Mister Brisbane: Pain in the arm
I've done my bit to stop the pandemic. What about you?
I’ve just had my first COVID-19 vaccination. It was the AstraZeneca vaccine — not necessarily the one I would’ve chosen, but the one I had to have. It didn’t hurt a bit, but I had some mild reactions at night, including a very slight headache and a slight fever. It was nothing a couple of paracetamol and a good dose of air-con couldn’t fix. Of course, I’m not officially out of the woods when it comes to the very unlikely possibility of getting a blood clot, but that’s a risk I was, and am, more than willing to take. The real risk, as far as I’m concerned, is that not enough people have their shots to achieve herd immunity. The we’ll be stuck with COVID, and all the disruption it has brought to our lives, for far longer than necessary.
There really is no excuse not to have the vaccination as soon as it becomes available to you. In my not-at-all-humble opinion, to not be vaccinated (unless there is a valid medical reason) is an act of selfishness. Don’t be the person who did nothing to help win the war against COVID.
Tune in to the Mister Brisbane radio show on Reading Radio at 1296AM and on DAB+ in Brisbane at 6.30pm on Tuesday nights. It’s also available as a podcast. Just search for “Mister Brisbane” on your favourite player or follow this link.
SO LONG, SCHONELL
As I write this, it appears that the Schonell Theatre on the University of Queensland’s St Lucia campus has been closed forever. It seemed inevitable that the uni administration would have its way and redevelop the site, but the sudden closure — brought about, apparently, due to high levels of asbestos in the building — was not a fitting ending. The final curtain came before the theatre was due to take a bow this week with a 50th anniversary gala. The closure also leaves in the lurch the organisers of the Gang Show and Beauty and the Beast, which were to be performed there soon.
I know asbestos is a serious issue, but it just seemed a bit cute that the theatre was shut down a week before some of its strongest supporters were due to gather in celebration. I’d like to know whether the uni has any plans to immediately close down any other buildings on campus that contain asbestos.
From a personal point of view, I’d like to see the theatre saved. Asbestos can be removed. Maybe I’m just sentimental and it’s no great shakes heritage-wise. Still, I have fond memories of the place (especially the old Cement Box downstairs), and while it’s only 50 years old, there aren’t many intact traditional theatres of any age in Brisbane. And once they get knocked down, they don’t get any older.
POLE POSITION
The National Gallery in Canberra may have Blue Poles, but in Brisbane we have “Smart Poles”. I feel like I should’ve known this, but I had no idea until I saw this sign, which isn’t at all helpful in explaining what a smart pole is. The Brisbane City Council is, according to its website, “installing 20 poles across Brisbane to collect important data about how the city functions”. It goes on: “These approximately eight-metre tall smart poles will collect data and transfer that data to a central management system to be analysed to produce important information about how key locations across Brisbane are used.” They “support a variety of location-specific devices such as sensors and pedestrian and bicycle counters”. It’s all part of the council’s “New World City” initiative, although it sounds more Brave New World to me.
TWEET SURRENDER
I recently had lunch with a friend who refuses to use social media simply because she “doesn’t have time for that nonsense” (or some reason like that). While I’m pretty much obsessed with it, especially with Twitter, I do get her point. And I must say that sitting down with somebody over a nice meal and a glass or two of wine is better than exchanging tweets.
FEEDBACK
Regarding the item about Brisbane’s best “unknown” songwriters and musicians, Denise says: “Fascinated about the Ron Grainer information. Thanks. I went to school on the same bus as Mike Chapman when he attended Churchie — even the same tram.”
On newsreader Frank Warrick, who died last week, Cathy says: “I remember Frank from his days at 4GR Toowoomba in the early 60s, presumably before he went to the Gold Coast. He was so cool! And he must have been so very young. But even then, he was so professional and polished.”
Mikey says: “Farewell, Frank Warrick. I enjoyed Frank’s company on the occasions we ran into each other back in the day. My thoughts are with his family, friends and former colleagues.” Aaron sums up Warrick in one word: “Legendary.”
Noel says the death of theatre-restaurant star David Bermingham is a loss to the Brisbane arts scene, and notes that only Ken Lord and Neil McLucas remain from that era.
Referring to my tongue-in-cheek item about Hard Quiz staff wasting their time writing questions that are never asked on the show, Evan says: “I believe some of the unused Hard Quiz questions are re-used during the ‘Battle of the Duds’ episodes (where previous losers come back for a second go … to win a mug with a hole in it).”