Canberra CityNews June 3-10, 2009

WENDY JOHNSON IN BAKERY HEAVEN

SONYA FLADUN

FEARFUL OF ‘FINE SLU’

SHELLEY’S HIDDEN TREASURES

ROBERT

MACKLIN

HOPE RISES FROM SHAME

MICHAEL MOORE

BLUNT PROGRESS ON NEEDLES CATHERINE CARTER

UNIT LIVING GETS MORE COMPLEX DOUGAL MACDONALD DRAMA IN THE NEWSROOM

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Why politicians need to shut up

By Megan Haggan

OUR politicians and public servants could benefit from a bit of mental silence, according to medical researcher Dr Ramesh Manocha, who has been researching the benefits of meditation for more than 10 years.

“Politicians are people who spend a lot of time making extremely calculated and important decisions – decisions which are negatively influenced by excessive mental clutter,” says Dr Manocha, who will host a workshop at the National Press Club on Sunday, June 14.

“When you’re stressed, your mind is extraordinarily active, and that’s when you react negatively to problems, for example regarding your hairdryer or your vegetarian meal, or Question Time.”

Dr Manocha says that eastern traditions emphasise the importance of mental stillness in reduc -

INDEX

June 4-10, 2009

Since 1993: Volume 15, Number 21

Arts&Entertainment 12-13 Crossword 15 Dining 13 Fashion 14

Horoscope 15

Letters 9 Movie reviews 12 News 3-9 Politics 4

16-24

Social Scene 10-11 Sudoku 15

ing stress and other problems that have become common in modern times.

“I do a lot of work with adolescent health and wellbeing, and find that many mental health problems are caused by a misbelief that consumption and material acquisition is going to make people happy.”

The information-rich nature of our society, particularly the internet and social networking sites, makes it even harder to achieve mental stillness, he says.

“These things are all about increasing mental stimulation, and in young people particularly it’s not tempered with wisdom and life experience, and can contribute to unhappiness.

“The majority of most people’s mental activity at any given time is background clutter, something we accept as normal, but isn’t. It’s the internal dialogue which keeps us awake at night, which we can’t turn off.

“Meditation is about restoring your mastery over your own mind.

“Our research and other research done internationally has clearly linked the mental and physical health benefits of meditation with the experience of mental silence.”

Dr Manocha’s June 14 workshop is free, but bookings are essential on 1300 797794.

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Those in the nose…

Pi PeR Webb, 5, (left) and Tahlia Prior, 6, get in the spirit of Red n ose Day at the launch of this year’s campaign at King O’Malleys, City Walk. The girls were performing with the Jayz Dance g roup Canberra to promote the fund-raising Red n ose Day on Friday, June 26.

“Each year SIDS and Kids ACT support over 100 families who experience the death of their baby or young child during pregnancy, birth, infancy and childhood,” says Karen Faichney, si D s and Kids a C t C eo

GPO Box 2448, Canberra City 2601

Editor: Ian Meikle ed@citynews.com.au

Senior writer and 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

Accounts manager: Bethany Freeman-Chandler accounts@citynews.com.au

Rego fees to rise

RegistR ation and registration-related fees will increase by the wage price index of 3.5 per cent from July 1. Fees for full five-year driver licences, which have been aligned with NSW since July 1999, will rise 2.2 per cent, but other driver licence fees will be increased by the 3.5 per cent.

More people

aC t’s population will reach 500,000 in 2050, according to 50-year population projections released by Chief Minister Jon Stanhope. “While population projections are not ‘population targets’, they do provide a basis for assessing future residential and commercial land release requirement and also aid in planning for the provision of a whole range of Government services including housing, schools, public utilities, health centres, aged-care facilities, and playgrounds,” he said.

Landcare awards

L an DC a R e is urging people across the aC t to enter Australia’s principal environmental awards, the National Landcare Awards. Held every two years, the awards are about recognising people who are making a difference – whether they’re tackling soil erosion, water pollution, salinity or any environmental issue. Details from www. landcareonline.com.

Walking for women

tHe Heart Foundation aCt is holding the go Red & Walk @ Work Day on national Go Red for Women Day on Friday, June 12. Participants can join Deputy Chief Minister Katy gallagher in walking around Lake Burley Griffin. For registration and more information contact eiren Black on 6282 5744 or email eiren.black@heartfoundation.org.au

By Michael Moore

Blunt progress on needle program

Telephone: 02 6273

Email: info@brassey.net.au http: //www.brassey.net.au

Changes to the Unit Titles Act

When: Wednesday 10 June

Time: 4pm to 6pm

Venue: Mallesons Stephen Jaques, Canberra City

Proudly sponsored by: Commonwealth Bank

Division Lunch

Speaker: Katy Gallagher MLA, ACT Deputy Chief Minister

When: Thursday 11 June

Time: 12pm to 2pm

Venue: Hotel Realm, Barton

Proudly sponsored by: St Hilliers

Feed in Tariff Scheme Forum

When: Tuesday 23 June

Time: 4pm to 6pm

Venue: Minter Ellison, Barton

Proudly sponsored by: ActewAGL and TransACT

Ideas from a snooze

By Megan Haggan CANBERRA entrepreneur Robert

Leticq likes a challenge – the creator of the ACT Tourism awardwinning Privileges Card, he’s now taking on wotif.com with a hotelbooking site with a difference.

Robert says he’s always been persistent, and not fazed by obstacles. His initial business ventures included a lemonade stand – which he says taught him the importance of cost control – and an early foray into the fashion industry, when he fashioned cufflinks from buttons found in his mother’s sewing basket, and attempted to sell them to leading menswear suppliers.

“So I was active in the business community from a young age!” he says.

With RoomRates, Robert says he set out “to make something more relevant to Canberrans, and which also has a social responsibility component.”

RoomRates, an online hotel booking site, lets users “donate a bed when you book ahead”: it donates 20 per cent of its profit (or five per cent of turnover) to the Red Cross, Oxfam and Wesley

“I wanted to donate to charities which would use these funds to find rooms for people who don’t have any,” Mr Leticq said. “It’s early days yet, but they’re very appreciative.”

RoomRates also offers dining deals with each booking in relevant destinations.

At www.roomrates.com.au, the site is already receiving positive feedback from users, he says: “People like the simplicity of the site, the fact that their booking is supporting worthy charities, and they love the fact that they can dine out on that transaction.

“I’ve always been a great believer in one plus one equalling 11. Everything I do is aimed at seeing the potential capacity for relationships to result in disproportionate benefits for all concerned,” he says.

Robert says his secret is in understanding the way his mind works. “People ask me a lot when I have time to sleep, but actually a lot of my thinking is done and my ideas generated when I’m waking up in the morning and I’m half snoozing!”

geRM an lawmakers have just joined a growing group of nations who are allowing people with long-term dependency to be treated with prescription heroin. a nd the aC t cannot even manage a needle-and-syringe program in its new prison!

in the early days of the aC t a ssembly, our community was leading the world with its approach to drug policy and treatment. i n the early 1990s, the aC t a ssembly and later the australia-wide Ministerial Council on Drug Strategy approved a trial of prescription heroin for seriously dependent users until Prime Minister John Howard personally put the kibosh on the project.

the new g erman approach is only to apply to people aged 23 years and over who have been dependent for a minimum of five years and undergone at least two previous, unsuccessful rehabilitation programs. there are similar programs operating in neighbouring switzerland where 68 per cent of voters in a national referendum in 1998 supported retention of prescription heroin. the UK, n etherlands, Belgium, Denmark, s pain and Canada form a group of other nations that have been involved or are running prescription heroin programs. a ccording to the “New York Times” “these programs have been credited with reducing drug-related crime and improving addicts’ health”.

in some ways the aC t has remained at the forefront of innovative social policy with Chief Minister Jon Stanhope’s Human Rights Act 2004 being the first Bill of Rights in Australia. However, it is now time for the aC t to apply these human rights principles and use the proven harm-reduction measure of allowing a needleand-syringe program to operate in the new a lexander Maconochie prison.

The Human Rights Act states: “Anyone deprived of liberty must be treated with humanity and with respect for the inherent dignity of the human person.” sixty-four per cent of men and 40 per cent of women in prison have been exposed to the hepatitis C virus compared to about 2 per cent of the general community. Failure to provide a needle-and-syringe program hardly respects human dignity. these people then return to their families and communities whose interests should also be protected. “Changes in these areas must be implemented now at remand centres if there is to be a transition to a healthy prison” were the words of the aC t Human Rights Commissioner, Dr Helen Watchirs. She conducted a “Human Rights audit on the o peration of aC t Correctional Facilities” in 2007 that supported a needle-and-syringe program.

This is no longer even cutting-edge health policy with around a dozen international examples of such programs that are run successfully within prisons. t he Chief Minister would respect his own Bill of Rights if he implemented it.

Michael Moore is a former independent member of the ACT Legislative Assembly and minister for health. He is CEO of the Public Health Association of Australia.

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Shelley’s hidden treasures

MEGAN HAGGAN meets the unshakable Shelley Thomson, passionate supporter of all foods regional.

“A LOT of regional and Australian suppliers have been hit by the drought, and a couple by the Victorian bushfires – and when customers know the suppliers and their history they’re very supportive and very loyal to them.”

There speaks Shelley Thomson, protector (and encourager) to the small food producers of the Canberra region.

The ACT region is home to a host of hidden treasures for food lovers, says Shelley, owner of Manuka Fine Foods, but most Australians, including Canberrans, don’t know they’re there.

“A lot of local producers aren’t in the mainstream: I actually spend a lot of time researching them,” she says.

“Once I was in the network of small suppliers, I found that they really looked after each other: there’s a strong sense of camaraderie, to the point where when I visited one, they’d suggest somebody else they knew as well.”

Shelley’s enthusiasm for stocking and promoting local produce and foods is obvious; her eyes brighten as she lists a few of her favourite suppliers.

“One is a French-trained chef who makes pâtés, terrines and confits, which he’s very passionate about: the company is Fine Terrines and Pâtés.

“He’s passionate about game meats, and sources the best rabbits and ducks and so on…

Shelley Thomson… “A lot of local producers aren’t in the mainstream: I actually spend a lot of time researching them.” Photo by Silas.

I found him when I first opened the shop and was blown away by the quality of his work.”

Then there are Petit Vache artisan cheeses from the Small Cow farm, at Robertson in the Southern Highlands. Shelley says that cheese produced from the farm’s little Dexter cows is sweeter than standard cheeses.

She also works with an Irish chef who prepares sourdough bread to a traditional recipe, and a chef who prepares frozen gourmet duck a l’orange, Maryland and curry meals.

Shelley originally opened her Manuka store as a Jones the Grocer, but found she was diversifying away from that franchise’s core concept with her focus on local suppliers and addressing customers’ suggestions.

They regularly come in with empty bottles and wrappers from products they’ve found and enjoyed, and enquire as to whether she could get them.

“The store evolves a lot because of that sort of thing, and because to me it’s important that there’s often something new for customers to look at.”

Curious case of branding

Lo C a L confectioner Heidi Ross began business as the Curious Chocolatier in 2005, and after a break for the birth of her second child, relaunched and refocused the brand.

“i asked Heidi to do a tasting at the shop, and she got a lot of very good feedback on the new chocolate,” shelley says. “ the next step was a marketing concept, so i suggested she get in touch with Quantum i deas Design House.”

elissa northrop at Quantum used paper dolls created by her fashion-obsessed mother in the ‘60s as the basis behind the Curious Chocolatier’s look.

Heidi says she wanted a vintage look for her brand, to appeal to the sense of nostalgia for childhood evoked by chocolate: “Chocolate makes us feel good, and i wanted the packaging to reflect that.

“We picked some designs which suited the flavours of the chocolate – they worked really well, and elissa’s mum was thrilled.”

The ACT Public Service offers a broad range of challenging career opportunities as well as excellent benefits and working conditions in a city that has a great deal to offer.

Working within a smaller public service gives you a depth and breadth of experience that is hard to find elsewhere. You’ll enjoy more control and more say in what goes on. Best of all, you’ll get the recognition you deserve for all your hard work – which will go a long way in fast-tracking your career.

What’s more, you’ll enjoy the kind of job security that only comes with being a government employee.

So keep living and working in Canberra – and give your career room to move. To find out more visit www.jobs.act.gov.au

Hope from shame

IF you haven’t yet seen the Australian film “Samson and Delilah” be warned: it’s a fine picture but you will be overwhelmed with shame. In the title roles are a couple of Aboriginal youngsters caught in a spiral of neglect, aimlessness and degradation on the fringe of Alice Springs. It is a scarifying story that strikes at the heart of our disgraceful treatment of our indigenous people. Its happy ending is as unlikely as it is unconvincing.

The Aboriginals of the Alice live in a shattered community picking through the wreckage of what was once a thriving culture. And even in the one area where they do have a chance to better their economic conditions – their art – they are exploited and degraded. The result is alienation with no opportunities for the kind of work that offers an avenue to self-esteem.

But here’s the good news: there is a chance – albeit a slim one – that the film might yet help to create a genuine happy ending for the Aboriginal people of Alice Springs and indeed the whole red heart of Australia. And, at the same time, it could solve one of the other intractable problems that has bedevilled successive Australian government for the last 20 years.

It is not my idea. It belongs to one of our national capital treasures, Bill Gammage, professor of history at the ANU. But it’s one I endorse whole-heartedly. And it’s this: Alice Springs should be the site of Sydney’s second airport.

Yes, I too scoffed when I first heard it, but bear with me for a moment. All flights from Europe and Asia heading for Sydney – about 80 per cent of total international traffic – pass over Alice Springs. But only half the passengers have Sydney as their ultimate destination. The other half is headed for Melbourne, Brisbane, Ad-

By Robert Macklin

elaide, Canberra and elsewhere. Sydney is just the international hub.

Mascot is appallingly overcrowded and inefficient and becoming more so every month. In fact, as one who has just returned from an overseas journey, I have to say Sydney airport is another source of national shame.

However, if we created The Alice as the international entry point for all incoming passengers that presently overfly it and allowed them to fan out from there via domestic services, suddenly the pressure would be off Mascot. Sydney would not need a second airport – or even an extension to the current model – for 50 years.

The topography around Alice is perfect; the land is relatively inexpensive and there’s plenty of room for development. But most important, international travellers would be introduced to the Aboriginal experience in their first glimpse of Australia. It’s the natural theme for the place and suddenly the Aboriginal people would be the stars of the show. And with that economic engine powering the enterprise, there would be work aplenty for them as the world arrived in “their” land.

If only Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and his senior ministers took the time to watch the movie they might well be inspired to think outside the square to solve the problem – and once they do the Gammage Plan will be waiting to receive them.

robert@robertmacklin.com

New chapter opens for book shop

CANBERRAN book lovers can now enjoy an expanded range of paranormal  ction, children’s books, DVDs, non-  ction and more, at the new Dymocks store located in the upper level of the Canberra Centre.

Owners Richard and Alison Kay, who have operated the Dymocks Civic store for six years, are excited about offering locals a range of books tailored for them, in a larger and more versatile environment.

“Because we’re a franchise, we’re able to do our own buying as well as the Dymocks catalogue specials,” Alison says.

“We can respond to what the local market wants, just like an independent bookshop.”

At 290sqm metres, the new shop is almost twice the size of the old one in Garema Place, and Richard says this means that certain areas have been expanded.

“Canberrans are the strongest book readers in the country,” says Richard. “We’re well educated and love reading.

“One of our strongest areas compared to other Dymocks franchises around the country is non ction: history, military, current affairs, politics.”

The already extensive non-  ction section has been signi  cantly increased, allowing Dymocks Civic to offer a greater range in store as well as retaining its ability to order books in for customers.

“Another section we’ve increased is science  ction and fantasy,” Richard says. “We had wanted to give it more space for some time.

“There’s also paranormal  ction, which hardly existed a year ago but grew to seven shelves in

the old store, and is now even bigger.”

Driven by the popularity of Stephanie Meyer’s “Twilight” series and Laurel K. Hamilton’s “Anita Blake” series among others, paranormal  ction has been expanded in the new store.

Young readers haven’t been forgotten, Richard says.

“We’ve devoted a lot more space to what was already a strong area, and created a children’s reading and activity space.”

Events for children are planned, along the lines of the recent “Fairies Fun Day”, and Dymocks Civic has for some time been involved with community events promoting reading, such as the Chief Minister’s Reading Challenge and the “Books Alive” campaign.

The larger shop, as well as its location inside the Canberra Centre, will make it easier to host guest authors and other in-store events, he says. However, some things haven’t changed, such as Dymock’s customer focus: staff will continue to order in books especially for individuals and groups such as corporations and schools.

Dymocks Civic won the 2006 Chairman’s Award for the Best Performing Store in the Dymocks Group.

“All our staff are readers, and have different tastes, so if a customer comes in with queries, there’s always someone who knows about that genre and can recommend books for them,” says Alison.

Dymocks customers can also enjoy the bene  ts of the Dymocks Booklovers loyalty program, which offers bene  ts including the free “Booklover” magazine, instant prizes, VIP entry to store events and shopping nights, exclusive offers and automatic entry into competitions, such as the Harry Potter competition a couple of years ago.

One local Dymocks Booklovers member won a $13,000 tour of the UK by automatic entry from the Civic store.

Dymocks Canberra Centre is now open at Shop DF18, Canberra Centre. For more information call 6257 5057 or visit www.dymocks.com.au.

Unit life gets complex

COMPLIANCE with many of the provisions of the amended Unit Titles Amendment Act will be labour intensive and difficult for unit owners and sellers, as well as developers. While the amended Act embodies improvements – including a clear and timely dispute resolution mechanism, the creation of a communications officer to help owners’ corporations, greater protection for buyers and guidelines for service contracts and legal matters – it also represents significant changes and complex requirements.

For example, unit owners face issues over the statutory right to cancel a contract for sale and implied warrantees in sales contracts. Developers need to understand new disclosure obligations and limits on proxy voting as well as the “developer control period”.

Owners’ corporations face new conditions for dispute resolution by the ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal and new obligations on body corporate management. There are new conditions governing the voting and passing of resolutions in body corporate meetings. Consent for keeping a pet is also covered. And there’s the 10year sinking fund plan.

There are changed provisions on owners’ corporations’ borrowing powers. There are provi-

letters

By Catherine Carter

sions for dealing with structural defects, entry rights into a unit in the case of an emergency, the appointment of managers along with their rights, powers and obligations.

It seems likely that those who build, own, live in, buy or sell home units will need help navigating the tricky new course laid in by these amendments. The Property Council has gathered a team of experts to present at a forum titled “New changes to the Unit Titles Act: More cost, more risk, more uncertainty”, at the offices of law firm Mallesons Stephen Jaques from 4pm6 pm on Wednesday, June 10.

Guest speakers include Chris Miller, strata management specialist from Canberra Units Plan Services; Jure Domazet, director with the DOMA Group and legal experts from Mallesons.

More information from the Property Council.

Catherine Carter is the executive director of the Property Council of Australia (ACT).

Leading from the front (of plane)

MEDIA coverage of the extent of Rudd Government ministerial advisers flying first class (at $14,729 each) to the G20 meeting to discuss the global financial crisis seems to suggest an expectation of better judgment. Given payments to the dead, foreigners, prisoners and for new toilet blocks for schools about to close why is anyone surprised anymore? As for aircraft travel, the ALP is leading by example, i.e. leading from the front of the aircraft that is, and clearly stimulating the global aviation industry!

As for the PM, after a while of his absurd photo shots in hard hats, it looked more like he was auditioning for the Village People!

M. Gordon, Flynn

Facts to consider

IF the Emissions Trading Scheme is going to become the trigger to a double dissolution here are some facts to consider: CO2 is a trace atmospheric gas of only four parts per 10,000. Water vapour is the biggest greenhouse gas (95 per cent of the total).

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd trusts the 2500 scientists associated with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Of that 2500, only

600 dealt with climate science. Of the 600, only 308 reviewed the second revision. Of the 308, only five commented on all five chapters. Of the crucial chapter “Understanding and Attributing Climate Change”, only seven of the 62 reviewers could be deemed impartial and two of those reviewers did not agree with the final statement.

In short, just five scientists agreed with the statement of the IPCC attributing global warming to CO2 – that’s a lot fewer than 2500.

In contrast, a petition at www.petitionproject. org shows over 31,000 US scientists that have signed it stating: “There is no conclusive evidence CO2 causes climate change”.

The earth’s warming ended in 1998. It is now turning to a cooling cycle with northern Australia getting big rains and the middle of Australia having the best season in 20 years, with one part of NSW having its third flood in eight weeks. Together with the earliest snowfall in 20 years in the snowfields, we need Senators who will confront the Green religion and call the demonisation of CO2 a lie. The time to pander to green myths is over. We need bold and honest thinkers in our parliaments.

Leon Ashby, president, The Climate Sceptics, Mount Gambier, SA.

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a Da P teD from a six-episode BBC drama series, this political thriller directed by Kevin Macdonald has great tensions, strong pace, convincing situations and conflicts and enough digressions into clever humour leavening a plot relocated from London to Washington DC that twists and turns en route to quite a different finish from where we expected.

Russell Crowe plays Cal, a self-managing investigative reporter on a Washington daily with new proprietors determined to stop its marketshare slide. A Damoclean sword hangs over the head of editor Cameron (Helen Mirren). At university, Cal shared digs with Congressman Collins (Ben Affleck) who’s chairing an investigation into the operations of a company heavily involved in US Homeland Security. Collins’s research assistant has just been found dead, a suspected suicide. Problem is, she’s also his mistress, which annoys his wife (Robin Wright Penn) when she finds out.

Cal and cub reporter Della (Rachel McAdams) encounter real dangers as they visit the highs and lows of Washington real estate and society uncovering information that shows things to be not what they seem. Cameron holds the presses just once more while they bring in a great circulation-boosting story.

great entertainment + good fun + soused in adrenalin + intellectually challenging = good value.

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“MY

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F o R this Melbourne family drama, director s arah Watt (“Look Both Ways”) has written an intelligent issues-based screenplay about the consequences of a major medical event threatening a mother’s life.

in episodes touching on many important aspects of human existence – health, economic survival, child development, grief, disappointment and joy, the existence or otherwise of g od, love, anger, friendship – it’s serious cinema. But it’s never depressing.

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By Dougal Macdonald

The film depends on a marvellous performance from Sacha Horler as Natalie, recovering from a cerebral aneurism that makes several daily physiological events life threatening, including orgasm. Husband Ross (Matt Day) carries a burden more than mere celibacy. the children adjust to the changes. Friends support as well as they can.

With two significant films now to her credit, Watt controls her film dexterously, compassionately yet never mawkishly. Don’t stop here, s arah!

At Greater Union, Manuka

“KATYN” (MA)

in his ninth decade, noted Polish film-maker Andrezj Wajda has made a powerful, disturbing, immaculately-presented film based on the murder, by the n KVD, in a pril 1940, at stalin’s order, of 4000 Polish army officers, including the father of the then 13-year-old Wajda.

Mention of the event in Poland during the Communist regime was forbidden. Political and human rather than military, the screenplay combines archival material with a possibly fictional narrative told among a selection of the dead men’s families in an uncompromising determination to tell the truth now that interdiction has vanished.

o ne could hardly describe “Katyn” as a blithe film with high entertainment values. But entertainment can mean more than sending us out feeling buoyant. By their appearance, many members of the audience, sitting motionless and straight-faced as the house lights came up, might have been children in Poland during or soon after the war. i ts effect on them appeared to be profoundly thoughtful. i felt honoured to have the opportunity to experience that emotion.

At Dendy

tH e "enchanting taiwan" photographic exhibition is becoming a regular annual event in Canberra as the Taipei Economic & Cultural Office strives to present the physical beauty and uniqueness of a country that many Australians know little about, even though our Prime Minister perfected his Mandarin there.

In a first-time venture with the ACT Library and Information Services, the cultural office is presenting the exhibition at the Civic Library, London Circuit, until June 30.

– Helen Musa

"Enchanting Taiwan"… The 30 works highlight natural beauty and cultural heritage.

arts&entertainment

Pleasures of bakery heaven

a R e you sweet or savoury? At one of the best artisan bakeries in Canberra – if not the best – you can be either.

Flute Bakery may seem an odd fit for Fyshwick but, for close to five years, owners Brett s tockwell and Belinda Brassil (also partners in life) have been serving up sensational quiches, pies, tarts, croissants, cakes and great coffee to a steady stream of delighted customers.

Belinda’s smiling face is at front of house and Brett, the patisserie chef, is in charge of 12 staff in Flute’s large kitchen. He trained in Canberra and then worked in Paris, sydney and Melbourne before returning to the nation’s capital to grace us with his unbelievable talent.

Flute is very Parisienne – cream tones, a wrought-iron baker’s stand stacked with sour dough breads and a classic ciabatta i talian loaf with the name of the bakery dusted on it for a special touch (on Fridays a rye loaf is on the menu, as is a fruit loaf). French posters adorn the

Turbulent times of tiny people

as Canberra’s Jigsaw theatre Company celebrates its 35th birthday this year, it’s also venturing into an unusual 50-50 co-production that brings theatre art from the east together with dance and music from the west. i n this case, east is Canberra, and west is Perth.

Jigsaw director Kate shearer is joining the director of Perth’s Buzz dance theatre, Felicity Bott, to stage a 45-minute show called “Walk the Fence” for 4 to 7-yearolds.

n ot that it’s just for pre and primary school kids. With its immense physicality, the play, which deals primarily with the turbulent emotional life of early childhood, “will appeal to older children, their parents and grandparents”.

“Walk the Fence” will be a first for the Canberra theatre’s Courtyard studio, since it will take 20 minutes to seat the audience. Canberra artist Kaoru a lfonso’s set represents the street in which the angry young protagonist Rachel lives and all who attend will be inserted into spots, not chairs. – Helen Musa

“Walk the Fence” is at the Courtyard Studio until June 13, bookings to 6275 2700.

DINING

By Wendy Johnson

walls and there’s a sweet chandelier at the front.

Your eyes go straight to the displays of artisan sweet products and the “worthevery-bite” pies and quiches.

With a great cappuccino I enjoyed a mushroom and parmesan quiche, a bargain for only $4. o ther options included pumpkin and asparagus, spinach and pinenuts, and the prosciutto, roasted capsicum and potato, which one of us relished. a nother of my friends had, just two days before, indulged in the lamb curry pie, which he claimed was the best he’d ever had in his life (and he has eaten a lot of pies in his life). But he opted this time for the ham and cheese friand which

went down very well indeed. All pies are $4 and we’re talking quality ingredients, pastry as light as a feather and great combinations of flavours.

The individual cakes and tarts are stunning ($5.50 each) and include a Grand Marnier white chocolate mousse, a raspberry tart with vanilla bean custard, and the famous millefeuille – a custard with a “thousand leaves”. The plain croissants are only $2 and brioche lovers will delight in the raspberry and vanilla variety ($3). The beignets (jam or custard filled) are $3 and the galettes the same price. t he large cakes on display are exquisite and can be ordered up to 3pm the day before collection. t he dome cakes include the jaffa and wild strawberry. Cheesecakes, flourless cakes, tarts and decadent chocolate cakes are also on the menu and guaranteed to take you straight to heaven.

Flute Bakery, 8 Barrier Street, Fyshwick open Mon-Fri, 8am-3pm.

LEFT: “Walk the Fence” stars Keira Mason-Hill and Chris Palframan… With its immense physicality, the play deals primarily with the turbulent emotional life of early childhood. Photo by Silas.

Fabulous flats

tH eR e’s nothing boring about flat shoes, says Suzy Ivancic from Mania: there’s a few good reasons they’re still such a strong trend.

“First, they’re comfortable – just pop them on and go,” she says.

“They’re also trendy. Wear flats in patent leather, with a buckle, button or little bow on

MUM IN THE c ITY

By Sonya Fladun

In fear of ‘fine slu’

eVeR since the first media flurry over the possibility of a new global pandemic, I’ve been on heightened alert. i’m talking about the unwanted arrival to our shores of swine flu (aka, according to my children, “the dreaded fine slu”, which does somehow seem to me a more fitting name).

I’ve lectured my children about washing hands, not sharing food or drink, disposing of tissues and getting them to use those alcoholbased hand gels which i now carry around in my bag. I haven’t gone down the path of the facemask yet, but i think that will come soon.

I have also been stockpiling essentials so I can avoid the shops if it all develops into a fullblown flu pandemic. I’ve been buying up things such as chocolate, gin and tonic (because they always make me feel better), coffee, paracetamol, choc-chip muffin mix and quite a bit of tinned food as well.

some readers may think these preparations excessive, but I know about these things: With two often-overworked parents, one child in childcare and the other at school, colds and flu seem inevitable for my poor family. If anyone is going to get this thing, it is going to be us. as it happens, the last two weeks have seen me suffering laryngitis and bedridden with some kind of, yeeek, flu.

Searching for natural skincare

CANBERRANS have a strong interest in all things natural when it comes to skincare, says Cheryl Ross.

Cheryl, author of “Bodyworks” and a certified specialist in the uses and properties of essential oils and natural raw ingredients, will host a two-day, do-it-yourself skincare workshop with n ew Directions australia on the weekend of June 13-14, to help Canberrans learn how to make their own products. the course costs $595.

o riginally from Crookwell, she says that she finds people from the ACT and country NSW particularly interested in going their own way when it comes to skincare.

For more information call 8577 5999 or visit www.newdirections.com.au.

So I have no problem with preventative detention in the case of swine flu. School closures are fine with me. Nor do I have any problem with people kept in quarantine on a cruise ship or after an international flight.

But it seems that many of these precautions are being taken after the horse has bolted; wouldn’t it be better to focus on the people most likely to spread it? Just put them in home detention without any further delay. there are some people who pose a particular risk, especially by virtue of frequent air travel. Members of Parliament are a case in point and i know, from experience, that Parliament House in winter can be Flu Central. But i’m particularly worried about the Prime Minister.

Australia’s most frequent flyer really shouldn’t be indulging a diplomatic travel addiction at the moment. it might be a good time for the PM to lead by example and practise safe diplomacy via video conferencing. That way he could stay at home at the Lodge close to the Vicks Vapourub. and a bit of a rest would probably do him some good.

your week in the stars

With Joanne Madeline Moore June 8-14

ARIES Mar 21 – Apr 20

With this week’s Full Moon falling in your adventure zone, you need to remember that there is a fine line between being courageous and daring – and being plain impulsive and reckless. By all means take risks this week Rams, but make sure they are calculated [and clever] ones!

TAURUS (Apr 21 – May 20)

Bulls can become insecure when things start to change. With this week’s Full Moon falling in your transformation zone, the only certainty at the moment is change. Like a caterpillar transforming into a butterfly, your personal metamorphosis is happening at an unusually rapid rate. so you’d better get used to it!

GEMINI (May 21 – June 21)

twins can get so caught up in the hustle and bustle of daily life that you neglect those closest to you. this week’s Full Moon falls in your relationship zone, so you need to put aside time to spend with someone special. then you’ll both feel energised and emotionally renewed.

CANCER (June 22 – July 22)

Your already overloaded daily schedule is set to be revved up by this week’s Full Moon. if you can pace yourself – and prioritise – then you’ll get through the next few days without getting too crabby! tuesday and Wednesday favor romance, companionship and love, love, love.

LEO (July 23 – Aug 22)

this week’s Full Moon falls in your drama zone. so those around you can look forward to some classic attention-grabbing antics, as you throw yourself into tasks with diva-like abandon. Resist the urge to throw a huge hissy fit when you don’t get your own way – it’s so undignified!

VIRGO (Aug 23 – Sept 22)

You’re keen to get things moving at work but projects won’t proceed until you’ve dotted every ‘i’ and crossed every ‘t’. If you are traveling expect transport problems, timetable clashes or delayed departure times. The best way to handle it? With your usual sensible and sane approach!

LIBRA (Sept 23 – Oct 23)

Your talent for talking is given a boost as the Full Moon stimulates your communication zone. You’ll dazzle with your social skills and diplomatic ways, as you handle others with compassion and chutzpah. Your curiosity is also at an all-time high, as you soak up new information and experiences like a sponge.

SCORPIO (Oct 24 – Nov 21)

How stable and settled are you feeling Scorps? Financial and emotional security are highlighted this week, as the Full Moon shines the spotlight on your money/self-esteem zone. accumulating cash and assets will make you feel more secure on the outside, but true security and peace of mind can only come from within.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 22 – Dec 21)

With this week’s Full Moon falling in your sign, your positive traits are magnified – and so are your negative ones. Aim to be generous, gregarious and optimistic [rather than bossy, belligerent and impatient]. Tuesday and Wednesday favor stability in relationships. Snuggle up Sadge – it’s time to make love, not war!

(Dec 22 – Jan 19)

Cool, calm and collected Capricorn - you could be the one called upon to calm troubled waters, as those around you suffer from a dose of Full Moon Madness. Secrets and hidden motivations are also about to be revealed. The question is – are you ready for the truth to finally see the light of day?

AQUARIUS (Jan 20 – Feb 18)

With Sunday’s Full Moon activating your drama/creativity zone it’s time to clear your throat and find yourself a captive audience. Aquarians love to court controversy but try to avoid pointless debate with family members, as Mercury stirs up mischief in your domestic zone.

PISCES (Feb 19 – Mar 20)

Have you been procrastinating Pisces? With this week’s Full Moon lighting up your work zone, it’s time to shake up your daily routine and be bold and brave as you plan your future career path. If you take the time to listen to your intuition, you’ll be one step ahead of the professional pack!

Copyright Joanne Madeline Moore 2009.

general knowledge crossword No. 214

ACROSS

4 i n legend, a box containing all human ills was given by Zeus to whom?

8 What describes a man engaged in warfare?

9 Which term implies agreeableness of sound?

10 What is a stand with shelves for bric-a-brac?

11 What are paper handkerchiefs?

12 Which nationality was Hans Christian Anderson?

14 What are newly married women called?

18 Which medieval science is said to transmute baser metals into gold?

21 n ame the type of punishment that carries the death penalty?

22 To observe closely is to what?

23 Which complaint is known as otalgia?

24 What are rough struggles, as in wrestling?

Solution next week

DOWN

1 to be lacking in dexterity or skill is to be what?

2 What is known as the food of sustenance?

3 in humans, name the pair of bean-shaped glandular organs that maintain water balance?

4 Which word means attractive to the eye?

5 Backs of necks are known as what?

6 Which utterance is characterised by strength, fullness, etc?

7 What is a bottomless gulf known as?

13 What describes anything constituting a central part?

15 Name what serves as a bulwark or defence.

16 Which knife is used in surgical operations and the like?

17 What are long periods of years?

18 Which term describes a person who is fully skilled in anything?

19 What are messages sent on a system linking computers?

20 name the aggregate of goods kept on hand by a merchant.

Family Law Matters

Separated?

Make a new will

When people separate or divorce, they’re often preoccupied with the division of their current assets—they forget about estate planning and protecting their future assets. Here, we discuss the importance of wills.

When should I review my will?

You should review your will every few years or whenever you face a major change in your family structure or personal circumstances, or if there have been significant changes to your assets or the tax laws. Your will should always reflect your express wishes for the management and distribution of your estate.

What if I separate or divorce?

When marriage is terminated by divorce or annulment, or a civil partnership is terminated, any beneficial gift in favour of the former spouse or civil partner, and any powers of appointment, are generally revoked. An exception would be when the Supreme Court is satisfied that the person who made the will did not intend to exclude the former spouse or civil partner.

What if I take another partner?

Generally speaking, under the ACT Wills Act, if you marry or enter into a ‘civil partnership’ after having made a will, your will is automatically revoked. There are some exceptions, including when you have expressed that the will has been made in contemplation of your marriage or civil partnership.

What else should I do?

You should review your superannuation and life insurance policies and make any amendments regarding beneficiaries. You should also review any Powers of Attorney you have granted.

FREE SEMINAR

Attend a free general information seminar about family law at our offices. Tuesday 9 June 2009, 5:30–6:30pm. Bookings essential: 6212 7690.

ENLIST IN A FREE INFO SESSION

WHEN: Thursday 11 June

INTAKE Nº . 1 INTAKE Nº . 2

WHERE: Quality Hotel Dickson

Cnr Cape & Badham Sts, Dickson

TIME: 6.30pm

WHEN: Tuesday 16 June

WHERE: Canberra Burns Club

8 Kett St, Kambah

TIME: 6.30pm

BOOKINGS ARE ESSENTIAL

“Karridene”123 acres acres

poor

or professional. It is uniquely positioned within monents of the

and within walking distance of the ANU, ATO and the CBD. Spacious living areas open to the sunny court. There are four bedrooms, 2 bathrooms & a powder room. The kitchen is well appointed, excellent storage & a single garage are included. Enter from Ainslie Avenue EER 4.5 Auction on site 1pm Saturday 27th June Peter Blackshaw Manuka 6295 2433 Mary Debus 0414 623 876

“Karridene” offers a stunning single level 6 year old 5 bedroom homestead nestled high up on a level site with panoramic & private views over 123 pasture improved acres (49.74 Ha approx) with abundant water supply. A sun drenched plan gathers the northern sun & features spacious family room, formal living room, dining room, rumpus & double garage with internal access. The property is fully fenced with 8 paddocks, 3 dams & excellent high flow bore. Comprehensive infrastructure includes, machinery shed, 12x9m workshop, quality stockyards with cattle crush & loading ramp, water troughs & 168,000 litres (approx) rain water tank & tennis court are also some of the limitless attractions.

A prestigious double storey residence set high up in sought after “Homestead Rise” with great street presence, breathtaking views & a quiet location backing reserve. Abundant accommodation boasts 4 bedrooms including large segregated master bedroom with parents retreat, formal living & dining rooms, huge family room, meals area & home theatre room upstairs. Downstairs there is a large rumpus/2nd living room, 5th bedroom, ensuite & triple garage. Auction on site 1pm Saturday 27th June

Manuka 6295 2433 Paul Sutton 0407 099 175 or Robyn Sutton 0409 442 484

AUCTION 4 ACTION

LONG BEACH 87 Sandy Place

Smashing Water Views

Check this out! This Masterbuilt home is situated in a quiet cul-de-sac, bordering on National Park at the rear of the property, with magnificent water views from the front and a walkway to the beach directly opposite. This stunning home has three to four double bedrooms, two living areas, three bathrooms, and a double garage. The entertaining deck has views, and downstairs there is potential for a self-contained unit. The rear garden is fully landscaped with plenty of privacy and tranquillity. Hard to believe you are only ten minutes easy drive from town!

Elise Harrington 0427 950 765

BATEMANS BAY 10/13 Bent Street

Looking For Location And Value For Money?

Then look no further!! Here is a great opportunity to secure a very neat and tidy, privately positioned, one bedroom unit right in the heart of Batemans Bay with just a short walk to shopping, restaurants, and the Bay. Features include a spacious kitchen, combined lounge and dining, bedroom with ensuite, internal laundry, carport and a large sunny private balcony. What a great place to start, call now to inspect!

Kate Shaw 0409 743 332 raywhite.com/BBY10994

MALUA BAY 72B Bellbird Drive

Quality Living, Affordable Price

This sunny house is brand new, and just ten minutes drive south of the hustle and bustle of Batemans Bay. Within a casual stroll of both Garden Bay and Malua Bay’s sandy beach and village shops and eateries, and priced well below its neighbours, it is quality-built and equipped with top class inclusions. Very comfortable as a residence and delightful for a holiday retreat, 'Sea Breeze Estate' is set back from the salt spray and is locally renowned as the location for better-than-average homes. Quiet and peaceful, it represents 21st century living at its best.

John Haslem 0418 514 399 raywhite.com/BBY113

SURFSIDE 15 Osprey Place

Perfect Investment Opportunity

You will fall in love with this handsome home set on a 700sqm block in a very peaceful location. It features a large sunken lounge, reverse cycle air conditioning and elegant terracotta tiling from the entrance through to the dining area, a very appealing kitchen, fully fenced backyard, and all low maintenance! Immediately liveable and close to town, schools and beaches and playing fields, it is currently tenanted for $270 per week. A lovely family home, this delightful property will make you a winner!

about a career in Real Estate?

Do you often find yourself saying I’m better than this? There has to be more? Then perhaps its time to get out of your job and into your career.

Many of our sales people can speak for themselves when saying that a move to a real estate career has not only financial benefits but also benefits to their lifestyle.

A career in real estate is flexible and can work with you to satisfy your financial and lifestyle goals. You will be enrolled in the impressive L.J. Hooker Future Champions Program. This program has seen many of our salespeople reach Captain’s Club status, which recognises the top 10% of L.J. Hooker sales people internationally, within their first few years of real estate This 2 year career path of personal development will ultimately achieve a very successful career in real estate. If you think like a winner and are determined to succeed, register your interest and come along to the information evening.

To register call Ella Wallace, 0413 531 239 or email ewallace.canberracity@ljh.com.au

Date: 16th June 2009

Time: 6:00pm - 7:00pm

Location: Pavillion Hotel on Northbourne Ave

Number 1 in Belconnen

Sam Eimerl consistently works hard to achieve outstanding results & is currently ranked the number one sales agent at Independent Property Group’s highly successful Belconnen office.

Achieving an average of 9 transactions per month and with a 100% sold success rate with all of his listings, it’s easy to see why so many Canberra home sellers choose Sam.

If you want your biggest asset to be in the best hands, call Sam today.

Call Sam on 6209 4424 or 0400 022 281 AH or email sei@independent.com.au

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