*APOLLO’S WEST MELBOURNE GYM: FAINE’S CHAPTER MANY UNTRUTHS*
*MIGHTY APOLLO, LATE 1980s, PHOTO INSIDE HIS WEST MELBOURNE GYM. APOLLO’S GYM WAS PRESENTED IN THE STYLE OF A SHOWMAN.*
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APOLLO & THELMA: A TRUE TALL TALE
*MIGHTY APOLLO’S GYM IN WEST MELBOURNE WAS SET UP ARTISTICALLY. EVERY SPACE WAS THOUGHTFULLY EXHIBITED. THIS WAS TO CREATE A MOTIVATIONAL ATMOSPHERE FOR CLIENTS. IT WAS A PLACE APOLLO COULD TRUTHFULLY & PRODLY RECOUNT HIS LIFE TIME OF ACHIEVEMENTS. THE AIM WAS TO ALSO MAKE THE GYM FEEL LIKE A COMFORTABLE HOME.
*MEMORABILIA WAS CAREFULLY & PROUDLY DISPLAYED, CHROME, EQUIPMENT GLEAMED & WAS BRIGHT & CLEARLY ORGANISED. THIS IS IN STARK CONTRAST TO FAINE’S FANTASY DEPICTION OF APOLLO’S GYM & LIVING CONDITIONS.
*THE PHOTOS TO BE PRESENTED IN THIS SECTION, WILL PULL APART FAINE’S CHAPTER REGARDING APOLLO’S WEST MELBOURNE. THE FICTITIOUS CONTENT WILL BE EXPOSED.*
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*APOLLO AND THELMA: APOLLO'S WEST MELB GYM FACADE EARLY 80S*
*MIGHTY APOLLO’S GYM HAWKE ST WEST MELBOURNE, 1982. FRONT OF THE GYM WAS HAND PAINTED IN 1981. THIS WAS DONE BY A HUNGARIAN FRIEND OF APOLLO, FROM THE LATE 40S. HE CAME OUT OF RETIREMENT TO COMPLETE THIS WORK. THIS ARTIST PAINTED ALL OF APOLLO’S TOURING POSTERS, GYM SIGNAGE & DISPLAYS.*
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APOLLO & THELMA: A TRUE TALL TALE
*THE ABOVE PHOTO CLEARLY SHOWS, APOLLO’S WEST MELBOURNE GYM & ITS FRESHLY PAINTED FLUORESCENT EXTERIOR IN THE EARLY 80S. THIS IS THE VIEW FAINE SAW DURING HIS FEW VISITS IN THAT TIME PERIOD.
*HOWEVER, FAINE CHOOSE TO FALSELY DESCRIBE THE BUILDING AS HAVING FADED, PEALING, MISSING PAINT DURING THIS TIME.
*HE PORTRAYED AN IMAGE OF THE BUILDING AS IT WAS MANY YEARS IN THE FUTURE, NOT AS IT WAS DURING APOLLO’S LIFETIME. CLEARLY, THIS IS THE START OF MANY UNTRUE DESCRIPTIONS MADE BY THE AUTHOR.*
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*APOLLO & THELMA: APOLLO’S WEST MELB GYM, FRONT, WORN 2015*
*A PHOTO OF THE MIGHTY APOLLO WEST MELBOURNE GYM, AROUND 2014, JUST PRIOR TO ITS INTERNAL REDEVELOPMENT. MANY YEARS OF AFTERNOON SUN WEAR IS EVIDENT. THIS IS 33 YEARS AFTER THE FRONT OF THE BUILDING WAS PAINTED WITH SIGNAGE. THIS IS ALSO SOME 20 YEARS AFTER APOLLO’S PASSING.*
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APOLLO & THELMA: A TRUE TALL TALE
*ABOVE IS THE UNTRUE IMAGE FAINE REPRESENTS OF APOLLO’S GYM DURING HIS FEW EARLY 80S VISITS.
*HE CHOOSE TO DESCRIBE THIS RUN DOWN FRONTAGE, AS THE ONE HE SAW DURING HIS EMPLOY & NOT THE ACCURATE PREVIOUS PHOTO OF THE PERIOD.*
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*APOLLO’S GYM WEST MELB, 1978, 3 YEARS BEFORE MOVING IN*
*PHOTO FROM AN INDEPENDENT SOCIAL MEDIA POST, SHOWING APOLLO’S FUTURE WEST MELBOURNE GYM SITE IN 1978 (BUILDING LEFT). THERE IS NO FACADE PAINT. FAINE CLAIMED IN HIS BOOK, DURING THE EARLY 80S, THE PAINT IN THE FRONT OF THE GYM WAS WORN, DUE TO BEING PAINTED MANY YEARS PRIOR. CLEARLY A FAKE DESCRIPTION, IT HAD NO SIGNAGE EVEN IN 1978, APOLLO MOVING IN @1981.*
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*ANOTHER PHOTO OF THE FUTURE APOLLO GYM SITE IN 1978, BUILDING LEFT. PHOTO SUPPORTS THE FACT FAINE VISITED A NEW SITE IN EARLY 80S, NOT AN OLD RUN DOWN ESTABLISHMENT.*
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*EXCERPT ABOVE- INDEPENDENT SOCIAL MEDIA POST THAT ACCOMPANIED THE PHOTOS. THIS POST SUPPORTS TIME PERIOD, USE & APOLLO’S FUTURE TENANCY OF THE BUILDING, YEARS LATER AFTER 1978.*
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*APOLLO’S WEST MELB GYM: STAIRWAY IS CONCRETE, NOT TIMBER*
*PHOTOS ABOVE CLEARLY SHOW THE CONCRETE STAIRS LEADING UP THE MIGHTY APOLLO GYM BUILDING. THIS IS NOT HOW FAINE DEPICTED THEM.*
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APOLLO & THELMA: A TRUE TALL TALE
*FAINE CLAIMED THE GYM STAIRS WERE TIMBER AND THAT THEY WERE FAMILIAR DUE TO HIS MANY VISITS.
*THIS HIGHLIGHTS THAT FAINE HAS A VERY BAD RECOLLECTION, DUE TO THE FACT HE HARDLY ENTERED THE GYM. OR HE WAS DELIBERATELY WRITING A FALSE STORY. I CREDIT THE FORMER. FAINE’S LACK OF CREDIBILITY ON THE SUBJECT, APOLLO IS GLARING. HE CAN NOT DESCRIBE THE ENTRANCE TO THE GYM FACTUALLY, LET ALONE THE LAYOUT WITHIN.*
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*APOLLO’S WEST MELB GYM: THE VISUAL TRUTH OF GYM ENTRANCE*
*PHOTO: MIGHTY APOLLO POINTS TO HIS COLOURFUL GYM SIGNAGE. THIS IS THE ENTRANCE TO HIS GYM, TOP FLOOR OF BUILDING. THERE ARE NO FADED, PEELING POSTERS HERE, AS STATED BY FAINE IN HIS BOOK.*
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APOLLO & THELMA: A TRUE TALL TALE
*FAINE IN HIS BOOK, APOLLO & THELMA, TALKS ABOUT WALKING UP THE FAMILIAR TIMBER STAIRS TO THE GYM, (WHICH WE HAVE SHOWN ARE CONCRETE, NOT FAMILIAR) WITH FADING , PEELING POSTERS LINING THE STAIRS & GYM ENTRY.
*THIS IS AN UNTRUE RECREATION. THERE WERE OTHER TENANTS IN THE BUILDING ON THE WAY TO THE GYM TOP FLOOR. THIS WAS THEIR SPACE FOR SIGNAGE, NOT APOLLO’S. THE ONLY SIGNAGE AT THE TOP OF THE STAIRS CAN BE SEEN IN THE ABOVE PICTURE. THE DISPLAY MURALS WERE BRIGHT, FRESHLY PAINTED & COLOURFUL .*
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*PHOTO: MIGHTY APOLLO, JUST INSIDE THE ENTRANCE TO HIS WEST MELBOURNE GYM, LATE 80S.*
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APOLLO & THELMA: A TRUE TALL TAL
*ABOVE PHOTO WAS TAKEN IN THE LATE 80S, A NUMBER OF YEARS AFTER FAINE’S WORK CONNECTION WAS FINISHED.
*CLEARLY FRAMED CERTIFICATES, CAREFULLY ARRANGED ARTICLES & POSTERS ADORN THE WALLS. THIS DISPLAY IS NOT PEELING, HANGING & WORN OUT, AS THE AUTHOR IMPLIED, EVEN YEARS AFTER HIS FEW VISITS.*
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*PHOTO: INSIDE MIGHTY APOLLO’S WEST MELBOURNE GYM, ANOTHER VIEW NEAR THE FRONT DOOR, LEADING TO THE GYM’S INTERNAL AREA.*
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APOLLO & THELMA: A TRUE TALL TALE
*THE INTERNAL DISPLAY WAS DEDICATED TO BOXING, PARTICULARLY MUHAMMAD ALI, WHO APOLLO HAD A HUGE LEVEL OF RESPECT FOR AS AN ATHLETE. A SHELF LINES THE WALL, HOLDING SOME OF APOLLO’S MANY REFERENCE BOOKS & JOURNALS. FRAMED MARTIAL ARTS PHOTOS ARE FEATURED.
*THE GYM WAS CREATED WITH ARTISTIC FLAIR & ATMOSPHERE, NOT RUN DOWN AS FAINE DESCRIBED.*
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*APOLLO GYM WEST MELB: GLEAMING TROPHIES, NEVER TARNISHED!*
*PHOTO: MIGHTY APOLLO IN HIS WEST MELBOURNE GYM, STANDING PROUDLY IN FRONT OF HIS SHOW CASE. TROPHIES ARE SHINNING & REFLECTING UNDER THE ROOF SKY LIGHTS. THIS AREA IS TO THE MIDDLE REAR OF THE GYM, ALONG THE WALL WHICH LEADS INTO APOLLO’S KITCHEN.*
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APOLLO & THELMA: A TRUE TALL TALE
*FAINE IN “APOLLO & THELMA”, CLAIMED MIGHTY APOLLO’S TROPHIES & BELTS WERE TARNISHED & DUSTY. HE DOUBLED DOWN ON THIS IN BOOK LAUNCHES, STATING THESES ITEMS WERE RARELY CLEANED.
*ALL THE ACCOMPANYING PHOTOS SHOW THIS IS TOTALLY NOT THE CASE. PHOTOS THROUGHOUT, ILLUSTRATE THE PRIDE OF PLACE & IMMACULATELY CARED FOR CONDITION OF THESE TROPHIES, SASHES & BELTS.*
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*PHOTO: A WELL PRESENTED AWARD DISPLAY, WITH FRAMED PHOTOS & SHOW CASE, CONTAINING BELTS & SASHES. HIGHLIGHT OF THE PHOTO IS THE CLEANLINESS.*
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*PHOTO: TROPHIES WITH A MIRROR REFLECTION, SO MUCH FOR FAINE’S INCORRECT TARNISHED YARN.*
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*APOLLO’S GYM IN WEST MELBOURNE: TOTALLY UNIQUE & INVITING*
*PHOTO: MIGHTY APOLLO, AGE 76YRS, STANDING 3/4 ALONG THE INSIDE OF HIS WEST MELBOURNE GYM. HERE HE SHOWS OFF HIS LARGE TROPHIES FOR CARS OVER THE BODY. APOLLO IS WEARING HIS CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS SASH. ON HIS WAIST, A BELT WITH PANELS, DESCRIBE VARIOUS FEATS OF STRENGTH PERFORMED. ALL ARE IN PRISTINE CONDITION, VALUABLE ITEMS TO APOLLO & TREATED AS SUCH.*
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*PHOTO: MIGHTY APOLLO’S TROPHIES BLENDING IN WITH THE SURROUNDING DECORATIVE ARRANGEMENTS.*
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*PHOTO: RIGHT ONE OF APOLLO’S SHOW CASES, CONTAINING BELTS & PERFORMANCE ATITIRE. NOTHING LIKE FAINE’S UNCARED FOR REPORT. ELVIS POSTER IS EVIDENT, APOLLO ADMIRING HIS PERFORMANCE STYLE & PERSONA.*
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*APOLLO’S GYM WEST MELB-INTERIOR THEATRICALLY PRESENTED*
*PHOTO: MIGHTY APOLLO’S GYM WEST MELBOURNE (MID 1980S) SHOWING FRONT 3/4 OF THE GYM. REAR OF PHOTO IS THE FRONT AREA OF THE GYM, (STREET FRONTAGE TO HAWKE ST) WITH A LARGE PARTITIONED PRIVATE BEDROOM RUNNING ALONG ITS LENGTH. THIS LIVING SPACE LOOKED OUT THROUGH A WINDOW TO THE WEIGHTS AREA. APOLLO’S TROPHIES & TOMB BOARD SEEN FRONT, ON TEMPORARY DISPLAY*
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APOLLO & THELMA: A TRUE TALL TALE
*FAINE IN HIS BOOK, APOLLO & THELMA, TELLS A TOTALLY FALSE NARRATIVE OF APOLLO’S GYM. FROM THE FADED FRONTAGE, TO THE TIMBER STAIRS, PEELING POSTERS TO ITS ENTRANCE & THE TARNISHED, DUSTY TROPHIES & BELTS WITHIN. ALL THIS SHOWN AS FALSE, THROUGH PHOTOS IN PREVIOUS SECTIONS.
*THE AUTHOR THEN GOES ON IN A FICTITIOUS ATTEMPT, TO NARRATE A GLOOMY IMAGE OF THE GYM,BY CLAIMING THE FOLLOWING: THE FLOORING WAS COMPOSED OF WIDE WOODEN BOARDS, YELLOWING, DUSTY PHOTOS & FRAYING BANNERS HUNG ON THE WALLS. THERE WERE VINTAGE WEPONS ON SHELVES, STUFFED BIRDS IN GLASS CASES, MILITARY UNIFORMS ON THE WALLS, WITH WEIGHT TRAINING INSTRUCTIONAL POSTERS.
*FAINE WROTE THERE WAS A BOXING RING IN THE CORNER & TRAINING DEVICES IN THE GYM, CONSISTING OF OLD WEIGHT EQUIPMENT , SUCH AS KETTLE BELLS & CANON BALLS. THE PHOTOS TO COME, WILL PROVE ALL THIS WRONG.
*THE TOP PHOTO OF APOLLO’S WEST MELBOURNE GYM, TOTALLY DEBUNKS FAINE’S DEPICTION. IN THE GYM AREA, THE FLOORING IS BATTLE SHIP LINO, A LIGHT GOLDEN COLOUR. COMMERCIAL, THICK RED, THEATRE CARPET COVERS THE GENERAL FLOOR AREA, WHICH WAS USED FOR MARTIAL ARTS & GENERAL GYMNASTICS EXERCISE (AS SEEN IN OTHER PHOTOS). THE CARPET THROUGHOUT THE GYM GAVE THE SPACE A WARM, COMFORTABLE , HOMELY & COLOURFUL FEEL. THERE WAS NO PRESENCE OF WIDE WOODEN FLOOR BOARDS, AS PUT FORWARD BY FAINE.
*THE BACKGROUND OF THE GYM SHOWS UP TO DATE EQUIPMENT FOR THE EARLY 80S. BARBELLS, BENCHES, MULTI STATION MACHINE & OTHERS. THIS IS MORE EVIDENT IN ACCOMPANYING PHOTOS.*
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*APOLLO’S GYM WEST MELBOURNE: WELL EQUIPPED & SPACED IN 80S*
*PHOTO: SHOWING CLOSE UP OF APOLLO STANDING IN HIS GYM AREA. CHROME, RELATIVELY NEW MELBOURNE GYM BRAND EQUIPMENT IS VISIBLE. DIFFERENT STYLES OF STURDY, METAL & BRIGHT RED UPHOLSTERED BENCHES CAN BE SEEN. DRAMATIC, HAND PAINTED MARTIAL ARTS MURALS HANG IN THE BACKGROUND. THERE WERE NO BASIC GYM TRAINING INSTRUCTION POSTERS, OR MILITARY UNIFORMS ON THE WALLS, AS OUTLINED BY FAINE. FLOOR LINO IS VISIBLE, NO BASIC TIMBER FLOORING.
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*PHOTO: MEDIA CELEBRITY DARYL SOMERS, FILMING IN MIGHTY APOLLO’S WEST MELBOURNE GYM, 1983. THIS WAS FOR A SPOT ON HIS TONIGHT SHOW (THE GYM PIECE IN ACCOMPANYING VIDEO SECTION). APOLLO’S PRIVATE BED ROOM IS IN BACKGROUND & SPECIALLY BUILT & DESIGNED EQUIPMENT EVIDENT. EXPRESSIVE MURALS ARE ON WALLS. THE ONLY GLOBE WEIGHT IN THE GYM WAS FOR DISPLAY PURPOSES, NOT TRAINING (SEEN MID BACKGROUND).*
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*PHOTO: MIGHTY APOLLO IN HIS WEST MELBOURNE GYM, 1988, LEFT IS FREIND OF 40 YEARS HAROLD MACBAIN. AT TIME, HE WAS THE WORLDS LONGEST SERVING OLYMPIC LIFTING REFEREE. HAROLD WAS AN OLD TIME LIFTING RECORD HOLDER. THIS IS A SCREEN GRAB PHOTO FROM A VIDEO. THE RICH RED CARPET & GYM LINO STANDS OUT, AS WELL AS THE CHROME MULTI STATION LEFT & GENERAL CLEANLINESS. THIS IS ALL CONTRARY TO FAINE’S WRITING IN APOLLO & THELMA.*
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*APOLLO’S GYM WEST MELBOURNE: A SET UP WITH PRIDE*
*PHOTO: MIGHTY APOLLO WEST MELBOURNE GYM LATE 80S. APOLLO STANDING WITH HIS DBS.*
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APOLLO & THELMA: A TRUE TALL TALE
*THE ABOVE PHOTO DISPLAYS ADJUSTABLE POUND BARBELLS & FUNCTIONAL BENCHES. WHERE ARE THE OLD GLOBE WEIGHTS & KETTLE BELLS TOLD OF BY FAINE? THERE IS ALSO NO SIGN OF WEIGHT LIFTING INSTRUCTIONAL SIGNS.
*APOLLO’S PRIVATE BED ROOM & LOUNGE CAN BE SEEN IN BACKGROUND, AS AN ENCLOSED ROOM. AS WILL BE SHOWN FURTHER, HE DID NOT SLEEP LIKE A HOMELESS PERSON IN HIS KITCHEN, WHICH FAINE WOULD HAVE YOU BELIEVE.*
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*PHOTO: A SIDEWAYS VIEW OF OF AN ASPECT OF APOLLO’S WEST MELBOURNE GYM, WEIGHTS AREA.*
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APOLLO & THELMA: A TRUE TALL TALE
*THE ABOVE PHOTO CLEARLY DEMONSTRATES THERE ARE NO WEIGHT TRAINING TECHNIQUE POSTERS, FRAYING BANNERS, OLD WEAPONS ON SHELVES, OR BIRDS IN GLASS CASES. ALL FAINE’S MAKE BELIEVE CONSTRUCTION.
*INSTEAD, VISIBLE IS A WELL LAYED OUT WALL DISPLAY, OF VIBRANT SPORTING POSTER. IN THE BACKGROUND, A DOORWAY LEADS TO MALE & FEMALE TOILETS & SHOWERS. TO THE RIGHT IS A SAUNA ROOM. BEHIND IS ONE OF THE WINDOWS, WHICH LIT UP THE KITCHEN. *
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*PHOTO A CLOSER SIDE WAYS VIEW (FROM OPPOSITE SIDE TO PREVIOUS PHOTO) OF APOLLO’S WEIGHT AREA IN WEST MELBOURNE.*
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APOLLO & THELMA: A TRUE TALL TALE
*THE ABOVE PHOTO EXEMPLIFIES THE CARE & CLEANLINESS APOLLO HAD FOR HIS TRAINING MACHINES.
*THE CHROME WEIGHT STACKS ARE HIGHLY REFLECTIVE. ORGANISED PHOTOS OF APOLLO’S FEATS HANG ON THE WALL. THIS IS NOT THE DUSTY, TARNISHED GYM THAT FAINE SO INCORRECTLY DESCRIBED IN HIS BOOK, APOLLO & THELMA .*
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*APOLLO’S GYM WEST MELBOURNE: APOLLO HANDS ON INSTRUCTION*
*PHOTO: APOLLO’S GYM WEST MELBOURNE, NOT ONLY WAS THE GYM WELL PRESENTED, BUT SO WAS APOLLO. PHOTO SHOWS DARYL SOMERS UNDER APOLLO’S WATCHFUL EYE. APOLLO WAS ALWAYS DRESSED IMMACULATELY IN THE GYM & OFTEN IN THE STYLE OF A SHOWMAN, WEARING HIS EMBLAZONED TRACKSUIT. HANDS ON COACHING & APOLLO’S WELCOMING NATURE, WERE FEATURES THAT ATTRACTED & KEPT LONG TERM MEMBERS.*
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*PHOTO: SHOWING APOLLO’S NEWLY PERSONALLY DESIGNED BENCHES. HIS TRACK SUIT IS EMBROIDERED & HAS APOLLO NASA BADGES (GIFTED BY AN AMERICAN SCIENTIST, WHO WORKED ON THE MOON LANDINGS). FAINE’S PHOTO DESCRIPTION DESTROYED HERE, AS ARTISTICALLY PLACED, WELL CARED FOR PHOTOS ARE OBVIOUS ON THE WALL.*
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*PHOTO: FAINE CLAIMED APOLLO HAD VINTAGE WEAPONS ON SHELVES IN THE GYM & THERE WERE FRAYING, FADED BANNERS HANGING. THIS WALL IMAGE (ALONG WITH OTHERS SHOWN) PROVES THIS IS NOT THE CASE. HERE ARE WEAPONS, DISPLAYED ON THE WALL MUSEUM STYLE. A COLOURFUL, CLEARLY DECORATIVE, CLOTH FEATURES.*
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*APOLLO’S GYM WEST MELB: MAINTAINED PICTURES ADORN WALLS*
*PHOTO: APOLLO GYM WEST MELBOURNE, A CLOSE UP ON SOME OF APOLLO’S PHOTOS. THESE WERE USED TO CREATE AN ATMOSPHERE, FOR MOTIVATION & TO PROVE TO DOUBTERS, SUCH AS FAINE, THERE WAS NO EMBELLISHMENTS IN ANY OF HIS FEATS. AS SUCH, KEEPING CARE OF THIS DISPLAY, WAS OF UPMOST IMPORTANCE TO APOLLO. THESE IMAGES ARE CLEARLY NOT WORN & FADED, IN DUSTY, DAMAGED FRAMES, THE IMAGE FAINE PUT FORWARD*
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*APOLLO’S GYM WEST MELBOURNE: REAR AREA GYM OPEN, ORGANISED*
*PHOTO: CENTRE OF APOLLO’S GYM WEST MELBOURNE, LOOKING BACK TO LEFT CNR SECTION.*
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APOLLO & THELMA: A TRUE TALL TALE
*THE CHROME MULTI STATION MACHINE STANDS OUT, AS DOES THE EXPANSE OF RED, COMMERCIAL, THEATRE CARPET. THE BACKGROUND AREA WAS USED FOR GYMNASTICS & MARTIAL ARTS, AS WELL AS TO MAKE THE GYM FEEL HOMELY & INVITING. WHERE ARE THE WIDE, OPEN FLOOR BOARDS FAINE FALSELY DESCRIBED IN HIS BOOK?*
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*PHOTO: APOLLO GYM WEST MELBOURNE- REAR RIGHT CNR. TATAMI MAT AREA USED FOR MARTIAL ARTS IN FOREGROUND. APOLLO PERFORMING A ROCK BREAKING FEAT ON BACK OF NECK 1987.*
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APOLLO & THELMA: A TRUE TALL TALE
*WHERE IS THE BOXING RING FAINE WRITES ABOUT ? CARPET AREA, APOLLO’S SPANISH SPACE & ARTISTIC WALL DISPLAY ARE IN BACKGROUND. THIS IS NOT THE SHABBY LIVING & WORK ENVIRONMENT THAT FAINE WROTE ABOUT.*
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*PHOTO: APOLLO’S GYM WEST MELBOURNE- MIDDLE REAR. TATAMI MATS TO RIGHT. DOMINANT & EXPRESSIVE MARTIAL ARTS MURAL PAINTINGS ADORN THE WALL FOR ATMOSPHERE.*
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APOLLO & THELMA: A TRUE TALL TALE
*PHOTO ABOVE HIGHLIGHT, CENTRE, IS APOLLO‘S LONG TERM FREIND HAROLD MACBAIN. HE CAN BE SEEN TRAINING, USING THE LATEST OLYMPIC WEIGHTS & PLATES. FEW GYMS POSSESSED SUCH EQUIPMENT IN THE MID 80S (OUTSIDE OF A COUPLE OF OLYMPIC LIFTING CLUBS). SO MUCH FOR FAINE’S ACCOUNT OF A GYM WITH OLD WEIGHTS (GLOBES & KETTLE BELLS).*
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*APOLLO’S GYM WEST MELB: APOLLO’S LARGE OPEN OFFICE AREAS*
*PHOTO: APOLLO GYM WEST MELBOURNE- REAR RIGHT, APOLLO’S SPANISH THEME AREA & ONE OF HIS OPEN OFFICE DESK AREAS (BACKGROUND RIGHT).*
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APOLLO & THELMA: A TRUE TALL TALE
*FAINE IN HIS BOOK APOLLO & THEMA CLAIMED THAT APOLLO’S OFFICE WAS JAMED INSIDE HIS KITCHEN (WITH BEDROOM & AN INADEQUATE KITCHEN), USING A STUDENT DESK PRESSED AGAINST A WINDOW. THIS IS TOTALLY FAKE.
*APOLLO USED TWO OPEN AREAS IN HIS GYM. THIS IS ONE, BRIGHT, INSPIRING & OPEN, SO HE COULD SEE ACTIVITY IN THE GYM & EASILY SIT PEOPLE DOWN IN A RELAXING SPACE. THERE IS A ENTERTAINMENT BAR LEFT & TROPHIES (NOT SEEN HERE BUT IN PREVIOUS PHOTOS).*
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*PHOTO: APOLLO GYM WEST MELBOURNE 1991- CLOSE UP OF ONE OF APOLLO’S (AGE 81YRS) OFFICE DESKS FROM PREVIOUS PHOTO. THIS IS AN APOLLO AREA WOULD SIT PEOPLE DOWN & RE LIVE HIS LIFE, SHARING PEARLS OF WISDOM. APOLLO’S STAND OUT TRACKSUIT STYLE FOREMOST.*
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*PHOTO: APOLLO GYM WEST MELBOURNE- ANOTHER OPEN OFFICE AREA USED BY APOLLO. THIS POSITION IS IN FRONT RIGHT AREA OF GYM, IN HIS WEIGHTLIFTING SECTION.*
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APOLLO & THELMA: A TRUE TALL TALE
*PHOTO ABOVE, SHOWS HOW APOLLO USED A LARGE THIN, HIGH BENCH FOR A DESK. HE WOULD USE EITHER ENDS OF THE GYM AS AN OFFICE ,FOR VARIETY, INSPIRATION & CONVENIENCE. THIS AREA WAS USED WHEN APOLLO WANTED TO BE CLOSE TO HIS PHONE (IN HIS PRIVATE LOUNGE & BEDROOM, SEEN BEHIND IN SHOT) & TO & KEEP AN EYE ON HIS WEIGHT TRAINING CLIENTS.
*PAPER WORK & APOLLO’S DIRECT, EXPRESSIVE BODY LANGUAGE, ARE APPARENT HERE. THIS IS NOT THE CRAMMED, STUDENT DESK, HARD UP AGAINST A KITCHEN WINDOW, THAT FAINE WROTE ABOUT AS AN OFFICE.*
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*APOLLO GYM WEST MELB- DEDICATED LIVING AREAS, NOT SHABBY*
*PHOTO: APOLLO GYM WEST MELBOURNE MID 80S- FULL LENGTH PHOTO OF APOLLO’S PARTITIONED KITCHEN AREA, TOWARDS MIDDLE, TO REAR OF FLOOR AREA, (ON LEFT SIDE, WALKING INTO GYM). THIS IS A WELL SET OUT FUNCTIONING, DEDICATED KITCHEN SPACE, AROUND 6 METRES LONG & 4.5 METRES WIDE. FAINE’S REPRESENTATION OF THIS SECTION, AS WILL NOW BE PROVEN, WAS DESPICABLY MADE UP.*
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APOLLO AND THELMA: A TRUE TALL TALE
*FAINE IN HIS BOOK, CREATED A TOTALLY UNTRUTHFUL DEPICTION OF APOLLO’S LIVING CONDITIONS WITHIN HIS GYMNASIUM. THIS WAS IN ORDER TO WRITE A GRITTY, RICHES TO RAGS TALE.
*THE AUTHOR CLAIMED APOLLO SLEPT IN HIS KITCHEN AREA, BEHIND A DRAPE ON A CAMPING STRETCHER. THAT HIS OFFICE WAS ALSO SUPPOSEDLY IN THIS SPACE. FAINE DESCRIBED THE KITCHEN AS HAVING A TINY GAS STOVE & A SHALLOW SINK, WITH A WOBBLY, NOISY, COLD ONLY WATER PIPE. HE WROTE APOLLO HAD A BAR FRIDGE UNDER AN INADEQUATE BENCH. SEATS WERE SUPPOSEDLY TORN. THIS IS ALL COMPLETELY FAKE, SUITING HIS TALL TALE.
*THE TOP PHOTO & THOSE ACCOMPANYING, CLEARLY SHOW THE TRUTH & THAT FAINE WAS FABRICATING. AS ESTABLISHED, THERE IS NO OFFICE IN THE KITCHEN. THERE IS NO BED AREA BEHIND A CURTAIN. IN THE NEXT SCTION, HIS PRIVATE SEPERATE BEDROOM, LOUNGE AREA, WILL BE SHOWN (IT HAS BEEN TOUCHED ON IN PREVIOUS PHOTOS).
*TO THE REAR LEFT OF PHOTO, IS A LARGE FRIDGE, NOT A SMALL BAR FRIDGE, UNDER AN INADEQUATE BENCH. RIGHT MIDDLE OF PHOTO, IS A STANDARD SIZE ELECTRIC OVEN, WITH A 4 BURNER TOP. THERE IS NO SMALL GAS STOVE.
*A LARGE SINK, WITH HOT & COLD, NON WOBBLY/ NOISY TAPS IS SEEN. NOT SOME TINY COLD WATER ONLY SINK. THERE IS A LARGE TOP END WASHING MACHINE RIGHT OF SINK & A KITCHEN SHELVING CUPBOARD TO THE LEFT. A SEAT IS IN THE SHOT, IT IS CLEARLY NOT TATTERED. FOLLOWING PHOTOS CLOSE UP, WILL EMPHASIS MORE.
*THIS IS NOTHING LIKE FAINE’S REPORT OF A SHABBY, HOBO LIKE, INADEQUATE, POORLY SET UP, MULTI USE AREA. *
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*APOLLO’S KITCHEN: TRUTH, NOT FAINE’S DISGRACEFUL FANTASY *
*PHOTO: APOLLO GYM WEST MELBOURNE- A CLOSE UP OF APOLLO’S KITCHEN AREA. A LARGE FUNCTIONING SINK & PLENTY OF BENCH SPACE CAN BE SEEN. A CLASSIC 7OS DINNING TABLE FEATURES, IN PRISTINE CONDITION. THERE ARE COOKING UTENSILS & A SPICE RACK ON THE WALL. NOTHING LIKE FAINE’S DEPICTION.*
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*PHOTO: APOLLO GYM WEST MELBOURNE- APOLLO’S KITCHEN WAS AN ENTERTAINING AREA FOR HIS FRIENDS. APOLLO WOULD BRING THOSE CLOSE TO HIM INTO THIS SECTION. THEY WOULD SIT DOWN AND ENJOY A CUPA, EITHER TEA OR COFFEE, WITH BISCUITS.
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APOLLO AND THELMA: A TRUE TALL TALE
*WITHIN THE KITCHEN, THERE WERE 3 LARGE GLAZED WINDOWS TO THE RIGHT SIDE, THAT LET FILTERED MORNING & MID AFTERNOON SUN IN.
*THIS WAS A CLEAN, HOSPITABLE SETTING. YOU CAN CLEARLY SEE THE LARGE, DEEP SINK REAR OF PHOTO. NOTHING HERE RESEMBLES FAINE’S MADE UP DEPRESSING WRITING.*
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*PHOTO: APOLLO GYM WEST MELBOURNE- KITCHEN AREA MID 80S. APOLLO’S KITCHEN WAS A PLACE FOR SMILES & FRIENDLY CONVERSATIONS.*
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APOLLO AND THELMA: A TRUE TALL TALE
*PICTURED REAR, APOLLO’S EQUIPMENT FABRICATOR, RAY BRAMISH, A BOILER MAKER. LIFE TIME FRIEND SEATED RON TAYLOR, A SECOND FATHER TO THE APOLLO CHILDREN, FRONT.
*THERE ARE NO TORN SEATS HERE AS FAINE WOULD HAVE YOU BELIEVE. IN FACT, ON HIS FEW VISITS, FAINE WOULD HAVE BEEN LUCKY TO BE INVITED INTO THIS AREA, AS HE WAS NOT CONSIDERED A FRIEND, JUST A PERIPHERAL EMPLOYEE.
*THE AUTHOR’S DISCRACEFUL STORY CREATION POLLUTES THE SON’S FOND MEMORY OF THIS ROOM.*
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*APOLLO’S GYM WEST MELB: APOLLO’S SEPERATE, PRIVATE BEDROOM*
*PHOTO: APOLLO GYM WEST MELBOURNE: IMAGE TO REAR OF SHOT, CLEARLY SHOWS A LARGE PORTION OF APOLLO’S BEDROOM & PRIVATE LOUNGE ROOM. RIGHT ON THE ENTRANCE DOOR TO THIS ROOM, IS A RED SIGN STATING PRIVATE PROPERTY. AS THE SIGN IMPLIES, ROOM WAS PRIVATE FOR APOLLO, FAMILY & CLOSE FRIENDS.*
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APOLLO & THELMA: A TRUE TALL TALE
*FAINE WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN GIVEN ACCESS TO APOLLO’S PRIVATE ROOM, AS HE WAS CERTAINLY NOT A FREIND, BUT JUST AN EMPLOYEE, DOING A JOB.
*IT WAS COMMON KNOWLEDGE TO ALL, INCLUDING FAINE, THIS WAS APOLLO’S SEPARATE LIVING AREA. A RECTANGULAR CURTAINED WINDOW (AS SEEN CENTRE) ALLOWED APOLLO TO REST IN THIS AREA & STILL LOOK OUT INTO THE GYM. FAINE DID NOT TALK ABOUT THIS IN HIS BOOK. HOWEVER, HE MADE UP A TOTALLY FAKE STORY, THAT APOLLO SLEPT IN HIS KITCHEN & THIS AREA DID NOT EXIST.*
*FAINE CLAIMED APOLLO SLEPT IN HIS KITCHEN AREA, ON A CAMP STRETCHER, BEHIND A DRAPE. INFORMATION & PHOTOS SHOW THAT THIS IS UNTRUE. APOLLO’S LIVING AREA AS SHOWN WAS ALONG THE FRONT OF THE BUILDING, THE KITCHEN TO THE REAR, LEFT HAND SIDE OF THE BUILDING, AT THE OPPOSITE END.
*APOLLO’S BEDROOM & LOUNGE AREA WAS AROUND 15 METRES LONG & 3 METRES WIDE. THERE WERE 2 SMALLER ROOMS ATTACHED TO THE MAIN ROOM TO THE LEFT, AS YOU WALKED INTO THE BUILDING. ONE CLOSEST TO FLOOR ENTRANCE DOOR, 3M * 3M, THIS WAS A ROOM FOR APOLLO’S SONS IF THEY STAYED OVER. THE NEXT ATTACHED WAS 2M * 3 M & WAS USED AS A WALK IN WARDROBE.
*APOLLO’S ROOM HAD 5 CURTAINED WINDOWS, WHICH OVER LOOKED THE FRONT OF THE BUILDING TO HAWKE ST. INSIDE, THERE WAS A STURDY, LARGE KING SIZE SINGLE BED, LOUNGE & RECLINER CHAIR, TV, VHS PLAYER, RECORD PLAYER, ANTIQUE DESK WITH PHONE, BOOK SHELVES, ANTIQUE & FRAMED WEAPONS DISPLAY ON WALLS & RED CARPET ON THE FLOOR.
*THIS IS NOT THE SHABBY KITCHEN LIVING CONDITIONS THAT FAINE DISRESPECTFULLY WROTE ABOUT. THE FOLLOWING PHOTOS WILL ALSO SHOW MORE ON THIS, PROVING THE AUTHOR CAN NOT BE TRUSTED AS A SOURCE REGARDING APOLLO.*
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*PHOTO: APOLLO GYM WEST MELBOURNE- APOLLO 1993, AGE 83YRS, SITTING IN HIS GYM AREA, HIS PRIVATE LIVING AREA IN BACKGROUND OF SHOT.*
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APOLLO & THELMA: A TRUE TALL TALE
*PHOTO ABOVE, THE LENGTH OF APOLLO’S LIVING SPACE STANDS OUT, RUNNING ALONG ALMOST THE ENTIRE FRONT WIDTH OF THE GYM.
*THIS WAS A HOMELY, CONVENIENT SPACE FOR APOLLO TO WORK & LIVE.
*DURING THIS PERIOD, THERE WAS NO INDEPENDENT SWIPE TAG ENTRY FOR GYM CLIENTS. AS AN OWNER YOU HAD TO BE THERE 12 HRS OR MORE, 6 OR 7 DAYS A WEEK. APOLLO KNEW HOW TO MAKE THIS WORK IN THIS SET UP. ANY ACCOUNT BY FAINE, AS SHOWN, HAS NO MERIT.* ————————
*PHOTO: APOLLO GYM WEST MELBOURNE- APOLLO WITH PRESS BOOKS, GYM & LIVING AREA IN BACKGROUND. THE WIDTH OF APOLLO’S PRIVATE SPACE HIGHLIGHTED HERE, SPANNING ALMOST END TO END. THERE IS NO MEAGRE AREA FOR SLEEPING & RELAXING, AS FAINE WOULD HAVE THE READER BELIEVE.*
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*APOLLO’S GYM WEST MELB- COMFORTABLE FOR LIVING & TRAINING*
*PHOTO: TOP PHOTO IS APOLLO’S OLD GYM FLOOR SPACE WEST MELBOURNE, 2002, AFTER PAUL, APOLLO’S SON, MOVED OUT & RELOCATED. THE SPACE WAS THEN CONVERTED INTO A TEXTILE PRINTING BUSINESS. PHOTO BELOW IT, IS TAKEN SAME ANGLE, WHEN APOLLO HAD HIS GYM THERE, MID 80S.*
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APOLLO & THELMA: A TRUE TALL TALE
*COMPARING THE TWO PHOTOS ABOVE, YOU CAN SEE IN THE REAR OF THE TOP SHOT, THE AREA OPEN & WINDOWS EXPOSED IN 2002. APOLLO’S PRIVATE BEDROOM PORTIONED AREA WAS NOW GONE (PROOF IT EXISTED).
*THIS IS HOW THE FRONT AREA OF APOLLO’S GYM WOULD HAVE LOOKED, IF FAINE’S CLAIM WAS RIGHT, THAT APOLLO HAD NO SEPERATE LIVING SPACE & SLEPT IN THE KITCHEN. OBVIOUS, ALSO IN THE BEFORE & AFTER PHOTOS, IS HOW ALL THE ENERGY, SPIRIT & DECORATIVE ATMOSPHERE HAD DISAPPEARED, ONCE THE GYM WAS NO LONGER. IN 2002, MORE OF A DEPRESSING SHELL.*
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*PHOTO: APOLLO GYM WEST MELBOURNE- APOLLO RELAXES IN HIS LOUNGE BEDROOM AREA. THIS IS NOT THE PICTURE FAINE PAINTED, AS TO THE WAY APOLLO LIVED. RELAXING, CHAIR & LOUNGE HERE, THERE IS NOTHING DECREPIT.*
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*PHOTO: APOLLO GYM WEST MELBOURNE- APOLLO SET UP A RELAXING ENVIRONMENT IN HIS PRIVATE SPACE. HERE YOU CAN SEE HIM IN CONTEMPLATION MODE, EARLY 80S.*
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*APOLLO’S GYM WEST MELB: A PRIVATE AREA OF PERSONAL ITEMS*
PHOTO: APOLLO GYM WEST MELBOURNE- EARLY 90S, APOLLO WOULD ENTERTAIN HIS FRIENDS IN THIS PRIVATE ROOM. HIS PRESS BOOKS WOULD SOMETIMES BE KEEP HERE, OR LOCKED AWAY IN SHOW CASES IN THE GYM.*
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*PHOTO: APOLLO GYM WEST MELBOURNE- APOLLO’S PRIVATE GUN DISPLAY 80S, INSIDE HIS PRIVATE LIVING SPACE. THE GUN RACK WAS MADE BY APOLLO’S SON BRUCE. THERE IS A LARGE GOLD STORAGE TRUNK, WITH SOME OF APOLLO’S FAVOURITE VHS TAPES. APOLLO WOULD OFTEN RELAX IN HIS ROOM, WATCH TV & PERFORM COUNTLESS REPS, OF CLOSE GRIP BAR CURLS.*
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*PHOTO: APOLLO GYM WEST MELBOURNE- APOLLO INSIDE HIS BEDROOM, LOUNGE AREA. APOLLO MODELS ONE OF HIS PERFORMANCE OUTFITS.*
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APOLLO & THELMA: A TRUE TALL TALE
*THE ABOVE PHOTO, INSIDE APOLLO’S ROOM , SHOWS HIS WEAPONS DISPLAY ON THE WALL & COUCH IN BACKGROUND. APOLLO WOULD HOUSE & PRESENT VARIOUS VALUABLE ITEMS SUCH AS THESE IN THIS PRIVATE SPACE. THIS WAS DONE FOR SECURITY & AS WELL AS A TREAT FOR SPECIAL GUETS IF INVITED INTO THE AREA. FAINE WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ONE.*
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