A DOUBLE PASS TO DIVINE PERFORMING ARTS TROUPE’S SPECTACULAR
HARD LESSONS OF NEVER LEARNING
mICHAEL mOOrE WHY SIZE MATTERS TO MR STANHOPE
CHrIs pEtErs BUSINESS CHIEF SAYS GET OFF YOUR BUM, START MARKETING
JOrIAn GArDnEr ARE ANDREW BARR’S FLORIADE FIGURES STARTING TO WILT?
In July 2008 had 33.1 million page views. In the same month 71% of home buyers said* they first saw the home they purchased on . In January 2009 page views to increased by 32.6% to 43.9 million.
Off your bums, it’s not so bad...
“THE best thing that business can do is get off their backsides and make it happen – now is not the time for complacency,” says business leader Chris Peters.
“Business needs to take a pro-active approach to the current economic situation,” said Mr Peters, CEO of the ACT and Region Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
He told “CityNews” that the ACT was experiencing merely a “technical recession” and one that we are already slowly starting to recover from.
“Business needs to ask ‘how can I better market myself?’ Certainly, some businesses think that when times get a bit tough that the first thing they should slash is the advertising and marketing budget – and that’s just wrong.
“In fact, it is the last thing that should be touched – smart business people will increase their advertising spend; try different target markets; spend money on gaining more customers from a wider base; take a fresh and innovative approach to attracting more customers. Advertise your services and wares more – not less!
“The unemployment rate in the ACT has not changed in the last two months – there are still plenty of jobs
By Jorian Gardner
out there. Our retail trade figures are very strong, and there is more money coming from the Federal government stimulus packages. It is most definitely not all gloom and doom.”
Mr Peters said he envisaged a total recovery by the end of this year or early 2010, but until then, it was all about how much confidence business has in themselves.
“Don’t look at what is happening around the rest of the country or with the world economic woes – they are out of our control. It’s about what we can do right here in the ACT to retain and gain more customers that counts, and having a positive, creative and confident attitude is what counts. It all comes down to the way we approach it – we need to be upbeat. Market yourself well, and they [customers] will come.
“The ACT Government has been doing a great job already holding roundtables and investing in local initiatives through with the recently $25 million package.”
General manager: Greg Jones 0419 418196, greg@citynews.com.au
Front cover: Nina models one of the new season’s looks. Fashion feature starts Page 7.
St Pat’s fun helps bushfire appeal
Annette Donnelly (left) and Hannah Fane limber up with a couple of pints of Guinness in preparation for celebrating St Patrick’s Day at King O’Malley’s, City Walk, on Tuesday, March 17, where the Rotary Club of Canberra East will be hosting a huge barbecue with all proceeds in aid of the bushfire appeal.
Photo by Silas.
The good taste of harmony
OTTOMAN restaurant is one of the ACT restaurants participating in “A Taste of Harmony”, a new national initiative from March 16 to 22 where workers are invited to share lunch together to give their colleagues an insight into their cultural background.
Ottoman is offering a two-course lunch and glass of wine for $35 to workers who mention “A Taste of Harmony”. There are more than 41,000 ACT workers born overseas. Workers are encouraged to bring a dish that reflects their cultural background (or their favourite ethnic food) to share with their colleagues or search www.tasteofharmony. org.au to find a locally participating restaurant offering a special feast with a multicultural flavour.
An initiative of the Scanlon Foundation, “A Taste of Harmony” is supported by the Australian Multicultural Foundation and the Department of Immigration and Citizenship.
6262 9100 Fax 6262 9111
Box 2448, Canberra City 2601
Editor: Ian Meikle
ed@citynews.com.au
Senior writer & arts editor: Jorian Gardner, 0415 516286
4,560 cOpIES a WEEk Six-month audit to September 30, 2008
Photo by Silas.
Figures starting to wilt?
By Jorian Gardner
“CITYNEWS” understands that the report listing official attendance records for last year’s Floriade has been delayed by miscalculation of some of the key indicators, throwing into doubt Tourism Minister Andrew Barr’s previous public statements on the howling success of last year’s flower festival and tourism drawcard.
The official attendance records and other information about the success of Floriade are overdue – compared to previous reports – even though Mr Barr told a press conference on January 12 that he anticipated the official report would be made available in “a matter of
weeks.” Australian Capital Tourism, which is compiling the report, would not comment on its progress and referred “CityNews” to the minister’s office.
Mr Barr’s told the press conference that the event provided “$25.3 million in direct expenditure to the Territory”; a “record attendance of 407,667 that included 125,033 interstate and international visitors who came to Canberra specifically to attend Floriade” and a series of other detailed numbers – all of which were widely reported, but are yet to be officially substantiated.
“CityNews” has continually pressed for official figures since and, at the time of going to press for this week’s edition, the Minister’s office refuses to com-
ment on the release date beyond saying: “The final report is still being finalised and yet to be received by the Minister and it will be released once received by him – possibly during March.”
Minister Barr has also refused to comment on the nature of the delay of the report or why he got the release date so wrong. A spokesperson, treating our continual interest with bemusement, would say only: “The minister will release it when he releases it”.
Given the already reported financial setback of the inaugural Floriade NightFest, it follows that now, more than ever, the official records are needed to ensure Floriade 2008 was the great success that the Minister claimed it was.
Why size matters to the Chief Minister
THERE is now ample motivation for Chief Minister Jon Stanhope to approach his Federal counterparts to allow an increase in the size of the ACT Assembly from the current 17 members to 25 (five seats of five members).
Even on relatively poor polling-day performances, with a couple of seats going to the cross benches, an increase like this should pretty well guarantee a narrow majority for Labor. In this scenario, for even the worst case, the Greens are likely to hold the cross benches – effectively delivering a Labor government.
Meanwhile, the Liberal view is for 21 seats (three electorates of seven memebers) on the basis that the more members in an electorate the better their chances. As has been demonstrated
pOlITIcS
By Michael Moore
in Molonglo, a seven-member seat, it is possible for the Liberals to hold three seats and for an independent to win the middle ground. Had candidate Mark Parton received the same percentage of votes in Molonglo as he received in the seat of Ginnindera at the last election, he would most likely have been elected.
Despite general public antipathy, most close observers would argue that there are good non-
political reasons for increasing the size of the Assembly. However, these pale into insignificance compared to the political imperatives.
The April, 1998, report “The Review of Governance of the Australian Capital Territory” (by Pettit, Keady and Blick) recommended a formula to match the size of the Assembly with the number of voters at a ratio of 1:10,000. Such a ratio by the next election may well deliver 25 members. This is the perfect opportunity for Stanhope to use the report to approach the Federal Minister.
The report also recommended that electorates ought not to be smaller than the five members each. Therefore, the ACT Electoral Commission, which determines the size of electorates, is most likely to favour the outcome that Labor desires
– five seats of five members to take effect for the 2012 election. The immediate advantage goes to Labor.
At the 2016 election, under the Pettit formula, there may well be 27 seats (the system only increases in multiples of two if there is enough voters to warrant odd numbers in the Assembly). The most likley outcome in such a case would be four electorates of five and one of seven. The outcome will still largely favour Labor.
With the Liberals performing well, Labor will do what is necessary (within the democratic context) to maintain its grasp on government.
Michael Moore is a former independent member of the ACT Legislative Assembly and minister for health.
All bloomin’ smiles… Tourism Minister Andrew Barr at the launch of Floriade last year.
Family Law Matters
Changes to ACT Adoption Law
Dobinson Davey Clifford Simpson has recently been involved in assisting clients lobby the Government for changes to ACT adoption laws. Amendments to the ACT Adoption Act, dealing with the sensitive issue of adults wishing to be adopted, have now been passed.
Why the changes?
Adoption does not only relate to minors—many adults wish to be adopted by those who raised them. Previous laws placed significant restrictions on this, causing distress for affected parties.
Before the amendments, a single adult could only be adopted under ‘exceptional circumstances’ and a married adult could not be adopted at all. This was discriminatory.
Now, the requirement that there be ‘exceptional circumstances’ for single adults no longer exists. Also, married adults can now be adopted—this in line with other Australian state and territory laws.
Why are the changes important?
Adoption is a significant and symbolic process allowing adoptees to be viewed in the same way, and have the same legal rights, as biological offspring. The recent changes mean that the Act no longer discriminates.
When do the changes take effect?
The amendments to the Adoption Act were passed in Parliament on 25 February 2009 and will come into force shortly.
How was DDCS involved?
We worked closely with our clients to understand their concerns and needs. We then lobbied for, and sought bi-partisan support of, the amendments. We also provided a comprehensive legal briefing about the issues.
FREE SEMINAR
Attend a free family law information seminar at Dobinson Davey Clifford Simpson (18 Kendall Lane, New Acton), Tuesday 17 March 2009, 5:306:30pm. Bookings essential: 6212 7690.
18 Kendall Lane, New Acton Canberra City
6212 7600
Some never learn
IT is now clear that Australia will increase its fighting force in Afghanistan in our war against the Taliban. The Australian Government will announce it; the loyal Opposition will enthusiastically support it.
Some people never learn.
You will have noticed that we – the good guys – are no longer fighting “The War Against Terror”. That went out with George W Bush. We are no longer simply seeking to cut the head off Al Qaeda. That, apparently, is beyond the combined might of the American Special Forces, the CIA, MI6, the SAS and the wonders of satellite technology.
We tried. The Americans passed a law saying it was okay to shoot Osama bin Laden without trial and that’s our policy, too. But alas, today Al Qaeda has spread like a virus and Bin Laden in his mountain fastness is no more than a ghostly reminder of 9/11. Today, instead, we are at war with a religious cult in, of all places, Afghanistan.
Let’s be clear: no one wins a war in Afghanistan. The British tried and failed. The Russians tried and failed. The Americans have now fallen into the same briar patch with the same tar-baby and we – in our naivety – have jumped in, too. Eight Australians have died so far. More will follow. And for nothing. Invading armies never win the battle for hearts and minds.
In fact, it’s going so well that not only are we making no progress in Afghanistan, but according to a recent “Four Corners” report, neighbouring Pakistan may well fall under Taliban control. The allied war leaders – both Government and Opposition – say they are doing it to deny terrorist forces a base for their evil plans. But all they have done is expand the area in which the Taliban dominates and
THE GaDFlY
By Robert Macklin
brought a rather shaky democracy to the brink of collapse. A few thousand extra troops will do nothing to change the tide.
Some may find it odd that in the 21st century we are still fighting religious wars. Odder yet that our war leaders regularly proclaim their firm belief in freedom of religion. How does that work, I wonder?
Moreover, as any psychologist will attest, religious fanaticism feeds on conflict. Withdraw from the battle and the human spirit makes its own way toward moderation and enlightenment. Lasting change can only come from within. These are the lessons of history that leaders never learn.
But if they are determined to shoot someone, there are much more worthy causes that deserve the attention of our Special Forces. Our leaders might consider the man responsible for thousands of agonising deaths by cholera, and the destruction of an entire nation: Robert Mugabe who was voted out but will not leave. Why has no one passed a law saying it’s okay to rid the world of him?
Or what about the Burmese generals who are responsible for the deaths of many thousands of their own people, the torture of thousands more, when a good and decent leader-in-waiting, Aung San Suu Kyi remains imprisoned and silenced. Plenty of target practice for the Special Forces there… but only after we’ve passed the proper law, of course. robert@robertmacklin.com
CLIMATE CHANGE PHOTOGRAPHIC EXHIBITION
Hard Rain is a breathtaking and thought-provoking photographic exhibition by Mark Edwards that has travelled the world and now comes to Canberra.
The 50 metre long outdoor exhibition challenges audiences to become involved in addressing climate change through a series of confronting images set to the prophetic lyrics of Bob Dylan’s 1963 classic, Hard Rain.
> 13 – 29 March 2009
> Ainslie Avenue, just off London Cct
A public lecture will be held by Mark Edwards on Friday 13 March from 1.00pm. To find out more please RSVP by contacting Ms Mayumi Smith at mayumi.smith@act.gov.au or 6207 2464
Warning: Some of the images in this exhibition
Mackay joins CIC
OUTGOING Canberra Citizen of the Year John Mackay has been appointed an independent director to the board of Canberra Investment Corporation Limited. Mr Mackay, the former CEO of ActewAGL, will replace Robert Stovold. CIC CEO Col Alexander said Mr Mackay’s extensive experience in business and the community would be a boon for the company.
Breakfast scores
THE Open Family’s recent breakfast at the National Press Club on the morning of the PM’s XI cricket match raised more than $20,000 to help support two outreach workers who assist the estimated 120 young people who are homeless each night on Canberra’s streets.
Issue of revolt
COULD there be a revolution in Australia? That’s the question the Canberra branch of Socialist Alternative will be asking at its next weekly meeting in room G039, Copland Building, Australian National University (map F2, building 24) at 6pm on Thursday, March 19. For more information email canberra@sa.org.au or visit www. sa.org.au
letters
Role of Fringe
AFTER attending a debrief of the outcomes of the National Multicultural Festival, I wrote an open letter to members of the arts and multicultural communities of Canberra regarding the role of the Fringe and its place in the Multicultural Festival. [Fringe director] Jorian Gardner and I have already had robust discussions around the issue, particularly the need to ascertain if the content of the Fringe is relevant to the framework of the National Multicultural Festival.
I strongly believe that there is room for artistic expression that pushes the boundaries and agree with Jorian that there should be funds to support it, but the funding of fringe artistic activities with monies that are meant to showcase the work of multicultural artists or promote a more cohesive society exposing issues that affect people from different cultures is a totally different matter.
I think the discussion around the controversial content of the Fringe program was missing a very relevant point.
Frank Madrid, arts consultant, Turner
Words, no action
Canberra March 17th Nth Sydney, Parramatta, Liverpool, Penrith and Wollongong.
Course schedule at www.hbaconsult.com.au Ph: 1800 658 910
HBA LEARNING CENTRES
OH no! That one-eyed Labor aficionado, Vic Adams, has discovered the “City News” (Letters, March 5). Google reveals that not only does he pepper all national and local press with his unresearched diatribe, but are we are now to see him in “City News” as well? I wouldn’t mind him complaining in his trademark aggressive and personal-attack style about all and sundry, if he were to actually get off his backside and do something concrete and practical about all the things he complains of. All words and no action is our Vic. We have too many of those kind of letter writers.
Ric Hingee, Duffy
cityfashion
Romantic wrap of autumn
Fashion writer MEGaN HaGGaN
previews the new season’s
looks.
BLACK may be the new black, but that means anything but a dreary 2009 as rich textures appeal to our sense of touch, and opulent brights and jewel colours peek out from behind warm winter coats.
Autumn 2009 is all about romance: fashion takes a leaf out of gothic tomes, but the look is soft and subtle.
Intertwined with lace and soft ruffles a strong sense of detail emerges: from pleats and ruching to statement jewellery. Dress up a plain LBD (one
of this season’s must-haves) with a riot of pearls and crystals.
Classic pieces such as bomber jackets and blazers are an essential part of autumn 2009. The jacket comes to the fore as a versatile piece that can be worn over a dreamy soft-gothic or standout bright dress, teamed with high-waisted pants or a skirt at the office, or dressed down with jeans for the weekend.
High waists aren’t going away: in fact they’re
stronger than ever this season, appearing not only on skirts and trousers but in denim as well.
Accessories are a key focus for autumn 2009. Belts are big – perfect for cinching dresses and coats, and dividing a neat fitted knit top or cardigan from a skirt, or adding the finishing touch to jeans.
Boots are a Canberra staple, but this year they’re more intriguing than ever. Knee-high and long calf-high boots are still big, but ankle boots are more appealing than ever in suede and
textured fabrics, and the shoe boot will be a key look of the season.
Shoes are starting to match handbags again, but it’s not a must – try a tote in a stand-out colour like pillar-box red, burgundy or violet, especially when wearing a lot of black.
And accessories don’t end there – gloves, hats, scarves and of course a piece of statement jewellery round out the look. Wrapping up’s never been so romantic.
t his page: Nina wears Events charcoal marle cable knit dress, $159; Triomphe belt in Tangerine, $99 from Saba; Diamond Tights in Tangerine, $29, from Saba; Peter Kaiser shoe boots, $359 from Escala; Furla leather bag, $490 from Furla; triple-strand grey Biwa and Potato Pearl necklace with sterling silver Tiffany clasp, $295, from Jane Brown Pearls.
Front cover: Sidney Cable Cap, $39.95 from French Connection; Cabaret blouse in ivory, $179 from Saba; black trousers, $69.95 from Mirage; 10mm white pearl necklace with 14 carat gold ball clasp, $995 from Jane Brown Pearls; Furla spotted brown and onyx bag, $590; Furla leather and steel watch, $285.
Pictured in Tongue & Groove, Civic, Nina wears White Suede ‘70s flirt blouse, $249 from Memento; Essential Trump Godet skirt, $139 from Events; Bastille belt in black, $129 from Saba; lace shawl, $29.95 from Mirage; Guglielmo Rot ta quilted boots, $535 from Escala; Guglielmo Rotta quilted handbag, $799 from Escala.
Gitane red top, $129 from Cassidy’s; Chateau knit skirt, $199 from Saba; Bastille belt in black, $129 from Saba; Tahitian pearl and white gold enhancer, $950, and sterling silver neck lace, $225 from Jane Brown Pearls; Lupo red leather handbag, $769 from Escala; Alexi suede boots, $625 from Furla.
CREDITS
Lucette Monster Love, $275 from Momento; Maurice Funnel jacket, $549 from Saba; three lariats in green howelite, crystal and white pearl; orange crystal, moonstone and white pearl; and mauve pearl crystal and quartz, $195 each from Jane Brown Pearls; Furla leather gloves, $240 from Furla; Kate leather boots, $655 from Furla; Petusco black leather handbag, $699 from Escala.
Model: Nina, Victoria’s Models.
Hair: Anton’s Hair
Studio, Garema Place, Civic.
Make-up: Melissa Delfino.
Location: Tongue & Groove restaurant, Bunda Street,Civic; The Canberra Centre.
styling: Megan Haggan.
Editorial: Megan Haggan.
Photography: Silas Brown.
Design: Silas Brown.
advertising: Melissa Delfino, 0415 137660.
heels in black, $135 from Mania.
Petusco red leather hand bag, $699 from Escala.
Hollywood Heels Hume boot, $185 from Mania
Kiss Kiss Butt dress in purple, $159.95 from Seduce.
4/23 Bentham St, Yarralumla
Open Tuesday – Saturday 10am to 4pm (or by appointment) 0417 287 563
fashion
Kennedy
Jamison
Macquarie
Right: Corinne black wool polo, $129 from Saba; Genevieve jean in grey, $149 from Saba; Lili wool vest in cream, $119 from Momento; white pearl earrings, $245, Lariat in white pearl, black onyx and haematite, $195 from Jane Brown Pearls; Furla gloves with purple trim, $120; Furla grape tote, $1130.
Above: Black scoop knit dress with belt, $149.95 from Witchery; Natasha Gan navy velvet jacket, $235 from Momento; red and gold pashmina shawl (as bandanna), $195 from Jane Brown Pearls; 10mm white pearl necklace with 14 carat gold ball clasp, $995 from Jane Brown Pearls; white pearl bracelets, $65 and $75 each, from Jane Brown Pearls.
Times might be tough but ActewAGL and TransACT’s bundle deals can help streamline your household budget and save you up to $500 * a year!
Bundling is easy – start with electricity, gas and fixed-line phone services and you can build your bundle from there. The more services you bundle, the higher the savings will be – up to 25%^ off your total ActewAGL electricity or TransACT bill. Plus when you bundle 5 or more services, you’ll receive a Privileges Card valued at $329. So call today or visit our website for more information.
TREE
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Bec Bayly and Belinda McGhie
Sass Tayler, Courtney Webb and Shianne Milin
Lisa Ridgley and Elkie Stuart
Fairlie Pearce, Elle Allan and Emily Henderson
Chris Dulgeror and Niki Allworth
Dan Bray and Michelle Chan
PARK AND FLY PACKAGE
of an overnight accommodation in a superior room.
From $190* per
room
Our Park and Fly package includes:
• Overnight accommodation in a Superior Room
• Car parking for three or seven nights
While staying on this package guests have access to all general hotel facilities including the swimming pool, sauna, spa, and gym.
Note: Maximum of nights complimentary car parking. Additional nights for car parking is $10 per night. One car per booking. Rate for double/twin, additional $30 for extra person, max of 3 pax.
*Subject to availability. Valid until 31 March 2009.Further terms and conditions apply
Alan and Heather Stray, Mark Cunliffe and Hilary Penfold
Helen Booth, Bernie Wyler and Siobhan Tuke Lynn and Louiza Blomfield
Ivan, Pip and Anna Trundle
Peter Constance with Lynne and Ian McLean
Sweet name for a sweet place
DINING
By Wendy Johnson
RAW Sugar is a destination for great coffee, fresh, clean tasting food, and staff with a strong sense of customer service. It is all the sweeter still because of its unique location in the Canberra Centre. Raw Sugar is flooded with natural light and enjoys a stunning view of Mount Ainslie.
The café is divided into three sections – an outdoor patio area, a carpeted lounge indoors, with padded, striped seats in subdued shades of greens, browns and oranges, and a large eating area further inside the centre.
You can select sandwiches, quiches, salads and sweets from the display fridge at the service island, or you can order at the counter, grab a number and a seat… the staff will soon be with you.
Let’s start with the dynamite coffee. It’s a super blend – smooth as – and no bitter after taste. Tick. Then there’s the thin-crusted pizza with prosciutto, artichoke, bocconcini and rocket ($12.90). Tick. The fresh Caesar ($12) and the Caprese Salad, with beautifully red, ripe tomatoes, fresh basil and bocconcini and quality olive oil ($12.90). Yet two more ticks.
On our visit, we were also delighted with the Hobz Biz-Zejt ($8.90) which so far as I know is not available anywhere else in Canberra. This traditional Maltese Panini is made with tuna, beans, fresh mint, olive oil, capers, pickled onion and a tomato base. It
is very rustic and, like most of Raw Sugar’s food, healthy. The Panini also brings back childhood memories for one of Raw Sugar’s owner/operators, Omar Muscat. His mum used to make them for him as a little boy in Malta and he remembers tucking into them after spending hours at the beach.
Omar owns Raw Sugar with the highly energetic and enthusiastic Michael Nager and seasoned operator Socrates Kochinos. This trio is also involved with XChange on London and Cream in the City. Indeed, in many ways, Raw Sugar is a “mini Cream” and, like its big sister, well worth a visit. Aside from the coffee, there’s beautiful
Side-splitting night of fun
THEATRE
“The 39 Steps”
Adapted by Patrick Barlow from John Buchan’s novel and Alfred Hitchcock’s film. Original production by Maria Aitken. At the Canberra Playhouse until March 14.
Reviewed by Helen Musa
ALTHOUGH this play is largely based on Alfred Hitchcock’s famous spy thriller, it is quintessentially theatrical. Set on a magnificent reproduction of the London Palladium, Patrick Barlow’s adaptation uses four actors – although he cheats at one point – to conjure up the multitude of characters, exciting situations, twists and turns of both novel and film. With the brilliant versatility of twin comedians Drew Forsythe and Jo Turner, you soon learn the rules of the show and get absorbed in the fast-paced pursuit of innocent, stiff-upper-lip hero Richard Hannay (Mark Pegler) through a dastardly spy drama. Helen Christensen joins the cast to play all the female characters in a spicy, over-the-top style that sometimes becomes vocally incomprehensible. Most of the evening is side splitting. In addition, there are clever asides for Hitchcock-buffs inserted just for the fun of it. Instead of using the front window, there is advice to use the “Rear Window.” If you look closely, you’ll see the great cinematic
Tea Drop teas, in their dainty silk bags, fresh squeezed juices, organic pomegranate juice (sounds, oh, so healthy), smoothies and more. If you want a decadent drink, Belgian hot chocolate is on the menu, including a “chocolate overdose” version, which is bound to become highly popular with the cooler weather just around the corner.
Always high on this trio’s agenda is creating spaces with a difference and Raw Sugar is just that.
Raw Sugar, top level, Canberra Centre (above Target), is open seven days, with the coffee machine humming from 7.30am. Phone 6162 1070.
master in a brief walk-on. Canberra Theatre has done well to secure “The 39 steps” as its first subscription show for the year.
Raw Sugar… a space with a difference.
Photo by Silas.
Mark Pegler and Helen Christensen in “The 39 Steps”. Photo by Silas.
arts&entertainment
Story about telling a story
NZ film-maker Toa Fraser’s delightful lowbudget, high-impact film from a novel by Lord Dunsany affectionately evoking Britain in 1904 tells a story about telling a story.
Old Fisk, an eccentric widower, mourns his elder son killed in the Boer War and refuses to vary the routine of years – hot-pot for dinner every night, younger son visits every Thursday afternoon. At a lecture by an Indian mystic about re-incarnation, the pair meet Wrather, an Australian skilled at finding rare objects such as a particularly fine vintage of Tokay for Dean Spanley, who is also at the lecture.
Old Fisk has never forgotten the dog Wag who ran away one morning and never returned. At a dinner where several bottles of Tokay have been drunk, Spanley tells a charming story about his previous existence. The effect on old Fisk is profound.
That’s the essence of the plot. In Alan Sharp’s screenplay, both stories and their linking passages provide the four principal actors with marvelous comic, emotional and spiritual material in a delightful visual package. Jeremy Northam is young Fisk, devoted to caring for his father. Bryan Brown is Wrather, bluff, colonial, capable. Sam Neill is the dean who, under the influence of great wine, remembers an earlier incarnation as a dog named Wag.
c INEMa
By Dougal Macdonald
As old Fisk, acerbic, iconoclastic, witty, Peter O’Toole’s wonderful performance provides deeper satisfactions to savour and remember than the simplicity of the film’s theme might presage.
At Dendy, Greater Union
Jeremy Northam and Peter O’Toole in “Dean Spanley.”
IT’S 1964 and, although LBJ has signed the Civil Rights Act into US law, racial discrimination thrives in the south where Lily (Dakota Fanning) and black housekeeper Rose (Jenifer Hudson) have fled from Lily’s abusive father (Paul Bettany) to the house where Lily’s mother sheltered when she left him.
The cultured and relatively well off Boatwright sisters are not stereotypes of black women in that age. Eldest sister August (the splendid Queen Latifah giving a deep, strong performance) with a successful business supplying honey to local stores, takes in the fugitives and starts teaching Lily the apiarist’s craft.
The plot unfolds relatively low key, gently exposing realities in a community that’s just acquired a new and discomforting social fabric. Its conflicts are sparse, its tensions while pervasive are always manageable. It’s a chick-flick, but far from the mainstream of that genre. The interaction between Latifah and Fanning is powerful yet comforting. Fanning, on the cusp of puberty, handsome rather than beautiful, evokes Jodie Foster at the same age.
At Greater Union
WHAT a waste of Renee Zellweger, playing rising dairy company executive Lucy sent from semi-tropical Florida to oversee an upgrade of a Minnesota yoghurt plant!
The film is predictable, listless, unconvincing, about Lucy adjusting to the shocks of a culture driven by descendants of Scandanavian immigrants, a truly Arctic winter climate and industrial conditions and ethics unlike any in her experience. The union organiser (Harry Connick Jr) hits on her fairly quickly. Head office decides the plant must close. Bringing on the obligatory happy ending becomes the prime issue.
The jerry-built screenplay contrives flaccid jokes exploiting Lucy’s femininity – nipples standing to attention in the cold, problems making yellow snow while wearing a boiler suit with stuck zippers. Management and union in bed together. Plenty of clichés.
It’s mainly a chick-flick, also out of the genre’s mainstream but nowhere near as effective as “Secret Life of Bees”. There’s no reason why anybody must see it.
At Greater Union, Hoyts
the centenary of the Federal Capital Territory survey. The exhibition examines milestones in governance from the last one hundred years.
DEAN SPANLEy (G)
SECRET LIFE OF BEES (PG)
NEW IN TOWN (PG)
‘Mikado’ goes mod
FOR their fifth production of Gilbert and Sullivan’s ever-popular “The Mikado”, the Canberra Philharmonic Society has eschewed the traditional staging in favour of a fresh, modern approach that includes stylish new orchestrations by Andrea Clifford, new-age lighting by Chris Neal, and inventive choreography by Emma Tattam. The result is a consistently well-sung production, enthusiastically performed, with well-staged, often spectacular, musical numbers, but which fails to rise above the level of competent amateur, due to the lack of a cohesive acting style among the principals.
Miriam Miley-Read as Katisha, Robyn Collins as Yum-Yum, Grant Pegg as Nanky-Poo, and Joe McGrail-Bateup as Ko-Ko, all offer good performances, but each is doing their own thing and rarely connect on stage either stylistically or as characters, resorting too often to over-stressing lines and mugging at the expense of style and finesse.
MUSIC
“The Mikado” Director Barbara Denham, musical director Andrea Clifford, choreographer Emma Tattam. Erindale Centre until March 21.
Reviewed by Bill Stephens
Michael Moore seemed unable to decide whether to play the Mikado straight or send him up, and even the usually reliable Peter Dark as Pooh-Bah wanders the stage as if he is in a different show.
Divine revising traditions arts&entertainment
By Helen Musa.
YES, they’re coming to the stage of Canberra theatre again – those cultural performers who know the difference between red and yellow! To the Divine Performing Arts Troupe, red stands for the People’s Republic of China, while brilliant yellow evokes the classical era of the T’ang dynasty (618-907AD), the focal point of cultural pride for Chinese people around the world. Presented by the Falun Dafa Association of NSW, it makes no bones about its mission, “to revive the true, five-millennia-old artistic tradition of China that thrived before decades of suppression by the Chinese communist state.”
None of which bothered the opening night audience, which laughed at the interpolated lyrics, delighted in the excellent singing, enthusiastically applauded the set-pieces and obviously relished the opportunity to renew acquaintance with this timeless operetta.
This is a vividly costumed dance show, with colourful, sometimes romantic scenes portraying the age-old struggle between good and evil. Earlier in March, it wowed audiences at the New London Theatre in Drury Lane.
The Divine Performing Arts Troupe, founded in 2004 and initially the brainchild of New T’ang Dynasty Television, a New York-based global TV network, features original choreography and live music. Its performers rehearse in New York, but are drawn from Chinese dance experts around the world.
The Divine Performing Arts Troupe can be seen at the Canberra Theatre Centre from March 2931. Bookings 6275 2700.
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Back to the future!
MuM IN THE c ITY
By Sonya Fladun
FOR years, I never gave the care of my back much thought, certainly in comparison to worrying about other areas of my anatomy. That was until something went wrong with it and then, well, it was all a bit late and pretty bloody awful! Back problems can be a real problem for mums. I first suffered bad back pain when I was pregnant with number one. During pregnancy, the body releases a hormone that loosens up all our muscles, so pregnant women are more stretchy, bendy and pliable. But all that stretchy muscle looseness does have its down side, particularly over the last trimester because your back is carrying a much-increased load with those loosened muscles giving rather less support.
More recently, I had a recurrence of my bad back and I quickly figured out the problem. My nearly three-year-old daughter is getting too heavy to carry comfortably, but she still likes to swing on my arms like a trapeze artist and my back is telling me this has to come to an end.
Of course, being a mum involves other stresses and strains, including constantly carrying heavy bags, stretching, bending and picking up toys at awkward angles and trying to unload the week’s shopping with a screaming, struggling child tucked under one arm.
But the big lesson I’ve learnt is don’t put up with back pain or put it on the back burner because it’s just a bit of a twinge and you have so much else to do.
If you’re finding being a mum a bit of a pain, just remember that your children will eventually grow up and move out; but your back is a permanent fixture. It really can give you a lifetime of grief, so better to take care of yourself and, as they say, if pain persists see your doctor.
Think positive for teens
By Megan Haggan
USING elements of positive psychology, such as gratitude, optimism and investing in social connections, can help parents bring up happy adolescents, says registered psychologist Jane Sleeman.
Jane, who specialises in depression, anxiety and chronic illness, presented a seminar on positive parenting recently at the Canberra Girls’ Grammar School.
She told “CityNews” that the pressure on adolescents has increased greatly in recent years.
“In the 1960s, the average age of onset for depression was 30. Now it’s 15,” she said.
“In the last 50 years, the incidence of reported and observed depression has increased tenfold.”
Young people often have high expectations
Monday9.00am - 6.30pm
Tuesday9.00am - 6.30pm
Wednesday9.00am - 8.00pm
Thursday9.00am - 8.00pm
Friday9.00am - 8.00pm
Saturday8.00am - 4.00pm
Sunday10.00am - 4.00pm
of themselves, particularly in terms of academic success, she says.
“There’s an enormous amount of pressure to do well from schools, from parental expectation and for quite a few high-achieving children in particular, from themselves.
“There’s intense competition to get into university – and all this at a time when they’re already going through adolescent issues; it’s a confusing time in itself.”
There are two major aspects to positive parenting, Jane says.
“The first is to instil a value system into the home which models good behaviours such as believing that the world is basically a good and safe place, living in the present and taking care of your body and soul.
“Positive psychology has a very protective effect, and this sort of thinking allows adolescents and adults to bounce back from adversity.”
It also improves self-esteem, helps make social connections run more smoothly and builds an empathetic character.
“Secondly, it’s important to recognise when things go wrong and stress becomes distress. It sounds very obvious, but the answer is to know your child really well so that you do spot it.”
Parents can then suggest to their children methods of coping with this distress.
“This could be about learning physical relaxation techniques, like yoga; it could be expressing their worries through writing in a journal. Existing skills in problem-solving can help adolescents take the stress out of their lives.”
Jane Sleeman… “Positive psychology has a very protective effect.”
Park’s Black Opal fashions on the field winners…from left, Tanya Lazarou, second; winner Viktoria Novak and third-place getter Niki Allworth. Photo by Silas.
your week in the stars
ARIES Mar 21 – Apr 20
There is room for expansion but you will have to move tenderly. The most unorthodox solution for you is to not go directly to the front door. Dance outside the side window. Show your feathers and let whoever it is you want to meet come to you this time.
TAURUS (Apr 21 – May 20)
To get your feet on the ground, which is where you like them to be, you are going to have to try something different. The ground has moved. To get a handle on where it has gone, you will have to rise to new heights. Fly high to see where to do your next planting.
GEMINI (May 21 – June 21)
Sometimes even understanding isn’t what is required. Simple compassion will do. You are being given a swift lesson in the limits of the human mind – and the limitlessness of the human heart. This is a beautiful humbling process. Let it touch you to the quick.
CANCER (June 22 – July 22)
The end of one thing is the beginning of another. You do beginnings better than ends – but here is an end. The harder you hold on with your nippers, the more likely you are to suffer an attachment cramp. There is an elegant path through here. Find it.
LEO (July 23 – Aug 22)
There is a current of change moving through that is bigger than you are. There’s not much point in taking on the ocean. It’s even bigger than a lion is. Your heart can take in what you can’t get your head around. This is life turning us into whole human beings.
VIRGO (Aug 23 – Sept 22)
You are being squared up by some adversarial conditions and then asked to deal with them harmoniously. You will have to take something of a quantum leap to come out shining. Fortunately the quantum leap is part of our atomic make-up.
LIBRA (Sept 23 – Oct 23)
At your best, your love of beauty goes a whole lot further than skin deep. As you learn to integrate more powerful opposing experiences within your own being, so you become a genuine peacemaker for others. Shine your light where it needs to be shined.
SCORPIO (Oct 24 – Nov 21)
The Moon is your visitor early in the week –and she charges you up with feeling – as she tends to do. As long as you keep the river of feeling moving, it will present you with ever unfolding love and mystery. Block it and it will turn to mud, bubble and steam.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov 22 – Dec 21)
As you go about the business of taking your stand in the world, so you rather innocently call others to account. Some may take your feedback well – others may buck and bridle. Now would be a good moment to own up to the power of what you are up to.
CAPRICORN (Dec 22 – Jan 19)
Being the enterprising soul that you are, you have done the research and are aware of the scale of change that needs to be enacted. This is a harmonious patch where all remains beautifully academic. Bathe in the bliss of it. Your strength will come from here.
AQUARIUS (Jan 20 – Feb 18)
Being a fan of truth, you are able to offer support when it lands squarely on the table. Your kind of support gives a sense that all is part of the cosmic plan. The phrase ‘It’s all good’ has entered the common vernacular. Use your vision to turn it into a dinki di experience.
PISCES (Feb 19 – Mar 20)
Though your moves aren’t all that obvious on the surface, once you have made them, it becomes clear to all and sundry that they are so powerful there’s no point in going against them. Do you know you are asserting your power? Or are you still pretending otherwise?
Copyright 2009 Sudhir (M.J.Dean)
SUDOKU is an 81, square number grid with nine blocks each containing nine cells. To solve the puzzle, all the blank cells must be filled in using numbers from 1 to 9. Each number can only appear once in each row, column and in the nine 3x3 blocks. You can successfully solve the puzzle just by using logic and the process of elimination.
Solution next week
ACROSS
4 In which ancient city were the Hanging Gardens?
8 What is the income of a government from tax, excise duties, etc?
9 Name the 16th president of the US who was assassinated in 1865.
10 Name the capital of Wales.
11 What do we call mildly reproved children?
12 Which large carnivorous felines are facing extinction?
14 What, perhaps, does the financial world run on?
18 Name the mythical bird which is said to have risen from its ashes.
21 In company law, which type of trading is a statutory offence?
22 What is the title of the commander-in-chief of a navy?
23 Name a particular type of fencer.
24 Having hung someone without authority is to have done what to that person?
DOWN
1 Which national summer game is played at Lord's England?
2 To be open to view is to be what?
3 Which one of our teeth is adapted for cutting?
4 What is a familiar term for a bell tower?
5 What are built-in platform beds, as on ships?
6 Which close-fitting one-piece garment is worn by acrobats, dancers, etc?
7 Colloquially, what do we call fools?
13 Name the early US jazz clarinetist and band leader who created "swing".
15 What is a male domesticated fowl?
16 What are revolving tower-like structures within which guns are mounted?
17 To be banished from one's country is to be what?
18 Which gem is produced in an oyster?
19 To travel from Melbourne to Brisbane, one must proceed in which direction, broadly?
20 What was the first name of the Dickens character, Drood?
Cathy Ryan, Anne Johnston, Fiona Elms, Vickii Irvine, Rhonda Coleman, Philip Kouvelis EXPERIENCE,
Highlights
Rove Sunday, SC Ten, 9.30pm Sketches, sidekicks and opening monologues aside, Rove lives or dies week to week based on the strength his guests. This week they include the highly entertaining, big-haired and well-dressed bad boy of British comedy (and Forgetting Sarah Marshall co-star) Russell Brand (above), and Hollywood heart-throb Zac Efron.
Two And A Half Men
Tuesday, WIN, 8.30pm
Either you love it or hate it – or are just sick of seeing so many half-hours of it on the box every week – but there’s no doubt that Two and a Half Men has become the go-to show for uncertain viewers. In another well-written episode, Alan (Jon Cryer) is convinced he is the reason Judith is pregnant. That leaves lady-killer Charlie (Charlie Sheen) to look aftern Alan’s actual child Jake (Angus T. Jones).
The Gruen Transfer
Wednesday, ABC1, 9pm
The ABC’s excellent advertising industryfocused panel discussion returns for a second season, once again hosted by charismatic comedian Wil Anderson – along with veteran admen (or should that now be Mad Men?) Russel Howcroft and Todd Sampson and a host of other industry insiders. Fans of season one of The Gruen Transfer will be pleased to discover that The Pitch is returning for 2009.
SundAy, 15 m ondAy, 16
6.00 At The Movies. (R, S) 6.30 The Einstein Factor. (G, S) 7.00 News. (S) 7.30 Rogue Nation. (PG, S) 8.25 News. (S) 8.30 Miniseries: Lost In Austen. (2008) Part 2 of 2. An angry Amanda rips out the pages of her copy of Pride and Prejudice with startling results after her budding relationship with Mr Darcy is stymied by some unexpected news. (PG, S) 11.45 Where Words Prevail: The Work Of Cicely Berry. (G, R, 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. A credentials investigator is murdered and his paperwork goes missing. Detectives try to find out if the hospital he was researching holds the key to the case. (M, S) 9.30 Bones. Brennan goes to New Orleans in order to help identify bodies found in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, only to become the prime suspect in a murder. (M, R, S) 11.00 24. (M, S)
6.00 News. (S) 6.30 Domestic Blitz. (PG, S) 7.30 60 Minutes. (S) 8.30 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. After a murder is linked to the crimes of an infamous serial killer, Grissom goes undercover. (M, S) 9.30 CSI: Miami. A SWAT team answers an anonymous distress call at a house where it’s believed that a husband is attacking his wife and kids. However, the investigation reveals there is more to the matter than an unhappy marriage. (M, S) 11.30 Body Of Evidence: Cause Of Death. (M, S)
6.00 The Simpsons. (G, R, S) 6.30 The Biggest Loser. (PG, S) 7.30 So You Think You Can Dance Australia. (PG, S) 9.30 Rove. Celebrity interviews, comedy, music and regular variety segments. Guests include teen heart-throb Zac Efron, star of 17 Again, and British comedian Russell Brand. Hosted by Rove McManus. (M, S)
6.00 Thalassa: The Monaco Yacht Show. (G, R) 6.30 World News Australia. (S) 7.30 Lost Worlds: The Real Neanderthal Man. (G, S) 8.30 Dateline. A report from Sri Lanka on a possible end to the nation’s long-running civil war. Then, in Mexico, concerns over a strange cult worshipping a “Saint of Death” are exposed. International current affairs, hosted by George Negus. (S) 9.30 Movie: Rosenstrasse. (2003) Katja Riemann, Maria Schrader. (M, S) 11.55 Colonia Dignidad. (M, R, S)
6.00 Landline Extra. (R, S) 6.30 Talking Heads. (S) 7.00 News. (S) 7.30 The 7.30 Report. (S) 8.00 Australian Story. (S) 8.30 Four Corners. Investigative journalism program. (S) 9.20 Media Watch. (S) 9.35 The Cut. Andrew decides to downsize Bill’s client list, but his actions end in disaster when a woman they send a rejection letter to becomes a celebrity overnight. (M, S) 11.05 Lateline Business. (S) 11.35 The Rise And Fall Of The Russian Oligarchs. (Final) (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) 8.00 Scrubs. Dr Cox is pushed to the limit by the demands of his new job. (PG, S) 8.30 Desperate Housewives. Bree’s moment of weakness could bring her great embarrassment and shame. Katherine’s secret is revealed. (M, S) 9.30 Brothers & Sisters. Tommy and Julia celebrate their wedding anniversary. Justin and Rebecca are spooked about their relationship. (M, S) 11.30 30 Rock. (PG, S)
6.00 News. (S) 6.30 WIN News. (S) 7.00 A Current Affair. (S) 7.30 Two And A Half Men. (PG, R, S) 8.00 Customs. (PG, S) 8.30 Underbelly: A Tale Of Two Cities. Terry decides to franchise his crime empire and expand into the UK market. Allison is promoted to a major role in the organisation. Aussie Bob goes to extreme lengths to buy out Terry’s share of the drug business. (M, S) 9.30 Crime Investigation
Australia: Headless Body – The Kim Barry Murder. (M, S) 11.30 Entertainment Tonight. (R, S)
The Biggest Loser. (PG, S) 7.30 So You Think You Can Dance Australia. (PG, S) 8.40 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. (M, S) 9.45 NCIS. Ari continues to wreak havoc on the team, by using them as pawns in the game he is playing with Gibbs. (M, R, S) 11.30 The Late Show With David Letterman. (PG)
6.00 Living Black. (S) 6.30 World News Australia. (S) 7.30
Top Gear. (PG, S) 8.30 South Park. (Final) Mr Garrison makes a debut around town as a woman, and Kyle asks his parents about the sex-change operation. (M, R, S) 9.30 World News Australia. (S) 9.55 Market Update. 10.00
The Mighty Boosh. Howard and Vince retreat to a quaint fishing village for a week to come up with some fresh ideas and new songs. (PG, R, S) 11.25 Movie: One Last Dance. (2005) (MA15+)
Adults Only 20 To 1:
Sexy Movie Scenes
Thursday, WIN, 8.30pm
From Demi Moore and Patrick Swayze’s iconic pottery session in Ghost to George Clooney and Jennifer Lopez stripping down to the bare essentials in Out of Sight, cheeky host Bert Newton counts down the sexiest moments on celluloid. Whatever the outcome, ol’ Moonface is sure to provide plenty of innuendo as he lists the moments that left audiences hot under the collar.
Rebus
Friday, ABC1, 8.30pm
Grumpy as ever, Detective Inspector Rebus (Ken Stott) returns for a new series. In this first episode, Resurrection Men, he’s on the hunt for the killer of an art gallery owner. Our curmudgeonly cop’s attitude gets the better of him, and following several disagreements with his boss, Rebus is sent back to police college to sort out his issues with authority. A welcome return for an excellent police series.
6.05 Time Team: Codnor Castle. (G, S) 7.00 News. (S) 7.30
The 7.30 Report. (S) 8.00 Lead Balloon. Rick is thrilled after he is asked to appear on a game show as a celebrity guest. (PG, S) 8.30 Doctor Who. It’s 1953 London and the people of Britain gather around their new-fangled television sets to celebrate the Queen’s coronation – but something strange is affecting the signal. (PG, R, S) 9.15 Doctor Who Confidential: Cut Down. (G, S) 9.30 Foreign Correspondent. (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. The Rafter family confronts the anniversary of grandma Louise’s tragic death and Nathan and Sammy’s wedding in their own ways. Julie is left shell-shocked after a visit to her doctor. (PG, S) 9.30 All Saints. Claire is terrified when her past finally catches up with her. (M, S) 11.30 Carpoolers. (PG)
6.00 News. (S) 6.30 WIN News. (S) 7.00 A Current Affair. (S) 7.30 Wipeout Australia. (PG, S) 8.30 Two And A Half Men. Alan continues to believe that he is responsible for Judith’s pregnancy. Charlie is convinced he knows the reason behind Jake’s bad mood. (M, S) 9.00 Two And A Half Men. (M, R, S) 9.30 Aussie Ladette To Lady. The remaining three girls put into practice everything they have learned if they hope to become the winner. (M, S) 11.30 Entertainment Tonight. (R, S)
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. A young marine is found chained up and shot in an abandoned building. While investigating the crime scene, the team discovers a shocking piece of evidence which suggests Gibbs may be in danger. (M, S) 9.30 Lie To Me. (M, S) 11.00 Swimming. Australian Championships. Day 1. Highlights. From Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre.
6.00 Global Village: Blue Eyes At Shaolin. (G, R, S) 6.30 World News Australia. (S) 7.30 Insight. (S) 8.30 Cutting Edge: Religious Right At The Crossroads. (PG, S) 9.30 World News Australia. (S) 9.55 Market Update. 10.00 Hot Docs: A Jihad For Love. Filmmaker Parvez Sharma travels the world discovering the stories of gay and lesbian Muslims. (S) 11.30 Movie: Blessed By Fire. (2005) (MA15+)
6.00 The Queen’s Cavalry: Trooping The Colour. (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 The Gruen Transfer. Comedian Wil Anderson is joined by experts to dissect the advertising industry and consumerism. (S) 9.35 Ruddy Hell! It’s Harry & Paul. (Final) Sketch comedy. (M, S) 11.10 Lateline Business. (S) 11.35 Midsomer Murders. (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. (M, S) 9.30 Beyond The Darklands: The Birnies. A look into the minds of Australia’s most notorious serial killing couple, David and Catherine Birnie. Devoted to each other from the age of 12, they formed a bond of sex, torture and murder that claimed the lives of four victims before they were brought to justice. (M, S) 11.30 Disorderly Conduct Caught On Tape. (PG)
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. The team investigates the murder of a wealthy socialite who was having an affair with a notorious womaniser. (M, S) 9.30 Cold Case. The team reopens the investigation into the 1953 murder of a pin-up girl after a photo of the crime scene taken by a fan provides new and vital evidence in the case. (M, S) 11.30 Entertainment Tonight. (R, S)
6.00 The Simpsons. (G, R, S) 6.30 Neighbours. (G, S) 7.00 The Biggest Loser. (PG, S) 8.00 Guerrilla Gardeners. (PG, S) 8.30 House. The team treats a teenage boy suffering severe pelvic pain. After tests reveal the patient has both male and female DNA, his parents admit they knew about his condition. (M, S) 9.30 Life. A man is found beaten and shot dead with a mouth full of money. (M, S) 11.00 Swimming. Australian Championships. Day 2. Highlights. From Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre.
6.00 Global Village: The Ice Miners. (G, R, S) 6.30 World News Australia. (S) 7.30 Feast India. (G, R, S) 8.00 Trawlermen: Coming Home. (G, S) 8.30 Tribe: Layap, Bhutan. (G, S) 9.30 World News Australia. (S) 9.55 Market Update. 10.00 Movie: Tickets. (2005) Four interwoven stories following the experiences of a professor, a family of refugees, a group of soccer fans and a widow, all sharing a train journey from Central Europe to Rome. (MA15+, S) 11.55 Movie: Beamer. (2003) (MA15+, R)
Movies
Close To Home
Thursday, SBS, 10pm
With well-drawn, multifaceted characterisations, this coming-of-age tale looks at the social lives of two Israeli teens (Smadar Sayar and Naama Schendar, pictured) in sensitive and partly humorous juxtaposition to the violent, omnipresent political situation. A fascinating and insightful window into Israeli life and emotion.
thursday, 19
Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle Of Life
Saturday, SC Ten, 8.50pm
The second instalment in the Tomb Raider saga sees Lara Croft (Angelina Jolie) on the trail of a mystical artefact that threatens to destroy mankind. Pit against a criminal mastermind (Ciaran Hinds) and yet another untrustworthy boyfriend (Gerard Butler), Croft exhibits her gravity-defying talents in the world’s most scenic locales.
6.10 Grand Designs. (G, R, S) 7.00 News. (S) 7.30 The 7.30 Report. (S) 8.00 Catalyst. Explores the condition known as hyperthymestic syndrome, in which people remember everyday events in extraordinary detail. (S) 8.30 Operation Valkyrie: The Stauffenberg Plot To Kill Hitler. (PG, S) 9.25 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) 11.25 The Passing Show: The Life And Music Of Ronnie Lane. (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. One of Meredith’s oldest friends becomes an intern at Seattle Grace, but Meredith’s friends are not very welcoming. Lexie leads her fellow interns in secretive, unorthodox surgical training sessions. (M, S) 9.30 Private Practice. Addison treats two pregnant women who unknowingly share the same husband. (M, S) 11.30 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 sexiest scenes to ever grace the big screen – moments that left audiences and critics hot under the collar. (M, S) 9.30 The Footy Show. NRL. (M, S) 11.00 The Footy Show. AFL. Join hosts Garry Lyon, James Brayshaw and Sam Newman, along with Billy Brownless, Craig Hutchison and Shane Crawford, for the latest news and match previews. (M, S)
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 woman attempting to buy the morning-after pill claims she was raped, detectives discover she is the victim of her husband’s violent outbursts. (M, S) 9.30 Life On Mars. The baby of a prominent family is kidnapped, and Sam is shocked to discover that his own deadbeat dad may be involved. (M, S) 11.00 Swimming. Australian Championships. Day 3. Highlights.
6.00 Global Village: Trentino. (G, R, S) 6.30 World News
Australia. (S) 7.35 Inspector Rex. (PG, R, S) 8.30 This Is Civilisation: Feelings. Part 2 of 4. (G, R, S) 9.30 World News Australia. (S) 9.55 Market Update. 10.00 Movie: Close To Home. (2005) Smadar Sayar, Naama Schendar, Katia Zimbris. Two young, female Israeli soldiers patrol the streets of Jerusalem together, checking the identity cards of Palestinians. (M) 11.45 Queer As Folk. (MA15+, R, S)
Pirates Of The Caribbean: The Curse Of The Black Pearl
Saturday, Prime, 8.40pm
Johnny Depp is unmissable as a halfdrunk, half-mad pirate in this high-seas thriller. His boat has been seized by the evil Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush), whose crew has been turned into living skeletons by a curse. Volunteering to help Depp get his vessel back is Orlando Bloom, who is trying to rescue the kidnapped Keira Knightley. A terrific yarn, playfully helmed by director Gore Verbinski (The Ring).
friday, 20 s aturday, 21
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. (G, S) 8.30 Rebus. Rebus is ordered to undergo a behavioural management course after he refuses to follow orders while investigating the murder of a gallery owner. (M, S) 9.40 Vincent. The distraught wife of a self-confessed killer asks Vincent for help in proving that her husband was paid to confess to a crime he did not commit. (MA15+, S) 11.30 triple j tv With The Doctor. (R, S)
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 Movie: A Guy Thing. (2003) (M, R, S)
6.00 News. (S) 6.30 WIN News. (S) 7.00 A Current Affair. (S) 7.30 Rugby League. NRL. Round 2. South Sydney Rabbitohs v Parramatta Eels. From ANZ Stadium, Sydney. (S) 9.30 Rugby League. NRL. Round 2. Brisbane Broncos v Melbourne Storm. From Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane. (S) 11.30 WIN News. (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. Allison has a jarring dream of the apocalypse, and wakes to find herself in the middle of an earthquake. She is convinced the end is near, but soon learns that the dreams are tied to the case of a murdered family. (M, S) 9.30 Law & Order. (M, S) 11.20 News. (S) 11.50 Swimming. Australian Championships. Day 4. Highlights.
6.00 Global Village: Alsace. (G, R, S) 6.30 World News Australia. (S) 7.30 The Thirties In Colour: End Of An Era. (PG, S) 8.35 As It Happened: Churchill’s Bodyguard – The Kiss Of Life? Churchill has a nerve-racking visit to Cairo to see General Eisenhower and King Farouk. (G, R, S) 9.30 World News Australia. (S) 9.55 Market Update. 10.00 For One Night Only. A severely disabled man takes two disabled friends who want to lose their virginity to a brothel in Spain. (M, R, S)
6.00 Totally Frank. (PG, R, S) 6.25 Minuscule: Caterpillar Dream. (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. While undercover as a taxi driver, DC Perkins witnesses the abduction of a young woman. However, efforts to rescue her are hampered by the decision to conduct a joint investigation with members of the Leipzig police. (PG, S) 10.00 News. (S) 11.00 Rage. (M)
6.00 News. (S) 6.30 In Search Of Big Barra With Malcolm Douglas. (G, R, S) 7.30 Kath & Kim. (PG, R, S) 8.00 The Vicar Of Dibley. Geraldine plans a special service of blessing in St Barnabas for the animals of the village. (PG, R, S) 8.40 Movie: Pirates Of The Caribbean: The Curse Of The Black Pearl. (2003) Johnny Depp, Orlando Bloom, Keira Knightley, Geoffrey Rush. A young man joins forces with an infamous pirate to rescue the daughter of a local governor. (M, R, S) 11.40 Ripping Yarns. (PG, R)
6.00 News. (S) 6.30 Australia’s Funniest Home Videos. (G, S) 7.30 Movie: Just My Luck. (2006) (PG, S) 9.40 Movie: The Wrong Man. (2006) Josh Hartnett, Bruce Willis, Lucy Liu, Morgan Freeman, Ben Kingsley. A down-on-his-luck man stumbles into a war between two New York gangsters, and must use his wits to cheat death. (AV15+, S) 11.50 Movie: Enemy At The Gates. (2001) (M, R, S)
6.00 The Simpsons. (PG, R, S) 6.30 Movie: Home Alone 2: Lost In New York. (1992) (PG, S) 8.50 Movie: Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle Of Life. (2003) Angelina Jolie, Gerard Butler, Ciarán Hinds, Noah Taylor. Female archaeologist and adventurer Lara Croft tries to stop a megalomaniac from obtaining an orb that serves as the key to the fabled Pandora’s Box. (M, R, S) 11.10 Good News Week. (M, R, S)
6.30 World News Australia. (S) 7.30 Prototype This! (G, S) 8.30 Iron Chef. (G, S) 9.20 RocKwiz. Music quiz show, featuring The Drones’ Gareth Liddiard and singer Taasha Coates from The Audreys. Each celebrity performs one of their songs backed by the RocKwiz Orkestra and combine for a duet at the end of the night. Hosted by Julia Zemiro. (PG, R, S) 11.55 Shorts On Screen. (MA15+)
SUNDAY, MARCH 15
The Djarn Djarns 6PM – NITV (502)
The story of a friendship between four boys and the responsibility they feel for their culture.
The Powerpuff Girls
7PM – CARTOON NETWORK (203)
Blossom discovers that she has a new superpower – ice breath.
3:10 to Yuma
8.25PM – MOVIE TWO (412)
A destitute rancher is enlisted to escort a notorious criminal to his trial, but the Wild West has its own surprises in store.
MONDAY, MARCH 16
Nick Baker’s Weird Creatures
6.30PM – ANIMAL PLANET (306) Nick is on a watery journey to find a 90kg turtle, a swamp monster with an awesome reputation.
The Hills
7.30PM – MTV (251)
Whitney and Lauren are settling back into the groove of LA but there have been some changes: Whitney has a new romance going with Jay.
Unbreakable
8.45PM – MOVIE EXTRA (413)
A spooky story about the sole survivor of a catastrophic train crash, who is presented with an extraordinary explanation for his existence.
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 Professional Development - 1 Day Course
Topic: Property Fundamentals
When: Thursday 2 April Time: 8am to 5:30pm
Venue: Minter Ellison Lawyers, Forrest
Proudly sponsored by Minter Ellison Lawyers Division Lunch
Topic: Weathering the Change 2009 – 2012
Guest speaker: Simon Corbell MLA, Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Water, and Minister for Energy
When: Wednesday 8 April Time: 12pm to 2pm
Venue: Hotel Realm, Barton Proudly sponsored by ActewAGL
For more information on upcoming events, membership or sponsorship opportunities, please contact Antoinette Perera on 02 6248 6902 or email Aperera@propertyoz.com.au
ARCHITECTURAL values are worthless if they don’t reflect human values. And green values seem to be here to stay, even if they are challenging in today’s financial climate, Federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett told the Property Council’s 2009 Green Cities Conference in Brisbane.
Before the credit crunch hit, industry and governments were already working effectively together on plans to green up our existing built environment as well as ensure that new additions to it incorporated the latest and best ideas in green building technologies.
Now is the time to find the balance we need to stay environmentally sustainable while coping with a financial crisis. There will be challenges in doing this, but the two aims aren’t necessarily mutually incompatible.
We can start with what Minister Garrett called “the low-hanging fruit” – the small things every home or business owner can do to reduce emissions. This can include
By Catherine Carter
actions which cost nothing more than the time taken to devise green routines and protocols for staff, residents and management. They can be recycling programs, a policy to switch office computers off at the end of the working day, a requirement that “the last one out switches off all the lights”, or “use the plug when rinsing out your coffee cup”, and so on.
A greener house saves on energy and water bills, and is more comfortable to live in than other homes.
“The vast majority of Australian households under-perform. They cost more to heat and cool, they’re less comfortable and they contribute to excessive carbon pollution,” said Minister Garrett.
Because the Federal Government has
identified energy efficiency as the second plank in its approach to tackling climate change, there are some new incentives for going green, including the $3.9 billion in Energy Efficient Homes package, which increases the solar hot water rebate to $1600 and removes the means test, and also provides a $1000 rebate for installing insulation in rental homes.
And these two initiatives are, he said, already creating jobs – another green bonus. There is still work to be done in Canberra, and many opportunities for industry and government to work together to achieve green results that benefit the entire community. There were some good ideas from Queensland, for example Premier Anna Bligh announced that, if reelected, her government would introduce a new “green door” to fast track eco-developments; something worth thinking about for Canberra.
Catherine Carter is executive director of the Property Council of Australia (ACT).
Jerrabomberra
164
Situated in a quiet loop street is this executive 5 bedroom residence set on an elevated block 861m2 (approx) with spectacular views. Generous accommodation includes sun drenched formal & informal living areas with views that overlook Black Mountain Tower. Downstairs is rumpus/2nd living area with kitchenette, ensuite & 5th bedroom. Sliding glass doors open up from rumpus leading out to a paved entertaining area. Auction on site 11.30am Saturday 4th April
Manuka 6295 2433 Paul Sutton 0407 099 175 or Robyn Sutton 0409 442 484
Hall Region
94 ANCHOW
Bungendore
Looking for a relaxing rewarding country lifestyle, hidden away from the hustle & bustle of the City, but still within an easy drive to the CBD than look no further. Sitting majestically on 75 pasture improved acres (30.65 Ha approx) this modern 5 bedroom homestead offers flexible accommodation with all the comforts of modern living, perfect for the large or extended family. A sun drenched plan features spacious family room & formal living room with spectacular views. Auction on site 9.30 am Saturday 21st March
Manuka 6295 2433 Paul Sutton 0407 099 175 or Robyn Sutton 0409 442 484
Fully remodelled with absolutely no expense spared this stunning 4 bedroom plus studio residence is set on a superb block (2031m2) overlooking picturesque reserve & is conveniently located only a few minutes walk to Bungendore Village. A sundrenched entrance opens to a spacious formal living area, perfect for all formal entertaining occasions. High ceilings, a seamless combination of timber & modern finishes & neutral décor add to the appeal of this as new home. Auction on site 11am Sunday 15th March
Manuka 6295 2433 Paul Sutton 0407 099 175 or Robyn Sutton 0409 442 484
Hall Region
66 BROOKLANDS ROAD
“Ralsan Park” presents an extremely rare opportunity to acquire a farm of 200 acres (80 Ha approx) conveniently located on the very edge of Canberra accessed via sealed roads & within an easy 20 minute drive to the CBD. Inspection by appointment only
Manuka 6295 2433 Paul Sutton 0407 099 175 or Robyn Sutton 0409 442 484
39 MOLONGLO STREET
WATERFALL DRIVE
HILL ROAD
BATEHAVEN 362 Beach Road
The One For Which You Have Been Waiting!
You couldn’t be closer to Caseys Beach than this. Enjoy the delights of this superbly renovated beach cottage with sensational views almost on your doorstep! Three bedrooms two bathrooms, a sheltered bbq gazebo and spacious deck add to your enjoyment. There’s also a sleep out for overflow visitors, a garage plus shed and a long gated driveway for boat storage, all in tickety boo order! Caseys Beach is a perennial favourite in Batemans Bay. Great for swimming, safe for children and line anglers love it! Just ten minutes from the Bay Centre and a short walk to Batehaven shops and cafes.
Saturday 18 April 12 noon On Site
View by appointment
Caryl Haslem 0417 564 599 raywhite.com BBY11284
LILLI PILLI 29 Fairview Drive
Close To A Delightful Safe Surf Beach
Set in about the most popular street for beach retreats, this much-loved, roomy family residence is on a level 651sqm block with filtered water views. In a quiet area where the bush meets the sea, it has a sunny aspect with a good deck, polished timber floors upstairs, and a magnificent recreation room, just perfect for ping pong and snooker! Listen to the gentle surf on sand and rocks 24/7, watch the sea hawks patrol and the whales glide by. Great for holidays, or indulge yourself and be one of the lucky permanent residents of the Eurobodalla Nature Coast! Only two hours drive from Canberra, four from Sydney to make this gem yours.
BATEHAVEN 113A Beach Road
The Ultimate Batemans Bay Waterfront!
You will be absolutely seduced by this elegant property right on the water at Corrigans Beach, Batehaven. Be transfixed by the expansive secure views of sea, mountains and headlands from every room. Enjoy the contemporary kitchen and the beckoning sunny deck for al fresco entertaining or a quiet reflective moment. Hunker down in the comfortable lounge with gas fire, or simply stay in bed and gaze at the views. Superbly constructed by one of the Bay’s leading builders it is perfect as a seaside retreat or for your permanent residence.
Price $565,000
View by appointment
John Haslem 0418 514 399 raywhite.com BBY11280
SURFSIDE 42 Myamba Parade
Owner says “Sell!”
Absolute Waterfront
Direct level beach access
Spectacular uninterrupted sea views
Five bedrooms, five bathrooms
Approximately 40 squares, brick and tile
Self contained accommodation at ground level
Provisional Reserve
$890,000
Price Reduction of over $500,000
Unimproved capital value $747,000
Vendor finance negotiable
An amazing opportunity!
552
Auction
Saturday 11 April 2pm On Site
View by appointment
Caryl Haslem 0418 514 399 raywhite.com BBY11275
› From $160 per month - no security deposit.
› Month to month exibility.
› Prestigious address for your business cards & letterheads.
› Professional receptionist to answer your calls.
› Access to over 300 boardrooms and meeting rooms, locally and internationally. Book online in real time.
your first month at half price
• Building Blocks range from 6045 square metres to 8683 square metres
• House & Land packages available • Prices start from $199,000
• Open SAT/SUN from 2.30pm Contacts : Anne Williams 0418 207291 and Glyn Williams 0418 975343
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
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.
NOW.
Andrew York 0418 624 411
Great Opportunity For the Astute Buyer!!
This great 3 bedroom townhouse has
Presentation – 3 Bedrooms, Open Plan Living, Upgraded Kitchen, Landscaping
Look what’s just around the corner.
Ambassador. Everything you need in a
The superb apartments and penthouses of The Ambassador are located in the heart of Canberra’s prestigious inner south, just down the road from The Lodge. But it’s not just about the address. Where else can you combine superb views and luxury apartment living with the convenience of shops, cafés and recreation facilities literally at your door?
As befits its exceptional Deakin location, The Ambassador has been designed by leading architect Colin Stewart with an uncompromising commitment to quality. Spacious living areas and exceptionally large balconies command sweeping views to Parliament House, Black Mountain and the Brindabellas.
We’re only a few apartment sales away from triggering our construction milestone, so there’s never been a better time to talk to us. Call 6273 9661, see our website or visit our display suite, corner Hopetoun Circuit and Grey Street Deakin, open 11am to 5pm Wednesday to Sunday.
