Moomba’s singing and dancing Queen

Thursday 25 February 2010, 3:45 PM
By The Team | Posted in People

The crown. The crowds. The regal parade down Swanston Street. Such is the life of a Moomba monarch. Our Moomba king and queen for 2010 have been announced. King Molly Meldrum will be joined on the throne by Queen Kate Ceberano.

Two of Melbourne’s best known musical identities, helping our city celebrate the Moomba festival. Works for us! Here’s what Kate Ceberano makes of her ascent into royalty – and Moomba history.

Kate, you’re a singing diva and dancing queen and now you’re the Queen of Moomba. How does it feel?

I’m loving it!!!!! I love Melbourne, I love its traditions its glamour, its kitsch its sense of humour, art and beauty!  I think I can represent all those things…at least in bits!

You’re a natural performer, as a child did you ever feel tempted to leap onto a passing float?

I was desperate for a go. I feel like this (being crowned Moomba Queen) is the result of a positive visualisation that began as a child, watching my mum and dad go by on the ‘Martial Arts Float’. That’s the kitsch part, by the way.

I have willed myself into this role!

What’s your favourite thing about Moomba?

It’s that I don’t have to take myself too seriously. But, seriously, it’s all about the kids and floats, and the impression that the floats make on kids. Unforgettable!

Molly Meldrum has been a part of your musical career since you performed on the stage at Countdown. Did you ever imagine he would one day be your king?

I’m honoured and humbled to be working with someone who exemplifies professionalism and who is still as warm and as personable as the man I first met 30 years ago.

Which Moomba bands or performers would you recommend to our readers?

All of them! It’s what Melbourne is famous for: its bands and its punters!

As Queen of Moomba, will you be making any royal decrees?

Yes, I insist there will be no stiffs, snobs or suits allowed.

Have you had any training for the royal ‘Queen of Moomba’ wave?

Yes – avoid flapping at all costs.

We guess that rules Queen Kate out of the Birdman Rally. You can see Queen Kate and King Molly atop their royal float at the Moomba Parade, Monday 8 March.

Visit Kate Ceberano online.

Flying high

Saturday 23 January 2010, 11:11 AM
By The Team | Posted in Events

[flashvideo file="http://blog.thatsmelbourne.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/Birdman.flv" /]

For decades fearless birdmen and women have made marvellous and madcap attempts to fly across the Yarra River in their bid for Birdman glory.

Using sheer creativity, lots of imagination, and with a lovingly engineered craft, the Birdmen/women are the dedicated who line up each year to take the leap of glory with ultimate flying contraptions.

Want to go down in Birdman history? Soar or plunge your way to legendary status while raising funds for your favourite charity. But that’s not all, the grand prize is a $4,000 travel voucher to a destination of your choice. Runner-up prize is a $1,500 travel voucher and third place wins dinner for two at Eureka 89.

Applications close in a week, so why not concoct some wild ideas with your mates around the barby this Australia Day weekend.

[Edit: Entries are now closed. Come and watch the spectacle on Sunday 7 March.]

Flying high

Wednesday 11 November 2009, 9:33 AM
By The Team | Posted in Events

The Twitter bluebird isn’t the only bird everyone’s taking about. Bridget ‘Bird’ McCall is one half of the talented Melbourne duo behind LIFEwithBIRD. Accomplished photographer and fashion stylist, Bridget joined forces with fashion designer Nicholas Van Messner to launch their unique label in 2002.

They have watched proudly as LIFEwithBIRD soared from strength to strength, now comfortably flying high in the sky amongst other world-class Australian labels. Bridget stops by to share some of her favourite city nests and chirp a few spring style tips.

Bird is the word