tv previews

X Paralympics Winter Games ABC1, 6.30pm Bed of Roses ABC1, 7.30pm Richard Hammond: Engineering Connections SBS One, 7.30pm Blue Murder ABC1, 9.15pm

An exceptional role that absorbs and consumes

THE ORACLE Opera House, September 17 Until tomorrow Reviewed by Jill Sykes

I was robbed, says the Great Train Robber

ONLY now, as ailing Great Train Robber Ronnie Biggs prepares to meet his maker, has he seen fit to air his complaint: that he got fleeced by a hair transplant company. Allow Mr Diary to take you back to October 1999 when, in the guise of Sunday Age Spy, we received a package from Rio. It contained an autographed photograph (below) from the infamous runaway crook €” "To Lawrence, Ronnie Biggs Rio '99" €” and a note from the Melbourne boss of Advanced Hair Studio, Carl Howell. "While I was in Rio filming a commercial with Ronnie," wrote Howell, "Max Markson of Markson Sparks asked me to obtain a photograph of Ronnie for you. Please find it enclosed with Ronnie's best regards."

Dramatic shapes of flamenco

JAZZ THE TRANSLATORS AND MATT McMAHON TRIO The Basement, June 24

Country Crib Crooner

RAYMOND Terrace Star Maker hopeful Todd Stewart is practising for this month's competition by putting his audience to sleep.

Convoy Driven By Need To Help

THE inaugural Music Festival and Ute Muster at Cessnock on the weekend attracted hundreds of the vehicles to the town, including a convoy of about 30 utes from Sydney.

Home On The Range

Country music, farming and ... world-class dining? Ute Junker discovers Tamworth's secret ingredient.

Park Takes Centre Stage

From music veterans to up-and-comers, The Entrance's Memorial Park will soon be the home of country.

Million-dollar Music Muster Puts A Small Town On The Map

From bluegrass-lovers to funksters, Mount Beauty's music festival pulls a diverse crowd. By Sophie Best.

Music Muster

The fourth annual Mount Beauty Music Muster takes place today and tomorrow, promising a diverse mix of folk, roots, contemporary, classical, blues, and country music at several venues.