dash of pizzazz. Here’s a look at some of the most vibrant and colourful of St Kilda festivals.

The largest of these is the St Kilda Festival. It’s been on the up and up since beginning in 1981 and now attracts over half a million young people each year to enjoy the music of around 50 bands. Here you can enjoy free live music and lots of fun things to do in a wonderful carnival atmosphere.

The St Kilda Festival is traditionally held on the second Sunday in February and focuses on showcasing live Australian music along with family entertainment.

St Kilda also hosts the gay Pride March which is part of Melbourne’s Midsumma Festival in early February. Since 1996, the Gay Pride March has been held in Fitzroy Street; with the balcony of the Prince of the Wales Hotel being the viewing point of choice.

The procession comprises up to 50000 participants and sets off from the Ian Johnson Oval and ends in the Catani Gardens, the scene of party well into the night.

St Kilda is also home to the many venues of the Melbourne Underground Film Festival as well as hosting its own St Kilda Film Festival in May. The latter introduces Melburnian film buffs to the best of the world’s cinematic offerings.

St Kilda Film Festival starts off with a grand opening night screening at the historic Astor Theatre and then features five days of festival screenings. The George Palace Cinemas’ Bar in the George Palace Cinemas Complex assumes the role of the St Kilda Film Festival Club for the event.

Another artistic St Kilda festival is the St Kilda Writers Festival with a program featuring local, state and national literary talents. The event comprises workshops, panel discussions, showcases and the Writers’ Market.

And let’s not forget the regular events, especially the markets. The most famous is the St Kilda Esplanade Arts & Crafts Market. Held every Sunday, the market features around 150 stalls hawking a variety of original art and handcrafts. Hours are from 10am to 5pm. In addition, there are the Shirt & Skirt Market held every Sunday, from 10am to 4pm at the St Kilda Primary School, the St Kilda Beach Night Market on Thursday nights during summer from 5pm to 10pm in the O’Donnell Gardens Acland Street, and the Veg Out Farmer’s Market on the first Saturday of every month from 8am – 12.30pm at Peanut Farm Reserve.

So before you head to St Kilda check the events pages online or in the local media. You may well find a festival or event that you can enjoy. If you decide to stay down there, you’ll find a great selection of St Kilda hotels to choose from including the Novotel Melbourne St Kilda and the Seasons Botanic Gardens Melbourne.

Image taken on 2008-02-17 01:51:40 by mugley.

A Melbourne grandfather has won the world’s first class action for people injured by the arthritis drug Vioxx, with a historic win over one of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies.

Today’s Federal Court win by occupational health and safety consultant Graeme Peterson, 59, of Langwarrin, paves the way for hundreds of other Australians who suffered heart attacks after using the arthritis drug.

Mr Peterson has been awarded $287,912 plus interest.

Slater & Gordon deputy chairman Peter Gordon says today’s win – the first trial outside the US and the first class action in the world for those injured by Vioxx – is also the first detailed judgment about the safety of Vioxx and the liability of Merck concerning Vioxx in the world.

“Vioxx has been proven to be a dangerous drug and Merck has been proven to have acted wrongfully in marketing a drug which contributed to Mr Peterson’s heart attack,” he said.

Justice Jessup held that Vioxx was unfit for its purpose and not of merchantable quality. He awarded compensation to Mr Peterson for breaches of the Trade Practices Act.

He also determined that Merck had breached its duty of care to Vioxx consumers and engaged in misleading and deceptive conduct by its failure to warn the applicant’s doctor of the potential cardiovascular risk and the emphasis given by its sales representatives to the safety of Vioxx in their discussions with his doctor.

Mr Gordon says the historic victory would not have been achieved without Mr Peterson’s courage and conviction to carry the flag for all Vioxx victims in Australia.

“Just as he has done all his life, whether by working to make workplaces safer, adopting a child to offer her a better life or setting up a support group for cardiac victims after his own heart attack, Graeme has always put others first,” Mr Gordon said.

“He always made clear to us he wanted to pursue this case for all the people who took this drug and suffered serious injuries.

“Graeme and his wife Julia faced unrelenting cross-examination from Merck’s local lawyers, who were the visible tip of a global defence which included Australian lawyers, American lawyers, and both local and imported public relations workers.

“We think Graeme and Julia are very special people.”

Today’s judgement follows five years of litigation, a trial of 48 days, 25 witnesses including experts from all over the world, and examination of more than a million pages in hundreds of thousands of documents.

Peter Gordon say Merck should now end the court battle and settle its liabilities, just as it compensated US Vioxx victims with a $4.85 billion package in 2008.

“It is now time for Merck to treat Australians in the same manner they have treated Americans and come to the table to settle outstanding claims,” Mr Gordon said.

“Everyone has respected the right of a corporate giant like Merck to its 48 days in court but enough is enough.

“The time has come for this company to offer the same justice to its Australian victims it offered its American consumers three years ago.”

• Australians who suffered heart attacks and other medical conditions after using Vioxx should call Slater & Gordon on 1800 555 777.

For more information

Peter Gordon, deputy chairperson, Slater & Gordon (03) 9602 6888

Andrew Taylor, media liaison 0411 156 797