Canberra CityNews February 5-11, 2009

HuMPHRIES SLAMS PAID PARkINg PuSH

SONYA FLADuN WORRIES ABOuT kNICkERS

HAMPERS, PAMPERS & PEARLS

VALENTINE’S DAY gIFT IDEAS

WHAT DRIVES DR DEB?

LABOR STARTS TO BREAK ELECTION PROMISES

MICHAEL MOORE GROWLS AT ‘gREED CAMERAS’

Senator slams paid parking

By Megan Haggan LIBERAL Senator

for the ACT Gary Humphries has slammed the idea of introducing parking fees to the parliamentary triangle as “just another grab for people’s disposable incomes”. Last week “CityNews” reported that Chief Minister Jon Stanhope would lobby his Federal Labor colleagues to introduce paid parking in the parliamentary triangle, as well as other Commonwealth-owned facilities such as Russell.

Mr Stanhope was keen to coax public servants out of their cars and on to public transport as well as addressing issues of “equity between employees”.

But Senator Humphries said that while he wouldn’t be surprised to see paid parking introduced in this year’s Budget, it would be the wrong decision for several reasons.

“It’s a real sell-out for Commonwealth public servants, mainly because the public transport is not good,” he said.

“People tell us that services [to the parliamentary triangle] are not adequate, and if you want to force people out of their cars, you should only do so when you can provide decent public transport to replace them.”

It wouldn’t be only highly paid public servants hit by the fees, he warned.

“There are plenty of people who live in distant parts of the city, who really need a car to access the parliamentary triangle. They’re the ones who will be hit hardest by this,” he said.

“If you’ve got to pay $50 or $60 a week in parking fees, that’s a major hit.

“It’s just another grab for people’s disposable income, and if the Government is serious about helping Australians through this global financial crisis, they shouldn’t make decisions which will have the inevitable effect of reducing people’s standard of living.”

Mr Humphries said parking was already inadequate in the triangle, with workers needing to arrive early to obtain a space and some workers parking in unsealed spaces.

“It’s basic parking. They’d be charging for something that’s not good value,” he said.

Frolicking in the fountain

February 5-11, 2009

Since

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Six-month audit to September 30, 2008

Editor: Ian Meikle ed@citynews.com.au

Senior writer & arts editor: Jorian Gardner, 0415 516286

Lifestyle editor: Megan Haggan, 0411 045592 lifestyle@citynews.com.au

Arts writer: Helen Musa, 0413 466121

Design and photography: Silas Brown, 0412 718086

Designer: Joran Dilucian JGD Phone 6262 9100 Fax 6262 9111 GPO Box 2448, Canberra City 2601 www.citynews.com.au

Anne waits for a second chance

IN the lead-up to Organ Donor Awareness Week this month, Anne Cahill Lambert, president of Gift of Life Inc, is calling on Canberrans to not just register to become an organ donor, but to talk to loved ones about their wishes.

Organ donation rates need significant improvement, she said, as do rates of registration with the Organ Donor Register. At the time of writing, 1,219,119 Australians were registered to be donors in the event of their death, according to Medicare Australia.

Anne, who lives in the inner north, suffers from fibrosis alveolitis, a terminal illness, and has been waiting for a lung transplant for more than four years. She uses oxygen therapy to stay active and mobile.

“We don’t know how I got the disease – I’m a lifetime non-smoker. It’s just one of those things,” she told “CityNews”.

“They spent a lot of time trying different drugs, but none worked, so I was left with the option of a lung transplant.”

MEGAN HAGGAN meets a Canberra woman who is defying death by “being stubborn and having some important reasons to get out of bed in the morning”.

She was given a poor prognosis, and has surprised her doctors by her continued survival.

“Everyone says I should have died a few years ago. I put it down to being stubborn and having some important reasons to get out of bed in the morning!”

One of these reasons is her quest to improve organ donation rates.

“In 1989, Australia had approximately 240 multiple organ donors. In 2007, we had 196,” Anne said.

Australia has 12 donors per million people, compared to Spain’s 34 per million.

“There’s a lot of unmet need. At any given time there are 1800 people on the waiting list for donation.”

A good example was people on kidney dialysis, Anne said.

“With renal failure, there’s only two ways to get off dialysis: one’s a kidney transplant, and the other’s in a box. And there’s more than 1800

people on dialysis alone.”

Anne says Australians are generous people, and around 90 per cent are in favour of organ donation in the event of their death.

“Part of the problem is that they don’t talk to their family about their wishes in relation to organ donation after death, so loved ones often err on the side of caution when they die and don’t donate their organs.”

In 2008, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd (a tissue recipient – he had a heart valve replaced several years ago) announced the introduction of several national initiatives, including $67 million to fund dedicated organ donation specialist doctors and other staff in public and private hospitals, $46 million for a new national authority for organ and tissue donation, and $1.9 million for counselling for donor families.

As president of Gift of Life, the peak body for organ donation aware

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Help is needed more than ever

CHARITIES such as St Vincent de Paul are more in need of support than ever as a result of the global financial crisis, according to Vinnies’ deputy chief executive officer Michael Taarnby.

Mr Taarnby said he was confident of Canberrans’ ability and desire to help out locals in need during this year’s Door Knock Appeal, to be held on weekends from Saturday, February 14 until Sunday, March 1.

“Our need’s greater than ever because of the downturn – and the charity sector is, unfortunately, booming,” he told “CityNews”.

“We’d prefer to be out of business, but that’s not going to be the reality.”

ness in the ACT and surrounds, Anne was involved in lobbying for these initiatives.

“As a retired heath service manager who didn’t want to be retired – and as someone who needs a transplant, there’s an element of self-preservation involved – I’ve basically been nagging,” she laughed.

Australian Organ Donor Awareness Week will be held from Sunday, February 22 to Saturday, February 28.

For more information on the week, visit www.giftoflife.asn.au , and to register to become an organ donor visit www.medicare.gov.au or call 1800 777203.

Mr Taarnby said that money raised at the appeal will go to help Canberrans, and those in surrounding rural areas.

“We’re locally based, and the money raised will stay in the local area. It will be directed to families in distress through our relief program, and to addressing homelessness and helping make sure people are adequately sheltered.”

The appeal will be launched on Thursday, February 12, at a dinner compered by WIN TV’s Jessica Good, and featuring keynote speaker the Federal Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs Jenny Macklin.

For more information on the appeal or dinner, visit www.stvincanb.com.au or call (02) 6282 2722.

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Spin turns to bulldust

INJURY prevention is an important role for governments. This is why most of us have accepted government regulation to improve road safety. However, most of us can also tell when spin turns to bulldust. The dust has been flying over Chief Minister Jon Stanhope’s point-to-point cameras. It seems we are supposed to believe the mantra that it is all about safety and not about revenue.

Apparently the New Zealanders have this right. It seems that Jon picked up this idea for increased road safety when he was on leave in our neighbouring country. Supposedly, the last thing he was considering was the ever-increasing levels of his Government’s expenditure and what he might need to do to raise more funds!

The Chief Minister’s idea is to provide point-to-point speed cameras to add to the plethora of the revenue-raising speed and red light devices that already decorate our city. The motivator, he says, is to reduce deaths and injury that are caused by speeding – starting with the Tuggeranong Parkway between the Cotter Road crossing and the Hindmarsh Drive.

This is not about revenue raising? Ha! If this strip of road is so notorious for fatal accidents – or even serious ones – why is it not identified as a “black spot” for federal funding? Tuggeranong Parkway is certainly not one of the more than 30 such projects receiving funding from 2004 through to 2008 (auslink.gov.au).

It is true that in mid-2003 there was a fatal accident on the Parkway. A passenger died

By Michael Moore

when a car crashed after being pursued by police from Streeton Drive in Weston. The accident happened towards the Glenloch Interchange. Since that time, this interchange has been completely remodelled as part of the upgrade associated with the Gungahlin Drive Extension. Anyway, the point-to-point cameras are not proposed for this section of road.

No one would argue that speeding does not play a role in accidents. The Department of Territory and Municipal Services (TAMS) argues strongly that “speed is a factor in most traffic crashes”. On its website there is a strong emphasis on this issue (tams. act.gov.au): “Speeding puts all other road users at risk as well as the speeding driver. Speeding dramatically increases braking distances and reduces the time available to assess and react to hazards. Even small reductions in average speeds result in substantially greater percentage reductions in deaths and injuries. Speed limits are used to regulate traffic flow and promote safety for all road users.”

TAMS has identified a hierarchy of roads and re-adjusts speed limits accordingly. Over the last few years there has been a dramatic reduction in the speed with which

cars can operate on our roads. Clearly, the slower the traffic, the lower is the risk of accidents, particularly serious accidents with injuries and fatalities. However, when the argument is taken to extreme we will need to return to the days of the red flag. The reason that we are not all limited to 10kmh at all times is that speed-limit decisions also take into account productivity and efficiency – although this seems to becoming less and less obvious.

In 2007, when the Chief Minister was arguing in a media release that speed cameras were not about revenue raising but about safety, he identified a motorist caught speeding at 220kmh on the Tuggeranong Parkway. However, to find examples of crashes, injuries and a single fatality he had to draw on statistics taken from the Monaro Highway.

Excessive speeding is dangerous. Excessive revenue raising also has an impact. The Stanhope argument that it is not about revenue raising looks weak when traffic infringement revenue was estimated in the latest ACT Budget Papers to account for $21.042m revenue in contrast to $8.739m for 2000/01.

These point-to-point cameras are certainly likely to join their counterparts to be more commonly known as “greed cameras”.

Michael Moore is a former independent member of the ACT Legislative Assembly and as minister for health.

Why Jon has to junk the promises –Page 11

Move in the right circles

More bubblers for the city

FOLLOWING the “CityNews” story of the sad state of public water fountains in the city, the Chief Minister Jon Stanhope has announced the installation of four new “bubblers” and the replacement of another. This will bring the number in the CBD to 11.

The new water fountains will be located at the bottom of the grassed area of City Walk where it intersects with Akuna Street; at the bus interchange; on London Circuit at the end of Ainslie Avenue and on Bunda Street. The Government will replace the non-operational bubbler near the carousel in City Walk. All bubblers (excluding the Bunda Street bubbler) will be installed by mid 2009. The new Bunda Street bubbler will be installed as part of the Bunda Street refurbishment, which is due to start late 2009.

New Griffin lecture

“M ARIO n Mahony Griffin – 21st century avant gardiste or 19th century dreamer?” is the title of the inaugural Marion Mahony Griffin Lecture Dr Anna Rubbo, associate professor of architecture at the University of Sydney, at the National Library Theatre at 6pm on Thursday, February 12. Organised by the Canberra Chapter of the Walter Burley Griffin Society. The cost is $10 for society members and $15 for non-members, payable at the door. Light refreshments will be provided afterwards. RSVPs through organiser Brett Odgers on 6286 4395 or bjodgers@iinet.net.au

Evans talks

HARRY Evans, clerk of the Senate since 1988, will deliver the 2009 Canberra Day Oration at the National Library of Australia at 5.30pm, March 12. Further information about this free event call 62812929 or email admin@canberrahistory.org.au

Designs for Climate Change

What drives Dr Deb?

MISSION and values, values and mission, Dr Deborah Cole chants them like a mantra. A couple of hours with the no-nonsense, plain-speaking CEO of Calvary Hospital turns into a mischievous cat-and-mouse game to make the former dentist smile. And when she does, there’s a playful laugh and sparkle in her eyes.

There’s only one question when the stare froze and the exuberance faltered. “Are you religious?” But we’ll come back to her answer; there’s still lots to understand about this remarkable woman.

She returns enthusiastically to the mantra that seems to have driven her life. An 11-year-old living in Nepal, she resolved to become a dentist after mixing amalgam for a Swiss volunteer in Kathmandu (the mission). Though no memory of his name, she was moved by his devotion to helping people and it inspired her to want to follow his selfless example (the values).

And she did. The daughter of a forester in SA, she started life and finished her secondary schooling in regional Mount Gambier. In between, her family travelled the State’s forests and overseas.

With no particular understanding of the academic rigour needed to become a dentist, her childhood catharsis carried her into a dental degree from the University of Adelaide and straight on to a bus.

It was the bus that provided public dental services to remote parts of SA. The country girl was back in the country. In Morgan, on the River Murray, to this day she’s known as “Deb the Dentist”. And, to this day, she returns to the river town every summer to relax and water ski.

It was during her time, still in public practice, at the Adelaide Dental Hospital that Deb had an experience that changed her life, but not her determination. It was the learning journey of studying for an MBA and it turned into her ticket out of drilling for a living (“I’m still registered,” she says, “I love dentistry.”). Qualified and skilled, she was appointed to run the Royal Dental Hospital of Melbourne and there began another chapter of self discovery.

She hankered to be involved in acute hospital care, but the dental hospital experience wasn’t enough to make the move. Hmm. What parallels the demands of a busy hospital? Where can the skills be found that could open the door? Give up? Think garbage, streetlights, angry

Canberra’s much-loved Calvary Hospital celebrates its 0th birthday next month. IAN MEIKLE meets its CEO, who’s dedicated to keeping the quality up and the complaints down.

ratepayers and it’s simple: Get yourself the job of CEO of a busy, inner-city council, where all the complexity and management challenges abound.

“It was the closest thing to managing a hospital: multi-services, infrastructure, people management, the community in your face,” she says.

But the experience proved richer than expected; nothing had prepared her for the politics of a left-wing council. She stuck it out for a couple of years, sucked up all the experience and cracked a job in acute care at nearby St Vincent’s Health, making no bones that the mission was to run a hospital of her own. Not long after, Calvary Health Care ACT called.

It’s a not-for-profit hospital providing public and private services, employing more than 1000 staff and managing 334 beds in the acute and sub-acute sectors.

Now five years on and three years of a five-year contract with Calvary completed, she’s sitting comfortably in the saddle. What’s she achieved? “Fewer complaints, more compliments; a stronger patient focus and more support for staff and training,” she says.

“And the food’s got better, too!”

Well, is she religious? Her words, though carefully chosen, are sincere. She

is halfway through a Graduate Certificate in Leadership and Catholic Culture, though admits to not being especially religious. I wondered how that reconciled with her running a hospital owned by the Catholic religious order Little Company of Mary Health Care, an organisation providing hospital services, aged care, home-based and palliative care at 26 locations around Australia?

She explains that a national board controls the hospital and there is a strict adherence to management constraints such as budgets and key performance indicators, and while the sisters assume no direct sway outside the board, she enjoys regular (and welcome) visits from the nuns.

The order of the Little Company of Mary was founded by Mary Potter in 1877 and, as Dr Deb says: “The basic qualities of her mission will always remain relevant and direct the way we care for our patients.”

Do they interfere? Undermine the board? Cause management confusion? Oh, no! Never. And here, with disarming warmth, Dr Deb confesses to enormous admiration and affection for her shareholders. Not something you hear too many CEOs saying these days.

Woolies help farmers

F OR the third consecutive year, Woolworths will donate the entire day’s profit on Friday, February 20, to help farming families and communities across the country. The initiative is expected to raise more than $5 million. As in previous years, the Country Women’s Association will administer the funds. The previous two fundraising days have raised a total of $10 million and in 2008 the money assisted more than 3000 families with emergency bills and daily expenses. Funds from the initiative have also been used to contribute to research into sustainable farming practices.

Arts centre on track

CONSTRUCTION of stage one of the $9m Belconnen Arts Centre on the shores of Lake Ginninderra works – to be completed midway through this year – is on track, says Chief Minister Jon Stanhope. It will include a visual arts gallery, foyer, dance studio, two classrooms, café and surrounding landscaped areas for outdoor festivals, concerts and major events. Expressions of interest are open for anyone interested in hiring a space or volunteering to host events and assist with activities. Enquiries to the centre development manager, Hannah Semler, on 6205 8712.

Road toll challenge

ACT Policing is calling on the community to keep the Territory’s road toll to nine or less this year. Last year there were 14 deaths on ACT roads. Traffic operations superintendent Mark Colbran said the majority of fatal traffic incidents were a result of reckless choices made by motorists such as ignoring the speed limit, drinking then driving, not wearing a seatbelt or engaging in other irresponsible or illegal behaviour. ACT Policing would be out

in force and would show no tolerance when it came to targeting driving behaviour that put lives in danger, he said.

Canberra kicks a goal

THE Socceroos will play their first qualifying match in the Asian Football Championship in Canberra. Chief Minister Jon Stanhope said the match, against Kuwait on Thursday, March 5, will be a highlight of Canberra’s sporting calendar in 2009.

Why Jon has to junk the promises

Contrite, grateful and ready to start breaking election promises, it’s a different Chief Minister who sits down with JORIAN GARDNER this side of the election.

IN his first sit-down interview with “CityNews” for 2009, Jon Stanhope’s demeanour has changed. It’s very different talking with Stanhope the majority Chief Minister than it is with Jon the new minority Chief Minister.

Before he would just talk to the tape, this time he has pages of written notes that he refers to constantly, ensuring that he has something to say on virtually every portfolio – a quick grab here; a pat on the back there; a carefully selected line to warn of possible foreboding economic times, which will eventually lead to the breaking of election promises: “Out of our control” he says.

“It’s good to be back in government,” he says slumping into his chair.

“We’ve been busy; we take seriously the trust that has been invested in us again. Certainly, we made a range of promises and undertakings, but the economic environment changed dramatically, even since the election and the campaign and we’ve really had to re-focus.”

There it is, the Broken Promise Excuse. He won’t say which ones, but the cynical public will rightly sigh collectively. However, he does have a point about the new economic realities.

“Grappling with the issues of the global finan-

cial crisis is the number one priority,” he says.

“We are investing a lot of energy in how we, as a government, can provide some stability and we need to understand the changes to our Budget position: What can we do to provide stability and see that confidence is retained, investments continue?

“It is almost an entirely capital response that we are proposing, designed to provide stability in the employment market, work opportunities and stimulating the economy through capital works.”

“

We want to be a good government and we are not comfortable with the fact that a significant number of Canberrans have doubts about whether we are, and we want to respond to that.

– Chief Minister Jon Stanhope ”

Over the next few weeks Stanhope will be asking of his ministers their plans for their portfolios over the next four years, what sort of funds they think they are going to need and what areas that they will focus on?

I ask the Chief Minister whether he would be doing any of this if the result had been more in Labor’s favour. Isn’t this talk just a reaction to the Greens taking four seats in the Assembly and backing the Labor minority government, not some heartfelt need to give the public more?

“Quite certainly, it’s a reaction to the election

result; not so much that the Greens achieved the result they did, but more that our vote was not what we had hoped it to be and it is very much an acceptance by me and by my colleagues in the Government, that we can’t just say: ‘Oh yeah, we recognise that there are lessons to be learnt’ and make soothing noises, it is quite clear to me that there are messages… and one of those is about engagement and about trust, transparency, confidence in the Government’s processes and we will completely reconfigure and adapt our accountability framework.

“We want to be a good government and we are not comfortable with the fact that a significant number of Canberrans have doubts about whether we are, and we want to respond to that.”

So what about his own priority areas outside winning back the trust he thinks he has lost within the community?

“Issues around land supply, and planning and development,” he says. “Had we imagined or envisaged five years ago the continuing strength of the economy, we would have worked harder five years ago – and we have worked massively over the last few years to catch up.”

Given this new open-government policy, the Chief Minister would be happy about the enquiry about the prison-opening delays then?

“I have no issues with it at all,” he says. “There is nothing for us to hide in relation to the issue. It’s simple; we have a contract with Bovis Lend Lease, and they did not fulfil the time line. An enquiry will show that.”

Glimpse of a recovery? – Page 18

Lyricist short sold

I, TOO, saw the Young Music Society’s “Comic Book Opera” and while I agree with Helen Musa (“CityNews”, January 22) that many of the lyrics were incomprehensible, I feel that local comic writer Liz Argall’s plot was sold short in the reporting. It was Michael Sollis’ busy score that obscured Liz’s elegant, tight cartoon and comic-style plot that was perfectly pitched to today’s kids. Sollis would benefit from going back to listen to Gilbert and Sullivan and Rogers and Hammerstein to hear how the orchestra empties under the singers then booms in reiteration at the end of the lines. His music filled every frequency, leaving the singers no space to be heard. The sound mix didn’t help. I understand from the thanks at the end that a professional sound engineer wasn’t used. While I am all for providing mentoring and opportunities to young engineers, this was a job for a professional.

The Youth Music Society is to be commended for staging new local work. I wish the society, Sollis and Argall all the best for the future development of “Comic Book Opera”.

Simone

Penkethman, O’Connor

Listen,

Crispin

A recent rambling article by Crispin Hull in “The Canberra Times” on GST aspects of the

READER Phyl Carbone, of Braddon, sent us a photograph of a spectacular sunset taken from her balcony on a hot night recently.

“The sky looked like it was on fire and I just had to get my camera. It was too good to miss,” she writes. “I was pleased with the

Federal Government’s proposed tax scheme enquiry still has one blatant omission: The fact that ever since the introduction of the GST, a loophole in the Federal Government’s legislation has allowed State and Territory Governments to impose their own stamp duties and other taxes on transactions that already include GST!

As everyone knows, this has resulted in several years of outrageous double taxation, which

result and have had a few compliments as I am really only an amateur photographer, but it has been my hobby for many years.” You’re too modest, Phyl. Our snapper-incharge Silas Brown thought it was a great shot.

cost home buyers, insurers and many others (who probably need the money more than the Government) hundreds of millions of dollars. This situation has been openly acknowledged by Federal and State parliamentarians, but deliberately ignored by journalists such as Crispin Hull, despite letters to him on the subject. Why is everyone afraid to speak out and do something?

M.J.

McGregor, Curtin

Sign but no sale!

“OuT of the 36 homes in my street – what would the chance be of picking my home?” writes Richard Luton agent Christine Shaw who emerged recently from her Downer home to find a competitor’s “for sale” sign hammered into her front lawn.

She phoned the Peter Blackshaw office in Dickson and let them know there was no chance “they would ever get to sell my home!” She says there were laughs all round and the sign was promptly moved to the right property – 300 metres down the other side of the street.

Dear Jon

CHIEF Minister, “CityNews” (January 29) quotes you as saying, among other things: “…Commonwealth Government accepting the responsibility and take the hard decisions that need to be taken in relation to climate change.” How about practising what you preach and take action against the development of the private, polluting power station in Canberra residential areas?

Dayle Redden, Kingson

Letters are invited from “CityNews” readers. Let loose to ed@citynews.com.au or write to the editor at GPO Box 2448, Canberra 2601. Letters of 200 words or less stand a better chance of publication.

Worry of knickers and what to say

I’VE got a question: It’s Saturday morning and you’re strolling in Manuka when you notice the woman in front has her skirt hooked up in the back of her knickers. Would you: (a) Look the other way and pretend not to notice?

(b) Catch up and let her know about her embarrassing problem?

(c) Agonise about what to do until the woman disappears into the distance?

My husband was in this situation the other day and was flummoxed as to what to do. He was inclined to go with option (b) but he reasoned that the woman in question might react unpredictably to an approach by a male stranger concerning the state of her undergarments. So he squibbed it and left the unfortunate lady to further embarrassment as she went down the street while he came home vaguely guilt ridden.

In theory, the kind and charitable thing to do is to tell a person when something is seriously amiss. But, in reality, these situations can be a bit awkward and require careful consideration. How many of us would tell a bloke one really didn’t know that his fly was at half-mast?

Many years ago I was walking behind a group of elderly ladies in Adelaide’s Rundle Mall when I noticed one of them was trailing a long stream of toilet paper. It had obviously got caught up in her underwear and was dragging some distance out the back. As a shy teenager,

By Sonya Fladun

I found the whole idea of approaching her a bit too daunting. So I took matters into my own hands, or rather my feet, by trying to discretely resolve the problem by jumping on the trailing toilet paper .

The startled, but nimble 80-something reacted badly. I copped a painful and embarrassing wack from her walking stick and had to do some hasty explaining. The experience left me with some nervousness towards these sort of predicaments and ready set of excuses for inaction.

That said, anyone seeing me in an embarrassing state should know that I’m happy always to accept the kindness of strangers. So, to those brave souls over the years who have pointed out that the reason for my wobbly gait was the mismatched shoes, who somehow noticed similarly mismatched socks and earrings (I sometimes get dressed in the dark), not to mention occasional sticky notes that have somehow become stuck to my backside (my work area gets a bit messy) and the surprising case of the dressing gown belt hanging out the back of my trousers (that one is tougher to explain), I may have appeared a bit red-faced, but I remain eternally grateful.

Exquisite three bedroom townhouses in the serene, yet thriving heart of Belconnen.

What is Relay For Life?

Relay For Life is an overnight, community event where teams of 10-15 participate in a relay-style walk or run to raise funds for Cancer Council. The event brings the whole community together for a night of fun, entertainment, celebration and remembrance.

Why do we Relay?

Every five minutes, another Australian is diagnosed with cancer. While survival rates are improving every day, cancer remains a leading cause of death. That’s why it’s so important that we raise funds to fight cancer. Every dollar raised at Relay For Life helps the Cancer Council to:

• Investigate new ways to prevent, detect and treat cancers

• Educate people in your community about ways they can reduce their cancer risk

• Advocate for cancer control and influence government policy

• Support people during their times of greatest need.

How did it all begin?

Relay For Life began in the USA when, in 1985, Dr Gordy Klatt raised over $27,000 for his local cancer charity by running around an oval for 24 hours. Since then, the event has spread across the USA and then across the globe. Relay For Life is now held in over 23 countries and is the world’s largest fundraising event.

Relay For Life began in Australia in 1999, when the Victorian community of Murrumbeena raised over $75,000 for Cancer Council. Relay For Life is now run in every state and territory, and raises over $14 million each year for the cancer fight.

Who can participate?

Everybody in the community can get involved.

Cancer Council recommends each Relay For Life team consists of 10-15 team members, including a nominated team captain. There are no age limitations or fitness requirements – Relay For Life is suitable for everyone, and anyone can join in the fun!

Please note: all participants under the age of 18 years must have adult supervision at all times.

When going gets tough, get even

NO one with a super fund needs reminding how tough the markets are right now. The negative 20 per cent returns are about as bad as it’s ever been and it’s going to take a while to get back to where we were, let alone start growing again. In times like these, super fund members have every right to be worried and even angry. But while these are normal emotions for fund members, such emotions are inexcusable for the experts who last year pocketed $10 billion to look after our money.

This is why now, more than ever, we need these people to pick themselves up off the floor, dust themselves off and get back on the hose. Trouble is, I’m not sure all of them are up to it, at least judging by how shell-shocked some seem to be. Indeed, for people who make their living spruiking the future of long-term investments, the silence out there is almost deafening.

There can be no dispute that super funds, investment managers, financial advisers and research firms collectively let us down. However, while you might be angry with your super fund for not seeing the signs and not changing direction fast enough, you should reserve your real anger for the super funds and financial advisers who, while they were happy to pocket your fees in the good times, are now nowhere to be seen.

SupERANNuAtION

By Alex Dunnin

To head off this reaction, most of Australia’s best super funds, investment managers and financial advisers are getting ready to bombard us with information using new ways of communicating about what’s been happening to your investments, what your funds intend doing about it to get you back on track and why you should stick with them. Some may even be about to explain why they are changing investment strategy or even how their funds operate.

For members of a retail super fund, your financial adviser should already have been in contact as the whole point of paying higher fees is this extra personal service.

So be angry, but whatever you do don’t use it as an excuse to stop contributing into super because your long-term retirement savings needs won’t be going away just because of this current crisis.

We’ve all taken a massive hit this year because of the global financial crisis. The challenge now is to ensure it doesn’t happen again and to make sure we stop rewarding the wrong people.

Alex Dunnin is the director of research and editorial at the Rainmaker group.

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Thinking shares? Think averages...

WHATEVER you have read or heard about market pundits’ forecast for this year, keep the idea of averages in your mind because in the sharemarket most things are about the average.

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So if 2003 to 2007 sharemarket returns lifted the longer-term average return, 2008 certainly did a good job of taking a fair chunk back to leave you with an average.

One of the curious things about averages is the remarkable repetition that over time can be noticed about annual returns. One of these remarkable repetitions is the so called “Decennial Pattern”. I had almost forgotten about it until holiday reading set in and I dug this out of my library.

Simply, the Decennial Pattern is demonstrated by the chart for the US Dow Jones Industrial Average.

By taking all the returns for every year ending in 0 to 9 between 1886 and 2003 and averaging returns in those years, a startling pattern emerges. The most striking, of course, is how years ending in 5 (1895, 1905, 1915, 1925 etc) have outperformed every other year by a very

wide margin. Of course, this is US sharemarket data, but in the end what goes in the US sharemarket has a profound effect worldwide, as we all know.

The reason for this? Frankly, no one really knows. It’s just one of those observations that are just there and trying to explain why can be as futile as predicting the future. So, by extension, 2009-2011 are going to be tricky years and the best returns on AVERAGE will start to build 2012-2015.

Stockbroker Joseph Cardone is an experienced adviser and the Canberra branch manager for Patersons Securities Ltd, Stockbroking and Wealth Management. Any advice provided in this article is general in nature and should not be solely relied upon when making any individual investment decision.

Jeff sees ‘money for nothing’

JEFF Proud says 2009 is going to be a great year for investors to position themselves in the property market.

And he should know. The Canberra-based director of property investment company Park Heath has bought more than $60 million worth of property for clients over the past eight years.

“Interest rates are already at their lowest in 18 years and with another 1 per cent rate cut predicted, it will make them the lowest in 40 years,” he says.

“For property investors, this means that the gap between rental income and interest expenses will in many instances disappear. As a result, one of the great phenomenons of property investment will once again become commonplace – neutral or even positive gearing!

“Put simply, people will again be able to buy investment properties that, after expenses and tax savings, will actually cost us nothing to hold, or even put money in our pocket every month.

“Investors will be able to increase their wealth through the growth in the value of their property at no ongoing cost. Money for nothing, some might say!”

He says there is no doubt that lower interest rates will bring owner/occupiers back into the market, particularly in the sub $500,000 bracket to which all the government incentives are directed.

“Investors, too, will re-enter the market in greater numbers to take advantage of the wealth creation opportunity offered by neutral and positive gearing,” he says.

“All of this new activity will further tighten

Jeff

Proud… “Investors will be able to increase their wealth through the growth in the value of their property at no ongoing cost. Money for nothing, some might say!”

the supply in an already undersupplied market, ultimately putting upward pressure on prices as demand exceeds supply.

“Property should always be bought with capital growth as the primary objective. Interestingly, the increased activity of cash  ow-driven investors will deliver exactly the right outcome for growth investors.

“At the end of the day, the goal of property investment is to make a capital gain.

“At the moment there is more supply of houses than there are buyers in the marketplace.

So it means investors are in a position right now where they can negotiate heavily to their advantage – and there’s a chance to get great bargains right now.

“And let’s not forget that the market will rebound, of course.

“But investors really do have to take advantage and act now – they can pick and choose properties at the moment and negotiate the right price for them. This is classic counter cyclical investment and the current set of conditions is unlikely to be repeated for a number of years.”

Park Heath is an independent consultant and buyer’s agent service to Canberra property investors. It is also a licensed real estate agent. But it has no property to sell – it is exclusively for investors.

That doesn’t mean your investment will end up being a house you can drive past in the ACT. Jeff Proud says that while it may be nice to have an investment property you can check up on from time to time, it’s about the return on investment, which may lead to properties in Brisbane, Sydney or Melbourne.

One of the main bene  ts of investing through Park Heath is that all properties recommended are physically inspected. This guarantees independence and ensures that properties are only ever recommended on their merits and that all opportunities can be considered, whether locally or interstate.

In addition, Park Heath assists by co-ordinating the purchase process and liaising with other involved parties such as lenders and solicitors to ensure a smooth settlement of the purchase. It also identi  es competent property management to ensure properties are well managed and tenanted as soon as possible.

“The growing gap between the prices of new and equivalent established stock means that investors can position themselves to take full advantage of the ‘bounce’ in prices that is expected to occur as the pent up demand is released on the back of interest rate falls,” he says.

“Expertise is required to take full advantage of the opportunities and that is what Park Heath is about.”

“we attempt to be fearful when others are brave and greedy only when others are fearful”

warren buffett, the world’s richest man has used this simple investment philosophy to build his fortune.

Property Investors Brieng

buyers in control… for now

• lack of supply

• pent-up demand

• population growth

• rising rents

• tight vacancy rate

• buyer’s market

At the free brieng, jeff proud, principal of park heath property investor services will explain –

• how and where to take advantage of current market conditions to position yourself for big prots

• the advantages of using an independent buyer’s agent

• the future for property markets over the coming months and years

• the property types that offer the best value for investors

to register 24 hours 6285 4311 or visit www.parkheath.com.au

• falling interest rates

• price surge in 09/10

date: 11 february

time: 6.30pm to 8.30pm

(registration from 6.15pm)

where: crowne plaza hotel, 1 binara street

Window fashions star in new gallery

“OUR aim was to give our customers a modern gallery experience by incorporating the latest design ideas from around the world, yet with a uniquely Australian  avour,” said Allan Smith.

Allan and his wife Barbara, the owners of Riteway Curtains & Blinds, have just opened a cutting-edge showcase of the latest in worldwide window fashions technology and innovation.

Allan said the Fyshwick site was the rst Australian Luxaex window fashions destination store – the next generation “gallery concept”. It had been inspired by European and American designs, yet specically designed for the Australian market by local Canberra designer Archertec Interiors.

“The showroom showcases leading home automation technology in a comfortable, modern environment. The majority of window fashions can now be operated with the touch of a button, or operated on sensors so the energy ef  ciency of the home is maximised,” he said.

“This next-generation window fashions gallery features a kid’s room where children can play or watch movies in a safe and secure environment while parents can leisurely look at the full-size Luxa  ex products, sample the latest in-home automation and have all their questions answered by one of our window fashion experts.

“We worked closely with the national Luxa  ex team to develop the best window fashions showroom in Australia.

“The new gallery will allow customers to enjoy a coffee while browsing through the extensive product range in the comfortable seating areas.

“Making a decision on your home furnishings is a very important one and we feel that by providing a relaxed and comfortable gallery, our

customers will be able to make the best window fashion decisions for their home.”

The new store sees Allan and Barbara become the only Luxa  ex Window Fashions Gallery dealers to own three galleries, all of which are in the Canberra region.

Three-time Luxa  ex Awards for Excellence winners, the couple has more than 35 years experience in the ACT and region.

“We have worked hard to make this Gallery Concept Store a reality and we are excited about the unique offering we have created for Canberra residents,” said Allan. Luxa  ex products on display include awnings,

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sunscreens, roller blinds, roman shades and panel glides as well as Luxa  ex Window Fashion Gallery exclusive products, such as Duette Architella Shades, Luminette Privacy Sheers and Silhouette Shadings, most of which are completely automated.

“Duette Architella Shades feature a remarkable honeycomb design which nestles one honeycomb inside the other, forming three distinct air pockets for increased insulation against heat and cold. These pockets trap air, making your windows more energy ef  cient,” said Allan. He said these superior energy ef cient properties made Duette Architella Shades the perfect

window fashion solution for Canberra homeowners, helping them to save on energy bills during Canberra’s hot summers and icy winters. Luxa  ex Window Fashions were also the market leaders in child safety, with all products  tted with child-safety devices since 2002.

“Child safety in the home is one area where we all need to be vigilant – and we’re proud that all Luxa  ex Window Fashions products we supply are  tted with child-safety devices,” he said.

The Luxaex Window Fashions Gallery is at Shop 1, 64 Wollongong Street, Fyshwick. Call 6280 4762.

BUYING OR SELLING A HOME?

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Site Inspection @ The Royal Australian Mint

When: Wednesday 25 February Time: 3:30pm to 5pm

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Future Directions Debate – Planners Play God too often

When: Thursday 26 February

Where: Club Level, Uni Pub, London Circuit Canberra City Time: 6pm to 8pm

Proudly sponsored by Zenith Cite and HBO+EMTB Site Inspection @ Attorney General’s Department Barton

When: Wednesday 18 March Time: 3:30pm to 5pm

Proudly sponsored by Knight Frank Australia Division Lunch

Topic: Property Market Outlook 2009

Guest speakers: Craig James, Chief Equities Economist, Commonwealth Bank of Australia; Kevin Stanley, Regional Director Australia New Zealand, CB Richard Ellis and Cameron Kusher, Senior Research Analyst, RP Data

When: Thursday 19 March Time: 12pm to 2pm

Venue: Hotel Realm, Barton

Proudly sponsored by Commonwealth Bank of Australia

For more information on upcoming events, membership or sponsorship opportunities, please contact Antoinette Perera on 02 6248 6902 or email Aperera@propertyoz.com.au

Glimpse of a recovery?

the perennially optimistic CHRIS pE tERS, CEO of the AC t Chamber of Commerce, thinks the ACT may be the first State/ territory to be in recovery. He explains why in this edited section of a speech he gave the AC t Branch of the Order of Australia Association recently.

AS a frequent media commentator, I might be accused at times of trying to talk-up the economy. However, I don’t see it that way. My aim is to try and present a more balanced view and not to talk-down the economy – such as the doom and gloom presented by many in the media.

That’s because it is confidence that drives our economy. Of the total impact on our economy, about one-third is driven by economic and fiscal issues – and about two-thirds of it is driven by confidence, or lack of confidence. So, indeed, our economic future is very much in our hands.

The chamber’s “Quarterly Business Expectations Survey” has reported about nine years of good growth and a few of those years we experienced very strong growth. The ACT has been one of the strongest economies in Australia over recent years.

In my 40-year career, I have always found that retail is the early warning system for our economy. Retail is the first to show signs of a decrease in consumer confidence (leading to an economic downturn) and retail is the first to show signs of an increase in consumer confidence

(leading to an economic recovery).

In the ACT, retail performed badly in July 2008. We were the only State/Territory to show negative growth and for the ACT it was -4.3 per cent. In August, we were joined by NSW, but our decline reduced to -0.4 per cent.

Then in September and October, retail in ACT went flat – ie no increase, but no further decline – whilst other States/Territories showed declines. Then in November, the ACT recorded a small recovery of 0.4 per cent and we were the only State/ Territory to show a recovery.

December retail figures have not yet been released by the ABS [but] anecdotal evidence that I have been hearing is that retail figures in the ACT were okay (although margins were reduced). If the ABS figures confirm this, then I believe the ACT may be in recovery – the first State/Territory in Australia.

Despite the economic situation, we still have a very serious skills shortage. It impacts on both private and public sectors. I have been talking about the looming skills shortage as far back as early 2000. Over the last three years… it’s gone from

number 13 on the list of businesses concerns – to number one!

Before the global financial crisis, the ACT skills shortage was expected to double over the next three years. The crisis will have an impact on this, but it will not halve the demand.

Yes, we have some challenges ahead. But every challenge will present us with opportunities as well. Our success – the success of Canberra – will depend on how we rise to the challenges and how we create our own opportunities.

Grand Re-Opening

Saturday 14 February 2009, 9.00am

citylife arts | entertainment

Where landscape reigns supreme

By Helen Musa

THE director of ACT Museums and Galleries, Peter Haynes, is not a man to deliver a half-hearted opinion. In his view, “landscape has provided and continues to provide the impetus for the best art in Australia.”

The director of the national Gallery Australia, Ron Radford, and curator of the show “Oceans to Outback”, to open at the Canberra Museum and Gallery on February 13, is not so sure. Some of our greatest artists, such as Margaret Preston and Ian Fairweather, rarely did landscapes, he notes, and in the earliest period of Australian art only John Glover excelled in landscapes. However, he does concede that during the period of 1850 to 1950, which this exhibition covers, landscape reigned supreme.

The exhibition documents the century of landscape painting from the colonial 1850s to the immediate period following World War II. Over this century, as Radford’s selections show, landscape painting came to reflect the changing nature of the nation’s identity.

Haynes describes the travelling exhibition, part of the National Gallery’s 25th birthday gift from the national collection, is essentially a survey exhibition. Although he assures the Canberra public that there will be some “golden oldies” such as the Arthur Streeton, Tom Roberts and Frederick McCubbin works in the show, Haynes is most enthusiastic about the one or two works based on the Canberra region. Haynes will be talking alongside Radford about interpretations of the Monaro landscapes, Elioth Gruner’s “Murrumbidgee Ranges, Canberra 1934” and Eric Thake’s “Kosciusko and the Murray Flats at Towong 1932” on February 26.

Mark Van Veen, assistant director: curatorial and exhibitions, at the Canberra Museum and Gallery, points out that quite a few paintings will be little known. There is, for instance, Arthur Boyd’s delicate “Landscape with grazing sheep, 1937”, painted when the artist was only 17. Haynes says this is the first time that the n GA has brought an exhibition to the gallery in Civic Square and it will be the last stop on a national tour. He returns to his theme that landscape is more of the

Albert Tucker, “Sunbathers” (1944) oil on cardboard, 59.2cm x 86cm.

Arthur Streeton, “The selector’s hut (Whelan on the log)” (1890) oil on canvas, 76.7cm x 51.2cm.

most accessible art form in Australian art and describes the show as very timely. One of the seminar papers in the extensive public program will be called “A Troubled Landscape: Climate Change and Australian Identity”, where participants will include painter Mandy Martin and grazier Peter Andrews.

Without doubt, the unique qualities of the Australian landscape presented problems to the earliest artists represented in this exhibition, such as with W. C. Piguenit’s romantic view in “On the Nepean, New South Wales 1881”. But Eugene Von Guerard in “north-east view from the

northern top of Mount Kosciusko 1863” seems to have got it right much earlier.

The spectacular “Emus in a Landscape” by Drysdale, shown on the cover of the catalogue, highlights just how stark and confronting his work must have seemed when painted in 1950. Radford also expands the conventional idea of landscape by selecting cityscapes by Grace Cossington Smith, Rah Fizelle and Guy Grey-Smith.

“Ocean to Outback” is at the Canberra Museum and Gallery from Feb 13-May 17

Star conductor picks up the baton

By Helen Musa

AUSTRALIAN Youth Orchestra’s flagship ensemble will be in town again for a one-night stand at Parliament House on February 11.

The orchestra is made up of musicians aged 25 years and under, from all over Australia. They will be performing an orchestral repertoire from the 19th and 20th centuries, including Bernstein’s “West Side Story: Symphonic Dances”, Shostakovich’s “Symphony No.5” and Dukas’ “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice.”

With a reputation as one of the world’s most innovative training organisations for young pre-professional musicians, the

AYO’s training pathway has been created to nurture the development of Australia’s top young instrumentalists right across metropolitan and regional Australia, from the gifted, school-aged student to those on the verge of a professional career. The orchestra regularly tours internationally and celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2007 with its seventh European tour.

A most exciting development is that for this season 29-year-old English conductor, Alexander Shelley will make his debut with the orchestra. Shelley, unanimously awarded first prize in the 2005 Leeds Conductors’ Competition, was at the time described by one critic as “the most exciting and

gifted young conductor to have taken this highly prestigious award. His conducting technique is immaculate, everything crystal clear and a tool to his inborn musicality.”

He will take up the post of principal conductor of nuernberger Symphoniker in September. Other orchestras in Germany this season include Hamburg Symphony and MDR Leipzig as well as appearances in Cologne, Hannover, Kaiserslautern and Bremen with the Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen.

The Australian Youth Orchestra, February 11, 7.30pm, the Great Hall, Parliament House. Bookings at www.canberratheatre. org.au

An artist in love with colour

“The Home Paddock and Beyond”

A G Stokes ANCA Gallery, until February 8. Reviewed by Anni Doyle Wawrzynczak

AnCA’S first showing of the year is an inaugural exhibition from 2005 ANU School of Art graduate AG Stokes. Twenty oil paintings and 10 watercolour and oil pastels represent the farmland around Kialla near Shepparton, Victoria. The exhibition title conjures belonging and in a sense, these paintings romanticise a familial landscape that has been rendered flat and treeless for the purpose of cultivation.

This is clearly an artist in love with coIour. At times, Stokes achieves a hyper-real expressionism, colour pouring on to the canvas, enlivening vast tracts of land. In “Laser-graded”, diptych, 90cm x 160 cm, an immense flatness is relieved by a foreground slab of ochre yellow, with mid-lines in bright pinks, reds and green. The colours resolve into a massive sky of peach and soft blue aptly conveying a sense of the vast landscape blending at the horizon, then disappearing upwards.

In “Tracks in a pink landscape”, 90cm x 80 cm, heat lines, irrigation channels and far off tree lines, appear

and disappear, lending a syncopated rhythm to mushroom-pink fields and fuchsia skies. A cluster of four oils approaches the landscape during mist and after rain. Here the land is all quiet blues, gentle mauves and soft pinks, trailing wistfully off into barely peach or celadon skies.

The shy watercolour and oil pastels sit somewhat awkwardly amongst the bolder oils, and I could have wished for a more sophisticated use of the space. However, red dots prevail indicating that viewers appreciate the vivacious energy in the best of the oil paintings.

PERFORMANCE

The ‘Wind’ of wonder

“Wind of Shaolin”

Beijing Xian Dai Ren Culture & Communication Co. Scriptwriter, Feng Shuangbai. Artistic directors, Qi Anquing and Huang Haibi. Canberra Theatre. Season ended. Reviewed by Joe Woodward

“WI n D Of Shaolin” is a spectacular production with skilled performers and highly disciplined choreography. The sculptural imaging effects created by the set and the costuming allowed the huge cast of 60 dancers/actors and martial arts performers to execute some truly

magical moments in theatre.

While performing what was essentially a large melodrama of love, death and redemption, the work utilised the suggestion of events with very effective movement to convey the emotion beneath the actual action. For instance, when the evil One-eye Ghost was kidnapping Su Shui, we see the emotional state of Su Shui contrasted with the gloating of One-eye. This was achieved with very efficient movement of one dancer moving forward and the other withdrawing.

A highlight was the featured performance of Xia Xiao Pei, a young boy with outstanding movement skill in martial arts and comedy. His work along with the final martial arts battle scene took the work to a higher level.

While the lighting was generally effective, it was a pity that clumsy follow spots were used to focus on lead dancers in some sections. This detracted from the otherwise beautifully crafted effects.

“Wind of Shaolin” featured so many elements of kung-fu and Chinese traditional dance and operatic styles (though there was no singing) making for highly entertaining and engaging theatre. Perhaps the heroic string music became a little to much at times. But every effort was made to make the production an outstanding event.

Mama Mia, it’s Abba mania

ARtS IN tHE CIt Y

By Jorian Gardner

RETURNING from an 18-week run at the Strand Theatre in London’s West End and record-breaking seasons throughout Europe, South America and NZ, “the best Abba show since Abba” hits the national capital at Canberra Theatre on March 3. “Abba Mania” is two hours of uplifting dance-inducing hits, as the last show that Abba gave is recreated on stage. Book at Canberra Ticketing.

DISAPPOINTINGLY for fans, one of the top live acts in the region The Andi and George Band has announced that the time has come where Andrea Kirwin and George Bishop (Andi and George) have decided to part ways. The duo has been playing and songwriting together for more than three years, releasing an album in 2008. They will embark on solo careers.

LOCALS Freya Franzen (violin) and Ezmi Pepper (cello), who have been studying at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, will perform works by J. S. Bach, P. Tchaikovsky, D. Shostakovich, E.Ysaÿe, A. Piazzolla and more with pianist Paul Myers at Canberra Girls Grammar School Music Recital Room at 7.30pm on Saturday, February 7. Tickets at the door.

THE DIVINE Performing Arts, who produce their Chinese Spectacular on the stage of the Canberra Theatre Centre March 29-31, say tickets are selling super fast following their recent Chinese n ew Year promotion. But it’s not too late. Producers say you can still get tickets, with more room available on the March 31 show. Visit www.canberraticketing. com.au.

AFTER leading her band Simone and the Soothsayers for 10 years and releasing three CDs, Simone Penkethman has made a solo record. “Fall” has an intimate, stripped back sound and is an independent release. Penkethman is a songwriter, singer and formidable guitarist. Her songs are little worlds of story that intimately portray larger-than-life characters. She launches her album in Civic Square at Fringe ’09 on February 11.

Deep humanity of ‘Milk’

CINEMA

By Dougal Macdonald

HARVEY Milk was the first campaigner for civil rights for homosexuals elected to any level of government in the uS.

At the 1985 Sydney Film Festival, Rob Epstein’s Oscar-winning documentary “The Times of Harvey Milk” was a major hit. It was a powerful examination of the intellectual realities of homosexuality, which at the time were nothing less than intolerance, political savvy, and prejudice against people whose genetically-determined sexual orientation, however loving individual cases may be, didn’t conform with the commands uttered in the books laying down Judeo-Christian principles regulating human behaviour.

Gus van Sant’s re-enactment of the high points in Harvey’s last eight years before his assassination in 1978 covers the same ground. Not limited to archival visuals and reminiscences by talking heads, Dustin Lance Black’s screenplay tells Harvey’s story with deep humanity, diverting and expanding its events across a more intimate scale and freshening its tensions.

It reiterates Harvey’s oratorical power, conviction and high political skill in campaigning against repeal of local laws decriminalising homosexuality, declaiming the right of non-conforming minorities to equality and freedom and condemning the cruelty of bigotry.

Nominated for the five top Oscars and four technical ones, Milk’s delivery of the components essential for any good film – conflict, tension (even though we know how it will end), emotion, visual power in the actual locations where it happened, fine performances of characters who energise our willingness to become involved – invites admiration without disputing

filmgoers’ attitudes toward homosexuality. How many Oscars will come its way? Bookmakers will get rich from that question. This year’s competitors are a great bunch. Discovering parallels between van Sant’s re-creation of 1978’s events in San Francisco’s Board of Superintendents (city council) and America’s recent real-life political drama invites an interesting intellectual challenge as well as offering an entertaining experience.

I suspect that “Milk’s” best Oscar prospect is Sean Penn’s portrayal of Harvey. In the battle for best film, van Sant seems unsure whether his film’s principal intention is to illuminate a dramatic political spectrum or to pay homage to the homosexual lifestyle and the issues arising from it. But I did find myself enjoying it.

At Dendy

EVOKI nG film noir comedy, Will Eisner’s “graphic novel”, realised for the screen as “The Spirit” by writer/director Frank Miller, brings an eclectic bag of characters, situations, thematic styles

and visual environments to a story about babe magnet and city detective Denny (Gabriel Macht) questing for the beautiful Sands Serif who as a teenager blew him off because she hates cops. The Octopus (Samuel Jackson) seeks an antique Greek urn containing the blood of Herakles that will, when drunk, give him invincible power. Denny, who has died several times and been reincarnated with increasing powers as The Spirit, is determined to foil the Octopus’s ambitions. This simple argument provides a fun movie, packed with thrills, dangers, the kind of noise and movement that characterised cop movies in mid-20th century and beautiful bodies of both sexes portending fiery eroticism without actually crossing any line of cinematic rectitude drawn by Hollywood’s Hays Office.

Packed with references from many classic sources, the dialogue is intelligent and witty. And Sam Jackson as arch villain and mad scientist, with Scarlett Johansson as his beautiful, erotically ready-to-burst assistant whose brain is even better, make a superb pair of villains.

At Hoyts

Simply

Get away from it all

TREATI nG our partner to a pampering session is a thoughtful Valentine’s gift, according to Sue Stone, of mudd the spa at Hotel Realm.

“Flowers and chocolates are gorgeous, but you can do that any time,” she says. “A bit of pamper ing is something out of the ordinary.

“It also helps you relax and get in the mood for the evening! If a woman comes in for a beautiful facial on Valentine’s Day, she’ll feel good about herself – and how good will she feel about the person who bought it for her?”

For Valentine’s Day mudd offers the “Escape” package “which is an opportunity for people to get away from it all” and a “Unite” package for couples.

For more information call 6162 0909.

We are offering two specially designed packages to indulge your loved one..

Escape: Journey begins with an ancient sea salt crystal body polish and a light rain vichy shower. This is then complimented with the application of pure botanical body balm. Your journey then completed with our signature facial to promote a healthy, youthful appearance. Duration 1h 30m |

Couples

LADYBIRD Belconnen and Woden each offer a “one-stop-shop” for Valentine’s gifts, according to owner Janice Keogh.

From red devils, hearts and big cards all the way up to jewellery, including the Chamilia range of charms, there’s a gift line for everyone, Janice says.

Ladybird also offers a wrapping service, perfect for blokes who aren’t confident in getting the presentation right, she says.

“We’ll wrap it, bow it and make it beautiful.”

Valentine’s Day made easy Wrapped in gifts

HOTEL restaurants may not always be top of mind when it comes to dining out – but Hotel Rydges is aiming to change that this Valentine’s Day.

Food and beverage manager Brad Coelho says that Valentine’s Day dinner and accommodation packages, like that offered by Rydges Lakeside Canberra this year, not only take the complexity out of organising a special evening, but also allow us to treat our loved ones to excellent cuisine.

“We have a quality food offering, we constantly change our menu and have great chefs,” he says.

“Valentine’s Day is a chance for everyone to put aside everything that’s going on in the world, let your hair down and spend some time with the one you love.”

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Valentine’s Day

SWEET SEDUCTION PACKAGE

Receive one night’s accommodation in a one bedroom suite, chocolate dipped strawberries & marshmallows, a bottle of Moet Chandon Mini Rosé Piccolo, a two-course dinner in Konoba Restaurant, full buffet breakfast, national newspaper, free parking and late checkout. Package for two $395.

13TH & 14TH FEBRUARY 2009

Pearls that ‘melt hearts’

JEWELLERY, and pearls in particular, are a Valentine’s gift which will “melt women’s hearts,” according to Jane Brown, from Jane Brown Pearls in Yarralumla.

“Pearls are very romantic: women adore jewellery and my pieces are actually all individually designed,” she says.

Jane handpicks her pearls: mainly Chinese freshwater pearls, but also some Tahitian, South Sea and Japanese seawater pearls.

“When choosing pearls, the lustre is paramount,” she advises. “After that, you look at colour, shape and the jewellery’s design, but it’s the lustre that should speak to you.”

Gifts of giving

CHILDFUND Australia is offering “Donations with a Difference” this Valentine’s Day: these gifts help improve the lives of people in the developing world. Gifts include vegetable seeds for families in rural Uganda, $21; four ducklings for a farmer in Timor Leste, $36; or wooden bench and desk sets for school children in developing countries, $38.

More information at www.childfund.org. au/dwd

HAMPERESQUE has a range of hampers on offer this Valentine’s Day, ranging from the “Tickled Pink” for $20 up to the luxe Moet Classic hamper for $149. The hampers include ingredients such as champagne, other sparkling wines, beer, and Baci, Cadbury and Ferrero Rocher chocolates among others.

Hamperesque also offers baskets for businesses, new mums, men and those who prefer fruit and flowers to chocolate.

Owner and director Louise Curtis won the 2008 Nokia Business Innovation Award for the ACT, as part of the Telstra Business Women’s Awards, for her work with Hamperesque. For more information visit www.hamperesque.com.au or call 1300 550270.

IN Bl ACk & WHITE

IT’S an easy way to look smart and fresh: no wonder black-and-white is such a strong trend this season.

According to Roslyn Wright, of Soho and Momento, black-and-white is “timeless and classic”, and never falls entirely out of fashion.

“Black-and-white goes with absolutely everything, is appropriate for every occasion, and is ageless,” Roslyn says.

Black-and-white can be worn head-to-toe, or with a splash of colour – such as a bright necklace, handbag or shoes – for extra oomph.

A classic, “Chanel-esque” look, complete with pearls, is a very elegant way to wear the monochromatic look, Roslyn says.

– Megan Haggan

Race day draws near

TICKETS are now on sale for the AAMI Black Opal Stakes, which takes place at Thoroughbred Park on Sunday, March 8. Tickets this year are limited.

The Myer Fashions on the Field competition will offer racegoers the opportunity to win cash, Myer gift cards and even a trip for two to Paris.

The lead up to the Black Opal Stakes is about to commence with the search for Canberra’s Miss Black Opal 2009, which will take place at a luncheon at Thoroughbred Park on Saturday, February 14. Sunday, February 22, will be Preview Day, where racegoers can sneak a look at the horses which will run on Black Opal Day. Preview Day will feature the new Children’s Fashions on the

Field competition, which will give kids the chance to win a family trip to Sea World nara Resort on the Gold Coast.

Competitors in the Children’s Fashions on the Field and Miss Black Opal 2009 contests must pre-register to compete.

For more information, visit www. thoroughbredpark. com.au Fashions on the Field on Canberra Cup Day 2008.

prime time television

Highlights

Rove Sunday, SC Ten, 9.00pm With his youthful energy, goofy smile and warm and fuzzy charm, Rove (above) is really hard to dislike. He returns tonight with longtime sidekick Pete Helliar, satirical newsreader Carrie Bickmore, lovable bogan Dave Hughes and radio stars Hamish and Andy all back on board. Expect the usual shenanigans, along with an interview with American actor Justin Long.

Dexter Monday, SC Ten, 9.30pm Musclebound Miami detective Sergeant Doakes, played by Erik King plays a key role in the tantalising second season, starting tonight. With his deranged brother, the “Ice Truck Killer”, now officially fish bait and sister Deb (Jennifer Carpenter) still in one piece, things are briefly looking up for the conscientious serial killer (Michael C. Hall, above). But Doakes has got it in for his slippery colleague.

6.00 What The Future Sounded Like. (PG, R, S) 6.30 The Einstein Factor. (G, S) 7.00 News. (S) 7.30 Wild Caribbean: Treasure Islands. (G, S) 8.25 News. (S) 8.30 Cranford. Follows the small absurdities and major tragedies in the lives of inhabitants of the small Cheshire market town of Cranford during one extraordinary year. (PG, S) 10.00 Compass: Tony Blair’s Leap Of Faith. Geraldine Doogue interviews former British PM Tony Blair. (G, S) 11.20 Order In The House. (S)

6.00 News. (S) 6.30 Sunday Night. (S) 7.30 Border Security

– Australia’s Front Line. (PG, S) 8.00 Triple Zero Heroes. (PG, S) 8.30 City Homicide. Homicide joins forces with the drug squad to investigate the deaths of a judge and a junkie, both of whom overdosed on the same night. (M, S) 9.30 24. Jack receives some information that takes his mission in a new direction and puts him in direct conflict with the FBI. President Taylor discovers who is behind the terror plot. (M, S) 11.20 Air Crash Investigations. (PG, R)

6.00 News. (S) 6.30 Cricket. One-day international. Game 3. Australia v New Zealand. Second session. From the SCG. (S) 10.00 Movie: Firewall. (2006) Harrison Ford, Paul Bettany, Virginia Madsen. A security expert has to rob the bank he is protecting to save his family who have been taken hostage by a ruthless criminal. (M, R, S)

6.30 The Biggest Loser. (PG, S) 7.30 So You Think You Can Dance Australia. (PG, S) 9.00 Rove. Celebrity interviews, comedy, music and regular variety segments. Guests include Justin Long and Ginnifer Goodwin, stars of He’s Just Not That Into You, former Test cricketer Matthew Hayden, and music from Sneaky Sound System. Hosted by Rove McManus. (M, S)

6.00 Thalassa: Fisherman’s Blues. (G, S) 6.30 World News Australia. (S) 7.30 Lost Worlds: The Mystery Of The Giant Sloth’s Cave. (G, S) 8.30 Dateline. George Negus interviews the President of Israel, Shimon Peres, about the future of the relationship between Palestine and Israel. (S) 9.30 Movie: Ship Of No Return: The Last Voyage Of The Gustloff Pt 1. (2008) Kai Wiesinger, Karl Markovics, Heiner Lauterbach, Michael Mendl, Valerie Niehaus. Based on a true story. (M) 11.15 Inside Hamas. (M, R)

Find My Family

Tuesday, Prime, 8.00pm

This endearing real-life series exceeded initial expectations, which goes to show that despite what seems to be a general shift in preference away from reality TV, viewers just can’t get enough of good old-fashioned drama. This well-produced offering that reunites lost and estranged family members is hosted by veteran Australian actor Jack Thompson (above), whose sincere and suitably paternal presence is an asset.

6.00 Landline Extra. (R, S) 6.30 Talking Heads. (G, S) 7.00 News. (S) 7.30 The 7.30 Report. (S) 8.00 Australian Story. (S) 8.30 Four Corners. (S) 9.20 Media Watch. (S) 9.35 Stephen Fry: The Secret Life Of The Manic Depressive. Part 1 of 2. Motivated by his own personal battle with manic depression, Stephen Fry’s Emmy-winning documentary explores mental illness. (MA15+, S) 11.05 Lateline Business. (S) 11.35 Kill Me If You Can. (M, R, S)

6.00 News. (S) 6.30 Today Tonight. (S) 7.00 Home And Away. (PG, S) 7.30 How I Met Your Mother. (PG, S) 8.30 Desperate Housewives. Lynette discovers another side to one of her sons. Gaby attempts to mask her diminishing social stature. The time has come for the men in Susan’s life to meet. Mrs McCluskey enlists Katherine’s help to uncover more information on their new neighbour, Dave. (M, S) 9.30 Brothers & Sisters. (M, S) 11.20 30 Rock. (PG) 11.45 Last Comic Standing. (M)

6.00 News. (S) 6.30 WIN News. (S) 7.00 A Current Affair. (S) 7.30 Two And A Half Men. (PG, S) 8.00 The Big Bang Theory. After Sheldon bans Penny from the apartment for numerous minor infractions, she decides to retaliate. (PG, S) 8.30 Underbelly: A Tale Of Two Cities. Anti-drugs campaigner Donald Mackay makes deadly enemies with the Griffith Mafia and corrupt NSW police. Melbourne criminal Ray Chuck plans Australia’s most audacious heist. (M, S) 11.30 Just Shoot Me! (PG)

6.00 The Simpsons. (G, R, S) 6.30 Neighbours. (G, S) 7.00

The Biggest Loser. (PG, S) 7.30 So You Think You Can Dance Australia. (PG, S) 8.30 Good News Week. Two teams comprising comedians, media personalities, politicians and special guests engage in a satirical view of the week’s news. Hosted by Paul McDermott, with team leaders Mikey Robins and Claire Hooper. (M, S) 9.30 Dexter. Debra returns to work after the attempt on her life. (AV15+, S) 11.20 The Late Show With David Letterman. (PG)

6.00 Global Village: Exccentriiiks. (G, R, S) 6.30 World News Australia. (S) 7.30 Top Gear. (PG, S) 8.30 South Park. The boys refuse to embrace the latest fad hitting South Park Elementary, placing their status as the coolest kids in school at risk. (M, S) 9.00 Drawn Together. (MA15+, R, S) 9.30 World News Australia. (S) 9.55 Market Update. 10.00 Pizza. (M, R, S) 11.20 Movie: Vampire Hunter D. (2000) (M, R)

The Man Inside Dame Edna

Thursday, ABC1, 8.30pm

Whether you love or loathe her, Dame Edna Everage is an Aussie cultural icon. This program looks at the colourful life of the man behind the character, Barry Humphries (above). While it manages to catch Humphries out of character in parts, there is, of course, plenty of screen time devoted to Dame Edna and Humphries’ other character Sir Les Patterson, who both give their two cents worth.

6.05 Time Team: Harold’s Field. (G, S) 7.00 News. (S) 7.30 The 7.30 Report. (S) 8.00 Lead Balloon. (PG, S) 8.30 Doctor Who. After arriving in the 1800s, the Doctor and Rose encounter Queen Victoria, the unsuspecting victim of a deadly trap set by an ancient extraterrestrial menace. (PG, R, S) 9.15 Doctor Who Confidential: Cut Down: Fear Factor. A behind-the-scenes look at Doctor Who. (G, S) 9.30 Foreign Correspondent. (S) 11.10 Lateline Business. (S) 11.35 Four Corners. (R, S)

6.00 News. (S) 6.30 Today Tonight. (S) 7.00 Home And Away. (PG, S) 7.30 RSPCA Animal Rescue. (G, S) 8.00 Find My Family. (PG, S) 8.30 Packed To The Rafters. Looking for a new direction and focus, Rachel throws herself into starting a new chapter in her life. Dave struggles with his new business partner. (PG, S) 9.30 All Saints. A brutally bashed cabbie and his assailant come face-to-face in the emergency department, creating a medical mystery for Steve. (M, S) 11.30 Dirty Sexy Money. (M)

6.00 News. (S) 6.30 WIN News. (S) 7.00 Cricket. One-day international. Game 4. Australia v New Zealand. Second session. From Adelaide Oval. Commentary from Mark Nicolas, Richie Benaud, Mark Taylor and Michael Slater (S) 10.00 A Current Affair. (S)

River Of No Return

Friday, SBS, 7.30pm

On the first anniversary of the Government’s apology to Indigenous Australians comes this documentary from Darlene Johnson (Gulpilil: One Red Blood and Stolen Generations). It charts the life of Frances Daingangan (above), a Yolgnu woman whose dream of being a movie star was realised when she was cast in a breakthrough role in Ten Canoes Her humour and tenacity in the face of adversity makes for inspiring viewing.

6.00 The Simpsons. (G, R, S) 6.30 Neighbours. (G, S) 7.00 The Biggest Loser. (PG, S) 8.00 Bondi Rescue. (PG, S) 8.30 NCIS. After the team is called in to investigate the death of a petty officer in a car crash, they are surprised to learn that he was an underground street fighter. (M, S) 9.30 Lie To Me. A commanding officer is accused of sexual assault by a female soldier, and Dr Cal Lightman is brought in to resolve the situation. (M, S) 11.15 The Late Show With David Letterman. (PG)

6.00 The World Game: Extra Time. 6.30 World News Australia. (S) 7.35 The Girl Who Lives In The Dark. (PG, S) 8.30 India Reborn: Myth And Might. Part 1 of 4. Explores how India has managed to prosper despite the impact of rampant corruption, patronage politics, the caste system and poverty. (PG, S) 9.30 World News Australia. (S) 9.55 Market Update. 10.00 Movie: Leonard Cohen: I’m Your Man. (2005) (M, R, S) 11.50 Movie: Invisible Waves. (2006) (M, S)

6.00 The Queen’s Cavalry: The Big Event. (G, R, S) 6.30 The Cook And The Chef. (G, S) 7.00 News. (S) 7.30 The 7.30 Report. (S) 8.00 The New Inventors. (S) 8.30 Spicks And Specks. Music game show. Hosted by comedian Adam Hills. (S) 9.00 Chandon Pictures. A dog lover hires Chandon Pictures to film a documentary about her corgi, Champion Charles. (M, S) 9.35 Ruddy Hell! It’s Harry And Paul. (M, S) 11.10 Lateline Business. (S) 11.35 Miniseries: To The Ends Of The Earth: Fire Down Below. (2005) (M, R, S)

6.00 News. (S) 6.30 Today Tonight. (S) 7.00 Home And Away. (PG, S) 7.30 Australia’s Got Talent. (G, S) 8.30 Criminal Minds. Agents Prentiss and Todd go undercover as the unit attempts to track a serial killer who has turned the art of picking up women into a means of choosing his victims. (M, S) 9.30 Gangs Of Oz: Middle Eastern Gangs – The Power, The Passion, The Betrayal. Narrated by Colin Friels. (M, S) 11.30 Disorderly Conduct Caught On Tape. (M)

6.00 News. (S) 6.30 WIN News. (S) 7.00 A Current Affair. (S) 7.30 The Farmer Wants A Wife. (PG, S) 8.30 The Mentalist. Patrick and the team head to a small farming town to investigate the case of a National Guard veteran killed in a fire. Questions arise after they discover another veteran perished in similar circumstances. (M, S) 9.30 Flashpoint. The wife of a visiting billionaire is kidnapped by a man posing as a journalist. (M, S) 11.30 Just Shoot Me! (PG)

6.00 The Simpsons. (G, R, S) 6.30 Neighbours. (G, S) 7.00 The Biggest Loser. (PG, S) 7.30 So You Think You Can Dance Australia. (PG, S) 9.00 House. House and the team treat a teenager who collapsed during her high school Christmas pageant. They soon learn the girl dealt with more than her share of bullying at school, and must delve deeper to understand her mysterious illness. (M, S) 10.00 Life. (M, S) 11.00 News/Sports Tonight. (S) 11.45 The Late Show With David Letterman. (PG)

6.00 Global Village: Exccentriiiks. (G, R, S) 6.30 World News Australia. (S) 7.30 Feast India. (G, R, S) 8.00 Tales From The Palaces: Who Cares. (G, R, S) 8.30 Long Way Down: Maun, Botswana To Cape Town, South Africa. (Final) The last leg of the trip begins with a safari in Botswana, and Ewan and Charley come face-to-face with some extraordinary animals. (M, S) 9.30 World News Australia. (S) 9.55 Market Update. 10.00 Movie:

Red Dragon

Sunday, SC Ten, 10.10pm

Director Brett Ratner wheels out cinema’s favourite psychopath for another helping of Thomas Harris’s macabre literary creation. Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins, above) is more content to make a play for revenge than to help old nemesis, Special Agent Will Graham (Edward Norton) net a serial killer (Ralph Fiennes). Satisfying enough.

thursday, 12

The Holiday Friday, Prime, 8.30pm Be sure to pack your toothbrush because writerdirector Nancy Meyers’ (Something’s Gotta Give) film is as sugary as a sherbet bomb. Kate Winslet (above) and Cameron Diaz star as single women from opposite sides of the pond, who escape their romantic woes through a holiday house swap. After having their hearts broken, both finally meet men (Jude Law and Jack Black) who are worthy of them.

6.10 Grand Designs. (G, R, S) 7.00 News. (S) 7.30 The 7.30 Report. (S) 8.00 Catalyst. (G, S) 8.30 The Man Inside Dame Edna. Explores the history and personal motivations of Australian comic actor Barry Humphries, the man “behind” Dame Edna Everage and Sir Les Patterson. (PG, S) 9.30 Q&A. Interactive public affairs program, in which panellists answer questions posed by the studio audience, viewers online and by SMS. Hosted by Tony Jones. (S) 11.05 Lateline Business. (S) 11.30 Live From Abbey Road. (M, S)

6.00 News. (S) 6.30 Today Tonight. (S) 7.00 Home And Away. (PG, S) 7.30 Ghost Whisperer. (PG, S) 8.30 Grey’s Anatomy. A plumbing leak becomes a deluge and wreaks havoc at Seattle Grace. The chief attempts to implement new teaching policies. George tries to retake his residency exam. (M, S) 9.30 Private Practice. Friendships are tested when Addison discovers that Naomi is concealing the practice’s financial problems. (M, S) 11.00 Beauty And The Geek. (PG)

6.00 News. (S) 6.30 WIN News. (S) 7.00 A Current Affair. (S) 7.30 Getaway. (PG, S) 8.30 Adults Only 20 To 01. Host Bert Newton counts down 20 of the most outrageous examples of shameful and shameless celebrity behaviour – from unconventional relationships to unintentional revelations. (M, S) 9.30 Kitchen Nightmares USA: Jack’s. Chef Gordon Ramsay visits Jack’s Waterfront, a seafood restaurant run by three body builders. (MA15+, S) 11.30 Seinfeld. (PG)

6.00 The Simpsons. (G, R, S) 6.30 Neighbours. (G, S) 7.00

The Biggest Loser. (PG, S) 8.00 Bondi Vet. (PG, S) 8.30 Law & Order: SVU. After a teenage boy comes into the precinct to confess his sexual feelings towards his young stepbrother, Stabler and Benson are not sure how to proceed as no crime has been committed. However, the situation changes drastically when the boy goes missing. (M, S) 9.30 Life On Mars. (M, S) 11.15 The Late Show With David Letterman. (PG)

6.00 Global Village: Exccentriiiks. (G, R, S) 6.30 World News Australia. (S) 7.35 Inspector Rex. (PG, R, S) 8.30 Carla Cametti PD. (Final) (M, S) 9.30 World News Australia. (S) 9.55 Market Update. 10.00 Movie: In His Hands. (2005) Isabelle Carré, Benoît Poelvoorde, Jonathan Zaccaï. An insurance broker who falls in love with one of her clients begins to suspect that he may be the serial killer who is preying on single women in the area. (MA15+) 11.35 Queer As Folk. (MA15+, R)

Mean Girls

Saturday, SC Ten, 6.30pm Cady Heron (Lindsay Lohan) grew up in the African wilds, but nothing can prepare her for the dangerous terrain of a US high school. Befriended by three shallow, bitchy girls (Rachel McAdams, Lacey Chabert and Amanda Seyfried, right with Lohan), Cady takes a crash course in sociology. 30 Rock’s Tina Fey wrote the script, which has lines and observations as sharp as a thumbtack. With a high-scoring joke-to-laugh ratio, Mean Girls takes an express route to the head of the class.

friday, 13 s aturday, 14

6.00 Message Stick. (G, R, S) 6.30 Can We Help? (G, S) 7.00 News. (S) 7.30 Stateline. (S) 8.00 Collectors. (S) 8.30 Miniseries: Trial & Retribution XII: Paradise Lost. (2007) Part 2 of 2. DCI Connor approaches the management of a popular local nightclub for answers after the venue becomes the focal point of an investigation into the activities of a serial rapist. (M, S) 9.40 The Complete Guide To Parenting. (Final) (M, R, S) 11.10 Good Game. (R, S) 11.40 Rage. (M)

6.00 News. (S) 6.30 Today Tonight. (S) 7.00 Home And Away. (PG, S) 7.30 Better Homes And Gardens. (G, S) 8.30

Movie: The Holiday. (2006) Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet, Jude Law, Jack Black. Two women who live on opposite sides of the Atlantic meet online and impulsively switch homes for Christmas in an effort to forget their romantic troubles. (M, S) 11.15 To Be Advised.

6.00 News. (S) 6.30 WIN News. (S) 7.00 Cricket. One-day international. Game 5. Australia v New Zealand. Second session. From the Gabba. Commentary from Richie Benaud, Mark Nicolas, Ian Healy, Bill Lawry and Tony Greig. (S) 10.00 A Current Affair. (S) 11.30 Movie: Mars Attacks! (1996) (M, R, S)

6.00 The Simpsons. (G, R, S) 6.30 Neighbours. (G, S) 7.00

The Biggest Loser. (PG, S) 7.30 The Simpsons. (PG, S) 8.00 The Simpsons. (PG, R, S) 8.30 Medium. After a friend of Devalos’s sister is murdered, Allison tries to help solve the crime. Her dreams prove confusing, however, when they seem to implicate the friend’s first husband, who was killed two years earlier. (M, S) 9.30 Law & Order. Lupo and Bernard investigate a complex case involving an online romance. (M, S) 11.30 News. (S)

6.00 Global Village: Exccentriiiks. (G, R, S) 6.30 World News Australia. (S) 7.30 River Of No Return. (PG, S) 8.35

As It Happened: Churchill’s Bodyguard – Dangerous Travels. (G, R, S) 9.30 World News Australia. (S) 9.55 Market Update. 10.00 The First Zionist Bunny. Follows contestants as they compete for the coveted role of Israel’s first Playboy Channel hostess. (M, R) 11.25 Movie: Cold Showers. (2005) (MA15+, R)

6.00 Totally Frank. (PG, R, S) 6.25 Minuscule: The Dung Beetle Battle. (G) 6.30 Gardening Australia. (G, S) 7.00 News. (S) 7.30 New Tricks. (PG, R, S) 8.25 News. (S) 8.30 The Bill. Superintendent Heaton mounts an armedresponse operation at a school, where a gunman is holding two schoolgirls and Sergeant Smith hostage. Inspector Weston co-ordinates a raid on a suspected drug den. (M, S) 11.20 Rage. (M)

6.00 News. (S) 6.30 In The Bush With Malcolm Douglas Pt 2. (G, S) 7.30 Kath & Kim. (PG, R, S) 8.00 Fawlty Towers. Basil arranges a gourmet night. (PG, R, S) 8.40 The Vicar Of Dibley. A female vicar is appointed to a small village parish full of the strangest people. (PG, R, S) 9.20 Not Going Out. (PG, S) 10.00 Gavin & Stacey. A couple who formed a relationship over the telephone meet for the first time in person. (M, S) 11.20 Movie: Jay And Silent Bob Strike Back. (2001) (MA15+, R, S)

6.00 News. (S) 6.30 Australia’s Funniest Home Videos. (G, S) 7.30 Movie: Raise Your Voice. (2004) (PG, R, S) 9.45 Movie: Miss Congeniality 2: Armed And Fabulous. (2005) Sandra Bullock, Regina King, William Shatner, Enrique Murciano. Against orders, a female FBI agent goes undercover again to rescue Miss USA and the pageant MC when they are kidnapped. (M, R, S)

6.00 The Simpsons. (G, R, S) 6.30 Movie: Mean Girls. (2004) (PG, R, S) 8.30 Movie: Out Of Sight. (1998) George Clooney, Jennifer Lopez, Ving Rhames, Don Cheadle, Dennis Farina. A robber seeks a rendezvous with a federal marshal who was used as a shield in his escape from prison, feeling he shares a romantic connection with her despite their conflicting views on the law. (M, R, S) 11.00 Football. NAB Cup. Round 1. Brisbane Lions v St Kilda. From Gold Coast Stadium.

6.00 Classical Destinations: London & Cheltenham (Holst & Vaughan Williams). (G, S) 6.30 World News Australia. (S) 7.30 MythBusters: Water Stun Gun. (PG, S) 8.30 Iron Chef. (G, S) 9.20 RocKwiz. Hosted by Julia Zemiro. (S) 10.00 Movie: Human Nature. (2001) Patricia Arquette, Rhys Ifans, Tim Robbins. A bizarre love triangle forms between a scientist, a naturalist and a man raised as an ape. (MA15+, R, S) 11.40 Shorts On Screen. (M)

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 8

Food Lover’s Guide

6PM – NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC (301) Bread is the one simple staple across the world. From upstate New York to South India, to Tuscany and Paris, here are the secrets of the ancient art of bread making.

Bear in the Big Blue House

7PM – PLAYHOUSE DISNEY (202)

All the friends in Woodland Valley come together to rebuild after a terrible storm that blows a tree on to the roof of a library.

1408

8.30PM – MOVIE ONE (411)

A cynical, horror novelist obsessed with the paranormal, challenges himself to stay in a haunted room at a new York City hotel and soon discovers the horrors that await him inside.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 9

Tom and Jerry Tales

6.30PM – BOOMERANG (204)

Tom and Jerry return in an all-new series of hilarious cartoons.

‘70s at 7

7PM – VH1 (252)

The ‘70s were the start of glam rock, hard rock, punk rock and who could forget the rise of disco? VH1 features some of the greatest hits from the ‘70s.

Island of Lies

8PM – NITV (502)

When shipwrecked Eliza Fraser landed on the coast of what was to become known as Fraser Island in 1836 there were up to 3000 Aboriginal people living there. By 1905, only 20 or 30 remained.

Of twirls and curls

THE hottest hair right now is full of movement and life – so it’s time to press straightening irons into service creating curls instead.

Julie Seeley, national technical manager for the PPS brand, says that whether creating curls from straight hair, or caring for natural waves, good curls start in the shower.

“Hair that is naturally curly tends to be dry, brittle and frizzy, so needs moisture-rich and curlspecific products to prevent a messy, out-of-control effect,” she says.

She recommends using moisturising treatments on natural curls to keep them from becoming dry, porous and brittle.

To create curls from naturally straight hair, several methods can be employed, though Julie says hair that has difficulty holding curls is best subjected to traditional wet-setting techniques (such as rollers

used on damp hair and allowed to dry).

Otherwise, “curling small sections at a time will ensure a better result,” Julie says. “The smaller the curler the smaller the curl – so go curlier if your hair is likely to ‘drop’.”

Curls also hold better when created on the day after hair is washed, as natural oils help curls last longer.

Whether we’re fashioning curls or trying to manage natural ones, keeping hair hydrated can be a problem: according to research by L’Oreal Professional, nearly a third of Australian women have concerns about their dry hair.

Despite the fact that dry hair is weakened by heat styling, blow-drying and repeated brushing, the research found that three-quarters of women with dry hair regularly relied on heat styling, including hair curlers, curling wands and straightening irons, to manage their hair.

Tighten belts, not shoes

PAREnTS need to choose shoes for their children based on fit and quality, according to the Australasian Podiatry Council.

ACRYLIC NAILS SPECIAL

President Brenden Brown said anecdotal suggested that some parents were buying low-quality footwear for their children.

Cheap imported footwear, as well as “an increasingly demanding generation of children who are not interested in what shoes are right, but in what meets the expectations of their peer group”, may be putting children’s feet at risk, he said.

“Many studies completed since the 1970s show that the quality of a child’s shoes in school has a direct impact upon physical movement and future foot health.

“Whatever the brand, quality is the key and price can unfortunately compromise this.”

AFTER Valentine’s Day, we may be concerned that we’ve consumed in too much good wine and chocolate – but for overweight and obese women, weight loss is more than about losing a kilo or two after we’ve overindulged.

According to Liz Bennett, who has started Fit 4Ever Healthy, sustainable and effective weight loss needs to be holistic, addressing several lifestyle issues.

“Weight loss isn’t just about going on a diet, or going to the gym: it’s about thinking about your life, what the foods are you’re eating, and about their nutritional value. It’s also about talking it through with an expert,” she says.

“Our program consists of weight loss coaching, with education and awareness sessions on nutrition and diet, and group physical exercise. It’s these three integrated stages that make it effective.”

The weight-loss program runs for six weeks. At the beginning, participants set goals which are revisited at three and six weeks, “so they actually get feedback on how they’re going,” she says.

“I found in my own weight loss that I needed support – it’s easy enough to go to the gym or diet, but emotional support is important. It’s good to know that someone is

“ALLUVIUM” - BERRY

“ALLUVIUM” - BERRY

North facing, contemporary pavilion styled architect residence. Nestled on the hillside designed to observe the surrounding panoramic views, across the valley to farmland & beyond to beautiful mountains & sandstone escarpment. The home boasts:

• Open plan living – 3.3m ceilings & timber floorboards

• 4 generous bedrooms- 3 with private balconies

• Designer kitchen with Caesar Stone island bench tops, glass splash-backs

• 3 resort style bathrooms

Alluvium Alluvi

• Large study (optional 5th bedroom)

• Media/theatre room

• Feature glass atrium entry

• Extensive timber decks & ample car & boat space

Transform city luxury into country context.

• 5minute drive from Berry Township, 10 minutes Seven Mile beach & 2 hours south of Sydney.

Experience

This year Philip Kouvelis will celebrate his 30th year in his own agency in Canberra. Having commenced his career in early 1973 Philip opened his own business in July 1979. If you wish to have your home sold or rented by a highly experienced agent in a personal and professional manner please contact Philip today either by phone 62851590 or 0412622420, email philip@garran.kouvelis.com.au or call in and discuss your business over a coffee at paparazzi@garran cafe.

Kouvelis

Garran,

LILLI PILLI 18-20 Denise Drive

House + Vacant Block+ Views

This interesting but dated house is on 925sqm and comes with the adjoining block of just over 700sqm, giving a total package of 1625sqm. Secluded Circuit Beach, which offers safe surf and seclusion is barely five minutes walk away. Denise Drive is sprinkled with million dollar plus beach retreats and this combination will sell for a good deal less. Position, and future opportunity to use the vacant block, offer an attractive combination for your consideration.

Saturday 14 February 12 noon

On Site

View by appointment

Caryl Haslem 0418 564 599 raywhite.com BBY11257

A Little Slice of Heaven

You’ll never want to leave this stylish architect-designed residence on 1000sqm, tucked away at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac in leafy Lilli Pilli, and a short walk from renowned beaches. Its north easterly aspect bathes it in morning sunlight and its location is so tranquil. Perfectly designed to accommodate family or visitors you’ll especially enjoy the master bedroom suite with own sitting room and secluded deck. It also has a large stand alone garage with adjoining workshop, wired for 3-phase power. Just ten minutes from Batemans Bay town centre, and our vendors are highly motivated! Auction

Saturday 7 March 2pm On Site, if not sold prior View by appointment

Caryl Haslem 0418 564 599 raywhite.com BBY11270

MALUA BAY 2 Karoo Crescent

Timeless Beauty On The Water

Several years ago, our vendors chose to live on this picturesque headland for its privacy and tranquility. Here, you could shut out the world and relish the 240 degree ocean views, enjoy the quietly majestic nature of the residence on 1,195sqm and find your own space; entertain in the Hemingway-style bar; offer guests their own wing, and laze beside the solar heated pool. You could stroll to a quiet beach or walk to a surf one. But, now it is time for our vendors to move on and leave this paradise for someone else to treasure. Is that you?

BROULEE 1/26 Train Street

Builders Selling At Below Cost!!

Enjoy Broulee and its stunning beaches and fabulous ambience when you live in this brand new townhouse. One of a pair, and designed for minimal maintenance on a level 661sqm block, you’ll love the exceptional open-plan living, gorgeous kitchen with stainless steel appliances, and your private courtyard. A level, easy stroll of just a minute or two brings you to North Broulee Beach and the beach-side lifestyle that you long for! This is a great way to enter the very competitive Broulee market.

Saturday 14 March 11.00am On Site View by appointment Melissa Williams 0408 253 481 raywhite.com BBY11191

35/44 moorhouse street - New to the market:

Top floor, Top views, Top returns! Here is an excellent opportunity to purchase in a quality complex, in the heart of O’Connor, moments to popular shops, social venues, facilities and close to Central Business District and Australian National University. Offering the convenience of two large and segregated bedrooms, each featuring its own ensuite.

Boasting a superb contemporary design, modern features throughout, open plan living, the benefit of only one neighbour plus secure car accommodation and excellent tenants keen to extend their lease. EER 6

open: by Appointment

details: Aniko Carey 0429 487 939

griffith by negotiation

24/3 ovens street - Situated in one of Canberra’s best known quality developments is this stunning north facing 2 bedroom ensuite townhouse (approx 155m2) offering an updated kitchen overlooking a paved courtyard and open plan lounge/dining with French doors opening onto the rear deck. The king size bedrooms, separate laundry & bathroom with bath are situated on the upper level. For the health conscious you can work out in the well appointed gymnasium or do laps in the heated swimming pool. Agents interest. EER 5.5.

open: By Appointment

details: Sandy Funston 0414 629 996

All

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