DROPPING NAMES – DON’T WORRY - I’LL PICK THEM UP!

Maggie Tabberer Circa 1958

Maggie T Circa 1959
 

Maggie T

Ruth Cracknell

Ruth Cracknell & Garry McDonald aka "Mother and Son"

The Seekers

Torvill & Dean

Since I was a teenager and first became aware of her, I’ve always been an admirer of the iconic, beautiful, stylish, Aussie fashion designer/television personality/ex-model Maggie Tabberer.

From the late Sixties to the late Seventies I was employed within the fashion industry, the head office and factory of which was in the Sydney suburb of Liverpool.  I was employed as secretary to the Queensland Manager in the Queensland office, based in Brisbane.  I was thrilled when one division of the company contracted Maggie to put her name on a range of new season women’s wear. The range, of course, was well-received.

In the early to mid-80s when I operated my greengrocery-health food store in Noosa Heads a holidaying Maggie was a customer; a most elegant one even in casual attire.  In person, she was a very pleasant and natural to deal with, showing no over-inflated, egoistical signs of her well-known status.

Maggie has always been down-to-earth, unaffected by her beauty and fame.  Reading her autobiography in 1999 I realised we’d had a mutual acquaintance.  When I finished reading the book I penned (by hand/hard copy – not email) a brief letter to Maggie via her publisher expressing how much I’d enjoyed the autobiography.  In my letter I made mention of our mutual connections through the years.  It wasn’t a flowery, gushing missive.  Not expecting a response, I thought that would be that.  I’d said what I’d wanted to say.

Within a couple of weeks I received a hand-written note from the lady herself.  The person she’d referred to in her autobiography was, indeed, the same person I’d known.   

Once again, further evidence of  “six degrees of separation”.

Maggie turns 80 on 11^th December, 2016.  It’s hard to believe her two daughters are now in their early 60s. 

Elusive time moves too fast. 

As well as Maggie T other interesting folk walked through my shop doors. (In case you’re wondering, I did allow them to leave again). 

One day I was surprised to discover a customer towering over the produce on display was the unforgettable radio, television, theatre and film character actress (and author) Ruth Cracknell. A striking woman, she radiated “presence”.   Ruth Cracknell was a very tall, imposing woman.  Her silver-white hair framed her face.  The unforgettable, hilarious “Maggie” of the much-loved and enjoyed long-running TV comedy, “Mother and Son” was in my shop!!   “Mother and Son” ran for 10 years. What a wonderful comedy series it was.  

I’d grown up listening to Ruth Cracknell because she appeared in many radio plays. She was a regular, familiar voice.  Radio aka “the wireless” played a huge role in my childhood.  She was both a dramatic and comedy actress; and was brilliant at both.  

Sadly, Cracknell passed away in 2002, aged 76.

Judith Durham of “The Seekers”, who at the time lived in the Sunshine Coast hinterland with her husband (who has since passed away), paid a couple of visits. I should’ve asked Judith to sing “Georgy Girl” for me, but I didn’t!  Being as nice in reality as she is in concert and interviews she probably would’ve done so.

Well-known and respected TV journalist Jana Wendt during the height of her “60 Minutes” years was a vacationing customer as was the then Victorian Premier, John Cain.

David Lange, New Zealand’s 32^nd Prime Minister was a customer in my humble little store, much to his minder’s surprise.  His minder told me David Lange, a big man, had an insatiable love of junk food. Apparently, it was hard work keeping Mr. Lange away from “Miss Piggy’s”, the take-away in the same centre as my shop of healthy goodies, or from the take-away across the street that was conveniently (or inconveniently) situated next door to where David Lange was staying in Hastings Street. The minder didn’t mind Mr. Lange buying fruit for a change.

One day a young woman, small of stature, strolled into my shop. In fact, she was 1.6m (5ft 2) tall; not that I dragged out my tape measure on the spot to measure her. She wasn’t tall, but she was very wiry.

It was Jayne Torvill; one half of the skating duo “Torvill & Dean” who cemented their fame at the 1984 Sarajevo Winter Olympics where they received a perfect score for their performance set to Ravel’s “Boléro”. She and I even shared a cup of coffee. Well, she had her own cup and I had mine.  

Those few moments were as memorable, to me, as her famous performance with Christopher Dean.

I can drop more names, too. 

Namely, Ross, the kind gentleman, a stranger, who pumped air into my tyres a couple of weeks ago.  Some might say I’m full of hot air, but none was going into my tyres that morning before Ross generously took over the job.

 And what an angel David, the plumber is. With little notice, he came to my aid with nary a murmur. Nothing leaks past David!  (The genial plumber’s name is “David Angel”).

Leek & Silverbeet Gratin: Blanch 700g silverbeet, stems removed until wilted, about 1min. Drain; squeeze dry; chop; remove excess moisture. Hear 1-1/2tbs x-virgin olive oil in pot; add 3 med-leeks, white and tender green parts only, sliced ¼-inch thick and pinch of salt; cover; cook over med-low heat, until tender. Add 1-1/2 garlic cloves, minced; cook 2mins; add silverbeet; season. Grease casserole dish.  Make a béchamel sauce; add 1/4c each shredded gruyere and parmesan cheeses to the bechamel. Combine sauce and vegetables. Transfer to casserole dish. Bake in 218C oven, 25-30mins.

Leek Fritters: Chop very finely 2 or 3 trimmed leeks. Mix with 3 eggs, 1c crumbled feta, 1/4c each finely chopped parsley and mint, 3/4c flour, salt and pepper; if too runny, add more flour. Heat ½c oil in pan over med-heat. Drop scoops of batter into hot oil. Fry until golden. Beat 1c yoghurt with 1minced clove garlic and salt; serve with fritters.

Cheesy Leek Tart: Heat oven, 190C. Trim 700g baby leeks; wash well; dry thoroughly. Unroll 375g ready-made puff pastry onto large baking sheet; arrange leeks and small bunch of spinach or rocket, drizzled with a little lemon juice, on top. Sprinkle 100g crumbled Stilton and 50g roughly chopped walnuts over top. Bake 25-30mins, until pastry rises and is golden round edges.

Warm Leek & Apple Salad: Combine 1tbs balsamic, 2tbs cider vinegar, 1tbs ex-virgin olive oil, 1tsp prepared mustard, 1 minced garlic clove and 1/4tsp salt; shake well. To fry pan over low heat, add 2tbs pine nuts; toast 2-3mins; set aside. Cut 3 leeks in half, then into 1-inch pieces; rinse; drain well. Cut 1 med-apple into eighths; slice thinly. Sauté apples and leeks 4-6mins until dark green leek pieces soften a little. Put in bowl; toss with vinaigrette and 3-4 chopped dates; serve warm.