Shirley Bassey on the Gold Coast: Secret mission on visit to Jupiter’s

The year was 1992. Shirley Bassey was in town. And there was a secret assignment the organisers would deny all knowledge of if we were caught.

Sallyanne Atkinson interviews Shirley Bassey at Jupiter’s in 1992.

The picture above was taken in 1992 when Shirley Bassey came to town. The interviewer was former Mayor of Brisbane Sallyanne Atkinson who had created history as the first woman to hold that post. She was defeated in a narrow upset loss in 1991 by Jim Soorley.

If you’ve ever seen Shirley in concert you will know she is the consummate professional, even allegedly having a hand and gesture choreographer to add drama to her performance. (Obviously that Eagle’s Claw look in this picture was ad lib.)

When she performed at Conrad Jupiter’s we were told by management that we had to get a photo of her on stage. The only problem was that she had forbidden all photographers from her show. The stern advice we got from the hotel executives was that if we got caught they would deny all knowledge of us and we were working illegally.

Happily we got the shots from the back of the showroom with a very long lens and managed to evade capture and imprisonment.

GO AHEAD, MAKE HIS DAY

Jimmy Ozturk and Scott Eastwood.

IF anyone was going to have a knock-out selfie it would have to be Mr Surfers Paradise, Jimmy Ozturk.

“I’ve had lots of stars come through Hollywood Showgirls. This was taken in April 2018 at the club with American actor Scott Eastwood, the son of legendary star Clint.

“He was so nice, very relaxed and looked super fit. He told me he was out here on a surfing trip and really loved Australia and the people. Very humble, just like his father, and looks very much like him.

“He is making his own way in showbiz but despite his famous name has kept his feet very much on the ground.”

BEST OF FRENEMIES

Judith Ferber and Bryan Durham - frenemies.

Normally at this time of year Judith Ferber and her merry band would be up to their collective necks running the Gold Coast Eisteddfod. Not this year because due to the current restrictions all acts are off.

“There are plans being put together now to ensure that somehow, someway the Eisteddfod will be back next year,” said Judith.

“Nobody can predict the future but whatever the circumstances it will be going ahead. The office has been inundated with wonderful emails from teachers, parents and students telling us how much they have missed the chance to perform this year. We all feel so terribly sad for the arts sector which has been effectively wiped out but we’re hoping they all come out of this safe and sound.”

One positive for Judith Ferber is that she has been able to travel locally to watch her beloved Carlton play in the AFL. On Tuesday night she travelled with her partner Bryan Durham, a rabid Swans fan, to watch the Blues play Sydney at Metricon Stadium. Sitting side by side decked out in their respective colours it was a night of mixed emotions.

At one stage Bryan was cock a hoop as his team lead by 39 points only to be run down and lose by five points in a low scoring match.

“The ride home was a bit sombre,” laughed Judith, “but I cheered him up by singing ‘We are the navy Blues’ all the way home.”

Their love will go on … except for certain games.

STUNNING AMOUNT RAISED BY CROSS

We never cease to be amazed at the ability of Perry Cross to keep moving forward. Confined to a wheelchair after a Rugby tackle went wrong in 1994, he has devoted his life to finding a cure for paralysis.

Since then he has won many awards and this week picked up another one. Perry was honoured to receive the QCF (Queensland Community Foundation) Philanthropy Award for Outstanding Achievement.

Since its inception the Perry Cross Foundation with the help of its many supporters and sponsors has raised over $12 million to help with the ongoing spinal injury research.

TOUGH NEW SPORT LINED UP FOR DARIUS

Kayla Boyd at Pacific Fair’s spring/summer launch lunch at The Tropic, Burleigh Heads.

One of the problems with being the significant other of a famous footballer is that questions usually revolve around the sporting achievements of said footballer. For Kayla Boyd, wife of Australian, Queensland and Broncos legend Darius, those questions will soon cease when he hangs up the boots at the end of this season.

We asked Kayla, the newly appointed Fashion Ambassador to Pacific Fair, what will change for her in the future.

“I will be glad when the ice packs that are in constant use after a game can finally be put away. No one knows what players really put their bodies through on a weekly basis so I won’t miss that part.

“What I am looking forward to is that Darius is going to have to embrace a new spectator sport – shopping,” she laughed.

“I can’t wait to take him with me and watch and admire me from the sidelines while I show him full contact retail therapy.”

SUTTON’S ‘NO TREE CHANGE’

Tarick El Moudden and Kim Sutton.

We’ve heard of a sea and tree change but Kim Sutton has done something a little different by having a ‘no tree change’. The former CEO of the Gold Coast Hospital Foundation has landed a new position in Alice Springs as the Director of Community Development for the local council.

“Over the past five years the family has visited the Northern Territory several times and we wanted to experience life in Central Australia. An opportunity arose and we decided to go for it.

“The position fulfils my passion for serving the community and my new job is huge. The team is large and very busy as we oversee the delivery and development of the public library, aquatic and leisure centre, community and cultural events and festivals, public art, plus youth and senior’s programs for the city.

“It is a spectacular place and I have been so inspired by the paintings of Albert Namatjira that I have signed up for painting masterclasses with some of his descendants. Everyone should visit The Alice to experience this amazing place.”