Canberra CityNews September 23-29, 2010

Mr Chimp, enough is enough!

TONY Abbott is dividing the Parliament into the Chimps versus the Bonobos.

He, of course, is Chief Chimp and nothing epitomised this new paradigm better than his ferocious attacks on the Government when announcing his line-up of front-bench warriors.

This is a man with a sense of entitlement. It poured out from his bearing, his expression and his words like sparks from a metal grinder. In Abbott’s view, Julia Gillard, the dominant female in the Bonobo clan, had “stolen” government from within his grasp. Indeed, Julia’s Bonobos were, in the words of his shadow first law officer, Senator George Brandis “about as legitimate as the Pakistani cricket team”. And Abbott reinforced these sentiments in following days.

The club he would use to wrest power and territory from the Bonobos would be – of all things – the National Broadband Network. And he appointed his cleverest lieutenant, Malcolm Turnbull, to lead the charge.

Oh Mr Chimp, what a terrible hash you have made. In no time at all you have sown the seeds of

By Robert Macklin

self-destruction. You have done yourself in like so many before you by the smoke and mirrors of politics and the lethal effects of hubris.

How can I be sure?

Here’s how: Australians have had their fill of politics. We all got a bit excited while it was happening, but now the election’s over we want to get back to the things that really matter – the footy finals, the up-coming holidays, “Junior MasterChef”, paying the mortgage, having babies… What we do not want is either another election or a different government. We’re quite interested to see how this one will work out. A few of us have high hopes but most of us just want the Bonobos to get on with it. That’s mistake one. You’re totally out of step with the community.

Mistake two is choosing the NBN as your battleground. Not everyone has recognised it yet, but the NBN is our generation’s Snowy Mountains Scheme. It will transform our economy and

way of life. It soon won’t matter much where we live; we will all be connected; many of us will work from home and that’s just as likely to be in Tuross as Townsville, Wangaratta as Wagga Wagga.

City growth will slow and living there will be more congenial. Smart businesses will find world markets from wherever they are stationed and both health and education will enter an entirely new phrase of delivery.

Mistake three is choosing Malcolm to be your field commander. He will soon come to realise that the NBN provides him with just the springboard he needs to toss you in the next leadership struggle in the Chimp tribe. You will be the old guard; he will be the man of the moment with his own slightly refined version of NBN (which you will not understand) in one pocket and climate change in the other.

And when you fall beneath the clubs of your former followers, Australia will breathe a sigh of relief. So, pucker up, Mr Chimp. While Malcolm is not exactly Bonobo material, he certainly knows how to give the backdoor Bonobo treatment to a fellow Chimp who has lost his mojo.

robert@robertmacklin.com

KATE Sykes, owner of CareerMums, is this year’s ACT businesswoman of the year, reports K AThrYN VuKOVljAK . CareerMu Ms is an online national jobs board and careers centre for working parents and parents returning to work.

“Words can’t express how I feel – I’m just so honoured, and proud,” Kate told “CityNews” minutes after the announcement was made at the Telstra awards ceremony at the Hyatt Hotel.

“To go from the initial idea, to making it a reality and now winning this award, it goes to show you’re doing okay!”

Kate, whose background is in marketing, business development and IT, started careermums.com.au in 2006 to “connect talented mums with employers who offer flexibility”.

Kate wins top business title

“I wanted to offer an alternative to government back-to-work programs,” she says. “It can be very difficult to rejoin the workforce, people can lack confidence so we provide coaching and support for parents.” award winners will com-

‘We make it hard to catch a bus’

“WE’rE making it as hard as we can right now for people to catch the bus,” Kristen Blume said last week in a brightly lit lecture theatre stuffed full of academics, political hacks and consultants, agreeing with public concerns that ACTION does not provide adequate timetabling information.

Blume, the Department of Territory and Municipal services strategic project manager for the Office of Transport should know, after all she’s on the team tasked to make the aCT’s bus budget promises reality.

The plethora of problems miring our public transport system to eight per cent patronage is as deep as it is complicated, but that doesn’t mean there are no solutions being put on the table or enacted.

at a university of Canberra Passenger Transport and Development symposium, the focus of the day was not what is wrong with aCTION, but what can be done to make it better.

It was like speed dating for Canberra transport solutions, running along three key recommendations: aCTION needs to cover more ground and increase services; stick with routes so people become familiar and comfortable with them; and improve communication of

By Eleri Harris

information about buses to educate the public about their availability.

Blume said the Government is in the process of doing quite a lot to improve aCTION’s information accessibility – but none of it will be ready until after the new ticketing system is up and running sometime in early 2011.

Her colleague, Ta Ms senior manager, Kuga Kugathas said the department’s actions follow developments towards a “vision” for transport infrastructure.

“I’m not going to defend the public transport system we have now, but if we don’t have a clear vision then we’ll continue to be in this position and be lucky to get from eight per cent to 10 per cent,” Kugathas said.

“We need to get a reliable network.”

Blume said the major routes that redex currently runs on need to be legislated public transport avenues.

“We’re trying to make legislation for the red lines on the routes. What we really need is certainty for developers and commuters,” Blume said.

aCT Planning and Land authority chief planning executive Neil savery said dialogue with the community is key to generating a cultural change – countering our love of cars and making bus commuting, cycling or walking cool.

“If the public aren’t educated their behaviour won’t change, we have to change the design of the roads to change behaviour,” savery said.

Transport policy researcher rod Katz says transport in Canberra needs to take advantage of growing difficulties with car travel and enhance the appeal of alternative transport.

“You need to frame the debate around a holistic understanding of transport and take advantage of opportunities,” he said.

“You need to actively discriminate against car use, because people are conditioned to respond to an environment that is an automobile monopoly.”

On the plus side, uC urban and regional Planning lecturer Dr r ichard Hu pointed out that Canberrans actually score better than the average australian state capital in active transport.

“In a way, we’re very good because Canberra has higher walking and cycling rates than other capital cities.”

The Heart Foundation’s active living coordinator Gregor Mews said Government needed to balance any costings associated with improvement in public and active transport infrastructure with the burden issues such as obesity place on our health system.

Mews pointed out that even half an hour walking to and from bus stops each day significantly decreases chances of heart disease.

Want to tell the ACT Government what you think about transport? Go to http://www.canberra2030.org.au for “Time to Talk”.

Time for action on transport

IT is sad to hear the constant bemoaning of our public transport. (“Stanhope hails bus service”, CN September 9). As a public transport advocate, there has been a real lack of vision for how a public transport system should operate in this town. When the town-centre idea of the Y plan was first mooted, public transport routes were crucial to its success and reducing future congestion on major roads. The first satellite town centre of Woden had Australia’s first dedicated bus lanes, which were unfinished at the time as it only went half way to the city. Medians were left wide for future light rail. So here we are 40 years later and the bus lanes have been reduced to T2 lanes (cars with two or more people can use the lane). Belconnen and Woden bus stations were world class for their time and won major awards. Belconnen is finally getting upgraded, yet no word on when Woden will be upgraded.

The major funding for ACTION this year has been really for upgrading aging buses and aging ticketing systems.

It is now time for Mr. Stanhope to take steps and implement a better public transport system either a mix of light rail and buses or bus rapid transit. Enrique Penalosa, the former mayor of Bogota, the capital of Columbia between 1998 and 2001, built in just three years most of what is regarded as the world’s most efficient bus rapid transit network carrying 1.2 million passengers a day, he also built 300km of high-quality cycle paths, hundreds of parks, libraries and schools. What will John Stanhope’s legacy be, I wonder? The arboretum and more congested roads?

Martin Miller, Chifley

23-29, 2010

1993: Volume 16, Number 38

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Le Couteur denies any conflict ethical investment

By Eleri Harris

WHIL e the pandemonium of conflicting interests over the Greens ethical investment draft exposure Bill may take weeks to die down, one overlooked factor in future developments may be the role of Greens ML a Caroline Le Couteur.

Le Couteur is the former director of australian ethical Investments Ltd and is still a 4.5 per cent shareholder in the company.

One of its largest clients is the Centre for australian ethical research; the aCT Government is one of Caer’s clients.

Le Couteur says she does not stand to financially gain from any move by the aCT Government towards ethical investment for super funds.

“The Bill has got nothing about where any monies might be invested,” Le Couteur said.

“australian ethical is a retail funds manager it’s not a wholesale funds manager, the likelihood of any funds going to it is minimal and it certainly cannot happen as a result of this process.

“I don’t want anyone to say that either I or the Greens are trying to advantage myself financially.”

While Greens leader Meredith Hunter put the draft Bill together, Le Couteur drew Government ethics consultant stephen skehill’s attention to her links with the company.

skehill said so long as Le Couteur declared her interests there would be no conflict and that corresponding circumstances leading to any benefit for her or her friends were highly unlikely.

The difficulty the Greens may face with the Bill is not just the interests of individuals in the a ssembly, but also the political parties they represent.

aCT Labor Government treasurer Katy Gallagher pointed out ethical sense, like morality, differs from person to person.

“What is ethical and what isn’t ethical is a separate debate and one which I would be surprised if anyone can reach agreement on,” Gallagher said.

One of the items in the Greens’ Bill for negative screening is gambling and it is no secret the aCT Labor Party enjoys substantial revenue from its ownership of the Labor Club Group.

Total tip height of the turbines is 124m.

The total farm capacity is 140.7 megawatts running through 36km of cables, but is only 250m from the national grid.

Origin Energy plan to build up to 283 turbines in the nearby Yass Valley in upcoming years, which would be the largest wind farm in the world.

Each blade is 43m long and can spin in both directions.

It takes an average of three days to erect a turbine.

The nacelle and the blades are made in India.

In 2034 the turbines will either be decomissioned or repowered as technology evolves.

The towers are hollow with four platformed levels inside.

Configured weight of about 350 tonnes.

The towers are 80m high, made in Australia using Australian steel 6.25cm thick, held together with 850 M42 bolts the size of tea-cups that need to be regularly tightened.

Each turbine has a 2.1 megawatt rating, which can power 1000 homes.

Energy answer blows in wind

reporter ElErI hArrIS and photographer SIl AS B rOWN get a closer look at the l ake George wind farm.

TH e largest renewable energy facility in NsW, Infigen’s Capital Wind Farm on the shores of Lake George near Bungendore, has become an icon in the Canberra region as a “green energy hub”.

site manager sturt Daley says the turbines can “drought-proof” farms, with lease holders receiving an annual lump sum for each turbine of between $7000 and $10,000 over the turbine’s 25-year life span.

Infigen energy is set to construct another 23 turbines in the next year, bringing its total to 90.

“at this point, it’s about 12km away and it’s called the Woodlawn Wind Farm,” Daley said.

“That will be interconnecting into the Capital Wind Farm sub-station. It will boost the output of this facility by 46 megawatts and that will also enter into the grid.

“r ight now we’re generating at 130 megawatts, which is a considerable load for the grid of effectively clean, renewable, carbon-free power.

“The wind farm’s capacity is 147.2 megawatts, so we’re almost at maximum capacity. We’ve got a few turbines in what’s called ‘wind sector management’, which means we protect the asset by shutting some of the turbines down if they’re in direct line in affect of turbulence.

“We have potential to offset 450,000 tonnes of carbon and the carbon payback period [for construction] is around about 10-12 months, depending on generation.

“When you factor in servicing, general wind, throughout the whole lifespan of the wind farm, we believe that we will be producing 35 per cent of the time. Putting that in comparison, gas and coal-fired power generators are about 40 per cent, so whilst they claim to be able to constantly produce that base load, they still use a lot of power to generate that power.

“In europe, they [wind farms] hover around about the 20 per cent capacity; a merica is similar, some of them do hit the 40s; Western australia, due to the Fremantle Doctor wind influence, is sitting on 40-45 per cent. so australia, as a wind resource, is one of the best wind resources in the world.”

Infigen have made a point of doing more than contractually required for locals to boost public relations, planting 10,000 trees for Landcare on the seven lease-holder properties, donating a firetruck to the local CFa and putting bitumen on Taylors road.

“We’ve hired 12 local people and those service techs do regular maintenance. We do one every six months and by the time you get to the end, you’re back to the start.

Site manager Sturt Daley… “The majority of people who were concerned now just drive past it.”

“They’ve received plenty of training and they then will also have the ability if they like to travel around the world and work at any wind turbine manufacturer, so those skills can be definitely transferred.

“Primarily, we’ve got six mechanics and six electricians just from a general trade background and we’ve given them specific wind-turbine experience.”

Infigen don’t deny the turbines make noise, but neither the sheep nor the farmers on the property appear terribly bothered by the sounds of the 18 revolutions a minute the blades were making the day “CityNews” visited.

Initial local opposition to Capital Wind Farm appears to have died down with Daley estimating 95 per cent acceptance.

“The majority of people who were concerned now just drive past it.”

Stanhope stands up for prison needles

Columnist MIC hAEl MOOrE, a long-time advocate of a needle and syringe program in the ACT prison, praises recent political leadership

INJ eCTING rooms, syringes in prisons and human rights have recently provided grist for the mill for conservative politicians and their supporters. However, some are showing political leadership in standing up to them.

First it was Premier Kristina Keneally announcing that the medically supervised injecting room in King’s Cross would become a permanent health facility.

Then Chief Minister, Jon stanhope, admitted drugs were getting into the aCT prison. a nnouncing the possibility of a needle and syringe program, he raised the ire of the prison warders’ union and the aCT Opposition. He went ahead anyway!

He argues it has become clear that the only way to prevent drugs entering the prison would be the unacceptable; requiring the totally disproportionate response of strip and body cavity searching all who entered the prison, including all visitors and staff, including warders and nurses.

The attorney General, simon Corbell eloquently defended the stance taken by his leader on a BC radio by using evidence from overseas. Opposition Leader Zed seselja responded with the ludicrous propositions that a needle and syringe program at the a lexander Maconochie Centre would put prisoners’ human rights ahead of the warders. The Greens already provided leadership on this issue. Convener Meredith Hunter was able to draw on the comprehensive discussion paper they released months ago which canvassed the range of issues and options.

so why do public health practitioners encourage politicians to support these sorts of approaches? a teenager, Jess Pearson, posted this question on Crikey’s health blog, Croakey. she argued that such actions might encourage people to drug use.

a s CeO of the Public Health a ssociation of australia I responded saying that those of us who advocate for a supervised injecting room and even to trial provision of pharmaceutical heroin and other injecting drugs at the same time would love to see no one using such drugs. The thinking behind all harm minimisation policies is multi-layered. since the prohibition

letter politics

of drugs such as heroin has been pushed from the 1950s onward, particularly by the us, there has been no reduction in drug use. There has been a rapid increase. Challenging the whole concept of prohibition despite its clear abysmal failure seems a mammoth task. Therefore, policy makers in australia and other places have sought to find alternative solutions.

a s we cannot obtain what we believe is the best outcome, we look for the “least-worst” solution. There is no evidence that clean needles or an injecting facility increases or encourages drug use any more than availability of condoms encourages young people to have sex. In both cases, such availability simply protects those who make these decisions from dire consequences of their actions.

There is no doubt that treating people for HIV/a IDs or hepatitis for example will be much, much more costly to the taxpayer than the cost of running a needle and syringe program or a supervised injecting facility. What is really unfortunate is that in 1997 when the Ministerial Council on Drug strategy approved a scientific trial of a medically supervised injecting facility that also provided the heroin, it was stopped on the personal whim of then-Prime Minister, John Howard.

until such a program is tried we will not know the extent to which it will improve the health of individuals, reduce the spread of disease in the community and possibly undermine the pyramid sales system that is engendered by prohibition and the black market.

When our policies cannot achieve everything that we want, we need to have a back-up plan that will deliver the really critical things – such as saving the lives of individuals and stopping the spread of disease into the broader community.

standing up for drug users and prisoners is fraught with political risk. However, on such difficult issues Keneally and stanhope have provided inspirational leadership.

Michael Moore is CEO of the Public Health Association of Australia, a former member of the ACT Legislative Assembly and an independent minister for health in the Carnell government.

Say no to ACT injecting centres

B e FOR e too long the new Federal Government and our Chief Minister will be pressured by drug liberalisers to reconsider an injecting centre, and needles in prisons in Canberra.

The ACT Government should reject such a move.

On December 24, 2004 (“Canberra Times”), following a doubling of heroin deaths in one year in the Territory from 8 to 17, the then-health minister Simon Corbell rejected establishing a medically supervised injecting centre (MSIC) adding that injecting behaviour was not concentrated in one area, but was occurring in Canberra throughout the suburbs,

often in people’s own homes. He added that to establish an MSIC at a cost of up to $2 million for perhaps five to 10 users could not be justified.

Mind-altering, dangerous illegal drugs are at the core of injecting centres and needle distribution. If only one per cent of a legal health-oriented product was known to spread serious disease, and even death, upon sharing, it would be withdrawn immediately from doctors/chemists and an alternative sought. Governments must switch to long-term rehabilitation, not the revolving door quick-fixes of the movie stars.

c olliss Parrett, Barton

Sales boom leaves charities begging

By Megan Haggan

BusIN ess is booming at Vinnies retail stores this year, to the point where more donations are needed, says Linda Barry, aCT vice president of centres.

Over the aCT’s 24 stores, sales have grown by 10 per cent on last year and up 30 per cent in some individual stores.

“I think it’s a sign of interest in pre-loved clothing, and in quirky bric-a-brac, too,” Linda told “CityNews”.

“We’re also seeing a lot of young people searching for something that’s unusual, a bit different. We find that some of the designer and name brand pieces go very quickly, and they can be picked up very cheaply.”

Those in search of something to wear to vintage-themed (especially ‘80s) and other fancy dress parties often swoop on Vinnies stores, she adds.

“But a lot of the growth is due to necessity: it’s about 50-50. There’s a large group of people who haven’t got a great deal of money to throw around on new clothes.”

Linda says that there has also been an increase in the number of people seeking assistance from st Vincent de Paul and who need to

Time

be supplied with items such as clothing and bedding from its centres.

“The surplus from sales at our centres goes towards helping these people, not only with what we ourselves have on hand. It also helps to supply people with assistance for rent, essential services, medical needs and food.”

according to salvos stores aCT area manager Tony O’Connell, the salvation a rmy has seen about a 10 per cent rise in needy families requiring support over the last year.

The salvos are also “always in need” of donations, he says, adding that this is particularly so at this time of year. “Donations tend to slow over winter, but the need for clothing and furniture doesn’t.”

st Vincent de Paul needs good-quality preloved clothing and other articles brought to its centres, but Linda says that the charity needs donations to be handed in over the counter, not left outside stores and bins where they can be damaged or stolen.

“We’re always looking for donations, so we’d like to encourage Canberrans to come into our centres,” she says.

More information at www.vinnies.org.au/ home-act or www.salvos.org.au

to walk the talk

SPRING can be a glorious time of year in Canberra. Having resumed early-morning walking and cycling, I’m enjoying the blossoms, the new growth, the young birds, the gentle warming sunshine and, of course, the great feeling after exercise and fresh air.

I live too far from my workplace to walk to the office regularly but, on Friday October 1, we will all have the opportunity to enjoy spring by participating in Walk to Work Day.

This event is not just about embracing an active and healthy lifestyle; it is also about helping the community become more healthy, reducing both its carbon footprint and the strain on our transport infrastructure.

Canberra is well suited for walking: We have extensive green areas, we have lots of bicycle paths, we have a generally gentle topography and we have a pre-planned layout that is suitable for mixing our transport options – walking then catching the bus, for example, or car pooling, or park and ride.

This is one of the reasons for supporting infill development in the city and town

property c atherine c arter

centres. Providing homes at the centre of things, close to workplaces, entertainment precincts and shops, allows increasing numbers of people to choose their transport options.

When the weather is inclement, those living near the centre of things can choose buses, which run frequently enough to be useful. And they, in turn, provide enough custom to make the bus service economically viable in urban routes.

Judging by the speed at which our infrequently-available, inner-urban homes are snapped up by the market, it seems many Canberrans would like the option of being able to walk to their destinations.

Catherine Carter is the executive director of the ACT Property Council.

children

Swallowing the food message

By Megan Haggan

sCHOOL s around the country are gearing up for Nude Food Day on October 13, a Nutrition australia initiative to promote healthy and environmentally-friendly eating – but at Canberra Grammar school’s Northside early Childhood Campus, it’s almost an everyday event.

The school has a policy of encouraging parents to pack healthy foods for their children all the time, instead of putting “sometimes” or “special” foods in lunchboxes.

“at all times we encourage the children to save ‘special foods’ for after school, instead of as part of their lunches,” says Jennifer Thompson, director of Northside early Childhood.

“We also have a rubbish minimisation project, which has been going for quite some time.” This involves encouraging the use of smart lunchboxes instead of a lot of cling wrap and packaging.

The school also does composting, gardening and recycling – the school’s six-year-olds study a significant unit on recycling, and so become “monitors for the rest of the school” – and has introduced initiatives such as having its main lunch break at 10.30am to allow the kids to eat when they’re hungry.

Nude Food Day encourages all austral-

ians to choose seasonal, local produce, cook foods from fresh ingredients and consider growing their own vegetables to reduce food waste and the use of packaged foods.

The average australian household produces 1.14 tonnes of waste each year, Nutrition australia says.

Nude Food Day, as well as a healthy school policy on food, helps all kids to eat

well, Jennifer says. “If everyone has hummus and celery and carrot sticks for lunch, everyone’s on the same page: there’s no feeling of dissatisfaction that comes from seeing every other child with ‘sometimes’ foods.”

More information at www.nudefoodday. com.au

The importance of being nosy

SADLY, not a week goes by when I don’t need to apply Band-Aids and cold compresses to one or both of my children.

Children can be clumsy and accident prone. My seven-year-old son is so often covered in bruises, bumps and scrapes that I’m considering applying fake tan to his legs this summer just to even out the shades of blue, brown and black!

Most mums feel terrible when some accident, bump or scrape befalls a child and many will nervously joke “anyone would think I abused them or something!” And in the back of their minds is the terrible thought that maybe someone really might think they’ve done something wrong to their little kamikaze playground warrior.

But the signs of abuse in children show in more ways and go far deeper than a few cuts and bruises on knees and arms.

For instance, children who are suffering abuse might be withdrawn or fearful of

mum in the city sonya Fladun

people and if physical harm is present it can be quite specific (bruises in the outline of finger marks etc).

According to published statistics, more than 33,000 children are abused in Australia each year. This figure seems unbelievably high, and yet the real number is probably higher as cases of child abuse often don’t get reported. And, rather horrifyingly, a recent national survey by the National Association for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect found that less than 50 per cent of us would report a suspected case of child abuse or neglect.

According to the survey, there are various reasons why people might not report

child abuse. For example, like not wanting to accuse someone – a neighbour, friend or family member – of something so horrendous without being absolutely and unequivocally certain. However, since child abuse is often well concealed by the perpetrators, there is often uncertainty in the absence of inquiries by health and welfare professionals.

Others fear there may be repercussions for making such an accusation, or think that child abuse is none of their business, or simply don’t know what to do.

If you have any suspicion that child abuse might be occurring, do some research on the internet. Websites such as www.napcan.org.au and the ACT’s Office of Children, Youth and Family Support (www.dhcs.act.gov.au/ocyfs/services/ care_and_protection) have plenty of sensible advice.

From dodgy heart to soccer star

WaTCH out for Heart Foundation Doorknock appeal Volunteers this week – it’s the last week of the appeal, which is raising money to help the foundation fund life-saving research and promote health in the community.

among the volunteers are local academy of sport athletes, who are targeting Dunlop, Cook and Hawker residents.

according to the aCTas Football Program’s Bronwyn studman, 18, raising awareness in the community is vital to encourage people to monitor their cardiovascular health.

Bronwyn, who has just moved to California for a full soccer scholarship at the university of California Berkeley, had open-heart surgery at the age of 15 to correct an atrial septal defect and mitral valve regurgitation.

Bronwyn’s recovery was long: “I couldn’t do any sort of activity for about eight months, then I

Bronwyn Studman... “If anything it made me more determined.”

gradually got back into it by going for longer walks and slowly moving into jogging for a longer time.

“If anything it made me more determined to do well in sport, because I was playing at an elite level with a dodgy heart, so was excited to see what I could do when it was all fixed!”

Canberrans can also donate to the Heart Foundation at www.heartfoundation.org.au/doorknock or on 1800 552255.

Wendy should be here

I WOULD love to have another chat with leading Australian actor Wendy Hughes.

I spoke to the star of classics such as “My Brilliant Career” and “Careful He Might Hear You” about a month ago, after I had finished my sport spot on ABC 666 at 10.30am.

I got the impression that Wendy thought sport, particularly professional sport, had little worth in the broader community and the Australian media’s obsession with it was impossible to justify when compared to the support offered to the arts and culture.

I started to argue about the obvious health benefits, but didn’t go any further because I felt that she had locked in that mental image of drunken, tattooed footballers on the rampage.

Wendy, you should have been in Canberra when the Raiders won the 1989 grand final or when the Brumbies and the Capitals won their titles. There was that sense of community which can only be ignited by a major sporting event. The spontaneous joy in success on the sporting field creates a sense of togetherness and breaks down invisible barriers.

It happened when Australia won the America’s Cup, when Kieran Perkins won gold in the 1500 metres in Atlanta and when Cathy Freeman won gold at the Sydney Olympics.

Sport though, is a lot more than this.

One of the most positive sports stories is the role played by Dragons Abreast and the support network provided to breast-cancer

By t im Gavel

survivors and sufferers through dragon boating, or the Pegasus Riding for the Disabled. The Darters Netball team also does a lot of work in promoting the work of the McGrath Foundation.

I had an email from a woman who told me that Raiders’ players had been helping her son read as part of an NRL Schools program, another told me about the Raiders’ involvement in cancer fundraisers and the boost it gave to her fundraising efforts.

I have also seen first-hand the many community activities the Brumbies and the Capitals have been involved with over the years.

The Capitals and, in particular, coach Carrie Graf spend plenty of time in schools as positive role models to young girls; Brumbies’

coach, Andy Friend, realised a couple of years ago that the team needed to be more connected to the community and has done all he can to instill these values into his players. All three organisations take their role in the community seriously and it isn’t confined to the high-profile sports. I had an email the other day informing me about the terrific work being done by the ACT Rugby Union premiership-winning rugby union team, the Queanbeyan Whites. There is also the role soccer has played in integrating refugees into the Canberra community through participation on the sporting field and the inspiration provided to young disabled athletes by Michael Milton and his involvement in their lives.

Of course, for 100 positive deeds it takes only one negative story to bring it all undone. Nonetheless, I am prepared to present my case to Wendy.

I would prefer to pay more taxes!

JOHN Cleland (letters, CN, september 9) allows dogmatic belief in privatisation to blind himself to the examples of waste and incompetence by private enterprise that he quotes!

It was private companies that “delivered” the etax system he is fuming about. In the cause of outsourcing to “save taxpayers money”, departments were stripped of most staff with IT skills and now have to contract private companies to provide these services. research has shown that, thanks to outsourcing, taxpayers now pay four times what they used to for the same government services.

I have experienced from private companies many rorts, stuff-ups and poor responses that would be utterly unacceptable in the public service.

To instance a few more examples, it was private enterprises that breached legislation and Home Insulation Program guidelines to expose untrained employees to electrocution. It was private enterprise road builders whose bridge collapsed.

It is only because of the role of Government that these outrages are being examined and it is only because most programs managed by government are free of such problems that these examples stand out.

I would prefer to pay MOre taxes in order to have governments more effectively control those greedy companies that disregard the lives and hard-earned wages of workers.

Peter Blackwell, cook

Nationalise the lot

FOr D Pinto, Titanic, West Gate Bridge, exxon Valdez, Deep Horizon – the private sector gets it so right all the time doesn’t it?

When you buy a new car and the car turns out to be a lemon, is it the buyer’s fault? When a government buys a new bridge and the contractor screws it up, is it the government’s fault?

The insulation fiasco? That’s going to be playing out for a few years to come as the authorities track down the dodgy businesses that were responsible for the negligent installations and prosecute them. That’s what happens when shonky private businesses mess with public money.

The us health care system; Califor-

nia’s electricity supply; food hygiene in Dickson; Hunter Valley respiratory health: When will people realise that the private sector is full of selfish shonks? Yours in nationalising the lot, alex satrapa, Isabella Plains

Not short of stunts

THe Greens could never be criticised for lack of clever stunts. The headline grabber of euthanasia is not the real issue, as Greens Bob Brown notes, but restoring Territory voting rights. There was a book written by a Green insider called “Green Politics”, which pointed out “greens have put energy into their rhetoric rather than into concrete policy initiatives”. Which may explain why in the aCT the Labor Government

is not too troubled by them, and why the Gillard Government is happy for the airtime to be taken up, whilst it avoids serious scrutiny in Parliament.

Martin Gordon, Flynn

Gay marriages

aLLOW me to disabuse Pam Lai (“Wrong camp”, letters, CN september 9) and of some of the myths she proffers therein.

1. I doubt “The Canberra Times” “promotes the homosexual lifestyle daily”. To what end? Perhaps she means they have run a few articles on the subject?

2. No, Bob Brown has not obviously confused propaganda with public sentiment. Bob Brown is the first openly gay australian parliamentarian and leader of the Greens, who support gay marriages. That’s policy platform not propaganda. That’s democracy. If you don’t like it, don’t vote for it. Public sentiment in australia now supports gay marriages – 60 per cent of it (source www.theage.com.au/national/rise-insupport-for-gay-marriage).

3. sentiment can be better gauged from the swing towards conservative politics? What? 1.5 per cent to the Libs as opposed to four per cent to the Greens whose policy platform includes support for gay marriages. Flawed logic. any 2010 protest/informal vote probably most accurately reflected little else but the appallingly bad recent election campaigns from the major players. But, it could be argued, the Greens’ good electoral result also reflects continued strong support for gay marriages.

Barry Rollings, via email

House tipped for Assembly

By Eleri Harris

CLUBSACT chief executive Jeff House is tipped to have the support of veteran Labor MLA John Hargreaves to run for his seat in Brindabella in the 2012 Territory election.

When questioned, House told the “CityNews” it was “a bit early for speculation”, but did not deny his intent to run for pre-selection.

House expressed dissatisfaction with current members of the Legislative Assembly in regard to issues affecting clubs, indicating this has prompted an interest in Brindabella.

Hargreaves says: “It’s a little early to contemplate the pre-selection process now, other than to encourage people of Jeff House’s calibre to put their hand up.

“Pre-selection is still 12 months away and I have to consider my own future yet, I don’t know whether I want to leave or not!”

House and Hargreaves have known each other professionally since the early 1990s when House was a student representative for erindale College.

Property to Prosper

Cream of the crop

PrOPEr TY investors need to make their purchasing decisions based not on their emotions, but on purely economic factors, says julie Beck, founder of Property to Prosper in Manuka.

“B UYING an investment property can be a daunting experience,” Julie says. “The market has been very confusing and erratic over the last few years, with a great deal of conflicting information being received.

“However, it’s important to remember that property should be viewed as a long-term investment, and sound, well-considered property will deliver in the long term.

“The secret is finding something that will give good solid growth while also receiving a good rental income to help hold your asset. The investment needs to be as effective and efficient as possible.”

Property to Prosper manages the purchasing process by researching the options, picking out the best properties, streamlining the purchase process (including liaising between solicitors, finance providers and builders) and helping investors find a good property manager and reliable tenants.

The company chooses the cream of properties in and around the Brisbane area – but they’re not exactly units on the Gold Coast, instead primarily highquality townhouses and houses which

are attractive to owner-occupiers.

“Property investment isn’t about getting rich quick,” Julie says. “We have a very conservative, proven approach to investment.

“The real money in real estate is made through capital growth; the rent simply helps you hold your asset while it grows in value. It’s all about the efficiency of the investment: a balance between the price and the yield.

“For example, there may be a development of six townhouses of which the two at the back are the exceptional buys for various reasons. These would be the properties we’d recommend; we wouldn’t promote the others. I would never recommend a property I wouldn’t buy myself.

“A lot of people get very emotional when they see something they love. That’s one of the reasons we choose properties which others may see as more suited to the owner-occupier market: the investor will get a better price when, down the track, they sell the property to somebody who does buy on emotion.”

Property to Prosper is able to do this through close networking within the

Getting the info

PROPeRTY to Prosper is excited to present a property investment seminar with “one of the most highly regarded builders and developers”, Ausbuild, Julie Beck says.

Ausbuild won the HIA National Major Builder of the Year Award 2009.

“Many of our clients have had great success with their Ausbuild purchases, and what I particularly like is that it does not stop at the settlement of the property,” Julie says.

“Ausbuild offers a very professional after-sales service, something that is a bit of a rarity in the building industry!”

More information on www.propertytoprosper.com.au or 6257 3368.

industry, Julie says.

“Over the years I’ve developed some very good relationships with builders and developers, particularly boutique operators.”

Through these contacts, Julie is able to pick out the “gems”, allowing her to present the best opportunities possible for her clients.

“We have lots of repeat clients, and that’s testament to the success of their purchases over the years.”

Julie Beck… “Property investment isn’t about getting rich quick.”

The garden for all the family

WORDS: Kathryn Vukovljak

PHOTOS: Silas Brown

WHEN Scott and Helen McAlister moved into their Reid home in late 1998, the garden was so overgrown with rampaging honeysuckle, bamboo and wisteria that they had to clear out the lot, except for established trees, and start again.

“It took us about six months, working every weekend, but then we had a blank canvas to work with,” says Scott. “Now that it’s all in place it’s a surprisingly low-maintenance garden. It pretty much looks after itself – apart from the weeds!”

The McAlisters’ garden will be open to the public on the weekend of October 9 and 10, as part of the Australian Open Garden Scheme to promote the knowledge and pleasure of gardening.

A “discovered” Japanese wisteria forms a focal point in the back of the garden, and the couple planted sasanqua camellias, hellebores, roses, and two white Mt Fuji cherry trees in the front garden.

It’s a beautiful but functional space, designed with the family in mind – this garden has a corner for everyone who lives here. There’s the pretty, lattice-enclosed chook run, a sweet cubby house and giant chess board for the kids, a lawn for the dogs, a paved area and covered veranda for relaxing and entertaining and the “gate yard” – a cute courtyard off the dining room that’s been decked out with pots, a water feature and a table beneath strands of fairy lights.

“The gate yard is a favourite spot, it’s sun-drenched during the day and has a

lovely atmosphere at night,” Scott says. “We both work on the garden. It’s relaxing. Helen chooses all the plants but we both enjoy maintaining the space. We love sitting at the back of our rear paved area, looking through the arbour.

“I love that the garden looks as though it could be 50 years old but it’s just been here for 10 years. It’s relatively young and it’s always evolving.”

The garden at 3 Currong Street, Reid, will be open on Saturday, October 9 and Sunday, October 10, from 10am-4.30pm. Adults $6, children under 18 are free. Funds raised will go to the Open Garden Scheme and the RSPCA. More information at www.opengarden. org.au

Master of the house builds a new future

DIFFeR eNTIATING a Masterton home from a neighbour’s is as easy as choosing one of the company’s range of different facades – but when it came to opening up a Canberra operation, the contract builder did much more than just put a new front on its NSW operation.

Instead, the well-known family business opened up a true Canberra office, staffed by Canberrans and headed up by an excited local Jason Bisa, who says he’s been pleasantly surprised by just how many people in Canberra are already aware of the Masterton name.

The 50-year-old family company has a display house in Goulburn and Batemans Bay; it’s already built homes in these areas, around Bungendore, Murrumbateman and as far south as Royalla – so opening an office in Canberra is just “filling the hole in the donut,” Jason says.

“Having a consistent operation in Canberra allows us to better service these regional areas as well. These people are Canberrans, really: they work, shop, go to school and play sport in Canberra.

“This is the first Masterton office that’s a true operational office. We’re selling out of here, building out of here and everything else that goes with running a business. Batemans Bay and Goulburn are sales centres, and the processing gets done in Sydney.”

“We have several house designs, but on top of that, we offer interchangeable facades on our single and double-storey homes,”

True flexibility

Masterton offers real flexibility compared to house-and-land package suppliers, Jason says.

“We’re what’s called a contract builder. Typically, we wait for people to buy their block of land, and then they go builder-shopping.

“We have several house designs, but on top of that, we offer interchangeable facades on both single and double-storey homes. You can have the same six houses in one street, but if you drive down it, you might never know because the six houses will all look totally different to each other.

“There’s a lot of flexibility there; the houses are quite modular and it’s not like with some companies, where if you like the floor plan but not the façade, you can’t do anything about it.

“Typically with house-and-land packages particular houses are slated for particular blocks. The fact that it’s a package means that there’s not as much flexibility or scope for discussion, whereas with a contract home builder like Masterton, buyers have the discretion to put their perfect house on their block.”

One of Masterton’s slogans is that it’s built its reputation one house at a time, which Jason says underlies its

commitment to meeting the needs of individual families who build with the company.

“Over the years, we’ve built an astounding number of houses: More than 47,000. We now have new designs for the Canberra landscape, and they’re all contemporary homes offering outstanding value and sustainable living.”

Masterton also offers knock-down

rebuilds ideal for those in established inner suburbs who want to upgrade their homes without moving away from friends, family and schools, or sacrifice proximity to the city.

Another point of difference is Masterton’s purchasing power; because it’s such a high-volume builder “we can deliver very good value homes.”

Jason was born and bred in

Masterton’s has won a series of awards stretching back to the

More recent awards include:

HIA top homes award

HIA NSW housing award

HIA Innovation Award

MBA excellence in housing award

Display homes award

Residential designer of the year

Custom-built home

Safety excellence award

Canberra, and has a background in property, though he admits he’s not a tradesman.

“There’s building in my blood: my father’s a builder and I learned a lot about it by osmosis as a kid! I probably went to my first building site when I was five or six years old, riding in the front of the ute as we did back then.

“When I was a teenager I’d work with dad on the sites whenever I wasn’t playing sport on Saturdays. I got to know the process.

“And for the last seven years I’ve worked in the property investment and development market in Canberra for a property fund manager, so building really is my heritage.”

Mellow down at the new-look George

WhEN Gil Miller goes to the pub, he likes to be able to relax and have a pleasant drink or two, rather than going to high-energy, high-noise venues where it’s difficult to take it easy.

So when he and wife Colleen came to Canberra four years ago and bought the George Harcourt Inn at Nicholls, the couple decided to make it the type of place they enjoyed themselves – an english-style pub where patrons can “come with friends, enjoy a couple of beers or glasses of wine, and just relax.”

It’s a formula which is attractive to many Canberrans and visitors of all ages, Gil says. “The whole idea of the George is to create a

comfortable place; it’s not a place aimed at people who want to go out and get drunk,” Gil says.

“We have a lot of live music, including jazz, which is very popular. Last night, for example was beautiful: we had the Funky Fedoras, a jazz and blues band, playing and it was very mellow, and just lovely. We had patrons of all ages and they loved it.

“It’s not the kind of place to come to and get your eardrums burst with loud pub rock, either, and stand around not being able to relax!

“There’s food available all the time, and it’s a proper pub menu, not just snacks.”

Gil describes the George as “a place for grownups” – child-friendly, it’s a venue where people can relax, eat a traditional english or Australian meal, enjoy some live music and catch up with friends, with not a pokie machine in sight!

Next week the George Harcourt is celebrating its 30th birthday and its newly renovated facilities: the celebrations will take place on Sunday, September 26. “It’s essentially our extension and renovation re-opening, though we’re already fully functional.”

Big changes

“One of the biggest challenges when doing the exterior was to make it look as though we hadn’t done anything new to it, and I think we succeeded,” Gil laughs. “But when you walk through the front door, it’s a bit like entering the Tardis from ‘Dr Who’. It’s a lot bigger inside, now.

“We’ve doubled the size of our kitchen, completely gutted and modernised it; we have a beautiful bluestone wall as well.

“We’ve also doubled the length of the bar: an

“We’ve also doubled the length of the bar: an Australian contribution to this English pub is a sixmetre-long slab of ironbark,” says Gil Miller.

Australian contribution to this english pub is a six-metre-long slab of ironbark that comprises our new bar, and it’s absolutely beautiful. Anyone that knows timber comments on it.”

The toilets have been completely redone and extra amenities added, including a disabled toilet. This means the Inn can now cater for a larger number of patrons inside and out at any one time.

The gardens have been landscaped, and Gil put the inn’s old pool, which was previously out of use, to work watering and irrigating them – it’s part of his focus on environmental sustainability for the

pub, which also now features waterless urinals and other green initiatives.

“While maintaining the original charm of the place, the renovations have put us in a position where we can look after a lot more people,” Gil says.

“There’s nothing else like it in Canberra.”

The George Harcourt Inn is located at 3 Gold Creek Road, Nicholls, adjacent to Cockington Green. Opening hours are Sunday to Wednesday, 11am to 10pm; Thursday to Saturday, 11am to midnight. More information on 6230 2484.

all about living

Ron’s vision comes true

Arts editor hElEN MuSA and photographer SIl AS B rOWN take a sneak peek at the new-look National Gallery of Australia

TH e scaffolding is down and the workmen are putting the finishing touches to the new-look National Gallery of Australia, to be unveiled by Governor General Quentin Bryce on September 30 and open to the public the next day.

Yes, it’s the long-awaited $93 million stage one of redevelopments to the building, touted as “the biggest transformation of the gallery since its opening in 1982,” when the Queen launched the flagship gallery, designed by architect Colin Madigan.

It’s been a long time coming. Former gallery director Brian Kennedy failed to get acceptance for a perspex wraparound extension designed by architects Tonkin Zuleikha Greer, but the present director, Ron Radford, has succeeded, as he promised in his vision statement in October 2005, and now the extensions, designed by Andrew Andersons, of Sydney firm PTW Architects and constructed by Manteena, are ready to be used. e arlier in the year, new permanent spaces providing elegant areas for the Nolan “Ned Kelly” series gallery, Polynesian and Melanesian galleries, photography space and jewellery, fashion and costumes, were unveiled by the then-Arts Minister Peter Garrett. A part of the development,

they purportedly increased the display space from 1000 works of art to around 1400.

Now, in addition we’ll have 11 new indigenous art galleries, a new expanded shop and sidewalk café and, dearest of all to the heart of Radford, Gandel Hall – a function space set to rival the Great Hall at the National Gallery of Victoria, spilling out on to a manicured, tiered lawn and the cutting-edge, semi-submerged “Skyspace” installation sculpture designed by US artist James Turrell.

Aesthetically, it is bound to raise eyebrows, since Madigan’s original building was constructed on a spiritual notion that linked it to the rest of the Parliamentary Triangle. But the finished product, though somewhat glassier and different in line, is satisfyingly consistent in look, with a perfect match in the sophisticated concrete work.

The public will now have access to escalators to and from the main level and a lift from the underground car park. The foyer area will include much-needed new visitor cloaking and reception facilities and a new gallery shop.

Sceptics never expected to see this project completed, and far less on time as it has been. September 30 is bound to be a happy day for the National Gallery of Australia.

Helen Musa

Juniors go into the woods… arts in the city

DIANNA Nixon is staging a junior version of Stephen Sondheim’s sophisticated musical “Into the Woods” for Music for Everyone’s “Act Up Sing Out” program at Belconnen Community Theatre, September 29-October 6, in the year of Sondheim’s 80th birthday. There’s a different slant on the characters of Cinderella, Red Riding Hood, Rapunzel, Jack and a gaggle of Prince Charmings. Bookings to 6275 2700.

DON’T miss the Annual Spring Art Exhibition of the Artists Society of Canberra, the oldest such art group in the ACT, at the Wesley Centre in National Circuit from October 1-4. More than 400 paintings will be on show, all for sale. Visit www.asoc.net.au

BORN and bred in Canberra, Louiza Blomfield is emulating Liza Minnelli with her musical show “Louiza with a Z” at Teatro Vivaldi, October 1-2. Bookings to 6257 2718. Vivaldi has taken over the café at the Film and Sound Archive and is calling it Teatro Fellini. It was launched on September 16 by Jon English, who quipped that he was glad it wasn’t Teatro Hitchcock.

THE “Jazz Uncovered” festival runs on four stages at the Italo-Australian Club, noon-11pm, September 26. ArtSound FM will broadcast the event. Oh yes, ArtSound has just picked up the PRIA-Chief Minister’s joint award for community media at the Public Relations Institute of Australia’s Gala awards night.

CONGRATULATIONS to Genevieve Kenneally, a teacher at the Canberra Academy of Dramatic Art, who has won Best Play and the People’s Choice Award at this year’s “Short + Sweet” festival.

“DOLLS of Japan” is an unusual exhibition presented by the Alliance Française, the embassy of Japan and the embassy of France. It’s at Maison de France in McCaughey Street, Turner until October 2.

“QUARTET for the End of Time”, named after the Messiaen work, is David Pereira’s fourth cello program for the year and features Pereira, Alan Vivian, Anna McMichael, Tamara Anna Cislowska, with Alexina Hawkins and Hayley Bullock. The concert at Wesley Music Centre, 7.30pm on October 1 and at 3pm on October 2, will also include soothing Brahms. Visit www. davidpereira.com.au

Swedish thriller plays with fire and tension cinema

“THE GIRL WHO PLAYED WITH FIRE” (MA)

SHE did that in childhood, setting her father alight as punishment for brutalising her mother.

In part 2 of Swedish novelist Steig Larsson’s trilogy, Lisbeth Salander is accused of having murdered two writers on short-term contract to “Millennium” magazine to write an expose of the sex trade. The name Zala keeps popping up when “Millennium” editor Blomkvist begins enquiries aimed at proving Lisbeth’s innocence. Zala is short for ex-KGB agent Zalachenko who defected to Sweden, a nasty piece of work, as well as an ugly one. Hardly surprising. A decade earlier, his 12-year-old daughter sloshed petrol over him then lit a cigarette lighter.

Part 1, “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo”, delivered complex enquiry, brutal behaviour and a litany of dramatic surprises. Part 2 treats those three elements in a more mainstream fashion with lower levels of tension and inventiveness (despite which it’s an effective thriller).

A strong repeat performance from Noomi Rapace in the physically demanding role of Lisbeth dominates the film. The skillfully staged action passages are exciting. The final 15 or so minutes impose agonising tensions before a resolution that demands suspension of disbelief.

At Dendy, Greater Union and Hoyts

“THE LAST AIRBENDER” (PG)

WRITER/ DIRECTOR M Night Shyamalan cribbed the notion of this sci-fi fantasy fairytale from a TV series. It’s reported that it cost $US150 million, mostly for visual effects.

A century ago, harmony between four kingdoms, characterised respectively by fire, earth, air and water, collapsed. The fire people in particular now want to dominate the planet.

We’ve seen it all before. And much more convincingly. Think LOTR.

But not in 3D. I was minded to think about people presenting films in 3D for the same reason that dogs lick under their tails. Because they can. A few minutes after dutifully donning the hi-tech 3D specs, I asked for a replacement pair. It made no difference. The visual quality was like looking through a mudbath. Not even dispensing with them thus being at least able to see what was going on could rescue my sinking satisfaction. Truly, folks, “The Last Airbender” is not worth seeing.

Dougal Macdonald

Its dialogue is trite. Its plot is chaotic. Its acting is wooden. Its expressions of fantasy lack conviction.

I had to see it. Nobody else does.

At Dendy, Hoyts and Limelight

“EASY A” (M)

WILL Gluck’s film tells about female rites of passage built around an unfounded allegation propagated by Olive Pendergast’s best friend and hurtling faster than light among students at Ojai High School, that Olive has lost her virginity. Olive decides that the best thing to do is let the fib ride, endure the opprobrium of her school mates and make it work for her benefit. We remember where we last had our virginity so strictly speaking it’s not lost. We just can’t get it back. And why should we? Olive still has hers. Sustaining the fiction that she doesn’t makes for a warmly entertaining and often quite wise film. The film’s chiefest virtue is Emma Stone’s warm, cute and thoroughly credible performance as Olive. I am besotted by Patricia Clarkson, no Playboy centerfold, but an actress of great breadth and depth here having a ball as Olive’s mother. Thomas Hayden Church is great as Griffith, the English teacher delighted that of all of her class, only Olive has actually read “The Scarlet Letter”. Lisa Kudrow is fun as Mrs Griffith, a slap-dash student counsellor nourishing a dose of chlamydia contracted from a student still attending classes in his early twenties. With a gentle message about not telling porkies delivered in a matrix of witty and affectionate comedy, “e asy A” is agreeable escapism for both sexes and all ages.

At Dendy, Hoyts and Limelight

Jan’s still wild about Winnie

By Helen Musa

SHE’S been dead for nearly 20 years, but Winifred Atwell, “Queen of the Boogie Woogie”, still has a huge following amongst piano lovers around Australia.

I wonder how many of them know that the Trinidad-born pianist, who studied at the Royal Academy of Music in London then went on to a huge international career, spent the last 20 years of her life in Sydney.

A devout Catholic, she played the organ in her local Narrabeen church and controversially took up the cause of Aboriginals.

Now NZ pianist Jan Preston is performing “Queen of The Ivories – Winnie Atwell” in Canberra. She tells me how she researched and assembled more than 150 slides projected on-stage to tell of Atwell’s astonishing life, while she plays favourite tunes such as “The Black and White Rag” and “The Harry Lime Theme”.

Preston has been a Winnie fan since she was a young piano student and reckons she’s not the only one.

The Winifred Atwell show, The Southern Cross Club Woden, September 30. Bookings to 6283 7288.

New Image for the portrait gallery

By arts editor Helen Musa KIM Carpenter has, for a long time, been Australia’s premier designer-director. In fact, at the moment he is arguably the only one.

An early NIDA graduate, he has long since carved out a place for his own unique company Theatre of Image.

With a combination of first-class actors, choreographers and design incorporating all of the visual arts including puppetry, he has staged popular children’s works such as “The Happy Prince”, productions dedicated to the life and work of painters Lloyd Rees and Arthur Boyd, and even an adaptation of David Malouf’s “An Imaginary Life”.

Current ambassadors are actors Hugo Weaving and Miranda Otto, among Carpenter’s favourites. These days, Theatre of Image is happily located in Pyrmont, Sydney, and has an invitation to perform on

Broadway in 2012.

Now he has created a new work commissioned by the National Portrait Gallery and funded by its chairman Tim Fairfax.

The gallery’s Pamela Clelland Gray says this is not conventional “Theatre in Museums”. “Kim is an artist,” she says, “his basis is in the visual arts; that is why his company is called Theatre of Image.

“They approached us tentatively at first… but the result has been the commissioning of a 40-minute work that refers to the gallery’s collection and the broader Australian identity.”

Of necessity, this means that this production will appeal at different levels.

They’ve done a workshop during April with performers Adriano Capelletta and Holly Austin, sound designer Jeremy Silver, choreographer Julia Cotton and, of course, Carpenter himself.

CITYNE wS wINNERS

OUR Floriade Nightfest winners were: Brad Watts, Curtin; Robyn Lacey, Belconnen; Priscilla Ho, Bruce; Simone Ann, Campbell; Natalie Coomber, Ngunnawal; Neville Tomkins, Aranda; Adam Gooley, Macgregor; Mary Ewers, Fraser; Danielle Chesher, Karabar; and Sarah Groube, O’Connor.

And the Lollypotz winners were: Pam Nicolson, Latham, and Pam Glover, Gunning.

Of the subject matter he says: “It is quite clear. The production will be called ‘Little Beauty’ and refers to ‘Beauty and the Beast’. In the fairytale, Beauty accepted ugliness because she could see behind it… our show is life’s journey… you see the two performers start from the beginning. Captain Cook is represented in the play, making White Australia “like children playing with toys.”

But these are no ordinary children playing. “Theirs is a literate eye,” and there will be lots of references to artists and personalities seen in the collection, such as Cathy Freeman and Ian Thorpe.

And the production will be “swimming in light” in the central foyer of the gallery.

“Little Beauty”, Gordon Darling Hall, National Portrait Gallery, September 25-October 10. Free, but bookings are recommended, 6102 7070.

arts&entertainment

Innovative taste of Rocksalt

dining

Wendy Johnson

A GEM of a fine dining restaurant is tucked away at the Hawker Shops in Belconnen, working diligently every lunch and dinner to provide innovative modern Australian cuisine with attentive service and full respect for customers, including families.

If our visit to Rocksalt is anything to go by, you will be delighted with your experience on every level. Geoff Brooks has owned and operated the restaurant for a couple of years. He has been in hospitality for decades – ironically his father owned a seafood restaurant in the same building in Hawker many moons ago.

Spring is on the menu, with dishes initially being tested with diners to see if alterations are needed, a nice touch indicating that Rocksalt takes feedback seriously.

I began my Rocksalt evening with light and creamy lamb’s brains, gremolata crumbed and served on sautéed cabbage, crisp speck and a red wine sauce ($20). The dish is a testimony to the talent of the team in the kitchen. The pan-fried scallops with pea puree, prosciutto and pecorino cheese sounded complex ($22), but were absolutely delicious. And the third person in our party – who orders quail at absolutely every opportunity – was impressed with the look and taste of her meal.

Rocksalt’s menu is an interesting read and we agreed there we would have been delighted to order anything on offer (except I was the only one favoring the

lamb’s brains). After our entrée was a cool and fresh basil sorbet cleanser and then it was off to the mains.

My Cajun-spiced salmon was exceptional ($32) and the lime aioli a lovely complement to the fish. Lamb sirloin was the choice for the other two – minted, tender and served on cabbage braised with tempura battered zucchini flowers filled with Bulgarian fetta ($34). We shared a decadent little side dish – potato gratin ($8.50), which celebrated the versatility of the vegetable.

The dessert line-up commands attention, and what a way to end our meal. Our desserts were all sensational and, although I may be biased, I believe my triple-choco -

late Belgian tart, which I enjoyed with a 2007 Hamilton’s Bluff Dolce Nero sweet red dessert wine, took top prize. And on the topic of wine, Rocksalt’s staff are knowledgeable on the restaurant’s admirable list which includes regional selections.

Many of Rocksalt’s dishes can be adjusted for coeliacs – another nice touch. Two degustation menus are available for dinner, one designed around vegetarian dishes. And kids are well catered for.

Rocksalt, open lunch (designed to be efficient and a bit more casual) on Tuesday to Friday and dinner Tuesday to Saturday. BYO. Hawker Shops, with plenty of free parking. Call 6254 7865.

In praise of a choir’s splendid singing

TH e Llewellyn’s Choir’s 30th anniversary concert, “Thirty Years and Three Batons”, attracted a disappointing audience last Saturday. Pity. It was a splendid show.

The choir’s former and current music directors Bill Hawkey, Rick McIntyre and Rowan Harvey-Martin shared the honours. The Canberra Chamber Orchestra, in symphonic proportions, accompanied.

Hawkey opened, conducting an aria and chorus from Mendelssohn’s “ e lijah”. Soprano Sonia Anfiloff was magnificent and the rousing chorus was a fitting overture.

The baton passed, McIntyre took a

MUSIC

“Thirty Years and Three Batons” Llewellyn Choir’s 30th anniversary concert, Llewellyn Hall. Review by Clinton White

baritone aria and chorus from Bach’s “B Minor Mass”. The soloist, Paul Cambridge, lacked vocal power and, sadly, largely was lost under the orchestra. The chorus was uplifting.

Preceding interval was Bach’s 2nd violin concerto. A small chamber ensemble gave it heartfelt treatment with superb balance. The middle movement particularly was sensitive. Soloist Barbara Jane

Gilby was confident and engaging, but there were times when she seemed to have to push some of the notes to pitch. Perhaps it was use of vibrato instead of the pure tonal sound of Bach’s day.

The performance of Brahms’ “A German Requiem”, led by Harvey-Martin, was world class. She rose to the challenge of conducting large forces while achieving the beauty and romanticism the piece demands.

There was beautiful sonic balance and tone, the orchestra never dominating. The soloists, Sonia Anfiloff, and baritone, Douglas McNicol, delivered at once power and beauty.

Floriade food guide

Parade of postnatal pride

juNIOr and senior fashionistas enjoyed a spring day out at the jasmine and jazz high Tea, held at Miss Chief Maker, rodney’s Nursery, Pialligo.

Models were FitMums founder Jenny Tiffen, and participants Lou Walton, Jess Peil and Liz Camilleri – Jenny Tiffen told “CityNews” that “postnatal and proud” was a big theme for her clients.

The FitMums and 13 mini-models showed off fashions from MissChief Maker, including new season babies and children’s clothing and footwear; and women’s spring vintage clothing. Also featured were local jewellery designs.

The high tea was created by Nathan Kleinig at Rodney’s Garden Cafe and New York underground-style jazz from the Carl Morgan Duo, all set among the upgraded playground, cafe lawns and undercover nursery at Rodney’s Nursery.

More information at: www.misschiefmaker. com.au and www.fitmums.biz

Next stop, Paris

N e XT Hair’s Adam Noble is setting off for Paris, to compete in the Goldwell Color Zoom Challenge, an international hairdressing competition which will share the stage with Valentino, Chanel, Dior and more at Paris Fashion Week.

The contest, which will be held from October 10-12, will feature hairdressing talent from 27 other countries.

Adam will be joined by Canberra’s Madeline Rose Fein, who placed third in “Australia’s Next Top Model” in 2006.

He’s the only Canberra stylist to have picked up the prestigious title of Australian Hairdresser of the Year, and took out the Partner Colourist Category of the Australian round to win the chance to compete in Paris.

In with the old

NOSTALGIA, sustainable living and creativity: that’s the basis of “Re-Loved: Re-Vamped”, which is set to showcase unique and one-off pieces from five local designers.

Creator and avid recycler Hanny Dewar says there’s “much more to recycling than just putting the bins out – the way I approach this is to take a proactive stance.

“When I first thought of ReLoved as a viable tool, it was a means to an end as far as doing something that was practical, and something that would not only encourage people to think more about sustainability issues, but also have the courage to try something.”

Hanny is also motivated by

fashion scene

a love of times past: “It’s that nostalgic feeling for times gone by, when we hanker for the past. This is a tangible way of recapturing, reinventing and reloving those times.”

Re-Loved has “snowballed” since the first parade in 2009, Hanny says, and this time will feature not only her own work from Hanny-d Creations, but also that of Tango & James’ Lisa Barrett, Turketo’s Zoe Turketo, newcomer Chris Murray, and textile artist and designer Tamara Russell.

“It’s something very different, different even to what we’ve had in the past. It’s an eclectic group this time.

“My own style could be called ‘relaxed vintage’, or ‘quirky retro’: a little bit of whatever comes out of my head at the time!”

“Re-Loved: Re-Vamped” will be held on Thursday, September 30, at the Craft ACT: Craft and Design Centre in Civic. More information at www.craftact. org.au or call 6262 9333.

At Anglicare’s ‘Retro Runway’, Southern Cross Club

your week in the stars

With Joanne Madeline Moore September 27 - October 3

ArIES (Mar  – Apr 0)

Relationships are acting as a mirror, as you learn important lessons through interacting with others. Attached Rams – are you taking your domestic responsibilities seriously? Singles – with Venus and Mars in your intimacy zone, it’s time to be more proactive in love. On the weekend, avoid the temptation to be cocky and over-confident.

TAuruS (Apr  – May 0)

Bulls can be real couch potatoes. But, with disciplined Saturn in your health zone, you need to take a close look at your diet – and your fitness routine. Don’t have one? Now’s the time to get your body moving and start! With Venus and Mars both stimulating your relationship zone, you’re in the mood for love, lust, and lashings of romance.

GEMINI (May  – june )

Geminis have the gift of the gab. You love to hear the sound of your own voice, and are inclined to do too much talking and not enough listening. Your motto for the next seven days comes courtesy of Truman Capote (born on September 30): “A conversation is a dialogue, not a monologue.” Friends and finances are a complicated combination.

CANCEr (june  – july )

Cautious Crabs – you need to be firm and down-to-earth when dealing with difficult family members this week. Don’t waste time side-stepping around issues. If things start to resemble a soap opera, re-state your case clearly and calmly, and then move on. With Venus and Mars both visiting your romance zone, love is definitely in the air!

lEO (july  – Aug )

If you want to be Top Cat, then you need to put 100 per cent care and commitment into all your endeavours. Being impatient and cutting corners will only result in having to do everything twice. You’re bursting with creative ideas on the weekend, but don’t promise more than you can realistically deliver – or scare others away by being too bossy.

VIrGO (Aug  – Sept )

Virgos have very high standards and are critical creatures (of yourself and others). This week, your comments may be blown out of proportion, so think carefully before you make criticisms – no matter how “constructive” they are. The Sun and Saturn join up in your money zone, which shines a spotlight on flaws in your financial plan for the future.

lIBr A (Sept  – Oct )

With indulgent Venus and impulsive Mars in your money zone, you’ll have to watch that your urge to splurge doesn’t get out of control. Librans love a luxurious lifestyle but make sure you have the cold, hard cash to support your big dreams and spontaneous shopping sprees. Saturn is challenging you to roll up your sleeves and get to work.

SCOrPIO (Oct  – Nov )

Sexy? Sultry? Seductive? You’re a Scorpio, so tick all the above. And, with love planet Venus and sex planet Mars in your sign, you’re even more flirtatious and irresistible than usual. But this week, add “secretive” to the list too. You’re keen to do your own thing, and there are some scintillating secrets you don’t want to divulge now – or ever!

SAGITTArIuS (Nov  – Dec )

Friends and colleagues must be taken seriously this week. If you walk a mile in their shoes, then you’ll understand where they’re coming from. But don’t get carried away and talk up projects before you have laid the groundwork. Sagittarians have a talent for inspiring others, but they will soon lose interest if you don’t come up with the goods.

CAPrICOrN (Dec  – jan )

Whether at home or at work, Capricorns love to be the boss. This week the Sun and Saturn hook up, so the challenge is to lead others – without being a bossy control-freak! And don’t be discouraged by perceived setbacks along the way. Be inspired by birthday great Truman Capote: “Failure is the condiment that gives success its flavour.”

AQuArIuS (jan 0 – Feb )

With Mars and Venus both activating your career zone, it’s time to get cracking at work. Whether you initiate a creative project, apply for a promotion, hit your boss for a raise or look for a better job elsewhere, make sure you take some sort of positive action ASAP. Don’t sell yourself short Aquarius – you have more influence than you think.

PISCES (Feb  – Mar 0)

Are you dreaming of heavenly holidays, foreign affairs and faraway places? It’s the perfect time to plan an adventure or vacation, as Venus and Mars light up your travel zone. Don’t believe everything you hear on the weekend. Take the time to check the facts thoroughly, before you make a decision or commit yourself to a new course of action. Copyright Joanne Madeline Moore 2010.

UNDER

commercial property

City gem up for sale

By t im Humphrey

ONe of Canberra’s city centre’s best office buildings will be put to market over coming weeks; 255 London Circuit (which is also known as London 11) is being off-loaded by the Orchard Group in a strategic divestment process.

Interest is expected to be strong from both international and local institutional clients seeking a secure, long-term investment.

Jim Shonk, director of investment sales at Colliers International, is anticipating enquiries from organisations in Germany and Singapore looking to achieve greater exposure to the national capital market.

“It’s a fantastic investment both in terms of its negligible income risk from the Commonwealth Government covenant and its solid environmental credentials,” he said.

“The building has achieved a NABERS rating of four stars and is targeting 4.5 which will future proof it for the decades to come.”

The building offers 9167sqm of office space over six levels,

and is fully occupied by Ausaid on a 12-year lease through to September 2022.

Colliers International is selling the property in conjunction with Jones Lang LaSalle. Expressions of interest close on November 3. If current market conditions provide any guide, it is expected to sell in the mid $50 million range at a yield between 7-7.5 per cent.

Joint agent, Greg Lyons, regional director of investments at Jones Lang LaSalle is confident the property will definitely sell.

“It’s by far the best office investment to come on the market this year,” he said.

Other major office transactions close to being finalised in Canberra include 6 National Circuit, which is currently in due diligence and 15 National Circuit which is under negotiation. Colliers International is also involved with selling both properties. Jones Lang LaSalle is also working in conjunction with Colliers in the prospective sale of 33 Allara Street.

Tim Humphrey is editor of “Property Daily”, a market news and intelligence service focused on commercial property markets nationally. www.propertydaily. com.au

BARTON

Canberra Region Property Summary

BELCONNEN

BRUCE

BUNGENDORE

Canberra Region Property Summary

CARWOOLA

CASEY

DOWNER

FISHER

DUFFY

DUNLOP

Canberra Region Property Summary

GOOGONG

GORDON

GOWRIE

GREENLEIGH ESTATE

GREENWAY

KALEEN

Heddon

Agent

02 6231 3100 4BR H

L.J. Hooker Tuggeranong 0418 624 913 3BR I U

7/23 Jondol Pl Independent Woden 0413 909 158 3BR I

Maharatta Cct Ray White Canberra 0422 454 383 3BR I U

Agent 18 Marengo Pl L.J. Hooker Tuggeranong 0438 627 772 3BR B U

Agent 7 Nugal Pl Richard Luton Properties 0410 542 667 4BR H U Call Agent

Rushbrook Cct L.J. Hooker Tuggeranong 0412 624 412 4BR B U

Werriwa Cr L.J. Hooker Tuggeranong 0412 773 938 3BR I U

NERRIGA

Canberra Region Property Summary

NGUNNAWAL

NICHOLLS

THEODORE

Canberra Region Property Summary

TORRENS

URIARRA

WAMBOIN

WANNIASSA