The biggest name for the largest of cranes ‘‘ON my signal, unleash Hell.’’ Sorry, that was a bit dramatic. It’s the only line we remember from the movie Gladiator and its hero, Maximus. ‘‘Maximus’’ is the winner in our Name the Crane competition. This week, Topics asked you to help us name the John Holland crane that’s taken up residence in downtown Newcastle. We put it to an online poll and Maximus, suggested by the crane’s driver Bernie Beashel, won. It’s also the name of his dog. A late swing in the voting catapulted Maximus ahead of Tony Tamplin Tower and High Jack. As reward for coming up with the winning name, Mr Beashel gets to give $500 to a charity of his choice. It was donated by Damon Lazarus, his boss at John Holland, and Mr Beashel has chosen the MS Society of Tasmania, the Beashels’ home state. Mr Beashel, by the way, insists that you refer to his crane as Tony Tamplin Tower, if you prefer. He’s just happy the money will go to MS research; his wife Julie was diagnosed with the disease last year. Thanks to Mr Lazarus for putting up the cash, and to all who suggested names and voted in the poll. What a result. The crane is named. Flying dad’s colours SPEAKING of heights and MS research and seamless segues, occasional Topics correspondent Janek Speight could be hurtling through the sky at this very moment. He’s jumping from a plane above Newcastle today in memory of his dad and best mate, Ian Speight, who died on September 13, 2003, eight years after being diagnosed with MS. The money he raises will go to the Multiple Sclerosis Society. He’s up to $8600, with a target of $10,000. ‘‘As for why I’m doing it? I have no idea,’’ Speight told Topics. ‘‘I don’t even know what made me think of it. ‘‘I remember thinking about Dad’s 10th anniversary coming up and it just popped into my head, I don’t know, maybe as a way to feel closer to him.’’ Oh – he’s not great with heights. Can’t stand close to balconies, avoids rollercoasters and has that dream about falling. Gulp. It’s worth it, though, says Speight, to commemorate his dad. ‘‘He was always the rock in our family – always positive and very caring,’’ he said. ‘‘He’s a massive inspiration.’’ Picture: Max Mason-Hubers You can donate at give.everyday hero/au/janek-speight . Mike’s all right, folks TAYA Wedesweiler, of Wallsend, has a public service announcement. It concerns her dad, Mike, who can be found riding his bike most days along Minmi Road. After 30 years pedalling to the Callaghan College, Wallsend Campus, where he teaches social science, Mike has taken a break. Apparently, he’s such a fixture on the road that locals have called radio stations to see if he’s all right. Mike, 58, is about to retire. Today’s his last day. ‘‘It will be a case of ‘spot the retiree’ on his new route: Warabrook to Nobbys Beach,’’ says Taya, ‘‘where he plans to spend his summer/rest of his life surfing, joining the group of old men that seemingly spend their entire day sitting in deck chairs, and sitting [not fishing] in a tinny.’’ Enjoy it, Mike. STANDING TALL: Crane driver Bernard Beashel with project manager Damon Lazarus yesterday. FALL GUY: Janek Speight takes a leap for MS research and his dad.
Posted on: Thu, 19 Sep 2013 22:35:43 +0000